Reviews

Starting with the film EVERYONE's talking about at the moment, Gone Girl definitely met my expectations, but didn't quite exceed them. Partly because it can't beat director David Fincher's best work so far - i.e. Se7en - but also because it isn't as dark as what I prefer ( Fincher's other credits include Zodiac, Fight Club and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which delve much deeper into the abyss of the human soul ).



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However, GG deviates sharply from conventional thrillers because the tale's golden girl turns out to be a cold-blooded killer, instead of your usual male recluse who's socially awkward or physically unattractive, or brainwashed by a Nazi serial killer father. ( All plotlines from Fincher works, mind you. )

The first half of GG plays like a typical crime investigation, but the story gradually builds through flashbacks of the couple's early romance, followed by a troubled marriage and mounting mutual resentment. When it's finally revealed that ethereally beautiful Amy has carefully planned an elaborate scheme to frame her husband for her supposed murder, I wasn't extremely surprised ( even though I haven't read the book - which, by the way, is the best way to see this movie :)). The only scene that REALLY shocked me took place in a bedroom during a passionate interlude, and ended with someone's gory exsanguination.

I suspect many will compare GG to Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct and various other films of a similar nature, but there're many significant differences to be noted. GG's Amy consciously chooses to punish her spouse not by killing him or those he loved, but by destroying him bit by bit. She is patient, methodical and frighteningly intelligent, painstakingly faking 5 years' worth of journal entries over 12 months, acting oblivious to his infidelity and leaving a trail of damning evidence to secure his conviction.

The last quarter turns the tables yet again, making this an exhilarating roller coaster ride, but I'm betting every person who knows this story is unnerved by Amy's ruthlessness and cruelty.

Kudos to author, Gillian Flynn, for creating one of the most intriguing characters I've encountered in quite a while. One of my junior colleagues recently told me he was so traumatized by the film, he refused to talk to his girlfriend ( who brought him to see it ) for a few days. I can imagine how men feel after any movie that features a homicidal woman wreaking vengeance on her male partner - I'm guessing "emasculated" is a good description. ;)

Perhaps GG's most disturbing element is its finale - Amy returns home, deftly frames another innocent man for her "kidnap" and "assault", is hailed a heroine, and completely gets away with everything. Even more amazingly, her husband opts to stay in the marriage ( fear? resignation? to salvage his shredded reputation? ).

As I said before, GG isn't as explosively entertaining as Fincher's other masterpieces, but I'm a total sucker for vengeful women flicks, because I have had personal experience with a treacherous man. Different people have different thresholds, of course, but I can absolutely relate to any tale involving a man who lies and cheats, and shows no remorse for the pain he inflicts. Believe me when I tell you that revenge is sweet. Amy, I raise my glass to you for teaching your complacent hubby a lesson. He will NEVER cheat on you again. :)

As the U.S. TV networks launch their fall season lineups, I've sampled a handful of new series and pick Gotham as the top new show thus far. I admit that my initial reaction to its premise was rather dubious, but after 3-4 episodes, it's turning out to be riveting fare.

The key to Gotham's success is its cast, led by The O.C. alumnus Ben McKenzie, who plays young detective Jim Gordon ( who later becomes Batman's most trusted law enforcement ally ). McKenzie sort of fell off the radar for a few years after The O.C. ended its run, briefly starring in Southland, which didn't appeal to me. Every actor needs a dream role in order to get that big break, and I believe McKenzie's found it in Gordon. Despite still looking very boyish, he infuses the character with convincing gravitas yet never veers into melodrama territory. It also helps that he shares great chemistry with co-stars Donal Logue ( his partner, and one of the city's countless dirty cops ) and David Mazouz ( a pre-pubertal Bruce Wayne ).

The producers and writers really pile it on from the get go. Instead of introducing the comic's many colourful characters in stages, viewers see practically all the key players in the pilot, albeit in pre-villain form. Except the Joker - the producers have decided to make us wait for that one.

I don't know how faithful the TV version is to the comic books, but so far, I'm very pleased with the result. Aside from a couple of so-so additions like Jada Pinkett Smith's Fish Mooney and Gordon's over-glamourous girlfriend, everything else is terrific. Keep up the good work!

From Dusk Till Dawn completed its first season run in the U.S. a few months ago, but only started airing on local cable last week. I didn't bother catching it early because I thought it would be a replica of the campy film original, but am glad to report that it's anything but that.

The pilot was leisurely paced, well-written and chock-full of compelling performances, rivaling the standards of recent critically acclaimed series like True Detective and Fargo. And I'm especially pleased with the casting of lead actors DJ Cotrona and Zane Holtz, as bank robber siblings, the Gecko brothers ( played by George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino in the film ). Both are completely unknown to me, but exude tonnes of charisma and play their parts with huge confidence. There's also lots of chemistry that makes them 100% believable as brothers. Episode 2 opens with an amusing discussion about Mexican food, which I thoroughly enjoyed. :)


Other recent new series I've caught include How To Get Away With Murder, Gracepoint and Legends. The first is ludicrous but guaranteed high ratings because of creator Shonda Rhimes ( Grey's Anatomy and Scandal - both also equally ludicrous ); the second is yet another slow-burning crime show ( an Americanized version of BBC's Broadchurch ) but can't compare with The Killing which is my idea of the gold standard; and the third is pretty good but I stopped after 2-3 episodes because I had other shows to follow. Madam Secretary is on my radar, and I'm ecstatic to have The Good Wife and Homeland back again. Maybe more on these next time.