2019 In Film [Part 1]

No point in going month by month this year. I've got busy and my sleep schedule had changed so I have less time in the evenings but I still want to log the films I have watched. I will do a new post after 20 films or so.

01. Capitan Marvel [cinema] (13/03/19)
Marvels answer to Superman, a hero with strong powers but unlike Superman one that has a rounded character. Such a cool film, a few issues here and there but very fun. I love the direction they are going. Not long now until Endgame.

02. Avengers Infinity War (16.03.19)

The trailer for Endgame made me want to watch this again. Thantos is a fantastic villain and his henchmen are great too. Such a great film, so many great moments that all add up to a greater whole.

03. Paprika (20.03.19)

Always something new to pick up on. The subtle references to how the two machines were stolen in the first place weren't clear to me until this time trough. Perhaps I need to track down a different translation but I think it is very initial that things are left obtuse. I love the blocking and character movements, this like his other films are a love letter to film. So much more to dive into, i'll have to re read my old post on this film and see what has changed. A classic.

04. Atomic Blonde (23.03.19)

Been meaning to watch this one for a while. Very good if a bit too over the top in places. The plot is kind of all over the place but it is meant to keep you guessing. A few good twists but not quite enough there to work fully. Still it is a good bit of action.

05. Spirited Away (30/03.19)

Then this happens, then this, then that, and then, then… No plot as such just a fine story. It has some magical moments and the whole thing is just delightful. 

06. Containment [short] (31.03.19)

An official fan film to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Alien. The only things that give it away as a fan production is the script and acting. Other than that its kind of cool.

 

07. Spring [short] (06.04.19)

The photo realistic landscapes are something to behold. Blender animation studio have created a beautiful little film. The direction and story are both solid as is the music. It is the animation quality that sets it apart. Very cool little film.

08. John Wick (21.04.19)

Such a good film. It is smart in its set up and the extended payback is so damn good. All the motivations work and surprisingly for a film of this type the is a fair bit of world building. Looking forward to the third film.

09. John Wick Chapter 2 (22.04.19)

The world got bigger but the driving force is still grounded. It all keeps coming back to decisions made and not just the ones you have control over. Really can’t wait for the next one.

10. Avengers Endgame [Cinima] (26.04.19)

How can they hit every home run so well? It works and it takes 11 years of films and tops it off with a nice bow. Some great moments brought together by a well worked plot. I even love how they handled Thanos, he had his victory and they didn’t take it from him but they did get their win. Marvel built something great with this franchise and the is nothing quite like it.

11. The End of Evangelion (27.04.19)

The film to finish of the 26 part anime series from 1995 ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’. It runs along the very divisive and bizarre final two episodes. The end of the world on a timetable made by man but with no consensus on how exactly the end should come. (also not an end but a new begging) The film and series both focus on mental well being and the struggle for life. Made as a response to Japanese social fears in the generations following world war two and some other events it looks deep and very abstractly into fears of death and the painful choice, or worse not choosing. So much can and has be said about every little detail and the macro aspects of this story. And its not even done.

12. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (28.04.19)

I’m not sure how they fit so much in. Then the is the style and animation quality... One of the best comic book films ever made.

13. Avengers Endgame [Cinema] (01.05.19)

I saw it again.

14. The Raid Redemption (06.05.19)

Though the plot is largely superfluous to the film but it has a few issues, mainly character motivations. It may have been clearer if I didn’t have to pay attention to the subtitles. Solid action boarding on brilliant at times. Solid film.

15. Glass (10.05.19)

The third in a bizarre set of films. M Night is known for his twists and the few he managed to put in this one were great. Give a lot to tink about. Some doggy shot choice but other than that a competent film if noting visually special. A nice way to make the story work.

16. The Raid 2 (15.05.19)

A bit of a different beast this one. Keeps a lot of what made the first one so good but kills the personal element early on. Family is always more interesting than gangster politics. Fantastic action, a bit over the top but it makes it a art form.

17. Thor Ragnarok (20.05.19)

Such good fun, but with moments of depth. The soundtrack goes many places and is great. Not a dull moment.

18. Out of Sight [short] (22.05.19)

Well that was a bit special. I love how the world fills in bit by bit, with every sense adding its own little detail. I caught the drift fairly quickly but its cool how it doesn't draw attention to the issue.

