Miroir Noir - Neon Bible Archives (2009)

I have to admit that I was not overly pumped to see Miroir Noir after the very disappointing A Skin, A Night shot and directed by French-go-to-indie-music-filmmaker Vincent Moon. Typically I love Moon's Takeaway Shows but as a longer documentary, that film didn't cut it for me. Luckily with Miroir Noir, we have a different director, Vincent Morriset, who understands what it takes to make a great music documentary/concert film - show the band performing - both in snippets and in full! We get to see WHY Arcade Fire are such an amazing band live, whilst still giving us a peak into their recording process. Moon is still on camera and does an amazing job with grainy digital video, highlights include taking the band into the centre of the crowd to sing 'Wake Up', have them play in two elevators and moshing it with the kiddies. He gets unprecedented access to so many live indie bands of this era, the filmmakers had no shortage of footage to work with. I'll admit, I wouldn't mind a less grainy Arcade Fire doco down the track too, much in the vein of Sigur Ros' Heima, shot with a little more clarity and filmic camera work, but for now this will please the fans. The DVD of Miroir Noir (with additional footage) will be available at the end of March.

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Eeeeeeeeeeeeasily Ron Howard's best film since Apollo 13. And if Frank Langella doesn't win or get very close to winning the Best Actor Oscar for his brilliant performance of Richard Nixon, I will be shocked (although there's some stiff competition from Mickey Rourke of course). For the uninitiated, the film centres around the infamous TV interviews Nixon gave to British TV personality David Frost in 1977, detailing his career as president, including the Watergate scandals. Based on the 2006 play and utilising the same actors, Howard's approach to the material isn't always 100% factual but it's always gripping to watch. Langella doesn't look exactly like Nixon for the most part either, but once you start to see Nixon under pressure, he embodies the mannerisms and characteristics both physically and mentally of the former president down to the bone. Michael Sheen who plays David Frost, comes across as a highly self-involved character, until the reality of what he is doing comes into play. Once the pressure is on for both parties, the film becomes incredibly enthralling. Okay so now that Howard's done with his next film Angels and Demons, how about that Arrested Development movie?

Six Feet Under (Season 3 -5) (TV)

There might be some heavy spoilers in this review so don't continue if you've never seen this show before.

WOW! Seriously, fucking wow! I mean, people told me the finale of the show was emotional but I couldn't have prepared for what was to come. To say I was a complete wreck for days afterwards is a massive understatement. That finale rips apart your very soul and throws it into a million pieces. But even early on in Season 4 when Nate buried Lisa, I was already sobbing away on the couch. The episode of David being kidnapped and tortured was also very difficult to watch. At times, I felt like the writers might have stretched the realms of possibility a little too far but they quickly pull into check towards the end. Watching Claire become a total bitch once the drug taking and ego kicked in was slightly predictable but again, the writers make it all too believable. What I loved about the writing (and directing) is that all the characters get more or less equal screen time to develop and as I've said before, despite all their 'flaws', the writers give them respect because after all, they are human and humans make mistakes all the time and learn from them. This would have to be the finest drama series ever made by HBO, perhaps surpassing The Sopranos at times and that is saying a lot. A show about humanity, life, death; a show that can never be repeated; a show that will stay with you loooooong after the credits role, and one that leaves you blubbering like a 3 year old when you realise you've grown to like these characters and will never see them again. *Sniff*

Ghost Town (2008)

So this is Ricky Gervais' first more-or-less lead role in a US comedy vehicle. Does he succeed? Yes definitely. Does the film? Not overly. It's a slightly confusing film that attempts to be a romantic comedy of sorts but never really lands the romantic punches. I can see why this film never really took off in the US too. People in America still have no idea who Ricky Gervais is and what's more, aren't comfortable seeing a narcissistic, British character in the lead of a rom-com. If it were Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt or any other A-lister in the role, it would have made the producers much happier. But I'm not here to evaluate the film's box office predictions; I'm here to critique the film itself. The performances are actually quite good, with Gervais doing what he does best (I'm a fan so there might be some bias towards his performance), and Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni lending decent support. If you want a purely Hollywood rom-com experience, this isn't it but if you're looking for a slightly off-beat bit of fun and don't mind Gervais' sense of humour, then you'll enjoy this one.

Lost: Season 5 (first 3 episodes)

Again spoilers below for Season 5 so read with caution:

I always knew that once the writers of Lost were aware of when the show will end, that they would start to explain various mysteries of the island and bring closure to everything that has come before. Therefore, it's very clear in these first three episodes of Season 5, we are already finding out about time travel, the origins of the 'others', who Penny's father really is, and that it's all coming down to a gripping conclusion. We know that Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sun and Sayid all have to go back to the island, which brings about all kinds of interesting questions such as "how" and "why?". The writers have never lost that sense of "What the hell just happened?" yet providing us with enough answers to tease us along the grapevine. Having just watched the entire series on DVD again, so many more things become apparent and it all makes sense. So to any of you who complain the show makes no sense and is frustrating, get the DVDs and you'll be highly rewarded. So far in Season 5, it's thrilling viewing.