Tonight's film was How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days with Kate Hudson & Matthew McConaughey.
Yes, another chick flick in the same vein as The Wedding Planner (which Matthew McConaughey also starred in).
Again, it's a fairly predicatble romantic comedy, with some good laugh out loud moments.
Kate Hudson plays Andie Anderson, a fashion & lifestyle magazine journalist, who accidently falls into writing a column on how to lose a guy in 10 days, (guess where the title of the film comes from), to do this she must find a man, make him fall for her, then do her best to make him fall out with her.
On the flipside, McConaughey plays Ben Barry, an advertising executive working on mens fitness and sports accounts, but really wants a shot at the big new diamond account. His boss wants to offer it to someone else, but Ben brokers a deal where, he says he can get a woman to fall in love with him in 10 days.
Can you see where this is going?
So, through some external manipulation from his advertising rivals Ben ends up trying to make Andie fall for him. While Andie tries to capture his heart then ditch him in 10 days.
Cue an hour of romance, comedy, sadness and a dog dressed in Burberry, amongst other things.
Kate Hudson is brilliant in this movie, stunningly beautiful, but she needs to eat something!! Very skinny.
The jury is still out on Matthew McConaughey, I'm not sure that I like him. His accent starts to grate after awhile, but his good looks obviously make up for this, if you like that sort of thing!
Overall a better than average film, some good hearty laugh out loud moments. The romance wasn't overly sickly and of course, there's a happy ending, but how they get there, go watch the film!
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story - 11th January 2011
Well tonight we had; "Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story", a spoof of every music biopic or rock-umentary ever made.
It follws the life of Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), from young boy to old man, with his struggle with possibly every musical genre going, from the Blues in the 50's, through rock 'n' roll in the 60's, flower power, protest, disco. pop, rock, etc. etc.
John C. Reilly as Dewy manages to skillfully parody everybody from; Roy Orbison to Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson to The Beatles. Talking of which, the section of the film where Dewey and his band are with the Maharishi and The Beatles, in India, is a fantastic section of the film, I think I laughed from start to finish.
Jack Black and Paul Rudd appear as Paul McCartney and John Lennon and their portrayal and parody of the beginning of The Beatles rift is superbly reenacted and laugh out loud funny!
It's good and funny film, the story is predictable but that's not a bad thing. There are some running gags through the film, which although you know they are coming, it does pull the plot together.
Be warned, it is a 15 rating, so there is some nudity, crudity, strong language, but it's not excessive and certainly adds to the enjoyment without being overly gratuitous.
Other highlights for me were Tim Meadows as Dewey's drummer, who always seemed to be taking some new kind of drug; "you don't want any of this shit, Dewey"!
Storyline, as written by Sony Pictures;
The up-and-down-and-up-again story of musician Dewey Cox, whose songs would change a nation. On his rock 'n roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has 22 kids and 14 step-kids, stars in his own 70s TV show, collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and gets addicted to - and then kicks - every drug known to man; but despite it all, Cox grows into a national icon and eventually earns the love of a good woman - longtime backup singer Darlene.
It follws the life of Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), from young boy to old man, with his struggle with possibly every musical genre going, from the Blues in the 50's, through rock 'n' roll in the 60's, flower power, protest, disco. pop, rock, etc. etc.
John C. Reilly as Dewy manages to skillfully parody everybody from; Roy Orbison to Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson to The Beatles. Talking of which, the section of the film where Dewey and his band are with the Maharishi and The Beatles, in India, is a fantastic section of the film, I think I laughed from start to finish.
Jack Black and Paul Rudd appear as Paul McCartney and John Lennon and their portrayal and parody of the beginning of The Beatles rift is superbly reenacted and laugh out loud funny!
It's good and funny film, the story is predictable but that's not a bad thing. There are some running gags through the film, which although you know they are coming, it does pull the plot together.
Be warned, it is a 15 rating, so there is some nudity, crudity, strong language, but it's not excessive and certainly adds to the enjoyment without being overly gratuitous.
Other highlights for me were Tim Meadows as Dewey's drummer, who always seemed to be taking some new kind of drug; "you don't want any of this shit, Dewey"!
Storyline, as written by Sony Pictures;
The up-and-down-and-up-again story of musician Dewey Cox, whose songs would change a nation. On his rock 'n roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has 22 kids and 14 step-kids, stars in his own 70s TV show, collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and gets addicted to - and then kicks - every drug known to man; but despite it all, Cox grows into a national icon and eventually earns the love of a good woman - longtime backup singer Darlene.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Remember Me - 4th January 2011
So tonights' film was Remember Me, with Robert Pattinson playing the moody and rebellious Tyler Hawkins, who meets up with Ally Craig (played by Emilie de Ravin). They soon discover that their somewhat troubled lives have things in common. Ally witnessed the murder of her Mother. Tyler found the body of his elder Brother who had comitted suicide.
