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

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

It's beyond anything we ever imagined Charlie.

Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Director: Burr Steers
Starring: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew and Charlie Tahan
Running time: 01 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: 7/10

Sunday morning and The Luce and I decided all we needed to start the day off with a smile, was to laze on the sofa, in our pyjamas, watching Zac Efron frolic about on a boat.

Can't imagine why.

Jesus, he's handsome.

Charlie St. Cloud is in a similar vein to a lot of Nicholas Sparks adaptations. It tells a tale of romance in a small town by a lake. The thing that changes it a little from Nicholas Sparks and other stories of this ilk, is this story focuses on grief, and how Charlie comes to terms with the loss of his younger brother and the impact this has had on his life.

Charlie St. Cloud is by no means perfect, it is predictable, it's a little corny, not all the characters are likeable, but there is something about it that makes it enjoyable (and it's not just Zac Efron brooding, I promise).

Challenge day: 186
Challenge time: 12 days, 01 hour, 11 minutes

It's all going to be fine. It always is. Just follow the plan.

Date: Sunday 24th March
Film: Arbitrage (2013)
Director: Nicholas Jarecki
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth
Running time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10

I'm putting it out there, I love Richard Gere, and his stupidly twinkly eyes. I jump at the chance to see any film he pops up in.

(this is where I tried to find a gif of those twinkly eyes, instead I found this gem)

Arbitrage tells the story of the potential demise of a wealthy hedge fund manager. It looks at mistakes he has made in his personal life, his business dealings and his relationships and what happens when people become aware of these mistakes.

This film is a thriller, however instead of fast paced action, it is all tense conversations, whispered dealings in blacked out cars, and sneaking around.

Maybe not your style if you aren't into wordy dramas, but overall, a good tense drama.

Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 07 hours, 10 minutes
Challenge film total: 140

Vampires pretending to be humans, pretending to be vampires.

Date: Saturday 16th March
Film: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas
Running Time: 02 hours, 03 minutes
Rating: 7/10

Another film about vampires and one I love, surprisingly.

I have some pretty strong opinions on Tom Cruise, namely that prior to 1997 he made some brilliant films, then he went a little bit weird and it became impossible to watch any film without thinking of the whole Tom Cruise persona. I also don't get the whole Brad Pitt thing. Yet, somehow, there's something about Interview with the Vampire that I adore. I can put these feelings aside, I believe in Tom Cruise's character.

I've seen this movie plenty of times in my life and I always find it enjoyable. It seems aware that it is a bit over the top and ridiculous yet embraces this and runs with it. Plus, it has Christian Slater in it, and I love him.

In fact, my exact thoughts on this film, at the time of watching were:

I hereby appoint myself chairwoman of the campaign to revive Christian Slater's movie career. I miss seeing him in the mainstream.
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) March 16, 2013

How have I only just realised it's Interview With THE Vampire, not Interview With A Vampire? How many times have I seen this film?
— Jenni Block (@evilnoodle) March 16, 2013

So, there you go. Vampires can be fun and I miss the 90's.

Challenge day: 192
Challenge time: 11 days, 00 hours, 05 minutes
Challenge film total: 136

I promise you, you'll be dead by dawn.

Date: Wednesday 13th March
Film: Blade (1998)
Director: Stephen Norrington
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff and Kris Kristofferson
Running time: 02 hours
Rating: 7/10

An in depth conversation about vampire films led to the realisation that I had only seen Blade II, something I knew I had to fix.

Although, Blade isn't really a vampire movie, Blade is more of a vampire slayer movie. It's no The Lost Boys (my favourite film about vampires), but it is nonetheless a great film. It has a strong cast and an interesting premise. Having not read the source comics, I cannot comment on how true to the origins it is, but I can say that it is a lot better than most vampire films around at the moment, *ahem*.

Visually, Blade is incredibly well made, one of the opening scenes, a rave in which the sprinklers spray blood on the revellers, is particularly memorable.

All in all, an enjoyable film that I am surprised I haven't seen before.

Challenge day: 169
Challenge time: 10 days, 16 hours, 32 minutes
Challenge film total: 132

This is very, very difficult. But sometimes children are bad people, too.

Date: Monday 4th March
Film: Hanna (2011)
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Saorise Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana
Running time: 01 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: 7/10

I've had this movie from LoveFilm for a while and have been waiting for the mood to strike to watch it. Monday night, an early dinner with the girls and I was home and ready for bed by 9pm (rock and roll). There wasn't much on the telly, I couldn't be bothered to venture into the living room for a movie, my internet was being a little rubbish so streaming was out the window. Hanna it was.

I think it's safe to say my watching of this film wasn't borne from a desire to see it, more an overwhelming sense of laziness. I wanted to see it, I had been the one to add it to my LoveFilm list, at a high priority. I just wasn't 100% convinced it was what I wanted to watch at that moment.

For me, Hanna was a revelation. I wasn't aware this was a Joe Wright film, I'm not sure how that information passed me by, I adore the look of Joe Wright films, Atonement will always be stunning, and Hanna is no exception. Every scene is framed beautifully.

As far as I am aware, Wright has not directed anything like Hanna before, an action film, a thriller film, a chase film. Hanna is 16, she has lived in isolation with her father all her life, training as an assassin, learning her identity. The film tells of the mission he sends her on, across Europe, trailed by the CIA.

Saorise Ronan is fabulous, as always, playing the lead. A girl that has had limited interaction with the world, discovering things for the first time. Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett head up a strong supporting cast but, in every scene she is in, your eyes are on Ronan.

Overall, Hanna is a really great film. One worth checking out.

Challenge day: 160
Challenge time: 09 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes
Challenge film total: 123

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

It wasn't brains that brought me here; I assure you that.

Date: Sunday 17th February
Film: Margin Call (2011)
Director: J C Chandor
Starring: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey and Penn Badgley
Running Time: 01 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: 7/10

In the least eloquent way possible, I will describe this film as thus: a group of beautiful people, wearing shiny suits, sit around a large table and talk about finance for almost two hours.

Somehow, I really enjoyed it. I think it was the solid cast of actors I like watching, who managed to make the dullest of all financial talk a little easier to understand.

Challenge day: 145
Challenge time: 09 days, 06 hours, 36 minutes
Challenge film total: 114

That was a highly inappropriate series of comments and I apologize.

Date: Sunday 10th February
Film: Friends with Benefits (2011)
Director: Will Gluck
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson and Woody Harrelson
Running time: 01 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: 7/10

As modern rom-coms go, this one is pretty good. I think that can be contributed to Mila Kunis. Why isn't she in more things?

Plus, Justin Timberlake isn't terrible. I don't know why this surprises me - I have a real soft spot for Alpha Dog.

Challenge day: 138
Challenge time: 09 days, 01 hours, 57 minutes
Challenge film total: 112

Well ya gotta die of somethin'.

Date: Friday 8th February

Film: Gangster Squad (2013)

Director: Reuben Fleischer

Starring: Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Josh Brolin

Running Time: 01 hour 53 minutes

Rating: 7/10

A weekend visit from the Luce and finally time to catch a film we'd been waiting to see for a while. A film that, I'm not ashamed to admit, I mainly wanted to see because it starred Gosling. In a suit. A joyous sight.

The reviews hadn't been great, I entered with low expectations. Thankfully, it was much better than I expected.

Gangster Squad is not a serious gangster film, and it doesn't seem to set out to be a serious gangster film. In my view, it is trying to make a gangster film in the vein of 80's comic book movies. A little corny, a little unrealistic and overwhelmingly, it sets out to entertain.

A great cast make a so-so script work well. All in all this is an enjoyable film. I don't know if I'll be rushing out to see it again but if it was on the telly I know I'll stop to watch. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone come out shining. As usual, they steal the show and prove, yet again, that I am right to adore them both.

Challenge day: 136

Challenge time: 08 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes

Challenge film total: 107

Nobody could've landed that plane like I did.

Date: Tuesday 29th January
Film: Flight (2013)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle and Kelly Reilly
Running time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 7/10

I'm a little conflicted on Flight, but I can tell you this for a fact - I am now irrationally freaked out by any slightly lower than normal plane I see in the sky.

This movie is a little patchy. There are characters that are phenomenal, as is some of the action, but there is something missing in the emotion of the story, and the majority of the characters come across as underdeveloped or, in the case of John Goodman, like they were straight from a different film altogether.

Denzel Washington plays the part of an alcoholic, drug addict, pilot brilliantly, however his character, Whip Whitaker, does seem to be the only person who is fully developed. Other characters are one dimensional, unrealistic and leave the viewer with more questions than answers.

The plane crash is brilliantly shot, particularly the scenes from within the aeroplane. It really gives you a sense of the drama and emotion faced by the people on board the plane.

Flight is worth seeing, yes it is a little patchy, but that does not stop it being an enjoyable film. Plus, Denzel is, as always, phenomenal.

Challenge day: 126
Challenge time: 07 days, 22 hours, 13 minutes
Challenge film total: 96

Every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"."

Date: Thursday 24th January
Film: The Prestige (2006)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine
Running time: 02 hours, 10 minutes
Rating: 7/10

My love for Christopher Nolan is not a secret, but somehow I have never got round to seeing The Prestige. I've heard mixed reviews; Nolanites have told me it's amazing, other film fans have said it's not great. Being that I'm a borderline Nolanite, I thought I would fall into the amazing camp.

Turns out, I'm not sure where I sit.

There were parts I enjoyed; there is a great cast and the build up of the mystery is brilliant; but the ending left me perplexed and wondering 'is that it?'

All in all, a really good film let down but a slightly ridiculous ending.

Challenge day: 121
Challenge time: 07 days, 06 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 89

The old dreams were good dreams; they didn't work out, but glad I had them.

Date: Saturday 19th January
Film: The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep
Running time: 02 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: 7/10

I haven't seen this for a while, and Oscar season is fast approaching which always leaves me with a hankering for a spot of Meryl. Plus, it's Clint. Who doesn't love Clint.

The premise is simple enough, Meryl is Francesca an unfulfilled housewife, plodding through life in the early 60s. One weekend while her husband and kids are away she meets a photographer, passing through her rural community to take pictures of the local bridges. They spend 4 days together, they fall in love, and she is left with the decision to uproot her life for the man she loves or stay in her dutiful role.

The story is told through flashbacks after Francesca's children find her journals when clearing her house following her death, therefore the ending, and Francesca decision, doesn't come as a massive surprise, however that doesn't stop this being a good film. How can it be bad, it's Meryl and Clint.

Although, I have to admit I was a little miffed when I finished watching and started cleaning my kitchen and at no point didn't an exceptionally tall mystery man come to save me from the boring parts of life.

Curse it, why isn't my life more like the movies?

Challenge day: 116
Challenge time: 06 days, 23 hours, 48 minutes
Challenge film total: 86

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

The fate of the planet is in the hands of a bunch of retards I wouldn't trust with a potato gun.

Date: Saturday 12th January
Film: Armageddon (1998)
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler
Running time: 2 hours, 31 minutes
Rating: 7/10

I'm putting it out there. I love Armageddon.

Yes, it is corny. Yes, it is predictable. Yes, it is a ridiculous concept but, there is something about it that I cannot resist. It might be Ben Affleck in a vest...

I've seen Armageddon more times than is healthy for anyone. I had a friend at school whose parents had the very first DVD player I'd ever seen, they only had three DVDs, one of which was Armageddon. We would all gather at her house after school and watch this at least twice a week. It's one of those films I remember going to see at the cinema, I remember who I was with, I remember roughly where we sat, I remember who cried the hardest (and still mock them for it).

After all those teenage viewings, I've taken a little break from this, I don't remember watching it anytime in the last few years. However on Friday we found ourselves gathered around the TV in the office watching the '20 greatest movie songs' and as soon as that Aerosmith video started up, we were off in our own little world discussing the merits of one of the cheesiest action films in a long time (OK, OK, we mainly discussed Affleck in that vest). 

Saturday night rolls around, I'm flicking through the channels at my parents house, trying to find something to watch and, as if the programming Gods had heard the previous days discussion, BBC Three were showing Armageddon. 

The film seems to be a lot cheesier than I remember, and with a less accomplished cast it could have been a complete disaster, but all told, it's a great piece of escapist cinema. It doesn't expect anything of it's audience and aims to do nothing but entertain, and that it does. In buckets. 

Challenge day: 109
Challenge time: 6 days, 13 hours, 01 minute
Challenge film total: 81

I am issuing an arrest warrant for the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man!

Date: Saturday 29th December
Film: The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans
Running Time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 7/10

It's difficult to watch this without comparing it to the Sam Raimi version, and it doesn't come off brilliantly.

Whilst I think Garfield is a better Spider-Man, and he does have great chemistry with Emma Stone, this film is let down by a poor villain and some terrible CGI.

The leads are well formed, and it's great to see them get a bit more back story, but ultimately the final face off is disappointing. If anything, it becomes almost like watching two different films. The first half has potential to lead on to something great, the second half played out like a B-Movie.

I might watch this again, but only until the lizard pops up.

Challenge day: 95
Challenge time: 05 days, 09 hours, 28 minutes
Challenge film total: 68

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

I'm supposed to get all dully-eyed and mushy. Well, forget it, pal, you got the wrong guy!

Date: Sunday 2nd December
Film: Scrooged (1988)
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen and John Forsythe
Running time: 01 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 7/10

Christmas and Bill Murray, what's not to love?

The story is one we seen plenty of times, but this modern take on A Christmas Carol is well done. Anything that mixes Bill Murray with ghosts gets my vote.

Plus, Bobcat Goldthwait pops up, and he instantly makes any film 20% more wonderful.

Challenge day: 70
Challenge time: 03 days, 13 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 46

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