16 - The Eye

Connection To KICK-ASS 2 - Chloé Grace Moretz

Remakes of Asian horror, the whole thing started The Ring didn't it back in 2002? Maybe there was ones before that but without The Ring we probably wouldn't have got The Grudge, Dark Water or Pulse, or the sequels to any of these. I don't think I'd be out of line if I called most of them poo and to be honest The Eye never did anything to stand out from the pack.

The original version was released in 2002 and was from Hong Kong (I love Hong Kong cinema and it's never really had the US remakes like other Asian countries have), I have had the original on my shelf to watch for a while but never got around to it, so there is nothing holding me back going into viewing this movie.

I might as well start with my overall opinion and if I had to choose one word about how I felt about that movie it would be - indifferent...

Perhaps one of the words I fear most in watching films, a great film I can get excited by while a bad film I can pinpoint what's wrong but when I feel indifferent it puts me in a tricky position in what to say about it. I certainly don't think Jessica Alba deserved a Razzie nomination for this and the ending is adequately built up too, there is just not enough to keep interest - I think this will be a film I'll forget about even in the next months. I think the plot as clearly a lot of potential blind women gets eye transplant can see but is seeing terrifying visions.

The supporting cast, really don't leave much of an impression, Parker Posey don't get much too do and the male lead Alessandro Nivola is merely okay, another familiar in Chloé Grace Moretz pops up as the littlest cancer patient (and makes me assume that Moretz started acting when she was a fetus).

Overall, bad doesn't seem a fair word to describe if it becomes the end of the year and I ranked all the films it would be difficult to know where to put it, worse films are more memorable, I would probably just say don't watch it in the end, there's 90 minutes you could devote to something more memorable.

15 - Kick-Ass 2

Connection To PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED - Jim Carrey

I really enjoyed the first Kick-Ass movie, for me it was a great mix of comedy and bloody violence with some very enjoyable characters with a great performance from the often entertaining Nicolas Cage and an argument could be made for a little star being born in Chloé Grace Moretz and though the film wasn't a huge success at the box-office, the film did well enough (including things like DVD sales) to earn a sequel.

Kick-Ass 2 was a film I had been waiting to see for a while just based off of how much I enjoyed the first, sadly Cage's Big Daddy was no more we will at least have another famous over-actor in Jim Carrey - who ended up refusing to publicize the film after the Sandy Hook massacre - and we got the return of at least a few of these characters.

To be honest in this sequel, there is a lot evident that is both good and bad - it's a film of stengths and weaknesses that come together only sort of well - I wouldn't call it a bad movie nor would I call it great, the best way I would describe it for me is a film that at times can be good.

Aaron Taylor Johnson in the lead role is as good as he was in the first one as in not awful but not spectacular (there is pattern here in how I'm describing things), and it's the supporting cast who are much more fun - Christopher Mintz-Plasse who is now going by name of Motherfucker rather then Red Mist and is a wannabe supervillian who early on accidentally kills his mother in a sunbed accident making him the sole heir in the family fortune with the only loyal company of John Leguizamo (who I really enjoyed in this movie). Anyway Kick-Ass is attempting to have a normal life but convinces Mindy to train him to be a real superhero, but that becomes at odds when her guardian convinces her to be more like a normal girl, which she really does try and be

Kick Ass ends up joining up with a band of superheroes including the enjoyable Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes - whose not in it as much as you would think, speaking of not in it as much as you think Lyndsy Fonseca as the girlfriend from the last movie is little more then a cameo meanwhile Motherfucker as put together his own group of villains.

For me the negative of the movie is the violence doesn't really mesh as well with the humour, at times stuff just seems mean-spirited, while at other times just a touch too dark and is just ultimately not sure what tone it is going for. The film has some memorable moments but none quite match up to Hit-Girl trying to save Big Daddy and Kick-Ass in the first movie but we do get a girl thanks to Hit Girl both vomiting and shitting at the time (makes sense in the context of the movie)

Which brings us to the ace in the hole of the movie, which was true of the first one and that is Moretz, she's so enjoyable that I wouldn't be opposed to spin-off movie sans Kick-Ass - it's possible I would have done without the Mean Girls style scenes but the pay-off (mentioned above) is memorable like I said and it sort of cool how they played up the biological aspect of her and Kick-Ass's relationship (I know there Dave and Mindy but I just didn't want to keep changing between names)

Overall an enjoyable if occasionally uneven movie. I would certainly go for a third (which there are some clues of that happening) but I would want them to study more the first one then this one.

14 - Peggy Sue Got Married

Connection To Who Framed Roger Rabbit - Kathleen Turner

THE 1980s SUCKED!!! Do you want to know why? Because it seemed like so many films and TV series had nostalgia for the 50s and the 60s - which was yeah, through rose-tinted glasses cause there was a lot of shit that happened.

Peggy Sue Got Married - you can't help but think of Back To The Future, this was released a year after and involves somebody going back to an earlier time (in the case 1960), it's really where the similarity ends and it would be unfair on this movie if I kept comparing it to that iconic movie.

