Film Review: Dragged Across Concrete

S. Craig Zahler’s latest film Dragged Across Concrete is uncomfortable yet often enthralling viewing. 

Two cops get suspended from the police force for using excessive force. The pair decide to descend into the criminal underworld in order to get compensation, but the payday is anything but simple…

Ostensibly a crime thriller, with a two hour thirty-nine minute run time, Dragged Across Concrete is a sprawling tale of various parties with eyes on a big prize. Writer-director S. Craig Zahler’s film does not follow a predictable path. Instead red herrings are dropped, as audience are taken on a diverging journey.  

The optics of protagonists who are racist cops aren’t great. But perhaps this is the point. Dragged Across Concrete gives no comfortable heroes to root for. Instead there are only villains of varying degrees, and victims of little consequence. Is the message of Zahler’s film is that it is ok to be onside with the least worst? This is unclear. Despite some good dialogue elsewhere, there is a stilted scene in the police lieutenant’s office which seems to solely project a view of the tired “pc gone mad” diatribe. The impression given is that cops aren’t meant to be the heroes here, other mindsets may place them as anti-heroes however. This is an uncomfortable balance. Nevertheless, there is plenty to ruminate on. 

There are a few sets of characters, none of which are archetypal heroes. Instead the spectrum ranges from the flawed, necessity-based criminal to the out-and-out villain. Yet the villain does not fill the role expected. The showdown is something else, with a good deal of tension, despite the duration. With characters trying to outwit each other, it is not clear who will come out on top. 

There are several violent sequence, but less of the prolonged brutality viewers may expect after Brawl in Cell Block 99 and Bone Tomahawk. The sound design is a definite bonus. Vince Vaughan delivers a solid performance. Tory Kittles also stands out. The role of Richmond made more uncomfortable given Mel Gibson’s history. 

Dragged Across Concrete gives viewers plenty to mull over. As a director, Zahler has delivered his third solid film.

LFF 2017 Highlights Part 2

With the BFI London Film Festival drawing to a close this evening, it has been another year of some very good films, and a few excellent ones. The best films of the first week of the festival can be viewed here. Below are some LFF 2017 highlights from the second half of the festival…

LFF 2017 Highlights – Unmissable

You Were Never Really Here

Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here is tense, black, and redemptive. It is anxiety-inducing, gripping filmmaking. amplifies conventions of a psychological thriller, combining these with a revenge flick. READ MORE

Brawl in Cell Block 99

S. Craig Zahler’s Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a brutal action thriller with a great central performance from Vince Vaughn. It is certainly not a film for the faint of heart. The violence is exceptional. It is wince-inducing, and sometimes harrowing. READ MORE

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Martin McDonagh’s black comedy drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is well-written, well performed, and thoroughly engaging. The cast have an excellent screenplay to work with. The dialogue is great, and always appears natural. READ MORE

LFF 2017 Highlights – The Best of the Rest

The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi fairy tale The Shape of Water is at times beguiling, at times surprising, and a joy to watch. From the first shot of the film, spectacle is almost assured. And the film does not disappoint in this respect. READ MORE

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a macabre tale which offers the requisite tension and horror. The film is reminiscent of an Edgar Allan Poe story, albeit one rendered in a very contemporary fashion. Lanthimos’ skill here is the ramping of the tension, leading to some awful realisations. READ MORE

The Florida Project

Sean Baker’s The Florida Project is a bittersweet drama. The film is a great exploration of childhood in challenging circumstances. It is frequently humorous, without detracting its the poignancy. READ MORE

Lucky

Directed by John Lynch Carroll and starring Harry Dean Stanton in his second and final leading role, Lucky feels like an ode to character actors. Lucky is highly amusing and will give pause for thought. READ MORE

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales

Patrick Imbert and Benjamin Renner’s The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is a collection of most amusing stories. Each of the three stories is a neat length; long enough to feature a decent narrative, but short enough to feel sprightly. READ MORE

Thelma

Director and co-writer Joachim Trier’s Thelma is an engaging psychological thriller. The film offers a strong element of mystery. It straddles the uncanny; for a significant period it is unclear whether the strange occurrences are supernatural, or whether there is a rational explanation. READ MORE

Princess Cyd

Stephen Cone’s Princess Cyd is an alluring character study. What could have been a derivative teenage drama turns into something much more textured and rewarding. READ MORE

The BFI London Film Festival ran from 4th to 15th October 2017.

