Film Night: Rocknrolla by Guy Ritchie

I'd been to see a few of Ritchie's films and frankly wasn't really looking forward to this one -Revolver for god's sake - does someone want to explain that one to me?  I'm still baffled.

However - it was great!  Funny, wonderful characters (without -in my opinion having them completely over the top for a change) Tom Wilkinson (at bloody LAST) given a big meaty tough guy role.  In fact the performances were all so bloody good that Gerald Butler almost got swallowed up - he certainly didn't stand out -not because he wasn't good, because he was - but because everyone else was too.

I would think that some non-Brits might need subtitles, but I do really really recommend this: It's like Ritchie is poking gentle fun at himself and it works really well. It's not as bloody as some of his work, and that builds the tension because he makes you care for the characters even the pretty awful ones - and you just know that someone is going to get it and I know that there was one or two that I really really didn't want to die.

The only quibble I have is the fate of the painting, so when anyone else goes to see it, please let me know your ideas - that was just left hanging.

I was wracking my brain throughout as to where I'd seen "Archie" before, and when the titles came up I realised that he was Mark Strong and had played Septimus in "Stardust" (phwoar) and was just as hot in this in quite a different way. Thandie Newton? Excellent. A role worthy of her.

Oh - and did I mention the gay?  No?  *innocent face*  Oh well, you'll just have to go and see it won't you?  Let's just say that you see Gerald Butler's arse,and it's worth seeing, too. There aren't many films that make me really laugh out loud but this one did it. Well done, Mr Ritchie, well done.

Keeping track of your characters!

What do I mean by this?

You must always be aware of where your character is on the page - and what their arms and legs are doing.

Yes, this sounds like kindergarten advice but you'd be surprised how many books I've read where characters transport from one place to the other without any explanation.  I read one a while back where the heroine was sitting in a chair and then the next time she spoke she was standing by the door - scary stuff!  And the nanny just teleported into the room, holding the baby! I'm surprised that the heroine didn't faint of shock.

Similarly - and what caused this rantette - I read an excerpt of a book last night, you know, one of those promo things that get sent out, and the heroine was:

lying on a bed.
Kicking the hero
Punching the hero
The hero was holding her fist and her foot in his hands.
And the heroine was (in this position) rubbing her breasts and fanny against him, while all the time licking his ear.

What is this? A game of twister? All I can say to the author is "try and do this!"

Second Sight - ( Game wibble. )