Episode 7

So, here Tis. My thoughts on SW7. How could I not, right? SPOILERS ahead. This is but a capsule review. No doubt there are scads of more detailed ones from my brethren.

Overall 6/10. Now I copped some flack for this from family. Let me break it down:

*8/10 for entertainment factor! But,

*It felt a bit stretched about the 3/4 mark. Some of the action went too long and started to drag. Frankly I got a bit bored and wanted the next scene to just start already!

*Kylo Ren was a great villain... until he unveiled himself.  That creepy voice and stalwart height. But his little tantrums were foreshadowing his ultimate personality. After the unveil he was a petulant teenager (and seriously, when did they have him?? In their 50s???) but I suppose that fits with the Luke/Anakin attitude.  But that just meant we lacked a truly sinister villain :( And I do love those!

I'll concede it was interesting watching a villain trying to pursue a darker side and struggling.  I guess I expected more of a change after killing his father ie really come into his own.  I get that he wouldn't get more powerful because killing his father isn't actually what would make him stronger.  But I also didn't really buy his torment - after all, he had to narrate to a melted helmet to make it clear.

I just wanted a really strong villain :(

* I love love love Rey - especially as a role model for my girls. Great casting and she nailed it.

*Finn irritates me. Nuff said

*Poe was great (damn Oscar be short!) but totally saw comeback coming. If you were trapped in a crashed tie fighter would you be able to take off your jacket? No. He's a hell of a pilot though. Having flown a few tie fighters in Rebel Assault they are NOT built for combat (ironically!). [sigh] I miss that game.

*Was disappointed Luke (still my favourite) was just a McGuffin but understand why it had to be that way

*ADORE BB-8 (the thumbs up! GOLD)

*Loved and respected the fact that it looked and felt more true to the original trilogy i.e. creature shop not CGI

*And what the hell was with Domnhall Gleeson's character?  I would've bought it had he been an older Tarkin-type but he lacked gravitas. Also he just seemed like such a dick I reckon some underling would've pushed him off a platform by now!?!? 

*Can't believe I'm saying this but pleased Han Solo died. I couldn't see scope for further character development. And we all remember what happened to Indiana Jones when they tried to ressurrect that beloved character!! Better a quick death now than a loooong strung out death at the box office ;)

It was all these factors that dropped my rating down to a 6.  I was on the verge of a 7 but the fact that they couldn't resist setting up a sequel shits me.  The original film was self contained even though Lucas had a trilogy in mind!!! What is it with the money-men having to lock in that next audience...? Oh right, asked and answered. But this is Star Wars!! The audience IS already locked in and guaranteed to pay!

My sister pointed out that what I've said is it was too much like the original film but not enough like the original film? Yes, I'm exactly that contrary!

The film does seem better in retrospect due in great part to the interviews and tv spots I've since watched. But for me a film must be judged on its own, by performances and cinematic skill, and not by how much I like the actors as people or the marketing gimmicks and junket performances arranged for them! That being said, you must check this out:

https://youtu.be/ZTLAx3VDX7g

And yes, I welled up as the crawl began to climb!

Not your average hostage situation

I'm at Bruce Willis fan. There. I said it.

But my most favourite of his films from recent years is, not surprisingly, not the latest die hard movies (in spite of how much I loved the first ones). It is in fact a little known film call Hostage. 

This is not your average cops & robbers action thriller and to say any more would spoil the twist that makes this so watchable!  Suffice it to say it's definitely worth a look, particularly for the excellent performances from both Ben Foster and Kevin Pollack. Foster's portrayal of the damaged, skeevie juvenile delinquent Marshall is chilling.

NSFK, definitely deserves its MA 15+ rating!

Movie poster mash up

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hunting around for ways to funk up our household I came across these creative beauties on Pinterest.

There are some fantastical minds out there!

Congratulations Cate!!

It's about time too!!

Now we just have to get Glenn Close, Amy Adams and Ed Harris sorted!

Doppelgänger

Ever mix these two up before?

Richard Riehle 

Brian Doyle Murray

Charming festive fare

With the silly season upon us there are plenty of Xmas flicks out there and any number of lists you can refer to (including one on this blog). But when I need a bit of a lift during the rest of the year I tend to reach for The Holiday. Sometimes you just really need a Hollywood ending!

It has that British Romcom charm but the less than sly self referential humour that can only be American writing.

Now my adoration and respect for Kate Winslet is well documented and Cameron Diaz has comic timing rarely found in Hollywood starlets anymore. I don't really get the whole Jude Law thing but I liked him in spite of myself here. But it was delightful to see Jack Black given a proper romantic lead that doesn't involve Gwyneth in a fat suit. And who doesn't love Rufus Sewell as a villain!

Ps - This movie is also responsible for my adoration of the plummy kid accents in Peppa Pig "you don't like tents?"

