CASINO ROYALE

Action\adventure

BACKGROUND
The Directorate of Military Intelligence section 6 (commonly referred to as MI6) with it headquarters in London, England is responsible for espionage activities outside the United Kingdom. Its first director was Captain George Mansfield Smith-Cumming who typically signed correspondence as “C”. All subsequent directors of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Services, including M16 and the Internal Security Service M15, have adopted this practice and use just one initial as their code name.

Supposedly agents who have killed two people in the line of duty are assigned a new number beginning with double zero. James Bond was the seventh MI6 agent to become a member of this elite group and subsequently is known simply as Agent 007.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Daniel Craig: James Bond, agent 007
Judi Dench: M, Director of MI6
Mads Mikkelsen: Le Chiffre, money launderer for terrorists
Mr. White: broker for one of Le Chiffre’s biggest deals
Eva Green: MI6 treasury officer Vesper Lynd
Giancarlo Giannini: Mathis, the British agent based in Montenegro
Jeffrey Wright: Bond’s old friend CIA agent Felix Leiter

REVIEW
It’s got all the ingredients of a James Bond movie: lots of action, several chase scenes, wholesale mayhem, beautiful women, bad guys/good guys, fast cars, exotic locations and vodka martinis, “shaken not stirred”.

But there are a few changes too: the violence has been cranked up a notch and there are no gadgets to be seen anywhere. But the biggest change of all is that we’re back to square one since this is about the recently graduated (promoted?) agent 007.

It all works very well but at almost two and a half-hours, it’s a bit too long.

CLASSIFICATION
for intense scenes of violent action, a scene of torture, some sexual content and brief nudity.

CATCH A FIRE

True story
In Afrikaans and Zulu with English subtitles

BACKGROUND
The first person to refer to himself as an afrikaner (meaning someone who lives in Africa) was Hendrik Biebouw in 1707. Afrikaners are descended from northwestern European settlers, mainly coming from the Netherlands. Some 12,000 of Biebouw’s descendants moved into the area of South Africa now known as the Orange Free State to escape British rule. They became known as Boers (a Dutch word meaning farmer).

The African National Congress (ANC) was created in 1912 to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms. In 1944 Nelson Mandela was instrumental in getting a new generation committed to non-violent mass action against the white minority's supremacy.

In 1948 an Afrikaner-led National Party government introduced the policy of apartheid (an Afrikaans word meaning apartness) designed to form a legal framework for continued economic and political dominance of the other races by people of European descent. Under apartheid, people were legally classified into a racial group and were geographically and forcibly separated from each other on the basis of their classification. During the 1950s, non-whites were removed from electoral rolls, residence and mobility laws were tightened and political activities restricted.

After years of official government oppression, the ANC leadership concluded that the methods of non-violence were not suitable against the apartheid system. It was decided that other tactics had to be used, which primarily involved targeting and sabotaging the government's resources. A military wing was formed in 1961, called Umkhonto we Sizwe, meaning "Spear of the Nation". Mandela, as its first leader, was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Derek Luke: Patrick Chamusso, foreman at the oil refinery in Secunda, just east of Johannesburg
Bonnie Henna: his wife Precious
Tim Robbins: Nic Vos, the government’s anti-terrorism chief

REVIEW
The struggle against a repressive ruling force is always of some interest. Even though we have seen or heard about the problems of apartheid before, it becomes more poignant when seen from one man’s perspective.

The movie has some really good up-beat music, excellent acting and is fast-paced.

CLASSIFICATION
for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language.

P.S.
In a tripartite alliance with the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the ANC won a landslide victory in the 1994 general election and Nelson Mandela became the first President of South Africa.

BABEL

Drama
In French, Spanish, Japanese and Arabic with English subtitles

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Yussef and Ahmed, two young Moroccon brothers
Brad Pitt: Richard
Cate Blanchett: his wife Susan, both touring Morocco
Nathan Gamble: their son Mike
Elle Fanning: their daughter Debbie
Adriana Barraza: the children’s Mexican nanny Amelia
Gael García Bernal: her nephew Santiago
Rinko Kikuchi: Chieko, a deaf-mute teenager
Kôji Yakusho: her father Yasujiro

REVIEW
At first it’s a bit confusing with three separate stories not all on the same time line. But gradually the pieces start falling into place. Despite the length of the movie (it’s 2 hours and 22 minutes long) there is a lot going on and not much could be edited out.

Excellent acting throughout and the cinematography is top notch.

CLASSIFICATION
for violence, graphic nudity, some sexual content, language and brief drug use.

P.S.
Babel:
1. a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues
2a: a confusion of sounds or voices
2b: a scene of noise or confusion

INFAMOUS

Drama

BACKGROUND
Born Truman Streckfus Persons in New Orleans on September 30, 1924, he was sent to Monroeville, Alabama to be raised by his mother's relatives. As a child he lived a solitary and lonely existence, turning to writing for solace. When he was nine, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her second husband, Joseph Capote, who adopted him and renamed him Truman García Capote.

