And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Four Lions!
I like British Comedy and I like black comedies - both of which appeal to my (admittedly demented) sense of humor. So this movie was a certainly amusing, smart and, at times, poignant. Just the way i like them.
Great cameo by Benedict Cumberbatch too
And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Social Network!
You know, watching the opening credits I noticed this movie was written by Aaron Sorkin. Which is fascinating to me because I know this man less through his works and more through YouTube videos parodying his works. Funny yes but strangely less unusual in this internet-powered culture we live in today.
As for the movie itself, yeah it wasn't bad. Lotsa dialogue (kinda expected for the writer) but honestly? I don't see it any different from a rags-to-riches-hang-on-you-stole-my-idea-I'll-gunna-sue-you story
However! I did find a particular poignancy in the last scene. Especially this line: "You're not an asshole Mark - you're just trying so hard not to be"
In a world of internet-culture, where the dominant voice is the loudest, there's something to be said for such clarity
And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Titanic!
I've spoken previously about approaching movies with a reputation big enough to inspire intimidation but this one takes the cake.
You see, I remember this being a big deal in my last year of high school and my first year of college. Some people loved it but others hated it. It gave Leonardo Di Caprio's profile a mammoth boost. It made people call James Cameron a traitor for going to action movies (Terminator 1+2 and Aliens) to making a romance. It inspired criticisms ranging from the length, how the ship sinking was the only good thing about it and giving us that damn Celine Dion song.
A formidable reputation to be sure but for me the only way to approach this movie was to build some distance from it and view it on my own terms (as always). Well, two decades is a suitable enough distance so what do I think of this movie?
Yeah, it's not bad.
Strangely enough I didn't find Titanic slow or tedious as it's reputation suggests. The level of detail is impressive and the CGI effects still hold up rather well. Special mention must also go to the (very long) sinking sequence which is both impressive and horrific at once.
Ultimately though Titanic was indeed a passion project for James Cameron and it shows. It may be his show but it's certainly a good one
And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Bridesmaids!
I was interested in this movie because it was written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo - so instead, of male comedians writing their own movie we have female comedians writing their own movie. It's an admirable change of pace but does it work?
Actually it does. This was a genuine surprise for me. I found myself really getting into this movie and laughing out loud at certain moments. I was expecting a lot of female-centric jokes that would end up going over my head but that wasn't the case. There's some great comedic talent being put to work and some priceless moments.
Could've done without some of the gross-out humour however but you can't have everything.
And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Emperor's New Groove!
No way around it: It seems to me that people don't like this - or at least overlook it - because it's part of Disney's post-renaissance slump.
Not so with me: i thought it was hilarious! Easily the funniest of Disney's animated features with rapid fire jokes, riotous timing, witty dialogue and a show-stealing duo that is Yzma and Krunk.
As always the art direction is superb, with the Incan feel but seeing as this is Disney, that's hardly a surprise.
I've heard this movie being compared to the Looney Tunes shorts and i can sorta see that - but if anything, this seems like Disney's attempt to beat the Warner Bros at their own game. And it works
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