Sorry, sorry, sorry.
I have been so busy recently travelling around watching tennis that my "art & film" hobbies have taken a bit of a back seat.
Fear not though, I have been watching films via Lovefilm and booked myself a few little trips (see my next post).
A selection of films I have watched:
Dr Strangelove - Sellers at his best
The Long Goodbye - Monica & Ross' Dad gives a great performance
The Seventh Seal - Not easy to describe
Last Tango In Paris - Very interesting use of butter
The Sorrow & The Pity - Real documentary of wartime France
Flatliners - Would you?
The Mummy (1932) - This is what happens when you don't do as you are told!
The Crimson Rivers - Good film
Life Is Beautiful - A film of Fatherly love to the limit
Annie Hall - A must-see
Platoon - Hard hitting film
The Apartment - How to get on the right side of the boss
The Odd Couple - How not to share an apartment
Metropolis - A film ahead of its time
Deliverance - Fantastic film that you must watch
Kiki's Delivery Service - A heart warming film for all ages
Jean De Florette & Manon Des Sources - Greed always has a price
Houseboat - What a great way to live
Cape Fear - Bloody hell Gergory, just shoot him already!
Raging Bull - De Niro as a prize fighter
12 Angry Men - Wonderful film
The 400 Blows - Sometimes all they need is a little attention
Fistful Of Dollars - Hello Mr Man With No Name
Copycat - How easy is it to copy a killer
Witness For The Prosecution - Great film with a twist
The Son's Room - Very moving film
Repo Man - Very 80's
Au Revoir Les Enfants - Another very moving film
A Few Dollars More - Clint is back for more action
Days Of Wine & Roses - Epic tale of excess
Dogville - Very strange set
Pom Poko - Don't mess with the racoons
Beyond A Reasonable Doubt - Keep copies of everything
I have also made a few trips to theatre etc.
I went to London in April and paid a visit to The Royal Opera House where I watched 3 short ballets (Polyphonia / Sweet Violets / Carbon Life) I enjoyed the first, the second was pretty decent too, the third was forgetable as well as painful on my eardrums.
Back home in Preston I went to the local Odeon to watch Rigoletto relayed live from the ROH. Excellent opera with great performances from all involved.
I subscribe to a service called SeeFilmFirst and every now and then I receive free offers to concerts or shows. I was offered a ticket to the Opera House in Manchester to watch a Musical called Vampirette. I had nothing better to do on the Saturday afternoon so I went along. What a riot! Great music and songs as well as story (based on the Addams family) They had the whole audience up dancing at the end.
Brass Festival at Bridgewater Hall was a whole day long event I attended. Whilst it was good I had seen a few of the bands before but at least it helped me decide who I like.
La Fille mai Gardee was another show watched at the cinema. This was a very colourful affair with a funny storyline. How they never got tangles up during the Maypole dance I'll never know.
Jools Holland came to Preston in May so I dragged my partner along for a night of live music. Jools and the band did not disappoint playing their jazzy music that had people dancing in their seats.
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Friday, 30 March 2012
Where Have I Been?
To many different places is the answer.
I have watched many films, both at the cinema and at home. Have I told you that I am a member of Lovefilm? I have the unlimited package, 3 discs at home which is great value at £13.27 per month. I watch at least 4 films per week so I certainly get my money's worth.
I have joined a new cinema, Picturehouse in Liverpool. It is very similar to the Cornerhouse in Manchester that I regularly visit. I am a member of the Times+ and they are running an offer of half price membership, £16 instead of £32. Considering that I recieve 3 free tickets is was worth the price. I also recieve a discount on all purchases as well as numerous other offers. If you are in the North West I recommend membership to both Cornerhouse & Picturehouse.
So what I have been up to?
I watched the new Werner Herzog Documentary - Into The Abyss. This was a pre-release screening @ Picturehouse that included an after film Q&A session with the man himself via link from London.
Interesting film that concentrated on a murder case in Texas. The documentary explores the people involved in the crime and the families left behind. It also looks at the use of the death penalty. For anyone interested in this subject Herzog currently has a TV series showing on Channel 4, Death Row. The previous 2 episodes are available here to watch.
Others films I have watched recently that I can recommend are:
In Darkness - Poland's entry to the Oscars this year that follows a true story set in Lodz during WWII.
The Skin I Live In - Banderas stars in this excellent, if not slightly wacked out film with revenge at the core of his actions.
Ni Liv - Again a true story set during WWII but this time set in Norway as ordinary people help a man on a failed sabotage mission escape capture and to the safety of neutral Sweden.
Chocolat - A few of my friends needed a "girly chick flick" to cheer them up so we watched this lovely film set in a quiet French village that receives a rude awakening when a choclatier sweeps in and tempts them all during Lent.
The French Connection - I thought this was a great film with an great performance from Hackman. Lots of action and interaction with his partner that keep the pace thoughout. Nice car v subway train chase too :-)
I went to see the BBC Philharmonic again at Bridgewater Hall for one of their "Reflections on Debussy" performances. As to be expected from the BBC this was a very enjoyable show with nice and delicate music played in perfect harmony.
