God Bless Ciniworld's Monday and Wednesday Specials! Twice a week they bring back films that have left the silver screen to give you a second chance to experience them in all their glory. This week was like a gift from the Lord as I skived a bit on Monday to watch Finding Neverland, and traipsed to the cinema last night to watch Garden State. You could not ask for more quality viewing!
Both of these films were released at Christmas here in the UK but I sadly missed them due to my Thelma and Louise adventures in the States and the subsequent poverty on my return. I was utterly gutted until I spotted this rare opportunity to see them before they come out on DVD.
Finding Neverland>>>
Wow. Beautiful. Enchanting. Jonny Dep and Kate Winslet were wonderfully rich and subtle, the story was elegant and sensitive, poignant and charming. Sadly I had one of those I-just-chugged-a-liter-of-diet-coke moments and had to sprint to the bathroom ten minutes before the end. Even with this amateur mistake the film was awesome, the most impacting character being Peter Llewellyn-Davies, acted incredibly by the prolific Freddie Highmore. He was very genuine and performed the meloncholly Peter with real conviction. I was utterly blown away when in the last scene he out performed even Jonny.
The film does make me want to revisit the story of Peter Pan (I've never been a massive fan). I may even need to make an addition to my DVD collection...
Garden State>>>
Again, what a gem! A debut for Zach Braff who wrote, directed and starred in the lead role (greedy - but if it's your call then it may be your only chance!) I was moved, I loved the subtlety of many key moments, I laughed rather loudly in moments that tickled me and left feeling (in the words of Sven the wise) like I'd just listened to a unique voice emerging for the first time...
It had it's flaws; for all it's subtleties it was wrapped up in an obvious way and the characters were brilliant but you wanted to go further, but... we did stand around our cars in the freezing cold after wards to share our favourite moments. I'd recommend it to anyone and again may have to make another addition to my DVD collection.
As an aside... have you seen the new SWE3:ROTS Poster released on-line today? Click the thumbnail to witness it in all its glory (eeek!)...