Time for a film

Another week down, another 5 movies watched. This week I took a look at 4 new Australian releases in My Week with Marilyn, A Separation, Killer Elite, and Carnage and all with differing opinions. I also knocked a movie of my large watchlist in the 2006 movie The Illusionist, which was added to the very rare ‘A’ grade ratings section.

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My Week with Marilyn (2011) – A movie I was not expecting much from, it told a fantastic story about Colin Carter, a young man with a love for film, and his week working on the set with Marilyn Monroe. It tells a much greater story then that, and Michelle Williams captures Monroe brilliantly. I was very pleasantly surprised to see Emma Watson pop onto the screen, in what was not just a tiny role. The first hour had me enthralled, the final third did not as much, however it was still great and one I’m sure many will love. B- 

A Separation (2011) – Recently winning Best Foreign Film at the Oscars, this film finally hit Australian screens and it was a good one. Telling a story of an Iran family and the hardships they go through, it captivates the audience without any form of music or gimmicky camera work but with simply a great story with great acting. Out of the new releases of the week that I’ve seen, this would be my pick. B

Killer Elite (2011) –  From what I had heard this movie would be terrible but I was pleasantly surprised, for the most part. With a star studded cast of Clive Owen, Jason Statham, Robert Deniro, Dominic Purcell and quite a few Aussies, it is full of action as a retired member of Britain’s special forces must kill three assassins to save his mentor from captivity. Sadly after the first hour it does seem to drag on a bit, and get unnecessarily complex towards the end. I enjoyed it in parts but I can see why many hated it. C

Carnage (2011) - This movie was different. I’m not sure I’ve seen a movie by Roman Palonski before and I’m honestly not sure if I liked this movie. A tiny spoiler: They are in the same room the whole movie. Considering this massive restriction, there were some great moments in this movie that’s cast included Kate Winslet, John C Reilly, Jodie Foster and Christopher Waltz as basically the whole cast. The cynical view in me says the great, memorable moments of the movie are due to the fact that 80% of the movie is slow and a bit of a bore. When something actually happens (and you will know when the first ‘something’ happens) then of course it is hilarious and heightened. Never the less, I thought it was worth watching. I’m sure the older generations will love it too. C

The Illusionist (2006) - This movie was magical. A movie about illusions, with the illusionst being Edward Norton who woos Jessica Biel, a woman far above his social standing. If you have seen The Prestige, it is somewhat similar in storyline and what it aims to make you feel, and I think it’s really unlucky that they were released in the same year as The Prestige is a hard movie to compete with. Paul Giamatti also features and this film was a very enticing one, one that had me glued to the screen. The ending was also one of the best part’s and I did not see it coming but it still made logical sense. Highly reccomended. A-

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Some awesome movies this week and I still haven’t seen Project X which I plan on reviewing tomorrow. Not many movies released in Australia next Thursday but I definitely plan on seeing the big budget movie John Carter, as well as recently released Like Crazy. 

Thoughts on any of this week’s watched movies? And are you planning to (or already have) see Project X?