Now is Good: November

After a weak start to November - the first film being on the 11th - I quickly added to the count, racking up a total of 13 films throughout the month. At a total of 125 so far, I'm still off my target of 150 films for the year and at this point not sure if I will make it! Doesn't mean I won't give it my best shot though with a few big releases heading to the screens in December.

Philomena
Captain Phillips
Ender's Game
Filth
About Time
Escape Plan
Thor:The Dark World
In Fear
The Family
Don Jon
The Flu
Parkland
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

With so many films, I would normally have a couple that I wasn't too pleased with, but I am happy to say that I enjoyed nearly pretty much every one to some degree or another. Which is why I'm not going to pick one out and diss it like I normally do - instead I've picked out three that were scoring above average in my books.


Favourite Film - Philomena
For the second time Steve Coogan is in my favourite film of the month in the first film that made me cry in a while. 'So close, yet so far' was the running theme throughout the film and the performances by Judi Dench and Steve Coogan had me hooked. The comedy was subtle and added another great aspect to the heartbreaking story of evil nuns and stolen babies.

Perhaps it was the resemblance and personality of the title character Philomena Lee - played beautifully by Dench - that reminded me of my own grandmother, which brought it even closer to home. A strong, independent woman, with a naivety and resounding sadness that tugs at the heartstrings with every breakthrough and dead end in their quest to find her son.

Stand Out Debut - Don Jon
An excellent directorial debut from Joseph Gordon-Levitt with a 'coming' of age story that pulls you into a taboo subject from the start, by the short and curlys, and doesn't let you go. This anti-romcom story was refreshing and manages to find the the two opposite ends of the romance scale and take a dump on both of them. Even if the ending isn't quite what you had hoped for you are still left with a good balanced film overall. The music and score was inspirational and the pace was taught, held together with a rhythmic beat that suited this film perfectly.  

One point though - I found it difficult to see Scarlett Johansson as the girly girl, perhaps because of her previous roles. Pretty sure this could have been cast better.

Far Afield Frights - The Flu
Starting off on a shaky foot, trying to be funny while lives hang in the balance (literally) and not quite hitting the mark, this soon turns into a tense race against time to stop a mutated strain of bird flu. Coincidences are bountiful throughout but doesn't impede on the fun. It still manages to leave you wondering - how would you handle such a situation?

Park Min-ha in her first major movie part was brilliant, if a little precocious to begin with, and could grow to be a powerful young actress.


As for the rest, here's a quick overview of the other films from this months viewings.

Captain Phillips - this was a film that a lot of people raved about which is understandable. Tom Hanks is outstanding as the everyday guy just trying to do his job and his last scene is choking (both on screen and off). Pretty long but manages to keep the tense atmosphere throughout.

Ender's Game - there was a distinct difference between the beautiful, scenic CG spacescapes and the chunky sets that was a little jarring. A solid cast kept you from worrying too much about that though and the twist at the end (for those who haven't read the book) is quite unnerving, giving you something to think about on the way home!

Filth - Bruce Robertson, a character so despicable it was hard to find any way of liking him, except for the fact that James McAvoy was the actor who took that part and stole the whole show. From crying to spitting in anger, he was mesmerising. One of those films that you feel like you shouldn't like, but do anyway because you can be thankful your life isn't as desperate and sad.

About Time - catching up well after its release back in June. A chick flick with a distinctly dark undercurrent that veers from the traditional happy ever after. Bill Nighy on top form as always and Domhnall Gleeson (in one of his biggest parts to date) is great as the every day guy who finds out he can travel through time (as you do)!

Escape Plan - the pace of this action film was about as slow as Arnie's fight scenes are now. Luckily he was on hand as the comedy sidekick here and Jim Caviezel was suitably psychopathic. Sylvester Stallone's mumbling and posing was off putting though throughout the loose and messy narrative.

Thor: The Dark World - see October's round-up. 

In Fear - this British thriller/horror is a film of two halves. The first half has a good build up - awkward, tense, unnerving and claustrophobic at times. The second half takes a silly turn leading to stupid decisions and so much awkwardness its uncomfortable. Ian De Caestecker plays the only memorable character and that may just be something to do with his girly screaming! 

The Family - dancing on the line between comedy and family drama, this is a fun if not particularly believable situation these characters are in - maybe because I am not and never have been a gangster. Takes a bit of imagination to warm to the family with their sharp tempers and emotional roundabouts. Lots of shooting and bombing to take your mind off the seriousness.

Parkland - another film about the assassination of JFK, one that wants to feel different by focusing specifically on the four days surrounding the event. There are some great performances, such as Paul Giamatti, Jacki Weaver and Zac Efron, however the frenetic pace and jumping around never quite gives you enough time to appreciate them fully. Little moments still manage to catch you out and fill the tear ducts!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - this is enjoyable enough, although I haven't been able to find myself getting attached to any of the characters as they all seem a bit emotionless. Some good computer graphics though and big respect for Stanley Tucci - look at that smile.


Title Film - Now is Good (2012)
Starring Dakota Fanning, Jeremy Irvine, Paddy Considine and Olivia Williams
Tessa is seventeen and passionate about life. Diagnosed with a terminal illness, she determines to use every moment, compiling a catalogue of what normal teenager would experience, including losing her virginity and taking drugs.