Everyone likes a blockbuster from time to time. Check out the Flux issue's Reviews: Just Because You're Arty Part 1 and Part 2 below.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL (2006)

Richard Eyreí¢â‚¬â„¢s Notes On a Scandal, is the big-screen adaptation of Zoe Hellerí¢â‚¬â„¢s hit novel of the same name. It tells the story of Barbara Covett, a lonely and embittered teacher played with searing conviction by Dame Judi Dench, and her tumultuous relationship with the new teacher at her school, Cate Blanchettí¢â‚¬â„¢s Sheba Hart.

The film bubbles along cheerfully, buoyed by Denchí¢â‚¬â„¢s typically virtuoso performance in a role that offers her plenty of opportunity to play the unreliable narrator. However as the narrative moved on, I began to feel the intensity of the original story and the subtle character nuances of the book spiralling away into melodrama. This feeling wasní¢â‚¬â„¢t particularly helped by the quite fantastically wooden performance from the lusty young student Ted Mawson and the complete lack of chemistry between him and Blanchettí¢â‚¬â„¢s Sheba, on which the plausibility of the whole story relies.

Whilst there are some wonderful moments as the acid Barbara manipulates Sheba like a marionette, Philip Glassí¢â‚¬â„¢s claustrophobic and relentless soundtrack strips the scenes of their refined tension, coating everything with a heavy layer of high drama.

I may just be suffering from í¢â‚¬Ëœpreferred the bookí¢â‚¬â„¢ syndrome, but despite some good performances and pleasing direction, Notes On A Scandal seems slightly undeserving of the lavish critical acclaim that has been slathered upon it since its release. The only thing í¢â‚¬Ëœoutstandingí¢â‚¬â„¢ about this film is Denchí¢â‚¬â„¢s performance and apart from this, the film serves to take a fantastic story and wring it for every last drop of dramatic tension until the subtlety that Heller so brilliantly captured in the book is all but destroyed.

Leanne Welham

300 (2007)

For anyone who has studied the Classics, Greek history, or the work of graphic novelist Frank Miller, you have been waiting with nothing less than bated breath to see 300. It is the story of 300 Spartans who stood in defiance of a massive Persian army lead by the god-king Xerxes as told by Frank Miller, creator of Sin City. And for those of you who have been waiting for this story to hit the big screen, you will not be disappointed.

The movie is beautifully shot but does rely solely on CGI special effects. It is filled with masterful sets, costumes and stunt work as well as an absolutely stunning performance by Gerard Butler as King Leonidas. Story-wise, it stays true to Frank Millerí¢â‚¬â„¢s visioní¢â‚¬ ¦for the most part.

As a graphic novel, 300 is actually quite short and does not contain enough material to fill a full length movie. To give the movie some more weight slight character changes have been made as well the addition of a sub-plot involving the Queen of Sparta. All of these changes work in favour of the movie, adding a new dimension to the story and filling out the plot.

Director Zack Snyder has achieved a cinematic triumph with 300. One of his next projects is adapting Alan Mooreí¢â‚¬â„¢s epic graphic novel Watchmen. With the confidence built from the success of 300 behind him, there is no doubt he will do a masterful job of another of the greatest graphic novel epics.

Ian Goodwillie

BLOOD DIAMOND (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio shines as Danny Archer in his latest film Blood Diamond. Set in the late 1990s in Sierra Leone, director Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai) tells the compelling tale of an African fisherman Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) who is struggling to save his family. Solomon soon meets Archer, an ex South African mercenary who now deals diamonds. The two strike up a deal after Solomon reveals that he has hidden a precious stone that he found in the jungle. Archer and Solomon, along with pushy American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) trek through the battlefields of Africa, in the hopes of recovering this rare pink diamond. Beautifully shot and well scripted, Blood Diamond is an aggressive attempt to reveal the dodgy reality of the diamond industry. At times, the film drags and seems somewhat repetitive. With a running time of over two hours, a more precise and focused version of the film might have served audiences better.

Leonardo DiCaprio gives another extraordinary performance in this emotionally charged action adventure and still finds time to put on a very credible South African accent. His character is gritty, but not the most amiable person, a role which DiCaprio plays well. Hounsou is the filmí¢â‚¬â„¢s most believable character, however, giving a shockingly realistic and raw performance as a father that would risk everything for his young son. Connellyhowever, gives a flat and predictable turn, allowing her character to grate as she continuously takes the moral high ground. All things considered however, Blood Diamond is a powerful film that sheds light on a relevant issue and provides a riveting, yet sometimes distributing escape for audiences.

Aimee Cutten

THE FOUNTAIN (2006)

Originally scheduled to be made in 2002 with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Darren Aronofskyí¢â‚¬â„¢s belated sci-fi, romance epic finally makes it to our screens. With new leads Hugh Jackman and Rachael Weisz, The Fountain is a challenging, thought provoking sci-fi film that will either stir your heart or turn you cold. Aronofsky refuses to take the easy route, telling his story over a thousand years in three different time periods, as Jackmaní¢â‚¬â„¢s, Thomas desperately trys to find a cure for his dying wife, Izzie (Weisz).

The Fountain is difficult to catagorise, pinning it as a sci-fi film is the easiest thing to do, but the film works on many levels, delving much deeply into the timeless issues of love, death, obsession, and mortality. Needless to say the film will divide viewers, as at times it is confusing and some viewers may find the filmí¢â‚¬â„¢s reluctance to explain frustrating. However, this is excellent filmmaking which is buoyed by two outstanding performances from the leads, with Jackman giving a career best. Mixed with some dazzling visuals and Clint Mansel's searing score, The Fountain, is a feast for the eyes and the mind, not to mention a daring experiment to be released by a major studio. It will excite, it will infuriate, it will amaze, but over all it will challenge and for that, The Fountain is worth seeking.

Andrew Skeates

THE DEPARTED (2006)

The Departed is the latest film by legendary director and recent Oscar winner Martin Scorsese. A remake of the 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs, this film tells the tale of undercover police detective Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and his struggle to infiltrate the Irish mafia, headed up by Frank Costello (Nicholson). Complications arise when fellow cop and Costelloí¢â‚¬â„¢s protíƒ ©gíƒ © Colin Sullivan (Damon) is assigned to the case and we begin to realize that Sullivan is not quite the squeaky clean cop he appears to be.

The performances in the film are all extremely captivating and convincing, especially DiCaprioí¢â‚¬â„¢s role as the emotionally strained cop who struggles to hold onto his reality while working with the mafia. Mark Wahlberg also gives a solid performance in his Oscar nominated role as Dignam. This film is a refreshing change in this conventional medium, offering up an unpredictable plot and realistic, compelling characters. There is however, a certain complexity to this film that demands the viewerí¢â‚¬â„¢s attention. The sometimes disorientating journey of twists and betrayals is worth it though, serving up a decent portion of surprise and satisfaction.

Aimee Cutten