Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

This is my first exposure to Jackass. I must admit the concept never appealed to me but this seemed like at least it had some kind of narrative thread to hang their pranks and idiotic behaviour onto. I never knew Spike Jonze was involved in this whole venture. Interesting.

Well, perhaps with the right crowd this would have been more enjoyable, the audience in my session seemed to enjoy it but didn't get very involved. I laughed a few times but all the big jokes are in the trailer, which I have seen far too often.

The To Do List

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Although it seems like a really odd role for Aubrey Plaza it's a pleasant surprise to see a a female centric crass teen sexual coming of age comedy. There's a really great cast here and plenty to enjoy, although not overly memorable. But I did appreciate the period setting and a deus ex machina that involved watching Beaches.

One Chance

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

The Weinstein's have taken a reality tv star story and made an extremely competent feel good movie. I guess everyone knows the outcome of the story but all involved do a good job of trying to make it matter to the audience. The dubbing in of the opera singing is a little annoying, I was hoping to hear James Corden before Into the Woods comes out but I guess that will have to wait. If you're in the mood for a feel good underdog story this one expertly manipulates.  I didn't get much out of it.

Prince Avalanche

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

David Gordon Green is bouncing between comedy and indie drama. This one is a nice mix. I have not seen the Icelandic film Either Way it's a remake of but I do have it ready to watch. It's a pretty minimalistic film, just two characters painting lines on a road and their character arcs are quite small too but interesting enough to spend 90 minutes with thanks to the writing and the two actors.

Adoration

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Watched With: Kate

Also known as Adore overseas. What a creepy premise. It's outrageous enough that the audience we watched it with stifled their lack of comfort with laughter quite often. And to be fair some of it is kind of funny. But the actors involved give it their all (and Robin Wright does a surprisingly convincing Australian accent) and in the end I found the whole affair absolutely fascinating with all the questions it raised. 

It's certainly beautifully shot and although I thought some of the dialogue was less than stellar they wisely keep that to a minimum. I'm still having a hard time figuring out if I really liked it or not but the fact that I still think about it makes me lean towards the like. I'd be interested to see it again to clarify. 

The Kings of Summer

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

Delightful coming of age comedy. It has a very Wes Anderson vibe to it and some great characters played by up and coming actors playing the kids (and a few favourites as their parents). Beautifully put together too. It has real heart and plenty of out of left field moments to keep you guessing what's going to happen next. Most importantly it's just really sweet and makes you feel good. Seek it out.

The Secret of NIMH

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

I never watched this one as a kid but I had seen it once before, didn't remember it though. Turns out the secret was super intelligent rats. Spoiler.

Don Bluth seems to have an affinity for animating mice. This is his first effort and it works quite well, aided by a great Jerry Goldsmith score and some nice voice work. And the colour palette is great. The story is a strange mix of fantasy and a pretty grim reality. It doesn't work completely for me but it has real heart and creepiness in way that only 80's children's films did.

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.