Review: Kongekabale / King's Game (2004)

Eleven days before a Danish general election, the opposition Centre Party is riding high in the polls. Then, the unexpected happens: their leader is hospitalized due to an accident. Deputy leader, Lone Kjeldsen (Nastja Arcel) makes a tilt for the leadership. When journalist Ulrik Torp (Anders W. Berthelsen), recently appointed to the parliamentary news desk, starts getting wind of a possible fraud committed by Lone's husband, Mads (Lars Brygmann), he wonders he's a pawn in a party coup. Could it be organized by the shadow finance minister Erik Dreier Jenssen (Søren Pilmark) and his press secretary Peter Schou (Lars Mikkelsen)?

This film criticizes the media's cosy relationship with political parties and government, where the press is all too willing to participate in spin rather than to discover the truth. However, it's not subtle in presenting this point of view: Ulrik seems much too idealistic and naïve to have lasted long in journalism, Lone is too ineffectual to be the deputy of a political party and Dreier just radiates animosity. Also, Nicolas Bro, as free-lance journalist Henrik Moll, gives Ulrik an unexpected lecture on the problems of the modern media.

After getting that message off their chests, writer Rasmus Heisterberg and co-writer and director Nikolaj Arcel pick up the pace, making the second half of the film a more involving thriller.

Moderately good thriller, though a little too contrived and earnest at the start.

Danish with English subtitles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: A/R andata+ritorno / Round Trip (2004)

Just before Christmas, Dante (Libero De Rienzo), a bicycle courier, decides to leave Turin to escape his dingy flat and the 20 000 Euros he owes to local gangster Skorpio (Michele Di Maurio). At the same time, flight stewardess Nina's (Vanessa Incontrada) relationship with her boyfriend is on shaky ground. When she becomes stranded in Turin due to a general strike and is unable to find a hotel room, Dante's mentor, the kindly Tolstoj (Kabir Bedi), offers her Dante's vacant room. As she pieces together Dante through his notes and books, she falls in love with him.

This film teases the audience by keeping the potential lovers apart for as long as possible. Then having brought them together, poses the question of how will they stay together given, in this case, Dante's immediate and fatal debt problem? Writer-director Marco Ponti solves it by introducing a heist element into the final third of the film.

A genial and light-hearted film. Remember to stay around for the scenes inserted in the trailing credits.

Italian with English subtitles

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Nicotina (2003)

Characters whose paths intersect in one busy night in a Mexican city: Nene (Lucas Crespi) and his partner, Tomson (Jesús Ochoa) hire computer cracker Nolo (Diego Luna) to get bank passwords for Russian gangster Svoboda (Norman Sotolongo). While on the job, Nolo spys on his pretty neighbour Andrea (Marta Beláustegui), a concert musician who is having an affair with her conductor and also her upstairs neighbour. We also meet two bickering couples, barber Goyo (Rafael Inclan) and his wife Carmen (Rosa María Bianchi), and chemist Carlos (Eugenio Montessoro) and his wife Clara (Carmen Madrid).

The story plays out roughly in real time as we watch the characters lurch from one crisis to another. The initial scenes of Nolo and his neighbour run too long and don't go anywhere other than to set up the rest of the story. Oddly enough, while everyone argues about smoking or discuss life and smoking, nicotine has very little impact on the story.

The digital cinematography is plain and realistic but rather hard on the eye. Split screen and computer graphics are used in some scenes for additional effect.

Middling black crime-comedy.

Mexican with English subtitles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Byzantium - The Early Centuries (1988) by John Julius Norwich

In the 330, after Constantine (272-337) had established his rule over the Roman Empire, he estalished a new capital in Byzantium (now Istanbul), and named the new city Constantinople. The move was due to the need to face threats to the empire from the Sassanid Persians (based in Iraq and Iran) and Constantine's dislike of Rome and its politics. Constantine also adopted the then-new Christian religion.

This book, the first of three on the Byzantine Empire by John Julius Norwich, takes us on a lively tour of the early history of the late Roman / Byzantine Empire. It covers the founding of Constantinople, the empire's loss of Italy and north Africa in the fifth century, Justinian's (482–565), and his famous general, Belisarius' (500-565), unsuccessful efforts to permanently reoccupy old imperial territories, the heroic Heraclius (575-641) defeating the Sassanid Persians in the seventh century, only to face the new threat from Arab caliphates, and finally the crowning of the Frank Charlemagne in 800 as emperor, which marks the end of Byzantium rule in western Europe. In the meantime, the Byzantine Empire suffered constant attacks from various tribes and nations from Europe and Asia, and the threat of schism between Christian churches in the east and west was never far away.

