Margin Call

A film that tries to capture the beginning of the end of the housing bubble, opens with a pink slip day at a major trading firm. One of the employees being laid off turns out to be sitting on something big and soon the unraveling starts. Not a word is mentioned about the reason for the collapse or what the collapse is all about. The films assumes the viewer has seen and heard enough to not bother detailing that aspect. Instead the focus is on the upper management of the firm and how they react to the situation. A calmness permeates the film that can throw the viewer off considering the fact that everyone is panicking but with actors like Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Demi Moore it is obvious that much lies below the surface. If you go in expecting Wall Street the film will disappoint. However what is portrayed here might be a more realistic view of the unraveling from an individual worker point of view.

Rating: * * +

Mr. Brooks

A serial killer murder mystery where the protagonist (Kevin Costner) is the killer - a fact known from the outset. A successful business man, Kevin Costner has his evil alter ego (William Hurt) goading him on. Then theres Demi Moore, playing the detective, with a few complications in her life. Perfect script, I believe, for a Bollywood remake - average performances, adequate twists & turns and many layers to fool with. An appropriate watch if one is in the mood for a mindless crime thriller - a throwback to the 90s.

Rating: * *

Flawless

Ms. Quinn (Demi Moore) has worked tirelessly for the London Diamond Corporation and slowly worked her way up. Give then fact that it's in the 60s makes it remarkable. But she soon finds her upward path blocked in the male dominated work place. Even worse she is left out to dry as a result of some oily political maneuvering.

Mr. Hobbs is a soon to retire janitor who shuffles harmlessly around the building mopping and cleaning. So much so that he is barely visible to the rest of the staff. When he approaches Ms. Quinn with a diabolical plan to steal a few diamonds, she is shocked at his audacity. But then which girl can resist diamonds especially when it can chisel through the glass ceiling she is up against. Let the heist begin...

Rating: * * +