Sausage Party (2016)

Well, that sure was... something, I guess? Bad puns aside, I can't imagine a way to make a movie about anthropomorphic food, well, tasteful. Going in, I was prepared for poor graphics, ribald humour and hopefully some halfway-thoughtful social commentary. Clunkily offensive racial and sexual stereotypes, though? Not so much. It's the sort of thing that Parker and Stone can pull off, but their excesses are always backed up by genuine anger and equally genuine heart.

Some big names attached to this one, too, and some small miserly part of me feels let down by the likes of Ed Norton, Kristen Wiig and Paul Rudd. The only good thing I can say about this embarrassing piece of trash is that it prevented me having to watch Burton's Corpse Bride.

(IMDB link)

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Got a little bit of Disney horror to offer you today, courtesy of Ray Bradbury. This one comes from the company's awkward phase, when they were trying to prove they had more to offer than cosy family animation. Something Wicked actually is pretty cosy, though, at least in the early stages, with its nostalgic imagery and small boys running through the fallen leaves. Soon enough, however, Jonathan Pryce's Mr. Dark comes to town with his Pandemonium Carnival. As is frequently the case, the movie turns out to be less about small boys and more about middle-aged men. It's none the worse for it, though, with fine performances from Jason Robards and a near-mute Pam Grier.

Good stuff, but a quick warning: it may be a little too intense for the smallest ones.

(IMDB link)

Dragonheart (1996)

Completely coincidental, but this one's also about experimental organ transplant surgery. I hadn't seen it in a little over twenty years, chiefly because it was so unrelentingly awful when I saw it at the cinema. There's little to recommend it other than some serviceable effects work, plus a surprisingly menacing performance by David Thewlis as the evil king Einon. Mr. B. commented that this was shit 80s fantasy that just happened to have been made in the 90s, and with the muddy colour palette, generic Scottish setting and near-universally halfarsed acting, I feel this is a fair summation.

(IMDB link)

Fatal Experiments: the Downfall of a Supersurgeon

Fancied something immersive this evening, so I went for the above three-part documentary, which was on Iplayer as part of the BBC's excellent Storyville strand. Annoyingly, however, having watched it, I find the web has bugger all information to offer, not even the bloody director. So, here's the skinny: while the story made for interesting viewing it probably didn't require three full hours of programming, a reasonable chunk of which was re-caps.

The main lesson I learned from the whole thing was that putting plastic windpipes into people almost always causes them to die a slow, horribly agonising death. So, kids, don't go putting plastic windpipes into people no matter how much they ask.

 

The Nice Guys (2016)

There's something profoundly reassuring about Shane Black movies. They're all more or less the same, a comfortingly chunky combination of witty dialogue and satisfyingly thwacky action, with endearing heroes whose masculinity seems to be a direct result of their flaws. The Nice Guys, then, is distilled essence of Black, and possibly the first example of the up-and-coming genre that is buddy noir. Exciting, funny and warmhearted in equal measure, it's a delight from start to finish.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

I'd argue for this being one of the greatest films ever made, to be honest. What I'm not prepared to brook any argument over, however, is that it has some of the greatest editing you'll ever see. It frequently uses shots like comic book panels, giving us second-long glimpses of motion to provide elegant storytelling without the need for exposition. It's also blisteringly, pants-wettingly funny. The central premise, for those who don't know, is that a nonspecified event causes vast swathes of London to become zombified, but that the tedium of day-to-day life makes this hard to notice until it's all very nearly too late. Notably, Shaun is also the first and possibly the last Edgar Wright film to cast a woman in any sort of meaningful role. Those were the days, my friend, those were the days.

(IMDB link)

Black Mirror: Hated in the Nation (2016)

It's feature-length, therefore it counts, okay? Besides, the sixth and last episode of series 3 of Black Mirror is a truly glorious piece of work, thrilling and chilling and utterly intriguing. As with every episode, it's set in a nonspecific future time that always seems just around the corner. This time, Brooker dabbles in police procedurals, as a controversial newspaper columnist meets a truly grisly end. Her loss is not a major source of grief, but as DCI Karin Parke (Kelly MacDonald) investigates, she learns that this is only the tip of a much larger, nastier iceberg. As the mystery unfolds, Brooker twists the knife, with director James Hawes delivering some spine-jangling set pieces I could only watch through my fingers.

Series 3 of Black Mirror is available on Netflix.

