Date: Tuesday 11th December
Film: Inception (2010)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy and Ellen Page
Running time: 02 hours, 28 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I have the flat to myself and following a weekend of Christopher Nolan films, and revisiting my love for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, it was only fair that I settled down in front of the telly with Inception.
This is a film that I loved from the first viewing, it challenges viewers without alienating them and brings a new twist to traditional mystery stories. Plus it's one of the only two films in which I get the whole Tom Hardy thing (the other being Bronson).
Something new seems to pop up with every viewing, and my opinion on the meaning of the closing scene changes throughout the film.
And, it's beautifully shot, the folding Parisian street scene is something to behold, as are the slow motion exploding market stalls.
Challenge day: 79
Challenge time: 04 days, 07 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 54
Monday, 17 December 2012
So if you believe in Father Christmas, children, like your Uncle Billy does, buy my festering turd of a record
Date: Sunday 9th December
Film: Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy
Running time: 02 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: 8/10
This film is terrible but I love it. There is nothing that makes me feel more Christmassy than Andrew Lincoln being slightly stalky before declaring his love with cards (still would though).
It wouldn't be Christmas without watching this. It's not the best Christmas film (it's missing Kermit), it's not even the best Richard Curtis film, but it does still make me laugh in places, and not just because of Hugh Grant's dancing.
Challenge day: 77
Challenge time: 04 days, 05 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 53
Film: Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy
Running time: 02 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: 8/10
This film is terrible but I love it. There is nothing that makes me feel more Christmassy than Andrew Lincoln being slightly stalky before declaring his love with cards (still would though).
It wouldn't be Christmas without watching this. It's not the best Christmas film (it's missing Kermit), it's not even the best Richard Curtis film, but it does still make me laugh in places, and not just because of Hugh Grant's dancing.
Challenge day: 77
Challenge time: 04 days, 05 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 53
Shouldn't the people of Gotham know who the hero was that saved their city?
Date: Saturday 8th December
Film: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway
Running Time: 02 hours, 45 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Saturday night, full of Chinese, a glass of wine in hand and Luce and I found ourselves snuggled under blankets in her cabin at the end of the garden to complete The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Whilst The Dark Knight Rises isn't as good as The Dark Knight, it is still a wonderful film. The cast has been boosted with the additions of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, two people who I believe can do no wrong. They both, in any film they are in, steal every single scene and The Dark Knight Rises is no exception to this.
This film wraps up the trilogy nicely, giving a sense of resolution to all the characters.
Good job I'd already seen this a couple of times, I might have fallen asleep for a bit in the middle. That's the danger of starting an almost 3 hour long film after 11pm.
I love The Dark Knight Trilogy, and not just because of my massive Gary Oldman crush (although that helps things).
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 02 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 52
Film: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway
Running Time: 02 hours, 45 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Saturday night, full of Chinese, a glass of wine in hand and Luce and I found ourselves snuggled under blankets in her cabin at the end of the garden to complete The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Whilst The Dark Knight Rises isn't as good as The Dark Knight, it is still a wonderful film. The cast has been boosted with the additions of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, two people who I believe can do no wrong. They both, in any film they are in, steal every single scene and The Dark Knight Rises is no exception to this.
This film wraps up the trilogy nicely, giving a sense of resolution to all the characters.
Good job I'd already seen this a couple of times, I might have fallen asleep for a bit in the middle. That's the danger of starting an almost 3 hour long film after 11pm.
I love The Dark Knight Trilogy, and not just because of my massive Gary Oldman crush (although that helps things).
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 02 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 52
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
You know that day that you once told me about, when Gotham would no longer need Batman? It's coming.
Date: Saturday 8th December
Film: The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart and Michael Caine
Running Time: 02 hours, 32 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
It made sense, after watching Batman Begins the previous day, to fill the rest of our weekend with the remainder of the trilogy.
The Dark Knight is, in my opinion, the best of the three films. The threat, the bad guy, seems more real. The Joker isn't fiddling with chemicals or nuclear reactions, he isn't working with a group of others; The Joker is a mad man. Pure and simple.
