I need to find a dvd store that has English movies. The movie part of my brain is atrophying.
Failure to Launch
Smarmy SJP and Matthew McConaughey, who seems to have cornered the market in playing players. He won't leave home, she tries to seduce him into doing so. It's her job. Saved by Kathy Bates and one of those nice, if slightly eccentric, Deschanel girls, otherwise forgettable. There may be some truth in the premise though. Maybe older children don't leave home because they can't afford to. A sick, creepy part where she pretends to have a dog put to sleep, to gain his sympathy. Also the vet re-sheathes the needle. Unprofessional.
Hot and sunny. As usual.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Overcast and dull
Today's title refers to the movie, not the weather. Even Michael Caine can make mistakes. He does it with talent and aplomb though.
The Weatherman
Whiny Nicholas Cage. Just odd. Don't bother.
A note about Avatar. I saw the trailer on a dvd and can confidently say that had I seen the trailer I would never have watched the movie. Not my kind of movie. Having said that, I stand by my comments that it is LCD pap and has appalling dialogue. I am also a little concerned about the message it gives pertaining to being less than completely able-bodied. I'm wondering if I have a prejudice against blue beings. Never a big Smurf fan, did not like the Na'vi and feel wary of the Blue Man group.
In this context, LCD does not stand for liquid crystal display.
The Weatherman
Whiny Nicholas Cage. Just odd. Don't bother.
A note about Avatar. I saw the trailer on a dvd and can confidently say that had I seen the trailer I would never have watched the movie. Not my kind of movie. Having said that, I stand by my comments that it is LCD pap and has appalling dialogue. I am also a little concerned about the message it gives pertaining to being less than completely able-bodied. I'm wondering if I have a prejudice against blue beings. Never a big Smurf fan, did not like the Na'vi and feel wary of the Blue Man group.
In this context, LCD does not stand for liquid crystal display.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Perils of inertia
Dvd rentals, another mixed bag. Inertia caused me to watched 3 movies in 2 days. Shameful.
The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
Written by Tennessee Williams so this was a must see. However, I was disappointed. I am a big TW fan and this just did not live up to the greats, like Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" or Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire". This movie, starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Evans, didn't have that build up, that oppressive sense of doom and disintegration, that hypnotic quality that causes the pulse to race. I was not holding my breath as tension built and personalities shattered. A perfectly watchable movie, with beautiful costumes, but a strictly second-rate Tennessee Williams screenplay. It did have that weird stuff that hangs off the trees in the deep South, Spanish Moss maybe?
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Mrs Blogger is going to Washington. I have to visit that museum. A good sequel, same cast as the original, adding Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart. Lots of good stuff, fun effects, Ricky Gervais doing his ineffectual embarrassing star turn. My favourite thing was the balloon dog. Clever, fun, watchable.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. A Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" sort of story where ghosts showcase Connor Mead's past, present and future, effecting redemption in the formerly shallow ladies man. Some funny scenes as they all prepare for his brother's wedding, and it all ends well. Amy Adams was also in this movie, briefly.
A brief spell of hot weather again but that might be the end of it.
The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
Written by Tennessee Williams so this was a must see. However, I was disappointed. I am a big TW fan and this just did not live up to the greats, like Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" or Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire". This movie, starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Evans, didn't have that build up, that oppressive sense of doom and disintegration, that hypnotic quality that causes the pulse to race. I was not holding my breath as tension built and personalities shattered. A perfectly watchable movie, with beautiful costumes, but a strictly second-rate Tennessee Williams screenplay. It did have that weird stuff that hangs off the trees in the deep South, Spanish Moss maybe?
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Mrs Blogger is going to Washington. I have to visit that museum. A good sequel, same cast as the original, adding Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart. Lots of good stuff, fun effects, Ricky Gervais doing his ineffectual embarrassing star turn. My favourite thing was the balloon dog. Clever, fun, watchable.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. A Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" sort of story where ghosts showcase Connor Mead's past, present and future, effecting redemption in the formerly shallow ladies man. Some funny scenes as they all prepare for his brother's wedding, and it all ends well. Amy Adams was also in this movie, briefly.
A brief spell of hot weather again but that might be the end of it.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Two sides
An interesting omission.