The Holiday

Plot: two women, one Brit one Yank, looking to escape from their own personal dramas by swapping houses for the festive season end up finding out things about themselves instead.

Cast: Kate Winslet (The Reader), Cameron Diaz (Knight & Day), Jude Law (Gattaca), Jack Black (School of Rock)

Like this? Check out

Tara Road

While you were sleeping

Notting Hill

Love Actually

To market

Despite my keen adoration for all things film, I still have to bring in some dough to pay for things like, well bread. I am a marketer day to day. Now there are hundreds of films about cops, even more about lawyers and spies. There aren't too many about filmmakers but there's even less about marketing and those that there are are hardly complimentary your Highness ;)

But when I first saw this week's flick I was entranced for I know, and have worked with, kings and queens of spin. They're not optimists, nor pessimists. They don't see the glass half empty or full. They just want to make sure you buy more glasses and fill it with more of their product, edible or not, carcinogenic or not!

Yet this film takes that characteristic and flogs the shit out of it, with so much tongue in cheek it may choke. It's witty, vivacious and wry. And it has a terrific cast lead incontrovertibly by the excellent Aaron Eckhart and is helmed by the director of acclaimed film including Juno and Up in the Air.

Check out...

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

Plot: Nick Naylor is the king of spin and his client is big tobacco.  Can he spin his own moral responsibilities when his own son questions them?

Cast: Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight), JK Simmons (Juno), Cameron Bright (Birth), William H Macy (The Lincoln Lawyer), Robert Duvall (Gone in 60 Seconds), Mario Bello (A History of Violence), David Koechner (Anchorman), Rob Lowe (The West Wing)

Watch the trailer

Doppelgängers - part deux

A new addition to the doppelgänger list

Original post:

People often confuse actors with other actors and it's not hard to see why, even without the makeup, prostheses and camera tricks and lighting! Here are some common mistaken identities... Can you think of others?

Here fishy fishy fishy

Rarely does a film that revolves around Britain's relationship with the Middle East completely lack any connotations or references to war or terror or the impact of these things.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the beacon for fresh ideas, ie not from the freezer section ;)

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Plot: A Fisheries expert reluctantly agrees to assist a Sheik and his liaison with an unusual project after the prime minister's pushy press secretary insists it offers positive PR potential.

Cast: Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Ep I), Emily Blunt (Young Victoria), Kristen Scott Thomas (Easy Virtue), Tom Mison (Sleepy Hollow)

Money money money

Ok so finance ain't exactly my bag. Thank goodness for excel spreadsheets or my savings account would bleed red like a Tarantino film.

But I just had to add my voice to the many many many strong reviews of this week's film. A superb screenplay brought to life with Excellent performances and crisp direction. Really this should be in the horror section when you consider the terrifying consequences for everyone at the end of this story. For your consideration...

Margin Call

Plot: 24 hrs before what would become the GFC, three investment bankers predicted the fall. What did their employer do with that information?

Cast: Stanley Tucci (Easy A), Zacchary Quinto (Star Trek), Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl), Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Kevin Spacey (American Beauty), Demi Moore (Charlie's Angels Full Throttle), Paul Bettany (Wimbledon), Jeremy Irons (Die Hard w a Vengeance)

Watch the trailer

Legal stock n trade

I have a confession... I don't always get popular films. I simply do not understand a need for applause lauded for the Appatows and Farrelys Bros of the modern movie experience. I guess half the problem is these movies are often oversold by friends to such a degree that my expectations are simply too high when I see them - not that they were that high to begin with ;) 

Hopefully I didn't just lose half my followers!? The Coen Bros are another pair whose style is pretty hit and miss with me. I either LOVE their flicks or am bored within minutes of openings credits. However since working for a law firm, my appreciation for one of my favourite Coen Bros has only intensified. 

Plus you can see Clooney at his best, before he started flogging coffee capsules. I encourage you to revisit....

Intolerable Cruelty

Plot: Miles, the best divorce attorney in well, ever has met his match in 'wronged wife' Marylin.

Cast: Catherine Zeta Jones (No Reservations), George Clooney (3 Kings), Paul Adelstein (Prison Break), Geoffrey Rush (Elizabeth), Billy Bob Thornton (love actually)


Watch the trailer

Serendipity?

Before Ironman and Kiss Kuss Bang Bang resurrected Robert Downey Jnr he got stuck in schmaltz. And who better to be stuck there with than the lovely Marisa Tomei. For some reason this film has always stuck in my head and after introducing a friend to it today, I just had to share it with you too.

Only You

Plot: As a girl a Ouija board reveals to Faith the name of her future beloved. Just days before her wedding, she discovers her fiancée has a friend with that very name! She impulsively follows him to Italy with her sensible sister in law to find the man she is meant to be with... And find him she does... Or does she?

