One Day vs One Fail

So today I watched 'One Day' a film I've been higly anticipating having read the novel. Although I'm weary of films adapted from novels I decided to put aside all most of my sceptism this time round... be entertained or offended


Film: ONE DAY 


Director: Lone Scherfig


Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess and Patricia Clarkson 


The first thing you should know about 'One Day' is that it's adapted from not just any novel, but from a brilliant and complete one, one whose characters and experiences are so authentic that the reader cannot help but identify with them. That said, a film adaptation would have so much to work with and there is so much within the novel that would make for fantastic cinema. This film however, fails not only to reach, but to realise it's potential. I should start by saying it is not a disaster, and in fact there are many good elements in the film. Hathaway for starters is not as dreadful as I'd anticipated and although hers is the least compelling performance, she's OK (I will refrain from discussing her accent) . Furthermore, Hathaway and Sturgess have good chemistry which is a relief, and although I doubt this film will receive much acclamation or award, it might receive a compensatory popcorn statuate for 'Best Kiss'. The film is also extremely historically and culturaly precise, which is refreshing and adds charm. Prior knowledge of the novel proved to be a double edged sword because the film failed to meet my somewhat high expectations yet in many ways I found myself excusing a lot of it's shortcomings by filling in the various clefts with what I already knew  and loved from the book. I felt particularly, that this film didnt quite capture the intensity of Dexter's love for Emma and instead rushed through the years leaving no time for the audience to truly connect with the characters, making the ending less devastatin. Note to Directors: when making a film, especially one adapted from a novel,allow it ample time! If  the film needs three hours to fully capture its essence, GIVE IT THREE HOURS. The end of the film was perhaps its best aspect, the final scene between Dexter and Emma was a brief but poignant example of what the rest of the film should and could have been. Overall, I'd call 'One Day' a hit and miss 

Ghastly vs Beastly

Below are my ruminations on the 'film' Beastly that I watched on May 1st 2011 . It's not so much of a 'review' however, than a description of a disaster  that I was unfortunate enough to witness... nevertheless... be entertained or offended...

Film: BEASTLY 

Director: Daniel Barnz

Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Awful Anne Hudgens and Mary-Kate Olsen 

BEASTLY is undoubtedly one of the worst things to happen, EVER. It is so colossal it manages to take away from all of the recent natural disasters and civil wars around the world, and so revolting it had me eating my popcorn rapidly just so I would have something to disgorge. Vanessa Hudgens is the worst not just at acting but at life itself, she exhales her way through the film like a dying animal but much to my chagrin doesn't actually die. The acting is so poor that it seems almost deliberate and halfway throughout the film you feel as though you've been let in on a joke. I don't know whether this film should fall under the category of tragedy, comedy or HORROR. In fact it's films like this that make me believe Hollywood should declare a new genre called "fail". What is meant to the "redeeming" factor of the film (Alex Pettyfer) is taken away as he looks like graffiti for the majority of the train wreck. The films catchphrase is "embrace the suck" and it does just that. It embraces every bit of its dreadfulness. This film should have been titled "Ghastly"

Opening Credits

This 'blog' will consist of my various ruminations on cinema: old, new and pending. I cannot promise consistency or censorship, just my unalloyed assesment.  I cannot promise to be kind in my 'criticism' especially in an age where the screen is not so silver. I will however, give credit where it's due, and abuse where it's provoked. I hope you find this entertaining or offensive! You don't have to agree but if you do then I applaud your taste....

ACTION