28 Film Discussion Threads Later [Archive] - Page 102

Grouchy

03-19-2009, 02:39 AM

Aside from M Butterfly these are the only Cronenberg's I have left to see and they're all his early work. How are they?

# Stereo (1969)
# Crimes of the Future (1970)
# Shivers (1975)
# Rabid (1977)
# Fast Company (1979)

Rate M Butterfly too if you like. Thanks.
Out of those, I've only seen Shivers and Rabid. They're both very interesting, specially the second one, but they cover the same genetic/sexual aberrations that he later included on better made films like The Brood.

Take it from a big fan - they're still worth watching once.

dreamdead

03-19-2009, 03:00 AM

Quarantine... Also, about 10 minutes worth of scenes near the beginning that make one of the firefighters out to be a misogynist pig and the other a nice guy were unnecessary, and killed the pacing completely. In the original, there were no "good" or "bad" guys, but we came to like some of them more, in a natural way, because of their actions. Not because of forced, cheeseball dialogue.

And the change of the ending revelation sucked. Way to go, Hollywood, changing one of the most original and terrifying endings in a long while, to a very typical "the government is evil!!!" ending. Even Doug Jones was totally wasted as the end creature/person/thing.

Yeah, I was perplexed by the simplification of the firefighter characters. It's as though the filmmakers wanted us to root for certain characters too obviously by constructing arbitrary arcs that only served to make us go, "Man, I hope he gets it hard." It falsifies any emotional arc, as does the woman's rather ambivalent reaction toward that firefighter afterwards. Rather than the resentment building into any kind of thematic concern, it's just there as an empty arcs.

And you're definitely on the money about the simplicity of the film's ideological critique of the government. There were ways to nuance the story had the writers fashioned some kind of outlet for the news reporter to make contact outside and depict a more dialectical consideration of the threat of the disease, but such a refusal, though it might be more "claustrophobic," nonetheless devalues any kind of thematic fullness in favor of simple signifiers. Unfortunately, I'm too tired of the whole handheld aesthetic for now to return to [Rec] anytime soon.

megladon8

03-19-2009, 03:04 AM

Totally understandable, dreamdead (about being too sick of this horror trend to seek out [REC] right now).

I just hope that sometime you'll give it a chance, because it's one I really think deserves it.

Stay Puft

03-19-2009, 03:06 AM

Oh. My. God.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1264/slwz4.jpg

Beat Takeshi - Singin' Loud II

http://www.mediafire.com/?zrgmnzjxlrj

:eek:

Grouchy

03-19-2009, 03:29 AM

Natasha Richardson just died in an accident. Fucking bummer.

I'm all over that Beat Takeshi download.

Buenos Aires Film Festival starts next week. Here's the list of movies I will watch:

THE HOUSEMAID (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0150980/) (1960) - heard praise from Scorsese
RUSHMORE (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128445/) (1998) - never seen this, might as well do so on the big screen
THE EMBODIMENT OF EVIL (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0923683/) (2008) - I'm a huge Mojica Marins fan
KIRIKOU AND THE WILD BEASTS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455142/) (2005)
IGOR (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465502/) (2008)
CHELSEA ON THE ROCKS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1134665/) (2008) - Abel Ferrara
KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181627/) (1998)
THE MOTHER AND THE WHORE (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070359/) (1973)
NICK AND NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0981227/) (2008)
I SELL THE DEAD (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902290/) (2008) - sounds fucking awesome
ARCHANGEL (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099053/) (1990)
HUNGER (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0986233/) (2008)
GIGANTIC (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1176251/) (2008)
35 RHUMS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1100048/) (2008)
THE FISH CHILD (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235842/) (2009)
JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1183143/) (2008) - 85 minutes of Klaus Kinski footage
OLD JOY (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468526/) (2006)
LOVE EXPOSURE (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1128075/) (2008) - 237 minutes of Sion Sono; must remember buy drugs
ACHILLES AND THE TORTOISE (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217243/) (2008)

I'm already pretty excited. Any comments on my choices?

Kurious Jorge v3.1

03-19-2009, 03:31 AM

Oh. My. God.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1264/slwz4.jpg

Beat Takeshi - Singin' Loud II

http://www.mediafire.com/?zrgmnzjxlrj

:eek:

you made my life.

Winston*

03-19-2009, 03:32 AM

Kirikou and the Sorceress, Hunger and Old Joy are the sweetness. Igor is probably not the sweetness.

Grouchy

03-19-2009, 03:40 AM

Kirikou and the Sorceress, Hunger and Old Joy are the sweetness. Igor is probably not the sweetness.
The screenshots on IMDb look like the sweetness.

Although it does look like a Tim Burton rip off, to tell the truth.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 03:50 AM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?

Pop Trash

03-19-2009, 03:52 AM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?
Flight of the Navigator? Return to Oz maybe? Ladyhawk? Legend?

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 03:54 AM

Flight of the Navigator? Return to Oz maybe? Ladyhawk?

Seen the former and the latter, the latter is more in line with what I'm looking for than the former, will check out Return to Oz. Mostly looking for creative pre-CGI fantasy I suppose... puppets are a plus but not a necessity.

Doesn't have to be American either... I recently procured Karl Zeman's The Stolen Airship which I think may deliver in a similar vein... or perhaps some other Zeman films. I hear his Munchausen is the best, not a fan of Gilliam's.

I also have and plan to watch soon Mio in the Land of Faraway.

Pop Trash

03-19-2009, 04:13 AM

Seen the former and the latter, the latter is more in line with what I'm looking for than the former, will check out Return to Oz. Mostly looking for creative pre-CGI fantasy I suppose... puppets are a plus but not a necessity.

Doesn't have to be American either... I recently procured Karl Zeman's The Stolen Airship which I think may deliver in a similar vein... or perhaps some other Zeman films. I hear his Munchausen is the best, not a fan of Gilliam's.

I also have and plan to watch soon Mio in the Land of Faraway.
Hmmm...ya seen Svankmajer's Alice? That's really good.

Pop Trash

03-19-2009, 04:19 AM

Also, and it's tough to find since I don't think its ever gotten a proper DVD release, at least not in Region One, a movie from the late 80s called Paperhouse. It's pretty great and fairly creepy and trippy from my memory, with elements of fantasy and horror.

monolith94

03-19-2009, 04:19 AM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?
If you can stand silent films, other good cinematic fantasies include the Adventures of Prince Achmed, and both Thiefs of Bagdad. Although I'd recommend you watch the 1924 Thief of Bagdad before the 1940 version, which really ought to be titled the Prince of Bagdad.

monolith94

03-19-2009, 04:23 AM

If you can stand silent films, other good cinematic fantasies include the Adventures of Prince Achmed, and both Thiefs of Bagdad. Although I'd recommend you watch the 1924 Thief of Bagdad before the 1940 version, which really ought to be titled the Prince of Bagdad.
Also, Jim Henson's tv series "The Storyteller" is pretty awesome, and definitely in the same vein of the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Plus, one of the episodes has a fairly sweet, if small, Jonathan Pryce role.

Watashi

03-19-2009, 04:58 AM

Ebert gives Knowing four stars.

"Knowing" is among the best science-fiction films I've seen -- frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome.

Ebert, you so crazy.

I'll see it. I love Proyas and I think when Nic Cage is on, he can be deliciously watchable.

soitgoes...

03-19-2009, 08:33 AM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?

Willow?

Winston*

03-19-2009, 09:27 AM

Willow?

That movie traumatised me as a kid.

Boner M

03-19-2009, 12:03 PM

weekend

A Touch of Zen
Duplicity or a repeat of Let the Right One In at the theatre (only seen the latter on my laptop)

Boner M

03-19-2009, 01:07 PM

dreamdead

03-19-2009, 01:31 PM

Hey, whaddya guys wanna get out of the way first: our 2008 awards, or the top 20 countdown? Or d'ya want me to do both in the same thread? (but the awards following the top 20 list, and without a fancy ceremony and stuff)

I'm not too excited over the 2008 awards this year, as the nominees felt a tad bit lackluster for elitists such as myself. ;) As such, I say get that out of the way so we can bask in the glory of the top 20 afterwards, and in the same thread even...

Boner M

03-19-2009, 01:38 PM

I'm not too excited over the 2008 awards this year, as the nominees felt a tad bit lackluster for elitists such as myself. ;) As such, I say get that out of the way so we can bask in the glory of the top 20 afterwards, and in the same thread even...
I just realised that it'd probably be better if we did the awards after; that way the top 20 is less predictable.

As for the top 20 countdown, I don't want to give away too many surprises, but let's just say 'Ben' will be back for this round...

Mara

03-19-2009, 01:44 PM

I also have and plan to watch soon Mio in the Land of Faraway.

I've seen it. I remember liking it. I've also read the book, which I remember somewhat better.

There is a very, very small Christian Bale in it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/maragirl/post-2025-1173636332.jpg

Awwwww.

Mara

03-19-2009, 01:52 PM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?

I thought Willow was brilliant as a child, but a rewatch proved me wrong.

If you're looking for some really awful film recommendations for retro reasons, you can check out Krull, or Dragonslayer, or Excalibur. Clash of the Titans.

Adult bad films with fantasy elements and puppets: Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, The Beastmaster.

The Lair of the White Worm is, to the this day, the worst movie I have ever seen. Ken Russel and Ralph Bakshi both occupy this strange place where other people like them, but I hate them to the point where I want to hurt them physically.

Other people like it, though.

Dead & Messed Up

03-19-2009, 02:10 PM

The Beastmaster.

Rip Torn as the villain, worm-brained soldiers, and a pair of mischievous ferrets...and you say it's bad?!

Mara

03-19-2009, 02:16 PM

Rip Torn as the villain, worm-brained soldiers, and a pair of mischievous ferrets...and you say it's bad?!

Yes.

But between that and hating Lair of the White Worm...

"In a remote corner of England's Peak District, a mysterious skull is unearthed. But even weirder is that Lady Sylvia (Amanda Donohoe) steals the skull for use in worshipping -- very erotically -- her pagan god, The White Worm, who hungers for the taste of virginal flesh."

...I'm afraid you're going to think I'm no fun.

Well... I'm not.

But I do still enjoy Flash Gordon.

D_Davis

03-19-2009, 02:39 PM

Can people recommend me some movies similar to Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Time Bandits, The Neverending Story?

Definitely Return to Oz - that film is awesome.

Also, have you seen the Yokai Monster films?

http://www.henshinonline.com/images/ef_yokaimonsters100monsters.jp g

There are 2 on DVD here. They are cool - great costumes.

What about Sakuya: Slayer of Demons?

http://www.digitalmonsterisland.com/sakuya_front.jpg

I like this one a lot as well.

