Inclined to Opine

[originally posted to social media in July 2017]      Yesterday I watched Dunkirk and have now mulled it over enough to share my thoughts. Strap in, I've got a lot to say!      I liked it but can't say I loved it, however it was one of the best made films I think I've ever seen. It was truly a master at work with every detail being exactly as it should be. Breath-taking cinematography, amazing ensemble acting, genius control of storylines, just perfection.      Acting wise, my dear Kenneth Branagh stood out for me, being superb as usual, Mark Rylance commanded the screen in his soft spoken way, and yes, even Harry Styles did a thoroughly convincing job (to the point where it took me 3/4 of the film to realise it was him), but this was truly a group effort, with the high quality being consistent across the board. All the more remarkable when you consider that the film barely has any dialogue, just the necessary information being shared between...

    Just rewatched Enchanted and I am reminded what a delight of a film it is. A modern day fairly tale in a more literal sense than usual, its take on the traditional Disney princess story makes it palatable to our 21st century mindsets.     The delicious irony of the characters is hilarious, and seeing all the Andalasians going fully over-the-top is a riot. I mean, watching James Marsden play the oblivious Prince, or Timothy Spall revel in his evil henchman role is just downright entertaining! But the stand-out performance is Amy Adams; I challenge anyone to watch and not be utterly charmed by her openness and optimism. And as someone who is rather prone to bursting into song randomly, I take her approach to life very much to heart!    The strength of the film, for me, lies in its self-awareness. This is Disney poking fun at itself, grabbing the kind of story that made its empire and twisting it on its head. Here the princess chooses for herself. Here she...

    I have now watched this film three times, once in the cinema (on the biggest possible screen I could find), two at home, and each time it packs a punch. It taps into some of our most basic terrors and, to me, makes each of us look inside and ask "why would I want to live?".     One cannot comment on this film without mentioning the jaw-dropping visual artistry of it. I am in awe of the special effects and art departments who I am sure put blood, sweat and tears into making every shot look almost palpably real. And the beauty it exudes, not just in the exquisite Earth views but in the small moments too (Ryan curling up into a floating foetal position, for instance). It is an expansive viewing experience, by its very nature, but to me the unending vistas only serve to intensify the claustrophobia of the situation: there you are, seeing the whole universe, and about to suffocate in your own exhaled breath.     The story is simple and takes liberties with p...

     I first watched The King's Speech when it came out in the cinema - unusually for me, at least back then, I even watched it twice on the big screen - and it thoroughly delighted me. Having now seen it yet again at home, I love it perhaps even more than that first time.     It is an exquisitely well-made film, care and attention exuding from every detail. A story of kings and war and trauma, it would be easy to think it grandiose but no, it is in its essence small and contained. Which only makes the story more powerful. I firmly believe that one of the purposes of art, any art, is to shed light on what makes us human and that can often come through showing the importance of the little things. This is such a tale: a man with a speech impediment who lives in dread of public speaking. The vast majority of us are not royalty, nor will many have to lead a nation through war, but we all have moments of terror that render us incapable of the action that would allay ...

[originally posted on social media in February 2015]      At the request of several interested parties, here are my post Oscars thoughts.      Though most of my favourites didn't win, I wasn't particularly surprised by the results. Having said that, I am appalled at Patricia Arquette's win. I thought her performance was mediocre with actual bad moments, and I didn't at all understand the nomination. Good acceptance speech though.      There were quite a few stand out speeches, in the midst of shopping lists of thanks (really, they just won a creative award, you'd think they'd figured out that no-one wants to hear a list of names rattled off at top speed, trying to beat the ominous music!). Topics ranging from suicide to ALS to veterans to equal rights were feelingly brought up and I for one enjoyed all. It's your moment, the podium is yours, might as well make it count.      The big surprises for me came in the form of the actu...

[originally posted on social media in February 2015]      Gearing up for Oscar night!! I don't play the betting game but here are my personal favourites:                Best Film - Whiplash                Best Director - Richard Linklater                Best Actor - Bradley Cooper (though I'l accept Eddie Redmayne)                Best Actress - Rosamund Pike (though Julianne Moore is a close second)                Best Supporting Actor - either JK Simmons or Edward Norton                Best Supporting Actress - Meryl Streep                Best OST - Hans Zimmer Full list of nominees and winners for 2015 can be found here .