Typical tragic Almodovar melodrama, and none the worse for that. The film gradually unfolds using flashback (not in a confusing way as can sometimes be the case). Leading actresses both excellent. There are no jokes in this one, but I really enjoyed it. If you generally like Alomodovar, you'll like this.
Took my 3 year old to see Finding Dory, she loved it and I enjoyed it too - nothing groundbreaking and not a patch on the first film but good, funny and enjoyable animation.
Watched Zootopia/Zootropolis last week which I loved - for a scene with basically a one note joke in it, the sloth scene absolutely slayed me, and the rest of the film is smart and funny with good messages for kids about hard work, tolerance etc.
And the wife and I watched Inside Out last night - way too grown up for our two so glad we watched it first without them, but what an incredible film. Thought it was so clever, ambitious and deep, reminded me of the end of Toy Story 3 too in its end of childhood type theme which made it quite melancholy and sad in parts, but it was a beautiful storyline too.
Agree on everything mate, but you missed another clssic scene in Zootopia - when they met Mr Big, who was a mouse, and then opened up with the Marlon Brando lines from the Godfather (you come to my daughters wedding, but you show me no respect..) classic. And Inside Out was for adults with cartons for the kids. Wonderfull film and I don't mind admitting I shed a tear when Bing Bong died (take Riley to the moon for me). Just waiting for Sausage Party to arrive in Spain so my daighters can learn the sort of language they will need when they come to the Valley for the first time.
War Dogs is decent, apparently based on a true story but I would guess pretty loosely. Good performances though, Jonah Hill makes a surprisingly disturbing sociopath and the trailers that try and paint it as some sort of comedy are really not doing it justice (there are a few laughs but it's pretty black comedy). Good soundtrack also.
Captain Fantastic. Unusual film about a father raising his six (I think) children in the wilds of NW America in his own way, teaching them classics, philosophy, physics and survival skills. Eventually, of course, they have to interact with the real world and the 'culture clash' plays out with significant consequences. Something in common with little miss sunshine, but darker, though it has its comedic moments. Veggies won't much enjoy the opening scene. 6.5/10
We are certainly eagerly awaiting Anthropoid here, and hope it is good. Those heroes have not been properly buried and there is a campaign to make it happen which requires a lot of public money to be found. A powerful film could make all the difference.
There was a thread recently about favourite films recently - I can't find it - and several people recommended one with a longish,one-word tilte beginning with P. Not much to go on, but does anyone remember it? Also a film from this year about a young model and a murder? A bit film-norish... Beds? Jimmy?
Ta, Jimmy, Neon Demon was the one I was thinking of. Looks interesting to say the least... Edit: it didn't begin with a p, but an s. And there were another two words after it: Synedoche, New York.
That's an opinion-splitter right there! Not my cup of tea but some people love it. What I do know is that it's pronounced sin-ek-de-kee, if that helps.
I had absolutely no intention of going to see Hell or high water . My plan was to see Ben-Hur but at the very last minute after seeing the poster for this at the cinema I changed my mind and I'm so glad I did. This is the story of two brothers who commit a string of bank robberies in order to raise the money needed to protect their family farm from being taken , ironically from the banks they rob , while all the time , an ageing sheriff tracks the heists in an attempt to hunt down those responsible. This film is a modern day western and a brilliant one at that. Chris pine and Ben Foster are superb as the two brothers. Pine's character is the semi responsible one while Foster is the nut job but not for the first time , the actor who steals the show is Jeff Bridges. He is fantastic as the nearly retired sheriff. There is so much that is good about this film . The sound track is perfect , the cinematography makes a baron Texas look almost inviting and the script is first class. In a year when we have been bombarded with substandard superhero movies this is an absolute treat and it's one , if not the best film I have seen in 2016. Highly Recommended.
Great. I saw the trailer for Hell Or High Water a couple of months ago and thought it looked very interesting. I've always been a fan of Ben Foster's so I'm glad that this film is getting positive reviews. I look forward to it even more now.
Not a recent film but finally got to see 'Straight Outta Compton'.
Why this was not nominated for best film Oscar, I have no idea.
Great acting, especially those portraying Eazy-e, Dre and Ice Cube. Compelling with a superb soundtrack. Great insight into the upbringing and background of NWA, a band that had a massive influence.
Agree entirely on Hell or High Water. Excellent film. It has a really compelling banking/ recession subtext along with the death of the old west thing. I found it fascinating as much as thrilling. The performances make it too. I think if we hadn't seen Bridges do the grizzled True Grit thing already he'd be a shoe-in for an Oscar.
Mrs Fiiish dragged me to Bridget Jones' Baby today. In a packed cinema and counted two other men in there. All of the adverts were for bras and tampons.
The film itself was actually OK. Although it made me wonder, in every comedy film with a birth scene, why is it considered 'comedy' for the mother to arrive too late to receive an epidural? What's funny about a woman being in pain?
Mrs Fiiish dragged me to Bridget Jones' Baby today. In a packed cinema and counted two other men in there. All of the adverts were for bras and tampons.
