Reviews

Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive is utterly impressive. It's not often that our antihero can pull off a satin scorpion jacket while still maintaining his pure awesomeness. Anyone who was thinking about possibly seeing this film should stop "thinking" and get out and see it.

In the opening sequence it's clear that the main character - only given the title of "Driver" and no name - portrayed by Ryan Gosling, is not someone to be messed with. We hear his tag line from the trailers about what he does ("I drive.") The car chase scenes are fantastic but what really makes this movie is the characters that aren't built up to much in the trailers. I went in expecting a good action film and what I got was a modern day Taxi Driver. Gosling's character is a man of few words but that doesn't mean he's ignorant. He knows the slime in his city and how they operate.

After a pawn shot robbery goes wrong, Driver is left with a bag full of cash and the top dogs of L.A. after him. All he wants is out, not the cash, not a reward, just out. Unfortunately the powers that be don't trust him and what ensues is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat til the end.

Filmed in L.A. the movie is a stunner that has everything. The beautiful scenery, impressive action, beautiful woman (Carey Mulligan and Christina Hendricks) as well as a great cast. Gosling does a great job in this film (I'm still unsure if he was the best pick, I like how he played the role I just think he may be too good looking for this character) but it's Albert Brooks that really brings a whole lot of energy to the party. Perhaps he's why I'm reminded of Taxi Driver, except this time he's the one who's making the treats.

See this movie. Go go go.

In most cases a movie can condense the subject matter of a novel or story it is based off of. Such was the case in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. However, in this instance it should be said that this movie could have gone on for another 30 minutes or an hour and that would have been perfectly acceptable.

The film could be described as a analysis of the psyche yet a better way to describe it would be to say that it is an action film with no discernible action. The drama is there but your on the edge of your seat because it's your brain versus George Smiley's - wonderfully portrayed by Gary Oldman - and that's a battle you can't help but lose. Although it should be said that if one doesn't figure out who the mole is before he is relieved you're not paying enough attention to the film. The pieces are placed before you and explained but it's up to the audience to put the puzzle together.

The casting done by Jina Jay was wonderfully done. The roles were fitted snugly and were great representation of the characters created by John le Carre. As mentioned Oldman portrays a great George Smiley, and Colin Firth as the likable Bill Haydon. John Hurt, though a small role, showed Control as a character you couldn't help respect even if you didn't like him. But perhaps the character that deserves the most credit was Peter Guillam played by Benedict Cumberbatch. A relative unknown when compared to the rest of the cast, Cumberbatch was able to balance the youth of the character with the responsibilities thrust upon him by the likes of Smiley.

It's no wonder this movie is getting rave reviews but note that if you truly want to get an understanding of these characters it's certainly not too late - even after seeing the film - to pick up a copy of le Carre's novel and find out just who is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Poorman, and Beggarman.

For everyone who saw and loved In Bruges, have I got the next movie for you…The Guard. This is a fantastic piece of cinema brought to us by John Michael McDonagh, the brother of Martin McDonagh, who was writer/director of In Bruges. This is the first major film directed by John Michael McDonagh and it does not disappoint.

Set in western Ireland, The Guard begins aerial view of a drunk driver cruising down the highway at high speeds. Right from the start it's easy to understand where the humor will come from – Brendan Gleeson, who also played a large role in In Bruges. The car goes out of frame, skids, squeals, and crashes in front of Gleeson's patrol car. Oh, did I mention he's a cop this time? Quite the role reversal. The crash wakes him – slowly – from his day dream and he pulls up to check out the scene. After rummaging through the pockets of one of the people in the car he finds a bag of drugs, which he tosses away from the body, though, not before dropping a tablet of acid for himself. Cut to introductory credits.

If this doesn't get you off, leave the theatre and begin questioning your understanding of what's funny. The rest of the movie is comprised of smartass remarks and brilliant dry humor.

Don Cheadle plays a straight laced, by the books, FBI agent from the States investigating a drug smuggling scheme that's rumored to be happening in the area. These two must work together to find crack an overlapping case (Cheadle's looking for the drug lords, Gleeson's looking for murder suspects – the same people). It's a good buddy-cop narrative between the two and they work really well together.

I don't want to gush too much more over this movie, just go see it. I'll leave you with a quote that should depict a fair picture about the humor in this movie: Gleeson: I'm Irish. Racism is part of my culture.

See this movie. Until next time folks, cheers!

This movie is funny right from the start and maintains its comedy throughout the film. Sudeikis stole the show of the three leading men, though Day and Bateman were great in their own joke set-up and delivery.

Jamie Foxx was the best of the cameo actors and even though he wasn't in the movie for more than 20 minutes. His few lines and stares were priceless.

Definitely one of the best comedies that I've seen in a while. One worth checking out in the theatre or at the very least a rental.

Yours truly, David Rowley