Movie Reviews
In Cinemas 15.04.10: Beneath Hill 60 and The Book Of Eli Posted by Matt Smith 15 April, 2010 - 3:18 PM
Beneath Hill 60
Starring Brendan Cowell, Steve Le Marquand and Gyton Grantley.
Throughout the history of film we have learnt that war is hell, war is nasty, war is futile and more recently, courtesy of ‘The Hurt Locker’, that war is a drug. With ‘Beneath Hill 60’ we can now add war is silent and claustrophobic to that list.
‘Beneath Hill 60’ tells the story of the Australian miners turned soldiers that took their battle underground in World War One. With attempts to subdue the Germans at the Western Front, the Allied forces headed underground in the hope of gaining some advantage. Unfortunately, the Germans had the same idea.
The film is a great history lesson for Australians, coming in the form of a very enjoyable film. It is tense, believable and like last year’s ‘Balibo’ brings an important Australian story to life.
Brendan Cowell is superb as Captain Oliver Woodward, the man whose writings contributed to the book from which the film is based upon. He is ably backed by a support cast of some of Australia’s least recognisable but still particularly talented actors.
The film does not quite reach the lofty heights it sometimes promises, but it is mostly a very well made, highly enjoyable film about war. With Anzac Day just around the corner it is well worth brushing up on some little known Australian history and getting a little patriotic at the cinemas.
Four Stars.
The Book of Eli
Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis
Eli is a man on a mission. His mission is to wander across a scorched earth and protect the book which could hold the key to rebuilding the world.
The year is 2026 and it is thirty years since the ‘Final War’ all but decimated the modern world. In this apocalyptic wasteland Eli must use his considerable talents to do whatever it takes to keep the book safe.
‘The Book of Eli’ is the type of film that will certainly divide audiences. The religious themes of the film will excite some, and frustrate others, in equal measure. While some will see the film as the story that needs to be told, others will see it as religious propaganda.
Nevertheless, if you have seen the previews you are not going to go and watch it for it’s ideological themes, you will want to see some action. The action scenes are particularly well done and Denzel Washington has proved in the past he can do nasty (‘Man on Fire’). However, there is not enough action bits fulfill the expectations that the trailer offered.
Denzel Washington is typically solid as the hero, Gary Oldman is typically over the top as the wannabe ‘leader of the new world’ and Mila Kuni is believable as Eli’s adopted daughter and his biggest fan.
If you are a fully fledged, practicing atheist you will probably want to avoid this film at all costs. For others, go in with low expectations and you may be surprised.
Three Stars.
