Out of interest, what would you say were the 'best' films you saw in the past year?
Thanks!
In terms of 'best', I'd probably have to go along with The Artist, Hugo (which nearly made it in), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I really loved Moneyball too.
Going to see "The Impossible" tonight. It wasn't something I was going to bother with (normally I hate disaster porn), but the reviews have been so amazing, I thought I'd give it a go.
Going to see "The Impossible" tonight. It wasn't something I was going to bother with (normally I hate disaster porn), but the reviews have been so amazing, I thought I'd give it a go.
I'll report back
I'm very intrigued with the political controversy surrounding this one.
In terms of 'best', I'd probably have to go along with The Artist, Hugo (which nearly made it in), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I really loved Moneyball too.
So, went to see The Impossible last night. (Please don't click on the spoiler button if you haven't seen the movie).
It was ok, but I am not sure what all the fuss is about. Sure the effects are good (given they decided against CGI) and Naomi Watts is as fine as ever. MacGregor is fine, but not especially so. Full marks to the sound design (director used the same person he worked on El Orfanato with). Certainly an incredible tale and you had to keep reminding yourself it was a true story.
However...I never once forgot I was watching a movie (and that's not good). The use of big name stars didn't help in that regard. But the main issue was that the whole handling was so mainstream, disaster movie. All the tropes, all the expected scenes and (worst of all) the incredibly over the top music. Surges of emotional orchestra to accompany the intense scenes as if to say "cry now, something emotional is happening." It's like using canned laughter in comedy shows and I hate it! As if we need to be told that
Spoiler
is an emotional moment!! And to cap it off, there's an arty, slo-mo sequence towards the end that looks like a damn shampoo advert! Totally unnecessary.
So...all in all. A cut above the average disaster flick, but not exceptional by any means. Certainly not a patch on his previous El Orfanato
I didn't think it was garage () but I didn't really think it was all that either. I didn't think it lived up to some of Pixar's other attempts, like Toy Story () or Finding Nemo. That said, I saw a tiny bit of it on TV again a couple of weeks ago and it was funnier than I remembered, so perhaps I need to give it another go.
I have to say at this point that I hate, if not loathe animated films in general. I do not find them funny, they are childish and they just generally annoy me. Pretty much the only animated films I can think of right now, other than a few Disney classics like Jungle Book, Robin Hood, are the (German, never seen English version) Ice Age films. Although they did get worse every new film. Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train your Dragon. E.g. all the Pixar stuff I dislike, except Ratatouille which was ok.
I don't even know why, for example I watched cartoons way past the age where you might consider stop watching them, so it's not that I have anything against the idea per se.
I have to say at this point that I hate, if not loathe animated films in general. I do not find them funny, they are childish and they just generally annoy me. Pretty much the only animated films I can think of right now, other than a few Disney classics like Jungle Book, Robin Hood, are the (German, never seen English version) Ice Age films. Although they did get worse every new film. Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train your Dragon.
I don't even know why, for example I watched cartoons way past the age where you might consider stop watching them, so it's not that I have anything against the idea per se.
Just out of interest, which animation films did you dislike apart from Up?
Just out of interest, which animation films did you dislike apart from Up?
Shrek all of them Shark Tale Finding Nemo Toy Story - never saw full movie, only ever parts of 1 and 2 and switched off The Incredibles - never managed to watch all of it, once on DVD and once on TV, switched off both times Beauty and the Beast - I do like the old Disney films though, just not this one, as I said, probably because I saw them a million times as a kid Wall-E
I haven't seen any of the others because I know from trailers I wouldn't like them, e.g. the trailer for Cars, want to kill myself. I only saw up because How To Train Your Dragon was recommended to me and I actually loved that one so thought I give Up a go.
I have to say at this point that I hate, if not loathe animated films in general. I do not find them funny, they are childish and they just generally annoy me. Pretty much the only animated films I can think of right now, other than a few Disney classics like Jungle Book, Robin Hood, are the (German, never seen English version) Ice Age films. Although they did get worse every new film. Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train your Dragon. E.g. all the Pixar stuff I dislike, except Ratatouille which was ok.
I don't even know why, for example I watched cartoons way past the age where you might consider stop watching them, so it's not that I have anything against the idea per se.
The reason I like Pixar films is because they're not entirely childish and they don't adhere to the formula of most other animations. They accommodate an adult audience as well as a young one, and many of their themes go beyond most animated or children's films that you will see.
I didn't think it was garage () but I didn't really think it was all that either. I didn't think it lived up to some of Pixar's other attempts, like Toy Story () or Finding Nemo. That said, I saw a tiny bit of it on TV again a couple of weeks ago and it was funnier than I remembered, so perhaps I need to give it another go.
I feel differently. I am indifferent to Finding Nemo (and Cars and Incredibles) because they seem like average animated films that could have been pumped out by any sufficiently competent studio. I don't see any of the special attributes in those that I see in a film like Up.
I watched Django Unchained. It was good but not Taratino's magnum opus or anything close. And whilst it had the signature dialogue heavy scenes, I didn't like them as much as the opening and bar scene in Inglorious Basterds.