Peace Time Conversion: Review of War Machine

War Machine

Director: David Michod

By Alex Watson

Scoring Brad Pitt's new movie was a major indicator that Netflix is now a main player in the feature film market. While War Machine works well in some areas, Australian director David Michod is seemingly confused whether this is a comedy-drama or a hard hitting satire piece? Despite some great comedic touches, this picture is unable to rise itself about Pitt's excellent performance.

General Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt) has recently been appointed as the command of the US Army in Afghanistan. Keen to make a big impression and admired greatly by those who serve under him, McMahon is disappointed to learn that President Obama plans to withdraw. The General has big confidence in the US coming out on the winning side, but his actions soon find him fighting his own personal war.

After the success of his nail-biting Oscar-nominated crime flick 'Animal Kingdom', Michod feels out of his depth in War Machine. An amusing opening sequence highlights just why McMahon (based on real US General Stanley McChrystal) is the man for the job. Having loyal subordinates including the hot-headed Glen Pulver (Anthony Michael Hall) and slimy civvy PR man Matt Little (Topher Grace). McMahon is an all business leader but early on the communication problems between him and Obama are highlighted. When is unable to get the face time he desires with his own commander, McMahon rashly criticises him on TV. As a result, 40,000 more troops included jaded Sergeant Ricky Ortega (Will Poulter) arrive in Helmand province. McMahon has total faith in his nation's victory, the administration he serves simply wants to end it. While the movie's first half promises a sharp and witty piece- Michod seems confused where to take it from here.

While there are moments of pretty blunt commentary on the US efforts to drag the war out. In one scene McMahon is called out for his actions by a German politician (Tilda Swinton). Michod does well in bringing to light the problems being created instead of a solution, such as the ineffectiveness of counterinsurgency. Problem is that McMahon and his men just come off as total idiots rather than lovable ones. There is also numerous side plots that feel poorly written such as Ben Kingsley impersonation of Afghan leader Hamid Karzai. Unfortunately, this adds little to proceeding other than Kingsley lying around sneezing. There is also a lack of explanation as to just why McMahon has spent so much time away from wife Jean (Meg Tilly)? Michod feels like he is trying to add more material to cover the lack of substance throughout.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of War Machine is that we are constantly reminded throughout how impossible the task is yet they proceed anyway. Throughout the picture seems occupied trying to find a reason to explain why this is even worth viewing? The inclusion of Rolling Stone journalist Sean Cullen (Scoot McNairy) who is cynical of McMahon's intentions is where the trouble really begins. Unaware of the consequences the crew starts running their mouths and getting drunk in public. You sense a storm brewing and the already strained relations between the White House and McMahon look ready to collapse. The General comes across as a warrior who doesn't know how to step off the battlefield and in life is always fighting fires.

Brad Pitt does well as the increasingly frustrated McMahon and manages to find the movies funny side. This role is not the deepest or even strongest performance of his career, but it is one that reminds us what presence he can bring. His character sadly doesn't live up his efforts and due to a lack of depth we never really get a full insight into the reasons behind his intentions?

While War Machine offers up some good laughs at the personnel involved and the ludicrousness of the situation, unfortunately, this isn't Netflix's strongest offering.

7 Great Movie Cameo's

Kevin Spacey (Se7en)

From the very moment that Spacey enters David Fincher's dark classic, he is a force to be reckoned with! Making an eye bulging and blood soaked entrance in a police station, calmly saying "You're looking for me!" he then proceeds to play a dangerous game of psychological cat and mouse with Mills (Brad Pitt). Through Spacey's ice cold front and delivery, one of the great cameos was born!

Alec Baldwin (Glengarry Glen Ross)

The most impressive element to Alec Baldwin's appearence as foul mouthed Mitch & Murray man Blake, is that he blows away legends such Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris and Kevin Spacey in a single scene! Demonstrating a cutthroat attitude, Baldwin is one of the movie highlights and the business' intent to only keep two employees is made abundantly clear "first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired. Get the picture?"

Alice Cooper (Wayne's World)

One of the more off the all cameos on this list- but the legendary rocker's appearance in Mike Myer's comedy classic still hit the funny mark! Doing a sly nod to Cooper's brainy nature and his love of facts and trivia, the next few minutes leave us stunned and impressed! If you didn't now anything about the city of Milwaukee (other than the Brewers), then now is the time to pay attention! Does this guy know how to party?

Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver)

Scorsese has often showed just how effective he can be when he appears in movies (look up his starring role in Quiz Show). But as the creepy passenger in the back of Travis Bickle's (Robert De Niro) cab, he has a startling effect on proceedings. Demonstrating a man so pent up with anger he is practically bursting at the seems, Scorsese ranks second only to Bobby in terms of effectiveness! What would a movie about this guy have been like?

Chuck Norris (Dodgeball)

The genius of the noted action star's cameo, is that although it is short and sweet, it has a pivotal outcome on events! This may well be the finest 'acting' of Chuckie's career. All together now, "Thank you Chuck Norris!", "Thank You Peter!"

Tom Cruise (Tropic Thunder)

When Tom Cruise plays against type, he can be stunning to watch- as fat, balding and foul mouthed producer Les Grossman, the result was people lying on the floor in stitches. He continual tirades produce of the most original and profanity laced rants that has ever graced the silver screen, "Now I want you to step back and literally FUCK YOUR OWN FACE!!!" Cruise produces one of the more memorable cameo's of the last decade- if only for his dancing to Flo-Rida!

Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction)

The kind of bizarre yet awesome acting, his solitary appearance as Captain Koontz in Tarantino's noted movie is a masterclass. In one scene he brings about his typical zany feel mixed in with some great feelings of compassion as he recalls his often painful Vietnam experience- and just where he kept Butch's (Bruce Willis) father's gold watch for two years. When this man comes on screen, expect the unexpected!

Top 4 Christoph Waltz Moments

Austrian actor Christoph Waltz came onto our screens in a blaze of glory after his stunning turn as clever monster Colonel Hans Landa in Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards. Sporting a unique blend of charm mixed with extreme danger, he has proven to be one of the most able and commanding European actors so far in the 21st Century. Now Sam Mendes has come up with the smart idea of casting him as the new Bond villain in upcoming installment, SPECTRE!

While we light the fires of anticipation, here are four reminders of just why we love this guy so much!

Inglorious Bastards "That's a Bingo!"

Hans Landa all throughout Tarantino's WW2 effort is an unpredictable menace, his memorable entrance sets us on alert early on. However, it is his turncloak effort at the films climax that proves most enthralling, purely for the fact that Landa does it without a second thought. The relish on his face when he says the immortal 'Bingo' line wonderfully turns to borderline embrassment as it falls flat before Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt). Either the making of Waltz was created.

The Green Hornet "Are We Clear?"

In Michel Gondry's hit and miss adaptation of TV's the Green Hornet, Waltz's baddie Chudnofsky proved to be the one solid and plausible element. His opening scene is a masterclass in silent villainy as with minimum of effort (and a two barreled pistol) he easily dispatches fast talking drug dealer Danny Clear (James Franco). Talk about whipping the smirk off the guys face!

Django Unchained "Dr King Schultz"

In his second Oscar winning role under Tarantino, Waltz's garrulous Dr King Schultz stole the show. Once more he proved the master at entrances and this one showed how even a great word smith can be a cracking shot also! Along with his faithful steed, Fritz, this 'dentist' was by far the standout due to his friendly yet resourceful feel. Long may this partnership continue!

Water for Elephants "Fair Warning"

Waltz's role in Water for Elephants probably wasn't the greastest he will ever receive, but he sure made the most of things. The strongest thing was his refusal to abide by the typical abusive husband stereotype. His August character is one of more subtle and viperous threats, in this one key scene, he lets Jacob (Robert Pattinson) know he is aware of his affair with his wife and casually alerts him to the consequences that could follow.

Gears of War: Review of Fury

Fury

Director: David Ayer

By Alex Watson

As Plato once wrote "Only the dead have seen the end of war" and this will most likely continue to be the case in the world we live in. War films have forever been a staple of good storytelling in Hollywood and Saving Private Ryan has so far set the bar in terms of WW2 films. This week writer/director David Ayer brings us an account of a tank crew facing insurmountable odds in his film, Fury. But how can this movie compete against an already established field?

Sergeant Don 'Wardaddy' Collier (Brad Pitt) is the tortured yet adored soul of a fiercely loyal tank crew consisting of Boyd (Shia LaBeouf), Grady (Jon Bernthal) and Gordo (Michael Pena). The squad is tired of war but continues to kill Germans nonetheless. Things are complicated by the arrival of rookie gunner Norman (Logan Lerman) who has to learn quickly the lessons of war and its scars, particularly when the crew finds itself stuck in the open with 300 armed Germans strolling into view!

