"Not designed to operate at the cruising altitude of a 747", huh Jason Clarke?
Well this is only the altitude of a 727!
Then why am I so out of breath?
I really to exercise, it's been too long since I've done this... and this is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to the seventh season of Movie Night, I'm your host, Jonathan Paula
- it is great to be back after a long summer hiatus.
I've made a few changes to the program this year, both major and cosmetic - not the least
of which is how I'll be scheduling new episodes going forward.
If you'd like to hear more about what all these changes are, and my reasoning behind
them - I filmed a quick explanation which you can watch by clicking the link below.
But let's get to tonight's reviews - we'll be taking a look at some mountain climbing
films in honor of the worldwide release of "Everest".
As always, we begin with the oldest of the collection, with my thoughts for "Vertical
Limit".
Martin Campbell, the man who brought us "GoldenEye", "Green Lantern", and "Casino Royale", directs
this action thriller that nearly tripled its $75-million dollar budget.
Despite being released in December of 2000, this 124-minute feature feels fresh out of
the 90s.
There is a certain quaintness and unrestrained fun from action films of this era.
Back when movies mixed chaotic excitement with unbelievable stunts... nowadays filmmakers
strive for realism and grittiness over the flashy explosions of yesteryear.
In the wake of 9/11, I understand the reasoning behind this broader thematic shift in Hollywood
- the world was a darker, scarier, more uncertain place... but damn do I miss the carefree nonsense
movies like "Vertical Limit" brought to the screen.
So when I say this PG-13 rated survival flick feels like a cheesy 90s adventure?
That is absolutely a compliment.
I mean... a major plot device in this picture are unstable canisters of explosive nitroglycerin
our intrepid hikers foolishly lug up the world's most dangerous mountain.
In between these gratuitous explosions, the narrative sees Chris O'Donnell leading a group
of daring mountain climbers to the top of K2 in search for his missing sister.
The large cast of familiar faces includes the cute but resourceful Robin Tunney, Scott
Glenn as a mysterious and scary mountain man, and Bill Paxton as a cocksure thrill-seeker
who goads a cautious companion by rudely reminding him of the mountain, "I mean, did you really
think she was gonna lift up her skirt and pull her panties down?"
Former Bond-girl Izabella Scorupco and Star Trek alum Alexander Siddig also portray fellow
climbers.
The acting from this core group remains believable in even the most harrowing situations - which
has our protagonists dangling from cliffs and ledges on an eye-rolling four separate
occasions.
The premise of their rescue mission is to ascend the world's harshest peak as quick
as possible, but nearly every time we check on their progress, they're sitting around
and delivering speeches to each other.
There are great set-pieces and stunt-work here, and the movie effortlessly pivots from
one to the next - but the real highlight is a stunningly powerful cold-open set above
Utah's Monument Valley.
It's a nail-biting and emotional sequence that forces O'Donnell to make a critical life
or death decision.
This five-minute prologue is so profoundly intense, it honestly makes the remainder of
the picture a disappointment - especially since the next half hour is devoted entirely
to character introductions.
Commendably the quickly-paced movie is photographed on location at various mountain ranges around
the world, lending much needed realism to the ridiculous story.
Some of the more impossible scenarios were obviously accomplished with chroma-keyed backgrounds
and effects, but even for its age, they look surprisingly solid.
James Newton Howard's forgetful score blends woodwinds with heavy drums to give the picture
a somewhat Pakistani sound.
Falling victim to several tropes and predictable twists, and a few too many dumb decisions,
this is a movie many might dismiss.
But, if you want shallow, popcorn entertainment with death-defying heroics and grossly negligent
rock-climbing techniques - you can't go wrong with "Vertical Limit".
It's a movie I bought on VHS way back in 2001 and it's been a guilty pleasure ever since.
I'll rate this a SEVEN out of ten.
Next up, "Touching The Void".
A movie The Guardian described as "the most successful documentary in British cinema history",
this 106-minute film earned over four-times its $3-million budget after its December release
in 2003.
Directed by Kevin MacDonald, and based on the book of the same name - the R-rated survival
drama shares the incredible real-life account of two mountain climbers' near fatal climb
of Siula Grande in the Andes mountains, using a never before taken route.
Told via surprisingly authentic dramatized re-enactments that are narrated by present
day interviews - British friends Joe Simpson and Simon Yates recount their respective experiences
of one remarkable fight for survival.
When Joe falls during their decent and badly breaks his leg, the two struggle to get him
to down the mountain safely, before Simon ultimately is forced to leave him for dead.
But what he accomplishes next is such a remarkable and inspiring tale, it's impossible not to
be captivated by their story.
Although these unbelievable events took place in 1985, the grown men are still visibly affected
by their relationship and emotions some eighteen years later.
Perhaps the powerful scene is when the men are initially separated - Simon attempts to
lower Joe's injured body hundreds of feet beneath a blind ledge; but a loud storm prevents
them from hearing each other - resulting in a dreadful situation where Simon is forced
to make a life or decision without knowing the position of condition of his partner.
These moments immediately make you reflect on how you'd handle something like this...
do you assume he's lost, and cut the rope - or hope for the best and attempt another
rescue?
As for Joe, he laments in his own words: "There was nothing I could do.
So I just hung on the rope
and waited to die."
Although they rarely speak their own dialogue, Brendan Mackey and Nicholas Aaron portray
the protagonists during the flashback footage as glorified body doubles.
It's a thankless job, but the two do tremendous work with it - all of which staying rather
faithful to climbing techniques and real events.
Obviously, there's no twist ending here - we know how the story is going to end by virtue
of Joe's very existence... but hearing how this achievement of human perseverance was
accomplished can't be overstated.
Traditional sound effects and an fitting score from Alex Heffes help break the monotony of
talking-heads, and at 106-minutes, it's paced rather well.
One of the most gripping documentaries I've watched, and certainly the most fascinating
rock-climbing related movie, "Touching The Void" is a distressing, but honest account
of incredible courage.
I thought it was a GREAT film.
Rounding out our trilogy of climbing movies, let's review "Everest".
This disaster / adventure film from Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur was released worldwide
on September 18, 2015 - where it quickly doubled its $50 million budget.
Based on the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, the PG-13-rated story focuses
on the survival attempts of two separate expedition groups who are trapped by a monster storm
in the so-called "Death Zone"; described by one character as an area where their "bodies
will be literally dying."
The film's all-star cast features five Oscar nominees, including Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin,
John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, and
Jake Gyllenhaal.
They all contribute great performances; especially Knightley who portrays the grieving and helpless
wife.
But, with the exception of Clarke, who could best be described as the picture's only real
lead character - no one receives enough screentime to really make a lasting impact - Worthington
and Gyllenhaal are practically reduced to extras.
This is the real downfall of "Everest" - the harrowing events only work if there's an emotional
connection to the characters.
With the exception of Hawkes' character, we don't learn much behind their death-defying
motivation to climb the world's tallest mountain.
Answering a probing inquiry from journalist Jon Krakauer, whose account of the disaster
would become a future best-seller, Hawkes confesses his own reasons for attempting the
summit; he hopes to set an example as an "average" guy, and inspire school kids in his hometown.
It's a strong, and inspirational moment - but without spoiling much, we really don't get
a satisfying conclusion to his story.
Adhering closely to historical accuracy like this is certainly commendable, but it doesn't
always result in an exciting pay-off.
Basically, this picture has the exact opposite problem "Vertical Limit" does - a measured
compromise between their respective techniques would likely improve both films.
I saw a 3D screening of "Everest" in the new IMAX laser format - I posted a full review
of this new projection system (and why you should absolutely pay the extra money to see
it) to my second channel -- but suffice it to say, the picture quality is breathtakingly
beautiful, amazingly life-like, and easily the best looking image I've ever seen.
I was so impressed by how good this film looked, I may be overlooking some of its flaws with
story and pacing.
Even on a smaller 2D format though, the visuals and cinematography here is downright gorgeous.
Makes me want to take-up rock climbing again and fly to Nepal right now.
How they accomplished these visuals is anyone's guess... because the effects were so seamless,
these million dollar movie stars may very well have been stuck on a mountain at 27,000
feet.
Paced a bit slowly at 121 minutes, and far less effective than Krakauer's source novel,
"Into Thin Air" - there's still an engaging and well-made picture here.
Demonstrating the power of the human spirit, as well as our foolish naivety, this is something
everyone can connect with.
For mountain climbing enthusiasts and those fascinated by this tragic true story - "Everest"
is a gripping experience told with detrimental accuracy - I thought it was COOL.
Unfortunately, that does it for tonight's episode, but here's what we'll be discussing
next time if you'd like to leave a comment review.
And if you click this information-icon, some related videos will slide out for to watch.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!