Over on Twitter, I run an account that gives movie reviews in twenty words or less. In a fast and moving world, attention spans can be short, especially on social media. I challenged myself to strip away the excess fat from reviews and post my succinct thoughts that get to the heart of how I feel. New releases, old classics, first-time viewings, and tenth time rewatches.
See below for a round-up of last month’s content.
Jules and Jim – New wave story of love and friendship where odd romantic decisions left me completely unengaged. A product of it’s time.
Good Vibrations – A wonderful portrait of how punk rock helped build bridges during the troubles. Inspiring storytelling that warms the soul.
Mesrine: Killer Instinct – Based on the true story of a terrific criminal and despicable person. Shoot-outs, robberies and breakouts galore. Riveting entertainment.
The Legend of the Drunken Master – The perfect blend of action and comedy. Exhilarating and inventive set pieces, one of Jackie Chan’s very best.
The Shining – With Nicholson’s performance, the haunting sound effects and stunning direction, it doesn’t get much better in terms of psychological horror.
Crawl – A good lead performance but lacks any real tension or scares. At only 87 minutes, it still feels too long.
Yojimbo – Manages to feel intimate and epic all at once. Full of suspense, action and intrigue, an influential masterpiece from Kurosawa.
Ringu (Ring) – Bone-chilling scares that stand the test of time. The dark and brooding atmosphere make it infinitely preferable to the remake.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping – The quiet sniggers are complimented with plenty of belly laughs. Short, snappy and the best mockumentary in a long time.
Django Unchained – A near perfect opening 2 hours, followed by an infuriatingly pointless final act. Regardless, some classic scenes and Tarantino dialogue.
Short Term 12 – Grim subject matter but maintains an air of optimism throughout. Fantastic performances all round, spearheaded by a brilliant Brie Larson.
Dallas Buyers Club – What could have been an average movie isn’t, simply because Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto really make you care.
Have you seen any of these films and if so, what are your thoughts?
