This week, we take a look at the romantic family comedy, that is;
Marley & Me
I guess that Marley & Me is a feelgood movie, it makes you feel good about yourself, about family, about life, but..........
OK, let's set the scene. Young newly Wed's John and Jennifer Grogan, (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston) start to settle down, both have good journalistic jobs. However, Jen has a bit of a life plan. Part 1; get married. Part 2; house etc.
John is concerned what else is in the plan. Could it be the patter of tiny feet? To dissuade Jen from thinking about a baby, John treats her to a puppy for her Birthday and this is where the fun begins.
The new puppy; Marley, is probably the worst dog ever, impossible to train, impossible to leave home alone etc. etc.
What follows, and makes up the bulk of the film, is the life journey that this small family sets off on. This small family, that soon starts to flourish, with one child, followed by another and then followed by another, just after they decide that two kids and a crazy dog was enough! So we follow John, Jen, the three kids and the crazy dog on their adventures.
This is the feelgood part of the film, you enjoy their trials and tribulations. Their ups and downs. The new jobs, the new homes etc. It is good stuff. Some fine slapstick comedy moments and some brilliant doggy antics.
Jennifer Aniston is radiant in the movie, I never liked her in Friends, but that is because I never watched it! Owen Wilson is brilliant also. He portrays that dog / owner bond so believably.
Special note should go to Alan Arkin, who played Arnie Klein, John Grogan's dry witted boss. He really injects some flat, but ever so funny humourous lines into the film.
OK, onto the inevitable. And why this is a reverse feelgood movie. There isn't a happy ending.
Well, that's not strictly true, it's a sad ending yes, but it is played so well, Owen Wilson excelling in his portrayal of the grieving dog owner. Does that give too much away?
It's a lovely movie. It's sad, very sad in places, but it's the happy journey that the film takes you on, that balances out the inevitable sad end.
Tissues at the ready.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Philadelphia - 12th July 2012
I would normally start the weekly Film Night blog with a bit of alliteration, I think this week's movie is beyond the facile choice of words and deserves a modicum of sobriety. Having never seen the movie at all since it's release (1993), it's content, although known, was a bit of an enigma.
Tonight we watched;
Philadelphia
Couple of points to make about Philadelphia, firstly we had this video'd from years ago, when we first had cable TV installed. We had free movies for 3 months and this was the only film, at that time, that was worth seeing. We kept that VHS tape for years, literally years. In fact DVD and Blu-Ray have superceded the VHS medium since we taped it and we still never watched it!
Secondly, it has been suggested that the reviews that I post for Tuesday Night is Film Night, are always favourable, never harshly critical of the films that we see. This is true, but then we tend to watch films that we think, we are going to like.
So what of Philadelphia? Is this going to be a favourable review?
You betcha! It was brilliant!
The one disappointment is, that we didn't dust off that VHS tape and watch the film years ago.
I have always said, and I will continue to say, until proven otherwise, that Tom Hanks has never made a bad movie (that I have seen). Philadelphia is no exception.
The synopsis of the film, if you don't know, is that a successful up and coming (and gay) lawyer; Andrew Beckett (Hanks), gets fired by his law firm, on the premise of bad performance in a recent high brow case.
Whereas Beckett cites discrimination based on the recent revelation that he has AIDS.
After approaching several law firms to represent him, Beckett finds Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a lawyer who advertises his litigation services on TV. Miller clearly displays homophobic tendencies towards Beckett, but nevertheless, eventually takes on the case.
This is when Philadelphia turns into a gritty, but sometimes witty courtroom drama. Probably the best courtroom drama I have seen since the film JFK.
Picking up on a point I made earlier re. Tom Hanks and never seen a bad movie that he is. Well, this is true of Philadelphia yes, but I don't think Hanks is necessarily the best actor, no. I think that prize must go to Denzel Washington. He absolutely steals it.
Although Hanks won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar in 1994 for Philadelphia. I think the role played by Washington, may have been overlooked somewhat.
