Ricky's Movie Log: January 2015

January 1st
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching

As a fan of Robert Zemeckis's films, I was interested in checking this film out as Zemeckis returns to live-action film. From the incredibly intense airplane scene to the scenes showcasing Whip's downward spiral, Zemeckis proves to still be a quality film director. However, the best part of this film is Denzel Washington's incredible performance as the pilot whom prevents a plane crash while dealing with the legal repercussions of his alcoholism during the flight. While some of the religious themes get a little too heavy-handed, Flight is still an impeccable drama with a prime performance from Denzel Washington.

January 3rd
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching

I don't usually like horror films as I don't find the experience of viewing disturbing imagery and pessimistic story-lines as entertaining or emotionally fulfilling. Seven proves to be the incredible exception as I viewed a euphoric cinematic masterpiece. The deaths committed by the serial killer are disturbing and brutal but not unrealistic or ridiculous. Brilliant is a word that could best describe this film, its characters, the performances, and especially this well-constructed plot. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are incredible as these dynamic three-dimensional detectives trying to play catch up to the schemes of a masterful serial killer. The grimy cinematography helps establish the almost literal hellhole that sets the cynical mode for the entire film. In my opinion, Jonathan Doe is a scarier murderer and better performance than Hannibal Lecter. This is the kind of masterful filmmaking that I'm ashamed I haven't seen before. Unfortunately, this is one of those films where I knew the major spoilers to before watching. Luckily, that didn't stop this film from being suspenseful, intriguing, and overall an spectacular horror masterpiece. I haven't seen any David Fincher films before watching this one, now I must check out his filmography.

January 9th
Watched on DVD
First (Complete) Viewing

I remember watching the first half of this film awhile ago. I remembered the film being surprisingly fun and interesting. Sure, it might seem psuedo-smart based on some lapses of logic but I really like the escape artist elements. Escape Plan does a great job in establishing the impossible prison scenario and I returned to watching this film because I wanted to know how Breslin and Rottmeyer escape this prison. Honestly, I think Stallone pulls off the tactical mastermind with brawn to boot pretty well. Plus, this is the Schwarzenegger/Stallone team-up film many we've been waiting FOR DECADES! Honestly, I think they pull it off. Sure, it's not an action masterpiece but honestly this is the coolest film Stallone and Schwarzenegger have been in since The Expendables 2. James Caviezel plays a crazy villain as the prison's warden who lovingly hams up to perfection. Sure, this isn't an action masterpiece with flaws (Seriously, we're still putting 50 Cent in movies?) and both aging action stars have done better movies. In spite of this, I found this film to be reminiscent of the cheesey awesome '80s action flicks that both stars have helped perfect.

January 9th
Watched on Youtube
First Time Viewing

This is a wonderful documentary that manages to provide an inspirational story on a man whom I was previously unaware of but am now incredibly fascinated by. Very little else needs to be said, this is a great film that you can watch FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE! So you don't have any excuse in not checking out this film out.

January 13th
Watched on Netflix
Rewatched

I remember watching this film when I was around 2. I found the despairing and sometimes disturbing imagery along with the grostesque villains to be too much for a children's mind, instantly disliking this. In fact, I previously rated this film LOWER THAN Batman and Robin. Honestly, I'm usually not that much of a low-rater and I've even become a Tim Burton fan, so I decided to give this film another chance before it leaves Netflix Instant Watch. In all honesty, I felt this experience to be a lot more middling. On one hand, I found the gloomy atmosphere, Christmas-type experience, and Danny DeVito's interesting depiction of the Penguin to make this film much better than a 2-star film. However, elements like some of the corny dialogue, the weird characterization of Catwoman, and just the overall lack of focus on Batman IN A FRICKING BATMAN MOVIE! People have said this before but Batman is a supporting character in his own film (the first half of this film is mostly consisted on Penguin, Catwoman, and Max Shreck scenes with only a few minutes of Batman in them). Compared to how campy people say Schumacher's Batman films are (trust me, I'm not trying to deny it. They are pretty campy), Batman Returns has similar issues with corny dialogue, almost cartoonish weapons and gadgets for the villains, and Batman goes DJ in a scene as well. I feel like Batman Forever is underrated because it envokes the intentionally campy nature of '60s Batman while still having an enjoyable and fun-tone (Batman and Robin is still stupid and awful). However, Returns can be just as campy but the weird dark tone (even darker than the first) to this film really contrasts it to make it enjoyable. Really the weirdest element that doesn't work for me is Catwoman. The performance by Michelle Pfieffer is fine, it's felt like they turned her into a walking cat cliche (tried to eat a bird, landing in kitty litter, APPARENTLY HAVING NINE FUCKING LIVES ). Now, Penguin was really just a business who looked like a penguin so I prefer the more creative liberties they took with his character. But Catwoman was a more subtle and interesting anti-hero than the weirdly sexual manglement of S&M bondage imagery and cat cliches that was Tim Burton's version. Really I don't feel like Tim Burton's films really did get Batman as a character, he really doesn't see any qualms with killing and is constantly getting overshadowed by the villains in his films. The regret over these actions in Batman Forever shows development in his character that both Tim Burton films seem to lack. However, I have changed my film on this film. It isn't awful, it's not the worst Batman film (you know what that one is), and it's not even the worst Tim Burton film I've seen. That honor now goes to his boring and lifeless adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

January 16th
Watched on DVD
First Time Viewing

As a fan of Rocksteady's Arkham games, I decided give this film a watch. In spite of getting top billing, Batman is only a supporting character in this film. Really this is more of a Suicide Squad movie rather than a Batman movie. It's a good one, though, and makes me look forward to the upcoming Hollywood film on them. As a piece of continuity in the Arkham series, there is a lot of nods and easter eggs to elements in the games and a whole bunch of characters token from Asylum, City, and Origins. I will say some of the performances are kind of iffy (I thought Harley Quinn and the Riddler sounded forced). Also, I saw the whole "Batman disguising himself as Black Spider" twist from a mile away. In all honesty, when Amanda Waller's plan is revealed, it is hard to see why she needed the Suicide Squad specifically for this mission. I know why they made Batman appear as the star role and really all DC Animated films seem to be making nowadays are "Batman" flicks with the occasional "Justice League" flick. Really disappointed that we're never going to see that "Teen Titans" film anytime soon. Anyway, Assault on Arkham isn't amazing but it is an fun ride that I wouldn't mind revisiting.

January 17th
Watched on DVD
First (Complete) Watching

This was definitely a divisive experience. However, unlike Batman Returns, I was slightly more positive towards this film. Watched the first half of this film during English course due to the mandatory reading of this classic novel (I read the book twice). I finished the entire film and I have to say it isn't a good adaptation of the novel. It's not an awful film. I feel the visual design and fast-paced nature of the film. Baz Luhrmann's cinematic style is rather unique but it appears he only manages to produce middling films. The reason the novel works is due to the complexity of the novel's prose and the overall ambiguous nature of the narrative. However, this film has Nick Carraway narrating some the lines instead of attempting to convey that same kind of complex prose into the visuals of the film. Also, some of the narration lacks the ambiguous nature of the original text and makes it a lot less subtle with the emotions of the characters and the meanings of certain symbols. However, I did feel like the actors gave in good performances for the characters and overall the film works as a decent romance flick. While I didn't find the actual rap music bad, I feel its use here doesn't work. It clashes against the time period much more than I would've liked. Unfortunately, as an adaptation to this critically-acclaim novel (I'm not even the biggest fan of it ut I can understand why it's so beloved), it fails but I sort of expected that.

January 22th
Watched on Netflix
First Time Viewing

Back when I recorded my Netflix watches, I started getting into Quentin Tarantino's work by watching Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I continue to go through his filmography today by watching the next film he made, Jackie Brown. I went into this film knowing that not many people regard this film as greatly as his others but I found myself surprisingly enjoying it a lot, actually. Immediately, the film had a slow start but when the first scene between Ordell and Jackie Brown occured , I knew the plot was getting going. Overall, this was an incredible thriller with lots of twists and turns and the overall plot that Jackie and Max pull is intriguing in how it manages to fool both Ordell and the cops. While the soundtrack this time isn't as memorable as Pulp's or Reservoir's, there were still some gems like "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time?" and "Across 110th Street". All the performances in the film were well-done, including some great work from Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, and even Chris Tucker managed to make a memorable appeareance. Not only is his appearance brief but he also gets shot. I wish more Chris Tucker roles went like this. The best part of this film for me was the relationship between Jackie Brown and Max Cheery, mostly in how unique it is. It is rare to see romance between middle aged characters, especially in a film like this. It was honestly sweet to see and I genuinely cared to see these two together by the end. I found Jackie Brown to be a surprisingly enjoyable film that showed a more low-key feel that's well-appreciated while still containing Tarantino's signature style that keeps people wanting more.

SIDE-NOTE: An (rather minor, in all honesty) issue to me with Pulp Fiction was its overuse of actors from Reservoir Dogs. Thus, I really appreciate how Tarantino for this film experimenting with a bunch of different actors (Robert DeNiro, Pam Grier, Michael Keaton, Robert Forster, Chris Tucker, Tom Lister Jr., etc.) instead of relying on his bunched actor posse (aside from the phenomenal Samuel L. Jackson, of course). Most of whom didn't appear in future QT films.

January 23rd
Watched on Netflix
Rewatched

While it was still on Netflix, I decided to give this film a rewatch. I decided to bring my younger brother along to watch this classic with me. We weren't able to watch the film in its' entirety but we certainly had a good time while watching it. This is certainly a film that holds repeat viewings.