A Time Machine... Out of a Delorean?

By now this will have been sitting in my drafts folder for quite some time.

I was already a little naughty and snuck my phone in with me for the main event but I couldn't ruin it further by insta-sharing the 35mm photographs I was able to take too. With today marking the end of Secret Cinema's Back to the Future, I'm finally setting these photos free into the universe.

Hidden away in one of the bars was a stall selling these disposable 35mm cameras, after seeing others with disposables and asking them where they were from only to be told they were from Boots, I was so happy to find it. I guess it's the photographer in me and yes, I'll agree that it's nice to switch off but seriously, there were so many good things to photograph and shamefully, I get a little tetchy in situations like that.




I think the main reason there were no cameras allowed was down to spoiling the secret but given that there was so much press prior to the day we went due to all the mishaps, I can't say I feel too guilty about it.

We visited on the 2nd August and had wonderful weather for it. It was such a great event and despite early criticism, Secret Cinema totally pulled this off. It was so nice to see so many people made so much effort too, sometimes it was difficult to tell the cast members from us normals.



After my previous immersive experience with The Drowned Man, I wasn't sure what to expect but was more than impressed to see that a mini construction of Hill Valley was right in front of me when we entered. From the McFly house to the Clock Tower, so much attention to detail had been put in, it's understandable as to why there was so much faff before the opening night. If nothing else, looking around all the houses, shops and even the high school, was a neat way to kill some time before the sun set and we could watch the film.















Not quite Doc..


It was such a fun movie-going experience, I loved that everyone cheered the first time we saw Marty on screen, that we booed Biff and mostly, that we laughed together. The live-action performances that went along with the film were really well done especially the clock tower abseiling finale (and seeing the Delorean for the first time). I'm sure there are things I've missed out but it was just a really good night out, my highlight was dancing along to Johnny B. Goode, and actually just dancing a lot throughout the whole evening.

Yes, it was pricey and paying for extras once we got in was quite a big ask, but you can forget about that when you've had a really, all-out great time full of references for one of your favourite films.

Film Club | July

I actually made it into double-digits for the first time in ages, I'm pretty pleased with that. I mean, put it down to July being a bit of a long month and lack of funds, but still... quite a mixed bag of films were seen and none that I really thought were unbearable, so I'd say July has been quite a good month for films really.

61. Bad Words
62. Twenty Feet from Stardom
63. The Raid
64. Dazed and Confused
65. Mud

66. Welcome to the Punch
67. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
68. Video Games: The Movie
69. The Silence (Das letzte Schweigen)
70. Good Luck Chuck

71. Mr. Jones
72. Deep in the Darkness
73. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Most Favourite: The Silence: As much as it was a gritty, crime-murder thriller drama, it sure was shot beautifully. After spending the first half of the evening reading a ton of scary stories on Thought Catalog, this may have not been the best choice but it did give me chills and the story was solid. It is German so if you're not 'into subtitles' and are one of those people then you probably won't like it but as crime thriller dramas go, this really is a hidden gem.

Second Favourite: Mud: I think it's pretty undeniable that Matthew McConaughey is having the year of his career. After being swayed by the poster for Mud and later having it recommended to me, I figured it was worth giving a go. Don't get me wrong, the McConaughey is great in it and deserves recognition for his teeth alone but the actual story of the film and sense of adventure are what really made it for me.

Less Favourite: Mr. Jones: This film actually started off pretty strongly and had a really good grasp of how people feel when they read Creepy Pasta. I kind of went into it thinking it would be a bit 'Slender Man' and expecting a big scare. I guess I kind of got that, but then it went off on a ridiculous tangent that ruined the whole film and turned it into something unenjoyable. On top of the silly tangent, the last 20 minutes of the film are virtually impossible to see due to how dark it is and the shakiness of the camera - it's not atmospheric, it's stupid.

Least Favourite: Deep in the Darkness: There had to be at least one bad horror film in there that was a total waste of time, come on, it's me! The scary bits were kind of scary I suppose, but there were so many script problems and that twist. Sometimes it's a bad idea to get swayed by posters, must admit though, now I know what the film's about it's pretty accurate.

Look Back –
Film Club | January
Film Club | February
Film Club | March
Film Club | April
Film Club | May
Film Club | June

You can also follow along on Pinterest.

Film Club | June

June in film definitely feels like a bit of a non-event, I think the combination of being outside a bit more, focussing on other things and going on holiday have not made for a very good sitting down and relaxing with a good movie environment (+ Orange is the New Black Season 2 came out). I managed to get five in this month though, which is still more than one a week (sort of) so I'm not going to be too hard on myself.