David Ayer's Fury is a credible attempt by this man to get away from the police genre he has been stuck with in the past. His movie makes for a compelling view of the strained final days of WW2 and for the most part, it works very well. We open with a potent shot of a German officer on a white horse emerging from the smog and trekking across a field filled with destroyed US tanks. The ghosts of war are already present and the loss of innocence and sense of impending death that follows gives a haunting spirit hanging over Ayer's film.

When we meet our heroes, they are not portrayed as heroes by any means. This group of beleaguered GI's have the horrors of war painted on their expressions, but still they struggle on. Wardaddy is not made out to not be any kind of likable persona. His cold blooded killing of SS officers and often ruthless approach to war such as "History is Violent!" at points makes him no better than the Nazi's he sets out to kill. But as a leader, he has the firm head while the bullets fly and is determined to fulfill a promise to see his boys get home. From this you can see why his group would follow him through fire.

Aside from some neat and tense moments, such as a stunning shot of a sky swimming with bomber planes- Ayer fails to really break any new ground in this film and the stuff on display we have seen too many times before. This squad are the same type of grizzled veterans that Spielberg introduced previously and sadly they fail to add any real depth to proceedings. The side story of the dehumanizing of new recruit Norman is one that feels a little cliched as he goes from wimpy young cub to gun roaring lion by the films climax.

But what it make lack in originality, Fury makes up for it pure thrills and we are given a finale battle that leaves us hanging in excitement. Stuck at a crossroad with 300 germans rolling into view and nowhere to run, the crew decides to make one brave (albeit suicidal) last stand! Watching the bullet swarm around like fireflies and the night sky lit up with shell blastings, this is one sequence that stands out and surprisingly gives us a poignant yet taut ending that it so badly requires.

As normal Brad Pitt does well as the disturbed combat master Wardaddy, but it doesn't feel like a role that particularly stretches his ability. Cleverly Pitt gives his nature a very rough edge and makes him out to be borderline hero and enemy. Throughout though we are drawn to Pitt and he proves to be troubled face of war.

In the supporting ranks, Shia LaBeouf delivers a performance that is surprisingly excellent as war torn technician Boyd. Demonstrating a range of emotion that many wouldn't have thought likely, LaBeouf demonstrates his potential and hopefully this will prove to be some kind of a turning point for this man! Logan Lerman again impresses post Percy Jackson, but although he tries his best, Norman is not the endearing character that we yearn for him to be.

Fury might not be in the same league as more recent efforts such as The Hurt Locker in terms of thrills or good story lines. But it does provide a very realistic and gut stirring view of the last days of war. Aided by some good performances, this is still an effort that deserves your attention.

Three October Movies To Get Excited About

As we move closer to award season, the films that will be in contention are slowly rearing their heads. TIFF brought us a taste for what is to come, but now we are back to regularly scheduled multiplex showings. Here are my three picks for October!

Nightcrawler 

Dan Gilroy's suspenseful and pulsating Los Angeles set crime thriller has been a smash hit with critics so far. Telling the story of ambitious freelance crime journalist Lou (Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes gradually more obsessed with the dark underbelly of his occupation which leads to him crosses a dangerous line! Gyllenhaal has been proven to do intense acting well and it appears that this could be one of his career best!

Fury 

War movies have always been a staple of award season nominations and it appears that director David Ayer could have a contender on his hands with Fury. Set against the backdrop of WW2, Sergeant Dan 'War Daddy' Collier (Brad Pitt) commands a fatigued Sherman tank crew who soon find themselves involved in one hell of a battle where the odds are firmly stacked against them! From the clips on display this could prove to be an exciting underdog stories with a firm heart to support it! With a solid cast including Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Logan Lerman and well... Shia LaBeouf this is one to watch.

Birdman 

Mexican maverick, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu returns next month with his comedy-drama Birdman. The revolves around fading star Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) who is synonymous for playing superhero 'Birdman' and his attempting to get his career back on track by staging a bizzare broadway show- only for his mind to slowly unravel! From the looks of things this could well be a memorable and dark comedy drama from Inarritu and most likely, a revaletory turn from Keaton that cleverly mocks his former turn as 'The Dark Knight' aka Batman!