Hoop Dreams

And this week's Friday Night movie has been... Hoop Dreams!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th January 2023

Sports movies are not one of my favourite genres. Because to me they are seem so formulaic. Seriously, you see one 'Struggling team of no-hopers guided by equally troubled coach achieve against-the-odds success' movie you've seen them all. And when formula is involved, as is often the case, it can be difficult to break away from.
But I will give props to any movie that attempts to do so. So what we have here is a (very long) documentary that follows two kids, who are keen on basketball, trying to make their passion work for them.

Over the course of the documentary we follow the kids, William Gates and Arthur Agee, go from playing basketball in school to doing what it takes to make the NBA tryouts. Along the way, they face challenges such as poverty, injuries, race, getting an education, troubled family lives, finding employment, and staking a lot on eventual success.
Personally whilst my knowledge of basketball may be very limited, I have to admit that the sport itself isn't really the focus here: It's about two kids trying to achieve success despite a whole range of obstacles coming at them. It really showcases what it means to have a dream and the blood, sweat and tears that are involved to make them happen. And to that end the movie succeeds.
Guess it is possible to break the formula.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Miracle on 34th Street (1994)!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th December 2022

Back in 2019, I saw the 1947 original. So why not watch the update?
I suppose it will be inevitable that comparisons will be made between the two. But I am willing to give this film a chance and allow it to stand up on it's own two feet.

That being said, one change made is the sub-plot the makers added with Bryan and Dorey. And in all honesty it didn't do that much for me. But what DID work for me is Richard Attenborough's performance as Kris Kringle. The man owns every scene he is in and gives the role plenty of gravitas. Indeed, you could make the argument that he is exactly how one expects Santa Claus to act.
I will also admit that, compared to the original, the winning argument is handled more successfully. So one-up to the remake.
So yeah, not a bad movie

Pom Poko

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Pom Poko!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd December 2021

Yes we're taking another trip into the anime well. And we're casting a look at the distinguished body of work that came from the one and only Studio Ghibli - with one of their more overlooked movies. - but then again this is Ghibli we're talking about and anything that is directed by someone who isn't Hayao Miyazaki is automatically dubbed overlooked.
Still, I have been putting off this movie for quite some time: One of a handful of movies courtesy of Ghibli's other genius/co-founder Isao Takahata. No time like the present I guess...

I have to admit that Pom Poko is indeed a unique entrant in Takahata's body of work. I know he can do realistic stories with attention to detail (ie Grave of the Fireflies and Only Yesterday) and I know he can do experimental works that take animation into new places and gobble up Ghibli's profits (ie My Neighbors the Yamadas and Tale of Princess Kaguya). So where does this leave Pom Poko?
If anything, it seems to take some of Miyazaki's familiar themes - pastoral landscapes, inventive designs and ecological theme - and place them in a different context. Nothing wrong with that - I mean why not have someone different talk about the same thing? - but there are times when it feels less like a Takahata film and more like one where he was peering over Miyazaki's shoulder and taking notes.
Still, this is a Ghibli movie and has all we come to expect: Humour, imagination, weirdness, high quality animation and some truly heartfelt moments. In fact, I do wonder why this is one of Ghibli's overlooked films as the themes of rebellion and ecological concerns would indeed find an audience in this current political climate...

The Shawshank Redemption

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....The Shawshank Redemption!

 Original image located here. Accessed 10th June 2016

It seems strange to admit that I'd never seen this movie before: It wasn't a big deal with it's initial run at the cinema but it's popularity grew largely through word of mouth and rentals - to the point where so many people have seen the movie and rank it quite highly.

And whom am i to argue? This movie was compelling enough to engage with me all the way through and indeed, says a lot about redemption (funnily enough), keeping a straight head in a hopeless situation and finding a breakthrough in amongst bleakness.
I think we can all learn something from that