Spring Break
Movie Reviews
David Coley
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Culture
The cinematography doesn't help things, either. With the usual quick close-ups on eyes - in this case, flaming holes where eyes would be - and fists and Blaze's motorcycle, the camerawork is decidedly amateur and cartoonish, and brings to mind the other hundred movies that copied the style of "The Matrix."
From interviews, you get the impression that this is Nicolas Cage's passion project. He has loved the character since childhood and dreamed of playing him someday. He seems to be so absorbed in the silly style employed by Johnson. It makes one wonder if he was so blinded by his infatuation for the comic he didn't realize the film is an exercise in recycled style with little substance.
With so many horror and action films being made these days, the last thing we need is a big star, and usually good actor, getting passionate about a shoddily made biker's fantasy.
In Theaters
'The Good German'
Is film noir dead?
My immediate answer would be negative. Rian Johnson's film "Brick," released earlier this year, proved the genre still has legs, albeit in quite a different form than the classic molds associated with noir.
However, Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "The Good German," could almost single-handedly convince you otherwise.
In keeping with the aforementioned traditional film noir, Soderbergh has built a film almost completely mimicking the style and tone of those older films. It is filmed in black and white in a grainy style free of modern techniques like zoom lenses and sophisticated lighting.
The Berlin depicted here is one of shadows, reflecting the numerous deceptions at the heart of the story. The problem is all the stylistic choices push the story out of the heart of the film.
The movie revolves around three main characters who flit in and out of the spotlight of being the hero. Jacob Geismer (George Clooney) is a journalist who has returned to a Berlin devastated by war to cover the Potsdam peace conference between the Allied powers. His driver Tully (Tobey Maguire) is manipulating the quarreling military forces for his own economic gain. He is involved with prostitute Lena (Cate Blanchett), who also has a history with Jacob.
From interviews, you get the impression that this is Nicolas Cage's passion project. He has loved the character since childhood and dreamed of playing him someday. He seems to be so absorbed in the silly style employed by Johnson. It makes one wonder if he was so blinded by his infatuation for the comic he didn't realize the film is an exercise in recycled style with little substance.
With so many horror and action films being made these days, the last thing we need is a big star, and usually good actor, getting passionate about a shoddily made biker's fantasy.
In Theaters
'The Good German'
Is film noir dead?
My immediate answer would be negative. Rian Johnson's film "Brick," released earlier this year, proved the genre still has legs, albeit in quite a different form than the classic molds associated with noir.
However, Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "The Good German," could almost single-handedly convince you otherwise.
In keeping with the aforementioned traditional film noir, Soderbergh has built a film almost completely mimicking the style and tone of those older films. It is filmed in black and white in a grainy style free of modern techniques like zoom lenses and sophisticated lighting.
The Berlin depicted here is one of shadows, reflecting the numerous deceptions at the heart of the story. The problem is all the stylistic choices push the story out of the heart of the film.
The movie revolves around three main characters who flit in and out of the spotlight of being the hero. Jacob Geismer (George Clooney) is a journalist who has returned to a Berlin devastated by war to cover the Potsdam peace conference between the Allied powers. His driver Tully (Tobey Maguire) is manipulating the quarreling military forces for his own economic gain. He is involved with prostitute Lena (Cate Blanchett), who also has a history with Jacob.
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