FILMS: What We Watched #2

Our usual weekend routine usually consists of watching a couple of
films. There’s nothing we like more on a Friday and Saturday evening
then getting in our pj’s, grabbing some snacks and a drink (or maybe
just a hot chocolate!) and watching a film. We have quite a Blu Ray
collection these days but the same thing happens every weekend in that
we can never decide what to watch. 

We thought we’d start sharing with you what films we watch each month and our thoughts on each film.

 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 

2001 | 208 min extended edition | Fantasy / Action / Adventure

J: The opening movie to one of the best cinema sagas of all time (after Star Wars, of course). While the theatrical version was great as it was, the extended version adds so much more depth to the opening charter of the story. While it starts a little slow it soon builds up as the fellowship come together to destroy the evil forces of Mordor. Coincidentally this is the only movie to actually contain all of the fellowship in the same place and alive. Also these movies are an amazing advert for New Zealand. That place looks gorgeous!

L: This film focuses on setting up all the story lines that are to emerge in the next two films. Although having said that it certainly isn’t short on action and certainly does keep you hooked despite its lengthy running time with Orc battles, the creation of the Uruk-hai and a few injuries and deaths thrown in for good measure. I have to say I find Aragorn easy on the eye too which make this films even easier to watch over and over again (FYI Viggo Mortensen is not as attractive when he not looking like Aragorn, what is all that about?!)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 

2002 | 222 min extended edition | Fantasy / Action / Adventure

J:The difficult middle chapter: no real beginning, no real end, the movie is a much more fast paced and action packed than Fellowship of the Ring. The buildup to the battle of Helms Deep is one of the most intense ever, what with the Uruk-hai screaming and banging their spears in the lightening and the rain, encapsulating the enormity and terror of the approaching storm. Also I can’t knock Gollum/Smeagol and his overacting. “What’s ‘taters’, precious? What’s ‘taters’, eh?!”

L: Despite watching this trilogy loads I just cannot decide whether this one or the final film is my favourite so I think after all this time its going to have to be a draw. Even though there’s a lot of characters in the films, each one is fully explored and the length of the films allows for detailed stories for each character. I do love a good Orc/Uruk-hai battle and this film has a pretty good one in it. Also Gollum does make me laugh at times and certainly lifts the mood of what overall is a dark film.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2003 | 250 min extended edition | Fantasy / Action / Adventure

J: The final (and longest) instalment, this movie is the culmination of the trilogy. It also features one of the biggest and most expansive battles seen in a movie, and I defy you not to get tingles down your spine as the music swells and thousands of horse back riders charge head long into the awaiting army of orcs. There is a good half an hour of material after the Ring is destroyed, however after such a long and epic adventure it seems only right to have a slow wind down. Not going to lie, really looking forwards to being able to sit down and watch both The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy back to back! What a way to waste a day!

L: My favourite character in the trilogy has to be Sam and although there’s loads of time over the previous two films that I end up feeling sorry for him this one really breaks my heart! Also there’s another amazing battle which is always a winner for me. The end of the film is very sweet and ends the dark somewhat tragic trilogy in a happy but slightly bittersweet way.

Flight 

2012 | 138 min | Drama

J: When you look at the premise of the movie it’s not great. A plane crashes, the pilot turns out to be a drunk and has to deal with it. Pretty bland stuff. But it turned out to be a really good movie. Denzel Washington puts in a great performance, playing a tragic character that, despite his flaws, you can sympathize with him. Oh and John Goodman steals each and every scene he’s in. Though I still can’t help thinking ‘Fred Flintstone’ whenever I see him…

L: Josh watched this last year to review it for a uni project and the whole idea didn’t really wow me but I decided to give it ago too and we’ve now watched this a few times. OK so it isn’t the most groundbreaking film ever but it certainly is worth watching. Denzel Washington is amazing as Whip Whitaker, a troubled pilot who lands a plane after multiple in flight failures. Despite Whip’s less than angelic lifestyle you can’t help but feel for him and be on his side. John Goodman small but very funny part in the film in a big plus point too.

The Woman in Black 
2012 | 95 min | Horror
J: A throwback to a time when horror movies were more of an art form. The intricate suspense and the lack of actually seeing anything too scary makes it all the more scary. The setting is mysterious and the premise seems pretty fresh compared to what else is out there. And Harry Potter’s good in it too.
 
L: Oh I do love this film. I love horror films but I’d got a bit fed up of the stupidity and predictability of some films. When we went to see this I couldn’t believe how good it was. It returns to the old fashioned Hammer Horror way of doing things without all the blood, gore and dumb teenagers. Daniel Radcliffe plays a good part though I’m afraid he’ll always be Harry Potter to me. There’s a sequel coming up so I’ve got everything crossed it’s just as good.

 I Am Legend
2007 | 100 min | Science Fiction / Horror
J: This has become a movie we watch at least once or twice a year, and I’m not sure why. It’s kind of scary, kind of actiony, there’s zombies and a decent story, but nothing groundbreaking here. Yet it’s still a good multiple viewing movie. I just enjoy it for what it is. I suspect Lauren enjoys if because of ‘the cute doggy’.

L: We’ve watched this film loads now but somehow we haven’t go bored of it yet. There are a ton of films out there that follow a similar format of some kind of disease wiping out humans and leaving behind zombie like creatures but this one without a doubt does it the best. It’s not overly gory and I like that the blame is placed on human’s and science as it makes it much more believable. 

If you only watch one of these films it should be…
J: This one’s tricky but I think Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has to take the crown. Just!
L: This is difficult for me this month as really you have to watch all three Lord of the Rings films but I’ll go with Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.