It’s been a long time between Working Dog having a film on the big screen and after viewing Any Questions For Ben? all I can say is it was certainly worth the wait. This is what a romantic comedy (or should that be romantic drama) should be like! Three dimensional characters (and believable), a good storyline and real enough that you know it hasn’t just been dreamed up by some screenwriter that has read too many Mills & Boon novels.

Ben (Josh Lawson – Crave, TV’S House Of Lies) seems to have everything you could ever dream of. His friends Nick (Daniel Henshall – Snowtown, Bars And Tone) and Andy (Christian Clark – Scumbus, TV’S Home & Away) watch on enviously as he drifts from dream girl to dream girl while doing a job they feel most would kill for. But it takes an embarrassing incident in front of a bunch of school kids for Ben to realise his job isn’t that interesting and worse still he never seems to be able to see anything through… a point that another friend, Emily (Felicity Ward – TV’S Laid & Sleuth 101) is only too happy to point out. Ben’s confusion is only made greater when he meets Alex (Rachael Tayor – The Darkest Hour, Red Dog).

Director Rob Sitch (The Dish, The Castle) along with his fellow Working Dog co-workers Santo Cilauro and Tom Gleisner have yet again done what they have been doing since The Late Show and that is create a near-perfect script that has you laughing all along. Yet like The Castle they also remember that you have to feel for these characters. At a first glance Ben might be an unlikable character, but by the end of the film you really are hoping he can pull his life together and get the girl.

The big winners with Any Questions For Ben? are Josh Lawson and the City Of Melbourne itself. Sitch has captured Melbourne in a way that no other filmmaker ever has. He showcases the fact it is a cosmopolitan heaven and as a result it equals London and New York on the big screen. Meanwhile, the screen allows Lawson to prove what fans of The Librarians have known for a long time – that he is one of Australia’s most genuine and best performing comedic actors.

Lawson is well supported by Felicity Ward and Daniel Henshall who also show that they have more strings in their bow. Ward really steps up from her Ronnie Johns Half Hour days and shows that she belongs on the big screen while Henshall backs up his fine performance in Snowtown with a worthy comedic performance.

If you’re looking for a fluffy romantic comedy you won’t find it here. Instead Any Questions For Ben overcomes a slow start to become a well written romantic drama that shows the rest of the world just how this genre should be done.

Year: 2012

Director: Rob Sitch

Stars: Josh Lawson, Rachael Tayor, Felicity Ward, Daniel Henshall, Christian Clark

Classification: M

Runtime: 114 mins

Rating6:

Dave Griffiths

This could have been one of the films of the year – it should be winning awards left, right and centre… and should be taking home a swag of awards on Oscars night. Instead J. Edgar becomes an average drama that is ruined by the filmmakers personal stance on J. Edgar Hoover.

J. Edgar is a biopic that takes a look at J. Edgar Hoover’s (Leonardo DiCaprio – Inception, Shutter Island) fifty year career as the head of the FBI as he helped found the use for modern crime solving technology. The film looks at his relationship with his mother, Anna (Judi Dench), his secretary, Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts – Dream House, Fair Game) and his right-hand man, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer – The Social Network, 2081). It is also explores the impact (and influence) that each of these people had on his life and career.

The sad thing about J. Edgar is that Hoover lived a life that is more than worthy of a film based on it, and while things like the Hoover/Tolson relationship ring true you can never really get over the fact that screenwriter, Dustin Lance Black (Virginia, Milk) and director, Clint Eastwood (Hereafter, Invictus) have ended up showing Hoover as a hero (albeit a flawed one) while just skirting over and around the darker sides of his life that really showed him to be one of the biggest villains of the last century. To portray him as anything else is just trying to rewrite history…something filmmakers certainly shouldn’t try and do.

The saddest thing about J. Edgar is that once again Leonardo DiCaprio puts in a fine effort but is let down by filmmakers that seem to have completely lost control of the film. Take a look at the mask that is worn to show that Tolson has aged, at times it doesn’t even look like it fits Armie Hammer correctly… now that is just sloppy and unforgivable in today’s cinematic landscape.

J. Edgar is a real let down as a film. Over-long and completely biased it certainly does not make for good cinematic viewing.

Year: 2012

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Hamilton, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer

Classification: M

Runtime: 137 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Normally when Hawaii is the setting for a film it is used as somewhere romantic and tropical (think Just Go With It) or it is being used for its amazing surf spots (like in Soul Surfer and Blue Crush). But as Matt King’s voiceover so elegantly reminds us in The Descendants Hawaii is also the home of many people, and those people have lives just like the rest of us.

To an outsider King (George Clooney – Ides Of March, The American) is one of the lucky ones to call Hawaii. He is a successful lawyer who is set to inherit a fortune as he part of a family who owns a massive chunk of an island that is about to be developed. But all the rotten pieces of King’s life is exposed when his wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie – Princess Ka’iulani, TV’S Lost) is involved in a boating accident that puts her in a coma. It takes this tragedy for Matt to realise just how distant he has become from his two daughters, Scottie (Amara Miller – newcomer) and Alexandra (Shailene Woodley – Our Deal, TV’S The Secret Life Of An American Teenager).

When many have reviewed this film they have labeled it a ‘great’ film and that George Clooney’s performance is ‘brilliant’, but I have to admit that I disagree. The Descendants is a good film but I have seen better while Clooney is like a national cricketer coming back to district cricket. He waltzes through the film with ease because despite the subject matter not once is his acting put to any dramatic test. Yes, I give him credit for his performance but is equal to the job that say Ryan Gosling did in Drive… you would have to say no.

What does make The Descendants a good film is director/screenwriter Alexander Payne’s (Sideways, About Schmidt) use of Hawaii as a location. He keeps away from the sundrenched scenes that we have come to see Hawaii as and instead uses the moody images of fog lingering over green covered mountains. Even little things like Matt’s film being filthy with leaves rather than pristine and clean shows Payne is on the ball and knows how to bring a real atmosphere to a film.

The two performances that do deserve a mention are those of Shailene Woodley who takes a massive step up from the ability she has shown in The Secret Life Of An American Teenager while the big winner is Nick Krause (ExTerminators, Enough) who seems to relish the role of stoner, Sid. He manages to steal more scenes than Mr. Clooney by a mile, and seems to be able to mix drama and comedy remarkable well for an actor of his age.

The Descendents is a worthy watch and certainly a film I’d love to have another look at (because of its intriguing script) but I think those labeling it and George Clooney’s performance as ‘stunning’ are over-exaggerating just a little.

 Year: 2011

Director: Alexander Payne

Stars: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause

Classification: M

Runtime: 115 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

I’m not normally someone who likes an US remake of a foreign film, I’m also believe that if ‘something ain’t broke don’t try to fix it’. And considering how much I loved the Danish version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo I was pretty sure I would be disappointed by the U.S. remake. But boy-oh-boy did Mr. Fincher make me eat my words. About the time that Fincher’s version of the title credits kicked in, like a blow to the head thanks to Trent Reznor’s kicking film score, I knew that despite it being a remake it was going to be something really special.

For those who haven’t seen the original film The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is based on the hit series of novels from author Stig Larsson. It picks up with renowned journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig – The Adventures Of Tintin, Cowboys & Aliens) having just been successfully sued after he made unfounded accusations against a leading business man. In a bid to lie low Blomkvist takes a job offered to him by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer – Priest, Beginners) a retired businessman who believes that one of his family members is responsible for the murder of his grand-daughter almost 40 years earlier. Blomkvist is joined on the case by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara – The Social Network, A Nightmare On Elm Street) a young computer hacker with personal problems of her own.

