Sound Of My Voice
This is a little indy film which hit Sundance in 2011. I was keen to check it out because a while back I managed to check out Martha Marcy May Marlene one night with Guy and the whole cult subject was quite intriguing.
Although a completely different type of film they both convey well, the power of the cult leader and their ability to attract people to their world.
The movie is beautifully shot and combined with some subtle audio creates a great atmosphere of the unknown. It is amazing what these guys do on a tiny budget. I may have appreciated this even further had it not been for my 3 month old son who did not seem to enjoy the film as much and protested quite loudly throughout.
This movie won't be everyone's cup of tea. It is slow and intricate but if you are patient I think you will be drawn in by the decent actors playing interesting characters in an interesting and foreign subject... well foreign for me anyway, not sure how many of you guys have cult experience?
At the end of the journey I was left with a single question...
Was this woman actually from the future?
I'm still wondering. She wouldn't be the first... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Titor
7/10
IMDB Info
Mikes List of Re-watchable Movies - Part 2
Donnie Darko
Although I loved this movie the first time I watched it... it took about another 3 watches for me to really appreciate it to the fullest. I still don't understand exactly what's going on and listening to the DVD commentary left me even more confused. "Here is where Donnie steps into the alternate universe"... O really? Perhaps the most beautiful soundtrack to a movie ever.
Love Actually
My favourite Rom Com of all time. I love all the different characters and stories but it's safe to say that Hugh Grant is the man. "Course you would you sexy minx"
The Shawshank Redemption
There is a reason this film is rated number 1 on IMDB.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Before the days when Peter Jackson was forced by studios to convert a single book into 3 movies.. he made 3 books into 3 movies and it worked a hell of a lot better I must say. These always get chucked on when I need a decent fantasy hit - and yes always the special editions.. how did they ever cut some of those scene's out?
Aliens
I love the original and do watch it now and again and must admit it could be considered 'technically' a better movie. However it's the Cameron sequel that I watch much more regularly purely for awesome entertainment value. "Game over man.. GAME OVER!" (Fun fact: that line wasn't actually scripted... just Bill Paxton at his very best)
Gladiator
This is a great film made even better by the performances of Crowe and Phoenix. But what else would we expect from Ridley.
Man On Fire
A masterpiece from the other Scott. Tony (R.I.P mate) was never quite as elegant as Ridley but man did he know how to give us some action. I've watched this movie so many times and just love the emotional journey... Die you corrupt kidnapping fuckers.. die.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Probably the most quoted movie of all time. I know most of it word for word.
Ni!
Scarface
Back in the days when Al Pacino worked for a living. You don't know whether to hate him or love him but no matter what you respect him.
Groundhog Day
Bill Murray at his best.
Twelve Monkeys
Possibly the most interesting and dark time travel movie of all time.
Although I loved this movie the first time I watched it... it took about another 3 watches for me to really appreciate it to the fullest. I still don't understand exactly what's going on and listening to the DVD commentary left me even more confused. "Here is where Donnie steps into the alternate universe"... O really? Perhaps the most beautiful soundtrack to a movie ever.
Love Actually
My favourite Rom Com of all time. I love all the different characters and stories but it's safe to say that Hugh Grant is the man. "Course you would you sexy minx"
The Shawshank Redemption
There is a reason this film is rated number 1 on IMDB.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Before the days when Peter Jackson was forced by studios to convert a single book into 3 movies.. he made 3 books into 3 movies and it worked a hell of a lot better I must say. These always get chucked on when I need a decent fantasy hit - and yes always the special editions.. how did they ever cut some of those scene's out?
Aliens
I love the original and do watch it now and again and must admit it could be considered 'technically' a better movie. However it's the Cameron sequel that I watch much more regularly purely for awesome entertainment value. "Game over man.. GAME OVER!" (Fun fact: that line wasn't actually scripted... just Bill Paxton at his very best)
Gladiator
This is a great film made even better by the performances of Crowe and Phoenix. But what else would we expect from Ridley.
Man On Fire
A masterpiece from the other Scott. Tony (R.I.P mate) was never quite as elegant as Ridley but man did he know how to give us some action. I've watched this movie so many times and just love the emotional journey... Die you corrupt kidnapping fuckers.. die.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Probably the most quoted movie of all time. I know most of it word for word.
Ni!
Scarface
Back in the days when Al Pacino worked for a living. You don't know whether to hate him or love him but no matter what you respect him.
Groundhog Day
Bill Murray at his best.
Twelve Monkeys
Possibly the most interesting and dark time travel movie of all time.
