Seen any good movies lately?

Anne here, talking about a few movies I’ve seen lately. Since I’ve taken to working from home, I don’t go out to see movies nearly as regularly as I’d like to. I used to have a bit of a routine of going out to dinner and a movie with friends, but slowly that fell by the wayside as the demands on people’s time grew. Often I’ll see or read some review and think “I’d like to see that movie” and then life will catch up with me and by the time I’m ready to see the film, it’s no longer showing in cinemas.

And yes, there’s the DVD or the download available, but for me, going to a cinema adds an extra layer of magic to a movie; it makes an event of the experience. There’s something about the ritual of sitting in a darkened auditorium, staring up at a big screen in the company of a bunch of strangers, with the scent of popcorn teasing my nostrils as I’m swept into the world of the movie. It’s almost like being a kid again, and for that reason I don’t think I’ll ever go for a big-screen home cinema.

I’m also very lucky in that the cinema complex closest to my home shows a great variety of movies, from mainstream blockbusters to imports and art-house movies from other countries, all in a dozen small cinemas with comfy chairs and lots of leg room.

So the first movie I saw this month was a French movie called The Intouchables. It’s a wonderful, feel-good, funny movie that’s broken box-office records in France and across Europe, and if you get a chance to see it, do. It’s about a young black tearaway, just out of prison, who against all the odds, is hired to be a carer for a millionaire quadriplegic — he’s hired on a whim, almost as a joke, and nobody expects him to last in the job more than a day or two — least of all him. On the surface, these two men — one poor and wild and uneducated, the other rich, sophisticated and urbane— have nothing in common, but an extraordinary relationship develops between them. “An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility.”

The next movie I want to recommend is a Ken Loach film, The Angel’s Share. It’s a Scottish movie, a bitter-sweet comedy heist caper, about Robbie, a young no-hoper from a terrible background who is trying to make good — against all the odds—for the sake of his girlfriend and newborn son. But a little kindness and acceptance from his community service supervisor sets Robbie on a new path and he hatches a plan to get himself and his little family a fresh start in life.

There’s whisky and kilts and a wee bit of violence here and there, and some people might find the accents a little hard to follow in places, but it’s a lovely feel-good movie with a nice twist at the end.

The main character, Robbie, was played by a first-time actor called Paul Brannigan, whose real life was much like that of his character. He gave an extraordinarily assured and intense performance and he’s definitely an actor to watch.

Actually, we had a funny experience the night we went to see The Angel’s Share. We were running late — a little matter of a very delicious spaghetti marinara — and we slipped into the cinema late. Did I mention there are twelve small cinemas in this one complex? Mmmm, yes, you’ve guessed it . . . We crept into a dark cinema with the movie already started. We knew we had seats 2 and 3 in the back row, and we could see three empty seats on the other side of the cinema, so we shuffled and squeezed across in front of all the other people in the back row, trying not to step on any toes, whispering apologies as we made our way to those seats. And we sat down and watched. And watched. The main character’s accent was Irish, not Scottish, and there was no sign of any kilts and it seemed to be set in the US. After a few minutes, the penny dropped. So then we had to sneak out the way we’d come, trying not to giggle, whispering more apologies. It looked like a good movie, too — in those five illicit minutes, it hooked us in, so for the record, it was The Seven Psychopaths, and I’ll be going to see it soon.

Finally, there was the latest Bond movie — Skyfall — and of course, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really love Daniel Craig’s Bond, though Sean Connery still has my heart as the best Bond ever. But Daniel Craig is the best after Sean, and this story had it all. I like the way the characters have more depth and complexity — Bond actually has feelings and cares about people, yet he’s still very much 007 and the stories retain all the action and glitz of the early films. And I loved the way Judi Dench played a bigger role in the story. Have you seen it? Isn’t she marvelous?

So, do you attend the cinema often or do you prefer to watch films at home? What movies have you seen lately? Any that you’d recommend? And who is your favorite Bond?

