Directed by Mira Nair. Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Shefali Shah.
This family drama, centred on a young bride-to-be’s impending nuptials, is rife with family secrets and discord, as well illuminating both the family’s and, in some ways, India’s delicate balancing act of keeping with and celebrating tradition, while welcoming globalisation and modernisation.
As with any family and their multitude of personalities and emotions, as seen in the film, Monsoon Wedding effortlessly sways from drama to comedy, darkness to lightheartedness, to finally conclude on a happy and hopeful note.
It’s colourful, engaging, well directed and well worth a watch, if not more!
Get Carter (1971)
Directed by Mike Hodges. Starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ecklund.
This revenge thriller, set in a grey and dreary Newcastle, focuses on Carter, a man hellbent on finding his brother’s killer. His quest finds many a familiar face as the possible perpetrator which eventually uncovers ties to a seedy world of underground pornography.
For those only familiar with Michael Caine through his role as Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, this film will be quite a departure from the kind, elderly Caine you’ve grown accustomed to. Here, he’s angry, increasingly violent towards men and women, and completely consumed by his bloodlust.
Featuring plenty of action, sex, violence, and, of course, Caine’s iconic Cockney accent, the film is also beautifully shot, with clear influences from French New Wave cinema and Noir films of the 1940s and 1950s.
*Sidenote: Unfortunately, just as I’ve finished writing this post, Get Carter was removed from Amazon Prime UK, but definitely check Prime US or Netflix or any other streaming service or even the library for the film. You won’t be disappointed!
Monster (2003)
Directed by Patty Jenkins. Starring Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern.
Based on the life of infamous female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, Monster tells the harrowing tale of a woman whose life was both marred and defined by constant abuse and neglect by the hands of her family, friends, law enforcement and the men that she sold herself to.
Charlize, who won the Oscar for Best Actress for the role, does an excellent job in playing Wuornos. She effortlessly dons the tough, street wise exterior that Wuornos was notorious for, while also depicting her lesser known softer and more vulnerable side.
This is definitely a much watch if you are interested in true crime films/ television, and, if so inclined, check out the documentary that inspired the film, Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992) and the follow up documentary that was released in conjunction with Monster, Aileen Wuornos: The Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003). Both of which extensively explore Aileen’s early life and the circumstances that landed her in prison, as well as shedding light on the shady dealings of the Florida cops who arrested her and tried to secure the film rights to her story, soon after her arrest.
The film, and, especially the documentaries, paint quite a different picture of America’s most prominent female “serial killer”, and offer a rather sad and jarring look at the hell that was Wuornos’s actual, everyday life.
A Man Called Ove (2015)
Directed by Hannes Holm. Starring Rolf Lassgård, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg.
Based on the book by the same name, written by Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove, centres on the miserable Ove, a widowed retiree who spends his days annoying his neighbours and rigorously enforcing home association rules.
Though at first, Ove seems completely contemptible, he gradually softens and becomes a much more likeable figure, once more is revealed about his character. Think of this like an adult, Swedish version of Pixar’s Up.
Overall, it’s a rather heartwarming film about individuals getting to know each other and finding that they have a lot more in common than they originally thought, a message that everyone should get behind, but be warned, this film will probably make you cry!
I, Tonya (2017)
Directed by Craig Gillespie. Starring Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan.
This recent Oscar nominated film, which saw Allison Janney win for Best Supporting Actress, is based on the life of Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding. While Tonya is mostly known for the incident in which fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked with a police baton by an assailant who was found to have been linked to individuals in Harding’s circle, the film offers a much more extensive look at the trials and tribulations Harding suffered, from growing up poor, being raised in a broken home by an abusive mother, and later suffering domestic violence by her husband, Jeff.
Margot Robbie, as usual, does a fantastic job playing Harding and, overall, the film works well in balancing both the entertainment and comedic moments, with the darker and more serious subject matters, such as the abuse Tonya suffered by both her mother and her ex-husband.
I, Tonya is actually my favourite film out of all the 2017 Oscar nominated films. It’s a great 80s/90s period piece and it truly humanizes Harding, a woman who was routinely demonised by the press back in the day. The film dares to offer a different perspective on the classic good vs. bad female narrative, which is refreshing in an age where society is too quick to label and relegate individuals to roles based on their appearance and background.
I highly recommend this film, especially if you are into biographical films/ pop culture!
After an exceedingly long absence from this blog, I thought now would be the perfect time to get back in the swing of things and update this more regularly!
Since I’ve last posted, a lot has changed in my life. More specifically though, I completed a Master’s degree, I got married, and settled in the UK, which is all kind of crazy, honestly.
I’ve been thinking about this blog a lot lately and since I’ve seen quite a lot of films since I last posted, I thought I would once again write about them and share my opinions and ideas. I also thought I would start a new series of posts based upon what’s available on popular streaming services.
I don’t have cable/ a TV license, so I mostly watch films and television on Netflix and Amazon Prime and various Prime channels. While these are both amazing for a variety of reasons, the one thing that slightly annoys me about watching films on these services is that they do not provide a rating or any reviews. Netflix used to have ratings but instead have opted to focus on showing films and television series based on how closely they match your preferences, which is fine, but for someone as picky as I am, I find myself reading reviews and Metascores for all films and series before I even start!
So, with these new posts, I thought I would review what is, in my opinion, worth watching on both of these services, for now. Finding something to watch on any streaming service can be daunting, as there are hundreds and even thousands of options, but with this new series of posts, finding something to watch could be much more easier!
Obviously, I haven’t updated this blog at all for quite some time, but I have some perfectly good excuses. Throughout this absence I have been watching a lot of movies and I hope to share my opinions and thoughts on them shortly! The movies I have watched don’t really follow any kind specific genre or time period, so I will just categorize each post by decade to make more sense of the randomness!
Like most people, I have a few traditions that I practice during the holidays. Obviously, I like decorating my Christmas tree and drinking eggnog, but what I love more is watching the Christmas specials from some of my favorite television shows. Now, I do love a fair few Christmas films, but televised Christmas specials, namely British ones, are a bit better, quality wise. There aren’t many that I watch every year, but I do have a few that always get me into a Christmas and general end of year spirit.
#1. The Office: Christmas Special Part 1 & Part 2
Starring Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Lucy Davis, Mackenzie Crook. 2003
This two part Christmas special originally aired about a year after Series 2 ended and gives a look at how David Brent and his fellow coworkers have been getting on since the show ended.
These two episodes, Part 2 in particular, are quite good, mostly for how realistic they seem to be. The way in which the camera crew follow Brent around and chart his ‘success’ feel akin to what you would actually see on reality television.
Overall, neither of these episodes have a real Christmas-y feel, which I like. It doesn’t feel corny or cliche, but again, it’s just a realistic, more stripped down showcase of the holiday and what it’s really about. I like that Gervais and Stephen Merchant chose to tone down the overall holiday cheer in keeping with the previous seasons which focused prominently on the boring aspect of working in an office and living in a small town. This also allows for Dawn and Tim’s moment at the end of Part 2 to feel more natural and less like some kind of Christmas miracle or romantic comedy, which is refreshing for me, as a viewer.
What makes watching the special apart of my annual Christmas tradition is the ending and the overall message that it conveys. Firstly, throughout both parts of the special, the audience is finally given a glimpse of David’s vulnerable side. He’s notorious for being the office idiot and an asshole, but, at seeing David at his lowest and, presumably, his loneliest, the audience can truly feel empathetic towards his situation, or, at least pity. Though David is, at times, mean and small minded, you can’t help but feel that he’s mostly harmless, especially when he’s compared to Chris Finch. Towards the very end of the episode when David finally meets a nice woman who understands him and gets his humor and when he finally stands up to Chris Finch and Neil Godwin, the audience can actually feel that David’s come out on top for once. All humor and self deprecating jokes aside, it’s nice to see David have his moment of comeuppance and revel in it.
Secondly, the best part of this entire episode, and my favorite part of this episode, is when Dawn and Tim finally get together. For anyone who has watched the show, it has been clear since the very beginning that Dawn and Tim are perfectly suited for each other. Throughout the two seasons of the show, Dawn has been dating Lee, her fiancee, who doesn’t seem to care very much about her, and Tim has been mostly single. Despite all of this, there has always been a feeling of mounting tension between the two as their jealousies towards each others significant others and their realization of their chemistry has bubbled to the surface. Finally, in a moment that can only be described as sheer catharsis, Dawn finally breaks up with Lee and turns her affections towards Tim. Once together, they seem like a natural fit for each other. This is definitely the best ending any avid fan of the show could hope for who have been rooting for Dawn and Tim since the very beginning.
This special is a favorite of mine simply because of it’s happy ending. Everyone gets exactly what they deserve and there’s a whiff of hope in the air, as these characters embark on the next chapter of their lives, in new jobs and relationships. It’s this sense of hope that’s nice to see and feel ahead of the new year.
#2. Extras: The Extra Special Christmas Special
Starring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Ashley Jensen. 2007
This Christmas special mostly revolves Andy Millman’s quest for fame and happiness and figuring out which means more to him.
