Monthly Round-up: January 2014 Viewing

Posted on the 31 January 2014 by Andrewbuckle22
To kick start 2014 I watched 32 films in the month of January. A higher percentage of re-watches, but even with some terrific content, the weekly cinema releases have been slimmer than usual. The cinema has been very busy so I am surprised I have been able to see so many films. Not many reviews, but I have been keeping busy covering the Awards Season for Graffiti With Punctuation. 
Television Viewing: Sherlock (S1-3), Mad Men (S6E1-9) and True Detective (S1E1-3). I am addicted to True Detective, one of the great detective shows...perhaps ever conceived. Lets see how the series progresses, but E3 ended with an absolute ripper of a reveal.
New-To-Me Films (In Order of Preference)
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The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese, 2013)


Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1959) - Flawless. Exciting final shootout culminates a brilliant character piece. Sizzling exchanges between Wayne and Dickinson, while Martin's determination to keep the peace and go cold turkey for alcoholism is compelling by itself.

The Great Beauty (Paolo Sorrentino, 2013)

Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2013) TWICE

Life Itself (Steve James, 2014) - Very moving. A beautiful reflection on Ebert's distinguished life/career. A man of character with an inspiring sense of passion. Not the most original documentary in terms of structure, but scenes of Ebert in his final years are very affecting.

Flirting With Disaster (David O. Russell, 1996) - Hilariously odd road-trip comedy has a hyperactive energy and some outrageous characters. Poor Richard Jenkins. One of Ben Stiller's best roles.
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