[film] catching up

[inulro]

If anyone wonders why I'm being Posty McPostypants today, I've got the work experience student this morning logged into my account doing the typing. Leaving me free to do a huge backlog of admin, and - er - surf the web. I've earned it.

Anyhoo, I've watched a few films recently.

The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp in a film based on a Hunter S Thompson book.

The opening scene is the HST character passed out in a trashed hotel room, because he couldn't figure out the key to the mini fridge.

It gets better, and much less Fear and Loathing, from there. I wasn't expecting a lot, but this film is hilarious, with a serious message about investigative journalism and the corruption that was rife in Puerto Rico in 1960.

Highly recommended. I saw the book in Foyle's last week and I think I need to go back and buy it now. (No, I will be responsible and get it from the library).

Don't be Afraid of the Dark

Guillermo del Toro does a New England haunted house story, complete with possibly mentally ill child. He can, and has, done better, but it's del Toro so the aesthetics are perfect. While it's not very scary, it's a decent story.

The Hunger Games

Better than expected in some ways, disappointing in others that I find myself unable to quantify. Definitely worth watching though, and yes, need to get my hands on the books.

Comments

[girfan.livejournal.com]

I read all 3 of the Hunger Games books (and sold them on or else I would lend them to you) and really liked them. I thought the film did a decent job of distilling the most important parts of the book. I remember there being casting grumbles when the film came out but I thought the casting was fine.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I thought most of the grumbles were from racist American teens who had issues with Roo and other characters being black - as they are clearly described in the books.

[a-carnal-mink.livejournal.com]

The Rum Diary also notable in that Depp demanded Bruce Robinson (of writing/directing Withnail & I fame) be dragged out of retirement to helm it. I felt the trailers did it no favours, in that it's a far more "serious" movie than they made it out to be, but yeah, 'tis good. :)