Time Lapse:
What's it about?
Three friends discover a bizarre camera, in the home of their recently deceased neighbour, which can take photographs of future events.
Who would I recognise in it?
Danielle Panabaker.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
The film wastes little time in convincing its protagonists in the existence or mechanics of this strange photographic device, preferring to get the setup done quick and then take time with what comes next. There are familiar themes relating to time travel, such as using it for greed or the mind-twisting workings of the concept itself, but the film still feels more fresh than you might initially expect. The characters aren't necessarily the deepest or most complex, but their wants and needs are clear, and the performances help bolster their curious predicament as believable. Inevitably things take darker and more troubling turns, and while some twists are relatively predictable, the climax is deliciously satisfying. Good.
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The Monuments Men:
What's it about?
Based on a true story. A small band of Americans are sent to Europe in the wake of D-Day and the push back against the Nazis, to secure and return countless thousands of pieces of stolen art.
Who would I recognise in it?
George Clooney, Bill Murray, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bob Balaban, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
A central theme runs through the entirety of Clooney's latest directorial effort (which he co-wrote with Grant Heslov) - is a life worth sacrificing in the name of art? It's a complex issue and one that's passionately fought; perhaps the greatest defeat mankind could ever suffer (or inflict) would be having their existence, their culture, wiped out. The film is less sure-footed when it comes to its tone, switching from a Kelley's Heroes or Dirty Dozen style romp, to the grim reality of films like Schindler's List. On the one hand, showing barrel-loads of gold fillings stashed away next to great artworks lends the film's central thesis weight, but on the other it offsets the jovial mood of other moments. It's a tricky path to tread, and how successfully Clooney et al navigate it is entirely a case of personal opinion. The film has divided audiences and critics, but - for me personally - I enjoyed it's lighter moments and found fascination in its darker, loftier segments. Good.
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