We are getting better at rating the films on areas other than preferred genre and liking of the film. An example is “The Materialist” which one member caught up on and rated as 4/5 based on the way it was filmed and the cinematography and colours of New York.
The standout this month was “Mr Burton”. This is the story of Philip Burton, who mentored and then adopted Richard Burton. It is set in Wales in the 1930s and shows the poverty and culture of the area (and era). The performances were excellent. Harry Lawtey, who played Richard Jenkins/Burton, was amazing.
During the film his facial expressions and body language changed from a 16-year-old wild schoolboy to a more mature adult. We rated the film as 4/5 and would recommend this to anyone interested in biographical drama.
The Penguin Lessons: One member of the class was able to catch up on this film. They found it entertaining, and humorously droll. The penguin was great – a real penguin/s was used in the film. This was rated as 3.5/5.
Tina: A Samoan woman, grieving her daughter's death in the Christchurch quakes, becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school. She discovers students lacking guidance and care, prompting her to provide inspiration and support. She started a choir, working to make them into a group rather individuals. The choir ended up winning awards. This is a New Zealand film with insights into the treatment of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. The colours of the Samoan teacher stood out against the sedate colours of those around her. It was rated as 4/5.
The Friend: When a solitary writer, iris, adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life. It is a complex film around grief and understanding. There were many different minor relationships, but the main one was between Iris and the dog. Her apartment was small, the dog huge, no dogs allowed. These led to some humorous scenes as well as drama as Iris fought first to find a home for the dog, then a way to keep him without being evicted from her apartment. An entertaining and 'feel good' film. This was rated as 3.5/5.
Other films briefly discussed are:
Nobody 2, based in the adventures of former assassin, rated as 3/5, mainly because of some of the performance. Otherwise not an outstanding film.
Weapons, a psychological horror film where all but one child from a class disappears. This was rated as 2.5/5
The Naked Gun, a sequel/re-make of the Naked Gun series. The humour was disappointing and only rated as 2.5/5.
By the time this is read, the final “Downton Abbey” film will be screening. This has been keenly awaited by many, and worth seeing for others who can enjoy the costuming and history of the 1939’s
Joy Shirley
The standout this month was “Mr Burton”. This is the story of Philip Burton, who mentored and then adopted Richard Burton. It is set in Wales in the 1930s and shows the poverty and culture of the area (and era). The performances were excellent. Harry Lawtey, who played Richard Jenkins/Burton, was amazing.
During the film his facial expressions and body language changed from a 16-year-old wild schoolboy to a more mature adult. We rated the film as 4/5 and would recommend this to anyone interested in biographical drama.
The Penguin Lessons: One member of the class was able to catch up on this film. They found it entertaining, and humorously droll. The penguin was great – a real penguin/s was used in the film. This was rated as 3.5/5.
Tina: A Samoan woman, grieving her daughter's death in the Christchurch quakes, becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school. She discovers students lacking guidance and care, prompting her to provide inspiration and support. She started a choir, working to make them into a group rather individuals. The choir ended up winning awards. This is a New Zealand film with insights into the treatment of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. The colours of the Samoan teacher stood out against the sedate colours of those around her. It was rated as 4/5.
The Friend: When a solitary writer, iris, adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life. It is a complex film around grief and understanding. There were many different minor relationships, but the main one was between Iris and the dog. Her apartment was small, the dog huge, no dogs allowed. These led to some humorous scenes as well as drama as Iris fought first to find a home for the dog, then a way to keep him without being evicted from her apartment. An entertaining and 'feel good' film. This was rated as 3.5/5.
Other films briefly discussed are:
Nobody 2, based in the adventures of former assassin, rated as 3/5, mainly because of some of the performance. Otherwise not an outstanding film.
Weapons, a psychological horror film where all but one child from a class disappears. This was rated as 2.5/5
The Naked Gun, a sequel/re-make of the Naked Gun series. The humour was disappointing and only rated as 2.5/5.
By the time this is read, the final “Downton Abbey” film will be screening. This has been keenly awaited by many, and worth seeing for others who can enjoy the costuming and history of the 1939’s
Joy Shirley
