The Iron Giant (1999)

[Movie 176 / Day 193]


Based on Ted Hughes' childrens book, The Iron Giant is the story of a massive robot falling to earth from outer space in 1950s America. As it roams around the countryside, a comic-book obsessed young boy (Hogarth) goes looking for it. Whilst he watches it grabs hold of part of an electricity substation and receives a huge electric shock. Hogarth runs over and throws a big switch, saving the Iron Giant.

After that, the two become friends; Hogarth helping the Giant to hide in a local scrap yard whilst avoiding the suspicions of both his mother and an overzealous government agent who has been sent to investigate the strange sightings.

The animation is a beautiful mix of traditional hand drawn and computer generated and the voice work is very well cast.

One of my favourite animated movies.

My rating: 7.8 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.9 / 10
Running time: 86 mins
IMDB link

Marley & Me (2008)

[Movie 151 / Day 164]


Marley & Me tells the story of a the Grogan family and follows them from their wedding night all the way up to having three kids. The common thread through all of life's ups and downs is their dog, Marley, who joins them soon after getting married.

It's a pretty schmaltzy, weeptastic, girlie movie; but it's pretty well acted, pretty amusing in places, and yes, pretty sad too. Many brownie points can be earnt by renting it.

My rating: 6.9 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.1 / 10
Running time: 120 mins
IMDB link