Welcome back to Tuesday Night is Film Night and this the last film of September! Where has the year gone? It won't be long before we are digging out more Christmas movies!
Back to this week and tonight we are watching;
The Grand Budapest Hotel
IMDB Link
Well, there we go then. IMDB states that The Grand Budapest Hotel is a comedy, it certainly had some funny moments, but how you classify it within the comedy genre is beyond us. It is sometimes dark, sometimes rude, sometimes bizarre and sometimes quirky, it is certainly unique. Let us have a quick synopsis, then get back to trying to describe the film to you.
The Grand Budapest Hotel traces the adventures of Gustave H played, it has to be said, absolutely brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes. Gustave is an extraordinary concierge at the famous Grand Budapest hotel, located in the Republic of Zubrowka. Set in the 1930's we see Gustave and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy (Tony Revolori), who becomes Gustave's most trusted friend, set off on an adventure that involves a dead guest of the hotel, a dispute over the dead woman's fortune, a stolen priceless painting and a trail of dead bodies as Gustave flee's from capture after being accused of murder.
Is that sufficiently confusing? It does make sense if you watch the film and it is best that you do, if you want to unravel the mysteries of the Grand Budapest Hotel.
What is different with the film is it's styling, although a new release, it is looks dated. It almost looks as if it is a silent, back and white comedy, with sound and colour. It is certainly unique when compared to other new releases, which gives it a certain charm, even if the concept seems to be a bit weird. It has however attracted some big names, as the cast list reads as a real who's who in the film world; Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Jude Law, Harvey Keitel, Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Wilkinson. They obviously saw something in the script that made them want to be part of it.
It is certainly not your run-of-the-mill comedy, it has a charm seen more often in European films, in fact it would not have seemed out of place for it to be a foreign language film badly dubbed in English, or just subtitled. In fact it is based on the novels of Stefan Zweig, an Austrian born writer of the early 1900's. The director of The Grand Budapest Hotel; Wes Anderson actually states in the end-credits that it is partially inspired by Zweig's novels and it is claimed that he had "stolen" from Zweig's novels Beware of Pity and The Post-Office Girl when writing the film.
The grand Budapest Hotel is a hard film to pigeon hole. It is quirky, strange even, but with a unique presence that actually makes it watchable. Fiennes is sublime as Gustave H. who manages to mix so well and with great comedic affect, a juxtaposition between the suave and ultra efficient concierge and a darker, edgier character when put in an awkward situations. You'll see what we mean if you watch it. Some very good laugh out loud moments. Unfortunately not enough to make it totally funny, but with it's strange atmosphere and quirky nature, it is one to watch only if to satisfy your curiosity. The official trailer is worth just checking out, so you can gain a gist of what we are describing.
As for the all important scores, well they are not going to reach the hotel's roof-top pool that's for sure, but they do just make it out of the lobby!
TNiFN Rating 65%
Tuesday 30 September 2014
Tuesday 16 September 2014
Water for Elephants - 16th September 2014
Tuesday is here once more and this week Tuesday Night is Film Night is screening;
Water for Elephants
Robert Pattinson swaps werewolves and vampire teeth, for an elephant and veterinary skills, in this circus based romantic drama set in 1930's America.
The film opens with the main character Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) in his older years (played by Hal Holbrook), wandering around a parking lot where a circus is just leaving. In true Titanic style we drift back through the eyes of this old man, back to his youth to set the scene. Jacob is a budding veterinary student, ready to take his final exams, when a tragic car accident kills his parents. Unfortunately, the family vet business and the house default back into the hands of the bank, leaving Jacob homeless and penniless, in the middle of the Great Depression. Jacob takes it upon himself to run off and seek work away from his home town. Trudging along the train tracks, he happens upon a travelling circus, rumbling along in a large train. He hitches a lift and just before getting beaten up and thrown off again, he is saved by one of the old circus hands, who kindly offers him some work.
