Took my 7 year old to see Lego Batman at the weekend. I thought it was average but she loved it.
Finally got round to seeing Suicide Squad. I've had the blu ray since Christmas as I wanted to be in the right frame of mind to give it the best chance. A lot of poor films are built scene to scene with plot and characterisation secondary. This film follows that trend but takes it a step further by going from 'one liner' to 'one liner'. Has a lot of performances to good for the movie but the structure is a mess. Too much flashback and voice over papering over the cracks. Could have been so much better. Jared Leto went method for that!
Quite enjoyed Passengers, nothing amazing but entertaining all the same. I was hoping there would be something more sinister behind it, but maybe that is just because I haven't seen a decent horror film in a while
Watched I, Daniel Blake last night and it was good but made me angry as I know it's close to reality. 7.5/10
Tried to watch Fences but after 15 or 20 minutes monologue, much of which was lost in translation I looked at the Mrs and we decided enough was enough. I wont mark it as it would be absurdly low.
Watched I, Daniel Blake last night and it was good but made me angry as I know it's close to reality. 7.5/10
Tried to watch Fences but after 15 or 20 minutes monologue, much of which was lost in translation I looked at the Mrs and we decided enough was enough. I wont mark it as it would be absurdly low.
I did exactly the same on Fences. Its a stage play that really doesn't translate to screen IMO. Kate Muir I think put it best in her review - don't mistake grandstanding for quality.
Denzel is lapping up the monologues and practically begging for an Oscar. Viola plays it much more understated and because of Denzel, comes across brilliantly. But the relentless talking was painful for me so had to switch off.
Interesting opinions on Fences. It was wordy but I expected that and watched it with my theatre eyes. I really think it was one of the best films I've seen in a long while.
Picturehouse let you arrange a screening of the film of your choice if enough pay to go. Anyone interested in seeing if we can get a CL night organised?
Picturehouse let you arrange a screening of the film of your choice if enough pay to go. Anyone interested in seeing if we can get a CL night organised?
Watched Fences Monday night, I too nearly turned off after 20 minutes but stuck with it as I like to watch the main Oscar noms, can definitely tell the story was made for the stage but it was well worth sticking with in my opinion. I can see Viola Davis winning the Oscar for her performance but would be surprised if Denzel of the film itself did.
I must admit, I have a major problem watching Denzel anyway. I've probably banged on about it before - just to say, he HAS to be the smartest man in the room. All the time. Whether he's blind (still shoots everyone), an alcoholic (only he could land that plane) or a geeky train guy (he's the best goddamn train controller in Noo Yawk!), he's always the best there is. And nobody else in the movie will ever touch him.
I know his Fences character is flawed, but my god someone needed to tell him to shut up.
I must admit, I have a major problem watching Denzel anyway. I've probably banged on about it before - just to say, he HAS to be the smartest man in the room. All the time. Whether he's blind (still shoots everyone), an alcoholic (only he could land that plane) or a geeky train guy (he's the best goddamn train controller in Noo Yawk!), he's always the best there is. And nobody else in the movie will ever touch him.
I know his Fences character is flawed, but my god someone needed to tell him to shut up.
Picturehouse let you arrange a screening of the film of your choice if enough pay to go. Anyone interested in seeing if we can get a CL night organised?
I could be up for that, but how much per person will that be? I wonder if the PeckhamPlex would do the same thing, their tickets are only a fiver.
I must admit, I have a major problem watching Denzel anyway. I've probably banged on about it before - just to say, he HAS to be the smartest man in the room. All the time. Whether he's blind (still shoots everyone), an alcoholic (only he could land that plane) or a geeky train guy (he's the best goddamn train controller in Noo Yawk!), he's always the best there is. And nobody else in the movie will ever touch him.
I know his Fences character is flawed, but my god someone needed to tell him to shut up.
There's flawed, and then there's Denzel flawed.
Like in Inside Man when he gets fooled? But wait... Fear not, we have a scene at the end where he figures it all out. Can't have Denzel looking stupid now, can we?
Or American Gangster where he's a proper villain... Until he puts on a pair of glasses and tells the FBI how to do their jobs.
I finally saw 'I, Daniel Blake' this week. I thought there was, as you might expect, an element of dramatic license but I found it a very powerful and important film.
'Son of Saul' - a highly skilled and imaginative piece of filmmaking and it certainly packs a punch. Still not sure what to make of it, though.
I must admit, I have a major problem watching Denzel anyway. I've probably banged on about it before - just to say, he HAS to be the smartest man in the room. All the time. Whether he's blind (still shoots everyone), an alcoholic (only he could land that plane) or a geeky train guy (he's the best goddamn train controller in Noo Yawk!), he's always the best there is. And nobody else in the movie will ever touch him.
I know his Fences character is flawed, but my god someone needed to tell him to shut up.
Totally agree......he could do with taking a few downtrodden character parts. He is a good actor but I know exactly where your'e coming from.
Picturehouse let you arrange a screening of the film of your choice if enough pay to go. Anyone interested in seeing if we can get a CL night organised?
