Films in 100: The Bourne Legacy (2012)

The Bourne Legacy (Tony Gilroy, 2012)

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weiss and Edward Norton.

The beginning was a bit befuddling due to my ignorance to the set of of the Bourne films. Once the film got going it was quite good fun, with Jeremy Renner making a great action hero. However, the plot remained one dimensional throughout, charting Renner's escape and his quest for survival, eventually closing without a final act. The ending fight sequence was not spectacular enough to carry the end of the film, leaving me incredibly dissatisfied with the end product. Yes, it left me wanting more, not because it was so good, but because the story they were telling had not yet finished.

2/5

Films in 100: Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (2011)

Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (Fredrik Gertten, 2011)

This compelling documentary charts the struggle of two Swedish filmmakers as they find themselves battling Dole Food Company to show their film about a law suit against the company. The film is a fascinating look at attempts to quell free speech and its ultimate triumph, showing the extent to which you can undermine something with enough funds. The filmmaker's success ultimately stems from the support of their small country, something that others would not have had, leaving one to wonder how easily a different outcome could have been. Of course, this latest film leaves the filmmakers just as susceptible to another law suit. Let us hope their previous success put the company off.

4/5

Films in 100: Argo (2012)

Argo (Ben Affleck, 2012)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman.
 

An accomplished thriller about escapees from the American Embassy hostage situation in revolutionary Iran, and their rescue in an unlikely operation. An extraordinary tale of true events, the film racks up more tension in its final act than the whole latest season of Homeland. Affleck proves himself as a filmmaker, balancing effortlessly the threat of Iran with the comedy of the sequences in Hollywood, leaving a coherent narrative. The all American stance did leave a rather negative light on the Iranian people, but given the subject matter of the film, it is to be expected. All things considered, pretty great.

4/5

Films in 100: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Timur Bekmambetov, 2012)

Starring: Bejamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell.

A wise man once told me not to take myself too seriously. Unintentionally hilarious, this ridiculous concept and sincere execution leads to a joyous watch. This is a film where one gains vampire slaying abilities by by “not believing in fear, but believing in truth” and then follows Abe Lincoln as through his life from the early years to the presidency, winning the civil war by slaying the vampiric South. Incidentally, this is the last film my local cinema showed on 35mm, so will always hold a special place in my memory. How could one not have a raucous time?

3/5

Films in 100: The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

The Amazing Spiderman (Marc Webb, 2012)
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field.

The teen romance plays well due to the chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Superhero wise, however, the film is not great. The use of the same air solvent concept as Batman Begins (2005) leaves a feeling of familiarity and removed threat. This threat is further removed by a terrible villain, a CGI Lizard, leaving the audience pining for Raimi's version. Garfield puts in the best performance he can, but still seems to end up talking about algorithms, leading me to wonder why I wasn't watching The Social Network (2010). Distinctly mediocre.

2.5/5

Films in 100: The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers (Joss Whedon, 2012)

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson

 

Great fun, snappy dialogue and decent special effects. Every fan boy (or girl, as the case may be) was surely waiting with baited breath for the ultimate comic-book movie, which saw Marvel's most loved heroes team up to save the world, and Joss Whedon did not disappoint. The plot was arbitrary and sat on the back burner as witty dialogue and one liners took to the fore, leaving audiences howling, cheering and routeing for their favourite Avenger to come out on top. The ending fight sequence was spectacular, providing a pace in which the length is not noticed. An ideal blockbuster. Good job, Whedon.

4/5

Films in 100: Amour (2012)

In a new series of articles I will be posting 100 word film reviews of all the films I have seen over the past 12 months. I will post at least one a day until I am caught up and then continue as I watch films. The first is Michael Haneke's wonderful Amour (2012).

Amour (Michael Haneke, 2012)
Starring: Jean- Louis Trintignant, Emanuelle Riva, Isabelle Hupert, Alexandre Tharaud, William Shimell.

Fantastic. So simple, so painful. Truly wonderful. Charting how the love of a couple is strained as the health of one deteriorates, leaving the partner as carer. The performances are spot on. The depiction of death and decay is truly heart breaking, with motifs showing the slow breakdown of health and the increasing claustrophobia felt by all involved. This is shown in the sequences with the pigeon. I do not think I have ever experienced a film that has made me feel such extreme emotion, such intense grief. One of the best films I have ever seen, but not the most enjoyable.

5/5