They are also both children of divorced parents. And through these common bonds, they help each other through their troubles.
Tyler has a close bond with his gifted younger sister (Caroline) and plays an essential role in her day to day life. Which could not be said for their father; Charles Hawkins, ably portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.
All this and more is what makes this film. You need to watch it, follow it, pick up all the references, don't question it. Follow the story, build with the film the relationships of the characters.
It is all the small details, coincidences, crossing paths, everyday troubles and relationships that weave themselves neatly into a fine, but somewhat unremarkable story.
Unremarkable that is, until the end of the film.
Yes indeed, it is 105 minutes of story telling and plot development and 3 minutes of gob-smacking, sad, unexpected, but first class conclusion.
If you haven't seen the film, see it. Buy it. Rent it. Watch it, but do not look it up, or ask anybody about it. Don't read any synopsis or spoilers or anything! Just watch it.
If you have read this, you will know there's an ending worth watching, as long as you don't know what it is, then it's a film worth watching.
Really enjoyed this film and I hope you all do too.
They are also both children of divorced parents. And through these common bonds, they help each other through their troubles.
Tyler has a close bond with his gifted younger sister (Caroline) and plays an essential role in her day to day life. Which could not be said for their father; Charles Hawkins, ably portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.
All this and more is what makes this film. You need to watch it, follow it, pick up all the references, don't question it. Follow the story, build with the film the relationships of the characters.
It is all the small details, coincidences, crossing paths, everyday troubles and relationships that weave themselves neatly into a fine, but somewhat unremarkable story.
Unremarkable that is, until the end of the film.
Yes indeed, it is 105 minutes of story telling and plot development and 3 minutes of gob-smacking, sad, unexpected, but first class conclusion.
If you haven't seen the film, see it. Buy it. Rent it. Watch it, but do not look it up, or ask anybody about it. Don't read any synopsis or spoilers or anything! Just watch it.
If you have read this, you will know there's an ending worth watching, as long as you don't know what it is, then it's a film worth watching.
Really enjoyed this film and I hope you all do too.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
One Magic Christmas - 28th December 2010
Tonight we enjoyed the cutesy, American, feelgood, Christmas movie; One Magic Christmas. Starring Mary Steenburgen as the hard done by, no Christmas spirit, Mother of two; Ginny Grainger.
Ginny with her husband Jack and two children; Cal and Abbie, face a bleak Christmas, times are hard, Jack has no job, Ginny works at the local supermarket, presents will be thin on the ground this year. That is, until Christmas angel; Gideon (played by Harry Dean Stanton), turns up, tasked with rekindling the Christmas spirit within Ginny.
How does he achieve this, I hear you ask?
Well you'll just have to watch it to find out! It's only a short movie (88 mins), so it's an ideal feelgood film to slot into a free afternoon / evening whilst polishing off another couple of mince pies.
Be warned, it has a slow start and the story building takes some time, but stick with it, once you get to the point where Ginny's Christmas has hit it's lowest point, then when it is magically turned around it will leave you all reaching for the tissues!
One Magic Christmas, is a magical movie. Enjoy.
Ginny with her husband Jack and two children; Cal and Abbie, face a bleak Christmas, times are hard, Jack has no job, Ginny works at the local supermarket, presents will be thin on the ground this year. That is, until Christmas angel; Gideon (played by Harry Dean Stanton), turns up, tasked with rekindling the Christmas spirit within Ginny.
How does he achieve this, I hear you ask?
Well you'll just have to watch it to find out! It's only a short movie (88 mins), so it's an ideal feelgood film to slot into a free afternoon / evening whilst polishing off another couple of mince pies.
Be warned, it has a slow start and the story building takes some time, but stick with it, once you get to the point where Ginny's Christmas has hit it's lowest point, then when it is magically turned around it will leave you all reaching for the tissues!
One Magic Christmas, is a magical movie. Enjoy.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Bedtime Stories - 21st December 2010
So tonight we watched Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. A light hearted Disney family film, where over looked and under appreciated Skeeter Bronson (played by Sandler), makes magical bedtime stories come to life, with the help of his Niece and Nephew.<
The plot revolves around the ownership and management of a hotel. True to form, there are bad guys; played by Guy Pierce and Richard Griffiths and the good guys Sandler, Russell Brand, Courtney Cox and Keri Russell.
It is an entertaining escapist movie, where the bedtime stories seemingly come to life in reality. Adam Sandler is OK in this but I found that the best laughs came from Bugsy the boggle-eyed guinea pig.
As a film to get and keep on DVD, it may not get played that much, but as an occasional film to watch if it's on TV on a soggy Sunday afternoon, then I suggest watch it with the family, especially if you have kids from 8 to 80!