Having said that, there is no denying that Tom Hanks isn't absolutely sublime in this film. In the latter stages of the film and therefore the latter stages of the illness, there some very poignant scenes where Hanks is tremendous.
I guess the ending is feelgood in a way, although ultimately tinged with sadness.
There is also a fabulous soundtrack to the movie, which provides drama, poignancy and pathos.
Philadelphia is one of those films that draws you in, you become involved and engrossed, hanging on every word, emotion and expression. It is brilliantly written, directed and acted.
It certainly is right up there with the best films we have seen.
Tonight we watched;
Philadelphia
Couple of points to make about Philadelphia, firstly we had this video'd from years ago, when we first had cable TV installed. We had free movies for 3 months and this was the only film, at that time, that was worth seeing. We kept that VHS tape for years, literally years. In fact DVD and Blu-Ray have superceded the VHS medium since we taped it and we still never watched it!
Secondly, it has been suggested that the reviews that I post for Tuesday Night is Film Night, are always favourable, never harshly critical of the films that we see. This is true, but then we tend to watch films that we think, we are going to like.
So what of Philadelphia? Is this going to be a favourable review?
You betcha! It was brilliant!
The one disappointment is, that we didn't dust off that VHS tape and watch the film years ago.
I have always said, and I will continue to say, until proven otherwise, that Tom Hanks has never made a bad movie (that I have seen). Philadelphia is no exception.
The synopsis of the film, if you don't know, is that a successful up and coming (and gay) lawyer; Andrew Beckett (Hanks), gets fired by his law firm, on the premise of bad performance in a recent high brow case.
Whereas Beckett cites discrimination based on the recent revelation that he has AIDS.
After approaching several law firms to represent him, Beckett finds Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a lawyer who advertises his litigation services on TV. Miller clearly displays homophobic tendencies towards Beckett, but nevertheless, eventually takes on the case.
This is when Philadelphia turns into a gritty, but sometimes witty courtroom drama. Probably the best courtroom drama I have seen since the film JFK.
Picking up on a point I made earlier re. Tom Hanks and never seen a bad movie that he is. Well, this is true of Philadelphia yes, but I don't think Hanks is necessarily the best actor, no. I think that prize must go to Denzel Washington. He absolutely steals it.
Although Hanks won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar in 1994 for Philadelphia. I think the role played by Washington, may have been overlooked somewhat.
Having said that, there is no denying that Tom Hanks isn't absolutely sublime in this film. In the latter stages of the film and therefore the latter stages of the illness, there some very poignant scenes where Hanks is tremendous.
I guess the ending is feelgood in a way, although ultimately tinged with sadness.
There is also a fabulous soundtrack to the movie, which provides drama, poignancy and pathos.
Philadelphia is one of those films that draws you in, you become involved and engrossed, hanging on every word, emotion and expression. It is brilliantly written, directed and acted.
It certainly is right up there with the best films we have seen.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Good Will Hunting - 5th July 2011
So then, the Tuesday Night is Film Night rolls around yet again. And for our DVD delight, our film fascination and our magical movie moment tonight is;
Good Will Hunting
This could, quite easily be the easiest review that I will ever write for a film.
Why?
I'll tell you why. All I would have to write is;
BRILLIANT!
That's it in a nutshell. Good Will Hunting is a brilliant film.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are just superb. Even more so when you consider that they actually wrote it. And quite rightly won Oscars for the Best Original Screenplay.
Talking of Oscars, Good Will Hunting also produced the Best Supporting Actor, which went to Robin Williams, who played, so brilliantly; Sean Maguire the shrink, come therapist who manages to scratch the surface of the complex Will Hunting (Damon).
Will Hunting is the troubled genius, who is a janitor at MIT who just ignores his inbuilt knowledge. Until such times that he is saved from a jail term by arrogant college lecturer Prof. Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård).
Lambeau refers Will to Sean Maguire, to try to release the inner genius and avoid wasting himself on his no-good mates.
