What I’ve already seen :
Fight Club : I’m going to break the first rule of Fight Club…
I was 14 years old when this came out, around the age where you start getting into your own type of music, film, etc. basically getting your own identity. Thought this film was the pinnacle of cool & loved it basically because it was “cool” to like it… rewatched it a few years ago & holy shit, it’s so, so much better than I remember it being. I honestly can’t find a single flaw in this film. Unconventional story & plot, a truly great “HOLY SHIT!” moment that you didn’t see coming & also makes complete sense, AMAZING performances from every single member of the cast, iconic characters, beautifully shot, achingly cool, darkly funny & witty, directing & editing is so tight… it’s just… flawless technically.
By definition for me, it’s a 10 out of 10, but… it’s not absolutely my favourite film of all time so don’t feel like I can give it quite the perfect score. I don’t know why! It’s one of my favourites, but not the favourite.
9.9/10
Saving Private Ryan : I guess for a lot of people this is considered the quintessential film about WWII. The opening is iconic & truly one of the most remarkable set pieces in cinema history in terms of technical execution & how hard it punches the audience in the gut. The film carries on in that vein, moving on from one spectacular set piece to another, all whilst keeping it grounded as you relate to the people fighting, witnessing the horror. There is genuine dread & tension in near every scene, all packing an emotional punch (Marvel take note, this is how you do big action scenes). It didn’t glorify or lie about what the war was like… it often asked “why do we need to pull the trigger” & “why we have the right to take another one’s life”. It’s brutal & chaotic.
9/10
I personally preferred the Spielberg & Hanks produced TV series Band Of Brothers which is somewhat of an unofficial partner to the film, the nature of a TV show meant you really get to know the characters. But you can’t use it as a critiscism to level again against the film at all.
No Country For Old Men : Javier Bardem, what a performance. Great thriller, incredibly tense with foreboding terror, you’re petrified, laughing & wincing often at the same time. Shot by Roger Deakins so obviously it’s absolutely beautiful… confusing as fuck ending though.
8/10
Strong week.
My updated running list of films we’ve done here that I’ve seen so far :
1. Fight Club - 9.9/10
2. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - 9
3. The Prestige - 9
4. Saving Private Ryan - 9
5. Silence Of The Lambs - 8.75
6. Blade Runner - 8.5
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel - 8
8. No Country For Old Men - 8
9. 2001 : A Space Odyssey - 8
10. Coco - 8
11. Gone Girl - 8
12. The Wolf Of Wall Street - 7
13. Avengers : Infinity War - 6
Determined to watch more of the films we’ve missed off so far.