A Year Unlimited

Clearly we bit off more than we could chew. If seeing films and blogging were our career, we'd have had no issues. Our commitment to viewing films out weighed our commitment to writing about them unfortunately, but we thought it might be nice to end the year with some lists of the films that we most/least enjoyed. 1st category-  Films we wouldn't see again if you paid us In no particular order Aquaman Shazam All is True If Beale Street Could Talk 2nd Category-  Films that should have been better In no particular order The Mule Last Christmas Ugly Dolls Stan and Ollie Ready or Not Child's Play Dumbo IT chapter 1&2 Scary Stories (to Tell in the Dark) A Million Little Pieces The Current War Doctor Sleep Red Joan Pet Sematary What Men Want Escape Room Aladdin Us Midsommer Black Christmas Ordinary Love Frozen 2 All had great potential but we felt they missed the mark  3rd Category- Great Films In no particular order The Upside Fighting with the Family Zombielan...

Dragged Across Concrete was a real slow burn, it was overly long but constantly tense and gripping. We found it highly watchable, and Vince Vaughn and Mel Gibson are a class act together. We had  wondered how easy it would be to take them seriously but it wasn't an issue. There were a few strange details that were obviously oversold, and didn't feel strictly necessary, other than to make us care more, but the fact that we saw through them meant they didn't work, and were too contrived. The dialogue was slow and lingering and although there wasn't constant action some of it was pretty grisly. At times it felt like a cross between Tarantino and the Coens with just a hint of black humour. It was a long film that could have been shorter but it was never boring, just measured and slow. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Dragged Across Concrete  =  9     We really enjoyed it! The card we have is £17.90 per month ...

The kids thoroughly enjoyed Dumbo and to some extent so did we. There were great moments, and there were huge gaps. Most of the characters were flat and underdeveloped or just plain unnecessary, as were parts of the story. There was little satisfaction and the original message seemed lost. The beginning of the film felt warm and familiar/nostalgic and built the expectation but I would have preferred it to have stayed in the old tired circus where there was at least potential for character development. The last third of the film felt like a desperate attempt to build a story but failed miserably, because you never really cared about any of the characters, not even Dumbo. Danny De Vito and Colin Farrell were the stars of the show and there were a few nods to the original movie that were nice but the rest of it felt like watching a slightly boring documentary about an exploited, elephant. Tim Burton should stay away from these remakes. We will give each film we see a score ou...

Us has a really interesting and unusual plot, with lots of twists and turns. It was nice to see the men being dumb and the women being smart and strong and as a horror it did its thing and kept you on the edge of your seat. There was a healthy amount of symbolism and plenty to keep you guessing. It certainly created a lot of discussion between us on the journey home. The effects were great and you had no clue where it was going to take you. In fact, a lot of it seems to be up to the viewer to interpret as there was no real explanation as to what it all meant. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Us  =  7     Interesting and a little different The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214.80. Get yours here→  www.cineworld.co.uk

Shazam! is an absolutely dreadful pile of tosh. The story was poorly thought out and executed and the characters were inconsistent. The effects were everything you expect in this sort of film. The humour was not. We have come to the conclusion at last that these super hero films just aren't for us. In fact we already knew that but the trailer for this one was so misleading that we actually thought it would be amusing. It wasn't, and we didn't give it the satisfaction of even watching it til the end. Rubbish. The trailer made the film look like a deadpool-esque parody of a comic book character. It hinted at humour but this wasn't forthcoming. We felt duped by the trailer which certainly wasn't a true representation of the film. The only redeeming features were the foster parents and we agreed that we would have preferred to see the development of that storyline. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Shazam!  =  2   ...

The King & I  was a recorded live theatre event, and was an engaging and brilliant production. All the characters were expertly portrayed, the sets, the songs and musical production were fantastic. Neither of us had seen the film for many years and neither of us had seen the show before so it was a real nostalgic trip for us, and a lovely reminder of a beautiful story. Apart from perhaps a bit of atmosphere this is such a great way to view a West End production. No travel issues, waiting for trains or inconvenience. Also none of the added issues of travelling to London, parking, dinner out etc..and with an unlimited card there is just a £6.00 surcharge to pay. Well worth it. Thoroughly enjoyable. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. The King and I  =  9     A great way to view a show! The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214.80. Get yours here→  ww...

