atcallan Reviews

Alone in Berlin (2016)

A harsh reminder of how quickly evil can spread

[7/10 · 31 January 2017]

There is really very little you can criticize about a story when the story is true. The adaptation for the screen can come under scrutiny, but in this case there really is no cause for concern. It is a beautifully shot and crafted piece of cinema. Excellent Cast, and solid direction.

You are introduced to a view of history from a less common angle. The lives and story of people who opposed the rise of Nazi Germany from within. People who stood up to the fear, collusion, and general despair of the masses. Most too scared to fight back, choosing instead to lay low and hope for the best.

You can draw frightening parallels with the world today. Except we have social media to voice our anger and concerns at what we see as injustice. The tyrants and demigods around the world fight to block free speech on the internet just as Hitler and the SS did in Germany in the late 1930's and 40's. If you disagree with them you are wrong and risk being silenced and oppressed.

This film depicts the pre-internet world's attempt at quiet resistance. Slower, less reach, but still shows the importance of non conformity in the face of oppression. A valuable watch for all who love true stories, and perhaps particularly relevant at the moment.

Allied (2016)

wonderfully romantic and entertaining

[7/10 · 30 January 2017]

Brad Pitt has never been a brilliant actor, he does what he does very well, but he is always Brad Pitt. That said you can't help but like him and the characters he plays. And this flick is no different, the stoic secret agent working behind the lines, calm in the face of danger. His leading lady also more than adequately plays her role. The pair drive the film along at a decent pace.

At times the locations and sets appear a little unbelievable. And in the latter part of the film there are also a few kinks in the story line which suffer from the same problem. Just a few things that wander too far away from what is reasonably believable about the characters.

That said this film narrowly misses being an 8/10. It's good, could be a little better, and ends in a slightly unsatisfying way. But overall it is well worth a watch. The first half is really excellent.

Jackie (V) (2016)

Bland and disappointing

[5/10 · 30 January 2017]

I was drawn to this film as it was an alternative look at the events surrounding the assassination of JFK....

Unfortunately for me it fails, the Acting is wooden, the accents feel forced. And the pace is so dreadfully slow. The were really no other things to report.

Disappointing is the key word here. Could have been so much more, but I'm just not a fan of Natalie Portman. I just don't think she is convincing in any of her roles.

Far too much slow dialogue with little substance or drama. It looked nice but was hollow, left me cold.

The Girl on the Train (2016)

disturbingly good

[7/10 · 30 January 2017]

It is one of those where people will cry "read the book, the book is so much better". But isn't that always the case. A book allows the reader to create their own visuals, to personalize them in some way. Where as a film shows you the interpretation of another.

That said it is very watchable, tense, and intriguing. The story line twists and turns, keeping it unpredictable and maintaining the viewers interest. Solid performances all round from a quality cast.

The whole feel of the film is Gray and cold, it fits perfectly with the narration. A sad lonely lost woman, tormented by personal crisis. Looking out of the train window at the same scene during her daily commute.

Well written, well acted, well shot. A little slow perhaps. But a well crafted film worth of a couple of hours of your time.

The Trust (2016)

Unusual, but too chaotic to be entertaining

[6/10 · 30 January 2017]

Nicholas cage is without out a doubt won of the most successful actors of his generation. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny he is talented at what he does. Ever since Wild at Heart he has made playing weird characters his niche.

In "The Trust" he goes a step further. Many of his characters over the years have been a little too similar, but this time he goes all out to be different. And he does it very well with this performance. A very weird and unsettling man, who is far from likable, but remains interesting and unpredictable throughout.

That said, the story line suffers from being too predictable at times and too unbelievable at others. A rather unsatisfying chaotic experience that leaves the view wondering what else they could have been doing for the last couple of hours.

It rates poorly with me simply because it left me cold. Too much violence and madness, with little cleverness in the plot line to balance it out.

Passengers (I) (2016)

not bad, but....

[7/10 · 29 January 2017]

It isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. The idea is original enough. The effects are spectacular. The plot line is solid enough.

But it does lack a few things which would make it brilliant.

Firstly the cast are beautiful, but they are a little unconvincing in their performances. A little too light and "Hollywood" for my taste. The typical holiday block buster approach, with too many attempts at humour in what would actually be a terrifying situation.

A good idea spoiled by the Hollywood blockbuster method to making movies. A better cast and perhaps a slightly darker approach, would have made for a much more memorable film.

Taboo (2017)

Outstanding

[9/10 · 29 January 2017]

Never usually a fan of TV or film set in this period of history. So I watched the first episode a little apprehensively, fully expecting to tire of it and start looking at Facebook.

But I could not have been more wrong. It is dark and interesting, with unexpected turns in the story line. Excellent performances all round by a star studded cast.

Just watched Episode 4, and it continues to keep me gripped and wanting more. There is an evil thread to the story line bubbling away under the surface which is slowly starting to become clearer.

A must for all who enjoy edgy drama with a hint of the supernatural. The violence is brutally realistic and shocking without being over the top. It fits with the time, without dominating the story. The whole thing is shot in great locations in a very stylish way, credit to the production crew.

Lion (2016)

Outstanding

[9/10 · 29 January 2017]

Every once in a while a film comes along which stands out from the pack. A film where all of the elements come together to create a visual storytelling work of art. It doesn't happen often, perhaps once a year if we are lucky. And it nearly always happens with true stories like this one.

The cinematography is beautiful, and whilst the locations perhaps made this easy. Add a musical score that is one of the best I have heard in years, and you are still only halfway to making a masterpiece. The cast and direction complete the recipe. With brilliant performances from all involved.

If there is one film you see this year it should be this one. It is an emotional journey with moments of sadness and anger, mixed in with joy and relief. A good movie makes you feel something, this one makes you feel everything.

Miss Sloane (2016)

Slow to start, but picks up the pace. Interesting story with good performances

[7/10 · 29 January 2017]

It is clear from reading other reviews that this film has upset some of the NRA gun lobby people. Despite the narrative that runs through the film, about "control" not meaning, "the lefties are coming to take your guns". Clearly many of these people slating the movie have not even bothered to watch it. In my mind the film promotes common sense and suggests the petulant bickering of both sides to be nothing more than political jousting, rather than genuine concerns about rights or safety.

The film itself has many positive performances, it is well shot, and despite a slow start. The story picks up pace to a superbly crafted ending. The leading lady is an intimidating hard faced lady, who will be attractive to some, but perhaps not to all. That said any movie where the leading character is not easily likable, can be refreshingly interesting.