Family Affairs and other matters » film

BREAKING DAWN REVIEW

Family Affairs — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:22:41 +0000

My daughter and her friend went to see it yesterday. They are HUGE fans. According to her it was “SO good”.

Here is her (somewhat limited) review:-

The last film in the trilogy – but it’s part one of three in the last book and basically a lot happens but I don’t want to give any of it away – so just go and see it for yourself. If you’ve read the book and know what happens you still won’t be disappointed – it’s beautifully filmed – the wedding scene is amazing…..and everyone in it is gorgeous to look at.

"BANDSLAM" REVIEW

Family Affairs — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:18:00 +0000

Finally we found a film that, as my daughter said “has something for everyone”.

For an American teen musical comedy with Vanessa Hudgens from “High School Musical” playing a lead part, it was a surprisingly real and intelligent teenage film with some black humour. The characters are likeable but flawed and the mother (played by Lisa Kudrow) brought an added element of concern and emotion (which obviously made me cry).

We all loved it.

Funny, exciting, moving and uplifting.

Expat Mum….it’s one for those of us who have ridiculously spread out children!

It made us all want to go and start a band.

"MARLEY AND ME" FILM REVIEW

Family Affairs — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:43:00 +0000

I suggest that you avoid this film at all costs. It has had some good reviews, but in my humble opinion it is truly awful. A ridiculously cliched film with not a convincing actor in sight (apart from the 18 dogs used in the film obviously). It pulls at the heart strings big time, but again, only because of the saccharine way the dog is portrayed. Owen Wilson is unconvincing and when he bumps in to a mate who took a different path in life and they have nothing to say to each other (because he bores him stupid about his children and his dog) I thought what a terrible life message he has just presented – be a boring bastard and you will be happy and content once you get over your midlife crisis as long as you have a mad dog and three children to cement the whole thing together.

In this case I have to echo my daughter’s recent sentiments and reiterate that “that was a total waste of two hours of my life”.

The kids quite enjoyed it though, which I suppose was the point.

SLUM DOG MILLIONAIRE REVIEW

Family Affairs — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:25:00 +0000

Danny Boyle has done it again. After his previous success with “Trainspotting”, “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine” amongst others he has created a modern day Romeo and Juliet set in the slums of Mumbai. It is an epic love story – I can already see it as a “West Side Story” style musical (clearly so can they judging by the last scene).

The cinematography is stunning and edgy, the music incredibly hip. The flashbacks of the main protagonists life are cleverly interwoven into the questions asked in the show. It is an incredibly effective way of presenting a moving, powerful, sometimes violent but ultimately heartwarming story.

The men I’ve talked to haven’t loved it as much as the women but my 16 year old son and his mates all thought it was amazing. So it obviously appeals across the board. A definite Oscar or three then.