Film Review - All Things To All Men

It's not very often I get the urge to leave the cinema, and this is one of those rare occasions when I should have listened to my instincts and fled. It would be laughably bad if it wasn't so plain bad. It failed to hold my attention, and I could still pretty much map out everything that was going to happen.

Film Review - Trance

More reminiscent in style of Boyle's earlier work, this is a showy, flashy, mind-bending thriller that blurs the edges of reality in a way that is as compelling as it is confusing. I'm sure it's more rewarding on repeat viewings, but I can't imagine myself feeling the urge to see it again any time soon.

Film Review - 5 Broken Cameras

As a Westerner, I'm used to seeing footage of the Middle East being bombarded by bullets, explosions and tear gas. This film helps to not only put that in context, but infuriates you at the injustice of it all.

Film Review - Moonrise Kingdom

I know that many find Wes Anderson's quirky style warm and imaginative, but I find it smug, cold and alienating. On top of this, the two young leads just aren't up to the material, but it's so over-written beyond sincerity I'm not sure anybody could pull it off.

Best films of 2012

Each time I see a film, I add it to a list of what I've seen that year. The list is ordered by merit, so the film is then placed in its appropriate place ASAP, to maintain my first impressions and give myself a realistic impression of what I felt the best films of the year were.

Usually, I post the top 10 but some of the films I really want to recommend fall in the late teens, so here's my top 20 instead. It's surprised me too.

1. Marvel's Avengers (Assemble)
2. Chronicle
3. The Raid (Redemption)
4. The Artist
5. The Woman In Black
6. The Hunt
7. Rust and Bone
8. End of Watch
9. You've Been Trumped
10. The Amazing Spider-Man
11. The Descendants
12. The Life of Pi
13. The Hunger Games
14. Headhunters
15. Friends With Kids
16. Untouchable
17. Skyfall
18. Argo
19. The Imposter
20. Hope Springs

Despite a disappointing summer, it's been a decent year. For the first time, no animated films made the list. Paranorman and Rise of the Guardians both (only just) missed the top 20.

Film Review - Gremlins

Yes, the 1985 Christmas classic comedy horror. It's back on the big screen for one day only! I saw this first time around, and it's fair to say it made a much bigger impact back then. I've seen it many many times since, of course, and never fail to enjoy it.
However, if I was to be completely honest and objective, it has dated. The special effects, audio and visual, now feel especially crude. The film also has its obvious plot-holes (as mercilessly pointed out in its spoof sequel, The New Batch) and a lot of the action feels somewhat tame by today's standards.
Did I enjoy it any less than any other time I've seen it? Hell, no, and I'll continue to happily watch it again and again.

Film Review - Life of Pi (in 3D)

Gorgeous. In terms of visuals, special effects, and use of 3D, this is up there with Avatar. Literally jaw-dropping.
However, this film doesn't just come with a "but", it comes with a "BUT". The final reel doesn't just slam the breaks on, it whips your seat from underneath you, leaving you sitting there going "what just happened?" It's a sucker-punch that will leave some furious, some moved, and others just confused. I was a bit of all three.
BUT it is, unquestionably, a masterpiece of film-making.