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Good Joe Bell (2020)
Truth about the world
This film, whilst simple in its portrayal, carried the weight of 1000 worlds.
Jadin's tragic life was acted so well as was that if Joe. I must of been dense because it took until the nightclub scene for me to realise that Jadin was gone. For me, its the scenes that follow that really drive home the underlying horrors that that poor soul suffered. The sequence where he tried to contact his best friends and couldn't in his moments of upmost need just tore my heart apart. I cannot begin to imagine what went though his mind. Likewise his return to Joe in the sports hall near the end....beautiful
I really wasn't expecting the accident and that brought more tears to my eyes but i think the statement that tipped me over the edge was the heart breaking line given by the Sherriff - "Hurry to Jadin, Joe." One father who almost missed the chance with his son speaking to another who did miss the chance and had paid the ultimate price. That very touching closing shot of the father and son meeting again....yeah!!
Look, at the end of the day, i haven't said anything about the acting or the photography. But this film is about Love. Its about the horrible lines some people take and it clearly puts across the damage that path can take. I often think that people like Jayden are the strongest people in society because not only do they have to manage their own lives and everything that it throws at them but also the prejudices and hatred of others. Its a double edged sword that always hits. This film does that darkness justice by bringing it out into the light. I morn for the family of Jadin and Joe but hope that by the medium of this film, it brings some enlightenment to others. Very good film. Take the time to watch it.
The Jungle (2013)
This film is astonishing
There is little that can be said about this film that others before me haven't already written. It is a terrible film that had so much potential but decided to through that off the mountain in favour of utter trash.
The main character is someone who strolls of into the jungle and acts like he knows every inch of it. He totally ignores advise from the native peoples and regularly put others around him in danger. He is an arse and frankly, I would have shot him within the first day. To then disrespect other peoples beliefs just defies belief. This in its own right makes this film utter crass. If anything needed saving, its everyone else, from him! Strangely, the two "natives" are better acted than any of the others particularly the tracker.
As to the "monster/demon" Don't make me laugh. I agree with another reviewer, it should have been a super sized leopard or beast or something along that line. Not seeing the creature involved properly works in some films but not in this one. It just leave you bored and utterly disappointed. Thank god I hadn't just bought this. It would have been an utter waste.
My advice - go watch paint dry. Its far more entertaining and far more riveting. Gremlins was more believable than this.
Rant over. Good luck to any of you that actually sit down and watch it. You've been warned!!!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
What a change
Just a very short response to this film.
This film is funny, entertaining, has excellent acting and even though its over 2 hours long, you really don't notice. You feel for the characters and it makes you want to have the guts and the drive to just do something so out of the ordinary, just like they all did and to come out at the other end knowing that it was all for the best and couldn't possibly be any better.
I really suggest to everyone that they give this film a go and just sit back and enjoy it. Don't look for fault, don't go in with exceptionally high expectations but just enjoy this film for what it is. A really enjoyable, well written piece and one that just makes you feel good without the need for special effects or guns and violence.
If only there were more quality films such as this. Jolly well done
Bedlam: Pool of Tears (2012)
Getting there.....
Season 2 of this show started off rather well I thought but this particular episode wasn't as gripping as the first. The change in characters has been, in general, a like for like change although I would like to have seen Will Young's character remain as I was just getting into the way he was playing Ryan. It was only really touched on way Ryan is no longer in the building so it does sometimes make it rather disjointed. Anyway, I would like to see Max, played by Jack Roth, become a more believable individual. At the moment he seems to be something or nothing but with the potential of being something good. I love Lacey Turner in her role of Ellie. She is a worthy replacement for Jed - Theo James.
My problem with this episode is it lacked the drama of the first of season 2 and seems to drift along at times. The ghosts are great however and have real impact. I would like to see more problem solving from Ellie and Max rather than Max just asking her what she's seen. This is the area Max falls on against Ryan in my opinion.
Overall, this is a cracking show with lots of potential and I would hope that as its a Britain based show, that it will continue to thrive and prosper unlike so many of the America based shows like Sanctuary, Awake, The Finder Alcatraz etc that seem to get cancelled even though they were getting great rating figures and massive fan support.
Well done to actors and producers alike for this generally well thought out, suspenseful and genuinely must watch show. Just start to really ramp up the mystery, the suspense and the drama with just a little less of the lovey dovey scenes and you'll get may full backing.