Much like The Office Christmas special, the Extras special doesn’t particularly feel Christmas-y, but still employs some basic Christmas themes. If you really wanted to delve into the crux of this episode, one could argue that this special is almost a modern day rendition of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Andy quickly turns into this Scrooge-like character as the episode progresses and becomes quite selfish and mean spirited, looking only to further himself and his fame rather than support his friends in their own time of need. Only when he finally succumbs to his lowest, most loneliest point, does he then realize that friendship and happiness means more than money and fame. All in all, quite a similar take on the classic Christmas tale, but clearly augmented for today’s viewers and for the show itself.
In this special, much like The Office special, Gervais manages to make the audience really pity a character that doesn’t wholly deserve to be pitied, both a fete and a commonality of his writing. As previously mentioned, Andy does change from his usual fun-loving, carefree ways and seems a lot angrier, sadder, and desperate. Even though he has money, a successful sitcom, and a grandiose flat, he wants more, mainly respect and better roles, which is admirable, despite his flaws. With Andy, it was never about money or fame, hence being an extra for so long. Now that he has a seemingly sold his soul with his sitcom in a bid to stay relevant and appease the BBC, he’s changed. Even though he is mean and selfish, Gervais still makes it possible for the audience to pity him, and it’s this character development that I find so intriguing, especially in television series.
What I like most about this special and what makes it a favorite of mine to watch around the holidays is the ending. When Andy goes on Celebrity Big Brother, the lowest form of desperation for any celebrity, he quickly realizes what he’s lost sight of. By being trapped in this house, surrounded by people who are seemingly worse versions of himself, he can finally see what he’s become, almost as if all his fellow ‘celebrities’ are acting as mirrors, so that Andy can truly see himself for what he is. The scene where he basically has a go at fame and the idea of celebrity in his rant in the Big Brother house is fantastic. Yes, Ricky Gervais is taking a swipe at celebrities in the show and in real life, probably, but I think his speech also serves as a general message to society, in a way. Ricky is using his character to remind all of us to basically stay true to ourselves and respect ourselves; wanting money and fame isn’t important in the grand scheme of things.
I really like this Christmas special moreso for the overall message than the Christmas feel. Much like The Office, this special lacks a Christmas vibe, which personally, I like. I’d rather watch a holiday movie or a television special that puts more emphasis on transforming oneself and self-reflection before the new year rather than something about Santa or the impending holiday, as that is what I believe this time of year to be about.
#3. Gavin & Stacey: Christmas Special
Starring Joanna Page, Matthew Horne, James Corden, Ruth Jones. 2008
In this special, Stacey’s family comes from Barry to visit her and Gavin in Essex for Christmas and all kinds of shenanigans quickly ensue.
Overall this episode plays like a regular episode though the Christmas holiday and feeling can definitely be felt. There’s plenty of Christmas music, decorations, and celebration to get everyone in the mood for the holiday.
I like this episode in particular because I like seeing British Christmas traditions and how they celebrate the holiday as opposed to how it’s celebrated in America. It’s not vastly different, but it’s still interesting to watch.
Generally, Gavin and Stacey is a bit saccharine and sappy at times. There’s quite a few catchphrases, Gavin and Stacey themselves have this childlike giddiness about each other, and overall it can feel a bit soap opera-ish at times. In this episode, however, there is definitely more tension displayed and boiling beneath the surface, with Gavin getting a new job in Cardiff that he’s kept a secret from his over protective mother and with Dave taking on a more fatherly role for baby Neil in front of Smithy, the actual father. Despite all of the fighting and yelling, both Gavin and Stacey’s families can still get past their differences and return to their normal, happy selves with ease.
What I like most about this special is that it offers a more vulnerable glimpse at Smithy. His character is mostly used for comic relief purposes and generally he is good for a laugh, but we very rarely see an honest, emotional side to his character. Here, with the arrival of Dave, who is clearly taking Smithy’s place as Neil’s father and has taken on this fatherly role with ease, we finally see a sadder, softer side to Smithy. We, as the audience, always see him fulfilling the role of Gavin’s mate, but it’s rare for Smithy to ever take center stage. It’s understandable that he’d idealize having a child and becoming a father now that Gavin is married and everyone around him has someone. For Dave to now take that role away from him, though inadvertently, it has clearly taken a toll on Smithy, as evidenced by this episode.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about this episode. It’s Christmas-y, each character has their own comedic moments down to a science, particularly Dawn and Pete, and Bryn, and, again, the departure of Smithy’s character from less of a funny friend to a more emotional human being is great.
Though this list is quite short, these are my favorite Christmas specials to watch around the holiday season. Thanks for reading!
