Spring Breakers

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes

Write Up.

Commentary. Heh, oh such fun. Interesting way to make a film. Feels kinda Terrence Malick, only interesting.

The Little Mermaid

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No

I vividly remember going to see this with mum on its initial release. The film that save Disney animation. For about a decade. It's pretty darn great too. I wanted to check out the new bluray. Haven't yet seen the 3D version but I watched the commentary again, same as from the dvd. There are some nice new extras, mainly the stuff about Howard Ashman, which was great to see. Plus it has that fantastic documentary from the older dvd. Looks great on bluray. Have to find someone with a 3d TV now.

Ginger & Rosa

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

A somewhat interesting relationship drama set in the far more intriguing backdrop of 60's British ban-the-bomb movements. The cast are all great and the drama works well but I was just far more interested in the setting. Still it works very well with the drama that unfolds. Strangely nostalgic and melancholic.

Hatchet III

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

And the story continues. This has been a wonderful throwback series and I do love sequels that pick up immediately where the last instalment leaves off. So the insanity continues and doesn't show much sign of letting up. Mythology is explored more too. And another funny cameo, this time a remnant from the first film. I do enjoy these.

Redemption

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Well this was a nice change of pace from recent Jason Statham films. Steven Knight probably has a lot to do with that. This is a primarily a drama, albeit set in a shady crime world we're used to seeing Statham knock about in. And features a really interesting romance at the centre of the story. Definitely one of his better outputs from the last few years.

Byzantium

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Neil Jordan's made another time spanning horror drama thriller thingy, ala Interview With The Vampire. This one is, well, kinda vampires, and focused more on female characters. Good cast and an interesting scenario, enjoyable little number.

Elevator

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

Aw man, I want to like high concept low budget films like this one but it was just a little lacking, in acting and script departments.

Argo

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes

Write Up.

Much better commentary track than the last one I listened to. Good stuff on here.

Oblivion

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes

Write Up.

Listened to Commentary with Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise. There was a few interesting bits but most of the time was spent clarifying subtext, which becomes very boring, like they are just narrating the film for stupid people.

Iron Man 3

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes

Write Up.

Listened to writer/director commentary on the bluray. Some good insights into their creative process and an unusual pair for collaboration.

The Colony

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

It's a nice premise but it just ended up being a backdrop to a slightly glorified zombie movie. I wished they had explored the apocalyptic survival scenario more but this film is more concerned with being a standard monster shoot out. The endgame is sort of ridiculous but I did like some of the visuals.

The East

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

I am loving what Brit Marling's been doing lately, with various directors. Creating her own roles rather than being boxed in by the only roles Hollywood would give someone her age. Working again with Sound Of My Voice director Zal Batmanglij, we have to story of eco-terrorists and a mysterious secret corporation that brings them down.

They've got a really great cast and an intriguing world to play in. Great little drama with some thriller genre tendencies.

The Lords of Salem

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Rob Zombie's latest is a nice little throwback to a 70's paranoid horror, sort of int he vein of Rosemary's Baby, although not nearly as engaging. But the atmosphere he creates works and even though the story is very simple he actually has some nice imagery this time around. It's ok.

The Pagemaster

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

I missed this one when it originally came out. Never really looked that appealing to me. But the bluray just came out and I thought I should probably catch up with it. It's really not that great. Macaulay Culkin feels like he's being forced into this one. I did like seeing the early cg used in the transition from the real world to the animation.

Animation is ok. Script is barable. Sometimes. James Horner score sounds suspiciously like a James Horner score...

The Jerk

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

Watching Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the other day, I thought I should try more Steve Martin. This film did nothing to sway me. I can't get into the date humour of it and I just don't find him funny.

R.I.P.D.

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

They went for that Men In Black vibe. And some of it is kinda fun. But for a movie this expensive, it has to be far more engaging than this finished product. So many hidden zoom shot transitions. Robert Schwentke seems to do that a lot in Red too.

It's really just not that interesting. Despite trying very hard.