This character, played amazingly by Heath Ledger, steals the show with every scene he turns up in. The Dark Knight is full of action and suspense.
This is a great, great film, both as part of the trilogy and on it's own.
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 00 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 51
Film: The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart and Michael Caine
Running Time: 02 hours, 32 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
It made sense, after watching Batman Begins the previous day, to fill the rest of our weekend with the remainder of the trilogy.
The Dark Knight is, in my opinion, the best of the three films. The threat, the bad guy, seems more real. The Joker isn't fiddling with chemicals or nuclear reactions, he isn't working with a group of others; The Joker is a mad man. Pure and simple.
This character, played amazingly by Heath Ledger, steals the show with every scene he turns up in. The Dark Knight is full of action and suspense.
This is a great, great film, both as part of the trilogy and on it's own.
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 00 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 51
Gotham isn't beyond saving.
Date: Friday 7th December
Film: Batman Begins (2005)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson and Katie Holmes
Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 9/10
It's no secret, I love Superhero movies, and Batman Begins is no exception.
The first in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy and, whilst it is not the best of the tree, Batman Begins is a brilliant re-imagining of the Batman universe. Christian Bale plays the brooding titular character wonderfully, with a great supporting cast including Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Katie Holmes.
Nolan has 'gone dark' in the best way possible; unlike more traditional superhero movies, this isn't all slick, bright and glossy. You get the feeling that these criminals really could be working underground around the city.
I only have one issue with Batman Begins, the vapouriser. If this machine turns water into vapour just by driving above the pipes containing liquids, how are people safe to be around it - surely it would vapourise the water in their bodies?
I think I've thought too much about this. I really should get out more.
Challenge day: 75
Challenge time: 03 days, 21 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 50
Film: Batman Begins (2005)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson and Katie Holmes
Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 9/10
It's no secret, I love Superhero movies, and Batman Begins is no exception.
The first in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy and, whilst it is not the best of the tree, Batman Begins is a brilliant re-imagining of the Batman universe. Christian Bale plays the brooding titular character wonderfully, with a great supporting cast including Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Katie Holmes.
Nolan has 'gone dark' in the best way possible; unlike more traditional superhero movies, this isn't all slick, bright and glossy. You get the feeling that these criminals really could be working underground around the city.
I only have one issue with Batman Begins, the vapouriser. If this machine turns water into vapour just by driving above the pipes containing liquids, how are people safe to be around it - surely it would vapourise the water in their bodies?
I think I've thought too much about this. I really should get out more.
Challenge day: 75
Challenge time: 03 days, 21 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 50
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy
Date: Wednesday 5th December
Film: Pitch Perfect (2012)
Director: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin
Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After watching the trailer for this, I was torn on whether I would enjoy Pitch Perfect. The part of me that loves Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson was all for it. The part of me that got bored with Glee midway through the second season was not excited, at all.
Luckily, this is not as like the later seasons of Glee as the advert leads you to believe. If anything, Pitch Perfect is the Bring It On of A Cappella vocal harmony group movies. It is unashamedly cheesy in places, the jokes are solid, the songs are a great mix of old and new and there are some brilliant cameos that make anyone smile.
Plus, any film that constantly references The Breakfast Club is OK in my book.
Worth checking out, if only for the awesome Rebel Wilson.
Challenge day: 73
Challenge time: 03 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 49
Film: Pitch Perfect (2012)
Director: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin
Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After watching the trailer for this, I was torn on whether I would enjoy Pitch Perfect. The part of me that loves Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson was all for it. The part of me that got bored with Glee midway through the second season was not excited, at all.
Luckily, this is not as like the later seasons of Glee as the advert leads you to believe. If anything, Pitch Perfect is the Bring It On of A Cappella vocal harmony group movies. It is unashamedly cheesy in places, the jokes are solid, the songs are a great mix of old and new and there are some brilliant cameos that make anyone smile.
Plus, any film that constantly references The Breakfast Club is OK in my book.
