FEATURE : 15 GREAT CAMEOS - No. 15

In July we tackled the greatest animated movies ever made. With Tom Cruise currently raising audience eyebrows in Tropic Thunder, Film Apt. looks at 15 of the greatest cameos ever.

15. Bruce Springsteen in HIGH FIDELITY

In a film about music and relationships, what could be better than Bruce Springsteen handing out advice on your 'top 5'?

CINEMA: MAMMA MIA!

2008

Cert: PG

Dir(s): Phyllida Lloyd

Starring: Stellan Skarsgård, Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan

What You Need To Know: Girl wants to find out who her real dad is so invites three of her mothers' past conquests to her wedding. Singing and dancing ensues.

This review is more than a little late. It's months since the film was released and Film Apt. has only just got round to posting a review. This largely due to the fact that we've been more than a little apprehensive over the prospect of sitting through an ABBA musical. 108 minutes of all singing, all dancing ABBA just isn't up our street. But through the persistance of our other half and the sheer media presence of the musical, Film Apt. finally caved in. And was pleasantly suprised.

Mamma Mia (now showing in a special sing-a-long subtitled version in selected cinemas) zips along at a speedy pace, never sagging. The songs are performed with gusto and the film never forgets its' sense of fun. Only the presence of a truly wooden Dominic Cooper dampens the experience. Although it is not everyones' cup of tea, Mamma Mia! is without a doubt a fun film to enjoy in the cinema with friends.

Conclusion

It's so bad, it's good : fun, cheesy and very camp, Mamma Mia is a film that will almost certainly have you leaving the cinema with a spring in your step.

7

Bernie Mac

October 5th, 1957 –August 9th, 2008

CINEMA: THE APARTMENT

1960

Cert: PG

Dir(s): Billy Wilder

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Jack Kruschen

What You Need To Know: Ambitious guy lets out his apartment for fellow office workers to get up to no-good with floozies so he can get climb the business ladder.

Billy Wilders classic gets a well deserved limited re-release for a whole new generation to enjoy. 'The Apartment' remains both touching and funny. Shirley MacLaine and Lemmon are both utterly magnetic onscreen while MacMurray does a good job as the cad, Mr Sheldrake. 'The Apartment' does however feel a tad too long by todays standards. The shooting style evokes a sitcom-esque mood which isn't suited to the 2 hours running time. Despite this, the film is definately recommended viewing for anyone interested in getting some vintage gold. A comic and tender glow masks serious and cruel undertones.

Conclusion

Wilders witty script and winning performances from Lemmon and MacLaine save 'The Apartment' from its testing running time. A brilliant afternoon DVD rather than a night at the cinema.

8

CINEMA : THE DARK KNIGHT

2008

Cert: 12A

Dir(s): Chris Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

What You Need To Know: "Batman Begins". Round 2.

The follow-up to 2005's 'Batman Begins' has erupted onto UK screens after an avalanche of press publicity, controversy and tragedy. Already breaking box office records, 'The Dark Knight' is the most financially successful 'Batman' film yet.

'The Dark Knight' is a show down between Batman and comics' most popular villian, the Joker. Christian Bale returns as a stronger, more self assured Batman. He once again confirms that his take on the caped crusader is the best yet. Christian Bale brings an intense gravitas to a role that has stood the test of time, enduring parody(in the 60s) and ridicule ('Batman and Robin'). Perhaps inevitably though, it is Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker that truly stands out. Joker '08 is a beast that annihalates any previous interpretations of the character and will stand as the example where all future versions will be judged against. A truly twisted and delightfully disturbing villian, the Joker of 'The Dark Knight' will surely be joining the ranks of cinema's greatest antagonists. The rest of the cast are also excellent, with Maggie Gyllenhaal delivering a captivating take on the most thankless of roles, the Batman love interest. No suprises from Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman, who all keep up to their own, high standards. The writing by the Nolan brothers is suprisingly thought provoking and the score by celebrated musicians Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard is suitably dramatic. Infact, 'The Dark Knight' is a perfect example of a group of extraordinary talents, actors, composers and film makers, at the height of their game.

Despite this, and the hype surrounding the picture, 'The Dark Knight' is not completely perfect. Nolan still has yet to master the shooting of an action sequence and the editing is at times clumsy. A thrilling climactic battle on a building site is stifled by a video-game-esque set up and execution. Aaron Eckhart's brilliant potrayal of Harvey Dent is damaged by a somehow slightly limp payoff. As stated before, Maggie Gyllenhaal does a great job in bringing more to the damsel in distress role but the character, Rachael Dawes still just feels like a plot device that is there purely to inspire angst in other, male characters.

