I watched a movie at the gym today. This was the first title I could identify without my glasses.
Precious
A startlingly good movie with a harrowing story. Disadvantaged (in many ways) teenager Precious gets sent to an alternative school and her life changes. Precious is overweight, almost illiterate, pregnant, it gets way worse than that. Amazing performances. So amazing I did not recognise the actors. Mo'Nique is positively evil as the mother, but with a weird, off-base vulnerability, totally appropriate to the story. Mariah Carey plays Mrs Weiss, and does it well, almost without make-up. Lenny Kravitz is a male nurse. I didn't recognise them, as I was so convinced and captivated by their characters. Gabourey Sidibe is a complete novice. She plays Precious so well. I imagine she has a solid future as an actor.
This is a very good movie full of excellent performances. Worth watching and somehow uplifting despite the subject matter.
Winter continues, but not particularly cold at present. Little cat has improved.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Location, location
Some movies are a visual feast with no need for high tech tricks.
The Tourist
This movie is worth seeing just for the backgrounds. Actually, I forgot to review this because I forgot I saw it. Sorry Johnny. Big stars in this movie - Paris, Venice and a couple of actors. It's a ripping yarn of mayhem, murder and mistaken identity. Sort of. There is a twist in the tale.
An action movie set mostly in beautiful Venice, starring arguably the most beautiful woman on the planet. Angelina Jolie is particularly beautiful in this role. She wears wonderful costumes, especially the black off-the-shoulder ballgown. On that occasion she has her hair up in a style with some width to it and at first glimpse she strongly reminded me of Sophia Loren. She also sports an impeccable Home Counties English accent. If I hadn't known she was American, I would have totally accepted her as an English actress. She is a secret agent, with a secret.
Johnny Depp plays the tourist, a stranger Jolie picks up on a train in order to confuse the baddies regarding the identity of the elusive A, her close friend who sends messages that she dramatically burns on sidewalk tables at Parisian cafes. Phew! Depp gives this movie it's humour despite his role as somewhat plodding American teacher and tourist. His acting can be so understated. On one occasion he is in police custody and the Inspector lights a cigarette. Depp's character is trying to stop smoking and you can see the longing in his eyes, an expression so subtle as to be almost unnoticeable, but powerfully present. Other scenes are rather more slapstick, involving rooftops of Venice and Depp in pyjamas.
The police are a little "Keystone Cop-ish", led by the over-religious albino from one of Dan Brown's anti-Catholic blockbusters. No self flagellation, just a lot of frustration as he is constantly outwitted by goodies and baddies. Jolie drives a mean speedboat, rescuing Depp from the scrapes in which he finds himself. Yes it's a good story, pretty and undemanding, but entertaining. I would watch it again at home on dvd.
Jolie is stunning, Venice is magnificent, Depp is just plain. Maybe he is acting plain because normally he is rather handsome. There is absolutely NO chemistry between Jolie and Depp. I read in the gossip mags that Depp deliberately kept away from Jolie off the set, at the request of his partner, Vanessa Paradis. Probably a smart move, Vanessa.
Two black cats are charging their solar cells outside on a 1 degree C day. Later they will curl up together on the sofa for a long afternoon nap.
The Tourist
This movie is worth seeing just for the backgrounds. Actually, I forgot to review this because I forgot I saw it. Sorry Johnny. Big stars in this movie - Paris, Venice and a couple of actors. It's a ripping yarn of mayhem, murder and mistaken identity. Sort of. There is a twist in the tale.
An action movie set mostly in beautiful Venice, starring arguably the most beautiful woman on the planet. Angelina Jolie is particularly beautiful in this role. She wears wonderful costumes, especially the black off-the-shoulder ballgown. On that occasion she has her hair up in a style with some width to it and at first glimpse she strongly reminded me of Sophia Loren. She also sports an impeccable Home Counties English accent. If I hadn't known she was American, I would have totally accepted her as an English actress. She is a secret agent, with a secret.
Johnny Depp plays the tourist, a stranger Jolie picks up on a train in order to confuse the baddies regarding the identity of the elusive A, her close friend who sends messages that she dramatically burns on sidewalk tables at Parisian cafes. Phew! Depp gives this movie it's humour despite his role as somewhat plodding American teacher and tourist. His acting can be so understated. On one occasion he is in police custody and the Inspector lights a cigarette. Depp's character is trying to stop smoking and you can see the longing in his eyes, an expression so subtle as to be almost unnoticeable, but powerfully present. Other scenes are rather more slapstick, involving rooftops of Venice and Depp in pyjamas.
The police are a little "Keystone Cop-ish", led by the over-religious albino from one of Dan Brown's anti-Catholic blockbusters. No self flagellation, just a lot of frustration as he is constantly outwitted by goodies and baddies. Jolie drives a mean speedboat, rescuing Depp from the scrapes in which he finds himself. Yes it's a good story, pretty and undemanding, but entertaining. I would watch it again at home on dvd.
Jolie is stunning, Venice is magnificent, Depp is just plain. Maybe he is acting plain because normally he is rather handsome. There is absolutely NO chemistry between Jolie and Depp. I read in the gossip mags that Depp deliberately kept away from Jolie off the set, at the request of his partner, Vanessa Paradis. Probably a smart move, Vanessa.
Two black cats are charging their solar cells outside on a 1 degree C day. Later they will curl up together on the sofa for a long afternoon nap.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Foreign movies
Not so foreign - UK and Australian movies of uniquely UK and Australian stories.
