Pictures, no popcorn – Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

OUTM – thank you filmfour! Was viewed in the penthouse, a most exclusive abode in Holloway town.

Well the Western flavour of the movie kicks in with the soundtrack, which is well, the main Western-esq feature of the film, I did like that though it gave the film a different feeling, so you ‘read’ the action a bit differently.

I was immediately won over by the opening credits, I didn’t know who it starred so was right happy when Kathy Burke appeared on screen. She is v. good, unfortunately isn’t one of the main characters, but the film opens with her and Ricky Thomlinson appearing on Vanessa [talk-show] with relationship troubles. Her sister [Shirley Henderson] then comes on as a guest, her boyfriend proposes [Rhys Ifans], and she says no. Meanwhile, Her ex [Robert Carlyle] watches the show, and decides to muscle in and tries to win her back – the Western ensues.

Shirley Henderson has a most annoying voice, which almost makes it unbearable, luckily I’d recently seen her in Wonderland so she had some kudos and I persevered.

Rhys Ifrans is well cast, and plays the inept-boyfriend well, you do warm to him gradually and are wishing Shirly would leave Robert Carlyle alone.

Luckily, or rather surprisingly, everything does work out nicely in the end…which is actually quite pleasing, I get tired of seeing people totally balls up their relationships.

I’d recommend it for a no-brainer light comedy entertainment evening.

MICE

Well Saturday saw a jaunt to my most regular cinema - the Holloway Odeon - its convenience kinda does limit my forays to other cinemas, but if I get the hang of this blog malarky I will use it as an excuse for tripping to other cinemas.

I went to see Miami Vice, bit of a spontaneous trip, i'd see a short review/making of clip which looked slick - a scene on a speed boat, where Sonny [Colin Farrell] fastens Isabella's [Gong Li] seat belt.
I thought it was a pretty sexy film, bit dark. The camera work and action was gritty, it felt abit like a private home-movie at times and you were along for the ride - close up to the action, shaky shots.
I'm not a massive fan of Colin Farrell, although I find myself willing him to do well as he has potential to be a very sexy man. Unfortunately I keep remembering him in Alexandra, where again, the hair let him down. Despite the hair, he did have moments of looking pretty good and generally his action/persona lead to the overall 'sexy/dark' feel of the film. - complemented by the sound track actually.
There wasnt anything particularly outstanding about the plot, i did wonder what the point was with the Aryan brotherhood baddies - there wasnt anything that set them apart from any other baddy, I was expecting some clash with Foxx's character here.

I'd recommend the film, its one i'll get on dvd and watch on a dark, rainy evening. Its worth seeing it at the cinema though, to appreciate the 'slickness' and close up action.