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

you certainly keep some strange company.

Date: Sunday 31st March
Film: X2 (2003)
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellan
Running time: 02 hours, 13 minutes
Rating: 8/10

A final film before The Luce heads out of London and we are back to the superheroes. After being disappointed by X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it was time to watch a film in which Wolverine shines, and there are a few more superheroes that we know well to back him up along the way.

Until First Class came along, X2 was, in my opinion, the best of the X-Men series. There was little in the way of character introduction, which with large ensembles can slow the film down a little, so this film feels like it moves a little quicker than the first movie in the series. Alongside the action, there is a little more exploration into the background of the characters, which makes the film, and the X-Men universe, seem a lot more well rounded.

All in, a great superhero action film.

Challenge day: 149
Challenge time: 12 days, 03 hours, 24 minutes
Challenge film total: 149

Somebody's coming up. Somebody serious.

Sunday 10th March

Sunday night and time for a spot of Sunday Night Film Club. Up first, a film we had planned to watch once before...

Film: Wild Bill (2011)
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Poulter and Sammy Williams
Running Time: 01 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Honestly, I don't know why we put it off. Wild Bill is a great little British film, the storyline is strong, the acting is brilliant and the views of East London are stunning.

A story of loyalty, redemption and love. This is worth seeing if you get the chance.

Film: Leon Director's Cut (1994)
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman
Running Time: 02 hours, 16 minutes
Rating: 10/10

Up next, a movie we both adore. Considering it is close to 20 years old, this film doesn't seem to have aged - Natalie Portman definitely hasn't aged, She's just grown taller - Leon is a wonderful film about finding someone to care for in the most unusual circumstances, how far you will go for that person and how friendship can help you mould a future from an unpleasant upbringing.

Yes, it is about a hit-man, a young girl, corrupt cops, drugs, and violence but, most importantly, it's about love.

Challenge day: 166
Challenge time: 10 days, 09 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 129

Much better than hanging around here with you dorks.

Date: Saturday 9th March

Saturday night, Wales is visiting, the BFF is in town and, for the first time in a long time, I am spending quality time with both the best friends. Whilst London is a big old place, and there are plenty of things we could be doing with our Saturday evening, we know what we like, and it's been a while since we had a chance to do this.

After a quick adventure out of the house to get some food, we were back on the sofa and in our pyjamas for a night of trashy movies. Up first, one of our favourites...

Film Empire Records Remix! Special Fan Edition (1995)
Director: Allan Moyle
Starring: Rory Cochrane, Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger
Running Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Rating 10/10

I've written about this film before, and anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore this. I've seen it more times than is ever necessary and always enjoy it. This was no exception.

As we were watching the DVD, it had all the extra bits I love (and, I'll be honest, miss a little bit when they don't show up in theatrical screenings) and watching it with the one person that probably has seen it as often I have was a real treat. We may have spent the majority of the evening quoting the upcoming scenes.

As always, this is a film that never lets me down.

Film: Grease (1978)
Director: Randal Kleiser
Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing
Running Time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Another classic film of our youth and one I hadn't seen in a while. If you don't know Grease, you've been living under a rock.

We might have sung, we didn't dance, none of us under went a dramatic make over (although we did all paint our nails).

All in all, a near perfect way to spend an evening with my favourite people.

Challenge day: 165
Challenge Time: 10 days, 03 hours, 48 minutes
Challenge film total: 126

To be a geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art.

Date: Tuesday 5th February
Film: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe and Michelle Yeoh
Running time: 02 hours, 25 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Under much duress from friends, I finally read this book a couple of years ago and, loathe as I am to admit they were right, I loved it. After being burned before with adaptations of books I loved, I then avoided the film. Again, these so-called friends told me that I would love the film. Again, they were right (I'm beginning not to like them, how dare they know me so well).

Memoirs is a stunning adaptation of the book. It sticks fairly faithfully to the story and adds striking visuals to the plot. This film is worth watching purely for it's beautiful cinematography.

Challenge day: 133
Challenge time: 08 days, 15 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 106

We never sought out to build the biggest house in America

Date: Wednesday 30 January
Film: The Queen of Versailles (2012)
Director: Lauren Greenfield
Starring: David Siegel, Jaqueline Siegel
Running time: 01 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Interesting documentary about the 2008 financial collapse in the US. Specifically focusing on a family that were so reliant on mortgages to keep their business running that they were at risk of losing their half built house - a house that, when completed, would be the largest residential home in the US. Bigger than the White House.

It was fascinating to look at how these people, who had spent their lives building up their fortune, dealt with the issues they faced when they lost their money, as well as their interactions with those around them.

Challenge day: 127
Challenge time: 07 days, 23 hours, 53 minutes
Challenge film total: 97

Forgive me, your scar is legend. As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you.

Date: Saturday 26th January
Film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running Time: 02 hours, 41 minutes
Rating: 8/10

More Harry Potter. A little less introductory explaining, a lot more action. Plus, we get to meet Dobby, and what kind of person doesn't love Dobby?

Challenge day: 123
Challenge time: 07 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes
Challenge film total: 93

You're a wizard, Harry!

Date: Thursday 24th January
Film: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 32 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Harry Potter has two camps. Those that love it, and those that don't. I'm one of those ones that absolutely loves it.

Yes, it may be primarily a children's story, but that doesn't stop both the books and the film series being amazing.

Philosopher's Stone is the first in the series and that is obvious from the outset. There is a lot of introduction to the characters and the environment, but this is not a bad thing. The film is very faithful to the book and is a great representation of the world that JK Rowling created.

This is a great jumping off point to a series of films that, in my opinion, got better and better with each installment.

Challenge day: 121
Challenge time: 07 days, 08 hours, 33 minutes
Challenge film total: 90

What ever you think is helping you, I have a responsibility as your friend to tell you that it's not.

Date: Sunday 20th January
Film: Your Sister's Sister (2011)
Director: Lynn Shelton
Starring: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt
Running time: 01 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Emily Blunt is wonderful, isn't she? Your Sister's Sister proves this yet again.

The film is a slow burning exploration of the relationships between siblings, friends and more. While some of the territory is a little familiar, the film feels fresh.

Challenge day: 117
Challenge time: 07 days, 03 hours, 51 minutes
Challenge film total: 88

It seems I've created a monster. A strangely persuasive monster

Date: Sunday 20th January
Film: Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger and Michael Fassbender
Running time: 02 hours, 33 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Snow had put a dampener on my plans for the weekend, Luce was stuck in Southampton, so there was no Harry Potter Studio Tour and Sunday night's planned Gosfest, including a trip to see Gangster Squad, had been put on hold. There was only one thing that could make this day a little more pleasurable, wrapping up in my Sofa Duvet with a chocolate orange and Michael Fassbender's beautiful face...

(Jesus, he's a handsome son of a gun)

We had a flat vote, and it was decided that we would watch Inglourious (it was between that and my second favourite Michael). 

I'm no Tarantino expert, I've seen some films I've enjoyed and some I really haven't. IB is one of the ones I really, really like, even if it does completely rewrite history. Granted, I was rubbish at History at school, I don't remember much, but I'm pretty sure I'd remember if Brad Pitt and a french woman hell bent on revenge blew up Hitler in a cinema thus ending WW2.

Christoph Waltz is a revelation in this film. He somehow manages to make a horrendous character a little bit likeable, I think it's this little wiggle...

Yes, there is violence, I wouldn't expect anything less from QT, but it doesn't ever seem gratuitous. Yes, there is bad language, again it seems to fit well with the film. Yes, there is Eli Roth, but not everything can be perfect.

I managed to get a little too comfortable under that sofa duvet and sleep through all of Fassbender's on screen time. I'm blaming the duvet. I've banished it back under the bed. 

All in all, apart from the nap in the middle, I again enjoyed this film. I've seen it a few times now and enjoy it a little more every time. I'm even warming toward Brad Pitt. 

Challenge day: 117
Challenge time: 07 days, 02 hours, 21 minutes
Challenge film total: 87

What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?

Date: Friday 11th January
Film: Groundhog Day (1993)
Director: Harold Ramis
Starring: Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell
Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: 8/10

I adore Bill Murray. I'm sure I've mentioned that before.

Groundhog Day is another film that proves I am justified in my love for him, and it sits near the top, second only to Ghostbusters, of my Brilliant Bill Murray Scale.

It's a simple enough story, a man repeats the same day over and over. He is the only person aware that he is repeating the day, and his interactions with people change as his outlook on the situation differs.

Somewhat ironically, given the film's premise, this movie never seems to get old or repetitive. I always find myself laughing along and it's one of the rare times that I find Andie MacDowell tolerable (I couldn't tell you why I don't enjoy watching her, I just know that something annoys me).

I'm not a fan of the phrase 'feel good film' but it most definitely applies here.

Challenge day: 108
Challenge time: 06 days, 10 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 80

Are you the lady who doesn't realize she's pregnant until she's sitting on the toilet and the kid pops out?

Date: Sunday 30th December
Film: Knocked Up (2007)
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann
Running Time: 02 hours, 09 minutes
Rating: 8/10

I am a massive fan of Judd Apatow and his gang of Merry Men, I think it's because of my obsession with Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, and Knocked Up is probably my favourite of their film collaborations.

This is a film that isn't really about the leads, or even the plot, it's about the little interactions with the supporting cast. Yes, the jokes are immature, but that doesn't stop them from being funny. Incredibly funny.

No matter how many times I watch this, I will always laugh out loud.

Challenge day: 96
Challenge time: 05 days, 16 hours, 24 minutes
Challenge film total: 71

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

the light's hitting your hair in this great way. It's like a crippled tree reaching for heaven.

Date: Friday 28th December
Film: Cyrus (2010)
Director: Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass
Starring: John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei
Running time: 01 hour, 31 minutes
Rating: 8/10

One night back in London between Christmas and New Year breaks and Sunday Night Movie Club is meeting a little early (and a little late).

First up in the evening's double bill is Cyrus.

Cyrus tells the story of John who meets Molly, starts to fall for her, then meets her adult son, Cyrus, who goes out of his way to make things difficult for the couple.

It's nice to see a film in which Jonah Hill doesn't play his Superbad character yet again. Whilst he does make you laugh, he does this is a quiet, understated, borderline creepy way.

John C. Reilly and Marisa Tomei are, as they almost always are, brilliant as an older couple finding love following unsuccessful previous relationships. They both come across as vulnerable characters learning how to start a relationship again.

Don't expect this film to be a laugh out loud, riotous, comedy film. It is humourous but this isn't obvious, it's slow burning, understated, discreet.

I liked this. A lot.

Challenge day: 94
Challenge time: 05 days, 02 hours, 56 minutes
Challenge film total: 65

You've seen the films, kiddo. It ain't over 'til it's over.

Date: Sunday 23rd December
Film: Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy
Running time: 02 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: 8/10

So, I've written about this film before, but this time was a little different. We found ourselves at The PCC, with mince pies and mulled wine in hand and ready to fill ourselves to the brim with festive joy.

Just what we needed to prepare ourselves for the festive week approaching.

Did I mention how much I love Christmas?

Challenge day: 89
Challenge time: 04 days, 21 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 62

So if you believe in Father Christmas, children, like your Uncle Billy does, buy my festering turd of a record

Date: Sunday 9th December
Film: Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy
Running time: 02 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: 8/10

This film is terrible but I love it. There is nothing that makes me feel more Christmassy than Andrew Lincoln being slightly stalky before declaring his love with cards (still would though).

It wouldn't be Christmas without watching this. It's not the best Christmas film (it's missing Kermit), it's not even the best Richard Curtis film, but it does still make me laugh in places, and not just because of Hugh Grant's dancing.

Challenge day: 77
Challenge time: 04 days, 05 hours, 02 minutes
Challenge film total: 53

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

Where are his glasses? He can't see without his glasses!

Date: Saturday 17th November 2012
Film: My Girl (1991)
Director: Howard Zieff
Starring: Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis
Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Rating: 8/10

My Girl is one of those films that, even as I get older and realise it's a little bit terrible, I am always going to love. Even if it does leave me crying like a small child, every single time. Curse you Macaulay, why did you have to go back to the beehive?

Challenge day: 55
Challenge time: 2 days 14 hours 07 minutes
Challenge film total: 34

Now, what we got here is a little game of show and tell. You don't wanna show me nothing but you're telling me everything.

Date: Monday 12th November
Film: True Romance (1993)
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette and Dennis Hopper
Running Time: 2 hours
Rating: 8/10

In all the wonderful tributes and obituaries that appeared shortly after the passing of Tony Scott, there was an awful lot of love for True Romance. Love that reminded me that I haven't seen this film in years. It was only sensible that I added it to my LoveFilm list and settled down for another evening with 90s Christian Slater (my favourite of all the Christian Slaters).

It was a delight; True Romance is a brilliant film. There is violence, drugs, sex and an awful lot of talking, all trademarks of a great Tarantino script. With a solid supporting cast and lots of familiar faces popping up, True Romance is a love story with a difference.

Also, I think it managed to cure me of my old man crush on Gary Oldman...

Challenge Day: 50
Challenge Time: 2 days 7 hours 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 30

Oh my gosh, you got me a gift! And it's pink!

Date: Friday 2nd November
Film: For A Good Time, Call...
Director: Jamie Travis
Starring: Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller and Justin Long
Running Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Rating: 8/10

In an attempt to avoid Bond, and still maintain our semi regular dinner and a movie date, JC and I decided to check out For A Good Time, Call....

A low-budget comedy, this is the story of two women who, after a falling out on the day they met in college, find themselves, ten years down the line, moving in together after a little matchmaking from a mutual friend (the excellent Justin Long) and once they start to become friends, setting up their own phone sex line out of their living room.

Considering the premise, this film could have been all about sex jokes, but the phone sex is an side and the story focused more on the relationship between these two polar opposites than it did on the business they set up.

Ari Graynor excels, reminding me why I'm a big fan of hers (she has some of the best scenes in Nick and Norah's). Lauren Miller has moved from a bit part actress (and Mrs. Seth Rogen) and does a great job of her first lead role.

All-in-all a warm, funny, story about letting go of misconceptions and getting to know the people around you.

Recommended.

Challenge day: 40
Challenge time: 1 day 22 hours 57 minutes
Challenge film total: 27