First things first ladies: this film is a must see, simply just for an hour and a half of Colin Firth, complete with stubble and ruffled hair. Not just easy on the eyes, but he also delivers an entertaining performance. A typical romcom, most of the humour is actually delivered by the less prominent characters; Colin Firth and Britain’s finest Kris Marshall (the cheeky one from My Family). They deliver the one liners that have you chuckling throughout the film. And for the guys – well, we have Jessica Alba playing your not so stereotypical 1920’s lady, whose character is in fact the first female winner of the grand prix. Gorgeous lady who loves her motoring, what more could a man want?
The storyline focuses on a wealthy British family in the 1920’s, the mother of which is proud of the family’s heritage and desperate for her offspring to marry well. But her son John’s surprise marriage to glamorous American Larita whose lifestyle completely contrasts to that of the family’s throws a spanner in the works. Larita tries desperately to fit in and please her new mother-in-law, who is, of course, hard to please, doing all she can to exclude the new wife from the family. Larita realises she must fight back, as both wife and mother are in fear of losing their beloved John. And so begins a battle between the ladies.
OK, so you’re thinking Monster In Law all over again, but across the Atlantic and transported back about 80 years. Not quite. You’re not sure what to expect at first – where will they take the storyline from here? Throw in some unexpected twists and you have more than your average early 20’s drama – deceit, temptation, revenge, defiance, as each character discovers something shocking about themselves that’s been hidden away for years.
If it all sounds a bit lacking in action, or perhaps a bit too soft for you, just consider this: with a rugged Colin Firth as part of the supporting cast, where can you possibly go wrong?
Verdict: 7/10
30 October 2008
27 October 2008
Waltz With Bashir
Directed by Ari Folman
Last week i was exposed for the first time to an Israeli animation- Waltz With Bashir. it depicts the personal story of Ari Folman (the writer, director and producer) who is searching for part of his identity which was supressed in war. As a young soldier fighting in the 1982 Lebanon war, that whole period was missing in his memory- including the disastrous massacre in Beruit.
There is no doubt that I am a big fan of animation and what it stands for in films such as this. Together with the powerful music and aesthetically wonderful images, the audience is pulled into a fantasy world of war- colourful, evocative and almost exciting. There is a distance between you and the reality of it, not unlike what was going on in the minds of the soldiers years after the event. A short recurring scene of soldiers walking naked from the sea, guns slung over their soldiers and faces lifeless, cut, the screaming faces of women and children swarming before you. Folman is trying to place a reality around this fantasy, by talking to his friends and comrades. By the end we have very clear picture of what happened, and the animation only adds to the brutal intensity of the situation. Overall, a brilliant film made by one extremely talented guy with a rare abilty to carry out a purpose.
Last week i was exposed for the first time to an Israeli animation- Waltz With Bashir. it depicts the personal story of Ari Folman (the writer, director and producer) who is searching for part of his identity which was supressed in war. As a young soldier fighting in the 1982 Lebanon war, that whole period was missing in his memory- including the disastrous massacre in Beruit.
There is no doubt that I am a big fan of animation and what it stands for in films such as this. Together with the powerful music and aesthetically wonderful images, the audience is pulled into a fantasy world of war- colourful, evocative and almost exciting. There is a distance between you and the reality of it, not unlike what was going on in the minds of the soldiers years after the event. A short recurring scene of soldiers walking naked from the sea, guns slung over their soldiers and faces lifeless, cut, the screaming faces of women and children swarming before you. Folman is trying to place a reality around this fantasy, by talking to his friends and comrades. By the end we have very clear picture of what happened, and the animation only adds to the brutal intensity of the situation. Overall, a brilliant film made by one extremely talented guy with a rare abilty to carry out a purpose.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Starring: Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, written and directed by Woody Allen.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona, is about two best friends Vicky (Hall), and Cristina (Johansson) who decide to take a summer vacation to Barcelona. Both New-yorkers, Vicky is in the process of writing her thesis on Catalan culture and is engaged to Doug a New-York businessman, whilst Cristina a film writer came along for the ride and to discover who she really is. At the beginning of their visit to Barcelona they attend an art gallery opening, where Cristina sets her eyes on Juan Antonio Gonzalo (Bardem) and learns of the troubles he has with is seemingly crazy wife Maria Elena (Cruz), later that evening JA recognises the two ladies in a restaurant and makes they an offer they can’t refuse, or in the case of Vicky they can refuse. The three go away for a cultural weekend in Oviedo, and it all kick off from there. In true Allen style this film is rather odd yet funny and directed brilliantly, there is a love affair, shooting, and just all together bizzareness that makes his films so distinguished and creative. The cast work really well together and Penelope Cruz has received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in her role for the film.
