The Big Bamford House

BFG 3 - The Machinist

Saw The Machinist on DVD last night. What a film! What a great film to watch after recently seeing Batman as this also stars Christian Bale, but this time as you've never seen him before. In this film it takes you a good five minutes to actuallly work out that its him. This has nothing to do with make up or CGI effects. The man has simply lost a bit of weight and got a new haircut.

But what an effect this new look has, afterwards you feel as if you need to watch the film twice. The first time you will just stare at Bale, the second you may be able to watch what else is going on! The film has a great visual quality, looking very gloomy and other worldly. This may be something to do with the fact that it was filmed in Spain and made to look like the US. The plot and feel has shades of Fight Club and Momento and may not be the most original film out there - it does not quite measure up to the plot originality and visual style of the likes of Oldboy but is a treat to watch.

Another bonus is the creeping fear the film generates, we both watched many scenes from behind a cushion - when his arm is in that machine you just know what's coming! But above all we recommend this film simply to honour Christian Bale taking method acting to a new high (or should that be low?)

BFG 2 - The Life Aquatic

The Life Aquatic is this particular director's third film, I'm sorry for the laziness but I cannot be bothered to look up his name, can someone let me know? His other efforts were Rushmoor, The Royal Tenumbaums (sp?) and now The Life Aquatic. You cannot talk about this new movie without referencing his earlier work. In short, if you 'get' the other two you'll 'get' this one. The film is populated by some great characters, full of hinted-at back stories, fasinating personalities and strange motivations. I won't try to describe the plot, as this is a minor factor in the film overall and accounts for the major flaw in the film. The production design is amazing, with everything looking as if it has either come straight out of a 1970s French documentary or an experimental stop-motion animation film.

Despite really wanting to love this film, in the same way that I think the Royal Tenumbaums is one of the warmest, most touching films I've ever seen, I did not quite connect with The Life Aquatic. Whilst having the same characters and feel to the previous work, The Life Aquatic's plot lets it down. You just don't experience the same journey as you do with The Royals, you just don't care as much about Steve Zissou as you did with that strange family living in the New York Brownstone.

The BFG still gives it a thumbs up though!

Bamford Film Group 1

Batman Begins

We saw the new Batman Film the other week and quite simply we thought it was great. At first glance it seemed like an unusual choice for Chris Nolan to direct a mainstream comic-book blockbuster. But this is not your usual brainless summer movie. For what seems like the first hour there is not a single scene with the dark knight, and precious little action. This is not a film for the under 10s pumped up on sugar.

The main focus of the first half of the film is devoted to answering the questions; why does Bruce become the dark knight and why choose a bat as his alter-ego. The answers to these questions are on the whole pretty convincing and satisfying.

The second half of the film is really where the action kicks in and when it arrives it delivers. The scene featuring the new bat mobile is great. Very little CGI, extremely believable technology (the vehicle was designed to be a military bridge-builder) and very exciting.

The supporting cast, as well as the lead actors all did very well, especially Bale who at times re-created his manic Patrick Bateman best. I also liked Caine as Alfred. I'm not a big fan of Caine who often comes across as a bad impression of himself. But here it works well. The only slightly weak area is the baddies, while the scarecrow is frightening the film does lack a big bad guy. Another great character is Gotham itself. The design looks great, especially the longer shots, there has not being a better looking city on film since Bladerunner.

Anyway, what did you think of it?