Black Panther has been an incredibly success for Marvel . Up to this weekend it had taken 1.2 Billion dollars and I'm not surprised. My kids have been pestering me for weeks to take them to see this . thanks to some brilliant social media marketing ( especially on YouTube) and today we finally got to see it .
It's the story of T'Challa who is crowned the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. T'Challa is charged with defending the nation in his guise as the costumed superhero known as Black Panther, but his reign is challenged by a Wakanda dissident named Erik Killmonger , who wants to sell the country's natural resources to fund an uprising.
I have to admit I wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing this. I thought , because of the director and cast being predominantly black , that it might be more political than anything but it wasn't and to be fair it was just another enjoyable marvel movie. The action is nothing new and it's too long . as all Marvel films are , but I liked it and more importantly my sons did too. There are some good performances from Chadwick Boseman , Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis and I look forward to Black Panther linking up with a few of the more familiar Marvel super heroes.
I watched 'Annihilation' on Netflix, partly because my daughter worked on it. I liked it as it was thought provoking. 8/10. But it did badly in the states apparently because it had 'arty' dance type scenes at the end which the yanks did not appreciate, plus an open ending rather than a happy ending. Americans adore Marvel films with lots of action and dodgy scripts. I made the mistake of watching 'Wonder Woman' and thought it a real load of dross. 2/10. So pleased I didn't pay cinema prices but that was a box office success and they are doing another one. I don't really get it. An age thing I suppose.
Watched A Man Called Ove on Amazon last night. A low key Swedish movie about a grumpy old man. The film's flashbacks show how he became the man he is and it manages to make you like and admire him. It's funny and moving by turns. A real unexpected surprising pleasure.
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
Watched A Man Called Ove on Amazon last night. A low key Swedish movie about a grumpy old man. The film's flashbacks show how he became the man he is and it manages to make you like and admire him. It's funny and moving by turns. A real unexpected surprising pleasure.
Good to hear, Nadou. We're showing it at film club next month.
TOMB RAIDER Took my daughter to see this and fortunately she enjoyed it. I thought it was shockingly bad - the plot is terrible and the film is completely flat. The highlight for me was when it ended. 3/10
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
I thought it was better than the original although the original was a more significant film given when it was made. Surprised you got so little from it - I found it incredibly atmospheric.
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
I disagree with you. Despite the dodgy accents it's an interesting plot and visually very striking . It wasn't a film I expected to like given how poor the reviews were but it was entertaining. Not a film I'd describe as forgettable.
Well, I thought BR2049 was boring despite its beautiful visuals and cannot recommend it. I think the original is a classic, btw. To me this one had nothing to say or think about once the lights come up. It's just exposition and visuals trying to overcome a weak plot. 5.0/10.0
I thought it was better than the original although the original was a more significant film given when it was made. Surprised you got so little from it - I found it incredibly atmospheric.
I watched it on Saturday and loved it. Visually stunning and as you say atmospheric. Much better than the first film.
UNSANE Psychological thriller about a financial analyst played by Claire Foy who is followed by her stalker when she gets tricked into being committed to a mental hospital. Foy is very good but the plot of the film loses its way towards the end. The film is pretty damning about the morality of US healthcare.
The film is shot entirely on iPhones which makes it very dark and claustrophobic - this adds to the atmosphere.
Saw I, Tonya at the weekend in the wonderfully refurbished Campbeltown Picture House (near the Mull of Kintyre).
Can I admit, despite the excellent performances, I was a tiny bit disappointed? Thought Tonya was not quite as rough as real life - could have used make up better to take the edge off Margot Robbie's perfection?
Would also have liked a bit more insight into the relationship / rivalry between Harding & Kerrigan. Enjoyed it but overall good rather than brilliant. 7/10.
Saw it the other day, and I agree - I was expecting the Harding/Kerrigan relationship to play a much bigger part in the film. The one brief mention of it felt like an afterthought.
That's a different film. You can't knock something for not being what you thought it ought to be, you need to judge it for what it is.
As a film about two very dysfunctional relationships, some very stupid people, and the problems of getting the 'real' story (they showed what a lot of people remember, Harding attacking Kerrigan, which never happened as Harding was nowhere near the assault), I thought this was excellent.
RED SPARROW Glossy thriller with lots of violence and dodgy Russian accents. Jennifer Lawrence is cast as a Russian spy and there's plenty of double crossing going on. The story keeps you interested and it was far more watchable than I expected. 7/10
Which is why I thought people talking in their own voice in Death of Stalin was a great idea. Marshall Zhukov talking in broad Yorkshire (Hello to Jason Isaacs) is a sight/sound to behold.
Blade Runner 2049. Wow. The perfect accompaniment to the original.
Think I may get strung up for saying this but.... I genuinely think 2049 might be better Imho... need watch it again first though. Only seen it the once in the cinema
Somewhere, I've got the hangman's noose my Dad brought home from work...
Got dragged by my nephew to see the Tomb Raider reboot this afternoon. Expected the worse but of its ilk it's not too bad a stab at things. Probably 25/30 minutes too long. Much preferred the Angelina Jolie look though...
I GOT LIFE French comedy about a woman going through the menopause. Very funny and very warm film - thoroughly enjoyed it. Some very good observations about the joys of getting older and the difficulties of parenting. 8/10
It's great when you come across a film that you have barely heard of and it turns out to be a hidden gem. Netflix and Amazon are great for these kind of films and Hunt for the Wilderpeople really is a cracking little film.
