List the films you've seen at the cinema: 2014
- Thread starter belboid
- Start date
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Jane B. par Agnes V. - showing as part of the Agnès Varda season at the ACMI, I've wasn't really aware of her work before and was mostly attached to this one due to the involvement of Jane Birkin. Nominally it's a documentary about Jane Birkin but that's doesn't explain the film at all, the brochure describes it as "a kaleidoscopic film made of vapours fictions" which is a pretty good description,. Having seen quite a few, rather ordinary, by-the-numbers docs about artists over the years this at least had the interest of approaching the subject from a different angle. Not min-blowing but decent enough, and it does have Serge Gainsbourg turning up, smoking of course, and basically being Serge Gainsbourg in one scene.
Calvary - Excellent, even better than The Guard. Very funny, the build up of the horror is slow but brilliant I know BA and copliker didn't think that it worked for me I totally went along with it. Gleeson is excellent as is Kelly Rielly, and Dylan Moran and Chris O'Dowd rare good in the support in roles. I did think that the Aidan Gillian character didn't really work, Im not sure whether that was due to the acting or the script/directing.
Reaching for the Moon - Biopic about the relationship between poet Elizabeth Bishop and architect Lota de Macedo Soares, it's ok, most of the effort seems have to been put in the the customs/sets, it looks good, and acting. But it's very, very by the numbers, also the lack of background and establishment of a timeline weakens the film, particularly when after ignoring all events going on in the outside world for most of the film the coup by the Brazilian military is supposed to be the cause of a major development within the relationship.
Venus in Fur - Roman Polanski's latest, like his previous film Carnage, this is another adaptation of a play, and like so many play-to-film adaptations it feels very much like that. It's better than Carnage, with Polanski getting back some of that undercurrent of cruelty that his best films had, but it's still a pale shadow of his earlier work. It's a two header with Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric being the only cast. In the past I've not been a huge fan of Amalric but I have to give it to him here, both actors are good.
Calvary - Excellent, even better than The Guard. Very funny, the build up of the horror is slow but brilliant I know BA and copliker didn't think that it worked for me I totally went along with it. Gleeson is excellent as is Kelly Rielly, and Dylan Moran and Chris O'Dowd rare good in the support in roles. I did think that the Aidan Gillian character didn't really work, Im not sure whether that was due to the acting or the script/directing.
Reaching for the Moon - Biopic about the relationship between poet Elizabeth Bishop and architect Lota de Macedo Soares, it's ok, most of the effort seems have to been put in the the customs/sets, it looks good, and acting. But it's very, very by the numbers, also the lack of background and establishment of a timeline weakens the film, particularly when after ignoring all events going on in the outside world for most of the film the coup by the Brazilian military is supposed to be the cause of a major development within the relationship.
Venus in Fur - Roman Polanski's latest, like his previous film Carnage, this is another adaptation of a play, and like so many play-to-film adaptations it feels very much like that. It's better than Carnage, with Polanski getting back some of that undercurrent of cruelty that his best films had, but it's still a pale shadow of his earlier work. It's a two header with Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric being the only cast. In the past I've not been a huge fan of Amalric but I have to give it to him here, both actors are good.
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
not far off my opinion.
The apes look great, but plotwise, its mostly obvious from the off, no real twists or turns, and quite a few 'eh, how did that happen/they learn that?' moments. But enjoyable enough entertainment. The 3D was an absolute waste of time and money.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Charlie's Country - the third collaboration between director Rolf de Heer and actor David Gulpilil after The Tracker and Ten Canoes. I've not seen The Tracker but Ten Canoes is brilliant, probably the best Australian film of the last decade, Charlie's Country isn't a patch on that unfortunately but it's pretty good. The story is pretty simple, it's a portrayal of the life of Charlie, an ageing Aboriginal living in the Northern Territory and dealing with the present day situation there after the intervention. Although it's fiction it deals with a number of the same issues that Pilger's Utopia did, loss of cultural identity, poor accommodation, poor healthcare, the alcohol problems present in Indigenous communities, etc. There are some parallel's Charlie's story parallels Gulpilil's, who is excellent in the title role, own life in a number of ways, de Heer starting making the film after Gulpilil was released from jail and trying to recover from his own alcohol problems. I guess that all makes the film sound very depressing and much of it is but there are some bits of really brilliant dark humour and it's at these points when the film is at it's strongest, other parts of the film don't seem so successful to me. de Heer has done some very strange films over the years and I wished he'd been added a bit more of that weirdness to the mix at times. That said it's still a good film it's just, unlike Ten Canoes, not a must see.
