My Top Ten of 2011

My top ten includes my favourite theatrical releases of 2011, but due to film festival goodness this year at TIFF and LFF not the best films I have actually seen and you can look forward to in 2012. At LFF I was blown away by Steve McQueen’s second feature, Shame, a film that delves into the world of sex addict Brandon (Michael Fassbender). Chicken with Plums comes from the creators of Persepolis and is an adaptation of another of Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning graphic novels. It is a beautiful melodramatic story about how art sometimes comes from a painful place.

Comedy was strong at TIFF this year, the Duplass brothers returned with Jeff, Who Lives at Home which has one of the funniest opening scenes I have ever seen. Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon star. The Oranges is dark comedy from Julian Farino in his debut feature, whose name may sound familiar from the TV show Entourage. I was worried too, but it is a total change of pace as he explores the family dynamics of suburbia. It boasts a fine cast including Hugh Laurie, Allison Janney, Catherine Keneer, Oliver Platt and Alia Shawkat (Maeby from Arrested Development).

You can read my top ten over on Cinetalk here.

Dads

On Wednesday 3rd March 2010 Florence Katherine Davis was born to Brett and Laura, two of my closest friends. Giving birth is an anxious time for any family but for Brett and Laura it was the start of a scary journey as Florence was born with a life-threatening heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.

I can never claim to know what Brett and Laura were going through at this time, all I can do is tell the story from my point of view. As a friend you feel helpless, you want to be there for them, but you also don’t want to be overbearing. It is a very personal situation and people deal with shock in their own way. Florence spent the first part of her life and was cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital. When the time came to visit Florence she looked so fragile, but with the support of her family and a team of amazing doctors she showed fighting spirit to defy the odds.

After watching the trailer for Dads it got me thinking about how far Brett, Laura and Florence have come in the last couple of years. While Florence was in the hospital so were Brett and Laura, barely sparing any thought for themselves. Their strength during this time was unbelievable and inspirational. Florence finally arrived home on 14th June 2010 and it was a triumphant day after such a long time spent in hospital. The film focuses on Brett and five other dads from three other cities. Brett is the cockney one! The bit where Brett talks about Florence in the incubator makes me cry every time but they are tears of joy. Florence is now full of beans and keeping her parents busy in her own cheeky little way. And what more could you ask for:

Photo by James Diggle

I haven’t seen the full film as yet, but hope to watch it in the near future. Brett’s story and those of the other dads will hopefully give an uplifting message about fatherhood and remind us to be thankful for those special people in our lives.

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Dads was made by http://www.thesoundresearch.com/

Have a wonderful Christmas!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

There is a great scene in the film where Blomkvist is attempting to use a laptop and Salander rolls her eyes at how inept and slow he is. In my mind I am the tech savvy Salander; in reality I am the bumbling Blomkvist irritating the hell out of you. 

I thought it was a great adaptation. 

So what if Lisbeth Salander doesn't look like Davey Havok 

 anymore?

You can read my review over on Starburst here.

Las Acacias, Happy Feet and The Interrupters

Las Acacias is a charming film that will warm your heart. You can read my review over on Cinetalk

Happy Feet Two managed to keep both the kids and myself entertained. A kid poured chocolate milk all over me at the screening and I still left in a good mood! Best thing about the film is the Krill voiced by Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. Worth watching for their wisecracks. You can read my review on Cinetalk

The Interrupters is out on DVD on Monday and I highly recommend it. Ameena Matthews is an extraordinary woman. Watch her in action here:

You can read my review over on Cinetalk

Hugo and Marty Scorcese

Hugo is an exceptionally well crafted movie from Martin Scorcese about his love for film and the importance of preserving and respecting this magical art form.

Some of it was filmed at The Gate (see above), a lovely, cosy cinema in Notting Hill.

You can read my review over on Starburst Magazine 

 

I also attended the press conference for Hugo - Martin Scorcese was there and Chloe Grace Moretz, Asa Butterfield and Sir Ben Kinglsey all referred to him affectionately as Marty.

He totally lit up the room and came across as extremely passionate about his craft.

You can read my report from the press conference over on Starburst Magazine