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

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This is what I've watched over the last week. I haven't been bingeing - even with Lockdown I'm keeping busy  - but here's what I thought of what I did catch. 

Toy Story 4
Really disappointing! I loved Toy Story 1, 2, and 3, but this was not a keeper. **SPOILER ALERT** I guess there's going to be a fifth, we'll see if Pixar and Disney can bounce back, even with Woody now no longer with his team of toys and a family. 

Dara O'Briain: This Is The Show
Now, this was good. I do like Dara, but I especially liked his comedy on NCT groups. Preach!!!! 

A Star Is Born
I've wanted to watch this for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were fantastic, and I felt really moved in several parts. Go see, if you've not already!

Alan Carr Yap Yap Yap
Pretty entertaining but there's a limit to how many of these I can watch!

The Lion King (2019)
I'm not generally a fan of the remakes (see previous blogs) but I couldn't resist this, a true favourite... And it wasn't too bad. Pumba and Timon were actually improved: No wailing crying, some good lines, and Seth Rogan is always a welcome voice. One bit I did think was a bit crap was the Be Prepared song. One of my favourites from the original film and I really missed Jeremy Irons as Scar. Still, one of the better remakes, worth watching. 

And that was my week of Now TV! Not too much viewing, busy with baby and we don't watch a huge amount generally anyway, but it was worth it for A Star Is Born alone. Go get a free trial!

Lou x

P.S. I made myself happy today by watching The Lion King.
I was productive today by making plum buns.
I helped someone today (hopefully) by displaying a rainbow picture in my front window. A lot of my neighbours are doing it, lovely positive sharing in isolation.

I've always been a HUGE Disney fan, so seeing the new version of Aladdin was never in question. My first ever Disney movie ownership came in the form of Mary Poppins in 1991; I was lucky enough to go to Disneyland twice as a kid, something I hope to do at least once with my own; My sister and I wanted to name our baby brother 'Eric' after Prince Eric of The Little Mermaid so bad (we got the first letter alone, he was named Edward). 

So when I heard the Disney cartoons were starting to be remade in 'live action' with real people and CGI animals, I was pretty excited. A refresh, and potentially a more life-like story. 

Jungle Book was pretty good in 2016, and a popular film for Disney to begin their new live action endeavours with, though not in my top rated ones. It was a good start, impressing me with how life-like the animals were and their interaction between the human actors. 

Beauty and the Beast (2018) was less good in my eyes, but it's probably my third favourite overall from the 90's cartoons, so it was always going to be a hard sell. One of my favourite parts was re-shot and missed out (when Belle sits on the fountain edge and the goat eats her book), and Emma Watson ... never been a fan. Please, autotune. 

2019 brings us to Aladdin. And it didn't really bring me to a 'whole new world'. I was disappointed, left feeling a little underwhelmed by the roll of the closing credits. To be honest, I wasn't surprised. On the way into the theatre I said to my brother - let's call him (Prince) Eric just for this blog - that it would be a weird Aladdin without the late, great Robin Williams as the Genie. Will Smith was cast as the new-look Genie and, despite myself, I think he may have been the best character in this re-make - love the way he drops a bit of rap in occasionally and the added storyline he gets (no spoilers). Added to this, his 'Never Had A Friend Like Me' rendition was probably the best bit of the whole film, and he made it his own. Nice work. 

Yes, the costume design was good. Princess Jasmine grew some balls and some sassy, learned character attributes which I loved, and the new songs were pretty decent. What I disliked the most was the stage school vibe the actors had, Aladdin in particular. Sure, the actor needed to be able to look the part, sing, dance and act without a cartoonist's help, but he (no one!) spoke with any conviction and it felt all too rehearsed. I missed those odd voices like the "still I think he's rather tasty" woman in Agrabah's market at he start, and Prince Ali failed to live up to the original song - previously my favourite part. It felt like the Genie was the protagonist at many parts, and the royal parade announcing the arrival of another prince for Jasmine to check-out was one of these. 

And Jafar? One of the first real bad guys I've ever loved, back in 1992. This portrayl by Marwan Kenzari was a complete let-down, even after him being billed as the all-new 'hot Jafar'. He wasn't evil looking enough, and he offered another flat delivery of the script. Where was the passion? Where was the signature twizzly beard??? And Iago, his pet parrot side-kick was just plain mangy. 

So, overall, I enjoyed the Aladdin remake, but it could have been better. At least Aladdin had nipples in this version. How about a 7/10 for this movie. I'm on the fence as to if I'll bother with the Lion King live action remake. 

Lou x

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Born to be a Tourist