Tomorrow When the War Began
This is the movie of the first in a series of seven books by John Marsden. There are also three extra books about the main character. The first book is required reading in Antipodean schools. I read the first book, got hooked and had to very quickly read all the rest. I'm telling you this so you understand my credentials for reviewing this movie. I suggested my mother read the books and I think she got through all seven in a fortnight. She really liked them too.
It's about a group of teenagers who are out of town on a camping trip when Australia is invaded by an unspecified enemy. The story follows how they cope and fight back. They are very different characters and the contrasts and group dynamics add to the interest. It's the Secret Seven with guns, for all you Enid Blyton fans, and seriously, who doesn't love Enid Blyton.
So - did the movie do justice to the book? Yes it did. Mostly unknowns, all the teenagers did a great job while appearing to be real people, not actors. The lighting was great and there was some excellent music. The tone of the movie was suspenseful and terrifying. I watched it on dvd at night and when I went to bed there was a helicopter circling overhead, echoing a scene in the film. I was scared. Fans of the book should be satisfied with the film's treatment of the story. Apparently it was okayed by the author. Those new to Ellie and her friends will probably enjoy the movie as an adventure movie. Oh and it's not all happy ever after. Bad stuff happens.
The ending was not a conclusion, leaving the way open for further films. Maybe not all seven books, perhaps condense them into another three.
One thing I really liked. Their campsite is beautiful.
The King's Speech
How could a film about a speech impediment and a speech therapist be interesting? When the person with the stammer is King George the sixth it gets pretty good. Colin Firth is a wonderful Bertie, with Helena Bonham Carter playing his wife in a way that is recognisable to those of us who knew a little about the Queen Mother, mainly from television news coverage. Guy Pearce (remember - Mrs Mangel's nephew in Neighbours) is a suitably self indulgent Edward who abdicates, forcing his brother to become king. Mrs Simpson and their "set" admire Mr Hitler. I wasn't so impressed with the two little princesses, but they are not so important to the story (apart from the abdication changing the course of Elizabeth's life of course). I thought they were a bit common. Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist is excellent. He plays an Australian (as in fact he is) and doesn't stand on ceremony when working with his royal client.
As usual, good lighting, good writing, low key characters, nice settings and a lot of historical accuracy, with some dramatic license taken. I thoroughly recommend this movie, but once again, like "Made in Dagenham", it's not made for the American market. There are no explosions.
Cat news: the damaged part of the tail fell off, there is a suspicion that the other cat bit it off. The remainder of the tail has fur but is paralysed. It doesn't seem to worry him. His growth has been quite severely stunted, as his brother is a big cat now and Lotto has stayed about the size he was when the accident happened. He is also crosseyed so I guess there was a bit of brain damage too. But he is a smart, active, affectionate and apparently happy cat so he's okay. The two still get along well and curl up to sleep together.
Tomorrow When the War Began
This is the movie of the first in a series of seven books by John Marsden. There are also three extra books about the main character. The first book is required reading in Antipodean schools. I read the first book, got hooked and had to very quickly read all the rest. I'm telling you this so you understand my credentials for reviewing this movie. I suggested my mother read the books and I think she got through all seven in a fortnight. She really liked them too.
It's about a group of teenagers who are out of town on a camping trip when Australia is invaded by an unspecified enemy. The story follows how they cope and fight back. They are very different characters and the contrasts and group dynamics add to the interest. It's the Secret Seven with guns, for all you Enid Blyton fans, and seriously, who doesn't love Enid Blyton.
So - did the movie do justice to the book? Yes it did. Mostly unknowns, all the teenagers did a great job while appearing to be real people, not actors. The lighting was great and there was some excellent music. The tone of the movie was suspenseful and terrifying. I watched it on dvd at night and when I went to bed there was a helicopter circling overhead, echoing a scene in the film. I was scared. Fans of the book should be satisfied with the film's treatment of the story. Apparently it was okayed by the author. Those new to Ellie and her friends will probably enjoy the movie as an adventure movie. Oh and it's not all happy ever after. Bad stuff happens.
The ending was not a conclusion, leaving the way open for further films. Maybe not all seven books, perhaps condense them into another three.
One thing I really liked. Their campsite is beautiful.
The King's Speech
How could a film about a speech impediment and a speech therapist be interesting? When the person with the stammer is King George the sixth it gets pretty good. Colin Firth is a wonderful Bertie, with Helena Bonham Carter playing his wife in a way that is recognisable to those of us who knew a little about the Queen Mother, mainly from television news coverage. Guy Pearce (remember - Mrs Mangel's nephew in Neighbours) is a suitably self indulgent Edward who abdicates, forcing his brother to become king. Mrs Simpson and their "set" admire Mr Hitler. I wasn't so impressed with the two little princesses, but they are not so important to the story (apart from the abdication changing the course of Elizabeth's life of course). I thought they were a bit common. Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist is excellent. He plays an Australian (as in fact he is) and doesn't stand on ceremony when working with his royal client.
As usual, good lighting, good writing, low key characters, nice settings and a lot of historical accuracy, with some dramatic license taken. I thoroughly recommend this movie, but once again, like "Made in Dagenham", it's not made for the American market. There are no explosions.
Cat news: the damaged part of the tail fell off, there is a suspicion that the other cat bit it off. The remainder of the tail has fur but is paralysed. It doesn't seem to worry him. His growth has been quite severely stunted, as his brother is a big cat now and Lotto has stayed about the size he was when the accident happened. He is also crosseyed so I guess there was a bit of brain damage too. But he is a smart, active, affectionate and apparently happy cat so he's okay. The two still get along well and curl up to sleep together.
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