56. A Million Ways to Die in the West
57. The Lincoln Lawyer
58. Mindscape
59. A Long Way Down
60. Bad Neighbours

Most Favourite: A Million Ways to Die in the West: My love of Seth MacFarlane-related things has gone down as I've grown older and programmes like Family Guy don't really tickle me in the way they used to - I think mainly because I'm a Simpsons girl through and through. A Million Ways to Die in the West did get me though, it looked pretty good in the trailers but it's so much funnier than that. There are musical numbers, numerous cameos and even a Barney Stinson reference, to top that off the scenery is pretty breathtaking, I'd love to visit the Wild West. If you didn't like Ted, give this one a chance, it's heaps better and aside from a few weed jokes, it's a really decent comedy film.

Least Favourite: Bad Neighbours: I kind of wish that Seth Rogen didn't feel the need to grow up, I mean what is that about? This film is one of those ones where the best bits are in the trailer, which is always a shame. I don't really get whose side you're meant to be on so there's not much point, plus, again with the stoner jokes, why does that have to creep in everywhere, it's just lazy. Zac Efron and Dave Franco aren't too bad in it but I was just equal measures of stressed and bored.

Look Back –
Film Club | January
Film Club | February
Film Club | March
Film Club | April
Film Club | May

You can also follow along: here

Film Club | May

May feels like it was such a long month, I can't believe how much it feels like time has passed since watching last month's first film. I think I was feeling a lot more inspired this month and made a little more time for movies. I guess because I was trying to catch up with Awards Season back in January, it just felt a bit like I had peaked, then again, quality over quantity and this is certainly a slightly better selection than last month.

45. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
46. Frozen
47. Open Grave
48. Mr. Nobody

49. Godzilla*
50. The Monuments Men
51. Oculus
52. Devil's Knot

53. The Station Agent
54. Funny Games US
55. Oblivion

Most Favourite: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father This might just be one of the best documentaries I've ever seen and I've been telling just about anyone who'll listen about it. I really urge you to give it a go, it's sad but powerful and demonstrates how truly strong and incredible people can be.
Second Favourite: Open Grave: This is one of those films that I wish, wish wish had a better title, because come on, its title is lame, which is a shame when everything else about is not. It's an amazing twist on the whole 'viral zombie genre' and Sharlto Copley really kills it, there are also quite a few really good twists.

Lesser Favourite: The Station Agent: You know when you like an actor so you seek out what they've been in? In this case IMDB made this mistake, yes I like Game of Thrones, yes I like Peter Dinklage in In Bruges but this film is just not good. It's so slow and boring and Tyrion spends the whole film looking mopey. It's not the worst but it's far from enjoyable.
Least Favourite: Mr Nobody: If length alone were a signal of a bad film, there would be fewer films, this one can go in the bin regardless. I guess it's a film about alternate realities and endless possibilities but given that you're never told where you actually are (maybe you are I didn't stick it out until the end), it's just two and a half hours of darting back and forth. Plus, Jared Leto in old-man-make up, anybody in old-man-make up.

I still feel like I've been a bit dominated by TV, when I really do think I prefer watching films. I have a film night planned with my sister on Friday though so that should bring a few to add to the list. How can I stick to just movies though when, omg, have you seen the latest Game of Thrones, it's been almost a whole day and I'm still reeling. I think by proper summer though most of the shows I love will have wrapped up - Orange is the New Black is back soon though - so I might have a little less choice.

What do you think? Do you feel more invested in television series sometimes?

Look Back –
Film Club | January
Film Club | February
Film Club | March
Film Club | April

You can also follow along: here

Film Club | April

I found myself just as uninspired in April as I was in March - not really watching any films that I really wanted to see and not really enjoying those I did see either. I had thought that as a project this might have failed, but I've started May on a great note and will hopefully keep on going that way.

Watching films really is something I enjoy doing so it has been a little disheartening that I've gone a couple of months now without see anything I've really liked, not even a horror that was so bad it was good(!)

38. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
39. The Grey
40. The Iceman
41. Lake Mungo

42. Oldboy (2013)
43. Bruiser
44. Devil's Due

Favourite: Oldboy The Oldboy re-make was definitely one that surprised me, but it isn't as though I have much else to choose from here. Despite loving the original, I must say, completely looking at it on its own, this film really does stand up. As with the original, once you know the twist it isn't quite as thrilling but for an American remake they haven't tamed it quite much as I would have thought and it's all the better for it. Still, would have been greatly improved with an octopus scene, naturally.

Least Favourite: The Grey I'd actually wanted to see The Grey for quite some time so when it came up as being on TV, I figured it was as good a time as any. The fact it was so disappointing is what's really landed it here when it's up against 'such classics' as Bruiser and Devil's Due. Like, the whole theme of people getting stalked by wolves is fine and all and it actually started off quite well before the plane crash but the idea that wolves are evil and vindictive in the same way that humans could be is just ridiculous. The bottom line is, if you're stranded in the wilderness, yeah, wolves might eat you but but they're not going to plot your demise or cackle in the background, they just want to eat.

