Movies, movies, movies. And my boring opinion of them.

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

95. Cold Weather

This little seen gem slipped under the radar back in 2011, probably due to the slow, methodical plotting that takes place.
The fact that the story goes a long at it's own pace is a credit to director Aaron Katz, who resists the temptation to turn the film into an action centred detective tale.
The story is simply about a guy trying to find out the truth about his ex girlfriend's disappearance and the result is a fascinating and funny mixture of mumblecore and Sherlock Holmes (who is referenced throughout).
A truly brilliant film, well presented and should be seen by everyone.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

96. The Descent

I love horror movies so its a bit of a surprise there aren't more on this list. This is probably due to me being exposed to horrors such as Hellraiser and Nightmare on Elm Street from as early as ten years old. Social services weren't impressed. Anyhow it meant that it takes a lot from a film to frighten me and The Descent is the only film I can remember which actually scared me and where it had me guessing as to what would happen next. Bear in mind I had already seen all the classic horrors such as Texas Chain Saw, Exorcist and Halloween, all of which are fantastic films but they didn't scare me like The Descent did.
Full of originality such as the all female cast, all natural light sources and the most harrowing of bleak and dark endings you are ever likely to see.

97. True Romance

The only Tony Scott film to feature on this list, True Romance doesn't look out of place amongst the greatest love stories ever told. The performances given by Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are career defining, both of them sculpting memorable characters who are naive in their love for one another but whose loyalty to each other is unwavering. They are perhaps the sweetest couple in film history and you never once question the fact they are very much in love.
The supporting cast is full of movie royalty past and present, and Michael Rappaport. Also features one of my favourite scenes of all time between two of the greatest actors of all time in Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper.
Great theme too.

Monday, 18 March 2013

98. The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter is the first of two David O. Russell films on this list. Brilliantly acted and wonderfully directed, this is one of the best sports films ever made as it follows the Rocky mould of being as much about the character's dependence on boxing then it is about the actual sport.
Special mention to Mark Wahlberg who not only produces the whole thing but gives a wonderfully restrained performance which allows him to flesh out his character whilst allowing his co stars to shine.

99. North by Northwest

There isn't a lot I can say that hadn't already been said about any of Hitchcock's movies. Brilliantly original story with a pitch perfect cast, this is one of two films by the director on this list and one I've only seen very recently. A must see. Or not. Depends what you're in to.

100. Welcome to the Dollhouse

Number 100 on the list is Todd Solondz's Welcome to the Dollhouse starring Heather Matarazzo and Eric Mabius from
1995.
This is the only Solondz film on this list and the only one of his films I've enjoyed enough to consider it five star. Although it has the bleakness of his other work such as Storytelling or Happiness there's something about this tale of an ugly ducking striving to be liked by anyone that will pay her attention to which people can relate. Its heartbreaking at times to see Matarazzo's Dawn going about her life and being treated as more of an inconvenience by everyone including parents and teachers. I would consider it a positive that Solondz has never strayed away from his downbeat style of narrative in his later films and Welcome to the Dollhouse would be a perfect companion piece to his 2012 offering Dark Horse in which Jordan Gelber plays something of a male middle aged version of Dawn who is also resented by his parents and outshone by a spoilt younger sibling.
The downfall of Dark Horse is its last act which strays into the fantastical which also accounted for some of the many problems with the director's 2009 Life During Wartime. Dollhouse never flinches from a realistic portayal of life as a unliked, socially awkward outsider which most people have experienced themselves. Not me of course. How dare you?

Monday, 4 March 2013

My Top 100

A slight deviation from normal proceedings means i shant be updating about movies I've recently watched, rather a run down of my favourite 100 films of all time. Starting with 100 finishing at 4. Or 1 depending how rebellious Im feeling. All these films are in this list purely because i rate them as five star movies and after a tediously lengthy and nerdy process I have managed to put them in an order that somewhat resembles a coherent summary of my feelings towards them. Enjoy. Or don't. See if i care. Please enjoy.