tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39739641875428704332024-03-13T16:05:47.144+00:00Wakefield Film SocietyWakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-87067467167193518972015-11-10T19:30:00.000+00:002015-11-15T23:01:26.975+00:00Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8s5fjexLkM/Vkj5eKdTSvI/AAAAAAAAAGw/apnI_NnT9Kw/s1600/Kumiko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8s5fjexLkM/Vkj5eKdTSvI/AAAAAAAAAGw/apnI_NnT9Kw/s640/Kumiko.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The<b> audience feedback</b> rating was 68%:<br />
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<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Loved it!!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="51" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">* BEAUTIFUL CINEMATOGRAPHY-> ESPECIALLY DETAILED AND BOLD STRUCTURED WIDE SHOTS<br />
* LOVED THE CONTRASTS AND GROWTH OF THE CHARACTER</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good story – very novel</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Compelling story supported by an enjoyable soundtrack.<br />
(and a touch of fantasy thrown in?)</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Existential fantasy.<br />
At least she died happy.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="51" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Quaint. <br />
Nice policeman.<br />
A sad lonely girl.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Thought provoking – the lead character was nutty in a good way</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">INTERESTING, BUT VERY STRANGE ENDING. </td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">This is what coming to the cinema is about... seeing, experiencing the impossible become possible within the ordinary. Very pleased to have seen this.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Sad story.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Visually and culturally interesting but hard work in places. Ending was a little preposterous!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A bit slow and a strange story. But entertaining nevertheless and an insight into Japanese life.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Japanese humour??</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">UNUSUAL</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE! <br />
SOMEHOW ANNOYING, BUT QUITE ENTERTAINING NEVERTHELESS!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Long drawn out!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Congratulations, we could hear and see the whole screen. Strange film, enjoyed some of the cinematography. Didn't really get it.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wasn't sure whether it was a comedy or not. Didn't make me laugh! Confused of Wakefield!? Huge improvement with sound and venue. Thank you.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Different. Brought back memories of Japan.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Surreal! But some lovely photography and a very interesting score. I like the end music.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td>
<td align="LEFT">BIZARRE!</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>On-line:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Telegraph feature - 25-2-2015 <i>"Did a woman die trying to find Fargo's buried treasure?"</i> - WIll Storr</b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter/true-story-death-takako-konishi-fargo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter/true-story-death-takako-konishi-fargo/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Wikipedia</b> entry <b>Takako Konishi:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takako_Konishi_(office_worker)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takako_Konishi_(office_worker)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>IMDB </b>rating 6.6 out of 10:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3263614/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3263614/</a></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
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<div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rotten Tomatoes </span>audience rating 63%</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kumiko_the_treasure_hunter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kumiko_the_treasure_hunter/</a></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Mike McCahill</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>in the<b> Telegraph: </b><i><b>“thoroughly oddball” 3 stars</b></i></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter/review/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter/review/</a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jonathan Romney</span> in the<b> Observer: <i>“Quietly magnificent" 4 Stars</i></b></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/22/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter-review-zellner-brothers-rinko-kikuchi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/22/kumiko-the-treasure-hunter-review-zellner-brothers-rinko-kikuchi</a></div>
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Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09444862199615139080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-81750344611131517332015-06-30T19:30:00.000+01:002015-07-09T09:53:09.358+01:00Jimmy's Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b9nOKufpAU/VZ41Q91zYuI/AAAAAAAAA1o/HeL0ScI3wj0/s1600/Jimmys-Hall-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b9nOKufpAU/VZ41Q91zYuI/AAAAAAAAA1o/HeL0ScI3wj0/s640/Jimmys-Hall-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, I missed this one. Judging from the feedback, it was a cracker, coming out at 92%, the second most highly rated film of the season, just behind the Yorkshire Lad. It seems the newspaper critics were not so impressed. Only 2 and 3 stars in the Telegraph and the Observer.<br />
<br />
There's some background information on Gralton in his Wikipedia entry here:<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gralton" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gralton</a><br />
<br />
And an “infographic” in the Guardian here:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/jimmys-hall-the-movie/interactive/jimmys-hall-infographic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/jimmys-hall-the-movie/interactive/jimmys-hall-infographic</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The <b>audience rating</b> was 92%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">A wonderful film! You saved the best till last!</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">All Ken Loach films epitomise honesty, decency and a “better world” is possible</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent</td>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Gobshites</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
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<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Thoroughly enjoyable, showed the human aspect of Irish politics.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">The best film of the season! Pity about the hard chairs again!</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">SAVED THE BEST FILM TILL LAST! WONDERFUL!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An excellent film — we need to be reminded of the way people suffered.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Deserves an “A+”. The highlight of an excellent season of films. Looking forward to next season.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A reminder of Ireland's history with great effects and humour. Music and dancing great to watch. Jimmy was a charismatic guy.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very thought provoking. Relevant to today's society.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">More political films, please.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Well worth missing a fifth set match @ Wimbledon. Great photography by K. L.</td>
</tr>
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<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent film — spoilt by boom boom boom from below and lights going on and off. Thanks.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Brilliant.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wonderful!</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Brilliant film, very evocative. A simple story told with feeling and good reference to the political situation of the time.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good film. Sad that Jimmy never went back home. Seems quite trivial in relation to what happens today but in the end it was all to do with the power of the priest.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Typical social conscience from Ken Loach, but with subtlety and humour. Very enjoyable.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Most enjoyable.</td>
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<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Accent made it difficult to catch everything that was said.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Irish accent was sometimes hard to understand.</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A slice of Irish history beautifully portrayed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An excellent introduction to the Film Society</td>
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<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Graphic illustration of a bad period in English (sic) history. Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Well presented.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 6.7 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3110960/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3110960/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b> audience rating 60%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jimmys_hall/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jimmys_hall/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in the <b>Telegraph</b>: <b>“Ken Loach's facile Irish political drama is a disappointing swansong to a great career”</b> <b>2 stars</b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10848354/Jimmys-Hall-review-exasperatingly-thin.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10848354/Jimmys-Hall-review-exasperatingly-thin.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Jonathan Romney</b> in the <b>Observer</b>: <b>“Jim Norton's nuanced performance leavens this sometimes heavy-handed tale of a law-baiting Irish socialist “ 3 Stars</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/01/jimmys-hall-review-ken-loach-typically-angry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/01/jimmys-hall-review-ken-loach-typically-angry</a><br />
<br />
<b>Geoffrey MacNab</b> in The <b>Independent</b>: <b>“One of Ken Loach's sunniest films yet” 4 Stars</b><br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/jimmys-hall-first-look-cannes-review-one-of-ken-loachs-sunniest-films-yet-9415733.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/jimmys-hall-first-look-cannes-review-one-of-ken-loachs-sunniest-films-yet-9415733.html</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-38941604906718782902015-06-16T19:30:00.000+01:002015-06-18T20:59:06.613+01:00Titus: The Movie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz3zrigEboM/VYMf2q26w0I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/g30U5DAFSVg/s1600/titus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz3zrigEboM/VYMf2q26w0I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/g30U5DAFSVg/s640/titus.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Titus at Raindance Festival?</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The <b>audience rating</b> was 73%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Typical story of black musician. Great soundtrack</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Stark and uncompromising. Loved the alto sax!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent: beautifully actedand very powerful. Great interplay of literal and metaphoric scenes. Wonderful jazz too.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Redeemed in the end. I enjoyed this film — second time I've seen it — and thought it was even better. Very stylish and great performances by the actors. Black and white perfect for subject.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="50" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Great. Loved it. Complex, thought provoking. Showed complexity of depression, addiction, talent, hopes fears, anxiety, effect on loved ones. Like sparse directing and black and white effective for subject matter.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting view flash back in music well played — atmospheric sad story of gifted musician.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very slow, very consciously an 'art' film but also an interesting and moving perspective xx xxxx (illegible)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Harrowing, slow-moving, but ultimately rewarding depiction of man's descent into oblivion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Slow to start, but as the story unfolded very poignant. Enjoyed a black & white film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Mostly excellently made on a budget. Very sad.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good story, gripping at times — well acted. Some great music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A bit slow and depressing but shows the 'tortured soul' side of many artists.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Not exactly a bundle of laughs and a bit slow but basically a good story well acted.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very powerful and poetically filmed but too depressing for me.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent photography. Action was somewhat drawn out. Great singing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">We'd like a happy ending please :-) I loved how it was shot and the fact it was black and white which set a mood of a troubled soul.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Moving sad film. Lovely sax music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wooden characters. Poor dialogue. Clichéd images. Predictably silly plot. Music and camerawork good.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good for low budget.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 5.2 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194542/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194542/</a><br />
<br />
<b>No newspaper reviews available</b><br />
<br />
<b>Titus the Movie Website</b> has some background information and interviews:<br />
<a href="http://www.titusthemovie.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.titusthemovie.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>LondonJazzNews </b>preview:<br />
<a href="http://www.londonjazznews.com/2013/09/film-preview-titus-at-raindance-film.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.londonjazznews.com/2013/09/film-preview-titus-at-raindance-film.html</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-28747679507099158942015-06-02T19:30:00.000+01:002015-06-04T17:59:46.053+01:00Ilo Ilo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmBJqT2fVqQ/VXBS5bftueI/AAAAAAAAA1A/j3dlcRWsXs0/s1600/illo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmBJqT2fVqQ/VXBS5bftueI/AAAAAAAAA1A/j3dlcRWsXs0/s640/illo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback </b>score was 82%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">VERY GOOD CHARACTER STUDY. THANK YOU!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very interesting in a low-key way. Nuanced performances and direction.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Different! Moving too.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Couldn't be an end to this story – life rolling on.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Gave a good insight into daily life. Moving</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very sad</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Interesting insight into life in Singapore and the impact on the family of Terry.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Some tender moments. Self consciously symbolic themes.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Unsatisfactory film about an unappealing couple and their maid</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.3 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2901736/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2901736/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 79%:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ilo_ilo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ilo_ilo/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Peter Bradshaw</b> in the <b>Guardian</b> — <i><b>“What an impressive début from 30-year-old Singaporean writer-director Anthony Chen, who graduated four years ago from Britain's National Film and Television School.”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/01/ilo-ilo-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/01/ilo-ilo-review</a><br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-56220422081498485782015-05-12T19:30:00.000+01:002015-06-06T11:50:45.320+01:00The Patience Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNdd9lnLL94/VWOAw3R6AhI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/MhN-5_pDBJ8/s1600/hero_PatienceStone-2013-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNdd9lnLL94/VWOAw3R6AhI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/MhN-5_pDBJ8/s640/hero_PatienceStone-2013-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the best things about <i><b>Wakefield Film Society</b></i> is the wide range of films shown. And this week we had two films for the price of one! <br />
<br />
<b><i>The Patience Stone</i></b> was a French/Afghani co-production. We've had some excellent films from the Middle East in the last 2 or 3 years. In October, we had <b><i>Wadjda</i></b>, a fascinating story of a young girl growing up in Iran. Last year's <b><i>About Ellie</i></b> featured <b><i>Golshifteh Farahani</i></b> the star of tonight's film — a very natural actress. One of the most memorable images for me was when she threw on her veil and went out into the streets — transformed from a beautiful woman into an anonymous figure.<br />
<br />
Perhaps we are too ready to look down on other societies if they don't conform to our standards; it's easy to forget that it was not so long ago that wives in western societies were also treated as men's property.<br />
<br />
<br />
Before the main feature we had <b><i>Feedback </i></b>from <b><i>Vincent Gallagher</i></b>, who introduced the film. It was a fascinating sequence of visuals with an excellent soundtrack. Vincent Gallagher, sent me some information about it:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uC0eZqDqnaY/VWOEwjd2apI/AAAAAAAAA0w/ePG6GnV90SI/s1600/Capture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uC0eZqDqnaY/VWOEwjd2apI/AAAAAAAAA0w/ePG6GnV90SI/s320/Capture-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><i>“So after a year working as a receptionist, I wanted to take on a bigger film project than before and another passion of mine is backpacking. So after some working out I combined hobbies and I decided to quit my job to travel and film for three months. I knew it would be cheaper for me to make it in Asia which would allow me the time off to focus on making the film. Once out there I was filming almost every day, keeping in mind the style I was going for. There was a lot of filming done in the spur of the moment however I had a clear vision in my head of what I was wanting it to look like, drawing inspiration from '<b>Koyaanisqatsi</b>' and '<b>Samsara</b>'. When I returned I got to work on the edit. The edit was meant to take 3 months however it overran massively due to a broken laptop, problems in the edit and awaiting the soundtrack. Come a year later and we had finally finished. With the film only running for 15 minutes and two years planning and working on it it took longer than expected. I like the idea of making a feature film however it's a slow process and with having a full time job at the same time It might take me a while. There a free link to the film underneath and a link to all my films on my film company <b>Tape End Productions</b>. I have just started a new venture which my work will be going out on which is a group of filmmakers, the company named <b>Hell On Earth</b>.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Synopsis:</b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Feedback is an experimental ambient documentary with no conventional plot, shot in six different countries and has been in the making for over a year. Running through themes of people, insects and culture. The film shows the never ending cycle of energy in life. Inspired by <b>Godfrey Reggio'</b>s '<b>Koyaanisqatsi</b>' and the works of <b>Chris Cunningham </b>comes a low budget short that takes the viewer on a visual trip around the world. Produced by the independent film company <b>Tape End Productions</b>, with an amazing musical score from the artist <b>ABE</b> and directed/filmed by <b>Vincent Gallagher</b>. “</i></blockquote>
<br />
The <b>audience rating</b> was 84%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Let's have more like this</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Remarkable commentary on difficult lives</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Heart-rending and depressing!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very intense and moving</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Mesmerising</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Superbly done. Very difficult to watch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very good — lots of issues to think about — but went on for too long</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Tour de force by the lead actress. Almost felt like you were there!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An interesting film,,, but became dragged out — I enjoyed the story...</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Beautifully shot and lit in muted tones... A twist in the tale. Enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Well acted but disturbing film. Thank goodness for the feminist revolution!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent acting. Very harrowing — grateful to live in the UK...</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">AN INTERESTING FILM BUT, A LITTLE LONG-WINDED.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">AN UNUSUAL STORY. WELL TOLD, BUT TOO SLOW FOR ME</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very controversial.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">OK but couldn't watch it again.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.0 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1638353/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1638353/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 75%:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_patience_stone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_patience_stone/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Peter Bradshaw</b> in the Guardian —<b><i> “A woman in a ruined warzone speaks her mind to her vegetative husband in this powerfully absorbing drama”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/05/the-patience-stone-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/05/the-patience-stone-review</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Here are the <b>links Vincent Gallagher sent</b> about his film:<br />
<b>Feedback</b> Link:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv9tDivzY3k" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv9tDivzY3k</a><br />
<br />
<b>Tape End Productions</b>:<br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/tapeendproductions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/tapeendproductions</a><br />
<br />
New company, <b>Hell On Earth</b>:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu0HvCbIS1SwTJm5kzLg6AQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu0HvCbIS1SwTJm5kzLg6AQ</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-64890221493159604352015-04-28T19:30:00.000+01:002015-04-29T17:13:23.876+01:00Lad: A Yorkshire Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbCYgkH1qkY/VUDt9QIBWhI/AAAAAAAAA0I/HLsdStC1irU/s1600/Capture-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbCYgkH1qkY/VUDt9QIBWhI/AAAAAAAAA0I/HLsdStC1irU/s1600/Capture-2.jpg" height="270" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What a pleasure to see a British feature film that had not a single scene of Julie Walters, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith or any of the usual assortment of national treasures regurgitating their played-out personas. And what great performances from a group of unknown actors!<br />
<br />
How could it be that this film has won awards all over the world but wasn't shown at the Leeds Film Festival? I suppose if the park ranger had been played by Judy Dench it would have been awarded best film at BAFTA, but in the event it was largely ignored.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I thought it was brilliant — and even without the majestic scenery it had a good story, well scripted, acted and directed with excellent original music.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Bretten Lord</i></b>, who played our lad Tom, introduced the film and gave an entertaining talk and Q&A which was a fascinating glimpse into the making of the film and his international adventures. He was a charming and generous guest and we wish him well in his future endeavours.<br />
<br />
And thanks Charlotte for your pop-up tea stall — which we hope to have as a regular feature at future screenings.<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was the highest of the season at 93%:<br />
<br />
<div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">By 'eck it wor a gud un! An' wi' reet gud Yorkshire Tea an' all!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Fun & moving</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Loved it!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good story of life in Dales. Well acted</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very appealing story. Yorkshire looked fantastic. Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely Yorkshire film. Great story</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely film. Lovely Yorkshire story and scenery.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A lovely film. Very poignant and emotional. Really enjoyed it.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Another wonderful performance by young actors. Heartbreaking and uplifting without being too melodramatic. Superb cinematography.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A really heartwarming story & beautiful scenery.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Delightful, beautifully filmed. A touching, realistic story. Thank goodness for independent film makers.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely, true to life characters & story & beautiful scenery, grand and majestic, must be Yorkshire!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very heartwarming.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed the film — good choice. Thank you</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Beautiful scenery</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A wonderful film and a great young actor — look forward to seeing him again — a name to remember!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable. Great to have Bretten come and speak as well — really added to the evening.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely story, beautiful countryside. Still uncomfortable on these chairs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Sensitive portrayal of childhood loss, beautiful relationship between son and mother. Obviously great scenery.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely — well done to the actor!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very emotional — well acted — lovely family coming out the other end.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wonderful showcase for Yorkshire.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Enjoyable story with great shots of countryside to complement the scenes.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely scenery & great photography. Nicely played. Well done to such a young actor.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very moving film. Lovely shots of Yorkshire.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely film, good story, great scenery.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>On-line:</b></div>
<div>
<b>IMDB</b> rating 8.2 out of 10:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2073600/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.imdb.com/title/tt2073600/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rotten Tomatoes.</b> Audience rating 4/5:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lad_a_yorkshire_story_2012/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lad_a_yorkshire_story_2012/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Facebook:</b></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadAYorkshireStory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/LadAYorkshireStory</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Martin Wainwright </b>in the <b>Guardian</b> — <i><b>“Yorkshire Dales win film gold from one end of the US to the other ”</b></i></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/mar/12/yorkshire-dales-film-houston-anchorage-alaska" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/mar/12/yorkshire-dales-film-houston-anchorage-alaska</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-46480586518702498122015-04-14T19:30:00.000+01:002015-04-16T13:56:36.295+01:00Metro Manila<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHGoz2kb7j8/VS-wtLCUSXI/AAAAAAAAAz4/stWXa2Yjm-U/s1600/Metro%2BManila%2BRebalanced2%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHGoz2kb7j8/VS-wtLCUSXI/AAAAAAAAAz4/stWXa2Yjm-U/s1600/Metro%2BManila%2BRebalanced2%2B.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Very low turnout this week. If you weren't there you missed an excellent film. Here's an interesting interview with director, Sean Ellis, which gives an insight to the making of the film:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/16/metro-manila-sean-ellis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/16/metro-manila-sean-ellis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 88%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"><colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Great suspense. Well acted. Very enjoyable</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Fantastic plot/acting</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Manila for my next holiday?</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A HUMAN AND ALL TOO FAMILIAR STORY.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">What a heartbreaker! It seemed inevitable that this little family would be swallowed up by Metro Manila but... Oscar somehow saved his family.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very good story. Well made film. Excellent acting. Very distressing.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed this film and found parts of it unexpected. Acting very good to say some of them weren't actors.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Nerve racking — emotional and wanting him to become corrupt too to support his family!!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">What looked like being a predictable plot turned out to be anything but</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A very moving reminder of what life can be like in too many places.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good story. Good performances. Beautifully filmed.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td><td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Quite slow for a large part. Depressing — futility of many people's lives.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Not really the type of film I enjoy, but interesting, though harrowing and at times predictably boring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.6 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1845838/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1845838/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 90%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/metro_manila/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/metro_manila/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Steve Rose</b> in the <b>Guardian</b>: <b><i>“resourceful, distinctive film that builds to a satisfying crescendo”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/19/metro-manila-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/19/metro-manila-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in the <b>Telegraph: </b> <b><i>“It begins as a swirling drama of survival in the Filipino capital — but then suddenly it slips off down an alleyway, only to emerge a scrupulously engineered, Christopher Nolan-ish crime thriller.”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10320301/Metro-Manila-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10320301/Metro-Manila-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Sean Ellis</b> interview: <b><i>“Brighton-born director decamped to the Philippines to shoot a character-based thriller in a country he had only visited once, in a language he didn't understand”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/16/metro-manila-sean-ellis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/16/metro-manila-sean-ellis</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-52127273312515347872015-03-24T19:30:00.000+00:002015-03-28T22:08:14.953+00:00Calvary<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGQoUCfdh-Y/VRbj3RX_MLI/AAAAAAAAAzU/fUHfkN4Yo9Q/s1600/Calvary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGQoUCfdh-Y/VRbj3RX_MLI/AAAAAAAAAzU/fUHfkN4Yo9Q/s1600/Calvary.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brendan Gleeson</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">—</span><span style="font-size: small;"> good priest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukwpBZ5pyqE/VRbj3dtfwfI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/LwipK1u1UL4/s1600/High%2BNoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukwpBZ5pyqE/VRbj3dtfwfI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/LwipK1u1UL4/s1600/High%2BNoon.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gary Cooper</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">—</span><span style="font-size: small;"> good marshal.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A fantastic film this week. An intriguing plot with a superb collection of corrupt sleaze-bag characters and some very funny dialogue (When you could tune in to the brogue). Terrific acting and direction. Amazing scenery and photography.<br />
<br />
When I saw the shot of <b>Brendan Gleeson</b> walking alone through town on his way to meet his destiny, I was reminded of <b>Gary Cooper</b> in <i><b>High Noon</b></i> — another lonely man who's effectively an outcast in his own community. Surely this was a deliberate reference made by the director? Well it would seem so. Apparently, I wasn't alone as several of the reviewers made the same connection. And in an interview with the director (see the link below) he refers to the film as a western.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for <b>Gleeson</b>, he didn't have <b>Grace Kelly</b> on hand to help out. And unfortunately for us, we didn't have that great song - "<b><i>Do not forsake me... etc</i></b>" which has surely one of the best rhymes in popular song:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>He made a vow while in state's prison<br />Vowed it would be my life or his'n</i></blockquote>
Another great night at the <b>Wakefield Film Society.</b><br />
<br />
