Weekend Round-up, The Adjustment Bureau and The Shadow Line
A Day late but here is Custards Weekend Roundup, Adjustment Bureau and a great bit of TV, The Shadow Line.
I find this highly amusing. After last weeks big show of my weekly schedule, I manage in just 7 days to completely miss a day. OOPS.
Yesterday, I got myself very involved in other things meaning I was unable to type up my weekend round-up post. Sorry readers I will go and sit on my naughty step for a good few minutes…HAHA
The Killing – Back for Season 2
Anyway on with the post. I got a bit of viewing in this weekend, first up was the sweet film Adjustment Bureau, with Matt Damon and the stunning and enigmatic Emily Blunt (as readers may be aware I am just a little in love with EB). Next up we managed to catch up with all of ‘The Killing’ leaving just the finale next weekend, which I am very excited about as it seems to have finally got to the point!! And what a point it is! Great news is that has been already signed up for season 2. This makes me a very Happy Bunny. The Killing now join the brilliant Mad Men and The Walking Dead in AMC’s shows that get the green light to make it past the first season. That channel is really going from strength to strength. I really must try to see the Danish version of the show as it is about to embark on its 3rd season in Denmark.
Staying with TV I got an email from Toby @ blahblahblahgay, he gave me the heads up on a show that is now on my planner and we are working our way through it. The show is a BBC drama called ‘The Shadow Line’. Here is a mini review…
The Shadow Line
The Shadow Line
I am pretty hard to please when it comes to British Drama, I tend to stay across the pond for my crime and mystery, The production values are always so much better. You hardly ever see a cardboard set that is so often the case with UK stuff. But with The Shadow Line, as Toby pointed out to me,we have almost HBO or AMC type of funding, only with less breasts and swearing. Written and Directed by Hugo Blick, The Shadow Line is a conspiracy thriller, revolving the investigation of a murder from both sides of the Law.
In the opening episode, a body is discovered by two uniformed policemen. As it turns out this is the body of Harvey Wratton, convicted drug lord who had been given the Royal Pardon and released this very day with his Nephew Jay. So, Harvey was released and shot on the same day, was he shot because he ‘grassed’ on his peers?
Rafe Spall as Jay Wratton
The job of solving the crime falls into the lap of Inspector Jonah Gabriel (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a cop who is stuck in the middle of a classic dilemma. On one side, his boss who sits firmly in the camp of ‘Life would be easier if you didn’t solve the crime and let it go away’, on the other Gabriel has an accute dose of amnesia from being shot in the skull a few months prior. This bullet is stopping him from knowing if he is a good cop, or a corrupt one.
The Drug-Smuggling community is having an equally BAD time of it. Harvey getting shot left the next in the chain Glickman in charge. Unfortunately he is also missing, leaving the responsibility of ensuring all the gangster creditors that everything is fine in the lap of Joseph Bede (Christopher Eccleston). Bede also has a hard time trying to control Harvey’s Nephew Jay (Rafe Spall), whose love for psychotic violence is making it hard for the business like calm to shine through.
I have only seen the first 2 of the 7 parter, but from what I have seen I really like it. It is a gritty and real show with some great acting throughout. Special note for Rafe Spall, his portrayal of Jay is truly scary and totally different from any other role I have seen him in (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead etc). If Nolan ever wanted to re-cast The Joker in the Batman films, he would make a worth replacement to Heath Ledger, big words I know, but he does an amazing job.
I look forward to watching the rest of these during the week. Thanks again to Toby for telling me about the show!!
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
I wanted to like this one. I mean look at the title, ‘The Adjustment Bureau’, very sexy I think you would agree. The word Adjustment inspires all type of visions in my brain from an old aged gentleman looking in a mirror adjusting his hair piece to try to hide his receding hair-line, to a crime lords book-keeper cooking the books to wash away the dirty money.
What it actually means is this, The Adjustment Bureau is a group of dull and grey man in hats and suits that run around behind the scenes of our lives, adjusting the course of our lives without us knowing. Imagine if Men in Black was made during the dull period after Margaret Thatcher when that John Major was in power. Still feeling sexy? NOPE!!
The marketing department for the film also made the fatal mistake of using a ‘Mash-Up Magazine Quote’ on the advertising campaign. A big NO-NO for this film lover, “Like Bourne meets Inception”. REALLY??? I do so hate that.
Luckily for them they had managed to secure two of Hollywoods hottest properties, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt (yum). But are this pair enough to cancel out the rubbish title and duff marketing? As much as I want to say ‘Yes’, I am finding it hard to do.
I can’t get out of my head that mash-up, I was hoping for mind-blowing cinematic’s and breathtaking action sequences, but it was all a bit average in that department, using those two films as a selling point for The Adjustment Bureau is not really a master stroke. The Film opens well with a charming and charismatic Matt Damon as a political hotshot who is wooed by some totally believable chemistry from Emily Blunt. From this strong start the Film loses traction and the plot goes a bit haywire. It’s like a game of show and tell with all tell and no-show.
Philip K Dick’s cold war short story, The Adjustment Team was used as the source for the film. Unfortunately not a lot of the original source remains. STretching out this story to feature-length by using one premise, that this bureau exists to keep us on the straight and narrow according to ‘The Master Plan’, becomes quickly boring and had me checking my watch. George Nolfi it seems, has mistaken what makes this kind of romantic paranoid thriller so gripping; we need to feel the fear of being controlled, not the fear that we are going to get told off and have it explained to us.
All in all, ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ stacks up a bit like a loud dog, all bark and no bite. Although the chemistry between Damon and Blunt was truly believable.
5/10
Have you been watching The Killing or The Shadow line? Enjoy the shows? Got any other recommendations for me? What about The Adjustment Bureau? Was I too harsh on the film? Comment below….
Scott Lawlor
As much as I adore and worship angelic perfection called Millie Blunt (and her hubs Krasinski, equally, whom we would keep as a pet in our house) I can’t stand that Demon guy! Arrogant brats like him get on my nerves
I’ve never seen KILLING, but I do like that actor from the picture, I forgot his name. He always reminded me on Carmine Giovinazzo whom we love a lot
Is your naughty step comfy? Does it hurt?
Yes Emily is true perfection, her dancing in this film is pretty amazing too, apart from this very strange leg wiggle…odd
The Killing has been quiet a draining series to watch…but the conclusion looks like it may be pretty mental!
~C
I have to say I noticed the chemistry between Damon and Blunt even in the trailer. Smokin’ shall we say. I like both actors, but there seemed to be something a but off about the movie itself so i guess i’m not too surprised at your rating Custard. It’s in my queue, but I won’t feel too bad if it gets bumped down LOL
Yeah the chemistry was almost embarrassing ‘GET A ROOM WILL YA!!!”
Reminded me a bit of how he was with Minnie Driver in Good Will Hunting, must be a Brit thing!!
I am sorry i keep filtering your queue….:-)
C
Hey Custard, nice reviews, matey. I never thought the Adjustment Bureau title sexy, but whatever rocks your boat, man
I think I gave AB a 3/5, so not stellar but there are enough things to enjoy and the chemistry of the leads are quite convincing. I LOVE Emily more than Matt, so she’s the main reason I saw this and she didn’t disappoint.
I really should check out Good Will Hunting just for Minnie, I like her too. What is it with the Brits? Most of my fave actors and actresses are from your neck of the woods, Custie!
HAHA Yeah I guess calling the title 'SEXY' was just me going off on my little tangents, that I do in my reviews. Just pointing out how boring they made the film….Apart from the chemistry.
thanks for the name dropping there scott.
i really quite enjoyed adjustment bureau. comparitively of course. sci-fi junkie that i am i was extremely excited at the idea of source code, limitless and this one but after source code was awful i dropped my expectations. really well made, not exactly thrilling but a nice idea. it’s similar in theme to the awesome dark city but in the day time, so light city.
i think the marketing department probably got something wrong too. as leah pointed out casting the old guy from mad men made the adjustment bureau seem like nice guys just doing their jobs and not an enemy. i think without the marketing it could have been a nicely made low budget thinker.
