JeffersonCody Reviews

Stars in My Crown (1950)

It's a gentle, yet powerful classic ...

[10/10 · 24 May 2014]

STARS IN MY CROWN (1950): with Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew, Dean Stockwell, Alan Hale, Lewis Stone, James Mitchell, Amanda Blake, Juano Hernandez, Ed Begley, Arthur Hunnicutt and James Arness, directed by Jacques Tourneur. Rating: **** stars. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

One of the most beautiful and touching films I have seen in the last year or so. If "Stars in my Crown" doesn't move you, you have a heart of stone. Joel McCrea - radiating sincerity, integrity and goodness, plays Pastor Josiah Grey, a Protestant minister who was a soldier in the Civil war. He arrives in the small town of Walesville, strides into the bar, puts his six guns guns on the counter and preaches a sermon. And of course he never puts those guns on again. Josiah builds a church, marries Harriet (Ellen Drew) and adopts his nephew John (Dean Stockwell).

Trouble rears its head when Lon Bracket (Ed Begley) tries to buy the former slave, Uncle Famous Prill's (Juano Hernandez) land because he wants to mine it. Uncle Famous refuses to sell and an angry Lon sends a bunch of bullies to destroy the place. But the Swedish farmer Jed Isbell (Alan Hale) - a friend of Josiah's who doesn't attend church, and his six boys turn up to fix the farm.

Later, a typhoid epidemic strikes the town and young doctor Dr. Harris (James Mitchell) attends to the sick and dying while Josiah attends to their souls. This annoys the doctor, who persuades Josiah that he is responsible for spreading the disease. He's wrong, but Josiah, feeling guilty, closes his church and starts staying indoors. Meanwhile, Lon gathers the Klu Klux Klan and prepares to lynch Uncle Famous. Jed and his sons are ready to shoot it out with the Klan, but Josiah has another plan.

At times, this lovely, heartwarming film reminded me of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and I was surprised, considering when it was made, at how strongly it stands against racism and supports Civil Rights. I also enjoyed the fact that Josiah Grey never talks about the supernatural. If only there were more preachers like him in the world. He is a good man through and through.

Jacques Tourneur is a terrific director and I have enjoyed many of his films, but this is the best one I have seen yet. Now wonder he wanted to make it so badly that he was prepared to accept a minimal salary. It's a gentle, yet powerful classic. The final stand off between Josiah Grey and the Klan, BTW, is unforgettable.

Restless (I) (2011)

"Restless" is beautifully costumed, designed and photographed (Harris Savides), and gently, expertly steered by Gus Van Sant.

[8/10 · 29 April 2013]

The type of film my good friend the Professor calls a "necromance". A touching, but never sentimental little love story produced by, among others, Ron Howard and his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard, "Restless" is beautifully costumed, designed and photographed (Harris Savides), and gently, expertly steered by Gus Van Sant. Set in Portland - which feels like a character in this film. Nice score by Danny Elfman too.

Love and loss loom large in the story of Enoch Brae (Henry - son of Dennis - Hopper), a lonely teenager haunted not only by the death of his parents in a car crash, but also that they were buried while he was in a coma. So he never had closure. He lives with Mabel (Jane Adams: his bedraggled but caring Aunt who bemoans the fact that Enoch calls him Mabel rather than Auntie) and no longer attends school after being expelled for beating up someone who dissed his deceased parents. So he spends his days attending the funerals of strangers and chatting with his imaginary friend Hiroshi (Ryo Kase) - the ghost of a WWII Kamikaze pilot.

One day he meets a beautiful, free spirited young girl named Annabel Cotton (Mia Wasikowska) at a funeral. She loves birds and the great outdoors, the two become friends and fall in love while sharing their secrets. Annebel, however, is dying of cancer and has only a few short months to live.

"Restless" probably won't work for everyone, but it charmed and moved me and it it is still floating gently around in my head a week after watching it. Jane Adams' straggly hairstyle is worth the price of admission alone, and the marvelous Mia Wasikowska (whose wonderful offbeat outfits are a credit to Oscar nominated costume designer Danny Glicker) is terrific as Annabel. Ms Wasikowska is rapidly becoming one of my favorite young actresses.

Ron Howard is one of the most successful mainstream directors in America and the lovely Bryce Dallas Howard is, after appearing with distinction in "Hereafter", " 50/50" and the box office hits "The Help" and "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" - a successful young actress on the cusp of major stardom, yet they find the time to make a small, relatively low budget ($8 million) non commercial film like this happen. Kudos to them.

Gangster Squad (2013)

This violent, melodramatic tale comes with a top quality cast, nifty period details, witty dialogue, cool costumes and plenty of bloody action set pieces.

[6/10 · 9 January 2013]

GANGSTER SQUAD with Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Mireille Enos, Sullivan Stapleton, Nick Nolte, Robert Patrick, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña and Anthony Mackie, directed by Ruben Fleischer. Rating: 6 out of 10.

Cinema-goers hoping for a gritty, hard-boiled mix of "LA Confidential" and "The Untouchables" will be disappointed with Ruben Fleischer's colorful and cartoonish "Gangster Squad", but this violent, melodramatic tale - set in the late 1940s and (very) loosely based on fact - about a secret LAPD unit charged with taking down mob boss Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) comes with a top quality cast, nifty period details, witty dialogue, cool costumes and plenty of bloody action set pieces. So it certainly has entertainment value and should please those punters looking for a glossy, fast moving period gangster yarn with loads of spectacular gun play.

The graphically gory opening scene plays out under the famous Hollywoodland sign in the hills and shows Cohen chaining a man to two cars and pulling him apart before allowing his dogs to feast on the poor fellow's intestines.

Mickey sees Los Angeles as his personal fiefdom and because this brutal, dead-eyed thug has corrupt judges, cops and sheriffs on his payroll, the new police chief William Parker (a grim, grizzled and florid-faced Nick Nolte) is powerless to go after him by legal means. But when the tough, honest and courageous Sergeant John O'Mara (Josh Brolin), a decorated WW2 veteran, flouts the rules and busts into one of Cohen's brothels to rescue a young lady from a fate worse than death, Parker asks him to set up a small, highly secretive task force and "drive the bastard out of town" by any means possible.

Aided by the advice of his worried, but supportive pregnant wife, Connie (Mireille Enos, from "The Killing and"Big Love"), O"Mara recruits knife throwing beat cop Coleman Harris (Anthony Mackie), ace cowboy sharp-shooter Max Kennard (Robert Patrick) - who prefers a six shooter to a tommy gun, technology buff Conwell Keeler (Giovanni Ribisi), slick-talking ladies man Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) and Kennard's rookie partner Navidad Ramirez (Michael Pena) and prepares to launch attacks on one of Cohen's casinos and his heroin running operation.

Meanwhile, Cohen is setting up a massively lucrative operation which will give him control of all the wire bookmaking west of Chicago and make him virtually untouchable. Thus time is of the essence It does not take long for Cohen to realize the gangster squad are an incorruptible crew and he tells his cohorts "a cop who is not for sale is like a dog with rabies, there's no medicine for it, you just gotta put 'em down".

