Film 34: Cabin in the Woods (2012)
To be quite honest, I don’t know what I expected from this film. Though I knew for sure that it wouldn’t be a typical american horror film, I was continually caught off guard as the plot progressed. In truth, it isn’t a horror film at all. It’s a satirical black comedy masked as a horror film, a fresh approach to an all but overplayed movie genre that essentially gets the job done. It has all the makings of a common, cheesy teen slasher flick, yet the plot seems to spin out of control the very moment you begin to figure things out, panning out to reveal something much, much bigger than initially perceived. I cannot say much for the acting or the cinematography, both of which are generally unexceptional, but suitable. The comedy aspect is extremely crude and even downright nauseating at times, though it was necessary with the attributed subject matter… Many people will find this film annoying, strange, or just plain stupid, but only because its supposed goal is to astound and bewilder viewers with its sarcastic play on horror films. I guess it’s safe to say that whatever viewers take away from their experience watching this film is entirely dependent on how they see it.
Source: Wired
300 FAVORITE MOVIES (in no particular order)
91. The Boondock Saints (1999)
“And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. We shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti”
(via everwhelmed)
Source: foxyfoxy
I’m like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us. We don’t even belong to each other.
Film 32: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Dir. Blake Edwards
Film 31: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, there is excuse as to why I haven’t seen this film until now. The film’s long introduction in itself contains the elements of a melancholic yet satisfying romance, but the plot becomes even more deep and interesting as it takes an unexpected, though never overwhelmingly confusing, turn. A story told mostly through memories and dreams, the bizarre, nonlinear narrative is extremely intriguing. Films that are told in this unconventional manner are very difficult to pull off, and it doesn’t need saying that Charlie Kaufman and Michael Gondry did an excellent job in its production. Even 8 years after its release, the film has aged remarkably well, with brilliant cinematography, a wonderfully-chosen soundtrack, and superb acting. Here we have Jim Carrey working outside of his normal comedic comfort zone, portraying the reserved and withdrawn Joel, showing just how much he can do in regards to his supposedly restricted acting skills. Kate Winslet also performs brilliantly as always, portraying a carefree woman (Winslet succeeds as an entirely convincing american) who is drawn to Carrey’s character in response to their intensely different personalities. The abnormal circumstances of their relationship, taking place in the subconscious as well as the real world, does not hinder the chemistry of the two actors. Supporting performances by Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Wilkinson are also outstanding and worth noting. The diverse yet fitting menagerie of scenes is a very strong component in this film, with many scenes, whether there is a prominent use of close-ups or wide shots, that are beautiful and engaging (with the acting and soundtrack serving as compliments to the visuals). In most respects I feel that this film doesn’t even need a review, that it has the recognition it deserves and a large enough following to be a must-watch on everyone’s list. It’s lovely, and it’s one of those heartstring-pulling romances that don’t come around quite often as they should.
Film 30: Creation (2009)
Primarily my newfound interest in this film arose from the presence of Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, I too suffer from Post-Reichenbach Disorder and shall explore the fantastic actor’s works until the dawn of the new season arrives). Though to my disappointment I had discovered his role in this particular film was quite small, I decided that I’d check it out anyway being that I’d heard about it before its release and had been interested back then. First off, the film is quite eventful in its own special way, albeit slow at some parts. It’s something of a biopic, and biopics tend to move quickly in order to depict a notable moment or moments in one’s life, yet here we see one where scenes are more dramatic and drawn out, which was welcome. There are flashbacks aplenty, and though it was a nice literary touch it had served to confuse me greatly as the distinction between the present day and the past was at many instances unclear (though perhaps this was intended?). The selection of English actors is satisfactory, and I wish I had seen more screen time from certain ones as many of their appearances are brief. Yet knowing that the aim of the film was to document Charles Darwin, and not other subordinates characters, in his moments of and leading up to his writing of The Origin of Species along with his family life during that time, I would have to say it played out to be quite good and enjoyable, but not extraordinary. Very pristine and at times drab cinematography is utilized, creating an atmosphere consistent with the emotions and breakthroughs of our main character. Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly are excellent and have great chemistry, fitting their parts extremely well. I can’t say much about the soundtrack, which happened to be quite unremarkable, though with its melancholic feel it somehow helped in creating a fitting atmosphere. This type of story is most likely one that I would perhaps rather see in the form of a television programme such as a mini series or short drama series. But would it, in fact, succeed in that form?
Film 29: Mon Oncle (1958)
Dir. Jacques Tati
Film 28: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Dir. Andrew Dominik
Film 27: Memento (2000)
Dir. Christopher Nolan
Film 26: The Woman in Black (2012)
At first glace, it appears to be just another ghost film intended to scare viewers and keep them on the edge of their seat. But I wouldn’t say it’s “just another” one of those cheesy, overdone movies. It’s not a cheap scarefest with horrible acting and campy effects. The acting is not the hallmark of this film, but it accompanies the unsettling feeling of the movie well without being annoying or unbearable; the choice of actors is not extraordinary, but satisfactory at best. Daniel Radcliffe performs well in his first post-Harry Potter role, yet one can easily tell that he has hardly changed his style or screen presence, which isn’t necessarily a negative consequence though I do wonder how his future roles will play out (he’ll always be a Potter to me). I have to say that a number of scares in the film were expected, but the bulk of them were absolutely startling in every in every sense of the word. The setting and cinematography in general, the use of the lighting, and the haunting soundtrack serve to agitate the viewer throughout. If you want to watch something thrilling, frightening, and bloodcurdling with an interesting yet extremely ambiguous plot, this is the perfect choice.
Source: filmofilia.com
My Top 50 Films
#28 Monty Python and the Holy Grail [1974]
Dir. Terry Gilliam
I could post over a hundred gifs and framegrabs from Holy Grail, and that would still not suffice… just how does one choose their favourite Grrrrail moment? Blue. No, yel-…..aaaaauuughhh!
Source: tastesliketungsten
Once more into the fray
Into the last good fight I’ll ever know
Live and die on this day
Live and die on this day
Film 24: The Grey (2012)
Dir. Joe Carnahan
Day 23: Hot Fuzz (2007)
Watched this with karmindy today. All I have to say is..bbwoah. Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost have helped craft yet another comedic, dramatic, thrilling, ridiculous masterpiece. There are priceless moments to be found throughout the entire film.. and I would have expected nothing less from the same creators of Shaun of the Dead (a movie which I will never tire of). The presence of so many famous british actors including Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, and Stephen Merchant is also quite welcome in the midst of so much insanity and somewhat…unorthodox humor.
This movie moves so fast it’s almost too hard to keep up with all of the action, which only makes me to watch it again. It’s so gory, so very gory, and it works.
(via karmindy)
Source: betterfailures
Day 22: The Descendants (2011)
I have to say that the highlight of this movie is the outstanding performance by the cast. George Clooney as Matt King is great, and this is by far one of his hallmark achievements. Judy Greer, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, and Amara Miller also prove to be just as impressively entertaining and interesting. A suitable soundtrack for the setting, and a perfect setting for the plot mixed with extraordinary characters help this film to be one the year’s greatest.
Day 21: Dead Man (1995)
Dir. Jim Jarmusch
Day 20: Panique au village (2000)
Weird movie. It was all very weird to me.
But it was so hilariously weird that it worked.
Source: circlecinema.com
