Author: hscptcrash

Rating U
Length 1h58
Release 26.12.1946
Director David Lean
About A humble orphan boy in 1810s Kent is given the opportunity to go to London and become a gentleman, with the help of an unknown benefactor.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

John Mills and Alec Guiness are incredible in their individual rights. I’ve loved them both in anything I’ve watched. However, having them in a film together and sharing scenes is simply delightful.

The film stays rather true to the book, but it also makes some excellent choices when it comes to editing the narrative. Removing sections involving the attack and death of Mrs Joe, allows a much smoother transition from Pip’s childhood and into his adult life.

Young Pip and Joe are both adorably played by their respective actors.

The Bad

For me, the actresses who play Estella are a bit mismatched. I personally preferred the actress playing the younger Estella, so it meant that once the adult appeared, I found it difficult to engage with her. Perhaps more a testament to Jean Simmons good acting than suggesting Valerie Hobson was bad.

The Ugly

The final act felt a little rushed and lacking in detail; particularly the last few character connections that would have all the separate narratives woven together finally.

There is a

Final Thoughts

A near perfect film with such incredible cast; up there with Its a Wonderful Life and A Matter of Life and Death.

Rating 12
Length 1h33
Release 19.10.2012
Director Benh Zeitlin
About In the wake of her father’s ill health and the flooding of her home, Hushpuppy, a six-year-old girl, must brave prehistoric creatures called aurochs and seek out her lost mother.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: ITV Plus (Oscar Collection)
Trailer:

The Good

It’s such a beautiful film with an incredible, and unique, filmic style. With the fantasy element it is clearly a fictional piece, however by presenting the narrative within a documentary style it elevates the danger felt by all the people involved.

Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhane Wallis, carries this film. The narration is enchanting and it adds to the love you’ll have for Hushpuppy and her headstrong behaviour.

The Bad

Another film about mankind’s mistreatment of the world and the impact it is having. The melting icecaps is an all too real a topic and the death and destruction a painful reminder of what is to come. It is a hard watch.

The Ugly

There’s a pain to be felt by following Hushpuppy during the environmental destruction of her home. The devastation of flooding is emotionally tense as it is, but add to it the back story of her mother and the current crisis with her father and it will leave you devestated.

Final Thoughts

An incredibly visual and emotional film that everyone much watch.

Rating 12
Length 2h15
Release 22.02.2002
Director Ron Howard
About John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematical genius, finds himself in pain when he encounters a cruel disorder. He ultimately overcomes his struggles and emerges free of any trauma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

Jennifer Connolly is incredible as Alicia Nash. The entire story arc is flawlessly portrayed. She provides the voice of reason, the spark of love and loyalty and a character the audience could empathise with.

The story is well told, not only in terms of structure but how Nash’s health dictates the narrative. Without giving away too much of the plot, there are interactions and structuring of the film that will make you want to rewatch.

While I struggled with the way in which Russell Crowe moved his mouth, and I relied on subtitles, the performance is incredible. The lucid, the crisis and the paranoia induced conspiracies are all well performed.

The Bad

The music was not the best. It felt brash and amateur considering this film is made by Ron Howard.

I would have loved to have spent more time in the college of Princeton. I understand why we needed the span that we had to understand Nash’s genius, however it equally could have been a film that resolved with the penning of his article.

The Ugly

While the impact Nash had on the world, there was little of that present in the film, instead choosing to focus upon the mental illness that perhaps sidelined his work for many years.
There’s so many biopics that focus on the negative and makes it feel that the audience is imposing on something too private, too intimate.

Final Thoughts

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Rating 15
Length 1h53
Release 03.09.1987
Director John Boorman
About A nine-year-old boy growing up in London during the Blitz enjoys an exhilarating childhood among the tragedies and ruins of World War II.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

The final act in which we spend more time with the Grandfather is that sort of bittersweet nostalgia warmth you get from seeing a familiar relationship that you no longer have presented on screen.
Ian Bannen is perfect in the role and is able to successfully portray the man as a grumpy yet loving family man that takes Billy under his wing.

There’s a scene in which the Rowan family are caught in the middle of an air raid. The slow motion shows the impact of bombs dropped in England. The craft used to produce that scene is incredible; from the ripples on the faces, to the lighting used.

The Bad

It’s an odd one in that the quality of this film feels more like a TV drama than an internationally known, Oscar nominated, film. It’s incredibly well made and the story is gripping, but there’s something that’s lacking.

The Ugly

I almost wish the sex scenes were edited out to bring the rating down to at least a 12. Not that it isn’t well done, and it is somewhat necessary to the plot. However, by removing these scenes, you would create a perfect film for younger viewers.
This would make for an incredible educational film; having a protagonist of 9 years old is a perfect focus for those initially learning about WWII and the conditions during the Blitz.

Final Thoughts

Charming, flawed, yet really funny. Another film that needs to be watched by everyone.