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Robot Dreams (2023)
Do you remember Earth Wind and Fire?
It's a melancholy tale of loneliness and abandonment, how it's impossible to forget happy memories of when we were with someone who has gone, but even through it hurts, we must move on. Dog and Rascal are both boys. It's a 'bromance'; no strong female characters then.
I liked that many diverse cultures and different types of animal live in the city. The song 'September/do you remember' was well-chosen. It was well-drawn, and there were little visual jokes, that was nice. It's a great bit of visual storytelling, with dream sequences and surprises and a satisfying bittersweet ending. But I found the film was overlong.
There are plot holes. The New York beach isn't shut in winter for pedestrians, only for swimmers. Why doesn't Dog tell the policeman that he has left his property on the beach? Why did Dog wait so long to rescue his friend? Why would Robot work with just a radio inside? How can a robot eat pizza? Why did some animals trail their tails in the dirt?
I love animations and I've seen lots. There are plenty that I've liked more.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
This is not a story to make you want to visit Ireland.
This is not a story that would make you want to visit Ireland.
On the mainland, there is civil war; the gunfire can be heard from the island.
On the island, there is violent oppression by the police, despair, a repressive church, superstitions, isolation, and poverty. The islanders are not kind to each other.
Pádraic ó Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) is a nice man, if dull, who struggles with losing his friendship with Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) who is looking death in the face and cares little about himself. Despair is rife on the Island. It sure is a depressing place. Why would anyone want to stay? Siobhán ní Súilleabháin his sister ( Kerry Condon) has some good sense and leaves for the mainland.
It's not perfect and lets you down in a few areas. The setting was too squeaky clean; new clean clothes, good straight teeth, no bare feet. The poverty of the time could have been showcased a bit more.
Wicked Little Letters (2023)
Great detective work
Based loosely on a true story, "Wicked Little Letters" follows two neighbours: pious Edith (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish Rose (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and others receive anonymous letters full of curse words , sweary Rose is blamed, although she denies it. A police trial ensues. However, Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan), her niece, and the town ladies (great supporting actors) investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss and Rose mightn't be the culprit at all.
A cracking plot, excellent acting, an interesting take on the-law-is-an-ass, a proper ending too! A feminist film. I greatly enjoyed it.
Poor Things (2023)
curiouser and curioriser
Such a strange and Gothic film! I saw the curious costumes displayed in the Barbican. That hinted at what the film would be like. I really enjoyed it. Great costumes, top class actors, engrossing narrative, special effects, a proper plot with no plot holes, and a proper ending. Strangely enough it was convincing and I was absorbed in the story.
The cinematography is wonderful. Sometimes the film felt like a beautiful dream captured within a painting.
One teeny -; the BOOK was set in Victorian Glasgow and I would have liked them to have Scottish accents.
Overall, I would highly recommend it.
Perfect Days (2023)
Now is now, the soundtrack is perfect.
Had you told me I'd enjoy sitting for 2 hours watching a film about a Japanese man Hirayama who cleaned toilets, I would've been doubtful, but as it happened, I really enjoyed this film. It is understated; for example, no-one is thrown off a speedboat and there are no car chases. Instead, and to me this is far preferable, a lovely story about a kind man who we might judge to be of lowly status (as his sister does) but who is comfortable in his own skin. There are subplots: his hobbies of photographing light and growing trees, his kindness and his simple pleasures. And the soundtrack is Perfect.
Notting Hill Carnival: What it means for community and culture (2018)
A proper documentary
Of the many, many films of NHC on YouTube, this one stands out. There is no simpering, cheek-kissing or screaming 'Babe!!!' here. We see the giant street party presented as it is: ladies showing off their gaudy costumes, people of different ethnicities having fun in the drizzly grey London streets.
The Lens presenter is dispassionate, objective and lets the interviewees speak for themselves.
It's interesting to learn about what the festival means to people and it seems the presenter is having good fun with the camera crew as well as on the streets with passers by. I liked when she was walking down the road and people joined in to celebrate with her - very funny! I'd like to see more from The Lens!
Alina (2020)
Brighton Noire
This Brighton Noire trilogy is an exciting tale full of menace. The soundtrack's suspenseful music , and the blood-red lighting, make the most innocent scene a nightmare.
Alina (Helena Marrion-Cole) has an unenviable life. She's a sex slave of abusive men. She buys painkillers, she contemplates suicide by drowning. I felt as if I was really on the journey with Alina. Sensational performance from this lead of a heartbreaking and terrifying situation. Alina meets a nice boy, Sam (Nathan Cook). I'd love to see more from him. When she sees Sam through a hole in the fence, it's as if into a parallel world, where things can be different and she can have a friend. Very poetic and gripping writing,. The ending in Part 3 was so exciting that it made my heart race. Whole cast and writing was excellent.
Eb and Flo (2019)
The day we went to Ramsgate.
Eb and her friend Flo take off a girl's road trip to have a little fun for a change. Eb asks, "Are you happy?" Flo "What kind of question is that? No body's really happy". It's so sad to see the struggles in the characters lives.
The acting on screen by all the actors is very convincing and the writing excellent. Isaac Cook's camera work is beautiful; the piece is wonderfully cinematic and pretty and his cameo (a drunk) convincing. The sound levels are fine, there was no mumbling (I hate mumble-movies).
This is a short low-budget indie film and compares well with some more famous block-busters.