Catching up in a Tweet like Fashion. Part 1.

My guilt has become this epic Indiana Jones like Giant Ball chasing me down and I'm about to be crushed. Oh and I hate blogs that complain about there lack of updates, which is all I feel like I do these days. Well damn you all, this isn't about the blog, it's about the project. Suck it up Kylie and just smeggin' post a giant list in a tweet like fashion and move on.

I'm going back to April here. Forgive me.

Book of Eli (2010) - April 22, 2010.
This was a parable. I generally don't like being preached at politically or religiously, so I was suprised that days later I was still talking about this film. Though thankfully it was due to the post-apocalyptic setting that still managed to present a neon-sign-level of product placement, and not the "Society has lost it's way and needs to return to God" message it was yelling at me. I would strangely like to see it again. Denzel Washington kicked ass.

Iron Man (2008) - May 3, 2010.
Perfection in a Superhero form. I've written about this before and it's still true. Go Team Stark! Favourite Superhero movie of all time, and that's saying a lot for me. This session was a preview screening at home before venturing out to see the sequel at the cinema, which I'm glad I did because..

Iron Man 2 (2010) - May 3, 2010.
Was a let down. Yes, there was some very cool moments (pretty much anything with Whip Lash aka Mickey Rourke), but over all it lacked what made the first one great. Simplicity. Simplicity is the key. This sequel was too busy, too full of random battles that seemed pointless to the storyline. The relationship between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts was washed over (Warning Spoiler: When they finally kissed, I was like.. eh?).  Tony Stark's emotional journey was there, but it lost to the over powering story of Whip Lash. Honestly, I was cheering for Rourke. They certainly made me like him more than the leading man! Which is saying something because I'm still completely in love with Robert Downey Jr. Ironically I will probably buy the DVD.

Whip It (2009) - May 24, 2010.
What is this? Like the 3rd time I've written about this movie so far? Doesn't that say it all? Oi! Enough with the poodles already. I'm sure it won't be the last viewing either. It has become a go to movie when I'm in dire need of escapism.

Hackers (1995) - May 24, 2010.
1995 was a big year in movies for me. With Tank Girl, Empire Records, and this terribly bad computer wise, yet fantastic in every other way movie, I was in Quote City baby! I still quote from all these movies to this day. I must have seen this movie a hundred times. It's most certainly generational, it was from a time when the internet was still shiny and new, and roller blades were cool. I loved every minute of it.

Pump Up The Volume (1990) - May 24, 2010.
A must see movie if you haven't yet. A cult classic. Christian Slater is the disenfranchised youth with a voice, that we all wanted to be. A movie about teenagers finding their voice in a world where they feel they are being ignored. John Hughes would be proud. How many pirate radio stations must have popped onto the airwaves because of this film? The equivalent these days would probably be Pod Casting (which makes me a little sad).

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - May 25, 2010.
Captain Jack Sparrow.. nom nom nom nom nom nom nom.

The Losers (2010) - May 30, 2010.
My favourite no brainer action movie of the year. Originally a comic book, this film has a great cast, great pace, explosions and wit. Can't go wrong. Oh and Jeffery Dean Morgan is my new crush. Fun fun fun in the sun.

Memphis Belle (1990) - June 2, 2010.
Probably the only war themed film in my list of favourite films. Talk about amazing ensemble casts. Not to mention cute. Then you get Harry Connick Jnr.  to sing a song and you have a full set of awesome. Bring tissues.

Josie and the Pussycats (2001) - June 5, 2010.
More people than I could possibly imagine secretly like this movie. As a not-so-closet fan, I completely understand. Is it stupid? Yes. Do I care? No. No I do not.

Watchmen (2009) - June 5, 2010.
As an avid fan of the graphic novel, I was so happy to see this film did it proud. Even though the comic has more.. well just.. more, the film hit the same depth, and all the right buttons. Some shots where frame for frame even. It made my little nerd brain go squeeeeeee.

 
New Moon (2009) - June 7, 2010.
The first Twilight movie was so bad. Now, regardless of all the reasons people dislike this franchise, I disliked it because it was epically bad film making. It was like a two hour long angsty music video. I actually think the books are fun to read. Yes, they are ridiculous, but they are also like a thousand other teen romance novels. These just happen to have vampires in them.  Putting that aside I think they are great basic source material for what could have been some great teen films, but due to what I am confident in saying was very bad Directing, the first one completely sucked. Now I should talk about the second film and not the first. New Moon was slightly better than the first. I got a midday movie level of enjoyment out of it, but it was like the new Director did his best, but had to at least base it on the first, so it was still doooooomed.

Clerks II (2006) - June 7, 2010.
Kevin Smith is a fave. I like most of his movies, but for me this isn't one of his best. Though all that means is that I'm not putting at the top of my faves of his movies.  It's still a great movie, I just liked Dogma (1999) and Chasing Amy (1997) more. That being said, I have fond memories when I watch this as I got to see it's first showing in Australia followed by a Q&A by Kevin Smith himself. The Q&A went for longer than the film. It was AWESOME!

The Losers (2010) - June 15, 2010.
Had to get me some more of these guys. So much fun. I walk out so happy.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) - June 21, 2010.
OMG this movie is so funny that at the end you almost don't notice that they just forgot about concluding the storyline. This must have come out in 3D which is a bit hard not to notice when watching it it good ol' normal 2D, but I loved it anyway. A very enjoyable movie and lovely way to spend an evening.

 
Paper Heart (2009) - June 28, 2010.
As a mega fan of Michael Cera and little indie films, the only disappointing thing about it is that you you desperately want the half of this doco/film that's fictional to be.. well non-fictional. This is a beautifully shot documentary about people and their thoughts on love with an added fictional storyline of a budding relationship between the filmmaker Charlyne Yi and real life Michael Cera. I enjoyed the ride they took me on. Makes you feel all warm and nice inside.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Yep. Again.

I just couldn't resist seeing the delight that is Chloe Moretz, one more time. Oh and I'd been going on and on and on about this film to some friends so they figured the best way to handle the situation was to just go see the damn thing. So we all did.

Still great. Still Awesome.

Side Note: I iTune'd the sountrack. Aside from the key songs that really stand out in the film, it's a rather.. well.. bleh. Stick with just the movie.

Serenity (2005)

I heart this cast so bad. I could watch a movie about them sitting around a table just chatting for two hours and I'd be happy. Actually I would watch Nathan Fillion read the phone book out loud all day.

Serenity is the movie that came to life through the power of fans. Once upon a time there was a wonderful little TV Series called Firefly written by the wonder that is Joss Whedon. A Sci-Fi TV show like no other. This one had Cowboys in space, and we (the fans) loved it. The cast was amazing, the writing was brilliant, it was witty and funny, yet at the same time had depth and drama. So of course the network cancelled it.

The Fans were furious! They stamped their feet and put on there angry face and browncoats (sorry series reference) and got ready for a fight. Through the power of many fans combining their powers and bringing forth Captain Planet, and with the wonder that is the internet, the Big Damn Movie got made.

The crew of Serenity have reunited to fly the skies once more. This time in an adventure to protect one of there own from an evil assassin, and in the process save the world.

Start with the series, then watch the movie. I don't know a single person who doesn't love both. Cowboys, mind-readers, space ships, quick quips, great writing, great visuals. Amazing.

What else can I say? It's COWBOYS IN SPACE! It's friggin' AWESOME!

Kick-Ass (2010)

Oh. My. God. Kick-Ass is.. wait for it.. Kick-Ass.

This is the story of High Schooler Dave, who asks the question "Why aren't there any real Super Heroes in Real Life?"  and then goes about trying to correct that. No super powers, not special tricks, just a lot of ass kicking and getting kicked in the ass.

This poor little movie got a heap of flack over what is a little girl saying the c-word. I thought this was quite humourous particularly because they made little fuss over how the same little girl kills about 50 people, but oh no! She also said the c-word. Geez. Priorities people. I didn't care either way. I'd read a few interviews with Chloe Moretz (the little girl in question) and she seems extremely well adjusted and not at all scared or running around rooms randomly yelling out profanities and while scratching up the furniture.

