A classic caper film is like going to see an orchestra. Even though you are already know what you are going to experience on that evening, but you’re still able to be amazed by how well prepare they were. The Bank Job is a caper film alright. But calling a classic one might be out of reach. Although what you saw in the first half is very entertaining piece of storytelling, but I can't really say the same thing on the second half. It’s a frustration that caused by various factors (more on that later). In the end, it just really left me out cold.
Formerly known as Baker Street (hands down, far more superior title), The Bank Job follows the true story of crime of the century (as they claim) in 70’s era London, England, where a bunch of criminal (led by Jason Statham and Saffron Burrows) dug tunnel into the bank’s vault, and then looted all the jewel & cash including items in client's safe-deposit box. A little did they know, there’s a bunch of people who desperately need to retrieve those items back including secret photos of disgraced Britain’s royal family, serious consequence ensured.
From a starting point to procedure of the caper, I feel really engaged by it. The atmosphere is just simply perfect. They indeed have a right look and mood to that era. In fact, it reminds me of another classic caper film like Rififi. They also have a right leading man; Jason Statham is back to his British’s groove once again (as a 'straight guy' in Guy Richie’s films). And I don’t know that his research is having watched all Steve Mcqueen’s films or not, but his persona is really like the man himself. They also cleverly introduced a bunch of characters through intercut that promise you that they will somehow relate to each other in the end. For me, it's like watching Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels all over again
But after they got away with the crime, suddenly everything that works somehow stopped. I would say a sloppy directing and editing are the main reason behind it. The consequence that affected team members is simply generic. How generic? Let's see, good guys succeed, and then a casualty occurred (of course, some of them dead), and finally it's a payback time. It may be alright if they ran it with a groove that they found in the first half. But all of that didn’t have a same energy like they did 30 minutes ago at all. And those sub-plots (about porn king’s book and drug lord’s photos) are badly executed. The emotion also shifted with no apparent reason. Like characters seem really desperate in this scene, and then they're back to extra cool in the next scene. Come to think of it, in the end, when Jason's partner in crime asked him why police were letting them go, Jason said "How the fuck should I know, just keep walking". I think this sentence is like the joke on itself.
Anyway, as I said before, everything else in this film are more than fine. The look and sound are cool enough to make us feel attached to that era (especially how they chose songs to play in it). In my opinion, good caper film is a rare breed nowadays (if you wanna call Steven Soderbergh & his pal’s Ocean Trilogy as 'Caper film', then be my guess, because I prefer to call it as 'Vanity Project’). The Bank Job is the closest thing you can find, and having a right to call themselves as caper film.
I agree with you na ka. They sure picked the right guy for the leading man. Jason Statham is still the funk soul British brother!! a word of warning for little kids out there: LOTS of nudity in this film na ja
ุ^ ^ True haha+ I think he works best when he is British (well, except Crank franchise, which I'm dying to see the second one). About nudity, yes they have it occasionally, but I think it doesn't represent in sexual kind of way. So children over 13 might be able to see it.
You could have brain tumor by watching this contaminated turd. Nothing in Gentlemen Broncos pays off, it’s incoherent mess, and chock-full of incredibly annoying characters. You will not only loath this movie, but it also makes you want to punch someone who responsible for this abomination in the face.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Imagine if Akira got Live-Action treatment by... say Alfonso Cuarón, you know how awesome it might be? That’s what happened to "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Wes Anderson's auteur perfectly captured the quirkiness and blissful tone of the material. Its stop-motion technique might be a little crude and... somewhat unsophisticated, but that's the charm of it. You’ll feel like pop-up book unveiled before your eyes. This is an exceptional animation of the year.
Up in the Air is a blockbuster movie for people who think blockbuster movies are dumb, as it chock full of brilliantly written dialogue, and acting showcase for three talented actors (especially star-making turn by Anna Kendrick). But in the end, there's little to love, not so much story to chew on (plus disappointing third act), and no real connection to the meaning of human interaction as it intended to be.
