What was the last film you watched?

Angela Channing

Telly Talk Veteran
LV
19
 
Awards
52
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

ma-rainey-s-black-bottom-1605885804.jpg


It was worth watching for the outstanding performances of both Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman but it was shame that the storyline wasn't more compelling. The film looked very much like a play shot for the big screen without doing more to open it out more for a cinematic audience. It wouldn't surprise me if both lead actors receive nominations when the award season comes around.
 

Angela Channing

Telly Talk Veteran
LV
19
 
Awards
52
Le Jeu (2018) aka Nothing To Hide

220px-Nothing_to_Hide_2018_poster.jpg


A great little French film. It seemed to be made on a low budget because almost all the action takes place in one location but that just added to the tension and unpredictability of the film. Great tight screenplay and excellent performances from all the cast. It's about a group of friends, most of them are couples, who decide to play a game at a dinner party in which they put all their phone on the table and they have to read out and share any calls, emails or messages they get during the evening. There are many unexpected revelations and many plot twists and an ending that literally changes everything. Well worth a watch.
 

Angela Channing

Telly Talk Veteran
LV
19
 
Awards
52
Very nice but I don't understand why they had to do such a confusing ending.
Was it confusing? I just thought it gave the viewer something to think about rather than just having a straightforward ending.

It was just like the film Sliding Doors giving 2 alternative outcomes of what would have happened had that or had they not played the game.
 
Last edited:

Rove

Telly Talk Warrior
LV
0
 
Awards
5
Greenland
Greenland_(film).png
Available on Amazon Prime
It was okay as a popcorn movie but followed a tried and tested formula.​
 

Brian Kinney

Telly Talk Addict
LV
0
 
Awards
6
One Night in Miami (2020)
Regina King's film adaption of a stage play where activist Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), singer Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), football star Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and boxer sensation Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) meet and talk about being what they are in that time, on February 25, 1964. Historians may know this is one day after my birth (the real event to celebrate, but it's not mentioned... ;) ). King trusts her actors to shine and they do with some entertaining moments before and after the night in a hotel room. Leslie Odom Jr. received some award nominations but it's Eli Goree as Clay who decides to rename himself I was impressed with most. Goree isn't just convincing as a boxer he's also able to capture the special charisma and attitude the young boxer had. 7/10
---
La vita davanti a sé (The Life Ahead; 2020)
Sophia Loren plays a former prostitute who looks out for homeless children. A young refugee who just robbed her becomes her newest roomer and she isn't pleased about it. This Italian drama has some very touching moments and the sometimes less exciting story is lifted by Loren's engaging performance. Her son Edoardo Ponti's direction is flawless and like a modern version of Italy's neo-realism in the 1950's where social life is well observed. 6/10
---
Young Promising Woman (2020)
I didn't want to see this film because I knew it has something to do with rape. But then I've read a piece and gave it a try. I'm overwhelmed. Never before I've seen a revenge story that gave me relief because it's told with a different view. We don't see a rape. There is one scene with violence but it's filmed in perspectives that don't zoom into the faces of those involved. Carey Mulligan plays the best friend of a rape victim and she's hanging out in bars somewhere in Ohio, where misogynist horny men try to lure her into a trap - not realizing it's the other way around... While it's sometimes funny we soon discover her life was affected by the friend's too.

Emerald Fennell directs this story (also written by her) which is part satire or black comedy and mostly thriller. And it has a very memorable twist I didn't see coming that results in a unhappy but happy ending. What? Yes, you don't want to but you'll smile at the end. Of all the movies that are currently in consideration for awards this is the one I want to see win big: Emerald Fennell for directing and the screenplay, and Carey Mulligan for best actress who gave me also a Margot-Robbie-in-I, Tonya-vibe, a lead you want to follow. Coincidentally Robbie co-produced Young Promising Woman with Fennell - it's the best film I've seen in the last months! 10/10
 

Mel O'Drama

Admin
LV
16
 
Awards
44
Wild Oats (2015)

81Or9IvAcXL._RI_.jpg


I'm not quite sure how this ended up saved in my Prime stuff but I'm glad it did as I enjoyed it very much. Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange make a captivating and funny double act. Demi Moore was unexpectedly tolerable. Perhaps the biggest curio is Stephanie Beacham having a go at an American accent for her character.

A nice, unchallenging feelgood film, and a fun way to spend an hour and a half.

 

Mel O'Drama

Admin
LV
16
 
Awards
44
Cider With Rosie (2015)

cider-with-rosie-1998.jpg


Beautiful; dark; idyllic; brutal; charming; poignant; funny and haunting.

June Whitfield and Annette Crosbie are great fun as rival grandmothers who live in different parts of the house, banging on the floor/ceiling with their brooms.​
 
Top