Films I Watched In: June & July

Posted on August 13, 2016 by emmakwall

I have been a bit (very) slack recently, so it’s time to do a speedy two month run down of the movies I watched over June and July. Eight films in total and a rather mixed bag to say the least. Now I had some crappy news a few weeks ago and was made redundant from my job. I promise I am not saying this for sympathy…

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…but rather an explanation if I don’t seem around as much. I may not be over the next few weeks whilst I job seek, eat Monster Munch in my dressing gown and watch depressing daytime TV (Judge Rinder – WTF) but don’t fret if you’re missing my outstanding movie knowledge because in the words of Jean-Claude Van Damme – I will be back.

So four films watched in June which brought my half-way-through-the-year tally to 41. Now I know people like Darren and Rob watch 41 movies, like, every week but I didn’t think this was too bad. If I pull my socks up and make effort to watch more (especially with all this new free time!) maybe I can make 100 by Christmas. Or 101 even. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

So June began with raucous laughter in the shape of Zoolander (2001) and Superbad (2007). Zoolander I watched for the millionth time on TV, having one new experience by watching it on the Dave channel. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a film on the Dave channel before. Everyone already knows I love Zoolander and blue steel and I think I’ve got the black lung pop so I’ll stop there on this one (though you can read my review for the sequel here).

Similarly there’s Superbad, which is also one of my favourite comedies and I could watch it any time. I recently reviewed its funky soundtrack here and if you ever want to sit and share quotes for a few hours you just let me know.

I ended June watching I’m Alright Jack (1959) and The Night of the Hunter (1955), which is one of my favourite films. A fantastic, scary and at times quite comical film noir starring Robert Mitchum as a murderous preacher. My favourite bit of trivia about this film is how some actors at the time were put off playing the part of Harry Powell, worried such a dark character could tarnish their image. Charles Laughton (the director) is reported as having said that when Mitchum walked into his office to audition he told him he was looking for someone to play a ‘diabolical shit’. Mitchum simply put his hand in the air and replied – “present”. 

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The whole film is so atmospheric, making the most of shadow and silhouette and Powell is an ominous, frightening presence as we follow him chasing two siblings for a bounty of money. And whilst it is super creepy in places (make no mistake) it also has moments of hilarity, whether intentional or not. The angry mob always make me laugh – “lynch him!” – led by the very lady (now drunk) who was singing his praises a few days ago.

I’m Alright Jack was alright but not something I’d rush to watch again. A British satire / comedy starring Peter Sellers and Ian Carmichael among other well known faces, it tells a (fairly accurate so I’m told) story about trade unions in the British workforce during the 50s. It was enjoyable enough but perhaps not much my thing. 

So with sunshine, ice cream and those cool drinking glasses with a lid and stripey straw let’s move into July. Guess what? Another four movies watched. The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), Innerspace (!!!) (1987), V/H/S (2012) and The Boy (2016). tumblr_o8zkv4pkbv1vxu4gko1_500

Starting in reverse order you can read my review of The Boy here, which I enjoyed fine enough but admit is nothing special. I actually found the ‘creepy doll’ kind of cute. Look, he’s crying!

V/H/S was an extremely average horror movie that at least was a little scarier (not really that scary) than The Boy. A sort of portmanteau / found footage movie it shows some petty criminals breaking into a house and finding loads of old video tapes. OBVIOUSLY each one has some hideous murder or unexplained creepy incident on it. It wasn’t anything great but it was alright and I was pleasantly surprised that supernatural stories entwined with ‘real life’ terror situations. And FINALLY I now know where this picture comes from. I’ve seen it online so many times but never knew the source before.

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Boo you whore.

Recently I was drunk and drunk tweeted a few (lucky!) people that I was watching Innerspace videos on YouTube. I’m vaguely ashamed but Innerspace though!! It was my favourite film when I was younger and apparently one of Dennis Quaid’s finest and most memorable roles.

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I mean where else would you remember him from if not Innerspace? It’s a silly movie to say the last. Quaid is miniaturised to the size of a microdot and injected into Martin Short’s butt. Thus follows an adventure story full of inaccurate medical science and Sam Cooke music. I actually thank Innerspace for introducing me to Sam Cooke, two of his best songs feature on the soundtrack and prompted me to buy his Portrait of a Legend album. Watch Dennis Quaid and Martin Short drunk dancing to Twisting the Night Away and you’ll feel happier than you’ve ever felt before. Fact.

Plus don’t tell me you’ve never done something similar, I know I love a drunk-at-home-dance.

And so onto my last film on the list – The Inbetweeners Movie. Being British and an alive person I can safely say I am a fan of The Inbetweeners. Nothing beats the television series but the first movie was pretty great (second one was a bit weird) and again this is a definitely a comedy I could watch over and over.

