Film Review: West of Memphis (15) (New Zealand/U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Amy Berg) Monday 18.02.2013 20:15 The Filmhouse Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

This is a documentary about the case of the 'West Memphis Three', who in 1994, were tried and sentenced for the gruesome murders of three eight year old boys, despite there being no evidence to convict upon. This case has been documented previously by the likes of the 'Paradise Lost' documentary trilogy, which although did an important job of keeping the case in public awareness also had a tendency to meander and loose focus. Despite this being a long film at two and a half hours, it has a far better sense of focus and clarity. By focusing upon what was not handled as it should have been in the case including evidence that was ignored, the film gives a very good overview of  the 18 year period since the incident and subsequent trial. The film is not exactly balanced, though I think it would pretty much be impossible for this to be achieved given the circumstance.

This film goes beyond the Paradise Lost films in getting the elected persons who would benefit from the final outcome to speak on camera and by their words show themselves to lack any morality in regard to any persons directly concerned with this case; the wrongly convicted, the real perpetrator(s), the victims and their families. Any anger I find to be tempered by the calm presence of the three wrongly convicted, none of whom ever appear to even come close to negativity.

Although I already knew what happened with this case, the film was an engrossing watch, well composed and considerably better than the sprawling Paradise Lost. Amy Berg, who previously made the exemplary 'Deliver Us From Evil' about the accusations of pedophilia in the Catholic Church in the United States, is clearly very skilled at documenting very complex matters in a clear and concise manner. I could not recommend this highly enough for people who are interested in miscarriages of justice. I cannot find fault with this film.

Rating: 10/10.  

Film Review: Smashed (15) (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: James Ponsoldt) Saturday 16.02.2013 20:45 The Filmhouse Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

This is a film about a young married couple who 'drink' excessively. The female, Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), is a primary school teacher who lands up going to work hungover and vomiting in front of her  class. One of the children asks if she is pregnant, and she uses this as a way of hiding the real reason, though at the same time she begins to want to do something to address this problem.

The film then explores how difficult it can be to stay sober when those around you, who you know from when you were drinking, are not taking the same steps. How lies you previously told to hide the issue, knock you back down when people are informed of what the truth is, and are unable to react in any way other than hurt/seeing as a personal slight.

The cast are perfectly decent, though it is Mary Elizabeth who is central to all that happens, and who gives a very well measured performance as someone trying to cope with her problems while trying to hold on to what she has. This is easily her most serious, grown up and raw performance. Some of the other characters felt as though they could have benefited from a bit more fleshing out, though I am quibbling. The film is not overly grim and has some good moments of humour. It's ending  felt refreshingly optimistic without being saccharine.

Rating: 8/10.

Film Review: No (15) (Chile/France/U.S.A. 2012) (Spanish with English Subtitles) (Director: Pablo Larrain) Tuesday 12.02.2013 20:45 The Cameo Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

This is a film about a plebiscite held in 1988 in Chile for the military junta to try to legitimise it's rule. The electorate had two potential answers to give. Yes, to more rules of military role, or No, to refuse them the rite and force a transition to democracy. Each campaign for Yes and No had there own daily 15 minute slot on state television to get their message across. The film tells a story of the No campaign, led by the advertising worker played by Gael Garcia Bernal. The film is well told and acted, and again one of these films where you know what the ultimate outcome was, though not necessarily what happened to individuals involved. There is a sense of genuine threat to the portrayed family of Gael Garcia's character, as the junta get more and more desperate to try to cling onto power.

The film was shot on U-Matic Videotape giving a genuine 1980's look to the image on the screen. Although this assisted with anchoring the film in the time of it's setting, it could not always handle the bright light and was showing burn out in the image. Overall I don't think the film used really added anything, and it could have easily been portrayed well on modern film stock.

The film was not outstanding, though was a very engaging film to watch. It showed well the details of how such conflicts can affect the everyday lives of families and is well rooted in a sense of community as opposed to, for example, concentrating on the armed forces. It felt rewarding and enlightening.

Rating: 8/10.