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
Monday, 29 April 2013
People just do the strangest things when they believe they're entitled.
Date: Friday 12th April
Film: Red State (2011)
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Michael Angarano, Melissa Leo, Michael Parks and John Goodman
Running time: 01 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: 5/10
I'm a huge fan of Kevin Smith's early output, I've watched Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy more times than I care to admit, so this was a film, as Smith's first foray into 'serious' film making ,was one I'd been wanting to see for a while.
The CW and I had our expectations. We thought it was going to be, as advertised, a film about teenagers being kidnapped by an extreme religious cult (think Westboro), and to start this was exactly what we got.
However, after a while, the plot pulled a complete 180 and went from an interesting look at religious extremists and youth culture and became a free for all, shoot 'em up, police face off.
There seemed to be no consistency in the tone of the film, there was no real message, it seemed to be aiming only to shock.
If anything, this just made me want to venture back into the early View Askewniverse films I know and love.
Not great. At all.
Challenge day: 198
Challenge time: 12 days, 10 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 153
Film: Red State (2011)
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Michael Angarano, Melissa Leo, Michael Parks and John Goodman
Running time: 01 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: 5/10
I'm a huge fan of Kevin Smith's early output, I've watched Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy more times than I care to admit, so this was a film, as Smith's first foray into 'serious' film making ,was one I'd been wanting to see for a while.
The CW and I had our expectations. We thought it was going to be, as advertised, a film about teenagers being kidnapped by an extreme religious cult (think Westboro), and to start this was exactly what we got.
However, after a while, the plot pulled a complete 180 and went from an interesting look at religious extremists and youth culture and became a free for all, shoot 'em up, police face off.
There seemed to be no consistency in the tone of the film, there was no real message, it seemed to be aiming only to shock.
If anything, this just made me want to venture back into the early View Askewniverse films I know and love.
Not great. At all.
Challenge day: 198
Challenge time: 12 days, 10 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 153
Or maybe you just didn't figure out what it was.
Date: Tuesday 11th April
Film: Take This Waltz (2011)
Director: Sarah Polley
Starring: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby and Sarah Silverman
Running time: 01 hour, 56 minutes
Rating: 3/10
I wanted to love this. I really did. It stars actors I adore, it is written and directed by someone I admire, I was fascinated by the story. I went in full of optimism.
I'm sad to say, I did not like it at all.
I did not like any of the characters, half of whom felt under explored and the other half were just unpleasant. I also felt like the ending wasn't a great fit.
I don't want this to become a bash on this film. I'm sure other people have enjoyed it, it just didn't mesh for me.
Challenge day: 197
Challenge time: 12 days, 09 hours, 13 minutes
Challenge film total: 152
Film: Take This Waltz (2011)
Director: Sarah Polley
Starring: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby and Sarah Silverman
Running time: 01 hour, 56 minutes
Rating: 3/10
I wanted to love this. I really did. It stars actors I adore, it is written and directed by someone I admire, I was fascinated by the story. I went in full of optimism.
I'm sad to say, I did not like it at all.
I did not like any of the characters, half of whom felt under explored and the other half were just unpleasant. I also felt like the ending wasn't a great fit.
I don't want this to become a bash on this film. I'm sure other people have enjoyed it, it just didn't mesh for me.
Challenge day: 197
Challenge time: 12 days, 09 hours, 13 minutes
Challenge film total: 152
You don't have a customer... I want you to clean, clean, clean!
Date: Tuesday 2nd April
Film: Compliance (2013)
Director: Craig Zobel
Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday evening and I find myself running straight from work to one of my favourite cinemas with one of my favourite people.
Tonight's film, Compliance. Something I'd been interested to see for some time, since seeing an article on the crime that inspired the movie. The CW and I knew going in that this was going to be a little heavier than your standard midweek fodder, I just don't think we were fully prepared for the way the film was going to go. Every time you felt like it was going to slow down a little, another dark incident would occur, the victim would be pushed a little further along.
When the film came to an end, it took us a while to say anything, it was a little hard to digest. It's easy to watch films like this, and theorise on how you would react to these situations, but it is another thing entirely to watch things pan out on screen.
An incredibly tough film to watch.
Challenge day: 188
Challenge time: 12 days, 07 hours, 17 minutes
Challenge film total: 151
Film: Compliance (2013)
Director: Craig Zobel
Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday evening and I find myself running straight from work to one of my favourite cinemas with one of my favourite people.
Tonight's film, Compliance. Something I'd been interested to see for some time, since seeing an article on the crime that inspired the movie. The CW and I knew going in that this was going to be a little heavier than your standard midweek fodder, I just don't think we were fully prepared for the way the film was going to go. Every time you felt like it was going to slow down a little, another dark incident would occur, the victim would be pushed a little further along.
When the film came to an end, it took us a while to say anything, it was a little hard to digest. It's easy to watch films like this, and theorise on how you would react to these situations, but it is another thing entirely to watch things pan out on screen.
An incredibly tough film to watch.
Challenge day: 188
Challenge time: 12 days, 07 hours, 17 minutes
Challenge film total: 151
Is this about the Avengers? Which I know nothing about.
Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: Avengers Assemble (2012)
Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth
Running time: 02 hours, 23 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Easter Sunday and I find myself indulging in a little brother-sister bonding, lazing on my Mum's sofa watching a film we, apparently, both adore. I've gushed about this movie before, and with every viewing I find myself smiling along.
Plus, it's nice to have a conversation about how dull Captain America is with the one person you'd least expect to be discussing superheroes with.
Challenge day: 186
Challenge time: 12 days, 05 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 150
you certainly keep some strange company.
Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: X2 (2003)
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellan
Running time: 02 hours, 13 minutes
Rating: 8/10
A final film before The Luce heads out of London and we are back to the superheroes. After being disappointed by X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it was time to watch a film in which Wolverine shines, and there are a few more superheroes that we know well to back him up along the way.
Until First Class came along, X2 was, in my opinion, the best of the X-Men series. There was little in the way of character introduction, which with large ensembles can slow the film down a little, so this film feels like it moves a little quicker than the first movie in the series. Alongside the action, there is a little more exploration into the background of the characters, which makes the film, and the X-Men universe, seem a lot more well rounded.
All in, a great superhero action film.
Challenge day: 149
Challenge time: 12 days, 03 hours, 24 minutes
Challenge film total: 149
Film: X2 (2003)
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellan
Running time: 02 hours, 13 minutes
Rating: 8/10
A final film before The Luce heads out of London and we are back to the superheroes. After being disappointed by X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it was time to watch a film in which Wolverine shines, and there are a few more superheroes that we know well to back him up along the way.
Until First Class came along, X2 was, in my opinion, the best of the X-Men series. There was little in the way of character introduction, which with large ensembles can slow the film down a little, so this film feels like it moves a little quicker than the first movie in the series. Alongside the action, there is a little more exploration into the background of the characters, which makes the film, and the X-Men universe, seem a lot more well rounded.
All in, a great superhero action film.
Challenge day: 149
Challenge time: 12 days, 03 hours, 24 minutes
Challenge film total: 149
It's beyond anything we ever imagined Charlie.
Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Director: Burr Steers
Starring: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew and Charlie Tahan
Running time: 01 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Sunday morning and The Luce and I decided all we needed to start the day off with a smile, was to laze on the sofa, in our pyjamas, watching Zac Efron frolic about on a boat.
Can't imagine why.
Charlie St. Cloud is in a similar vein to a lot of Nicholas Sparks adaptations. It tells a tale of romance in a small town by a lake. The thing that changes it a little from Nicholas Sparks and other stories of this ilk, is this story focuses on grief, and how Charlie comes to terms with the loss of his younger brother and the impact this has had on his life.
Charlie St. Cloud is by no means perfect, it is predictable, it's a little corny, not all the characters are likeable, but there is something about it that makes it enjoyable (and it's not just Zac Efron brooding, I promise).
Challenge day: 186
Challenge time: 12 days, 01 hour, 11 minutes
Film: Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Director: Burr Steers
Starring: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew and Charlie Tahan
Running time: 01 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Sunday morning and The Luce and I decided all we needed to start the day off with a smile, was to laze on the sofa, in our pyjamas, watching Zac Efron frolic about on a boat.
Can't imagine why.
Jesus, he's handsome.
Charlie St. Cloud is by no means perfect, it is predictable, it's a little corny, not all the characters are likeable, but there is something about it that makes it enjoyable (and it's not just Zac Efron brooding, I promise).
Challenge day: 186
Challenge time: 12 days, 01 hour, 11 minutes
Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him.
