December Watch List

1. Village of the Damned (1960)

When BFI announced their new season's programming, Fear and Wonder, I was really excited. They were finally dedicating a season to Science Fiction. There were many films I really wanted to see but I chose two, to start with. After spending hours looking through the sci-fi section at Waterstones, I came across 'The Midwich Cuckoos' by John Wyndham and few other books by him. I read the back and remembered the story. It clicked later that it was the book that 'Village of the Damned' was based on. The film is a brilliant piece of classic British sci-fi. No special effects apart from fire and explosions, sound effects are used but otherwise this is sci-fi at its best, strange and unusual but everything is normal. The actors are all superb and delightful, 'oh so terribly British'. 

One day in the country village of Midwich, the entire population pass out for several hours. The people all wake up, no one is harmed but after a while, many, nearly all the women in the village are pregnant. They all give birth to blonde children with black eyes and strange fingernails. The children grow up, at rapid rate, with their respective families until strange things happen. The children, cold, emotionless travel in a group, wearing the same outfits. They development mind control abilities causing deaths and panic throughout the village. They are obviously from another planet and eventually, after discovering the other 'colonies' around the world failed, they reveal themselves. The children are incredibly creepy and unnerving, aliens among story is brilliant, well done with the right amount of scares and science fictions elements. There are main characters to identify with, the professor who wishes to study them while teaching them, his wife who is also one of the mothers and her brother army officer who alerted the army to the incident right from the start. The conclusion is inevitable and just like most old films, ends suddenly. A brilliant sic-fi film, but I was disappointed to hear there was a remake, set in America. How boring. 3/5

2. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

My previous post and comments of the 'Defining Chapter' are here - 4/5

3. Ex-Machina

Apart from the gushing praise that the events manager gave this film, the audience was sworn to secrecy so I'm afraid that I will have to be brief. The release date for the film is in late January next year and as well as the preview, there was to be a Q & A with Alex Garland, the director and screenwriter of many films that you all will know (The Beach, Sunshine, Dredd, 28 Days Later). It's actually his first feature where he's directed, so being an admirer of his work I was excited. But, saying all this, the film was brilliant except for the last 15 minutes. I was so disappointed by the ending I actually got up and left during end credits. I didn't want to stay for the Q & A for fear that I would ask something mean. I came out of the screening thinking that the message from the film was that men are weak, women are bitches. I was very disappointed.

The story is about Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), an employee who works at BlueBook, the biggest search engine site created and owned by Nathan (Oscar Isaac) who is a genius. He has built a machine, A.I who can pass for human, or can it? The 'robot', Ava (Alicia Vikander, lives in a house or lab is what is it referred to and is allowed to talk to Caleb through glass walls. Caleb is under the impression he is there to test Ava but, as they say. 'the plot thickens'.

The film is a brilliant sic-fi thriller with a cast of basically 3 people. It felt as if it could have been even more but I was let down. 3/5

4. Penguins of Madagascar

Not my favourite Dreamworks animated franchise, My favourite involves dragons and quality story. Although Madagascar does the same old thing all the time, the creators knew they were on to a winner with the penguins; Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private. They are brilliant. They made a TV series and I've seen a few episodes, its great and actually funny. But the inevitable happened, they, Dreamworks, made a film with the penguins taking a starring role. Smart idea. They did this with Puss in Boots, although that that film wasn't so great, the penguins is brilliant!

Starting with who the penguins became a team or rather 'family' when they were young up then jumping to the end of Madagascar 3 where they literally shoot themselves out of the circus and that ridiculous song. The story about being a team, knowing each others strengths and appreciating one another. It's simple and great to watch. Of course theres an evil octopus called Dave who is the villain and wants revenge on all penguins and the North Wind (a husky, polar bear, owl and seal) who are a sort of rival team trying to capture the evil Dave. All these characters just make the film so crazy and ludicrous but it really doesn't matter, its a fun film and the penguins are the best characters since Hiccup and the village of Berk, plus the dragons. 4.5


                                                                    5. The Book of Life

I had wanted to see this at the cinema as it looks so beautiful in the trailers, but alas it wasn't meant to be. Month later I get to see the splendor of Mexico! The film is told like a fairytale, with truth and legend mixed in, the best kind of stories. A classic tale of love, adventure and the day of the dead.  Two boys, Joaquin and Manolo, both in love with Maria. As they grow up, Maria becomes feisty and ready to take on anyone. Joaquin becomes a solider, a hero of the town and Manolo is trained by his father to become a bull fighter, he has natural talent but he is also a gifted musician which his father is against. Aside from all this, the spirits La Muerte and Xibalba, rulers of the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten place a bet on who will marry Maria. The story is set, the players ready and the result, a beautiful film. It was great fun, with music too to sing along too or to just enjoy the amazing animation. 3/5

