Audience of One

Films this holiday

I’m coming to the end of two weeks’ holiday. During the holiday I have watched rather a lot of films. Some of them have been good, and some of them not so good. Here’s a roundup:

Mission Impossible 2

Nowhere near as good as the first one, but an adequate way to waste a couple of hours. Unlike the first one, you figure out the plot twists half an hour before, not half an hour after they happen.

The Mighty Boosh, series one

Not a film, but far superior to anything else I’ve watched this holiday. I’m attempting to get tickets for the stage show.

The Third Man

A classic film that perhaps I was expecting too much of. I enjoyed it, but kept on thinking there would be another twist somewhere. Has the immortal line about cuckoo clocks which, according to Wikipedia, isn’t even accurate. Recommended, but not as strongly as it was recommended to me. The music is excellent.

The Talented Mr Ripley

A film about guilt, and it portrays it well. It’s a very interesting film, partly in that you’re not sure whether you want Ripley to get away with what he’s doing or not. The choice to give Ripley more of a conscience compared to the book makes it much more interesting.

Madagascar

A kids’ animation that fails to be interesting for adults, with a few exceptions. There’s a brilliant gag about half way through about Planet of the Apes, which was the funniest joke of the film. On the whole, it’s slapstick vegetarian propaganda.

I, Robot

Pretty reasonable sci-fi thriller, in that it has a twist. Note to film directors: sci-fi is just showing off special effects without some kind of twist or surprise. That said, it wasn’t that much of a revelation. Will Smith is better than usual (not that he’s ever really bad). Oh, and it claims to be based on Isaac Asimov, but isn’t.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Not as good as Notting Hill, but Rowan Atkinson’s vicar is memorable (in a good way).

Charade

Superior sixties thriller. I’ve always wanted to say “Superior” in a review. Anyway, it’s very good, and even though I’d seen it before couldn’t remember what happened.

High Society

Musical comedy featuring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong. A classic definitely worth watching.

Currently listening to Switchfoot – Happy is a Yuppie Word

Matthew @ 11:14, February 9, 2006 to Reviews | Comments (4)