Film Review: Brawl in Cell Block 99

S. Craig Zahler’s Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a brutal action thriller with a great central performance from Vince Vaughn. It is certainly not a film for the faint of heart.

After getting fired from his job, Bradley Thomas sees becoming a drug runner as a solution to his financial situation. With his wife Lauren pregnant

Film Review: Hacksaw Ridge

Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge is a brutal true story which illustrates the director’s flair for storytelling. Switching between sentiment and violence, the film is utterly compelling at times.

Desmond Doss signs up to join the army during World War II, feeling it is his duty to serve his country as a medic. His religious beliefs mean that he refuses to fire a weapon. Seen as a conscientious objector, Desmond enters a gruelling battle with his regiment…

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, who was awarded the Medal of Honour for his bravery in battle. Written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight, the film focuses on Doss from his early family life to his later heroics in battle. The film is a sincere portrait of an extraordinary individual.

Director Mel Gibson concentrates on a different aspect of Doss’ life in each of the film’s three acts. The first explores the protagonist’s childhood; giving colour to his beliefs and his relationship with his family. There is also an emphasis on his father’s trauma following military service. The story moves on to Desmond as a young man. The scenes in which he woos Dorothy are heady with sentiment. At times the film is aware of this corniness. Nevertheless, the scenes are very watchable.

The mood shifts between this sweet sentimentality and more forceful drama. There is plenty of humour to be found at training camp, but again this switches quickly with the onset of darker scenes. It is the action scenes which are most memorable in Gibson’s film, however. The war sequences are absolutely brutal, offering a dizzying and terrifying depiction of battle. Viewers who have seen Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ will not be surprised by the level of violence, yet Hacksaw Ridge is unrelenting in its portrayal of carnage. At times difficult to watch, the direction, editing, cinematography and sound design create haunting sequences.

Andrew Garfield delivers a convincing performance as Doss. He is cute in the romantic scenes, and very authentic in depicting Desmond’s struggle. Hugo Weaving puts in a great turn as Desmond’s father, and Vince Vaughn is well cast in his role.

With Hacksaw Ridge, Gibson reminds cinemagoers of his adept storytelling abilities. The film is a testament to conviction, as well as the brutality of war.

Previews: Denial trailer, Hacksaw Ridge and More!

Plenty of trailers, images, and features this week, including the Denial trailer, Hacksaw Ridge, Wonder Woman and more…

Denial Trailer

Here is the new Denial trailer. The film is based on the legal battle over Holocaust denial. Rachel Weisz plays Deborah E. Lipstadt who is accused of libel by David Irving (Timothy Spall). Also starring Tom Wilkinson, Denial is set for release on 27th January 2017.

Fences Poster

Here is the latest poster for Denzel Washington’s Fences. Washington directs and stars in the film, based on August Wilson’s play. Wilson also writes the screenplay for the film. Also starring Viola Davis, Fences is out in UK cinemas in early 2017.

Hacksaw Ridge Clip

This is a clip from the upcoming Hacksaw Ridge. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, who saved many soldiers without firing a weapon in a World War II battle. Starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, and Teresa Palmer, Hacksaw Ridge will be released on 27th January 2017.

Darkest Hour Image

The first image from Darkest Hour is striking to say the least. Gary Oldman has form as a chameleon, and proves his transformation skills once again playing Winston Churchill. Director Joe Wright’s film is about the tense time the former British Prime Minister faces trying to negotiate a peace treaty with Nazi Germany. Darkest Hour is scheduled for release on 29th December 2017.

The LEGO Batman Movie Trailer

A spin-off from the wonderful The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie focuses on one of the best characters from the original film. This trailer reveals more about the plot, as well as the range of franchise characters we can expect. Featuring the voices of Will Arnett, Ralph Fiennes, and Michael Cera, The LEGO Batman Movie will hit UK screens on 10th February 2017.

Passengers Poster

Here is the latest poster for Passengers. Starring America’s current sweethearts Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, the film is about to passengers on a spacecraft transporting them to a different planet. Also starring Michael Sheen and Laurence Fishburne, Passengers is out in UK cinemas on 21st December 2016.

Wonder Woman Trailer

The second trailer for Wonder Woman reveals more about the narrative and the main characters. Set during World War II, the film tells the story behind the photograph seen in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman hits UK screens on 2nd June 2017.

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson Poster

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson tells the story of the pilot who landed a passenger plane on the Hudson River. The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, focuses on the heroic act and the investigation that followed. Sully: Miracle on the Hudson jets onto UK screens on 2nd December 2016.

