On a third watch, really impressed by how tightly plotted this thing is - wastes absolutely no time in getting going, following a clear act structure across the film and getting the most out of the insane chemistry between its leads, Cruise’s fake bravado and the sheer intimidating nature of the ice-cool Val Kilmer, with the call signs telling you everything you need to know about the characters. The power ballads are as good as power ballads get - and the whole thing is just an exceptionally good piece of exceptionally shameless American propaganda.
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The Band Wagon 1953
Spellbinding ‘50s musical that looks and feels completely magical. It’s a slow burner with a lot of charm - and that Dancing in the dark set piece may be the film’s finest individual scene; completely and utterly perfect in every way.
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Alien 1979
Hoop-Tober 2015! (1/31)
"Now, this air shaft may work to our advantage. Here. It leads up to and comes out in the main airlock. All right, there's only one big opening along the way, we can cover that up, and then we... drive it into the airlock and zap it into outer space."
And yet another classic movie that I should have probably seen by now is ticked off my watchlist. Hot on the heels of the likes of Lost…
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La La Land 2016
Well, that was something special. I'm really glad that I watched The Umbrellas of Cherbourg the day before because there are clear influences from that masterpiece on Damien Chazelle. Together these two movies have made me far more invested in musicals than I was previously, with Bugsy Malone being another highlight but beyond that the list starts to get a bit thinner.
Here La La Land follows on two people with big dreams. Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress…
