Michael Caine and Jude Law in SLEUTH - A Movie Review
You'd be hard pressed to call "Sleuth" a film in the strictest sense, despite the valiant attempt by director Kenneth Branagh to give the film a dynamic visual look. Based on a theatre play, and a former film version, this quick-witted tale of two men trying to outplay each other features some very rich and entertaining performances from both Michael Caine and Jude Law as the only cast members. The narrative is both engaging and amusing, keeping you guessing until the end. Only a softer third act and the fact that the story is set entirely in one location leaves "Sleuth" falling short of the mark; after watching this film, you can see how good a theatre production it would have made.
Michael Caine plays Andrew Wyke, a rich crime novelist who invites the younger Milo Tindle (Jude Law) to his home for a chat. It turns out they are both sharing Wyke's wife. Tindle tries to force Wyke in to giving his wife a divorce so she can be together with Tindle. Wyke agrees, but only after Tindle executes an elaborate plan to stage a robbery, the effect of which will ensure Wyke will be rid of his wife and Tindle gets what he wants. It all sounds smooth sailing until the game starts escalating wildly out of control, and these two smart, ruthless men start playing each other's strengths and weaknesses until one of them ends up dead.
The absolute strength of this film lies in its writing and performances. The dialogue in the first half of the film is nothing short of brilliant; aside from being witty and intelligent, it's highly amusing. Both Michael Caine and Jude Law elevate the material far beyond its already great origins in to something very charming and sinister all at the same time. For example, the moment when Michael Caine becomes nasty will make your hairs stand up on end as you realise how he's played Tindle the whole time. However, Tindle gets his own back by staging an elaborate prank on Wyke which more than makes up for what Wyke did to him. Tindle's prank of impersonating a police inspector who is suspicious of Wyke's transgressions is highly effective and dramatic. The film continues in this pattern, each man trying to one up the other until a rather dire conclusion.
The first two acts of the film are the strongest. In the first act, Wyke gets one up on Tindle. In the second act, Tindle gets one back on Wyke. Watching how both men achieve this is worth watching all on its own. It's well written, well acted and well directed with great use of the sole location present in the film. Unfortunately, the steam goes out in the third act; it doesn't quite match the heights of what has come before. The suggestion of a homo-erotic relationship between the men which culminates in Wyke shooting Tindle feels somewhat out of place and lacks the quick-witted edge that the previous acts in the film had.
Despite the fact that "Sleuth" cannot get past its one location origins in the theatre, director Kenneth Branagh has done a fantastic job of creating some remarkably creative and eerie visuals. The combination of production design, photography and lighting gives the Wyke Manor a disturbing feeling which more than complements the ruthless behaviour of both characters. The opening shots in particular are quite inventive; one shot of a set of drinking glasses which perfectly blocks the front door to the manor as Jude Law walks in is very impressive and unique.
"Sleuth" is a good way to spend an hour and a half, but I felt the dramatic effect would have been more pronounced watching this as a stage play rather than a film.
For the original DVD review, click this link: http://www.allaboutmovies.net/dvdreviewsleuth.htm
About The Author: Alex DeMattia is the lead DVD reviewer at the film/DVD review web site All About Movies.net - He is also an administrator of the web site http://www.approachingsexywomen.com
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Posted: Friday 12th September 2008, 8:19 AM
Film Review of Thief (1981)
Frank: You are making big profits from my work, my risk, my sweat. But that is okay, because I elected to make that deal. But now, the deal is over. I want my end, and I am out.
Leo: Why don't you join a labor union?
Frank: I am wearing it.
