REVIEW: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

4.5/5

A Location Between Perfection.

140 Minutes. Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, Mahershala Ali, Bruce Greenwood, & Harris Yulin. Director: Derek Cianfrance.

Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper in the same movie?! Fellas your girlfriend must be dreaming...but this ones for you and I'm not talking about some weird man crush thing (show of hands). The two actors are in a place between the Chris Pine, Josh Hartnett and Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt acting stakes of pretty boys turned good actors. Now after showing more of themselves in 'Drive', 'The Ides Of March' and 'Limitless' and 'Silver Linings Play Book' respectively Gosling and Cooper come together for 'The Place Between The Pines' that will go down as one of 2013's best told stories in cinemas. An epic film taken place over 15 years that shows the rises and falls of two men on two different sides of the law and the effect a fathers choices has on the echos of his sons life.

It all entwines into a brutually beautiful but hauntingly heartbreaking story of complex characters. What else would you expect from the Gosling/Cianfrance actor/director combo of 'My Blue Valentine'? Gosling swaps the 'Drive' of a classic American muscle car for a dirt bike and the cool Scorpion jacket for a red leather one. Add some peroxide and tattoo's and you have a guy that looks like a place between Eminem and Axel Rose, but beneath the surface of Gosling's stunt motorcycle character is the substance of a desperate man dying to provide for his son by any means necessary. It's intriguing and inspiring and hopeful and harrowing to watch. Gosling does it again, adding another incredible performance and what will go down as another cult classic in his career.

We've known Gosling is a top tier talent for the better part of a decade now, but it's only recentely we've begun to see just how good Bradley Cooper is. More than a funny 'Hangover', the Academy nominated star has shown his 'Silver Linings' and how 'Limitless' his talent truly is. Another desperate man in his own right, Coop plays a beat patrol cop with eyes on more than just his share. With the political backing of his father he just wants to do the right thing, but in a world full of wrong how does this man survive swimming with sharks? Especially when those he's trying to catch are just trying to do right by getting by. It's a complex, crafted idea of good and bad which is more than just your traditional cops and robbers story. Which side do you choose between the pines? Whose right and who's wrong? To reveal more would ruin the great nature of this story but trust us Gosling and Cooper will play it out for you perfectly with tension and tears. This is real man stuff for the GQ generation.

If you thought the two male leads where enough of a selling point then just wait until you see the rest of the cast. Underrated top actress Eva Mendes shows us just how great she really is with Mahershala Ali by her side with significance. While hardest working actress of the moment Rose Byrne is another wife in the middle of it all. Ray Liotta shines with sinister intentions in his screen time, while fellow 'Killing Them Softly' actor Ben Mendelsohn brings his Aussie charisma and charm to a likeable...no loveable criminal.  It's hard to believe this chameleon character actor was a rich suit with no moral centre in 'The Dark Knight Rises'. This is just how good the rising talent of Mendelsohn is. When he's on screen in the right movie...Shazam! Harris Yulin also brings age and wisdom to the piece and what is it with Bruce Greenwood's congratulating bedside manner lately? Here he brings more sass to his style.

Still this is a father and son story and our boys here do well. Emory Cohen plays a perfect portrayal of modern youth, but it's Dane DeeHan that may just be the young actor of the moment. The unique, mature 27 year old talent can still play teens convincingly. Now after his HBO 'In Treatment' and an akwardly charming and moving performance in last years greatest movie 'Lawless' he raises the stakes yet again in what will be one of this years best pictures. There's just something about him. Echoing Gosling between the pines he just brings all of these complex characters and plotlines together perfectly...what more can you say then that? It's all on DeeHan. With a piano perfect moving soundtrack and the best use of Springsteen and Bon Iver since 'Warm Bodies' (another of this years best) this picture looks and sound the part. With thrilling, dark drama that ups the amazing action ante this switching narrative of life is as real as it gets. When your talking about modern greats for the moment, make sure 'Pines' has its place. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

BOOK RACK-READ BETWEEN THE LINES

 

This Week our 'DVD RACK' is a deluxe, bumper 'Boom Rack' looking at some film related reads.

