I’ve had a great week this week, watching nothing but Pixar films!
Toy Story (Can’t recall how many times I’ve seen it, at least 30 I think) – I haven’t seen this in about 5 years and it was an absolute joy to watch it again. As fresh and as funny as it ever. Jam-packed with visual gags and wonderful one-liners, a whole host of adorable characters and animation that still stuns, this a true masterpiece. The only Pixar film I haven’t seen on the big screen, a huge regret of mine – 5/5
A Bug’s Life (8th view) – I’ve always loved this despite not finding it as compulsively rewatchable as Toy Story. Again, a film I haven’t seen in a few years, and it benefited. It seems to be the forgotten Pixar film, which is a huge shame as there is a great deal to enjoy and the gag count is almost as high as Toy Story. The circus bugs are particularly likeable, some of Pixar’s best creations – 5/5
Toy Story 2 (6th view) First thing’s first. This isn’t as good as the original. Still very funny, but never quite so laugh out loud (the exception being pretty much any scene involving Rex, Hamm, Potato Head and Slinky, the true heroes of these films and it’s great that they have a bigger role in this film). The new characters are nothing special, and the obvious reversal of the first film in story terms is sometimes rating, as are a few of the jokes (I am your father. Really?) Still, it does so much right, and most of the characters are so endearing, it gets top marks – 5/5
Monsters Inc (At least 30 views!) – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; this is as close to perfection as I think a film can get. That isn’t to say that is has the best script, direction, score, etc etc, as it doesn’t, but rather that there is not one single thing I could think of to change. Everything fits together wonderfully; I can’t imagine anything ever being different. Mike Wazowski and Sulley are a comic paring made in heaven. Randy Newman rightfully won his first Oscar for his amazing work here, the animation is gorgeous, the script funny (visually, it’s also Pixar’s most humorous film) and the closing scene is, without a doubt, one of the most heart-warming and emotional moments in film. The finest animated film I’ve ever seen, and one of my top 10 films of all time – 5/5
Finding Nemo (11th view) – A slight comedown from Monsters, but still excellent. The animation is sublime here, and Thomas Newman excels musically (One minor gripe, all to often the sight and sounds combined do have the look of BBC documentary. It’s almost Pixar saying, “look what we can do”, forgetting that they have a story to tell. As ever, the two leads are well-cast and loveable character, Dory and Marlin work well together. It’s just a shame that so many of the best characters – Nigel, Jacques, the sharks, - get short changed for screen time, and one incident near the end of the film takes things bit to far. It also has a lower gag rate than others (though Dory speaking whale is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen) – 5/5
The Incredibles (4th view) – A change of pace here, and Pixar newcomer Brad Bird taking on writing and directing duties. It’s certainly a fresh angle for Pixar and indeed a nice take on the superhero genre, quite easily surpassing most live action superhero films (batman Begins, Superman and perhaps X-men only beat it). It’s the weakest Pixar film so far, short on subtle gags, but still a winner – 5/5
Cars (3rd view) - Ok, so I love this film. I’m one of the few I know, but I’ve had a really good time on all viewings. I love the folk of Radiator Springs, and there’s some great verbal and visual humour. The fact that it looks great goes without saying, and I think there is a genuine heart here, a lack of which is often criticised. It might not be the best film, but it’s hugely enjoyable – 5/5
Ratatouille (2nd view) Opinion seemed divided when this came out last year. I though it was 2007’s best film. A second viewing reaffirms that belief. Remy is a great creation, expressing the widest range of emotions without, half the time, speaking, Peter O’Toole gives one of the finest vocal performances ever as Anton Ego, and Skinner (Ian Holm) is perfect. Michael Giacchino’s score was robbed of an Oscar this year. Rarely has a film, animated or otherwise, ever looked so beautiful (Remy’s first view of Paris is the kind of shot cinema was invented for) and, one of it’s grea-*test*-('") triumphs – it almost made me interesting in cooking, one of the mind numbingly dreary tasks in existence – 5/5
Wall-E (1st view) – This was easily my most anticipated film of the year. More than batman, Indy, There Will Be Blood, anything. I doubt I’ve anticipated a film so much since Return Of The King. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint, as it’s pure joy in every single aspect. Wall-E himself is a spectacular creation. Impossible not to love and with more vibrancy and heart to him than most real-life characters. The opening scenes, just him and the cockroach, are both beautiful and strangely depressing. And the magnificent desolation on show betters anything similar I've seen in live action films. The introduction of EVE is well handled, and their blossoming romance is lovely. For two near silent characters who express pretty much with their eyes only, it's amazing and I honestly do think that this couple makes for one of the most charming and lovely romances I've ever seen. Once the story changes tack, it never lets up, and the ending actually had me on the edge of my seat, the noise and bustle of the cinema blacked out completely. Beautiful, charming, funny, thoughtful, exciting, inspiring. The kind of film that makes me happy to be alive. Just brilliant – 5/5
I realise this all might seem a tad gushy but I can’t help it. Do all of these films actually deserve full marks when viewed from a critical, checklist-ticking standpoint? Well, probably not, but I do genuinely love each and every one of them, and as such, regarding their enjoyability, entertainment value, endearing ness and the way the engross from start to finish, they deserve nothing less top marks. I love Pixar!
