Film Review: Alpha Papa

Director: Declan Lowney

I've already spent a disproportionate amount of time previewing this film due to my belief that the Alan Partridge series is one of the best comedy series of all time. My immediate concern after seeing the stage version that Steve Coogan took on tour and the online series Mid-Morning Matters was whether there was any mileage left in the character, the two shows I mention above were certainly not of the quality of his early work.

Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan)

After being fired from North Norfolk Digital when it is taken over by a multinational conglomerate and renamed Shape, a disgruntled DJ (Colm Meaney) returns to the station during an office party with a gun and holds the station hostage. The only person he'll talk to during siege negotiations is fellow DJ Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan of course) who, as he quickly becomes the public and media face of the siege, sees an opportunity to stage a triumphant return to the limelight.

The return of Alan Partridge is a glorious one, naturally the plot struggles to last the full distance but the laughter certainly does not. It is a film with many laughs that are evenly spread out throughout the film and very rarely does Coogan & Co have to rely on recycling old jokes and quotes to get a laugh. The return of Lynn and Michael is coolly handled with neither taking a bigger role than they ever did before, this is Partridge's vehicle from start to finish even if the return of Dave Clifton is also very funny. It would have been more organic from Dave to have been the one to lose the plot and hold people hostage rather than a new character.

Alan and Michael with a hostage

The plot moves well for the first hour but then struggles to really know where it's going before working its way to a conclusion, but the plot is a side point when watching a comedy. Alan's story of redemption is unique to him and completely in keeping with his character. It's filmed using mostly handheld cameras like the original TV series in the travel tavern so it retains a more personal and familiar feel. It gives Coogan the best opportunity to be himself and a superb scene outside the scene where it looks like he's back on Knowing Me, Knowing You. Put away your fear and trepidation about Partridge's latest return, its a cracker.

3.5/4 Endlessly quoteable and thoroughly enjoyable

This week's releases

Alpha Papa: One of the funniest TV characters of all-time is returning and this time to the big screen. Steve Coogan is back as Alan Partridge whose pursuit of TV and radio stardom is still alive and kicking. But here he becomes the unlikely hero as he tries to save North Norfolk Digital Radio and his own reputation as a hostage situation ensues.

Lone Ranger: Johnny Depp only seems interested in roles where he can dress up in bohemian fashion and wear excessive makeup, from Pirates of the Caribbean to being the Lone Ranger. Surprisingly its the same team that was behind the aforementioned Pirates of the Caribbean but I think the audience is going to grow tired of this franchise much sooner.

Grown-Ups 2: The first thing that strikes me about Adam Sandler's sequel is that it must have been a lot of fun to make, but then its the same with all Sandler's films. He turns up has a great time making it, siphons off a boatload of cash and then also cleans up at the box office (until recently), all without worrying about whether anyone actually likes it. I would normally describe the plot here but from the trailer and previews I can't honestly find one.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters: Lavish CGI action for kids and teens here as Percy and his gang have to journey to the sea of monsters as they are attacked by an ancient evil so that they can find the golden fleece. A rather understated cast but a reasonably big budget and extensive marketing campaign must mean someone has high hopes for this.

Film Review: Good Night and Good Luck

Director: George Clooney

A 2005 American drama which represented Clooney's second film where he undertook the role of director, the film though is more about the work of Edward R. Murrow who is one of the most revered figures in American TV broadcasting. His reports during World War II on the radio, especially about the Blitz in London, were listened to by millions of Americans and made him a household name before he worked for CBS. He was renowned for being one of the most honest news broadcasters around who called out people who he believed were acting dishonestly.

In the 1950's, Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) is the presenter of a TV program on CBS called See It Now where they delivered the news with the help of his extensive team of people. The honesty and integrity of the show at risk due to corporate pressures from above over advertisers not being happy with the content. The program calls out Joseph McCarthy who has being using dishonest tactics to try to identify people he believes to be communists who work in the media or for the government.

Fred W. Friendly (Clooney) and Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn)

After being nominated for 6 Academy Awards it came away with none, it lost the Best Picture to Crash, but Clooney does a great job of presenting an intelligent drama about the inside workings of CBS at that time. It's comparable to the work of Aaron Sorkin on shows like The Newsroom but set to a backdrop more suited to Mad Men (without the womanizing), and even has Jeff Daniels who plays the lead anchor Will McAvoy in the aforementioned TV show.

The entire film save for a few scenes takes place indoors giving the whole piece a claustrophobic feel especially in the corridors and recording rooms of CBS. It's immaculately shot in black and white which adds to the authenticity as well as the close natured feel with the naturally black backdrops. The acting is top notch from Strathairn and Clooney in the leads whilst backed up admirably by the likes of Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson and Ray Wise, although I was once again disappointed by Robert Downey Jr. The honour and integrity is missing from so many news organisations these days and Good Night and Good Luck is the example of how things used to be and how they should be in the future.

3.5/4 Beautifully shot in black and white adds to the understated approach

Film Review: The Usual Suspects

Director: Bryan Singer

Some films don't age particularly well, especially when they are groundbreaking in plot or script because they become endlessly copied and imitated by films that follow and end up becoming cliché. It was certainly a concern I had sitting down to watch The Usual Suspects having not seen it for around 15 years but fortunately this was not the case, it still had that clever edge to separate it from the rest. It's a film that was still easily enjoyable for the slick dialogue and clever plot device even if you know how it all ends.

