Here we are again and this week we're sampling the delights of a drama based on a true story, whatever happens it will be better than last week's film! So sit down on the beach, relax and watch the waves, as we watch;
The Impossible
Now that is what we call a film! If you do nothing else put The impossible on your list of films to watch and see what you think.
Based on the true story of a family on holiday in Thailand and caught in the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts head up the cast as Henry and Maria who are spending Christmas in Thailand with their three boys; Lucas, Thomas and Simon, played superbly by Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast respectively and it must be said that the children were superb especially the eldest Tom Holland who was just fantastic, almost stealing the limelight away from the older actors.
After the requisite scene setting we soon hit the tragedy of the story as the tsunami strikes and decimates the coastal resort of Khao Lak, sweeping away everything in it's path, including Henry, Maria and the three boys. Obviously with such a force of nature the family get divided and the rest of the film follows the story of how they get back together.
Firstly that is all there is to it storywise, but you don't need any more than it, it is a simple story, but a breathtakingly tragic one. Secondly how you get from the start of the film to the end is just a fantastic, emotional, dramatic journey. The special effects draw the viewer right into the action and the ten minute segment of the film where we see the tsunami hit took a year to film. You are totally gripped from start to finish, caught up in the maelstrom of this natural disaster.
It is beautifully shot on location in Thailand and Spain, with a haunting juxtaposition between the opening scenes of sun, blue sky and azure seas, followed closely by the devastating effect of of the tsunami charging inland. Throughout the story you have the poignant moments of jeopardy where at first you think things are going to be alright, then some twist appears that changes the course of the story, this is no more evident than in the hospital scenes with Maria and her son Lucas, these will definitely tug on the old heart strings.
One can surmise that there is no greater admiration for a film than to sit in the dark as the very long credits roll and to be still stuck in your seat awestruck by the story you have just witnessed, but that is what happened tonight. No one made a move until the final credit had rolled. Whether this was due in part to the haunting music that accompanied the credits, or the fact that we didn't want the film to end, or maybe it was the certitude that we had just witnessed a marvelous story, but the TNiFN panel were in no doubt that this week's film was a good one.
We cannot say anymore about the film, the story is simple, but gripping. The film is a roller-coaster of emotion from start to finish. If you haven't seen it, then we urge to take a look.
TNiFN Rating 93%
IMDB Link
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Dark Skies - 21st April 2015
Tuesday Night is Film is going out of it's comfort zone tonight with a horror / sci-fi / thriller movie. Will it be a sleepless night tonight after we have seen;
Dark Skies
There's a reason why we tend not to watch horror movies here at TNiFN Towers, it's because we don't really like them! However, to ensure a fair spread of genres over the films we watch we decided to give this horror / sci-fi / thriller a try, after all the trailer did look intriguing. So what is it all about we hear you ask, let us explain.
Lacy and Daniel Barrett (Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton) live in a normal house, on a normal suburban street, in a normal American town, with their two normal sons; Jesse and Sam (Dakota Goyo and Kadan Rockett). However this normality starts to deteriorate as strange things start happening to the house and the family. Although they seem innocent, but inexplicable at first, they soon turn more sinister, severe and totally inexplicable, which in turn starts to eat away at the foundation of the Barrett's family, with Daniel and Lacy not knowing who or what to believe.
When things get so bad, they turn to a local man; Edwin Pollard, played by J.K. Simmons who has first hand experience in these pseudo-supernatural experiences and he attributes them to aliens.
As a story it is very dark, but pretty weak. The cross over between thriller, horror and sci-fi does not really work. It's like a mash up of ET and Paranormal Activity, with a modicum of Close and Encounters of the Third Kind thrown in for good measure. As a result, it is neither one thing or another. The only thing that it definitely is; is scary! Yes, if you do not like horror films then make sure you have a cushion or something similar to hide behind.