Invictus
This is a movie about South African politics and rugby, but it is quite watchable and inspirational. Matt Damon does that clipped South African accent very well. Morgan Freeman was a wonderful Nelson Mandela, with a visible quality of humility to his character and his performance.
However, in the interests of truth and fairness, there is something that was left out of the movie. I remember this match and I remember the furore surrounding it, it's all in the newspapers. Also, at the time I worked with someone who was there at the game, and was intimately involved in the aforementioned furore, and confirmed some of the details. This is the match, before which, most of the All Blacks were afflicted with severe food poisoning. Strangely, they did not all eat the same dishes. The match was not delayed. A coincidence possibly, a very timely and politically satisfying one for South Africa. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Edge of Darkness
More in the Mel Gibson season. He is a cop whose daughter is shot dead in an ambush he thinks was meant for him. His investigations uncover skulduggery in the nuclear weapons industry. I'm proud to come from a nuke free country. Another good, watchable Mel Gibson movie.
I passed my driving test! Yes, I have been driving for 34 years, but this is another country and they drive on the other side of the road.
Invictus
This is a movie about South African politics and rugby, but it is quite watchable and inspirational. Matt Damon does that clipped South African accent very well. Morgan Freeman was a wonderful Nelson Mandela, with a visible quality of humility to his character and his performance.
However, in the interests of truth and fairness, there is something that was left out of the movie. I remember this match and I remember the furore surrounding it, it's all in the newspapers. Also, at the time I worked with someone who was there at the game, and was intimately involved in the aforementioned furore, and confirmed some of the details. This is the match, before which, most of the All Blacks were afflicted with severe food poisoning. Strangely, they did not all eat the same dishes. The match was not delayed. A coincidence possibly, a very timely and politically satisfying one for South Africa. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Edge of Darkness
More in the Mel Gibson season. He is a cop whose daughter is shot dead in an ambush he thinks was meant for him. His investigations uncover skulduggery in the nuclear weapons industry. I'm proud to come from a nuke free country. Another good, watchable Mel Gibson movie.
I passed my driving test! Yes, I have been driving for 34 years, but this is another country and they drive on the other side of the road.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Mixed bag
A mixed bag from the video store.
Cemetery Junction
One from my beloved "English movies" genre. This movie is written by the genius team of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It slots into the "Shirley Valentine", "Billy Elliot", "Brassed Off" and "Full Monty" category in portraying the not-to-be-underestimated hopelessness of small town England, this time in the early 1970s. Maybe it is still like that today - learned depression in unattractive towns that are there to support the dying industries of mining and manufacturing. The difficulty of escaping the horror of not only insular but intensely local mindsets, where the town has been good enough for generations of the family, so should be good enough for the current crop of young adults. The English were once known as explorers and adventurers, they discovered and colonised half the globe. Looks like all those ones left, and the remainder missed out on the outward-looking gene. I think they all went to New Zealand and Australia (voluntarily or not) - those guys travel a LOT.
Back to the movie. Gervais has a role as the querulous father of our go-getting main character. Merchant has a tiny (well not physically) but funny role, just a line really. Most of the actors are relative unknowns, ie not big stars, and they do a wonderful job. Look out for Snork's bizarre self-designed tattoo, and his creditable Slade performance. Ask yourself - does your husband say thank you when you give him a cup of tea? I liked this movie, but then I have a positive prejudice towards English movies. It's small, it's subtle and it is satisfying. The characters are totally recognisable. Contemporary music and fashion sets the scene and once again I noticed the lighting. I liked it but I'm accustomed to English movies. It may be too subtle for those used to larger-than-life cinematic endeavours. Not a James Cameron sort of thing.
Next
Nicholas Cage as a magician who can see two minutes into his own future. Somehow he can run various scenarios and chose the right course of action. That's a bit bizarre and can be confusing. Julianne Moore, a cop with imagination, believes in his talent and forces him to find out where a nuclear bomb is hidden. Meanwhile he is shacked up at the Grand Canyon with a very unwise and gullible Jessica Biel. Nice scenery, good use of music, interesting effects. A good story, but Cage doesn't change his facial expression and once again, is not believable as a magical person. Maybe I should change my attitude and view his acting as subtle, but then I might have to do the same with Helen Hunt. Worth watching.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
What can I say - an Aussie icon. Like English movies, Australian productions have a feel, an attitude, and most of them are pretty good. Did anyone see "Don's Party"?This one feels a little like the wonderful "Muriel's Wedding" with obligatory Abba. Priscilla has made it to the stage. It's about trannies going to perform a drag show in the outback, travelling in a bus which they name Priscilla. Fantastic performances from Stamp, Weaving and Pearce (what a hunk - remember him from Neighbours, I think he was Mrs Mangel's nephew) as the drag queens. A good show all round. Great costumes, incongruous against the harsh scenery, and a nice story.
