Twitter Film Reviews (December 2013)

Obviously I'm a couple of days late with this post but as I'm sure you’ll understand it's a very busy time of the year, actually its last year now. Apart from the Boxing Day sales I hate that week between Christmas and New Years, it's a dead week and nothing gets done. But anyway I watched a considerable amount of movies given the lack of free time I had. I revisited a few that I hadn't seen since my teen years. I got back to cinema in the last mad week before Christmas where I saw American Hustle, Enough Said and Ender's Game which were all well worth the trips. I finished out the year with a Planet of the Apes marathon with my best friend; something we haven't done in almost 14 years, it was a lot of fun.

THE 'BURBS (1989) Joe Dante's hilarious dark comedy about suburban paranoia. I could quote lines from it all day long. 5/5 [December 2^nd]

U-571 (2000) Not exactly historicity accurate but as a war film it's great. It's intense, claustrophobic and very exciting. 4/5 [December 3^rd]   

HEARTS IN ATLANTIS (2001) Beautiful and mysterious. It's a wonderful story of friendship and the essences of childhood; my heart aches. 4/5 [December 4th]

DETROIT ROCK CITY (1999) The most hilarious film of 99. It's a celebration of all things 70s and rock 'n' roll. Kiss the rules goodbye! 4/5 [December 5^th]

SILENT RUNNING (1972) is a stunning environmentally themed sci-fi about a man trying to preserve the last of earth's natural beauty. 4.5/5 [December 8th]

BRIDESMAIDS (2011) Forget film critique, this is simply just a very funny movie with great comedic actors. I couldn't stop laughing! 4/5 [December 8th]

REWIND THIS! (2013) As a movie collector I very much enjoyed this intoxicating dose of nostalgia. It's the format that started it all. 4/5 [December 12^th]

TRUE GRIT (1969) it’s a tad silly at times but overall an exciting western on a grand scale with a rich and solid story. 4/5 [December 14^th]

KIDS (1995) It's a very good film but there's nothing I liked about it. I despised every one of the characters, but loved the realism. 4/5 [December 14^th]

AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013) One very sexy and stylish 70s crime caper. The plot is crafty and the characters are rich and colourful. 4.5/5 [December 15^th]

ENOUGH SAID (2013) It’s everything that's beautiful about a mature relationship between two people. It's funny, warm and very genuine. 4.5/5 [December 17^th]

ENDER'S GAME (2013) Psychological, clever and visually impressive; strong characters and commanding performances from the cast. 4/5 [December 19^th]

GREMLINS (1984) I really struggle to enjoy this, despite it being a very well made film. It has everything I want but it doesn't click. 3/5 [December 20^th]

DON JON (2013) is genuine and raw. It's a story about unrealistic expectations of sex and love; a smart and edgy dramatic comedy. 4/5 [December 21^st]

SCARECROW (1973) is a character driven road film about friendship and starting over; its raw 70s cinema with strong performances. 4/5 [December 21^st]

THE BIG CHILL (1983) shows us how we're at our best when with the people we most care about; a feel good drama with the best soundtrack! 4/5 [December 21^st]

SCROOGED (1988) I love the sheer lunacy of this twisted and dark Christmas comedy. Bill Murray however was a little too over the top. 3.5/5 [December 22^nd] 

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) An odd, funny and all around wacky holiday comedy. I finally see what all the fuss is about now, very fun. 3.5/5 [December 23rd]

DIE HARD (1988) The king of Christmas movies; I can't imagine a Christmas Eve without it. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. 5/5 [December 24th]

PRISONERS (2013) Powerful, unsettling with a well structured plot. Performances are fiercely intense; gripping from start to finish. 4.5/5 [December 26th]

THE BUTLER (2013) Although a bit it's a solid drama analysing American society. Watch it for Forest Whitaker dignified performance. 3.5/5 [December 26th]

V/H/S (2012) Creative, genuinely scary and well put together. The bad acting in places was a bit distracting but overall decent. 3.5/5 [December 27th]

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (2013) Stunning animation! It's Revenge of the Nerds meets Animal House; a funny first rate family movie. 4/5 [December 28th]   

V/H/S/2 (2013) Whilst very graphic and disturbing it lacked creativity; for the most part mindless rubbish that did not make much sense. 2/5 [December 29th]

THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980) Terrific from start to finish! At times like watching Looney Tunes; amazing stunts, characters and music. 4.5/5 [December 29th]

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013) Much more exciting and eventful; an epic adventure with stunning visuals and detail. 4/5 [December 30th]

PLANET OF THE APES (1968) Staple of science fiction cinema with brilliant writing which reflected a number of social issues of the time. 5/5 [December 31^st]

BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970) Quite a few steps down in quality but overall I do find it enjoyable. Hilarious over acting! 3.5/5 [December 31^st]

ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES (1971) Favourite sequel in the series; I love how it goes from being almost comedic to dead serious. 4/5 [December 31^st]

CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972) This one drags a bit but the climax and Caesar's speech make it all worth it in the end. 3/5 [December 31^st]

Top Ten Picks

1.    Enough Said (2013)

2.    Prisoners (2013

3.    Don Jon (2013)

4.    The Big Chill (1983)

5.    Silent Running (1973)

6.    The Blues Brothers (1980)

7.    Scarecrow (1973)

8.    Ender’s Game (2013)

9.    American Hustle (2013)

10.  Die Hard (1988)

If you wish to follow me on Twitter you'll find me @DrHasslein