The Negotiator (1998)

By Daniel Bradley,

Hostages. Sometimes you've got to take them. 

On occasion I have been known to lament with the words: 'They don't make films like this anymore!' This is one of those films that they don't make anymore. 

A simple search of IMDB turned up this beauty when I was on holiday in London and looking for something compelling starring Kevin Spacey. With good reviews, Samuel L Jackson, and a plot centring around a framed hostage negotiator taking hostages to clear his name… well. It was everything I wanted Man on a Ledge (2012) to be. Twists, turns, guns, explosions, helicopters, bent coppers, suspense and intrigue, and hostage negotiation… it had everything. 

Samuel L Jackson, a skilled negotiator, is framed for the murder of his partner, and muddied in the eyes of his department for embezzling funds… desperate times call for desperate measures. Kevin Spacey, an equally talented hostage negotiator is called in from another precinct to deal. An independent party, unaffected by allegiance and untouched by the bent-copper syndicate…

A wonderful movie. Satisfying in every respect.

Best bits: The dialogue between the two negotiators.

Worst bits: the wooden acting from some of the coppers.

Rating: 8/10

For fans of Die Hard, Sword Fish.

Cloud Atlas (2012)

By Daniel Bradley,

I nearly didn't see this in the cinema, and that would have been a regret that lived with me well into old age, the next age, and beyond. 

The story and characters, so beautifully laced together across vast expanses of time, echo the Dirk Gently method of investigation. I would hazard Dirk would have had a field day unravelling the inter-connectiveness of all things in this movie. Imagine life events inspire an artist to create a painting, a novel, a movie, or orchestral piece. That artist can have no idea how his work can effect the course of an individual's life many years after his death… Then imagine human nature is (almost) unchangeable, and we are doomed to keep making the same mistakes, kindnesses and decisions generation after generation… 

How can you capture this idea in a film…? By making it 3 hours long. By making it equal parts suspense, horror, comedy, period drama, science fiction, crime fiction, fantasy and adventure. By making the character unique and the dialogue natural for each part. By flashing backwards and forwards through time. By letting the audience see the same faces through history, and having those faces move them through a myriad of genres and emotions…

Do not believe anyone that says that this film is too complicated, that it is a horribly mind-bending movie that'll tie you in knots and leave you unsatisfied… That would grossly devalue the film makers, the actors, screen writers, audience and author. I defy you not to let the adventure take you like a whirlwind, but you will have no problem following it. A tribute to it's creators and editors.

Please. Watch this with enough time to appreciate it. Shed a tear and invest yourself in the adventure.  And buy a HD television.

Best bits: The many faces and characters

Worst bits: It was an honest account of human nature in many respects. Not the fault of the film at all.

For fans of Being Human (1994).

Rating: 9.8/10

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

By Daniel Bradley,

My mother was the one to recommend this film to me. Whilst the actors had appealed, the subject matter and age-range had put this beauty well outside of my sphere of interest. Just goes to show, never judge a film by it's target audience.

This one was vibrant, spicy and had some great performances from some experienced actors. It was touching, funny and relevant to all audiences who can appreciate it. It is paced well, with likeable characters all round, doesn't bore and paints a colourful picture of India and life after 60.

I would be negligent if I didn't ask everyone of you to watch this feel good film. Bill Nighy, William Morgan Sheppard and Judi Dench deserve a special mention for simply shining whenever they were on screen.

Best bits: the on screen chemistry between these golden individuals is a pleasure to behold. The poignant confrontation of racism. 

Worst bits:  The inevitable consequence of the elderly massing together.

For fans of Slumdog Millionaire, Calendar Girls.

Rating: 8.7/10

Man On A Ledge (2012)

By Daniel Bradley,

The premise for this film was the hook for me. After seeing the trailer at the cinema, I thought to myself: If there is more to this film than meets the eye… If there is a lovely, unexpected twist or a gripping story like The Negotiator (1998), then this is going to be brilliant.

