Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Anonymous (2011) - Film Review



Was Shakespeare a fraud? Or did he really write all those plays that we have come to know and love through the years?

Roland Emmerich's new dramatic thriller Anonymous tackles the idea that William Shakespeare's great works were in actuality written by Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford who is brilliantly portrayed in the film by Rhys Ifans. The film's initial concept boasts had the potential to be a gripping political drama filled with romance, sword fights, and betrayal. But what ends up being played out on screen is merely an attempt to create such things, rather than actually succeeding at doing so.

The film flashes back confusingly many times to Edward de Vere's(Ifans) childhood and teenage years while continuing his story in his adulthood as well. The story begins when de Vere is discovered as a child prodigy in writing, which then leads him to catch the attention of Queen Elizabeth I(portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson). But when theatre is deemed as sinful and is banned, Edward is forced to write in secrecy, using a young poet, Ben Jonson(Sebastian Armesto) to pretend that de Vere's works are his so that he can still have his plays performed at the Globe Theatre. But when the first play performed is a hit, de Vere and Jonson's plan goes awry when a stage actor, William Shakespeare(Rafe Spall) takes the stage to claim that the work of theatrical art is his. What then ensues is a series of cover-ups, as de Vere continues to conceal his authorship while his former lover, the Queen is dealing with the fact that she is getting old and must pass the crown down to someone else.

As previously stated, the film's plot had the potential to be a huge hit, but the lackluster screenplay written by John Orloff started out strong and promising but quickly withered away as the film progressed. Praise should be given to the spectacular cast, especially Rhys Ifans as the genius Edward de Vere. Ifans stole the spotlight in every scene that he was in, and was supported by a talented cast which includes Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Elizabeth I, Sebastian Armesto as Ben Jonson the poet, Jamie Campbell Bower as the young Edward de Vere, and Joely Richardson as a young Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Derek Jacobi also stars as a Narrator, who opens and closes the film on a modern stage in present day New York City. Staging the film as if it was a Broadway production was brilliant, and made for a smooth transition into the tell-all about Shakespeare's works. But once in the Elizabethan era, the uninspiring plot will more than likely irritate Shakespearean fanatics, and blow over the heads of those who are unfamiliar with Shakespeare's history and works.

While it was a nice attempt at creating a film out of a theory that is supported by little to no evidence, Anonymous simply felt flat and dull.

Anonymous opens in limited release October 28, 2011.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

W.E. (2011) - Film Review


W.E. marks music sensation Madonna's second directorial debut. But while Madonna's artistic creativity is evident, the execution of the film's plot lacks coherency.

The film's lackluster screenplay was co-written by Madonna with Alek Keshishian, which tells the story of two women, one in 1998 New York City and the other, Wallis Simpson(Andrea Riseborough) who in the early 1900s was in a controversial relationship with King Edward VIII(James D'Arcy). Madonna's attempt at creating a parallel between the modern love story with its 1930 counterpart was what hurt the film's final product the most, making the two story's connection feel almost forced.

What the film does excel in however, its is artistic beauty. The cinematography, done by Hagen Bogdanski was breathtaking, and the costumes, especially those worn by the Duchess was absolutely stunning. With high-end designers like Christian Dior and Cartier recreating pieces from the period for the film, it is no doubt that the garments used were of great historical accuracy and beauty.

The cast, minus Abby Cornish as Wally Winthrop, was also impeccable. Andrea Riseborough as the delicate Wallis Simpson was well acted, and is one of the highlights of the film. James D'Arcy also gives a notable performance as King Edward VIII. The weak link in the acting comes shockingly in Abby Cornish's portrayal of Wally Winthrop, the lovesick hopeless romantic living in a loveless marriage in 1998 New York. Cornish's character was suppose to be a delicate damsel, fragile, yet determined to spark love in her marriage with husband William(Richard Coyle), but Cornish acting and tone exudes a woman with more strength and rebellion within her.

The film's score, composed by Abel Korzeniowski was dazzling, but the overuse of music from scene to scene often made the movie feel more like one long music video rather than a feature film.

While Madonna's second attempt at sitting in the director's chair wasn't a complete failure, it isn't something to celebrate about either. While her artistry is most definitely there, her final product lacks a clear direction. Further, the film's two interwoven plots could very well have been separated into two distinct movies, and if done so W.E. would have been a much better film. In fact, had Madonna solely focused on the story of Wallis(Riseborough) and Edward(D'Arcy), this this film would have soared. When asked at the end of the film what she wants her audience to take away from this movie, Madonna takes a long pause and hesitates before she responds. Maybe even the Material Girl herself was too caught up in the historical romance and gorgeous fashion that she forgot that a gratifying plot is vital in creating a good movie.

W.E. will be released December 9, 2011 in theatres.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Once Upon A Time (ABC) - Television Review



Possibly this season's most anticipated new drama series, ABC's Once Upon A Time is magically captivating and breaks new grounds in storytelling by taking the familiar and breathing new life into it.

Lost creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis is the creative force behind the show, featuring a phenomenal cast which includes Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White, Jared Gilmore as Henry, Joshua Dallas as Prince Charming, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen and Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan.

The series follows Emma Swan(Morrison), a bail bonds collector who on her 28th birthday is reunited with the son that she gave up 10 years ago. Her son, Henry(Gilmore) has escaped to Boston in hopes to convince Emma to return to a town called Storybrooke, claiming that she is the daughter of iconic fairy tale characters Snow White(Goodwin) and Prince Charming(Dallas). Henry also reveals through a storybook that he has titled "Once Upon A Time" that the Evil Queen(Parrilla) placed an evil curse in the fairy tale world, thus trapping all the characters in a timeless world with no recollection of their identities.

The pilot episode jumps back and forth from the fantasy world to modern day society, slowly revealing to audiences how all the fairy tale characters have ended up in their current state. Switching between the two worlds made the narrative of the episode engaging, as it left you wanting more from both of the plots that were being played out in the two different worlds. The first episode also leaves lots of questions left unanswered, making the story all the more interesting as to where it will go next.

Jennifer Morrison is perfect as Emma Swan. However, the standouts in the cast are Lana Parrilla's Evil Queen, in which the actress portrays with such villainous fervor that you can't help but hate her, and Jared Gilmore's young Henry, who captures the childhood innocence of believing in fairy tales perfectly. Joshua Dallas gathers up enough to serve his purpose as the handsome Prince charming. Ginnifer Goodwin's acting is a bit stiff and stale, though less noticeable when she is portraying her character's modern counterpart, Sister Mary Margaret Blanchard. The cast also features Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin, a sheer manipulatively evil delight, and Jamie Dornan as Storybrooke's sheriff.

Once Upon A Time, fairy tales were spellbinding and enchanting, but then Hollywood's endless remakes and modern adaptations destroyed the beauty of it all. However, ABC's new show has brought back what was once felt by many about this genre. Once Upon A Time is a show that is not to be missed, as it is not only entertaining and addictive, but truly spellbinding.

Once Upon A Time premieres Sunday, October 23 at 8/7c on ABC.

A Dream Comes True...



Sorry I have been so M.I.A. with updates lately. I promise that there will be more movie and television reviews coming up soon. However, I would just like to share this photo with you. So Danny Boyle has been filming his new movie, Trance here in London this past week and I was fortunate enough to meet one of my favorite actors of all time, James McAvoy. For those of you who know me, I have been following James' career since he starred as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia way back in 2005. I have seen almost all of his movies preceding Narnia, with some of my favorites being The Last King of Scotland, Wanted, X-Men: First Class and most obviously, the 2007 Oscar Best Picture nominee Atonement. I have always been a huge fan of James and his work, and to finally get to meet him in person was a dream come true. He was so kind, and even stopped an interview that he was doing to come talk to me and take a photo. I look forward to seeing Trance when it is released, and in the meantime, I will be catching up on the only two movies James is in that I have not seen, The Conspirator and The Last Station.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Drive (2011) - Film Review



Ryan Gosling proves that he can do no wrong in new action-thriller drama Drive.

Directed by Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, the film is based on the novel of the same name by author James Sallis. Gosling stars as a mysterious Driver, who works as a Hollywood stuntman and falls in love with his next-door-neighbor Irene, portrayed by the always well-composed Carey Mulligan. The film also stars Bryan Cranston as a mechanic who Gosling's character works for, and Mad Men's Christina Hendricks as one of Gosling's partners in crime.

Concerned for his neighbor Irene, the Driver agrees to help her husband with a robbery which ends up going terribly wrong. The Driver is then left with the million dollars that they stole, and the wrong people after him. What ensues is a gritty, violent and action-packed film, with plenty of car chasing sequences in between.

Newton Thomas Sigel's cinematography was absolutely phenomenal. The artistic detail in every sequence where Gosling is behind-the-wheel is refined and embellishing. And though the gore and violence was a bit over-the-top, it fuels the thrill aspect of the film. Further, the musical score by Cliff Martinez was very fitting, and the often silent moments while the Driver is speeding down an empty road mirrors the character's personality while adding tension to the chase.

Ryan Gosling's portrayal as the reserved, street-smart and violent Driver is sheer perfection, as he proves that he can play just about any type of role handed to him. Carey Mulligan gives a welcome change to her stereotypical elegant and classy roles, this time playing a well-mannered, beautiful lower-middle class mother. Christina Hendricks, though limited in her appearance, does a great job in confused robber who is simply just following orders.

Drive is not for everyone, but Ryan Gosling is enough of a reason to go check out this movie. And for anyone appreciative of a cinematically stylized film will find that this gritty tale is indeed intricately designed and well-written.