Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

The imitation game


I thought I needed to see this movie before it started going out of the cinema, so that is what I did. I love historical films, true stories and biographical films and the story of Alan Turing was an extraordinary one to say the least, even if one of my favourite actors was not playing Turing, I still would have gone to see it. 

This film was so beautiful and heartbreaking, I appreciated it greatly. Alan Turing was a great man, it pains me to think of what he went through in his personal life regarding his sexuality, and I just wonder now if someone were to travel back in time and give him an ounce of reassurance that the world now is a lot more accepting and loving in comparison. Would that have changed his death? I believe not, from what I gathered from his personality he was a very vulnerable man, the fact that in a time where he would not live until, to see acceptance would still solidify how unhappy he was with his life. The despicable act of administrating hormonal treatment to cure someone's sexuality is absurd, and its so sad to think of all the people who went through it, because its not fictional. 

This film has made me appreciate Turing and the work he and his team achieved. I had heard of the word 'enigma' before but not in the sense it was portrayed in the film, but the literary sense, an enigma code being a plot device, meaning something puzzling/mysterious. Breaking the enigma code looked astonishing though, even if it was a bit too complicated for me to understand fully, but I got the gist of it. 

Moments I enjoyed:


  • The relationship between Turing and Joan was sweet, a true friendship, an accepting one as well. I'm glad they didn't try and produce a romantic relationship between them, not even a kiss which was nice to see. Although at times her straightforward acceptance of him was mismatched with the realities of what was happening back then, but I'm glad she was very supportive of him, and seemed to understand how his brain worked. 
  • Joan- Was a lovely character, funny, defiant and smart, I'm glad we had that seen at the initiation where she comes in late, it truly breaks down sexism in the workplace for a moment, a moment where brains truly are more important. 
  • Alex Lawther- (Young Alan Turing) deserves some sort of award, I found his performances so moving, he perfected the look of vulnerability and strength, you could see young Alan's shields that he built up, and why they were there, you could truly feel his emotions and coupled with Benedict's own mannerisms of Turing, this coupled display really shone through.
  • Benedict really is a flawless actor, no matter what high profile role he is in, e.g. Sherlock, he always produces a completely outstanding performance making you believe he is not anything other than the role he is currently playing. Everything from the body language, the pure real emotion and determination was perfect, I am so in love with his performance in this film, it is exceptional and if  he doesn't receive at least one award for this film, I will be very angry. He's a talented rarity.
  • That they didn't show his death, that's not how he should be remembered and it had more of an impact in the film like that.
Moments which I did not like:

  • I felt something was off with the colouring, it seemed a little too vibrant for this particular era, maybe its just me, but it felt slightly modern in a way for some reason.
  • John the soviet spy- Didn't like his character for obvious reasons.The police officers- Might be a bit biased since they were homophobic.
Overall I truly did enjoy this film piece, it highlighted an extraordinary historic hero and gave me more of an insight into the life of Alan Turing thanks to some amazing performances.
10/10.




Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Night of the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.


I have loved the previous two films, so going into watching the third I had high expectations. I've always loved films like this, it's just something to sit and watch if you want a laugh. Ben Stiller was great, I loved with this film how you just accepted the lines from the actors mouths even if they were roll your eyes and bad at times, but that's what these films are a comical outlook into a crazy event you would never expect to happen to you ever. And I love museums and history so that's a plus. Besides the fact I wouldn't know how to react if the dinosaurs in my museum came to life, but Larry should be used to it by now.


  • I'm sorry but trying to say that the coming alive of these artefacts are 'special effects' and having an audience, from New York believe you, please. 
  • Not too fond of Larry's son Nick, has this reckless attitude which is boring.
  • Not really into Ricky Gervais's character to be honest, its a little to fake and it comes across that they are trying to hard with the humour with him, yes he's a comedian but its too fabricated for my liking. 
  • Love Jedediah and Octavius as characters, little cute bromance. 
  • I actually didn't realise 'Laaa' was played by Ben Stiller, but hey a great and funny character, its something about these helpless historical artefacts who have no knowledge of our time that is endearing.  
  • Rebel Wilson's character just felt like it was a cameo by Rebel, it didn't really make a lot of sense and the accent was terrible.
  • Was strange seeing Robin Williams on screen for the final time, great character and actor nonetheless.
  • I liked the throwback to the first movie where Larry was playing fetch with the dinosaur. 
  • I'd love to watch the behind the scenes and see the actors acting in front of basically nothing since its mostly CGI.
  • Where is the security inside the museum, can't only be dear old Tilly outside?
  • Bless Dexter the monkey...
  • "Hello frog, keep hopping, your'e real" hahaha,
  • Oh dear Pompeii 
  • "Ever used a blade?".... "Only in World of Warcraft."
  • To think you could electrocute  iron snakes. 
  • "We have 40,000 of them" oh no.
  • Haha the lions and the light in Trafalgar Sq.
  • Huge Ackman oh my
  • Haha dripping nose
  • No the goodbye scenes, bye Hun, bye Dexter, bye guys!
  • Winking with both eyes lol
I'm glad overall they ended it like that, having fun, dancing it was a good end to three magical films. 7/10