Rocknrolla (2008)

RATING:	60%
FORMAT:	DVD

(www.aceshowbiz.com)

The usual Guy Ritchie exaggerations of cockney life via the criminal fraternity that should bring a smile to most lips.

As always, humor is very much to the fore and, in this case, a complicated plot and breezy style helps conceal the lack of a true story or theme that one can sink ones teeth into.

That said, the performances are excellent from a great many fresh faced actors. They do their utmost to breathe life into the plot heavy narrative that refuses to let real characters surface in its headlong race to feed the audience the details of its twists and turns. Many stereotypes are neatly reversed for comic effect, particularly those concerning Blacks and Gays.

This is entertaining filmmaking by numbers that never lets up until the sequel promising denouement.

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Copyright © 2009 Frank TALKER. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute it in any format; provided that mention of the author’s Weblog (http://franktalker5.blogspot.com) is included: E-mail notification requested. All other rights reserved.

Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Rating: 60%

(http://lyricspassion.blogspot.co.uk)

[Whether you know… or not]

Know it or not, is a rather lengthy exposition of flimsy subject matter; viz, having a member of the complementary sex as a friend while evading the fact that you love them.

The difference between friendship and sexual love is outlined but never fully explored despite the first-class, ensemble acting performances. Genelia in particular is a fresh face who is girly and funny all at the same time - without a hint of artifice.

Most of the humor comes from the clash between tradition and youth. Jai is raised by his mother to be non-violent and so finds increasingly-imaginative ways to avoid being bullied. Yet, his lady love prefers men to fight for her honor at all and every turn. To him, she is too aggressive; to her, he is a coward. Ultimately this is a film about infatuation and growing pains, not fully-fledged mature love.

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Copyright © 2008 Frank TALKER. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute it in any format; provided that mention of the author’s Weblog (http://franktalker.blogspot.com) is included: E-mail notification requested. All other rights reserved.

Szabadság, Szerelem (2006)

DVD

Rating: 100%



(www.sbs.com.au)

[Children of Glory]

Love story set against the backdrop of violent political conflict: Just for once, this movie is everything it's claimed to be. It actually defines and illustrates love rather than the usual Hollywood mush of hopeless ideals and narcissistic longing.

Two completely different people find each other, themselves and that shared values are worth killing for. Analogous with the Hungarian nationalism of 1956 (under Soviet occupation) where freedom's fight is also the struggle for personal identity.

Clearly, sport and politics should mix as, at the Melbourne Olympics, Russians and Hungarians play each other - the crowd very much against the Russians. Not very sporting, but it's always nice to see totalitarians getting the kicking they so richly deserve.

The acting is particularly fine especially Kata Dobó who fully embodies her role.

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Copyright © 2008 Frank TALKER. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute it in any format; provided that mention of the author’s Weblog (http://franktalker.blogspot.com) is included: E-mail notification requested. All other rights reserved.

Wanted (2008)

RATING:	40%
FORMAT:	DVD

(http://actionflickchick.com)

Fundamentally-bizarre hybrid of identity politics, Chaos Theory and religious karma that simply does not work. The standard Hollywood nonsense of claiming personal empowerment comes through becoming an assassin is taken to its absurd limit. (Obviously, a Fraternity of pacifists would make poor viewing!)

It starts well with an anonymous accountant reminding us our own ordinary, mundane jobs. It eventually reveals, however, an anger toward its own audience that must surely alienate them from it. It openly criticizes them for watching films like this rather than getting to know who they are and, in so doing, achieving their full potential.

Very good actors are wasted with characters that make little sense and a plot that desperately seeks new ways to stylishly show the destruction of human flesh through semi automatic gunfire.

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Copyright © 2009 Frank TALKER. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute it in any format; provided that mention of the author’s Weblog (http://franktalker5.blogspot.com) is included: E-mail notification requested. All other rights reserved.