Wednesday 5 February 2014

JANUARY FILMS AND TV

I managed to enjoy 7 1/2 films this month.

Melissa McFunny
Identity Thief was part-watched. I was enjoying it and I'm unsure if I fell asleep halfway through or whether we stopped it to view something else. Jason Bateman is funny and watchable and is easy on the eyes, in an I-don't-fancy-him kind of way. Melissa McCarthy is hilarious. I loved her in Bridesmaids, which is something my daughters have made me sit through a couple of times - don't tell them, but I actually like it!






Made of Honor is another rom-com with Patrick Dempsey in it. Ok as I stayed awake throughout so it wasn't too bad.

Miss Congeality 2 was on the box and was watched for the second time. I can't claim to be a big Sandra Bullock fan - she always seems like she's trying a bit too hard to be amusing, I much prefer Regina King in this.

One Day was watched and enjoyed for the second time also. I've read the book and enjoyed the film. I managed not to tear up at the critical moment, probably because my son burst into the room and we paused it, just as Anne Hathaway was happily cycling along.......








Holes was repeated on TV and this must be about the 6 or 7th time we watched it. My kids had it on video back in the day - it was made in 2003 and when we used to vote on what family film to watch this was always my choice. Henry Winkler aka The Fonz has a minor role. I do like Sigourney Weaver but my favourite is Jon Voight. I love to see him hamming it up in this as Mr Sir.




About Schmidt - this was one of my Christmas presents and we all liked it in our house. I enjoy watching Nicholson now more than I ever did when he was younger. His manic eyes and shark-teeth grin always used to make me feel a bit uncomfortable. I much prefer him as a lovable old rogue.





Something's Gotta Give - Nicholson again with Diane Keaton this time. Aging Lothario Jack steals the show. Keanu Reaves figures in this also.







Sightseers - was the black, dark comedy-thriller of the month. A 2011 film from Ben Wheatley who also directed last year's slightly weird A Field in England which we watched in black and white. 



TV was a mixed bag. The rest of the gang have been watching the new series of Silent Witness, which for some reason I can't seem to get into. I think I took a dislike to "Harry" in the old series and so I kind of mentally tuned it out. He's gone but I'm still not liking it.

We caught up a bit on Bates Motel and American Horror Story series 2. I have sort of had one eye in a book and one eye on the TV during these. Jessica Lange is fabulous.








I might have seen the last episode of Sherlock in January. I do like Martin Freeman. I'll likely never read ACD again, so this will scratch any Sherlock itch.



Favourite new show is Brooklyn Nine-Nine - absolutely hilarious! Only 20-odd minutes long, but it tickles me - we've seen maybe 3 of them so far.















14 comments:

  1. Lots of films this month! I have seen a couple of the older ones, but not the newer ones - some good ideas for family viewing sessions. Someone gave us A Field in England for Christmas but it isn't shouting out to be watched. I haven't tried Brooklyn 99 yet, only seen trailers, but at 20 min I could take the chance!

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    1. Moira, my son likes weirdness in his films, the way I like them in my books. He had us watching the Wheatley films, I did like both but I can't see him scooping an Oscar yet. He is working his way through Twin Peaks with my wife currently - only a couple of series in total I think, but I'm a bit miffed I never got asked to join in! I missed this one back in the day.

      I would definitely recommend Brooklyn 99 and 20 mins is not a lot to find - put down that hard-boiled book and get the kettle on!

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  2. Col, I have seen some of the films you mentioned like "Made of Honour" and "Miss Congeniality 2" though I must admit I didn't like "About Schmidt" much, which has nothing to do with the veteran actor. I remember Jason Bateman in the part-superhero film "Hancock" where he plays sidelined husband of Charlize Theron who along with Will Smith are clearly the stars of the film. "Holes" sounds vaguely familiar. I watch a fair number of films (including repeats) on cable, most of them not really worth writing about.

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    1. Prashant - we can easily agree to disagree over "Schmidt." I probably liked his other one that we watched a wee bit more.
      Not sure if you can easily get Brooklyn 99 in your location - but Andre Braugher, who recently got a mention or two on your blog figures.

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    2. Col, I'll be looking out for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Andre Braugher should be good in a "hilarious" show. It hasn't been shown yet.

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    3. Glad it's on your radar then!

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  3. Col - You've seen quite a variety of films! I'm glad you mentioned Holes. My daughter and I had a really bonding time watching that film. It's quite well-done, and I like Henry Winkler (and John Voight, too). Of course, I had to show my daughter clips of Winker as The Fonz so she'd get the cultural allusion. It was fun.

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    1. Margot - if I could watch one of these again this weekend it would be Holes..........(family groans in the background).........I think part of the attraction was an older Winkler. I loved the Fonz back in the day. Not just him, but the whole Cunningham family.

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  4. Ah, the Fonz! Happy Days indeed! I had a fabulous 'The Fonz is Cool' t-shirt...how I loved that man! ;)

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    1. We all wanted to be just like him at my school....in truth we were all Ralphs and Pottsies

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  5. I LOVE Something's Gotta Give. I enjoy romantic comedies/dramas most of the time.

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    1. I wouldn't normally watch them, but with two teenage girls in the house - something's gotta give! I secretly enjoy them more than I let on.

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  6. Well, you like rom coms and I like sci fi movies. We did watch the first Miss Congeniality, so might find the 2nd one OK. I do like Regina King a lot. She was great in Enemy of the State and Jerry Macguire.

    And thanks for pointing out Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I am a big Andre Braugher fan, and would watch just about anything he does.

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    1. I've seen both King films that you mention but it was a long while ago.

      Brooklyn Nine-Nine should make you laugh..

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