The <b>feedback</b> score was 83%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">That was no comedy! Wonderful cinematography, acting & music</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A harrowing comedy – black indeed. Moving, thought-provoking, beautiful cinematography. Uncomfortable seats!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Thought provoking. Good scenery.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very intense. Extremely enjoyable. Pity it could not have ended better. Acting superb.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wonderful!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">LOVED IT. INTENSE, MOVING, BRILLIANT SETTING, ACTING, STORYTELLING.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Shocking ending!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Strong performances.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">What an amazing film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very moving.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Absorbing. Lovely location. All characters a bit mad.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An amazing film — the road to Calvary was well linked with the story.—I found it very moving in many ways.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent performances all round.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">I enjoyed many aspects of the film but at times it didn't strike the right chord — too many misfits.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very good film. Brendan Gleeson was excellent as usual. Great setting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Brendan Gleeson was excellent.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Bleaker than I expected.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Would not class this as a “black comedy!” All rather heart-breaking.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Intense. Loved Brendan Gleeson's understated performance. I'm glad I don't live there! I need a drink now!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very bleak portrayal of the life of a catholic priest in modern Ireland. Despite tragic ending enjoyed the humour, the acting and the basalt rocks.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Brendan Gleeson performance wonderful. Powerful film. Direction excellent.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Well acted but so dark.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Captivating story that had a variety of characters and a shocking end.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Powerful — totally unexpected ending. Lots of unanswered questions.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good performances. Shocking ending.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Christ-like figure dying for the sins of others.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very thought-provoking.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A LITTLE BLEAK. SOME HUMOUR. KEPT MY ATTENTION.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="51" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A shame that subtitles were not on. The Irish accent is very difficult to distinguish to anyone with a hearing impairment. The film was interesting albeit shocking at the end. I would have enjoyed it more if I could have heard it.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Could have done with sub-titles. Strong cast, powerful drama but unsettling.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Black comedy?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Esquire</b> Interview: <b><i>Calvary</i></b> Director <b>John Michael McDonagh</b><br />
<a href="http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film-tv/6100/calvary-john-michael-mcdonagh-interview/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film-tv/6100/calvary-john-michael-mcdonagh-interview/</a><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.5 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes.</b> Audience rating 80%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/calvary_2013/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/calvary_2013/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Xan Brooks</b> in the <b>Guardian:</b> <b><i>“a terrific black comedy that touches greatness”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/13/calvary-review-terrific-black-comedy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/13/calvary-review-terrific-black-comedy</a><br />
<br />
<b>Tim Robey</b> in the <b>Telegaph</b> wasn't quite so impressed — <b><i>“groping for a catharsis it never quite achieves ”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10756864/Calvary-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10756864/Calvary-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Geoffrey MacNab</b> in the<b> Independent:</b> <b><i>“The wonder of Calvary is that amid all the blarney and black humour, it stands up as a moving and sincere drama about religious faith and the fear of death.”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/calvary-film-review-dark-religious-comedy-is-caustic-look-at-the-sins-of-the-fathers-9251961.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/calvary-film-review-dark-religious-comedy-is-caustic-look-at-the-sins-of-the-fathers-9251961.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-71129740383441415712015-03-10T19:30:00.000+00:002015-03-13T21:27:15.537+00:00The Lunchbox<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JJt7r8VkY4/VQNS61_T1RI/AAAAAAAAAy8/9roMy_w8Zn0/s1600/lunchbox-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JJt7r8VkY4/VQNS61_T1RI/AAAAAAAAAy8/9roMy_w8Zn0/s1600/lunchbox-copy.jpg" height="281" width="640" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">
Perfect!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>The feedback score</b> was 88%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Thoroughly enjoyable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wonderful. Films like this are the reason I come to the Film Society. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Subtle, delicate, perceptive, poignant and charming – It was delightful</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wonderful – an insight into love in another culture. A gentle film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very sensitive. True to the Indian atmosphere.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Unusual setting – loved the lunch boxes – great acting! Maybe a little long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">What a lovely film. Such lovely acting and an absorbing story. Hoped for a happy ending?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent film. Screen much too low + beams made it oppressive.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Charming story with a sad ending. The sights and sounds of India were superb and fascinating.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very poignant — beautifully acted. Let's hope they found happiness!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Charming, colourful, romantic and enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wonderful insight into aspects of Indian culture. Excellent performances. Poignant but also uplifting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Insightful and entertaining.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A lovely mix of romance, comedy and culture.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">I HOPE HE MADE IT IN TIME!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Fascinating insight into the lunchbox system. V enjoyable film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">I wished I could have tasted the food!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed it. Entirely believable characters and setting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Touching story of loneliness and wasted opportunities. Beautifully acted.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Would have like to have seen a happy ending.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">It held my attention completely. A wonderful opportunity to experience a different culture. I would happily watch it again.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Not very comfortable seats!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Quite enigmatic</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very sympathetic characters. Good for showing Indian urban setting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.8 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2350496/" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2350496/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes. </b>Audience rating 87%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lunchbox/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lunchbox/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Xan Brooks</b> in the <b>Guardian</b>: <i><b>“a quiet storm of banked emotions”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/13/lunchbox-bollywood-review-banked-emotions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/13/lunchbox-bollywood-review-banked-emotions</a><br />
<br />
<b>Geoffrey MacNab</b> in the <b>Independent: <i>“Wry and gently comic Mumbai-set drama ”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-lunchbox-film-review-wry-and-gently-comic-mumbaiset-drama-9252689.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-lunchbox-film-review-wry-and-gently-comic-mumbaiset-drama-9252689.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Allan Hunter</b> in the <b>Express:</b> <b><i>“WHEN was the last time you saw a romance that was truly tender and charming and left you sighing with pleasure? ”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/469810/The-Lunchbox-review-and-trailer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/469810/The-Lunchbox-review-and-trailer</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-31165681582251970622015-02-24T19:30:00.000+00:002015-02-27T10:25:01.337+00:00The Great Beauty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q8D-Ghp-p0/VPBDEjuojpI/AAAAAAAAAyI/NkviUDD4rkw/s1600/The%2BGreat%2BBeauty%2B-%2BHammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q8D-Ghp-p0/VPBDEjuojpI/AAAAAAAAAyI/NkviUDD4rkw/s1600/The%2BGreat%2BBeauty%2B-%2BHammock.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whatever...</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've often thought that films which come with a pile of 5-star reviews turn out to be a disappointment. I think that those people who earn their living by watching films and writing about them are impressed by things that your average punter doesn't much care about. So plaudits like “virtuoso film-making” should always be received with caution. I'd rather have an interesting story than a series of disconnected scenes, however beautifully composed.<br />
<br />
So why did it win best film awards all round the world? Perhaps because the people who decide these things recognised themselves in the film?<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was the lowest of the season so far - 59%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Fascinating reflection on life and its excesses. Beautiful cinematography.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent venue!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Beautifully photographed. Stylish. A film I'll be thinking about for a few days now.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An homage to Rome and Fellini.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An intriguing and beautiful film. The images so various, so arresting, humorous and tragic by turn. Many poetic touches. It never lost my attention or interest.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Beautiful exploration of the hedonism, hypocrisy and futility of modern life. Exquisite photography and imaginative music. The only problem was it was a bit too long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Visually and aurally arresting. Interesting subject. But it left me unmoved. Something missing in the execution – cohesion? Perhaps you need to be Italian.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">DISTRACTED BY HIS WHITE LINEN JACKET! - OR – A BITING SATIRE ON THE SUPERFICIAL NATURE OF MODERN LIFE.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very thought-provoking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Probably a bit too “deep” for me. But interesting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Beautiful photography. Mood film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting to watch and hear “Italy” but way too long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Stunning film. Sumptuous lovely costumes and sets. Totally degenerate and meaningless</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Bit puzzling film but looked beautiful and some very funny moments</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">é bene ma non comprendo tutti.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Enjoyed the views of Rome.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">There were some lovely moments in the film and some wonderful views of the Coliseum but overall it was rather depressing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Beautiful to look at but lacking depth and full of cliches. Thought it had plagiarised Fellini.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Cynical decadence – mixed with searching for life's meaning – now we know what a bunga bunga party is like.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Really not sure</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Long, contrived and pretentious with occasional sparks of humour and visual beauty.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">I really did not enjoy this film. Found it very heavy going and thought the main character led a very shallow existence and despite lots of friends seemed lonely and looking for the meaning of life</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Glad the seats were comfy as it went on a bit. Amusing in parts but somewhat pretentious.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Trying too hard to be 'beautiful'. Irritating, shallow people. Some moments of comedy and irony but ultimately self-indulgent.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Too long – no cohesiveness to the “story”.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Not my thing at all.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Not my kind of thing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Who cares! Worst ever! Would have left if I could have done so without distracting others!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Bewitched, bothered and bewildered!! But not necessarily in that order!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An alternative view of Roman High Life. Give me the simple life!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<b>IMDB </b>rating 7.7 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2358891/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2358891/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 79%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_beauty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_beauty/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Xan Brooks</b> in the <b>Guardian</b>: <i><b>“I loved The Great Beauty to bits; it's my film of the year”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/19/10-best-films-2013-the-great-beauty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/19/10-best-films-2013-the-great-beauty</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in the <b>Telegraph</b> (5 stars): <b><i>“a shimmering coup de cinema to make your heart burst”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/golden-globes/10072554/The-Great-Beauty-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/golden-globes/10072554/The-Great-Beauty-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Chris Tooke</b>y in the <b>MailOnline</b>: <b><i>“The Great Beauty of this film is the images of Rome and Italy, not the story... Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) is a master of cinematic imagery, even if his plots leave a great deal to be desired.”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2412886/The-Great-Beauty-film-images-Rome-Italy-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2412886/The-Great-Beauty-film-images-Rome-Italy-story.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-32933222088504189192015-02-10T19:30:00.000+00:002015-02-13T14:36:25.075+00:00We Are The Best!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuUfPgqmvuA/VN4BbcZ1B3I/AAAAAAAAAxo/TVIoPKkOUeo/s1600/we-are-the-best-04-06-2014-6-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuUfPgqmvuA/VN4BbcZ1B3I/AAAAAAAAAxo/TVIoPKkOUeo/s1600/we-are-the-best-04-06-2014-6-g.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
Well I wouldn't describe it as gloriously funny, but I suppose you have to take film publicity blurbs with a pinch of salt. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was an all-too-honest picture of adolescent life.<br />
<br />
Although this was a light-hearted picture, there is a darker side to this. Think how frequently we hear of teenage suicides brought on by thoughtless bullying. And the American automatic weaponised response to playground taunts and isolation.<br />
<br />
As for the girls' attraction to punk, I was reminded of a radio talk I heard recently by <b>Tracey Thorn</b>, in which she said: <i>“Throughout my teens I had battled with ideals of femininity and feeling that I wasn't cut out to be a conventional girlish beauty, I took the other option, embracing the androgyny of punk, the wilful anti-feminine attitudes and fashion that it embodied. This caused me problems at home...”</i> She seized on the feminist classic <b><i>The Female Eunuch</i></b> by <b>Germaine Greer</b>. <i>"It seemed brand new, and it spoke to me of things I'd long thought and felt without ever having words or names for,"</i> she says. She explains how the book was a deep influence on the lyrics she wrote for her band <b>Everything but the Girl</b>. But now she is herself a mother, she finds herself questioning Greer's contemptuous dismissal of parenting. <i>"As feminists, I feel we are more forgiving now than Greer was; more inclusive, less dismissive, and perhaps that's because greater freedoms have brought with them greater liberties for us to be so. It's not such a threat now to admit to being happily married and enjoying motherhood when we are not utterly constrained and defined by these roles." </i><br />
<br />
If you're interested, you can find the (15-minute) talk here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03q5gkb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03q5gkb</a><br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 78%. Audience comments:<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good gracious! A quirky mix of humour, pathos, tenderness & sheer fun.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Loved it!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Another excellent example of natural child actors.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Enjoyed the freshness of it even though the girls were not interested in 'contemporary' music. Well played and well cast; thought the girls seemed really authentic.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Authentic and entertaining portrayal of teenage anguish.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">They seemed to be having fun.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very entertaining. A different view on Sweden</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Funny, enjoyable. Long live punk!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Entertaining voyage with adolescent triplet – some great musical interludes.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Quirky and entertaining. Another group of amazingly talented youngsters.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Fun film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">“You Are The Best.”</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">ANARCHIC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A bit bitty. Nothing much happening.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">MILDLY FUNNY, TOO FRENETIC FOR MY LIKING.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">It was fun</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="51" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Growing up in modern society is not so easy for youngsters when family are broken up. They have to rebel and showed their disappointment and that they do exist and have opinions. Well acted by the young stars!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A nice bit of fun, girls enjoying themselves. 'PUNK IS NOT DEAD'!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Teenage life in Sweden. A bit funny.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Noisy, discordant, gave me a headache.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.2 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2364975/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2364975/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 79%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_are_the_best/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_are_the_best/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Peter Bradshaw</b> in <i>The Guardian</i> (4 stars): <i><b>“entertaining, good-natured story about young girls in a punk band ”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/17/we-are-the-best-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/17/we-are-the-best-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in the <i>Telegraph</i> (4 stars)<i><b>“We are the Best, a Swedish coming-of-age comedy from Lukas Moodysson, is gloriously funny ”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10771809/We-are-the-Best-film-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10771809/We-are-the-Best-film-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Tracey Thorn</b> on <i>The Female Eunuch</i> - <b><i>“The Book that Changed Me”</i></b>:<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03q5gkb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03q5gkb</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-46179753590165340582015-01-27T19:30:00.000+00:002015-01-31T16:25:07.009+00:00The Selfish Giant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ViWDa9JPIU/VMv6vy6b4RI/AAAAAAAAAxY/9XLXTXGFzGE/s1600/The-Selfish-Giant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ViWDa9JPIU/VMv6vy6b4RI/AAAAAAAAAxY/9XLXTXGFzGE/s1600/The-Selfish-Giant.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
A very human story with some gripping moments of comedy and tragedy. Acting, direction, cinematography, script - all brilliant. An unforgettable film.<br />
<br />
I recommend this fascinating interview with director, <b>Clio Barnard</b>, in the <b>Guardian</b>: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/12/clio-barnard-selfish-giant-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clio Barnard: why I'm drawn to outsiders – interview</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 82%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Heartbreaking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Hard to watch but wonderful performances.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very painful to watch. Quite harrowing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Brilliant. Very moving. Beautifully acted.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Powerful stuff.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The chairs are very comfy!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Shocking but amazing acting. The producer/director must have been incredibly inspiring to get the range of emotions from such young people.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Masterful storytelling.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Powerful, heartbreaking film. Beyond my expectations. Wonderful use of sound and dialogue.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An insight into other people's lives.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very well acted, accurate portrayal of life in the most deprived council estates, but too depressing for me. So little hope.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Insight into another world.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An insight into deprived lives.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very thought provoking.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Excellent child actors.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Extremely sad, depressing film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Comic, tragic, moving. Good photography & good use of silence.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely photography. Very moving story. Boys acted well.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Well acted, powerful film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Grim realism. Sound needs turning up.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="50" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">GOODNESS WHAT A GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES. TWO MORE AMAZING YOUNG PERFORMERS. SORRY TO SAY COULD HAVE DONE WITH SUBTITLES!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Superb acting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Interesting story well acted by the 2 leads. Rather harsh life for those people.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Brilliant acting. Didn't enjoy it.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Powerful, interesting, worth seeing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The ending seemed somewhat incomplete & maybe a bit fantastical.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Too quiet.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good gritty Yorkshire acting. Not one for pleasure but realistic and educational</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good film but too bleak for me.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very harrowing view of society</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">I understand the strengths of the film including wonderful performances. However, I didn't enjoy any aspect of it. Impossible to score</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.4 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304426/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304426/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 81%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_selfish_giant_2013/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_selfish_giant_2013/</a><br />
<br />
An interesting review by <b>Peter Bradshaw</b> in <b>The Guardian</b> (5 stars): <i><b>“The Selfish Giant has Ken Loach's Kes in its DNA”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/24/the-selfish-giant-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/24/the-selfish-giant-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in the<b> Telegraph</b> (5 stars)<i><b>“So hauntingly perfect is Barnard’s film, and so skin-pricklingly alive does it make you feel to watch it, that at first you can hardly believe the sum of what you have seen: the astonishingly strong performances from her two young, untutored leads; Barnard’s layered script; Mike Eley’s snow-crisp cinematography that makes the streets of Bradford shine.”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10063353/Cannes-2013-The-Selfish-Giant-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10063353/Cannes-2013-The-Selfish-Giant-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Clio Barnard</b> interview in the <b>Guardian</b>:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/12/clio-barnard-selfish-giant-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/12/clio-barnard-selfish-giant-interview</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-81447463367100204702015-01-13T19:30:00.000+00:002015-01-19T15:45:38.153+00:00Saving Mr Banks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p3w2nlezW8/VL0lZdxnAmI/AAAAAAAAAxA/20x2VYZgULU/s1600/Saving-Mr-Banks-Review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p3w2nlezW8/VL0lZdxnAmI/AAAAAAAAAxA/20x2VYZgULU/s1600/Saving-Mr-Banks-Review.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I missed this film. Seems like it was a good one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 88%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Beguiling and touching. I am surprised by how affecting this story was!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Much more enjoyable than I thought it would be.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A thoroughly good movie. Real feel good!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Extremely entertaining. Very well acted.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wonderful throughout.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Sentimental but a story well told. Lovely cinematography and lighting.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very well written script, beautifully acted. Most enjoyable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A lovely film. All characters beautifully played.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">What a wonderful film! This is the 3rd time I've seen it but enjoyed it just as much.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed it. Very good performances all round.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable. Dialogue between Travers and daughter difficult to hear.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Some dialogue hard to make out. Well worth seeing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The seats are much more comfortable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely story of whimsy.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good performances. Lovely story.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good performance especially Emma Thompson. Really enjoyed it.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A cheesy movie but well done. Real tear jerker in the American style. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks superb.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.6 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b>. Audience rating 84%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_mr_banks_2013/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_mr_banks_2013/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Tom Shone</b> in the <b>Guardian:</b> <b><i>“more atrocious than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/13/saving-mr-banks-rescued-tom-hanks-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/13/saving-mr-banks-rescued-tom-hanks-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Brian Viner</b> in the <b>Daily Mail:</b> <b><i>“Super Tom is majestic, but Emma is ferocious!.”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-2515269/Saving-Mr-Banks-review-Super-Tom-majestic-Emma-ferocious.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-2515269/Saving-Mr-Banks-review-Super-Tom-majestic-Emma-ferocious.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Sarah Rainey</b> in the <b>Telegraph:</b> <b><i>“The true story of PL Travers”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10483126/Saving-Mr-Banks-The-true-story-of-PL-Travers.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10483126/Saving-Mr-Banks-The-true-story-of-PL-Travers.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-32875431789532106882014-12-09T19:30:00.000+00:002014-12-11T15:48:52.912+00:00The Past<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8vp3e_AAJ4/VIi4dg9m4NI/AAAAAAAAAv0/RL67DILSL3s/s1600/The-past.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8vp3e_AAJ4/VIi4dg9m4NI/AAAAAAAAAv0/RL67DILSL3s/s1600/The-past.png" height="173" width="320" /></a></div>
I was thinking about the similarity between <b>Asghar Farhardi's</b> films and <b>Mike Leigh's;</b> both directors focus on the detailed examination of human relationships, constantly peeling back layers of detail and so revealing new insights into the characters' feelings and motives. So I wasn't surprised to read that some reviewers have made the same comparison. Apparently, Farhardi also uses a long period of rehearsal before starting to shoot. I enjoyed the film but I would have liked a joke occasionally to lighten the mood, which became increasingly depressed as the film went on. <b>Mike Leigh</b> does, I think, give us more laughs. Perhaps an Iranian or French audience would see humour that passed me by?<br />
<br />
I just looked back at the feedback comments we had for Farhardi's other films, <a href="http://wakefs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/separation.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Separation</a> and <a href="http://wakefs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/about-elly.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">About Elly</a>. Some people commented that those films too were depressing and lacking resolution. I found an interview with Farhadi in which he was asked why <a href="http://wakefs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/separation.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Separation</a> didn't have a proper ending. He said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The audience would have been much happier, but they would have forgotten the film. The fact that people still stop me in the streets now, years later, and ask me what happened means that the story didn’t end. People are still worried about her destiny. If I had ended that film with the decision, there would have been a momentary satisfaction, but the way I left it means that audiences will carry the story on with them through their life, in their heart and in their imagination."</i></blockquote>
See the full interview here: <a href="http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/hazlitt/feature/i-dont-really-believe-endings-interview-iranian-director-asghar-farhadi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/hazlitt/feature/i-dont-really-believe-endings-interview-iranian-director-asghar-farhadi</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_bnUcDECTM/VIi6GFEe3VI/AAAAAAAAAwM/V8pLoAEJTto/s1600/Free%2BMen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_bnUcDECTM/VIi6GFEe3VI/AAAAAAAAAwM/V8pLoAEJTto/s1600/Free%2BMen.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a><b>Tahar Rahim</b><br />
Did anyone recognise Samir?<b> </b>He was played by Tahar Rahim, who was the lead in <a href="http://wakefs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/free-men.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free Men</a>, which we showed in March 2013.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Bérénice Bejo</b><br />
There's an interview with Bérénice Bejo in the Telegraph in which she talks about Farhardi's film-making and says: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10698067/Berenice-Bejo-Im-glad-I-made-Nicole-Kidman-cry.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">'I'm glad I made Nicole Kidman cry'</a><br />
<br />
