Valkyrie - the makers of Valkyrie commit that most unforgivable of sins - their film is so dull that I couldn't care less whether Hitler lived or died. Tom Cruise is Colonel Von Stauffenberg - a soldier selected to assassinate Hitler and overthrow his government. Sounds like a great premise for a film but even a solid director like Bryan Singer, someone who certainly knows how to craft a thriller, can't eke any thrills out of such plodding material. Sure it looks handsome, and is nicely photgraphed, but much of it borders on tedium.
C-
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - the quirkiest title of the year in a self-consciously quirky film - think Juno, but far less successful. I don't mind quirky. I liked Juno as much as the next man (as long as the next man isn't
Matt.) But if I'm honest I was fairly irritated halfway through the opening credits, which is a pretty impressive going. The cast are all likeable but the script just didn't do them justice.
C-
Defiance - another WWII film - the third of 2008 - and the third WWII film of '08 that blows hard. It's dull, unconvincing and... well isn't that bad enough? Ed Zwick isn't everyone's favourite director but I actually liked The Last Samurai a lot. This is the sort of worthy bore-fest that makes him hard to defend though.
D
Revolutionary Road - stunning Sam Mendes film (goes without saying) that was criminally overlooked by those fine folk that nominate the Oscars. The only actor to get a nomination in this terrific film was on screen for about 3 minutes. DiCaprio and Winslet are wonderful and deserved better. Winslet's nomination for her role in The Reader instead of for this superior effort is inexplicable. Review to follow.
A
Valkyrie - the makers of Valkyrie commit that most unforgivable of sins - their film is so dull that I couldn't care less whether Hitler lived or died. Tom Cruise is Colonel Von Stauffenberg - a soldier selected to assassinate Hitler and overthrow his government. Sounds like a great premise for a film but even a solid director like Bryan Singer, someone who certainly knows how to craft a thriller, can't eke any thrills out of such plodding material. Sure it looks handsome, and is nicely photgraphed, but much of it borders on tedium. C-
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - the quirkiest title of the year in a self-consciously quirky film - think Juno, but far less successful. I don't mind quirky. I liked Juno as much as the next man (as long as the next man isn't Matt.) But if I'm honest I was fairly irritated halfway through the opening credits, which is a pretty impressive going. The cast are all likeable but the script just didn't do them justice. C-
Defiance - another WWII film - the third of 2008 - and the third WWII film of '08 that blows hard. It's dull, unconvincing and... well isn't that bad enough? Ed Zwick isn't everyone's favourite director but I actually liked The Last Samurai a lot. This is the sort of worthy bore-fest that makes him hard to defend though. D
Revolutionary Road - stunning Sam Mendes film (goes without saying) that was criminally overlooked by those fine folk that nominate the Oscars. The only actor to get a nomination in this terrific film was on screen for about 3 minutes. DiCaprio and Winslet are wonderful and deserved better. Winslet's nomination for her role in The Reader instead of for this superior effort is inexplicable. Review to follow. A
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