The end

So, that’s a year’s worth of interesting films to watch. Most we are sure you will have heard of but some, hopefully, you will not.

The idea was to remind you of these films, what they are about briefly, and perhaps suggest you watch them again, with a fresh eye. It’s very easy to see that, say, “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” is on tv again, yet again, and to dismiss it, even though you have not seen it for twenty years.

As we look back on our list, one thing jumps out: that nearly all these films are best seen on the big screen. The really big screen. No matter how big your tv may be, no matter how great the Dolby Atmos setup you have, nothing beats going to the cinema.

Sadly, seeing an actual film is getting harder. Digital filming offers many advantages, but there’s something just not quite right about it. It’s like comparing the cd of some music with a vinyl version. Some quality is just lost.

And a few more…

There are so many films we could have included but didn’t. Here are a few honourable mentions:

“Watchmen”

We have said many times that we don’t like superhero movies, and we don’t. But this film is somewhat different.

Yes, it’s long, which is a part of the appeal. You can get very engrossed in it and feel satisfied at the end. It does a good job of creating a different reality. Nixon is still USA president. Wars continue. The Watchmen are not trusted and out of a job.

It’s like an adult version of “The Incredibles”.

“Movie 43”

We finish our list of movies, and celebrate Xmas, not with the greatest film ever made, but possibly the worst, “Movie 43”. This is a film to see and wonder why so much ‘talent’ got involved.

This 2013 film is a compendium of many ‘funny’ and gross scenes of different types, with different directors.

Stars include, Hugh Jackman, Chloe Grace Moretz, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet…

There are different versions for different countries.

Here’s just one part summary: Beth goes on a blind date with Davis, the city’s most eligible bachelor. When they arrive at a restaurant, Beth is shocked when he removes his scarf, revealing a pair of testicles dangling from his neck.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet, of all people.

This film made a huge profit. Watch it and ask yourself why…

“Gravity”

It’s hard to believe that “Gravity” is coming round to its tenth anniversary, but it is.

Yes, it’s another science fiction film, kind of. It’s certainly a thriller set in space.

Sandra Bullock plays a scientist (Dr Stone) taken into Earth orbit to perform work on a satellite. Unfortunately, the craft she has travelled in gets hit by space debris and she has to find a way home.

The only other person who physically appears in the film is George Clooney, and, not wishing to spoil anything, it’s fair to say he is only in the early bits. Basically, it’s a one woman show.

We saw this at the local IMAX in 3D and it was stunning. Even on bluray it looks good, but obviously, as we often say, this is a big screen experience.

Sandra B has made some terrible films, and some great ones. She seems up for most things, as does George C. Here she is great, and clearly had plenty to endure in the making of the film.

The use of cgi and the methods used to make the film are quite boggling. There is great attention to detail and accuracy, though there are some errors. Buy hey, it’s a film.

The ending is a bit ambiguous. We’re not going to spoil it here, just to say, you can debate it.

Our only problem with the film is the substory about Dr Stone’s lost (ie dead) daughter, which really did not add to the story and was a bit soap-opera-ish. There’s a bit of a religious theme going on too, which is a bit heavy-handed in places.

Other films for your consideration XII

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is John Hughes’ 1986 ode to Chicago. Ferris and his chums Cameron and Sloane skip off school for a day to enjoy Chicago. If you’ve ever been to Chicago, you will know why.

The day out includes a visit to America’s best art gallery, the Art Institute.

Matthew Broderick as Ferris breaks the fourth wall throughout, even at the end. There’s a line of thought that Ferris does not really exist, he’s just Cameron’s imagination.

Philip Kaufman’s “The Right Stuff” (1983) takes the Tom Wolfe book and makes a good effort at showing the beginning of the USA manned space missions.

There’s a tremendous cast, wonderful music and it’s reasonably accurate, though there are some major flaws. The only criticism is the over-emphasis on Chuck Yeager and his achievements.

The original “Blade Runner” from 1982 was not a great success when it came out, but has become a classic. It has been revisited by director Ridley Scott on many occasions and there are multiple versions available.

The music by Vangelis is superb. Harrison Ford is OK as Decker but many of the supporting cast are excellent, including Rutger Hauer, William Sanderson and Edward James Olmos.

Just avoid the sequel from 2019.