DVD Reviews – the joy of eating and the folly of thinking

Dawn Raid 2021 (dir. Oscar Kightley) VS WeWork or the making and breaking of a $47billion Unicorn 2021 (dir. Jed Rothstein)

In the same way that watching The Big Short and Margin Call (and Kill the Messenger with American Made) together, gives you two sides of the same story. Dawn Raid tells the New Zealand side of the entrepreneurial story where hustling only gets you so far, and where a lot of good entrepreneurs (or goodContinue reading “Dawn Raid 2021 (dir. Oscar Kightley) VS WeWork or the making and breaking of a $47billion Unicorn 2021 (dir. Jed Rothstein)”

For All Mankind 2019 (co-created by Ronald D. Moore) vs Liaison 2023 (created by Virginie Brac)

With “For All Mankind”, (currently streaming on Apple TV) – an alternate history drama where the space race never ended, the characters are what make it work. That’s almost a cliche but it’s so apt. Karen is a deeper version of a typical 1950’s housewife, it’s the late 60’s but alot of the ‘wives’ didn’tContinue reading “For All Mankind 2019 (co-created by Ronald D. Moore) vs Liaison 2023 (created by Virginie Brac)”

THE IMITATION GAME

Alan Turing is one of the most important minds in history – a father of invention. He invented a machine that became the modern computer. But why did he do this? Enigma. Enigma is the name of the Nazi code system and machine for all of their communications during World War 2. An unbreakable codeContinue reading “THE IMITATION GAME”

HAWKING (2004)

Benedict Cumberbatch portrays a bright kid with a passion for knowledge, mown down by a degenerative disease. We begin with two scientists who are about to accept an award for a discovery. The Nobel Prize. Stephen endures the science of what we now believe. Which he is destined to shatter with his own discovery. InContinue reading “HAWKING (2004)”

THE FIFTH ESTATE

Telling the main story in flashbacks has failed consistently in its effectiveness in contemporary films. We have seen this in the weaknesses of The Social Network and The Iron Lady and in most biopics. They have won awards from antiquated institutions by using stale stylistic flourishes, ways of making that have worked in the past.Continue reading “THE FIFTH ESTATE”

BIG KAHUNA

Understated. This film is a minimalist – almost a video stage play about travelling salesmen, set at a convention. It’s about what you can tell about someone from a handshake. What you can learn about each other – three men sitting in a hotel room for a day. Phil (Danny DeVito) as the kind andContinue reading “BIG KAHUNA”

THE BIG SHORT (2015)

This film, together with Margin Call (2011) are the best depiction available of the subject matter; the real estate crash of (2007-2012) and the shudder of the world’s economy. One of the coolest things about this film is the way it is truly accessible for people with all kinds of backgrounds, especially considering the complexityContinue reading “THE BIG SHORT (2015)”

THE COLLECTION (2012)

Polished B-horror of a serial killer nature, but not much fun. Stock standard build-up and introduction of genre-typical characters. The innocent, self-effacing loser who is in love with the reluctant gentle heroine, Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick) whose best friend is the slut. The asshole ex-boyfriend, and we all know what happens to the despicable character. LookingContinue reading “THE COLLECTION (2012)”

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)

Parenthood is depressing, unlike the romanticism of the first meeting on the train. This film is depressing until Jesse (Ethan Hawke) starts talking about his writing – with the passion almost as full as it was in the first film (Before Sunrise.) The viewer may anticipate the terrible American faux pa at the dinner table,Continue reading “BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)”

PAY IT FORWARD (2000)

Although I much prefer the grownup version of Haley Joel Osment to the pouty little prick from Sixth Sense, Helen Hunt as Arlene, Jim Caviezel (Jerry) and Kevin Spacey are brilliant in this movie. I re-watched this recently, and it’s nothing if not entertaining. I love the Utopian theme, but it could have been farContinue reading “PAY IT FORWARD (2000)”