Having said all of this, 'The Dark Knight' is an accomplished piece of movie making. Despite being around two and a half hours long, the film never sags or over stays its' welcome. Its' faults feel extremely minor when considering what it gets right. As stated before, the acting is first class, while the action and tension never lets up completely. Rising high above its' predessesors in the comic book movie genre, 'The Dark Knight' is an intelligent and thrilling accomplishment. Easily the best 'Batman' movie ever made, it has raised the bar not just for comic book movies but summer blockbusters in general.

Conclusion

With gigantic performances from Bale and Ledger, stunning action sequences, thoughtful themes and a solid moral core, 'The Dark Knight' is essential, spectacular viewing.

9

CINEMA : WALL-E

2008

Cert: U

Dir(s): Andrew Stanton

Starring: (the voices of) Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin

What You Need To Know: Cute, lonely robot goes on an adventure in outer space.

First things first, Film Apt considers Pixar to be the very best animation studio working today. With a flawless previous track record, the company frequently put their closest financial rivals to shame.

It comes as no suprise then, that 'Wall-E' is another resounding success.

'Wall-E' opens with a blissfully laid back first act, in which the central character is observed going about his daily business on a deserted planet Earth. Often the quieter moments prove to be the most effective in this film from the director of 'Finding Nemo'. The second act takes Wall-E off Earth and into space, introducing a more traditional plot. The change of pace and energy is so radical that 'Wall-E' could be like two different films spliced together. This is by no means a bad thing, as by upping the action and plot, Pixar and Disney will no doubt be satisfying the summer audience looking for an animated blockbuster spectacle. It does feel though, that by modern animated film standards, the first half hour of 'Wall-E' is the most daring. Having said this, the rest of the film is also brilliant, just in a completely different way.
The believable interaction between a cast that is made up largely of robot characters is very impressive. With more than a couple obvious nods towards '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Wall-E' is sure to delight fans of sci-fi. The sumptuous imagery and flawless cast design will not make animation enthusiasts feel left out and the loveable characters will prove to be unforgettable for people of all ages.

Conclusion

A wonderful film for all audiences, and is likely to be the best animated feature of the year.
'Wall-E' is a must-see.

8

DVD : THERE WILL BE BLOOD

2007

Cert: 12

Dir(s): Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier

DVD Special Features: The Story Of Petroleum ,
Deleted Scenes, Trailers

What You Need To Know: Greedy prospector stops at nothing to get what he wants. Other folk not too happy about it.

Daniel Day Lewis doesn't work in films very often (compared to your average top billing actor), but when he does star his films feel like events. 'There Will Be Blood', Paul Thomas Anderson's ('Punch Drunk Love') latest, earned him a Best Actor Oscar and deservedly so. Day Lewis carries 'Blood' in a performance that is passionate and remarkable.

Having said this, he is not the only thing the film has going for it. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood creates a wonderful score that has the audience on the edge from the very onset. Opening with an assault of sound (that shares the screen with a canvas of pure black), Greenwood starts a sense of dread and discomfort that continues throughout the film. It's a wonderfully effective score that might not make it to the playlist on your iPod, but like the film, lingers in the mind for a good while.With the oscar winning cinematography combined with Andersons' expert skill in direction and writing, 'There Will Be Blood' feels like a film from long ago. The editing techniques and shots evoke a mood and style from the films of classic hollywood.

Daniel Day Lewis plays the prospector, Daniel Plainview while Paul Dano also puts in a notable performance as Plainview's rival, Elijah Sunday. The two spar throughout the film to win the hearts and support of the local towns people. Deep down, Plainview represents the pure financial greed of capitalism while Sunday is the corruption of religion, a 'false prophet'. Their competition is captured exceptionally well and brought to an utterly brilliant conclusion in the film's climax. Having said all this, with it's lengthy running time, 'There Will Be Blood' is a slow watch initially. In truth, it's merits never really strike you until long after the closing credits roll. When the film does hit you though, on reflection, it's status as a modern classic is hard to deny.

Conclusion

Once you get past the initial pacing and sheer operatic weight, 'There Will Be Blood's' brilliance is revealed. This is a film that will only get better and better.

9