Date: Sunday 28th April
Film: Sightseers (2012)
Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Alice Lowe and Steve Oram
Running Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Another day, another repeat viewing. Here's what I said before, and on the second viewing, it's safe to say I was laughing out loud all over again.
The humour is dark, the jokes are incredibly British, I think this may be one of my favourite films of the last year.
Challenge day:214
Challenge time: 13 days, 02 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 161
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Saturday, 13 July 2013
I guess everything comes back around. Like your goddamn ties.
Date: Monday 15th April
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
Monday, 29 April 2013
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
Friday, 1 March 2013
How do you explain something that you can't even understand yourself?
Date: Saturday 23rd February
Saturday night, I'm back at home and visiting the oldest friend for an evening of good wine, junk food and trashy movies. First up
Film: What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)
Director: Kirk Jones
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick and Matthew Morrison
Running Time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
A film I hadn't seen before. Mainly because I despair of multi-thread ensemble films. With the exception of Love Actually, I've yet to see one that works well.
What to Expect... is another one that falls short of the mark. I don't remember laughing, I didn't like the majority of the characters. This could have been truly horrendous, if it wasn't for two saving graces;
Film: The Lucky One (2012)
Director: Scott Hicks
Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner
Running Time: 01 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Now, I have no excuse on this one. I've seen it before. I knew I didn't enjoy it. I still chose for us to watch it. Mainly because sometimes I can be incredibly shallow, and I just want to watch Zac Efron run around with dogs.
This is not a good film. It is, like most Nicholas Sparks adaptations, predictable, a little cheesy and a repeat of tried and tested characters.
This is a trash film. Something you know you shouldn't watch. Something you feel guilty about afterwards. Something that, at the time, seems to work.
Challenge day: 151
Challenge time: 09 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes
Challenge film total: 118
Saturday night, I'm back at home and visiting the oldest friend for an evening of good wine, junk food and trashy movies. First up
Film: What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)
Director: Kirk Jones
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick and Matthew Morrison
Running Time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
A film I hadn't seen before. Mainly because I despair of multi-thread ensemble films. With the exception of Love Actually, I've yet to see one that works well.
What to Expect... is another one that falls short of the mark. I don't remember laughing, I didn't like the majority of the characters. This could have been truly horrendous, if it wasn't for two saving graces;
1) The always awesome Anna Kendrick
2) Joe Manganiello. Shirtless. Doing one armed pull ups.
I don't think I'll be rushing out to see this again. Still, it was better than Valentine's Day. Just.
Film: The Lucky One (2012)
Director: Scott Hicks
Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner
Running Time: 01 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Now, I have no excuse on this one. I've seen it before. I knew I didn't enjoy it. I still chose for us to watch it. Mainly because sometimes I can be incredibly shallow, and I just want to watch Zac Efron run around with dogs.
This is not a good film. It is, like most Nicholas Sparks adaptations, predictable, a little cheesy and a repeat of tried and tested characters.
This is a trash film. Something you know you shouldn't watch. Something you feel guilty about afterwards. Something that, at the time, seems to work.
Challenge day: 151
Challenge time: 09 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes
Challenge film total: 118
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
You are the husband they never had! You are that dreamboat guy that never came along!
Date: Friday 8th February
Film: Magic Mike (2012)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and Cody Horn
Running Time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
After almost getting stuck in Barnes, The Luce and I finally made it home and planned to follow up Gangster Squad with a little more Gosling. Then The Luce got a glimpse at the post-Christmas updates to my movie collection and, somehow, I was introducing her to Magic Mike.
I know what you're thinking, we are perverts that want to watch Channing Tatum dance around with no pants on. That couldn't be further from the truth. I want to watch Joe Manganiello dance around with no pants on.
The reality of it is this, Magic Mike is much more than a film about strippers. In fact, the dance scenes make me cringe, a lot. The beauty of Magic Mike is in the story, it has a heart. You believe in the characters and their attempts to make a life for themselves.
