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Film Diary 2015
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1589
7.6
7.7
Watched at the cinema - Jan.3rd
From my only viewing of Birdman at my local cinema, I would describe it as a very good film. I don't like to read reviews of films before I actually see them, and these days I try to avoid reading about a film prior to seeing it. But in this case it was hard to escape the hype surrounding Michael Keaton's 'comeback' performance. As a kid, I loved Batman and Beetlejuice so Michael Keaton would always remain a personal favourite of mine.
As it turned out, Michael Keaton delivered a brilliantly nuanced performance and all of the cast were equally great in their roles.
Most people talk about the camera in Birdman. It is very impressive at times, but one of the standout things for me was the soundtrack. The sound design was excellent and the score really played with the inner workings of Keaton's character. As he moves towards meltdown/insanity/enlightenment/death (your choice), the jazz score becomes increasingly frenetic. Birdman seems to think the source of the percussion is in his head. He even goes outside the theatre to check if the sounds are in fact 'real'. It turns out there's a jazz drummer outside on the street. Oddly, later on, this drummer moves inside the theatre. As Birdman walks past him, he's not sure and we're not sure if this is an hallucination. This device of playing with the source of the music is really effective in creating a chaotic atmosphere and helps to align the viewer with Birdman.
All in all, my impression on my sole viewing experience was that Birdman achieved a hyper-realism due to the combination of strong acting performances, especially Keaton, and an intense score.
From my only viewing of Birdman at my local cinema, I would describe it as a very good film. I don't like to read reviews of films before I actually see them, and these days I try to avoid reading about a film prior to seeing it. But in this case it was hard to escape the hype surrounding Michael Keaton's 'comeback' performance. As a kid, I loved Batman and Beetlejuice so Michael Keaton would always remain a personal favourite of mine.
As it turned out, Michael Keaton delivered a brilliantly nuanced performance and all of the cast were equally great in their roles.
Most people talk about the camera in Birdman. It is very impressive at times, but one of the standout things for me was the soundtrack. The sound design was excellent and the score really played with the inner workings of Keaton's character. As he moves towards meltdown/insanity/enlightenment/death (your choice), the jazz score becomes increasingly frenetic. Birdman seems to think the source of the percussion is in his head. He even goes outside the theatre to check if the sounds are in fact 'real'. It turns out there's a jazz drummer outside on the street. Oddly, later on, this drummer moves inside the theatre. As Birdman walks past him, he's not sure and we're not sure if this is an hallucination. This device of playing with the source of the music is really effective in creating a chaotic atmosphere and helps to align the viewer with Birdman.
All in all, my impression on my sole viewing experience was that Birdman achieved a hyper-realism due to the combination of strong acting performances, especially Keaton, and an intense score.
Toby White's rating:
220
7
7.2
Watched Jan.7th
Toby White's rating:
204
7.7
7.7
La vie de bohème (1992)
Watched Jan.8th
Sad, beautiful, funny and very moving.
Sad, beautiful, funny and very moving.
Toby White's rating:
339
6.9
7.1
The Drop (2014)
Watched Jan. 20th
Enjoyable. Simple and straight forward story. Great performance by Tom Hardy in the lead role. Gandolfini is always a joy to watch. Sadly, it's his last film.
Enjoyable. Simple and straight forward story. Great performance by Tom Hardy in the lead role. Gandolfini is always a joy to watch. Sadly, it's his last film.
Toby White's rating:
557
8.3
8.1
Watched Jan.21st
Beautiful, poetic and moving. Possibly my favourite Fellini film I've seen so far. Nino Rota's score is great.
Beautiful, poetic and moving. Possibly my favourite Fellini film I've seen so far. Nino Rota's score is great.
Toby White's rating:
1168
7.6
7.8
Nightcrawler (2014)
Watched Jan.28th
Re-watched at the cinema - Feb.26th
Excellent film. Disturbing and believable. Great visuals and engaging story.
Re-watched at the cinema - Feb.26th
Excellent film. Disturbing and believable. Great visuals and engaging story.
Toby White's rating:
43
5.8
5.4
Welcome to New York (2014)
Watched Jan.29th
A great performance by Gerard Depardieu a monstrous, sex-fiend, corrupt politician. He does a great job of conveying this gross character.
Toby White's rating:
380
7
7.3
Sexy Beast (2000)
Rewatched Feb.3rd
This is a classic. Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane are frightening. Gripping and endlessly watchable.
This is a classic. Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane are frightening. Gripping and endlessly watchable.
Toby White's rating:
488
7.1
7.3
Four Lions (2010)
Watched Feb.4th
Ultimately Four Lions has a deep sadness at its core. At times, surreal and wildly funny, it simultaneously packs a political punch and gives so much life to these characters. Well done Chris Morris.
