Drama - Cinema Voyage

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Terrorist bombings, FBI agents - not a story you would expect to come from the pen of Steve Martin. But ever since I saw his play Picasso at the Lapin Agile and read Shopgirl, it is clear that he is a man who refuses to be pigeonholed.

Traitor opens in Sudan 1978 and then cuts to Yemen in present day, where we are introduced to Samir Horn (Don Cheadle) and subsequently taken on a journey across the globe to locations including England, Spain, Canada and France. Supported by an excellent cast including Guy Pearce, Said Taghmaoui and Jeff Daniels, the script by writer/director Jeffrey Nachmanoff is in competent hands.

Samir Horn is caught selling explosive devices in Yemen to known terrorists and finds himself hauled off to a desert prison. Enter FBI Agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) and Max Archer (Neal McDonough) - typical good cop/bad cop - who are heading up an international terrorist investigation and offer Samir a deal, which he subsequently refuses to take. He is a devout Muslim and states early on that "life and death is for God to decide" making it clear that religion is his life and his motivation.

In prison he is taken under the wing of Omar and is advised of a plan to break out of prison. He is given a choice - he can go his own way or join Omar and his team of fundamentalists who are undertaking a mission of their own. He chooses to follow Omar and join their fight with agents Clayton and Archer continuously trying to hunt him down.

Seemingly realistic in plot and location, the film manages to capture the complexities of religion and terrorists. I especially liked the scenes involving the young fundamentalists and the portrayal of their unerring belief.

This film won't appeal to everyone and there are quite a few holes in the plot that are left uncovered. Don Cheadle carries the lead well in a riveting performance and the tagline of the film "the truth is complicated" captures the essence of the film well.

Voyage Review: 3/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Away We Go

December 3rd 2009 21:28

Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph) and Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) are two thirty-somethings adjusting to an unexpected pregnancy. In terms of their lifestyle, they have not quite matured from the casual lifestyle of their student days. Now with the impending birth of their baby in a couple of months they realise that it is now time to make the leap from just surviving in a house to truly making a home for themselves and their family. Knowing that raising a child is a big responsibility they venture out on a road trip in search of a perfect place to raise their child.

Not wanting to be isolated from their family or friends, they logically seek out locations in order that they can be near to them so their family will have an opportunity to bond with someone that they already know.

The two leads are well suited and it is easy to see why these two are together. They are a normal couple seemingly surrounded by quirky characters who eventually assist in helping the pair make the decision about where to finally settle. Despite the unprepared pregnancy this couple are willing to make the relationship and their family work whatever it may take.

The cast is well supported by Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels as parents to Burt and caring grandparents to their unborn grandchild. Melanie Lynskey, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney all give wonderful supporting roles as friends of the couple with one or more issues that seems to clash with the ideas of Burt and Verona. One thing you find out when you are pregnant is that everyone seems to be an expert on all pregnancy related issues however Burt and Verona have enough sense to realise that do not need any outside assistance in order to raise their child.

Overall this is a refreshingly funny and honest film about two people entering the unknown world of parenthood. Directed by Sam Mendes, he once again shows that he knows his craft, especially when it comes to movies focusing directly on relationships.

Voyage Review: 3.5/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - My Sister's Keeper

November 15th 2009 14:47

There is no doubt that this is a sentimental piece directed by Nick Cassavetes, director of the similarly sentimental movie The Notebook. But somehow you cannot fail to be charmed by the actors particularly the performances of leukemia-stricken Kate, played by Sofia Vassilieva and Anna, the engineered daughter to provide parts for Kate, played by Abigail Breslin.

Based on the bestselling novel by Jodi Picoult, many readers of the book may be disappointed by the change in the ending, although I will refrain from giving away any spoilers. The movie is based around the Fitzgerald family. Cameron Diaz is Sara, who has given up a successful career as a lawyer to care for her sick daughter. Her husband, Brian (Jason Patric), a LA based firefighter has been unintentionally relegated to second place and seems to somehow play a lesser role in the family.

Evan Ellingson plays Jesse, the older brother to both Kate and Anna. As soon as Kate fell sick, it seems that less attention was focussed on him and he seems to be forgotten for the most part by his parents.

Kate was the only daughter in the family until their doctor suggested a radical treatment to help cure her cancer, in the form of creating a genetically modified child to help cure Kate. Sara without hesitation insists that this is of course their only course of action as they must do everything in their power to try to save their daughter and thus Anna is born.

Anna, from a very young age, has been responsible for donating parts of her body in order to help her sister live. Now at 11, it seems she has finally had enough of the pain and hospitalisations required and seeks advice from Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin), a lawyer, to undergo a medical emancipation so that she has full control over her body.

