The Iron Lady: Review of Ex-Machina

Ex Machina

Director: Alex Garland

By Alex Watson

Although he is untested in the director's chair, Alex Garland's debut, Ex Machina is a revelatory piece of sci-fi cinema that tests the boundary of the human/AI relationship. But more than that, it asks makes us think hard about what it really means to be human? This movie not only combines some the great ideals that Garland has gathered in his previous work, but also is a unique and at times borderline creepy experience.

IT coder Caleb (Domnhall Gleason) unexpectedly wins a work place lottery and gets to spend a week with his reclusive boss Nathan (Oscar Isaac). But while at his large estate, Nathan quickly reveals a big secret behind his visit. He has constructed a living AI named Ava (Alicia Vikander) and is depending on Caleb to assess her through a series of communication session. But through these moments behind a glass wall, Caleb begins to wonder if this cyber woman can feel like other humans?

From the very get go there is a dark and tense feel surrounding Garland's picture and through this, Ex Machina has an uncomfortable sense of enclosure. The moment that Caleb is greeted by his genius boss beating a punchbag to rid himself of a hang over, we realize this a man like no other. Moments later he has one hell of a non-diclosure agreement thrust in front of him and is led to bedroom with no windows! Nathan succeeds at making our nerves jangle and as time passes him becomes more like the insane king of his own private land.

Together the two men are polar opposites, Nathan is the fun loving yet conspicuous boss who loves throwing out obscure references to oral sex scenes in Ghostbusters before spontaneously bursting onto his own private dance floor. Caleb is naive yet mistrustful of his surroundings, behind each wall lies some potential secret which Nathan wants to stay hidden at all costs. His initial admiration for his boss is skillful chipped away by Garland and his rightfully realized insecurities and fears are pushed in front of us gently.

The sessions with Ava are by far the movie's firing pin as through these, her responses and actions are unlike any we have seen. Her ability and slicing between any lie or truth  But amidst the budding attraction between and man and machine, there remain some firm and troubling questions? Can Ava truly be alive in her mechanical body? Are her feelings that are cognitive and genuine? Or this merely some ploy by Nathan or Ava for a more devious purpose?

Performance wise, Ex Machina belongs to the graceful yet heartfelt turn of Alicia Vikander as Ava! Precisely nailing each delicate movement, expression and dialogue, Vikander brings this lady to life and we instantly wonder whether there is living organism underneath the circuits? A rising star, Vikander shows that she is a talent to be reckoned with and alongside top support from both Gleason and Oscar Isaac this triumvirate makes the movie comes alive.

Alex Garland has hit the nail on the head with this effort and the screenwriter/novelist has finally brought together his ideas together. With Ex Machina he has given us a brain ticking effort that will give us serious thought about the future of AI! Feel secure now, Sonny from I-Robot?

Feeling Minnesota: Review of Kumiko The Treasure Hunter

Kumiko The Treasure Hunter

Directors: David Zellner

By Alex Watson

Bolstered by some stunning photography by Sean Porter and a wonderfully subtle and touching performance by Rinko Kikuchi, David Zellner's, Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is a poignant journey of discovery. Based on the real life but tragic story of Japanese officer worker, Takako Konishi, there is also a heavy morbidity hanging over events which culminates in a heartbreaking feel. Tough the bizarre fixation of the leading character gives the movie a quirky brilliance that is hard to ignore.

Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) is an introverted loner who works a boring and monotonous job in a Tokyo office. But when she discovers and old and abused VHS tape of the Coen Brothers movie, Fargo, she comes to believe that the briefcase of money buried in the film actually exists! To find this treasure, she impulsively sets off to Minnesota to locate it!

Mixed together with the Octopus Project's award winning score, Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is a different experience from the get go. Zellner is not concerned with using words to tell Kumiko's story, her hunched over  body language and downbeat eyes say more than words ever could. To the movie's beginning we quickly establish that Kumiko is far from happy with her existence and the only real job she seems attain is from continually watching the old Fargo tape. Cleverly, the reasoning for her obsession is never made clear cut and we can only assume any number of scenarios.

Upon her arrival in Minnesota, the characters that she meets along the way are a charming mix of both warmth but also filled with a great sadness. From a gregarious old lady (Shirley Venard), a religious travel agent (played by co-writer Nathan Zellner) to finally a helpful but concerned Deputy (David Zellner) all of whom treat Kumiko with understanding, but fail to grasp why she is braving a freezing Minnesota in search of a fictitious treasure. Even though the truth is bluntly given to her, Kumiko's reaction is one of pure denial and the reasoning for this only mystifies.

By the closing of Kumiko The Treasure Hunter, her quest has transformed her from a lonely individual who shunned human contact, to almost being a real hero. Even though inside we secretly worry like crazy, you cannot deny the resolve that she contains.  The climax of Zellner's movie however will both charm and smash your heart completely. But through everything, we are given a heroine that is both unique and quietly magnificent.

Rinko Kikuchi throughout is a magnetic screen presence and gives a performance that is one almost muted wonder. Using a lack of words and saying little to even her closest family, she channels Kumiko's disillusion with the world and her desire to escape. One of films most underrated talents, Kikuchi demonstrates the qualities that are making her a rising star.

One of 2015's most offbeat yet memorable journey's, Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is one that will steal your heart. Just imagine what could have happened if she had watched Muppets Treasure Island?

Top 5 Best Movie Phone Calls

Swingers 

The Citizen Kane of awkward movie phone calls see Mike (Jon Favreau) attempt to leave a voicemail for the pretty girl he has met in a bar (Brooke Langton). Not only does he fragrantly ignore his buddy's 'wait a week' advice but sets himself on course to be dateless for much longer. The range of emotion in this scene is breathtaking as Mike goes from being cool and collected, to being almost on his knees in desperation! For dating 101, please watch this!

Taxi Driver 

In Martin Scorsese's gritty classic, everyone automatically goes to the 'You Talkin' To Me?' scene, but this scene is the definition of being ditched over the phone. After Travis (Robert De Niro) blotted his copy book by taking his date Betsy (Cybil Sheppard) to a porn cinema- but his attempts at pleading for another chance bring about one of the most underplayed display's of disappointment rejection by De Niro! Just imagine if she had ditched him by text?

Taken 

This scene has become the high point of the hit and miss Liam Neeson franchise and here he provides an awe inspiring showing of brooding animosity. When his daughter is kidnapped from her Paris hotel, Bryan Mills (Neeson) proceeds to coolly not only threaten the lives of the captors, but list his particular set of skills "Skills that make me nightmare for people like you!" as the voice at the end of the line snides chimes "Good Luck!" it sets him on a path of vengeance that all will come to regret!

Scream 

One of the 1990's more iconic phone calls sees Casey (Drew Barrymore) pick up the phone on an ordinary saturday night only to be told "I'm gonna gut you like a fish!" What follows is a sadistic game of trivia for her to stay alive! Wes Craven has proved himself to be the master of suspense horror and this would prove to be one of his more memorable outings in recent years!

Lost Highway 

Of all the offerings on this list, this one is by the most zany! Delivering as only David Lynch can, Fred (Bill Pullman) meets a mystery man at a party who claims he is already at his house. Upon Fred understandably not believing this story, the man proceeds to call his home number. While he stands before him, the man's voice answers at the other end confirming his is already there! One of the Lynch's finest moments and one call you definitely will not see every day.

Best Athlete Cameos

Derek Jeter: The Other Guys

In a just a few moments, the now former Yankee legend makes an appearance that may not have won any acting awards- but gave us the priceless follow up "You shot Derek Jeter, he's a bi-racial angel!"

Lance Armstrong: Dodgeball 

Initially this was an inspiring and powerful cameo from the toast of the cycling world! One doping admission later and this comes across as one painful joke! Still his perseverance speech is rousing stuff, see if you can pick through the irony!

Lawrence Taylor:  The Waterboy

Although he proved adept at playing a pro footballer in Oliver Stone's 'Any Given Sunday' the former NY Giants linebacker proved funniest playing himself! After hearing the rambling speech by Bobby (Adam Sandler) LT simply looks at the camera saying "Don't smoke crack!" the after effect of this line is still felt heavily!

Darryl Strawberry: The Simpsons

Of all the big 90's Major League stars to appear in season 2 episode 'Homer at the Bat' the former Met, Darryl Strawberry was by far the best! Openly mocking his over confident image, Strawberry for once united baseball fans in funny.  Worth its weight gold for using the typical mocking line "DARRYLLL"

Dan Marino: Ace Venture- Pet Detective 

Not the only appearence that the former Miami Dolphin has made on our screen, but his appearance in Ace Ventura is still a memorable one! Proving to be a semi- decent screen presence, it is surprising that this guy didn't try and make any number of bad 90's flicks! Also check out his cameo in Bad Boys 2! 

The Mirror Has Two Faces: Review of Clouds of Sils Maria

Clouds of Sils Maria

Director: Olivier Assayas

By Alex Watson

Despite two great performances by Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, Olivier Assayas'  Clouds of Sils Maria is slightly let down by a frustrating ambiguous feel. Set mainly in the glistening Swiss Alps, the film at times has an electric and unique play to its scenes. But the fine line between reality and fantasy sometimes can be a confusing one. But in the midst of everything, Assayas has created something that perhaps deserves further analysis!

Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) is an acclaimed actress who has lives with her full time assistant and friend Valentina (Kristen Stewart). Recently she has been asked to appear in a different role in the same play that made her famous, Maloja Snake. Playing the older woman part comes as a shock to her system as she identified so closely with the younger woman, Sigrid on both stage and screen. Also she is not keen on the choice of popular young actress Jo-Ann Ellis (Chloe Grace Moretz).

