5 Jun 2015

LOVEFILM: MAY '15.

GRUDGE MATCH ...

A story about two aging boxers brought together after several decades to fight a grudge match sponsored by Geritol (cue the old age jokes). Given the ages of both Stallone and De Niro this could have been a painfully embarrassing film to watch (and I'm sure many will find it so) and yet with unashamed nods towards the Rocky franchise - this was never going to be a film that took itself too seriously - combined with the general good will felt towards both actors it was somehow saved from being so.

Not a fan of fight scenes (I kept my eyes tightly shut, my hands overs my ears, for the duration of what was thankfully a small part of the film) it was the human aspect, the relationships between the characters that appealed to me. TT

So, Stallone and De Niro going head to head in a boxing movie. Tongue in cheek yes, and there are sufficient hat tips to Rocky and Raging Bull in the screeplay to make sure that we know this. 

Nonetheless, its not a film without purpose, not should I imagine without personal relevance for the two lead actors, as the two former boxers come out of retirement for one last match to settle the one win each from the two fights they had in their professional careers. Ultimately a film about regrets and the things that are sometimes best left alone in our lives, the pain of the physical and the turmoil of emotions frustrated. Not a must see but certainly worth a viewing. NJT

BERNIE ... 

An original true crime film (not that I realised this until the end) that sees Jack Black, definitely the driving force of the movie, at what I felt was his best. Reigning in what is his generally perceived manic persona here he plays the delicuously camp and seemingly sweet Bernie Tiede in a darkly comic tale.

Very different film, based on real events although beloved did not realise this whilst we were watching it, and this caused some hilarity afterwards. Real life is stranger than fiction and this, a film in search of proving this to be so.  The main characters are played by actors but all the interviewees in this almost documentary style film are individuals from the town of Carthage, Texas. Jack Black is Bernie Tiede, the small-town mortician and funerary director who is the delight of the community who then resorts to an unusual deception, for which he receives a comeuppance, not to the delight of the community. Does a life of good works outweigh the one sin? NJT
tick symbol : A 3d people was holding a Wrong Symbol
MR TURNER ...  

A visual treat for the eyes, the attention to period detail is truly wonderful but dull, dull dull, I was bored within ten minutes. TT

Moody and painfully slow biopic. Mr. Spall plays a turn as the eponymous artist, harumphing and growling his way through the snobbery and professional discourtesies of the art world of London when he must, avoiding it when he need not. With little charity for his contemporaries and little joy in anything other than his own creativity, this film paints a dull picture. Just a bit disappointed really. NJT

THE RIOT CLUB ...

A representation of privilege and money at Oxford University's Riot Club.  Not sure this film has anything to say really unless you have a completely rosy tinted spectacle view of humanity, in which case it will provide you with some visions of just how brutal, vicious and nasty people can be towards each other. Not for the squeamish in this respect. Watching the youthful moral meanderings of the future leaders of our country is simply a bit depressing, and yes it is fictionalised but The Bullingdon sorry, sorry, Riot Club is very well researched... NJT

I suppose a film well done in that it managed to raise so many emotions. Angry, sad and disbelieving ... not for a long time has a film left me feeling like this days after watching it. TT

DARLING COMPANION ...

Not so much about Freeway, the darling companion of the title as it is about relationships. Nothing too heavy just a 'nice' story. TT

Scmaltzy schmaltzy time! Gentle film of a slightly dysfunctional family; a dawgie that comes into and then out of their lives and the ensuing outplay of trials and tribulation that helps them sort their relationships and work out why they veer thought they could live without a dog. NJT


15 comments:

brandileigh2003 said...

I actually haven't heard of these, but glad you enjoyed at least one.

Kelly said...

I've seen the first two and that's it. I almost always love a good boxing movie, so I enjoyed the first quite a bit. I went into it with certain expectations and that was exactly what I got. It's been quite awhile since I saw Bernie, so while I recognize the plot, I can't really remember how well I liked it.

I love "period pieces", but feel sufficiently warned about Turner to give it a pass. Still smiling at Mr. T's pun. :)

I'll check out Darling Companion, but don't know if it's just too sappy for my taste, despite my weakness for dogs.

My latest review post is scheduled for tomorrow.

Sherry Ellis said...

I'm not a fan of fight scenes, either. That's more of my husband's thing.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I haven't heard of these, but of course you can't live w/o a dog. Seriously! :D Happy Weekend.

Gina said...

New to me so thanks for the insight!

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

We haven't watched any of your featured films this week and I doubt, that with the possible exception of 'Bernie', that any of them would find their way to our screen.

Hubbie is the great film buff in our house and he tends to watch crime / thrillers and action films, although 'Grudge Match' definitely wouldn't be top of his list, even though he admires De Niro's acting skills. He has never watched any of the 'Rocky' films and doesn't really rate Stallone's acting abilities, although he did watch and quite enjoy 'Cliffhanger'.

It sounds as though you both enjoy your films - are you into anything like the new 'Spooks' film, which has recently been released?

Thanks for sharing your choices and have a good weekend :)

Yvonne

Suko said...

I have not heard of any of these films before! But I enjoyed your "takes". Thanks for sharing thoughts about them.

Alexia561 said...

Really enjoy reading your movie reviews! It's fun to see how two people can have different opinions about the same film! Sad to say that I haven't been to the movies in ages. Have you and Mr. T ever read the same book? Would love to see dueling book reviews!

anilkurup59 said...

Amazing the way you use time, books and now movies!

Brian Joseph said...

I had not heard about Grudge match. I want to see it. As I get a little older I am beginning g to really appreciate the nostalgia , and humor, surrounding things like this.

Of course Stallone and De Niro sound perfect for the roles.

Stephanie Faris said...

Anything with De Niro is a good movie...but I'm not sure I want to watch two old guys punching each other. Bones break easily at that age!

Betty Manousos said...

hi tracy,

i actually haven't heard of these before. but i thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. thanks so much for sharing your choices and have a relaxing weekend.

big hugs!
xxx

Revd. Neal Terry said...

Alexia, we don't often read the same books. My life is one of text books generally and when I read novels they tend towards fantasy fiction which is not a genre her ladyship dips into often. Occasionaly she will read something and suggests I may enjoy it and there are a few reviews on here I've written for her. And she generally asks me to look at anything of religious theme. Black Water Rising, The Book Thief, Skellig are books that we have disagreed on... but it's often months after she has read something before I'll get round to it. I have just finished Big Men's Boots that she reviewed a few weeks ago.

DMS said...

I haven't heard of nor seen any of these. Always good to hear about new movies. Really enjoyed reading what you thought of each of them. Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess

Lindsay said...

Wondering whether to buy my father in law Mr Turner on dvd but I have seen mixed reviews and your thoughts add to my doubts. I enjoy reading your movie reviews!