Nebraska

[Ms Thrifty]

Can't find a thread for this, the latest Alexander Payne film, released here on 6 December, and some people, including me, will be deterred by the fact that it's all in black and white.

There was a really interesting interview with him in yesterday's Observer (link below), including an explanation for his insistence on black and white and how he refused to let George Clooney have the role in Sideways which went to Thomas Haden Church.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/no ... a-sideways

[Beate]

This was honest, touching and laugh-out-loud funny. A real delight. Time flew and I didn't check my watch once. The black and white didn't hurt at all, on the contrary. This was small-town America at its best (and worst). I hardly recognized Stacey Keach. The Dad clearly had some form of dementia and it was lovely to see how his younger son dealt with it.

Lots of FMUKers around tonight as well, it was lovely to see new and some old faces, especially hottips whom I haven't seen in ages. Her son seems to have grown by a foot every time I see him.

But WIQ seriously need to get their act together. We arrived at screen 1 (our default) at 5.45pm and were told it was in screen 6 which is upstairs. Upstairs they studied my printout intently and tried to tell us to wait in the bar. I said "We would like to wait here". "But we don't know yet which screen it's going to be in." "Yes you do, it's in screen 6." So he checked and lo and behold it was in screen 6. We loitered a while then asked whether we could go in. "Yes I guess so." He didn't even take our printout so I pressed it in his hand. A little while later PXC and friend arrived plus LondonCityNights. Then the film started up. At 6.05pm, with 6 people in the audience. I ran outside to tell them of their error, and they stopped the film again - but didn't put the lights back on. So I had to go out again. The usher then proceeded to turn on the lights in front of me. I now know where the house lights are for the screens! I could wreck all kinds of random havoc with that info, he he. So if anyone ever tries to tell you again that the lights get dimmed automatically - er, no, there is a manual switch in a cupboard. I just need to find that cupboard for the Sky superscreen at the O2....

Anyways, film all good and attentive audience. Thanks to PXC for the crisps!

8/10

[LondonCityNights]

Nice to see everyone at the screening.

I really enjoyed the film. I've spent some time looking after the elderly and I thought the son pitched his performance perfectly between trying his best to stay humane with infinite patience and just wanting to tell off his Dad for being a pain in the arse.

But man, Nebraska the place looks like a complete dump. A beautifully shot dump mind you, but living in the places shown in the film looks like hell.

[ahman]

Just came back from the film. Loved it. Laughed out loud like everybody else. Black and white adds poignancy. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Vue Finchley Road great venue. Look forward to seeing more films there.

[funthing29]

Quirky and frank with finely nuanced performances - I really enjoyed this. 8/10.

[jeanelle]

Beautifully shot, great leads and a wonderful supporting cast. Interesting little story. Thoroughly enjoyable. Great to see funthing29 though we deeply regret taking her transport advice.

[ejwrank]

We all thought this was terrific. Great story which was so well done and the cast were superb. I've waited a while for a really good film and this was most welcome.

We thought Finchley Road Vue was very good -- shame it is a bit of a trek for us-- but well worth it for such a fine film.

[RickyRaj]

Glad to read the FMUKers agree with the IMDB ratings for this film. Looking forward to seeing this. Hopefully other previews will come up.

[prettyxcool]

You would think Cineworld West India Quay would be a lot more organised by now, seeing this is the not the first screening and they have been doing so many and only one the previous day, but still they do not know where the screening is to be held, sends you from pillar to post, so this time I was staying put until it was confirmed by Beate! AND I do not want to go to the bar and get a drink, how many times must I tell them. And even when we got to the entrance of Screen 6, was told, they do not know where it is being screened, and would not let us in, even though I told them my friend was sitting inside already.

Both my friend and I enjoyed this film. Poignant, funny and heartfelt. All the characters are so well crafted, the wife/mother was just brilliant, steals all her scenes, the patience of a saint son who takes him on the road trip, the scary cousins, characterful family, and people from the past, they meet on the way. Bruce Dern is just excellent as someone with dementia, neither here nor there (so typically like my own mum!), and that lovely scene [spoiler]where he gets to drive.[/spoiler]
A slow start, but a lovely story that everyone will identify with, old age, family relationships, and gently and wonderfully told. 8/10

[SOLACE]

Enjoyed this last night. Very finely shot movie which draws you in well. Characters were excellent and you can really feel like you can get involved in their journey with them. I quite liked the black and white, added more intrigue to the movie.

Great to see Bob Odenkirk again as I only finished off Breaking Bad couple of weeks ago - Better call Saul ! (Sorry couldn't help it!)