Here we are again and tonight we have the last Christmas movie before the big day. There will be no Tuesday Night is Film Night on Christmas Day, as on Christmas Day we will be watching The Sound of Music, or The Great Escape or whatever classic film they will be showing for the 1,000th time!
The more perceptive amongst you may note that tonight (17th of December 2012) is actually a Monday, well we need to be a bit flexible with our days, as our busy social calendar is overflowing this time of year, with various concerts, parties and evenings out to attend.
So, Tuesday Night is (a Christmas) Film Night (on Monday Night, as we're off to a Carol service tomorrow) presents;
Elf
Apparently Elf is a bit of a modern day classic, but I've never seen it. Well, I've seen clips of it and to be honest, I didn't like what I saw. It looked childish and a tad silly. So it was with some reservations that we sat down to watch the whole film.
Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised at the movie as a whole. The story follows Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) who was adopted at birth and found his way to the North Pole, via Santa's sack.
There he grew up, (literally up) and became the biggest of Santa's elves.
After some time, it was obvious that Buddy was different, this is where he discovers his origins and heads back to New York, to find his father.
So that is the scene set, the standard formulaic Christmas story now kicks in. Buddy's dad turns out to be an workaholic, uncaring person, (he is on the 'Naughty List') and has no time for his own son, let alone a son he knew nothing about, who appears from nowhere, in the shape of Buddy.
Buddy also comes into contact with Jovie, played by the lovely Zooey Deschanel. Jovie is employed in the toy department of large store. So here is our love interest.
Buddy attempts to integrate back into his father's life, but as always it ends up badly and we see them part and it takes a visit from Santa and a whole load of Christmas spirit to get them all back together.
So yes, it is your bog standard Christmas story, good versus bad, happy against sad etc. etc. but it is really funny in places. Ferrell is a very convincing, hapless and gormless elf. James Cann, plays Walter Hobbs, Buddy's sour faced dad. The omnipresent (or so it seems from our recent films) Mary Steenburgen (and that's no bad thing, as she is delightful) plays Walter's wife Emily.
The cast is adequate, the story is mediocre, but the laughs are high. It has all the ingredients for a classic Christmas film and would stand the test of time, to be seen year in, year out.
Not as good as some, but better than others. And as the movie's tagline goes; "This holiday, discover your inner elf".
OK then. Enjoy.
Monday 17 December 2012
Tuesday 11 December 2012
Four Christmases - 11th December 2012
And so onto the penultimate Christmas movie before the big day. This week we (hopefully) play it safe with a Christmas film released in 2008. Apparently, according to the tagline; "for them the holidays are a real nightmare.....". Is this true? Let us find out about their;
Four Christmases
As we've said, Four Christmases was a 2008 Christmas release, starring Reece Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, John Voight, Mary Steenburgen, Kristen Chenoweth, the list goes on.
In fact you will probably have to sit there with IMDB, to answer that ever present question;
"I know him/her from somewhere, what were they in?"
So all in all a pretty decent cast.
Reece Witherspoon is absolutely gorgeous as ever, playing Kate. Kate is in a relationship with Brad, (Vince Vaughn). Who between them have managed to avoid any Christmas holidays with their respective parents, who are all seperated or divorced, (hence the title. Four parents, Four Christmases).
Each year Brad and Kate spin out a tale of them doing charity work overseas, when in fact they are living it up in Fiji, for the festive period.
Except this year. This year, a fog bound San Francisco airport puts pay to their travel plans and an inoppurtune appearance on the local news, means that their secret is out.
There is only one thing for it, they will have to visit each parent and their families in turn.
There's the synopsis. The rest of the film follows Brad and Kate and their unravelling relationship, as they descend on each parent in turn. The laughs are plentiful and hearty. The feelgood nature of the film is kept fairly low key, but inevitably with this style of Christmas movie, you have a happy start, a falling apart, followed by a triumphant ending, where it is all good again. It's no different with Four Christmases, but the storyline is really quitegood. The layered approach with the multiple supporting characters enhancing the absurd arrangments and behaviours of the families, brings a fresh approach to the festive feelgood film.
Notable performances for me are Reece Witherspoon, (totally gorgeous). Along with Vince Vaughn, they seem to bounce off each other, which is required in this film. Jon Voight and Robert Duvall as the fathers are fantastic and so natural. However, my favourite has to be Mary Steenburgen, who looks to be getting younger, as she gets older. She puts in a sterling performance as the cougar style mother of Kate. Mary Steenburgen also starred in another of our favourite Christmas movies; One Magic Christmas and is as lovely now as she was then.
Overall Four Christmases is a good family, funny, festive film. Running in at just 88 minutes, it is not too long, so can be enjoyed when you have an hour or so to spare. There are some great laughs in it too, with a soupçon of romance and a mere hint of sadness. So it is not too heavy at all. In fact it is most enjoyable.
I really wished we had started doing a scoring system for films, but 139 films into this blog, I'm not sure I want to go back through them now, however just say that we did, Four Christmases would certainly get a good 7 out of 10.
Four Christmases
As we've said, Four Christmases was a 2008 Christmas release, starring Reece Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, John Voight, Mary Steenburgen, Kristen Chenoweth, the list goes on.
In fact you will probably have to sit there with IMDB, to answer that ever present question;
"I know him/her from somewhere, what were they in?"
So all in all a pretty decent cast.
Reece Witherspoon is absolutely gorgeous as ever, playing Kate. Kate is in a relationship with Brad, (Vince Vaughn). Who between them have managed to avoid any Christmas holidays with their respective parents, who are all seperated or divorced, (hence the title. Four parents, Four Christmases).
Each year Brad and Kate spin out a tale of them doing charity work overseas, when in fact they are living it up in Fiji, for the festive period.
Except this year. This year, a fog bound San Francisco airport puts pay to their travel plans and an inoppurtune appearance on the local news, means that their secret is out.
There is only one thing for it, they will have to visit each parent and their families in turn.
There's the synopsis. The rest of the film follows Brad and Kate and their unravelling relationship, as they descend on each parent in turn. The laughs are plentiful and hearty. The feelgood nature of the film is kept fairly low key, but inevitably with this style of Christmas movie, you have a happy start, a falling apart, followed by a triumphant ending, where it is all good again. It's no different with Four Christmases, but the storyline is really quitegood. The layered approach with the multiple supporting characters enhancing the absurd arrangments and behaviours of the families, brings a fresh approach to the festive feelgood film.
Notable performances for me are Reece Witherspoon, (totally gorgeous). Along with Vince Vaughn, they seem to bounce off each other, which is required in this film. Jon Voight and Robert Duvall as the fathers are fantastic and so natural. However, my favourite has to be Mary Steenburgen, who looks to be getting younger, as she gets older. She puts in a sterling performance as the cougar style mother of Kate. Mary Steenburgen also starred in another of our favourite Christmas movies; One Magic Christmas and is as lovely now as she was then.
Overall Four Christmases is a good family, funny, festive film. Running in at just 88 minutes, it is not too long, so can be enjoyed when you have an hour or so to spare. There are some great laughs in it too, with a soupçon of romance and a mere hint of sadness. So it is not too heavy at all. In fact it is most enjoyable.
I really wished we had started doing a scoring system for films, but 139 films into this blog, I'm not sure I want to go back through them now, however just say that we did, Four Christmases would certainly get a good 7 out of 10.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
The Muppet Christmas Carol - 4th December 2012
Let's cut to chase this week, no beating around the bush, the story is a classic and the film is a perrenial Christmas favourite, but what did we think of;
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Right then, it may not be a case of where to start with this review, it may be where to finish.
The Muppets take the Charles Dickens Christmas classic and convert it to the big screen, but do they make a good job of it?
The story has been copied a thousand times, it is and always will be, the definitive feelgood Christmas story. The story of greed, avarice and scorn, making way for repentance, forgiving and kindness. The ultimate turnaround story, delightfully, thoughtfully and masterly written by Dickens, but have the Muppets ruined it?
No.
The best thing about The Muppet Christmas Carol, is their faithfulness to the original story. As I said A Christmas Carol, is the definitive Christmas story, altering it, more often than not detracts from the story. Dickens got it right first time, there's no need to amend it.
The Muppets stick very close to the original, including in most places the original prose as written by Dickens. Obviously there are some amendments to fit the characters, to the available Muppet cast. A degree of poetic licence is exerted for instance, by having Waldorf and Statler play Jacob and Robert Marley, doubling up on the Scrooge and Marley partnership in the original.
I think, that they have got the characterisation right, Kermit plays Bob Cratchitt, Miss Piggy; his wife Emily. A natural partnership.
Fozzie Bear is old Fezziwig, or rather Fozziewig. Perfect.
Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are magnificently cast as the charitable gentlemen asking Scrooge for a donation for the poor.
As well as the characters, we have the luxury of Gonzo as the narrator (Charles Dickens) providing a perfect platform for plot embellishment, as he can describe the action and fill in the background. Rizzo the Rat is the voice of the audience, questioning Gonzo on the story on our behalf.
The only real casting doubt I have about The Muppet Christmas Carol is Ebeneezer Scrooge himself. Michael Caine would not have been my choice as the squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner, that is Scrooge. However, it seems to work, although I always think he is going to say; "Muppets, bloody thousands of them!"
It is also a musical film and Michael Caine proves he is no singer, but he makes a good effort. And I won't dismiss the film purely because of Mr. Caine minor failings.
The only other negative point I will make is, on certain releases of the DVD, there is one song cut from the original film, which is a real shame as the song; "When Love is Gone" is a wonderfully sad love lament, sung by Belle to the young Ebeneezer. A real poor piece of editing.
However, all in all, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic, very true to the original story, funny, poignant and sad, but ultimately extremely rewarding.
It should be in everbodys top 10 Christmas movies of all time.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Right then, it may not be a case of where to start with this review, it may be where to finish.
The Muppets take the Charles Dickens Christmas classic and convert it to the big screen, but do they make a good job of it?
The story has been copied a thousand times, it is and always will be, the definitive feelgood Christmas story. The story of greed, avarice and scorn, making way for repentance, forgiving and kindness. The ultimate turnaround story, delightfully, thoughtfully and masterly written by Dickens, but have the Muppets ruined it?
No.
The best thing about The Muppet Christmas Carol, is their faithfulness to the original story. As I said A Christmas Carol, is the definitive Christmas story, altering it, more often than not detracts from the story. Dickens got it right first time, there's no need to amend it.
The Muppets stick very close to the original, including in most places the original prose as written by Dickens. Obviously there are some amendments to fit the characters, to the available Muppet cast. A degree of poetic licence is exerted for instance, by having Waldorf and Statler play Jacob and Robert Marley, doubling up on the Scrooge and Marley partnership in the original.
I think, that they have got the characterisation right, Kermit plays Bob Cratchitt, Miss Piggy; his wife Emily. A natural partnership.
Fozzie Bear is old Fezziwig, or rather Fozziewig. Perfect.
Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are magnificently cast as the charitable gentlemen asking Scrooge for a donation for the poor.
As well as the characters, we have the luxury of Gonzo as the narrator (Charles Dickens) providing a perfect platform for plot embellishment, as he can describe the action and fill in the background. Rizzo the Rat is the voice of the audience, questioning Gonzo on the story on our behalf.
The only real casting doubt I have about The Muppet Christmas Carol is Ebeneezer Scrooge himself. Michael Caine would not have been my choice as the squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner, that is Scrooge. However, it seems to work, although I always think he is going to say; "Muppets, bloody thousands of them!"
It is also a musical film and Michael Caine proves he is no singer, but he makes a good effort. And I won't dismiss the film purely because of Mr. Caine minor failings.
The only other negative point I will make is, on certain releases of the DVD, there is one song cut from the original film, which is a real shame as the song; "When Love is Gone" is a wonderfully sad love lament, sung by Belle to the young Ebeneezer. A real poor piece of editing.
