Films I Watched In: March

Posted on April 24, 2017 by emmakwall

I didn’t think it was necessary to put the year in the title this time. Even I’m remembering on a regular basis it’s now 2017. And isn’t the year going quickly? Anyway, here’s what I watched over March, seven films in total –

From Dusk till Dawn (1996) (also my favourite film)

The Faculty (1998) (another good one from Robert Rodriguez)

Room (2015) (because it was on television)

The Woman in Black (2012) (I love Daniel Radcliffe)

High Rise (2016) (summarised nicely by – “Which one of you bastards is going to fuck me up the arse?”)

RocknRoller (2008) (I love Mark Strong)

Devil’s Playground (2010) (strong Eastenders atmosphere)

All of the films were re-watches except Room, High Rise and Devil’s Playground. As said I only watched Room because it was on television but I did enjoy it for a probable one-time-only watch. Not really my usual kind of thing but undoubtedly an emotional story and good film.

By coincidence High Rise also premiered on regular TV that same weekend, but I actually watched it on Prime (what an anecdote!). I generally REALLY like Ben Wheatley films and High Rise was no exception, though it was definitely his most ambiguous yet and that’s saying something. I’m aware it was about capitalism (or something) ben-wheatley-high-risebut most of the time I’m quite prepared to admit I didn’t really know what was going on, but that still didn’t detract from a super fun viewing experience. Of course there was a bit too much ‘double meaning’ and it seems impossible that every weird thing in each weird scene could honestly be deciphered to make a really coherent plot, but it was still a very mesmerising film. I can’t say I wasn’t glued to the screen the entire time. Ben Wheatley does seem to have a knack for making films with huge question marks hanging over them. Though you’re not always given the answers, you never feel cheated either.

Now Devil’s Playground only came around because we missed a film at the cinema. Me, my mum and brother were supposed to watch Get Out (still haven’t seen it), but when a cruel twist of fate intervened, we ended up watching the Danny Dyer zombie classic – Devil’s Playground – on Netflix instead. Pretty naff to be honest, with the only notable scenes being Sean Pertwee nicking a speedboat and disappearing down the Thames (hilarious) and this scary dude waking up hungry for brains, which was the only scene of the entire film to have any genuine peril to it. And I feel kind of stupid for even saying that.

devilsplayground3

Let’s talk about both “oh I love him” films now – The Woman in Black and RocknRoller. Both British, both with potential and certainly enjoyable enough but both lacking a certain something it must be said. And how many cool people are in RocknRoller? Apart from my Mark Strong crush there’s Tom Wilkinson, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Gerard Butler. It should be great. It just gets kind of boring though. The Woman in Black I like a little more but as far as ghost films go, once you’ve seen it a couple of times I doubt it’ll make you jump much. It’s only rated 12 though, still pretty fucking creepy for a 12.  And did you know that all of those hideous toys were actually real, genuine pieces from the late 1800s? Yuck. I definitely preferred having a Gameboy.

The Woman In Black Scary Toy.png

Now on to The Faculty and From Dusk till Dawn. And can I just add quickly that because I’ve been inserting pictures as I go, I now have that awful, murderous clown thing looking at me as I’m writing. Horrid. Good thing Family Guy is on TV and I have Peter’s shenanigans for company. So on with the Robert Rodriguez Double Bill.

I like both films for similar reasons really. They’re fun, kinda over the top and their story lines center around alien body snatchers and vampires respectively (subjects I could never tire of). Definitely an original 90s teen horror, I like The Faculty a lot but From Dusk till Dawn is just on a different level. I fucking LOVE it. And I’ve loved it since I was a teenager, one of those favourite films that doesn’t ever budge from the top spot. But with Rodriguez doing one of the things he does best – bad arse action and gore, twinned with Quentin Tarantino on dialogue duty with the screenplay, it’s no wonder this film is as great as it is.

Yes, it probably has the most continuity errors I’ve ever seen in a movie ever (and I’ve watched some shit) but IT DOESN’T MATTER. It’s so much fun. So much glorious fun. It’s also pretty funny. And my god George Clooney was gorgeous. The biggest words of advice and wisdom I can give you today are these – watch From Dusk til Dawn. Watch it soon.

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About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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49 Responses to Films I Watched In: March

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  1. That Other Critic says:
    April 25, 2017 at 14:06

    From Dusk Till Dawn is a classic. Haven’t seen The Faculty, or anything else on this list, except Room.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. The Telltale Mind says:
    April 25, 2017 at 12:28

    Love From Dusk Till Dawn!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Jay says:
    April 25, 2017 at 04:24

    I had a hard time with Highrise but love love love Free Fire.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • emmakwall says:
      April 30, 2017 at 19:54

      I’m not sure how much I’d enjoy it on a second or third watch but I found it quite entertaining. I’ve not seen Free Fire! Boo! I’ll look it up 🙂

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  5. johnrieber says:
    April 24, 2017 at 13:18

    Great list! I discovered Ben Wheatley last year and have made my way through most of his films, but “High Rise” is still on the list, so this will help motivate me….

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Often Off Topic says:
    April 24, 2017 at 10:31

    I still can’t believe The Woman in Black is only a 12, it scared the hell out of me! I’m a wuss I’ll admit, but still!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • emmakwall says:
      April 24, 2017 at 18:02

      It scared me too! Even the third watch I jumped a bit 🙂 thought I can be a major wuss too!! The 12 rating is a bit steep, if I’d seen that at twelve I’d have been scarred!!!

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  7. thoughtsallsorts says:
    April 24, 2017 at 09:58

    I’m with you – Mark Strong is sooo cool. He’s my favourite in Robin Hood. And actually enjoyed him in Welcome to the Punch – actually, didn’t think that movie as bad as everyone made out. Actually, enjoy him in all the roles I’ve seen him play (quite a list come to think of it). Even his minimal role in Sunshine.

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  8. beetleypete says:
    April 24, 2017 at 09:38

    Seen them all except Room, and Devil’s Playground. I agree about RocknRolla (gets dull), and that both the Rodriguez films are spot-on. i did a full review of High Rise on my blog, and found it to be very disappointing indeed.
    If you like Mark Strong, did you ever watch this?
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220915/
    Or this?
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115305/
    (Both available on DVD)
    As ever, Pete. XXX

    Liked by 1 person

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    • emmakwall says:
      April 30, 2017 at 19:57

      Thanks Pete I’ll check those films out 🙂 it’s a shame about RocknRolla, just something….missing. The think I found most disappointing about High Rise was the ambiguity was too much, I refuse to believe all the trippy weirdness really corresponded to much. Maybe the book made more sense?! Hope you are well 🙂 xxx

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  9. Jade says:
    April 24, 2017 at 09:28

    I love RocknRolla for the cast and all its chaos, though it could definitely be a lot better. I’m with you on From Dusk Till Dawn! It’s awesome. 🙂 I’ve been watching the series, which is fun, but doesn’t hold a candle to the original film.

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    • emmakwall says:
      April 30, 2017 at 19:58

      I enjoyed some of the series too! I got out of the habit of watching it but still thought it was pretty fun. All the nods to the film were fun and I think they updated it for modern TV pretty well.

      RocknRolla does have such a good cast! I forget every time that Idris Elba is in it ha ha 🙂

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  10. movierob says:
    April 24, 2017 at 09:15

    wow Ems! 7 films. keep em coming!

    Ive actually only seen 2 of them

    Liked by 1 person

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