Cruel Intentions (1999) - Roger Kumble

Following on from Dangerous Liaisons (1988) - Stephen Frears last week, this film has exactly the same plot, for they are both based on the same book. Some of the characters have had their names changed, and yes, it's a different setting and age, but other than that, there aren't too may notable differences. I enjoyed Cruel Intentions slightly more, only for the reason that it's simpler to follow, being more modern, and who can deny Sarah Michelle Gellar is lovelily set against type as a bad bitch from hell, with a body to die for. Wow.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Thelma and Louise (1991) - Ridley Scott

No idea that this was Ridley Scott, until I watched it. All I know of the film is what I've seen in an episode of The Simpsons and obviously the iconic last scene. It's weird to watch a film when you know how it ends, yet still enjoyable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Midnight Cowboy (1969) - John Schlesinger

A classic film, the only X rated one to win an Oscar; that is it's legend, but it should be known for more than that. Dustin Hoffman shines and steals the show, but John Voight is brilliant as well, and the chemistry between the two is excellent.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rush (2013) - Ron Howard

This film was possibly the best for a while. Chris Hemsworth was believable, but Daniel Brühl makes this film what it it, as the rat faced Niki Lauda. Not a likeable guy, but surely the epitome of human effort and thoughtfulness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clerks II (2006) - Kevin Smith

All this has is dialogue. The most important part of this script is the dialogue, the laughs, and the jokes. That is all there is to it. Randall is the best.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Labyrinth (1986) - Jim Henson

The creator of the Muppets directing a film? Who even knew? Not me, that's for sure. I can't believe it took me this long to watch it. From the first scene, I knew this was no Muppets movie. It incited fear and humour, without aiming at too young an age. David Bowie was cheesy, yes, but the cheesiness makes the film what it is. Well, that and the cast of different characters that don't ever seem to stale, no matter how many similarities (in looks) they have to the Muppets. A couple of the songs drag on a bit, but it worked as a tool for Bowie, even garnering him a number 1 spot in the album chart over here in Britain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dangerous Liaisons (1988) - Stephen Frears

Another lesson. Another movie. I never realised what an amazing actor John Malkovich was until this movie. A classic tale of sex, love and betrayal. So much sex. The original novel was written in the 1700s, so I do wonder how much of the sex was just inferred.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Desperado (1995) - Robert Rodriguez

With every Rodriguez film I watch, I wonder why he's not seen as famous as Tarantino, or the other big league directors. This film is brilliant. Antonio Banderas is famous for more than just Puss in Boots, and Salma Hayek: wow, what a sizzler. Phew.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wassup Rockers (2005) - Larry Clark

Some of the scenes were elongated, and it seems the film didn't know what it was supposed to be in some places: comedy, mixed with drama, in a sometimes surreal way. Either that, or I was just not concentrating properly when I was watching it. Who even knows?
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
PS I know too many people who are the kids in this movie.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - Fran Rubel Kuzui

I don't see why everyone dislikes this movie. It's not so bad. Cheesy, yes. Not as good as the TV show, of course, but let's be honest, it was never going to be. And whether it is canon or not (it's not), it's the humble beginnings of what is one of the greatest cult shows of all time. Classic.
Must be watched, even if it's just for the Ben Affleck spotting and also a host of different faces that went on to be big: namely, Hilary Swank, David Arquette and everyone's back of the head: Seth Green.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Master (2012) - Paul Thomas Anderson

This reminded me of Scientology's origins, mixed in with a Manson-esque Family vibe, particularly with all the naked dancing and Amy Adams wanking Philip Seymour Hoffman off, only to call him Dad immediately after. It was an OK film. I don't think it deserves all the hype it's been getting; I found it difficult to pay much attention to it, and it dragged on a little.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Only God Forgives (2013) - Nicholas Winding Refn

