Cars
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Year: 2006
Stars: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy (voices)
This has been waiting for about a month to be watched, because, although I tend to like Pixar movies, this one didn't get the most positive reviews. I still wanted to see it to judge for myself though.
Things didn't start off well. The first 10 minutes of the movie involved watching Lightning McQueen (a very fast race car) race around a track. I don't choose to watch real race cars do this, so I'm not sure why I'd want to watch an animated car do the same thing.
Things improve a bit when the story gets going properly, and McQueen ends up in Radiator Springs, a town on Route 66 which has lost all its custom due to the building of an interstate which completely bypasses the town.
There aren't really any surprises here, and the outcome for pretty much every character is fairly obvious within 5 minutes of being introduced to them, but it's still fairly watchable (after the first 10 or 15 minutes). It's a weak effort from the makers of films such as Toy Story, but you could still do a lot worse if you're looking for a random Sunday afternoon movie.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Saturday 29th January 2011
The Girl Next Door
Director: Luke Greenfield
Year: 2004
Stars: Emile Hirsche, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant, Chris Marquette, Paul Dano
Well, this was odd. I still don't really know what to make of it - although I think I enjoyed it.
Something of a high-school satire movie, The Girl Next Door is all about Matthew Kidman (Hirsche), a high school student who falls in love with the girl next door - who also happens to be an ex-porn star.
Half your standard high-school rom-com, half a black comedy, the fact that this movie doesn't quite know what it wants to be (or perhaps knows that it doesn't want to be any one specific thing) makes it all the more likeable. I think.
I'm still confused.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Director: Luke Greenfield
Year: 2004
Stars: Emile Hirsche, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant, Chris Marquette, Paul Dano
Well, this was odd. I still don't really know what to make of it - although I think I enjoyed it.
Something of a high-school satire movie, The Girl Next Door is all about Matthew Kidman (Hirsche), a high school student who falls in love with the girl next door - who also happens to be an ex-porn star.
Half your standard high-school rom-com, half a black comedy, the fact that this movie doesn't quite know what it wants to be (or perhaps knows that it doesn't want to be any one specific thing) makes it all the more likeable. I think.
I'm still confused.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Wednesday 26th January 2011
Connie and Carla
Director: Michael Lembeck
Year: 2004
Stars: Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, Stephen Spinella, David Duchovny
It took me a few minutes to settle down and start watching this film properly. But when I did, I enjoyed it immensely. I have no idea why it's taken us so long to watch it - I think it's been about 2 years since we recorded it. Perhaps it was just the review for it that was putting me off - whatever the reason, it took us a long time!
I guess you could call Connie and Carla a (very) fluffy Thelma and Louise or Moulin Rouge-lite. Certainly at first that was the impression I was getting. Two singers have to run away from Chicago because they are being chased by a killer, and end up at a drag club in Los Angeles (yes, there are reasons for all of this - however obscure they may seem).
To compare it to Thelma and Louise or Moulin Rouge, is, however, perhaps a little unfair. The film very much has its own plot, and despite all the indications does actually end up feeling quite unique - and a lot of fun. It was certainly a film to cheer up a dreary Wednesday evening!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Director: Michael Lembeck
Year: 2004
Stars: Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, Stephen Spinella, David Duchovny
It took me a few minutes to settle down and start watching this film properly. But when I did, I enjoyed it immensely. I have no idea why it's taken us so long to watch it - I think it's been about 2 years since we recorded it. Perhaps it was just the review for it that was putting me off - whatever the reason, it took us a long time!
I guess you could call Connie and Carla a (very) fluffy Thelma and Louise or Moulin Rouge-lite. Certainly at first that was the impression I was getting. Two singers have to run away from Chicago because they are being chased by a killer, and end up at a drag club in Los Angeles (yes, there are reasons for all of this - however obscure they may seem).
To compare it to Thelma and Louise or Moulin Rouge, is, however, perhaps a little unfair. The film very much has its own plot, and despite all the indications does actually end up feeling quite unique - and a lot of fun. It was certainly a film to cheer up a dreary Wednesday evening!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Monday 24th January 2011
I Do (But I Don't)
Director: Kelly Makin
Year: 2004
Stars: Denise Richards, Dean Cain
The second movie of a day when I was trying to relax and do as little as possible to recover from being ill, this turned out to be something of a guilty pleasure. I Do (But I Don't) is a made-for-TV movie about a wedding planner who falls in love with someone who, she thinks, is engaged to be married.