Following a truck hijack in New York, five conmen are arrested and brought together for questioning. As none of them is guilty, they plan a revenge operation against the police. The operation goes well, but then the influence of a legendary mastermind criminal called Keyser Söze is felt. It becomes clear that each one of them has wronged Söze at some point and must pay back now.

The now infamous scene

Although there are certain questions left unanswered at the end, it is a superb twist which makes up for any other flaws and leaves you caring a lot less about the imperfections. The cast is stellar and is reminiscent of the cast in Reservoir Dogs but without the obvious violence and menace. Naturally Kevin Spacey works himself to be the focal point but this is one of the films that was part of his upward trajectory rather than the lazier attempts later in his career. But most important of all, the film expects you to keep up with a complex storyline and treats the viewers intelligence with respect which is sadly lacking in films at the moment.

3.5/4 Still as clever as it was 18 years ago

Film Review: Roman Holiday

Director: William Wyler

A classic 1953 romantic comedy which is beautifully set in the bustling streets of Rome, it has now become infamous for the visit to the main sights of the Italian capital city. Audrey Hepburn looks at her ravishing best but what is often forgotten is how incredibly slow the first hour is as the backstory to their day of escape in Rome is set up. At times I felt like physically trying to push the movie forward so as something interesting may happen, once you finally reach the final act of the film it is once again a joy to behold.

Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) is the royal princess of a un-named country which is doing a publicized tour of major cities in Europe and her latest stop is Rome. She is growing tired of the regimented schedule that she has to keep and the fact she never gets any privacy so one day she sneaks out of the embassy to see Rome for herself. But haven taken a sedative to calm herself down she falls asleep on a bench and is helped by American Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) who is a journalist but doesn't initially realise who she is before agreeing to look after her.

Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) and Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck)

Hepburn is understandably impressive in a very comfortable role for her, Peck is an actor I've never been that impressed with and that opinion hasn't been changed on viewing this film. His character Joe Bradley is at times a hard one to like considering his attempts to get a sneaky interview with the princess and his actions against a child whose camera he wants to borrow/steal and the deliberate attempts to make his photographer Irving leave. I think its a film that you remember the fond moments and slowly forget the first hour giving you a greater impression than what you had after the first viewing.

2/4 Enjoyable final act is the saving grace.

Film Review: Rachel Getting Married

Director: Jonathan Demme

A 2008 drama directed by the man behind The Silence of the Lambs, this is a very different picture with it all being filmed with handheld cameras and a score played live on film rather than layered over the top to give it a more authentic feel. You can feel that Demme obviously had a distinct vision for this film and that it was one that he valued highly. The screenplay was written by Jenny Lumet who is the daughter of esteemed writer Sidney Lumet.

Kym (Anne Hathaway) is released from rehab so she can attend her sisters, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt), wedding to Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe). The relationship between Kym and her family is strained as they are all concerned for her well-being which she mistakes for mistrust and resentment for Kym's past actions constantly reappear as preparations for the wedding continue in days preceding the event.

Anne Hathaway is very different playing an unsympathetic and attention seeking former drug addict, the days leading up to her sisters wedding end up revolving around her and her problems rather than her sister whose the bride. The tension and hostility subtly builds between the family and friends as the niceties wear off after the first day. Demme does a great job of making the entire film feel like you are sat in the corner of the room watching people's real lives unfold infront of you. It has a truly intimate feel and some scenes, like the challenge between Sidney and Dad Paul in loading the dishwasher the fastest, give a genuine family feel to proceedings.

Kieran, Kym, Rachel and Sidney

Anne Hathaway is immensely impressive as the recovering Kym, a performance so lacking in empathy and consideration for those around her that she steals the thunder of her sister who is getting married. Rosemarie DeWitt is also impressive as the hard done by sister whilst the male casting is a little more bewildering but they are merely a sideshow to the true strife between the family and Kym.

It has many moments of impromptu and possibly unedited scenes of family members giving speeches at a rehearsal dinner, never understood why they happen, and at the wedding itself with dancing. Although it is all part of the real life feel of the movie they do drag on too long to be enjoyed the whole way through, especially the dancing at the wedding as anyone who has sat and watched people dance will realise that it is actually quite tedious after a few minutes. But these are a few minor criticisms in what is a deeply painful and yet joyous movie.

3/4 Subtle real life drama with a haunting past

This week's releases

Only God Forgives: Nicholas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling reunite in this stylish yet violent collaboration that sees Julian (Gosling) forced to take vengeance against his brothers death by his overbearing mother (Kristin Scott Thomas).

Full Review here

The Heat: Sandra Bullock must have enjoyed the Razzie she won for All About Steve as she stars in this ''comedy'' with Melissa McCarthy (playing a character very similar to Megan from Bridesmaids surprisingly). The trailer was so tedious that I didn't hang around long enough to find out much else to tell you except that they're both quirky cops.

RED 2: If you're an aging action star in need of a payday and the original RED film wasn't enough then here is the sequel, although you dont have to be an action star in Helen Mirren's case. The experienced crew reunite to stop a nuclear device falling into the wrong hands (because that has never happened before in a Hollywood film).