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al268nnVKZM

Zipang is also a cool film - although there aren't any monsters or creatures, but it is still a pretty neat little pseudo-fantasy.

http://www.genrebusters.com/images/zipang2.jpg

http://www.genrebusters.com/film/review_zipang.htm

The new Dororor film is also a lot of fun, although it relies a lot on CGI, but it still has some cool costumes as well.

http://www.genrebusters.com/film/review_dororo.htm

http://www.genrebusters.com/images/dororo5.jpg

http://www.genrebusters.com/images/dororo4.jpg

And you've probably already seen Miike's Big Spook War - but you haven't, definitely check that out. It's awesome.

Legend of the 8 Samurai is also a cool Japanese fantasy.

http://www.dey-deys-unlimited.com/images/products/mdvd/MD065.jpg

Wryan

03-19-2009, 02:47 PM

If you're looking for some really awful film recommendations for retro reasons, you can check out Krull, or Dragonslayer, or Excalibur. Clash of the Titans.

Hey, whoa whoa. Dragonslayer awful? Clash of the Titans awful? This kind of talk could get you hurt walking down certain alleys at nght. O.O

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 02:48 PM

Hmmm...ya seen Svankmajer's Alice? That's really good.

Yep, thanks for the rec though. I'll look for Paperhouse.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 02:51 PM

If you can stand silent films, other good cinematic fantasies include the Adventures of Prince Achmed, and both Thiefs of Bagdad. Although I'd recommend you watch the 1924 Thief of Bagdad before the 1940 version, which really ought to be titled the Prince of Bagdad.

Yeah I like silents just fine. I have the original Thief of Bagdad primarily as per your recommendation so I'll prioritize it. I've seen the 40's version as well and wasn't impressed. Will look for Prince Achmed.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 02:52 PM

Willow?

Seen it but so long ago it's probably due for a rewatch.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 02:59 PM

Definitely Return to Oz - that film is awesome.

Also, have you seen the Yokai Monster films?

There are 2 on DVD here. They are cool - great costumes.

What about Sakuya: Slayer of Demons?

I like this one a lot as well.

Zipang is also a cool film - although there aren't any monsters or creatures, but it is still a pretty neat little pseudo-fantasy.

The new Dororor film is also a lot of fun, although it relies a lot on CGI, but it still has some cool costumes as well.

And you've probably already seen Miike's Big Spook War - but you haven't, definitely check that out. It's awesome.

Legend of the 8 Samurai is also a cool Japanese fantasy.

Ehh well granted most of those are covers so not really indicative of anything but they don't really inspire me. I'll check out a Yokai Monster film and go from there. Thanks for the recs.

D_Davis

03-19-2009, 03:00 PM

Ehh well granted most of those are covers so not really indicative of anything but they don't really inspire me. I'll check out a Yokai Monster film and go from there. Thanks for the recs.

Nothing like judging a movie by its DVD cover.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 03:16 PM

Nothing like judging a movie by its DVD cover.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

So why did you post the covers? I recognized and stated that going by the covers was a faulty approach but it's not entirely meaningless. Judging a book by it's cover is entirely meaningless, judging a film by it's cover is not a good idea but it's not entirely meaningless since film is a visual medium. Anyway I imdb'd the titles shortly thereafter and remain equally uninspired. I also dislike the vast majority of the films I've seen from Miike.

More relevantly I just know your taste and know that usually it doesn't mesh with mine. I appreciate the effort you put into your recs I just don't think I'll like those films. I'm still glad you posted them though because maybe someone else on here likes that style more than I do and will get more out of those films.

How's the third Chinese Ghost Story film? Maybe I'll check that out since I semi-enjoyed the first two.

Actually Dororo looks kind of interesting (looked at your review).

Raiders

03-19-2009, 03:29 PM

So why did you post the covers? I recognized and stated that going by the covers was a faulty approach but it's not entirely meaningless. Judging a book by it's cover is entirely meaningless, judging a film by it's cover is not a good idea but it's not entirely meaningless since film is a visual medium. Anyway I imdb'd the titles shortly thereafter and remain equally uninspired. I also dislike the vast majority of the films I've seen from Miike.

More relevantly I just know your taste and know that usually it doesn't mesh with mine. I appreciate the effort you put into your recs I just don't think I'll like those films. I'm still glad you posted them though because maybe someone else on here likes that style more than I do and will get more out of those films.

How's the third Chinese Ghost Story film? Maybe I'll check that out since I semi-enjoyed the first two.

Your bigger offense is thinking The Getaway is better than The Ballad of Cable Hogue.

Mara

03-19-2009, 03:40 PM

Hey, whoa whoa. Dragonslayer awful? Clash of the Titans awful? This kind of talk could get you hurt walking down certain alleys at nght. O.O

:)

I think I didn't see them when I was young enough. People I know who watched them when they were kids love them to death.

Raiders

03-19-2009, 03:41 PM

I think I didn't see them when I was young enough.

This must be the case for me and Newsies.

Mara

03-19-2009, 03:43 PM

This must be the case for me and Newsies.

I saw Newsies in the theater with my best friend and my little sister, and I STILL LOVE IT. I might own it on both DVD and VHS. And I might have the soundtrack.

And the sheet music.

Maybe.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 03:54 PM

Your bigger offense is thinking The Getaway is better than The Ballad of Cable Hogue.

Both have strengths and weaknesses but in the endgame they're roughly on par. The Getaway's montage opening is relatively obnoxious and the sound mixing/design throughout the entire film is just awful. McGraw can't act either. The subplot with the other bank robber is also a fairly ugly waste of space. Still once the action gets going things become much more interesting and McQueen manages to sprinkle a couple of affecting moments throughout the film. Slim Pickens is always great of course. A C+ might be too high. I was being generous because I enjoyed the second half of the film more than the first, but my ratings don't always accurately convey my feelings about a film.

