Films

I have been using my free time to catch up with some films... the only benefit of being unemployed as far as I can see. Here are some of the films I have enjoyed over the past month...

1) The Kite Runner- A film based on one of my favourite books, about an Afghanistan man who is after redemption for betraying his childhood friend. Usually, if I watch a movie after I have read the book, I am left feeling very disappointed, but this time I was pleasantly surprised. Although of course some parts had to be left out, I felt that this film did justice to the book. The characters were pretty much how I had imagined them, and little Hassan was very cute. Without giving too much away about the plot, the film was difficult to watch at times due to the horrific things that happen to the characters, despite the fact that I knew the plot. I think that this film should be rated a 15, not a 12A. 8/10

2) Stranger than Fiction- Another film directed by Marc Forster who also directed The Kite Runner, and who I think tells a good story (although I did not enjoy the violent 'Monster's Ball'). This movie is the story (quite literally!) of a man who leads a very dull and ordinary life as a tax inspector until one day, he discovers that his life is being narrated by an author who wants to kill him off. I found this film very sweet and moving, and would highly recommend it. There were, however, parts that I didn't like, such as Queen Latifah's character who didn't seem to fit into the the movie (I still imagine her as the prison officer in 'Chicago') and also the relationship between the two main characters wasn't that believable. All in all though, a very watchable film. 9/10

3) Juno- I saw this film at the cinema with my husband yesterday. Following all of the hype I was curious to see it, especially as I enjoy quirky, 'independent' movies. An overly savvy teenager ('Juno', played by Ellen Page) becomes pregnant, and wants to give her child up for adoption. She finds a rich couple who seem to have everything except for a child, although as she gets to know the couple better she discovers that their life isn't as perfect as she had hoped for. I did enjoy this film, although like others I did find the dialogue unrealistic (surely teenagers do not speak like this?) which was off-putting, and made the film jar somewhat. I especially liked Juno's wise father, and whilst somewhat creepy also enjoyed the interaction between Juno and the would-be adoptive father of her child. However, I did not like the relationship she had with the biological father of her child, who I do not feel was smart enough for her. Nevertheless, the film was touching & funny at times. 8/10

More reviews to come later...