6. Men, Women and Children

 To be honest, I had heard mixed reviews, mainly bad reviews about this film. I suppose after the award grabbing Juno and the 'everyone look at me' Up in the Air, Jason Reitman had a lot to live up to right? Wrong. I didn't even like Up in the Air and if he had a 'dud' film, it was definitely Young Adult, that film had no soul. Labour Day was good but everyone seems to have forgotten he directed that. That was his latest. MW&C had a lot to live to, I suppose, mainly because of the cast. Adam Sandler not being funny, Jennifer Garner being a prude psycho mum who checks her teenage daughters emails, phone and absolutely anything online. Various other indie actors playing very real, run of the mill characters that you would find in any town. I thought it was a really great film. It showed the known dangers of porn addiction at 15 years old. Exposing young girls photographs on the internet saying its for their acting career. The damage that is down to someone when you take away their outlet. The only element in the whole film that was dull was the couple who are cheating on each other. It was written well and I actually thought Adam Sandler was very good (he's not funny, so this worked) but the let down was Rosemary Dewitt who unbelievable uncharismatic I dozed off when she was on screen. I'm not sure if she was meant to be that way but she was. She was the weak link in a strong chain. A special mention to Judy Greer by the way, who was brilliant. And to Ansel (so hot right now) Elgort, he seems to be in everything and Kaitlyn Dever who were very quiet making a big impact as the heart of the film. 4/5

7. In Your Eyes

Written by Joss Weadon, I'm 98% sure I will like this film. Plus Zoe Kazan is always great. It's an alternative romance film and its beautiful. I tried explaining the set up to my sister and she didn't seem to like the idea, but I'm sure if she sees it she will understand and like it too. Two people, Rebecca and Dylan, who share a connection but live on opposite sides of the country. They each grow up thinking that they're crazy or that they're just dreams but in fact they can see what the other sees and hear each other as loudly as they hear themselves. She's the sheltered wife of a 'fancy' doctor and he's an ex-con who looking to change his life. That's just the basics, there is more than meets the eye, that's cliche but its accurate. Sounds crazy but its actually a very romantic film. 4/5

8. Smashed

I'm not really a fan or interested in films about alcoholics. But so much was said about Mary Elizabeth Winstead's performance and yes, it was brilliant and disturbing. She plays, Kate, a school teacher who likes to drink, all the time. When she's drunk, its actually terrifying, the character is a mess, an obvious mess. Things change though, when she decides to attend an AA meeting. She tries to pull herself together but she doesn't impose her new ideas on anyone, just tells them about it if they ask, which I felt was a good message, no one was beging 'preachy'.  But as her husband Charlie (Aaron Paul) who also like to drink, continue to do so making things difficult between the couple. In her ending AA speech, she thanks them all for her boring life. Even though shes smiling, she obviously sad and sober. Its a new view on alcoholism, not everyone is happy sober but they know its the best thing to do. I though the film was rather sad and didn't have much of a conclusion which was irritating especially as the film was only 1 hour 21 mins long. There could have been more. 3/5

Defining the Final Chapter

For anyone who hasn't read the book there will be SPOILERS, so read on if you are ok with this.

The film picks up exactly where the Desolation of Smaug ended. This first section sets the tone for the rest of the film and reveals Bard's heroic, yet modest nature and skills. He kills the dragon.  But I think that was obvious from the trailers. After Smaug is destroyed, crushing most of Lake Town along with him, there are mentions that others will look to the mountain and that is when the film's title appears.

There are far more characters involved now and each are given something to do (thank god, no one floundering around). The armies slowly come together, apart from the Orc hordes, they ready as soon the film starts. Orcs are disgusting but they are patient, they must have been waiting for the signal or call for months. The men of Lake Town take refugee in the ruins of Dale, reluctantly lead by Bard and Thranduil, King of the Woodland Elves bring aid not out of kindness but so he can swing by the mountain to get his white gems. Thorin, who is going mad, has made plans and called on his cousin Dain in the Ironhills to come and fight when he suspects that everyone will try and steal his treasure. Gandalf is stuck in a bird cage in Dol Guldur and Legolas and Tauriel decide to find out where the Orcs went. The film leads up to the 45 minute battle scene which is amazing and as the film is called 'battle of' it is fair to say that it is not too long.

I was surprised that Battle of the Five Armies isn't that long either. It was a little over 2 hours. Just an observation in case you were thinking of what snacks and provisions to take with you.

There were a few scenes missing from the second film, just a few things but they were included in the extended version, with the third instalment, nothing was missing, except maybe the end. So much fuss was made of the false ending in Return of the King, with this film, it ends. In fact it comes full circle ending on the first few lines Bilbo and Gandalf exchange in Fellowship of the Ring, which is links and ties up the story. But I felt that there needed to be more of an end after the battle. Favourite characters do die and it is incredibly sad. The people of Lake Town should tribute by blowing a large horn and standing in silence on the cities wall but that's it, then Bilbo leaves. There was little resolution there. I am praying that more is explained in the extended version. In the book, I'm sure, and the BBC radio drama version, things were wrapped up. Bard is made master of the town, funerals take place, the treasure is equally divided and there is more of an end, that's all I'm saying.

