Big Trouble in Little China

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan

Well...

The mandate for the evening was something fun and crazy and although there was a little resistance from non-believers (much like the films original theatrical release) but from the moment Kurt Russell starts speaking you know it's going to be ridiculous but a good time.

It really is bewildering. It's like John Carpenter only wrote dialogue in movie talk or hilariously overt exposition delivered in a fast paced 1940's farce comedy style. All the actors seem to be in on the joke and slip into the style nicely. Kurt Russell crafts another iconic character for Carpenter, this time an all American tough guy with a heart of gold, who could have stepped straight out of a Western.

All that and fantasy creatures and great 80's fx plus a lot of kung fu action! Needless to say there is an eclectic range of filmic influences infused into this and although it never looses its straight face it's obvious to me that everyone involved is having a good time and they intend you not to take it seriously either.

It's definitely not going to work for everyone, it walks a fine line, but for me it's hilarious and thoroughly entertaining and filled with the love of cinema. With an awesome 80's soundtrack.

Candyman

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan

Been a long time, I saw this was released on bluray and thought it time for a catch up. I remembered less than I thought, jut the opening and the end. It's such a strange tone for a horror film from that time. Everyone else was doing slashers or thriller and this has elements of both but isn't really either. Like Clive Barker's other great horror release Hellraiser it has this strange romance at the centre of it all.

It's also a film that's all about setting up a mythos and the power of that kind of storytelling. It's certinly interesting and has some great iconic moments but apart from that jump scare at the start (with Ted Raimi! tee hee hee) this one fails to scare me at all. Especially when it creates such a strange compulsion to it's villain.

I might have to look at the rest of this series too, if only because I just saw Bill Condon directed the sequel and my mind had some trouble reconciling that.

Critters

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Critters is awesome. By far the best of the Gremlins knockoffs. I did not realise the kid in this is now the voice of Steve in American Dad. But I do remember that the E.T. reference seemed funnier because Dee Wallace was actually in the this too.

I also remember seeing this when I was very young and how hilarious it was that they subtitled swearing from the aliens. I think up until when I was 7 I never thought aliens could swear. It was truly a life altering revelation.

This is a very silly movie but I always have a lot of fun when I revisit it. Somehow I have never seen any of the sequels though, so I'm going to change that. I doubt they could be as great as this first instalment though.

Alien

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

When I saw the Titanic re-release they had the new full trailer for Prometheus in 3D at the front of it. I couldn't resist racing home and chucking on the bluray. God it's such an amazing film. I'm so unbelievably excited to see what Ridley does next.

I'm planing a marathon when that's released so I'll write it up properly then. Just wanted to wet my appetite a little. So good.

Titanic

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

What a spectacle. A movie made for the big screen. Scoff all you want at the romance or the moustache twirling villain but when that iceberg hits it's a master firing on all cylinders. It's been years since I saw the film and besides that old lady who just ruins everything for me, pretty much everything else works like a charm.

The 3D conversion works well for the most part. They even made some of the video footage from the rovers diving around the wreck into 3d. Only a few spots I noticed masks popping. But besides that they've cleaned up the print and the images look stunning, which it's straight from the camera. It's pretty incredible to think of the strides made in digital water and motion capture since this film but the majority of the fx hold up well. There are a few fully digital shots where the image quality drops, probably because they never created them in the resolutions we use today.

I can't stand James Horner using synth in this score. It sounds cheap and tacky when it should be as grand as the rest of the film. Do not like the score.

Despite its flaws I can easily give myself over to this film and enjoy the ride. I'll even admit to getting teary at the end despite that old lady opening her mouth and saying words that hurt my soul. James Cameron wrote some corny dialogue but most of the cast is so good they can get away with a lot of it.

I can't believe it's already been 16 yeas since this was made!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

Yeah it's what the trailer makes out. Perfectly enjoyable, sweet, a little bit sad and quite amusing.

They have an impressive cast that's sure to keep the film playing to seniors for months and months. Maggie Smith is particularly wonderful, although her character has to take a few unbelievable leaps to get the film to a happy conclusion for everyone.

In fact there's a lot of very obvious plotting and manipulation going on, and with this many characters they squeeze in a lot of your basic plot lines, so there's something for everyone even if they all have to be boiled down to their bare essentials to fit in the running time.

Despite how annoying this can get, the fact is that it's a crowd pleaser. Chances are no one else will bat an eyelid at any of these grievances and have a good time.