Date: Saturday 30th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 26 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Back from visiting the Harry Potter Studio tour, the Luce and I, full of Butterbeer, settled down on the sofa to double bill the final, and best, two of the Harry Potter series.
This is where it all comes to an end, there is action, emotion, growth, tragedy and romance. Having watched the cast grow and mature, it's great to feel a sense of completion with their stories.
The only fault I can find with these films is the terrible epilogue to finish the entire series off. This is through no fault of the filmmakers, I found this cringe-inducing to read so seeing it brought to life on screen wasn't going to change my feelings all that much.
Challenge day: 185
Challenge time: 11 days, 23 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 147
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 26 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Back from visiting the Harry Potter Studio tour, the Luce and I, full of Butterbeer, settled down on the sofa to double bill the final, and best, two of the Harry Potter series.
This is where it all comes to an end, there is action, emotion, growth, tragedy and romance. Having watched the cast grow and mature, it's great to feel a sense of completion with their stories.
The only fault I can find with these films is the terrible epilogue to finish the entire series off. This is through no fault of the filmmakers, I found this cringe-inducing to read so seeing it brought to life on screen wasn't going to change my feelings all that much.
Challenge day: 185
Challenge time: 11 days, 23 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 147
Logan isn't the only piece of this puzzle.
Date: Friday 29th March
Film: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Danny Huston
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 5/10
My love for superheroes is well known to all who've met me, and the X-Men franchise is no exception to this rule. Which makes it surprising that I hadn't got round to watching this origin tale before (even more surprising when you learn I have it in my X-Men box set), but I had little desire to watch a film that focused on the creation of one hero. I felt that there was enough covered in the X-Men stories to leave Wolverine with that air of mystery and I just wasn't all that inclined to learn much more about him. Plus, I'd heard it was terrible.
The Luce was over for the weekend, I gave her free reign of the DVD racks and it was decided that I should, finally, get round to watching this one. I went in with little knowledge, the film hadn't interested me and, for all my love of comic book movies, I'm not an expert on the background material. I was genuinely surprised with the faces that popped up. If I'd have known going in that Liev Schreiber, Taylor Kitsch and Ryan Reynolds all had roles (albeit varying in length) it would have been watched a lot sooner.
Unfortunately, for all the great talent that appeared, there was still a role for Will.I.Am, a sign, for me, that this film wasn't going to be great.
The problem I had with Wolverine was that the characters that brought the most to the film were incredibly underdeveloped (particularly Deadpool and Gambit). There was a lot of focus on things that weren't all that relevant to the plot and, overall, I was left feeling a little deflated by the film.
As origin films go, I'd much rather watch First Class a few more times.
Challenge day: 184
Challenge time: 11 days, 18 hours, 46 minutes
Challenge film total: 145
Film: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Danny Huston
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 5/10
My love for superheroes is well known to all who've met me, and the X-Men franchise is no exception to this rule. Which makes it surprising that I hadn't got round to watching this origin tale before (even more surprising when you learn I have it in my X-Men box set), but I had little desire to watch a film that focused on the creation of one hero. I felt that there was enough covered in the X-Men stories to leave Wolverine with that air of mystery and I just wasn't all that inclined to learn much more about him. Plus, I'd heard it was terrible.
The Luce was over for the weekend, I gave her free reign of the DVD racks and it was decided that I should, finally, get round to watching this one. I went in with little knowledge, the film hadn't interested me and, for all my love of comic book movies, I'm not an expert on the background material. I was genuinely surprised with the faces that popped up. If I'd have known going in that Liev Schreiber, Taylor Kitsch and Ryan Reynolds all had roles (albeit varying in length) it would have been watched a lot sooner.
Unfortunately, for all the great talent that appeared, there was still a role for Will.I.Am, a sign, for me, that this film wasn't going to be great.
The problem I had with Wolverine was that the characters that brought the most to the film were incredibly underdeveloped (particularly Deadpool and Gambit). There was a lot of focus on things that weren't all that relevant to the plot and, overall, I was left feeling a little deflated by the film.
As origin films go, I'd much rather watch First Class a few more times.
Challenge day: 184
Challenge time: 11 days, 18 hours, 46 minutes
Challenge film total: 145
How grand it must be, to be the chosen one.
Date: Wednesday 27th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 33 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I can't really say much more than I've said in the last few posts on this subject. Things are getting darker, risks are getting bigger. The films are growing alongside the characters.