It's a fluffy movie with a very obvious plot. You can see pretty much everything that is coming at the beginning of the movie. But it was still easy to watch, and perfectly enjoyable. Of course, it helps that the lead guy here was Dean Cain - I've loved him since he was Superman back in the '90s TV series, and he doesn't seem to have changed a bit.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Kelly Makin
Year: 2004
Stars: Denise Richards, Dean Cain
The second movie of a day when I was trying to relax and do as little as possible to recover from being ill, this turned out to be something of a guilty pleasure. I Do (But I Don't) is a made-for-TV movie about a wedding planner who falls in love with someone who, she thinks, is engaged to be married.
It's a fluffy movie with a very obvious plot. You can see pretty much everything that is coming at the beginning of the movie. But it was still easy to watch, and perfectly enjoyable. Of course, it helps that the lead guy here was Dean Cain - I've loved him since he was Superman back in the '90s TV series, and he doesn't seem to have changed a bit.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Monday 24th January 2011
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Director: Gurinda Chadha
Year: 2008
Stars: Georgia Groome, Aaron Johnson, Karen Taylor, Alan Davies, Eleanor Tomlinson
As I was off work sick, I was looking for something easy to watch that I was hoping Dan didn't care about. This was near the top of the list of recorded movies and was something I had wanted to watch since it had been released - but hadn't cared about quite enough to go to the cinema to see.
In Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Georgia is a 14-year-old school girl who, amongst other things, is trying to arrange her 15th birthday party, find a boyfriend, and deal with her dad getting a job promotion and having to go to New Zealand.
When I started to watch this I was mostly thinking "really, who wrote this? Do teenagers really talk like this?". But as the movie went on, I started to enjoy the plot and light-hearted attitude. Of course, the ending is totally implausible, but then this is clearly a feel-good movie for teenage girls. And thinking about it, maybe I DID talk like that when I was 14.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Gurinda Chadha
Year: 2008
Stars: Georgia Groome, Aaron Johnson, Karen Taylor, Alan Davies, Eleanor Tomlinson
As I was off work sick, I was looking for something easy to watch that I was hoping Dan didn't care about. This was near the top of the list of recorded movies and was something I had wanted to watch since it had been released - but hadn't cared about quite enough to go to the cinema to see.
In Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Georgia is a 14-year-old school girl who, amongst other things, is trying to arrange her 15th birthday party, find a boyfriend, and deal with her dad getting a job promotion and having to go to New Zealand.
When I started to watch this I was mostly thinking "really, who wrote this? Do teenagers really talk like this?". But as the movie went on, I started to enjoy the plot and light-hearted attitude. Of course, the ending is totally implausible, but then this is clearly a feel-good movie for teenage girls. And thinking about it, maybe I DID talk like that when I was 14.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Friday 21st January 2011
Young Guns
Director: Christopher Cain
Year: 1988
Stars: Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, Casey Siemaszko
Yes, I've seen this. Yes, I love it. I've always loved it, from the first time I saw it. Although I actually saw Young Guns II first, and have seen that sequel a lot more times than this original. But for Christmas I was (wonderfully, happily) bought Young Guns (along with Lost Boys and Grease- what could be better?) by a friend as something to play on our new, shiny blu-ray player. Now, we did watch this at her house over Christmas, but I was tired and it was late, so I fell asleep half way through (resulting in me deciding it wasn't really fair to blog about it at the time).
Anyway, due to me feeling lazy and a bit ill, I decided I'd give the extras on this blu-ray a go, as I knew there was a 50 minute long documentary on the history of the real Billy the Kid. This, eventually, resulted in me watching the whole movie again, with some trivia bits turned on during it. Having just heard about the true history of the Kid actually made the film feel really fresh to me. I now knew what was true and what the filmmakers had taken artistic licence with. It didn't ruin the movie at all for me, just made me see it from a different perspective.
Something else that made me view the movie in a new light was the quality of the picture. I'm sure it was just as good at my friend's house, but I was tired then. Watching it now, fully awake, I was very aware of the fact that plants looked pink, rather than that murky green/grey they had always been on TV in the past. HD really does make a difference when you think you know something well!
