Picture Perfect - 25th June 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night returns to the pink and fluffy safety of the romantic comedy tonight as we focus our attention on;

Picture Perfect

From 1997, Picture Perfect stars the delightful Jennifer Aniston as Kate Mosley, an advertising agency employee. Kate gets overlooked for promotion, because she is single, with no commitments. The head of the firm believes she could quite easily move on, as nothing is keeping her there, for example; no mortgage, no car loan, no kids and no husband. As an excuse, it is pretty lame one, but that is the basis to the start of the film and our story hinges on this fact.

A fact that, that gets turned on it's head, when a colleague of Kate's, (Darcy O'Neil, played by Illeana Douglas) informs the boss that Kate is in fact engaged to be married!

Shock, horror!

To clarify this, we need to skip back to the start of the film, where Kate bumps into Nick (Jan Mohr) at a wedding, where Kate is a guest and Nick is videoing the proceedings. This is where we find out that they both are single and there appears to be an attraction, if only slight. Anyway, a photograph of them together, gets into the hands of Darcy, who then uses this as evidence that Kate and Nick are an item.

Confused?

However, the ruse that Kate is to be married, impresses the top man at Mercer Advertising and he offers Kate the promotion that she has been waiting for.

Queue the panic, as Kate has now got to get her way out this tangle. The promotion is all very well, but it is based on a lie, that she needs to play out, if only she can get Nick to agree.

She meets up with Nick and reveals her tale of woe. She then puts to him a proposition, would he come along to a executive meal with her bosses and some top clients, as an introduction to them, but then act out a bust up, making her look good to her employers and giving Kate an excuse to break up their "relationship", albeit a sham one. Nick agrees to this, based on the fact that he actually likes Kate, but he doesn't really let that show at this stage.

So that is the basic idea, preposterous as it may seem. Slip into the mix a young, but still annoying Kevin Bacon as the roguish Sam Mayfair, the office Lothario and someone Kate has wanted to get to know for awhile, to give this relationship film another twist. Also add into the plot a role for Olympia Dukakis as Rita Mosley, Kate's Mother. Dukakis adds a bit of spice and humour to the story, much needed humour at that, as laughs were few and far between.

Picture Perfect is the formulaic, feelgood film. A romantic comedy, where you know that it will all turn out well in the end, which it does. The journey to get there is based on a weak and lacklustre plot-line  but the acting is good, Aniston is brilliant and lovely to watch, but the film viewed16 years on from it's release, looks dated. It was fun nevertheless and worth a look, if only out of interest.

The slightly flat synopsis and review is reflected in the TNiFN Factor, which is a "could do better" 6 out of 10.

Flight - 18th June 2013

Tonight, Tuesday Night is Film Night hops genres again to try out a drama, but will we be flying high, or facing a crash landing, as we watch;

Flight

Released in the UK in February 2013 (a recent film by TNiFN's normal standards), Flight is a thought provoking drama, weighing in at a hefty, but extremely watchable 138 minutes.

It tracks the events before, during and after a domestic flight from Orlando to Atlanta, crashes. Although, due to the heroic bravery and skill shown by the pilot, only 6 people died from the 102 people on board. However, there is a twist.

Denzel Washington stars as William "Whip" Whitaker, a skilled pilot of many years, who now flies for South Jet Airlines, a small domestic airline. Unfortunately, Whip is partial to a drink or two and the occasional line of cocaine. He spends the night before his flight to Atlanta, with an air stewardess; Trina Marquez. (Played by Nadine Velazquez). They don't get much sleep and there is drinking and drug taking going on. And whilst still intoxicated, Whip goes off, with Trina, on the flight to Atlanta.

Whitaker hides his intoxication fairly well and the flight gets off on time, but immediately hits turbulence on it's ascent. Whitaker and his slightly nervous co-pilot; Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) manage to ride out the heavy storm and they hit some still air, but the plane is clearly damaged and as the flight continues, further damage occurs and..........

...... at this point I will stop the description of how the aeroplane ends up crashed, but landed in a field. This part of the film employs some brilliant special effects and the actions of Whitaker, to get the plane down, are best viewed rather than described. And this section is key to the rest of the film.

So, with a crashed plane and the vast majority of the passengers surviving, Whip Whitaker should be a hero and the media certainly builds him to be that way, but as there is a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, Whitaker is reluctant to be in the media spotlight and he knows full well that his intoxication, will have a great bearing on the outcome of the investigation.

