Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty - Slightly boring with a climax we have all been waiting for

Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty has created some ripples throughout America. The media have chosen to ignore the well crafted scenes and nit-pick at the pros and cons of the reality portrayed in the movie. Whether the events in this movie are true (apparently they are) or not, the story is a fine show case of film-making following the Hurt Locker in 2008.

 

Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA operative who is at the centre of the prolific search fro Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Post 9/11, US detainees are using interrogation tactics to locate the where- abouts of the bearded terrorist. One such detainee is Dan (Jason Clarke); a determined individual who uses tactics such as water-boarding (a way of drowning the captive using a cloth and bucket).

 

With a view from the sidelines, Maya fails to see any light at the end of the tunnel regarding the military's tactics. Rather than capturing known associates, Maya believes in taking a softer approach, tracking the movements of Al Qaeda associates, using them as informants, articulating a more approchable tactic to finding Bin Laden.

 

Maya struggles in evaluating her steady approach to Joseph (Kyle Chandler), who is reluctant to involve her at the centre of a media storm which he considers is best handled by US forces.

 

Zero Dark Thirty is another provocative and controversial approach from Kathryn Bigelow, consistently portrayed as another brave creation in film-making. Jessica Chastain leads the way in what is a broad cast on paper, but credential actors such James Gandolfini, Joel Edgerton and Mark Strong make nothing short of a cameo appearance - although Mark showcases a fine "nibble" of authority acting.

 

The overall plot is mundane, with some interesting scenes and some that are simply pointless. The movie is reflecting deep and important issues in the world today, but I felt it failed to maintain my interest all the way to the point when the Navy Seal team get information which suggests they may have identified Bin Laden's hideaway. Bigelow captures the dramatic operation - the capturing of the terrorist - so remarkably realistic that the climax of the movie leaves a satisfying taste in the mouth of those who have been biting their nails for the previous half hour!

 

Kathryn Bigelow's latest offering in a career marked by controversy, results in a movie that lacks any real stand-out performance. Zero Dark is a movie that is already talked about as a film worthy of Oscar recognition but in my opinion, the standard of the plot was smothered by the hype and build up that one can not help to be slightly disappointed. It lacks any chance of winning an Oscar this year.

 

Overall: Zero Dark is entertaining in small quantities. While some of the dialogue may seem drawn out at times, the frenetic, yet exciting ending might be enough to satisfy the average cinema-goer.

 

7/10

                

Killing Them Softly

Responsible for Chopper (2000), Andrew Dominik carries his violent imagination onwards and beyond The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), revealing the dark and twisted character of Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt); a gun for hire who unlike most assassins, the thoughts of killing his target from a distance is quite pleasuring.

Following the heist of a mob protected poker game, the two amateurs involved are Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and his not-so trusty side-kick, Russell (Ben Mendelsohn). Both guys work for low-key puppet Johnny (Vincent Curatola) who runs a business around Frankie and Russell, with a pay-day depending on the job Johnny supplies.

It is no routine job this time around as Johnny convinces Frankie and Russell to hold up a poker game hosted by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta), who previously, organised his own cohorts to hold up a protected poker game, leaving himself revelling in the mobs cash. So it is when Johnny sees the second time round an opportunity for some easy money, as well as sticking the blame on Markie's head, opening up a whole new can of worms for everyone involved.

Looking for an immediate response and a possible conclusion to this mess, it is when associates within the mob begin to question those responsible, hiring Jackie Cogan (Pitt) to investigate and wipe out the gang behind the heist.

Killing them softly is not much different from your basic mobster concept, but it does supply two factors; the social setting that reveals the harsh reality of the economic downfall within the slums of America, and a violent drama that although moves at a slow pace, the overall scenes of murder and dialogue result in a movie supporting realistic fashion.

Andrew Domink's latest does carry a lot of pro-American substances, but balances the concept quite well as the cast of characters shed light on the real America, reflecting on a minority of lower class individuals looking to find richness through violence and corruptness. As Jackie Cogan puts it, he represents a personality in business...the killing business.

Although quite short, Killing them softly is a delightful watch, showing the violence and portrayal from all angles. Unfortunately the movie did feel the need to over exaggerate the dialogue element of the film. James Gandolfini's character Micky, who is also brought in by Jackie, had so much potential to make a real mark in filming, but was overlooked by some humorous, sometimes dragged out scenes that failed to express the character he was brought in to represent. 

The plot is a no-brainer as the main ingredient of the movie was to invite the audience into the lives of certain individuals such as Frankie, Jackie, Micky and many more. Although the constant dialogue is smartly written and at times really funny, an hour and fifteen minutes is built up to a climax that ends just like you expected, but all too soon, and without any character development. Some will enjoy the short concept from Andrew as his vision resembles cult classics such as Reservoir Dogs, Mean Streets and Snatch, which are relatively short, characterised movies, but succeeded in having a memorable impact on the audience.

Killing them Softly is a fine example of a film that does not need high-octane action to wow the viewers, instead it teases by nit-picking at the shots of realistic violence and the aftermath of emotions.

Overall;  A refreshing movie with fantastic performances from all of the cast involved. Killing them softly is unique in its own way, supplying a nice soundtrack to match its gritty ambiance. Lacking the action the majority might have expected, the concept is not for everyone. I for one, Loved it!

8/10

                                                              Introducing Jackie Cogan.

                                                    Johnny Cash - The Man comes around