What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

[gasteropod]

The Hole (2009) - 3/5

Enjoyable family horror.

[gasteropod]

RoGoPaG (1963) - 3.5/5

I wasn't keen on Pasolini's segment and didn't feel it really fit with the others, Godard's seemed like a prelude to his later film Alphaville.

[gasteropod]

The Magician (1958) - 4/5

Darkly humorous and features some of the horror techniques Bergman went on to use brilliantly in Hour of the Wolf.

[Yi-Long]

Public Enemy: 3/5

Well-made movie about John Dillinger, a notorius bankrobber being hunted down by the 'FBI' (which is being set up at the time...).

Sadly, it's yet another Mann movie, meaning it is well made, the guys all look cool, but it lacks any emotional heart, apart from perhaps the last 2 minutes, brought upon by some terrific acting from Coutillard.

It has an amazing cast, who all do well, but are never really challenged by the script.

Good, but at the same time 'by the numbers', and lacking depth. Not the classic it should have been considering the subject-matter and cast.

It sent me to sleep at the cinema, I can't remember any of it!

I can understand that. Like I said, it's by the numbers, it's 'cold', and performances are good because it has a decent cast, but never outstanding.

[gasteropod]

Total Recall (2012) - 3.5/5

If you like Minority Report and The Island you'll probably like this.

[gasteropod]

Submarine (2010) - 4/5

Quirky & funny and has nods to Godard, particularly Le Mépris.

[Markgway]

Lockout (2011-France) **½

Quite entertaining space-set actioner from Luc Besson with some terrible CGI.

[Markgway]

The Sentinel (1976-USA) *½

Risible horror from Michael Winner is actually tolerable for the most part, interesting at times even, but becomes LOL silly (and somewhat offensive) by the hysterical conclusion.

[Killer Meteor]

I read the novel of The Sentinel a few years back, quite enjoyed it. I keep meaning to check out the film.

[gasteropod]

Witchfinder General (1968) - 1.5/5

Not for me, no actual occult activity, just 'witches' being killed, and the acting was poor in my opinion.

The Possession (2012) - 1/5

I had low expectations, and it didn't even meet them. Pathetic.

[grim_tales]

I agree with you about Witchfinder General, it was boring, I didnt "get" it. Good atmosphere though.

[Killer Meteor]

I love Witchfinder General, a truly great film.

[Markgway]

Amazon Women on the Moon (1986-USA) **

Hit 'n' miss sketch comedy in the vein of Kentucky Fried Movie.

[gasteropod]

Keith Lemon: The Film (2012) - 0.5/5

It's not funny, it's barely a film at all, at least my dad enjoyed it anyway.

[grim_tales]

Ted: 3.5/5

I hadnt seen Family Guy much (at all) but I really enjoyed this. Somehow it managed to be sweet and foul mouthed at the same time. Ted is so well done I didnt realise he was an effect TBH.

Purile, offensive but often VERY funny, but also (in a strange way) warmly nostalgic and sweet, with a touch of sadness (don't laugh). It isnt just the 80's references (Sam Jones is hilarious) - Flash Gordon with Ming the Merciless LMAO Also the hotel room fight is hilarious
Also, I think the fact it has similar themes to Toy Story 3, about moving on, growing up etc, (the bad kid/father recall Sid from the first movie in a way?) its just this turns out a bit different. The warm and reassuring sounding narration from Patrick Stewart (who I at first thought was David Ogden Stiers) recalls classic Disney films, I enjoyed it a lot but wondered what the point was at the end?
Mila Kunis spends the whole movie ranting at John to grow up, leave Ted behind etc but Ted comes back to life? Kind of the opposite of the sensitive and mature conclusion Toy Story 3 had

[Markgway]

Ted is so well done I didnt realise he was an effect TBH.

You thought he was real?

[grim_tales]

Well not exactly but the CGI blended seamlessly in so I didnt go "Oh look thats a CGI effect" kind of thing.

[Markgway]

He's not real either.

[grim_tales]

[Markgway]

The Hunger Games (2012-USA) **

Battle Royale-lite or Diet Battle Royale? Sanitised teen-friendly satire damaged further by lightweight script and some awful camerawork. This wasn't a bad movie... but I expected a lot more from the hype. A film that strains to be taken seriously but then dodges every possible hard question. This is somewhat forgivable in an action vehicle (say The Running Man) where you expect violence and little more. Katness (what kind of name is that?) manages to go through the entire movie without having to make a single tough moral choice or kill anyone in cold blood (the "bad" teens take care of all the messy business). Style choices are of the bizarre futuristic camp variety (think blue hair and silly beards) and are at odds with the self-conscious grit (though the worst - most potent? - violence is obscured by old enemies shakycam and rapidedit). How can a film that lasts 142 mins and spends so much time with its lead characters fail to make me truly care about them? I didn't dislike them... I just didn't really care. Artificiality and calculation are to blame. For a film so dedicated to reality everything struck me as unreal. How can I care when I don't believe in The Hunger Games world? Every plot point and "twist" can be seen coming a mile off reaffirming this perhaps as a pat blockbuster comfortably designed for the not-too-demanding PG-13 demographic.

Parody trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hp_xsUg9ws

Parody ending:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... N9syc&NR=1

[gasteropod]

Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) - 0.5/5

What a piece of shit.

[Markgway]

And Soon the Darkness (1970-UK) **

Two British girls cycle through rural France. Weak mystery starts out well but ceases to make sense once one of the girls disappears and the other suspects foul play. The sort of thriller where EVERY character acts as though they were guilty - even if there's no reason for them to - and behaves in a way that only script contrivance could possibly justify.

[Markgway]

Death Wish 3 (1985-USA) **

Black comedy gold.

[Markgway]

Youth in Revolt (2009-USA) ***

Sharp teen comedy. Threatens to derail toward the end but just hangs on.

[gasteropod]

Dredd (2012) - 3.5/5

Refreshing to see an 18-rated comic book film, it's solid yet not exactly spectacular and of course we're dealing with a protagonist that doesn't emote. Definitely recommended though!