Thursday Movie Picks: Mother-Son Relationships (Biologically Related)

Nice long title for this one, 'All in the Family Edition: Mother-Son Relationships (Biologically Related)' this week.

I know a friend of mine would jump straight to 'Savage Grace' but I'm going to side step any incesteuos picks. I have to admit that, after looking through my DVD collection, I don't favour films with mother-son centered relationships. But here goes:

How to Train Your Dragon 2

In the first film, its all about finding his own way, young Hiccup has strained relationship with his Dad and Chief and doesn't seem to have much in common until much later so it goes as follows that he would be like his Mum right? Correct! She is a great character and edition even though her reasons for staying away were actually ridiculous. She has the 'dragon charmer' gene from his Mum and the understanding of the creatures but the sense of adventure and what is right seems like Hiccup all on his own. Their reunion is odd but accepted quickly, giving time for them to bond with dragons.

Darjeeling Limited

 

The story is all about three brothers who handled their Father's death in different ways. It is also a story about three brothers coming together and just becoming brothers again, it usually takes a tragedy and or a quest to do this. It all happens in one story. Trying to find meaning in their Mother's swift disappearence and when finding her, she stays just a short while only to disappear from them again. Abandonment brings them together. But the moment that the three brothers grow up and realise that they don't need their Mother is near the end. Francis removes the bandages and says 'I guess I still have some healing to do'. His brothers are by his side.

Ed and His Dead Mother

Being a fan of Steve Buscemi I came across this little wonder when looking through his film history and realised I had never seen it. Buscemi plays Ed, run down hardware store clerk, is devastated when his beloved Mother dies. After a mysterious man offers the opportunity (money first of course) to revive his Mother he does. Chaos ensues and the lesson learned is; do not try to revive someone from the dead, they are never the same. But Ed throughout it still a real mamma's boy.


Don't forget to checkout Wandering Through the Shelves - the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.

May Watch List

1. Les Combattants

 Called 'Love at First Fight' elsewhere or will be called this elsewhere. Although it is partly true, that title, dumbs down the story between Madeleine and Arnaud. She is aggressive and outspoken, while is calm and sweet natured. After being transfixed by her, he follows her into signing up for a military program. Where she is keen to do hard training but shot down for being too forward, he continues along doing well with the tasks asked of him. The tipping point is when she questions his authority during an orienteering exercise. This being the final straw for him, leaves but this time she follows. They escape and its their time in the woods alone things come to a head, in a symbolic and tension freeing way. I really enjoyed this film, especially as the leads had such great chemistry, switching up the character traits with her being the 'hot head' and him being 'calm and collected'. The film has won awards and so far talk about the film has been 'so-so' but I think the characters are refreshing and the comedic moments are well dispersed. 3/5
 

2. Mad Max: Fury Road

 

 How do I begin with this Mad Max film? Maybe by answering all those, let's face it, men, complaining that the film was dominated by Charlize Theron's Furiosa and not enough of Tom Hardy's Max. To them I say, please do shut up. The film is not a feminist riot. Women, yes do take centre stage and there are more women than men in the 'main' cast catagory but why does this matter? Doesn't it show that films have progressed and that stories, even big blockbuster films can be about women too? All the films are about Mad Max and how he survives in the wilderness, but all the films aren't solely about him, they're also about the people he encounters. If you really want to summerise the epic film that is Fury Road, you could say its about a strong woman who saves three women from being owned by a crazy dictator. They all go on a road trip to find a better place to live. Also Max is there.

