Movies 2012

So what's been good, and what's been bad when it comes to the movies this year? Well, it's been a mixed bag of both. If I should pick a few movies that were my real favourites this year, I have to say The Artist, En kongelig affære, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the documentary Knuckle. I know that they all didn't come out this year, but I've seen them during 2012, and that's what counts. If I should pick out some flicks that have been extra crappy, then 21 Jump Street, The Grey and Irvine Welch's Ecstacy has to be up there.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Adventures of Tintin, The
Albert Nobbs
Amazing Spider-Man, The
Angels' Share, The
Anonymous
Artist, The
Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader
Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard
Avengers, The
Being Flynn
Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The
Big Fan
Bindlestiffs
Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, The
Bourne Legacy, The
Café de Flore
Carnage
Chronicle
Clearskin
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
Coriolanus
Cowboys & Aliens
Dark Knight Rises, The
Dark Shadows
Debt, The
Descendants, The
Dredd 3D
End of Watch
En kongelig affære
Expendables 2, The
Fetish Dolls Die Laughing
Flight
Frankenweenie
Game Change
Get the Gringo
God Bless America
God on Trial
Grey, The
Happy End
Help, The
Himlen är oskyldigt blå
Hobbit, The: An Unexpected Journey
Hodejegerne
Holy Flying Circus
Hotel Transylvania
Hugo
Hunger
Hunger Games, The
Hysteria
Immortals
Inbetweeners Movie, The
Indie Game: The Movie
形影不离 (Inseparable)
Iron Lady, The
Iron Sky
Irvine Welsh's Ecstacy
J. Edgar
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
John Carter
Just for Kicks
Knuckle
La piel que habito
Lincoln
Man on a Ledge
Man with the Iron Fists, The
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Melancholia
Men in Black III
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Moneyball
Moonrise Kingdom
Oslo, 31 Augusti
ParaNorman
Perks of Being a Wallflower, The
Prometheus
Rampart
Resident Evil: Retribution
Rise & Fall of a White Collar Hooligan, The
Rock of Ages
Rum Diary, The
Safe House
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Scoop
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Skyfall
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Strippers vs Werewolves
Super High Me
Ted
That's What I Am
This Means War
Tillsammans
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
21 Jump Street
Twixt
Underworld: Awakening
War of the Dead
Warrior
We Are Skateboarders
We Bought a Zoo
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Withnail & I
Woody Allen: A Documentary
Woman in Black, The

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Review: This is a film that I, like many other people, have been looking forward to ever since we first heard about it. And I have to say that Peter Jackson have succeeded once again. A really beautiful and majestic tale about a hobbit, a wizard and a bunch of dwarfs. Quite a lot of people have complained that this one was a bit too slow. I agree, there are slow parts of it, but have we all forgot about all the time we had to sit through Frodo and Sam going around and around. That was slow and annoying at times if any. This was a real treat for the eyes, and I can't wait for the next chapter!

Rating: 8/10

Lincoln

Lincoln

Review: Steven Spielberg's made a really good film depicting the later years of Abraham Lincoln's life, and his fight for the abolishment of slavery. Daniel Day-Lewis is excellent in the lead role, but everyone involved should get credit for this fine movie. I really recommend this one.

Rating: 7.5/10

Withnail & I

Withnail & I

Review: Withnail & I is considered a modern classic. And perhaps it was something extra if you watched back in 1987. But seeing it for the first time in 2012, it's far from special. Some good acting, some bad acting, some nice lines, lots of boredom. Nope, not a classic to me.

Rating: 4.5/10

Flight

Flight

Review: You can always count on some good acting from Denzel Washington, and his performace in Flight is no different. He's one of those few actors who can do a lot with very little, and his portrayal of drug dependant airline pilot Whip Whitaker was really good. The film itself was ok, but all in all nothing special.

Rating: 5.5/10

Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie

Review: For some reason this felt like the perfect way to start off Christmas this year. Think Tim Burton meets Frankenstein and Pet Semetary and you're kind of there. Really charming and definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 6.5/10

Derek Pilot Episode

I don't know why I haven't seen this one before, but better late than never I guess. Derek is a British comedy series starring Ricky Gervais, Karl Pilkington and Kerry Godliman. This pilot was aired in April this year, and in the beginning of 2013 the show was start on Channel 4. The pilot was promising, so I'm looking to see if the show can live up to that.

Resident Evil: Retribution

Resident Evil: Retribution

Review: This is the fifth installment in the Resident Evil film series. Each movie gets a  more and more vague storyline, and Resident Evil: Retribution seem to have skipped it all together. Never a dull moment in it though since they seem to believe that as long as there is action, a story is not needed.

Rating: 3.5/10

The Man with the Iron Fists

The Man with the Iron Fists

Review: I have full respect for RZA to follow his heart and doing what he's really passionate about. Unfortunately The Man with the Iron Fists mostly comes off as a lame copy of other classic movies from this genre. And it has to be said, don't use your own music for movies like this, and, you are a sorry excuse for an actor, even in a movie like this.

Rating: 2.5/10

Dredd 3D

Dredd 3D

Review: I was interested to see what they could come up with this time. The version with Sylvester Stallone from 1995 was, if a bit entertaining, too much of a slaughter of the original comic book. This version is better in that sense, more true to its origin. But it still kind of sucks. I want a movie about the Dark Judges instead.

Rating: 4/10

Skyfall

Skyfall

Review: I haven't been a big fan of James Bond lately, but since I've probably seen the other 22 movies I knew I would see this one too. And I'm glad I did. Skyfall was a good action movie that actually managed to keep my attention for the majority of the 137 minutes, which is not a mean feat. Far from a masterpiece, but still very much worth watching.

Rating: 6.5/10

The Angels' Share

The Angels' Share

Review: I can't seem to be able to stay away from the films of Ken Loach, even though the quality of them are uneven at best. Sometimes he makes really amazing movies, but The Angels' Share is not of them. I love the settings and the language, but the story is quite weak and stupid and not the least bit memorable. Worth watching though if you love Scotland and whiskey I guess. 

Rating: 4/10

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Review: A true coming of age film based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky. Nothing really new here, but I must say that there are some good acting in it, especially by Logan Lerman in the lead. A pleasant view, but nothing that I will remember for long unfortunately. 

Rating: 6/10

End of Watch

End of Watch

Review: An average cop film that got by more or less only by the acting of Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña. Disappointing and predictable ending that disappointed me more than anything.

Rating: 4.5/10

The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff

The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff

Review: I love stumbling across things like this! The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff is a four-part BBC comedy show, that parodies the works of Charles Dickens. The cast is a joy, many of my favourite British comedians make an appearance and the stylings are quite lovely. I get a Christmassy feel of it all, and for some reason I get a Terry Pratchett vibe while watching. The show is quite weird and out there sometimes, but I can't help smiling all the way through it and ending up feeling sad that it's over now. A true joy to watch!

Rating: 7.5/10

Ricky Gervais Live @ Scandinavium

A few days ago I had the pleasure of finally seeing Ricky Gervais live. I had been looking forward to this for a long time, so it was with joy I went to see him at Scandinavium. 

The opening act was Doc Brown, who I have to admit I hadn't really heard too much about up until now. He was however really good and funny, and his 30 minute set could easily have been longer if you ask me.

But it was quite obvious why everyone was here. As soon as Ricky Gervais stepped on stage the crowd loved him. And so did I. He's a real entertainer, and one of my absolute favourite comedians. The only downside to the show was that, except for a few jokes about Vikings, I had heard every single joke before. Maybe I should blame myself for watching his DVD's too many times, but I must admit that I was a bit let down by this. All in all though, I'm really glad I went and it was a very funny and entertaining evening. 

An Idiot Abroad Season 3

Time now for the third season of An Idiot Abroad. Not my favourite show on television, but I couldn't really stay away. This time around Karl Pilkington is joined by Warwick Davis. A few good laughs, but not really convinced. We'll see if it gets better as it keeps going.

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Legacy

Review: The fourth installment in the Bourne film series, but the first one without Matt Damon. The character Jason Bourne is not at all the focus in this one. Here we get to follow Aaron Cross instead, and his fight to survive. Jeremy Renner is doing a good job in the lead role, but I actually kind of miss Matt Damon. It's not really Bourne without him. Easy entertainment though, perfect for a Saturday.

Rating: 5.5/10

God on Trial

God on Trial

Review:  God on Trial takes place in Auschwitz during the Second World War. In it, a group of Jewish prisoners decide to put God on trial. It's an interesting story even though I feel that it doesn't work all the way through. It feels like you need to have a good knowledge about the Torah to get the most out of it. Some good actors even though the acting itself don't really impress.  

Rating: 5/10

Stephen Fry: HIV & Me

Stephen Fry: HIV & Me

Review: This documentary is quite old, but no less relevant as it's dealing with HIV and Aids, and the impact it still has on our society in this day and age. A recommended watch!

Rating: 6/10

Hunger

Hunger

Review: A very strong film about Bobby Sands, and his hunger strike back in 1981. It's not really strong because of the story itself because I felt that is was not the most interestingly made movie, but to see Michael Fassbender's transformation was really touching.

