Green Zone

During my review of The Hurt Locker back in September 2009 I mentioned that movies based on the current Iraqi war were in abundence at that moment. I failed to mention that most of them ended up having a box office death. Paul Greengrasses Green Zone hasn’t escaped the same fate. There may a number of reasons for this, in particular the accusation that the film is “anti-war” and “anti-american”. However, its also possible for the reason that this isn’t a particularly great film and a long way towards the back of Greengrasses star studded CV so far. This is the first film for ages that I’ve seen that is based on a book that I’ve read. In this instance, Rajiv Chandrasekaran’s superb non-fiction account of life in Baghdad , Imperial Life in the Emerald City. However, the film is only “inspired” by the book, and despite trying to address some of the issues, actually bears little resemblance to the “source” material and eventually stumbles into a below par action film. Matt Damon stars as a Chief Warrant Officer on the trail of the much talked about WMD’s. Having trouble locating them he questions the reliability of the intel being given to him and his team. Unsurprisingly, he is given short shrift by the top brass. From then on we get a film akin to a John Grisham thriller as shadowy meetings and character clashes occur, albeit played out against a background of occasional action scenes. It’s all too mixed up though and Greengrass never seems clear as to what kind of film he wants to show. All talk and no-one will turn up. All action and he’ll lose the message he is trying to send. What is that message though? Being a Brit, Greengrass wisely avoids portraying the film as complete American incompetence, but the only real political statement he makes is one of short sightedness of top level management. Hardly a new revelation that. There are some plus points though, including the usual excellent cinematography and some decent acting from the actors portraying the Iraqis. In additional, Greengrass does capture the mayhem and hustle and bustle of Baghdad . However, by the time Jason Issacs and his Delta Force team turn up, and the film turns a bit Platoon, you’ll also start to experience some confusion yourself.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Not a bad film per se, but a major disappointment considering the talent involved. Rating: 5/10.

The Crazies

Though mildly bloody, George A Romero’s original film version of The Crazies was neither scary nor, to be frank, really all that good. Romero himself executive produces this remake which is a big step up from the original, though without ever breaking free from the standard horror conventions. However, this is still an entertaining film which makes the correct decision to put its foot on the accelerator as soon as possible and let the film whizz by before any plot holes can even begin to be addressed. Timothy Olyphant is the Sheriff of a small Iowa town who suddenly finds a number of its inhabitants going loco. Before long shadowy governments forces and gas masked soldiers join the circus and Olyphant finds himself battling both the eponymous characters and the men in green. Breck Eisner directs with a dab hand, but does over rely on the soundtrack to create a number of the scares. However, he does realise that less is more in some of the more violent scenes and they are all the more effective for it. In respect of that, a scene where Olyphant and others are attacked in a car wash is stunningly executed as the unseen threat comes, and then continues to come, from out of view. On the downside, the ending is obvious and too many of the characters make the standard stupid horror movie decisions. The one character that raises his head above the parapet though is Olyphant’s deputy, played by Joe Anderson. Not a household name, but with a decent American accent and a decent character arc, Anderson is the one to watch in the film. So hit and miss overall, but Eisner’s does also give us the greatest non-CGI car roll since Casino Royale. Kudos Brett!

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Nothing new here, but entertaining nonetheless. Rating: 7/10.

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

The poster for Hachi: A Dog’s Tale shows Richard Gere cuddling a fluffy, beautiful looking dog. Take into account the cheesy title as well and you expect a Disney-esque standard 90 minutes of fluff for the kids to enjoy whilst the parents go off to watch Dragon Tattoo instead. How wrong you’d be though. If you know nothing about the true story that the film is based on you will be in for a surprise. The film’s start is fairly routine as Professor Wilson (Gere) discovers a crate containing a puppy dog at his local train station and takes him back home until the real owners can be traced. No prizes for guessing what happens next. There is cuteness ahoy, and some silly laughs to be had. There are also decent (if stereotypical) supporting characters. Pretty soon though Gere’s perfect American dream lifestyle may grate with some. However, with about 30 minutes to go comes the plot twist. After that the final third of the film is an exercise in trying to keep your emotions in check. Believe me, you won’t manage it. Only the coldest hearted person won’t be getting watery eyes. You’ll feel drained at the end. However, soon enough you’ll start to feel uplifted. In fact, the films tagline of “A true story of faith, devotion and undying love” pretty much sums it up perfectly.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
A mature telling of a moving real life story. Utterly heart breaking though. Rating: 8/10.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Though I have yet to read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, it appears that fans of the book have found Niels Arden Opley’s film a decent adaptation. The book is a mighty tome and Opley does well to try and squeeze as much of the labyrinth storyline into the screenplay. As for the storyline itself, what we have is a slow paced thriller concerning a journalist and The Girl With Guess What who investigate the disappearance of a girl from a wealthy family home some forty years previously. As a detective story this is fun to watch and there are plenty of red herrings thrown in. On the down side, as this is such a vast story (part one of three, in effect) this does cause a few problems as numerous names and characters come and go and it can be confusing trying to keep up (though Opley handles The Girl’s backstory pretty adeptly). In addition, some of plot revelations are a little bit too easily discovered by the protagonists, especially as their standard computer software at times seems to be able to undertake tasks that MI5 would find hard to do. However, perhaps best to just go with the flow and also to enjoy some of the stunning scenery. Some scenes that are difficult to “enjoy” though are the ones of sexual abuse, which appear to over step the mark of what I would think is acceptable to show. Overall though, despite the fact the film doesn’t grip as much as it should, it’s still confident enough to get through on the strength of it’s own convictions. Also, perhaps best to see now before the inevitable Hollywood remake….

