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The Trader (2018)
Bleak but brilliant
This documentary offers a bleak look at poverty by following a trader and his work in the small villages of the Republic of Georgia. Although one could argue the style is slow and boring, it is employed to reflects the mundane, hard and dream-crushing nature of poverty and the villagers simple existence. The directors juxtaposition of the joy and childhood and the harsh reality of adulthood in these community creates a surprising emotional depth to the short documentary format.
Naturally it will not resonate with everyone with such a simple style and subject matter, but give it 23 minutes of your time and be pleasantly surprised.
Darkest Hour (2017)
Outstanding acting, with (mostly) great directing.
Gary Oldman is outstanding as Winston Churchill, providing a captivating performance of Churchill's 'Darkest Hour'. For the most part Joe Wright does a great job will flashes of artistic brilliance in an effort to make the film special. Hitting this mark on the odd occasion, his desire to create something unique and special actually detracts from the main draw of the movie, Oldman's performance. As a result most of Churchill's dialogue is forgettable as it becomes less about the man and more about the reaction of the people around him- mainly the government and the British public.
Nevertheless it is still well worth the watch with one of Oldman's best performances on screen. 8/10
Syriana (2005)
Too many characters, too many timelines, poor dialogue
Syriana's faults lie within the scripting with fine directorial choices being made. Employing a 4 multiple timelines is a difficult task and one that is not achieved very well. Yes, the structure is meant to mirror the complicated ugly nature of the U.S.A's relationship with the middle east and oil. However, it leaves the audience unable to connect with the characters and the plot, relying on poor and forgettable exposition. As a political thriller it has moments where the potential shines through often as a result of the score. Although, those moments are few and far between. George Clooney's performance is passable- not deserving of a best supporting academy award however, that should've belonged to Gyllenhaal.
The ending of the film is disappointing, with the very end forseeable and cliched, while Clooney's end fate literally made me burst out laughing with some of the most ridiculous dialogue I have ever heard.
3/10