What films did I watch? To echo my spiritual Simpsons character Johnny Tightlips, I see a lotta films (‘Could you be any less helpful?’ etc). But yeah, I watched a bunch of these for film club before I headed off on a trip. But which one’s best?
The Ballad of Wallis Island
I’m not as familiar with Tim Key’s comedy as much as a couple of other household members, but he brings a lot of awkward energy to the plot as an eccentric loner who’s won the lottery and spends his winnings on bringing back his all-time favourite folk duo for a small gig in this hometown. A very small gig.
The plot is fairly simple, but Key delivers a heartfelt performance that’s nicely balanced by smaller performances from bigger actors. Carey Mulligan shines as always, making up one half of the dysfunctional musical duo that’s at risk of falling apart. A sweet indie film that’s probably going to go under the radar, but definitely one that’s worth your time.
Tornado
I’ve looked at this one already in a previous post, but it’s a fantastic subversion of the Western joint, switching the Wild West for the ragged forests of England and changing the cigar-wielding American hero into a samurai avenger. Great performances by a strong cast, this one needs to be seen on the big screen to appreciate its gorgeous cinematography and setpieces.
Ocean
David Attenborough’s narration has been a quintessential voice of the British silver screen for decades, and the film recognises Attenborough’s contribution to wildlife research with plenty of early footage of the –‘s past meetings with nature, plus extraordinary images of neglected wildlife. As the simple title suggests, Attenborough’s latest documentary takes aim at the grand seas, looking at the many optimistic ways in which the ocean can help in the climate change battle while also providing shocking images
Mountainhead
I haven’t got round to watching Succession yet, but apparently Jesse Armstrong’s a smart cookie. And the cast here is pretty darn stacked, too. It’s just a shame that this entry was a big ol’ pile of poop. And I mean big. Huge. Some rich billionaires hide out in a cushy winter crib while the world goes to bits as a result of their new tech developments. There’s some potential for some juicy black comedy, but none of that really happens when the characters are so darn unrelatable. Sure, it’s hard to relate to a bunch of uber rich tycoons, but come on. They’re all so darn unlikeable that it’s hard to be invested in the second half’s dramatic turn. Could have been good, but turns out to be a load of garbage. Yes, garbage, not trash, ‘cause I don’t use those Americanisms. Just havin’ my say.
La Haine
This had it’s 30th anniversary re-release recently, and it’s pretty impactful, especially with that nice black and white aesthetic. It also had a bit of a Trainspotting vibe to it, a film that came out a year after. The narrative follows three young men with radically different approaches following the death of a friend by a police officer. It also apparently launched Vincent Cassel’s career and still feels raw with the sadly prescient themes that remain today.
28 Years Later
Wow. I haven’t got round to seeing Weeks yet, but 28 Days Later this ain’t. You haven’t really got the novelty of the original in the way that the zombies work, even though some have adapted in particularly odd ways. Whereas Days is cantered around big ol’ London, Years is a much more isolated affair, taking place on an island as a father takes his son overseas for his first hunt. While Days very much leaned into the horror vibes with the Rage virus zombies, these guys are few and far between by comparison here. What the film does do quite effectively is lean into the weird stuff. I’m not sure how much US audiences are going to understand Teletubbies or recognise ‘that’ odd as hell conclusion. But hey, it’s trying it’s own thing, I suppose. And Ralph Fiennes is on suitably eccentric form too. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with the next two films (why did they feel the need to do a trilogy? Money, perhaps?), and at least our guy Cillian will be back in the picture.
F1
Hey there! Did you want to watch a 160-minute advert for a sport that’s not particularly engaging (in this humble writer’s opinion, anyway. I’m fully aware it’s got loads of fans)? Then look no further! You’ve got some eye candy, some cinematography, some songs and the ‘feisty female’ trope with some real fiery gumption. And all that. Just to clarify, it is possible to do a film about a sport I don’t care about that actually very engaging (See Asif Kapour’s genius Senna documentary. In fact, see his genius Amy and Maradona too, both of which made me intrigued in subjects I had little previous interest in). But this joint ain’t it. Brad Pitt and cast are essentially used as puppets to promote a sport. I mean, if you’re just looking for a good time with limited brain power required, you’ll probably have a good time. But I didn’t have a good time. Just thought you should know that.