The Trip (2010)

The film version of The Trip has been edited from what was originally a six episode television series. Steve Coogan knocks about England on assignment with Rob Brydon, a warm yet annoying man he reluctantly accepts as his friend. Together they eat at restaurants in North England for a newspaper Coogan is to write for, Brydon his accomplice by default. This is the premise that sets up a steady stream of one-upmanship between the two, which mainly consists of whose celebrity impersonation is more accurate. These moments provide most of the laughs in the film which can also be quite melancholy at times.

Their relationship and personalities are exposed as quite flawed entities; Coogan gives a self-deprecating portrayal of himself as an egoist and Brydons an engaging character who doesn't appear able to hold a conversation without breaking into a Michael Caine monologue. The film is essentially an exploration of their short comings and the fractured fondness they have for one another. Michael Winterbottom has directed in an ad-lib style and amongst the incessant banter there is some pretty sweet photography of the English countryside. So it looks great and is a fun jaunt but I felt like it was missing some scenes that would have fleshed out the story. The television series is apparently a better crafted creature, which is not surprising considering that is how it was conceived. Makes me wonder why the film had to be made, I would have preferred to see the series. In saying that  though, I enjoyed it enough to now want to see the series as originally intended.
Strange that it exists but worthwhile if you're a lazy bastard who won't track down the long play version. 

3.5/5

The Road (2009)

Set in the post-apocalypse, the world has become a dead, cold, grey environment, matched only by the depths of the Melbourne winter I find myself in right now. Viggo Mortensen and his child boy struggle to survive amongst the remaining scoundrel inhabitants of the baron, crusty earth. This isn't a film to watch when you need your spirits lifted after a long day of kicking shit, but it does stir some emotions. "What would you do?" seems to be continually posed as father and son barely cope and are pushed into situations no one in their right mind wants to deal with. 

The film looks beautifully despairing, pushing the boundaries of both grey and brown palettes. Mortensen, always good, is a skeleton on legs who refuses to give up and the kid does a pretty reasonable job, but like all kids in films, eventually got on my jangled nerves. 

This is based on Cormac McCarthy's novel, also author of No Country For Old Men, and is apparently a cracker of a read. Reputable sources have informed me of it's greatness. I'll give it a look over one day for sure.

Add this one to your list of 'must-see, post-apocalyptic films to be viewed before the world is mysteriously ruined and the missus has lost her balls to live'. If you have a list like that.

4/5

I should add that this trailer, like most, is a pretty poor representation of the film. What is with trailers having to say "This (insert season here)" and then basically exposing every twist in the film? Retards.

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009)

I recently acquired access to a slew of films, most of which are a bit shit, Fan Boys and Centurion for example, but I'll probably keep watching them. Fool. There are quite a few animated movies amongst the rabble such as this colourful little fella from Sony Pictures. I'm more of a fan of traditional 2d animation myself, I haven't really been won over by the flood of 3d animation films over the years. I'd say nostalgia, artistry and content would be the chief reasons. Sure some good ones exist but there's usually a tedious moral lesson for children that I have to reluctantly swallow. Where's the adult oriented 3d films about boozing, philandering cats? This one though is quite a bit of fun and has some clever moments. I liked the kid who is an aspiring mad inventor and his dad, who can only communicate with his son through fishing metaphors. A sidekick monkey in most circumstances is usually good for a few laughs and doesn't disappoint here. The graphics and animation are tight and the voice acting which includes the talents of Anna Farris, James Cann and Mr T is hard to fault. By the time the credits rolled I was tired of the madcap caper and relieved to return to reality, but this is intended for the kids and their attention span is probably better than mine.

3.5/5

Fanboys (2008)

Not sure how I managed to sit through the entirety of this shit stain, but I did. I've got love for the original Star Wars films, so perhaps the fact that this is about Lucas tragics had me feeling a little sympathetic. Tired story lines and abysmally clichéd characters prevented any laughs from this 'comedy' about geeks on a road trip for a dying friend. A few of the performances were believable, but the supposed zany and hilarious antics could only possibly be found amusing by the characters themselves. 
That's enough now, I'm depressed.

1.5/5

True Grit (2010)

It's cold out, don't forget to wear your bear

The Coen brothers have stuck closer to traditional genre with their take on the 1968 novel by Charles Portis. It still features amazing craftsmanship and storytelling but they've resisted the urge to steer off into their own world of curiosities too much. That is neither a good or bad thing as the resulting film is a great old western story with memorable characters that still bears their unique touch. Young Hailee Stenfield is the real star of the film as the outspoken, bold, seeker of vengeance. Jeff Bridges, as Rooster Cogburn, is the victim of her harassment, and finally agrees to seek the man who smote her father. You can almost smell the whiskey and grime escaping from the pores of the weary old lawman, Bridges nails it again. 

This isn't up there with my favourite Coen bro films; a quick mental survey reveals my top three to be: The Big Lebowski (1998), Millers Crossing (1990) and Raising Arizona (1987). It seemed to lack some staying power but I do still rate this interpretation highly. The relationships the young girl forms with the old bastards of the wild west is a pretty damn nice thing. Alright then, perhaps this ranks in at about number six. Good stuff.

4/5 

Dogtooth (2009)

For some reason I thought I was about to watch a Nicole Kidman film when I sat down to watch this. Dogville (2003) plus Rabbit Hole (2010) equals Dogtooth in my head apparently. Instead I unexpectedly saw this mad Greek film which was no doubt a far better result for me. Ever wonder what would happen if you secluded children from the rest of society and rearranged normality? Including changing the meaning of words so the children now speak hilarious nonsense? I definitely have. Giorgos Lanthimos has directed a sharp, fascinating, funny and depressing look at a couple and their children, who they are subjecting to this existence. Of course there are going to be unforeseen, shitty results to this sort of lifestyle, especially as the children become teens and adults. Brilliantly acted and well shot, this film was a real surprise to me and is a great example of exciting and challenging cinema. And that's what we want huh?!

4/5