The film is more than these sexist views about the film. It begins with Max's story, then intercuts with two others, Furiosa who drives a war tank and Nux (Nicholas Hoult) a 'war boy' in the crazy dictator Immortan Joe's army. Max is captured and used as blood bank for Nux. When Joe realise that his prize possessions, the last breeders, his 5 wives have been kidnapped/saved by Furiosa, so begins the epic road trip/war to bring them back. Max, is caught up in another war (as you remember this happens quite frequently). At first reluctant, nearly driving off leaving the women stranded, but soons he is part of the gang trying to escape the clutches of the actuallt really disgusting and truely terrible being, Immortan Joe. The film doesn't break away and reboot anything, its stays with the universise of the other three films but on a bigger playing field. Everything from the machines, vehicles, costumes, the language and the just the characters themselves are brilliantly executed in screen. I only have a few qualms but they are just my own views (one is a plot spoiler, so I won't do that). It was mainly Hardy's choice of accent, it was part Bane, part American, part Austrailian, let's just say it was odd. If you liked the classics, you will not be disappointed. If you like road movies with violence, you won't be disappointed. If you're sexist and only like films where men take the centre stage, grow up, Furiosa is coming for you. 4/5

 3. Moomins on the Riveria 

The scary images of The Congress aside, long live 2D animation in all its beautiful glory. This Finnish-French production of a new story based on the characters by beloved author Tove Jansson and the comic strips by Tove and her brother Lars, is simply long overdue. Not only is the storyline in keeping with the adventers of the Moomins but the designs are truely amazing, as of they were lifted straight from the books and comic strips. The use of colour is very strong, especially in the settings. Bright yellows and pinks for the Riveria and bright blues, greys and reds for Moomin Valley. As well as the main story, there are a few small story plots that develop to the side which just adds to the sheer delight of the whole film. I say this was long overdue but I'm glad that time was spent making it worthy of the original work. A film that all Moomin fans will enjoy and one that will convert new fans too. 4/5

4. Clouds of Sils Maria

Juliette Binoche is a great actress, Kristen Stewart in the past has not been but the two of them make a brilliant and compelling team. The film, about a middle aged actress who is goes to the Alps to prefer for a role she is not completely committed to. Having played the role of Sigrid at 18 years old in the acclaimed fictional play 'Maloja Snake', Maria Enders (Binoche) is asked to play the older character, Helena in the play who is madly in love with Sigrid and ultimately kills herself. That, is the basis of the plot, but there is so much underneath that is just under the surface of Maria. Valentine (Stewart) is the secondary character but she is forever expressing the opposite and sounded opinion needed to groud Maria. The film would make an excellent play on its own, even though that setting whould lose the amazing views of the Alps and eponymous cloud formation (Maloja Snake) of the play within a film. Comments about actresses, films and genres today are also brought up and are discussed intelligently, expressing interesting opinions from both characters. A great film and brilliantly acted, two great roles for women, wish there was more of these. 3/5

5. The Congress

After seeing the trailer I was intrigued by the story and I was mezmerised by Ari Foldman's Waltz with Bashir documentary, so I thought it was time I watched the film. Beyond the set up of Robin Wright playing a version of herself where she offered by the studio, one last contract, where they scan her image in everyway, including emotions, and she never acts again. She does this, ultimately to take care of her sick son. Then 20 years later, her contract is up for renewal, she is asked by the studio to appear at the Futurological Congress, in a strictly animated zone. She attends the congress which is in a bizarre world, but things take a turn when rebels attack the city. The film and story enters a whole other reality, literally and it becomes confusing to follow. Time passes but she looks the same and familiar characters pop up throughout, its hard to follow but looking past that, the 2D animantion gives the film and story something strange and unnerving to look at. For the first time the animation is unsettling but its meant to be. 3/5

6. Far From the Madding Crowd

I've written quite a post comparing the 1967 film directed by John Schlesinger and the newer 2015 version by Thomas Vinterberg. Here is a link to that post. 4/5

7. Tomorrowland 

I was sceptical about this film, another based on a theme park area/ride, but I thought, let's give it a chance, it is directed by Brad Bird after all. Like a few other reviews have said, it is hard to describe the story and I don't think I would want to. Casey, a teen who tries to stop a rocket launchpad from being destroyed, as this would cause her dad to lose his job, gets arrested. Upon being released she comes across a pin that allows her to see another dimension or the future as the case may be.  After trying to track down where it came from and how it allowed her do so, she ends up being chased by robots and a mysterious young girl Athena. This leads on to Casey meeting Frank, a grump middle aged man who knows about the pin and Athena. From there its best I stop as its gets complicated and I don't want to spoil anything. The first half the film is brilliant, it hooks you into the story, bar the annoying talking to the camera part which turns out is necessary, but I felt the second half leaned more to a mixture of 'family fun', gadgets galore and the old schmaltzy, 'need to save the world' plot line. The film had potential but in the end was a family film where 'be positive' is the message, I expected more. 3/5

Best Things Come In Threes

There is no escaping it, if a film is successful and is based on a series of books, or a continuation of an old popular trilogy, or the idea makes billions, you know there will be 3 films.

Things come in 3s.

There has been an influx of reboots, remakes and ridiculous attempts lately. Franchioses aside, everything from Sci-fi to romanic dramas have been given the trilogy treatment. There has also been quite a few old trilogies that have been blessed or cursed with a 4th enstallment. I'm taking about you, Indiana Jones and your crystal skull nonsense.

This year we're seeing sequels gallore or continuations. To name a few, Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awkens, Mad Max: Fury Road, Mockingjay Part 2, Scortch Trials, Insurgent...

But I think, as much as I am excited about these films, we should take a leaf out of the classic film making handbook of big blockbuster movies, the best things come in threes. Or just stand alones.

Back to the Future is probably one of the last trilogies left untouched by the '4th film' enstallment and so it should be. Set up as a trilogy to begin with, each film was needed to follow up and interwine with each other, they all had a purpose. Much like the original Star Wars films and unfortunately, like the later trilogy too, no matter how awful it was, the films connected, weakly.

The Lord of the Rings is a perfect, beautiful example of a trilogy with purpose. Adapted from 3 novels that followed on from each and connected. It is, in my opinion the greatest trilogy, but I am huge Tolien and Middle Earth fan so I would say that. There was something so pure about these films, there weren't just an achievement in filmmaking but in storytelling too. Although, at first I didn't agree with The Hobbit being turned into 3 films, still don't, I love all three, thus another great trilogy created.

 

The Matrix trilogy, was not a great idea. The first film was beyond groundbreaking. Truely one of the greatest sci-fi movies but it has two heavy shadows hanging over it, Revolutions and Revelations. Sounds like a rejected chapter of the Bible but thats what the makers called it. I know the sequels were made side by side but didn't really sit well with the first film. The Wachowskis saw success and got carried away. This is a running trend with other trilogies.

 Not to leave out the Westerns and in all honesty I haven't seen the middle film, but The Man With No Name trilogy inspired so many parodies, as well as excellent films and TV. Clint Eastwood became a huge star and even starred in a musical without anyone batting an eyelind. Although the films are brilliantly made, you could watch them out of order and it wouldn't matter.

I thought this about the classic Mad Max trilogy, except that you would need to see the first film to understand him in the second two, but these were stand alone stories that were connected by the character and the setting, which is why the new installment fitted so well into the world of Mad Max.

As we all know films that find success these days set on auto pilot to get sequels and become a franchise. Pirates of the Caribbean had a great stand alone film, brought pirates films back on the film map and started the trend of creating stories from theme park rides. While also starting the downfall of Johnny Depp's career. Pirates suffered the same curse as the Matrix. The follow up films didn't gel well with the previous film's caliber. World's End was just terrible. When a fourth film was made, it was slightly better, as it was stand alone story and thus far more interesting. But the talk about yet another adventure on the high seas does sound the alarm bells.

