The Vegie reviews of Vegie and Marlow at the movies.

Title:  Død snø " Dead Snow"
Langue: Norwegian. (English subtitles)
Imdb:Død snø
Rating: M
Object: Film

Brief Plot: a group of med students (they have just begun med school) are off to "Sara's" cabin for an Easter get away. some strange man appears warning them to tred lightly or else they will attract "the evil" of the mountain. according to myth, the area was once a hotspot highway fro the 'Einsatz" a regiment of the Nazi's in 1942. the townsfolk didnt cooperate with the Nazi (did anyone?) and the Nazi stole their jewellery and fled to the mountains when the russians got to close and the townsfolk rebelled. alas the camping trip mocks the guy. he goes back to his tent. is attacked and so the attacks begin. after a round of sex by the slutty girl and fatty mcgee in the outhouse (just gross) the zombies decend. alas the group must make it back to the car or back into reception before they are killed.... 
All i have to say on this Norwegian Horror (and apparently comedy according to wiki) film is this;

if the man who cut his own arm off with a chainsaw because a Nazi Zombie managed to bite his arm, while his friend stood idly by going what the fuck? before attempting to cut a leg off as another bit him there (the friend finally reacted accordingly declaring nein, nein, nein) and then being chased by a gang of nazi zombies (note the Nazi insignia is not present on uniforms - they are also referred to as German soldiers, not Nazi's- despite the swastika in the underground cave) manages to outrun said Nazi zombies while the rest of his friends crumble through various zombie relatedf injuries - the most amazing is of course the brain bursts out of the fat mans head just after he had sex with the slutty girl in the outhouse (she of course got side tackled and disappeared.)
there also appears to be a facination with the intestines by zombies. on four seperate incidents, this particular body part was sighted. (my favourite was when the attractive boy hung off the side of the cliff using the zombies intestine as a rope.) as the budget was super nova, the intestines appear at various stages as rope, sausages and some sort of pipe.

Nutshell: in all, the concept was amazing, NAZI ZOMBIES!!! but the story line / the acting / the effects / the execution was poor.

oh and is there a reason all the Nazis appeared to have suffered radiation posioning?
Rate: 3/10

 

Brief Plot: Most people know the story of the Balibo five. Five very young, so called Australian Journalists (2 aussies, 2 brits and a kiwi) travel to Portugese Timor (modern day East Timor) to cover the approaching Indonesian invasion. The year is 1975 and journalists wear short shorts and appear to compete with eachother over news stories. Ground action is getting hot. attrocities are being committed. The Australians manage to capture footage of the Indonesian take over. Surrendering with arms over their heads, speaking limited Indonesian, these five young men shout they are australian and journalists. they are quite brutally murdered.
The Australian government says little but states to their familities that they are 'missing.'
This story was not fully released until the forth inquiry in 2006. 30 years after the event.
Balibo refers to the town they are killed in.
Enter part two of the story. The sixth Balibo some would claim. A veteran war journalist, Roger East, heads to East Timor roughly 2-3 weeks after the deaths of the aussies. he is not to know they are dead. He is under the ruse of helping José Ramos-Horta expose the invasion to the world. but no one cares. no one bothers to help this small nation under attack.
East becomes connected to the 5 journalists, tracing their final days, admitting, its not news the death of 200 brown, but if 5 white men are killed, it will be on the cover of every paper in Australia.
East discovers the truth. Horta fleas. East stays. If he goes, there will be no journalists left.
no truth to be told.
In December 1975, on a wharf with hundreds of witness' Roger East is murdered by the Indonesian army.
To this day, no one has been charged with the murder of the Balibo 5. or Roger East.
Australian films are often plagued by shifty script writers and the glorification of the hero. They are riddled with the stereotypical Australian actors that appear in every single aussie film. the storylines are usually flawed and accents put on. Balibo is an acception. Perhaps the greatest asset to this story, it that it is true. in 1975, five australian journalists were in TImor. East followed them. All died.  The Australian government hushed it up, pretending to be ignorent of dodgey deals being done with Indonesia. 

If i say anything about Balibo. It's that it needs to be seen. I feel a sense of long sought justice and a smile graces my lips when i realise this is the future of year 12 english films. this is the story of the aussie battler they will learn.
Not the cliche, manipulated Gallipoli, but a real sense of  what is Australian.
Its not only the story that needs to be told, its not the amazing acting of such a young cast; Gyton Grantly (swoon) Nathan Phillips and Oscar Isaac among others. But its the way the current time (that is Lapaglia/East's story) cuts into the past with grainey 70'sstyle camera work.
Its the way the realism of the scenes shine through. This film was mostly shot in Timor.

Underlining everything, is the awareness that this film, this classic. IS A TRUE  STORY. Thats when the film becomes overwhelming.
The attention to historial accuracy had my class (i watched this in a history in film subject) salivating.
Watch the youtube clips below to truelly understand. Watch the special feature documentaries.

And i think the film ecapulates real life. In one scene, Lapaglia, as Roger East, hides under a tree, his ankle sprained and he says. i want to go home. Not back to Deli. But home. To Australia. He wants to give up. There is no pretences. there is no exaggerated heroism. He has had enough and he wants to go home. In another he fights Horta and in classic fighing style, there is no strong closed fist epic punches. there is slap fighting and uncoordinated swings. (this is the one scene that is openly fictious. though has a political point. My class decided this was the only/best way to get this message accross without affecting the realism of the story.)

These journalists were all under the age of 30 (exclusing East) and the actors seem to fall into similar ages. Gynton Grantly who i have had a crush on since forever is remarkable. Nathan Phillips is captivating and he films much of the footage for special features. and Damon Gameau. What can I say? Damon Gameau. There is a haunting aspect of his performance. Greg Shackleton may be gone. But his life is brought back through Gameau.
Lapaglia does a good enough job. His historical accuracy is questionable but at least i dont think he is merely replicating his character from Without a Trace.

Damon Gameau as Greg Shackleton

The real report




nutshell: Fundamentally, this has been one of the best things to come out of Australian cinema in quite some time. Rob Connolly seems intent on keeping the film honest. the actors seem intent on telling the true story. It is critical of the Australian government and I hope it becomes a classic film. I hope it draws attention to East Timor, to journalism and to the deaths of five young journalists and one veteran. I don't think you can walk away without feeling a connection to the story. If you do? Watch the special features and meet the men.

Title: Alice in Wonderland
Langue: English (America)
imdb: Alice in Wonderland
Rating: M
Object: Film


Brief Plot: The Red Witch has taken over Wonderland, its left despaired and destroyed. The rabbit seeks out Alice. She has grown up, doesnt remember Wonderland, leading  to 'its the wrong Alice' saga.  Alice must defeat some flying bird thing to re-crown the white witch. the end.

My Review:

