Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
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Beate
- The Modfather (& Three-Time Prediction Master!)
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Re: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Really? Oh well I guess front seats are better for the Q&A anyway, you can see Andy Serkis up close. I am sure you will have fun, jpeg.
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cheekyweelassie
- Phase IV
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Re: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
I went to the SRO screening of this on Friday. Wish I'd read this thread first to be forewarned that it might take as much as four hours!
We arrived at about 11:30 to get signed in, and then we had a drink and some sandwiches, which was all lovely. I haven't been into the Hampstead Everyman before, and was surprised at how tiny it was, so not many people were in there, although I don't know if anybody was turned away.
There was quite a delay waiting for the film to start (I think it had to be brought in by courier), so it was after 1pm when the film actually started. I was getting a bit bored by then, and just wanted to get on with it. Andy Serkis and the screenwriter came to introduce the film, which was a nice touch.
I had a cursory knowledge of Ian Dury and the Blockheads before I went to see the film, but it didn't really matter a jot if you knew anything about him before-hand, as I did not view the film as a traditional biopic but rather a study of family relationships.
It wasn't really my kind of music anyway, but I could see how Ian Dury was a talented entertainer, if not what I'd call a singer. He never thought of himself as a singer anyway, as we learn during the film. I did think the way the music was woven into the film was pretty clever, as often the music reflected the mood. The screenwriter explained that 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' was about falling apart, and so it was filmed underwater and appeared at a point in the film when things were all going wrong. I thought it was good to use the music to help move the story on, rather than just chucking songs in kareoke-style. I vaguely remember the controversy about Spasticus Autisticus, and I thought it was interesting how this was just as unacceptable in that era as it would be now. It raised some interesting questions about how disability is viewed, and how Ian Dury himself didn't consider himself disabled.
I found it really interesting to compare the relationship of Ian Dury with his own father to the relationship he had with his son Baxter. I felt that the father-son relationship was the pivotal focus on the film. Whilst I felt sorry for Ian's early life experiences, I did not feel that this excused his behaviour as an adult. I did not warm to him, and I felt he was selfish and egotistical. Andy Serkis did a fantastic job of his portrayal, and he was completely absorbing as the character. During the Q&A afterwards, Andy explained how he had worked closely with the family, who had actually requested that he make him even more of a bas****. He must have been a very charistmatic person to keep his family around him despite the way he treated people.
I thought the filming style was interesting and fast-paced, and the film didn't drag at all. I really enjoyed it, and I found the Q&A really interesting at the end. It was 4pm by the time we emerged out of the cinema though, so it was a bit of a long afternoon. However, I'm really glad I went, and I'd recommend the film. I'd give it 8.5/10.
We arrived at about 11:30 to get signed in, and then we had a drink and some sandwiches, which was all lovely. I haven't been into the Hampstead Everyman before, and was surprised at how tiny it was, so not many people were in there, although I don't know if anybody was turned away.
There was quite a delay waiting for the film to start (I think it had to be brought in by courier), so it was after 1pm when the film actually started. I was getting a bit bored by then, and just wanted to get on with it. Andy Serkis and the screenwriter came to introduce the film, which was a nice touch.
I had a cursory knowledge of Ian Dury and the Blockheads before I went to see the film, but it didn't really matter a jot if you knew anything about him before-hand, as I did not view the film as a traditional biopic but rather a study of family relationships.
It wasn't really my kind of music anyway, but I could see how Ian Dury was a talented entertainer, if not what I'd call a singer. He never thought of himself as a singer anyway, as we learn during the film. I did think the way the music was woven into the film was pretty clever, as often the music reflected the mood. The screenwriter explained that 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' was about falling apart, and so it was filmed underwater and appeared at a point in the film when things were all going wrong. I thought it was good to use the music to help move the story on, rather than just chucking songs in kareoke-style. I vaguely remember the controversy about Spasticus Autisticus, and I thought it was interesting how this was just as unacceptable in that era as it would be now. It raised some interesting questions about how disability is viewed, and how Ian Dury himself didn't consider himself disabled.
I found it really interesting to compare the relationship of Ian Dury with his own father to the relationship he had with his son Baxter. I felt that the father-son relationship was the pivotal focus on the film. Whilst I felt sorry for Ian's early life experiences, I did not feel that this excused his behaviour as an adult. I did not warm to him, and I felt he was selfish and egotistical. Andy Serkis did a fantastic job of his portrayal, and he was completely absorbing as the character. During the Q&A afterwards, Andy explained how he had worked closely with the family, who had actually requested that he make him even more of a bas****. He must have been a very charistmatic person to keep his family around him despite the way he treated people.
I thought the filming style was interesting and fast-paced, and the film didn't drag at all. I really enjoyed it, and I found the Q&A really interesting at the end. It was 4pm by the time we emerged out of the cinema though, so it was a bit of a long afternoon. However, I'm really glad I went, and I'd recommend the film. I'd give it 8.5/10.
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jpeg
- The Fifth Element
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Re: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Yup....the screening took a long time as cheekyweelassie already explained...
I loved the film! Found it very fun, dark and colourful. I thought the kid who played the young Ian Dury was very good....during the Q&A we found out he is actually disabled.
Andy Serkis did an excellent job and you can tell he had a great time acting for this!
I also loved how the music was put into the film so it worked with the story line...giving the music a purpose rather then just being there because it has to be. I thought Andy Serkis and the Blockheads sound was really good...Andy's voice gave it a real punky feel...we found out that he has been touring with the Blockheads and recently played at the Electric Ballroom...there are some pretty good videos up on youtube of that.
As Beate had told me beforehand...food was handed out...we sat in some sort of small lounge while the host spoke to Andy Serkis..in front of a camera man. We had to be in the background talking. The producer told us to raise or lower our volume a couple of times which made me feel a bit self conscience and unable to think of anything to talk about!
I would give the movie 8/10
I loved the film! Found it very fun, dark and colourful. I thought the kid who played the young Ian Dury was very good....during the Q&A we found out he is actually disabled.
Andy Serkis did an excellent job and you can tell he had a great time acting for this!
I also loved how the music was put into the film so it worked with the story line...giving the music a purpose rather then just being there because it has to be. I thought Andy Serkis and the Blockheads sound was really good...Andy's voice gave it a real punky feel...we found out that he has been touring with the Blockheads and recently played at the Electric Ballroom...there are some pretty good videos up on youtube of that.
As Beate had told me beforehand...food was handed out...we sat in some sort of small lounge while the host spoke to Andy Serkis..in front of a camera man. We had to be in the background talking. The producer told us to raise or lower our volume a couple of times which made me feel a bit self conscience and unable to think of anything to talk about!
I would give the movie 8/10