Movies Seen in 2015

CaptainCanada · Aug 8, 2015

1. Searching for Sugar Man (B+)
2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (A)
3. The Imitation Game (B+)
4. Selma (A)
5. Inherent Vice (B+)
6. Foxcatcher (A-)
7. Back to the Future (B)
8. American Sniper (B-)
9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (B)
10. Beloved Sisters (A)
11. Force Majeure (B+)
12. A Most Violent Year (A-)
13. Wild (B+)
14. The Conformist (A-)
15. Blue is the Warmest Colour (A+)
16. Jean de Florette (A)
17. Two Days, One Night (A+)
18. Manon of the Spring (A)
19. Atonement (A+)
20. Honeymoon (B-)
21. The Brothers Bloom (B)
22. Mr. Turner (B+)
23. Still Alice (B+)
24. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (B+)
25. Kingsman: The Secret Service (A)
26. Birdman (A-)
27. Black Book (A-)
28. Leviathan (B+)
29. Terms of Endearment (B)
30. Marty (B+)
31. The Greatest Show on Earth (C+)
32. Focus (B)
33. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (A)
34. The Quiet Man (C+)
35. My Left Foot (B+)
36. Shame (B+)
37. Heavenly Creatures (A)
38. When Harry Met Sally (A+)
39. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (B-)
40. The Invisible Woman (B)
41. All That Jazz (A-)
42. Smashed (B)
43. Serena (D+)
44. Malcolm X (A-)
45. The Iron Giant (A-)
46. Cinderella (A-)
47. Elmer Gantry (B+)
48. Kiss Me Kate (B-)
49. Singin' in the Rain (A-)
50. The Band Wagon (A-)
51. Take Shelter (B+)
52. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (A+)
53. Hateship Loveship (B-)
54. The Truman Show (A-)
55. Wild Tales (A-)
56. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (B+)
57. The Room (F)
58. Titanic (A)
59. Avengers: Age of Ultron (A-)
60. Mad Max: Fury Road (A+)
61. The Tin Drum (B+)
62. Tomorrowland (B-)
63. White Bird in a Blizzard (C+)
64. Mud (B+)
65. Nightcrawler (A)
66. Say Anything (B+)
67. Blood Diamond (B)
68. Ex Machina (A)
69. Inside Out (A+)
70. The Terminator (B)
71. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (A)
72. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (B)
73. Jurassic World (B+)
74. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (B+)
75. Far from the Madding Crowd (B+)
76. Ant-Man (B+)
77. Beyond the Lights (B+)
78. The Lion King (A+)
79. Seven Samurai (A+)
80. This Is Spinal Tap (B+)

81. Testament of Youth (B+)

Film adaptation of the memoir by British pacifist writer Vera Brittain (which I had been pronouncing as "Brit-ayne", but apparently it's just "Britain" with an extra t, which in retrospect makes sense), which initially premiered toward the end of last year as part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. It ended up flying totally under the radar, which I think is undeserved. Had this ended up attracting awards attention, it would definitely have been pilloried as "Oscar bait" in some quarters, a label that attaches to pretty much any period piece. It's not innovative, but it's an effective rendition of the material, and the basic story is very moving, albeit by this point rather familiar.

I've often thought that one of the main reasons the First World War doesn't get nearly as much cinematic representation as its sequel is that the main part of the conflict, for western audiences, was trench warfare in France and Belgium, an uber-grim and monotonous setting that seems to generate only one story: naive and enthusiastic young lads go off to the trenches and get maimed/killed/disillusioned. Indeed, First World War movies almost have a reverse presumption compared to ordinary films, where it's more surprising if the lads survive than if they don't. After we made All Quiet on the Western Front, there wasn't much to add to that story. In this case, it's a somewhat different story, in that it's focused not on the doomed lads themselves, but on Vera, who begins the war with a brother, a fiancee, and a friend/disappointed alternate suitor, all of whom, one could guess even without knowing the real history, are clearly doomed.

Probably the main reason I wanted to see this is because Vera is played by Alicia Vikander, who has quickly become one of my favourite young actresses after her work in Anna Karenina, A Royal Affair, and most recently Ex Machina. She's excellent, as one might expect. The posters, ads, etc. for the movie have emphasized Vera's relationship with her fiancee Roland, played by Game of Thrones' Kit Harrington as an Edwardian dreamboat; Harrington had his strongest season on GOT this year, and he's quite good here too. However, the standout amongst the men in the film is, to my mind, Kingsman: The Secret Service's Taron Egerton, who plays Vera's brother Edward, a polished upper class guy who is the societal opposite of Eggsy, but has the same humour and decency. The supporting cast has the usual rogues gallery of British character actors (Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson -- now firmly in the "mother of main character" phase of her career --, Dominic West). I initially didn't recognize a de-glammed Hayley Atwell, who plays Vera's superior when she becomes a battlefield nurse.

82. Wet Hot American Summer (B+)

I vaguely recall hearing somebody talk about this movie back when I was in high school, which prompted somebody else in the conversation to say the title made it sound like pornography. Anyway, with Netflix's prequel series out, I decided that now was the time to watch it. And...it's a pretty effective 80s film spoof, with a cast full of supporting characters who became way more successful than the notional leads (it's too bad that Marguerite Moreau hasn't done much since then, because she's quite good). Also, where did Janeane Garofalo go? I last recall her being on The West Wing circa 2005-2006.

83. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (A)

The fifth entry in the franchise that has been quietly plugging along for 20 years now, at intervals of about five years. It seems like it's now the last vestige of Tom Cruise's box office superpower, but if that's to continue to be the case, it's warranted, because the films continue to improve, and with the emphasis on stunt work (much of it done by Cruise himself), they feel different from most other action movies right now. Brad Bird's Ghost Protocol, the most recent entry before this, was my favourite of the series, but Rogue Nation is better still; perhaps the action scenes aren't quite as eye-catching, but it's got a better plot and a much better villain, both of which felt rather perfunctory in Bird's film. Other than Mad Max: Fury Road, I can't recall another film that starts as quickly as this one; it's customary to include an opening action sequence in action films, but whereas most films follow that with more in the way of setup and exposition for the main plot, Rogue Nation throttles forward after a lull of maybe a minute. The movie as a consequence feels longer than it is, not in the "check your watch because it's dull" sense, rather the "wow, so much has happened already" sense.

Amongst the cast, Cruise continues to demonstrate that he's the most durable action star of his generation. I don't know how much longer he can keep this up, but I'll be interested to watch. So much of the praise for this film has centered around Rebecca Ferguson, who along with the ladies from Fury Road should set a new standard for the female leads in action movies. And while Ferguson is phenomenal, it's not just the actress -- the Ilsa character is quite intriguing even on a scripting level, and she generates genuine mystery around her motivations and true loyalties for much of the running time, which is often a pretty perfunctory plot device (indeed, the movie does the same thing, to way less effect, with Jeremy Renner's character). Simon Pegg's role in the series continues to expand, and he definitely feels like the member of Hunt's team who inspires genuine interest and affection from the creative team; the aforementioned Renner is fine, but he's clearly a replacement character who is never going to actually replace Hunt, and Ving Rhames' Luther feels like he's here largely because he's the only surviving supporting cast from the first two movies. If it's true that they tried to get Paula Patton and/or Maggie Q back for this one, I wonder if one of them wouldn't have replaced Rhames, because he already doesn't have much to do, and I struggle to see where more characters would fit into this narrative.

Cinema: 28
DVD/Blu-ray: 20 (+1)
Streaming Service: 32 (+1)

Danny99 · Aug 11, 2015

1) The Invasion - C
2) Goodfellas - B
3) Flowers In The Attic - D-
4) The King's Speech - B
5) Kingsman: The Secret Service - A-
6) In Time - B+
7) Guardians of the Galaxy - A
8) You May Not Kiss The Bride - B
9) This Means War - C
10) Parallels - A-
11) Stolen - C
12) Unknown - C+
13) Black Hawk Down - B
14) The Interview - D+
15) The Love Punch - C-
16) Jurassic World - B
17) Eagle Eye - B+
18) Mister Smith Goes To Washington - A-
19) Oblivion - A-
20) Minions - C-
21) Gone Baby Gone - A-
22) Let's Be Cops - F
23) Lawless - B-

It had all the makings of a good movie, but the characterization fell apart.

That being said, I didn't mind a topless Jessica Chastain.

zakkrusz · Aug 13, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)

Running Total: 41

CaptainCanada · Aug 15, 2015

1. Searching for Sugar Man (B+)
2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (A)
3. The Imitation Game (B+)
4. Selma (A)
5. Inherent Vice (B+)
6. Foxcatcher (A-)
7. Back to the Future (B)
8. American Sniper (B-)
9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (B)
10. Beloved Sisters (A)
11. Force Majeure (B+)
12. A Most Violent Year (A-)
13. Wild (B+)
14. The Conformist (A-)
15. Blue is the Warmest Colour (A+)
16. Jean de Florette (A)
17. Two Days, One Night (A+)
18. Manon of the Spring (A)
19. Atonement (A+)
20. Honeymoon (B-)
21. The Brothers Bloom (B)
22. Mr. Turner (B+)
23. Still Alice (B+)
24. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (B+)
25. Kingsman: The Secret Service (A)
26. Birdman (A-)
27. Black Book (A-)
28. Leviathan (B+)
29. Terms of Endearment (B)
30. Marty (B+)
31. The Greatest Show on Earth (C+)
32. Focus (B)
33. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (A)
34. The Quiet Man (C+)
35. My Left Foot (B+)
36. Shame (B+)
37. Heavenly Creatures (A)
38. When Harry Met Sally (A+)
39. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (B-)
40. The Invisible Woman (B)
41. All That Jazz (A-)
42. Smashed (B)
43. Serena (D+)
44. Malcolm X (A-)
45. The Iron Giant (A-)
46. Cinderella (A-)
47. Elmer Gantry (B+)
48. Kiss Me Kate (B-)
49. Singin' in the Rain (A-)
50. The Band Wagon (A-)
51. Take Shelter (B+)
52. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (A+)
53. Hateship Loveship (B-)
54. The Truman Show (A-)
55. Wild Tales (A-)
56. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (B+)
57. The Room (F)
58. Titanic (A)
59. Avengers: Age of Ultron (A-)
60. Mad Max: Fury Road (A+)
61. The Tin Drum (B+)
62. Tomorrowland (B-)
63. White Bird in a Blizzard (C+)
64. Mud (B+)
65. Nightcrawler (A)
66. Say Anything (B+)
67. Blood Diamond (B)
68. Ex Machina (A)
69. Inside Out (A+)
70. The Terminator (B)
71. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (A)
72. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (B)
73. Jurassic World (B+)
74. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (B+)
75. Far from the Madding Crowd (B+)
76. Ant-Man (B+)
77. Beyond the Lights (B+)
78. The Lion King (A+)
79. Seven Samurai (A+)
80. This Is Spinal Tap (B+)
81. Testament of Youth (B+)
82. Wet Hot American Summer (B+)
83. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (A)

84. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (A-)

John Ford's westerns reach their Frederick Jackson Turner phase, documenting the end of the frontier and the cowboys who made it wild, and their replacement by a new breed of men looking to bring about the rule of law. As the cowboy you have, of course, John Wayne, kicking off the twilight phase for his rugged western hero that would continue up until The Shootist. As the lawyer, you've got Jimmy Stewart, who is very good, even if he is clearly way too old for this part (probably also true of Wayne, but he at least is not specified as being a young man fresh out of law school).