I really think I need to sleep on this one, but I also want to write this whilst it's fresh in my mind. I finally got around to seeing it, when Cineworld decided to do a special one off showing, thank God. I think this may be an important movie in the future, and I'm glad I've seen it on the big screen.
I am torn between two minds. Firstly, the thing that stands out about this film is the perfectionism and symmetry that occurs in every shot, and I can say, "Every" without generalising. 100 per cent of shots are perfectly made with Stanley Kubrick's rules of symmetry in mind. Refn has done this expertly well, but it is noticeable within the film. However, with the thought that has gone in to all of these shots comes the negative aspects of the film: has too much concentration been put upon what is seen rather than what is happening?
The story lacks a strong narrative. I'm all for keeping a bit of mystery around lead characters, but when a viewer comes away from a film without any kind of answer or even any particular message, googling must be done, and that is a no-no. It's this aspect of the film that makes me wonder if Refn is just fuelling his own ego, by trying to make something as slow paced as Drive (2011), but even edgier. It is slow-paced, sure, but that again is its downfall.
The narrative could be told completely differently, and in twenty minutes or less, and I don't think that it would skimp on the action. Again, like Drive, this film has brilliant, memorable scenes (and shots), but the rest of the in-between is just fodder.
Another point I have to pick up on is the Ryan Gosling top billing. It is in no way, shape or form his film. To me, his character and the sort-of-but-not-quite-explored-B-plot of his erectile dysfunction (or so it seemed to me) was sidelined to the real story of parents and their children, both through his relationship (in every sense of the word) with his mother (played by Kristin Scott Thomas), and between the under-acknowledged Vithaya Pansringarm and his child.
I cannot rate this film, just yet, as I still cannot make head nor tail of it, which means to me anyway, that Refn was at least a little successful in cementing it in my mind for further pondering. MUST REWATCH.

One Direction: This Is Us (2013) - Morgan Spurlock

Why is Zayn Malik the hated one of One Direction? The others seemed to dislike him immensely. He swore, as well! Nothing I wasn't expecting from a film about the world's most famous boyband. It wasn't a great film (obviously), but it was enjoyable and worth a watch when it was free.
Morgan Spurlock summed it up in a magazine article where he said something comparing the way some men see sports to the way One Direction's fans see them. And guess what? It's the same.

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Raging Bull (1980) - Martin Scorsese

This is the finest boxing film I have ever had the good fortune of watching, ever. Joe Pesci: perfect! Robert De Niro: fantastic! All the fight scenes in the ring look fake as anything, but the one between the two LaMotta brothers is really realistic; is this on purpose? I think yes: it's Scorsese's way of showing that this is the one that matters. The bouts are done with no ulterior motive other than selfish. The fights between two brothers is unplanned, and therefore the most important.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We're the Millers (2013) - Rawson Marshall Thurber

Yes. I've seen it again. I just couldn't resist watching Jennifer Aniston's striptease again. Nah, actually, I was guilt tripped into seeing it again. The second time wasn't as good, obviously, but I still laughed at a couple of the jokes.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Magnificent Seven (1960) - John Sturges

This film is a classic, but it didn't entertain me in the slightest. I couldn't concentrate and genuinely though it was boring. It is not deserving of its 7.8 rating on IMDb sadly. It was a disappointment.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

We're The Millers (2013) - Rawson Marshall Thurber

Hello Jennifer Aniston as a stripper. How long I have waited for that little bit of storyline amazement. Anyway, to the film... not an ideal first date film, but hey-ho, as long as it makes me laugh, it's a good film from me. Jennifer Aniston steals much of Jason Sudeikis' limelight, but the real star of the show is the new kid on the block: Will Poulter, who plays Kenny. The kid has done well to come from School of Comedy on Channel 4 to be a familiar face in Hollywood movies. Emma Roberts seemed unnecessary and her character background was never fully explained properly, but what the heck. It was a good laugh and well worth the ticket price. Well in.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) - Paris Barclay

Well, how the mighty retain their might. Kings of taking-the-piss comedy Shawn and Marlon Wayans' first outing is everything you'd expect. Not as finely tuned as Scary Movie (2000) - Keenen Ivory Wayans, but still a worthy asset to their CVs. It's exactly what you'd expect from one of their films: a few laughs, not much plot that makes sense.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Goodfellas (1990) - Martin Scorsese

Everyone's favourite Ray Liotta film. Even if it is Ray Liotta's film, Joe Pesci steals the show as the lovable psychopath Tommy 'How'm I funny?' DeVito, even bagging him an Oscar for his work. Purely a brilliant film, and the ending is superb; it really makes you question how you feel about the protagonist, who Ray Liotta does play down to a tee. Scorsese has done it again.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★