Film Review: Zero Dark Thirty (15), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Kathryn Bigelow), Saturday 26.01.2013 17:00, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

I was not interested in this until I watched Film 2013 on 23.01.2013. I did not enjoy Kathryn Bigelow's last film 'The Hurt Locker', and generally find her films to be too masculine for my tastes. It was hearing comments about the flawlessness of the last 40 minutes of the film that intrigued me. I also had hope as the lead is performed by Jessica Chastain, who I have seen in several film performances over the past couple of years and find her to be dependably good. This is the film about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

The so-called 'controversy' about the torture scenes, strikes me as silly. They are shown early in the film and presented as clearly having no positive affect on their quest. Katheryn Bigelow is being accused of being manipulative with images used and also of being the United States Military Forces lap-dog in this regard. To have not included such scenes would have been more circumspect in my view. I think such scenes had to be included and agree that depiction is not the same as condoning. Beyond making such observations, I think it is not possible to judge the film-maker positively or negatively on the basis of this single film. As has been pointed out this is a 'film' based on an exploratory process that did occur, though it is certainly not journalism.    

As with Lincoln, which I watched just prior to this, the central performance was very impressive and well handled. A serious portrayal of a serious role. I could not grumble about any of the supporting actors, though it is Jessica who holds the attention throughout. The pacing was apt, with the sense of urgency increasing to the climax. It felt more engrossing than Lincoln (perhaps this is due to it relating to very recent events), and although long the running time felt appropriate and it did not appear to drag. I would not say it was exciting, this may not have been possible with the outcome having been known beforehand, though it did feel gripping right up to the end.

Rating: 9/10.

Film Review: Lincoln (12A), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Steven Spielberg), Saturday 26.01.2013 13:40, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

I was intrigued to see this, due to the prospect of Daniel Day-Lewis performing as Lincoln. A Spielberg historical epic is not enough to get my interest.

The cast were faultless, though it was Day-Lewis's performance which was of particular note; appearing yet again to fully inhabit the character he is portraying, to the extent that at times I did find myself forgetting that it was a performance. It was also amusing to see James Spader as a portly chap with a swagger to him; quite a departure fro previous roles.  The film was quite engrossing, and although it did not drag, it did feel to have a gentle pace.

It was refreshing to see neither slavery or the civil war to the fore, and in the most part the focus was upon the machinations of politics. The film focuses solely upon the last four months of Lincoln's life, encompassing the work to bring about the thirteenth amendment (to abolish slavery) and the end of the civil war. This I feel assisted both the focus of the piece and the absence of unnecessary flab. Lincoln's demise was also handled in an appropriately restrained and dignified manner. Although this is a solid film that I find hard to have fault with, at the same time it did not feel particularly exciting or gripping.

Rating: 8/10.

Film Review: The Sessions (15) (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Ben Lewin) Sunday 20.01.2013 15:30 The Cameo Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

This film is based on the true story of Mark O'Brian (John Hawkes), a quadriplegic confined to spending half of his time in an iron lung and the other half inert and horizontal, who aged 38 employs a 'sex-surrogate' (Helen Hunt) to assist him with loosing his virginity. When I first Heard about this film, I was not drawn to it, as suspected as it is American, that the subject would be treated in some trivial or saccharine way. Then the more I heard about it, the more intrigued I became. 

I am glad I went to see this. It is humorous & humane; an entirely appropriate and adult treatment of the story/subject matter. It never drifts into titillation, or mawkish sentimentality. This shows, that given particular subject matter, the United States is entirely capable of an intelligent presentation of sex and the realities of the human body (not just in regard to disabled bodies). 

I thought Hawkes & Hunt were very engaging as well as acceptable and believable in the roles. Even William H. Macy, who I usually find quite difficult (with the exceptions of 'Magnolia' & 'The Cooler'), in the minor role as Mark's priest was perfectly watchable. I found the entire film to be genuinely refreshing, engrossing and heartwarming. By the end I was in tears due to the beauty of the story and it's telling. I would recommend to anyone. The first film of 2013 that I can find no fault with. 

Rating: 10/10.     