However, all in all, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic, very true to the original story, funny, poignant and sad, but ultimately extremely rewarding.
It should be in everbodys top 10 Christmas movies of all time.
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Deck The Halls - 27th November 2012
It's hard to believe that tonight is our 4th Christmas movie for 2012! And we're not in Advent yet. Tonight, we move away from the 'made for TV' offerings of recent weeks and attempt to watch a 'proper' festive film. This week we look to;
Deck The Halls
It sometimes gets really hard to write originally and enthusiastically about films, especially festive feelgood movies. You know that it will be the same format regardless of storyline. Set the scene. Establish the plot. Is it good versus evil. Or miserly versus giving? Build the rivalry, build the tension. Hit the point where they cannot go on and then repent and live happily ever after.
It's no different with Deck The Halls.
Danny de Vito stars as Buddy Hall, who moves into the neighbourhood, alongside Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick). After some initial banter, the rivalry between the two begins, with Buddy intent on stealing Christmas, with a huge display of lights on his house.
Finch is your more traditionalist, when it come to the festive season and was always the one who admired Christmas the most, enjoyed it the most and made the most effort. However, Buddy seems to be moving in on the act and starts the process of decorating his house with more lights than everyone else.
So we have the Christmas rivalry, the somewhat evil Buddy Hall against the hapless Steve Finch. You all know that it will go the full course, with bigger, better, brighter lights. More antagonistic behaviour etc. etc.
However, it is a funny film. There are quite a lot of laughs on the way. De Vito and Broderick make an ideal partnership in their feuding and are ably supported by their wives played by Kristin Davis (Kelly Finch) and Kristin Chenoweth (Tia Hall).
The story is reminiscent of a TV series called Christmas Lights, starring Robson Green and Mark Benton. I would say the TV series is slightly better than the film, but that doesn't take away the fact that Deck The Halls is a worthy Christmas movie and one to watch should it be on.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Deck The Halls
It sometimes gets really hard to write originally and enthusiastically about films, especially festive feelgood movies. You know that it will be the same format regardless of storyline. Set the scene. Establish the plot. Is it good versus evil. Or miserly versus giving? Build the rivalry, build the tension. Hit the point where they cannot go on and then repent and live happily ever after.
It's no different with Deck The Halls.
Danny de Vito stars as Buddy Hall, who moves into the neighbourhood, alongside Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick). After some initial banter, the rivalry between the two begins, with Buddy intent on stealing Christmas, with a huge display of lights on his house.
Finch is your more traditionalist, when it come to the festive season and was always the one who admired Christmas the most, enjoyed it the most and made the most effort. However, Buddy seems to be moving in on the act and starts the process of decorating his house with more lights than everyone else.
So we have the Christmas rivalry, the somewhat evil Buddy Hall against the hapless Steve Finch. You all know that it will go the full course, with bigger, better, brighter lights. More antagonistic behaviour etc. etc.
However, it is a funny film. There are quite a lot of laughs on the way. De Vito and Broderick make an ideal partnership in their feuding and are ably supported by their wives played by Kristin Davis (Kelly Finch) and Kristin Chenoweth (Tia Hall).
The story is reminiscent of a TV series called Christmas Lights, starring Robson Green and Mark Benton. I would say the TV series is slightly better than the film, but that doesn't take away the fact that Deck The Halls is a worthy Christmas movie and one to watch should it be on.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Tuesday 20 November 2012
A Christmas Kiss - 20th November 2012
The Tuesday Night is Film Night countdown to Christmas continues with another made for TV classic...... *ahem* .... well maybe not. Here is what we thought of;
A Christmas Kiss
So, let us just get the cast and the synopsis out of the way. Laura Breckenridge plays Wendy Walton, a put upon assistant to Priscilla Hall (Elisabeth Röhm), who is a major designer in Boston.
Priscilla is in love with Adam Hughes (played by Brendan Fehr), however a chance encounter in a lift between Adam and Wendy sparks an affair of the heart between the two of them.
In between this point and the inevitable happy ending, is about an hour of padding, where we discover what a bitch Priscilla is. What a fool Adam is. And how very lovely Wendy is.
It kept us entertained, and the supporting cast were actually quite good, but whether you'd want to spend any money on this film, well, maybe not.
As Christmas films go, it was OK, but we really need to watch some decent Christmas films soon!
Enjoy. (Or not as the case maybe).
A Christmas Kiss
So, let us just get the cast and the synopsis out of the way. Laura Breckenridge plays Wendy Walton, a put upon assistant to Priscilla Hall (Elisabeth Röhm), who is a major designer in Boston.
Priscilla is in love with Adam Hughes (played by Brendan Fehr), however a chance encounter in a lift between Adam and Wendy sparks an affair of the heart between the two of them.
In between this point and the inevitable happy ending, is about an hour of padding, where we discover what a bitch Priscilla is. What a fool Adam is. And how very lovely Wendy is.
It kept us entertained, and the supporting cast were actually quite good, but whether you'd want to spend any money on this film, well, maybe not.
As Christmas films go, it was OK, but we really need to watch some decent Christmas films soon!
Enjoy. (Or not as the case maybe).
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Christmas in Boston - 12th November 2012
Doesn't time fly? We are already at week 2 in our festive film fiesta. This week we delve into the somewhat "hit & miss" area of the "made for TV" movie.
So, will it be a Christmas cracker or a tinsel covered turkey? Let's find out, as we discover all about;
Christmas in Boston
As titles go, it's a bit of a non-starter, it certainly doesn't grip you does it? The film was only marginally better. Let us take a look at the storyline, then elaborate on the finer points.
Christmas in Boston follows the story of pen-pals Seth and Gina. They have been pen-pals since school, some 13 years ago. Now they are both grown up, both with jobs. Gina is a lowly journalist, Seth works for a major toy company.
They are still writing to each other, only now via email, rather than letter. They have never met. They have never spoken to each other on the telephone and they have never seen each other.
The only thing they have done is exchanged photographs over the years.
Enter plot twist number one. Actually they both thought themselves to be too awkward and ugly to send photo's of themselves, so they both sent photo's of their best friends; Ellen and Matt. Luckily they have remained best friends, although Ellen and Matt are unaware of the subterfuge they are embroiled in.
Plot twist number two. Seth has to attend a major toy conference in Boston (at Christmas, come on, it is a festive film!) And Gina, who lives in Boston, has to cover it for her newspaper. Which makes a change from the obituaries she normally writes.
So, the pen-pals of 13 years will finally get to meet. But hold on! Gina thinks Seth looks like Matt. And Seth thinks that Gina looks like Ellen!
Confused? It's OK, you will work it out.
So is the film any good? Well, yes it's alright. It is certainly your archetypal feelgood Christmas holiday romance. The storyline is fairly unique. The four main characters are likeable, funny and realistic. The actors playing the parts do a pretty good job too.
I think if you paid full price at the cinema to see this film, you would want some kind of discount. However, at the end of the day it is, what it is, which is a sometime bittersweet romance, with some funny moments, a good plotline, a happy ending and all set against a fine festive backdrop.
Enjoy.
So, will it be a Christmas cracker or a tinsel covered turkey? Let's find out, as we discover all about;
Christmas in Boston
As titles go, it's a bit of a non-starter, it certainly doesn't grip you does it? The film was only marginally better. Let us take a look at the storyline, then elaborate on the finer points.
Christmas in Boston follows the story of pen-pals Seth and Gina. They have been pen-pals since school, some 13 years ago. Now they are both grown up, both with jobs. Gina is a lowly journalist, Seth works for a major toy company.
They are still writing to each other, only now via email, rather than letter. They have never met. They have never spoken to each other on the telephone and they have never seen each other.
The only thing they have done is exchanged photographs over the years.
Enter plot twist number one. Actually they both thought themselves to be too awkward and ugly to send photo's of themselves, so they both sent photo's of their best friends; Ellen and Matt. Luckily they have remained best friends, although Ellen and Matt are unaware of the subterfuge they are embroiled in.
Plot twist number two. Seth has to attend a major toy conference in Boston (at Christmas, come on, it is a festive film!) And Gina, who lives in Boston, has to cover it for her newspaper. Which makes a change from the obituaries she normally writes.
So, the pen-pals of 13 years will finally get to meet. But hold on! Gina thinks Seth looks like Matt. And Seth thinks that Gina looks like Ellen!
Confused? It's OK, you will work it out.
So is the film any good? Well, yes it's alright. It is certainly your archetypal feelgood Christmas holiday romance. The storyline is fairly unique. The four main characters are likeable, funny and realistic. The actors playing the parts do a pretty good job too.
I think if you paid full price at the cinema to see this film, you would want some kind of discount. However, at the end of the day it is, what it is, which is a sometime bittersweet romance, with some funny moments, a good plotline, a happy ending and all set against a fine festive backdrop.
Enjoy.
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Christmas Every Day - 6th November 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night reaches into November and like it or not, there are only 8 weeks to Christmas Day. So, the advent calendar is out early and from now until the big day, Tuesday Night is Christmas Film Night!
This will not please some of you I'm sure, but there are others who wish that it could be;
Christmas Every Day
Did you see what I did there? Did you? I segued straight from the preamble into the title of the film. What? Oh please yourself!
We kick off our season of seasonal movie cheer, with a "made for TV" classic. Which is such a shame, as this one could really do well if it were out on DVD or BluRay for you youngsters.
Christmas Every Day is a feelgood movie, in the same style of Groundhog Day. Released in 1996 it's stars Erik von Detten as Billy Jackson. Billy is not having a good Christmas. Everything appears to be against him. His basketball skills, his Uncle David, the bully at school.
So, when he upsets his sister, telling her there is no Santa, she makes him wish for it to be Christmas every day.
And guess what? It is.
If you're familiar with the Groundhog Day story, you know what happens next. Billy needs to explore all the tangible ways to get time back on track. This means trying different scenarios to make people happy and he finds out quickly that you can't please all of the people, all of the time.
Yes, there is a message in this movie. And it is a saccharin sweet feelgood film, but it's a great one. It encapsulates that magical Christmas spirit, that you find in really good seasonal films. And the unique twist in this film, is that you see the story through a child's eyes.
It's not an adult trying to put things right, or making amends after several ghostly visitations, it's a teenager, trying to pull together family values, so that the people around him can enjoy Christmas.
If you love Christmas movies and you love to have a good cry, then you'll love Christmas Every Day. As I say, it's not out on DVD, so look out for it in the Christmas film schedules.
This will not please some of you I'm sure, but there are others who wish that it could be;
Christmas Every Day
Did you see what I did there? Did you? I segued straight from the preamble into the title of the film. What? Oh please yourself!
We kick off our season of seasonal movie cheer, with a "made for TV" classic. Which is such a shame, as this one could really do well if it were out on DVD or BluRay for you youngsters.
Christmas Every Day is a feelgood movie, in the same style of Groundhog Day. Released in 1996 it's stars Erik von Detten as Billy Jackson. Billy is not having a good Christmas. Everything appears to be against him. His basketball skills, his Uncle David, the bully at school.
So, when he upsets his sister, telling her there is no Santa, she makes him wish for it to be Christmas every day.
And guess what? It is.
If you're familiar with the Groundhog Day story, you know what happens next. Billy needs to explore all the tangible ways to get time back on track. This means trying different scenarios to make people happy and he finds out quickly that you can't please all of the people, all of the time.
Yes, there is a message in this movie. And it is a saccharin sweet feelgood film, but it's a great one. It encapsulates that magical Christmas spirit, that you find in really good seasonal films. And the unique twist in this film, is that you see the story through a child's eyes.
It's not an adult trying to put things right, or making amends after several ghostly visitations, it's a teenager, trying to pull together family values, so that the people around him can enjoy Christmas.