After a brief spell in hospital, he hides out at his Father's old farm, lying low and attempting to avoid drinking. However, after a chance meeting in the hospital, with a recovering heroin addict; Nicole (played by Kelly Reilly), he starts to fall off the wagon. And all the while, the lawyer that is representing Whitaker is trying to ensure that any damning toxicology evidence is quashed and inadmissible at the Federal hearing discussing the outcomes of the NTSB investigation.

Flight is a fantastic story, but it's not just about a plane crash, it's not just about heroic flying, it's not just about the perils of alcohol and drug usage in excess. It's about the realisation of addiction. It's about the consequences of addiction. It's about the relationships of addicts. It's about the relationship breakdowns that surround you, with family and friends. It's about the honesty of others, but moreover it's about the honesty of an addict, that moment of realisation when you know that you cannot deny yourself of the truth any longer.

These are the problems that William Whitaker must face. And Denzel Washington plays this part with such grace, realism and gravitas. He brings the character to life on screen, with the assistance of some brilliant direction from Robert Zemeckis. Also the appearance of John Goodman as Whitaker's friend and supplier of drugs adds some fun and levity into what is a sobering story. Great special effects and magnificent soundtrack makes Flight a fantastic movie and a definite one to watch. Oh and look out for a brief cameo appearance by the one and only Piers Morgan, but please don't let this put you off!

All in all Flight is a brilliant movie, thoroughly enjoyed by me (the ladies of the house, not so much), but it still manages to get 7.5 out of 10.

My Best Friend's Wedding - 11th June 2013

We can't believe it's nearly half way through 2013! We'll have to start planning our Christmas movies soon! But until then, Tuesday Night is Film Night presents, a Summery feeling film, as we watch;

My Best Friend's Wedding

Starring the absolutely lovely Julia Roberts and the equally gorgeous Cameron Diaz, My Best Friend's Wedding follows the story of Julianne Potter (Roberts) whose best friend for many, many years; Michael O'Neal (played by Dermot Mulroney) decides to get married. Up until this point, Julianne has been happy to be best friends but the thought of losing Michael to another woman, hits home how much she actually loves him.

Essentially, she has 3 weeks to break them up.

That's the basic idea, the first section of film establishes the relationship between Julianne and Michael, up to the point where he drops the marriage bombshell. The middle section of film starts where Julianne meets Kimberley Wallace (Diaz), Micheal's bride-to-be and leads up to the wedding day, along the way Julianne tries various tactics to get the happy couple, to be not so happy!

It's a strange twist to the romantic comedy genre, in that you normally root for the friends to be together, but in this case, the Julia Roberts character is being so manipulative you don't want her to win the battle of the bridegroom. Even though Kimi (Cameron Diaz) is a bit scatty, crazy, loud and ever-so slightly annoying. It's this twist that makes the film more appealing, than the bog standard rom-com.

On the comedy front, the laughs are not that plentiful, there are clearly a few characters added to provide the comedic foil to the more serious break up / make up issues going on. There are a couple of funny scenes though, which are really quite enjoyable. Plus Julia Roberts has a few funny moments, which help the film along.

However, there are some tear jerking moments also and why wouldn't there be in this typical chick-flick? Ably supporting Roberts is Rupert Everett who plays a work colleague  who happens to be gay, but turns out to be a better friend then she thought and helps her sort things out.

All in all, not a bad movie at all. Seen better, but seen a lot more worse. The TNiFN scores on the doors for My Best Friend's Wedding is a pleasant and respectable 6 out of 10.



After proof reading this week's blog, I thought it's a bit short, I guess the reason is, as a rule of thumb, the more verbose the blog, the better the film. This weeks blog is not that verbose is it? That says something. Enjoy!

The Proposal - 4th June 2013

So, after quite a few weeks away, it was inevitable that Tuesday Night is Film Night returns to the warmth, loving security of the pink and fluffy genre that is; romantic-comedy. However, will it be a chick-flick victory or a rom-com flop. We shall see as we take on;

The Proposal

Where to start with this film? Storyline or cast? Let's take on the cast list first, then go on to what  they do within this film.

Firstly our leading man is Ryan Reynolds, who plays Andrew Paxton. We have not seen Ryan Reynolds in any TNiFN films, so he was a fairly unknown quantity, but he acquitted himself extremely well in The Proposal and is certainly an actor that we would like to see again.

Our leading lady is the superbly talented, totally gorgeous and most wonderful Sandra Bullock. A great actress and so lovely to watch on screen. Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, the very pushy boss to Ryan Reynolds' Andrew Paxton.

Alongside Bullock, we have two other leading actresses, who make a holy trinity of loveliness in our movie. They are, the ever-so delightful and aging gracefully Betty White, alongside the fantastic actress and extremely lovely Mary Steenbergen. Mary Steenbergen plays Grace Paxton, Andrew's Mother. And the talented Betty White plays Grandma Annie, Andrew's Grandmother.

