As you know, this blog is not primarily for film reviews. Hence I cannot compete with Empire or Film Daily in terms of depth, but I can give you my personal highlights. These may grant you an additional insight into the film, without informing you whatsoever about its place in the cinematographic plane.This is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
Instant Family didn’t just exceed my low expectations; it obliterated them. It’s the kind of honest, human comedy that’s so rare from Hollywood these days that when one finally comes along, you sit there in the theater in slack-jawed amazement and wonder: How does a movie like this happen? ScreenCrush
When my friend Colin invited me to the preview of this much anticipated film, I must say I had reservations. Indeed, these are still pervasive as I look back with the luxury of retrospect. Plot-wise the film is predictable. You can predict the entire plot line from the first interaction in the opening cutscene. What struck me was the subtle musical warning denoting difficult scenes. At the start of each ‘tear-jerking’ scene, apt music streams out. Another point is that each of these said scenes are peppered with comedic moments, without which they would be totally devastating. This is another thoughtful point in the director’s favour. Also not to be missed is the inclusion of Julie Haggerty and Margo Martindale as mothers in law, the former being the firm favourite in Airplane!
That being said, there were many points in its favour, distinguishing it from the monotonous and facile Hollywood comedy which one expects to see. The overarching and most pressing of these points is Instant Family’s importance. Gustavo Quiroz jr; Julianna Gamiz and Isabela Moner play a role in the film as actors, and fine ones at that. But the impact that their emotive, gritty performances permeates the boundaries of a powerful plot.
Ultimately the movie champions unconditional familial love and perseverance and argues that kids coming from extremely difficult circumstances are still kids who deserve love and a chance to flourish. Common Sense Media
What Instant Family achieves is a true overview of the fostering system in the US. This insight is shown with the greatest of care and compassion. Director Sean Anders does not hide a painful truth behind comedy, he uses comedy in places to highlight a shockingly overburdened system. Equally, he shows what can be done to alleviate it, and the great successes that foster families can have, as well as the momentous difficulties they have in achieving said success. I recommend this film heartily.
Oh me oh my, two film reviews one after the other. Who would have thought this is where we would be on this glorious day? Anyway, to business. The reason I put this review after Valerian is to draw comparisons between the two. They are both surreal dystopian fantasy films. Perhaps most importantly neither of them have a plot, yet both remain captivating.
James Wan has always been a master of directing. Aquaman is no different. I’ve followed him through various of his phases as a director. The Conjuring is one of the finest horror films I have ever seen. While Aquaman has no discernible story progression, the character development is exemplary. One truly gets to grips with who Aquaman (Jason Mamoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) are. Equally, lesser-seen characters such as King Orm (Patrick Wilson); Vulko (Willem Dafoe) and Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) are accessible and well-developed. Of course Dolph Lundgren played King Nareus, which delighted me. He used to date Grace Jones, which, as you know, means he is in my good books. As is anyone who had a modicum of contact with her.
Aquaman covers the story of two nations on the brink of war – the land and the sea. Aquaman must mitigate this potentially catastrophic situation by fetching a nice trident and fending off his half brother King Orm, who is amassing an army to destroy the surface world. In essence, this is all that happens plot-wise. Visually, they go through various kingdoms on land and in the sea in order to fetch said trident. Numerous beautifully orchestrated fight scenes are peppered throughout. The film is an impressive work of the imagination, much like Valerian. A particular favourite scene of mine is when Aquaman and Mera (both consistently breathtaking, by the way) pass through Sicily. One of the most exciting fight scenes in the movie, and indeed in modern cinema, happens here. Look out for it.
In all, this movie drips with delicious money. It is clear from the get-go that the ($160–200 million) budget for Aquaman is eye wateringly well spent – no pun intended. The cast is star-studded, the fight scenes were epic and the visuals are breathtaking. Though I couldn’t find a hint of a plot, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I hope you shall too.
Now, usually I do not review Netflix films. Partly because there aren’t many films worth reviewing on Netflix, but also because I prefer to go to small cinemas and support them whenever I can. Reviewing films from places such as The Electric in Birmingham, where I saw The Wife, is more meaningful to me. However, this so deeply impressed me that I feel a duty to bring it to your attention, so that you, too, may be astounded.
In the mid-26th century, special agents Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevingne) must deal with a mysterious threat to the cosmically cosmopolitan deep-space metropolis of Alpha, home to millions of lifeforms from a thousand different worlds — while also dealing with their growing attraction to each other. Empire
Admittedly, plot-wise this film is not strong. the characters have to transport an adorable pearl-shedding space creature (below) from one place to another. That is the essence of the storyline. Bear this in mind when optimising your comfort level prior to diving into this film. If, however, you are not hardened and bitter like me, you can enjoy this film for what I believe it is: an extraordinary foray into the supernatural. I speak endlessly about the scope of my favourite albums in music. It is perhaps time that I transpose this discussion to film. Regardless of the missing plot, Valerian does boast a vast scope.
With jellyfish that eat memories, aquatic monsters the size of cathedrals and a bazaar so bizarre its exists simultaneously in different dimensions, it’s like Guardians Of The Galaxy might have turned out if James Gunn were a being made of pure mescaline. Empire
Of course my favourite scene was the Cabaret-esque Rihanna shape shifting strip show. As you can see from the cover photo, Rihanna is effecting a clin d’œil (or nod) to my favourite musical, Cabaret (1972). The importance of the chair in her routine was not lost on this reviewer.
