Ruby Sparks

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

A break-out for Zoe Kazan in more ways than one. She's great as the title character and has to navigate some tricky stuff but I didn't know until now that she wrote the film as well. Good for her.

It's one of those romantic comedy dramas with a slightly magic premise at the heart of it. And if you don't question the logistics of it too much and go along with characters, you'll have a great time. It's sweet and enjoyable and hits all the right beats and never feels much like a chore doing it.

I'm always a little iffy with the whole magical realism thing but I went along with this one just fine. I feel like it's stuff that's been tread before but it's perfectly sweet and the actors are all having a good time and I did too, so that ain't bad.

Rogue

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

Greg Mclean's follow up to Wolf Creek was a monster movie. One I quite liked actually. A bit part of that is the score by Frank Tetaz, which is one of the more beautiful and melodic scores for a horror film I've seen in a while. Really sells the majesty and beauty of the outback. 

Actually so the the visuals. This is a very beautifully shot film.

Populated by a host of recognisable actors, many of whom are far more famous now than when this was made. I didn't even remember Mia Wasikowska or Sam Worthington were in this. 

And I am still impressed by the effects. But probably only because I know it's a low budget Australian production and I just keep expecting them to be really shit. 

The set up here is a lot of fun but the fear never works as well as in Wolf Creek. Completely different films tonally though. This is a popcorn horror movie. I always want a bit more from the climax though. Still it's not often you get a good croc film with halfway decent production value so I'll treasure it for that. 

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

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

Gotta admit, this one surprised me. Especially after the 2nd film in the franchise. It felt like it should just be left to die. Perhaps Noah Baumbach, who's name I spied as writer, had something to do with it. Or perhaps it's because they felt like there were no expectations and they could just have fun with it. Because that's what it feels like. They have abandoned all pretexts of trying to develop these characters and their story beyond bare essentials and instead have focused on creating wildly cartoonish, fast paced 3D eye candy and I thought it was most entertaining.

This film has the BEST use of 3d I've seen in an animated film this year. A must see in 3d. They really use every inch of the depth and even use it for gags.

Now when the obligatory dramatic story beats in the 2nd and 3rd acts kick in it does get very ho hum. They try to brush past it as fast as they can but it doesn't change the fact that it feels like the fact they were trying to tell a story at all kills everything else that was working so well about it.

But the 3rd act circus sequences completely abandon any semblance of reality and go fully stylised into a hyper coloured 3d acrobatic animated assault and it's neat. It made me giddy, like a good sugar hit should. I think it was just what I needed today.

Won't stand the test of time but I actually quite enjoyed watching this one. Because it knows how to be fun.

Get Ready to Be Boyzvoiced

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

I caught this on TV late one night when it first came out and was smitten. This Is Spinal Tap for 90's boybands. And every bit as funny and authentic. How could I not love something like that. The songs and music video's are spot on and absolutely hilarious and it's been far too long since I last saw it. Except now I'm going to have them stuck in my head for another few months.

Unfortunately not being hip to all things Norwegian pop I'm afraid a lot of the in-jokes and celebrity cameos were lost on me, but there's still plenty to enjoy here.

Unfortunately it's pretty hard to get a hold of here but it's well worth the effort.

Snow Cake

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

This on slipped under the radar a few years back but it was one of my favourite dramas from 2006.

Alan Rickman is always just awesome and Sigourney Weaver just blows it our of the water. Watching the two of them play off each other is great. And the supporting cast are all fine too.

Immensely watchable, beautifully photographed and really nice writing sprinkled with moments of great humour that ease out all the sadness. Just a brilliantly constructed drama and one I loved catching up with again. Seek this one out.

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

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

Going through the series again and up to where chronologically the film story takes place (according to most sources on the internet) so it was time for a watch. Like the rest of the series I only had vague memories of watching it through the first time but really am enjoying diving back into this world. It's like a funky version of Firefly, only made a decade before and without live action budget limitations for design and effects.

And if we are keeping with that analogy, then you'd think that the film is a bit like what Serenity is to that series. But not so, this is more like an extended episode that takes place in the middle of the series. Most of the stories in the show are pretty self contained and radically different in style anyway, part of the appeal, so I don't understand criticisms that the tone is so different from the series. It's got the action, the sci-fi, the wise-cracks, the cooler than cool characters, a central mystery and the plaintive existential drama, all elements used thought the show.

And like the show, awesome soundtrack. Watching it inbetween episodes like this, well, it fits right in. Can't wait to conclude the series again, such a cool world.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

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

Write Up.

"If you don't expect much from a cat, you'll usually find they give a very cat-like response." Insightful words from David Fincher's commentary.

Wolf Children

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Michael, Paul, Rob, Brodie

Well, out of the four anime titles at this years Reel Anime festival, this one was my favourite. How can you not love those little wolf children?

Again, I thought this one tended to drag a little towards the end but not enough to diminish my enjoyment.

The film is like a great ode to mothers everywhere and the sacrifices they make. The fantastic is subdued and the everyday drama is what shines. That and the beautiful animation. Just adorable. And also tinged with sadness throughout. Check it out while you can.

From Up on Poppy Hill

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Michael, Paul, Rob, Brodie

Ghibli's latest and Hayao Miyazaki has once again given over the reigns to his son Goro. Thankfully the results fare a lot better than Earthsea, an interesting but problematic first attempt.

This is a beautiful little coming of age love/save the club house story that has some slightly alarming incest melodrama thrown into the mix. All good in the end though of course. And it nicely evokes nostalgia for the period. 

Like you would expect, it's very pretty looking and very sweet. Also had some nice music in the soundtrack.

This doesn't seem to be a big release from Ghibli but it's still very enjoyable.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Michael, Paul, Rob, Tessa, Brodie

Back to the Anime festival for Makoto Shinkai's latest. Man, it's epic. Especially compared to the other films of his we watched in preparation. This one definitely has a fantastic Ghibli vibe going on, what with a young female protagonist, a fantasy world and wonderfully designed ancient god creatures.

It's all about learning to cope with death and the loss of loved ones. It meanders about quite a which is quite exciting at first as you have no idea where exactly it's leading. But it gets it point across and then begins to overstay its welcome a little. Don't get me wrong, it's stunningly gorgeous to look at but the ending didn't have enough impact to justify the running time for me.

But still definitely well worth while. I can't help but love my fantasy creatures and landscapes.