I think summer is over. It is still warm but not overwhelmingly so. It's a little sad. Now we have the winter to look forward to. We are thinking of moving to somewhere that the winters are less harsh. Unfortunately it is a place where the summers are even hotter!
Cemetery Junction
One from my beloved "English movies" genre. This movie is written by the genius team of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It slots into the "Shirley Valentine", "Billy Elliot", "Brassed Off" and "Full Monty" category in portraying the not-to-be-underestimated hopelessness of small town England, this time in the early 1970s. Maybe it is still like that today - learned depression in unattractive towns that are there to support the dying industries of mining and manufacturing. The difficulty of escaping the horror of not only insular but intensely local mindsets, where the town has been good enough for generations of the family, so should be good enough for the current crop of young adults. The English were once known as explorers and adventurers, they discovered and colonised half the globe. Looks like all those ones left, and the remainder missed out on the outward-looking gene. I think they all went to New Zealand and Australia (voluntarily or not) - those guys travel a LOT.
Back to the movie. Gervais has a role as the querulous father of our go-getting main character. Merchant has a tiny (well not physically) but funny role, just a line really. Most of the actors are relative unknowns, ie not big stars, and they do a wonderful job. Look out for Snork's bizarre self-designed tattoo, and his creditable Slade performance. Ask yourself - does your husband say thank you when you give him a cup of tea? I liked this movie, but then I have a positive prejudice towards English movies. It's small, it's subtle and it is satisfying. The characters are totally recognisable. Contemporary music and fashion sets the scene and once again I noticed the lighting. I liked it but I'm accustomed to English movies. It may be too subtle for those used to larger-than-life cinematic endeavours. Not a James Cameron sort of thing.
Next
Nicholas Cage as a magician who can see two minutes into his own future. Somehow he can run various scenarios and chose the right course of action. That's a bit bizarre and can be confusing. Julianne Moore, a cop with imagination, believes in his talent and forces him to find out where a nuclear bomb is hidden. Meanwhile he is shacked up at the Grand Canyon with a very unwise and gullible Jessica Biel. Nice scenery, good use of music, interesting effects. A good story, but Cage doesn't change his facial expression and once again, is not believable as a magical person. Maybe I should change my attitude and view his acting as subtle, but then I might have to do the same with Helen Hunt. Worth watching.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
What can I say - an Aussie icon. Like English movies, Australian productions have a feel, an attitude, and most of them are pretty good. Did anyone see "Don's Party"?This one feels a little like the wonderful "Muriel's Wedding" with obligatory Abba. Priscilla has made it to the stage. It's about trannies going to perform a drag show in the outback, travelling in a bus which they name Priscilla. Fantastic performances from Stamp, Weaving and Pearce (what a hunk - remember him from Neighbours, I think he was Mrs Mangel's nephew) as the drag queens. A good show all round. Great costumes, incongruous against the harsh scenery, and a nice story.
I think summer is over. It is still warm but not overwhelmingly so. It's a little sad. Now we have the winter to look forward to. We are thinking of moving to somewhere that the winters are less harsh. Unfortunately it is a place where the summers are even hotter!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Serious movies
Some more serious stuff.
An Education
Carey Mulligan excels as a self possessed school girl in 1960's Twickenham (another old stamping ground of mine, Twickenham I mean, not the 1960s so much). She gets involved with an older man, and learns a few things. She comes out of it surprisingly well. Alfred Molina is such a useless dad, laying down the law and missing the point. Emma Thompson is the headmistress, a small part. It's always good to see a discerning actor, it gives a movie credibility. A chick flick possibly, a coming of age movie, an homage to education, she finally gets to the dreaming spires. Quite watchable in that slow, perceptive, real life English-movie way. Not the sort of thing James Cameron would watch.
