Sicario is the new film from Denis Villeneuve, director of Prisoners and Enemy. Villeneuve has risen quickly to the ranks of directors to watch. Establishing himself as a supreme visualist, Villeneuve has proven he can orchestrate both independent and commercial projects with aplomb.
Like Prisoners, Sicario sides on the commercial - with a host of A-list stars to it's name and a topical subject matter.
Sicario is a film about the illegal drugs industry in the Americas and the borders by which they cross. The film further explores the drug-lords who keep everyone in check using fear and violence.
The film plays out through the eyes of Kate Macer (Emily Blunt). Macer is a hostage crisis negotiator. Early on in proceedings macer and her team discover a bloody scene in Arizona - perpetrated by the criminal element of the drugs industry, but commanded by the drug-lords housed far from the front lines.
Enter Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and his team. Graver works in the cloak and dagger world of higher government - working alongside those who know their part in the plan, but not necessarily the plan itself.
Macer and her partner Wayne (Daniel Kaluuya) are given an opportunity to join Gravers team with a promise of instigating change, rather than being the ones left to clear-up.
Macer is kept very much in the dark throughout proceedings - told only what she needs to know at any given time. This is a bold move on the part of the film-makers, as the audience are left scratching their heads a long way into the film. We only know what Macer discovers. Slowly but surely the grand operation is revealed - a solid and breakthrough answer to the drug problem, yet morally reprehensible.
Sicario is a serious film about a serious subject matter. It doesn't profess to have all the answers, but the answers it does give are responsibly adult and fundamentally real-world.
Sicario looks amazing! Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins have used multiple cameras to capture every angle of the action. This technique ratchets-up the tension, as you're never sure where the next beat of violence is going to come from. There are numerous shots which will stay long in the memory also. Scenes with minimal dialogue, which say so much on account of the shifts in light and shade - tonal shifts which paint thousand-word pictures.
The three principle actors triumph in their distinctive roles. After action roles in Looper and Edge of Tomorrow, Blunt utterly convinces as an elite, squad leader She further displays an element of vulnerability behind the shroud of confident leader. Blunt goes on the bigger journey here - learning more and more about the games governments play at an untouchable level. Brolin has the laid-back but ready for action type down to a T. Given carte blanche to do whatever is necessary, Graver seemingly takes it all in his stride. Benicio Del Toro is equally good as Gravers right-hand and suitably shady Alejandro. Del Toro goes on quite a journey also. Like Graver, Alejandro is a well-worn soldier with numerous skeletons in his closet. Keen to exorcise his demons, Alejandro is relentless in acquiring knowledge and seeking retribution.
Sicario is a tense, fictionalised tale, set in the all-too-real world of the illegal drugs industry. Using independent sensibilities, Villeneuve and company have gifted us with a film which requires us to pay attention - filling in the necessary blanks just as Macer does. Thankfully Sicario doesn't spoon-feed us with answers from the get-go. An unexpected treat!
4/5
The Martian came very close to being a five-star film for me. I was about ready to stand-up and cheer as the closing credits rolled (lets take a leaf out of the Americans and do this more often people)!
Based on the incredibly popular book of the same name, The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney (Matt Damon). An astronaut, presumed dead, left to survive by his own hand and intellect on Mars!
The Martian is science fiction by way of survival documentary. Not quite Bear Grylls. More intellectual - the science of botany et al. If this sounds boring then get ready to be surprised!
Directed with incredible visual and technical flare by the never comparable Ridley Scott, The Martian looks fabulous and feels very real. With Dariusz Wolski at the lens, The Martian effortlessly transports us to formerly unexplored terrain.
After the crew of the Hermes evade a potential life-threatening storm on Mars, astronaut Mark Watney awakes the next day to find himself stranded and skewed by a communications antenna. Patching himself up and realising the enormity of what faces him, Watney decides to act - making a vow to himself that his current predicament will not cost him his life.
Being a botanist first and foremost, Watney sets about growing some food to aid in his rationing. With knowledge of the next manned mission to hand, he plans an exploration to the arrival site. A treacherous trip requiring Watney to frequently recharge the battery in his vehicle using solar power. Numerous other events unfold - all meticulously planned by Watney.
The science behind The Martian gives the film considerable weight. It may not be understood by all - and hell, it may not even be entirely accurate. But it all seems feasible - given more credence by the always affable and cock-sure Matt Damon!
The Martian isn't just a one-man show however. NASA is notified of the demise of Watney, yet begins to notice discrepancies in the satellite images from Mars being beamed back to Earth. Once Watney is discovered to be alive, a highly skilled and passionate team of operatives is formed in an effort to aid Watney in his plight.
