Sunday 1 April 2012

The Month that was- March

March was okay. I'm pretty sure it's going to go all downhill now in terms of movie watching because my extended college dropout vacation is coming to an end. Which is a good thing, don't get me wrong. But yeah.. won't have as much time to give to films anymore probably.


Firsts:

1) Roxanne- For the Demented Podcast. It was fun enough, though incredibly sappy at times. Steve Martin was a treat.
2) I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK- This was for the podcast as well. Do not go into this thinking it is a romcom. In fact, it is a quirky romance. And Korean.
3) American History X- So shocking and harrowing. Great performance by Edward Norton.
4) My Own Private Idaho- This film will only grow on me. It was so strange and beautiful. River Phoenix was a serious talent.
5) Straw Dogs- I really liked it, barring the portrayal of women. Dustin Hoffman is great in it.
6) Wings of Desire- Very beautiful film. I need to see this again, and then I might write on it. One of the best black-and-white-mixed-with-colour films I have ever seen.
7) Rules of Attraction- No where in the league of American Psycho, but it isn't that awful. I really liked one particular scene in it in which this character named Victor describes his Europe trip in a rapid-fire speed.
8) Womb- The things I watch for actors I like! As much as I love Matt Smith and Eva Green, this film was super creepy and not in a good way.
9) Ghostbusters 2- I had not seen this one. Not as good as the first imho.
10) The Player- I really enjoyed it. It was funny and dark and another interesting insight into the world of show business.
11) Gosford Park- I absolutely lurved it. All the people, all the stories, the look and feel. Fantastic.
12) Pickpocket- Quite liked it. I especially enjoyed the way the pickpockets choreographed their stealing routines.
13) Freaks- "One of us! One of us!" Yep, that is addictive. It was so unlike anything I had ever seen, yet I could relate to it perfectly. Incredibly unique.
14) Addams Family Values- Wednesday Addams is my role model. Too cool. Also Joan Cusack should play more villains.
15) Rope- I loved it. I think my favourite Hitchcock movies are the ones that are confined to a small set. Makes it all the more thrilling.
16) Saving Private Ryan- I succeeded in finishing it this time. It is really numbing, but once you get over it, you appreciate the story much more than just the visuals.
17) Dr. No- It was so much more laid back than the James Bond movies of today. Sean Connery was such a dreamboat. Not that amazing, but fun still.
18) An American Werewolf in London- It is not very scary. So I immediately liked it. It is kind of awesome as well.
19) Welcome to the Dollhouse- I know this is supposed to be a dark comedy, but it gave me this dreadful feeling that if I had grown up in US or something, I may have been like Dawn Wiener. It made me thankful for my life as it is, which is a scary thought.
20) The Fall- It is a stunning looking film. That's all I have to say about it. The kid was cute. Yes. Moving on.
21) The Hunger Games- I liked it a lot. I'm not one of those rabid fans yet, but I am looking forward to reading the books and watching the other films. Also, Jennifer Lawrence is the shiz.
22) 2001: A Space Odyssey- Finally saw this too! I had several times before this, but would always lose patience mid-second chapter. But it's so interesting and entertaining and amazing to look at.
23) A History of Violence- I thought it was very good, and rather cool. And I was most blown away by Maria Bello in it.
24) Elephant- This was so strange and gorgeous and alluring. It just invites you in, and you can't help but be drawn to it. I thought it was marvelous.
25) Love Me If You Dare- Deceivingly depressing. Do not think it's a happy film. It is worth a look though. Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet are very attractive leads.
26) 21 Jump Street- It was so silly, but good and rather unpredictable silly. They don't make good silly like this much. Loved the Johnny Depp cameo.
27) Far From Heaven- It was pretty perfect. The stories told and untold, the look, the acting, the music- perfection. I love Julianne Moore.
28) The General- My first Buster Keaton movie! I thought it was all kinds of brilliance and I am so looking forward to see his other films.
29) Funny Games- I paused a lot, but I also enjoyed it too. Especially the parts when Michael Pitt spoke to the audience/me. Those were fun.