In a relatively short book covering 470 years (averaging less than a page a year), Norwich organizes chapters along the major events in the empire and provides some background and depth to the characters involved. The book also includes some good basic maps so that the reader can follow the action across two continents, and imperial family trees to help the reader trace the sometimes tangled imperial successions.

A fast paced historical narrative on a grand scale.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Invisible Waves (2005)

After Kyoji (Tadanobu Asano), a young Japanese cook, murders his lover Seiko (Tomono Kuga), he flees Macau on a cruise ship, where he meets Noi (Hye-jeong Kang), a Korean mother with a toddler, on vacation. When he arrives in Phuket, he finds he is being hunted by some gangsters, possibly hired by Seiko's husband (and his Thai boss), Wiwat (Toon Hiranyasap).

This is a languorous film made by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang and writer Prabda Yoon. It is filled with dreamlike scenes set in strangely deserted streets of Macau and Hong Kong, or aboard the near-empty cruise ship. Kyoji's journey is punctuated with minor mishaps and annoyances, perhaps reflecting his punishment for his crime. Christopher Doyle's lovely fluid and off-centre cinematography and the hesitant use of English between the characters from different cultures (obviously everyone's second language) further add to the dreamlike feeling. Most of the action occurs off screen and it's only near the end that the horror of Kyoji's crime is revealed.

While accepting that this is a slow-moving mood piece and admiring the writing and technical achievements, I found this film to be a challenge to watch. The scenes on the cruise ship go on and on interminably, and Kyoji is annoyingly dim (why go to Thailand to evade the law when your dead lover's husband may be connected to Thai gangsters?) and passive.

Thai, Japanese with English subtitles.

2 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Human Nature (2001)

An especially hirsute woman, Lila Jute (Patricia Arquette), falls in love with uptight scientist Dr Nathan Bronfman (Tim Robbins). One day in a forest, they come upon a man (Rhys Ifans) who had been living as an ape in the forest since he was a child. Nathan believes he can make animals more intelligent by teaching them table manners, and the ape-man becomes an ideal subject for his research. His laboratory assistant, Gabrielle (Mirando Otto), sensing an opportunity for fame and fortune, seduces Nathan.

This fantasy, written by Charlie Kaufman, has a dismal view of human nature. The main characters, other than Lila, are little more than selfish chauvinistic hairless apes, ready succumb to their base desires, or to torture or betray their fellows at the drop of a hat. Director Michel Gondry, who also directs music clips, delivers some imaginative set ups and montages.

Somewhat interesting and amusing but slightly underdone.

2 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Entre Ses Mains / In His Hands (2005)

In the city of Lille, Clair Gautier (Isabelle Carré) lives an ideal modern life: she likes her job as an insurance assessor, is happily married to Fabrice (Jonathan Zaccai) and has a young daughter. One day, she processes a claim by a middle-aged vetinarian, Laurent Kessler (Benoit Poelvoorde). Kessler is self-effacing, charming but slightly creepy, so it is unexpected when she allows him into her life and dates him.

Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose in the city. After hearing about the killer's modus operandi, Claire suspects Kessler might the killer. Despite this suspicion, she continues to meet him; perhaps her life is not as ideal as it seems and that she's entertaining a harmless fantasy as an escape from it.

The pair's encounters through Lille are tracked by Denis Lenoir's excellent cinematography, which shows an exciting and romantic night life in contrast to the stark office interiors and wintry days. Director and co-writer, Anne Fontaine, herself an actor, gives the cast space and time to perform.

For most of its running time, I was left guessing whether Claire's suspicions are valid or not, so it is rather disappointing when that ambiguity is neatly resolved in the conclusion.

French with English subtitles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was original published in Morva House.

Review: How to Read Novels Like a Professor: A Jaunty Exploration of the World's Favorite Literary Form (2008) by Thomas C. Foster

If you read novels for leisure, can you find a more enjoyment from reading? Thomas C. Foster thinks so. His book takes you through the elements of a novel, a brief history, narrators or voices, style and authors.

I oriented myself using the early chapter on a potted history of novels. Novels, as we recognise them, started from 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Pamela' (and the first parody, 'Shamela'), became voluminous in the Victorian era due to serialization, took on stream of consciousness ideas in the early 20th century, were declared 'dead' in the late 60s, and were reborn soon after. While the history of the novel is incidental to the subject of reading, it often gives the reader some economic or social reason for the subsequent discussion about the stucture, subject and style of novel.

Foster's tone, as indicated by the blurb, is disarmingly light and chatty, but it continuously informs you of the benefits of analysing text as you read. There's some criticism that Foster overuses the same examples, such as 'Huckleberry Finn' and 'Ulysses', it is obvious that he loves those books and it is hard to imagine writing as enthusiastically about novels that you don't care as much about.

I found this a delightful book about the pleasures of reading.