Comments

[Kelly Hunter]

Anne, I will not lie. Sean is my favourite Bond. Daniel is currently running a very close second. And the Skyfall villain is a beauty. Plus, I have sons and am pre conditioned to yawn-length action scenes and the opening scene in this one held my breathless interest the whole way through - mainly,because of the landmark Istanbul locations and the 'oh, they wouldn't dare' vibe that ran the whole way through.

I recently watched 'Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.' Unexpected love story. Hopeful. Nuanced. Loved it.

[Anne Gracie]

Kelly, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is one of those movies I planned to see, but which disappeared from the circuit before I got around to seeing it. So frustrating. It looked fabulous in the shorts. I'll get it on DVD but I know it'd be better on the big screen.

[LouisaCornell]

The last film I saw at the cinema was Becoming Jane, which should tell you I am more of a "watch 'em at home" viewer!

However, I do plan to see The Hobbit and Les Miserables on the big screen when they come out.

Sean Connery is the Bond of my childhood. I saw many of his films on the screen at the little cinema in Leiston, Suffolk. My next favorite is actually Timothy Dalton. I haven't seen any of the Daniel Craig Bond films (ducking the hurled tomatoes!) but I intend to enjoy a Daniel Craig marathon soon as I have heard so much praise of his Bond.

[RevMelinda]

Hi Anne! I just saw "Lincoln" a few days ago and it's truly wonderful in every single detail. It's a movie about the passage of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution (abolishing slavery), and practically every character in it is a politician--but it's completely engrossing and enthralling, with exquisite period detail, incredible performances from all the actors (even those with tiny parts), and a script that had me hanging on every word. I highly recommend it!

[Anne Gracie]

Louisa, none of the wenches or their readers would do anything so uncouth as throw tomatoes! Casting the odd nasturtium, perhaps ;) (Do you have that expression in the US? A play on casting aspersions.)

"Becoming Jane" is another one I missed and have been meaning to catch on DVD. Thanks for the reminder.

RevMelinda, thanks for the "Lincoln" recommendation. It does sound wonderful. Good historical films and novels I'm sure give people far more of a taste for history than most textbooks.

[Louise Reynolds]

Hi Anne,
Love Daniel Craig's Bond. There's something so cold and brutal about his face yet as you say, a depth of feeling that has been missing in previous Bond films. Last film I saw was 'Argo' - very edge of the seat stuff. We've got 'The Seven Psycopaths' and 'Sessions' on the list before year end.

[Janga]

I rarely see movies on the big screen. The few I do see usually are children's movies that involve an outing with one or more of the grands. The most recent one was Rise of the Guardians, which the four who went with me all enjoyed but I thought was too cluttered with myths. I did buy my ticket for The Hobbit the day they went on sale at Fandango. No grands for this one, it's strictly an adult movie/shopping/dinner excursion to the city.

[Lyn S]

We try to see the big action movies at the theater. Most others we wait for the DVD. We just got the set of all James Bond movies. Sean is the best, though I drool the most over Pierce Brosnan. Even though I am really a fan (I have the novels too) I haven't seen the new movie. I had a 30 page paper due. A rude acquaintance of my husband told him that since I didn't rush to see it on opening weekend, I must be having an affair. He didn't believe I had a paper to write, and write and write (by the third rewrite, I really liked it and sent it off to my professor -- just hope he likes it as much.) Will head to see it this weekend. And I have had for almost a month, tickets to the midnight showing of The Hobbit.
P.S. I have managed to catch up on my Word Wenches (mistletoe, and dangerous to desire) new releases. Thank you for the escape from peer reviewed articles.

[Nsx12]

Of the movies you talk about, the only one I've seen (so far) is "Seven Psychopaths," which was very good. Made by the same "team" (writer-director Martin McDonagh and actor Colin Farrell) who did "In Bruges," it's similarly layered, funny at some depths, tragic at others. Christopher Walken is especially wonderful in it.