With Young Adult series being adapted for the big screen, this has started a whole new trend. There are three books in the series so let's split the last book into two parts to make more money and loose quality of story and annoy fans. This annoys me like crazy. Having to wait a year for each film is bad enough but cutting the films into 4? That's just ridiculous and we have the makers of Twilight to thank for that. I know there were 4 books but it was turned into 5. Too much I say, too much. Now Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner series are all following suit. Actually it hasn't been confirmed for the latter but you know it will be the same.

Another trilogy that I actually quite relish is the unofficial kind. The films, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End are commonly known as 'The Cornetto Trilogy' as each film features a different colour of classic cornetto ice cream and sort of follows the colour scheme of that cornetto. None of the films are connected apart from a few 'in jokes' and that they were written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. The trilogy that all creative and no curse.

Have a look for any trilogies coming out soon, including 4th installents or the lauch of a second round of trilogies following on from the first. Then question whether any new and original ideas will appear.

Thursday Movie Picks: Movies based on a Non-Superhero Graphic Novel/Comic

 

Long title but its important that these two are separate, superhero and non-superhero. I really wanted to include Scott Pilgrim as I absolutely love the series and the film was brilliantly done but I was on the fence whether Scott Pilgrim counted as a superhero as he doesn't technically have powers but crazy things happen and many of the characters can do poweful things so I thought it best to chose another in it's place.

1. Sin City

Of course I had to include this film, it's my favourite film. Some people have questioned this choice. My sister couldn't understand why I chose the film as its derogatory to women. Yes, the original series was created by Frank Miller who has a twisted mind but created some amazing artwork and this inspired the unique look of the film and yes all the women featured are either prostitutes and sluts but, there are strong powerful, sometimes violent women, who can defend themselves. Look beyound the basic characteristics and the costumes and the female characters are just as rich as the men. But I love this film and stories because at the time it was made and released, there was nothing like it and to be honest there have been other films trying to be like it but nothing compares the originality and design of the film. I read a few of the books too and the films stay true to the source material. It's just a shame about the sequel/prequel.

2. Tamara Drewe

Originally written and drawn by Posey Simmonds, the graphic novel was superb and entertaining. I particularly love the art work and the way the story unfolds. Based loosly on Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd, the books is told from three characters' perspectives on events usually surrounding Tamara Drewe. The film, based on the graphic novel, captures the characters perfectly, especially the two teenagers who are the cause of so many problems, Casey and Jody. Although there is tragic end in the graphic novel in keeping with Hardy's work, the film ended more positive which worked cinematically. It was described as a soap like tale, its nothing like that, its drama with comedy and the country all in one.

3. Tintin 

 

I had mixed feeling about this film when it was first announced, especially when they said it would be 3D and done using motion capture. As more photos and news came in, I got excited. I've loved the comics since I was really young, even go on about the best exhibition that was on at The Maritime Museum, Tintin at Sea. I even specifically wanted to go Brussels to go to the Comic Strip Museum and for beer of course. Tintin is part of my childhood, left the same way about Paddington but Tintin more. When I first saw the finished photo of what the character looked like, my faith was restored and I was so excited. I love the film. Some 'fans' have been split about it but I couldnt love it more. The story is a combination of 3 books in one which actually work. I really hope another is made as there are still other great characters to discover.

Have a look here at the blog that started Thursday Picks; Wandering through the Shelves

Thursday Movie Picks: German Films

This one is kind of difficult for me as most of the German cinema I've seen was during college studying Film and it was mostly Silent Cinema. I thought of the films I enjoyed the most, so Caligari didn't make the cut, on second viewing I could appreciate it but the first time, not so much. I'll stop the urge to go into my college self who really enjoyed studying Silent Cinema.

Goodbye Lenin

This film introduced me to modern(ish) German cinema that wasn't about war as a subject and to Daniel Brühl. A comedic at times family drama about Alex (Brühl) who wants to protect his mother from another heart attack after the Berlin wall comes down. It's about the lengths someone will go for someone they love, even so far as creating fake broadcasts and changing labels on food. The story was so simple and well executed. I know this usually appears in film lists but for me it was an introduction to another country's film industry.

Metropolis

Not the first silent film I had seen as I had watched Charlie Chaplin films when I was younger, but this was the first silent science fiction film I had seen. This film was so influential on every front. For science in science fiction, women in film, design in film and most likely budget. When in Berlin, we went to the Film Museum and this film, along with the other flagship silent era films, had some amazing exhibition. I was in my element. The art of the film and the robot part had the biggest influence on me and I think, back in college I wrote an essay on Metropolis and Fritz Lang, who was a creative genius.

Mostly Martha

After I saw the terrible poster for 'No Reservations', the US remake of the film, I found out from a friend's mum that this German original existed. It's miles better. The pacing, the acting, even the story feels better. A story about an uptight chef in a expensive restaurant who becomes the legal guardian of her niece after her sister dies. She has to cope with grief, becoming a parent and a new chef brought in to help out. It's brilliant drama, with a few added rom-com elements that don't smoosh up the flow of the story. One of my favourite scenes is between Martha and Mario (the new chef) when they are just starting to fall for each other, he blind folds her to do a taste test, it's actually quite sweet. I also wrote a comparison of the film against its remake, which you can have a look at here for further reading.

St Ives in Black & White

Simple post title explains it all. Now, I may have taken some pretty bright photos of St Ives and unlike like last time I visited Cornwall, I brought my 35 mm camera. I really regret not taking my camera on my last visit, there were some spectacular views from Land's End, Porthcurno and Mousehole, but there is always next time. I always put black and white film in my camera. This is not to be pretentious, I just like black and white photography, have done since college. I also like it because, I take colour photos all the time on my phone and on Instagram, its nice to have a change.

 

 

 

 

 

Top left: View of the Harbour from The Old Workshop, St Nicholas Chapel on The Island, Porthgwidden Beach, The Habour at High Tide, Rock Pools on The Island, View Out to Sea from Porthgwidden, The Coastal Path View of Porthmeor, The Coastal Path, Crashing Waves Around The Island.

I did start another roll, byt it was colour, so it won't be as pure as these photographs. Watch this space.

We Were Dynamic

My thoughts on how one of the best TV duos were ruined.

Let me be clear, I am a huge fan of Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, I loved it from episode 1 so this is not a criticism about the show in general. To be honest, I loved the original line up, when new random faces started showing up in Season 2, it took a while for me to get used to them. I wasn't too keen on them taking major screen time and even plot lines when original cast members were practically written out of the show or pushed to the side. I know the show has evolved into something more than a team of agents - all with their parts to play - who solve a problem each episode, make a few jokes and develop slowly over time. Now its, all about the big picture, introducing new agents, new threats and a whole different race of sub-humans, the Inhumans. It was bound to happen.

I wanted to write this before the Season 2 finale happens and the hypes dies down while everyone waits for Season 3 as it MUST happen. I'm enjoying the new storylines, and the ever expanding Marvel Universe, tying in with the films and more spin-offs. The best one so far being Agent Carter, of course. But, I have a major problem with the development of my two favourite characters and I know many people who watch and love the show love these two characters too, otherwise there wouldn't be numerous tumblr accounts dedicated to them, and they wouldn't have their own auto search or constantly being hashtagged. I am talking about FitzSimmons, or Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons.

Best friends, geniuses, inseparable, they are FitzSimmons. From the moment they are introduced, it is clear they are going to be a duo but still operate independently. They do provide comic relief at times but they are taken seriously and are both vital to the team as he is engineering and she's biochem. You can't have one without the other.

Throughout Season 1, they faced challenges, a few death threats and some moments that beautifully executed, making you just love these two even more, rooting for them to survive, as let's face it, people die in Wheadon's world or are torn down. In this case it was the latter. The moment Fitz and Simmons are dropped into the ocean, we all had a feeling we wouldn't see them next Season. But after an amazing scene when Fitz sacrifices himself for Simmons, we all held our breath.