Three ballets have been watched, Giselle at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool and Romeo & Juliet & Swan Lake at the Opera House in Manchester. Whilw I don't always know the story or who is who I love to watch them dance, especially the men. I find their fast twirls and energetic moves very entrancing.
I return to Paris in May, where I watched my first ever ballet but alas there are no performances scheduled for the time I am in town :( The only show I could watch is the opera Barber of Seville but the ticket prices are silly at €90 so I shall pass.
Films/shows coming up include a free screening of Sideways courtesy of California Classics, a visit to Royal Opera House during my visit to London where I am watching a new performance of 3 short ballet's. Rigoletto & La Fille Mal Gardee are two performances live from the National Theatre I shall be watching but via the Odeon cinema.
I have watched many films, both at the cinema and at home. Have I told you that I am a member of Lovefilm? I have the unlimited package, 3 discs at home which is great value at £13.27 per month. I watch at least 4 films per week so I certainly get my money's worth.
I have joined a new cinema, Picturehouse in Liverpool. It is very similar to the Cornerhouse in Manchester that I regularly visit. I am a member of the Times+ and they are running an offer of half price membership, £16 instead of £32. Considering that I recieve 3 free tickets is was worth the price. I also recieve a discount on all purchases as well as numerous other offers. If you are in the North West I recommend membership to both Cornerhouse & Picturehouse.
So what I have been up to?
I watched the new Werner Herzog Documentary - Into The Abyss. This was a pre-release screening @ Picturehouse that included an after film Q&A session with the man himself via link from London.
Interesting film that concentrated on a murder case in Texas. The documentary explores the people involved in the crime and the families left behind. It also looks at the use of the death penalty. For anyone interested in this subject Herzog currently has a TV series showing on Channel 4, Death Row. The previous 2 episodes are available here to watch.
Others films I have watched recently that I can recommend are:
In Darkness - Poland's entry to the Oscars this year that follows a true story set in Lodz during WWII.
The Skin I Live In - Banderas stars in this excellent, if not slightly wacked out film with revenge at the core of his actions.
Ni Liv - Again a true story set during WWII but this time set in Norway as ordinary people help a man on a failed sabotage mission escape capture and to the safety of neutral Sweden.
Chocolat - A few of my friends needed a "girly chick flick" to cheer them up so we watched this lovely film set in a quiet French village that receives a rude awakening when a choclatier sweeps in and tempts them all during Lent.
The French Connection - I thought this was a great film with an great performance from Hackman. Lots of action and interaction with his partner that keep the pace thoughout. Nice car v subway train chase too :-)
I went to see the BBC Philharmonic again at Bridgewater Hall for one of their "Reflections on Debussy" performances. As to be expected from the BBC this was a very enjoyable show with nice and delicate music played in perfect harmony.
Three ballets have been watched, Giselle at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool and Romeo & Juliet & Swan Lake at the Opera House in Manchester. Whilw I don't always know the story or who is who I love to watch them dance, especially the men. I find their fast twirls and energetic moves very entrancing.
I return to Paris in May, where I watched my first ever ballet but alas there are no performances scheduled for the time I am in town :( The only show I could watch is the opera Barber of Seville but the ticket prices are silly at €90 so I shall pass.
Films/shows coming up include a free screening of Sideways courtesy of California Classics, a visit to Royal Opera House during my visit to London where I am watching a new performance of 3 short ballet's. Rigoletto & La Fille Mal Gardee are two performances live from the National Theatre I shall be watching but via the Odeon cinema.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
The Descendants - Review
I went to the Odeon Cinema last night to watch the new George Clooney film, The Descendants.
Excellent performances all round from the cast in what is an enjoyable movie. A film about a Father who has an almost non-existent relationship with his two daughters. After an accident places his Wife in a coma it is up to Matt King (Clooney) to somehow connect with his kids and get them all through the traumatic situation.
Added to the event is the fact that is Wife was having an affair and was planning to leave him as well as his family Trust making a decision regarding a land sale that will net them millions.
The journey the family take as they try to make sense of their situation and find the family bond is a mix of tears & laughter and some absolute hilarity especially from the boyfriend Sid and the Father in Law Scott.
Will it win Oscars I am not sure but it is well worth a look if this is playing at your local cinema.
Enjoy
Excellent performances all round from the cast in what is an enjoyable movie. A film about a Father who has an almost non-existent relationship with his two daughters. After an accident places his Wife in a coma it is up to Matt King (Clooney) to somehow connect with his kids and get them all through the traumatic situation.
Added to the event is the fact that is Wife was having an affair and was planning to leave him as well as his family Trust making a decision regarding a land sale that will net them millions.
The journey the family take as they try to make sense of their situation and find the family bond is a mix of tears & laughter and some absolute hilarity especially from the boyfriend Sid and the Father in Law Scott.
Will it win Oscars I am not sure but it is well worth a look if this is playing at your local cinema.
Enjoy
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