For those of you who don't know the story, Young Guns is all about Billy the Kid, an American outlaw in the late 1880s in the USA. He was based in New Mexico and lived and died there - spending a lot of his time rustling cattle and killing men. Something of an antihero, it's a famous story with a lot of background you probably don't know (I didn't, until I watched the documentary).
It's a great movie, although not exactly the most serious. I love it for its clear love of Billy the Kid and comedic, fun atmosphere. It tells a story about a Wild West we'd all love to believe existed, but is probably mostly just the result of our imaginations. This isn't a serious, high-brow movie. But it is a lot of fun - my favourite kind. Especially when I need cheering up!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Director: Christopher Cain
Year: 1988
Stars: Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, Casey Siemaszko
Yes, I've seen this. Yes, I love it. I've always loved it, from the first time I saw it. Although I actually saw Young Guns II first, and have seen that sequel a lot more times than this original. But for Christmas I was (wonderfully, happily) bought Young Guns (along with Lost Boys and Grease- what could be better?) by a friend as something to play on our new, shiny blu-ray player. Now, we did watch this at her house over Christmas, but I was tired and it was late, so I fell asleep half way through (resulting in me deciding it wasn't really fair to blog about it at the time).
Anyway, due to me feeling lazy and a bit ill, I decided I'd give the extras on this blu-ray a go, as I knew there was a 50 minute long documentary on the history of the real Billy the Kid. This, eventually, resulted in me watching the whole movie again, with some trivia bits turned on during it. Having just heard about the true history of the Kid actually made the film feel really fresh to me. I now knew what was true and what the filmmakers had taken artistic licence with. It didn't ruin the movie at all for me, just made me see it from a different perspective.
Something else that made me view the movie in a new light was the quality of the picture. I'm sure it was just as good at my friend's house, but I was tired then. Watching it now, fully awake, I was very aware of the fact that plants looked pink, rather than that murky green/grey they had always been on TV in the past. HD really does make a difference when you think you know something well!
For those of you who don't know the story, Young Guns is all about Billy the Kid, an American outlaw in the late 1880s in the USA. He was based in New Mexico and lived and died there - spending a lot of his time rustling cattle and killing men. Something of an antihero, it's a famous story with a lot of background you probably don't know (I didn't, until I watched the documentary).
It's a great movie, although not exactly the most serious. I love it for its clear love of Billy the Kid and comedic, fun atmosphere. It tells a story about a Wild West we'd all love to believe existed, but is probably mostly just the result of our imaginations. This isn't a serious, high-brow movie. But it is a lot of fun - my favourite kind. Especially when I need cheering up!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Wednesday 19th January 2011
The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hooper
Year: 2010
Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
As I sat down to watch this I thought "oh no, what have I done? I've assumed this will be good and given no consideration to the fact that it might be rubbish. Now I'm going to hate it and be so disappointed". I'm thankful to say then, that it's not rubbish, and I wasn't wrong to listen to all the positive reviews it has been getting.
The King's Speech is all about King George VI and his ascension to the throne - focusing especially on the fact that George VI stammered. A lot. I have to admit it's a part of the history of the British monarchy I know very little about (although I know a little more now).
The strength of this movie is its ability to make the royal characters people you actually care about, who have normal human flaws, but are also very definitely members of the monarchy. However, it also manages to place this very human story in the context of the time successfully, so you learn some history at the same time (if you don't know it already). Having the start of World War II as a backdrop to what's happening somehow makes it all the more poignant.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Director: Tom Hooper
Year: 2010
Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
As I sat down to watch this I thought "oh no, what have I done? I've assumed this will be good and given no consideration to the fact that it might be rubbish. Now I'm going to hate it and be so disappointed". I'm thankful to say then, that it's not rubbish, and I wasn't wrong to listen to all the positive reviews it has been getting.
The King's Speech is all about King George VI and his ascension to the throne - focusing especially on the fact that George VI stammered. A lot. I have to admit it's a part of the history of the British monarchy I know very little about (although I know a little more now).
