The Nightmare Before Christmas

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Original image located here. Accessed 28th October 2016

Well seeing it's Halloween weekend....

This may come as a surprise but I've never actually seen this movie before. I do recall seeing ads for this on repeat at Area 52 (before it was Area 52) and I've certainly seen a lot of merch since but I don't recall this being a movie that everyone went out and saw. But it's only now, years later, that people are admitting that they really like it.

However, to be honest, I'm not sure what to make of this movie. Sure the art direction, the visuals and the animation are all stunning but I think they're the only thing keeping the boat afloat. Sure there's a great idea about holidays intruding in on each other but one hindered by a 76 min running time.
If anything, I think Honest Trailers put it best: "This is Hot Topic! This is Hot Topic!"

Singles

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Singles!

Original image located here. Accessed 21st October 2016

Well what can I say about this one? It's definitely a product of it's time but as a time capsule of early nineties Seattle and the music that came with it, it's kinda cool. There are some fun cameos (Tim Burton, Chris Cornell and three fifths of Pearl Jam) and it also helps that the movie itself is both funny and entertaining

Road to Perdition

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Road to Perdition!

Original image located here. Accessed 7th October 2016

I don't recall this movie being that big a deal when it was originally released - and compared to other graphic novel / comic book movies, it comes across, at least to me, to be overlooked. Sure these movies can't all be on par with the MCU but considering the patchy reputation these type of movies have, they can't all be bad right?

Well, i didn't see Road to Perdition as a comic book movie or an American rehash of the Japanese manga Lone Wolf and Cub. No, I saw it as a crime drama. And to that end, the movie is remarkably effective. Exceptional visuals, directing and soundtrack make for a gripping film and there's some truly unforgettable moments - the diner scene and ambush in the pouring rain being two such examples.

I reiterate: comic book movies tend to have a patchy reputation but this is undoubtedly one of the best. But there's something to consider: Did Road to Perdition become the turning point where people started taking comic book movies seriously again that it ultimately paved the way for the MCU? One can only wonder....