STACK Nov #133

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REVIEWS

CINEMA

ALSO SCREENING

IN NOVEMBER

The title will bring a smile to the face of longtime

Bond fans – it's the nefarious organisation run by

Ernst Stavro Blofeld that featured in the 007 films

of the 1960s. So, will Daniel Craig's encounter in

the 24th Bond film be worth the wait? With

Skyfall

director Sam Mendes back calling the shots, Monica

Bellucci as a Bond girl, Christoph Waltz as the villain,

and Grammy-winner Sam Smith crooning the theme

song, the writing's on the wall.

Nov 12

SPECTRE

Vin Diesel is the immortal of the title, tasked

with destroying a coven in modern day New

York. And Michael Caine is in it! So is Ygritte

from

Game of Thrones

. The hunt begins

Oct 29

THE LAST WITCH HUNTER

This time it's war! In the final chapter of the

YA series, Katniss Everdeen brings the fight to

President Snow's doorstep in the Capitol – and

it's going to be epic. Let's hope the odds be

ever in her favour on

Nov 19

THE HUNGER GAMES:

MOCKINGJAY – PART 2

Rocky: The Next Generation. In this franchise

spin-off, Sly's iconic boxer trains the son of former

rival Apollo Creed, Adonis Johnson (Michael B.

Jordan). Lace up the gloves on

Nov 26

CREED

n M-rated Cold War film alludes

to many chats in icy conditions as

opposed to action-packed espionage

akin to Michael Caine in thick-rimmed glasses.

Thus are the conditions under which you

approach Spielberg’s exceptionally authentic

vision of a by-the-book lawyer, James Donovan

(Hanks), being asked to defend a ‘guilty until

proven innocent’ Soviet spy (Rylance) arrested

on US soil.

So exceptional is Donovan’s dedication

to a proper moral treatment and trial for the

accused (against all popular opinion), he’s

soon hired by the CIA to help broker a secret

international exchange between a captured

US spy pilot and his own cards-to-the-chest

client. So off to chaotic East Berlin we go,

where things get even more complicated

when a second US citizen detained behind

enemy lines seems to be a lesser priority

for Uncle Sam – but not to good ‘ol super

lawyer Donovan (cue the string section, shoot

upwards, puff out chest… you get the idea).

There’s no question that when it comes to

cinematic perfection, Spielberg manages to

capture the essence of a period drama with

sheer visual excellence. The opening sequence

aboard a subway, between undercover agents

and the accused "spy", is so incredibly real and

immersive, it’s a magic formula to filmmaking

this one director seemingly has the universal

patent on.

Yet what’s grating about this two-hours-

plus tale of American virtue and ‘fair-play

versus prejudice' Hallmark Card morality is

the casual nature of the narrative against such

extreme situations. No, this doesn’t deserve

any Oscars for acting, script, direction or the

film itself (give it to production design instead,

give ‘em two in fact) – it’s frankly so join-the-

dots in a lazy, ‘let’s play a board game ‘cos it’s

raining outside’ fashion, you'll feel like you’re

watching a documentary for school kids rather

than a thriller of any shape.

Granted, it’s a dull educational flick that

looks a billion dollars with huge names

popping in and out like gophers on Bill

Murray’s favourite green, but to flag-wave and

gush about the brilliance of such a flat delivery

with amazing possibilities (even a street gang

mugging seems like a civil exchange in a

gentlemen’s club) is just lemming territory.

Hanks practically walks through the entire

film like a slightly grumpy, but well mannered,

guest on set. No real emotional engagement,

fear, or ripples of discovery on that face

whatsoever – it’s bloody Berlin in the ‘50s,

a seriously dangerous place! Plus, this was

apparently co-written by the Coen Bros.

Really!?

A great story for the half price blue rinse

set, this is shiny play-it-safe Oscar bait from

a master craftsman capable of so much

more. Watch the edge-of-your-seat

Munich

afterwards if you need to cleanse your pallet.

Chris Murray

FURTHER VIEWING:

Munich, Saving Private Ryan

Steven Spielberg’s latest Cold War thriller again thrusts a mild-mannered and

noble Tom Hanks into enemy territory just in time for the awards season.

BRIDGE OF SPIES

RELEASED:

Now Showing

DIRECTOR:

Steven Spielberg

CAST:

Tom Hanks, Mark

Rylance, Alan Alda

RATING:

032

jbhifi.com.au

NOVEMBER

2015