Film Review: The Internship

The Internship is a comedy that is heavy on messages and values, which is amusing as it is pretty much a two-hour advertisement for Google.

Veteran salesmen Billy and Nick are out of a job when their boss sells up. When they realise their careers are redundant, Billy decides that it is a good idea for him and Nick to try out for an internship at Google…

With a story by star Vince Vaughn, The Internship‘s comedy is tempered by its desire to promote messages. These are all fine, with the two protagonists telling their younger colleagues to be themselves, to enjoy life and so on. Perhaps as a result, the comedy tends not to be of the laugh-out-loud variety, despite what the filmmakers may have intended. Laughs are fairly frequent, but there are only one or two moments that will generate more than a titter.

The journey and life choices reign high on the agenda. The Internship very much sticks to the issues at its heart. The film is less a raucous comedy and more a comedy with drama, romance and coming-of-age type journeys.

Product placement in The Internship is one of the most pronounced in the history of cinema. This is unsurprising given the premise, but this does not make it any more palatable. The film functions as an advertisement for Google, detailing what a great place it is to work and how diverse the company is. The film attempts to instil positives values in the brand. This aspect is rather interesting given the company’s recent appearances in the news.

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson have not lost their chemistry from earlier outings. The supporting cast, which includes Rose Byrne, Andrew Garfield and Aasif Mandvi, are also decent.

The Internship may not be as satisfying to those expecting an out and out comedy. There are laughs and likeable moments, but it is hard to swallow the overt promotion of a company.

Stuff To Look At

Plenty of movie stuffs this week, including the latest Man of Steel TV spot, Disney’s Big Hero 6, the Coen Brothers’ latest and a Herzog re-release…

Man of Steel

Here is the new Man of Steel TV spot. Although the film looks exciting, the TV spot fails to answer the question everyone is asking; is Gus Gorman in this latest Superman film? Really, that’s what we want to know. Man of Steel, with or without Gus Gorman, is released in UK cinemas on 14th June 2013.

Big Hero 6

Here is the first look at Disney Animation’s Big Hero 6. I want to live in San Fransokyo, it looks amazing! The film is about a robotics prodigy who finds himself in the grips of  criminal plot that threatens the city. Big Hero 6 is due for release in the US on 7th November 2014.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Ethan and Joel Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is about a young folk singer in 1960s New York. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake. But who knows, the breakout star may be the cat in the first seen in this trailer. Inside Llewyn Davis is due for release in UK cinemas on 24th January 2014.

The World’s End

Edgar Wright’s latest offering is The World’s End, starring past collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film seems like exactly what one would expect from the trio; comedy and some very strange shenanigans. The World’s End hits UK screens on 19th July 2013.

The Internship

The Internship reunites Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. The comedy is about two advertising salesmen who start an internship at Google. The trailer reminds me of that episode of Friends where Chandler starts an internship at an ad agency and he’s so much older than the rest of the interns. The Internship is out in UK cinemas on 4th July 2013.

About Time

Here is the first trailer for Richard Curtis’ latest film, About Time. The comedy stars Bill Nighy, Rachel McAdams and Domhall Gleeson. I’m getting Groundhog Day vibes from the trailer, although I think the film is going to weigh heavy on the whole consequences theme. About Time is released in UK cinemas on 6th September 2013.

Aguirre, Wrath of God

I wish Werner Herzog was narrating this trailer. Werner Herzog should narrate everything. Anyway, the director’s 1972 film Aguirre, Wrath of God gets a re-release as part of the BFI’s retrospective of Herzog in June. Aguirre, Wrath of God will be screened at the BFI and selected UK venues from 7th June 2013.

Film Review: The Watch

The Watch is a sufficiently entertaining film. The comedy needed better and more frequent jokes to become memorable, however.

Evan is an active member of the community. When a murder takes place in the store which he manages, Evan decides to form a neighbourhood watch. The other members are more keen to use the group as a way to escape their daily routine, but Evan insists on investigating the mysterious death…

The Watch offers a comedy with a science-fiction twist. Trailers for the film posit it as a straightforward comedy, which belies the sci-fi angle. The aspect of The Watch is fairly potent, particularly in the second half of the film.

The problem with The Watch is that several of the jokes fall flat. For a comedy, there is a lack of belly laughs. This is because the jokes that are present fail to work, and there are not as many of the jokes that do. The Watch could have been a lot funnier.

