Across the road from me lies a little park with a small playground. There lies a small "Prunus" tree* that the local council cropped heavily at the start of winter 2022. The park has a series of about 10 different trees of this type, varying in age and size. This particular one is just the one that's closest to me. 🌳
I will try to take a weekly/regular photo to show its seasonal progress this summer.
I love its deep maroon-coloured leaves. It hasn't fruited at all, perhaps as it is still too young?
I water it most summer days (twice or more at a time), hobbling across with my walking stick and trusty 9-litre/2.3 gal blue plastic watering can... "I'm the crazy old man who talks to the tree!" 🤣
I know... it's not much but... [grins]
The page title reference is to the book, "The Giving Tree" 🌳
Sure, while I don't watch much TV at all (I mainly watch DVD's, basically), my old old-skool TV was slowly starting to fade away after about 20+ years. Not bad, huh?
So I got myself one of these:
Kogan 24" LED WebOS ThinQ AI Smart TV & DVD Combo - D97S
Cost me just $284 (AU) / $184 USD / £136 / €157 ... twas only 1/3 of the price I anticipated to pay!
Bought it online and arrived at my door in just 4 days - that's good for where I live. Ridiculously easy to set-up.
I finally figured out to "Cast" (display) my Tablet screen onto my TV. It works for everything except my Cricket Cricgenix App, dagnammit! I don't know why... everything else works OK... looking into it...
My Old TV was about 20 years old. When I replaced it with the new TV (above), I tried to pass it onto local OP Shops, even the Rubbish Tip Shop. They don't accept older TV's like that anymore, however.
I managed to basically give it way (albeit selling it for only $10) via Facebook. Phew. I didn't want to just throw it out.
⭐ 1408 (2007) - I don't normally watch these psych-horror things, but this... this is GOOD movie-making.
Me: 4/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October-December 2024
⭐ Beatles '64 (2024) (Directed by Martin Scorsese) is a fascinating doco on the social aspect of the Beatles' first live appearances in the USA.
⭐ The Constant Gardener (2005) is a wonderful dramatic thriller looking for justice in Africa's corrupt systems. Wonderful acting, beautifully photographed.
Me: 4/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ The Nightingale (2018) is a wonderful (albeit bloody) dramatic look at Tasmanian Irish convicts's justice vs uncaring English authority. It's not for everyone's tastes, but it's an Aussie movie worth a look.
Me: 4/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ I don't usually watch these police/detective/crime thrillers. This was well played, shot, acted, and directed, with a good story and characters. The Departed (2006) was all these things. Yet another Martin Scorsese classic for me.
4 out of five for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Poor Things (2023) - Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
For great cinema, this is a great visual feast. A somewhat strange, bizarre unconventional film, albeit with great acting, awesome visuals, framing, lensing and atmosphere.
Difficult to describe, be it an alternate 'mad scientist / Frankenstein's Monster'; an innocent in the wild, "an insanely enjoyable fairy tale", yet fascinating to behold (even the R-rated 'adult' scenes are good cinema).
Not for everyone, I'm sure. I enjoyed it simply because it is so different.
⭐ Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone is a Martin Scorsese epic detailing injustice. It's a long (the pacing is deliberate) but rewarding watch.
⭐ As I've said, "Any film that leaves a strong emotional response/impression is a sign of good moviemaking". That's this film for me: Civil War (2024) with Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura. It's a hyper-realistic dystopian thriller involving the role of photojournalism in the front line. I don't normally watch movies like this, but this explores great character studies. Not for the faint-hearted.
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ I finally watched the classic/iconic anti-war masterpiece directed by Stanley Kubrick, Paths of Glory (1957), with Kirk Douglas. I'd never managed to watch it before. Great cinematic masterpiece highlighting the futility of war and military justice.
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August-September 2024
Operation Mincemeat (2021) with Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen is good standard-fare WW2 drama.
⭐ Paddington 2 (2017) is a great 'it just feels good' movie.
Me: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐+
⭐ Inside Out 2 (2024) is the latest glorious Pixar installation. Great story, characters, art, etc etc... even great quotes. Truly memorable.
Me: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐+
The Secret of NIMH (1982) is a beautifully old-school hand-animated fantasy adventure film, although it didn't quite go where I thought it might. Still a worthy watch for the animation.
⭐ I rewatched the magnificent visual spectacle of The Fall (2006) yet again. Fantasy adventure... if you haven't: see it.This is A1 cinema. Enjoy.
Me: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ +
⭐ The Last Duel (2021) is a brilliant historical drama with great acting.
Me: 4-1/2 / 5: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ +
⭐ Make sure you watch The Promised Land (The Bastard) (2023). "Just do it!"
Me: 4-1/2 / 5: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ +
⭐ Michael Jackson: This Is It (2009): I finally got around to watching this fascinating insight into a great performer - and it was only rehearsals! What a great band he put together.
Me: 4 / 5: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Proxima (2019) is a brilliant film about the conflicted life of a trainee astronaut and mother.
Me; 4 / 5: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Carnage (2011): a great film of a great play, with great acting about parents overreacting.
Me: 4 / 5: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Her (2013) is a great insight into romantic relationships with AI; great acting and atmosphere.
Me: 4 / 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Death of Stalin (2017) is a surprisingly great absurdist comedy. I love re-watching this.
I tried watching Grey Gardens (2009), but couldn't finish it: too depressing.
