Just Mercy

 

Based on the memoir Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy is the story of a young attorney who takes on an appeals case of a man accused of murder as he deals with the many injustices that this man has dealt with. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and screenplay by Cretton and Andrew Lanham, the film is based on the real life story of Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian who was falsely accused of murder in Alabama where his attorney in Bryan Stevenson tries to prove his innocence as Michael B. Jordan portrays Stevenson with Jamie Foxx as McMillian. Also starring Brie Larson, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, and Rafe Spall. Just Mercy is a riveting and heart-wrenching film from Destin Daniel Cretton.

Spanning from November of 1986 to March of 1993, the film follows the wrongful arrest and conviction of Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian over the murder of a young white woman in Ronda Morrison as he would be represented three years later by an idealist young attorney from Delaware in Bryan Stevenson who would do what he can to exonerate McMillian and prove his innocence. It’s a film with a simple premise yet it is more about a young man dealing with a world that he doesn’t know much of despite having to deal with the prejudices that he also faces as an African-American. The film’s screenplay by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham is straightforward as it opens with McMillian’s arrest after a hard day’s work cutting trees as he’s accused of killing this young white woman as the film then pushes a couple of years later where Stevenson meets a young convict just before Stevenson is officially an attorney where it is a scene that establishes the idealism that follows him and his determination to make things right in the unforgiving environment that is the American South in Monroe County in Alabama.

The script also play into Stevenson not only focusing on McMillian and trying to gain his support as well as the support of his family but also look into the cases of others including a former war veteran in Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan) who is suffering from PTSD as Stevenson tries to save him from execution. Aiding Stevenson in these cases include a local in Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) who helps him find the Equal Justice Initiative as she is disgusted by not just the racism in her home state but also the indifference of prosecutor Tommy Chapman (Rafe Spall) who declines to help Stevenson out in favor of protecting the state. While Stevenson was able to get an alibi from a family friend of McMillian who later backs out, the script shows Stevenson’s determination where he questions another prisoner in Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson) where some major revelations occur about why McMillian was convicted as it leads to major challenges for Stevenson to free McMillian.

Cretton’s direction is largely straightforward to play into its grounded presentation about a real-life story. While the film is set in Alabama and shot partially in Montgomery, much of it is shot on location in and around parts of Atlanta to play into the look and feel of late 1980s/early 1990s Alabama. Cretton does make the locations feel like a world of its own with prison cells also being characters as it is this place of fear where Stevenson has to endure some humiliation in his first visit in Alabama by stripping down where Cretton brings that sense of claustrophobia in the medium shots and close-ups. The usage of those shots add to the prison cell where McMillian is alone with Richardson next door to him on the left and another in Anthony Ray Hinton (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) who was also wrongly convicted. Cretton does use some wide shots to showcase some of the locations including images of trees during a scene where McMillian offer words of comfort to Richardson in one of his PTSD moments.

Cretton also play into this air of racism that is prominent in Alabama where Stevenson is an outsider of sorts as he does get a closer look of what it’s like being a black man in Alabama where a lot of the cops and local authorities are white. Cretton doesn’t paint them as typical villains as a young guard in Jeremy Doss (Hayes Mercure) becomes more sympathetic towards McMillian while the revelations about Myers showcase the similarities towards those who live below the poverty line as he too is a victim. The first act is about Stevenson’s idealism and his attempts to try and get McMillian a retrial while the second act is about these revelations and this retrial for McMillian. Yet, there’s this third act where Cretton goes into deep into the many injustices towards McMillian but also for black men as well as Chapman’s role who is someone disconnected from what is really going on as he has to deal with the status quo who are resistance towards change. Overall, Cretton crafts an engaging and evocative film about a young attorney who tries to free a wrongly-convicted man of murder in Alabama.

Cinematographer Brett Pawlak does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography with its usage of low-key lights for many of the interior/exterior scenes at night as well as some understated colors for some of the daytime exterior scenes. Editor Nat Sanders does excellent work with the editing as it is largely straightforward with a few jump-cuts to play into some of the film’s intensely-dramatic moments. Production designer Sharon Seymour, with set decorator Maggie Martin and art director Peter Borck, does amazing work with the look of the house that Stevenson and Ansley bought as their headquarters as well as the look of the jail cells the prisoners live in and the court rooms. Costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck does fantastic work with the costumes as it is largely straightforward with some of the refined clothes of McMillian’s family during the trials and church scenes along with the expensive suits that Chapman wears. Makeup artist Bridgit Crider and hair stylist Crystal Woodford do terrific work with the look of McMillian early in the film as it played into the period of the times along with the look of Ansley in her ragged yet simple look.

Special effects supervisor Nicholas Coleman and visual effects supervisor Chris LeDoux do some fine work with the special effects as it is largely set-dressing for some of the film’s locations along with a few scenes in the prison. Sound editors Onnalee Blank and Katy Wood do superb work with the film’s sound as it help play into the tense atmosphere of the prisons as well as some of its sparse moments and scenes in some of the locations in the film. The film’s music by Joel P. West does wonderful work with the film’s music score as it features elements of orchestral music with some gospel to play into the world that is the American South while music supervisor Gabe Hilfer cultivate a soundtrack that largely features elements of soul, gospel, rock, and R&B as it features pieces from Martha and the Vandellas, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Alabama Shakes, Hilton Felton, Sister Emily Braum, The Mighty Indiana Travelers, Atlantic Starr, Ella Fitzgerald, and a few others.

The casting by Carmen Cuba and Tara Feldstein is incredible as it feature some notable small roles from Rhoda Griffs as a judge late in the film, Norm Lewis as the voice of a newscaster, Hayes Mercure as the young prison guard Jeremy Doss who becomes sympathetic towards McMillian during the film as he realizes that McMillian is innocent, Dominic Bogart as Eva’s husband Doug, C.J. LeBlanc as McMillian’s son John, Karen Kendrick as McMillian’s wife Minnie, Darrell Britt-Gibson as a family friend in Darnell who has an alibi for McMillian only to be spooked by the authorities, and Michael Harding as the racist Sheriff Tate who doesn’t care if McMillian is innocent as he is someone trying to instill his authority. O’Shea Jackson Jr. is fantastic as Anthony Ray Hinton as a wrongfully-convicted man who is a cell-neighbor of McMillian as he believes that Stevenson is a man of hope as Stevenson also tries to help him with his own case.

