by Robbie Jones
Experiment 626 (which may, or may not be Stitch's real name) is an event embarked on by the I'm With Geek Film Team. Film knowledge was unearthed, truths were found and a DVD exchange took place. These are the true life stories from that experiment...
To Robbie from Cookie - Third Star
Right. So you and I, Robbie have very polarising points of views that are natural in the film criticism world. While there are movies I really want you to see, there is an opinion of yours that I really want to explore more; your complete disdain for Benedict Cumberbatch...
Experiment 626 (which may, or may not be Stitch's real name) is an event embarked on by the I'm With Geek Film Team. Film knowledge was unearthed, truths were found and a DVD exchange took place. These are the true life stories from that experiment...
To Robbie from Cookie - Third Star
Right. So you and I, Robbie have very polarising points of views that are natural in the film criticism world. While there are movies I really want you to see, there is an opinion of yours that I really want to explore more; your complete disdain for Benedict Cumberbatch...
Putting all flailing aside, the fact is my admiration for this talented actor came from when I was 15 (which is more surprising when you know, I was hit with the full force of him only last year but that’s besides the point.) Anyway, I first knew this guy was talented watching him in a television movie with his pretty spot on portrayal of Stephen Hawking and the debilitation into his illness. So for a while I was torn between that one and the one I have picked for you. After a lot of deliberation (and help) I’ve gone for Third Star (because Hawking is too much like Sherlock.) Third Star is about James, a 29 year old who is diagnosed with cancer and he and his three friends go on a trip to Wales as a kind of last hurrah.
Firstly, I want you to go into this forgetting you don’t like Cumberbatch because that defeats the object. Secondly, I chose this because the acting is phenomenal and the material is that special kind of darkly comic feel. I hope you take to it well because I was blown away by it long before I watched Sherlock. And while I am here, I urge you to watch Hawking too.
Firstly, I want you to go into this forgetting you don’t like Cumberbatch because that defeats the object. Secondly, I chose this because the acting is phenomenal and the material is that special kind of darkly comic feel. I hope you take to it well because I was blown away by it long before I watched Sherlock. And while I am here, I urge you to watch Hawking too.
Robbie's Third Star Review
The world would be an insanely boring place if we all agreed on the same things. The fact that we all have our different opinions is actually a blessing. I don’t get angry when someone doesn’t like the same movies as me; I like to hear what they have to say about them. And of course, there are those of us that come with these particular opinions which don’t go down well at all. We all have them, even though some of us don’t realise just how unpopular these opinions are. See, when you’re not involved in the world of film and film criticism, it’s understandable to not know just how out of place you are. I have many friends who are casual film viewers, and love the films that everyone else hated, but they don’t know that. And whilst I admit to liking some trashed movies, there is not a single opinion of mine more controversial than the one I am about to share. Thing is, I stick out like a sore thumb with this one. I have never met/spoken to anyone who shares it. People haven’t understood it and thought me crazy, whilst others remain respectable, though still in shock. What makes me stick out from the crowd here ladies and gents, is the fact I really, really don’t like Benedict Cumberbatch, and that he’s the most over rated actor I’ve ever seen.
Now before you throw that brick, let me explain something: by no means do I think he is talentless. But there’s something about his acting style that grinds my gears, and quite frankly, leaves me cold. Now you all know who he is, seeing as his face has been everywhere for the past few months, whether you’ve been watching TV or popped off to the cinema. He’s the dragon under the mountain in The Hobbit, he’s the kind (well, as kind as you can get in this position) slave trader in 12 Years a Slave, and he is Sherlock Holmes. Whilst I have more problems with the show than with him, his performance as the legendary detective is one I just cannot flow with. He brings me to boredom with his interpretation. But it’s not just that; each of his performances (bar Star Trek, maybe) is dull as dishwater, and I’m almost sick of his monotone voice and weird looking face (Which you lot seem to find sexy). But as I said, I don’t think he is talentless.
And it seems my editor Cookie N Screen set out on a mission to make sure I knew that. For this experiment, she assigned me the film Third Star.
The world would be an insanely boring place if we all agreed on the same things. The fact that we all have our different opinions is actually a blessing. I don’t get angry when someone doesn’t like the same movies as me; I like to hear what they have to say about them. And of course, there are those of us that come with these particular opinions which don’t go down well at all. We all have them, even though some of us don’t realise just how unpopular these opinions are. See, when you’re not involved in the world of film and film criticism, it’s understandable to not know just how out of place you are. I have many friends who are casual film viewers, and love the films that everyone else hated, but they don’t know that. And whilst I admit to liking some trashed movies, there is not a single opinion of mine more controversial than the one I am about to share. Thing is, I stick out like a sore thumb with this one. I have never met/spoken to anyone who shares it. People haven’t understood it and thought me crazy, whilst others remain respectable, though still in shock. What makes me stick out from the crowd here ladies and gents, is the fact I really, really don’t like Benedict Cumberbatch, and that he’s the most over rated actor I’ve ever seen.
Now before you throw that brick, let me explain something: by no means do I think he is talentless. But there’s something about his acting style that grinds my gears, and quite frankly, leaves me cold. Now you all know who he is, seeing as his face has been everywhere for the past few months, whether you’ve been watching TV or popped off to the cinema. He’s the dragon under the mountain in The Hobbit, he’s the kind (well, as kind as you can get in this position) slave trader in 12 Years a Slave, and he is Sherlock Holmes. Whilst I have more problems with the show than with him, his performance as the legendary detective is one I just cannot flow with. He brings me to boredom with his interpretation. But it’s not just that; each of his performances (bar Star Trek, maybe) is dull as dishwater, and I’m almost sick of his monotone voice and weird looking face (Which you lot seem to find sexy). But as I said, I don’t think he is talentless.
And it seems my editor Cookie N Screen set out on a mission to make sure I knew that. For this experiment, she assigned me the film Third Star.
Third Star is the story of James (Cumberbatch), a 29 year old diagnosed with cancer. As one last request, he and his three closest friends go on a trip to Barafundle Bay (it’s in Wales. Yeah, I’ve never heard of it either), his favourite place in the world, for one last hurrah. What follows is a story of friendship, regret, and love.
This film is beautiful. Honest to God; the writing is amazing and the cinematography a treat to look at. It creates a desire to be at these beautiful locations, and makes you want to walk across that beach and enjoy yourself. The story is great, very emotional but that is weighed out by the comedy (Some dark, some lighthearted). Read this quote from one of the characters when they stopped for a cup of tea:
“Biscuits.....Great on their own, but when dipped in tea, it becomes a whole other journey”
This is a movie about cancer, and that is a line from it, and that is brilliant. For starters, I didn’t know it was possible to get so deep about biscuits. And also, it proves that movies about cancer can be casual, and they can be funny. 50/50, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, was a perfect example of this, and Third Star is just as good. When you see film about cancer, it has to be sad all throughout, but the truth is you CAN have fun. We don’t always want to cry, we want to laugh and have a good time, so not everything has to be depressing. Of course, that’s not the only funny moment in the film, but it’s the moment that best reflects the light hearted nature of the film.
This film is beautiful. Honest to God; the writing is amazing and the cinematography a treat to look at. It creates a desire to be at these beautiful locations, and makes you want to walk across that beach and enjoy yourself. The story is great, very emotional but that is weighed out by the comedy (Some dark, some lighthearted). Read this quote from one of the characters when they stopped for a cup of tea:
“Biscuits.....Great on their own, but when dipped in tea, it becomes a whole other journey”
This is a movie about cancer, and that is a line from it, and that is brilliant. For starters, I didn’t know it was possible to get so deep about biscuits. And also, it proves that movies about cancer can be casual, and they can be funny. 50/50, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, was a perfect example of this, and Third Star is just as good. When you see film about cancer, it has to be sad all throughout, but the truth is you CAN have fun. We don’t always want to cry, we want to laugh and have a good time, so not everything has to be depressing. Of course, that’s not the only funny moment in the film, but it’s the moment that best reflects the light hearted nature of the film.
But the most remarkable thing about this film is how thought provoking it is. These are characters who never got to achieve what they truly wanted in life. James calls them out on it, and that he, himself, never lived the life he wanted and now will never have the chance. And it makes you think: how awful must it feel to be somewhere you don’t want to be? We all believe we’re meant to do something; however, it’s amazing to think how many of us actually get there.
I am 16 years old, and at that age, you think that wouldn’t bother me too much. But if this film did anything, it fucking scared me. I am terrified to end up in that position. I want to review movies for the rest of my life, failing that I want to be on the radio as a profession, and I want people to know my name. Call me big headed but it’s the truth. Luckily I’m young and I have the chance to make sure I get there. But now I can’t help but look at people on the street and wonder if they’re happy, if they are where they want to be and what they always dreamed of. And then it crushes me to realise that they may not be. Because a lot of people have to accept at some point in their life that it’s just a fantasy and will never happen and settled for whatever they could get. We’ve all had that unrealistic dream. James (Cumberbatch) sums up the cruelty of life in one defining line:
“There comes that day when you realise you won’t play in the World Cup final or be the first man to land on Mars”
I am 16 years old, and at that age, you think that wouldn’t bother me too much. But if this film did anything, it fucking scared me. I am terrified to end up in that position. I want to review movies for the rest of my life, failing that I want to be on the radio as a profession, and I want people to know my name. Call me big headed but it’s the truth. Luckily I’m young and I have the chance to make sure I get there. But now I can’t help but look at people on the street and wonder if they’re happy, if they are where they want to be and what they always dreamed of. And then it crushes me to realise that they may not be. Because a lot of people have to accept at some point in their life that it’s just a fantasy and will never happen and settled for whatever they could get. We’ve all had that unrealistic dream. James (Cumberbatch) sums up the cruelty of life in one defining line:
“There comes that day when you realise you won’t play in the World Cup final or be the first man to land on Mars”
Finally, let’s the address the weird looking elephant in the room; Benedict himself. Sarah is indeed a big fan of the actor and our polarising tastes have been the subject of many discussions. She warned me to go into this film completely forgetting I hated him and give it a fair chance. Truthfully, that’s what I do every time I see him. I do want to like him, I really do, but something always stops me. This time around, there is only one thing I can say about him.....
.....He was amazing.
He was amazing. He delivered his lines perfectly. He knew how to be a nice guy but a bit of twat. He managed to cut me and make me feel sad for him, to the point where I nearly cried.
But let’s get one thing straight: I take back absolutely nothing about him in the past. It just so happens that Third Star is a beautiful, thought provoking film with an amazing lead performance by him and it’s one I will remember fondly.
There, I said it. Now leave me alone.
.....He was amazing.
He was amazing. He delivered his lines perfectly. He knew how to be a nice guy but a bit of twat. He managed to cut me and make me feel sad for him, to the point where I nearly cried.
But let’s get one thing straight: I take back absolutely nothing about him in the past. It just so happens that Third Star is a beautiful, thought provoking film with an amazing lead performance by him and it’s one I will remember fondly.
There, I said it. Now leave me alone.
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