The Ghost Writer Review

By: James "Phantom" Ryder

A politician haunted by the ghost of his misdeeds… ghost writer that is!

The titular Ghost Writer (Ewan McGregor) in the film is not granted a name (they tend to be paid to stay anonymous) and serves as a plain metaphor for the sins of Prime Minister Adam Lang (Piece Brosnan) haunting him. It’s a clever device in a movie that is often very clever.

The film is smart enough to hint at certain plot developments, where dealing with them head on could lead into melodramatic overkill. We hear sobs off screen… we know who is crying and why but touches like these put us in the Ghost’s shoes and keeps adding to the motif that there is much more going on than people realize. After meeting Lang, his wife Ruth (Olivia Williams), and his assistant (Kim Cattrall), the news comes in that Lang is accused of war crimes. The Ghost then delves deeper into personal and professional intrigue… The film drips in atmosphere and it has been much publicized how the rain in the film is almost a character. It rains in nearly every scene, and grey skies hover over the proceedings. The film also drips in dark humor, wit and is absolutely engrossing. We go on the ride with the Ghost, a perfect audience surrogate as he knows nothing about this Prime Minister just as we also know nothing. The film is primarily people sitting in rooms talking, man do they keep your attention. In fact, some of the car chases pale in comparison to the tension in scenes just about people talking. Grade A acting and, again, atmosphere.

There are a few “gaffs” that serve to streamline the story… electronics that don’t quite work like “real” electronics, but the real problem lies in some of the convenient plotting. How is it that the Ghost can find CIA records so clearly on the internet… if they were there, wouldn’t the British Courts be looking for connections? Now granted it’s a pretty well kept secret as far as the information being available you would have to know where to look to find it, but seeing as a writer who clearly claims not to be an “investigative reporter” can find things. It just seems like the police’s professional investigators should have known a little more and not be flabbergasted at certain uncovered truths (If they knew a certain character was shady, shouldn’t they also have known that on Google search it says he did X for the CIA?!). Also, for some reason, some of the language was clearly dubbed over to get a PG-13. I think the producers thought the film would have been a bigger hit and made it to more theaters, but its often disingenuous to the situation to use euphemisms and it’s so blatantly dubbed it’s kind of distracting.

I strongly recommend this film for anyone looking for an adult thriller. The acting is grade A and the direction and screenplay (with some gaffes) make the grade as well. This is a tension filled film “grown ups” won’t want to miss.

I have gone the whole review without mentioning the Ghost who created this film, but I would like to comment on the irony that this Ghost also seeks safe haven in a foreign country like the Prime Minister. Alas, I do not want to comment any further (I love me some good irony so couldn't help but post) and will merely let the film speak for itself. And it speaks well for moviegoers.

words (c) beyond the films, 2010

You Don't Know Jack Review

By Ann Marie.


Doctor Death, the tale of a man that everyone feared, but yet no one really understood.

HBO’s exclusive movie, You Don’t Know Jack, is based in part on the book, Between the Dying and the Dead, by Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie. From the beginning, Jack Kevorkian (Al Pacino) is in a hospital watching his mother from the outside of her room. As she’s lying there in bed, the sound of her breathing tubes becomes prominent. This begins Jack’s action toward assisted suicide, however, the wheels are put into motion after Margo Janus (Brenda Vaccaro), his sister tells him about a patient paralyzed and put on life support. From this point on Jack creates a machine that delivers a lethal injection stopping the heart after the patient is passed out. His first patient was Janet Adkins who was diagnosed with Alzheimer. Jack began his session by videotaping a sit down evaluation, where he would ask what each patient desired. Neal Nicol (John Goodman), Margo and Janet Good (Susan Sarandon) assisted Jack in these sessions and during the assisted suicide procedure. However, Jack was convicted of assisted suicide and throughout the movie; the audience learns how Geoffrey Fieger’s (Danny Huston) legal understanding helped keep Jack out of jail.

In You Don’t Know Jack, Al Pacino played Doctor Death, aka Jack Kevorkian. His performance was riveting and yet even though some people think Jack’s actions were wrong, you being to feel some sympathy for him. Joining Pacino on screen was John Goodman playing his friend Neal Nicol. Goodman’s acting was sympathetic to the patients, yet supportive and understanding to Jack’s actions. Susan Sarandon and Danny Huston were also big players in this film. Watching this film, you can see these actors had to put any negative feelings behind they might have had against Jack Kevorkian.

This TV movie had high production values of a theatrical film. There were many creatively cut scenes and montage. After Jack’s mom passes away, the camera is in a library where the scene is shot in a continuous pan, panning left to right. But here’s where things get interesting, as it keep panning left to right, the camera moves in closer and closer to Jack and his sister. Even after it pans past the books on the shelf, the camera shows Jack and Margo sitting at a table, but the camera continues to pan past them as they say their dialogue.

After that scene ends, the camera is used more as a hidden factor before we truly start to learn about Jack Kevorkian. You’ll see the camera behind boxes in a warehouse, sitting in the passenger seat watching Neal and Jack placing items in the car and even as Jack and Margo leave the library, the camera is situated behind the staircase’s chair rail.

Now that is just the beginning of the complex shots shown in the film. Each patient that passes away in the film is shot in black and white as if looking at crime scene pictures. Director Barry Levinson didn’t stop there. To add to the seamless television footage seen during this time period, videotaped scenes had an older camcorder look to them.

The montage scene creates a more vivid understanding of how Jack’s psyche is changing. At the end of the montage Jack’s face is half hidden, making it harder for us to truly trust his actions. We see a continuous repeat of the jailers placing and taking away his food and opening and closing his jail cell. In sync with the actions, we hear a continuous repeat of Jack’s dialogue. At that point, Jack’s character has changed and hit his climax.

