Not a slice of life, but a piece of cake

Fight Club continued… #2013romeoandjuliet ...

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:02:48 +1000

Fight Club continued… #2013romeoandjuliet #monashshakespearecompany #romeoandjuliet #parryparty #swords @jimjamc

Film 24 - Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:06:00 +1100

Susan Vance and the Leopard Gang

This was a bizarre film in many ways, but a wonderful one nonetheless. Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant make for a pretty great combo in this screwball comedy. Although I haven’t seen much screwball comedy before I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Being a film from the 30’s, the film lacked any sort of background music, which did make it drag a bit (as with most films from this time). It also seemed to have a very strange, yet surprisingly intricate plot. Basically a story of a woman who bumps into a man on a golf course and immediately falls in love with him, she then drags him to her home to help her with a leopard that has just come into her possession and comedy ensues. Despite this it was hilarious. Katharine Hepburn was her usual witty self, while Cary Grant lacked his usual debonair presentation and instead was a bumbling nerd. It was an enjoyable change. The use of two live leopards in the film makes this one that might not have worked today, but that’s why we love that someone made it then.

Verdict: Hilarious, Hepburn and Grant at their finest

Worthy of the Top 100: Definitely

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Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:53:18 +1100

sas·sy adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est 1. Christoph...

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 10:40:13 +1100

sas·sy
adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est
1. Christoph Waltz

Film 23 - Network (1976)

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:58:00 +1100

“I’m mad as hell!”

What an exceptional film. Clearly this has had a massive influence on writers like Aaron Sorkin, and rightly so. Right from the beginning this story of a network news show was enthralling. Particularly the character of Diana, played by Faye Dunaway. Wow, what a woman! I’m not sure about the historical context of the film exactly, but it seemed to me like Diana was quite a progressive character, as the president of programming at the fictional UBS station. She fucked like a man in the bedroom and the boardroom, and I loved every minute of it. Of course this film was bound to be exceptional with a creative team of Sidney Lumet as director and Paddy Chayefsky as writer. This film definitely deserves to be in the top 100 no questions asked.

Verdict: Exceptional film!

Worthy of the Top 100: Absolutely

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Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:52:13 +1100

25th Day - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 11:00:09 +1100

This brings my 25 days of Christmas to a close. It is a funny and heartwarming film, that is certainly more entertaining than most Christmas Carol films. I mean who can pass up the Muppets, really? Although I only watched this film for the first time in my early teens, it has been a Christmas viewing staple since. It has some great songs, although they are much worse when sung by Michael Caine. If you haven’t seen it, go and watch it now. After all it is Christmas.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Absolutely!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you enjoy one of these films on your holiday! It’s been a blast watching and re-watching them all.

Emily Keene

24th Day - The Grinch (2000)

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:30:21 +1100

I’ll be honest, this movie isn’t great. But it is fun, and it does have its moments. Although it does have a lot of filler story, to flesh out a children’s picture book into a 100 minute film, it still manages to create a story that is entertaining and funny. Jim Carrey does a highly underrated performance, and captures the spirit of the book perfectly. Although it’s soppy and over the top at times, including an awful song (which I always skip) it remains a film that I watch every year, almost without fail. Definitely a must watch for the season.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Yes

23rd Day - Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:05:32 +1100

As far as remakes go, this is a very good one. Although it has a lot of 90’s charm to get through, it still maintains a lot of the spirit of the original film, without just being a complete copy. It brings the story into the modern era, and is definitely a favourite Christmas film for me. Although I prefer the 10,000 letters to Santa ending in the ‘47 version, the In God We Trust ending works as well. Richard Attenborough makes a very convincing Santa Claus and one that I would happily watch again and again. This (or it’s predecessor) is an absolute must at Christmas time.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Yes!

22nd Day - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:59:00 +1100

This is an animated classic, and a great little Christmas tale. Basically an animated version of the Dr Seuss book, it animates the rhymes of Seuss’ story. It’s cute, it’s a bit kitsch and it has a great soundtrack (You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch). Narrated by Boris Karloff it’s a lot of fun, and much more to the point than the 2000 live-action version (which I will be watching later). This is definitely on my list of must-watch movies for Christmas

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Absolutely

21st Day - It's A Wonderful Life (1947)

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:29:41 +1100

This is probably my favourite Christmas movie. Not just because it leaves you with such a wonderful feeling after watching it, but also because it is an exceptional film. I’m yet to see a film where Jimmy Stewart has gone wrong. Even though the actual plot of the film doesn’t really kick in until about 100 minutes in, the story of George Bailey’s life is nothing but enthralling and see his life had he never been born is one of those holiday wake up calls that reminds us of the importance of our family and our friends. 65 years on and this is still a classic. I watch it every year (if not a few times during the year) and it should be on everyones list.

