Date: Sunday 28th April
Film: Sightseers (2012)
Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Alice Lowe and Steve Oram
Running Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Another day, another repeat viewing. Here's what I said before, and on the second viewing, it's safe to say I was laughing out loud all over again.
The humour is dark, the jokes are incredibly British, I think this may be one of my favourite films of the last year.
Challenge day:214
Challenge time: 13 days, 02 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 161
Sunday, 14 July 2013
You know, it's moments like these when I realize how much of a superhero I am.
Date: Saturday 27th April
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A few days later and another chance to enjoy Iron Man 3. This time around, the Luce was in town and we were settled into our seats at the IMAX.
Did the IMAX make much difference to the viewing? Not hugely. The 3D seemed a little sharper, and seeing RDJ's face on a bigger screen will always make me happy, but overall, a great film wasn't massively enhanced by a second viewing in a better format, although there were a lot more things you notice on the second viewing.
Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 13 days, 00 hours, 50 minutes
Challenge film total: 160
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A few days later and another chance to enjoy Iron Man 3. This time around, the Luce was in town and we were settled into our seats at the IMAX.
Did the IMAX make much difference to the viewing? Not hugely. The 3D seemed a little sharper, and seeing RDJ's face on a bigger screen will always make me happy, but overall, a great film wasn't massively enhanced by a second viewing in a better format, although there were a lot more things you notice on the second viewing.
Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 13 days, 00 hours, 50 minutes
Challenge film total: 160
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Mr Stark, today is the first day of what's left of your life.
Date: Thursday 18th April
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
My love of Superheroes is well documented. As is my love of all things Marvel and, worst of all, everyone knows exactly how I feel about the (beautiful) Tony Stark. So, going into Iron Man 3, my excitement levels were high. It wasn't helped when we sat down in the Sky advanced screening and they slipped these beauties into my hand and allowed us to watch 30 minutes of Robert Downey Jr. frolicking on a red carpet.
Iron Man 3 takes place after the Avengers, it's Tony adjusting to life knowing there are other realms out there, knowing about gods, monsters and aliens.In order to put this all into perspective the script focuses on taking Tony away from his comfort zone, taking away his suit, his machines, stripping him back to explore exactly where Tony Stark ends and Iron Man begins. And, boy, does it do that brilliantly.
The second Iron Man film was by no means a disappointment, but compared to the first film it was lacking something. I'm not sure what but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the first film. The third film, however, shines above both the second and, dare I say it, the first. There is more humour, there is more action, there are twists and turns that take you by surprise, there is further exploration of characters who previously were a little two dimensional and, most excitingly of all, this film is one of the few big movies of the year that actually passes the Bechdel test.
By no means am I saying this film was perfect, there was room for improvement in a few places, but overall it made me very happy. It had all the trademarks of a Shane Black film (Christmas, someone losing a finger), it had great action scenes, it had character development. Overwhelmingly, it made this superhero loving girl very happy indeed. And not ,just because the post credit sting made me squeal with pure joy.
Challenge day: 204
Challenge time:: 12 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes
Challenge film total: 159
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
My love of Superheroes is well documented. As is my love of all things Marvel and, worst of all, everyone knows exactly how I feel about the (beautiful) Tony Stark. So, going into Iron Man 3, my excitement levels were high. It wasn't helped when we sat down in the Sky advanced screening and they slipped these beauties into my hand and allowed us to watch 30 minutes of Robert Downey Jr. frolicking on a red carpet.
I want to say lots of things about IM3. I won't though. Instead I'll say look at my snazzy 3D glasses. pic.twitter.com/rkcJITjIGjOpening with the subtle sounds of Eiffel 65's Blue (Da Ba Dee), Shane Black ensured the audience were giggling before we even had the chance to see a single character. Something that he kept up throughout the film.
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) April 18, 2013
Iron Man 3 takes place after the Avengers, it's Tony adjusting to life knowing there are other realms out there, knowing about gods, monsters and aliens.In order to put this all into perspective the script focuses on taking Tony away from his comfort zone, taking away his suit, his machines, stripping him back to explore exactly where Tony Stark ends and Iron Man begins. And, boy, does it do that brilliantly.
The second Iron Man film was by no means a disappointment, but compared to the first film it was lacking something. I'm not sure what but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the first film. The third film, however, shines above both the second and, dare I say it, the first. There is more humour, there is more action, there are twists and turns that take you by surprise, there is further exploration of characters who previously were a little two dimensional and, most excitingly of all, this film is one of the few big movies of the year that actually passes the Bechdel test.
By no means am I saying this film was perfect, there was room for improvement in a few places, but overall it made me very happy. It had all the trademarks of a Shane Black film (Christmas, someone losing a finger), it had great action scenes, it had character development. Overwhelmingly, it made this superhero loving girl very happy indeed. And not ,just because the post credit sting made me squeal with pure joy.
Challenge day: 204
Challenge time:: 12 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes
Challenge film total: 159
I guess everything comes back around. Like your goddamn ties.