Mia Wasikowska is quite boring in this role. She appears to be confused how she travels from one scene to the next. She is pretty yes, and its not her fault that the role is just so meh. The coolest part of the film was the whole changing the dress every two seconds. yes the coolest. The 3D effects were pointless and uninspiring. The first few minutes of 'real 3D' (as opposed to pointless normal scenes in 3d) was a running through the forest scene. It reminded me of a poor mans attempt at Avatar.  I have to say, a everything about this film has been seen before. A character forgets about a magical land visited as a child, yes i see you Wendy in Hook.  Tim Burton has clearly played Zelda.The set design of both castles was the one Link rescues Zelda from. He has also seen Lord of the Rings (in particular the fellowship of the rings) especially when the nazgul attack Frodo on the cliff face...ohhhh and he took note when the fellowship went to Rivendell. He has without a doubt read the chronicles of Narnia. And i dont just mean the storyline, for who can fault CS  Lewis, but perhaps the way certain events unfolded could have been adapted. The animals talk, the return of the 'promised' child/warrior/hereo, pick a word. Characters like the Red Queens "friend," for who could understand what she was actually saying, seemed pointless. Alice in the battle scene channelled everything from Caspian to that kid in the Golden Compass before settling on every Catholic visual of Jeanne d'arc created. uninspiring.
Even johnny couldn't bring me from the haze of sighing.
His accent was crossed between Jack Sparrow, a Scottish person and willy wonka, in fact his entire character screamed wonkaaaa willy wonkaaaaaaa.
it was distracting.
It was irritating; not in the good way.
I kept waiting for something more. more humour, more classic johnny, more brillance.
i could see through the make up, i could peel the character away and be left with johnny.
there wasnt any real wonder in the film, no real substantial wisk me away to Wonderland moments.
the storyline seemed so old, predictable and re-hashed ideas from not that long ago released films.
cliche to the extent that it was nauseating.
the cheshire cat was alright.
and my lovely Helena boheme Carter aka Bellatrix Lestrange was painful. i could barely understand what she was actually saying let alone become intreged by her character....did her head really have to be so big? what was she shouting about?
Anne Hathaway crossed the line beween white witch and i-dont-quite-get-why-she-acted-like-that-was-it-meant-to-be-mockingly-done? Her arms flapped about like Jack Sparrow.... it took me a moment to remember this was the same actress that amazed me in 'rachels getting married.' there was one moment when she dropped the pretenses, the airs, the supposed graces and hugged the dog. and i thought ahhhh its all an act for her image as the Queen. but for the rest of the film she put the mask back on again and i am left thinking, was that single moment, a mistake?

nutshell: It was alright. i meant, there was enough snazz to see it again. but i'll wait maybe a year until i forget how unsatisfied i felt afterwards. I expected so much more, for a Tim Burton film, for a Johnny Depp role and for the enigma that is Alice.

mark: 6. im being generous.

Title: 28 Days Later
Langue: English (England)
imdb: 28 Days Later
Rating: M
Object: FilmFrak me. The scene following the infection had me sitting there going no no no, this is exactly how resident evil started. except Cillian Murphy was willing to go naked replacing the strategically placed lighting over Mila Jovavich's lady parts. Though briefly explained, the reason behind Jims hospital visit is odd - he suffered a car accident? maybe? possibly? There were moments that i went wham bam hello mam this is - I am legend. but then i reminded myself, this genre is fairly repetative. and this was out before Will Smith.

There is no really apprehensive moments. There are a few that have your heart thumping at a slightly faster than normal pace because there is something so realistic about the situation (No not the zombies.) But not anything that freaks me out with that kind of fear. But the mourning, the hallucinations of the characters, there humanity is real. In all, I love love love the dynamics of the characters. Jim, would have been better a "Jimmy," his transformation from some sort of power puff girl to Martin Sheen from Apocolypse Now, had me foaming at the mouth. The brutality of the added fear of rape was vapid, unexpected though confronting and true. Yes it was a zombie film, so i hated the lame blood from the crow moment, the sterotypical black man tied up etc. i dreaded the ending, worried like anyone is when they view these films. But i was shocked. Its not a typical "fantasy/sci-fi/horror film" ending. There is no deflated hope instead there is something far more tangible.

nutshell: The zombie infection served as a background of realistic human relations in the face of an epidemic beyond our control. It's not necessarily anything new, but this genre is definetely struggling in that regard, there are moments of resident, mixed with children of men, I am legend, Underworld etc. All in an apocolyptic like world, the film prevails in realism not zombie scaries. The new element is founded in the characters development and the fact Murphy is just so prettttttty.

mark: 8. im a sucker for this genre.

Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Langue: English (American)
imdb: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Rating: M ?
Object: Filmit was so distant. i get the metaphor. The Holocaust through a child's eyes.
i got that. But, i felt like i was watching 2D characters. they didn't seem to have much background story. the parents didn't intrege me. Don't get me wrong, Lupin (who knows who the actual actor is...clearly its prof Lupin in haz potz)  was a good enough Nazi commodant.
Bruce kept saying I'm bored.
it is a slow movie.
I kept varfying details with Stu, who has read the book.
i must say, i had no desire to watch this movie initially. it was alright. but i felt the confines of the story limited to such a small story. limited to one miniscule detailed moment. it seemed so little a holocaust film. i felt, replace the concentration camp with a prision and the message would be almost the same.
Rupet whats his face aka Keira Knightly's boyf steals the show. He looks Aryan so thats not the issue. His acting is not oscar worthy. its not even the lines though he has the best one -
"They smell worse when they burn, don't they?....what...didn't you know?"
Perhaps its a combination of all that. he just seems so hypnotising. Intreging even. and then just as i find myself interested in his back story. he disappears from the film. in a different way to the book, according to Stu. the ending, was excessive. the alternative would have left hope in humanity. instead, a bitter after taste of reality. yet not a confronting truth. a sad one. not for the holocaust. but for the perpatrators. no not the Nazi's, the parents. 
i hated Bruno's boredom. that too seemed forced. the sisters growing facination with Nazism, sprung from no where. relevent yes, but over demonstrated. her idealisation of the Nazi soldier aka Rupert was undestandable.

nutshell: i found it fairly boring and un-insightful (is that a word?) i understood the metaphor i just don't think the innocence of the child can be compared to the nation of Germany. Nor do i think even that message was conveyed.
mark:  5. it was still a WW2 movie.

Title: Terminator Salvation (Terminator 4)
Langue: English (American)
imdb: Terminator Salvation
Rating: M 
Object: Film
I am an avid Terminator fan. I've seen them all multiple times. I own them all on dvds. I critique them. Terminator 2 is one of those movies i classify as a cult classic. Eddie Furlongs' John Connor was the first celebrity human I crushed on. (the fire boy cartoon from captain planet being the ultimate first.) This new movie doesn't exactly disappoint. It just deviates from what i had considered the classic underlying of these films.  In the past, John Connor struggles to stop skynet. robots swoop in. John Connor saves the day. Humanity survives.
And i suppose it is.
But Marcus Wright aka Sam Worthington steals the entire movie.

Brief Plot: the world is at war with the machines. John Connor is in the resistance. He must continue the battle while attempt to save his father (Kyle Reece) from death. It is the year 2018, Kyle Reece is at this time roughly 18. On a side note, Marcus Wright enters. His mission is unclear. 
It is designed that way. Initially, Wright appears as an inmate on death row. 2003. His crimes are a bit patchy, something to do with his brother and some coppers but its never fully explored...His presence is hovering on the edge of the entire film. He is part machine. Part Human. The epitome of what we fear. Which side will he choose? The story deals with Connors ever growing mistrust of authority and machine. Who will he trust?

At many points in the movie, due to the brillance of Worthington, even the motivation of Wright is unclear. 
Can he legitimatiely gain our respect as a resistance fighter? is he a plant?
Christian Bales' John Connor is a  self-asuring bastard who thinks he is super special. Yet, he is not in command of the resistance. Something i found a little odd. Sure, i liked the idea of an evolved John Connor, one who follows until he is needed to lead. But Bale's Connor doesnt seem like that. He follows because then he can take the glory as the resistance fighter who disagreed, was right and survives. He is a leader because he has 'lovely' motivating speeches on the hand held radio which should end with "this is john conor over and out,' but in fact end with the idiotic "this is john connor," and state with the equally cringe worthy, "if you're listenint to this you are the resistance." come to think of it, most of Bales dialogue is via these radio announcements.

Marcus Wright, is a spectacular suprise. He hasn't been named in any of the earlier films though he is easily slotted into the storyline, filling some questions the earlier films left wanting. Kyle Reece (aka Anton Yeltchin aka Chekov in Star Trek) is also amazing. He brings a navity and unworthy ideaolisation to Bale's Connor. The little friend he carries around with him (Jess said girl. I say boy) will most definitely become a bigger focus in the next one. (yes. Sadly Bale signed on for 3 films. give me strength)
The devestating, "i'll be back" delievered by Connor is in one word: lame. There are actually a few lines littered throughout the film which have appeared in earlier ones - what day is it? what year? and according to imdb, Kyle reece wears the same Nikes in T1 as T4 (though the age discrepencies vary a lot.) Other moments are lame. Dark Ange droids &l season 1 final, matrix-killing/slave fields, transformers- robots, mad max,-desert scenes batman- bale and motor bike all make an appearence. The special effects are at time destrating.(i'm fucking serious)
i mean for fraks sake, Bale steals a motorbike that looks Wayne worthy.
Catherine Brewester is called Kate. As a purist i was not happy with her role. She was pregnant why?

