T2 Trainspotting. Reliving the Rave.

A week or so ago, I decided to take a well deserved trip to my local cinema after the twilight hours after work, and watch the sequel to the wonderful cult classic Trainspotting. For months I have been awaiting this classic films little brother, hoping and praying (as, clearly, I so often do) for it to be as good, if not as good as the original. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised. 

From www.uncrate.com

This film is one of the best sequels I have seen since Critters 2, and does more than we expect of such a classic. T2 takes place 11 years after the original, where main character in the original, Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to his home town Edinburough, where he rekindles his relationships to his two main friends, Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller) and Spud (Ewan Bremner). This wonderful and quite heart warming scenario then turns sinister as out casted friend Begbie breaks out from incarceration (Who would have known that he would be there, eh?) and bumps into the threesome.....

Both Trainspotting films  periodically merge visually into each other through out the film, which with just my meager lines of writing, cannot convey the conviction and creativly this weaving past with present concept conveys to the audience. Just think about how our brains react when we see a landmark that a few years ago (whether it's 1 year ago or 20) we visited with that lover we had, you replay the scenario you acted out with each other to the minor details of their wrinkled shirt, or wind blown hair. Simply put, this splicing of memories and history is beautifully articulate to how we all recall, and works astoundingly for the story we watch before us. 

The story is a simple one, (which I shall not divulge in greater detail on here, for just to hear this rendition of the story without the fantastic screen accompliment may turn people away from the film) but is realistic and empathetic to more or less all of us, since we all know how ageing, rekindling friendships and even how dealing with addiction of some kind or another feels. This adds a heart warming vibe to the whole piece, or at least it did for me, and in turn actually made me feel like I was also reconnecting to my mates who I never quite forgot after all of these passing years. 

From www.odeon.com

Director Danny Boyle uses his characteristic cutting edge filming techniques as seen in his previous films (Slumdog Millionaire) to fill this movie with pleasant visuals that will make all who see this film feel like they are in these situations presented to them, whilst also, at times, adding in a real view look into the euthoric nature of drugs, sex and succeeding with scams, and the gritty times of rehab and recovery. It's truly an inspiring piece, and I recommend seeing it very much. 

Until next time, 
Jessiefer. 

PS, this is a little doodle I drew after seeing the film. I felt like my eyes where so dilated with inspiration (akin to if I were to have seen a handsome guy with a hand written poetry book in his hand )

PPS, Also, Johnny Lee Miller rekindled my teenage lust of guys with bleached hair (see, going back in history)

From pbs.twimming.com

Live by Night ... And the return of a bad blogger.

Hello and welcome to another blog entry to add to the million already littering the internet, expressing a fickle thing that everyone has (especially when it comes to the US government!): an opinion. This entry will document the feelings and emotions I had when watching the new film directed and staring Ben Affleck (who is the bomb in Phantoms!), along with his other  Hollywood Pal (maybe?) turned director Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Image from cinemablend.com and rights of Warner Bro's

Live by Night is a movie set back in the early 20's where flapper culture was thriving and gangsters were poppin' glocks all over the place.... We see a [very handsome] Joe Coughlin (Affleck) fall in love with an Irish immigrant turned lady mobster Emma Gould (Sienna Miller), who loves a little bit of love triangle related qurrels, and sneaking behind the big Irish mobs boss' back to have a little weekend canoodle with Joe. This true love obviously crashes down, like all Movie love triangles that involve a big bad person, when Albert White (Robert Glenister) catches onto what is happening and literally gives a swift, but accurate kick to Joe's unmentionables (a scene that made me half laugh (I know, I'm a sadist) and cringe due to the, I think, unjustified reaction of audible intense intakes of breath from the male cinema go-ers around me.) 

Of course Joe goes to jail, and is released over time, and seeks revenge. Typical mob flick right? Wrong... Sort of. Live by Night then goes on to become a capsule for a range of differing themes that I simply (although looking back on it, stupidly...) didn't see coming. Themes of racism, gender and mixed race relationships come into play, which all of you who know me in real life know I am a sucker for. We see scenes of the KKK and how lovely, heart throb (okay, Jessiefer, be calm, we all know you like Affleck!) Joe 'takes care of them' along side taking over a large part of the south of the US with his imports and exports of prohibited liquid from Cuba. Joe then goes on to fall in love with the beautiful Graciela ( Zoe Saldana) whom recovers the parts of his heart lost when Emma was taken away by Albert. 

From IGN.com.

The film, without giving away much else, is very interesting, and I really do recommend you all go and see it, It has a varied mix of action, romance and race themes which I think will keep all types of film go-ers happy and entertained throughout the majority of the flick. I loved the twists and turns, the (I believe) very accurate history of the time periods expressed (1920's - 1950's) was also very interesting to see, and the cherry on the top? The film just easthetically looks amazing! Live by Night is, to me, a little understated gem of unexpected film narrative, which although may not be on the top of your 'I need to see these films, especially now all the good ones have come out!' list, but is very much well worth the viewing. 

Please check it out and maybe leave your own thoughts on it down below, I'd love to hear from somebody else (I'm very lonely...... hgahahaha... no, really) and please do not forget to fall in love with Ben Affleck a little more .

Until next time,
Jessiefer. 

PS, here is a close up of the man himself.... Wit Woo

Etonline.com