New to Christmas Viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas Lineup? There is no lineup without this film

20th Day - The Polar Express (2004)

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:22:49 +1100

And now as Christmas is right around the corner, we are starting to get into the serious Christmas movies. These are the films that I watch year in, year out without fail. For The Polar Express a lot of people find Tom Hanks animated face to be really creepy. I don’t have an issue, so The Polar Express is a Christmas regular for me. As is often the case, the film hinges on the belief of children in Santa Claus, and its wonderful and whimsical story always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Although motion capture animation has improved immensely since 2004, I still find that this is the perfect medium for this magical story. If anything it is a film that asks its viewers to reconsider their cynicism. And as a hopeful dreamer, that always makes me smile.

New to Christmas Viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Absolutely

19th Day - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:22:21 +1100

This is the only sequel that I will watch this year for Christmas. Sequels to Christmas movies usually aren’t great, but Home Alone 2 continues the charm of its predecessor by setting the same movie in New York. Although its not as good as the first it still manages to produce decent laughs. That being said losing a child at Christmas twice does begin to ask the question, did you learn nothing from last time parents? Regardless it’s still a fun film and I enjoyed watching it.

New to Christmas viewing? I haven’t watched it in about 10 years, but no

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Maybe if it was on tv

18th Day - Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:34:51 +1100

This is a brand new one, and really more of a general holiday film than specifically Christmas. But it does have Santa so I’m gonna let it slide. This was really fun, a story about the Guardians of Children’s joy (Santa, The Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Sandman) it was a really touching story and had really incredible animation. Of particular mention was an exceptional gag between Santa and one of his Yeti’s (here the Yetis make the toys not the elves) which had me laughing all through the film. Here’s a link to the moment itself

http://youtu.be/2f9hfuD9bec

Also Santa was a crazy Russian man with Naughty and Nice tattoeed on his arms. I am all for this interpretation. Definitely a film worth a look and will potentially creep its way into my Christmas lineup next year.

New to Christmas viewing? Yes

Addition to Christmas lineup? Potentially

17th Day - Trading Places (1983)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:00:07 +1100

Okay so the Christmas element of this movie is very small, but it’s such a great movie that I’m going to let it slide, also Dan Ackroyd does dress up as a very drunk Santa and attempt to eat smoked salmon through his beard. How much more Christmassy can you get? This is a movie that any fan of Saturday Night Live and its alumni should see. It has a great premise (literally two people trade places, but its more exciting than just that) and its really funny. I watch it all year, but you can’t beat that drunken Santa at Christmas.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Yes

16th Day - Gremlins (1984)

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 22:14:03 +1100

What a bizarre film. But it is a cult classic and rightfully so. Set at Christmas time (hence its rating as a Christmas film) it is a film about a bunch of idiots who don’t know how to follow rules. And they are punished. Another way of thinking about it is an unfortunate tale of a bunch of Gremlins who go rampant on a small town. It’s poorly written, doesn’t adequately explain things and is crazy 80s, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Absolutely

15th Day - Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 19:22:18 +1100

I usually watch the 1994 version (and I will be watching that closer to Christmas) but it is enjoyable to return to the 40s version and the original. The two films are particularly similar as far as remakes go, in particular the representation of Kris Kringle is almost exactly the same between the two films. That being said, this film has a wonderful premise in the trial of Santa Claus. It’s a wonderful film and certainly one that brings about the Christmas spirit in anyone.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Yes

14th Day - The Santa Clause (1994)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 19:21:10 +1100

I remembered enjoying this but I had doubts because of Tim Allen’s starring role in the film. I pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed this film. I probably haven’t watched it since I was about 10 but obviously child me knew a good Christmas movie when she saw one. Although it has a lot of 90s charm, it still works as a modern Christmas film. Although it hasn’t been in my Christmas lineup in recent years I may add it in now.

New to Christmas Viewing? Kind of

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? I think so

13th Day - Love Actually

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:39:36 +1100

This movie somehow manages to take a series of individual love stories, connect them all together and still has the audience feeling for each individual story. It’s very well done, and a favourite film of mine, as well as a great Christmas movie. Described as a Christmas themed romantic comedy, I would say this adequately sums up the film. It is a romantic comedy that can be watched all year, but it is especially great at this time of year because it combines both some poignant love stories with Christmas spirit. This is definitely one of the better romantic comedy’s about.

New to Christmas viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas Lineup? Yes

12th Day - Die Hard (1988)

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:16:14 +1100

This epic film is great to watch all year. The fact that it is set at Christmas makes it especially awesome viewing around the holiday season. John McClane is one of the most badass Christmas heroes ever. If you’re a bit sick of the happy, overly cheerful and jolly Christmas film (I’m not yet, but this is still a welcome change) then watch Die Hard. You will not be disappointed. Die Hard 2 is also set at Christmas. Make it a marathon

New to Christmas Viewing? No

Continue to be in Christmas lineup? Yes