The Echelon Conspiracy falls under the category of Techno-Thriller, and as such, is mildly diverting. It stars Shane West as Max Peterson, a computer engineer who specializes in installing safeguards into organization's computer systems. On assignment in Bangkok he receives an anonymous gift of a cell phone, which almost immediately stars sending him messages that prove to be very fortuitous. Who's sending the messages and why becomes the question at hand. Shane West is actually quite likable as the leading man, although Edward Burns, as a former FBI agent turned casino security operative, gets more annoying with every role he's in. He showed such promise in The Brothers McMullen, which he never quite lived up to. Martin Sheen has a supporting role as head of the NSA, and a Jed Bartlett he's not. Actually, the movie was enjoyable, despite some unbelievable plot twists, although you'll be required to put your brain in the "off" position at times. Also, being a little paranoid will help as well. Enjoy it with a an extra large popcorn.
Rating - 2 1/2 Stars
I have no serious issues with any of the winners of the major category Academy awards, not of course that I agree with the Academy on every selection. I think that Milk deserved best picture over Slumdog Millionaire, which incidentally, I did love. I just though that Milk was the better film. I would have also liked to have seen Marisa Tomei win for The Wrestler, although Penelope Cruz certainly did a fine job in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. As far as the award for best supporting actor though, we'll never really know if Heath Ledger would have garnered his honor if he was still with us. I have no answers there, although I personally would have given it to Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road. It was a small role which totally "electrified" the film. Mr. Ledger certainly did an excellent job in The Dark Knight, although I think that the tragedy, and utter stupidity of his demise brought out some of the "sympathy vote". The Academy Award telecast was one of the better ones in recent memory, although I still say that The Golden Globes does it best....get em' drunk and give em' out. Also, did we need five former winners giving out the acting honors. Even though the Academy has managed trim time off of the show in recent years this gimmick was simply awkward and unnecessarily time consuming. Also, more film clips next year, and less song and dance, I mean, it is the all about the films.
This film picks up about six years after the end of the first part of Steven Soderberghs's epic on the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. As that film ended the Cuban revolutionaries are on on the verge of marching into Havana as the last step in overthrowing the regime of Fulgencio Batista. Now it's 1965 and Che has resigned all of his official positions within the Cuban government in order to travel to Bolivia to lead a similar revolution against that regime. Well, as we all likely know, things didn't work out too well. Che tries many of the same tactics that worked so well in Cuba, such as recruiting local peasants to his cause, with much less success. A stronger central government and army in Bolivia, as well as American involvement, prevent Che's revolution from ever really getting off the ground. The fact that Che was a foreigner didn't help him win any support from the locals either, although he was, as an Argentine, in the same position in Cuba. Of course in Cuba, Fidel Castro was the leader and focal point of that revolution. The structure of the film is much like the first, a procedural which documents Che's efforts to build an army, and win the hearts and minds of the people. I liked this film a little better than the first, although it could certainly use a little editing as some of it is repetitive. Regardless of your political beliefs, Che the man certainly deserves some admiration as it's certainly hard to imagine today any comfortable high level government official giving up his or life to live in another country's jungle to try to organize a rag tag army. You'll certainly learn something about the man and his character from this film, and if you wear the t-shirt you may have some insight as to why.
Rating - 3 Stars (Light)
This film follows a class of ethnically diverse students in a Parisian middle school French class. The film is done documentary style and has been one of the best reviewed films of late, even winning the Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. At this point I have to declare that I'm definitely in the minority on this one. The film spends most of its time in the classroom capturing its routine goings on, which apparently in this class doesn't include a whole lot of teaching. The teacher seems to spend most of his time dealing with discipline and problem students, as many of these kids seem disaffected from mainstream French society. The film has good intentions in trying to show the difficulty that both teachers have in teaching and students in learning, in the equivalent of what Americans would likely call an inner-city school. Good intentions are unfortunately, not enough. The film spends way too much time following the minutia of the classroom experience. A little editing please. It's not till near the end that any type of real drama unfolds, and by then I was just hoping for it to end. This film is semi-autobiographical, and certainly has merit as an educational piece. As a piece of entertainment, it just falls flat.
Rating - 1 1/2 Stars
Just about the only reason to see this film is for the highly charismatic and downright adorable Isla Fisher. She plays Rebecca Bloomwoood, a writer, and the shopaholic of the title, who aspires to work for Alette, a top fashion magazine obviously modeled after Vogue. Through circumstance she ends up working for a financial magazine, and she has all the qualifications for this as Barry Bonds has to spearhead a "just say no campaign". This film takes a humorous look at what is obviously a very serious problem for many people, and there are some laughs, although not quite enough. The film is also populated by some stock characters, the evil corporate type, snooty rival, and of course the handsome and sincere love interest. There's nothing wrong with this as long as the the film has enough substance to keep your interest, and this film falls somewhat short on this account. The film could have also used a little more of a back story as to what caused Rebecca to turn to shopping for emotional comfort. I know it's a comedy so it didn't have to be too heavy but a little more of that would have served the film well. Isla Fisher though is a joy to watch and I can't wait to see her in a more worthwhile project.
