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
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Monday, 29 April 2013
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
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
Friday, 15 March 2013
Somebody's coming up. Somebody serious.
Sunday 10th March
Sunday night and time for a spot of Sunday Night Film Club. Up first, a film we had planned to watch once before...
Film: Wild Bill (2011)
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Poulter and Sammy Williams
Running Time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 8/10
Honestly, I don't know why we put it off. Wild Bill is a great little British film, the storyline is strong, the acting is brilliant and the views of East London are stunning.
A story of loyalty, redemption and love. This is worth seeing if you get the chance.
Film: Leon Director's Cut (1994)
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman
Running Time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Up next, a movie we both adore. Considering it is close to 20 years old, this film doesn't seem to have aged - Natalie Portman definitely hasn't aged, She's just grown taller - Leon is a wonderful film about finding someone to care for in the most unusual circumstances, how far you will go for that person and how friendship can help you mould a future from an unpleasant upbringing.
Yes, it is about a hit-man, a young girl, corrupt cops, drugs, and violence but, most importantly, it's about love.
Challenge day: 166
Challenge time: 10 days, 09 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 129
Sunday night and time for a spot of Sunday Night Film Club. Up first, a film we had planned to watch once before...
Film: Wild Bill (2011)
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Poulter and Sammy Williams
Running Time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 8/10
Honestly, I don't know why we put it off. Wild Bill is a great little British film, the storyline is strong, the acting is brilliant and the views of East London are stunning.
A story of loyalty, redemption and love. This is worth seeing if you get the chance.
Film: Leon Director's Cut (1994)
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman
Running Time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Up next, a movie we both adore. Considering it is close to 20 years old, this film doesn't seem to have aged - Natalie Portman definitely hasn't aged, She's just grown taller - Leon is a wonderful film about finding someone to care for in the most unusual circumstances, how far you will go for that person and how friendship can help you mould a future from an unpleasant upbringing.
Yes, it is about a hit-man, a young girl, corrupt cops, drugs, and violence but, most importantly, it's about love.
Challenge day: 166
Challenge time: 10 days, 09 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 129
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
This is very, very difficult. But sometimes children are bad people, too.
Date: Monday 4th March
Film: Hanna (2011)
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Saorise Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana
Running time: 01 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: 7/10
I've had this movie from LoveFilm for a while and have been waiting for the mood to strike to watch it. Monday night, an early dinner with the girls and I was home and ready for bed by 9pm (rock and roll). There wasn't much on the telly, I couldn't be bothered to venture into the living room for a movie, my internet was being a little rubbish so streaming was out the window. Hanna it was.
I think it's safe to say my watching of this film wasn't borne from a desire to see it, more an overwhelming sense of laziness. I wanted to see it, I had been the one to add it to my LoveFilm list, at a high priority. I just wasn't 100% convinced it was what I wanted to watch at that moment.
For me, Hanna was a revelation. I wasn't aware this was a Joe Wright film, I'm not sure how that information passed me by, I adore the look of Joe Wright films, Atonement will always be stunning, and Hanna is no exception. Every scene is framed beautifully.
As far as I am aware, Wright has not directed anything like Hanna before, an action film, a thriller film, a chase film. Hanna is 16, she has lived in isolation with her father all her life, training as an assassin, learning her identity. The film tells of the mission he sends her on, across Europe, trailed by the CIA.
Saorise Ronan is fabulous, as always, playing the lead. A girl that has had limited interaction with the world, discovering things for the first time. Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett head up a strong supporting cast but, in every scene she is in, your eyes are on Ronan.
Overall, Hanna is a really great film. One worth checking out.
Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 09 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes
Challenge film total: 123
Film: Hanna (2011)
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Saorise Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana
Running time: 01 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: 7/10
I've had this movie from LoveFilm for a while and have been waiting for the mood to strike to watch it. Monday night, an early dinner with the girls and I was home and ready for bed by 9pm (rock and roll). There wasn't much on the telly, I couldn't be bothered to venture into the living room for a movie, my internet was being a little rubbish so streaming was out the window. Hanna it was.
