Marley Magnificent

I've been waiting a long time to watch this Kevin MacDonald directed Bob (Robbie to his school mates) Marley doco and for once, my patience and anticipation was richly rewarded.

Sure, it's mostly "positive vibrations" throughout the 150-minute film, with few, if any, "Bad Bob" stories but that's a minor quibble. 

Fact is, Bob packed plenty of living in his 36 years. Yes, Bob departed this world for a greener (probably) and more pleasant place at a very young age - I forgot he died so young. Well, young in today's pop environment, where bands and artists never age (or retire) - they just take long breaks before reforming again and again (usually to pay off 'surprise' tax bills).

I've been a BMW (Bob Marley & the Wailers) fan for three decades. As a young un, the BMW sound was pretty hard to escape - it was the soundtrack to school sports trips, road trips, at the school yard, countless parties and more. 

    A beautiful piano & vocals only version of No Women, No Cry is one of the movie highlights 

Indeed, Bob's music and messages were embraced by many New Zealanders. Just as Morrissey and The Smiths sang to millions of lonely, shy, mostly white teens around the world, Marley's music connected deeply with Maori people in the early 70s, and still today. Heck, Marley's February 6 birthday is celebrated by thousands of New Zealanders every year - here's a great piece on this unique connection.

In addition, for New Zealanders of a certain vintage, Marley's concert in Auckland in 1979 has taken on mythical, and stuff of legend, status. 

Back to the film, it's beautifully shot and edited, and flows seamlessly. It's also thorough with revealing information about Marley's English father, and his gallivanting ways. Just a shame there were no interviews with Marley's English side of the family.

              The late Dylan Taite's wonderful interview with Marley during his 79 visit to NZ.  

While there's plenty of music, the highlights are stories from a whole host of reggae luminaries including Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, the Carlton brothers and others.

It's a shame the late Peter Tosh wasn't featured more and I don't know if the film makers had a beef with Chris Blackwell, the Island Records supremo, but he comes across as a bit of a creep.

Even if you're not a fan, or are unfamiliar with Marley's music, there's plenty of good stuff including funny anecdotes and back stories. My favorite was a revelation that the "reggae sound" was created by accident - specifically, a "delay effect" delivered by an ancient tape recorder.

Sour Times

Mavis Gray - a KFC eating, delusional, bonkers mad badass 

Young Adult (YA) is the "feel bad movie of the year" and its lead character, Mavis Gray (Charlize Theron) is as scary, nasty, terrifying and black-hearted as Hannibal Lector.

While it's not a film for everyone, I loved YA for its originality and dour, sour tone. It's compelling and funny (though the humour comes from very dark places), and will stay in your head.

On the surface, the story retreads a familiar 'big city gal returns to small town roots to reconnect and learn life lessons' theme. This does happen, but along the way, Mavis' true love quest, or journey, travels down a bumpy, rough, gravel road.

Mavis, a mildly successful ghost writer of young adult books lives a self-absorbed, semi-detached life in "Mini Apple" (Minneapolis) where her days are spent writing, looking after her dog and going on dire dates.

When her old true love, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson) invites her to a party to celebrate the birth of his new child - she accepts, though she has a hidden agenda. Her return home is motivated by a deluded desire to win Buddy back.

Full of big city swagger and attitude she wants to to relive her prom queen glory days. But everyone from her golden past has moved on, or moved out, and her only companion is Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt).

As the high school loser, he was invisible to Mavis during her teen heyday. He was also tortured by school bullies and left partially crippled after a vicious beating from them. Though it's not revealed how, it seems Mavis was partially responsible for this.

But that was then. 20 years later, Matt is now the only person Mavis can connect and confide with and together, the "damaged goods" pair uncover many uncomfortable and inconvenient truths about their respective lives.

The outcomes are raw, unflinching and brutally honest in parts and that's the film's biggest strength. It also features a brilliant opening titles sequence that will appeal to fans of the Scottish band, Teenage Fanclub and mix tape aficionados. I loved YA and hope you will to.

IDMB link

Viva Riva!

If you mashed together New Jack City, Scarface, Juice, Fresh and added a dash of Mad Max, it would nearly match the sound and fury of Riva Viva!