19. The Matrix (24.05.19)
Its odd what you notice on additional viewings, Agent Smith has a gold lined suit. Not sure it has much thematic relevance but in a film like this that has so much though put into it (even if the themes aren’t that deep and very of its time) it could mean something. Still a great film even after 20 years. I wonder if the other two hold up?
 

20. Jason Bourne (25.05.19)

Oh boy. The thing is it is almost great, but they lose a few things that make Bourne great. The are some dumb tech moments and stupid duologue but it is the loss of the tone and settings that effect the film most. It doesn't work when it is in the US and when it tries to be flashy. This isn’t Bond it should be what Bond can’t be. But the ending kills the rest of the film. I could go in-depth but I don’t want to work myself up.

21. The Lego Movie 2 The Second Part (05.06.19)

Up there with the first one. It takes the heart of the original and adds to it, less of a mystery but the pace is fast and the are some very cool moments. 

Tbc...

The Long Path Continues Into 2019

This must have been the longest year to have lasted as long as a year.

All things come to an end, apart from the ones that don't. I am ever-increasing given to the position that the construct of years is far too heavy given credence over our lives. (side note: what dose it say about me that my life is a path not a road?)

Like birthdays I find it to be tedious and rather dull. Life is far too complex to break down in equal chunks. My life has had many parts but not near as many as years I have been alive. I live by eras and I like the one I am in, one that I could say started this year but then it isn't also a clean line.

No looking back this year, only forward. Leaving behind me a wake of unwritten posts and other things that will be better for my life to be left behind me. The impact of the past on your life is massive but the past that you will make next will be greater if you focus on it.

I've not even had a drink yet and I'm being very abstract. I am finding the list of talking points I made for this post to be a mental wall, I think I will go back to having these posts as places to let free my wondering mind and clear up my head space.

Here's to the future. And here's to living in it.

One Christmas Song - I Believe In Father Christmas

Track 9 - Works Volume 2

Greg Lake

One of my favourite “popular” Christmas songs. Though it is not a Christmas song. Perhaps?

 

Death of the author is a cool concept. Art is what people see or hear it to be, so if the public at large believes this is a Christmas song who am I to argue? Well part of said public I suppose.

They said there'll be snow at christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth

But instead it just kept on raining

A veil of tears for the virgin's birth

I remember one christmas morning

A winters light and a distant choir

And the peal of a bell and that christmas tree smell

And their eyes full of tinsel and fire

A look at Christmas from the eyes of someone out of the loop as such. Taking all that we have come to accept as the perfect Christmas at heart and being disappointed by the reality. Also it is a lament on the lost meaning of Christmas, and at the magic that doesn't exist.

It even goes deep into the outsider view and the are some very cute misunderstandings. It also shatters innocence, seeing who is acting as Santa. It is all wrapped around a hopeful facade of Christmas cheer and traditions.

They sold me a dream of christmas

They sold me a silent night

And they told me a fairy story

'till I believed in the israelite

And I believed in father christmas

And I looked at the sky with excited eyes

'till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn

And I saw him and through his disguise

It ends on a brighter note, wishing us a happy Christmas, but it has a sting in its tail. What Christmas do we deserve? Dose it even matter what kind of Christmas you celebrate?

The musical crescendo near the end and the power in the vocals makes me shiver, it is one of the few songs to have a physical impact on me. His voice is fantastic and the performance is alive and emotive, you feel his sadness and hope.

I wish you a hopeful christmas

I wish you a brave new year

All anguish pain and sadness

Leave your heart and let your road be clear

They said there'll be snow at christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth

Hallelujah noel be it heaven or hell

The christmas you get you deserve

I love this song and I love that it is a Christmas song.

2018's Film List [December]

INDEX

01. Flatline - How the Amiga Languished (09.12.18)
Another great documentory by Ahoy. Classy and very well put togther it tells the stroy of the creation and life of the Amiga computer.

02. Unforeseen Consequences - A Half-Life Documentary (15.12.18)
One of the best games ever made. I played it for the first time around 2002 and even then it was what cemented my love of FPS. This is another gret doc by NoClip that lookis into how the game and its sequel forever changed the landscape of gameing.