If you get this off the ground and its between March 27th and May 5th Im in.
Moonlight - a sad and tenderly story of an emotionally neglected and damaged boy/young man. I thought it was very good but not outstanding.
Thought Moonlight was superb - best film I've seen this year. The subject matter will limit its audience but I thought the acting and the way it was shot was outstanding.
I caught La La Land last night. It's not really my genre, but I'll try most films if the reviews push me that way, and the rest of the family wanted to go. To be honest, I hated the first part. The opening songs were utterly forgettably in my opinión. A dance scene on a jammed freeway like a crazy/happy versión of the REM video for Everybody Hurts. A girly night out that looked derived from a lot of the stuff my daughters enjoy on the Disney Channel. Then Ryan Gosling appears and the film actually begins to settle. It's still fairly straightforward Hollywood fare in my opinión, but from there on, the lead actors get into gear and the film is enjoyable, and I did like the City of Stars track. And the ending warmed me to it s a film too. My wife and I both made the same comment leaving - that it would be a bit unfair if it swept the board as far as the Oscars went, as it wasn't anything extraordinary, and essentially that is what seemed to happen as far as prizes went. But it was a good film, and given that my previous visit to the flicks was to see 50 Shades, it was nice to come out with the whole family chatting about the movie, rather than the rage that being forced to watch a voyeuristic arse-slapping movie induced.
I caught La La Land last night. It's not really my genre, but I'll try most films if the reviews push me that way, and the rest of the family wanted to go. To be honest, I hated the first part. The opening songs were utterly forgettably in my opinión. A dance scene on a jammed freeway like a crazy/happy versión of the REM video for Everybody Hurts. A girly night out that looked derived from a lot of the stuff my daughters enjoy on the Disney Channel. Then Ryan Gosling appears and the film actually begins to settle. It's still fairly straightforward Hollywood fare in my opinión, but from there on, the lead actors get into gear and the film is enjoyable, and I did like the City of Stars track. And the ending warmed me to it s a film too. My wife and I both made the same comment leaving - that it would be a bit unfair if it swept the board as far as the Oscars went, as it wasn't anything extraordinary, and essentially that is what seemed to happen as far as prizes went. But it was a good film, and given that my previous visit to the flicks was to see 50 Shades, it was nice to come out with the whole family chatting about the movie, rather than the rage that being forced to watch a voyeuristic arse-slapping movie induced.
7.5/10
I loved La La Land but have to say I thought Moonlight was a better film and deserved to win the Oscar. I dont think La La Land is a traditional mainstream musical which is perhaps why so many people have been lukewarm to it.
The previous film Whiplash the La La Land director made was an excellent film but again it seemed to have limited appeal.
I'm sure it was mentioned on here around 100 pages ago when it was first out, but I finally watched John Wick this afternoon ahead of the 2nd one coming out.
How I missed it first time round I don't know.
Typical "man needs revenge so kills a shit load of people" film, like Taken etc.
Comments
Finally got round to seeing Suicide Squad. I've had the blu ray since Christmas as I wanted to be in the right frame of mind to give it the best chance. A lot of poor films are built scene to scene with plot and characterisation secondary. This film follows that trend but takes it a step further by going from 'one liner' to 'one liner'. Has a lot of performances to good for the movie but the structure is a mess. Too much flashback and voice over papering over the cracks. Could have been so much better. Jared Leto went method for that!
Really enjoyed it and Cillian Murphy is, as always, excellent. 8/10
Much better than La La Land, which was shite.
Tried to watch Fences but after 15 or 20 minutes monologue, much of which was lost in translation I looked at the Mrs and we decided enough was enough. I wont mark it as it would be absurdly low.
Denzel is lapping up the monologues and practically begging for an Oscar. Viola plays it much more understated and because of Denzel, comes across brilliantly. But the relentless talking was painful for me so had to switch off.
I really think it was one of the best films I've seen in a long while.
Anyone interested in seeing if we can get a CL night organised?
I know his Fences character is flawed, but my god someone needed to tell him to shut up.
Or American Gangster where he's a proper villain... Until he puts on a pair of glasses and tells the FBI how to do their jobs.
I'll try to stop now.
'Son of Saul' - a highly skilled and imaginative piece of filmmaking and it certainly packs a punch. Still not sure what to make of it, though.
Not really sure what I think of it - other than it being as weird as fuck.
Like a cross between an 80's low budget VHS horror and The Mighty Boosh.
Anyone else seen it?
My wife and I both made the same comment leaving - that it would be a bit unfair if it swept the board as far as the Oscars went, as it wasn't anything extraordinary, and essentially that is what seemed to happen as far as prizes went. But it was a good film, and given that my previous visit to the flicks was to see 50 Shades, it was nice to come out with the whole family chatting about the movie, rather than the rage that being forced to watch a voyeuristic arse-slapping movie induced.
7.5/10
The previous film Whiplash the La La Land director made was an excellent film but again it seemed to have limited appeal.
How I missed it first time round I don't know.
Typical "man needs revenge so kills a shit load of people" film, like Taken etc.
Good film if you haven't seen it.