Reviews by Lexi

''What a clusterfuck!''

A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

George Clooney : Harry Pfarrer

What Burn After Reading results in, is one of the things the Coen Brothers to best and that is black comedy.
It equals them going back to the style of Fargo and some real character detailed figures and their relationships and bonds with each other. Not to mention them all having affairs and sleeping with each other in a confused multiple array.

What's nice is that as soon as it begins we are thrown right into proceedings with a CIA Analyst who is demoted, then he quits seeing it as a major insult. We then have him having a shot at writing and recording his memoirs that compile of his time at the CIA.
Also we find his wife is having an affair, and also the man having the affair is a womanizing hot shot, who's also married and begins dating a woman at the Gym.
Things begin to hot up, going back to the Analysts memoirs, everything starts to get interesting when two Gym workers find the CD in a locker...

''Appearances can be... deceptive.''

Performances are actually a star lit success from all the major players.
George Clooney as Harry Pfarrer, is right at home here as a bearded Law enforcer type guy, who's got all these strange allergies and attractions to alot of different women.
Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke shows us yet again she can do funny black humour like she did in Fargo. Her chemistry with Pitt & Clooney is top notch. Her marriage with Joel Coen finally seems like its paying off after this 2nd outing and her last Oscar win she secured.
John Malkovich as Osbourne Cox, the fading drinking Analyst, is such a funny character who is always swearing, having a temper and generally well versed in the ways of writing and speaking given his previous position at the CIA, this is understandable. Results in a pivotal and indeed memorable character.
Tilda Swinton as Katie Cox who is the Doctor wife of Mr Cox, shows Tilda can play the stone cold bitch, who likes her partners on a leash. Especially not just with Malkovitch but with Clooney too, who seem to have got back together since their Michael Clayton days.
Brad Pitt as Chad Feldheimer, the other Gym guy, who everyone wants to see dancing and doing his moves. He was funny I admit, but I think a little over-hyped in what people expected out of him in the movie. You're never going to believe what happens, I can assure you.

''You're a Mormon. Compared to you we all have a drinking problem.''

Overall Burn After Reading has Comedy, it has tension when needed with thrilling music, it has a star drenched cast and a plot that really explodes into action when the ball is rolling. Once all the characters are fleshed out, things do get very interesting.
The ending with David Rasche as CIA Officer and J.K. Simmons asCIA Superior, is going to be iconic and memorable for years to come I'm thinking, it was pure genius. While No Country for Old Men had a poetic flair, Burn After Reading has a piss take of sorts on the whole intelligence Agency/Government ability to know what's going on. So what you waiting for? Go see it!

''What did we learn?''

''A drug person can learn to cope with things like seeing their dead grandmother crawling up their leg with a knife in her teeth. But no one should be asked to handle this trip.''

An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychadelic escapades.

Johnny Depp: Raoul Duke

Saying that Terry Gilliam makes weird films is like making one of the biggest understatements of the year. This man has taunted us with weird offerings like Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Tideland, Brothers Grimm and now this Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas I've had the good fortune to experience on a random viewing via Sky Movies.



Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas results in a heightened crazed thrill ride that ultimately dazzles in a surreal way. Granted it's about some drug users you can forgive the maddened proceedings that occur. Some viewers may lose track or find some scenes pointless or confusing but if they do, the film in essence is succeeding in showing you the mind of a drug drowned mind.
The style of Fear and Loathing reminded me of the equally heart pumping, crazed Natural Born Killers in the fact it's pace never seems to slow, it's always on a speedy rush to a far destination, much like it's drugged up anti-heroes. Always high and hallucinating, on the run from life itself in a way.

''There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.''

The performances that are on offer are excellent and the range of extended cameos seems to be frequent.
Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke, what can I say? Well it's definitely another weird role that goes along side Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Willy Wonka, Edward Scissorhands or the strange Ed Wood. Depp is bald, always wearing his sunglasses, always high as a kite, always smoking ceaselessly in a blur of colour and unrivaled chaos. He sees bats, Lizards and a number of strange visions in which substances are the blame.
Equally Benicio Del Toro as Dr. Gonzo or Oscar Z. Acosta, gives us a knock out performance as is fellow friend and associate so called Lawyer. Let's face it, Del Toro always seems to look like he does drugs so he's right at home here among the array of random scenarios.
Tobey Maguire as a random weird looking hitch-hiker, Christina Ricci as a Barbara Streisand painting lover/artist Lucy, and a brief appearance by Cameron Diaz as a smiley TV Reporter. It all clicks and all adds to the bizarre occurrences.