03. The Nightmare Before Christmas (19.12.18)
Didn't know Jack was voiced by Danny Elfman. My first time seeing this all the way through, it is famous for it's introduction song and it is class. A good film very well put together though the could have been more to the story.

04. Avangers Infinity War (21.12.18)
I have already made up my mind, this is my favorite film of the year.

05. Star Wars The Force Awakens (25.12.18)
Nothing good on TV tonight, needed something to enjoy as I relaxed.

06. Guardians of the Galaxy (26.12.18)
This film has a lot of heart. Fun and moving with some very very cool moments.

07. Mission Impossible - Fallout (30.12.18)
It's got ist head too far up its own continiuity. A good film if very predictible. Good action but I think it was plotted using dart board... in the dark... with a shotgun.

08. Ant-Man and the Wasp (31.12.18)
Such a fun film. A few strange edits that feel like they were for time but on the whole it works well. The use of the powers was good and the villian was strong but not thin.

So that is it for another year. Started strong but the last few months were very slow.

Best? Has to be a tie between two films I haven stopped thinking about since I watched them.

Avengers Infinty War - and - Annihilation

2018's Film List [November]

INDEX



01. They Shall Not Grow Old (12.11.18)
Aw we who are left grow old... On a pure technolical level this documentry is great. The direction and editing are what makes it a spectical. This is the kind of feilm we need, one that shows as much as it can. Required watching.

02. Neila [short] (30.11.18)
It both tries too hard and also dosent earn what is it aiming for. Good little film but it needed more breathing space.


Oh boy what happend this month? I shold get a bit more time in December.

Broken for Now

It has been a troubling few months. It’s been hard work all around. Even though It is coming up to a very busy time of year, I feel like I'm good to go.

 Surrounded by Ghosts

Do first off my knee. It still looks ugly and red, but the is no pain and seems like it will slowly end up as a ugly scar. It took far too long to heal up and the was a small fear of infection but a week later it was on track.

From my knee to my mouth. I kind of knocked out a tooth. Upper front as well, I banged my head (a far too common occurrence of late) and it cracked and came out a day later. The roots are still in as well. The dentist made expensive sounding noises when he looked in my mouth. So I have five appointments coming up and will need a few teeth out. That is not going to be fun, or cheep.

Ouch!

I have finally decide to give John Scalzi a go. He is a Sifi author and I have jumped into his first book. 'Old Man’s War' is was good I feel like it could have dome more with the premise but it is a solid space marine story. I've just about done with the sequel as well.

The style is good and had given me a push into getting back into writing myself. I have decided to give NaNoWriMo a shot this year. I have three ideas of different sizes to focus on and I will keep a daily word count. It should be a good bit of fun. I just ned to find time to give it a go.

Light Drawings

I had a crazy evening a few weeks back, I had two days notice that a choir wanted their concert recording. I didn't have access to all my kit and no time for a good set up but I somehow pulled it off. The edit was a pain having four cameras running at different times. It came out well enough. It could be better but everyone is happy with it.

I even have been asked to do two more recoding for the church in December. They should be a fair bit less stressful. I think I know how I want to do it, though I will need to borrow my brothers camera as well.

The Edit

The was plenty more I wanted to say but this blog has been in the works for weeks so things have fallen away. Oh and here are some photos of fireworks from last weekend.

2018's Film List [October]

INDEX!

01. James Bond Thunderball (12.10.18)
Where to start? It feels like they shot both too much footage and not enough. Very disjointed with a solid start that fall apart when they have far too much going on. Or the try to have lots going on. Still fun bit it is a bad film.

02. Escape [short] (22.10.18)
Stephen Fry voices a AI in a warning about the possible future.

03. The Floorwalker (27.10.18)
An early Charlie Chaplin film. No captions with explanations in this one but the acting is good enough to show the story.

04. The Life of Brian (28.10.18)
This film trucks along. Such a good and clever film. I think only those who don't know enough history could be offended by it (or people who haven't seen it).

05. Pipe Dream [short] (29.10.18)
A blast from the past, this was the internet for me back in the early 2000's. Love the lighting and camera moves. Oh and it goes without saying the music is great.

06. Bohemian Rhapsody [cinema] (30.10.18)
"You will remember When this is blown over And everything's all by the way
When I grow older I will be there at your side to remind you how I still love you, I still love you."

Best: Bohemian Rhapsody.