⭐ I discovered this a-maze-ing Norwegian documentary, "The Painter and the Thief" (2020), where artist, subject, art and life intersect powerfully. Outstanding.
Me: 4 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed 2021's "Don't Look Up" political satire of modern life. All-star cast.
Me: 3-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐ +
⭐ I rewatched the magnificent visual spectacle of "The Fall" (2006) yet again. Fantasy adventure... if you haven't: see it. This is A1 cinema. Enjoy.
Me: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ +
March - May 2024
After some serious drama (below), it was time for some fun silly fluffy entertainment:
"Team America - World Police" (2004) is a silly fun satire using Thunderbird-style marionettes in some seriously absurd situations. Great mindless dribble.
Me: 2-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐ +
Then I had a good Disney time, revisiting the magical delight of "Moana" (2016).
Me: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐+
After watching "Wolf Hall" (below), I thought to rewatch the series "The Tudors" (2007-2010) over May.
It's a TV-ized version of the life of King Henry VIII. Good TV, but not history. Good acting, costumes etc. But yeah... the actual history seems (to me) far more entertaining than some of the inventions they've created here.
Oh yes, King Henry was a complex bastard, surrounded my so many people with various agendas. Sheesh.
Me: 2-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐+
⭐ I've just rewatched the 2015 6-part TV Series "Wolf Hall". Based on the viewpoint of Thomas Cromwell's service to both Cardinal Wolsey and then England's King Henry VIII in the 16th century.
I love Mark Rylance's understand acting, and the great arrogance of Damian Lewis' portrayal of a petty and bi-polar King Henry.
I enjoy these historical-type dramas.
Me: 4 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ I rewatched the terrifyingly-excellent TV Mini Series "Chernobyl" (2019) again. "Terrifying" as whilst this is very accurate and graphic, in reality: IT WAS FAR WORSE!
This is a must-see: great acting, storytelling, direction, cinematography etc etc.
Me: 4-1/2 out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ +
⭐ Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) (Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis) is a gorgeous absurdist surreal philosophical comedy-drama I just enjoyed. An Academy Award winner (deservedly)... beware of the Bagel [laffs].
Wow, just wow. I'd heard a lot about it, and it was worth it. Not one of those goofy Superhero movies at all; great acting, atmosphere, characters, story; thought-provoking stuff, for sure.
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
💥 Contact (1997) - Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey
Another flick I had in my DVD folders that I pulled out randomly, having not watched it as yet. Totally unexpected how good I found it.
LOVED IT! Great story, acting, direction, atmosphere, characters.
Fascinating graphic crime movie about fatherhood, and the consequences of crime. Great acting, great atmospheres and cinematography. Although I rarely watch things like this, I enjoyed it.
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beetlejuice (1988) - Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton
Classic fun silly dark comedy horror, perfect Tim Burton flick. I'd watched it years ago, and it'd been on my 're-watch list' for ages... so I did, and muchly enjoyed.
The Dinner Scene is worth the price of admission alone.
A fascinating (altho deliberately hammily-acted) film about the fantasy of the cinema, the allure of the fictions it portrays and about distinguishing real dreams from false dreams.
It didn't quite 'do it' for me, but I wholly appreciate what Woody was trying to do.
I bought myself a glorious-sounding and ultra-comfortable set of headphones just to listen to my DVD's, for both sitting up in bed or on my TV. Why haven't I done this years ago? D'oh!
The Good Place (Series; 53 Episodes) (2016-2020) – Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, Ted Danson, D'Arcy Carden
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been re-watching a few episodes a day over this month, even though I watched it a few years ago – I love it, despite its flaws. I adore its originality, writing, acting, setting, and tone, and their exploration and creative use of ethics and philosophy. And great characters... and some very fun very silly moments!
I mean, dayum… how can I become so emotionally attached to fictional characters, that I always cry at the end? To me, that is the mark of good writing.
28 Days Later (2002) - Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris
An updated attempt at a "Day of the Triffids" apocalyptic zombie horror thing; not my cup of tea (I've never been into horror/zombie etc flicks; just thought I'd give this one a go all the same), but there some beautiful poetic shots of water falling and a deceased London.
An icy-cold dispassionate domestic look at life outside of Auschwitz; somehow it displays the entire "Banality of Evil" around this atrocious time in history. Brilliantly done, but still very unsettling; definitely not for everyone.
💥 The Lobster (2015) - Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz 💥
I rewatched this after seeing it for the first time a few years ago... still a remarkable experience.
Note: it's definitely not a film for everyone, but it's so bizarre (in a good way[?]) that I love it.
Me: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Lobster" is an offbeat absurdist surreal deadpan dark comedy drama film that explores human behavior and relationships, touching on topics like social pressure and conformity, made with a dynamic artistic quality.
Basic Premise: It is set in a dystopian near-future society where being single is prohibited... a world in which love is mandatory, and people who don’t find a match are turned into animals.
The film's satirical style presents a world that seems absurd and irrational, while also making it believable for the audience.
I rewatched some great fun enjoyable Disney animated entertainment, with enough emotional highs, lows and Disney references to be swallowed by a whale... [lol]
WW2 action lust over gold with a definite Tarantino gore ethos (NB. I'm not normally interested in this kind of stuff, but this is brilliantly directed, acted, and atmospheric, albeit a bit of a silly plot, but that's OK!)
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) (nb. I'm not into Westerns, but after "The Good The Bad and the Ugly" [a true classic!], this is something to anticipate).
