Saw Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll yesterday. Best film I've seen in ages.
If Andy Serkis doesn't win an award for his portrayal of Ian Dury, somebody needs shooting!
[quote][cite]Posted By: Lost Soul[/cite]Saw Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll yesterday. Best film I've seen in ages.
If Andy Serkis doesn't win an award for his portrayal of Ian Dury, somebody needs shooting![/quote]
yea, saw that too, very convincing portrayal, well worth seeing
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Have read the book - grim, boring, post-apocalyptic affair.
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
It won the Booker prize by being absolutely f***ing breathtaking. Not everything has to be coated in the sacchrine treacle of Hollywood to be 'good'. Personally, I thought 'The Road' was pretty good - Viggo Mortensen was outstanding (but then, he is in probably every film I've ever seen him) - the kid grated on me a bit, but overall I found it's relentless misery to be pretty close to the book - which was no mean feat. Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers that have ever lived - and 'The Road' is one of the best twenty books ever published. Fact.
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Because it's grim? Or because it's not very good?
I like some grim films, I just think this one wasn't particularly good. The relationship between father and son is pretty one dimensional in my opinion and the bits involving Charlize Theron are terrible (and inaudible in the cinema I was in!)
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Have read the book - grim, boring, post-apocalyptic affair.
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
It won the Booker prize by being absolutely f***ing breathtaking. Not everything has to be coated in the sacchrine treacle of Hollywood to be 'good'. Personally, I thought 'The Road' was pretty good - Viggo Mortensen was outstanding (but then, he is in probably every film I've ever seen him) - the kid grated on me a bit, but overall I found it's relentless misery to be pretty close to the book - which was no mean feat. Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers that have ever lived - and 'The Road' is one of the best twenty books ever published. Fact.
I guess it's not for everyone!
I haven't read the book, but had heard it was good.
As the the Booker Prize, I bought two winners previously and both were crap!
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Have read the book - grim, boring, post-apocalyptic affair.
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
It won the Booker prize by being absolutely f***ing breathtaking. Not everything has to be coated in the sacchrine treacle of Hollywood to be 'good'. Personally, I thought 'The Road' was pretty good - Viggo Mortensen was outstanding (but then, he is in probably every film I've ever seen him) - the kid grated on me a bit, but overall I found it's relentless misery to be pretty close to the book - which was no mean feat. Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers that have ever lived - and 'The Road' is one of the best twenty books ever published. Fact.
I guess it's not for everyone!
I haven't read the book, but had heard it was good.
As the the Booker Prize, I bought two winners previously and both were crap!
Oh - I'm with you there. In fact, almost every winner of the Booker has been garbage. There have been a few exceptions - and The Road is definitely one of them.
Can't see how the road could work as a film. I found the prose spartan and bereft of imagery, which isn't particularly what i like to read but it intensified the singular theme of the whole book. When he discovers all the dead bodies in the back of an oil truck it's viscerally visual without McCarthy having to write any detail. How can the film cope emotionally with something like that, without it becoming post-apocalyptic/disaster TV?
Still I'm intrigued to see it. Can't wait to see Sex and Drugs and Rock n' Roll.
I'm with Leroy - The Road is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read, he has also written some other amazing books notably All The Pretty Horses and No Country For Old Men - but The Orchard Keeper was one of the worst I have ever read ... mainly because I could hardly understand a word of it!
Anyway really looking forward to seeing The Road film soon.
How can the film cope emotionally with something like that, without it becoming post-apocalyptic/disaster TV?
That's just it, I don't think it does.
Once you've read a book it's hard not to see the film adaptation, so I'm sure you'll see it out of interest/curiosity. Has there ever been a film that betters the book? I can't think of any, although films can do a decent job in complementing the book. The last one that I saw that did this was The Kite Runner.
cormac macarthur doesn't even know how to use a comma. he's a really good storyteller, but greatest writer who ever lived? nah. his similes read like pulp. and he completely overdid it in the road. how many times does he say dust? i get it, it's dusty, shut up. should stick to what he's good at. you cant even begin to compare a writer like macarthur with one like like ishiguro imo
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Have read the book - grim, boring, post-apocalyptic affair.
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
It won the Booker prize by being absolutely f***ing breathtaking. Not everything has to be coated in the sacchrine treacle of Hollywood to be 'good'. Personally, I thought 'The Road' was pretty good - Viggo Mortensen was outstanding (but then, he is in probably every film I've ever seen him) - the kid grated on me a bit, but overall I found it's relentless misery to be pretty close to the book - which was no mean feat. Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers that have ever lived - and 'The Road' is one of the best twenty books ever published. Fact.
Im not a big reader, but i thought the road was stunning. Didnt think it would adapt well at all but i thought the film was a decent effort actually, much better than i was expecting, managed to get across the mood of the book well.
