Bunce is a short film written by Steven Fry. I love Steven Fry so it was an obvious choice for me but an enjoyable. I don't know for sure but seeing as the main character is referred to as Fry I assume this is a somewhat semi-autobiographical film about Steven's misadventures at boarding school as a child. Bunce refers to a new kid whom Fry takes under his wing somewhat and teaches him how to avoid the bullies whilst substantially expanding the boys vocabulary and showing him what not to do if you don't want to be in and out of the prinicipal's office (played by Fry himself with absolute precision). But Fry has ulterior motives and the film is a beautiful tale of misguided youthful abandon and friendship.
The Guard screened with Bunce and as I simply wanted to see Bunce I didn't read up on The Guard and was pleasantly surprised. The Guard is hilarious. I haven't laughed so much at a film since the final sequence of Hot Fuzz. The beginning is fast paced, unexpected and made the theater erupt into laughter. A perfect blend of humour, action, violence and drama, this film has everything. The characters are original, unaffected, refreshing and so, so, so funny. A small town cop becomes embroiled in a drug smuggling saga and does his best to help the FBI bust the mules. Starring Don Cheadle, Mark Strong and Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter, Brendan Gleeson as the greatest don't give a shit cop ever. It comes out in cinemas on August 25th and I will definitely be heading along to see it again. If you like a good laugh I suggest you do too.
Next up was the much anticipated Australian drama The Eye of The Storm, the Fred Schepisi adaptation of the 1973 novel by Australian Nobel Laureate Patrick White. Starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling and Judy Davis the film tells the tale of the two spoiled and un-appreciative children (Rush and Davis) of dying eccentric (Rampling), come home to ensure their inheritance is not being swindled by the house staff as their ailing mothers mind starts to unravel. An interesting story of flawed human character, with insightful but ultimately inconclusive flashbacks that reveal little about the reasons for their depravity, but perhaps add a little to the insecurity of Davis' foreign princess character. Schepisi's own daughter plays the sweet house nurse who stars in a very awkward sex scene with the twice her age Rush (directed by her father). With these people sitting in the row in front this screening was very awkward, but pretty good. I didn't love love love this film like I thought I would, but it was pretty good.
Next up was the quirky, odd, hilarious Spanish film Finisterrae, the tale of two Russian ghost, which as you can see in the picture are just two guys in sheets with eyes, who want to be mortal again and seek guidance on how to do this from a mysterious fire spirit who directs them on a journey to their goal. This is by far the most original road movie I have ever seen. At turns hilarious, bizarre and odd, this would have to be a highlight of the festival. The visual humour alone is enough to make you laugh until you cry but then they go so far as to read out, in their slow, deep, monotonous voice, all the credits from the actors, to the gaffers to the names of the animals who appeared throughout. Complete with a forest of trees with ears, an opera singing hippy, a stripteasing lady ghost and stuffed animals arranged into bizarre scenes in mysterious caves along their journey.
Last of the night was The Innkeepers which I saw with Volunteer Coordinator of MIFF 2010 Alex. I don't remember why I chose this film, maybe because it was billed as being Clerks meets The Shining. While I haven't seen Clerks, I know enough about it to know that this would be an interesting combination. The Innkeepers tells the tale of two hotel clerks whose hotel is about to close. They are paranormal enthusiasts and spend the last weekend working at the hotel trying to record proof that the hotel is haunted by the spirit of a bride who killed herself a hundred years (or there abouts) ago in the hotel after being stood up at the alter. The film is relatively predictable but still made me jump out of my skin. It is funny, scary, sweet, weird, the two leads are greatly unaffected and natural. I enjoyed the film, it was not altogether unexpected but full of great suspense. I was however left with a lot of unanswered questions which bugged me, but not enough to make it un-enjoyable.
Pick of the day
Finisterrae was so so funny and I spent the whole trip home acting out and remembering every moment of the film to my boyfriend in the hope that he would go and see the next screening.
Surprise of the day
The Guard, which I only booked in to see Bunce, but it was so laugh out loud funny and I absolutely loved it. SEE THIS MOVIE!
Film total so far
11
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