Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 8 out 10
Directed by Tom Tywker, whose Run, Lola, Run is still high on my favourite movies of all times list. It must have been a challenge to bring a film about scent to the screen, much can be done in film, but generating smell in a cinema is not yet one of them. But he did succeed in that very well if you ask me. The story is original, the idea of having a man who has never experienced love in his life creating a perfume that makes people want to make love nearly instantly is interesting. But, the ending was too much for me, and I don’t mean the massive scene with lots of action going on, but generally the end of the story. It made it just a tad too unbelievable. Fine performances from Ben Wishaw and Alan Rickman.
The Painted Veil (2006) 5 out 10
OK, I was in New York, it was my last day, it was raining, I didn’t have an umbrella, I had already checked out of my hotel and I had to wait hours and hours for my plane, so cinema it was. I first saw Notes on a Scandal for the second time. And I admit it, it wasn’t nice, but I sneaked into the next film after that without paying another ticket. And of course It wasn’t great. It has Edward Norton in it, but boy was this a depressing and long drawn film, that fitted my mood on that day perfectly.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) 6 out of 10
Lot of Oscar buzz going on about this one, but I wasn’t impressed. The major problem for me was that I didn’t really like Will Smith’s character in this one. A supposed to be feelgood film that didn’t make me feel good so to speak. The little boy in this film is played by his son by the way.
The Good Shepherd (2006) 6 out of 10
With Matt Damon, directed by Robert the Niro, a story about the early days of the CIA and how people sacrificed their live and love for it. It didn’t make my heart beat any faster though. Long, and boring.
Notes on a Scandal (2006) 9 out of 10
What a cast, and what performances. Lovely to see Bill Nighy in a more dramatic and serious role, and Judi Dench is seriously in the race for an Oscar for this one if you ask me. Deliciously controversial and dark.
Blood Diamond (2006) 9 out of 10
Not too sure if Leonardo should have an Oscar for this, as there are probably better performances to choose from. But despite a lot of violence and blood, this is one hell of a film, I have no problems recommending.
The Holiday (2006) 7 out of 10
Casting Jack Black in a romantic comedy deserves some credit, and he does well. This is not on level with Notting Hill or Love Actually, but probably the closest you get to a christmas rom-com this year. Where is Richard Curtis when you need him?
If there is one film I can’t wait to see it’s Venus with Peter O’Toole. Directed by Roger Michell who directed Notting Hill (a classic), The Mother (interesting with Daniel Craig) and Enduring Love (also with Daniel Craig, and Bill Nighy). It’s scheduled for the end of January.