Mikes List of Re-watchable Movies - Part 1
There are two types of people in the world when it comes to movies. Those who feel that watching a movie again is a waste of time and then people like Guy and I who feel a certain joy when bringing out a familiar old classic. It's safe, its reliable, you're never disappointed. For certain films I enjoy them more and more with each watch, always picking up on some extra detail or marveling at some amazing acting.
Sure there might have been that fantastic twist that shocked the hell out of you the first time, but if the movie is up to scratch then there's enough to focus on so that the twists become irrelevant to your enjoyment.
Anyway - I started this blog as a top 10 list but then thought why not just put all of the ones I could think of. The films below I try to watch every couple of years at least - always saved for a special occasion which for me is usually a Friday or Saturday night with the Tele to myself and a bottle of good red by my side. The choice of movie always depends on mood.... do I feel like something funny? Epic? Thrilling etc... who knows but it's nice to have them at hand to help in the decision.
These bad boys are in no particular order and most I will add separate complete reviews as I come to watch them again.... and again.... and again :)
The Goonies
This is one of three films that represents my childhood and probably the birth of my love for film. It could be the fact I started watching this as a kid but I have yet seen another film that even comes close to the adventure and fun of Goonies. We all grew up wanting to be a Goonie. Another interesting fact of this one is it was also the start of my obsession with skulls... if you saw my lounge room you would understand.
The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson's classic, so dark and beautiful. The detail in the sets is mind blowing and even more impressive that it was all done pre CG. There are a few key scenes that always stick in my mind - most of all the scene with Jen and Kira in the boat - Kira singing and Jen playing his flute. I hum this song to my new born.
Labyrinth
I hope to be 80 and still watching this one day. Jim Henson is the man and this film just oozes with childhood memories. Even Bowie's significant wang can't put me off. The reason I did these 3 movies first is my Mum used to take me to the video shop every couple of weeks and without fail I only rented one of these 3 movies. It drove her mad but I think they have been defining influences on my life and imagination.
Braveheart
I will write a full review on this after I watch it next. Words cannot describe my love for this movie it turns me into a weeping idiot even during the happy scenes. In the princess's tent when Wallace comes back in Latin and then "In French if you would prefer?" I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Blade Runner
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die." - Need I say more?
American Beauty
My name is Lester Burnham. Sam Mendes made a masterpiece, it's simple as that. His use of colour and symmetry in his shots is mesmerizing. I love every character in this film but obviously Kevin Spacey was born to play Lester. He is a champion for all of us 9 to 5'ers ... the scene out in the back smoking that joint with Ricky is just absolute gold, but one of many in the film. The film itself is amazingly beautiful and you can't help be swept up in the journey. Fun fact : I was 18 when I watched this at the movies with my parents... the ole shower scene got a little uncomfortable!
Gangs of New York
This movie has a super high entertainment value but my main motivation for a re-watch is Daniel Day Lewis. The Butcher may just be my favorite movie character ever - brought to life by an acting genius.
The Last Samurai
Pay out Tom Cruise all you like but I think he is brilliant in this movie. There's something enchanting about the Samurai culture and I love watching Algren be converted every time.
The Matrix
This movie blows me away every time I watch it. Such a relevant and advanced concept presented to us with a metric fuck tonne of "Cool". I reckon this movie will become even more relevant down the track as our real life "Matrix" closes in around us.
Indiana Jones - All of them
I have Indy tattoo's - what else can I say?
More to come in Part 2...
Sure there might have been that fantastic twist that shocked the hell out of you the first time, but if the movie is up to scratch then there's enough to focus on so that the twists become irrelevant to your enjoyment.
Anyway - I started this blog as a top 10 list but then thought why not just put all of the ones I could think of. The films below I try to watch every couple of years at least - always saved for a special occasion which for me is usually a Friday or Saturday night with the Tele to myself and a bottle of good red by my side. The choice of movie always depends on mood.... do I feel like something funny? Epic? Thrilling etc... who knows but it's nice to have them at hand to help in the decision.
These bad boys are in no particular order and most I will add separate complete reviews as I come to watch them again.... and again.... and again :)
The Goonies
This is one of three films that represents my childhood and probably the birth of my love for film. It could be the fact I started watching this as a kid but I have yet seen another film that even comes close to the adventure and fun of Goonies. We all grew up wanting to be a Goonie. Another interesting fact of this one is it was also the start of my obsession with skulls... if you saw my lounge room you would understand.
The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson's classic, so dark and beautiful. The detail in the sets is mind blowing and even more impressive that it was all done pre CG. There are a few key scenes that always stick in my mind - most of all the scene with Jen and Kira in the boat - Kira singing and Jen playing his flute. I hum this song to my new born.