In terms of Cable Hogue it started out strong but wore thin by the finale. All of the fast motion footage really undermined the reality of the film for me. And just as in The Getaway the secondary character subplot (in this case the preacher) did not add much for me. There also wasn't any weight behind the central revenge plot. I don't mind Peckinpah inverting revenge cliches (Hogue coming to realize that revenge wasn't really that important) but in this case the drama and the narrative simply deflated. Hogue's death and the manner of it was way too thematically on the nose, asinine and unnecessary. On the other hand the film is very funny at times, Robards is great and the central romance works well.

I almost enjoyed Convoy the most out of all three just because it's fun to watch a bunch of semi's smash through buildings but it has many flaws as well. I mean any film where the script is primarily derived from a bad song just doesn't have many places to go in the narrative department.

Kurosawa Fan

03-19-2009, 03:54 PM

I... also... like Newsies.

Nostalgia is a cruel bastard.

Amnesiac

03-19-2009, 04:43 PM

This may be a long shot, but does anyone here own the September/October 2007 issue of Film Comment magazine?

Sycophant

03-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Grouchy

03-19-2009, 05:28 PM

http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/1649/Redbelt2.jpg

RockNRolla is exactly what I expected from a Guy Ritchie film. A large ensemble cast of Brit gangsters with funny names cussing and double-crossing each other for close to two hours. Gerald Butler is awesome, but I feel bad for the guy because his style is way too reminiscent of Clive Owen. Thandie Newton and Tom Wilkinson slip into their usual femme fatale and mobster roles very easily. I thought the plot was complicated but at the same time clever, with a solid McGuffin - the painting - that served to connect all the different storylines. I'm not sure if I'm glad that it's the beginning of a trilogy. By the way, Ritchie seems to tone down his visual and editing quirks a bit more with each movie.

A more interesting and more flawed film was Redbelt. This is my first experience with Mamet as a director, although I've seen films he wrote such as Edmond. It took me a while to get used to the cryptic dialogue, but once I did, I realized it was very effective in getting an audience to pay more attention to the film than modern audiences usually do. The whole cast is pretty dead-on awesome, with unexpected small but juicy roles from people like Tim Allen and Rodrigo Santoro. The things that bothered or surprised me a little were the sometimes on-the-fly plot developments. I think the story was way too manipulated sometimes so that every odd and every character ends up against protagonist Mike Terry. For example, I can't for the life of me figure out how do they cheat in the white/black ball selections before the tournament fights, or exactly when did Mike's wife found the time and opportunity to betray him. And characters popped up from everywhere, sometimes without a proper introduction - I don't think that was completely intentional. Regardless, I think, by the end, the movie becomes very powerful even as it's implausible. I loved the off-the-ring fight (in the picture above) and the closing shot is fucking devastating stuff. Overall, even when I have nitpicked about the plot, I was engrossed enough with Redbelt to consider it one of the movies of the year, superior to other, more plausible, stuff.

I also saw Elizabeth. I'd copied the DVD over two years ago and never seen it. Wonderful stuff. I'm officially in love with Cate Blanchett. I find her eatable. I'd probably thought it was a stuffy historical drama, but I was proven wrong since it's very cinematic and colorful. The best roles besides the main one belonged to Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Eccleston, but the whole cast is filled with small delights and surprises. Anyone remember young Daniel Craig as an assassin monk in this?

Watashi

03-19-2009, 07:09 PM

Rowland

03-19-2009, 07:11 PM

I'm taking a short break from Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but I'm already nearly convinced at about the halfway mark that it's my favorite of his European work. I suppose that I'm partial to his lighter recent work, given that I prefer this and Scoop to Match Point and Cassandra's Dream. Back to the movie.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 07:19 PM

Benjamin Button is getting a Criterion Collection for its May release.

http://www.dvdactive.com/images/news/screenshot/2009/3/benjaminbuttoncriterionr1ar.jp g

Horrible cover. The other Fincher DVDs are some of the best DVDs out there. I don't see why this one is necessary of the CC stamp.

Most signs point to this being a fake.

Dukefrukem

03-19-2009, 07:23 PM

Alpha Dog could have been awesome with good actors.

Watashi

03-19-2009, 07:28 PM

Most signs point to this being a fake.

It's listed on the CC website.

Ezee E

03-19-2009, 07:30 PM

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 07:41 PM

It's listed on the CC website.

Where?

Watashi

03-19-2009, 07:42 PM

Where?
The forums. It's also all over movie news websites galore.

Derek

03-19-2009, 07:45 PM

I don't see why this one is necessary of the CC stamp.

Because El Norte and the Rossellini historical films are probably not lighting up the sales books and here they have a surefire moneymaker from a highly respected director. I'm not much of a fan of the film, but I can't begrudge Criterion's occasional attempts to actually make some money.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 07:47 PM

The forums. It's also all over movie news websites galore.

Hrm I guess, weird it isn't in the upcoming film section though.

Pop Trash

03-19-2009, 07:55 PM

Benjamin Button is getting a Criterion Collection for its May release.

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/buttoncriteron.jpg

Horrible cover. The other Fincher DVDs are some of the best DVDs out there. I don't see why this one is necessary of the CC stamp.

