Review : Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

 

Hello Film Lovers

Welcome to today's new Dr.Film review. I hope you all had a nice weekend, to start this week off, I will be reviewing 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' a film by Tomas Alfredson, released back in 2011.

The Film stars Gary Oldman as George Smiley, a secret agent called out of retirement for one last job.

Though Oldman is superb in this, he doesn't actually utter one line of dialogue in the first 20 minutes of the film. The audience get an incite to his character, and an understanding of the way his character lives his life now. We get a glimpse into his retirement life, how he lives the remainder of his days, how he wants, what he gets up to, how he interacts with other people - all of which is told and communicated all by expressions and mannerisms, and unsensitised music to add mood to the scene, just goes to prove the effectiveness and importance of those things, and how they work well into the film.

I thought this film was interesting, not good or bad. but Interesting. Great script, excellent cast - the cast was brilliant. All famous familiar faces, which are all fantastic actors. You only have to look at the cast list, in order to know that this films partly sells itself on people wanting to see it, to see the actors.

I do feel however, Tinker Tailor is a film in which you have to be in the right mood to watch it. It's a great drama, no doubt about that. However you have to be in the mood to sit down and watch it, it is a film of which I had to watch a few times in order to fully understand it, and even now I'm still left a little confused by it.

But the story goes, that in a time during the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced to come out of retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6, who went missing.

Here's a clip.

I have to say, I don't give myself any advantages in my knowledge of the time which Tinker Tailor is set, so my understanding of the historical events are second to none. I know very little of the Cold War, however that doesn't stop me learning. I think I learned a great deal of knowledge from this film, though certain events are fictional brought out specifically to entertain the audience, the facts are there. I think it's very important that the facts are there, as it can influence the audience in an educational way.

The director Tomas Alfredson, shows great perseverance in his job. Yet, I've seen many of Tomas Alfredson's films, and think overall that he is an intelligent film maker, and infinitely better than Micheal Bay for example who directed 'Pain & Gain'. There's clear direction shown throughout. He's very precise and coherent to the scenes with his camera angles. The directing is very decadent, and to the point.

 

There's not much to say really. It's always a good thing, that I don't have much to say about a film because it just shows that I did enjoy it, and can't really fault it.

I thought that the plot works really well, characters coagulated with eacthother in scenes intensely and believably.

There was interesting dialogue spoken throughout, The costumes were accurate and old fashioned - little bit dated. As a drama, it was clean cut and quite a chilling tale - I enjoyed that aspect of the film very much.

 

Which begs the question, what to give it out of 10? I'd probably say a 7/10. But that's just me. Some might say that that is too low a score to give it. I personally think that it's a good intense thriller, but not fantastic, by any stretch of the imagination.

1 Gold Star to Gary Oldman - well deserved.

Thanks very much for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'Paul' starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I will post that review on Tuesday the 17th of September 2013.

Review : Pain & Gain

Hey Everyone

Welcome to the next instalment of Dr.Film reviews this month. Today I shall be scrutinising the film by director Michael Bay 'Pain & Gain'. Essentially a comedy, based off a true story or is a true story.

I'll be honest, I wasn't fussed about seeing this. What I gathered from the trailers and from all the publicity stuff such as : Posters,  and Advertisement campaigns, Just assured me that this wasn't very good. But I went to the cinema to watch it because I wanted to put my curiosity of this film to rest. and I did.

In all retrospect having watched it,  I had in my head of it being. It isn't a film I'm overtly kean on. The plot didn't interest me. But to give it credit the first half of this film is ok; the second half just doesn't do anything for me at all.  I wasn't overly pleased with this.

It isn't a very good film at all, I would say it meets an average mark but nothing else.  But I suppose I should of just quit while I was ahead. I probably shouldn't of let my curiosity get the better of me. I would strongly recommend to those who haven't seen the film, to wait till it's available online to watch, or even when it comes out on DVD. Do not waist your money on this film.

