Solo Cinema Outings

Whenever I tell people I go to the cinema by myself, 99% of the time I encounter one of two reactions.
Reaction a) "Oh my goodness, that's brave I could never do that. I wish I could but I just couldn't"
Reaction b) "Oh wow... good for you" *as a look of pity at my singleness crosses their face*
1% of the time I meet people who also share my solo cinema passion!

Today was one of those days. I was supposed to go with a friend but they cancelled and I went anyway. Last week I went to see Oz the Great and Powerful on my own and today I did the same thing. I went to see Welcome to the Punch, an action thrilled directed by Eran Creevy.

#12 Welcome to the Punch

Set in London and starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong and Andrea Riseborough this film was exactly what British action thriller cinema needed. The screenplay was good, the twist was well hidden and the filming was new and original. There were a lot of very clever shots and angles; this gave the film a Hollywood feel without the Die Hard/Bourne style FX and unrealistic action. The film was gritty, well paced and enjoyable. I'd say it's worth a watch and give it 4/5 stars.

If you've never been to the cinema on your own before I would seriously recommend it. I especially love going to see films like this (Cert 15) on Saturday mornings because you often have the cinema practically to yourself, or like me this morning, a personal screening!! Also on Saturday mornings in Moviehouse Cityside (don't know about the others) it's only £3 before 12!

Park It!

#8 Parked

#8 Parked: My sister loves Colin Morgan... she's a little obsessed, so she was happy enough to force me to watch this for what was her 3rd and my 1st time!

It's slow... like a lot of indie dramas tend to be, but this lacked the sparkle that makes slow special! It's definitely near the bottom of my top low budget Irish films list... i've seen around 4!
Morgan gives an excellent performance and the characters are pretty well developed, but the pace just killed it for me.



Film: Parked
Director: Darragh Byrne
Released: 2010
Watched at: Broadroad Lodge (The Parents' House)
**/*****

Enough films for a short film festival!

I'm going to need to make a habit of blogging my films immediately after I see them, or this year is going to be quite unsuccessful!
Last week I watched 4 films, and this week, owing to a family tragedy I have spent a lot of time in the house with my cousins needing some light entertainment, explaining films number 6 and 7!

#2 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof:  This screen adaptation of Tennessee Williams' hit stage play features Elizabeth Taylor with an immensely skinny waist and dresses to make any girl jealous. This is the first 'old' film I think I've watched on purpose. And I must admit I quite enjoyed it.

#2 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Film: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Director: Richard Brooks
Released: Sept 1958
Watched at: Home
***/*****





#3 Charlie Wilson's War: I honestly have no idea what to say about this. I was bored from start to finish; its only saving grace was the fact that it was only 97 minutes long! I'm not opposed to political films, in fact I quite like them, but I found this slow and clumpy. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts just didn't do it for me!

#3 Charlie Wilson's War

Film: Charlie Wilson's War
Director: Mike Nichols
Released: 2007
Watched at: Home
*/*****










#4 The Great Gatsby: One of my favourite books of all time, so it's a surprise I haven't actually seen this before. Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in all their beauty do a good job at portraying the hopelessly obsessed Jay Gatsby and the beautiful but unhappy Daisy Buchanan. The glamour and lose morals of the extravagant 20's and 30's. Very true to the book, which at times was to its detriment as the story was dragged out at points. Overall an enjoyable watch and left me very much looking forward to Baz Luhrman's offering later this year.

#4 The Great Gatsby

Film: The Great Gatsby
Director: Jack Clayton
Released: 1974
Watched at: Home
***/*****







#5 The Dungeon Masters: I do love a weird documentary and they don't get much weirder than this one! The film follows a number of 'gamers' as they play Dungeons and Dragons, a popular strategic RPG (Role Play Game) It looks at how they cope as their fantasy lives clash with the real world. Slow in places, this documentary lacks the compelling narrative that other documentaries of this nature need. But overall and interesting look into this strange world.

#5 The Dungeon Masters

Film: The Dungeon Masters
Director: Kevin McAlester
Released: 2008
Watched at: Home
**/*****








#6 My Big Fat Greek Wedding: A firm favourite of mine, it's a bit like a big tub of Ben and Jerry's and a class of Coke- ultimate comfort viewing! The sugary sweet and predictable narrative always makes me laugh and the Greek family reminds me a lot of my own crazy extended family, living in each other's pockets and sharing all elements of our lives. A 4* rating from me :)

#6 My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Director: Joel Zwick
Released: 2002
Watched at: Pancake House
****/*****








#7 RV- Runaway Vacation: Robin Williams stars in this silly family comedy. 'Peeta' from the Hunger Games and 'JoJo' of noughties pop fame play Williams' disconnected kids. Familiar faces also pop up in the form of 'Spencer' from Criminal Minds and 'Annabeth Schott' from the West Wing. This silly, slapstick comedy had us in stitches- exactly what we needed this week. But no amount of tragedy could convince me to give me this film more than 2 stars!

#7 RV- Runaway Vacation

Film: RV- Runaway Vacation
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Released: 2006
Watched at: Pancake House
**/*****