"Gangster Squad" was lensed by Oscar winning cinematographer Dion Beebe, it takes place in a smoky, neon-lit, sepia-tinted Los Angeles and the Hollywood Boulevard of the '40s look a treat, but the film sure does not have the depth, style, character development or rich, noir flavor of "LA Confidential". A hard-boiled Josh Brolin is well cast and looks the part, while Gosling and Stone (as Mickey's moll, Grace, who falls for Wooters' charms) provide some romantic heat and there are effective supporting turns from a warm, strong, emotionally potent Mireille Enos, Robert Patrick and the Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton (so good in "Animal Kingdom"). Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi and Michael Pena are all fine actors and turn in convincing performances, but one wishes they were not shortchanged by a script that fails to give them any big individual moments.

Then there is a heavily made up, scenery chewing Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen - who is portrayed as a raging, full blown psycho, devoid of any charisma or likable traits. It's an entertaining and enjoyable performance, but history tells us there was more to Cohen than the one-dimensional character we see here. Unlike Harvey Keitel (who played Cohen in Warren Beatty's "Bugsy"), Penn will not be receiving an Oscar nomination for the part. Still, the film would be a whole lot less fun without him.

The cliché-strewn "Gangster Squad" suffers by comparison with "The Untouchables", but while Ruben Fleischer seems to have been inspired by the De Palma film, his flick is not in the same league. However, while this not a film that lingers on in the memory, and I would have preferred more storytelling and character development to go with the blazing action and violence, it's not boring, it should do quite well at the box office and it made for a relatively enjoyable two hours at the movies. Go with low expectations and you won't be too disappointed. GRANT AUBIN.

Die Wonderwerker (2012)

An absorbing, moving and excellent film - filmed on rugged and beautiful rural locations

[8/10 · 4 January 2013]

DIE WONDERWERKER (2012): with Dawid Minnaar, Elize Cawood, Marius Weyers, Anneke Weideman, Kaz McFadden, Sandra Kotzé and Cobus Rossouw, directed by Katinka Heyns. Rating: *** ½ out of **** stars. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

An absorbing, moving and excellent period drama - filmed on rugged, magnificent rural locations - which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend to discerning cinema goers.

Like "Roepman", "Jerusalema" and "Tsotsi", Katinka Heyns' "Die Wonderwerker" is one of the best South Africans films I have seen yet.

Beautifully photographed, and sensitively and passionately directed by Katinka Heyns ("Paljas", "Die Storie van Klara Viljee") from a finely detailed script by her husband Chris Barnard, it is, in my opinion, world class fare. An affecting Dawid Minnaar is marvelous as the famous (in South Africa) Afrikaans poet, naturalist, writer and morphine addict Eugene Marais and the entire cast is very good, but Elize Cawood is absolutely outstanding and is likely to garner many local awards.

This is the second South African film about Eugene Marais - Athol Fugard played him in the fine, award winning, Ross Devenish-directed 1977 movie, "The Guest" (An Episode in the Life of Eugene Marais). "Die Wonderwerker", however, is a far superior film to "The Guest".

Roepman (2011)

It is one of the two or three best South African movies I have ever seen.

[9/10 · 29 August 2011]

ROEPMAN (2011): with Paul Loots, John Henry Opperman, Deon Lotz, Rika Sennett, Lida Botha, Desire Gardner, Beate Olwagen, Andrew Thompson, Eddie de Jager, Paul Lückhoff, Altus Theart and Ivan Botha, directed by Paul Eilers. Rating: 9 out of 10. Afrikaans language/English subtitles.

A poignant, affecting and magical South African production about a boy's loss of innocence, "Roepman" is both a quietly powerful political drama and a wondrous fable.

Set in a small railway depot outside Durban, "Roepman" (The Callman) takes us back to 1966 and plunks us into a community of poor white Afrikaners during the days of apartheid. The story revolves around 11-years-old Timus (Paul Loots) and his friend Joon (John Henry Opperman). Joon is the Roepman, who wakes everyone up for work and presents them with their schedules for the day. Being a "Roepman" is "the lowest job a white man can have on the railways", but Joon - who lives with his mute mother, is a loyal employee and a good, kind, gentle man with a real sense of what's right and wrong. Plus, he knows more about the town and its inhabitants than they know about themselves. The sensitive, fragile, imaginative Timus lives with his stern father Abraham Rademan (Deon Lotz) - a staunch, conservative nationalist and an elder at the Church, his compassionate, long suffering mother (Rika Sennett), his brother (Eddie de Jager), his grandma (Lida Botha) and his two sisters, Rykie and Erika (Beate Olwagen, Desire Gardner). Rykie is trying to persuade her father to allow dancing at her upcoming 21st birthday party and Erika is in love with Salmon (Ivan Botha), who adores her and calls her "my spinnekop" (my spider - because she weaves webs around his heart). But Salmon belongs to a different Church, so it looks like a young girl's heart will be cruelly broken by a father's unbending will.

When Timus gets into trouble it is usually Joon who saves him, and Timus sees these timely interventions from his protector as miracles. Underlying tensions in the town start bubbling to the surface and Timus becomes the target of an outwardly macho bully and sexual predator (Andrew Thompson). We also see that one of the white men on the block is demanding sex from his traumatized black housekeeper, that a pregnant girl is about to be shunned by the church and that Abraham wants the family's Zulu maid, Gladys (Kholeka Dakada) to send her toddler back to the township. These different threads come together and culminate in an attempted suicide, the sexual abuse of a child and a moment of Joon-inspired magic on the day Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd is assassinated. The death of Verwoerd marked a time of change, and, some say, the beginning of the end for the National Party.

Despite a touch of magical realism, "Roepman" is set in a dark time of harsh, political repression and shines a light on apartheid. It is not a politically charged film, but it certainly offers a telling look into aspects of the Afrikaner culture, its obsession with religion, and the horror of apartheid.

The moving, funny, sad, thoughtful "Roepman" is beautifully acted (and young Loots is a real find) and the period details are superb; I felt as if I had been transported back through the past and deposited into scenes from my childhood. Sadly, I doubt this excellent film will ever become available outside of South Africa, but if anyone here ever gets the chance to see it, grab that chance with both hands. The English subtitles do not capture the full flavor of the Afrikaans language and the film works better if you understand "die taal" (the language), but they are good enough. I found this film - based on the book by Jan van Tonder, a vivid, powerful, strangely nostalgic and poignant experience and highly recommend it. It is one of the best two or three South African movies I have ever seen.

Water for Elephants (2011)

"Water for Elephants" certainly isn't unwatchable. However, it lacks any serious emotional power, ...

[6/10 · 17 April 2011]

I saw the film in South Africa on Friday afternoon - The trailer was an attractive, appealing one which made the film look intriguing; promising a sweeping period story and an epic romance. "Water for Elephants" certainly isn't unwatchable. However, it lacks any serious emotional power, Robert Pattinson (so effectively cast in the "Twilight" movies) is a good looking, and interesting looking, guy, but he definitely isn't a great actor. Pattinson fails to create a three dimensional character. One never sees what is going on in Jacob's head, because Pattinson isn't capable of projecting internal emotions. Reese Witherspoon - who can act - is miscast. Christopher Waltz - who was really well cast in "Inglourous Basterds" is certainly entertaining to watch and I would attribute some of the failings of his colorful character to the script rather than his acting ability.

