Saturday 23 July 2016

JUNE 2016 - FILMS + TV

Pretty slim pickings during June, though this was somewhat affected by a week's holiday in Spain during which we watched very little - sport and a bit of Brexit fall-out news!

When I did watch TV in the month, it was inevitably football and the 2016 European Championships from France. The absolute highlight of which was Ireland's deserved victory over Italy with a late Robbie Brady goal ensuring we reached the knock-out stages of the competition.


Okay - disappointment followed with a defeat to France in the next game but we were never going to win the tournament.

My daughter seems to find it funny to inflict a horror film on us once a fortnight when one of her friends comes over. I absolutely loathe them. I did stay awake all through this one and it wasn't too bad. I don't like freaky dolls! 

Taped from TCM a couple of months ago and I was fairly ambivalent as I watched it. I didn't take to Bogart-Spade at all if I'm honest. I managed to doze off and wake up right at the end as the case was solved! Oh well......

Another disappointment. I liked Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan's roles. Zac Efron's  character was a dick, which I guess he was supposed to be. On another day in another mood I'd probably have enjoyed it more. Can't say I'm rushing to see the second one, though both my girls have.

Best film of the month - but face it there wasn't a lot of competition. A Richard Curtis film about family and fatherhood with time travel chucked in. Bill Nighy was superb - when isn't he.  I'm not sure I understood all the mechanics of shooting forward and backwards and what could and couldn't be changed, but hey it worked. Second viewing for me and I'd happily watch it a third time! 

NEW BLOOD - a new BBC crime drama bringing together a couple of cops - one uniformed and trying to  advance upwards as a detective; the other working undercover for the Serious Fraud Office. Written by Anthony Horowitz, someone I know better as a children's author. It was entertaining, humorous and interesting - though I did manage to pick a gaping plot hole in one of the early scenes. We watched the first two episodes before our holiday. The first particular case is 4 episodes long. The two young lead actors were very good. I haven't seen either previously but there's a decent chemistry between them which makes the show so watchable in my opinion. Mark Strepan is Stefan Kowolski, Junior Case Officer, SFO. Ben Tavassoli is T.D.C Arrash ‘Rash’ Sayyad. Mark Addy also stars. 

14 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean, Col, about horror films. I'm not one for them, either - at all. You may not have had the best viewing month ever, but I hope you enjoyed your holiday in Spain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they must be more aimed at the younger generation, Margot. The holiday was the highlight of the month!

      Delete
    2. Good ones are for everybody. Mechanical ones are for those who like mechanical things. Lots of the latter.

      Delete
    3. Maybe, my daughter just makes poor choices for our viewing?

      Delete
  2. Col, I agree, Bill Nighy is good and I will be looking out for ABOUT TIME. I no longer watch horror movies, especially the macabre kind. Give me a good comedy any day, preferably slapstick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prashant, I think you would enjoy ABOUT TIME. I'd choose a good thriller over horror any day of the week.

      Delete
    2. ABOUT TIME verges on being a horror film.

      Delete
  3. The only aspect of THE MALTESE FALCON in this version which doesn't work for me is the notion of Mary Astor as sexpot (her portrayal of the more lunatic aspects of the character is fine). Otherwise, its faithfulness to the novel and general excellence resonate wonderfully with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Bogart was a bit more annoying for me. I ought to read the book which might give me a better understanding of the characters.

      Delete
  4. I haven't seen any of these - I don't seem to watch much these days. I do like Bill Nighy and Mark Addy though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you would enjoy ABOUT TIME. I've seen Addy in a few things and he does drama laced with comedy very well.

      Delete
  5. Interesting bunch of movies. I don't do horror. Too bad you did not like The Maltese Falcon. I love Bogart. I don't like that movie as well as The Big Sleep, but Maltese Falcon is still a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sometimes if I slip and doze during a film I'm kicking myself and want to re-watch, but not this time. Maybe older films, like older books aren't really my thing!

    ReplyDelete