Clip time now, I'll quickly show you an incite into what I believe to be a disappointing film.

If you disagree with what I'm saying, you can disregard it as just being my opinion. But I would fail to understand why anyone with a brain would like 'Pain and Gain'.

It inflicts Pain on the viewer and no Gain.

Based off of the true story of Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) a Miami bodybuilder, who take pride in fitness, and is a person who has the angziaty to take a shot of living, what he believes to be the American dream. He would like to have some money that other people have - so in effect he's steal money of people who don't deserve it for his own purposes.

And there are actually awful bits in the film, where the drama stops, and captions pop up in the middle of it, reading 'this is still true'. Which is bonkers, and unnecessary to say the least.

So with his mad plan in mind, Lugo seeks help, he enlists the assistance of fellow bodybuilder Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie) and ex-convict, and Christian bodybuilder Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson). Their kidnapping and extortion scheme goes terribly wrong, (because their pumped up - steroid headed morons) And since they have muscles for brains, and they're all left to haphazardly try to hold onto the elusive American dream.




When it finished, I thought to myself "What the hell have I just watched?" It is ridiculous. It isn't a very well structured piece at all. I'm pretty sure that the majority of the audience in cinema watching it with me, gave off the same sense that they didn't enjoy. I just didn't get it. full stop. I was confused as to why someone like Michael Bay; felt the need to have such a pornographic sensibility that it is improbable for him to make anything that has any essence of being a interesting, dark and in some areas funny tale.

I think that this is a film, in which goes from Ok, to bad than bad to worse.

This film has inflicted Pain upon me, having actually watched it. I do strongly agree with the critics opinion. This film, it needs to go. and for that reason, it should just crawl into a hole and die. - 0/10.

That was an unpleasant, but 'Pain & Gain' really upset me. As a viewer, I wish to be entertained, 'Pain & Gain' is not entertaining, 'Pain & Gain' is horrible. It is a film as pumped up and steroidal as the dire characters, that it attempts to portray.

That all being said, thank you for reading this review. I apologize for that out burst of negative energy, however when I don't like something, I have to make it clear.

My next review will be that of "Tinker tailor soldier spy" starring Gary Oldman. I will post that review on Monday the 16th of September 2013.

Review : Alan Partridge Movie

Hello Film Lovers.

Welcome to my next Dr Film review. Today I shall review the Alan Partridge movie 'Alpha Papa'. The film of summer. One I took great pleasure into going and seeing at the cinema. Because I love Alan Partridge, I think Steve Coogen plays the character, brilliantly. After all there is only one Partridge.

So what's to say about 'Alpha Papa' that hasn't been said by most people. Some people like it, Some people dislike it. It's to be expected with any film, however 'Alpha Papa' is without doubt, the film of the summer. Now I thought after having seen 'The World's End', that that was going to be the film of the summer, and to be fair it was the film to beat for me, I went into 'Alpha Papa' with an open mind, reassuring myself that if it sucks, I still got the TV show "I'm Alan Partridge" - which is hilariously funny.

I'll be honest, I loved it. Plain and simply loved it. It actually surprised me how good it was. It was fresh, it was original, it was out there, it ticked all the boxes for me.

You've got Alan Partridge, doing what he does best. He hasn't changed a bit. He's still the same silly man, that we've come to know and love over the years.

Alot of change has happened at Northfolk Digital, there are new owners, there's been a re-branding, both of which are not making the DJ's feel comfortable. So much so, that Alan's fellow friend and college Pat Farrell, holds some of the staff hostage after he's sacked from his job. Unfortunately shall we say, it is Alan who is chosen to help the Police, and speak to Pat directly.

Here's a clip from 'Alpha Papa' which should give you more of an incite into the film.

What's great about this feature film is the fact that, It's still original. The production haven't nessacarly messed anything up. Like The Inbetweeners movie, it's just a long episode of Alan Partridge, in which we can all reminisce in Alan's character, and remind ourselves of how funny he actually is. Which is the genius of his character, and probably one of reason's why the character is still going strong today.

The pace of Alpha Papa, is great. I just remember sitting in the cinema and watching it with my friends, and thinking "gosh, that went really quickly". I actually could not believe, I just sat through approximately an hour and half long film - very quick, no problems.

With this of course being a film, the limitations are wider. The plot is bigger, the buggest is bigger, but the key elements remain. And that is what is so brilliant about it, It keeps Partridge fans such as myself happy. The fact that we can go out and have a laugh, and above all enjoy ourselves.

The script is very well written. Take the car scene for instance shown above, you've got classic Alan doing his thing and the writers coagulating the scene together, to make it entertaining for us the viewers.

Steve Coogen, as I said he was superb. He brings Alan alive, and performs and communicates the desperation that this character endeavours, he makes him so beautifully awkward - which is funny. Overall it was just brilliant.

The Plot, I didn't mind. It could of been better, but the less said about the potential of 'Alpha Papa' the better. The Hostage storyline, I thought worked well, it was enough to drive the film and deliver to the best of its capacity.



Scores on the bord; It has to be a 9/10.

It works.

Thank you for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'Pain and Gain'. I will post that review on Sunday the 15th of September 2013.

Review : Flight

Flight: A film which sees Denzel Washington playing a courageous pilot, with a terrible drinking problem.

Hello Film Lovers

I got a treat for you today, as I will finally be reviewing 'Flight'. A film I had the pleasure of watching at the cinema, back when it was released in February. Flight is more than meets the eye, It shows different things for different people, I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a very good film. Denzel Washington is superb in this.

As I did with my 'Max Payne' review, I will go through the storyline, and the premise of the film, before I go into more detail as to what I thought about it.

Flight, the story of - Whip Whitaker. How he tackles a terrible drinking problem, with his job as a flight pilot. When a flight from Orlando to Atlanta, goes wrong and the plane starts to fly down erratically.

Whip crashes the plane, with little choice, however thanks to his quick thinking and miraculous skill as a pilot; Whip saves almost everyone on board.

After Whip recovers, in the hospital, an old friend and colleague of his, from the airline union introduces him to a lawyer who tells him that there is a possibility, that if proven guilty, he could face criminal charges because his blood test reveals that he is intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine. He denies being impaired, so while a through investigation is underway, he is told to keep his act together. However, this means letting go of his addiction for Alcohol. Which is more difficult for Whip, than you might think.

Here's a clip of 'Flight'.

This film deals with a lot of serious issues. Obviously you have the issues of drinking and taking drugs. Both of which are a very serious issues. They're raised and communicated well in the film. They show the characters relation with them, what those things are to them, how they effect them and others around him.

Denzel Washington does a great job, superb performance. But then Denzel Washington is a great actor, with a lot of professional skill. The way he acted drunk was convincing, and the trick of course to acting drunk, is to act like your not. Denzel did it. And did it well.

I didn't have any problem with the story. The plot works well, I didn't get board. It's good that hard hitting drama such as this, is still around today. It's good for the Actors in question to, I think that any group of actors, always deliver a better performance in more serious roles.



I do think with 'Flight' it only works if your willing to put the effort into watching it. That for me would be it's only fault, it only works when your in the mood. When it does work and the plot clicks in the mind of the viewer, then I promise you will enjoy this film a lot.

But overall, It is a very good film. great script, good story, well directed, well acted. - 8/10.

Thanks for reading this guys!

NEXT : I will review the new Alan Partridge Movie - Alpha Papa. I will post the review of that film, on Saturday the 14th of September 2013.

Review : Max Payne

Max Payne :  One man, with only revenge on his mind. One Woman, looking to avenge the death of her sister. Both must combine together, in order to uncover a conspiracy. One of which could result in deadly catastrophes.

Hey Everyone

Welcome to my latest review. Today I'll be reviewing Max Payne, a film based off the popular video game.

Before I begin this review, I haven't played the game. So my knowledge of Max Payne, only comes from the film.

Overall, I thought it was an okay film. I didn't think it was a terrible film, which is a good thing. However it did drag out a bit. Which I will go into more detail as the review goes on.

I'll quickly go through the storyline :  The film tells the story of once upon a time, three years ago, NYPD detective inspector - Max Payne's wife and baby were brutally murdered. Max has been left bereaved since. He gets himself transferred to the cold case office, where he can continue searching for the killer who got away. Max's character of course, is led for us to believe as a loner - someone who goes about his business solo.

However it is when two people reach out to him during a fateful week: Alex, his ex-partner who may have found a clue in the case, and BB, the security chief at the pharmaceutical company where Max's wife worked.

Meanwhile, the bodies are slowly piling up, as a result of a new drug on the street that is unknown and also highly addictive and, for many who take it, brings hideous hallucinations upon them. When one of the bodies is a woman Payne was the last to see alive, her sister comes looking for him armed to the teeth, the two then get caught up in what is lead to be a deadly conspiracy.

Here's a clip from the film.

Overall if I was to some up Max Payne in one sentence it would be "Not bad, just okay." And I stand by that, I was very keen on watching it though, because I was impressed with the cast, people like Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis, both performers I enjoy immensely, when someone you like is in a film, you have confidence in them, that they are going to deliver and help you enjoy the film.

Mark Wahlberg did that for me. Max Payne was a great opportunity for him, to show a new side to his career, that he can play tough guys who are quite cold in their presence. The way Mark rose to the challenges of his character, I think he pulled them off really well.

Mila Kunis, good. But she didn't do enough. I wished she got alot more scene time. But it didn't happen, so sadly I saw less of her than I expected, however what I did see of her character 'Mona Sax' was great. It gave Kunis, a chance to brush up on her Russian. She speaks Russian in the film, Her character was equally as interesting as Max Payne. And again, it just goes to prove that Mila Kunis, can act the sassy hard case in a film, and very well.




The effects - visual effect such as what is seen above, are really good. They are authentic effects, really give off an impact and work well in the film. I'm sure it ties in with the context of the game. Overall I was pleased with the effects in this film.

My only major problem with this film, is the pacing of it. I got the impression that things aren't progressing as quickly as it should. This film does drag, which is a fair warning to those who wish to go on and watch it. Progression in terms of course of events, are a bit hazy and confusing, I found myself, having to watch this a few times in order to get everything out it.

But let it not be said that 'Max Payne' is a terrible movie. It isn't. It's actually ok. I think it's all right. It's just a bit slow and doesn't show enough of Mila Kunis.

Max Payne, I think should be worth a 6/10.

Thank you for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'Flight' starring Denzel Washington.

I will post that review on Friday the 13th of September 2013.

Review : Over Her Dead Body

Hey Guys

Welcome to my newest film review, I'll be reviewing 'Over her dead body' today. Another meledromatic comedy, this time it focusses on breavement, and moving on after the loss of a loved one.

It stars Eva Longoria and Paul Rudd, in the leading rolls, and basically the two play a couple - Hnery and Kate. Who are about to get married, only on their wedding day, the bride gets crushed by a falling statue, leaving her fieance depressed.

In order to help him get over it, one of his friends suggests that he sees a female physic called Ashley. Which helps out a lot.

So much so that both the man and the physic start to form a relationship; however when the ghost of Henry's dead fieance - Kate comes back, she haunts Ashley to stay away from her man.

As you can tell, The film sounds rediculous, and in all fairness, it is rediculous. It's just a cheap meledromatic comedy, which sells itself on the laughter and the jokes, and the main cast are all comedy actors. It does seem kind of silly that your ex who's dead comes back from the grave, and tries to stop her man from moving on, it's kind of over protective.

The film is based off a book by E.C Shedey with the same title. I haven't read the book, so I don't know which bits were influential towards the film. However that being said the film as a film, I thought was quite weak.

Here's a quick clip.

