Film Reviews…
FILM REVIEW FRIDAY
THE GREY
Were it not for Liam Neeson, The Grey, would have been pretty awful; like thumbs down, giggling in disbelief, awful. But, since he’s such a mighty man, he was able to carry the whole movie on his capable shoulders (picture Atlas) and make it seem okay. If you look up the definition of ‘Man’ in your dictionary you’ll see a picture of Liam Neeson in all his glory, his soulful face staring back at you. Let’s just say that if I had to be stuck in the Alaskan Wilderness with packs of wolves nipping at my heels, he would be my first pick for a lover companion.
"Man is in the forest." - Bambi's Mother
There were two problems with the film. One, the wolves look like giant monsters from a sci-fi fairy tale, glowing eyes and all. Two, and how can I put this gently… the other actors sucked. They were supposed to be an unruly group of oil drilling men, rough necks, if you will. But, more than anything, they were cliche and just annoying.
See it if you love Liam Neeson and would like to imagine him protecting you from wolves in the harsh elements of the Tundra. Don’t see it if you frequently travel by plane or if you are afraid of computer generated wolves. (C-)
THE ARTIST
See it if you think you’d enjoy a good old fashion 1920’s-30’s silent movie featuring the cutest dog ever. Don’t see it if you think silence is something other than golden. (A)
I LOVE this dog!
Hardened criminals? I thought they were just an oil drilling team? I went out for food at one point.. did I miss this? 🙂
Maybe not hardened…? I thought that was part of the premise, though? One of the characters did say something about that being the reason why there would be no rescue plane coming for them? Perhaps I misunderstood? I must have drifted off or maybe I was under Liam Neeson’s spell. I can always edit! ha!
Yes, you’re right. The synopsis describes them as “Unruly” and “Rough necks.” I better fix that! Thanks! (Maybe it would have been better if they were a little more hardened? Ha!)
I’m not really the picky type – I have a pet hate for people that correct things on other peoples sites, especially grammar! But I only saw this movie a few hours ago and missed a good 15 minute chunk while the genius at the food til counted my popcorn into the box piece by piece – genuinely thought I’d missed something important.
I thought the film was okay, Liam carried it really, although I loved the poem 😀
I totally agree with you! The poem was a great emotional chord to play. His character was developed but the other’s ended up being fairly cliche. Very predictable. I just wish the wolves and sound effects were a little more toned down, for realism sake!
About the popcorn…haha! Don’t those concession people understand that you’re missing the movie?
I think I was watching it when you were. I went to the 1:50 show.
What did you think of the Silent House Preview? (was that the name of it?)
Hmmm what do you look like? maybe I was in the same row? 😛 I suspect we are in different countries – I saw the 6:50 showing.
I’ve seen the Silent House preview – It looks good 🙂
Haha! I’m in Illinois. I just assumed you were in the USA? Sorry!
Yeah, I thought Silent House looked pretty creepy.
Wouldn’t even be able to point Illinois out on a map, I’m in England, UK 🙂
Funny, I don’t detect an accent! haha! I spend a lot of time in England. Both of my children attended school in Canterbury. (Lily in Canada is my daughter.) Anyway, the people whose blogs I follow from England can’t seem to hide their English phrases and such. But with you, it’s not apparent.
What part of England?
I’m afraid of “The Artist” and I’m trying to understand why. Silence is golden. But, I feel that “The Artist” is way to minimalist for me and therefore a film that is trying too hard. True? False? Revisiting your waiting room blog, I was in the waiting room of a dentist’s office the other day and they had a silent film going on the TV. Everyone, but me, was laughing. I looked around the room and there were at least three generations fixed to the TV. That’s how I spell unity.
“The Grey” just might be too Sci-Fi for me.
I think you would enjoy The Artist. It’s really well done and it doesn’t take long to get into it. I had the same fears, thought I’d be bored, etc. It’s not so minimalist. Give it a try. I liked it.
The Grey is just too cliche as a survivor type film. Definitely not worth the trip. Unless you love Mr. Liam Neeson, as I do. ; )
Thanks for the heads up. on the movie. I like Liam Neeson, but the previews looked strange. Except for Liam, the other guys seemed pitiful. The wolves looked huge, and black. I never saw wolves like that. The previews always show Liam looking at a woman’s picture. She must be one heck of a womam to fight so hard to get back to.
Yeah, it’s pretty lame and predictable. It just follows the usual “survivor” plot. Those men get picked off one by one by wolves so you lose interest. I mean, how many ways can you make that interesting? And the woman is just a 2 second clip that they play over and over. Boring.
I can’t fault Liam Neeson with anything except for choosing a bad script.
I may well enjoy The Artist but the fact it is is black and white puts me off for whatever reason.
I don’t mind Liam Neeson actually. He was good in Taken but a bit guff in Star Wars. But then all the jedis are rubbish all the Star Wars films.
Apparently he has a massive willy.
Funny, when I was writing about The Artist I thought about you and that you might not like it.
I can’t even look at Liam Neeson in that ridiculous Star Wars get up with the pony tail. Ugh. I loved him in Taken but my absolute favorite is Rob Roy.
I’m so glad you shared that piece of information with me, if I ever meet him, we’ll have something to talk about. : )
Ha! I am clearly getting too predictable.
It was the same with Schindlers List and the German film Downfall. Although I enjoyed both films when I eventually watched them, the fact that they were black and white or had subtitles was a reason for me not to watch them.
There are a huge number of different films for me to watch at any one time so I will make various arbitrary reasons to exclude some films to make the choice easier.
I can actually be the same way. I have to push myself to see films that falls out of the ‘normal’ movie going experience. If something has AMAZING reviews then I know I’ll eventually drag myself to the theatre to see it. It’s just a matter of time.
I waited a long time to see Avatar because I thought it looked too goofy with the blue people, etc. Then I saw it and really had fun.
I don’t think I could see a silent film. A movie where there isn’t much talking like 2001: A Space Odyssey, sure. They have the technology to make films that are “talkies” as they first called them. If you have the technology you should use it. What would have happened if we didn’t use the technology to rebuild the Million Dollar Man Steve Austin? We’d probably have a lot more terrorists running around that’s what.
Haha! Steve Austin!
Actually it’s not “silent” because there’s music… It’s romantic so I think you might like it? (You’re a romantic under all your neurosis, in case you didn’t think I knew.) wink.
Hmmm I don’t like a straight up romantic film. As a hidden story, sure. Have the love be the drive that causes everything to happen. I get a little too nutty without hearing voices for a while. I’d need to make sure there were some loud people in the theater shouting at the screen to keep sane.
It’s really about someone’s fall from grace. The main character is a popular actor of the silent film, a real ham, full of pride and thinks he’s untouchable. He’s the Brad Pitt or George Clooney of his day. Then, silent films fall by the wayside and he’s washed up. He literally tries to end his life. That’s the main story. Obviously someone steps in to save him…
I guess after that little synopsis you don’t need to see it! hahahaha!
This makes me want to see The Artist! The dog was the only one at the Golden Globes that I actually liked.
Liam Neeson is cute, but not really my type. He’s getting old..and GREY. You should watch Love Actually because he’s in it…and Alan Rickman…and Hugh Grant!
Okay, I’ll give it another go.
Maybe you need to watch Rob Roy again, the younger Liam, to appreciate his manliness.
I drift around a bit, at the moment I’m in East Anglia (Norfolk / Suffolk). I’m afraid I have a very Kings English accent, a little softer than the TV stereotypes, but only just ha!
My brother in-law was from Cornwall and he, too, had a very soft, barely detectable accent. When I visit, usually London, I find there’s less of the King’s English and more of the other?
I’m actually surprised by how many British bloggers there are? I seem to attract or am attracted to that English sense of humor. : )