Challenge day: 183
Challenge time: 11 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes
Challenge film total: 144
Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 33 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I can't really say much more than I've said in the last few posts on this subject. Things are getting darker, risks are getting bigger. The films are growing alongside the characters.
Challenge day: 183
Challenge time: 11 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes
Challenge film total: 144
Just because you can use magic now does not mean you have to whip your wands out for everything.
Date: Tuesday 26th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A little more Harry Potter. A little more joy.
Everything is a little darker, characters you've grown to love are put in danger, the battles are getting fiercer and there is much more at stake.
Challenge day: 182
Challenge time: 11 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 143
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A little more Harry Potter. A little more joy.
Everything is a little darker, characters you've grown to love are put in danger, the battles are getting fiercer and there is much more at stake.
Challenge day: 182
Challenge time: 11 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 143
You need to know what you're up against. You need to be prepared...
Date: Monday 25th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Still pushing through Harry Potter films, ahead of the upcoming visit to the studios, so I retired to bed with the fourth in the series. It's at this point that things really start to get good. The point at which Voldemort is reaching enough strength to really wreak havoc.
The films get darker, the action amps up and they become about a lot more than a boy wizard.
Sheer escapist fun.
Challenge day: 181
Challenge time: 11 days, 12 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 142
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Still pushing through Harry Potter films, ahead of the upcoming visit to the studios, so I retired to bed with the fourth in the series. It's at this point that things really start to get good. The point at which Voldemort is reaching enough strength to really wreak havoc.
The films get darker, the action amps up and they become about a lot more than a boy wizard.
Sheer escapist fun.
Challenge day: 181
Challenge time: 11 days, 12 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 142
For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.
Date: Sunday 24th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running Time: 02 hours, 21 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Back to the Harry Potter Series and this time around, the action picks up. We meet Sirius, we learn a little more about Harry's background, and whilst there isn't as much action as we see in future films, this one does introduce key characters and plot points that help the story along.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes
Challenge film total: 141
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running Time: 02 hours, 21 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Back to the Harry Potter Series and this time around, the action picks up. We meet Sirius, we learn a little more about Harry's background, and whilst there isn't as much action as we see in future films, this one does introduce key characters and plot points that help the story along.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes
Challenge film total: 141
It's all going to be fine. It always is. Just follow the plan.
Date: Sunday 24th March
Film: Arbitrage (2013)
Director: Nicholas Jarecki
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth
Running time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10
I'm putting it out there, I love Richard Gere, and his stupidly twinkly eyes. I jump at the chance to see any film he pops up in.
Arbitrage tells the story of the potential demise of a wealthy hedge fund manager. It looks at mistakes he has made in his personal life, his business dealings and his relationships and what happens when people become aware of these mistakes.
This film is a thriller, however instead of fast paced action, it is all tense conversations, whispered dealings in blacked out cars, and sneaking around.
Maybe not your style if you aren't into wordy dramas, but overall, a good tense drama.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 07 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 140
Film: Arbitrage (2013)
Director: Nicholas Jarecki
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth
Running time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10
I'm putting it out there, I love Richard Gere, and his stupidly twinkly eyes. I jump at the chance to see any film he pops up in.
(this is where I tried to find a gif of those twinkly eyes, instead I found this gem)
This film is a thriller, however instead of fast paced action, it is all tense conversations, whispered dealings in blacked out cars, and sneaking around.
Maybe not your style if you aren't into wordy dramas, but overall, a good tense drama.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 07 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 140
The human brain, a lovely piece of hardware.
Date: Tuesday 19th March
Film: Robot & Frank (2013)
Director: Jake Schreier
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon and Peter Sarsgaard
Running Time: 01 hour, 29 minutes
Rating: 9/10
After a rubbish day, there is nothing that relaxes me more than taking myself off to the movies. There's something about sitting in the dark, watching other people's stories that calms me to the core.
So, after a pretty tough Tuesday, I popped round the corner from my office to see what was on at the local Vue. The next film showing; Robot & Frank, a film I'd read great things about, with a cast of actors I admire and an interesting concept. Had to be worth checking out.
This film tells the story of Frank, a former cat burglar who, as old age fast approaches, is bought a robot butler by his concerned son. The film goes on to tell the story of the relationship between this cantankerous old man, struggling to deal with the limitations of his advanced age, and Robot, his faithfully programmed electronic home help.
