178 replies to this topic

[Laurie]

OK, so I couldn't spot a thread specifically looking at reviewing films we've just seen, so thought I'd start one. Film is my other passion besides football, and it's what I'm studying and basically what I do with most of my time. Anyway, I tend to try and watch a couple of films each day, often ones I've never seen (the advantages of working at Blockbuster part time whilst I study) and often just some from my extensive collection.

Anyway I know this is a football orientated forum, but I thought why not add a bit of my other interest into it too. So I'll try and post when I've watched a new film, and when I say review I don't mean a massive and in depth analysis, it can be just a star rating or a sentence or two. So please feel free to get involved (Otherwise this is just going to end up being me talking to myself, which can get a little scary!).

[Laurie]

OK, I'll kick off with an Independent American film I watched this morning, called Get Low.


An original story about an old man (Duvall) who has hidden himself away in solitude from the rest of society for four decades. He ventures out to arrange a very strange funeral for himself, but one that will take place whilst he is still alive. Much of the tale seemed a little needless and strung out, but it all came together quite well in the end. Robert Duvall was excellent as the grumpy old man hiding away his emotions and a troubled past, and Sissy Spacek (ie Carrie) was also very strong alongside him as the lead female. Bill Murray adds a different dimension and a wee bit of humour too.

These type of films aren't for everyone, and it wasn't anything spectacular. But the story was a bit different, even if ultimately a tale of an old man seeking redemption isn't especially ground breaking. But good lead performances make it worth a watch.

7/10

[black dog]

Quote

Laurie said:

Robert Duvall was excellent as the grumpy old man

OMG... :o :o :o ...It couldn't be. it isn't surely?.....Our verreee own?

[black dog]

Laurie said:

OK, I'll kick off with an Independent American film I watched this morning, called Get Low.


An original story about an old man (Duvall) who has hidden himself away in solitude from the rest of society for four decades. He ventures out to arrange a very strange funeral for himself, but one that will take place whilst he is still alive. Much of the tale seemed a little needless and strung out, but it all came together quite well in the end. Robert Duvall was excellent as the grumpy old man hiding away his emotions and a troubled past, and Sissy Spacek (ie Carrie) was also very strong alongside him as the lead female. Bill Murray adds a different dimension and a wee bit of humour too.

These type of films aren't for everyone, and it wasn't anything spectacular. But the story was a bit different, even if ultimately a tale of an old man seeking redemption isn't especially ground breaking. But good lead performances make it worth a watch.

7/10

Liked yer description mate...How far into general release is it?...Think Duvall is a top class actor and really worth watching. Sounds like something I'd watch.

[Laurie]

black dog said:

Laurie said:

OK, I'll kick off with an Independent American film I watched this morning, called Get Low.


An original story about an old man (Duvall) who has hidden himself away in solitude from the rest of society for four decades. He ventures out to arrange a very strange funeral for himself, but one that will take place whilst he is still alive. Much of the tale seemed a little needless and strung out, but it all came together quite well in the end. Robert Duvall was excellent as the grumpy old man hiding away his emotions and a troubled past, and Sissy Spacek (ie Carrie) was also very strong alongside him as the lead female. Bill Murray adds a different dimension and a wee bit of humour too.

These type of films aren't for everyone, and it wasn't anything spectacular. But the story was a bit different, even if ultimately a tale of an old man seeking redemption isn't especially ground breaking. But good lead performances make it worth a watch.

7/10

Liked yer description mate...How far into general release is it?...Think Duvall is a top class actor and really worth watching. Sounds like something I'd watch.

Came out on DVD in the UK just last week, wouldn't have been in the cinemas very long, and not at all in many outlets. You'll be able to get it at your local blockbuster or online though.

[black dog]

Blockbuster eh...That no where ye work?...Surely ye shouldny be advertising yer employment on a footy forum.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll wait till it appears on Sky.... ;)

[Laurie]

Incidentally, feel free to review anything from an old film that's just been on the TV, to one of your favourite DVDs or the latest blockbuster in the cinema.

Second film today was one I've been meaning to see for years, but just didn't get round to. El orfanato (Or The Orphanage in English)



First off, it's a Spanish film, and I know subtitles tend to put many off, but believe me this one is worth watching. If you are a horror fan especially, but don't expect gratuitous violence or much gore. The film sits somewhere between horror and psychological thriller, but in my eyes it's films such as this one that redeem the horror genre, none of this torture porn nonsense that seems readily available these days.

The story focuses on a woman, Laura, who grew up in an orphanage, and now lives in the building with her husband and son. Her son is also adopted, and happens to have HIV. He has imaginary friends, which are dismissed as normal due to the fact he's alone without other children to play with. But when he goes missing, and Laura begins seeing these mysterious friends of his, a sinister tale from the past begins to unfold.

I know some people will probably grow impatient with a film such as this, but the carefully constructed build up of tension is so well done that I just can't fault it. Not for everyone though. The cinematography is first class, and some of the camera work and editing works fantastically in a generic horror fashion, but also in creating a very visually attractive film at the same time.

The beautiful Belén Rueda is superb throughout as Laura, and as well as throwing in a really well written back story the film throws up a far from conventional conclusion which left me very oddly satisfied for a horror film.

Can't believe I waited so long to watch this one!

8/10

[Laurie]

black dog said:

Blockbuster eh...That no where ye work?...Surely ye shouldny be advertising yer employment on a footy forum.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll wait till it appears on Sky.... ;)

Oops, errr, I mean, I work at a generic movie hire store with no particular branding...

[black dog]

Laurie said:

black dog said:

Blockbuster eh...That no where ye work?...Surely ye shouldny be advertising yer employment on a footy forum.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll wait till it appears on Sky.... ;)

Oops, errr, I mean, I work at a generic movie hire store with no particular branding...