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Her decision to do this, couldn't come at a worse time as Kate's health is rapidly failing and an immediate operation and kidney donation is required in order to save her life. Anna's parents, particularly that of her vocal mother, cannot believe that Anna would let her sister die and opts to go against Anna and her tv celebrity lawyer, in court.

Where do these thoughts and feelings from Anna come from? Initially as moviegoers we are not entirely sure, as she is always shown to be a loving and caring daughter and sister throughout the entire film. Sara realises that there must be more to the case than meets the eye although from a rational standpoint you can certainly see where her feelings stem from. Is it fair to harm the health and wellbeing of one child continuously in order to save another? Murky ground indeed.

The judge ruling over the case is Judge De Salvo, played by Joan Cusack, and she has her own inner dialogue working as the Fitzgerald case plays out in front of her. After suffering through the recent death of her daughter, her role becomes quite interesting as we wonder whether she will rule with the mother in an attempt to save another life or side with the daughter in her request for emancipation.

There are flashes of brightness within such a heavy emotional piece, including the budding relationship between that of fellow cancer sufferer Taylor and Kate and from the lawyer Campbell as he continuously promotes his 91% success rate.

I felt this movie was well presented overall but I think this was due to the fine acting rather than reliant on the direction of the movie itself. This is a very emotional movie so be warned - if you have a tendency to tear up in movies - don't forget the tissues!

Voyage Review: 3.5/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - And When Did You Last See Your Father?

November 9th 2009 03:24

And When Did You Last See Your Father? is a well constructed emotional film highlighting the relationship between a father and son. Based on poet and author Blake Morrison's real life relationship with his dad, it represents the complexities, I am sure, of many relationships between that of father and son worldwide.

Forever striving for your father's affection and somehow failing to consistently reach it. Trying to prove yourself to a young girl only to have your father embarrass you out of the room. Matthew Beard as teenage Blake experiences this and more. However the relationship with his father Arthur (Jim Broadbent) becomes even more complicated when Blake suspects his father is having an affair with Aunt Beaty (Sarah Lancashire). He desperately wants to understand more about his father but his questions remain unanswered driving Blake and Arthur further apart as they grow older

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Mary and Max

November 7th 2009 16:12

This little gem of a clay-mation movie missed me when it did it's original rounds and I am glad that I finally got to view the film. Written, directed and created by Australian born Adam Elliot, he has painstakingly created a wonderful story about a young girl growing up in Australia who befriends a 44 year old New Yorker via the postal system.

Max and Mary captures a unique friendship between two unlikely characters - namely Mary Daisy Dinkle and Max Jerry Horovitz. Mary is voiced by Bethany Whitmore and Toni Collette during her childhood and grown up stages respectively and Max Jerry Horovitz is wonderfully captured by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Firstly I loved the fact that a film captured the excitement of writing and waiting for a letter. I think it is such a shame that children will do most of their communication by email as it manages to take away all the charm and essence of our personalities. I recall fondly writing to penpals abroad and waiting to see what goodies and sweets they would send me from their home countries. And as both Max and Mary have a sweet tooth they take the same enjoyment in writing and sending chocolates to one another.

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Where The Wild Things Are

November 4th 2009 15:31

I recall vividly the book written by Maurice Sendak from my childhood and therefore was very keen to see how the movie played out. I actually attended this movie as part of a school excursion in order to supervise my kindergarten aged daughter and I feel that overall I was more impressed than she was.

Max (Max Records), as in the book version, likes to play out his fantasies and dress up as a monster. He is particularly frustrated at home and requires an outlet to let his imagination fly. His mother, a single mum (Catherine Keener), is unable to shower as much attention as she would like due to her job. And when she is taking time off work, she is trying to balance her family and work life in order to spend time with her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Public Enemies

October 23rd 2009 04:09

Gangsters are often romanticised in movies but with Michael Mann's Public Enemies he just tells it like it is. Shot in a stylised manner, it has character but overall I felt the movie lacked depth.

Johnny Depp is the notorious John Dillinger, enemy of the state who robs from the banks although not from the people. This is his story in parallel with the story of his captor Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the FBI agent under appointment by J Edgar Hoover to hunt down and kill Dillinger and other criminals like him

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Shrink

October 20th 2009 14:20

Kevin Spacey is Henry Carter, a LA based shrink with numerous problems of his own. Trying to overcome his own demons due to the recent death of his wife, he struggles to maintain his own sanity while treating those around him. Ironically he is a celebrity in his own right having recently published a book entitled, "Don't Feel Sad".

