Twitter Film Reviews (January 2014)

The year has started off pretty well movie wise. I made four trips to the cinema where I caught up on the final big releases of 2013. Apart from that I watched many of the movies I purchased over the post-Christmas sales and celebrated Australia Day by watching a few Aussie classics. Please enjoy my first month’s worth of Twitter reviews for 2014.

BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (1973) Enjoyed it a lot more than previous viewings despite it's flaws. The ending is just perfect. 3/5 [January 1st]

PATRIOT GAMES (1992) Solid action drama with an interesting and suspenseful plot. It made me paranoid about Irish people. 4/5 [January 2^nd] 

THE RAILWAY MAN (2013) An extraordinary powerful film about reconciliation. I was completely overwhelmed; a remarkable achievement. 4.5/5 [January 2^nd]

CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994) Requires some patience with the political plot but a sold action film with strong performances. 3.5/5 [January 4^th] 

SPLASH (1984) By no means a bad film, it's well made but not one a story held my interest; although there are many funny moments. 3/5 [January 5th]

THE SIEGE (1998) An intense drama about terrorism and it's effects in a major city. It's a frightening foreshadowing of 9/11. 3.5/5 [January 7th]

OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN (1983) A much underrated horror film where home invasion turns into an interspecies duel. Love Peter Weller's oddness. 4/5 [January 8th]

THE LAST STARFIGHTER (1984) Stunned by the amount of computer animation, the whole film looks like a video game, lots of fun! 4/5 [January 9th]

SAVING MR. BANKS (2013) Probably not as accurate as the real events but an overall feel good film; a delightful story. 4/5 [January 10^th]

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT (1993) Very typical biopic but a powerful one; great music and a strong performance from Angela Bassett. 4/5 [January 11^th]

DEAD & BURIED (1981) Terrific spook-fest with the eeriest atmosphere. It's good old fashion horror with clever plot twists. 4/5 [January 13^th]

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM (1987) Not just a showcase of Robin Williams' talent; it's equally funny and dramatic and the story is meaningful. 4/5 [January 14^th]

AMERICAN MOVIE (1999) Mark Borchardt is a film-maker's poet. He has issues but his passion is true; an inspiring yet sad story. 4.5/5 [January 16th]   

COVEN (1997) Haunting cinematography but overall less than average. There's not plot and the acting is hilarious. 2/5 [January 18^th]

NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE (1979) It looks and feels cheap yet it has a dream like quality. Klaus Kinski is the saving grace, creepy. 3/5 [January 19^th]

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (2009) The uninteresting plot failed to hold my attention at times. Not as good as the previous film. 3/5 [January 19^th]

ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) It changed martial arts cinema forever. The grand showcase of Bruce Lee's still and technique; it's iconic. 4/5 [January 20^th]

THE CURSE OF THE DRAGON (1993) An old but informative documentary on one of the most influential people of the 20th century; amazing! 4.5/5 [January 21st]

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013) Three hours of drug fuelled mayhem that's so funny it feels wrong but who FUCKING CARES! 4.5/5 [January 24th]

MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981) The anti-hero of post-apocalyptic Australia; a nightmarish vision of the future. Great action! 5/5 [January 26^th]

MALCOLM (1986) The forgotten gem amongst Aussie films; a feel-good crime comedy about unlikely friendship. Colin Friels is wonderful! 5/5 [January 26^th]

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (1975) Peter Weir's masterpiece; a haunting mystery that feels as though you have step into a dream like realm. 5/5 [January 26^th]

A TIME TO KILL (1996) It's a solid confronting drama that looks at a very ugly side of society, raising a few moral questions; top cast! 4/5 [January 29^th]

DON'S PARTY (1976) Funny and very Australian, also a characterization of middle class society in a very drunken state; great writing. 4/5 [January 30^th]

12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013) An amazing story but in no way good. Brilliantly acted with powerful language and dialogue. Beautifully shot! 4.5/5 [January 30th]

Top Ten Picks

1. The Railway Man (2013)
2. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
3. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
4. American Movie (1999)
5. Of Unknown Origin (1983)
6. Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
7. What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
8. Don's Party (1976)
9. A Time to Kill (1996)
10. The Last Starfighter (1984)

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