TonyAtTheMovies Reviews

Downsizing (2017)

Big issues in a small world

[8/10 · 7 July 2020]

The idea of miniaturisation isn't a new one in fiction - think of the 1950s film The Incredible Shrinking Man and at least one Doctor Who story where the TARDIS crew find themselves in a 'giant' world - but this film has a different, ecological and social, angle. For a start, over the story's timespan thousands of people are being miniaturised, creating their own communitiy and giving rise to issues of difference and prejudice. This particular story charts one man's journey through this and how he meets these issues. To say that the film is ecological/social in its approach doesn't make it heavy or 'preachy' as the issues grow quite naturally out of the scenario of so many people becoming 'small' (rather than a lone individual or small group as in many previous stories with the same plot device). The film's director has said that he didn't want to make an especially political movie - it's just that the situation in the movie quickly takes on political aspects, as situations often do in real life. But as a movie Downsizing is very watchable, and a very humane story. It's billed as a comedy, whereas I would place it under 'Comedy-Drama' - it's not laugh-out-loud material but there are some nicely observed moments in it. Oh, and in case you're wondering, at no point do any of the protagonists get chased by a King Kong-sized cat etc.

Easy Rider (1969)

Life on the Road

[9/10 · 12 June 2020]

This movie proceeds at the relaxed pace its protagonists live at, but there are key moments in the plot which mean that the movie doesn't just amble along to nowhere in particular (but at the same time these moments don't feel contrived). There's a great sense of place and landscape, which you might expect from a movie set mostly outdoors - a real feeling of 'lives in a landscape' among the characters, these are people whose lives have all been defined by their landscape, either in working with it or wanting to fight against it and move away. For the protagonists, being 'from L.A.' makes them objects of fascination or loathing. But they find companionship and fellow-feeling as well as opposition along the way, so all is not lost even when it might seem to be. Which is no bad impression of life to take from any movie.

The Lost City of Z (2016)

Civilisations Lost and Found

[8/10 · 12 June 2020]

Having not known quite what to expect from this movie - had it been made anytime before 30 years ago that might have been easier - I actually found it fascinating, and it held my attention the whole way through. Based on a true story, it paints a vivid picture not only of the Amazonian region which Percy Fawcett and his men set out to explore, but also of the Western society they came from, but in a fairly balanced way - this didn't feel like another case of 'weren't Western white people before 1980 all absolutely dreadful' but rather a portrayal of a society with its own beliefs and attitudes (as all societies have) faced with the prospect of discovering another, much older, civilisation.

This wouldn't be a film for fans of action movies as such. Instead it offers a fascinating study of place, society and the often slow and hazardous process of discovery and its effect on the people - all of the people - involved.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

A difficult Frontier to cross?

[8/10 · 16 July 2019]

A number of people, including William Shatner himself, have been quoted as saying that this movie doesn't have a plot or at least doesn't seem to know where it's going. While I've no wish to disagree with Captain Kirk himself, personally I've always felt that this movie has a perfectly clear plot and I don't think that's just down to my having a degree in theology. Star Trek has never shied away from metaphysical themes and this movie gave the movie series to venture into that territory, and a good job it makes of it too. The movie doesn't preach for any particular religion, and it still has the humanity and humour of the previous movies and Star Trek in general, as well as having plenty of pace and adventure to it. On first viewing I did wonder where this story, about a renegade Vulcan who claims to have found the home of God, was going (in several senses), but the conclusion - not to be given away here - is clear, satisfying and, well, logical. Which for a story involving two (or one-and-a-half) Vulcans is just as well ... 8/10

That Thing You Do! (1996)

Those Things You Have to Do (as a Band)

[9/10 · 8 March 2019]

