Somehow, I went a week without setting foot in a cinema. How the hell did that happen? In trying to piece that one together, I should probably also mull over how it’s already December 8th and I’ve only watched one Christmas movie so far.

While I’m still a few weeks away from summing up 2012, this week certainly had a “Year in Review” quality to it. I revisited a few of the films I have loved dearly this year, got through a few more year-end pieces of award fodder, and  gave one of the most anticipated flicks of the year another look. Coming off this week, I’m sure of one thing: It’s been a pretty splendid year for movies. More often than not in 2012 I was delighted by what I watched; moved, amazed, enlightened, and inspired.

If you weren’t, I’d suggest that perhaps you weren’t seeing the right movies. On the bright side, you’ll be drowning in suggestions over the next few weeks to add to your streaming queues and wishlists.

 

Here’s The Week at Hand…

 

Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Never Seen

THIS IS 40 – I’m hearing grumblings of disdain, which I don’t entirely agree with.
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – Is “Your Mom Would Like This” a valid rating of a film?
HITCHCOCK – I suddenly feel the urge to read a bio or two on Hitch

Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Watched Before
GOON – Argue this if you will, but to me this is one of the best hockey movies.
ARGO – Speaking of movies that my mom liked.
TRUE GRIT – I feel like this movie has already been forgotten two years on.
THE FIGHTER – Between this and SILVER LININGS, I’m convinced Russell makes films that shouldn’t work work.
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – Watching this with a fully decorated Christmas tree in my eyeline felt curiously fitting.
KILL BILL vol. 1 – My bedtime prevented a double feature
LES MISERABLES – Reaffirmed a few things I thought on first watch. Now to start writing.
MOULIN ROUGE! – After Les Mis, I felt the urge to revisit my favorite modern movie musical.

 

Boxscore for The Year
237 First-Timers, 219 Re-Watched
119 Screenings
456 Movies in Total

How’s about you – seen anything good?

17 Replies to “Days of The Week (Films Watched Dec 1 – Dec 7)”

  1. Les Miserables twice already! This is 40 weeks in advance! You are running in all the right circles my friend. Enjoy every minute of it.

    First Time:

    Brave – Was decent but nothing memorable.

    Total Recall (2012) – Dull on many levels

    Take This Waltz – Though I liked the film, I could not help but feel something was missing to tie it together better.

    Looper – High concept in an easy to digest fashion. I had a good time watching this one.

    Re-Watch:

    After the Sunset – It is a guilty pleasure of mine.

    1. Very much enjoying it – thanks mate.

      Aside from TOTAL RECALL, that’s an awesome week of first-time watches! I was a bigger fan of BRAVE than you were…I actually liked the maturity it brought to the “princess story”

  2. Hey Moulin Rouge! is my favourite film ever (along with Fight Club)!!

    Firsts: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon– I think I would have loved it if it wasn’t for all that flying.
    A Serious Man– Hey I liked this one. V. rarely does that happen with a Coen film, i.e. actual liking and not just appreciating.
    This Must Be the Place– There was a lot to like in this but the pacing just killed it.
    Cafe de Flore– I think I’m in love.
    Premium Rush– This was fun. Michael Shannon forever!
    The Rules of the Game– Brilliant. So relevant still.
    The Science of Sleep– If they had toned it down a little bit with the quirks, it would have been much better.
    Talaash– Good Bollywood film. Yaay.
    Amour– Never ever cried in a film like that.
    Traffic– Rather good.

    1. CAFE DE FLORE is really something amazing isn’t it? I’ve watched it three times this year, but might have to sneak in a fourth before we hit midnight on the 31st.

      Your love of A SERIOUS MAN amuses me given that you say it in the same breath of not liking the Coens all that much. In thinking about their whole canon, it’s the film I think is “the most Coen”, and therefore the one I suggest people leave until last.

      Maybe it’s time for you to revisit some of their other stuff. What have you seen by them?

  3. This week’s new watches were:
    Murdercycle – Stupid, but a lot of dumb fun.
    The Singing Killer – Chang Cheh tries his hand at gunplay with moderately successful results.
    Cube Zero – The third and hopefully final Cube film. For me, this was easily the worst one (but it does feature some great trap kills).

    And I re-watched:
    Crumb – Still great.
    Good Taste Made Bad Taste – The short making-of doc on Peter Jackson and Bad Taste. One of my favorite pieces of making-of material. It makes me love Bad Taste even more.
    Escape From New York – re-watched this one twice. The first time I was tired and not in a good mood, so I figured I should watch it again before trying to give it a proper write-up. I did, and it was a much better experience. And I could probably watch it again immediately. Love this one.

  4. First-Timers: Killing Them Softly, Life of Pi, And Everything is Going Fine, Limelight (2011 film), The Ninth Gate, Weekend, and Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie.

    Re-Watches: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Harold & Maude (one of 2 Criterion DVDs I got for my b-day), and later tonight, Eyes Wide Shut.

    1. Loved ANCHORMAN that much, eh?

      I’ve been meaning to pick up EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE. I was rather smitten with it at Hot Docs two or three years ago, but haven’t revisited it since.

    2. It’s just one of those comedies I just love. Plus, it’s got my favorite supporting character. Brick Tamland… I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE’RE YELLING ABOUT!!!! LOUD NOISE!!!!!

  5. Catching up on the Docs for the Year End List. Strong year for non fiction work, I respond to them more than fiction films this year, I am getting old…

    First Timer

    Chasing Ice: Pretty blend Advocacy doc about climate change

    Ethel: Lots of great archival footage of the Kennedys, wish the movie could have done more with it.

    The House I Live In: A must see. One of the best movie of the year.

    Entre Les Bras: French version of Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

    Rewatch

    Time to revisit QT’s movies as Django Unchained approaches. Bought the QT Blu-Ray set for my Christmas present (first of many).

    Inglorious Basterds: The best film of 2009 still holds up quite well. There is a joy in every performance on screen. Next up Deathproof.

    1. Oh man – I was going to track down CHASING ICE after I heard it made the Oscar shortlist. Perhaps now I’ll give it a pass unless it lands a nomination. Sad to hear that it isn’t “all that”.

      I think I’m watching JIRO today though.

  6. At home, the new-to-me Patrick Stewart version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which I really enjoyed. In theaters, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS, which was good despite a weak third act.

  7. I haven’t read it yet, but the book for Hitchcock is Truffaut’s Hitchcock. It’s supposed to be an exhaustive conversation with Hitchcock about all his films. I’m still working on seeing all of his films before I read the book.

    1. *All* of his films? Wow dude, that’s ambitious. I’d expect a post on that when you complete the mission.

      Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll track that book down.

  8. Finally saw Holy Motors and Amour, and wow was I disappointed. Amour was a complete drag of a film that made me feel as if I was physically aging. Holy Motors I think was interesting but I’m still not sure whether it lifts itself a love being weird. Regardless I felt these were films I’d flat out love and am sad I didnt feel that way (or even close) for either.

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