Sunday, February 5, 2017

Movie Review … Patriot’s Day

Since the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, terrorism has been on people’s minds.  While politicians and media use it as a tool for their own purposes, the scale of fear since has been keenly felt.  Paying attention to detail in public places has been something authorities have told the public to do.  ‘Patriot’s Day’ examines a true event with this mantra in mind.  Real-life occurrences are usually more captivating than fictional ones as this factual tale strikingly proves.

Every year the American city of Boston has its popular marathon.  On 15 April 2013 police sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) is part of the detail protecting runners and spectators from anything suspicious.  Vigilant at his job, Saunders is shocked when bombs explode during the race.  Joining forces with local law enforcement and the FBI, Saunders races to find those responsible.  Appalled at the act of terror on his patch, Saunders’ zeal at capturing the culprits knows no limits.

‘Patriot’s Day’ is an often absorbing examination of how major crimes are solved.  The police and FBI offer very different forms of law enforcement and their team-work provides ‘Patriot’s Day’s main point of interest.  Both have their own style of catching suspects with Wahlberg’s street-wise cop having advantages over the slick FBI operation.  Peter Berg’s direction ensures these scenes crackle with tension with cast turning in strong performances.

As with many recent films, ‘Patriot’s Day’ suffers from leaden pacing.  It is also burdened with too many characters with some providing little to the story.  Famous actors appear almost as if they were needed to beef up the film’s marketing than what they could bring.  ‘Patriot’s Day’ also loses focus when away from the more interesting FBI/police interaction.  Whilst some characters feel superfluous, they are conveyed with genuine conviction with the Boston streets coming alive with striking cinematography.

When locked onto its central premise, ‘Patriot’s Day’ is engaging.  Giving genuine heart to the situation and having emotional pull, it generally works.  One can only hope these events never happen with society’s ability to rise from a crisis once again seen in all its tenacity.

 
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 ... Live By Night

‘Live By Night’ is Ben Affleck’s latest directorial effort.  Based on Dennis Lehane’s novel, it further extends Affleck’s skills behind the camera.  He also appears as well as writing the screenplay.  This multi-tasking ensures he either lives or dies by what he presents.  Set in the 1920’s American prohibition era where gangs battled out for their slice of illegal pie, it potentially gives plenty for Affleck to sink his teeth into.  Unfortunately ‘Live by Night’ isn’t his best even if it highlights Affleck’s flair for stunning visuals.

In 1926, Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck) decides to make a name for himself.  Despite being the son of a noted police captain, his eyes initially turn to petty crime.  Working his way up the local Boston gangs, he quickly climbs the ladder of illicit success.  Enjoying the profits and lifestyle of his ill-gotten gains, Joe revels in the fast notoriety he has gained.  Such things come at a price with rival gangs targeting Joe’s activities.  Events escalate as Joe searches a way to handle his empire before things turn more deadly.

‘Live by Night’ is the least of Affleck’s directorial work.  Muddled, unfocused with a script lacking in emotional depth, it doesn’t have much going for it.  Joe’s efforts at establishing his empire and living by a skewed moral code promises much with little delivered.  Events are quickly shown so to go to the next action set-piece.  This dilutes much of the impact of the source material despite Affleck’s capable handling of the gun-fights. 

The cast is generally wasted in the poor character-driven theatrics ‘Live by Night’ offers.  It proves the adage that an actor is only good as the material given.  Sadly what they have isn’t much.  The major saving grace is the gorgeous locations and wonderful cinematography capturing the beauty and danger Joe constantly faces.  Fans of gangster epics will have seen it done better before with Affleck seemingly confused about what type of movie he wants to make.

Everyone has their off days with ‘Live by Night’ giving Affleck a rare low grade.  It’s by no means awful but it isn’t great either.  It fails to register as anything much with Affleck’s upcoming duties as Batman hopefully giving him the confidence to try again at being a silver screen shining star.


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  5

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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Movie Review … Gold

When Gordon Gekko stood on the podium in the film ‘Wall Street’, he famously said that ‘greed was good’. He failed to mention greed could also be dangerous.  When there is money to be made, there are usually dozens of people waiting in line for a slice of the pie.  ‘Gold’ presents a good example.  Loosely based on true events, its tale of fortune and infamy is one that would have made Gekko smile.  Money may not buy happiness but it does buy trouble as ‘Gold’ shows.

Kenny Wells (Matthew McConaughey) is a troubled businessman.  Desperate to keep his family business afloat, Kenny looks to any means to keep his head above water.  Hearing about a gold mine in Indonesia, he hooks up with gifted miner Mike Acosta (Edgar Ramirez).  Almost immediately striking it rich, Kenny thinks his troubles are finally over.  Unfortunately they are just the beginning as the fortune he acquires brings out the vultures keen to grab his hard-earned windfall.

‘Gold’ is a deceptive film that creeps up on you.  Like most good movies, it takes it’s time to present its myriad of twists for a final, delicious sting in the tale.  Whilst it meanders occasionally and has quirky moments that don’t fully fit into the narrative, ‘Gold’ rewards viewers’ patience.  Most of its success is due to McConaughey’s spirited performance.  Wells is a perennial desperate loser who will do anything to grab riches.  His ego and determination are both his strengths and failings.  You feel you know this person well in McConaughey’s talented hands.

He is more than matched by Ramirez and Bryce Dallas Howard playing Wells’ girlfriend.  ‘Gold’s mix of comedy and drama doesn’t always work but it makes a difference from usually dour essays on fortune making.  Wells’ interaction with bankers and other rich miscreants wanting his dough is often amusing with the sharks in Wall Street scarier than many horror villains.

Although ‘Gold’ has a few structural script problems, it never fails to capture attention.  The cast are consistently good with the pacing and direction firing on all cylinders.  Greed may not be good but it can be fun as ‘Gold’s cast of money miscreants show in fine style.

 
Movie Review Rating out of 10:  7

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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