Duplicity

Julia Roberts (in case you weren’t aware) in a story that was pitched a little low at a 12a rating in the UK and consequently a little slow, especially in the beginning with a long drawn out fight sequence in slow motion, which I felt like ok I get this can we move on now? Clive Owen as usual did a standup job. Nice cinematography by Robert Elswit who has director of photography on Michael Clayton, Syriana, Punchdrunk love and a whole bunch of other films. Also interesting use of split screens in editing by John Gilroy (Pride and Glory, Michael Clayton), which helped pick up the much needed pace later in the film.

Il Divo

Caterina Stagno in Il Divo a most surreal experience documenting Giulio Andreotti’s political career starting with the formation of his seventh government. This is the third film in recent times I have seen from Italy dealing with the topic of mafia involvement at the highest level of politics. Crime Novel (Romanzo Criminale) being one of them and the more recent Gomorra the other. Andreotti now 90 years old and a senator for life is portrayed in this rendition in a way that reminds of a character in a Peter Greenaway film. Was Andreotti initiated in the Mafia? Was Andreotti complicit in the failure to rescue Aldo Moro? Philip French’s take on it. aidanmann.wordpress.com/2009/0...l-divo/

Flash of Genius

Lauren Graham pictured who plays the female lead in this story of a man who takes on Ford motor company after he alleges they infringed on his patent, for the intermittent windshield wiper no less. A small film with a moral at the end. Apparently based on a true story as first reproduced in the New Yorker. www.imdb.com/title/tt1054588/

Manon

Tamara Rojo with Charles Acosta in a Royal Ballet production that pales in comparison with the live HD broadcasts from the Met that are now drawing ful houses at the movies. This was prerecorded and did not live up to the technological specifications that are now deemed standard. Like for example being able to hear the dancers moving across the stage, this is all drowned out by the music and they seem strangely silent. I prefer the rough and tumble of the live opera to this where you can hear every squel of the floorboards and you feel as if you are right there. If this was done live I might appreciate it more.

www.roh.org.uk/cinemas/manon/index.aspx

Bronson

Tom Hardy directed by Nicolas Winding Refn of ‘Pusher’ fame. This is a truly intriguing story of a man who somehow came to spend thirty years in solitary confinement out of the thirty four years he has been in prison. Apparently due for release his parole hearing was on the 11th of March and the result is to be announced within seven days. This film was released on the thirteenth to coincide with the parole hearing.

www.imdb.com/title/tt1172570/

The young Victoria

Emily Blunt in Victoria lite, which should have been titled Victoria and Albert since it seemed to be a lot about him as well. Costume drama the reviews of which did not make me rush out and see it on opening night but as it was still playing a week later I thought I would take the plunge.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0962736/

Watchmen

Carla Gugino pictured as Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre in this dark tale set during the fifth term of Richard Nixon’s presidency (a fictional event I hasten to add).

I got to the 11pm Saturday night screening of this film at the cineworld on Broad Street in Birmingham after watching Madam Butterfly and Survellance one after the other, so five hours of visual feast preceeding.

The second film of the evening with an 18 rating and this one at 2 hrs and 40 odd minutes quite an event. I have to admit I fell asleep during the final showdown but I might drop in to catch the end of it and besides it wouldn’t be the first time I fell asleep at the movies.

Jackie Earle Haley who I last saw in Little Children was pretty amazing as snarling right wing Walter Kovacs / Rorschach. Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Edward Blake / the Comedian kept reminding me of Robert Downey jr in Tropic Thunder.

I think Zack Snyder says it best:

www.villagevoice.com/2009-03...atchmen/

www.imdb.com/title/tt0409459/

Surveillance

Julia Ormond in this David Lynch produced Jennifer Lynch directed psycho thriller more reminiscent of Natural born killers than Boxing Helena her last piece that I am aware of. Filmed in Saskatchewan this story gets more psycho by the minute. Many Twin Peaks sorts of moments. Actually very funny in moments.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0409345/

Madam Butterfly

Another one of the HD broadcasts from the Met this one with Patricia Racette (pictured) as Madam Butterfly. This was an Anthony Minghella production which his wife Carolyn Choa directed and directed. Amazing set design by Michael Levine. Bunraku puppets were used to portray certain sequences. Had to be seen to be believed the lifelikeness of these puppets. Patricia Racette has an amazing voice and it is easy to see why this opera has remained so popular, because it is really good.

www.metoperafamily.org/metupl...fly.pdf

The International

Nilaja Sun pictured in this shootemup to beat all shootemups. If you are angry at the bank, the banking system, bankers even, then this film is for you. If you however are into car chases then this film will disappoint you greatly. Also starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts billed as a German coproduction features stark architectural backdrops, and some snappy European suits and haircuts.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0963178/