The French Minister - Bertrand Tavernier's latest, it's a comedy in the vein of In The Loop, it's based on memoirs of someone who worked in the office of Dominque de Villepin during the build up to the invasion of Iraq. It is very funny and well worth going to see but I do think that it pulls it's punches, maybe Yes, Minister is a better analogy, as while it's mocking the political class it's very much still an establishment piece of work.
The French Minister - Bertrand Tavernier's latest, it's a comedy in the vein of In The Loop, it's based on memoirs of someone who worked in the office of Dominque de Villepin during the build up to the invasion of Iraq. It is very funny and well worth going to see but I do think that it pulls it's punches, maybe Yes, Minister is a better analogy, as while it's mocking the political class it's very much still an establishment piece of work.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
It was the start of the Melbourne International Film Festival last week so busy week film wise for me
The Selfish Giant - I really enjoyed Clio Barnard's The Arbor so I had pretty high expectations for this (very) loose social realist adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story, and I wasn't disappointed. It's a brilliant movie, like The Arbor it's set and shot in Bradford with two young boys, excluded from school, try to get scrap metal to earn money. I know there have been comparisons with Loach's work and you can see why but this is much better than most of his recent stuff. It looks absolutely gorgeous, I know Reno (sadly not around much these days) has criticised Loach's recent work for their lack of cinematicness I'd love to know what he thought of this The two young boys are both excellent and it's both funny and heartbreaking. One minor flaw for me was the change in the 'giant' at the end, that felt more like a conceit of the film than something that character would naturally do, but that aside it's absolutely spot on.
Catch Me Daddy - another social realist film set in Yorkshire, this time about honour killings. Laila, a girl from Scotland's Mulsim community, has run away with her, white, boyfriend Aaron to the Yorkshire Dales and her father has paid a bunch of thugs - some Asian, some white - to hunt them down. It's well made and well acted, bleak and the violence is raw and horrible, the ending in particular set my teeth on edge. Unfortunately I think it suffered a bit from me watching it straight after The Selfish Giant, that said it's still a very good film, just make sure you're in the right mood for it.
Pulp: A Film about Life, Death and Supermarkets - the final in a Yorkshire trilogy, I was somewhat nervous about this, I love Pulp but I've got really bored of most music documentaries, nine times out of ten you can write out the film before you even start - a bunch of talking heads explaining why the band is so influential, some old live footage, rise and fall and rise again type story. Thankfully this was different, it was made in just a few weeks, right before Pulp were due to play their final gig ever in their hometown, and rather than wanky music journalists the director interviews the people of Sheffield. Jarvis is his usual charismatic self, the rest of the band talk about about what they've been up to in the years following the first break up of the band, and Richard Hawley turns up. It's by far the best music documentary I've seen for ages.
Some Velvet Morning - Neil LaBute's latest, I know In the Company of Men is very highly regarded but the only thing I've seen of LaBute's is his adaptation of A S Byatt's Possession, which is just utter rubbish, a totally inept piece of film making. This isn't quite that bad but it's still pretty crap. It's a two-header with Stanley Tucci turning up at his former mistress', Alice Eve, house having left his wife and wanting to restart things. I saw the trailer afterwards and it opens with "The newest film from Controversial Director ..." which kind of sums up the whole thing. It's just trying so fucking hard it's painful, Tucci is a good actor but he deserves much better than this, and it goes round in circles for what seems like forever (which I know is the point but that doesn't make it either enjoyable or good). The "twist" at the ending is particularly cheap.