The humour in this film, is pretty weak. It has to be said, with this being a comedy it's success will be on weither it makes you laugh or not. I personally whilst I was watching it, didn't find any joke funny. The director Jeff Lowell, I don't know what he was trying to get across to the audience, whilst he was writing the script. He doesn't really put a stamp on it as the director either, the directing of this, I felt was below par.

I usually tend to watch a film, I have never seen before with a lot of angziaty and excitment of what's going to happen, and to give it credit, the film starts off really well, it's only gets worse as it progresses. It faces the same problem I had with 'Now you see me' - started off good, ended up being below par, not terrible, but not great. And 'Over her dead body' suffers the same problem.



I was only really interested in watching this, because Eva Longoria was it. I know that she's really good. Because I've seen her in Desperate Housewives. So it's just basic instinct if an actor or actress you like, is in a film or tv show, which is completly alien to you, it gives you confidence into watching it. I belive I fell into a trap, with 'Over her dead body' It didn't cut the mustard for me at all.

Though there are certain effects in which work quite well, Kate's shifting because she's a ghost she can walk through walls, and various other things, thought the shifting effects were impresive, and the techniques required to lift Eva off the ground, or have her hang from a different direction, very well acomplished.

Over than that, it was boring. I had no interest in the plot.

I will give this a 3/10. My lowest score yet, which is a shame.

Thank you for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : My next review, will be 'Max Payne'.

I'll post that review on Thursday the 12th of September 2013. Have a good weekend, everyone.  

Review : Mrs Doubtfire

Mrs Doubtfire : Whilst going through a devorse, in order to put his family back together, Daniel Hillard - an eccentric actor, needed a job. When he discovers that his ex wife is placing an advertisement for a house keeper, he seizes a rather extraordinary opportunity.


Hey Guys

Welcome to my next Dr.Film review; in today's review, I will be talking about 'Mrs Doubtfire'. A comedy starring Robin Williams, Sally Field and Peirce Brosnan as the main stars.

Mrs Doubtfire, is a often refered to as being a heavily praised film, one of which families have grown to adore over the years, and the beauty of 'Mrs Doubtfire' is you can watch it now, and it's still funny, it will still surprise you. I used to watch this film as a child, and I've always really liked it. Nowadays, I can get the more adult humour that I didn't get back when I was 9 or 10.

The film was released back in 1993, and directed by Chris Columbus. Chris Columbus directed various other films such as 'Home Alone' and the first two 'Harry Potter' films. So as you can tell, I am familiar with his directing techniques.

The storyline of 'Mrs Doubtfire' tells the audience, the story of the events after a bitter divorce, In which an actor and father, decides to disguise himself as a female housekeeper, to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife.

Here's a clip from Mrs Doubtfire.

This film is incredibly funny. The writers of this film are very persistent, and clever in communicating certain aspects of humour in the film. And the brilliance of it is the fact that it's so separate, you got the children's humour and you got adult humour, which are both very separate pieces and are identified separately, but both flow together in the film very well.

You got your humour for children, and your humour for adults. Certain bits of the film do take their time, it is a bit slow. But that isn't a problem, it just means that the story is just taking it's time as it develops.

The actors do a really do a good job, especially in moments when their acting a serious scene. Both Sally Field and Robin Williams both are good at doing those sorts of scenes, as an example, there's a scene in the film where Mrs Doubtfire and Sally Field's character sit down to have a cup of tea, they both perform a very sentimental scene, in which you really feel every emotion, very good acting.

I think that this film was immensely well cast, and I like the cast. I like the script, I think that this film really cements what a family film is meant to entail, it represents how a family can get caught up in the context of the plot, as well as that deals with family issues, which people can relate to.

I think Mrs Doubtfire, is a very good film.

I will give it a very good 8/10.

Thank you for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I'll review 'Over her dead body' another comedy, this time starring Eva Longoria and Paul Rudd, which deals with the bereavement over the loss of a loved one. I'll post that review on Friday the 6th of September 2013.