Cast: Marisa Tomei (Crazy Stupid Love), Robert Downey Jnr (The Avengers), Bonnie (Cheaper by the Dozen), Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit)

Watch the trailer

http://youtu.be/zLrqyfkXt_A

Like this? See

Wimbledon

One Fine Day

While You Were Sleeping

Sweeping scenery and a love story to match

To celebrate the birthday of my gorgeous sister, here is my review of her favourite film.

It's an oldie but a goodie and packs an all star cast including a not so well known Colin Firth. For all the heroes he plays, he's quite the villain and visa versa for Ralph Fiennes! It's interesting how people's impression of an actor is derived from their first experience of them. Now you may see someone in many movies but they don't make an impact on you until a particular role stands out. In fact, I adore watching older movies and looking for actors in small roles who are now well known - I'm looking at you Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank! But I digress...

As such there seems to be a real divide in how people feel about Fiennes. Some really love him as a sweetheart. Others think his cold black heart should freeze in hell. It's because despite beibg around long before, filmgoers of the nineties strongest encounters with him were either The English Patient (the nice guy) or Schindler's List (the really bad guy). And a whole new generation of kids is being terrified by him as Harry Potter's He Who Must Not Be Named!

Likewise, this was the role that would move Kristin Scott Thomas from the friend in Four Weddings and a Funeral to leading lady.

Either way, stellar performances and a tight script with stunning cinematography  makes this well worth revisiting. I mean, come on, it won 9 Oscars including Best Picture!

Check out...

The English Patient

Plot: As the end is nigh for WWII, a nurse cares for a man badly burned who recounts his astonishing tale.

Cast: Ralph Fiennes (The Reader), Kristin Scott Thomas (Easy Virtue), Juliette Binoche (Chocolat), Naveen Andrews (Lost), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), Willem Dafoe (The Hunter)

Watch the trailer http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WPKpU14Kqqw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWPKpU14Kqqw

Like this? See

The Power of One

Lawrence of Arabia

Zoology

A lot of people missed this one when it came out in cinemas (myself included) but it’s a really charming comedy about one family’s unusual solution for overcoming hard times. Based on the novel of the same name, Cameron Crowe is back to his excellent best.

I couldn't resist a family movie starring the irrepressible Matt Damon.  He's charismatic, handsome and just a little bit goofy.  

I've never really understood the whole Scarlett Johanssen thing (maybe it's connected to the part of my brain that go for Woody Allen...) but she's pretty good in this, though sidebar - it doesn't ask a lot of her though ;)

But bonus, Angus McFadyen - you may remember him as Braveheart's Robert the Bruce - whom I haven't seen in anything for many years!  And there's plenty of other great supporting cast.

Check out...

We Bought a Zoo

PLOT: Seeking a fresh start, a father moves his young family to the countryside.  Their perfect house comes with an interesting addition to the backyard – a struggling zoo and its staff.

CAST: Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity), Scarlett Johannson (The Avengers), Thomas Hayden Church (Sideways), Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous)

Watch the trailer

Like this? See:

• The Best Marigold Hotel
• Life As We Know It
• A Far Off Place

TRIVIA: The REAL Benjamin Mee and his family are in the final scenes!

Saved

I love a good high school movie. Not your average Ron com mind you though they have their place, but something clever which really captures that uniquely shared experience that was one's formative years.

This is not your typical high school film. So much so it experienced poor WOM referral upon its release when people misinterpreted its genre!

But I love its sardonic wit and the way it playfully holds a mirror up to those bullies who drape themselves in the cloak of cause.

I highly recommend...

Saved

Plot: When a naive teenage girl falls pregnant, the notices parallels between her life and the parables taught at her evangelical high school confuse her.

Cast: Jena Malone (Pride & Prejudice), Macaulay Culkin (My Girl), Mandy Moore (American Dreamz), Patrick Fugit (We Bought A Zoo)

Watch the trailer

Like this? See

Easy A

Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion

Brick

Ten things I Hate About You 

Who are you really?

I know I'm binging a bit on the thrillers at the moment but sometimes we all need a bit of a prod to get the adrenaline going.

And seriously what a cast!!

I'm hesitant to give too much away about this except to say it all comes down to ten strangers, a rundown motel in the middle of nowhere (but of course!), a dark and stormy night (it had to be right?!) and a mystery that binds them... Cue the creepy soundtrack and creaking door!

Turn out the lights and scare yourself silly with...

Identity 

Plot: Ten strangers, stranded at a run down motel in the middle of a violent storm begin mysteriously disappearing. What connects these endangered travellers?

