2017 Film Log [December]

This is going top be a good one. INDEX

01. Dark City (01.12.17)
The is so much going on, and amazingly it is only brought down in a few places by it's 98 era effects. I love the setting and story, the subdued acting works well and it ties together to make for a distinctive and compelling film.

02. Captain America - Civil War (02.12.17)
Yes again. Such a good film and a few points fell into place, the is time for the requisitioning of help for the big fight. So no plot hole there.

03. The Animatrix - Final Flight of the Osiris [short] (03.12.17)
A hole filler fore the second Matrix film but it has nice characterization. The CG is showing its age but it has the polish to hold up. I have seen the Matrix films a lot but this will be my first viewing of the animated shorts.

04. Alice in Wonderland (05.12.17)
Well that was delightful. For 1903 the were some clever in camera tricks used. Short but it follows the narrative. Though if you were unaware of the story i'm not sure how much sense it would make. It's a shame the version I saw had no music.

05. Pixels (06.12.17)
Even with no sound on the film is barely tolerable. Watched with a commentary track, two guys being funny and mad at the film helped a bit. How can a film be this bad.

06. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (08.12.17)
This is how you make a effective horror film. Very small scale and very very creepy. The were different ways this could have gone and in the end the plot was solid. Very good acting and direction. The procedure was one of the more unsettling parts.

07. The Animatrix - The Second Renaissance [short] (09.12.17)
A look into the history of the world as known from the time of the Matrix. Very stylised but I could have done without the recreations of iconic moments from our history but now with robots. A few were very on the nose.

08. Battle Angel (10.12.17)
Classic 90s anime. I was intrigued after seeing the trailer for Alita: Battle Angel so I gave this a go. Very interesting setting and plot. Like most OVAs of the era it could have done with being a tad bit longer. I may see if I can give the Manga a look.

09. The Animatrix - Kid's Story [short] (11.12.17)
Watanabe gives the Matrix his own twist. Very cool style even if the action animations is daft. This hits the side of the matrix that for me is the crux. The perception of real.

10. Star Wars - The Force Awakens (13.12.17)
2 years on and its still a compelling watch. It flows so well and the pay-offs are so damn good. Not long to wait now for the next one, if it is anywhere near as good as this I will be happy.

11. Star Wars - The Last Jedi [cinema] (14.12.17)
It's different. They try hard to twist and turn things in ways that could work but then go another way, which luckily also dose work. Fun and engaging and I can't think where this is going next. It will be loved and hated but I think it works with only a few minor gripes.

12. Tekkonkinkreet (15.12.17)
I'm lost. It was odd and captivatingly beautiful. I don't know what the plot was or how it all fits together but the ride was good. For so perspective the title translates to 'steel reinforced concrete' but as if wrongly pronounced by a child. 

13. Ruka (The Hand) (17.12.17)
A subversive anti propaganda film from 1965 Czechoslovakia. It wasn't even banned until after the creators death a few years later. Though not on the nose it it clear in its meaning.

14. War for the Planet of the Apes (20.12.17)
Up there as one of the best trilogy. Very very good film. I love how the shift in focus over the films went from humans to apes. The apes were enough to carry this film and the ties to the originals were very well thought out. Next year I will have to re-watch all the originals i think.

15. Street of Crocodiles [short] (21.12.17)
Or 'nightmare fuel' would be a fitting title. Its good but a little bit strange. Going from vaguely interesting to very freaky to end on a pure mental note. I'm not sure what to think but it is very very interesting.

16. Dunkirk (22.12.17)
It was like a clever poem. The film structure is very unconventional but it works so well. The tension and pacing is always great and the story works by connecting all the levels together into a very strong narrative. Nolan is a genius and this is one of his best. It also doesn't feel the need to give too much about the event it shows enough for its story.

17. C'était un Rendez-vous [short] (23.12.17)
Recommended by Jeremy Clarkson on the latest episode of The Grand Tour. Very cool concept and very well executed. I like it when films have long shots and this one being just one must have been tricky to pull off.

18. Reservoir Dogs (27.12.17)
A masterpiece of story telling and character interactions.

19. Rambo 3 (30.12.17)
Like a paint by numbers were they got board of the small fiddly bits. It rushes what could have been a solid first act. then it is a standard action film structure. It hits the beats but none of it is deserved. Could be fun but the action is too over the top to be.

So the year ends, A slow one but the were some good films. No breakdown this year but I want to focus one the best. Of the month by a hair Dunkirk. The best of the year is Blade Runner 2049. I talked why is my last post of the year. Same again next year?