We went to see Lady Bird last night. The storyline is far from original (teenager coming of age in Culturalwasteland, USA) and it came across to me like American Graffiti with less jokes and great tunes. However, the actors are uniformly good and in the case of the the mother (Laurie Metcalf) and daughter (Saoirse Ronan), excellent. Definitely worth seeing for the performances.
I thought this was a fantastic film with a great script and excellent performances from the cast. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf are outstanding. Some very touching moments and by far the best film I've seen this year. Beautifully shot and a story that is easy to relate to. Definitely my type of film. 9.5/10
That's really interesting Hoof. Really enjoyed it, and it was up there with my favourites too. Certainly gets my vote for credible/believable film of the year.
I also enjoyed the 'soppy fish fantasy' too though.
Don't know if this has been reviewed by people previously as it came out last year, I've been meaning to watch it for ages and finally got around to it the other day after being reminded of it after it won an Oscar for best documentary.
A film about blood doping in sport that starts off with a focus on Lance Armstrong and how he beat the WADA tests for years turns into almost a political conspiracy thriller as the Russian Doping Scandal breaks into major news and this documentary and its main character are in the eye of the storm. I found it fascinating although some aspects of the film were a little shoehorned in for dramatic effect (The 1984 references I felt were unnecessary) and the detailed insight into the Russian state-sponsored doping and especially the explanation of how the Russians cheated at the Sochi Olympics were incredible. Found it very interesting myself and would suggest it to anyone with any interest in sport and doping in general. Made me more certain than ever that everyone in high level sport is on the gear.
Checked out Shape of Water. Set in 1962 so some great cars and smart suits (Mad Men comes to mind). Oscar voters are suckers for film nostalgia and this movie had lots of celebrations of the old musicals and it was probably this director's turn for the big one anyway. The wife liked all the fish stuff but I came away feeling sorry for the Russian spy which is probably what the director wanted.
Watched I, Daniel Blake the other night. Grim, funny and sad. And in preparation for Blade Runner 2049 I watched the Blade Runner directors cut earlier. A timeless classic.
Can’t believe The Shape of Water won best picture . The Oscars are a joke.
Well, I stand by my previous quote that I thought it was one of the best films of the year...behind Wind River but in front of Three Billboards. We all have differing tastes in movies, variety is the spice of life.
RED SPARROW Glossy thriller with lots of violence and dodgy Russian accents. Jennifer Lawrence is cast as a Russian spy and there's plenty of double crossing going on. The story keeps you interested and it was far more watchable than I expected. 7/10
Blade Runner 2049. Wow. The perfect accompaniment to the original.
Think I may get strung up for saying this but.... I genuinely think 2049 might be better Imho... need watch it again first though. Only seen it the once in the cinema
Blade Runner 2049. Wow. The perfect accompaniment to the original.
Think I may get strung up for saying this but.... I genuinely think 2049 might be better Imho... need watch it again first though. Only seen it the once in the cinema
I prefer the second film but think the first one was more significant in terms of cinema history. Making a film like that in 1982 with the technology/effects available was amazing and it was hugely atmospheric. Hard to do a direct comparison between the two - love them both.
Still not seen Blade Runner 2049 . Will watch it tonight hopefuly.
I never really saw what the fuss was about with the original.
It was ahead of the game along with Metropolis and 2001 a space Odyssey in its depiction of the future. It wasn't a typical sci-fi film and I can see those wanting more special effects etc might not be enamoured of it.
I'm not normally a fan of sci-fi but I was impressed with both Blade Runner films. I was never into Star Wars.
Blade Runner 2049. Wow. The perfect accompaniment to the original.
Think I may get strung up for saying this but.... I genuinely think 2049 might be better Imho... need watch it again first though. Only seen it the once in the cinema
I can’t say one is better than the other. I’ve watched the original a few times prior to the latest film and to watch both on Blu Ray on a big screen just makes it even more enjoyable. The second one is just as grimey as the first.
Still not seen Blade Runner 2049 . Will watch it tonight hopefuly.
I never really saw what the fuss was about with the original.