Rating: 6/10

Whites

I don't like shows that are cancelled after only one season. Or to be honest, I don't like when they cancel shows that I like at least. There's one good thing about it though, you never have the time to get sick of the show. And that's the case with Whites. The reason I decided to watch it was simple, it featured Alan Davies.  I never seen him act before and wasn't quite sure what to expect. But it was a pleasant surprise, and he is great as the lead character. Do you like cooking shows and British humour? Give the six episodes of Whites a chance.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Review: If there is something that Lasse Hallström's really good at, it's making feelgood movies. And Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is no different. It's not one of his best movies, far from it. The story, that is based on a novel by the same name, is a bit too weak for my taste. But the mood, the acting and the pace is just right for making it a pleasant viewing.

Rating: 7/10

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

Review: Finally it was time for me to sit down and watch The Dark Knight Rises. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time, so I was really psyched about seeing it. And I wasn't disappointed. But, at the same time I kind of was. I mean, it was a really good movie, and in that sense it didn't let me down. But I don't think it lives up to all the hype that it got. I also have to say that the character Bane really disappointed me. I had definitely expected more from him. All in all though, a very enjoyable escape from reality.

Rating: 6.5/10

Dara O Briain - This Is the Show

Dara O Briain - This Is the Show

Review: Dara O Briain is one of many British comedians that I've discovered through the amazing tv show QI. I quickly liked his Irish style and his clever sense of humour, and when I stumbled across this show that he made 2010, I just had to see it. And it was funny. More or less all the way through actually. Do you want some warm and funny comedy, look no further than this.

Rating: 7/10

Indie Game: The Movie

Indie Game: The Movie

Review: This is a really good documentary about independent game developers, and their struggles, dreams and love for the art form. It's very warm and heartfelt, and I recommend this one strongly.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man

Review: I must start off by saying that I don't really see the point of this movie about Spider-Man. It's not like we haven't seen this one before. But with that being said, I have to say that it was well worth watching, especially on a day when you want something action packed and with great effects. I don't know if Andrew Garfield can compete with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, but he did good anyway. Emma Stone is always a pleasure to watch. I think I have a bit of a crush on her to be honest. 

Rating: 6/10

Tillsammans

Tillsammans

Review: This is a movie that most of my Swedish friends probably are surprised that I haven't seen yet. It came out 12 years ago and was a huge success here. The main reason for me not watching it before is that I never been a big fan of Swedish films and there are a lot of them I haven't seen. This weekend however I finally saw it. Did I like it? Well, I got quite a few laughs out of it, and some of the characters was really charming. Since I'm born in the 70s there's also a lot of things that I recognize from that time. It was a charming film, even though it was highly predictable from the get go. Worth watching though.

Rating: 5.5/10

Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania

Review: Let me start off by saying: I hated dubbed movies! Nothing can destroy a movie more than that. And this one was dubbed. The reason behind me watching it with Swedish voices was that I saw it at the cinema with my friend and her 8 year old son. But with that being said, I must say that this one was quite charming nevertheless. Simple entertainment and it produced a couple of smiles. If I just could have got rid of all the kids and their parents around me in the theater.

Rating: 5/10

Bad Education

I love stumbling across good new shows. And by accident earlier today I discovered Bad Education because of Jake Whitehall, who I fell in love with in the show Fresh Meat. So far I've seen the first 3 episodes and I'm loving it! Can't wait to get through the last shows in a day or two.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Review: Of course I had to watch this one. Based on Seth Grahame-Smith's novel by the same name. He's also the man responsible for the novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This is the story of Abraham Lincoln, and his less known calling as a vampire hunter. It sounds really silly, and it is. But it's at least well made and not too bad, considering. Cheap entertainment.

Rating: 4.5/10

Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

Review: In keeping with the last few days theme, I just watched the 3 episodes long documentary Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man. In 2009 Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 51 days for the charity Sport Relief. It's a truly inspirational story showing how much pure will and determination can achieve despite all odds. Not inspirational enough to make me want to try a marathon, but still. 

Rating: 7/10

Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story

Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story

Review: Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story is a documentary that both covers Eddie Izzard's rise to fame and his childhood, as well as dealing with the task of creating an entirely new show without using any of his old material. It's perhaps not a very interesting documentary in some ways, but what makes it entertaining is Eddie himself. He really comes across as a genuine and warm person that is not afraid to show who he is. And since I also see him as one of my absolute favourite comedians of all time, a documentary like this is always worth watching. 

Rating: 6/10

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom

Review: The characters, the cinematography, the colours, the actors, the surroundings, the story. There is always something quite special about Wes Anderson's films. Moonrise Kingdom might not be one of his best productions, but it's still better than most films out there nowadays. That says quite a lot about his skills as a movie maker. I don't know if I get very captured by the story in this one, but the acting from Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman is a true pleasure to behold. 

