Movie Review: "Page Eight"

Rating: PG, Length: 99 minutes, Release Date: June 18, 2011, Directed by: David Hare, Genre: Drama/Mystery.

"Page Eight" is a political drama produced by the BBC as a made-for-television film. David Hare, well known as a British television writer, is the writer and director of "Page Eight." The primary cast members include Judy Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Tom Hughes, Bill Nighy, and Rachel Weisz. "Page Eight" debuted at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It was later broadcast on BBC Two, BBC HD, and PBS.

Johnny Worricker (Bill Nighy) is an officer in MI5, the British intelligence service. His boss is Benedict Baron (Michael Gambon), the Director General of MI5. Baron is married to Johnny's ex-wife and is raising Johnny's daughter as his own. Baron, just before he dies of a heart attack, passes over a report to Johnny. Johnny notices a potentially explosive passage on page eight. This passage mentions that Americans are torturing prisoners in overseas prisons with the knowledge of the British government.

Johnny infers that Baron wanted him to make the report public, but MI5 officer Jill Tankard (Judy Davis) disagrees with this course of action. Tankard is working directly for the Prime Minister, who wants the report buried. The Prime Minister also promotes the Home Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister in order to buy her silence about the report. Johnny later discovers that Tankard has been using her son to keep tabs on Johnny.

Meanwhile, Johnny gets to know his neighbor Nancy Pierpan (Rachel Weisz), whose brother was killed by the Israeli Army with the help of an MI5 agent. The audience is left guessing about the exact nature of the relationship between them, although it seems as if it is staged. Furthermore, it is clear that MI5 is monitoring their conversations.

Johnny is eventually forced to leave his job in order discover the truth about the report. He disappears, leaving a painting with Nancy. She later hears a news broadcast announcing that the British government knew about the circumstances of her brother's death. She knows that Johnny has leaked the information to the press and realizes that the painting Johnny left her is a clue to his whereabouts.

"Page Eight" explores the distrust that typically exists between the public and politicians. It does this by looking past the headlines on torture and prisons that were especially common when the film was made. Most films in this genre include car chases, explosions, shoot-outs, and assassinations. Hare keeps this film firmly grounded in the real world, so the characters only resort to violence when all else fails.

Hare does not fill the script with light banter or use any lines containing real warmth. The carefully stylized nature of the film means that it carries little emotional content. This is most apparent when Johnny critiques his daughter's painting. Many directors would use this scene to illustrate the bond between father and daughter, but Johnny describes the painting as if he were a professional art critic.

The acting in "Page Eight" is consistently excellent, especially that of Fiennes as the despicable Prime Minister. The ideas in the film are complex, and do not underestimate the viewer's intelligence. The cast members clearly enjoy the subtle dialogue and direction of the film, although many moviegoers will be accustomed to films with faster pacing.

This film has two primary story lines that mingle together as the film moves forward. Two of the subplots revolve around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Nancy's brother. The first main story line is about Johnny's personal life, which is almost nonexistent due to his inability to trust anyone. For example, he is extremely suspicious when Nancy shows an interest in him. This prevents the relationship from developing into a romance, and instead restricts it to a mutual friendship.

Johnny's inability to express himself with any emotion ensures that he is unlikely ever to fall in love. His relationship with Nancy is primarily based on a fondness for arts and culture. Johnny's least serious relationship is with Baron, who teases him affectionately.

The other story line in "Page Eight" follows Johnny's professional life as he deals with the possibility of the Americans extracting information through torture. This part of the film shows that the torture itself is not as alarming as the fact that it has been officially acknowledged. "Page Eight" shows a government plunging into moral bankruptcy, as Johnny tries not to fall in line with this thinking. Johnny must remain grounded while resisting the pressure of the bureaucracy around him.

Watch the trailer for "Page Eight" here. Rating: 4 out of 5. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Movie Review, Atlas Shrugged: Part II

Ever since watching Atlas Shrugged: Part I, I couldn't wait to watch Atlas Shrugged: part II. In case you have no idea what these movies are about, they are based on Ayn Rand's epic ground-breaking novel, Atlas Shrugged. Ayn Rand published her novel in 1957. Since its publication, this novel has been the catalyst for inspiration and controversy ever since. I must confess that I had never heard of this novel before the movie came out. Now that I've watched both movies, I definitely want to read Rand's work.

Rand's theme in the novel is each person's individual achievement in the world and how success should be perceived in relation to the good of mankind. The author explores what would happen when the success and achievements of individuals is stifled and they are devalued-even made to appear as heartless, greedy individuals... all because they believed in the capitalism and the American dream-to work hard and succeed.

The characters are complex and Rand's theme may seem intellectual and possibly "boring;" however, as the novel translates to the movie, the characters come to life in a compelling way. The plot combines inspirational ideas, drama, romance and the mysterious character of John Galt. I loved the character of Dagny Taggart. She is a woman who knows what she wants. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also intelligent and gutsy. She stands up for her principles in a world devoid of men and women of true character.

Dagny embraces the values of capitalism and knows that this system is what can and will save the world that is on the brink of economic disaster. The Government and its micromanagement is not the catalyst for rebirth of a society built upon individual rights and the opportunity to follow your dreams for success. Your success can be shared with the world, but on your own terms and not because the Government wants to steal it from you. That is tyranny, not a free society.