The fun and convincing story of four young guys in a local pop band in early 60s America who make a record, and what happens next... As they progress in the US pop business, the film paints a picture of the business at that time, including characters ranging from a very doubtful would-be 'manager', whose office is his truck, to Tom Hanks' slick, go-getting record company executive. The soundtrack features very accurate pastiches of 60s pop songs styles, including Motown and pre-Beatles pop ballads. And of course the title song, which we get to hear a number of times as the band promote it on TV and on tour, giving the feel of what it's like to 'live with' a song as you take it on the road and end up playing it for the fiftieth time while that night's audience are hearing it live for the first. The life of the band as four guys is convincingly portrayed - love lives, struggles with management, artistic compromise, artistic influences and differences between themselves - giving the film a reality, depth and colour. I won't spoil the ending, but this enjoyable film portrays four young guys (and their best friend girl) having the time of their lives while also facing the struggles that their dreams and choices, and life itself, bring. Well worth seeing.

Lucy (I) (2014)

An 'amazing story' for today

[8/10 · 18 March 2017]

Confession time first – I was initially drawn to this movie because it stars Scarlett Johansson, a favourite screen actor of mine who by this time had become enough of a 'star' to help a movie into the listings even (perhaps especially) though the script may be a little outside the usual Hollywood fayre. This movie may be a case in point, the story of a girl who accidentally ingests a dose of drugs which cause her to bring into use the full power of her brain beyond the 'ten percent' of it which we normally call on.

It's worth remembering that this movie is a work of fiction, based very loosely if at all on any real science, rather than a documentary, something which director Luc Besson has himself pointed out in at least one interview. But while it's not something you'd quote in a science paper, this movie is a great piece of entertainment whose pace and increasing scale make for a great adventure.

Scarlett Johansson is found again in the kind of role which she plays so well, that of the bemused 'outsider' who doesn't initially understand what's going on around – or in this case, inside - her. Her journey from this state to one of awareness and growing command of her increasing power gives the film a very strong narrative drive.

During one sequence, the title of one of the old pulp sci-fi magazines, 'Amazing Stories', came to mind. 'Lucy' is truly an 'amazing story' for our day, based very loosely (if at all) on actual science, but if taken in that spirit – as a 'scientific thriller', perhaps - it makes for great entertainment, and is well worth seeing.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Well worth finding

[10/10 · 11 July 2015]

A warm and quietly compelling portrait of two people trying to navigate their own changing circumstances and the strange new culture –Tokyo, circa 2003 - in which they suddenly find themselves.

Bill Murray, as Bob Harris, portrays a world-weary film and TV actor who's on yet another job to pay the bills and who looks as confused by his latest workplace as any new visitor. He gives probably the most convincing portrayal of jet lag I've seen.

Scarlett Johansson is so good at portraying characters who are 'outsiders' in some way, and here she is excellent as the bemused, curious and disoriented Charlotte, newly-married to a young photographer and accompanying him on a shoot. Her character especially benefits from Sofia Coppola's proved skill in portraying young women on screen, while her character and Bill Murray's are equally well-observed and well-acted.

The film has some nicely-observed comic moments while convincingly conveying the sense of being 'lost' in a foreign culture and trying to find one's bearings there and in the wider world, and even in life itself.

And it must be said that Tokyo comes over as a really vivid and 'live' place – it's only strange to the two visitors because it is what it is.

All in all, a real gem of a film, excellent.

The Fall Guy (1981–1986)

Fun, entertaining show with action & humour aplenty

[9/10 · 29 July 2014]

Both seasons of this show offer good, undemanding entertainment with a nice blend of action and humour. Perfect viewing for a Sunday afternoon, or whenever you want to relax & be entertained by a TV show, I'd say.

Good idea to have a trio (sometimes quartet) of main characters – this brings a nice interaction between a group of regular characters which fills out the show and gives it an extra lift, adding personality to the show (a regular writer's technique, but always good to see it in action and working as well as it does here).

Some episodes also feature circa 1980s Country music on their soundtracks – though some of this was changed for the DVD releases because of copyright - so the show can be pretty easy on the ear too!