Britfilm - Burke & Hare

This was supposed to be a restorative tonic on a Sunday afternoon.  I was suffering from wine flu and needed a little light entertainment.

I'm not a big Simon Pegg fan.  I think once you've seen one of his characterisations, you've pretty much seen most of his repertoire.  I am however a huge fan of Andy Serkis' work.  That and it being a film by the director of An American Werewolf in London hinted at a fine piece of screen filling.

Once I started to watch I was pretty amazed by the quality of the cast they had brought together.  Favourites of mine included Tim Curry, Tom Wilkinson, Jessica Hynes, David Schofield and the magnificent Sir Christopher Lee.  There are plenty more quality names in there too.  Let alone the people who came forward for cameos.  There's a cracking hound in there too.

However, I just can't rate this film highly.  The cast all looked like they had a fun time working on this.  It just doesn't do credit to its cast.  The film lacks the humour I so enjoyed in American Werewolf and is just silly.  No-one lets the side down really it just didn't make me laugh very often.  I was very disappointed overall.

I did wonder when I first heard they were making this film how they could successfully make a comedy with the subject matter.  That side of things wasn't too badly done really.  It didn't ever seem as offensive as it could have been.  It just wasn't dark enough for me.  I could always see where I was supposed to laugh but it just didn't amuse me as it should have done.  The laughs were too predictably placed.  It was silly but it had no clever side to it.  Maybe I was in a miserable mood?  I won't be giving it another chance though.

2 out of 5 pawprints.

Britfilm - The Inbetweeners Movie (no spoilers)

In the last few months I discovered The Inbetweeners.  I was very late to the party but glad I got on board.  The first series was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time.  We got through the entire series in one night.  I can't remember that many belly laughs in one evening before.  Series two was also hilarious but seemed just a touch less funny.  Still brilliant though.  Series three I enjoyed but didn't feel it was as good as the first two.

I was therefore wondering what I'd get with the film.  Would it be a step too far?  Would taking the lads out of England lose the charm or would a 'lad's holiday' give them the material they needed to get the original spark back?

Well, I suppose it was a bonus that they had a new environment to focus on.  With all the 'traditions' they could use from a lads holiday.

I found the film very enjoyable and I laughed a lot.  Mr Meks felt slightly let down by the predictable parts but I took them as usual in this kind of film.  This is no cinematic masterpiece, it's just a fun watch.  In fact it's pretty much what you'd expect to see from The Inbetweeners on holiday.  It's predictable in parts.  Some of the storylines are believable some aren't.  

I'm not sure how I'd have found the film without knowing the characters from the tv series.  You'd still find parts laugh out loud I imagine but I don't think it would be as good a watch.

Will I ever watch this again?  Probably, when it's on Channel 4.  It's not one I'd go out and buy though.  I can't see what could be gained by a re-watch.  It definitely entertained me and I got my money's worth from the trip to the cinema though.

4 out of 5 pawprints.

BritFilm - Submarine

I'd kept myself in the dark as much as possible about this film.  I'd heard it was directed by The IT Crowd's Moss and that it was about a self-obsessed teen, set in 1980's small town Wales.

I try my best to get to the cinema to see British films as much as I can.  Not always easy as they don't often have a long run.  But that's an old. often hashed gripe.

The first thing I noticed about this film was how beautifully some of the scenes were shot.  It looks absolutely lovely most of the time.  The use of the light is lovely.

The two leads are excellent.  They play their dry roles brilliantly. Both are slightly separate from the norm without becoming unbelievable.  The depiction of school life seems pretty apt.  No pretence when it comes to how self-interested and cruel teens can be.  The 3 main adult roles are played very well too.  Considine is great as a bit of an arsehole.  I'd say the whole film is slightly off from real life but maybe I've just had a sheltered life.  It's quirky without it being annoying.

The film is told in chapters.  Between each the screen fades to red or blue.  If there's a relevance to the colours I wish I could figure it out.  I;m glad I saw this at the cinema as it needed my attention.  It's one of those 'slow' films it's so easy not to give the attention they deserve at home.

For such a deadpan film it is very amusing in parts.  Although some of the times I was amused I shouldn't really have been finding those things funny :-S

The film flips pretty easily over the emotional happenings that occur.  Still giving the audience a chance to sympathise though.  I have to say if I had a son like Oliver I think I'd be rather spooked out by him.  He, his reactions and actions creeped me out somewhat.

My only complaint about the film was that it seemed to drag a little during the last third.  I can't pick any bits I would have removed but I was beginning to wonder how long it would be until the end.  I did enjoy this film but I can't see me buying the DVD when it's available.  I will be watching Richard Ayoade's next feature though.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints