West of Memphis

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

I don't generally see documentaries unless they are put in front of me. This one was. It's a compelling story, one I had read about a bit beforehand, due in no small part to Peter Jackson's involvement and reading about the Paradise Lost documentaries HBO made.

The recount of the crime is pretty horrific and surprisingly graphic. And much like in the read life case, the rap up takes a very long time. I really felt the running time towards the end. But the film presents a fascinating case of failed justice and the reasons surrounding.

Four Lions

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

Write Up.

The Dark Knight Rises

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

Write Up.

Spent the whole time doing hilarious Bane impressions. I wonder what Tom Hardy is going to do with Mad Max...

Oldboy

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

Write Up.

I see the remake is coming out this year, time for a refresher. Man, I hope Spike Lee doesn't screw it up. Thankfully we also get a new Chan-wook Park film this year, his first english language film too. Looks interesting.

The Impossible

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

I was concerned going in but relieved to find that it wasn't too sappy. There are those big moments but the majority of it felt either downplayed or earned. The cast are all great (except maybe one of the nurses, who was admittedly saddled with very repetitive dialogue) and young Tom Holland, fresh from playing Billy Elliot on the west end, makes an impression.

And the tsunami sequence is spectacular and intense. Naomi Watt's gets battered and bruised and they don't shy away from glimpsing the graphic results. I noticed two elder ladies had to leave the theatre. But the gore is not dwelt on, this is a survival story and much like the team, Juan Antonio Bayona and Sergio G. Sánchez's last film, the excellent horror The Orphanage, the focus is always on the characters and emotion.

It's interesting, they do structure the film like a horror, and I half expected the wave to come back for one final scare at the end. Still, very enjoyable.

An American Werewolf in London

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

Write Up.

See you next Wednesday is the funniest porn movie ever.

The Tall Man

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

I was hesitant towards this one, but then I saw it was the writer and director of the amazing and horrifying French masterpiece Martyrs.

Now this film isn't nearly as rough as that but it does have a few things in common. It has the same continual shifts in perspective and tone, keeps you guessing. It also shares the same indignant outrage over its subject matter. It certainly makes its point. It's also very morally ambiguous. This subject is a little easier to get your head around though, that of raising children and who we let do it.

Jessica Biel  makes a compelling protagonist. Especially after the rather typical first half is played out that the movie starts to reveal its true purpose.

Jodelle Ferland is again stating her claim as the go-to creepy horror girl. 

It's not exactly scary and is probably too much of a drama for casual horror flick fans, especially given the way it seems to be advertised. But there's definitely a point of view here which is great to see. 

Dead Silence

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

Write Up.

Tideland

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

Write Up.

I hate I have to keep watching this on dvd in the incorrectly mastered aspect ratio. I'll need to find an HD version, or at least one in widescreen.

A dangerous film.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Tyler, Naomi, Andrew

Write Up.

One of my all time favourites. So. Damn. Good.

Life of Pi

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

Write Up.

4th time's the charm eh? I went to the IMAX screening, the were gracious enough to stop playing The Hobbit on a continuous loop for one screening of this each evening. I'm glad I got to see the IMAX version, they did use the whole screening and the already amazing 3D was even more astounding. And the sound was great too. Love it.

ParaNorman

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

Sooooooooo much fun. Absolutely loved it. And about time it was friggin released here. I've waited a very long time and held off ordering the bluray from overseas just so I could see it for the first time in 3D on the big screen. totally worth it too.

There is so much love for horror in this film. And for a kids film it can play pretty rough, it's more like an 80's kids horror, you know, back when they made films for young teens.

The opening sequence is just hilarious. And there's a lot of unexpected gags throughout. The animation is stunning and the voice cast are all really great. Really loved this one.