The "chocolate box" cinematography is pleasant, colorful and sometimes atmospheric, rather than brilliant, and the film never really gets into top gear. Like its leading man, it's nice looking, but lacking in real substance. The narrative structure is also lumpy, and the story doesn't flow naturally. The best acting in the picture is done by Hal Holbrook and Paul Schneider in relatively small roles. But, to be honest, Rosie the elephant is easily the most endearing character in the film. While the film was disappointing and is certainly not an out and out flop, the story has been dumbed-down to appeal to a teenage demographic. It's got no real sexual or romantic heat. But, funny enough, I think youngsters will enjoy it. Especially teenage girls. I just hoped for so much more. No wonder 20th Century Fox are keeping it away from the critics for as long as possible, and opening it in a few smaller territories before the States. It ain't going to pick up sparkling reviews.

Don't think I hated it though, I just expected and hoped for so much more. The film's ending is a wee bit anti-climactic, but then the romantic part of the storyline is so predictable that it could hardly have ended any other way. I was, however, touched - little tears even welled up in my eyes - by the scene involving the horse's tragic demise, and a scene involving Rosie being hurt by Waltz's August. The costumes and period details are good, (although things sometimes look a wee bit too glamorous considering the milieu it plays out in), but the dialog and body language of the actors feels too contemporary. I imagine, given the film's target demographic, and the marketing campaign - which is centered around Pattinson, that this was intentional.

The story, while interesting enough (not surprising, since it is based on a popular novel), never really gathers an epic sweep, not is it ever intimate enough to compensate for this. Mostly, it just lacks the genuine romantic heat to succeed fully. There is virtually no erotic chemistry or tension between Pattinson and Witherspoon. So serious, passionate adult cinema-goers looking for intelligent, emotionally resonant fare will be disappointed, but maybe it will work for "Twilight" fans, if you know what I mean. The teenage girls will like it, and their boyfriends won't mind it. I must say, though, as a 51-year-old adult male who works in the DVD industry, writes film reviews for local publications and watches over a 100 films a year on the big screen (plus another 400 or so on DVD), I am hardly the target demographic, so, depending on age, tastes and how seriously they take cinema-going, others might well enjoy it more than me. Those young viewers who are looking for lightweight escapism with a pretty, contemporary star in the male lead will probably forgive the film its lack of genuine dramatic tension, and a compelling narrative structure.

Like I say, I really expected more from this film, but I guess so many of today's films are tailored to a teen aged democratic who lack the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, want fast editing and are not interested in seeing characters breathe or develop in interesting, realistic ways.

Drive Angry (2011)

So outrageous that anyone with a passion for gritty, violent, cheesy, car chase-filled seventies action cinema will find things to appreciate about it.

[6/10 · 4 March 2011]

DRIVE ANGRY (2010): with Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner, Billy Burke and David Morse, directed by Patrick Lussier. Rating: 6/10.

THIS wild, bizarre, ultra violent seventies-style grindhouse action horror flick finds Nic Cage wearing perhaps his most ridiculous on screen wig yet. Cage is pretty cool, though, as John Milton, a haunted father who escapes from Hell (with the Devil's right hand man, played by William Fichtner, in hot pursuit) and sets out to save his granddaughter from satanic cult leader Jonah King (Billy Burke) who is about to sacrifice the infant under a full moon.

Milton teams up with a tough, two-fisted, hot pants-wearing waitress named Piper (Amber Heard) - who has had enough of her cheating boyfriend and certainly does not hit like a girl , and the two head off down the Louisiana highway in a stolen 1969 Dodge Charger.

"Drive Angry 3D" is not subtle, and the amount of blood-spattered violence and the abundant nudity ensure that is not for all tastes. Nor is it a particularly good film. Plus, it falls to pieces about two-thirds of the way through. But it so outrageous that anyone, like me, with a passion for gritty, violent, cheesy, car chase-filled seventies action cinema will find things to appreciate about it. The performances are interesting (especially from Fichtner and Morse), Heard is real easy on the eyes, a lecherous fat man gets his testicles twisted by Piper, and it contains the funniest, most violent, audacious and shocking sex scene/shoot out ever seen on the screen. Plus, the 3D effects are rather good.

Four Faces West (1948)

If this exciting, unusual, uplifting and richly romantic western doesn't touch you, you have an ice-cold, cynical heart of stone.

[8/10 · 8 December 2010]

Warning: Possible spoilers.

An absolute gem, this wonderful western - shot in black and white on rugged, interesting locations, is a sheer pleasure from beginning to end. It is something to cherish. The quiet, handsome Joel McCrea - playing the most thoroughly decent outlaw I've ever come across in a western, has never been more appealing as the bank robber on the run.

Using his pointed gun as collateral, Ross McEwan (McCrea) makes a $2000 "loan" from a bank - right under Pat Garrett's (Bickford) nose. The furious bank manager puts up a reward of $3000 for his capture: dead or alive. So Garrett - a pretty good guy who is going to make damn sure no one shoots Ross in the back, and a posse set off in hot pursuit. The crafty McEwan jumps on a train and evades capture with a help of a baby and a blanket. He meets the honest, attractive railway nurse Fay Hollister (Frances Dee) and the mysterious Mexican gambler Monte Marquez (Joseph Calleia) while on the train. Fay realizes that Ross has broken the law and is a wanted man, but she falls in love with him anyway - hell, she's ready to sacrifice her job and follow him to the ends of the earth. Of course, every bounty hunter in the territory is now also searching for Ross.

With Monte's help, Ross continues to evade the determined Garrett and eventually travels across the desert - on a bull. On the way, however, Ross stops to find a horse and comes across a poor, sick Mexican family at their little homestead. The father, his wife and their two small boys are desperately ill. They will all surely die if Ross doesn't stop to help. But if he stays and tries to save them, the law will catch up with him and he won't make it across the border...

Seeing Joel McCrea and his wife Frances Dee romantically paired is rather lovely; they have real chemistry (it's no surprise their marriage lasted for over 50 years). The four leads are all pitch perfect in their roles, but a marvelous Joseph Calleia deserves a special mention. If this exciting, unusual, uplifting and richly romantic western (in which not one shot is fired or a single punch thrown) doesn't touch you, you have an ice-cold, cynical heart of stone. Based on a story by Eugene Manlove Rhodes called "Paso por Aqui" ("They Passed This Way"). Highly recommended.

Faster (2010)

"Faster" is a lean, mean seventies-style action film that works with a vengeance.

[7/10 · 8 December 2010]

FASTER with Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Carla Gugino, Mike Epps, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Maggie Grace, directed by George Tillman Jr. Rating: 7/10.

A bunch of really nasty guys killed his brother and put a bullet in the back of Driver's head. Driver should have died - some folk even think he is a ghost. But he has a steel plate in the back of his skull and he is very much alive. Now, after a 10-year stretch in the slammer, he is out. And he is not looking for redemption. It is time for revenge, and even "God can't save you from me!"

