Vertigo

Wasn't really in the mood to watch this. Had just finished a short but 'je suis fatigue' gym session, watched Luke create a superbug for his homework (woodlice with spider eyes, wasp wings and scorpion tail - quality), got Jack ready for bed and other stuff. I usually have a little nap about 8pm but the need to eat a classic movie won out tonight. Opening music was properly proper good - must get me a quickfix Bernard Herrman CD. What with that and the brilliant titles I was definitely drawn in. Hello roof-top chase sequence. Hello shot that's exactly the same as The Matrix (steal from the best eh Wachowskis?).

Had nooooo idea what to expect from this film at all so was a treat just to go with it. Ahhh, it's a thriller. No it's a mystery. Oooh it's gone a bit supernatural. This was the commentary I made as I sat alone with my coffee and cookies. In my head anyway where the other voices live. I was also wondering why anyone would decorate a restaurant with such a vividly red colour. And why rear-projection looks so good even though it's inherently a bit rubbish. Just makes me feel I'm watching a proper movie and therefore happy. Anyone else get this? Nope? Just me and the voices then...

Seemed to go on way longer than it needed to though. James Stewart's dream sequence was brilliantly mental and hooked me back again and then the Nun arrived and it finished. So all in all me says this, I think I admired it more than I enjoyed it but am really glad I saw it. Might have to nom-nom a few more Hitchcocks that I haven't seen now.

Nowhere Boy

John Winston Lennon is definitely one of my heroes. Arrogant but vulnerable, brilliant but foolish, angry but fragile. All words I would have used to describe the fella before seeing this. And words that perfectly sum up the Lennon portrayed here as a rebellious and ambitious teenager. Aaron Johnson is excellent in the lead role - really bloody good. He's had quite a year what with this and Kick-Ass. Busy boy. Not to mention getting his forty-something director here up the duff too. Dirty boy.

Enjoyed this much more than I expected too. Occasionally veers a little too close to a Sunday evening telly drama but for the most part it's a really interesting look at the relationships and events that formed Lennon. Feels very honest and real too. The guy had a confusing upbringing to say the least. All the big history moments (the Quarrymens' first gig, meeting Paul, the early recordings) are brought to life well and raised a happy smile from this Beatle fanatic. It's made me want to dig my guitar our and badly strum along to the incredible collection of songs that Lennon and his mates would go on to create...

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Luke was feeling a bit off-colour tonight so a snuggle on the sofa and a movie-night was in order. We've played the Lego Indiana Jones games on the Xbox loads of times but he's never seen the films so the time had come.

Easy to forget just how many classic or iconic scenes there are in this, there's an absolute gem every 15 minutes or so. The big rolling ball, the shadow on the wall at Marion's bar, shooting the swingy sword bloke, the dragging behind the truck. It's got a real 'lived in' feel to it too which is sorely lacking from the latest installment. Felt an intense paternal pride when Luke said 'Blimey, that's a bit harsh' when several bad arab dudes charged to attack Indy - A) for being so into the film and B) for using such an amusing expression for a 7 year old.

Great film. But you know that. Need a few more movie-nights now to cover the rest of the series. Might try to put off Crystal Skull for a bit though...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Haven't seen a Woody Allen film in years but had heard this was one of his better offerings. An enjoyable little movie - great spirit to it. Lots of interesting characters and dynamics with all the relationships. Scarlet Johansson has a very curious face. It's a bit wonky one minute and completely gorgeous the next. Clever that. Turned into a different story than the one I was expecting which was sort of 'meh' for a bit but then I got back into it. Me definitely wants to go to Barcelona now. Really well made film too, some beautiful shots in it. Made me feel a bit grown up and bohemian just by watching it. Like an intelligence osmosis via DVD. Didn't last long of course. 'Bum'. *Snigger*. See?

Iron Man 2

I saw this nearly two days ago. The delay in writing this what you read now is a pretty clear indication that me was a bit nonplussed with this film. There's a load of good stuff in there but it's mostly saved till the end. The first two thirds is all Tony Stark being a bit of a silly moody pants and then a ton of stuff setting up the Avengers film. Now I'm enough of a geek to know what Marvel is doing here and that the Hulk and next year's Thor are all moving towards that big team up film. Christ, I even sat through the endless credits of this to see the mini extra tease at the end - but none of this helps Iron Man 2 as a film in its own right. Would love to know what your average filmgoer thinks Samuel L Jackson is up to when he comes marching in with his eye patch spouting off about the SHIELD program.

Thought Scarlet Johannson was really good doing the chop-socky, kicky, spinny bad guys bit. Nice costume. Big 'roboty' fight at the end was fun for a bit but all over too quickly and essentially just two tin people constantly banging each other on the head. Whiplash was cool - especially with the slicey racey car bit. Great scene that. But then he buggered off to tap keyboards for ages and coo at a budgie or something. Hmmm. Yeh, I was definitely disappointed with this. It's just not strong enough as a standalone film.

I'm still looking forward to Iron Man 3 though....

In The Loop

How come I know so much about My Girl? Not the delightful Mrs Fletch...I mean the 1992 film masterpiece starring the Culkin child. It had Dan Aykroyd in it. And Jamie Leigh Curtis. The Culkin child got stung to deathy by buzz bees. And it also starred Anna Chlumsky as a girl. I've never seen it but I know these things. Shouldn't I be using that brainspace for more important gubbins? Anyhoo, the Chlumsky girl has grown into a lady and she is in this film called In The Loop which I watched with my eyes last night and then saw her name in the credits and remembered where she was from and then typed this stupidly long sentence. End.

A good film. Clever, clever but it knows it. Funniness is a regular visitor. They say swearing is not big and not clever but there are some brilliantly creative uses of it here. 'Arse spraying mayhem' made me giggle. And typing the word giggle makes me smile so it's the gift that keeps on giving. Nice to watch poiltical silly billys in the week running up to the election. Not hard to imagine the Alistair Campbells of this world barking barks at the people who need to be barked at. Saw Chris Addison on telly the night after this - man he needs the pies, eat something! Brief snooze toward end of film. Badness. Enjoyed the watch overall though. Why not you watch?

Fantastic Mr. Fox

I've listened to this story about 72 times (exaggeration). Many a long journey in the car with the boys has been made more enjoyable by listening to the great Martin Jarvis reading this on CD. He's got such a great voice and hearing him change it for each of the characters here is a real treat. I'd recommend it to anyone (fact).

Was therefore really looking forward to seeing this, especially as it's made by Wes Anderson whose films I usually love. Watched it with all of Team Fletch whilst trying to eat dinner in the lounge which made the first 15 minutes or so a little random. Jack may have widdled on the sofa at one point. Unclear. There was a lot of widdling yesterday. Much giggling was had though (especially for the speedy tunnelling and crazy eyed badger) and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite being so familiar with the source material I wasn't bothered at all by the changes to the story - thought it all fitted in rather well with the usual odd-family themes that Anderson seems to love.

Wasn't sure how it would fare as a kids' film but Luke loved it so job done! Lovely feel to it too. All warm and cosy and the lo-fi, but brilliant, animation style makes a very welcome change. Voicey voices are all great too. Would definitely see this a few more times (maybe not 72 though).