The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No

Write Up.

Just finished watching the extensive making of and listening to the Commentary on the extended edition bluray release. I love the in depth material they produce for these sets. I was hoping for multiple commentaries but there's only one this time around but it's still interesting.

The few added scenes are mostly adding in more music numbers actually. But there's a few things that they promise help set up some things in future films. I'm not really that enamoured with this first one but I'll still be interested to see the next instalment on Boxing Day.

Night Train to Lisbon

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

This must have been one of the most annoying cinema going experiences I've had. I don't mean to be ageist but all those old people who don't understand that phones can be switched to silent or that commentating through the entire feature or that the cinema is not their lounge room can be quite aggravating. Isn't it normally the old people that have to tell the kids that?

Anyway it didn't help much that the film didn't provide sufficient interest to overpower all these distractions. Jeremy Irons becomes fascinated with the life of some mysterious author but that doesn't mean that we do, especially if we're given no reason to care about his life or why Irons' character follows him up. 

It's well put together but I found it dreadfully bland. And I may start avoiding sessions where I suspect the blue rinse crowd will gather en masse.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Watched With: Kim, Tyler, Gemma, Chris, Therese, Bel, Josh, Krispen

Francis Lawrence gets to build a more interesting film on the foundation of the exposition of the first one. It hits the ground running and while I'm not really that invested in this love triangle (who in their right mind would choose Liam Hemsworth over Josh Hutcherson anyway?) or even in the actual Hunger Games that seem forced in in this entry for namessake, the characters and the seeds of revolution beginning to sprout is great to see. Gone is the shaky action cam but thankfully they've kept the amazingly ridiculous production design of the capitol.

And they've added a few new cast members that excited me greatly. But despite the upped intensity, drama and intrigue, this is still a joining film and the cliffhanger ending is a little unsatisfying although it does make me want to to see more. Definitely a good next step that improves on its predecessor.

The Fifth Estate

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Now that Bill Condon is done with Twilight he's back to more serious material. Got to admit I didn't really follow the whole Wikileaks thing but perhaps I'm more up to speed now. Benedict Cumberbatch does a great Australian accent too.

Well it seems Condon isn't as confident as David Fincher in making a movie about a website interesting and resorts to a lot of stylistic gimmicks to visualise the online world. The flashiness and pace of the first 40 minutes is dizzying but eventually the film settles into its story and characters.

I actually enjoyed this far more than I thought I was going to despite the try-hard editing. I can't fault it for keeping pace, the actors all do good work and the story it tells is certainly interesting, especially if you didn't really know much about it going in.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

This is my first exposure to Jackass. I must admit the concept never appealed to me but this seemed like at least it had some kind of narrative thread to hang their pranks and idiotic behaviour onto. I never knew Spike Jonze was involved in this whole venture. Interesting.

Well, perhaps with the right crowd this would have been more enjoyable, the audience in my session seemed to enjoy it but didn't get very involved. I laughed a few times but all the big jokes are in the trailer, which I have seen far too often.

The To Do List

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Although it seems like a really odd role for Aubrey Plaza it's a pleasant surprise to see a a female centric crass teen sexual coming of age comedy. There's a really great cast here and plenty to enjoy, although not overly memorable. But I did appreciate the period setting and a deus ex machina that involved watching Beaches.

One Chance

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

The Weinstein's have taken a reality tv star story and made an extremely competent feel good movie. I guess everyone knows the outcome of the story but all involved do a good job of trying to make it matter to the audience. The dubbing in of the opera singing is a little annoying, I was hoping to hear James Corden before Into the Woods comes out but I guess that will have to wait. If you're in the mood for a feel good underdog story this one expertly manipulates.  I didn't get much out of it.