As with most horror films, it is not necessarily the things you see that are spine-chilling, but the things you don't. Very good use of music and sound effects raise the tension to formidable heights and it is this tension and apprehension that gets the hairs standing up on the back of your neck and a cold shiver running down your spine. However the thrills are short lived and the story continues, but it is not much of a story and that gripping tension soon fades.
From a horror genre, it is fairly standard and formulaic, it provides the necessary thrills and chills with a smattering of sinister events for you to ponder over, but with the inclusion of the alien element, therefore making it totally unworldly, does not work and the storyline is lacklustre as a result. It would have been better if they had hidden this part until the very end rather than picking it up halfway through, as a result the events lost a lot of their gravitas as we knew the perpetrators.
So this genre has now been dealt with and so it's time to move back to the security of some well liked genres, we'll see what next week brings.
As for the scores, Dark Skies is not going to break any records this week as it gets;
TNiFN Rating 59%
IMDB Link
Dark Skies
There's a reason why we tend not to watch horror movies here at TNiFN Towers, it's because we don't really like them! However, to ensure a fair spread of genres over the films we watch we decided to give this horror / sci-fi / thriller a try, after all the trailer did look intriguing. So what is it all about we hear you ask, let us explain.
Lacy and Daniel Barrett (Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton) live in a normal house, on a normal suburban street, in a normal American town, with their two normal sons; Jesse and Sam (Dakota Goyo and Kadan Rockett). However this normality starts to deteriorate as strange things start happening to the house and the family. Although they seem innocent, but inexplicable at first, they soon turn more sinister, severe and totally inexplicable, which in turn starts to eat away at the foundation of the Barrett's family, with Daniel and Lacy not knowing who or what to believe.
When things get so bad, they turn to a local man; Edwin Pollard, played by J.K. Simmons who has first hand experience in these pseudo-supernatural experiences and he attributes them to aliens.
As a story it is very dark, but pretty weak. The cross over between thriller, horror and sci-fi does not really work. It's like a mash up of ET and Paranormal Activity, with a modicum of Close and Encounters of the Third Kind thrown in for good measure. As a result, it is neither one thing or another. The only thing that it definitely is; is scary! Yes, if you do not like horror films then make sure you have a cushion or something similar to hide behind.
As with most horror films, it is not necessarily the things you see that are spine-chilling, but the things you don't. Very good use of music and sound effects raise the tension to formidable heights and it is this tension and apprehension that gets the hairs standing up on the back of your neck and a cold shiver running down your spine. However the thrills are short lived and the story continues, but it is not much of a story and that gripping tension soon fades.
From a horror genre, it is fairly standard and formulaic, it provides the necessary thrills and chills with a smattering of sinister events for you to ponder over, but with the inclusion of the alien element, therefore making it totally unworldly, does not work and the storyline is lacklustre as a result. It would have been better if they had hidden this part until the very end rather than picking it up halfway through, as a result the events lost a lot of their gravitas as we knew the perpetrators.
So this genre has now been dealt with and so it's time to move back to the security of some well liked genres, we'll see what next week brings.
As for the scores, Dark Skies is not going to break any records this week as it gets;
TNiFN Rating 59%
IMDB Link
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Quadrophenia - 14th April 2015
Tonight we take a scooter ride back in time to a film from 1979 and set in the Swinging Sixties. So it's off down to Brighton for some;
It is always very hard to review a classic film, as there is no real point running through a well known synopsis, plus it is difficult to introduce a unique slant to the critique. Also there is a real chance that we could offend someone by not liking a classic film, luckily that's not the case with Quadrophenia, it is a classic and was admired by most members of the TNiFN panel, although the younger contingent was not impressed by this seminal piece of cinematography. Each to their own.
