Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

I truly enjoyed the first three half hour movies, were the latter two was nothing short of excellent. Taking Wallace and Gromit into a feature film length causes some problems. Firstly the story have to be built a different way, and Park lose out on his touch stretching it 85 minutes.

It's still a lot of interesting small details throughout, the humor works and the interactions between the two main characters stays interesting and true to their priors. Still some of the charm is lost as they go on, and I still prefer the half hour productions.

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Ladri di biciclette

One of those movies that seem to appear on every list from here to Moscow and back again, so there's little doubt there were some expectations finally visiting it. Simplistic, real and emotional are amongst the most used reasons for its fame, and it sure is simplistic.

A man finally gets work in post WWII-Italy, but depends on having a bicycle. Getting it back from the pawn shop thanks to giving up the sheets, getting it stolen is the worst that could happen to his new found happiness. Then we'll follow his Sunday search to get it back.

It's emotional, but the real part I got a little trouble with. Not only are some of the acting terrible (thankfully not amongst the main characters), but some of the scenes go between ridiculous and forced.

It's in my opinion a good movie, but far from the masterpiece many speak of it as.

Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars

The beginning of a franchise I've never got to, until now. I've obviously known quite a lot about the Star Wars universe thanks to numerous references in never pop culture, but I've never really been that enthusiastic about getting to know it my self.

For an introduction to a new universe it works quite well, but as a movie seen on its own merits it lacks a little. It doesn't have neither the necessary charm nor the action or adventurous needed to come over the top. There's obviously also something to be said for the lack of hitting easy targets with those laser weapons of the stormtroopers.

It's more than good enough I'll be looking forward to dip further into Lucas' universe, and I might even have this growing on me in time. Just now it doesn't quite make up for the legend, acclaims and hype.

Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)

Tomorrow, When the War Began

I've never read the novels of John Marsden this is based on, and haven't even seen Red Dawn which is a similar 80's movie, so my review is based solely on the experience of this movie. I've come to understand it's considered some kind of an Australian classic novel-series and commonly introduced in schools there, and this movie is also Australian made with quite unknown actors and actresses for us Hollywood fed.

While the story have both serious flaws and unrealistic parts, it's saved thanks to some charm and youthful optimism. It's probably best considered, and at least enjoyed, as a teen-movie, and then we'll forgive its flaws much easier.

The acting is in most parts good, even though several characters are very cliched. Don't expect to be blown away, but as light popcorn entertainment it kind of works. I'll at least give the next installment a chance as well.

Nude Nuns with Big Guns (2010)

Nude Nuns with Big Guns

Robert Rodriguez' Machete might get all the 2010-fuzz and audience, but Guzman and Hayes II have delivered a more entertaining and true to Rodriguez movie.

Yes. It's sexploitation, nunsploitation and b-movie all the way, but the first half is really good and entertaining. Sadly they drop the tempo, when they should have upped it. There's also the fact half the actors can't act for shit, and half the dialogue doesn't make the cut. A lot of nudity helps, of course, but there's still parts of the script that should be worked over.

It feels like Rodriguez' first work, El Mariachi. An omen of even greater things to come from the duo behind this. Throw in some stars, like Rodriguez got for Desperado thanks to his first work, and they might have a huge success on their hand next time around.

Anything for Her (2008)

Pour elle

This is a classic three acts thriller, changing direction for each act. While it might not stand out on either one, that's also what makes it stand out enough as a whole. It feels real, it doesn't hand the protagonist remarkable skills or odd abilities to avoid feelings and pain.

Diane Kruger was the main reason I got to this before checking out the remake with Crowe and Banks, and Kruger is as usually brilliant. Still. This is more about Vincent Lindon's character than anything else, and he does a great job coming across as the teacher going to lengths for his love.

For some it might feel to slow in the beginning, but it lays the groundwork for what's to come. It allows us to get to know these characters and their pain. I for one appreciate the way it's done.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's animated alternative Christmas story have become legendary, but I don't find it all it's been hyped to be. The animations are quite well done for the time it was made, but there's just too many scenes throughout the movie that doesn't manage to hold your attention.

At its best it's marvelous. There's some really genial scenes, both funny, dark and almost heartbreaking. Underneath it all there's a lot of hope, and as such it works very well this time of year. I'll definitely return to it again, and maybe then it'll get a tighter grip on me as well.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

A Christmas Carol

Another re-telling of the famous Dickens' story. This time animated, and with Jim Carrey all over the place.

It still works quite well, but it's hard not to with such a story. Carrey isn't as bad as I feared, Zemeckis seems to have a decent grip on the story and at Christmas it works quite well. Doubt I'll be re-watching it next year though.

Somewhere (2010)

Somewhere

If you've ever watched the stunningly beautiful masterpiece Lost in Translation, it's impossible to not recognize that this is as well a Sofia Coppola movie. However. Stephen Dorff is no Bill Murphy, and the relationship between him and his daughter is nowhere as fascinating and intriguing as the one between Murphy and Johansson 7 years ago.

There's still a lot of good in this movie as well. The slow building, the scenes where words are unnecessary to portray feelings and the gentle touches and glimpses. Coppola has her own style, and executes it very well. The story still lacks the sparks and direction to come close to her famous one.

Dorff is good, but not great. Fanning is however doing a marvelous job as his daughter. The supports are also well cast throughout.

Buried (2010)

Buried

Simple and efficient. This movie combines classic themes like kidnapping, US in Iraq and the ancient fear of being buried alive, into a movie that works really well.

Reynolds does really well in the lead, director Cortés pulls off an impressive movie from Sparling's script and the camerawork is also well worth noting.

It would have served it well to be a little more claustrophobic, and in a world of cell phones some of the called people should really have been easier to get in touch with. Still overall well worth your time, and a strong 7 from me.