''Bazooko's Circus is what the whole hep world would be doing Saturday nights if the Nazis had won the war. This was the Sixth Reich.''

The music and effects are warped also and there's definitely originality on offer here. I mean this is one of the most surreal, weirdest book adaptations out there. No wonder Gilliam made a film adaptation of it, it's right up his street literally.

Cinematography is as bizarre as the film itself, being above average in places yet patchy in others.
The plot is quite literally about drugs and two interesting characters so it's hard to say if there is a plot with all the chaotic things that happen.

Overall, If you're a big fan of Depp or Terry Gilliam I'd definitely suggest you see this for it's interesting take on Las Vegas, drugs and events that seem pointless but intriguing. You even get to see Depp smoking, shaded and indeed bald. The fact he's getting high all the time also is an excuse for a laugh.

''The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride.''

''I would definitely vote for you for best supporting dress!''

A British writer struggles to fit in at a high-profile magazine in New York. Based on Toby Young's memoir "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People".

Simon Pegg: Sidney Young

We all know the routine. A failing writer has a moment in his life where everything seems to be a struggle. Then out of the blue a situation presents itself for said writer/hero to change his fortunes and predicament for the better. Throw in a contemporary love story where guy thinks he wants girl, only to end up wanting another, boss ends up disliking him and everything seems to go wrong. How to Lose Friends & Alienate People does what alot of films and books have done before yet retains it's laughs and sketches by giving us fun and indeed Pegg at the core.

What we have is a British Writer who gets a job at a successful magazine much to his utter surprise, he then gets a shot in the Eye-Spy section of the said magazine. There he meets Alison Olsen who he had an encounter with at a bar, and conveniently or fate decidingly they are work mates too.
The boss of the Mag played by Bridges is awesome too who I will go into detail on in my performances following.

So the cast in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People are a star ladened affair.
Megan Fox as the Actress Sophie Maes is beautiful, stunning and she plays the complete spoilt brat well. But boy what a hot brat that Fox, her acting isn't bad at all. There's even the added laugh where she does a film as Mother Teresa of all people, this in itself caused me to laugh uncontrollably. Not to mention her dog Cuba having an ordeal with Pegg.
Simon Pegg as the seemingly infamous Sidney Young, is another role that shows Pegg was meant for comedy and also for movies with character studies. He's right at home as a deep writer who has bad luck and on the surface can seem abit of an idiot. Whether it be the desperation he faces in Run, Fatboy, Run or the complacency he is trapped in on Shaun Of the Dead, this offering How to Lose Friends & Alienate People is yet another example of a succeeding hero protagonist of sorts coming to terms with succeeding and getting the girl.
Kirsten Dunst as Alison Olsen, is the love interest of the whole ordeal. She seems to have an ordinary look about her that just seems to work whenever she's on-screen. Actually reminded me of her performance she gives in Wimbledon which in my mind was pretty similar.
Danny Huston playing Lawrence Maddox, is sort of the nemesis work mate of Sidney. He's the guy you love to hate, and also the one which ends up being revealed for the bastard he is as time goes on. Huston seems to be picking a ton of great movies recently, a diverse range that mixes pieces like Chidren Of Men and Proposition, and now he even is in a comedy type film, which again shows his diversity.
Jeff Bridges as Clayton Harding, was a cool character. Find it amusing in itself that Jeff can go from bald to having really long hair (bald inIron Man). He's got charisma, hes got chemistry with his co-stars and to me he's a believable boss.

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People has a brilliant songs from some awesome music artists such as Robyn, Killers, Kaiser Chiefs. The Soundtrack can make or break a film and it certainly makes it on this piece that's for sure.

