So I only have a few reviews to write up still and 6 more movies to actually watch before the A List is all done. So please feel free to recommend any movies you personally enjoy starting with the letter B so that I might be able to buy them and watch too. Below is the list of movies I already own, it might give you an idea of the kinds of movies I like a little bit more. I have a few ideas of movies to buy but any suggestions will be very much appreciated. As always I will have a budget of £25 to buy any new titles so sorry in advance if I can’t buy everything. Here is the B List (hopefully in alphabetical order)
Baby Boom
Baby Mama
Back to the Future
Back to the Future Part 2
Back to the Future Part 3
The Back-Up Plan
Bananas
Battle for Terra
Bee Movie
Because I Said So
Becoming Jane
Behind Enemy Lines
Be Kind Rewind
Bend It like Beckham
The Best Man
Bewitched
Big
The Big Bounce
Big Lebowski
Blades of Glory
Black Book
Blast from the Past
Blind Dating
The Blind Side
Blithe Spirit
Blonde Ambition
Blue Streak
The Boat that Rocked
Boat Trip
The Body Guard
Bottle Rocket
Bottle Shock
The Bounty Hunter
Brassed Off
Brannigan
The Break Up
Bride Wars
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Bridget Jones’ Diary: The Edge of Reason
Brief Encounter
Burn After Reading
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Are You Ready For Love
Date watched 19th March 2011
Genre- Romantic, Comedy
Year- 2007
Running Time- 1hr 28mins
Directed By- Helen Grace
Written By-Roberto Trippini, Trudy Sargent and Helen Grace
Actors- Michael Brandon, Ed Byrne, Andy Nyman, Lucy Punch, Leigh Zimmerman, Lucy Liemann, Craig Kelly et al.
Acting-1/5
Keeping my attention- 1/4
Visuals/Direction- 2/5
Story/Plot- 1/6
Total 5 /20
Plot
A pair of Californian love gurus come to London to launch their book on how to find love in three days. As a publicity stunt for the book, they try to find soul mates for three lonely Londoners in three days, but things don't go according to plan. Will the hapless in love Londoners find true love in three days?
My Personal Views
I bought this movie off Amazon, it was one of those, “people who also viewed/bought such and such also viewed/bought ‘Are You Ready For Love’”. I thought why the hell not? I read the synopsis, saw who was in it and bought it. I really wish I hadn’t and saved the £3.72 I spent.
As you will all be aware by now I am a sucker for romantic comedies but this one falls way short of the mark.
Firstly, I know this was a very low budget movie but it just lacks a personality and looks like a cheap TV movie.
Lucy Punch and everyone else seemed to be going at it half heartedly; Ed Byrne is a great comedian, but actor, not so much. But I’m not laying the blame for this floppy acting at the door of the actors themselves, I just don’t think they ever have an opportunity to actually act during this film, whether it’s something with the script, direction or what, I just can’t put my finger on it. In my head I was trying to re-cast it but then I thought maybe that wouldn’t even help, is it just a crap story? I don’t know.
Lucy Punch’s character also goes through phases of being a phyco-stalker type which doesn’t do anything to make her endearing. Some of the other characters just seem to be lacking in personality.
Also there is too much swearing in some places, which doesn’t add anything. I’m not a prude, in fact I swear as much as the next person, but this movie just doesn’t need it in there.
Denise Van Outen does nothing to add to the mix, she just ends up annoying the hell out of me.
In all, for me, only a few steps away from being atrocious. It plods along (almost with a limp). I think I laughed twice and only as a knee jerk reaction rather than a deep belly laugh because it was actually funny.
This movie does nothing to encourage British film making.
On a positive note, because everything must have something good about it, some of the plot twists were ok and the ending was kind of sweet but it was the getting there that didn’t do it for me.
Outcome
Well I thought about throwing it in the bin to save anyone else having to sit through this appalling film but instead it’s sitting on top of the eBay pile just in case someone actually wants it.
Genre- Romantic, Comedy
Year- 2007
Running Time- 1hr 28mins
Directed By- Helen Grace
Written By-Roberto Trippini, Trudy Sargent and Helen Grace
Actors- Michael Brandon, Ed Byrne, Andy Nyman, Lucy Punch, Leigh Zimmerman, Lucy Liemann, Craig Kelly et al.
Acting-1/5
Keeping my attention- 1/4
Visuals/Direction- 2/5
Story/Plot- 1/6
Total 5 /20
Plot
A pair of Californian love gurus come to London to launch their book on how to find love in three days. As a publicity stunt for the book, they try to find soul mates for three lonely Londoners in three days, but things don't go according to plan. Will the hapless in love Londoners find true love in three days?
My Personal Views
I bought this movie off Amazon, it was one of those, “people who also viewed/bought such and such also viewed/bought ‘Are You Ready For Love’”. I thought why the hell not? I read the synopsis, saw who was in it and bought it. I really wish I hadn’t and saved the £3.72 I spent.
As you will all be aware by now I am a sucker for romantic comedies but this one falls way short of the mark.
Firstly, I know this was a very low budget movie but it just lacks a personality and looks like a cheap TV movie.
Lucy Punch and everyone else seemed to be going at it half heartedly; Ed Byrne is a great comedian, but actor, not so much. But I’m not laying the blame for this floppy acting at the door of the actors themselves, I just don’t think they ever have an opportunity to actually act during this film, whether it’s something with the script, direction or what, I just can’t put my finger on it. In my head I was trying to re-cast it but then I thought maybe that wouldn’t even help, is it just a crap story? I don’t know.
Lucy Punch’s character also goes through phases of being a phyco-stalker type which doesn’t do anything to make her endearing. Some of the other characters just seem to be lacking in personality.
Also there is too much swearing in some places, which doesn’t add anything. I’m not a prude, in fact I swear as much as the next person, but this movie just doesn’t need it in there.
Denise Van Outen does nothing to add to the mix, she just ends up annoying the hell out of me.
In all, for me, only a few steps away from being atrocious. It plods along (almost with a limp). I think I laughed twice and only as a knee jerk reaction rather than a deep belly laugh because it was actually funny.
This movie does nothing to encourage British film making.
On a positive note, because everything must have something good about it, some of the plot twists were ok and the ending was kind of sweet but it was the getting there that didn’t do it for me.
Outcome
Well I thought about throwing it in the bin to save anyone else having to sit through this appalling film but instead it’s sitting on top of the eBay pile just in case someone actually wants it.
A Prairie Home Companion
Date watched 6th March 2011
Genre- Drama, Musical
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 40mins
Directed By- Robert Altman
Written By-Garrison Keillor (Screenplay and story),Ken LaZebnik (story) .
Actors-Woody Harrelson, L.Q.Jones, Garrison Keillor, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan, John. C.Reilly, Maya Rudolph, Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 1/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 2/6
Total 10 /20
Plot
This movie focuses on the backstage goings on of a musical variety radio show. But what’s different this night to any other? This is the last night, the last broadcast of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’.
My Personal Views
I have all respect for Robert Altman, and I know he died not long after completion of A Prairie Home Companion but I’m not a great fan of this movie. Well, where do I begin?
I bought this movie from WHSmiths in Epsom a while ago, it was cheap and I thought ‘wow so many great actors where can I go wrong?’ I know now. There are too many characters with too little about them, and all in all they don’t ‘gel’ together. There just isn’t enough time to develop the characters and to give them their ‘stories’, you end up more confused at the end than you should be. I’ve seen this movie twice now and I still have questions about the characters.
Lindsay Lohan is far too old to still be doing the stroppy teenager routine, she’s my age for crying out loud, so when she did this she would have maybe been 19 or 20, it just doesn’t work. To be honest I think maybe this was a vehicle to straighten her out and get her back with top actors, considering her continuing personal troubles and still wavering career I don’t think it did the trick.
There are some good performances but most of it feels a little off or forced, I like Maya Rudolph’s performance the most, I’d only seen her in two other movies before (Away We Go & Idiocracy) so I liked seeing her again in something that gave her the opportunity to do something good. Meryl Streep doesn’t shine like usual, she is kind of pining and down cast. All of the other performances just don’t do it for me I’m afraid.
One positive is the singing performances, I liked those, just it didn’t outweigh the negatives for me, also I like singing in movies but they were not my kind of songs and went on for too long or didn’t add anything to the story.
There were too many sub plots that I just couldn’t keep up with it all. The scenery was a little bland and all in all the entire story was a bit choppy which added to the fact that this couldn’t keep my attention, to the stage where both times I’ve seen this movie I wanted to switch it off, which I have only felt with one other movie recently, and that was Away We Go.
In the end of the story nothing seemed to be achieved, I like stories where there is some sort of movement for the characters, a progression where at least someone achieves something.
Add in to everything the oddball woman who comes in her trench coat and the slightly surreal story line attached with her character and I just get confused and don’t see the necessity in this twist.
In all I just don’t get the appeal of this movie and was surprised to see some very favourable reviews of it on IMDB.com and Amazon. But that is just my own personal opinion and I respect anyone who says different. For me though this is just not my cup of tea. Sorry.
For me there was only one part I completely enjoyed that also made me laugh involving Kevin Kline and a bar! You’ll just have to watch to see what I mean.
Outcome
Headed for eBay as soon as I get myself organised.
Genre- Drama, Musical
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 40mins
Directed By- Robert Altman
Written By-Garrison Keillor (Screenplay and story),Ken LaZebnik (story) .
Actors-Woody Harrelson, L.Q.Jones, Garrison Keillor, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan, John. C.Reilly, Maya Rudolph, Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 1/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 2/6
Total 10 /20
Plot
This movie focuses on the backstage goings on of a musical variety radio show. But what’s different this night to any other? This is the last night, the last broadcast of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’.
My Personal Views
I have all respect for Robert Altman, and I know he died not long after completion of A Prairie Home Companion but I’m not a great fan of this movie. Well, where do I begin?
I bought this movie from WHSmiths in Epsom a while ago, it was cheap and I thought ‘wow so many great actors where can I go wrong?’ I know now. There are too many characters with too little about them, and all in all they don’t ‘gel’ together. There just isn’t enough time to develop the characters and to give them their ‘stories’, you end up more confused at the end than you should be. I’ve seen this movie twice now and I still have questions about the characters.