I can't wait to see the Bond film. Daniel Craig is fantastic as 007. Sean Connery will always be Bond-made-manifest, but Craig is right up there. Have you seen the Catherine Tait comedy sketch in which she plays a rather dowdy single who meets Craig (he's in the skit as himself)? The two end up in a relationship, but she gets bored with him. It is hilarious and on Youtube.

[Ellaquinnauthor]

I'm not much of a movie goer which is fortunate as we only have one small theater on island. Lately though, I seem to be on a run lately. I've seen Sky Fall, very good; Argos, wonderful; Taken II Fun. Lincoln is coming, but not here yet. Les Miz is a must. We've seen the play in London twice and have the tape of the 10th anniversary. I saw Becomming Jane on DVD as well and liked it a lot.

[Jo Banks]

I have decided I am a sad person ! I can't remember the last time I actually went to see a film! At least thirty seven years ago as I know it wasn't with the other half!Quite possibly Kelly's Heroes as I loved the theme tune!In my defence it is at least twenty miles in any direction to a cinema from my part of darkest Dorset!
Sean is definitely THE James Bond tho Pierce Brosnan is definitely droolable not sure about Craig haven't seen Skyfall (obviously)but the last two were a bit dark for my liking.I shall have to wait for sky movies or a dvd !

[Anne Gracie]

Louise, that's a great description of Craig's Bond. There's also an occasional hint of tongue-in-cheek, I think, as there was with Sean Connery's Bond — I do like that underlying hint of humor in a hero.

Argo's on my list to see, too. Not sure about Sessions.

[Anne Gracie]

Lyn, congratulations on getting your paper in. I hope it does really well. As for that silly friend of your husband, some people don't understand that writing becomes a passion, especially when you're nearing the end-point. I'm sure all the wenches will recognize that end of book inability to go anywhere except to the computer.

Skyfall and a midnight showing of the Hobbit sounds marvelous — and a perfect treat for finishing your paper. Have fun.

[Anne Gracie]

Nsx12, thank you for that endorsement of Seven Psychopaths — in the short time we were in that cinema, it did look very appealing. I'll definitely see it.

And yes, I have indeed seen that Catherine Tate sketch with Daniel Craig. It's a hoot! I love it to bits. Here's the link if anyone wants to see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4AgzQvFNZs

I first saw Daniel Craig in a smallish part in the TV adaption of Minette Walter's Icehouse. He made such an impression on me that I looked up his name as an actor to watch.

[Anne Gracie]

Jo, not a sad person at all. I have friends who see every movie going, but never read a book. Each to his/her own, I say. I do like going to movies, but don't make the effort to do it regularly. I plan to go more often, though.

[Susan/DC]

If I didn't love Daniel Craig before, I do after watching him in this short film. Not only is he a smart action hero, but he has a sense of humor -- be still my beating heart!

As much as I liked Sean Connery's portrayal, I like Craig's the best. In part it's because, even though I know Bond will triumph in the end, I think Daniel Craig shows the most depth of character. The movies are definitely darker, but to me they are also richer. In the old days when 100 villains would aim at Bond but every single one of them would miss, it was fun (and funny), but it meant I wasn't quite engaged as I am now when I worry that Bond will actually be hurt. And while the lifespan of a Bond girl is still scarcely longer than that of a Mayfly, at least Bond now seems affected by their deaths.

[Artemisia]

Oh yes yes yes! If none of you have seen Craig in Ice House please do so! It's available now after many years on DVD from the BBC catalog! I taped the show (back in the dark ages) because I was so chilled by it. Even then I said dang, this guy's !good!. Then I read the book. Still chilled. Watched it again before the VCR went kaput and realized who he was. Waited years for the BBC to release it. As to the Best Bond? They all have brought something to the role, filling the outline with whatever ingredients the times require.