Over the past few weeks I have watched sort of an amalgam of films. I haven’t been in any particular mood to watch a certain genre exclusively, as I am prone to do, so this list kind of all over the place. Some of the movies I have seen were truly great and the others, not so much. Here’s what I have been watching lately, and what rating I think it deserves out of 5 stars.
#1. Marriage Italian Style
Starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Directed by Vittorio de Sica. 1964
This comedy, set in post-WWII Italy, centers on the relationship between a prostitute, Filumena, and her rich client, Domenico. Throughout the course of the film, the roles of dominance and submissiveness are continually reversed between the two. Despite the many decades enduring their tumultuous relationship, Filumena finally gets her way, and she and Domenico live happily ever after, hopefully.
There are many aspects of this movie that I quite liked and found entirely entertaining. Overall, this film is funny. The dialogue is quick witted and Filumena’s plot to finally get Domenico to marry her is singularly the best part of the entire film, in my opinion.
Despite the overall toxicity of Filumena and Domenico’s relationship, the two still have great chemistry. The dynamics of their relationship, basically Domenico coming and going as he pleases and leaving Filumena continually heartbroken, are reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big’s on-again, off-again relationship as displayed in Sex and the City. This film, though a comedy, does a great job of accurately portraying an ultimately unsatisfying and unhealthy relationship, and I found myself being able to relate to much of Filumena’s sadness; whether she was being treated unkindly or clearly just being used. I’m sure everyone could relate to at least one aspect of this film in terms of dealing with an insensitive or, even, heartless significant other/ lover/ person of interest. This relatability gives the film so much more depth as it’s not just simply funny, but true to real life as well.
Personally, I love the way this film looks overall. I don’t know what it is about movies made in the 1960s, but the colors come across so much more vibrant than usual, which also highlights just how vibrant Loren and Mastroianni’s characters are, especially Loren’s. I also really love how the director used Filumena as a way to show how love and heartache takes its toll on a person. With the story being told chronologically, the audience gets to see just how outgoing Filumena was when she was younger, and how, gradually, she becomes a tired, bitter woman because of Domenico. Again, this just reinforces the overall relatability of this film. Young love is always so lively and enchanting in the beginning, but gradually, as heartache take its toll, it takes back a lot of that liveliness and gaiety that was once felt and the end result looks and sounds much like Filumena does by the end of the film, tired and sad.
The only aspect of the film that I did not care for much was the revelation and subsequent integration of Filumena’s sons. I thought this was mostly an unnecessary addition to the film, that also signaled a lot of change to the comedic aspect of the film. With the addition of her sons, the attention that is focused to both Filumena and Domenico has to now be diverted to her children, which makes the rest of the movie kind of boring. Loren’s character is much more enjoyable to watch when she is playing the role of prostitute or mistress, than that of mother. Since the two main characters have so much chemistry and Loren and Mastroianni are such great actors, the addition of her children is just unwelcome and ends up dampening both the chemistry between the two main characters, and the rest of the film as a whole. When you watch this film, you want to see Filumena and Domenico get into such passionate fights, and then make up and become this lovely couple, you don’t want to watch them play house, it just seems unnatural and uncharacteristic for them to become so mature.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. It was funny and touching, the two main characters were passionate and charismatic, and the story itself was quite relatable. I would most definitely watch this again.
Rank: 4 out of 5 stars
#2. The Edge of Love
Starring Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy. Directed by John Maybury. 2008
The Edge of Love is a story that revolves around the trials and tribulations of love, basically. Dylan (Matthew Rhys), the man at the epicenter of this drama, once loved Vera (Keira Knightley), who is now a singer, but he is married to Caitlin (Sienna Miller). Vera and Dylan obviously feel a connection once they reunite, but can’t act upon it. Vera then starts dating William (Cillian Murphy), a soldier, who is infatuated with her. Once WWII breaks out though, William is sent to war, while Caitlin, Vera, and Dylan retreat to the Welsh countryside where mischief quickly ensues.
Overall, I really did not care for this film, despite wanting to, badly. The mere presence of Keira Knightley and Cillian Murphy should be enough to make any movie reasonably great, but even they could not save this mess. The story itself was convoluted and predictable, the characters were all rather unlikable and narcissistic, save for William, and the “dramatic” scene towards the end of the film lacked drama to me, personally. By the film’s end, I was hard pressed to come up with a point to this story, and I still can’t. The story line was just too messy to make sense of and, without any characters that are worth caring about, the audience just has less of a reason to try and work out what the story is about and what the general message is. I feel as though the writers of the film sorely missed the mark in this film, and the story itself shouldn’t have left the writers room without a clear story line in order to accommodate the entire film, much less have been made in the first place.