If you love Christmas movies and you love to have a good cry, then you'll love Christmas Every Day. As I say, it's not out on DVD, so look out for it in the Christmas film schedules.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Date Night - 30th October 2012
Change of genre this week, but how would one describe this film? A romantic feelgood comedy thriller?
It was all those things and a bit more, this week we saw;
Date Night
Steve Carell and Tina Fey star in this 2010 comedy from the pen of Josh Klausner. They play Phil and Claire Foster, just your normal, work-a-day married couple, with two kids, a house in the suburbs of New Jersey and a monotonous, predictable lifestyle. That is, until they go out on one of their date nights.
The film opens with some scene setting, laying out their predictable life, looking at the way they are compared to their friends, looking at their work and home lives. This is just to underpin the story as it unfolds.
The date night comes from the fact they occasionally have a baby sitter and go out to enjoy a meal together, but on reflection, this also becomes dull, monotonous and the same old routine. Until, after some prompting by friends, they change tack and try something new. They head out to a posh restaurant in the city, where they find it impossible to get a table. Impossible that is, until they 'steal' the reservation of another couple, who do not turn up. This leads in-turn to a case of mistaken identity, followed by getting mixed up with the criminal underworld, bent NYPD cops and seedy goings on at City Hall!
As a storyline, it's great, original and very funny. With appearances from Mark Wahlberg (The Lovely Bones and The Happening) and a small part for the lovely Mila Kunis (Friends With Benefits), it is a well cast movie. Steve Carell is brilliant and delivers some great dead pan lines. Tina Fey is not only gorgeous, but very funny too, especially the restaurant scenes and in the out takes, she delivers a cracking, what I can only assume was an ad lib comment, which had us rolling in the aisles with laughter. (Not that our front room has aisles you understand, it's just figure of speech).
Also, there is one brilliant, if not unexpected line from the Steve Carell character, where he says to Holbrooke Grant (Mark Wahlberg); "... and will you, for the love of God, put on a f**king shirt?"
Hilarious. You will have to watch the film to understand that bit!
The film also has one the funniest and most original car chases that I've ever seen.
All in all, Date Night is a cracking movie. Definitely one to watch.
It was all those things and a bit more, this week we saw;
Date Night
Steve Carell and Tina Fey star in this 2010 comedy from the pen of Josh Klausner. They play Phil and Claire Foster, just your normal, work-a-day married couple, with two kids, a house in the suburbs of New Jersey and a monotonous, predictable lifestyle. That is, until they go out on one of their date nights.
The film opens with some scene setting, laying out their predictable life, looking at the way they are compared to their friends, looking at their work and home lives. This is just to underpin the story as it unfolds.
The date night comes from the fact they occasionally have a baby sitter and go out to enjoy a meal together, but on reflection, this also becomes dull, monotonous and the same old routine. Until, after some prompting by friends, they change tack and try something new. They head out to a posh restaurant in the city, where they find it impossible to get a table. Impossible that is, until they 'steal' the reservation of another couple, who do not turn up. This leads in-turn to a case of mistaken identity, followed by getting mixed up with the criminal underworld, bent NYPD cops and seedy goings on at City Hall!
As a storyline, it's great, original and very funny. With appearances from Mark Wahlberg (The Lovely Bones and The Happening) and a small part for the lovely Mila Kunis (Friends With Benefits), it is a well cast movie. Steve Carell is brilliant and delivers some great dead pan lines. Tina Fey is not only gorgeous, but very funny too, especially the restaurant scenes and in the out takes, she delivers a cracking, what I can only assume was an ad lib comment, which had us rolling in the aisles with laughter. (Not that our front room has aisles you understand, it's just figure of speech).
Also, there is one brilliant, if not unexpected line from the Steve Carell character, where he says to Holbrooke Grant (Mark Wahlberg); "... and will you, for the love of God, put on a f**king shirt?"
Hilarious. You will have to watch the film to understand that bit!
The film also has one the funniest and most original car chases that I've ever seen.
All in all, Date Night is a cracking movie. Definitely one to watch.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
A Time To Kill - 23rd Otober 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night, this week picks on a film that we've had kicking around for a while. It's a long film, running as it does at 149 minutes, so we needed to ensure we had sufficient free time to watch it. And today we did, but what did we make of;
A Time To Kill
Last weeks film; Project X could not be any more different to this weeks movie. For a start, A Time To Kill is good! In fact I would go further than that, A Time To Kill, is an excellent film.
So let's have the synopsis, before we dissect it.
Matthew McConaughey, him of the Southern drawl, much maligned by me in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, plays Mississippi lawyer Jake Brigance, where his Southern accent is perfectly placed.
Brigance takes on the defence of Carl Lee Hailey, played fantastically by Samuel L Jackson, when Hailey is accused of the murder of two rednecks.
The problem being that Hailey did kill them, in cold blood, in revenge for the brutal kidnap and rape of his 10 year old daughter.
However, can Jake Brigance get him acquitted, claiming temporary insanity?
A Time To Kill, is based on the book of the same name, by John Grisham. It is a powerful story, culminating in a fantastic, gripping, believable courtroom scene. The drama unfolds logically, but with sufficient twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Having not read the book, I can only assume that it is a real 'page turner', as the film keeps you engrossed for all of it's two and a half hours.
McConaughey is superb, and perfectly cast. He is assisted in this case by a law student, played by the stunning Sandra Bullock. Yes, we like Sandra Bullock, again perfectly cast for this film. In fact all of the cast were perfect for the characters they played. Kevin Spacey put in a highly commendable performance as the prosecution lawyer and DA; Rufus Buckley.
Donald Sutherland played Lucien Wilbanks, the former boss and mentor of Brigance. Again perfect casting, as Sutherland got to grips with his drunken character.
The only possible mis-casting, was the character of Brigance's secretary; Ethel Twitty, played by Brenda Fricker, who found it tricky to convert her naturally Irish accent, into a convincing Southern Belle warble. On the plus side, it was lovely to see Fricker in a film, after knowing her so well from her days in Casualty.
The outcome maybe predictable, but how you get there is a fantastic journey, one that my mere words on this page could not even entertain to convey in any meaningful way. You have to see how a southern county is torn apart, by hatred, loathing and prejudice. How two sides, in more ways than one, take on the pressures caused by the wrong-doings of others. How empathy and benevolence, stand against brutality and fear. And how one should never judge a book by it's cover.
All I can suggest is, that you take the time to watch, A Time To Kill. You will not be disappointed.
A Time To Kill
Last weeks film; Project X could not be any more different to this weeks movie. For a start, A Time To Kill is good! In fact I would go further than that, A Time To Kill, is an excellent film.
So let's have the synopsis, before we dissect it.
Matthew McConaughey, him of the Southern drawl, much maligned by me in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, plays Mississippi lawyer Jake Brigance, where his Southern accent is perfectly placed.
Brigance takes on the defence of Carl Lee Hailey, played fantastically by Samuel L Jackson, when Hailey is accused of the murder of two rednecks.
The problem being that Hailey did kill them, in cold blood, in revenge for the brutal kidnap and rape of his 10 year old daughter.
However, can Jake Brigance get him acquitted, claiming temporary insanity?
A Time To Kill, is based on the book of the same name, by John Grisham. It is a powerful story, culminating in a fantastic, gripping, believable courtroom scene. The drama unfolds logically, but with sufficient twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Having not read the book, I can only assume that it is a real 'page turner', as the film keeps you engrossed for all of it's two and a half hours.
McConaughey is superb, and perfectly cast. He is assisted in this case by a law student, played by the stunning Sandra Bullock. Yes, we like Sandra Bullock, again perfectly cast for this film. In fact all of the cast were perfect for the characters they played. Kevin Spacey put in a highly commendable performance as the prosecution lawyer and DA; Rufus Buckley.
Donald Sutherland played Lucien Wilbanks, the former boss and mentor of Brigance. Again perfect casting, as Sutherland got to grips with his drunken character.
The only possible mis-casting, was the character of Brigance's secretary; Ethel Twitty, played by Brenda Fricker, who found it tricky to convert her naturally Irish accent, into a convincing Southern Belle warble. On the plus side, it was lovely to see Fricker in a film, after knowing her so well from her days in Casualty.
The outcome maybe predictable, but how you get there is a fantastic journey, one that my mere words on this page could not even entertain to convey in any meaningful way. You have to see how a southern county is torn apart, by hatred, loathing and prejudice. How two sides, in more ways than one, take on the pressures caused by the wrong-doings of others. How empathy and benevolence, stand against brutality and fear. And how one should never judge a book by it's cover.
All I can suggest is, that you take the time to watch, A Time To Kill. You will not be disappointed.
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Project X - 16th October 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night branches out this week and tries a recent movie, from 2012 in fact. Tonight we see what is in store for;
Project X
So what is Project X? It's a film that follows the exploits of a group of teens who attempt to throw the most epic teenage birthday party ever.
And do they succeed? Probably.
The film is 88 minutes long. I will never get those 88 minutes back, they are gone, forever. You can't go back.
I'm not even going to list the actors or the characters, please help yourself to IMDB to check the details.
A couple of points. It is an 18, there is a lot of swearing. I'm not prudish, but it's totally unnecessary. Secondly, the majority of the camera work is handheld, which is the crux of the film, I guess, as the party is being filmed by one of the characters. The upshot is, the framing is constantly moving and it can be tricky to see what is going on. Which for the most of the time is drunken carnage.
This is clearly a young persons film. If you are a young person, embrace it. If you're an old person, avoid it.
The highlights of the film, were the funny bits. There are just a few. The best of which, I'm sorry to say, was the midget in the oven!
Enjoy!
Project X
So what is Project X? It's a film that follows the exploits of a group of teens who attempt to throw the most epic teenage birthday party ever.
And do they succeed? Probably.
The film is 88 minutes long. I will never get those 88 minutes back, they are gone, forever. You can't go back.
I'm not even going to list the actors or the characters, please help yourself to IMDB to check the details.
A couple of points. It is an 18, there is a lot of swearing. I'm not prudish, but it's totally unnecessary. Secondly, the majority of the camera work is handheld, which is the crux of the film, I guess, as the party is being filmed by one of the characters. The upshot is, the framing is constantly moving and it can be tricky to see what is going on. Which for the most of the time is drunken carnage.
This is clearly a young persons film. If you are a young person, embrace it. If you're an old person, avoid it.
The highlights of the film, were the funny bits. There are just a few. The best of which, I'm sorry to say, was the midget in the oven!
Enjoy!
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Law Abiding Citizen - 10th October 2012
Couple of points to make, firstly the date. We actually had Tuesday Night is Film Night on a Wednesday. Matters not.
Secondly, the film we watched was brilliant, so I suppose I should tell you a bit about;
Law Abiding Citizen
Firstly, the two main players in this film are Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, who play Clyde Shelton and Nick Rice respectively.
Rice is a career minded prosecutor. Shelton is a law abiding citizen, who sees his wife and daughter murdered, but as some evidence is inadmissible, Shelton's lawyer; Rice, could not get life sentences for both of the suspects. Instead a deal is made with the defence to have lesser charges made.
Shelton is clearly upset by this and decides to seek revenge.
And what revenge?
OK, it's a poor synopsis by me, but that's the basic premise, but you really have to watch it, to gather all the nuances and details of the case.
Be warned, it is a Certificate 18 and there are scenes of gruesome violence and torture, but you have to live with that, to get the most from this thriller. It is gripping right from the opening sequence and you never know what is coming next, with plot twists and turns that are unexpected and brilliant.
Major kudos needs to go to the writer Kurt Wimmer. The storyline is drama perfection, acted out superbly by Foxx and Butler. Jamie Foxx is outstanding as the gritty, no nonsense lawyer. While Gerard Butler is magnificent as the cool, calm and collected Clyde Shelton who exacts revenge on the justice system, in a dramatic, thrilling and one could almost say; an exciting way.
