The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Appreciated the soundtrack more this time around. Pretty sure it’s borrowing from Dvorak. Also reminded me of The Last of the Mohicans in mood. Great work with the suspense and setting the sense, and such a great ending. Not a teaser, but a promise of adventure.
American Honey. Wow, probably one of my favorites I saw in 2017. Slice-of-life-y, crazy energy, the time just slipped right by. I was swept up. Filed under: road movies.
The Fugitive. Had a good time live-tweeting this one. Holds up really well. Favorite thing I noticed this time around was how Ford’s wardrobe changes with his status in the story. He starts in a tux, then a suit, then jail uniform, then dirty coveralls, then clean coveralls, then a military jacket, and tweed. That’s when you know he’s really back in charge.
Jaws. I dunno. It’s perfect. What do you want me to say?
Shaun of the Dead. I really really really wish I’d seen this one years ago. Like pretty much every comedy, the rapid-fire funny bits eventually decay into a slow shuffle, but it’s worth it. Pegg and Wright are truly gifted.
The Bridges of Madison County. I kinda hate myself for saying this but I think Streep gets under my skin a little bit. The micro-mannerisms. I just about eye-rolled myself inside-out when she closed the fridge with her foot. Still, a lovely little doomed romance. A story of acceptance. I like the way it just sorta relaxes into the story and takes its time even though it covers such a short time period. I’d say this is better than maybe half of the Clint Eastwood movies I’ve seen.
Nerve. So fun! Saw it on an airplane. Got such great zip and momentum and soundtrack. It loses some of that momentum as the stakes rise, but minor fault. Worth a watch. It took me forever to realize why Emma Roberts and Dave Franco each looked so familiar even though I knew I’d never seen either one before.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It’s not perfect, and I’m a little annoyed that they’re still making these… but, now that they are, I think this is the kind of story I’d like to see more of. Sort of putting some shape around the original 6-episode arc rather than extending it. I wish it were more melodramatic. Also a wee long and kind of a bad script? Dumb fan service (I assume we’re due for lots more) and the CGI Tarkin and Leia are huuuuuuge mistakes. Still, seeing Mendelsohn, Mikkelsen, and Whitaker in the same movie? What a treat! Much, much better than The Force Awakens. Filed under: Star Wars.
Ocean’s Eleven. It’s decent! It doesn’t have the same zany charm as the first time I saw it, but holds up well enough. Filed under: Steven Soderbergh.
Star Trek: Beyond. These movies are getting worse. :( Hope they don’t keep going this route, where they turn into basically superhero films. I fear it’s too late. Filed under: Star Trek.
Eyes Wide Shut. Third or fourth time I’ve seen it. I like it more. Probably bump this up to #3 after 2001 and The Killing. Overall I’m not a huge Kubrick fan, though. Filed under: Stanley Kubrick.
The Truman Show. So, so great. Really lovely blend of comedy and drama. Everyone is perfect in their role.
Close-Up. I decided to dig into some Iranian films this year. This one is based on a true story where a guy convinces a family he is a famous director and wants to use them in his film. He is found out. This movie re-tells the story… using those same people as the actors. One of those movies where talking about it afterward was more interesting than watching it, but still compelling crazy stuff. The only other Abbas Kiarostami I’ve seen is Certified Copy, and it was marvelous.
The Mummy (1999). Why did we ever stop making solid, pure adventure films? These old movies always have a bunch of lazy exoticizing that doesn’t age well, but I miss the spirit of the whole thing.
Her. Third viewing. Just as compelling as the first time, though these days the hook seems more unlikely and even more unappealing. Filed under: Spike Jonze.
Train to Busan. Mostly pretty fun. Genre films are at their best when they let you know the rules and then explore them. It has some surprising worthwhile characters, too. They’re not all zombie fodder.
The Place Beyond the Pines. Third viewing. I’m going to keep coming back to it. Filed under: Derek Cianfrance.
No Way Out. Really fun, really twisty, really ’80s. I like this version of Costner – slick as hell, and in deep shit. I wish Sean Young’s character had a bit more going for her. Gene Hackman is one of those actors who does so well playing gross people I have to remember that and counteract it.
The Sixth Sense. I didn’t remember this one being as good as it was, but it holds up pretty well for most of the story. Don’t love how it wraps up, but hard to hate the journey there.
Manchester by the Sea. Emotionally exhausting, slow reveals, full of heart.
Mark Larson 