Worth the Watch - January
There has been some great films and documentaries released in the last while. Every month we share with you some of them that we have enjoyed in particular. We hope you enjoy them too!
Dune (2021)
Even if you’re not a Sci-Fi fan, this film has enough human drama and renowned actors that it draws you in and carries you along nicely. There is something deeply spiritual about this film, with some great lines in the script that you just want to pause and reflect on a bit more. The basic synopsis is: Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
Word on Fire Blog Post Analysis on the Film - “Dune offers audiences visual and thematic richness”
Rotten Tomatoes gave it 83% and Audience Ratings 90%.
The Billon Dollar Code (2021)
This is a series. It’s about two German computer pioneers who go to court to be recognised as the inventors of the Google Earth algorithm. When you look up the back-story of this true story, there are a few things that they omit in the series that are kind of key, we think. But that said most films that say “Based on a True Story” is generally very loosely based on the story. There needs to be quite a bit of poetic licence to make a film successful. This series is very compelling and great quality.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating is 100%
The Unforgivable (2021)
Sandra Bullock is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G actress! Her previous film to this one - Bird Box (2018) - was exceptional. And this one is equally compelling and powerful. Although it's slow in spots, The Unforgivable has a great Sandra Bullock performance and a story that makes you think.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it 38% and the Audience 75%. To be honest, in the last while I only trust audience ratings because increasingly film critics have become very ideologically driven and many times their film analysis is totally off the mark (note - they gave “Cuties” 88% - need I say more!).
Belfast (2021)
Beautifully shot, beautifully acted…. and what’s even better, it’s about Belfast!
Belfast is a film straight from Kenneth Branagh’s own experience (who is the script-writer, director and producer of the film). It tells the story of a nine-year-old boy who matures towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but community, love, music remains. It’s very touching.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it 87% and audience ratings 91%.
King Richard (2021)
If it wasn’t for Will Smith superstar acting, this film would probably have been a little staged and flat. In fairness, it would be hard to find an actress and a good tennis all one person and even two people.
This film is about the William sisters: Venus and Serena, but the story circles around their father, Richard Williams who is quite a character. A determination of steel and an incredible vision and conviction, it’s very entertaining to watch.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it 91% and audience rating 98%.
Worth (2020)
Get the tissues! You will cry in this one. Guarenteed.
Following the attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001, the US Congress appoints an attorney (Michael Keaton) to lead the distribution of funds to the victims. He along with his team face an impossible task of determining the worth of a life by deciding on how much money should be given to each family. It’s very gripping. Well worth the watch!
Rotten Tomatoes gave it 81% and audience rating 76%.
14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible (2021)
Sometimes these adrelanine junkies can be quite off-putting. It’s the age old moral question really: is it worth risking your life for personal achievement or hold back for the greater good of your family and friends?
But this documentary is completely different. This man is admirable on all fronts.
Rotten Tomatoes gave 89% and audience rating 94%