The film itself was actually OK. Although it made me wonder, in every comedy film with a birth scene, why is it considered 'comedy' for the mother to arrive too late to receive an epidural? What's funny about a woman being in pain?
I read this and the only thing that came into my head is why a man that got dragged to watch a chick flick on a Saturday by his missus is posting on CL rather than getting sexual treats from said missus.
Mrs Fiiish dragged me to Bridget Jones' Baby today. In a packed cinema and counted two other men in there. All of the adverts were for bras and tampons.
The film itself was actually OK. Although it made me wonder, in every comedy film with a birth scene, why is it considered 'comedy' for the mother to arrive too late to receive an epidural? What's funny about a woman being in pain?
I read this and the only thing that came into my head is why a man that got dragged to watch a chick flick on a Saturday by his missus is posting on CL rather than getting sexual treats from said missus.
She says she has a headache.
Same headache she got after taking me to see Bridesmaids too. Funny that.
Steven Spielberg has a lot to answer for. Ever since he made Jaws in 1975 there have been countless attempts on the big screen to emulate that film and all have failed. Some have been excruciatingly bad but thankfully The Shallows isn't one of those. This is the story of Nancy who travels to a secluded beach to surf . While in the water , she is hunted by a great white shark and finds herself stranded on a rock with the tide going out . Wounded and with time running out she battles to get away from the shark. Probably the best thing about this film is performance of Blake Lively. She definitely carries this film. The action is pretty good although totally predictable and it looks great up until the use of CGI underwater when it starts to look like a scene from a Sharks Tale. At a pleasant running time of 84 minutes , The Shallows is a good bit of escapism but like every other shark film , it's no Jaws.
Steven Spielberg has a lot to answer for. Ever since he made Jaws in 1975 there have been countless attempts on the big screen to emulate that film and all have failed. Some have been excruciatingly bad but thankfully The Shallows isn't one of those. This is the story of Nancy who travels to a secluded beach to surf . While in the water , she is hunted by a great white shark and finds herself stranded on a rock with the tide going out . Wounded and with time running out she battles to get away from the shark. Probably the best thing about this film is performance of Blake Lively. She definitely carries this film. The action is pretty good although totally predictable and it looks great up until the use of CGI underwater when it starts to look like a scene from a Sharks Tale. At a pleasant running time of 84 minutes , The Shallows is good bit of escapism but like every other shark film , it's no Jaws.
Steven Spielberg has a lot to answer for. Ever since he made Jaws in 1975 there have been countless attempts on the big screen to emulate that film and all have failed. Some have been excruciatingly bad but thankfully The Shallows isn't one of those. This is the story of Nancy who travels to a secluded beach to surf . While in the water , she is hunted by a great white shark and finds herself stranded on a rock with the tide going out . Wounded and with time running out she battles to get away from the shark. Probably the best thing about this film is performance of Blake Lively. She definitely carries this film. The action is pretty good although totally predictable and it looks great up until the use of CGI underwater when it starts to look like a scene from a Sharks Tale. At a pleasant running time of 84 minutes , The Shallows is good bit of escapism but like every other shark film , it's no Jaws.
Sausage Party 6/10 Hilarious last 5 minutes for those with an immature mind.
I mean it's all very immature, but the last 5 minutes made the entire film...
Bad Moms 7/10 Some proper laughs, some cringes. Quite interesting to see another female side of comedy. Plus Mila Kunis.
Finding Dory 3/10 Not near the level of Nemo. Ellen Degeneres has such an annoying voice which coupled with the circles the story goes around in.... actually caused the other half to fall asleep.
Not a recent film but finally got to see 'Straight Outta Compton'.
Why this was not nominated for best film Oscar, I have no idea.
Great acting, especially those portraying Eazy-e, Dre and Ice Cube. Compelling with a superb soundtrack. Great insight into the upbringing and background of NWA, a band that had a massive influence.
A biographical crime drama, based upon the real-life kidnapping exploits of the Puccio family in Buenos Aires in the 1980s. The father and head of the family had been an ex-secret serviceman in the military junta, responsible for disposing of the bodies of the regime's enemies after torture and kidnapping. Following the demise of the dictatorship, he decided to redeploy his skills in a new family enterprise of kidnap and extortion from wealthy families.
As well as being a fast-paced thriller, the film examines the underbelly of 1980s Argentina and the corruption endemic in its political climate. There is a very good soundtrack, while the patriarch (who featured in 'The Secret In Their Eyes') is an extremely chilling villain. Overall, very good - 8/10.
About a man's dealings with the DWP and the Kafkaesque situstion it leads to. He's recovering from a heart attack and his doctors say he can't work. But he fails the test for ESA, has to claim JSA and seek work. Which he can't take if he values his health. Then he tries to help someone else struggling eith the vsgaries of the DWP.
It won the Palme d'or this year and is one of Ken Loach's best films imho.
Comments
Typical tragic Almodovar melodrama, and none the worse for that. The film gradually unfolds using flashback (not in a confusing way as can sometimes be the case). Leading actresses both excellent.
