Author: Crossfire

Momentum pictures

There have been a few film adaptations recently but Dorian Grey, adaptation of the Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, is by all means one of the most engaging you will find. You not only sit back and watch from a distance, but also pulled into the tale as a man loses his soul to the dark side.

Dorian (Ben Barnes) arrives on screen as a man, who doesn’t drink, take drugs, sleeps around or is unfaithful. But when befriended by Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth) he is transformed from an innocent young man into an uncaring, selfish and deceitful individual. Somehow, though the words of one man and a painting from another, all Dorian’s lies, deceit, scars, guilt and age are put into the painting leaving Dorian as a carefree soulless man who doesn’t age, hold any regret or guilt and doesn’t care for who he hurts or murders. It is as if his soul or conscious is somehow transported into the painting and makes it come alive. This blithe lifestyle suits Dorian until his rotting painting is uncovered and the truth revealed.

Grey is an incredible character to watch on screen. Ben Barnes is a man that can project two sides of his personality; firstly and lastly a compassionate man and in the centre of the film, a dishonest person. He is an actor that has all the right qualities to portray any character possible. He is able to not only be sexy and innocent in his role as Dorian Grey, but also be mysterious and mischievous. There are some naughty scenes present as Dorian’s sexual adventures are depicted. They are done discreetly yet still effective, in due part because of Barnes abilities as an actor. Colin Firth is also a man of many talents. He has been seen on screen so many times playing the good guy, so to see him as a nasty bitter man who lies his way through life, drinking, sleeping around and using drugs is refreshing.

Director Oliver Parker made a vital decision in keeping the visual painting of Dorian’s inner demons hidden, as this is what keeps the audience on their toes and intrigued. You are kept guessing until the end as to how many disturbing things Dorian has performed in his time to create such a monstrosity. Dorian Grey somehow pulls you into the story with its mystery surrounding the painting. You never fully become aware as to how his soul or conscious is trapped in the painting, this remains a mystery. But, this ambiguity is what makes it is stimulating, engaging and delightful to watch.

Michelle Moore

Optimum Releasing

So-called action thriller Jack Said is the prequel to the 2008 film Jack Says and details the events leading up to the beginning of Jack Says.

Staring Danny Dyer as Nathan and Simon Phillips as Jack, the film opens with a beaten up Jack talking to a woman tired to a chair; Jack is explaining the events that are to occur during the film.

When Nathan, a member of a criminal gang steals from the gangster family he works for, he is forced to go on the run. He asks fellow gang member Jack to look after his sister and Jack also inherits Nathan’s role in the gang. What no one is aware of is that Jack is an undercover cop. As the film continues, Jack gets buried further into his as role as a gangster and the lines between honest cop and villain become blurred. He falls in love with Nathan’s sister, adding some romance to the story line, beats individuals as he collects payments and even chops off one guy’s fingers.

As far as the actors and their portrayal of the characters go, Dyer is as usual full of attitude. As a double-dealing crime gangster he is quite believable. Philips as Jack is also credible as an undercover cop with a taste for the crime life.

There is comic book/graphic novel style to the film, something similar but not as detailed as Sin City. At first, the film opens in black and white. As it continues there are many moments where Jack talks over the top of the images on screen. Like the small explanations you get at the top of a comic book before the speech bubbles. As the film looks into the crime side of London’s gangland culture, there are some moments with digits being copped off and people getting pulverised, as well as the odd explosion and gunfire but noting as exciting, pulsating and as shocking as you may expect. To be called a thriller or an action movie it would actually require something to keep you on the edge of your seat or grab your attention and make you want to watch to the end without losing interest. Unfortunately there is very little of this sort of material making Jack Said much less satisfying, as you would expect.

Michelle Moore