Saturday, July 9, 2016

Movie Review … The Legend Of Tarzan

In 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs introduced Tarzan – a jungle hero determined to save his habitat.  In many ways, Tarzan was an early eco-warrior, defending nature against outside interests.  Countless films and TV shows have been made of this enduring character.  It’s difficult seeing how any new film could be fresh although ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ gives it a good go.  Almost a remake of ‘Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan’ from 1984, it mirrors its realistic rustic charms.  This 21st Century Tarzan also proves swinging from jungle vines still looks cool a century from his debut.

John Clayton (Alexander Skarsgard) lives in London with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie).  Born in the African jungle and raised by an ape, John has left this life behind.  When American George Washington Williams (Samuel L Jackson) asks John to look into the shady dealings of land owner King Leopold and his assistant Leon (Christoph Waltz), he accepts.  Returning to Africa, John quickly reverts to his old name of Tarzan, as Leopold’s machinations put the lives of all Tarzan holds dear in mortal peril.

‘The Legend of Tarzan’ is a surprising movie.   Surprising in that it’s actually bearable to watch compared to other Tarzan movies.  Whilst it has issues in terms of somewhat sluggish pacing, it’s a generally fun caper full of well filmed action. Credit goes to director David Yates who teases something special out of the formulaic screenplay.  Yates twists some of the classic Tarzan conventions on their head so as to not make the film too predictable.

Tarzan’s acceptance of his heritage and how he came to be are well handled.  The actors mostly do a decent job in these sequences as well as the excitingly shot action scenes.  Skarsgard doesn’t do much except look rather serious in a loincloth with Jackson providing the charismatic spark the film needs.  Waltz must be tired of playing so many villains but he again does a good turn as the moustache twirling baddie.  The CGI compliments rather than take away from the drama, making the jungle vistas come alive in all their glory.

‘The Legend of Tarzan’ has some problems but it’s a generally enjoyable frolic.  Not much can be taken too seriously and it almost erases the rather dour image the character has built over the years.  It is one of the better Tarzan adaptations and surely not the last for this eternally popular hero.



Movie Review Rating out of 10:  6

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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Movie Review … Goldstone

 The best thrillers utilise their surrounds as well as characters to create mood.  Using the Australian outback to paint its mystery benefits ‘Goldstone’.  The sequel to 2013’s ‘Mystery Road’ has a diverse range of nationalities headed by indigenous actor Aaron Pedersen. It makes a change from the infamous TV adaptations of Arthur Upfield’s half-Aboriginal police-man ‘Bony’ where white actors played black characters.  ‘Goldstone’ discards such dubious tactics in favour of authenticity benefitting the realism for which ‘Goldstone’ strives.

Determined to re-focus his skills after various personal issues, indigenous Detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) accepts an offer to help in a missing person case in the small town of Goldstone.  Although clashing with the town’s cop Josh (Alex Russell), Jay tries to uncover clues.  The task is made difficult due to the labyrinth of secrets and lies involving the Mayor (Jacki Weaver), mining boss Johnny (David Wenham) and locals including Jimmy (David Gulpilil).  A simple case quickly escalates into something more as Jay’s life is threatened by those willing to keep deep secrets eternally buried.

Directed with low-key flair by Ivan Sen, ‘Goldstone’ is a slow-burning mystery.  You are never quite sure which character to trust – including Swan.  Searching for their motivations in their deeds is part of ‘Goldstones’ success as this unpredictability makes it engaging.  Filming from his own script Sen cleverly uses Josh as a way in splitting the story in two as he and Swan separately find clues.  Together they unearth all sorts of things with the various multi-national characters they meet adding flavour.

Much of the viewing pleasure in ‘Goldstone’ is the performances, which are first rate.  Pedersen gives the right amount of world-weariness to his role, as Swan searches for his own identity whilst still on the case.  He is more than ably assisted by Russell and Weaver who are both amazing as shady people with ulterior motives.  The cinematography brings the stark outback to dazzling life with the score underlining the percolating menace looming large over Goldstone’s inhabitants.

‘Goldstone’ is a more than decent thriller making excellent use of the screenplay’s opportunities.  There should be more genre local films like this in order to bring in audiences.  Hopefully it is enough of a success to further continue what is shaping up to be an interesting series of gritty mysteries.



Movie Review Rating out of 10:  8

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.



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Sunday, July 3, 2016

Movie Review … Money Monster

In this media age it pays to be a good orator.  Those who know how to sell products are much in demand as the many home shopping networks attest.  We live in an era of constant selling, whether it’s stocks, cars or other items.  ‘Money Monster’ explores what happens when complete trust is placed in such people.  How one’s person’s belief in what they’ve been told leads to desperate acts showing the danger in accepting anything at face value.  Directed by Jodie Foster, ‘Money Monster’ is a tense thriller hopefully making audiences think twice about what they see and hear.

Lee Gates (George Clooney) is a host of a popular finance TV show.  Working with his producer Patty (Julia Roberts), Lee dispenses his Wall Street wisdom about which stocks and bonds to buy.  Lee’s words come back to haunt him when he meets Kyle (Jack O’Connell).  A viewer who followed his financial advice and lost everything. Kyle’s disgruntlement becomes Lee’s displeasure.  Events spiral quickly out of control as Kyle takes the TV station hostage with his gun and fury putting Lee and his crew in the line of fire.

‘Money Monster’ is a very topical essay on how society is easily drawn into schemes.  Seeing is not always believing with Clooney’s slick cash seller masking the deficiencies of the financial system.  Perfectly cast as the sly shyster, Clooney excels in his character’s fluid use of the truth and determination to reach goals at any price.  Roberts and O’Connell give equally strong performances as people desperately using skills at opposite ends of the crisis.  They effectively convey the situation’s danger as they grapple to achieve outcomes suited to their characters.

Foster’s economical direction wrings the best from the thin premise.  Tension is keenly felt through every frame with scenes crackling with bitter regrets and continuing rage. Although it’s easy kicking financial institutions, Foster ensures all sides of the argument are shown with illegal practices having a devastating emotional domino effect.  The cinematography evokes memories of classic 70’s conspiracy thrillers to which recent films seem to be returning.  The ‘in your face’ quality draws you into events, giving an immediacy in the increasingly volatile situation.

Another solid directorial outing from Foster, ‘Money Monster’ moves at a gripping pace.  Money may perhaps be the root of all evil but falling for any old con is just as worse. The art of research and discovery something many in current society should adhere.
 


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  8

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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