Date: Saturday 27th April
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A few days later and another chance to enjoy Iron Man 3. This time around, the Luce was in town and we were settled into our seats at the IMAX.
Did the IMAX make much difference to the viewing? Not hugely. The 3D seemed a little sharper, and seeing RDJ's face on a bigger screen will always make me happy, but overall, a great film wasn't massively enhanced by a second viewing in a better format, although there were a lot more things you notice on the second viewing.
Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 13 days, 00 hours, 50 minutes
Challenge film total: 160
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Mr Stark, today is the first day of what's left of your life.
Date: Thursday 18th April
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
My love of Superheroes is well documented. As is my love of all things Marvel and, worst of all, everyone knows exactly how I feel about the (beautiful) Tony Stark. So, going into Iron Man 3, my excitement levels were high. It wasn't helped when we sat down in the Sky advanced screening and they slipped these beauties into my hand and allowed us to watch 30 minutes of Robert Downey Jr. frolicking on a red carpet.
Iron Man 3 takes place after the Avengers, it's Tony adjusting to life knowing there are other realms out there, knowing about gods, monsters and aliens.In order to put this all into perspective the script focuses on taking Tony away from his comfort zone, taking away his suit, his machines, stripping him back to explore exactly where Tony Stark ends and Iron Man begins. And, boy, does it do that brilliantly.
The second Iron Man film was by no means a disappointment, but compared to the first film it was lacking something. I'm not sure what but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the first film. The third film, however, shines above both the second and, dare I say it, the first. There is more humour, there is more action, there are twists and turns that take you by surprise, there is further exploration of characters who previously were a little two dimensional and, most excitingly of all, this film is one of the few big movies of the year that actually passes the Bechdel test.
By no means am I saying this film was perfect, there was room for improvement in a few places, but overall it made me very happy. It had all the trademarks of a Shane Black film (Christmas, someone losing a finger), it had great action scenes, it had character development. Overwhelmingly, it made this superhero loving girl very happy indeed. And not ,just because the post credit sting made me squeal with pure joy.
Challenge day: 204
Challenge time:: 12 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes
Challenge film total: 159
Film: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
My love of Superheroes is well documented. As is my love of all things Marvel and, worst of all, everyone knows exactly how I feel about the (beautiful) Tony Stark. So, going into Iron Man 3, my excitement levels were high. It wasn't helped when we sat down in the Sky advanced screening and they slipped these beauties into my hand and allowed us to watch 30 minutes of Robert Downey Jr. frolicking on a red carpet.
I want to say lots of things about IM3. I won't though. Instead I'll say look at my snazzy 3D glasses. pic.twitter.com/rkcJITjIGjOpening with the subtle sounds of Eiffel 65's Blue (Da Ba Dee), Shane Black ensured the audience were giggling before we even had the chance to see a single character. Something that he kept up throughout the film.
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) April 18, 2013
Iron Man 3 takes place after the Avengers, it's Tony adjusting to life knowing there are other realms out there, knowing about gods, monsters and aliens.In order to put this all into perspective the script focuses on taking Tony away from his comfort zone, taking away his suit, his machines, stripping him back to explore exactly where Tony Stark ends and Iron Man begins. And, boy, does it do that brilliantly.
The second Iron Man film was by no means a disappointment, but compared to the first film it was lacking something. I'm not sure what but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the first film. The third film, however, shines above both the second and, dare I say it, the first. There is more humour, there is more action, there are twists and turns that take you by surprise, there is further exploration of characters who previously were a little two dimensional and, most excitingly of all, this film is one of the few big movies of the year that actually passes the Bechdel test.
By no means am I saying this film was perfect, there was room for improvement in a few places, but overall it made me very happy. It had all the trademarks of a Shane Black film (Christmas, someone losing a finger), it had great action scenes, it had character development. Overwhelmingly, it made this superhero loving girl very happy indeed. And not ,just because the post credit sting made me squeal with pure joy.
Challenge day: 204
Challenge time:: 12 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes
Challenge film total: 159
L'ordre et la morale
Date: Sunday 14th April
Film: Rebellion (2013)
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring: Mathieu Kassovitz, Iabe Lapacas and Malik Zidi
Running time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After two trips the day before, both featuring films I wasn't entirely enamoured by, it was back to Hackney Picturehouse, this time for a little bit of foreign cinema and a director Q&A.
This is where I am entirely honest with you, CW and I may have booked tickets purely on the basis that we would be in the same room as Mathieu Kassovitz. Can't imagine why...
The fact that he has an excellent track record when it comes to films was merely an added bonus.
It's been a long time since I've turned up at the cinema to see a film that has slipped completely under my radar. It made a refreshing change. I had heard no reviews, I had no clue about the plot and my expectations weren't too high (I mean they were pretty high, I've seen La Haine enough times to know that Kassovitz is a talented filmmaker).
Set in the late 80's, Rebellion tells the story of the Ouvea cave hostage taking, where New Caledonia fought for independence from France. Told from the perspective of the French negotiators, Rebellion doesn't fight for either side of the conversation. It focuses on what happened, without taking sides or painting one side as the right and the other as being in the wrong.
A clever and intense drama that focuses on an area of history in which I have limited knowledge (a bit like all areas of history, it isn't exactly my strong point!), if you're into foreign cinema and recent history I would suggest checking this one out.
If you're anti-subtitles then please go away, we can't be friends. You're missing too many good films with that point of view.
