Life as a series of films

Well, I mentioned the weather in my earlier post today, so now it's time to mention some of the films I've seen recently (nearly all of which were excellent).

Collateral (Cinema) - Tom Cruise is a hitman who must go round and assassinate several criminals. He hires a taxi to take him round L.A. and the driver unwittingly gets heavily involved.
Unfortunately I saw this on Monday when I was still recovering from the weekend(!), hence I felt a bit tired and couldn't fully concentrate on the film. This resulted in me missing crucial bits of dialogue, and some of the plot also in the middle part of the film. However I got the general gist of it and the film looked very stylish and atmospheric. I'd need to see it again to give a proper rating!
Rating: 7/10

Supersize Me (Cinema) - Morgan Spurlock is a fit and healthy young man who embarks on a month-long McDonalds binge, with disastrous consequences for his health! The scenes of him eating McDonald's are interspersed with numerous interviews with doctors, nutritionists, fast food executives etc, and the film provides a good insight into the ill effects of eating junk food and the reasoning behind the serious growing (pardon the pun) obesity problem in America and the world at large (pardon the other pun).
Rating: 7.5/10

Shaun of the Dead (DVD) - Shaun is a TV salesman who tries to sort out his life and relationship with his girlfriend while still staying close to his fat, lazy best mate. This is made more difficult when the streets become infested with zombies!
I found this downright hilarious from start to gory finish. Original, brilliantly-made romantic comedy with zombies.
Rating: 8.5/10

Kill Bill Vol. 2 (DVD) - Uma Thurman, as The Bride, continues her quest for revenge against her former boss and lover, Bill.
I've heard a lot of people say this isn't as good as the first one, but I found it a lot better. I wasn't too keen on the first one, and found it too over-the-top and comic-book like - and I don't think the blood-soaked anime sequence did it any justice. For me it was too patchy and inconsistent.
Vol. 2, however, had all the good aspects of Vol. 1, but without the ridiculous bits - this for me made it more believable. I prefer the fact that the pace is slower and there's more dialogue. I think Tarantino is at his best with more "serious" filmmaking and plenty dialogue.
Top-class entertainment. Great soundtrack too!
Rating: 8/10

The Passion of the Christ (DVD) - Two words I've heard most commonly used to describe this film are "brutal" and "harrowing" - After seeing it, I realise why.
The film starts with Jesus being betrayed by Judas and he is then put on trial for being a heretic and blasphemer (i.e. claiming to be the Son of God), and to cut a long story short, he is eventually crucified (with plenty suffering thrown in). Throughout, there are several flashbacks of his life, teachings etc.
The focus is most definitely on the suffering he was put through, and director Mel Gibson pulls no punches here. First there is the scene where he is flogged, and this must last at least 10 minutes - you can almost feel his pain. Then, he is made to walk all the way to the place of crucifixion, carrying the cross. The scene where he is actually crucified doesn't exactly make for pleasant viewing either.
Although I'm not religious in any way, I did get a lot from this film. I think if it wasn't so brutal, and if they still teach the bible etc in schools, then they should show the kids this film. I'm sure it would have far more effect than all those hymns and assorted shit we were force-fed at school! It really does convey the pain and suffering this poor guy may or may not have endured - all because he preached about peace and love!
I've never seen such a harrowing film, but there's no doubt in my mind this is beautifully-crafted, where it's easy to forget you're watching a film and become totally absorbed. Mel Gibson can act, and sure as hell can direct!
Rating: 8/10

Anyway, on a lighter note, I should be going to Ibiza on Saturday night with my friend Suzi - can't wait!
It'll also be nice to get away from the film-watching, tea-drinking charade that my life has become :)