This film makes fun of itself, it mixes the drama with comedy and ultimately is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. Don't write this off as a stripping film
Challenge day: 136
Challenge time: 08 days, 19 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 108
Film: Magic Mike (2012)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and Cody Horn
Running Time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
After almost getting stuck in Barnes, The Luce and I finally made it home and planned to follow up Gangster Squad with a little more Gosling. Then The Luce got a glimpse at the post-Christmas updates to my movie collection and, somehow, I was introducing her to Magic Mike.
I know what you're thinking, we are perverts that want to watch Channing Tatum dance around with no pants on. That couldn't be further from the truth. I want to watch Joe Manganiello dance around with no pants on.
The reality of it is this, Magic Mike is much more than a film about strippers. In fact, the dance scenes make me cringe, a lot. The beauty of Magic Mike is in the story, it has a heart. You believe in the characters and their attempts to make a life for themselves.
This film makes fun of itself, it mixes the drama with comedy and ultimately is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. Don't write this off as a stripping film
Challenge day: 136
Challenge time: 08 days, 19 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 108
Friday, 8 February 2013
I've got to try and fix this. Trust me, I know what I'm doing.
Date: Sunday 27th January
Film: Contraband (2012)
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale and Ben Foster
Running time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Sunday Night Film Club is, again, attempting to make a revival. A certain blue cross sale has bolstered our DVD collections and the SNFC 'to watch' list is getting a little out of control, something we attempted to remedy this week by watching Contraband and Wild Bill.
Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. Mainly because forcing our attention onto Contraband was exhausting.
With a cast of actors I adore (and Kate Beckinsale) and a relatively simple plot - a retired smuggler takes on one last job to settle a debt for his brother in law - we were expecting a bit of old fashioned action fun. We didn't get this.
Contraband tries, really tries, but it left me cold. The action scenes just didn't seem to have enough action, the emotional scenes seemed a little forced, and there is only so much excitement you can get from a shipping ferry.
The biggest downside for me had to be Giovanni Ribisi. Someone who I normally adore, I rarely find fault with his performances, but in Contraband he appeared to choose an unusual accent, one that could only be described as Boston-weird, and ran with it. To the point where it became a major distraction in every scene he was in, and belittled his role as the bad guy.
I can't even say Contraband was an easy to watch action film. It just left me feeling a little cold.
After that it was hard to muster up the energy to watch Wild Bill. SNFC finished a little earlier than usual this week.
Challenge day: 124
Challenge time: 07 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes
Challenge film total: 94
Film: Contraband (2012)
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale and Ben Foster
Running time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Sunday Night Film Club is, again, attempting to make a revival. A certain blue cross sale has bolstered our DVD collections and the SNFC 'to watch' list is getting a little out of control, something we attempted to remedy this week by watching Contraband and Wild Bill.
Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. Mainly because forcing our attention onto Contraband was exhausting.
With a cast of actors I adore (and Kate Beckinsale) and a relatively simple plot - a retired smuggler takes on one last job to settle a debt for his brother in law - we were expecting a bit of old fashioned action fun. We didn't get this.
Contraband tries, really tries, but it left me cold. The action scenes just didn't seem to have enough action, the emotional scenes seemed a little forced, and there is only so much excitement you can get from a shipping ferry.
The biggest downside for me had to be Giovanni Ribisi. Someone who I normally adore, I rarely find fault with his performances, but in Contraband he appeared to choose an unusual accent, one that could only be described as Boston-weird, and ran with it. To the point where it became a major distraction in every scene he was in, and belittled his role as the bad guy.
I can't even say Contraband was an easy to watch action film. It just left me feeling a little cold.
After that it was hard to muster up the energy to watch Wild Bill. SNFC finished a little earlier than usual this week.
Challenge day: 124
Challenge time: 07 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes
Challenge film total: 94
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living!
Date: Monday 14th January
Film: Les Miserables (2012)
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway
Running time: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Going into this I really wasn't sure if I it would be something I'd enjoy. I love the novel and have actively avoided the musical for fear of it ruining something I adore (and because my Mum told me she hated it, normally a sign that I will hate it too). I knew a couple of songs, one because it featured in a pretty key scene in season one of Dawson's Creek and the other because it's I Dreamed A Dream, and everyone knows that song, right?