Rafe Spall is superb as Tommy Chapman as a prosecutor who is unwilling to help Stevenson as he would be the opposition as a political figure who is trying to protect his own community while dealing with the fallout of his own actions. Tim Blake Nelson is excellent as the convict Ralph Myers as a white man who made the claim that he saw McMillian commit the murder as he makes some startling revelations where Nelson provides some chilling monologues and moments that showcases a man who had been used as a pawn for a cruel system. Rob Morgan is amazing as the convicted war veteran Herbert Richardson as a man who suffers from PTSD as he awaits his execution as he hopes to save as his performance is heartbreaking to watch as someone who is consumed with guilt while coping about his own fate. Brie Larson is brilliant as Eva Ansley as a local who becomes Stevenson’s right-hand woman as well as a mother who is aware that she is targeted while also doing what she can to help as well as give Stevenson an understanding of the cruelty that is Alabama and the American South.

Jamie Foxx is tremendous as Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian as a man who is wrongly accused of murder as he is skeptical of Stevenson’s intentions due to past attempts by others as he also copes with the many challenges in getting a retrial where Foxx is just understated in his performance as well as a man who clings on to hope knowing that truth can save him. Finally, there’s Michael B. Jordan in a phenomenal performance as Bryan Stevenson as a Harvard-graduate attorney from Delaware who moves to Alabama with ideas to change the world only to deal with some reality that is intense yet Jordan maintains that determination of someone who wants to do what is right as well as understand his own identity as a black man in the South who is just trying to make a small change to a cruel world as it is a career-defining performance for Jordan.

Just Mercy is a sensational film from Destin Daniel Cretton that features great performances from Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson. Along with its ensemble cast, understated presentation, an engaging music soundtrack, and its exploration of racism and injustice in the American South. It is a film that manages to explore a young man trying to save another man from injustice while also learning about what to do to combat hate in a world that is prejudice and resistant to change. In the end, Just Mercy is a phenomenal film from Destin Daniel Cretton.

Destin Daniel Cretton Films: (I Am Not a Hipster) – Short Term 12 - (The Glass Castle (2017 film)) – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

© thevoid99 2021

The Big Short

Based on the novel by Michael Lewis, The Big Short is about the financial crisis in 2007 and 2008 and how a small number of individuals knew it was coming and tried to salvage what they would be lost. Directed by Adam McKay and screenplay by McKay and Charles Randolph, the film is an unconventional take on the crisis with its mixture of humor, drama, and moments that break down the fourth wall. Starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei, Rafe Spall, Finn Wittrock, Hamish Linklater, Jeremy Strong, Melissa Leo, and Brad Pitt. The Big Short is a gripping and chilling film from Adam McKay.

Set in the mid-2000s just a few years before the world economy would collapse in such a massive way, the film follows the lives of a few different men who would make a discovery that would lead to its collapse. Told through three different narratives, the film follow the events of these men who wouldn’t just discover loans and bonds that would cause the housing market to become unstable but also do whatever they can to survive and profit from this upcoming financial collapse. The film’s screenplay by Adam McKay and Charles Randolph weaves through these multiple narratives as the storyline of the different individuals who would be part of this catastrophic event would all effect one’s narrative and such. Even as there’s moments where a character from one storyline is in the same place with other characters from that storyline but none of them really meet each other.

The character Dr. Michael Burry (Christian Bale) is this oddball hedge fund manager who is socially-inept as he would start the whole story going when he would look into numbers involving high-risk subprime loans as he decides to make a bet against market-based mortgage-based securities by using a credit default swap. Dr. Burry’s plans had bankers laughing thinking he would fail as his actions wouldn’t just get the unwanted attention of his mentor Lawrence Fields (Tracy Letts) but also the attention of a low-level salesman for Deutsche Banks in Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling) who is the film’s narrator. He would learn about what Dr. Burry is planning where he joins forces with Front Point hedge fund manager Mark Baum (Steve Carell) after one of Baum’s employees called Vennett by accident as the two analyze what Dr. Burry has found. From a prospectus that Vennett created, two young investors in Charlie Geller (John Magaro) and Jamie Shipley (Finn Wittrock) would find that prospectus as they would take part in the plan to buy credit default swaps with the advice of a former securities trader in Ben Rickert (Brad Pitt).

The film’s narrative would cross-cut through all three different storylines as well as explore all of the traits of these characters as Vennett is a man that is vain and interested in getting the money from the fallout that is to come while Baum is a man just trying to make sense of the world he’s working for as he’s also dealing with his brother’s suicide. The duo of Geller and Shipley are just two guys that wanted to be rich as they get the help of Rickert as they would make a move that would be big but there comes a moral price over what had happened as it would be a discovery that would make Baum not just uneasy but also realizing the large scale of what is to come. Each act opens with a quote as it play into these men making a discovery and see what would happen and then realize the massive scale of the risk as almost everyone in the financial world is against them. Yet, it’s a risk that is would showcase not just the sense of arrogance and indifference of these people in finance but also those who would be seriously affected by this crash.

McKay’s direction is definitely quite engaging for the way it explores the world of finance in all of its complexities and finding a way to make it accessible for anyone who has no clue about bonds, stocks, securities, or anything in the world of finance. Shot largely in New Orleans with some of it shot on other locations such as New York City and Las Vegas. McKay would create something that is grand in some scenes but maintain some intimacy in his usage of close-ups and medium shots as it relates to the drama. Especially in the usage of hand-held camera for these scenes while giving each storyline a different tone as the Dr. Burry storyline is often set in an office building while the stories involving Venette/Baum and the trio of Geller, Shipley, and Rickert also have different presentations though there is that one scene where the two groups are in the same sequence through an intricate tracking shot.

