Film-a-thon January 6, 2009

Warning: some of the trailers are a bit spoiler-ific.

Australia

Took my sisters to see this – first (and probably) last time I’ve done this, bloomin expensive!  we went to Chiquitos too, we should def go there, there’s loads of veggie options and it was really yummy too.  At over 2.5hours Australia was a bit of a bum-acher so prepare yourself for that i.e. have a wee before. There’s a point about halfway in where you think its ended, everythings been wrapped up, the battle is won, the guy gets the girl and there’s a party. But before you can so much as lift yourself from your seat it continues. Into a completely different film. That moment where it shifts is a little awkward and could have been handled better. Another negative point is the amount of green screen used, I thought it looked really obvious, one minute you had gorgeous scenery, the next there was the same shot with the sane actor but it looked incredibly fake. Bit disappointing. The chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was fantastic, they made a good couple but what happened in the second half was predictable and a little rubbish actually. You still end up cheering for them though and you’re left with a big smile on your face. Great old fashioned epic that has to be watched at the cinema to be fully appreciated.

The Notebook

On IMDB there’s a section at the bottom that has films which it thinks you’d be interested in (it doesn’t just read your mind, it’s based on the film you’re currently on the site for). The Notebook has appeared on this list many many times and I’ve heard good (screechy teen girls on messageboards) things about it. You may recall I was in the mood for a tearjerker so settled down for this. And I have to say…meh. Maybe it’s coz I was out of tearjerker mode by the time I sat down for it. Maybe its because I couldn’t help but think Atonement, which is the English and far superior version of The Notebook managed to achieve the same thing but in a more convincing way. Don’t get me wrong, The Notebook is ok if you’re in the mood for a romantic film but I don’t think it’s anything special. The modern day narration/story is what annoyed me and got my cynical head back on. Parts of it just didn’t work and were unbelievable. Bar a few scenes I don’t think it was necessary. The end was nauseating, seriously, the writer must have been in GCSE English mode for it, absolutely terrible. If you’re after something that’ll make you weep buckets then Atonement would better serve your needs. If you want a lighter version that’ll make you all gooey inside without feeling the need to slit your wrists there’s The Notebook (but where’s the fun in that?).

27 Dresses

Jane is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. 27 times in fact. She’s in love with her boss but can’t do anything about it and then her little sis turns up and steals his heart. Meanwhile journalist Kevin is after her affections but isn’t getting anywhere. Melodrama ensues and there’s tears of heartache-which-turn-to-joy-at-the-end. Its the usual fluffy guff but it’s done well. Really funny in parts and he’ll hate that I’ve done this but my bro enjoyed it more than me and the sis in law did I think. Katherine Heigl is really likeable in this and infuriatingly looks good even in the most hideous of bridesmaid dresses she’s had to endure over the years. You can see the end from a mile away but entertaining nevertheless.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Guy gets dumped by his girlfriend. Goes to Hawaii to get over the fact he’s just come out of a 5 year relationship and bumps into his ex who’s not only holidaying there but staying in the same hotel. With her new fella. It’s a bit crude and contains quite a bit of nudity so it’s not one of them to watch with your family but its actually very funny and you feel for the characters involved. I love it when they take the mick out of Russell Brand’s (ahh git!) accent. The puppet show at the end is genius.

Pineapple Express

I needed a silly film to watch and downloaded this because it’s on the front page of Play. Absolutely hilarious. It’s daft as anything but if its laughs you want then this film provides by the bucketful. It starts off a bit rubbish but once it gets going, fantastic. Red’s the best: You just got killed by a Daewoo Lanos Motherfudger!!!

P.S. I Love You

Not amazing, nice girly film that’s quite slow paced but a heart warmer. Kinda film you need a cold night (plenty of em now!), a blanket & hot choc/coffee for.

Yes Man

Based on Danny Wallace’s book. I actually had very very low hopes for the film as the trailer looked crap, the only similar thing between the book & the film is the premise – say yes to everything. EVERYTHING. I thought it would be a daft Jim Carrey flick, I don’t know why but the thought of one sickened me, maybe its because I thought the book deserved more. I was however very pleasantly surprised. Jim Carrey’s toned it down and plays it more straight. I love love love the lead actress in it, she’s v quirky and has a fabulous wardrobe (I can’t find that coat or hoodie anywhere jtm!) and the 2 make a sweet couple. There’s an absolutely ridiculous ’setback’ which our hero must overcome. I know this has to happen in films but they could have thought of a better one surely? Just plain daft. Anyway as I say, much better than expected but you could wait for this on DVD.

Dan In Real Life

Ahh Steve Carell, this man is a genius. Dan In Real Life is a lot more subtle to the usual Carell-fare we’re used to, think more along on the lines of Little Miss Sunshine. He stars as a widower with three daughters and the film takes place at a family reunion. He falls for a woman for the first time since his wife died however she turns out to be far from what he expected.  Dan’s parents house is gorgeous, it’s one of those rustic places in the middle of nowhere and the activities the family enjoy would seem really cheesy and off in another film but here it works perfectly and you wish you had that life. It actually feels really realistic however I found the ending a bit disappointing, maybe the cynic in me is starting to emerge again. On the whole it’s a very sweet film, something to watch with a cup of tea on a Sunday night methinks (But then aren’t all good films like that?).