Saturday, November 12, 2016

Movie Review … Nocturnal Animals


Based on Austin Wright’s novel ‘Tony and Susan’, ‘Nocturnal Animals’ is like a complex puzzle.  Just as well it’s helmed by Tom Ford who is good at crafting intricate tales.  Debuting as director with 2009’s ‘A Single Man’, his initial effort revealed a person keen on details.  From the fashion sense to the maze-like plot, that film marked him as one to watch.  He returns to the director’s chair with ‘Nocturnal Animals’, another remarkable film making full use of his myriad of talents.

Art gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) has remarried and is busy with life.  Receiving a manuscript from her ex-husband writer Edward (Jack Gyllenhaal), her interest is piqued.  Reading his novel about a family running into trouble on a stretch of road in the dead of night, Susan becomes increasingly disturbed.  Remembering her often harsh relationship with Edward, Amy comes to believe the manuscript is a veiled threat against her.  It quickly transpires there may be more than meets the eye as reality and fantasy merge.

‘Nocturnal Animals’ is tough and uncompromising viewing full of several meanings. It’s the type of movie where you question what you’ve seen and why characters do certain actions.  That’s a mark of a high quality film forcing you to use your brain.  Susan’s insecurity at Edward’s motives in sending his novel adds to the air of mystery and danger.  Whether his act is one of love or revenge is left for us to answer with the fictional story splashing turmoil into her real life.

Adams and Gyllenhaal give one of their finest performances in an occasionally uneven movie.  The fictional tale, also featuring great roles for Michael Shannon as a detective and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as evil-doer Ray, is extremely compelling.  This makes the ‘real-life’ scenes tame by comparison and making one wish the fictional was the main focus.  Ford’s direction is solid despite this with the excellent score, lush cinematography and production design generating an attention-grabbing experience.

Almost like an Alfred Hitchcock mind-bending story, ‘Nocturnal Animals’ is a dark film.  It might not be to everyone’s tastes but it carves out its own unique space.  Hopefully Tom Ford doesn’t wait too long to direct another movie as his flair for originality is sorely needed in today’s bland cinema landscape.



Movie Review Rating out of 10:  7

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 … Arrival

 For decades people have asked ‘is there life in space?’.  A question that has baffled scientists and others who have tried to explain the strange otherworldly visions we occasionally see.  While we wait for answers, TV and films have capitalised on our fascination for the stars with a plethora of sci-fi films.  ‘Arrival’ is the latest in a long line to speculate what would happen if aliens came to earth.  It may not answer any questions but it’s a diverting movie sure to further make us wonder if we aren’t alone in this vast universe.

When an armada of spaceships land on earth, an elite team is sent to investigate. Among them are skilled linguist Louise (Amy Adams), mathematician Ian (Jeremy Renner) and army Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker).  Unsure of what the new visitors want, the team attempt to appease the global powers who want war.  Taking risks in order to prevent catastrophe, the trio walk into potential doom to ensure humanity has a chance of survival.

‘Arrival’ is an interesting film with an intelligent narrative.  It isn’t the typical ‘laser fights and explosions’ sci-fi film, but a more cerebral experience.  Through the central characters we feel their trepidation in facing the aliens.  Moving through the months learning how to communicate in a different language, we follow their path to discovering the aliens’ motives.  With a myriad of messages exploring the importance of team-work and openness, ‘Arrival’ embraces its many story layers.

It’s interesting watching how various nations react to the ships.  From being worshipped to feared, their presence reveals a litany of human emotions.  At times the sense of urgency the movie needs is missing.  This is down to Denis Villeneuve’s leaden direction.  ‘Arrival’ can be slow going with the glacial pace diluting the impact it needs.  It’s just as well the performances and CGI are top notch which provide interest in spite of an occasionally muddled story.

‘Arrival’ isn’t the type of sci-fi film one expects although it engages.  It requires viewer investment with a generally satisfying pay-off.  Forcing its audience to think rather than sit back and watch a spectacle isn’t a bad thing with the ‘how would we handle the situation?’ question never far from mind.


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  6

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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Sunday, November 6, 2016

Movie Review … Hacksaw Ridge

For all his personal sins, Mel Gibson has established himself as an actor and director of note.  While he has done some cinematic turkeys, his success rate has usually been high.  As a director he has found a more enthusiastic audience with his 5th effort adding to his professional allure.  An interesting exploration of another facet of World War 2, ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ continues the slow climb back to movie redemption for cinema’s once golden boy.

World War 2 U.S. army medic Desmond T Doss (Andrew Garfield) is a devout Christian refusing to bear arms.  A conscientious objector to the war, he still does his best to save the lives of his comrades any way possible.  Looked upon by Sergeant Howell (Vince Vaughn) and Captain Glover (Sam Worthington) with bemusement, Doss raises the ire of his more gung-ho friends.  It’s only during the Battle of Okinawa that he proves his mettle with his colleagues’ fate resting in his hands free of deadly weaponry.

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ is an engaging exploration of someone’s convictions despite the odds.  Wanting to prove to his comrades he has what it takes to thwart the enemy without violence, the reaction of Desmond’s team is easy to understand.  The story successfully shows why he took a stand and how he used it to his advantage.  It’s all the more remarkable given its factual basis, even if those portrayed are shown as one-dimensional caricatures rather than real people. 

Whilst the sketchy characters are disappointing with Garfield’s ‘Forrest Gump-like’ role wearing thin, ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ succeeds in the battle scenes.  War’s fierce brutality is seen in bloody starkness with Gibson’s command of the camera evident.  Trench war-fare is shocking and grisly with the cinematography diving you head-first into the danger zone.  Every flint of dirt and noise is keenly felt and pack a punch until the needlessly sentimental ‘how America won the war-style’ flag-waving finale.

It’s a long way down if you’ve committed unpardonable transgressions, which Mel Gibson knows too well.  ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ should salvage some of his professional reputation.  Staying behind the camera would perhaps suit him best as his latest proves his skills when away from the glare of the public eye.


 Movie Review Rating out of 10:  6

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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