We Are The Best - Lukas Moodyson's latest and an absolute joy. It's about three 13/14 year girls in 80's Stockholm who decide to set up a punk band. I guess it covers a lots of similar themes to Moodyson's debut Show Me Love a film which I just love. I defy anyone to watch it and not come out without a big smile on their face, just thinking about it kept me happy for the next couple of days. Despite that it's not sentimental at all, and like Show Me Love doesn't back away from showing the sometimes selfish actions of people. Everyone should go see this, and as Belushi said Hate the Sport! Hate the Sport!
Jacky in the Kingdom of Women - daft French comedy being a spiny on Cinderella set in a fictional dictatorship, part old Eastern block, part Islamist theocracy, where women are in charge and men discriminated against, by among other things being forced to wear burquas. I thought it was going to be a lot more subtle than it was and explore the gender swap idea. As it is most of the jokes go for the easiest targets possible and there are some funny moments in it, but it's pretty average.
The Selfish Giant - I really enjoyed Clio Barnard's The Arbor so I had pretty high expectations for this (very) loose social realist adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story, and I wasn't disappointed. It's a brilliant movie, like The Arbor it's set and shot in Bradford with two young boys, excluded from school, try to get scrap metal to earn money. I know there have been comparisons with Loach's work and you can see why but this is much better than most of his recent stuff. It looks absolutely gorgeous, I know Reno (sadly not around much these days) has criticised Loach's recent work for their lack of cinematicness I'd love to know what he thought of this The two young boys are both excellent and it's both funny and heartbreaking. One minor flaw for me was the change in the 'giant' at the end, that felt more like a conceit of the film than something that character would naturally do, but that aside it's absolutely spot on.
Catch Me Daddy - another social realist film set in Yorkshire, this time about honour killings. Laila, a girl from Scotland's Mulsim community, has run away with her, white, boyfriend Aaron to the Yorkshire Dales and her father has paid a bunch of thugs - some Asian, some white - to hunt them down. It's well made and well acted, bleak and the violence is raw and horrible, the ending in particular set my teeth on edge. Unfortunately I think it suffered a bit from me watching it straight after The Selfish Giant, that said it's still a very good film, just make sure you're in the right mood for it.
Pulp: A Film about Life, Death and Supermarkets - the final in a Yorkshire trilogy, I was somewhat nervous about this, I love Pulp but I've got really bored of most music documentaries, nine times out of ten you can write out the film before you even start - a bunch of talking heads explaining why the band is so influential, some old live footage, rise and fall and rise again type story. Thankfully this was different, it was made in just a few weeks, right before Pulp were due to play their final gig ever in their hometown, and rather than wanky music journalists the director interviews the people of Sheffield. Jarvis is his usual charismatic self, the rest of the band talk about about what they've been up to in the years following the first break up of the band, and Richard Hawley turns up. It's by far the best music documentary I've seen for ages.
Some Velvet Morning - Neil LaBute's latest, I know In the Company of Men is very highly regarded but the only thing I've seen of LaBute's is his adaptation of A S Byatt's Possession, which is just utter rubbish, a totally inept piece of film making. This isn't quite that bad but it's still pretty crap. It's a two-header with Stanley Tucci turning up at his former mistress', Alice Eve, house having left his wife and wanting to restart things. I saw the trailer afterwards and it opens with "The newest film from Controversial Director ..." which kind of sums up the whole thing. It's just trying so fucking hard it's painful, Tucci is a good actor but he deserves much better than this, and it goes round in circles for what seems like forever (which I know is the point but that doesn't make it either enjoyable or good). The "twist" at the ending is particularly cheap.
We Are The Best - Lukas Moodyson's latest and an absolute joy. It's about three 13/14 year girls in 80's Stockholm who decide to set up a punk band. I guess it covers a lots of similar themes to Moodyson's debut Show Me Love a film which I just love. I defy anyone to watch it and not come out without a big smile on their face, just thinking about it kept me happy for the next couple of days. Despite that it's not sentimental at all, and like Show Me Love doesn't back away from showing the sometimes selfish actions of people. Everyone should go see this, and as Belushi said Hate the Sport! Hate the Sport!