nutshell: If Eddie Furlong was a classic. And Nick Stahl was a wimp. Then Christian Bale is a precocious prick worthy of the Bale out Remix. (This was the movie set the infamous rant happened on) Sam Worthington most definititely steals the show. Without a doubt. Out acted. Out cast. Out played. He makes the movie (not just saying that as i love love love Sammy)

mark: 7.5 needed less Bale. (even though he wasn't in much)

i don't know what to say about it. It was haunting.
The actor that plays the young Michael Berg is phononemal. And i'm not just saying that because of the fulfrontal nudity.
Brief Plot: The story takes place admist flashbacks between 1957 and 1995. It revolves around an affair Michael had at 15 with a mysertious lady, Hanna who was about 37. The characters fall into line as the secrets do. She has a secret. and its not until Michael is older (circa 18) that they re-enter eachothers lives. Michael is a law student. And Hanna is on trial for her role as a guard in the SS. He visits the trial and the secrets unravel.


There is this one scene in which Michael Berg walks through a concentration camp and all i could think was one day i will go there. one day i will be walking through the rooms belonging to the inmates of that time.
I will buy this film on dvd when it comes out.
Ralfie is well, Ralfie.
Kate Winslett got an oscar for this role. Did she deserve it? Who knows. she deserved an oscar and this movie happens to portray her in a good enough light for that honour.
And finally - David Kross.
He was 17 for a lot of the filming, which meant to avoid "legal consequences" in the sex scenes these were shot later. He is so pretty! in a non creepy way. (claire had difficulties with the age gap)  I can't place his accent. And wiki says its German.
Can you imagine if he was in a film with Daniel Bruhl?
He seems ridiculously innocent in this movie. the patronising label as 'kid,' the frustrations as he gets older etc.
the most haunting aspect of the film i think is the way Hanna impacted on Michael's life.
Every single year.
Every single decision he made, was related to their affair when he was 15.
I really enjoyed this movie (not just because the consequences of Nazi Germany are brought to light) and while i can understand the criticism of portraying a Nazi with some humanity, i think this criticism is wrongly placed. The paradox of those who commited crimes against humanity is that they themselves are human. And to hide that fact seems to reconcile their crime without justice.

Nutshell: The director wanted a film about truth and reconciliation. I think that about sums it up. Though not reconcilliation for the actions but for the participation.

mark: I'm biased. I only just got home from seeing it. 8.5-9/10

Title: Veronica Mars: season 3
Langue: English (American)
imdb: Veronica Mars
Rating: M  (I think?)
Object: Tv series
Do I comment on the epic three way love triangle romance? or the bigger built foundations of the father daughter union? or the absent best friend? ridiculous new characters?
it started well. it didnt feel much different to Neptune High. Veronica wasn't as hated. The wardrobe was fantastic. New hairstyle, looking goooood. But then, Veronica really didnt branch out in the friend department except for the annoying friend, Piz, that-would-be-final-scene-maybe-ex-though-still-considered-boyfriend-if-veronica-hadnt-looked-at-logan-that-way?

I wont do a play by play of the cases. they are as emily stated at work, darker.
but not like oooooooh scary. but more rape cases, secret societies, murders, deaths, sucides etc.
the ending sucked. The let down akin to the final episodes of Dark Angel and the mutants with the flag.
Leaving you unsatisfied.
i still have so many questions.
did veronica get to work  with the fbi despite her last indescretion? i mean. the promo for season 4 (that was never filmed) said she did. but the promo didnt mention any of the other characters.
what happened to Wallace?
Did she and Logan get back together like i thought they would? i mean come on, the final look between the two?
pfft. Piz your history.
Weevil what about you? i love you.
THE EVER PRESENT/ANNOYING FROM EVERY FRAKKIN SINGLE SEASON: QUESTION- KEITH MARS WERE YOU RE-ELECTED AS SHERIFF????
i love love love the bsg references in a few of the episodes.
Veronica saying frak?
can't complain.

i have so many questions and i can only hope the preposed movie goes ahead so some of the questions are answered.

