All is Lost Film 4/50

Rule #1: Don't sail alone.
Rule #2: See Rule #1

In Castaway 2: The Search for Wilson, we join Robert Redford as he wakes up to discover his yacht is taking on water. He manages to patch a hole in side of the vessel (a hole caused by a freight container that had fallen into the ocean) just in time for a whopper of a storm to undo all of his hard epoxy work. He is forced to abandon ship, and we are forced to watch him continue his adventure in making bad decisions from the comfort of a rubber lifeboat.

Beautiful Creatures Film 3/50

I recently woke from a nap to discover this movie. It was about 30 minutes in (which would normally be an incentive for changing the channel) but this dining room scene was just playing out, and it turned out to be enough to hook me.

In fact, it had hooked me so well that I found it On Demand so I could start it from the beginning. Like a proper film.

Perks and Penguins Films 1/50 and 2/50

Film 1/50: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
This movie should have been nominated instead of Les Misérables for best picture. That's not to say that it should have won, necessarily, but it was a far better production than Les Misérables.

There. I said it.

Hermione Granger was good. Percy Jackson was better. Ezra Miller was phenomenal. A combination of fabulous performances plus a sad but interesting story, Perks was a solid film. I haven't read the novel, but it's certainly being added to my "to read" list now.

Film 2/50: Penguin Pool Murder (1932)
With a title like that, you would stop and watch a few minutes, too. Right?

I didn't think it (especially after the first few moments gave off the impression that this would be an amazingly boring film), but this movie was hysterical to watch. A hijinx-filled romp around an aquarium. The characters are absurd. The plot even more so. But every moment is worth the laughs. And there are many.

Billed as a comedy/mystery, the Penguin Pool Murder delivers on both. Whether the laughs I had at its expense were intended on the part of the filmmakers, that is debatable. But if I ever see it's on again or for sale on DVD, I'll be sure to watch it again. I suggest you give it a shot, too.

And never trust a penguin-enthusiast.

Fifty-Fifty 2014

Since I failed MISERABLY this past year (heck, I didn't even make 50 new movies!), I figured...sign me up again! Third time's the charm, right? Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!