Every film lover has an opinion on director, Roman Polanski (The Ghost Writer, To Each His Own Cinema), but no matter what you think of his personal life you can’t say that he isn’t a brilliant film maker. Just to prove it along comes his new film, Carnage which is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece.

Based on the award-winning play by Yasmina Reza Carnage looks at the aftermath of what happens after Zachary Cowan (Elvis Polanski – The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, Oliver Twist) strikes his classmate, Ethan Longstreet (Eliot Berger – newcomer) in the face with a stick during a playground altercation.

Zachary’s parents Alan (Christoph Waltz – The Three Musketeers, Water For Elephants) and Nancy (Kate Winslet – Contagion, TV’S Mildred Pierce) go to the home of Ethan’s parents, Michael (John C. Reilly – We Need To Talk About Kevin. Terri) and Penelope (Jodie Foster – The Beaver, Nim’s Island) in a bid to discuss what should be done about the matter.

Agreements are made and accusations fly, as does the projectile vomit at times, and while both sets of parents are determined to get an outcome they just can’t come to a final solution and the whole meeting turns into a debacle.

Polanski doesn’t attempt to do too much with Carnage. He films it like a play, in the cofounds of the Longstreet home and he smartly lets the dialogue lead the way. Lovers of action will be turned off by Carnage because it literally lets the dialogue do the talking. Luckily, Reza’s script holds up on the big screen and with some immaculate timing Carnage ends up calling on all the things that made films such as Who’s Afraid Of Virgina Woolfe? and Twelve Angry Men such classics.

Also adding to Carnage is some some sensational acting. Kate Winslet in terrific and as you would expect Waltz and Foster are at the top their games. What will come as a surprise to some (but not to those who have seen Terri and We Need To Talk About Kevin) is that John C. Reilly holds his own. Over the last two years Reilly has chosen roles that cement him amongst the best dramatic actors around at the moment, and that trend continues here. He is no longer that comedic actor who seemed to always choose dodgy roles.

Carnage is a sensational watch for the serious movie goer. Great dialogue and brilliant acting make this an absolute gem.

Year: 2012

Director: Roman Polanski

Stars: Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Elvis Polanski, Eliot Berger

Classification: M

Runtime: 79 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

If you loved Girl With The Dragon Tattoo then you’ll also want to sit down and see Headhunters… as it’s the best Scandinavian thriller to surface since The Millenium series. Headhunters will have you constantly trying to guess what happens next and to the filmmakers credit this is a film that leaves you asking no questions.

Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie – Age Of Heroes, A Somewhat Gentle Man) suffers from small-man syndrome. He feels due to his lack of height that the only way he can keep his beautiful wife, Diana (Synnove Macody Lund – newcomer) from straying is to buy her love with expensive gifts. However, his wages as a corporate headhunter doesn’t allow for this so he moonlights as an art thief that has all the local Police scratching their heads.

Then enters Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Blackthorn, At World’s End) a business mogul, who is paying far too much attention to Diana and has an extremely rare art piece in his collection. He is obvious target for Roger but is it wise to steal from a man who is a creator of GPS technology and is trained by the army to find people?

When the team of screenwriters handed director, Morten Tyldum (Fallen Angels, Buddy) the script for Headhunters he must have been licking his lips, because after just one read he would have been able to tell that he was now at the helm of the best suspense-thrillers to surface in a long time.

Headhunters delivers the best of two worlds. The script is calculating and suspenseful and it’s violence doesn’t hold back. There are no ‘nice’ guys here, everybody is willing to kill to get what they want and Tyldum doesn’t hold back from showing graphic ‘after-scenes’ of a car accident or even the odd head-shot.

The script never allows for the audience to get too comfortable. You can never predict what will happen next, and for most of the film you can’t even work out who is friend or foe. Also outstanding is the fact that the writers make Roger such a hero when you already know that he is a adulterous art thief who will lie to get whatever he wants or needs.

Headhunters also showcases two of Scandinavia’s best actors to the world. Aksel Hennie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau are both sensational and either could slot into Hollywood with ease. Synnove Macody Lund can also hold her head up high. She debuts in this film and with her looks and talent I’m sure you will have producers lining up at her door to get her into their films.

This is one terrific thriller that fans of the genre shouldn’t miss. Truly stunning, Headhunters is a film that you will be telling your friends to go and see.

Year: 2012

Director: Morten Tyldum

Stars: Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Synnove Macody Lund

Classification: MA15+

Runtime: 100 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

No this isn’t Spielberg’s long awaited film in the Jurassic Park series, in fact there isn’t a dinosaur to be seen. This is in fact a beautifully written and brilliantly acted, confronting film from the U.K. that deserves to pick up a number of awards along the way.

