There is nothing to prepare you for Director Lee Daniels’ sweaty, southern, and sexually-charged film noir The Paperboy. It is perhaps the most unpredictable film I have seen in recent years, and seems to be leaving audiences genuinely confused as to whether they loved or hated it. The all-star cast includes John Cusack as Hillary Van Wetter, a man convicted of murdering a local sheriff. Nicole Kidman shocks viewers as the crass, over-sexed Charlotte Bless who has fallen in love with the incarcerated Van Wetter through mail correspondence. She convinces Miami Times journalist Ward Jansen (Matthew McConaughey) to try and prove Van Wetter’s innocence. Together with his colleague Yardley (David Oyelowo), Ward takes up the challenge, hiring his sexually-frustrated and directionless younger brother and local paperboy Jack Jansen (Zac Efron) as a driver. Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey are exceptional in their challenging roles. In perhaps the most memorable scene, Kidman’s character Charlotte urinates on Zac Efron to relieve his pain from a jellyfish sting. The film seems to jump from shocking scene to even more shocking scenes, usually involving sex or violence or both, which at least keeps viewers entertained (if not a little disgusted) throughout the somewhat incoherent plot. Charlotte Bless is a character of opposites, perhaps slightly insane yet surprisingly endearing. More background and explanations for her strange choices would have been appreciated. The most enduring component of The Paperboy is the Jansen brothers’ relationship with their childhood maid and mother-figure Anita, played by the talented Macy Gray. After all the twists and turns of the story and the many captivating yet difficult to endure scenes, the film ultimately delivers very little pay off for viewers. Be prepared to feel a mixture of anger and respect towards Lee Daniels after the film’s swampy end. Words By Annie Robinson
Following on from the successful Rise of the Cobra, the creators of G.I. Joe have released a new film, Retaliation, in the hope that it would appeal to the manliest of men who are also avid movie attendees. Its plethora of violent exchanges – including heavy artillery, ninja fights, and a good ol’ fashioned street brawl – will certainly appeal to most men on some level. Alas, although the demographic they sought to appease will be happy with Retaliation, others who take movies more seriously will see its obvious flaws. A galaxy of stars such as Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson does not make up for the lack of a solid storyline and horrible interpretation of drama. Cinematically, it was captivating, and the action sequences were a joy to watch, but Retaliation’s major letdown of this movie is perhaps the overdose of action. When you compare this with movies like The Expendables and The Avengers, you realise how similar the plots are in their use of the generic stereotype of “good guys” against “bad guys.” The real difference is that the latter movies possess depth and solid drama, which Retaliation is severely lacking. If you wish to see a full-on action flick that goes around the globe in the blink of an eye and is filled with action heroes and great cameos – not one for the mind, but one for the bloke in you – then I implore you to go and see Retaliation. If you don’t really fit the demographic I have just described, I would seriously recommend seeing another movie, such as Star Trek – Into Darkness or Oblivion. But who am I kidding? I loved this movie, and those who love a good action flick should race on down to their nearest cinema!
Words by Sam Clayfield