So, not a true Film Night tonight, instead we went to the cinema and watched a current release, which was; The Social Network. And what a cracking film it was!
The Social Network is based on the book by Ben Mezrich; "The Accidental Billionaires: Sex, Money, Betrayal and the Founding of Facebook". It stars; Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Rooney Mara and is based on the story of how, IT geek Mark Zuckerburg and his cohorts, who were studying at Harvard, manage to create the global phenomenon that is Facebook.
Although Mark Zuckerburg declined to be interviewed for the book, so I assume from the film also, the story is based on true events and studies the rise of the social site website from what was essentially a campus blog site, to global network with 500 million users.
It is a geeky film, some of the nerdy references maybe lost on those who are not au fait with some of the tech-speak, but the story is gripping and we swap back and forth between historical events and present judicial hearings where Zuckerburg is being sued for his delaings. Although the hearings were concluded and settlements made, I was left guessing as to whether Zuckerburg was guilty of some of the accusations made, was he just a misunderstood coding genius who had a great idea, or did he steal the idea from somebody else?.
Well worth a watch. If not at the cinema, then wait for the DVD release.
Book and DVD links;
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Me, Myself and Irene - 19th October 2010
Tonights' celluloid selection, is the Farrelly Brothers' movie; "Me, Myself and Irene", with Jim Carrey and Renee Zellweger.
Well, what can I say about this film? It was very crude and rude, with quite a lot of swearing and cursing! We loved it!!
Laugh out loud stuff, Jim Carrey at his inimitable best and Renee Zellweger at her cutest.
The film follows the story of Charlie (Carrey) who is a police officer with the Rhode Island Police Force. After 18 years of taking abuse and being laughed at, he finally flips and turns schizophrenic, with his alter ego; Hank being everything that Charlie isn't.
What ensues is a road trip with a difference as Hank / Charlie and Irene (Zellweger) are on the run from the (crooked) FBI.
I won't go into the plot too much, as it's best to watch it, but there is a gag every minute and a laugh out loud moment every 5. At one point I was in tears, I won't spoil it, but a police officer falls foul (fowl) of a chicken!
We're not the biggest Jim Carrey fans, so were concerned that the over animated comedy from Carrey would over shadow the film, but it was actually perfect for the story and ideal for the schizophrenic character.
Great film!
Well, what can I say about this film? It was very crude and rude, with quite a lot of swearing and cursing! We loved it!!
Laugh out loud stuff, Jim Carrey at his inimitable best and Renee Zellweger at her cutest.
The film follows the story of Charlie (Carrey) who is a police officer with the Rhode Island Police Force. After 18 years of taking abuse and being laughed at, he finally flips and turns schizophrenic, with his alter ego; Hank being everything that Charlie isn't.
What ensues is a road trip with a difference as Hank / Charlie and Irene (Zellweger) are on the run from the (crooked) FBI.
I won't go into the plot too much, as it's best to watch it, but there is a gag every minute and a laugh out loud moment every 5. At one point I was in tears, I won't spoil it, but a police officer falls foul (fowl) of a chicken!
We're not the biggest Jim Carrey fans, so were concerned that the over animated comedy from Carrey would over shadow the film, but it was actually perfect for the story and ideal for the schizophrenic character.
Great film!
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
The Core - 12th October 2010
Tuesday night has come around again and the film for tonight is; The Core.
After a series of strange events around the world connected by variances in the Earth's electromagnetic field, scientists, led by Dr. Josh Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) and Conrad Zimsky (Stanley Tucci), discover that the Earth's molten core is slowly coming to a stop; without its rotation, the electromagnetic field around the earth will disappear, exposing the surface to the unfiltered solar radiation and will incinerate anything or anyone exposed to it. Keyes and Zimsky are charged to find a way to restart the core, which will require traveling deep into the Earth and setting off nuclear charges to induce rotational force.
OK that's was the synopsis of the film, in reality this one was maybe a little too far fetched for me. Yes, it's science fiction, yes, it's a disaster movie, but;
The Earths' core stops spinning?
A Space Shuttle lands in downtown LA?
They build a nuclear drill out of "Unobtainium"?
The Golden Gate bridge melts?