It's a deep, meaningful, feelgood film. The use of expletives is liberal, but it is well placed and not gratuitous. Matt Damon is fantastic in the lead role, ably supported by Affleck. Minnie Driver injects a much needed glamour aspect and a love interest for Will.
If you haven't seen this film, then do so. It is as close to the perfect movie, as you can get.
Good Will Hunting
This could, quite easily be the easiest review that I will ever write for a film.
Why?
I'll tell you why. All I would have to write is;
BRILLIANT!
That's it in a nutshell. Good Will Hunting is a brilliant film.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are just superb. Even more so when you consider that they actually wrote it. And quite rightly won Oscars for the Best Original Screenplay.
Talking of Oscars, Good Will Hunting also produced the Best Supporting Actor, which went to Robin Williams, who played, so brilliantly; Sean Maguire the shrink, come therapist who manages to scratch the surface of the complex Will Hunting (Damon).
Will Hunting is the troubled genius, who is a janitor at MIT who just ignores his inbuilt knowledge. Until such times that he is saved from a jail term by arrogant college lecturer Prof. Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård).
Lambeau refers Will to Sean Maguire, to try to release the inner genius and avoid wasting himself on his no-good mates.
It's a deep, meaningful, feelgood film. The use of expletives is liberal, but it is well placed and not gratuitous. Matt Damon is fantastic in the lead role, ably supported by Affleck. Minnie Driver injects a much needed glamour aspect and a love interest for Will.
If you haven't seen this film, then do so. It is as close to the perfect movie, as you can get.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Bride Wars - 28th June 2011
Yes indeed film fans, we are back again with another magical movie moment, a tantalising Tuesday trip, down the movie motorway, the film freeway, the............
......you get the idea.
This week, it's back to romantic comedy, with the 2009 offering;
Bride Wars
Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway go head to head in this bridal comedy. Childhood friends Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have dreamed of June weddings at the Plaza since they were kids, and now their fantasy is finally within reach.
Both women are engaged to be married and they've booked their dates at the famed Manhattan landmark, the Plaza Hotel.
However, an error in the office of their wedding planner, the famous Marion St. Claire (Candice Bergen), causes their weddings to be scheduled on the same day, and neither woman will budge.
Harsh words escalate into sabotage and each woman craftily plots the demise of the other's wedding until events reach a screeching, squealing pitch on a sunny June day.
Yes this is a delightful fluffy romp through the; "best friends, become worst enemies scenario". Don't worry it all comes good in the end, you know it always does.
So the plot was thin, but not unlikeable. The acting was all fine and dandy. With the beautiful Anne Hathaway! She's gorgeous, but really needs to put a few pounds on.
In short, Bride Wars; romantic comedy, chick flick, get the girls round, get a box of chocolates, a bottle of Lambrini, and maybe a tissue or two, for the occasional tear and the little lovey-dovey, fluffy moments. You won't fall out of your seat laughing, but there will be fun on the way.
Enjoy.
......you get the idea.
This week, it's back to romantic comedy, with the 2009 offering;
Bride Wars
Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway go head to head in this bridal comedy. Childhood friends Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have dreamed of June weddings at the Plaza since they were kids, and now their fantasy is finally within reach.
Both women are engaged to be married and they've booked their dates at the famed Manhattan landmark, the Plaza Hotel.
However, an error in the office of their wedding planner, the famous Marion St. Claire (Candice Bergen), causes their weddings to be scheduled on the same day, and neither woman will budge.
Harsh words escalate into sabotage and each woman craftily plots the demise of the other's wedding until events reach a screeching, squealing pitch on a sunny June day.
Yes this is a delightful fluffy romp through the; "best friends, become worst enemies scenario". Don't worry it all comes good in the end, you know it always does.
So the plot was thin, but not unlikeable. The acting was all fine and dandy. With the beautiful Anne Hathaway! She's gorgeous, but really needs to put a few pounds on.
