Has to be one of the surrealist films I’ve ever seen, but it’s excellent, Emma Stone is absolutely brilliant, a very demanding role to play, Oscar worthy IMO
Has to be one of the surrealist films I’ve ever seen, but it’s excellent, Emma Stone is absolutely brilliant, a very demanding role to play, Oscar worthy
Sorry if been mentioned before the last few pages, saw Godzilla minus one last weekend and absolutely loved it. Yes godzilla is in it (obviously) but so much more going on otherwise in the plot, characters and the music in particular is fantastic. It is Japanese subtitled but would recommend - similar to top gun maverick in many ways
I watched the Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Spanish film, Society of the Snow on Netflix.It's based upon the Uruguayan rugby team whose flight crashed in the Andes in 1972, leaving the survivors facing a desperate battle for survival. I thought it was well made but too long at 2 hours 24 minutes.
I caught the new (ish) Hunger Games yesterday, after my daughter insisted. I have to say I thought it was excellent. It stands alone fine from the firsth three movies, so you don't need to see the others. Interesting, nicely paced and the characters were generally well done apart form the villainess who was a little overdone. And surprisingly left room for a debate in the car home about what exactly had happened in part 3. Well worth a watch. 8/10
I saw two very good films this week, both of which I'd recommend.
One Life - 8/10
The film is based on the true story of how a young British humanitarian, Nicholas Winton, helped evacuate and save nearly 700 Jewish children in Prague from the Nazis on the eve of World War II. An important story, with very good performances from, amongst others, Johnny Flynn and Anthony Hopkins. I found the film extremely moving.
Cairo Conspiracy (Egypt) - 8/10
A fisherman’s son is awarded a scholarship to study at Al-Azhar, the most esteemed Islamic university in the world, only to find himself a pawn in a conflict between Egypt's religious and political elites prior to the election of a new Grand Imam - a position of enormous political influence.
I found it an excellent, well-paced and taut political thriller about the corruption of church and state and it reminded me of some of the 'paranoid' thrillers of the 1970s. I can see why it won the award for the Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2022 and also why it caused an uproar in Egypt, where it is banned. Its UK theatrical release was in April 2023 but I think it went largely under the radar. It's available on BFI Player and various other streaming platforms, including Amazon and Curzon.
Watched French Exit last night. Loved it. Pfeiffer was gorgeously wonderful, there was a cameo from Danielle Macdonald of The Tourist fame & a kitty cat. Very enjoyable.
Watched French Exit last night. Loved it. Pfeiffer was gorgeously wonderful, there was a cameo from Danielle Macdonald of The Tourist fame & a kitty cat. Very enjoyable.
Hmm...so, having not heard of the above movie I took the opportunity to do some research. Imagine my surprise to note the cast included a former favourite of mine from the halcyon days of Curbs - somewhat, disrespectfully in my view, known as Captain Cleanshorts...
Not to be confused with the actor Matt Holland I presume. I'll report back on Matty's performance.
I was really up for this one, the story of a German family who had a house next to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.
I was walked in late and the screen was black, with really weird music playing, trying to set a scene, I guess.
Best advice I can give about this film, don’t bother with it’s a load of rubbish.
I don’t mind it had subtitles, but half way through the film , the screen when red, and yet more weird music, trying to have some sort of psychological effect.
If Michael Appleton made a film about Auschwitz, this would be it, pile of garbage, no connection, avoid and save yourself a couple of hours of your life.
Watched The Creator tonight. Bear in mind I was up at 2.30am for a 6am flight to Laaaaandan Taaaaan, had champagne for breakfast, a Greek feast followed by more pink fizz. I didn't fall asleep. But add to the fact I clearly didn't have to be at my sharpest to follow it. I enjoyed it. An easy watch to end a lovely day. I'm not thinking about the football. Don't mention it.
The Holdovers is absolutely brilliant. Feels like the role Paul Giamatti’s career has been building up to - he’s absolutely perfect for it.
If it wasn’t for Oppenheimer I would imagine it would be winning lots at the Oscars.
Highly recommended.
I agree - an excellent, poignant and very funny comedy, reuniting Alexander Payne with Paul Giamatti 20 years after Sideways. Top performances from the three leading characters and if there's a better supporting turn than Da'Vine Joy Randolph's, I'd very much like to see it.
Watched The Creator tonight. Bear in mind I was up at 2.30am for a 6am flight to Laaaaandan Taaaaan, had champagne for breakfast, a Greek feast followed by more pink fizz. I didn't fall asleep. But add to the fact I clearly didn't have to be at my sharpest to follow it. I enjoyed it. An easy watch to end a lovely day. I'm not thinking about the football. Don't mention it.
Comments
Easy watch.
7/10
Has to be one of the surrealist films I’ve ever seen, but it’s excellent, Emma Stone is absolutely brilliant, a very demanding role to play, Oscar worthy IMO
Decant film well Enjoyed it
But Penelope Cruz is fantastic.
8/10
I saw two very good films this week, both of which I'd recommend.
One Life - 8/10
The film is based on the true story of how a young British humanitarian, Nicholas Winton, helped evacuate and save nearly 700 Jewish children in Prague from the Nazis on the eve of World War II. An important story, with very good performances from, amongst others, Johnny Flynn and Anthony Hopkins. I found the film extremely moving.
Cairo Conspiracy (Egypt) - 8/10
A fisherman’s son is awarded a scholarship to study at Al-Azhar, the most esteemed Islamic university in the world, only to find himself a pawn in a conflict between Egypt's religious and political elites prior to the election of a new Grand Imam - a position of enormous political influence.
I found it an excellent, well-paced and taut political thriller about the corruption of church and state and it reminded me of some of the 'paranoid' thrillers of the 1970s. I can see why it won the award for the Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2022 and also why it caused an uproar in Egypt, where it is banned. Its UK theatrical release was in April 2023 but I think it went largely under the radar. It's available on BFI Player and various other streaming platforms, including Amazon and Curzon.
Loved it.
Pfeiffer was gorgeously wonderful, there was a cameo from Danielle Macdonald of The Tourist fame & a kitty cat.
Very enjoyable.
Not to be confused with the actor Matt Holland I presume. I'll report back on Matty's performance.
I was really up for this one, the story of a German family who had a house next to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.
I was walked in late and the screen was black, with really weird music playing, trying to set a scene, I guess.
Best advice I can give about this film, don’t bother with it’s a load of rubbish.
I don’t mind it had subtitles, but half way through the film , the screen when red, and yet more weird music, trying to have some sort of psychological effect.
If Michael Appleton made a film about Auschwitz, this would be it, pile of garbage, no connection, avoid and save yourself a couple of hours of your life.
Bear in mind I was up at 2.30am for a 6am flight to Laaaaandan Taaaaan, had champagne for breakfast, a Greek feast followed by more pink fizz. I didn't fall asleep.
But add to the fact I clearly didn't have to be at my sharpest to follow it.
I enjoyed it.
An easy watch to end a lovely day.
I'm not thinking about the football. Don't mention it.
If it wasn’t for Oppenheimer I would imagine it would be winning lots at the Oscars.
Highly recommended.