With a pretty strong start to May already, I'm feeling a bit more positive but I'd be happy to hear about any good films you'd like to recommend, or if you have any thoughts about the films above. ♥

Look Back –
Film Club | January
Film Club | February
Film Club | March

You can also follow along: here

Film Club | March.

Only nine movies this month, feels like a pretty poor effort on my part, plus I didn't even really like any of the films I did watch! You can probably definitely blame this on my discovery of Game of Thrones that I mentioned last month. I did manage to finally make it to the cinema for the first time this year though, and to see a Wes Anderson film on the big screen was nothing but a total joy - I really (and I mean really) enjoyed the aspect ratio shifts almost as much as The Grand Budapest Hotel itself.

29. Boogie Nights
30. Delivery Man
31. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
32. The Grand Budapest Hotel*
33. About Time

34. Aliens
35. Captain Phillips
36. Static
37. You're Next

I'm not sure what else I can say about a set of films that mainly consists of horrors and rom-coms but I'll do my best.

Favourite: The Grand Budapest Hotel What can I say, I'm a sucker for Wes Anderson, have been since I discovered him. GBH is not quite up there with The Royal Tenenbaums or The Life Aquatic for me, but it's much better than Moonrise Kingdom, which I feel like I should have enjoyed more. It was just fun, and beautiful and even gruesome in parts, I loved it. ♥

Least Favourite: About Time (although if I could pick everything, I would). This film was the actual worst. Like, the main character was not leading man material at all, he was a total slimeball who (spoiler alert) basically tricks Rachael McAdams into being the love of his life. Like, it's a time travel film without any reasonable butterfly effect. The sad bit about his dad did break my heart a bit but ultimately it was just stupid, I didn't care about the characters or storyline, not Richard Curtis' best.

Any recommendations for this month? I haven't sat down to watch a film in a couple of weeks now and have seen a lot of what's been recommended to me so far. You can see my build up my list as I go along over on Pinterest, open to suggestions.

Look Back –
Film Club | January
Film Club | February

Film Club 2014 | January.

I've had this planned for quite a long time, for the last couple of years I've tried to keep a list of every film I've watched, which is much trickier than it sounds. Then I discovered that I actually could have some kind of real use for Pinterest and it became easier.

I know we're well into February now but I thought, as watching films is such a big part of my life, my watching habits are something that I wanted to share on here. I'm so pumped for the Oscars and have enjoyed all parts of the Awards Season so far, finding out how right (and wrong) I get to be with predictions and taking in the celebration of film.

I think 2014 is going to be a really interesting year for movies, with new films I've seen already making it into my favourites of all time. So here are the films I watched in January, a combination of very new and not so new, a pretty fine start if I do say so myself.

1. The Terminal
2. American Hustle
3. Carrie (2013)
4. Uncle Buck

5. Sound City
6. 12 Years A Slave
7. House at the End of the Street
8. The Wolf of Wall Street

9. Her
10. Inside Llewyn Savis
11. In A World...
12. Last Vegas

13. We're the Millers
14. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
15. The Hunt
16. Filth

17. Dallas Buyers Club

Favourite: 'The Wolf of Wall Street' – Believe the hype. Leo is fantastic, the whole film is an assault on the senses and despite tipping the 3 hour mark, it's fast-paced, funny and has more than enough to keep you interested. Plus, Jonah Hill's teeth, omg. ♥

Second Favourite: 'Dallas Buyers Club' – It's a film about aids, I don't know how they made it fun but it works. Matthew McConaughey really shows that he's a great character actor and actually allows you to see the softer side to homophobic degenerate, Ron Woodroof. If you miss out on this, not only will you be missing out on a touching story, you'll also be missing out on the resemblance between Jared Leto dragged up and the beautiful Zooey Deschanel - I can't unsee it.

Less Favourite: 'American Hustle' – I DO NOT GET IT! It's pretty, everyone in it is very good, the soundtrack is alright but it's a film with no middle. The beginning and end are strong, I like Christian Bale's potbelly and Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant but there was a big lack of any 'hustle' to maintain my interest.

Least Favourite: 'House at the End of the Street' – I'd heard good things about this but I can't for the life of me work out who from. This was a 'just pick anything' move from Netflix when round my friend Laura's house, I regret it. I generally hate slasher films as I just don't find them scary but on top of a really overshadowed motive, this one jumped about so much it made hardly any sense. J-Law is good, but even she couldn't save this one.

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How I 'do' Film Club: I'm defining Film Club as any film I can sit more than halfway through, including ones I watch on TV, I'm amazed at how many great films I've discovered super late at night on BBC Two - Grey Gardens, anyone?

You can keep up with my recent watchings with my Film Club 2014 board on Pinterest.

I really am hoping this is something I can keep up with and not just flake out on like numerous Photo A Day projects I've tried and failed at. I think with monthly updates it's much less intense, let's give it a go!

I'd love to keep up with what you've been watching too and if you have any recommendations I'd love to hear from you.