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.

Coco

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

Original image located here. Accessed 12th January 2018

Yeah it was all right. But then again, Pixar making a great movie is like saying grass is green. Funny how Pixar make so many great movies that their missteps are easy to forget - or, in Pixar's case, easy to bounce back from.

Okay seriously, this was a genuinely touching movie. Okay sure there is a significant amount of predictability in the plot but ultimately, the strength of the movie lies not in the journey but in the destination. The animation has tonnes of personality, the art direction is stunning and there are times when it feel's like Grim Fandango on acid XD
But ultimately it is the heart that is the movie's strength. And at the risk of sounding like a complete and utter softie, one would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this movie.
Erm.....Go see it!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Star Wars: the Last Jedi!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th January 2018

Well there's a lot to unpack here and it's kinda tricky without giving too much away. I will do my best:

So let me say this straight out: I enjoyed this movie. That being said however, my favorite parts of the movie were those which involved Luke and Rey. Beyond that, a lot of the movie, particularly the parts involving the 'pursuit' came across as somewhat pointless. Still, the final battle was pretty awesome and it's interesting to see this series prove that there is plenty more to this movie series and that it has the potential to keep going in interesting directions. In addition, Kylo Ren being an avatar for the 'Angry Star Wars fan' continues to amuse.
One point however: I've heard people compare The Force Awakens to A new Hope and The Last Jedi compared to Empire Strikes Back. Keeping with this formula, does that mean that no.9 is in the (admittedly unenviable) position of rehashing Return of the Jedi?

The Disaster Artist

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

Original image located here. Accessed 29th December 2017

Well, hasn't this turned out to be critical darling? Apparently, it's the best film of the year, it's a laugh riot, James Franco delivers a mesmerizing performance and he's a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar. Is there really anything to add?

Well I loved the book so I was disappointed with the changes (oh here we go!). With the film scenes, they emphasized Tommy's enthusiasm/incompetence and toned down his actual nastiness - which brings forth the question of how much influence Tommy had in getting THIS film made. Also they didn't include the part where Sandy leaves the production which is disappointing - not only is a standout moment in the book but it would've made for an equally powerful moment translated to film.

Other than that, this movie was great. Great performances all around and the movie itself is a compelling watch. The pre-credits recreation of the scenes of the original are also a hoot. Will it win Best Picture at the Oscars? Probably not but here's hoping it does just for the delicious irony.
One question though, with the success of this movie, Tommy Wisseau is going to attract more media attention than ever before. Whilst The Disaster Artist does claim no one knows Tommy's age, country of origin and source of his limitless wealth, i wonder if some determined journalist might see it as a challenge.
I mean we had a determined journalist expose Lance Armstrong for the drug cheat he was....

Scrooge (A Christmas Carol (1951))

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Scrooge (A Christmas Carol (1951)!

Original image located here. Accessed 22nd December 2017

Last week I saw the adaptation of A Christmas Carol which starred George C Scott. This week, I'm watching the adaptation of A Christmas Carol which starred Alistair Sims. This is largely because these two actors are largely considered the best to have taken on the role. Sims, in particular is often recognized as the one all actors have tried to replicate since.

And you know what? Such a reputation is well-deserved. Okay, so the movie is kinda hurried and, to be honest, is more effective as a horror movie than a Christmas one, but it is ultimately Sims' show. He pretty much embodies Scrooge's contempt and lack of empathy. But the real treat is at the end when Scrooge is happy. It was a delight and one gets the feeling his change was akin to a dam-burst. In fact I do believe that Sims' does the 'Happy Scrooge' better than anyone else.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....A Christmas Carol (1984)!

Original image located here. Accessed 15th December 2017

I've always had a soft spot for A Christmas Carol. When i was a kid I was drawn to the ghost/horror element and the somewhat sarcastic nature of the title (well it seemed sarcastic to me).
But when i became an adult, I realize that the themes of redemption and turning one's life around for the better is indeed a powerful one.

As for the movie itself, well, it's well shot, there are some chilling moments and the ghosts are very imaginative in their presentation. But ultimately, the whole movie rests on the shoulders of George C Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. And what a job he does: he's funny, bitter, angry and a jerk all at once - so there's something to be said for the scene on Christmas morning ("I'm as merry as a schoolboy!").

Marty

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

Original image located here. Accessed 8th December 2017

I recall my dad once remarking that he doesn't like watching movies that were made pre-1960. His reasoning was that they tend to age rather badly. I bring this up because whenever I bring up a post-1960 movie it gets a far greater response than when i bring up a pre-1960 movie, like this one. Seems my audience shares a similar thought. True, a pre-1960 movie would be well before much of my audience was born but I can't help but think how long a shadow the era of New Hollywood casts.

Rambling aside, what drew me to this film? Well it's about a guy who is in his mid-thirties (Hello!), is unmarried and resigns himself, however reluctantly, to bachelorhood (Hellooooo!).
Okay seriously, i enjoyed this movie. But what i find particularly interesting about it is viewing it through the lens of sixty years and numerous rom-coms. Yes, this movie isn't a rom-com but it does provide an interesting contrast: This is a romantic film about two grown adults, as opposed to teenagers/young adults. There is no reliance on tried-and-tested tropes (ie plots driven by misunderstandings, climax at some dance), there is no wish-fulfillment prospect (ie Oh My Goddess and Twilight) and comedy is taken a back-seat to a character study. And is all the better for it. I will even say that Marty's speech in the final scene still has potency some sixty years later.

That being said, is there any chance of such a film being made today? Of course not XD

The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan's Journey

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan's Journey!

Original image located here. Accessed 1st December 2017

This documentary came to my attention through a friend of mine. A crowd-funded movie that tries to validate the existence of the prequel trilogy? Well, stranger things have happened.

Upon watching this documentary however, it doesn't provide anything I haven't already heard before: Criticisms about the prequels being applied to the originals; the childish nature of both the prequels and the originals; People trying to find a meaning in the prequel trilogy even if they look like they're grasping at straws; The ionization of George Lucas that turned horrifically ugly in the fallout of the prequels; the potential scenario of a fan brought up on the prequels turning on the new trilogy.
Ultimately however, what i got the most out of this documentary is that Star wars fans are indeed passionate and will certainly find anything to validate something that doesn't sit well with the fandom - but then again, I guess all fandoms are like that.

Favorite line: Geeks are the lawyers of the internet