There are no jokes in this one, but I really enjoyed it. If you generally like Alomodovar, you'll like this.
7.5/10
Powerful, thought-provoking and moralistic.
9/10
And Inside Out was for adults with cartons for the kids. Wonderfull film and I don't mind admitting I shed a tear when Bing Bong died (take Riley to the moon for me).
Just waiting for Sausage Party to arrive in Spain so my daighters can learn the sort of language they will need when they come to the Valley for the first time.
Unusual film about a father raising his six (I think) children in the wilds of NW America in his own way, teaching them classics, philosophy, physics and survival skills.
Eventually, of course, they have to interact with the real world and the 'culture clash' plays out with significant consequences.
Something in common with little miss sunshine, but darker, though it has its comedic moments.
Veggies won't much enjoy the opening scene.
6.5/10
I didn't realise it had opened already in the UK
Also a film from this year about a young model and a murder? A bit film-norish...
Beds? Jimmy?
Not sure about the other one I am afraid...
Edit: My collegaue has also seen Anthropoid - "it's good, but not great. Very grim. It's a dark subject." - review here.
Edit: it didn't begin with a p, but an s. And there were another two words after it: Synedoche, New York.
Hell or high water
I had absolutely no intention of going to see Hell or high water . My plan was to see Ben-Hur but at the very last minute after seeing the poster for this at the cinema I changed my mind and I'm so glad I did.
This is the story of two brothers who commit a string of bank robberies in order to raise the money needed to protect their family farm from being taken , ironically from the banks they rob , while all the time , an ageing sheriff tracks the heists in an attempt to hunt down those responsible.
This film is a modern day western and a brilliant one at that. Chris pine and Ben Foster are superb as the two brothers. Pine's character is the semi responsible one while Foster is the nut job but not for the first time , the actor who steals the show is Jeff Bridges. He is fantastic as the nearly retired sheriff.
There is so much that is good about this film . The sound track is perfect , the cinematography makes a baron Texas look almost inviting and the script is first class.
In a year when we have been bombarded with substandard superhero movies this is an absolute treat and it's one , if not the best film I have seen in 2016.
Highly Recommended.
9 out of 10
Why this was not nominated for best film Oscar, I have no idea.
Great acting, especially those portraying Eazy-e, Dre and Ice Cube. Compelling with a superb soundtrack. Great insight into the upbringing and background of NWA, a band that had a massive influence.
9/10
Quite thought provoking & the children were delightful.
And the full frontal of Vigo wasn't bad either.....
The film itself was actually OK. Although it made me wonder, in every comedy film with a birth scene, why is it considered 'comedy' for the mother to arrive too late to receive an epidural? What's funny about a woman being in pain?
Same headache she got after taking me to see Bridesmaids too. Funny that.
Steven Spielberg has a lot to answer for. Ever since he made Jaws in 1975 there have been countless attempts on the big screen to emulate that film and all have failed. Some have been excruciatingly bad but thankfully The Shallows isn't one of those.
This is the story of Nancy who travels to a secluded beach to surf . While in the water , she is hunted by a great white shark and finds herself stranded on a rock with the tide going out . Wounded and with time running out she battles to get away from the shark.
Probably the best thing about this film is performance of Blake Lively. She definitely carries this film.
The action is pretty good although totally predictable and it looks great up until the use of CGI underwater when it starts to look like a scene from a Sharks Tale.
At a pleasant running time of 84 minutes , The Shallows is a good bit of escapism but like every other shark film , it's no Jaws.
6 out of 10
6/10
Hilarious last 5 minutes for those with an immature mind.
I mean it's all very immature, but the last 5 minutes made the entire film...
Bad Moms
7/10
Some proper laughs, some cringes. Quite interesting to see another female side of comedy. Plus Mila Kunis.
Finding Dory
3/10
Not near the level of Nemo. Ellen Degeneres has such an annoying voice which coupled with the circles the story goes around in.... actually caused the other half to fall asleep. Quality film.
A good coming of age film set in gentrifying Brooklyn. Would give it 3 out of 5.
A biographical crime drama, based upon the real-life kidnapping exploits of the Puccio family in Buenos Aires in the 1980s. The father and head of the family had been an ex-secret serviceman in the military junta, responsible for disposing of the bodies of the regime's enemies after torture and kidnapping. Following the demise of the dictatorship, he decided to redeploy his skills in a new family enterprise of kidnap and extortion from wealthy families.
As well as being a fast-paced thriller, the film examines the underbelly of 1980s Argentina and the corruption endemic in its political climate. There is a very good soundtrack, while the patriarch (who featured in 'The Secret In Their Eyes') is an extremely chilling villain. Overall, very good - 8/10.
Very good film even though very depressing.
About a man's dealings with the DWP and the Kafkaesque situstion it leads to. He's recovering from a heart attack and his doctors say he can't work. But he fails the test for ESA, has to claim JSA and seek work. Which he can't take if he values his health. Then he tries to help someone else struggling eith the vsgaries of the DWP.
It won the Palme d'or this year and is one of Ken Loach's best films imho.
Thoroughly recommend it.