Silver Screen Weekends – A Guide To The Movies…Past, Present and Future
As you’ve probably guessed from the title of the blog, the subject is one that is close to my heart and one which I have a true passion for – Film. I am a real “film buff” in the truest sense of the term and admittedly I’m a bit of geek when it comes to film. Film for me is the most amazing medium of artistic expression; in its use of photography, cinematography, and most importantly – the way it can transform a story or premise into a visually tangible creation for our entertainment.
There’s nothing I love more than a trip to the cinema or curling up onto the sofa to enjoying a movie or two…or three. With that said, my blogs will recommend films that you can either take a trip to the cinema to watch (Present), rent and watch in the comfort on your own home (Past) and give you a preview of what’s coming soon (Future). So without further ado…
In The Cinema – Present
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
(Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara)
David Fincher’s adaptation of the late Stieg Larsson’s ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts, with fans of the original Swedish version fearing a glossed-over remake without the edges. Fortunately for all involved, the gamble paid off as Fincher and his glittering cast manage to maintain the dark grittiness of the book but jack up the energy on an already compelling thriller, which has seen lesser-known Mara catapulted into A-list stardom thanks to her portrayal of her intricately complicated character, Lisbeth Salander.
Branded a slanderous liar following a messy public court case, journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) accepts an unusual assignment to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy but aged business mogul’s niece. In order to make sense of the jumble of information, Blomkvist enlists the help of computer hacker and perpetual mystery, Lisbeth Salander (Mara). Aggression, suspense and sexual tension mount as the pair edge closer towards the truth whilst inadvertently stumbling into grave danger.
Prickly and sinister, with a stand-out performance by Stellan Skarsgård as Martin, this film proves a great narrative is worth revisiting when placed in the right hands.
One To Rent – Past
The Guard
(Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong)
One of the biggest surprises of 2011, John Michael McDonagh’s cop comedy The Guard is an absolute must-see this January if you haven’t already had the pleasure.
Despite its seemingly overdone premise of small-town policeman meets urban to-the-book FBI agent, this is not at all your run-of-the-mill buddy cop movie. The show is neatly stolen by Gleeson as Gerry Boyle, an unconventional and highly likeable police officer in the west of Ireland who loves a prostitute or two, but not as much as he loves his mother. Enter Wendell Everett (Cheadle), an uptight professional investigating substantial drug smuggling in the area, who initially sizes Boyle up as a profound idiot. It’s not until Boyle links a local murder to the smuggling ring that Everett appreciates his shrewdness and the pair’s unlikely alliance is formed.
The narrative may be familiar but the script is fresh and funny, and plays wonderfully with Irish cultural stereotypes and American cop clichés that manages to maintain running jokes while dropping in one-off gems. The plot, admittedly, is a little far-fetched and the final showdown doesn’t quite ring true. To the film’s testament, however, this barely detracts from the high calibre comedy and surprising touches of tenderness that make it so enjoyable. Save it for a cold and rainy January evening.
Coming Soon – Future
Margin Call
(Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci)
Margin Call is based on the kick-start of 2008′s financial crisis set in a Wall Street firm 24 hours prior to the market floor opening for trading. Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) is one of those laid off, and decides to disclose an ominous discovery with younger colleague Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto). Upon investigation, Sullivan realises that Dale’s data warns of a catastrophic collapse as trillions of dollars are due to be wiped out. In this 24-hour period, employees realise there is nothing they can do to prevent it, so are faced with the dilemma of who will bear the financial ruin – their buyers, or themselves.
You know a film has something special when it cost just over $3m to make and yet managed to pull in a stellar cast like Spacey, Irons, Tucci, Paul Bettany and Demi Moore. Writer and director J.C. Chandor had never directed a feature film and yet interviews with Spacey reveal Chandor pitched with such passion that A-list actors approached the project with the utmost confidence.
Those wary of the topic matter should rest assured Margin Call will grip you from the outset and those faced with the financial dilemma are not easy to lump into ‘good’ and ‘evil’ categories. Overall, an interesting spin on a pivotal moment in modern history.
That’s your lot for this week. Enjoy watching these suggestions or whichever films you choose to watch this weekend. Perhaps you can make it a weekly film night?
p.s. If you love watching films as much I do be sure to keep an eye out on Groupon as they frequently run deals with LoveFilm for up to 80% off subscriptions as well as deals for cinema tickets at local and private cinemas. There’s currently a great deal on for a Cinema Ticket and Cocktail for £10.50 at the Private Cinema of the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton. They even have deals on filmmaking courses like this one for a One Day Filmmaking Course With Screenwriting and Directing Instruction for £39 at Raindance.
I’ve already got myself the LoveFilm subscription and will definitely be getting the other two as well, so snap them up before the deals end!
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