Journey to the Center of the Earth

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

Write Up.

Now out on bluray with isolated Bernard Herrmann score track. Nice. I can see how dated it is now when I watch it with friends, the accents and acting, the blatant and hilarious sexism, but I still love it.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: No

This was just released on bluray. I saw the giant squid on the cover and had to watch it immediately. Well, there's probably a reason I'd never heard of it before, it's certainly no 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. And their giant squid is pretty cheap. 

The story is actually more of a Roland Emmerich style disaster film. The sky is on fire! The only way to put it out is to maybe explode a missile at a certain point at a certain time to push the fire out into space or something? I don't know, it was really far fetched and pretty terribly written. And the effects were bad.

But the film does boast the most wonderful and inappropriate theme song since The Blob.

Saturday Morning Mystery

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

It's a cute idea, A scooby-doo-esque gang go to solve a real life case, there was humor to be had there but as the film devolves into a regular style slasher film it becomes far less interesting and any nice ideas or satire go out the window.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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

Write Up.

Rewatch at home because Mum wanted to see it again. I'm holding out for the documentaries on the extended edition though.

Insidious: Chapter 2

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

A horror film sequel that has a very tricky task of having to follow on from the slight cliffhanger of the last film and continue to scare us when so much has been revealed in the last film. James Wan and Leigh Whannell managed to creatively work in the events of the first film and further the mythology as well as resolve some issues left hanging from the first instalment, which is an impressive feat.

Where the film is let down is in the creation of a new villain that just failed to produce any scary moments for me. And the bumbling comedic sidekicks are given more to do here which will undoubtedly annoy many. I didn't actually mind them much in the first film but that was in much smaller doses.

There's certainly enough here to make it worthwhile but repeating some of the same scares doesn't quite have the same impact the second time around.

Girl Most Likely

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

This one was alright, but not as good as I was hoping, given the talent involved. A female mid-life crisis that's almost more of a coming of age drama/comedy given how immature our lead is at times. There's enough funny moments and it never bored me but I don't think the particular antics of this family will linger in my memory for long. An enjoyable diversion.

Romance & Cigarettes

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

I wanted to watch some more James Gandolfini and this film has been on my to see list for a while. John Turturro 2005 film that's kind of a musical and boasts an amazing and eclectic cast. I have to admit the story didn't do much for me but the style was rather unique and the way the songs were used is a little different than I've ever really seen too. I think I found the film more fascinating than I actually enjoyed it though.

Enough Said

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

A romantic comedy for a slightly older crowd and yet with age does not come wisdom. It's still filled with typical contrivances of the genre and despite the nice cast, the characters they play don't elicit much sympathy. Sadly this is James Gandolfini's last screen role. He will be missed.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

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

Write up.

Watched the new bluray version of this whilst putting together a costume of the lead character for a Joss Whedon themed halloween costume party. I think it's obscure enough that no-one would think of it in connection with him. and also more people should be reminded of it because it is awesome. Forgot how much older the audience skews for this one, it's always refreshing. PG rated animation from Disney is a rarity indeed.

Thor: The Dark World

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

Write Up.

Had to go back because I found out there were not one but TWO scenes after the movie finishes. Had already seen the Guardians of the Galaxy tie-in but there was a little Thor-related coda that didn't actually end up answering any questions I was left with after the story ended anyway. Well except for a very small thing that I only thought about the second time through seeing.

Gravity

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Shane, Maria, Tyler, Todd

Write Up.

I know I said last time was my last time, but I lied.

Thor: The Dark World

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

Thor is great isn't he? He's got his hammer and his cape and his flowing golden mane. Naww. There is a completely gratuitous shirtless scene in this one. At least in the first film there was dialogue going on when he took his shirt off and the action was motivated in the scene and help set up Janes attraction to him. Here though, it's like they realised he never takes his shirt off in their final edit so they quickly shot this scene and added it in. But you know what, I really don't mind.

Marvel has a new logo guys!

Never expected to see Ichi the Killer in a marvel comic movie. And now he's been in 2! Wish he had more to do though. Quite a few characters get shafted but really the story is long enough without them. Getting Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor worked a treat. And as dark as the trailer makes it seem there's still plenty of hilarious moments throughout, many of which come from Kat Dennings who somehow manages to just stay this side of annoying. Stellan Skarsgård is rather funny to.

Our villain this time is pretty standard 80's sci-fi fantasy stuff. They weren't really focused on for much of the film and feel pretty underdeveloped. I think they could have been utilised more, their backstory is pretty intriguing. But the mechanics of their evil plan and the substance that's involved in it is all rather nebulous with no real rules established as to what the effects are or what damage it can do. Which makes everything feel sort of low stakes. They are still getting away with simply having Natalie Portman saying "SCIENCE!" and that all the explanation we need.

Instead of focusing the tension on the bad guys and the end of the universe the film is more concerned with the relationship between step-brothers Thor and Loki. And to be fair, the audience is probably more concerned with these fan favourites too.

I'm glad we got some glimpses of a few more realms but I wish they looked a little more fantastic, not just a forest or a desert. Perhaps they are saving all the crazy space fantasy for Guardians of the Galaxy next year, which they deftly set up with a glimpse of one of our main characters in the end credits here.

On the whole, a lot of fun but I think they missed many an opportunity to ratchet up the stakes. Still, always nice to spend some more time with my favourite Norse God.

Born to Kill

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

Robert Wise made a Noir? Of course he did, he made everything else...

Couldn't find a trailer for this one, seems to have been largely forgotten, but I've been needing to brush up on noir for a while now and Wise directing intrigued me.

Man, these characters are cold, heartless people. Tough guy Lawrence Tierney almost reminded me of a very intimidating version of Ryan Gosling. His character's handsomness is practically a magical power. Claire Trevor's a nasty piece of work too. It's all so deliciously nefarious.

I found some of the acting a little hammy but there's so great examples of 40's noir dialogue here. A good watch and a great reintroduction to noir after all these years.

Breathe In

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

The film is much more understated than the trailer makes out, thankfully. Felicity Jones is far more innocent than you're lead to believe. It's a simple little drama, straightforward and with good actors fleshing out the roles. It's well shot too. I think because it's so simple it's not going to leave a lasting impression but it was an enjoyable watch.

Gravity

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Steve, Therese, Matt, Henry, Emma, Ichina, Harrison

Write Up.

I've seen this many times. This time was extra fun because I was seated next to a 3 year old. Can't wait to hear how he processes it, or if the experience even registered at all... And still it's such an engaging experience for me, I just enjoy it every time.