Jacky in the Kingdom of Women - daft French comedy being a spiny on Cinderella set in a fictional dictatorship, part old Eastern block, part Islamist theocracy, where women are in charge and men discriminated against, by among other things being forced to wear burquas. I thought it was going to be a lot more subtle than it was and explore the gender swap idea. As it is most of the jokes go for the easiest targets possible and there are some funny moments in it, but it's pretty average.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
10,000 km - Spanish Indie film about a couple in the long-distance relationship. Lots of attempts to try and explore what effect modern technology can have on a relationship. Just two actors in the whole film and they both do a pretty good job but the plot and script aren't good enough to raise the film above average really.
God Help The Girl - Indie Musical written and directed by Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian. It's basically the very worst of their music in film form, self-obsessed, up-it's own arse twee shit. The characters seem to be self-insertion or wish-fufillments of Murdoch, and the way the female characters are portrayed is pretty shitty. However, the biggest flaw is that the songs are just rather crap, they might work as songs on an album but they totally fail as songs within a film.
I Hired a Contract Killer - deadpan black comedy from Aki Kaurismäki, very good, similar to Le Havre (the only other film of Kaurismäki's that I've seen), like that it's very simple but beautiful. There's an purposeful sort of naiveté about it which is just great, and the actors, Jean-Pierre Léaud and Margi Clarke are the leads, really embrace that.
Jimmy's Hall - Ken Loach's latest and the best I've seen of his for some time. As he normally does Loach gets excellent performances from his cast, even Andrew Scott, someone who I think overacts dreadfully, is good in this. There are some really moving scenes in it (like the dance in the night) and unite the last few films of Loach the ending actually works (maybe because it's based of a real story), and wasn't as sad as I was expecting. Definitely worth going to see.
God Help The Girl - Indie Musical written and directed by Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian. It's basically the very worst of their music in film form, self-obsessed, up-it's own arse twee shit. The characters seem to be self-insertion or wish-fufillments of Murdoch, and the way the female characters are portrayed is pretty shitty. However, the biggest flaw is that the songs are just rather crap, they might work as songs on an album but they totally fail as songs within a film.
I Hired a Contract Killer - deadpan black comedy from Aki Kaurismäki, very good, similar to Le Havre (the only other film of Kaurismäki's that I've seen), like that it's very simple but beautiful. There's an purposeful sort of naiveté about it which is just great, and the actors, Jean-Pierre Léaud and Margi Clarke are the leads, really embrace that.
Jimmy's Hall - Ken Loach's latest and the best I've seen of his for some time. As he normally does Loach gets excellent performances from his cast, even Andrew Scott, someone who I think overacts dreadfully, is good in this. There are some really moving scenes in it (like the dance in the night) and unite the last few films of Loach the ending actually works (maybe because it's based of a real story), and wasn't as sad as I was expecting. Definitely worth going to see.
Last edited:
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Her most well known film is Cleo from 5 to 7.
I saw this autobiographical film by her a while back . Its not quite what one would expect. Worth seeing. Its also about growing old. She is a French film maker who should be better known.
I was lucky enough to see her introducing Fellini's 'Amarcord' at the BFI a couple of years ago. She must be pushing Ninety but still got all her marbles.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Comes across as a likeable character. I want to see her doc "The Gleaners and I".
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Been economising recently so no films in cinema. I did not go to Ritzy for a while as there was a boycott on due to the workers there striking for Living Wage. I realised how much money I was saving not going every week. Its been getting more and more expensive to go to cinema in London.
Saw "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" a few weeks ago. This had good reviews but I was disappointed. Do not understand why some films get such good reviews. Some of the plot was so predictable. As were the fight scenes. Special effects were good but its how they are used that’s important. Also I have seen so many action films that I find that I become used to having good special effects. 3D I am also finding does not add to a film.
The original Planet of the Apes is a classic film that still works. Despite the advances in special effects.
The one scene in this new film that stuck in my mind was when the lights suddenly came on in a petrol station/ shop almost buried by being overgrown with trees. The Apes look on in wonder as the humans dance around the lit up store. A moment when their old world comes back to them. If there had been more scenes like that it would have been a much better film.