As you will all know, Quadrophenia follows the life of young Mod Jimmy, played superbly by a 19 year old Phil Daniels. Jimmy is a troubled young Mod, not sure of where he fits into life. He strives for acceptance from his peers, he tries hard to be somebody, to stand out from the crowd. Even though he asserts this outgoing persona, he becomes more and more insular as the film progresses. Fueled by a tapestry of amphetamines Jimmy starts to spiral into progressive ups and downs, riding a Lambretta style roller coaster to his own self destruction, not before having a right good go at the Rockers on Brighton beach.
There's not a great deal of story per se to the film, but there does not need to be, moreover it is a study on teenage angst, how it affects individuals and those that surround them. Does the pent up anguish and rebelliousness fuel love or hate? Do you fight the system or your family? Jimmy embodies all of this frustration and seems to rebel against everything in his fight for acknowledgement, either from the Mods he looks up to; Ace Face (played by Sting), or the "bird" he fancies; Steph, played by a young and rather lovely Leslie Ash. or indeed from his family. However, it seems that Jimmy alienates himself from everyone in the end, or those people that he looks up to have already sold out. This is particularly pertinent when Ace Face is exposed as a just Brighton hotel bellboy.
A lot of what is quintessentially good about Quadrophenia is where no action is taking place, or no dialogue is required, you just get a scene where Jimmy is just staring out to sea, or from a cliff, or on a train and the film tells its own story using the soundtrack brilliantly supplied by The Who with the gritty, meaningful and often melancholic lyrics of Pete Townsend.
The cast of Quadrophenia is a literal who's who of British drama and TV, almost half the cast have either subsequently appeared in Eastenders or The Bill or some such serial drama and the list is pretty endless. Ray Winstone makes an appearance as Kevin an old friend of Jimmy's, who in a bizarre juxtaposition turns out to be a Rocker and therefore an enemy, making it rather awkward for Jimmy. Toyah Willcox plays Monkey a Mod friend of Jimmy. We don't get to know much about Monkey and her life; indeed It's a Mystery.
Apologies.
There's also an early appearance from Timothy Spall. Along with some great acting from Michael Elphick and Kate Williams as Jimmy's parents. The list goes on and on, if you watch it make sure you have IMDB handy to look the actors up, as there will be a lot of "I know him from somewhere".
Quadrophenia is an 18 certificate from 1979, but although we have seen it before, the number of expletives were far in excess of what we remember, although we may have seen a cut version previously. However, viewers of a nervous disposition should be prepared for the exuding of various expletives to make your toes curl, but it's an essential element to a very gritty drama.
There we have it, not much synopsis as we all know, or at least should know the story. The film is a classic, there's no two ways about it and if you haven't seen it and are of that age who would appreciate it more, then we implore you to watch.
As for the scores, unfortunately the younger member of the panel did not agree with the classic status and failed to look beyond the superfluous storyline and delve into the inner workings of the mind of a juvenile delinquent, full of perturbation and unease. As a study of mental instabilities, this film is just a sublime example of how to do it right.
We digress, the scores;
TNiFN Rating 69%
Quadrophenia
It is always very hard to review a classic film, as there is no real point running through a well known synopsis, plus it is difficult to introduce a unique slant to the critique. Also there is a real chance that we could offend someone by not liking a classic film, luckily that's not the case with Quadrophenia, it is a classic and was admired by most members of the TNiFN panel, although the younger contingent was not impressed by this seminal piece of cinematography. Each to their own.
As you will all know, Quadrophenia follows the life of young Mod Jimmy, played superbly by a 19 year old Phil Daniels. Jimmy is a troubled young Mod, not sure of where he fits into life. He strives for acceptance from his peers, he tries hard to be somebody, to stand out from the crowd. Even though he asserts this outgoing persona, he becomes more and more insular as the film progresses. Fueled by a tapestry of amphetamines Jimmy starts to spiral into progressive ups and downs, riding a Lambretta style roller coaster to his own self destruction, not before having a right good go at the Rockers on Brighton beach.