Nothing but the Truth
Journalist will not reveal the source who outed a covert CIA operative, goes to jail. Husband (David Schwimmer - sorry David, I can't help but think "Friends") is not supportive, that's very relevant. A difficult ethical dilemma. I figured out the identity of the source about half way through, and knowing raised more ethical questions. Gallops along, all good stuff, worth a watch just to debate her silence with yourself. What would you do? I think even Jesus would have a tough time with this one.
It is getting cooler, still hot but not overwhelmingly so. I almost miss the summer.
An Education
Carey Mulligan excels as a self possessed school girl in 1960's Twickenham (another old stamping ground of mine, Twickenham I mean, not the 1960s so much). She gets involved with an older man, and learns a few things. She comes out of it surprisingly well. Alfred Molina is such a useless dad, laying down the law and missing the point. Emma Thompson is the headmistress, a small part. It's always good to see a discerning actor, it gives a movie credibility. A chick flick possibly, a coming of age movie, an homage to education, she finally gets to the dreaming spires. Quite watchable in that slow, perceptive, real life English-movie way. Not the sort of thing James Cameron would watch.
Nothing but the Truth
Journalist will not reveal the source who outed a covert CIA operative, goes to jail. Husband (David Schwimmer - sorry David, I can't help but think "Friends") is not supportive, that's very relevant. A difficult ethical dilemma. I figured out the identity of the source about half way through, and knowing raised more ethical questions. Gallops along, all good stuff, worth a watch just to debate her silence with yourself. What would you do? I think even Jesus would have a tough time with this one.
It is getting cooler, still hot but not overwhelmingly so. I almost miss the summer.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Newish movies
Newish movies this time. Sort of new.
Charlie Wilson's War
An unlikely looking contender for a watchable movie. Carousing politician Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) sorts out the Russian attacks on Afghanistan in a clandestine but very effective way. Apparently based on a true story. Amy Adams plays the assistant, Julia Roberts plays the socialite, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a guy who gets things done. I like him. Here's a tip for if your lashes get clogged with mascara. Use a clean dry old mascara brush to separate them, don't use a safety pin!
Sunshine Cleaning
Amy Adams again, and Emily Blunt. They need money so start a business cleaning up after messy deaths. Quite watchable, not terribly disgusting.
Year One
Rising star Micheal Cera and reliable funny man Jack Black. Historical, not quite hysterical, but funny nevertheless. Some Pythonesque lines "I'm not a slave, I'm a volunteer". Stupid funny, but yes, it's moderately funny.
The Man with the Golden Arm
Frank Sinatra gets out of jail intending to be a drummer in a big band. Supposedly wheelchair bound wife is not happy about it. Sometime girlfriend (Kim Novak) lets him practice at her place. He gets back in with the druggie gambling crowd and it all falls apart. Intense depiction of going cold turkey. Just say no, kids. Could have been a contender, but didn't quite make it. Could have had that Tennessee Williams claustrophobic intensity, but didn't get there. Sinatra is good, it's not his fault.
Nothing exciting this time.
Charlie Wilson's War
An unlikely looking contender for a watchable movie. Carousing politician Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) sorts out the Russian attacks on Afghanistan in a clandestine but very effective way. Apparently based on a true story. Amy Adams plays the assistant, Julia Roberts plays the socialite, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a guy who gets things done. I like him. Here's a tip for if your lashes get clogged with mascara. Use a clean dry old mascara brush to separate them, don't use a safety pin!
Sunshine Cleaning
Amy Adams again, and Emily Blunt. They need money so start a business cleaning up after messy deaths. Quite watchable, not terribly disgusting.
Year One
Rising star Micheal Cera and reliable funny man Jack Black. Historical, not quite hysterical, but funny nevertheless. Some Pythonesque lines "I'm not a slave, I'm a volunteer". Stupid funny, but yes, it's moderately funny.
The Man with the Golden Arm
Frank Sinatra gets out of jail intending to be a drummer in a big band. Supposedly wheelchair bound wife is not happy about it. Sometime girlfriend (Kim Novak) lets him practice at her place. He gets back in with the druggie gambling crowd and it all falls apart. Intense depiction of going cold turkey. Just say no, kids. Could have been a contender, but didn't quite make it. Could have had that Tennessee Williams claustrophobic intensity, but didn't get there. Sinatra is good, it's not his fault.