As a lifelong fan of blaxploitation and gangsta (as in Boyz In The Hood) flavoured movies, I was looking forward to this 'straight out of Kinshasa' film about hustlers, pimps and thieves and it delivered in spades.

Sure, the Viva Riva! plot is nonsense but the story is told in such a raw, unflinching and 'cranked up to 11' style, a wild and entertaining ride is guaranteed.

The film is centered around Viva, a charming, charismatic gangster, who steals a truck load of gasoline from Angolan crooks to sell in gas-deprived Kinshasa for fistfuls of cash. Trouble is, Cesar, the Angolan crime boss wants his petrol back, while local kingpin, Azor wants a piece of the action. Throw in Azor's stunningly beautiful girlfriend, Nora, a morally conflicted priest, a streetwise kid and a lesbian military officer and you have a crackerjack of a movie.

Word of warning, some of the violent scenes are hardcore, in some places, laughably over the top, but they just add to the film's visceral thrills and spills.  

Headshot (Fon Tok Kuen Fa)

The lone wolf assassin (The American), vigilante/samurai (Drive) cinematic theme that's in vogue right now continues with Fon Tok Kuen Fa (Headshot) - the latest offering from acclaimed Thai director, Pen-ek Ratanaruang.

Although the film's "good cop who is blackmailed, gets shot and damaged, and has to break bad and also battles moral demons" plot, is not new - and has a couple of creaks - Headshot is compelling, stylish and engrossing.

It's beautifully filmed and viewers are kept on their toes thanks to a non-linear storyline and abrupt changes in pace - often languid, then jolted with rapid fire action scenes.

In addition, the main lead actors Nopachai Jayanama, Chanokporn Sayoungkol and Cris Horwang are incredibly attractive and have presence, lots and lots of the stuff actualy. As well, local rapper, Joey Boy burns up the screen in his brief, but intense appearance as a well-dressed, psychotic, unhinged torturer.

Headshot is also topical and relevant with the director taking subtle pot shots, throughout the film, at the evils of corruption, nepotism and capitalism gone wild.

Finally, after watching so many films set in New York or Los Angeles, it's refreshing and pretty bloody wonderful to see an atmospheric and beguiling Bangkok showcased so brilliantly on celluloid.

Go see - but be patient - let the film's charms wash over and slow boil into your mind and body.

Headshot web site

Long Journeys Wear Me Out...

Jack Dee (far left) and the other excellent characters in Lead Balloon

But they provide a good opportunity to catch new movies and a host of TV shows in a single (albeit uncomfortable) sitting.

My 11-hour haul from Auckland to Bangkok began with a light starter - an hour of UK chef, Rick Stein driving and eating across Spain.

With his easy going TV manner and approach, Rick comes across as a bloody good bloke. My beef with his show, and similar offerings, is that unlike us in the real world, Rick never eats a horrible dish or dines at a rank restaurant.

Rick's culinary saunter was followed by romcom "Friends With Benefits" (FWB). Don't ask me why but romcoms are long haul cinematic faves. Maybe watching beautiful people living beautiful lives eases the pain of sitting in a tin can for 10+ hours. 

Rocco - a real person or a celebrity chef cyborg?

FWB wasn't awful - in fact, this film about a fuck buddy relationship that goes wrong then comes right (I think), is filled with plenty of good lines.

On this performance, Justin Timberlake to me, is a better support player than main man. By comparison, his sparring partner, Mila Kunis, has way more acting and comedic chops. But the film's real star is Woody Harrelson who crackles and pops in his brief time on screen.

More New Yorkers falling in and out of love was next on the viewing schedule with "Something Borrowed" (SB) - a long-winded stinker. SB strives to realise comedic and dramatic ambitions but fails to hit ether target. The only saving grace was the performance of John Krasinsky as the smart but lonely guy, while Kate Hudson was annoying to say the least. Avoid!!!!

After this flatulent dross, I needed some Food Channel escapism and "Rocco's Dinner Parties" sated this hunger. However, one question? Is host Rocco DiSpirito a real person or a celebrity chef cyborg? The man is too perfect to be true.

There was more goodness with my final selection, two episodes of "Lead Balloon," a comedy series co-written and starring Jack Dee, a leading UK comedian. He plays a washed up, delusional TV star who thinks his best days are still ahead of him. It's not dissimilar to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but triumphs nonetheless thanks to its Britishness and host of terrific support characters and actors.