Worth checking out, if only for the awesome Rebel Wilson.
Challenge day: 73
Challenge time: 03 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 49
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
There'll be one guy left with one eye. How's the last blind guy gonna take out the eye of the last guy left?
Date: Tuesday 4th December
Film: Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Seven Psychopaths is the tale of a screenwriter who gets caught up with the wrong people when his best friend, a professional dog-napper, takes the dog of a local, slightly mental, criminal.
I had such high hopes for this, it has a brilliant cast and I have so much love for Martin McDonagh's previous outing, In Bruges, but there was something about it that didn't connect for me.
Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken both excel but I felt like they were acting uphill against a script that was nowhere near as tight as it could have been. This film had so much potential but, for me, something was lacking. The story seemed disjointed in places, it didn't flow in a way that made a lot of sense. There were some moments I found myself chuckling (mainly down to the wonderful Sam Rockwell) but overall I wasn't impressed.
Although, it would appear I was alone in this, the rest of the screen were laughing throughout. I've decided I must be odd. Go see it, I might be a lonely person fighting against the tide (it wouldn't be the first time, I'm the only person, it seems, who does not like Anchorman).
Challenge day: 72
Challenge time: 03 days, 17 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 48
Film: Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Seven Psychopaths is the tale of a screenwriter who gets caught up with the wrong people when his best friend, a professional dog-napper, takes the dog of a local, slightly mental, criminal.
I had such high hopes for this, it has a brilliant cast and I have so much love for Martin McDonagh's previous outing, In Bruges, but there was something about it that didn't connect for me.
Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken both excel but I felt like they were acting uphill against a script that was nowhere near as tight as it could have been. This film had so much potential but, for me, something was lacking. The story seemed disjointed in places, it didn't flow in a way that made a lot of sense. There were some moments I found myself chuckling (mainly down to the wonderful Sam Rockwell) but overall I wasn't impressed.
Although, it would appear I was alone in this, the rest of the screen were laughing throughout. I've decided I must be odd. Go see it, I might be a lonely person fighting against the tide (it wouldn't be the first time, I'm the only person, it seems, who does not like Anchorman).
Challenge day: 72
Challenge time: 03 days, 17 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 48
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
I might hate you more, but I'll never love you less.
Date: Sunday 2nd December
Film: War Horse (2011)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis
Running time: 02 hours, 26 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Bore Horse.
I wanted to like this. It was visually stunning, it's directed by Steven Spielberg and it has a brilliant cast. It had to be good, right?
I just couldn't seem to engage with it. There is no particular reason (although, as with most films, there was nowhere near enough Tom Hiddleston for my liking!). Some films just don't catch your attention.
I also struggle to forgive anyone who thought this was an acceptable moustache..
Oh well, it set me back a whopping £2 in a charity shop, I can't complain. Christmas is coming. Keep an eye on your stocking, I might regift it to you. That way charity benefits, as does my DVD collection. I hate seeing disappointment in my racks.
Challenge day: 70
Challenge time: 03 days, 15 hours, 28 minutes
Challenge film total: 47
Film: War Horse (2011)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis
Running time: 02 hours, 26 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Bore Horse.
I wanted to like this. It was visually stunning, it's directed by Steven Spielberg and it has a brilliant cast. It had to be good, right?
I just couldn't seem to engage with it. There is no particular reason (although, as with most films, there was nowhere near enough Tom Hiddleston for my liking!). Some films just don't catch your attention.
I also struggle to forgive anyone who thought this was an acceptable moustache..
Oh well, it set me back a whopping £2 in a charity shop, I can't complain. Christmas is coming. Keep an eye on your stocking, I might regift it to you. That way charity benefits, as does my DVD collection. I hate seeing disappointment in my racks.
Challenge day: 70
Challenge time: 03 days, 15 hours, 28 minutes
Challenge film total: 47
I'm supposed to get all dully-eyed and mushy. Well, forget it, pal, you got the wrong guy!