There's not a great deal of story per se to the film, but there does not need to be, moreover it is a study on teenage angst, how it affects individuals and those that surround them. Does the pent up anguish and rebelliousness fuel love or hate? Do you fight the system or your family? Jimmy embodies all of this frustration and seems to rebel against everything in his fight for acknowledgement, either from the Mods he looks up to; Ace Face (played by Sting), or the "bird" he fancies; Steph, played by a young and rather lovely Leslie Ash. or indeed from his family. However, it seems that Jimmy alienates himself from everyone in the end, or those people that he looks up to have already sold out. This is particularly pertinent when Ace Face is exposed as a just Brighton hotel bellboy.
A lot of what is quintessentially good about Quadrophenia is where no action is taking place, or no dialogue is required, you just get a scene where Jimmy is just staring out to sea, or from a cliff, or on a train and the film tells its own story using the soundtrack brilliantly supplied by The Who with the gritty, meaningful and often melancholic lyrics of Pete Townsend.
The cast of Quadrophenia is a literal who's who of British drama and TV, almost half the cast have either subsequently appeared in Eastenders or The Bill or some such serial drama and the list is pretty endless. Ray Winstone makes an appearance as Kevin an old friend of Jimmy's, who in a bizarre juxtaposition turns out to be a Rocker and therefore an enemy, making it rather awkward for Jimmy. Toyah Willcox plays Monkey a Mod friend of Jimmy. We don't get to know much about Monkey and her life; indeed It's a Mystery.
Apologies.
There's also an early appearance from Timothy Spall. Along with some great acting from Michael Elphick and Kate Williams as Jimmy's parents. The list goes on and on, if you watch it make sure you have IMDB handy to look the actors up, as there will be a lot of "I know him from somewhere".
Quadrophenia is an 18 certificate from 1979, but although we have seen it before, the number of expletives were far in excess of what we remember, although we may have seen a cut version previously. However, viewers of a nervous disposition should be prepared for the exuding of various expletives to make your toes curl, but it's an essential element to a very gritty drama.
There we have it, not much synopsis as we all know, or at least should know the story. The film is a classic, there's no two ways about it and if you haven't seen it and are of that age who would appreciate it more, then we implore you to watch.
As for the scores, unfortunately the younger member of the panel did not agree with the classic status and failed to look beyond the superfluous storyline and delve into the inner workings of the mind of a juvenile delinquent, full of perturbation and unease. As a study of mental instabilities, this film is just a sublime example of how to do it right.
We digress, the scores;
TNiFN Rating 69%
Tuesday 7 April 2015
The Heat - 7th April 2015
So after the long Bank Holiday weekend, Tuesday Night is Film Night is here and looking forward to some Sandra Bullock action, as she appears alongside Melissa McCarthy in the crime based comedy;
The Heat
What can we say about The Heat? Well, it was 117 minutes of sheer, unadulterated bliss! Yes indeed, nearly two hours of side splitting laughter, segued with an underlying buddy cop movie, that probably could have stood on it's on, without the laughs. Just brilliant! Generally you read the DVD cover review quote with a pinch of salt, in the case of The Heat, when they say; "Simply the funniest double act in ages", they are not joking.
All you need to know of the storyline is that; "an uptight FBI Special Agent is paired with a foul-mouthed Boston cop to take down a ruthless drug lord". (Thanks IMDB for that brief synopsis).
That FBI Special Agent is Agent Ashburn, portrayed by the gorgeous Sandra Bullock, who is coupled with licentious Boston cop; Mullins played by the not-so-gorgeous, but extremely funny and talented Melissa McCarthy. Ashburn is precise, perfect and gets results, however for that reason, her New York colleagues don't like or appreciate her, as a result she is posted to Boston to work on a drugs case, this is where she meets her juxtaposed partner in crime prevention; Mullins. Mullins is everything that Ashburn is not, the only thing they have in common is that they both get results, but now they have to forget their differences and work together to bring down the drug lord and that's where the fun starts.