Director, David Fincher (The Social Network, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button) provided to be the right person for the job when it came to being at the helm of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Fincher goes back to his previous work of films like Zodiac and Se7en and brings a real morbid and dark feel to the feel. He handles the suspense really well and while at times the original film felt cluttered (because of the amount of characters) Fincher never allows his version to follow suite.

To his credit he never actually allows the audience to become confused at all. The original became a little confusing and bogged down when Lisbeth is investigating the murders of the other girls but Fincher sets it out for all to see in a clear and basic way. And I know that I have already mentioned it but the opening credits are an absolute standout and something that Fincher and Reznor deserve to be credited for.

The person who was likely to cop the most criticism for this film was Rooney Mara. With Noomi Rapace doing such a fine job in the role of Lisbeth Salander in the original you just knew that poor Mara was always going to be compared to her. And while I mean no disrespect to Rapace some aspects of Mara’s Salander are actually better, she certainly portrays the socially awkward parts of Salander’s character a lot better… and she is helped with some great one liners. Together with Daniel Craig, Mara has some genuine chemistry and despite many who feared it (including Craig himself) you never ever feel like you are watching a Bond film just because he is it.

The Danish version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was a masterpiece and I have to admit that the U.S. remake matches that. Some of the scenes will be confronting for some but this has to be one of the best thrillers ever made.

Year: 2011

Director: David Fincher

Stars: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer

Classification: MA15+

Runtime: 158 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Ever since seeing Juno I can’t help but get excited when I see screenwriter, Diablo Cody’s (Jennifer’s Body, TV’S The United States Of Tara) name attached to a project. To be blunt she is one of the best screenwriters of our time and she only proves that further with Young Adult, a film in which she makes an audience feel for a character that is one of the most despicable to ever grace her screens.

While Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron – Astro Boy, The Road) may not exactly be a serial killer like Hannibal Lector or Lou Ford, she ranks pretty high as a sociopath seeing her new main aim in life seems to be to break up her high school sweetheart, Buddy (Patrick Wilson – The Ledge, Morning Glory) and his wife, Beth’s (Elizabeth Reaser – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, TV’s The Ex Files) marriage because they sent her an invite that she felt was designed to rub their marriage in her face. While Mavis sees nothing wrong with her plan, her ex-classmate, Matt (Patton Oswalt – TV’S The Heart, She Holler, Raising Hope) tries to stop her.

Cody really has created some memorable characters here. Mavis is an absolute gem her twisted ways and attitude have you constantly guessing what she will do next, while Cody has given her some great one-liners. Somehow, Cody even has you feeling for Mavis and while you never actually find yourself hoping she splits up Buddy and Beth you do find yourself hoping that she can do something that cleans up her life.

Matt is also one of Cody’s brilliant creations. His background and story could only have come from the warped (but brilliant) mind of Cody and in this film she shows all up-and-coming writers the perfect way to create 3-dimensional characters. With her usual wit mixed in with some true dramatic moments Cody really handed director, Jason Reitman (Up In The Air, Juno) another easy ride.

While it is good to see Charlize Theron back up on the big screen it is Patton Oswalt that steals the show in Young Adult. His portrayal of Matt is going to be etched in my mind for a long time to come… and he really does put in one of the best performances of the year in a role that he seems to relish.

Young Adult is a quirky film that wins you over due to its unique characters and intriguing storyline. Diablo Cody you’ve done it again!!!

Year: 2011

Director: Jason Reitman

Stars: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser

Classification: MA15+

Runtime: 90 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

For some Shame will not be an easy film to watch. As its main character is suffering from a sexual addiction there are quite a few graphic scenes that will leave some audience members heading for the door… but those who choose to avoid this film are missing out on a terrific gritty film with one of the finest acting performances we have seen from a male actor for quite a long time.

