First Time Viewings: December 2020

Viewed: 10-12-20

A new David Fincher film with gorgeous B&W cinematography about the writing of Citizen Kane may have caused me to have my expectations a little high. There are certainly many wonderful moments in this film, and I really want revisit it at some point, but it's not the masterpiece I was expecting. It comes across a tad flat and convoluted at times which kills the momentum it had from a previous scene, which is a substantial gripe but if you have any interest in Hollywood in the 30's this film has so much to offer and will keep you entertained most of the way through, just don't expect a masterpiece and you may enjoy it even more than I did.

8/10

Viewed: 13-12-20

I had just read about the Winchester Mystery Mansion and then realised this movie was based around said mansion so was anticipating watching it. Unfortunately what could have been a clever, eerie and maze-like film (like the house) resorts to typical jump-scares and a very unsatisfying (and plain silly) finale. Some positives are the actual house (though very limited is actually seen of the interior) and Helen Mirren who is wonderful as Sarah Winchester. Because of my interest in the house I liked this movie more than it probably deserves, but it's such a shame the film makers resorted to merely making a middling film.

6/10

Viewed: 13-12-20

Typically cheap and ridiculously cheesy time travel TV movie. How they can make the main male character age at least 40 years and completely change his appearance in 23 years but his wife doesn't age at all is beyond comprehension, it just goes to show they rarely put any effort into telemovies. Has some schlocky entertainment value, but it's minimal.

4/10

Viewed: 20-12-20

This is essentially Christopher Nolan's version of a Bond film. Though in true Nolan fashion he messes around with time structure in a completely unique and confusing way. In fact, this whole film is fairly confusing and it warrants repeated views to possibly understand it completely, but even then I'm not convinced it will all add up.

But it doesn't entirely matter, it's an impressive piece of cinematic entertainment. I love Nolan's ambitious nature and it's great somebody is actually attempting (and is allowed to) make such a big and original spectacle in this day and age of superhero movie upon superhero movie upon superhero movie... you get the picture.

Overall, I'm actually a little disappointed. It's not the grand masterpiece I was envisioning. It's basically a popcorn flick, but wrapped up in Nolan's style and storytelling. It's not as deep as it thinks it is, but it's a really entertaining puzzle and well worth the price of admission.

8/10

Viewed: 20-12-20

A very simple but beautifully drawn and written animation. Set in the atomic age, it has something to say about the politics of the day but also what it takes to be kind to each other. A lot of humour and soul makes this a very enjoyable watch.

8/10

Viewed: 24-12-20

James Caan is excellent as a hopeless gambling addict. I love a gamble but I don't understand this type of addiction at all, this is obsession, and the risk of losing it all is what gets His blood flowing. There are many fine supporting characters in this film which is what keeps it afloat when it feels like it the main character is going down a well trodden path. Plus it has a raw and gritty feel that was so well done and genuine in the 70's, which I love.

8/10

Viewed: 25-12-20

Sombre sci-fi film that is incredibly impressive to look at but the screenplay doesn't give much for the viewer to chew on. You can predict what is going to happen because you get a sense you've seen it before, and there are certainly plenty of movies that spring to mind while watching this film (Gravity, The Revenant and The Martian amongst others). It's easy enough to watch however, as I said it looks great and George Clooney is a powerful actor to watch. If only they could have tightened up the screenplay before production.

7/10

Viewed: 26-12-20

Exceptional adaptation of an August Wilson play with two brilliant central performances by Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman (His final performances before his death). The one criticism this film garners is that it's "just a filmed stage play". But of course it is. It's a very odd criticism to me but every film that is based on a play seems to get the same criticism hurled at it. I personally love "filmed stage plays" (in general) for what they are. Not every film has to have 50 different locations and not every film has to have 1. If a film is good, then it's good, I couldn't care less how many locations are in it.

Well, my review has been more a criticism of the criticisms than of the film itself, but if you have something against "filmed stage plays" then you should probably just stay away, but if you love a juicy script and A-grade acting then I highly recommend this film.

9/10

Viewed: 26-12-20

Somewhat familiar assassin movie starring a convincing Jessica Chastain as the assassin. The fight scenes are mostly exciting without anything getting too ridiculous which is a breath of fresh air in this day & age of making action scenes bigger and more bloated than the last action movie to try to outdo it. It's been a while since I've seen a film with John Malkovich and especially Geena Davis so it was also good seeing them on screen again. An hour and a half runtime also works in its favour. There are so many movies these days unnecessarily long. Basically a solid time-killer.

7/10

Viewed: 26-12-20

Still making my way through Hayao Miyazaki's films (only 2 left to watch now), and this film was the first one released after I became aware of the great Japanese animator. Why it has taken me so long to watch I'm not sure, though Roger Ebert's partly negative review may have killed my desire to see it. Now I have seen it, I can see what Ebert was getting at, as it is quite muddled in the story department and I felt a disconnect with this film that I haven't felt with any of His other films. However, a lesser Miyazaki film is still great by someone else's standards. There are many memorable characters and great animation and so many wonderful individual scenes I can still recommend a viewing.