Lindsay Lohan is far too old to still be doing the stroppy teenager routine, she’s my age for crying out loud, so when she did this she would have maybe been 19 or 20, it just doesn’t work. To be honest I think maybe this was a vehicle to straighten her out and get her back with top actors, considering her continuing personal troubles and still wavering career I don’t think it did the trick.
There are some good performances but most of it feels a little off or forced, I like Maya Rudolph’s performance the most, I’d only seen her in two other movies before (Away We Go & Idiocracy) so I liked seeing her again in something that gave her the opportunity to do something good. Meryl Streep doesn’t shine like usual, she is kind of pining and down cast. All of the other performances just don’t do it for me I’m afraid.
One positive is the singing performances, I liked those, just it didn’t outweigh the negatives for me, also I like singing in movies but they were not my kind of songs and went on for too long or didn’t add anything to the story.
There were too many sub plots that I just couldn’t keep up with it all. The scenery was a little bland and all in all the entire story was a bit choppy which added to the fact that this couldn’t keep my attention, to the stage where both times I’ve seen this movie I wanted to switch it off, which I have only felt with one other movie recently, and that was Away We Go.
In the end of the story nothing seemed to be achieved, I like stories where there is some sort of movement for the characters, a progression where at least someone achieves something.
Add in to everything the oddball woman who comes in her trench coat and the slightly surreal story line attached with her character and I just get confused and don’t see the necessity in this twist.
In all I just don’t get the appeal of this movie and was surprised to see some very favourable reviews of it on IMDB.com and Amazon. But that is just my own personal opinion and I respect anyone who says different. For me though this is just not my cup of tea. Sorry.
For me there was only one part I completely enjoyed that also made me laugh involving Kevin Kline and a bar! You’ll just have to watch to see what I mean.
Outcome
Headed for eBay as soon as I get myself organised.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Apollo 13
Date watched 6th March 2011
Genre- Drama, Action, Adventure, Historical events
Year- 1995
Running Time- 2hrs 15mins
Directed By- Ron Howard
Written By- Jim Lovell (book), Jeffrey Kluger (book) William Broyles Jr (screenplay) & Al Reinert (screenplay).
Actors- Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris et al.
Acting-4 ½/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 4 ½/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½/6
Total 18 ½ /20
“Houston we have a problem”
Plot
This movie looks at the events before and during the Apollo 13 mission run by the USA to land on the Moon.
Following the successful moon landing of Apollo 11 the ambition of Jim Lovell (Hanks) and his team is to land on the moon and make history all over again. But when they are called up to go on the mission of Apollo 13 they have no idea of the events that will unfold during their quest; events that might cost them not only their dreams but their lives as well.
My Personal Views
Well I think this whole movie is exceptional, everything and everyone seems to work so well together to produce a movie that gives everyone something to enjoy.
I watched it many years ago and didn’t know much about the moon landings and this mission (other than the obvious of course) so I thought it was great back then and it gave me the opportunity, through my parents and books, to find out more about NASA and everything that goes with it; my parents being of the generation to remember being up late to watch the Apollo 11 moon landing.
I don’t know how accurate this film is of the events that happened but this is a stunning film none the less.
All of the characters are believable and Tom Hanks is as usual a shining light in the whole production, imagine my surprise when I found out he hadn’t even been nominated for an Oscar for this role. Shocked doesn’t cover it but then who am I to judge the opinions of the Academy Awards.
I was absolutely glued to my seat throughout this movie and even if you know what happened with the Apollo 13 mission or you’ve seen this movie before you still worry, wonder and gasp at the same moments you did the first time.
The direction of this movie; there is only one word for it, phenomenal. To be honest its style hasn’t really dated, which considering that we now have the modern 21st Century special effects and creations such as Avatar this still looks stunning and well crafted.
I’ve never been a big fan of Kevin Bacon (don’t ask me why because it’s just one of those gut things that you can’t explain) but in this he is great and I forget all of my pre-conceived ideas of him and actually like him in this. Gary Sinese, who I now know from the CSI franchise, also gives a great performance as does Bill Paxton. Ed Harris as the control centre commander is electrifying and so believable in his ways throughout.
The music amazing, I’ve always been a fan of film music, in particular the music of John Barry, John Williams and the other greats, but this music is superb and really adds depth the story being told.
I’m a girl so I have no qualms in saying this, this movie made me well up at the end. Well about half an hour from the end to begin with carry on until the end!
Would I watch this again? Yes. Is this a great movie? Most defiantly. I would recommend it to anyone; because this isn’t a sci-fi adventure this is real life, something that actually happened that everyone should know about if you ask me and the movie is a great way of showing this and is excellent in its execution as a movie of that event.
In conclusion- amazing.
Outcome
Staying put where it is in the house.
Genre- Drama, Action, Adventure, Historical events
Year- 1995
Running Time- 2hrs 15mins
Directed By- Ron Howard
Written By- Jim Lovell (book), Jeffrey Kluger (book) William Broyles Jr (screenplay) & Al Reinert (screenplay).
Actors- Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris et al.
Acting-4 ½/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 4 ½/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½/6
Total 18 ½ /20
“Houston we have a problem”
Plot
This movie looks at the events before and during the Apollo 13 mission run by the USA to land on the Moon.
Following the successful moon landing of Apollo 11 the ambition of Jim Lovell (Hanks) and his team is to land on the moon and make history all over again. But when they are called up to go on the mission of Apollo 13 they have no idea of the events that will unfold during their quest; events that might cost them not only their dreams but their lives as well.
My Personal Views
Well I think this whole movie is exceptional, everything and everyone seems to work so well together to produce a movie that gives everyone something to enjoy.
I watched it many years ago and didn’t know much about the moon landings and this mission (other than the obvious of course) so I thought it was great back then and it gave me the opportunity, through my parents and books, to find out more about NASA and everything that goes with it; my parents being of the generation to remember being up late to watch the Apollo 11 moon landing.
I don’t know how accurate this film is of the events that happened but this is a stunning film none the less.
All of the characters are believable and Tom Hanks is as usual a shining light in the whole production, imagine my surprise when I found out he hadn’t even been nominated for an Oscar for this role. Shocked doesn’t cover it but then who am I to judge the opinions of the Academy Awards.
I was absolutely glued to my seat throughout this movie and even if you know what happened with the Apollo 13 mission or you’ve seen this movie before you still worry, wonder and gasp at the same moments you did the first time.
The direction of this movie; there is only one word for it, phenomenal. To be honest its style hasn’t really dated, which considering that we now have the modern 21st Century special effects and creations such as Avatar this still looks stunning and well crafted.
I’ve never been a big fan of Kevin Bacon (don’t ask me why because it’s just one of those gut things that you can’t explain) but in this he is great and I forget all of my pre-conceived ideas of him and actually like him in this. Gary Sinese, who I now know from the CSI franchise, also gives a great performance as does Bill Paxton. Ed Harris as the control centre commander is electrifying and so believable in his ways throughout.
The music amazing, I’ve always been a fan of film music, in particular the music of John Barry, John Williams and the other greats, but this music is superb and really adds depth the story being told.
I’m a girl so I have no qualms in saying this, this movie made me well up at the end. Well about half an hour from the end to begin with carry on until the end!
Would I watch this again? Yes. Is this a great movie? Most defiantly. I would recommend it to anyone; because this isn’t a sci-fi adventure this is real life, something that actually happened that everyone should know about if you ask me and the movie is a great way of showing this and is excellent in its execution as a movie of that event.
In conclusion- amazing.
Outcome
Staying put where it is in the house.
The Apartment
Date watched- 6th March 2011
Genre- Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year- 1960
Running Time- 2hrs
Directed By- Billy Wilder
Written By- Billy Wilder & I.A.L Diamond
Actors- Jack Lemon, Shirley Maclaine et al.
Acting-4 ½ /5
Keeping my attention- 3 ½ /4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½ /6
Total 17 ½ /20
Plot
C.C Baxter (Lemon) is a man on a mission, a mission to rise through the company he works for; his main way of doing this is by letting the top company executives use his apartment for trysts so that their wives don’t find out. But C.C Baxter had never anticipated on falling for one of the girls involved, Fran (MacLaine).
My Personal Views
I have never seen Jack Lemon outside of a handful of movies, of which one is Some Like It Hot, and I have to say this movie has me wanting more. Shirley MacClaine I have seen in a few more movies but most of those are modern movies where she is the matriarchal figure and always enjoyed her performances so I was really interested in seeing this movie, and I was not disappointed in any way. Both of the main actors are brilliant and you really feel the pain that they are going through with the decisions they have made in life to get ahead in any way possible.
This is not just a comedy with a very real and slightly dark/sad edge to it. But instead of this overshadowing the funnier and happier moments it really adds to the story and you can better understand the whole picture of the two main characters.
There is really good picture quality on the DVD edition that I have which is remarkable considering that this movie is 60+ years old. And really added to my enjoyment of the movie because I didn’t have to squint at everyone in the movie to try and work who they were (like you sometimes have to with older movies because the quality has deteriorated so much).
This is really good black and white motion picture fun, with an ‘ahh’ ending (which you may be figuring out I am a bit of a sucker for). I really enjoyed this movie and hope to watch it again soon. I might also have to rummage through Amazon.co.uk after pay day to look for more classic Jack Lemon and Shirley MacClaine movies to keep me going through the long cold nights (and days) that we are having in England at the moment.
This movie is two hours long and not once did I feel bored or like it was dragging on, there was always something to keep me occupied or a little twist in the story that would make it pick up again.
I also think that the spaghetti on a tennis racket is a genius idea and if only I had a tennis racket I would implement this procedure in my own home!
Outcome
This is now going to be placed into my collection and I hope it stays for a long time.
Genre- Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year- 1960
Running Time- 2hrs
Directed By- Billy Wilder
Written By- Billy Wilder & I.A.L Diamond
Actors- Jack Lemon, Shirley Maclaine et al.
Acting-4 ½ /5
Keeping my attention- 3 ½ /4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½ /6
Total 17 ½ /20
Plot
C.C Baxter (Lemon) is a man on a mission, a mission to rise through the company he works for; his main way of doing this is by letting the top company executives use his apartment for trysts so that their wives don’t find out. But C.C Baxter had never anticipated on falling for one of the girls involved, Fran (MacLaine).
