Film Review: Big Eyes (12A) (U.S.A. 2014) (Director: Tim Burton), Filmhouse, Screen One, Edinburgh, Monday 29.12.2014, 20:35

I was intrigued by this film due to how unburtony the promotional coverage was. Tim Burton is a director I have a lot of time for, though he can be hit 'n' miss. The film tells the true story of Margaret & Walter Keane. At the point of meeting for the first time, Margaret understands Walter to be a fellow artist. After they were married Walter begins to take credit for Margaret's very distinctive work using the rationale that people don't buy female art. By this being a true story, it is predictable from the off that this lands up in court.

The film was a good presentation of how socially in the 1950's and 1960's it was very normal for wives to be dominated by their husbands in the U.S. of A., to the extent of their self identity becoming vastly compromised. 

Amy Adams was very good as someone trying to do the best they can in difficult circumstances. Regrettably Christoph Waltz's character was like a great big slab of ham. I understand that it is possible that this may be a fairly accurate portrayal, though it still felt too heavily acted. 

The film distracts itself for a period, to put over questions about what is art. I feel this unnecessarily complicates the film as is not relevant to the central strong thread to the film, that of someone being denied ownership of their work, work that is also very popular with others despite what art critics may think.  

The film is a good watch, a reasonably well told though flawed yarn, though to me it is not up there with the best of Mr. Burton's work.   

Rating: 07/10. 

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.