The Ghost Writer - 2010

Roman Polanski's new film, The Ghost Writer, based on the book by Robert Harris, is a strong, entertaining and enjoyable thriller. With a less than subtle subtext about Tony Blair, his war with Iraq, being America's whipping boy and the Western worlds policy on torture, and our Government's complicity in such acts.

The basic story revolves around Ewan McGregor, newly appointed ghost writer for Pierce Brosnan's former British Prime Minister Adam Lang's Memoirs. He is hired after the original ghost writer, a loyal long time aide who has apparently died either by suicide or accident. The mystery surrounding his death throws a shroud of intrigue and mystery not only over the ghost writers job but also over Adam Lang, who quickly becomes under investigation for war crimes by the Hague. As the ghost writer tries to shape the secretive memoirs into something more engaging and interesting, he begins to uncover a mystery, the truth of which may be hidden in the draft of the memoirs.

What makes this film so entertaining is that it sees a return to form for Ewan McGregor, in one of his most engaging and likeable roles in years. Brosnan also gives a wonderful supporting role as the beleagured former Prime Minister, and rather than try and resemble Blair, he offers his own take on a role, so close to Blair. His Adam Lang is both strong, powerful and direct, as well as being vulnerable, weak and angry. The two central roles are supported by Olivia Williams in a stunning turn as the Prime Minister's wife, a woman who represents both the power behind the thrown, and a scorned lover, who loathes the life she now leads. Kim Cattrall looks stunningly beautiful, playing her age, unlike her role in Sex and the City, as Lang's most loyal of PAs and the cast is reinforced by Tom Wilkinson in a cameo.

Overall The Ghost Writer can be considered a return to form and in my opinion is probably his best work since the late 70s. Despite this, the film never reaches the heights of his masterpiece Chinatown or some of his earlier work such as Cul-De-Sac or Rosemary's Baby. The script written by Polanski and Harris is strong for the most part, even though it wavers a little in the middle of the 2nd act, and struggles on occasion to justify the arc of the Ghost. However, come the climax the film had me gripped, as I wondered how this compelling, excellent drama might resolve itself. Which is a testament to the writing and directing, as I never saw the ending coming.

Clash of the Titans 3D

Most of the criticism hurled at Clash of the Titans has been aimed squarely at its conversion from 2D to 3D and although it never reaches the dazzling 3D heights of James Cameron's Avatar (did anyone really expect it would) the 3D isn't all that bad, bar some ropey moments and certain scenes which look 3D absent.
The story however is something else. Taken lightly from the ancient myth of Perseus, demi-god son of Zeus, who must save Argos from the wrath of Zeus and Hades. The film seems to take liberally from other myths, and does little to stick to the original story, but then would you really expect it.
Similarly, anyone expecting stellar acting from a strong cast will equally be disappointed as Ralph Fiennes reminds you Voldermort with his whispering tones as Hades, Liam Neeson does everything he can to maintain dignity as a giant glowing Zeus in his silver body armour. Sam Worthington places the reluctant hero Perseus, and once again failed to convince me that he is the next big thing. That's three films Worthington has starred in (Terminator Salvation, Avatar and Clash of the Titans) where he essentially plays the same character with a similar arc, but here is poor performance is more to do with a limited script and poor directing.
The only reason to see Clash of the Titans is the action. Fights with giant scorpions (quite good), Medusa (a little dissapointing and not nearly scary enough) and finally the Kraken (again a bit of a disappointment). But despite this, the film flows along nicely, conjures up memories of the early Mummy films, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings without ever really scaling the heights those films conjured (although it does occasionally surpass some of their low points).
In the end then Clash of the Titans is really only a disappointment if you foolishly expected it to be any good. It's not a terrible film, but won't live on as either a classic summer blockbuster or even a cult movie. Instead it will be very quickly forgotten as it offers nothing new or original to the fantasy genre, nor computer generated effects and will do nothing for the careers of anyone involved.
What it is, if you're willing to leave you brain at the door is good fun with some fun action scenes and some excellent myths.
Overall then Clash of the Titans won't rock any boats or even turn you to stone with boredom, but was in my opinion a good, fun film to watch about men in short skirts fighting giant monsters, which can only ever really hope to be good fun.