<b>Ghormeh Sabzi</b><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-au6BgjKaBQE/VIjVeM9j52I/AAAAAAAAAwo/yuuaOQMD6ec/s1600/Ghormeh_Sabzi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-au6BgjKaBQE/VIjVeM9j52I/AAAAAAAAAwo/yuuaOQMD6ec/s1600/Ghormeh_Sabzi.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a>My researches have found that the meal Ahmad prepared was <b>Ghormeh Sabzi</b> — a traditional Persian vegetable stew, often said to be the Iranian national dish. It is popular in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan; traditionally served when family members return home after being away. So, if you have anyone coming home for Christmas, here's the recipe: <a href="http://www.oldhallpersian.co.uk/recipes/ghormeh-sabzi/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.oldhallpersian.co.uk/recipes/ghormeh-sabzi/</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Feedback score</b> was 84%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Intense!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very moving!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Incredible, moving film. All for the love.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Thought provoking. Excellent acting (children too)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Exhausting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A fine film. Intense, harrowing in places but redeemed by some tenderness. Those poor children!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Intense and relentless, just like some relationships are.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Well acted especially by the children. V. emotional but long in parts.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very interesting story. The casts are very good. The ending not expected!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Interesting but too long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good storyline, but a bit disjointed & left a few ends hanging. EG had the boy stained the dress? Seems like a rather sad story.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Similar stories happen so many times. A number of loose ends needed clarification.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Superb performances and direction. However, over-long and rather slow to reach its conclusion.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Dysfunctional family lives are the same the world over. People hurt.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An absorbing story with plenty of twists. Very well acted and another bunch of good young performers.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Well acted but a bit slow. Thought Ahmad was the calm amongst the chaos. Poor children having to listen to all this.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A bit disappointing. Tedious.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> rating 7.9 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2404461/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2404461/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes.</b> Audience rating 83%<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_passe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_passe/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Peter Bradshaw's</b> film of the week in The Guardian: <i><b>“a tragedy of good intentions and bad beginnings and wrong decisions that seemed right at the time”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/27/the-past-review-peter-bradshaw-asghar-farhadi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/27/the-past-review-peter-bradshaw-asghar-farhadi</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in The Telegraph <i><b>“Farhadi’s genius is in making the past something to be passed on, like an unwanted heirloom: it sits in a cupboard, gathering dust, but is never forgotten.”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10064361/The-Past-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10064361/The-Past-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Bérénice Bejo</b> interview <i><b>“ 'I'm glad I made Nicole Kidman cry'</b></i><br />
<i><b>As The Artist's Bérénice Bejo returns in Asghar Farhadi's moving new film The Past, she tells Robbie Collin how she reduced Hollywood's finest to tears”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10698067/Berenice-Bejo-Im-glad-I-made-Nicole-Kidman-cry.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10698067/Berenice-Bejo-Im-glad-I-made-Nicole-Kidman-cry.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Asghar Farhardi</b> interview: <b><i>"I don’t really believe in endings"</i></b><br />
<a href="http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/hazlitt/feature/i-dont-really-believe-endings-interview-iranian-director-asghar-farhadi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/hazlitt/feature/i-dont-really-believe-endings-interview-iranian-director-asghar-farhadi</a><br />
<br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-5875789325399617332014-11-25T19:30:00.000+00:002014-11-27T16:14:48.288+00:00Like Father, Like Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3W5JMN1dV4/VHc520uZFyI/AAAAAAAAAvU/jun9qxmkB9w/s1600/Like%2Bfather_son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3W5JMN1dV4/VHc520uZFyI/AAAAAAAAAvU/jun9qxmkB9w/s1600/Like%2Bfather_son.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
This storyline isn't as far-fetched as you might think — only this week a South African court has ruled on a case of two babies accidentally switched at birth. One of the fathers was sued for maintenance by his estranged wife. He denied paternity and the switch came to light after DNA tests. One of the mothers wanted to swap back and the other didn't. The court ruled that the children should stay with the mothers who had raised them. With a few minutes searching on-line you can find several other cases. Although I must admit that you can also find many reports of extra-terrestrial alien abductions<br />
<br />
Anyway, I found it believable. If an English nurse can poison dozens of patients — and this has happened a few times in my memory — I don't see what's so unlikely about a Japanese nurse switching a couple of babies.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-r__1NQCGw/VHc53zYx8OI/AAAAAAAAAvc/7gTkv4s1uRo/s1600/like_father_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-r__1NQCGw/VHc53zYx8OI/AAAAAAAAAvc/7gTkv4s1uRo/s1600/like_father_06.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a>There's an interview with the director here: <a href="http://www.film4.com/special-features/interviews/hirokazu-koreeda-on-like-father-like-son" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.film4.com/special-features/interviews/hirokazu-koreeda-on-like-father-like-son</a> where he talks about his methods and working with child actors.<br />
<br />
What a wonderful piece of storytelling — and ultimately satisfying as Ryota comes to learn the error of his ways. Money isn't everything — learn to fly a kite and use a soldering iron.<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 87%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely film, beautifully acted</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A poignant film with lots of strands about homan relationships. My attention didn't wander at all. Beautifully filmed</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">It creates a lot of questions. Very good story, well performed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Beautiful film & wonderfully acting. Heart wrenching & unsolvable </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Awkward situation. Father improved as a father. Good acting from everyone, esp. children</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The sort of film you don't want to end – although I was pleased when it finished so I could restore feelings in my nether regions. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Great film. Gripping storyline.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Compelling viewing: Makes you think and contemplate your position in life. (Now and in the past — even into the future)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Another group of amazing young performers. Very touching and emotional.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Oh dear, hankie needed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good film, great acting. Really kept my attention!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">I can't imagine the situation would ever arise. Far fetched, but well done.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A thought provoking dilemma. Will they ever adopt?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Not convinced! Ending unsatisfactory.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
Mark Kermode in the <b>Observer</b> - <b><i>"Kore-eda's facility for casting and directing young performers is spine-tingling"</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/20/like-father-like-son-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/20/like-father-like-son-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Telegraph</b> <i><b>“Hirokazu Kore-eda's playful family drama has Robbie Collin squeaking with joy":</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10066000/Like-Father-Like-Son-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10066000/Like-Father-Like-Son-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> – 7.8 of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2331143/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2331143/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b> (87% audience rating)<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/like_father_like_son_2013/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/like_father_like_son_2013/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Film4 interview</b> with the director:<br />
<a href="http://www.film4.com/special-features/interviews/hirokazu-koreeda-on-like-father-like-son" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.film4.com/special-features/interviews/hirokazu-koreeda-on-like-father-like-son</a><br />
<br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-61657288446088068612014-11-11T19:30:00.000+00:002014-11-15T09:42:25.019+00:00A Farewell to Arms<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V6EcjA--qw/VGZyU9H92FI/AAAAAAAAAu0/jsCL_NxtEng/s1600/farewell_to_arms095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V6EcjA--qw/VGZyU9H92FI/AAAAAAAAAu0/jsCL_NxtEng/s1600/farewell_to_arms095.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-autobiographical?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Was Hemingway's novel semi-autobiographical? Here's an extract from Hemingway's biography as reported in Wikipedia:
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'Early in 1918 <i>[aged 18]</i> Hemingway responded to a Red Cross recruitment effort in Kansas City and signed on to become an ambulance driver in Italy. He left New York in May and arrived in Paris as the city was under bombardment from German artillery. By June, he was at the Italian Front. ...On his first day in Milan, he was sent to the scene of a munitions factory explosion, where rescuers retrieved the shredded remains of female workers. He described the incident in his non-fiction book <b>Death in the Afternoon</b>: <i>"I remember that after we searched quite thoroughly for the complete dead we collected fragments"</i>...<br />
<br />
'On July 8, he was seriously wounded by mortar fire, having just returned from the canteen bringing chocolate and cigarettes for the men at the front line. Despite his wounds, Hemingway assisted Italian soldiers to safety, for which he received the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery. Still only 18, Hemingway said of the incident: <i>"When you go to war as a boy you have a great illusion of immortality. Other people get killed; not you ... Then when you are badly wounded the first time you lose that illusion and you know it can happen to you."</i> He sustained severe shrapnel wounds to both legs, underwent an immediate operation at a distribution centre, and spent five days at a field hospital before he was transferred for recuperation to the Red Cross hospital in Milan. He spent six months at the hospital...<br />
<br />
'While recuperating, he fell in love, for the first time, with Agnes von Kurowsky, a Red Cross nurse seven years his senior. By the time of his release and return to the United States in January 1919, Agnes and Hemingway had decided to marry within a few months in America. However, in March, she wrote that she had become engaged to an Italian officer. Biographer Jeffrey Meyers states that Hemingway was devastated by Agnes' rejection, and in future relationships, he followed a pattern of abandoning a wife before she abandoned him.'</blockquote>
I came across an interesting article in the Telegraph (see link below) which tells us that early drafts of the book included 47 different endings:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'The ending that survived Hemingway's revisions, about the death of Catherine, was:<br />
<i>"It was like saying good-by to a statue. After a while I went out and left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain."</i><br />
<br />
Among the 47 finales tried out by Hemingway was the so-called <b>'Nada Ending':</b>
<br />
<i>“That is all there is to the story. Catherine died and you will die and I will die and that is all I can promise you.”</i><br />
<br />
and the <b>'Live-Baby'</b> ending:
<br />
<i>“There is no end except death and birth is the only beginning.”</i><br />
<br />
Incidentally, Hemingway's ending to <b>A Farewell To Arms</b> caused consternation when it was made into a film in 1932. Paramount decided, after much disagreement, to keep Hemingway's original ending and fade out after the death of Catherine. This ending was kept for the European release, but a new ending, <b>in which she lives</b>, was later added to the American release.'</blockquote>
The film won Oscars for cinematography (well deserved, I thought) and sound. It was also nominated for best picture in 1933, the year the award went to <b>Cavalcade</b>, a hugely popular musical based on <b>Noel Coward's</b> play.<br />
<br />
According to IMDB (See link below) censorship problems arose from early versions of the script, which included phases of Catherine's actual childbirth and references to labour pains, gas, her groaning and haemorrhaging… the film was rejected in British Columbia and in Australia, where Hemingway's book was also banned.<br />
<br />
We've all seen <b>Gary Cooper</b> in films like <b>High Noon</b> and <b>Sergeant York</b>, but who was <b>Helen Hayes</b>?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4pHoN3lAyc/VGZ30BPCBBI/AAAAAAAAAvE/9v-atTGg3aM/s1600/Helen-Hayes-in-Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4pHoN3lAyc/VGZ30BPCBBI/AAAAAAAAAvE/9v-atTGg3aM/s1600/Helen-Hayes-in-Airport.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Hayes in <b>Airport</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An American actress whose career spanned almost 80 years, she was one of twelve people with the unusual distinction of winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her maternal grandparents migrated from Ireland at the time of the Potato Famine. She starred with Gary Cooper (whom she admitted to finding extremely attractive), Myrna Loy and Clark Gable in the1930s. She played on the Broadway stage for many years returning to film in <b>Airport</b>, <b>Herbie Rides Again</b>, and several others.<br />
<br />
It is unclear when or by whom Hayes was called the "First Lady of the Theatre". Her friend, actress Katharine Cornell also held that title, and each thought that the other deserved it. One critic said that Cornell played every Queen as though she were a woman, whereas Hayes played every woman as though she were a Queen.<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 63%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">A fair interpretation of the novel. Some excellent cinematography and good acting from all the leads.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting on many levels. Worth watching.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Enjoyed it. Thanks.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A film “of its time” - v. enjoyable & so suitable for today.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Most enjoyable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Looking forward to the next time!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wonderful & not what I was expecting. Ighting and sexual content surprising.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">AMAZING SET PIECES AND SPECIAL EFFECTS — PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE AGE OF THE FILM.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Surprisingly modern for 1932. Gary Cooper = Yummy!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">It was a good example of a 1930s film — haven't things improved!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A good weepy. A bit melodramatic but of its time, Sticks reasonably well to the book.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Delightfully hammy!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Got better as it went along.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Difficult to assess. No experience of films made in 1932</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An interesting insight into how the world of film-making has dramatically changed as has the attitude of the audience.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Hasn't really stood the test of time.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Don't make them like this any more — !!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Nostalgia personified. Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Dated but!! War scenes v. good — Enjoyed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Not incisive enough as a film about war. Too schmaltzy — a fine romance.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Too creaky to deserve a showing!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A shocking script. Could not take it seriously as a story.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Amazing war sequences for the era but acting and script were risible.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very melodramatic. Of its time.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b>
<br />
Steve Rose in the <b>Guardian</b> - <b><i>"dated, yet bracingly modern war epic...<br />
Meeting in Italy one evening, they conduct what must be the swiftest courtship in movie history, illicit consummation included. "</i></b>(4 Stars)<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/29/a-farewell-to-arms-1932-review-hemingway-gary-cooper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/29/a-farewell-to-arms-1932-review-hemingway-gary-cooper</a><br />
<br />
A fascinating article in the <b>Telegraph</b> — <b><i>“Ernest Hemingway wrote 47 endings to A Farewell To Arms”</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9378446/Ernest-Hemingway-wrote-47-endings-to-A-Farewell-To-Arms.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9378446/Ernest-Hemingway-wrote-47-endings-to-A-Farewell-To-Arms.html</a>
<br />
<br />
IMDB – 6.6 of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022879/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022879/</a>
<br />
<br />
Rotten Tomatoes (52% audience rating)<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/farewell_to_arms/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/farewell_to_arms/</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-26901309647187716932014-10-28T19:30:00.000+00:002014-10-31T12:00:17.050+00:00Sunshine On Leith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6qmQrP29gk/VFK9zAvKs0I/AAAAAAAAAuU/wtuje-EJ31M/s1600/sunshine-on-leith-top-5-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6qmQrP29gk/VFK9zAvKs0I/AAAAAAAAAuU/wtuje-EJ31M/s1600/sunshine-on-leith-top-5-4.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Guess Who?</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A pleasant evening's entertainment.<br />
<br />
I'm not a huge fan of the <b>Proclaimers.</b> The two songs I know — <i>I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)</i> and <i>Letter from America</i> — are the sort of songs where a single phrase sticks in your head and keeps replaying over and over eventually driving you bonkers. The technical term is <i><b>earworm</b></i> and here's an article that tells you how to get rid of earworms if you need to:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9950143/Get-that-tune-out-of-your-head-scientists-find-how-to-get-rid-of-earworms.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9950143/Get-that-tune-out-of-your-head-scientists-find-how-to-get-rid-of-earworms.html</a><br />
<br />
Anyway, I didn't know most of the tunes but they were quite pleasant and seemed to fit the plot almost as if they'd been written for it. Or the other way around.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2QzAcIaMBk/VFNVEUQHmqI/AAAAAAAAAuk/luAZ83F5rlo/s1600/BabyFace%2B-%2Bthen%2Band%2Bnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2QzAcIaMBk/VFNVEUQHmqI/AAAAAAAAAuk/luAZ83F5rlo/s1600/BabyFace%2B-%2Bthen%2Band%2Bnow.jpg" height="140" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Babyface - Then and Now</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The shots of Edinburgh were nice and I understood most of the dialogue — unlike the last Scottish film we had (<i><b>The Angels' Share</b></i>, since you ask).<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's an interesting fact: the director of the film — <b>Dexter Fletcher</b> — appeared in <b><i>Bugsy Malone</i></b> as the character <i><b>Babyface.</b></i><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Feedback score</b> was 84%. Audience comments:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Loved it – fab</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed it. Upbeat full of fun – another young star! And the city looked wonderful.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Views across Edinburgh stunning. Good pace. Great music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">More comfortable seats please.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Just loved it! Music, people, acting & Edinburgh!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Enjoyed it — lots of tears.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">COULD HAVE DONE WITH LYRIC SHEETS TO ENCOURAGE A LITTLE MORE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Fun film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">What a delight! Full of twists and turns – a rom-com par excellence. Cried all the way through to the end, but very uplifting. Astute observations of life inbetween.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Surprisingly entertaining!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Great fun!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Enjoyable light modern story</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very entertaining.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">It could all be so easy.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Thoroughly enjoyable. V. good all round.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Great film – please do something about the seating. Could only see half the screen!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A real “feel good” film. Left the audience smiling — what more could you ask for?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Seating a problem. Bit like — now you see it now you don't — with people in front on the move.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Feel Good factor film. Well acted and good music. What more could you want?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good uplifting in parts. Good storyline and well acted. Good location.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A good feel good factor film that left me smiling.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Lovely film. Everyday life told through music. Love the Proclaimers music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Great feel good movie. Boost to Edinburgh tourism!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Mamma Mia in Edinburgh? Slow start but bouncy ending. Humorous bits but generally slow.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<b>Mark Kermode</b> in the <b>Observer</b> - <i>"I shed a tear within the first 10 minutes, and spent the rest of the movie beaming like a gibbering, love-struck fool. By the time Horrocks launched into a hospital bedside rendition of the title song, I was quivering like a jelly on a plate. "</i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/06/sunshine-on-leith-filth-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/06/sunshine-on-leith-filth-review</a><br />
<br />
<b>Robbie Collin</b> in <b>The Telegraph</b> <i>“will give you tingles of happiness”</i> 4 stars<br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10353573/Sunshine-on-Leith-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10353573/Sunshine-on-Leith-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB</b> – 6.6 of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2481198/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2481198/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rotten Tomatoes</b> (72% audience rating)<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sunshine_on_leith/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sunshine_on_leith/</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-12618331307177231122014-10-14T19:30:00.000+01:002014-10-17T20:04:51.810+01:00Wadjda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaPtKYZQZTw/VD_Atv3D83I/AAAAAAAAAto/TbPen0yCMIY/s1600/wadjda%2Bteacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaPtKYZQZTw/VD_Atv3D83I/AAAAAAAAAto/TbPen0yCMIY/s1600/wadjda%2Bteacher.jpg" height="359" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What a super film! You wouldn't be likely to see that at Cineworld, Wakefield nor — I venture to suggest — in the new cinema scheduled to replace Wakefield's £3 million market-hall-white-elephant.<br />
<br />
Eagle-eyed film fans might have noticed it was shown a few times recently on the Film4 channel which, perhaps, explains our slightly lower attendance this week.<br />
<br />
The room was much better than last time and everyone had a good view of the screen. Also, there was more space to spread out — unfortunately allowing the devil to come among us and turn off the subtitles.<br />
<br />
Here's an extract from an interview with director <i><b>Haifaa Al Mansour</b></i> reported in the Telegraph:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Director Haifaa Al Mansour told Reuters that Wadjda aims to portray the segregation of women in Saudi Arabia, where they hold a lower legal status to men, are banned from driving and need a male guardian's permission to work, travel or open a bank account.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"It's easy to say it's a difficult, conservative place for a woman and do nothing about it, but we need to push forward and hope we can help make it a more relaxed and tolerant society," she said after her film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, speaking to reporters in English.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>She pointed to signs of change in Saudi society and said younger generations were challenging rigid customs and slowly pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Under King Abdullah, the Saudi government has pushed for women to have better education and work opportunities and allowed them to vote in future municipal elections, the only public polls held in the kingdom.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"It's opening up, there is a huge opportunity for women now," Al Mansour said, noting that Saudi Arabia entered female athletes for the first time ever at the London Olympics this summer.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZoGyyyL7_0/VEAxSJNjFYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/jc8t9MpXsHc/s1600/wadjda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZoGyyyL7_0/VEAxSJNjFYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/jc8t9MpXsHc/s1600/wadjda.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>"It is not like before, although I can't say it's like heaven. Society won't just accept it, people will put pressure on women to stay home, but we have to fight."</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Al Mansour spoke of the difficulties she faced filming in Riyadh, despite having obtained permission from authorities to do so.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>She occasionally had to hide in a van in some of the more conservative areas where locals disapproved of a female film-maker mixing with men on set, and at times had to direct her male actors via walkie-talkie.</i></blockquote>
Here's an interesting observation from Hannah McGill's BFI review:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“A final slight rub comes from the fact that the film rewards Wadjda’s unconventionality with conventional satisfactions: winning her bicycle money by outdoing her classmates at Koran recitation, and receiving </i><i>—</i><i> with a coy simper — Abdullah’s shy declaration that he’d like to marry her when they’re older. The latter is an odd moment. On one level, it’s just cute. But it’s also saddening, in that it lodges the easy friendship between Abdullah and Wadjda within the system of ownership and capitulation that so annoys her. Worse, it risks coyly reassuring us that our difficult heroine is still marriageable, like a spunky Disney princess."</i></blockquote>
<br />
A very high <b>feedback score</b> of 91%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Very moving</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very thought provoking about life for women in Saudi Arabia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A good insight into the lives of women and how the community is formed. Good performances from all the actors. Most enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Fascinating insight into Saudi society. Terrific acting by the young girl + inspirational. (The room was rather cold)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A really enjoyable film. An insight into a culture that was completely unknown to me. A wonderful little girl who was a natural.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A very enjoyable film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The girl and boy were excellent. The headmistress frighteningly realistic. Hopscotch too! </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Clever, Intelligent + Lovely!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="50" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The plight of women was totally harrowing but utterly intriguing. The acting was superb — the film felt very natural: more like a documentary. Thanks for the opportunity to discover these remarkable insights!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very thought provoking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Moving and enlightening. Well acted and directed. A brave film. Am grateful to be a woman here in Wakefield!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Inspiring & shocking!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Beautifully made but a difficult watch.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Interesting, in many ways demonstrates growing up and challenging expectations is the same in all cultures.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very enjoyable — another good young performer — carrying on from last season.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Would like to see more of this kind of film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very brave to make this film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Shocking. <br />
Could it be that bad??</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting film, thought provoking. Some good acting from the young girl. Sad in parts.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Bit slow, but spunk can get you anywhere.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
Philip French's review in the Observer also includes a link to a short video interview with Haifaa Al Mansour:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/21/wadjda-film-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/21/wadjda-film-review</a><br />
<br />
Robbie Collin in The Telegraph <i>“A woman’s voice reveals her nakedness,” scolds Wadjda’s teacher, as she and a friend run laughing from a Riyadh sidestreet into their school playground. “What if a man had heard you?” — Well, plenty of men will hear her now.</i><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/venice-film-festival/9511867/Venice-Film-Festival-2012-Wadjda-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/venice-film-festival/9511867/Venice-Film-Festival-2012-Wadjda-review.html</a><br />
<br />
Telegraph Haifaa Al Mansour interview:<br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/venice-film-festival/9517263/Wadjda-director-Saudi-women-have-to-fight.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/venice-film-festival/9517263/Wadjda-director-Saudi-women-have-to-fight.html</a><br />
<br />
IMDB – 7.6 of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2258858/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2258858/</a><br />
<br />
BFI Film of the week from August 2013:<br />
<a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/film-week-wadjda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/film-week-wadjda</a><br />
<br />
Rotten Tomatoes (89% audience rating)<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wadjda_2013/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wadjda_2013/</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-15885371854138135162014-09-30T19:30:00.000+01:002014-10-06T09:56:33.607+01:00Le Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmFyzQqCno/VDGeGtZU0GI/AAAAAAAAAtY/l8dAkZGUkHE/s1600/Le%2BWeekend%2BEat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmFyzQqCno/VDGeGtZU0GI/AAAAAAAAAtY/l8dAkZGUkHE/s1600/Le%2BWeekend%2BEat.jpg" height="270" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I first became aware of <b><i>Jim Broadbent</i></b> listening to his portrayal of <i><b>Wallace</b></i> — assistant to<i><b> Desmond Olivier Dingle</b></i> in <i><b>The National Theatre of Brent</b></i> — and I've been a fan ever since. I've not seen him in anything I didn't like but my favourite of his roles was <i><b>WS Gilbert</b></i> in <i><b>Topsy Turvy</b></i>. As far as I'm concerned, he can do no wrong.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Lindsay Duncan</b></i> is always good too — although she does always seem to play the same ice-queen character.<br />
<br />
I don't know anything about acting but I think it must be hard to do while eating — especially if you have to do several takes and still appear to be enjoying the food — which by now you're probably sick of. And deliver the lines at the same time! There was quite a lot of eating in this film. I suppose that's one of the reasons you go to Paris — for the food and the pleasure of communicating with the waiters.<br />
<br />
One of the best scenes was <i><b>Jeff Goldblum</b></i>'s monologue — also delivered while stuffing himself with canapés. I've never had an opinion about him until now but I thought he was superb in that scene — just the right mix of creepy and charming.<br />
<br />
We had a big turnout for the first film of the season so the room we were in was too small for the people at the back. We'll be in a bigger room next time with different seating.<br />
<br />
<b>Audience feedback</b> score was 81%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Excellent — most enjoyable! Thanks.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wry, full of sadness/comedy ? — ? — comedic + humaine. Lovely acting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Really enjoyable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Given the average age of the audience, I'm sure there were quite a few moments to relate to! Great film sound quality excellent — loved the beams.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good to see what older people get up to — not too happy with the venue.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Venue disappointing, screen too small and seating not staggered. Too hot!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Wonderful acting and direction. Bitter-sweet!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">More leg-room next time please. (I was behind the tallest man in the room!)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Top class acting. Interesting and very human story. Witty dialogue. Best film so far this season. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Bigger room next time. Ta</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Magnifique — I hurt with unease and embarrassment + chortled with laughter. Jeff Goldblum may be a tad 'over large' — but enjoyable anyhow.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Did not like Meg. Felt she gave him crumbs of her affectation and was quite controlling in this respect. Well acted. Jim Broadbent is always good.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Quite funny and a bit bonkers.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Plaudits to Jim Broadbent who acts through his eyes.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Well made.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Liked the film. Disappointed about the room and seating.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Indulgent. Lacked direction.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Meandering and inconsistent — well done but not particularly enjoyable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed this — well acted but felt sorry for him. Think it was love in the end.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Engaging dialogue — reflecting the joy of elderly life?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Too much soul-searching! Not v. realistic.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting idea for a film but didn't quite work despite excellent acting. Sound a little funny.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Only skimmed surface of a fading relationship — typical Hanif Kureishi. Wonderful travelogue of Paris</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Unusual way of coping with middle age crisis. Beautiful views over Paris + good music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Not my cup of tea.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Occasional witty dialogue.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line</b> stuff:<br />
