Famous Fench SF short that formed the basis for 12 Monkeys, told using just narration and still images. Very simple and very effective. 8/10
In the Mouth of Madness
Latter-period Carpenter with a sterling turn from Sam Neil. JC has great fun with this Twilight Zone-esque venture, but it's not quite top-tier stuff. 7/10
We are Still Here
And we are still underwhelmed. 70s-set horror and a hit on the festival circuit apparently. A checklist of conventions that tries hard and amps up the gore, but a lack of any genuine tension and haphazard pacing conspire against it. Even at 80 mins it felt strained. 5/10
Starring Anton Yelchin and Berenice Marlohe it's the story of a 24-year-old aspiring writer who begins an affair with a married French diplomat's wife, between the hours of 5 and 7 only.
Yelchin's parents are played amusingly by Glenn Close and Frank Langella.
It's a quirky, charming, nicely acted romantic comedy that's not typically a Hollywood rom-com. It has tinges of Woody Allen and a storyline reminscent of The Graduate.
Notorious (2009) - Biopic about Christopher Wallace aka 'The Notorious BIG' who represented one side of the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry in the US. Well made and well acted but hollow since the producers have left so much out.
6/10
Bridesmaids - Looks like The Hangover with chicks but it's a lot funnier than I thought it would be.
7/10
Anna Karenina - Lavish and inventive costume drama (the emphasis on 'costume') featuring surprise, surprise, Kiera Knightley. It's so inventive the way they've staged this film that you ignore the fact the screenplay is hollow. Solid performances all round too.
In early 1960s Poland a young nun traces her past, aided by her wayward aunt.
To paraphrase something once said of The Elephant Man, if there's a wrong note here I must've blinked and missed it. But a special mention must go to its 1.33:1 aspect ratio (which gives it an intimacy widescreen often forsakes), its direction, mise-en-scene, and its B/W cinematography, all of which are stunning. Newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska's piercing dark eyes will stay with you for a long time, as will the film itself. Currently film of the decade for this viewer. 10/10
Comments
that made me giggle - I got bored too!
shame as I thought it was going to be really good - sadly, it was not
Classic Hitchcock thriller about a sex killer on the loose in London with some wickedly funny scenes thrown in for good measure.
8/10
Loved it. Really simple yet effective movie. Fantastic characters and messages. A must watch for every teenager imo.
9/10
I rather enjoyed that. I thought Colin Firth was really good.
Good film.
Famous Fench SF short that formed the basis for 12 Monkeys, told using just narration and still images. Very simple and very effective. 8/10
In the Mouth of Madness
Latter-period Carpenter with a sterling turn from Sam Neil. JC has great fun with this Twilight Zone-esque venture, but it's not quite top-tier stuff. 7/10
We are Still Here
And we are still underwhelmed. 70s-set horror and a hit on the festival circuit apparently. A checklist of conventions that tries hard and amps up the gore, but a lack of any genuine tension and haphazard pacing conspire against it. Even at 80 mins it felt strained. 5/10
Starring Anton Yelchin and Berenice Marlohe it's the story of a 24-year-old aspiring writer who begins an affair with a married French diplomat's wife, between the hours of 5 and 7 only.
Yelchin's parents are played amusingly by Glenn Close and Frank Langella.
It's a quirky, charming, nicely acted romantic comedy that's not typically a Hollywood rom-com. It has tinges of Woody Allen and a storyline reminscent of The Graduate.
I enjoyed it a lot.
2/10
I can see why some people really like it but I can't muster the same enthusiasm and I'm not sure why.
I was clicking through the channels looking for something to watch and came across this.
I'd never heard of it before but thought I'd give it a chance.
And I'm so glad that I did. Really lovely film.
6/10
Bridesmaids - Looks like The Hangover with chicks but it's a lot funnier than I thought it would be.
7/10
Anna Karenina - Lavish and inventive costume drama (the emphasis on 'costume') featuring surprise, surprise, Kiera Knightley. It's so inventive the way they've staged this film that you ignore the fact the screenplay is hollow. Solid performances all round too.
7/10
In early 1960s Poland a young nun traces her past, aided by her wayward aunt.
To paraphrase something once said of The Elephant Man, if there's a wrong note here I must've blinked and missed it. But a special mention must go to its 1.33:1 aspect ratio (which gives it an intimacy widescreen often forsakes), its direction, mise-en-scene, and its B/W cinematography, all of which are stunning. Newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska's piercing dark eyes will stay with you for a long time, as will the film itself. Currently film of the decade for this viewer. 10/10
This boring, dreary film was a big influence on The Matrix
4/10
Brilliant coming of age film. 8/10