I am one of many of Ben Affleck’s harshest critics. After witnessing some dismal acting performances by him in Daredevil and Armageddon, I pegged him for just another movie star who got lucky despite his limited acting ability. Along with his tabloid shennanigins with Jennifer Lopez, I felt very comfortable with my negative assessment of the man. But after selling him short for years, I must now eat some humble pie and say that Ben Affleck has talent. Much like Sophia Coppola, Affleck’s talent lies behind the camera rather than in front of it. His directorial debut is a stunning piece of work. Gone Baby Gone isn’t just competently put together, but confidently executed. Although I have questioned Affleck’s talents in the past, I can now say with certainty that this is one of the best films of 2007.
Continue reading…

After her husband dies of cancer, Holly is inconsolable and finds it impossible to pick up her life again. Then she starts receiving letters he wrote to her before he passed away. Will these messages help her get back on her feet? Or are Holly’s friends right, and should she stop obsessing over them?
Continue reading…

I was quite sceptical about seeing Sweeney Todd, as I couldn’t quite comprehend how a gruesome story about a serial killer could also be a musical. I was drawn to the cinema though, out of curiosity and the knowledge that the film had the winning combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, who in my opinion, never fail to impress. Although Tim Burton is not new to musicals with The Nightmare Before Christmas amongst his film titles, I had trouble imagining actors of the calibre of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter singing. However, I was very relieved to find that the majority of the cast could actually carry a tune. The music itself, that is consistent all the way through the film is not amazing or memorable in the slightest, but it certainly doesn’t take anything away from the film’s disturbing brilliance.
Continue reading…

A small update today, due to time restraints. Traditionally the festival has a closing film that was announced just recently, knowing The Band’s Visit from Israel. Then there is also the surprise film scheduled for tonight. I know what it is, but let’s keep things fun and not tell. The hint the Festival gave was that it features an American actor last seen in one of the films of the Festival six years ago. You do the math. Tuesday evening ended with one of the creepiest films I have ever seen, the Spanish fake horror shock-doc [●REC]. I sat in a room full of professionals and reporters that were unabashedly screaming their lungs out. It is part of the Rotterdämmerung program of the festival. Next is the gastronomical Estômago, reminiscent of Perfume.
Continue reading…