At age seventeen, he dropped out of school and got a job with THE NEW YORKER magazine. Within a few years he was writing regularly for an assortment of publications. Capote's first book, OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS, was published in 1948. With literary success came social celebrity. The young writer was lionised by the high society elite, and was seen at the best parties, clubs, and restaurants.

He also penned or co-wrote screenplays including BEAT THE DEVIL released in 1953 starring Humphrey Bogart, Gina Lollobrigida and Peter Lorre about a quartet of international crooks who are stranded in Italy while their steamer is being repaired. He also had several films produced based on his original writings

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S was published in 1958. The subsequent hit film staring Audrey Hepburn, assured Capote's popularity and place among the upper crust.

Throughout his career, he remained one of America's most controversial and colourful authors, combining literary genius with a penchant for the glittering world of high society. Though he wrote only a handful of books, his prose styling was impeccable, and his insight into the psychology of human desire was extraordinary. His flamboyant and well-documented lifestyle has often overshadowed his gifts as a writer, but over time Capote's work has outlived the celebrity.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Gwyneth Paltrow: singer Peggy Lee
Toby Jones: author Truman Capote
Peter Bogdanovich: Bennett Cerf, publisher and founder of Random House
Sandra Bullock: Capote’s childhood friend and assistant, author Nelle Harper Lee
Jeff Daniels: Alvin Dewey, sheriff of Holcomb, Kansas
Daniel Craig: good-for-nothing drifter, Perry Smith
Lee Pace: Perry’s partner, Richard Hickock

REVIEW
Without the names appearing on the screen the first time we see them, most of us would have no clue as to the identity of these famous personalities. But they were all part of Capote’s world; he knew all the “right people”.

Eventually we get to see what he was most famous for: his ability to put together a good story. And it’s a dandy. Although the subject matter is one of serious reflection, there are lots of funny moments too.

CLASSIFICATION
for language, violence and some sexuality.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
When Capote and Nell meet Dewey in his office, Capote’s shirt collar is outside his jacket, but when the scene changes it’s nicely tucked in until the scene chages once more and now it’s back out again.

As the suspects are taken from the car, behind them on the other side of the street there is a Dollar General store. Founded in 1939 as J.L. Turner & Son, the company pioneered the dollar store concept in 1955, opening retail stores that sold all items for $1. In 1968, the company launched its initial public stock offering and changed its name to Dollar General, some 9 years after the movie takes place.

P.S.
Inevitable comparisons will be made to the film entitled Capote that came out a year ago. Suffice it to say they both cover pretty much the same ground but each with a different slant on it and the actors portray a slightly different man. I see no point in trying to decide which is better. They are both good.

THE PRESTIGE

Drama

BACKGROUND
Nikola Tesla (b. July 1856) was a world-renowned Serbian-American inventor, physicist, and electrical engineer. He is regarded as one of the most important inventors in history and is well known for his contributions to the discipline of electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th century. In the United States, Tesla's fame rivalled that of any other inventor or scientist.
During the initial years of electricity, Thomas Edison's direct current was the standard used in the United States. Tesla devised a system for the generation, transmission, and use of alternating current and he partnered with Westinghouse to commercialise this system. As such, in the "War of Currents" era in the late 1880’s, Tesla and Edison became adversaries.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Hugh Jackman: Rupert Angier, assistant to a well-known magician
Piper Perabo: Rupert's wife Julia
Christian Bale: Alfred Borden, the third assistant in the act
Michael Caine: Cutter, designer of illusions
Rebecca Hall: Alfred’s wife Sarah
Scarlett Johansson: Olivia, assistant to The Great Danton
David Bowie: scientist Nicola Tesla

REVIEW
A well crafted movie but a bit too long. The acting is first rate and the story a good one but definitely more convoluted than necessary.

CLASSIFICATION
for violence and disturbing images.

MARIE ANTOINETTE

Historical drama

BACKGROUND
Since the 14th century, the future king of France has been given the title of le Dauphin until such time as he ascends to the throne. His wife is known as la Dauphine.