Date: Monday 15th April
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
L'ordre et la morale
Date: Sunday 14th April
Film: Rebellion (2013)
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring: Mathieu Kassovitz, Iabe Lapacas and Malik Zidi
Running time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After two trips the day before, both featuring films I wasn't entirely enamoured by, it was back to Hackney Picturehouse, this time for a little bit of foreign cinema and a director Q&A.
This is where I am entirely honest with you, CW and I may have booked tickets purely on the basis that we would be in the same room as Mathieu Kassovitz. Can't imagine why...
The fact that he has an excellent track record when it comes to films was merely an added bonus.
It's been a long time since I've turned up at the cinema to see a film that has slipped completely under my radar. It made a refreshing change. I had heard no reviews, I had no clue about the plot and my expectations weren't too high (I mean they were pretty high, I've seen La Haine enough times to know that Kassovitz is a talented filmmaker).
Set in the late 80's, Rebellion tells the story of the Ouvea cave hostage taking, where New Caledonia fought for independence from France. Told from the perspective of the French negotiators, Rebellion doesn't fight for either side of the conversation. It focuses on what happened, without taking sides or painting one side as the right and the other as being in the wrong.
A clever and intense drama that focuses on an area of history in which I have limited knowledge (a bit like all areas of history, it isn't exactly my strong point!), if you're into foreign cinema and recent history I would suggest checking this one out.
If you're anti-subtitles then please go away, we can't be friends. You're missing too many good films with that point of view.
Challenge day: 200
Challenge time: 12 days, 16 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 156
Film: Rebellion (2013)
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring: Mathieu Kassovitz, Iabe Lapacas and Malik Zidi
Running time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After two trips the day before, both featuring films I wasn't entirely enamoured by, it was back to Hackney Picturehouse, this time for a little bit of foreign cinema and a director Q&A.
This is where I am entirely honest with you, CW and I may have booked tickets purely on the basis that we would be in the same room as Mathieu Kassovitz. Can't imagine why...
The fact that he has an excellent track record when it comes to films was merely an added bonus.
It's been a long time since I've turned up at the cinema to see a film that has slipped completely under my radar. It made a refreshing change. I had heard no reviews, I had no clue about the plot and my expectations weren't too high (I mean they were pretty high, I've seen La Haine enough times to know that Kassovitz is a talented filmmaker).
Set in the late 80's, Rebellion tells the story of the Ouvea cave hostage taking, where New Caledonia fought for independence from France. Told from the perspective of the French negotiators, Rebellion doesn't fight for either side of the conversation. It focuses on what happened, without taking sides or painting one side as the right and the other as being in the wrong.
A clever and intense drama that focuses on an area of history in which I have limited knowledge (a bit like all areas of history, it isn't exactly my strong point!), if you're into foreign cinema and recent history I would suggest checking this one out.
If you're anti-subtitles then please go away, we can't be friends. You're missing too many good films with that point of view.
Challenge day: 200
Challenge time: 12 days, 16 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 156
Bikini's and big booties - that's what it's all about.
Date: Saturday 13th April
Film: Spring Breakers (2013)
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and James Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 2/10
So, it's now mid-July and I'm catching up where I left off. I have various reasons for leaving the blog alone for a bit; moving house, lots of work, family matters, and much more, but the main reason is a lack of inspiration to write.Well, not a lack of inspiration, merely a struggle to write about Spring Breakers without releasing a string of profanities. I want to be objective, I want to be fair, I want to give this film credit in the areas it is due, but overwhelmingly I want to scream from the rooftops 'why did I waste my evening watching this self-indulgent pile of tripe?' which isn't very constructive. For anyone.
Let's talk about the good points in Spring Breakers. Visually, this film was pretty clever. I could see what Korine was trying to achieve, every scene either shone in bright neon colours or had the subtle hue of an image that had been run through a few Instagram filters. I'm not one to judge, I Instagram my pictures all the time and in this instance it was very cleverly used to give you an idea of the target audience for the film. This film was all about the youth at the exact time this film was shot. This film was for the people at the same age as the main characters, the college generation, the young adults who aren't quite sure if they should be acting as adults yet but, at the same time, want a level of independence.
The film was sound tracked brilliantly. As someone who wouldn't know a Skrillex song if it punched me in the face, the mix of EDM, dubstep and other similar music styles (not only am I a rock girl, but I am now proving I know nothing about the youth. I'm only 28, I promise, even if I do sound middle-aged!) worked perfectly to set the scenes.
The issue I had with Spring Breakers was that I didn't find one single character likeable, I couldn't relate to any of their issues. I struggled to understand the decisions they made. This coupled with the constant repetition of scenes, and the insistence of carrying scenes on longer than necessary, made this film feel three times longer than it's running time.
I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but it was hard work.
I'm glad I watched it, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to see it again.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 155
Film: Spring Breakers (2013)
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and James Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 2/10
So, it's now mid-July and I'm catching up where I left off. I have various reasons for leaving the blog alone for a bit; moving house, lots of work, family matters, and much more, but the main reason is a lack of inspiration to write.Well, not a lack of inspiration, merely a struggle to write about Spring Breakers without releasing a string of profanities. I want to be objective, I want to be fair, I want to give this film credit in the areas it is due, but overwhelmingly I want to scream from the rooftops 'why did I waste my evening watching this self-indulgent pile of tripe?' which isn't very constructive. For anyone.
