Fury (October 2014)

Official Australian release date: 23/10/14. Viewed: 20/10/14.

Director: David Ayer

Actors: Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LeBeouf, Michael Peña, Jon Berhthal

Genre: Action / War / Drama

Rating: MA

‘Fury’ is set right at the end of World War II, with the American’s slowly forcing the Nazis back towards Berlin. This is different to lots of WWII films, since it’s not D-Day, or the Western front, or Pearl Harbour – it’s just five guys in a tank, driving across Germany, fighting Nazis when they appear. And that’s the film’s strong point – it’s very realistic. There’s death, mud, weary soldiers, fleeing civilians and prisoners everywhere.

Sure, it wasn’t filmed in Germany (England instead), but the costumes and sets look believable. There’s really only three battle scenes, with the reality of war (lots of waiting around) being illustrated to full effect. And while probably accurate, the drawn out interludes of no action make the film longer than necessary – I think this would have made an excellent 1 hour 45 min film, rather than 2 hours 15 min.

Don (Pitt) is not actually the main character – it’s really about new recruit Noman (Lerman) and how he fits in with this tight Sherman tank crew, and more importantly, how he deals with the horrors of war and killing other humans. The tracer fire looks great on the screen, but there’s not enough action or incentive to care for the characters and their mission to make this a classic war film. See ‘Patton’ if you haven’t!

Overall: Solid, realistic war film, if unspectacular.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars. 

Tusk (October 2014)

Official Australian release date: 9/10/14. Viewed: 9/10/14.

Director: Kevin Smith

Actors: Justin Long, Michael Parks, Johnny Depp, Genesis Rodriguez, Haley Joel Osment

Genre: Drama / Horror / Comedy

Rating: MA

What. The. Hell? That pretty much sums up ‘Tusk’. It’s basically a “trapped with someone evil” horror movie, with some Kevin Smith humour thrown in here and there. Sure, there’s some laughs, but they’re mostly incredulous. Now, I’m a pretty big fan of Smith’s and I used to listen to SModCast (but haven’t heard the one this was based on) and I’ve seen all his films and stand-up DVDs. But even still, this has to be the worst thing he’s done. I admire him for taking a risk and doing something unexpected, but ‘Red State’ was at least new, exciting and inventive. ‘Tusk’, not so much.

Before this turns into a total bagging, let me point out some of the pros – the score is great, the use of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Tusk’ (“don’t say that you love me!”) is pretty great and fitting in its scene and some of the language and nuances that Parks uses are fantastic. Depp is also pretty funny as the unrecognisable (thanks to a fake nose and, I think, contacts) detective.

But it’s just hard to ignore the total and complete nonsensicalness. Why is it set in Winnipeg, Canada, but filmed in North Carolina, USA? Why would Parks leave the phone lying around for Long to find? How is Parks supposed to be 90+ when he’s only 74? Why do we need to see Joel Osment & Rodriguez pretty much talking to the camera when Long’s not there, adding nothing to the story? Why does Parks do what he does? There’s no real motivation there. Why does none of the plot make sense? Why do we need over half of the movie being exposition before anything happens? All I’ll say is, see it if you’re curious, but be prepared to be grossed out and simultaneously underwhelmed.

Overall: Odd, grotesque, unnecessary weirdness.

Gav's Rating: 1.5 stars. 

The Skeleton Twins (October 2014)

Official Australian release date: 25/9/14. Viewed: 6/10/14.

Director: Craig Johnson

Actors: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell

Genre: Drama / Comedy

Rating: M

‘The Skeleton Twins’ certainly sounds ominous and depressing from the title and the fact that both siblings, Milo (Hader) & Maggie (Wiig) try to commit suicide within the first 10min of the film – but it’s actually not too bleak and has a lot of funny moments throughout.

There’s definitely some heavy issues the twins discuss/contemplate – cheating, death of a parent, unsupportive other parent, job/money issues – but once they reconnect, they bounce off each other in a very enjoyable-to-watch way, particularly the miming of the Starship song. Quite a few witty remarks throughout and it’s not too long at less than 100min.

Wilson is good as the too-caring/energetic husband of Maggie’s and Burrell is OK as the forbidden ex-boyfriend of Milo’s, but it really is the two leads that carry the film and make you invest in them and their decisions. The ending is ultimately uplifting and appropriate.

Overall: An interesting look at depression and sibling love.

Gav's Rating: 3 stars. 

Gone Girl (October 2014)

Official Australian release date: 2/10/14. Viewed: 5/10/14.

Directors: David Fincher

Actors: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon

Genre: Drama

Rating: MA

‘Gone Girl’ is a hard movie to review – I really don’t want to give away too much, because the less you know, the better. I’ll say this much – it’s a very engrossing mystery/thriller, that’s for sure. Certainly lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing and engaged throughout.

The main problem is the length – at over two & a half hours, I feel like it could have been wrapped up in a double ‘Law & Order’/‘CSI’-like episode (i.e. one & a half hours). Sure, it’s moody and suspenseful, but it definitely drags at times. The ending is a little ridiculous, but fits with the rest of the film.

On the plus-side, the acting is superb, with Affleck & Pike doing the majority of the heavy lifting and truly lending gravitas to their characters. The support cast is also great – Coon as his sister, NPH as the ex-boyfriend, Perry as the lawyer and Dickens as the detective. The Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross score is again ominous and fitting, if a little bland at times.

Overall: A fairly original gripping murder mystery.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.