2011. Dir: Steven Soderbergh. Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Jennifer Ehle, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. ●●●○○
Contagion does a great job of changing the way you think. For a few hours after leaving the cinema I was afraid to touch door handles, hand driers, bar snacks, nervous of using public transport and definitely avoiding coughing in peoples faces. All of these apparently harmless activities now seem to invite painful inevitable death. One minute you could be throwing dice in Macau, gleefully planning to shag your ex, and the next your cranium will be cut in half by nervous pathologists. Steven Soderbergh's clinical thriller, analysing the likely response to a global pandemic, certainly ratchets up the tension but objective approach and multiple storylines prevents the audience from empathising with the characters and ultimately we left with the impression of a heavy handed Government Information broadcast.
Picking up the story from day 2 and the first anonymous victim stumbling under a lorry in his Hong Kong Soderbergh has deliberately avoided the usual disaster movie conventions, instead he's trying to understand the likely battle against a rogue flu. So we follow Laurence Fishburne's head of the Centre for Disease Control, with his field operative Kate Winslet trying to contain the virus and his top scientist Jennifer Ehle finding a way to beat it. All the while Matt Damon's everyman and Jude Law's harbinger of doom blogger are caught up and carried along by the collapse of society as fear and desperation become even more viral than the initial bug.
Soderbergh is trying to replicate his success with Traffic, weaving a multi-character arc around an issue we will all face from time to time, however the storylines don't provide enough of a variation to create a satisfying whole. In his 2000 masterpiece each of the major plot informed reactions to the others, here they feel tacked on, even when Fishburne and Law debate their point on TV news or when Marion Cotillard surveys Gwynneth Paltrow's last steps these seem ultimately disconnected events. Some sections manage to make an interesting case to have seen more of - ultimately the CDC sections are the most compelling - however others seem unnecessarily sparse (Cotillard is especially hard done by) and Matt Damon's personal travails come across as petty and small - and he loses his wife and stepson in the first 10 minutes of the film!
The messiness also seems to detract from the central thesis, the status quo for mankind isn't panic and disorder but trust and sacrifice. The scientist that tests a drug on herself, the reasercher who gives up a coat, the man in a queue picking up a passport, the importance of a handshake. These are the minor moments that define us as human beings.
We do see some nice performances, Jennifer Ehle's resourcefulness is a highlight, as is Elliott Gould's proud academic (a character I really wanted to see more of), indeed none of the cast are doing a bad job it's just a shame so many of them have very little to do.
Steven's work as a cinematography also throwbacks back to his earlier experiments with colour filters, here a sickly green hue permeates through the action, queasily altering our general perception. There are also some nice touches with out-of-focus shooting, even if we have seen all these before. The script also provides some belters, "Blogging isn't writing, it's graffiti with punctuation." easily winning plaudits as the most quotable line. So naturally I repeat here - spraypainting my thoughts on the wall of the internet.
Overall I would say this is a competent movie and would recommend it (if only to make everyone think twice about going to work when they have a cold) but I couldn't help thinking probably had something better inside of it, maybe a much longer miniseries or jettisoning the other stories and focusing on the work of the CDC could've have kept the film sharper.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Contagion
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Laurence Fishburne
Happy Birthday to
Laurence Fishburne
50 today
Laurence has been slumming it the last few years with a lucrative but questionable role in CSI, however with the contract running to an end we're going to be lucky enough to see him back on the big screen. Next up is Steven Soderbergh's killer virus thriller Contagion, pictured.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
20 for 2011: 1 - Contagion
Finally we reach my top pick for 2011, the film I'm most looking forward to seeing is...
Steven Soderbergh's Contagion.
Steven Soderbergh, that former darling of the American indie scene, is a cinematic chameleon, his back catalogue encompasses the full gamut of genres from biopics (Che) to star laden comedy (The Ocean's trilogy) to experimental art (Bubble). Even his misfires are generally considered to be worth watching, as they exhibit an understanding of form and content almost unparallelled in modern cinema.
