Death Note on Netflix. (Comedy) Horror/fantasy about a demon who passes on a book with the ability to have killed whoever's name is written in it. Pretty daft but quite enjoyed it.
Thanks to @Bigbadbozman for recommending this film. Not only was this right up my street it was one of the best films I have seen this year. Nominated at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year this is the story of a group of young German soldiers held as prisoners at the end of the war , who are ordered to dig up and disarm all of the Nazi land mines remaining on the west coast of Denmark. A Danish sergeant watches over the effort as the untrained soldiers attempt to complete their extremely dangerous punishment. It's probably not the best description to describe what I felt about this film but I really was was blown away. I has no idea about this part of World war II history and that the Germans planted over 1.2 million mines because they though the allies would land via Denmark and not France. This is beautifully written and filmed by Director Pieter Zandvliet and the acting from the group of young German actors is stunning. Sometimes moments of silence says more than words can and the silent moments say everything in this film wether it be when they are unarming the mines or when they are in fear of the sergeant. It's a very sad story that I'm sure the Danes are not proud of but I'm so glad it was told with such expertise. Land of mine is available on Amazon.
Thanks to @Bigbadbozman for recommending this film. Not only was this right up my street it was one of the best films I have seen this year. Nominated at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year this is the story of a group of young German soldiers held as prisoners at the end of the war , who are ordered to dig up and disarm all of the Nazi land mines remaining on the west coast of Denmark. A Danish sergeant watches over the effort as the untrained soldiers attempt to complete their extremely dangerous punishment. It's probably not the best description to describe what I felt about this film but I really was was blown away. I has no idea about this part of World war II history and that the Germans planted over 1.2 million mines because they though the allies would land via Denmark and not France. This is beautifully written and filmed by Director Pieter Zandvliet and the acting from the group of young German actors is stunning. Sometimes moments of silence says more than words can and the silent moments say everything in this film wether it be when they are unarming the mines or when they are in fear of the sergeant. It's a very sad story that I'm sure the Danes are not proud of but I'm so glad it was told with such expertise. Land of mine is available on Amazon.
The Snowman. Strange euro film set in Norway, with British and American actors playing Norweigans, ala Branagh in Wallander (albeit that was Sweden). Not much wrong with the story or indeed the acting by a very recognisable cast including Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson....the least to be said about the Val Kilmer cameo (what on earth is/was wrong with him). The editing was a bit off making continuity a bit puzzling at times, but apart from that the story would have made a good film, but this missed the mark somehow. 5/10
I've actually had this film on my planner for a while and have been putting it off for some reason. Maybe a gut feeling that this was going to be lame. I should listen to me gut.. This is the story of Father and son coroners who must perform an immediate autopsy on a "Jane Doe" corpse found in the basement of a home where a family was killed. However, they are attacked by supernatural forces as they examine the extent of her injuries. If you like your gore in a horror film then you might just like this but its just the gore from the autopsy and there is very little horror to speak of. The story is just silly and it's pretty easy to predict what is going to happen next because it's just so formulaic as a lot of horror movies are. If it wasn't for Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch , who hold this film together , this would be a total disaster but thankfully they are quite watchable but it's still not enough for me give this any kind of recommendation.
Only the Dead 2015. Story of Michael Ware an Aussie journalist covering the Iraq war, the most powerful, brutal and graphic film I have ever seen. Seriously not one for the faint hearted as the saying goes, some things cannot be unseen
Bright. Was surprised how good this film was and probably warrants a Bright 2.....its weird, its funny, its brutal, but overall its very good indeed. 7.5/10....look out especially for the Will Smith and fairy scene.
What Happened to Monday. Another excellent Netflix film starring Noomi Rapace playing 7 sisters (not quite to the quality of Tatiana Masiany in Orphan Black, but still very good). Netflix dont hold back on violent scenes and a bit of gore so be prepared. 6/10
Bladerunner 2049. The Murky setting of the future recaptured in this film which was a bit hard to follow in parts but becomes clear towards the end. Excellent casting as youd expect and equally as moody as the first one. 7/10
Well 2017 was a pretty good year for films overall, but Id say the best film overall film for me was.......
