The Bling Ring

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

Sofia Coppola's latest, based on a Vanity Fair article, is a darkly comic look at celebrity obsession. Her last film rubbed me the wrong way but I'm pleased to report that this film was far more enjoyable, thanks to the subject matter, the characters and cast. Also helps to have a cool soundtrack and a good score snuck in between the songs too.

Emma Watson is a bit of a stand out amongst the young cast. She is probably the most vapid of them all and gets all the best lines. But her reactions a priceless too. Hilarious comic performance. Leslie Mann, who plays her mother, was also a big stand out with a fascinating and almost horrifying character and their scenes together were my favourite.

Coppola is content to make a very simple film and let the events speak for themselves. The result is an easy and fun watch.

The Conjuring

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

Write Up.

Okay technically, this was just over half of the film, because right at a pivotal moment the power went out at the cinema, freaking everyone out. Which was kinda cool, but ultimately very disappointing because the crowd we had were really into it and getting huge reactions which was just so much fun to watch. We'll have to organise a re-watch soon and hopefully get to the end this time!

The World's End

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

Yes, awesome fun. The last in our Cornetto trilogy of blood and ice-cream. I just love the way Edgar Wright shoots action. Actually just the way he shoots in general, his films have such great pace and the way he works blocking and movement into his edit points is great. It must have been a pain to plan out but it just flies by when you watch and is so easy to follow.

A great cast, filled with many cameos too. It's a different genre once again and things get very Carpenter-esque at the end which is kinda off the wall but a good kind of insanity. I think the less you know about the film going in the better, I still think those trailer give away far too much, but the film still works great. Good times folks!

Pacific Rim

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Kate, Todd, Belinda, Adrien, Tui, Jay, Claire, Stacey

Write Up.

Twice in one day! This time in a regular 2D session, so it was a little less impressive (if that's possible) but the crowd made it fun.

Pacific Rim

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Mum, Dad

Write Up.

Took the folks to see it in Imax 3D. What fun.

The Way Way Back

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

Nat Faxon and Jim Rash have made a cute little coming of age film with a really great cast. Fun to see Steve Carell play a real asshole for a change, he does it well. Liam James is a very convincing mopey awkward teenager. Sam Rockwell is his usual cool self.

There are some very funny parts, many of which involve Allison Janney. And of course the obligatory dramatic beats are all hit too which make is feel well rounded. Very enjoyable if not a little formulaic.

The Wolverine

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

James Mangold made a comic book movie! It would be faint praise indeed to say it was better than the characters first solo outing. But as can be expected from Mangold, it's focused much more on character development and drama than action. Which I absolutely loved. (Although I'm not averse to bullet train action sequences...)

 I had some third act problems and there's one or two character that really get shortchanged, but nothing that's going to ruin my enjoyment overall.

Ninja's are fun.

Don't see this in 3D, some of the worst post-conversion I've seen in a long time.

There's also a very blatant mid-credit set-up for the next X-men film, Days of Future Past. 

Hangar 18

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

Heh, kinda hoaky but pretty fun.

The Heat

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Paul Feig's latest was good fun. A nice female-centric buddy cop comedy. The story is pretty average but the comedy works and that's what's important. Most enjoyable.

To the Wonder

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Naaahhhhh....

The Conjuring

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

Well, this one worked a treat. James Wan may be relying on a few of his old tricks, but who can argue when he does it so well? What's great here is that, being based on a true story, he's jettisoned his spooky cartoony face ghosts and toned down the theatrics (just a smidge). It also helps that he has an amazing cast that create great characters to get invested in. Without the horror, I think the drama still works well by itself.

Also, gotta love the period setting.

I can't wait to check this one out again. Watching peoples reactions was half the fun the first time through. (Or perhaps I was just to scared to keep watching the screen...) Go and see this now.

This Is the End

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

The biblical rapture hits hollywood. It's rather funny too. It's a simple bromance with an apocalyptic survival scenario and self-parody added on. Unfortunately most of the good stuff was in the trailers. The lower budget means the scope is pretty small and when it does open out the effects aren't exactly top-notch, but they get the job done. Still it's a very enjoyable film, and nice to see some love for late 90's boybands.

Pacific Rim

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael, Paul, Maria, Richard

Guillermo del Toro has made one hell of a giant monster vs giant robot film. It's a ridiculous concept but the film is so unapologetically pulpy and ernest that I couldn't help but have a great time. There is basic character development but enough to keep me interested in the human side of things and some cool casting choices that helped too. Charlie Day and Burn Gorman are hilarious.

And then of course there's all the action, courtesy ILM. Absolutely spectacular and on a massive IMAX screen in 3D it's even better. Guillermo Navarro colourful night time lighting is sumptuous and the visual effects replicate his style wonderfully too. 

Good soundtrack too.

It's like an anime come to life. Perhaps not the most original film ever made (although it's nice to see a big summer blockbuster that's no a sequel or based on a pre-existing property) but I couldn't help but et swept along with it. And in a time where all our superheros are dark and angst ridden, it's nice to see someone still knows how to make old fashioned fun. 

The Joneses

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael

Really cool and slightly horrifying concept and a pretty great film to boot. This was another one that was just overlooked or lost in the shuffle but I think it deserves a watch. It's not without a few problems but the concept was enough of a hook for me and the cast are great too.

Chalet Girl

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael

Write Up.

Our last night in our own snow-covered chalet. HOW COULD WE NOT?