Only watched two films so far this week. First is the new sci-fi film The day the earth stood still. Don't think that the writers were considering to have any coherance in the plot. First it was about one thing, then another and at the same time it was trying to tackle some of life's big questions. Parts were enjoyable but most of the time I was annoyed by the poor plot and poor dialogue. The idea is great though, and I hope that it will be remade by somebody with an interest in the story rather than the turnover. This led me to watch K-PAX for the second time, which I think is excellent. A convincing story about an alien visiting earth simply to learn about it's being. Brilliantly shot and great performances from Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Watch it. Should leave you pondering some interesting questions. Also saw Four christmases, which at parts had me in stitches. It wasn't funny very often but when it was it was hysterical. Fairly well executed this film, though a lot of comedies seem to forget that it is comedy they are writing, as many comdies of recent end up being too serious towards the end. Guess this is to bring across the moral of the story and the like, which works. Go and see this for a laugh, should let you think of some interesting premesis of your own if nothing else.

Watched seven samurai in class. Still one of my top films ever made. A classic samurai story, and the basis for many other film ideas. Slightly overacted but not in a bad way. I dare say that the long takes this film uses would give a challange to any modern day actor. Considering the time it was made, superb action sequences too. Epic for the time. The thing that i really like is the characters and how they meet, the build up towards the final battle and the comic parts. An absolute milestone in cinema, that really demonstrates the ability of Akira Kurosawa as a director.
Also watched Seventh Seal, which has to be one of the coolest concepts ever. A guy playing chess with death to prolong his journey to see his family after coming back from the crusades. Great cast and really leaves you pondering death when it finishes. Fantastic dialogue too, especially from Max von Sydow's squire Jons. (dont know the actors name). If anyone has come up with an idea as brilliant as this one and made it into a film that has the brilliance of Seventh Seal, I have yet to see it.
Saw Pineapple express at my mate's house. Fantastic and hilarious situations that are made funnier by the fact that the two main characters are constantly stoned out of their mind. Didn't see the end because we spent too much time talking but really enjoyed it regardless. James Franco has redeemed himself with this performance, and the two main characters play well of each other. In addition to its comic value i think it makes a great point about relationships. Recommend this one especially if you enjoy a smoke yourself!
Also saw Rushmore, comedy about an eccenteric student at an academy from which he gets expelled. One of those films you don't hear about. Sometimes funny and Bill Murray's performance saves the film from boredom. Not a bad idea but not a good film, might make a better TV sitcom if done well.
If anybody has not seen the new Frankie Boyle DVD then go and watch it, the best scottish comedian ever! Was in stitches the whole way through the act.

Havn't updated this in a while so lots to talk about in this one.
Watched Hollywoodland which I thoroughly enjoyed, mainly due to an excellent performance by Adrian Brody. Story was intriguing and captivating, and well directed. Not a big Ben Affleck fan though I thought he did well, but no one is ever going to do justice to Chris Reeves. The visual style reminded me a lot of L.A confidential, which is one of my favorite films. What I liked most is the insight I got into the life of Chris Reeves.
Also saw Big Nothing, with Simon Peg and David Schwimmer. What bollocks! A good example of what can happen when you take a promising premise and turn it into a terrible film. Plot holes everyehere and although some parts were funny, and I must admit certain parts had a cool visual style, you could see every "unpredicatble" bit that was coming up in the film. It looked like it had been directed and produced by severly amatuer filmmakers, possibly internet nerds. I think the budget was probably reasonable so there was no excuse for the poor quality of this film.
Also watched two fantastic documentaries, the first being touching the void. Superbly reconstructed and the story is so compelling. Liked how Simon Yates and Joe Simpson talked into the camera rather than talking to an interviewer. An all round amazing documentary, one of the best I have seen. The visuals said so much even though the interviewees said so little. You could see and feel the underlying message well. Superbly directed.
Finally, saw Enron. Difficult to understand so I had to watch it twice. A fascinating story, company that was worth billions of dollars and went bankrupt withing two months. The characters and stories that drive this documentary are great, and immidiately suck you in. A real insight into the darkness of the corporate world, and the big players who orchestrate the bankrupcy. A great education in terms of the cuthroat and unethical world of stockbroking too. There is too much to explain in terms of what actually happened, who was responsible and the insane chain reaction of events that this suppsedly "ethical" company caused so I really urge anyone who hasn't seen it to check it out.

Watched the last few episodes of firefly, one of the best sci-fi shows in years. Fantastic anti-hero characters and witty humour combined with a western concept in space. Simply brilliant to watch even though the first episodes are somewhat boring.
Also watched meet the fockers. Not nearly as funny as the first one though Dustin Hoffman delivers a good performance and the end is way too predictable and cheesy. A few good laughs though.
Watched Rome:Open City in class. A good italiian realist film in where the story is well told and the ending is unpredictable. It left me slighly unsatisfied because I was expecting some form of greater victory for the underground italian group, though it could be argued that a moral victory was achieved in the end, as Andy Dougan fairly pointed out to me. All in all, the acting was superb which also reflects the quality of the direction.
Also saw rejected on youtube, a simple animated series made by Don Hertzfeldt when he was commisined to make animated shorts for corporations. I thought it was a hilarious and if you have a dark sense of humour, i thoroughly recomend this to you. It's developed a bit of a cult following too.

Watched La vie en Rose, film about Edith Piaff, a famous french singer, i think in the 40/50's. (don't quote me on that one)Good biopic, extremely well acted and pretty well directed, but the story was sometimes confusing as it jumped between years a lot, and i thought a lot of the characters were vague and should have been introduced more thoroughly. If you like serious artistic drama and have a few hours to spare then i can recommend this one.

Watched Cry Freedom in class. Amazing bit of filmmaking by Richard Attenborough. A real insight into what happened in South Africa and a story that tickles all the emotions. Anger especially, shame on me for being Dutch!

Watched sympathy for Mr. Vengeance last night, a fantastic film demonstrating the quality of multi layered story and fucked up characters that Asia can produce.
Brilliantly shot and directed, and the story gets more brutal and more revealing as it progresses. The character's stories entwine gradually and the end is a shocker to say the least. If you havn't seen this, go watch it asap.

Watched the second series of Green Wing again, forgot how good it was for a while. Excellent bizarre comdey, scriptwriting and camera work. Still my favourite british TV comedy drama.
Also watched Mock the Week too hot for TV DVD. Hilarious and by far the best comedy game show on TV.
Watched a film called four rooms, a tarantino film with Tim Roth and various other stars like Madonna, Bruce Willis, Antonio Banderas among others. Excellent and enjoyable film.
Tim Roth plays a bell boy trying to accomodate a hotel on new years eve to a group of witches, a group TV producers, a guy trying to kill his wife and two children left alone in their hotel room.
Thoroughly recommend this one.

Watched a documentary on editing in class. Was good to see Walter Murch and others talk about their art. Very informative, but I didn't learn much more about editing by watching, although the editing process and values were good and enjoyable to see.

Forgot to mention that we watched second half of when the leevees broke by spike lee. Not as captivating as the first two acts though I thoroughly enjoyed it. A shorter length would have given this documentary a better pace for the viewer.

Recently saw PAYBACK, a movie with mel gibson as a streetwise hardman, out for revenge on a crime syndicate. Reminded me a lot of the Max Payne video game. Good laughs, good action but certainly no award winner.

Watched The Best years of our lives in class. Amazing film, wasn't bored for a minute and am patricularly impressed with the direction and editing.

Also saw Man with a Movie camera, felt very long and repetative, although I see why for it's time it was very innovative.

Watched Iron man second time. I know a lot of people won't agree with me here but i think it's awesome. Also watched driving lessons. Some good laughs but poorly directed and poorly edited in my view. Its salvaged slightly by good performances from Julie Walters and Laura Linney.
Watched Oldboy for the fourth time.....what a film!

Watched a film called The Darwin awards recently, my god what a poor film. Unfunny comedy that was diabolically shot. Watch out for this one!

Watched Casablanca in class. Great film, good characters and story.

Hi all

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