Run Solomon Run

One would think that when it comes to the concept of slavery, that there’s no way to newly shock viewers with the horrors of the Deep South in the 1800s. Yet 12 Years A Slave manages to make the ordeals that the protagonist Solomon Northup witnesses and experiences wincingly real. Perhaps what makes his story so much more painful is the injustice that he suffered – Northup is kidnapped and sold into slavery at the beginning of the film, and then traded like cattle between different masters. McQueen’s long and unrelenting shots when slaves are being violently beaten serve as a reminder that the wounds being inflicted may never heal, and as a viewer it is very hard not to look away. This is not a film that will leave you feeling happy, but  you will be able to appreciate it for the true work of art that you have watched.

Evil Nuns!

Having heard Philomena being billed as ‘Steve Coogan going serious’ I was expecting a sombre tale of injustice and suffering at the hands of some evil nuns. Though it contained this in spades, it was also utterly hilarious! It passed the six laughs test about 10 minutes in, with most of the humour coming from the miss-matched pairing of an old irish lady and a London journalist. I can’t remember the last film I watched where I went from laughing to tearing up within a couple of seconds. This feat alone awards the film two enthusiastic thumbs up!