Reviewum vomitus:
CHERISH: I hate movies that try to throw in cool pop songs just for the sake of it, it drives me batty. This flick even advertises it on the dvd cover! Needless to say, my expectations were nil. But geez Louise, did this movie work. Kitschy pop/love songs play a crucial part in this flick, and it seriously takes its usage to a whole new level. Robin Tunney plays a nerdy chick accused of murdering a cop, which was really caused by her stalker/almost-abductor, and is forced to wear a electronice ankle bracelet while she's under house arrest and awaiting trial. Tim Blake Nelson plays the deputy in charge of said bracelet and turns out to be a quite fascinating leading man (whoda thunk it after seeing his turn in 'O Brother Where Art Thou?'). The film is a blend of genres... comedy, drama, romance, suspense... you name it. The scene where the villain dances to 'Private Eyes' is one of the most wonderful things I've seen in ages. Going to have to track down what else director Finn Taylor has done.
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS: The movie's marketing campaign is misleading. It's certainly not an Audrey Tautou vehicle, and it's certainly not a Hitchcockian thriller. What this flick really reveals itself to be is a compelling drama about immigrants forced to do drastic things to survive in a foreign land. Frears proves once again that he's a force to be reckoned with, capable of tackling any genre and suceeding.
THE MAGDALENE SISTERS: God bless Peter Mullan. Not only is he a terrific actor, but also a splendidly talented director. And what a first feature! A compelling work and also proof positive why I loathe the religion I was raised with. The movie was terrifying/creepy enough just as a standalone story, but even more so by the fact that the shit happened less than 50 years ago!
VERONICA GUERIN: I'm all about sticking up for yourself and stories of sticking it to 'the man' and doing what's right, but dammit if I didn't spend a lot of this movie wondering why Veronica just didn't get some goddamned sense and back off. I mean, how could she have not seen her fate coming? Perhaps my quibbles are with the real life-story and not the actual film, but after seeing Cate get the shit beat out of her to the tune of multiple uses of the 'see you next tuesday' word, I couldn't honestly give a shit what happened next. There's a line between bravery and flat-out stupidity, and it was crossed. Blanchett was compelling as always, but I just couldn't give 2 craps how it all wrapped up. As bizarre as it all sounds, I can't blame Schumacher or Bruckheimer for what happens, moreso the real-life Guerin for her acts