Anomalisa (2015)

More selfconscious weirdness from Charlie Kaufman. Anomalisa is a low-key gem, though, awkward and intense and almost unwatchably melancholy. The story of a successful but lonely man having a brief encounter is nothing out of the ordinary in and of itself, but when it's presented in stop-motion animation it takes on a positively dreamlike quality. In a genius casting decision, only the two protagonists are given unique voices, with Tom Noonan taking all the other roles, whether masculine or feminine, adult or child. The end result turns the mundane into something haunting and nigh-on unbearably sad. Highly recommended.

(IMDB link)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Hadn't seen this one in around thirty years, so I figured I'd take another look. Having done so, I'd have to say that on the whole, its classic reputation is probably well-deserved - it's a sweet enough story and it looks pretty good even now, so back when it was released over 75 years ago, it must have been positively mindblowing. Of course, you have to bear in mind that the past is a foreign country - one where the acting is hopelessly stagey and puns and repetition are the height of musical wit - but to be honest, it's still a sight more entertaining (and a sight less annoying) than the average modern family flick.

(IMDB link)

Penn and Teller Get Killed (1989)

Let's just file this one under Mistakes Sarah won't make again, shall we? Or, even better, under Mistakes Penn and Teller hopefully won't make again. I'm a massive mark for stage magic in general and P&T in particular, but unfortunately, I'm somewhat less of a fan of Coca Cola's drinks and Donald Trump's buildings, each of which feature just as largely as the titular duo and both of which get better dialogue and more acting kudos. There's a nominal plot about practical jokes and one-upmanship, but it's really just a few mediocre and surprisingly bloodless skits interspersed with slightly embarrassing character nonsense.

(The IMDB loves you so much that Penn and Teller Get Killed doesn't feature on its autocomplete, so I'm going to be an equally loving reviewer and not link you either. Here's something better instead.)

My Dinner with Andre (1981)

Playing fictionalised versions of themselves, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory make for thoroughly diverting companions as we eavesdrop on what is made out to be a single teo-hour conversation at an upscale New York restaurant. At first, Gregory is passionate to the point of seemingly being chemically enhanced, leaving Shawn to simply listen and request elaboration. As the evening passes and the wine flows, however, the dialogue opens up and questions are raised about life and the meaning of human existence, and what seems at first to be pure whimsy finally reveals itself to be far meatier fare.

This is the End (2013)

Want to know whether or not this one's for you? Go to the IMDB link I've handily provided below and read the cast list. If names like James Franco and Michael Cera bring you out in hives, yeah, maybe steer clear. If, on the other hand, you have a grudging affection for the likes of Jay Baruchel (and is there really anybody out there who doesn't like Jonah Hill?), chances are you'll have a passably good time watching them and their buddies survive as Hollywood becomes the epicentre of the apocalypse. It's hideously self-congratulatory, of course, but something in the mixture of bad taste and bromantic shenanigans really hit my personal sweet spot.

(IMDB link)

Elvis & Nixon (2016)

It's the most requested photo in the US National Archive, apparently - the President and the King stood shaking hands. This charming, feather-light piece of whimsy posits what might have happened when the two of them met on December 21, 1970. Some very brief research reveals that some of the unlikeliest parts of the story are true - Elvis really did want to be an undercover FBI agent, and the National Archive holds his letter that says as much. What really makes it all so sweet, however, is the way director Liza Johnson allows the innate fragility of these two very famous men to shine through, depicting them as being every bit as prone to self-doubt and vanity as the rest of us.

(IMDB link)

Captain Fantastic (2016)

Excellent performances all round in this fascinating piece, but most especially from the young performers playing the children of Viggo Mortensen's eccentric survivalist, Ben. The group make for endearing company as they trek back to civilisation to try and carry out Ben's late wife's last wishes. It's all shot beautifully, and director Matt Ross strikes an elegant balance between comedy and pathos. I can't help thinking, though, that a closer examination of the ethical issues at play might have made for a rather meatier watching experience.

(IMDB link)

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Another beautifully elaborate little piece from Wes Anderson, and one that I'd been meaning to catch up with for a number of years. Arguably there's nothing terribly unexpected here, as two preternaturally mannered young misfits go on the run together in 1960s New England and are pursued by a bunch of Anderson regulars. It's a joy, though, with the sort of warmth and playfulness the director seems to be making his stock in trade these days. It's visually beautiful, and the performances are appealingly quirky, with Edward Norton's sympathetic scoutmaster a particular delight. Perfect viewing for a cosy Sunday evening.

