Apologies again for the drip fed previews this week, I have
a trip to Madrid andddd that’s taking up a lot of my time planning for that…. It’s
a valid excuse! You’ll still get your recommendations, just they’ll be daily
instead….Oh it so does not make a difference.
Monday
The Artist (2012) Sky Premier +1 also on Sky Anytime, 7.15pm
As always I recommended this last Friday, and as always I am
recommending the film again this week. This is because
a)
A lot of you went out Friday and probably didn’t
watch it. And more pertinently…
b)
It makes one easier recommendation for me.
So, without any more hesitation, ladies and gentlemen I
present to you (drum roll), the winner of 5 Academy Awards… including Best
Motion Picture 2012… Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist.
Ta da.
So, why all the fuss? Well a lot of you may already be
familiar with what The Artist is about, but just for the uninitiated, let me dispel
any inaccurate notions – yes indeed this is a silent film. It is not a silent
film in the strictest sense – Michel Hazanavicius plays around with the formula
enough so that the film draws inspiration from films of yesteryear as opposed
to merely imitating them, which gives the film an air of freshness that may
brush aside some of the cynicism harboured by potential viewers. BUT if not,
then let me say unequivocally that this film is magnificent. The film is
charming, touching and thoroughly entertaining. The film follows silent film star George
Valentin make an uneasy transition (to say the least) into films that include
dialogue, sound effects and all other manners of mellifluous madness. It is a
tale of hero to zero as the world changes around poor George and he struggles
to keep up, save for the intervention of a young up and comer (who he
discovered) called Peppy Miller (played by the alluring Bérénice Bejo). The direction and cinematography of the film
is exquisite, highlighted (but not limited to) some of the wonderful dancing we
see throughout the film – and this is coming from a man who doesn’t
particularly like musicals or ‘Come Dance with Me’. So as you can probably
tell, I am very fond of this film. Also, I am very confident you will like this
film - if you go and watch it with the right attitude that is. If you are of
the cynical nature -and with all the films geared towards awards season these
days (Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud I’m looking at you), who can blame
you – then perhaps you might not enjoy this film (although I’d still recommend
checking it out just in case). But if you are open to a good time and willing
to try new things, then it will not take one bit of effort or patience to enjoy
this wonderful piece of celluloid as it will captivate you in the opening scenes.
Shakespeare in Love (1998) Sky Drama/Romance, 9.45pm
1998? 1998?! Wow that makes me feel old. It wasn’t too long
ago that this film swept the floor with most of the competition at the Oscars,
much like ‘The Artist’ did. It’s been a while since I watched this film, but it
is still fresh in the memory how much I enjoyed it so I can recommend it full
heartedly. The tale follows everyone’s favourite Bard (Joseph Fiennes) struggle
to find the influence that would later make him the bane of all school children
for years to come, until that is, he comes across (not like that) Gwyneth
Paltrow - and a whole manner of inspiration takes hold of him. The film is a
nice watch for many – it has the rom-com element which is endearing enough for
most, but also has the brains behind it to pull along the more grumpy ones i.e.
the blokes (minus Butler).
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) FILM4, 11.10pm
Damn it – it’s Monday and there’s already a film I haven’t
watched previously. But, as the regular readers will know, I will take my usual defensive
stance and point out - would you of considered watching it without this
recommendation? I didn’t think so… and this is the whole point of the blog (for
the majority of it anyway) you see? To broaden your film watching horizons as
well as my own! Oh to hell with the more cynical of you (Buckley), for
everyone else here you go – a foreign film about two men on a hunt to find a
shallow grave of a murder victim hidden in a Anatolian town. When EmpireOnline’s
write up states:
“Complex and sophisticated, this genre-defying crime story
is spellbinding viewing.”
Then you gotta pay attention. Here is the review in full….
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?DVDID=119076
Rest of the week to follow......
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