Week in Film – 10-16/12/12

This is War (2012)

 This is the reason I don’t watch romantic comedies – knowing within the first ten minutes exactly who’s going to get the girl, even before she’s actually met them herself. The comedy element was severely lacking, and I’ve seen one too many episodes of Burn Notice to not be able to question a multitude of the tactics employed by these so-called spies. Spent the majority of the film wondering what leverage McG had on Tom Hardy to get him into this film, and if it’s in photographic form can I see it?

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Second viewing held up much better than the first – those raised expectations firmly in the past – but still feel conflicted about that ending. I came out of the cinema the first time round, convinced I had it figured out, hoping the second viewing would cement my theory – it didn’t. Every theme of the film points to one thing, but the last few scenes leave you questioning what you’ve previously believed.

Ted (2012)

 Still as funny on second viewing, although disappointed with the so-called extended cut – didn’t notice much difference from the theatrical release.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

 Quite possibly the ultimate Christmas film for anyone of my generation. I was horrified to learn that the little girl I babysit for had never seen it, just shocking really. Essential festive viewing.

Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003)

 A somewhat strange double-bill (watched this straight after the Muppets), but it was one of those happy coincidences when you're flicking through the channels trying to find something to watch and a decent film is just about to start. I don't know why, but I always think of this film as being about three hours long, but the 111 minutes flew by, and have left me yearning to watch the next one...

All Female Expendables: Girl Power or Pointless Cash-in?

Here's the deal, I'm a girl. In many ways you could say I'm quite a 'girlie' girl: I go a little light-headed over a gorgeous pair of shoes and my make-up collection could supply a professional make-up artist for a good year. But you could also say this girl is a bit of a feminist - not the 'bras are a tool of repression' type, but very much of the opinion that anything a man can do and all that. Yet when a friend of mine tweeted me a link to a story relating to the rumoured 'female Expandables' followed by the has tag: #GirlPower I didn't feel the intended warm, fuzzy feeling of female solidarity. That proud moment of, 'yes! Finally the girls will be showing they can do exactly what those big, overly muscly men can' just wasn't there. In fact I think it's a down right stupid idea, which frankly is about as far from 'girl power' than you can get.

Let me put this into context; I'd previously been trying to explain to my friend how awesome the Expendables movies are. Yes, that's right, I like them, judge me if you will, I get that plot-wise they are pretty non-sensical and the stars involved aren't exactly acting heavy-weights, but some films are meant to be fun, and that is what they are - at least for me - pure, unadulterated fun. So she had innocently thought that an all-female version would be right up my street... erm, not quite.

So what's the problem? Well first of all an all female Expendables movie would totally miss the point of what makes the male version work: the cast. The whole draw of The Expendables is the chance to see all your favourite action stars all in one place, the trailers themselves joke about this in the almost endless stream of star names that are flashed up on the screen. Whats more, for the most part these aren't just recent stars who've had maybe one hit, or starred in one action franchise, these are guys that made films that span back thirty-plus years. Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger, Van Damme and Lungdren, these are all names that will have defined any action fans childhoods. And with two films down there are still a plethora of names that are being thrown around as a dream cast list for a third instalment. 

This is the main hook of the franchise: nostalgia. Not only that, but all the little in-jokes that go along with a multitude of action stars' back catalogues spanning the last three decades, as well as the occasional dig at the stars themselves. How could this work with an all female cast? Discounting the fact that the number of female actresses who could be considered 'action stars' is relatively low, they are also not well established enough. This is not to say that I don't think that women can, and have, kicked some major ass on film in the last few years, but none of them have established themselves as stand alone action stars in quite the same way as their male counterparts. And the barrier to this? Simple, time. In twenty years, when more women are at the forefront of the action genre, yes, maybe a female Expendables movie would make sense.

