Mystery Road

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

I didn't expect this kind of classic slow burn western from Ivan Sen, but it's pretty effective. It's a very steadily paced mystery that has a brief but inevitably explosive final moment. A simple story, tightly contained with no real excess and some great subdued performances. Hugo Weaving is all sorts of creepy.

It's also beautifully photographed.

I went in expecting a melodramatic aussie cop drama but pleasantly was surprised by this.

Fruitvale Station

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Well I didn't know the story of this one but they set it up pretty clearly at the beginning as to where it's all heading. And once we know that there's not much else to the story. Even at a brief 85 minutes it still feels drawn out. Much like in Chronicle, Michael B. Jordan's natural charisma is used to maximum effectiveness but, like with many Weinstein Company releases the audience manipulation is so blatant it threatens to overthrow the suspension of disbelief. 

Some nice gritty 16mm photography. 

Filth

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

As you'd probably expect from an Irvine Welsh novel, there's some pretty outrageous stuff here. Blackly comic but ultimately a real tragedy. James McAvoy is our protagonist and the character is so full of hurt and pain that despite all the outwardly humorous behaviour you can't help but be depressed by it all. But there's no denying he gives it his all and it's an amazing performance. The cast are all great, I especially liked Shirley Henderson's Bunty and Eddie Marsan and Jamie Bell had great characters too.

It's a tough film to like though. As a character portrait it's fantastic and disturbing but the actual plot isn't that compelling.

Mr. Pip

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Didn't know much about this one going in. Andrew Adamson makes a very different Great Expectations spliced throughout the story. This was pretty standard inspirational coming of age stuff with a unique setting. There are some harsh moments when the village is raided, which I was expecting but the aftermath moved me more than I expected it too. I'll put that down to a great performance from Xzannajah Matsi who imbued great empathy. Hugh Laurie is delightful as ever. 

Heavy Metal

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No

A film I knew by name but not much else. Based on a magazine I think? An anthology of short sci-fi/fantasy stories. I do like my 80's sci-fi/fantasy. It's an odd mix of sensibilities and the animation is not stellar but there's just something about these ridiculous settings and 80's designs I love. Nutty stuff, glad I finally got around to viewing.

How I Live Now

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

I love a good end of the world drama. Even a teen romance end of the world drama. And though this film is great for all you romantics out there, it also played surprisingly hard ball with its apocalyptic grimness. I few moments took me by surprise but the way it eases you into it makes me think that going in, the less you know about it, the better. Beautifully shot and an interesting evolution of style from beginning to end.

I thought it was a little disappointing that they felt the need to add in voice over right at the end when the film played fine without it. I think the ending would have too, the young actors are good enough to convey everything we need to know. It's a great little ensemble.

I do love these settings and the world building here is a great playground for the drama. I don't think the central relationship is developed enough at the beginning to invest us appropriately but the constant threat of death is motivation enough for the journey. Cool film.

Syrup

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

I like the sardonic streak this story has going on. It's got a great pace and some very dark/funny moments. It's also nice to see Amber Heard get a little bit more to do than just the dull love interest. The dramatic beats are a little predictable but the world they created and the humor kept it going. A Fun little film.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

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

I fell head over heels in love with the first instalment. News of a sequel and a change of directors made me very nervous. Well the stunning rubbery animation and character design is intact, the gourgous lighting and technical simulations are astounding (the first film had jelly, this film has the equally tricky task of making syrup) and the manic humor is back.

What lets the film down is the story, which doesn't really know what to do to further develop the characters. It means the great emotional heart the first film had isn't there and most of the side characters   are under utilised or don't have any purpose apart from making a few jokes and making call backs to the first film.

The film has a more distinct villain this time around and as a character he's not the strongest. But despite all this I still had a massive grin from ear to ear on my face throughout the entire film so it's by no means a waste of time. There's plenty to enjoy here and I'll definitely be going back to give it another look. The Dr. Who special took up all the 3D screens today so I'm hoping when this gets a wide release I'll be able to see it's visual splendour in all dimensions. But even if that's not an option I'd still like to go back and just look at all the gags in the background. And maybe go Sasquash hunting.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No

Write Up.

Just finished watching the extensive making of and listening to the Commentary on the extended edition bluray release. I love the in depth material they produce for these sets. I was hoping for multiple commentaries but there's only one this time around but it's still interesting.

The few added scenes are mostly adding in more music numbers actually. But there's a few things that they promise help set up some things in future films. I'm not really that enamoured with this first one but I'll still be interested to see the next instalment on Boxing Day.

Night Train to Lisbon

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

This must have been one of the most annoying cinema going experiences I've had. I don't mean to be ageist but all those old people who don't understand that phones can be switched to silent or that commentating through the entire feature or that the cinema is not their lounge room can be quite aggravating. Isn't it normally the old people that have to tell the kids that?

Anyway it didn't help much that the film didn't provide sufficient interest to overpower all these distractions. Jeremy Irons becomes fascinated with the life of some mysterious author but that doesn't mean that we do, especially if we're given no reason to care about his life or why Irons' character follows him up. 

It's well put together but I found it dreadfully bland. And I may start avoiding sessions where I suspect the blue rinse crowd will gather en masse.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Watched With: Kim, Tyler, Gemma, Chris, Therese, Bel, Josh, Krispen

Francis Lawrence gets to build a more interesting film on the foundation of the exposition of the first one. It hits the ground running and while I'm not really that invested in this love triangle (who in their right mind would choose Liam Hemsworth over Josh Hutcherson anyway?) or even in the actual Hunger Games that seem forced in in this entry for namessake, the characters and the seeds of revolution beginning to sprout is great to see. Gone is the shaky action cam but thankfully they've kept the amazingly ridiculous production design of the capitol.

And they've added a few new cast members that excited me greatly. But despite the upped intensity, drama and intrigue, this is still a joining film and the cliffhanger ending is a little unsatisfying although it does make me want to to see more. Definitely a good next step that improves on its predecessor.

The Fifth Estate

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Now that Bill Condon is done with Twilight he's back to more serious material. Got to admit I didn't really follow the whole Wikileaks thing but perhaps I'm more up to speed now. Benedict Cumberbatch does a great Australian accent too.

Well it seems Condon isn't as confident as David Fincher in making a movie about a website interesting and resorts to a lot of stylistic gimmicks to visualise the online world. The flashiness and pace of the first 40 minutes is dizzying but eventually the film settles into its story and characters.

I actually enjoyed this far more than I thought I was going to despite the try-hard editing. I can't fault it for keeping pace, the actors all do good work and the story it tells is certainly interesting, especially if you didn't really know much about it going in.

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.