Gaaahhhh!!! Anger! Rage! Why don't they at least do The Game? That has a crappy DVD release and at least enough of a cult following to justify a CC edition. The Ben Button Criterion is just going to reinforce the fans of that mediocre film.

Pop Trash

03-19-2009, 07:57 PM

This may be a long shot, but does anyone here own the September/October 2007 issue of Film Comment magazine?
I might. Who's on the cover?

megladon8

03-19-2009, 08:01 PM

Gaaahhhh!!! Anger! Rage! Why don't they at least do The Game? That has a crappy DVD release and at least enough of a cult following to justify a CC edition. The Ben Button Criterion is just going to reinforce the fans of that mediocre film.

Ultimate :rolleyes:

Winston*

03-19-2009, 08:09 PM

The Ben Button Criterion is just going to reinforce the fans of that mediocre film.

Now nothing will stop them!

DavidSeven

03-19-2009, 08:11 PM

Benjamin Button is getting a Criterion Collection for its May release.

It's amazing how this film has manufactured this perception of greatness and cultural importance despite mediocre reviews and modest box-office success. This film's entire reputation is built on marketing alone.

Note: I liked the film. Just amazed at how poor reviews and an underperforming B.O. hasn't put a dent in its perception among the general public.

Kurosawa Fan

03-19-2009, 08:12 PM

Criterion has said that releasing popular films such as this (and Armageddon) helps them finance the other titles that don't sell as well. So, I'm fine with it so long as they can keep doing what they regularly do with the more obscure titles.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 08:18 PM

Yeah seriously, while I haven't seen the film yet Fincher is certainly more deserving than Bay and at least as deserving as Wes Anderson. It's a way for Criterion to make money and it's much better than a Pearl Harbor Criterion.

Winston*

03-19-2009, 08:18 PM

More like Meh-sies, amirite?

I didn't see it till I was like 16. Thought there was some decent music and Bill Pullman in it, though.

Everyone else I knew growing up has been in love with it since its initial release.

I'm pretty sure I've literally never seen or heard this film mentioned anywhere in the real world.

Sycophant

03-19-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm pretty sure I've literally never seen or heard this film mentioned anywhere in the real world.

You obviously didn't grow up in Utah.

Mara

03-19-2009, 08:31 PM

You obviously didn't grow up in Utah.

Neither did I, but it was a minor sensation at my middle school. My girlfriends and I all sang the songs and danced around and watched it at sleepovers.

Sycophant

03-19-2009, 08:39 PM

Oh, I'm sure it did fairly well elsewhere in the United States. But it was overbearing in the early nineties in Provo, Utah.

The Mike

03-19-2009, 08:49 PM

Alpha Dog could have been awesome with good actors.

Really? I thought the acting was the only good thing about the movie. Hirsch was passable, Foster was crazy, and Yelchin was good. Heck, even Justin Timberlake gave a decent performance.

Now, if you had said would have been awesome with a real director, or with a real script, or without Sharon Stone in a fat suit, we'd be on the same page. :lol:

Rowland

03-19-2009, 09:06 PM

Alpha Dog... :lol: What a steaming pile. An amusingly retarded pile, but a pile all the same. If I had to pin-point any element of serious worth in the picture, I'd reluctantly submit Justin Timberlake's performance, of all things.

Anyway, I just finished VCB, and have to say it quite exceeded my tempered expectations. More nuanced than his last few works, pleasantly airy, surprisingly funny, and even romantic, all the while self-aware enough not to play as a mere touristy artifact.

Wryan

03-19-2009, 09:54 PM

Kurosawa Fan

03-19-2009, 09:57 PM

I own both Arma and The Rock on CC.

And not to support CC financially.

I'm not sure what your point is here, but whatever it is, I'm glad you're happy with your purchases.

The Mike

03-19-2009, 10:16 PM

Duh, The Rock is the best movie in the CC.

Qrazy

03-19-2009, 10:59 PM

Is Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl any good?

How about The Man Who Copied?

Will probably watch one of the two tonight.

Sycophant

03-19-2009, 11:02 PM

Is Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl any good?

I liked it well enough. Not mindblowingly awesome like the other Ishii films I've seen, but I enjoyed it. My memory's a little flimsy, but I remember it playing a bit like a Tarantino film with a heavy manga influence (based on a manga, y'know).

Also has Tadanobu Asano and Susumu Terajima in it. Can't go too wrong.

D_Davis

03-19-2009, 11:09 PM

So why did you post the covers?

So when you're at the video store and you see them, your memory might be jogged and your interest piqued.

But don't bother. I'd rather you didn't see them.

Consider them anti-recs.

No - consider them cursed. Like that tape in the Ring. If you watch any of the movies, you will get a scary phone call in seven days that will explain the rest of the curse. And it's not pretty.

Spinal

03-19-2009, 11:41 PM

I revisited Dragonslayer recently. It was very disappointing.

BirdsAteMyFace

03-19-2009, 11:47 PM

I liked it well enough. Not mindblowingly awesome like the other Ishii films I've seen, but I enjoyed it. My memory's a little flimsy, but I remember it playing a bit like a Tarantino film with a heavy manga influence (based on a manga, y'know).

Also has Tadanobu Asano and Susumu Terajima in it. Can't go too wrong.Couldn't have said it better myself. Bizarrely comedic, with a hint of action-adventure, and even a little romance. It's worth seeing for Tadanobu alone, in my opinion.

Qrazy

03-20-2009, 12:08 AM

So when you're at the video store and you see them, your memory might be jogged and your interest piqued.

But don't bother. I'd rather you didn't see them.

