Perfect. I didn't know what to expect with this film, and wasn't all too excited to see it. It's a real shame I've missed out of something like this for so long. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal have such intense onscreen chemistry you just wish they would end up together in real life. A story spanning over a decade, where I honestly had no idea where these two would end up. I assumed from the title it would be an immediate love connection, and maybe it was, but the way the movie goes about telling this story is just something not to be missed.
10/10
Film#32 - As Good As It Gets, 1997, dir. James L. Brooks
Another perfect movie. There isn't much to say here, other than this is an absolutely flawless film. It has such genuine moments that truly inspire I just can't give it anything but a perfect score.
10/10
Film#33 - Friday The 13th, 2009, dir. Marcus Nispel
Here we have one of the most appalling movies ever made. I've seen the original, which I wasn't a big fan of, but this is just an embarrassment. Jumping on the "let's revive an old franchise" band wagon (think Halloween, Nightmare On Elm Street, even the upcoming Scream 4), this movie is just trash. What really got me was the opening scene, which traditionally has a single or maybe pair of murders, instead did a full 20 minute lead up of stereotypical young, sexy stoners out for a camping trip, where surprise surprise: they're all massacred. Then we get to the real meat and potatoes of this movie; a second group of sexy youth are out to the lake for the weekend, while Jared Padalecki is searching for his missing sister. Not to ruin the movie but I'm sorry to say not many of them make it out alive. It's so poorly written, not to mention they've thrown out the whole red-herring fake-out since every time the music becomes dissonant someone WILL die. Not to mention my outrage with these kids for of course making the stupidest mistakes ever, some that don't even make logical sense i.e. "Well the killer is outside the house, so let me, a half naked helpless girl, go upstairs alone to check things out, leaving the strong, athletic and capable members of the group downstairs with all the lights and weapons. Good idea." Not only that, they just had to leave it open ended just to leave the possibility for another terrible sequel. When will these teenagers learn that when facing an unstoppable abomination of a man, when you finally weaken him, just finish the job. Don't be scared to get a little dirty, after all, you've already got half a dozen of your friends blood and gore in your hair. Horrid.
2/10
Film#34 - Hot Fuzz, 2007, dir. Edgar Wright
I've seen this a few times and I must say it is just superb. Quirky, well paced, wonderfully acted, plus a storyline just full of twists and turns, this film is just fantastic. Combing genres (think cop drama + comedy + horror/slasher) leads this film to a truly original place in a sea of films that all seem the same. Funny and self-referential, this film is an unbelievable cinematic experience, and is one of my favourites.
10/10
Film#35 - Chinatown, 1974, dir. Roman Polanski
My impressions of a lot of movies tend to be way off before I actually see them. This, just like Polanski's The Pianist, has little to do with the title in a literal sense. Instead there's a winding story of private investigator Gittes, played by Jack Nicholson, as he is tied up in a grand scheme with LA's water supply. This film almost seems to be timeless, not in the sense that it's value lasts over the years (although it does) but more so in the way that its reminiscent of something I might expect from a 1950s film (possibly due to its film noir look and feel but more so from its tone) while at the same time seeming ahead of its time. I can't place this film very well, I'm just unsure how I feel about it. The story is complex, and Nicholson plays a role unlike anything I've ever seen from him, yet I feel impartial towards it overall.
7.5/10
