Quote of the Week Review: A Scanner Darkly (2006)

By Sean McDonnell

"What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? Does it see into me? Clearly? Or darkly?"

Richard Linklater, director of the classic School of Rock, takes us on a very unusual journey of identity, paranoia and surveillance amidst the backdrop of a dystopian L.A. where the war on drugs has failed. A Scanner Darkly follows Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves), an undercover detective who tries to find out more about the rise of ‘Substance D’ via his drug addicted friends James (Robert Downey, Jr.), Ernie (Woody Harrelson) and Donna (Winona Ryder). Bob never really gets up to much, considering all his friends really do (especially James) is have long paranoiac conversations, so, when at the police station he wears a ‘scramble suit’ which constantly changes his appearance and is code named ‘Fred’. However, Bob becomes heavily addicted to Substance D which makes him unaware of who he really is as he is told to investigate into himself more…

Looks like Neo should've taken the blue pill instead.

The film is visually outstanding. Linklater has previously used the Rotoscope technique in his heavily philosophical art-house film Waking Life. In A Scanner Darkly, he takes it to a whole new level in a very artistic world. For those who don’t know, the Rotoscope technique is when live action footage is traced over and animated, giving a very unusual and interesting effect. Shane F. Kelly as the cinematographer does a very good job presenting the constant fear that addicts of Substance D go through such as a close up of Bob hallucinating that James and Ernie are giant bugs. All the cast offer very good performances, Keanu for once puts a fair amount of effort in his acting in contrast to some of his poorer performances (hint hint, Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula). I personally think this is one of Robert Downey, Jr.’s best roles because he perfectly suited the eccentric style of James and reminded me in a way of his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes due to the selfishness and drug addictions in both characters.

However as much as I liked the film as a very good adaptation of Philip Kindred’s novel, I felt disappointed in that the plot was very confusing at times and in a way I felt a lot more could have developed. A Scanner Darkly as a film portrays beautifully the experiences of addicts very much like what Philip intends in the novel since it’s based on his experiences as an addict of amphetamines and dedicates it to “some people who were punished entirely too much for what they did”, in this case, his friends who suffered from various physical and psychological effects. Philip even goes as far to include himself in the list, “Phil” – a victim of permanent pancreatic damage.

On the whole, a good adaptation of a classic sci-fi story. However, prepare to be lost in a very radical and colourful world of deception as the story moves quite quickly and in a very puzzling way, so be sure to pay attention to Bob and the gang talking a lot of meaningful nonsense! An interesting film with a strong message, A Scanner Darkly is one of more stimulating Philip Kindred adaptations I've seen in a while but it's ever so slightly disappointing due to a confusing plot. All in all, I still recommend watching this film because of the good performances and of course the fantastic visuals. It doesn't beat School of Rock but it’s still a trippy adventure into the future that’s worth tuning into!

Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here.

Quote of the Week Review: Barton Fink (1991)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"You think I made your life hell? Take a look around this dump. You're just a tourist with a typewriter, Barton, I live here"

For my money, this is the finest film that the Coen Brothers have ever produced. Their catalogue is a rich library of lovingly-crafted masterpieces, each one different from the last. Most people are familiar with films such as The Big Lebowski, Fargo or No Country for Old Men, but Barton Fink is especially intriguing as it's one big puzzle box.

Barton Fink isn't quite "surrealist", per se, but it is impossible to place in any genre, there are elements of comedy, drama, farce, satire, thriller and romance. The Coens have agreed with critics that classifying it is hard, it simply is what it is.

The plot concerns the eponymous Barton Fink, an acclaimed New York playwright who has been hired to pen a wrestling screenplay. Upon arriving at his ominous L.A. hotel, Barton suffers from writer's block and encounters his burly neighbour, Charles, played by the infallibly lovable John Goodman, a frequent collaborator of the Coens.

Nobody f**ks with The Jesus.

The chain of circumstance that follows takes you on a wicked mind-bending trip through the corruption and greed that encumbers The City of Angels, as Barton begins to learn that he's surrounded by liars, cheats and phonies. John Turturro is simply astounding as Barton, a truly underrated actor who was snubbed by the Academy not only for his performance in this, but Do the Right Thing and The Big Lebowski also. His performance is subtly comprised of various ticks and delusions of grandeur that create a man who thinks highly of himself but wants to help others, leading to an internal conflict that he must confront and overcome.
The enigmatic visual motifs throughout the film add varying layers to the plot and themes, creating a complex and thought-provoking piece of cinema that challenges as well as entertains. The ultimate theme of the film is illustrated best in the heated finale, the yin and yang of creation and destruction meeting in a mutual respect for one another. I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil the ending.

The minimalist approach as well as deliberate lack of real character development is signature Coens. The plot's interest comes from how the characters interact with their situation, for some filmmakers this would be a huge risk as it requires pitch-perfect casting, but the Coen Brothers always make sure every actor is perfectly suited for their role.

Roger Deakins, one of the greatest cinematographers of all-time and the Coens' regular DOP, uses the camera to make everywhere Barton is feel like a maze. The hotel is especially reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's horror monolith The Shining, something that Joel and Ethan Coen have openly recognized as an influence. The way the camera wraps around every wall, as if it knows to be cautious when the characters do not, creates an uneasy feeling among the audience as the characters remain calm in clearly dangerous situations.

A fascinating portrait of humanity and a scathing critique of Hollywood's desolate landscape of broken dreams, as well as the extremes between wealth and poverty. This is a crowning achievement in the library of the Coen Brothers, backed up with a blissful supporting cast, consisting of talents such as Micheal Lerner, John Mahoney and Steve Buscemi, this is one that all of their fans must see. 

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

Quote of the Week Review: Ted (2012)

By Ben Hanna

"F*** you, thunder! / You can suck my d***! / You can't get me thunder / 'Cause you're just God's farts!" 

Seth MacFarlane is best known for directing, creating and writing the popular animated television series, Family Guy.

Ted is MacFarlane’s first feature length film and so was highly anticipated by fans of his acclaimed television series. The film begins in Boston where we are told the story of a young boy without friends who for Christmas day, opens up a present containing Ted, his new life-long best friend. After making a wish that Ted would come to life and be his best friend for ever, which is exactly what happens.

I've met stranger shop assistants if I'm honest.

We’re moved 27 years into the future, John (Mark Wahlberg) is 35 with a girlfriend called Lori  (Mila Kunis) a dead-end job as a car salesman and his best friend Ted (Seth MacFarlane). The actors picked for these roles were selected well, Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis did a great job at making their characters believable and relatable. However, when it comes to the bear I felt kind of lost. Ted never had a clear idea of what he was doing and just seemed to follow John around like a lost puppy.

The story is set in motion but unfortunately lacks a really strong narrative and eventually becomes a bit silly, John finds it very difficult to stop playing with his teddy bear and grow up but this could however add to the comedic value of the film. I found myself in hysterics from beginning to end because Seth really understands how to make a joke, given his previous work with Family Guy and American Dad. A lot of the one liners used in the film really make the entire thing funny. So if you are a fan of Seth and his work, this is a definite must-see.

Overall, Ted contains some hilarious scenes that will have you in stitches and is definitely worth the watch if you’re staying home for a night in. Just make sure your sense of humour stayed home with you, this one isn't for the faint of heart.