I know Wayne really disliked High Noon, but many parts of this movie rather reminded me of that one, though one of the main advantages Liberty Valance has is that it has a much better and more intimidating villain (in the form of the always drunk and violent Lee Marvin). A lot of the acting in this movie from supporting characters is decidedly over the top, but the performances mostly work, though the comically inept marshal kind of grates. The most compelling aspect of the movie is Wayne's character, who you might expect to be your stereotypical white hat, but he's actually unattractively possessive and rather blinkered, morally, since it seems like he could take on Liberty Valance at any time, he just doesn't feel like it, and he outright resents Stewart's character even as he's trying to improve the community.

85. The Guest (A-)

I'd heard this talked about as a very fun B-movie thriller for a while, and it lives up to that billing. When I use to watch Downton Abbey I never particularly thought of Dan Stevens either as one of its particular strengths or weaknesses (and when I saw him on Broadway in The Heiress, he was similarly fine, but not a standout), but he's a real standout here in a totally opposite sort of role (great abs too), as a mentally-disturbed supersoldier on the run from the government who becomes a murderous would-be guardian angel for a family. The other acting standout is Maika Monroe, who I'd never heard of before, but who makes an immediate impression (looking on the IMDb, apparently she's playing the president's daughter in the upcoming bad idea sequel to Independence Day).

The movie's basic premise of a strange man showing up and ingratiating himself under false premises is most often done with the man having ill designs toward the family, but the thing I found the most novel about this premise is that he really is totally sincere in his desire to help out. It's his methods and, after he's found, his mental programming that turn out to be the problem. His interactions with the family's son read to me as a bit of a parody/deconstruction of another sort of mysterious stranger, the Clint Eastwood-style man with no name, as the son becomes a total fan of Stevens' character even after deducing that he has been murdering people.

86. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (B)

This was fun, but I expect that in other summers I might have been keener on it, if 2015 hadn't already produced a couple of films that filled this movie's various niches in superior manners. Kingsman: The Secret Service was the better homage to 1960s spy movies; Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation was the better action film based on a 1960s TV show. The main thing this film has going for compared to those movies is the full-on 60s fashions (the cast definitely looks great wearing them, too). I quite enjoyed Guy Ritchie's two Sherlock Holmes films, and this isn't on that level in terms of fun, despite using many of the same stylistic tics. In particular, the tendency to use rapid-fire flashbacks to reveal what really happened is way less compelling here, particularly when it's recalling things that happened only a few minutes earlier. My biggest takeaway from this movie is that it reinforces my biggest thought about The Great Gatsby: Elizabeth Debicki is a really striking screen presence, and should get more prominent roles.

Cinema: 31 (+1)
DVD/Blu-ray: 20
Streaming Service: 35 (+2)

zakkrusz · Aug 16, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
Justice League: War (8/10)

Running Total: 42

od0_ital · Aug 17, 2015

A Long Way Down - Netflix Instant
Nick Offerman: American Ham- Netflix Instant
The Interview - xbox
The Book Thief - DVD
As Above, So Below - DVD
30 for 30: Pony Excess - Netflix Instant
All Is Lost - Netflix Instant
Get On Up - DVD
Dallas Buyers Club - DVD
American Sniper - matinee
The Conspirator - Netflix Instant
The Bag Man - Netflix Instant
Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time (2014) - Netflix Instant
Brick Mansions - Netflix Instant
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis - DVD
Lego Justice League vs Bizarro League - DVD
Kingsman: The Secret Service - theater
Earth to Echo - Netflix Instant
Jupiter Ascending 2D - theater
Ralphie May: Unruly - Netflix Instant
In a World... - Netflix Instant
Focus - theater
Bad Grandpa: Unrated Version - Netflix Instant
The Quick and the Dead - Netflix Instant
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn - Netflix Instant
Chappie - theater
The Judge - DVD
Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - DVD
Lucy - DVD
Friday the 13th, Part 2 - Netflix Instant
Friday the 13th, Part III - Netflix Instant
Divergent - DVD
Raising Arizona - DVD
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter - Netflix Instant
Jason Lives: Friday the 13th, Part VI - Netflix Instant
Whiplash - DVD
Into the Woods - DVD
Friday the 13th, Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan - Netflix Instant
Life Itself - Netflix Instant
Horrible Bosses 2 - DVD
Wolverine versus Sabretooth: Reborn - DVD
Snowpiercer - Netflix Instant
The Divergent Series: Insurgent 3D - theater
Furious Seven - theater
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death - DVD
Batman vs Robin - DVD
Woman in Gold - theater
The Sound of Music (1965) - theater
Captain America (1979) - DVD
Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man (1973) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War (1973) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man: Solid Gold Kidnapping (1973) - DVD
Avengers: Age of Ultron 3D - Alamo Drafthouse
Mad Max: Fury Road 2D - theater
Pitch Perfect 2 - theater
San Andreas 3D - theater
The Boxtrolls - Netflix Instant
The Ref - Netflix Instant
The Station Agent - Netflix Instant
Spy - theater
Mr. Peabody & Sherman - Netflix Instant
Mortal Kombat: The Movie - Netflix Instant
Rodney Carrington: Laughter's Good - Netflix Instant
Pressure Point - Netflix Instant
Jurassic World 3D - theater
The Road Warrior - DVD
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - DVD
Big Eyes - DVD
Ralphie May: Imperfectly Yours - Netflix Instant
Grace of Monaco - Netflix Instant
Inside Out 2D - theater
Terminator: Genisys 3D - theater
Chris Tucker Live - Netflix
Ant-Man 2D - Alamo Drafthouse
The Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie - Netflix Instant
X-Men: Days of Future Past - The Rogue Cut - blu ray
Funny Face (1957) - Alamo Drafthouse
Batman: Unlimited - Animal Instincts - DVD
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - DVD
Justice League: Gods and Monsters - DVD

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - theater
Michael Jackson's This Is It - DVD
Fantastic 4 (2015) - theater

Took the oldest nephew to see Ant-Man 2D yesterday, since he hadn't seen it yet.

Took both of my sister's sons to see the new F4 movie today, at the cheapest matinee possible. I knew it was goin' to suck, the boys were hopin' it wouldn't be as bad as it turned out to be. The oldest one said he didn't like or dislike it, it just was there...

There is so much wrong with this movie, I wouldn't even know where to start.

At least here was some stuff to like about the first two, and the sequel was better than the first one of those. This one already has a sequel planned, but considerin' it made less than a third of its openin' weekend, which is already the lowest openin' weekend for a superhero movie in fifteen years, maybe we won't have to worry about F42 at all.

USS Fardell · Aug 17, 2015

DVD - 7
Cinema - 8
Streaming Service - 10
Television Broadcast - 3

1 Guardians of the Galaxy
Rewatch.
A Marvel movie. I found it as good as the first time. The story of the Guardians of the Galaxy and how they come to save Xandar from Ronin was well written. Each of the characters (except Ronin, Nebula and Thanos) were well realized. 8/10.

2 Big Hero 6
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on a Marvel property. I found that this was well realized, especially when it came to Hiro's grieving for his brother, Tadashi. His character was well written. The moral quandaries that he and his new friends face as they track down a new villain in San Fransoyko are also well written. 8.5/10.

3 Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on the novels by Lewis Carrol. I found this movie, just as strange as I remembered. Especially with the Cheshire Cat causing Alice to provoke the Queen of Hearts (not that she needed it much) into wanting to execute her. The other characters, including the Hatter and the White Rabbit are just as strange as I remembered. 7.5/10.

4 The Water Diviner
A movie loosely based on a true story about an Australian farmer who tries to find the bodies of his sons who went to fight at Gallipoli. This movie showed the grief and loss of war very well (and also the impact of trench warfare on the unfortunate participants involved). The characters of the farmer and the people he meets during his quest are well realised. As is the situation in the post-war Ottoman Empire. 9/10.

5 Cinderella (1950)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault. I found this movie just as interesting as I remembered (although I remembered less than with Alice in Wonderland). This story of the kind orphaned girl who is abused by her stepfamily is still quite powerful in an emotional sense. The interaction between Cinderella and her fairy godmother was well done. As was the character of the stepmother. 8/10.

6 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
The third in the Night at the Museum series, based on a children’s book. I found that this movie is just as enjoyable and well written as the first in the series. The situations and the various characters involved in this film were well realized. Larry Daley's character growth is impressive, particularly when it came to discussing with his son about the latter's choices about life after school. Additionally knowing that this was Robin Williams' last role made his scenes rather poignant, particually towards the end. 9/10.

7 Thor: The Dark World
Rewatch
A Marvel movie. The scond in the Thor series, based on the Marvel comic series. This is still enjoyable on the third (or fourth) viewing. The situation with the convergence is well written (although the Dark Elves', and Melekith's in particular, motivations seem a little simplistic). Thor and Jane Foster's reunion is well done, both Hemsworth and Portman's performances were very good. The plot thread involving Loki is very well realized, easily continuing his story from the first Thor and Avengers.
Well worth seeing again. 8/10.

8 Fantasia (1940)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie. A series of short stories set to classical music. I found it quite as interesting as I remembered it. All of the sequences set to the classical pieces are well done, especially in the animation. (Some are not quite to my taste, like the Chernoborg sequences, or the Bacchanalia, but Disney and his animators did them well.) As for a part did like, the Sorceror's Apprentice, liked well. Not just because of Mickey Mouse, but because of the lesson involved. To not get over your head in a power you barely involved.
The Sorceror's response is the way would expect a master to react. A great rewatch. 9/10.

9 Muppet Treasure Island
Rewatch
A Muppet movie based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. As is usual for the Muppets, the movie is filled with humour. The role of Jim Hawkins has been expanded to include Rizzo and The Great Gonzo. (Although most of his original plot line is intact). The Jim Henson Company has outdone themselves, they had built upon their experience with the A Muppet Christmas Carol. Tim Curry is great as Long John Silver. Humourous, and yet; threatening. Easily believable as the pirate leader.
All the musical numbers are great, younger children can easily sing along. Not only that, but they add to the comedic atmosphere of the film. 9/10.

10 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Rewatch
A movie based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name. The story of a reclusive chocolatier who sends out five golden tickets for visitors to his factory. It is also the story of the recipients of those tickets, and how their character flaws influence their journey through the factory. Johnny Depp is his usual idiosyncratic self as Willy Wonka, the chocolatier who takes the flawed children and their guardians through the factory. He was rather good in the role, albeit quite weird. The other characters are well portrayed (as in the events lead to the consequences are quite believable).
Charlie Bucket, the poor (as in socio-economically; not in character, nor in fate) boy who is the final recipient of the golden ticket is better portrayed than the other child characters. 8/10,

11 Toy Story
Rewatch.
A Pixar movie. A film about sentient toys. Specifically two toys belonging to a seven year old named Andy. A cowboy action figure named Woody, who is Andy's favourite toy finds himself threatened when Andy receives a spaceman action figure named Buzz Lightyear for his birthday. The movie is mainly about their rivalry. It is also about Sid, Andy's neighbour, who shows sociopathic tendencies in his behaviour towards toys. He not only mutilates them, he also blows them up with actual explosives.
The main plot, of Woody and Buzz' rivalry and their eventual reconciliation, is well written. Pixar set themselves with a high standard with their first outing. Andy's reactions to his toys going missing are also well done. 9/10.

12 A Bug's Life
Rewatch.
A Pixar movie. A film about an ant colony which is subjected to extortion by a gang of grasshoppers every year. It is also about Flik, a young ant who accidently destroys the colony's offering to the grasshoppers with one of his inventions. Another plot thread is about a troop of circus bugs that Flik accidently recruits to help the ant colony fight off the grasshoppers. It is also about the budding romance between Flik and Princess Adda, who is the heir to the colony's Queen. Overall this movie was well written and directed.
The motivations of the main villain, Hopper, the leader of the grasshopper gang, are well realised, easily paralleling real life situations of a similar nature. The comedy of errors in relation to the circus bugs being mistaken for warrior bugs is also well done. 8.5/10.

13 Toy Story 2
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The second in the Toy Story trilogy. A year after the events of the first movie, Woody is stolen by a toy collector while Andy is at a cowboy camp. Buzz Lightyear then mounts a rescue mission. There are many elements to this movie, relating to the concept of sentient toys, and what will happen to them (a thread that continues into the third movie). One relates to what happens when a toy is damaged. They are liable to be thrown away, or forgotten. The other is what happens when an owner outgrows a toy.
The scenes involving this latter point are particularly poignant, especially When You Loved Me. The reasons why Jessie is the way she is are well realised. The case of the Prospector is also well realized, in the case of never being bought. Almost as good as the first movie. 8.5/10.

14 Monsters Inc
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of two monster friends. Sully (James P. Sullivan) a professional scarer, and his friend Mike Wazowski, his scare coach. As the movie starts they are competing with other Scarer's for the All Time Scare Record. But as time goes on, they are drawn into a conspiracy that runs deep within the company. Again, Pixar has included many elements in this movie. The scare record, the conspiracy and the fact that the Monsters consider humans toxic to them. The plot thread covering Sully and Mike's plight is well realized.
The scenes regarding the details of the conspiracy within the company can be frightening, but this is balanced by Mike being a source of comic relief. This balance is also achieved by a revelation that changes everything for the monsters, while also providing a new opportunity. A great movie. 8.5/10.

15 Finding Nemo
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of two clownfish from the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin and his son Nemo. It is also the story of a blue tang fish named Dory, who Marlin looks for while searching for Nemo after Nemo is caught by a dentist from Sydney. The movie has two threads, one is Marlin's search for Nemo. The other is Nemo meeting an eccentric of fish (and other aquatic organisms) in the dentists aquarium, and his attempts to escape. The desperation in which Marlin searches for Nemo is well realized.
As is the depiction of Dory's amnesia. The depiction of the other individuals in the film are also well done. Nemo's growth in his befriending of the other aquarium inmates and attempts to escape are well done. He has an obvious character growth as a result of his experiences. A very good movie. 8/10.

16 The Incredibles
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of a family of 'supers' who are in hiding after the government forced all 'supers' to give up their vigilante activities less than two decades prior. Specifically, it is the story of Bob Parr (formerly known as Mr. Incredible), who is unsatisfied with his life as a paperpusher and father (especially the former). He is hired by a mysterious individual to fight against some machines, not knowing that he's actually helping a new villian with his plans. His dissatisfaction with his lot is well realized.
The characterisation of his wife and kids are well realized. Helen's struggle to keep her family's 'talents' hidden (along with her suspicions about what he's up to), his daughter's introvertedness and struggles with her own powers, and his son's own troubles are well done. As is the characterisation of the villain. 7.5/10.

17 Cars
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of Lightning McQueen, a young hotshot racecar who ends up in an out-of-the-way town on Route 66 while on the way to California. It follows his maturation as he interacts with the denizens (Carizens? Vehiclezens?) of Radiator Springs during his community service. The process of his character growth as he gets to know the inhabitances of that town is well done, as is the characterisations of the other vehicle characters. Specifically that of the tow truck, the lawyer and the doctor/mechanic with a secret.
The movie is also about McQueen's rivals, a retiring racecar and his constant runner up. Their characterisation is also well done, particularly pertaining to the latter's resentment towards the former and the role of that attitude in the climax. This is a really good movie, that is well worth seeing again. 8.5/10.

18 Ratatouille
A Pixar movie. The story of Remy, a rat with a advanced senses of smell and taste. It details how he gets his dream of cooking in a Parisien restaurant, while helping one of the waiters there achieves his own dreams in the kitchen. It is also the story of Alfredo, the aformentioned waiter, and his burgeoning relationship with Colette, one of the chefs at that restaurant. A third plotline is Remy's relationship with his family, particularly his father, who doesn't want his son getting too close to the humans, who consider rats vermin to be exterminated.
All in all, all of these plotlines are well developed. The story of the rats and the measures they take in order to survive is well developed. But the best aspect to this film is the relationship between Remy and Alfredo. The way they come to trust each other as they work out how to communicate each others intentions is particularly well done. 8/10.

19 Avengers (2012)
Rewatch
A Marvel movie. The story of how Tony Stark as Iron Man, Steve Rogers as Captain America, Bruce Banner as the Hulk, Clint Barton as Hawkeye, Natasha Romanov and Thor first team up as the Avengers, when Loki steals an artefact from SHIELD, and uses it as part of a scheme inspired by a third party. It is also part of a story about SHIELD (how it is trying to defend humanity from aliens and superhuman threats). Robert Downey Jr. continues to play Iron Man well (from his portrayal of the role in Iron Man and Iron Man 2).
The same with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, continuing his character arc from the first Thor movie. Thor's actions and motives regarding his adoptive brother are very believable. Tom Hiddleston similarly continues to portray Loki in a way that is consistant with the way the character was developed in the Thor movie. Overall a very good film. 9/10.

20 Avengers: Age of Ultron
A Marvel movie and the Sequal to the 2012 Avengers movie. Tony Stark as Iron Man, Steve Rogers as Captain America, Bruce Banner as the Hulk, Clint Barton as Hawkeye, Natasha Romanov and Thor have been fighting against the forces of HYDRA, since the fall of SHIELD. However, as they capture the sceptre that Loki used in his scheme at that time, some plans go awry. Partially as a result of his encounter with Wanda Maximoff 'Scarlett Witch', Stark's plans for world security go awry...
The plot as it plays out (and there is one), is a great one, although there are some scenes which can be misinterpreted (such as one between Banner and Romanov), but overall it plays out well, albeit not as well as the first film. Downey Jr. continues to play Iron Man in a way that continues from earlier installments (albiet maybe not the immediate earlier installment). An enjouyable film. 8.5/10.

21 Death on the Nile (1978)
A movie based on the novel by Agatha Christie with Peter Ustinov starring as Hercule Poirot. The film is a good adaption of Christie's work. The tale is of Poirot's cruise on a paddle steamer on the Nile river, where on it's journey from Cairo to Abu Simbel and return there is treachery. A rich heiress has many enemies, and when there is a murder, Poirot has to find out who did it. Most of the people on the cruise ship had both motive and opportunity, but was it possible that the circumstances around the murder had been contrived?
Ustinov was great as Poirot (but not as good as David Suchet), Mia Farrow and Simon MacCorkindale were great in their roles as two of the suspects and Lois Chiles portrayed the heiress in a believable way. The location filming, on the Nile and on and around the ancient Egyptian monuments was also well done, as well as that in England. A great film, as enjoyable as other Christie adaptations. 8.5/10.

22 Jurassic World
The fourth film in the Jurassic Park franchise, based on novels by Michael Chrichton (albiet not based on any one novel). Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, B. D Wong and Vincent D'Onofrio. A Dinosaur theme park, called Jurassic World, has been running on Isla Nublar for more than ten years, but attendance has been declining. As such a new hybrid predatory dinosaur has been created. However the motives behind the creation of that hybrid may have nothing to do with declining attendance...
Pratt was great as the 'Raptor trainer Owen Grady, delivering a believable performance as someone who sees the dinosaurs as living animals, and would rather not see them used for nefarious purposes. Howard was great as the park's operations manager and aunt, and D'Onofrio as the human antagonist. The CGI and animatronics were an improvement on that in the earlier installments of the franchise. A great film, almost as good as the original Jurassic Park. 9/10.

23 Terminator Genisys
The fifth film in the Terminator franchise. Starring Arnold Schwartzeneggar, Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney and Matthew Smith. Skynet is loosing, Techcom is winning. A Terminator is sent back to 1984, so is Kyle Reece. But to a different 1984 than was expected. What had started out as a simple predestination paradox has become a Timey-Wimey mess. (An appropriate term, given the role that Matthew Smith is most known for.) Kyle Reece has found himself in a completely different situation than in the original film.
Schwartzeneggar hasn't lost any of the qualtities that allowed him to be a presence in each of the first three films. Being the Governor hasn't seemed to impact his acting ability. Emilia Clarke portrays Sarah Conner well. Of course, this is a different Sarah one who has been aware of the threat that Skynet poses for years. Comparison's to the version played by Linda Hamilton wouldn't be fair. Matthew Smith is also good in his role. However, the writing and direction doesn't hold up to the standard set by James Cameron with the first two films. 7.5/10.

24 WALL -E
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. This is the story of a robot, who meets another robot and starts a relationship. The waste management robot is quite endearing, having taken on many human qualtities over the centuries that he has been active. The other robot he meets, a vegetation analysing robot, is also quite interesting in her role. However that isn't the whole story. The second part of the story involves the first robot getting involved in the life of the ship that the other robot came from. The introduction of this robot upsets the carefully planned community of the ship.
Within this second half there are two plotlines. The fixed discipline of the ships autopilot robot (AUTO) who wants to keep things the way they are, vs. the Captain and two other humans, discovering what life was like before the centuries long 'cruise', and thus wanting to go back to Earth to start again. The clash between the two storylines is well done. The Captain in particular, once he has the idea that it would be a good idea to return to Earth, won't let anything stop that from happening.
The two robots and another group of rogue robots join up to allow it to happen. A very good movie, 8.5/10.

25 Ant-Man
A Marvel movie. Starring Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Evangelline Lilly as Hope van Dyne, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and Corey Stoll as Darren Cross. The story of a convicted burglar who is trying to go straight after being released from a state prison. However his attempt at going straight doesn't go well, with him loosing the job he gets. This leads to his unusual recruitment by Hank Pym, inventor and former SHIELD agent, for him to do a job. However, there is tension between Hank and his daughter, Hope over Lang's recruitment.
The reason for this recruitment, is that Pym's successor at the company Pym created is not someone who Pym trusts. The film's storyline is rather good, although there are some spots that seem out of place (for instance, early heist scenes, and Lang's confrontation with his ex-wife over vistation rights). Michael Douglas is great as Hank Pym, who wants to stop a threat arising from his work that would change the world for the worse. Corey Stoll is also great as the main antagonist who wants to use Pym's breakthrough for personal power.
All in all the film has very good effects (particularly in the miniaturisation scenes) and is a great addition to Marvel's repertoire. 8/10.

26 Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
The fourth film in the Mission Impossible film franchise, very loosely based on a 1960's television series. Starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Also starring Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton. After a mission in the Kremlin goes horribly awry, Ethan Hunt and his team must travel across the world (from, Russia, to Dubai to India) to prevent a nuclear war. What follows is a series of high flying stunts (some involving the Burj Khalifa), and daring deeds, as Hunt and his team go about their mission.
The storylines are good (More so than expected), with the team being on their own without the resources of the Impossible Mission Force to back them up, thus having to improvise solutions to the problems that come up. Also an influence is the fact that Russian agents are after them (due to the events at the Kremlin. This introduces another wrinkle, their invention causes problems during the chase of the matermind behind the nuclear war scheme. Tom Cruise is great presence as Ethan Hunt.
Also, Simon Pegg adds a slightly comic releif aspect to the film in his role as the team's technician. A rather better film than I expected. 8/10.

27 Napoleon Dynamite
An independent art-house comedy film. Starring Joe Heder in the title role, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino and Haylie Duff. The tale of a unpopular guy in Preston, Idaho as he tries to get through school, and deal with all the situations that life keeps throwing at him. The main plotline focuses on Napoleon and his attempts at getting a girl to go with him to the school dance. It also involves his friendship with Pedro and his burgeoning friendship with Deb, one of the girls he asks to go to the dance with.
In addition, there is his uncle Rico, who is involved in get-rich-quick schemes. All of these plots come together to make a mishmash of a plot, but one that is easy to follow. However, Heder is good in his role as Napoleon. All the other characters are portrayed similarly, inculding Tina Majorino as Deb. An interesting film, but ultimately not to my taste. Some of the reminders of high school are a bit too much. 6.5/10.

28 Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
The fifth film in the Mission Impossible film franchise, very loosely based on a 1960's television series. Starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Also starring Simon Pegg as Benjamin 'Benji' Dunn, Jeremy Renner, Alex Baldwin and Rebecca Ferguson. Ethan Hunt is on the run, after the Impossible Mission Force is dissolved at the behest of the head of the CIA. He is involved in the hunt for an organisation called the Syndicate, which he calls a 'rogue nation'. He must again travel around the world.
(From, London, to Paris, to a Viennese opera, to Morocco, and back to London again.) Another series of high flying, and deep diving, stunts follow, (Including Hunt clinging to the side of an ascending aircraft) as Hunt recruits his old teamates and keep ahead of the CIA, to investigate and try to shut down the Syndicate. A wrinkle in the plan is a British Agent who has been sent to infiltrate the Syndicate is being manipulated on both sides. Tom Cruise continues to have a great presence as Ethan Hunt.
Simon Pegg still adds a comic releif in his role as Hunts colleague and friend. Rebecca Ferguson is also great as the British Agent. A better film than the previous one. 8.5/10.

zakkrusz · Aug 20, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
Justice League: War (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
Fight Club (9/10)

Running Total: 43

tomalak301 · Aug 21, 2015

1) The Imitation Game (2014) - B
2) Selma (2014) - B+
3) Whiplash (2014) - A
4) The Lego Movie (2014) - B
5) American Sniper (2014) - C
6) Still Alice (2014) - A
7) Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) - B
8) Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) - C+
9) Ex Machina (2015) - B
10) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - B+
11) Jurassic World (2015) - B
12) Inside Out (2015) - A+
13) Spy (2015) - B+
14) Ant Man (2015) - B
15) Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation (2015) - A-
16) Ricki and the Flash (2015) - C+

I saw two movies recently but forgot to add them to the list. Mission Impossible was great, and had some amazing action for a Summer film. Loved the motorcycle scene, which was immediately preceded by a car chase scene, and both made the plane scene seem a little inferior.

Ricki and the Flash was basically a soap opera and not really for me, but I like Meryl Streep so it was enjoyable enough. Kind of predictable though.

Theater 15 (+2)
TV/Netflix (1)
Itunes

zakkrusz · Aug 22, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)
Fight Club (9/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
Justice League: War (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
The Man From UNCLE (7/10)

Running Total: 44

od0_ital · Aug 23, 2015

A Long Way Down - Netflix Instant
Nick Offerman: American Ham- Netflix Instant
The Interview - xbox
The Book Thief - DVD
As Above, So Below - DVD
30 for 30: Pony Excess - Netflix Instant
All Is Lost - Netflix Instant
Get On Up - DVD
Dallas Buyers Club - DVD
American Sniper - matinee
The Conspirator - Netflix Instant
The Bag Man - Netflix Instant
Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time (2014) - Netflix Instant
Brick Mansions - Netflix Instant
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis - DVD
Lego Justice League vs Bizarro League - DVD
Kingsman: The Secret Service - theater
Earth to Echo - Netflix Instant
Jupiter Ascending 2D - theater
Ralphie May: Unruly - Netflix Instant
In a World... - Netflix Instant
Focus - theater
Bad Grandpa: Unrated Version - Netflix Instant
The Quick and the Dead - Netflix Instant
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn - Netflix Instant
Chappie - theater
The Judge - DVD
Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - DVD
Lucy - DVD
Friday the 13th, Part 2 - Netflix Instant
Friday the 13th, Part III - Netflix Instant
Divergent - DVD
Raising Arizona - DVD
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter - Netflix Instant
Jason Lives: Friday the 13th, Part VI - Netflix Instant
Whiplash - DVD
Into the Woods - DVD
Friday the 13th, Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan - Netflix Instant
Life Itself - Netflix Instant
Horrible Bosses 2 - DVD
Wolverine versus Sabretooth: Reborn - DVD
Snowpiercer - Netflix Instant
The Divergent Series: Insurgent 3D - theater
Furious Seven - theater
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death - DVD
Batman vs Robin - DVD
Woman in Gold - theater
The Sound of Music (1965) - theater
Captain America (1979) - DVD
Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man (1973) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War (1973) - DVD
The Six Million Dollar Man: Solid Gold Kidnapping (1973) - DVD
Avengers: Age of Ultron 3D - Alamo Drafthouse
Mad Max: Fury Road 2D - theater
Pitch Perfect 2 - theater
San Andreas 3D - theater
The Boxtrolls - Netflix Instant
The Ref - Netflix Instant
The Station Agent - Netflix Instant
Spy - theater
Mr. Peabody & Sherman - Netflix Instant
Mortal Kombat: The Movie - Netflix Instant
Rodney Carrington: Laughter's Good - Netflix Instant
Pressure Point - Netflix Instant
Jurassic World 3D - theater
The Road Warrior - DVD
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - DVD
Big Eyes - DVD
Ralphie May: Imperfectly Yours - Netflix Instant
Grace of Monaco - Netflix Instant
Inside Out 2D - theater
Terminator: Genisys 3D - theater
Chris Tucker Live - Netflix
Ant-Man 2D - Alamo Drafthouse
The Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie - Netflix Instant
X-Men: Days of Future Past - The Rogue Cut - blu ray
Funny Face (1957) - Alamo Drafthouse
Batman: Unlimited - Animal Instincts - DVD
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - DVD
Justice League: Gods and Monsters - DVD

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - theater
Michael Jackson's This Is It - DVD
Fantastic 4 (2015) - theater
We Are Marshall - blu ray
The Goonies - DVD
Demetri Martin: Live (at the time) - Netflix Instant
Batman: Unlimited - Monster Mayhem - DVD

Picked up the "based on a true story" football movie a couple of weeks ago, finally watched it last night. Based on the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that wiped out the Marshall University football team, coaches, radio announcer & other VIPs of the community, it focusses on the rebuildin' of the team, the survivors' healin', and epilogue summary of what happened after their first win in 1971.

It was a good movie, liked it quite a bit.

Followed that with my first ever viewin' of The Goonies. Guess I just waited too long to watch it, though, 'cause I don't see what the big deal is. Same thing happened with Monster Squad a couple of years ago.

Dozed off last night watchin' the latest from Demetri Martin, finished it this mornin'. Worth a few laughs.

Rented the new Batman: Unlimited movie from Hasting's today, tried watchin' it with my nephews tonight. The oldest one gave up about midway through, the younger one said it didn't make any sense. I think I may stop rentin' 'em.

Danny99 · Aug 26, 2015

1) The Invasion - C
2) Goodfellas - B
3) Flowers In The Attic - D-
4) The King's Speech - B
5) Kingsman: The Secret Service - A-
6) In Time - B+
7) Guardians of the Galaxy - A
8) You May Not Kiss The Bride - B
9) This Means War - C
10) Parallels - A-
11) Stolen - C
12) Unknown - C+
13) Black Hawk Down - B
14) The Interview - D+
15) The Love Punch - C-
16) Jurassic World - B
17) Eagle Eye - B+
18) Mister Smith Goes To Washington - A-
19) Oblivion - A-
20) Minions - C-
21) Gone Baby Gone - A-
22) Let's Be Cops - F
23) Lawless - B-
24) The Double - B+

Richard Gere and Topher Grace manage to not only hold this one, but make it fairly entertaining. Though the second twist seems a little out of left field, it's a great popcorn flick.

Captain Craig · Aug 28, 2015

I didn't start in the thread till August that year, partial list

Piranha 3D: C+
Book of Eli: B
Lethal Weapon: A
Lethal Weapon 2: A-
Lethal Weapon 3: B
Lethal Weapon 4: C+
The Crow: A
Clash of the Titans: B+
Prince of Persia: B
The Fountain: D
Resident Evil: A-
Resident Evil: Apocalypse: B
Resident Evil: Extinction: B-
Resident Evil: Afterlife: B
Resident Evil: Degeneration(animated): B
Bad Boys: B+
Zombieland: B
The Evil Dead: B-
R.E.D.: B
30 Days of Night: Dark Days: B+
Conviction: A-
Crazies(2010): A-
Paranormal Activity: A+
Paranormal Activity 2: A
Shutter Island: B-
Gamer: F
Last House on the Left(orig): D+
Thirst(asian film): C-
The Hills Have Eyes: B
When In Rome: B-
Dr.Horrible Sing-A-Long: A
Expelled No Intelligence Allowed(doc): B
Zombie Strippers: D
Mammoth: D+
Everyone Else: D
Dark Ages(doc): A
Batman vs Dracula(anim): A-
Independence Day: A
Robin Hood(2010-Crowe): B
Taken: A
Only You: B-
Momma Mia: C
High Plains Drifter: C
Joe Kid: A-
Tron Legacy: B
Voyage of the DawnTreader: B+
Tourist: B
Duchess: B
Blade Runner: B+
Men In Black: A
Jumper: B-
Interview with the Vampire: A-
Brideshead Revisted: B
Wizard of Oz: A
Gone With the Wind: A
True Grit: A

1. The Fighter: B-
2. Batman(90's saga): A-,B-,C-,D
3. Star Wars OT-Special Edition: B+, A, B
4. The Green Hornet: B
5. True Grit(1969): C+
6. Lord of the Rings saga: (A,A,A)
7. The Machinist: A-
8. Season of the Witch: B
9. Frozen: A-
10. Due Date: B+
11. Planet of the Apes(2001): B-
12. Faster: C
13. Romance: D (French film, subtitled)
14. YPF: C- (YPF=Young People F*&^ing)
15. The Beautiful Truth: B-
16. Strictly Sexual: C+
17. DOOM: C
18. Brothers: B+
19. Men In Black II: B-
20. The Crow: Wicked Prayer: C-
21. The Soloist: C
22. Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love: C+
23. I Now Pronounce you Chuck & Larry: B-
24. Battle in Heaven: C+ (Mexican film, subtitled)
25. Legion: B-
26. Battle: LA: B+
27. Righteous Kill: B
28. Dracula II: Ascension: B-
29. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li: D
30. You Don't Mess With the Zohan: C+
31. Finding Bliss: C
32. Dracula III: Legacy: B-
33. Tangled: B+
34. Paul Blart Mall Cop: C-
35. Chloe: B
36. Kung Fu Panda: B-
37. Centurion: B
38. The People I've Slept With: C
39. Grown Ups: B-
40. The Conspirator: A-
41. XXX: State of the Union: C+
42. Fast Five: B+
43. THOR: A-
44. Priest: D+
45. The Fourth Kind: B+
46. POTC: On Stranger Tides: B-
47. Turtles Forever: A-
48. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story: B+
49. Easy A: A
50. Inception: B
51. #1 Cheerleader Camp: D
52. Freakanomics: C+
53. Green Lantern: C
54. The American: C-
55. Super 8: A
56. Green Lantern: First Flight: B
57. Transformers: Dark of the Moon: B-
58. 9 Songs: F
59. Kings Speech: A-
60. Whiteout: C+
61. Passion Play: D+
62. Captain America: The First Avenger: A-
63. Marley & Me: A
64. Date Night: C+
65. Frantic: B+
66. Presumed Innocent: A
67. Invictus: A
68. Rocky: A
69. Hurt Locker: A+
70. Rocky II: C+
71. Rocky III: B+
72. Rocky IV: A
73. Cowboys & Aliens: B
74. Wonder Woman (DC Animated): B+
75. Rocky V: B-
76. Conan The Barbarian('11): B-
77. Dinner for Schmucks: D
78. Nothing But the Truth: B
79. Snow Angels: B+
80. Everybody's Fine: C-
81. Rise of the Planet of the Apes: A+
82. Fragments: C+
83. Fright Night ('11): A-
84. Cold Comfort Farm: D
85. Machete: C-
86. The Queen: A
87. Public Enemies: B+
88. Drive Angry: D
89. Red Riding Hood: C+
90. Fright Night ('85): B
91. Love & Other Drugs: B
92. X-Files: I Want to Believe - B+
93. Source Code: A-
94. Paranormal Activity 3: A
95. Rachel Getting Married: C
96. Love Guru: F
97. Funny People: C-
98. Win Win: B+
99. Everything Must Go: B
100. Scott Pilgrim vs The World: D+
101. American Ninja: D
102. Revenge of the Ninja: D
103. Lonesome Dove: A
104. Black Swan: B
105. Westworld: B
106. Fireproof: A-
107. Mission Impossible(4):Ghost Protocol: A
108. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A
109. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: A-
110. Belly: D-
111. Despicable Me: B+

1. Edge of Darkness: A
2. Star Trek: The Motion Picture: B+
3. Repo Men: B-
4. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: B-
5. Underworld: Awakening: B
6. Lost City Raiders: C+
7. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist: B+
8. Contraband: B+
9. Kick-Ass: B+
10. Hereafter: A-
11. Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance: B
12. Act of Valor: C+
13. John Carter: B
14. Hunger Games: B+
15. Wrath of the Titans: C
16. Cabin In the Woods: B+
17. The Rum Diary: C
18. The Eagle: C+
19. The Avengers: A+
20. The Adjustment Bureau: A
21. Sucker Punch: B-
22. Knight & Day: C+
23. Mechanic: B
24. Devil: A
25. Dark Shadows: C+
26. Men In Black 3: B-
27. Columbiana: B
28. Haywire: C
29. Snow White and the Huntsman: B-
30. Meet the Parents: A-
31. Meet the Fockers: B
32. Prometheus: B
33. Chernobyl Dairies: B-
34. Little Fockers: B-
35. Halloween III: Season of the Witch: B+
36. Winters Bone: B+
37. Battleship: A-
38. Much Ado About Nothing: B+
39. Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs: B
40. Beauty & the Beast: A+
41. Bambi: A-
42. Sex & the City 2: D+
43. Top Gun: B
44. Abraham Lincoln-Vampire Hunter: B-
45. Brave: B+
46. Kill Bill vol.1: A-
47. Kill Bill vol.2: B
48. The Amazing Spider-man: B-
49. Virgin Territory: C-
50. 21 Jump Street: B+
51. The Dark Knight Rises: A-
52. Sicko: C
53. Capitalism A Love Story: C
54. Seven Pounds: B
55. Hot Fuzz: B
56. Total Recall (2012): A-
57. Total Recall (1990): B+
58. Hardware: D+
59. The Bourne Legacy: A-
60. Once Upon A Time in the West: B-
61. Expendables 2: B+
62. Hangover 2: C
63. Moneyball: A-
64. Adventures of Tin Tin: B-
65. 2016 Obama's America: A-
66. Unknown: B
67. No Strings Attached: B+
68. Megamind: A-
69. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies: A-
70. Halloween 4:Return of Michael Myers: A-
71. Halloween 5:Revenge of Michael Myers: B+
72. Halloween The Curse of Michael Myers: B
73. Halloween H2O: A
74. Halloween Resurrection: C+
75. The Day the Earth Stood Still(2008): B
76. Looper: A-
77. Smart People: C-
78. Atlas Shrugged-Part One: B
79. Dredd: A-
80. Bridesmaids: C-
81. Taken 2: B
82. Atlas Shrugged-Part Two: C+
83. Alex Cross: A-
84. RockNRolla: B-
85. Paranormal Activity 4: B
86. Argo: A+
87. Skyline: F
88. Cop Out: D
89. Skyfall: A
90. Red Dawn (2012): B-
91. Dracula (1979): B
92. Dracula (2009): C+
93. Slither: B-
94. Your Highness: F
95. Goldeneye: A
96. Whistleblower: B+
97. The Town: A+
98. Ted: A
99. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: B+
100. Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: A
101. Jack Reacher: A-
102. Django Unchained: B+

1. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas: C-
2. Les Miserables(2012): B
3. Lincoln: A+
4. Parental Guidance: C+
5. Warm Bodies: B
6. Waiting for Superman: B
7. Grindhouse: Planet Terror: B-
8. Grindhouse: Death Proof: C+
9. Zero Dark Thirty: A
10. Last Stand: B
11. Red Tails: A-
12. Hansel & Gretel-Witch Hunters: C-
13. Parker: B-
14. Bullet to the Head: B+
15. Judge Dredd(1995): C
16. The Mist: B+
17. A Good Day to Die Hard: B-
18. Fired Up: C+
19. Fling: C
20. Ask the Dust: D+
21. Mulan: A-
22. The Lovely Bones: B
23. The Initiation of Sarah: D
24. Jack the Giant Slayer: C+
25. Oz the Great and Powerful: B+
26. Olympus Has Fallen: A-
27. The Lives of Others: B+ (German film)
28. The Croods: B+
29. Jennifers Body: D+
30. Evil Dead (2013 remake): B+
31. G.I. Joe: Retaliation: B
32. The Dark Knight Returns pt.1: A+
33. The Dark Knight Returns pt.2: A+
34. Batman: Gotham Knight: B
35. Superman/Shazam: Return of Black Adam: A-
36. Batman: Year One: B
37. Batman/Superman: Apocalypse: A+
38. Superman vs The Elite: B+
39. Justice League: Doom: A
40. Green Lantern First Flight: A
41. Oblivion: B+
42. Iron Man 3: B-
43. Planet Hulk: A-
44. Welcome to the Jungle: F
45. The Time Travelers Wife: B+
46. Star Trek into Darkness: A-
47. The Lost Tomb of Jesus: B
48. The Heat: C+
49. Fast and Furious 6: A-
50. Hangover III: C-
51. Now You See Me: A
52. Boot Camp: B-
53. Green Zone: C
54. Ninja Assassin: B
55. Mr&Mrs. Smith: A-
56. Silver Linings Playbook: A-
57. Man of Steel: B+
58. Doubt: A
59. Godfather: A
60. World War Z: B
61. Much Ado About Nothing: A-
62. The Lone Ranger: C+
63. Godfather pt.II: A+
64. Godfather pt.III: B
65. Beyond Sherwood Forest: D
66. R.E.D. 2: B-
67. The Wolverine: B+
68. R.I.P.D.: C+
69. Proof of Life: B-
70. The Conjuring: B
71. Pacific Rim: B-
72. Alone in the Dark: D
73. Apocalypto: A
74. Stargate: Ark of Truth: A-
75. Stargate: Continuum: A
76. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: B-
77. Pi: C-
78. Riddick: B+
79. Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief: B
80. The World's End: C+
81. The Other Woman: B
82. The Other Guys: B-
83. The Sorcerer's Apprentice: C+
84. Catfish: A-
85. Wild Hogs: C
86. Zach & Miri Make a Porno: B
87. Gravity: A+
88. Supergirl: D
89. Escape Plan: B+
90. Prisoners: A
91. Disappearance of Alice Creed: A
92. Deathrace 2000: C+
93. Thor Dark World: A-
94. Superman Unbound: B+
95. JCVD: B-
96. Drive: B-
97. Hunger Games: Catching Fire: B+
98. War Horse: B
99. How to Train Your Dragon: A
100. Scrooged: A-
101. W: D+
102. 127 Hours: A-
103. Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug: B+
104. Moonrise Kingdom: A
105. Piranha DD: D

1. Saving Mr.Banks: A
2. American Hustle: A-
3. Larry Crowne: B+
4. The Grey: C
5. Real Steel: B-
6. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit: B
7. Just Go With It: A-
8. The Road: B
9. Blue Valentine: B
10. Fifth Element: C
11. Boy in the Stripped Pajamas: A
12. Hachi: A Dog's Tale: A
13. She's Out of My League: C
14. The Lego Movie: A
15. Whip It: B
16. Up in the Air: B
17. 300: Rise of an Empire: B+
18. Splice: C-
19. Mirrors: B-
20. Pitch Perfect: A-
21. Noah: C-
22. 2 Guns: B
23. The Seventh Seal: B+
24. Mongol: A-
25. Captain America The Winter Soldier: A+
26. Munich: B
27. Amazing Spider-man 2: C-
28. The Killer Inside Me: A-
29. Rio 2: B
30. Welcome to the Rileys: B+
31. X-Men: Days of Future Past: A-
32. Atonement: B
33. Charlie Wilson's War: A
34. Frozen: A-
35. Rio: B
36. Godzilla: B
37. Bowfinger: B-
38. Transformers Age of Extinction: C+
39. We Bought A Zoo: A-
40. Chronicle: D+
41. Knights Tale: C+
42. 9: D+
43. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: A-
44. The Help: A
45. From Paris w/Love: B
46. Guardians of the Galaxy: A-
47. Wreck It Ralph: A
48. Land of the Lost: C-
49. Expendables 3: B-
50. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: B
51. Never Let Me Go: D
52. Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary viewing: A
53. Yes Man: B+
54. The Joneses: B
55. The Informant: A-
56. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore: B
57. Twelve: B+
58. Cyrus: A-
59. We're the Millers: A-
60. Big Hero 6: A
61. Fun Size: B-
62. Friday: A
63. White House Down: B+
64. Metropolis: B/B-
65. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial: A
66. ELF: A
67. THX 1138: C+
68. Dirty Harry: A-
69. Magnum Force: A
70. The Enforcer: B+
71. Sudden Impact: B
72. The Dead Pool: B-
73. In the Land of Blood & Honey: A+
74. Harry Potter & the Philosophers Stone: A
75. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets: B+
76. Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: A

1. Mockingjay part 1: A-
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: A
3. Dairy of a Mad Black Woman: A-
4. Dolphin Tale: A-
5. The Equalizer: A
6. Veronica Mars-The Movie: B+
7. Monsters University: A
8. Demolition Man: B-
9. Jack & Jill: D+
10. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: B+
11. Rango: B-
12. Cinderella: A+
13. Insurgent(Divergent Series): C
14. John Wick: B
15. Immortals: C-
16. Tower Heist: B-
17. Lucy: C+
18. Avengers Age of Ultron: A-
19. 22 Jump Street: C-
20. A Million Ways to Die in the West: B-
21. Night at the Museum(3): Secret of the Tomb: B
22. Kingsman The Secret Service: B
23. Fast&Furious 7: A
24. Mad Max Fury Road: A-

25. Robocop (2014): C
26. Jurassic World: B+
27. Terminator Genisys: C
28. Chef: B
29. Ant-Man: B+
30. Copland: B+
31. Mission Impossible(5) Rouge Nation:A-

Copland - Not sure what took me, as a Sly fan, so long to get around to this film. It's pretty good and has a great cast. Does anyone recall if it did get any acclaim when it came out? I was a sophomore in college at the time so a non-action Sly film would've slid past me along with the distractions college can bring.

MI:RN - Another solid outing for Ethan Hunt(Cruise) and his band of agents. I liked Ghost Protocol a bit more and missed Paula Patton, seems she was the only main player not back. Are they going for the Bond type thing with these MI films, different woman each time? I don't think any MI film has had the same female lead.

zakkrusz · Aug 29, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)
Fight Club (9/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
Justice League: War (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
The Man From UNCLE (7/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
Psycho-Pass: The Movie (9/10)

Running Total: 45

CaptainCanada · Aug 29, 2015

Captain Craig said:
I liked Ghost Protocol a bit more and missed Paula Patton, seems she was the only main player not back. Are they going for the Bond type thing with these MI films, different woman each time? I don't think any MI film has had the same female lead.

They tried to get Patton back (and Maggie Q), but neither were available for filming.

CaptainCanada · Aug 30, 2015

1. Searching for Sugar Man (B+)
2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (A)
3. The Imitation Game (B+)
4. Selma (A)
5. Inherent Vice (B+)
6. Foxcatcher (A-)
7. Back to the Future (B)
8. American Sniper (B-)
9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (B)
10. Beloved Sisters (A)
11. Force Majeure (B+)
12. A Most Violent Year (A-)
13. Wild (B+)
14. The Conformist (A-)
15. Blue is the Warmest Colour (A+)
16. Jean de Florette (A)
17. Two Days, One Night (A+)
18. Manon of the Spring (A)
19. Atonement (A+)
20. Honeymoon (B-)
21. The Brothers Bloom (B)
22. Mr. Turner (B+)
23. Still Alice (B+)
24. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (B+)
25. Kingsman: The Secret Service (A)
26. Birdman (A-)
27. Black Book (A-)
28. Leviathan (B+)
29. Terms of Endearment (B)
30. Marty (B+)
31. The Greatest Show on Earth (C+)
32. Focus (B)
33. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (A)
34. The Quiet Man (C+)
35. My Left Foot (B+)
36. Shame (B+)
37. Heavenly Creatures (A)
38. When Harry Met Sally (A+)
39. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (B-)
40. The Invisible Woman (B)
41. All That Jazz (A-)
42. Smashed (B)
43. Serena (D+)
44. Malcolm X (A-)
45. The Iron Giant (A-)
46. Cinderella (A-)
47. Elmer Gantry (B+)
48. Kiss Me Kate (B-)
49. Singin' in the Rain (A-)
50. The Band Wagon (A-)
51. Take Shelter (B+)
52. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (A+)
53. Hateship Loveship (B-)
54. The Truman Show (A-)
55. Wild Tales (A-)
56. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (B+)
57. The Room (F)
58. Titanic (A)
59. Avengers: Age of Ultron (A-)
60. Mad Max: Fury Road (A+)
61. The Tin Drum (B+)
62. Tomorrowland (B-)
63. White Bird in a Blizzard (C+)
64. Mud (B+)
65. Nightcrawler (A)
66. Say Anything (B+)
67. Blood Diamond (B)
68. Ex Machina (A)
69. Inside Out (A+)
70. The Terminator (B)
71. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (A)
72. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (B)
73. Jurassic World (B+)
74. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (B+)
75. Far from the Madding Crowd (B+)
76. Ant-Man (B+)
77. Beyond the Lights (B+)
78. The Lion King (A+)
79. Seven Samurai (A+)
80. This Is Spinal Tap (B+)
81. Testament of Youth (B+)
82. Wet Hot American Summer (B+)
83. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (A)
84. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (A-)
85. The Guest (A-)
86. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (B)

87. Middle of Nowhere (B)

The film Ava DuVernay made before Selma, which I heard about and was interested in seeing at the time it came out (in a very limited sense), but never had the opportunity. It's an effective little drama about a woman navigating the consequences of being married to a man who has been imprisoned -- though I had sort of expected this would be some sort of commentary on the way the US justice system incarcerates African-Americans at disproportionate rates, since that's such a big issue now, but it really isn't, since her hubby is an illegal gun trafficker who admits he was in it for the easy money and to support a lavish lifestyle.

88. High Fidelity (D-)

I would rather saw my arm off with a rusted razor blade than spend a minute with any of this film's main characters.

89. War Witch (B)

Canada's 2012 nominee for Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, which for some reason is available on American Netflix, but not on Canadian Netflix. Go figure. Anyway, this is a somewhat trippy (since everybody's drinking hallucinogenic milk) look at a girl's experience as a Central African child soldier -- fun times all around -- and a pretty effective piece of filmmaking.

Cinema: 31
DVD/Blu-ray: 20
Streaming Service: 35 (+2)

USS Fardell · Aug 31, 2015

DVD - 7
Cinema - 8
Streaming Service - 11
Television Broadcast - 3

1 Guardians of the Galaxy
Rewatch.
A Marvel movie. I found it as good as the first time. The story of the Guardians of the Galaxy and how they come to save Xandar from Ronin was well written. Each of the characters (except Ronin, Nebula and Thanos) were well realized. 8/10.

2 Big Hero 6
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on a Marvel property. I found that this was well realized, especially when it came to Hiro's grieving for his brother, Tadashi. His character was well written. The moral quandaries that he and his new friends face as they track down a new villain in San Fransoyko are also well written. 8.5/10.