The elements of action and sci-fi function suitably well. There is enough in this area of the film to keep the audience entertained. The premise of The Watch is perfectly fine, it’s only in the execution that the film falters. The need of screenwriters Seth Rogen, Jared Stern and Evan Goldberg to give Evan in particular more of an emotional edge appears a misstep. As the humour does not always work, it can feel as if viewers are being lumbered with a serious angle without the comedy pay off.

Production values in Akvia Schaffer’s film are great. Performances from the cast are also good, although the main players never really step out of their comfort zone. Vince Vaughn plays the same kind of brash character audiences have seen from him before, while Jonah Hill does bring humour as the slightly eccentric Franklin.

The Watch works well enough not to bore or annoy viewers. However, it is unlikely to leave them begging for more. A suitable lazy afternoon film.

Trailer Round-Up

This week saw the release of the first trailer of Frankenweenie, one of my most anticipated films of the year. Also included is the new Avengers Assemble trailer, Neighbourhood Watch and The Dictator.

Frankenweenie

I used to be a huge Tim Burton fan. I even wrote  a dissertation on his films. More recently, like many, I have found the proliferation of remakes a little tiresome. Although it is also a remake, at least Frankenweenie is Burton remaking his own work. The original short film can be found on The Nightmare Before Christmas DVD. From the above trailer, Frankenweenie looks like quintessential Burton, with a noticeable reference to the Universal Frankenstein films. Frankenweenie is released on 5th October 2012.

Avengers Assemble

The Avengers has had a name change; it is now Avengers Assemble. The full trailer was released earlier this week, and gives us an insight into the film’s plot. Avengers Assemble features Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, the third actor to play this role in the last nine years. Nevertheless, there is continuity with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson all returning. Avengers Assemble is out on 26th April 2012.

The Dictator

This trailer has been floating around for a while, but with Sasha Baron Cohen’s Oscars appearance I thought I would share it. The Dictator features Baron Cohen doing his usual caricature thing. This time, however, the subject matter is more resonant with current affairs. No doubt there will be thematic parallels with the Middle East uprising. The Dictator is released on 16th May 2012.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is a new comedy starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. Not sure where Owen Wilson is on this one. Instead, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade round up the leads. The film is the first major Hollywood role for Ayoade. The film is about a neighbourhood watch group seemingly overstating their importance in suburbia. Neighbourhood Watch is out on 24th August 2012.

Film Review: The Dilemma

In the alternate universe of The Dilemma, Kevin James is married to Winona Ryder. Even if you can accept this, you may not be able to endure this mess of a film.

Friends since college, Nick and Ronny work together and spend time together, along with Nick’s wife Geneva and Ronny’s girlfriend Beth. When Ronny catches Geneva in a compromising position, he is torn over whether to tell his best friend or not…

The Dilemma suffers from a number of problems which impede the audience’s enjoyment. Firstly, it is difficult to identify the tone of the film. The Dilemma is not a riotous comedy, nor is it a credible drama. The film flits between a few moments of mild amusement and periods of sentimentalism. It is unclear what the film is trying to achieve, and indeed who it is aimed at.

Most significantly, however, is the fact that the film is incredibly boring for large parts. With a running time of 111 minutes, The Dilemma sometimes feels three times as long. A large part of the blame can be attributed to the lacklustre screenplay. Ronny’s indecision about how to handle the situation is played out for too long. Coupled with this is a script that often descends into corny dialogue between Ronny and Nick. Given how long Ronny wrestles with his uncertainty, it is difficult to summon the will to care about the impact of the revelation.

The Dilemma is a film concerned with a woman’s infidelity, among other things. However, another related incident comes to light part way through the movie. Although this is of a similar stature to Geneva’s cheating, it is merely swept under the carpet. There seems to be a blatant double standard in this regard, which leaves a sour taste.

Although it is nice to see Winona Ryder with a bigger role in a mainstream movie, it is just a shame that the project is this dire. The casting is highly questionable; Geneva and Nick supposedly met in college, yet she looks much younger than him. The talents of Jennifer Connelly are also wasted in The Dilemma. Vince Vaughn offers his usually shtick; the promise of his early years now fading rather. Channing Tatum is amusing with an over the top performance that is responsible for a number of the film’s laughs.

Ron Howard is a competent director, yet The Dilemma appears pretty sloppy work. The music is one of the few positives that the film offers. Overall, The Dilemma does not provide sufficient heart or enough laughs to make it a worthwhile watch.