To start off with, I wasn't sure what to think. Hugh Jackman seemed to sing the opener in an almost northern accent and the second Russell Crowe started warbling I did get the giggles, but within five minutes I was totally entranced.
Anne Hathaway managed to steal the entire film, despite having an on screen time that could not have been longer than 30 minutes and Hugh Jackman seemed to bring a real sense of emotion to every song, without slipping towards the musical theatre interpretation that could have been a downfall for so many of the cast.
Sacha Baron-Cohen, yet again, proved my belief that he can be a good performer, providing he didn't write the script, Helena Bonham-Carter was suitably bonkers and the child actors were brilliant.
This was a visually stunning film, the set pieces, the costumes, the lighting, all combining to create beautiful scenes. The scene in which Fatine sells her hair was suitably gorgeous and distressing.
My main issue with the whole film was some of the casting. I'm a big fan of both Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried but I don't feel they did their best work in this, there was something a little off about their singing, which in a film that is predominantly sung (don't go in expecting a lot of dialogue between each performance, that isn't how this one works), this was something of a let down.
In all, this was a good film, even if you aren't a massive musical fan, whilst the majority of the film is sung, it's done in a way that isn't overbearing.
I am baffled by all these reports of standing ovations and people weeping. I didn't see any of that, although perhaps the audience at The Barbican are just that bit too British and reserved for all that nonsense, thank God.
Challenge day: 111
Challenge time: 06 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 83
Film: Les Miserables (2012)
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway
Running time: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Going into this I really wasn't sure if I it would be something I'd enjoy. I love the novel and have actively avoided the musical for fear of it ruining something I adore (and because my Mum told me she hated it, normally a sign that I will hate it too). I knew a couple of songs, one because it featured in a pretty key scene in season one of Dawson's Creek and the other because it's I Dreamed A Dream, and everyone knows that song, right?
To start off with, I wasn't sure what to think. Hugh Jackman seemed to sing the opener in an almost northern accent and the second Russell Crowe started warbling I did get the giggles, but within five minutes I was totally entranced.
Anne Hathaway managed to steal the entire film, despite having an on screen time that could not have been longer than 30 minutes and Hugh Jackman seemed to bring a real sense of emotion to every song, without slipping towards the musical theatre interpretation that could have been a downfall for so many of the cast.
Sacha Baron-Cohen, yet again, proved my belief that he can be a good performer, providing he didn't write the script, Helena Bonham-Carter was suitably bonkers and the child actors were brilliant.
This was a visually stunning film, the set pieces, the costumes, the lighting, all combining to create beautiful scenes. The scene in which Fatine sells her hair was suitably gorgeous and distressing.
My main issue with the whole film was some of the casting. I'm a big fan of both Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried but I don't feel they did their best work in this, there was something a little off about their singing, which in a film that is predominantly sung (don't go in expecting a lot of dialogue between each performance, that isn't how this one works), this was something of a let down.
In all, this was a good film, even if you aren't a massive musical fan, whilst the majority of the film is sung, it's done in a way that isn't overbearing.
I am baffled by all these reports of standing ovations and people weeping. I didn't see any of that, although perhaps the audience at The Barbican are just that bit too British and reserved for all that nonsense, thank God.
Challenge day: 111
Challenge time: 06 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 83
Don't worry. If you're going to hell, I'll just come pick you up.
Date: Sunday 13th January
Film: This Means War (2012)
Director: McG
Starring: Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon
Running time: 01 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: 7/10
A film I've already watched once during the challenge, and my feelings on it haven't changed. It's not the greatest film you'll ever see but it's by no means the worst. It's watchable, it's predictable, it's corny. It's everything you could possibly need for a Sunday afternoon film.
Challenge day: 110
Challenge time: 06 days, 14 hours, 38 minutes
Challenge film total: 82
Film: This Means War (2012)
Director: McG
Starring: Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon
Running time: 01 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: 7/10
A film I've already watched once during the challenge, and my feelings on it haven't changed. It's not the greatest film you'll ever see but it's by no means the worst. It's watchable, it's predictable, it's corny. It's everything you could possibly need for a Sunday afternoon film.
Challenge day: 110
Challenge time: 06 days, 14 hours, 38 minutes
Challenge film total: 82
Thursday, 10 January 2013
They just want a good show, that's all they want.
Date: Monday 31st November
Film: The Hunger Games (2012)
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
Running Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
New Year's Eve, a bowl of chili, a glass of champagne, some good friends and a film I've watched, and enjoyed, recently.
Nothing to add on the second viewing. It's still great.
Challenge day: 97
Challenge time: 05 days, 20 hours, 53 minutes
Challenge film total: 73
Film: The Hunger Games (2012)
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
Running Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
New Year's Eve, a bowl of chili, a glass of champagne, some good friends and a film I've watched, and enjoyed, recently.
Nothing to add on the second viewing. It's still great.
Challenge day: 97
Challenge time: 05 days, 20 hours, 53 minutes
Challenge film total: 73
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
So this is the Hobbit.
Date: Sunday 30th December
Film: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan and Richard Armitage
Running Time: 02 hours, 49 minutes
Rating: 8/10
I am not a Middle Earth fan. I tried reading the books and didn't enjoy them, I made an attempt to watch the LOTR trilogy that didn't go so well (it was New Year's Day, I'd just swum in a Welsh lake, I'm really not sure I was in the best place for anything that involved thinking), and I wasn't convinced that I wanted to see The Hobbit.
I'm not going to say I am completely converted, but I did really enjoy this film. There were aspects that didn't click with me - whilst the motion capture is amazing; the characters created using this are well defined and the texture is incredibly realistic; the (albeit rarely used) CGI effects struck me as a little basic and dated.
I am definitely Elf-ist, they aren't a massive feature of An Unexpected Journey, but when they did pop up I found myself getting a little distracted.
This is a well cast film, Martin Freeman plays the lead brilliantly and the dwarves do a great job of separating themselves as individual characters, a difficult task when there are 13 similarly dressed characters running around on screen.
We didn't see The Hobbit in higher frame rate, nor 3D and I'm glad we didn't. Some of the more fast moving scenes would have been, I imagine, difficult to track.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. I think I'll find myself back in Middle Earth again sometime soon.
Challenge day: 96
Challenge time: 05 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 70
Film: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan and Richard Armitage
Running Time: 02 hours, 49 minutes
Rating: 8/10
I am not a Middle Earth fan. I tried reading the books and didn't enjoy them, I made an attempt to watch the LOTR trilogy that didn't go so well (it was New Year's Day, I'd just swum in a Welsh lake, I'm really not sure I was in the best place for anything that involved thinking), and I wasn't convinced that I wanted to see The Hobbit.
I'm not going to say I am completely converted, but I did really enjoy this film. There were aspects that didn't click with me - whilst the motion capture is amazing; the characters created using this are well defined and the texture is incredibly realistic; the (albeit rarely used) CGI effects struck me as a little basic and dated.
I am definitely Elf-ist, they aren't a massive feature of An Unexpected Journey, but when they did pop up I found myself getting a little distracted.
This is a well cast film, Martin Freeman plays the lead brilliantly and the dwarves do a great job of separating themselves as individual characters, a difficult task when there are 13 similarly dressed characters running around on screen.
We didn't see The Hobbit in higher frame rate, nor 3D and I'm glad we didn't. Some of the more fast moving scenes would have been, I imagine, difficult to track.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. I think I'll find myself back in Middle Earth again sometime soon.
Challenge day: 96
Challenge time: 05 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 70
You put those people together, you can't expect what's going to happen.
Date: Friday 28th December
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
One of my favourite films of 2012 (if not my absolute favourite) and in the 8 months since its release I've watched it more times than is probably healthy for anyone. In fact, I am incredibly surprised that this is the first time I've watched it since the challenge began.
Although, this probably wasn't the best time to watch, I'd been back in London half an evening, 1am was fast approaching and I still had to unpack, repack and get some sleep before heading to Southampton at 8am. Of course, I didn't want to do anything but set up my snazzy new Blu Ray player (thanks Santa!) and the only way to test out my wiring skills would be to put a disc in the machine. Obviously.
There is no part of this film that I do not love. It combines all the things I adore; Joss Whedon, superheroes, handsome boys and action scenes that make sense. That doesn't mean I'm not still really annoyed about the whole blade removal debacle.
I find Avengers inherently enjoyable. Joss has written a script that combines pre-established characters and new faces without letting anyone fade into the background. There are lines that, no matter how many times I watch the movie, make me smile.
Challenge day: 94
Challenge time: 05 days, 07 hours, 12 minutes
Challenge film total: 67
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
One of my favourite films of 2012 (if not my absolute favourite) and in the 8 months since its release I've watched it more times than is probably healthy for anyone. In fact, I am incredibly surprised that this is the first time I've watched it since the challenge began.
Although, this probably wasn't the best time to watch, I'd been back in London half an evening, 1am was fast approaching and I still had to unpack, repack and get some sleep before heading to Southampton at 8am. Of course, I didn't want to do anything but set up my snazzy new Blu Ray player (thanks Santa!) and the only way to test out my wiring skills would be to put a disc in the machine. Obviously.
There is no part of this film that I do not love. It combines all the things I adore; Joss Whedon, superheroes, handsome boys and action scenes that make sense. That doesn't mean I'm not still really annoyed about the whole blade removal debacle.
I find Avengers inherently enjoyable. Joss has written a script that combines pre-established characters and new faces without letting anyone fade into the background. There are lines that, no matter how many times I watch the movie, make me smile.
Challenge day: 94
Challenge time: 05 days, 07 hours, 12 minutes
Challenge film total: 67
Monday, 7 January 2013
Were we just as obnoxious as these kids back in the day?
Date: Friday 28th December
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Another viewing of a film I've watched once before during this challenge.
This didn't lose anything on second viewing, although I don't think it was one of those films where you picked up more, noticed things you've missed before. It was still enjoyable.
Perfect fluff for Sunday Night Movie Club, an easy watch.
Challenge day: 94
Challenge time: 05 days, 04 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 66
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Another viewing of a film I've watched once before during this challenge.
This didn't lose anything on second viewing, although I don't think it was one of those films where you picked up more, noticed things you've missed before. It was still enjoyable.
Perfect fluff for Sunday Night Movie Club, an easy watch.
Challenge day: 94
Challenge time: 05 days, 04 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 66
It's the quiet places where all the mad shit happens.
Date: Tuesday 18th December
Film: Grabbers (2012)
Director: Jon Wright
Starring: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley and Russell Tovey
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second film in the Den of Geek double bill started with an intro to a room full of people I admire (don't forget, I had that hideous jumper on, for the shame). We found ourselves sat directly in front of John Landis and the Grabbers director; Jon Wright, writer; Kevin LeHane and one if it's stars; Russell Tovey. There was no pressure here for us to enjoy the film.
It's a good job it was bloody brilliant then.
The concept is simple. Alien lifeforms attack a small Irish island and the only way to protect yourself from being killed it to be drunk.
We laughed riotously from beginning to end, I jumped 20 foot high regularly (I really am pathetic when it comes to loud noises and things popping up as if from nowhere), and all in all we loved it.
Grabbers had a limited cinema release and is already out on DVD (I really should have updated this blog a bit sooner, stupid Christmas break). If you have the time, seek out a copy and enjoy.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 59
Film: Grabbers (2012)
Director: Jon Wright
Starring: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley and Russell Tovey
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second film in the Den of Geek double bill started with an intro to a room full of people I admire (don't forget, I had that hideous jumper on, for the shame). We found ourselves sat directly in front of John Landis and the Grabbers director; Jon Wright, writer; Kevin LeHane and one if it's stars; Russell Tovey. There was no pressure here for us to enjoy the film.
It's a good job it was bloody brilliant then.
The concept is simple. Alien lifeforms attack a small Irish island and the only way to protect yourself from being killed it to be drunk.
We laughed riotously from beginning to end, I jumped 20 foot high regularly (I really am pathetic when it comes to loud noises and things popping up as if from nowhere), and all in all we loved it.
Grabbers had a limited cinema release and is already out on DVD (I really should have updated this blog a bit sooner, stupid Christmas break). If you have the time, seek out a copy and enjoy.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 59
I have no funk. I'm totally funkless.
Date: Tuesday 18th December
Film: Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson
Running time: 01 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Den of Geek, The CW and I found ourselves in a hotel screening room that was a little bit too posh for us, me wearing the ugliest of all Christmas jumpers...
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 58
Film: Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson
Running time: 01 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Den of Geek, The CW and I found ourselves in a hotel screening room that was a little bit too posh for us, me wearing the ugliest of all Christmas jumpers...
ready for a double bill of two films I've been waiting a long time to see.
Up first, Safety Not Guaranteed. We had tried to see this at Sundance earlier in the year but tickets were hard to come by. It was definitely worth the wait.
Whilst this film is pegged as a being about a slightly odd man who thinks he can time travel, this is essentially a film about personal growth and the building of relationships. It also explores the oddities and eccentricities of human behaviour.
There are scenes where you laugh out loud, and then two minutes later I found myself feeling an overwhelming sense of melancholy and sympathy toward the characters and the way they are treated by the world at large.
The characters are well formed and brilliantly acted, Mark Duplass steals the film, which is saying something considering just how great Audrey Plaza is.
If you get the chance, go see this.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 58
You have to go and help people, you're good at it
Date: Saturday 15th December
Film: The Impossible (2012)
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland
Running time: 01 hour, 54 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Bright and early on a Saturday and it's time for a preview screening (thanks Virgin) of The Impossible. A film that I wasn't entirely convinced that I wanted to see, I can't put my finger exactly on why.
I came away from this completely blown away. This is a visually stunning film, at times a little suffocating. The waves feel horrendously realistic and the sound fills you from all sides.
The focus on a family of tourists gives the tragedy a human side, however I found that there was limited mention of the impact of the tsunami on the residents of South East Asia, the people who have lost their family, homes, livelihoods and more.
Tom Holland is exceptional in his first role and alongside Ewan McGregor made me cry a little more than is dignified in Holloway Odeon on a Saturday morning.
My main struggle with this film was Naomi Watts. There was something about her cut-glass British accent that just really annoyed me.
This is worth seeing at the cinema if you get the chance, I doubt the emotional impact and the encompassing visuals of the wave will be the same if you're watching this on a smaller screen.
Challenge day: 81
Challenge time: 04 days, 11 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 56
Film: The Impossible (2012)
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland
Running time: 01 hour, 54 minutes
Rating: 8.5/10
Bright and early on a Saturday and it's time for a preview screening (thanks Virgin) of The Impossible. A film that I wasn't entirely convinced that I wanted to see, I can't put my finger exactly on why.
I came away from this completely blown away. This is a visually stunning film, at times a little suffocating. The waves feel horrendously realistic and the sound fills you from all sides.
The focus on a family of tourists gives the tragedy a human side, however I found that there was limited mention of the impact of the tsunami on the residents of South East Asia, the people who have lost their family, homes, livelihoods and more.
Tom Holland is exceptional in his first role and alongside Ewan McGregor made me cry a little more than is dignified in Holloway Odeon on a Saturday morning.
My main struggle with this film was Naomi Watts. There was something about her cut-glass British accent that just really annoyed me.
This is worth seeing at the cinema if you get the chance, I doubt the emotional impact and the encompassing visuals of the wave will be the same if you're watching this on a smaller screen.
Challenge day: 81
Challenge time: 04 days, 11 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 56
Here we go. Thank you, acid.
Date: Friday 14th December
Film: Wanderlust (2012)
Director: David Wain
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating 6/10
Sunday night film club: The Friday night edition and being that one of us wasn't feeling well and the other had just had their last (slightly manic) day at work for close to three weeks, we weren't feeling anything too heavy. A quick flick through CW's DVD collection and a general feeling of laziness lead to us pulling this from the top of the pile.
Neither of us had seen this before and, based on the reviews we had read, our expectations weren't particularly high. It might just have been that the timing was right, but we were pleasantly surprised.
Some jokes were obvious, some jokes were bad, however there were times that we did find ourselves laughing out loud. Paul Rudd is, as usual, exceptional (I think I love him a little too much), Jennifer Aniston is a consistently good comedy actress, although she does seem to be making the wrong project choices (in my opinion).
I won't be rushing out to buy the DVD, in fact I think I'll only watch this again if it's on the telly on a lazy Sunday night, but this is an inoffensive, easy to watch, comedy.
Challenge date: 80
Challenge time: 04 days, 09 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 55
Film: Wanderlust (2012)
Director: David Wain
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating 6/10
Sunday night film club: The Friday night edition and being that one of us wasn't feeling well and the other had just had their last (slightly manic) day at work for close to three weeks, we weren't feeling anything too heavy. A quick flick through CW's DVD collection and a general feeling of laziness lead to us pulling this from the top of the pile.
Neither of us had seen this before and, based on the reviews we had read, our expectations weren't particularly high. It might just have been that the timing was right, but we were pleasantly surprised.
Some jokes were obvious, some jokes were bad, however there were times that we did find ourselves laughing out loud. Paul Rudd is, as usual, exceptional (I think I love him a little too much), Jennifer Aniston is a consistently good comedy actress, although she does seem to be making the wrong project choices (in my opinion).
I won't be rushing out to buy the DVD, in fact I think I'll only watch this again if it's on the telly on a lazy Sunday night, but this is an inoffensive, easy to watch, comedy.
Challenge date: 80
Challenge time: 04 days, 09 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 55
Monday, 17 December 2012
Shouldn't the people of Gotham know who the hero was that saved their city?
Date: Saturday 8th December
Film: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway
Running Time: 02 hours, 45 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Saturday night, full of Chinese, a glass of wine in hand and Luce and I found ourselves snuggled under blankets in her cabin at the end of the garden to complete The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Whilst The Dark Knight Rises isn't as good as The Dark Knight, it is still a wonderful film. The cast has been boosted with the additions of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, two people who I believe can do no wrong. They both, in any film they are in, steal every single scene and The Dark Knight Rises is no exception to this.
This film wraps up the trilogy nicely, giving a sense of resolution to all the characters.
Good job I'd already seen this a couple of times, I might have fallen asleep for a bit in the middle. That's the danger of starting an almost 3 hour long film after 11pm.
I love The Dark Knight Trilogy, and not just because of my massive Gary Oldman crush (although that helps things).
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 02 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 52
Film: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway
Running Time: 02 hours, 45 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Saturday night, full of Chinese, a glass of wine in hand and Luce and I found ourselves snuggled under blankets in her cabin at the end of the garden to complete The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Whilst The Dark Knight Rises isn't as good as The Dark Knight, it is still a wonderful film. The cast has been boosted with the additions of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, two people who I believe can do no wrong. They both, in any film they are in, steal every single scene and The Dark Knight Rises is no exception to this.
This film wraps up the trilogy nicely, giving a sense of resolution to all the characters.
Good job I'd already seen this a couple of times, I might have fallen asleep for a bit in the middle. That's the danger of starting an almost 3 hour long film after 11pm.
I love The Dark Knight Trilogy, and not just because of my massive Gary Oldman crush (although that helps things).
Challenge day: 76
Challenge time: 04 days, 02 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 52
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy
Date: Wednesday 5th December
Film: Pitch Perfect (2012)
Director: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin
Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After watching the trailer for this, I was torn on whether I would enjoy Pitch Perfect. The part of me that loves Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson was all for it. The part of me that got bored with Glee midway through the second season was not excited, at all.
Luckily, this is not as like the later seasons of Glee as the advert leads you to believe. If anything, Pitch Perfect is the Bring It On of A Cappella vocal harmony group movies. It is unashamedly cheesy in places, the jokes are solid, the songs are a great mix of old and new and there are some brilliant cameos that make anyone smile.
Plus, any film that constantly references The Breakfast Club is OK in my book.
Worth checking out, if only for the awesome Rebel Wilson.
Challenge day: 73
Challenge time: 03 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 49
Film: Pitch Perfect (2012)
Director: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin
Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After watching the trailer for this, I was torn on whether I would enjoy Pitch Perfect. The part of me that loves Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson was all for it. The part of me that got bored with Glee midway through the second season was not excited, at all.
Luckily, this is not as like the later seasons of Glee as the advert leads you to believe. If anything, Pitch Perfect is the Bring It On of A Cappella vocal harmony group movies. It is unashamedly cheesy in places, the jokes are solid, the songs are a great mix of old and new and there are some brilliant cameos that make anyone smile.
Plus, any film that constantly references The Breakfast Club is OK in my book.
Worth checking out, if only for the awesome Rebel Wilson.
Challenge day: 73
Challenge time: 03 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 49
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
There'll be one guy left with one eye. How's the last blind guy gonna take out the eye of the last guy left?
Date: Tuesday 4th December
Film: Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Seven Psychopaths is the tale of a screenwriter who gets caught up with the wrong people when his best friend, a professional dog-napper, takes the dog of a local, slightly mental, criminal.
I had such high hopes for this, it has a brilliant cast and I have so much love for Martin McDonagh's previous outing, In Bruges, but there was something about it that didn't connect for me.
Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken both excel but I felt like they were acting uphill against a script that was nowhere near as tight as it could have been. This film had so much potential but, for me, something was lacking. The story seemed disjointed in places, it didn't flow in a way that made a lot of sense. There were some moments I found myself chuckling (mainly down to the wonderful Sam Rockwell) but overall I wasn't impressed.
Although, it would appear I was alone in this, the rest of the screen were laughing throughout. I've decided I must be odd. Go see it, I might be a lonely person fighting against the tide (it wouldn't be the first time, I'm the only person, it seems, who does not like Anchorman).
Challenge day: 72
Challenge time: 03 days, 17 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 48
Film: Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Seven Psychopaths is the tale of a screenwriter who gets caught up with the wrong people when his best friend, a professional dog-napper, takes the dog of a local, slightly mental, criminal.
I had such high hopes for this, it has a brilliant cast and I have so much love for Martin McDonagh's previous outing, In Bruges, but there was something about it that didn't connect for me.
Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken both excel but I felt like they were acting uphill against a script that was nowhere near as tight as it could have been. This film had so much potential but, for me, something was lacking. The story seemed disjointed in places, it didn't flow in a way that made a lot of sense. There were some moments I found myself chuckling (mainly down to the wonderful Sam Rockwell) but overall I wasn't impressed.
Although, it would appear I was alone in this, the rest of the screen were laughing throughout. I've decided I must be odd. Go see it, I might be a lonely person fighting against the tide (it wouldn't be the first time, I'm the only person, it seems, who does not like Anchorman).
Challenge day: 72
Challenge time: 03 days, 17 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 48
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
It is so great to see all you kids back in town. And what a terrific soiree are you throwing here tonight.
Date: Friday 30th November
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
American Reunion is essentially a repeat of the first American Pie. The characters are older, but not necessarily wiser, looking for the same things they were looking for 13 years previously.
This film could be terrible, but a sense of nostalgia, and the fact that they managed to get all the original characters back together, make it enjoyable.
Not by any stretch the best American Pie movie, but good fun nonetheless.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days. 09 hours, 37 minutes
Challenge film total: 44
Film: American Reunion (2012)
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott
Running Time: 01 hour, 53 minutes
Rating: 7/10
American Reunion is essentially a repeat of the first American Pie. The characters are older, but not necessarily wiser, looking for the same things they were looking for 13 years previously.
This film could be terrible, but a sense of nostalgia, and the fact that they managed to get all the original characters back together, make it enjoyable.
Not by any stretch the best American Pie movie, but good fun nonetheless.
Challenge day: 68
Challenge time: 03 days. 09 hours, 37 minutes
Challenge film total: 44
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