Challenge day: 200
Challenge time: 12 days, 16 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 156
Film: Rebellion (2013)
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring: Mathieu Kassovitz, Iabe Lapacas and Malik Zidi
Running time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 8/10
After two trips the day before, both featuring films I wasn't entirely enamoured by, it was back to Hackney Picturehouse, this time for a little bit of foreign cinema and a director Q&A.
This is where I am entirely honest with you, CW and I may have booked tickets purely on the basis that we would be in the same room as Mathieu Kassovitz. Can't imagine why...
The fact that he has an excellent track record when it comes to films was merely an added bonus.
It's been a long time since I've turned up at the cinema to see a film that has slipped completely under my radar. It made a refreshing change. I had heard no reviews, I had no clue about the plot and my expectations weren't too high (I mean they were pretty high, I've seen La Haine enough times to know that Kassovitz is a talented filmmaker).
Set in the late 80's, Rebellion tells the story of the Ouvea cave hostage taking, where New Caledonia fought for independence from France. Told from the perspective of the French negotiators, Rebellion doesn't fight for either side of the conversation. It focuses on what happened, without taking sides or painting one side as the right and the other as being in the wrong.
A clever and intense drama that focuses on an area of history in which I have limited knowledge (a bit like all areas of history, it isn't exactly my strong point!), if you're into foreign cinema and recent history I would suggest checking this one out.
If you're anti-subtitles then please go away, we can't be friends. You're missing too many good films with that point of view.
Challenge day: 200
Challenge time: 12 days, 16 hours, 41 minutes
Challenge film total: 156
Bikini's and big booties - that's what it's all about.
Date: Saturday 13th April
Film: Spring Breakers (2013)
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and James Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 2/10
So, it's now mid-July and I'm catching up where I left off. I have various reasons for leaving the blog alone for a bit; moving house, lots of work, family matters, and much more, but the main reason is a lack of inspiration to write.Well, not a lack of inspiration, merely a struggle to write about Spring Breakers without releasing a string of profanities. I want to be objective, I want to be fair, I want to give this film credit in the areas it is due, but overwhelmingly I want to scream from the rooftops 'why did I waste my evening watching this self-indulgent pile of tripe?' which isn't very constructive. For anyone.
Let's talk about the good points in Spring Breakers. Visually, this film was pretty clever. I could see what Korine was trying to achieve, every scene either shone in bright neon colours or had the subtle hue of an image that had been run through a few Instagram filters. I'm not one to judge, I Instagram my pictures all the time and in this instance it was very cleverly used to give you an idea of the target audience for the film. This film was all about the youth at the exact time this film was shot. This film was for the people at the same age as the main characters, the college generation, the young adults who aren't quite sure if they should be acting as adults yet but, at the same time, want a level of independence.
The film was sound tracked brilliantly. As someone who wouldn't know a Skrillex song if it punched me in the face, the mix of EDM, dubstep and other similar music styles (not only am I a rock girl, but I am now proving I know nothing about the youth. I'm only 28, I promise, even if I do sound middle-aged!) worked perfectly to set the scenes.
The issue I had with Spring Breakers was that I didn't find one single character likeable, I couldn't relate to any of their issues. I struggled to understand the decisions they made. This coupled with the constant repetition of scenes, and the insistence of carrying scenes on longer than necessary, made this film feel three times longer than it's running time.
I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but it was hard work.
I'm glad I watched it, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to see it again.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 155
Film: Spring Breakers (2013)
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and James Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 2/10
So, it's now mid-July and I'm catching up where I left off. I have various reasons for leaving the blog alone for a bit; moving house, lots of work, family matters, and much more, but the main reason is a lack of inspiration to write.Well, not a lack of inspiration, merely a struggle to write about Spring Breakers without releasing a string of profanities. I want to be objective, I want to be fair, I want to give this film credit in the areas it is due, but overwhelmingly I want to scream from the rooftops 'why did I waste my evening watching this self-indulgent pile of tripe?' which isn't very constructive. For anyone.
Let's talk about the good points in Spring Breakers. Visually, this film was pretty clever. I could see what Korine was trying to achieve, every scene either shone in bright neon colours or had the subtle hue of an image that had been run through a few Instagram filters. I'm not one to judge, I Instagram my pictures all the time and in this instance it was very cleverly used to give you an idea of the target audience for the film. This film was all about the youth at the exact time this film was shot. This film was for the people at the same age as the main characters, the college generation, the young adults who aren't quite sure if they should be acting as adults yet but, at the same time, want a level of independence.
The film was sound tracked brilliantly. As someone who wouldn't know a Skrillex song if it punched me in the face, the mix of EDM, dubstep and other similar music styles (not only am I a rock girl, but I am now proving I know nothing about the youth. I'm only 28, I promise, even if I do sound middle-aged!) worked perfectly to set the scenes.
The issue I had with Spring Breakers was that I didn't find one single character likeable, I couldn't relate to any of their issues. I struggled to understand the decisions they made. This coupled with the constant repetition of scenes, and the insistence of carrying scenes on longer than necessary, made this film feel three times longer than it's running time.
I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but it was hard work.
I'm glad I watched it, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to see it again.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge Film Total: 155
Monday, 29 April 2013
Not since Hall and Oates has there been such a team
Date: Saturday 13th April
Film: The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Dane DeHaan
Running time: 02 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Having loved the first collaboration between Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling, I'd been waiting some time to see this film. I had expectations, based on the trailer and their previous work, and my hopes were high.
