Sock it to Me...

OMG!! I can't wait wait WAIT for this!! Looks so good! And Emily Browning all grown up. Wow.

Put 1st April in your diary. I'll see you at Cineworld.

Image from empireonline - thanks.

Drugs Are Bad M'Kay...?

The Basketball Diaries (Scott Kalvert, 1995)

Another evening in, another astoundingly good performance from young Leo di C. I might be getting a bit obsessed with that boy. Basketball Diaries is the ultimate cautionary tale on the dangers of drug abuse. And, man, it was dark! Not quite so dark as Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky, 2000) of course... Now that really is THE ultimate cautionary tale... if it was, I wouldn’t be writing this blog; I’d be hiding under the bed.

Based on a true story, this is the tragedy of young Jim Carroll, a promising basketball champ at an oppressive Catholic School in NY. The opening half-hour features a slightly-predictable smorgasbord of run-o’-the-mill priestly/PE teacherly abuses, boys running amok like they own the place, but meaning no real harm, and one too many slo-mo dunks, just so you know HOW good at basketball our young hero is.

Naturally, things then begin to darken, beginning with some mild experimentation with pills, sex and snorting something out of tissues (my drug knowledge is not so hot!)... it follows a familiar trajectory as he disappears down the rabbit hole and heroin gradually rips his life apart. Before he hits rock bottom, Jim manages to be fired from the basketball team, quit school, be chucked out of home by his poor mother, to then turn to a life of crime and prostitution to fund his habit. Oh, and then he goes to prison.

Although rather harrowing and perhaps a little cliched, this is an excellent film, that really packs a punch, delivering it’s message without ever resorting to condescension, nor without losing sight of the fact you’re meant to be at least slightly entertained. The central pillar supporting the quality here is the sheer wealth of skilled performances on show. Not just from di Caprio, who is mind-blowingly, horribly convincing here… it’s a veritable who’s-who of young acting talent… Juliette Lewis as a local prostitute, Marky Mark Whalburg as the fellow spiraller, but without the heart of gold (he doesn’t just mug old ladies, he kicks them while they’re down too, the bastard). Best of all, it features a cold-turkey intervention courtesy of Reggie - played by the fourth Ghostbuster himself (Ernie Hudson, of course).

As one might expect (and hope), in the end, Carroll gets clean and devotes the last scene (and an unfortunate ‘curtain’ hair-cut) to some inspirational theatre/public speaking, cataloging the dangers of his 'dope-head' lifestlye, just in case the warning wasn’t hammered home hard enough.

In short, a Good (capital G), worthy and challenging film, but not exactly a Friday-nighter.

Image from IGN.com - with thanks

Best News of the Year so Far...

Oh yes! Rumour (being the Empire website) has it that the wonderful Elijah Wood will be reprising his role of Frodo Baggins in Jackson's forthcoming Hobbit films.

Obviously, as a fan of Tolkien's original works, I'll interested to see exactly where dear Frodo will feature in this story that played out in Middle Earth before he was born! The most sensible suggestion I've read online is that his appearance will act as a sort of framing device, with Frodo narrating from Bilbo's account of "There and Back Again" which as we all remember features as a handwritten tome, completed by Frodo and passed on to Sam, in Return of the King (2003).

However it's done, I have every faith that Jackson et. al. won't be in such Bad Taste (get it?!) as to shoehorn him into the actual tale of the Hobbit, where he most certainly does not belong.

Production is due to start this year, release in 2012. I might actually wet myself with excitement. Apologies.
Image from meltedreelonline.com - thanks

Thoughts on (most of) our Cinematic 2010

When I say most of, I mean 'since I last bothered to post anything on here in March'. Here goes:

Top 3 Films of the Year:
- Shutter Island (Martin Scorsese, 2010) - as amazing as I hoped - intense, brooding, beautifully shot, brilliantly soundtracked, I loved it. I was on the edge of my seat throughout. I've been in love with Leo since I was a 14 year old girl (Titanic of course), but now I can respect him as an actor as well! What fun!

