This week, we take a look at the romantic family comedy, that is;
Marley & Me
I guess that Marley & Me is a feelgood movie, it makes you feel good about yourself, about family, about life, but..........
OK, let's set the scene. Young newly Wed's John and Jennifer Grogan, (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston) start to settle down, both have good journalistic jobs. However, Jen has a bit of a life plan. Part 1; get married. Part 2; house etc.
John is concerned what else is in the plan. Could it be the patter of tiny feet? To dissuade Jen from thinking about a baby, John treats her to a puppy for her Birthday and this is where the fun begins.
The new puppy; Marley, is probably the worst dog ever, impossible to train, impossible to leave home alone etc. etc.
What follows, and makes up the bulk of the film, is the life journey that this small family sets off on. This small family, that soon starts to flourish, with one child, followed by another and then followed by another, just after they decide that two kids and a crazy dog was enough! So we follow John, Jen, the three kids and the crazy dog on their adventures.
This is the feelgood part of the film, you enjoy their trials and tribulations. Their ups and downs. The new jobs, the new homes etc. It is good stuff. Some fine slapstick comedy moments and some brilliant doggy antics.
Jennifer Aniston is radiant in the movie, I never liked her in Friends, but that is because I never watched it! Owen Wilson is brilliant also. He portrays that dog / owner bond so believably.
Special note should go to Alan Arkin, who played Arnie Klein, John Grogan's dry witted boss. He really injects some flat, but ever so funny humourous lines into the film.
OK, onto the inevitable. And why this is a reverse feelgood movie. There isn't a happy ending.
Well, that's not strictly true, it's a sad ending yes, but it is played so well, Owen Wilson excelling in his portrayal of the grieving dog owner. Does that give too much away?
It's a lovely movie. It's sad, very sad in places, but it's the happy journey that the film takes you on, that balances out the inevitable sad end.
Tissues at the ready.
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Philadelphia - 12th July 2012
I would normally start the weekly Film Night blog with a bit of alliteration, I think this week's movie is beyond the facile choice of words and deserves a modicum of sobriety. Having never seen the movie at all since it's release (1993), it's content, although known, was a bit of an enigma.
Tonight we watched;
Philadelphia
Couple of points to make about Philadelphia, firstly we had this video'd from years ago, when we first had cable TV installed. We had free movies for 3 months and this was the only film, at that time, that was worth seeing. We kept that VHS tape for years, literally years. In fact DVD and Blu-Ray have superceded the VHS medium since we taped it and we still never watched it!
Secondly, it has been suggested that the reviews that I post for Tuesday Night is Film Night, are always favourable, never harshly critical of the films that we see. This is true, but then we tend to watch films that we think, we are going to like.
So what of Philadelphia? Is this going to be a favourable review?
You betcha! It was brilliant!
The one disappointment is, that we didn't dust off that VHS tape and watch the film years ago.
I have always said, and I will continue to say, until proven otherwise, that Tom Hanks has never made a bad movie (that I have seen). Philadelphia is no exception.
The synopsis of the film, if you don't know, is that a successful up and coming (and gay) lawyer; Andrew Beckett (Hanks), gets fired by his law firm, on the premise of bad performance in a recent high brow case.
Whereas Beckett cites discrimination based on the recent revelation that he has AIDS.
After approaching several law firms to represent him, Beckett finds Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a lawyer who advertises his litigation services on TV. Miller clearly displays homophobic tendencies towards Beckett, but nevertheless, eventually takes on the case.
This is when Philadelphia turns into a gritty, but sometimes witty courtroom drama. Probably the best courtroom drama I have seen since the film JFK.
Picking up on a point I made earlier re. Tom Hanks and never seen a bad movie that he is. Well, this is true of Philadelphia yes, but I don't think Hanks is necessarily the best actor, no. I think that prize must go to Denzel Washington. He absolutely steals it.
Although Hanks won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar in 1994 for Philadelphia. I think the role played by Washington, may have been overlooked somewhat.
Having said that, there is no denying that Tom Hanks isn't absolutely sublime in this film. In the latter stages of the film and therefore the latter stages of the illness, there some very poignant scenes where Hanks is tremendous.
I guess the ending is feelgood in a way, although ultimately tinged with sadness.
There is also a fabulous soundtrack to the movie, which provides drama, poignancy and pathos.
Philadelphia is one of those films that draws you in, you become involved and engrossed, hanging on every word, emotion and expression. It is brilliantly written, directed and acted.
It certainly is right up there with the best films we have seen.
Tonight we watched;
Philadelphia
Couple of points to make about Philadelphia, firstly we had this video'd from years ago, when we first had cable TV installed. We had free movies for 3 months and this was the only film, at that time, that was worth seeing. We kept that VHS tape for years, literally years. In fact DVD and Blu-Ray have superceded the VHS medium since we taped it and we still never watched it!
