Watched Troll (2022) from letterboxd.com
Deep inside the mountain of Dovre, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway. But how do you stop something you thought only existed in Norwegian folklore?

Fairly simple fun. I love that it’s a Norwegian story, set in Norway. So nice to be away from US coastline!

In terms of production, it feels a bit like the “Spooks” TV show at times. I hate Spooks. So, that’s not great.

There’s strong Cloverfield, Skull Island and, of course, Troll Hunter vibes, which you could consider either a poor imitation or a fun new combination.

None of these make it a bad movie. There’s just not much to recommend this.

(Original audio with subs)

★★½

My review

I’ve obviously been using the “Tweak new Twitter” plugin in Firefox (https://github.com/insin/tweak-new-twitter/) for a LONG time. I just logged in without it enabled and… it’s just awful.

Watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) from letterboxd.com
Harry starts his fourth year at Hogwarts, competes in the treacherous Triwizard Tournament and faces the evil Lord Voldemort. Ron and Hermione help Harry manage the pressure – but Voldemort lurks, awaiting his chance to destroy Harry and all that he stands for.

When you consider the ground this film has to cover, I think it’s a fine effort. I still find the conclusion of the tournament very moving, despite finding out what happens about 20 years ago…

★★★★

My review

Watched Shooter (2007) from letterboxd.com
A marksman living in exile is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why??

Still love it. It’s bananas but so well executed. Has some amazing dialogue too in amongst the machismo.

★★★★

My review

Watched Deep Rising (1998) from letterboxd.com
A group of heavily armed hijackers board a luxury ocean liner in the South Pacific Ocean to loot it, only to do battle with a series of large-sized, tentacled, man-eating sea creatures who have taken over the ship first.

Objectively terrible yet there are some great lines, major grue and some good chuckles. The stunt work with the “Sea Doo” is pretty cool too.

★★

My review

Watched The Santa Clause (1994) from letterboxd.com
Scott Calvin is an ordinary man, who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof on Christmas Eve and is knocked unconscious. When he and his young son finish Santa's trip and deliveries, they go to the North Pole, where Scott learns he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed, Father Christmas.

I enjoyed watching this hugging my son. He’s ten. I’m making the most of it while it lasts.

★★★

My review

Watched The Lair of the White Worm (1988) from letterboxd.com
In a remote corner of England's Peak District, a mysterious skull is unearthed. But even weirder is that Lady Sylvia steals the skull for use in worshiping – very erotically – her pagan god, The White Worm, who hungers for the taste of virginal flesh.

This review may contain spoilers.

I’ve seen some whacky films in my time but this might take the cake. Of all the many, many questions I have, I fell the most pertinent is: did Peter Capaldi have a sedated mongoose in his sporran

★★★ (contains spoilers)

My review

Watched The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) from letterboxd.com
The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.

162 minutes. Why does it have to be this long when they made stuff up to pad out the story?! And to add insult to injury the stuff they added is so dull!

★★½

My review

Watched Arthur Christmas (2011) from letterboxd.com
Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in one night. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur. Arthur Claus is Santa’s misfit son who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present half way around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.

Watched on Thursday December 8, 2022.

★★★

My review