It's been a while since I've written a film review (for obvious reasons!) but date night went down a storm last night at the cinema so here goes...
It looked like 'Old' was a perfect film for us: Beach scenes, a mysterious thriller, and an early finish! An all-star cast isn't always enjoyed, and big effects can get a bit wearing film after film, so how did 'Old' stack up? Here's my review, on the theme of mindfulness, the well being booster tactic, in the movie.
'Old' is one of those movies that you don't know if on brief reflection you really enjoyed. We both agreed we wouldn't watch it again, but mostly because we now knew the ending. The premise was interesting, probably better for being a book before the movie was made: A 'paradise' beach which ages people a year every 30 mins they're there. The tourists can't escape and, along with a rapid advancement of age - and in some cases of growing up a little too fast - a mini mental breakdown of some individuals does start to begin, which was interesting, especially the Instagram model who couldn't bear anyone seeing her age. The acting left a bit to be desired across the board really; the best actors were the teens Alex Wollf and Thomasin McKenzie. My eyes stayed glued to the screen, and I really wanted to know how it ended. The best bits were when there was some real poignant moments in the relatable themes of aging, puberty and parenting. Just before the now blind father of the main character family dies of old age, he loses his memory but says the most lovely things to his wife he was previously on course for a divorce with, and questions why they ever wanted to leave the beach: "It's beautiful." It really spoke to me about mindfulness, enjoying the moment, and the value of being with who you love. When Kara gives birth, I really felt quite emotional. I had my first child just two years ago, and, of course, the baby died less than a minute after it was born - one month is about a minute on the beach, and he died purely of neglect with not enough love, feed or sleep. This was very well done, and Kara really seems to grieve, even being so young and after only having been pregnant for maybe 30 mins and being a mum for less than 60 seconds! Mindfulness even featured here, in the rushed episode of motherhood, when Trent buries the baby with his own hands, in the sand. This must have felt cathartic, in a way, for the character. I also loved when the adult version of Trent (the boy in the main family) suggests to his now adult older sister that they make some sandcastles before they go off together to try a desperate attempt of escape, one most likely to fail. This was beautiful, reminding us that they were still only six and nine (I estimate) in the 'real world', and it was a little emotional seeing them bond for perhaps one final time, again, being mindful in a moment. I'm a big fan of the 'M' word, you may have guessed. The sand's texture, the fun sandcastle building brings, the companionship... The sandcastles making was a clear nod to the original story by Pierre Oscar Levy too, was very thoughtful of the screenplay writers. 
I have to say though, the Director M Night Shyamalan has produced some corkers before (e.g. The Sixth Sense), and sadly, this can't be counted as one of his greats. The execution was a bit ropey, and the end should have stopped at the twist, but I don't think even the pandemic can be blamed for that (it was filmed in 2020 on location). Also, there was no explanation why the famous guy wasn't aging or, in fact, more likely, dead, when the new arrivals find him at the beach. Goof?
In summary, I wouldn't avoid 'Old', but you won't miss much if you wait until it hits home viewing. It was good enough for date night and definitely provoked some thinking. How about a 7/10? Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist This year I 'only' got two books for Christmas *sad face*. I am grateful for everything else, obviously, but Santa, more books next year please! *angelic smiley face* El Husbandio couldn't disagree more. He thinks receiving a book is an insult, almost! He'd much rather be gifted 'something useful' like socks or a gift voucher. And not a Waterstones one!
Personally, I can't wait to get stuck into these two novels: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale (which I really liked, read earlier this year - not yet seen the TV series), and The Shadow King, by Maaza Mengiste, a new author for me, an Ethiopian-American writer. Thanks mum and Lou G! Keep reading, Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist On Monday, El Husbandio and I went to Cardiff for a boring life admin appointment. I had 20 mins to myself so being a big Roald Dahl fan, I wandered along to 'Roald Dahl Plass' on Mermaid Quay.
