The King's Speech

The King's Speech is perhaps an example that should be used to help one differentiate between writing and directing. The King's Speech as written is a delightful, witty, while still emotional realization of the story of George VI through his relationship with Lionel Logue who helps him find his voice and his confidence through the tumultuous time of the abdication of his brother, and World War II. The script shows one who to fashion a classical inspirational historical tale, and do it right. It finds the emotional truth in the matter while finding both the grand and personal scale within the story. I also have to give it special accommodation for having the intelligence to have the sort of the potential "liar revealed" scene dealt in an honest satisfying way. Sadly Tom Hooper's direction does everything in its power to interfere with the terrific tale that has been granted to him. Are porno sets okay? Of course, says Hooper. Bizarre angles for the sake of it? Of course Hooper says. Outdoor scenes so foggy as to be a gothic horror film? Of course, Hooper says. Overdone lingering shots of Colin Firth's face to make his performance a bit awkward at times? Of course, Hooper says. The choices are there for the sake of it never making a lick of sense for the film's story. The biggest obstacle the film has is its own director who detracts rather amplifies his film, the exact opposite of what David Fincher did in The Social Network, the film's main competition at the Oscars. Hooper's ill informed decisions make the film far less than it should have been, however they can't quite ruin the film. It's still a good film however with a better director it could have been a great one.
3.5/5

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader marks the third film in the Narnia series, and seems to have the passion of someone saying "eh lets do this now". The film is directed by Michael Apted who has a most unusual filmography to his name, some of it quite good, however still was not the best man to create a singular vision. In all honesty the film Apted director before this was that feels most apt to compare is his James Bond effort The World Is Not Enough. Apted uses what already came before once again. In Narnia as with Bond, he doesn't remake any wheels, he doesn't break the wheel, but he fails to stop it from rusting more than a bit. This whole film feels like half hearted effort in every respect, as there is no sense of urgency, there's no sense of wonder throughout the film whole. The film above all suggested it needed someone with a real method to bring the viewer to a whole new world, but here we just get a pretty bland sailing adventure. There's nothing of note, the only thing sort of enjoyable is the new addition from Earth Eustace turning into a Dragon to learn a lesson. That comes from the source material of course, but at least one can say that's didn't screw that up. This isn't so much about screwing up but rather by the sheer lack of any even bit of original inspiration to a single facet of this film. It is a dull affair that seems like it was only made because someone needed to make it. There's no sense of passion to any of it, and it is not surprising that it put the series on a temporary hold.
2/5

Breaking Bad Season 3

Breaking Bad simply continues to enthrall as it turns its next chapter, which somehow always find a new place for our characters to open numerous possibilities. In this case we are given the reassessment period as Walter White, again Cranston still amazing, almost seems to settle to become an employee in the drug trade through a new connection, briefly introduced in season 2, of Gus Fring, brilliantly played by Giancarlo Esposito. It's not all so simple though since as Walt finds a comfortable place to make drugs, he loses such comforts as home as his wife finally confirms that he is hiding something. Despite the fallout of their actions this season again has perhaps a lighter tone in certain respects, and once again effectively so as though this is the reprieve before they go too deep. Again what I can say but the show continues to be entertaining, thrilling and engaging in just about every respect. It continues on though as it leads to violent turning points for the character whether it is with Hank suffering the fallout of Walt's actions, or Walter and Jesse taking desperate measures to save themselves. Again the progression of the series is sheer brilliance as it so naturally moves our characters forward in their arc while doing it in always such a compelling and enthralling fashion. Great scenes is merely the norm whether it is a tense confrontation in a junkyard, a faithful minute of waiting death, or a speech on "half-measures". Also I suppose I should note the episode of "Fly" the only filler episode in the whole series, is not the bad episode, the bad episode I referred to in season 1 is still yet to come. "Fly", though it doesn't accomplish anything, is just a fun breather with some great interactions between Jesse and Walt. The series once again does not miss in bringing you exactly what you want while carefully reinventing itself at the same time.
5/5

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part I

Ah the film that began the breaking of single novels into multiple films. Now this might have led to a very problematic trend I would not say that it is completely unwarranted here. It would have been best to just make a Lord of the Rings length finale, but as it stands the two films are warranted in that I would argue there is not filler material to be found. This film standing as the first of the series conclusion though does reveal a few problems one in faithfulness to the source and unfaithfulness. For example in terms of unfaithfulness the film completely ruins Peter Pettigrews's final act by reducing it to a joke. In terms of faithfulness the film ends on what should be the emotional devastation of the death of a character, this is somewhat diminished by that character having been reduced in the previous adaptations lessening the impact of his demise, having said all that this film does have much to offer. Again David Yates's direction is on point and is particularly effective in creating a real feeling of paranoia as our heroes seem as alone as ever. This film makes use of its additional time in the time in the woods, which is essential to the final bonding of the central three, as well in its animated sequence depicting the Deathly Hallows. My personal favorite moment is when the three infiltrate the Ministry of Magic with a downright brilliant performance by David O'Hara as Harry in disguise. This film shows the end result of a natural progression made by Yates to a darker film as the danger is more real than ever in this film. It might not be a wholly satisfying film on its own but it is a satisfying first half of one. 

3.5/5

Inception

Inception curiously is the one film by Christopher Nolan that I haven't really re-watched. Not that I dislike the film, I just have never been quite compelled to do it, so I must base this only on the initial viewing. On that this is one of Nolan's most visually arresting films. The utilization of the dream idea with the action is usually very memorable, particularly in a hall way fight sequence. Again as with all of Nolan's film it is never concepts alone and there is something personal beneath it all. Here we have Leonardo DiCaprio's Cobb as he deals with his wife's death, which is constantly reminded of by her showing up in his dreams, which is well handled though I would not say as well in say The Prestige or Memento. I also have to admit the more affecting intimate story comes from Cillian Murphy's subplot. The film works best as spectacle, though one can ask why there is not more fantasy in these dreams, they still are pretty arresting nonetheless. The film also does work as a heist, though it would not have hurt to have a little bit more comedy, with most the characters being defined by their duty in the heist leaving it mostly to the actors to make their characters stand out, with Tom Hardy succeeding the most in that regard. It's an engaging film, not perfect, but certainly never dull.
4.5/5

I Saw the Devil

Well after covering the Exorcist and The Omen, I Saw The Devil sounds like another film in the supernatural horror genre. Well the devil is in it, but that devil is a man. If one were to read a brief synopsis on the film they might think it is a simple revenge film, but it's anything but. The film follows a serial killer, and the man who wishes to punish that man for having killed his fiancée. This in itself never becomes a righteous cause, and this might be one of the most powerful films in terms of the emptiness of such a pursuit. The film certainly works as a horror film, all too brutally, but it is never so simple in its depiction of a fiend (brilliantly played by Choi Min-sik), and another man turned into a fiend in his attempt to find some sort of satisfaction. It's an unforgettable film as it takes you into hell without ever leaving earth.
5/5