Rating: 7/10

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages

Review: Hmm, what can you really say about this movie? Weird, funny and embarrasing kind of covers it all I guess. An 80's rock musical featuring people such as Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti and Russell Brand can never really be excellent, but still entertaining. If you're going to watch this one, you need to take it all with a big pinch of salt or you will squire to death more or less.

Rating: 4.5/10

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Review: Usually I stay away from hip hop documentaries nowadays, since most of them cover the same thing over and over again without adding anything new. But when I heard that Ice T had made one, I felt that I had to check it out. After all, he's after all a legend on the scene and it would be interesting to see what he could come up with. And it's a good watch, basically because of all the people that he talk to in the documentary. A true all-star list of artists, from the originators to today's stars. Didn't get to know anything new this time around either, but I hadn't too big expectations regarding that.

Rating: 5/10

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Review: Ah, a really good feelgood movie! Some movies in this cathegory easily becomes cliche, but this one walks the line perfectly. Much because of the amazing cast. A real recommendation!

Rating: 7.5/10

ParaNorman

ParaNorman

Review: I honestly don't really know what I thought of this film. It was charming at times, funny at times but not really much more than that. Zombies are always a plus though.

Rating: 5/10

Eddie Izzard: Live at Madison Square Garden

Eddie Izzard: Live at Madison Square Garden

Review: How can one not love Eddie Izzard? His live shows are always amazing and this one is no different. Just watch it!

Rating: 7/10

The Expendables 2

The Expendables 2

Review: You knew I couldn't stay away. I mean, as wonderfully bad as The Expendables was, I just couldn't leave the sequal alone. This time around, the all-star cast of action heroes from last time has been joined by Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude van Damme. The only one missing now is Steven Seagal and the cast would be complete. The movie then? Over the top action, bad dialogue and testosterone overload. Just as expected.

Rating: 3/10

Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader

Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader

Review: Ah, sometimes you're just in the mood for something that Roger Corman has been involved with. He's one of the true masters of low budget B-movies, and Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader is no different. Is the movie any good? Well, it's about as good as the title itself. In other words: stupid, funny and not very good at all. I love it!

Rating: 5.5/10

Comedy Exchange

Comedy Exchange was a British tv show that the channel Dave was considering back in 2010. They made a pilot episode but after that nothing seem to have happened. It's about 2 comedians from different countries performing in each others countries and each others audiences. In the pilot we get to see Phill Jupitus and Eugene Mirman. It was kind of entertaining, especially since I really like Phill Jupitus. But the show felt like it lacked something, and it never really got too interesting. Perhaps that's why nothing seem to have happened with the show after that. Still, I'm glad I watched it.

No More Beaver Falls & Lilyhammer

I just watched the last episode of Beaver Falls second season. I don't know if there will be a third season, and quite frankly, right now I don't care. The show, with its charm, really ran out of steam during the second season, so if a third season comes I won't be watching it.

After that I watched the fifth episode of Lilyhammer. I was suspecting when I started watching the show that it wouldn't last long for me, and I was right. It's honestly a bad show. All it has to offer is small cultural jokes that works at times but in the long run it's just stupid. No more Lilyhammer for me.

Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows

Review: The combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp rarely fails. And it doesn't fail here either. But with that being said, I can't say that I was very impressed with Dark Shadows. An ok watch, but that was about it I'm afraid.

Rating: 5.5/10

Lilyhammer

Yesterday I got around to watching the first episode of the Norwegian-American tv series Lilyhammer. I had very low expectations sitting down in front of it, but it actually was ok. I don't think I will like it though after 3-4 episodes, but up until then I will be entertained at least.

Jay & Silent Bob Get Old: Tea Baggin in the UK

Jay & Silent Bob Get Old: Tea Bagging in the UK

Review: I really do like Kevin Smith, and I'm always happy to watch something with him and Jason Mewes. This live show from London however is mostly boring though. Too much of Jason for my taste.

Rating: 4/10

Newsroom

I just watched the season finale of Newsroom, and I have to encourage anyone who hasn't seen this show to do it. It's probably the most interesting show that has come out in quite a while.

Big Fan

Big Fan

Review: I really quite liked this one. I can't really say why, but I think some of it has to do with the feeling of it, but mostly because of Patton Oswalt in the lead role as Paul. It's a nice comedy drama with a twist that I can really recommend if you're looking for something a bit different and low key.

Rating: 6.5/10

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Review: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is a documentary focusing on his comedy tour The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour that followed his departure from NBC. It's an interesting documentary letting us see more of the person behind the name and see what drives him. Unfortunately it also feels very unfocused and in the end you're left with an unsatisfied feeling. Definitely worth checking out though if you like me like Conan.

Rating: 5/10