Keep up the good work
Lilies - Les feluettes (1996)
Very Different
This film exceeds expectations on so many levels. The acting was a little stiff to start with but as you proceed into the film you pay less and less attention to it and begin to become enfolded in a different world. The fact that the other parts are all played by men seems to enhance the film once you've got over the initial shock of seeing them. I think both of the two leads (Young Simon and Vallier) played their parts admirably and deserve to go on to greater things.
The screen play was fantastic for me but I would like to read the book to see what I missed out on. I think that I agree with another poster in that the biggest disappointment for me was that the older Simon looked and sounded nothing like the younger version which was a shame. The Bishop Bilodeau was very believable and the supporting role of the Countess De Tilly where both played with eloquence and style. The music that accompanies the film enhances the experience, particularly towards the end of the film. But for me, the one thing that stood out above all of these was a one line sentence spoken my Simon as he holds Vallier in his arms after the death of the Countess De Tilly. He whispers "I got you" That was all but with the music of the Hillard Ensemble behind it, it proved to be the most simple and most powerfully moving line I think I've ever heard. It still brings me to tears even now and I will always remember it.
I love this film and I think its one that my family should watch for its uniqueness and moving portrayals.
Thank you to everyone involved. You did a stunning job.
Latter Days (2003)
Inner Workings
Having read most of the comments listed here, I felt compelled to add my pennyworth. I would not, nor will I pontificate on the rights or wrongs of the Mormons. Each man or woman is given an option to follow their own path. In many instances much like my own, that choice is forced upon us by others but there still remains a choice even then for those brave enough to take it. This is for me, where this film firmly locks its hold on my heart and soul.
Let us leave aside all of the comments about coincidence and look at what the true meaning is of this remarkable film. It makes you think for starters! Makes you think about your own place in the world and whether you can associate with either Aaron or Christian is irrelevant. But having said that it is also about what most of us who remain single for what ever reason, long for. What I wouldn't give for someone to come chasing after me to a snowy airport. I lost a "friend" in similar circumstances as Christian did after the airport scene. Although he didn't try and take his life because he felt worthless, he none the less died for me in all other ways. Again, what I wouldn't give to walk into a room and see him standing there after coming back for me. That's love! Pure, abiding, forgiving love and we all of us long for such as that. I have seen many other films of this genre but there are only two others that made me feel as this one did. Beautiful Thing and Lilies. All three made me cry, I don't mind admitting it. I believe that if you watch a film, sometimes you just have to let go and not sit there picking at it. For new actors, the two leads excelled in my opinion. In truth, I haven't really written about the film itself, more about what it caused me to feel.
For me, that is the mark of a great film. It makes you feel!!! If only there were more that dealt with religion/sexuality in this manner. For there are more than a few regardless of their religious beliefs, who have suffered in the exact same fashion as Aaron. Not all have come out the other side and I believe the film dealt with that aspect with respect and honour.
A remarkable film for every one of all persuasions and beliefs for if Aaron's mother can forgive, maybe others is the real world can learn by her example.
Beautiful Thing (1996)
A Thing of Beauty
I watched this film by accident one week day evening and can say that within the first 5 minutes I was gripped. The acting was superb and although I could potentially pick faults in the script, it kind of takes away the whole essence of the film and what made it "Beautiful".
I think that it's great that a British film has made me really stop and think about my past and indeed my present. Not many films have achieved that. Which of us can honestly say that in watching the scenes between Jamie and Ste, that we haven't all felt and thought like they did. True for straights then swap one of the guys for a girl but the effect is much the same.
I found it sad that some reviewers thought that the accents were too much and should have been toned down. Hello folks, its London were talking about here. Quite a few of them really do talk like that and lets face it, wouldn't it really be dumbing down. That would ruin the film.
I found Sandra particularly well cast and played. There was real emotion between her and Jamie. I only wish that all Mothers and indeed Fathers reacted in such a supportive fashion. True the end of the film was a bit.....over done, but I don't think this detracts from the film in any way. I too, would like to have seen a sequel. I think that for quite a few of us, this film perhaps hit a little too close to the mark about ourselves and hence our desire to see the next part. I know that's true of me. There is a site that provides fan fiction for this film and allows some really great sequel variances that I really would recommend as an additional read to the film. It's at http://www.daveant.net/btfanfic/
At the end of the day, the film was enhanced for me by the fact that all of the "sex" scenes where left to the imagination and you could read what you would out of it. This film really touches me deeply and I wish there where more of the same style, class and calibre of this. Not to everyone's taste to be sure but one that stays sitting in my mind every day and perhaps has even influenced the way I am towards others. Thank you so much for creating this most excellent and heart wringing film.