Burnham-On-Sea film enthusiast Molly Harding, who was last year nominated for the national award ‘Young Film Critic of the Year’, reviews the latest crop of films showing at Burnham’s Ritz Cinema in Victoria Street this week…
Brighton Rock (15)
Petty gangster Pinkie’s soon-to-be murder victim is snapped with mousey waitress Rose. In an attempt to keep her quiet he starts a fateful affair with her, but does he really love her and, more to the point, does he have a heart left at all?
Set in the vibrant and rebellious sixties era in Brighton, it is the perfect setting to which could otherwise be a very drab and non descript crime film. I’ll start with the negatives. Firstly, although I loved the sixties backdrop, I didn’t feel it completely necessary that almost everyone either had an over-the-top haircut and/or vespa. Also me and my cinema-going friend were both in agreement of something that played a large and frustrating part in the film – cliches! I won’t spoil anything here, but let’s just say there was lots of turning to each other and mouthing “seriously?”
But every seagull surrounded cloud has a silver lining. I would like to give both the leading actors a patronising pat on the back for their well pitched performances. He is angry and troubled whereas she is naive and desparate for his love, as Pinkie puts it ‘I’m good and your bad, we’re made for each other’ (slight eye roll). But the sparkle on Sam Riley’s portrayal is those split seconds when you think Pinkie could come good and shows a glimmer of humanity that makes you almost pity him.
So, as strange as this may sound, if you like the look of the trailer, the sixties era and can handle some rather gruesome violence (it wasn’t that bad, sort of!) and enjoy supporting British film then just give it a shot.
A stick of rock that can be both sweet but at times hard to swallow – 3/5
PAUL (15)
Sci-fi super nerds Graeme and Clive Pegg and Frost go on the ultimate alien tour around the US. On their way, though, they have a rather close encounter with an alien called Paul who’s trying to get home and escape the chase of government agents who want Paul’s brain – a slight detour is in order!
After watching ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz’ back to back a few days before, I was in high spirits for watching PAUL, after all it should have the Pegg/ Frost genius and it’s got double the budget of the previous films. Surely this is going to be one of the funniest films of the year?
Um, not quite, unfortunately. I think it would have been if they hadn’t relied on a CGI foul mouthed alien for all the laughs but, don’t get me wrong, it is funny but there were none of laughing-so-hard-you-start–to-cry-a-little-bit moments like the shoot-off in ‘Hot Fuzz’ or the final pub scenes in ‘Shaun of the Dead’. But let’s not dwell on their previous projects, this is a whole different story so let’s talk more about ‘Paul’…
Paul himself in all his green smoking glory is quite impressive. The idea of having a completely stereotypical, small wide eyed alien was a good one and, contradicting myself here, watching an alien drink, swear and get his groove on is original and amusing. There is no lack of bromantic chemistry and the geeky awkward romantic subplot is sweet and there’s also some pretty impressive cameos from Jane Lynch and sci-fi veteran Sigourney Weaver.
So, if you’re a fan of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, go and see it – you will most probably enjoy it! But it could’ve been a bit funnier, so I will have to look forward to a hopeful future offering.
Not quite out of this world – 3.5/5
Unknown (12A)
When Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) is in a car accident during a trip to Belguim he is left in a coma. After he wakes he has no proof of his identity and even his wife doesn’t appear to know who he is. So is he confused, the victim of a huge calculated set up or something else?
It took me about half an hour to truely get into ‘Unknown’. It appeared dreary and samey. But after persevering and truely becoming engulfed in the plot, I realised that even though this may not be spectacular or with an overly original plotline it is just one of those films that is great to watch in an evening and come out feeling satisfied and not too confused with the ending.
The films’ balance of superb action sequences, Liam Neeson walking around Berlin looking confused and the sustained tense atmosphere all compliment each other. It becomes more interesting as it progresses and becomes more twisted. The car chase scene is edge of your seat action and Liam Neeson is a likable character who you want to see a good outcome for.
I will warn you, though, do not be decieved by the 12A certificate, take anyone younger and they most probably won’t enjoy it and it is surprisingly violent, which did actually take me by surprise as I was expecting your average, cheesy and stereotypical thriller which this is not.
On a par with ‘The Tourist’ – 3.5/5
Read more of Molly’s regular film reviews on Burnham-On-Sea.com
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