Kathleen Turner plays Peggy Sue who is attending her 25th high school reunion in the present (well as in 1986), just seperated from her school sweetheart Charlie (Nicolas Cage), she is made class Queen (alongside the King who was a class geek now turned millionaire), during which she faints and when she awakes she finds herself back in 1960.

Finding herself back in 1960 she is really confused but soon finds herself being able to have the courage to address rude classmates or tell a teacher that there is no use for algebra in the real word and she knows it for a fact. This also gives her a chance (of the inevitable) to remember why she fell in love with Charlie in the first place.

I liked this, it indeed made me feel nostalgia for a time and place that I was never there for, there is cute little references about the future (like her saying she'll go to Liverpool and discover The Beatles). The film also features quite a cast of before they were famous, besides Cage, who wasn't a breakout yet (who is director Francis Ford Coppola's nephew), there is Jim Carrey (playing naturally the class clown), Joan Allen (herself later a star of the 50's sit-com set Pleasantville), a young Helen Hunt and Coppola's own daughter Sofia.

Speaking of Cage, is choice for voice is weird an odd high pitched tone that a little bit dents the enjoyment of the movie but he doesn't grate completely 100%, Kathleen Turner though carries the movie great.

The music choice is typical of the nostalgia run of movies where all songs are still well known to this day (that's all that was played on the radio and at club it was always seems, I imagine songs get forgotten along the way in reality).

Overall, it's nowhere near the Coppola classics of the 70's, but it's a nice movie - that's not a complaint - and though going back to Back to the Future (what an awkward thing to say) it's a decent watch if somebody wants something a little bit the same.

13 - Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Connection To Frozen - both from the House Of Mouse, get that connection out the way before I use it much later since connections are only used once.

I feel like I should put a disclaimer right at the start of any of these I do about films I really loved as a youngling, because my love for these films never goes away and it feel like I probably won't right about them too objectively - it's likely I gush about them pretty much, because the 80's films some of them have gone through 4 decades with me ---

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (which doesn't have a ? right at the end) is to me an absolute classic and watching it even now in 2014 holds up still amazingly well - the animated and real life all seem like they are inhabiting the same world and Jessica Rabbit is still a sexy as hell character.

It is surprising how much of it is "grown up" with murders and an adorable animated shoe getting the dip, I think that it works in it's favour because it's a crime movie that just so happens the main suspect is a talking animated rabbit.

Going back to when I saw this as a kid I just loved the idea of all these characters being in the same world be it Dumbo or Donald and Daffy duelling it out on the pianos or Bugs and Mickey teaming up it's glorious to a kid who had seen these characters before come alive together.

For the human characters I really liked Bob Hoskins portrayal of Eddie Valiant, while it's obvious he struggles with the accent it's not really an issue as he the perfect foil to Roger. Christopher Lloyd plays Judge Doom is genuinely menacing even before his meltdown at the end.

For the animated characters Roger treads the line that I think was planned of being annoying, he's supposed to grate on Eddie and we see that but he's not supposed to grate on us and Jessica, is not surprisingly considered one of the sexiest cartoon characters of all time makes a wonderful femme fatale.

The twist of who framed RR is fairly obvious but that doesn't spoil the enjoyment of the movie one bit which is more a sign of the quality of the movie.

Overall the movie is fantastic, there is so much to enjoy - kids can love the characters while adults can enjoy that and it's story. It's not a surprise this film is so fondly remembered.

12 - Frozen

Connection To VERONICA MARS - The lovely Kristen Bell.

This movie is magical. I feel like I had to start with the start, the main reason was it felt like it was a groan inducing play on words and more importantly it's what I believe to be true. For almost the last 20 years most of the best films from the House Of The Mouse have come from Pixar - I'm not saying everything Disney (animation wise) put out was poor and everything Pixar put out was awesome (the Cars films say hi) but honestly since The Lion King there hasn't been a Disney film I have loved.

Honestly I feel like that has changed - Frozen, for me had the right balance of comedy sidekicks, likable heroine, lovely songs and a story I was invested in - going back to what Disney do best and classic fairy-tale in this case a loose adaptation of The Snow Queen.

I honestly think I got a crush on Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), now obviously I have a huge crush on Bell are self but there was something about Anna that was just adorable, her eternal optimism, I also liked that she was pitched somewhere between traditional Disney princess and action-girl, it always tends to be either extreme.

I thought the film had a great message about the bond of sisterhood (or siblings in general), Anna never stops loving her sister Elisa, whose being cursed with everything she touches turning to ice. Going back to the other characters which I only briefly touched on we had a likable male lead Krisoff  and his brilliant reindeer Sven, and we also have the snowman Olaf, who dreams of one day being in the sun - Olaf was the character in danger of being annoying if done wrong but Josh Gad does a good job with him as does the writers.

One last note there is a twist that actually genuienly took me by surprise, seriously when was the last cartoon (aimed at kids and families) that did that.

Overall, the first Disney film in a while that took me back to my childhood, the film is charming throughout, with a great character for Bell and a journey worth going on. I absolutely loved this film.

