Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

It is so, so clever. I didn't realise until I went to see the film that it's an adaption of the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, which I must now read. Tom Hanks plays the role of a Jeweller, who is a Father of an eleven year-old boy (name Oskar played by Thomas Horn) who sets varying challenges to help his son to embrace life and extend his ability to problem solve besides nurturing him to confront his wildest fears. In doing so, there is a true bond and mutual respect between Father & son. The son seems to be ahead of his years. Thomas Horn will go far! Then the most horrific and unthinkable happens... the boys Father dies in the World Trade Centre! After the boys "worst day", he discovers a key amongst his Father’s belongings. Once discovered, the boy can not help himself but to search across the city for the lock it will open. Along the way he meets quite an assortment of people. He produces an amazing record of those he meets and a system for tracking down where or whom the key belongs.

His Mother (played by Sandra Bullock) is in the background intially, but you can see there is true chemistry between husband and wife. Her intuition shines through... There is "The Renter" played by Max Von Sydow who you may recognise as being in many previous films such as: "Three Days of the Condor", "The Exorcist" and "Shutter Island". Another brilliant role for him. Having experienced grief first-hand, the acting is very realistic and how the story is hinged is absolutely ingenuis. A film I will buy on dvd. FANTASTIC...... Go and see it for yourself. I found it captivating and I feel it will also be for those going to the cinema in the right frame of mind, who also demonstrate a depth of character. I score this movie 9 (10 is top)

The Vow

Magnificant acting by Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum with realistic emotional dimension. They had the ideal chemistry, embracing life when an accident struck and had a huge impact on these newly weds when his wife wakes up from a coma and does not recollect who the man is at the end of her bed or their marriage. A frosty Father and accepting Mother took the accident as an opportunity to blank out her husband and entice their daughter to return home. The couple enjoyed a marriage of love and true friendship which was a recipe for passion as well as genuine spontaneity. Does her husband win his fight to win her heart all over again, is the question? Watch it and find out! The Mother was played by Jessica Lange who also had a leading role in "Tootsie". An hour and three quarters of captivating storyline inspired by a true story that generates tears as well as empathy. A must to view in my opinion, and a film to own on dvd. I score this film 9 (10 is top)

The Descendants

A film I watched at the cinema 31st May 2012... George Clooney has the main role as a Honolulu-based lawyer who is the sole trustee of a family trust. His job has dictated time away from home. His wife (Elizabeth) has a boating accident which results in her going into a coma. It makes him reflect and wish he had invested more time in his marriage and family. There is so much that he wants to do when she recovers. During his wife's time in a coma, he is forced to confront his youngest 10-year-old daughter, Scottie's inappropriate behaviour with other children and his eldest 17-year-old daughter, Alex's drinking. The viewer can readily relate to what he is going through as he attempts to manage homelife and gets his head around his wife's situation. Alex tells her father that Elizabeth was having an affair at the time of the accident. George responds by confronting two family friends, Kai and Mark, and learns who Elizabeth's lover is and sets out to meet this man. He initially wishes to see this man and his response to Elizabeth's accident. George wants to give him the opportunity to say his goodbye to her as the hospital can no longer maintain her life support. When anger rears its head, he seeks to establish whether this man loved his wife. This film is apparently based on a novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings. Be prepared to journey through a rollercoaster of emotions... This film is well paced given the storyline and is thought provoking. Always remember... What you sew, you reap! Invest in who you hold dear. I score this film 8 (10 is top) Don't see it without tissues! I will not buy this on dvd though.