You are very welcome Toby, I am glad you gave me the heads up, as I am really enjoying the show.
I love Dark City. Good call in the comparison, I totally get where you are coming from.
I found it a yawner I am afraid, which is a pity, as I wanted to like it
Thanks for the comment Matey
Hi, Custard and company:
‘The Shadow Line’ will have to work hard to compete with the original, ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ and ‘Edge Of Darkness’, from the UK. when it comes to political thrillers. Though if one actor can deftly handle the ‘stuck in the middle of a mess’ role, it’s the superb, yet surprisingly under-rated Chiwetel Ejiofor. Having Chris Ecclelston added as a bad guy sounds like icing on the cake.
‘The Shadow Line’ feels a bit like the Idris Elba series, ‘Luther’. Which took more than one episode to sink its claws in deeply, but once it did. The trip was well worth it!
‘The Adjustment Bureau’ had one great thing going for it. The chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt., who steals every film she’s cast in. The rest of the film was confusing fluff looking for a hook to hold together a disjointed plot.
Hi Jack, Thanks for reading
Shadow Line is an interesting concpet in that the two factions (Drug Lords and Cops) are both competing to solve the Murder first. And Ejiotor’s character is NOT quite all that he seems, if only he could remember what happened the day he got shot…..
Luther 2 started last night, we never watched the first season, but we started on last nights episode, pretty good I reckon. Dark and scary!!
Shame that chemistry doesn’t make a great film hey? As this film would have won an oscar for it!
Thanks for the comment matey
Too bad about adjustment. I may still rent it, but now my expectations are certainly lowered after this and many other not so endorsing opinions. As far as the Shadow Line……Chiwetel was the magic word for me. I’ll check that out.
Hey up Markus, The Shadow Line is great, dark mysterious and scary in places.
Rafe Spall really is the shining star though, at first I thought he was talking all weird, but then I realised that he is slightly simple, but VERY VERY clever and focused and violent…omg!!
I hope you get to see it
I’ve never heard of The Shadow Line but it sounds interesting. I might give The Adjustment Bureau a rent, I remember reading Phillip K. Dick’s short story it was based on but I’m sure only small percentage of the book made it to the screen.
Yeah AB is really a very average affair. Such a pity….
Thanks for commenting my friend
C
Btw Custie, I also just posted my weekend roundup, so no you’re not late!
I noticed that!! hahah
Had almost the same feeling about The Adjustment Bureau. It was a movie I was looking forward to, but it just felt way too empty. Personally I felt the love story wasn't deep enough and believable and there just wasn't a big enough threat to hold my attention.
Hi Nostra, thanks for commenting.
Yea the chemistry and love story was sweet as you say but your are so right we as the viewer we need and deserve a bit more for our money!
Thanks for the comment my friend
C
Shadow Line is a fantastic, gorgeous work of photography, though that’s not all! I had to pause the remote every couple minutes to gaze at a scene. My favorite shot is of the young African American man who is being chased by everyone at once. He’s standing in the park, with a tree towering behind him. (You’ll know it when you see it.) Also notice the covered walkways that lead into that park.
This show has so many twists and turns that I would guess most people will have to simply go with the flow and be OK with not knowing what is going on all of the time, or even half of the time. At least that’s what I had to do but the story was meant to be told that way. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t know what the story is all about because the writing and the complex lives of characters, keeps you pulled into Shadow Line every second of the way.
Shadow Line is one of the best series that I’ve seen in years. I’m a fan of, The Wire, Deadwood, 6 Feet Under, Luther, Line of Duty, The Killing (Swedish version), and Wallander, (UK and Swedish versions. All are similar in genre except Deadwood. ( I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t add it to my favorites here). If you like these shows you will most likely be thrilled with Shadow Line.
The other series I recommend if you liked Shadow Line is, The Bridge, “Bron/Boren”.
Hm.., 6 Feet Under is not similar to these other shows. It’s just another favorite of mine that I automatically add because it’s so damn good.
At least I remembered to forgo, Battlestar Galactica due to it being Science-Fiction. That show was really hard to leave off my favorites list, which is why I’m adding it here.