It was good to be back in routine for our August class.
Films discussed this month are:
Materialist: A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. This was expected to be an American Rom-com, but it was not how it turned out. There were some humorous moments, but it was more a depiction of the life of rich and privileged in New York society, treating marriage as a transaction. The acting was variable with characters underdeveloped. It did provide an insight into a different world. It was rated it as 3/5.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps: A Marvel action movie. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. A bit slow in places, but the main message was around preserving family. This was rated as 2.5/5.
Four Letters of Love: Based on Niall Williams' best-selling novel. Nicholas and Isabel were made for each other, but how will they ever know it? As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart. Some excellent cinematography as well as a picture of the life on an island off the west coast of Ireland. The ghost is not a spectre haunting, rather a deceased father assisting his son. There are some big names (Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter), but it is more about the life of Nicholas and Isabel, played by Fionn O'Shea and Ann Skelly. This was rated as 3.5/5
Small Things Like These: In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own. It was slow paced, which suited the story. It shows a dark and bleak Ireland, using atmospheric cinematography. The acting was brilliant, with powerful performances relying on facial expressions and body language rather than dialogue. This was rated as 4/5.
Wilding: This is a documentary around a dying landscape that is healed against all odds, going on to thrive in astonishing ways. It showed how a young couple encourage the landscape back to its original glory. This was rated as 4/5.
Salt Path: A couple lose their home and later discover the husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness as they embark on a year-long coastal trek around Devon and Cornwall. It is based on the book written by the wife of the trials and healing along the way. One class member was disappointed that there was not enough of the scenery, with the focus more on the couple and their interactions with others along the way. Still, the film was rated as 4/5.
Coming soon are the final “Downton Abbey” (early September) and “Mr Burton”, a biopic around the life of Richard Burton (28 August).
Joy Shirley
Films discussed this month are:
Materialist: A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. This was expected to be an American Rom-com, but it was not how it turned out. There were some humorous moments, but it was more a depiction of the life of rich and privileged in New York society, treating marriage as a transaction. The acting was variable with characters underdeveloped. It did provide an insight into a different world. It was rated it as 3/5.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps: A Marvel action movie. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. A bit slow in places, but the main message was around preserving family. This was rated as 2.5/5.
Four Letters of Love: Based on Niall Williams' best-selling novel. Nicholas and Isabel were made for each other, but how will they ever know it? As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart. Some excellent cinematography as well as a picture of the life on an island off the west coast of Ireland. The ghost is not a spectre haunting, rather a deceased father assisting his son. There are some big names (Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter), but it is more about the life of Nicholas and Isabel, played by Fionn O'Shea and Ann Skelly. This was rated as 3.5/5
Small Things Like These: In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own. It was slow paced, which suited the story. It shows a dark and bleak Ireland, using atmospheric cinematography. The acting was brilliant, with powerful performances relying on facial expressions and body language rather than dialogue. This was rated as 4/5.
Wilding: This is a documentary around a dying landscape that is healed against all odds, going on to thrive in astonishing ways. It showed how a young couple encourage the landscape back to its original glory. This was rated as 4/5.
Salt Path: A couple lose their home and later discover the husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness as they embark on a year-long coastal trek around Devon and Cornwall. It is based on the book written by the wife of the trials and healing along the way. One class member was disappointed that there was not enough of the scenery, with the focus more on the couple and their interactions with others along the way. Still, the film was rated as 4/5.
Coming soon are the final “Downton Abbey” (early September) and “Mr Burton”, a biopic around the life of Richard Burton (28 August).
Joy Shirley
