Over the week there I've watched -
Jaws (first viewing, sort of) - I'm saying sort of because it's the first time I've actually sat down and watched it from start to finish. Caught parts of it on TV loads of times and when added up I'm sure I had seen all of it.
Anyway onto the film. While I perhaps don't love it quite as much as others on here it is a very good film, mixing action and suspense wonderfully. The performances of the three main actors are all excellent as well, especially when they are actually out on the boat and begin to bond against the threat of death that surrongs them.
The first half is decent but it's when they get out on the boat and it turns into a three hander that it really goes up a few levels in terms of quality and excitement. And from the moment they realise that the shark is actually hunting them it is a wonderful edge of the seat ride through to the end.
One of the biggest blockbusters of all time gets an
8.75/10
La Antena (first viewing) - Wow this Argentine film has to be one of the oddest films I've ever seen. In fact if I had just guessed at the plot beforehand I could probably have come up with a better summary than I can after seeing it.
To look at the film is quite stunning. As a mostly silent film great importance is given to the striking black and white images and the many graphic tricks it has up its sleeve. It's main inspiration clearly seems to be Metropolis, perhaps with an added little bit of Tim Burton-esque quirkiness.
The plot isn't anything special but then that's not what this film is about and won't be the reason for anyone seeing it.
I'm not actually sure what rating to give this film it's got me so baffled. I would switch every few minutes between finding it pretentious and annoying to then just being brainwashed by the striking imagery.
So for now I'm actually going to leave it unrated as I really don't know what to award it. Empire awarded it 5 stars, The Independent 1 star. And I can totally understand both of those views
Little Big Man (first viewing)
- This is a very curious film, like no Western I've ever seen before.
It reminded me of films like Forrest Gump and North in that it tells the tale of one man's incredible and fantastical life, a film where you feel it may be revealed at any time to be a fantasy or fable. It's a very sad and touching movie at times but is also wildly funny
The film's great strength without doubt is Dustin Hoffman's wonderful performance, charting the character's life from a teen through to old age.
All in all this is a film I can definitely see myself revisiting frequently. It's a very engrossing and moving film.
9/10
Oh and thanks go to mark f for making me aware of this film by championing it on his 100 films list