Pages

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Films I Saw in October

13th

I watched 11 films (all first-timers) last month. Here's a quick ranking of them.

11. Café Society
C-

10. Independence Day: Resurgence
C-

9. The Little Prince
C+

8. Ghostbusters
B-

7. Captain America: Civil War
B-

6. From Nothing, Something: A Documentary on the Creative Process
B-

5. The Fits
B

4. Love & Friendship
B+

3. Burden of Dreams
A-

2. Swiss Army Man
A

1. 13th
A

10 comments:

  1. What did you think of Kristen Stewart in Café Society, the cast of Ghostbusters and Kate Beckinsale in Love and Friendship? Love your blog by the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Stewart was fine in Cafe Society, but she didn't have much to work with. The cast of Ghostbusters made it a fun experience, though I was disappointed with the film overall. Beckinsale was terrific in Love & Friendship, and I hope she gets some awards attention in the coming weeks.

      Delete
  2. Aside from Burden of Dreams which I’ve already commented on I’ve only seen Love & Friendship of these. I liked it but it left me wanting more. It didn’t sweep me up like some period pieces do. Swiss Army Man doesn’t really look like my thing but I keep hearing how much people liked it and I do like Daniel Radcliffe so I’m going to give it a try.

    I saw quite a few this month but nothing that really knocked me back off my feet. The best was a film from 1952 called The Thief starring Ray Milland that because of the way it was laid out was performed entirely without dialogue. Not a perfect film but well performed and an intriguing concept.

    I did become familiar with an actress’s work who previous to now I’d only caught fleeting glimpses of-Wynn Gibson. She was a second string leading lady in Warner Brothers B’s in the 30’s similar to Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondell. TCM ran several of her films in a row, she was very brash and appealing but her career didn’t really go anywhere and she retired to become an agent. Her best showcase of the run of films was a self-sacrificing number called Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men.

    What the month was high in was films that I hated. Several were ones I’d put off for years but heard about constantly and felt that they were blind spots and I decided to finally bite the bullet, unfortunately in most cases it bit back! They were 28 Days Later, Straw Dogs, Rolling Kansas, Practical Magic, Without Warning and The Zodiac Killer. A wretched lot, the only one I didn’t flat out hate was 28 Days Later, it started very well and Murphy’s walk around a deserted London is eerie but then it devolved into just another too dark zombie flick. I just didn’t get the praise. Hoping this month holds better fare.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I expected to like Love & Friendship more, but I still thought it was really good. Daniel Radcliffe is currently my Supporting Actor winner - and will very likely be a nominee in my final lineup at the very least, so I hope you check out Swiss Army Man.

      Never heard of Gibson, her film, or Milland's film The Thief. I need to check them out.

      Hope you've had a better viewing month. I'm a fan of Straw Dogs and 28 Days Later, but I can see why they're not for everyone.

      Delete
  3. Love Swiss Army Man and Civil War! I haven't seen the rest. I tried to get my kid to watch The Little Prince and he nope'd out after about 10 minutes. Judging by your grade, I think he made the right decision. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I wanted to like Civil War and The Little Prince more, especially the latter.

      Delete
  4. YAY at your #1 and #2! Great (and vastly different) films. So...Cafe Society isn't good, huh? And shame you didn't like The Little Prince more. I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cafe Society...I'd say just watch Irrational Man and Magic in the Moonlight if you haven't yet. They're far better.

      I *wanted* to love The Little Prince. :(

      Delete
  5. The Little Prince was a let-down, especially as the book is a favorite of mine. Swiss Army Man looks fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I was expecting a lot more from The Little Prince. Swiss Army Man is strange and wonderful. I can see one loving or hating it, but it's one of my favorites of the year.

      Delete