3 Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on the novels by Lewis Carrol. I found this movie, just as strange as I remembered. Especially with the Cheshire Cat causing Alice to provoke the Queen of Hearts (not that she needed it much) into wanting to execute her. The other characters, including the Hatter and the White Rabbit are just as strange as I remembered. 7.5/10.

4 The Water Diviner
A movie loosely based on a true story about an Australian farmer who tries to find the bodies of his sons who went to fight at Gallipoli. This movie showed the grief and loss of war very well (and also the impact of trench warfare on the unfortunate participants involved). The characters of the farmer and the people he meets during his quest are well realised. As is the situation in the post-war Ottoman Empire. 9/10.

5 Cinderella (1950)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault. I found this movie just as interesting as I remembered (although I remembered less than with Alice in Wonderland). This story of the kind orphaned girl who is abused by her stepfamily is still quite powerful in an emotional sense. The interaction between Cinderella and her fairy godmother was well done. As was the character of the stepmother. 8/10.

6 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
The third in the Night at the Museum series, based on a children’s book. I found that this movie is just as enjoyable and well written as the first in the series. The situations and the various characters involved in this film were well realized. Larry Daley's character growth is impressive, particularly when it came to discussing with his son about the latter's choices about life after school. Additionally knowing that this was Robin Williams' last role made his scenes rather poignant, particually towards the end. 9/10.

7 Thor: The Dark World
Rewatch
A Marvel movie. The scond in the Thor series, based on the Marvel comic series. This is still enjoyable on the third (or fourth) viewing. The situation with the convergence is well written (although the Dark Elves', and Melekith's in particular, motivations seem a little simplistic). Thor and Jane Foster's reunion is well done, both Hemsworth and Portman's performances were very good. The plot thread involving Loki is very well realized, easily continuing his story from the first Thor and Avengers.
Well worth seeing again. 8/10.

8 Fantasia (1940)
Rewatch
A Disney Animated Canon movie. A series of short stories set to classical music. I found it quite as interesting as I remembered it. All of the sequences set to the classical pieces are well done, especially in the animation. (Some are not quite to my taste, like the Chernoborg sequences, or the Bacchanalia, but Disney and his animators did them well.) As for a part did like, the Sorceror's Apprentice, liked well. Not just because of Mickey Mouse, but because of the lesson involved. To not get over your head in a power you barely involved.
The Sorceror's response is the way would expect a master to react. A great rewatch. 9/10.

9 Muppet Treasure Island
Rewatch
A Muppet movie based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. As is usual for the Muppets, the movie is filled with humour. The role of Jim Hawkins has been expanded to include Rizzo and The Great Gonzo. (Although most of his original plot line is intact). The Jim Henson Company has outdone themselves, they had built upon their experience with the A Muppet Christmas Carol. Tim Curry is great as Long John Silver. Humourous, and yet; threatening. Easily believable as the pirate leader.
All the musical numbers are great, younger children can easily sing along. Not only that, but they add to the comedic atmosphere of the film. 9/10.

10 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Rewatch
A movie based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name. The story of a reclusive chocolatier who sends out five golden tickets for visitors to his factory. It is also the story of the recipients of those tickets, and how their character flaws influence their journey through the factory. Johnny Depp is his usual idiosyncratic self as Willy Wonka, the chocolatier who takes the flawed children and their guardians through the factory. He was rather good in the role, albeit quite weird. The other characters are well portrayed (as in the events lead to the consequences are quite believable).
Charlie Bucket, the poor (as in socio-economically; not in character, nor in fate) boy who is the final recipient of the golden ticket is better portrayed than the other child characters. 8/10,

11 Toy Story
Rewatch.
A Pixar movie. A film about sentient toys. Specifically two toys belonging to a seven year old named Andy. A cowboy action figure named Woody, who is Andy's favourite toy finds himself threatened when Andy receives a spaceman action figure named Buzz Lightyear for his birthday. The movie is mainly about their rivalry. It is also about Sid, Andy's neighbour, who shows sociopathic tendencies in his behaviour towards toys. He not only mutilates them, he also blows them up with actual explosives.
The main plot, of Woody and Buzz' rivalry and their eventual reconciliation, is well written. Pixar set themselves with a high standard with their first outing. Andy's reactions to his toys going missing are also well done. 9/10.

12 A Bug's Life
Rewatch.
A Pixar movie. A film about an ant colony which is subjected to extortion by a gang of grasshoppers every year. It is also about Flik, a young ant who accidently destroys the colony's offering to the grasshoppers with one of his inventions. Another plot thread is about a troop of circus bugs that Flik accidently recruits to help the ant colony fight off the grasshoppers. It is also about the budding romance between Flik and Princess Adda, who is the heir to the colony's Queen. Overall this movie was well written and directed.
The motivations of the main villain, Hopper, the leader of the grasshopper gang, are well realised, easily paralleling real life situations of a similar nature. The comedy of errors in relation to the circus bugs being mistaken for warrior bugs is also well done. 8.5/10.

13 Toy Story 2
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The second in the Toy Story trilogy. A year after the events of the first movie, Woody is stolen by a toy collector while Andy is at a cowboy camp. Buzz Lightyear then mounts a rescue mission. There are many elements to this movie, relating to the concept of sentient toys, and what will happen to them (a thread that continues into the third movie). One relates to what happens when a toy is damaged. They are liable to be thrown away, or forgotten. The other is what happens when an owner outgrows a toy.
The scenes involving this latter point are particularly poignant, especially When You Loved Me. The reasons why Jessie is the way she is are well realised. The case of the Prospector is also well realized, in the case of never being bought. Almost as good as the first movie. 8.5/10.

14 Monsters Inc
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of two monster friends. Sully (James P. Sullivan) a professional scarer, and his friend Mike Wazowski, his scare coach. As the movie starts they are competing with other Scarer's for the All Time Scare Record. But as time goes on, they are drawn into a conspiracy that runs deep within the company. Again, Pixar has included many elements in this movie. The scare record, the conspiracy and the fact that the Monsters consider humans toxic to them. The plot thread covering Sully and Mike's plight is well realized.
The scenes regarding the details of the conspiracy within the company can be frightening, but this is balanced by Mike being a source of comic relief. This balance is also achieved by a revelation that changes everything for the monsters, while also providing a new opportunity. A great movie. 8.5/10.

15 Finding Nemo
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of two clownfish from the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin and his son Nemo. It is also the story of a blue tang fish named Dory, who Marlin looks for while searching for Nemo after Nemo is caught by a dentist from Sydney. The movie has two threads, one is Marlin's search for Nemo. The other is Nemo meeting an eccentric of fish (and other aquatic organisms) in the dentists aquarium, and his attempts to escape. The desperation in which Marlin searches for Nemo is well realized.
As is the depiction of Dory's amnesia. The depiction of the other individuals in the film are also well done. Nemo's growth in his befriending of the other aquarium inmates and attempts to escape are well done. He has an obvious character growth as a result of his experiences. A very good movie. 8/10.

16 The Incredibles
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of a family of 'supers' who are in hiding after the government forced all 'supers' to give up their vigilante activities less than two decades prior. Specifically, it is the story of Bob Parr (formerly known as Mr. Incredible), who is unsatisfied with his life as a paperpusher and father (especially the former). He is hired by a mysterious individual to fight against some machines, not knowing that he's actually helping a new villian with his plans. His dissatisfaction with his lot is well realized.
The characterisation of his wife and kids are well realized. Helen's struggle to keep her family's 'talents' hidden (along with her suspicions about what he's up to), his daughter's introvertedness and struggles with her own powers, and his son's own troubles are well done. As is the characterisation of the villain. 7.5/10.

17 Cars
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The story of Lightning McQueen, a young hotshot racecar who ends up in an out-of-the-way town on Route 66 while on the way to California. It follows his maturation as he interacts with the denizens (Carizens? Vehiclezens?) of Radiator Springs during his community service. The process of his character growth as he gets to know the inhabitances of that town is well done, as is the characterisations of the other vehicle characters. Specifically that of the tow truck, the lawyer and the doctor/mechanic with a secret.
The movie is also about McQueen's rivals, a retiring racecar and his constant runner up. Their characterisation is also well done, particularly pertaining to the latter's resentment towards the former and the role of that attitude in the climax. This is a really good movie, that is well worth seeing again. 8.5/10.

18 Ratatouille
A Pixar movie. The story of Remy, a rat with a advanced senses of smell and taste. It details how he gets his dream of cooking in a Parisien restaurant, while helping one of the waiters there achieves his own dreams in the kitchen. It is also the story of Alfredo, the aformentioned waiter, and his burgeoning relationship with Colette, one of the chefs at that restaurant. A third plotline is Remy's relationship with his family, particularly his father, who doesn't want his son getting too close to the humans, who consider rats vermin to be exterminated.
All in all, all of these plotlines are well developed. The story of the rats and the measures they take in order to survive is well developed. But the best aspect to this film is the relationship between Remy and Alfredo. The way they come to trust each other as they work out how to communicate each others intentions is particularly well done. 8/10.

19 Avengers (2012)
Rewatch
A Marvel movie. The story of how Tony Stark as Iron Man, Steve Rogers as Captain America, Bruce Banner as the Hulk, Clint Barton as Hawkeye, Natasha Romanov and Thor first team up as the Avengers, when Loki steals an artefact from SHIELD, and uses it as part of a scheme inspired by a third party. It is also part of a story about SHIELD (how it is trying to defend humanity from aliens and superhuman threats). Robert Downey Jr. continues to play Iron Man well (from his portrayal of the role in Iron Man and Iron Man 2).
The same with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, continuing his character arc from the first Thor movie. Thor's actions and motives regarding his adoptive brother are very believable. Tom Hiddleston similarly continues to portray Loki in a way that is consistant with the way the character was developed in the Thor movie. Overall a very good film. 9/10.

20 Avengers: Age of Ultron
A Marvel movie and the Sequal to the 2012 Avengers movie. Tony Stark as Iron Man, Steve Rogers as Captain America, Bruce Banner as the Hulk, Clint Barton as Hawkeye, Natasha Romanov and Thor have been fighting against the forces of HYDRA, since the fall of SHIELD. However, as they capture the sceptre that Loki used in his scheme at that time, some plans go awry. Partially as a result of his encounter with Wanda Maximoff 'Scarlett Witch', Stark's plans for world security go awry...
The plot as it plays out (and there is one), is a great one, although there are some scenes which can be misinterpreted (such as one between Banner and Romanov), but overall it plays out well, albeit not as well as the first film. Downey Jr. continues to play Iron Man in a way that continues from earlier installments (albiet maybe not the immediate earlier installment). An enjouyable film. 8.5/10.

21 Death on the Nile (1978)
A movie based on the novel by Agatha Christie with Peter Ustinov starring as Hercule Poirot. The film is a good adaption of Christie's work. The tale is of Poirot's cruise on a paddle steamer on the Nile river, where on it's journey from Cairo to Abu Simbel and return there is treachery. A rich heiress has many enemies, and when there is a murder, Poirot has to find out who did it. Most of the people on the cruise ship had both motive and opportunity, but was it possible that the circumstances around the murder had been contrived?
Ustinov was great as Poirot (but not as good as David Suchet), Mia Farrow and Simon MacCorkindale were great in their roles as two of the suspects and Lois Chiles portrayed the heiress in a believable way. The location filming, on the Nile and on and around the ancient Egyptian monuments was also well done, as well as that in England. A great film, as enjoyable as other Christie adaptations. 8.5/10.

22 Jurassic World
The fourth film in the Jurassic Park franchise, based on novels by Michael Chrichton (albiet not based on any one novel). Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, B. D Wong and Vincent D'Onofrio. A Dinosaur theme park, called Jurassic World, has been running on Isla Nublar for more than ten years, but attendance has been declining. As such a new hybrid predatory dinosaur has been created. However the motives behind the creation of that hybrid may have nothing to do with declining attendance...
Pratt was great as the 'Raptor trainer Owen Grady, delivering a believable performance as someone who sees the dinosaurs as living animals, and would rather not see them used for nefarious purposes. Howard was great as the park's operations manager and aunt, and D'Onofrio as the human antagonist. The CGI and animatronics were an improvement on that in the earlier installments of the franchise. A great film, almost as good as the original Jurassic Park. 9/10.

23 Terminator Genisys
The fifth film in the Terminator franchise. Starring Arnold Schwartzeneggar, Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney and Matthew Smith. Skynet is loosing, Techcom is winning. A Terminator is sent back to 1984, so is Kyle Reece. But to a different 1984 than was expected. What had started out as a simple predestination paradox has become a Timey-Wimey mess. (An appropriate term, given the role that Matthew Smith is most known for.) Kyle Reece has found himself in a completely different situation than in the original film.
Schwartzeneggar hasn't lost any of the qualtities that allowed him to be a presence in each of the first three films. Being the Governor hasn't seemed to impact his acting ability. Emilia Clarke portrays Sarah Conner well. Of course, this is a different Sarah one who has been aware of the threat that Skynet poses for years. Comparison's to the version played by Linda Hamilton wouldn't be fair. Matthew Smith is also good in his role. However, the writing and direction doesn't hold up to the standard set by James Cameron with the first two films. 7.5/10.

24 WALL -E
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. This is the story of a robot, who meets another robot and starts a relationship. The waste management robot is quite endearing, having taken on many human qualtities over the centuries that he has been active. The other robot he meets, a vegetation analysing robot, is also quite interesting in her role. However that isn't the whole story. The second part of the story involves the first robot getting involved in the life of the ship that the other robot came from. The introduction of this robot upsets the carefully planned community of the ship.
Within this second half there are two plotlines. The fixed discipline of the ships autopilot robot (AUTO) who wants to keep things the way they are, vs. the Captain and two other humans, discovering what life was like before the centuries long 'cruise', and thus wanting to go back to Earth to start again. The clash between the two storylines is well done. The Captain in particular, once he has the idea that it would be a good idea to return to Earth, won't let anything stop that from happening.
The two robots and another group of rogue robots join up to allow it to happen. A very good movie, 8.5/10.

25 Ant-Man
A Marvel movie. Starring Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Evangelline Lilly as Hope van Dyne, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and Corey Stoll as Darren Cross. The story of a convicted burglar who is trying to go straight after being released from a state prison. However his attempt at going straight doesn't go well, with him loosing the job he gets. This leads to his unusual recruitment by Hank Pym, inventor and former SHIELD agent, for him to do a job. However, there is tension between Hank and his daughter, Hope over Lang's recruitment.
The reason for this recruitment, is that Pym's successor at the company Pym created is not someone who Pym trusts. The film's storyline is rather good, although there are some spots that seem out of place (for instance, early heist scenes, and Lang's confrontation with his ex-wife over vistation rights). Michael Douglas is great as Hank Pym, who wants to stop a threat arising from his work that would change the world for the worse. Corey Stoll is also great as the main antagonist who wants to use Pym's breakthrough for personal power.
All in all the film has very good effects (particularly in the miniaturisation scenes) and is a great addition to Marvel's repertoire. 8/10.

26 Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
The fourth film in the Mission Impossible film franchise, very loosely based on a 1960's television series. Starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Also starring Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton. After a mission in the Kremlin goes horribly awry, Ethan Hunt and his team must travel across the world (from, Russia, to Dubai to India) to prevent a nuclear war. What follows is a series of high flying stunts (some involving the Burj Khalifa), and daring deeds, as Hunt and his team go about their mission.
The storylines are good (More so than expected), with the team being on their own without the resources of the Impossible Mission Force to back them up, thus having to improvise solutions to the problems that come up. Also an influence is the fact that Russian agents are after them (due to the events at the Kremlin. This introduces another wrinkle, their invention causes problems during the chase of the matermind behind the nuclear war scheme. Tom Cruise is great presence as Ethan Hunt.
Also, Simon Pegg adds a slightly comic releif aspect to the film in his role as the team's technician. A rather better film than I expected. 8/10.

27 Napoleon Dynamite
An independent art-house comedy film. Starring Joe Heder in the title role, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino and Haylie Duff. The tale of a unpopular guy in Preston, Idaho as he tries to get through school, and deal with all the situations that life keeps throwing at him. The main plotline focuses on Napoleon and his attempts at getting a girl to go with him to the school dance. It also involves his friendship with Pedro and his burgeoning friendship with Deb, one of the girls he asks to go to the dance with.
In addition, there is his uncle Rico, who is involved in get-rich-quick schemes. All of these plots come together to make a mishmash of a plot, but one that is easy to follow. However, Heder is good in his role as Napoleon. All the other characters are portrayed similarly, inculding Tina Majorino as Deb. An interesting film, but ultimately not to my taste. Some of the reminders of high school are a bit too much. 6.5/10.

28 Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
The fifth film in the Mission Impossible film franchise, very loosely based on a 1960's television series. Starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Also starring Simon Pegg as Benjamin 'Benji' Dunn, Jeremy Renner, Alex Baldwin and Rebecca Ferguson. Ethan Hunt is on the run, after the Impossible Mission Force is dissolved at the behest of the head of the CIA. He is involved in the hunt for an organisation called the Syndicate, which he calls a 'rogue nation'. He must again travel around the world.
(From, London, to Paris, to a Viennese opera, to Morocco, and back to London again.) Another series of high flying, and deep diving, stunts follow, (Including Hunt clinging to the side of an ascending aircraft) as Hunt recruits his old teamates and keep ahead of the CIA, to investigate and try to shut down the Syndicate. A wrinkle in the plan is a British Agent who has been sent to infiltrate the Syndicate is being manipulated on both sides. Tom Cruise continues to have a great presence as Ethan Hunt.
Simon Pegg still adds a comic releif in his role as Hunts colleague and friend. Rebecca Ferguson is also great as the British Agent. A better film than the previous one. 8.5/10.

29 Up
Rewatch
A Pixar movie. The tale of Carl Fredrickson, a widower, who sets out on a journey to a remote part of South America after he is forced to move to a retirement home after lashing out at a construction worker. However that is just the beginning. Also on this journey is Russell a Wilderness Explorer who somehow stuck with Carl when he makes his house fly off towards South America. This film also involves Dug, a dog with a collar that allows him to talk and Kevin, a large rare bird, whom Carl and Russell meet near their destination.
There is also the antagonist, Muntz, whose exploits decades before have indirectly inspired Carl's journey. Pixar continues their tradition of writing great storylines from their experience with previous films. There are many themes in this storyline. Not only the main tale of Carl's grief for his wife, Ellie, but others. For instance, why Russell is so insistant in wanting the Assisting the Elderly Badge and why Muntz wants Kevin so much.
In addition, Character development is shown due to some events occuring (like Carl realising that Ellie wanted him to live on without her). Other examples also occur. A very good film. 8/10.

Captain Craig · Aug 31, 2015

CaptainCanada said:
Captain Craig said:

I liked Ghost Protocol a bit more and missed Paula Patton, seems she was the only main player not back. Are they going for the Bond type thing with these MI films, different woman each time? I don't think any MI film has had the same female lead.

Click to expand...

They tried to get Patton back (and Maggie Q), but neither were available for filming.

Fun bit of information, thanks.
I wonder if they've missed their window to get back into the franchise. Either lady would be a welcome returning talent to the fold.

Starbreaker · Aug 31, 2015

Got a lot to catch up on again.

Poltergeist (2015) ★
Final Girl ★★
Self/Less ★★
Serena ★★
Jurassic World ★★★1/2
Digging for Fire ★★★
Mistress America ★★★
The Man From U.N.C.L.E ★★★
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation ★★★ 1/2
The Gift ★★★1/2
+1 ★★
Young & Beautiful ★★★
Late Phases ★★
Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead ★★
Faults ★★★ 1/2
Mr Holmes ★★★★
True Story ★★

zakkrusz · Sep 2, 2015

009 RE:Cyborg (8/10)
All-Star Superman (8/10)
American Sniper (8/10)
Antman (7/10)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (9/10)
Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow and The Punisher (9/10)
Bad Ass (7/10)
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (7/10)
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace (7/10)
A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (8/10)
Chappie (8/10)
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (8/10)
Expelled from Paradise (9/10)
Fantastic 4 (2015) (6/10)
Fight Club (9/10)
Furious 7 (9/10)
The Gunman (6/10)
Harry Brown (7/10)
Heaven's Lost Property: Final (2/10)
Insurgent (6/10)
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (6/10)
Jupiter Ascending (6/10)
Jurassic World (8/10)
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (8/10)
Justice League: War (8/10)
K: Missing Kings (10/10)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary (8/10)
Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love (7/10)
Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
The Man From UNCLE (7/10)
Max (10/10)
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (9/10)
Naruto Shippuden Movie 7: The Last (9/10)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny (5/10)
Planet Hulk (7/10)
Psycho-Pass: The Movie (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (9/10)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (9/10)
Son of Batman (7/10)
Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars (9/10)
Taken 3 (7/10)
Terminator: Genisys (9/10)
Tomorrowland (8/10)
When Marnie Was There (2014) (9/10)

Recently Seen:
Hitman: Agent 47 (7/10)

Running Total: 46

Movies Seen in 2015

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