So, we complete the trilogy tonight, with;
Back To The Future 3
There we have it then, the final part of the Back To The Future series. This time we see our heroes; Doc Emmett Brown and Marty McFly back in 1885 and the old west.
The story follows the same plot line as before, although this time 100 years in the past. Doc Brown gets himself a love interest and it seems like the roles are reversed, Marty being the sensible one, trying to avoid any catastrophic changes to the very fabric of the space time continuum! Whilst Doc lets his heart rule his head, as he falls in love with Clara, played the lovely Mary Steenburgen (One Magic Christmas).
The same characters make appearances, as in the previous films, albeit as their ancestors this time. Buford Tannen is the bad guy in this story and is out to get at first, Doc Brown, but soon turns his attention to Marty.
Cameo appearances and some music for the soundtrack are provided by ZZ Top. Whilst a lot of the Western scenes were filmed with the delightful backdrop of Monument Valley.
Of all the Back to the Future films, some people say this is the weakest and before seeing it again, I would have tended to agree, but with hindsight and watching all 3 in a short space of time, I now think that Back to the Future 3 can stand by itself as a great end to a great trilogy.
Plus the extras on the DVD / Blu-Ray give a fascinating insight to all three movies, if you haven't seen these extras, it's well worth buying the DVD / Blu-Ray disks just for them.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Thursday 21 April 2011
Christopher And His Kind - 21st April 2011
Forgetting for a minute that the above date is an actual Thursday, (yes, yes, I know the title of the blog is; Tuesday Night is Film Night, but how can I explain an unexpected delivery of 17m2 of turf for my garden, that needed to be laid regardless of the time of week? That's neither here nor there, but back to the point)!
This weeks' film was;
Christopher And His Kind.
Apparently based on the writer Christopher Isherwood’s critically acclaimed memoir, of the same name, Matt Smith (yes, the Matt Smith, now of Doctor Who fame, please forget this before watching this film, there is absolutely no relation whatsoever, even if you do hum the Doctor Who theme music at the start), stars as the writer Christopher Isherwood.
This film adaptation gives a; "fascinating glimpse into the decadent and politically unstable world of 1930s Berlin. A young, wide-eyed Christopher escapes repressive English society and arrives in Berlin at a time when the cabaret scene is in full swing. Launched into the thriving gay subculture, Christopher embarks on a seminal journey of self-discovery." (Description stolen from Amazon).
Yes, one couldn't cover this critically acclaimed memoir without delving into the then seedy and illegal underbelly of 'behind closed doors' homosexuality.
That part aside, not wishing to belittle the 1930's gay scene, the film is beautifully shot. Matt Smith and Imogen Poots are an absolute delight in this. Poots especially, as the sometimes down-at-luck cabaret singer; Jean Ross.
The 1930's backdrop, with the rising Nazi oppression, the impending war and the rise of Herr Hitler, provides a fascinating insight in to the time, being based, as they are, on the actual experiences of Christopher Isherwood.
The actual storyline behind the film, is not your bog standard "start, middle and end", it's a memoir, so follows a chronological timeline of events.
If you like 1930's history, Christopher and His Kind provides an entertaining and fascinating insight into that period.
A really well filmed period drama. (With strong language and scenes of a sexual nature).
I'll leave it for you to decide.
This weeks' film was;
Christopher And His Kind.
Apparently based on the writer Christopher Isherwood’s critically acclaimed memoir, of the same name, Matt Smith (yes, the Matt Smith, now of Doctor Who fame, please forget this before watching this film, there is absolutely no relation whatsoever, even if you do hum the Doctor Who theme music at the start), stars as the writer Christopher Isherwood.
This film adaptation gives a; "fascinating glimpse into the decadent and politically unstable world of 1930s Berlin. A young, wide-eyed Christopher escapes repressive English society and arrives in Berlin at a time when the cabaret scene is in full swing. Launched into the thriving gay subculture, Christopher embarks on a seminal journey of self-discovery." (Description stolen from Amazon).
Yes, one couldn't cover this critically acclaimed memoir without delving into the then seedy and illegal underbelly of 'behind closed doors' homosexuality.
That part aside, not wishing to belittle the 1930's gay scene, the film is beautifully shot. Matt Smith and Imogen Poots are an absolute delight in this. Poots especially, as the sometimes down-at-luck cabaret singer; Jean Ross.
The 1930's backdrop, with the rising Nazi oppression, the impending war and the rise of Herr Hitler, provides a fascinating insight in to the time, being based, as they are, on the actual experiences of Christopher Isherwood.
The actual storyline behind the film, is not your bog standard "start, middle and end", it's a memoir, so follows a chronological timeline of events.
If you like 1930's history, Christopher and His Kind provides an entertaining and fascinating insight into that period.
A really well filmed period drama. (With strong language and scenes of a sexual nature).
I'll leave it for you to decide.
Tuesday 12 April 2011
The Butterfly Effect - 12th April 2011
So, tonight's film was;
The Butterfly Effect.
This is the 2004 film, starring Aston Kutcher and Amy Smart. It was written and directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber.
It is also, bloody marvellous!
You should know the following snippet of information first;
"The butterfly effect is a popular metaphor for the principle in chaos theory that in any dynamic system, small initial differences may over time lead to large unforeseen consequences."
And that basically sums up the film!
Ashton Kutcher plays Evan Treborn, whose troublesome childhood leads, via several encounters, mishaps, misdemeanours and the passing of thirteen years, to him being at college, at the age of twenty.
As a child he suffered blackouts, generally around the time when, strange, traumatic or abusive moments occurred. He then discovers that through reading his journals, that he had written during his childhood, he can recreate that time in the past and change the outcomes of those events.
Each time he does this, something changes, but not always for the better. It seems he cannot make it right for everyone.
In the most simplistic terms, the story is a sort pyscholgical cross between Groundhog Day and Back to the Future, but it is so, so much more than that.
It's a dark, psychological thriller, each twist and turn bringing forth undesired effects. One little change in the past and the whole future changes.
These "change and effect" moments, provide us with flashbacks to Evan at the age of 7 and 13 and the way he changes the scenario's to try to provide a better future for himself and his friends. In the end, it is apparent that he cannot provide the right formula to provide happiness for all, so he hits upon the only course of action...........
To find out what, that action is, watch the film!!
Brilliant film. Fantastic story. Ashton Kutcher is amazing in this.
A must-see film.
The Butterfly Effect.
This is the 2004 film, starring Aston Kutcher and Amy Smart. It was written and directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber.
It is also, bloody marvellous!
You should know the following snippet of information first;
"The butterfly effect is a popular metaphor for the principle in chaos theory that in any dynamic system, small initial differences may over time lead to large unforeseen consequences."
And that basically sums up the film!
Ashton Kutcher plays Evan Treborn, whose troublesome childhood leads, via several encounters, mishaps, misdemeanours and the passing of thirteen years, to him being at college, at the age of twenty.
As a child he suffered blackouts, generally around the time when, strange, traumatic or abusive moments occurred. He then discovers that through reading his journals, that he had written during his childhood, he can recreate that time in the past and change the outcomes of those events.
Each time he does this, something changes, but not always for the better. It seems he cannot make it right for everyone.
In the most simplistic terms, the story is a sort pyscholgical cross between Groundhog Day and Back to the Future, but it is so, so much more than that.
It's a dark, psychological thriller, each twist and turn bringing forth undesired effects. One little change in the past and the whole future changes.
These "change and effect" moments, provide us with flashbacks to Evan at the age of 7 and 13 and the way he changes the scenario's to try to provide a better future for himself and his friends. In the end, it is apparent that he cannot provide the right formula to provide happiness for all, so he hits upon the only course of action...........
To find out what, that action is, watch the film!!
Brilliant film. Fantastic story. Ashton Kutcher is amazing in this.
A must-see film.
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Back to the Future 2 - 5th April 2011
Two weeks after watching the brilliant Back to the Future (Part 1), we now have;
Back to the Future Part 2
Doc and Marty pick up where they left off in 1985 to partake in more adventures, whilst trying not to mess up the very fabric of the space time continuum!
