Sunday, 30 April 2017

"Submarine," directed by Richard Ayoade

Movie, 2010

Charming, compassionate coming of age film on the one hand, though thankfully, and despite an appropriately juvenile cast, not at all gloopy. Some fairly major themes are tackled in an off-kilter way at times, though the effect is to appreciate the resilience and decency of the teenagers in the film rather then either pity or rail against them. Some funny set pieces, again looking at serious themes (bullying, family breakdown) as well as some oddball humour which never entirely alienates. Overall, pretty decent.

Wednesday, 26 April 2017

"Modern Times", directed Charlie Chaplin

Movie, 1936

Satirical situations and a hard time for Chaplin's tramp in a hostile, exploitative industrial environment, before salvation is suggested through a 'gamin' (street urchin). The physical comedy and repeatedly unlucky antics of the well-meaning duo point to the uncaring, greedy society, best illustrated at the beginning of the film, before the the gamin's emergence, and through the casual dictatorial style used by the CEO of the tramp's original employer. Some iconic scenes and empathy generated as the hapless couple struggle with the tramp's continual failures.


Monday, 24 April 2017

"Hunt for the Wilderpeople", directed by Taika Waititi

Movie, 2016

Touching and funny buddy story with a non-cloying performance by a child actor on the run from an over zealous child protection team in the New Zealand wilderness. While this is in no way a radical breakthrough film, the humour is well-balanced and the characters work well together, even if aside from the main protagonists, they tend to be very crudely drawn. The film delivers poignancy within something of a riotous framework, which is quite a feat, given the set up and the concentration on the two main actors and characters.

Thursday, 20 April 2017

"Hotel Reserve", directed by Lance Comfort, Mutz Greenbaum and Victor Hanbury


Movie, 1944

Movie dramatisation of Eric Ambler's Epitaph for a Spy, whose departures from the book rather let it down. A young James Mason is good value, but a little switched on and glamorous as the bungling 'hero' Vadassy and the amateurish antics in the novel, which give it its tension, are rather smoothed out. Still, there's a dreamy interplay and set and some great support acting in a film which is still curious and well worth watching. Possibly ripe for a remake, but still colourful enough and with a contemporary resonance. 

Tuesday, 18 April 2017

"Black Mountain Poets", directed by Jamie Adams

Movie, 2015

Low key love story among a group of poets on a retreat in the rainy greenery of Wales. While this is a piece which works well enough and delivers some good moments, there's also something uneasy in the satire, which feels a little self-referential and apologetic. Lo-fi attacks low achievement; indie attacking independent, but with no incisive comment or defence. For all this, and for some fairly limited characterisations here and there, this is a film to enjoy, in the main.