I watched two great films on the television this past week. "Touching the Void" (2003) was on Channel 4 and "Leave No Trace" (2018) was on Netflix. They were both cinematic labours of love - beautifully crafted and perhaps not really intended for mass market success.
"Touching the Void" is a docu-drama which tells the story of two British climbers who got into serious trouble on a previously unclimbed mountain in The Andes called Siula Grande. With strenuous effort and courage Joe Simpson and Simon Yates managed to conquer the icy peak but it was as they were descending that trouble struck. Joe Simpson's survival with a badly broken leg was all about determination when death seemed more likely.
One night - in a delirious state - he could not dismiss a particular pop song from his head. It just kept playing over and over, goading him - "Brown Girl In The Ring" by Boney M.. He didn't even like that song.
I found "Touching the Void" - if you will pardon the pun - a truly gripping experience. The reenactment of the climb and the descent was both breathtaking and very believable.
"Leave No Trace" is set in the Pacific North West of America. Directed by Debra Granik, the film focuses chiefly on two survivalists - Will played by Ben Foster and his daughter Tom played by Thomasin McKenzie. They live in the woods, not really part of society.
We suspect that Will is a war veteran, plagued by memories of Iraq or Afghanistan or possibly Vietnam. It is never fully spelt out for us and that seems deliberate. There are other questions that hover in the air - about the past and the future. They also remain unanswered.
However, "Leave No Trace" is an excellent film in my opinion. There's tension and fear in the air and who knows where Will is running to. He doesn't even know himself. Mark Kermode, the British film reviewer, called it "a work of overwhelming, understated power that quite simply took my breath away". I can see where he was coming from with that.
The first photo is enough for me. Crevasses are scary unpredictable places.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Red. My stomach did a little somersault.
DeleteStill, who doesn't like to be scared every so often, particularly when sitting on the sofa.
U
At least it is scariness based on real life experience - not some ridiculous zombie movie.
Delete"real life experience" - that's the scary bit, YP.
DeleteU
Haven't you heard about cyber hacking company blank ATM card and how other people had benefited from it? I am Williams vivian by name, i want to share a blog and forums on how to get real blank ATM card,thank to cyber hacking company who helped me with an already hacked ATM CARD and i was so poor without funds that i got frustrated. One morning as i was browsing on the internet, i saw different comments of people testifying of how cyber hacking company helped him from being poor to a rich man through this already hacked ATM CARD. I was skeptical if this was true, i decided to contact him to know if he is real he proved to me beyond all doubts that its was really for real so i urgently receive my blank ATM card. Contact his email cyberhackingcompany@gmail.com and today am also testifying on how cyber hacking company helped me. I never believed in it until the card was sent to me, which am using today Contact the company now and become rich. Email: cyberhackingcompany@gmail.com
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThanks for the reviews. I've been looking for a new film to watch on Netflix and "Leave No Trace" sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it Bonnie. Mark Kermode said it is "flawless".
DeleteLeave no trace is one of those quietly wonderful movies that gains popularity through word of mouth . Best film ive seen in a while
ReplyDeleteWhen Mark Kermode praises a film that normally means it is worth watching.
DeleteI watched Leave No Trace a week or so ago. Excellent film, one of the best I've seen recently.
ReplyDeleteWe are as one in this.
DeleteI can't bear the agony of people stuck in icy places, too cold. But have been toying with the idea of returning to Netflix, which has a lot of junk amongst the pearls.
ReplyDeleteThere is a pile of crap films on Netflix but within that pile there are several gems.
DeleteI haven't watched a film since some time last year. Perhaps when the winter comes.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the film "When The Winter Comes". Set on The Isle of Lewis starring Brad Pitt as Graham Edwards who stirs a rebellion and leads the Isle of Lewis army in battle against The Isle of Harris.
Deletei think I saw "touching the void" way back. With films and books I enjoy them in the moment and soon forget all about them.
ReplyDeleteA couple of nights ago I watched "Top End Wedding". It was very enjoyable and light but not quite fluff.
I just looked up "Top End Wedding". We might give it a whirl if it is on Netflix.
DeleteI look forward to your comments if you see it
DeleteLeave no trace sounds good. As a new netflixer, I may give it a go one of the next week nights when my eyes prefer not to read after a long day at work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reviews, they tell enough but not too much.
I didn't want to give too much away.
DeleteIn the years BC (before kids) we used to like the so-called art-house cinemas showing foreign and non-mass-market films which almost always made a stronger impression than the multiplex stuff. Were you watching these films in planning your next walk in the untamed wilderness around Sheffield?
ReplyDeleteI have just come back from a three hour walk in Bradfield Dale. Fortunately, I was not touching the void but I did indeed leave no trace.
DeleteMust have a strong bladder.
DeleteThanks for the two film recommendations YP. Television is not very good at the moment. I think we have watched every Escape To The Country.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has different tastes don't they?
DeleteGood recommendations! We're always looking for something new to watch.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteHi Viewers Get your Blank ATM
ReplyDeletecard that works in all ATM
machines all over the world.. We
have specially programmed ATM
cards that can be used to hack
ATM machines, the ATM cards can
be used to withdraw at the ATM or
swipe at stores and POS. We sell
this cards to all interested buyers
worldwide, the card has a daily
withdrawal limit of $10,000 on
ATM and up to $50,000 spending
limit in stores depending on the
kind of card you order for, and also
if you are in need of any other
cyber hack services, contact
Rober Hernandez HACKS On WhatsApp:. +1(620)307-3174
https://wa.me/16203073174
Or email; blankatmhacker007@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteINSTEAD OF GETTING A LOAN,, I GOT SOMETHING NEW
Get $5,500 USD every day, for six months!
See how it works
Do you know you can hack into any ATM machine with a hacked ATM card??
Make up your mind before applying, straight deal...
Order for a blank ATM card now and get millions within a week!: contact us
via email
address::{professionalonlinecardhacker@gmail.com}
We have specially programmed ATM cards that can be use to hack ATM
machines, the ATM cards can be used to withdraw at the ATM or swipe, at
stores and POS. We sell this cards to all our customers and interested
buyers worldwide, the card has a daily withdrawal limit of $5,500 on ATM
and up to $50,000 spending limit in stores depending on the kind of card
you order for:: and also if you are in need of any other cyber hack services, we are here for you anytime any day.
Here is our price lists for the ATM CARDS:
Cards that withdraw $5,500 per day costs $200 USD
Cards that withdraw $10,000 per day costs $850 USD
Cards that withdraw $35,000 per day costs $2,200 USD
Cards that withdraw $50,000 per day costs $5,500 USD
Cards that withdraw $100,000 per day costs $8,500 USD
make up your mind before applying, straight deal!!!
The price include shipping fees and charges, order now: contact us via
email address::::{professionalonlinecardhacker@gmail.com}
Whatsapp:::::+13523585253
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete