The Lego Batman Movie

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Lego Batman Movie!

Original image located here. Accessed 28th December 2018

I once declared that Mask of Phantasm was the greatest Batman ever made. Now however I may have reason to reconsider.

There's a lot to unpack here so let;s just fall onto bullet points:
- It's been a while since I last saw a movie that left me laughing out loud and laughing a lot.
- Anyone else find that Batman's a lot more fun when he's a jerk?
- Self referential gags aplenty here. Not that I'm complaining.
- I actually like this 'machine gun' style of jokes. True it may get exhausting to keep up but it's never dull.
- I know some Batman fans like to elevate their idol to a superhuman status. This Batman seems like the accumulation of such adulation but it doesn't seem like a good thing. Which makes this Batman even funnier.
- Funny thing: The LA DC movies are super serious but this animated effort is a lot more fun. And thus a better movie.

Bumblebee

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

Original image located here. Accessed 21st December 2018

I've never really cared much for Bayformers but I have to admit that this was...... an improvement.

Yes, I'm finding it hard to believe myself. So lets cut to the chase and use dot points:
- This was unexpected: It had humour, heart and some touching moments. Unusual for this particular franchise and even more unusual in that they actually work
- Having a rockin' eighties soundtrack didn't hurt either
- Funny thing: When I originally saw the first Bayformers movie i was frustrated that there seemed to be more focus on the human characters than the Transformers themselves. Here, i have the opposite problem XD
- No way around it: Hailee Steinfeld carries a lot of this movie - so much so i want to see what happens next with this character
- Watching the end credits I noticed this movie was written by a woman, Christina Hodson. If this was a gamble then it clearly paid off
- Ultimately this seems a better movie than it ought to be. And after five attempts, they finally got it right. So what now?

Mortal Engines

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

Original image located here. Accessed 14th December 2018

I knew little about this movie going in. But it was only after I saw this movie that i became aware it's actually based on a series of children's fantasy books - I think the mention of Scholastic Publishing in the opening credits may have been a giveaway.

I have to admit that there is a lot of creativity at work here, there's some decent art direction and the opening scene is incredible. But in the end, the movie is a rather empty experience. Get past the flashy effects and, like a lot of other movies, there's not a lot else. The protagonists are dull, the commentary is on the nose and everything's running at a pace so rapid you'd think it was frightened that the audience will fall asleep.
Special mention however must go to Shrike. He is flat out the best character. He is the most interesting character having a level of tragedy and complexity that would've done Shakespeare proud. Why isn't the movie about him?

Isao Takahata and His Tale of the Princess Kaguya

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Isao Takahata and His Tale of the Princess Kaguya!

Original image located here. Accessed 7th December 2018

Well I saw The Tale of the Princess Kaguya last week (as well as The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness earlier this year) so seeing this was inevitable.
As mentioned last week, I'd always felt that Takahata tends to get overlooked by Ghibli fans so seeing this documentary, focusing on the man himself is welcome indeed. Much like the aforementioned The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, we see the trials and tribulations going into making a movie at Ghibli and the approach the director takes - but in this case the approach is completely different from Miyazaki.

Thus we see Takahata pushing the envelope as to what animation could accomplish (largely to compensate for his inability to draw), a real trial and error approach to completing a task and facing down a monumental workload. And despite the frustrations caused, Takahata remains funny, passionate and a contrast from the Grumpy Old Man that Miyazaki has become known for in recent years.
I think some of the best moments in the movie come from seeing both Takahata and Miyazaki together and watching these two personalities bounce off each other. It looks natural and a delight to see two long-lasting friends and creative talents together and the bond they clearly have.
A bond that has sadly since been broken

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (The Tale of the Princess Kaguya)!

Original image located here. Accessed 30th November 2018

I've always had a soft spot for Isao Takahata. Whilst Hayao Miyazaki has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli, it unfortunately results in the other movies and filmmakers in that collective being given the shaft. Which is shame because a lot of said movies, are superb works, worthy of standing both on their own two feet and emerging out of the shadow of what Miyazaki's imagination can cook up. I mean Takahata is the co-founder of Ghibli so that must count for something right?
In any case, Takahata left this earthly plane earlier this year so now is a good time as any to visit his final movie.

Let me say this up front: It's going to be impossible to divorce this movie from the creator. It's going to be impossible to vie this movie as the accumulation of what Takahata's been doing over his career. It's going to be impossible to see this movie as a meditation from someone who felt his time was approaching.
So what is this movie then? It is perhaps the most beautiful movies I have ever seen, animated or otherwise, and easily capable of standing tall as one of Ghibli's strongest works (which is indeed saying something).
And I will even admit a particular poignancy to seeing the final credit of 'Directed by Isao Takahata' fading in before fading to black.

Deliverance

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

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd November 2018

Well that was enough to put me off going through the wilderness again.
But that, of course, was precisely the point.