There is no one waiting for the tattooed, muscular, shaven-headed Driver (Dwayne Johnson) when he walks out of the prison gate. He runs through the desert to a town. In a junkyard is a 1971 Chevy with a .38 revolver under the dashboard. He climbs in, revs the engine and hits the road burning rubber. He stops to get a list of names and addresses from a private detective he employed while in prison. Then he heads off to kill everyone on the list.

Before long this intense, relentless former bank robber has killed three men and is wanted by the police. Detective Cicero (Carla Gugino) must track him down. She is partnered with an aging, heroin-addicted detective known only as Cop (Billy Bob Thornton, at his sleaziest).

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been concentrating on family fare for the last few years but his latest role finds him giving a physically and emotionally potent performance in a dark, gritty, violent stripped-down action movie which plays like the film noirs of old, reminds one of both "Point Blank" and its remake "Payback" and is definitely aimed at adult audiences.

Johnson owns the role of Driver, but he receives excellent back from Thornton, Gugina and a fascinating supporting cast that includes Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (who played Simon Adebesi in "Oz") as a former crook turned preacher, who utters the film's most lingering line: "Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?".

"Faster" is a lean, mean, seventies-style action film that works with a vengeance. GA.

Spud (2010)

a delightful, funny and ultimately touching film that provides marvelous entertainment and delivers just about everything the book's many fans could have hoped for

[8/10 · 8 December 2010]

SPUD with Troye Sivan, John Cleese, Jamie Royal, Jason Cope, Aaron McIlroy, Genna Blair, Tanit Phoenix and Jeremy Crutchley, directed by Donavan Marsh. Rating: 8 out of 10.

THE eagerly anticipated screen version of John van De Ruit's beloved bestseller is a delightful, funny and ultimately touching film that provides marvelous entertainment and delivers just about everything the book's many fans could have hoped for.

The casting of John Cleese was a major coup for the movie's producers and the Monty Python man - who was unforgettably amusing in "Fawlty Towers", does not disappoint. Cleese is terrific as Mr Edley (aka "The Guv"), the eccentric and alcoholic old teacher who mentors our titular young hero and introduces him to books like "Lord of the Rings" and "Catch 22". Cleese is both hilarious and moving in the role. Also excellent is Troye Sivan - who sings beautifully, as the vulnerable, lovable Spud. Jamie Royal also serves up something special with his performance as Spud's doomed true friend, "Gekko". And there are lively supporting turns from the likes of Aaron McIlroy (Dad), Jason Cope ("Sparerib" Wilson), Sven Ruygrok (Rambo) and Genna Blair, who is perfectly cast as the lovely "Mermaid".

The story begins in 1990, shortly before the release of Nelson Mandela. The winds of change are already blowing through South Africa when John Milton (Sivan) - a working class boy with a scholarship - is deposited at the posh Michaelhouse boarding school in his crazed parents' bombed- out car. As he lies in bed that night he thinks out aloud: "Tomorrow school proper begins. Maybe I'll die in my sleep and miss it completely." No such luck, and the worst is still to come. John is a late developer, so when he hits the showers, the other boys, noticing his little willie and lack of pubic hair, nickname him Spud. The name sticks.

But the witty, intelligent young Spud is determined to fit in with his dorm mates, like the "Rain Man" Vern, the sickly Gecko, Mad Dog, Rambo, porn-obsessed Boggo and the ever hungry Fatty - who holds the school farting record. Spud also wants to be an actor, hopes to shine at cricket and takes an interest in politics. Things do start to improve when "The Guv" takes Spud under his wing, though. And when - during the school holidays, he meets and falls in love with the girl he dubs "Mermaid".

"Spud", which features a fine score by Ed Jordan and splendid cinematography by Lance Gewer, is not a sentimental film. It is funny and exuberant and nostalgic, but it is also surprisingly moving and the relationship between Spud and The Guv has plenty of emotional resonance, as do other aspects of the film.

Most faithful to the spirit of Van De Ruit's book, "Spud" is a deliciously human and heartfelt film which tells a wonderful South African story with skill and sensitivity. While this story and its settings are uniquely South African, the themes are universal and there is every chance this charming film will also find a level of success in other parts of the world - such as Britain and Australia. But whether or not it works in the rest of the world is immaterial. "Spud" will be a well deserved smash hit at the local box-office and leave audiences satisfied, happy and ready for the sequel. Do not miss it. GA.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)

This visually dazzling 3D animated fantasy feature from director Zack Snyder has the epic sweep and feel of "Lord of the Rings".

[7/10 · 21 September 2010]

LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIANS; THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE with the voices of Jim Sturgess, Emily Barclay, Ryan Kwanten, Hugo Weaving, Helen Mirren and Geoffrey Rush, directed by Zack Snyder. Rating: 7/10.

ALTHOUGH lacking in humor and quite violent for a film aimed at youngsters, this visually dazzling 3D animated fantasy feature from director Zack Snyder ("300" and "Watchmen") has the epic sweep and feel of "Lord of the Rings".

Based on the first three books in Kathryn Lasky's bestselling series, "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole", Snyder's film revolves around Soren (voiced by Jim Sturgess), a young owl who has always been enchanted by his father's stories about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole - an heroic and mythical group of warriors who once fought to save the owl kingdom from the evil Pure Ones.

Soren dreams of one day joining the Guardians, but his jealous older brother, Kludd (Ryan Kwanten), has no such noble notions.

When Soren and Kludd's bickering causes them to fall out of their treetop home, the two are carried off by the Pure Ones and imprisoned at the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Here, they face a grim future as either soldiers or slaves.

Kludd wants to be a soldier, but Soren and his new friend Gylfie (Emile Barclay) escape with the help of a guard named Grimble (Hugo Weaving) and set off on an arduous journey to the legendary city of Ga'Hoole, where the old warrior Ezylryb (Geoffrey Rush) will train Soren in the art of war.

"Legends of the Guardians" is a rather serious affair and Snyder - not surprisingly - brings a certain intensity to the many battle scenes which dominate the second half of the film and feature plenty of slow motion shots and much owl on owl violence. The movie is blessed with superb voice acting from Sturgess, Helen Mirren, Anthony LaPaglia, Weaving and, in particular, Geoffrey Rush, Of course, what really makes it work are the stunning visuals. The exciting flying scenes - reminiscent of those in "Avatar"- are quite breathtaking, and the shots of lush, dark forests and vast seascapes are equally sumptuous.

Perhaps it might be a little scary for tots under seven, But "Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" is first class family entertainment. The young audience I saw it with were spellbound from beginning to end, and applauded when it was over. The film looks marvelous in 3D, but I should imagine it looks pretty good in 2D as well. GA.

Bakgat! II (2010)

If you enjoyed the first movie, are looking for a good local laugh or just want to know what a "Satan sakkie" is, do not miss "Bakgat 2"

[7 September 2010]

BAKGAT 2 with Ivan Botha, Cherie van der Merwe, Altus Theart and Neil Sharim, directed by Henk Pretorius. Rating: 6½ out of 10.

THE Afrikaans teen movie, "Bakgat" (2008), was a surprise hit at the South African box-office, and this rude, sweet, silly, funny sequel is just as entertaining, so it looks set to to be equally popular.

