Rurouni Kenshin

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Rurouni Kenshin (2012)!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th March 2020

Twenty years ago, I had my first exposure to the anime that was Rurouni Kenshin. And, much like many people, I thought it was awesome. Later that year I watched the Memories OVA and doing so truly cemented my interest in Kenshin.
So perhaps it was inevitable that I would come to the series of live action movies that had been produced under the Kenshin brand.

If anything this movie is clearly aiming for a large audience. Granted it has a ready-made audience as this is based on a widely-loved manga/anime series, but there are various indicators of working beyond such a fanbase: The budget is clearly a big one, the fight scenes are stunning to behold and as an action movie it works well.
As a fan of Kenshin, I could recognize the important elements of Kenshin and some key story beats. This is clearly an adaptation of the first manga arc and it does it well with handling of key characters and even adding parts that were only introduced later in the manga. So i did enjoy this movie but would appear that being a fan of Kenshin helps - because I watched this movie with the gf, with it being her first exposure to Kenshin, who was left baffled.

But of course, this movie is the first of a franchise, so it would be interesting to see what happens next in the sequels....

The Talented Mr Ripley

And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Talented Mr Ripley!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th March 2020

Once again, this is another case of a movie I've been meaning to see for some time. But I finally come around to it for three reasons.
Firstly, I recall when this movie originally came out and left a lot of people baffled as to what to make of it - least not my parents who thought it was some sort of inspirational/life-affirming movie (and I can imagine they weren't the only ones). Yet once again, the distance of time builds a perfect platform to assess this movie on it's own merits.
>Secondly, I have seen the stage version of this with the titular role being played by a good friend of mine.
And thirdly, further interest was generated with the connection this movie has to The Room.

Perhaps it is just as well that I approaching this movie with an independent mindset because this is, ultimately, an odd movie - both for it's time and over twenty years later. As a psychological thriller it works well, assisted by some truly stunning imagery of Italy. But at it's core, this movie is a character study, one of a person who is a con-artist and commits some horrible acts but, at the end, still comes out as sympathetic. And the confusion surrounding Tom Ripley, assisted by Matt Damon's performance, makes him a compelling character to be sure. So in the end. if this movie is making me feel for a guy I have no right to, then it must've done something right.
What concerns me though is that we have a guy trying to belong but is greeted with condescension. Which makes me wonder how many 'people who shout at other people on the internet' would find such a scenario familiar....

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.

Senna

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

Original image located here. Accessed 6th March 2020

Last year I saw the documentary Amy and came away impressed - so much so, I was inspired to check out this: an earlier documentary from the same people, focusing on legendary Brazilian F1 racer Aryton Senna.

Much like Amy, Senna is intent on building an image of it's subject, showing Aryton doing what he did best. As such, we follow his career as the documentary discusses various points in his career: His rise to success, his various wins, his ability to drive in the wet, the rivalry with Alain Prost, and Aryton becoming a hero to many a Brazilian. We see nothing of Aryton's personal life but we do see a tonne of footage that, in hindsight, would've been difficult to get a hold of.
So this documentary goes a long way in explaining who Aryton Senna was, his passion towards F1 racing and his various triumphs. And even when we know how the story ends, it still hits hard.

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

Dances With Wolves

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Dances With Wolves!

Original image located here. Accessed 21st February 2020

I have mentioned previously how approaching certain movies can be an intimidating experience on reputation alone. And whilst this movie is one such instance, it does present an interesting case as this movie has a reputation that can only be described as a polarizing one.
On one hand, this was a sizable hit in it's day and subsequently silenced many a nay-sayer. It won Best Picture at the Oscars making it one of three westerns and one of six films done by a first-time director. It challenged a lot of western tropes by showing the Native Americans in a positive and sympathetic light.
But on the other hand, it was an undeserved winner at the Oscars. It robbed victory from Goodfellas. Despite it's intentions it still was a white man's movie. And a proponent of the 'white savior' trope that many a viewer would find insulting.
So for me, in order to appreciate this movie it is therefore necessary to divorce myself from both trains of thought and see it movie purely for what it is.

And you know something? It's actually pretty good. It may drag at times (I'm glad I didn't see the four hour special edition) but it succeeds in it's goal of offering a differing view in the western. Kevin Costner is certainly in control on both sides of the camera. But, much like the Searchers, the real star in this movie is the scenery, with moments of real beauty set in jaw-dropping landscapes.
So yeah. it's a solid movie from the brilliant moments of silence with Dunbar in isolation all the way to the punch-in-the-gut ending

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.

Jojo Rabbit

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

Original image located here. Accessed 7th February 2020

Okay seriously I want to know what pitch was used to green-light this movie. I guess Taika Waititi had built enough credit through the success of Thor Ragnarok that he is allowed to do whatever he wants - truly the ultimate goal of any filmmaker.

I should point out that my preferred brand of comedy is 'pitch black' and there is certainly a lot of it on display here. But scratch that surface and the true intent of the movie is revealed: It has a lot to say about hate and being brainwashed into it.
But at the end of the day, this movie is funny, bizarre, horrific and honest all at the same time. A tricky balancing act to be sure but, in a way, it succeeds.

One point of concern however - or for me at least - is that Waititi may have pinched my idea: In 2018 I worked on manuscript about a guy with an imaginary friend - one who is leading the guy down a wrong path and is ultimately overcome. Now it would seem this movie has prompted a rethink on my part...

Jumanji: The Next Level

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: The Next Level!

Original image located here. Accessed 31th January 2020

Considering how Welcome to the Jungle ended, I didn't think that there would be room for a sequel but, as is often the case, the money one makes can have incredible persuasive power.

But who are they kidding? It's pretty much the same movie as the predecessor. However that's not necessarily a bad thing: Sure this movie is running off the same blueprint and certain jokes are repeated but at the same time there is enough new stuff added, like any good sequel. and the established is expanded upon, like any good sequel.
Plus the whole 'Ruby Roundhouse = Socially awkward Lara Croft' gag will never not be funny

Ultimately however, the strength of this movie, much like it's predecessor, lies in the acting and the chemistry of the cast. After all, the principles/avatars are acting like other members of the cast, same inflections and personalities all the way. The newcomers, Danny Devito and Danny Glover, both add a lot and even the actor playing the baddie is unrecognizable.
And, as surprising as it sounds, these movies prove an excellent showcase as to just how a talented actor Dwayne Johnson is. Who would've thunk it?

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle!

Original image located here. Accessed 24th January 2020

Of all the 90's IP, I never would've guessed that this would be given the resurrection / breath of life, let alone it being any good.

But somehow, against the odds, this movie succeeds. It's a superb action/adventure film movie on it's own but what really makes it shine is a) a delightful cast who are committed to their roles and have an excellent chemistry; b) some hilarious jokes and c) a commentary on video games and taking jabs at the various tropes associated with them (which, being the massive nerd that I am, found endlessly amusing).

So ultimately, this is movie that is way better than it should be.

That and I doubt I would never hear 'Baby I Love Your Way' the same way again.

Little Women

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

Original image located here. Accessed 17th January 2020

This may seem like a curveball - but then again I have thrown many a curveball over the course of this series. But my reasoning for seeing this movie is that a) I have heard some good things about it and b) I have something of an attachment to this story.
When I was in high school, I saw the nineties version in class (the one that starred Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis and Claire Danes). The movie must have made quite an impression because I do recall having an emotional response to it - only for my classmates, both male and female alike, deem me a wimp for it.
The swines.

As for this latest incarnation, it would appear the praise lauded on it is more than justified. Okay sure the jumps back and forth through time were indeed jarring and took some getting used to, but beyond that? The directing is superb, the photography is staggeringly beautiful and the cast give it their all. This may be an odd choice on paper but I am more than glad that I saw it.
Better than the 1994 movie? I think it might be.

All in all, a winner on all fronts
Here's hoping it wins best Picture at the Oscars....

Frozen 2

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

Original image located here. Accessed 10th January 2020

Or, as my niece calls it, Elsa 2

No way around it: i have a lot to say about this movie so I may as well resort to bullet points.
- Given the monumental success of the original, perhaps it should come to as no surprise that this will lead to a franchise. We have a sequel and it would be anything but surprising if more Frozen movies are on the way.
- A lot of world building in this one, no doubt for laying down groundwork for afore-mentioned sequels.
- When i heard a sequel to Frozen was in development I was skeptical - to a point where the only way such a sequel would work would be if these characters took what they learned in the first movie and put it into practice. Now i won't give too much away but I did kinda get that vibe here - even if it was at odds with the impression that this movie seemed quite intent to undo the ending of it's predecessor.
- I've heard people complain that Kristoph didn't have much to do in the movie beyond being reduced to a joke sub-plot. True this isn't his movie, but personally, I'll let the matter slide as he does turn out to be quite supportive of Anna and Elsa when they need it.
- People want Elsa to have a girlfriend - personally I think that would go against a lot of character development she has been through and undermine the themes of this series. Thus it may be a better choice for Elsa to be asexual ( and I think my asexual friends would agree with me on that one)
- Grumbling aside, I did enjoy this movie. I like the autumn vibe going throughout and the use of colors. There are some strong ideas and, despite my cynicism over the potential franchising, I have some interest as to what these characters do next.
- I think I prefer Show Yourself over Let it Go.

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd January 2020

It would appear that assessing a Star Wars movie carries a degree of risk: It may be enjoyable in the moment but take a step back and you realize 'Hey, wait a minute...". Indeed it would appear that the Phantom Menace has a lot to answer for.

If I could describe this movie in a single word it would be breakneck: Everything is moving so quickly that it is difficult to keep up. Sure there's some great action pieces and some interesting character moments but I can't help but think if this movie would've benefited from being two movies. Or being a three hour epic. Like Avengers Endgame.

Speaking of which, the plan of this movie wrapping up all eight movies preceding does indeed draw similarities to Endgame. But whereas Endgame showed how to properly wrap up a movie serial, Rise of Skywalker seemed limp by comparison. I mean it was all right and, being the geek that I am, i did pick up various nods to the other movies scattered throughout, but this is not quite the 'sticking the landing' this movie was supposed to be.

This may sound kind of strange but I'm drawing a comparison with this movie to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You see, the latter, i thought the movie was unremarkable UNTIL to awe-inspiring final quarter that completely vindicated the preceding three quarters. And that's the same vibe I'm getting with Rise of Skywalker: The last quarter was superb but somehow the journey there seemed somewhat underwhelming.

So in conclusion, I did gleam some enjoyment of this movie and I did pick up numerous nods to fans, but, much like a lot of the Disney-helmed Star Wars, the thought of what could've been is indeed a lingering one.