Added by FG93 on 1 Feb 2013 03:17

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Movies Watched in February 2013

Sort by: Showing 30 items

Decade: Rating: List Type:

Conclusion

Total Movies seen this month: 30
Total First Viewing: 20
Total Rewatched: 10

Favourite First Viewings:
Django, Gran Torino, Bonnie and Clyde, Lawless, Léon: The Professional, Inception, The Prestige. (Quite a few movies I really liked this month ;p)

Worst First Viewings:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Superman: Doomsday, Easy A.

376

7.2

Django (1966)

Watched on the 1st

Kicking the new month off with an old classic, started watching this just after midnight so technically it goes here!
Been meaning to watch this for some time, in fact ever since I saw it on a list of Quentin Tarantino's favourite movies, and plus I love westerns. This seemed like a sure thing, a movie I could rely on to be good since over 30 movies took the name 'Django' in their titles to capitalise on its success, with only 2 others starring Franco Nero himself, the official sequel in 1987 and Django Unchained.
This is a really gritty western that creates an amazing atmostphere of death around our hero (which is helped a long by him dragging around a coffin of course). Right from the off, after the amazing title theme of course, we see that Django is one mysterious drifter not to be messed with, after he saves a girl from some douche bags.
My favourite moment has to be when Django single handedly takes on all of 'the Major's' 48 men.
This film definitely takes its place as one of my favourite westerns, just behind a few Clint Eastwood films.

FG93's rating:

3147

8.1

Gran Torino (2008)

Watched on the 1st

Amazing!
Clint Eastwood is one of my favourite actors and I don't think I've seen a film with him in that I haven't liked but I haven't seen many of the ones he directed himself, however if they're all like this then I will be seeing a lot of them very soon.
Clint proves once again he's still the 'always cool, but don't f*ck with me bad ass' we know from his previous films, even when he's an old man.(Of course he proved this in Unforgiven as well)

"Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have fucked with? That's me."

The whole thing starts off with portraying Clint's character as a grumpy old man, which to be fair doesn't change much throughout the film, but he does come to accept the Koreans next door and eventually become fond of the son and daughter. He allows the son to work for him, although he origionally doesn't really care for him, eventually he starts attempting to build the kid up as more of a man, which makes for a nice storyline to smooth out the violence. If you take look past the friendly racism, Clint's character is really funny, you can also really feel the connection between him and his car, the Gran Torino, the car not just being special to him because he had a part in building it, but because it's a symbol of himself.
Although Clint's characters death at the end was inevitable, I really wasn't expecting it to happen the way it did, no way was I expecting him to go there unarmed! Although he proved himself to be the better man and got rid of the problem(s) like he wanted.
The cast seems mostly perfect for the roles, not sure if I cared much for Bee Vang performance as Thao, but other than that they all fitted, even Clint's son!

FG93's rating:

3304

8.5

8.8

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Rewatch on the 1st

A combination of the first two films viewed this month, Clint Eastwood and a western.
Review coming soon.

FG93's rating:

2897

6.9

7.6

Superbad (2007)

Rewatch on the 3rd

Only watched this about a week and a half ago but my girlfriend was staying at my flat and she hadn't seen it before. She thought it was funny too and I thought it was even better a second time around. Still had me bursting out with laughter and so I've upgraded it to a 9/10.

FG93's rating:

2931

7.3

7.5

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Rewatch on the 3rd

Same case with this, saw it some time last week so this is my third time of viewing in total. Think this has got better with more viewing as well, didn't really like it the first time, upgraded it to 8/10 the second time I saw it and now it gets a 9.
Definitely one of my favourite comic book(or graphic novel) adaptations. This is pretty unique, or so that I've seen, in the effects, they make it so comic book-game like, and I think it really works.

FG93's rating:

2057

6.3

Basic Instinct (1992)

Watched on the 4th

Been meaning to watch this for a while, it was only on my radar because I kept seeing Sharon Stone on bad ass female lists on here as the character Catherine Tramell. She definitely plays a bad ass, mysterious, and not to be messed with female in this.
The film is around average, maybe a bit better, but Sharon Stone's character is definitely above that. There are some pretty random and weird moments that spice it up a little. The films main story is basically to find the murderer, the two main suspects being the one who writes the books about the murders, which always seem to play out exactly how they were wrote, and the police psychiatrist, both of which the detective has...relations with during the film, making his choices difficult. All made worse by the fact he's trying to stay sober, of booze and drugs, as well as quit smoking, all while being haunted by the accidental killing of two innocents.
Even though I'd seen her on those lists, the film still had me fooled into thinking the killer was actually the doctor. Such a good ending, only in the very last few seconds do you find out, for definite, who the real killer is!
"I'd have to be pretty stupid to write a book about killing and then kill him the way I described in my book. I'd be announcing myself as the killer. I'm not stupid."