11 - Veronica Mars

Connection To WAITING - Justin Long

To start thing off I'm a massive fan of the Veronica Mars TV series, I have watched the series multiple times and still holds my interest even after knowing who committed what crimes. Do you want to know what's on my far living room wall - A Veronica Mars poster, the autographs of Kristen Bell and Amanda Seyfried next to it, and Harry Hamlin the other side, so yeah I just wanted to say it wasn't an understatement.

Sadly at the time Veronica Mars just wasn't getting enough viewers and ended after only 3 seasons and for me it was just filed with many other TV series has gone too soon. Last year though - Rob Thomas, the series creator, Bell and other co-stars launched a Kickstarter, attempting to raise $2 million in a month, it quickly did that amount and ended making over $5 million. I think the money they wanted to raise was also a sign to see if anybody would actually be interested in it - the answer was of course yes... I've read some negativity about this on IMDB boards (I know I should have just stayed away), I think there's all sorts of reasons for the negativity one to me is why not there favourite show - maybe one day soon it will happen for them - VM fans just put there money where there mouth was.

Veronica Mars coming back even after watching the movie still feels like a dream, I just never believed I would see these characters again - the sequel books, yes I could see but the characters living and breathing again by the actors who played I would have thought was out of the realm of possibility for a little watched but loved show.

The film picks up 9 years after the third season and Veronica has left the P.I. business and Neptune behind and is getting interviewed by a prestigious law firm and is in a relationship with season 3 regular Piz (Chris Lowell), who I believe it says they didn't stay together but have got back together in the years since, but she is contacted by her smoldering ex Logan (Jason Dohring), who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Carrie Bishop (who was a character in an episode of the show but was played by Leighton Meester, now she's played by Andrea Estella) and he is being bombarded with offers from offers from lawyers and she agrees to return to Neptune to help him choose the right one - I won't spoil anymore really but this is the crux of what gets her to Neptune.

As a long-term and big fan of the show I LOVED THIS - what I am writing is going to be based on that all warm and glowing feeling the film gave me, I was shouting the characters name at the screen such as GIA (Krysten Ritter who is one of my crushes behind KB) and SACKS where too names I said when they would come on and it only felt a few characters where missing (Jackie, Backup etc.) and those such as Van Clemons may have been short and sweet but they got their moments at least though some would have been welcome to stay around a bit longer.

The central mystery is decent which considering they only had 100 minutes rather then  a season still felt satisfying. There was also a bunch of welcome new faces who were welcome additions such as Gaby Hoffmann and even a surprise cameo of an actor as themselves.

There was one sole negative for this movie for me - Dax Shepherd - Kristen's real life beau, I'm not blaming him here but he is a cameo has a skeezy night club guy who dances to try and seduce Veronica and she pulls a face of disgust. I thought the joke was too obvious and knew it was coming the moment I saw him, VM is better then that but luckily it's what a 30 second scene in the entire movie.

Some other points of the movie I would just like to say - Tina Majorino as Mac looked even prettier then she ever did in the series (she was still pretty in the series) and KB though you got argue was still with the baby weight (bigger boobs then normal etc). she fit back in the role of Veronica perfectly and it's like she never went away.

Overall a magical movie for me, I was literally smiling throughout I was so pleased to be seeing this, who knows maybe a second viewing might change some opinion but I am staying with this for now . I AM A MARSHMALLOW

10 - Waiting

Connection To WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? - Anna Faris

Waiting is the sort of film that just passed me by, not completely unnoticed I was aware of it's existence on it's original release but considering it came out at one of my peak times for buying DVD, it's sort of surprising that I'd never seen it, not even caught it on TV because it's totally the film I'd put on to entertain myself for an hour and a half - also Anna Faris who I find adorable is also in this (though I'm not over-enthused about her current sit-com Mom what I've tried to get into)

It's fair to say this movie is a little bit uneven but sometimes is pretty funny and sometimes very funny - I enjoyed most of the characters particular Alanna Ubach's Naomi (pictured at the top) - on the subject of Ubach, I don't think I've ever give her enough credit she is often good value for money in the stuff I've seen her in - and Chi McBride as Bishop, are the two actors that deserve most mention.

I didn't have a problem with the rest of the cast, all of them often entertaining - Ryan Reynolds playing is typical persona is not a problem for me and Justin Long is likeable in his role. Faris though doesn't have quite enough to do for me liking.

The film is pretty plot-less and closer to just trying to show a particular day at this restaurant, some of it what you expect - doing stuff to a snotty customers food, bad tippers etc. - but the characters feel like they all know each other before the film as started if that makes sense - the familiarity is already there between everyone.

My biggest critiscm here really is there is a bit of homophobia it seems going through the movie - the word Fag used in a degotary term more then once, 2 gays customers who are on screen seconds are just as camp as can be and the lesbian who works there as the sole plot of getting a straight female customer (who's going through relationship) drunk. I can overlook this but it's a negative for me against the movie, and for the fag comments I guess that's the way people talk in certain places.

Overall, a funny and likable film most of the time, while it's more a series of little vignettes with the characters it works as a whole, I would happily watch it again sometime down the line.