Hanna

Given the choice between Harry Rotter 5 or Hanna, I put my money on the latter and what an inspired decision it turned out to be. Give me a teen killing machine over a young wizard anytime.

Like the best movie experiences, Hanna far exceeded my expectations - though full disclosure, I knew next to nothing about the film before viewing.

While the plot is fairly conventional, director Joe Wright brings a fresh take on the action/thriller genre fusing Leon (The Professional), Run Lola Run, Nikita and Walkabout.

For me, the best scenes were the ones in which Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) - who had been raised in the arctic wilderness - encountered other humans, modern gadgets and objects for the first time. In her eyes, the everyday and ordinary appear wildly exotic, familiar, enthralling and chaotic.

The film also contains more than a dash of humour courtesy of the English family who befriend Hanna. The daughter (Jessica Barden) almost steals the show as do her mum (the always excellent Olivia Williams) and dad (Jason Flemyng).

In addition, Tom Hallander, playing a German assassin is brilliant - his tennis gear attired character is a mix of Attila The Hun and Elton John.

Overall, a 3.5 stars out of 5 for me. The only thing that didn't quite work was the Chemical Brothers soundtrack - a little too boombastic for my ears - though the quieter, folkier tracks were good.

Fire In Babylon

The four horsemen - Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner.

I don't like cricket.. I love it ... but I've lost touch with the modern game because in SE Asia, the game is as popular as bland tasting food.

As I tell many non-cricket fans - Americans basically - cricket is the ultimate test of mind, body and spirit. That's why this documentary on the West Indian cricket team (1978-90) - one of the greatest, meanest, hardest, skillful and successful outfits in the history of the game - was a high priority watch for me.

It doesn't disappoint. Any film featuring interviews and footage of legends such as Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Clive Lloyd etc has a lot going for it. Throw in the wit and wisdom of Bunny Wailer, as well as great news clips from the 70s and 80s, and it's sure fire winner for cricket tragics.

As an avid rugby fan it was also interesting to note the similarities - re the struggle for acceptance and bigger pay cheques, faced by the West Indian cricketers back then - and polynesian rugby players and teams in relatively recent times.

My only beef was the lack of comment from notable opponents like Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Greg and Trevor Chappell and Tony Grieg. I wanted to know what they feared/hated/respected  most about facing the Windies.

If you are watching at home get in a few cans of ice cold Red Stripe and crank up the bass because the reggae flavoured soundtrack is superb.

Fire In Babylon trailer

Cedar Rapids

This low key comedy delivers high quality chuckles (more than six which is a good rate) thanks to a tight, witty and topical script and terrific performances from lead actors Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr and Stephen Root.

The film perfectly nails the good (the chance to stay in a fancy'ish hotel and see old friends); the bad (having to feign interest in presentations that are massaged to please the boss) and the downright ugly (spending 2.5 days with a few folks you'd usually cross the road to avoid) of corporate conferences and offsite gatherings.

For fans of The Wire (the greatest TV series of all time), Cedar Rapids is also worth viewing for two fantastic Wire-themed gags delivered by Isiah Whitlock Jr - better known as the show's creepiest and slimiest character - the super shady Senator Clay "Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiittttttttt" Davis.

Rio

Tiger Woods was well cast as Fernando, the favela bad boy who broke good. 

The youngest member of the house enjoyed her maiden voyage to the cinema though popcorn and the theatre's large comfy seats, held way more interest for her than the main attraction.

As for me, an animated film non-believer (besides Cloudy With The Chance Of Meatballs), I enjoyed Rio a lot. It was pretty funny and Tracy Morgan's Luiz bulldog character stole the show. The music was also great and the graphics were amazing.

Rio was also our first family 3D movie experience and it got a 'blah' rating from us - the glasses kept falling off the small one's face and the colours seemed dulled to me - so Mark Kermode we're with you - 3D is a crock.

Once In A Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story Of The New York Cosmos

Pele and Chinaglia enemies on and off the pitch.

Like moths to flames, footballers and hedonism are drawn to each other and the New York Cosmos soccer team of the late 70s and early 80s, played and partied hard - well hard.