(IMDB link)

 

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

I have no idea why I thought this was a sensible film choice. Perhaps, owing to my raging PMS, the title resonated in some primal way. Perhaps I was just feeling like a bloody masochist. I'd love to say I was pleasantly surprised and for the first fifteen minutes or so, I mostly was - there's always something mildly entertaining about cute cartoon characters behaving like stressed-out middle-aged jerks. It all goes downhill pretty rapidly, though, with the bland, overly-loud soundtrack and constant grossout gags marking this out as emphatically one for the kids.

(IMDB link)

Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989)

As if I needed another reason to envy Steven Soderbergh. Sigh. This was his first directorial effort and it's a real gem, as compactly-formed and effortlessly polished as a diamond. The title summarises the main themes nicely, as Andi MacDowell's uptight suburban housewife has her mind opened and self-respect nurtured by a stranger with some very unusual preferences. Great performances all round, and the drama is leavened by a fine sprinkling of jet-black comedy. Do what you can to track this one down, and enjoy a fine piece of work by what has to be the most consistently excellent film director alive today.

(IMDB link)

Blackfish (2013)

Gabriela Cowperthwaite's polemic against keeping orca in captivity makes for grimly compelling viewing, telling story after story that the wildlife parks would presumably prefer we didn't hear. There's no real attempt at balance here - to be fair, Sea World, portrayed as the main offenders, chose not to comment - but the evidence presented is very hard to discount. At the forefront of the discussion is Tilikum, a large male whose DNA exists within vast numbers of captive-bred orca, a fact made worrying by his responsibility for multiple human deaths. Cowperthwaite's argument that he was simply driven insane by captivity, however, is a highly persuasive one.

(IMDB link)

Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Really hard to know what to write here, because this one's a real story about a real person who I'm sure has many laudable qualities. Does the real Eddie Edwards deserve better than this trite, simplistic piece of nonsense? Possibly. Do we, the audience deserve better? Fuck yes. It's all so depressingly black and white, with our heroes and villains so many cardboard cutouts - Edwards' right to bankrupt his parents and turn his chosen sport into a freakshow never even comes into question in case it interrupts the vital heartwarming process. Except it's not heartwarming. If you're being charitable, it's incredibly stupid. If not, it's incredibly cynical. Who knows? It could even be both.

Save this one for small children you really hate.

(IMDB link)

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

As with the original, I found myself disappointed that a film about clever people wasn't smarter in and of itself. Still, this one's passably good fun - sure, there's some shockingly bad acting on display from Daniel Radcliffe and Woody Harrelson (mystifyingly, since he plays twins and is largely blameless as one but cringeworthy as the other), but they do seem to be having an awfully, contagiously good time. Morgan Freeman and Mark Ruffalo work tirelessly to raise the tone, but with only partial success. In the end, though, an action thriller about outlaw magicians is so niche that the subject matter itself will probably adequately define whether or not it'll be for you.

(IMDB link)

Jumanji (1995)

Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing... Not that I'm comparing Jumanji to the Scottish play, but it doesn't half seem apposite. Apparently people are up in arms that there's going to be a remake, so I figured I'd take a look to see what all the fuss was about. Ah. Robin Williams. The thing is, he's been in a ton of plenty of some a few One Hour Photo, which was pretty bloody good, so why not let the Rock and Amy from Doctor Who have a crack at expunging the memory of this botched mess of a second-rate special effects reel?

Probably not my favourite film so far this month.

(IMDB link)

Goon (2011)

It's not often that I can refer to a movie as a celebration of stupidity and mean it affectionately, but this one probably qualifies. There's nothing new here, mind - it's basically a retelling of the Ugly Duckling, where amiable dimwit Doug Glatt demonstrates a talent for hitting people in the face and finds his true calling protecting his team on the hockey rink. Seann William Scott is tremendously endearing in the lead role, though, and the nifty (if disgusting) sound engineering is pretty effective at deceiving the audience into thinking it's not a thinly-disguised rewrite of every 90s romcom they ever saw.

(IMDB link)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople sees Julian Dennison's chubby delinquent and Sam Neill's elderly misfit set loose in the heart of the New Zealand wild country. With Taika Waititi directing an entertaining time is more or less guaranteed, but I have to say it, this is one of the most tonally uneven movies I've ever seen. Serious drama shifts to surreal comedy or flat-out slapstick in the blink of an eye, diminishing the emotional impact of a fundamentally heartwarming story. Dennison is utterly charming, though, and the scenery is so arresting as to be practically a character in its own right.

(IMDB link)

My Scientology Movie (2015)

As seen at Birmingham's excellent Electric cinema yesterday. 