Saw "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" a few weeks ago. This had good reviews but I was disappointed. Do not understand why some films get such good reviews. Some of the plot was so predictable. As were the fight scenes. Special effects were good but its how they are used that’s important. Also I have seen so many action films that I find that I become used to having good special effects. 3D I am also finding does not add to a film.
The original Planet of the Apes is a classic film that still works. Despite the advances in special effects.
The one scene in this new film that stuck in my mind was when the lights suddenly came on in a petrol station/ shop almost buried by being overgrown with trees. The Apes look on in wonder as the humans dance around the lit up store. A moment when their old world comes back to them. If there had been more scenes like that it would have been a much better film.
I absolutely loved The Selfish Giant. Amazing.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Really love this film.
Queen and Country - John Boorman's latest and a sequel to Hope and Glory (which I've not seen). It's about a couple of young men called up for their National Service in the 50s. It has some nice moments, there's plenty of cameos which turn up Richard E Grant, David Thewlis and the excellent, and criminally underrated David Hayman (who isn't in enough of it). Nothing amazing but worth going to see.
A Most Wanted Man - Anton Corbijn's adaptation of John le Carré's novel with Philip Seymour Hoffman playing a German spy in Hamburg. The casting is slightly weird with most of the main roles being American stars and the minor parts being German actors. That said I think this Corbijn's best film yet, Hoffmann is good, the plot is tight and tense and the ending nicely cynical.
Breadcrumb Trail - Documentary about the band Slint, it's nothing like as imaginative as the Pulp documentary I saw a couple of weeks ago but the band are fascinating and the music is great. If your a fan of the band it's a must see, if your not then it's probably one to pass on.
Dr. Furface
One small step for me
Welcome to New York, Abel Ferrara's take on the Dominique Strauss-Khan affair - if you remember he was the head of the International Monetary Fund who was accused and arrested (though predicatably not convicted of) sexually assualting a hotel maid in New York in 2011. Gerard Depardieu is brilliant in the lead role as this bloated, morally bankrupt sex pest whose wealth, power and privilege have given him a sense of invincibility, that nothing and nobody matters apart from his own gratification. It doesn't really matter how close this is to the actual events, because Depardieu's charismatic repulsiveness is both believeable and compelling - it's unlikley he'll win any awards for it, on grounds of taste and decency, but it's a bravura performance by any standards. It might not quite be the best film I've seen this year, but it's probably the one I've enjoyed most - there are some wickedly funny scenes in it - and the one that'll live longest in my memory.
Last edited:
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
20,000 Days on Earth - a sort of biographical film of Nick Cave, in which NC chats to various people - Kylie Minogue, Ray Winston, a psychologist, Warren Ellis - about life, art and other subjects. It's a handsome looking film and good fun, not too long. Interesting I've just finished reading On Human Bondage and I saw a connection between the book and this film, both having a theme of making an order within your own life despite life having no meaning. A bit like Breadcrumb Trail above it's probably a film more for the fans than for the general audience.
Fell - Australian indie film about a man trying to make sense of the loss of his daughter in a hit-and-run accident and his relationship with the driver. It's set in the Victorian forests (not a side of the Australian countryside you see a lot) and Nature is one of the themes running through the film. Daniel Henshall (who was terrific in Snowtown) plays the driver responsible for death and is good. There's some really good stuff in there, and you get the feeling that everybody has bout a lot of effort into it, unforunately it also feels like it's trying a little too hard at times and doesn't quite work IMO. That said it's the director's (Kasimir Burgess) debut feature and I'd definitely keep a eye on him for the future.