It carries with it the same disappointment I felt whilst I watched Jumper (2008). The elements were there, it was even fun in places, but the acting, the linear storyline and the sheer lack of imagination let the piece down. Literally, the most exciting thing that happens in this film is the man… on the ledge.

I apologise to any of our number that hold this movie in high regard, but the snob in me encourages you to come forward with any part of this film that we haven't seen somewhere else. Or perhaps one moment that makes you nod in approval.

I'm afraid I needed to see this aged 12.

Best bits: Finding out whether he jumps or not.

Worst bits: Finding out whether he jumps or not.

For fans of the Negotiator, misc Hostage films.

Rating 4/10

A Fantastic Fear Of Everything (2012)

By Daniel Bradley,

When you sit down to a film in which Simon Pegg stars, you expect something quirky, fun and a little unconventional.  This is exactly what you get with this little gem.

A paranoid and delusional ex-children's fiction writer from London fears he will become just another grizzly murder statistic after researching Victorian homicides for his latest novel. The film takes us on a tour through the psyche of a man riddled with anxiety and crippled by a fantastic fear of nearly everything.

What's particularly fun about this film is, after you leave the house, you have no idea what's going to happen next. A simple trip to the laundrette is turned into a tour de force of emotion. I never thought I'd write that in this blog…

Best bits: The knife.

Worst bits: Gas mark 6.

For fans of Bunny and the Bull.

Rating: 6.8/10

Les Misérables (2012)

By Daniel Bradley,

For me, there were 3 things wrong with this adaptation. 1. Russell. 2. Diction. 3. The final confrontation wasn't agonising enough.

The set design, production value, the music, *most* of the acting, the commitment to staying true to the Musical, all these things make it worth going to see. There is a reason it is the most successful musical in the world. It's powerful, it's entertaining, and it's got a rich story throughout. The tunes are catchy and the orchestra is on nitro. This IS one to go and see if you have never touched Les Mis.

But why was I underwhelmed? I love the stage show, always have! What made me wish I'd seen Django instead?

Russell did not let go like his character wanted to. Repeatedly, Mr Crowe could have made me believe with an anguished increase of volume and an injection of feeling, that he was a natural born antagonist to Jackman's protagonist. But he held back, either out of anxiety, direction or sheer fear of cocking it up. I would have liked more, though.

Helena and Sacha, amongst others, could have been clearer. Strangers to Les Mis would have missed reasonable swathes of Herbert Kretzmer's lyrical genius. This may have been a studio problem that could have been resolved easily, but I think stubbornly insisting on natural musical performance from actors contributed to a slightly annoying jumble of sounds at odd points. To be fair, I was in the oldest cinema in the country, this may have been another contributing factor.

The final confrontation. I just wanted it to be longer. Sue me.

All in all, a thoroughly miserable film.

Best bits: Jackman & Hathaway blew me away. Good on 'em.

Worst bits: Nic: 'Annoying bloody cockneys in the middle of Paris!'

For fans of Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Oliver Twist.

Rating: 7/10

Must Love Dogs (2005)

By Daniel Bradley

A quick talking romantic comedy starring John Cussack and Diane Lane as spurned, divorced forty-somethings who are forced to start dating again by friends and relatives.

Light-hearted laughs come every couple of minutes, showing up in the form of smart comebacks from both main and supporting cast. The male and female leads are likeable and believable.  

I would warn against going in expecting a perfect rom-com recipe. It has all the ingredients, don't get me wrong… the well accepted cliches, the dramatic irony, the token gay best friend, the trailer park step-mother, the one in a million chance encounters… but it's slightly under done.

This film comes with a firm recommendation for those that love rom coms, dogs & John Cussack. If you're looking for something diverting with the other half of an evening, this film is spot on. Not too taxing, not too long, and certainly more feel good than Marley & Me.

Best Bits: the Dogs, the wise-cracking.

Worst Bits: If it weren't for the clever dialogue, you'd think it had all been done before.

For fans of You've Got Mail, Hitch & Serendipity.

Rating: 6.8/10