Film Review: What We Did On Our Holiday - Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin

26th September 2014 (UK)
Director: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
Screenplay: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin

**** - 4 Stars


What We Did On Our Holiday directed and written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin is a beautiful story set from a kids point of view. When a family (with recently separated parents) go to stay in Scotland for the weekend with their granddad (dying of cancer) for his birthday, he passes away suddenly.

Thinking that if they tell the adults, they'll just fight, the three children decide to give their grand father a traditional Viking funeral by setting his body on fire and letting it drift out to sea on a raft.

The family struggles more and more as media and press from all over the world, as well as the police, catch hold of the story. The family become ridiculed for the 'barbaric death' of their grand father.

This film is nothing like I thought it was going to be. In fact, it is the complete opposite. It's not exactly a 'happy-go-lucky' kind of film and their is no real 'happy ending' in the traditional sense. The story is, however, original and a very interesting, more light-hearted perspective on death which I really enjoyed. There are quite a few moments that'll make you laugh, but equally, quite a few moments that'll bring a tear to your eye.

I thoroughly recommend this film for acting, writing and incredible story telling. Four out of five stars.

 

***

Lots of love, Lara xx

Film Review: The Imitation Game - Morten Tyldum

28th November 2014 (USA)
Director: Morten Tyldum
Screenplay: Graham Moore

***** - 5 Stars

The Imitation Game directed by Morten Tyldum and screenplay by Graham Moore is a fascinating film about Alan Turing, a mathematician hired to break the Nazi cores including the hardest of all; Enigma.

This, whilst being an amazing film to watch for learning about this incredible man who, in reality saved all our lives, was also hard to watch for many reasons.

Of course, this film is set during the second world war which is still part of our very recent history, but also the treatment of Alan Turing during that time by MI6 was awful to be informed of. However, it needed to be shared. We need to know, be aware and be thankful to the wonderful man who saved our lives and this film helps us to do that. 

 

***

Lots of love, Lara xx

Film Review: Into The Woods - Rob Marshall

8th December 2014 (New York)
Director: Rob Marshall
Screenplay:  James Lapine

**** - 4 Stars

Into The Woods directed by Rob Marshall and screenplay by James Lapine, is a movie adaptation of a play by the same name.

Although I cannot compare this to the musical; as I understand it, it comes across in more or less the same way (theatre and film versions).

I do have to warn you now before you go and see this film, you are in for a long haul; the film being three hours long. This was of no concern to me however, as I love musicals and was happy to watch it but by having friends and family members who do not like lengthy films of content singing, I do feel the need to mention both of these things.

Into The Woods is a movie musical following many fairy-tale characters. The first half of the film sees the stories we know - with a twist!! - of the characters getting their happy endings. The second half of the film focuses on what happens after 'happily ever after'.

I have to say, when I was watching this film, it wasn't immediately obvious that it was made by Disney (in the best way possible). This film is a little darker than your average Disney film and it reminded me more of the Brothers Grimm versions (mainly due to cinematography).

There have been a few Disney films which have been like this recently which has been refreshing. Unlike Maleficent, the stories haven't been dramatically altered from the ones we know and love.

I really enjoyed this film.

Let me know what you thought.

 

***

Lots of love, Lara xx

Film Review: Easy Virtue - Stephan Elliott

7th November 2008 (UK)
Director: Stephan Elliott
Screenplay: Sheridan Jobbins, Stephan Elliott

*** - 3 Stars

Easy Virtue directed by Stephan Elliott is a comedy set in the 1930's. When the son of a rich family elopes with an American race-car driver, the family do everything in their power to drive her away.

Its hard to know what to make of this film. It was funny in places and well acted but it was a bit... messy in terms of how it was put together. I wasn't quite sure what to think. I found all the characters ghastly and that ruined it for me a little.

Three stars for bewilderment and indecision.

Let me know your thoughts if you watched it.

 

***

Lots of love, Lara xx

Film Review: About Time - Richard Curtis

 

8th August, 2013 (United Kingdom)
Director: Richard Curtis
Screenplay: Richard Curtis
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Tom Hollander, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard Cordery and Will Merrick.

**** - 4 Stars

 

About Time directed by Richard Curtis is one of the best 'feel good' films I've seen in a long time. It is up there on my list with films such as Love Actually and The Holiday. I have to admit, when I decided to watch this, I wasn't too sure what to expect. I had seen the trailers for it and it looked intriguing but also a little absurd. I did get the impression from the trailers that it was just another 'American Rom-Com' and I always get a little disappointed by things like that now as it seems they are the only films that are churned out of the film industry as its such a popular genre.

However, I could not be more glad to admit that I was wrong. About Time is just the most wonderful, heart-warming British comedy and I completely loved it. Right from the off, I knew this was going to be something different and something that we hadn't seen before. It was refreshing and just a true pleasure to watch.
I completely recommend that if you haven't watched this yet, you really should. If traditional British comedy is your thing, you will love this film.
*DISCLAIMER* This film DOES have sad moments in it!!
There is not much I can find to complain about with this film; casting was great, directing was fantastic, cinematography was beautiful. I think the only reason this is a four star review and not a five star review is simply down to the fact that, as a prolific reader and writer, I felt the story and the writing could have been improved upon a bit but that is a minor detail and is a personal opinion.
I loved this film. You should all go and watch it right now!! Tell me what you think down in the comments.
***
Goodbye for now,
Lara xx