<br />
Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian <b>"It all creates the kind of gentle melancholy comedy after which you leave the cinema not sure quite how depressed you are supposed to be feeling."</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/10/le-week-end-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/10/le-week-end-review</a><br />
<br />
Robbie Collin in The Telegraph <b>"Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan bring unexpected richness"</b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10369701/Le-Week-End-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10369701/Le-Week-End-review.html</a><br />
<br />
IMDB – 6.4 out of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2392326/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2392326/</a><br />
<br />
BFI Film of the week: <b>"But the film belies its glum premise and unpromising title: perfectly cast and utterly charming, it turns out to be full of hilarious exchanges and unexpected treats."</b><br />
<a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/film-week-le-week-end" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Film of the week: Le Weekend</a><br />
<br />
Rotten Tomatoes (54% audience rating)<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_week_end/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_week_end/</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-43394129854649285122014-07-01T19:30:00.000+01:002014-07-06T20:39:57.967+01:00I'm So Excited!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21R4qL2ogeg/U7miDeLG6_I/AAAAAAAAAkI/QdQJevoSYIc/s1600/I'm+So+Excited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21R4qL2ogeg/U7miDeLG6_I/AAAAAAAAAkI/QdQJevoSYIc/s1600/I'm+So+Excited.jpg" height="391" width="640" /></a></div>
You either loved it or loathed it. Worst score of the season.<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback score</b> was 63%:<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Loved it!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really funny!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Camp as Christmas. Loved it!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">¡Estupendo!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">3 Star. OK</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Well... Somewhat unexpected. Funny in parts and dialogue a bit too fast – missed the picture a bit.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Far fetched</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">ENTERTAINING BUT NOT AS FUNNY AS I EXPECTED</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Certainly different from the usual film society offerings. Unlike any flight I've ever been on (unfortunately!)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">I really enjoyed it and found it funny. Liked the way we got to find out about peoples' lives, all nicely intertwined.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">What! Not seen a Pedro Almodovar like that before.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Could not connect with characters. Cared even less.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Maybe you have to be in the mood.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Did not find it very funny and content too distasteful for my taste. — Sorry.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">RUBBISH!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Awful. What a sad way to end your season with that!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<br />
Rotten Tomatoes - 37% Audience feedback<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_so_excited/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_so_excited/</a><br />
<br />
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian <b>"genial and good-natured comedy of sex"</b> <b>3 Stars</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/02/im-so-excited-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/02/im-so-excited-review</a><br />
<br />
Philip French, Observer <b>“slight yet droll commentary on post-crash Spain”</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/05/im-so-excited-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/05/im-so-excited-review</a><br />
<br />
IMDB – 5.7 out of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2243389/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2243389/</a><br />
<br />
Anthony Quinn, Independent <b>“There's nothing exciting about Pedro Almodóvar's zany sex comedy”</b> <b>1 Star</b><br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-im-so-excited--theres-nothing-exciting-about-pedro-almodvars-zany-sex-comedy-8601529.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-im-so-excited--theres-nothing-exciting-about-pedro-almodvars-zany-sex-comedy-8601529.html</a><br />
<div>
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Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-14237660436279965542014-06-17T19:30:00.000+01:002014-06-20T22:46:55.009+01:00What Maisie Knew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4SmjgW_Koo/U6MCngXDW5I/AAAAAAAAAj4/lh5GsKAm9Ho/s1600/What-Maisie-Knew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4SmjgW_Koo/U6MCngXDW5I/AAAAAAAAAj4/lh5GsKAm9Ho/s1600/What-Maisie-Knew.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
I had always thought that divorce and child custody battles started sometime around the 1930s, so it was quite a revelation to learn that this sort of thing was a feature of Victorian society in 1897, the year James's novel was published. Nonetheless, I suppose that using the law to beat up your ex was confined to the upper strata of society until around 1950 — the year legal aid first became available in the UK. Or perhaps 1963 — the year sex was invented, according to Philip Larkin. Anyway, we had a discussion about the differences between the novel and the film — but as none of us had actually read the book it was not a very well-informed debate. Afterwards, I found a quite detailed comparison in this review on the BFI web site: <a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/film-week-what-maisie-knew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Film of the week: What Maisie Knew</a>. And as the book is out of copyright, you can read the original for nothing if you download a free e-book from Amazon or Gutenberg.<br />
<br />
Alan Partridge is <b><i>Steve Coogan</i></b>'s most stupid and self-obsessed character, but, even so, there's a little part of me that quite likes a little part of him and cringes in sympathy at his worst moments. But Coogan presents Maisie's Dad as such a monstrous character that I couldn't find a single redeeming feature. Likewise, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Julianne Moore</i> as Maisie's Mum. We all want to be liked — actors especially, I suppose — so I think it must take a good one to portray somebody so dreadful. With Maisie played unselfconsciously by six-year-old <b><i>Onata Aprile</i></b>, there were, I thought, three excellent performances.<br />
<br />
<b>Feedback</b> score was 78%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"> <colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup> <tbody>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Maisie was the star of the film. She knew who loved her. A disturbing film in many ways but well done.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Glad Maisie had some sense because her parents certainly had none.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Dear me — that poor little girl always watching and listening. A remarkable performance. Will now read the original book.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Amazing acting.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Interesting focus on the child's perspective. The contrast between the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' was too extreme. Superb performance by Maisie.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Another amazing child performance — we have had a few this time.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">BUT VERY SAD!</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Too loud at first — upsetting but good.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Couldn't hear anything!</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">The sound quality was poor. Difficult to make out the dialogue. You cannot believe that there are so self-centred people to ignore their own child.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Sound quality very poor — missed a lot of the dialogue. Maisie was amazingly unscathed by life style of parents/step parents.</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
<br />
<b>On-line:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Rotten Tomatoes - 80% Audience feedback<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/what_maisie_knew_2012/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/what_maisie_knew_2012/</a><br />
<br />
Philip French, Observer <i><b>"Maisie goes to Manhattan in this fine modern-day adaptation of Henry James's novel of irresponsible parenting"</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/25/what-maisie-knew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/25/what-maisie-knew</a><br />
<br />
Time Out, London (4 stars) <i><b>"almost unwatchably perceptive about dysfunctional families"</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/film/what-maisie-knew-2012" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.timeout.com/london/film/what-maisie-knew-2012</a><br />
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IMDB - 7.5 out of 10.<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1932767/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1932767/</a><br />
<br />
BFI Film of the week:<br />
<a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/film-week-what-maisie-knew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Film of the week: What Maisie Knew</a><br />
<br />Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-61718781309765210582014-06-03T19:30:00.000+01:002014-06-07T14:14:47.469+01:00A Late Quartet<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxqC9DiI0Vw/U5B3ox3zleI/AAAAAAAAAjo/iNiF2eCCxPU/s1600/a+late+PerformanceKeenerHoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxqC9DiI0Vw/U5B3ox3zleI/AAAAAAAAAjo/iNiF2eCCxPU/s1600/a+late+PerformanceKeenerHoffman.jpg" height="273" width="640" /></a></div>
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Along with several others (see comments), I found the dialogue difficult to follow. I must say this problem seems to be getting worse — as we get older we lose some hearing, mainly in the higher frequencies, and this makes dialogue especially hard to follow.<br />
<br />
But there's another factor at play here — modern directors, in their pursuit of authenticity, encourage actors to mumble and don't point the camera at them when they're speaking. We definitely don't get the same clarity of diction we used to get with Olivier and his ilk.<br />
<br />
I was interested to read this article on the BBC News site — <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27711981" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quirke screenwriter admits using subtitles</a> — in which Andrew Davies, the screenwriter of Quirke, admitted to watching at home with the subtitles on so his wife could read the dialogue. The BBC got shoals of complaints from people unable to hear the words. In this link — <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27585316" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quirke draws complaints over sound</a> — Richard Madeley is quoted on Twitter "Was REALLY looking forward to Quirke... but despite winding volume up to 100% still can't hear at least a third of dialogue!"<br />
<br />
The complaints were even worse for this programme — <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27116881" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jamaica Inn: Viewers complain over 'mumbling actors'</a> — some interesting quotes here. And the problem has filtered up the BBC's Director General — here's another link which includes a fascinating insight into "Authentic Frontier Gibberish" — <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-23328037" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mumbling TV actors: The heart of the mutter</a>.<br />
<br />
I find myself using the subtitles more often these days. Perhaps we should play DVD's at Wakefield Film Society with subtitles? We could rename ourselves "Movies for Wakefield Grumpies".<br />
<br />
The acoustics at Saint Austin's are not ideal for films but I have to say the chaps there have gone out of their way to make us welcome this year — and have spent a lot of time and effort optimising their sound system for speech.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed the film but was a bit puzzled as to why the beautiful young women fell for the old guys. I suppose the Imogen Poots character admired Daniel because he was her teacher — and we all know girls get crushes on their teachers — but why did that ravishing Spanish foot-stomper fall for Philip Seymour Hoffman just because she met him running round the park? This attraction young women feel for hairy old men is something beyond my experience. Unfortunately.<br />
<br />
<b>Audience feedback</b> rating was 70%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent performances from all the cast. Glorious setting of a snowy New York</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A film for grown-ups</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Think I'll take up violin!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Poor sound reproduction spoiled an other wise excellent film.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very sensitive portrayal of relationships in a family and a musical ensemble. Good acting throughout</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Sound too poor! What a shame...</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Diction fuzzy at times. Music great!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="51" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">TOOK A WHILE TO GET INTO IT, BUT THE CHARACTERS DEVELOPED INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY — A GREAT INSIGHT INTO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER AND SOMEHOW LOSE THEIR INDIVIDUALITY</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Loved the music. Not convinced by some of the relationships. Philip S-H's performance was excellent. Christopher W good too.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="51" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Enjoyed it — but there were a lot of switches of tone:— from a quite serious film — to a Woody Allen farce with the lovers hiding from mother! — to a Rom-com!! There were quite a few plot holes!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Emotive film — sound quality poor to begin — or was it me?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">High class melodrama. Many interesting themes, not very original but beautifully acted.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely music (naturally!) An unusual role magnificently played by Christopher Walken.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Slow going story</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Spoiled by sound quality!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Good film, excellent music … but quality of sound, diction was poor.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="35" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Sadly I could not follow most of the dialogue. It was probably a very good film had I been able to understand what was being said.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good if a bit slow — looked lovely.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Appreciation of excellent performances spoilt by poor sound quality.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Might have been a great film but entirely spoilt because of the sound.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">I found the dialogue difficult to follow and the story tedious — sorry!!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>E</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Sound quality appalling. Spoilt the film.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div>
<b>On-line:</b></div>
<div>
<b>"a heartfelt, intelligent, unassumingly well-constructed picture" </b>Peter Bradshaw, Guardian, 4 stars</div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/04/late-quartet-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/04/late-quartet-review</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>"High-quality movies aimed at grown-ups remain rarities — and this is one of the best" </b>Chris Tookey, Mail, 4 stars:<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2304223/A-Late-Quartet-movie-review-Marvellous-maestros.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2304223/A-Late-Quartet-movie-review-Marvellous-maestros.html</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>"it's only baroque'n'roll (but I like it)"</b> Anthony Quinn, The Independent:<br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-a-late-quartet--its-only-baroquenroll-but-i-like-it-8560615.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-a-late-quartet--its-only-baroquenroll-but-i-like-it-8560615.html</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