Date: Sunday 2nd December
Film: Scrooged (1988)
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen and John Forsythe
Running time: 01 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Christmas and Bill Murray, what's not to love?
The story is one we seen plenty of times, but this modern take on A Christmas Carol is well done. Anything that mixes Bill Murray with ghosts gets my vote.
Plus, Bobcat Goldthwait pops up, and he instantly makes any film 20% more wonderful.
Challenge day: 70
Challenge time: 03 days, 13 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 46
Film: Scrooged (1988)
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen and John Forsythe
Running time: 01 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Christmas and Bill Murray, what's not to love?
The story is one we seen plenty of times, but this modern take on A Christmas Carol is well done. Anything that mixes Bill Murray with ghosts gets my vote.
Plus, Bobcat Goldthwait pops up, and he instantly makes any film 20% more wonderful.
Challenge day: 70
Challenge time: 03 days, 13 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 46
I wish I were big.
Date: Sunday 2nd December
Film: Big (1988)
Director: Penny Marshall
Running time: 01 hour, 44 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
If you don't love Big, we can't be friends.
Excuse me, I need to go find a giant piano...
Excuse me, I need to go find a giant piano...
Challenge day: 70
Challenge Time: 03 days, 11 hours, 21 minutes
Challenge film total: 45
It is so great to see all you kids back in town. And what a terrific soiree are you throwing here tonight.
Date: Friday 30th November
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
American Reunion is essentially a repeat of the first American Pie. The characters are older, but not necessarily wiser, looking for the same things they were looking for 13 years previously.
This film could be terrible, but a sense of nostalgia, and the fact that they managed to get all the original characters back together, make it enjoyable.
Not by any stretch the best American Pie movie, but good fun nonetheless.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days. 09 hours, 37 minutes
Challenge film total: 44
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
American Reunion is essentially a repeat of the first American Pie. The characters are older, but not necessarily wiser, looking for the same things they were looking for 13 years previously.
This film could be terrible, but a sense of nostalgia, and the fact that they managed to get all the original characters back together, make it enjoyable.
Not by any stretch the best American Pie movie, but good fun nonetheless.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days. 09 hours, 37 minutes
Challenge film total: 44
We've located one man and one female, We're headed there now.
Date: Friday 30th November
Film: Monsters (2010)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 7.5/10
On the recommendation of a friend, CW and I found ourselves on Friday night, settling down for a spot of Monsters. From the DVD case, and the brief synopsis we had been given, we were expecting some full on, alien invasion, monster, action.
Monsters isn't that. It's better than that.
Alien life forms have invaded the Earth and are being contained in the 'infection zone' on the US-Mexico border, with a large wall protecting the US from further invasion. Andrew, an American living in San Jose, finds himself roped into escorting his boss' daughter past the infected zone and back to the US.
Monsters focuses on their journey. The titular monsters are rarely seen. The beauty of this film is in the sense of unknown. The relationship between two people, forced together, on a journey, avoiding these beasts that the viewer never quite sees.
Brilliantly acted and visually stunning. Monsters is the alien movie for people that hate aliens.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days, 07 hours, 44 minutes
Challenge film total: 43
Film: Monsters (2010)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 7.5/10
On the recommendation of a friend, CW and I found ourselves on Friday night, settling down for a spot of Monsters. From the DVD case, and the brief synopsis we had been given, we were expecting some full on, alien invasion, monster, action.
Monsters isn't that. It's better than that.
Alien life forms have invaded the Earth and are being contained in the 'infection zone' on the US-Mexico border, with a large wall protecting the US from further invasion. Andrew, an American living in San Jose, finds himself roped into escorting his boss' daughter past the infected zone and back to the US.
Monsters focuses on their journey. The titular monsters are rarely seen. The beauty of this film is in the sense of unknown. The relationship between two people, forced together, on a journey, avoiding these beasts that the viewer never quite sees.
Brilliantly acted and visually stunning. Monsters is the alien movie for people that hate aliens.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days, 07 hours, 44 minutes
Challenge film total: 43
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