I guess it's only natural when your home ground is the 80,000 capacity Giants Stadium and the team's post-match "recovery" sessions took place at the legendary Studio 54 nightclub.

The rapid rise and fall of the Cosmos is documented superbly in the "Once In A Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story Of The New York Cosmos" film. It's highly recommended for football fans as well as folks who love New York, especially New York in the 70s.

The Cosmos story has everything - heroes, villains (Giorgio Chinaglia), winners, losers, dreamers, realists, the greedy, the good and disco beats. It also involved anyone, who was anyone, in the US in the 70s - Ahmet and Ertegun Nesuhi, Henry Kissinger, Steve Ross and a host of Warner Brother Communications head honchos and lawyers.

For me, I loved how a bunch of journeymen footballers became team mates (almost overnight) with the greatest player on earth, Pele. And I laughed when Pele complained that his new team mates passed the ball to him too much!

Whoever you choose to believe, Pele signed a 5-year deal (including endorsement and PR rights) for close to US $5 million. By comparison, baseball legend, Hank Aaron was earning US $200,000 per year  during the same period.

Another highlight was a shoot out goal scored by Carlos Alberto. It is one of the coolest (in all senses of the word) goals you will ever see.

In recent months, the Cosmos franchise has been resurrected with Eric "Seagull" Cantona named as the team's director of sport. It seems football fans in New York and around the world are in for another rocking good time and I can't wait to see the team back on the pitch.

IMDb movie information

A good story from the New York Times about the new gold Cosmos dream

Trillion Dollar Bill

20 words to describe Bill Withers - soulful, wise, funky, smart, loving, proud, humble, honest (brutally honest), inspirational, profound, funny, generous, poetic, kind, loyal, thoughtful, perfectionist, independent, articulate and compassionate.

Even if you're not familiar with his amazing music, the 2009 "Still Bill" documentary on Withers' life, songs, family, friends, struggles and achievements is worth seeking out. He is a superhuman super human and the author of "Lean On Me," one of my all-time favourite songs..  I even like Club Nouveau's version.

NYT's Still Bill review 

"As Happy As Jesus In the Barn"

Heartlands is probably the mildest road movie ever made. But don't let that description put you off this little cinematic treat. What I thought would be a "light and easy" Sunday night watch turned out to be a bit better than expected.

Plot-wise it's straightforward, extra mild-mannered Colin (Michael Sheen) heads out on his scooter - with 12 packets of crisps and his darts - across the beautiful Peak District to Blackpool try win back Sandra, his wife who has run off with the local copper.

Along the way he meets a host of characters who show him a) a life beyond his daily grind and b) the importance, of occasionally, looking after number one.

If you are a fan of understated, scarcasm-heavy humour from the north of England, this is a film for you. It's also beautifully shot and any movie that features Wreckless Eric's classic "Whole Wide World" has a lot going for it in my book.

Made in 2002, this film was a bit of a launch pad for many actors who are now major stars including Ruth Jones, James Corden and Mark Strong who has an excellent cameo. Other notable feature, Michael Sheen as Colin sports one of the worst haircuts in cinema history.

Rotten Tomatoe Reviews

Love, laughter and truth

"Play from the heart" is what the late, and phenomenally great, comedian Bill Hicks did in spades. Just watched the documentary on his life, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" and found it inspiring and informative.

After watching, you get the feeling he was so extravagantly gifted he could have also made it in music, football (the American kind) or as a writer. 

Besides fantastic live footage of his well-known performances, the doco is made extra watch'able due to the film's slide-show format mixing animated scenes and interviews with his family and close friends. 

Through these he comes across as someone who would be an ideal best mate - a guy who was loyal, sharp, always stuck to his guns and embraced the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. 

He loved "kicking against the pricks" and in this regard is on par with other ultra-smart, articulate and on-the-money prick kickers such as Gil Scott Heron and cartoonist, Harvey Pekar.

His opinions and thoughts on a host of social and political issues remain as relevant and timely today - R.I.P Bill - you are missed more than ever.

AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story

"If you can't take the heat ... get out"

One of my most eagerly anticipated films of the year. The story of the meanest, coolest, and deadliest cricket team ever - the West Indies from the 70s and 80s - with an appearance by Bunny Wailer and a rocking roots, rock, reggae soundtrack - It'd be wrong to ask for more.