It will have you on the edge of your seat and sometimes behind it, cowering from the gore!
Again, Law Abiding Citizen is one of those films where, saying too much about the plot would give too much away and detract from the enjoyment. So, if you want to know what it's all about, get a copy and watch it.
I really should create a Top 10 list of Tuesday Night is Film Night films. And if I did, Law Abiding Citizen would be in that list.
Secondly, the film we watched was brilliant, so I suppose I should tell you a bit about;
Law Abiding Citizen
Firstly, the two main players in this film are Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, who play Clyde Shelton and Nick Rice respectively.
Rice is a career minded prosecutor. Shelton is a law abiding citizen, who sees his wife and daughter murdered, but as some evidence is inadmissible, Shelton's lawyer; Rice, could not get life sentences for both of the suspects. Instead a deal is made with the defence to have lesser charges made.
Shelton is clearly upset by this and decides to seek revenge.
And what revenge?
OK, it's a poor synopsis by me, but that's the basic premise, but you really have to watch it, to gather all the nuances and details of the case.
Be warned, it is a Certificate 18 and there are scenes of gruesome violence and torture, but you have to live with that, to get the most from this thriller. It is gripping right from the opening sequence and you never know what is coming next, with plot twists and turns that are unexpected and brilliant.
Major kudos needs to go to the writer Kurt Wimmer. The storyline is drama perfection, acted out superbly by Foxx and Butler. Jamie Foxx is outstanding as the gritty, no nonsense lawyer. While Gerard Butler is magnificent as the cool, calm and collected Clyde Shelton who exacts revenge on the justice system, in a dramatic, thrilling and one could almost say; an exciting way.
It will have you on the edge of your seat and sometimes behind it, cowering from the gore!
Again, Law Abiding Citizen is one of those films where, saying too much about the plot would give too much away and detract from the enjoyment. So, if you want to know what it's all about, get a copy and watch it.
I really should create a Top 10 list of Tuesday Night is Film Night films. And if I did, Law Abiding Citizen would be in that list.
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Men in Black - 2nd October 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night carries on digging up films from the past. This week it's back to 1997 for;
Men in Black
A streetwise NYPD detective joins a secret organisation that polices extraterrestrial affairs on Earth.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star in this comedy sci-fi movie from 1997. They play agents J and K, members of a top-secret organisation established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The two Men in Black find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent worlds from colliding, the MiB must track down the terrorist and prevent the destruction of Earth. (Synopsis borrowed from IMDB).
Well, the film maybe from 1997, but we haven't seen it and not being a big fan of sci-fi, I was somewhat sceptical about watching it.
I needn't have worried, the laughs are plentiful, the action fun, the special effects although being 15 years old are really good. Will Smith is as funny as ever, but it's the straight laced Tommy Lee Jones that made me laugh more, he appears stern and straight, but is really funny.
Also, Vincent D'Onofrio who plays the ill fitting alien Edgar is fantastic. As is Linda Fiorentino who plays pathologist Laurel Weaver.
Men in Black is one of those movies, that when you see it again, you will see more gags and more visual humour than you did last time.
A must see, or must see again movie.
Enjoyed it.
Men in Black
A streetwise NYPD detective joins a secret organisation that polices extraterrestrial affairs on Earth.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star in this comedy sci-fi movie from 1997. They play agents J and K, members of a top-secret organisation established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The two Men in Black find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent worlds from colliding, the MiB must track down the terrorist and prevent the destruction of Earth. (Synopsis borrowed from IMDB).
Well, the film maybe from 1997, but we haven't seen it and not being a big fan of sci-fi, I was somewhat sceptical about watching it.
I needn't have worried, the laughs are plentiful, the action fun, the special effects although being 15 years old are really good. Will Smith is as funny as ever, but it's the straight laced Tommy Lee Jones that made me laugh more, he appears stern and straight, but is really funny.
Also, Vincent D'Onofrio who plays the ill fitting alien Edgar is fantastic. As is Linda Fiorentino who plays pathologist Laurel Weaver.
Men in Black is one of those movies, that when you see it again, you will see more gags and more visual humour than you did last time.
A must see, or must see again movie.
Enjoyed it.
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Trading Places - 25th September 2012
This weeks' Tueday Night is Film Night film, goes back to 1983. As Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd star in;
Trading Places
Straight into the plot this week, to give you an outline of the story, if you don't know already.
Randolph and Mortimer Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche respectively) are super rich commodity brokers, making their money on the stock exchange. When a chance encounter with down and out con-man; Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) plants the idea of a bet in their heads. Could financial success be down to breeding or environment.
So they decide to fabricate a role swap, taking one of their very successful employee's, one Louis Winthorpe III played perfectly by Dan Ackroyd and force him out and replace him with Valentine. Therefore creating a cruel experiment in social Darwinism.
The tag line for the movie states; "Take two complete strangers, make one of them rich the other poor... just watch the fun while they're... Trading Places".
It's a very interesting concept, but the "fun" was rather thinly veiled and the laughs not high in ratio, but it is a classic movie, although showing it's age, as it is 29 years old this year.
For Eddie Murphy, it definitely helped to establish him as a comic actor, following up as it did on his debut film; "48 Hours" from 1982.
Ackroyd is perfectly cast as the pompous Winthorpe and Denholm Elliott does a sterling job as Coleman the butler.
However, the highlight of the film, for the male contingent at least, must be the gorgeously young (25 years old) Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Ophelia, a local hooker who assists in the defrauding of Winthorpe, only to take pity on him and help him back on his feet. In the process of this, she is required to remove her top at least twice. Which was nice.
So although the film is now dated, it is a classic. The amount of swearing is high for an '80's movie, but don't let that put you off. The laughs aren't that regular, but the class of acting, the delivery and the story stand this film in good stead and is a must see movie, if only once. (And if only for the gratuitous visual splendour that is the chest of Miss Curtis).
Trading Places
Straight into the plot this week, to give you an outline of the story, if you don't know already.
Randolph and Mortimer Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche respectively) are super rich commodity brokers, making their money on the stock exchange. When a chance encounter with down and out con-man; Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) plants the idea of a bet in their heads. Could financial success be down to breeding or environment.
So they decide to fabricate a role swap, taking one of their very successful employee's, one Louis Winthorpe III played perfectly by Dan Ackroyd and force him out and replace him with Valentine. Therefore creating a cruel experiment in social Darwinism.
The tag line for the movie states; "Take two complete strangers, make one of them rich the other poor... just watch the fun while they're... Trading Places".
It's a very interesting concept, but the "fun" was rather thinly veiled and the laughs not high in ratio, but it is a classic movie, although showing it's age, as it is 29 years old this year.
For Eddie Murphy, it definitely helped to establish him as a comic actor, following up as it did on his debut film; "48 Hours" from 1982.
Ackroyd is perfectly cast as the pompous Winthorpe and Denholm Elliott does a sterling job as Coleman the butler.
However, the highlight of the film, for the male contingent at least, must be the gorgeously young (25 years old) Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Ophelia, a local hooker who assists in the defrauding of Winthorpe, only to take pity on him and help him back on his feet. In the process of this, she is required to remove her top at least twice. Which was nice.
So although the film is now dated, it is a classic. The amount of swearing is high for an '80's movie, but don't let that put you off. The laughs aren't that regular, but the class of acting, the delivery and the story stand this film in good stead and is a must see movie, if only once. (And if only for the gratuitous visual splendour that is the chest of Miss Curtis).
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Beastly - 18th September 2012
After a serious drama last week, we fall back into the realm of the chick-flick this week and discover what goes on in the film;
Beastly
Beastly, is billed as a modern day take on Beauty and the Beast, so one can safely assume the plot for this film. Running at it does at around 83 minutes long, which equates to 83 minutes of my life that I will never see again.
On the DVD, there is an alternative ending. I was hoping there would be an alternative beginning, perhaps one that was good!
OK, it wasn't a good film, but let me at least spell out the plot and credit the cast. The Beast in this movie is Kyle Kingson, played the ever so good looking (so I am told) Alex Pettyfer. Kingson is an arrogant, obnoxious, good looking high school student. Good looking and he knows it.
At the start of the film there is some high school election, which was all a bit strange and difficult to follow, but the plot is so thin, it's easy to pick up the general idea. Anyway, Kyle falls foul of weird student, Kendra, who seems to be some kind of witch. Oh, here's an interesting point, Kendra is played by Mary-Kate Olsen, who has changed a fair bit since starring in Two of a Kind with her sister Ashley.
Anyway, Kendra curses Kyle.
Kyle turns ugly.
Kyle has a year to make someone say "I love you" to the now ugly chap.
Introduce love interest in the form of Lindy, played by Vanessa Hudgens and you have your story.
There are a few twists in the middle. The introduction of a blind tutor for ugly Kyle injects some much needed humour. However, on the whole, the story was pretty dire. The plot was thin. The acting was pretty wooden, especially in the alternative ending. And a lot of the scenes were really cheesey.
I normally say, if you have a couple of hours spare, on a wet weekend, then watch the film. In this case I'll make an exception, if you have a couple of hours spare, on a wet weekend, watch some paint dry, instead of watching Beastly, it will be more entertaining.
Hey, these are just my thoughts! You might enjoy it.
You won't.
Beastly
Beastly, is billed as a modern day take on Beauty and the Beast, so one can safely assume the plot for this film. Running at it does at around 83 minutes long, which equates to 83 minutes of my life that I will never see again.
On the DVD, there is an alternative ending. I was hoping there would be an alternative beginning, perhaps one that was good!
OK, it wasn't a good film, but let me at least spell out the plot and credit the cast. The Beast in this movie is Kyle Kingson, played the ever so good looking (so I am told) Alex Pettyfer. Kingson is an arrogant, obnoxious, good looking high school student. Good looking and he knows it.
At the start of the film there is some high school election, which was all a bit strange and difficult to follow, but the plot is so thin, it's easy to pick up the general idea. Anyway, Kyle falls foul of weird student, Kendra, who seems to be some kind of witch. Oh, here's an interesting point, Kendra is played by Mary-Kate Olsen, who has changed a fair bit since starring in Two of a Kind with her sister Ashley.
Anyway, Kendra curses Kyle.
Kyle turns ugly.
Kyle has a year to make someone say "I love you" to the now ugly chap.
Introduce love interest in the form of Lindy, played by Vanessa Hudgens and you have your story.
There are a few twists in the middle. The introduction of a blind tutor for ugly Kyle injects some much needed humour. However, on the whole, the story was pretty dire. The plot was thin. The acting was pretty wooden, especially in the alternative ending. And a lot of the scenes were really cheesey.
I normally say, if you have a couple of hours spare, on a wet weekend, then watch the film. In this case I'll make an exception, if you have a couple of hours spare, on a wet weekend, watch some paint dry, instead of watching Beastly, it will be more entertaining.
Hey, these are just my thoughts! You might enjoy it.
You won't.
Tuesday 11 September 2012
World Trade Center - 11th September 2012
As Tuesday Night is Film Night falls on the 11th of September this year, we felt it was only fitting, that to mark the 11th anniversary of 9/11 that we should watch something to remember that fateful day, that is why we watched;
World Trade Centre
The title and the subject matter speak for itself really. World Trade Center is based on the true story of John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and William Jimeno (Michael Peña), two New York Port Authority police officers, who get called, with a squad of colleagues, to the World Trade Center complex, when news of the first 'plane hitting the north tower was released.
So immediately, we are into the action.
The first 30 to 40 minutes of the film establishes the main characters and follows the story from the first strike, to both towers collapsing. Collapsing with the Port Authority police, trapped inside.
The rest of the film traces the trapped McLoughlin and Jimeno, as they battle to stay alive amongst the rubble. Switching between the current action and flashbacks to fill in the back story to each character.