Continuing my fascination for all things Michael Mann, here we have the director's debut feature film, after achieving success with made-for-tv The Jericho Mile. James Caan, as professional thief Frank, has said this is his favourite role of his career. More like Heat than Miami Vice, from the side of the criminal. Film does feature cops, but they are shakedown artists. Depicted realistically, Mann doesn't pull any punches in letting us know that absolutely everybody is out for themselves. The cops know that Caan and his crew are operating big, and they want a piece of the action. They can't be seen to condone, so they extort, allowing professional criminals like Frank to continue their illegal activities in exchange for a cut. The success that Frank's crew achieve not only attracts attention from the law but also the Mob. They want in. Do a job for us, we'll provide back up, cars, expenses, equipment. Frank has been working well with his team for years. He doesn't need any help and vows to never go back to jail. It's a tempting offer and he reluctantly agrees - to one job only. The mob however, has other plans.
As usual, the film has the director's mark all over it. A very assured debut, Mann was only 30 years old when this was made. Complicated, technically proficient, authentic - its clear Mann did his homework and I wouldn't be surprised if he spoke to the criminal fraternity in order to research these characters, showing an intelligent and insight beyond his years, and setting the standard for the rest of his career. Caan is fantastic, you truly believe him as a heist man. The scene where he explains his cynical world view to his on/off girlfriend (played by Tuesday weld - Once Upon a Time in America) is quite poignant. Stunning performance from the late Robert Prosky as Leo, the low-level mob boss who initially approaches Frank. Thief was Prosky's feature film debut as well, coming from a theatre background, much like John Vernon in Point Blank.
Frank is true to his word, but tragedy befalls him as soon as he tries to quit the mob link. In a truly intense scene, Leo delivers a terrifying monologue to Frank, torturing him, explaining to him how its going to be. Frank is told that he can never leave, that everything Leo has given him will be taken away and destroyed. Never has a spoken threat seemed more real on film. To Frank, that means his family, and he can not let that happen.
Thief features an early role for James Belushi, as Frank's right hand man, and folksinger Willie Nelson appears briefly as his terminally ill jailbird buddy Okla. Frank's love and respect for Okla epitomises his character and beliefs. Also look for a bushy-haired Dennis Farina (Midnight Run, Get Shorty, Snatch) as a mob henchman. Interestingly Farina was still a policeman at the time of filming. It's easy to see from this debut that Mann has always had his own unique style. Add to this a great central performance from Caan, a scary turn from Prosky and perfectly chosen minimal electro score from Tangerine Dream, and the tone is set. Tangerine Dream would seem a strange choice at first, but they add a haunting element, bringing cool and credibility in much the same way as they did with Risky Business.
Fans of Mann's later work should check this one immediately. When I saw it I kicked myself for not having seen it before. Realistic heist scenes and authentic dialogue convinces, like Heat does, that Mann's protagonists have lived the criminal life. If you like crime movies in general, go out and buy this one now. I promise you will not be disappointed.
About The Author: SpittinFlicks.com is a new Film Forum and Film Reviews site that is trying to bring together a community of film lovers.
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Posted: Wednesday 10th September 2008, 12:47 PM
Aliens and Predators - Where Next For the Movie Franchises?
After almost thirty years of Alien action and over twenty years since the Predator first burst onto our screens, these two giants of genre cinema seem to have settled into their own series together, which in turn seems to have created its own genre of double-header movies. Taking its cue from Freddy Vs Jason (a shallow, woeful excuse of a film), the first AVP was released in 2004 to much fanfare and critical disdain. Its sequel, Alien Vs Predator: Requiem followed in 2007, and the credibility of the series seemed to have been dealt another blow thanks to a laughable script and substandard execution. Still, credibility aside, the films have been hugely successful and an inevitable third entry is being worked on already. Will it be continuing case of diminishing returns or will this third AVP have anything in the way of originality or impact? Here we'll take a look at all of the Alien movies, both Predator movies and the AVP series thus far. Then there' a look at what may be on the way for the third.
Lets start with the Alien films. Ridley Scott's original 1979 masterpiece still stands up today. It really hasn't dated that much, and despite everyone knowing exactly what is going to happen to the ill fated crew of the Nostromo, it still packs a massive punch. The iconic visuals, including the various Alien designs by HR Giger, are still stunning, and the direction is impeccable- not shot wasted. A masterclass in atmosphere and pacing, this is an absolute must-see in every possible sense. Essential.