The lead up to Season 2, everyone wondered if Fitz would turn evil or was also actually working for Hydra, but no, it was Simmons who was, but only under cover leaving Fitz in ruins to recover from brain trauma, almost loosing his might scientific mind to the Wheadon black hole of misery.

After waiting around 5 episodes (?) the duo are reunited only for them not to be reunited. A whole season goes by and Fitz and Simmons develop is pushed to the side. Simmons is now more desperate and violent, Fitz is vulnerable and cold. What's happened? So far, they're interactions have been minimal and brief and next to no spark of their formal selves. I get it that with the whole Hydra revelation and 'the mist' shiz, things are changing, but I really can't see why Fitz and Simmons were thrown under the S.H.I.E.L.D bus. One of the best duos on TV, a great friendship, chemistry beyond science, ruined to make room Skye's family problems and Bobbi's marital issues. I'm not a fan of Bobbi anymore, she's turned into a drag. May is way better. Anyway . . .

Only in the last couple of episodes has Fitz and Simmons shown signs of getting back on track and even saying lines that appear to relate to others but actually sound like advice for themselves. If so, I liked this touch.

I am really hoping that the creators turn this thing around and aren't just teasing us with the one of the posters released for the finale. I also hope they don't throw another curve ball and kill one of both of them off. Then I'd be really annoyed. These are just my thoughts on the matter. Finger crossed FitzSimmons fans, there may still be hope.

So Fetch Friday - Breakaway

 Anyone who follows me on Twitter would have seen me holiday spamming like crazy this week. My apologies if this was too much. In my defence I haven't been in holiday since April last year when I went to Budapest with my sister. It was just time that I had another.

I chose St Ives, Cornwall. People had two reactions, first one was 'Why are you going there? Why not go to somewhere hot like Spain oe Thailand?'

Firstly, I don't want to go to Thailand. I have heard nothing great about that destination. Spain would be nice but I wanted to go somewhere where I spoke the language. As for somewhere hot? It does get hot here you know. Unfortunately I was unlucky with the weather but no matter. I get annoyed when people moan about going somewhere in the UK, this country has some amazing places and they are just as breathtaking as those abroad (I have been abroad too btw).

The second reaction was, 'That's great! Hope you have fun!' This reaction I liked.

I originally thought it was time for a holiday as I was getting stressed at work and needed a break. But this stress break also coincided with me needing a place to write without distraction. It worked so well last time I visited Cornwall, I started my novel (and it will be finished, not harass me). But to be honest, I wrote out my story again and quite a few notes about said draft. I did try writing it on my laptop but unfortuately I was distracted and wrote a few blog posts instead - some yet to be posted.

My break was half successful in my writing and 100% successfull in my thurst for a mini adventure. I was staying in a cottage of my own, The Old Workshop, and I would reccomend doing this rather than a hotel or B&B anytime. I was a few minutes from the town centre, its a very small town, which I loved, it even had a cinema, which I of course visited. The beaches of St Ives were all within 2 minutes walk. There were countless galleries to enjoy and I did visit the Tate and stared at some questionable photography and admired the building and the view it had. I did quite a bit of walking and actually enjoyed it! I think it was the sea air and the amazing views that pushed me to it.

I stepped out one day with just the intention of walking on the Porthmeor beach but the sea air guided me onto the coastal path that curves round towards Sennen and St Just. It was narrow for some of it and nearly all very close to the edge, it was brilliant! I had an urge to continuously climb down to the rock with the waves crashing up. My photos I took cannot full express how beautiful the views were. The only downside in all this was the weather.

It was bright sunshine for a few of the day and rained mostly at night but it was so windy all week, you couldn't feel the warmth from the sun. Oh well, it was nice waking up to seagulls and the sound of waves outside. I really want to go back to Cornwall. The sea is always calling me.

Remember, let's #MakeFetchHappen - an excellent idea from 'Girl Meets Cinema'