Top 20 Films of 2016 Part 1

I kind liked doing a massive list last year, so this year I decided to do it again. But with more films. And even then, half the films I wanted to put on here didn't make it. As I type, I'm still deliberating about whether or not I should try and slip some more on...

But since they can't all be here, I would like to briefly mention The Handmaiden, Nocturnal Animals, Julieta, Moana, Elle, The Neon Demon, Swiss Army Man, Men & Chicken, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. These are films that for whatever reason I really liked but just didn't quite make it onto this list. I eagerly await all angry comments.

So, last year was kinda terrible but there were still some excellent movies to be seen. Here are the first ten of twenty that I loved! Some might be surprising, some won't be. Some you might not have heard of. But all of them moved me in some way. Some I cried the whole way through, some were just brilliantly enjoyable.

This intro is getting too long now. Bring on the films!

20. Ouija: Origin of Evil

At last, a good horror film from 2016! And given that I couldn't even finish the first movie, it's amazing that this sequel got onto my best-of list. This film is just (strange as it may sound) a fun scary movie. It's not going to break any molds or challenge you intensely, but it will give some genuine scares, and it explores some interesting ideas about possession and religion. If you want something scary that's an enjoyable watch, then this is definitely what I would recommend.

19. A Bigger Splash

So, I'm not the biggest fan of French New Wave films. But if there is one director out of the New Wave movement that I love, that would be Claude Chabrol. I find his films create intensity out of the most ordinary circumstances, he creates tension out of normalcy. Watching The Bigger Splash reminded me so much of watching one of his films. I was gripped while watching these characters interact with each other, and through all the unspoken there was an undercurrent of menace throughout the narrative. And the cast! Such an amazing cast. Tilda Swinton as a Bowie-esque rock star and Matthias Schoenaerts as her lover have great chemistry and really ground the film. But Ralph Fiennes as Swinton's ex-husband really steals the show! A down to earth psychological drama, with an excellent soundtrack! What's not to love!

18. Girl Asleep

This film is simply enchanting! About a teenage girl trying to fit into her new school, while her parents throw her a 15th birthday party against her will in the first half, this film becomes a strange psychedelic Alice in Wonderland type adventure in the second half. And it's set in 70s Australia. I mean, I feel like this film was made for me! The design of this film is so interesting, so un-Hollywood, it just feels like a new sort of film. And it's really funny! An adorable coming of age story that I fell in love with!

17. Ghostbusters & Deadpool

I couldn't really keep either of these films off the list, so the obvious solution is to tie them together! I think these two films were the most anticipated blockbusters of the year, except for maybe Rogue One. To me, they are just really good popcorn flicks! I know some people will disagree with Ghostbusters being on this list, but I had such fun watching that film. From Chris Hemsworth being as ditzy as he could be, to Kate McKinnon stealing everyone's heart and the film, to the token African-American character actually having a proper part to play in the tea, I really can't fault the film Paul Feig made. It was hilarious on its own, while also being respectful of the original. What more could you want?

Deadpool on the other hand was just pure diluted insanity. The film was definitely helped by its MA rating. Without restrictions on it, it went as violent and crude as it could go without alienating its audience. Also, it was so progressive for having a female character who was a sex worker, but not discriminated against for her profession, and when she was in a precarious situation she didn't just sit and wait for the hero to save her. She actually kicked some ass herself! And of course she was played Morena Baccarin. Deadpool was just awesome! Best superhero movie of the year!

16. The Big Short

Just to get a little controversial for a moment, I think this film should have won best picture at the Oscars this year. Mainly because it was the most cinematic film that came out. What I mean by that is it used techniques that can only be realised through the cinematic genre to create a film about the 2008 financial crisis that actually makes sense to the general public. And they also managed to make it both funny and sentimental at the same time? That's quite an achievement! This is also probably the first film where I actually was impressed by Ryan Gosling(no, I haven't seen Drive). He can be really funny when given the right material. Anyway, The Big Short is intelligent without being indecipherable (looking at you, Margin Call), and funny while also having heart.

15. Hello My Name is Doris

Sometimes, you just need a quirky indie comedy starring Sally Fields. This film is the definition of adorable. Sally Fields plays a middle-aged woman named Doris who gets a crush on a young man at her work, and through that begins to step outside her comfort and embrace the modern world. And it's so sweet! Doris is so lovely, and has such awesome fashion sense. The soundtrack is also good, especially if you like indie alternative. Just a lovely little film that stole my heart, and hopefully will steal yours too!

14. La La Land

I have to admit that the hype surrounding this film has diminished it slightly in my mind. Originally it was much higher up on the list, but since the release of the Oscar nominations it has dropped. But I can definitely see why people are in love with this film. It's a musical that pays homage to the classic musicals of the 1950s while also being something new. And through it's celebration of creative ambitions, I totally understand why so many filmmakers and actors and reviewers would be moved by this film. I think it's very cute, the music is good, the acting is good. It's a simple love story set against the backdrop of trying to make it in a world where that is almost impossible nowadays. And it ends with a Gene Kelly inspired dance number, so I kinda have to love it for that!

13. The Fencer

This was one of the rare films I went to see with my dad, and we both agreed afterwards that it was very excellent. The Fencer centre's on Estonia just after the Second World War, when the USSR controlled pretty much all of Eastern Europe. A young man arrives in a small Estonian town and begins a fencing club for the kids. I think what makes this film so different is the fact that it's about a country that is not usually portrayed in films. Estonia is a place I would love to visit one day, and I always try and go see films that are set there. The other thing The Fencer manages to achieve is to mix historical drama with sports movie tropes in a way that is very un-Hollywood. It stands out as a simple story about a man trying to move on after a great tragedy, amidst a continent that is also trying to do the same.

12. Under the Shadow

This film has been called the Iranian Babadook. I can see why. A mother is tormented by a supernatural being while trying to look after a child who she has difficulty connecting with. However, unlike The Babadook, this takes place in Tehran in 1980s when the city was under constant bombing. The historical and political background makes this film a very tense horror film. We never really see the creature, and there is a very strong possibility that this is all happening in the characters heads, which adds to the scariness of the film. It's also fascinating to experience horror through a different culture, and makes this a really unique film!

11. Mustang

Speaking of different cultures. This is a very depressing film. Think The Virgin Suicides except more realistic and set in modern day Turkey. The struggles that the main girls go through in this film are examples of girls have to go through right now. But the sisters resolve and resilience is so admirable and brave, despite not all of them finding happiness in the end. I really hope more people see this film, and understand that the issues raised are issues that are relevant to right now. And hopefully it will inspire more people to action.

Sorry it has taken so long to get this list out. The top 10 will be out a lot sooner... Hopefully! Until next time, readers.

5 Excellent Documentaries from 2016

So, in what is quickly becoming a tradition, here is a supplementary list before I get on to my top films of the year. I generally end up seeing about 5-10 documentaries a year, so I don't know why I haven't devoted an entire list to non-fiction films yet.

Each of these films could have ended up on the "Best Of" list, but to make it easier for me, I thought I would give them their own list for once. So, without further ado, here are five documentaries that were very excellent last year, and that you should all check out if you get the chance. \

5. Janis: Little Girl Blue

Janis Joplin was always a vague presence in my life, mainly because my mum was a big fan of hers. But I never really listened to any of her music until quite recently when I listened to my mums copy of Pearl on vinyl. Her voice is one of the greatest sounds to come from this earth. This documentary is about Janis from her youth to her untimely death at the age of 27. It uses interviews with her former band mates to create a picture of a woman who wanted to live as large as she could, but who was ultimately destroyed by her own demons. It's a heartbreaking watch, but definitely worth it if you want to learn more about the queen of rock.

4. Dancer

This is a film that asks the question "Why do you pursue excellence?" Sergei Polunin was the star dancer at the Royal Ballet in London, until he suddenly quit in a fire of controversy. Director Steven Cantor traces Polunin's life from Ukraine, and how he got into dancing. It explores how Polunin became the greatest dancer that he could be to help his family, and how he almost had a break down when his parents divorced. I think it's one of the best explorations of why people pursue creative careers, and what happens when it might not be what you want to do with your life.