Written and directed by Paddy Considine (Dog Althogther), whom most would know as an actor who has appeared in films such The Bourne Ultimatum and Submarine, Tyrannosaur follows Joseph (Peter Mullan – War Horse, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) a vile man who succumbs to his anger in violent outbursts. On a chance meeting with Hannah (Olivia Colman – The Iron Lady, See Me) the two begin a strange friendship. Hannah prays for Joseph, Joseph lashes out about her belief her God, but the one thing that Hannah does find is solace away from her aggressive husband, James (Eddie Marsan – Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, War Horse).

Tyrannosaur isn’t a film for everyone as Considine does not hold back. The audience is greeted with an opening that depicts Joseph lashing out and giving his beloved dog enough internal injuries to ensue it won’t live… that is just a taste of what is to come. Bashings, rape and more dog killing is to come yet this is a fine enough film to be a ‘must see’.

Considine’s script is intriguing, characters like Joseph and few and far between on the screen and you really want to know what makes him tick. The same can be said for James, the irony is that James makes Joseph look like a nice guy.

Aside from the writing what else makes this a ‘must see’ is some of the best acting performances you are ever likely to see. Mullan deserves and Oscar for his work while Oliva Colman shows there is more to her than the comedic roles we have come to know her for. Last but not least Marsan puts in an eerie performance that will be long remembered by anyone that sees the film.

Tyrannosaur won’t sit comfortably with everyone but it is one of the best films that you are likely to see in 2012, and if you want to know why it has the name of a dinosaur you’ll have to watch it and find out… because that is just one of the mysteries that it reveals. A classic piece of modern cinema!

Year: 2012

Director: Paddy Considine

Stars: Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, Eddie Marsan

Classification: MA15+

Runtime: 91 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

At a quick glance The Vow looks like it is going to be one of your average run-of-the-mill romantic comedies, but it is actually a little better than that. The word comedy is wrong to being with as this is a romantic drama… think along the same vein as The Notebook and while it isn’t brilliant it does offer more than you would expect.

Leo (Channing Tatum – Haywire, Ten Year) and Paige (Rachel McAdams – Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, Midnight In Paris) are a happily married ‘hipster’ couple. She is an artist and he is a music producer. However after an accident one night she is left with memory loss that means she no longer knows about her new life or even knows who Leo is. To make matters worse her parents, Bill (Sam Neil – The Hunter, The Dragon Pearl) and Rita (Jessica Lange – Grey Gardens, TV’S American Horror Story) and her sister. Gwen (Jessica McNamee – The Loved Ones, TV’S Packed To The Rafters) use the situation to end a divide between them and because of their dislike for Leo and her new life decide that she should go back to law school and try to patch things up with her ex.

The screenwriting team has created a somewhat impressive script. Yes the romantic drama element of it holds it back (it has to fit the genre) but the film does generate some truly suspenseful moments regarding whether or not Paige and Leo will reunite, however unfortunately some of the dramatic moments are lost by the fact that Tatum does have a limited acting range. But the one thing that does work in the film’s favour is that you do care for Leo and Paige, so much so that you find yourself despising Paige’s parents.

Tatum’s acting is the film’s only major problem. He seems to ‘dope’ his way through the film like a star-quarterback who has been forced into a school play. It’s surprising that director, Michael Sucsy (Grey Gardens) didn’t raise the fact that Tatum is horribly miscast as a ‘hipster’ because it is obvious throughout the film. On the other hand McAdams is good and once again she shows everyone that she is above a lot of the rom-coms she has done throughout her career. It is also good to see Aussie, Jessica McNamee getting a good role, she does herself proud and seems to be the next Aussie on the rise in Hollywood.

The Vow does have some substance… well at least enough to keep you occupied for the 104 minutes that it runs for. Better than expected!!!

Year: 2012

Director: Michael Sucsy

Stars: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange, Sam Neil, Jessica McNamee

Classification: PG

Runtime: 104 mins

Rating:

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

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

Terri is the film that so many of us have been waiting to see for a long, long time now. This isn’t one of your typical ‘nice’ teenage films. This is a film certainly goes into the Larry Clark style of teenage film. It’s true to life and will certainly be confronting for some audience members.

