A small number of films discussed this month, screened both at Benalla Cinema and Swanpool.
The Invite: This was discussed again with it being seen by another member of the class with a consistent valuation of the film. On the surface it could be seen as a light comedy, but it was more than that. It was a rollercoaster trip for the two couples involved. The ending was good, open to interpretation. The four main characters are all well-acted. Cinematography was clever, with the use of windows being shown in part as framed photos. Rated as 3.5/5.
One Night Only: A silly hypothesis with single people allowed only 12 hours on one day of the year to have sex. The two main characters are instead looking for a longer term committed relationship. There was too much slapstick. Not a great film, it is very light, only slightly entertaining. Rated it as 2.0-2.5/5.
Holy Days: A grieving boy in search of heaven to be with his mother, three odd nuns on a mission to save their convent, all wrapped around a road trip in New Zealand. Some of the humour was really silly rather than entertaining. The cinematography was a little disappointing with not as much of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery as would have been appreciated. On the other side, an interesting approach to covering the length of the trip using stop motion technology to depict the travel. A healing message did make up the storyline which saved the film from being a total waste. Rated it as 3.0/5.
Spa Weekend: Three friends go on a spa weekend that descends into chaos with a fourth friend joining the trio. It was not a great film, but if looking for entertaining escapist slapstick comedy, it meets criteria. There is an underling message about different types of friendship which almost saves the film. Rated it as 2.5/5.
The Christophers (Swanpool): The children of a once famous artist hire a forger to complete some unfinished, long ago abandoned canvases so they'll have an inheritance when he dies. This was a good film, with everything working well. Ian McKellen as the elderly artist was extremely good as is expected. An interesting film with good cinematography. Rated it as 4.0/5.
The Invite: This was discussed again with it being seen by another member of the class with a consistent valuation of the film. On the surface it could be seen as a light comedy, but it was more than that. It was a rollercoaster trip for the two couples involved. The ending was good, open to interpretation. The four main characters are all well-acted. Cinematography was clever, with the use of windows being shown in part as framed photos. Rated as 3.5/5.
One Night Only: A silly hypothesis with single people allowed only 12 hours on one day of the year to have sex. The two main characters are instead looking for a longer term committed relationship. There was too much slapstick. Not a great film, it is very light, only slightly entertaining. Rated it as 2.0-2.5/5.
Holy Days: A grieving boy in search of heaven to be with his mother, three odd nuns on a mission to save their convent, all wrapped around a road trip in New Zealand. Some of the humour was really silly rather than entertaining. The cinematography was a little disappointing with not as much of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery as would have been appreciated. On the other side, an interesting approach to covering the length of the trip using stop motion technology to depict the travel. A healing message did make up the storyline which saved the film from being a total waste. Rated it as 3.0/5.
Spa Weekend: Three friends go on a spa weekend that descends into chaos with a fourth friend joining the trio. It was not a great film, but if looking for entertaining escapist slapstick comedy, it meets criteria. There is an underling message about different types of friendship which almost saves the film. Rated it as 2.5/5.
The Christophers (Swanpool): The children of a once famous artist hire a forger to complete some unfinished, long ago abandoned canvases so they'll have an inheritance when he dies. This was a good film, with everything working well. Ian McKellen as the elderly artist was extremely good as is expected. An interesting film with good cinematography. Rated it as 4.0/5.
