Date: Sunday 28th April
Film: Sightseers (2012)
Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Alice Lowe and Steve Oram
Running Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Another day, another repeat viewing. Here's what I said before, and on the second viewing, it's safe to say I was laughing out loud all over again.
The humour is dark, the jokes are incredibly British, I think this may be one of my favourite films of the last year.
Challenge day:214
Challenge time: 13 days, 02 hours, 18 minutes
Challenge film total: 161
Showing posts with label 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 July 2013
You know, it's moments like these when I realize how much of a superhero I am.
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
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
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
I guess everything comes back around. Like your goddamn ties.
Date: Monday 15th April
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
Another day, another trip to The PCC (are we surprised? I bloody love it there), and this time I am introducing my sister to a double bill of films (again with a Q&A) by a writer/director that I love. A writer/director who is tirelessly working on making new and innovative films, or at least films that don't rely on the same old story telling techniques we see a thousand times over. First up...
Film: Brick (2005)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas and Emilie de Ravin
Running time: 01 hour, 50 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I adore this film. I've seen it more times than is healthy. It is a fabulous noir thriller, harping back to classic detective thrillers that we haven't seen since the early days of cinema. It is modernised, taking from the mysteries of old, it tells the story of high school student searching in the shadows to find out what has happened to his ex-girlfriend. he has a couple of clues that make no sense, red herrings throwing him off and
an impenetrable group who know more than they are willing to tell.
I don't want to tell more, the brilliance of this film is all in the mystery. With a fabulous cast and an awesome script, it's hard to believe that this was Rian Johnson's debut. A near perfect film.
After a brief break for supper and a quick Q&A with the man of the hour, in which we learnt a lot more about how Rian Johnson works and what he aims to achieve with his films, it was time to settle down for the second movie of the night and, in comparison to Brick, Rian's big money gamble. A mind-bending time travel film with a decent budget, a big name cast and the chance for Rian to prove that he can do action as well as he can do drama...
Film: Looper (2012)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels
Running Time : 1 hour 59 minutes
Rating: 9.5/10
I've gushed about this film before, and I have nothing to add. With each viewing I feel like I learn a little more about the ,story, about the characters, about the future.
Yes, the time travel logic is a little flawed but if you are looking that deeply into the timeline of a film, you don't deserve nice things.
Challenge day: 201
Challenge time: 12 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes
Challenge film total: 158
Monday, 29 April 2013
How grand it must be, to be the chosen one.
Date: Wednesday 27th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 33 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I can't really say much more than I've said in the last few posts on this subject. Things are getting darker, risks are getting bigger. The films are growing alongside the characters.
Challenge day: 183
Challenge time: 11 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes
Challenge film total: 144
Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 33 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I can't really say much more than I've said in the last few posts on this subject. Things are getting darker, risks are getting bigger. The films are growing alongside the characters.
Challenge day: 183
Challenge time: 11 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes
Challenge film total: 144
Just because you can use magic now does not mean you have to whip your wands out for everything.
Date: Tuesday 26th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A little more Harry Potter. A little more joy.
Everything is a little darker, characters you've grown to love are put in danger, the battles are getting fiercer and there is much more at stake.
Challenge day: 182
Challenge time: 11 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 143
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: 9/10
A little more Harry Potter. A little more joy.
Everything is a little darker, characters you've grown to love are put in danger, the battles are getting fiercer and there is much more at stake.
Challenge day: 182
Challenge time: 11 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 143
You need to know what you're up against. You need to be prepared...
Date: Monday 25th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Still pushing through Harry Potter films, ahead of the upcoming visit to the studios, so I retired to bed with the fourth in the series. It's at this point that things really start to get good. The point at which Voldemort is reaching enough strength to really wreak havoc.
The films get darker, the action amps up and they become about a lot more than a boy wizard.
Sheer escapist fun.
Challenge day: 181
Challenge time: 11 days, 12 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 142
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running time: 02 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Still pushing through Harry Potter films, ahead of the upcoming visit to the studios, so I retired to bed with the fourth in the series. It's at this point that things really start to get good. The point at which Voldemort is reaching enough strength to really wreak havoc.
The films get darker, the action amps up and they become about a lot more than a boy wizard.
Sheer escapist fun.
Challenge day: 181
Challenge time: 11 days, 12 hours, 08 minutes
Challenge film total: 142
For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.
