Room - a movie review

I was sent a preview dvd of the Oscar winning movie, Room , to watch. It is a movie I had seen advertised but the subject matter had put me off watching it. I like kids films, adventure films, sci-fi, comedy but gritty realism isn't usually my choice. And the theme of Room, is a difficult subject, especially for a parent of a teen daughter to watch.

Room tells the story of a 5 year old boy and his mother, trapped in a single room. As the film progresses we discover why they are in the room, how they got there, and what their life is like. The film manages to show the horror of their existence in a calm way that never strays into the salacious. Somehow the understatement of the awful abuse and horrific nature of their imprisonment makes the situation all the more ghastly. A situation that should be your worst nightmare has become commonplace and routine.

But amazingly this film is not depressing, it shows the strength of love, the power of the human spirit and is ultimately extremely uplifting. Don't be fooled, you will cry, I cried 7 times (and one of those times lasted through several scenes) but it really is a great film and well worth a watch. An adult film with very adult themes, it is not suitable for young children (it has a 15 Certificate in the UK, an R is the US) .

There are many scenes in the movie that provoked very strong emotions in me. I think as a parent I identified most with the mother who lost her daughter, rather than 'ma' the girl in Room. But in the early part of the film I did feel for her and the way she tried to keep her son happy, the way she made things about him, and stayed strong through routines. She is shown in such a powerful way, despite her seemingly powerless situation. The normal anger of a child rebelling against his mother when we, the viewer, know what she is going through is heartbreaking. To see her cope with his rage at her is difficult. And to see things through his eyes as he pretends to sleep in Wardrobe at night when Old Nick visits is clever as we are left to know the horror while he does not.

The thing that made me cry the most (and there were a lot of tears) was when we see the bedroom of the lost daughter, still the same as the day she left, 7 years before. The hope her own mother always had that she would return. I held DD and wept.

While it was Brie Larson who won the Oscar (for Best Actress) it is Jacob Tremblay the 8 year old Canadian child actor who plays Jack that stole the film (and a piece of my heart). His brilliant acting on first seeing the sky outside of Room was just wonderful, totally mind blowing.

But I mustn't tell you the whole film, you must see it for yourself.

STUDIOCANAL is delighted to announce the DVD and Blu-Ray release of the multi award winning ROOM on May 9th 2016. 

Directed by Academy Award® nominated Lenny Abrahamson (Frank) with a screenplay by Emma Donoghue that she adapted from her best-selling novel, ROOM stars Brie Larson (Kong: Skull Island, Free Fire), Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen (The Bourne Ultimatum), William H. Macy (Fargo) and Sean Bridgers (Trumbo), ROOM is one of the most highly acclaimed films of the year.

Deadpool my new favourite anti hero

If you follow me on social media (and if not why not!) you will know I'm a tiny bit excited about the upcoming film of Deadpool.
I confess that I am a new fan to this wise-cracking super hero, he only came to my attention during the trailers while I was at the new Star Wars movie in December, but I fell in love instantly and have been doing homework.
Homework mainly consists of reading all the comic books about Deadpool I can find (happily my local library stocks them!), finding and reading online articles and chatting about him to my mates.

Of course true research requires properly becoming immersed in a character and it was with this in mind that I asked Morphsuits if I could review one of their suits. If you have never heard of these costumes, they are a simple yet genius concept, a skin tight lycra body suit, encasing you from top to toe! They were initially only available in plain colours but impressive new fabric printing techniques have changed the playing field!

I've seen Morphsuits at festivals of course, usually the plain colours, sometimes a spider man or two, but the Deadpool Morphsuit really did look a bit special. There are three versions at three prices, and I'm now the proud owner of the deluxe version. The basic one is fine of course, but it is , well, basic, at £26 it's pretty affordable, but for a little extra (£10 extra) you get a really snazzily printed muscles that really do give you the appearance of my newly favourite antihero, and the deluxe costume benefits from an extra little treat - an app that shows you with a sword in your hand and some special effects! Pretty cool.

But don't just take my word for it. When the suit arrived my teen daughter was so excited she put it on straight away! And this weekend I tried it on too. I think you'll agree we look...erm...super

Me on the left and DD on the right in case you wondered!