Anyway, getting back onto Latest Films, some decent titles coming out on DVD next week for fans of Horror - I'd recommend Pontypool (The Best Zombie Movie of last year) and Thirst, the latest movie from Park Chan-wook (Oldboy). Mesrine parts 1 & 2 is out as a boxset along with The Firm, Nick Love's quite good remake the week after.
As I'm in the business, I'll try and make some recommendations on an ongoing basis about good films on their way to the silver screen and local HMV soon ...
I'll have to read Kazuo Ishiguro, never got round to him. I generally prefer authors like Bulgakov or Murakami, people with a range of depth and brevity.
Having said that although I don't really like the spartan prose McCarthy writes, the step back he made from visual descriptive prose dragged me in emotionally way past my brain was initially aware. Repetitive or not, that book's emotional achievement is something few intellectual authors like Self or Amis achieve.
[quote][cite]Posted By: uncle[/cite]Alvin and the chipmunks 2. Fantastic if it was a book it would be the best book ever written ;-)[/quote]
Who remembers David Seville and The Chipmunks' records? Things like 'Witch Doctor' and 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe' back in the '50s. Golden age of Rock n Roll, ha ha.
I saw The Road loved it, obviously not a feel good movie but so emotional cried buckets. Now got the book so can compare. Saw Avatar which i thought was clever but crap and depresses me it has won Goldon Globe for best picture. Saw Up in the Air, not great but George Clooney is good. I am looking forward to seeing Sex,Drugs and R&R, will do this week at Picturehouse
Did anyone watch the Golden Globes last night? I stayed up for the whole ceremony. Thought Ricky Gervais was great. And thought Sky's coverage was good too.
Saw The Road: Grim post-apocalyptic affair. Don't recommend it.
Have read the book - grim, boring, post-apocalyptic affair.
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
It won the Booker prize by being absolutely f***ing breathtaking. Not everything has to be coated in the sacchrine treacle of Hollywood to be 'good'. Personally, I thought 'The Road' was pretty good - Viggo Mortensen was outstanding (but then, he is in probably every film I've ever seen him) - the kid grated on me a bit, but overall I found it's relentless misery to be pretty close to the book - which was no mean feat. Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers that have ever lived - and 'The Road' is one of the best twenty books ever published. Fact.
I guess it's not for everyone!
I haven't read the book, but had heard it was good.
As the the Booker Prize, I bought two winners previously and both were crap!
Oh - I'm with you there. In fact, almost every winner of the Booker has been garbage. There have been a few exceptions - and The Road is definitely one of them.
The Road didn't win the booker, it won the pulitzer. Agree with all you say Leroy, it is truly an amazing piece of work. As for recent winners of the booker, I'd agree most of them have been tosh which is a shame because past winners like "Life of Pi", Last Orders", "Disgrace" and "Ghost road" are worth reading, but there really has been some horrors such as "Amsterdam" by McEwan. Not sure what people think of last years winner "White Tiger", I'm a hundred pages in and think it could go either way. Talking books I'd recommended "The Book of Negroes" and "Zeitoun" if anyone is remotely interested in reading Canadian and US writers.
I saw Daybreakers. Some nice ideas, but ultimately it's vampire bandwagon jumping with a pretty thin plot. Also, I saw it in Bromley Empire, so it was uncomfortable, with a shit screen and I was surrounded by chavs. 2 stars.
Sex & Drugs & Rock n Roll was very enjoyable. Serkis is superb and actually sings all of the numbers very well. You don't need to have been a Dury fan or even around at the time to enjoy this, although it obviously helps. Will be making the effort to see 44 Inch Chest, if only for the cast and Director - I saw a preview last week and wasn't convinced by it....
macarthy's the road is a magnificent piece of work, one of the best books i read last year (and i read a lot). the film is a very faithful adaptation although not an enjoyable cinema experience because of the sheer bleakness of it (a criticism in the press i wouldn't accept til i'd actually seen it). still, it's a very fine film with some great performances but if you want cheering up in january it might be best to see something else.
sex & drugs & rock n roll is one of the best (punk) rock biopics i've ever seen. i'd recommend it to anyone.
Where have all the good thrillers gone? Films like Usual Suspects or Memento. Original stuff. If it doesnt have explosions, SFX or vampires then it seems it doesnt get commisioned anymore!
44 inch chest and avatar going to be watched this weekend
cant wait
Ray Winstone is my hero shame he is a hamster (sorry Unc)
Saw a trailer last night for a film out next week with him and Mel Gibson, looked pretty good (although most trailers do). It's called 'Edge of Darkness'
macarthy's the road is a magnificent piece of work, one of the best books i read last year (and i read a lot). the film is a very faithful adaptation although not an enjoyable cinema experience because of the sheer bleakness of it (a criticism in the press i wouldn't accept til i'd actually seen it). still, it's a very fine film with some great performances but if you want cheering up in january it might be best to see something else.
.......or after you watch it go to watch a tipsy Curb_It partake in karaoke with Glenn Tillbrook which will cheer you up afterwards....
Bit late to this, but saw District 9 on DVD last week and thought it was bloomin brilliant.. Don't get to the cinema too much so haven't seen anything 'new' for a while...
i rarely get to the cinema... but am gonig to try and pluck up the courage to go see Precious. i have not read the book either. wonder if i can find anyone to go with me.
Saw District 9 on DVD the other night - best Sci-Fi film I've seen for ages. It's rare you see something that's got some real originality to it (well, I'm sure it's not totally original, but it's certainly different to the norm).
Went to see 'An Education' and 'A Serious Man' at the flicks recently. Both very much slow burners but both very enjoyable. 'An Education' was particularly good, I thought, but steer clear of both if you're an action movie fan!
The new Stephen Poliakov film 'Glorious 39' looks good too, but doubt that'll be on general release (less of an issue for you folks down in the big smoke!)
Think I might bite the bullet and go see Avatar this week.
I want to see The Exam, but I got outvoted by the missus, so hoping it will still be showing next week. To be fair I think there are still interesting films out there, you just don't hear about them much. The likes of Memento was pretty low key when it was released.
I do think that one issue that has been dragging cinema down for a long time now is the reliance on test audiences. A lot of movies with proposed unhappy ends, get re-written because the test audiences give negative feedback to sad endings. It's a normal gut reaction, but when you think about it later you'd probably reflect that - for example - the original end of True Romance is better, because it fits. You'd need to be a bit dim to "buy" that Clarence would have got up and walked past armies of armed police that were raiding the building, having just been shot through the eye with a machine gun. Another issue is that test audience aren't very well matched to films. A bunch of average joes who have just gone to the pictures because it is free aren't necessarily the people that are going to "get" a subtitled film, or something complicated/original like Memento, but studios appear, to me, to base a lot of decisions on what a cross section of the population think rather than an artistic vision. They lose out in the long run, as I'm sure happens with TV. HBO made more cash out of the Wire than a lot of more commercial projects, because DVD/book sales are so good, but if you'd run the pilot past the test audience they'd probably not have got it.
I can see what your saying McLovin and i tend to agree, but would the money men behind the films risk a huge amount cash on promotion and advertising without the feedback of a test audience?
I think you're right McLovin. The general release issue is a big pain for me. Something like 'An Education' despite it's critical acclaim took quite a lot of tracking down and I eventually found in it an Arts Centre in Bromsgrove and was lucky to do that because it was only on for 3 nights. It didn't appear in the local cinema in Kidderminster or any of the 4 local (ish) big 10 screen plus cinemas. The only place it was on, nearby, was at Star City in Birmingham which is a great big 30 odd screen venue (it used to have 4 screens devoted to Bollywood, not sure if it still does) but thats about 20 miles away, which makes it a bit of a pain to get to. It's also nicknamed Stab City and isn't really the kind of place I want to spend a Friday evening - i.e. surrounded by hoods and baseball caps.
However, something like Bride Wars or Marly and Me is bloody everywhere for weeks. I know this sort of unoriginal, cliched bullsh!t is what makes the studios money, but surely there's enough of a market out there for more than one cinema in the whole West Midlands to be showing the slightly more intelligent stuff that is out there.
I would have thought this would be a way some of the small independent cinemas (those that still exist) could compete with the all signing all dancing Multiplexes etc.
saw 2012 effects looked very good, altho plot not up to much
I can never understand this with blockbusters, considering their budget. Take Transformers 2: they could have cut about one fight scene from the 2 and a half hour running time, saved 5 million or so, and that could have paid for a whole team of writers to sit in a room for a year and come up with a plot that vaguely makes sense.
I imagine it's a combination of: 1. They still make money regardless of plot 2. A decent plot can't be stretched to fit in enough action set pieces
Posted By: razil
history of lying wasn't bad, altho I think jervais' cinematic efforts have failed to live up to billing a little
I'm looking forward to 'Cemetery Junction', which is being billed as a cross between The Office and Mad Men
I can see what your saying McLovin and i tend to agree, but would the money men behind the films risk a huge amount cash on promotion and advertising without the feedback of a test audience?
I guess the point is that they're trying to measure weight with a tape measure. For the reasons that I stated I don't think the knee jerk reaction of a test audience is a great guide for the viability of a movie.
Maybe that's an example, it's an indicator, but it shouldn't be used as the be all and end all. They could at least be a bit more controlled in how they pick the subjects. Sending me to a Sandra Bullock comedy (not that I'd go) is only ever going to get a negative reaction, so by the same token sending a bunch of dolts to watch a "tricky" film with a nasty end, isn't going to be a great way of guaging if geeks like me will go and watch it at the cinema and buy the DVD.
