West of Memphis (Dir - Amy J. Berg. 2012)

Summary: An examination of a failure of justice in the case against the West Memphis Three.

As many people may know I will watch a documentary about anything which, to be honest is not always a good thing. The problem with my enthusiasm for documentaries is that I don’t always check what a documentary is about before watching them and this was the case with West of Memphis. For some reason when I sat down to watch West of Memphis I thought it was going to be a music documentary so was a little miffed when it came apparent it was yet another documentary about the Memphis 3. I mean don’t get me wrong the wrongful conviction and  freedom of the Memphis 3 is a very worthy topic but hasn’t this subject matter been covered enough in the 3 Paradise Lost films and the hundreds of TV interviews? Even Damien Echols (one of the Memphis 3) says during the course of the film that there are many cases like his in America and he finds it strange that so much media focus has been given to the Memphis 3  and I can’t help but agree with Echols.

West of Memphis is not a bad documentary and is very different from the Paradise Lost trilogy. Where as the Paradise Lost series was filmed as the time events happened (1^st – The Memphis 3’s initial conviction, 2^nd – their appeal and 3^rd – their freedom), West of Memphis has the benefit of reflection, gives a distanced perspective and has a well-rounded narrative. The problem I have with West of Memphis is that it does sometimes come across as a vehicle for all of the Memphis 3’s famous supporters (Eddie Vedder, Henry Rollins, Peter Jackson and Johnny Depp to name a few) to appear on film to tell the world about their support and how nice they were to give money/raise money for the cause and how they always believed the 3 were innocent.

West of Memphis did include things I did appreciate such as the opinions of different medical examiners, the debunking of the cult killing theory and the private investigation into Terry Hobbs. I felt that the film effectively highlighted that the real offenders of the Robin Hood Hills murders will never be brought to justice.

Overall: If you have never heard or the Memphis 3 this is all you need to know but if you have watched all the Paradise Lost Trilogy, West of Memphis isn't really bringing anything new to the table. 6/10

Django Unchained (Dir - Quentin Tarantino. 2012)

Summary: With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. 

 

Slightly different format review; this is a text conversation about Django Unchained I had with my Mam. I had seen Django Unchained with my friend Mary the night befor, after which Mary and I had a very thorough post film dissection and everything we discussed I have basically condensed into the review I messaged to my Mam. I also like that me and my Mam appear to have completely different opinions of the film.

 

Overall: My opinion was that it was fairly rubbish. Tarantino hasn't produced a good film since Jackie Brown but Django did manage to get a few laughs out of me. 5/10

The Master (Dir - Paul Thomas Anderson. 2012)

Summary: A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader. 

I really try not to read reviews until I’ve seen a film myself, I mean yeah if I stumble upon Mark Kermode reviewing something on TV I can’t help but watching it but I don’t actively hunt reviews out until after I‘ve seen them. I hadn’t seen/read any reviews for The Master other than a short plot summary which to be honest didn’t give me high hopes, I mean how could anything top There Will Be Blood and why would I enjoy a film exploring the relationship between an Alcoholic and a Cult Leader. I also had the suspicion that I would love Joaquin Phoenix’s character and hate Philip Seymore Hoffman’s role and generally just couldn’t see this working. Well I can honestly say after watching The Master that all my presumptions were wrong and this is a powerhouse of a film.
From the off I hated Phoenix’s character Freddie, everything about Fred is off and unnerving, his actions seem slimy, aggressive and sickly, his posture is wiry and hunched like some evil is eating him from the inside out. Freddie has all the nasty dislikeable qualities of a Bukowski character but with non of the charm and Phoenix is so convincing, committed and awesome in the role I couldn’t help but smile and continue to do so pretty much throughout the whole film.
The story is about being trapped, one by circumstance (the psychological after effects of war) and one by his own creation (by being the leader of a cult he has founded).  I honestly cannot stop thinking about this film, I watched it over 4 weeks ago now and I really cannot articulate how good it is. Not all the best films are based on likable characters and sometimes what makes a film great is that you hate the main characters with passion.

Overall: I want to take you on a slow boat to China. 10/10