It may look like an action movie but it's not: Its more of a thriller and, quite frankly, all the better for it. Packed with both suspense and a threatening mood which neither let up for a second, what i got the most out of this was a critical eye cast towards action/macho movies. And that is surely something that should be standout over 'squealing like a pig'
Also R.I.P Burt Reynolds.

Fahrenheit 11/9

And this week's Friday night movie has been....Fahrenheit 11/9!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th November 2018

It all began during my Uni days: i was flicking through the channels on TV when i stumbled across this guy called Michael Moore. I was fascinated by his humor, his anger and his stunts that always ended with him getting kicked out of some major place. In recent years, I thought he'd gone silent but no: Here we are with his latest celluloid rant.

Going after President Trump would indeed be an easy target but somehow Moore makes it interesting. Highlights included:
- The opening which shows the Hillary supporters on election night thinking they've won - only to be hit with the result which makes it painful to watch.
- The debacle that was the Bernie Sanders campaign
- Moore's own meeting with Trump
- A comparison with 1930s Germany that actually make sense
- The horrors of the water system in Flint Michigan
- And the rising up of youth to take a stand for themselves.

I may know little of US politics (but then again, my country isn't doing that much better) but this was an eye opener to say the least.
Still, imagine what would happen if Michael Moore didn't have something to get angry about

Bohemian Rhapsody

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

Original image located here. Accessed 9th November 2018

I tend to approach biopics with caution: On one hand, for any filmmaker attempting one, they have a responsibility to meet as they are drawing from history and people will take the final product as gospel (not to mention the people online who will whinge about each and every inaccuracy). But on the other hand, the finished product must still adhere to a proper storytelling structure and see some numbers in the audience.
It's a tricky balancing act that few can pull off. So can the current darling of cinema pull it off?

Weeeeeeelllllllllllll....................uuuuuuuummmmmmmmm.......
Let me say this: I love me some Queen and their story may be a gold mine to make into a movie but I can't help feeling that said story is shown here in a sanitized light. Everything moves at an abrupt pace, there are some timing issues (Freddie appeared to have such a busy day on the day of Live Aid), and some glaring inaccuracies.
Not a bad movie - there are indeed some mindbogglingly accurate performances - but somehow I felt this could've been more.......

Zootopia

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

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd November 2018

As is often the case with this series, I took the long road to getting to my destination...

....But it was worth it!

Well there isn't a lot I can say about this movie: It was hilarious and was never once boring. Great dialogue, a compelling lead and a some decent wisdom being imparted about being yourself and never settling for complacency.
Granted I'm not sold on this whole 'surprise villain' that seems to be Disney's flavor of the month but other than that, this was indeed a gem in the Disney canon.
Okay sure that canon is full of gems but this one is one of the brightest!

Slumber Party Massacre

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Slumber Party Massacre!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th October 2018

I may have said this before but let's be clear: Slasher movies aren't my favorite movie genre. My reasons are varied but chief among them are a) their misogynist nature and b) the fact that they tend to be populated by idiots who subsequently get hacked to death (granted that may be precisely the point but still...).
However I may be kinder to slasher movies that parody the genre and mock a lot of the familiar tropes. And that's what made me aware of this movie. That and the fact that this is a slasher movie written by a woman and produced/directed by a woman. So perhaps a different perspective may result in a different movie?

Well there are some solid moments of tension, some decent parody scenes and a truly chilling performance from the guy playing the baddie. But in the end it's not enough to distinguish it from the other slasher movies out there. As a result, I'm still not sold on the slasher genre.
Easy come, easy go?

Army of Darkness

Last night I saw Army of Darkness.

Original image located here. Accessed 22nd October 2018

This isn't the first time I've seen this movie - which subsequently disqualifies it as a candidate for the Friday Night Movie. But when i first saw this movie it was my first exposure to the Evil Dead franchise - which in turn left me wondering what the hell is going on. Still, I have since seen it's predecessors, so revisiting this film would make for an even playing field, right?

Make no mistake, this is the silliest of the trilogy - to a point where it no longer has any resemblance to a horror movie. It also is the point where Ash's character solidifies into a sarcastic anti-hero he is best known for - but I've seen him, over the course of two movies, arrive to that point in time and yeah, I'd probably get quite irate too.
I spoke previously about how I'm confused as to how to react to such a horror/comedy hybrid but that doesn't seem to be the case here: Army of Darkness is clearly a comedy but for me, such an clear sense of identity comes at the cost of my interest. Still it was funny to me to see Patrica Tallman in it (wow, Lyta Alexander really let herself go!)

Evil Dead 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Evil Dead 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 19th October 2018

Well i was warned that the silliness will continue....

I once heard a theory that proposed that: 'Sequels are remakes with bigger budgets'. And you could certainly make a case for that here.
It's >an improvement over it;s predecessor with more humor, more special effects and more fast camera work that makes me wonder if Sonic the Hedgehog was hired to shoot the movie.
But I still find the combination of comedy and horror a strange one: There are times when I am confused as to whether I should be put off or roaring with laughter.
Also, this is clearly the point in the series where Ash makes his mark as an anti-hero: the kind that has been replicated countless times over since (Duke Nukem anyone?). But because of this replication, the original subsequently seems to lack the impact he originally had.
Still this is the strongest of the series so far. Which now brings us to Army of Darkness.....

The Evil Dead

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Evil Dead!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th October 2018

Well i once told myself that I would have to watch the Evil Dead trilogy - and in correct chronological order - so October seems a good time as any.

As is my understanding the Evil Dead movies have a reputation of combining humor and horror. That however doesn't appear to be the case here. This? Well, it's bloody. And it does come across as being a triumph of movie making on the cheap. And it's bloody. And it has some decent atmosphere. And it's bloody. And it boasts horrific but inventive special effects. And it's bloody. And it apparently rewrote the rulebook for slashers. Oh and did i mention it's bloody?
But in the terms of being a horror and humor hybrid, it's less of a humorous movie and more disturbing - particularly through the lens of thirty odd years of age.
Tucker and Dale Vs Evil it ain't.....

Still if a horror movie is meant to challenge an audience in a discomforting manner, well this movie succeeded at that end.

Coneheads

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

Original image located here. Accessed 5th October 2018

I've wanting to see this movie for over twenty years - and it's only now that I've finally gotten around to seeing it. In a way, there is a sense of dread that this won't hold up against twenty-odd years of life, and move-watching, experience.

Thankfully that is not the case: It was exactly my kind of silliness and there are some genuine laughs to be had.
Granted it is kinda dumb but sometimes dumb is good, y'know?

The Predator

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

Original image located here. Accessed 28th September 2018

As a franchise I love a love/hate relationship with the Predator. On one hand, we have a fantastic creation with the titular character and a series of movies that tries something new with each iteration. But in the other hand, the execution of said movies can be patchy at times. So how does this new one fare?

As stated above, I like the Predator as a creation with it's abilities and mythology built up. Thus, there are plenty of directions you can take it. And clearly the makers of The Predator felt the same as there is a lot going on here. But at the same time it does come across as incoherent. Furthermore, I'm not really buying this idea that the Predators, as a race, are into evolution - or at least trying to advance it. And I'm especially not sold on the Predators thinking an autistic child is the next step in evolution.
Still, the actions great, the quips are entertaining, there a call-backs to the original and I like the idea of the Predator facing a bunch of PTSD-inflicted soldiers. But is this the reboot the series needed? Probably not but, much like Predators, it does leave the door open for some new ground to be covered.

Panda go Panda

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

Original image located here. Accessed 14th September 2018

This feature is a pair of anime half-hour shorts. Its not well known outside some circles but it is notable for being an early collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata before they founded the legendary Studio Ghibli. With these shorts, Takahata directs and Miyazaki provides the script, design, layouts and animation.

So what we have here is clearly Studio Ghibli in it's Mesozoic era. The artwork is indeed a far cry from what would come in the future (this was made in the early seventies) but all the familiar trademarks are already in place: An eye for detail, expressive animation, humor, charm for both adults and children alike, an interesting heroine and, in Papa Panda, a progenitor of Totoro.
It may not be on par with Ghibli's finest but that doesn't mean it's without it's charms.

They Found a Cave

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....They Found a Cave!

Original image located here. Accessed 7th September 2018

For the uninitiated, this is a movie based on a 1948 children's novel by Tasmanian author Nan Chauncy. The film was released in 1962 and is noteworthy for utilizing a Tasmanian cast and crew. This movie is of particular interest to me as I'm currently involved with a stage production of They Found a Cave.

Obviously this movie is a product of it's time and very much of a low budget quality but as a kid's movie it works well. The child actors are good and the cinematography is superb. Whilst the shots on a studio set are obvious the shots on location otherwise look great.

Ultimately this is throwing down of the gauntlet: it's something for myself and my theatrical cohorts to rise up to...

Wake in Fright

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Wake in Fright (Outback)!

Original image located here. Accessed 31st August 2018

Yes it's one of the classics of Australian cinema. For those not in the know, it was made in 1971 and was something of a touchstone of Australian horror - or something.

So yeah, this was not the easiest thing in the world to watch. It was horrific, unsettling and does indeed display the uglier side of Australia for overseas viewing. Unfortunately, for Aussie's like myself, some people here are indeed like this.

Still, it is interesting to note that Wake in Fright came out the same year as Walkabout and both films were about the Australian outback. But whereas the latter was haunting, the former was hellish. And this from a Canadian director.
Not exactly a positive image of this country for an overseas audience eh?

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness!

Original image located here. Accessed 24th August 2018

Yes, it's the documentary on Studio Ghibli, documenting the process behind the development of both The Wind Rise and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Granted I'm cheating somewhat as I have (at time of writing) yet to see both movies but with Isao Takahata passing away earlier this year and more recent revelations been made about him being difficult to work with, now would be good time to watch it.

What i found interesting is that on the DVD cover (see above), there's Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki and Takahata - yet in the movie itself, Takahata gets little screen time. In a way it;s not surprising knowing what we all know now (and the fact that he got a separate documentary all to himself with his work on Kaguya). Which ultimately means that the documentary's focus then falls on Miyazaki and Suzuki.
While we do see Miyazaki at work and see what is involved whenever he makes a movie, the real surprise is what Suzuki has to go through with facing the press, having to make uncomfortable announcements and dealing with clashes with staff.
I was expecting this movie to the complete picture of Studio Ghibli but what I got was a reinforcement of the notion that making any movie is near-miracle in itself. And quite frankly, this documentary is all the better for it.

Das Boot

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

Original image located here. Accessed 17th August 2018

From the director of The Never-Ending Story...

Let me say this up front: Tense does not BEGIN to describe this movie. I was dreading a three and a half hour movie would be a slog to get through but this wasn't the case. It was gripping, it was never dull and one gets the feeling that this is as real as one is ever going to get with a German U-Boat. Furthermore, one gets the impression this is quintessential submarine movie: the one where everyone has been trying to replicate ever since.

But I think the greatest achievement of this movie is to make me root for a cast of Germans in a World War 2 movie. I found the rising of the sub in the last half hour genuinely inspiring and the conclusion a real punch in the gut. Seeing as people like a clear distinction between Good-guys and Bad-guys (if the Facebook debates I've seen are anything to go by) one would have to be insane to try and give Germans in a WW2 movie some humanity but here it works - largely through a committed cast.
Mind you, at least i now know where that joke from Disney's Aladdin originated...

Rio Bravo

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

Original image located here. Accessed 10th August 2018

Of course, it's fitting that I should follow High Noon with this movie. For those not in the know, both actor John Wayne and director Howard Hawks were unimpressed with High Noon, So they whipped out this movie as a response.

As is often the case with movies made before the New Hollywood (circa 1968-1980), I got the impression that the elements of this movie has been replicated many times over that it's kinda hard to look at the source. Example: The final showdown sees the main characters in a gunfight but still has room for them each to exchange quips and have their personalities work off of one another. Sound familiar? It may seem impressive in it;s day but now it's become something of the norm.

Still, I did enjoy this movie. Clearly this is one made by someone (Hawks) thoroughly enjoying his job and there's some great lines throughout. But is it better than High Noon? Now that's a damn good question....

High Noon

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

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd August 2018

"Do not for-sake me oh my Dar-lyn...."

Okay seriously this must be one of the most famous films ever made, let alone one of the most famous westerns. So there is a degree of intimidation that comes approaching it. Personally, i was impressed with this movie on three fronts: a) the whole thing is done in real time which is still remarkable over sixty years later, b) it has a degree of suspense that I haven't seen in any western prior and c) the final shootout still holds up, even with the passage of time and the whole 'one-man-army' trope that has been done a thousand times since.
Throw in some solid directing, Gary Cooper's performance (which snared him a well-deserved Oscar) and this is still an excellent movie.

Funny thing though: This movie is often regarded as a product of it's time: It was made during the era known as McCarthyism hence there are some themes tied to it within the movie itself. Personally I didn't really see it, so I think it;s safe to say that this is one of those rare movies that transcend the era they were made (treasure them folks for they are rare indeed). If anything, the idea of one person who is committed to doing the right thing even when everyone else is walking out on them is remarkably universal theme.
Even with the distance of sixty six years

Incredibles 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Incredibles 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th July 2018

In a way i was dreading this: The first movie was fantastic, without question, but the presence of a sequel is problematic: The original a) has no room for a sequel and b) is a ridiculously tough act to follow.

But somehow, this movie still won me over. The strengths of the previous movie are still in full flight here (the family dynamic and each of the characters), the animation is still top-notch, the direction is excellent, the jokes are hilarious and the commentary on an adult life is welcome.
Sure the movie comes across as covering ground it's already traversed but as a character-driven story it's a winner.
And if I must be honest, this is more a movie for adults - moreso than the previous one. And, in all honesty, is the better for it.

By the way, anyone else get an Uncle Walt vibe from Winston?

Sunshine on Leith

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Sunshine on Leith!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th July 2018

Yep, it's the musical based on the music of the Proclaimers.

I've never been a fan of the so-called 'jukebox musicals'. This is because they always seem to come across as if the writer spent more time on song selection than the rest of the script. Thankfully, this is an exception.

There's a lot to like here: The songs are used to great effect, there's some great characters, Scottish accents ("X-berks"), a script with some drama and some genuinely touching moments. I especially like how never once the songs tend to drown out the story completely and it gives time to develop characters and give them agency.
And the finale, to (unsurprisingly) 500 miles, is truly a thing of joy.

On a more personal note however, I recall having the Proclaimers big album (of the same name) playing a lot in the house when i was a little kid. So it's certainly something to see these songs that i recognized being presented in such a manner.
So yeah: Great movie and a shining example of a Jukebox musical done right.

Ant-Man and the Wasp

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Ant-Man and the Wasp!

Original image located here. Accessed 13th July 2018

I have to admit: I actually like this better than the first one. Maybe it's due to the sense of focus from having a singular director from beginning to end, but this was a lot of fun with great humor, solid performances all round, the Wasp stepping up to be a great character, and another interesting villain that suggests a catch-up on Marvel's part.
But I swear, I saw more of Scott Lang than I did of Ant-Man.
Was that intended in order to get more of Wasp?
(not that I'm complaining)

American Graffiti

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

Original image located here. Accessed 6th July 2018

Behold: George Lucas' second movie.
I've said in an earlier post that it's often been said that getting a movie made is no small task, usually involving a lot of blood, sweat and tears. So for a young and upcoming film-maker, it must be incredibly rewarding to have your second feature film reap numerous successes: Nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Making 200 million off of a 700-grand film, and making enough money to be a millionaire.
However whilst such success may be impressive, it must look feeble compared to that of George's next movie (need I say what that was?).

As for the movie itself, i was at first unsure of it - but within time I grew to enjoy. It was funny, compelling and well-shot. And, for a guy known to overload his later films with special effects, it had a whole lot of heart.
It's also a reminder of what a valuable asset editor Marcia Lucas was to George

The Graduate

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

Original image located here. Accessed 29th June 2018

It's been fifty one years since this movie was first released. Fifty one years! Considering the ravager that is Time (and how people these days would associate The Sound of Silence more with Sad Affleck), how does this movie hold up?

Well the acting is great, I like the scenes of repartee and this is definitely a document of the counter-culture/rebelliousness that defined much of the 1960s.
But is this the romantic-comedy this film has been pitched as? I think not. Maybe I'm viewing this through the lens of age and experience but Ben doesn't resonate with me that much. He's not interested in his future, he just wants to rebel against the confines of his life. And he does - but, as that last shot indicates, he's not sure what to do next. And he, along with Elaine, are both stuck with nowhere to go from there.

So in a way, I don't get The Graduate as a rom-com - in fact not as a comedy at all. It's something different. And more substantial.

"Hello darkness my old friend..."

Ride the High Country

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Ride the High Country!

Original image located here. Accessed 15th June 2018

Behold: Sam Peckinpah's breakthrough movie. It's the one that set him on a path that led to later triumphs and features some recurring themes.....that would become recurring.
I have to admit that compared to some of Peckinpah's later work (the Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid) this seems more sedate. But that by no means makes it a bad movie: one gets the impression that Peckinpah wanted to prove>what he could do before he began stockpiling his shock tactics.

And prove he does: Great cinematography, excellent acting, some truly amazing scenery shots and the most bonkers wedding I've ever seen (or at least one of them).

Say Anything

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

Original image located here. Accessed 8th June 2018

Being a thirty something, I have no place assessing teen-movies - largely because I ceased being a teen a long time ago. But I will give props to any movie that attempts to portray teenagers as....well....teenagers. And this is one of those movies that succeeds in that goal. So yeah, I enjoyed this one. It's also interesting to note that this movie came out the same decade as The Breakfast Club - which also succeeded in showing teenagers be teenagers. Both movies succeed in this goal so much whereas a lot of teen movies that have followed in their wake have failed. Kinda makes you wonder what happened there....

It may be easy to dismiss a twenty-nine year old movie through the lens of the present and say it's all about stalking. But I never got that vibe. If anything, it's more showing teens going through the ups and downs of romance and finding a future career - and seeing if someone else fits into the future one is building.
However in the wake of the world-changing MeToo movement, I have to admit that it would be interesting to see how this kind of movie (guy who genuinely wants a r/ship trying to win woman over) would be made today.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Solo: A Star Wars Story!

Original image located here. Accessed 1st June 2018

I have discovered two things with the entrants in the Star Wars franchise: a) every movie that has followed Empire Strikes Back has divided audiences like no other and b) those which challenge the template set by Lucas and take risks come out stronger (ie Rogue One, Knights of the Old Republic and Clone Wars). So how does this one match up, production dramas and all?

Actually it was pretty good. Sure there are some dodgy lines, sure there are some lousy cinematography and sure there are moments where it shows it's origins as a movie made by a director who was switched partway through. But it's an enjoyable romp and loaded with some actions scenes that somehow come as a relief after the dour Last Jedi and Rogue One. There's some callbacks and some decent character moments and it was a lot of fun.

Not much more I can say except I suddenly want a remake of Star Wars: Droids - only one that has, instead of R2D2 and C3PO, the adventures of L3-37, K-2SO and HK-47

Dead Pool 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Dead Pool 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 25th May 2018

Well there's isn't a lot i can say about this movie: Same fourth wall breaking, same jabs at super hero movies, same jokes and references.. Really it's the same joke told differently - but somehow it's still a laugh riot.

I think the only thing i can say about this movie is the same reaction I got to the original movie: How on earth did this movie get made?
Allow me to elaborate: I've heard stories of how movies get stuck in development hell. Nearly all of them follow a set pattern: Some genius comes up with a great idea for a movie and bashes out a script; said script then makes it's way to a producer who hires someone else to rewrite it; if the producer DOES read the script, they will impose a whole lot of changes in the form of mandates; more mandates come in the form the director and any actors interested; and with such mandates (not to mention those that contradict one another) the film ends up being dropped completely or makes it out as a toothless husk of the original idea.
That being said, it is difficult to imagine both Dead Pool movies being put through such a process. Did the success of the MCU movies provide a new benchmark for everyone to reach? Or is the era of Hollywood producers who don't know jack *coughJonPeterscough* truly over?
If it is then good riddance to it.

Monsters Inc

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

Original image located here. Accessed 18th May 2018

Well, i saw the prequel last week so seeing the original is somewhat inevitable.
Well this is a Pixar movie so once you see enough of them, you soon know what to expect: Great jokes, touching moments, interesting characters, top-notch animation and enough creativity involved that one is left wondering when that particular well is going to run dry.

Considering what i said about the prequel last week, it;s interesting to place the two films next to each other. Monsters Inc seems to adhere closer to the Pixar formula but at the same time it seems, strangely enough, generic. Sure it ticks the boxes that we expect from a Pixar movie (as stated above) but at the same time, no one seems to complain.
Conversely, Monsters University eschews the formula by taking an unusual route. Brave yes but ultimately coming across as colder than the usual fare. There's no denying that the formula Pixar uses clearly works but a deviation is asking for trouble. But such is the strength of the formula that Pixar sure are quick to recover from low points and we, the audience, are quick to forgive.
I may have said some harsh things about the prequel last week but, upon seeing the original, my view has somewhat softened. If anything I'll take a noble failure than a weak success any day.

Monsters University

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

Original image located here. Accessed 11th May 2018

Strangely enough, I've never seen Monsters Inc. However that places me in a unique position: I can watch the prequel and the original both in the correct chronological order and for the first time.
I do recall that when this movie was released, it got a lukewarm reception with confusion as to whether it was a movie for kids or a movie for adults. So what do I take from it?

As expected from a Pixar release there's some good jokes and some great animation. But whilst Pixar movies imparts substantial life lessons, this one seems somewhat uncomfortable. Get past the 'college movie' formula and thus is revealed a rather nasty subtext:
You see, Mike wants to be a scarer. It what he wants to do with his life and he goes for it with gusto, working hard, studying up and learning everything he can. But, of course, as iterated throughout the movie, he's never going to be a scarer simply because he isn't scary.
So what does this mean? That Mike's hard work and effort was meaningless? That in the real world, hard work and effort doesn't mean jack against being born right and/or pure luck? That having passion for something doesn't mean you were meant to do it and you have take a realistic stance? That dreams can not work out and you have to settle for complacency?
I know Disney have built an empire out of chasing one's dreams but to see such a turn-about-face is both surprising and indeed uncomfortable. Perhaps moreso as I continue to limp through my thirties, and full-time employment is looking increasingly elusive.
These are big themes that will no doubt go over the head's of a child audience - perhaps that''s the reason behind the original reception.
What a depressing movie.

Mind you it would be interesting to see how the original stacks up.....

Avengers: Infinity War

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Avengers: Infinity War!

Original image located here. Accessed 4th May 2018

Once again, it's going to be tricky to talk about this movie without giving anything away. I will do my best:

- There's a lot of characters in this movie. That may be stating the obvious but seeing how people are grumbling about omissions, I've found that some of the characters already present don't have a lot to do. Seriously did anyone notice how few lines both Steve Rogers and Black Widow had?
- But in spite of the large cast, Thanos steals the show (as well as the gemstones). Its pretty much his movie, amirite?
- It's a breathless pace through one action scene after another - meaning that when the bad stuff hits, it hits hard (I noticed a few gasps from the audience in the screening i went to).
- Clearly this is a movie that works for those who have seen the eighteen movies preceding it. Well i did and I enjoyed Infinity War a lot - although one can only wonder how those who haven't seen the eighteen movies preceding it will fare.
- So! When's the next one?

The Boy and the Beast

And this week's Friday night movie has been..... Bakemono no Ko (The Boy and the Beast)!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th April 2018

Like the world and his dog, I have been impressed with the works of Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Summer Wars and Wolf Children). So i was keen on seeing his latest work.

I feel that the strength of this movie lies in the idea of family that Hosoda has utilized previously: This is about a child & his father and how two broken souls end up becoming strong together. It's about how, as an adult, children often become a reflection of one's self. Okay, sure there are some moments that seem forced and rambly, but there are some great ideas at work here and some creativity and Hosoda's hand still seems potent enough.

To be honest I feel this is the least of Hosoda's work - but somehow, the least stills feels like the best someone else could come up with. And that's nothing to be ashamed of.

The Red Pill

And this week's Friday night movie has been..... The Red Pill!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th April 2018

Yes, it's THAT movie. A movie which, it seems, watching it and talking about it is asking for trouble. But hey, I'm a glutton for punishment,

Okay, seriously, this was an eye-opener to say the least. I learned some of the legitimate points the MRAs are getting across and how they aren't getting heard. Personally, I often thought that MRAs were the type of 'being entitled' people but seeing some of the points brought up in this documentary is calling that into question.
And so it would seem that getting past the hate and misogyny that colours the public perception of the MRAs and it's revealed there are some genuine concerns. But then again, as with any movement, the obnoxious people are loud to the point where the sensible people are drowned out.

Mind you, it was disappointing that some of the uglier side of the MRAs is never brought up but seeing how that perception is the one everyone is familiar with, perhaps that shouldn't be surprising. But i am disappointed that the various topics don't receive both sides of the argument - because, as stated above, these are legit points and should not be met with a wall of apathy / drowning out by shouting / the ever-reliable Us vs Them mentality.

Still, if the success of a documentary is to challenge previously-held beliefs than this one succeeds to that end.

Ready Player One

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Ready Player One!

Original image located here. Accessed 13th April 2018

In a way i was dreading this movie: if the trailer was anything to go by, I was expecting it to be 'Pop Culture Reference: The Movie'. But thankfully that was not the case.

It may be kinda shallow but in terms of a rollicking adventure this does it's job. Being the geek that i am was able to pick a large number of the anime/gaming/movie references so clearly this is a movie that knows it's audience. Still, the action sequences are superb and the battle for the fortress at the climax is........jaw-dropping to say the least.
So yeah, a movie that genuinely surprised me by being kinda cool.
Oh and i-R0k is awesome.

Prince of Egypt

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Prince of Egypt!

Original image located here. Accessed 30th March 2018

I've been wanting to see this for a long time. And this time of year is as good as any.
So yeah, this is a really good movie. Clearly it's forging it's own path from that set by 1950s film The Ten Commandments and it becomes all the better for it.

What intrigues me the most about this movie is that it's something of an anti-Disney movie. This movie has a remarkably different art style, this is clearly aimed for an older-audience and it's intention to go down paths Disney refused to tread. Also pleasing is the relationship between Moses and Rameses. And Patrick Stewart's unmistakable voice.

But what stands out for me the most in this movie is the scale of it. Everything is..... well....Big. A lot of the settings are big, the songs are big and the animation is big. And all of this accumulates to the Parting of the Red Sea - which is...jaw-dropping to say the least.
So yeah. Great movie and I'm glad I saw it

The Iron Giant

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Iron Giant!

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd March 2018

Well it took me long enough but I finally got to see this movie. And all I had to do was find a spare eighty-odd minutes in my schedule XD
Watching this movie however I do realize, i do miss the art of the 2d hand drawn animation. Somehow it seems more expressive and more full of life than digital artwork. Still at least works like this function as time-capsule to a time that's disappearing over the horizon.

As for the movie itself, it was great! I do remember this not getting much of a run in it's original theatrical form but now, nearly two decades later, it seems to have obtained an audience and appreciation that eluded it the first time around.
It may not have had the budget of larger animated features but somehow, I found this to have more heart than a lot of other movies, animated or Live Action.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Pride & Prejudice and Zombies!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th March 2018

Well that was......something.
Okay seriously, I went into this expecting it to be completely stupid but somehow, against the odds, it isn't. Sure some of the dialogue is made nonsensical through the filter of zombie references but the appeal of this movie is, for me, it's indecision as to whether this is serious or not.
Prior to seeing this movie, the best comment I heard of it was it's better as a Pride and Prejudice movie than a zombie movie. And honestly? I feel inclined to agree - particularly with the talent involved. I mean, where else can you have Doctor Who exchanging lines with Cersei Lannister and Tywin Lannister?

Downfall

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

Original image located here. Accessed 9th March 2018

I recall when this film originally came out: it was subject to a lot of controversy due it's approach of humanizing Hitler. However such controversy seems inconsequential years later, when one considers the life this film gained as a YouTube meme.

Make no mistake: This was not an easy movie to watch. What made it so challenging to watch was we are watching the collapse of government: Where everyone is facing impending doom and/or getting out (in more ways than one). Still, the effort put into the art direction and the historical accuracy is impressive and the acting is frighteningly accurate - it's easy to mistake it for the real thing.
So yeah, good movie

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Close Encounters of the Third Kind!

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd March 2018

Once again, this is a well-known/regarded movie that managed to escape my notice for nearly three decades. I did try to watch it in high school but I don't recall getting very far. Well not this time: I came, I saw and I......

......it seems to me that this movie's reputation lies largely on the final half-hour. I have to admit it was something for a slog to get there but DAMN what a climax. The special effects are incredible - even for a forty one year old movie - and the UFO itself is truly awe-inspiring - which honestly, leaves a lot of CGI-heavy movies of today for dead.
So yeah: Great movie. It may have been a journey to get there but what a pay-off

Black Panther

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

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd February 2018

What can i say? This was a blast. Great acting, set pieces, humor, photography and design on all accounts. And we actually have a Marvel villain that's actually interesting (and isn't Loki!)! But what i get the most out of this that if a (nearly) all black cast and crew can produce a film this excellent then they should do it more often

I have been aware that this movie has inspired some complaints in some circles - proving, if anything, a stunning example of the Us-vs-Them / I'm-disgusted-by-people-I-don't-like-being-happy that drives modern conflicts / online debates. But I find it fitting that the titular character of this movie utters the line: "The wise build bridges but the foolish build barriers"

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th February 2018

Call it a holdover from my University days but I'm always up for a decent western. And this was one I have been eager to see largely because it was one from director Sam Peckinpah: A volatile drunk with a hair-trigger temper that went one to make some of the greatest westerns ever made - one of which being The Wild Bunch (a personal favorite).

Needless to say, this movie was something unexpected. Sure there is the trademark Peckinpah violence but this is something more slower paced than what I'm used to. If anything, this is the most unique western I've seen: The plot is a string of set-pieces and the mood is very grim and drab, as if this was intended to be a eulogy to an entire genre of film-making.
Much has alreayd been said of the performances of the two leads (James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson) and the presence of a whole laundry list of veteran western actors/actresses. It's a credit to Peckinpah that he attracted such names and got superb performances out of them (including one Bob Dylan) but the ultimately, the thought that this is the endpoint of the western is an inescapable one. Everyone seems to remarkably accepting towards their end (which frequently happens) and are really living anachronisms in a time long gone (a familiar theme in Peckinpah's work).
All in all, a very different western and honestly? For a film signalling the end of a genre it adds much to it.

I Tonya

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

Original image located here. Accessed 9th February 2018

This is interesting to me as I do remember the media sensation that followed the clubbing of Nancy Kerrigan's knee and Tonya Harding's involvement. Get past the differing stories from the parties involved and we have for a truly bizarre story, right?

We certainly do: This movie presents dynamite performances from both Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, a truly insane story presented in an interesting way, a fascinating commentary on class divide, a swing at the people who ridiculed this strange saga and enough attacks on the fourth wall to make Deadpool jealous. Sounds like a recipe for a winner of a movie
But what i find particularly fascinating is that this movie came out the same year as The Disaster Artist. Both are kind of similar in that both tell an anti-Hollywood style of success story: Whereas Tommy Wiseau chased a dream and succeeded (somewhat), Tonya Harding chased a dream and ultimately failed - indeed, that courtroom scene does indeed stick out in my mind.
Not much else i can say except this movie is great. Go and see it if you can stomach a lot of cussing XD

Colossal

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

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd February 2018

Seems that this movie is one that slipped through the cracks. No matter: I liked it. It was a new take on the Monster genre that was both clever and entertaining. Anne Hathaway is always a delight (since when is she ever not?) and props must go to the final showdown which features one of the most BAD-ASS marches ever committed to film. Sure there were some points where the movie did meander a bit but for those moments when this movie hits, it hits hard.
Certainly a lot going for this movie in what it wants to say about addiction and how to rise above it - in spectacular fashion it would seem.
Go check this one out!

The Shape of Water

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Shape of Water!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th January 2018

I was disappointed with this movie: I went in expecting to see an adaptation of the historical fiction novel of Sophia Degraves, the wife of the man who founded the Cascades brewery. But what i got was a movie wherein a woman has sex with a fish.

Okay seriously, get past the peculiar premise and this movie is indeed a touching one. i was dreading that this was going to be one of those 'ordinary person romances unusual partner' movies (ie Oh My Goddess and Twilight) but somehow that was not the case. it's great to see the kind of people who are misrepresented in mainstream cinema doing great things but somehow i feel this movie is more than that. But really, this movie is all about the bizarre marriage between the beautiful and the grotesque. In addition, it is not about the journey but the execution.

I've heard people call it a weird movie but i didn't think so (believe you me I've seen films weirder than this). I thought it was a very beautiful movie.

 And hey, Thane got lucky XD

The Book of Life

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Book of Life!

Original image located here. Accessed 19th January 2018

Well I saw Coco last week so seeing this is somewhat inevitable. So who ripped off Grim Fandango the most, then?

Okay so let's get this out of the way: similarities between this and Coco seem predictable but I feel both movies are their own thing, each saying something of their own and in their own words.
The Book of Life however boasts gags coming out at the rate of machine gun fire and some unrecognizable voice talent.
Other than that, I enjoyed the art direction, the creativity on display and the focus on Latino talent (oft-overlooked in mainstream cinema). It may not be a revelation of a flick but I sure had a lot of fun with it.