Built into this is also the opportunity to see all those old stars returning to the place we know them best. Again, we're back to nostalgia. Many action fans have surely had the conversation about the yearning for another good Arnie/Van Damme/Stallone etc. movie, but when was the last time you wondered when the next Gina Carano (the first 'star' to sign onto the new film) movie would be out? That's not to say she won't establish herself as a star worthy of this recognition in time, but at this point, with only one starring film role under her belt how can she be considered one of the cornerstones of a female Expendables movie franchise?

Perhaps, though, the area of most concern where a film such as this is involved has to be the motives behind it. Yes, on the surface it's a cash-in on the Expendables franchise, but who genuinely believes that this film will see its female stars on the same level as their male counterparts? Who will the audience for this film be? I doubt it will be aimed at women, so this leaves the male action fan base, which, cynical as it may be, only leads me to one conclusion: how do you cash in on an already successful formula? Add a line-up of sexy women in tight clothing. Because, lets face it, does anyone see a version of this film where the women aren't either scantily clad, or in tight, bondage style attire masquerading as utility wear? This won't be an exercise in female empowerment but a two-hour excuse for male titillation.

 

Anyone who truly thinks a female Expendables will be a showcase for a group of women ass-kicking in the same league as men is truly deluding themselves. Girl power this won't be. Another exploitation of the female form dressed up as female empowerment; more than likely.

Great Expectations

Expectation and anticipation, the two things that can make or break a movie going experience. What do we want the film to be? Will it live up to the hype, or fall hopelessly short and leave you walking out of the cinema with that gut-wrenchingly empty feeling of an opportunity trashed and thrown out the window. Never have these two things been more at the forefront of the cinema-going audience's mind than this year with the release of perhaps two of the most hotly anticipated movies of all time (well, for the sci-fi and comic book fan base at least). 

I'll be the first to admit that the levels of excitement felt by many fans for the release of Prometheus (Scott, 2012) were not in line with my own - I am a fan of the original Alien (Scott, 1979), but was sceptical about what was basically a reboot by any other name. Yet, with the onslaught of Internet teaser trailers and promos, the buzz among the true believers was palpable. 

With the release date looming the reviews started to emerge, and that big balloon of excited tension was well and truly popped. The reports weren't exactly glowing, and I made the decision to wait for the DVD release. But not being one to pass up a trip to the cinema, when a friend asked if I'd go see it with him again, I thought what the hell. So I went in, with expectations pretty much on the floor.

And yet, maybe this was the best way, as I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the plot was a bit muddled and the motivations of most of the characters, except David, a little incomprehensible, but if you take the film as popcorn fare it wasn't that bad. Maybe it's biggest fault was that the film itself didn't realise this, wanting instead to be some cerebral exercise in the meaning of human existence. However, how successful an endeavour like this can be with the inclusion of snake-like alien monsters, with vaginal-like face openings that violently force their way down a man's throat (you can practically hear the feminist critics rushing to get the first paper out on that one!) is highly questionable.

The point being, that with Prometheus I wasn't expecting much, yet the fans were. I found a film that was an enjoyable, if not fully realised, piece of cinema, but they were hopelessly disappointed. Which brings me round to the second film on that list of 'Most Anticipated Movies of the Decade': The Dark Knight Rises (Nolan, 2012).

Now this one I a excited for. In fact, I don't think I have been this excited about a release of a film, ever. It's like being six years old and waiting for Christmas, every time I see the trailer I want to jump up and down to release the nervous energy. And herein lies the problem, how can it ever live up to my expectations? Admittedly, the initial reactions are good, much better than they were for Prometheus, so it should be OK, right? Yet there is still that little pessimist inside my head telling me not to get too excited, your anticipation will kill any greatness of the film because you have built it up too much, to something it could never be.

Nevertheless despite all this, I have faith, Nolan has never disappointed before, why would he start now? Well we'll see, the tickets are booked, and this Friday it will be Gotham's reckoning... if I don't pass out from excitement first.