Me as Deadpool

Things to know - You need smooth underwear and a strong bladder - there are two zips at the back but it's not an easy task when you are in the suit to undo the zip (you have gloves on!) and you will need to get nearly naked to wee. I advise having a mate with you if you go out! The suits come in 4 sizes and they are based on height as well as weight, which is why DD and I can fit into the same suit! Check the sizing on the page.  You can see through the suit to look out, but it's far from clear! Cosplay websites suggest using a hot needle to make extra holes in the eye area (not when you are wearing the suit, you idiot) for improved vision. I was planning on wearing the suit to the film, but it turns out DD describes the suit as 'empowering' and so she has demanded to wear it - and she'll have to lower the head piece to be able to watch the film properly. (Talking of masks, Morphsuits sell the mask section separately if you fancy just wearing it with your normal clothing) The suit is tight (obviously) and squashes your nose a bit! When I first put it on it felt a bit claustrophobic but that wore off pretty quickly and I got used to it.

Using the Zapper app with the suit

So, do I think the Morphsuit is good value? Yes. Would I buy one? Yes in fact I'm spoiled for choice, For festivals this year the plain colours do appeal, but so does the Stormtrooper version (if only there was a Captain Phasma Chrome suited version!) and DD is already looking at another super hero...of the ninja turtle variety!

What do you think? Do you have a Morphsuit or do you 'need' one? Pop over to Facebook or twitter and let me know - I'd love to see your pictures!

Disclosure - I was given the suit for the purposes of this review - but the views are all my own, and DD really will be wearing it to the cinema, more pictures to follow!

The Deadpool movie is released in the UK on 10th February 2016.

The blogger questioned

Question Time

Where do you do most of your writing/blogging?

Well obviously lately I've hardly done any! (lazy cow I hear you rave) but usually in my lunch break or, if I'm lucky, on the laptop in front of the telly. But I prefer a real keyboard for a proper rant.

 What books were your childhood favourites?

Oh I loved to read as a kid, still do though I seem to spend more time dipping in and out of twitter. So lately I read lots of short stories (also in my lunch break and often  on my kindle app on my tab) but this isn't about now, it's about 'then'.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

 

I've been an adult for so long some childhood books are lost in my memory, more are remembered from my DDs toddler years than my own. I adored the Wishing Chair stories by Enid Blyton though. And as a teen was a big horror fan, devouring books by James Herbert and Stephen King (not literally obviously) as fast as they wrote them. Several children's books i loved and continue to love though are Rebecca's World by Terry Nation (that chap that invented the daleks) and now sadly out of print and only available as an audio book, and  Stig of the Dump by Clive King (maybe this explains my love of the outdoor life? cave man experiences as a small child!)  And Just William is rather fab isn't he?


Have you ever Googled yourself and been surprised at what you’ve found?

I regularly google my own name to ensure I'm hard to find. I'm relieved to report that I am. As I have a very unique name all the hits I get are actually me and they are few, 3 BBC Letters on the News pages, a book review and a link to a place I used to work at years ago. Google always likes to 'suggest' I may have typed my name wrongly though and do i mean 'name of famous super model' which is nice :-)

 What is your favourite time of day and why?

Most days - bedtime. But if a day off or camping then in the morning. Coffee, leisurely breakfast, no hurries. But sleep is my true love.

Who would play me in a movie of my life?

 Sigourney Weaver - no question. Perfect.


One material possession I could not live without.

My tent. Though DH has bought me a storm kettle for Christmas so maybe that. Something camping related anyway. Love camping.
 
Have you ever been naked in public?

Often. I have no problem with nudity. I don't look bad for my age even now so I don't think too many people would be put off their cornflakes if I was naked even more often. I used to attend a mixed spa, have wandered topless along a local beach...I'd be naked all the time if I wouldn't end up like the poor Naked Rambler (oh and not when it was freezing cold - I don't love nudity that much!)

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

 
What/who/where was your first proper kiss?

I refer you to @rushynet on twitter for twas him! I was 9 or so, he a year older, I was madly in love. It was all very sweet and romantic. Sadly we lost touch when he changed schools, and then i moved,  ah young love!

  Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

So now I have to pass on this meme......

I pass it to

Sexy Jomakessix

The lovely VBC

and the silly Pants with Names