Comments
If Andy Serkis doesn't win an award for his portrayal of Ian Dury, somebody needs shooting!
If Andy Serkis doesn't win an award for his portrayal of Ian Dury, somebody needs shooting![/quote]
yea, saw that too, very convincing portrayal, well worth seeing
How it won the Booker I'll never know.
I haven't read the book, but had heard it was good.
As the the Booker Prize, I bought two winners previously and both were crap!
Still I'm intrigued to see it. Can't wait to see Sex and Drugs and Rock n' Roll.
Anyway really looking forward to seeing The Road film soon.
Once you've read a book it's hard not to see the film adaptation, so I'm sure you'll see it out of interest/curiosity. Has there ever been a film that betters the book? I can't think of any, although films can do a decent job in complementing the book. The last one that I saw that did this was The Kite Runner.
I also saw up in the air, well worth watching.
As I'm in the business, I'll try and make some recommendations on an ongoing basis about good films on their way to the silver screen and local HMV soon ...
Having said that although I don't really like the spartan prose McCarthy writes, the step back he made from visual descriptive prose dragged me in emotionally way past my brain was initially aware. Repetitive or not, that book's emotional achievement is something few intellectual authors like Self or Amis achieve.
Who remembers David Seville and The Chipmunks' records? Things like 'Witch Doctor' and 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe' back in the '50s. Golden age of Rock n Roll, ha ha.
Did anyone watch the Golden Globes last night? I stayed up for the whole ceremony. Thought Ricky Gervais was great. And thought Sky's coverage was good too.
cant wait
Ray Winstone is my hero shame he is a hamster (sorry Unc)
sex & drugs & rock n roll is one of the best (punk) rock biopics i've ever seen. i'd recommend it to anyone.
Where have all the good thrillers gone? Films like Usual Suspects or Memento. Original stuff. If it doesnt have explosions, SFX or vampires then it seems it doesnt get commisioned anymore!
Saw a trailer last night for a film out next week with him and Mel Gibson, looked pretty good (although most trailers do). It's called 'Edge of Darkness'
use Sky to catch up with all the stuff I miss. Finally saw Rock'n'rolla at the weekend. Have to say I enjoyed it.
Went to see 'An Education' and 'A Serious Man' at the flicks recently. Both very much slow burners but both very enjoyable. 'An Education' was particularly good, I thought, but steer clear of both if you're an action movie fan!
The new Stephen Poliakov film 'Glorious 39' looks good too, but doubt that'll be on general release (less of an issue for you folks down in the big smoke!)
Think I might bite the bullet and go see Avatar this week.
I do think that one issue that has been dragging cinema down for a long time now is the reliance on test audiences. A lot of movies with proposed unhappy ends, get re-written because the test audiences give negative feedback to sad endings. It's a normal gut reaction, but when you think about it later you'd probably reflect that - for example - the original end of True Romance is better, because it fits. You'd need to be a bit dim to "buy" that Clarence would have got up and walked past armies of armed police that were raiding the building, having just been shot through the eye with a machine gun. Another issue is that test audience aren't very well matched to films. A bunch of average joes who have just gone to the pictures because it is free aren't necessarily the people that are going to "get" a subtitled film, or something complicated/original like Memento, but studios appear, to me, to base a lot of decisions on what a cross section of the population think rather than an artistic vision. They lose out in the long run, as I'm sure happens with TV. HBO made more cash out of the Wire than a lot of more commercial projects, because DVD/book sales are so good, but if you'd run the pilot past the test audience they'd probably not have got it.
However, something like Bride Wars or Marly and Me is bloody everywhere for weeks. I know this sort of unoriginal, cliched bullsh!t is what makes the studios money, but surely there's enough of a market out there for more than one cinema in the whole West Midlands to be showing the slightly more intelligent stuff that is out there.
I would have thought this would be a way some of the small independent cinemas (those that still exist) could compete with the all signing all dancing Multiplexes etc.
saw 2012 effects looked very good, altho plot not up to much
history of lying wasn't bad, altho I think jervais' cinematic efforts have failed to live up to billing a little
and as for that twilight, slow moving teen crap, not what I would call gripping
I imagine it's a combination of:
1. They still make money regardless of plot
2. A decent plot can't be stretched to fit in enough action set pieces I'm looking forward to 'Cemetery Junction', which is being billed as a cross between The Office and Mad Men
Maybe that's an example, it's an indicator, but it shouldn't be used as the be all and end all. They could at least be a bit more controlled in how they pick the subjects. Sending me to a Sandra Bullock comedy (not that I'd go) is only ever going to get a negative reaction, so by the same token sending a bunch of dolts to watch a "tricky" film with a nasty end, isn't going to be a great way of guaging if geeks like me will go and watch it at the cinema and buy the DVD.