Tuesday, 3rd February 2009
Posted in Life, Movies, Pastimes
at 19:48
by Rob
What to do with a couple of days off work? Well they were not a complete waste time off work… there was a reason but that was last night and today I was kicking my heels.
So it took me to chatting to a mate on messenger this morning that reminded me I wanted to go to the movies. I used to love going to the movies, even on my tod, but on the darker nights it is just easy to get into a habit of going home from work and doing very little.
So Twilight. I had read a bit out this teenage vampire flick and being a vamp flick it sparked my interest. Although I had never heard of the books before the film (there are 4 or 5 now I believe), I have since come to understand that they are better sellers in the US than the UK.
I was just going for a movie to watch really, but I found the whole thing very absorbing and was surprised by the fact. There were a couple of moments when I cringed back at a bad aspect or line, but for the most I was involved all the way.
There have been a rash of these types of movies ever since Harry Potter hit the screens, but here is the kicker; I found Twilight more interesting and captivating than Mr Potters adventures. Maybe he suffers from the movies not living up to the books (as in the majority I don’t believe they can) and I did not know the story of Bella and Edward.
I didn’t feel it fell into the trap of being too teenage; there were moments of Dawson’s Creek anguish but mostly it was a darkly played to a very good result.
My only question now is if I do take up Mr Borders offer of 3 for 2 on the book and the next one? The brief review of the book have read this afternoon suggests it can be wordy and verbose; may the book be too Dawson’s? That might spoil my enjoyment. Maybe just an afternoon in Mr Borders Emporium with a mug of coffee and a couple of chapters to test it out……
…. oh and I am going to go back to the movies more often…. I have Cineworld card for a reason!
Permalink
Monday, 2nd October 2006
Posted in Movies
at 23:47
by Rob
The Queen
This is a strange movie to me, I don’t know if I have ever watched a movie about an event that I remember clearly, like the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Because of this, to me, it really felt as if you were actually watching known actions and discussions, and I found that in that aspect it was totally immersing and absorbing. Helen Mirren, as the Queen, is ultimately believable and watchable and portrays Elizabeth the Second as woman who has her own issues that are never truly explored, merely hinted at.
However the matter and materials are a bit thin, only a few people know what was going on in the Royal House at that time and they are not for talking. Which this movie a stab in the dark.
Some people didnt come off that well in the movie, Cherie Blair for one. She was played to be odious and somewhat rude and bitter. Now maybe she is, i dont know but the protrayal will do nothing to boost her flagging popularity with the general british people. Tony on the other hand came off well…… Is this just big screen media spin for 2006?
If anything the Charles character was probably under presented, and when he was he was a bit of an appeaser to Mr Blair, wanting to be seen by the public as a peoples man and not very principled. From what you see about Charles in the press, i never got that impression and I also wonder where they got the bit about his fear about being shot…… (the motorcycle at Balmoral was just a crap bit)
Overall I found it very watchable and would recommend this one. It is not heavy or purposful. Nor does have any thrills or revelations about Diana, or the Royal family for that matter, but it sheds a light on what could have been happening in Balmoral and in the Queen’s thoughts for those few silent days in August…… her drivers (it even touches on the history of a girl who became Queen of a country not long out of a devistating war and was, as the typical britsih family was at that time, pretty emotionless on the surface) and the circumstances (Diana had not endeared herself in her last final years and seemed to revel in causing some kind of pain to the “establishment”)……. and if nothing else it pokes some fun at the Duke of Edinburgh for being a silly old fart and the Queen Mother as being a bit of doddery lush……
Permalink
Sunday, 23rd April 2006
Posted in Movies
at 12:35
by Rob
Scary Movie 4
What can I say about this movie…… well it was someone else choice……………
Is that enough? Well okay there may have been the briefest of funny moments in what could be described as toilet humour long over due a good flushing.
Time to kill off this movie franchise!
Permalink
Thursday, 30th March 2006
Posted in Movies
at 13:36
by Rob
Transamerica
This one surprised me, for three reasons. Firstly, if it had not been for Falicity Huffman’s superb protrayal of Bree/Stanely and her Oscar nomination, a lot of people would never had heard of this movie – it is not mainstream at all, infact it is a side stream to the side stream that Brokeback would have been without Ang Lee and it’s stars.
Secondly it continues that ‘normal’ protrayal of life that I think most people (americans?) would not view as normal. [I say that as I view america swinging far more to the right these days.]
Thirdly it contains much more that the story of a pre-op transexual. I addresses many issues such as prostitution, drug addiction and denial of self in a careful but humourous way. Bree’s road trip with his [well he is pre-op] son is enlightening to me as how some people can deny all to themselves, yet still want to do some good (however misguided) to the people they are hiding from.
The disfunctional family is superb and describes that conservative america to me, that in a way I fear. However we do seem them won over, in a way, when it comes to the ultimate push and shove. It does well to show that the experience, education can make us accepting and understanding.
Good movie.
Permalink
Tuesday, 14th February 2006
Posted in Movies
at 13:30
by Rob
Final Destination 3
This film is perfect, for those of you wanting to disengage brain and have a few of those wierd laughs when silly teenagers die in exagerated and horrifying ways…….
I must admit that I saw FD1 at the movies (apparently only 6 years ago…. but feels a lot longer) and never even notice FD2 hit the movies. FD3 has the same story but this time on roller coaster insetad of a plane, a bit more gore and a little less on the handsome actor/actress scale…..
Lessons learned; sunbeds…. bad; nail guns…. worse; flying flag poles…. deadly!
But as I said, it was perfect for a Monday evening after it had been an exhausting weekend and rubbish Monday…. mind numbing…. ;oD
Permalink