Overall How To Lose Friends & Alienate People, is a funny affair which may be a bit much at points or pushing the boat out for laughs but all together it just works. Whether it be the charismatically charged Pegg or the wonderful glitzy Hollywood casting. I mean Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson(Good to see her in another film outside X-Files), and stunner Megan Fox.
Director Robert Wiede (Cue laughter on the opening credits!) utilizes all of them and shoots a moving book adaptation that does what it sets out to do, be funny, witty and tell of a man's ordeals in New York.
This film is best watched with friends, like I did for my cinema screening. What's nice is that Kiri, Joe & Nicole laughing at certain points at the same things, which really shows the similar tastes in humour. Magically not just with them but the audience as a whole reacted well to this film which is nice.
A must see for Pegg fans and definitely one for those who like English humour and comedy mixed with a hint of romance and chaotic proceedings.

''My family's not dying tonight.''

An ex-cop and his family are the target of an evil force that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home.

Kiefer Sutherland: Ben Carson

Mirrors begins by showing us a security man trying to escape from an unseen force in the confines of a locker room.

Then cue to Kiefer Sutherland as he starts his first day on the job in a large complex that resembles a castle or museum with giant ceilings and Greek columns. The mall burnt and ashy, currently vacant only containing leftovers from the stores mainly mannequins, furniture, and huge mirrors. The mirrors are immaculate. We are informed that Kiefer's predecessor slaved over keeping them clean.

The life of Kiefer's character is a contorted mess. Jobless from the police force, divorced and in trouble with his lovely wife over the two siblings, sleeping on his lovely sister's couch and apparently with some type of a prescription dilemma. His shifts at his new job present something all together odd. A hand print on a mirror. The print can't be erased at all. It's on the other side of the mirror. He also discovers a flooded underground basement. Back at home he starts seeing things in the mirror. And starts investigating things about the place and the security guard who he replaced. He suspects that it is not just in his head as others tell him but that something is not right with this building and it's bizarre mirrors.

It turns out next to the complex was a hospital where strange treatments took place in the psychiatric unit. As a result of what happened there to a young girl, the mirrors in the complex are trying to convey a message. Kiefer continues with the investigation tracking down the girl. In the meantime the mirrors start attacking his family.

The actual woman when he finds her is the biggest let down of all. It's got white Noise, Silent Hill, The Shining written all over it. It doesn't stop there in the fact that a remake rarely has a chance or glimmer at actually succeeding.

Performances are as follows from the respective cast.
Paula Patton who plays Amy Carson, who I've previously remember seeing in Deja Vu succeeds in her performance in the sense that a black outfit focuses my attention to her cleavage and body, while her wet clothes also distract me from the fact there is horror going on here too. Her sexiness and beauty seems to be used to serve the Director's needs but he only distracts us from being scared. Performance wise she can act when I'm not distracted by other attributes.
Kiefer Sutherland as Ben Carson recounts his 24 days horror style, and transitions from Sentinel thrills to Mirrors supernatural horror. He's right at home in the role of a weathered ex-cop caught up in strange events.
Amy Smart as Angela Carson doesn't really have a big part but what happens is memorable and jaw dropping indeed.

Overall in Mirrors there are a couple of twists near in the climax. The story takes on quite a different character from the mirror-attacking-people story. But is this a good prospect?
The end isn't really anything new, reminding me of a sort of echo, of every horror video game out there a la Resident Evil, Silent Hill.

Alexander Aja knows how to direct horror and actors but that in itself doesn't equal anything new or indeed good. Mirrors is nicely executed in the way it's shot and has great camera work and angles in places. There are frequent scares and gore throughout to keep audiences satisfied. The story itself is relatively placid but more flat-lining than electrifying.
Mirrors is also too long at nearly two hours and could have used some heavy editing for a more compact resolute solution. The mirrors are as much as a character as Kiefer, who himself ends up equaling a very non-reflective hero in this.

Overall a watchable horror film that could use either more horror or deletion of scenes to make it a bit more of a thrill ride.
A scene with the old nun lady ruins the film in being ultra-unrealistic and an ending that feels recycled rather than new and mystifying, but overall Mirrors succeeds in what it sets out to do. With the added re-watching power for males in the capacity of seeing Paula Patton show us the female anatomy in a wet fashion.

''So you think your book is worth a human life?''

While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote (Jones) develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.