The strength of this movie is its ability to make the royal characters people you actually care about, who have normal human flaws, but are also very definitely members of the monarchy. However, it also manages to place this very human story in the context of the time successfully, so you learn some history at the same time (if you don't know it already). Having the start of World War II as a backdrop to what's happening somehow makes it all the more poignant.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Sunday 16th January 2011
Logan's Run
Director: Michael Anderson
Year: 1976
Stars: Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Peter Ustinov, Richard Jordan
This is another movie that has been sat waiting to be watched for at least 6 months. The fact that it was being shown again on TV today prompted me to actually watch it.
Logan's Run is set in the future and tells the story of Logan 5, a Sandman who kills "runners". These are people who run instead of going to the Carousel at the age of 30 - their only hope of being renewed rather than dying at this age.
The film certainly has its flaws, but it isn't a bad story. If it was made today it might be a little more convincing as the set design etc. wouldn't look so outdated. The one thing you wouldn't want to change, however, is Ustinov's performance. As the old man he is everything you want him to be, and he thoroughly outshines every other actor here.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Michael Anderson
Year: 1976
Stars: Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Peter Ustinov, Richard Jordan
This is another movie that has been sat waiting to be watched for at least 6 months. The fact that it was being shown again on TV today prompted me to actually watch it.
Logan's Run is set in the future and tells the story of Logan 5, a Sandman who kills "runners". These are people who run instead of going to the Carousel at the age of 30 - their only hope of being renewed rather than dying at this age.
The film certainly has its flaws, but it isn't a bad story. If it was made today it might be a little more convincing as the set design etc. wouldn't look so outdated. The one thing you wouldn't want to change, however, is Ustinov's performance. As the old man he is everything you want him to be, and he thoroughly outshines every other actor here.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Saturday 15th January 2011
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Director: Dennis Dugan
Year: 2007
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd, Ving Rhames
I almost didn't watch this. It was on late, had the news splitting it in two halves on TV, and the TV guide had given it a really bad review. But I had vaguely wanted to see it when it was released, and it was a good excuse to do nothing on a Saturday evening.
The film is about a man who is trying to sort out his insurance so that there is somebody he trusts to look after his kids if he dies. It makes little sense and is a rubbish excuse for the set-up; two straight guys getting married. Thankfully, it's the least relevant part of the movie.
If you go into this expecting something amazing, you're going to be disappointed. But if, like me, you were expecting something a bit rubbish due to the bad reviews you read, you'll probably be perfectly happy. It's entirely un-PC (in the first 5 minutes there's a very fat man used as a set-up for lots of jokes, and things like this happen a lot here), but it has some funny moments. And whilst the jokes are often un-PC, it actually has a warm fuzzy heart as its centre.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Dennis Dugan
Year: 2007
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd, Ving Rhames
I almost didn't watch this. It was on late, had the news splitting it in two halves on TV, and the TV guide had given it a really bad review. But I had vaguely wanted to see it when it was released, and it was a good excuse to do nothing on a Saturday evening.
The film is about a man who is trying to sort out his insurance so that there is somebody he trusts to look after his kids if he dies. It makes little sense and is a rubbish excuse for the set-up; two straight guys getting married. Thankfully, it's the least relevant part of the movie.
If you go into this expecting something amazing, you're going to be disappointed. But if, like me, you were expecting something a bit rubbish due to the bad reviews you read, you'll probably be perfectly happy. It's entirely un-PC (in the first 5 minutes there's a very fat man used as a set-up for lots of jokes, and things like this happen a lot here), but it has some funny moments. And whilst the jokes are often un-PC, it actually has a warm fuzzy heart as its centre.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Friday 14th January 2011
Vampires: Los Muertos
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace
Year: 2002
Stars: Jon Bon Jovi, Natasha Wagner, Christian de la Fuente, Diego Luna, Arly Jover
I love vampire movies. I love Jon Bon Jovi. I wasn't going to miss this (although it seems I did when it got released, as I'd never heard of this until I saw it was on TV).
The movie is apparently the second in a trilogy, neither of the others of which I have seen. This didn't really matter as the story is self contained. Derek (Jon Bon Jovi) and a random group of wannabe vampire hunters are trying to hunt down and kill a powerful female vampire. And that's basically it. It's such a simple plot that there isn't even really that powerful a climax - instead there are just lots of mini ones throughout the movie.
