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Bronson

Following on from the superlative Watchmen we have this gritty indie Brit flick about the notorious Charles Bronson dubbed ‘Britain’s most violent’ prisoner’ and the reason why this follows from Watchmen is we have a lead actor who looks spookily like the real life subject matter in hand. But this is a very difficult movie to pigeon hole as its not a biopic in the traditional sense but more select moment from the life of the notorious man. The story is simple enough as a young man Michael Peterson was a fairly normal lad but with very thuggish tendencies, after a post office robbery he is sent to prison for 7 years which due to his violent nature turns into over 30 years interrupted briefly by a 69 day stint on the outside.

Now what sets this movie apart is its style narrated by Bronson (Tom Hardy) in parts we enter Bronson’s mind via him doing monologues in a theatre to an encapsulated audience as we cut back from the narrative to Bronson in the present day. And here is the big selling point of the movie : Tom Hardy never before will you see a performance which blurs the lines between acting and reality so much. All through the piece it is impossible to say at any time this is acting, its a man embodying the role to perfection so much that like I say he just is Bronson for the running time not some one playing him. The direction is also superb here and while the pacing maybe a little slow for some it adds tension as in every scene you are just waiting for Bronson to explode into violent rage and sometimes he does and sometimes not so you never quite know which way its going to go.

For all the controversy surrounding this movie about glamorising the subject matter i for one am glad he’s still locked up as though you understand the character he is still unnerving and repulsive but always inactivating.The supporting cast is a cavalcade of British TV talent and will have you going ahh i know him he seems familiar but from where?. There is a very black humour running through this piece and the violence for me seems to have been toned down a but as i felt it would be more brutal. The only downside is for me this feels like a movie that has been tampered with, for some reason i just felt that this is not the directors true vision as for me some scenes seemed to end abrubtly one can only hope that the DVD release will have an extended director’s cut.

Also a special mention for the soundtrack which hits all the bases but this is like watchmen a perfect marriage of substance and style neither one outdoes the other and a lead role that says fuck you to those who say the Brits can’t do method acting. And if you want people to avoid prison then this gritty, grimy, funny, depressing film will do the job. After the hype and let down of the big Brit flick Eden Lake last year thank goodness there is still something original out there from these shores

(Unasahmedlu stealing Inferno’s suggestion here)

Quote of the movie: “You need a new name like movie star”

                                  “How about Charlton Heston?”

                                  “Charlton Heston? please dear the man’s a cunt!”

Verdict: 9/10 : Come on an watch this you Cunts!

Watchmen

To say this has been eagerly awaited by all at fightrunner TV is a Huge understatement. We all remember the excitement at that first trailer of what ranks as the best comic book series ever made. And since then excitement has grown and grown as each clip and still revealed a movie that was going to be so very faith full to the source material.

The Plot? jeez that is toughie for complex doesn’t do it justice but the main gist of it is as follows in An alternate 1985 the USA has won the war in ‘Nam and Nixon is in power for a third term. Also add into the mix that costumed vigilantes have been operating in USA since post WW2 days and were outlawed in the early ’80s. When one of the ex crime fighters is murdered the brutal Rorscharch a crime fighter unwilling to give up his Identify begins to investigate and discovers a sinister reason behind the killing. Also in the mix is the imminent threat if Nuclear war with the USSR.

Got all that ? Because this is a movie with a lot to take in and digest and think about. Its quite simply is the Mystery wrapped in an enigma. A lot of people will find this movie slow and heavy as it is very faith full to its source material and is also very dark in places, the retired super heroes are a deeply flawed and quite miserable bunch with back stories that are fleshed out in detail. Nite Owl a batman clone can’t get his mojo up, Silk Specter has a relationship with a man who just doesn get her, Rorscharch is a psychopath, Dr Manhattan with his god like powers just doesn’t give a shit, Ozzy Mandias is well I’ll leave that for you to find out. But this is is the strength of the film the characters have their flaws and must overcome them to take down the chief conspirator.

As for the acting it is all nailed to perfection the actors all look and sound exactly like their comic counterparts and nearly all the dialogue is lifted straight from the pages of graphic novel. The notable performances coming from Doctor Manhattan who’s back story is really moving and the dark psychotic Rorscharch bought brilliantly to life. The direction is superb and never before have if seen a comic so amazingly brought to life for sure slight alterations have been made but even the most hardened fan boy will find it difficult to moan.

So does it all work ? yes and no. For fans of the comic this is pure nirvana as the source material is executed to perfection. For casual movie goers a lot of this will be ‘huh’ and ‘why’ as well as Why is that blue guy in the nude?’ and no doubt a lot of head scratching as it is heavy going and you will have to use that grey matter a lot.

But without doubt the this is the truest and purest hit of comic book conversion that we have ever seen. But for the lay person they will want a little more flavor. Not one to miss if you like your comics and if not well how hard do you want to work?. Also another note of praise to the excellent sound track which is spot on.

Rating 9/10

The world will look up and shout ‘What the fuck?’

We will look down and whisper ‘Comic book genius you fucktard’.