So that's the cast partially assembled, onto the plot. As we know, Margaret Tate is the pushy boss of Andrew Paxton. They work in a large publishing firm, based in New York. It transpires, very early on in the film, that Margaret is Canadian and due to issues with her visa, she is liable to be deported from the USA and would have to spend a year in her native Canada before being allowed to return to the States. Essentially losing her position in the company and having to relinquish control to the person she has just fired.

Enter Andrew Paxton, who has been Miss Tate's assistant for three years, hating most of the time and wishing his Hitler-esque boss would suffer from some kind of sad demise. This starts to change when Margaret drops the bombshell, that she and Paxton are to be married! This is news to Andrew, but it is the only way the devious Margaret can remain in control.

So that is the proposal. What follows is their battle to hide the fraudulent nature of their proposal from a do-goody immigration official, who is intent on outing their deception and worst still trying to make Andrew's family believe that the marriage is true love.

OK, the actual plot started off to be a bit thin, but this is soon built upon as the story develops. Sub plots unfold, especially the relationship between Andrew and his Father, which brings a serious thread, to a generally humourous and jocular story.

Inevitably, I suppose, Margaret and Andrew fall in love, but what happens in the end, well you'll have to see for yourself. Needless to say it is a bit of a tearjerker at the end, as that massive pink and fluffy feelgood factor kicks in! We do love a good chick-flick!

The Proposal is a warm, tender and very funny story, played out by characters defined early on in the film, characters that mellow and change. The hard exterior of some, dissolving to show their soft, vulnerable side. It is a great film of it's genre and a definite one to watch.

So, what does the voting TNiFN members think? The Proposal gets a massive thumbs up with a big 9 out of 10.



Previous Tuesday Night is Film Night films, that the cast of The Proposal have been in;

Mary Steenbergen; Four Christmases, Elf, Back to the Future III, One Magic Christmas

Sandra Bullock; Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Blindside, A Time to Kill

Betty White; The Lost Valentine

Shutter Island - 28th May 2013

Here at Tuesday Night is Film Night we get to watch the film of the book tonight. (Yes, we have read the book), but will it be the same, better or worse, as we head towards;

Shutter Island

Not sure where to start with Shutter Island. The story is tricky to explain, without giving too much away, so I will only outline the basics.

The book by Dennis LeHane was brilliant, however would the cross over to film work? Would the layers of complexity found in the book be lost on screen? Again, a tricky one.

OK, let's just lay out the story and list the cast.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Teddy Daniels, a US Marshal sent to Shutter Island, to investigate the disappearance of a female patient, who was incarcerated on the island for murder. I should point out that Shutter Island is the home of Ashecliffe Hospital, a hospital for the criminally insane.

Teddy is partnered by Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo and between them, they try to start to unravel the disappearance of Rachel Salando. They are met at the hospital by Dr Cawley, one of the head psychiatrists at the institution. Sir Ben Kingsley puts in a fantastic performance as Dr Cawley, who seems to be somewhat obstructive to the Marshal's investigations.

Another cast member of note, is the great Max Von Sydow, as Dr Naehring. It's not a huge part, but one that is delivered with aplomb. You may remember Mr Von Sydow from such films as Flash and Escape To Victory.

Back to the plot. There is a lot more to Teddy Daniels than meets the eye. It transpires he has been waiting to get onto the island, to try to find another patient at the hospital, who he believes killed his wife in an arson attack on their home. So there is a multiplicity of threads to the story, which in the book has further complexity that doesn't quite make it to the film. One aspect that the film did very well, was the flashbacks in Teddy's life, that are key to the story. And these flashbacks are better on film than their are in the book, as you have no need to visualise the scenario and it is apparent that they are a flashback.

However, that is where the story outlining must end, as you have to watch the film, or read the book to discover what really goes on, on Shutter Island. There is clearly a twist in this tale. And a cracking on at that.

DiCaprio is utterly fantastic as Teddy Daniels. He portrays the clever and sharp witted Marshal with a gritty edge, but can turn on the water works, in the more delicate or distressing scenes.

I think, over all, the film does the book justice, but I would always read the book first, that way you will appreciate some of the depth within the story, that doesn't quite make it to the screen.

Onto the scores. Shutter Island gets a respectable 8 out of 10.

Rocky - 21st May 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night takes on a classic tonight, as we travel back to 1976 and take a look at what could be a heavyweight champion of the world of film, or a puny pugilistic poke at the world of boxing, of course it's;

Rocky

Rocky may well be a classic, but it's not been seen in this household. It seems an odd choice to make, when a lot of the TNiFN films are pink and fluffy chick-flicks or rom-com's.