The film is essentially a buddy movie, albeit a strange partnership, but that is why it works so well. The actual story itself could easily work as a drama, all the elements are there, but the sheer brilliance of The Heat is that they take all the seriousness away from gang members being shot in the head, for instance and make it extremely funny! Strange, but true. The laughs come thick and fast, especially from Melissa McCarthy who is just hilarious. However, not to be outdone Sandra Bullock also portrays her character with much hilarity and this builds throughout the film and it just gets funnier and funnier.
Much kudos should go the talented writer Katie Dippold and the director Paul Feig for putting together such a great story, taking a gritty subject and transposing it into an hilarious comedy, with just a modicum of pathos. Bullock is just superb and is a real joy to watch, not only for her stunning, well honed good looks, but also the way that she really gets into the character, she portrays each level of Ashburn from her initial FBI perfection in the opening scenes, right through her drunken antics in the bar scene and even to her clumsy ribaldry in one brilliant scene when the story hits a low for Mullins and Ashburn.
The two characters just gel so well, it is a joy to watch them both, no one could stop laughing long enough to fall asleep this week. And we're running out of superlatives to describe this fantastic film, brilliant sublime acting from the two leading ladies, a great storyline, fantastic supporting cast, plus a great soundtrack keeps the film bouncing along.
Really this review should just say; "Watch The Heat, you will not be disappointed".
TNiFN Rating 92%
IMDB Link
The Heat
What can we say about The Heat? Well, it was 117 minutes of sheer, unadulterated bliss! Yes indeed, nearly two hours of side splitting laughter, segued with an underlying buddy cop movie, that probably could have stood on it's on, without the laughs. Just brilliant! Generally you read the DVD cover review quote with a pinch of salt, in the case of The Heat, when they say; "Simply the funniest double act in ages", they are not joking.
All you need to know of the storyline is that; "an uptight FBI Special Agent is paired with a foul-mouthed Boston cop to take down a ruthless drug lord". (Thanks IMDB for that brief synopsis).
That FBI Special Agent is Agent Ashburn, portrayed by the gorgeous Sandra Bullock, who is coupled with licentious Boston cop; Mullins played by the not-so-gorgeous, but extremely funny and talented Melissa McCarthy. Ashburn is precise, perfect and gets results, however for that reason, her New York colleagues don't like or appreciate her, as a result she is posted to Boston to work on a drugs case, this is where she meets her juxtaposed partner in crime prevention; Mullins. Mullins is everything that Ashburn is not, the only thing they have in common is that they both get results, but now they have to forget their differences and work together to bring down the drug lord and that's where the fun starts.
The film is essentially a buddy movie, albeit a strange partnership, but that is why it works so well. The actual story itself could easily work as a drama, all the elements are there, but the sheer brilliance of The Heat is that they take all the seriousness away from gang members being shot in the head, for instance and make it extremely funny! Strange, but true. The laughs come thick and fast, especially from Melissa McCarthy who is just hilarious. However, not to be outdone Sandra Bullock also portrays her character with much hilarity and this builds throughout the film and it just gets funnier and funnier.
Much kudos should go the talented writer Katie Dippold and the director Paul Feig for putting together such a great story, taking a gritty subject and transposing it into an hilarious comedy, with just a modicum of pathos. Bullock is just superb and is a real joy to watch, not only for her stunning, well honed good looks, but also the way that she really gets into the character, she portrays each level of Ashburn from her initial FBI perfection in the opening scenes, right through her drunken antics in the bar scene and even to her clumsy ribaldry in one brilliant scene when the story hits a low for Mullins and Ashburn.
The two characters just gel so well, it is a joy to watch them both, no one could stop laughing long enough to fall asleep this week. And we're running out of superlatives to describe this fantastic film, brilliant sublime acting from the two leading ladies, a great storyline, fantastic supporting cast, plus a great soundtrack keeps the film bouncing along.
Really this review should just say; "Watch The Heat, you will not be disappointed".
TNiFN Rating 92%
IMDB Link
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