BY TIM DAVID HARVEY

HARRY BELAFONTE: MY SONG-A beautiful and poetic autobiography about a man who has not only witnessed but has been actively involved with some of the major cultural, political and social changes in music, movies and more over the last century. Still alive to tell the real tales of his time with the likes of Marlon Brando, Martin Luther King Jr, John F. Kennedy and Sammy Davis Jnr. Did you know this award winning actor who broke cultural lines with Sidney Poitier not only was Bob Dylan's mentor but also the first artist to ever sell 1 million records with his Calypso record? Time to read all about it.

THE SILVER LININGS PLAY BOOK: If you thought the Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence Oscar winning film was good then wait until you read this. You could say the start of this year has been one of books that movies where based on and the writer should always get the first credit. After all the chicken came before the egg and between short chapters with quirky names Matthew Quick delivers a classic that is sympathetic and funny. Bringing the often arms length over-looked problem of anxiety to the table this book is bold, beautiful and brilliant.

LIMITLESS-That isn't it for Bradley Cooper based books. Maybe I just like the covers hey. 'Limitless' or 'The Dark Fields' as it's originally known by Alan Gylnn is the story that led to 'The Hangover' stars true breakout movie. Concerning the idea of what it would be like to take a pill that improved how you performed mentally this is a 'what would you do' story with scary and thought provoking moral messages. The vivid and descriptive way this book is wrote at times, matched with the quick thinking fact of the matter thought processes really immerses you in the substance. With this rags or riches tale, Gylnn really is on something here.

DRIVE-How about some Ryan Gosling ladies? What is this 'A Place Between The Pines' tie-in post (send me the cheque in the mail fellas). If you thought Gosling's dark classic really was one of modern greats greatest wait until you read this novel. On par with the sublime soundtrack this quick read wasn't devoured in a return train ride because it's short. It was burnt through because it's a real vivid page turner taking us through the darkness of the neon shades of Los Angeles in depth and detail. Celluloid or pages we can't wait for the sequel 'Driven'.

GANGSTER SQUAD: More Gosling, I know...I know. Some hated the great movie that was based on this book. Still these real accounts of the Los Angeles Police Departments battle for Los Angeles with mobster Mickey Cohen is another quick page turner of intrigue and investigation. There is nothing cool or classy about gangsters (yeah I said it, come and get me) but the good guys getting it done makes for a cool police story. From the files of 'Gangster Squad' if you like your cops and robbers stories than cop this one. It's a steal.

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?: 'Blade Runner' anyone? Ever since being enthralled by movies like 'Total Recall', 'Minority Report' and 'The Adjustment Bureau' and noticing in the credits 'based on the book' I have been intrigued by the science fiction writer Phillip K. Dick and everyone should too. Finally this year I have started to read up about him and what a way to start with the science fiction masters classic. A man who is one of the greatest American authors of all-time and a guy who's stories from decades gone are still influencing future films like they where brand new ideas. If only he was here to see. 'Blade Runner' came out just after he died. Rest In Peace sir. We're counting electric sheep for you.

THE DESCENDANTS: Kaui Hart Hemmings story that inspired a great George Clooney film is a trouble in paradise story that is dark funny, sobering and punch drunk with love. Based in Hawaii and showing it's not all sun and sand this important story of failing franchises, marriage and life has many moral messages that will centre you. A man is losing his wife and while she is in a coma he learns she was going to leave him for another man...and there's still happiness to be found in this story. Incredible.

THE BLIND SIDE-Last year I was reading 'Moneyball' by Michael Lewis and the autobiography of Michael Oher (thanks for the love Mike) 'How I Beat The Odds'. It's funny how it all turns around. This year I found myself reading 'The Blind Side' by Lewis based on Oher's life. It became a hit movie with Sandra Bullock, but first 'The Blind Side' became another classic by revolutionary sports journalist Lewis looks into this young, Superbowl winning Football stars coming of age life, the business of NFL recruitment and the invaluable asset of the man paid more to protect the quarterbacks weak spot. 'The Blind Side' has all the elements of a descriptive sports analysis and a beautiful story that's amazingly fact not fiction.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER-Michael Connelly used to write about police reports for the 'Los Angeles Times' no wonder this author is so knowledgeable about the city of Los Angeles, crime and the legal process. 'The Lincoln Lawyer' made a great movie and career redemption for Matthew Mconaghey (shout out to John Leguizamo for the love) and it's always interesting to see how a film translates and differs from the text. This pure page turner really keeps you immersed in the details of this case no matter how in depth it is to the fine point of every move and mannerism, so delightfully descriptive. You'll feel like you're investigating the case first hand and that's what makes it such a captivating and interesting read. Especially if you read it in Mconaghey's signature southern drawl. As long as I get to take my shirt off.

REVIEW: SIDE EFFECTS

3/5

Always Read The Label.

Starring: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones & Channing Tatum. Director: Steven Soderbergh.

If this is director Steven Soderbergh's swan song then the one time movie making signet is really showing growth. The dynamic director that defined the age of uncensored drug use for Hollywood with 'Traffic' and redefined Rat Pack cool with George Clooney and Brad Pitt with the 'Oceans' series really has wrote the right prescription of late. Without any ghosts or ghouls, monsters under the bed, or people running up the stairs Soderbergh gave us the scariest film ever with the clinical, could happen, wildfire spreading virus, epic epidemic 'Contagion'. Then last year the ever versatile movie chairman pulled another rabbit out the hat, directing a great film about male strippers that everyone could enjoy. After his ace in the hole 'Magic Mike', Steve re-unites with breakout, coming of age star Channing Tatum, 'Contagion's' Jude Law, Catherine Zeta Jones and Rooney Mara for another clinical tale, close to home in 'Side Effects'.

Consult your director on this one because there's chemistry here. Rooney Mara stars as a woman who is battling depression following her husbands (Channing Tatum) return home from a bid in prison for insider trading. She is prescribed a new drug from her psychiatrist Jude Law with some consultation from her former doctor Catherine Zeta-Jones and thus as the 'bard once said "lies the rum", or the Hitchcock like substance abuse side effects and conflicts in this one. A movie shot in clinical, cold, dramatic Michael Mann style digital colors for a tense pharmaceutical perspective that induces as much paranoia as 'Contagion' as the abuse of 'Traffic' is taken to the inner homes. A safe sanctuary this is not.

This taught thriller does more with words then it does with action. There are scenes so tight, simmering at dialogues boiling point that you think these characters will literally jump over the table and rip each other apart. Still in an social networking age where scathing words do more than sticks and stones, the hard action is done taking personal shots rather then ones with guns. So much so that a violent car crash into a wall that is orchestrated so well pales in comparison to 'Side Effects' other twists and turns. So much so that the movie go-to city of New York is merely a beautiful backdrop, not a bold boast like most Hollywood affairs. What results in a gripping first two acts in a skin crawling look at the world of medicated mental health. This is not for the faint hearted...or more compassionate.

After inking her reputation with 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Rooney Mara yet again shows that perplexing and fascinating side of her characters, the intrigue rises as the bar of her level of acting does. Former leading lady Zeta-Jones is also on form, showing this is truly her month with her thriller with Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe 'Broken City' also twisting through the box offices. Former hulking hearthrob Channing Tatum continues to get better and better and more convincing as the next top actor with each performance. Although the pressers read 'Academy Nominated' Jude Law, Rooney Mara and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the award ignored Tatum shows he is in a league of his own with a skill set of subtly and sincerity here that has shades of his cool cameo in 'Public Enemies'.