Since the idea of finances and all of the things that go on are considered very complex to anyone that has no idea about these things. McKay would use a few celebrities like actress Margot Robbie, singer/actress Selena Gomez, famed chef Anthony Bourdain, and the economist Richard Thaler to provide some comical expositions to reveal what is a mortgage-based security, a subprime loan, a collateralized debt obligation, and a synthetic CDO. McKay would also showcase images and footage of what was the culture of the world was like in the mid-2000s as people are unaware of what is happening as its third act is quite dark. Notably in the sense of immorality that is happening in the financial world and the people who really lose it all which makes characters like Baum and Rickert uneasy. Especially as it once again play into this air of cynicism and what often happens in the financial world on who is saved and who is left in the dust. Overall, McKay creates a haunting yet evocative film about a group of individuals who would make a discovery that would shake up the financial world in the late 2000s.

Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd does excellent work with the film’s cinematography from the usage of natural and low-key lights for the scenes at Dr. Burry’s office as well as the lighter look of the scenes at Baum’s office as well as some of the stylish yet low-key lights for some of the scenes in Las Vegas. Editor Hank Corwin does brilliant work with the editing with its usage of jump-cuts, freeze-frames and other stylish cuts to help find ways to create smooth transitions for the different storylines as well as using montages to play into the growing sense of time. Production designer Clayton Hartley, with set decorator Linda Lee Sutton and art director Elliott Glick, does fantastic work with the look of the different offices as well as the garage office that Geller and Shipley work at and the home of Rickert. Costume designer Susan Matheson does nice work with the costumes as it’s mostly casual with the suits that the men wear as well as shorts and t-shirt look of Dr. Burry.

Visual effects supervisor Paul Linden does terrific work with some of the film’s visual effects which is essentially set-dressing to play into the period of the mid-2000s. Sound editor Becky Sullivan does superb work with the sound as it play into the world of parties and meetings where it can be raucous but also quiet. The film’s music by Nicholas Britell is wonderful for its low-key electronic score that play into the drama while the soundtrack features an array of music from rock, hip-hop, and pop music.

The casting by Kathy Driscoll and Francine Maisler is incredible as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from Rudy Eisenzopf as the mortgage-backed security creator Lewis Ranieri, Max Greenfield and Billy Magnussen as two young mortgage brokers who con people into getting bad loans, Byron Mann as a CDO manager Baum talks to in Vegas about synthetic CDOs, Karen Gillian as the ex-girlfriend of Shipley’s brother who meets Shipley in Vegas who dismisses him as she had just quit the SEC, Adepero Oduye as Baum’s colleague Kathy Tao, Tracy Letts as Dr. Burry’s mentor Lawrence Fields who is aghast over what Dr. Burry did, Melissa Leo as a Standard & Poor’s employee who make some revelations to Baum about some of the dark aspects of the financial industry, and Marisa Tomei in a terrific small role as Baum’s wife Cynthia who is trying to help him with his own revelations as well as the loss of his brother.

John Magaro and Finn Wittrock are superb in their respective roles as Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley as two young investors who discover Vennett’s prospectus as they try to take advantage of their discovery in the hopes they would get a chance to be part of the elite in finance. The trio of Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, and Hamish Linklater in their respective roles as Baum’s three employees in the optimist Danny Moses, the rash and impulsive Vinny Daniel, and the reserved Porter Collins as three men who help Baum in figuring out numbers as well as discovering how much would be lost. Brad Pitt is excellent as Ben Rickert as a retired securities trader who helps Geller and Shipley with their discovery as it’s a very low-key yet humorous role as a man who reluctantly returns to the world of finance but what he discovers would make him uneasy.

Christian Bale is brilliant as Dr. Michael Burry as a hedge fund manager who would discover the instability of mortgage loans as this oddball that loves to listen to heavy metal as a man who is great with numbers but awkward when it comes to people as he tries to profit everything and ensure the trust of his investors. Ryan Gosling is amazing as Jared Vennette as a low-level salesman for a powerful bank who would discover Dr. Burry’s report and take advantage of his discovery while teaming with Baum to make some money as Gosling’s performance is funny in display his air of arrogance. Finally, there’s Steve Carell in a marvelous performance as Mark Baum as a hedge fund manager for a financial company who would team up with Vennette in betting against the market as he would make a startling discovery of what is going to happen that consumes him with guilt as Carell has this air of energy and anger in his performance that is coupled with humility and sadness.

The Big Short is a spectacular film from Adam McKay. Featuring an inventive script, an incredible ensemble cast, and witty views of financing with stylish moments of exposition that prove to be helpful. It’s a film that explores a moment in time where the world’s finance industry was hit by their own stupidity and those who saw it coming and tried to warn them. In the end, The Big Short is a phenomenal film from Adam McKay.

Adam McKay Films: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - Step Brothers - The Other Guys - Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - (Backseat) - The Auteurs #63: Adam McKay

© thevoid99 2017

Prometheus

Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, Prometheus is the story about two scientists who join a space crew to travel to a distant planet thinking they have found the origins of humanity in this unknown planet unaware of what might really be lurking. The film is a prequel of sorts to the Alien franchise which Scott had started back in 1979 where it explores ideas of faith and humanity in a sci-fi horror setting. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Rafe Spall, Kate Dickie, Benedict Wong, Sean Harris, and Guy Pearce. Prometheus is a sprawling though somewhat messy film from Ridley Scott.

The film is about these two scientists who believe that an archeological drawing might have the answer into who created humanity as they travel to a distant planet on a ship headed by the Weyland Corporation. What they would eventually find is something else as it causes a lot of trouble as well as the end of humanity. It’s a premise that is simple but since there are things in the story that leaves a lot of questionable gaps as well as the motivations into some of the characters. Driving the story is Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) who is convinced that the drawing she and her longtime boyfriend in scientist Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) is an invitation to find the answers of human existence as they convince the ailing Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) to help them find these answers.

The film’s screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof does raise questions into what might have existed in another world and were these so-called Engineers the creators of humanity. Yet, the script doesn’t really explain much into who they were and where they really come from as Dr. Shaw, Holloway, Weyland manager Meredith Vickers, and an android named David (Michael Fassbender) all try to find the answers. Yet, Vickers and David have motives that are very different as the latter is programmed by his master to find things where he would eventually tamper with some of his discoveries.

There aren’t clear motivation about Vickers as she is this very ambiguous individual as she is just looking over everything as she’s also being kept in the dark by David. Then there’s the ship’s pilot Janek (Idris Elba) who is the film’s realist who is convinced that something isn’t right as his confirmations prove to be true. It all plays to the element of suspense though its outcome doesn’t really payoff as it becomes very obvious as it’s a major flaw in the screenplay. Even as several characters get killed off and more questions start to emerge about what is inside this mountain they found in a planet.

Ridley Scott’s direction is quite spectacular in the way he presents the film from this opening sequence of an Engineer drinking this mysterious substance only to fall into a waterfall as he is disintegrating setting the stage for what he might become later on. Much of the film is set in mountains as much of the film’s location was shot in Iceland to play into a world that is unique and almost Earthly. Scott’s presentation of these locations do have a sense of wonder as it’s set in the late 21st Century where humanity is becoming more eager to find its origins in a planet that is vast and probably filled with all of those things. Much of the film’s interior settings as it’s all shot in a soundstage play into that element of suspense and mystery where it’s about the characters trying to find out what is inside this mountain.

Due to the script’s shortcomings, Scott doesn’t do enough to build up the suspense where it’s obvious what’s going to happen as a couple of characters encounter some strange alien being that will cause a lot of trouble. Even as it would later play into the elements of the third act where Dr. Shaw has to either hold on to her faith or just accept the truth. Yet, her decision becomes crucial as she is fully aware of what is out there as there’s an added twist to the story which creates more ambiguities to the story. Despite some of the flaws in the story, Scott manages to create a very solid and extraordinary film about the idea of human existence and where humanity comes from.

Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the dark look of the mountain caves where the characters try to observe to the lights inside the Prometheus spaceship all the characters live in. Editor Pierto Scalia does amazing work with the editing from the use of rhythmic cuts to play out the suspense and action that occurs in the film. Production designer Arthur Max, with set decorator Sonja Klaus and supervising art director John King, do fantastic work with the set pieces from the look of the caves and the objects there to the interiors inside Prometheus. Costume designer Janty Yates does nice work with the look of the astronaut suit the characters wear when they go into the planet‘s exteriors as well as the clothes inside the spaceship.

Makeup designer Tina Earnshaw does terrific work with some of the film makeup effects such as the look of Peter Weyland as well as the Engineers. The visual effects by Richard Stammers, Charley Henley, and Martin Hill do brilliant work with the visual effects such as the 3-D holograms that appear on the visual maps inside Prometheus as well as some of the looks of the planet they landed on. Sound editors Victor Ray Ennis and Mark P. Stoeckinger do superb work on the sound to create some amazing sound design to play into the suspense as well as some of the scenes inside the spaceship and caves. The film’s music by Marc Streitenfeld is wonderful for its low-key yet brooding score to play into some of the wonders that is discovered as well as some ominous pieces to play into its suspense.

The casting by Nina Gold and Avy Kaufman is phenomenal for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable small performances from Kate Dickie as the ship’s medic Ford, Emun Elliot and Benedict Wong as Janek’s wise-cracking co-pilots, Patrick Wilson in a flashback scene as Elizabeth’s father, Rafe Spall as the nerdy biologist Millburn, and Sean Harris as the more wild geologist Fifield who isn’t so sure about what is going on in the caves. Guy Pearce is terrific in a small role as Peter Weyland as this man who appeared as a hologram as an aging man who supports what Dr. Shaw and Holloway are trying to find. Logan Marshall-Green is excellent as Charlie Holloway as a scientist who is also eager to find the answers like Dr. Shaw as he becomes frustrated with the lack of progress in the search. Charlize Theron is pretty good as Meredith Vickers as this cold and distant manager who watches over the mission where Theron is hampered by the script by her lack of motivations and ambiguity which makes her performance a bit baffling to watch.

Idris Elba is fantastic as Janek as this no-nonsense pilot who just flies the ship as he doesn’t think this is going to go well as he also brings some humor to the film with his wisecracks. Michael Fassbender is amazing as the android David as a robot that is eager to please his creator while having the desire to want to be human despite some of his actions as Fassbender is just a real standout in the film. Finally, there’s Noomi Rapace in a remarkable performance as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw as this woman who relies on her Christian faith to believe that there is something out there only to find trouble as she deals with a lot that would challenge her idea of faith and existence as she dares to asks bit questions.

Despite some of the shortcomings and messiness of its script, Prometheus is still a worthwhile and engaging film from Ridley Scott. Thanks in part to some of the themes it presents as well as the performances of Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Idris Elba. It’s a film that has ideas that are compelling while balancing it with some suspenseful entertainment though it is quite flawed. In the end, Prometheus is a very stellar film from Ridley Scott.

Ridley Scott Films: (The Duellists) - Alien - Blade Runner - (Legend) - (Someone to Watch Over Me) - (Black Rain) - (Thelma & Louise) - (1492: Conquest of Paradise) - (White Squall) - (G.I. Jane) - (Gladiator) - (Hannibal) - (Black Hawk Down) - (Matchstick Men) - (Kingdom of Heaven) - (A Good Year) - (American Gangster) - (Body of Lies) - (Robin Hood) - (The Counselor) - (Exodus) - The Martian - (Alien: Covenant) - All the Money in the World

© thevoid99 2013

Shaun of the Dead

Directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead is the story of a man trying to sort out his life while a zombie apocalypse emerges in London. The film is a humorous take on the zombie film genre where it pays tribute while putting its own spin where a man and his best friend try to fight off zombies with the small number of friends and family around them. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, and Penelope Wilton. Shaun of the Dead is a witty yet adventurous film from Edgar Wright.

Panic in the streets of London as a zombie apocalypse has taken over where an electronic store employee in a life crisis has to deal with this apocalypse. That’s essentially the premise of the film where it is told in a humorous manner where this man named Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his unemployed slacker friend Ed (Nick Frost) deal with this wave of zombies as Shaun and Ed try to save those they care about including Shaun’s girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), her flat mates David (Dylan Moran) and Diane (Lucy Davis), Shaun’s mother Barbara (Penelope Wilton), and his stepfather Phillip (Bill Nighy) whom he has a tense relationship with. By hiding at the pub they like to hang out at, they try to evade the zombies where lots of trouble ensues involving Queen, a Winchester rifle, and all sorts of crazy shit. It’s a film that sort of pokes fun at the zombie apocalypse but infuse it with some human drama and laughter where a man deals with growing pains about where his life is going as well as the people who are his friends.