Shame follows Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender – X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre) who on the outside looks like your typical financial worker. But what his friends and colleagues don’t know is that Brandon suffers from a sexual addiction that needs fulfilling (whether it be with a random hook-up, a prostitute or even porn) a number of times a day. Soon this addiction is causing problems in both Brandon’s personal and work lives and to add to the stress his mentally unhinged sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan – Drive, Never Let Me Go) has arrived to stay with him awhile.

Director, Steve McQueen (Hunger) has made this film eerily beautiful, which in some way detracts from the fact that Shame’s sex scenes make Basic Instinct look like child’s play. McQueen doesn’t trivialize sexual addiction he shows it at its full gory worst, and at times this means the film really goes into some dark places, as does the fact that you never know what Sissy is going to do next. McQueen does make this film look sensational though. The scene of Brandon running through the city in a bid to forget and avoid that fact that Sissy is having sex with David (James Badge Dale – Polish Bar, The Conspirator) is inventive while the way he captures New York through his lense shows he has an air of class.

One thing you do realise after watching Shame is that Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan both deserve Oscar nominations for their roles. Fassbender is sensational while Mulligan takes the role of Sissy and makes it her own, their scenes together are brutally fascinating and full of energy while Mulligan’s rendition of ‘New York New York’ is hauntingly beautiful.

If you like your cinema gritty and in-your-face than Shame is the film for you. Ground-breaking and confronting this film will stay with you for a long time.

 Year: 2011

Director: Steve McQueen

Stars: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale

Classification: R18+

Runtime: 101 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Well it had to happen some day, and now in the form of A Few Best Men Australia finally has a locally-made comedy that works. Mark my words though if you don’t like films such as American Pie or Road Trip then you’re never gonna love this.

British backpacker, David Locking (Xavier Samuel – Anonymous, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) meets Aussie girl, Mia Ramme (Laura Brent – Anima, The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader) while on a tropical island. Totally in love he proposes to her which means he and his best men, Tom (Kris Marshall – Oka!, D.O.A.), Graham (Kevin Bishop – Ma part du gateau, Royal Wedding) and Luke (Tim Draxl – Ivory, Undocumented). This is a nightmare within itself as they soon find themselves meeting Mia’s overbearing politician Dad (Jonathan Biggins – TV’S At Home With Julia & The Jesters), her fun-loving mother (Olivia Newton-John – 1 A Minute, Score: A Hockey Musical), her ‘lesbian’ sister (Rebel Wilson – Bridesmaids, TV’S Workaholics) and the family’s pride a joy – a sheep (well a ram to be more precise). Added to all that is the fact that the boys soon find themselves running foul of local, violent drug dealer, Ray (Steve Le Marquand – TV’S Small Time Gangster & Underbelly).

On the surface this looks like yet another unfunny Australian comedy but it is when you realise that it is directed by Stephan Elliott who has brought us films such as Easy Virtue and Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and written by Dean Craig, who is best known as the writer of Death Of A Funeral, that you can start to understand why this film works so well. Yes, the story is unbelievable and at times the humor is incredibly crass but who really cares as long as the film is making you laugh… and believe me this is the kind of film that will make you laugh.

There are some strange casting choices in the film but now even I must admit that Olivia Newton-John can be damn funny when she wants to be. The other big surprise is Xavier Samuel who shows that he is more than capable of pulling off comedy if he needs to. And if you’re planning on seeing A Few Best Men then keep a look out for Rebel Wilson because she has some brilliantly funny moments.

A real surprise but A Few Best Men is proof that Australia can make a funny comedy film. If you like it a little crass, then you’re gonna love this.

Year: 2011

Director: Stephan Elliott

Stars: Xavier Samuel, Laura Brent, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop, Tim Draxl, Jonathan Biggins, Olivia Newton-John, Rebel Wilson, Steve Le Marquand

Classification: TBC

Runtime: 97 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Director, Martin Scorsese (George Harrison: Living In The Material World, Public Speaking) has well and truly stepped out of his comfort zone with Hugo, and I don’t just mean because this time around he hasn’t got Leonardo DiCaprio has his leading man. No, Scorsese has stepped behind the camera for a family film, not something you would normally expect from the man who has brought us Shutter Island and The Departed, but even as he tries something new Scorsese manages to create a really beautiful film.