Rewatched:
1) Edward Scissorhands- It had been too long. It is still as magical and lovely as when I first saw it. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp- vy u no make films like this anymore?
2) Say Anything- Bloody John Cusack with his boombox. So many unrealistic expectations from life.
3) Ghostbusters- I was making a fan out of my brother. Mission accomplished, largely owing to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
4) Star Trek- This film gives me so much joy! I love it too much. Also Chris Pine :*
5) The Addams Family- Morticia *and* Wednesday are my role models in this. I need their outfits. Now.
6) Groundhog Day- I hadn't seen this in many many years. I had forgotten much of it, but it was such a lovely film to revisit.
7) The Virgin Suicides- Perennial favourite. I wish I had made it. Also that Trip Fontaine intro.
8) Lost in Translation- Of all the Bill Murray films I saw this month, I still think this is his greatest performance. He should have won the Oscar for it.
9) The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn- I had to show it to my brother. It is a helluva ride still.
10) Anchorman- I love lamp.
11) Marie Antoinette- It is one of the most beautiful-looking films that I have seen; most certainly the prettiest. My favourite Sofia Coppola offering. 
12) The Silence of the Lambs- Hannibal and Clarice forever. Amirite or amirite?
13) Rear Window- This too I hadn't seen in quite a while. I think I like Grace Kelly a tad bit more than James Stewart in this.
14) Scott Pilgrim vs the World- This time 'round (as I see this film A LOT), I noticed how attracted I am to most of the people in it. Just saying. "ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!"
15) Carrie- Poor Chloe Moretz. She was doing fine. But now she will fail utterly because no one can match up to Sissy Spacek's performance in this.
16) Shaun of the Dead- Again, showing it to the bruv. He didn't get much, but still loved it. Such is the power of this film.
17) Let the Right One In- This film is so poignant and lovely. Best vampire related thing ever, after True Blood of course.


Shorts:
Vincent- Saw this after the release of the Frankenweenie trailer. It is so morbid and brilliant and unique. I love old school Tim Burton.


TV Shows:
1) American Horror Story- It started out pretty bad, but became decent towards the end. Jessica Lange makes the show and Taissa Farmiga and Evan Peters are really good too.
2) All the episodes of Parks and Recreations that have been released- What had I been doing all my life? I should have followed this from the start. I love it. I love April Ludgate and Ron Fuckin' Swanson and Leslie Knope and Andy Dwyer and Ben Wyatt and Chris and Ann and Mark and Tom and Gerry and Tammys and Donna and everyone!! Can't wait for this to restart.


Final tally:
                                     Firsts- 91                  Rewatched- 45              Shorts- 3
                                                                         Total- 139




I have almost watched 100 new-to-me films already. 300 is my target for this year..
What all did you watch?

22 comments:

  1. Wait, wait, wait- you watched 91 movies in March or in the first three months of the year?- oh, wait, it's 29 for March...still, that's crazy....I'm kinda ashamed to post my March recap!

    Anyway, I've been meaning to see My own private idaho for a long time, maybe I should rent it from the library soon!

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    1. Haha, don't be ashamed. I am highly jobless here, with nothing better to do.
      Oh you should see it. It's weird, but wonderful.

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  2. I understand completely what you mean about not having time to watch movies because of school. My only regret about uni starting again, haha.
    I probably should have posted what TV shows I've been watching in my post, but it's only been Daria - DARIA ROCKS!
    I watched American History X too! Completely agree with your thoughts on it there.

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    1. Yeah it's hard to balance both school and movies. The only reason I saw so much while in high school was because I used to watch anything and everything on the tv. I'm more particular now :P
      Daria really does rock! I've seen a few episodes and I love her and Jane.

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  3. Oh yeah, Womb was super creepy. I actually had to pour myself a drink during watching this. But the cinematography was just gorgeous, I love films set on the seaside. Ron Swanson is one of my idols, I just adore him and I'm so glad you like the show!

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    1. The cinematography was gorgeous, but I wish I had taken a drink too while watching it.
      Ron Swanson and April Ludgate are my idols. I love the show.

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  4. Wow. Really, wow. I'm envious of your first watches of so many great movies in one month. There are a ton there that I love and can remember my first watch of (some, like Wings of Desire because my first watch was pretty recent). It's hard to be jealous of Wings of Desire when I watched it for the first time in January.

    I saw 37 in March (36 full-length and one short). 16 of those were rewatches, the rest new.

    Rather than comment on all of them, I'll just say watch more Keaton. Sherlock Jr. is so good, and Our Hospitality is near perfect, too.

    Oh, I love lamp, too, and I don't know what we're yelling about.

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    1. Thank you. Wings of Desire was rather wonderful. Everyone should watch it.
      I will see more Keaton films. Thank you for the suggestions.
      Oh well, I'm in a glass case of emotion.
      Thank you for commenting :)

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  5. My Own Private Idaho becomes more amazing on each watch, trust me. *Feels like bringing it out of the massive stack of DVDs, now.

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    1. Haha. I hope you had fun watching it. I'll try to buy it, though it will be a little hard to find where I live.

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  6. Haven't seen many of these... but it looks like you had a good month!
    By the way, I'm just looking at your "Pixar Magic" picture - so lovely!!!

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    1. You had a good month too!
      I love Pixar forever <3

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  7. You get to see so many movies, I envy you! Glad you finally made it through Saving Private Ryan, it's probably one of the very best war film of all-time. I've seen it like 50 times (literally). Also good that you finally saw Far from Heaven, great flick!

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    1. Please do not envy me. I have no life to speak of :P
      How have you seen Saving Private Ryan 50 times?! It's like banging your head on a wall! Having said that, I am really glad I saw it too. It is one of the best war films.
      Yes Far From Heaven was amazing!

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  8. Roxanne, The Player, and Rope? It makes me smile to see such good and eclectic taste. You're dead on about Dr. No, btw - the different vibe is refreshing, and makes me think of all the directions 007 could've gone in.

    When you post about so many films, it's a b to reply!

    before you end your break, why not check out other movie blogs? I can *cough* recommend someone pretty good. Try to look up Mirageman, Black Sheep (from NZ), and Hunter/Prey. Any of those will provide a pleasant surprise for April...

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    1. Well, thank you :D
      Yep, that's what I was thinking. I wish they would go back to the 60s style with the new Bond, who will hopefully be Fassy.
      Haha, well I post very little, so size makes up for it in my head :P
      I will check them out, that you for the suggestions.

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    2. Well, my own reviews of those three are very passionate, and I love supporting smaller films. I also love writing about Peter Jackson's earlier movies. Heavenly Creatures is amazing, and Bad Taste is joyfully demented.

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    3. I will check them out. I love supporting smaller films too, but at the end of the day, I just like good films- small or big.
      I've only seen Heavenly Creatures between those two, and I liked it enough, but wasn't crazy about it :/

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    4. I can see HC not blowing everyone away, but the fantasy sequences were so beautifully done. Jackson's Bad Taste was a splatterfest, as was Brain Dead (aka Dead Alive). They both show a brilliantly perverse sensibility, as does Meet The Feebles, which is an NC-17 version of The Muppets.. PJ's flexibility and quality are amazing...

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    5. The fantasy sequences were amazing.
      I don't know how much I like splatterfests, but I think I'm warming up to them.
      I'm only a huge LOTR fan when it comes to PJ's work, but I am willing to give his other films a go. Thanks for the suggestions :)

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  9. Welcome to the world of Parks and Rec! I'm a newcomer as well, and after marathoning the first four seasons, I can't handle not having new ones at my fingertips. It's like crack. I need the gang!

    Nice list, by the way. Jealous as all hell you can see so many movies, but grateful that you are. I like your taste!

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    1. IT IS LIKE CRACK!! I can't wait for the new episodes.
      Thank you!! And thanks for commenting :)

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