So, why Rocky?

I think the only reason we decided to watch it, is because we visited Philadelphia on our American holiday and actually went to the "Rocky Steps", which is more accurately known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We had some pictures taken at the same spot and so decided to check out what the film had to offer.

Poor excuse, but true. So anyway, was the film any good?

Rocky was written by and stars Sylvester Stallone, playing small town boxer; Rocky Balboa. Rocky has boxed for many years and has not made it beyond the small time fights, supplementing his meagre prize money, with wages he receives from debt collecting for a loan shark.

Alongside Stallone we have Burt Young as Paulie Pennino, Balboa's friend. Paulie's sister is Adrian Pennino, played by the lovely Talia Shire. Adrian is the love interest in the film, for Rocky. Finishing off the main characters, we have Burgess Meredith as Mickey, Rocky's trainer and Carl Weathers playing Apollo Creed, the unexpected opponent in the film.

The film follows the story of Rocky, an unknown boxer, who through a stroke of luck, gets to have a crack at a world title, when Apollo Creed, current heavyweight champ, comes to town. The idea being, that Creed defends his title, by taking on a well know opponent. When this deal falls through, they decide upon the outlandish notion, that he takes on a complete unknown, giving them the opportunity to box against a legend. Clearly, Balboa is the complete unknown. America being the "Land of Opportunity" and all that.

That's the basic premise of the film and we all know that Balboa goes from an out of shape, unknown back street boxer and trains up, to take on Creed in the films finale, but in the route to get there, does the film live up to it's legendary status?

We don't think so.

Stallone's dialogue is almost unintelligible throughout the film. In his first outing as Rocky, he seems to be more at home with the meat thumping, than he does talking. His interactions with Adrian are slightly better, but the scenes with Mickey and Paulie seem to be weak and somewhat stale.

In fact the only real saving grace is Talia Shire, as the shy and retiring love interest, who starts the film as a quiet, unattractive, straight laced and demure Adrian. Seeing her blossom as the story  progresses, adds some colour to a very black and white performance from the Italian Stallion; Stallone.

I guess for a film that is nearing 40 years old, it wasn't so bad. Also, I'm sure it would have been good at first viewing, back in the seventies, but with a plethora of sequels, the thin plot seems weakened further, by the passing years.

However, if you like Stallone, and you like a gritty, sweaty, punch up storyline, give it a go. However, I'm not so sure that subsequent Rocky films will make it to the hallowed Tuesday Night is Film Night slot.

Rocky clearly loses on points, scoring a measly 5 out of 10. Better luck next time Rocky!

Quartet - 14th May 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night attempts to brighten a wet and miserable May day, with a film from 2012;

Quartet

Quartet is based on the Ronald Harwood stage play of the same name and is set in the fictional nursing home for retired musicians, Beecham House. At Beecham House, fading and aging musicians spend their twilight years, entertaining themselves, and others, with their various musical abilities.

The first thing to note about this British film, is the stellar cast. All the leading actors are instantly recognisable and are very well suited to the characters they play. Michael Gambon plays retired musical director Cedric Livingston, who attempts to lead the residents of Beecham House, in a gala performance to raise funds, for the upkeep of the home.

Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly play Reginald, Cissy and Wilf respectively  who are all retired opera singers, but also form three parts of a quartet, famous some years ago for their performance of Verdi's Rigoletto. However, the problems start, when the fourth member of the quartet, who just happens to be Reggie's ex-wife, turns out to be the latest resident of Beecham House. Maggie Smith plays the fourth quartet member; Jean Horton and tempers and relationships are frayed at Beecham House, as the past is dug up.

Quartet starts out to be a melancholic amble through the slow and steady lives of the residents of Beecham House. It takes a while for the film to get going and for the story to develop into a cohesive plot, however getting there, albeit slowly is worthwhile, as it gives the cast time to grow, develop and introduce some levity into the proceedings, which breaks the seemingly slow start.

It is a shame that the music scenes, especially surrounding the quartet, were edited in such a way, that we didn't actually see them singing. This, ones supposes, is because the cast could not in reality sing, in such a style that would befit their characters. However, to counter this, experienced (and aging) musicians and singers were used, interspersed with the actors, to bring some authenticity to the proceedings.

Overall, Quartet is a  slow, almost graceful movie and a credit to it's director, one Dustin Hoffman, in his first major film directorship. It produces all the qualities required for a feelgood film and ticks all those boxes.

One to watch.

Scoring a respectable 7 out of 10 with the TNiFN audience.