5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Coraline, The Graphic Novel Adaptation (2008) by P. Craig Russell and Neil Gaiman

Coraline, The Graphic Novel Adaptation
by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by P. Craig Russell
2008
HarperCollins

Coraline, a young girl, and her parents share an old house with two retired dancers and an man who trains rats. Bored, Coraline explores the unused rooms in the house and stumbles into a slightly warped version of our world, occupied by ghosts, talking animals and a malevolent entity.

Not having read Neil Gaiman's original book (with David McKean's art) and having avoided viewing clips of Henry Sellick's film adaption, I read this novel cold.

The story is aimed at younger readers and is pretty direct, with none of the digressions and allusions found in Gaiman's 'Sandman' series. Likewise, P. Craig Russell's art is simple and realistic, his composition uncluttered, and the pacing gentle.

Suitable for young independent readers but don't be surprised if they start looking at you strangely after reading it!

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Pour le plaisir / Everybody is a killer (2004)

In a small country town, psychiatrist Vincent (Samuel Le Bihan) treats mechanic Francois (Francois Berleand) in exchange for servicing his car. One day, Francois tells Vincent that his wife, Julie (Nadia Fares), is only aroused by killers, so Vincent suggests that Francois play along with his wife's fantasy. The next day, a man is found murdered near Francois' garage.

In this light murder mystery, most of the violence happens off-stage and the cops are self-assured but dim (you certainly don't these guys investigating your murder). Suspicion falls on one person, then another and another as more facts are revealed. The townsfolk's reaction to the murder and the subsequent revelations is represented by a Greek chorus of drinkers in the pub.

It's a slight film, but the story is efficiently told and it doesn't overstay its welcome.

French with English sub-titles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Un homme un vrai / A Real Man (2003)

Boris (Mathieu Amalric), an aspiring film maker, and Marilyne (Helene Fillieres), an upcoming business executive, fall in love. Their affair is told in three chapters, each five years apart.

The English title, 'A Real Man', is ironic because this film seems to be about the reversal of expected male and female roles. Marilyne is assertive and often makes the first move, whether it'd be throwing a party or trying to seduce Boris from working on his script. Boris, on the other hand, is more passive and reactive, and feels put upon. He's like the protagonist in his scripts (watch for the blonde he meets on the beach). It's only in the last chapter, when he leaves behind his failed attempts at film making and finds his true calling, that their roles become more equal, and we see a chance for a lasting relationship between him and Marilyne.

French with English sub-titles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Ma vie en l'air / Love is in the Air (2005)

Yann (Vincent Elbaz) is airline safety inspector who falls in love with Charlotte (Elsa Kikoine). When Charlotte travels to Australia for a year, Yann's phobia about flying stops him from visiting her and she dumps him. Years later, after many failed dates, Yann becomes attracted to radio presenter Alice (Marion Cotillard), but also finds out that Charlotte in back in France.

Marion Cotillard, who takes on the role of Edith Piaf in 'La Vie En Rose' later, is strangely mesmerizing, while Vincent Elbaz is just a little too confident for the slightly introverted and dreamy Yann. The attractive leads play it straight, leaving most of the humour to Yann's indolent best friend, Ludo (Gilles Lellouche) and a distracted airline pilot Castelot (Didier Bezace).

If you accept the improbable premise, the preponderance of good looking women in Paris and coincidences, then you could just sit back and enjoy this light romantic comedy.

French with English subtitles.

3 out of 5 stars.

Review was originally published in Morva House.

Review: Turing's Delirium (2007) by Edmundo Paz Soldan

Turing's Delirium
Edmundo Paz Soldan
2007

West of today, Bolivia is in turmoil caused by zealous privatization and inequality. The government of ex-dictator and president Montenegro struggles to hold on to power against a coalition of unionists and indigenous people. The government's secretive Black Chamber department is called into action to track down crackers who attack their systems. Expatriate Ramirez-Graham is the recent head of this department, after the previous head, Albert, suffers a breakdown. Miguel Saenz was Albert's favorite cryptologist, but Ramirez-Graham has moved him to manage the archives. Deprived of his purpose and his mentor, Miguel drifts through life, unaware that his wife Ruth has been collecting evidence of his activities with the former regime, and that his daughter Flavia is flirting with danger. Unknown to them, former judge Cardano is looking to avenge the murder of his friend by government agents.

This is a carefully written novel, transplanting the recent history of Bolivia to a plausible and not too distant future, where the effects of the privatization of public assets on poorer citizens are played out. However, the cyber elements are minimal and conventional, and Albert's recitation of the history of cyptography is tedious. Once you read past the introductory chapters and know which parts to overlook, the novel is reasonably engrossing as each character finds their goal.

3 out of 5 stars.