Secondly, it has been suggested that the reviews that I post for Tuesday Night is Film Night, are always favourable, never harshly critical of the films that we see. This is true, but then we tend to watch films that we think, we are going to like.
So what of Philadelphia? Is this going to be a favourable review?
You betcha! It was brilliant!
The one disappointment is, that we didn't dust off that VHS tape and watch the film years ago.
I have always said, and I will continue to say, until proven otherwise, that Tom Hanks has never made a bad movie (that I have seen). Philadelphia is no exception.
The synopsis of the film, if you don't know, is that a successful up and coming (and gay) lawyer; Andrew Beckett (Hanks), gets fired by his law firm, on the premise of bad performance in a recent high brow case.
Whereas Beckett cites discrimination based on the recent revelation that he has AIDS.
After approaching several law firms to represent him, Beckett finds Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a lawyer who advertises his litigation services on TV. Miller clearly displays homophobic tendencies towards Beckett, but nevertheless, eventually takes on the case.
This is when Philadelphia turns into a gritty, but sometimes witty courtroom drama. Probably the best courtroom drama I have seen since the film JFK.
Picking up on a point I made earlier re. Tom Hanks and never seen a bad movie that he is. Well, this is true of Philadelphia yes, but I don't think Hanks is necessarily the best actor, no. I think that prize must go to Denzel Washington. He absolutely steals it.
Although Hanks won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar in 1994 for Philadelphia. I think the role played by Washington, may have been overlooked somewhat.
Having said that, there is no denying that Tom Hanks isn't absolutely sublime in this film. In the latter stages of the film and therefore the latter stages of the illness, there some very poignant scenes where Hanks is tremendous.
I guess the ending is feelgood in a way, although ultimately tinged with sadness.
There is also a fabulous soundtrack to the movie, which provides drama, poignancy and pathos.
Philadelphia is one of those films that draws you in, you become involved and engrossed, hanging on every word, emotion and expression. It is brilliantly written, directed and acted.
It certainly is right up there with the best films we have seen.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Good Will Hunting - 5th July 2011
So then, the Tuesday Night is Film Night rolls around yet again. And for our DVD delight, our film fascination and our magical movie moment tonight is;
Good Will Hunting
This could, quite easily be the easiest review that I will ever write for a film.
Why?
I'll tell you why. All I would have to write is;
BRILLIANT!
That's it in a nutshell. Good Will Hunting is a brilliant film.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are just superb. Even more so when you consider that they actually wrote it. And quite rightly won Oscars for the Best Original Screenplay.
Talking of Oscars, Good Will Hunting also produced the Best Supporting Actor, which went to Robin Williams, who played, so brilliantly; Sean Maguire the shrink, come therapist who manages to scratch the surface of the complex Will Hunting (Damon).
Will Hunting is the troubled genius, who is a janitor at MIT who just ignores his inbuilt knowledge. Until such times that he is saved from a jail term by arrogant college lecturer Prof. Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård).
Lambeau refers Will to Sean Maguire, to try to release the inner genius and avoid wasting himself on his no-good mates.
It's a deep, meaningful, feelgood film. The use of expletives is liberal, but it is well placed and not gratuitous. Matt Damon is fantastic in the lead role, ably supported by Affleck. Minnie Driver injects a much needed glamour aspect and a love interest for Will.
If you haven't seen this film, then do so. It is as close to the perfect movie, as you can get.
Good Will Hunting
This could, quite easily be the easiest review that I will ever write for a film.
Why?
I'll tell you why. All I would have to write is;
BRILLIANT!
That's it in a nutshell. Good Will Hunting is a brilliant film.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are just superb. Even more so when you consider that they actually wrote it. And quite rightly won Oscars for the Best Original Screenplay.
Talking of Oscars, Good Will Hunting also produced the Best Supporting Actor, which went to Robin Williams, who played, so brilliantly; Sean Maguire the shrink, come therapist who manages to scratch the surface of the complex Will Hunting (Damon).
Will Hunting is the troubled genius, who is a janitor at MIT who just ignores his inbuilt knowledge. Until such times that he is saved from a jail term by arrogant college lecturer Prof. Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård).
Lambeau refers Will to Sean Maguire, to try to release the inner genius and avoid wasting himself on his no-good mates.
It's a deep, meaningful, feelgood film. The use of expletives is liberal, but it is well placed and not gratuitous. Matt Damon is fantastic in the lead role, ably supported by Affleck. Minnie Driver injects a much needed glamour aspect and a love interest for Will.
If you haven't seen this film, then do so. It is as close to the perfect movie, as you can get.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)