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.
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