In short, Bride Wars; romantic comedy, chick flick, get the girls round, get a box of chocolates, a bottle of Lambrini, and maybe a tissue or two, for the occasional tear and the little lovey-dovey, fluffy moments. You won't fall out of your seat laughing, but there will be fun on the way.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
The Notebook - 21st June 2011
OK then, how do you start a review of a film like "The Notebook"?
It's tagline states that it is; "the most romantic movie since Titanic".
Do we like romantic movies? Yes, yes we do and we certainly liked this one.
However, I can't describe too much of the film, for fear of giving too much of the plot away, but here goes.
The film counterpoints between a current storyline and an historical one.
James Garner plays a character, stuck in a nursing home, relaying a story from a notebook (hint to the title of the film), to an elderly lady resident.
The story, as told by Duke (James Garner), tells of a poor and passionate young man; Noah (Ryan Gosling) falling in love with a rich young woman; Allie (Rachel McAdams). Noah gives Allie a sense of freedom, however their Summer love affair ends as they are separated by their social differences.
So the film flicks between the modern storytelling (from the notebook), to the historic action, how this plays out and the juxtaposition between the two era's is a beautifully acted and extremely poignant. Going into too much detail will detract from what really is a fascinating and gripping love story.
It's certainly one for you, if you love a good weepie!
Rachel McAdams is an absolute dream as the young Allie (there's a clue!) and Ryan Gosling portrays Noah with immense gravitas and spirit.
This film was a total unknown quantity, but it was well worth watching. At the end there are a few twists and turns. A bit of a "will they, won't they" moment and right at the end, get the tissues ready!
Fantastic!
Next week, we must try something a bit more macho!
It's tagline states that it is; "the most romantic movie since Titanic".
Do we like romantic movies? Yes, yes we do and we certainly liked this one.
However, I can't describe too much of the film, for fear of giving too much of the plot away, but here goes.
The film counterpoints between a current storyline and an historical one.
James Garner plays a character, stuck in a nursing home, relaying a story from a notebook (hint to the title of the film), to an elderly lady resident.
The story, as told by Duke (James Garner), tells of a poor and passionate young man; Noah (Ryan Gosling) falling in love with a rich young woman; Allie (Rachel McAdams). Noah gives Allie a sense of freedom, however their Summer love affair ends as they are separated by their social differences.
So the film flicks between the modern storytelling (from the notebook), to the historic action, how this plays out and the juxtaposition between the two era's is a beautifully acted and extremely poignant. Going into too much detail will detract from what really is a fascinating and gripping love story.
It's certainly one for you, if you love a good weepie!
Rachel McAdams is an absolute dream as the young Allie (there's a clue!) and Ryan Gosling portrays Noah with immense gravitas and spirit.
This film was a total unknown quantity, but it was well worth watching. At the end there are a few twists and turns. A bit of a "will they, won't they" moment and right at the end, get the tissues ready!
Fantastic!
Next week, we must try something a bit more macho!
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Run, Fatboy, Run - 14th June 2011
So we get back to the RomCom, Feelgood Comedy genre tonight, with the 2007 film;
Run, Fatboy, Run
Starring and written by, the guy who seems to do no wrong in British cinema at the moment; Simon Pegg.
Run, Fatboy, Run follows the antics of Dennis Doyle, (played by Pegg), who at the start of the film, jilts his then pregnant fiance (Libby played superbly by the gorgeous Thandie Newton) at the altar.
This then sets the scene for Dennis, he's a bit of a loser, lazy, untidy, unfit, overweight and never sees anything through to completion.
5 years on, nothing has changed, Dennis is still lazy, but has managed to maintain ties to Libby, through the visits to see his and Libby's Son; Jake on regular occasions.
Enter Hank Azaria, playing a suave, confident American financier working in London, called Whit. He sets out to woo Libby in front of Dennis. Dennis see's this as an affront to himself and a challenge to secure, at least some affection, from Libby.