James Cameron filled Scott's shoes more than admirably, and delivered an incredibly satisfying sequel in 1986. The focus was much more on action and spectacle, but Cameron's blockbuster didn't let the characters slip, giving us some real tension as our heroes are picked off one by one by the eponymous creatures. The Powerloader Vs Alien Queen scene at the film's climax is thrilling to this day.
David Fincher brought us the bleak and claustrophobic third entry in the series in 1992. Set on a distant penal colony, the reawakened Ripley faced the feral Alien creature once again. The finale, with Ripley's iconic suicide as the Alien Queen chest bruster rips through her body, is something viewers will never forget. A highly underrated film, this is an incredibly tense piece of science fiction drama.
Jeane-Pierre Jeunet was responsible for directing the fourth film back in 1997, with a script by Buffy creator Joss Whedon. While it carried an ingenious visual style and some great scenes, the lacklustre script and clunky acting from much of the cast left fan opinion divided. It is an enjoyable popcorn movie, but after what came before, it falls short of being great.
But what of the Predator films? There have only been two solo Predator movies to date, and the never saw the heady heights of the early Alien films. Still, they continue to be popular. The original, Schwarzenegger-starring 1987 action romp was a great story of survival against a terrifying foe. By the end of the movie, there's just Arnie and the Predator left standing, and the outcome, while predictable, is very satisfying. The Predator comes across as a lethal, ninja-like beast capable of sheer, terrifying malice, and all in the name of sport. An iconic movie that has sadly had its potency watered down by what would later become the Predator franchise.
Predator 2 came in 1990. Danny (Lethal Weapon) Glover headed up this by-the-numbers sequel. The action is moved to Los Angeles, and the Predator is loose on the streets. Even without Arnie, this sequel is still a fun way to spend 90 minutes, even if it doesn't quite match the ferocity of its predecessor, or the tension.
Alien Vs Predator arrived in 2004. The film that had been mooted for ten years (ever since the original AVP comics showed up from Dark Horse) opened to a great deal of fanfare and made a ton at the box office. Once the fury had died down, the empty plot and nonexistent script became the stuff of legend. What it did have was some very exciting set pieces that thrilled fans the world over. What the film lacked in coherent story it more than made up for in spectacle. The battles between the Aliens and Predators are superb, if more in the vein of superhero movies than the original versions of the beasts. A fan favourite for sure, but more a Hollywood blockbuster than a serious science fiction film.
The terror came to a small American town in the oddly-plotted sequel, Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem. The violence was raised to an al-new level, as was the gore. Again aimed squarely at the blockbuster audience, it lacks a decent script and has an almost MTV style direction. The set-pieces come thick and fast, and while the viewer may not care in the slightest for the human characters, the scenes featuring the Aliens and Predator are gripping and thrilling in equal measure.
But what of the third film and the future of the two separate franchises? There has long been an Alien 5 in the offing, but it has never seen the light o day, and the AVP series may well have killed the chances for the Aliens and Predators to strike out on their own for a good few years yet. As for Predator 3, nothing is even being considered now. Word is that the third AVP movie will see the series shift back into deep space, which is exactly where the films should have been set in the first place. Some fans have called out for the third film to have no human cast, and thus no risk of terrible dialogue, but sadly there is little chance of Hollywood putting out a film with pretty actors in it these days, which is a shame. A full on art house AVP film would still bring in the audience of the previous films and also win some of those much-missed credibility points that these cinema icons lost a long time ago.
About The Author: Andrew writes for the pop culture/memorabilia site movies, tv and games memorabilia site Starstore.com and its popular movies, TV and memorabilia news blogs, covering the latest and greatest in film, TV, music and comics merchandise and collectibles.
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Posted: Sunday 7th September 2008, 2:07 AM
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