3. The First Monday in May

If you liked The September Issue, or Valentino: The Last Emperor, or are even only vaguely interested in fashion, then you will love this film. Following both Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton, this film chronicles the creation of the 2015 exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, culminating in the opening night gala. To say this film is fabulous is an understatement. This film is breathtaking. It not only showcases amazing fashion designs, but it looks at how people curate exhibitions and just how much work goes into every tiny detail. A must for both fashionista's and museum junkies.

2. Author: the JT LeRoy Story

During one of my sojourns through random Wikipedia pages, I came across the story of the JT LeRoy hoax, so I knew the basics about what happened going in to this film. But what this film does is look into how someone like JT managed to get big in the literary world from the perspective of the woman who created him. I don't really want to go into detail, because it is a pretty insane story. But I really enjoyed this film about how a couple of people managed to completely piss off the literary world by writing a book that everyone adored.

1. Tickled

Talk about insane stories. I really don't want to say anything about this film. The basic premise is that a New Zealand reporter finds out about 'competitive endurance tickling' and tries to uncover what he can about it. It gets weird from their. The twists and turns in this film are bordering on unbelievable, but they keep you hooked until everything is eventually discovered. If you liked The Imposter, then this is another film that will keep you guessing until after the final shot.

So, my best of list will be coming soon, hopefully within this week. Until then, I hope some of you check out these documentaries. I guarantee there is something for everyone.

Top 10 Worst Films of 2016

So, I actually saw enough bad films this year to create a top ten list. I don't know whether that's good or bad...

Most of these films ended up on this list for either being boring or incompetent, and in some cases both. There are a couple I will admit to enjoying watching, but afterwards their flaws became more than a little apparent. Some of these are going to be obvious, but there are a few that might surprise people, mainly because they were so obscure I doubt many people saw them.

Anyway, enjoy the first end of year list. There are at least 2 more to come!

10. Lights Out

I saw quite a few horror films at the cinema this year. And this was the least memorable. Not because it was especially bad, but it was just cliched and uninteresting. Which is a shame since it had a really interesting premise. But the explanation behind that premise was ... not good. I would be interested to see what director David F. Sandberg comes out with next, and hopefully it will be more memorable than this film.

9. Childhood of a Leader

I'm not sure it's really fair to put this on a worst of list, since some of my frustrations are directed at MIFF for a technical error that really disrupted the viewing experience. But I think that even without that, I would not have enjoyed this film. It's overly long, and despite it's title, it doesn't give much insight into how the beginnings of a fascist tyrant are born in the childhood. The most insight that the film gave was "the kid was spoilt, got angry easily, and probably had mummy issues". What was supposed to be a psychological study instead became a dull melodrama, hampered by the fact that I couldn't understand half of the dialogue.

8. Suicide Squad

I actually quite enjoyed watching this film in the cinema. But half of that was laughing at how stupid it was. I'm sure most people have already heard the many criticisms this films has garnered; the 35 minute multiple introduction to the main characters, the "let's stop the flashing lights in the sky from destroying a city" cliched action plot, Slipknot. But really what pushed this film onto the worst of list for me was Jared Leto's Joker. That performance was the very definition of trying too hard. I just didn't feel threatened by him! I wanted to laugh at him for trying to be a tough gangster dude while looking like some sort of misplaced Oompa Loompa. But I never thought he was threatening. So, that's why Suicide Squad is on this list. Because Jared Leto fucked it up.

7. Jason Bourne

I think I was always going to be biased against this film since I'm not a big fan of the Bourne franchise in the first place. But this was just boring. I can't really remember anything that happened. My mum, who loves the Bourne films, couldn't remember anything that happened. By the time we were walking out of the cinema, it felt we'd just wasted two hours that we'd never get back. Which is a shame, because I like most of the actors involved. Although this is the first time I've ever seen Matt Damon not be charming in something. And can we talk about that last car race through Vegas? I know that Bourne's an anti-hero, but did he have to injure all those civilians? Not my cup of tea, but it could definitely have been better.

6. Zoolander 2

Again, I kinda enjoyed watching this. It's terrible and it doesn't have a reason to exist, but it was quite fun. I don't really have anything else to say. I don't think anyone has anything to say about Zoolander 2. It's there if you want to see it. Not much else to add.

5. The Daughter

This film was too depressing. And for no reason did it have to be this depressing, except for the fact that it's based on an Ibsen play. I'm so glad I never studied Ibsen at school, if this is what his work is like. I think the other reason I didn't enjoy The Daughter is because there was such a fuss made about this big secret, and it turned out to be people cheating on each other. Maybe it's just me, but I don't really see love affairs as that life changing or important. I mean, they are for the people involved, but it's not like the world is ending or people are dying. That is so cold-hearted, but then again, this was 2016, the year of death. One must harden ones heart against all the shit that happened this year. Maybe that's why I didn't connect to this film. Who knows?

4. Inferno

I only went to see this film because Omar Sy was in it. Oh Omar, you're so good! Why are you in this crap! If there was one good film about this new Dan Brown film, it was Irrfan Khan, whose character completely stole the film. But as for the rest of it... Tom Hanks looked tired all the time, and like he wanted to be somewhere else. The puzzles that they have to solve didn't appear very puzzling, or interesting. The twist was stupid, and didn't make any sense. And again, this really didn't need to exist. But it does, and at least we have Irrfan Khan to cheer things up.

3. Blair Witch

I watched the original Blair Witch Project for the first time in preparation for the new film, and I was surprised by how gripped I was. It's a really good found footage horror film, with a simple premise, growing tension, and really good acting (people give the actors shit, but I thought their performances were actually really good!). The sequel was none of those things. Simplicity was thrown out the window in favour of fucking time travel! (You know a series is struggling when they have to resort to a time travel plot, looking at you Through the Looking Glass) Tension was replaced with cheap jump scares and gore scenes. And the acting was forgettable at best. It was almost the worst horror film of the year, but ...

2. The Boy

Blair Witch has nothing on the sheer stupidity on display in this film. This was my biggest guilty pleasure of the year, one that would happily return to to laugh at. The plot is just so stupid! It doesn't make sense, in the most hilarious way possible. It wasn't really that scary either, just frustratingly silly. If you want a so-bad-it's-good horror film, then I would definitely recommend The Boy.

1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

When you go into a film with already low expectations, and then find that the film you are watching has surpassed even the lowest of expectations that there could be, then that film is not only bad but complete and utter shit. What were with those dream sequences? What was with Batman's mummy issues? Did we need to see Batman's backstory... again? And can we please stop casting Jesse Eisenberg as the villain in things? He's not good. I saw this with a friend, and we spent most of the film laughing. I think we annoyed everyone else in the cinema, but I don't care. This film is the embodiment of incompetence, and has rightfully earned its place as the worst film of 2016.


Coming soon, my best of 2016 list, and some documentaries that I saw this year that people should check out. Until then, readers.

52 Films by Women Update

So... I guess the first thing I should say is my it has been a long time! Once again I failed to keep up my New Year's resolution, and I think it's safe to say that those Orry-Kelly reviews will likely never be written.

But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy watching other films. I've been doing a challenge called 52 Films by Women, where basically once a week you're meant to watch at least one film directed/written/produced by women. For more info, you can check out this link.

So far, I've seen 26 films, so I'm a little behind. I have seen some truly terrific films through this challenge, and some not so great ones. But anyway, here are the first 26 films by women that I have seen this year, ranked from worst to best. Enjoy!

26. Breaking the Girls (2012) dir. Jamie Babbit
25. The Wedding Party (2010) dir. Amanda Jane
24. The Quiet (2005) dir. Jamie Babbit
23. The Falling (2014) dir. Carol Morley
22. John Tucker Must Die (2006) dir. Betty Thomas
21. The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) dir. Barbra Streisand
20. The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) dir. Amy Holden Jones
19. Looking for Grace (2015) dir. Sue Brooks
18. Corrina Corrina (1994) dir. Jessie Nelson
17. Take the Lead (2006) dir. Liz Friedlander
16. The To Do List (2013) dir. Maggie Carey
15. Women He's Undressed (2015) dir. Gillian Armstrong
14. Beautiful (2000) dir. Sally Field
13. Money Monster (2016) dir. Jodie Foster
12. Every Secret Thing (2014) dir. Amy Berg
11. Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) dir. Susan Seidelman
10. Eve's Bayou (1997) dir. Kasi Lemmons
9. Graceful Girls (2015) dir. Olivia Peniston-Bird
8. Julie and Julia (2009) dir. Nora Ephron
7. The Bling Ring (2013) dir. Sofia Coppola
6. Near Dark (1987) dir. Kathryn Bigelow
5. Clueless (1995) dir. Amy Heckerling
4. Awakenings (1990) dir. Penny Marshall
3. Since Otar Left (2003) dir. Julie Bertuccelli
2. Love Serenade (1996) dir. Shirley Barrett
1. The Hedgehog (2009) dir. Mona Achache

