Tribe Called Quest: Review of The Lost City of Z

The Lost City of Z

Director: James Gray

By Alex Watson

Director James Gray takes a step into a different world with The Lost City of Z. Echoing the feel of Werner Herzog's 'Aguirre: The Wrath of God', Gray's take on British explorer Percy Fawcett's ill-fated Amazonian expedition firmly captures the obsession of finding the impossible. The jungle is presented as the ultimate danger and the haunting ambience that surrounds it never ceases to be nervewracking.

Major Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) is a British soldier seconded to the Royal Geographic Society. Sent to Bolivia on a mapping expedition, Fawcett finds evidence of what he believes to be a lost civilisation. Determined to make himself stand out from his contemporaries, Fawcett makes several trips to the Amazon jungle with running mate Costin (Robert Pattinson). Life and several unfortunate circumstances always seem to get in the way.

The Lost City of Z is at its strongest whenever Fawcett crosses over into the jungle. Gray masterfully builds up the suspense to unbearable levels. Will there be an attack by native tribes who hide in the bushes? Or will any number of wild beasts come calling? Fawcett is presented as a man who is frowned upon by his superiors. His 'unfortunate choice of ancestors' has marked him as tarnished goods despite being a dutiful and accomplished soldier. Chosen to 'referee' a mapping quest between Brazil and Bolivia- this assignment is as much about reclaiming his families honour as it is about advancement. How Fawcett keeps his composure in the jungle is fascinating. When threatened by heat, bugs, tribes and in-fighting between other men, he still commands with authority.

While on land, this picture does occasionally stray from the path. The side plot of Fawcett and his devoted wife Nina (Sienna Miller) feels drastically under-explored. Also, there is an over lengthy diversion into his WW1 service. What Gray does best is showing the burning desire the man had to find what others dismissed. The very notion of there being a civilisation older than our own is mocked and scorned by other RGS members. Each time he ventures back into the jungle, we yearn for him to find what he seeks. However, the lavish green of the Amazon seems to be at odds with him constantly. Each time he comes across a new band of savages or a tribe of cannibals, Percy has only his wits to keep him alive.

Although it is a well-paced movie, you can't help feeling that The Lost City of Z is perhaps longer than it needs to be. James Gray seems determined to flesh out as much story as he can. While there are some fine moments, such as the later scenes with adult son Jack (Tom Holland), you can sense Gray is desperately trying to fill time. As a person, Fawcett is compelling and his bravery such as facing gas attacks in no man's land or ducking for cover from tribal arrows is always astounding. Unfortunately, Gray's script never goes deeper than it needs to and we don't get a full understanding of the man himself. Although his honour is never in question, at points we wish he hadn't taken one final risk.

Charlie Hunnam gives a performance that is very two handed. While in the jungle, his presence is magnificent and he shows the cool head that Fawcett would have needed. Back at home, he doesn't quite convince with the film's more emotionally demanding material. An unlikely choice given his lack of physical resemblance, Hunnam does give us a glimpse of dramatic potential. Sadly the always watchable Sienna Miller is left on sidelines as wife Nina. A pillar of strength to her family, her effect on the movie is only minimal. Robert Pattinson again impresses post-Twilight with solid support as faithful companion Costin.

The Lost City of Z is a picture that goes into the very heart of darkness. Percy Fawcett was a man whose bravery and dedication really marked him out as the last great explorer.

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.

Dark Side of Fame: Review of Maps to the Stars

Maps to the Stars

Director: David Cronenberg

By Alex Watson

The more recent career of David Cronenberg has been a real departure from his old 1980's insanity and of late, he has focused more towards the focusing on the problems of real people. But the results have not wavered in quality and films such as Eastern Promises and A History of Violence have shown a more honest yet brutally violence side of Toronto's finest. After a mixed reception at the Cannes Film Festival, he brings us his vision of a dark Hollywood in Maps to the Stars.

Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) is a fading Hollywood starlet who is currently clinging to one final chance of fame by hoping to be cast in a remake of the famous 1960's movie that starred her mother. In the process of reclaiming herself, she hires the mysterious and burn scarred Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) a girl recently arrived in LA with a dark past as her PA. Agatha happens to be the daughter of noted psychotherapist Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) whose family is fighting the drug addiction problems of their 13 year old child star son Benjie (Evan Bird).

Maps to the Stars is an intriguing look by Cronenberg at the shallowness and greed of the Hollywood dream, but sadly it is a dense and rather incomplete one. The original script by Bruce Gadon seems slightly uncertain about where it really wishes to go and we are left with a rather messy criss-cross of story lines. Through the hauntingly shot cinematography of Peter Suschitzky, the movie is given a disturbing aura that makes this dream look like a nightmare vision, but luckily the movie has enough black humour and savage quips about the industry to be an enjoyable enough ride.

Central to the story is fame-obsessed Havana, who is plagued by belittling visions of her famous but sexually abusive actress mother. Here we have a woman who is still clinging her every aging beauty and is convinced that her ticket to fame is a vehicle that once carried her mother. Her age is a constant worry throughout Cronenberg's movie as she knows the roles will soon dry up as the clock ticks over. Havana is a creation that is a great example of tragic self obsession that is very real and painfully honest. Her furious reaction to one piece of casting news is truly frightening as we feel the bitterness flowing out of her like a hose on full blast!

It could be argued that the movie's true shake up is one that arrives in the first frame in Agatha. Arriving from Florida with her arms covered in long black gloves, this lady quickly attaches herself into the main characters lives, including wannabe actor/ limo driver Jerome (Robert Pattinson). She at first relishes the prospect of being Havana's PA but soon begins to learn that this one job that comes with a heavy weight. Throughout Maps to the Stars, Agatha is verbally bashed by the acid tongued actress to almost nasty extremes. Her relationship to her family though, is one that isn't fully explored and the movie loses some needed tension from this.

We are made aware of a tragic incident involving a fire when Agatha was younger that resulted in Stafford ensuring that she was put away. A brooding sense of hate and conflict is conspicuously absent from the story and gives this tale a rather dimensionless feel to it. The side story of mega star son Benjie who is a recovering drug addict has legs, especially as the spoiled punk's multi million grossing film allows him to throw insults at his suffering agent such as 'Jew Faggot' but feels more like a filler than a meaty chunk for the story to devour. The finale doesn't deliver a conclusion that satisfies all tastes and to many, this will most likely leave you feeling slightly baffled at its meaning.

Winner of the Best Actress at Cannes, Julianne Moore gives a tour de force performance as Havana and this could well prove to be the best of her career. Far from being more graceful with age, Moore magnificently portrays and wild and unpredictable monster whose engrossed yet self aware persona is gradually chipping away her chances for success. Mia Wasikowska is also equally impressive as the chatty yet enigmatic Agatha and effortlessly she holds our attention and at times sympathies as she becomes increasingly put upon by her new employer.

The males of the film are treated less fairly as John Cusack and Robert Pattinson are wasted in one note roles that are given little to draw us to them. Evan Bird scores highly though and his excellent portrayal the archetypical hollywood brat marks him out as a real talent to watch in future.

Maps to the Stars may not have been the accomplished picture that many had hoped for, but it does continue Cronenberg's fine run of modern day form.  This further demonstrates what a proficient film maker the Canadian has become in his 45 year career. Hollywood has never looked so horrifying!