This film is a beautiful story about finding love and companionship in the most unexpected places.
Challenge day: 175
Challenge time: 11 days, 05 hours, 23 minutes
Challenge film total: 139
Film: Robot & Frank (2013)
Director: Jake Schreier
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon and Peter Sarsgaard
Running Time: 01 hour, 29 minutes
Rating: 9/10
After a rubbish day, there is nothing that relaxes me more than taking myself off to the movies. There's something about sitting in the dark, watching other people's stories that calms me to the core.
So, after a pretty tough Tuesday, I popped round the corner from my office to see what was on at the local Vue. The next film showing; Robot & Frank, a film I'd read great things about, with a cast of actors I admire and an interesting concept. Had to be worth checking out.
This film tells the story of Frank, a former cat burglar who, as old age fast approaches, is bought a robot butler by his concerned son. The film goes on to tell the story of the relationship between this cantankerous old man, struggling to deal with the limitations of his advanced age, and Robot, his faithfully programmed electronic home help.
This film is a beautiful story about finding love and companionship in the most unexpected places.
Challenge day: 175
Challenge time: 11 days, 05 hours, 23 minutes
Challenge film total: 139
Do you ever think, that if people knew how crazy you really were that no one would ever talk to you?
Date: Monday 18th March
Film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Mae Whitman
Running Time: 01 hour, 42 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I haven't exactly been quiet in the past when it comes to my opinion on film adaptations of books I like, and I went into Perks with low expectations. Published when I was 15, I remember reading Perks at just the right time. The time where I was discovering music, making new friends and working out who I was and where I fit in the World. My biggest fear was that the film adaptation would take that all away from me.
Over Christmas I picked up my (well-thumbed) copy and read the book for the trillionth time. I needed to get a feel for the characters with actors in mind, impressions taken from snippets I'd seen in trailers and articles I'd read in film magazines. After this reading, I went into a bit of a panic. It's hard to find a book that you relate to, a book that, to you, is symbolic of your youth. That perfectly encapsulates your emotions, your feelings, and it's worse when these are butchered by filmmakers.
The one thing that was swaying me toward seeing this adaptation, instead of ignoring it to avoid disappointment (as experienced before with the god-awful adaptations of The Time Traveler's Wife and One Day), was that not only did the original author write the screenplay, but also took up directing duties. Combined with a great cast (I have been a little obsessed with Ezra Miller since seeing We Need to Talk About Kevin - another rare example of book adaptations done well), I almost got my hopes up.
Turns out, my layer of negativity was unnecessary. Yes, there are cuts made to the story,. but these are background stories, things that, in the grand scheme of things, don't make a massive difference to the story.
The film tells the story of Charlie, a 'wallflower' who is starting high school. He has few friends, and spends his days on the fringes, looking in. Soon enough he finds himself taken under the wing of Sam and Patrick, a pair of step-siblings who, like Charlie, are on the fringes of the social spectrum but have made themselves a home and a community amongst the 'misfits'.
Dealing with a spectrum of difficult subjects, including mental health, suicide, sexual abuse and coming to terms with sexuality, Perks does a great job of presenting all the issues sensitively, without ever speaking down to the audience or minimising the effect of these struggles.
Yes, there are some bits of the book that didn't make it to the film, but these were all minimal character developments with smaller characters, and not having them included didn't change the story at all.
All in all, this is a well made adaptation of a great book. It has a fabulous cast, all of whom act their hearts out, and a killer soundtrack. Worth watching, whether you've read the book or otherwise.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 03 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 138
Film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Mae Whitman
Running Time: 01 hour, 42 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I haven't exactly been quiet in the past when it comes to my opinion on film adaptations of books I like, and I went into Perks with low expectations. Published when I was 15, I remember reading Perks at just the right time. The time where I was discovering music, making new friends and working out who I was and where I fit in the World. My biggest fear was that the film adaptation would take that all away from me.
Over Christmas I picked up my (well-thumbed) copy and read the book for the trillionth time. I needed to get a feel for the characters with actors in mind, impressions taken from snippets I'd seen in trailers and articles I'd read in film magazines. After this reading, I went into a bit of a panic. It's hard to find a book that you relate to, a book that, to you, is symbolic of your youth. That perfectly encapsulates your emotions, your feelings, and it's worse when these are butchered by filmmakers.
The one thing that was swaying me toward seeing this adaptation, instead of ignoring it to avoid disappointment (as experienced before with the god-awful adaptations of The Time Traveler's Wife and One Day), was that not only did the original author write the screenplay, but also took up directing duties. Combined with a great cast (I have been a little obsessed with Ezra Miller since seeing We Need to Talk About Kevin - another rare example of book adaptations done well), I almost got my hopes up.
Turns out, my layer of negativity was unnecessary. Yes, there are cuts made to the story,. but these are background stories, things that, in the grand scheme of things, don't make a massive difference to the story.
The film tells the story of Charlie, a 'wallflower' who is starting high school. He has few friends, and spends his days on the fringes, looking in. Soon enough he finds himself taken under the wing of Sam and Patrick, a pair of step-siblings who, like Charlie, are on the fringes of the social spectrum but have made themselves a home and a community amongst the 'misfits'.
Dealing with a spectrum of difficult subjects, including mental health, suicide, sexual abuse and coming to terms with sexuality, Perks does a great job of presenting all the issues sensitively, without ever speaking down to the audience or minimising the effect of these struggles.
Yes, there are some bits of the book that didn't make it to the film, but these were all minimal character developments with smaller characters, and not having them included didn't change the story at all.
All in all, this is a well made adaptation of a great book. It has a fabulous cast, all of whom act their hearts out, and a killer soundtrack. Worth watching, whether you've read the book or otherwise.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 03 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 138
Monday, 15 April 2013
I like this ship! You know, it's exciting!
Date: Monday 18th March
Film: Star Trek (2009)
Director: J. J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg
Running time: 02 hours, 02 minutes
Rating: 10/10
I can watch this film a trillion times and I still find it ridiculously exciting so when the flatmate told me his plan for the evening was to settle on the sofa and watch it, I did a little jig of glee.
I've said everything I have to say on this before. It's wonderful, it makes me happy. Watch it. Now.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 02 hours, 12 minutes
Challenge film total: 137
Film: Star Trek (2009)
Director: J. J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg
Running time: 02 hours, 02 minutes
Rating: 10/10
I can watch this film a trillion times and I still find it ridiculously exciting so when the flatmate told me his plan for the evening was to settle on the sofa and watch it, I did a little jig of glee.
I've said everything I have to say on this before. It's wonderful, it makes me happy. Watch it. Now.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 02 hours, 12 minutes
Challenge film total: 137
Vampires pretending to be humans, pretending to be vampires.
Date: Saturday 16th March
Film: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas
Running Time: 02 hours, 03 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Another film about vampires and one I love, surprisingly.
I have some pretty strong opinions on Tom Cruise, namely that prior to 1997 he made some brilliant films, then he went a little bit weird and it became impossible to watch any film without thinking of the whole Tom Cruise persona. I also don't get the whole Brad Pitt thing. Yet, somehow, there's something about Interview with the Vampire that I adore. I can put these feelings aside, I believe in Tom Cruise's character.
I've seen this movie plenty of times in my life and I always find it enjoyable. It seems aware that it is a bit over the top and ridiculous yet embraces this and runs with it. Plus, it has Christian Slater in it, and I love him.
In fact, my exact thoughts on this film, at the time of watching were:
Challenge day: 192
Challenge time: 11 days, 00 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 136
Film: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas
Running Time: 02 hours, 03 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Another film about vampires and one I love, surprisingly.
I have some pretty strong opinions on Tom Cruise, namely that prior to 1997 he made some brilliant films, then he went a little bit weird and it became impossible to watch any film without thinking of the whole Tom Cruise persona. I also don't get the whole Brad Pitt thing. Yet, somehow, there's something about Interview with the Vampire that I adore. I can put these feelings aside, I believe in Tom Cruise's character.
I've seen this movie plenty of times in my life and I always find it enjoyable. It seems aware that it is a bit over the top and ridiculous yet embraces this and runs with it. Plus, it has Christian Slater in it, and I love him.
In fact, my exact thoughts on this film, at the time of watching were:
I hereby appoint myself chairwoman of the campaign to revive Christian Slater's movie career. I miss seeing him in the mainstream.
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) March 16, 2013
How have I only just realised it's Interview With THE Vampire, not Interview With A Vampire? How many times have I seen this film?So, there you go. Vampires can be fun and I miss the 90's.