Following on two years after the first one, "Bakgat 2" finds Wimpie Koekemoer (Ivan Botha) now playing under 21 rugby for Unitas while his beloved Cherie van der Merwe (Katrien Swanepoel) is working as a teacher of autistic children. When Wiempie is offered a contract to play pro rugby in England, he tries to grab the opportunity. But Cherie, who loves her job, wants to stay in South Africa - and she is prepared to use all her considerable sexual charms to keep Wiempie here. What is a boy to do?

Also returning are Wiempie and Cherie's friends. Japie (Neil Sharim) is still in love with Liezl (Lelia Etsebeth), but their budding sex life is hampered by his "small" problem. Fanie (Andrew Thompson) also has size issues. But in his case, the problem is the size of Christie's chubby tummy (Ciske Kruger). Then there is Wiempie's muscular old nemesis, Werner "Killer" Botha (Altus Theart ), who joins Unitas and threatens Wiempie's place in the rugby team. And yes, Basjan (Ian Roberts) is back to. But the former ace coach has stopped drinking brandy and coke, built a jacuzzi on his farm and discovered the joys of dagga (marijuana) and nubile young ladies.

The "Bakgat" movies - which were inspired by the "American Pie" franchise, are not subtle, and they are very white and very Afrikaans. But they are "lekker" funny, come with English subtitles for those who don't understand the "taal" and certainly make me feel nostalgic for my youth. There is some fabulous music on the soundtrack too. So, if you enjoyed the first movie, are looking for a good local laugh or just want to know what a "Satan sakkie" is, do not miss "Bakgat 2". GRANT AUBIN.

Themba (2010)

splendidly photographed, nicely scored and sincerely acted.

[8/10 · 27 July 2010]

THEMBA - A BOY CALLED HOPE with Nat "Junior" Singo, Kagiso Mtetwa, Simphiwe Dana and Patrick Mofokeng, directed by Stefanie Sycholt.

THIS German/South African film about a youngster who overcomes poverty and adversity to become a star soccer player is splendidly photographed, nicely scored and sincerely acted. Similar in some ways to "Beat the Drum" and the Oscar-nominated "Yesterday", it focuses on Themba (Nat Singo, who also starred in "Beat the Drum"), a Xhosa boy who lives with his mom Mandisa (Simphiwe Dana) and sister Nomtha (Anisa Mhlungula) in a rural part of the Eastern Cape. They stay in a hut on a hill near Port St. Johns, and the view, like the countryside, is beautiful. But Themba's dad, Vuyo (Rapulana Seiphemo) deserted the family four years ago and their life is a daily struggle. Mandisa takes in former mine worker, Luthando (Patrick Mofokeng) as a lodger. Her becomes her lover, so when she loses her job and must travel to Cape Town to find work, Luthando - who drinks to much - stays on to look after the kids. Themba shows great promise as a footballer, but one terrible night Luthando tries to attack Nomtha. While Themba manages to save his sister, he ends up being raped. After this, the children pack up their meagre belongings and go down to Cape Town to search for their mother. They eventually find her living in a broken down shack in Masiphumelele township, but she is extremely ill. Fortunately, the brave, determined Themba has not lost his passion for soccer. And hope is just around the corner. All this might sound depressing, and the film is certainly very moving. Yet it is ultimately an uplifting, inspiring and enjoyable story with a happy ending, a strong message and much to say about HIV/AIDS. The charismatic Nat Singo is definitely the star of the show, but he is well supported by Kagiso Mtetwa who plays Themba's loyal friend Sipho, and both singer Simphiwe Dana (making her film debut) and Patrick Mofokeng ("Invictus") serve up excellent supporting performances. "Themba: A Boy Called Hope" juggles a lot of themes and two story lines that do not always hang together right, but it is a well made, interesting film that has already won a couple of awards in Germany. Hopefully it will find an audience in South Africa too. GRANT AUBIN.

Robin Hood (2010)

Rather disappointing.

[6/10 · 17 May 2010]

"Robin Hood" (2010): (Rating: An extremely generous 6 out of 10).

"Robin Hood" plays like a supposedly commercially cunning stylistic cross between "Gladiator", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Batman Begins". Okay, so it's a prequel, an origin story and Sir Ridley and Russell obviously hope it will be the first part of a trilogy. Shame on them. Do they need the money so badly? Ignoring the heart and soul of an enduring and inspiring romantic legend, these buggers have aimed their arrows squarely at the wallets of the mass market and gone for the lowest common denominator. One film pleases all, so to speak. And sadly, a lot of undiscriminating modern cinema-goers will enjoy what they have served up.

The new "Robin Hood" was, for me, a bitterly disappointing film and, with a running length of nearly 150-minutes, a sometimes boring one too. It's big and sprawling, and, with Sir Ridley at the helm, it is certainly well made on a technical level. But does it have heart and soul and emotion and a stirring story? No ways. After about 120 long minutes we get the French invading Britain in an expensive, GGI-laden action sequence which seems to have been inspired by the Normandy landing scenes in "Saving Private Ryan". What it is this? Sir Ridley's homage to the Spielberg flick. Only, instead of machine gun bullets tracing through the water as soldiers stumble across the sand at the bottom of the sea trying to avoid a rain of death, it is arrows.

Then, five minutes before the picture ends, the story I wanted to see finally arrives on the screen. But shorty after this, the words "And so the legend begins" appear, and the movie ends.

I'm a fan of Russell Crowe and I thoroughly his performances in films such as "Romper Stomper", "LA Confidential", "Gladiator", "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World", "Cinderella Man", "The Insider" and "The Sum of Us". Hell, i even enjoyed his work in "State of Play" and the remake of "3.10 to Yuma".

But his surly Robin Longstride, the man who will perhaps - if this picture makes enough money to allow the sequel to be made - become the Robin Hood we know and love, is not one of his finest screen moments. The character is merely another figure in a sprawling cinematic landscape created by Sir Ridley. He never registers on an emotional level, and Crowe,IMO, despite looking fairly buff, is too old for the part. What a waste of a good actor.

Blanchett, who I also enjoy, fares slightly better, but she is miscast in an underwritten role. Her Maid Marion is an interesting creation, but we never get to now her well enough. Even the Sheriff of Nottingham (an ineffectual Matthew Macfadyen - looking like a chubby version of Dermot Mulroney) is a minor character in the picture.

In the supporting cast, Mark Strong - as the wicked Godfrey, and Max Von Sydow as the blind Sir Walter Loxley, have their moments, and Eileen Atkins is good in her few scenes. Then there are Mark Addey (Friar Tuck) and Kevin Durand ( Little John) who are, I presume, supposed to be the comic relief. Not that I laughed much. Danny Huston doesn't exactly shine as King Richard the Lionheart either. And William Hurt is wasted as William Marshal.

I saw "Robin Hood" in South Africa. The cinema was surprisingly full and the multiplex mob seemed to enjoy the film. But I found it an utter disappointment, It didn't stir me, it didn't amuse me and it didn't thrill me. And I'm usually quite easily to please. "Robin Hood" is nothing more than an expensive attempt to steal from the poor and desperate (cinemagoers), who will go looking for spectacle and excitement in all the wrong places. Isn't a film like this supposed to bring joy to the poor and downtrodden.

It seems as if they wanted to pull in the "Gladiator" crowd. But that was silly because this film suffers hugely by comparison, as does Crowe's performance.

Watching this version of the tale, only made me ache for Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland in "The Adventures of Robin Hood", now that was a Robin Hood picture. "Robin and Marion", the Lester flick, was also more romantic than this current version. Hell, even the Costner version was more fun. Boo.

While I didn't enjoy "Robin Hood", it still looks likely to pull in about $300 worldwide, so sequels could still be on the cards. In my heart of hearts, however - and it pains me to say this, I hope it does not do sufficient numbers to generate sequels.

I saw "Robin Hood" a day after watching Miley Cyrus in "The Last Song". So I thought, how bad can it be?" Sir Ridley, Cate, Russell in warrior mode. it can only be an improvement on The Last Song". Sadly, it wasn't. At least "The Last Song" was shorter.

If anybody with a passion for cinema lusts to see this film, I would suggest they wait for the DVD release, and then approach it with low expectations. Very low expectations! I suppose the upside is that I didn't have to pay to watch the film. But even that brings me little cheer.

Invictus (2009)

As a South African, I can tell you the entertaining, inspiring and enjoyable "Invictus" exceeded all my expectations.

[8/10 · 13 December 2009]

As a South African who saw this film on Friday morning, I can tell you you the entertaining, inspiring and enjoyable "Invictus" exceeded all my expectations.

It really is a true story of epic proportions yet it's told with an intimate feel, and it is at least 98% accurate to the events of the time. Clint gets all the big details and so many of the little details right, but he never goes over the top. He directs with minimum fuss and achieves maximum effect, just letting the powerful story unfold without getting in its way.

I watched the 1995 Rugby World Cup and saw Madiba come out in the Springbok jersey. It was a wondrous sight. And when Joel Stransky slotted that drop kick over in the dying minutes and the Boks won, I wept and cheered along with everyone else. After the match millions of South African - of all races - celebrated. It was an amazing time. It was the birth of the "Rainbow Nation". Nelson Mandela is the greatest and most beloved of all South Africans. The man is a living legend, but so human and real. When he was President he brought hope to all South Africans, white and black. We, in my country, will never stop loving this incredible man. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman did South Africa and our beloved Madiba proud. Francois Pienaar is also an amazing South African, an intelligent, big-hearted rugby played who always led by example, and Matt Damon's performance as him was superb. I was glued to the screen for every second of the film's running time (I didn't even move from my seat until the final credit rolled and the house lights came on), and I was moved to tears on several occasions. The final scene was especially touching.

Freeman's performance was magical and I can see him getting as Oscar nomination. If you think his Mandela is too cool to be true, think again. Mandela really is this cool. A brave and intelligent man whose courage and strength of character should serve as an example to people all over the world. After being unjustly imprisoned for nearly 30 years by a cruel and repressive regime, he emerged to run a country and teach its people the meaning of forgiveness and reconciliation.

I thoroughly recommend the authentically detailed, historically accurate "Invictus" to film lovers, Eastwood fans, Nelson Mandela fans and sports fans everywhere in the world. South Africans would be crazy to miss this excellent film, but it deserves to be a hit all over the globe. Let's hope it is.

Viva Clint Eastwood, viva Morgan Freeman, viva Madiba.

PS. I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood as both an actor and a director.

Of the films Eastwood has directed, my favorites, in no particular order, are "Unforgiven", "Million Dollar Baby", "Gran Torino", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Letters From Iwo Jima", "The Bridges of Madison County","Bird" and "Invictus". Yes, it's really that good. "Invictus" is another winner from Clint. He just seems to get better with age. What a creative roll he is currently on.

PPS. "Invictus" is one of the best sporting movies I have ever seen. But it's also about more than sport.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

It's visually spectacular, but emotionally hollow: What a disappointment.!

[5/10 · 4 November 2009]

Having just come from a preview screening of "A Christmas Carol" I can confirm the worst suspicions of genuine film lovers. And anyone who has an ounce of love for Charles Dickens.

The film is spectacular to look at and the kids will no doubt enjoy all the whiz bang action. Unfortunately this is the Disney and Robert Zemeckis' version, not the Charles Dickens' version we know and love. The storyline is the same but .............

Of course it will probably make a fair amount of money, but gosh it was unsatisfying.

The film has no soul, no beating heart, no emotional lift at the end. I didn't even have a lump in my throat when it was over. What a bitter disappointment. The magic is gone, to be replaced by an f/x laden thrill ride. Tiny Tim (Gary Oldman, I kid you not - he does three characters) has one line of dialogue. Thus the character of Tiny Tim is barely a factor in this version. Tiny Tin, who for me has always been the heart and soul of this wonderful story. Are Disney and Zemeckis crazy?. Or just greedy? Where is their spirit of Christmas?

But wow, we get to see Scrooge (Jim Carrey, who plays nine characters) fly to the moon and back in 10 seconds in 3-D. Visually dazzling, but emotionally bland and hollow would describe the film perfectly.

It is an understatement to say that the 1951 film starring Alistair Sim is a fifty times more effective - and affecting, experience.

Let me just add that while I certainly enjoyed aspects of the performances of Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes (also in multiple parts) and even Jim Carrey, the actors are not well served by this format of film-making. In fact, while their names will help sell the picture, their wonderful talents are dimmed here.

You must see what they do to poor Robin Wright Penn; she's been bland-ed out visually.

Really, how could they mess this one up.

Looking for Eric (2009)

It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it left me with a big sloppy, happy grin on my face: Don't miss it!.

[8/10 · 12 October 2009]

"Looking for Eric" is an absolute gem, a charming comedy-drama that totally captured my heart. Feel good fare of the highest quality, and the working class folk the film depicts are bloody marvelous. Not that I ever thought of them as working class folk - more like first class folk; the salt-of-the-earth. Steve Levets serves up an unforgettable performance as Eric, and the great football legend, Eric Cantona, plays himself. He's a warm, funny presence and totally lovable. I loved "Looking for Eric", and hugely recommend it. God, I wish there were more movies of this quality around. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it left me with a big sloppy, happy grin on my face. Now excuse me, but I'm off to light up a huge spliff and summon up the spirit of Eric Cantona - maybe he has a few life lessons for me. Don't miss this film. A real treat, it's Ken Loach's most enjoyable flick yet.