Consider them anti-recs.

No - consider them cursed. Like that tape in the Ring. If you watch any of the movies, you will get a scary phone call in seven days that will explain the rest of the curse. And it's not pretty.

But the rental comes with a free frogurt... but the frogurt is also cursed.

Qrazy

03-20-2009, 12:09 AM

Couldn't have said it better myself. Bizarrely comedic, with a hint of action-adventure, and even a little romance. It's worth seeing for Tadanobu alone, in my opinion.

Have you read Of Human Bondage? The film sort of bastardizes that one in my opinion.

Sycophant

03-20-2009, 12:10 AM

Oh, man. I forgot I bought a copy of Dororo. I should watch that soon!

Expect to see this post again in another 6 months.

Amnesiac

03-20-2009, 12:33 AM

I might. Who's on the cover?

It's a shot from The Darjeeling Limited:

http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/so07/images/FC_Cover_SO07.jpg

lovejuice

03-20-2009, 12:36 AM

Have you read Of Human Bondage? The film sort of bastardizes that one in my opinion.
seriously? i like OHB. have to check that movie then.

Qrazy

03-20-2009, 12:48 AM

seriously? i like OHB. have to check that movie then.

Did you not understand my post? I was saying the film sucks in relation to the novel.

lovejuice

03-20-2009, 12:51 AM

Did you not understand my post? I was saying the film sucks in relation to the novel.
haha i see. i though "bastardization" means paying unregarded homage. :P

Sycophant

03-20-2009, 12:53 AM

I think lovejuice thought you might've been talking about Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl. I know I did (until I finally read Birds's signature).

lovejuice

03-20-2009, 01:00 AM

I think lovejuice thought you might've been talking about Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl. I know I did (until I finally read Birds's signature).
wait? that's not what he's talking about? so confused now.

*reading Birds's signature*

ok, now i get it. SSMaPHG doesn't sound or look like the homage to of human bondage. :):P but to be fair, gu long's most famous wuxia, the sentimental swordsman, is partially based on OHB.

Ezee E

03-20-2009, 02:46 AM

Watched half of Elegy today.

Penelope Cruz is a bit too old to be considered 24 I think. She's good in it, just miscasted.

Interesting movie though, if not a bit boring still.

balmakboor

03-20-2009, 03:27 AM

Being a big Romero fan, I'd always avoided the Dawn of the Dead remake -- until tonight. I thought it was pretty fucking great.

Ezee E

03-20-2009, 04:10 AM

Being a big Romero fan, I'd always avoided the Dawn of the Dead remake -- until tonight. I thought it was pretty fucking great.
Awesome. It is pretty great on its own. Far better than anything Romero has done since that movie as well.

D_Davis

03-20-2009, 05:00 AM

Being a big Romero fan, I'd always avoided the Dawn of the Dead remake -- until tonight. I thought it was pretty fucking great.

Dawn '04 is amazing.

thefourthwall

03-20-2009, 05:15 AM

Although I really didn't have the time for it, I watched Catherine Breillat's Fat Girl (À ma soeur!) (2001) and, boy, oh boy, was it unexpected. An interesting look at two sisters--one beautiful and courted by an older, lecherous man and the other fat and largely ignored by all but the sister--on vacation. Their relationship is truly the highlight of the film with heartbreakingly honest conversations about what it means to be sisters and why they act the way they do, especially towards each other.

It sort of reminds me of Thirteen in terms of shockingly young girls being far too eager to engage in and knowledgeable about sexual practices. While I appreciated the brevity of the piece, I found it almost a bit too truncated in the final scene.

While I haven't had time to fully digest the ending (the sister and mother's murders were surprising, her rape seemed somewhat predictable), I have no clue what happens or could happen to the character after the film ends, and I'd like to think I should have some indication of what will become of her.

BirdsAteMyFace

03-20-2009, 06:17 AM

Have you read Of Human Bondage? The film sort of bastardizes that one in my opinion.I haven't in its entirety, no, but it's on my reading list. It's one of those films that I remember fondly afterwards, but am quite underwhelmed throughout each subsequent viewing. Nevertheless, my heart just isn't allowing me to drop the rating.

Rowland

03-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Step Brothers (Adam McKay, 2008) 64

At heart a blazingly over-the-top parody of the Apatow-brand formula, I found this difficult to warm up to after my initial exposure at the theater, but a repeat viewing was revelatory, as I realized it was delineated in a manner smart enough to essentially have its cake and eat it too, without coming across as overly smug or hypocritical. Ferrell and Reilly prove scarily committed to their performances, perhaps so much so that one cannot imagine how they could have ever wound up so dysfunctional, let alone how they so smoothly mature past it late in the picture, but this is of course part of the joke, essentially mocking the structure of the genre and its pat conclusions, which is made most clear towards the end when a psychiatrist character conveniently shows up after the (surprisingly stirring) climax to essentially strip the situation bare, further supported by a ridiculous coda that scathingly mocks the conventions of the genre. All in all very funny, though some of the gags don't really work at all (I'm looking at you, prosthetic nustack), and the middle act noticeably lags, though I'd contend this is by design, so that the irritating nature of the characters can really sink in. The film suggests quite openly that the parents are to blame for their sons' arrested developments, a brave position to take that it is smart enough not to linger upon or lecture too blatantly, allowing both of their positions shades of empathy, so that one is compelled to resent the two juvenile assholes when they wind up responsible for breaking up their parents' marriage (shown at blossom with sweetness and narrative economy during the prologue). So yeah, most of this is quite stupid, but it's uproarious in a more consistent manner than any Hollywood comedy last year, and moreover, it's smarter than it lets on, self-aware and critical without ruining the fun.

Wryan

03-20-2009, 02:43 PM

Dead & Messed Up

03-20-2009, 04:47 PM

No particular place to put this, but I figured a good number of people enjoy HP Lovecraft and his permeating influence on horror in any format. So here's a really rare picture of him smiling....or at least as smiley as HP Lovecraft is likely to get.

http://i44.tinypic.com/5kj6me.jpg

"Must...not...smile...maintain. ..brooding glower...damn it!"

I'll segue this back into cinema: the H. P. Lovecraft Festival makes a DVD of their top entries every now and then, and one of them is called Out of Time.

http://www.lurkerfilms.com/cat/img/hplc03.gif

The main film in the collection, "Out of Time," features a fantastic performance by Christopher Heyerdahl as Lovecraft; other portions of the film aren't nearly as effective.

Pop Trash

03-20-2009, 06:05 PM

It's a shot from The Darjeeling Limited:

http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/so07/images/FC_Cover_SO07.jpg

Oh no, I remember skipping that issue since I didn't really like The Darjeeling Limited. The only issues of FC I always get regardless of who is on the cover is their Cannes issue, and their Nov/Dec and Jan/Feb issues since they have end-of-the-year stuff in them.

Yxklyx

03-20-2009, 06:29 PM

Also regarding Lovecraft. The lead actor in Dreyer's Vampyr looks a lot like him.

megladon8

03-20-2009, 06:56 PM

I really wish Guillermo Del Toro would make At the Mountains of Madness.

I find that a much more interesting prospect than The Hobbit.

In fact, I could do without any more Tolkien movies and be perfectly content.

soitgoes...

03-20-2009, 10:11 PM

My weekend:

An Ambiguous Report About the End of the World - My first Jakubisko film.
Magnet of Doom - My quest to finish seeing all Melville's films is almost complete.
Les Biches
Even Dwarfs Started Small

origami_mustache

03-20-2009, 10:15 PM

Weekend:
Street of Shame
Happy-Go-Lucky
Hunger

megladon8

03-20-2009, 10:55 PM

Did anyone else think Running Scared would have been a lot better had it been less serious? More like Crank territory?

I'm surprised that it's actually not too bad, considering it's a mainstream action flick starring Paul Walker - one of my most despised actors of this generation.

Karl Roden chews the scenery, spits it out, chews it again, swallows and repeats. It's great.

It's a neat take on the "lost dirty gun" formula that's seen many, many incarnations over the decades.

But like I said at the beginning, the out-of-its-mind camera work and overall style of the movie seems like it would be better suited to something that isn't so brutally self-serious.

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 12:04 AM

Magnet of Doom - My quest to finish seeing all Melville's films is almost complete.

I'll race you to the finish line! I have two left and Magnet of Doom is one of them. Can you guess the other?

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 12:04 AM

In fact, I could do without any more Tolkien movies and be perfectly content.

No, you need 10 more. kthxbye.

soitgoes...

03-21-2009, 12:07 AM

I'll race you to the finish line! I have two left and Magnet of Doom is one of them. Can you guess the other?
I imagine it is When You Read This Letter which is the only other one I have left too. Have you found English subs for it anywhere?

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 12:09 AM

I imagine it is When You Read This Letter which is the only other one I have left too. Have you found English subs for it anywhere?

Yep that's the one.

But nope to the subs, also haven't downloaded the film yet either since my Karagarga ratio is balls. I bet you want to download Les Espions, Whirlwind, Morning Patrol, Seven Beauties or The Cloud Capped Star. You do, don't you?

soitgoes...

03-21-2009, 12:10 AM

Yep that's the one.

But nope to the subs, also haven't downloaded the film yet either since my Karagarga ratio is balls. I bet you want to download Les Espions, Whirlwind, Morning Patrol, Seven Beauties or The Cloud Capped Star. You do, don't you?
Check your account. ;)

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 12:29 AM

Check your account. ;)

You're too good to me sir, too good. By the by have you explored the MoM this month? I can't say it appeals to me in the slightest.

soitgoes...

03-21-2009, 12:35 AM

You're too good to me sir, too good. By the by have you explored the MoM this month? I can't say it appeals to me in the slightest.
Not at all. I have no interest either. It's pretty much a wasted month in my eyes.

megladon8

03-21-2009, 03:17 AM

Another thought on Running Scared - I guess it's silly to pick on something like this in an action movie that already has so much over-the-top silliness, but the hockey-pucks-to-the-face scene really bothered me.

He was getting slap shots to the face from just a few feet away.

One or two and he would have been dead.

Rowland

03-21-2009, 09:03 AM

So I watched two CGI animated kids flicks tonight...

Horton Hears a Who! is blatant right-wing propaganda. Seriously, is this an uncommon interpretation? Bolt is an improvement, but it still hovers just above mediocrity. These both remind me just how sophisticated and ambitious Wall•E is by comparison.

Rowland

03-21-2009, 09:06 AM

I like how Running Scared takes itself seriously, it wouldn't be the same if it was all a joke. Adds to the off-kilter vibe that makes it intriguing, as it's one of the best 00s' films exemplifying right-wing values.

Dukefrukem

03-21-2009, 02:50 PM

Hot Fuzz better than Shaun of the Dead? I think so.

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 03:03 PM

Spinal

03-21-2009, 05:02 PM

Hot Fuzz better than Shaun of the Dead? I think so.