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
The tone is unbalanced throughout, but as old fashioned detective story it’s entertaining and intriguing stuff. Rating: 7/10.

Micmacs

Micmacs is the latest film from the fertile mind of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and fans will be more than happy with this tale full of all the usual Jeunet elements. Mad-cap characters, chain reaction events, comedy sex, visual humour and originality are all present and correct. The story concerns Bazil (Dany Boon) who, after a series of outrageous coincidences (Jeunet ahoy!), attempts to gain revenge on two differing arms manufacturing companies. He stumbles across a gang of outcasts who aid him in his quest. However, there is a problem of too many cooks spoiling the broth here as some members of the gang are quickly sidelined as the story progresses. In addition, all the elements mentioned above at times feel just too individual and the film doesn’t don’t quite add up to the sum of its parts. Jeunet has enough experience though to drag us along with the help of some cracking gags and an enjoyable performance from the rubber faced Boon. There is also the usual gorgeous cinematography to enjoy and a final scene of pure ingenuity.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Quirky and entertaining enough for fans, but lacks the charm of previous efforts. Rating: 6/10.

Leap Year

If Leap Year was set in France all the locals would be smoking Gitanes and wearing onions around their neck, whilst trying not to dislodge their berets as they play a game of Boules. However Leap Year is set in Ireland . The Hollywood version of Ireland . Oh dear me. If you can imagine Alan Partridges visions of The Emerald Isle and its characters you’ll be pretty close to what you have here. One person even says “Top of the morning!”. Oh dear me, indeed. In fact, the only reason I can think of for actually recommending this film to someone is to watch it just so you can shake your head in disbelief at some of the stereotypes on show. As for the lame storyline, we have Amy Adams attempting to fly to Dublin so she can propose to her high flying boyfriend on February 29th. She doesn’t quite make it though and ends up instead in a small Irish village where she meets Matthew Goode where “hilarity ensues”. Far too many problems to list about this mess of a movie, but one major problem is that Adams’ absent boyfriend doesn’t seem a bad bloke (until a forced third act turn) and therefore Adams basically spends portions of the film either cheating or thinking about cheating on him. Oh the romance! Adams is miles better than this rubbish and I can’t even begin to think what she saw in the script (Money? Oh you cynic, you). At least Goode recognised he was in a pile of pants (see below). What’s surprising is that director Anand Tucker recently directed one third of Red Riding, one of the grittiest and brutal TV dramas of recent years. If any Irish luck rubs off on him after this it’ll be that this blot on his CV is quickly forgotten by everyone.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Throws in just enough sweetness that the target audience may enjoy, thus avoiding a zero rating. To quote Goode himself though, this is “turgid”. To be sure, to be sure! Rating: 2/10.

Alice In Wonderland

There’s a school of thought that The Great War began because it was just too much effort not to have a war. Whilst watching Alice In Wonderland, I started to think along similar lines regarding the film. It was just too much effort for Hollywood not to have a new version, and it was especially too much effort for it not to be directed by Tim Burton. So what we get is what we expected to see in the first place. Some cuteness, some zaniness, some Helena Bonham Carter-ness. However, it all feels a bit similar. In addition, and somewhat ironically considering the subject matter, it appears to be lacking in the imagination department somewhat. There’s idea’s afoot of course, but it feels like we’ve been here already in previous Burton films. Along similar lines to the above it was also clearly too much effort for Johnny Depp not to play The Mad Hatter, but his performance feels somewhat forced and ends up being irritating rather than entertaining. Mia Wasikowska is fine as Alice (though her stunning resemblance to a young G Paltrow is somewhat distracting), but it’s a joy to watch Helena Bonham Carter as the hilarious Red Queen. No doubt accusations of favouritism can be made in Burton’s direction, but at least Bonham Carter does him proud (though Blackadder fans won’t have to watch for too long before working out who Bonham Carter's performance is based on). Overall, this isn’t a bad film, but it just isn’t a brilliant one either.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Surprisingly unmoving, but kiddies should enjoy. Add an extra mark if you’re a youngster or an Alice fan in general. Rating: 5/10