Watch the directors cut of the original as that’s the best one in my opinion. For BR2049 Dennis Villeneuve has managed to create a world and a story that match beautifully with the first film. And it’s not like the first film needed a reason for a follow up.
Black Panther has been an incredibly success for Marvel . Up to this weekend it had taken 1.2 Billion dollars and I'm not surprised. My kids have been pestering me for weeks to take them to see this . thanks to some brilliant social media marketing ( especially on YouTube) and today we finally got to see it .
It's the story of T'Challa who is crowned the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. T'Challa is charged with defending the nation in his guise as the costumed superhero known as Black Panther, but his reign is challenged by a Wakanda dissident named Erik Killmonger , who wants to sell the country's natural resources to fund an uprising.
I have to admit I wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing this. I thought , because of the director and cast being predominantly black , that it might be more political than anything but it wasn't and to be fair it was just another enjoyable marvel movie. The action is nothing new and it's too long . as all Marvel films are , but I liked it and more importantly my sons did too. There are some good performances from Chadwick Boseman , Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis and I look forward to Black Panther linking up with a few of the more familiar Marvel super heroes.
I watched 'Annihilation' on Netflix, partly because my daughter worked on it. I liked it as it was thought provoking. 8/10. But it did badly in the states apparently because it had 'arty' dance type scenes at the end which the yanks did not appreciate, plus an open ending rather than a happy ending. Americans adore Marvel films with lots of action and dodgy scripts. I made the mistake of watching 'Wonder Woman' and thought it a real load of dross. 2/10. So pleased I didn't pay cinema prices but that was a box office success and they are doing another one. I don't really get it. An age thing I suppose.
Watched A Man Called Ove on Amazon last night. A low key Swedish movie about a grumpy old man. The film's flashbacks show how he became the man he is and it manages to make you like and admire him. It's funny and moving by turns. A real unexpected surprising pleasure.
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
Watched A Man Called Ove on Amazon last night. A low key Swedish movie about a grumpy old man. The film's flashbacks show how he became the man he is and it manages to make you like and admire him. It's funny and moving by turns. A real unexpected surprising pleasure.
Good to hear, Nadou. We're showing it at film club next month.
TOMB RAIDER Took my daughter to see this and fortunately she enjoyed it. I thought it was shockingly bad - the plot is terrible and the film is completely flat. The highlight for me was when it ended. 3/10
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
I thought it was better than the original although the original was a more significant film given when it was made. Surprised you got so little from it - I found it incredibly atmospheric.
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
I disagree with you. Despite the dodgy accents it's an interesting plot and visually very striking . It wasn't a film I expected to like given how poor the reviews were but it was entertaining. Not a film I'd describe as forgettable.
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
I thought it was better than the original although the original was a more significant film given when it was made. Surprised you got so little from it - I found it incredibly atmospheric.
I watched it on Saturday and loved it. Visually stunning and as you say atmospheric. Much better than the first film.
UNSANE Psychological thriller about a financial analyst played by Claire Foy who is followed by her stalker when she gets tricked into being committed to a mental hospital. Foy is very good but the plot of the film loses its way towards the end. The film is pretty damning about the morality of US healthcare.
The film is shot entirely on iPhones which makes it very dark and claustrophobic - this adds to the atmosphere.
Saw I, Tonya at the weekend in the wonderfully refurbished Campbeltown Picture House (near the Mull of Kintyre).
Can I admit, despite the excellent performances, I was a tiny bit disappointed? Thought Tonya was not quite as rough as real life - could have used make up better to take the edge off Margot Robbie's perfection?
Would also have liked a bit more insight into the relationship / rivalry between Harding & Kerrigan. Enjoyed it but overall good rather than brilliant. 7/10.
Saw it the other day, and I agree - I was expecting the Harding/Kerrigan relationship to play a much bigger part in the film. The one brief mention of it felt like an afterthought.
That's a different film. You can't knock something for not being what you thought it ought to be, you need to judge it for what it is.