I recommend it and would give it a 4/5
Review by Christina Renner
Vicky Cristina Barcelona, is about two best friends Vicky (Hall), and Cristina (Johansson) who decide to take a summer vacation to Barcelona. Both New-yorkers, Vicky is in the process of writing her thesis on Catalan culture and is engaged to Doug a New-York businessman, whilst Cristina a film writer came along for the ride and to discover who she really is. At the beginning of their visit to Barcelona they attend an art gallery opening, where Cristina sets her eyes on Juan Antonio Gonzalo (Bardem) and learns of the troubles he has with is seemingly crazy wife Maria Elena (Cruz), later that evening JA recognises the two ladies in a restaurant and makes they an offer they can’t refuse, or in the case of Vicky they can refuse. The three go away for a cultural weekend in Oviedo, and it all kick off from there. In true Allen style this film is rather odd yet funny and directed brilliantly, there is a love affair, shooting, and just all together bizzareness that makes his films so distinguished and creative. The cast work really well together and Penelope Cruz has received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in her role for the film.
I recommend it and would give it a 4/5
Review by Christina Renner
20 October 2008
Burn After Reading
Dir. by Ethan and Joel Coen, starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich
A couple of days after the newest film by the Coen Brothers hit the screens I went to see “Burn After Reading” at the Tynside Cinema. Go and see it!
Brad Pitt and George Clooney are in this one and it is nowhere close to being an Ocean’s film. Clooney is an unfaithful, confused member of the American treasury and Pitt is a personal trainer in a fitness club who seems to have a negative IQ. Tilda Swifton is not as evil as she is in “Narnia” or in “Michael Clayton” but she is one of the more determined characters. These three are just a selection of the A list actors who play parts in this film.
The story of the film revolves around a former CIA agent (John Malkovich) who “quit” (got fired) his job he starts writing his memoires. His wife (Swifton)sleeps around and is planning on getting a divorce. At one point due to dubious reasons some extracts of his memoires fall into the hands of a rather stupid pair of people working in a fitness club. One of them Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) figures CIA material is something good to see in order to get money for a cosmetic surgery. She sleeps around with the same person as the wife of the CIA agent does Harry Pfarrer (Clooney).
The whole film evolves around secrecy, accidents, money and sleeping around with people. It is funny, confusing and one of the films that I am considering to see it again.
Overall opinion: 5/5
Review by Solveig Werner
A couple of days after the newest film by the Coen Brothers hit the screens I went to see “Burn After Reading” at the Tynside Cinema. Go and see it!
Brad Pitt and George Clooney are in this one and it is nowhere close to being an Ocean’s film. Clooney is an unfaithful, confused member of the American treasury and Pitt is a personal trainer in a fitness club who seems to have a negative IQ. Tilda Swifton is not as evil as she is in “Narnia” or in “Michael Clayton” but she is one of the more determined characters. These three are just a selection of the A list actors who play parts in this film.
The story of the film revolves around a former CIA agent (John Malkovich) who “quit” (got fired) his job he starts writing his memoires. His wife (Swifton)sleeps around and is planning on getting a divorce. At one point due to dubious reasons some extracts of his memoires fall into the hands of a rather stupid pair of people working in a fitness club. One of them Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) figures CIA material is something good to see in order to get money for a cosmetic surgery. She sleeps around with the same person as the wife of the CIA agent does Harry Pfarrer (Clooney).
The whole film evolves around secrecy, accidents, money and sleeping around with people. It is funny, confusing and one of the films that I am considering to see it again.
Overall opinion: 5/5
Review by Solveig Werner
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