Soul

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

Original image located here. Accessed 29th August 2025

Like every man and his dog, I do love me some Pixar: They tell great stories, have stunning animation, have boundless imagination, and can inspire both laughter & tears in equal measure. We all know what to expect from this fiendishly talented studio and yet we don't complain. As such, they have had hit after hit.
That being said, with such a success rate, it makes the weaker films easier to forgive and forget. And that makes an interesting question: Never mind which is the greatest Pixar movie; what is the least Pixar movie?

But even if Pixar may be running on successful formula, the greatest achievement is that the formula doesn't get old. And Soul may be running on said formula but it still works.
All of the above is, of course, a long-winded way of saying that this is a Pixar movie so we can't expect the usual high standard of animation, imagination, laughter and tears. Which is what we all signed up for.
What is particularly noteworthy about Soul however is it's strength of ideas: It is indeed a bold move to bring up existential themes in a children's movie (Never-Ending Story anyone?) but they still resonate deeply as an adult: The concerns of whether you've lived a meaningful life and whether you are prepared to live. And that really speaks to someone like myself who has struggled with self-worth - and no matter how many movies I see related to this topic it still resonates.

And that epiphany scene is truly something astonishing. 

Also: Wait, Nine Inch Nails did the music to this?!

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

  And this week's Friday night movie has been... Josee, the Tiger and the Fish!

Original image located here. Accessed 18th July 2025

Sometimes you go see a movie for the wrong reasons. And this is one of them.
Recently this movie has been generating disgust for it's plot: A guy is hired to be a carer for a woman confined to a wheelchair and they eventually both fall in love. Such disgust is based around the idea of fetishism. Or something.
Of course, such outrage could easily be written off as nonsense but it did make me aware of this movie so I decided to take a look at it for myself. 

So I watched with this with Kiera and we both enjoyed it. If anything, this is the story of two lost souls eventually finding each other. It's funny, charming and ultimately very touching. 
And whilst anime, as a genre, may be slammed for promoting unrealistic romantic expectations upon it's audience, what we have here are two people who have their own hopes and goals and how they inspire the other to pursue it. 
Throw in some great visual designs and we have a winner, 
Sometimes you go see a movie for the wrong reasons. And sometimes you can end up striking gold. 

Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President!

Original image located here. Accessed 28th February 2025

Here's an interesting concept for a documentary: One on former US president Jimmy Carter framed around his love of music. Given his recent passing, I guess now is as good a time as any to take a look.

But whereas I was intrigued by the framework, itself proves to be deceiving. Yes, it is fascinating to see Carter's interest in music, going from discovering gospel in his youth before branching out into country and rock 'n roll. Yes it is interesting to have input from the likes of Bob Dylan, Nile Rodgers, Willie Nelson and Gregg Allman. And yes it is amusing to see Carter use his political connections to engage with many of the acts of the era.
However the further this documentary goes on, the more it strays from it's original intent: And it gradually becomes less about Carter's love of music and more about Carter as a person. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing: The movie talks about his beliefs, his values and his decisions as president. And the interviewees are certainly willing to talk about Carter, contributing to the image of him as someone of genuine integrity. 

Informative yes, but not what I was expecting. 

Nomadland

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

Original image located here. Accessed 6th December 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 93 (2020)

I am somewhat perplexed by this movie: On one hand, the strengths of this movie come through with it's beautiful photography, it's sensitivity of showing people struggling, the use of non-actors and it's realistic approach. 
But on the other hand, this does seem meandering in it's outcome. Granted that may be point given this is a film about the wanderer lifestyle but some scenes drag on and ultimately come out pointless.

Maybe I'm missing something? Most certainly but I feel it is fair to say that this is the point where the trend of honouring low-budget, low-box office movies - a trend started with the Hurt Locker - has come to an end. The model has outworn it's use and now a new one is required. 

It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for....

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th May 2022

Well Eurovision was on this week so I couldn't ask for a better time to watch this movie.
It may be an easy target to make fun of Eurovision with it's songs, gaudy outfits and crazy staging. And in a way that was what i was expecting but, much to my surprise, this movie does not go in that direction. Instead it takes the Love Letter approach to its subject and - would you believe - that decision was a wise one.

So yes I did have fun in this and there is indeed genuine love for Eurovision - even to the point of bringing in previous winners in for appearances. There are some genuinely funny moments and the climax is surprisingly touching.
So yeah this movie surprised me. And given the amount of movies I've seen, a surprise like this is a welcome one.

Console Wars

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

Original image located here. Accessed 25th February 2022

Anyone heard of this? It's a documentary chronicling the rise of Sega and how it challenged Nintendo and the changes it brought about into the console/video gaming market.
The titles indicates that this is about both Sega and Nintendo but this is really the former's story all the way. Sure Nintendo get a decent hearing but this is all about how one small company decided to take on a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut.
And this is how the various men and women made it happen, telling what they did and the repercussions the effects had.

If you know the story, then all the familiar beats are here: the crucial hiring of Tom Kalinske, the godsend that was Sonic the Hedgehog, the ingenious marketing strategies, appeals to a teenage market, the serious threat posed to Nintendo, the gulf between Sega of Japan and Sega of America, the flop that was the Saturn and the subsequent rise of Sony and it's PlayStation.
This certainly does present a fascinating snapshot of the era but it ends with Sony - who, of course, don't get a say. And I would've liked that they did - particularly Steve Race (whose story i would most be interested to hear) who remains frustratingly elusive.
Still this documentary made for a compelling story and one I am grateful is told

Happy Happy Joy Joy: the Ren and Stimpy story

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Happy Happy Joy Joy: the Ren and Stimpy story!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th November 2021

Oh this takes me back: Ren and Stimpy was a show I watched a lot of in the mid-nineties. Indeed, it was a show that was perfect for an impressionable mind entering their early teens. Say what you like about it now, but what drew me in was that really challenged to notion of what could be accomplished in a cartoon, it aggravated a lot of conservative types, it was random and bizarre, and had plenty of gross humor.
That and it was the funniest thing I had ever seen.
So upon learning that a documentary had been made about this cartoon, how could I resist?

First up you can't say this documentary wasn't informative: We follow the story of Ren and Stimpy, starting from John Kricfalusi's passion for animation before following onto his determination to make a show that pushed the envelope as to what animation could accomplish, the success, the obsessive attention to detail to the animation, the subsequent missed deadlines, the firing of Kricfalusi, and the influence Ren and Stimpy has on successive cartoon series.
I have to admit that whilst i was enjoying the show, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes chaos that was happening. So to be made aware of this has been eye-opening to say the least. I did not know about the insane process of getting the show made and I certainly did not know about Kricfalusi's... dodgy acts (and that's putting it lightly) in the years since. Still, for a documentary the information is comprehensive and it certainly makes a case that the odd adventures of a jerk and an idiot did change the face of animation and brought focus onto creator-driven shows.
Who would've guessed that such a strange cartoon would have such a compelling story behind it?
Personally, my teen years have long since passed so it is kind hard to watch Ren and Stimpy now. Still it is interesting to see the impact it had and to see fans talk about it with enthusiasm. So I will give it that much.
Plus, nearly three decades on and I still love that opening theme

The Social Dilemma

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

Original image located here. Accessed 12th November 2021

Anyone heard of this? It's a Netflix documentary addressing the dangers of social media.
This documentary is presented as a combination of information against the use of social media and a dramatization presenting a narrative of a protagonist who gets involved with social and is sent on a downward spiral.

Whilst the 'dramatization' parts are both intrusive and cringy, the real meat in this documentary is, of course, the information presented. It is revealed just how much the likes of Facebook (pun unintended) and Google are building themselves around the interests on the individual. We are shown the lengths these social media platforms will go just to grab one's interest and be keep them permanently hooked. We are informed the psychological methods these developers are utilizing to grab the attention of the mentally vulnerable and making them worse.
Of course, none of this will be new to those who are well versed in IT but it is presented in a way that is understandable and easily digested. But it begs the question: Why on earth did the makers go with the 'dramatization' parts? As mentioned above they are indeed intrusive and do lessen the punch this movie delivers. But boy, when this movie hits, it hits like a truck.

Promising Young Woman

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

Original image located here. Accessed 9th April 2021

Okay so I'm going to have to think about this one so hold on...
*Sounds of the Alchemist venturing off into the wilderness*
*37 days later*
*Sounds of the Alchemist returning from the wilderness*
....Ermmm.....

It seems to me you can't criticise this movie because doing so will only reinforce the points it is trying to get across
Still, I have the feeling this was made for a particular audience. One that does not include me.
Oh well....

The Accidental President

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

Original image located here. Accessed 26th February 2021

Anyone heard of this? It's a documentary that follows Donald Trump and the road he took in order to become the 45th President of the USA. His come from behind victory in 2016 is analyzed and shows how he managed to pull it off.

Thing is, if you're going to make a documentary on the Trump presidency, it is challenge in itself; It has been written about and analyzed so much that it's difficult to come up with something new. While informative, this documentary however doesn't present anything that hasn't been said before. So if you've heard of the things Trump did - appealing to people who are sick of corruption in Washington, eschewing acting like a potential leader in favor of being himself, winning over the masses through being a showman and taking an abrasive approach, thriving, and eventually succeeding, on being a risky prospect - then you've heard it all before.
Still, this documentary does try and present a balanced view by bringing in voices from both sides - in particular the Democratic campaign is analyzed and shown to be complacent through over-confidence.
Ultimately, this documentary may not present anything new but it's decent in what it says - and just shows what a paradoxical beast U.S. politics is. Mind you, considering how this presents Trump's methods, it makes me wonder how much Biden was onto him....

Earwig and the Witch

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Earwig and the Witch!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th February 2021

Going into this movie I was under the impression that this was Studio Ghibli trying to take on Pixar at their own game. I will admit it's an idea - after all its well documented that Pixar has been looking over Ghibli's shoulder for many years so maybe some cross-pollination could work?

In all honesty this is a difficult movie to assess. On one hand, there are moments of real imagination and the Ghibli standard of 'fantastical whimsy meets mundane' is well and truly in place. And Earwig's impulsive and commanding nature certainly grants her a place in Ghibli's (sizable) ranks of heroines.
But on the other hand, the plot seem under-developed. The ending is abrupt and the movie comes across as incomplete - questions are never answered and it could've easily gone for another half hour. As such, this movie comes across as if there is a full third that got left on the cutting room floor.
I did some research and found that the original text was written by Diana Wynne Jones - and it was her final work before her passing. And as it turns out, the original text is both short and has an abrupt ending. It would've been nice if Ghibli expanded beyond the confines of adaptation but it seems unlikely giving the reverence the studio has for Jones. And as such, the movie suffers.
Its an experiment to be sure, but it does raise the question whether Ghibli can manage without it's esteemed founders.

Bill and Ted Face the Music

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Bill and Ted Face the Music!

Original image located here. Accessed 18th September 2020

Of all the late eighties/early nineties franchises to resurrect, I didn't think anyone would touch this one, let alone it being any good.

Once again, the titular characters make the movie - after they're all there in the title. It's amazing how Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves can step back into this roles, after nearly three decades, and bring these characters to life. They may be older and but by no means wiser and they're still funny to watch. One might think that it would be embarrassing to see some middle aged dudes still acting like teenagers but here it just adds to the hilarity.
But even though this is Bill and Ted's movie, it's their daughters, Billi and Thea, who end up stealing the show. Brigette Lundy-Paine and Samara Weaving have the mannerisms of their onscreen fathers down pat that they are a delight to watch
It would be baffling to think of such committed actors in what is, a lowbrow stoner comedy but here it works. Throw in a message of bringing the world together through music, one surprisingly touching scene and a theme of second chances (which i will admit to being a sucker for) and we have a movie that is better than it has any right to be. It could've attempted to do a flat out (and lazy) reprise of Excellent Adventure but, much like Bogus Journey, it refused to do so and came out all the better for it.
You could say it was....Excellent!

A Whisker Away

And this week's Friday night movie has been... A Whisker Away!

Original image located here. Accessed 21st August 2020

We're taking another trip to the anime well with one that the gf chose. This time, we having a gander at Netflix's attempt at making an anime. Or, to be more accurate, Netflix's attempt to beat Ghibli at their own game.

To be honest, that last sentence pretty much sums up my feelings toward this movie - it became apparent early on and, try as I might, it was a difficult perception to shake off. A Whisker Away certainly comes across as aiming to replicate the imagination and whimsy of Ghibli - as well as the beautiful scenery, detailed animation, quiet moments and dynamic female lead.
Indeed, the more I think about it, the more the comparisons to Ghibli seem inescapable.

Okay seriously, despite such grumbling, there is still a lot to like about this movie. The lead character may be annoying and clingy but she goes through some vital character development. The plot is interesting and goes in interesting directions. The animation is detailed and well done.
So in the end, it's a solid effort.

Emma

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

Original image located here. Accessed 13th March 2020

Funny how things turn out: I never had much interest in the works of Jane Austen - I may have read Persuasion at Uni but said interest never went any further. That was until I was involved in a stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (twice!) so if you told 2000 me that I would be watching the latest adaptation of Emma twenty years later, 2000 me would say you'd be out of your mind.
That and the gf chose this one.

I suppose with any Jane Austen adaptation, there will be a ready made audience more than eager to lap it up. Of course, Emma is unfamiliar to me so i had no idea what to expect. And this was a surprise to me: It is slow moving at times but it still has plenty of humor. The number of characters may be difficult to keep track of but they are played by a committed cast.
Ultimately the movie is beautifully shot and the costume design is stunning (high collars ahoy!). So yeah, looks like we have a winner.

The Invisible Man

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

Original image located here. Accessed 28th February 2020

The gf chose this one
Now this is not the first time I have seen a movie with Kiera - that honor goes to Little Women. Thing is, i chose that one - which means that I went for the 'chick flick' movie while Kiera selected a psychological thriller. Go fig.

Anyho, I noticed that the director of this movie is Leigh Whannell. In recent years, he may have made a name for himself through the Saw franchise but to me, Whannell will forever be the movie critic on Recovery. I mention this because, if this movie is anything to go by, he knows his stuff: he knows how to craft suspense, how to build tension from nothing (ie blank walls) and how to build a connection with the audience that leaves them (ie me) drained by the end of it.
That being said, there certainly a lot going for this movie. It has scares, unbelievable tension and Elizabeth Moss giving it her all. Recommended

Birds of Prey

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey!

Original image located here. Accessed 14th February 2020

Let me say this up front: I like Margot Robbie. She's a great actress and she's always entertaining whatever she's doing. And she has her own production company, so clearly she's making sure the movies she wants made get made - I admire that.
I never saw Suicide Squad but it is clear that Robbie's turn as Harley Quinn was clearly a highlight so of course she would get her own movie.

And of course it's Harley's show all the way. Which is both a good thing and a bad thing: Good because Robbie is clearly enjoying every minute of this role and bad because the other characters aren't really that interesting. In fact I'm not sure what this movie's intention is: Is it a Harley vehicle or is it an attempt to get an all-female team-up going? And of course the issue of the name change is further confusing matters.

With the other characters, there are some moments of interest but other times they seem dull and more interested in who can out-curse the others. As such, aside from some inventive action sequences, this movie was a chore to get through.
Now I'm not opposed to an all-female action/superhero team but ultimately, I need interesting characters to make it work. Because once you have interesting characters you can sell anything
A fact that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has proven many times over.