I'm not sure it will make it as an all time classic live action Disney film, but nonetheless it's not a bad 96 minute diversion to the stresses of reality!
Enjoy.
Oh and to all those of you that actually read this, can I just say, as this will be the last Film Night before Christmas; a Happy Christmas to all of you and as Tiny Tim observed; "God bless us, everyone"!
Please leave a comment.
The plot revolves around the ownership and management of a hotel. True to form, there are bad guys; played by Guy Pierce and Richard Griffiths and the good guys Sandler, Russell Brand, Courtney Cox and Keri Russell.
It is an entertaining escapist movie, where the bedtime stories seemingly come to life in reality. Adam Sandler is OK in this but I found that the best laughs came from Bugsy the boggle-eyed guinea pig.
As a film to get and keep on DVD, it may not get played that much, but as an occasional film to watch if it's on TV on a soggy Sunday afternoon, then I suggest watch it with the family, especially if you have kids from 8 to 80!
I'm not sure it will make it as an all time classic live action Disney film, but nonetheless it's not a bad 96 minute diversion to the stresses of reality!
Enjoy.
Oh and to all those of you that actually read this, can I just say, as this will be the last Film Night before Christmas; a Happy Christmas to all of you and as Tiny Tim observed; "God bless us, everyone"!
Please leave a comment.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
The Christmas Choir - 16th December 2010
So, a couple of days late due to Christmas commitments, we have our first real Christmas movie night.
Tonight it was an American movie, possibly made for TV judging by some of the heavy cuts every 20 or so minutes, which looked like it was time for a commercial break. So, the budget on the film may not have been high, but the story made up for that. Brilliantly written by; Donald Martin it follows the life of successful, workaholic accountant Peter Brockman, who, due to his inability to see what is going on around him, because he focuses too much on work, manages to break up with his girlfriend, who he was about to marry.
A chance meeting with a homeless guy, who played piano and sang in a bar for tips, sparks a friendship when they discover they share a passion for music. Bob, the homeless pianist, takes Peter to the Nun run shelter where he stays at night. This is where Peter discovers there is more to life than being an accountant. So he decides to help out. As it's coming up to Christmas, he tries to find ways to raise some cash for the guys in the shelter, this is when he hits upon the idea of a choir.
From here the story follows their struggles to get it together, tracing the highs and lows and where Peters' home life matches some of the issues of the guys he is trying to help.
The story from here is fairly formulaic, a typical heart-warming Christmas tale, but it is a good one. There is love, and laughs on the way, but watch out for the tear jerking moments at the end, you'd best have some tissues handy.
OK, so it was a made for TV film, but it is good nonetheless, in fact it picked up the Epiphany Prize for the Most Inspirational Film For Television in the 2009 MovieGuide Awards.
So if you see it on a TV channel near you sometime over the festive period, give it a watch, you won't be sorry. Or pick up a copy from Amazon, as it's only £2.99!.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Groundhog Day - 7th December 2010
Tonight's film, was going to be a Christmas movie, but due to one of our number being unavailable it was decided to postpone the viewing of the new Christmas movie, (don't ask, call back here next week for details).
Instead we settled down (one viewer short) to enjoy; Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
I probably do not need to re-tell the storyline for Groundhog Day, as it has been seen many times before I'm sure, but it is a belter of a story and one I shall never tire of. It must be in my top three best films of all time.
Bill Murray plays local Weatherman Phil Connors, who ends up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, for the annual Groundhog Day. After going through the uneventful day and getting stuck in the unforseen blizzard trying to get back to Pittsburg. Connors, Rita (Andie MacDowell) and Larry the camera are stuck in Punxsutawney.
Although some are more stuck than others, as Phil finds out when he awakes next morning, to find it is 6am on February 2 again.
And so, he goes through Groundhog Day again and again and again.
As I say, I will never tire of this romantic comedy, it's a treat to watch, even though we know the story, and the repetitive storyline. There's something magical about it.
I like it!
Instead we settled down (one viewer short) to enjoy; Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
I probably do not need to re-tell the storyline for Groundhog Day, as it has been seen many times before I'm sure, but it is a belter of a story and one I shall never tire of. It must be in my top three best films of all time.
Bill Murray plays local Weatherman Phil Connors, who ends up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, for the annual Groundhog Day. After going through the uneventful day and getting stuck in the unforseen blizzard trying to get back to Pittsburg. Connors, Rita (Andie MacDowell) and Larry the camera are stuck in Punxsutawney.
Although some are more stuck than others, as Phil finds out when he awakes next morning, to find it is 6am on February 2 again.
And so, he goes through Groundhog Day again and again and again.
As I say, I will never tire of this romantic comedy, it's a treat to watch, even though we know the story, and the repetitive storyline. There's something magical about it.
I like it!
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