The screenplay by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg play into the idea of people trying to survive this zombie apocalypse where there’s a lot at stake that happens where some drastic decisions are to be made in order to survive. Still, there are these issues that involves the protagonist of Shaun who works at a job that doesn’t go anywhere as his best friend Ed is a total slacker. His girlfriend Liz is frustrated by Shaun’s lack of direction as she’s unaware that her flat mate David has feelings for her despite being with Diane. They all come together with Shaun’s family to evade the apocalypse where a lot of silly things happen where Shaun and his party have to pretend to be zombies in order to blend in to make it to a pub that they all go to. Still, they’re far from being safe where Wright and Pegg add this element of suspense and drama to occur where things intensify as does emotions that would involve Shaun’s relationship with his mother and stepfather.

The direction of Edgar Wright is very lively where Wright definitely pays tribute to the zombie film genre. Notably the films of George Romero who is the godfather of the zombie film genre where it has this energy in terms of horror and suspense but also mix it up with some humor. One key example of this moment of humor is a sequence where Shaun and Ed try to kill zombies with their record collection as they figure out what to throw out. Along the way, they realize what they have to do to kill the zombies and save those they care about as Wright doesn’t mind to portray Shaun and Ed as sort of dim-wits but they’re characters that are just too fun to watch. Even in the dramatic moments where Wright does use some effective framing devices to play up some of the tension and stakes that occur where he knows when not to use humor and put in some suspense instead. Overall, Wright crafts a very smart and extremely funny film that pays tribute to the zombie horror films.

Cinematographer David M. Dunlap does excellent work in creating some unique lighting schemes for many of the film‘s nighttime exterior and interior scenes while going for some straightforward though slightly tinted look for many of the daytime exterior and interior scenes. Editor Chris Dickens does fantastic work with the editing from the use of montages, rhythmic cuts, and some methodical cuts to play up the suspense and humor. Production designer Marcus Rowland and art director Karen Wakefield do terrific work with the set pieces from the house that Shaun and Ed live in to the pub that they hang out at. Costume designer Annie Hardinge does nice work with the costumes from the work clothes that Shaun works as well as the mostly casual clothes the characters wear. Makeup designer Jane Walker does amazing work with the look of the zombies.

Visual effects supervisor Jeremy Hattingh does fine work with the film‘s minimal visual effects that involve the scenes involving the zombies. Sound editor Julian Slater does superb work with the sound with the use of sound effects and scenes set in the pub. The film’s music by Pete Woodhead and Daniel Mudford do wonderful work with the film‘s music as it‘s mostly low-key and playful with its mix orchestral-based music and electronic backgrounds while music supervisor Nick Angel brings a fun soundtrack filled with songs by Chicago, the Smiths, Queen, the Specials, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and Ash doing a cover of the Buzzcocks’ Everybody’s Happy Nowadays with Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin.

The casting by Jina Jay is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features cameo appearances from Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland of Coldplay, Martin Freeman as a co-worker of Shaun, Rafe Spall as a neighbor, Peter Serafinowicz as Shaun and Ed’s house-mate Pete who dislikes Ed, and Jessica Stevenson in a very funny performance as Shaun’s friend Yvonne who also tries to kill zombies. Bill Nighy is excellent as Shaun’s step-father Phillip who tries to get Shaun to be responsible while Penelope Wilton is wonderful as Shaun’s mother Barbara who tries to deal with the chaos of the zombies with Shaun’s help. Dylan Moran is terrific as Liz’s flat mate David who despises Shaun while dealing with the chaos of the zombies. Lucy Davis is hilarious as David’s girlfriend Diane who is an aspiring actress who tries to get everyone to act like zombies while doing her best to kill them.

Kate Ashfield is excellent as Shaun’s girlfriend Liz who tries to deal with Shaun’s immaturity and his friendship with Ed while helping him fight off the zombies. Nick Frost is brilliant as the slacker Ed who spends his time watching TV, play video games, and drink as he is this very witty man-child that seems to be a burden but is also quite resourceful and sympathetic. Finally, there’s Simon Pegg in a remarkable performance as Shaun as a man at a crossroads in his life where he realizes that he has to be responsible while saving those he cares for in this zombie apocalypse. Pegg’s scene with Frost showcase a great chemistry the two have where they definitely have a good time and create a comedy duo that is just fun to watch.

Shaun of the Dead is a magnificent film from Edgar Wright that features the marvelous performances of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film is definitely a comedy that sort of spoofs the zombie films but also add some humor, suspense, and drama to make it something much more. Even as it isn’t afraid to get gory or intense while knowing when not to laugh and give the people something to be engaged by. In the end, Shaun of the Dead is a spectacular film from Edgar Wright.

Edgar Wright Films: (A Fistful of Fingers) - Hot Fuzz - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - The World's End - Baby Driver - The Sparks Brothers - Last Night in Soho

© thevoid99 2013

Life of Pi

Based on the novel by Yann Martel, Life of Pi is the story of a 16-year old boy who survives a freighter sinking as he’s on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger as they trek on a journey in the sea. Directed by Ang Lee and screenplay by David Magee, the film explores the world of a young man’s survival and the bond he makes with his surroundings and with God. Starring Suraj Sharma, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Gerard Depardieu, Rafe Spall, and Irrfan Khan. Life of Pi is a lavish yet extraordinary film from Ang Lee.

The film is essentially the story of how a young 16-year old boy from India named Pi (Suraj Sharma) who survives 227 days in the Pacific Ocean after a freighter has been sunk where he’s on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Throughout the journey, Pi ponders about the spiritual world as he and Richard Parker try to live with each other on this lifeboat and survive as it is all told by the adult Pi (Irrfan Khan) to a writer (Rafe Spall). During the course of the film, Pi talks about his fascination with spirituality as a child and how it would impact the way he dealt with the situation of being stranded all alone in sea with a Bengal tiger.