Though there was much I didn’t care for in the film, there were some tiny rays of hope sprinkled throughout. I think the costume department did a great job of styling Vera and Caitlin. The clothes felt true to the time period and conveyed the characters emotional states as well.
The countryside, particularly the cliffside where Vera, Caitlin, and Dylan lived, was really beautiful. The beauty of the scenery really helped to detract from the mess of the story. At times, the camera work was done very well. I thought that the gauzy effect that was used on Vera a few times really captured the nonchalance of both the times and the characters. Without the stress of actual war, people could feel happy and at ease, for a time, and these characters, who don’t seem to care much about anyone other than themselves, display an air of nonchalance throughout the entirety of the film.
I also found that Vera and Caitlin’s friendship was fun to watch, at times, as well. Again their chemistry and care free attitudes helped distract from the lack of a clear story line.
I probably wouldn’t watch this film again. It wasn’t the worst film I’ve ever seen, but it’s not one that I would waste my time watching again. Though not every movie really needs to have a “point”, if the film isn’t well told and the characters are completely unlikable, there needs to be some kind of worthy aspect of the film because really, what’s the point of even watching it then?
Rank: 2 out of 5 stars
#3. Alfie
Starring Michael Caine and Shelley Winters. Directed by Lewis Gilbert. 1966
Alfie, played by Michael Caine, is a film about a British playboy who sees women as objects and nothing more. After the women he’s with leave him or become disenchanted by his charms, Alfie finally comes to the realization that he has done wrong, and slowly changes his ways.
Overall, I do like this movie, now having watched it twice, but it is definitely hard to watch. The way Alfie talks about women, the way he treats them, and even refers to them as “it”, is nothing short of disgusting and anger inducing. This clip in particular is a great example of the sexism in this film.
If you are able to somehow ignore the in-your-face misogyny, which, again, is quite difficult, then you can see just how interesting this movie is, in a sociological sense. Underneath his wannabe Bond veneer, Alfie becomes a living enactment of the manipulative tendencies people exhibit to get what they want. Depending on the woman’s level of confidence, Alfie gauges what tools he should use to seduce and then keep the woman in question, which range from intimidation to flattery. It’s also interesting to see how inflated his ego becomes when he has entranced women who are obviously without self esteem. When he does encounter a woman with confidence like Ruby, he clearly displays more respect for her because he sees her as his equal and worthy competitor. Basically, this movie is a honed in look at the fall of man. Once completely powerful and then, he becomes nothing. Though the misogynistic tones of this work are quite clear from the very beginning, all of the women that Alfie toys with do become empowered and independent, which is why I really like this movie. It’s nice to see the women he has seemingly destroyed, move on and become better and happier than ever.
As for the visual aspect of this film, it’s quite a treat to watch scenes of London from the 1960s, as well as the fashions. Having visited London a few times, it’s almost strange to be in the exact spot that Michael Caine was while shooting this film 50 years prior. Not to mention, Shelley Winters, who plays the illusive Ruby, a female version of Alfie, is fantastic and does a great job in finally bringing Alfie’s reign over women to a screeching halt.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this movie, per say, but it isn’t one of the best movies I have ever seen. Michael Caine does a great job of playing such a despicable character and the story itself is interesting and maintains your attention easily. I was also surprised by how open the film was about sex and abortion. Obviously, the 1960s were a time of sexual liberation, but I was still slightly gobsmacked by the actual abortion scene. Overall, this is a good, retro kind of movie to watch.
Rank: 3.5 out of 5 stars
#4. The Painted Veil
Starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton. Directed by John Curran. 2006
This drama centers on the crumbling marriage of Dr. Fane, played by Edward Norton, and Kitty, played by Naomi Watts, while trying to combat a cholera outbreak in rural China. In light of the life threatening and serious circumstances the couple eventually finds a way to truly love each other.
What I mostly liked about this film was the subject matter. I have never before seen a film set in rural China in the 1920s. I have also never seen a film that focuses entirely on cholera, or a serious disease outbreak before either, so overall this made the film quite interesting to watch and made it unique. I also thought that the scenery in this movie was quite beautiful. Again, I’ve never seen an American/ British film set entirely in China before and I was pleasantly surprised by how stunning the surrounding landscape was. Overall, I feel that this is a very different kind of period piece, in terms of setting and subject matter, which was, ultimately, refreshing.
