La Boheme - a film of the opera

TV Films for Christmas

Surely this must be the only film that should be watched on Christmas Eve - what do you think?

Films

This week has been film week for me - I've seen 'Venus'; Bobby; and A Prairie Home Companion. I've done reviews for all three - if you go to my profile look at my list of blogs..

Flags of Our Fathers

Full review to be found on my 'films' blog (see link in entry below).

Books and Films

In future my blogs about films and books will be other blogs I'm going to create using the 'new' blog technology. I'll still be doing this blog though for other things.
Go to http://steviemiddleton.blogspot.com or http://steviemiddleton2.blogspot.com

The Queen

I was so pleased to discover that this film was still showing. I saw it with friends at the Gate Picturehouse, Notting Hill Gate. I was very impressed by this film. It brought the whole hysteria of Diana's death back to me. I admit that I was a part of it - I laid flowers in Sale, Manchester. I cried on the day of her funeral. My friends still can't understand how the UK was overcome by this outpouring of grief. The public demonstration of this sadness was atypical of the UK.
The film was really superbly produced. Even though the content is so fantastical, the film convinces you that the conversations could so possibly be true. Helen Mirren is superb. She isn't like the Queen in any way. However, her mannerisms are so good belief is suspended. The other characters are well depicted too. Tony Blair's character is so credible. Lets face it this is a man who was loved - the person who so clearly worked out the mood of the nation and tapped into it. You realise how quickly he betrayed his initial hope for the nation. Cherie Blair's character was his conscience, but failed in her aim to prevent him from being seduced by the establishment. Paradoxically my affection and regard for the Queen was enhanced. She truly is the unifying force of this country and I cannot imagine what the nation would have been like without her. My rating 9 out of 10.

The Night Listener

Robin Williams doing a 'serious' role. Based on an Armistad Maupin novel of the same title, this is a slightly weird tale of lies, deceit and betrayal. There is suspense - and Robin Williams is rather good as a gay man investigating a mystery. It is very atmospheric, and scary in parts. A bit of a thriller. But I did come away feeling slightly disappointed - but I can't quite tell you why!

Little Miss Sunshine

Wonderful quirky film with superb performances from every member of this small cast. Funny, moving, thought-provoking, lovely!
The tale of an ordinary family - an uncle who has just attempted suicide after a failed gay love affair and demotion to be No 2 Proustian Expert. A father who is attempting to launch a nine-step self help programme to success (A very unsuccessful programme). A grandfather who snorts coke and is about as foul-mouthed and as bigotted as you could imagine. He is 'training' his grandaughter to win the Little Miss Sunshine competition in California. There's also a mute son - failing to talk until he gains his ambition to enter flight school. They are all joined by a remarkably normal mother (well normal in comparison to the rest of the family) in a dash across America in an aging VW Dormabile Camper Van with no clutch. There are some trult hilarious moments and the film is quite a satire on American life. Go see it!

Driving Lessons

I went to see this film with my new friend Aaron. We both absolutely loved Julie Waters. Also starring Rupert Grint (in his first adult role after all that Harry Potter stuff) and Laura Linney, this is a tale of an aging actress resolving and confronting her demons whilst a 17 year old enveloped and smothered by his mother discovers that there is life outside the restrictions of the vicarage. It is a role incredibly well suited to Julie - playing a part way beyond her years - she seems younger as the film developes under the often silent influence of Rupert. He becomes (accidentally) her support and mentor. They have a wonderful tour of Britain and both 'grow up' in different ways.
Truly excellent film.

Volver

Superb new Spanish language film by the same director as 'Talk to her' (his name escapes me).
This film (featuring gale force winds throughout) stars the wonderful Penelope Cruz and features, ghosts, incest, murder, dark humour and very moving scenes in a fast moving dramatic story of dysfunctional families and poor communication of emotions. Many reviewers have expressed themselves disappointed - but I really enjoyed this vignette of current Spanish life and mores.

Talk to Her

Wonderful film directed by Pedro Almodovar. Quirky bizarre dramatic tragic and superb. Oh so moving story of two women in comas and the men who support and love them.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Didn't really want to see this film - but I'm glad I was persuaded
The first part is too much of a polemic. British oppression/brutality against the plucky Irish. I didn't engage with the principal characters enough. But then suddenly things perked up - you could begin to feel the tensions of creating a new country - the compromises that were required. The paradoxes inherent within a very conservative rural society.
There are some powerful scenes - exploring the political debates of the early 1920s, and this is a well filmed, almost beautiful film. However, it is flawed. You end the long film detached from the central characters - Damien and Teddy. I do not have a heart of stone, but the ending scenes failed to move me.
A pity

The Cave of the Yellow Dog

It isn't often that I go to see a Mongolian film - in fact this is a first! Delightful is the best word to describe this documentary about a family of five living a nomadic life. This is a way of life that will surely become extinct before long. The plot is minimal but shows how the family copes with herding and living, picking up a few Mongolian folk stories along the way, and a dog that turns out to be a hero (of course!). Extremely enjoyable and fascinating stuff. The family are so natural and non-Hollywood - something to be admired!