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) March 16, 2013
Challenge day: 192
Challenge time: 11 days, 00 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 136
I wish I had a good excuse, but i have a curiosity.
Date: Saturday 16th March
Film: Safe Haven (2013)
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders and David Lyons
Running time: 01 hour, 55 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Saturday afternoon and The Luce and I had already seen one film but we were in the West End, the weather was a bit rubbish and we had time to kill so we took advantage of an overflow of Nectar points and indulged in a little guilty pleasure.
As this is based on a Nicholas Sparks book, I knew what I was getting into and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, it was corny, predictable, a little contrived. There was, as expected, a body of water, a person in danger, a hero and a nemesis. There was a big love story, a couple destined to be together kept apart by something bigger.
The difference being Safe Haven has a twist on the traditional Nicholas Sparks stories, a 'shock' ending that is surprisingly obvious from around 10 minutes in.
As films of this ilk go, Safe Haven isn't the worst I've seen, but there are so many better.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 22 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 135
Film: Safe Haven (2013)
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders and David Lyons
Running time: 01 hour, 55 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Saturday afternoon and The Luce and I had already seen one film but we were in the West End, the weather was a bit rubbish and we had time to kill so we took advantage of an overflow of Nectar points and indulged in a little guilty pleasure.
As this is based on a Nicholas Sparks book, I knew what I was getting into and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, it was corny, predictable, a little contrived. There was, as expected, a body of water, a person in danger, a hero and a nemesis. There was a big love story, a couple destined to be together kept apart by something bigger.
The difference being Safe Haven has a twist on the traditional Nicholas Sparks stories, a 'shock' ending that is surprisingly obvious from around 10 minutes in.
As films of this ilk go, Safe Haven isn't the worst I've seen, but there are so many better.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 22 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 135
Friday, 12 April 2013
The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday. That's guaranteed. I can't begin to explain that.
Date: Saturday 16th March
Film: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver
Running Time: 2 hour 02 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
I've seen this before, and my feelings haven't changed. It's still brilliant and I'm still a little bit in love with Jennifer Lawrence, so when I knew The Luce was going to be in town and we saw that this was showing at The PCC, we couldn't pass up the chance to see it. In fact, I even ran across Leicester Square to make sure I didn't miss any of the film.
What a joyous movie.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 20 hours, 07 minutes
Challenge film total: 134
Film: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver
Running Time: 2 hour 02 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
I've seen this before, and my feelings haven't changed. It's still brilliant and I'm still a little bit in love with Jennifer Lawrence, so when I knew The Luce was going to be in town and we saw that this was showing at The PCC, we couldn't pass up the chance to see it. In fact, I even ran across Leicester Square to make sure I didn't miss any of the film.
What a joyous movie.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 20 hours, 07 minutes
Challenge film total: 134
Dude we're living Call of Duty... It sucks.
Date: Friday 15th March
Film: Red Dawn (2013)
Director: Dan Bradley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki and Josh Peck
Running Time: 01 hour, 33 minutes
Rating: 2/10
Friday night and some quality time with The CW.We met early, had some dinner, had some wine, went to another bar and had some more wine, then settled down to see Red Dawn. A remake of a 1984 film starring Patrick Swayze.
My love for Swayze isn't a secret, but the original Red Dawn isn't a film I've seen and, after seeing the remake, I'm a bit nervous about seeking it out.
Friday night is a busy time at Islington Vue, there were quite a few people milling about in the foyer, very few of them made it into our screen. In fact, other than us, there were three other people in the cinema. They weren't together. Three men, all sat separately. Possibly the emptiest cinema I'd ever been in. A sign that what were about to watch may not be good.
Not good is an understatement. Red Dawn really was terrible. A mixed bag of a cast, some an awful lot stronger than others, and a nonsense plot make for a film that has little in the way of redeeming qualities. Even a mid-film pop up from a man I adore couldn't save this.
All I could take away from Red Dawn was the overwhelming sense that most remakes are terrible and unnecessary, and the knowledge that if a film takes years to be released following filming, it isn't always going to be a gem.
Challenge day: 171
Challenge time: 10 days, 18 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 133
Film: Red Dawn (2013)
Director: Dan Bradley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki and Josh Peck
Running Time: 01 hour, 33 minutes
Rating: 2/10
Friday night and some quality time with The CW.We met early, had some dinner, had some wine, went to another bar and had some more wine, then settled down to see Red Dawn. A remake of a 1984 film starring Patrick Swayze.