And lastly, in order I’d place them :
Monsters Inc, Toy Story, Wall-E, Ratatouille, Cars, A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2, The Incredibles.
Hancock - A movie about an alcoholic superhero? Had me at hello... unfortunately this romance was not meant to be. The first bit with Hancock causing mayhem and the occasional rescue was by far the best part. The rest, not so good. The turnaround stripped the character of all interest.
The nail in the coffin was the addition of a twist which I won't reveal but brings down any good work done beforehand.
One for the unlimited cardholders or to watch on dvd.
Roger Dodger (1st view) – Campbell Scott (a hugely underrated actor in my eyes) plays Roger Swanson, an ad man who thinks he knows all there is to know about women and sex. When his 16 year old nephew, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) turns up, Roger tries to help the boy lose his virginity. It’s a more grown up take on American ie, and oftentimes more funny. Roger is a hugely unlikeable man, but Campbell makes him strangely sympathetic, and it’s hard not to feel for the naïve Nick. Pretty much all of the film takes place within one 8 hour period and this short time frame helps the story and the two men’s relationship along. Highly watchable – 4/5
Been on my list of must see for ages and I must say I thought it was just excellent.
Just a simple story of six twenty-something young men talking over life with an insight into their friendship and their future.
In 1982 the cast were vitual unknowns who all go on to break into the film business in a big way and the talent just oozes through straight away especialy Mickey Rourke,Steve Guttenberg and Kevin Bacon was brilliant in it.
No shoot em up,sex,violence,cussing just great dialogue and interesting characters and superb acting I just loved it.
*Spoiler of a sort*
There is one scene when the Kevin Bacons character gets drunk and strips to his shorts and lays down in the crib of the local nativity scene (its set at christmas time) the others come to smooth things over and they all end up getting arrested. Some guy whilst in the cell gives Tim Daley's character a bit of grieve and he just turns to him and says "I'll hit you so hard, I'll kill your whole family. Great stuff highly recomend it..
4/5
Zodiac (2007), David Fincher returns to cinema, with another serial killer film after Se7en (1995), but it's a serial killer film with a difference, we don't know who the killer is. The killer in question is The Zodiac Killer who stalked San Francisco in the late 1960's/early 1970's, and it focuses on cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), crime journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and cops Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), trying to piece together a complex mystery, and succumbing to defeat, apart from Graysmith. A gripping and exciting thriller, different to other serial killer films, it requires your attention, but it's worth it!! The best film of 2007!! :D 5/5
Best Pixar movie since Incredibles, one of the most lovable, most imaginative, visually, moving & excellent animated films ever made.
9/10
Watched this with Cuch Jr.,today...
He loved it.I hadn't watched it in years and despite some of the effects looking rather crap by today's standards it still holds up very well.Great fun.
4/5
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D - Fantastically entertaining loose adaptation of the Verne novel. The movie takes full advantage of the possibilities of 3D without seeming gimickly. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it comes highly recommended on my part.
Great fun for all the family.