Part of what makes The Inbetweeners so good is how relate-able it is. The situations may be a little outlandish at times but the turmoil, frustration and embarrassment that the boys continually face can surely be understood by most of us. It’s hard to choose a favourite character because they all contribute so well (the dialogue is exceptionally funny) but I do have a soft spot for Neil. And the guy sure can dance!

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About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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91 Responses to Films I Watched In: June & July

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  1. Haylee says:
    August 13, 2016 at 18:43

    41 isn’t bad at all! You’re ten ahead of us – soooo many TV shows taking the lead over movies (Stranger Things!!) Don’t fancy the look of the Boy – might not have been scary but I just can’t tolerate dolls! Can’t beat a bit of Inbetweeners though and I actually struggle to sort out arguments with the kids at school without saying ‘friends?’ with a thumbs up, haha 😀
    Rubbish about the job though, hope you get sorted soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      August 15, 2016 at 12:24

      Oh my gosh I have heard SO MANY things about Stranger Things and I just got rid of Netflix a short while ago 🙂 I may have to get the old 30 days free trial…!

      Haha!! That genuinely made me laugh out loud, the ‘friends’ with a thumbs up thought! Thanks thanks very much, kind of you to say 🙂 on to the next adventure!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Kevin says:
    August 13, 2016 at 18:41

    I have never seen The Inbetweeners…I am an alive person but not British hahahaha

    But Innerspace, good choice!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Tom says:
    August 13, 2016 at 18:03

    Emma — thanks much for the laughs!!! Hahah, boo you whore indeed!! You tell that psycho!! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Eddie@Jaccendo says:
    August 13, 2016 at 16:07

    Ohh Zoolander! LMAO at the walk off scene, makes me laugh just thinking about it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. beetleypete says:
    August 13, 2016 at 15:48

    Are you getting married? (Comment above, wedding and holiday…)

    Anyway, back to The Inbetweeners. I loved this on TV, less so as a film, but still good. Did you watch that Quaid film on the Horror Channel? I did. So-so, I thought.
    I have a ‘home alone’ weekend, with TV dominated by the hated sport. So I intend to get through a couple of DVDs later.

    I now have a vision of you in your dressing-gown eating monster munch.
    That replaces my previous image of you which (for some reason) was of you wearing a Mary Quant mini-dress with black tights, and running around Carnaby Street in 1960s London.

    And before you ask, I have no idea where that came from…

    As ever, Pete. XXX+X

    Like

    Reply
  6. That Other Critic says:
    August 13, 2016 at 14:45

    Funny, I just watched Innerspace last week, hadn’t seen it before, it’s pretty great. Surprisingly good special effects for 1987.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Richard says:
    August 13, 2016 at 13:47

    I love The Inbetweeners so much! I can watch repeats forever. Me and my friends were actually nicknamed after the characters as we are quite alike haha. (I was Simon btw) 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      August 13, 2016 at 14:01

      Hello there Simon! Haha 🙂 so glad to read your enthusiastic comment I feel exactly the same! I can watch it again and again and again. God knows how many times I’ve seen the TV episodes lol. Do you have any favourite moments or episodes? So hard to whittle down!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. mikeladano says:
    August 13, 2016 at 13:14

    These eyes…

    Cry every night….

    For you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. newguy87 says:
    August 13, 2016 at 12:50

    Interesting selection of films, i always thought The Boy reminded me of Housebound.

    I really do think i have lost the film bug Hollywood films have been awful this June/July/August so i have turned to Bollywood and Bhoot (Which is on Youtube) was a very good horror for you to try if you don’t care what is being said because i couldn’t find subtitles.

    Would you work on a Pineapple Farm? random thought saturday

    Liked by 1 person

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    • emmakwall says:
      August 13, 2016 at 12:58

      Would I work on a pineapple farm? Hell yes I’d work on a pineapple farm! Ha ha. That’s cool watching some Bollywood, I’m sorry the movie bug is a bit low right now though 😦 the only movies I want to see at cinema are the new David Brent (which I have mixed feelings about!) and The Shallows.

      Yes you’re right about Housebound and The Boy, but The Boy lacked everything great about Housebound!

      Liked by 1 person

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      • newguy87 says:
        August 13, 2016 at 13:02

        I will ask for an application while i am away in Mauritius lol.

        My hate for hollywood works well for the podcast though lol

        you know my mind is elsewhere right now too, most of me can’t be bothered to write but i am happy enough to chat movies.

        I have come up with yet another story idea but this one isn’t even horror and i wouldn’t really know what to describe it as.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  10. alexraphael says:
    August 13, 2016 at 12:48

    I love Noght of the Hunter. High 5!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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