My love for Swayze isn't a secret, but the original Red Dawn isn't a film I've seen and, after seeing the remake, I'm a bit nervous about seeking it out.
Friday night is a busy time at Islington Vue, there were quite a few people milling about in the foyer, very few of them made it into our screen. In fact, other than us, there were three other people in the cinema. They weren't together. Three men, all sat separately. Possibly the emptiest cinema I'd ever been in. A sign that what were about to watch may not be good.
Not good is an understatement. Red Dawn really was terrible. A mixed bag of a cast, some an awful lot stronger than others, and a nonsense plot make for a film that has little in the way of redeeming qualities. Even a mid-film pop up from a man I adore couldn't save this.
All I could take away from Red Dawn was the overwhelming sense that most remakes are terrible and unnecessary, and the knowledge that if a film takes years to be released following filming, it isn't always going to be a gem.
Challenge day: 171
Challenge time: 10 days, 18 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 133
Thursday, 11 April 2013
I promise you, you'll be dead by dawn.
Date: Wednesday 13th March
Film: Blade (1998)
Director: Stephen Norrington
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff and Kris Kristofferson
Running time: 02 hours
Rating: 7/10
An in depth conversation about vampire films led to the realisation that I had only seen Blade II, something I knew I had to fix.
Although, Blade isn't really a vampire movie, Blade is more of a vampire slayer movie. It's no The Lost Boys (my favourite film about vampires), but it is nonetheless a great film. It has a strong cast and an interesting premise. Having not read the source comics, I cannot comment on how true to the origins it is, but I can say that it is a lot better than most vampire films around at the moment, *ahem*.
Visually, Blade is incredibly well made, one of the opening scenes, a rave in which the sprinklers spray blood on the revellers, is particularly memorable.
All in all, an enjoyable film that I am surprised I haven't seen before.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 16 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 132
Film: Blade (1998)
Director: Stephen Norrington
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff and Kris Kristofferson
Running time: 02 hours
Rating: 7/10
An in depth conversation about vampire films led to the realisation that I had only seen Blade II, something I knew I had to fix.
Although, Blade isn't really a vampire movie, Blade is more of a vampire slayer movie. It's no The Lost Boys (my favourite film about vampires), but it is nonetheless a great film. It has a strong cast and an interesting premise. Having not read the source comics, I cannot comment on how true to the origins it is, but I can say that it is a lot better than most vampire films around at the moment, *ahem*.
Visually, Blade is incredibly well made, one of the opening scenes, a rave in which the sprinklers spray blood on the revellers, is particularly memorable.
All in all, an enjoyable film that I am surprised I haven't seen before.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 16 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 132
Depression is the inability to construct a future.
Date: Wednesday 13th March
Film: Side Effects (2013)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum
Running Time: 01 hour, 46 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Side Effects starts out innocently enough, as a film about the effects of mental health and the medication used to treat mental illness, but as the film progresses it becomes so much more than that.
As he has done many times before, Steven Soderbergh, has created a film on many levels. Just like Magic Mike is about more than strippers, Side Effects is about more than mental health and it's effects.
Essentially, this is a film about greed, about what people will do to get exactly what they want. It is a slow building, tense, talky drama. The cast excel, particularly Rooney Mara as the mentally exhausted Emily and Jude Law as her psychiatrist.
Side Effects does go a bit off track in the final act, becoming a little soap opera-y, but that doesn't take away from the excellent, tension building opening.
Worth seeing, if you get a chance.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 131
Film: Side Effects (2013)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum
Running Time: 01 hour, 46 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Side Effects starts out innocently enough, as a film about the effects of mental health and the medication used to treat mental illness, but as the film progresses it becomes so much more than that.
As he has done many times before, Steven Soderbergh, has created a film on many levels. Just like Magic Mike is about more than strippers, Side Effects is about more than mental health and it's effects.
Essentially, this is a film about greed, about what people will do to get exactly what they want. It is a slow building, tense, talky drama. The cast excel, particularly Rooney Mara as the mentally exhausted Emily and Jude Law as her psychiatrist.
Side Effects does go a bit off track in the final act, becoming a little soap opera-y, but that doesn't take away from the excellent, tension building opening.
Worth seeing, if you get a chance.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 131
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