Predestination

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

The Spierig Brothers' latest is a neat little umm... thriller? Drama/sci-fi thing? Based on the short story "-All You Zombies-" by Robert A. Heinlein. I foolishly read the synopsis for the short before seeing the film, which was a major spoiler. But even so the big twist reveal at the very end doesn't work because they spell it out quite clearly half way through. 

But putting those troubles aside this was still a well put together number and Sarah Snook gets a hell of a role. 

I do love my time travel and within the space of a month have seen 2 new Australian time travel movies. Madness. This one's central thesis is about a paradox so obviously the time travel logic is going to be a little skewiff but really everything in the film works logically. Except for the whole added conceit of this Bomber and stopping tragedies from happening. That bit doesn't make any sense re. time travel logic. Ah well, it's still a great looking film with a really odd premise that I hadn't seen explored like this before. Good fun.

If I Stay

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Once again, seeing an average film in Gold Class, this time with the entire cinema to myself, really makes for a much more enjoyable experience but probably coloured my appreciation of the film. It's a weepy little coming of age story of a girl trapped in limbo, remembering her life and figuring out some big decisions.

R.J. Cutler is the latest documentarian to make the jump to narrative features and he's made a pretty good looking film. The young cast make the relationship believable enough to invest in. But the jumping back and forward became a little annoying and although they resolve the biggest question of the film everything else is left unresolved. It certainly makes a statement but after a whole film of getting us to invest in these decisions and not have any of them made by the end, it's a little frustrating. There's a sequel book though, so, who knows.

It's a little wishy-washy for my tastes but certainly a great deal better than some recent young romance films.

Felony

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Joel Edgerton's morality cop drama is a neat little story, perhaps over stays its welcome a little but the cast are engaging and hold your attention.

Magic in the Moonlight

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

Woody Allen's latest is a light and fluffy little piece, purportedly a comedy but there's not really any funny moments. It has an alright set up for a romance but the amazing actors are stranded delivering some of the most inept dialogue I've heard from a purportedly well renowned writer in a long time. In his fright to release a movie a year Allen seems to have rushed this one and filmed a first draft, where the ideas for scenes are laid out but what actually happens in them seems to be placeholder.

My guest succinctly described this as and "unapologetic seesaw between blatant exposition and blatant statement of theme." It's bewildering and flaccid and the cast can't save it, though you can see them trying, while they all holiday in France on the films budget. 

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

That title's a mouthful.

This is a fun watch, kind of a Forrest Gump-esque story of an old man going on one last adventure and remembering his life. The present day story is great fun, the memories are pretty great too however within the film they have little to no relevance so it's questionable as to why they are in there at all. I think it could have benefited greatly from just being set in present day, even if it means losing the whimsical history lesson.

Deepsea Challenge 3D

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

James Cameron's raising the bar. As much as there is some cool stuff in this doco about the expedition and some nice footage (amazing data wrangling, amiright?) I have to admit the one thing that really stood out to me (besides Cameron's impressive ego) was the 3d converted footage from The Abyss. Now all I want more than anything in the world is for that film to get a 3d directors cut theatrical re-release. Oh man, someone make this happen. The Abyss. The Best.

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.