Directed by Oliver Stone, the film captures in graphic detail and accurate reconstruction, the scene of devastation, panic and madness of this awful, tragic day. With honesty, realism and the occasional poetic licence, Stone and the writers build the emotion, pulling you closer into the tradegy, willing you to feel the raw fear, that must have been felt by the trapped and those searching for them.
The film is chilling, very moving, with an element of heavy going, but if you overcome this and are drawn in, it is ultimately a rewarding viewing.
If you want to feel even the smallest sense of what it must have been like, to be amongst the hell on earth, that New York must have been on that day, then watch this film, you will not be sorry.
World Trade Centre
The title and the subject matter speak for itself really. World Trade Center is based on the true story of John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and William Jimeno (Michael Peña), two New York Port Authority police officers, who get called, with a squad of colleagues, to the World Trade Center complex, when news of the first 'plane hitting the north tower was released.
So immediately, we are into the action.
The first 30 to 40 minutes of the film establishes the main characters and follows the story from the first strike, to both towers collapsing. Collapsing with the Port Authority police, trapped inside.
The rest of the film traces the trapped McLoughlin and Jimeno, as they battle to stay alive amongst the rubble. Switching between the current action and flashbacks to fill in the back story to each character.
Directed by Oliver Stone, the film captures in graphic detail and accurate reconstruction, the scene of devastation, panic and madness of this awful, tragic day. With honesty, realism and the occasional poetic licence, Stone and the writers build the emotion, pulling you closer into the tradegy, willing you to feel the raw fear, that must have been felt by the trapped and those searching for them.
The film is chilling, very moving, with an element of heavy going, but if you overcome this and are drawn in, it is ultimately a rewarding viewing.
If you want to feel even the smallest sense of what it must have been like, to be amongst the hell on earth, that New York must have been on that day, then watch this film, you will not be sorry.
Tuesday 4 September 2012
Leap Year - 4th September 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night returns to what seems to be it's favourite genre, the romantic comedy, as tonight we discover the secrets of;
Leap Year
Right the basic idea of the film is; Anna (Amy Adams), is going out with Cardiologist Jeremy (Adam Scott). Their relationship has been going well for a few years and the question of marriage enters Anna's head. When a proposal doesn't materialise, Anna is quite rightly dejected. However, her father (John Lithgow) reminds her of an Irish (sic) tradition of the woman proposing to the man on the 29th of February, i.e. a leap year. And as Jeremy has flown to Dublin, in Ireland for a conference at the end of February, what better way to seal the marriage, than with a leap year proposal, in Ireland from Anna.
That is until she tries to get to Dublin.
First her plane is diverted to Cardiff. Then no other connecting flights will take her to Dublin. No ferries are sailing and she ends in a fishing boat, that drops her off in a small village, somewhere in Ireland, where she meets Declan (Matthew Goode). She enlists the help of Declan to get her to Dublin, which heralds the arrival of many, many minutes of farcical endeavours to travel to Dublin, by car, train, bus or foot.
So far so good?
As romantic comedies go, Leap Year is OK. However, if you were to write a formula for rom-com's, you can use this film as an excellent example.
The formula goes something like this;
Pretty girl, is in love with bloke who is a bit of a knob!
Pretty girl, through chance, meets handsome chap.
Pretty girl does not like handsome chap, she's in love with her knob, I mean bloke.
Funny things happen.
Pretty girl falls in love with handsome chap.
Handsome chap, cannot love pretty girl, because of bloke (knob).
Pretty girl, realises too late that she now loves handsome chap. Oh woe is her.
Pretty girl tests bloke (knob). Bloke fails test. Pretty girl runs off to find handsome chap again.
Tense moment..........
Happy ending.
Apply this formula, to a beautiful setting such as Ireland and you have a nice film.
Amy Adams is really good as Anna. Matthew Goode should not attempt an Irish accent. It was shocking.
All in all, Leap Year is a pink & fluffy, formulaic rom-com, but the love and laughs are perhaps not as hearty as some films of the same genre.
If it's on the TV, on a wet and windy weekend, give it a go. If not, don't.
Leap Year
Right the basic idea of the film is; Anna (Amy Adams), is going out with Cardiologist Jeremy (Adam Scott). Their relationship has been going well for a few years and the question of marriage enters Anna's head. When a proposal doesn't materialise, Anna is quite rightly dejected. However, her father (John Lithgow) reminds her of an Irish (sic) tradition of the woman proposing to the man on the 29th of February, i.e. a leap year. And as Jeremy has flown to Dublin, in Ireland for a conference at the end of February, what better way to seal the marriage, than with a leap year proposal, in Ireland from Anna.
That is until she tries to get to Dublin.
First her plane is diverted to Cardiff. Then no other connecting flights will take her to Dublin. No ferries are sailing and she ends in a fishing boat, that drops her off in a small village, somewhere in Ireland, where she meets Declan (Matthew Goode). She enlists the help of Declan to get her to Dublin, which heralds the arrival of many, many minutes of farcical endeavours to travel to Dublin, by car, train, bus or foot.
So far so good?
As romantic comedies go, Leap Year is OK. However, if you were to write a formula for rom-com's, you can use this film as an excellent example.
The formula goes something like this;
Pretty girl, is in love with bloke who is a bit of a knob!
Pretty girl, through chance, meets handsome chap.
Pretty girl does not like handsome chap, she's in love with her knob, I mean bloke.
Funny things happen.
Pretty girl falls in love with handsome chap.
Handsome chap, cannot love pretty girl, because of bloke (knob).
Pretty girl, realises too late that she now loves handsome chap. Oh woe is her.
Pretty girl tests bloke (knob). Bloke fails test. Pretty girl runs off to find handsome chap again.
Tense moment..........
Happy ending.
Apply this formula, to a beautiful setting such as Ireland and you have a nice film.
Amy Adams is really good as Anna. Matthew Goode should not attempt an Irish accent. It was shocking.
All in all, Leap Year is a pink & fluffy, formulaic rom-com, but the love and laughs are perhaps not as hearty as some films of the same genre.
If it's on the TV, on a wet and windy weekend, give it a go. If not, don't.
Tuesday 28 August 2012
The Happening - 28th August 2012
Well the good films just keep on coming. Well, let's just reserve judgement for a second, as we look at tonight's Tuesday Night is Film Night film;
The Happening
From 2008, Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel star in this sci-fi thriller about a mysterious toxin that seems to be transferred via plants, but nobody is sure.
The film opens in Central Park, New York and within the first few minutes, you know where this film is going, as it grabs you by the throat and drags you kicking and screaming into the realms of it's fantasy terror.
It seems like an airborne toxin sweeps through Central Park and everybody comes to a standstill and...........
............... I don't think I'm giving too much away, when I say, they start committing suicide left, right and centre. As an opening sequence, it's a cracker! And the scenes are quite graphic, so you are literally on the edge of your seat, not knowing what you are going to see next.
The action centres on school teacher Elliot Moore (Wahlberg) and his young Wife; Alma (Deschanel) and we follow them as they try to head to safety, away from New York. However, the events keep 'happening', and this phrase is repeated several times, hence the films title.
As I said, it is a gripping, intense, violent thriller. Very creepy in places and will have you hiding behind the sofa. Wahlberg is superb as Elliot, playing the cool school teacher, who is trying to keep it together for those around him, as they try to flea from the onslaught of this deadly 'thing'.
The drama is powerful, the action is striking, the storyline is plausible, the ending is diabolical................
What?
Yes, afraid so. I was expecting a happy ending. Which, inevitably is what happened. However, it was also inexplicable. Open ended. Inconclusive. Nothing was rounded off neatly. Which I guess alludes back to the opening section of the movie, but still, I like a film with a start, middle and end.
Two out of three is not good enough.
Unless of course, they make The Happening 2!!
In summation, great start. Good middle. Terrible end!
Check out the reviews on Amazon. It was slated!
The Happening
From 2008, Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel star in this sci-fi thriller about a mysterious toxin that seems to be transferred via plants, but nobody is sure.
The film opens in Central Park, New York and within the first few minutes, you know where this film is going, as it grabs you by the throat and drags you kicking and screaming into the realms of it's fantasy terror.
It seems like an airborne toxin sweeps through Central Park and everybody comes to a standstill and...........
............... I don't think I'm giving too much away, when I say, they start committing suicide left, right and centre. As an opening sequence, it's a cracker! And the scenes are quite graphic, so you are literally on the edge of your seat, not knowing what you are going to see next.
The action centres on school teacher Elliot Moore (Wahlberg) and his young Wife; Alma (Deschanel) and we follow them as they try to head to safety, away from New York. However, the events keep 'happening', and this phrase is repeated several times, hence the films title.
As I said, it is a gripping, intense, violent thriller. Very creepy in places and will have you hiding behind the sofa. Wahlberg is superb as Elliot, playing the cool school teacher, who is trying to keep it together for those around him, as they try to flea from the onslaught of this deadly 'thing'.
The drama is powerful, the action is striking, the storyline is plausible, the ending is diabolical................
What?
Yes, afraid so. I was expecting a happy ending. Which, inevitably is what happened. However, it was also inexplicable. Open ended. Inconclusive. Nothing was rounded off neatly. Which I guess alludes back to the opening section of the movie, but still, I like a film with a start, middle and end.
Two out of three is not good enough.
Unless of course, they make The Happening 2!!
In summation, great start. Good middle. Terrible end!
Check out the reviews on Amazon. It was slated!
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Gran Torino - 21st August 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night returns after the summer break, with a film that has had good things said about it, but personally I have no idea what it's all about.
So, will Clint be making my day? Or should I ask for a few dollars more? When we watch;
Gran Torino
I must confess to being dubious about Gran Torino. I've never been a fan of Clint Eastwood and considered a film with a car's name in the title, was maybe another chance to see gangs racing around the streets of America, shooting up everybody.
How wrong was I?
What the film is all about is something all together different. Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean war veteran, who is very protective about his property and is initially at odds with his Hmong neighbours.
When the son of his neighbours, falls into a gang, they try to make him take an initiation test, which involves a failed attempt to steal Walt Kowalski's prized possession, his 1972 Gran Torino.
Although angry with Thao (the neighbours son), Walt ends up befriending his sister. From this friendship, Walt sets out to make Thau repay his debt and work together with Walt, to reform the neighbourhood.
I could give a full detailed synopsis, but this may detract from the film, it is best to watch it, not only for the beautifully written story, but also for the class acting from Eastwood.
Gran Torino isn't a hard hitting drama, with car chases and cops, it's a fantastic story, with gritty realism, gravitas and emotion.
It is easily one of the best films I have seen.
Please watch it.
So, will Clint be making my day? Or should I ask for a few dollars more? When we watch;
Gran Torino
I must confess to being dubious about Gran Torino. I've never been a fan of Clint Eastwood and considered a film with a car's name in the title, was maybe another chance to see gangs racing around the streets of America, shooting up everybody.
How wrong was I?
What the film is all about is something all together different. Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean war veteran, who is very protective about his property and is initially at odds with his Hmong neighbours.
When the son of his neighbours, falls into a gang, they try to make him take an initiation test, which involves a failed attempt to steal Walt Kowalski's prized possession, his 1972 Gran Torino.
Although angry with Thao (the neighbours son), Walt ends up befriending his sister. From this friendship, Walt sets out to make Thau repay his debt and work together with Walt, to reform the neighbourhood.
I could give a full detailed synopsis, but this may detract from the film, it is best to watch it, not only for the beautifully written story, but also for the class acting from Eastwood.
Gran Torino isn't a hard hitting drama, with car chases and cops, it's a fantastic story, with gritty realism, gravitas and emotion.
It is easily one of the best films I have seen.
Please watch it.
