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

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

Write Up.

Our last night in our own snow-covered chalet. HOW COULD WE NOT?

The Thief of Bagdad

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

Write Up.

Seven Psychopaths

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

Write Up.

Cue the Walken impersonations.

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.

Excision

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

Write Up.

Hilarious film to watch in the common room of a ski lodge with other guests catching snippets as they walk in and out.

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.

Lady In White

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

Write Up.

Beautiful Creatures

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

Write Up.

Sushi Girl

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

Didn't like this. Very try-hard.

The China Syndrome

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

Write Up.

We now rate suspense on a scale of 0 to China Syndrome. Such a great film.

Klown

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

Write Up.

Europa Report

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

I do love my realistic sci-fi. And seeing a great cast of character actors in space suits being picked off one by one. Although this film is equal parts speculative sci-fi drama as it is a horror/thriller.

Despite a low budget they have managed to craft one of the most authentic feeling space travel films in recent years. The ship feels real and they get away with the world of Europa by only ever showing it through onboard cameras and probe footage. It would be a found footage film if not for the interview segments from certain members of the cast, that not only make the film a straight documentary style but also manage to conceal a dramatic structural revelation. Nice.

The pay-off is not that huge but I still really enjoyed my time on the planet.

Pontypool

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

Probably the most unique zombie-like virus film I've ever seen and a great set-up for economical horror. I love the escalation and the scale of the story that's merely hinted at, whilst still keeping the film very contained. It almost feels like it could have been a stage play. The small cast does a great job.

This is one of those small independent horror films from a few years back that has always stuck in my mind and I'd been meaning to check out again. It didn't disappoint the second time through either. Just a fascinating concept. A must for horror fans.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

IMDB

First time viewed: No

Current Release: No

Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Michael

Brilliant movie from Disney, back in the 80's when they weren't afraid to shake kids up a bit. A bit? Hell, this is still a freaky film to me. 

Ray Bradbury wrote the story and screenplay, that alone should be enough of an endorsement. Add to that a great cast and Disney's production value and you've got a film that is just as potent today as it was when released. 

This is a hidden gem that seems to be largely forgotten by people today but it's well worth seeking out. (That trailer's pretty bogus though...)