This boxing day your kids may be screaming at you to take them to see the latest Alvin & The Chipmunks film, but please do everyone a favor and take them to see Hugo instead, because this a family film that deserves to be mentioned alongside classics such as The Sound Of Music and Oliver Twist.

Set in Paris in the 1930s Hugo tells the story of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield – Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang, The Wolfman) who has been living in the walls of a train station with his uncle (Ray Winstone – Lost In Italy, Rango) after the death of his father (Jude Law – Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, 360). But now his uncle has disappeared so Hugo spends his days winding the clocks of the station, dodging the station’s inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen – Bruno, Madagascar 2) and trying to put together an automaton that his father left him (more importantly trying to find the key that will make it work). His search is made harder by a toyshop owner, Georges Melies (Ben Kingsley – Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, Teen Patti) who takes a disliking for Hugo when he looks at the boy’s notebook. However, Hugo soon befriends Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz – Hick, The Dark Fields) who is really looking for adventure.

Scorsese really does bring a feel to this film that most directors could only dream it. His sweeping opening shots over Paris and his shots inside the internal workings of the station’s clocks show just what an eye-for-detail he has… is it to bold to say that he is the finest director of our time? Add this to an amazing story that ends up in a place that nobody would ever guess and you really do have one of the finest films that we have seen in a very long time. It doesn’t happen very often these days but this was a film that made me sit there and just go ‘WOW!!!’… I felt like a child seeing my first ever film… this is the kind of film that can make you re-discover your love for cinema.

Hugo allows Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz to continue growing as actors but the surprise packet here is Sacha Baron Cohen. As he did with Sweeney Todd Cohen shows that there is more to his acting ability than just characters such as Borat and Bruno. As the station inspector Cohen is playing the bad guy but so good is his performance that you can’t help but feel for the lonely man. It won’t happen but so good is Cohen’s performance that he deserves a Best Supporting Oscar nomination… his performance in Hugo is one that I will remember for a long time to come.

This is a stunning film that has certainly made my list of Top Films of 2011. Visually spectacular Hugo is a film that deserves to become a family classic.

Year: 2011

Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Asa Butterfield, Ray Winstone, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Chloe Grace Moretz

Classification: TBC

Runtime: 126 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

The subject matter of Weekend may not sit too well with some people but lets be honest if you are a judgmental person then this really isn’t the film for you. See, Weekend is a well-produced drama that looks at all the ins and outs of a gay pick-up/romance that raises some interesting (and thought-provoking topics) along the way.

Russell (Tom Cullen – TV’S Pen Talar & Banged Up Abroad) considers himself to be an out gay English male. All of his close friends know that he is gay and are comfortable with that. Although even Russell’s eyes are opened after he goes out to a gay club one night and picks up Glen (Chris New – TV’S Doctors & Silent Witness). As the weekend goes on Russell and Glen engage in sex, drugs and alcohol but also begin to learn a lot about each other. But just as it looks like a romance is blossoming a bombshell hits, Glen is leaving England to go and live in the U.S. at the end of the weekend.

Screenwriter/director, Andrew Haigh (Greek Pete, Five Miles Out) really does show talent with Weekend. What will make this film seem even more confronting for some is the fact that it feels so realistic, so good as the characterization and so natural is the dialogue that at times you could be excused for feeling that you are watching a docco. This naturalism unfortunately also brings flaws to the film. While you find yourself embracing Russell as a character it is hard to connect with the enigmatic Glen, although your feelings for Russell are at least enough for you want to see them together.

