Friday, July 19, 2013
The Conjuring
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael
Well, this one worked a treat. James Wan may be relying on a few of his old tricks, but who can argue when he does it so well? What's great here is that, being based on a true story, he's jettisoned his spooky cartoony face ghosts and toned down the theatrics (just a smidge). It also helps that he has an amazing cast that create great characters to get invested in. Without the horror, I think the drama still works well by itself.
Also, gotta love the period setting.
I can't wait to check this one out again. Watching peoples reactions was half the fun the first time through. (Or perhaps I was just to scared to keep watching the screen...) Go and see this now.
This Is the End
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael
The biblical rapture hits hollywood. It's rather funny too. It's a simple bromance with an apocalyptic survival scenario and self-parody added on. Unfortunately most of the good stuff was in the trailers. The lower budget means the scope is pretty small and when it does open out the effects aren't exactly top-notch, but they get the job done. Still it's a very enjoyable film, and nice to see some love for late 90's boybands.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Pacific Rim
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael, Paul, Maria, Richard
Guillermo del Toro has made one hell of a giant monster vs giant robot film. It's a ridiculous concept but the film is so unapologetically pulpy and ernest that I couldn't help but have a great time. There is basic character development but enough to keep me interested in the human side of things and some cool casting choices that helped too. Charlie Day and Burn Gorman are hilarious.
And then of course there's all the action, courtesy ILM. Absolutely spectacular and on a massive IMAX screen in 3D it's even better. Guillermo Navarro colourful night time lighting is sumptuous and the visual effects replicate his style wonderfully too.
Good soundtrack too.
It's like an anime come to life. Perhaps not the most original film ever made (although it's nice to see a big summer blockbuster that's no a sequel or based on a pre-existing property) but I couldn't help but et swept along with it. And in a time where all our superheros are dark and angst ridden, it's nice to see someone still knows how to make old fashioned fun.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Joneses
IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael
Really cool and slightly horrifying concept and a pretty great film to boot. This was another one that was just overlooked or lost in the shuffle but I think it deserves a watch. It's not without a few problems but the concept was enough of a hook for me and the cast are great too.
Chalet Girl
Seven Psychopaths
Monday, July 15, 2013
A Hijacking
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael
A great Danish film about a cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates. A procedural that follows the crew onboard and the company negotiating to get their crew and ship back. It's quite detached in the depiction of events and feels almost like a fly on the wall documentary.
There are a few jumps in time that seemed quite shocking, especially the way they reveal the actual hijacking, but they really make you feel the crew's pain and it is almost exhausting. It certainly feels like a longer film that it actually was.
I don't think I've ever seen a modern pirate film although there appears to be a few coming out now, this being the first of them. Very engaging, tense but enjoyable.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Before Sunset
IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael
Had to finish off re-watching the series. There was such a fear when this film was announced that they would ruin the lovely first film, how were they going to capture lightning in a bottle twice? And the first film had such a beautiful open ending.
We should not have feared though. This second chapter, set 9 years later and playing out in real time, delivers just as much of a punch. And I think they topped the ending of the first film, leaving this off in the perfect place. Magnificent.
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