He spends the first day cleaning out the animals, before he is summoned to see the boss of the Benzini Brothers Circus; August (Christoph Waltz). August is the circus ringmaster and somewhat tyrannical boss. He clearly sees some potential in young Jacob and offers to make him the company vet. August is married to Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) who is the star attraction with her beautiful dancing horses. Jacob diagnoses a terminal illness for one of the horses and going against August, puts the horse down, to save it from misery and a painful, slow death. And although this is a devastating blow to Marlena and the circus, he endears himself to Marlena through his kindness and we have the beginning of our romance, although Marlena and Jacob cannot seriously consider any kind of tryst with the eyes of the circus upon them.
Without a star attraction the circus goes into decline, until that is an elephant appears! This will be the new star of the show, with Marlena riding this huge elephant Rosie, that Jacob has to train. This is where the our love story develops and Marlena and Jacob become closer and a love triangle ensues, as August treats Marlena as an possesion, which forces her closer to Jacob. This three handed relationship saga continues to develop as the film progresses.
That is basically the set up of the plot and the story grows from there. Based on the Sara Gruen novel of the same name, Water For Elephants is a charming and thoughtful film, following the lives of this travelling circus, where it's new vet displays his love for animals, as well as the boss's wife! Pattinson is a convincing vet and his interaction with the animals is a delight to watch. As is Reece Witherspoon as Marlena, who clearly practiced some acrobatics for her role, as well as some good editing and a body double, for the harder scenes. Christoph Waltz is a delightful baddie, playing with a gritty edge the somewhat psychotic ringmaster, who can turn from the charming showman, into a snarling beast at the drop of a top hat.
Water For Elephants is a really good film, you have that innocent flashback set up at the start, as the narration from the older Jacob, drifts gently into the younger Jacob, allowing you to become accustomed to the characters and have the scene set in the first few minutes. At two hours long, it is quite an achievement to maintain interest throughout, but it does due to the great storyline, where you're not sure how things will transpire, allied with some superb acting from the main cast, and the supporting players.
It was a high scoring film from a TNiFN perspective, being a clear hit for the ladies, probably due to one Mr Pattinson.
TNiFN Rating 84%
IMDB Link
Water for Elephants
Robert Pattinson swaps werewolves and vampire teeth, for an elephant and veterinary skills, in this circus based romantic drama set in 1930's America.
The film opens with the main character Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) in his older years (played by Hal Holbrook), wandering around a parking lot where a circus is just leaving. In true Titanic style we drift back through the eyes of this old man, back to his youth to set the scene. Jacob is a budding veterinary student, ready to take his final exams, when a tragic car accident kills his parents. Unfortunately, the family vet business and the house default back into the hands of the bank, leaving Jacob homeless and penniless, in the middle of the Great Depression. Jacob takes it upon himself to run off and seek work away from his home town. Trudging along the train tracks, he happens upon a travelling circus, rumbling along in a large train. He hitches a lift and just before getting beaten up and thrown off again, he is saved by one of the old circus hands, who kindly offers him some work.
He spends the first day cleaning out the animals, before he is summoned to see the boss of the Benzini Brothers Circus; August (Christoph Waltz). August is the circus ringmaster and somewhat tyrannical boss. He clearly sees some potential in young Jacob and offers to make him the company vet. August is married to Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) who is the star attraction with her beautiful dancing horses. Jacob diagnoses a terminal illness for one of the horses and going against August, puts the horse down, to save it from misery and a painful, slow death. And although this is a devastating blow to Marlena and the circus, he endears himself to Marlena through his kindness and we have the beginning of our romance, although Marlena and Jacob cannot seriously consider any kind of tryst with the eyes of the circus upon them.
Without a star attraction the circus goes into decline, until that is an elephant appears! This will be the new star of the show, with Marlena riding this huge elephant Rosie, that Jacob has to train. This is where the our love story develops and Marlena and Jacob become closer and a love triangle ensues, as August treats Marlena as an possesion, which forces her closer to Jacob. This three handed relationship saga continues to develop as the film progresses.
