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martinlest
Reviews
Boyhood (2014)
A joy, in so many respects
I can see no reason not to give this movie a glowing 10/10. I was captivated from beginning to end.
The performances, first and foremost, are superb. Ellar Coltraine is wonderful throughout, what a likable kid/youth he is in the film - and doubtless is in real life - but my personal favourite is Lorelei Linklater. If I had a sister, I'd like her to be just like that. She is 'well cool', big time.
If you are allergic to 'cinéma very tay' - this site won't allow the real spelling, shame on IMDb!!! - (in the loosest sense of the term) then maybe you won't be so enamoured of the film as I am, but quite frankly, I was caught up in the first minute and swept along by the development of the characters and the plot (OK, such as it is - but those who post "nothing happens" miss the point rather).
I have worked with children and teenagers for most of my adult life - especially kids with 'problems at home' and I found the young characters in the movie, well, admirable. The 'goodness' of the characters was heart-warming and I found their emotions and frustrations so real-to-life and so positive that I found I had a tear in my eye at more than one point. What great people these characters are, they give me faith in the human race, mirror as they do such wonderful, if troubled, kids I have been privileged to work with over the past 30 years plus.
Thanks to everyone involved in making this film, a 'keeper' if ever there was one.
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976)
Seriously disappointing
I have tried, loving Leonard Rossiter as I do (Rising Damp was wonderful, up to and excluding series 4), to appreciate this comedy on several occasions, but have given up once again before I get to the end of the first series. The problem is that it is just NOT FUNNY! I know comedy is in the ear of the beholder, but the script is really weak in every single episode and the canned laughter is in the very worst tradition of 'early' TV comedy.
Some of the CJ stuff is amusing for the first few times - "I didn't get where I am today..." is memorable. But I can't help wondering what Mr Rossiter really thought of what he was asked to do and say. All the energy, wit and humour of Rigsby is almost entirely missing here, try as he might to deal with the terrible lines everyone has to deliver.
If you enjoyed the series before, I dare say you'll love the DVDs.. look out for mine on eBay.
Gravity (2013)
Great effects, emetic script
3/10: that's 9/10 for visuals and 1/10 for script. Whether this, or that, could really happen up there in orbit is, for me, beside the point. Sit back, suspend your disbelief, and enjoy! But, as a British viewer, I am yet again appalled at the mawkishness of the script in an American movie (yes, I should be used to it by now - but it always shocks me). Are Americans REALLY this sentimental?? ("I larve you Marmmee" says cute, (dying), 3 year-old girl (preferably Shirley Temple look alike) and audience are instantly reaching for their hankies!). I can't believe it. My American friends are not like this - though that said, I have never seen them in a cinema! Suffice it to say that I stuck it out to the end for the visuals. And S.B. wasn't at all bad, given what she had been given to say. But I would never want to see it again, unless fully dosed up on anti-emetics.
The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
Loved it!
I got to love Tintin when I lived in France. As far as I recall, there were Tintin cartoons on TV in the UK when I was a small child (late 60s?) and I certainly enjoyed them. But the books are truly, truly wonderful (as most reading this will know all too well already!). My French became pretty fluent as I lived in Paris and reading in the original language only added to the pleasure.
That said, I feel that those who are missing out on the pleasures of the film by comparing it with the books are, well, missing out! Of course it's almost a cliché, 'the film is a disappointing rendition of the book'. This may often be true, but usually only because people who have read the book obviously come to the movie with expectations: I saw all the Harry Potter films (on DVD), for instance, then (inspired by the experience) read all the books. Then I watched all the films again. The books win hands down (in spite of my admiration for Daniel Radcliffe). But my impressions of the films were influenced the second time around by remembering the books. I liked them better on my first go. But I am stating the obvious here....
So, all these comparisons with the 'bandes désinées', whilst understandable, are a bit of a red herring (or do I mean. a 'red haddock'?) IMHO. Yes, the film has some things I didn't get (too much Haddock and not enough Tintin, I agree) But watch the film as an artwork (and it is that, I think) in its own right and how can you not love it?
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Amazing soundtrack
Caught this by accident on BBC TV and was transfixed. A powerful story, with excellent performances and a wholly authentic feel (inasmuch as I know what that period of history in that part of the world was actually like!).
And as a musician/composer ('classical') I was equally impressed with the music (Greenwood & some amazing cello/piano by Arvo Pärt), which (IMHO) doesn't so much 'illustrate' the story as take on a life/character of its own.
Strongly recommended, but remember to listen (how could anyone not??) as well as watch for the 'full effect'.