Latest news with #woods
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
This Is My Family review – cuddly comedy on a soggy camping holiday
Tim Firth's musical features a family meltdown on a soggy camping holiday. First premiering in 2013, its domestic fallouts might have been unconventional fare to set to song then. But it all seems rather soft and cuddly in its comedy now. Family members are slightly too recognisable in their traits: a middle-aged father (Michael Jibson) who has taken up free-running and never reads the instructions for his wonky DIY; a put-upon mother (Gemma Whelan) who senses her marriage has hit an iceberg; a bossy grandmother (Gay Soper) showing signs of dementia and a wacky aunt decked out in animal-print (Victoria Elliott) undergoing a mid-life sexual awakening. Also, most importantly, 13-year-old Nicky (Nancy Allsop), the youngest of the family and sister to stroppy teen Matt (Luke Lambert). She is our singing narrator, desperate to unite the parts of family life that are spinning out of control and away from each other. To that end, she writes a sort of wish-fulfilment essay on her 'perfect family' which wins her a holiday. She chooses camping, in the woods where her parents met as teenagers, to take them back to the beginning. Directed by Vicky Featherstone, they emerge out of what seems like a giant doll's house, as if to send up Nicky's 'perfect family' premise. The woodland in which they camp – beautifully evoked by set designer Chloe Lamford – bears the enchanted quality of Shakespeare's forest of Arden. There is no magic but comic shenanigans and inner transformations which are sweet, if predictable. All family tension and sadness is conveniently smoothed and remedied by the end. Song is what elevates the musical above a TV comedy. Characters confess inner turmoil or unhappiness in tune, set against a delicate harp and cellos. They also sing lines over and across each other, to mirror the crossed emotional wires between them. Whelan's numbers ooze wry humour, Allsop has a wonderful singing voice, and the few choral numbers soar. This family – a paragon of middle-English emotional repression – become open-hearted and vulnerable when they sing. It's twee, and a little slow in getting there, but the happy ending does melt your heart. This Is My Family is at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London until 12 July
Geek Vibes Nation
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Consumed' Blu-Ray Review - Supernatural Creature Feature Impresses With Practical Effects
Trapped between a madman and a skin-stealing monster, a married couple must fight to make it out of the woods alive. For in-depth thoughts on Consumed, please see my colleague Cameron Ritter's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality Consumed makes its Blu-Ray debut with a sturdy 1080p video presentation that showcases the rural cinematography well. The remote shooting locations provide crystal clear and occasionally upsetting textural details. Some moments are intentionally hazy to capture the headspace of our protagonist as she has nightmares about her health and squares off against the creature. The presentation reveals a significant amount of depth while traversing the woods. The image has a somewhat cold quality about it, yet the rich colors of the forest nonetheless make a big impression. The film employs some complex hues in the expanses of nature which delivers a very stark image. Black levels exhibit discrete signs of banding in some of the darkest enclaves, but primarily they maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with a favorable amount of detail present in close-ups. This Blu-Ray is a grand representation of this movie that should more than please fans. Audio Quality Brainstorm Media gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that effortlessly executes all of the creepy sonic elements. Environmental sounds of the world creep through the room in a very immersive manner. When the characters move through the woods, some distinct ambient details flesh out the setting to nice effect. Thrilling moments only come in sporadic bursts, but key developments deliver some exquisite texture to the proceedings. The nimble and effective sound design blooms with careful utilization of the surround speakers. Dialogue always comes through crisp and clear without being overpowered by any competing sounds. The score is capably balanced while maintaining its fidelity. The audio track provides a terrific experience that brings this narrative to life without issue. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Mitchell Altieri and writer David Calbert provide an informative commentary track in which they discuss the movie and production in depth. The pair discusses incorporating folklore into the narrative, the collaborative nature of the set, the performances, the shooting locations, and more. Interview with Creature Effects Supervisor Jim Ojala: A 17-minute interview is provided in which the creative discusses his involvement in the movie, crafting a memorable creature design, challenges faced along the way, and more. Behind The Scenes Footage: A nearly 38-minute selection of fly-on-the-wall footage captured during the production. Creating The Creature Effects: A nearly 32-minute piece that dives deeper into the creation of the special effects. Still Gallery (3:08) Original Trailer (1:45) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Don R. Lewis is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the creatives, themes, and plot developments, which strengthens your appreciation overall. Final Thoughts Consumed has a very promising premise that finds our protagonists battling creatures and internal struggles in equal measure. It has become less common to see practical effects used to conjure up a thrill, but director Mitchell Altieri and his team take the care to create tangible nightmares that stick in your memory more than most fully CGI sludge. This portion of the production is the best element in the end, as the script feels rather rote and repetitive. The performers bring what they can to the material, but it does not handle the mythical lore at the center of the narrative with enough creativity. The movie is fine for a fleeting distraction, but it does not hold up as a great film. Brainstorm Media has released a Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and a wonderful assortment of special features. Consumed is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Brainstorm Media and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Irish Times
The Path