Terri (Jacob Wysocki – TV’S Huge) isn’t your typical high school student. He is an obese loner who wears pajamas to school and juggles his studies with looking after his Uncle James (Creed Bratton – TV’S The Forgotten & The Office) and now his newfound interest in dead animals. When his tardiness draws the attention of school principal, Mr. Fitzgerald (John C. Reilly – Carnage, We Need To Talk About Kevin) Terri finds himself meeting with Fitzgerald every week. Soon Terri is becoming friends with the very strange, Chad (Brodger Zadina – Blunderkind, TV’S The Glades) and the perceived promiscuous, Heather (Olivia Crocicchia – Almost Kings, TV’S Rescue Me)

Director, Azazel Jacobs (Momma’s Man, The GoodTimesKid) takes this film into some dark places, especially when you consider the finale. Sure, Mr. Fitzgerald wanted these three teens to become friends but did he really want something like this to happen? Jacobs has made a fine independent film and even though you marvel at it you can’t help but feel that the ending should have been a little bit stronger and better written. It’ll frustrate some, while others will just say that it’s good to see that makes it’s audiences think a little.

One of the things that really sticks with you is the performances of the leading cast. On the back of We Need To Talk About Kevin John C. Reilly puts in another fine dramatic performance (has he turned his back on comedy for good?) while Olivia Crocicchia and Bridger Zadina announce themselves with some eerily realistic portrayals. But the standout is Jacob Wysocki – this is his breakout moment.  He also comes from a comedic background but here he puts in a truly brilliant performance that is worthy enough to win awards and certainly shows that he has a big future ahead of him.

Terri is the kind of film that is going to be lapped up by those who love independent cinema. Unique in the extreme this is one of the hidden gems of the last 12 months.

Year: 2011

Director: Azazel Jacobs

Stars: Jacob Wysocki, John C. Reilly, Bridger Zadina, Olivia Crocicchia, Creed Bratton

Classification: M

Runtime: 101 mins

Rating:

Out now on DVD

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

We Bought A Zoo is a ‘nice’ film that simply grows on you as it continues on it’s merry way. Some will be quick to label it as a ‘simple family film’ yet it is a lot more than that. Yes, it’s friendly enough to be lapped up by a family but the film also has enough drama and suspense in it to keep even the hardened film goer happy.

Based on Benjamin Mee’s book it tells the story of how he (played by Matt Damon (Happy Foot Two, Magaret) in the film) found himself challenged after the death of his wife (Stephanie Szostak – Dinner For Schmucks, Something Fun). Mee had been a journalist who lived to face danger but even he found it hard to be a single father to his two children, Dylan (Colin Ford – All Kids Count, In My Pocket) and Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones – Footloose, Game Time: Tackling The Past). When Dylan is expelled from school Benjamin realises he needs to make a change and on a whim buys a rundown zoo that is being run by zookeeper, Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson – Iron Man 2, He’s Just Not That Into You). The race is on to now get the zoo ready in time for opening and Benjamin still faces opposition from Dylan who still isn’t happy about being at the zoo despite advances from Lily (Elle Fanning – Twixt, Super 8).

It’s good to see director, Cameron Crowe (Elizabethtown, Vanilla Sky) back at the helm of a movie, seven years has been far too long, because you feel that it is his touch (along with some class from Matt Damon) that makes We Bought A Zoo. With the story at hand this could have very easily turned into a Daytime TV Movie Snooze Fest but with Mr. Crowe in charge this actually turns out to be a pretty well-crafted movie.

Yes the little bits of comedy that have been forced into this movie, mostly by the acting performance of John Michael Higgins (Bad Teacher, TV’S Happily Divorced), in the role of the bad guy, seem completely out of place but for the most Crowe uses his well-rounded characters to his best advantage. You feel for Benjamin but you also feel for Dylan, you can see things from both their point of views), and the end of the day you want to see the zoo succeed. With Crowe’s exploration of characters such as Benjamin’s inner-most feelings this was never going to be B-Grade. And while I didn’t criticize some of the humor I must admit some of the one-liners were pretty bloody funny… well enough to make you chuckle anyway.

As usual Matt Damon puts in a good performance and its good to see Scarlett Johansson getting a chance to show her ability in a bit of a meatier role. Elle Fanning gets a chance to show off a little bit of character acting by highlighting the aloof-personality of Lily but the highlights here are the performances of Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones both of which you feel are going to turn into fine actors.

We Bought A Zoo is going to blow you out of your seat but it certainly won’t put you to sleep either. This is just a ‘nice’ film that proves that Cameron Crowe still has it after his long time on the bench.

Year: 2011

Director: Cameron Crowe

Stars: Matt Damon, Stephanie Szostak, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning

Classification: PG

Runtime: 124 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths