Winnie the Pooh

   And this week's Friday night movie has been... Winnie the Pooh!

Original image located here. Accessed 14th August 2026

Well I saw the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh last week so it is only fitting that I follow it up with this 2011 effort. 
It would be easy to write this off as a remake of the preceding movie given it takes the same approach: Use the source material and throw in zany sight gags, lean on the naivety of these characters, break the borderline between the animation and the text, show off the playful nature of the animation and all wrap it up in a big bow of cosiness. 
But if it worked the first time, there's no reason why it won't the second. 

Really there's not much else I can add; This was a lot of fun to watch and whilst it seemed a repeat of the Many Adventures it never came across as a problem (which, lets face it, is a difficult trick to pull off). 

Although I am convinced that Pooh's love of honey is so great he may require professional help...

From Up on Poppy Hill

And this week's Friday night movie has been... From Up on Poppy Hill!

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd January 2026

I will admit: I have putting this one off. Because like any Ghibli enthusiast, any title that comes attached with a name that isn't Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata is going to have a tough time.
Yes that sounds cruel given the nature of this fiendishly talented studio, but the question of whether this studio can last beyond it's two creators has been floating around for years - And whether or not someone can rise up to the challenge posed by Ghibli's illustrious catalogue is indeed a monumental one.
And it would seem the public would agree as this marks the second effort from Miyazaki's son Goro - he who made the unlikely leap from gardener to director. And if that move wasn't baffling enough, his first movie, Tales of Earthsea, was greeted with a frosty reception. But this time around Goro has an ace up his sleeve: he's working off of a script provided by his father. 
Some might think that this may be counter-productive given the afore-mentioned uncertainty of Ghibli's future, but maybe there's something worth taking a look at...?

I have previously mentioned that even though Ghibli have become synonymous with their fantasy/whimsical movie, the fact that they can do more realistic-based works should not be overlooked. And From Up on Poppy Hill does indeed join that batch with ease. There are some high quality animation, packed with little details and some accurate representations of daily life. Certainly this movie may be leaning hard into the whole 'small-scale depiction of historical events' but hey, stick to one's strengths. 
So yeah, a pretty good movie and proof one needs to keep an eye on the quiet ones....

The Artist

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

Original image located here. Accessed 4th November 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 84 (2011)

Could this be one of the more forgotten Best Picture winners? I recall this getting a lot of praise form critics in it's day but the public was more frosty towards it. In particular, a lot of the criticisms were aimed at the gimmicky nature of the movie and the strategy of showing Hollywood celebrating itself is a guaranteed Oscar success. In regards to the latter, it should come to no surprise that this movie is another one with the Weinstein Company logo stamped across it.

So what do I make of this movie?

I think it's great.
Yes it's a simulacrum of the silent era but that's precisely the point: The amount of effort to replicate the films of the era is staggering, what with the setting, the technology and the filmmaking techniques used. The amount of playfulness with this movie and it's relationship to sound is also pleasing. 
I recall back in college I was reading up on film history and was struck by what a revolution the advent of sound was back in the 1920s: The silent era was officially over, various studios went out of business and many actors and actresses now had their careers ended (although how Charlie Chaplain managed to endure I have no idea). And this movie was effectively that transition come to life.

So yeah, I had a great time with this movie and it was certainly better than it's status of a 'lost' winner.

Puss in Boots

And this week's Friday Night movie has been... Puss in Boots!

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd June 2023

I've been hearing good things about the latest Puss in Boots movie (Last Wish) so I may as well take a look at it's predecessor as a primer.
So what do I think of Shrek? I enjoyed the first two movies but I avoided what came after once it became clear this was a franchise that was going to be run into the ground. Furthermore, it seemed to me that the first one introduced a formula for success that many other movies in it's wake have sought to replicate. Also the jabs at Disney in the first movie are looking quite antiqued now.
So you can imagine my scepticism when returning to this particular franchise.

But I think the distance did me some good: I had a great time with this. It was a good move to make Puss the star of his own movie as there was a lot to the character and plenty to be added to him. It also helps that Antonio Banderas seems to having the time of his life in this role (and that is saying something given it's a voice role).
The humour certainly does seem to differ from the Shrek formula and is all the better for it. I don't know if that was the intention but this movie does suit the action/adventure format anyway.
So yeah great fun. Puss is as dynamic as ever and Kitty makes for a fun addition.
Now about the sequel....

Young Adult

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

Original image located here. Accessed 13th May 2022

You know how it happens: You put a movie on your To Watch List and it stays there. It stays there for so long that you eventually forget why you put it there in the first place. But then again, there is something to be said about approaching something with fresh eyes.

So what this movie is putting forth is a character study: Of a woman who is wrapped up in the idealised teen life that her own life is in a period of stagnation. It's billed as a comedy but I don't believe it is. It is quite a bleak movie. Sure there are laughs but they are few and far between. As mentioned above, I forgot why I wanted to see this movie but somehow I think the anxiety of my approaching middle age could have something to do with it.
So far what I may have typed up sounds anything but a crowd pleaser but the movie works purely through the lead Charlize Theron, who certainly does a lot to make a potentially dislikable character appear in a sympathetic light.
But here's a thought: Does it make all the difference that this character is a female one? Somehow i can't help thinking that if this character was played by a male actor the movie would be disregarded as either a) a Taxi Driver clone or b) incel bait.
So yeah, not an easy watch - more akin to a car crash if anything - but it certainly was compelling.

K-On the movie

And this week's Friday night movie has been... K-On the movie!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th March 2021

Yes, it's another trip to the anime well - and again, it's one prompted by my now wife-to-be.
Mind you, the last three movies I've watched have been action movies so nothing wrong with having some levity.
I can't say I'm a fan of K-On: I tried watching the first season but it didn't work for me. But on Kiera's recommendation I had a shot at the second season and now this: the movie which effectively closes the series.

As is often the case with movies based on popular TV series, this is one for the fans. If you liked the series, good news! You get to see these characters doing more of the same only it's stretched out to under two hours! But if you didn't like the series, well, you're going to be lost. And confused. And, dare I say, frustrated.
So in the end, those on board the K-On train will love it. Those not on board will find little to change their opinion. And the world will continue turning.
Still, at least the movie included 'Gohan wa Okazu '.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2)

And this week's Friday night movie has been...Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2)!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th November 2020

And so here we are: the endpoint of a journey that took ten years to complete (although for me it took eighteen). We have seen these characters, not to mention the actors and actresses playing them, grow and age over that time. On the whole, it is impressive that this film series manage to pull off a continuous story being told over a decade - Okay sure the story in question was already established in written text but it is difficult to imagine current movie franchises as they are had they not followed the path the Harry Potter movies made out. Indeed, it's not much of a stretch (at least in my mind), to picture the MCU looking over Harry Potter's shoulder and taking notes.

As for the movie itself, i was expecting a conclusion that would leave a crater of sizable portions and that's exactly what i got. Clearly the first Deathly Hallows movie existed just to get some of the character moments out of the way so we can see the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort. And what a confrontation it is: The siege is spectacular, the sight of Hogwarts following said sage is indeed a shock, the long-awaited final confrontation is something to behold and it's nice to see various faces form the preceding movies make a reappearance.
However for all the spectacle, my favorite moments in the movie are, ironically, the quiet ones (example: "You've been so brave sweetheart"). I have spoken previously how it worked for the last movie but here it strikes gold, being able to warm the cockles of my cold, jaded heart.

And so, we reach the end of this particular movie serial. I may have been skeptical when i started but these movies did win me over. Granted the movies may be a mere glimpse when compared to the richness of the source material (or so i have been told) but now, the fandom sure makes a whole lotta sense.
So here's to you, Harry.

Oh and House Ravenclaw forever.

The Hunter

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

Original image located here. Accessed 19th June 2020

I remember this movie being a big deal at the time (2011). This was due to it being shot entirely in Tasmania and featuring a major star in the form of Willem Defoe. So it is perhaps my patriotic duty to take a look at this.

It may be slow and, at times, aimless but there is still a lot going for this movie. Firstly, is the star where Defoe, giving a superb performance with the weight of the movie resting entirely on his shoulders. Secondly, is the Tasmanian wilderness, the true MVP, being recognizable, threatening, and being the greatest tourism ad for the Apple isle ever made, all at once. And thirdly is the musings on the human relationship with endangered species, in all it's forms, which all come to a head in the final, gut-punching, fifteen minutes.
It may be forgotten now but it's a great movie and worth a look.

Kung Fu Panda 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Kung Fu Panda 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th November 2019

Man when did I first see the original Kung Fu Panda? Over a decade ago I think. In fact, I never knew it had spawned a pair of sequels. But I've heard some people hold this up as an example of a trilogy done right so that was enough top pique my interest. After all, this was done by Dreamworks and, if the superb How to Train Your Dragon movies are anything to go by, they know how to do a trilogy, right?

So I found this movie to be one of two halves: The first half seems more aligned with it;s predecessor, with Po being both a sarcastic jerk and bumbling incompetent (so much so it makes me wonder how much of a difference there is between Jack Black's real life persona and the roles he keeps playing). Okay sure we've got some world building, some excellent art direction and some amazing fight scenes, but in all honestly i found this part of the movie dull. And it left me wondering if I should be watching a movie that appeared to be solely aimed at a much, MUCH younger audience.....

.....That was until we get to the second half. Here Po is confronted with his heritage. And suddenly the movie shifts gears completely: It gets solemn and quiet and honestly? Its all the better for it. It reveals a depth one wouldn't expect from a serial such as this. Po gets some crucial character development and it's proof that self-realization is a powerful theme.
So yeah, this movie was dull at first, but when it kicked into high gear it did so with flair. It's a prime example of how anyone can put up with anything just as long as there's a substantial pay-off at the end.
Of course it's frustrating that this movie ends on a cliffhanger but there's always next week, right?

Bridesmaids

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

Original image located here. Accessed 10th March 2017

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.

Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th August 2012

Man was this a ride and half. It was fun, inventive and remarkably faithful to the source material. Having read the Tintin books when i was a kid, i picked up a lot of subtle references and I was particularly impressed with what was accomplished through the animation - that, lets be honest here, LA wouldn't have a hope of matching. Seriously I doubt I could ever see the continuous take that was the falcon chase done in LA.

You know, prior to his death, Herge said that Spielberg was the only one who could do Tintin justice. Seems such a declaration was right on the money

Xmen First Class

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Xmen First Class!

 Original image located here. Accessed 20th February 2015

Well seeing I've watched the Animated series all the way through it was somewhat natural to go to this. So my thoughts? This is difficult to assess because it's a prequel and like any prequel we all know what's going to happen but the real strength in the movie is daring us, the audience, that it won't. And to that end the movie is a success. The action is exciting, the James Bond-inspirations are great and there's some solid moments of character development.  Plus we have Charles Xavier as a womanizer and I find that utterly hilarious XD

Oh we also have President Michael Dugan in it too (a cookie if you get that reference)

The Muppets

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....The Muppets!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd October 2014

Well there's not much I can say: I, like most people, loved the Muppets when I was a kid and thought this movie was a right laugh. 

But all that has been said before so let me say this: This movie was clearly made with a passion - a passion from people who loved the source material and treated it with the utmost respect. And it worked like a charm which is something that rarely happens (really it should happen more).

Cabin in the Woods

 And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Cabin in the Woods!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th September 2014

I don't enjoy slasher movies: They are filled with morons who make dumb decisions and don't fight their attackers. So it is indeed welcome that a movie like this comes along and gives the genre a long hard look with a critiquing eye - followed by a slap in the face. Awesome movie 😃