Sunday 15 February 2015

JANUARY 2015 - FILMS AND TV

Not a brilliant month's viewing though I did manage a trip to the cinema to see Taken 3 with my youngest, who is a big fan of the series. I do like a bit of the gravel-voiced Liam Neeson myself and the film was enjoyable enough without ever truly hitting the heights.
Probably the weakest of the 3 films in my opinion. Still I'd take Neeson ahead of DiCaprio, Hanks and a lot of other A-listers any day.
One of  the dvds I got as a Christimas present - 4 people all attempting to commit suicide from the same tall building on New Year's Eve. By turns sad, amusing and heart-warming. You can't beat a bit of Brosnan. I do like Toni Collette also, though I haven't seen her in too much too be honest, most notably as the mum in About A Boy.


Seen countless times before, I sighed heavily when it came on the TV. Was I tapping my feet and humming along by the end as Brosnan tried to hit a few notes? Yes

TV was boring, in went a DVD. I enjoyed it first time around, but after half an hour this time, disappeared off to the land of Nod.....zzzzzz.....
US TV series that we caught a couple of episodes of. Hmm... not great TBH, I was kind of enjoying it then my wife pointed out how ridiculously skinny the two female leads were. Facially quite attractive the pair of them, but when the camera shows the whole of their bodies they look quite ill. When did it become the Hollywood norm for female leads to look anaemic and malnourished? Every time I think of them now, I picture a couple of heads on two pipe-cleaner bodies. 

Ok - we finally finished Season Two of Hannibal something which we have had recorded since it ended in July last year. Fair to say, we are a bit behind in our house. Gripping and in the same breath gross. Roll season three!

I kind of missed season one - head in a book. I have paid more attention this time around and have kept up-to-date. I don't like David Tennant's character in this, but I do like him as an actor. Love Olivia Coleman. I'm enjoying this, particularly the tension and history between the two legal teams.

Thank God for digital recording and catch up as this clashes with Broadchurch. Two part episodes on a Monday and Tuesday which is now compulsory viewing in our house. I do like Emilia Fox and the Irish dude - name unknown. A much more enjoyable show for me now the previous cast have been ditched. Not one to gossip but is she really going out with that ugly chef 15 years her senior! Oh Emilia..... 

Fargo.......still enjoying it, still playing catch-up.......maybe 3 and a half episodes to go. Should be done in time for season two.....maybe 

16 comments:

  1. Col - Have to agree with you about Brosanan's singing! I like the music of ABBA well enough, but the film honestly just did nothing for me. And about Taken... I saw an interesting interview with Neeson, in which he was poking fun at himself and the franchise, joking about Taken 12 or something like that. I like his wit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margot, I think he also recently got taken to task over decrying the gun culture in the US, but at the same time kind of profiting from it via his films. I can see both POVs, I do like him though.

      Delete
  2. " Still I'd take Neeson ahead of DiCaprio, Hanks and a lot of other A-listers any day."

    YES!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Les, I always said you were a man of good taste ;-)

      Delete
  3. Col, regarding Liam Neeson have you tried "Unknown" and Non Stop"? Neither are great but "Unknown" has a very clever plot (only works with the first viewing) and "Non Stop" is just a big dumb action movie (meaning fun).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glen, I haven't seen NON STOP - I'll keep an eye out for it. UNKNOWN we have watched and whilst I can remember the set-up I can't recall the raison d'etre for it all or the conclusion.......perhaps I've been in a coma like Neeson's character!

      Delete
  4. Col, we absolutely loved MAMMA MIA! and watch it every time it is shown on cable. I thought Brosnan sang quite well though Streep stretched her voice too much. Abba has always been a favourite in the family — good lyrics, good music.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He does a better job singing than I could, but I doubt he'd make a living at it! I think I enjoy the ABBA songs more now than I ever did first time around. Not something I would buy or listen to out of choice, but inoffensive at least.

      Delete
  5. I love Mamma Mia, I think it's a wonderful film, I have watched it many times. I like Liam Neeson too, though I wish his films were more to my taste...he is wasted in these action thrillers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he does the action thriller well. I confess I don't think I have seen him in more thoughtful roles - I ought to watch SCHINDLER'S LIST, but I'm put off by its length. I thought you might be an ABBA fan, cooler than Cilla?

      Delete
  6. I thought Fargo was brilliant. I've watched it numerous times. Alas, first season of Broadchurch bored me. Go figure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope to finish before season 2 comes out, though I have no idea when that actually is (or if has even been confirmed). I kind of stayed on the periphery during Broadchurch 1 - head in a book as my family watched. Hard to offer a considered opinion, season 2 I'm enjoying though.

      Delete
    2. re Fargo, there's a season two coming in 2015. No set that I could find yet.

      Delete
    3. Confirmed at least, that's good news then, cheers

      Delete
  7. I am going to see Mamma Mia someday. I love ABBA. Glad to hear you found Taken 3 OK. Because we haven't watched #2 or #3 yet but we will. We decided against Stalker before it even started, even though I like both the lead actors. The premise just did not sound good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I reckon MAMMA MIA would be up your street. STALKER - I'm really hoping my girls won't want to continue with. TAKEN 2 and 3 would be a decent evening or two's viewing.

      Delete