As we open on the pair taking a train to Zurich to accept an award for Maria's longtime playwright friend, we see Valentina juggling different calls without batting an eyelid. Their relationship together is one of the films main firing pins, as it is a relationship so close that it effectively mirrors the one of Maloja Snake. One scene sees them casually stripped off and going for a naked swim like it was anything else. Whether rehearsing lines or living their normal lives the thin line between reality and fantasy is one that is increasingly blurred and at times, you feel Valentina voicing her fears through the lines of Sigrid.

But although Assayas present us with a cleverly written script, the story in Clouds of Sils Maria is at times hard to decipher. Yes I realize this is very much his intention and the way this plays out is clever and keeps our mind constantly ticking. However, it also leaves us slightly unfulfilled by its conclusion and will have us asking all kinds of questions which will probably take multiple viewings to gain closure on! There is a highly distorted feeling to proceedings which match the insecurities, fears and doubts of Maria and her inability to escape from what is becoming an increasing nightmare.

The burden of playing the older woman role is one that weighs heavily on proceedings as we slowly begin to realize that her whole career has been formed by the younger woman role. “I’m Sigrid, and I want to stay Sigrid,”she pleads at one stage. Realities of life have closed up on her and she is now feeling confined in a role that no longer interests her. Maria is an actress who is get gradually older and more alienated from the acting industry. Early on we learn she has rejected a new role in X-Men because she is 'sick of hanging from wires'. Throughout she exposes her lack of knowledge and appreciation of Jo-Ann and seems her bad reputation as a warning sign. The scenes where Valentina attempts to discuss various pop culture figures, only to met with a nonchalant reply from Maria firmly stamp her self imposed exile.

Juliette Binoche demonstrates just why she is still one of the finer European actresses around with a magnificent melancholic performance as Maria. Playing woman gradually slipping away from a world she no longer understands, Binoche is simply wonderful and holds the screen effortlessly. Kristen Stewart however rings in a career best turn as Valentina which combines expert subtly of emotion mixed with an ever increasing distance to her employer. Post Twilight, few would have expected this type of turn, her future like Robert Pattinson's seems to be brightening!

Clouds of Sils Maria is by no means a perfect film, but it one that is intriguing and perhaps will make us want to revisit it to unlock future theories. 

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!

Somebody To Watch Over Me: Review of It Follows

It Follows

Director: David Robert Mitchell

By Alex Watson

David Robert Mitchell's It Follows proves that old fashion scares are still very much the most effective. Assisted by a creepy and thumping electronic score by Disasterpeace, Mitchell succeeds in not only bringing forward a truly original concept, but also cranking up the scare factor to 11! After making a splash at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, this movie is a great horror in the mould of early John Carpenter, but the enemy present here is one like we have never seen!

Detroit teenager Jay (Maika Monroe) is an ordinary young college student whose life is turned upside down in one night. After having sex with her boyfriend Hugh (Jake Weary), she then finds out that he has passed on an entity to her! This unseen figure will follow her wherever she goes and when it catches her- it will kill her! Jay has to find a way to pass on the curse before it all too late!

From the very get go of It Follows, there is an undercurrent that is very serious. From the moment that Jay has the affliction literally passed on by her understandably scared but callous boyfriend- who then proceeds to abandon her, the carefree and innocent beginning is shattered into pieces. Although her friends attempt to help her, Jay knows there is only one way to break free which is sleep with someone else and moving the target onto them! What is perhaps the most effective device of Mitchell's movie, is that anyone around could be a potential enemy! The person can run, drive or fly a great distance, but they will keep walking toward them at a measured but unstoppable pace!

The frights that Mitchell presents to his audience are some of the most memorable in some time! One scene sees us jump in our seats as we see a blooded and half naked woman standing in the kitchen! Our nerves are kept continually on edge as whenever any person appears even faintly in the corner of the screen, we assume the worst! Mitchell's use of decrepit and abandoned neighborhoods gives a haunting ambiance to the surroundings. From school corridor to the beach, this unknown entity will not stop hunting and Mitchell proves that in this movie- there is no safe zone!

What is more refreshing about It Follows is the presentation of the relationships that Jay holds with her friends. There is an unspoken desire between her and friend Paul (Keir Gilchrist), but that never complicates their relationship. Throughout her friends are prepared to go the extra mile, even if they perhaps not entirely convinced of this danger they cannot see! This sharing of the burden is seldom seen in modern horror flicks and the movie is all the better for this.

Maika Monroe is the force that charges Mitchell's film and she rings in a charming yet fragile central performance. Never once resorting to playing the damsel in distress, Monroe rises above it to give a believable turn as an ordinary girl thrust into a horrific and life changing situation. A possible star for the future, Monroe has succeeded in grabbing our attention and her next moves will be keenly noted.

An excellent modern day horror film, It Follows is a scare machine that smartly goes back to route one horror. Prepare to squirm in your seats, watch over your shoulder as the exit the theater and more importantly, think about the people you may sleep with in future!