David Magee’s screenplay does play into traditional narrative conventions as the first act is about Pi’s childhood and how he named himself Pi since he was originally named Piscine after a pool his father’s friend had been to in France. In this first act told by the adult Pi, Pi reveals a lot about his own fascination with different religions and the belief that things like animals have a soul. Of course, his father would show him a lesson about the way animals are as it would confuse the teenage Pi where he would fall for a beautiful young girl until his family decides to move to Canada on a freighter ship. The second act is about the time on the ship and the accident that leads to Pi being stranded on sea with a Bengal tiger.

Then the story starts to deviate a bit in terms of structure as there is thing long section about Pi’s time in the sea where there’s no voice-over narration or any kind of narrative device. It’s just about Pi and a tiger on a boat trying to survive and become companions in this adventure where they would encounter many mystical moments. The third act is about Pi and the tiger encountering more miracles that would test Pi’s faith and eventually his return to the real world. Still, it is told from this man’s perspective to a writer where he reveals what he gained from the experience but also what was lost.

Ang Lee’s direction is truly stylish in the way he presents the film as he goes for very different framing devices and aspect ratios as well as keeping things simple in the dramatic portions of the film. Largely in the scenes set in India and Montreal where Lee doesn’t go for a lot of visual tricks except for a few scenes that carries a lot of exposition into the origins of Pi’s name in scenes set in Paris though it’s shot at a soundstage in Taiwan. The rest of the film is shot in a soundstage with a water tank to explore Pi’s journey as it does feature a lot of computer-based visual effects to help tell the story. Yet, it manages to work in order for Pi to interact with this unique world in the sea filled with flying fishes and all sorts of creatures.

Some of the approach Lee uses in these visual-effects driven scenes allow Lee to play with different aspect ratios in order to create something that is stylish as well as playing around with the 3D technology. Though at times, it seems like Lee wants to unveil the advantages of 3D. It doesn’t really seem necessary as it still looks very good in the two-dimensional format. Notably in scenes such as Pi’s encounter with a mysterious island that he stops at where it would become a turning point on what he should do with the journey he’s taking in. Even as it would reveal a lot of ambiguities into the story that Pi is telling where it does end on a fitting note, despite being a bit over-drawn at times, about what Pi went through as well as how he was able to maintain his idea of spirituality. Overall, Lee creates a very fascinating and visually-marvelous film about survival and faith.

Cinematographer Claudio Miranda does brilliant work with the film‘s colorful photography from the beautiful scenes set in India to some of the more entrancing and colorful shots at the sea. Editor Tim Squyres does excellent work with the editing to play around with the film‘s structure and include a few montages as well as jump-cuts to play with the film‘s rhythm. Production designer David Gropman, along with supervising art director Dan Webster and set decorators Terry Lewis and Anna Pinnock, does amazing work with the set pieces from the French pool that Pi was named after to the scenes in India and Montreal as well as the island that Pi encounters.

Costume designer Arjun Bhasin does wonderful work with the costumes for the clothes that are worn in the scenes set in India and Paris. Visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer does some spectacular work with the visual effects from the look of some of the animals including the Richard Parker character in some parts of the film to the scenes in the sea including the fishes and whales. Sound editor Philip Stockton does superb work with the sound work from the way the freighter sinks in that big sequence to the more intimate scenes in the sea. The film’s music by Mychael Danna is terrific for its mixture of low-key orchestral and piano driven scores with exotic Indian music arrangements to play out the drama and mysticism of the film.

The casting by Avy Kaufman is fantastic for the ensemble that is created for the film. Among these notable small performances include Adil Hussain and Tabu as Pi’s parents, Shravanthi Sainath as Pi’s teenage girlfriend Anandi, Mohamed Abbas Khaleeli and Ayan Khan as Pi’s older brother Ravi in different ages, Andrea di Stefano as a priest that the young Pi meets, and Gerard Depardieu in a funny cameo as meat-loving cook. Rafe Spall is wonderful in a small but crucial role as the writer who listens to Pi’s story as he has to figure out what is the best story to tell. For the role of Pi, there’s four actors playing the role such as Gautam Belur as the five-year old Pi and Ayush Tandon as the 11/12 year old Pi where both of them give excellent performances. Irrfan Khan is great as the adult Pi who tells his life story with such sincerity as well as a bit of humor into a man who knows he went through a lot. Finally, there’s Suraj Sharma as 16-year old Pi as Sharma gives a remarkable performance as a young man dealing with his situation and the journey he encounters as well as the Bengal tiger that he grows to love in this journey.

Life of Pi is a spectacular and enchanting film from Ang Lee. Featuring a captivating breakthrough performance from Suraj Sharma and an engaging story about faith and humanity. The film is definitely a film that features amazing visuals as well as themes that is very universal to a wide audience. In the end, Life of Pi is a tremendous film from Ang Lee.

Ang Lee Films: Pushing Hands - The Wedding Banquet - Eat Drink Man Woman - Sense & Sensibility (1995 film) - The Ice Storm - Ride with the Devil - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - The Hire: Chosen - Hulk - Brokeback Mountain - Lust, Caution - Taking Woodstock - Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - The Auteurs #19: Ang Lee

© thevoid99 2012

One Day (2011 film)

Based on the novel by David Nicholls, One Day is the story about a man and a woman who meet each other in the same day in the span of several years. During this time, the two would encounter many changes in their relationship and the individual lives they take. Directed by Lone Scherfig and written by David Nicholls, the film is a story about these two people and their unique relationship. Starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Romola Garai, Jodie Whittaker, Rafe Spall, and Patricia Clarkson. One Day, for all of its take on love, is an episodic and maudlin film from Lone Scherfig.

The film is essentially the story about these two people in Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) who meet on July 15, 1988 on their graduation day as they become friends and eventually, lovers. In the course of more than 20 years, these two people would communicate and be with each other to discuss their lives while they both pursue their individual goals. Emma becomes a teacher and later a children’s novelist while Dexter’s aspirations as a producer has him starting off as annoying TV show host and later becoming a man with a sense of direction. They would also engage into different relationships with other people where they eventually realize how much they really care for each other.