The Last House on the Left (2009)

Way, way softer, and far less sleazier, than the original

[6/10 · 12 August 2009]

The new version of Wes Craven's 1972 exploitation classic, "Last House on the Left", is a way, way softer and far less sleazier film. The violence is still pretty intense, but the heroine's mom doesn't bite off anyone's penis this time round. And there's less nudity: gone is the scene (in the original) where Krug makes the girls strip and touch each other. And nobody gets their intestines removed here. Nor is the one young victim forced to urinate on herself. The big difference is in the acting quality of the new film. The cast is strong: Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad", "Big Love"), Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost", "The Last Samurai"), "Monica Potter ("Along Came a Spider"), Spencer Treat Clark ("Gladiator", "Mystic River"), "Garret Dillahunt" ("No Country for Old Men") and Martha McIsaac ("Superbad"). Even Sarah Paxton proves she can genuinely act - delivering a solid, believable performance. The first half of the new film - which is very well made on a budget of about $10 to $12 million (Craven's original cost a mere $90 000) - is tense, harrowing and unpleasant as the girls are abducted and the Paxton character is raped. The rape sequence is sad, unsettling and disturbing (as it should be), but non-exploitative. The viewer experiences the victim's physical pain and emotional suffering. We see it from her point-of-view, not the scumbag rapists point-of-view. Where the film really differs from the original in tone, is in the second half. Here, when we watch the righteous revenge of the parents, we cheer on the good guys. Which is why American critic David Edelstein described the flick as a "feelgood" revenge film. And other critics have compared it to "Taken". In the original film, the vengeance aspect was not shown as a solution. You felt icky and troubled by the carnage when the movie was over. Still, this is a pretty good remake. A (relatively)low budget film that delivers in a big way. Initially it was going to be released direct to DVD in the States, but after preview audiences responded positively, the picture went out on the big screen. And grossed around $35 million at the US box-office. It's actually worth seeing. The new film is more of a revenge thriller than a horror flick, and I wouldn't describe it as an exploitation flick.

White Wedding (2009)

Sweet, witty film that shows there is a place for everyone in South Africa.

[6/10 · 21 May 2009]

WHITE WEDDING with Kenneth Nkosi, Rapulana Seiphemo, Jodie Whittaker, Zandile Msutwana and Marcel van Heerden, directed by Jann Turner.

Cinema-goers looking for a funny, big-hearted comedy with characters one can relate to, will enjoy Jann Turner's rather delightful South African film. A road trip movie made on a budget of R6 million, it tells the story of the down-to-earth Elvis (Kenneth Nkosi) who is about to be married. He catches a bus from Johannesburg to Durban where he meets up with his best man, Tumi ("Jerusalema" star, Rapulana Seiphemo). From here the two guys must travel to Cape Town where the lovely Ayunda (Zandile Msutwana) is anxiously awaiting their arrival. Of course nothing goes right on the long journey and when the boys get lost in the Eastern Cape and reluctantly allow British visitor Rose (Jodie Whittaker, who starred opposite Peter 'O Toole in "Venus") to join them, it seems as if their problems can only get worse. Can they make it to the wedding on time? With a splendid leading man turn from the lovable, hilarious Nkosi (he played the cooked lawyer in "Jerusalema"), a warm and winning script (by Seiphemo, Turner and Nkosi) and plenty of romance to go with the laughs, this feel-good comedy hits the spot. "White Wedding" is a sweet, witty film that shows there is a place for everyone in South Africa. Even the old-school Afrikaners have hearts of gold.

MY RATING: 6 out of 10.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

It's not as good as the first film, in fact it's just another big budget sequel .

[5/10 · 20 May 2009]

I saw a press preview of "Night at the Museum 2" tonight in South Africa. It's not as good as the first film (which wasn't that great anyway). Just a typical big budget sequel. Solid, mindless entertainment for young kids and undemanding family audiences I suppose, but the older you are the less you will enjoy it. Sporadically funny with good special effects and lots of new characters and ideas. But not quite as magical or surprising as the original, and it's got much less heart. Bigger is not necessarily better. However, Amy Adams was a nice addition to the cast, and I was amused by Jonah Hill's funny cameo. Not really boring, but not totally thrilling. The script is the film's biggest weakness. On the other hand, I suppose young audiences are looking for this sort of loud, colorful, clean, wholesome family entertainment. Nobody will be offended by anything in the movie. So if you're under 13 years of age and looking for light-hearted nonsense and don't like to have to think when you watch a film, this is probably for you. My life would have been none the poorer if I had missed it. And that's my honest opinion. PS. I nearly forget to mention Hank Azaria. He was hilarious and had some great scenes. What a gifted performer.

I'd rate it 5 out of 10 (I gave the first one 6,5 out of 10).

Finding Lenny (2009)

Nothing to write home about

[5/10 · 12 April 2009]

FINDING LENNY with Barry Hilton, Russel Savadier, Catriona Andrew and Yule Masiteng, directed by Neal Sundstrom. Rating: 5 out of 10.

POPULAR South African comedian Barry Hilton makes his big screen debut in this silly, but relatively amiable local comedy which bears a fairly close resemblance to the Rodney Dangerfield soccer flick, "Ladybugs". The story finds Hilton playing a sports reporter named Lenny Vincent who loses his job on his 50th birthday. Shortly afterward his sluttish wife leaves him for another man and then he gets put in the the boot of a getaway car during a robbery. Obviously this isn't much fun for the poor fellow, but his miserable life takes a turn for the better when he becomes the coach of a rural soccer team. "Finding Lenny", which was digitally shot on a lowish budget, has a predictable storyline, a weak script and sometimes feels like a Leon Schuster film. However, there are some laughs to be had and Hilton proves himself to be a reasonably capable actor and an interesting screen presence. Clearly there isn't much on offer here for discerning or sophisticated cinema-goers, but the movie is likely to prove popular with Barry Hilton's fans in South Africa. However, it seems sad that even after the triumphs of "Tsotsi" and the amazing "Jerusalema", South African filmmakers continue to churn out these mediocre "local" comedies filled with stereotypical characters.

Taken (I) (2008)

it will certainly please action fans

[6/10 · 30 January 2009]

TAKEN with Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen and Xander Berkeley, directed by Pierre Morel.

THIS gritty, violent English language, French action thriller finds Liam Neeson ("Schindler's List", "Rob Roy") playing Bryan, an ex-CIA operative who goes on a rescue rampage when his attractive teenage daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), is kidnapped by Albanian sex traffickers while touring Europe. Once the premise has been set up, "Taken" explodes into relentless action. The haunted and determined-looking Bryan, whose physical skills are deadly, has 96 hours to get to Kim before her virginity is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Thus he is prepared to kill, maim or torture any criminal scumbag who stands in his way. As the tag line says; "They took his daughter. He'll take their lives." There is nothing subtle about producer Luc Besson's new movie, and the vigilante morality is somewhat suspect, but the hugely sympathetic Neeson makes this non-stop actioner work and many, many viewers will get a kick out of watching the big guy terminate criminals and perverts with extreme prejudice. "Taken", which comes with sensational fight scenes, blistering car chases and slick shoot-outs, plays like a hybrid of "The Bourne Identity" and "Death Wish". Directed by the dude who made "Unleashed", It will certainly please action fans. My Rating: 6 out of 10.

Killshot (2008)

Despite it's flaws, "Killshot" is not a total dead loss.

[6/10 · 26 January 2009]

KILLSHOT with Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson and Hal Holbrook, directed by John Madden.