Vampires... tries really hard to be one of those 80s movies I love. Think The Lost Boys or Young Guns. Unfortunately, it tries to do this 20 years too late, and, even then, doesn't do it that well. After movies like Interview with the Vampire and From Dusk till Dawn, you can't really get away with this any more. As vampire movies go, it's OK - it's just nothing special.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace
Year: 2002
Stars: Jon Bon Jovi, Natasha Wagner, Christian de la Fuente, Diego Luna, Arly Jover
I love vampire movies. I love Jon Bon Jovi. I wasn't going to miss this (although it seems I did when it got released, as I'd never heard of this until I saw it was on TV).
The movie is apparently the second in a trilogy, neither of the others of which I have seen. This didn't really matter as the story is self contained. Derek (Jon Bon Jovi) and a random group of wannabe vampire hunters are trying to hunt down and kill a powerful female vampire. And that's basically it. It's such a simple plot that there isn't even really that powerful a climax - instead there are just lots of mini ones throughout the movie.
Vampires... tries really hard to be one of those 80s movies I love. Think The Lost Boys or Young Guns. Unfortunately, it tries to do this 20 years too late, and, even then, doesn't do it that well. After movies like Interview with the Vampire and From Dusk till Dawn, you can't really get away with this any more. As vampire movies go, it's OK - it's just nothing special.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Wednesday 15th January 2011
Hart's War
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Year: 2002
Stars: Colin Farrell, Bruce Willis, Terrence Howard
This is another film that's been sat waiting to be watched for ages, having been recorded, oh, about two years ago now? It's also another film where I'm not sure quite why it's taken so long to watch it - the only reason I can think of is that there were a lot of war movies being shown on TV at the same time, and I wasn't fussed about watching this much at the time.
Hart's War follows Lieutenant Hart (Farrell), as he ends up in a German POW camp, and is forced to defend a black man for a crime he may, or may not, have committed.
How rife racism was during the Second World War isn't something I've ever really thought about if I'm honest. This film certainly brings the issue to the forefront. However, that's not to say it doesn't have flaws. What it does do well is put things in shades of gray. So gray, in fact, that it's black and white conclusion didn't feel very black and white at all to me. I'm still not convinced that the men it claims are the good ones were really the good ones - they certainly had significant flaws.
Hart's War is a very watchable movie that will certainly make you think. It just might also confuse you as to what to think - although perhaps this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Year: 2002
Stars: Colin Farrell, Bruce Willis, Terrence Howard
This is another film that's been sat waiting to be watched for ages, having been recorded, oh, about two years ago now? It's also another film where I'm not sure quite why it's taken so long to watch it - the only reason I can think of is that there were a lot of war movies being shown on TV at the same time, and I wasn't fussed about watching this much at the time.
Hart's War follows Lieutenant Hart (Farrell), as he ends up in a German POW camp, and is forced to defend a black man for a crime he may, or may not, have committed.
How rife racism was during the Second World War isn't something I've ever really thought about if I'm honest. This film certainly brings the issue to the forefront. However, that's not to say it doesn't have flaws. What it does do well is put things in shades of gray. So gray, in fact, that it's black and white conclusion didn't feel very black and white at all to me. I'm still not convinced that the men it claims are the good ones were really the good ones - they certainly had significant flaws.
Hart's War is a very watchable movie that will certainly make you think. It just might also confuse you as to what to think - although perhaps this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Sunday 9th January 2011
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Director: Grant Heslov
Year: 2009
Stars: Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
When my dad saw this in the TV guide his immediate reaction was "there's one for you Annie". When my response was "oh yeah, I was going to watch that" he looked at me funny and said "I was joking...". The movie does indeed have an odd title. It also has an odd plot and a weird way of looking at the world. I loved it.
If I tried to explain the plot I wouldn't do it justice. Suffice it to say that Bob Wilton (McGregor) gets caught up with Lyn Cassady (Clooney), who is on a secret mission as part of the New Earth Army. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination/ discovery.
The humour is very dry, and incredibly sarcastic at times - one of the main reasons I really enjoyed the movie. I'll admit it's not for everyone, and if you don't get it after the first 10 minutes, you're probably not going to. But if your sense of humour is as dark and dry as mine (some peoples are, it turns out) you'll love it as much as me.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Director: Grant Heslov
Year: 2009
Stars: Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
When my dad saw this in the TV guide his immediate reaction was "there's one for you Annie". When my response was "oh yeah, I was going to watch that" he looked at me funny and said "I was joking...". The movie does indeed have an odd title. It also has an odd plot and a weird way of looking at the world. I loved it.