That is basically the set up of the plot and the story grows from there. Based on the Sara Gruen novel of the same name, Water For Elephants is a charming and thoughtful film, following the lives of this travelling circus, where it's new vet displays his love for animals, as well as the boss's wife! Pattinson is a convincing vet and his interaction with the animals is a delight to watch. As is Reece Witherspoon as Marlena, who clearly practiced some acrobatics for her role, as well as some good editing and a body double, for the harder scenes. Christoph Waltz is a delightful baddie, playing with a gritty edge the somewhat psychotic ringmaster, who can turn from the charming showman, into a snarling beast at the drop of a top hat.
Water For Elephants is a really good film, you have that innocent flashback set up at the start, as the narration from the older Jacob, drifts gently into the younger Jacob, allowing you to become accustomed to the characters and have the scene set in the first few minutes. At two hours long, it is quite an achievement to maintain interest throughout, but it does due to the great storyline, where you're not sure how things will transpire, allied with some superb acting from the main cast, and the supporting players.
It was a high scoring film from a TNiFN perspective, being a clear hit for the ladies, probably due to one Mr Pattinson.
TNiFN Rating 84%
IMDB Link
Tuesday 9 September 2014
Non-Stop - 9th September 2014
Tuesday Night is Film Night is here again and back into the swing of things after the summer break. This week we are sampling an action / thriller / mystery movie and a recent one to boot, from this year in fact!
This week's film is;
Non-Stop
Liam Neeson stars in this 2014 airline action thriller, as Air Marshall Bill Marks. Marks is rota'd for a routine flight from the US to London, however it transpires that the flight is far from routine. The film starts with some gentle background information about Bill Marks, just as a scene setter. Followed by some interaction at the airport, where Marks takes in the other passengers on the flight, as part of his role of Air Marshall. This establishes some facts to carry forward and starts to add layers to the plot.
The film builds once the aeroplane is in flight and Bill receives a message on his mobile phone. This message is the first indication that something is wrong. And although it's not yet a hijack situation it is clear that someone on the plane is intent on causing trouble, with threats to kill a passenger every 20 minutes.
So it is established early on what route the story is taking however, and this is a huge plus point for Non-Stop, the fact that you just do not know who is behind this. In fact one of the films taglines is; "146 passengers. 146 suspects". And the tension builds and builds through to the climax where we find out who is behind the demands. No spoilers!
The story is fantastic, the way it builds is intense and gripping. When you think you know who it is, another of layer of obfuscation clouds the mystery and again you are left wondering.who is sending the messages. Sometimes with action thrillers the storylines tend to be a bit sensational, especially when it comes to technology and you are left saying; "that would never happen", with Non-Stop they've err'd on the side of caution and have shown technology that potentially would have you saying; "could happen". We, at TNiFN Towers like an action thriller to be rooted in reality, as well as being a bit sensationalist, if that's possible.
Neeson is absolutely superb as Bill Marks, his acting style seems to be effortless and he falls into character with ease, although you could say his character is no different to that of other Neeson films such as Taken or Unknown, but then that's the beauty of Liam Neeson, you get what you're given and so far we are not disappointed.
Bill Marks is ably supported by Air Stewardess; Nancy, played by the ever-so lovely Michelle Dockery, who has swapped the ball gowns she normally wears as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey, for the airline uniform. Other characters of note are Jen Summers (Julianne Moore) who sits next to Bill Marks on the plane, who in turn becomes a suspect. As does Zack White played by Nate Parker and Tom Bowen played by Scoot McNairy and Austin Reilly (Corey Stoll). Mind you, we could go around the whole of the plane picking off suspects and / or passengers and you'd still be none the wiser. In fact it is only in the last 20 minutes or so does the tale of subterfuge finally unravel and you discover who is behind the dastardly plan of extorting money by hijacking a plane and skilfully laying the blame on Air Marshall Bill Marks. Oh yes, that happens as well, there are so many plot twists that you really have to watch Non-Stop to appreciate them all.
