Phone Booth (2002)

Mint - 4/5

So I saw this film on Channel 5 last night called 'Phone Booth'. I've seen this film many a time and, despite it literally being set in one single location, I never find myself getting bored of it. Colin Farrelll's performance is exceedingly arrogant and shovenistic towards the beginning but becomes hugel emotional as the film progresses, showing the diversity that Farrell can bring to any film. It's astonishing that Joel Schumacher managed to bring us such a captivating movie when the events unfolded in one single setting. In this way the film was a breath of fresh air to the 'hostage' genre of film. With previous films in this sub-type such as 'The Negotiator' and 'Speed' we feel a great tension building during the hostage scenes but when it breaks away to show some fairly pointless footage of the hostage taker or the police doing their work you lose the sense of empathy to those who have bee taken prisoner. By sticking solely to Farrell's character in this film, Schumacher enabled us to empathise during every second. This made Farrell's tearful scenes that much more emotional. I think the single location however was the reason for the short length on this film (81 minutes), which meant we were not beginning to be bored by the end.

What a good call the casting of Forest Whitaker was as Captain Ed Ramey. I seem to recall that, when I first watched this film, it was the first major role I had seen him in. I'd noticed his fleeting appearance in 'Platoon' but to me, 'Phone Booth' was the film that catapulted his career to where it is today. He was so genuine in the role. Now I'd be the first to admit that I'm a huge fan of Denzel Washington, but there was something about the role that actors such as this couldn't have pulled of. Whitaker was by far the right man for the job. This film was the film that tranformed me into a Forest Whitaker fan, simple as that.

I've never had a conversation in which somebody has said they dislike this film. It appeals to everyone and it is a British television favourite because it's a film that people can just sit and watch. They may not plan to watch it but when they see it on the TV guide it just leaps off the page.
Would I recommend it? Why haven't you seen it already?

Repo Men (2010)

Law's Finest Hour - 4.5/5

So I saw this film today called 'Repo Men'. I'm not a big fan on Jude Law; films such as 'Sherlock Holmes', 'The Holiday' and 'Enemy at the Gates' have totally passed me by without making much of an impression. You'll see why I would say that this was Jude Law's finest performance to date. Had I been the director his name would not have even passed my mind. He just doesn't seem suitable for an extremely gory action thriller with some stunning fight scenes. Forest Whitaker maybe, but not Law. However, he managed to blow me away! He was hardcore.

This film totally captured me from the very beginning. With a futuristic film about a subject that needs some explaining to the audience of today, it is important to reveal the main storyline quickly. Within minutes we understood the plot and were ready to see where it would take us. It managed to take us on a thrilling journey of bloodbaths, 300-esque fight scenes and even romance. This film packed everything in. It could win an award based solely on its superb soundtrack which, like the casting of Jude Law, is surprisingly effective. Not to mention the MEGA twist right at the end. That was a stroke of genius.

Ok, so some parts of the plot didn't make too much sense. Why, as an employee of The Union, would Law have to pay for his heart after being shocked by a faulty piece of Union equipment? And how do they legally repossess the organs? These thoughts remained with me for only a few minutes. Then I was sucked in by another amazing murder. It would have been easy for this film to run away with futuristic idiocy, but it managed to stay true to the storyline surrounding Law's family. It needed this element to keep it believable.

Would I recommend it? Make it the next film you watch.

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

A Powerhouse Performance - 4/5

So I saw this film last night called 'The Last King of Scotland'. I'd seen the film previously, and very much enjoyed it, but this time round I realised just how good this film is. Forrest Whitaker deserves a lot of praise, he delivers a powerhouse performance as Idi Amin, capturing his charm and tact as well as his explosive anger and denial. The accent was top notch too! For a film that is based on true events, it is important that the actors adsorb you into this and make it seem like you could be watching a documentary. Whitaker certainly manages this. James McAvoy must also be praised for his part in the film. When put up against an angry Amin, McAvoy effectively produced an image of a scared little boy. In the scene where McAvoy threatens to leave but Whitaker persuades him to stay with an embrace, you can really feel the power Amin had over his advisers. Although scared of Amin, Dr. Garrigan (McAvoy) shows no fear of speaking his mind, one reason why Amin took to him so fondly. McAvoy captures the brash, confident side of the doctor well also.
The director Kevin Macdonald and screenplay writers Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock also deserves praise for the way they captured the spirit of the African nation Uganda. With scenes that will shock you, and scenes showing the wondrous beauty of the country, it seems they set out to show the ultimate effect of Amin on the people of his nation. You could feel the effect of this from the very start of the film. Genuinely shocking scenes of mutilation and torture only added to the 'realness' of this film. It is certainly a movie made to shock, and the fact that it is based on true events also adds to this. It was a triumph of a film and superbly cast.
Would I recommend it? Buy the DVD today!