MICKEY Rourke's intense and interesting performance as a troubled hit-man lifts this structurally flawed adaptation of Elmore Leonard's gritty crime novel. Directed by John Madden ("Shakespeare in Love"), the film is never as much fun as the book, which was a violent, witty and richly enjoyable slice of ultra-sleazy pulp fiction. But, despite all it's fault (the movie was completed in 2006, but is only being released now), "Killshot" is not a total dead loss and is likely to be enjoyed by genre fans who approach it with low expectations. Oscar-nominee Rourke ("The Wrestler") plays Armand "The Blackbird" Degas ,a veteran, half Indian hit-man for the Toronto mob who slays his boss's girlfriend during a hit. Returning to the rural area where he was raised, he pairs up with dim-witted young psychopath Richie Nix (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Then, when, when the lovely Carmen Colson (a sexy, effective Diane Lane) sees Armand's face during a botched crime, he decides she must die. And the chase is on. "Killshot is a rather messy film that shows evidence of post-production edits and re-shoots, but Armand, Carmen and Richie are classic Leonard characters, there're one or two good shoot-outs and at least the films retains some of the master crime writer's wonderful trademark dialogue. Nice scenery too. As a Leonard fanatic, I wouldn't have missed the chance to see this on the big screen for anything (it's been given a national cinema release in South Africa - not a huge one, but way bigger than five screens in Phoenix ). I wasn't expecting much, so I certainly was not disappointed. Quite a bit of the book comes through and although Gordon-Levitt - usually one of my favourite young actors - sometimes goes to far over the top, the supporting cast is pretty good. Thomas Jane and (a totally miscast) Rosario Dawson have some nice moments and there's a cool cameo by the great Hal Holbrook . However, the interaction between Armand and Carmen Colson is nowhere near as intriguing as in the book (perhaps this has something to do with the notorious Weinstein scissors) and even though the picture has been pruned to 84 minutes it still drags in the second half. Reading Elmore Leonard's website the other night, I noticed that the maestro has seen the film (apparently a 100-minute cut) and seems to have enjoyed it, which tells us something. This flawed, but watchable (there's a good film lurking in there somewhere) movie should have been released to more cinemas in the States. Sadly, it doesn't look as if that's going to happen, but I can tell you one thing. It's going to be a solid renter when it hits DVD. Hopefully the distributor will release both this 84-minute cut and a longer version on disc. And let's hope we get to see Johnny Knoxville's deleted scenes, and a director commentary. But I suppose it will only come out in a vanilla version shorn of special features.

My Rating: 6 out of 10 (on the big screen).

PS. Drop the score down to 5/10 for the DVD - I've now seen the (South African release)DVD which in the 1.78 aspect ration ratio rather than 2.35.1 and looks shoddy compared to how it looked on the big screen. The film really falls to pieces on a second viewing.

Hansie: A True Story (2008)

Mike Atherton won't be impressed with this awful, pious nonsense

[3/10 · 18 December 2008]

HANSIE with Frans Rautenbach, Sarah Thompson, Brandon Auret, David Sherwood, Eric Nobbs and Sybel Coetzee, directed by Regardt van den Bergh . Rating: 3/10.

BORN into a priviliged white world and graced with a mercurial talent for cricket, the late Hansie Cronje rose to great heights, but a combination of greed, boredom and arrogance led to him accepting bribes from bookmakers while serving as South Africa's test cricket captain. When he was caught out, Cronje denied his crimes for a while - and received the full support of Dr Ali Bacher and the Minister of Sport. But it was obvious the millionaire cricketer was lying, and he quickly changed his story. Soon he was weeping before the King Commission and telling how "a love of money" had led him into temptation. From here we see Cronje struggling with guilt and angst, while his faithful wife Bertha (played by America actress Sarah Thompson, who's beautiful but battles to do a South African accent) offers him unconditional love and support. Soon it becomes clear that while the Devil made him do it, the Lord (with a little help from Peter Pollock) will save the day. "Hansie", scripted by Frans Conje (Hansie's brother), is no doubt well-intentioned, but not only is it sentimental, overlong and cliché-strewn, it teaches us nothing we don't already know, and offers absolutely no piercing insights into the title character. A fascinating film could have been made about Hansie Cronje, but this isn't it. Perhaps someone impartial should try making an in-depth television documentary about the man. However, fans of director Regard van den Bergh's previous Christian film, "Faith Like Potatoes" (which also starred Rautenbach) and Hansie loyalists might like this expensive local movie (it cost about R42 million), which hammers away with its message about the prodigal son and forgiveness. And Rautenbach's performance isn't bad. As a fanatical cricket lover, Hansie Cronje broke my heart, and I forgave him(even though he didn't have to got jail or return the money and gifts he received). Yet I find it harder to forgive this film, which steals shots shamelessly from "Chariots of Fire", "Rocky" and "Dead Poets Society", and even pinches a line of dialogue from "Trainspotting". "Hansie" isn't recommended to genuine cricket lovers and doesn't have the depth to intruige sophisticated cinema-goers, but it will do reasonably well in South Africa. Overseas prospects appear decidedly limited, and I can tell you now that former England-captain-turned-ace journalist Mike Atherton certainly won't be impressed.

Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema (2008)

exciting entertainment

[9/10 · 12 December 2008]

DIRECTOR Ralph Ziman's vivid, action-packed South African gangster epic makes for exciting big screen entertainment. Highly commercial and hardly politically correct, but reeking with authenticity, the aptly and ironically titled "Jerusalema" offers cinema-goers the same sort of tough, high-energy thrills as crime epics like "Scarface", "American Gangster" and "City of God". Unlike "Tsotsi", it's not out win awards, or to preach about the struggle. It's out to please crowds. Yet, while telling a strong, funny, gripping, well-acted story of a young gangster's rise to power, it also manages to paint a devastating picture of how and why crime has spiraled out of control in the new South Africa. Telling its tale on a broad canvas, it begins in Soweto in the early 1990s, introducing the audience to two teenage boys, Lucky Kunene (Jafta Mamabolo) and his best friend Zakes (Motlatsi Mahloko). Lucky is an intelligent, ambitious youngster from a poor single parent home who is accepted into university. He doesn't, however, get a bursary, so he tries to earn money through various legitimate schemes. None of which succeed. Eventually he and Zakes are sucked into crime though their relationship with Nazareth (a potent Jeffrey Sekele), an angry disaffected, former ANC guerilla. And soon they're hijacking cars ("affirmative repossession", says Nazareth). But, after a botched robbery and a near fatal encounter with the police, the lads must flee to the "jungles" of Hillbrow. Cut to five years later. Lucky and Zakes (now played by Rapulana Seiphemo and Ronnie Nyakale) are operating a pirate Taxi and scraping by. It's a dangerous life and when armed rivals steal their taxi, Lucky decides to return to crime. "Jeruselema" might shock some middle-class viewers, but it is riveting fare and the crowd I saw it with clapped and cheered along with the action. The charismatic Seiphemo delivers a stunning performance - turning Lucky into a surprisingly sympathetic anti-hero, and he's superbly supported by Nyakale, Sekele and a devilish Malusi Skenjana, who plays a slimy Nigerian drug dealer. Then there are the great action scenes and the powerful underlying themes. This vibrant, violent, colorful, authentic crime thriller, which pays homage to Michael Mann's classic, "Heat" heralds a new dawn in South African film-making and is highly recommended to audiences looking for top notch entertainment.