The Lego Movie

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

Write Up.

Fun times!

Cabin in the Woods

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

Non-Spoiler write up here.

Slightly more in-depth write up here.

Always fun to show to someone who knows nothing about the film.

The Inbetweeners 2

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

These vulgar lads are back and this time heading to our shores for more mischief. It's fun to spend a bit more time with these characters, I found the film a bit hit and miss, there's definitely some funny stuff but also a lot of stuff that just didn't connect with me.

What We Do in the Shadows

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

Absolutly hilarious. From beginning to end. Wonderful dry and unassuming humour. Flat out loved it. Go see it!

Guardians of the Galaxy

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

Write Up.

Saw it at the small IMAX. There's a lot to enjoy but those few issues keep nagging at me. Definitely like it more than don't, I'm more excited for a sequel though, now the groundwork's been laid.

Hateship Loveship

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

I was just talking about this film with friends before seeing Skeleton Twins at MIFF. I found it was playing on the plane back to Perth so I thought I'd give it a watch.

Kristen Wiig in subdued drama mode. I like the character but the relationship that's depicted is not really romantic, at least I didn't find it that way at all. It feels like it'll all fall apart not too long after the end credits. Maybe I'm being pessimistic but I found the whole thing very troubling. Maybe I just shouldn't watch films on the plane.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Louisa, Greg

Write Up.

Squeezing in one more film before I fly home. Sadly only screening in 2D now and worse than that, the floor lights in the cinema had been refurbished and set way to bright, causing half of the screen to be washed out. Terrible cinema, but thankfully the film is still great.

Phase IV

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No

Write Up.

Saul Bass recently passed away. And then they found an alternate ending to his feature film. Melbourne International Film Festival screened a 35mm print of the film, which was really cool to see again, and in a cinema to boot. And then they played the alternate ending from a DCP. Holy Moly it's some trippy and visually striking stuff. Goes all 2001: A Space Odyssey right at the end. Really great to have the privilege of seeing it.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

An interesting experiment, a relationship drama of a couple struggling after the loss of a child, told as two films, one from each perspective. They share a small number of scenes albeit with subtle differences. Jessica Chastain's side I found to be the stronger of the two. Her character is the one going through the major changes. Each film stands alone just fine but it's only when seen together that you really get the full picture.

But apart from the gimmick it's a solid but simple drama. Great cast though.

I wonder if I have to watch THEM, the edit of both films together. Presumably there won't be any new material, just scenes from both? Hmm.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

An interesting experiment, a relationship drama of a couple struggling after the loss of a child, told as two films, one from each perspective. They share a small number of scenes albeit with subtle differences. Jessica Chastain's side I found to be the stronger of the two. Her character is the one going through the major changes. Each film stands alone just fine but it's only when seen together that you really get the full picture.

But apart from the gimmick it's a solid but simple drama. Great cast though.

Starred Up

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

A gritty prison drama, a young kid put in an adult prison with his estranged father. It's completely enthralling and often unnerving and violent. The cast are all great, authentic and Jack O'Connell is electric. Great film.

Obvious Child

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: George, Jack

Abortion romance! Okay. Jenny Slate gets a leading role and she smashes it. It's endearing and natural. The opening really turned me off, something about female comedians doing full sets about their vaginas that just seems so cliched, but it wasn't all cheap humour like that. I guess I've just never been a fan of stand up comedy either.

But the actual narrative story works well, it's a fun little romantic comedy.

Listen Up Philip

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

That's a neat little teaser trailer, that doesn't use any footage for the film. This is a bitter little drama, filled with characters that are wondrously brash, self-centred, egotistical and self aware about it too. It's a world populated by New York intellectuals with rapid monotone quips and dry passive aggression. It's very funny but also pretty frustrating and very hard to like these characters.

The cast do a wonderful job though, and the story freely switches protagonists throughout so they all get a chance to do their stuff. Shot on 16mm, and it has a retro vibe. It's a fun watch but almost unbearably cynical.

Patema Inverted

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

Cool anime, similar set up to the live action move Upside Down. But this film focuses a little less on the romance and more on the mystery behind this strange world. Which is why it was a little frustrating there seemed to be so many plot holes regarding said world. But the story is sweet and the animation is beautiful and if you're scared of heights this one's sure to give you nightmares. Some really great action sequences too using the gravity well. Good fun.

Among the Living

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Watched With: Jordan, Ben

Write Up.

Yeah, it's just not a very cohesive film. The parts all seem great on their own but don't work together, especially without anything solid to hold them together.