Valerian is absolutely appealing. the ambit of Besson’s directorial prowess cannot be understated. This film could be described as Star Wars on crack. It would be hard not to recognise the contribution to astronomical cinematography which Valerian has made. One could almost say it is on par with the Fifth Element, Besson’s most acclaimed work. In all, I am impressed with this film in spite of its misgivings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Picture the scene: it is one day before my Wills and Estates exam. This is the exam where we will be asked multiple choice questions about deceased people with weird names (eg: Gijs – yes he was in the paper) and where their property goes post mortem. I decided that I could not handle 8 hours of straight revision. So instead of rotting in my stately home, I thought I’d go out for an hour or two. Legoland Discovery Centre, on the canals in the centre of town, happened to be having their monthly Adult Night. Now, I know this sounds awfully dodgy, but trust me – this evening was certainly safe for work.
The detail of the creations in Miniland will astonish you
Stepping through the giant ‘Lego man’ shaped hole in the wall, one is made to stop for absurd green screen photos. Once this torture has been endured, there is a ride! I was not allowed to take pictures of it but you simply must try it. You get to shoot animated trolls and spiders with a laser gun. I got 142,000 points. See if you can beat me!
The room after that was truly magical, indeed I believe it is the crown jewel of the Discovery Centre. Miniland is a thing of extraordinary precision and beauty. Each building is done with astonishing accuracy. The two pictures above highlight iconic buildings in the city, including New Street Station and Selfridges.
A personal highlight is this rendition of Birmingham University.
I will leave it at three pictures, reluctantly. I don’t want to give away the amazement of what is contained in that room.
The next room contains a slew of activities for young or wretchedly old like me. There’s so much to do. You could go to the cinema; build and race lego cars; build tall Lego structures and then test their durability in an earthquake… One of the discoveries one makes at this centre is the ingenuity of the minds who conjured up this magical place.
Overall, this was a magical experience. I would expect nothing less from Merlin Entertainments, who also run Warwick Castle. The blend of theme park and Lego wonderland truly brings out the full extent of versatility in Lego bricks.
And if you’re there at the passing of the hour, watch the clock at the centre of the discovery room (the room after Miniland). Imagining my shrieks of delight can only enhance what you shall see.
Visiting private museums can be a difficult task in Rome, especially as a student. The vicious corporate overlords refuse even the most minor discount, driving up prices to fill their fat pockets.
You thought I’d gone mad then, didn’t you? Admit it. Honestly, this museum is a little more expensive than the rest, but the difference is only that of 2 euros. Which really isn’t so bad. But this museum is worth ever cent.
In the heart of Rome, right by Barberini metro station, you’ll find an impressive tall convent. Now it serves as a museum to the Capucin order. The real attraction for people is the marvellous crypt adjacent to the museum. We shall get to that in time. For me, the preamble to the crescendo of the crypt is just as impressive. Learning about the history of the Capucin order and how they came to undertake global good work is fascinating.
Now, those who know me will be aware that I am a sucker for old ivory carvings. New ivory, not so much. But pieces like this which exist in the realm of museums fascinate me. The gorgeous rendition of religious scenes always inspire me. To think someone can so deftly create pieces as magical as these.
This is my favourite piece in the museum. The resplendent rendition of the crucified Christ in ivory humbles me. One can see the pain and betrayal in this rendition. And mortality is a persistent theme in the Capucin museum. This is also a theme which haunts me on a daily basis.
Take care when walking through the museum, there is a beautiful Caravaggio in one of the recesses. This was not attributed to the masterful artist until relatively recently. This painting depicts St Francis in meditation and is simply breathtaking. One would be remiss to walk past it.
Finally, the truly outstanding part of this museum is the ultimate section.
A series of small chapels beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini contain the bones and mummified remains of an estimated 4,000 individuals. The Capuchin order believes the ossuaries are far from being macabre, that these remains of former friars are a silent reminder of our mortality and the passage of life on Earth.
One finds difficulty expressing the profound depth of the five chapels. One of my favourite quotes, perhaps ever, is on the placard just before entering the crypt:
“The soul sinks forlorn and wretched under all this burden of dusty death. Thank Heaven for its blue sky; it needs a long upwards gaze to give us back our faith.”
I hope this museum affects you as profoundly as it did me.
I’ll set the scene for you. A cold evening in early November, my friends Tesharna and James were slaving away in a basement, trying to comprehend Real Estate VAT laws. Out of a chasm of desperation, Tesharna suggests we go to the cinema. After a brief peruse of the local venues, we settled on the Cineworld in Five Ways to watch The Grinch.
To tell you the truth, this movie moved me. I was in a fragile state when watching it, for reasons those close to me will know. The particular emphasis on familial proximity and generosity espoused in this film warmed my heart. Now, I know this story. Every person of my generation has their own memory of The Grinch. Probably Jim Carrey’s iconic portrayal of the Green Ghoul. But in the 2018 version, with Benedict Cumberbatch at the helm, one sees this wonderful tale in a new light.
The sheer lavish magnificence of Whoville in this animated version was impressive. Mr Grinch had to go to some extraordinary lengths to try to ruin Christmas, and he had his own reasons for doing so. But, at the centre of this film, one message is clear.
Christmas is not about gifts or decorations. The familiar feeling of pressure one gets at this time of year, where companies desperately try to equate Christmas’ success with the size of the gift box under the tree, is done away with. the true value of Christmas lies in unity. I’m going to repeat that. Christmas’ value lies in unity. Bringing people together for a short while and revelling in each other’s company is the true meaning of Christmas. No amount of ridiculous posed photography surrounded by mounds of presents in good lighting can take away from that.
Funnily enough, this tale of misapplied anger self-imposed exile affirmed the central message of the upcoming holiday season is togetherness. This film does wonders to remind us to look around and appreciate the things we already have. We should be thankful for each new day, loving all our friends and our families.
The Grinch reminded me how fortunate I am to be here. And it will remind you, too. I hope you’ll go and see it. Smiles are guaranteed.