BloodyMonday Rating:
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
Cliché-ridden plot about a bunch of annoying characters get together in one idiotic circumstance, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is shameless exploitation & biggest insult to 80s teen flicks. It's like memorizing magic trick from internet, hoping to perform like David Copperfield. Neither sense of wonder nor magic flare happens here. Only good thing is, it makes me wanna cleanse my soul with genuine 80s teen movie night marathon.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Everybody's Fine (2009)
Meh. The movie serious lack of originality & characters development. Only Robert De Niro comes out fine in this schmaltzy, "Lifetime" movie-of-the-week plot.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Paper Heart (2009)
Twee delight... That's only two words I can think of right now.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Adam (2009)
A perfect companion to Mary & Max (one of the best animation of 2009), Adam is star-crossed love story (pun intended) between Adam, Asperger's Syndrome bearer, and Beth, free spirit woman. The picture wouldn’t be this intimate without stunning performance by Hugh Dancy. On the other hand, the lack of depth on why Beth would love someone like Adam, preventing me from wholeheartedly embraces her choice in the end (which is nice & perfect but requires a leap of faith). Otherwise, this is touching romantic film, which putting its feet firmly on the ground, making the world full of hope and seems nicer place to live.
BloodyMonday Rating:
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Expected to be like “Click” or “Yes Man”, where high-concept plot turned into endless gags, with moral lesson (forcefully) shoving down your throat. But "The Invention of Lying" is thinking man’s film. The whole concept is not seeing how first lying man exploits the ability. But it's about him finding the way not to lie, in order to find genuine happiness. Great stuff.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Give ‘Em Hell Malone (2009)
This is one damn frustrating experience. It’s like watching an infant trying to stand up and walk. They would take a few steps then fall their asses. In fact, kiddie film like “Bugsy Malone” has done better job paying a tribute to film noir than this borefest.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Zombieland (2009)
ถ้าอังกฤษมีหนังซอมบี้ฮาแตกอย่าง Shaun of the Dead แล้ว ทำไมอเมริกาจะมีบ้างไม่ได้... Zombieland คือการผสมผสานระหว่างบรรดาหนังซอมบี้เก่าๆ เข้ากับทัศนคติของคนสร้างที่อาจดูหนังแนวนี้มากเกินความจำเป็น จนสามารถสร้างหนังซอมบี้ที่เข้าใจสิ่งที่ตัวเองเป็น และเล่นสนุกไปกับกฏพื้นฐานของซอมบี้ได้อย่างเต็มที่ ทั้งนี้ทั้งนั้นต้องยกความดีให้สี่นักแสดงนำ โดยเฉพาะ วู้ดดี้ ฮาเรลสัน (เขาเกิดมาเพื่อบทนี้) ที่ช่วยกันสร้างมนต์เสน่ห์ ให้กับการเดินทางในโลกไร้มนุษย์ได้อย่างเต็มที่
หนังมีไอเดียกิ๊บเก๋ ทำออกมาได้สนุกสนานสไตล์ซิตคอมอังกฤษ โดยเฉพาะการนำกฏเหล็กต่างๆจากหนังที่เกี่ยวกับการท่องเวลา (ดูเหมือนว่า Back to the Future จะเป็นแรงบรรดาลใจหลัก) มาปู้ยี้ปู้ยำอย่างเมามัน ถึงแม้ว่าตลอดเวลาการรับชมจะให้ความรู้สึก เหมือนตัวเองกำลังดูซีรี่ย์ทางโทรทัศน์ แต่มันก็คือตอนที่ฮาที่สุดของซีซั่น แถมเอฟเฟ็คที่ใช้ก็มีคุณภาพจนคาดไม่ถึง
BloodyMonday Rating:
Looking for Eric (2009)
มีความรู้สึกว่าหนังเรื่องนี้มองโลกในแง่ดีเกินบรรยากาศโดยรวม จริงอยู่ว่าทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างที่ลงเอยด้วยดีในตอนสุดท้ายนั้น สามารถสร้างความสุขและรอยยิ้มให้กับคนดู แต่จากสถานการณ์ในเรื่องและบริบทที่เกิดขึ้นก่อนหน้านี้ มันยากที่จะทำใจเชื่อในสิ่งที่เห็น โดยเฉพาะพล็อตรองเกี่ยวกับปืน ซึ่งถ้าถูกตัดออกไปและหนังยังดำเนินเรื่องอย่างที่เป็นอยู่ Looking for Eric ก็น่าจะเป็นหนังฟีลกู้ดที่อบอุ่นที่สุดเรื่องหนึ่งของปีเลยทีเดียว
ต่อยมวย(ตอน 6 โมงเย็น)
ฝากข้อความหลังไมค์
Rss Feed
ผู้ติดตามบล็อก : 1 คน [
a word of warning for little kids out there: LOTS of nudity in this film na ja