We are what we are

Cannibals have always had the back hand when it comes to films (cannibal holocaust is one that springs to mind)and in society,frowned upon for their revolting habits and strange addictions for human flesh. But the new film we are what we are tries to change all that, showing the cannibals as blood thirsty monsters, wait a minute did i say change.

We are what we are comes from first time Mexican director Jorge Michel Grau (who stated that he never really wanted to make a horror film). Set in a modern poverty ridden Mexico the film starts off with the death of an ill fated father,falling to his death with a serious case of indigestion. With the news hitting the family of the death of their father, the only thing on their mind is who will be able to put the food on the table. The catch though is they are used to a certain kind of meat, the taste of human flesh.

We are what we are with it's serialised soundtrack shadowing towards unsettling and unflinching set piece's is a confident if not underwhelming horror film. Compared with the likes of Let the right one in for the way it represents it's monsters, the film in actual fact should be compared more closely to this years disturbing family drama Dogtooth. The film centres around the three children primarily and like dogtooth is to do with an adolescent control over your young ones protecting them from what they see as danger but what we see as the norm, for example there mother believes that there is nothing wrong with their habit and detests her sons for picking up whores for dinner.

Yet We are what we are with it's forceful opening credits is more of a strong political and satirical take on going social problems in Mexico. Bodies are left at the side of the road and no one takes notice, cops are bribed by hookers but not with money but with children. It's this unflinching realism that works as it's true horror. The film is layered with an art-house aesthetic, more in tune with the style of this year's White material but layered with a strange but never forceful sense of humour, allowing these killing machines to have a strange comic undertone. The brothers talk for a while and bluntly one suggests "let's go and get a hooker". it's that simple dialogue and youthful naivety that allows the film to be simply and oddly funny But the simplistic nature of the film is also it's downfall. Last year we had the excellent Sin Nombre treading the fine line between unlikely friendships and being a social message to the world of the state of it's country but it was a riveting tale. We are what we are treads similar waters as Sin Nombre if not blatantly copying them and with the film bluntly and simply repeating them it add's to no new profound insight into a different society that we haven't seen before not penetrating deep enough.

We are what we are's strength and most interesting element is in it's title.Treat us for what we are but the film never really allows us to understand there problem or even humanise them finding the humane in the inhumane. The public don't sympathise and nor do we.

There are break out scenes my personal favourite being at the market and one of the brothers breaks out in violence it's that spontaneous horror for what these characters can do that makes the film even more in close touch with Dogtooth. That unexplainable, somewhat ambiguous act which is where the film starts is what i wanted more of.Instead the film focuses on becoming a horror film leaving behind the strong political message that it started of with never fully exploring these theme to it's full potential.

Ultimately We are what we are rewards us with less than it promises only matching the visual level of a different kind of horror film near the end which by the end is all to late. It underwhelms in it's ambition but throughout there is an uneasy feeling throughout for good or for bad no matter how much it feels that there is a even better horror film trying to creep to the surface.

** out of ****

Agora

Now in these desperate times i would all to happily skip Agora. A movie which involves the rivalry of two religions with an added amount of philosphy. On paper that sounds like a remedy to put me to sleep but this movie fanatic doesn't give up on films no matter how different or subsequnety boring they may be. The main reasson this film turn me off before i even decided to see it was a huge religious theme. Now i won't be discrimitive to other peoples religions but to me a movie that is trying to move me or even possibly change my own ideas usin religion won't work as my view stands. It's all been bollocks form day one.



But our main character Hypatia is a non beliver (refreshing) and her only worship is philosphy. By the end of the movie you may not be able to sum up the film, but for me this was an often exciting film and one that was not very moving but was fascinating and tense which is hard for me come to grips with as well as i said to me most of it's doomed idea.



Agora centeres around the character of Hypatia (Rachel Wiesz) a philospher whos only dream is to understand the planet and all her galaxies but there is war interuppting her studies A war between christians and her peoles reliion forcing them to convert to christianity. The movie then turns to a more pressing matter a love triangle, a student of Hypatias has giving his heart ot her and a slave turned warrior has a similar feeling. It's only when we learn of the true intensions of the people that we learn the fait of Hypatia.





What was surprising to me about Agora was how immersed i was in the story and how fascinated i was by the rivalrys between rival religions, Hypatia love intrests and friendships and in the end how exciting the movie turned out to be. From the grand scope of things the film has an impressive eye for detail not leaving out any historical fact unnoticed. Also a winning performance by Rachel Wiesz helped the film sometimes get through some often dragged out areas as she was always the character that i felt for (especially at the end) and was intrigued to know about her. At this moment i wish she was my teacher.





The movie is far from being the historical sand epic it wants to be. From the heavy handed message about the practises of god and to the dialogue for that matter it all feel more than a little bit forced. There has also been a problem for me, not just with this film but with alot of films that alot of the actors look out of place and over play the parts tothe max. Take oscar issacs character. When he declares his love for Hypatia you will won't to look away form the screen to just stop yourself induring the embaressment. By the end the film had lost me with it's interweving storylines of love, religion and philosphy but i can over look all of that as Hypatia, the heart and point of the film is at the center of film and if you have been reading you know that she is the best part.





Somw will take Agora for what it is, a sand and sword epc with religious morals. Thats what it is. Some will over complicate the film calling it genius and a tiumph. That it is not. and others will take it as nothing and be bored ( thers always iron man 2). Agora shouls read on it's poster, live action history lesson but one that is fascinating and exciting with battle scens included. Now thats what Agora is.

3.5/5

Cold Souls

Paul giamatti plays Paul giamatti in Cold Souls a Kaufman esque comedy drama to do with the actor losing his ways questioning things such as life,it's meaning and all round subjects which are better handed with director/Slash writer Charlie Kaufman.

So when he learns of a new treatment which will lift him out of his pit of misery he jumps on the band waggon and has his soul removed. Once all is done he won't worry, he will fell lighter and more complete and will be able to make love to his wife again but things go wrong when it doesn't work out so brilliantly for him. His soul is then stolen and he then goes on a journey which takes him around the world from Russia to new york where we find that not all is what it seems.

So what is Cold Souls.It's a funny sometimes eye opening and thought provoking account of world which is much like our own which has a problem in finding it's own voice. It goes from being a funny sometimes eye opening account of something which has been hit home in other movies(Like in last years District 9). We have views on the corrupt part of the world of Cold souls, soul trafficking, the consequences of removing your soul etc which like in last years District 9 we had views on a Government which wouldn't take control and the consequences which insue.

There seems to be allot to like in Cold Souls especially for me, a movie(in the Sc-Fi genre) which is original and terrifically funny with some insight into a world which already inhabit. That's a thumbs up for me. So why does Cold souls fell underwhelming and lacking.

If you can remember back to 1999 there once was this thing called originality and to fill that space a man named Charlie Kaufmen came along and wrote Being John Malkovich. This film has that same feel to it. Yes the story's are different but they have the same quirky feel as if they are trying to proof something new. I guess you could call it show boating. But unbelievably Cold Souls is saved by a winning performance from Paul Giamatti who is terrifically cast as the guy who doesn't know whats up and every scene he is in he is Hilarious especially in my personal favourite scene which involves him just holding a rabbit. I won't say anything else but trust me you will laugh.

Also the movie has an ingenious premise which goes along with a genius script. From the world that has been created to the fact that they are talking about trafficking souls. What isn't welcome is the drama.Yes i understand you need the drama or the would be rather little reason to care but the entire film has an uneven spread of drama which takes you away from what makes the film work in the first place Paul Giamatti unpredictable performance. So when it goes down a formulaic and sometimes mainstream route it dampens the experience.

In the end the movie may leave you questioning ideas or it may just leave with a ridiculously big grin on your face. Which ever way you look at it Cold Souls is saved by a terrific idea,which is executed well and by Paul Giamattis unbelievably good performance.This one won't leave you cold.

3.5/5