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - 31st July 2012
And here we are with our last Tuesday Night is Film Night before our summer break. And ironically, tonights' film, is a twist on an old Christmas classic. So will it be "deck the halls" or will Charles Dickens be spinning in his grave, as we settle down to watch;
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
So, you may guess from the title, that Ghosts of Girlfriends Past takes it's ideas from the Dickens' classic; A Christmas Carol. As womanising, serial philanderer and devout batchelor Connor Mead (played by the drawling Matthew McConaughey), attempts to right the wrongs of his past life, when he is visited by the requisite three ghosts, on the eve of his brother's wedding.
Mead's love interest, takes the form of Jenny Perotti, played the always gorgeous Jennifer Garner.
Jenny and Connor are childhood sweethearts, until Jenny goes off with another boy at the school dance. Conner is distraught and turns to the doyen of love, his womanising Uncle Wayne! Who is played by inimitable Michael Douglas. Together they forge a lifestyle for the young Connor that leads him through relationship after relationship, settling for the option of casual sex, rather than the temptation of love and longterm relationship.
So that sets the scene for the film and we know the story, as it follows the same thread as A Christmas Carol;
Connor Mead, wicked man (in the love sense), needs to repent and mend his ways. He's sent three (four if you count his now dead Uncle Wayne), ghosts to assist.
And yes, it all comes good in the end. There are some nice twists and some funny moments. And it's your run of the mill rom-com, with a feelgood twist.
The downsides for me, were the awful southern drawl that "the McConaughey" spouts, I know it's his accent, but it's not endearing and can grate somewhat.
Also, throughout the film the "Steadi-cam" operator, wasn't holding the camera very steady! There seems to be a bit of a thing for handheld camera work in some modern movies, but when they wave it around the place, it can induce motion sickness!!
All in all, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, is a jolly, albeit predictable jaunt.
Enjoy!
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
So, you may guess from the title, that Ghosts of Girlfriends Past takes it's ideas from the Dickens' classic; A Christmas Carol. As womanising, serial philanderer and devout batchelor Connor Mead (played by the drawling Matthew McConaughey), attempts to right the wrongs of his past life, when he is visited by the requisite three ghosts, on the eve of his brother's wedding.
Mead's love interest, takes the form of Jenny Perotti, played the always gorgeous Jennifer Garner.
Jenny and Connor are childhood sweethearts, until Jenny goes off with another boy at the school dance. Conner is distraught and turns to the doyen of love, his womanising Uncle Wayne! Who is played by inimitable Michael Douglas. Together they forge a lifestyle for the young Connor that leads him through relationship after relationship, settling for the option of casual sex, rather than the temptation of love and longterm relationship.
So that sets the scene for the film and we know the story, as it follows the same thread as A Christmas Carol;
Connor Mead, wicked man (in the love sense), needs to repent and mend his ways. He's sent three (four if you count his now dead Uncle Wayne), ghosts to assist.
And yes, it all comes good in the end. There are some nice twists and some funny moments. And it's your run of the mill rom-com, with a feelgood twist.
The downsides for me, were the awful southern drawl that "the McConaughey" spouts, I know it's his accent, but it's not endearing and can grate somewhat.
Also, throughout the film the "Steadi-cam" operator, wasn't holding the camera very steady! There seems to be a bit of a thing for handheld camera work in some modern movies, but when they wave it around the place, it can induce motion sickness!!
All in all, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, is a jolly, albeit predictable jaunt.
Enjoy!
Tuesday 24 July 2012
When Harry Met Sally - 24th July 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night goes way back to 1989 for tonight's film, when we get to see;
When Harry Met Sally
First off, 23 years after release, we have not seen this film at all, so were not sure what was to be made of it. The story is basic, the film starts, Harry meets Sally and they take 13 years and 3 months (and the entire film) before they get married!
Hope that doesn't spoil it for you.
How they get there is another matter. Sally is played the ever so gorgeous and cute Meg Ryan and she is ably assisted in the the joint title role, by the sharp and quick talking Billy Crystal, playing Sally Albright and Harry Burns respectively.
The first third of the film was distinctly wordy, there seemed to be a great deal of dialogue, which you must stick with. Luckily the superb writing of Nora Ephron makes it very easy to stay with it. And it takes you through the initial stages of Harry and Sally's relationship.
One of the taglines to the movie is; "Can men and women be friends or does sex always get in the way?" and this is discussed, elaborated on and referenced to, many times as Harry and Sally's friendship blossoms, wanes, relaxes, renews and falters all the way through the film.
There are some memorable scenes in the film, the quite obvious one being the cafe scene where Meg Ryan......... well you know the rest.
All in all we're glad to have seen the film, but whether it's a classic, that's up to you to decide. We liked it.
When Harry Met Sally
First off, 23 years after release, we have not seen this film at all, so were not sure what was to be made of it. The story is basic, the film starts, Harry meets Sally and they take 13 years and 3 months (and the entire film) before they get married!
Hope that doesn't spoil it for you.
How they get there is another matter. Sally is played the ever so gorgeous and cute Meg Ryan and she is ably assisted in the the joint title role, by the sharp and quick talking Billy Crystal, playing Sally Albright and Harry Burns respectively.
The first third of the film was distinctly wordy, there seemed to be a great deal of dialogue, which you must stick with. Luckily the superb writing of Nora Ephron makes it very easy to stay with it. And it takes you through the initial stages of Harry and Sally's relationship.
One of the taglines to the movie is; "Can men and women be friends or does sex always get in the way?" and this is discussed, elaborated on and referenced to, many times as Harry and Sally's friendship blossoms, wanes, relaxes, renews and falters all the way through the film.
There are some memorable scenes in the film, the quite obvious one being the cafe scene where Meg Ryan......... well you know the rest.
All in all we're glad to have seen the film, but whether it's a classic, that's up to you to decide. We liked it.
Tuesday 17 July 2012
Monster-in-Law - 17th July 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night carries on a-pace with the comedy romance movie that is;
Monster-in-Law
Monster-in-Law sees Jennifer Lopez take a leading role as the hapless Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini, unlucky in love until she bumps into Kevin (Michael Vartan) and a whirlwind romance ensues. It all looks rosy until Charlie meets her Mother-in-Law to be!
Kevin's Mother; Viola Fields is a TV presenter of high standing, but has been recently fired and is very protective of her precious son, so much so she sets out to prevent the wedding. In any way she can.
OK, that's the basic synopsis, nothing too remarkable there, however and this is what makes Monster-in-Law really good, is that actors are really quite good.
For a kick off Viola is played the magnificent and ever so gorgeous looking, even at her age; Jane Fonda!
Fonda is superb as the acidic, malicious, conniving, underhand, scheming wicked witch of a Mother-in-Law.
Lopez, provides a marvellous counterpoint, as the cutesy Charlie, who can also turn her hand to some snide trickery to get back at the Mother-in-Law to be!
However, one stand out character for me, who provides a fantastic juxtaposition to the frightfully rich and famous Viola, is her assistant of many years; Ruby, who is a plain talking, no nonsense, down to hearth feisty woman, who gives Viola as good as she gets!
Ruby is played by the marvellous Wanda Sykes, who has appeared in films such as Evan Almighty and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and is also ranked as one of America's funniest stand-ups. She certainly injects some great lines into this film.
Monster-in-Law is a bit of slapstick fun, with a great cast, look out for a cameo appearance from Elaine Stritch. It is laugh out loud funny in places and is a good comedic romp. Well worth a watch if you haven't seen it and will be on the list of films to see again.
Monster-in-Law
Monster-in-Law sees Jennifer Lopez take a leading role as the hapless Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini, unlucky in love until she bumps into Kevin (Michael Vartan) and a whirlwind romance ensues. It all looks rosy until Charlie meets her Mother-in-Law to be!
Kevin's Mother; Viola Fields is a TV presenter of high standing, but has been recently fired and is very protective of her precious son, so much so she sets out to prevent the wedding. In any way she can.
OK, that's the basic synopsis, nothing too remarkable there, however and this is what makes Monster-in-Law really good, is that actors are really quite good.
For a kick off Viola is played the magnificent and ever so gorgeous looking, even at her age; Jane Fonda!
Fonda is superb as the acidic, malicious, conniving, underhand, scheming wicked witch of a Mother-in-Law.
Lopez, provides a marvellous counterpoint, as the cutesy Charlie, who can also turn her hand to some snide trickery to get back at the Mother-in-Law to be!
However, one stand out character for me, who provides a fantastic juxtaposition to the frightfully rich and famous Viola, is her assistant of many years; Ruby, who is a plain talking, no nonsense, down to hearth feisty woman, who gives Viola as good as she gets!
Ruby is played by the marvellous Wanda Sykes, who has appeared in films such as Evan Almighty and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and is also ranked as one of America's funniest stand-ups. She certainly injects some great lines into this film.
Monster-in-Law is a bit of slapstick fun, with a great cast, look out for a cameo appearance from Elaine Stritch. It is laugh out loud funny in places and is a good comedic romp. Well worth a watch if you haven't seen it and will be on the list of films to see again.
Tuesday 10 July 2012
The Holiday - 10th July 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night continues with yet another romantic comedy, this time we get to go on;
The Holiday
Well, first off The Holiday is set at Christmas, so it's really a bit like Love Actually in that respect and would be a great movie to watch at the festive season.
However, and also like Love Actually, it's stands up on it's own, as a great romantic comedy to watch at any time of the year.
Also, and this is the last comparison I'll draw with Love Actually, The Holiday is about multiple relationships that intertwine and interact throughout the story.
Oh and one last comparison to Love Actually, really I mean it, The Holiday is really rather good!
OK let's cut to the chase and tell you what the stories are about, yes stories, with have multiple relationships going on in The Holiday, with two lives, running parallel stories throughout the film.
Firstly we have Amanda Woods portrayed by the delightful Cameron Diaz. Secondly we have Iris Simpkins, played by the equally delightful and lovely, Kate Winslet. Both characters kick off the story with men trouble. Amanda discovers her partner has cheated on her and Iris discovers the man she has been in "unrequited" love with, is getting engaged to another woman.
Unable to bear being upset, alone, lonely and at home at the holiday season they chance upon a holiday exchange, where they swap houses. I should point out at this juncture, that Iris is in England and is now heading for LA. While Amanda is based in the US and is now heading for rural Surrey.
So, the two ladies are now alone and in somebody else's home at Christmas. So not really further forward.
Until that is they meet, by chance, their soon to be, "love interest".
Jude Law plays Graham, who just happens to be Iris's brother and bumps into Amanda, who is staying at Iris's cottage remember?
Whereas, in LA Iris meets Miles, played by the inimitable Jack Black, who happens to be a friend of Amanda's ex.
It's not too confusing really.
The Holiday is a rather long film, running as it does at 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it is worth every single minute of those 130 minutes. This in part thanks to a very exceptional thread to the story where Iris befriends an elderly neighbour in LA, played by Eli Wallach, this gives the intertwined love stories another level and a great feelgood feeling to the film, because you know it will all come good at the end! And if you juxtapose this thread with the discovery that Graham (Jude Law) has kids, then you're on to a sure fire tear jerker of a finale.
Which of course there is, but I don't want to spoil that for you!
The Holiday
Well, first off The Holiday is set at Christmas, so it's really a bit like Love Actually in that respect and would be a great movie to watch at the festive season.
However, and also like Love Actually, it's stands up on it's own, as a great romantic comedy to watch at any time of the year.
Also, and this is the last comparison I'll draw with Love Actually, The Holiday is about multiple relationships that intertwine and interact throughout the story.
Oh and one last comparison to Love Actually, really I mean it, The Holiday is really rather good!
OK let's cut to the chase and tell you what the stories are about, yes stories, with have multiple relationships going on in The Holiday, with two lives, running parallel stories throughout the film.
