Fun Size

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

Sometimes you watch a movie and just sit in amazement that people actually got paid to write and make  what you are watching.

On a lighter note, unexpected Ana Gasteyer double with Robot and Frank.

Robot & Frank

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

This film was just delightful. I do like robots. And I do like Frank Langella. And while I knew a very basic premise for the film I had forgotten about the whole heist scenario. So much fun.

The film does a great job of never getting overly sentimental about dealing with Frank's memory loss. And the way the robot factors in to this is great. I see Peter Sarsgaard does the voice of the robot, although he does sound a lot like Kevin Spacey in Moon.

It's all kinds of brilliant. Get out and see this one before it finishes.

Celeste & Jesse Forever

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

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack have written a film for themselves. Good for them. It wasn't too bad either. And nice to see Andy Samberg in a slightly less comical role.

Now, this film is only 92 mins long but it really feels longer. There are long stretches of ups and downs towards the end that really start to drag. I just wanted the Celeste character to hurry up and reach her inevitable epiphany. But the start was all fine and enjoyable.

They managed to get a good cast of supporting players together. I especially enjoyed Elijah Wood trying desperately and failing to do the typical romantic comedy gay best friend. An unexpected Emma Roberts had a fun character, but one that felt pretty superfluous to the plot. She serves to make one point and not much more. 

This could very well connect with others more than it did with me. I did enjoy it but it's not something I'll feel the need to revisit soon. 

The Sessions

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

A nice little film. Sometimes refreshing to see a simple story told simply. It's also refreshing to see an American film that is so straight forward dealing with sex, especially sex and the disabled.

It was funny seeing Moon Bloodgood as the uptight, slightly geekish caretaker, simply because I'm used to her playing the tough stoic type in Pathfinder, Terminator Salvation and Falling Skies.

And of course our leads are great. Glad I finally got to see this one before it finished.

Brave

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

Write Up.

Listened to the commentary. Brenda Chapman is notably absent. I only know vaguely what happened there. This one never really soars, it's so tied to formula but still very pretty.

Red Dawn

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

Ahh well, it was a silly idea anyway. I really like the original, I have a bit of a soft spot for it after first watching it while recovering for getting my wisdom teeth out. John Milius's film is such a product of its time, the idea of remaking it now is pretty problematic.

So like another Chris Hemsworth film, the awesome Cabin in the Woods, this film was shelved in 2009 when MGM fell into financial difficulties. Originally conceived to have China as the bad guys it has since been repurposed to have North Korea as the evil invading army. (Because China is now one of the most sort after film markets and North Korea had a convenient change in leadership...) In truth, I spent most of the film looking out for all the digitally replaced arm bands, banners, signs and I think I even spotted some digital lip syncing in one scene. Unfortunately that was probably the most fun part of the film. 

The film is all over the place. An action scene that ends in tragedy immediately followed by a fun bonding scene then followed by an inspirational speech and ill-conceived action. Jumping all over the place like that really hurts the film, it feels like we are missing a whole bunch of connective tissue. More annoyingly the most interesting part of the film for me, seeing these kids go through hell and have to learn to fight for their survival, well that's all done away with in a little training montage.

The whole affair is just flaccid. The shaky cam is annoying. The writing is pretty bad and the cast do what they can but can't save it. Meh.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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

Beautiful. I love a good coming of age story and this was a very good coming of age story.

They really tricked me casting Melanie Lynskey in a small but integral part. What a brilliant deception for those of us who love her work.

The whole cast is great. I thought I might have trouble adapting to Ezra Miller in this after his rather iconic performance in We Need To Talk About Kevin. And after just rewatching the end of Harry Potter it was nice to see Emma Watson again, I thought she was great.

Yep, really enjoyed this one.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

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

Write Up.

Finally finished watching all the commentaries and extra features. Some great stuff. This really only rubs in just how lacking that dang Twilight series is, I don't see why it's so popular.

Interview with the Vampire

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

Before Twilight and Buffy, there was Anne Rice. And this awesome film by Neil Jordan. I do like this one a lot, it somehow manages to be serious and camp at the same time. And Kirsten Dunst is delightful.

I also love how epic it feels, probably just because of the time span. Always a satisfying watch.

This is 40

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

I'm under embargo. oooOOOOOOOoooo...

Phantom of the Paradise

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

Write Up.

Such a crazy film. I picked up an import Bluray when I was overseas. Neat.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

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

Write up.

Ultimate Edition Bluray FINALLY was released and arrived. Watched picture commentary. Good stuff. Some great extras too. What a remarkable series.

Where The Wild Things Are

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

A film of contradictions if ever I saw one. Fascinating though, I really love it. Made an interesting double with Tideland too.

A children's book made into a film that I'm sure children can enjoy but it has a very adult drama feeling. There is a wonderful sense of playful danger to the proceedings. And the monsters are beautifully realised with a mixture of amazing creature suits and composited faces.

I must admit the incessant indie music soundtrack makes me want to blow my brains out.

This is a film all about the feels. I think it succeeds in capturing that feeling of the disillusioned youth. It might fail as a fun family film but I'm not sure it was ever intended to be that anyway.

Tideland

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

Write Up.

Always fascinating viewing. Love this strange little film.

Skyfall

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

Write Up.

I know I said I wouldn't see this again for a while. I also said I'd see the scope version instead of the IMAX version again. Well that didn't happen. But I may as well enjoy it full frame while I have the chance right?

So many people are claiming this is the best Bond ever. I might not argue it's the best produced, but I still don't know yet where I sit on the how Bond-like the film actually is. It's quite removed from the "traditional" Bond movies, so if it IS the best I don't know what that says about what peoples idea of Traditional Bond is anymore. I guess that's a fluid thing, I mean it's certainly changed a lot over the years already.