I thought this was going to be a small scale, slightly broody, highly emotional, look at family life. What it ended up being was something different entirely.
The Place Beyond the Pines is essentially three overlapping stories. Each one impacting on the next story in the sequence; The Ryan Gosling story, the Bradley Cooper story and the Dane DeHaan story.
This first sequence, the Ryan Gosling section, was exactly what I expected, an intense sequence exploring the emotions and consequences of the decisions people make. Gosling, as is expected, stole every scene he was in, equal parts brooding, intense and warmhearted, he knew what he needed to do to make things work for the people he cared about, he just didn't know the best way in which to achieve this.
Once this character came into contact with Bradley Cooper's character, the entire story changed. The focus shifted to another character, dealing with the same emotional issues, but dealing with them in an entirely different way.
Once the Cooper section reached a point of 'resolve' the action shifted 15 years into the future and looked at the impact of the choices made by both characters on their young offspring. This is the point that, I felt, the whole film went slightly off kilter.
What started out as an extremely strong story, slowly dropped in quality, and intensity, as the film progressed. My only wish was for the opening section to be a little longer, the middle section to have a little more flesh to the characters and the story and the ending to be cut down to a simple synopsis.
What started out as a great film, with heaps of potential, slowly shifted to become overly extended, plodding and, if anything, a little too ridiculous.
Although this film did give us Ryan Gosling, in a vest, dancing, with a dog, to Bruce Springsteen. It was like all my favourite things collided.
If anyone can send a gif of this my way, I will be eternally grateful.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 13 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 154
Film: The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Dane DeHaan
Running time: 02 hours, 20 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Having loved the first collaboration between Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling, I'd been waiting some time to see this film. I had expectations, based on the trailer and their previous work, and my hopes were high.
I thought this was going to be a small scale, slightly broody, highly emotional, look at family life. What it ended up being was something different entirely.
The Place Beyond the Pines is essentially three overlapping stories. Each one impacting on the next story in the sequence; The Ryan Gosling story, the Bradley Cooper story and the Dane DeHaan story.
This first sequence, the Ryan Gosling section, was exactly what I expected, an intense sequence exploring the emotions and consequences of the decisions people make. Gosling, as is expected, stole every scene he was in, equal parts brooding, intense and warmhearted, he knew what he needed to do to make things work for the people he cared about, he just didn't know the best way in which to achieve this.
Once this character came into contact with Bradley Cooper's character, the entire story changed. The focus shifted to another character, dealing with the same emotional issues, but dealing with them in an entirely different way.
Once the Cooper section reached a point of 'resolve' the action shifted 15 years into the future and looked at the impact of the choices made by both characters on their young offspring. This is the point that, I felt, the whole film went slightly off kilter.
What started out as an extremely strong story, slowly dropped in quality, and intensity, as the film progressed. My only wish was for the opening section to be a little longer, the middle section to have a little more flesh to the characters and the story and the ending to be cut down to a simple synopsis.
What started out as a great film, with heaps of potential, slowly shifted to become overly extended, plodding and, if anything, a little too ridiculous.
Although this film did give us Ryan Gosling, in a vest, dancing, with a dog, to Bruce Springsteen. It was like all my favourite things collided.
If anyone can send a gif of this my way, I will be eternally grateful.
Challenge day: 199
Challenge time: 12 days, 13 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 154
You don't have a customer... I want you to clean, clean, clean!
Date: Tuesday 2nd April
Film: Compliance (2013)
Director: Craig Zobel
Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday evening and I find myself running straight from work to one of my favourite cinemas with one of my favourite people.
Tonight's film, Compliance. Something I'd been interested to see for some time, since seeing an article on the crime that inspired the movie. The CW and I knew going in that this was going to be a little heavier than your standard midweek fodder, I just don't think we were fully prepared for the way the film was going to go. Every time you felt like it was going to slow down a little, another dark incident would occur, the victim would be pushed a little further along.
When the film came to an end, it took us a while to say anything, it was a little hard to digest. It's easy to watch films like this, and theorise on how you would react to these situations, but it is another thing entirely to watch things pan out on screen.
An incredibly tough film to watch.
Challenge day: 188
Challenge time: 12 days, 07 hours, 17 minutes
Challenge film total: 151
Film: Compliance (2013)
Director: Craig Zobel
Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday evening and I find myself running straight from work to one of my favourite cinemas with one of my favourite people.
Tonight's film, Compliance. Something I'd been interested to see for some time, since seeing an article on the crime that inspired the movie. The CW and I knew going in that this was going to be a little heavier than your standard midweek fodder, I just don't think we were fully prepared for the way the film was going to go. Every time you felt like it was going to slow down a little, another dark incident would occur, the victim would be pushed a little further along.
When the film came to an end, it took us a while to say anything, it was a little hard to digest. It's easy to watch films like this, and theorise on how you would react to these situations, but it is another thing entirely to watch things pan out on screen.
An incredibly tough film to watch.
Challenge day: 188
Challenge time: 12 days, 07 hours, 17 minutes
Challenge film total: 151
Is this about the Avengers? Which I know nothing about.
Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: Avengers Assemble (2012)
Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth
Running time: 02 hours, 23 minutes
Rating: 10/10
Easter Sunday and I find myself indulging in a little brother-sister bonding, lazing on my Mum's sofa watching a film we, apparently, both adore. I've gushed about this movie before, and with every viewing I find myself smiling along.
Plus, it's nice to have a conversation about how dull Captain America is with the one person you'd least expect to be discussing superheroes with.