The male lead character is Henry Reardon. His philosophy was to succeed in business and make money. He was not afraid to admit that he was in business to earn a living. Of course he wasn't a selfish man who didn't care about humanity. However, he realized that capitalism was the answer and it was his right to work hard and succeed in life. He would not bow down to the politicians and Government bureaucracy who wanted "to steal" from his business and devalue his rights as a businessman. The villains in the movie aren't your usual "evil" bad guys but rather wolves in sheep's' clothing.

This is definitely a must-see movie, especially if you value your freedoms and believe in the Constitution and what our Founding Father's wanted for America. For details on the movie: Atlas Shrugged: Part II. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Private Practice, The Attempt To Defeat Grey's Anatomy

"Private Practice" enters the world of medical dramas in a way that many people really didn't expect to see a new TV show enter a network. There's plenty of competition with many medical dramas already winning the hearts of viewers around the world which definitely indicates that making this show a success isn't the easiest accomplishment for anyone. Is "Private Practice" going to be the show that's able to defeat the ever-so-popular series of "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC or is it just going to end up being seen as a desperate attempt of a network trying to make their presence known once again?

Kate Walsh stars as Dr. Addison Montgomery who's a genius neonatal surgeon that went to Los Angeles in the search for a new way of life and better opportunities. Immediately upon arrival, she was able to secure a position at the Oceanside Wellness Center where the staff there also plays critical roles in the development of this unique storyline. While doing whatever it takes to save lives, they also have the time to pursue normal lives (if that's what you would honestly call it) that are showcased as well throughout the series of "Private Practice."

There's a great deal of mixed emotions from viewers about Private Practice, ranging from the hatred that they have for this show trying to take over the spotlight that "Grey's Anatomy" was known for holding all the way to how powerful and emotional the storyline is as each episode airs. This is something that you would expect when you hear about any medical-related TV show, because the audiences of these particular shows have been known to be somewhat controversial in their approaches.

One thing that "Private Practice" seems to be good at is making sure that all actors and actresses get their time to shine. The writers have also ensured that the parts aren't the easiest ones to play, which only provides an even greater opportunity for those who took part in the making of "Private Practice." Not only does it challenge their skills by doing this, it keeps the viewers on their toes unable to truly predict what's going to be the next twist in this rather different story.

The ratings that this TV show has received really don't support the idea that it beat "Grey's Anatomy" in its own game, because they were pretty poor when a comparison was made to be honest. However, you still have the loyal "Private Practice" fans that say this is a show that's touched them in ways that no other TV series has done before. As you can see, the truth is rather hard to find and it really depends on who watches it and what their taste is where these types of medical dramas are concerned.

If you take a look at this show from all angles, you can tell it's hard to decide whether or not it's better than "Grey's Anatomy." However, both shows seem to have their own loyal fans. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Reviews of Famous Martial Arts Movies, Shaolin Rescuers

"Shaolin Rescuers" or "The Avenging Warriors of Shaolin" was released a few days before "Kid with a Golden Arm", and is one of the best of Chang Cheh. The total Venom's mob was cast and they put in incredible shows in this story of valor and friendship. This film had been outclassed by 2 movies by Liu Chia Liang - "Mad Monkey Kung Fu" and "Dirty Ho" - released by Shaw Brothers during 1979 but "Shaolin Rescuers" massively out-grossed"Fist and Guts" and "Dragon Fist".

The three important characters played in the movie were by Kuo Chi (Philip Kwok), Sun Chein and Lo Meng. Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng were cast for important supporting characters. Lu Feng and Chaing Sheng choreographed the entire movie and were ably supported by Robert Tai. The role of a Chinese hero was given to Jason Pai Piao and Hung Sze Kwan also played an important role in the movie.

The plot of the movie goes like this. Ah Chien (Lo Meng) works ata local bean-curd industry and has a good friend in the form of Ying Cha-Po (Kuo Chi) who is a waiter at an eatery. Both are victim of ill-treatment from their bosses and their favorite time pass is practicing Kung Fu. One day they save Chu Tsai (Sun Chein) during a brawl. Tsai is employed at a dye firm and is also an exponent on post fighting on the ground.

The problems begin when San Te and Fong Sai Yuk are killed when they try to stop the evil Pai Mei from destroying temples around the city. Not a clever way to initiate a movie by killing two greatest figures in the world of Kung Fu, one might say. But, nothing was impossible for Chang Cheh.

The story slowly evolves with the escape of Hung Sze Kwan, Chein finally getting hold of injured Kwan and Chein help him get well and the final face-off in the dye-factory. At the end of the movie, Ah Chein and Ying Cha-Po fulfill their dreams of becoming heroes.

The action sequences in the movies are few but Chang Cheh demonstrates how to build an amazing climax out of a power-packed plot. Remarkably, the action sequences are less bloody when compared to other Cheh's movies. The action scenes are beautifully choreographed and Lu Feng and Chang Sheng proved once again why they were the best in the business when it came to creating dream action sequences.

Chang Cheh creates a fantastic balance by moving from one fight to another in a prudent manner. Excellent editing makes certain that one is enthralled with a fight and still itching to get back to the last fight scene. One feels that the movie should have been shown on five different TV sets. The climax is unexpected. The only supposed flaw was the time-to-time use of flashback shots and the trampoline skills by Kuo Chi. This is probably one of the best Chang Cheh movies ever. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.