Toby Jones: Truman Capote

Douglas McGrath, the Director of Infamous feels the need to grace us with this insight into Truman Capote's point of life just before and during the creation of his controversial book ''In Cold Blood''. I have yet to see the seemingly appearing superior Capote featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman, but Infamous despite having a star lit cast didn't quite have a cutting edge.

Granted it has it's moments, dry humour mixed with that lacy sarcasm that Capote always possessed. It has characters talking in a like documentary interview style which sometimes annoyed me somewhat.
Infamous actually succeeds in being emotional in one or two scenes. Especially ones where Capote and Perry Smith are together.

''Do you think everyone keeps calling me lady to be mean, or can they honestly not tell?''

Performances range from standard fare to mediocre to above average.
Toby Jones as Truman Capote, seems to be such a small enigmatic portrayal on his part. Having seen him in City Of Ember the other day, this character couldn't be further from the previous one. He's openly gay, sneaky, sarcastic and resembles and sounds like a little old lady from Kansas. All that being said it's not a bad thing because it makes the character of Capote that bit more interesting to us the audience.
Another performance that really should be mentioned 2nd to Toby is that of Daniel Craig.

Craig plays Perry Smith one of the Murderers behind the Cutter incident. He's the most stand out character here besides Capote who has depth and believability. Craig even went as far as to have brown contacts, tattoos, and dark hair to completely absorb himself into the role.

Whats even more interesting is the relationship that evolves between writer and subject. A relationship that turns into an understanding, and a love that is tragically not meant to last, which is cruelly ripped away by higher powers. Let's not forget that this Perry is an intelligent man, a reflective soul who's had unfortunate things happen in his life that have led up to this act of great desperation. He's not innocent but that doesn't mean he's not sorry.
Other performances are more like extended cameos from a range of Stars including Gwyneth Paltrow who pops up near the beginning, Isabella Rossellini, Jeff Daniels, Lee Pace, Peter Bogdanovich, Hope Davis and Sandra Bullock.

''To the lucky person who has never heard it, I can only say: imagine what a brussel sprout would sound like, if a brussel sprout could talk.''

This Infamous not only tells of the perspective of punishment, the morals behind law and crime, and the decline of a Writer lost in his efforts to complete his book. He falls in love, and vice versa, which also leads to the tragedy of losing this new found love. Infamous tells of the strange, the pragmatic, and the surreal confines of a mind, which at first is in it for self gratification but then wants to redeem his subject, his anti-hero and protagonist.

It's very clever in places if what sometimes annoying, Infamous to me could use some editing and an ending more in tune with shocking and causing something memorable with viewers as opposed to just cutting it short with more interview type proceedings. Worth a watch, and it's renewed my interest in seeing the latter, Capote whom I saw Philip win best Actor a while ago.
Toby Jones is more comical than believable in his portrayal.

''Who says I'm strange?''

''If you find truth you have to pursue it!''

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker.

Saoirse Ronan: Lina Mayfleet

Well where to begin with City Of Ember, where to start. Was quite looking forward to the prospect of seeing this film after seeing tantalizing trailers that pummeled me into submission. Unfortunately the film City Of Ember results in a film that succeeds in said trailer but when it comes to the crunch and the material itself misses the mark by a wide degree.

It's main plot consisting on a child version, fantasy-styled Logan's Run that seems to be hard to take seriously when all the characters appear to be two dimensional and to a certain extent flimsy.
Director Gil Kenan focuses mainly on the story which seems to be the main flaw of Ember. It's drawn out, slow and some characters hardly any screen time or impact whatsoever. The also following fact that Tom Hanks also produced this doesn't help matters.

Performances I would say aren't too bad, or the other extreme too good.
Saoirse Ronan of Atonement glory, shows she can at least act once again and makes most of an impact when she uses her dazzling blue eyes.
Harry Treadaway as Doon Harrow also does well as the male young hero, who's put to use in the pipeworks area after he swaps with Saoirse.
Tim Robbins also plays Loris Harrow, his father who previously tried to escape Ember but he's hardly given any screen-time, although he's part of the ending which has convenient written all over it.
Bill Murray surprisingly plays the villain of the piece as the Mayor who's literally a greedy pig of a man interested in providing for himself and not the City's needs.