As we move into the final act however it is clear this is Jude Law's film as his accredited acting shines through. His character falling apart keeps this film together and the man who's everclear 'Mr. Napkin Head' popularity has been on the rise ever since he played Holmes to RDJ's 'Sherlock Holmes', continues to grow as he puts this plot under the bowler hat and pipe microscope of his own investigations. With that being said however it's in this third act that this movie begins to show its own side effects causing drowsiness, headaches and some in your seat discomfort. Instead of having a struggling long tone like top detective thriller 'Zodiac' this relatively average run-time film feels long winded thus knocking the wind out of it's sails somewhat, losing some made up ground. There's a moral message in all of this but as some of the central characters become callous it's hard to grasp like the gripping opening. Still 'Side Effects', does the job with a good treatment it's just how you take it. This film and it's themes will effect different people in different ways. It all depends on your diagnosis. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

3/5

The St. Valentines Day Massacre.

Starring: Bruce Willis & Jai Courtney. Director: John Moore.

Yippee, ki-yay, John McLane is back yet again for the anti-Valentines day movie of February 14th. There's no love lost here inbetween the blood and bullets and even though Bruce Willis may not be able to don the string vest anymore, he still muscles up and shows he's still got the action smarts for a big, holiday blockbuster. Right in the midst of latest releases from the ageing action stars Arnie ('The Last Stand') and Sly Stallone ('Bullet To The Head'), Willis shows he's still not expendable when it comes to being THE tough guy.

The Die Hard series is classic and Valentines day is the perfectly good release date for 'A Good Day To Die Hard'. Following the updated and still fresh surprise of the fourth installment 'Live Free Or Die Hard' (which really was one of the most entertaining and best) 'A Good Day' takes Bruce's Hollywood act to Russia, which recently staged the fake explosion of the Kremlin for yet another surprise franchise return to form in Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol'. Following the fourth hit is no easy task and even though this film is more '3.0' then '4.0' it still passes the test like a good grade point average.

Still a good day to try hard could have made this film that much better. Although it is still exciting and entertaining...besides your never going to hate Bruce Willis or John McClane. The man who recently played the same man with Joesph Gordon-Levitt in the Sci-Fi action smash 'Looper' trades daughter for son as the family feuds of New York's finest cop continues overseas. After dueling with Cruise in yet another surprise hit ('Jack Reacher') Jai Courtney proves to be the perfect, Joe-Levitt style lookalike to play McClane's son and through their similarities and differences the father and son dynamic is nailed. At a boy!

Timothy Olaphant had a hard act to follow with all the classic, crazy 'Die Hard' bad-guy but he more than claimed his insane place in the series. Here our villain has an even tougher actor to follow, but between eating carrots and dancing around he seems to have it down, even if he is a bit vegetarian in comparison to those who have had beef with McClane. With aerial action and car chases with class there's a lot more than just good gun fights and funny punchlines in this film that pulls a lot of fist fights. Still with a sixth film on the cards it's time for McLane to get even tougher and prove Willis really is a 'Die Hard' when it comes to the life of this franchise. Let's see a real good day. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

SOUNDTRACK REVIEW: DJANGO UNCHAINED

5/5

The 'D' Is Loud.

As singer/songwriter/comedian and actor Jamie Foxx rides through the Wild West with the wonderful Christophe Waltz to save his leading lady Kerry Washington from the classic craziness of Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson, Quentin Tarantino really has crafted another classic with his genre whipping 'Django Unchained'. The only thing left to make this all complete is a soundtrack...and boy do we have one here that's truly off the chain.

With incredible interludes of Q.T.'S famous and favorite dialogue (even with some deleted scenes that didn't make the movies final cut, but avoid this albums cutting room floor) and some Spaghetti Western tasty genre joints this really is one of the top scoring, 'Music From The Motion Picture' releases in recent times. You'd have to go back to last years 'Lawless' to find an audio sign of the times more apt or fitting. This is Tarantino's best score since 'Pulp Fiction' and just like the film this OST follows Quentin's greatest with it's own claim for first place.