If I tried to explain the plot I wouldn't do it justice. Suffice it to say that Bob Wilton (McGregor) gets caught up with Lyn Cassady (Clooney), who is on a secret mission as part of the New Earth Army. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination/ discovery.
The humour is very dry, and incredibly sarcastic at times - one of the main reasons I really enjoyed the movie. I'll admit it's not for everyone, and if you don't get it after the first 10 minutes, you're probably not going to. But if your sense of humour is as dark and dry as mine (some peoples are, it turns out) you'll love it as much as me.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Wednesday 5th January 2011
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawntreader
Director: Michael Apted
Year: 2010
Stars: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, Simon Pegg (voice), Liam Neeson (voice)
I had wanted to see this before Christmas for a bit of a feel-good movie, but there just didn't seem to be time. Luckily, it was still at the cinema on after Christmas so I thought it would be good for a bit of post-Christmas cheer (I had been at work for a couple of days by now so needed some).
If you've read the Narnia books, you'll probably know the plot of the movie. Susan and Peter aren't in this one - this time it's just Edmund, Lucy and their annoying cousin Eustace who get sucked back into Narnia through a painting. They then have to help Prince Caspian stop the evil in Narnia from spreading by collecting a bunch of important swords.
The movie was exactly what I was expecting (although the 3D perhaps wasn't as beautiful as I had hoped), but if you're after a family adventure/ fantasy movie, you could do a lot worse than this.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Michael Apted
Year: 2010
Stars: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, Simon Pegg (voice), Liam Neeson (voice)
I had wanted to see this before Christmas for a bit of a feel-good movie, but there just didn't seem to be time. Luckily, it was still at the cinema on after Christmas so I thought it would be good for a bit of post-Christmas cheer (I had been at work for a couple of days by now so needed some).
If you've read the Narnia books, you'll probably know the plot of the movie. Susan and Peter aren't in this one - this time it's just Edmund, Lucy and their annoying cousin Eustace who get sucked back into Narnia through a painting. They then have to help Prince Caspian stop the evil in Narnia from spreading by collecting a bunch of important swords.
The movie was exactly what I was expecting (although the 3D perhaps wasn't as beautiful as I had hoped), but if you're after a family adventure/ fantasy movie, you could do a lot worse than this.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Sunday 2nd January 2011
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Year: 2008
Stars: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Jonah Hill
I really should learn that I just don't find the Judd Apatow team movies funny. All the clues were here: bad romantic comedy, Jonah Hill, storyline that sounds like it could be funny but just isn't, a whole bunch of reviewers that seemed to like the movie but I can't figure out why.
There's nothing special here if you like these types of movies: a guy loses his girlfriend, goes to Hawaii to forget about her, and discovers that she's staying in the exact same hotel with her new English boyfriend. To be fair to Russell Brand, he's probably the best thing in this movie. But that doesn't mean he's good in it.
Along with The 40-Year Old Virgin, this is another Judd Apatow-produced movie that proves I really shouldn't bother with them.
Rating: 1.5 stars
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Year: 2008
Stars: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Jonah Hill
I really should learn that I just don't find the Judd Apatow team movies funny. All the clues were here: bad romantic comedy, Jonah Hill, storyline that sounds like it could be funny but just isn't, a whole bunch of reviewers that seemed to like the movie but I can't figure out why.
There's nothing special here if you like these types of movies: a guy loses his girlfriend, goes to Hawaii to forget about her, and discovers that she's staying in the exact same hotel with her new English boyfriend. To be fair to Russell Brand, he's probably the best thing in this movie. But that doesn't mean he's good in it.
Along with The 40-Year Old Virgin, this is another Judd Apatow-produced movie that proves I really shouldn't bother with them.
Rating: 1.5 stars
2010 Review
Another year, another yearly review. This time around I’ve changed things a little, as taking the best and worst films of each month seems a little unfair. For example, the worst film of one month could score 3 stars, whilst in the next month there could be 3 films that all score 1 star. It seems unfair to claim the 3 star film is worse than two of the 1 star movies!
