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The Girl on the Train (2016)
What Did She See? I'm Not Too Sure Myself
The adaptation of the popular thriller novel The Girl on the Train has received a super charged advertising campaign for the past month leading up to its highly anticipated release this weekend from fans and critics a like. Sadly, the 'who dunnit' plot of what Emily Blunt's character Rachel actually sees on her picturesque daily commute into New York does not have a strong enough narration to keep you on the edge of your seat as the trailers and TV spots have seemingly promised.
One thing that can be said is that Emily Blunt owns this performance. She pulls off a convincing a disheveled, struggling alcoholic who obsesses over her ex husband's new family which serves as the main motivation as we follow her story of trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of their young next door neighbour. You experience a range of emotions with her character from feeling sorry to slightly disgusted to how she handles a variety of situations.
In terms of trying to figure out 'what happened' is kept well under under wrapped until the third act of the film, but reaching that point is paced far too slow with not enough twists and suspension which ultimately drags this films down being its full potential.
Also being a viewer who had not read the book beforehand, I cannot say how the closely the film follows the original source material. Now having seen The Girl on the Train I can certainly imagine this story being more effective in print with the points of views and personalities of other the characters being much more developed rather than a visual piece, which overall left me confused and longing for the film get back on track.
Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
Was this Film Necessary?
There has only been a handful of films in which I could sit and no longer watch because I simply lost interest. But Freddy Got Fingered takes this to a whole new level.
I remember sitting in my uni house during my first semester with my newly met housemates and it became clear after short while we were all keen film watchers as we had compiled our home grown DVD collections into an impressive mountain of movies under the shared TV. Among this pile was a copy of Freddy Got Fingered. I admit I had never heard of this film until I mutually agreed to watch with my housemates and today I still wish I never did.
This is basically an hour and a half complication of the most gross out scenes which are offensive and just stupidly hideous to watch. I somehow managed to stick around for about two thirds of this film before calling it quits. I don't recall laughing once, more that my jaw was left aching from the length of time I sat gobsmacked and horrified at what I was seeing and that this is even a Hollywood released film!
I can see why this film has gained a cult following for the following reasons mentioned above and in some ways I am glad I have been made aware that such a film does exist, as this film clearly ranks in my personal view as the worst film I have seen. I challenge anyone to create a film as appalling as this. Anyone who can sit through the whole of Freddy Got Fingered, good luck to you.
The Walk (2015)
A Beautiful Film, Even more Beautiful in 3D
If you get the chance to see this film in 3D, don't miss the opportunity to. This is by far one of the best films shot in this way that not only looks visually stunning but director Robert Zemeckis captures the unnerving feeling you are up along side Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) during his famous performance in 1974.
The Walk tells the incredible true story of Petit's dream to perform a high-wire walk between the newly built World Trader Center towers. What should seem a simple plot, the audience is given a richly layered narrative by Petit of his journey from Paris to New York as he perfects his passion and gains key 'accomplices' to help carry out this unique performance.
The film carries a poignant message that can be identified with everyone and that is simply nothing is impossible and do what you love in life. It is clear from start to finish Petit's lives and breathes to perform this artistic feat and Zemeckis and Levitt does this without coming across arrogant and pushy. There is a great balance of drama and light heart-ed comedy that keeps you suspended throughout the duration of film that becomes super effective when the film's climatic titled sequence takes place.
There is honestly nothing that faults this film other than the length might be considered a little long for some during the first half but is easily countered by an excellent cast, CGI and cinematography.
Take the time to see The Walk, even if you are familiar with this story or have seen the 2008 documentary Man on a Wire, this film does credit to such a breath-taking event.