City Of Ember starts off with a group of old architect people deciding to make an underground city, putting some daft secrets in a box, handing them down through a leader or Mayor every generation for a period of 200 years. We are given various questions but never answers to counter certain issues why they couldn't make a city that lasted longer or one where you could get out of it easily at the end of the designated time. When we finally get onto the futuristic old styled City we are given a fantasy setting laced with a modern complied feel, we get strange creatures and insects that are so huge but why? Why are they so big and not the people? Why can people grow food and vegetables underground without sunlight? Why do they have to have random jobs when some of them may not be suitable for their selected job? City Of Ember raises so many questions and has so many gaping holes in the story and plot I find myself torn between simply enjoying proceedings, questioning them or pondering at the lack of originality and imaginations in it's material.

The first half of City Of Ember does explain the general routines and goings on of the City and I do admit it was quite nice to see how the inhabitants receive their occupations and the general roles they play.
It's a weird concoction but City Of Ember has it's moments, just more Tim Robbins might have done the trick or more focus on what actually happens when the protagonists actually resolve the escape situation and proceed in saving the others. A computer game called Abe's Oddysee also seemed to remind me of this ballad, the whole escape scenario.
I did love a huge Moth creature on the film which made me have a sudden lapse and peeked my interest, definitely has it's spark at certain conjectures.

City Of Ember, let's face it is for the children, although some parts with a giant mutant mole rat thing aren't for them, but overall it's a tale that's best watched if you have no questions to ask about the crazy proceedings. The fact there was hardly anyone in the cinema and the length seemed to show that Ember isn't as hot as I thought it would be. Definitely more interested in kissing my girlfriend, and having her back home for the weekend, which seemed to be the highlight of seeing this film above all things.
I'd recommend if you're interested in fantasy/Sci-fi/Children's films, otherwise don't bother.

''I wanna marry you because you're the first person that I wanna look at when i wake up in the morning and the only one I wanna kiss goodnight, because...the first time that i saw these hands i couldn't imagine not being able to hold them but mainly when you love someone as much as i love you...getting married is the only thing left to do, so... will you... hum...marry me? ''

''Definitely, maybe... i have to think about it.''

A political consultant tries to explain his impending divorce and past relationships to his 11-year-old daughter.

Ryan Reynolds: Will Hayes

Definitely, Maybe marks a step back from Love Actually's multiple plot threads, opting instead for a brilliantly crafted script played out by a tight ship cast (Kevin Kline was class and very funny in his wee role). Cleverly Definitely, Maybe turns out charisma charged enough not to be soppy, but with lots of loving heart to be touching where it counts.

Screenwriter Adam Brooks, co-writer of Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason and Wimbledon, so assured behind the camera. Maybe it's the unblemished array of vision but beyond a over indulgent voice-over and an odd musical interlude over the opening credits, there's barely a trace of the problems that beleaguered his previous workings.

Ryan Reynolds as Will Hayes results in a acting talent with a beautiful combination of charm, a penchant for comedy, and good looks. He's been repeatedly stuck with bad roles like Blade:Trinity and the flat Smoking Aces but this romance movie shows his talent in spades.

Like most good ideas, Definitely, Maybe has a true similarity to life and love, like a modern remake of the classic Princess Bride, where the child is told a story.
Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin is the kind of adorable whippersnapper who knows she doesn't have to act too much and though she's still growing up, she applies the same sweetness and naivety that bagged her an Oscar nomination in last year's ceremony.

If there's a fault, it's maybe the seesaw of attention divulged to the three women in Will's life: college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks), free spirit April (Isla Fisher), and ambitious intellectual Summer (Perfect Rachel Weisz). All three play gracefully and beautifully, but they're not given a huge amount of screen-time, which soon reveals where the story is leading. That is, however, a minor criticism so definitely, maybe unjust to complain.

There's something about Definitely, Maybe that the inclusion of both Rachel Weisz and Clint Mansel's music that increases and makes my heart really pulse. A fleeting, distant, connection to my favourite film The Fountain that echoes around my feelings for Definitely, Maybe. In a way it has a soul and a message at it's core.

Beautiful.

''Don't think about him, he doesn't deserve you. Let's dance''

A millionaire and his wife are shipwrecked after a yachting accident with their former servant, Manuel.

Kelly Brook: Jennifer

Three equals Cast Away mixed with Titanic: The Sequel divided by two men and a lady.
Kelly Brook gets to flash her body off for the entire film, while making the most of the two men at her disposal.
Billy Zane can't act to save his life, and this again proves that his hit Titanic maybe was a fluke.
Juan Pablo Di Pace as Manuel is a new comer and you really feel sorry for him that he's been lumped into this shoddy film. Saying that he's got some great love making scenes with Brook, which aren't too bad but this isn't what makes a good film. No plot and no structure, I love Kelly Brook but just having her as eye candy isn't going to fly with me unfortunately.

Also contains a voodoo backstory to accompany the near invisible plot but this is mostly irrelevant. The film is simply a blatant excuse for glamour model Kelly Brook to wander around on a beach wearing very little or nothing. There is simply nothing else of interest for our minds to chew on.
Pace broods inconsequentially while Zane shows what a bad Actor he is by giving us an American millionaire who can't keep his lines together or a straight face for two seconds.

Without a link to normal people drenched world, things start to go Lord of the flies(Adult Version) in isolation, where your knowledge, money and social status mean squat and you are measured by your primal abilities, I.e. hunt for food, build a shelter, the woman truly becomes a trophy as the cabana boy finally has his day, being supreme to the so called Millionare Builder/Designer.

Now I believe some people would call this movie thin and question the main trio's proceedings. Well for those sore comments I say, they're pretty accurate. If you want proof to that extent, watch 2 episodes of Celebrity Island. The darker side of people is back-stabbing, oversexed, lying, cheating, provocative... and violent. So why couldn't Three manage to get this across? Director Stewart Raffill was obviously asleep alot at film school to produce this embarrassment.

The film results in a scatteringly shot mess, with several glaring continuity gaps and pondering as to the fact, when good old Kelly is going to take her clothes off next makes up the consistency of the dramatic tension. To many lusty males out there, this isn't going to be a problem.

For me though Three is a flawed movie that begins just like when it finishes, like a bottle of coke being opened only to realize it's flat. A disappointing effort, which isn't so much a film but more of a Kelly Brook calender session that moves.

''I can't finish the novel, I don't know whether he's good or bad.''

A story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.

Andy Lau: Inspector Lau Kin Ming

Tony Leung Chiu Wai: Chan Wing Yan

Mou gaan dou translating into English as Infernal Affairs(2002) propels forth to audiences the story of two top police cadets who take to or are driven to following parallel lives.
The Academy Award-winning The Departed(2006) by Martin Scorsese was also inspired by this movie which also shows how important and great Infernal Affairs is as a film and form of storytelling.
Inspector Lau (House of Flying Daggers) is recruited by a Mob leader Sam (Eric Tsang) to infiltrate the police force and act as a mole. Meanwhile, Yan (Lust, Caution) appears to have been kicked out of police academy; But the truth is he has been secretly been recruited to act as a mole in Sam's gang. Suddenly both come under pressure as both parties suspects a mole in their midst, but can the pair keep themselves under cover?



Tony Leung; ragged and feral is a stark contrast to his adversary, played capably by Andy Lau, whom traverses dangerous ground as a Triad packaged into a charming and talented detective. Eric Tsang and Anthony Wong both turn in performances that buttress the theme of dichotomy as two weathered veterans, engaged in a human chess match with the lives of their protégées at stake.
It's clear from watching internal Affairs that Martin Scorsese's remake The Departed is a tribute as well as re-imagining of the story written by Alan Mak & Felix Chong. I admit this film seems to emphasize depth, originality rather than just relying solely on great performances and gangster themes.
Directors Wai-keung Lau, Siu Fai Mak were upset with Scorsese for imitating their vision and film effort yet I personally feel Scorsese was honouring and giving Infernal Affairs a nod of respect, not to mention appreciation by creating The Departed.

''Remember this, if you see someone doing something but at the same time watching you... then he is a cop.''