1643 Louis XIV becomes King of France (nicknamed the Sun King)
1682 completion of the Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles)
1715 death of Louis XIV; Louis XV becomes King of France (nicknamed the Beloved)
1729 birth of Louis XV’s first son, Louis-Ferdinand, heir apparent of France
1754 birth of Louis-Ferdinand’s first son, Louis-Auguste
1755
 birth of Maria Antonia at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna as Archduchess of Austria
 she was the fifteenth child and the youngest daughter of Francis I of Austria and Empress Maria Theresa
 later she became known to history as Marie Antoinette, the French version of her given names
1756 Austria and France became allies in the Seven Years’ War
1765 death of Louis-Ferdinand from tuberculosis; Louis-Auguste becomes heir apparent
1769 in an effort to preserve the fragile Austria/France alliance, it was proposed that Louis XV’s grandson Louis-Auguste marry one of Empress Maria Theresa's daughters
1770 the marriage of Marie Antoinette and Louis-Auguste
1774 death of Louis XV; Louis-Auguste becomes King Louis XVI
1775 –1783 The American Revolutionary War
1787 - 1793 The French Revolution

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Kirstin Dunst: 14-year old Austrian princess Marie Antoinette
Judy Davis: Comtesse de Noailles, Marie’s chief attendant
Rip Torn: King Louis XV
Jason Schwartzman: his grandson, 15-year old dauphin Louis Auguste
Steve Coogan: the Austrian ambassador to France
Asia Argento: Louis XV’s second mistress, Madame du Barry

REVIEW
As the opening credits appeared a contemporary song accompanied them. My first reaction was “Oops, I’m in the wrong theatre” since I expected classical music from the period, baroque or opera perhaps, but not some modern pop tune. But you should hang in because it’s just the Director’s odd choice of music that doesn’t feel right and things return to normal with the opening scenes.

The movie captures the period beautifully with lovely costumes and elaborate sets. Most of the action takes place at the magnificent Palace of Versailles (the “benchmark” for others wishing to build a château) which showcases the opulence of the monarchy of those days.

It’s too bad some more editing was not done; it would have kept the movie to less than two hours. For example, from the time of the Sun King, elaborate rituals were part of palace life including the daily morning dressing of the King and the Queen. This is an interesting footnote to history but becomes a bit of a bore when it’s shown a half dozen times. Similarly meals were served in a prescribed manner but we don’t need to see so many of them to get the idea.

Unlike most movies where the dialogue is a key component to the telling of the story, in this movie it is more often from snatched murmurs that we find out what is going on. It is in a sense like “being a fly on the wall”.

However the overall impression is a good one and well worth putting up with these shortcomings.

CLASSIFICATION
for sexual content, partial nudity and innuendo.

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

War

BACKGROUND
Corpsmen are members of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps. They serve as enlisted medical personnel in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships as the primary medical caregiver for sailors while underway, and with the Marine Corps units as battlefield corpsmen.

A runner is an enlisted man given the rather lowly job of being a messenger rather than participating in the battle.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Ryan Phillippe: John “Doc” Bradley, U.S. Navy corpsman
Jesse Bradford: Marine Private First Class Rene Gagnon, company runner
Adam Beach: Marine Private First Class Ira Hayes, an American Indian from the Pima tribe
Jamie Bell: Marine Private Ralph “Iggy” Ignatowski
Benjamin Walker: Marine Private Harlon Block
Paul Walker: Marine Private Hank Hansen

REVIEW
One of the most famous war photographs ever taken, the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima by five United States Marines and one Navy corpsman, is brought into sharp focus (sorry about that) in this epic movie replete with realistic action and moments of insight.

It covers a lot of ground and hits upon one of my pet peeves in movies: the use of flashbacks. Too often it’s impossible to tell which time line we are viewing. In this movie, flashbacks are used frequently (and often unexpectedly) and at times there are flashbacks within flashbacks. This jumping back and forth becomes very confusing unless you take note of the colour rendition:
 the Iwo Jima scenes are monochromatic, almost black and white
 the Stateside scenes have some colour in them
 the post-war scenes are in full colour

Despite the fact it runs over two hours, it does not seem that long which is a credit to the director as there are few (if any) dull moments.

CLASSIFICATION
for sequences of graphic war violence and carnage, and for language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
High-ranking United States military officers can be readily identified because of the yellow braid worn on the visor of their hats. The common derisive term for these embellishments is “scrambled eggs”. Although great attention to detail is evident throughout the movie, one lapse is evident during a planning session when a low ranking officer slams down the telephone and utters to no one in particular “those damn officers, just because they have scrambled eggs on their chest…” the point being it's not on their chests.

Prior to being introduced to the crowd, the group is waiting below the stands just outside the locker room of the Washington Senators, the American League baseball team. The problem is the team played from 1961 to 1971, some 20 years later.

Immediately before (or just after?) the photograph is taken, the photographer looks up and I think we see the flag from his perspective to be on the left hand side of the men, not the right hand side as published.

P.S.
After taking the flag-raising photograph, Joe Rosenthal took a second one with the group standing at the foot of the raised flag. When later asked if he had staged the photo, Rosenthal not knowing how the first one had turned out, assumed they were inquiring about the second one which he knew he had. “Sure”, he replied and inadvertently began the false rumour that the flag-raising photo had been staged.

Stick around for the end credits to see a collection of still photographs of the real battle. It is worth noting how the movie very closely approximates these.