Levinson has created many films for both television and the big screen. Some of films he’s directed have been Good Morning Vietnam, Bugsy and Man of the Year. He is currently working on the pre-production of Boone’s Lick, a movie following the story of a woman who travels from Boone’s Lick, MO to Wyoming fort where her husband lives. She travels there on a rickety old wagon.

This film is recommended for anyone who is interesting in the life of Jack Kevorkian, is a fan of Al Pacino or has read the book Dying and the Dead by Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie.

**warning this film is not suited for a younger crowd**

words (c) beyond the films, 2010

The Losers Review: Accused of a Crime They Did Not Commit

By: Phantom

In the year 2010 a crack commando unit was accused of a crime they didn't commit… oops sorry wrong movie.  But the fact remains that The Losers is unmistakably A-Team-esque, and with both this and an A-Team movie come out this summer, and it will be interesting to see which one comes out as the “better movie.”  On its own The Losers sets the bar high for mindless action-adventure this summer.  If you can check your brain at the door, you’ll have a fun time at the movies.  In fact, this movie is one of the most perfect versions of a video game team deathmatch committed to celluloid that I’ve seen… it’s totally the most awesomest action, and the sweetest explosions, and wittiest one-liners while fraggin’ the n00bz.

The film follows a crack commando… uh… a military squad hired to locate a target in Bolivia.  After being accused of a crime they did… oh… uh… after they are accused of murdering orphans and assumed dead, they hide in the South American underground.  When an unknown contact finds them and hires them, they take the job to stop Max (Jason Patric), the man who both double crossed them and is wanted by this operative.  The movie then follows the Losers as they attempt to reenter the United States and take down Max.

Max is some sort of corporate fat-cat who has the CIA and other US Government agencies in his pockets, and wishes to manufacture war and profits… but this ain’t no Micheal Moore film.  I think any political subtext is just to add a “flavor” to the film, more so than any intentional and direct, pointed commentary by the filmmakers (the original comic may be a little more pointed and the subtext may be residue from it- many times comic books can be a little more political but the fangs are often whittled down to be palatable to the mainstream).

Despite being the most super awesomest team deathmatch filmed, the movie does push the PG-13 limit in a few instances.  Not that the line is all that clear anymore to begin with…  The battles are, with two or three exceptions for the DRAMA, as bloodless and sterile as the original A-Team series, but certain elements of darkness creep in what is otherwise a presented as a lighthearted romp.  This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it the tonal shifts seemed slightly abrupt.  Furthermore, many action movies don’t know what to do with female characters, and this movie certainly was no exception.  Most of the team’s problems result from women being double crossers and sluts … this adds an overall air of misogyny that was too obvious not to mention.  Oh yeah, this movie has a weird thing with dwarfs too...

The colors of the film are bright and pop most of the movie and the film has various throwbacks to its comic book origins.  The film will use various techniques to emulate a comic book panel, using the film frequently will use freeze frame to simulate a comic panel, and animated character intros, and unique establishing shot title cards when being introduced to a new locale. 

This Losers is recommended to anyone looking for a popcorn action flick.  I was pleasantly surprised by the film as it managed to keep a brisk pace, crisp visuals and fun action.  Of course, there are a few problems with the film, the misogyny could have been kept in check a little and some of the stunt pieces seem like they were designed by Rube Goldberg, but overall it was a fun action film.  The film stars Chris Evans, Jason Patric, and Jeffery Dean Morgan.


Words © 2010 Beyond the Films
Poster © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

Kick-Ass Review

-by: Ann Marie.


Kick-Ass or get your ass kicked.

When we all grow up we read about super heroes with super powers, saving the planet from the evildoers and getting the girl. Well what if every day people became super heroes and helped citizens who were in trouble? They don’t have super powers, they aren’t special on any account; they are just ordinary people going through their ordinary days. The only difference is these people want to make a difference. That’s where Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson) comes in, an everyday high school student who just wants to help people who are in trouble and always wanted to be a super hero. He also meets up with Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz), this girl packs a punch and swears like there’s no tomorrow. If she’s got something on her mind, she will not be the last to let you know. Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) is the father of Hit Girl and wants revenge after what happened to his wife and his career. Lastly, there’s Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), you think this super hero is playing ball with others, but really under the hand of his father. Just like every other comic book out there, there’s an evildoer and the heroes running through their story trying to save the world. The ending will not disappoint you.

The famous star of the film is Nicolas Cage, but he doesn’t take away from these new comers. Aaron Johnson plays an outstanding role as Kick-Ass and the audience starts to sympathize for his character. This ordinary character lives an ordinary life with no excitement until he decides to take matters into his own hands. Next up Chloe Moretz, she was excited to take on this role. Granted her character swears and says the C word, but she definitely was ready for this role. What actress wouldn’t want to have her father be Nicolas Cage and received butterfly knives for her birthday. Lastly, Chirstopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist, you think his character is all sheltered, but he truly hides a deeper secret behind the limos and money. All these actors worked well on screen and it was nice to see a bunch of new comers.

Kick-Ass has many fast paced action packed scenes. These scenes kept the rhythm of the film in a constant flow. An interesting aesthetic added to the film, is the comic titles to the film. This was to enhance the idea of super heroes and comic books. Hit Girl’s life was explained in comic book form. The viewers went through the pages of the comic, designed and narrated by Big Daddy. To add to the excitement of the film, Matthew Vaughn, director of Kick-Ass, added two endings to the film.

Kick-Ass is only the third film Vaughn has directed. He is known for Stardust and Layer Cake, but is currently working on Bloodshot, American Jesus and One Chance.

This film is recommended for anyone who likes Nicolas Cage or those who are into comic-esque films.

words (c) beyond the films, 2010