Archive for the ‘drama’ Category
Author: Gerald
On the side of the resisters
It’s men – not the veil – that are the women’s main concern in life. Or, if this weren’t a film from a predominantly Muslim country, their main cross to bear. The women are the guests on Hebba’s TV talk show, and they run the gamut of Egyptian society, from meek murderesses to mighty media stars. The men in their lives, whether ministers or minions, are uniformly trouble for the women. That’s Scheherazade Tell Me A Story (2009) in a nutshell.
Author: Otilia
More than blood ties
Three intersecting stories brought together under the themes of love, adoption and motherhood are at the core of Mother and Child (2009), the latest film from Rodrigo García (Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (1999)).
Author: Otilia
What lies beneath
Based on an original story by director Luca Guadagnino (Melissa P. (2005)) and co-produced by star Tilda Swinton, Io sono l’amore (I Am Love) (2009) is far more than just another family drama.
Author: Otilia
Become who you are
Director Yann Samuell’s L’âge de raison (2010) is characteristic of his sweet-yet-tearful Love Me If You Dare (2003), namely French cinema at its best.
With a splendid cast, led by Sophie Marceau, the movie goes deep into your soul, searching for your inner child. That’s right, the one who reminds you of your childhood dreams.
Author: Colin
Shite, more like
Now you’ve read the sub-head, you may be of the impression that I didn’t like Shine. That is not strictly true. There’s a lot to like about it. Unfortunately, when you find yourself in possession of the facts, there’s a lot to hate about it too. It’s round about now that ‘Big Loveable Col’ would normally regale you with snippets of info about how good the camerawork was, how well scripted the thing was, etc. This time, however, I think it’s time for a slight detour from the norm, as this is essentially a film exploiting a man with a serious mental illness. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it?
Author: Colin
On song
When I recommend a film to The Divine P, it’s usually met with some form of statement intended to convey her misgivings about ever having chosen to live with me in the first place. She’s a harsh critic, but as I’ve made her sit through some pretty eclectic stuff, pretty fair and unusually trusting. The other things you may know about me by now is that I am English, but not the tub-thumping jingoistic kind, just English. I am also distrustful about films with songs in – don’t ask why, it’s just not right. So, imagine an evening where there’s an English film on TV that The Divine P loves (and which I recommended), that has songs in and which makes me proud to be English.
Author: James
‘I swear, if you existed, I’d divorce you!’
I was lucky enough, during my university days, to have the chance to act in my class’s adaptation of Edward Albee’s theatrical journey into the heart of emotional and marital anguish; I played George (Richard Burton in the film), the long-suffering husband of Martha (Elizabeth Taylor), who’s the daughter of the president of the American university where George works as an assistant history professor.
Author: Otilia
Just a tree?
Written and directed by Julie Bertuccelli – Since Otar Left (2003) – The Tree (2010) is an adaptation of the novel Our Father Who Art in the Tree by Judy Pascoe, and had the honour of closing the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
It’s a family drama set in Boonah in Queensland, Australia, where there is a huge Morten Bay fig tree that ‘whispers’.
Author: Colin
Just for kicks?
Oh god, not another ‘reboot’ – and two hours plus of scenery and fighting? Actually no – the remake of The Karate Kid (1984) is, I would venture, better than the original. Dutch director Harald Zwart – who, as far as my jaded opinion goes has done nothing much of any special merit thus far – manages to eke out some solid performances and make the script party like it’s 1984. It’s essentially the same story – alienation, loneliness, growing up and how to do all these without a father, but with a man to look up to. Instead of Pat Morita as Miyagi, there’s Jackie Chan as Mr Han, and replacing Ralph Macchio as ‘Daniel-san’, there’s the latest product of Will Smith World Domination Inc., Jaden Smith, playing Dre Parker.
Author: Colin
Dog’s day
Ever felt really stupid? I have, and if I go into the number of times it’s happened, there will be no space for a review. People come up to me and say: “Colin, who played Ernst Blofeld in You Only Live Twice?”. And “Donald Pleasence” I say, because, you know, I review films and stuff. You can imagine what an utter idiot I felt when I realized that I had forgotten who played the lead role in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999).
- Colin: Mike: the Matrix was utter toss. Don’t go there. Anyhow, I’m right with you on Aliens –...
- Colin: James: Why not do ten more and see if you can avoid putting the god-awful travesty that is Independence Day in...
- CD: The Day the Earth Stood Still (it’s about an alien who is Jesus…but better than ET) Soylent Green...
- James: Hello Chris, and welcome to Picturenose!
Many thanks for your comment – I thought, in fact, that... - James: Colin, good points, both on Westworld (which should really have been included, I know, I know) and otters.