As a result of some lying, boasting and general "I'm better than you are" action, Dennis ends up entering into the same Marathon race as Whit.
The whys and where-fors of how this happens, I'll leave down to you and your viewing, we don't want to spoil it.
However, it is as with all feelgood movies, formulaic. Which is a good thing! You know where you stand. There's a good guy, a bad guy and a gorgeous girl. Then there's the hangers-on, scattered around for comedic effect.
I should point out at this point, Dylan Moran is superb as Gordon, as is Harish Patel as Mr. Goshdashtidar.
The jokes are sometimes obvious, but dependable. The action is well shot (thanks to Director, David Swimmer) and the story is as it should be, the gormless villain turns into "our hero"!
Some other gems to look out for are cameos from David Walliams and Floella Benjamin. Simon Day is also really great as the East London gangster type.
Following hot on the heels of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, this is another great Simon Pegg movie, although there is no Nick Frost in this one.
Give it go. It's a good film.
Run, Fatboy, Run
Starring and written by, the guy who seems to do no wrong in British cinema at the moment; Simon Pegg.
Run, Fatboy, Run follows the antics of Dennis Doyle, (played by Pegg), who at the start of the film, jilts his then pregnant fiance (Libby played superbly by the gorgeous Thandie Newton) at the altar.
This then sets the scene for Dennis, he's a bit of a loser, lazy, untidy, unfit, overweight and never sees anything through to completion.
5 years on, nothing has changed, Dennis is still lazy, but has managed to maintain ties to Libby, through the visits to see his and Libby's Son; Jake on regular occasions.
Enter Hank Azaria, playing a suave, confident American financier working in London, called Whit. He sets out to woo Libby in front of Dennis. Dennis see's this as an affront to himself and a challenge to secure, at least some affection, from Libby.
As a result of some lying, boasting and general "I'm better than you are" action, Dennis ends up entering into the same Marathon race as Whit.
The whys and where-fors of how this happens, I'll leave down to you and your viewing, we don't want to spoil it.
However, it is as with all feelgood movies, formulaic. Which is a good thing! You know where you stand. There's a good guy, a bad guy and a gorgeous girl. Then there's the hangers-on, scattered around for comedic effect.
I should point out at this point, Dylan Moran is superb as Gordon, as is Harish Patel as Mr. Goshdashtidar.
The jokes are sometimes obvious, but dependable. The action is well shot (thanks to Director, David Swimmer) and the story is as it should be, the gormless villain turns into "our hero"!
Some other gems to look out for are cameos from David Walliams and Floella Benjamin. Simon Day is also really great as the East London gangster type.
Following hot on the heels of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, this is another great Simon Pegg movie, although there is no Nick Frost in this one.
Give it go. It's a good film.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Face/Off - 7th June 2011
Continuing the thriller style action movies, (we had Munich last week), tonight we had the delights of the 1997 movie;
Face/Off
Well, it was an action packed thriller, with plenty of blood, guts, bullets, fire, explosions and unlikely goings on.
It was also bloody good!
The premise of the movie is that super FBI Agent Sean Archer, played ably by John Travolta, is out to revenge the accidental killing of his Son, by the super villain, Castor Troy, played superbly by Nicolas Cage.
Archer finally gets his man in the first part of the film and we think that justice is done. Not so.
A large bomb, set by Troy and his brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola), is set to blow downtown LA sky high. Castor Troy is dead (or is he....?) and Pollux isn't talking. None of the Troy gang members know anything. So, the only thing left to do is..............
OK, this is where the films trips off into the realms of pseudo fantasy and surrealism. Apprently, Castor Troy has been kept alive on life support and pioneering Doctors working for the FBI can carry out face transplants. So what better way to find out the location and nature of the bomb, than to turn Agent Archer into Castor Troy, by transplanting their faces!!
Yes, it is a little far-fetched. It was far-fetched in 1997 and it's still alittle far-fetched 14 years later! Matters not, go with it.