Mrs Henderson Presents

I'd missed this British film the last time around so I was glad when it appeared as a reprise season event at Greenwich Picture House. There were only two of us in the lunchtime screening today. I loved this film - it made me laugh and cry in turn.
It is the story of the Windmill Theatre - bought on a whim by Mrs Henderson (played wonderfully by Dame Judi Dench) as a hobby after the death of her husband. Bob Hoskins plays superbly the impressario Vivien Van Dam - and much of the film concerns their relationship - a very heated one at times. Will Young is a marvel in his debut acting role - and his voice suits this late 30s period piece.
Interesting that Mrs Henderson reveals at the end that her motivation for putting on nude tableaux at the notorious (we never closed) Windmill was because she had discovered a 'French' photo in her dead son's possessions in World War I - she didn't want young men to spend their lives using photographic substitutes when she could provide the real thing to look at.
Lovely film.

Constant Gardener

I was disappointed with this film. Rather like most John Le Carre's novels (none of which I've managed to finish) I was confused and slightly dazed. I'm not a great one for conspiracy theories and this was a step too far on the credibility road. Wasn't impressed by Ralph Fiennes (so laid back as to be horizontal) and a real wimp - but in an unattractive way. I couldn't believe in his relationship with his wife. All too trite - frankly I was slightly bored. A pity!

Capote

Just seen this film - I know it was released a long time ago, but Greenwich Picture House are doing a 2006 reprise season. I really was impressed by this film. The story of Truman Capote's composition of his ground breaking book 'In Cold Blood' the story of the brutal killings of a family in the wilds of Kansas for no real understandable reason. It showed Truman's manipulation of the two killers - especially Perry. He paid for legal assistance until he believed he would not reach the culmination of the story - then by withdrawing the aid they lose their final appeal and Perry spills the beans. Truman finally attends the execution. Was in truly involved? This was a really sinister and spine chilling film, that makes you think. Wonderful cinematography. Recommended!

Thank You for Smoking

This is turning into a bit of a film review blog - but I am going to lots of films just now. Really enjoyed this satire on the lobbyists of the USA. Funny - I laughed out lous regukarly. Outrageous in its choice of subject - the tobacco industry's desire to hook as many people as possible into the terrible drug. But also good on US politics, journalism and family values. Go see!

A Cock & Bull Story

Greenwich Picture House was doing a one off (what they call a Sunday Matinee) reprise of films that only had short releases. I'd missed 'A Cock & Bull Story' the first time around and I was glad I caught it this time. I haven't read 'Tristam Shandy' but I'm guessing this film of making a film about Tristram Shandy is pretty like the book in format. Steve Coogan & Rob Bryden are good in this film. The story is chaotic, amusing and fun throughout. Not a major hit I would think with a lot of people, but I would say 7/10. Only three people in the cinema to see it though - shouldn't think they covered their costs. 'Thank You For Smoking' tomorrow!

Wah-Wah

Excellent film. Superb acting - especially Celia Imrie, Miranda Richardson and Julie Walters. Although set in pre independence Swaziland this is really about the destruction and reconstruction of a family and the effects that marital break up has on the son.
As a directorial debut for Richard E Grant this is terrific. It is funny, moving, tragic, surprising in turns and is a tremendous study of snobbishness and the English abroad. The notion of 'whiting up' someone for a production of 'Camelot' was inspired. I recommend this film highly - despite the poor reviews elsewhere!

Cockles & Muscles

I totally adored this film. Even though in French with sub titles - it made me laugh. It absolutely made a dull Bank Holiday Monday sparkle. This is this kind of sex comedy that only the French can do. A couple are holiday in the South of France. Their son's friend turns up - and the couple believe they are in a gay relationship. Meanwhile the wife's lover arrives, and the son (even though he is not gay) meets a plumber who turns out to be his father's former lover. A real farce - in the true sense. Much of the action centres on the need for relief in showers. Its a long time since I've heard a cinema audience laugh out loud so easily and genuinely. Go see.