Therefore, I’ve taken all the films that scored 2 or less stars, and all the films that scored 4.5 or more stars, and listed them in order. If you want to know best and worst films of a particular month you can look at past blog posts, but if you want to know my best and worst films of the year, see below! OK, that’s the explanation part over with... on to the movies in question!
Films of the Year:
12. In Good Company (4.5 stars)
11. Mulan (4.5 stars)
10. The Edukators (4.5 stars)
9. In Bruges (4.5 stars)
8. Let the Right One In (4.5 stars)
7. The Full Monty (5 stars)
6. Toy Story 3 (3D) (5 stars)
5. Inception (5 stars)
4. Children of Men (5 stars)
3. Casablanca (5 stars)
2. Stand by Me (5 stars)
And my Best Film of the Year:
1. Cabaret (5 stars)
Looking back at this list, I wonder if, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have scored some movies slightly differently. For example, although I gave In Good Company 4.5 stars (which I felt was fully deserved at the time), I now find it quite hard to remember the movie. I would say there are probably two notable absences from this list, which, over time, have grown on me and should have perhaps scored more than the 4 stars I initially gave them. The two movies in question here are Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
A special word about Let the Right One In as well, which perhaps should also be a 5 star movie. When I realised the film wouldn’t make it onto this list if I stuck to 5 star movies only, I was highly distressed! I am of course referring to the Swedish version here – I’ve yet to see the American one.
As may be obvious, choosing my top films this year was really tough. However, I have no problems with my choices for top 5 films of the year. Inception has an incredible storyline that will leave you lost in thought for ages afterwards, Children of Men makes a point very poignantly, Casablanca will forever be a classic, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I could watch Stand by Me. However, for its wonderful music, very definite message and just plain brilliance, Cabaret wins Film of the Year in 2010. It’s notable in being one of the two movies in my top 5 I’ve only ever seen once, but I think that just proves how powerful a film it is.
And now, onto Films not to waste your time on. This list was decidedly easier to put together. I’ve seen some truly dire movies this year, and unfortunately they are, for the most part, easy to remember. So here’s 20 hours of my life I’ll never get back:
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Sherlock Holmes (2 stars)
9. An American Haunting (2 stars)
8. Deck the Halls (2 stars)
7. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (2 stars)
6. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2 stars)
5. 300 (2 stars)
4. The Sentinel (1.5 stars)
3. King Arthur (1.5 stars)
2. Grow Your Own (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Synecdoche, New York (0 stars)
Some of these are simply totally unmemorable (so unmemorable I had to read my own reviews to remember them), including An American Haunting and Pocahontas II. Others, however, are truly dire. King Arthur is just, well, wrong (in every sense), whilst Grow Your Own is a complete sexist mess (although I will confess that’s it very memorable – I’ve not forgotten the plot at all).
However, the Worst Film of 2010 truly deserves this honour. Synecdoche, New York is perhaps a controversial choice, as it is loved by reviewers the world over it seems, but I HATED it. Yes, I’m shouting. It is the only movie ever on this blog to manage to score 0 stars. I hate it that much. It’s thoroughly boring, and makes As You Like It (last year’s Worst Film of the Year) suddenly seem like a masterpiece. Well, perhaps not (I’m not sure I could face having to watch that movie again either) – but it’s not far off.
To summarise:
Film of the Year 2010: Cabaret
Worst Film of 2010: Synecdoche, New York
I hope you all had a great start to the new year, have an amazing 2011, and I’ll be back in, oh, 24 hours or so with my first review of the year. New Year’s Resolution: watch more than 5 movies a month!
Therefore, I’ve taken all the films that scored 2 or less stars, and all the films that scored 4.5 or more stars, and listed them in order. If you want to know best and worst films of a particular month you can look at past blog posts, but if you want to know my best and worst films of the year, see below! OK, that’s the explanation part over with... on to the movies in question!
