Atonement
Anthony Macali
Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.
"Atonement" is a love story torn by unfortunate circumstance. Briony's interpretation of events are marred by jealously, and cleverly presented in a style that shows the points of view of all involved. These key events play alongside a beautiful score, complete with resounding keys of a type-writer that haunts throughout. This film is a timeless period piece and an admiral adaptation that shows the power of the written-word.
No Country for Old Men
Anthony Macali
Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.
Watch this to experience the psychotic Anton Chigurh, whose very presence on screen is terrifying, as he pursues the naive Llwelyn Moss. The chase is brutal and intense, with their confrontations providing breathtaking suspense. The film also serves as an analysis of the human condition, questioning the value of money and the principles we follow in life. "No Country For Old Men" is a mesmerising thriller that all should visit.
1408
Anthony Macali
A man who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408.
Your typical bad guy comes in the form of a mask-wearing, knife-wielding bandit, or some kind of monster or creature. But a hotel room? Funny enough, a room can be scary - and frightening enough to make you question your very own alarm clock, telephone and the walls of your home. This lodge haunts your past, with plenty of suicidal ghosts to keep you company. It's thrilling and chilling stuff, only suffering in the certain level of unease that comes in the frantic finalé. A terrifying film of terrifying heights.
Beowulf
Anthony Macali
The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.
A motion-capture animation of breathtaking visuals, "Beowulf" is a story of one enigmatic warrior, his gruff voice and the monsters he meets. The most merry-making of them all, is a large dragon with a fiery breath that blasts from the cinema speakers at full volume. The action will please the fantasy fans, and the rest will marvel at the computer graphics that tends to overshadow the plot, characters, and any other elements of the film.
Eastern Promises
Anthony Macali
The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai, who is tied to one of London's most notorious organized crime families.
Glimpses of the criminal underworld will always interest us ordinary, nice folk. "Eastern Promises" is no different, with its shady Russian mafia conducting business in equally shady parts of London. A film of mixed emotions, the charismatic performances undermine the atrocities we witness and listen to in a narrated diary. At times this flurry of conscience is uncomfortable, a minimal hinder in this compelling and disturbing piece.
Death Proof
Anthony Macali
Two separate sets of women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.
Homage to the classic Grindhouse cinema of the 80's, "Death Proof" is an suspenseful thrill-ride featuring many delightful ladies. With a killer soundtrack, the only thing that slows this vehicle is the tenuous dialogue. Most of the pop culture babble will interest you and a large portion of it won't. But let's not forget we're in a surreal world, where the crazed predator engages in a climatic pursuit which is possibly the best car sequence in history.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Anthony Macali
Diehard video game fans compete to break World Records on classic arcade games.
While the premise might not appeal to all, "The King of King" goes much further than exploring a simple video game; it's about competition at a world class level. It's arrogant Billy Mitchell, a messiah of the arcade world with many disciples - at his whim against Steve Wiebe, an innocent family man craving to be number one. It's this rivalry, unique characters and a welcome insight into the world of freaks and geeks that makes this a documentary of the highest level.
- Genre » Documentary Biography
- Release » Limited 28 Feb 2008
Rush Hour 3
Anthony Macali
After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han, Lee and Carter head to Paris to protect a French woman with knowledge of the Triads' secret leaders.
"Rush Hour 3" is a comedy riddled with contrivances. Before the franchise can sink any lower, our first genuine laugh arrives in the sewer. It's the last laugh to come till the finalé, in which an over-computer-generated sequence of fights and thrills on the Eiffel Tower are less than spectacular. You will find the outtakes the most enjoyable part, and they're not even in the movie! Don't rush to see this one.
The Kingdom
Anthony Macali
A team of US government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of a facility in the Middle East.
"The Kingdom" is an entertaining venture into a world of foreign affairs and the war against terror. The reality is frightening, in particular a bomb-making sequence where the device is constructed under a careful and meticulous preparation that sends chills down your spine. Unfortunately, much of the weight of discussion is lost in the final chapter, where a questionable chase rocket-launches into action. The forensics, politics and explosions will find an audience, but the message is lost in all the debris.
Superbad
Anthony Macali
Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.
"Superbad" is the most hysterical movie of the year so far. A simple story and adept insight into life growing up, it truly captures the awkwardness in meeting girls and the difficulty in obtaining alcohol underage. Delivered with brash dialogue that is fresh and funny, this film is Superbad-Ass.
A Crude Awakening
Anthony Macali
A theatrical documentary on the planet's dwindling oil resources.
This film is terribly powerful because it affects everyone. There is no end to the list of products fuelled by oil, and such a spoiled lifestyle of abundant cheap energy will come to a conclusion sooner than you might think. An irritating flaw in this feature is the simple and repetitive structure, a small hindrance among the wide number of interviews and facts that enlighten us on how fossil fuels have been very good to us; but that all good things must come to an end.
- Genre » Documentary
- Festival » MIFF 2006
Paris, je t'aime
Anthony Macali
Through the neighborhoods of Paris, love is veiled, revealed, imitated, sucked dry, reinvented and awakened.
It takes time to get accustomed to the vignette format of this film. As a result, the first stories will disappointingly finish too early. There are a few stories you will treasure (Bastille), some won't make any sense (Porte de Choisy), and some you would like to forget (Tour Eiffel). Nonetheless, you a get an true experience of falling in love with one another, and with Paris.
Rescue Dawn
Anthony Macali
A US Fighter pilot's epic struggle of survival after being shot down on a mission during the Vietnam War.
This film combines two of my favourite things: jungle and escaping prison. The jungle is captured beautifully: green, luscious and dense, impossible to penetrate without a machete. Escaping prison is slow, and painful. But this movie goes as far as showing many negligible details, from a crash-course in picking locks to converging the guards. The prisoners are a colourful bunch, the interplay in their state of delirium is very amusing. This is an exceptional war movie of survival and the jungle.
A Mighty Heart
Anthony Macali
The film is based on Mariane Pearl's account of the terrifying and unforgettable story of her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl's life and death.
"A Mighty Heart" is a genuine and heartfelt account of tragedy. The excellent performances reflect a true sense of the frustration, determination and suffering of all those involved. The film struggles to draw the audience into the investigation, presumably of little concern to the director with motives that seem to favour accuracy over entertainment. An authentic portrayal with a good heart, but little excitement.
Day Watch
Anthony Macali
In the war between the forces of Light and Dark, a device is found that can restore life to Moscow.
"Day Watch" is an eternal struggle between good viewing and bad. You have the good watch, its dark gothic style, impending dread and gloom, and an interesting support cast, whose stories and developments expand the scope of the others, showing more to war than the two bosses and the great ones. And you have the bad watch, a long running time, an out-of-context lesbian kissing scene, and the entire fate of the future lying in a piece of chalk. An entertaining sequel that suffers in its departure from darkness.