Nothing exciting this time.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Love stories
I've been a bit busy, getting a job. The job is in the town where the dvd rental store is, so I have a whole new world of cinematic entertainment open to me, but rather less time to watch movies. I took the opportunity to get some chick flicks.
Last Chance Harvey
A small movie, in the intimate, understated English style. How I miss my English movies, those subtle, clever, wryly humorous, minutely observed and beautifully lit (and acted) gems that do not rely on big scenes, special effects and improbably beautiful people. These are actors brought up in the tradition of stage and rep and Shakespeare. At the risk of sounding like a luvvie, I love them all.
Back to Harvey: he is an American (Dustin Hoffman) who goes to England for his daughter's wedding. His position as father of the bride has been somewhat usurped by his ex-wife's new husband, played by James Brolin. He almost meets single Kate (Emma Thompson) several times, then their paths do actually cross and they start a relationship. Sort of. He is an up front American who comes across as a crazed stalker in the light of Kate's very English reticence, diffidence and inability to say "F*** off, crazed stalker". Too polite you know.
No beautiful people in this movie (sorry Emma), but some fairly realistic characters and an appealing wistfulness. Yes, old people do fall in love, I know. The movie is set in London, mostly on the South Bank, my old stamping grounds, so there was plenty of "Been there, done that". Can anyone tell me where those fountains are, they must be new.
Valentine's Day
Possibly an American remake of the delightful English movie "Love Actually". Inter-related love stories centering around LA florist Ashton Kutcher. Rather nice. Lots of famous faces including a couple of Jessicas, a very dippy Taylor Swift, the wonderful as always Shirley Maclaine, and a small part for acting genius Kathy Bates. Is she the best American actor of our lifetime? She would be right up there in the top two I'd say.
I liked this movie. Total chick flick. There is a nice child in it and some good bits - the "waitress" explaining the "special" to philandering Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Garner attacking the pinata, and Ashton Kutcher dropping flowers in the canal. Really quite watchable and the flowers are nice.
My two kittens have been helping me type, now they are sitting beside me washing each other's faces. Cute. My Marley is still making his presence felt in the house from which he has sadly departed. They started to clean the cat rub marks off the door frames but kept some as a reminder. Too soon to let him go completely. He was more than just a cat. It is hard to believe his constant presence is no more. We will always remember him.
Last Chance Harvey
A small movie, in the intimate, understated English style. How I miss my English movies, those subtle, clever, wryly humorous, minutely observed and beautifully lit (and acted) gems that do not rely on big scenes, special effects and improbably beautiful people. These are actors brought up in the tradition of stage and rep and Shakespeare. At the risk of sounding like a luvvie, I love them all.
Back to Harvey: he is an American (Dustin Hoffman) who goes to England for his daughter's wedding. His position as father of the bride has been somewhat usurped by his ex-wife's new husband, played by James Brolin. He almost meets single Kate (Emma Thompson) several times, then their paths do actually cross and they start a relationship. Sort of. He is an up front American who comes across as a crazed stalker in the light of Kate's very English reticence, diffidence and inability to say "F*** off, crazed stalker". Too polite you know.
No beautiful people in this movie (sorry Emma), but some fairly realistic characters and an appealing wistfulness. Yes, old people do fall in love, I know. The movie is set in London, mostly on the South Bank, my old stamping grounds, so there was plenty of "Been there, done that". Can anyone tell me where those fountains are, they must be new.
Valentine's Day
Possibly an American remake of the delightful English movie "Love Actually". Inter-related love stories centering around LA florist Ashton Kutcher. Rather nice. Lots of famous faces including a couple of Jessicas, a very dippy Taylor Swift, the wonderful as always Shirley Maclaine, and a small part for acting genius Kathy Bates. Is she the best American actor of our lifetime? She would be right up there in the top two I'd say.
I liked this movie. Total chick flick. There is a nice child in it and some good bits - the "waitress" explaining the "special" to philandering Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Garner attacking the pinata, and Ashton Kutcher dropping flowers in the canal. Really quite watchable and the flowers are nice.
My two kittens have been helping me type, now they are sitting beside me washing each other's faces. Cute. My Marley is still making his presence felt in the house from which he has sadly departed. They started to clean the cat rub marks off the door frames but kept some as a reminder. Too soon to let him go completely. He was more than just a cat. It is hard to believe his constant presence is no more. We will always remember him.
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