Films of the Year:
12. In Good Company (4.5 stars)
11. Mulan (4.5 stars)
10. The Edukators (4.5 stars)
9. In Bruges (4.5 stars)
8. Let the Right One In (4.5 stars)
7. The Full Monty (5 stars)
6. Toy Story 3 (3D) (5 stars)
5. Inception (5 stars)
4. Children of Men (5 stars)
3. Casablanca (5 stars)
2. Stand by Me (5 stars)
And my Best Film of the Year:
1. Cabaret (5 stars)
Looking back at this list, I wonder if, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have scored some movies slightly differently. For example, although I gave In Good Company 4.5 stars (which I felt was fully deserved at the time), I now find it quite hard to remember the movie. I would say there are probably two notable absences from this list, which, over time, have grown on me and should have perhaps scored more than the 4 stars I initially gave them. The two movies in question here are Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
A special word about Let the Right One In as well, which perhaps should also be a 5 star movie. When I realised the film wouldn’t make it onto this list if I stuck to 5 star movies only, I was highly distressed! I am of course referring to the Swedish version here – I’ve yet to see the American one.
As may be obvious, choosing my top films this year was really tough. However, I have no problems with my choices for top 5 films of the year. Inception has an incredible storyline that will leave you lost in thought for ages afterwards, Children of Men makes a point very poignantly, Casablanca will forever be a classic, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I could watch Stand by Me. However, for its wonderful music, very definite message and just plain brilliance, Cabaret wins Film of the Year in 2010. It’s notable in being one of the two movies in my top 5 I’ve only ever seen once, but I think that just proves how powerful a film it is.
And now, onto Films not to waste your time on. This list was decidedly easier to put together. I’ve seen some truly dire movies this year, and unfortunately they are, for the most part, easy to remember. So here’s 20 hours of my life I’ll never get back:
Films Not to Waste Your Time On:
10. Sherlock Holmes (2 stars)
9. An American Haunting (2 stars)
8. Deck the Halls (2 stars)
7. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (2 stars)
6. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2 stars)
5. 300 (2 stars)
4. The Sentinel (1.5 stars)
3. King Arthur (1.5 stars)
2. Grow Your Own (1 star)
And Worst Film of the Year goes to:
1. Synecdoche, New York (0 stars)
Some of these are simply totally unmemorable (so unmemorable I had to read my own reviews to remember them), including An American Haunting and Pocahontas II. Others, however, are truly dire. King Arthur is just, well, wrong (in every sense), whilst Grow Your Own is a complete sexist mess (although I will confess that’s it very memorable – I’ve not forgotten the plot at all).
However, the Worst Film of 2010 truly deserves this honour. Synecdoche, New York is perhaps a controversial choice, as it is loved by reviewers the world over it seems, but I HATED it. Yes, I’m shouting. It is the only movie ever on this blog to manage to score 0 stars. I hate it that much. It’s thoroughly boring, and makes As You Like It (last year’s Worst Film of the Year) suddenly seem like a masterpiece. Well, perhaps not (I’m not sure I could face having to watch that movie again either) – but it’s not far off.
To summarise:
Film of the Year 2010: Cabaret
Worst Film of 2010: Synecdoche, New York
I hope you all had a great start to the new year, have an amazing 2011, and I’ll be back in, oh, 24 hours or so with my first review of the year. New Year’s Resolution: watch more than 5 movies a month!
December 2010 films
Another quiet movie month - I've only watched 5 films again in December, and 4 of those were in the period between Christmas and the New Year. None of them were at the cinema.
Unfortunately, none of them were great movies. A couple were fairly good, but that was as good as they got:
Film of the Month: Strictly Ballroom
Film not to waste your time on: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Unfortunately, none of them were great movies. A couple were fairly good, but that was as good as they got:
- Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) - 2 stars
- Strictly Ballroom (1992) - 4 stars
- I Am Legend (2007) - 3.5 stars
- Stranger than Fiction (2006) - 3.5 stars
- Mrs. Miracle (2009) - 3 stars
Film of the Month: Strictly Ballroom
Film not to waste your time on: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
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About Me
- Anna Lawson
- I live in Bristol with my husband Dan (who I married in July 2007), my son Joe (born 2012) and daughter Jess (born 2015). I work at UWE (the University of the West of England) in Bristol as a Research and Open Access Librarian. I'm orginally from Exeter, so moving back to Bristol is a bit like coming home - especially as I studied for my undergraduate degree here (also at UWE). I love travelling and movies, although I get to do a lot less of both since the birth of our children. Although we have still managed to fit in holidays to the Isles of Scilly, Chamonix and a summer in California since Joe was born.