Challenge day: 186
Challenge time: 12 days, 05 hours, 47 minutes
Challenge film total: 150
The human brain, a lovely piece of hardware.
Date: Tuesday 19th March
Film: Robot & Frank (2013)
Director: Jake Schreier
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon and Peter Sarsgaard
Running Time: 01 hour, 29 minutes
Rating: 9/10
After a rubbish day, there is nothing that relaxes me more than taking myself off to the movies. There's something about sitting in the dark, watching other people's stories that calms me to the core.
So, after a pretty tough Tuesday, I popped round the corner from my office to see what was on at the local Vue. The next film showing; Robot & Frank, a film I'd read great things about, with a cast of actors I admire and an interesting concept. Had to be worth checking out.
This film tells the story of Frank, a former cat burglar who, as old age fast approaches, is bought a robot butler by his concerned son. The film goes on to tell the story of the relationship between this cantankerous old man, struggling to deal with the limitations of his advanced age, and Robot, his faithfully programmed electronic home help.
This film is a beautiful story about finding love and companionship in the most unexpected places.
Challenge day: 175
Challenge time: 11 days, 05 hours, 23 minutes
Challenge film total: 139
Film: Robot & Frank (2013)
Director: Jake Schreier
Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon and Peter Sarsgaard
Running Time: 01 hour, 29 minutes
Rating: 9/10
After a rubbish day, there is nothing that relaxes me more than taking myself off to the movies. There's something about sitting in the dark, watching other people's stories that calms me to the core.
So, after a pretty tough Tuesday, I popped round the corner from my office to see what was on at the local Vue. The next film showing; Robot & Frank, a film I'd read great things about, with a cast of actors I admire and an interesting concept. Had to be worth checking out.
This film tells the story of Frank, a former cat burglar who, as old age fast approaches, is bought a robot butler by his concerned son. The film goes on to tell the story of the relationship between this cantankerous old man, struggling to deal with the limitations of his advanced age, and Robot, his faithfully programmed electronic home help.
This film is a beautiful story about finding love and companionship in the most unexpected places.
Challenge day: 175
Challenge time: 11 days, 05 hours, 23 minutes
Challenge film total: 139
Monday, 15 April 2013
I wish I had a good excuse, but i have a curiosity.
Date: Saturday 16th March
Film: Safe Haven (2013)
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders and David Lyons
Running time: 01 hour, 55 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Saturday afternoon and The Luce and I had already seen one film but we were in the West End, the weather was a bit rubbish and we had time to kill so we took advantage of an overflow of Nectar points and indulged in a little guilty pleasure.
As this is based on a Nicholas Sparks book, I knew what I was getting into and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, it was corny, predictable, a little contrived. There was, as expected, a body of water, a person in danger, a hero and a nemesis. There was a big love story, a couple destined to be together kept apart by something bigger.
The difference being Safe Haven has a twist on the traditional Nicholas Sparks stories, a 'shock' ending that is surprisingly obvious from around 10 minutes in.
As films of this ilk go, Safe Haven isn't the worst I've seen, but there are so many better.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 22 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 135
Film: Safe Haven (2013)
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders and David Lyons
Running time: 01 hour, 55 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Saturday afternoon and The Luce and I had already seen one film but we were in the West End, the weather was a bit rubbish and we had time to kill so we took advantage of an overflow of Nectar points and indulged in a little guilty pleasure.
As this is based on a Nicholas Sparks book, I knew what I was getting into and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, it was corny, predictable, a little contrived. There was, as expected, a body of water, a person in danger, a hero and a nemesis. There was a big love story, a couple destined to be together kept apart by something bigger.
The difference being Safe Haven has a twist on the traditional Nicholas Sparks stories, a 'shock' ending that is surprisingly obvious from around 10 minutes in.
As films of this ilk go, Safe Haven isn't the worst I've seen, but there are so many better.
Challenge day: 172
Challenge time: 10 days, 22 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 135
Friday, 12 April 2013
Dude we're living Call of Duty... It sucks.
Date: Friday 15th March
Film: Red Dawn (2013)
Director: Dan Bradley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki and Josh Peck
Running Time: 01 hour, 33 minutes
Rating: 2/10
Friday night and some quality time with The CW.We met early, had some dinner, had some wine, went to another bar and had some more wine, then settled down to see Red Dawn. A remake of a 1984 film starring Patrick Swayze.
My love for Swayze isn't a secret, but the original Red Dawn isn't a film I've seen and, after seeing the remake, I'm a bit nervous about seeking it out.
Friday night is a busy time at Islington Vue, there were quite a few people milling about in the foyer, very few of them made it into our screen. In fact, other than us, there were three other people in the cinema. They weren't together. Three men, all sat separately. Possibly the emptiest cinema I'd ever been in. A sign that what were about to watch may not be good.
Not good is an understatement. Red Dawn really was terrible. A mixed bag of a cast, some an awful lot stronger than others, and a nonsense plot make for a film that has little in the way of redeeming qualities. Even a mid-film pop up from a man I adore couldn't save this.
All I could take away from Red Dawn was the overwhelming sense that most remakes are terrible and unnecessary, and the knowledge that if a film takes years to be released following filming, it isn't always going to be a gem.
Challenge day: 171
Challenge time: 10 days, 18 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 133
Film: Red Dawn (2013)
Director: Dan Bradley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki and Josh Peck
Running Time: 01 hour, 33 minutes
Rating: 2/10
Friday night and some quality time with The CW.We met early, had some dinner, had some wine, went to another bar and had some more wine, then settled down to see Red Dawn. A remake of a 1984 film starring Patrick Swayze.
My love for Swayze isn't a secret, but the original Red Dawn isn't a film I've seen and, after seeing the remake, I'm a bit nervous about seeking it out.
Friday night is a busy time at Islington Vue, there were quite a few people milling about in the foyer, very few of them made it into our screen. In fact, other than us, there were three other people in the cinema. They weren't together. Three men, all sat separately. Possibly the emptiest cinema I'd ever been in. A sign that what were about to watch may not be good.
Not good is an understatement. Red Dawn really was terrible. A mixed bag of a cast, some an awful lot stronger than others, and a nonsense plot make for a film that has little in the way of redeeming qualities. Even a mid-film pop up from a man I adore couldn't save this.
All I could take away from Red Dawn was the overwhelming sense that most remakes are terrible and unnecessary, and the knowledge that if a film takes years to be released following filming, it isn't always going to be a gem.
Challenge day: 171
Challenge time: 10 days, 18 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 133
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Depression is the inability to construct a future.
Date: Wednesday 13th March
Film: Side Effects (2013)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum
Running Time: 01 hour, 46 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Side Effects starts out innocently enough, as a film about the effects of mental health and the medication used to treat mental illness, but as the film progresses it becomes so much more than that.
As he has done many times before, Steven Soderbergh, has created a film on many levels. Just like Magic Mike is about more than strippers, Side Effects is about more than mental health and it's effects.
Essentially, this is a film about greed, about what people will do to get exactly what they want. It is a slow building, tense, talky drama. The cast excel, particularly Rooney Mara as the mentally exhausted Emily and Jude Law as her psychiatrist.
Side Effects does go a bit off track in the final act, becoming a little soap opera-y, but that doesn't take away from the excellent, tension building opening.
Worth seeing, if you get a chance.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 131
Film: Side Effects (2013)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum
Running Time: 01 hour, 46 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Side Effects starts out innocently enough, as a film about the effects of mental health and the medication used to treat mental illness, but as the film progresses it becomes so much more than that.
As he has done many times before, Steven Soderbergh, has created a film on many levels. Just like Magic Mike is about more than strippers, Side Effects is about more than mental health and it's effects.
Essentially, this is a film about greed, about what people will do to get exactly what they want. It is a slow building, tense, talky drama. The cast excel, particularly Rooney Mara as the mentally exhausted Emily and Jude Law as her psychiatrist.
Side Effects does go a bit off track in the final act, becoming a little soap opera-y, but that doesn't take away from the excellent, tension building opening.
Worth seeing, if you get a chance.
Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 131
Friday, 15 March 2013
Why don't we just let off some fireworks while we're at it.
Date: Tuesday 12th March
Film: Welcome to the Punch (2013)
Director: Eran Creevy
Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough and David Morrissey
Running time: 01 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Another day, another Sky screening, another film that is all visuals and no trousers.
With a cast I admire, and Ridley Scott's name plastered all over the advertising, I had high hopes for Welcome to the Punch. Sadly, I felt incredibly let down.
This felt like all style over substance. London looked stunning but the plot was thin, bordering on the ridiculous and it started to feel like the actors were treading water.
Plus, it would be really nice if there wasn't a whole scene set in the front room of an old lady with a fondness for clown memorabilia. Those things are scary.
Challenge day: 168
Challenge time: 10 days, 12 hours, 46 minutes
Challenge film total: 130
Film: Welcome to the Punch (2013)
Director: Eran Creevy
Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough and David Morrissey
Running time: 01 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: 4/10
Another day, another Sky screening, another film that is all visuals and no trousers.
With a cast I admire, and Ridley Scott's name plastered all over the advertising, I had high hopes for Welcome to the Punch. Sadly, I felt incredibly let down.
This felt like all style over substance. London looked stunning but the plot was thin, bordering on the ridiculous and it started to feel like the actors were treading water.
Plus, it would be really nice if there wasn't a whole scene set in the front room of an old lady with a fondness for clown memorabilia. Those things are scary.
Challenge day: 168
Challenge time: 10 days, 12 hours, 46 minutes
Challenge film total: 130
sometimes you need to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse.
Date: Tuesday 12th March
Film: Stoker (2013)
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman and Matthew Goode
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I'll be honest, I had little desire to see this film - the trailer didn't appeal to me and the posters left me cold - but the reviews were so strong, so convincing that I felt like I had to give it a go, even if it was being described as horror, a genre I'm never that keen on.
Stoker is so much more than that, in fact, I would be hard pressed to call this horror. It is not a slasher film, it is not gratuitous with it's violence, it is not about ghost and ghouls, it is a slow burning thriller. A coming of age story of a young girl living in unusual circumstances.
Stoker is visually mesmerising, the film has an authentic gothic feel to it, if they didn't specify that it was set in modern day, you could almost believe it was a period piece. The cast are phenomenal, Mia Wasikowska especially, carrying the piece as she discovers exactly who India Stoker is, what she wants from life, how she's going to get these things. Matthew Goode plays sinister and creepy incredibly well.
I don't want to give away what this is all about, the publicity has been ambiguous, which I think is fitting with the film, but I will recommend checking it out. Don't be put off by the horror tag. Stoker isn't horror. It is wonderful.
Challenge day: 168
Challenge time: 10 days, 11 hours, 07 minutes
Challenge film total: 130
Film: Stoker (2013)
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman and Matthew Goode
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I'll be honest, I had little desire to see this film - the trailer didn't appeal to me and the posters left me cold - but the reviews were so strong, so convincing that I felt like I had to give it a go, even if it was being described as horror, a genre I'm never that keen on.
Stoker is so much more than that, in fact, I would be hard pressed to call this horror. It is not a slasher film, it is not gratuitous with it's violence, it is not about ghost and ghouls, it is a slow burning thriller. A coming of age story of a young girl living in unusual circumstances.
Stoker is visually mesmerising, the film has an authentic gothic feel to it, if they didn't specify that it was set in modern day, you could almost believe it was a period piece. The cast are phenomenal, Mia Wasikowska especially, carrying the piece as she discovers exactly who India Stoker is, what she wants from life, how she's going to get these things. Matthew Goode plays sinister and creepy incredibly well.
I don't want to give away what this is all about, the publicity has been ambiguous, which I think is fitting with the film, but I will recommend checking it out. Don't be put off by the horror tag. Stoker isn't horror. It is wonderful.
Challenge day: 168
Challenge time: 10 days, 11 hours, 07 minutes
Challenge film total: 130
He don't like strangers peeing on him.
Date: Sunday 10th March
Film: The Paperboy (2013)
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and John Cusack
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Sunday morning, up and out for an advance screening of a film we had been trying to see for a while. I'd read mixed reviews, but the cast was strong and the trailer was enticing, plus the screening was free. Who would turn that down?
When the film finished, I turned to HM and very eloquently asked 'what the hell have we just watched?'. I still don't know the answer to the question.
The Paperboy is not a bad film, the acting is first class, Nicole Kidman exudes sex, Zac Efron is putting his all into the wide-eyed innocent act and John Cusack managed to creep me out within two minutes of being on screen. It is a visually stunning film, every scene seems to have a haziness upon it, reflective of the extreme heat that is often referred to. There was just something I couldn't quite connect with.
I think the only word I can use to describe The Paperboy is odd. I don't know why, I can't put my finger on it, but the characters seemed too extreme, the storyline seemed to waver into the bizarre and there was just something that unsettled me.
Incredibly well acted, just not my cup of tea.
Challenge day: 166
Challenge time: 10 days, 05 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 127
Film: The Paperboy (2013)
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and John Cusack
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 5/10
Sunday morning, up and out for an advance screening of a film we had been trying to see for a while. I'd read mixed reviews, but the cast was strong and the trailer was enticing, plus the screening was free. Who would turn that down?
When the film finished, I turned to HM and very eloquently asked 'what the hell have we just watched?'. I still don't know the answer to the question.
The Paperboy is not a bad film, the acting is first class, Nicole Kidman exudes sex, Zac Efron is putting his all into the wide-eyed innocent act and John Cusack managed to creep me out within two minutes of being on screen. It is a visually stunning film, every scene seems to have a haziness upon it, reflective of the extreme heat that is often referred to. There was just something I couldn't quite connect with.
I think the only word I can use to describe The Paperboy is odd. I don't know why, I can't put my finger on it, but the characters seemed too extreme, the storyline seemed to waver into the bizarre and there was just something that unsettled me.
Incredibly well acted, just not my cup of tea.
Challenge day: 166
Challenge time: 10 days, 05 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 127
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
That was not the easy way
Date: Tuesday 5th March
Film: Identity Thief (2013)
Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet
Running Time: 01 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: 3/10
Another day, another Sky preview. This time, Identity Thief. A film that, having seen the trailers, I wasn't all that fussed about seeing. It looked awful, but I believe that occasionally Jason Bateman can make the right choice and excel in film (we all know he can be fabulous on TV). I then found out that this was directed by the man who bought us Horrible Bosses - one of the times Bateman is great in a movie - I'll admit, my hopes raised slightly.
Alas, Identity Thief is every bit as terrible as the trailer. There were occasional sniggers, and one dead pan line that did make me giggle to the point of hysteria (although, this trick was repeated later when I saw a shop called 'Hot Nuts', I think that says a lot about my incredibly juvenile sense of humour), but this is not a funny film.
There seemed to be a mean streak running through it; there were unnecessary characters that added little to the film, bar the big third act revelation, the humour was obvious and, as great as Melissa McCarthy can be, I did feel like she was hamming up for the cameras.
I just did not enjoy this. I tried, but it just didn't click.
Challenge day: 161
Challenge time: 10 days, 00 hours, 11 minutes
Challenge film total: 124
Film: Identity Thief (2013)
Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet
Running Time: 01 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: 3/10
Another day, another Sky preview. This time, Identity Thief. A film that, having seen the trailers, I wasn't all that fussed about seeing. It looked awful, but I believe that occasionally Jason Bateman can make the right choice and excel in film (we all know he can be fabulous on TV). I then found out that this was directed by the man who bought us Horrible Bosses - one of the times Bateman is great in a movie - I'll admit, my hopes raised slightly.
Alas, Identity Thief is every bit as terrible as the trailer. There were occasional sniggers, and one dead pan line that did make me giggle to the point of hysteria (although, this trick was repeated later when I saw a shop called 'Hot Nuts', I think that says a lot about my incredibly juvenile sense of humour), but this is not a funny film.
There seemed to be a mean streak running through it; there were unnecessary characters that added little to the film, bar the big third act revelation, the humour was obvious and, as great as Melissa McCarthy can be, I did feel like she was hamming up for the cameras.
I just did not enjoy this. I tried, but it just didn't click.
Challenge day: 161
Challenge time: 10 days, 00 hours, 11 minutes
Challenge film total: 124
Monday, 4 March 2013
It's like no place I've ever seen.
Date: Saturday 2nd March
Film: Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis
Running Time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second this film started, I was entranced. Oz the Great and Powerful has the best opening credits I've seen in a very long time. They might just be the best I've ever seen. Playing on the traditions of Oz stories, the opening is a small black and white world.
The second Oz travels into Oz the screen widens, the colours burst off the screen and you are bombarded with beauty upon beauty.
I don't want to spoil this film for anyone, it is released on March 8 and I think everyone should go and see it, if only to see how stunning a film can really be. This is escapism in it's purest form.
This is one of the times 3D works and works well.
The only thing stopping this from being a straight up 10/10 is the action of the film. I felt Franco was out-acted by the entire cast. I felt the witch reveal was a little ridiculous. I felt the ending was all a bit too much. However, that doesn't stop this being over 2 hours of stunning imagery.
I didn't think it was possible to make an Oz that people would appreciate. I didn't think you could follow the original cinematic Oz. I was wrong. Raimi's Oz is mesmerising.
I think I might be a little in love with the Emerald City. And Michelle Williams (but that's nothing new, that woman is nothing short of phenomenal).
Challenge day: 158
Challenge time: 09 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 122
Film: Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis
Running Time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second this film started, I was entranced. Oz the Great and Powerful has the best opening credits I've seen in a very long time. They might just be the best I've ever seen. Playing on the traditions of Oz stories, the opening is a small black and white world.
The second Oz travels into Oz the screen widens, the colours burst off the screen and you are bombarded with beauty upon beauty.
I don't want to spoil this film for anyone, it is released on March 8 and I think everyone should go and see it, if only to see how stunning a film can really be. This is escapism in it's purest form.
This is one of the times 3D works and works well.
The only thing stopping this from being a straight up 10/10 is the action of the film. I felt Franco was out-acted by the entire cast. I felt the witch reveal was a little ridiculous. I felt the ending was all a bit too much. However, that doesn't stop this being over 2 hours of stunning imagery.
I didn't think it was possible to make an Oz that people would appreciate. I didn't think you could follow the original cinematic Oz. I was wrong. Raimi's Oz is mesmerising.
I think I might be a little in love with the Emerald City. And Michelle Williams (but that's nothing new, that woman is nothing short of phenomenal).
Challenge day: 158
Challenge time: 09 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 122
Some people will say that not all witches are evil, that their powers could be used for good. I say burn them all!
Date: Thursday 28th February
Film: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Running time: 01 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: 4/10
As much as I wanted to like this, even though the trailer held little appeal to me, I almost knew that I was going to be disappointed as soon as I sat down.
I want to blame it all on the 3D. I'm not a fan of 3D, I try to avoid it as much as possible. With a few notable exceptions (Dredd, things showing on the BFI IMAX screen), I struggle to see the benefit. Like films I've seen previously, there were strange bits dangling off the edge of the screen, seemingly unattached to what we were seeing, that caused no end of distraction. There were things flying toward your face - I've said it before, I'm a jumpy person. I know there's nothing flying toward me, doesn't mean I won't startle myself. There was something amiss about the visuals of the whole film. However, I don't think the 3D was the issue with Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.
The problem was the absurdity of the whole thing. Was it a comedy, was it gore, was it fantasy? It never appeared to pick a genre and stick with it. It could have mashed up the genres but it didn't even do that well. Each scene seemed to be straight from a different movie.
I couldn't relate to the characters in any way, the storyline was tedious, the 3D was terrible. Overall, not the best film I've seen recently. Not one I would recommend.
As much as I wanted to like this, even though the trailer held little appeal to me, I almost knew that I was going to be disappointed as soon as I sat down.
I want to blame it all on the 3D. I'm not a fan of 3D, I try to avoid it as much as possible. With a few notable exceptions (Dredd, things showing on the BFI IMAX screen), I struggle to see the benefit. Like films I've seen previously, there were strange bits dangling off the edge of the screen, seemingly unattached to what we were seeing, that caused no end of distraction. There were things flying toward your face - I've said it before, I'm a jumpy person. I know there's nothing flying toward me, doesn't mean I won't startle myself. There was something amiss about the visuals of the whole film. However, I don't think the 3D was the issue with Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.
The problem was the absurdity of the whole thing. Was it a comedy, was it gore, was it fantasy? It never appeared to pick a genre and stick with it. It could have mashed up the genres but it didn't even do that well. Each scene seemed to be straight from a different movie.
I couldn't relate to the characters in any way, the storyline was tedious, the 3D was terrible. Overall, not the best film I've seen recently. Not one I would recommend.
Challenge day: 156
Challenge time: 09 days, 18 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 121
There's some wars you fight, and some wars you walk away from.
Date: Monday 25th February
Film: Broken City (2013)
Director: Allen Hughes
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Running Time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Monday night, post Oscar party. The CW and I are exhausted, but it's a free screening and we have nothing better to do (apart from catching up on sleep, perhaps) so off to The O2 we schlep for Broken City.
We'd watched the trailer but, at this point, hadn't seen any reviews or comments on the film - other than that Graham Norton Show appearance - so we were going in a little blind. We knew the basics of the plot - Mark Wahlberg plays a private investigator hired by Russell Crowe's mayor to look into his wife's (Catherine Zeta-Jones) affair and things don't go all that smoothly.
But, that synopsis isn't really what Broken City is about. Yes, that is the basic storyline but within 5 minutes of watching it becomes clear that this film wants to show more than that. It wants to show corruption of politicians, officials, and public figures. It wants to investigate the humanity of those living and working alongside these figures. It wants to be a slick psychological thriller.
The problem with Broken City is that, as hard as they try to create a back story you don't really get a feel for any of the characters. I don't think I particularly liked any of them. There are scenes that make no sense to the film, at times they don't seem to fit with what you are seeing. As if they were exposition scenes for plot lines that were cut away in editing.
Mark Wahlberg plays his part very well, providing his role is to play Mark Wahlberg. There doesn't appear to be much of a distance from other thriller/action films he has made before.
It was watchable but, like Contraband it just didn't engage. It tried to hard to be slick and meaningful, and lost something along the way.
Challenge day: 153
Challenge time: 09 days, 16 hours, 51 minutes
Challenge film total: 120
Film: Broken City (2013)
Director: Allen Hughes
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Running Time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 6/10
Monday night, post Oscar party. The CW and I are exhausted, but it's a free screening and we have nothing better to do (apart from catching up on sleep, perhaps) so off to The O2 we schlep for Broken City.
We'd watched the trailer but, at this point, hadn't seen any reviews or comments on the film - other than that Graham Norton Show appearance - so we were going in a little blind. We knew the basics of the plot - Mark Wahlberg plays a private investigator hired by Russell Crowe's mayor to look into his wife's (Catherine Zeta-Jones) affair and things don't go all that smoothly.
But, that synopsis isn't really what Broken City is about. Yes, that is the basic storyline but within 5 minutes of watching it becomes clear that this film wants to show more than that. It wants to show corruption of politicians, officials, and public figures. It wants to investigate the humanity of those living and working alongside these figures. It wants to be a slick psychological thriller.
The problem with Broken City is that, as hard as they try to create a back story you don't really get a feel for any of the characters. I don't think I particularly liked any of them. There are scenes that make no sense to the film, at times they don't seem to fit with what you are seeing. As if they were exposition scenes for plot lines that were cut away in editing.
Mark Wahlberg plays his part very well, providing his role is to play Mark Wahlberg. There doesn't appear to be much of a distance from other thriller/action films he has made before.
It was watchable but, like Contraband it just didn't engage. It tried to hard to be slick and meaningful, and lost something along the way.
Challenge day: 153
Challenge time: 09 days, 16 hours, 51 minutes
Challenge film total: 120
Friday, 1 March 2013
This girl's dead. That guy's dead... That guy in the corner is definitely dead.
Date: Monday 18th February
Film: Warm Bodies (2013)
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Theresa Palmer, John Malkovich and Dave Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 7/10
It's really hard to assess this film without going off on a rant about the modern cinema audience (sit down and shut up please) and select major chain staff (whispers would be nice, thanks), all I know is that I was 100% engaged in this film, and I think it may be because of all the distractions, for what I saw of the film was delightful.
Yes, this is another 'cash in on the Twilight audience with a teen paranormal rom-com', and the storyline is glaringly obvious, however Warm Bodies seems to present it all with a fresh new twist. Perhaps it's because we don't often see teen zombie films or maybe because these zombies aren't stereotypical Hollywood zombies, either way it works for me.
Not every joke was a success, not every aspect seemed to fit. Warm Bodies may be flawed, however it doesn't aim to be anything more than an entertaining film. As paranormal teen romances go I've seen a lot worse.
Challenge day: 146
Challenge time: 09 days, 08 hours, 14 minutes
Challenge film total: 115
Film: Warm Bodies (2013)
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Theresa Palmer, John Malkovich and Dave Franco
Running time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 7/10
It's really hard to assess this film without going off on a rant about the modern cinema audience (sit down and shut up please) and select major chain staff (whispers would be nice, thanks), all I know is that I was 100% engaged in this film, and I think it may be because of all the distractions, for what I saw of the film was delightful.
Yes, this is another 'cash in on the Twilight audience with a teen paranormal rom-com', and the storyline is glaringly obvious, however Warm Bodies seems to present it all with a fresh new twist. Perhaps it's because we don't often see teen zombie films or maybe because these zombies aren't stereotypical Hollywood zombies, either way it works for me.
Not every joke was a success, not every aspect seemed to fit. Warm Bodies may be flawed, however it doesn't aim to be anything more than an entertaining film. As paranormal teen romances go I've seen a lot worse.
Challenge day: 146
Challenge time: 09 days, 08 hours, 14 minutes
Challenge film total: 115
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
We cross and re-cross our old paths like figure-skaters.
Date: Monday 11th February
Film: Cloud Atlas (2013)
Director: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving and Hugh Grant
Running Time: 2 hours, 52 minutes
Rating: 6/10
I haven't read the book, I didn't know what to expect. I've had over a week to mull it over and I'm still not sure what I watched. I only know it looked pretty.
Challenge day: 139
Challenge time: 09 days, 04 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 113
Film: Cloud Atlas (2013)
Director: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving and Hugh Grant
Running Time: 2 hours, 52 minutes
Rating: 6/10
I haven't read the book, I didn't know what to expect. I've had over a week to mull it over and I'm still not sure what I watched. I only know it looked pretty.
Challenge day: 139
Challenge time: 09 days, 04 hours, 49 minutes
Challenge film total: 113
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