SimonL

The prospect of yet another Star Wars film does not fill me with new hope. To give credit where it's due, the fourth episode, or original film, was quite entertaining, though it started to meander half way through. The other episodes, especially the first went downhill from there. Just think of the Batman/Lethal Weapon franchises; the first instalments were fantastic, but the others have been quite appalling. Back to Star Wars, and it seemed that for the recent film, George Lucas was carried away by the developments in SFX and CGI. Can anyone explain what Jar Jar Binks was actually for? He wasn't funny and did nothing for the narrative. What a waste of time, money and effort. Also, I think we've seen enough laser battles in our time to become quite annulled to more, so the climax to the film didn't satisfy. Probably the best thing about The Phantom Menace was Darth Mual, but we won't be seeing any more of him. Obviously the second film in the series will be a worldwide hit, swelling the coffers of George Lucas and studio executives, but is it deserved? I think the format of Star Wars is wearing thin, and it is now more about marketing and merchandise than the art and craft of film-making, but what do I know? I'm only a film student, just as Lucas was once.

Little Voice, based on the stage play `The Rise and Fall of Little Voice', arrives on our screens with much critical acclaim, especially for the three main leads, Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine and this acclaim is rightly due, thanks to the splendid performance by Horrocks as LV. The basic premise of the film is of a character, LV, who after her father's death, becomes a recluse whose sole pleasure in life is listening to, and imitating the singers of old records. In contrast to LV, we have her dominating mother, Mari (Blethyn), who likes nothing more than going out for a good time with her many gentleman friends, one of which is local talent spotter, Ray Say (Caine). One night, Ray listens to LV sing and not only hears the sound of her perfect voice, but the sound of cash registers ringing… The film progresses to show the whirlwind of frenzy that whips up around LV's extraordinary talent, with Mari, the ever-present Ray, and local Night-club owner Mr Boo (Jim Broadbent) all attempting to cash in on LV's voice. A romantic sub-plot is thrown in for good measure, with local pigeon fancier Billy, Ewan McGregor, attempting to woo LV. Overall, Little Voice will please many people with its earthy characters, who aren't afraid to use colourful language, and powerful song renditions by Horrocks, who before this film was known to many as Bubble in BBC's Absolutely Fabulous. You'll be surprised to learn, as I did, that Horrocks performed all her own songs in the film, and her vocal likeness to stars such as Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland is extraordinary. The only criticisms that could be levelled at Little Voice are Michael Caine's appalling version of the Roy Orbison hit ‘It's Over' and the weak ending, which would have been better if Blethyn's character found solace. In conclusion then, Little Voice marks the start of a promising year for both British film and talent alongside what looks likely to be a good year for film anyway, with Nicolas Cage in ‘8MM' and Frank Darabont's follow up to the Shawshank Redemption, ‘The Green Mile'.

Whoever enjoyed Pulp Fiction or The Usual Suspects should find something to their taste in Brian De Palma's new film Snake Eyes, I however felt it could have been a whole lot better than it actually was, especially with such a notable director as De Palma, whose previous films have included Scarface, The Untouchables and Carlito's Way.

That once star of the independent filmmaking circuit, Nicolas Cage, plays crooked cop, Rick Santoro, who's best friend, Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise), is in charge of arranging security for a big fight taking place in Atlantic City, with an important member of the government in attendance. When this government member is assassinated, while watching the boxing, Santoro investigates and gradually uncovers a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of US Government, bringing his ‘professional' behaviour, friendship and loyalty into question…

As previously mentioned, fans of Pulp Fiction and The Usual Suspects should find Snake Eyes an interesting proposition, as it's a film that requires concentration, due to the complexity of the narrative. Often flashbacks are used to further the story and gain unique perspectives on unfolding events from different characters' viewpoints. What is especially great about this film is that it features one of the longest continuous tracking shots in cinema history, abet for a couple of hidden cuts.

The Player, Touch of Evil, even Bonfire of the Vanities (De Palma again!) all had continuous tracking shots at their inception, but they lasted, on average, six minutes, whereas Snake Eyes opens with one which lasts for twenty! Quite an achievement, but after this plateau of cinema excellence, what follows is a ‘by-the-numbers' potboiler of a thriller/drama. The film has one or two visual flourishes but overall does not live up to the grand opening. Nicolas Cage, well, plays Nicolas Cage and Gary Sinise is good, but the film, unfortunately, is not. Worth seeing for the opening 20 minutes, but after that, go home and watch Scarface or Carlito's Way to see De Palma at his best.