Rating - 2 Stars
The International of the title is The International Bank of Business and Credit, and as this film details they're interested in a lot more than securing your Christmas Club account. Louis Salinger, played by Clive Owen, is an agent for INTERPOL and he's assigned to investigating the dirty dealings of the bank. Since they're the bank of choice for organized crime and petty dictators, there's a lot to investigate. They're also in the process of getting involved in the arms business, and will kill anyone who stands in the way of their profit. Mr. Salinger is assisted in the investigation by Eleanor Whitman, played by Naomi Watts, an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. They focus on capturing "The Consultant", who's actually the hitman for the bank, as he knows where all the bodies are buried, and can bring down the bank if he talks. There's nothing particularly unique about this film, it simply takes a tried and true formula, and handles it well. Clive Owen plays his usual unshaven, weary character skillfully, and as he learns how deep the bank's tentacles are, he must also reassess his tactics and attitudes. This film was actually quite enjoyable, and of course these days it's real easy to see a bank as the villain of any drama. Also, sometimes these types of films will have overly intricate plots that are tough to follow, something that The International avoids. The film was directed by Tom Tykwer, who also directed Run Lola Run, a film that comes highly recommended. This film is not quite as memorable but serves as a solid and entertaining thriller.
Rating - 3 Stars
He's Just Not That Into You, based on the self-help book of the same name, concerns a group of young Baltimore professionals doing their best to traverse the pitfalls of marriage, dating, and the quest to meet the right person. Although the film follows a number of these stories, it is Gigi, played by Ginnifer Goodwin, who provides the focal point of the film. She is the ever optimistic, and somewhat overbearing 30 something who sincerely believes that the guy who she just spent the evening with, and who showed no interest in her, can't wait to call her back. This film will likely remind some of a PG-13 version of Sex in the City, and actually the title of the self help book on which it is based comes from a line of dialogue from the original TV show. The film contains the usual cliched characters that are usually found in these types of relationship films, including the marriage hungry female played by Jennifer Aniston and the philandering male played by Bradley Cooper. His philandering is explained in part by the fact that he no longer is having sex with his wife, played by Jennifer Connelly. Needless to say this required a major suspension of disbelief on my part. In spite of all this, the film is basically populated with likable characters, and both humorous and serious situations, and also comments on how technology can sometimes get in the way of real human interaction. Basically it's a mildly enjoyable piece of fluff, and the type of film that many would describe as "cute". It was cute enough for me.
Rating - Light 3
Be warned, if you like your mobsters lovable, sympathetic or cute, then this film is not for you. Gomorrah is based on the book of the same name authored in Italian by Roberto Saviano. He managed to infiltrate the Neapolitan crime syndicate known as The Camorra, a not so nice version of The Mafia, and as a result of its publication is now under 24 hour police protection. The film focuses on five of the story threads from the book, including a look at two Tony Montana worshipping, troublemaking wannabe gangsters, a master tailor of knock-off fashion, and a very nervous Camorra "bagman". The film also follows a young boy who hopes to become part of the "system" as The Camorra is known, and, it also takes a look at likely the group's most destructive operation, namely their involvement in the illegal dumping of hazardous waste into the local environment. The film bounces back and forth between these various story lines, using a number of local non-professionals to help tell the story. Much of the narrative takes place in an ugly and depressing cement housing complex, which also serves as a huge outdoor drug market. This edifice is certainly a metaphor for the hopeless and exploited lives of it's inhabitants, and the filming emphasizes the ugliness of its environs. I had the advantage of reading the book before seeing the film, which certainly helped in the following of all of the various storylines. Parts of the film might have been a little confusing as the film jumped from story to story with little setup information. It's never made clear that the tailor is making fashion knock-offs, although I knew this of course from reading the book. The film will give you a sense though, of what it's like to live in an area where criminality and hopelessness reign, and where the police have either little interest, or faith, in their ability to fix things. This is certainly a worthwhile film, although the book gives a more complete picture of the situation, and will also increase your appreciation of the film itself.Rating - 3 Stars
Taken is one those films that the average viewer will either consider to be a guilty pleasure, or a total waste of time and money. I'm of the former opinion, and in spite of some ridiculous dialogue and plot contrivances it did make for a decent "popcorn" movie. Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills, who retired from the CIA in order to spend more time with his teenage daughter whom he didn't get to see much during his spy days, since he was obviously too busy saving the world. His daughter and friend are quickly kidnapped by White Slavers after arriving in Paris, a trip that dad was not too happy about in the first place. Faster than you can say Jack Bauer, dad collects his bag of tricks and goes into action to find his daughter, and of course kill the people responsible. This film is loaded with a lot of action, including shooting, fisticuffs, and yes torture, so the last hour of the film actually does resemble a season of 24, without you having to fast forward through all the commercials. If you like this sort of thing you should be able to overlook most of the unbelievable stuff, although one scene where he shoots a former friend's wife in the arm to make a point, and then proclaims that "it's only a flesh wound" almost made me chuckle. One note, I'm not sure if Mr. Neeson wears a toupee in the film or simply just used too much hair dye, but the color was just unnatural, overly youthful and distracting. When I'm watching someone kick a bad guy across a room I don't want to be thinking, "hey, whoa on the Grecian Formula".
Rating - Light 3
Waltz With Bashir tells the story of Ari Folman, who also directed, and was a soldier during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. He's having nightmares about that period of his life, and is also having trouble remembering much of it. Upon the advice of a friend he begins to interview some of his old soldier compatriots in order to fill in the blanks about his own experiences during the conflict. Much of what he discovers is both surprising and horrifying to him, although some of his experiences are likely universal to any conflict. What he discovers at the end though, causes him to ponder his own moral culpability. This film is one of first full length animated productions to come from Israel, and the style reminds me a lot of Persepolis, although this film uses color, as well as shades of black and white. The film was very interesting for the most part, although a little slow in getting started, and once Ari actually starts the interviews, the film picks up. The stories these subjects tell illuminate the sheer terror these soldiers felt every minute, and how they responded to it. Some newsreel footage is shown at the end of the film that is both moving and horrifying, and anyone viewing this film will likely feel both of these emotions.Rating - 3 Stars