Quick facts about Roald Dahl, my favourite childrens' writer... - He was born in Cardiff to Norweign parents. - Dahl wasn't just a story writer - he was also a fighter pilot in World War 2. - He would have been 104 years old if he was alive today. - And my favourite book? The BFG! Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. I believe in magic, but there was certainly none of the Dahl magic here on Mermaid Quay. The quick trip to Roald Dahl Plass may have been a let-down, but I did however enjoy a tasty cookies and cream cereal bar from Lidl that happily I found in my handbag, and I did find (an appropriate memorial of) Ivor Novello. All was not lost. And then the heavens opened and I got soaked! What a random, curious, disappointing and wet 20 mins! Back to the car I went! Lou x Find me on Facebook ...And on Twitter Born To Be A Tourist
 This is an old, old photo. My baking and decorating skills have been much improved, but this is still great book/cake blog fodder, so indulge me! During 2010-12 I chaired a writing group in Towcester, Northants, and became really involved with all things books in the town library, where we would meet each month. World Book Night came along, and I baked for the event. Can you guess which books these are based on? Probably not, haha, they're not very well done with hindsight, but hey, it was a lot of fun. Answers below this photo, if you're interested.... FYI - World Book Night is on 23rd April - get involved!  Answers: The ugly, blobby cupcakes are based on the idea of Small Island - Andrea Levy. The cake with 'Room' written on it is about, you guessed it, the fab novel Room by Emma Donoghue. My piping skills have improved somewhat since then!
Cake amateur-ness aside, both books are a great read, in my top 10, I think. I'd definitely recommend them if you haven't already had the pleasure. If you want to see some of the more impressive and professional cakes I now make, take a look at my company website: 280 Bakes. Lou x  I'm currently reading Barbara Kingsolver's 'Flight Behaviour', and I struck a real gem among her words last night, cuddled up in bed. The protagonist, at this point, is going out to check a scientific instrument, showing dedication and interest in a project she never dreamed she'd be working on, right in her backyard (page 323). It's pouring with rain and yo-yoing between 30-40 degrees Farenheit (it's an American book). "She pulled the hood of her raincoat forward to keep the rain off her glasses..." Doesn't it make you shiver? I can remember mornings like that... It's good writing for empathy and atmosphere, but the real reason I wanted to share this masterful (part) sentence was to showcase the skills Kingsolver has for 'show, don't tell'. The idea of this tool for writing is to create texts which enable the reader to tune into the story through action, words, thoughts, senses, and feelings of the characters involved, rather than through description. Why is 'show, don't tell' so important? It's essential to good writing, and something I try to achieve on every page I write. The writer is hinting at a subtext, in this case, the personal description and character of the protagonist. She is clearly someone who needs to wear glasses (or perhaps chooses to - but in this case, most people would leave their specs at home if it was raining, should they not require them for more than a fashion statement!), who owns a decent outdoor weather-ready coat, and the character needs to be able to see clearly for the task she's about to undertake. The creative writing leaves it unsaid, unshown, yet obvious about what the character looks like in a basic form. You can get all of that from one little sentence about a waterproof hood. The old adage 'show, don't tell' is so important to writing it's now included in Key Stage 2 English classes in English schools. Bravo! Anton Chekov put it brilliantly:  However, 'show, don't tell' should be implemented with some caution. According to writer James Scott Bell, "Sometimes a writer tells as a shortcut, to move quickly to the meaty part of the story or scene. Showing is essentially about making scenes vivid. If you try to do it constantly, the parts that are supposed to stand out won't, and your readers will get exhausted." In other words, use with restraint! Joshua Henkin also agrees. The object of the work is to find a perfect balance between a deep, vivid picture conjured in the readers mind, and allowing them to fill in the blanks themselves.
Over half way through the (thick) book, I'm not enamored with 'Flight Behaviour'. Yet, page by page, I notice examples of fantastic writing I hope to emulate one day. And that's reading, not critiquing. I'm reading as a reader, not as a writer (for fun!), but hopefully some of the better examples of writing are drip feeding into my consciousness, day by day making me an improved writer. Check out these quick and dirty tips on showing, not telling from Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty - well worth the read. I'd love to hear if you've been struck by a specific sentence or two while reading. What has the text spoken to you? Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist - this week, tips for perfect holiday snaps! Can you guess which books these Halloween costumes were inspired by? Photos from around the internet - answers below.  
 In order of appearance... Moby Dick Twilight (duh!) The Twits / Hagrid American Horror Story Asylum The Hobbit Frankenstein and my favourite... 50 Shades of Grey Let me know if you think of your own literary costumes... Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist |
AuthorI'm a writer based in South Wales, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. Archives
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