So, Agent Sean Archer now looks and sounds (oh yes, they can do the voice as well!!), like Castor Troy. Castor Troy is face less on life support in a hospital bed. Sean Archer's face is in a bowl of water, keeping fresh!
Sean Archer, now looking like Castor Troy, is shipped off to a high security prison, to meet up with Pollux Troy, to find about about the bomb. The prison knows nothing of the face change.
Next bizarre twist comes when the comatose body of Castor Troy wakes up! Not only does he wake up, he works out he is faceless and where the face of Sean Archer is and then gets his gang to kidnap the surgeon, who carried out the original transplant, to carry out a second one, thus making Castor Troy; Sean Archer!
Confused?
No, you'll be fine.
Not only does Castor Troy now look like Sean Archer, he kills the surgeon and all the FBI agents who were aware of the top secret face transplant programme!
That's what happens in the first half of the film. What follows is how they battle it out, to regain each others identity and for a super cop, who looks like a super villain, to capture a super villain, who likes a super cop!
The latter part of the film is an horrendous bloody battle with bullets and blood flying everywhere!
We enjoyed it. The bizarre premise of a face transplant, does bring rise to a wonderful juxtaposition between good and evil, cop against villain, but in different guises.
Travolta is great, Cage, who I'm not a big fan of, was actually really rather good. However, the film is one of those that you either love or hate, it's a typical Marmite movie.
If you haven't seen it, give it a try.
If you have seen it and didn't like it, see what we have next week!
Face/Off
Well, it was an action packed thriller, with plenty of blood, guts, bullets, fire, explosions and unlikely goings on.
It was also bloody good!
The premise of the movie is that super FBI Agent Sean Archer, played ably by John Travolta, is out to revenge the accidental killing of his Son, by the super villain, Castor Troy, played superbly by Nicolas Cage.
Archer finally gets his man in the first part of the film and we think that justice is done. Not so.
A large bomb, set by Troy and his brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola), is set to blow downtown LA sky high. Castor Troy is dead (or is he....?) and Pollux isn't talking. None of the Troy gang members know anything. So, the only thing left to do is..............
OK, this is where the films trips off into the realms of pseudo fantasy and surrealism. Apprently, Castor Troy has been kept alive on life support and pioneering Doctors working for the FBI can carry out face transplants. So what better way to find out the location and nature of the bomb, than to turn Agent Archer into Castor Troy, by transplanting their faces!!
Yes, it is a little far-fetched. It was far-fetched in 1997 and it's still alittle far-fetched 14 years later! Matters not, go with it.
So, Agent Sean Archer now looks and sounds (oh yes, they can do the voice as well!!), like Castor Troy. Castor Troy is face less on life support in a hospital bed. Sean Archer's face is in a bowl of water, keeping fresh!
Sean Archer, now looking like Castor Troy, is shipped off to a high security prison, to meet up with Pollux Troy, to find about about the bomb. The prison knows nothing of the face change.
Next bizarre twist comes when the comatose body of Castor Troy wakes up! Not only does he wake up, he works out he is faceless and where the face of Sean Archer is and then gets his gang to kidnap the surgeon, who carried out the original transplant, to carry out a second one, thus making Castor Troy; Sean Archer!
Confused?
No, you'll be fine.
Not only does Castor Troy now look like Sean Archer, he kills the surgeon and all the FBI agents who were aware of the top secret face transplant programme!
That's what happens in the first half of the film. What follows is how they battle it out, to regain each others identity and for a super cop, who looks like a super villain, to capture a super villain, who likes a super cop!
The latter part of the film is an horrendous bloody battle with bullets and blood flying everywhere!
We enjoyed it. The bizarre premise of a face transplant, does bring rise to a wonderful juxtaposition between good and evil, cop against villain, but in different guises.
Travolta is great, Cage, who I'm not a big fan of, was actually really rather good. However, the film is one of those that you either love or hate, it's a typical Marmite movie.
If you haven't seen it, give it a try.
If you have seen it and didn't like it, see what we have next week!
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