Film Review: Django Unchained (18), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Quentin Tarantino), Saturday 19.01.2013 14:15, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

Firstly I would never usually go to see a western as it is the one genre that I usually have no tolerance for. The only reason I am seeing Django Unchained is due to it being made by Quentin Tarantino.

The film concerns a man, freed from slavery to assist a bounty hunter. Then being assisted by that bounty hunter, to exact revenge against those who have been keeping his wife in slavery.

Jamie Foxx is perfectly serviceable in the lead role, though the best performances are given by Samuel L. Jackson as an enslaved servant who is happy to suck up to his boss and only look out for himself & Christoph Waltz as the bounty hunter who frees Django. Samuel is creepy in how willing he is to be overtly subservient and simultaneously show no concern for other members own his own denigrated race. Christoph, as in Inglourious Basterds, shows a clear degree of charm and relish.

The film is long, although it does not feel to be dragging at any time. The dialogue although feeling to be more restrained than usual, was still clearly the work of Q.T.. The film was enjoyable with humorous moments and suitably grim passages of revenge.

At no point did I feel uncomfortable watching it, as I usually have done when trying to watch a western in the past. Though at the same time in terms of Tarantino films, I find it easy to say I prefer Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 and Inglourious Basterds. I would put this on a par with Jackie Brown & Death Proof. So not great, though perfectly enjoyable.

Rating: 7/10. 

Film Review: American Mary (18), (Canada 2012) (Directors: Jen Soska & Sylvia Soska), Saturday 12.01.2013 22:00, The Filmhouse, Screen Two, Edinburgh (Followed by Q&A with the Directors & The film's star Katherine Isabelle)

This is regarded as a horror film (as with the lead actress I'm not sure of this categorisation), which I was intrigued by due to the amount of glowing reviews it had been receiving and due to it concerning body modification, an area of expression I am interested in and which is barely covered in films with cinematic release.

The story concerns a surgery student Mary Mason (Katherine Isabelle) who becomes disillusioned with her studies and becomes involved in carrying out procedures on people wanting body modification. The film deals with prejudice towards body modification, though not in any great depth (though at least it is being covered). Nor does it really deal in any great depth the reasoning as to why people want body modification except touching upon elements of expression and self-protection. Again, good it is being covered at all, for this to be explored in great depth it would probably take a drama for this.

The film also contains aspects concerning love and protecting loved ones, grief, abuse, exploitation and revenge. The central performance is great and carries the film. The film has lots of humorous elements and moments. There are also moments which some would find squeamish, though within these moments a lot is suggested rather than seen, as with any good horror. The film is very enjoyable in the most part. Towards the end it does appear to become slightly unsure as to how to end.

This is the directors, also known as the twisted twins, second film, though the first with any budget to speak of. On this showing, they have considerable potential and I will be intrigued to see how they develop. I would recommend to those interested in original horror films and films that concern society's fringe communities.

Rating: 8/10.

The Q&A was fun and the directors and star came across as bubbly and enthusiastic folk. I had a question to put to them, though at the Q&A they were handing out posters to anyone who asks a question, which made me more reluctant. I was there with a friend and did not wish to appear to be just out to get freebies. I went ahead and asked the question. I had noticed with curiosity that the film is set in Aberdeen Washington, which I have only really ever known of due to it having been where Kurt Cobain grew up, and this is the first film I have known of to be set there. I asked if there was significance to the setting the film there, to which I think it was Sylvia confirmed it was due to her being a massive fan of Kurt Cobain. I am now the proud owner of an American Mary poster.       

Film Review: Gangster Squad (15), (U.S.A. 2013) (Director: Ruben Fleischer), Thursday 10.01.2013 18:20, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

This is 'based' on the true story of the L.A.P.D. taking on mobster boss Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) in the 1940s. Despite an alluring cast which also includes Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone & Nick Nolte, this is a dreadful film. It was flashy and shiny, yet is so tediously dull and boring, that the actors felt wasted on this. The story has no depth and the dialogue wooden; it has not a single redeeming element or quality - it may as well have been a computer game.

Regardless of who you are, or what your tastes may be, don't waste your time on this nonsense.

Rating: 0/10.