Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Shining


IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Michael, Naomi, Alex

What an atmospheric film. So great to finally see this on the big screen. I was watching it this time imagining how it would play without the music. It would be a very boring. Or comical, with those crazy performances. The use of music here is so pivotal.

And the cinematography always amazes me, knowing how much of the film is a set. And filmed in the summer.

I always found this film more creepy than horrifying and seeing it at the cinema really amplifies that tone. I always thought Jack Nicholson never really gradually became crazy, that it just clicked once they were one month in. So much time is spent making tension that there is not really anything left to develop plot so it's a good thing they keep it simple.

Always a pleasure to watch. My god those 70's carpets.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Cabin in the Woods


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

Non-Spoiler write up here.

Slightly more in-depth write up here.

Finally got to see this digitally projected at a cinema with a much better (and bassier) sound system. Makes a great difference. Also great, seeing it with people that haven't seen it before and have no idea where it's going. What fun.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Runner Runner


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

This was ok.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters


IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

The first one was not all that great, and neither is the second really, but it's serviceable. I just love all that greek myth stuff so it's a fun universe to play in. Seems like they've scaled back on budget and scope and while they race through the story, at least there wasn't any really offensive post modernisms or stupid jokes. I didn't really like the new cyclops brother character, he just came out of nowhere and still hasn't been explained but they've left things with a set up for another this time so who knows.

Thanks for Sharing


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

I didn't really go for this one, it's a very fluffy look at addiction and feels strange to be made to laugh at people with a disease. It's not terrible but pretty forgettable.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Rush


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

A good little drama from Ron Howard. Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth are both great and engaging, and there's a great script from Peter Morgan. I'm really not interested in car racing but the focus of the film is really these characters and the rivalry. Shot on a variety of formats but all treated to look like 70's 16mm film with a great colour treatment, the film looks very nice indeed and the car racing sequences are very well put together too.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Turbo


IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Michael, Naomi

Dreamworks aren't even trying anymore are they. Well this feels very much like a lower budget, lesser effort from them. I didn't get to see the 3d version, which is a shame as most of the shots looked like they would play really well in the format, and probably one of the few redeeming features of the film. It's by no means a terrible film but it's by no means an engaging or interesting one either.