As you can see, most of them are from the US. In the second half of the year I hope to expand to the other parts of the world. But I'm definitely enjoying myself so far. I'll be seeing a couple of female directed films at MIFF this year, and I've discovered that my library is better stocked in films than I thought.

I hope this was interesting. Sorry it's quite literally a list. If you have any suggestions for films I should watch, please let me know. Well, hopefully I'll get another blog out sooner than last time, but no promises. You know I always break them. Until next time, readers.

Top 10 Favourite Vampire Movies

So, I was watching Near Dark the other night, and I decided to make a list of my favourite vampire movies. At least, the ones I've seen so far. There are about ten hundred or so more films that I eventually want to see, but I thought it would be interesting to figure out my favourites at the moment. I would have watched them for this list, but honestly most of them are foreign art-house films (of course) and I really hard to get a hold of. So, this will just have to do for now!

Please keep in mind that these are favourites. The films on this list are ones that I enjoy watching for whatever reason, but it doesn't mean that everyone will like them or even that they would be considered good. But when it comes to favourites, I don't care about a film being 'good'. I care more about a film entertaining me, which might explain some of the weird choices on this list. Anyway, let's get on with it! Oh, and spoilers! Potentially!

10. The Twins Effect

Remember when films that featured pop stars weren't vapid documentaries, and they actually had plots and ridiculous characters? Those were the days! This film is just pure silly fun, featuring Cantopop duo Twins as a pair of vampire hunting bad-asses who have to stop an evil vampire duke from taking over the world! Kung-fu plus vampires, I mean what more could you want. The fact that Jackie Chan has a cameo makes this even more awesome. There are some really fun sequences in this film, including a part where a vampire tries to steal blood from a hospital and a really good opening fight scene. If you're up for a bit of fun, and don't mind a film that's light on the vampire lore but heavy on the comedy then I would definitely recommend this!

9. From Dusk till Dawn

This film is just crazy. Like, bat-shit insane! It starts off like a typical Tarantino crime film, but then suddenly, vampires! Because why not. A lot of people get turned off by the sudden turn this film takes, but I really like it! It's so out there that I can't really hate it. I also really like the gore effects, and the transformations as well, it's not your typical blood and guts. More like mucus and vomit. The first part of film is also a really slick crime thriller with Tarantino's trademark dialogue, and his performance in the film isn't as terrible as he usually is. It also helps that Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, and Juliette Lewis each give excellent performances. A cult favourite for a reason, it's one that I like to watch every now and then for fun.

8. Vamps

This film does a lot of things right that people just don't realise. Two awesome female characters played excellently by Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter, vampires who have to deal with time passing while they stay the same and how they deal with that existential crisis, really hilarious moments that incorporate vampire lore, Sigourney Weaver chewy the scenery with such deliciousness! Despite what the trailers tell you, the film is not about two shallow party girl vampires, it's actually about how vampires have to deal with the modern world and all the problems they face. It's surprisingly deep, for a horror comedy and if anyone has written it off I would encourage you to give it a proper look! The jokes are funny, the vampire lore is strong, and the characters are excellent!

7. Night Watch

I was a little hesitant to put this on the list, since it's not entirely about vampires. But they do play an important role in the plot of the film, and the filmmakers do some interesting things with the vampire lore. Now, if you've seen Night Watch, then you know how complicated a film it is and I don't think that I have enough time to go into detail. Basically, the Night Watch are the good guys and they have to make sure that malevolent beings don't disrupt the truce between good and evil. Vampires include those beings. There are some really cool weapons used against the vampires, like a flash light that uses UV light to shine in their faces, and they use blood to find where the vampires are. And the vampires themselves are really interesting, they break like porcelain when they are defeated, and they have these really cool systems in place to find and store blood. While it's not an entire film about vampires, it is definitely one to watch for a different take on vampires.

6. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

 Yes, I know. This is a major CGI fest, that has a really silly premise. But that's only one way of looking at it. I prefer to look at it as B movie blockbuster that managed to get a mainstream release, with some awesome set pieces, a premise it takes just seriously enough with actors whose tongues are firmly in their cheeks. And it has Rufus Sewell as the villain. How was I not going to love this film! I have done a full blog post about this, but basically, I think this is a really underrated film. People didn't respond well to it because they were expecting campy, and instead got action! I mean, yes the CGI is a little intrusive, but not so much that it impinges on my enjoyment. I just love how such a silly film takes itself so seriously yet still turns out fun and entertaining!

5. Brides of Dracula

This wouldn't be a list about vampires without at least one Hammer film on it! This is the first Hammer movie I ever saw, and consequently the first film I saw with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. So it holds a very special place in my heart. Peter Cushing is such a bad-ass in this, that it kinda makes up for the lacklustre Dracula replacement. I do like how the film starts, and I love the main female character, Marianne Danielle (Yvonne Monlaur). It's a film I watch when I want the opulent atmosphere and fantastical sets, that may not be historically accurate but they do look amazing! I have seen more Hammer films, some good, some not so good, but this will always be one of my favourite vampire films from Hammer, even though Christopher Lee sadly isn't in it.

4. Only Lovers Left Alive

Again, another film that deals with how vampires deal with the modern world, and how they use modern technology to survive and entertain themselves. But instead of finding any joy in what they do, these vampires are instead becoming apathetic at how humanity has changed, and how the present might not be as satisfying as the past. At least, that's what it means to me. This is also the first time Tom Hiddleston has really impressed me, maybe it's because he's starring with such acting royalty as Tilda Swinton as his lover and John Hurt as a vampiric Christopher Marlowe. What is also impressive is the fact that I don't think the word vampire is actually said once during the film, which is quite a feat. The music is also excellent, and one of the few soundtracks that I listen to frequently by itself. A little more arty yes, but an excellent commentary on how isolated vampires have to become in order to survive, and how the outside world is viewed from their perspective.

3. Fright Night (both versions)

And now we're back to good old horror comedy! Fright Night is one of those films from the 80s that mixes together the perfect amount of cheese and actual horror. It's a good premise (what would happen if a vampire moved next door?) and in the original 80s version it plays out a little more unexpectedly than what you would first imagine. Our hero, Charlie (William Ragsdale) isn't a popular jock who gets his friends together to defeat the bad guy. He's a nerd who no one believes, and the only help he does get is from an Elvira type TV presenter played hilariously by Roddy McDowall. I still find it surprising how early on we find out that Jerry (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire, but it does make a nice change from the typical "are they/aren't they" story line. Things are changed to be a little more predictable in the remake, but I'm kinda glad about that. It's nice to see that they did decide to change things, like the setting, and the swapping Charlie with Ed a little bit, rather than just rehashing the original. Both films have their silly moments, and both films have their darker moments. And believe me, both of them make excellent films to watch late at night surrounded by friends!

2. The Lost Boys

Hands down, one of my favourite Halloween films of all time! I always try and watch this during at least some point in October. I dunno, there's something about 80s vampires that I just love! Maybe it's the cheese factor, maybe it's just the ridiculous fashion. The Lost Boys again is able to blend comedy and horror together really well. I also really like the characters, especially Edward Hermann as the most unlikely vampire leader. Kiefer Sutherland is electric in this film, and it's arguably his best role. Jason Patric and Corey Haim are believable as brothers Michael and Sam, and have a really good rapport with each other. Which makes the scenes where Michael tries not to kill Sam when he's hungry really tense. Another good thing about the film is the plot. When I first saw this, after the first ten minutes or so, I had no idea where the film was going to go next. And the ending! One of the greatest end lines of any films! I love it. This is a classic for a reason, if you haven't seen it yet, I would definitely recommend that you do!

1. What We Do in the Shadows

This film gives me everything I could want from a vampire movie. Horror. Check! Comedy. Check! Gore. Check! Awesome characters. Check! Looking at how aging vampires react to the modern world. Check! Analysing the traditional vampire lore and how restrictive it is. Check! A new way to tell a story through the use of mockumentary. Check! A scene with a funny dance. Check! This film is as near to perfect as a film can get. Written and directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is one of the most creative horror films to come out in years. It doesn't rely on the usual plot conventions you get in horror films, and instead focuses on character rather than story. That might explain why the mockumentary format works so well for this film. I just love it to pieces! And now that we are done, I might just go and watch it again.

So, there you have it. I know, my film tastes are terrible. But anyway, let me know what your favourite vampire films are! I'm sure I left out a ton of movies that people were expecting, and it's probably because I just haven't seen them yet. Anyway, until next time readers, keep your powder dry.

Women He's Undressed

So... we're off to a great start. Sticking to my New Year's resolution is going to be a little tougher than I thought it would be. Still, better late than never. This was one of the first films I saw this year, and is certainly one of the more interesting documentaries I've seen. It using some different techniques to tell the story of Orry-Kelly, possibly Australia's most successful costume designer, working on over 300 films, including Some Like It Hot, Jezebel, Gold Diggers of 1933, and Gypsy. I'm still kinda surprised that he wasn't more well-known before this film came out. Australia has a habit of coveting famous people, and worshiping them as home grown. 

The big selling point of this film is that Kelly died with a secret that he had written in his lost memoirs, and that it is only just being disclosed to the world. The problem with this is that if you know anything about Hayes era Hollywood, you can kinda guess what the secret might be. Yep, Orry-Kelly had an affair with his roommate from New York, named Archie Leach, before he moved to Hollywood and became... someone else. I don't want to give it away in case anyone doesn't know who it is. In all honesty, this whole secret thing is the weakest part of the film. It was just too obvious for me, and I thought there were more interesting aspects of Kelly's life that could have been explored more than the film did.

My favourite part of the film was when it actually talked about the films Kelly designed, and his relationship with the actresses he worked with. There were a lot of interviews with people who worked with Kelly and critics of his costumes and films (including Leonard Maltin!). There was a lot of interesting analyses of how his costumes shaped the films. This might be just because I'm a film student and I love close analysis, but I loved those interviews, and I wish there had been more of tha in the documentary. I also wish they had put subtitles at the bottom of the screen to show which clips were from which film, cause I got a little lost here and there.

Another thing that I really liked about the film was how they incorporated reenactments of Kelly's life using passages from his memoir. Actor Darren Gilshenan portrayed Kelly in these segments, and he does a really good job at bringing Kelly's own words to life. It was obviously shot on a sound stage, but that adds to the charm of these moments, and makes the film stand out from other documentaries that use flashback reenactments. It feels like you are getting the backstage story of his life and it added a lot to the film. I also liked the boat motif, and how it seemed to show Kelly adrift in his own life, and not fully knowing where he was going, that was really well done.

The documentary as a whole is a really interesting insight into someone that Australia has forgotten. And I think that after this film, Australia will reclaim Orry-Kelly as one of their own. But that being said, there were a few moments in the film that just seemed a little amateurish. There could have been more overlay, there could have been more insight into his costumes at certain times in his life, and there could have been less focus on his big secret reveal that wasn't very revealing. And why weren't there subtitles! It was a four star film, but there wasn't anything wowing me into giving it five stars.

But I would still very much recommend it! It goes in depth into the life of someone who isn't well known, which makes it stand out. It also presents it's story in an interesting way visually, and while I do have complaints, they are more nitpicks than anything else. So if you are interested, why not try and catch it at Acmi, where I believe it is showing for one more week. Or otherwise, I think it is also out on DVD.

And now, because why not, I present a list of the Orry-Kelly costumed films that I want to watch and review. They won't be coming out all at once, because I do have some other ideas for things I would like to review and lists I would like to make. But anyway, here they are, in no particular order:

• Some Like It Hot
• Gold Diggers of 1935
• Jezebel
• Sunday in New York
• Irma la Douce
• The Bride Came COD
• Now Voyager
• Too Much Too Soon
• The Dolly Sisters
• Gypsy

 I'm not sure which one is going to be first. We'll see. I'll try and get the next review out by next week, but no promises. I am just very lazy. Which is also why this review is so short. Anyway, until next time readers, keep your powder dry!

Top 15 Films of 2015 (Part 3)

I know, I know. Late again! I have been sick this week, the sort of sick that makes your brain go fuzzy. But here I am, ready to finally release the last part of my list. If you're still with me, thanks!

Also, this is my 100th blog! Hooray for me! I can't be bothered do a proper celebratory thing, I have other things I want to talk about! Let's get on with it.

5. A Royal Night Out

This was probably the most historically inaccurate film I saw this year! But it more than justified it's inaccuracies with the story that it wanted to tell. A Royal Night Out follows the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret as they go out to celebrate peace finally coming at the end of WW2. It's a very simple premise, but the film uses this idea to explore not only how the royal family were affected by the war, but also how the British public were affected, and the relationship between the two. It's a good exploration of British wartime mentality, whilst also being a critique on how the war infected every part of British life. And that's saying quite a lot for a film that also acts as a fish out of water comedy for some of Margaret's escapades. It's a fun film, that explores a part of modern history I'm particularly interested in, and while the story may not be even remotely accurate, the emotions that are explored about the end of WW2 certainly are.

4. Mad Max Fury Road

This film was epic! The chase scenes, the fight scenes, the cinematography, the characters! Everything was incredible! It's also so refreshing to see an action film were there are almost an equal amount of male and female roles, and also just to see an action film nominated for Best Picture. The whole internet has also talked about this film pretty much non-stop since this film came out, which is awesome (despite some comments not being that nice). I don't really know what else to add, other than this is just a fun and epic film to watch, and I really hope it wins at the Oscars this year!

3. Spy

I was not impressed when I first saw the trailer for this film, but being a big Miranda Hart fan I went to see it. Maybe it was because I had such low expectations, but this was the funniest film I saw all year. So funny in fact, that I saw it twice! I was so blown away by this film. All the actors were hilarious, and clearly having so much fun. Especially Jason Statham, who was playing up his thug persona, and Rose Byrne, who I've never seen so animated in a film before! Melissa McCarthy and Miranda Hart worked excellently off each other, and I really like that this was also an action film that prominently featured female characters who supported each other throughout the film. It was such a fun film, and my biggest laugh of the year!

2. Carol

This film is so beautiful! Every second of it could be framed and put on your wall. It's so awesome to see a lesbian romance filmed in such a gorgeous way. Of course, it's just nice to see such a mainstream lesbian romance for once. The way the story unfolds is almost flawless, you get swept up immediately in the love affair between Cate Blanchett's and Rooney Mara's characters, and the ending is perfect! We need more films like this. Films that are shot in a beautiful style that harks back to the 50s. Films with characters that break your heart. Films with acting that blow your mind. Films that revolve around romance, but are still intelligent and heart-warming. I saw this film on New Years Eve, and it was the best possible way to bring the new year in!

1. Phoenix

I'm not going to lie. I spent a long time puzzling over what film was going to be number one. But after looking over all of the ones that I'd seen, I realised that it had to be Phoenix. There wasn't another film that managed to homage old Hollywood dramas while also being completely original. No other film managed to have acting that was so naturalistic you didn't even know it was acting. No other film managed to keep me guessing right up until the gut punching ending. It's another film that deals with the immediate aftermath of WW2, but instead set in war torn Berlin. I don't really want to give any information about the plot, since it's better if you go in not knowing what happens, but I will say that it is a film that deals with how people managed to adjust back into some semblance of normal life. It also deals with how concentration camp survivors came back to find that everything they had known was gone. I can't really put into words how good this film was. It builds up slowly and brilliantly to an ending that leaves you reeling and also wanting more. This was the only film of the year where people actually clapped as the end credits started to roll. I hope more people go and see it, including myself again, and I hope they get as much out of it as I did.

I don't really know how to end this. That was 2015 for me in terms of films. Hopefully, when I've stopped being sick, I will be going to see a few more films this year than last year. But we'll see. I think my madcap days of going to see every possible film out have left me at last. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the list and feel free to disagree with me as much as you want. Until next time readers, keep your powder dry!