I think it's safe to say my watching of this film wasn't borne from a desire to see it, more an overwhelming sense of laziness. I wanted to see it, I had been the one to add it to my LoveFilm list, at a high priority. I just wasn't 100% convinced it was what I wanted to watch at that moment.
For me, Hanna was a revelation. I wasn't aware this was a Joe Wright film, I'm not sure how that information passed me by, I adore the look of Joe Wright films, Atonement will always be stunning, and Hanna is no exception. Every scene is framed beautifully.
As far as I am aware, Wright has not directed anything like Hanna before, an action film, a thriller film, a chase film. Hanna is 16, she has lived in isolation with her father all her life, training as an assassin, learning her identity. The film tells of the mission he sends her on, across Europe, trailed by the CIA.
Saorise Ronan is fabulous, as always, playing the lead. A girl that has had limited interaction with the world, discovering things for the first time. Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett head up a strong supporting cast but, in every scene she is in, your eyes are on Ronan.
Overall, Hanna is a really great film. One worth checking out.
Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 09 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes
Challenge film total: 123
Friday, 1 March 2013
I don't sit in while you're running it down. I don't carry a gun. I drive.
Date: Sunday 24th February
Film: Drive (2011)
Director: Nicholas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Bryan Cranston
Running Time: 01 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Brutal violence, underground crime organisations, fast cars, Ryan Gosling and Christina Hendricks. Drive is a list of things I love in cinema. The exquisitely told story of a mysterious man (we never learn his name), who is hired to drive, the one thing he does well, and after a liaison with his neighbour, and an interaction with her ex-con husband, ends up mixed up with a criminal gang and things go downhill from there.
Drive is intense. From beginning to end. In the doomed love affair, in the violence, in the car scenes. It's this intensity that, in my eyes, makes it such a great film.
One of, in my opinion, the best films to come out in the last few of years. I have so much love for Drive.
Challenge day: 153
Challenge time: 09 days, 15 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 119
Film: Drive (2011)
Director: Nicholas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Bryan Cranston
Running Time: 01 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Brutal violence, underground crime organisations, fast cars, Ryan Gosling and Christina Hendricks. Drive is a list of things I love in cinema. The exquisitely told story of a mysterious man (we never learn his name), who is hired to drive, the one thing he does well, and after a liaison with his neighbour, and an interaction with her ex-con husband, ends up mixed up with a criminal gang and things go downhill from there.
Drive is intense. From beginning to end. In the doomed love affair, in the violence, in the car scenes. It's this intensity that, in my eyes, makes it such a great film.
One of, in my opinion, the best films to come out in the last few of years. I have so much love for Drive.
Challenge day: 153
Challenge time: 09 days, 15 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 119
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
It wasn't brains that brought me here; I assure you that.
Date: Sunday 17th February
Film: Margin Call (2011)
Director: J C Chandor
Starring: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey and Penn Badgley
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10
In the least eloquent way possible, I will describe this film as thus: a group of beautiful people, wearing shiny suits, sit around a large table and talk about finance for almost two hours.
Somehow, I really enjoyed it. I think it was the solid cast of actors I like watching, who managed to make the dullest of all financial talk a little easier to understand.
Challenge day: 145
Challenge time: 09 days, 06 hours, 36 minutes
Challenge film total: 114
Film: Margin Call (2011)
Director: J C Chandor
Starring: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey and Penn Badgley
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10
In the least eloquent way possible, I will describe this film as thus: a group of beautiful people, wearing shiny suits, sit around a large table and talk about finance for almost two hours.
Somehow, I really enjoyed it. I think it was the solid cast of actors I like watching, who managed to make the dullest of all financial talk a little easier to understand.
Challenge day: 145
Challenge time: 09 days, 06 hours, 36 minutes
Challenge film total: 114
That was a highly inappropriate series of comments and I apologize.
Date: Sunday 10th February
Film: Friends with Benefits (2011)
Director: Will Gluck
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson and Woody Harrelson
Running time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 7/10
As modern rom-coms go, this one is pretty good. I think that can be contributed to Mila Kunis. Why isn't she in more things?
Plus, Justin Timberlake isn't terrible. I don't know why this surprises me - I have a real soft spot for Alpha Dog.
Challenge day: 138
Challenge time: 09 days, 01 hours, 57 minutes
Challenge film total: 112
Film: Friends with Benefits (2011)
Director: Will Gluck
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson and Woody Harrelson
Running time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 7/10
As modern rom-coms go, this one is pretty good. I think that can be contributed to Mila Kunis. Why isn't she in more things?
Plus, Justin Timberlake isn't terrible. I don't know why this surprises me - I have a real soft spot for Alpha Dog.
Challenge day: 138
Challenge time: 09 days, 01 hours, 57 minutes
Challenge film total: 112
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
You can't change your situation. The only thing that you can change is how you choose to deal with it
Date: Sunday 3rd February
Film: 50/50 (2011)
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick
Running time: 01 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Considering the subject matter, 50/50 could have gone two ways - it could be a 'pulling on your heartstrings, sobbing your heart out, serious cancer' film or it could be a 'laugh at cancer with inappropriate jokes' film. Luckily enough, 50/50 manages to combine both of these to be a genuine, heartwarming, funny, touching film about those dealing with cancer.
Joseph Gordon-Leviit is wonderful (I wouldn't expect anything less), as a man dealing with illness and the effect it has on his life, relationships and outlook on the world around him. Supported by Rogen, managing to be appropriately funny, and Anna Kendrick being sublime as usual, 50/50 is a movie that could have been a disaster in any other hands but excels, for me.
It manages that difficult task of being both funny and sad. As soon as you feel yourself getting to close to a sob they manage to drop a line that makes you laugh out loud.
I have a real soft spot for this film.
Challenge day: 131
Challenge time: 08 days, 12 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 105
Film: 50/50 (2011)
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick
Running time: 01 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Considering the subject matter, 50/50 could have gone two ways - it could be a 'pulling on your heartstrings, sobbing your heart out, serious cancer' film or it could be a 'laugh at cancer with inappropriate jokes' film. Luckily enough, 50/50 manages to combine both of these to be a genuine, heartwarming, funny, touching film about those dealing with cancer.
Joseph Gordon-Leviit is wonderful (I wouldn't expect anything less), as a man dealing with illness and the effect it has on his life, relationships and outlook on the world around him. Supported by Rogen, managing to be appropriately funny, and Anna Kendrick being sublime as usual, 50/50 is a movie that could have been a disaster in any other hands but excels, for me.
It manages that difficult task of being both funny and sad. As soon as you feel yourself getting to close to a sob they manage to drop a line that makes you laugh out loud.
I have a real soft spot for this film.
Challenge day: 131
Challenge time: 08 days, 12 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 105
Friday, 25 January 2013
What ever you think is helping you, I have a responsibility as your friend to tell you that it's not.
Date: Sunday 20th January
Film: Your Sister's Sister (2011)
Director: Lynn Shelton
Starring: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 8/10
Emily Blunt is wonderful, isn't she? Your Sister's Sister proves this yet again.
The film is a slow burning exploration of the relationships between siblings, friends and more. While some of the territory is a little familiar, the film feels fresh.
Challenge day: 117
Challenge time: 07 days, 03 hours, 51 minutes
Challenge film total: 88
Film: Your Sister's Sister (2011)
Director: Lynn Shelton
Starring: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 8/10
Emily Blunt is wonderful, isn't she? Your Sister's Sister proves this yet again.
The film is a slow burning exploration of the relationships between siblings, friends and more. While some of the territory is a little familiar, the film feels fresh.
Challenge day: 117
Challenge time: 07 days, 03 hours, 51 minutes
Challenge film total: 88
Thursday, 10 January 2013
I know I can do this.