Back to the movie and it's awesome-ness. Originally a comic book, now a sure to be cult classic film. The comic book had some aspects I preferred they hadn't changed, but as payback, the film fixed the things that bugged me in the comic. What was great was of course all the could-almost-beat-a-Tarantino-level-of-gore fight scenes, excellent soundtrack, great cast, and believe it or not just plain fun fun fun.

The much talked about Chloe Moretz is of course my favourite ("With great power, comes great responsibility.") Her cute little skirt wearing, swearing character steals the screen. Though  Nick Cage's impression of Adam West is great thing.

Maybe it's my inner-nerd (heck its an outter-nerd) that had me totally geeking out about this movie. Though I sure it's also the part of me and all of us that think "What if? Maybe I could  be a superhero too". Hey we all can dream right?

Date Night (2010)

Oh I laughed so hard. This by-the-numbers comedy was a perfect meet-half-way-date-flick. With Steve Carell and Tina Fey at the helm as The Fosters, you can do no wrong.  

The Fosters are married with kids and feel that life has gotten a little boring. Attempting to rekindle some excitement and romance the couple arrange a Date Night. All that's planned is a nice little dinner in the city at a fancy restaurant, but (surprise surprise) they get a little more than they bargained for in the excitement department.

Date Night isn't going to win any awards or go down in history as some sort of cult comedy classic, but it was a delightful way to spend an evening, escape reality and have a good laugh. Much love goes out to this comedy due. I hope they team up again in the near future.

On a side note: The obvious ad-libs are to die for. Stay for the credits, and careful not to spill your popcorn when you laugh hard and frequently.

Up (2009)

Is there anyone who doesn't love a Pixar movie? I don't think so.   

Up is another Pixar great. Full of all the wonder and delight you expect to see. What really makes this movie magic is it's central character, Karl. Karl is 78 years old and about to be put in an Old Folks Home, but refusing to give up on his life long dream of adventure, ties thousands of helium balloons to his house and takes flight!

Most animated movies center around kids or young people and their big dreams and fantasies. Up reminds us that dreaming big and living life to the fullest isn't just for kids. Strange and exciting adventures can happen at any age, as can learning something new about yourself.

Oh and a little personal story. I saw this movie for the first time at the cinema just before my wedding. Oh glory did I tear up as I watched the ups and downs of Karl's long life. I teared up again on this second viewing too. They are happy tears, of a happy life. I will always watch this movie and be reminded of how a simple but happy life.. is a very good life.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice is not a child anymore. She is now a  beautiful, all though some what strange young woman who has grown up thinking her childhood adventure through Wonderland was all but a dream. Once again she stumbles upon the white rabbit and tumbles down the rabbit hole in another somewhat darker adventure. Directed by Tim Burton and starring his usual cast of misfits and the delightful newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice.


Pieces of Awesome:

The star of the show is Tim Burton's  Wonderland. I saw the film in 3D and even though I think it doesn't need an extra dimension, Wonderland looked magical through those dorky 3D glasses. Not surprisingly really, as this is certainly one of Burton's fortes.

 Mia Wasikowska as Alice, was a delight (and looked like a princess in every costume she wore. Can I have her wardrobe please?). At first glance she seems breakable with her porcelin features, only to stand up and become a champion with great determination and tenaciousness. All the while carrying off the perfect level of kookiness.

Lastly Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. I heard a lot of chatter about his role. Yes he's very Depp-y (if I can create a word there) and there are similarities to his role as Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)). Golly Gee, they are both wearing hats! (Note the tone). For me, even though he was very much a bunch of Depp characters rolled into one, I liked him. When even he wasn't in a scene, I couldn't wait for him to show up again.

In conclusion: Alice in Wonderland is a very enjoyable film. I didn't feel a need to go see it again any time soon, but the world, characters and amazing costumes were a wonder (sorry) to see!