Rise of the Planet of the Apes

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

Here's my first post. Third time, didn't expect to see it again but some friends wanted to so why not. It's pretty great after all.

Final Destination 5

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

The new Warner Bros./New Line logo looks cool in 3D. As do the opening credits. I love love LOVE the opening credits to this movie!! It's ridiculously pandering to the 3D, really fun AND subtly takes you back to all the enjoyable kills of the last 4 films in the franchise.

And what a franchise it is. I love this one because instead of the usual teens getting killed by some stalker it's these elaborate Rube Goldberg-esque accidents ad the films take such glee in setting them up and foreshadowing the poor characters doom. Basically this is the most exploitative of them all because you only come to see it for the kills. And no-one can escape death.

Despite the many MANY films I have seen in 3D this year I believe this is the ONLY live action one that was actually shot in 3D. It looks really great (or at least it would if the projector had a little contrast, I think they WAY over-compensated for the glasses tinting in this cinema...) and it has a lot of fun poking stuff at the audience. Gimmicky but a lot of fun.

As usual (with the exception of the first film I think) the big opening accident is the most spectacular part. This time it's a suspension bridge collapse and my god it's beautifully realised. Truly spectacular and probably one of the best sequences in all the films, second only to the Freeway pile-up in film 2.

What I don't like about the series is the audience is always waiting for the character to catch up. We have to wait for them to grieve the loss of their friends, realise it wasn't just an accident, figure out the pattern, figure out the skipping, all those rules. But the deaths along the way do help. Now everyone is expecting them they have to throw in so many fake-outs it's hilarious.

They also, to my memory anyway, add in a new rule about taking someone else's years. Was that there before? Anyway what that does is make and end-game possible where previously there was none. A character could come out of this alive for the first time (although ironically none of them do.)

The links back to the other films as fun and it manages to keep the "final" final destination title of the 4th film intact too. Love these silly little films. Great fun.

The Help

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

Well it does feel like a sugar-coated pill. They skip over most of the violence and rape and real suffering that I know was apparent at the time, but that's not what this movie is. This is a sweeter more family friendly look at the time and place and it's also very enjoyable, I like this one.

The thing that jumps out at me most about the film is the colours. It's so bright and cheery, everything is painted in golden light. It really feels like a nostalgic memory that's been slightly discoloured (in more ways than one) as a happier time.

The cast here are all dependable, really great. With a running time over two hours (that is barley noticeable) they have time to develop a lot of the characters in to more rounded people and tell so many stories, it's almost surprising it's as cohesive as it is but everything fits together really well.

All the drama in this worked for me. The humour sprinkled throughout works as well. I think it's everything it aims to be. Some may argue it's a little "light" but probably nit that it's very well made and entertaining.

One Day

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

Not for lack of trying, but this one just felt pretty lifeless. The main problem for me was I just could not believe the attraction in the relationship. Especially when the male lead is such a dick all the time.

Everything about the film is very plain. The direction, the editing, the music, it's all very standard. It does the job but the whole affair just seems passionless, just like the main relationship.

Rafe Spall playing the "duckie" archetype was the most enjoyable thing for me. Patricia Clarkson seems to be giving Mark Strong a run for his money in the "I-need-to-appear-in-every-movie" competition.

It's not a good romance unless it has a tragic ending, or at least that seems to be the thinking here. I haven't read the book, perhaps it works there but in the film you see the end coming a mile away and once everything is wrapped up, you have to wait another half hour through all the consequences that never felt earned.

It's wishy-washy, overall not memorable.

The Amityville Horror

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

Here's the old write up.

It's strange that this is the second time in a row where I started to fade towards the end and I think I must have missed some or been confusing it with the remake or a sequel (although I don't think I've seen any of the sequels) but I seem to recall things from this film that I've missed both times I watched it. But I don't know if it's because I was drifting off or that they were never there in the first place.

Still it was good to squeeze in a movie, I've been so busy lately it's been hard to find the time.

Legend

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Side Show Painting Crew

Old write up's here. Another great film to have on in the background while painting, this one's all about the visuals. Really is an odd one but I'm still surprised no-one had ever heard of it before.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Side Show Painting Crew

Again, this was more playing in the background as we painted. I've always loved this film. Watching it last night with people who had never heard of it was a bit of an eye opener though, I guess the old school hokeyness never got to me, I grew up with this one, know it by heart. But yes this is very 50's acting. Brilliant!

I think this is one of Bernard Herrmann's lesser scores. Some strange stuff it it. But I do love them matte paintings and the whole old time adventure feel. And I love the way they do the dinosaurs. And Pat Boone can serenade me any day. Still it would probably be better if he or any of the other cast don't try Scottish accents.

DOA: Dead or Alive

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Side Show Painting Crew

Original write up.

Truth is we barley watched this, I just had it playing in the background while we painted sets for a show, but it's something bright and colourful to look up and see every so often.