8/10

Viewed: 28-12-20

This film famously went through pre-production hell before almost 30 years the film finally got made and released. There's a lot of interesting information and even a documentary on the failed first attempt at making it called Lost in La Mancha. Terry Gilliam persevered and finally made it. The end result is a typically fun fantasy comedy in the way that only Gilliam can do. The lead actors Adam Driver and Jonathan Pryce are both perfect in their roles, and they had to be to pull it off. It's not Gilliam's masterpiece but it comfortably sits beside many of his previous films.

8/10

Viewed: 29-12-20

A thought-provoking film about exactly what the title implies. It takes its time to get there but that's what elevates this film from a standard Hollywood movie. It keenly observes these men, and the wonderful performances of Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are crucial in establishing their relationship. Pitt as the stylish and brutal thief and murderer Jesse James and Affleck as Robert Ford who idolizes and wants to be just like Jesse James. Interestingly, Robert Ford is always the one called a coward, but ultimately it was going to be Him or Jesse. Plus Jesse killed many people who were unarmed and innocent so does that make him a coward? Then you also have the haunting cinematography by Roger Deakins and the equally wonderful score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

This film has been in my sights to watch since it was first released and was directed by Andrew Dominik who made one of my favourite Aussie films Chopper, so I don't know why it has taken me so long to watch it. But I'm glad I waited for the right time. This isn't one to just chuck on to pass some time, you have to let it envelop you and fully take you over. As I said, this is thought-provoking, don't watch it until you are prepared for this long and slow moving but very rewarding story.

9/10

Viewed: 29-12-20

A rare monster picture that is actually A-grade quality. Certainly has some scary moments but it's the darkly comic and witty script that elevates it above the B-grade drivel.

8/10

Viewed: 30-12-20

Somewhat more dramatic than other Martin & Lewis comedies but still plenty of skits and jokes, some work and others don't. But at the end of the day, watching a Jerry Lewis movie gives me a comfortable homely feeling.

7/10

Viewed: 30-12-20

Entertaining, if overlong and a tad muddled film which has equal parts romance, drama, musical and comedy. The excessive musical numbers especially are what weigh the film down unnecessarily and there is a "director's cut" that apparently cuts out the excess music and comedy, but I didn't see that one, and honestly I wouldn't cut any of the comedy as that is what keeps this film flowing along at a decent pace. Blake Edwards does surprisingly well holding this concoction of ideas together but there are a few scenes where I was thinking that it could've been cut. It starts slow but once it gets going it becomes quite watchable if quite messy.

6/10

Viewed: 30-12-20

What starts out a clever and funny idea taking the piss out of a boy band that wants to reunite when they hit middle age ends up being genuinely cringey. There are many laughs at the start (and some of the song lyrics are so hilarious) but the premise wears out its welcome by the half way mark and goes downhill very quickly. I love Aussie films generally speaking but this one blows its promising start and I really can't recommend it at all (except to check out the terrible songs they write).

5/10

Viewed: 30-12-20

There's an interesting story about the making of this film which is more than I can say about this film itself. It's very one dimensional and amateurishly shot which makes it extremely difficult to discern the different characters and what it actually happening. If you get the DVD of this film check out the special features because that is certainly worth watching. This is the second Australian film in a row that I'm disappointed with unfortunately.

5/10

Viewed: 31-12-20

James L. Brooks really has a knack for writing realistic stories and the dialogue that goes with them. Tea Leoni's character, for instance, is all over the place, she's a mess and could've been overplayed and overwritten into a caricature. She could've been written as the easy to hate villain. She does something terrible but she is not a terrible person, this is real life. Even the ending is perfect. I won't give away spoilers but it's not the ending you'd expect from a comedy/drama like this, it's not some fake Hollywood ending. The characters stay true to themselves and I personally found the ending to be quite powerful.

Adam Sandler proves again he is actually a good actor. Cloris Leachman as His Mother-in-Law that lives with them is the comic relief character but she is so much more, giving some wise words when needed. Paz Vega as the maid who initially can't speak English is just gorgeous but also very independent and protective of her Daughter played by Shelbie Bruce. The daughter's character is probably the most crucial to get right here and Shelbie Bruce is simply amazing. This has been the only movie she has appeared in and hasn't appeared on TV since 2011. I'm guessing it's a personal choice to get out of the industry but it's a shame the film world lost such a skilled actor. Sarah Steele also deserves a mention seeing as though I've mentioned all the other main actors which is something I try not to do as I try to keep my reviews short. Sarah Steele plays the daughter of Sandler and Leoni and has quite a few demanding scenes and she pulls them off effortlessly.

It's one thing to write great material but then to have such gifted actors who can deliver the words and nuances involved so competently is something special.

I don't normally write reviews like this, but I guess I'm trying to defend it as it was criticised rather harshly at the time and I don't understand it. I don't consider it a masterpiece. It's not a grand epic or some deeply psychological drama that haunts you long after watching it. It's a fairly simple movie about a family, but very well made, highly underrated and it deserves some respect.

9/10