Weeks 19-20

Introduction

In which I don't see Spider-Man 3, because I don't care enough to brave the huge opening weekend crowds (and it's not meant to be very good anyway). Just one in a list of films I've missed at the cinema this year anyway (300, Sunshine, The Fountain, The Illusionist, Ghost Rider, Shooter, TMNT...), though I do intend to see it there soon. And Zodiac's out now too! And Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is surprisingly close! And...

Oh, summer. How you sequelise us. Now there's a new word for you.

Also this month, I watch some stuff via free downloads -- legal ones too! Check out LOVEFiLM for those, including proper features such as Super Size Me and The Cooler (as well as many more... if you pay). I'll mention which they are, with a link, as we progress. I'm not getting commission from clicks, by the way. Maybe I ought to be...


Weeks Nineteen and Twenty

In which I come up with a way of listing Extended-Cuts-That-Aren't-Much-Different without adversely affecting my numbering system. (And have retrospectively applied it to Crash and all since.)

I also begin to use the same system to list short films that I watch.

As usual, before we embark on the reviews, I shall inform you that this period covers the middle of May, from the 7th to the 20th.


49) March of the Penguins (2005, Luc Jacquet, DVD) 4/5
One of the most surprising hits at the box office in 2005, as you're probably aware this is a documentary about penguins. Specifically, it's about their mating cycle -- there's little information outside of that. It does manage to touch on the sex, death and violence inherent in most nature things though, albeit in a family-friendly U-rated kind of way. In fact, it's a film very much about the story of the mating cycle, rather than about information-giving. Along with beautiful shots of Antarctica and cute shots of baby penguins, I suspect this is why it was more of a hit than a straight-up informative documentary would have been.

49a) Spider-Man 2.1 (2004/2007, Sam Raimi, DVD) 5/5
Shortly before the release of the new threequel, Spider-Man 2 returns to DVD in this newly extended form. What's there? Not much. There are bits so little you'll think "I don't remember that bit" (and it may just be a bit you've forgotten); there's a new scene with MJ that's OK but not mind-blowing; some added bits to fights; and an alternate version of The Lift Scene that is funny and (very) notably different, but just not as good as the original. It's still a 5-star film because it doesn't ruin the original -- but it's not at all essential. The DVD has new extras, mind, so if that's your thing (like me) it may be worth it.

50) Ray (2004, Taylor Hackford, TV) 4/5
It's easy to see why Walk the Line has been described as "Ray with white people"; but Ray has also been described as being an outstanding performance in an average film, and I'd pretty much agree with this too. Jamie Foxx is indeed an amazingly accurate Ray Charles (based on the little I know of the man, anyway) and deserving of his Oscar. It would be unfair to say such a performance is wasted in this film, but it is true that no other element is quite up to the same level. While Ray is good, I personally thought Walk the Line was a better film.

51) Over the Hedge (2006, Tim Johnson & Karey Kirkpatrick, DVD) 3/5
CGI movies are far too common these days, meaning that the quality is dropping (demonstrated by the fact that the number produced has increased massively but the number of Oscar nominations in that category has remained at three). Over the Hedge is certainly derivative -- its character arc is almost directly lifted from Toy Story, for example -- but it is beautifully animated and does have some laugh-worthy moments, even if they are almost entirely in the last half hour. There are better examples of the genre, but it passes the time entertainingly enough. (Stay with it til the end of the credits for a little bit more, although if you bother you may agree with Hammy's assessment of things.)

52) Hello, Dolly! (1969, Gene Kelly, DVD) 3/5
Comedians Walter Matthau and Michael Crawford (yes, Frank Spencer!) star alongside Barbra Streisand in this comedy musical directed by Gene Kelly (yes, the star of many a musical himself!) which flopped at the box office but did well at the Oscars, and has gained in popularity since. The best bits are the very impressive dancing waiters at Harmonia Gardens, although some of the more amusing songs are worth seeing. It's this tongue-in-cheek, sometimes-silly tone that stops it seeming too dated, although other elements of its style (and the running time) don't help. Surely a must-see for musical fans, though others may not be as engaged.

52a) The End (2002, Tim Clayton & Rob Crowther, download) 2/5
A very brief film with a slightly silly, slightly amusing idea at its core. It doesn't outstay its welcome, but it does lose something in that you can see the end coming almost from the start. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

52b) Bus Stop (2004, Matt Abbiss, download) 2/5
An animated, somewhat bizarre short about two people waiting at a bus stop. Done in a very simple style with sparse sound, but it's competently executed and often effective. It has some amusing moments. Not bad, but mainly for people who like this kind of thing anyway. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

52c) Park (2005, Andy Pearson, download) 3/5
"Some humans in a park act like dogs" is essentially the premise of this film. It's a decent enough concept for a short really, and is well executed with some nice little moments. Prettily shot in the Autumn, too. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

52d) Nine 1/2 Minutes (2002, Josh Appignanesi & Misha Manson-Smith, download) 4/5
David Tennant (yes, David Tennant!) and Zoe Telford (she's been in a variety of TV stuff) star in this comedic short about two people on an uncomfortable blind date that lasts just about as long as you might suspect. Genuinely funny for the most part, and easily the most professionally executed of these four shorts, but it does have a somewhat confounding conclusion. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.