The film centres around Henry's relationship with that of his patients, in particular, Jemma (Keke Palmer), a girl who is struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother. Her school has decided that she should visit a shrink due to an "occurrence" in the school washroom and she ends up in the office of Robert Carter (Robert Loggia), Henry's father who also happens to be a shrink. Robert decides that it would be worthwhile for both of them if he sees Henry and thus the relationship which is the crux of the movie begins

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - The Burning Plain

September 23rd 2009 14:34

Written and directed by Mexican born Guillermo Arriaga (Babel, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, 21 Grams), The Burning Plain stars Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger. In his directorial debut, Arriago takes the audience on a journey involving a number of characters which at first seem unconnected. As the story progresses we see that this is not the case although by this stage, we fail to connect fully to the characters and their involvement.

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Sunshine Cleaning

July 1st 2009 09:18

Amy Adams can do no wrong at the moment. Whether she is playing Amelia Earhart in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or a nun in Doubt, she rises to the challenge and wins every time. In Sunshine Cleaning, another very successful role, she plays single mum Rose Lorkowski struggling to raise her son Oscar (Jason Spevack). Once head cheerleader at high school and envy of all, she is now a cleaner but not without aspirations.

She struggles admittedly with men, "I'm good at getting guys to want me. Not date me, or marry me, but want me" and is having an affair with her highschool sweetheart Mac (Steve Zahn) who is now married with children. Starring alongside Zahn, fresh from their roles together in The Great Buck Howard, is Emily Blunt as Norah, sister to Rose

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Cry Of The Owl

June 30th 2009 02:39

Patricia Highsmith's novel, Cry Of The Owl has spawned a German telemovie, a French movie and now a US film starring Julia Stiles and Paddy Considine.

Paddy Considine is Robert Forrester, a troubled man who escapes the city and his ex-wife in lieu of a more quiet lifestyle in a smaller town. He suffers from depression, is slightly withdrawn from friends and family and finds solace by looking in the window of others. The window in this case happens to be owned by Jenny Thierolf (Julia Stiles) although Robert has never met her before. He finds happiness and peace by looking at her but it is not a perverse pleasure he seeks

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - What Goes Up

June 23rd 2009 04:06

What Goes Up is a strange little movie set in the 80s starring Brit comedian Steve Coogan and Saturday Night Live's Molly Shannon. The two comedians struggle to actually find which way is up in this drama and it was a shame to see their comedic talents go to waste.

Coogan is Campbell Babbit, a New York reporter who seems to have lost the edge in reporting. His editor, in a bid to exercise him from the office, sends him to New Hampshire to write an article featuring Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher due to be lauched in space during the Challenger mission (of course you can see where this is heading). Unfamiliar with the area, he contacts an old friend from college, Sam Calalluci, who coincidentally works at the same school as Christa. Coincidentally again, at the time of his call, his friend Sam is seen falling from the rooftop of a nearby window. Accidental death or suicide - we are not quite sure - but Campbell is keen to get to the bottom of it ignoring the very story he was sent to New Hampshire to follow

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Powder Blue

June 7th 2009 11:50

Over a short period of time, I seem to have watched a number of multistrand dramas - three of which have starred Forest Whitaker (also The Air I Breathe and Winged Creatures). Powder Blue did not hold the tension as well as the other two movies although Forest's role was still very interesting to watch. He is Charlie, a devout catholic wanting to commit suicide after the death of his wife on their wedding day. However of course suicide is a mortal sin to a catholic so he wanders around the streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve willing to pay $50,000 to anyone who will take his life for him.

Starring alongside Forest is Jessica Biel, Ray Liotta, Lisa Kudrow, Patrick Swayze, Eddie Redmayne and Kris Kristofferson. Jessica will be getting quite a bit of attention for her role as stripper Rose Johnny who is trying to earn a buck to pay medical bills for her son who is in hospital. Her dog goes missing which causes her additional problems although on the upside, a man by the name of Jack Donehy (Ray Liotta) suddenly appears in her life offering her the trip of a lifetime to Paris with no strings attached

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Review - Gran Torino

June 3rd 2009 11:31

Gran Torino may have been the return of Clint Eastwood to acting since Million Dollar Baby (2004), but he has been far from Idle. Choosing instead to remain behind the camera as director he has managed to create some very interesting and complex films including the release of 2008's Changeling.

Clint Eastwood is Walt Kowalski, Korean war veteran, widower to his dear departed wife and father to his two somewhat estranged sons. He is a loner - bitter, cantankerous, racist and stubborn to a fault. Preferring to sit on his front porch with his labrador Daisy rather than attempt any form of social contact with his family and Asian neighbours, his one true love other than his wife, is that of his treasured Gran Torino

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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