a one year film project

Starring: James Franco

Before viewing this film I had major, major reservations. Mainly “what if the arm cutting off scene is awful and I vom in the cinema?” Even my mother had me paranoid that I was going to spew and lead a chain spew reaction across the multiplex.

Luckily this film is not a gross out film. It’s a amazingly shot tale of one mans true story of being trapped by a boulder and his strength to survive. It deals with a large portion of his trip beforehand ensuring that the time spent in between the rock and the hard place is kept short enough to remain interesting and long enough to include all the details. Danny Boyle has shot this film amazingly. He’s made use of what I can only describe as 1990s MTV techniques to keep the film fast paced.

The scenery is beautiful and a constant reminder of how alone poor Aron Ralston is. For a tense film it is bright and features alot of humour. Aron keeps his spirits up and it is a pretty endearing feature.

The arm cutting scene is pretty gruesome because of the realism but in no way the disgusting horror fest it was rumoured to be. I did almost spew when he had to cut through the nerves though. Still feel a bit sick just thinking about it.

Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

Simply magnificent. I went into this film expecting another snooty drama about the monarchy devoid of humour and filled with big pompous words. Instead it was a delightfully small drama about Prince Albert and his new speech therapist, his insecurities and his unexpected ascent to the throne.

Every award Colin Firth wins this awards season is just. His portrayal was at times heartbreaking, others sarky and hilarious. Playing a man born and raised as a closed book being pried open by Geoffrey Rushs’ Lionel. Lionel and his refusal to accept royal norms is where alot of the comedy in the film comes from.

Helena Bonham Carter was magnificent as Queen Elizabeth, bringing a real humour and warmth to her character. Also Ramona from Outnumbered is adorable in her dresses as Princess Margaret.

The mis en scene was gorgeous. Dripping with royal splendour but remaining incredibly intimate as per the nature of the film. The outbreak of World War Two is particularly harrowing and treated in such a real manner that at times you were lost in this beautifully dressed world.

I loved it. Sorry for gushing.

If you are watching The Next Three Days with a friend and when Liam Neeson comes on one of you doesn’t go “I have a very particular set of skills” then you are clearly not friends.

“This one time my daughter got kidnapped in France”