It’s weird how one week there will be six films released one week, then only two the following week. This week, two films which I don’t think you’ll pick up once, let alone twice, were released. Here are my reflix reviews for The Spirit and The Reader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spirit

Recap – An evil villain tries to become immortal and the saviour of the city has to stop him.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – As a film by itself, The Spirit is not bad at all. I think the reason most of the critics hated this film is that they were expecting Sin City but got Batman Forever – the film is just too campy for what people expected it to be. This is evident in the first fight of the film between the Octopus and the Spirit, played by Samuel L. Jackson and Gabriel Macht admirably. I think that the film works as a comic book film, although its a bit of a departure from the other films that have come out recently that raise the genre to a new level, like The Dark Knight  or 300. The film is slightly confusing at first, but it comes full circle at the end, although you can’t help feeling a sense of dissatisfaction with the love story – I would have expected a different outcome, but I guess the Spirit is a bit of a player. I think Frank Miller does a good job in his direction and the use of the black-white contrast in the film, but I think he should have tried to temper the campiness to make it more successful. Overall, I don’t know that you will watch this again, although it’s worth a watch once if you’re a comic book fan. Otherwise, just stay away and pick up 300 again – it’s definitely worth a second-look. Reflixabilty – Frisbee.

 

The Reader

Recap – A man fights a battle of his morals because his knowledge could set free a Nazi guard accused of killing 300 Jews.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – I can see why this film was nominated for so many awards – Kate Winslet is incredible in the film and the direction is quite good. However, the film itself is trying really hard to be a moral tale about the battle between truth and justice and I think it lacks a little punch in the end. It’s well-paced and very well acted, but I think the reason that a lot of people skipped this film at the box office is that it is just not appealing. First of all, the May-December romance has been done before and this time around it’s actually kind of creepy. Winslet is very good at making you awkward at watching her interaction with David Kross and that makes you less likely to watch the film. Secondly, the film does its best to try and keep you and Michael Berg in the same frame of mind when it comes to his moral dilemma, but I actually felt less attached and more horrified that he was considering volunteering the information – it doesn’t remove her culpability and really only speaks to the ignorance of those who worked under the Nazi regime. Finally, I just think the film is rewatchable at all – there is no way I can see anyone picking up the film after watching it once and then rewatching it a few weeks or even months later. If you really must watch this, go ahead, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Pick up The Wrestler or Slumdog Millionaire – they are much more worth your time. Reflixability – Coaster.