Ultimately Four Lions has a deep sadness at its core. At times, surreal and wildly funny, it simultaneously packs a political punch and gives so much life to these characters. Well done Chris Morris.
Toby White's rating:
322
6.9
6.7
Watched Feb.4th
Odd, distinctive, atmospheric and strangely hypnotic.
It's a beautiful and sad piece of filmmaking. Moving in a way that's hard to pin-point.
Odd, distinctive, atmospheric and strangely hypnotic.
It's a beautiful and sad piece of filmmaking. Moving in a way that's hard to pin-point.
Toby White's rating:
333
6.4
6.2
Watched Feb.5th
Very good performances by Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska. Not sure how I feel about this one yet.
Very good performances by Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska. Not sure how I feel about this one yet.
* Probably one of my least favourite Cronenberg films in hindsight.
Toby White's rating:
1236
7.5
7.5
Watched Feb.6th
An abrasive and unsettling masterwork. This really gets into your head with its strong colours and its completely overwhelming soundscape. It gave me the sensation of something drilling away at my brain.
An abrasive and unsettling masterwork. This really gets into your head with its strong colours and its completely overwhelming soundscape. It gave me the sensation of something drilling away at my brain.
Toby White's rating:
743
6.7
6.8
The Babadook (2014)
Watched Feb.11th
The best Horror film I've seen in many years. Very creepy and atmospheric. I cared about the characters and felt their trauma. It works on two levels, as a ghost story and as a story about a mother and child who struggle to deal with the loss of a loved one. It avoids the cliches of most horrors and goes for a more subtle approach of building up suspense and atmosphere.
The best Horror film I've seen in many years. Very creepy and atmospheric. I cared about the characters and felt their trauma. It works on two levels, as a ghost story and as a story about a mother and child who struggle to deal with the loss of a loved one. It avoids the cliches of most horrors and goes for a more subtle approach of building up suspense and atmosphere.
Toby White's rating:
376
7.1
7.2
St. Vincent (2014)
Watched Feb.18th
Typical Hollywood feel-good rubbish.
Typical Hollywood feel-good rubbish.
Toby White's rating:
1435
8.1
8.5
Whiplash (2014)
Feb.19th
Very engaging. It's got all the highs and lows that you would expect from this type of story. Despite this predictable aspect, the lead performances are so strong that it works.
Very engaging. It's got all the highs and lows that you would expect from this type of story. Despite this predictable aspect, the lead performances are so strong that it works.
Toby White's rating:
527
7.2
7.5
Midnight Run (1988)
Feb.20th
Hilarious, well written and wildly entertaining.
Hilarious, well written and wildly entertaining.
Toby White's rating:
325
7.4
7.3
Two Days, One Night (2014)
Feb.20th
Difficult viewing. Very emotional. Marion Cotillard is excellent.
Difficult viewing. Very emotional. Marion Cotillard is excellent.
Toby White's rating:
1085
7.5
7.9
Boyhood (2014)
Feb.21st
It was good but not groundbreaking. Certainly a nice idea but not as moving as it could have been. Maybe the task itself of making a film over this length of time is too self-conscious.
It was good but not groundbreaking. Certainly a nice idea but not as moving as it could have been. Maybe the task itself of making a film over this length of time is too self-conscious.
Toby White's rating:
1357
7.2
7.7
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Feb.22nd
Really funny and very impressive visually.
Really funny and very impressive visually.
Toby White's rating:
975
7.2
7.1
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) (2003)
Feb.24th
Lacking in atmosphere. Didn't hook me.
Lacking in atmosphere. Didn't hook me.
Toby White's rating:
4179
7.9
8.2
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Feb.24th
Re-watched for the 3rd time. Brilliant adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's great novel. One of the Coen brothers' best films and one of my favourites of the decade.
Re-watched for the 3rd time. Brilliant adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's great novel. One of the Coen brothers' best films and one of my favourites of the decade.
Toby White's rating:
1168
6.4
6.7
Event Horizon (1997)
Feb.25th
Not bad but not brilliant. Saw a lot of it coming. Some impressive visuals. Atmosphere was o.k..
Not bad but not brilliant. Saw a lot of it coming. Some impressive visuals. Atmosphere was o.k..
Toby White's rating:
625
7.5
7.4
Mud (2013)
Feb.27th
I really enjoyed it. The characters and story really grabbed me.
I really enjoyed it. The characters and story really grabbed me.
Toby White's rating:
581
6.9
6.7
Inherent Vice (2014) (2015)
Mar.1st
Inherent Vice is my favourite film from 2014 and one of the best films I've seen this decade. I had been anticipating this one for quite some time and I was not disappointed. Once again Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a brilliant film.
Its sprawling narrative and witty dialogue had me hooked. It's odd and wacky and hilarious, and I didn't want it to end. It kept me zig-zagging along on a weird and wonderful trip. Even though at times I was thinking to myself "what the hell is actually going here?", it didn't even matter. This seemed to be part of the experience and that it was deliberately written this way to capture the atmosphere of this era. It really succeeded in capturing the mood and vibe of its time. Looking forward to seeing it again. Brilliant.
Watched for the 2nd time - May.29th
I enjoyed it even more the second time round. Its style and aesthetic made a lot more sense to me. It flows together so well and there are so many layers to it. What an excellent film it is. Certainly one of my favourites by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Inherent Vice is my favourite film from 2014 and one of the best films I've seen this decade. I had been anticipating this one for quite some time and I was not disappointed. Once again Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a brilliant film.
Its sprawling narrative and witty dialogue had me hooked. It's odd and wacky and hilarious, and I didn't want it to end. It kept me zig-zagging along on a weird and wonderful trip. Even though at times I was thinking to myself "what the hell is actually going here?", it didn't even matter. This seemed to be part of the experience and that it was deliberately written this way to capture the atmosphere of this era. It really succeeded in capturing the mood and vibe of its time. Looking forward to seeing it again. Brilliant.
Watched for the 2nd time - May.29th
I enjoyed it even more the second time round. Its style and aesthetic made a lot more sense to me. It flows together so well and there are so many layers to it. What an excellent film it is. Certainly one of my favourites by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Toby White's rating:
3541
7.6
7.9
Children of Men (2006)
Mar.11th
Very impressive cinematography. An intense and immersive experience.
Very impressive cinematography. An intense and immersive experience.
Toby White's rating:
908
5.9
6
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Mar.12th
Pretty disturbing film from Rob Zombie. Dark as hell. Visually impressive. Atmospheric and off-the-wall, it packs a punch and it doesn't pander to the typical Hollywood ending.
Clearly influenced by Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Wes Craven's The Last House On The Left.
Pretty disturbing film from Rob Zombie. Dark as hell. Visually impressive. Atmospheric and off-the-wall, it packs a punch and it doesn't pander to the typical Hollywood ending.
Clearly influenced by Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Wes Craven's The Last House On The Left.
Toby White's rating:
120
6.2
6.4
Mar.24th
This has got to be one of the most disturbing and off-the-wall films ever made. Narratively it doesn't make much sense but visually it's insanely intense and unlike any film experience one is likely to have.
Kim Ki Duk is a unique filmmaker. A very daring move to make feature with no spoken dialogue. Brilliantly executed. But very difficult viewing at times.
This has got to be one of the most disturbing and off-the-wall films ever made. Narratively it doesn't make much sense but visually it's insanely intense and unlike any film experience one is likely to have.
Kim Ki Duk is a unique filmmaker. A very daring move to make feature with no spoken dialogue. Brilliantly executed. But very difficult viewing at times.
Toby White's rating:
803
7.8
7.8
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Mar.26th
Another extremely violent Korean film.
This is excellent.
Another extremely violent Korean film.
This is excellent.
Toby White's rating:
47
7.8
7.6
Mar.27th
One of my favourite stand-up comedians.
One of my favourite stand-up comedians.
Toby White's rating:
2183
6.7
7.3
Starship Troopers (1997)
Apr.1st
Abysmal. Devastatingly bad. I don't care what this is supposed to be, irony or comedy. Doesn't work for me. It was one of the worst films I've sat through in a long time.
Abysmal. Devastatingly bad. I don't care what this is supposed to be, irony or comedy. Doesn't work for me. It was one of the worst films I've sat through in a long time.
Toby White's rating:
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This is a list of the films I've been watching in 2015. I will list my favourites of each month in order of personal preference.
Favourite films of Jan.
1. Nights of Cabiria (1957)
2. Birdman (2014)
3. La Vie De Boheme (1992)
4. Nightcrawler (2014)
Favourite films of Feb.
1. No Country For Old Men (2007) REWATCH*
2. Sexy Beast (2000) REWATCH*
3. Whiplash (2014)
4. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
5. Midnight Run (1988)
6. Mud (2012)
7. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
8. The Babadook (2014)
9. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
10. Four Lions (2010)
Favourite films of March.
1. Inherent Vice (2014)
2. I saw The Devil (2010)
3. Children of Men (2006)
4. House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)
Favourite films of April.
1.The Dreamers (2003)
2. The Last Detail (1973)
3. Days of Being Wild (1990)
4. Afro Samurai Resurrection (2009)
5. Top Five (2014)
Favourite films of May.