Despite all of this, there was a lot I did not like about this film. Though the characters, I must assume, are all supposed to be completely unlikable, I felt that they were too unlikable. Dr. Fane came off as socially awkward, cold, and, at times, cruel and Kitty seemed witless, narcissistic, and immature. Eventually, these characters soften and become more likable, but not until the end of the film. By that time, it was too late for me to really care about them and the state of their relationship.
The pacing of the story also felt off. Kitty and Dr. Fane meet, instantly marry, move to China, and then she cheats on him. This all happens within the first 15-20 minutes of the film. The rest of the film then focuses on Dr. Fane basically punishing Kitty for what she did which goes on for about an hour and a half. We, the audience, know nothing about these characters, we know nothing about their personalities or their backstories. We are just forced to watch the ugliness in each of them seep out and basically drown the film in tension and resentment. By the end of the film, when they finally learn to love each other, I felt that it was too little too late; there wasn’t enough time for me to change my opinions about these characters, so their newfound love for each other left me feeling unenthused. I think the writers and the director should have spent more time developing the characters and their relationship, and then build up to Kitty’s betrayal, so that the audience can at least side with someone. With the way it’s filmed, I feel like I don’t know these people at all, and then when she cheats on her husband, I feel more like an innocent bystander, than a witness.
The topic of British imperialism was also brought up a lot as well, but was never fully explored. The Chinese villagers that Dr. Fane tried to help are clearly sick of the English. If something could have been done to highlight this anger and these racial tensions, I think that this could have given the movie more of an edge. A disintegrating marriage can only carry a story for so long until it feels monotonous and boring. A story about a couple in a loveless marriage, trying to survive within a cholera stricken town amidst heightened racial tensions sounds so much more complex. Each issue has its own sense of urgency, as they all need to be resolved accordingly, and ultimately Kitty and Dr. Fane would realize that their petty arguments shouldn’t matter in the face of certain death. This sounds way more interesting than what this film portrayed.
I probably wouldn’t watch this film again, though I may read the novel out of curiosity. Overall, the film’s story just gets old and by the time the audience is meant to care about the couple finally reuniting, I find that I truly don’t.
Rank: 2.5 out of 5 stars
These are just some of the films I have been watching lately. None of them were truly fantastic, but I felt it necessary to give each of them a chance. My next post will definitely feature more movies that I would highly recommend watching. Thanks for reading!
Despite owning hundreds of movies, I always find myself watching the same ones over and over again. Naturally, I am quite a nostalgic and sentimental person, so a lot of my favorite films are my favorite because they evoke a lot of good memories for me. Even though I enjoy exploring different genres and films, whenever I am feeling down, I always find myself gravitating towards one of my “comfort” films; much like food, these movies always have the ability to make me feel better no matter what. I have compiled a list of 4 of my all time favorite comfort films to share with you and to also give a better sense of what my taste in films is.
#1: The Trip
Starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. Directed by Michael Winterbottom. (2010)
This film is basically a mockumentary in which Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play themselves, though probably exaggerated versions of themselves, and embark on a road trip through the north of England, sampling restaurants and historical sites along the way. Despite the simple premise, the film is full of unexpected complexities. Throughout the film the characters have an ongoing conversation about success and fame and what it means to each of them, as well as giving a unique perspective on friendship, and delving into what it means to be happy. To break up these deep concepts, the main characters are constantly joking around and enjoy a hilarious, yet self-deprecating banter throughout the film, as well as demonstrating their spot on impressions of Michael Caine, Al Pacino, and Anthony Hopkins to name just a few.
As well as being funny and inventive, this film also features gorgeous scenes of the Lake District in Northern England. In almost every take, the surrounding landscape and scenery is used and gives the film even more of an edge. I find that the beauty and greatness of the mountains and sweeping landscapes only adds to the complexity of the film. Throughout the film Steve and Rob continually spar over their own fame and their work, but these wide shots of the beautiful scenery only make these arguments all the more trivial and petty, which again, adds to the persona of the film; worldly possessions and fame really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.
This film is one of my favorite comfort films simply because it reminds me so much of England. As a self-professed anglophile, and as someone who has visited England many times, the scenery, the pop culture references, and the overall style of humor really makes me miss my time in England. Despite the complexities of this film, overall it is quite hilarious and never fails to put a smile on my face, no matter what my mood may be. Truly, I find that it is a great film as well as being an endearing and realistic look at both friendship and life itself.
#2: Pride and Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Directed by Joe Wright. (2005)
Pride and Prejudice, as everyone probably knows, is a novel written by Jane Austen that has been adapted into many movies and television series over the years. The story, if anyone is unfamiliar, centers on the life of Elizabeth Bennett and her family who cross paths with a much wealthier Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Despite not getting along with each other at first, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy eventually marry and live happily ever after. In being reduced to just a few sentences, the plot of this story comes across as being pretty sappy and predictable, but actually both the text and the 2005 version of the film, I find, are quite the opposite.
I first came across this film on television quite some time ago and initially thought it was quite good. Soon it was played a lot on the Oxygen channel for some reason, as the channel itself usually airs programs that are quite the opposite of the beauty and class exuded by Pride and Prejudice, but nevertheless I found myself watching this film whenever it aired on television, and quite quickly I became hooked. After watching this film so many times, I have realized that not only do I love the actual story, but the scenery used in the film as well. To put it simply, this film is absolutely stunning. Even if the story or acting itself were terrible, which it isn’t, I would still watch this movie simply because it’s beautiful.
The chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen, who play Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, is enchanting and adds even more of an edge to this film. Their love and fixation with each other, as well as their seeming mutual dislike for each other in the beginning of the movie makes this story seem all the more believable; nothing feels forced or artificial, but exceedingly realistic.
Despite taking place in the 19th century, the dialogue in this film feels slightly modern and is not weighed down by any stuffy phrases or verbiage. Basically, the entire film feels like a modern re-telling of a classic tale, while the images playing out upon the screen looks to be in perfect keeping with the time period.
This film in particular is one of my favorite comfort films because every minute of it is beautiful. Every scene, whether indoors or out seems to be both meticulously and unintentionally stunning. Any still frame from this movie could easily be painted and made into a work of art, seriously.
I find that the beauty alone distracts me from whatever stress or sadness I may be feeling and transports me to the English countryside, which I am ever so fond of. The love story that takes center stage in this movie is also quite touching, I have always loved this scene in particular.
For these reasons and more, are why I could probably watch this film almost every single day.
#3: Trainspotting
Starring Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle. Directed by Danny Boyle. (1996)
Trainspotting, based on the book by Irvine Welsh, revolves around the lives of a group of friends in Edinburgh in the 1990s, and their addictions, most notably, heroin. Though the film focuses on quite a few characters, the protagonist of the tale is Mark Renton. Compared to his friends, Mark has a different understanding of addiction, heroin, and life itself, and, decidedly, chooses to act out against everything he’s ever known to create a new life for himself. All in all, it’s a story rife with hilarity, tremendous sadness, and a surprising clarity towards life.
This film may seem like an odd choice for a comfort film, but I have my reasons. My love of this film stems, originally, from the text. Initially, I found the book quite a challenging read because it’s written entirely in the Scottish accent, but I soon became hooked. Once I finished the book, I watched the film and found that I loved it, despite its clear differences from Welsh’s work, but I now look at the text and the film as two separate entities. During my junior year of college, I had a very hard time adjusting to campus life and school, so I quickly found refuge in both the text and the film during these times of darkness. They each gave me hope for the future, as Mark was able to overcome the obstacles of his life and start over, which is why I find myself so drawn to the story.
Truly, there are many reasons as to why I love this film so much, but I think the main reason is that it is just so completely fucked up, to the point that it’s just plain intriguing. In one scene Mark and his friend, Sick Boy, shoot a dog with an air rifle so that it attacks its owner, in another a baby dies from SIDS, and then in another scene Mark finds that he has slept with a 14-year-old, unbeknownst to him. It’s just shock after shock, and depravity at its finest, but I somehow find myself unable to be disgusted from it. I find that within these many depravities and the overall perversity, there is such depth to this story and the characters, and all of these transgressions just act as mechanisms that further the story and the ongoing change that is happening within each character.
The way in which this film is directed, is completely genius. Danny Boyle truly encapsulates Irvine Welsh’s work in such interesting ways which gives this movie such an originality, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. A great example of this creative license is in the scene where Mark overdoses.
The way in which Mark sinks into the carpet and Boyle then films Mark’s point of view from inside the carpet is so inventive, as if, within his current state, he has turned to nothingness and is devoid of any sort of feeling or thought and just dissolves into the carpet. Such clever directing makes this film a treat to watch.
In spite of the gritty source material and the overall theme of the story, the cinematography is also something to marvel at as well. Though this film isn’t beautiful in the conventional sense, like Pride and Prejudice, there are many scenes which beauty can be found.
In such simple scenes as these, it just goes to show that beauty can really be found in the ugliest of places.
Overall, this film is a comfort film for me because the story is so compelling. Each and every character is so unique and has so many problems, yet despite this, they can still be happy. The Scottish accent and the slang as well is always fun to listen to, as I’ve never seen a film shot entirely in Scotland with all Scottish actors before. I also just love how grimy and disgusting most of the film is. It’s so completely out of the context of my own life, yet I find myself so intrigued by the way in which all of these characters live and the horrible things that they do. Above all though, the last scene of the film is probably my favorite part of the entire film.
In this scene, Mark finally decides to break the cycle, and, in turn, be a terrible person for the very last time to further his own life, and it’s fantastic. This scene always gives me chills! The music, the way in which Spud pleads with Renton before he leaves, Renton’s last speech, and just the fact that he left Spud’s share of the money behind for him, giving the audience a small glimmer of the kindness that has always been inside Renton, and the change that is to come for him as a person just really makes this movie. And finally, the scene where Mark crosses the Waterloo Bridge in London is so metaphorical it’s outstanding. He’s both literally and figuratively crossing a bridge into his own future, while simultaneously burning bridges with all of his friends. It’s clever film making like that that truly makes me appreciate films and what they can teach us, and that is why I never get tired of watching this film.
#4: Spirited Away
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. (2001)
Spirited Away is the story of a young girl named Chihiro who is upset about having to move to a new home. When her parents decide to take a short cut while driving to their new house, they stumble upon what they believe to be an abandoned theme park, but soon they find that this is not the case, and all sorts of madness and magic ensue. By the end of this tale, Chihiro becomes much more independent, mature, and ready to move.
This movie is one of my all time favorite films for many reasons. First and foremost, my attachment to this film stems all the way back to 2005/2006. Back then, my brothers and I were very close to my cousins and we would always sleep over their house which was great. At night, my eldest cousin and I would stay up late and watch anime on Cartoon Network, shows like Naruto, One Piece, Full Metal Alchemist, and Shin Chan, and, occasionally, Spirited Away, when Cartoon Network used to air it. These were some of the best times of my life. I was still relatively young and naive and this was before everything in my life began to change. Whenever I watch this film now as an adult, I am instantly reminded of the good times I had with my family and the overall simplicity of life that I was fortunate enough to enjoy back then.
For me, this movie is a comfort film because of how beautiful it is, a common theme in this blog post. The animation and the colors are all absolutely stunning. Everything is so rich in detail and saturation, it’s like watching 2 straight hours of artwork.
The creativity and originality displayed throughout the entire film is quite extraordinary as well. The creatures and the characters that are featured throughout the film, particularly No Face and what he is surprisingly capable of is great to watch. Never before have I seen a film such as this.
What I love most about this film is the great lengths that Miyazaki went to tell such a simple tale. The entire movie is really a a metaphor for growing up and all the crazy scenarios that Chihiro is put through is to remind the audience that obstacles and hard times are imperative to growth and understanding. This story could have been told in such a typical way, but by opting for something completely unconventional, Miyazaki makes us forget that this film is teaching us all valuable lessons and instead transports us to this mythical, magical, Japanese bath house.
This is a film that I could watch all of the time, simply for its stunning animation and story. I love that this film reminds me so much of my own childhood, but I also find myself watching this movie a lot for other reasons too. The more I watch it, the more I am able to come to different conclusions about characters, scenes, or metaphors. This movie is really a cinematic masterpiece, story wise and animation wise, and I implore everyone to watch it.
This concludes my long-winded list of my favorite comfort films. I hope that this list may give you a glimpse into how varied my taste in movies is and what I pay attention to most while watching a film. If you have any suggestions or if you want to share what your most beloved comfort films are, let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for film. As a young girl I grew up watching classic musicals with my grandparents and became completely obsessed with all of the songs and dances. In middle school, I began watching Bollywood films and was entranced by the many songs and dance numbers, as well as the language and the many turns one 3 and 1/2 hour film could take. Now, as an adult, I find my taste in movies transcends all genres, in short, I love all kinds of films.
There are many factors that lend to my passion for films. I truly love how much one can learn about culture, history, and even people through film. The knowledge that can be attained through watching films is invaluable, and the way in which films can broaden even the narrowest of minds, is truly amazing. What really drives my passion though, is a film’s ability to completely immerse me into its story. No matter how terrible my day may be going or what kind of stressful thoughts may be plaguing my brain, once I watch a movie, I find that I forget all of my troubles and that I become fully engrossed with the tale that is unfolding on the screen. That, to me, is what all great films are capable of and really, that is one of their main purposes. The audience should be swept up in the events happening on the screen and should be able to imagine themselves leading a life so completely out of the context of their own. A great film should make your dreams seem all the more attainable.
Overall, I wish to share and discuss my love of films with like-minded individuals through this blog. Even though it’s fun to watch and obsess over movies on your own, being able to share that passion and excitement with others is even better. Enjoy!
All About Film 