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[film] Inception
Now that my ears work I can cope with cinema ... so finally saw Inception last night. ( possibly spoilery notes -- not really review )
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Escape to Narnia
Went to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Burgess Hill's very own tiny cinema. Surprisingly OK, and only £4.50.
( plus and minus points, no real spoilers )
( plus and minus points, no real spoilers )
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Idle speculation ... Narnia
Just writing up Pullman's comments on the Narnia films. I've found one source that says there will be five films. So which two books won't they be doing? why, yes, I am prevaricating. 10K of notes, simmer and reduce to 1500 words ...
[Poll #626611]
[Poll #626611]
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film: Night Watch (Nochnoi Dozor)
Saw this yesterday. Whoosh! Highly recommended.
Firstly, ignore anyone who says it's "a Russian take on The Matrix."Manifest bo Nonsense.
Secondly, it's all gritty and urban and unlovely. Especially the interiors, mostly apartments in Moscow. There are little details, like five tins of the same thing stacked neatly on an otherwise empty shelf, that make it real: that give a sense of the set-designer recreating a scene so familiar that it doesn't require lingering shots.
Thirdly, it doesn't (apart from the final conflict) use that many special effects. (Filmed and produced in Russia, though -- disappointingly -- post-production was done in LA. Still, they resisted the gloss.)
Fourthly, it's a film where the vampires reflect (and can only be seen in) mirrors. (But before you stop reading, it's not -- not just -- a vampire film.)
Fifthly, the characters are not Hollywood-cool or pretty: no perfect teeth, no immaculate makeup, just fraying edges and getting on with the job.
Sixthly, there are some medieval battle-scenes featuring the Russian equivalent of the Sealed Knot: clash and clatter and gore. But this isn't a film that dwells on violence or suffering.
Seventhly, the twist at the end is not one I'd expect in an American film, and it was handled with the same honesty that typifies the rest of the film: neither hammered home nor reacted to as a tragedy.
Lastly, we went for an excellent meal, with cocktails, afterwards: but it may not have been a good idea to order a Bloody Mary, having seen the real thing in the film.
Oh, and [FAO![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ladymoonray] it's first in a trilogy, and the trailer for Day Watch (63MB) is slowly seeping onto my hard drive ...
Firstly, ignore anyone who says it's "a Russian take on The Matrix."
Secondly, it's all gritty and urban and unlovely. Especially the interiors, mostly apartments in Moscow. There are little details, like five tins of the same thing stacked neatly on an otherwise empty shelf, that make it real: that give a sense of the set-designer recreating a scene so familiar that it doesn't require lingering shots.
Thirdly, it doesn't (apart from the final conflict) use that many special effects. (Filmed and produced in Russia, though -- disappointingly -- post-production was done in LA. Still, they resisted the gloss.)
Fourthly, it's a film where the vampires reflect (and can only be seen in) mirrors. (But before you stop reading, it's not -- not just -- a vampire film.)
Fifthly, the characters are not Hollywood-cool or pretty: no perfect teeth, no immaculate makeup, just fraying edges and getting on with the job.
Sixthly, there are some medieval battle-scenes featuring the Russian equivalent of the Sealed Knot: clash and clatter and gore. But this isn't a film that dwells on violence or suffering.
Seventhly, the twist at the end is not one I'd expect in an American film, and it was handled with the same honesty that typifies the rest of the film: neither hammered home nor reacted to as a tragedy.
Lastly, we went for an excellent meal, with cocktails, afterwards: but it may not have been a good idea to order a Bloody Mary, having seen the real thing in the film.
Oh, and [FAO
ladymoonray] it's first in a trilogy, and the trailer for Day Watch (63MB) is slowly seeping onto my hard drive ...Entry tags:
Films (slight spoilers)
How I miss West India Quay UGC: as many films as I could be bothered with for £9.99 a month, a 14-minute trip on the DLR, ten screens, a bar.
Have not seen many films since I left SE8.
However, I did see Serenity last week: ( Serenity )
... and Howl's Moving Castle at the weekend. ( Howl's Moving Castle )
Have not seen many films since I left SE8.
However, I did see Serenity last week: ( Serenity )
... and Howl's Moving Castle at the weekend. ( Howl's Moving Castle )
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Film review: Closer
I came out of Closer quite depressed by it: what a bleak film, what a joyless take on modern love, etc etc. Quite enough to put one off the whole notion of relationships, really: and certainly not a film to cheer anyone who's feeling romantically vulnerable. ( no actual spoilers )
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Film review: Alexander
Alexander was ever so much better than I was expecting, though that may say more about my expectations (and my opinion of Colin Farrell) than about the film. ( minor spoilers, generally positive )
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Film: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
While I'm not working, I want to post at least brief reviews of the stuff I'm doing / seeing / hearing instead. It's only the 12th and I'm already behind!
Last Friday we went to see William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. At least that's what it said on the film certificate, though it's more like Al Pacino's Merchant of Venice. ( Read more... )
Last Friday we went to see William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. At least that's what it said on the film certificate, though it's more like Al Pacino's Merchant of Venice. ( Read more... )