OK, the talented leading man/singer Jamie Foxx doesn't sing...that may have been a little too 'Wild, Wild West' (coincidentally Will Smith was originaly up for the leading role, before Foxx got it), but he does have his own theme and 'Django' really is one of the best. Harking back to the good, ole days of Western films like Tarantino's traditional opening credits. He even has his own epic, Clint Eastwood style stand down, draw moment in this movie which is punctuated perfectly by 'La Corsa (2nd Version)' by Luis Bacalov. A song that just like in the movie follows modern day soul legend Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton's beautiful cry for 'Freedom'. It doesn't get much more epic than this with the two greatest pieces of music for one of the films greatest and moving moments.

Ennion Morricone's 'The Braying Mule' really rides us through the Wild West and straight to the saloon of past times. Whilst 'Lo Chiamavano King (His Name Is King)' by Bacalov is just movie music at it's moment making best. Jim Croce gives us a nice settled, montage break with 'I've Got A Name', writing beautifully and sounding like a young Elton John. That is before hip-hop comes into play for this modern day reworking of a classic...its only right. Rick Ross (with some co-writes from our movies co-star Foxx) gets deep and dark on the criminally good '100 Black Coffins'. Still it's the 'Unchained' melody and incredible, inspired blend of late legends Tupac Shakur and James Brown that gives this film it's perfect wild shootout music.

'I Giorni Dell'lra (Days Of Anger'), 'Nicaragua', 'Sister Sarah's Theme' and 'Ancora Qui' provide beautifully diverse, and wonderfully sitting background music to score the tempo of this film. Still soul star John Legend's 'Who Did That To You' really steps things up a notch in the movie and on the score. Mr. Stephens furthers his 'legend' with his best individual song in years vowing revenge on the fool that hurt Django's woman. "You better call the police/Call the coroner/Call up your priest/Have him warn ya" Legend warns as Foxx emerges from the smoke of dynamite for an explosive moment, made emphatic by this heated and hot track.

This really is the perfect music for Foxx's 'Django's' rise and redemption. Brother Dege gets real Western and upbeat with the poignant and yet proud 'Too Old To Die Young', while 'Un Monumento' and 'Titoli (Trinity)' are the perfect closers. As an added bonus what Tarantino, hip-hop inspired soundtrack would be the same without a RZA track? As the Wu-Tang, rapping and producing turned acting and directing (Q.T. recently debuted and co-singed the RZA's first martial arts flick)  legend closes the credits with a real rundown. Thus ends a classic film and it's perfect soundtrack. One that scores big on more than just being epic and great music. One score that really makes it's motion picture that bends the history that much more believable. Just like this movies modern take on a classic genre, this soundtrack has moments that you can't distinguish from the past and now and thus here lies a classic for today. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: WARM BODIES

4/5
Fuzzy Feeling.

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, James Franco & John Malkovich. Director: Jonathan Levine.

I REALLY LIKED THIS MOVIE! There I said it. This is THE valentines movie for you love suckers. If you think the zombie genre has been done to undeath, enough to make you want to eat your brains then you'd be right. Still, this is one refreshing take on the theme to put some colour back into the pale, overdone world of the non-living. With a great story, feel and meaning 'Warm Bodies', really is warm and looks set to be the next 'Scott Pilgrim' cult classic.

If you liked 'Zombieland' then wait until you get your teeth into the mind of this one. Arguably as funny, but with way more heart, this is one of those films that you go see because you think it looks better then it may actually be, but you end up coming out of the cinema even more pleaseantly surprised and glad you didn't pass this film up for DVD and T.V. You need to see how good this is now. This is THE surprise hit of the year, that swings further in a world of cinema strike outs. You actually get more than your overpriced moneys worth. This isn't just about getting so wrapped up in the trailers and latest Kevin Bacon advert that you don't remember or care what your actually watching. This is something to enjoy right this moment.

