American Graffiti [1973]

mels

We watched this movie yesterday as it’s part of the list I’m going through.

I like the way George Lucas tells the story, the continued action, the silliness of high school dreams, the silliness of the so called “adulthood”. The set, the cars, and the wardrobe are all spot on.

I was afraid it would get boring—with old movie slowness—but it didn’t. The 112 minutes go by in a flash of fast cars, horny teens, and ‘baby-boomer’ Americana.

Trailer:

What We Do in the Shadows [2014]

what we do in the shadows poster from wikipedia

We saw this movie last weekend.
It’s a New Zealand production filmed as a (mock) documentary. It follows the lives of four modern vampires living in Wellington.

All characters have their appeal but Viago, with the way he looks at the camera, is particularly hilarious.

A must see if you like good humour and vampires.
96% on Rotten.

Trailer:

Calvary [2014]

Calvary poster @wikipedia

Last weekend we finally saw Calvary, a movie recommended to us by The Filmdog–aka our brother-in-law.

The movie is an Irish drama set around the theme of catholic priests pedophilia, with multiple characters declaring having been molested by priests.
James, the main character and focus of the story, is a priest in a very small town. A good priest, struggling with his humanity, his weaknesses and values. He’s told in the opening scene that he’s going to be killed next Sunday. The movie is set in the week that precedes that Sunday.

It’s a dark flick that successfully illustrates some aspects of human nature.

89% on Rotten. I agree.

The trailer:

Under The Skin [2013]

I liked the mood of this film.

The beginning is very exciting, with her assembling and all the rest. (trying not to spoil it for you)
By the end I was happy I watched it but I found it simple. Too simple.
Yes, it’s a quiet thriller about what makes us human, which is nice. It’s not the invention of the wheel.

And it’s always a pleasure to see Scarlett Johansson, specially in something independent.

Rotten gave it an 85%. *shrug*

Here’s the trailer:

The Searchers [1956]

I vaguely remember watching this film on TV all throughout my childhood. It was one of those movies that filled Sunday afternoon’s programming of one channel or the other—yes, we only had two TV channels back then.

We finally got to watching it properly last Friday night.

Considered by many as both the pinnacle of John Ford’s films and the unfailing inspiration to all other Western films, it has a spotless score of 100% Fresh on Rotten.

It’s also part of The American Film Institute list of films to watch, coming up at number 12.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this fellow.

Junebug [2005]

Junebug movie poster
Okay… So, about this movie
I can’t really explain it, mainly because I really don’t care to do it, but I enjoyed it immensely.
Because I was having such a good time watching it, half way through it I was shit scared they would ruin it in the end. They didn’t. It’s beautifully written, beautifully filmed and the actors did a phenomenal job.

Okay, okay. I’ll stop with the adverbs!

It moved me and it taught me things about myself. This is a quiet movie that sneaks some human perception into you, if you pay attention.

Here is the trailer:

Save the Date [2012]

Save the Date movie poster

This is a nice, sweet, somewhat sexy, coming of age romance movie with the right amount of sap for a semi-sappy girl like me.
Although this is a romcom, the story rings true and it’s well written.
I have no idea why its score is so low on Rotten. I mean, come on!

It was entertaining, heart warming, and very human. I liked it a lot.

Here is the trailer: