Again my inner OCD dictates I do this post for the sake of completism. I like my crime fiction and this extends to the times I put the books down and watch a bit of TV.
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| The Pledge (2001) |
On the day of his retirement, detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) accepts a gift -- an airline ticket to Mexico. But when the body of a murdered eight-year-old girl is discovered in the mountains, Jerry offers his expertise at the crime scene. When an ambitious younger cop wrenches a dubious confession from a simple-minded suspect, the case is closed... but not for Jerry.
A dark film which I think I enjoyed a lot more than my wife.
Nicholson is the obsessed former policeman who won't let it go. I'm currently reading the book of the same name from
Friedrich Durrenmatt. Originally published in the 50s with a Swiss setting.
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| 100 Bloody Acres (2012) |
Reg and Lindsay run an organic fertiliser business. They need a fresh supply of their "secret ingredient" to process through the meat grinder. Reg comes across two guys and a girl with a broken-down vehicle on their way to a music festival.
Not a film I had heard of before. It was airing on terrestrial TV and I took a punt and recorded. A wise decision. It was gross and bloody hilarious. Probably not one for a Sunday afternoon when your Nan is around for some tea. Worth a viewing if you come across it and you have a taste for something a little bit close to the bone.
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| Our Children (2012) |
A doctor brings a boy to Belgium and raises him as his own. When the boy reaches adulthood, he gets married and starts his own family -- but he still relies on the doctor. When trouble strikes his family, the dependence turns into domination.
A Belgian-French psychological drama apparently based on a true story. Incredibly sad and heart-breaking. Not one to be discussed flippantly - unchecked post-natal depression with horrific consequences. Not an easy watch.
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| Dead Man Down (2013) |
Rising gangland player Victor (Colin Farrell) infiltrates the criminal empire run by Alphonse (Terrence Howard), but his aim is not to accumulate prestige and power. Instead, Victor's mission is to make Alphonse pay for destroying his once-happy life. Victor's machinations have not gone unnoticed; Beatrice (Noomi Rapace), his neighbor, watches and waits. When she uncovers Victor's secret, she threatens to expose him unless he helps her carry out her own campaign of revenge.
Colin Farrell has come a long way since he cut his teeth as a wee lad in Ballykissangel. For a couple of years I thought he was a bit of a tool, but now I enjoy him. I don't rush to watch every film he makes when it comes out, but I'll watch them when they crop up on TV. A bit of a formulaic action-revenge-thriller but hey hoh - there's a lot worse ways of passing a few hours.
That Nicholson film does interesting, Col. I'd heard of it, but hadn't seen it. Glad for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy both versions Margot. I just finished the book last night and it was really enjoyable.
DeleteSome heavy stuff here, Col. Saw THE PLEDGE when it first came out. Will skip OUR CHILDREN. And, while not a fan of Farrell, will grudgingly say he was a good villain in FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. Also, did not know he was in BALLY-K. Looked it up and saw he came into the show after we stopped watching. Once the story of Assumpta and the priest concluded, we kind of lost interest.
ReplyDeleteNot seen FANTASTIC BEASTS and I don't know too much about it. BALLY-K I stopped watching when Stephen Tomkinson joined. He would make a fantastic Pinnochio = he's 100% wooden.
DeleteI must try to catch Our Children. I suppose I ought to get to The Pledge at some point; I've been nervous that it might be a travesty of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you haven't watched The Pledge already. I enjoyed both, I think the change in setting and time frame worked well, but you're the expert sir!
DeleteAnd here I though I'd seen every Jack Nicholson film there was. I'm going for THE PLEDGE.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes play a game with my family - name 10 films so-and-so has been in. When we came to Nicholson we could only name about half a dozen. How many has he starred in? 75 credits on IMDB! I hope you like it.
DeleteI don't know if I want to see The Pledge or not. I do have a copy of the Friedrich Durrenmatt book, so I will at least read that first, then decide. Dead Man Down might be good, I will have to look into it more.
ReplyDeleteI liked both book and film of THE PLEDGE. DEAD MAN DOWN was enjoyable without being especially memorable.
DeleteNot much chicklit there is there :)? I loved Colin Farrell in In Bruges, which is one of my favourite films - and gritty enough for you...
ReplyDeleteI love that film - him and Brendan Gleeson make a fantastic double act. Time for a rewatch soon.
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ReplyDelete