Non-Stop is a brilliant story, with fantastic twists, multi-layered and multi-faceted plots and great special effects. Fans of Taken and Unknown, or Liam Neeson in general will enjoy this film, it is sensationalist without being too overtly over-the-top. It drip feeds information that may seem inconsequential to start off with, but will be referred to later on in the film. So you need to be observant, even when on the edge of your seat.
Cracking movie!
TNiFN Rating 93%
This week's film is;
Non-Stop
Liam Neeson stars in this 2014 airline action thriller, as Air Marshall Bill Marks. Marks is rota'd for a routine flight from the US to London, however it transpires that the flight is far from routine. The film starts with some gentle background information about Bill Marks, just as a scene setter. Followed by some interaction at the airport, where Marks takes in the other passengers on the flight, as part of his role of Air Marshall. This establishes some facts to carry forward and starts to add layers to the plot.
The film builds once the aeroplane is in flight and Bill receives a message on his mobile phone. This message is the first indication that something is wrong. And although it's not yet a hijack situation it is clear that someone on the plane is intent on causing trouble, with threats to kill a passenger every 20 minutes.
So it is established early on what route the story is taking however, and this is a huge plus point for Non-Stop, the fact that you just do not know who is behind this. In fact one of the films taglines is; "146 passengers. 146 suspects". And the tension builds and builds through to the climax where we find out who is behind the demands. No spoilers!
The story is fantastic, the way it builds is intense and gripping. When you think you know who it is, another of layer of obfuscation clouds the mystery and again you are left wondering.who is sending the messages. Sometimes with action thrillers the storylines tend to be a bit sensational, especially when it comes to technology and you are left saying; "that would never happen", with Non-Stop they've err'd on the side of caution and have shown technology that potentially would have you saying; "could happen". We, at TNiFN Towers like an action thriller to be rooted in reality, as well as being a bit sensationalist, if that's possible.
Neeson is absolutely superb as Bill Marks, his acting style seems to be effortless and he falls into character with ease, although you could say his character is no different to that of other Neeson films such as Taken or Unknown, but then that's the beauty of Liam Neeson, you get what you're given and so far we are not disappointed.
Bill Marks is ably supported by Air Stewardess; Nancy, played by the ever-so lovely Michelle Dockery, who has swapped the ball gowns she normally wears as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey, for the airline uniform. Other characters of note are Jen Summers (Julianne Moore) who sits next to Bill Marks on the plane, who in turn becomes a suspect. As does Zack White played by Nate Parker and Tom Bowen played by Scoot McNairy and Austin Reilly (Corey Stoll). Mind you, we could go around the whole of the plane picking off suspects and / or passengers and you'd still be none the wiser. In fact it is only in the last 20 minutes or so does the tale of subterfuge finally unravel and you discover who is behind the dastardly plan of extorting money by hijacking a plane and skilfully laying the blame on Air Marshall Bill Marks. Oh yes, that happens as well, there are so many plot twists that you really have to watch Non-Stop to appreciate them all.
Non-Stop is a brilliant story, with fantastic twists, multi-layered and multi-faceted plots and great special effects. Fans of Taken and Unknown, or Liam Neeson in general will enjoy this film, it is sensationalist without being too overtly over-the-top. It drip feeds information that may seem inconsequential to start off with, but will be referred to later on in the film. So you need to be observant, even when on the edge of your seat.
Cracking movie!
TNiFN Rating 93%
Tuesday 2 September 2014
The 40-Year-Old Virgin - 2nd September 2014
Tuesday Night is Film Night is back after the summer holidays! We haven't been totally film-less, we have popped to the cinema to catch the new Inbetweeners movie, plus we had a lazy Sunday afternoon in watching Tom Hanks in Angels and Demons. However, as neither of these were a Tuesday, they don't count!
So what cinematic delight do we have tonight, we hear you cry? Well, we are going to kick off September with some comedy and;
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
So there we have it, film done and it really was quite good and funny. The plot is pretty much self explanatory, just look at the title!