Date: Friday 4th January
Film: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Billy Burke
Running time: 01 hours, 57 minutes
Rating: 5/10
The second to last film in the saga, part one of the big finale, and the most ridiculous of the bunch.
Granted, this absurdity comes from the plot, from the concept of someone carrying a vampire-human hybrid baby, but there is a certain amount of ridiculous in people sitting in a room watching a pregnant woman sit around sipping cartons of blood until the baby breaks her spine and needs biting out of her stomach.
I think I'm done on the Twilight front. I don't know if I'll be rushing to the cinema to watch Breaking Dawn - Part 2.
Challenge day: 101
Challenge time: 06 days, 08 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 79
Film: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Billy Burke
Running time: 01 hours, 57 minutes
Rating: 5/10
The second to last film in the saga, part one of the big finale, and the most ridiculous of the bunch.
Granted, this absurdity comes from the plot, from the concept of someone carrying a vampire-human hybrid baby, but there is a certain amount of ridiculous in people sitting in a room watching a pregnant woman sit around sipping cartons of blood until the baby breaks her spine and needs biting out of her stomach.
I think I'm done on the Twilight front. I don't know if I'll be rushing to the cinema to watch Breaking Dawn - Part 2.
Challenge day: 101
Challenge time: 06 days, 08 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 79
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
Friday, 30 November 2012
It's too much familiarity. It's like she's one of my limbs.
Date: Wednesday 28th November
Film: Friends With Kids (2011)
Director: Jennifer Westfeldt
Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph and Jon Hamm
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating 7.5/10
The commentary on this DVD box says 'funnier than Bridesmaids'. Not sure that's a fair comparison to make. Whilst Friends With Kids has a cast made up almost entirely of faces that popped up in Bridesmaids, the humour is totally different.
Don't go expecting this to be another Bridesmaids; the jokes aren't as brash, the characters aren't as 'caricature-y' and at no point does anyone defecate in the street. It is, however, as good as Bridesmaids, mainly due to the brilliant cast.
Friends With Kids is heartwarming, funny and has an exceptional cast, although Chris O'Dowd's accent upset me a little.
Challenge day: 66
Challenge time: 03 days, 06 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 42
Film: Friends With Kids (2011)
Director: Jennifer Westfeldt
Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph and Jon Hamm
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating 7.5/10
The commentary on this DVD box says 'funnier than Bridesmaids'. Not sure that's a fair comparison to make. Whilst Friends With Kids has a cast made up almost entirely of faces that popped up in Bridesmaids, the humour is totally different.
Don't go expecting this to be another Bridesmaids; the jokes aren't as brash, the characters aren't as 'caricature-y' and at no point does anyone defecate in the street. It is, however, as good as Bridesmaids, mainly due to the brilliant cast.
Friends With Kids is heartwarming, funny and has an exceptional cast, although Chris O'Dowd's accent upset me a little.
Challenge day: 66
Challenge time: 03 days, 06 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 42
Monday, 26 November 2012
This is such a stone-cold pack of weirdos, and I am so proud!
Date: Saturday 24th November
Film: Bridesmaids (2011)
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Chris O'Dowd and Maya Rudolph
Running Time: 2 hours, 05 minutes
Rating 9/10
After a long and adventurous day at Secret Cinema, all we wanted to do was settle down with a movie and, following Friday night's gossipy disaster (2 films started, neither finished, both stopped for slightly boring stories and superhero chats), we needed something that was going to hold our attention and stop us falling asleep on the sofa.
Two of us adore Bridesmaids and one of us hadn't seen it, so it seemed like a good choice. Something that I knew inside out so if I did feel myself getting a little too tired, I could take a 5 minute power nap and still know exactly what was going on.
This film gets better and better with every viewing; each time I watch there's something new to make me laugh. It probably helps that it is created by a bunch of people I adore, Paul Feig can do no wrong in my eyes (maybe it's because I'm a massive Freaks and Geeks fan), Kristen Wiig is hilarious and Chris O'Dowd is his usual charming self. Bridesmaids is always going to be one of my favourite comedies.
Chaellenge day: 62
Challenge time: 3 days, 00 hours, 37 minutes.
Challenge film total: 39
Film: Bridesmaids (2011)
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Chris O'Dowd and Maya Rudolph
Running Time: 2 hours, 05 minutes
Rating 9/10
After a long and adventurous day at Secret Cinema, all we wanted to do was settle down with a movie and, following Friday night's gossipy disaster (2 films started, neither finished, both stopped for slightly boring stories and superhero chats), we needed something that was going to hold our attention and stop us falling asleep on the sofa.
Two of us adore Bridesmaids and one of us hadn't seen it, so it seemed like a good choice. Something that I knew inside out so if I did feel myself getting a little too tired, I could take a 5 minute power nap and still know exactly what was going on.
This film gets better and better with every viewing; each time I watch there's something new to make me laugh. It probably helps that it is created by a bunch of people I adore, Paul Feig can do no wrong in my eyes (maybe it's because I'm a massive Freaks and Geeks fan), Kristen Wiig is hilarious and Chris O'Dowd is his usual charming self. Bridesmaids is always going to be one of my favourite comedies.
Chaellenge day: 62
Challenge time: 3 days, 00 hours, 37 minutes.
Challenge film total: 39
Monday, 29 October 2012
The idea of being nice to weird and unpopular kids hadn't arrived yet.
Date: Friday 26th October 2012
Film: Damsels in Distress (2011 - might debate with IMDb on this, I'm pretty sure it came out at the beginning of this summer)
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton and Adam Brody
Running Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Friday evening, alone with my latest LoveFilm. Damsels in Distress is a film I was keen to see on its release however, I didn't get a chance to get to a screening of it.
Whit Stillman's first film after a 13 year hiatus, and, in my opinion, worth the wait. Eccentric, funny and warm, whilst Stillman's humour and style is not for everyone Damsels is a really good film, helped by Greta Gerwig's charm. Plus, Adam Brody pops up, a lot, sometimes dancing, mostly wearing a suit. What's not to love about that?
Challenge Day: 33
Challenge Time: 1 day 10 hours 51 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 19
Film: Damsels in Distress (2011 - might debate with IMDb on this, I'm pretty sure it came out at the beginning of this summer)
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton and Adam Brody
Running Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Friday evening, alone with my latest LoveFilm. Damsels in Distress is a film I was keen to see on its release however, I didn't get a chance to get to a screening of it.
Whit Stillman's first film after a 13 year hiatus, and, in my opinion, worth the wait. Eccentric, funny and warm, whilst Stillman's humour and style is not for everyone Damsels is a really good film, helped by Greta Gerwig's charm. Plus, Adam Brody pops up, a lot, sometimes dancing, mostly wearing a suit. What's not to love about that?
Challenge Day: 33
Challenge Time: 1 day 10 hours 51 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 19
Friday, 26 October 2012
Indie Love Films - A Double Bill
Date: Wednesday 24th October
Film: Ruby Sparks (2012)
Director: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, and Chris Messina
Running Time : 1 hour 44 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Wednesday night and CW and I are taking the Sunday Night Film Club on a (not very) rare weekday outing to Mile End Genesis to see Ruby Sparks, a film we've been looking forward to seeing for a few months now.
There was a lot of hype around this one, reviews were strong and it was hard not to get our hopes up. Good job Ruby Sparks is excellent.
While Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan excel in their lead roles, it's the supporting cast (including Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas and Elliott Gould) that really brings these characters, and this film, to life.
I was going on a solid 9/9.5 rating for this film the whole way through, there was comedy, there was romance, there was an underlying hint of tragedy and I was engrossed right up until the last 5 minutes. The ending, whilst it didn't spoil the film, was a little too contrived for my liking.
Still, a great film. One I would recommend seeking out, although it may not be your thing if you expect big laughs or great declarations of love.
Date: Wednesday 24th October
Film: Weekend (2011)
Director: Andrew Haigh
Starring: Tom Cullen and Chris New
Running Time : 1 hour 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I've had this on my LoveFilm list for a while, pretty much since Ultra Culture started harping on about how wonderful it was. Was he wrong? No. Definitely not.
Weekend is a wonderful British indie film about Russell and Glen who meet late on a Friday evening, spend the night together and then end up in each others company for the remainder of the weekend.
There is a hint of humour, there is a lot of talk about love and there is a scene near the end that is a little bit heartbreaking.
A great, great film.
Challenge day: 31
Challenge time : 01 days, 09 hours, 12 minutes.
Challenge film total: 18
Film: Ruby Sparks (2012)
Director: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, and Chris Messina
Running Time : 1 hour 44 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Wednesday night and CW and I are taking the Sunday Night Film Club on a (not very) rare weekday outing to Mile End Genesis to see Ruby Sparks, a film we've been looking forward to seeing for a few months now.
There was a lot of hype around this one, reviews were strong and it was hard not to get our hopes up. Good job Ruby Sparks is excellent.
While Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan excel in their lead roles, it's the supporting cast (including Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas and Elliott Gould) that really brings these characters, and this film, to life.
I was going on a solid 9/9.5 rating for this film the whole way through, there was comedy, there was romance, there was an underlying hint of tragedy and I was engrossed right up until the last 5 minutes. The ending, whilst it didn't spoil the film, was a little too contrived for my liking.
Still, a great film. One I would recommend seeking out, although it may not be your thing if you expect big laughs or great declarations of love.
Date: Wednesday 24th October
Film: Weekend (2011)
Director: Andrew Haigh
Starring: Tom Cullen and Chris New
Running Time : 1 hour 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I've had this on my LoveFilm list for a while, pretty much since Ultra Culture started harping on about how wonderful it was. Was he wrong? No. Definitely not.
Weekend is a wonderful British indie film about Russell and Glen who meet late on a Friday evening, spend the night together and then end up in each others company for the remainder of the weekend.
There is a hint of humour, there is a lot of talk about love and there is a scene near the end that is a little bit heartbreaking.
A great, great film.
Challenge day: 31
Challenge time : 01 days, 09 hours, 12 minutes.
Challenge film total: 18
Thursday, 11 October 2012
It's funny how those initial instincts can be so right, you know?
Date: Wednesday 10th October
Film: Young Adult (2011)
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson
Running Time : 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: 8/10
When I saw this was coming through the post (thank you LoveFilm) I had a chat with my two biggest film loving buddies, and they filled me with so much dread. They hated it. At first I thought it was a case of mis-leading trailers convincing you that you were going to get one thing then being totally thrown when that isn't the case. Alas, this was not the reason. They just plain hated it.
This had me worried. How could Reitman team up with Diablo Cody again and make a bad movie? Surely, it would be full to the brim with dark, dry comedy and a hint of depression.
I'm pleased I didn't listen to them and spent my post-Looper evening tucked up in bed watching this. Yes, there were depressing parts. Yes, the humour was dark. Yes, there wasn't a massive resloution/happy ending. But, I really, really enjoyed Young Adult.
Challenge day: 17
Challenge time : 01 days, 01 hours, 36 minutes.
Challenge film total: 13
Film: Young Adult (2011)
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson
Running Time : 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: 8/10
When I saw this was coming through the post (thank you LoveFilm) I had a chat with my two biggest film loving buddies, and they filled me with so much dread. They hated it. At first I thought it was a case of mis-leading trailers convincing you that you were going to get one thing then being totally thrown when that isn't the case. Alas, this was not the reason. They just plain hated it.
This had me worried. How could Reitman team up with Diablo Cody again and make a bad movie? Surely, it would be full to the brim with dark, dry comedy and a hint of depression.
I'm pleased I didn't listen to them and spent my post-Looper evening tucked up in bed watching this. Yes, there were depressing parts. Yes, the humour was dark. Yes, there wasn't a massive resloution/happy ending. But, I really, really enjoyed Young Adult.
Challenge day: 17
Challenge time : 01 days, 01 hours, 36 minutes.
Challenge film total: 13
Sunday, 30 September 2012
This isn't moonlighting at Applebee's for Christ's sake.
Date: Sunday 30th September
Film: Warrior (2011)
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte
Running Time : 2 hours 20 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Another new (ish) film that I didn't get a chance to see at the cinema and, after much badgering from people about how great it is, I finally got round to adding to my LoveFilm list and settling down to watch.
Before I get into my feelings on the film, I need to confess a couple of things;
1) I watched this whilst I was ironing, packing, organising for holiday so wasn't 100% focused on the screen (although I did nearly end up burning a patch in a good frock, so maybe I was a little bit more focused on the film than I planned to be!)
2) I don't really 'get' Tom Hardy, sometimes he is wonderful (Bronson) and other times I find myself watching him and thinking 'what's all this fuss about?'.
3) I have no clue what MMA (mixed martial arts) is. I thought this was a film about boxing.
I am generally a little fussy when it comes to sports films. I have little interest in sport, and even less understanding. If the sport is in the background to a great story I'm there, I'm committed. Luckily enough, Warrior is one of those films.
The MMA fighting (some sort of cage fighting, ultimate fighter, beat the crap out of each other, malarkey) takes a back seat to the story of two brothers, their complicated relationship with their alcoholic father and the ways they have dealt with the challenges life has thrown at them.
I can see why this gets a lot of comparison to The Fighter, they both embrace the same themes; family relations, addiction, salvation through sport, and so forth.
Nick Nolte was more than deserving of his Academy Award nomination - he steals the show with his portrayal of a father estranged from his children through mistakes in his past and dealing with his alcohol addiction.
Whilst parts of the film were a little predictable, the cast were strong enough to detract from this.
I left this film with a couple of big questions;
Why does Posh Spice get so much stick for her pouting, when Tom Hardy has created a whole career off the back of his?
What on earth has happened to Tom Hardy's neck?
Challenge day: 7
Challenge time : 00 days, 08 hours, 16 minutes.
Challenge film total: 4
Thursday, 27 September 2012
The most non-sensical double bill in cinematic history (perhaps)
Date: Wednesday 26th September
This week saw the temporary (curse those holidays) move of Sunday Night Film Club to a Wednesday. Not necessarily the best of ideas - there's only so many films you can fit in after work and CW and I found ourselves creating a double bill that made absolutely no sense. The only thing these two films had in common was that they were both new to my collection.
First up we had...
Film: This Means War (2012)
Director: McG
Starring: Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon
Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: 7/10
A film that was picked for two reasons;
1) CW's love for this man...
2) My belief that Captain Kirk is one of the top 5 most handsome men on cinema screens, ever.
(So, really, only one reason. We are two slightly shallow ladies who like to watch pretty boys act).
The premise of the film is simple enough - two undercover CIA agents (and best friends) meet and fall for the same girl and it all gets a little competitive. In typical McG style, there's a lot of action going on as they use their professional skills to watch, and at times sabotage, each other.
This is light hearted, action, rom-com, fluff. It's harmless, it's watchable, it's enjoyable. It's never going to win any awards but it will keep you entertained for 97 minutes - which is all anyone really wants in a film, right? Plus, Chelsea Handler pops up more than once, and she's pretty awesome.
There is, however, one minor flaw with This Means War - Tom Hardy really struggles to pick an accent. He swings from frightfully British to Cockney geezer and back again in the course of one sentence. It can be a little distracting.
After enjoying the acting talents on display in This Means War, and the best parts of two bottles of wine, CW and I decide that we'd had enough of the light hearted action and we were in the perfect position to watch something that required all our attention, a little bit of thinking and, at times, a strong stomach for sexual abuse. The perfect follow up to This Means War had to be...
Film: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård and Robin Wright
Running Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Rating: 8/10
I went into this as blind as possible. I haven't read the book, I haven't seen the original Swedish film, I didn't know all that much about the plot. I think this might have been a slight advantage, as I had no other reference points to compare the film to (although this still doesn't mean I understand people that enjoyed The Time Traveller's Wife)
The basic premise of the film is a journalist (Daniel Craig) is investigating the 40 year old disappearance of a young lady on behalf of her Uncle (Christopher Plummer). He's assisted along the way by a computer hacker (Rooney Mara) who is also dealing with some emotional issues from her past.
The film deals with some pretty heavy subject matter - including a couple of rape scenes that aren't the easiest things to watch. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo isn't a film that you can dip in and out of, as with most thrillers (and David Fincher films) all your attention is required and some of the less relevant plot points and mentions might come in handy as the film progresses.
I don't know if enjoyed is the right word to use here, but I didn't dislike watching this film. The acting was solid, the plot made sense and all in all this is a really great thriller.
I think I know what books I'll be picking up for next week's holiday.
Challenge day: 3
Challenge time: 5 hours 56 minutes
Film count: 3
This week saw the temporary (curse those holidays) move of Sunday Night Film Club to a Wednesday. Not necessarily the best of ideas - there's only so many films you can fit in after work and CW and I found ourselves creating a double bill that made absolutely no sense. The only thing these two films had in common was that they were both new to my collection.
First up we had...
Film: This Means War (2012)
Director: McG
Starring: Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon
Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: 7/10
A film that was picked for two reasons;
1) CW's love for this man...
2) My belief that Captain Kirk is one of the top 5 most handsome men on cinema screens, ever.
(So, really, only one reason. We are two slightly shallow ladies who like to watch pretty boys act).
The premise of the film is simple enough - two undercover CIA agents (and best friends) meet and fall for the same girl and it all gets a little competitive. In typical McG style, there's a lot of action going on as they use their professional skills to watch, and at times sabotage, each other.
This is light hearted, action, rom-com, fluff. It's harmless, it's watchable, it's enjoyable. It's never going to win any awards but it will keep you entertained for 97 minutes - which is all anyone really wants in a film, right? Plus, Chelsea Handler pops up more than once, and she's pretty awesome.
There is, however, one minor flaw with This Means War - Tom Hardy really struggles to pick an accent. He swings from frightfully British to Cockney geezer and back again in the course of one sentence. It can be a little distracting.
After enjoying the acting talents on display in This Means War, and the best parts of two bottles of wine, CW and I decide that we'd had enough of the light hearted action and we were in the perfect position to watch something that required all our attention, a little bit of thinking and, at times, a strong stomach for sexual abuse. The perfect follow up to This Means War had to be...
Film: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård and Robin Wright
Running Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Rating: 8/10
I went into this as blind as possible. I haven't read the book, I haven't seen the original Swedish film, I didn't know all that much about the plot. I think this might have been a slight advantage, as I had no other reference points to compare the film to (although this still doesn't mean I understand people that enjoyed The Time Traveller's Wife)
The basic premise of the film is a journalist (Daniel Craig) is investigating the 40 year old disappearance of a young lady on behalf of her Uncle (Christopher Plummer). He's assisted along the way by a computer hacker (Rooney Mara) who is also dealing with some emotional issues from her past.
The film deals with some pretty heavy subject matter - including a couple of rape scenes that aren't the easiest things to watch. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo isn't a film that you can dip in and out of, as with most thrillers (and David Fincher films) all your attention is required and some of the less relevant plot points and mentions might come in handy as the film progresses.
I don't know if enjoyed is the right word to use here, but I didn't dislike watching this film. The acting was solid, the plot made sense and all in all this is a really great thriller.
I think I know what books I'll be picking up for next week's holiday.
Challenge day: 3
Challenge time: 5 hours 56 minutes
Film count: 3
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