First Half Of 2011 Film Round-Up
Posted 4th July 2011
Category: Film Genres: N/A
2 Comments
For several years now I’ve been keeping a list of films I see for the first time per year (since about 2006, which I realised meant I’ve been doing it for a while now, where are the years going?) Basically it’s what I do for books only a less detailed list, and only in the past two years have I sectioned by month and added notes of the film’s release date, country, and if I saw it at the cinema. But excepting a short-lived usage on my personal blog I’ve never made use of the information for anything other than a check every now and then to find out if I’ve watched a film.
I found this sad and thought it might be good to create a round-up here in a similar way as I do for books, only make it a less frequent occurrence because, well films aren’t books and this is a book blog. But I digress.
You know the drill here, short summary followed by summed up opinion. Here are the films I have watched so far this year for which it was my first time watching them.
The Break-Up (USA, 2006) – A couple find issues in their relationship. Not the comedy it’s billed to be, but not bad.
Elizabeth (UK, 1998) – The story of the first years of Elizabeth I’s reign. May not be totally historically correct but it provides the general gist of things and has a strong cast of actors.
How To Lose Friends And Alienate People (UK/USA, 2008) – A non-conforming journalist from Britain takes a job in the States and has to work out a balance between himself and those around him. Maybe not Pegg’s best, but it’s a good contribution to his list.
The King’s Speech (UK, 2011) – The story of George V’s struggle and triumph over his stammering. It is based pretty much solely on the way the King learned to overcome his stammer so there isn’t much social history present, thus it has the potential to be boring if you are expecting an epic. If not, however, you’ll find it fantastic.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life (USA, 2003) – Finding Pandora’s Box. Girl power. If you liked the first, you’ll like this.
License To Wed (USA, 2007) – A couple wanting to get married turn to a clergyman who rules out any more sex before marriage and gives them a speed-pre-wedding course. Funny.
Run Fatboy Run (UK, 2007) – A man who ran away from marrying his girlfriend trains for a marathon in the hope of winning her back. Solid Pegg product and a great example of British film.
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (USA, 2009) – The enemy is back, as always. Action-packed and not just for kids.
Two Weeks Notice (USA, 2002) – Given a job by a millionaire, lawyer Lucy quickly gets sick of doing everything for him, and will be leaving shortly. Hugh Grant plays the same character he always has, Sandra Bullock plays similarly, but the film is a good one.
Unstoppable (USA, 2010) – There’s a running train on the loose and it’s only a matter of time before it hits a major city. Two workers saving the day is a must. Face-paced with an uncomplicated plot, it’s alright but is ultimately one you can miss.
I can’t say I regret spending time on any of these films, although they weren’t all brilliant, each gave me something to take away.
However for a lover of foreign film (mainly Hindi and Chinese) this list is atrocious and in reading it – I completed the country information today – I see that I need to get back to the cinema I prefer, while still watching English language films.
I apologise for the lack-lustre opinion summary in this post, films being shorter than most books I found it hard to remember all of my feelings, but you’ve got the basics.
Let me know if you like this idea of my posting round-ups for films.
July 5, 2011, 10:52 pm
I found Unstoppable pretty “blah.” Especially as it seemed very similar to that other Denzel Washington train movie, Pelham 123. I know they weren’t actually that similar, but he should branch out some more!
Charlie: Type-casting still wins the day, it’s understandable but yes, there needs to be more branching out. I can’t say I’ve seen Pelham 123 but if you say it’s similar it may be something to recommend to the person I saw Unstoppable with (they loved it).
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July 4, 2011, 6:44 pm
I think it’s a good idea. I don’t watch a lot of films so maybe your round-ups will help me find some that I’d like to see!