This is the story of city kid Ricky , who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
We all know the acting qualities that Sam Neill has and he is great in this but the star of this particular show is Julian Dennison who plays Ricky. Rarely have I seen comedy timing from a kid like he has in this film. I laughed out loud several times during this movie which is unusual for me and comedies. The one liners are brilliant and that credit has to go to New Zealand director and screenplay writer Taika Waititi . I usually cringe when I hear that a movie is "feel good" but not in this case. Recommended
It's great when you come across a film that you have barely heard of and it turns out to be a hidden gem. Netflix and Amazon are great for these kind of films and Hunt for the Wilderpeople really is a cracking little film.
This is the story of city kid Ricky , who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
We all know the acting qualities that Sam Neill has and he is great in this but the star of this particular show is Julian Dennison who plays Ricky. Rarely have I seen comedy timing from a kid like he has in this film. I laughed out loud several times during this movie which is unusual for me and comedies. The one liners are brilliant and that credit has to go to New Zealand director and screenplay writer Taika Waititi . I usually cringe when I hear that a movie is "feel good" but not in this case. Recommended
Oscar winning short film "The Silent Child" was shown on BBC1 last night, repeated tomorrow and available on iplayer now.
Watch it.
My mate Rebecca harris was producer and my mate was 2nd assistant director on that, saw it at the prince charles cinema and it’s great. Hold tight for the feature length version..
It's great when you come across a film that you have barely heard of and it turns out to be a hidden gem. Netflix and Amazon are great for these kind of films and Hunt for the Wilderpeople really is a cracking little film.
This is the story of city kid Ricky , who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
We all know the acting qualities that Sam Neill has and he is great in this but the star of this particular show is Julian Dennison who plays Ricky. Rarely have I seen comedy timing from a kid like he has in this film. I laughed out loud several times during this movie which is unusual for me and comedies. The one liners are brilliant and that credit has to go to New Zealand director and screenplay writer Taika Waititi . I usually cringe when I hear that a movie is "feel good" but not in this case. Recommended
Cracking film, watched it a few times and still laugh. V enjoyable. It wasnt mainstream but it was high up on a lot of Film of the Year awards for 2016 i believe.
If you like that check out What We Do In The Shadows by the same director (Taika Waititi), spoof documentary about a group of vampires, similar comedy style. V funny.
Comments
Black Panther
Black Panther has been an incredibly success for Marvel . Up to this weekend it had taken 1.2 Billion dollars and I'm not surprised. My kids have been pestering me for weeks to take them to see this . thanks to some brilliant social media marketing ( especially on YouTube) and today we finally got to see it .
It's the story of T'Challa who is crowned the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. T'Challa is charged with defending the nation in his guise as the costumed superhero known as Black Panther, but his reign is challenged by a Wakanda dissident named Erik Killmonger , who wants to sell the country's natural resources to fund an uprising.
I have to admit I wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing this. I thought , because of the director and cast being predominantly black , that it might be more political than anything but it wasn't and to be fair it was just another enjoyable marvel movie.
The action is nothing new and it's too long . as all Marvel films are , but I liked it and more importantly my sons did too.
There are some good performances from Chadwick Boseman , Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis and I look forward to Black Panther linking up with a few of the more familiar Marvel super heroes.
7 out of 10
Americans adore Marvel films with lots of action and dodgy scripts. I made the mistake of watching 'Wonder Woman' and thought it a real load of dross. 2/10. So pleased I didn't pay cinema prices but that was a box office success and they are doing another one. I don't really get it. An age thing I suppose.
Just another La Femme Nikita offshoot. Not much originality. Jennifer Lawrence being nude and acting like a badass could not save it. It's not terrible and has modest entertainment value, but is just plain forgettable. 5.5/10.
Took my daughter to see this and fortunately she enjoyed it. I thought it was shockingly bad - the plot is terrible and the film is completely flat. The highlight for me was when it ended. 3/10
Not a film I'd describe as forgettable.
Psychological thriller about a financial analyst played by Claire Foy who is followed by her stalker when she gets tricked into being committed to a mental hospital. Foy is very good but the plot of the film loses its way towards the end. The film is pretty damning about the morality of US healthcare.
The film is shot entirely on iPhones which makes it very dark and claustrophobic - this adds to the atmosphere.
6/10
As a film about two very dysfunctional relationships, some very stupid people, and the problems of getting the 'real' story (they showed what a lot of people remember, Harding attacking Kerrigan, which never happened as Harding was nowhere near the assault), I thought this was excellent.
Somewhere, I've got the hangman's noose my Dad brought home from work...
Synopsis ' Two introverted people, both workers at an abattoir, find out by chance that they share the same dream every night'
Enjoyable family fantasy film - saw this with my daughter. Far better than the reviews suggested.
7/10
French comedy about a woman going through the menopause. Very funny and very warm film - thoroughly enjoyed it. Some very good observations about the joys of getting older and the difficulties of parenting. 8/10
Watch it.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
It's great when you come across a film that you have barely heard of and it turns out to be a hidden gem. Netflix and Amazon are great for these kind of films and Hunt for the Wilderpeople really is a cracking little film.
This is the story of city kid Ricky , who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
We all know the acting qualities that Sam Neill has and he is great in this but the star of this particular show is Julian Dennison who plays Ricky. Rarely have I seen comedy timing from a kid like he has in this film.
I laughed out loud several times during this movie which is unusual for me and comedies.
The one liners are brilliant and that credit has to go to New Zealand director and screenplay writer Taika Waititi .
I usually cringe when I hear that a movie is "feel good" but not in this case.
Recommended
8 out of 10
Saw it with my daughter - enjoyable family film but not quite in the league of Paddington 2. Better than I expected. 7/10
If you like that check out What We Do In The Shadows by the same director (Taika Waititi), spoof documentary about a group of vampires, similar comedy style. V funny.