Firstly we have Amanda Woods portrayed by the delightful Cameron Diaz. Secondly we have Iris Simpkins, played by the equally delightful and lovely, Kate Winslet. Both characters kick off the story with men trouble. Amanda discovers her partner has cheated on her and Iris discovers the man she has been in "unrequited" love with, is getting engaged to another woman.
Unable to bear being upset, alone, lonely and at home at the holiday season they chance upon a holiday exchange, where they swap houses. I should point out at this juncture, that Iris is in England and is now heading for LA. While Amanda is based in the US and is now heading for rural Surrey.
So, the two ladies are now alone and in somebody else's home at Christmas. So not really further forward.
Until that is they meet, by chance, their soon to be, "love interest".
Jude Law plays Graham, who just happens to be Iris's brother and bumps into Amanda, who is staying at Iris's cottage remember?
Whereas, in LA Iris meets Miles, played by the inimitable Jack Black, who happens to be a friend of Amanda's ex.
It's not too confusing really.
The Holiday is a rather long film, running as it does at 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it is worth every single minute of those 130 minutes. This in part thanks to a very exceptional thread to the story where Iris befriends an elderly neighbour in LA, played by Eli Wallach, this gives the intertwined love stories another level and a great feelgood feeling to the film, because you know it will all come good at the end! And if you juxtapose this thread with the discovery that Graham (Jude Law) has kids, then you're on to a sure fire tear jerker of a finale.
Which of course there is, but I don't want to spoil that for you!
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Friends with Benefits - 3rd July 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night has been on tour, going out and then back in again, to someone else's house, to watch;
Friends with Benefits
A quick synopsis of the film.
Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is done with relationships.
Jamie (Mila Kunis) decides to stop buying into the Hollywood clichés of true love.
When the two become friends they decide to try something new and take advantage of their mutual attraction – but without any emotional attachment. Physical pleasure without the entanglements. Sounds easy enough for two logical adults, right?
OK, the first thing about this film, for me anyway is that Mila Kunis is the voice of Meg, in Family Guy! Which was quite off putting, in a fun sort of way, especially in the sex scenes, of which there are quite a few! Although, there is nothing wrong with that! Mila Kunis is after all very cute especially when she is down to her knickers!!
OK, OK. Just so there is a balance, Justin Timberlake, I'm sure, is quite cute as well.
Anyway, if you can see through the body of Jamie / voice of Meg issue, the Timberlake and Kunis partnership is a good one and they provide some great entertainment throughout the film, playing the friendly couple, who are not "in love" but are happy to have sex when they desire, with no strings attached.
However, it's not that easy is it?
Friends with Benefits, differs somewhat from other recent chick flick / rom-com's as it has a good storyline, which hooks you into the film. You feel happy that Dylan and Jamie can have this free relationship, but all the while you secretly want them to get together in the end.
The story is padded out to great effect by Dylan's and Jamie's family, who knit themselves into the story and provide some gravitas and emotion into the mix. Particularly poignant and magnificently played by Richard Jenkins, is Dylan's father. Playing a character not dissimilar to the one the one he played in Dear John.
On the whole, Friends with Benefits is a real romp, in more ways than one! The comedy is good, the romance fitting and the feelgood factor is a winner. And like a really good feelgood movie, it lifts your spirits, makes you hit rock bottom and picks you up again, whilst you smile, laugh, cry and cheer!
Watch this film.
Friends with Benefits
A quick synopsis of the film.
Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is done with relationships.
Jamie (Mila Kunis) decides to stop buying into the Hollywood clichés of true love.
When the two become friends they decide to try something new and take advantage of their mutual attraction – but without any emotional attachment. Physical pleasure without the entanglements. Sounds easy enough for two logical adults, right?
OK, the first thing about this film, for me anyway is that Mila Kunis is the voice of Meg, in Family Guy! Which was quite off putting, in a fun sort of way, especially in the sex scenes, of which there are quite a few! Although, there is nothing wrong with that! Mila Kunis is after all very cute especially when she is down to her knickers!!
OK, OK. Just so there is a balance, Justin Timberlake, I'm sure, is quite cute as well.
Anyway, if you can see through the body of Jamie / voice of Meg issue, the Timberlake and Kunis partnership is a good one and they provide some great entertainment throughout the film, playing the friendly couple, who are not "in love" but are happy to have sex when they desire, with no strings attached.
However, it's not that easy is it?
Friends with Benefits, differs somewhat from other recent chick flick / rom-com's as it has a good storyline, which hooks you into the film. You feel happy that Dylan and Jamie can have this free relationship, but all the while you secretly want them to get together in the end.
The story is padded out to great effect by Dylan's and Jamie's family, who knit themselves into the story and provide some gravitas and emotion into the mix. Particularly poignant and magnificently played by Richard Jenkins, is Dylan's father. Playing a character not dissimilar to the one the one he played in Dear John.
On the whole, Friends with Benefits is a real romp, in more ways than one! The comedy is good, the romance fitting and the feelgood factor is a winner. And like a really good feelgood movie, it lifts your spirits, makes you hit rock bottom and picks you up again, whilst you smile, laugh, cry and cheer!
Watch this film.
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Dear John - 26th June 2012
So, we pass the first half of 2012, the next film night will be in July and then it's all down hill to Christmas! Anyway, I digress, what was the last film of the first half of 2012 I hear you ask?
Dear John
I have a real problem with blogging Dear John, normally I have a good many words, stuck in my head, to describe the film we have watched, way before the film has ended.
Tonight, I have nothing. My head is empty.
Dear John was not a bad film, but was it a good film? That's a matter of opinion. I enjoyed it, but nothing jumped out at me, grabbed me by the neck and screamed "enjoy this film!!" into my left ear.
Let's put some details in here, so you can get what the film is about.
John Tyree, played magnificently by Channing Tatum, is a Special Forces soldier on leave in his hometown, when he has a chance meeting with Savannah Curtis, played by the quite cute looking Amanda Seyfried. They spend two weeks together. Two weeks where they fall in love. At the end of the two weeks, John needs to return to the army. They vow to get back together after John's one year tour of duty is at an end.
In the meantime, they write to each other constantly, and a lot of the film is taken up with the reading of these letters.
However, after the attacks of 9/11 John decides to re-sign up for more active service and although Savannah doesn't want him to, him does and they continue to write, until the letters stop.
OK, there's the basic idea. There is more storyline surrounding this thin plot, which includes John and Savannah's family and to be honest, these peripheral stories are somewhat better than the main action in many respects. However, they do all come together in the end, so keep concentrating.
Dear John is billed as a romantic drama. It was romantic, but hardly a weepy. It was dramatic, but not very. The story was good, but could have been better. The acting was really good though and made up for the somewhat thin plot.
The book is probably a lot better.
Anyway that was Dear John.
Dear John
I have a real problem with blogging Dear John, normally I have a good many words, stuck in my head, to describe the film we have watched, way before the film has ended.
Tonight, I have nothing. My head is empty.
Dear John was not a bad film, but was it a good film? That's a matter of opinion. I enjoyed it, but nothing jumped out at me, grabbed me by the neck and screamed "enjoy this film!!" into my left ear.
Let's put some details in here, so you can get what the film is about.
John Tyree, played magnificently by Channing Tatum, is a Special Forces soldier on leave in his hometown, when he has a chance meeting with Savannah Curtis, played by the quite cute looking Amanda Seyfried. They spend two weeks together. Two weeks where they fall in love. At the end of the two weeks, John needs to return to the army. They vow to get back together after John's one year tour of duty is at an end.
In the meantime, they write to each other constantly, and a lot of the film is taken up with the reading of these letters.
However, after the attacks of 9/11 John decides to re-sign up for more active service and although Savannah doesn't want him to, him does and they continue to write, until the letters stop.
OK, there's the basic idea. There is more storyline surrounding this thin plot, which includes John and Savannah's family and to be honest, these peripheral stories are somewhat better than the main action in many respects. However, they do all come together in the end, so keep concentrating.
Dear John is billed as a romantic drama. It was romantic, but hardly a weepy. It was dramatic, but not very. The story was good, but could have been better. The acting was really good though and made up for the somewhat thin plot.
The book is probably a lot better.
Anyway that was Dear John.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Unknown - 19th June 2012
So, after watching Taken a few weeks ago, we are trying a similar film, also starring Liam Neeson;
Unknown
According to the blurb on the cover of the DVD; "Fans of Taken are gonna love this".
I was / am a fan of Taken, it was a good film, but the jury is still out on Unknown. Don't get me wrong, it was a gripping, dramatic film.
Liam Neeson is fantastic and is certainly rising up the "Actors I Like" chart. Diane Kruger, was also brilliant. However, the storyline in Unknown has left me a little confused, not difficult I know, but still. Let me elaborate.
Liam Neeson plays biochemist Martin Harris, who is heading off to a major conference in Berlin. He is accompanied by his wife Liz, (played by the lovely January Jones)............
But is he, Martin Harris? Is he heading off to a major conference in Berlin. And is Liz really his wife?
These are the questions you'll be asking yourself after the first 10 minutes!
Martin Harris, is involved in a car accident and awakes from a coma, four days later in hospital and is convinced he is Martin Harris. However, when he catches up with his wife, he finds there is another man posing as Martin Harris!
Confused? You will be.
To tell you here and now, why we have two Martin Harris's, would give the game away and make the film pointless to watch. However, although is is not a patch on Taken, Unknown is worth the watch. It may even get on the list of films to watch again, if only to work out some of the confusion I still have.
Obviously, Martin Harris is not who he says he is, but you will have to watch the film to find out who he really is. Let's just say that there are themes of espionage, terrorism and assassination going on. Although the cross, double cross, undercover, identity swap and who is working for who routines are a little jaded and extremely confusing, if you do not concentrate.
Anyway, that was Unknown. Enjoy!
Unknown
According to the blurb on the cover of the DVD; "Fans of Taken are gonna love this".
I was / am a fan of Taken, it was a good film, but the jury is still out on Unknown. Don't get me wrong, it was a gripping, dramatic film.
Liam Neeson is fantastic and is certainly rising up the "Actors I Like" chart. Diane Kruger, was also brilliant. However, the storyline in Unknown has left me a little confused, not difficult I know, but still. Let me elaborate.
Liam Neeson plays biochemist Martin Harris, who is heading off to a major conference in Berlin. He is accompanied by his wife Liz, (played by the lovely January Jones)............
But is he, Martin Harris? Is he heading off to a major conference in Berlin. And is Liz really his wife?
These are the questions you'll be asking yourself after the first 10 minutes!
Martin Harris, is involved in a car accident and awakes from a coma, four days later in hospital and is convinced he is Martin Harris. However, when he catches up with his wife, he finds there is another man posing as Martin Harris!
Confused? You will be.
To tell you here and now, why we have two Martin Harris's, would give the game away and make the film pointless to watch. However, although is is not a patch on Taken, Unknown is worth the watch. It may even get on the list of films to watch again, if only to work out some of the confusion I still have.
Obviously, Martin Harris is not who he says he is, but you will have to watch the film to find out who he really is. Let's just say that there are themes of espionage, terrorism and assassination going on. Although the cross, double cross, undercover, identity swap and who is working for who routines are a little jaded and extremely confusing, if you do not concentrate.
Anyway, that was Unknown. Enjoy!
Tuesday 12 June 2012
Shallow Hal - 12th June 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night, continues with another Farelly Brothers comedy tonight, as we delve into the film fun of;
Shallow Hal
So another Farelly Brothers comedy, this time from 2001, starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Shallow Hal is the tale of Hal (Jack Black), who is unsurprsingly, shallow.
Indeed he is very shallow when it comes to girls. He attempts to date women who are physically beautiful. Which more often than not ends in failure.
However, a chance meeting with television self-help guru; Tony Robbins. (I'm not sure if this guy is a real-life self-help guru, I think so, it'll be worth a Google).
