Films

Kitchen Stories

Anticipation: People watching is a popular pastime. The more cantankerous the subject, the better. 3

Enjoyment: Touching and cheering in equal measure. It is you who feels privileged to observe. 4

In Retrospect: A film that can make you both happy and sad is obviously doing something right. 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323872/
 
Nope (other than a little blog I've just started just to keep a record of the the above - more of a scrapbook really). I just love the cinema and when there is a film festival on, what better way to spend the evening... (he says having just opted out of going to see How I Ended This Summer in preference for the pub and the United game...)
 
betsmate; can I recommend a film forum called chasingthefrog...frequented by seriously keen film buffs. Always think one of the best things about watching a film is discussing it afterwards. My take on a good film is that I have to find myself really caring about the characters in it. Having said that I've been addicted to Wallander and Downton Abbey recently and haven't seen many films. Buy dvd's and never get round to watching them, because I think that the dvd itself is some sort of extension of my mind. Even bought Bright Star the other week having missed it at the cinema, but still haven't got round to watching it. We have the best cinema ever here in Derby; it's called The Quad and it has all the films that don't go on general release [Let the Right One In etc]. So lucky; it's only 15 mins drive away.
 
Tuesday, After Christmas

Anticipation: The infamous love-triangle is the given the Romanian new-wave minimalist treatment. 3

Enjoyment: With rarely anything but the characters in focus, impressive performances were required. Luckily that is what we got. 4

In Retrospect: The people were real, the dialogue was real and the tension was real. Except of course this was only a story. 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470024/
 
Upperdog

Anticipation: Long-lost siblings re-unite with emotional consequences. Sounds familiar. 2

Enjoyment: Whilst four flawed characters doesn't equate to a flawed film, it didn't sparkle for me either. 3

In Retrospect: All of the main characters were a little one-dimensional, with the exception of the scene-stealing younger brother. Ultimately that detracted from an otherwise competently shot film. 2

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489263/
 
The Robber

Anticipation: A true story about a marathon runner who robs banks. It should be energetic. More good German cinema? 4

Enjoyment: Pedestrian. And Austrian. 1

In Retrospect: The near-emotionless characters and lack of back story proves unfulfilling rather than inriguing and this film can't survive on it's "action" set pieces alone. 2

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339161/
 
Amer

Anticipation: Looks like a visual feast, but will it be satisfying as a whole? 3

Enjoyment: Sounds and images to keep you feeling uncomfortable for every second of the film. Both brilliant and baffling. 3

In Retrospect: Take a Technicolor trip through the disturbed imagination of a girl from childhood to adulthood. Some scenes are sure to stay with you for a long time afterwards. 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1426352/
 
I see there are some refs to the last-named being a bit like Italian giallo (yellow) filma. Okay, Signore Betsamaterino, what on earth are Italian giallo/yellow movies? (Love colour refs to film - blue, noir, yellow... )
 
Giallo isn't really a genre, more if a style. It means yellow, but basically it covers crime, detective and a whole range of of other types of film in a particular way. One that really focuses on the visual and audible details. Quite difficult to explain...
 
Last edited:
The Last Employee

Anticipation: Everyday fears meet the fear of death. Which is more scary? 2

Enjoyment: An excellent psychological and supernatural thriller. Plus a scary Mother-in-law. 4

In Retrospect: A strong lead performance and sustained tension with the occasional graphic shock thrown in to keep the audience on their toes. 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1543004/
 
Red, White & Blue

Anticipation: Art-house slacker revenge thriller. Cool. 4

Enjoyment: Strong characters in imposing locations take part in this exceptionally violent revenge story. Disturbing, but very real 3

In Retrospect: The brutal final third somewhat overshadows what has gone before; which is a shame, as the earlier segments were arguably the stronger and more interesting film. 3

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1465505/
 
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Anticipation: The true story of Christmas. Ho. Ho. Ho! 4

Enjoyment: Original and funny. A bit CGI-crazy though. 4

In Retrospect: More naughty than nice in its portrayal of Santa Clause, but certainly good fun. A film for adults, anchored well by a child. Ultimately though, I suspect plenty of scenes will be easily forgettable. 3

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/
 
Kidnapped

Anticipation: Distributed by the producers of [REC], it sounds a little bit Funny Games. 4

Enjoyment: Relentless terror and violence. Lacking subtlety. 2

In Retrospect: Climactic ending proved that the terror dial could still be cranked up further. A film that makes no pretence from the get-go. Expect it to be popular. 3

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1629377/
 
Toute Ma Vie

Anticipation: None, an unexpected bonus short before the feature. 0

Enjoyment: A novel take on a familiar tale, with a twist that you have to be quick to foresee. 4

In Retrospect: Very few people know that much about you... 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1438508/
 
The Woman Who Dreamt Of A Man

Anticipation: Crazy-love or a little far-fetched? It has had some poor reviews. 2

Enjoyment: Great locations and easy-to-watch. The plot was a little flimsy though. 3

In Retrospect: A bit too convenient at times, with some definite plot shortcuts. Decent ending and worth passing the time with. 3

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1239290/
 
Hiroshima: A Silent Musical

Anticipation: Experience a day in someone's life, hearing only the non-spoken sounds. Looks original and interesting. 4

Enjoyment: Reminds me of In The City Of Sylvia, despite the vastly different characters and setting. Funky music. 4

In Retrospect: It felt like a great debut effort, but should we expect more from a Director in his third feature? 3

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504402/
 
All That I Love

Anticipation: Politics getting in the way of a punk-rock coming of age story. It has all of the ingredients. 4

Enjoyment: Brimming with anti-establishment cool. It got more things right than wrong. 4

In Retrospect: Succeeds in capturing both the determination of youth and the oppression of 1990's Poland. Some of the supporting characters were a little one-dimensional, but a super-impressive lead performance - perhaps reminiscent of a young Sergei Bodrov Jr? 4

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442584/
 
Saw Another Year last night. Did enjoy it but it may have suffered from 'The Wrestler' syndrome, where I was expecting it to be one of the best films I've ever seen and it wasn't; had I found it by accident I would have been raving about it. Certain scenes didn't ring true, and I kept expecting Imelda Staunton to pop up again. Having said that I'd like to see it again because there's a depth to the film that needs further exploration. Having done the divorce bit with the loneliness that followed it I could relate to a lot of what was happening, along with the alienation of finding yourself in the midst of a happy family. Hadn't realised what a superb actor Jim Broadbent was; deserves to be Sir Jim imo. Not a film for young people to watch!
 
Talking about The Wrestler (which I've never seen)... I don't think there is a film that I'm looking forward to more than Aronofsky's Black Swan.
 
Back
Top