Watching - October 2024

Arnold (2023)

One remarkable career would be enough, but three is probably unique. But then Schwarzenegger - only four years younger than my father, I was surprised to learn - is a unique person. This short series was obviously going to portray him in a favourable light, but the facts are largely incontestable and astonishing: from multiple world body-building championships to multi-billion dollar movie franchises to two terms as the governor of California. It's hardly a typical career progression. This documentary was interesting and didn't drag at all. Worth a watch!

The Terminator (1985)

Watched with Z, as I thought he'd enjoy a classic. The special effects probably seemed a little cheap at the time - after all, it was quite low budget - but now some look almost comical, certainly to someone raised on Marvel-grade CGI. But the story holds up and even though Z guessed who John Connor's father was within about 30 seconds of him being mentioned (plot twists of old don't work on media-savvy 2020s teens!) he enjoyed the film. As did I, in the first time I've seen it for a long time.

Shooting Fish (1997)

I won't try and claim that Shooting Fish is a lost classic, but it is a bit of a hidden gem in my opinion. I first watched it on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Boston to London, so probably around 1998 or 1999 (but then again, I also remember a scene in it that doesn't appear in the DVD version I now own, so my memory may not be completely reliable - although Wikipedia mentions that the DVD is the shorter US version of the film, so perhaps I'm right). It's a sweet, funny film with a bit of romance and a great soundtrack. Oh, and it has a young Kate Beckinsale in it, looking cute and being smart, which just adds to the charm for me.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

"Arnie month" concludes with Sunday evening cinema with Z, and this sequel was the obvious choice. I was careful not to mention the first twist - that Arnie is the good guy - and, amazingly, Z didn't guess it in nanoseconds like he usually does. He thought the acting was a bit wooden (while acknowledging that, for a Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, this would be appropriate) but enjoyed the film. And so did I - a classic.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

One of the most appealing aspects of Inside Out was it's surprising depth - how it simplified but didn't trivialise real feelings and emotions. Although the sequel is just as enjoyable, with plenty of genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, it is perhaps a smidge shallower. Puberty doesn't just get suddenly turned on, transforming a cute kid into a moody teenager overnight (an amusing five minute sketch for Harry Enfield perhaps, but that was forty years ago ...) and the emotions don't resolve over a weekend either.