My Personal Views
I have never seen Jack Lemon outside of a handful of movies, of which one is Some Like It Hot, and I have to say this movie has me wanting more. Shirley MacClaine I have seen in a few more movies but most of those are modern movies where she is the matriarchal figure and always enjoyed her performances so I was really interested in seeing this movie, and I was not disappointed in any way. Both of the main actors are brilliant and you really feel the pain that they are going through with the decisions they have made in life to get ahead in any way possible.
This is not just a comedy with a very real and slightly dark/sad edge to it. But instead of this overshadowing the funnier and happier moments it really adds to the story and you can better understand the whole picture of the two main characters.
There is really good picture quality on the DVD edition that I have which is remarkable considering that this movie is 60+ years old. And really added to my enjoyment of the movie because I didn’t have to squint at everyone in the movie to try and work who they were (like you sometimes have to with older movies because the quality has deteriorated so much).
This is really good black and white motion picture fun, with an ‘ahh’ ending (which you may be figuring out I am a bit of a sucker for). I really enjoyed this movie and hope to watch it again soon. I might also have to rummage through Amazon.co.uk after pay day to look for more classic Jack Lemon and Shirley MacClaine movies to keep me going through the long cold nights (and days) that we are having in England at the moment.
This movie is two hours long and not once did I feel bored or like it was dragging on, there was always something to keep me occupied or a little twist in the story that would make it pick up again.
I also think that the spaghetti on a tennis racket is a genius idea and if only I had a tennis racket I would implement this procedure in my own home!
Outcome
This is now going to be placed into my collection and I hope it stays for a long time.
Annie Hall
Date watched 5th March 2011
Genre- Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year- 1977
Running Time- 1hr 29mins
Directed By- Woody Allen
Written By- Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman
Actors- Woody Allen, Diane Keaton et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½ /6
Total 15 ½ /20
Plot
The movie plots the ups and downs of the lives and troubled romance of Alvy Singer (Allen) and Annie Hall (Keaton).
My Personal Views
Well this is the first time I have ever seen Annie Hall (gasps).
I hadn’t even heard of it until I went to university. In my first year I lived with a performing arts student and she was mad for this movie. Her dad gave her a copy on DVD for her 21st birthday and she was so excited when she came back to our dingy flat after she had been given it. I never took her up on her offer to borrow it because back then I either had my head in the clouds or locking myself away emerging only to go to the bathroom or eat. Trust me I’m better adjusted now.
This movie is so funny in places and the fantasy moments are truly a touch of genius. It’s not every movie where you actually get to know the most intimate feelings of the main character, though sometimes they can be quite surreal.
I have to say though I did get lost sometimes but it was quite easy to get back into once you got the gist of it. Some of the flashback moments I think were where I got lost because I couldn’t figure out where in Alvy and Annie’s relationship these events were taking place. I think maybe I’m just not intelligent enough to understand this entire movie. But then that might just be the case with all of Woody Allen’s movies because I was more than lost when I watched Match Point several years ago.
In all a enjoyable yet confusing watch.
The acting is great and you believe the connection between the main characters, and the arguments. The slightly eerie/psychotic/weird performance by Christopher Walken (as Annie’s brother) pretty much sums up his career for the past 30 or so years from everything else I’ve seen him in but adds a touch of scary comedy here.
Watch out for Jeff Goodblum in a very early cameo role! Or maybe I am the only one who would go “ooh ooh it’s Jeff Goldblum”, but I am of the Jurrasic Park generation, we’re easily excited!
So in all, well directed, well acted and a good premise which is mainly well executed, the only things that really let it down was me not being intelligent enough to keep up with it all the time.
Outcome
I really don’t know, yes I enjoyed it, I’m glad I can now say I’ve watched it but I don’t know if I would be clambering over hot coals to watch it again in a hurry. I bought this as part of a box set of Woody Allen movies so maybe I will hold off judgement until I’ve seen everything else in the set.
But remember this is only my opinion, I’m sure everyone out there will have a different one.
Genre- Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year- 1977
Running Time- 1hr 29mins
Directed By- Woody Allen
Written By- Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman
Actors- Woody Allen, Diane Keaton et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5 ½ /6
Total 15 ½ /20
Plot
The movie plots the ups and downs of the lives and troubled romance of Alvy Singer (Allen) and Annie Hall (Keaton).
My Personal Views
Well this is the first time I have ever seen Annie Hall (gasps).
I hadn’t even heard of it until I went to university. In my first year I lived with a performing arts student and she was mad for this movie. Her dad gave her a copy on DVD for her 21st birthday and she was so excited when she came back to our dingy flat after she had been given it. I never took her up on her offer to borrow it because back then I either had my head in the clouds or locking myself away emerging only to go to the bathroom or eat. Trust me I’m better adjusted now.
This movie is so funny in places and the fantasy moments are truly a touch of genius. It’s not every movie where you actually get to know the most intimate feelings of the main character, though sometimes they can be quite surreal.
I have to say though I did get lost sometimes but it was quite easy to get back into once you got the gist of it. Some of the flashback moments I think were where I got lost because I couldn’t figure out where in Alvy and Annie’s relationship these events were taking place. I think maybe I’m just not intelligent enough to understand this entire movie. But then that might just be the case with all of Woody Allen’s movies because I was more than lost when I watched Match Point several years ago.
In all a enjoyable yet confusing watch.
The acting is great and you believe the connection between the main characters, and the arguments. The slightly eerie/psychotic/weird performance by Christopher Walken (as Annie’s brother) pretty much sums up his career for the past 30 or so years from everything else I’ve seen him in but adds a touch of scary comedy here.
Watch out for Jeff Goodblum in a very early cameo role! Or maybe I am the only one who would go “ooh ooh it’s Jeff Goldblum”, but I am of the Jurrasic Park generation, we’re easily excited!
So in all, well directed, well acted and a good premise which is mainly well executed, the only things that really let it down was me not being intelligent enough to keep up with it all the time.
Outcome
I really don’t know, yes I enjoyed it, I’m glad I can now say I’ve watched it but I don’t know if I would be clambering over hot coals to watch it again in a hurry. I bought this as part of a box set of Woody Allen movies so maybe I will hold off judgement until I’ve seen everything else in the set.
But remember this is only my opinion, I’m sure everyone out there will have a different one.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Animal Attraction
Also Known As- Someone Like You (USA)
Date watched- 5th March 2011
Genre; Romantic, Comedy (Yeap one of those again)
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 33 minutes
Director; Tone Goldwyn
Written By; Elizabeth Chandler (screenplay), Laura Zigman (Novel)
Actors; Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, Greg Kinnear, Marisa Tomei, Ellen Barkin et al.
Acting 4/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 15/20
Plot
Jane (Judd) and Ray (Kinnear) fall in love at work and have all kinds of plans for their future, including an apartment together, but when Ray goes back to his ex, “D”, Jane is left with no option but to move in with her womanising colleague Eddie (Jackman). To help Jane rationalise break-up and convinced that all men are the same she develops the “Old Cow Theory” which she publishes under the alias Dr Marie Charles. Will this help her get over Ray, does Eddie have a softer side and who is this mysterious “D”?
My Personal Views
So here we have yet another fine example of a well executed romantic comedy.
I bought this from the small Virgin store in the Lowry outlet Mall in Salford Quays on 3rd October 2005 at 10.45am, I still have the receipt still in the box; my memory isn’t that good! It came in a box set with ‘Never been kissed’ and ‘The truth bout cats an dogs’, of which I only bought it for the former, and being £10 I thought “bargain”. But out of this bargain has come one of my favourite rom/coms. I think this is thoroughly enjoyable.
This was also my first encounter with the, dare I say, amazing, Hugh Jackman. There is no way that I imagined when I first saw this over 5 years ago that he was Australian. He is also very attractive and well suited to this genre, I don’t understand why he doesn’t do more of this type of film. Oh yes I do, more money in action.
Greg Kinnear also puts in a strong performance and you genuinely want to hate his guts as Ray for splitting up with Jane. I had only ever seen him in You’ve got Mail’ before (one of my favourite movies) but now he pops up in all sorts of things, and to be honest I wouldn’t object to seeing him in more movies.
Ashley Judd is also someone I wasn’t very familiar with when I first watched this, but since I have also seen her in ‘Where the heart is’ which showed her as such a diverse actress and genuinely talented.
In all the cast are well matched and supporting roles from people like Marisa Tomei is such a welcome touch.
The story is not just focused on the events of Jane and Ray’s relationship; some of the sub plots, such as Jane’s sister’s fertility problems gives this movie a real depth and becomes more believable, like life there is always more than one thing going on.
The story also moves with some pace, within half an hour Jane and Ray have fallen in love and split up, there’s no lingering around and waiting for a plot to develop.
There are also some memorable lines “I bit my neck shaving” being one that defiantly sticks in the mind, not only because Hugh Jackman says it but because it’s funny.
The comparisons between Jane’s love life and wild animals is also a light relief from what could be long drawn out sad/lonely break up story. The invention of Dr Marie Charles being the start of Jane getting over Ray or in any way explaining his behaviour through the ‘New Cow Theory’.
This is really a sort of American ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ and that aint a bad thing for me. Sorry guys I’m sure you would rather watch a action film but for us girls sometimes there’s nothing better than curling up with some snacks and watching some romantic comedies in our pajamas.
I’ve also bought the book that this movie is based on, emphasis on bought as I still haven’t read it (I only bought it a few months ago though so I don’t feel that bad). But hopefully I’ll get around to reading it soon and hope it’s as good as the movie, if not better.
All round, two thumbs up.
Outcome
Staying well put in my collection
Date watched- 5th March 2011
Genre; Romantic, Comedy (Yeap one of those again)
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 33 minutes
Director; Tone Goldwyn
Written By; Elizabeth Chandler (screenplay), Laura Zigman (Novel)
Actors; Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, Greg Kinnear, Marisa Tomei, Ellen Barkin et al.
Acting 4/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 15/20
Plot
Jane (Judd) and Ray (Kinnear) fall in love at work and have all kinds of plans for their future, including an apartment together, but when Ray goes back to his ex, “D”, Jane is left with no option but to move in with her womanising colleague Eddie (Jackman). To help Jane rationalise break-up and convinced that all men are the same she develops the “Old Cow Theory” which she publishes under the alias Dr Marie Charles. Will this help her get over Ray, does Eddie have a softer side and who is this mysterious “D”?
My Personal Views
So here we have yet another fine example of a well executed romantic comedy.
I bought this from the small Virgin store in the Lowry outlet Mall in Salford Quays on 3rd October 2005 at 10.45am, I still have the receipt still in the box; my memory isn’t that good! It came in a box set with ‘Never been kissed’ and ‘The truth bout cats an dogs’, of which I only bought it for the former, and being £10 I thought “bargain”. But out of this bargain has come one of my favourite rom/coms. I think this is thoroughly enjoyable.
This was also my first encounter with the, dare I say, amazing, Hugh Jackman. There is no way that I imagined when I first saw this over 5 years ago that he was Australian. He is also very attractive and well suited to this genre, I don’t understand why he doesn’t do more of this type of film. Oh yes I do, more money in action.
Greg Kinnear also puts in a strong performance and you genuinely want to hate his guts as Ray for splitting up with Jane. I had only ever seen him in You’ve got Mail’ before (one of my favourite movies) but now he pops up in all sorts of things, and to be honest I wouldn’t object to seeing him in more movies.
Ashley Judd is also someone I wasn’t very familiar with when I first watched this, but since I have also seen her in ‘Where the heart is’ which showed her as such a diverse actress and genuinely talented.
In all the cast are well matched and supporting roles from people like Marisa Tomei is such a welcome touch.
The story is not just focused on the events of Jane and Ray’s relationship; some of the sub plots, such as Jane’s sister’s fertility problems gives this movie a real depth and becomes more believable, like life there is always more than one thing going on.
The story also moves with some pace, within half an hour Jane and Ray have fallen in love and split up, there’s no lingering around and waiting for a plot to develop.
There are also some memorable lines “I bit my neck shaving” being one that defiantly sticks in the mind, not only because Hugh Jackman says it but because it’s funny.
The comparisons between Jane’s love life and wild animals is also a light relief from what could be long drawn out sad/lonely break up story. The invention of Dr Marie Charles being the start of Jane getting over Ray or in any way explaining his behaviour through the ‘New Cow Theory’.
This is really a sort of American ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ and that aint a bad thing for me. Sorry guys I’m sure you would rather watch a action film but for us girls sometimes there’s nothing better than curling up with some snacks and watching some romantic comedies in our pajamas.
I’ve also bought the book that this movie is based on, emphasis on bought as I still haven’t read it (I only bought it a few months ago though so I don’t feel that bad). But hopefully I’ll get around to reading it soon and hope it’s as good as the movie, if not better.
All round, two thumbs up.
Outcome
Staying well put in my collection
An Education
Date watched- 26th February 2011
Genre; Drama
Year; 2009
Running Time; 1 hour 36 minutes
Director; Lone Scherfig
Written By; Nick Hornby (Screenplay), Lynn Barber (Memoir)
Actors; Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper et al.
Acting 4/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 2/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jenny (Mulligan) is a bright 16 year old schoolgirl with aspirations of going to Oxford University, which is greatly encouraged by her parents. One chance meeting on the way back from Orchestra practice with the enigmatic David (Sarsgaard) plummets Jenny into an adult world she couldn’t have imagined. Being swept off her feet by David could prove to be the best thing for Jenny, or possibly the worst. Jenny is taken on a journey that will take her from being a girl to a woman and almost back again.
My Personal Views
I was very interested in watching this movie because of all the Oscar hype around it. I was amazed at how much a British movie could garner so much attention when usually the Oscars are drowned in big budget/big actor movies, with the odd low budget phenomenon creeping in. So I thought it must be pretty impressive to get so much attention. But it wasn’t until July last year that I bought the DVD off Amazon (23rd July 2010 to be precise); the main reason being the reduced price but also for this blog.
So I watched it back in August last year for the first time with anticipation, waiting for the great ‘An Education’. So what did I think? Well, granted the acting was superb, Mulligan was most defiantly a well deserved Oscar best actress nominee, I almost forgot that Sarsgaard was actually American and not from upper-middle class England and the entire supporting cast are well balanced and add something to the whole thing. But somewhere it’s not quite brilliant on the acting front but I just don’t know where, whether its that they are all stand alone actors and something doesn’t gel or there is something unbelievable about some of the acting I just cant put my finger on it.
The story moves along quite slowly once the first changes in Jenny’s character show, the movie is only one and a half hours long but it defiantly feels a little longer than that. Though it’s only 6 minutes in to the movie that Jenny and David meet so it has all the potential to be quick, maybe this was to spend more time on their relationship and Jenny’s journey but I just don’t know, it just didn’t strike a cord with me.
I like the music throughout and it mostly stirs up thoughts of the 60s for me, however the opening title music reminds me of my drive home on a Friday night from work and Simon Mayo on BBC radio 2, I’m sure anyone else who listens to him on a Friday drive time will know what I mean.
On watching this a second time around you start to notice much more detail than the first time; which for me includes the goofs and continuity errors (watch out for the Cello that turns itself around in the car!) and that for me is where this fails itself again. I don’t know this myself but apparently some of the historical accuracy is also off, but like I say that’s not I knew myself (good old IMDB)
Granted Mulligan is superb and in the Paris section she looks very Audrey Hepburn-esque. I predict great things for her in years to come.
Emma Thompson is a welcome inclusion in the supporting cast, and it was nice to see her in something where she wasn’t all craggy faced (Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee) along with Olivia Williams and the actors playing Jenny’s parents all great.
In conclusion good verging on excellent acting, good music, poor direction in places and a bit slow. Though I have to admit its ok as a whole, but I wouldn’t want to be watching it all the time. In all I’m glad I’ve seen it and now know what all the hype was about, this is obviously what the Academy were looking for, but for me not so much.
The ending is also lovely and shows that if you want something bad enough and you work for it you will be rewarded.
Outcome
Currently lying in the pile of DVDs and books destined for eBay, sorry.
Genre; Drama
Year; 2009
Running Time; 1 hour 36 minutes
Director; Lone Scherfig
Written By; Nick Hornby (Screenplay), Lynn Barber (Memoir)
Actors; Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper et al.
Acting 4/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 2/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jenny (Mulligan) is a bright 16 year old schoolgirl with aspirations of going to Oxford University, which is greatly encouraged by her parents. One chance meeting on the way back from Orchestra practice with the enigmatic David (Sarsgaard) plummets Jenny into an adult world she couldn’t have imagined. Being swept off her feet by David could prove to be the best thing for Jenny, or possibly the worst. Jenny is taken on a journey that will take her from being a girl to a woman and almost back again.
My Personal Views
I was very interested in watching this movie because of all the Oscar hype around it. I was amazed at how much a British movie could garner so much attention when usually the Oscars are drowned in big budget/big actor movies, with the odd low budget phenomenon creeping in. So I thought it must be pretty impressive to get so much attention. But it wasn’t until July last year that I bought the DVD off Amazon (23rd July 2010 to be precise); the main reason being the reduced price but also for this blog.
So I watched it back in August last year for the first time with anticipation, waiting for the great ‘An Education’. So what did I think? Well, granted the acting was superb, Mulligan was most defiantly a well deserved Oscar best actress nominee, I almost forgot that Sarsgaard was actually American and not from upper-middle class England and the entire supporting cast are well balanced and add something to the whole thing. But somewhere it’s not quite brilliant on the acting front but I just don’t know where, whether its that they are all stand alone actors and something doesn’t gel or there is something unbelievable about some of the acting I just cant put my finger on it.
The story moves along quite slowly once the first changes in Jenny’s character show, the movie is only one and a half hours long but it defiantly feels a little longer than that. Though it’s only 6 minutes in to the movie that Jenny and David meet so it has all the potential to be quick, maybe this was to spend more time on their relationship and Jenny’s journey but I just don’t know, it just didn’t strike a cord with me.
I like the music throughout and it mostly stirs up thoughts of the 60s for me, however the opening title music reminds me of my drive home on a Friday night from work and Simon Mayo on BBC radio 2, I’m sure anyone else who listens to him on a Friday drive time will know what I mean.
On watching this a second time around you start to notice much more detail than the first time; which for me includes the goofs and continuity errors (watch out for the Cello that turns itself around in the car!) and that for me is where this fails itself again. I don’t know this myself but apparently some of the historical accuracy is also off, but like I say that’s not I knew myself (good old IMDB)
Granted Mulligan is superb and in the Paris section she looks very Audrey Hepburn-esque. I predict great things for her in years to come.
Emma Thompson is a welcome inclusion in the supporting cast, and it was nice to see her in something where she wasn’t all craggy faced (Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee) along with Olivia Williams and the actors playing Jenny’s parents all great.
In conclusion good verging on excellent acting, good music, poor direction in places and a bit slow. Though I have to admit its ok as a whole, but I wouldn’t want to be watching it all the time. In all I’m glad I’ve seen it and now know what all the hype was about, this is obviously what the Academy were looking for, but for me not so much.
The ending is also lovely and shows that if you want something bad enough and you work for it you will be rewarded.
Outcome
Currently lying in the pile of DVDs and books destined for eBay, sorry.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Date watched- 14th February 2011 (Happy Valentines Day)
Genre; Comedy
Year; 2004
Running Time; 1 hour 34 minutes
Director; Adam McKay
Written By; Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Actors; Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell et al..
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 12/20
Plot
“There was a time, a time before cable when the local anchorman reigned supreme”
Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's, but that's all about to change when a new female employee (Applegate) who has the drive and ambition to become an anchor arrives at the station. Follow Ron and his friends and enemies (some of whom may be mad!) to see the cut through industry that is the news.
My Personal Views
Well where do I begin?
I watched this movie the first time with one of my friends at Uni, she had it on DVD and we had nothing to do, she said it was funny so we watched it. Funny it is in places but it is also over the top crazy in places which leads to it being cringe worthy at times.
Will Ferrell looks, sounds and acts ridiculously throughout the whole thing, he has this sort of naive adult innocence of the world around him that is just funny. This I have come to find through the years is the main way in which Ferrell acts.
Steve Carell as the character Brick is…… funny beyond belief, he is just crazy in this unimaginable way that I don’t think any other actor could full off (but then I am a big fan of his).
In all everyone’s performance on some level is funny and depending on who (or should that be whom) you are you will find the different characters humorous on a different scale. Christina Applegate is the balance bringing this crazy lot together and giving a more grounded feel.
Burgundy’s dog is also a lovely touch, also very funny. The dog is Baxter who Ron talks to and has also given his dog a pair of panamas.
