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Mesrine Part 1: Killer Instinct Mesrine Part 2: Public Enemy Number 1 (2disc set, out 25 January 10, Cert. 15) Vincent Cassel, Gerard Lanvin, Georges Wilson, Samuel LeBihan, Ludivine Sagnier, Elena Anaya, Gérard Depardieu, Cécile de France,directed by Jean-François Richet, 2008, cert. 15, in French with subtitles MonkeyScore: 89% Jacques Mesrine comes back from war and is seduced by gangster life. Soon he starts pulling jobs for a local boss, but his sense of self-worth doesn't quite gel with being in someone else's employ. Breaking hearts as he goes along, and breaking out of jail several times too, Mesrine goes on a criminal rampage on 3 continents and earns his Public Enemy Number 1 with pride, before being gunned down by the police in Paris in the late 70s. Based on the book written by Jacques Mesrine during one of his short prison stays.  Vincent Cassel is terrific as larger than life gangster Jacques Mesrine. Arguably better looking than the real thing, he portrays the audacious killer in all his media-savvy, charming splendour. Aided by a superb support cast with some of France's most accomplished actors, from Samuel LeBihan to veteran stars Gérard Depardieu and Georges Wilson, Cassel serves a tight script adapted from Mesrine's own account by Abdel Raouf Dafri (who also penned the original screenplay for A Prophet.) The result is an explosive, fast-paced look at a successful life of crime in 70s France. The "period" element is treated very successfully, adding depth and believability to the essentially true -if romanticised slightly- story. Indeed the car chases have an authentic feel that is conspicuously absent from most Hollywood productions, and the jail breaks are surprisingly low-tech. But since pyrotechnics are not a pre-requisite for making a great gangster flick outside of America, Mesrine works a treat. Cassel shines through the screen as he takes you through Mesrine's spiralling life of crime. A superior pair of gangster films not to be missed. Wanna win a copy of Mesrine Part 1 & 2 on DVD? Just head to  
Ocean Waves (out 25 January 10, Cert. U) Created by Tomomi Mochizuki, 1993, cert. U, in Japanese with subtitles MonkeyScore: 80% Made for TV by the Ghibli Studios team (creators of Spirited Away, amongst other anime classics), Ocean Waves is an understated little gem in its own right. Making its DVD debut 17 years after it first came out is no reflection on Ocean Waves quality. Presented in its original japanese version, the film tells the story of Taku as his trip to a high-school reunion turns into a trip down memory lane. Its subtle and gentle tone are served by traditional anime graphics, resulting in a beautiful little film that deserves to be seen. |
 Afghan Star (out 25 January 10, Cert. E) Documentary directed by Havana Marking, 2009, cert. E (exempt) MonkeyScore: 85% Afghan Star follows the hopes of four contestant in Afghanistan's version of Pop Idol. While it shares the basic format with its British counterpart, there the similarities end. Forget Simon Cowell - this is real deal: the contestants sing as if their lives depended on it, because their lives depend on it. The contestants literally risk their lives as ethnic group and religious sensibilities get tested. Director Havana Marking portrays the four subjects with kindness and respect, showing their quest for fame and glory in the context of a country ravaged by years of conflict. Indeed under Taliban rule music was outlawed in Afghanistan, and dancing is still frowned upon in the Islamic society. The two women and two men followed by Marking come from widely different ethnic backgrounds, from tribes that are not quite at peace with each other yet. Afghan Star shows just how Afghanistan still has a long road to travel before it can enjoy its newly acquired democratic status. Afghan Star is a fascinating look at today's Afghan society, depicting a nation both striving for freedom of expression and very attached to its Islamic tradition. Whiteout (out 25 January 10, Cert. 15) Kate Beckinsale, Tom Skerritt, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, dir. by Dominic Sena, 2009,
cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 68% Kate Beckinsale stars as U.S. Marshal Stetko in this adaptation of the Rocka/Leiber graphic novel. The film had a microscopic cinema release in September 09, which is a shame as the stunning frozen landscapes would have looked the business on a big screen. Set in Antarctica, Stetko investigates what looks like the continent's first murder 3 days before her base is due to close down for winter. The cast get a decent - if average- script to work with. However, some of the characters lack depth and the result is not as thrilling as one would have hoped. Whiteout's main strength is definitely its portrayal of the desolate, frozen continent - filmed in Canada, rather than Antarctica. An enjoyable frozen thriller - just remember to wrap up warm when you watch it!
Seth Mac Farlane's Cavalcade Of Cartoon Comedy (out 25 January 10, Cert. 15) Created by Seth Mac Farlane, 2009, cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 65% Seth Mac Farlane, best known for his superb cartoon comedy series Family Guy, indulges in an hour of cartoon comedy vignettes that bear his trademark irreverent humour. While some are really quite funny, like Backstage With Bob Dylan and Cat Staff Meeting, a number of the episodes fall a bit flat on their faces. Maybe it's a British-American thing and we missed the point, or maybe they're just not that funny. Politically incorrect Seth Mac Farlane takes a break from Family Guy with this mixed bag of cartoon shorts, which even fans may find uneven. |
Fish Tank (out 25 January 10, Cert. 15) Katie Jarvis, Rebecca Griffiths, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing, dir. by Andrea Arnold, 2009,
cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 85% 15-year old Mia (Katie Jarvis) lives on a depressing Essex council estate with her mum (Kierston Wareing.) When mum's new boyfriend (Michael Fassbender) appears, Mia's life gets turned on its head. British filmmaker Andrea Arnold follows her brilliant debut feature Red Road with this harrowing account of teenage life on a council estate. Mia, played with maturity and subtlety by newcomer Katie Jarvis, is killing time dancing to urban music, getting drunk and hanging out in a nearby derelict flat. Kicked out of school, without too many friends and even less adult role models, Mia's life is spiralling out of control with no escape route in sight. Arnold manages to capture her desperation and dreams without falling into a cliché account of Britain's disaffected "youfs" or a voyeuristic Jerry Springer comedy. Britain's most at risk kids get a subtle and moving portrayal, with confident direction from Andrea Arnold and a superb performance by teenage actor Katie Jarvis. Wanna win a FISH TANK on DVD? Just head to
Mr Right (out 25 January 10, Cert. 15) Alex de Woolfson, James Lance, Jeremy Edwards, Rocky Marshall, dir. by David and Jacqui Morris, 2006,
cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 60% Set in London's Soho, Mr Right explore the love-lust triangles within a group of gay friends. The light hearted tone somehow make their tribulations a bit throw-away. They are wannabe actors, TV producers, artists, gallery owners and evolve in a world that attempts to make gay life and concerns mainstream. Yes, they have the same issues to deal with as straight people do, and the film does succeed rather well in portraying this by making their lives and problems just as dull and boring as anyone else's. Indeed it feels like watching a soap feature-length episode, or maybe this is just because soaps is where the majority of the cast comes from. A rather underwhelming effort that is unlikely to brush shoulders with queer cinema's best, let alone cross-over to the mainstream. |
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