FG93's rating:

338

6.6

6.8

Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

Watched on the 4th

Another installment of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies collection (watched a few of them last month). This was alright, nothing special though, nothing that really stood out, but a Batman story is always appreciated by me.
Not as dark and gritty as some of the others I'd seen, a bit of action and not many laughs but still a fairly enjoyable watch.

FG93's rating:

5943

7.4

8.1

Catch Me if You Can

Rewatch on the 5th

Seen this loads of times since it has been aired on the TV quite a lot since it's release. I really like it, I think all the main characters are really interesting, (Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken and Amy Adams) especially since it's based on a true story, which I always find interesting to watch.
It's a great story of a master impersonator who starts off his career by taking the place of a sub teacher and ends up as a pilot, doctor and lawer.

FG93's rating:

228

6.8

6.9

Superman: Doomsday (2007)

Watched on the 5th

This is actually the first of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies collection, which I had planned to watch in order but oh well. Just like Gotham Knight, which I watched yesterday, this was kind of average with nothing really special at all and not much flare. Even James Marsters voicing Lex wasn't enough to keep the level of interest up. Found the voice of Lois to be pretty annoying as well, not quirky and fun like she's meant to be.
Overall the story's not too bad but just nothing special and not enough to make me really want to view it a second time.

FG93's rating:

2244

6.9

7.4

The Rock (1996)

Rewatch on the 6th

Seen this film quite a few times over the years so I know it pretty much off by heart. Only watched it again because I was making my list on Alcatraz and stumbled across this film, and so needed to watch it again.
Always liked Sean Connery, and I know almost everyone hates him, but I actually quite like Nicolas Cage and really enjoy wuite a few of his movies, this being one of them. Ed Harris plays a great General who is deemed the bad guy, but has all the good intentions.
Some pretty good action scenes throughout and plus the film mainly takes place on an amazing place like Alcatraz Island!

FG93's rating:

878

5.8

5.9

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Watched on the 8th

This film just isn't that good, I'd say around average to be fair. The fighting scene's showing the civil war especially, in a nut shell, they suck, however there are a few good axe swinging scenes that just about make up for it and to be fair Benjamin Walker does move that axe pretty well. Although I have to say I don't think he made a very convinced Lincoln, in fact most of the cast seemed to give a half hearted performance really. Except Mary Elizabeth Winstead obviously, who's great in every thing she's in, which isn't enough as she's so underrated!
Also I found it hard fear, or allow myself to believe anyone in the film was afraid since their leader was called 'Adam'. What sort of lame name is that for a 5,000 year old vampire lord, seriously?!
My faourite moment has to be when the good old axe gun makes mr one eye into mr no eye.

FG93's rating:

1561

7.7

Bonnie and Clyde

Watched on the 8th

Loved it!
I've always found 1930s gansters interesting, and these two are just about the most famous of the bunch. Not sure why I hadn't seen this before but anyway.
Based on the true story, not 100% accurate of course but it still makes for a great story.
The entire film kept me interested and I would definitely watch this again gladly.
The best performance, with out a doubt, goes to Faye Dunaway as Bonnie, she is amazing all the way through and steals every shot she's in. She looks completely stunning as well.
Even though it was an inevitable, since its a true story, I still didn't want it(the ending) to happen and was pretty sad when it did.(trying not to give too much away)
"Some day, they'll go down together, They'll bury them side by side, To a few, it'll be grief, To the law, a relief, But it's death for Bonnie and Clyde."

FG93's rating:

801

7.1

7.3

Lawless (2012)

Watched on the 9th

Another Prohibition era tale based on a true story, this one having being written up by the great grandson of one of the brothers in the story.
Its about the Bondurant Brothers, bootlegging siblings who made a run for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia. It makes a great gangster tale that has immediately become one of my favourites.

Just when my faith in Shia LaBeouf had been destroyed (after watching Transformers 3) he bounces back with an amazing performance as the youngest Bondurant brother. That includes both his narration and performance on screen. He plays the typical younger brother role, constantly trying to impress the older two, I found myself really wanted him and his best friend 'Cricket' to catch a break.

Tom Hardy, as always, gives an amazing and really convincing performance, he has easily become one of my favourite actors lately. Every single movie I've seen with him in, his has been the standout character. In this film he plays the older and most respected of the brothers, and has become some what of a legend in both his brothers eyes, and the communitys. During the story he meets the beautiful Maggie Beauford, played by Jessica Chastain, who is wanting a quiet life away from Chicago. The two eventually they get together and a pretty awkward start.

The short time Gary Oldman is on screen he's great as well, obviously. The scene when he takes out a car with his tommygun is pretty epic.