- The Brothers Bloom (Rian Johnson, 2010) - I am literally in love with this film. And everyone in it. Rachel Weisz and Adrien Brody on screen at the same time? - Be still my beating heart! A very-blackly funny conman caper, smart, witty and gorgeously bittersweet. Brothers Bloom was everything I love in a film. Bang on quirky indie. This is the stuff that makes life worth living. And no I would not like to rein that it at all : )


- Inception (Christoper Nolan, 2010) - Oh, what to say that hasn't been said?! This is one of the best films I have EVER seen. I was astounded at just how good it was. The performances are faultless, the cinematography mind-blowing, it swallows you whole and you can't escape even once the credits roll. Both the audience and the characters have no final sense of what is real, what is possible, I love films that end with that sort of argue-about-it-in-the-pub ambiguity. And you actually have to concentrate, not a patronising bit of exposition in sight. In short, like the Matrix of it's time, but with everything the Matrix was missing - e.g. character, competent scripting, non-boring use of slow-mo etc...


Worst 3 Films of the Year:
- Clash of the Titans (Louis Leterrier, 2010) - walking... walking... walking... overdone set-piece... walking... walking... walking... giant scorpions... walking... you get the idea. Gemma Arterton is very pretty though.

- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Mike Newell, 2010) - too much sand, a few giant cliches, a bit of hamming. Not a lot else. Gemma Arterton is very pretty though.

- RED (Robert Schwentke, 2010) - This film stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren. And it's sh*t. How is that even possible?! What horrible alternate reality are we living in?! Most offensive is the film-school-101 cinematography in the opening scene - it has to be seen to be believed. Has anyone sniper-d Schwentke yet? If not, I'll get on it.


Films I've watched but were so unamazing I have no recollection of what happened in them:
Angels and Demons (Ron Howard, 2009)
The International (Tom Tykwer, 2009)
Night at the Museum 2 (Shawn Levy, 2009)
New Moon (Chris Weitz, 2009)


Other Films I Hated:
- The Mist (Frank Darabont, 2007) - honestly, this guy directed Shawshank?!
- Fermat's Room (Luis Piedrahita, Rodrigo Sopena, 2007) - Disappointing Maths Horror. Now there's a sentence.



Other Films I have Seen and Liked/Loved:
- Fantastic Mr Fox (Wes Anderson, 2009) - see it now if you haven't coz it's bloody brilliant! I saw this on a flight to Dubai, then bought the DVD and have watched it about 6 times this year, it really is that good and benefits repeat viewing. If you're not an Anderson fan, it just might turn you. If you are, why the cuss haven't you seen it already?! Get on it!


- Kick Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010) - obviously, this kicked ass. Excellent fun, ace scripting (Jane Goldman gets cooler every year), and bless Chloe Moretz, she's a little legend. I must question though what it takes for a film to be an 18 cert these days? Kick Ass was a 15 and I saw someone get tasered, I saw sex in a alley, I saw a man on fire (for ages), I saw a little girl get kicked in the face, said little girl even dropped the C-bomb and STILL a 15?! I mean really! What will Daily Mail readers think the world is coming to?!

- The Frighteners (Peter Jackson, 1996) - this has been a favourite of mine for about 10 years, but still deserves a mentions because it is so AMAZING! And my boyfriend thought it was crap - he is WRONG. This film rocks!

- Role Models (David Wain, 2008) - SO much better than it looks, towards the top of the 'Bromance' pile.

- Atonement (Joe Wright, 2007) - I previously avoided this film on the expectation that it would just make me cry and cry. Well I was right, I cried and cried, but it was totally worth it. Beautiful.

- Drag Me to Hell (Sam Raimi, 2009) - ignore Spiderman, Raimi's still got the touch. Too much chin sucking though, the mad old cow.

- What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Lasse Hallstrom, 1993) - turns out I could have been respecting Leo as an actor all along! This is one of those wonderful 'small' films that concerns itself with one family, one town, one way of life, and in that says so much about the human condition, our universal joys and sorrows. I thought this was grand.

- In the Loop (Armando Iannucci, 2009) - fast paced, sparky, crackling with wit and finally, finally... someone in the word that swears more than me. It had to happen eventually.

- Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988) - a true classic, and a crime I've not seen it before. This is a gorgeous film - cinema for cinephiles.

- In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) - so so so much better than it looked. With the most unique joy of hearing Voldemort saying "Is he having a poo or a wee?" - comedy gold.

- Monsters (Gareth Edwards, 2010) - deserves the hype. Really nicely done. A monster-movie that's about anything but, a real slow-burner this, but it will have you before the (slightly abrupt) end.

- Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Jalmari Helander, 2010) - delightfully mad Finnish kids-horror about the original and evil Santa Claus. With naked old dudes. Yes, you heard correctly. Haven't giggled this much in ages - go see. It's bonkers and brilliant.


Best Unusual Cinematic Experience of the Year Award:
Runner up - Guillermo del Toro all-nighter at the IMAX - 3 films back-to-back starting at 11pm - great night, lots of free tea. Films shown - Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and Hell Boy 2. Intended to be hosted by the man himself, but he had to cancel at the last minute. Had he been there for real, this would have been the winner.
And the Oscar goes to - One-night screening of Night of the Living Dead at a 'pop-up' cinema, Cineroleum, in a disused petrol station in Clerkenwell - excellent fun! Complete with bar, penny sweets, dry ice and zombie staff - original entertainment - there's a novelty!
Random thoughts for the year:
- Is anyone else so OVER 3D?! I hate it! PG rating - that's Pointless Gimic.

- The time might have finally come for me to get over my no-TV-snobbery and admit that films aren't automatically better just because they're films, and in conjunction, that not all TV is mindless bilge. I've still yet to foray into watching any actual TV yet though. Except Masterchef, but that so doesn't count.

- HP7 part one was a monster letdown. I reckon part two is gonna storm it though.

If you're still reading. Well done. It's over. Go and have a cake or something.


Images half-inched from:
screencrave.com
allmoviephoto.com
bloodygoodhorror.com

With thanks.

Resolutions

Howdy folks.

So, a new year is upon us and in addition to the traditional year-in-year-out Resolutions (these of course being - spend less, eat better, exercise more, be nicer), I am also resolving to get back on this blog. I don't anticipate this will last more than a couple of months, I have a profoundly short 'interest' span, but I shall do my best.

Review of our cinematic 2010 to follow, watch this space and all that.

Image from dailymail.com (i feel dirty)

The Great Day is Upon Us

This is jinxing it for sure, but this evening, in nary a few hours, we're going to see Shutter Island - at long last! Goody good hooray hurrah, etc.


Image from thephoenix.com - ta!

Bourne in the Middle E-E-East

See what I did there?

Yep, you guessed it, we went to see Green Zone and it was Bourne in Iraq. Well, to backtrack, we WENT to see Shutter Island, but obviously it's not out til Friday. I seem to have experienced a genuine hallucination when checking the Cineworld website yesterday morning, which resulted in me strolling up to the counter and chirpily asking for "Two for Shutter Island please" only to be met with a confused-but-friendly face and "Oh, dat ain't out til Fri-dy, looks well good tho". So, I felt like a spoon, and we saw Green Zone instead.

So... I can't say I was disappointed, but I wasn't blown away either. Essentially, lots of wobbly camera, and guns, some slightly-confusing-conspiracies and Matt Damon (bless him) yelling "where are the WMDs?!?" over and over again. I enjoyed it, but the most interesting thing about it was how blatantly it waved it's conspiracy theories around... Now as a left-leaning liberal type person, I of course completely believe that the Bush administration (with a little lap-dogging from our side of the pond), fabricated the idea of WMDs in Iraq (or nuclear weapons, as they used to be called before we became the planet of the apes) in order to justify a war, the real motivations of which were probably regime-change, oil, arms-manufacture-based profiteering and a bit of 9/11 scape-goatery. We know this to be true. But to make a mainstream Hollywood film about it, and treat it like a regular conspiracy thriller (as if we're not still there, as if this still isn't going on), well, Greengrass, that's interesting. I'm not sure I can draw a conclusion on that actually, so will leave this paragraph hanging...

Unfortunately, no matter how much I might have enjoyed the film, I'm always left with the same slightly nauseous and confused feeling I get after watching any film that touches on Iraq (the considerably more masterful Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2009) included)... the feeling that we nobody's a good guy, nobody's a bad guy and there's nothing anyone can bloody do about it. We've made a dirty great mess of the whole thing, and it just makes me want to cry. Apologies for being such a total girl about it, but it's just the way I feel. So, am I recommending this film? As usual, I'm sure you can't tell, and neither can I. I think probably yes. I'll say, 'not bad'. And 'I wasn't bored', but that's about it.

Image from filmofilia.com (with thanks)