Eighth Grade is possibly the film that I've told the most people about, and in the most detail. A beautiful study of awkwardness that every female (unless she was one of the cool kids and knew it) will identify with. Unlike similar films it wasn't about finding her peeps so much as finding herself, in a world dominated and often motivated by appearance and assets. Buying into the social media of the time in an effort to make her mark and in some way test her boundaries she gives her Dad the brush off in much the same way that some of her peers treat her. A truly engaging and charming film, beautifully written by Bo Burnham and portrayed by Elsie Fisher that touches your heart. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Eighth Grade  =  10      We loved it! The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214.80. Get yours here→  www.cineworld.co.uk

I'm wandering if my age makes me long to avoid remakes because I hanker after the original. There were parts of Pet Sematary that I liked but there were more parts that I didn't. We disagreed slightly on the quality of this film but did agree that there were changes made that weren't necessary and didn't enhance the film in any way. It did however create lots of atmosphere, with a good amount of jump scares and some pretty good effects. If you've seen the film you already know the story and if you haven't we don't want to spoil it for you. None of the acting was believable and there was no chemistry between the characters, with the exception of course of John Lithgow, heaven knows how he got caught up in it. I will forever question the logic of a family with young children moving to such a location and not making their first priority the building of a bloody great wall! We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Pet...

Wild Rose is a highly entertaining, lively, inspirational tale about a Scottish Mum with criminal tendencies and few maternal urges who has a dream of singing country music at the Grand Ole Oprey. Julie Walters is flawless, as always, as the Mum trying to understand her daughters' often erratic and selfish behaviour. All the other cast members more than pull their weight, but Jessie Buckley in the lead role is pure class. She is very charismatic and natural as an actress and has a perfect voice for country music. She is able to appear bold and unflinching one moment and naive and vulnerable in the next. The moral of the story - be careful what you wish for. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Wild Rose  =  9       Odd choice of music The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214.80. Get yours here→  www.cineworld.co.uk

Mid 90's is a simple story with complex themes, about belonging and acceptance and exploring boundaries, with an authentic soundtrack and some great characters. There are no famous actors (apart from a very understated Lucas Hedges) leading to a really natural feel and filmed beautifully with an expert eye. Along with the surrounding characters you are rooting for the lead from the outset and you gain the same sense of satisfaction as he does from just being with the crowd. The story never goes where you expect it to but leaves you feeling uplifted and fulfilled. Jonah Hill has certainly hit the mark with this gem. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Mid90s  =  10        We loved it! The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214.80. Get yours here→  www.cineworld.co.uk

Julia Roberts proving that she really can act and Lucas Hedges proving that be is wise beyond his years, in a sad take on a Mother's need to protect her child against all sound reasoning and at a cost to the rest of her family and potentially her own well-being. Ben is Back  is a lovely film with sadness and risk running throughout it. Told again from a slightly different angle, but with lots of familiar themes and issues. The mistrust when someone has a history of drug use, the desperate need of a parent to protect and understand their child, especially when their behaviour is alien or out of character. The film mostly documents one night in these peoples lives and the dark turns and lengths they go to, and how decisions they make impact upon each other. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Ben is Back  =  8         No feel good elements which made it hard to enjoy although a very good film. The card...

Instant Family is a genuinely funny and touching movie with real heart, that we felt actually highlighted some real issues. The characters (particularly the parents) were mostly played for laughs, but in between the predictable moments (see screaming toddler and rebellious teen) there were some really tender moments and some laugh out loud moments. A really enjoyable film with believable characters and touching, tender moments. It wasn't a film that we planned on seeing at all, in fact we had mocked the trailer every time we saw it but it happened to fit into our schedule one day and it was a real pleasure. It turns out that the writer/director was inspired by his own experiences adopting three hispanic kids. Perfect film for a relaxed afternoon with the family. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Instant Family  =  7        The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off ...

What Men Want was dreadful. There were a couple of amusing moments, but there was such an overriding stereotypical black snap 'oh no he didn't' vibe that it was difficult to move past that. It felt insulting, particularly to black women. It wasn't supposed to have a lot of depth to it so it cant be criticised for that, but it didn't really have any depth at all. The lead actress was great, if a little over acty but pretty perfect for the role she played and her assistant was also good fun to watch. Because there had been a 'What Women Want' we immediately made comparisons, and the new one certainly didn't live up to our enjoyment of the original. There were tender moments in What Men Want , particularly between the lead character Ali and her Father, and between Ali and her love interest, but on the whole it was pretty disappointing. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. What Men Want =  4        (See above) ...

Fisherman's Friends is yet another true story. The story of a group of Cornish fishermen who are also the local lifeboat crew who are linked by their village, their profession and their love of a sea shanty. A perfect film in so many ways, it highlights the good in people and the camaraderie of people thrown together through good times and bad. The film looks at traditions and friendship and trust, all with the beautiful backdrop of Port Issac and with some stellar performances, and some cracking music. It is most definitely a feel good movie and its impossible not to crack a smile. A great performance by Daniel Mays who provides the link between Cornish life and the Big Smoke and does so with gusto and helps us to really care about these people. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Fisherman's Friends  =  10        The card we have is £17.90 per month for a minimum of 12 months or a one off payment of £214...

The Kindergarten Teacher was the story of a very experienced teacher who had a gifted student in her class and her ill-judged attempts to capitalise on his talent and abilities. It is another film that gently explores not just the central theme of the movie but also the relationships of connecting characters. Maggie Gyllenhaal is great as the films' lead, and she is very believable as slightly dissatisfied with life. She is apparently trying to fill gaps in her life, but it feels like she is going through the motions until she discovers the gifted pupil who becomes her beacon of hope. The film takes a slightly darker turn as she tries to impose her jaded adult concerns on the boy. The film never takes the direction you expect and keeps you guessing right until the end. The performances are sound and the writing and directing are solid. We found it unusual and interesting. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. The Kindergarten Teacher  ...

What They Had offered stellar performances from an experienced cast. Hilary Swank acted with her usual understated competence and it was easy to relate to the characters as there was evident on-screen chemistry between herself and her brother played perfectly by Michael Shannon. The sibling relationship was highly believable and their parents relationship was beautiful, with some really touching and tender moments. The story follows a family facing difficult life decisions and encourages you to consider the impact that their respective decisions will have on them individually and within the wider context of the family. It was slow paced but kept you interested, and was unpredictable and thought provoking. Each relationship was examined in its own way, and whilst it was sad it wasn't depressingly so. We have had several discussions about this film since we saw it, and we often find a different angle to discuss. We both enjoyed it, and the performances, and it certainly had s...

Fighting with the Family was an enjoyable and entertaining watch and it was nice to see something different. It told the story of a simple family who are all heavily into wrestling. So much so that they wrestle as a family, at local events. It was very funny and we would both watch it again.....however, it was a tad naff. It felt quite amateur and unpolished and the acting wasn't great, although Nick Frost and Vince Vaughn were the exception to the rule. The story felt contrived, although it was true, and the back story of the brother who was left behind despite his determination and hard work, was just as interesting as the main action. It was refreshingly unpredictable and the smaller character parts were superb, and endearing, and the closing credits bind the whole film together beautifully. We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. Fighting with My Family  =  6        (see above) The card we have is £17.90...

The private war in the title obviously refers to much more than the war zones that our lead character finds herself in. Marie Colvin was evidently fighting demons of her own, and these increased given her chosen profession and insistence on being involved in conflicts, from a journalistic perspective, that forced her to take risks and endanger her own life on several occasions.  The film led us to believe that she may have endangered other peoples lives also, in search of the 'truth' or the 'story'. A Private War was a difficult watch, and from a personal point of view it was very difficult to identify with Marie in any way, which created a distance that was hard to bridge. That said, the role of Marie, played by Rosamund Pike, and that of her colleague Paul Conlan, played by Jamie Dornan, were played with such sensitivity and honesty that there were parts of the film that felt documentary like. Taking away any political thoughts or opinions about this fi...

On the basis of sex....told the tale of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the part she played in raising awareness and the eventual changing of the constitution to give women equality in the judicial world and beyond. It told the story from her home and family perspective and gave credence and respect to the sacrifices she was forced to make in her home life to be able to participate equally within her chosen field of work. The main parts were all well played, but ironically the stand out character was Martin Ginsberg portrayed by actor Armie Hammer. As real life characters there is a responsibility to provide a higher degree of accuracy in your portrayal, and if Martin Ginsberg was half the man we are given to believe he was then he must have been some sort of amazing. The lead role was somewhat formulaic given the history and what is known about the constitutional changes that later occurred, but we didn't know so much about 'Marty', so there was perhaps more room for hi...

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part  was a really good and very funny film. It was great to see the original characters return and hear some familiar catchphrases. The film had the same great animation as the first one and the children thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the adults.  Looking at the negatives (none of which detracted at all from our enjoyment), the story wasn't as strong as the original but we knew that was always going to be the case because it would never have that originality again. It felt more contrived to hit certain targets that coincided with the real life action, and clearly relied much more heavily on songs, although they were super catchy and such great quality that it didn't matter. The whole thing was a real feel good experience, we found it an entertaining watch for any age group, and we are all looking forward to seeing it again in the future. Awesome!  We will give each film we see a score out of 10 for overall enjoyment. The...