"Wind River".
I doubt it will do well at the oscars due to it being tainted by events in the media regarding the producer. However, the story, the actors and acting couldn't be faulted and for that reason its my pick of the year.
Lots of genuine rotten tomatoes and a few disappointments, but overall a good year for film in general.
There was only one non-animated, non-sequel/ prequel/ reboot movie in the top 25 worldwide box office - Dunkirk!
Wow, that definitely tells its own story....you've now got me looking forward to Mays release of Dunkirk II, the one where Winston squeezes some green milk out of Adolf's titties....
Wind River is right there on my 'must watch' list. Land of Mine has joined it. I don't get to see a lot of adult films. Dunkirk was good, murder on the orient express was okay and I liked The Death of Stalin and Baby Driver. At the other end of the scale, Star Wars was dull, and the Emoji movie and Pitch Perfect 3 were unspeakable.
My favourite films of the year are Get Out , Logan , Dunkirk , Killing of a sacred deer and Land of Mine . Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Jawbone were pretty good also.
Comments
(Comedy) Horror/fantasy about a demon who passes on a book with the ability to have killed whoever's name is written in it.
Pretty daft but quite enjoyed it.
Review to come soon.
Land of mine
Thanks to @Bigbadbozman for recommending this film. Not only was this right up my street it was one of the best films I have seen this year. Nominated at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year this is the story of a group of young German soldiers held as prisoners at the end of the war , who are ordered to dig up and disarm all of the Nazi land mines remaining on the west coast of Denmark. A Danish sergeant watches over the effort as the untrained soldiers attempt to complete their extremely dangerous punishment.
It's probably not the best description to describe what I felt about this film but I really was was blown away.
I has no idea about this part of World war II history and that the Germans planted over 1.2 million mines because they though the allies would land via Denmark and not France.
This is beautifully written and filmed by Director Pieter Zandvliet and the acting from the group of young German actors is stunning.
Sometimes moments of silence says more than words can and the silent moments say everything in this film wether it be when they are unarming the mines or when they are in fear of the sergeant.
It's a very sad story that I'm sure the Danes are not proud of but I'm so glad it was told with such expertise.
Land of mine is available on Amazon.
9 out of 10
The editing was a bit off making continuity a bit puzzling at times, but apart from that the story would have made a good film, but this missed the mark somehow. 5/10
Also had an extra disc with nearly two hours of extras which is one of the best ‘extras’ discs I have seen.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
I've actually had this film on my planner for a while and have been putting it off for some reason. Maybe a gut feeling that this was going to be lame. I should listen to me gut..
This is the story of Father and son coroners who must perform an immediate autopsy on a "Jane Doe" corpse found in the basement of a home where a family was killed. However, they are attacked by supernatural forces as they examine the extent of her injuries.
If you like your gore in a horror film then you might just like this but its just the gore from the autopsy and there is very little horror to speak of. The story is just silly and it's pretty easy to predict what is going to happen next because it's just so formulaic as a lot of horror movies are.
If it wasn't for Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch , who hold this film together , this would be a total disaster but thankfully they are quite watchable but it's still not enough for me give this any kind of recommendation.
4 out of 10
Utter shite,
"Wind River".
I doubt it will do well at the oscars due to it being tainted by events in the media regarding the producer. However, the story, the actors and acting couldn't be faulted and for that reason its my pick of the year.
Lots of genuine rotten tomatoes and a few disappointments, but overall a good year for film in general.
Blade Runner was probably my blockbuster pick - it was magnificent to see on the big screen.
Thelma was my favourite foreign movie, although I didn't see too many this year.
As for Bright - I thought it was an interesting world that's worth exploring again, but the last act was so generic I was really quite disappointed.
There was only one non-animated, non-sequel/ prequel/ reboot movie in the top 25 worldwide box office - Dunkirk!
At the other end of the scale, Star Wars was dull, and the Emoji movie and Pitch Perfect 3 were unspeakable.
I so have to see Wind River now.