This next sentence might not make a lot of sense to a lot of people but it would have been nice to have Owen Wilson in this movie to complete the ‘Frat Pack’ but maybe that is just something that us fans are going to have to hope for a later date.
In all, crude, crazy, moments of madness and over the top but very funny. And to conclude, two words - JAZZ FLUTE.
But saying all of this above I did go out and buy a copy of it myself so my opinion can’t be that low of it.
Watch out for Seth Rogan in there.
Outcome
Staying for now
Genre; Comedy
Year; 2004
Running Time; 1 hour 34 minutes
Director; Adam McKay
Written By; Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Actors; Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell et al..
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 12/20
Plot
“There was a time, a time before cable when the local anchorman reigned supreme”
Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's, but that's all about to change when a new female employee (Applegate) who has the drive and ambition to become an anchor arrives at the station. Follow Ron and his friends and enemies (some of whom may be mad!) to see the cut through industry that is the news.
My Personal Views
Well where do I begin?
I watched this movie the first time with one of my friends at Uni, she had it on DVD and we had nothing to do, she said it was funny so we watched it. Funny it is in places but it is also over the top crazy in places which leads to it being cringe worthy at times.
Will Ferrell looks, sounds and acts ridiculously throughout the whole thing, he has this sort of naive adult innocence of the world around him that is just funny. This I have come to find through the years is the main way in which Ferrell acts.
Steve Carell as the character Brick is…… funny beyond belief, he is just crazy in this unimaginable way that I don’t think any other actor could full off (but then I am a big fan of his).
In all everyone’s performance on some level is funny and depending on who (or should that be whom) you are you will find the different characters humorous on a different scale. Christina Applegate is the balance bringing this crazy lot together and giving a more grounded feel.
Burgundy’s dog is also a lovely touch, also very funny. The dog is Baxter who Ron talks to and has also given his dog a pair of panamas.
This next sentence might not make a lot of sense to a lot of people but it would have been nice to have Owen Wilson in this movie to complete the ‘Frat Pack’ but maybe that is just something that us fans are going to have to hope for a later date.
In all, crude, crazy, moments of madness and over the top but very funny. And to conclude, two words - JAZZ FLUTE.
But saying all of this above I did go out and buy a copy of it myself so my opinion can’t be that low of it.
Watch out for Seth Rogan in there.
Outcome
Staying for now
An American in Paris
Date watched- 13th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1951
Running Time; 1 hour 49 minutes
Director; Vincente Minnelli
Written By; Alan Jay Lerner
Actors; Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron et al.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) an ex GI who loved Paris so much that he stayed behind after the war was over falls for a perfume seller (Caron) who also falls for him. Unbeknown to Jerry his girl is already engaged to someone else, a man he actually knows through a friend of his. Through dance and song there story is told againt the backdrop of Paris.
My Personal Views
I originally bought this DVD in my first year at University (way back in 2004 or 2005). I bought it because I wanted to see a movie I could remember from my childhood set in Paris and all the other detail I could remember was a lot of different coloured doors at the beginning, turned out it was not An American in Paris but Funny Face which I bought some years later. I have to say I don’t think I have seen this movie other than once all those years ago when I realised it wasn’t the movie I was really after. Though maybe the purchase of this movie is one that I should praise as this was one of the very first (of literally hundreds) DVDs I bought and it was through my time at University in the North West of England that I found my passion for movies and wanted to know more about them, it was also when I discovered IMDB which allowed me to do so.
I have to say that the age gap between the two main stars is quite noticeable (19 years) as Carson looks very childlike in this movie even though she was 19 or 20 years at the time. This fact may have put me of the movie a little bit but I think it is a factor of other things that made me lose my attention when watching this movie.
Gene Kelly was the choreographer for this movie and in the most part is very good, apart from the 17 minute ballet routine at the very end of this move. Don’t get me wrong I like dancing and it is really lovely dancing but 17 minutes is a little too long, especially at the end of a movie. I am a fan of Gene Kelly's acting, I am a big fan of Singin' in the Rain and also watched a lot of his other movies when I was 'studying' for my GCSEs, good old TCM; but I'm not sure if this quite hits the spot for me,
This movie is filmed well with a good introduction for the main character and his friends who live near him but the polystyrene Paris is a little off putting in places.
Another issue I have is the speed of the story, for instance it takes over 30 minutes for the boy to even meet the girl and when he does he gets a little bit too excited and is almost dare I say a bit of a stalker! This added to the age gap made me feel a little bit uncomfortable.
On the positives the music of Gershwin is amazing as always, in fact after watching this I had to find the Gershwin music I have on my iPod and played it as loudly as I could manage (rock on!). Jerry’s pianist friend also adds some comic relief and the dream sequence where he is playing the piano and many other members of the orchestra, does make me chuckle.
The songs in this movie are also very good including ‘s’wonderful s’marvellous’, which comes from Funny Face.
In all, music good, dancing a bit long winded in places but exceptional if you can get over this issue, acting ok, plastic Paris a little off putting at times. Oh and a sweet ending which makes you glad you stuck it all out.
Outcome
Surprising even to me it is staying in the collection for the time being, hopefully I can give it another go and maybe improve my opinion of it.
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1951
Running Time; 1 hour 49 minutes
Director; Vincente Minnelli
Written By; Alan Jay Lerner
Actors; Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron et al.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) an ex GI who loved Paris so much that he stayed behind after the war was over falls for a perfume seller (Caron) who also falls for him. Unbeknown to Jerry his girl is already engaged to someone else, a man he actually knows through a friend of his. Through dance and song there story is told againt the backdrop of Paris.
My Personal Views
I originally bought this DVD in my first year at University (way back in 2004 or 2005). I bought it because I wanted to see a movie I could remember from my childhood set in Paris and all the other detail I could remember was a lot of different coloured doors at the beginning, turned out it was not An American in Paris but Funny Face which I bought some years later. I have to say I don’t think I have seen this movie other than once all those years ago when I realised it wasn’t the movie I was really after. Though maybe the purchase of this movie is one that I should praise as this was one of the very first (of literally hundreds) DVDs I bought and it was through my time at University in the North West of England that I found my passion for movies and wanted to know more about them, it was also when I discovered IMDB which allowed me to do so.
I have to say that the age gap between the two main stars is quite noticeable (19 years) as Carson looks very childlike in this movie even though she was 19 or 20 years at the time. This fact may have put me of the movie a little bit but I think it is a factor of other things that made me lose my attention when watching this movie.
Gene Kelly was the choreographer for this movie and in the most part is very good, apart from the 17 minute ballet routine at the very end of this move. Don’t get me wrong I like dancing and it is really lovely dancing but 17 minutes is a little too long, especially at the end of a movie. I am a fan of Gene Kelly's acting, I am a big fan of Singin' in the Rain and also watched a lot of his other movies when I was 'studying' for my GCSEs, good old TCM; but I'm not sure if this quite hits the spot for me,
This movie is filmed well with a good introduction for the main character and his friends who live near him but the polystyrene Paris is a little off putting in places.
Another issue I have is the speed of the story, for instance it takes over 30 minutes for the boy to even meet the girl and when he does he gets a little bit too excited and is almost dare I say a bit of a stalker! This added to the age gap made me feel a little bit uncomfortable.
On the positives the music of Gershwin is amazing as always, in fact after watching this I had to find the Gershwin music I have on my iPod and played it as loudly as I could manage (rock on!). Jerry’s pianist friend also adds some comic relief and the dream sequence where he is playing the piano and many other members of the orchestra, does make me chuckle.
The songs in this movie are also very good including ‘s’wonderful s’marvellous’, which comes from Funny Face.
In all, music good, dancing a bit long winded in places but exceptional if you can get over this issue, acting ok, plastic Paris a little off putting at times. Oh and a sweet ending which makes you glad you stuck it all out.
Outcome
Surprising even to me it is staying in the collection for the time being, hopefully I can give it another go and maybe improve my opinion of it.
An Affair to Remember
Date watched- 13th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1957
Running Time; 1 hour 59 minutes
Director; Leo McCarey
Written By; Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart & Leo McCarey.
Actors; Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr et al.
Acting 4½/5
Keeping my attention 4/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 6/6
Total 18½/20
Plot
Two people, Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Kerr), meet on a cruise liner on their way to New York to be with their partners, settle down, marry, the works. But on the ship they form an unlikely romance. They agree that if they both feel the same way about each other to meet at the top of the Empire State building, Will they meet in six months time? Or will their love for each other fade?
My Personal Views
I have wanted to watch this movie for years, since watching Sleepless in Seattle and seeing it through out that movie. Only thing is I never got around to seeing it let alone buying it. So for the purposes of this A-Z project I though “I know what I will add to my collection”, so here it is. I watched it for the first time in April (2010) in my parents caravan in the north of England. I was not disappointed. I absolutely love this movie, and it has very quickly become one of my favourite movies.
There are some really lovely moments in this movie, especially when the main characters are still on the cruise ship, especially the moment on the stairs where they are trying not to make it look like they are talking to each other.
Throughout the second half of the move there are a lot of ‘ahh’ moments and I have to say I even had a tear in my eye at the end.
This movie is pushing 2 hours long but it keeps your attention with the chances in location without it being choppy or rushed, the ‘will they won’t they’ aspect and the superb performances of everyone involved. The acting is strong and you really believe the relationship between the two main characters. I have never seen anything else with Deborah Kerr in, though obviously I know she did a lot of other classic movies, The King and I to name but one and so I am quite keen to watch more of her work now. Any suggestions would be greatly received. Cary Grant as always is the perfect English gent and I think it is amazing in this with great depth of character (especially at the end). I understand from wikipedia(!) that this wasn't the only movie made with Grant and Kerr in main roles so I am really interested in giving those a go as well.
The movie is well directed and everything looks wonderful, especially considering that this was shot in the 50s without all of this modern technology that has crept into cinema these days. I don’t think I have a remastered copy of this so things do look a little dated by today’s standards and the colours aren’t bright but I like that, I have a real affection for old movies so I really don’t mind at all but I thought I would give a heads up to anyone who might find that an issue.
It also has extra points for being partly set in New York!
All in all a treasure among movies in my opinion, but I will let you decide for yourself. So the reason for the short-ish review is that fact that I cant find serious fault with it.
Outcome
Staying right where it on my DVD shelf (well it’s more a wall with loads of shelves on it!).
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1957
Running Time; 1 hour 59 minutes
Director; Leo McCarey
Written By; Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart & Leo McCarey.