It's about a boy. Nicholas Hoult to be exact, who after 'X-Men' and more really is bringing his first class acting, even if most of it involves stumbling around and mumbling like an akward teenager...albeit perfectly done. Hoult has come of age now and honed his American accent. From a dry and hilarious narration beginning, to the truest example of character development, Hoult gives what could have been just another zombie comedy with a bit of cheese it's heart and soul. Alongside Teresa Palmer he really makes a great pairing as the two couple up perfectly for quite possibly one of the weirdest romantic comedies ever. For the younger generation, it's quite possibly one of the best too.

What could have been an apocalypse turns out to be a revolution...and there's a plot too. It's more than gags and teeth. Still, to give away anything about this clever, fresh plot would be to ruin the very nature of the pleasant difference this film makes. So like most reviews do, we won't. Let's just put it in lamens terms. There a boy, there's a girl, he's a zombie, she's not. Anything else would spoil the good time your about to have in the cinema. You shouldn't even watch the trailer. Just go in blind and after the hook of the first scene, you'll see what I mean.

There's great support from James little brother Dave Franco (who's really playing up to his elder, now wouldn't it be great to see them both in something?), 'Hot Tub Time Machine' favorite with  Rob Corddry added feeling, 'Crazy, Stupid Loves' Analeigh Tipton and the ever weird and wonderful John Malkovich. This being ever weird and wonderful too in all it's strange days of a land of zombies. The soundtrack too is a must have for you indie darlings. From the unrecognisable must-haves to classics from Springsteen, Dylan and Bon Iver. There's no creature fear here. Just a great story with more than meets the vacant eyes. Just give it a chance. Zombies are people too...even if they are people walking around all hunched over, muttering and bumping into people. Hey...you've been on worse dates. Don't sleep. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: BULLET TO THE HEAD

3/5
Nice Shot.

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang, Sarah Shahi, Jason Moma & Christian Slater. Director: Walter Hill.

Who said Sylvester Stallone was expendable? Right now the 90's action star is on a hot streak with his fellow ageing muscle bound action heroes with no signs of sagging. After his popular and welcoming 'Expendables' franchise brought every action star back in the game...with signs of adding more (Cage, Ford, Eastwood and Chan look set for the third one...can I get a Segal), Sly is back with a 'Bullet To The Head'. A top shooting film that should really be watched, back-to-back, grindhouse style with Arnies 'The Last Stand', just like those good ole, movie guy nights.

Of course 'Bullet To The Head's' formula is simple. Hitmen, revenge a little bit of male emotion, mixed with a hell of a lot of tetesterone and even more left over shell-casings. Yet, Stallone knows how to tell a simple story well and is really flexing his filmmaking talents. Well paced, exciting and far-fetched but still a popcorn movie that doesn't throw the stick too far for the dog. It's well done and set, in the classic city of New Orleans perfectly, with a classic soundtrack to jukebox. This is a good time, good ole days affair from a man who refuses to change...or age with the times.

And why should he, punching and mumbling his way through this one, Stallone's still got it and is Sly with his cunning ways. He also knows how to bring in the co-stars too. Stepping out of the toy cars of the high-octane 'Fast & Furious' franchise for a second, Sung Kang shows he really is one of the hottest, young actors of the moment. Cop this, between suiting up sharply and kicking ass in a parking lot, the nice guy turned good plays a detetcive with Hollywood veteran force. He's no rookie here. With great chemistry this is no cliche joke. This is the next buddy cop picture...except one of them is a hitmen. You get the idea. Teaming up for the same goal, this pair scores.

The rest of the cast are great too, even in limited screen time. From the known (Christian Slater) to the less known (Sarah Shahi), everyone makes their name. The villian of this piece is big and bold too, as Jason Moma  steps out the 'Stargate' and shows Stallone a real formidable foe swinging an axe and hammering down his hammed up part perfectly. What is he a viking? Now sure this is not a thinking mans movie. You could probably take a shot to the head and still keep up with this one, but anyone who's quick to criticise Stallone doesn't know his work. It's not Shakespeare. It's pure adrenaline, pumping movie escapism, with a little bit of heart too. Right now, when it comes to films like this...no one does it better than Sly. TIM DAVID HARVEY.