For Contagion he reunites with The Informant writer Scott Z. Burns for what is described on imdb as "An action-thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak." That's just the tip of the iceberg, as the hyperlink movie will take in a variety of stories including familial sacrifice, panic-stirring bloggers, the collapse of Governments as well as the race to find a cure.
Originally planned to be shot in 3D, the latest I've heard is that has been quietly dropped as Soderbergh wasn't happy with the results, proof that he is serious about this multi-character drama. Indeed it seems to indicate the sort of serious mind he brought to Traffic, his superb take on the war on drugs.
Like that previous picture the cast is huge, and hugely talented, including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Lawrence Fishburne, Elliott Gould, Jude Law, Gwynneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and John Hawkes (recent Academy Award nominee for Winter's Bone). In case you weren't aware that little lot have 3 acting Oscars and a further 12 nominations between them, it's the sort of cast list you didn't think you'd see anymore and the sort of cast that wouldn't just sign on to anything.
In short this is a fascinating prospect, a director whosework I trust and have a long time affection for, working within a curious and underused genre with a castlist out of this world. How could anyone not be excited by this.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Reflections on Coping (Out this week - 09/07/10)
Deciding what to watch at the cinema this weekend will be relatively easy for most people, in fact if the wind is right I can probably hear the frantic screams of Team's Edward and Jacob as they glorify their new Gods. I do mean the sarcasm, but not maliciously, the reviews are easily sighting the latest Twiglet adventure as the best of the series so far, however for the film of the week, in a very competitive middle standard week, will be the 7/7 themed picture London River. 
Frownland
If the trailer is anything to go by this American indie will have scratching your head and trying something else, but if you like your hero's babbling and leechlike then this could be for you.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema
South African Gangster movie (I imagine you guessed at least part of that) cleverly highlighting the seedy underbelly of Jo'burg now the World Cup is nearly over. The trailer made me think of American Gangster so it might work.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Leaving
Kristen Scott Thomas slips into one of her French speaking roles as a middle-class wife and mother who falls for her bit-of-rough handyman. As all the relationships begin to disintegrate you'll be left wondering if there's any hope for humanity.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
London River
With the fifth anniversary of the London Tube bombings having passed this week you should check out Rachid Bouchareb's (Days of Glory) story of grief and coming together with two parents looking for their commuter children and expecting the worst. Brenda Blethyn and Sotigui Kouyaté's acting styles couldn't be further apart and the pair compliment each other perfectly.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○
Madrasapattinam
Watching the trailer of this I wasn't so much struck by the interracial love affair against the backdrop of India's independence so much as the appalling acting by the lead white guy. I think I should move to India, bound to get lots of work there.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Milenge Milenge
Gaudy costumes abaound in this modern Bollywood musical, with a tagline He was the wrong guy for the right girl you know how it will end. Probably servicable entertainment.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Predators
I've never seen the original so I'm not automatically this reboot is pissing on Arnie's legacy but it does look drivel. The only fun that might be had is guessing what order our ragtag bunch of ne'er'do'wells get offed. I'm guessing Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne and Alice Braga are the last three standing.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
The Seventh Dimension
Homegrown horror movie in which hackers break into a secret vatican computer system that holds the key to predicting the future although they prove it by finding clues to the 1929 Great Depression, so the current financial meltdown isn't good enough for you. By the way, I wonder what sort of glasses you need to watch a 7D film?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Twilight Saga: Eclipse
EEEEEEEEEK! AAAAAAAHHHHHAAAGGGGHHHHH! EEEEEEE-EEEEEEK! etc. etc. OK, I'm not the taregt audience but the reviews are positive, it's making a mint, and as well as the three stars there's an impressive supporting cast of "I know you" young actors like Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Nikki Reed, Jodelle Ferland, Cameron Bright and Dakota Fanning.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Friday, 22 January 2010
Out this week (22/01/10)
There are a couple of films this week that I fancy seeing, and a couple more look quite good too. If you're in the mood for something less mainstream then I would suggest trying Un Prophète, but the film of the week has to be Jim Sheridan's Brothers with it's superb cast list and worthy heritage.