Actors; Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr et al.
Acting 4½/5
Keeping my attention 4/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 6/6
Total 18½/20
Plot
Two people, Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Kerr), meet on a cruise liner on their way to New York to be with their partners, settle down, marry, the works. But on the ship they form an unlikely romance. They agree that if they both feel the same way about each other to meet at the top of the Empire State building, Will they meet in six months time? Or will their love for each other fade?
My Personal Views
I have wanted to watch this movie for years, since watching Sleepless in Seattle and seeing it through out that movie. Only thing is I never got around to seeing it let alone buying it. So for the purposes of this A-Z project I though “I know what I will add to my collection”, so here it is. I watched it for the first time in April (2010) in my parents caravan in the north of England. I was not disappointed. I absolutely love this movie, and it has very quickly become one of my favourite movies.
There are some really lovely moments in this movie, especially when the main characters are still on the cruise ship, especially the moment on the stairs where they are trying not to make it look like they are talking to each other.
Throughout the second half of the move there are a lot of ‘ahh’ moments and I have to say I even had a tear in my eye at the end.
This movie is pushing 2 hours long but it keeps your attention with the chances in location without it being choppy or rushed, the ‘will they won’t they’ aspect and the superb performances of everyone involved. The acting is strong and you really believe the relationship between the two main characters. I have never seen anything else with Deborah Kerr in, though obviously I know she did a lot of other classic movies, The King and I to name but one and so I am quite keen to watch more of her work now. Any suggestions would be greatly received. Cary Grant as always is the perfect English gent and I think it is amazing in this with great depth of character (especially at the end). I understand from wikipedia(!) that this wasn't the only movie made with Grant and Kerr in main roles so I am really interested in giving those a go as well.
The movie is well directed and everything looks wonderful, especially considering that this was shot in the 50s without all of this modern technology that has crept into cinema these days. I don’t think I have a remastered copy of this so things do look a little dated by today’s standards and the colours aren’t bright but I like that, I have a real affection for old movies so I really don’t mind at all but I thought I would give a heads up to anyone who might find that an issue.
It also has extra points for being partly set in New York!
All in all a treasure among movies in my opinion, but I will let you decide for yourself. So the reason for the short-ish review is that fact that I cant find serious fault with it.
Outcome
Staying right where it on my DVD shelf (well it’s more a wall with loads of shelves on it!).
Sunday, 13 February 2011
America's Sweethearts
Date watched- 6th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Comedy
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 39 minutes
Director; Joe Roth
Written By; Billy Crystal and Peter Tolan
Actors; Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Billy Crystal.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 14/20
Plot
Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (Cusack) were Hollywood’s golden couple, both on and off the screen. Now that they’ve gone their separate ways and with their new movie set to premiere it won’t be easy getting them back together to promote their last venture “Time Over Time”. The new movie is being held back by the odd-ball director Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken) making the life of the press agent (Crystal) a nightmare. Can the press be convinced thtat Gwen and Eddie have made amends with each other? Will the film be a success? And is there more than friendship between Eddie and Gwen’s sister Kiki (Roberts)?
My Personal Views
Well yet again another movie I saw for the first time with my childhood best friend, most defiantly on VHS. I thought it was really good back then, so I pretty much bought it straight away, and I still do now. I was going through a Julia Roberts phase at the time so I would have found anything with her in a delight but this genuinely is a good romantic comedy movie. It’s funny; everyone does a really good job with that and it is romantic without being too over the top with it either. There are a few ‘oow’ comedy moments where you could either brawl around on the floor laughing or just shake your head and say ‘that just isn’t funny’ depending on who you are. I have to say for me that I do find those moments funny (in particular a moment with a cactus plant- if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean)
I think this might have actually been the first Catherine Zeta-Jones movie I ever saw, I had seen her in the Darling Buds of May and that had pretty much been it. She really is good; her American accent is believable and soft, whereas some Brits can be too harsh and end up sounding like they are trying too hard. So a round of applause for Zeta-Jones here I think. She plays the bitch so well too which just adds to her performance even if you forget the fact that she is not American. Also my dad met her many years ago when she was filming Entrapment and he said she was really nice, so to me she can do no wrong.
Julia Roberts is, how do I put it, Julia Roberts in a Rom-Com. Which to me is good but I’m sure everyone will have their own opinions which they are very much entitled to. I personally love her. Also she and Zeta-Jones could actually pass for sisters which makes the movie work better than if they had two people who looked completely different.
Cusack has his usual ‘dark’ edge but it kind of works in this movie and he is well cast as the actor who lost his leading lady in his personal life and wanted her back for so long.
Hank Azaria plays the Spanish lover (including lisp) of Gwen really well and fits well with the rest f the cast, this could have been so easy to get wrong. The moments he has with Cusack are funny but sometimes include language that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the film.
The other supporting actors are very good and compliment the main cast well. Walken is as usual weird. Crystal is just funny no matter what he does and then there is Stanley Tucci as the studio producer in charge of the movie verging on the paranoid.
On a negative there are some surreal moments (of Eddie’s imaginings) and flash backs to moments in the break-up of Gwen and Eddie which sometimes don’t work brilliantly but over all a good movie.
Note: Watch out for the Rainn Wilson cameo!!
Outcome
Staying well put in my DVD collection.
Genre; Romantic, Comedy
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 39 minutes
Director; Joe Roth
Written By; Billy Crystal and Peter Tolan
Actors; Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Billy Crystal.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 14/20
Plot
Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (Cusack) were Hollywood’s golden couple, both on and off the screen. Now that they’ve gone their separate ways and with their new movie set to premiere it won’t be easy getting them back together to promote their last venture “Time Over Time”. The new movie is being held back by the odd-ball director Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken) making the life of the press agent (Crystal) a nightmare. Can the press be convinced thtat Gwen and Eddie have made amends with each other? Will the film be a success? And is there more than friendship between Eddie and Gwen’s sister Kiki (Roberts)?
My Personal Views
Well yet again another movie I saw for the first time with my childhood best friend, most defiantly on VHS. I thought it was really good back then, so I pretty much bought it straight away, and I still do now. I was going through a Julia Roberts phase at the time so I would have found anything with her in a delight but this genuinely is a good romantic comedy movie. It’s funny; everyone does a really good job with that and it is romantic without being too over the top with it either. There are a few ‘oow’ comedy moments where you could either brawl around on the floor laughing or just shake your head and say ‘that just isn’t funny’ depending on who you are. I have to say for me that I do find those moments funny (in particular a moment with a cactus plant- if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean)
I think this might have actually been the first Catherine Zeta-Jones movie I ever saw, I had seen her in the Darling Buds of May and that had pretty much been it. She really is good; her American accent is believable and soft, whereas some Brits can be too harsh and end up sounding like they are trying too hard. So a round of applause for Zeta-Jones here I think. She plays the bitch so well too which just adds to her performance even if you forget the fact that she is not American. Also my dad met her many years ago when she was filming Entrapment and he said she was really nice, so to me she can do no wrong.
Julia Roberts is, how do I put it, Julia Roberts in a Rom-Com. Which to me is good but I’m sure everyone will have their own opinions which they are very much entitled to. I personally love her. Also she and Zeta-Jones could actually pass for sisters which makes the movie work better than if they had two people who looked completely different.
Cusack has his usual ‘dark’ edge but it kind of works in this movie and he is well cast as the actor who lost his leading lady in his personal life and wanted her back for so long.
Hank Azaria plays the Spanish lover (including lisp) of Gwen really well and fits well with the rest f the cast, this could have been so easy to get wrong. The moments he has with Cusack are funny but sometimes include language that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the film.
The other supporting actors are very good and compliment the main cast well. Walken is as usual weird. Crystal is just funny no matter what he does and then there is Stanley Tucci as the studio producer in charge of the movie verging on the paranoid.
On a negative there are some surreal moments (of Eddie’s imaginings) and flash backs to moments in the break-up of Gwen and Eddie which sometimes don’t work brilliantly but over all a good movie.
Note: Watch out for the Rainn Wilson cameo!!
Outcome
Staying well put in my DVD collection.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Amazing Grace
Date watched 5th February 2011
Genre- Historical events/Drama
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 53 mins
Directed By- Michael Apted
Written By- Steven Knight
Actors- Ioan Gruffold, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 15/20
Plot
The year 1797, William Wilberforce (Gruffold) has been working hard to abolish the slave trade in Britain. While taking a break in the country to improve his health, and haunted by images of slaves, he meets Barbara Spooner (Garai), and shares the story of his struggle for the abolition of slavery. With a newfound energy for his cause he heads back to parliament to fight. But will he succeed in his latest quest to finally bring an end to the British slave trade?
My Personal Views
I originally bought this film for my mum for Mother’s day (and Amazon says I bought it on 25th February 2008) and in truth I haven’t seen it since Mother’s day 2008.
I know about the slave trade of course but it’s not something I am very knowledgeable about, it’s not like it gets taught in school that much. This movie doesn’t fill in all the gaps of my knowledge of the slave trade but it does go some way in helping to piece together the struggle for its abolition. When watching movies like this I always find that I end up looking further into the subject matter, and this movie was no exception, I can’t remember everything I found out though, which is such a shame.
It is nice to see Gruffold in a British role again, I was never a fan of his Fantastic Four role, and I only wish he would do more work like this, in fact if I’m honest I want to see more Hornblower expeditions. In this film his performance is believable and sound. Albert Finney’s performance iseartfelt and genuine; as a man haunted by the souls of 20,000 slaves he helped to move around the world as a captain of a slave ship turned monk. It is also nice to see Rufus Sewell in something where he is not the bad guy. And for everyone in general in this movie there are good solid performances
It is disturbing to think all of this actually happened and it is only just over 200 years ago that slavery in Britain was abolished. This film puts across this struggle in a way that isn’t too preachy and balances the sadness of the story with the positives of fighting for what you believe in.
Some aspects of this production look cheap, like the titles but all in all it is a good movie and you forget about some of the other less well produced aspects, or at least I did.
So where does this movie lose points? In the attention category, because this movie skips around it gets hard to keep up and gets confusing trying to remember who is who. It does really pick up speed in the second half (30mins from the end or so) but it’s the fact that it is quite slow and confusing getting to this part that fails it.
This is not the sort of movie to watch if you need cheering up or you’re tired. It also made me cry at the end the first time I watched it (and possibly a little this second time).
I do however love the use of the hymn Amazing Grace throughout the movie and the bagpipes during the end credits are wonderful, I love bagpipes (sad as that might be).
Outcome
Despite the fact that this film is a little gem I wouldn’t be watching it all the time. The fact that I haven’t seen it since 2008 speaks for itself; but more in a Shindlers List kind of way, excellence and involving a important yet brutal part of history that we should never forget but hard to watch as you know that the events, although they may not be 100% accurate, are actual events from our history. So on that note and in an effort to reduce the size of my DVD collect I think this may be ending up on ebay. Sorry.
Genre- Historical events/Drama
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 53 mins
Directed By- Michael Apted
Written By- Steven Knight
Actors- Ioan Gruffold, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 15/20
Plot
The year 1797, William Wilberforce (Gruffold) has been working hard to abolish the slave trade in Britain. While taking a break in the country to improve his health, and haunted by images of slaves, he meets Barbara Spooner (Garai), and shares the story of his struggle for the abolition of slavery. With a newfound energy for his cause he heads back to parliament to fight. But will he succeed in his latest quest to finally bring an end to the British slave trade?
My Personal Views
I originally bought this film for my mum for Mother’s day (and Amazon says I bought it on 25th February 2008) and in truth I haven’t seen it since Mother’s day 2008.
I know about the slave trade of course but it’s not something I am very knowledgeable about, it’s not like it gets taught in school that much. This movie doesn’t fill in all the gaps of my knowledge of the slave trade but it does go some way in helping to piece together the struggle for its abolition. When watching movies like this I always find that I end up looking further into the subject matter, and this movie was no exception, I can’t remember everything I found out though, which is such a shame.
It is nice to see Gruffold in a British role again, I was never a fan of his Fantastic Four role, and I only wish he would do more work like this, in fact if I’m honest I want to see more Hornblower expeditions. In this film his performance is believable and sound. Albert Finney’s performance iseartfelt and genuine; as a man haunted by the souls of 20,000 slaves he helped to move around the world as a captain of a slave ship turned monk. It is also nice to see Rufus Sewell in something where he is not the bad guy. And for everyone in general in this movie there are good solid performances
It is disturbing to think all of this actually happened and it is only just over 200 years ago that slavery in Britain was abolished. This film puts across this struggle in a way that isn’t too preachy and balances the sadness of the story with the positives of fighting for what you believe in.
Some aspects of this production look cheap, like the titles but all in all it is a good movie and you forget about some of the other less well produced aspects, or at least I did.
So where does this movie lose points? In the attention category, because this movie skips around it gets hard to keep up and gets confusing trying to remember who is who. It does really pick up speed in the second half (30mins from the end or so) but it’s the fact that it is quite slow and confusing getting to this part that fails it.
This is not the sort of movie to watch if you need cheering up or you’re tired. It also made me cry at the end the first time I watched it (and possibly a little this second time).
I do however love the use of the hymn Amazing Grace throughout the movie and the bagpipes during the end credits are wonderful, I love bagpipes (sad as that might be).
Outcome
Despite the fact that this film is a little gem I wouldn’t be watching it all the time. The fact that I haven’t seen it since 2008 speaks for itself; but more in a Shindlers List kind of way, excellence and involving a important yet brutal part of history that we should never forget but hard to watch as you know that the events, although they may not be 100% accurate, are actual events from our history. So on that note and in an effort to reduce the size of my DVD collect I think this may be ending up on ebay. Sorry.
The Amazing Adventure
Date watched 5th February 2011
Genre- Romantic/Comedy/Black and White
Year- 1936
Running Time- 1hr 2 mins
Directed By- Alfred Zeisler
Written By- John L. Balderston and E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel)
Actors- Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 16/20
Plot
Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is a rich young man who is finding his life of plenty boring. He consults a doctor but instead of offering medical based advice to cure Ernest of his melancholy the doctor places a wager with Bliss that he must life without his wealth for a year, living off only what he earns. Can Ernest win his wager?
My Personal Views
So this movie has been in my collection for years, I must have bought it because it was a bargain as it also came with His Girl Friday. Only thing is that I’ve never watched either of these movies in the whole time I’ve had them. I think I’ve had them since I was at University, and I finished at Uni two and half years ago!
So here is my first impression of The Amazing Aventure.
I am a great fan of old movies and I have also watched my fair share of Cary Grant movies over the years so I was actually looking forward to watching this movie and I wasn’t disappointed.
This movie is quick (only 1 hours and 2 minutes long) and holds your attention throughout. It is also the classic format of hidden identity, fall in love, misunderstanding/hidden identity revealed and a happy ending. I LOVE IT. It reminds me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers films or Rock Hudson and Doris Day films which I also love also. I wish I’d seen it sooner to be honest.
Maybe it is not an 'Amazing Adventure’ by comparison to today’s movies but I still really enjoyed it. The acting by everyone involved is also very good. But maybe this movie is not for you if you don’t appreciate older movies or you would rather all black and white movies are made colour. If you are a fan of Cary Grant and black and white movie you should watch this (if you haven’t already). It is no way as compelling as An Affair to Remember but certainly makes a good first impression. With this only being just over an hour long even if you don’t appreciate this movie at least it has only been an hour of your life unlike some of today’s movies standing at over two or even three hours long.
Additional
My apologies once again for being slow at writing this blog. I think I have made a new resolution to watch (and blog about) at least one movie every weekend though. But last weekend that new plan went straight out of the window, instead I spent the weekend with two of my best friends in the whole world. One of them is pregnant and it was lovely to see her, I am so happy for her and wishing her all the best. But I’m back now, and hopefully I can keep to this new resolution to be a better blogger.
Outcome
To be honest at the moment I’m not sure. I will watch it again though and hopefully get around to watching His Girl Friday which is on the same disc. But whether or not it will stay permanently in the collection I do not know at the moment.
Genre- Romantic/Comedy/Black and White
Year- 1936
Running Time- 1hr 2 mins
Directed By- Alfred Zeisler
Written By- John L. Balderston and E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel)
Actors- Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 16/20
Plot
Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is a rich young man who is finding his life of plenty boring. He consults a doctor but instead of offering medical based advice to cure Ernest of his melancholy the doctor places a wager with Bliss that he must life without his wealth for a year, living off only what he earns. Can Ernest win his wager?
My Personal Views
So this movie has been in my collection for years, I must have bought it because it was a bargain as it also came with His Girl Friday. Only thing is that I’ve never watched either of these movies in the whole time I’ve had them. I think I’ve had them since I was at University, and I finished at Uni two and half years ago!
So here is my first impression of The Amazing Aventure.
I am a great fan of old movies and I have also watched my fair share of Cary Grant movies over the years so I was actually looking forward to watching this movie and I wasn’t disappointed.
This movie is quick (only 1 hours and 2 minutes long) and holds your attention throughout. It is also the classic format of hidden identity, fall in love, misunderstanding/hidden identity revealed and a happy ending. I LOVE IT. It reminds me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers films or Rock Hudson and Doris Day films which I also love also. I wish I’d seen it sooner to be honest.
Maybe it is not an 'Amazing Adventure’ by comparison to today’s movies but I still really enjoyed it. The acting by everyone involved is also very good. But maybe this movie is not for you if you don’t appreciate older movies or you would rather all black and white movies are made colour. If you are a fan of Cary Grant and black and white movie you should watch this (if you haven’t already). It is no way as compelling as An Affair to Remember but certainly makes a good first impression. With this only being just over an hour long even if you don’t appreciate this movie at least it has only been an hour of your life unlike some of today’s movies standing at over two or even three hours long.
Additional
My apologies once again for being slow at writing this blog. I think I have made a new resolution to watch (and blog about) at least one movie every weekend though. But last weekend that new plan went straight out of the window, instead I spent the weekend with two of my best friends in the whole world. One of them is pregnant and it was lovely to see her, I am so happy for her and wishing her all the best. But I’m back now, and hopefully I can keep to this new resolution to be a better blogger.
Outcome
To be honest at the moment I’m not sure. I will watch it again though and hopefully get around to watching His Girl Friday which is on the same disc. But whether or not it will stay permanently in the collection I do not know at the moment.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
All About Steve
Date watched 16th January 2011
Genre- Romantic/Comedy
Year- 2009
Running Time- 1hr 35 mins
Directed By- Phil Traill
Written By- Kim Barker
Actors- Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church, Ken Jeong et al.
Acting-3/5
Keeping my attention-2/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
“What happens when the girl from The Proposal goes for the guy from The Hangover?”
Kooky Mary (Sandra Bullock), a cruciverbalist, (crossword creator) is set up on a blind date with Steve (Bradley Cooper, a cameraman for a news channel) by her parents. After a few minutes in her company Steve finds that the chatty and clever Mary is maybe a little bit too ‘weird’ for his liking, swiftly making up a news story to go to so he doesn’t have to carry on with this first encounter. Mary, believing she has met the man of her dreams, follows Steve, and the stories he’s covering in hope of having her happily ever after. Along her way she meets an array of sweet but often wacky characters. Will Mary have her happily ever after?
My Personal Views
Well let me tell you what happens when the girl from The Proposal meets the guy from The Hangover. Five Razzie nominations (two of which were wins, one for worst actress for Sandra Bullock and the other for worst on screen couple for Bullock and Cooper).
I will admit that this movie does have flaws, like–
1. Mary verges on the mad and obsessed at moments through the movie
2. Bradley Cooper looks a bit gormless sometimes (but he does have very pretty eyes!)
3. Some of the acting and story isn’t great
4. WHAT’S WITH SANDRA BULLOCK’S HAIR!!!
But I don’t think it was that bad. Sandra Bullock was defiantly better than a Razzie I would say, but then it was not a performance like ‘While you were sleeping’ and definitely not a patch on ‘The Proposal’.
I think that maybe this movie is a bit too long and my mind wondered somewhere in the middle, but saying that it’s only just over an hour and a half long so it perfect romcom length. The problem comes from the last third of the movie being focused on a deaf child, Mary and a mine shaft (you’ll understand if you ever see it). Surely the writer could have come up with some other way of filling this time, but obviously not. And some of the poor acting has to be laid at the door of the writer I think, they can only work with what they have given to them.
Good parts=
• Ken Jung is a good addition playing it very much straight in this (but anything would be straight compared to his character in The Hangover) which gives this a little bit more depth.