Let's talk about the good points in Spring Breakers. Visually, this film was pretty clever. I could see what Korine was trying to achieve, every scene either shone in bright neon colours or had the subtle hue of an image that had been run through a few Instagram filters. I'm not one to judge, I Instagram my pictures all the time and in this instance it was very cleverly used to give you an idea of the target audience for the film. This film was all about the youth at the exact time this film was shot. This film was for the people at the same age as the main characters, the college generation, the young adults who aren't quite sure if they should be acting as adults yet but, at the same time, want a level of independence.
The film was sound tracked brilliantly. As someone who wouldn't know a Skrillex song if it punched me in the face, the mix of EDM, dubstep and other similar music styles (not only am I a rock girl, but I am now proving I know nothing about the youth. I'm only 28, I promise, even if I do sound middle-aged!) worked perfectly to set the scenes.
The issue I had with Spring Breakers was that I didn't find one single character likeable, I couldn't relate to any of their issues. I struggled to understand the decisions they made. This coupled with the constant repetition of scenes, and the insistence of carrying scenes on longer than necessary, made this film feel three times longer than it's running time.
I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but it was hard work.
I'm glad I watched it, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to see it again.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 155
Monday, 29 April 2013
Not since Hall and Oates has there been such a team
Date: Saturday 13th April
Film: The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Dane DeHaan
Running time: 02 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Having loved the first collaboration between Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling, I'd been waiting some time to see this film. I had expectations, based on the trailer and their previous work, and my hopes were high.
I thought this was going to be a small scale, slightly broody, highly emotional, look at family life. What it ended up being was something different entirely.
The Place Beyond the Pines is essentially three overlapping stories. Each one impacting on the next story in the sequence; The Ryan Gosling story, the Bradley Cooper story and the Dane DeHaan story.
This first sequence, the Ryan Gosling section, was exactly what I expected, an intense sequence exploring the emotions and consequences of the decisions people make. Gosling, as is expected, stole every scene he was in, equal parts brooding, intense and warmhearted, he knew what he needed to do to make things work for the people he cared about, he just didn't know the best way in which to achieve this.
Once this character came into contact with Bradley Cooper's character, the entire story changed. The focus shifted to another character, dealing with the same emotional issues, but dealing with them in an entirely different way.
Once the Cooper section reached a point of 'resolve' the action shifted 15 years into the future and looked at the impact of the choices made by both characters on their young offspring. This is the point that, I felt, the whole film went slightly off kilter.
What started out as an extremely strong story, slowly dropped in quality, and intensity, as the film progressed. My only wish was for the opening section to be a little longer, the middle section to have a little more flesh to the characters and the story and the ending to be cut down to a simple synopsis.
What started out as a great film, with heaps of potential, slowly shifted to become overly extended, plodding and, if anything, a little too ridiculous.
Although this film did give us Ryan Gosling, in a vest, dancing, with a dog, to Bruce Springsteen. It was like all my favourite things collided.
If anyone can send a gif of this my way, I will be eternally grateful.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 13 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 154
Film: The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Dane DeHaan
Running time: 02 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Having loved the first collaboration between Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling, I'd been waiting some time to see this film. I had expectations, based on the trailer and their previous work, and my hopes were high.
I thought this was going to be a small scale, slightly broody, highly emotional, look at family life. What it ended up being was something different entirely.
The Place Beyond the Pines is essentially three overlapping stories. Each one impacting on the next story in the sequence; The Ryan Gosling story, the Bradley Cooper story and the Dane DeHaan story.
This first sequence, the Ryan Gosling section, was exactly what I expected, an intense sequence exploring the emotions and consequences of the decisions people make. Gosling, as is expected, stole every scene he was in, equal parts brooding, intense and warmhearted, he knew what he needed to do to make things work for the people he cared about, he just didn't know the best way in which to achieve this.
Once this character came into contact with Bradley Cooper's character, the entire story changed. The focus shifted to another character, dealing with the same emotional issues, but dealing with them in an entirely different way.
Once the Cooper section reached a point of 'resolve' the action shifted 15 years into the future and looked at the impact of the choices made by both characters on their young offspring. This is the point that, I felt, the whole film went slightly off kilter.
What started out as an extremely strong story, slowly dropped in quality, and intensity, as the film progressed. My only wish was for the opening section to be a little longer, the middle section to have a little more flesh to the characters and the story and the ending to be cut down to a simple synopsis.
What started out as a great film, with heaps of potential, slowly shifted to become overly extended, plodding and, if anything, a little too ridiculous.
Although this film did give us Ryan Gosling, in a vest, dancing, with a dog, to Bruce Springsteen. It was like all my favourite things collided.
If anyone can send a gif of this my way, I will be eternally grateful.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 13 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 154
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