Guy Pearce plays a villain you can really hate too, a really greasy turd of a corrupt law enforcer, found myself really wanting someone to completely obliterate him with a full tommygun clip! Sadly this doesn't happen but he does meet a sticky end after being shot and stabbed by Jack and Howard Bondurant.

FG93's rating:

1153

6.7

Chronicle (2012)

Watched on the 9th

Wanted to carry on my Gangster-Prohibition era films but couldn't find my Public Enemies DVD :(, so I watched this instead since I've been meaning to for a while.
Not really sure if I liked it or not ? I definitely need to re-view it at some point and make my mind up.
My thoughts at the moment are that it was fairly decent and pretty original I guess. The whole film through a film thing was pretty annoying at the start but it did turn out pretty interesting, especially during the big fight at the end.
The lead character, Dane DeHaan, I also found annoying at the start, then alright during, and annoying again at the end, although he was pretty psycho at the end so earns points back. Having said that I don't think the reason he goes psycho is really good enough to believe, I mean, he pukes on a girl, definitely a reason to be embarrassed but not to kill one of your best(and only) friends!

FG93's rating:

2333

5.8

6.1

Jumper

Watched on the 10th

Had been curious about this film for a while but I'd heard some pretty bad reviews so I avoided it until my flatmate lent me the DVD and so I eventually forced myself to watch it.

Well it wasn't too bad but I was already expecting something awful so maybe that cushioned it a bit since I gave 6/10 which is just above its average on here.

Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson's characters were alright, Michael Rooker should of got more screen time, Hayden Christensen gave a rather poor performance as the lead and Jamie Bell portrayed the most interesting character.

As for the story, it's not too bad, a bit too PG-13 for my liking but on a side note; I wouldn't mind their teleporting powers.

FG93's rating:

6109

8.6

9.3

The Shawshank Redemption

Rewatch on the 11th

Well everyone and his dog has seen this so there's not much point putting any notes on it. Just that I've seen it loads of times and it remains a pretty great film, although I still hold it at around a 8 or 9, lower than the average according to IMDb.

FG93's rating:

4644

8.2

8.5

Léon: The Professional

Watched on the 12th

How has this escaped my grasp for so long?
It's a really good tale of an illiterate assassin who befriends the little kid from next door who falls in love with him and also wants to become an assassin. Natalie Portman plays the kid and she does a great job however Gary Oldman gives the standout performance of the film as the main 'bad guy' in the film, just the perfect portrayal of an absolutely crazy bastard!

FG93's rating:

1329

7.3

RocknRolla (2008)

Watched on the 13th

I love these Guy Ritchie that don't take themselves too seriously but are still a really good watch, like; Snatch and Lock Stock. This one I'd been meaning to see for a while. It wasn't as good as those other two but still really fun and action packed. I thought Gerard Butler was actually pretty good, as well as the rest of the cast.
The story was pretty typical of a film like this but still enjoyable and the two veteran hitmen were hilarious.

FG93's rating:

6238

8.2

8.8

Inception (2010)

Watched on the 13th

Literally no idea why I'd been putting off watching this....I mean seriously why had I? It was so good!!!
Absolutely loved the whole thing, the cast, the story, the twists and turns, the entire picture!
This film deserves a proper review and so I'll put one together when I have more time, but for now just know, this film is great and I highly recommend you watch it!

FG93's rating:

2162

Planet Terror (2007)

Rewatch on the 15th

So here's the situation, I put got a few chick flick movies ready for when my girlfriend stays at my flat over Valentine's weekend, we open my hard drive and she asks to watch this? wut? o.O
She actually liked it as well! As for me, I've seen this loads of times and love it! Pretty much everything I could want from a movie; gun fights, Bruce Willis, zombies, over the top blood gore, gun legs and big old explosions! All thanks to Robert Rodriguez.

FG93's rating:

2564

6.9

Death Proof (2007)

Rewatch on the 16th

And so since she liked Planet Terror, I explained to her about Grindhouse and Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino being best friends and stuff, sooo we ended up watching this next. She liked it but fell asleep just after the first crash.

Again, regarding me, I've seen it before and I actually thought it was pretty lame(6/10) and thought of it as Tarantino's worst work (that I'd seen), however I've seen this movie 3 times since that first time when I gave it that rating, and even though I still regard it as pretty weak for Tarantino, I've upgraded it to a 7/10. Maybe because I appreciate the dialogue more, even though there is definitely still too much and not enough action. Having said that the action that is there is top quality, with one of my favourite car chases in a movie, and the replays of that first crash are great!

FG93's rating:

2596

7.3

7.8

Predator (1987)

Rewatch on the 17th

She claimed she had seen this before and liked it but was asleep before one measly Guerilla ha even been killed. I still watched the rest though. Seen it countless times and it's one of my favourite films (Maybe top 10?) Dutch and his men are a super badass rescue team sent into the jungle to get two captive airmen. After joining the party at the Guerilla camp they want to 'get to the chopper' but somethings hunting them...

"There's something out there waiting for us, and it ain't no man. We're all gonna die."

FG93's rating:

1050

7.1

7.2

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Watched on the 18th

Wanted to see this for ages because it had Woody Harrelson in, who in the film didn't disappoint, although the film as a whole was a bit of a let down. I wish Woody Harrelson would get some roles in better films as he definitely deserves it!
Christopher Walken was alright, as always but throughout the film I thought Sam Rockwell's character was just an annoying idiot(tamed down what I first wrote) that made no sense. As for Colin Farrell, I never have much time for him and find him pretty annyoing too, it takes one of my favourite actors or actresses to be in a film where he's the lead to make me watch it (Woody Harrelson in this, David Tennant in Fright Night and Kate Beckinsale in Total Recall).

FG93's rating:

1860

7.1

7.4

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Watched on the 19th

Got this to watch with my girlfriend but we never got round to it, so before I gave it back to my friend I thought I may as well watch it.

I probably enjoyed this film more than I should of.. but oh well. There were a few times I actually laughed and on a whole the film was pretty enjoyable.

Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone play the main people of interest in this film, all three I quite like and are normally pretty interesting. They deliver in this too, although Steve Carell seemed a bit less funny than usual, or maybe that's just me getting bored of him being the same character in every movie, but I'm not sure.

FG93's rating:

5066

7.9

8.5

The Prestige

Watched on the 21st

Pretty amazing!
I was surprised at how good Hugh Jackman was, I mean I knew he was a good actor it's just I never really liked him in anything else I'd seen(he's alright in X-Men). All the rest of the cast were great too, never knew David Bowie was an actor to be honest and Scarlett Johansson looks amazing!

You probably have to pay attention to get the whole thing, but I knew it was a Nolan film so I was anyway! The story's great, 2 rival magicians who will stop at nothing to perform the better trick, really liked this film and will probably watch it again some time pretty soon, definitely recommend it!

"Are you watching closely?"

FG93's rating:

6687

7.8

8.3

American Beauty (1999)

Watched on the 21st

I'm sure I'd seen bits of this before ages ago, when my mum was watching it or something but never all the way though. Maybe I missed something but I really don't see what was so good about this or maybe it's just because I watched it on the same day as an amazing movie like The Prestige. Just thought it was pretty boring..

FG93's rating:

1031

7.5

7.6

Escape from Alcatraz

Watched on the 22nd

Really enjoyed this, even thought I knew what was going to happen, still thought it was great. I knew the story of the real events and so wanted to see this for a while. It depicts an escape attempt from Alcatraz prison, which was probably the only successful break from that prison.

Clint Eastwood plays his role 'Frank Morris' as a badass, of course and he is absolutely great as always. Althought the character Charlie Butts in the film is fictional, he represents Allen West who was actually in Alcatraz and couldn't remove his vent grill in time and so I couldn't help feeling very sorry for his character.

Even though they're criminals and what-not I';d like to think they did survive because it's such a great escape story.

FG93's rating:

733

5.1

5.5

Volcano (1997)

Rewatch on the 23rd

Before you judge me for rewatching this, it's not that bad! Having said that, the only reason I watched this was because it randomly fell off my shelf on to my desk ;P (It was pretty creepy but I wasn't bothered by ghosts again that day).

Like I said the film isn't really that bad but there are some seriously cringy cheesy moments, mainly thanks to the little kid. Plus Tommy Lee Jones is in it and he's awesome! I prefer him in his crazier or more badass roles but he was still good. The concept of the story is pretty farfetched but meh, lava burning shit is still pretty entertaining.

FG93's rating:

651

7.9

8.1

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Watched on the 25th

My dad actually suggested this to me a few months ago and so I finally got round to watching it. One of the few westerns I've actually seen with John Wayne in (although I have quite a few in my 'to watch' list). It was entertaining throughout and even had an alright twist ending, although I have to admit I guessed it before it was revealed.
Angel Eyes(Lee Van Cleef) has a small role too! (not as Angel Eyes of course)

FG93's rating:

2172

7.1

Easy A (2010)

Watched on the 26th

Not sure why I watched this, but I did and it was as I had anticipated, lame. I usually like Emma Stone in stuff but not even she could save this. Just boring and not for me.

FG93's rating:

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My movie diary for 2013 continues...

This list will contain all the movies I watch in the month of February.

Last month I watched 54 movies in total, I have to admit I will almost certainly not match that this month for a number of reasons; the first being this month is 3 days shorter than January ;P
the second being, the majority of January I was at home for Christmas holiday,
the third being I'm now back at uni and so will have work to do.

But I'll try and keep up an average of at least 1 a day or something :D