First off they head forward to 2015 to sort out Jennifer and Marty's kids. Unfortuantely, Biff Tannen hears the time travelling secrets of the Marty, Doc and the DeLorean and also discovers the Sports Almanac that Marty had bought, that lists all the sports results of the last 50 years. Biff goes back in time in the DeLorean to give the almanac to his 1955 self and thus changing the future. So when Marty and Doc travel back to 1985 everything has changed!
Confused?
It's not that bad. Doc draws us a handy diagram to explain the parallel 1985! You'll see.
And so the time travelling exploits continue. I won't go much deeper on the storyline, it's better to watch it yourself, but I will say that the film concludes with a trailer for Back to the Future 3.
The trailer sequence for the 3rd film was added to the end of the 2nd, because they filmed both movies in an 11 month period between 1989 and 1990, (5 years after the original). The idea for the 2nd film and the story behind it was so long originally, they decided to make two movies.
Some other facts I didn't know. A lot of the sequences from the first movie, that are seen in the second movie were shot again, as they needed to be seen from another perspective. Essentially recreating the scenes again.
The actress who played Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer, in the original was played by Claudia Wells. For the second movie, she wasn't available, so the part was taken on by Elisabeth Shue. I bet you can't spot the difference. However, this required them to reshoot the last sequence of Part 1, for the start of Part 2.
Another actor not available, but this time because he wanted too much money, was Crispin Glover. He played the part of George McFly, Marty's Dad in the first film, so in the second film, the character had to be essentially written out. Although in some of the 2015 sequences he does make an appearance, this time appearing upside down played by Jeffrey Weissman. (You'll see why he was upside down if you watch the film!).
I think, all things considered, I preferred Part 2 to Part 1. The story was more complex, it was darker and harder in places and it did keep you gripped, so some good work there by the writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.
I just hope part 3 lives up to it's predecessors. We shall see, Part 3 will be coming up on a; Tuesday Night is Film Night night very soon!
Back to the Future Part 2
Doc and Marty pick up where they left off in 1985 to partake in more adventures, whilst trying not to mess up the very fabric of the space time continuum!
First off they head forward to 2015 to sort out Jennifer and Marty's kids. Unfortuantely, Biff Tannen hears the time travelling secrets of the Marty, Doc and the DeLorean and also discovers the Sports Almanac that Marty had bought, that lists all the sports results of the last 50 years. Biff goes back in time in the DeLorean to give the almanac to his 1955 self and thus changing the future. So when Marty and Doc travel back to 1985 everything has changed!
Confused?
It's not that bad. Doc draws us a handy diagram to explain the parallel 1985! You'll see.
And so the time travelling exploits continue. I won't go much deeper on the storyline, it's better to watch it yourself, but I will say that the film concludes with a trailer for Back to the Future 3.
The trailer sequence for the 3rd film was added to the end of the 2nd, because they filmed both movies in an 11 month period between 1989 and 1990, (5 years after the original). The idea for the 2nd film and the story behind it was so long originally, they decided to make two movies.
Some other facts I didn't know. A lot of the sequences from the first movie, that are seen in the second movie were shot again, as they needed to be seen from another perspective. Essentially recreating the scenes again.
The actress who played Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer, in the original was played by Claudia Wells. For the second movie, she wasn't available, so the part was taken on by Elisabeth Shue. I bet you can't spot the difference. However, this required them to reshoot the last sequence of Part 1, for the start of Part 2.
Another actor not available, but this time because he wanted too much money, was Crispin Glover. He played the part of George McFly, Marty's Dad in the first film, so in the second film, the character had to be essentially written out. Although in some of the 2015 sequences he does make an appearance, this time appearing upside down played by Jeffrey Weissman. (You'll see why he was upside down if you watch the film!).
I think, all things considered, I preferred Part 2 to Part 1. The story was more complex, it was darker and harder in places and it did keep you gripped, so some good work there by the writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.
I just hope part 3 lives up to it's predecessors. We shall see, Part 3 will be coming up on a; Tuesday Night is Film Night night very soon!
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