A terrific ensemble has been gathered for the other half of The Martian. Jeff Daniels plays head of NASA, Teddy Sanders. Leading the Mars missions is Chiwetel Ejiofor, as Vincent Kapoor and beneath him is a host of fantastic character actors including; Sean Bean, Donald Glover and Benedict Wong.
The Earthbound crew add much to proceedings also. Jessica Chastain and Michael Pena lead the Hermes crew as Melissa Lewis and Rick Martinez respectively. Their own journey begins with immeasurable guilt - followed by immeasurable guilt, as they discover their dead comrade is actually alive!
Like Apollo 13 before it, The Martian begins as science exploration and quickly becomes human survival pic. In an effort to assist Watney, tech exploration and various exercises are conducted on the ground in Houston, before Watney puts them to action on Mars. Again like Apollo 13, these plans are somewhat beholden to what Watney has at his disposal. Given it's the not-too-distant future The Martian offers more tech at Watneys disposal, but the principles remains the same. The DIY approach is still palpable of course - and offers the audience a thrilling and uplifting journey.
A purposely awkward action sequence at the end could've benefited from some nicely judged sound design, or absence there of. A disorientating feel to Watneys grasping at fate would've been perfect, had we remained with his POV. Sure the movie ultimately projects a group effort, but it's Watneys last ditch attempt in the end.
Despite Watneys efforts, The Martian does hammer home a considerable message. As is clear in The Martians not-too-distant future, we should be looking to the stars with more clarity and intent - in awe and proud of the positive advances we've made as a race!
4/5
In my search for posters I came across this illustration by
Matt Taylor. I do believe this accompanied an article on the book however - a little before the movie was released. This illustrator is amazing though. Do check out his work!
Crimson Peak is the new film from Guillermo del Toro - director of Pans Labyrinth and Hellboy. A native of Mexico, del Toro has split his film-making career between films in his native tongue and more commercial Hollywood fare. Having had considerable success, both commercially and critically, del Toro appears to have embraced his new standing and produced a film which straddles the line between independent and commercial film-making. Crimson Peak may not be born of Spanish tongue, but tonally it ventures closer to the likes of The Devils Backbone and Pans Labyrinth then it does Pacific Rim.
The actors he's chosen here may be popular also, but all have shown great depth and versatility in the roles they've previously embodied.
Aesthetically del Toro goes from strength to strength. He has a unique visual voice - a signature style. Watching Crimson Peak, it's undeniable who's behind the camera. Interestingly long-time collaborator Guillermo Navarro has been replaced by Dan Laustsen behind the lens. This goes some way to exploring the collaborative nature of film. Del Toro knows what he wants - employing those who can achieve his particular vision.
The set-design here is breathtaking! Del Toro appears old-school in his practises, employing the use of physical craftsmanship over green screen and digital technology. To be on one of del Toros sets must be truly wondrous I imagine!
The plot of Crimson Peak is old-school too, both in it's themes and narrative. Mia Wasikowska plays Edith Cushing, daughter of local businessman Carter Cushing. Having been traumatised at a young age by the passing of her mother, Edith has spent much of her time basking in literature - honing her skills as a writer of fiction. Transfixed by a ghostly sighting shortly after her mothers passing, Edith has since leant towards stories of a similar concern. Besotted with her father, Edith intends to get published in the male-dominated world of 1901.
Enter Thomas and Lucille Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain), a brother and sister team looking for financial assistance from Mr Cushing, in an effort to mine the clay from which they reside. Thomas is charming but out of his depth, despite his entrepreneurial spirit.
Catching the eye of Edith, Thomas makes a play for her hand. This move is encouraged by Lucille, as a means to get Mr Cushing onside, yet the fearless Thomas appears genuine in his affections.
Cushing sends the pair packing of course - outraged by their manipulative behaviour.
The heart gets what the heart wants however and soon Edith and Thomas are wed. Edith is whisked away to the ominous sounding Crimson Peak where Thomas and his sister reside.
It's at this point we're introduced to the star of the show, Allerdale Hall - the manor which sits a top of Crimson Peak, in all it's decaying glory.
Crimson Peak is a mystery above all else. And watching the mystery unravel is at times both bewildering and intoxicating. This is a classically told fable where nothing is what it seems.
Don't expect a game changer with Crimson Peak. Instead consider this a tall tale, told by a master story-teller!
4/5
Illustration by
Daniel Danger. Another great illustrator. This guy uses a lot of architecture in his work - and it's something else!
