Movies I've Seen At The Pics This Year (2006)

I've been to the pix twice this year. This was the first time; 'Pirates of the Caribbean 2' was the second. At least this wasn't as bad as that. But it was pretty forgettable. And there was a lot of standing around looking soulful, while not much actually happened. And it was too long. But, you know, it was pretty. Just not worth my £6.30.

It sucked. Don't waste £6 the way I did.

After an hour, I really didn't care any more.

It occasionally veered off into what I call 'Farrelly brothers territory', where offensive stops being funny and becomes plain gross, but most of it was bloody funny. I don't think it would stand up to multiple viewings, and it's definitely best seen in a crowded theatre with a gang of slightly inebriated friends -- but it was a good laugh. The best bit is at the rodeo. See it for that alone.

I'll come right out and say it: I didn't want to see this film. I've never cared for James Bond, and I slept right through the last couple of movies. But you know what? I was blown away. It's gripping, it's beautifully made, it's a breath of fresh air into a tired franchise. Ms Green is a megababe, while Mr Craig is quite brilliant. And he's gonna make a bitchin' Lord Asriel.

How did you feel about 'I Heart Huckabees'? You'll probably feel the same about this, only less so. I enjoyed it -- quite quirky and funny, and Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman were brilliant as always. Only the ending was unsatisfactory. In fairness, any ending would probably have been unsatisfactory, but the movie asked the question, 'Is it worth making great sacrifices for great art?' and it did not reach the same conclusion that I would have.

Half brutal depiction of Spain under fascism, half eerie allegorical fairy tale. Spot the nods to 'Alice', Tolkien, and Hammer horror, inter alia, plus scads and scads of Graeco-Roman mytho and classic European fairy tale. Awesome stuff.