Cast: John Cusack (Con Air), Amanda Peet (Studio 60), Clea Duvall (Canivale), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Alfred Mollina (Chocolat), John C McGinley (Scrubs), Rebecca de Mornay (The Hand that Rocks the Cradle), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Trapped)

Watch the trailer

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S8fjyxM7DgU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DS8fjyxM7DgU

Like this? See

Trapped

The Sixth Sense

The Machinist

Runaway Jury

A worldly woman

I stumbled across this one night screening on free to air tv and wondered why it didn't catch my attention earlier. Now there's every possibility I saw Nicole Kidman and simply dismissed it as I usually find her irritating. Yes, I know it's very unpatriotic of me but you must admit she was consistently annoying for awhile there! 

This however actually changed my mind about Kidman. To hold her own with the likes of Penn and Keener she'd have to have some substance on screen... Here she actually does a pretty good job though the accent waxes and wanes a bit. I found thus a thoroughly entertaining thriller with a few unexpected turns here and there along the way. Even if you have no interest in international relations you should check out...

The Interpreter

Plot: An interpreter at the UN inadvertently overhears someone plotting  an assassination but the secret service agent assigned to protect her believes there's more to her than meets the eye.

Cast: Nicole Kidman (The Hours), Sean Penn (Milk), Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich)

Watch the trailer 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uCuqGhfr5Ak&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuCuqGhfr5Ak

Like this? See

The Game

The Machinist

Playin' around

Thrillers are a bit of a mixed bag since what thrills varies from person to person.  Some people consider horror to fit in the category while others are thrilled merely by the presence of a favourite actor.

But a thriller should be spine tingling but rely on twists and turns in the plot ie good writing to generate the thrill without being overly gory. Thrillers are an absolute favourite of mine but it's rare these days to get a truly decent one... Often the plot twists become so predictable they're basically straight lines!!

So cast your dvd net back to a time when John Grisham was peaking in popularity and you 'didn't see that coming'. Personally I'm not a big fan of Mr Douglas. Much like Jonathan Rhys Meyers, I feel he's best when his character leaches smarminess or sleaze. In this, he works. Sean Penn is another actor whom I greatly admire but don't really like. Here he is far from the perfect brother... or is he?

Check out...

THE GAME

Plot: What do you get the man who has everything? Wealthy financier Nicholas finds out when his brother unexpectedly gives him a unique birthday experience - live action gaming - which ultimately consumes his life!

Cast: Michael Douglas (A Perfect Murder), Sean Penn (Milk)

Dir: David Fincher (Se7en)

Watch the trailer

Like this? See

• Identity
• The Machinist

Bringing up baby

I like Samantha Mathis. She kind of dropped off the old radar but I rewatch older stuff with her in it and can't think why. Granted she's a bit frothy but still, charming. I remember this as being poorly marketed, the ugly British cousin of 3 Men & a Baby, and yet ultimately worth a watch. Perhaps I just enjoyed Grant's floundering first attempts at fatherhood! 

I particularly loved the concerned and ultimately brave grandparents in this including the irrepressible Dame Judi Dench. And Ian 'Gandalf' McKellan is delightful as the not so qualified butler lol!

Check out...

JACK & SARAH

CAST Richard E Grant (Withnail & I), Samantha Mathis (Broken Arrow)

PLOT A devastated man is left holding the baby when his wife dies in childbirth. Enter an easy going, American, waitress/nanny to breathe of new life into the situation.

No girls allowed

When it comes to Shakespeare, you can be a purist , a modernist or just a big fan. I can be all three! In fact my daughter is named for a vivacious young woman in Twelfth Night. I adore modern interpretations (when done well) but occasionally prefer original treatment. Indeed Luhrmann's R+J is about the only one of his films I can stomach. (I mean I get his style, I just don't like it!) 

But I have a caveat... Gwyneth. Now you all know my feelings about her stealing an Oscar from our Cate over a decade ago. (And if you don't I'll spare you... this time!)

Well, not too long after Shakespeare allegedly fell in love with a scamp of a lady, the actors famed for his female roles such as Desdemona and Juliet were ousted by their female counterparts. Stripped of all masculinity, these great men not only lost themselves in their roles but then themselves when that very livelihood was also stripped from them!!

This tells the tale of one such man and the woman who may yet take everything from him.

This has a superb cast and the sets and costumes are just gorgeous! Crudup is sensational, the very model of androgyny. And long before she was an Emmy winning Homeland analyst, Danes proved  she was more than just the girl who played Juliet. And Rupert Everett is, as ever, a rompy delight!

I highly recommend...

Stage Beauty

PLOT: When the first actresses begin to grace stages across London, the impact on 'female' actors is heavy. What will become of them and do the actresses who replaced them possess talent or mere shock factor?

CAST: Billy Crudup (Almost Famous), Claire Danes (Homeland), Rupert Everett (St Trinian's).

Watch the trailer

Like this? See

• Shakespeare in Love
• Twelfth Night
• O