Here are the films that Pete and I have received from Lovefilm.com and watched on TV and DVD over the past few months in reverse order, with my ratings out of ten from my movie list on the IMDB.
The Castle (1997) 8
Funny Australian film. I think that most Aussies and Brits would find it funny. I get the feeling that Americans would be wondering why we were laughing.
True Grit (2010) 8
Some great acting and a classic story.
The Fighter (2010) 7
Disappointing - just another sports film with an obvious ending. I am really beginning to dislike Christain Bales as he seems to be overacting all of the time.
Get Low (2009) 8
A strange film about a man who wants to plan his own funeral. Simple but effective.
Paul (2011) 7
Recommended by my friends 15 year old son and I laughed all the way through - though it missed opportunities to be even funnier.
Tetro (2009) 8
Atmospheric and gripping. My full review is here.
Vamp (1986) 2
Terribly dated vampire film.
Howl (2010) 7
All about the life of Allen Ginsberg - I loved the animation sequences.
Black Swan (2010) 7
Not as good as I had hoped, but still a very good movie.
The Way Back (2010) 7
Based on a true story - a good adventure, with dodgy accents.
Chatroom (2010) 6
Original, but didn't quite work. Aaron Johnson is cute and Matthew Beard is an amazing actor.
To Catch a Thief (1955) 6
Classic Hitchcock - and it was good see Nice and district.
Love and Other Drugs (2010) 1
Absolute shit story and crap acting and synical in its attempt to use serious illness as entertainment.
Kung Fu Panda (2008) 8
Very funny, wonderful animations - fun for all the family etc!
The Tourist (2010) 6
So obvious, so many errors, so bad it's watchable.
Passenger Side (2009) 7
Now this is how to make an improvised film. Witty road trip.
I agree with your comment re Matthew Beard. A wonderfully talented actor and very down to earth in interviews.
ReplyDeleteWell Stephen, as promised, here we go with the only four of these I've seen (plus 'Tetro' which we discussed when you did the special posting on it) :-
ReplyDeleteThe Castle - quite good rather than 'very' which your score of 8 implies to me. I should have given it a 7.
True Grit - I did see the original John Wayne when it was released back in the dark ages, but haven't seen it since and don't particularly want to, though don't remember much about it. I didn't think this re-make was too bad though it's yet another of the Coen brothers films which, for me, falls short of the near-faultless entertainments they were giving us in the 80s and 90s - Raising Arizona, Fargo, Hudsucker Proxy, Big Lebowski, are the ones that jump to mind. Jeff Bridges is always a worthwhile watch, though. But I've never been a great fan of the western, largely because my concern for the welfare of the horses and, often, the cattle, distracts me so much. For this film 'fraid I'd knock your 8/10 down to a 6.
Black Swan - If it was permitted I'd add half-a-point to your 7/10, but as you won't allow it, rather than up it to 8, I'll endorse your score. It's always good to see a film high on originality.
To Catch a Thief - one of the rare ones I've not seen in the cinema (when it was released I would have been too young to get into what would have been certified as an 'A' film - adults, and children only if adult-accompanied). Probably first saw it on a B/W TV in the late 6os/early 70s. Even then, though already a Hitchcock fan, didn't think it was one of his better ones, mainly disappointed because I didn't know how to react to crime-comedy capers. Crime films had to be totally DARK! Don't think I've watched it right through since that first time so maybe ought to give it another try. From what I recall of it I'd give it a score of 5.
So that's it. Wish I'd seen 'Paul' but had been put off by the panning it got from the critics. Have to catch up with that on TV.
Also wish I'd seen 'Love and Other Drugs'. From what you say I may actually have liked it! (Maybe so BAD that it's worth a watch?)
'The Fighter' I deliberately missed as boxing/fighting films are just not my cup of tea.
Intrigued by 'Get Low', Howl' and 'Passenger Side' - think I've missed some goodies there. Must keep eyes peeled.
I see that you didn't post a July Movie Update so apparently I haven't missed anything.
I'll be looking out for your Sept entry. Byeeeee!