Armoured
Or Armored if you happen to live in the US. The premise to this thriller is really interesting, revolving around a security van crew who hijack their own van. With a large portion of the second act taking place with one guard getting cold feet and locking himself inside. Interesting cast too - including Laurence Fishburne and Matt Dillon.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Boys are back
The first of the two films I fancy seeing this week is based on the true tory of Simon Carr, diarist for the Independent (which is my paper of choice). There have been some changes to the story - Australia instead of New Zealand and a sports journalist instead of politics - but the concept of always saying yes as a parent has stayed the same. Should be a good watch.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Brothers
The more starrier picture is Jim Sheridan's remake of Suzanne Bier's Brode. Essentially it's a family drama about the damage of war both to the men who fight it and to their families left behind in the proud tradition of The Best Years of Our Lives and Coming Home. If it comes close to the power of those films it's well worth the ticket price.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●○○
Ninja Assassin
US based martial arts movie starring South Korea's biggest crossover pop star Rain and directed by James V for Vendetta McTeigue.. All about a man turning his back on the ophanage that raised him. Did brisk business in the States, so expect some tills to ring this weekend.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Un Prophète
Just this week Jacques Audiard's powerful prison drama has been listed among the final 9 for the Best Foreign Language Oscar this year, and it's hotly tipped for one of the nominations. It concentrates on a young Arab man (Tahar Rahim) forced to compromise his morals and his ideas whilst inside.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Veer
Hindi movie set during the 1800's and described as an epic love story of a warrior. Extremely bombastic trailer with some ananchronistic costuming and dastardly British supporting roles.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Laurence Fishburne
Happy Birthday to
Laurence Fishburne
48 today
Of all the projects (8, according to IMDb) Laurence is working on it's the one's I think I'm least likely to be able to see that I'm most interested in. Black Water Transit is the Hurricane Katrina inspired thriller from the controversial director Tony Kaye - somehow I doubt it'll ever see the inside of a cinema. And 4Chosen has already been pushed back over two years in production. I just can't bring myself to feeling excited about Armoured.
Monday, 15 September 2008
What's Love Got to Do With It
1993. Dir: Brian Gibson. Starring: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis, Terrence Riggins and Vanessa Bell Calloway. ●●●●○
As I mentioned in my last biopic review it is difficult to seperate our thoughts about an individual from the film about them. Admittedly this is slightly easier with Tina Turner, she's a fantastic performer but let's face it she isn't Gandhi. In What's Love got to Do With It there is a struggle to seperate the Tina of the music and the Tina of the best-selling autobiography on whcih the film is based.
After a brief intro where Tina is abandoned by her mother the film follows the rise and fall of the abusive relationship between Tina and Ike Turner, played by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne respectively.
The film makes harrowing viewing. From early on the nature of Ike Turner is revealed in his cavalier attitude to his ex's attempted suicide and cheap wedding to Tina. This escalates into fist fights and one particulary tough to watch rape scene.
Both actors manage extremely well in these scenes, which must have been tough and harrowing to film.
I was especially impressed by Fishburne, whose explosive violence was often followed by moments of either immense alpha-male behaviour or pitiful whining. His cries, early in the film, that everyone leaves him are shockingly believeable both as a cry for help and as a hook to keep Tina locked into the cycle of abuse.
The camerawork and editing are professional but nothing to write home about, but the set direction and costumes are marvellous. We get a real sense of the times as they move from the 60's through to the late 70's.
Where the movie fails though it's the "westernisation" of the abusive couple. Tina is given no persoanlity flaws at all - a perfect angel throughout seemingly incapable of any unprovoked negative act other than pride in her voice. On the other hand Ike is always portrayed in a negative light, even the tough way he deals with his group (surely a necessity in show business) is only made light of. Most of the other characters are either tacitly complicit with Ike's behaviour, see Zelma Bullock, or seemingly ignorant to the situation like the rest of the band.
I don't want to sound like I'm defending Ike. He most certainly was a vicious bully. And there can never be an excuse for domestic abuse on this scale. But maybe if the screenplay went some way to recognise Ike's skills then it may have got that fifth star.