;) ...re yer previous post Laurie..you are obviously very much into what you do regards films, yer reviews and insights regards what ye watch are excellent mate, not too fancy dan but precise and to the point..I wish you total success in yer future youngster...I'll keep a swatch on said reviews.... :D

[Laurie]

black dog said:

Laurie said:

black dog said:

Blockbuster eh...That no where ye work?...Surely ye shouldny be advertising yer employment on a footy forum.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll wait till it appears on Sky.... ;)

Oops, errr, I mean, I work at a generic movie hire store with no particular branding...

;) ...re yer previous post Laurie..you are obviously very much into what you do regards films, yer reviews and insights regards what ye watch are excellent mate, not too fancy dan but precise and to the point..I wish you total success in yer future youngster...I'll keep a swatch on said reviews.... :D

Cheers. But I'm also hoping a few others can share their thoughts on films too, I'm always interested in other people's views too - and I can't see EVERYTHING (as much as I try) so sometimes I rely on other people's opinions to pick out the films worth seeing.

[jaybee1978]

I don't tend to watch a lot of films, I have films I bought over a year ago that I still haven't watched.

I do however get films from lovefilm.

I saw a really good world cinema film recently called Amores Perros, have you seen it Laurie?

[Charlie Bhoy]

Carousel

[johnarob]

Charlie Bhoy said:

Carousel

all of it or just one song charlie?.... ;)

[Charlie Bhoy]

johnarob said:

Charlie Bhoy said:

Carousel

all of it or just one song charlie?.... ;)

Nice 1 john, :lol: :lol:
More of a dig @ dog really, Films & Music people ask your opinion i just answer way shite really. I respond with shite & the dog is givin it ffs... Its a good laugh we enjoy but can see your point great song..

[Laurie]

jaybee1978 said:

I don't tend to watch a lot of films, I have films I bought over a year ago that I still haven't watched.

I do however get films from lovefilm.

I saw a really good world cinema film recently called Amores Perros, have you seen it Laurie?

I've not seen it, but my mate was mentioning it to me the other week - meant to be excellent.

And now this is when you realise I really DO watch a lot of films. Number 3 for today is Red Hill.



Well this one took me by surprise a bit, it's a Western - very evident from the artwork and cover - but it's not REALLY conventional Western. It's Australian for a start, and it's set in the present day. At times tongue in cheek and very Tarantino-esque, with some highly-stylised scenes.

The whole film takes place in the space of 24 hours, and is set around one young man's first day as a police constable in a small town, having moved with his pregnant wife from the city. His first day turns out to be far more eventful than he bargained for though.

An escaped convict who committed his crime and was arrested in the small town, named Red Hill, is on his way back for revenge, and it would seem the local police officer and even the heavily armed citizens are preparing for a battle. It all seems clear at first, one bad guy coming to wreak havoc in a quiet, innocent little town, but our protagonist soon finds out there is more to this tale than first meets the eye.

It may be unconventional in setting and time period for a cowboy film, but it has all the right ingredients otherwise - a small town, a man after revenge, people abusing their position in the law, and of course the good guy wielding a pistol.

For a low-budget Ozzie flick, very well put together with decent acting performances and a nice twist (even if most viewers will see it coming). If we really want to get deep we could explore the underlying themes of the white man taking land from the aboriginals, but I won't get started on that...

7/10

[jaybee1978]

It's really good and kept my attention from start to finish. I quite enjoy world cinema films. Elite Squad is another one I watched recently which I enjoyed. City of God is the best though.

[Laurie]

jaybee1978 said:

It's really good and kept my attention from start to finish. I quite enjoy world cinema films. Elite Squad is another one I watched recently which I enjoyed. City of God is the best though.

There is actually a follow up to Elite Squad screening at this years Edinburgh Film Festival, which starts next week, called Elite Squad: The Enemy Within.

I watch quite a lot of world cinema, but not as much as I should. Partly because I see most of my films at the cinema (I have a pass but for a multiplex rather than an arthouse cinema) or from Blockbuster - who don't stock as much World Cinema as they really should.

[jaybee1978]

I often find world cinema films more interesting as they are not as big budget so concentrate more on the story and are more often than not very character based. The GFT in Glasgow is good for seeing them.

First film I saw with FW was a world cinema film called Born and Bred. It was alright but one of those films that ended quite abruptly.

[Laurie]

jaybee1978 said:

I often find world cinema films more interesting as they are not as big budget so concentrate more on the story and are more often than not very character based. The GFT in Glasgow is good for seeing them.

First film I saw with FW was a world cinema film called Born and Bred. It was alright but one of those films that ended quite abruptly.

We have the Filmhouse and the Cameo in Edinburgh, which are great, but I tend to only go to them on occasion because Cineworld offers an unlimited pass for just £13 per month. I have a press pass for the Edinburgh Film Festival though, and I'm also covering it for Reel Scotland so will be reviewing and interviewing as it goes on, and trying to watch as many of the films as possible.

Unfortunately the film festival here has taken a massive dip in both quality and quantity this year, and alas it seems like it might be yet another thing we're going to start coming second to Glasgow with.

My recent short film is actually getting screened at the Filmhouse next month, just thought I'd get that one in there somehow ;)

[jaybee1978]

That's cool that your film is being screened at the Filmhouse.

I've not been to GFT for a while but they do a good deal where you pay £15 per person and that gets you your cinema ticket plus 2 course meal and glass of wine from a few selected restaurants in Glasgow.

Once FW and me bought tickets to see Hunger and we spent too long at restaurant eating our dinner by time we got to cinema to see film we had to sit at opposite sides of cinema as they don't do reserved seating unless you sponsor a seat.