Documentarian Louis Theroux is in particularly puckish form as he explores rumours that Scientology frontman David Miscavige isn't quite the benevolent soul his devoted (and not at all brainwashed) followers would have you believe. The setup is cute - Theroux claims to be producing a drama on the subject, auditioning actors to play Miscavige and notable proponent Tom Cruise and then having them enact scenes scripted by former chief enforcer Marty Rathbun. These make for chilling watching, but there's plenty of light relief available watching Theroux have the time of his life when the real deal shows up to make a scene.

(IMDB link)

Ghostbusters (2016)

...Because anything that pissed the misogynists off so much had to have something to recommend it. This proved to be true, in that it was genuinely the most flat-out enjoyable film I've seen in several months -  unpretentious entertainment that didn't ladle on the pathos in an attempt to be taken seriously. If leads Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy were a little understated, then Kate McKinnon and Chris Hemsworth amply compensated with sparkling comic turns. I was touched by the many warmhearted homages to the (vastly inferior) original, too. Not great cinema by any means, but a truly, unreservedly great time.

(IMDB link)

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Sweet-natured fun abounds here, as Stephen Frears tackles the true story of the worst singer ever to appear at the Carnegie Hall. It's a tremendously polished affair, naturally, from the sensible casting of the likes of Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, to the elegant sets and costumes the target audience is presumably meant to drool over. Bonus points to Frears for ensuring all the main players come across sympathetically - it would have been easy to turn Grant's character into a cad, if not an active antagonist. Not particularly my sort of thing, but your elderly mother will likely love it.

(IMDB link)

Swiss Army Man (2016)

The unholy offspring of Pete's Dragon and Fight Club, this features what might possibly be the first ever instance of a Manic Pixie Dream Corpse* as Paul Dano's lonely shipwreck victim and Daniel Radcliffe's flatulent zombie navigate their way back to civilisation. While the critics are all over this one, I have (minor) reservations - the unending whimsy starts out charming and even exhilarating, but eventually begins to feel like a rejected concept piece for last year's John Lewis Christmas ad. Absolutely worth a watch, but I think I might have liked it better as a short.

<sub>*Only possibly, because although I haven't seen it, I suspect Warm Bodies might hold this particular honour.

(IMDB link)</sub>

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Predictably dazzling work from Laika studios, whose stop-motion animation has more substance, in every sense, than anything Pixar or Dreamworks can offer. This time they're tackling Japanese mythology with a finely-crafted tale of a one-eyed boy and his magic shamisen. This is as close as Laika have ever come to the mainstream, and on a different day I might have found the heavy sentiment too much. As voiced by Art Parkinson, the titular character is commendably mischievous, though, and Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey provide fine support as a pair of allies who might just be more than they seem.

(IMDB link)

I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

This early horror effort from Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton tries for atmospheric and might have achieved it, in its day. Unfortunately, there's not a lot here that a pessimist like me wouldn't be bargaining on, from the painfully stilted acting to the dodgy sexual and racial politics.  The story plays like a cousin to Jane Eyre, with a beautiful young nurse co-opted to a remote location and falling for the handsome but stern master of the house - it's a classic setup, but sadly, censorship rules of the time don't really allow the cast and crew to run with it.

(IMDB link)

The Sorcerers (1967)

There's much campy, culty fun to be had in director Michael Reeves' second and, as it turned out, penultimate directorial outing before his death, aged 25, from a drug overdose. A terminally ill Boris Karloff stars as the discredited hypnotist who takes over the mind of Ian Ogilvy's disaffected youth. No real scares here (despite the soundtrack's enthusiastic attempts to convince us otherwise), but there's some top-notch psychedelic effects and Catherine Lacey seems to be having a wonderful time as the eventual villain of the piece. A word of warning, however: this film may contain social commentary.

(IMDB link)
 

Telstar: The Joe Meek Story

Seen this one a few times now, but the ending came as a heck of a shock the first time round. Granted, it's based on a true story, but one that happened long before my time, and while I vaguely recalled some sort of bad business when the cinematic foreshadowing started, I found myself watching in abject horror as a fairly jolly drama about the 1960s music business turned into an altogether darker beast. Con O'Neill's lead performance is a little too effortful for my taste, but this is still an entertaining watch, if an ultimately depressing one.

(IMDB entry)

31 films in 100 words (each)

It's October again, and while I was fairly sure this thing had died a death I can't quite resist the challenge of having deadlines to meet again. That said, every good therapist would advise people to set manageable goals, so I'm aiming to max out each of these reviews at 100 words.

I'd love to say I have an interestingly ecletic mix planned, but I don't. I'd love to say I have anything at all planned, in fact, but... you get the picture. Planning on winging it, and hopefully we'll all enjoy the ride.