She was off the path. She knew almost immediately, even in the dying light of the evening, with the last rays of the sun's light barely penetrating the thick foliage above her head, it was obvious. She knew these woods like the back of her hand, had grown up here, had walked this path almost every day this summer. That was why she was so puzzled when she saw that thing. She wasn't worried, not at first anyway. It looked like a big dog curled up in the middle of the path, at least until it turned its head. Its eyes, those were what really gave it away; they were red, not blood red or even like hot coals – they were suns, so hot and piercing that it was a surprise they could be contained. They were malignant and filled with what could only be described as a human level of intelligence. That was when the worry set in. She panicked and she ran and she had been running ever since. She could feel it behind her, chasing her through unfamiliar trees in fading light. She could hear it too. It was crashing through the underbrush faster than she could hope to stay ahead of, shrieking and howling like an owl or maybe a wolf and panting in time with her own breathing. She thought that maybe if she just kept running it might lose interest and leave her alone. She was sprinting over roots and ferns, rocks and boulders, and that thing that was chasing her was keeping up just fine. She was on the verge of collapse when suddenly the trees gave way. She was running in open space over gravel and loose leaf litter. READ MORE She hit a rock. She tripped. She fell. And she didn't stop falling. * * * The police found the body the next morning, just as the sun began to reach its apex. It was lying face down in a creek at the bottom of a steep-sided gully. It was almost a peaceful scene, small rocks interspersed with bigger boulders, water running over them, babbling all the way down the creek while birds chirped on branches brought low by some long-gone storm, the tranquillity of the scene broken only by the body, broken and battered, and by a set of tracks running back up the face of the cliff. The death was ruled an accident by the coroner, just another stupid kid who wandered off the trail and into the black inkiness of the night, never to be seen again by human eyes.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
The Whispering Pines
Alia had always found solace in the woods near her home, a sprawling forest of towering pines and soft, mossy undergrowth. One crisp autumn afternoon, she ventured deeper than usual, enchanted by the rustling leaves and the distant call of a woodpecker. The sun filtered through the branches, casting playful shadows on the ground. As she wandered, the familiar trails began to fade, replaced by a labyrinth of trees that seemed to close in around her. She paused, looking around, but the landscape felt foreign. The vibrant colours of fall had turned into a muted palette of browns and greys. Panic bubbled up in her chest. 'Stay calm,' she whispered to herself. 'Just retrace your steps.' But every direction looked the same, and the path she thought she'd taken had vanished. The forest was alive with sounds: the whispering wind, the crunch of twigs, the distant rustle of creatures. But they only heightened her sense of isolation. As twilight descended, the forest transformed. Shadows stretched, and the trees looked like ancient sentinels. Alia's heart raced. She took a deep breath, recalling the stories her grandmother told her about the forest spirits that protected those who respected nature. She decided to sit and gather her thoughts, hoping for clarity. Closing her eyes, she listened. The whispers of the wind became clearer, almost like a gentle guidance. She opened her eyes and felt an urge to follow the soft sound, like a melody in the air. With cautious steps, she moved toward it, trusting her instincts. Minutes felt like hours as she navigated through the dense underbrush, but the whispers grew louder, more inviting. Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a small clearing bathed in the last light of day. In the centre stood an ancient oak, its gnarled branches reaching toward the sky. Alia approached the tree, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She placed her hand on its rough bark, and in that moment, she realised she wasn't alone. READ MORE A small creature, a fox with bright, knowing eyes, emerged from the shadows. It tilted its head, as if inviting her to follow. Without hesitation, she trailed behind the fox as it led her through the forest. The path became clearer, illuminated by the glow of fireflies dancing in the dusk. Alia felt a mix of gratitude and wonder as she followed her guide, trusting the forest had its own way of guiding her home. Finally, they reached the edge of the woods, and the familiar sight of her neighbourhood came into view. The fox stopped, turning to offer one last glance before disappearing back into the shadows. Alia stood for a moment, heart full of awe and relief. As she made her way home, she knew she would return to the forest, not just for the peace it offered but for the magic that lay within its depths. Lost and found, she had discovered a deeper connection to the world around her, one that whispered secrets only the trees could tell.
Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Times
The luxury of companionship
My grandmother had worms living in the back of her hands. Or that's what I believed as a small child, as I pressed them curiously. And repeatedly. They weren't scary, they were simply another interesting part of her. The physicality of age isn't frightening when we're young. I remember Gam very well; the way she walked slowly, the way she always whistled under her breath as she moved around the house, the way she called us 'darling' in her rich, rich voice. Of course the worms were veins, the gait was due to arthritic hips, the whistling was probably to help cope with the pain, and the deep voice was down to a lifetime of smoking. The point is that I was lucky enough to spend every summer holidays of my childhood with her. We stayed with her in her house called Wildwood, deep in the woods on top of a hill in Canada. I never gave a thought to how lonely she, as a widow whose daughter and grandchildren lived in England, might have been for the other ten months of the year. According to the NHS, a million older people in this country say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. A million older people say they are lonely some or all of the time. A million. That's 11 Wembley Stadiums of people. That's the combined populations of Southampton and Portsmouth, plus a few more. All sitting in the mute desperation of solitary confinement. In this moving article, Francisca Kellett writes about the Together Project charity. It brings together older people and toddlers in groups called Songs and Smiles in care homes across the nation. They all have a marvellous time. Please read it, it will take you roughly four minutes.