It’s an interesting premise about the lives of these two people in the span of more than 20 years on one particular day being July 15. Yet, it’s a story that doesn’t do a lot to make it much more interesting as it ends up being episodic in its formula where they always do something on the 15th of July. There would a moment where they each have an individual moment in their lives and for a moment, not speak to each other for a few years. A reconciliation would happen as it would eventually lead to them finally being together that is later followed by something in the third act that would change things. While both Emma and Dexter are quite interesting and flawed characters, it’s just that the story isn’t well-executed as it plays too much into convention.

Lone Scherfig’s direction does have a lot of wonderful scenes and images that is playful and romantic. Yet, she doesn’t do enough to make the story more engaging as it does play into a lot of the conventions of being flirty in the first act, frustration in the second, and finally coming together in the third. Some of the moments between Emma and Dexter together are compelling in their conversations with bits of humor and drama. Once the story progresses, it starts to be a bit repetitive at times whenever Dexter is fooling around or Emma is just taking the moments of disappointment in her life. Though things do relax a bit in the third act that is followed by a very shocking moment. Scherfig does manage to find something that is poignant and give it a fine ending. Overall, Scherfig creates a film that is watchable but somewhat unsatisfying in terms of the love story it wanted it to be.

Cinematographer Benoit Delhomme does excellent work with the gorgeous, colorful photography for many of the film‘s locations in Britain and parts of France to complement the changing times the characters go through. Editor Barry Pilling does nice work with the editing to play out the structure and some of the film‘s emotional moments. Production designer Mark Tildesley, along with set decorator Dominic Capon and art director Denis Schnegg, does superb work with the set pieces such as the apartments Dexter and Emma lived in during their lives along with studio sets where Dexter worked at.

Costume designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux does some fine work with the costumes to complement the looks of Dexter and Emma in the different times they live in . Makeup designer Ivana Primorac does some terrific work with the look of the hair and makeup to make the character age a bit during the course of the film. Sound designer Glenn Freemantle does wonderful work with the sound to capture the energy of the clubs that Dexter frequent to the more intimate places that he and Emma go to. The film’s music by Rachel Portman is very good for its melancholic-driven orchestral score to play out the sense of longing between the two characters. Music supervisor Karen Elliot provides a decent soundtrack that captures the moment of the times with music from James, Tracy Chapman, Fatboy Slim, and Del Amitri.

The casting by Lucy Bevan is brilliant for the ensemble that is created although appearances by Jodie Whittaker as Emma’s friend Tilly and Patricia Clarkson in an excellent performance as Dexter’s mother Alison is kind of a waste as they don’t get enough to do. Ken Stott is very good as Dexter’s stern but caring father while Romola Garai is terrific as Dexter’s wife Sylvie. Rafe Spall is excellent in a standout performance as Emma’s aspiring-comedian boyfriend Ian who tries to make Emma laugh while deal with her relationship with Dexter.

Finally, there’s the duo of Jim Strugess and Anne Hathaway as they both give pretty remarkable performances. Strugess provides a lot of wit and energy to a character who is quite arrogant at times only to have humility as he later becomes a father. While parts of Hathaway’s English accent isn’t perfect, she does manage to create a performance that is full of charm and depth as a woman who just wants to be friends only to realize how much she cares for him. Sturgess and Hathaway do have some chemistry together in the way they interact as they do make a fine pair to watch and be compelled by.

Despite the terrific performances of Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway, One Day is a mediocre film from Lone Scherfig. While it will have something that fans of romantic movies might enjoy, it doesn’t do enough to make it more unique or adventurous for audiences that want more. In the end, One Day is an okay film from Lone Scherfig.

Lone Scherfig: (Dogme 12-Italians for Beginners) - (Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself) - (Just Like Home) - An Education

© thevoid99 2012

Hot Fuzz

Originally Written  at Epinions.com on 4/21/07 with minor edits.

In 2004, British director Edgar Wright and his co-screenwriter Simon Pegg scored a massive cult hit with a zombie movie spoof Shaun of the Dead. The film, that also starred their Spaced co-stars Nick Frost and Jessica Stevenson, was a spoof and homage to the zombie films of George Romero that brought laughs and new energy to the genre. The film's cult success grew as fans anticipated for the next Wright/Pegg project. In 2007, the duo along with Frost re-teamed to create another spoof, the buddy cop movies for the film Hot Fuzz.

Directed by Edgar Wright and co-written with Simon Pegg, Hot Fuzz is about a cop who gets transferred to a quiet British town where his new partner is the chief's inept son. Learning of a crime plot going on in the quiet little town, the two action-film loving cops decide to take on the crime itself with style. An homage yet satire of every cop film and its cliches, Hot Fuzz revels in its humor and love of action with Pegg and Nick Frost playing the lead characters. Also starring Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine, Anne Reid, Bill Nighy, Timothy Dalton, Billie Whitelaw, along with cameos from Steve Coogan, Martin Freeman, Stephen Merchant, and two other cameos by big stars (not going to tell ya). Hot Fuzz is a funny, satirical action-comedy that pays homage and laughs to the American action film genre.

Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is a police officer in London. So good, so dedicated, that he makes everyone in the police force look bad. Really bad. Angel's dedication is so powerful that his superiors (Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan, and Bill Nighy) decide to transfer him to a sleepy village in the North of England called Sandford. Angel is forced to move as his ex-girlfriend (Ecat Chettblan) has moved on with a new boyfriend. Arriving into Sandford, his new superior Inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent) introduces him to the local force that includes Angel's new partner and Butterman's son Danny (Nick Frost). The town hasn't had a recorded murder for twenty years as Angel finds himself out of place with the town. Even by his local forces that included detectives Andy Wainwright (Paddy Considine) and Andy Cartwright (Rafe Spall), officers Doris Thatcher (Olivia Colman) the aging Bob Walker (Karl Johnson) and Tony Fisher (Kevin Eldon).

Angel also has gotten the attention of local supermarket owner Simon Skinner (Timothy Dalton), who has been saying mysterious things, while being head of the Neighbourhood Watch Alliance along with Joyce Cooper (Billie Whitelaw), Dr. Robin Hatcher (Stuart Wilson), Reverend Phillip Shooter, (Paul Freeman) and Tom Weaver (Edward Woodward) who surveys everything in the town. Angel also meets local florist Leslie Tiller (Anne Reid), journalist Tim Messenger (Adam Buxton), and local millionaire George Merchant (Ron Cook). Angel finds himself getting into weird situations including trying to get a swan for its owner (Stephen Merchant) as he wonder where is the crime. Then after stopping a couple (David Threlfall & Lucy Punch) for speeding, he learns that Inspector Butterman wants Angel and Danny to go see them at their play. Then, a murder has occurred but has been covered up as an accident. Angel doesn’t believe it was an accident though the rest of the police staff laugh it off.

Feeling no respect for his work, only Danny seems to become his friend despite his lack of experience. Yet, Danny’s love for American action films including Point Break and Bad Boys II gives Angel something to take a break off. Then when another murder occurred at George Merchant's home, Angel becomes suspicious. Even more when more are murder including one witnessed by Angel, Angel wants to know what goes on. He suspects Skinner for the killings but doesn't get any proof. With Danny being the only help he has, he doesn't get any respect from anyone including Inspector Butterman who believes it's all a bunch of accidents. Angel continues his investigations where after an attack by one of Skinner's henchmen. He then learns not only that Skinner is involved but other people as well including those from the N.W.A. and a surprise member. There, Angel, Danny, and the rest of the force decide to get the law into order and with a bang.

When people see action films, they don't expect anything serious but blow-them-up and lots of stunts. Yet, they can get too serious and end up becoming parody. In the case of this film, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg doesn't exactly take a p*ss on the American action genre. They glorify them while making fun of every cliche that's been seen in those films and have fun with them. The film's plot is easy to follow though a bit slow at times to move the story. It's only because the character of Angel is merely a satire of the cops seen on action films who takes himself too seriously at times and not be loose at the same time. Then when he is influenced by the action films Danny shows him, he becomes a different animal.

Edgar Wright clearly goes for style with this film rather than substance. Yet, it all works to convey the humor of what he's trying to do. He’s taking a p*ss at every cliche, every action film shot, every buddy cop movie. Yet, it's all in good fun. Even getting the likes of respected, British actors like Billie Whitelaw, Anne Reid, Jim Broadbent, Stuart Wilson, Ron Cook, and Edward Woodward to do something that isn't expected of them. It's because he knows that these actors are often seen in British dramas or Shakespeare but here, he lets them have guns, shoot people, and whatever. All in good fun. Plus, there's moments of gore that's also a bit extreme for the American action fan but that's the way the British does it. In some respects, Wright knows what he's doing and he's giving the audience something to have fun with while paying some respect to action directors and such.

Cinematographer Jess Hall does excellent work with the stylish, slow-mo camera work that's often done in action films while bringing a colorful look the British village. Editor Chris Dickens even goes for style with the kind of rapid-cutting that's seen in a lot of action films that are hyper-kinetic. There at least, the editing is all in good fun and plays to that action film style. Production designer Marcus Rowland and Liz Griffiths add a nice look to the film’s countryside while costume designer Annie Hardinge brings a nice look to the British cop clothes. Makeup artist Candice Banks does great work in playing with the gore as well as those cool mustaches Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall wear. Sound designer Craig Butters and sound editor Julian Slater play off to the film's action style in its sound while visual effects supervisor Richard Briscoe does some great special effects for some of the film's action scenes. Composer David Arnold also plays off to the genre with a stylish, orchestral score. The film's soundtrack also has kick with music by Adam Ant, XTC, Supergrass, the Kinks, Sweet, Arthur Brown, and Jon Spencer to add energy to the film.

The film's cast couldn't have been inspiring. The cameos from Steve Coogan, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Stephen Merchant, and an Academy Award-winning director (ain't telling you), along with an Academy Award-winning actress (still ain't telling you) are funny to watch. The performances from veteran actors like Stuart Wilson, Anne Reid, Ron Cook, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, and Paul Freeman are fun to watch as they engage themselves in gore and have fun shootouts without taking themselves too seriously. Other small performances from Tim Barlow as Skinner's henchmen, Alice Low as Skinner's secretary, David Threlfall, Lucy Punch, and Adam Buxton are excellent. Fellow cops Olivia Colman, Karl Johnson, and Kevin Eldon are given some great funny moments as well as some great action scenes. Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall are hilarious as the mustache Andys who play the detective who love to make fun of Angel and his city-ways.

Jim Broadbent is wonderfully funny as the easy-going yet shady Inspector Butterman who doesn't want to believe anything that's wrong while trying to make Angel fit in. Broadbent is given great moments in both the action scenes and in the funny stuff where's given a lot to do and have fun at the same time. Playing against the James Bond role he's known for, Timothy Dalton is great as another shady individual as the villainous Skinner who is trying to do anything but to cover up his plans. Dalton is great while getting to do things he wouldn't have done as Bond, where he looks like he's having fun.

Nick Frost is really the funniest person on film. His character doesn't take things seriously and is like a kid when it comes to action movies and idolize them. He's like the cop that wants to be the superbad cop he idolizes in the cop movies. Frost brings a lot of fun to the role and makes himself relatable to audiences. Simon Pegg is also great as the straight man of the film who takes himself too seriously when doing things as Pegg really shows more of a dramatic side. When his character decides to go badass, he really sells it with a lot wit and humor. The chemistry of Frost and Pegg are just a joy to watch as they make themselves one hell of a comedy duo.

While not as funny as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz is still a hilarious, witty action-comedy from the duo of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. With great comedy assistance from Nick Frost and a great cast of respected British actors, it's a film that gives the audience what they want. Loads of laughs and lots of violence, it's just a film that action fans can enjoy without taking it too seriously. In some ways, the British just know how to do the genre a bit better without being too serious while adding more gore to the festivity. In the end, for a film that brings laughs and a great experience to cheer, Hot Fuzz is the film to see.

Edgar Wright Films: (A Fistful of Fingers) - Shaun of the Dead - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - The World's End - Baby Driver - The Sparks Brothers - Last Night in Soho

© thevoid99 2010