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.
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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.
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Taken - 15th May 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night takes on an action thriller tonight, starring Liam Neeson, from 2008 we have;
Taken
What can I say? Taken is a brilliant film! Totally gripping from start to finish. Liam Neeson is, if I can steal an Americanism here, totally awesome!
The film follows estranged and retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Neeson), as he tries to reestablish a relationship with his Daughter; Kim (Maggie Grace).
Bryan agrees to let the 17 year old Kim travel to Paris, with a friend, although he is very reluctant to do so, but agrees on condition she lets him know where she stays and that she rings every night.
When she fails to comply he starts to worry and calls her. Luckily she is fine until.................
What happens next is when the film really starts to kick off. Kim and her friend are kidnapped by Albanian immigrants running a prostitution racket in Paris. Bryan was on the phone to Kim at the time and all he has to go on are the words; "Good luck".
Bryan vows to find the kidnappers and when he does he promises to kill them to get his Daughter back.
And truth enough, he fly's out to Paris and immediately sets to work to regain his Daughter and wreak vengeance on the perpetrators.
And he does it in some kind of style!
In scenes reminiscent of Die Hard Neeson neutralises more baddies than a gallon of Febreeze. It is some great stuff!
Taken is a gritty, gripping drama, with a good storyline, cracking acting, some great action sequences and a decent ending. Although the ending is just a little bit fluffy.
It's still a must watch movie.
Taken
What can I say? Taken is a brilliant film! Totally gripping from start to finish. Liam Neeson is, if I can steal an Americanism here, totally awesome!
The film follows estranged and retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Neeson), as he tries to reestablish a relationship with his Daughter; Kim (Maggie Grace).
Bryan agrees to let the 17 year old Kim travel to Paris, with a friend, although he is very reluctant to do so, but agrees on condition she lets him know where she stays and that she rings every night.
When she fails to comply he starts to worry and calls her. Luckily she is fine until.................
What happens next is when the film really starts to kick off. Kim and her friend are kidnapped by Albanian immigrants running a prostitution racket in Paris. Bryan was on the phone to Kim at the time and all he has to go on are the words; "Good luck".
Bryan vows to find the kidnappers and when he does he promises to kill them to get his Daughter back.
And truth enough, he fly's out to Paris and immediately sets to work to regain his Daughter and wreak vengeance on the perpetrators.
And he does it in some kind of style!
In scenes reminiscent of Die Hard Neeson neutralises more baddies than a gallon of Febreeze. It is some great stuff!
Taken is a gritty, gripping drama, with a good storyline, cracking acting, some great action sequences and a decent ending. Although the ending is just a little bit fluffy.
It's still a must watch movie.
Monday 7 May 2012
The Hurt Locker - 7th May 2012
So, Tuesday Night is Film Night is shifted a day early, so what could be better than spending a wet Bank Holiday Monday watching;
The Hurt Locker.
Films that are in the top 500 films on IMDB or are multi Oscar winners, are so for one very good reason.
They are clearly very good films.
The Hurt Locker is no exception. It is a gritty, realistic, thrilling, modern day war drama. Following the unfolding story of Delta Company, an elite bomb disposal squad, working on the streets of war torn Iraq, where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be harbouring a bomb.
Brilliantly directed by Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker centres on a trio of bomb disposal specialists; Sergeant First Class William James (Jeremy Renner), Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty).
The film provides a supreme, tense and gripping piece of drama. It grabs your attention from the stunning opening scene, which perfectly gets across the dangers faced by the specialist bomb disposal squad, you then follow them throughout the 131 minutes of real gripping drama, which will have you literally on the edge of your seats.
If there was any criticism, it would be the stereotypical roles played by the three main characters. William James is the brilliant bomb disposal guy, but is a total maverick. Sanborn, is the level headed one, always there for his team. And Eldridge is the scared one, frightened of his own shadow. These are the characters you see in most war films, so from that perspective it is slightly formulaic in approach, but do not let this put you off.
The Hurt Locker explores deeply the drama and trauma of modern day insurgent warfare.
It is a film not to be missed.
The Hurt Locker.
Films that are in the top 500 films on IMDB or are multi Oscar winners, are so for one very good reason.
They are clearly very good films.
The Hurt Locker is no exception. It is a gritty, realistic, thrilling, modern day war drama. Following the unfolding story of Delta Company, an elite bomb disposal squad, working on the streets of war torn Iraq, where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be harbouring a bomb.
Brilliantly directed by Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker centres on a trio of bomb disposal specialists; Sergeant First Class William James (Jeremy Renner), Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty).
The film provides a supreme, tense and gripping piece of drama. It grabs your attention from the stunning opening scene, which perfectly gets across the dangers faced by the specialist bomb disposal squad, you then follow them throughout the 131 minutes of real gripping drama, which will have you literally on the edge of your seats.
If there was any criticism, it would be the stereotypical roles played by the three main characters. William James is the brilliant bomb disposal guy, but is a total maverick. Sanborn, is the level headed one, always there for his team. And Eldridge is the scared one, frightened of his own shadow. These are the characters you see in most war films, so from that perspective it is slightly formulaic in approach, but do not let this put you off.
The Hurt Locker explores deeply the drama and trauma of modern day insurgent warfare.
It is a film not to be missed.
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Due Date - 1st May 2012
Tuesday Night is Film Night hits the month of May and we start off with the comedy;
Due Date
Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis team up as Peter Highman and Ethan Tremblay respectively, in this comedy road trip across the United States.
The premise of the movie is this;
Peter Highman needs to return to LA, to be at the birth of his first child.
Ethan Tremblay is heading to Hollywood to try and make it as an actor.
The two do not know each other, until a car accident at the airport forces their separate paths to cross.
What follows is a slapstick adventure where, after being banned from flying (they end up on a "no fly list") the two characters join forces, somewhat reluctantly, to get across the USA in time for the birth of Peter's child.
I won't go in to details of their journey, as this is whole point of the film, so you will need to watch the film to appreciate all the jokes. There are some great visual gags and stunts. There are also a plethora of little gags, some funny, some hilarious.
Watch out for the scene with the coffee and Ethans' dead father. See? You need to watch it to find out.
Robert Downey Jr. is superb, perfectly playing the straight laced Peter. Zach Galifianakis also puts in a great performance as the bumbling, inept but ultimately, dare I say, loveable Ethan.
Due Date is a knockabout comedy road trip, which should have you laughing out loud.
Well worth a watch.
Due Date
Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis team up as Peter Highman and Ethan Tremblay respectively, in this comedy road trip across the United States.
The premise of the movie is this;
Peter Highman needs to return to LA, to be at the birth of his first child.
Ethan Tremblay is heading to Hollywood to try and make it as an actor.
The two do not know each other, until a car accident at the airport forces their separate paths to cross.
What follows is a slapstick adventure where, after being banned from flying (they end up on a "no fly list") the two characters join forces, somewhat reluctantly, to get across the USA in time for the birth of Peter's child.
I won't go in to details of their journey, as this is whole point of the film, so you will need to watch the film to appreciate all the jokes. There are some great visual gags and stunts. There are also a plethora of little gags, some funny, some hilarious.
Watch out for the scene with the coffee and Ethans' dead father. See? You need to watch it to find out.
Robert Downey Jr. is superb, perfectly playing the straight laced Peter. Zach Galifianakis also puts in a great performance as the bumbling, inept but ultimately, dare I say, loveable Ethan.
Due Date is a knockabout comedy road trip, which should have you laughing out loud.
Well worth a watch.
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