As a film about two very dysfunctional relationships, some very stupid people, and the problems of getting the 'real' story (they showed what a lot of people remember, Harding attacking Kerrigan, which never happened as Harding was nowhere near the assault), I thought this was excellent.
RED SPARROW Glossy thriller with lots of violence and dodgy Russian accents. Jennifer Lawrence is cast as a Russian spy and there's plenty of double crossing going on. The story keeps you interested and it was far more watchable than I expected. 7/10
Which is why I thought people talking in their own voice in Death of Stalin was a great idea. Marshall Zhukov talking in broad Yorkshire (Hello to Jason Isaacs) is a sight/sound to behold.
Comments
I also enjoyed the 'soppy fish fantasy' too though.
An Englishman, a Nigerian, Mexican cartels, Americans, guns, drugs..
An uncomplicated fun film. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Don't know if this has been reviewed by people previously as it came out last year, I've been meaning to watch it for ages and finally got around to it the other day after being reminded of it after it won an Oscar for best documentary.
A film about blood doping in sport that starts off with a focus on Lance Armstrong and how he beat the WADA tests for years turns into almost a political conspiracy thriller as the Russian Doping Scandal breaks into major news and this documentary and its main character are in the eye of the storm. I found it fascinating although some aspects of the film were a little shoehorned in for dramatic effect (The 1984 references I felt were unnecessary) and the detailed insight into the Russian state-sponsored doping and especially the explanation of how the Russians cheated at the Sochi Olympics were incredible. Found it very interesting myself and would suggest it to anyone with any interest in sport and doping in general. Made me more certain than ever that everyone in high level sport is on the gear.
8/10
And as good as McDormand was, Sam Rockwell hit it out of the park. His was the best acting I saw by anyone the last year.
PS- Woody Harrelson kicked ass too.
Glossy thriller with lots of violence and dodgy Russian accents. Jennifer Lawrence is cast as a Russian spy and there's plenty of double crossing going on. The story keeps you interested and it was far more watchable than I expected. 7/10
I never really saw what the fuss was about with the original.
I'm not normally a fan of sci-fi but I was impressed with both Blade Runner films. I was never into Star Wars.
Black Panther
Black Panther has been an incredibly success for Marvel . Up to this weekend it had taken 1.2 Billion dollars and I'm not surprised. My kids have been pestering me for weeks to take them to see this . thanks to some brilliant social media marketing ( especially on YouTube) and today we finally got to see it .
It's the story of T'Challa who is crowned the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. T'Challa is charged with defending the nation in his guise as the costumed superhero known as Black Panther, but his reign is challenged by a Wakanda dissident named Erik Killmonger , who wants to sell the country's natural resources to fund an uprising.
I have to admit I wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing this. I thought , because of the director and cast being predominantly black , that it might be more political than anything but it wasn't and to be fair it was just another enjoyable marvel movie.
The action is nothing new and it's too long . as all Marvel films are , but I liked it and more importantly my sons did too.
There are some good performances from Chadwick Boseman , Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis and I look forward to Black Panther linking up with a few of the more familiar Marvel super heroes.
7 out of 10
Americans adore Marvel films with lots of action and dodgy scripts. I made the mistake of watching 'Wonder Woman' and thought it a real load of dross. 2/10. So pleased I didn't pay cinema prices but that was a box office success and they are doing another one. I don't really get it. An age thing I suppose.
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
Took my daughter to see this and fortunately she enjoyed it. I thought it was shockingly bad - the plot is terrible and the film is completely flat. The highlight for me was when it ended. 3/10
Not a film I'd describe as forgettable.
Psychological thriller about a financial analyst played by Claire Foy who is followed by her stalker when she gets tricked into being committed to a mental hospital. Foy is very good but the plot of the film loses its way towards the end. The film is pretty damning about the morality of US healthcare.
The film is shot entirely on iPhones which makes it very dark and claustrophobic - this adds to the atmosphere.
6/10
As a film about two very dysfunctional relationships, some very stupid people, and the problems of getting the 'real' story (they showed what a lot of people remember, Harding attacking Kerrigan, which never happened as Harding was nowhere near the assault), I thought this was excellent.