A Year Unlimited

Another all dayer for us starting with Vice . It's the story of Dick Cheney, boozer, petty criminal, political nobody and eventual puppet master  Vice President of the U.S. of A. The film makers are obviously approaching the telling of the story from an angle, but are doing it with humour and pathos, and some interesting filmic twists.  It was highly entertaining and well acted, by a barely recognisable Christian Bale and supporting cast alike, but we felt slightly removed from it all, given that it was American politics and we are unfamiliar with the whole circus. It was of little reassurance to know that whatever your political persuasion, government stinks. This was our third Steve Carell movie of the year, and of course he didn't disappoint, playing Donald Rumsfeld. It feels like Sam Rockwell also deserves a special mention at this point, for his mad skills. There are a few big names listed in the production credits too. All in all, despite no knowledge abo...

This film marks the start of a quadruple bill (although we did manage to take the kids to see Mary Poppins last night......still a solid 9). Film number one, Beau tiful Boy (our second Steve Carell film of the year) tells the familiar story of a young man who appears to have it all, but finds himself battling his demons. While his devoted Father struggles to understand 'everything'.  Beautifully acted and sensitively handled on screen, but a painful watch as it exposes the helplessness you experience when seeing those closest to you being dragged further and further away. The film jumps between the past and the present which makes it confusing but it doesn't alter the flow.  Despite the familiarities of the story, we felt it was told in a unique way and it was refreshing to see family genuinely supporting and attempting to understand, without blatant judgement. It was an emotional journey that we would be unlikely to see again, but it had a killer soundtra...

Film number two in a New Years Day triple feature. Abandon reality and give yourself over to fantasy in  Welcome to Marwen . A world constructed both mentally and physically by Mark Hogancamp, who is played with absolute sympathy and beautiful sensitivity by Steve Carell. Another film that oozes female strength but never implies male weakness. Our leading man isn't a pitiful character although its hard not to feel sorry for him as he has retreated into a fantasy world following a severe trauma. We felt that there were touches of The Fisher King given the storyline. Flipping between the harsh demands of the real world and war torn Marwen with its constant threats, its difficult to believe that peace reigns in either world for Hogancamp. The real star of  Welcome to Marwen  is motion-capture animation which, love it or hate it, provides an incredible look to the film and director Robert Zemeckis certainly has form with special effects.....Back to the Future, Forrest...