1. Southern Comfort (1981)
2. Guardians of The Galaxy (2014)
3. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
4. Cat On a Hot Thin Roof (1958)
5. Drive (2011) REWATCH*
6. The Wolverine (2013)
Favourite films of June.
1. Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
2. Ugetsu (1953)
3. It Follows (2014)
4. Lola (1961)
5. Double Indemnity (1944)
6. Year Of The Dragon (1985)
7. Peeping Tom (1960)
Favourite films of July.
1. Harold and Maude (1971)
2. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
3. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
4. Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
5. Seven (1995) REWATCH*
6. Something Wild (1986)
7. Lady Snowblood (1973)
8. Tetsuo: The Ironman (1989)
9. Contempt (1963)
Favourite films of Aug.
1. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter....and Spring (2003)
2. Wake In Fright (1971)
3. Shogun Assassin (1980)
4. A Girl At My Door (2014)
5. In The Realm of the Senses (1976)
6. Exit The Gift Shop (2010)
7. The Sugarland Express (1974)
Favourite Films of Sept.
1. The Godfather Part 1 & 2 (Rewatch) (1972, 1974)
2. Last Life in the Universe (2003)
3. eXistenz (1999)
4. Fallen Angels (1995)
5. Rebecca (1940)
6. Coffy (1973)
7. Timbuktu (2014)
8. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
9. Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
10. Marshland (2014)
Favourite Films of Oct.
1. Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
2. Don't Look Now (1973)
3. A Touch of Sin (2013)
4. From Beyond (1986)
5. Mimic (1997)
6. Crimson Peak (2015)
Favourite Films of Nov.
1. Suspiria (1977)
2. Breathless (2008)
3. Infernal Affairs (2002)
4. The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972)
Favourte Films of Dec
Being There
Kikujiro
Ashes of Time
Big Night
Images
Venus in Fur
Wild Tales
Dead of Alive
I Walked With A Zombie
Favourite films of Jan.
1. Nights of Cabiria (1957)
2. Birdman (2014)
3. La Vie De Boheme (1992)
4. Nightcrawler (2014)
Favourite films of Feb.
1. No Country For Old Men (2007) REWATCH*
2. Sexy Beast (2000) REWATCH*
3. Whiplash (2014)
4. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
5. Midnight Run (1988)
6. Mud (2012)
7. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
8. The Babadook (2014)
9. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
10. Four Lions (2010)
Favourite films of March.
1. Inherent Vice (2014)
2. I saw The Devil (2010)
3. Children of Men (2006)
4. House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)
Favourite films of April.
1.The Dreamers (2003)
2. The Last Detail (1973)
3. Days of Being Wild (1990)
4. Afro Samurai Resurrection (2009)
5. Top Five (2014)
Favourite films of May.
1. Southern Comfort (1981)
2. Guardians of The Galaxy (2014)
3. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
4. Cat On a Hot Thin Roof (1958)
5. Drive (2011) REWATCH*
6. The Wolverine (2013)
Favourite films of June.
1. Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
2. Ugetsu (1953)
3. It Follows (2014)
4. Lola (1961)
5. Double Indemnity (1944)
6. Year Of The Dragon (1985)
7. Peeping Tom (1960)
Favourite films of July.
1. Harold and Maude (1971)
2. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
3. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
4. Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
5. Seven (1995) REWATCH*
6. Something Wild (1986)
7. Lady Snowblood (1973)
8. Tetsuo: The Ironman (1989)
9. Contempt (1963)
Favourite films of Aug.
1. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter....and Spring (2003)
2. Wake In Fright (1971)
3. Shogun Assassin (1980)
4. A Girl At My Door (2014)
5. In The Realm of the Senses (1976)
6. Exit The Gift Shop (2010)
7. The Sugarland Express (1974)
Favourite Films of Sept.
1. The Godfather Part 1 & 2 (Rewatch) (1972, 1974)
2. Last Life in the Universe (2003)
3. eXistenz (1999)
4. Fallen Angels (1995)
5. Rebecca (1940)
6. Coffy (1973)
7. Timbuktu (2014)
8. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
9. Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
10. Marshland (2014)
Favourite Films of Oct.
1. Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
2. Don't Look Now (1973)
3. A Touch of Sin (2013)
4. From Beyond (1986)
5. Mimic (1997)
6. Crimson Peak (2015)
Favourite Films of Nov.
1. Suspiria (1977)
2. Breathless (2008)
3. Infernal Affairs (2002)
4. The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972)
Favourte Films of Dec
Being There
Kikujiro
Ashes of Time
Big Night
Images
Venus in Fur
Wild Tales
Dead of Alive
I Walked With A Zombie
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Hsiao-hsien Hou