Aside from the enviable epic battle, there are a some touching scenes. A conversation between Dwalin and Thorin when the former is trying to convince him to follow the Dwarf army, their kin, into battle, is brilliant and also it was nice to see a reasonable dwarf in the company that wasn't Balin. It was an out of character scene for the violent fighter Dwalin and it was perfectly placed. Another touching moment was between Bard and his son, Bain. When Bard sees his bow is broken he fashions a sling shot to shoot the black arrow at Smaug, Bain has his back to the dragon being used to steady the arrow. Everything slows down and Bard, very calm tells his son to look at him. It's brief and it, in a way encapsulates Bard's reasoning. He's not looking to be a hero, he just wants to save his children. Another brief moment between a father and son, Thranduil and Legolas, is near the end. Thranduil, who usually shows little emotion other than anger or annoyance, looks for Legolas. He is worried for his son but as soon as he finds him, reverts back to his usual expression. Pity there isn't more about this family.

The Tauriel, Kili, Legolas triangle comes to a head. It's just as unnecessary as it was in DOS and even more confusing. Basically, it still doesn't work. In the movie guide (I bought them all!) John Howe says that Tauriel is out of love with everything else and has turned to Kili, who is going through the same thing, so it's not exactly love, its almost love. Which ever way you view it, its not clear what she is really thinking.

Thorin is going through his mad king phase suffering from 'dragon sickness', obsessing over his gold. I was please to see the signature scenes from the book were put in. Thorn threatens to throw Bilbo from the gates where the dwarves have barricaded themselves in. Bilbo was trying to help his friend by keeping the Arkenstone and then giving it Bard and Thranduil to bargain with. All to avoid battle. It's a great scene which actually starts the battle off. Thorin steady decline into madness is brilliantly done, expressed in his little talks with Bilbo when he heard Smaug's voice blend into Thorin's.

Apart from the last scene at the end, there are obvious links to LOTR. When Galadrial, Elrond and Sauruman come to Gandalf aid, they are attacked by the Nine Mortal Men who were given rings, yes, there are to become Ringwraiths then are attached by Sauron himself. Galadrial banishes him to the East (Mordor) and Elrond suggests they warn Gondor but Saruman casually says everything is fine, he hasn't got the ring and then says he'll deal with him. But we all know what happens there. Another hint to the future, Thranduil actually shows emotion after looking for Legolas, thinking he was dead, finds him heartbroken. Legolas just says 'I can't go back' so his father suggests to go see a ranger, 'his father Arathorn was a good man and he is set to be a great man'. Oh and this ranger's name is Strider. Massive hint there. The ends an epic trilogy to set up for an even bigger journey and adventure.

In fact after seeing it (twice) I had the urge to go home and watch all of LOTR. I stopped this urge by watching some sic-fi and catching up on Twin Peaks, just to take my mind off the film. I am that attached.

I am hoping to actually do the marathon before the end of the year, with all 5 films, as it would be difficult to factor in the current release. I would have to dash off to the cinema and dash back. This is when an in-house cinema would come in handy. One day.

I definitely recommend this for any film fan, Tolkien appreciation society and those who have been as touched as me by the films. Go see it #OneLastTime

Farewell to Middle-Earth

After a year of waiting, a year of just watching that unbelievable cliffhanger and listening to 'I See Fire' by Ed Sheeran over and over, the wait was over. Battle of the Five Armies has begun.

I pestered my friends to book tickets for an IMAX screening of the film as soon as possible and I'm very glad we did, we had amazing seats, exactly in the middle.

It's been all over film magazines, TV spots, the trailers were released a few months ago, just so we all got revved up and ready to go. Instagram has been going crazy with posters, teasers, behind the scenes, cast videos and premiere photos. The build up has been immense but this morning felt anti climactic.

I had been at work until midnight the day before and the cab driver had taken the longest (and wrong) route to my home, plus there had been a crash/stabbing in on road, so even more traffic. All this mounted to me being very tired and slightly reluctant to roll out of bed the next day. I was also running late for the screening having left early but not factored in Sunday traffic. I am never taking that damn bus again! I made in time though, saw last few adverts but as soon as the New Line Cinema icon came up, I settled in. I was back and the film did not disappoint.

The question about the 276 page book being turned into not 2 but 3 films WAS ludicrous and in some ways, it still is but the result wasn't three terrible films, it was an amazing trilogy and brilliant achievement in cinema, again. The Middle Earth saga, as what is now known as was and is a phenomenon. No one ever thought the fantasy/adventure genre could ever be critically pleasing, award worthy and loved by millions. Apart from being excited about this #OneLastTime  business I am really sad to see the end. There may be other Middle Earth films but not with familiar characters and adventures. If you're thinking The Silmarillion, good luck, its quite a serious book and actually takes places year and years before The Hobbit. This really is the end. After the film, I was very upset and I'm not ashamed to say it, I've already written about how much The Lord of the Rings films mean to me. I said it quite a few times. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was emotional about the characters, the end, nostalgia for LOTR and the whole experience really. It was satisfying ending, but I still wanted more.

I'm still writing my post about the film, keep your eyes peeled.