IMDB 7.1/10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226240/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226240/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rotten Tomatoes 70% audience rating:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_late_quartet/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_late_quartet/</a></div>
<div>
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Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-78320210737038993472014-05-20T19:30:00.000+01:002014-05-23T12:23:04.353+01:00In The Fog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iofp1XxT7BA/U38jH51STjI/AAAAAAAAAjY/k46PQIl9nsw/s1600/in-the-fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iofp1XxT7BA/U38jH51STjI/AAAAAAAAAjY/k46PQIl9nsw/s1600/in-the-fog.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
I found the flashbacks a bit confusing at first but after the film was over it all seemed to fall into place to make a coherent narrative. A gripping story told with skill and compassion. And a film that I would probably not otherwise have got to see — the sort of film the society should be showing — and the reason why we need a platform for independent and foreign cinema in Wakefield.<br />
<br />
We're used to tragedy as retribution for some previous wrongdoing. <i>Macbeth</i> and <i>Lear</i> and those ancient Greeks brought about their own downfall with their pride, envy, lust or whatever. But the haunting thing about this story is that <i>Sushenya</i> never did anything wrong. He even tried his best to dissuade the others from sabotage. I suppose we find some comfort or logic in the idea of calamity as just desserts for previous misdemeanours — if only Adam hadn't eaten that apple we'd all be in paradise. But the evidence is all around us — from genocidal tyrants to corporate swindlers and hubristic prime ministers — many die peacefully in their beds after long and comfortable lives.<br />
<br />
What a bitter twist that the train that derailed was filled with a human cargo, presumably destined for the gas chambers. So the saboteurs saved the Nazis a job. And got their necks stretched for nothing<br />
<br />
Now <i>Burov </i>supposed that if he'd executed <i>Sushenya </i>in the swampy ground instead of letting him choose his own grave site he'd still be alive — although he did later accuse <i>Voitik </i>of being a bad lookout. But his death was just another tragedy of war. Maybe if he'd stayed at home with his Mum — but wasn't she a nag?<br />
<br />
<i>Voitik </i>had betrayed his comrades so I suppose you could say he got his just desserts. But what about that policeman? If anyone should have been made to suffer it was him. He probably got away scot-free. Probably got the Order of Lenin and ended up in the politburo. There really is no such thing as natural justice.<br />
<br />
I think an onion would help the lard go down but I won't be trying it any time soon.<br />
<br />
<b>Audience feedback</b> was 84%.<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"> <colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup> <tbody>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Gripping. Very, very sad. Interesting. Very believable.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent but very, very grim.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Amazing film.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Wow! Totally suspended disbelief and evoked the reality of being occupied during war. Amazing images! Amazing actors – felt as though I was really there.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Gripping</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Amazing acting but so grim.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">So slow but gripping. Good portrayal of effects of war.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="17" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><br /></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="66" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Atmospheric, life-like, outstanding. Conveys the reality of living in a war. Photography superb. <br />
I recommend “Come and See” (made in 1980s) by a Belarus director (forget his name). Similar – living in WW2 occupied Belarus. The director uses real bombs and ammunition – no short cuts there!</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Excellent but slow.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">SLOW MOVING. ABSORBING. SAD TO THINK HIS ONLY OPTION WAS DEATH.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very good; very atmospheric.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">DOUR BUT GOOD.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Unnecessarily slow. Excellent performances portraying the grim realities of conflict.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Thought provoking.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Rather slow throughout. Became quite interesting in the middle. Not the best of Russian films. Lingered on shots too long.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very moving.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Slow but gripping.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">One man's dilemma. No way out. War is always terrible.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A good storyline, well acted. Some good camera angles, a bit slow in parts but a good film.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very dismal, but a complete contrast to American war films, probably much more true to life. (Or death)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="50" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>U</b></td> <td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A difficult film to watch. Well executed. I imagine the war in parts of Russia was much like that. The parallel with Christ and his final days was clear. It made its point very well – but I'm not sure I wanted to watch it.</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
<br />
<b>Online stuff:</b><br />
Rotten Tomatoes 61% audience rating:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_tumane_2012/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_tumane_2012/</a><br />
<br />
IMDB 6.7 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2325741/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2325741/</a><br />
<br />
Philip French in The Observer saw<i><b> “echoes of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky”</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/28/in-the-fog-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/28/in-the-fog-review</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian: <i><b>“a haunting depiction of the hidden tragedies of war”</b></i> (4 stars)<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/25/in-the-fog-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/25/in-the-fog-review</a>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-30598083514149289342014-04-29T19:30:00.000+01:002014-05-09T08:56:20.971+01:00I Wish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWq-gJ_-9J8/U2tnpYGc0NI/AAAAAAAAAjI/xlGLEWC7Cz0/s1600/39846_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWq-gJ_-9J8/U2tnpYGc0NI/AAAAAAAAAjI/xlGLEWC7Cz0/s1600/39846_large.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was away for this film - thanks to Jane for this review:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Like others, I initially struggled to differentiate the two brothers, perhaps due in part to their being siblings in real life. These boys were already established professional actors aged 9 and 10 at the time of shooting. Nevertheless, this slightly overlong film eventually caught me in its weird wonder. The young people appeared to be the Railway Children for the 21st century, with their dreams , determination and ability to act independently in the absence of attention from the less than satisfactory adults in their respective worlds. Interestingly, the treatment of children , sometimes kind, sometimes careless, appeared to create independent and resourceful characters but ones who charmingly conformed to the values of good manners, obedience, tidiness and the Japanese equivalent of the Green Cross Code! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
All the young players gave compelling performances and the director , in spite of developing the theme of wishes, cleverly refused to provide a fairytale ending, withholding the fate of this sadly disconnected family, while simultaneously leaving the audience uplifted by his assertion of the power of loyalty and self-determination in the young."</blockquote>
<b> Audience feedback </b>was 76%:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Friendship more important than family? Great music</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">A charming film. Nice to see a movie set in a society we don’t know much about. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Lovely film - fascinating insight into another culture .</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Did what it said on the tin. Very thought -provoking. Interesting to see situation from a child’s perspective. Nice music.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A wonderful insight into Japanese culture. Brilliant child actor leads.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Quite poignant in parts. Enterprising little characters. Good child actors.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">An interesting tale. Refreshing insight into Japanese childhood in the 21st century.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Initially confusing but a charming exporation of childhood aspirations</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A sweet film with some very touching moments. Family life with all its ups and downs is no different wherever you are in the world</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Rather slow at times, but lovely portrait of Japanese life and the eternal problem of fractured families.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Children tried to live their dream but come home to reality despite their disrupted circumstances. Well portrayed!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Really enjoyed it. Fantastic bunch of child actors.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Slow and confusing at first but it developed. Enjoyed the second half.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Violent. Wasn't expecting a happy ending!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">A pleasant, easy watch film. Felt it was a bit too long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="34" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Interesting take on the theme of separation. Good child acting. A bit slow- could have been shortened. Some interesting photography.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Good training for kids for the marathon.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Quite slow. Lovely boy actors trying to play the role of adults.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="34" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>D</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Found it a little tedious, but interesting insight into Japanese culture. Do the children always run everywhere?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div>
<b>On line:</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Five star review from Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian: <b>"moving and deeply satisfying"</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/07/i-wish-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/07/i-wish-review</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also came 9th in The Guardian's 10 best films of 2013:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/10/10-best-films-2013-i-wish" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/10/10-best-films-2013-i-wish</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I couldn't find an on-line review by any other national UK paper!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
IMDB 7.4 out of 10:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650453/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650453/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rotten Tomatoes 86% audience feedback:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_wish_2012/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_wish_2012/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973964187542870433.post-18584139834050183952014-04-09T11:10:00.000+01:002014-05-22T20:03:52.605+01:00Caesar Must Die<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2I4ibqcfM-s/U2taBwr_yzI/AAAAAAAAAi4/ow19q7ffvGU/s1600/Caesar-Must-Die-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2I4ibqcfM-s/U2taBwr_yzI/AAAAAAAAAi4/ow19q7ffvGU/s1600/Caesar-Must-Die-02.jpg" height="345" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was on holiday for this one so am grateful to Ann for the following review:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Unfortunately we had a relatively small audience for this screening – perhaps the change of day had something to do with that. However, I have to say that the audience who attended were almost universal in their approval for this film. We could certainly see why it was a prize-winner! It was absorbing and fascinating. If it is not too confusing, the film started by showing us the end and then through flash backs showed us the whole process of the project. As someone interested in live theatre, this was particularly enlightening taking us from the first announcement of the project in the maximum security area of the prison, through the auditions, rehearsals and on to the final performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in a theatre by the prisoners. In places the tensions between the actors in the play and in reality were evident. It was very hard to believe that these were amateur performers with no previous experience. A note at the end showed that one prisoner had been pardoned and had gone on to further his acting career. It was quite poignant at the end as the participants were returned to their individual cells after the high of the successful performance and one said that having been introduced to art the cell had become even more of a prison!"</blockquote>
<br />
<b>Audience feedback: </b>The feedback rating was 87%...<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="2" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="37"></col><col width="604"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="37"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP" width="604">Wonderful insight into high security wing in Italy – excellent</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An interesting setting that worked very well. The actors were very credible. The interaction of play and reality was interesting. Liked the words staying up longer to be readable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Really interesting and beautifully filmed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Impressed with Mechanics' Theatre. Much better than Police College.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Very powerful.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">An excellent film – very well made and acted – very dramatic. The best J. C.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>A</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">What an extraordinary film! Hard to believe that they were not professional actors. What a tragic waste of potential.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Powerful production. Interesting way to rehabilitate prisoners. Well filmed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">It was really great, though a little confusing. On the whole a great movie.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Very credible and full of emotion by the actors.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">VERY INTERESTING TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH. HARD TO BELIEVE THEY WERE NOT PROFESSIONALS.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>B</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">Great stuff – astonishing performances by the amateur cast. Haunting score, great photography.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" height="35" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">Powerful version of the play. Interesting setting it in a prison. Not clear if real prisoners or actors pretending to be prisoners.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="18" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP"><b>C</b></td>
<td align="LEFT" bgcolor="#FFCC99" sdnum="2057;0;@" valign="TOP">This was a film where I think a lot was missed by watching it with subtitles.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<b>On-line stuff:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Philip French's film of the week in The Observer - <b>"Profoundly moving"</b>:<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/mar/03/caesar-must-die-review-philip-french" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/mar/03/caesar-must-die-review-philip-french</a><br />
<br />
Four stars from Anthony Quinn in The Independent - <b>"reaches beyond method acting towards a kind of heightened expression of rage and remorse"</b><br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-caesar-must-die-12a-8515678.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-caesar-must-die-12a-8515678.html</a><br />
<br />
Three stars from Jenny McCartney in The Telegraph <b>"Shakespeare could not have asked for a more instinctive cast"</b><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9902352/Caesar-Must-Die-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9902352/Caesar-Must-Die-review.html</a><br />
<br />
IMDB 7.3 out of 10<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2177511/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2177511/</a><br />
<br />
Rotten Tomatoes 73% audience feedback:<br />
<a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/caesar_must_die_2012/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/caesar_must_die_2012/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<b><br /></b>Wakefield Film Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659383494801136294noreply@blogger.com0