It comes as something of a shock to some people, but if you scratch below my handsome exterior and dubious taste in eyewear, you’ll find the beating heart of bona fide movie-geek.
Sam Rockwell in Moon.
There’s almost nothing I enjoy more than a handful of Ben & Jerry’s (preferably in a container of some kind) and a large screen in which to sit, wide-eyed, and enjoy approximately 120 minutes of filmic wonder…
And although my cinema habit isn’t exactly good for me (soaring cinema prices, B&J’s induced heart palpitations) as long as it remains slightly cheaper and healthier than a heroin addiction, I’ll continue going.
Two films I’ve been eager to see this month were Moon, and Antichrist.
Moon is a Sci-Fi film in vein of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (which just happens to be a favourite of mine), with the story focusing on character, rather than the special effects or nasty aliens (actually there are no aliens in either Moon or 2001).
Moon stars Sam Rockwell who has been alone on the surface of the Moon for 3 years, overseeing a large mining operation for Earth’s fuel crisis. Needless to say, after 3 years alone with only the voice of Kevin Spacey as company, he goes mental. Or does he?
The film was thought-provoking, intelligent cinema that manages to impress visually, especially as it only cost around £5million to make, which is about the price of a packet of crisps in Hollywood terms. Go and see it.
Next up was Antichrist, the new film from one of cinema’s most contestable directors – Lars Von Trier and starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
The story is of a couple who are dealing with the loss of their child due to an accident, and decide to retreat to a secluded wood cabin to grieve and hopefully rebuild their failing relationship.
Admittedly, I’ve hated everything I’ve seen from Lars Von Trier. I usually dismiss it as pretentious, miserable, quasi-misogynistic rubbish – so it’s come as a shock to me that I actually want to see this one. Maybe it’s because of the promise of demonic foxes disembowelling themselves. I’m a sucker for that.
Seen anything decent yourself this month? Either at home or the cinema? Let us know.