Anyway, this chance meeting in a broken down lift, gives Tony Robbins a chance to help Hal with his women problem. So Hal is kind of hypnotised by Robbins, into seeing the inner beauty of all the women he encounters.
So, you can now guess what happens next........
Yup, the next woman Hal see's, he see's the inner beauty and not the "real" person, who maybe, not wanting to be offensive here, large, buxom, not pretty (avoid the use of the word ugly!), etc. etc.
This is where he bumps into Rosemary, (Paltrow). To Hal she is the skinny blond beauty, (that The Paltrow is), in reality and in the eyes of others, she is a distinctly overweight blond individual, with huge knickers ( you'll see), that has a heart of gold and the body of a heffer.
I'm not going to spoil the film too much, it is a comedy and there are some hilarious moments, but watch out for the sad bits! Oh yes, you'll be reaching for the tissues at some point. Let's just say that Hal see's the inner beauty in lots of people.
Jack Black is brilliant, as Hal. He is totally believable and perfect for the part and Gwyneth Paltrow is a perfect foil, either as her skinny self, or suited up in the "Rosemary fat suit".
I didn't hold up much hope for Shallow Hal. I was totally wrong. Totally, It was a fantastic film and will be on the "watch again" list.
Oh and watch out for the end credits, a lovely touch. They show all the cast and crew either in photo or video form, so you actually see everyone who worked on the movie. Well, I liked it!
Enjoy.
Shallow Hal
So another Farelly Brothers comedy, this time from 2001, starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Shallow Hal is the tale of Hal (Jack Black), who is unsurprsingly, shallow.
Indeed he is very shallow when it comes to girls. He attempts to date women who are physically beautiful. Which more often than not ends in failure.
However, a chance meeting with television self-help guru; Tony Robbins. (I'm not sure if this guy is a real-life self-help guru, I think so, it'll be worth a Google).
Anyway, this chance meeting in a broken down lift, gives Tony Robbins a chance to help Hal with his women problem. So Hal is kind of hypnotised by Robbins, into seeing the inner beauty of all the women he encounters.
So, you can now guess what happens next........
Yup, the next woman Hal see's, he see's the inner beauty and not the "real" person, who maybe, not wanting to be offensive here, large, buxom, not pretty (avoid the use of the word ugly!), etc. etc.
This is where he bumps into Rosemary, (Paltrow). To Hal she is the skinny blond beauty, (that The Paltrow is), in reality and in the eyes of others, she is a distinctly overweight blond individual, with huge knickers ( you'll see), that has a heart of gold and the body of a heffer.
I'm not going to spoil the film too much, it is a comedy and there are some hilarious moments, but watch out for the sad bits! Oh yes, you'll be reaching for the tissues at some point. Let's just say that Hal see's the inner beauty in lots of people.
Jack Black is brilliant, as Hal. He is totally believable and perfect for the part and Gwyneth Paltrow is a perfect foil, either as her skinny self, or suited up in the "Rosemary fat suit".
I didn't hold up much hope for Shallow Hal. I was totally wrong. Totally, It was a fantastic film and will be on the "watch again" list.
Oh and watch out for the end credits, a lovely touch. They show all the cast and crew either in photo or video form, so you actually see everyone who worked on the movie. Well, I liked it!
Enjoy.
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Abduction - 6th June 2012
Avoiding links to the jubilee celebrations and all things royal, this weeks' Tuesday Night is Film Night, heads off into the realms of undercover espionage and double cross, with the gritty drama;
Abduction
So then, Abduction was not that bad, although at the start, it did seem to be any excuse to see Taylor Lautner with his shirt off.
Lautner plays Nathan, a so-it-would-seem ordinary high school kid, however he is soon to discover that he has a completely different past to the one that he knows.
Whilst working on a school project with friend and neighbour; Karen (Lily Collins), Nathan finds a missing persons website, with what looks to be a picture of Nathan when he was younger. Intrigued by this, he starts to delve deeper and contacts the website.
The site tries to obtain more information about Nathan but he smells a rat and speaks to his parents to ask if they are really his Mum and Dad.
Before they can explain the situation, two "cops" turn up at the house and several struggles later, both parents and both "cops" are dead and the house explodes, luckily Nathan and Karen escape.
Yes, it's a confusing start, but stay with it. It does get a lot better and you will be gripped.
It turns out that Nathan is the son of a CIA operative, who has some information that some foreign terrorists are after. Nathan is the key to getting this information. If they can get to the son, they can get the father.
It is all a bit confusing, but it is remarkably good. Some great performances from Lautner, in the lead role. Also, Alfred Molina who plays a slightly dodgy CIA agent and Sigourney Weaver, who is at first Nathan therapist, but turns out to be a good CIA agent.
If you can stick with the storyline Abduction is a really good drama. Slightly let down by a poor ending, but the journey to get there, is worth the ride.
Abduction
So then, Abduction was not that bad, although at the start, it did seem to be any excuse to see Taylor Lautner with his shirt off.
Lautner plays Nathan, a so-it-would-seem ordinary high school kid, however he is soon to discover that he has a completely different past to the one that he knows.
Whilst working on a school project with friend and neighbour; Karen (Lily Collins), Nathan finds a missing persons website, with what looks to be a picture of Nathan when he was younger. Intrigued by this, he starts to delve deeper and contacts the website.
The site tries to obtain more information about Nathan but he smells a rat and speaks to his parents to ask if they are really his Mum and Dad.
Before they can explain the situation, two "cops" turn up at the house and several struggles later, both parents and both "cops" are dead and the house explodes, luckily Nathan and Karen escape.
Yes, it's a confusing start, but stay with it. It does get a lot better and you will be gripped.
It turns out that Nathan is the son of a CIA operative, who has some information that some foreign terrorists are after. Nathan is the key to getting this information. If they can get to the son, they can get the father.
It is all a bit confusing, but it is remarkably good. Some great performances from Lautner, in the lead role. Also, Alfred Molina who plays a slightly dodgy CIA agent and Sigourney Weaver, who is at first Nathan therapist, but turns out to be a good CIA agent.
If you can stick with the storyline Abduction is a really good drama. Slightly let down by a poor ending, but the journey to get there, is worth the ride.
Tuesday 29 May 2012
He's Just Not That Into You - 29th May 2012
So what magical movie moments do we have this week, for our Tuesday Night is Film Night?
Well, you may ask.
And you may also ask; "was it any good"............. just wait and see, as we dissect tonight's film;
He's Just Not That Into You
So, based on the book; He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys, by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo.
He's Just Not That Into You follows the lives on an intermingled group of Baltimore residents, who are either in a relationship, desperate for a relationship, or unsure what relationship they want.
IMDB says that the film deals; "....with the challenges of reading or misreading human behaviour.....", which just about sums it up.
In reality, the 129 minutes of movie, were filled with several different segments weakly linked, by an even weaker storyline. The characters were two dimensional, the dialogue was stunted, the outcomes were obvious and the whole thing could have been edited down into a smaller, more condensed form, that would have been punchier, more succinct and less inflated with unnecessary plot lines.
The only saving grace was the last 20 minutes, when the loose ends were tied up and some nice conclusions were drawn.
Not a film that we will be rushing out to get on DVD.
Well, you may ask.
And you may also ask; "was it any good"............. just wait and see, as we dissect tonight's film;
He's Just Not That Into You
So, based on the book; He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys, by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo.
He's Just Not That Into You follows the lives on an intermingled group of Baltimore residents, who are either in a relationship, desperate for a relationship, or unsure what relationship they want.
IMDB says that the film deals; "....with the challenges of reading or misreading human behaviour.....", which just about sums it up.
In reality, the 129 minutes of movie, were filled with several different segments weakly linked, by an even weaker storyline. The characters were two dimensional, the dialogue was stunted, the outcomes were obvious and the whole thing could have been edited down into a smaller, more condensed form, that would have been punchier, more succinct and less inflated with unnecessary plot lines.
The only saving grace was the last 20 minutes, when the loose ends were tied up and some nice conclusions were drawn.
Not a film that we will be rushing out to get on DVD.
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Bridesmaids - 22nd May 2012
So, we are here again. It doesn't seem a week since the last TNiFN, but yes the weeks roll by.
Tonight, we slip back into the pink, fluffy and cosy world of the chick flick, as we check out the 2011 comedy;
Bridesmaids
OK the plot is very similar to other movies akin to this one. Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) have been best friends for ever, so when Lillian gets engaged, it's Annie she turns to, to be her Maid of Honour.
However, Lillian's new friend; the rich, beautiful and influential Helen (Rose Byrne), starts to force her way between Annie and Lillian.
So, that's the basic premise. What follows is a comedic romp where we see, Annie's life start to fall apart. Helen making all the right moves to become Lillian's best friend. And the small contingent of Bridesmaids filling in with some hilarious, sub plots and skits.
The downside to the movie was it's over two hours long and could have benefited from a bit harsher editing, chopping out some of the weaker scenes. It also took an awful long time to get going.
However, there are some memorable highlights. The changing room scene at the Bridal shop is extremely funny. Let's just say that our ladies had been to a dodgy restaurant for lunch, only for that lunch to start reappearing from all ends!
Matt Lucas makes a token appearance, which didn't add much to the story, but was a pleasant surprise. The couple of scenes with him and his on-screen sister; Brynn (Rebel Wilson) were really quite good.
However, the two characters / actors that make the movie for me are, Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) who plays Annie's love interest Police Office Rhodes. O'Dowd delivers some of the better lines in the film and is an excellent foil for Annie. Although their relationship is a somewhat bitter / sweet affair, it all turns out good in the end.
Secondly, but certainly the best performance in the film for me, goes to; Melissa McCarthy, who plays Megan, a big feisty, no nonsense bridesmaid, who steals a lot of the scenes she appears in, noticeably the changing room scene mentioned earlier and some of the later scenes in the film.
All in all Bridesmaids is pretty good, it could have been a lot better if they chopped out about 30 minutes and upped the gag ratio, nevertheless, worth a watch.
Tonight, we slip back into the pink, fluffy and cosy world of the chick flick, as we check out the 2011 comedy;
Bridesmaids
OK the plot is very similar to other movies akin to this one. Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) have been best friends for ever, so when Lillian gets engaged, it's Annie she turns to, to be her Maid of Honour.
However, Lillian's new friend; the rich, beautiful and influential Helen (Rose Byrne), starts to force her way between Annie and Lillian.
So, that's the basic premise. What follows is a comedic romp where we see, Annie's life start to fall apart. Helen making all the right moves to become Lillian's best friend. And the small contingent of Bridesmaids filling in with some hilarious, sub plots and skits.
The downside to the movie was it's over two hours long and could have benefited from a bit harsher editing, chopping out some of the weaker scenes. It also took an awful long time to get going.
However, there are some memorable highlights. The changing room scene at the Bridal shop is extremely funny. Let's just say that our ladies had been to a dodgy restaurant for lunch, only for that lunch to start reappearing from all ends!
Matt Lucas makes a token appearance, which didn't add much to the story, but was a pleasant surprise. The couple of scenes with him and his on-screen sister; Brynn (Rebel Wilson) were really quite good.
However, the two characters / actors that make the movie for me are, Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) who plays Annie's love interest Police Office Rhodes. O'Dowd delivers some of the better lines in the film and is an excellent foil for Annie. Although their relationship is a somewhat bitter / sweet affair, it all turns out good in the end.
Secondly, but certainly the best performance in the film for me, goes to; Melissa McCarthy, who plays Megan, a big feisty, no nonsense bridesmaid, who steals a lot of the scenes she appears in, noticeably the changing room scene mentioned earlier and some of the later scenes in the film.
All in all Bridesmaids is pretty good, it could have been a lot better if they chopped out about 30 minutes and upped the gag ratio, nevertheless, worth a watch.
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