Labyrinth
I hope to be 80 and still watching this one day. Jim Henson is the man and this film just oozes with childhood memories. Even Bowie's significant wang can't put me off. The reason I did these 3 movies first is my Mum used to take me to the video shop every couple of weeks and without fail I only rented one of these 3 movies. It drove her mad but I think they have been defining influences on my life and imagination.
Braveheart
I will write a full review on this after I watch it next. Words cannot describe my love for this movie it turns me into a weeping idiot even during the happy scenes. In the princess's tent when Wallace comes back in Latin and then "In French if you would prefer?" I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Blade Runner
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die." - Need I say more?
American Beauty
My name is Lester Burnham. Sam Mendes made a masterpiece, it's simple as that. His use of colour and symmetry in his shots is mesmerizing. I love every character in this film but obviously Kevin Spacey was born to play Lester. He is a champion for all of us 9 to 5'ers ... the scene out in the back smoking that joint with Ricky is just absolute gold, but one of many in the film. The film itself is amazingly beautiful and you can't help be swept up in the journey. Fun fact : I was 18 when I watched this at the movies with my parents... the ole shower scene got a little uncomfortable!
Gangs of New York
This movie has a super high entertainment value but my main motivation for a re-watch is Daniel Day Lewis. The Butcher may just be my favorite movie character ever - brought to life by an acting genius.
The Last Samurai
Pay out Tom Cruise all you like but I think he is brilliant in this movie. There's something enchanting about the Samurai culture and I love watching Algren be converted every time.
The Matrix
This movie blows me away every time I watch it. Such a relevant and advanced concept presented to us with a metric fuck tonne of "Cool". I reckon this movie will become even more relevant down the track as our real life "Matrix" closes in around us.
Indiana Jones - All of them
I have Indy tattoo's - what else can I say?
More to come in Part 2...
Taken 2
I'm a big Luc Besson fan and loved the first Taken. It took me completely by surprise as I had expected probably just another action movie but it had a whole lot more. Well maybe not more but just did what it set out to do VERY WELL. I think it was just fun to watch the good guy kick so much bad guy ass.
Liam Neeson plays the ex CIA, special ops or whatever he was perfectly and the movie just blasts along at an incredibly fast and exciting pace.
"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."
*shivers*
At that point I was hooked. But anyway this isn't a review of the first Taken.
Unfortunately I don't see an end to the making of unnecessary sequels. They usually make money because even though we are skeptical we normally have to check it out in that faint glimmer of hope it's actually decent like your Aliens, Terminator 2's etc. Time after time we get disappointed but that hope always drives us to try again.
Taken 2 is an unnecessary sequel. Basically the same story set in a new location (Instanbul) with the same baddies and the same family. Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace gave fairly solid performances again but the wife Famke whatsherface (mainly known by me for House on Haunted Hill and Golden Eye) looked like she had better places to be.
Anyway, $10 you can guess what happens in this one? No point going into it, watch the first one and save yourself the trouble.
That said it's not a terrible movie. It was entertaining enough for me not to switch off either my brain or the telly. But it just brought nothing new to the table, except maybe showing us how easy it is to throw grenades randomly off buildings. Man that looked like fun.
In a couple of years time when I go to watch the first Taken again, I'll be purposely forgetting about this sequel and enjoy it as the standalone movie it should have been. By then Taken 3 will be out and I'll have something else to complain about.
5/10
IMDB Info
Liam Neeson plays the ex CIA, special ops or whatever he was perfectly and the movie just blasts along at an incredibly fast and exciting pace.
"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."
*shivers*
At that point I was hooked. But anyway this isn't a review of the first Taken.
Unfortunately I don't see an end to the making of unnecessary sequels. They usually make money because even though we are skeptical we normally have to check it out in that faint glimmer of hope it's actually decent like your Aliens, Terminator 2's etc. Time after time we get disappointed but that hope always drives us to try again.
Taken 2 is an unnecessary sequel. Basically the same story set in a new location (Instanbul) with the same baddies and the same family. Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace gave fairly solid performances again but the wife Famke whatsherface (mainly known by me for House on Haunted Hill and Golden Eye) looked like she had better places to be.
Anyway, $10 you can guess what happens in this one? No point going into it, watch the first one and save yourself the trouble.
That said it's not a terrible movie. It was entertaining enough for me not to switch off either my brain or the telly. But it just brought nothing new to the table, except maybe showing us how easy it is to throw grenades randomly off buildings. Man that looked like fun.
In a couple of years time when I go to watch the first Taken again, I'll be purposely forgetting about this sequel and enjoy it as the standalone movie it should have been. By then Taken 3 will be out and I'll have something else to complain about.
5/10
IMDB Info
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