As mentioned in my previous post (which wasn’t really much of a post), I’m experiencing quite a bit of writer’s block at the moment where I can’t seem to write more than about a paragraph at a time. I’m not sure if it’s all the reports I have to write at work sucking the words out of my brain, or if I’m slowly turning illiterate over time, but it’s not cool.
In any case, I wanted to write something new today – so here are some short reflections on two films I really, really enjoyed watching on airplanes going to and from London. This post could be considered a direct contrast to the films I had to stop watching on the airplane because they were disappointing and bad. But it’s important to note that I did actually pick some good ones during my time in the air, and I’m happy to be able to celebrate them today.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015, dir. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon)
High schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer. (source)
I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It has that Sundance-y, independent-feeling vibe that I generally enjoy, a sharp sense of humour which isn’t afraid to push some quite sensitive boundaries, an interesting insight into ‘the high school experience’, and gorgeously quirky visuals that are a feast for the eye to behold. The tone of the film is very teenager-like and sarcastic, but this is balanced towards the end where there is a huge amount of emotional depth. This is another one of those films which you perhaps shouldn’t watch on an airplane because you will probably cry within the immediate vicinity of many strangers. But at the same time, it’s worth it for the lovely performances by Olivia Cooke and Thomas Mann, as well as RJ Cyler, whose performance as Earl was almost scene-stealing most of the time. Plus you get a surprise Nick Offerman, which is always nice. Some viewers may find Me and Earl and the Dying Girl painfully self-aware; which it is, as a direct result of having a pseudo-intellectual adolescent as both the main character and narrator (high schooler Greg, the ‘Me’ in the film’s title) guiding the story. This film knows exactly what it’s doing to your feelings, mostly in part due to its manipulative narrator. But despite being deeply sad towards the end, the film overall is a fun journey. Highlights include the weird, surreal waking dream moments, the random Claymation, and the film parodies which almost serve as a film buff’s guessing game.
4/5
Watch the trailer here.
The Imitation Game (2014, dir. Morten Tyldum)
During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. (source)
Have you ever been watching a film and felt somehow forced to press the pause button to tell the people around you how much you love and adore it? This was my experience with The Imitation Game. I think I paused it at least three times to turn to my partner on the plane and say, “This film is so good”, or, “I can’t believe how amazing this film is”. I love Benedict Cumberbatch, so I may have been destined to enjoy this no matter what. But I was so impressed by his performance as Alan Turing, and I continue to be impressed by Cumberbatch’s general ability to transform himself into another person like some kind of supernatural acting chameleon. I normally find Keira Knightley’s performances slightly frustrating, but she was endearing and sweet in this. The film also features Charles Dance, who I adore in everything he does. The directing and music is top notch, and the cinematography was so awesome that I know I’ll have to do a photo post on it at some time; the shotmaking and construction of each frame feels mechanical or mathematical in its precision, which is a beautiful fusion of the film’s narrative content and aesthetics. The build-up of tension is also quite perfect. If you know the Turing story, you know that the film is destined to be heartbreaking, and it is. But the authenticity of Cumberbatch’s performance shines through the bleakness of the film’s ending, and calls attention to some serious injustices of the past.
5/5
Watch the trailer here.
FILM GRIMOIRE 
The worst thing I have chosen to watch on a plane has to be ‘Fault in our Stars’ was absolutely crying my eyes out!
Oh my god, that and the beginning portion of Pixar’s Up! are probably the worst slash most emotionally devastating films to watch on an airplane!
It was not a good idea, I could see a air hostess moving down the plane and was all prepared to tell her I was watching a sad film haha
I felt the same exact way when I watched the Imitation Game!
It’s definitely one of those films that actually distracts you by how good it is. Cumberbatch is amazing.
Both Great films great reviews
Thanks heaps! 😀
great choices Anna!
Thanks Rob! 😀
Interesting. I liked, but didn’t love The Imitation Game. I did love Knightley in it, though. Haven’t seen Earl, yet.
You should definitely see Me and Earl and the Dying Girl! Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Great stuff, Anna. I really enjoyed Me, Earl and the Dying Girl. It is unique and didn’t annoy me like most cancer movies currently do. I still need to watch the Imitation Game, but that sounds really amazing as well.
Thanks heaps Natasha! Everyone who hasn’t seen The Imitation Game should see it post haste!
Great selection here lady! I still need to see Me, Early and the Dying Girl, and while I liked The Imitation Game, I did not love it like most people.
Why thanks Zoe! You should definitely see Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. It’s probably one of the least annoying films about teenagers out there.
[…] impressed by each and every performance. Particularly that of Gael García Bernal, who (like Benedict Cumberbatch) is some kind of supernatural acting chameleon who defies expectation every time. His performance […]
I watched Imitation Game on a flight too and felt exactly the same way about it.
I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t see it at the cinema because I would have interrupted everyone around me by constantly talking about how awesome it is.
Hey anna great reviews yo, I really liked both of these films, I think I liked The Imitation Game a little more because of the interesting subject matter and the awesomeness that is Benedict Cumberbatch.
Thanks heaps! Benedict Cumberbatch must be some kind of alien acting beast because he knocks it out of the park in every one of his films.
I absolutely adored “Me, Earl and the Dying Girl”. What a terrific movie! I knew I’d like it but didn’t know how much. I marvelled at the script and the acting and the locations. Absolutely wonderful.
It’s funny because I was in a similar position – I knew I would probably enjoy it, but I was surprised by how much I actually adored it. Loved the take-offs of classic films. Such a surprising, quirky and emotional film!
Yes, it was a real treat, wasn’t it? Although, I secretly wish the film has been told from Earl’s point of view. I thought he was quite a scene-stealer in his understated way.
[…] late bloomer to the Benedict Cumberbatch fandom. I think I fell certifiably in love with him after The Imitation Game. I was just so blown away by his performance that now, whenever someone mentions his name, all I […]