Predestination

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

The Spierig Brothers' latest is a neat little umm... thriller? Drama/sci-fi thing? Based on the short story "-All You Zombies-" by Robert A. Heinlein. I foolishly read the synopsis for the short before seeing the film, which was a major spoiler. But even so the big twist reveal at the very end doesn't work because they spell it out quite clearly half way through. 

But putting those troubles aside this was still a well put together number and Sarah Snook gets a hell of a role. 

I do love my time travel and within the space of a month have seen 2 new Australian time travel movies. Madness. This one's central thesis is about a paradox so obviously the time travel logic is going to be a little skewiff but really everything in the film works logically. Except for the whole added conceit of this Bomber and stopping tragedies from happening. That bit doesn't make any sense re. time travel logic. Ah well, it's still a great looking film with a really odd premise that I hadn't seen explored like this before. Good fun.

If I Stay

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Once again, seeing an average film in Gold Class, this time with the entire cinema to myself, really makes for a much more enjoyable experience but probably coloured my appreciation of the film. It's a weepy little coming of age story of a girl trapped in limbo, remembering her life and figuring out some big decisions.

R.J. Cutler is the latest documentarian to make the jump to narrative features and he's made a pretty good looking film. The young cast make the relationship believable enough to invest in. But the jumping back and forward became a little annoying and although they resolve the biggest question of the film everything else is left unresolved. It certainly makes a statement but after a whole film of getting us to invest in these decisions and not have any of them made by the end, it's a little frustrating. There's a sequel book though, so, who knows.

It's a little wishy-washy for my tastes but certainly a great deal better than some recent young romance films.

Felony

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Joel Edgerton's morality cop drama is a neat little story, perhaps over stays its welcome a little but the cast are engaging and hold your attention.

Magic in the Moonlight

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

Woody Allen's latest is a light and fluffy little piece, purportedly a comedy but there's not really any funny moments. It has an alright set up for a romance but the amazing actors are stranded delivering some of the most inept dialogue I've heard from a purportedly well renowned writer in a long time. In his fright to release a movie a year Allen seems to have rushed this one and filmed a first draft, where the ideas for scenes are laid out but what actually happens in them seems to be placeholder.

My guest succinctly described this as and "unapologetic seesaw between blatant exposition and blatant statement of theme." It's bewildering and flaccid and the cast can't save it, though you can see them trying, while they all holiday in France on the films budget. 

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

That title's a mouthful.

This is a fun watch, kind of a Forrest Gump-esque story of an old man going on one last adventure and remembering his life. The present day story is great fun, the memories are pretty great too however within the film they have little to no relevance so it's questionable as to why they are in there at all. I think it could have benefited greatly from just being set in present day, even if it means losing the whimsical history lesson.

Deepsea Challenge 3D

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

James Cameron's raising the bar. As much as there is some cool stuff in this doco about the expedition and some nice footage (amazing data wrangling, amiright?) I have to admit the one thing that really stood out to me (besides Cameron's impressive ego) was the 3d converted footage from The Abyss. Now all I want more than anything in the world is for that film to get a 3d directors cut theatrical re-release. Oh man, someone make this happen. The Abyss. The Best.