Date: Sunday 24th March
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running Time: 02 hours, 21 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Back to the Harry Potter Series and this time around, the action picks up. We meet Sirius, we learn a little more about Harry's background, and whilst there isn't as much action as we see in future films, this one does introduce key characters and plot points that help the story along.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes
Challenge film total: 141
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Running Time: 02 hours, 21 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Back to the Harry Potter Series and this time around, the action picks up. We meet Sirius, we learn a little more about Harry's background, and whilst there isn't as much action as we see in future films, this one does introduce key characters and plot points that help the story along.
Challenge day: 180
Challenge time: 11 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes
Challenge film total: 141
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
Do you ever think, that if people knew how crazy you really were that no one would ever talk to you?
Date: Monday 18th March
Film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Mae Whitman
Running Time: 01 hour, 42 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I haven't exactly been quiet in the past when it comes to my opinion on film adaptations of books I like, and I went into Perks with low expectations. Published when I was 15, I remember reading Perks at just the right time. The time where I was discovering music, making new friends and working out who I was and where I fit in the World. My biggest fear was that the film adaptation would take that all away from me.
Over Christmas I picked up my (well-thumbed) copy and read the book for the trillionth time. I needed to get a feel for the characters with actors in mind, impressions taken from snippets I'd seen in trailers and articles I'd read in film magazines. After this reading, I went into a bit of a panic. It's hard to find a book that you relate to, a book that, to you, is symbolic of your youth. That perfectly encapsulates your emotions, your feelings, and it's worse when these are butchered by filmmakers.
The one thing that was swaying me toward seeing this adaptation, instead of ignoring it to avoid disappointment (as experienced before with the god-awful adaptations of The Time Traveler's Wife and One Day), was that not only did the original author write the screenplay, but also took up directing duties. Combined with a great cast (I have been a little obsessed with Ezra Miller since seeing We Need to Talk About Kevin - another rare example of book adaptations done well), I almost got my hopes up.
Turns out, my layer of negativity was unnecessary. Yes, there are cuts made to the story,. but these are background stories, things that, in the grand scheme of things, don't make a massive difference to the story.
The film tells the story of Charlie, a 'wallflower' who is starting high school. He has few friends, and spends his days on the fringes, looking in. Soon enough he finds himself taken under the wing of Sam and Patrick, a pair of step-siblings who, like Charlie, are on the fringes of the social spectrum but have made themselves a home and a community amongst the 'misfits'.
Dealing with a spectrum of difficult subjects, including mental health, suicide, sexual abuse and coming to terms with sexuality, Perks does a great job of presenting all the issues sensitively, without ever speaking down to the audience or minimising the effect of these struggles.
Yes, there are some bits of the book that didn't make it to the film, but these were all minimal character developments with smaller characters, and not having them included didn't change the story at all.
All in all, this is a well made adaptation of a great book. It has a fabulous cast, all of whom act their hearts out, and a killer soundtrack. Worth watching, whether you've read the book or otherwise.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 03 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 138
Film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Mae Whitman
Running Time: 01 hour, 42 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I haven't exactly been quiet in the past when it comes to my opinion on film adaptations of books I like, and I went into Perks with low expectations. Published when I was 15, I remember reading Perks at just the right time. The time where I was discovering music, making new friends and working out who I was and where I fit in the World. My biggest fear was that the film adaptation would take that all away from me.
Over Christmas I picked up my (well-thumbed) copy and read the book for the trillionth time. I needed to get a feel for the characters with actors in mind, impressions taken from snippets I'd seen in trailers and articles I'd read in film magazines. After this reading, I went into a bit of a panic. It's hard to find a book that you relate to, a book that, to you, is symbolic of your youth. That perfectly encapsulates your emotions, your feelings, and it's worse when these are butchered by filmmakers.
The one thing that was swaying me toward seeing this adaptation, instead of ignoring it to avoid disappointment (as experienced before with the god-awful adaptations of The Time Traveler's Wife and One Day), was that not only did the original author write the screenplay, but also took up directing duties. Combined with a great cast (I have been a little obsessed with Ezra Miller since seeing We Need to Talk About Kevin - another rare example of book adaptations done well), I almost got my hopes up.
Turns out, my layer of negativity was unnecessary. Yes, there are cuts made to the story,. but these are background stories, things that, in the grand scheme of things, don't make a massive difference to the story.
The film tells the story of Charlie, a 'wallflower' who is starting high school. He has few friends, and spends his days on the fringes, looking in. Soon enough he finds himself taken under the wing of Sam and Patrick, a pair of step-siblings who, like Charlie, are on the fringes of the social spectrum but have made themselves a home and a community amongst the 'misfits'.
Dealing with a spectrum of difficult subjects, including mental health, suicide, sexual abuse and coming to terms with sexuality, Perks does a great job of presenting all the issues sensitively, without ever speaking down to the audience or minimising the effect of these struggles.
Yes, there are some bits of the book that didn't make it to the film, but these were all minimal character developments with smaller characters, and not having them included didn't change the story at all.
All in all, this is a well made adaptation of a great book. It has a fabulous cast, all of whom act their hearts out, and a killer soundtrack. Worth watching, whether you've read the book or otherwise.
Challenge day: 174
Challenge time: 11 days, 03 hours, 54 minutes
Challenge film total: 138
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
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
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
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living!
Date: Monday 14th January
Film: Les Miserables (2012)
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway
Running time: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Going into this I really wasn't sure if I it would be something I'd enjoy. I love the novel and have actively avoided the musical for fear of it ruining something I adore (and because my Mum told me she hated it, normally a sign that I will hate it too). I knew a couple of songs, one because it featured in a pretty key scene in season one of Dawson's Creek and the other because it's I Dreamed A Dream, and everyone knows that song, right?
To start off with, I wasn't sure what to think. Hugh Jackman seemed to sing the opener in an almost northern accent and the second Russell Crowe started warbling I did get the giggles, but within five minutes I was totally entranced.
Anne Hathaway managed to steal the entire film, despite having an on screen time that could not have been longer than 30 minutes and Hugh Jackman seemed to bring a real sense of emotion to every song, without slipping towards the musical theatre interpretation that could have been a downfall for so many of the cast.
Sacha Baron-Cohen, yet again, proved my belief that he can be a good performer, providing he didn't write the script, Helena Bonham-Carter was suitably bonkers and the child actors were brilliant.
This was a visually stunning film, the set pieces, the costumes, the lighting, all combining to create beautiful scenes. The scene in which Fatine sells her hair was suitably gorgeous and distressing.
My main issue with the whole film was some of the casting. I'm a big fan of both Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried but I don't feel they did their best work in this, there was something a little off about their singing, which in a film that is predominantly sung (don't go in expecting a lot of dialogue between each performance, that isn't how this one works), this was something of a let down.
In all, this was a good film, even if you aren't a massive musical fan, whilst the majority of the film is sung, it's done in a way that isn't overbearing.
I am baffled by all these reports of standing ovations and people weeping. I didn't see any of that, although perhaps the audience at The Barbican are just that bit too British and reserved for all that nonsense, thank God.
Challenge day: 111
Challenge time: 06 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 83
Film: Les Miserables (2012)
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway
Running time: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Going into this I really wasn't sure if I it would be something I'd enjoy. I love the novel and have actively avoided the musical for fear of it ruining something I adore (and because my Mum told me she hated it, normally a sign that I will hate it too). I knew a couple of songs, one because it featured in a pretty key scene in season one of Dawson's Creek and the other because it's I Dreamed A Dream, and everyone knows that song, right?
To start off with, I wasn't sure what to think. Hugh Jackman seemed to sing the opener in an almost northern accent and the second Russell Crowe started warbling I did get the giggles, but within five minutes I was totally entranced.
Anne Hathaway managed to steal the entire film, despite having an on screen time that could not have been longer than 30 minutes and Hugh Jackman seemed to bring a real sense of emotion to every song, without slipping towards the musical theatre interpretation that could have been a downfall for so many of the cast.
Sacha Baron-Cohen, yet again, proved my belief that he can be a good performer, providing he didn't write the script, Helena Bonham-Carter was suitably bonkers and the child actors were brilliant.
This was a visually stunning film, the set pieces, the costumes, the lighting, all combining to create beautiful scenes. The scene in which Fatine sells her hair was suitably gorgeous and distressing.
My main issue with the whole film was some of the casting. I'm a big fan of both Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried but I don't feel they did their best work in this, there was something a little off about their singing, which in a film that is predominantly sung (don't go in expecting a lot of dialogue between each performance, that isn't how this one works), this was something of a let down.
In all, this was a good film, even if you aren't a massive musical fan, whilst the majority of the film is sung, it's done in a way that isn't overbearing.
I am baffled by all these reports of standing ovations and people weeping. I didn't see any of that, although perhaps the audience at The Barbican are just that bit too British and reserved for all that nonsense, thank God.
Challenge day: 111
Challenge time: 06 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes
Challenge film total: 83
Thursday, 10 January 2013
You know it happens sometimes that the spirit gets yanked out so fast that the essence still feels it has work to do here.
Date: Wednesday 2nd January
Film: Ghost (1990)
Director: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg
Running time: 02 hours, 07 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I love Ghost. I have done since I was a kid. I can't remember the first time I saw it, I just know that I spent most of my childhood being scared out of my wits by Willy Lopez and the mad subway ghost. They still creep me out now.The CGI hasn't aged well, the demons from below are brilliant examples of something that was the height of sophistication (and child scaring) in the early 90's but now will just make you chuckle.
It's almost guaranteed that I will develop a serious case of 'something in my eye' around the first "ditto" and will be in floods of tears by the final goodbye.
The saddest bit about Ghost? The realisation that my childhood dream of marrying Patrick 'King of the Mullets' Swayze will never come true. I guess it's back to my original plan. Move over Miss Piggy, Kermit is MINE.
Challenge day: 99
Challenge time: 06 days, 02 hours, 38 minutes
Challenge film total: 76
Film: Ghost (1990)
Director: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg
Running time: 02 hours, 07 minutes
Rating: 9/10
I love Ghost. I have done since I was a kid. I can't remember the first time I saw it, I just know that I spent most of my childhood being scared out of my wits by Willy Lopez and the mad subway ghost. They still creep me out now.The CGI hasn't aged well, the demons from below are brilliant examples of something that was the height of sophistication (and child scaring) in the early 90's but now will just make you chuckle.
It's almost guaranteed that I will develop a serious case of 'something in my eye' around the first "ditto" and will be in floods of tears by the final goodbye.
The saddest bit about Ghost? The realisation that my childhood dream of marrying Patrick 'King of the Mullets' Swayze will never come true. I guess it's back to my original plan. Move over Miss Piggy, Kermit is MINE.
Challenge day: 99
Challenge time: 06 days, 02 hours, 38 minutes
Challenge film total: 76
Adventure is out there!
Date: Tuesday 1st January
Film: Up (2009)
Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Starring: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer and Jordan Nagai
Running time: 01 hour 36 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Oh God, this film...
A brilliant animated film about coping with grief, making friends and opening your heart. It's funny, touching and will reduce even the hardest of hearts to a sobbing wreck.
Plus, there are talking dogs. That's right, DOGS THAT TALK.
Challenge day: 98
Challenge time: 05 days, 22 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 74
Film: Up (2009)
Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Starring: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer and Jordan Nagai
Running time: 01 hour 36 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Oh God, this film...
A brilliant animated film about coping with grief, making friends and opening your heart. It's funny, touching and will reduce even the hardest of hearts to a sobbing wreck.
Plus, there are talking dogs. That's right, DOGS THAT TALK.
Challenge day: 98
Challenge time: 05 days, 22 hours, 29 minutes
Challenge film total: 74
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
I'm going to help you rediscover your manhood. Do you have any idea where you could have lost it?
Date: Saturday 29th December
Film: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone
Running Time: 01 hour, 58 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Crazy, Stupid, Love was one of my highlights of last year and not just because of Ryan Gosling minus his shirt.
An enjoyable comedy that explores relationships from a variety of angles with a brilliant cast that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Plus, Gos looks very good in a suit. And out a suit.
Challenge day: 95
Challenge time: 05 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 69
Film: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone
Running Time: 01 hour, 58 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Crazy, Stupid, Love was one of my highlights of last year and not just because of Ryan Gosling minus his shirt.
An enjoyable comedy that explores relationships from a variety of angles with a brilliant cast that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Plus, Gos looks very good in a suit. And out a suit.
Challenge day: 95
Challenge time: 05 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes
Challenge film total: 69
Monday, 7 January 2013
You aren't the real Buzz Lightyear! You're - you're an action figure!
Date: Tuesday 25th December
Film: Toy Story (1995)
Director: John Lasseter
Running time: 01 hour, 21 minutes
Rating: 9/10
This might be the worst of the trilogy, but it's still a wonderful film and I can't think of a better thing to pop on the telly while I'm peeling hundreds of potatoes and parsnips.
While there have been some great animated movies in the past, Toy Story remains one of my favourites. Unlike Disney films, Pixar throw in jokes for their adult audiences and create characters that everyone loves, characters that have flaws, that the audience connects to.
Luckily for me, someone treated me to the trilogy for Christmas. I might have to catch up on two and three. It's been a while since I've watched them all.
This might be the worst of the trilogy, but it's still a wonderful film and I can't think of a better thing to pop on the telly while I'm peeling hundreds of potatoes and parsnips.
While there have been some great animated movies in the past, Toy Story remains one of my favourites. Unlike Disney films, Pixar throw in jokes for their adult audiences and create characters that everyone loves, characters that have flaws, that the audience connects to.
Luckily for me, someone treated me to the trilogy for Christmas. I might have to catch up on two and three. It's been a while since I've watched them all.
Challenge day: 91
Challenge time: 04 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes
Challenge film total: 63
It's the quiet places where all the mad shit happens.
Date: Tuesday 18th December
Film: Grabbers (2012)
Director: Jon Wright
Starring: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley and Russell Tovey
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second film in the Den of Geek double bill started with an intro to a room full of people I admire (don't forget, I had that hideous jumper on, for the shame). We found ourselves sat directly in front of John Landis and the Grabbers director; Jon Wright, writer; Kevin LeHane and one if it's stars; Russell Tovey. There was no pressure here for us to enjoy the film.
It's a good job it was bloody brilliant then.
The concept is simple. Alien lifeforms attack a small Irish island and the only way to protect yourself from being killed it to be drunk.
We laughed riotously from beginning to end, I jumped 20 foot high regularly (I really am pathetic when it comes to loud noises and things popping up as if from nowhere), and all in all we loved it.
Grabbers had a limited cinema release and is already out on DVD (I really should have updated this blog a bit sooner, stupid Christmas break). If you have the time, seek out a copy and enjoy.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 59
Film: Grabbers (2012)
Director: Jon Wright
Starring: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley and Russell Tovey
Running time: 01 hour, 34 minutes
Rating: 9/10
The second film in the Den of Geek double bill started with an intro to a room full of people I admire (don't forget, I had that hideous jumper on, for the shame). We found ourselves sat directly in front of John Landis and the Grabbers director; Jon Wright, writer; Kevin LeHane and one if it's stars; Russell Tovey. There was no pressure here for us to enjoy the film.
It's a good job it was bloody brilliant then.
The concept is simple. Alien lifeforms attack a small Irish island and the only way to protect yourself from being killed it to be drunk.
We laughed riotously from beginning to end, I jumped 20 foot high regularly (I really am pathetic when it comes to loud noises and things popping up as if from nowhere), and all in all we loved it.
Grabbers had a limited cinema release and is already out on DVD (I really should have updated this blog a bit sooner, stupid Christmas break). If you have the time, seek out a copy and enjoy.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes
Challenge film total: 59
I have no funk. I'm totally funkless.
Date: Tuesday 18th December
Film: Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson
Running time: 01 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Den of Geek, The CW and I found ourselves in a hotel screening room that was a little bit too posh for us, me wearing the ugliest of all Christmas jumpers...
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 58
Film: Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson
Running time: 01 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Den of Geek, The CW and I found ourselves in a hotel screening room that was a little bit too posh for us, me wearing the ugliest of all Christmas jumpers...
ready for a double bill of two films I've been waiting a long time to see.
Up first, Safety Not Guaranteed. We had tried to see this at Sundance earlier in the year but tickets were hard to come by. It was definitely worth the wait.
Whilst this film is pegged as a being about a slightly odd man who thinks he can time travel, this is essentially a film about personal growth and the building of relationships. It also explores the oddities and eccentricities of human behaviour.
There are scenes where you laugh out loud, and then two minutes later I found myself feeling an overwhelming sense of melancholy and sympathy toward the characters and the way they are treated by the world at large.
The characters are well formed and brilliantly acted, Mark Duplass steals the film, which is saying something considering just how great Audrey Plaza is.
If you get the chance, go see this.
Challenge day: 84
Challenge time: 04 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes
Challenge film total: 58
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