Haigh also creates some moments of true excellence in Weekend. The scene in which Russell and Glen are jeered by off-screen extras for showing public affection really highlights how hard it is for a homosexual couple in a natural and inventive way. But then Haigh also undoes his good work by some moments of the film becoming really preachy, so would even say a little anti-heterosexual, not a great thing when your film is trying to highlight how everyone should be treated equally.

The fact that the film has a naturalistic style also means that the two leading men, Tom Cullen and Chris New, have to step-up to the plate with the performance of their lives. Luckily, they are both up to the task at hand, and all I can say is that I hope this film shows producers that are capable of so much more than the TV roles that they have been doing.

Weekend may have its flaws but at the same time it is an important film that modern society needs. Flawlessly acted this is one film that is certainly worth a look.

Year: 2011

Director: Andrew Haigh

Stars: Tom Cullen, Chris New

Classification: MA15+

Runtime: 97 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

There is no point in denying it, director Lars von Trier (Antichrist, The Boss Of It All) has delivered the best and most powerful film of his career, and that is saying something considering that his body of work has contained classics such as The Idiots, Antichrist and Dogville. Melancholia is the kind of film that will have you thinking ‘what the?’ while you are watching it, but give it time, let it settle as you reflect upon it and soon you to will be marveling at the genius that is Lars von Trier.

Melancholia is told in two halves. The first half is set on the night of the extremely depressed Justine’s (Kirsten Dunst – Fight For Your Right Revisited, All Good Things) wedding to her husband, Michael (Alexander Skarsgard – Straw Dogs, TV’S True Blood). But the night is anything but perfect. Justine’s mother (Charlotte Rampling – The Eye Of The Storm, The Mill And The Cross) is being a bitch, her father (John Hurt – Immortals, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is horny and obsessed by the women at his table, her sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg – The Tree, Persecution) is cranky and her brother-in-law, John (Kiefer Sutherland – Marmaduke, TV’S 24) is becoming aggressive in reminding her that he is paying for the night. Add this to the stress of work and it’s not hard to see why Justine is having a breakdown.

Part Two of Melancholia is told after Justine’s wedding and through the eyes of Claire. A recently-discovered planet called Melancholia is heading towards earth. And while the scientific John is saying it will miss Earth Justine’s research (on the Internet) has led her to believe that there will be a catastrophic collision. Convinced of this she brings a mentally-ruined Justine to their house so she can spend her last days with her Justine, John and her son Leo (Cameron Spurr – newcomer).

Anyone who has ever doubted Lars von Trier ability should be silenced by the opening ten minutes of this film. Von Trier has created what could almost be described as a ‘music video’ set to the music of Wagner’s opera Tristan And Isolde. Some may argue that the eerie montage of Earth’s final seconds is similar to the scenes of The Tree Of Life… I disagree. The Tree Of Life as a mis-directed piece of rubbish while von Trier’s scenes are eerily beautiful, and lets face it if they were paintings they would be hanging on the walls of the world’s top galleries.

Melancholia really is a masterpiece. The opening is spectacular but the rest of the film moves it up into another gear again. Some may see lengthy scenes such as the limo trying to get up the driveway as von Trier losing the plot, what they need to realise is that he is merely setting up the characters. The first half of the film is von Trier doing what he has shown us he loves doing (in films such as The Idiots), and that is making fun of the upper class. The second part of the film is von Trier’s version of a disaster movie, except his style of filmmaking allows for ten times the suspense then you would ever have felt in films such as Armaggedon.

This is also the film that has shown the world just what a fine actress Kirsten Dunst has turned into. Forget about her roles in stuff such as Bring It On or Superman, this is the moment where she really announces herself. To her credit she matches the brilliant performance of Charlotte Gainsbourg and there aren’t too many actresses who can say they have done that.

Sure some people will disagree strongly but for me Melancholia is a masterpiece and von Trier has finally shown the world what he is truly capable of.

Year: 2011

Director: Lars von Trier

Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Cameron Spurr

Classification: M

Runtime: 136 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths