Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

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

Well I thought I should watch the original since I liked the remake so much.

As I said in that post, it was Guillermo del Toro's misremembered version. This film is tiny in scale, very simple and very dated but it's easy to see how a young kid could remember this from childhood and build it up in his head in such an enthusiastic way as to turn it into the film that is currently playing in theatres.

Now this one plays kind of camp. It isn't very effective but interesting to see where the new film started out. Such wonderful hairstyles.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

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

Guillermo del Toro's misremembered version of a 70's tv movie. It's the slightly distorted story he remembers, rather than a straight remake. It's a film that works as a straight horror and as a fun piece of entertainment depending on your reaction or age. There's no denying the general premise is inherently fun but it totally worked for me and I think for a younger audience it would play like gangbusters. They really nail the tone and those little critters are delightfully evil.

The film was shot in Melbourne so there was many a raised eyebrow of recognition as every single bit part was someone you recognised from some tv show or film. The opening is particularly fun...

I've like Bailee Madison since Bridge to Terabithia. She was the only person worth watching in that abortion of a film, Just Go With It. She carries the film here effortlessly. I do love a film with some real child endangerment.

There are some great scary sequences and while I do find those little guys quite funny looking (they remind me of those creepy little demons in The Gate) they still remain threatening.

Love opening title design and really like the music in the opening and closing credits but unfortunately it wasn't used much in the film.

This really feels like a great horror film for kids, forgotten from the 80's. Very enjoyable.

Bridesmaids

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

Previously viewed here and here.

Showed it to mum today. Man that bluray has about 5 films worth of deleted scenes. I've been watching content for hours and hours and am still only halfway through...

The Fluffer

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

A simple little melancholic indie about a boy who finds a job filming porn, the problematic porn star he's infatuated with and the porn stars girlfriend. The characters and drama work fine, comedy not so much but still pretty good. A different look at the porn industry too.

Drive

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

That film some lady sued for false advertising. Hah.

If you can't tell what you're in for from the opening title design then I don't know how to help you. It's all there.

There's a simple elegance to this film. A character drama and crime thriller. It's a film that takes its time to set things up, keeps the tension on the surface and hits you hard and fast when it needs to. Like the Westerns of old, the violence comes in short bursts, unexpectedly and has genuine impact. In fact, now that I think about it, a western is the best comparison with Ryan Gosling as the quiet stranger figure. And he's pretty darn cool, Gosling ain't never been sexier.

So no, it's not the fast and furious-esque film the young kids next to me were probably expecting. They didn't enjoy themselves at all. I loved it.

In Time

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

I've always like Andrew Niccol's big concept films, especially Gattaca. It's that subtle kind of sci-fi that works as a thinly veiled allegory and what with the occupy wall street protests going on this film's timing couldn't be better.

First and foremost, this works as an entertaining film, which many of these films don't. It's not hugely spectacular but it does the trick. What is has going for it is the built in (literally) ticking clock, the constant race against time. The other delightful conceit they can get away with that's inherent with the concept is being able to legitimately populate their film with a bunch of young beautiful people. Genius.

The cast all do their job well and it's slickly shot by the brilliant Roger Deakins. The script, characters and pace all worked for me. It's a futuristic twist on the Robin Hood legend and for those that want, it will leave them with plenty to debate over the current economic climate. Most enjoyable.