However, having said that and giving it the benefit of the doubt, I enjoyed this film and for several reasons, for one although I'm not a big sci-fi fan, this film kept me gripped and shouting encouragement at the screen! I wanted them to make it!
Also, it was funny, not intentionally, but there were parts where we all burst out laughing, mainly at absurdity of some of the ideas. Thousands of pigeons in Trafalgar Square losing their bearings and flying into buildings, cars and buses!
OK, so it was over the top and reality was like the Earths Core; a long way away, but it entertained, it held us, it scared us, it sucked us in. Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank played their roles with aplomb.
All a bit weird, all a bit strange, but worth a look, if you get the chance.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
The Wedding Planner - 5th October 2010
Tonight we have The Wedding Planner, starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Well, as romantic comedies go, this one ticks all the boxes. For the ladies, you have the chiselled good looks of Matthew McConaughey and his Southern drawl accent all the way through the film. And for the lads there is bea-butt-iful Jennifer Lopez being rather serene playing the lead role of the Wedding Planner.
The storyline is pretty much as you'd expect;
Wedding Planner accidentily and unknowingly falls for the Groom.
The Groom sticks with the Bride.
The Wedding Planner ends up going to marry someone else for no good reason.
And then.............
Well, if you haven't seen it, then I shan't spoil it.
At the end of the day, we liked this film, there's some good laugh out loud moments, it was filmed on location in San Francisco, so bought back memories of our recent holiday and there's a happy ending! Whoops, have I said too much?
You'll enjoy the film if you get chance to see it.
Well, as romantic comedies go, this one ticks all the boxes. For the ladies, you have the chiselled good looks of Matthew McConaughey and his Southern drawl accent all the way through the film. And for the lads there is bea-butt-iful Jennifer Lopez being rather serene playing the lead role of the Wedding Planner.
The storyline is pretty much as you'd expect;
Wedding Planner accidentily and unknowingly falls for the Groom.
The Groom sticks with the Bride.
The Wedding Planner ends up going to marry someone else for no good reason.
And then.............
Well, if you haven't seen it, then I shan't spoil it.
At the end of the day, we liked this film, there's some good laugh out loud moments, it was filmed on location in San Francisco, so bought back memories of our recent holiday and there's a happy ending! Whoops, have I said too much?
You'll enjoy the film if you get chance to see it.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
The Queen - 28th September 2010
Tonight's film is the regal drama; The Queen, starring Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen.
Well, my initial dubious thoughts about this film were blown away, the performances put in by Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen were amazing. I am a big fan of Michael Sheen, beacause he adds that extra layer of believability when he plays a well known person in a film.
For instance; his portrayal of Brian Clough, in The Damned United was first class. And his Tony Blair in The Queen was spot on as well, he captured his mannerisms, his smile and exuberance.
The same can be said for the lovely Helen Mirren. It is clearly not essential to portray your character just like the real person, but if you think that they are the Queen, then you get drawn into the film so much more. Mirren did this for me with her portrayal of HRH, making the fictional play on the facts that much more enjoyable.
Kudos should go to Director Stephen Frears and Writer Peter Morgan, for bridging the gap between fact and fiction and back again. Yes, we all know the facts surrounding the death of Diana, and the perceived uncaring nature of the monarchy immediately after.
Is this entirely true?
Did the Queen intentionally stay away from London?
Did she refuse to have the Royal Standard flag flown at half mast over Buckingham Palace?
Did she not want to make a public statement regarding the death of Diana?
Whatever the reasons for her actions, we'll probably never know, but this film gives a stab surmising the reality and does so in a dramatic fashion. Showing Tony Blair in a good light and the Royal Family in a distinctly bad one.
However, at the end of the film, I think the Queen comes out on top and was portrayed in a more favourable light, certainly within the context of the story.
As I say, this is purely a fictionalised spin on the events that happened, whether there is a thread of truth in it, who knows, but I would love to think that when Prince Phillip gets in to bed with the Queen at night, that he does say; "Move over Cabbage"!
If you were affected by the events of the summer of 1997, and who wasn't? Even the most uncaring person, could not have missed the outpouring of grief that occured. Then this is a delightful and poignant film to watch, whether you believe any of the fiction or not.
Well, my initial dubious thoughts about this film were blown away, the performances put in by Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen were amazing. I am a big fan of Michael Sheen, beacause he adds that extra layer of believability when he plays a well known person in a film.
For instance; his portrayal of Brian Clough, in The Damned United was first class. And his Tony Blair in The Queen was spot on as well, he captured his mannerisms, his smile and exuberance.
The same can be said for the lovely Helen Mirren. It is clearly not essential to portray your character just like the real person, but if you think that they are the Queen, then you get drawn into the film so much more. Mirren did this for me with her portrayal of HRH, making the fictional play on the facts that much more enjoyable.
Kudos should go to Director Stephen Frears and Writer Peter Morgan, for bridging the gap between fact and fiction and back again. Yes, we all know the facts surrounding the death of Diana, and the perceived uncaring nature of the monarchy immediately after.
Is this entirely true?
Did the Queen intentionally stay away from London?
Did she refuse to have the Royal Standard flag flown at half mast over Buckingham Palace?
Did she not want to make a public statement regarding the death of Diana?
Whatever the reasons for her actions, we'll probably never know, but this film gives a stab surmising the reality and does so in a dramatic fashion. Showing Tony Blair in a good light and the Royal Family in a distinctly bad one.
However, at the end of the film, I think the Queen comes out on top and was portrayed in a more favourable light, certainly within the context of the story.
As I say, this is purely a fictionalised spin on the events that happened, whether there is a thread of truth in it, who knows, but I would love to think that when Prince Phillip gets in to bed with the Queen at night, that he does say; "Move over Cabbage"!
If you were affected by the events of the summer of 1997, and who wasn't? Even the most uncaring person, could not have missed the outpouring of grief that occured. Then this is a delightful and poignant film to watch, whether you believe any of the fiction or not.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Nancy Drew - 21st September 2010
Tonight we have the mystery adventure from 2007; Nancy Drew.
OK, Nancy Drew was a little disappointing, it wasn't the mystery I was hoping for, but then I should have guessed that, as it really is a film for kids.
Having said that, it was good in parts and Emma Roberts (who played Nancy) had a cutesy charm about her. The storyline was thin and flimsy, the supporting cast a little wooden, the Corky character was just plain annoying. So not a film that will be high on the replay list.
However, at the end of the day, if you look at the movie in it's rightful context, which is a kids drama / comedy (a dramedy, if you will), it ticks all the boxes and for a family film, which is what we like, it kept us all entertained.
OK, Nancy Drew was a little disappointing, it wasn't the mystery I was hoping for, but then I should have guessed that, as it really is a film for kids.
Having said that, it was good in parts and Emma Roberts (who played Nancy) had a cutesy charm about her. The storyline was thin and flimsy, the supporting cast a little wooden, the Corky character was just plain annoying. So not a film that will be high on the replay list.
However, at the end of the day, if you look at the movie in it's rightful context, which is a kids drama / comedy (a dramedy, if you will), it ticks all the boxes and for a family film, which is what we like, it kept us all entertained.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Cheaper By The Dozen - 14th September 2010
Tonight we're back to the Family Fun Flicks, with the Steve Martin comedy; Cheaper By The Dozen.
As the title alludes, with a dozen kids to contend with Tom & Kate Baker (Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt), have their work cut out and when Tom lands his dream job, as Coach of a University football team, the family up sticks and moves to a new bigger town house, away from their friends and the kids schools.
And when Kates' book gets published and requires a tour for promotion, Tom is left at home to keep down a job and look after the kids. Not easy!
The film has a crowd-pleasing supporting cast, including rising young stars Hilary Duff and Piper Perabo, this heart-warming hit comedy delivers super-sized fun and laughs by the dozen!
As the title alludes, with a dozen kids to contend with Tom & Kate Baker (Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt), have their work cut out and when Tom lands his dream job, as Coach of a University football team, the family up sticks and moves to a new bigger town house, away from their friends and the kids schools.
And when Kates' book gets published and requires a tour for promotion, Tom is left at home to keep down a job and look after the kids. Not easy!
The film has a crowd-pleasing supporting cast, including rising young stars Hilary Duff and Piper Perabo, this heart-warming hit comedy delivers super-sized fun and laughs by the dozen!
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