• The end is sweet and really ties up the story well.
• And the scene with the horse at the Wild West attraction is really funny.
In all not too bad and not worth all the Razzies, but it does have its moments of weirdness and makes you think ‘why?’. It’s worth a watch if you are a Sandra Bullock fan (I love her work and I pray that I look as good for my age when I’m in my 40s as Sandra Bullock does) or a complete rom com nut like me.
Additional
Apologies for my bad spelling, I was reading some of my old blogs the other day and some of the spelling is atrocious.
Good news, for me anyway. Someone, other than me, has actually read this blog!! Thank you who ever you are. And someone has even referenced the Abduction Club post on IMDB.com, my favourite web site in the whole world, which makes me so proud that my ramblings have made it somewhere in the world. Thank you everyone who may or may not be reading this right now.
Outcome
Staying in the DVD collection. As is Alex and Emma, I forgot to put that in the blog. I’m just out of practice.
Genre- Romantic/Comedy
Year- 2009
Running Time- 1hr 35 mins
Directed By- Phil Traill
Written By- Kim Barker
Actors- Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church, Ken Jeong et al.
Acting-3/5
Keeping my attention-2/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
“What happens when the girl from The Proposal goes for the guy from The Hangover?”
Kooky Mary (Sandra Bullock), a cruciverbalist, (crossword creator) is set up on a blind date with Steve (Bradley Cooper, a cameraman for a news channel) by her parents. After a few minutes in her company Steve finds that the chatty and clever Mary is maybe a little bit too ‘weird’ for his liking, swiftly making up a news story to go to so he doesn’t have to carry on with this first encounter. Mary, believing she has met the man of her dreams, follows Steve, and the stories he’s covering in hope of having her happily ever after. Along her way she meets an array of sweet but often wacky characters. Will Mary have her happily ever after?
My Personal Views
Well let me tell you what happens when the girl from The Proposal meets the guy from The Hangover. Five Razzie nominations (two of which were wins, one for worst actress for Sandra Bullock and the other for worst on screen couple for Bullock and Cooper).
I will admit that this movie does have flaws, like–
1. Mary verges on the mad and obsessed at moments through the movie
2. Bradley Cooper looks a bit gormless sometimes (but he does have very pretty eyes!)
3. Some of the acting and story isn’t great
4. WHAT’S WITH SANDRA BULLOCK’S HAIR!!!
But I don’t think it was that bad. Sandra Bullock was defiantly better than a Razzie I would say, but then it was not a performance like ‘While you were sleeping’ and definitely not a patch on ‘The Proposal’.
I think that maybe this movie is a bit too long and my mind wondered somewhere in the middle, but saying that it’s only just over an hour and a half long so it perfect romcom length. The problem comes from the last third of the movie being focused on a deaf child, Mary and a mine shaft (you’ll understand if you ever see it). Surely the writer could have come up with some other way of filling this time, but obviously not. And some of the poor acting has to be laid at the door of the writer I think, they can only work with what they have given to them.
Good parts=
• Ken Jung is a good addition playing it very much straight in this (but anything would be straight compared to his character in The Hangover) which gives this a little bit more depth.
• The end is sweet and really ties up the story well.
• And the scene with the horse at the Wild West attraction is really funny.
In all not too bad and not worth all the Razzies, but it does have its moments of weirdness and makes you think ‘why?’. It’s worth a watch if you are a Sandra Bullock fan (I love her work and I pray that I look as good for my age when I’m in my 40s as Sandra Bullock does) or a complete rom com nut like me.
Additional
Apologies for my bad spelling, I was reading some of my old blogs the other day and some of the spelling is atrocious.
Good news, for me anyway. Someone, other than me, has actually read this blog!! Thank you who ever you are. And someone has even referenced the Abduction Club post on IMDB.com, my favourite web site in the whole world, which makes me so proud that my ramblings have made it somewhere in the world. Thank you everyone who may or may not be reading this right now.
Outcome
Staying in the DVD collection. As is Alex and Emma, I forgot to put that in the blog. I’m just out of practice.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Alex and Emma
Date watched 18th December 2010
Genre- Romantic/Comedy
Year- 2003
Running Time- 1hr 32 mins
Directed By- Rob Reiner
Written By- Jeremy Leven
Actors- Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson, David Paymer, Sophie Marceau et al.
Acting-3/5
Keeping my attention-3/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 4/6
Total 13/20
Plot
Alex needs to write a book, pay off his gambling debts and win the girl of his dreams. What he hadn’t bargained for was Emma.
Alex (an author, Luke Wilson) and Emma (a stenographer, Kate Hudson) meet when Alex has 30 days to complete his novel in order to pay off his gambling debts to loans sharks. Emma is employed, much against her initial reaction to the situation, by Alex to dictate his book in order for it to be completed on time. Along the way their working relationship develops as the film moves from current day (Alex and Emma writing the book) to the story of the novel involving Adam (also played by Wilson) and his exploits on the island of St Charles as a tutor for the children of glamorous Frenchwoman Polina (Sophie Marceau). Will the novel be completed on time? And is Adam Shipley a complete work of fiction or is there more of Alex’s history in him than first meets the eye?
My Personal Views
The opening credits of this movie pretty much give you an idea of the plot of the movie. Hapless in love man and an unobtainable woman. So what makes this movie different from all the other romantic comedy films out there? What makes this different is the way the story moves between the present, where Alex and Emma are piecing together Alex’s novel, and the world that is the story of the novel, following the life of Adam Shipley and his yearning for his employer, Polina. This gist is actually quite clever and in this movie is well executed. All in all not a bad yarn and it moves quite quickly which makes it easy to sit down and watch.
I originally saw this movie on Sky many years ago but it was only in 2009 (though I might be wrong, but I could always check on my Amazon account) that I actually bought it. Just as good as I remember it all those years ago. Some of the acting and visuals are a bit lack lustre but all in all a good effort on everyone’s behalf.
Oh and some slightly dodgy visual effects. The ones at the end are a bit ‘off’ but the general concept is solid and it was filmed over 8 years ago (it’s amazing how far special effects technology has come along since then).
I will admit that it’s a little bit middle of the pile in terms of all the romantic comedies out there but it is definitely worth a watch if you like these kinds of movies. Which isn’t just girls, I lived with a guy at University was very into ‘chick flicks’, and before you even think it, he was not (and is not) gay. A score of 13 out of 20 maybe reflects that (not my flat mate liking chick flicks but that it is worth a watch).
Additional
In personal news, things are eventually on the up. My Grandpa had a scan of his lungs and the doctors think that if it is cancer then it is very small and not likely to kill him before something else does (he is in his late 80s after all), but the doctors will keep an eye on it. Also good news for my grandparents’ next door neighbour, her doctors think her cancer might be shrinking on her cocktail of drugs, it’s not a cure but it might buy her more time with her family and friends. Still wishing them all the best though.
Sorry it took so long to post this but with flu spreading through my house like wild fire over Christmas and New Year and the Holidays in general (plus my birthday!) it has been a bit of a nightmare finding any time to write.
Since watching this film, and sorry it took so long to write the review and post, Kate Hudson has announced that she is expecting a baby. Congratulations to Kate and her family.
Happy New Year to you all.
xx
Genre- Romantic/Comedy
Year- 2003
Running Time- 1hr 32 mins
Directed By- Rob Reiner
Written By- Jeremy Leven
Actors- Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson, David Paymer, Sophie Marceau et al.
Acting-3/5
Keeping my attention-3/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 4/6
Total 13/20
Plot
Alex needs to write a book, pay off his gambling debts and win the girl of his dreams. What he hadn’t bargained for was Emma.
Alex (an author, Luke Wilson) and Emma (a stenographer, Kate Hudson) meet when Alex has 30 days to complete his novel in order to pay off his gambling debts to loans sharks. Emma is employed, much against her initial reaction to the situation, by Alex to dictate his book in order for it to be completed on time. Along the way their working relationship develops as the film moves from current day (Alex and Emma writing the book) to the story of the novel involving Adam (also played by Wilson) and his exploits on the island of St Charles as a tutor for the children of glamorous Frenchwoman Polina (Sophie Marceau). Will the novel be completed on time? And is Adam Shipley a complete work of fiction or is there more of Alex’s history in him than first meets the eye?
My Personal Views
The opening credits of this movie pretty much give you an idea of the plot of the movie. Hapless in love man and an unobtainable woman. So what makes this movie different from all the other romantic comedy films out there? What makes this different is the way the story moves between the present, where Alex and Emma are piecing together Alex’s novel, and the world that is the story of the novel, following the life of Adam Shipley and his yearning for his employer, Polina. This gist is actually quite clever and in this movie is well executed. All in all not a bad yarn and it moves quite quickly which makes it easy to sit down and watch.
I originally saw this movie on Sky many years ago but it was only in 2009 (though I might be wrong, but I could always check on my Amazon account) that I actually bought it. Just as good as I remember it all those years ago. Some of the acting and visuals are a bit lack lustre but all in all a good effort on everyone’s behalf.
Oh and some slightly dodgy visual effects. The ones at the end are a bit ‘off’ but the general concept is solid and it was filmed over 8 years ago (it’s amazing how far special effects technology has come along since then).
I will admit that it’s a little bit middle of the pile in terms of all the romantic comedies out there but it is definitely worth a watch if you like these kinds of movies. Which isn’t just girls, I lived with a guy at University was very into ‘chick flicks’, and before you even think it, he was not (and is not) gay. A score of 13 out of 20 maybe reflects that (not my flat mate liking chick flicks but that it is worth a watch).
Additional
In personal news, things are eventually on the up. My Grandpa had a scan of his lungs and the doctors think that if it is cancer then it is very small and not likely to kill him before something else does (he is in his late 80s after all), but the doctors will keep an eye on it. Also good news for my grandparents’ next door neighbour, her doctors think her cancer might be shrinking on her cocktail of drugs, it’s not a cure but it might buy her more time with her family and friends. Still wishing them all the best though.
Sorry it took so long to post this but with flu spreading through my house like wild fire over Christmas and New Year and the Holidays in general (plus my birthday!) it has been a bit of a nightmare finding any time to write.
Since watching this film, and sorry it took so long to write the review and post, Kate Hudson has announced that she is expecting a baby. Congratulations to Kate and her family.
Happy New Year to you all.
xx
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