Brief Plot: Veronica Mars is a student at Hearst Collage (coincidence that its in Neptune!) she solves cases like she has in every other season. her role as PI is somewhat differnt in season 3, less leaning on her dad for help, more joint cases etc. the past does come back to haunt as expected. Logan screws up, again as expected. Wallace is their to save the day. Mac is still recovering from Beaver. Dick is well....Dick. Weevil is the cleaner. Piz is new. Keith Mars is....still 'the PI dad. who was Sheriff.'


Nutshell:The ending was TERRIBLE. the cast can act. And as a kid Harriet the Spy was one of my favourite movies. I had a soft spot for Corina Corina too. So a series that has a modern day Nancy Drew is lovely. The fact that Veronica's best mate is played by the lead actor in Corina Corina (and Andre- that seal movie) doesnt hurt. i love Veronica Mars. always have.

Mark: 8.5/10  - i cant grade the season alone because i have the history with the characters. But i cant grade the series because i haven't seen season 1 or 2 in a few months....

Title: Charlotte Gray
Langue: English (Australian director- Gillian Armstrong- French elements- Film is mainly British)
imdb: Charlotte Gray
Rating: M 
Object: Film

Perhaps its the Nazi connection, the influx of a character discovering oneself in France, the resistance, Cate Blanchett's role or even the addictive acting of Billy Crudupt; whatever it is, in all i recon i have seen the movie roughly 15 times.

Brief Plot: the plot on imdb is not worth the letters typed.
Essentially, Charlie Gray is a Scottish women who studied in Paris and lives in London. She falls in love with a pilot (my mothers favourite actor in the entire world - some guy off spooks) whose plan crashes in France. At the same time she is being head hunted in London, the son from Vicar of Dibly wants her to become a courier in France. Combined with her lost love there; her sense of duty and i suppose her character, Dominique is born.
Dominique is married, her husband is in a POW camp in Bonn.
Alas Dominique is Charlotte Gray's french alias.
Her actions with the French resistence are set against the back of Julien's (the male french contact) family dramas and alligence to two young Jewish boys whose parents have been arrested. A backdrop of betrayal, love, experience and death circle around the progressive tale of Charlotte Gray in France.
Charlotte Gray must, as cliche as it seems, must rely on more than her training to conquer enemies and find her true self.

Nutshell: my Pa doesn't like it. "too fake. why doesn't he get a haircut?  He needs to tuck his shirt it? You call that a Fighter pilot? Pffft ....Unrealistic. She's too emtional, well maybe the charlie should go back to London if she's going to sulk about her boyfriend...Stupid frogs letting the Germans take over." all these cries and more.
I love the idea of such a strong female character. i love love love Cate Blanchett. Billy Crudpt is...captivating. you're drawn to him. he may only be the leader of the local resistance but even the British spies look to him for guidence. His facial expressions, Julien's past, his communist beliefs, his decisions - all personify a character you can't help but root for. Elements are stragely enhanced by an almost sophies choice. The father? or Two Young Jewish Boys? Love or Survival?  Charlotte Gray embodies a war movie that is fundamentally not about the heroics of the lead, sure she is heroic and in alliance with the 'goodies,' but the film focus' more on the romance, the real lives of people caught in France when the Germans invaded.

mark: The film itself is fairly good- spectacular landscapes, realistic attire, french mannarisms... but my connection too it, is extreme. i give it an 8. but it could be a lot lower. i mean it did bomb at the box office. i just love love love the concept. and it truelly was the first film that made me fall for the lead actor.

i can't review slumdog millionaire because i liked it too much. and it was too long ago since i saw it. and Anwar from skins was in it. and it was epic. and the bollywood dancing at the end made me smile. and i liked it a lot.