What's the Latest Thing You've Seen at the Cinema II

Was already planning to see this one, but this even more convinces me to see it in the cinema...

Meant to write about this film myself. We went to the cinema on a rainy Lake District morning to watch it the other week. There were only four other people in the cinema so we got the most advantageous seats to watch the best, most exciting adventure film I've seen. Superbly done, lots of humour and breathtaking action from begining to end. Sure, pure unadulterated hokum but who cares? Loved it.

Can't say I noticed Rebecca Ferguson much (cough...).

Took my God Daughters to see it.

....... Sure, pure unadulterated hokum but who cares? Loved it.

Can't say I noticed Rebecca Ferguson much (cough...).

Great popcorn movie. I thought Simon Pegg's turn was very well judged, kept the humour without moving into parody ...too much.

M

Inside Out - Daring concept and great ideas, I found it to be genuinely touching in places, but hard to connect with the lead emotions Joy and Sadness, a.k.a. Manic and Depressed, and their unfunny imaginary sidekick. And what's with the discount minions popping up now and again?

Last night they had a special screening of this at the BM so popped along. I'd never seen it on the big screen, only on DVD/TV etc.

I still think Terrence Malick's Badlands (1973) is probably the greatest debut by an American film-maker since Welles and Citizen Kane: it's just about perfect, with two stunning lead performances from young Martin Sheen and even younger Sissy Spacek, wonderful fluid camerawork from the director, breathtaking widescreen cinematography and a superb soundtrack. The juxtaposition of serious themes of love, death and violence, the lead characters' blank pop-culture banality and the vast open spaces of 1950s America, together with the dream-like quality of the film overall, make this a thoroughly unforgettable experience, and a reminder of the magic of the cinema.

Ant-Man

I more light hearted romp in the Marvel world. True, a young girl is threatened and their is much death, fighting, explosions and all round mayhem but, in the non-DC Marvel universe, this is counter-balanced by large dollops of humour which is very well played by Paul Rudd.

If this sort of pop-corn flouts your boat, as it does mine, then I am sure you'll enjoy this.

Pet giant ant anyone?

M

Maze Runner 2

Maze Runner goes Resident Evil. A good cast, some tense moments, and amazing sets don't quite manage to offset the fact that Mila Jovovich is nowhere to be seen!

EJ

Saw this last night:

A very well made film, beautifully shot and edited, and one of those rare things, a concert movie that stands up as a piece of film-making. There were a few moans that this wasn't just a straight record of a show (ie, they didn't like the 'road trip' inserts, wherein Roger travels across Europe with his children and his oldest friend Andrew Rawlinson, visiting the war graves of his father and grandfather) but I thought they added depth and context, and were both touching and self-indulgent.

The appended short film, in which Roger and Nick Mason answer questions submitted by fans, was also very enjoyable, and done with humour and very good grace. The relationship between the two men came over very well - they are clearly very fond of each other and good friends again after the Floyd Wars of the 1980s and '90s.

The sound - as you might expect - was absolutely amazing BTW.

+1, other than in the small cinema's sound was adequate not amazing. That the audience clapped with the audience on screen at some points is telling of the atmosphere. And for me the added poignancy of Roger's personal voyage evoking certain parallels in my own background added to that already embedded in the music.

Everest

A must see, with 3D for once adding to the picture

EJ 

The Martian

What a great film. One that celebrates intelligence and teamwork, a true counterpoint to so much negativity and cynicism that seems to surround us. Yes, there are standard tropes, such as sound in space and immediate communications, but nothing that undermines the film. Refreshing not to have the spoon fed melodrama or intelligence used to build a better weapon.

M

Crimson Peak

Very heightened Gothic.

'ammer done proper.

I'm not into horror but this is beautifully directed and produced. Yes, the beats are well understood to any regular film watcher, but what a thoroughly engaging piece.

M

Took the kidlets to that one. Tolerable, rather than good.

The reference to Jovovich was meant to have clued you in on that

The Martian

An astonishing film. Everything, from main cast to smallest roles, to music, SFX, screenplay and camera work, just came together for an amazing adventure. A feel good film of the best kind. This has jumped immediately into my personal top 10 of all time.

EJ

Yes, excellent movie. Took the wife and kidlets last night. We all enjoyed it. The book is worth a read, too.

SPECTRE

The opening singalong managed to include a bit of naughtiness like in older Bonds and the familiar signiture tune was played more often throughout the movie.

But very good and silly. Not spoilt from excessive CGI effects.  When Craig retires from this role I doubt they will make any more Bonds

If it makes another Billion Dollars you can bet they will make more.

Spectre

 After a strong start and first half, with the good old Bond feel and shadows of Casino Royale (but less accomplished), the story and film collapse in the second half. I feel sorry for Craig who has what it takes, but he's again hobbled by a director and a writing team who don't have a clue. 

Please bring back Martin Campbell or Marc Forster for Bond 25. Forster got a lot of flak for Quantum of Solace, but that was an infinitely better film than this or Skyfall, IMO.

EJ

THE MARTIAN, 2D non IMAX.

Excellent film we thoroughly enjoyed it, excellent cast script and filmography. A great sense of atmosphere when there wasn't any or very little, and quite emotional. Recommended.

Ridley has lost it in my opinion. His latest quote is why not do Blade Runner 2 as everyone else is doing a sequel.

My feeling is his brothers untimely leaving is making Ridley go quite strong into shooting more films, he has made a lot of dross recently and shooting a film almost every year it seems.

The Counsellor is awful. Prometheus ho hum, next is the follow up to Prometheus and the Blade Runner 2 project. Ridley is 73. 

Harrison Ford is also 73. Blimey on a rant here Ecclestone, the F1 overlord is 84, good on em then I suppose. 

Jaco the Film

I saw this last night at the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle. A sold out show. A compelling and moving account of an extraordinary, intense, tragic life.

If you have even a passing interest in Jaco Pastorius, or jazz/fusion in general, try to see it or get the DVD. All kinds of long lost footage, some never seen before, and interviews with some greats (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, et al).

Colm

Spectre

Thoroughly enjoyable and kept me entertained throughout.  You know he's going to win in the end which takes some of the mystery from the plot but who cares? Great stuff.   The UK's answer to the Die Hard series?

Mike