The sum of all parts combining the efforts of the main stars, the talented directors and writers and you see the result; An underlying plot and script that oozes perfection and originality hand in hand. There is a dramatic resonance and adrenaline pumping intensity that keeps the thrill and chase compelling to view everytime. Action scenes weren't innovative or over done, but neatly edited for continuity and entertaining thrills.
Numerous helpings of subtext, emotion, roller coaster rides and beautiful scenery all instantly come to mind.
Infernal Affairs was the highest grossing movie in Hong Kong, which is not bad for an industry that is suffering from imports to HK. It deserves awards, on the basis that it is one of the best movies to combine entertainment with a twisted compelling story that never refrains from pulling punches upon our synapses.

''Do all undercover cops like rooftops?''

The most important aspect of this film; The notion that the two leads are reflections of each other, that every man has a capacity for versions of good and evil, that scenarios of justice and morality, have no respective answers is not a new concept. But here, it is treated in a manner that is neither stale nor heavy handed. The two lead characters are as connected as they are opposed, something which is explored here to a greater degree here than in the Scorsese version.

Although The Departed borrows so much from this, it at times does not achieve the level of cohesion or the richness of connection between its characters. That's not to say that Scorsese's film is a better or worse, it's an entertaining thrilling film in it's own right with viable themes. And though this came first, the Westernized version is still worth watching even if only for the star powered cast, for a taste of Scorsese's signature gangster lean, or for Alec Baldwin's scene stealing banter. After reading so many things to do with this, it's clear that some of the credit for its warm reception is due to the film being set in the city of Boston. But for whatever reason, this story just seems more at home in the alternately murky and glowing streets of Hong Kong.

Infernal Affairs is hands down a phenomenal classic due to its excellent story, terrific supporting cast and a cohesion of compelling twists and turns.
All these make it both an enjoyable espionage film experience and a masterpiece in cinematic excellence for years to follow and indeed come.

''What thousands must die, so that Caesar may become the great.''

''It's not just another kiss...''

Broke and alone on New Year's Eve, Wilson just wants to spend the rest of a very bad year in bed. But, when his best friend convinces him to post a personal ad, he meets a woman bent on finding the right guy to be with at midnight.

Scoot McNairy: Wilson

Sara Simmonds: Vivian

Told in a lush black and white, Indie flick Midnight Kiss results in one of the sleeper hits of 2008. Directed by Alex Holdridge he hits home with the fact that this is not some fantastic tale of epic proportions, but one thats firmly rooted into the entanglement of gritty, hard pressed life. It doesn't lie, it has no need, it's telling us a story of a man who's just had a terrible year and he's had enough. So it's time for a clean break, a fresh start...easier said than done.

Main character Wilson, wonderfully played by Scoot McNairy shows us a main guy who's a tiny bit on the weird side. Strangely Wilson is first caught wanking over his mates girlfriend from an image he creates on photoshop, Midnight Kiss is a weird film, an indie film, and I loved it. Even better the film gets weirder and wonderfully impressive in its simplicity yet complexity.

''Please help us find whatever we are looking for tonight...''

We proceed in getting two unlucky people who come together thanks to a myspace profile ad.
Sara Simmonds as Vivian is the blind date Wilson ends up being with on New Years eve, and boy is she weird too, if you weren't afraid of Online Dating already then after this film you will be or hopefully you will be.

Midnight Kiss proceeds to inject the proceedings of the day for the characters. Not just the main ones but his mate Jacob(Brian McGuire) and Jacob's cheater girlfriend Min(Kathleen Luong).
We also see the relationship between Wilson and Vivian evolve over the day and their time together. Vivian will succeed in making some scoff at her apparent air pigheadedness or her hobby of taking pictures of shoes that happen to be single and abandoned, lost.

''Welcome to L.A, embrace the pain.''

Some could say Midnight Kiss is a sort of echo of Woody Allen's Manhatten. Sure they could be right too in alot of regards. It's got that Black and white feel there that is used in Manhatten but plus the fact it's focusing it's energies onto relationships in general. The big similarity the relationship between the main two.
Midnight Kiss however does give it's own unique blend of dilemmas and scenarios which you will find quite refreshing and original.

Midnight Kiss overall is a huge success if you're into Indie films. This one is another that shouldn't be missed, and as soon as you begin to watch you become sucked into this black and white world you're enthralled by.
Definitely true to life and most definably a life study of sorts.

''It's all the hope of romance culminating in just one moment...''