Fell - Australian indie film about a man trying to make sense of the loss of his daughter in a hit-and-run accident and his relationship with the driver. It's set in the Victorian forests (not a side of the Australian countryside you see a lot) and Nature is one of the themes running through the film. Daniel Henshall (who was terrific in Snowtown) plays the driver responsible for death and is good. There's some really good stuff in there, and you get the feeling that everybody has bout a lot of effort into it, unforunately it also feels like it's trying a little too hard at times and doesn't quite work IMO. That said it's the director's (Kasimir Burgess) debut feature and I'd definitely keep a eye on him for the future.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Back at the Ritzy ( London) today. Went to see the Dardenne brothers latest film "Two Days, One Night"
Its about a women who wants to come back to work after being ill to find that her job has just been voted out by her fellow workers. They were given a "choice" of voting her out or keeping her on and losing a bonus.
The two days and one night take place over a weekend as she visits her co workers to persuade them to change their minds.
It sounds like a grim piece of worthy social realism. Its much better than that. Its has a great performance from Marion Cotillard as Sandra. It also has dramatic tension. I did wonder what reaction she will get every time she rang a doorbell. Nor does it go into rousing speeches about the horrors of capitalism and the unity of the workers. Its a film that shows rather than tells. Its more damning for that of the alienation of the contemporary workplace. How people struggle to just get by.
I also found it a humane moving film. The emotional side of the film is gradually built up. One important aspect of the film is her repeated assertion in the film is that she does not want pity. What she wants is more than a job. Its meaningful connection with others. The film shows how the individual workers have to put themselves and their families first before their solidarity with others. In her they see what it has done to them.
The film is deceptively simple in the way its shot. Their is no soundtrack. Except for everyday noise. The camera concentrates on Sandra face a lot. Everything seems very bright and overwhelming. At one point she says she wishes she could be a like a bird see hears singing nearby. Carefree and happy. The clean tidy town looks prosperous on the surface. But in fact the people in it are not carefree. They are anxious about their future.
Definitely a film to watch.
Without giving away the ending this is a film that has a message. Its is heartwarming.
My only gripe is that the Ritzy now charges full price on weekend afternoons. This limits how often I can go.
Dr. Furface
One small step for me
Cheers Gramsci, you've made me want to go see it.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Looking forward to this, L'Enfant was exceptional.
marty21
One on one? You're crazy.
1. Stranger by the lake (L'Inconnu du lac)
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel
3. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
4. Two Days One Night (Deux Jours, une nuit)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Days,_One_Night
found it depressing , a woman spends the weekend trying to convince fellow workers at a solar panel factory to vote for her rather than a bonus, if she stays in the job they lose their bonus, or don't get the bonus
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel
3. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
4. Two Days One Night (Deux Jours, une nuit)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Days,_One_Night
found it depressing , a woman spends the weekend trying to convince fellow workers at a solar panel factory to vote for her rather than a bonus, if she stays in the job they lose their bonus, or don't get the bonus
The Rover, second film of the director of Animal Kingdom. Which it's not as good as -- which would be expecting a lot -- but pretty decent nonetheless. Guy Pearce is menacing, Robert Pattinson is mumbling (though better than expected). It does feel a wee bit slow at times but overall it's good. This and Wake in Fright, the last Australian film I saw, haven't exactly made me feel like going to small town Australia though...
Guardians of the Galaxy. Wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't been in a small town with nothing else to do. Not terrible and a few funny references but just always feel the storyline doesn't really hang together whenever I see one of these films based on a comic maybe because I'm not familiar with the original comic.
Guardians of the Galaxy. Wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't been in a small town with nothing else to do. Not terrible and a few funny references but just always feel the storyline doesn't really hang together whenever I see one of these films based on a comic maybe because I'm not familiar with the original comic.
Dr. Furface
One small step for me
Lucy, the new Luc Besson one with Scarlett Johanssen. Only went bc Mrs F wanted to do something and we had a 2 for £12 Odeon ticket - and even at that price we felt ripped off. Considering the premise of this film is that humans only use 10% of their brains, I reckon the writers can only have used about 1% of theirs creating this nonsense. There's not much of anything here - story, suspense, laughs - the action's tedious and the fx are nothing u haven't seen before. I can only assume Scarlett got paid very well to persuade her to appear in this drivel.
rubbershoes
not the only raver in the village
Inbetweeners 2. It was v funny
I can't believe I'm the only person on here to have seen it.