Steve Carrell heads up the cast in this Judd Apatow directed comedy that focuses it's attention on Andy (Carrell) and his intact virginity. Andy works in an electrical store by day and in a nerdy, 40 year old loner pretty much the rest of the time. It's only after he is coerced into going out with some of the lads at the store, for a poker game, that his lack of sexual acrobatics is revealed, so to speak. Therefore, like all good friends, they make it their mission to help Andy fulfill the deed.
Paul Rudd plays David, Romany Malco is Jay and Seth Rogen plays Cal, who all work in the store with Andy and are the three main contenders to assist the reluctant sexual wannabee into bed. These three really supply the comedy lines throughout this 1 hour and 16 minute escapade. Although Carrell even though he is portraying a nerdy, introverted, toy collecting virgin, is also very funny, mainly in the way that he tries to come out of his shell and copy the verbal style of his store colleagues, as he tries so very hard to fit in, but it clearly isn't happening, as Andy is Andy.
There is of course a serious love interest that develops alongside the main thread, in the shape of Trish played by the wonderful Catherine Keener (last seen here at TNiFN in Captain Phillips). And it is the sub plots that add layers to the film that makes it more entertaining and you really are not sure which way it will go for Andy, although as the story develops you are rooting for him to get with Trish, despite all the other diversions put in his way by his over zealous colleagues.
All in all The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a pretty good film, very funny, a good story from the combined pens of Judd Apatow and Steve Carell and a decent cast providing the on-screen laughs.The comedy is not over the top, it's subtle in places and sits well with what inevitably is the romantic side of the story. It is a good mix of the two but settling more on the comedy side of the rom-com balance, in fact it's more like a comedy-romance. Com-rom anybody?
As for the scores, The 40-Year-Old Virgin manages to get up........
TNiFN Rating 70%
PS. Thanks to everybody who actually reads these reviews, if you are reading this, then you are one of the wonderful people who have read these pages and have pushed our page views over the 8,000 mark. So, thank you.
IMDB Link
So what cinematic delight do we have tonight, we hear you cry? Well, we are going to kick off September with some comedy and;
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
So there we have it, film done and it really was quite good and funny. The plot is pretty much self explanatory, just look at the title!
Steve Carrell heads up the cast in this Judd Apatow directed comedy that focuses it's attention on Andy (Carrell) and his intact virginity. Andy works in an electrical store by day and in a nerdy, 40 year old loner pretty much the rest of the time. It's only after he is coerced into going out with some of the lads at the store, for a poker game, that his lack of sexual acrobatics is revealed, so to speak. Therefore, like all good friends, they make it their mission to help Andy fulfill the deed.
Paul Rudd plays David, Romany Malco is Jay and Seth Rogen plays Cal, who all work in the store with Andy and are the three main contenders to assist the reluctant sexual wannabee into bed. These three really supply the comedy lines throughout this 1 hour and 16 minute escapade. Although Carrell even though he is portraying a nerdy, introverted, toy collecting virgin, is also very funny, mainly in the way that he tries to come out of his shell and copy the verbal style of his store colleagues, as he tries so very hard to fit in, but it clearly isn't happening, as Andy is Andy.
There is of course a serious love interest that develops alongside the main thread, in the shape of Trish played by the wonderful Catherine Keener (last seen here at TNiFN in Captain Phillips). And it is the sub plots that add layers to the film that makes it more entertaining and you really are not sure which way it will go for Andy, although as the story develops you are rooting for him to get with Trish, despite all the other diversions put in his way by his over zealous colleagues.
All in all The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a pretty good film, very funny, a good story from the combined pens of Judd Apatow and Steve Carell and a decent cast providing the on-screen laughs.The comedy is not over the top, it's subtle in places and sits well with what inevitably is the romantic side of the story. It is a good mix of the two but settling more on the comedy side of the rom-com balance, in fact it's more like a comedy-romance. Com-rom anybody?
As for the scores, The 40-Year-Old Virgin manages to get up........
TNiFN Rating 70%
PS. Thanks to everybody who actually reads these reviews, if you are reading this, then you are one of the wonderful people who have read these pages and have pushed our page views over the 8,000 mark. So, thank you.
IMDB Link
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)