Margaret

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

This film has taken a very long time to get here. Shot in 2005 with an overly long running time, the studio refused to release Kenneth Lonergan's cut and got Martin Scorsese in to edit it down, after some big legal drama behind the scenes. So finally they have released the short edit on our screens, although it's still 150 minuets long. I'd heard some very divisive things about the film after having seen this cut I'd be very interested to see the director's cut, which should be out later, to see what is missing.

In the interim, producers Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack have sadly both passed away. But it's amazing we can still see new work they've had a hand in, along with everyone else involved. You'd think with a cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Matt Damon, Allison Janney, Jean Reno, Kieran Culkin and Matthew Broderick it'd be an easy sell. Not so though.

The film I did see was fascinating. An outstanding cast and a considerably younger Anna Paquin just rips into the material. Her character is immensely frustrating but also very sympathetic. And the people around her are equally complex, as is the situation she faces. It's certainly not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It's like a great little indie drama drawn out to almost operatic proportions. The settings are intimate but the scope of the themes are huge. I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to discuss them.

I'm definitely going to need to sit down through this one again and I'm glad to hear the even longer cut will be made available. For now though this has left me plenty to mull over. It's one that has stayed in my head these few days after. If you're prepared to go the distance it's definitely one to watch out for.

That's My Boy

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

Adam Sandler has become a joke himself lately. His family films have all been hard to bare but for some reason make a boatload of money. Thankfully he's returned to the r-rated antics that made him a star. It's still nothing to write home about but it's a step up from recent efforts.

Sandler's annoying voice shtick is balanced out by all the good will I have towards Andy Samberg. I was also interested to see Sean Anders get behind the director's chair again after doing some good and not-so-good studio writing gigs. I was a big fan of Sex Drive and the way they did their unrated dvd version is even more hilarious. But this one amounts to just another run-of-the-mill comedy. It's not terrible but I didn't get much out of it.

This one goes to some weird places too. Why is James Caan in this? Vanilla Ice? Oddly enough I found Milo Ventimiglia to be the funniest person in the film. But his plot line is pretty out there.

Ultimately it's pretty forgettable but at least it's not Jack and Jill.

Paranormal Activity 3

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

Write Up.

I find this one more successful than the 2nd part. But still it's a pretty empty experience, especially without that opening weekend crowd.

The Woman in Black

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Kim, Tyler

Write Up.

Suspenseful horror films are always so much more fun to see with people who still manage to get scared.

Aliens

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

Write Up.

So good, just had to see it once more while the big screen was up.

Chronicle

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Kim

Write Up.

Watched the extended cut on bluray. New stuff is pretty much all character stuff towards the beginning. Mainly to do with Steve's character. Love this film.

Legend

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Kim, Tyler, Jordan

Write Up.

I just had to follow the new Snow White with this. They are similar in many ways but this never bothers with any kind of realism. It's a live action Disney cartoon. And I cannot get over the great score for the film Jerry Goldsmith made that I never got to hear as a kid. It's 1000% better with this score.

Snow White and the Huntsman

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

Yes, this is exactly what I was hoping for. For me it succeeds in all the ways Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland failed. This annoying habit of writers feeling like they cannot just tell a fairytale without completely re-inventing it is largely done away with here and it's refreshing. There is nothing wrong with a simple story well told.

There is a slight tweek that is evident in the title and once again they feel the need to shove a sword in the princesses hand but I have to say, it's not nearly as forced or out of place as in other recent fairytale adaptations.

This is a lavishly produced film. It is stunningly beautiful. The world feels real, it's gritty and dark when it needs to be but they don't shy away from going full on fantasy and when they do it's glorious. The best part of the film for me. And a necessity when you have dwarfs as an integral part of your story.

And man, they have a great cast of dwarfs. And eclectic bunch to be sure. The digital trickery used to make these well known actors the size they need to be, with body doubles and face replacement, it's a step further from what Peter Jackson accomplished with Lord of the Rings. Kinda freaky but pretty amazing.

This is Charlize Theron's show though. She goes big here. Almost more cartoonish than fits the style of the film but it does make from some wonderfully dark moments. This is not the happy, shiny, comical world of Tarsam's Mirror Mirror. Nor is it so classically stage-bound. It's a big and epic version of the tale and Theron's performance is the biggest part of it.

Kristen Stewart once again is playing a mostly reactionary character but she show more signs of life here than a lot of her recent work. Chris Hemsworth is a handsom man.

New James Newton Howard fantasy score? Yes please.

Rupert Sanders has made a formidable feature debut. I honestly didn't have any problems with it except for the very end, where it felt like the just ran out of money so it just stopped. A minor problem though, I know I'll be seeing this again soon.

Tyrannosaur

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

As is often the case when good actors take a turn at the writing/directorial duties, we have a film filled to the brim with fantastic performances. Paddy Considine has made a great character film that can at times be equally unnerving and heartbreaking. It's a grim world he paints.

Olivia Colman's performance will shatter you. Peter Mullan manages to be both threatening and pathetic. And Eddie Marsan plays one very creepy guy.

This can be a tough watch. It's a pretty straightforward drama, well constructed and has moments of violence punctuating this depressing veil of sorrow. Grim stuff. But there is some light to be found and I think it is a rewarding experience for those willing to brave this dingy world.

The Cabin in the Woods

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Ethan, Cicely, Kate

Non-Spoiler write up here.

Slightly more in-depth write up here.

Even after the 3rd time I'm still picking up missed lines and new references. There was another really good crowd at this Sunday arvo session and it's still just as fun. And it was extra fun to see it with someone who still manages to get scared by the horror parts, the one small thing that didn't work for me. Good to see it does work for some people!

Go see it now! While you still can!!

Speed Racer

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

Write Up.

This film is a happiness maker. Tears of joy, everytime. Remarkable.

Wanderlust

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

Muchly enjoyable comedy from David Wain and Ken Marino. Any excuse to see Justin Theroux in front of the camera is good enough for me.

This is a pretty typical seachange type story. Has lotsa laughs, not terribly dumb joke either. It has a good supporting cast of quirky characters. Very enjoyable fun.