I can't believe I'm the only person on here to have seen it.
Utopia
"Jackanackanory"
rubbershoes
not the only raver in the village
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Predestination - relatively low budget Australian film about time travel, based on the Heinlein story All You Zombies (which I've not read so no idea how it compares). Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook are the leads and both are good. It's written and directed by Michael and Peter Sperig (who previously made Daybreakers), it's by no means perfect, but it's got some decent stuff in it, and considering the limited budget the must have they've done really well making Melbourne look like Boston/New York.
Magic in the Moonlight - latest Woody Allen and he's really phoning it in this time, it's set in the south of France in the 20s with Colin Firth playing a magician who's trying to debunk a spiritualist. Firths performance is pretty much the whole film, there's a couple of funny lines but the plot is both paper thin and has some massive holes. For someone who's supposed to be a specialist in exposing fake mediums it takes Firths character an absolute age to work out the 'mystery'.
Magic in the Moonlight - latest Woody Allen and he's really phoning it in this time, it's set in the south of France in the 20s with Colin Firth playing a magician who's trying to debunk a spiritualist. Firths performance is pretty much the whole film, there's a couple of funny lines but the plot is both paper thin and has some massive holes. For someone who's supposed to be a specialist in exposing fake mediums it takes Firths character an absolute age to work out the 'mystery'.
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
finally made it back to the pics last night, for the wonderful Two Days, One Night
As others have said, it really is just bloody brilliant. Cotillards portrayal of depression is probablyh the best I have ever seen, absolutely note perfect. The tales itself is depressing, but all too real, and marvellously told, capturing the day to day misery of low paid work, but also the pleasures and value to be found in it (having a 'connection' which is almost as important to Sandra as the money). If I was going to be ultra-quibbly, I'd say that I'd have liked at least one longer conversation about the vote, and that I dont like the use of black and white titling. That that last quibble is so tiny should let you know just how good the whole film is. May as well congratulate MC now on her next Oscar.
And the version of Needles & Pins is excellent.
As others have said, it really is just bloody brilliant. Cotillards portrayal of depression is probablyh the best I have ever seen, absolutely note perfect. The tales itself is depressing, but all too real, and marvellously told, capturing the day to day misery of low paid work, but also the pleasures and value to be found in it (having a 'connection' which is almost as important to Sandra as the money). If I was going to be ultra-quibbly, I'd say that I'd have liked at least one longer conversation about the vote, and that I dont like the use of black and white titling. That that last quibble is so tiny should let you know just how good the whole film is. May as well congratulate MC now on her next Oscar.
And the version of Needles & Pins is excellent.
Dr. Furface
One small step for me
The only thing I found implausible about the otherwise excellent Two Days, One Night is the basic premise that an employer could make his workforce vote on keeping their bonuses or sacking a colleague - but maybe they have even more cuntish employment legislation in France than we do?! - but that aside I can well imagine that some employers would happily do so. This device also nicely works (albeit in an extreme way) to show how employers use divide and rule tactics to subjugate and control their workforces. As already noted by Gramsci and belboid Cotillard is brilliant in the lead role and the film is worthy of all the 5* reviews it's received in the press.
Obvious Child, indie film set in New York about a budding stand-up commedienne who gets knocked up on a one-nighter and then goes for an abortion. The adverts claim this is something of a statement film, mainly because much of America still has ludicrously reactionary opinions on the issue, but really it's just a romcom with a bit of a twist. I thought I was going to hate it for about the first 20 mins but then I warmed to it thanks mainly to the performances of the two lead roles who are both charming and funny - Jake Lacy as the male lead Max in particular.
Obvious Child, indie film set in New York about a budding stand-up commedienne who gets knocked up on a one-nighter and then goes for an abortion. The adverts claim this is something of a statement film, mainly because much of America still has ludicrously reactionary opinions on the issue, but really it's just a romcom with a bit of a twist. I thought I was going to hate it for about the first 20 mins but then I warmed to it thanks mainly to the performances of the two lead roles who are both charming and funny - Jake Lacy as the male lead Max in particular.
Last edited:
Similar threads
