Category Archives: Movies

Took my mum to see The Queen…

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…not the real one!

Classification: 12A
Runtime: 103 min
UK release date: 15/9/2006
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Staring: Helen Mirren, James Cromwell, Michael Sheen

Set in 1997, i.e. the time surrounding Diana’s death, this drama unfolds by showing us ‘day-to-day’ life within the walls of Buckingham Palace. Tony Blair has just won the election to be PM and wants to make Britain modern. …Then – the crash – all hell breaks lose while the family are on holiday at Balmoral.

The use of actual footage and news reports from the period are effective and promote quite an emotional response. For those who remember it well (i.e. most of the planet), it seems like yesterday and we are reminded of how the British (and, indeed, the world) went temporarily insane – the books of condolence; floral tributes; people sleeping on the streets to get near the barrier for when the coffin passed by; and the media going nuts and vilifying the Royal Family. Tony Blair is portrayed as the hero (as he was at the time) in persuading the Royal Family to compromise by returning to London… and to respect Diana by flying the flag at half-mast.

Helen Mirren’s characterisation is so accurate, I was completely mesmerised by her performance, there were times when I forgot I was watching a portrayal. The dignity, strength, elegance and humour of the Queen… but you also get to see a little deeper. I smell an Oscar nomination!

Likewise, Michael Sheen, brilliant as ever – again, makes Tony Blair ‘watchable’. I confess… I am a big fan and the fact that he can go from playing a Lycanthrope… to Tony Blair… via Kenneth Williams… is merely testimony to his ability as a performer.

“Have you seen the guest list for the funeral?
Elton John is coming. It will be a chorus line of soap stars and homosexuals”.

(James Cromwell as Prince Philip)

Lighter moments are sprinkled throughout the film (Tony Blair in a Newcastle shirt is quite a scary sight!) but it’s one of those films that doesn’t insult your intelligence. I may have blubbed through a lot of it (the archive footage was heartbreaking! :() but, it certainly made me think about issues surrounding that period in history…yes, I know it was a movie…but there were elements that made me think “hmmm…I wonder if that could be true?”.

Worth seeing – not necessarily at the cinema – but definitely worth seeing.

“Clerks II”

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  • Classification: 15 (yey! – something that’s not 12A!)
  • Runtime: 101 min
  • UK release date: 22/9/2006
  • Directed and written by: Kevin Smith
  • Starring: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson

It’s difficult to believe it’s 12 years since Clerks burst onto our screens with it’s low budget of $27,575 financed by 10 credit cards belonging to Kevin Smith. Clerks II continues the story of Dante “I’m not even supposed to be here, today!” Hicks and Randall Graves working at the ‘Quick Stop’ convenience store. 10 years on, and after Randall leaves the coffee pot on, again, a fire forces the pair to work at a Mooby’s fast-food restaurant. Jay and Silent Bob still skulk around outside the building but now (thanks to Dogma), they have found God – this makes no difference to their behaviour – or language… they just carry a bible.

Continuing the story arcs throughout his films: Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back; Smith incorporates the usual features such as Star Wars (very entertaining scene comparing it to The Lord of the Rings trilogy); smoking and selling weed; Mooby the Golden Calf; the Buddy Christ; as well as a ‘milk maid’ who makes a worthy appearance in the final scene. Small (but welcome) cameos from Ben Affleck and Jason Lee make the movies consistent and it’s good to see Jason Mewes (as Jay) well and working again.

Don’t anticipate a masterpiece, but Clerks II is a well worthy sequel – especially for Kevin Smith fans. Smith makes the movies he wants to make – sure, he suffers criticism (I hear Jonathan Ross wasn’t too kind about this one!), but he takes it, moves on and comes back with a bang.

If you’re a Smith fan – go and see the movie; if you love Jay & Silent Bob – go and see the movie; if you need a laugh – go and see the movie, it’s well worth it – I loved it! 🙂

“Snakes on a Plane”

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  • Classification: 15 (yey! – something that’s not 12A!)
  • Runtime: 105 min
  • UK release date: 18/8/2006
  • Directed by: David R. Ellis
  • Starring: Byron Lawson, Nathan Phillips and Samuel L. Jackson

[BBFC Consumer Advice – Contains strong language, sex and bloody violence.]

Plot:
An FBI agent escorting an eyewitness on a flight has to deal with a plane full of deadly snakes released by the criminal who wants the witness dead.

Hm…, I have to say, I enjoyed it. I sat in the cinema and was extremely tense for the first 80 mins, too much was happening at once and there seemed a lot of unnecessary ‘snake wandering’ around people’s bodies (you’ll know what I mean if you go to see the film).
However, there was a fair few “jumpy-outy moments” which is what you’d expect with a thriller and Samuel L Jackson was fantastic. The end was really funny (on purpose) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you like Samuel L Jackson – just go and see it; it’s a lot better than I expected considering I only went to see the film because of the title (it does exactly what it says on the tin!).

😀

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417148/