Not even close.

D_Davis

03-21-2009, 05:15 PM

Not even close.

Yeah.

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 05:33 PM

Yeah.

.

Amnesiac

03-21-2009, 05:53 PM

At the very least, I do remember laughing more while watching Hot Fuzz.

transmogrifier

03-21-2009, 07:30 PM

.

:cool:

megladon8

03-21-2009, 08:03 PM

Would it be nuts of me to say that Ran is the best Shakespeare-based movie ever?

Kurosawa Fan

03-21-2009, 08:13 PM

Would it be nuts of me to say that Ran is the best Shakespeare-based movie ever?

Nope. It'd be right. In fact, you could remove "Shakespeare-based" from that sentence and you'd still be right.

Raiders

03-21-2009, 08:20 PM

Kurosawa's own Throne of Blood is much better, I would say.

Kurosawa Fan

03-21-2009, 08:22 PM

Kurosawa's own Throne of Blood is much better, I would say.

That's #2.

Mal

03-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Watched half of Elegy today.

Penelope Cruz is a bit too old to be considered 24 I think. She's good in it, just miscasted.

Interesting movie though, if not a bit boring still.

Actually, I'll agree with you about the beginning of it. But once you're done watching, you might change your mind about her casting.
-
Yeah, it can be seen as boring, but I loved how slow it was... it took its time, really letting the characters sink in... the end felt more impactful for me due to this.

lovejuice

03-21-2009, 09:23 PM

i like RAN much more than THRONE, which i don't think i like that much. if anything i like polanski's MACBETH more than kurosawa's. want so bad to see tarr's adaptation though.

i like SHAUN more than FUZZ.

compared to WALL.E, BOLT is not as ambitious. but i actually enjoy it more.

megladon8

03-21-2009, 09:44 PM

Movies I could potentially see throughout this week, and I hope we actually make it to some of them...

Tokyo Sonata
Hunger
Tokyo!
His Girl Friday*
Night and the City*
The Naked City
Brute Force
Rififi*
To Kill a Mockingbird*
Gomorrah
Waltz With Bashir
Videodrome*
The Dead Zone

* = movies I've seen before

The Dead Zone is tonight at midnight at the IFC Center. I was really looking forward to going, but I'm not sure I feel up to it today. Feel like I'm starting to get sick, and I only slept about 6 hours spread across 12 hours of rolling around in bed.

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 09:46 PM

Kurosawa's own Throne of Blood is much better, I would say.

I agree.

Qrazy

03-21-2009, 09:47 PM

soitgoes...

03-21-2009, 10:14 PM

Bosco B Thug

03-21-2009, 10:27 PM

Tobe Hoper's Night Terrors had more than a helping enough of Hooper's elegant compositions to satisfy me, but it's also very cheesy, low-rent horror schlock (and semi-soft core). Might've had some worth as a comparative theological study and quasi-historical conjectural, but the nonsensical genre trappings sink it. A good dose of deranged-looking hotties (star Zoe Trilling apparently has a minor cult following) and its general bizarreness elevate this, but its ultimately cheap-looking and cheap-feeling.

I really shouldn't be rating it, though, the decrepit VHS had yielded half the film inaudible, and also completely quit before any end credits, so I may have missed some final scenes.

Also, I do not like Robert Englund. As an actor. His hamming is insufferable to me. He makes me like The Mangler less, and yes, I hate him for that. This film has a performance very much like his performance in The Mangler... as the Marquis de Sade. He wears a dirty ass powder wig and white face make-up, with a big fake beauty mark slapped on his mug. Bleggghh.

Sven

03-21-2009, 11:05 PM

Ezee E

03-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Actually, I'll agree with you about the beginning of it. But once you're done watching, you might change your mind about her casting.
-
Yeah, it can be seen as boring, but I loved how slow it was... it took its time, really letting the characters sink in... the end felt more impactful for me due to this.
Finished it, and my feelings stay the same way, even with the events that occur at the end.

I do like the progress of it all. It does move slow, and when Cruz leaves for a bit, the movie does get close to boring for a bit.

Eh, a mixed bag. But there are good moments in it.

Mysterious Dude

03-22-2009, 01:25 AM

Throne of Blood, Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet and Polanski's Macbeth are my favorites.

Qrazy

03-22-2009, 02:28 AM

Branagh's Hamlet is the best Shakespeare adaptation I've seen, though I really need to see Kozintsev's Shakespeare films. And Olivier's. Also the rest of Branagh's. Yeah, I'm guessing there's probably someone out there who has done something better, but as of now that's my favorite.

Throne of Blood and Ran are great. Kozintsev's King Lear is also pretty great. Chimes at Midnight is as well. I still have a lot of Branagh and Olivier to see as well. I've seen many, many more Shakespeare theater productions than I have films. Henry V set in WWII (Stratford, Ontario) is the best theater production of anything I've ever seen in my life.

Rowland

03-22-2009, 06:01 AM

If any of you have heard of Anna Biller's satirical riff on '70s sexploitation movies, Viva (http://http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1195796-viva/), and were perhaps interested in seeking it out... please don't. It's dreadful.

Amnesiac

03-22-2009, 06:04 AM

Can someone settle this?

Who hacked the limbs off of the inoculated children in Apocalypse Now?

Spinal

03-22-2009, 06:10 AM

Been meaning to see that one, but a comic book-type film that seems up your alley is the Czech New Wave film, Who Wants to Kill Jessie?. Fun, creative stuff.

Thanks for mentioning this one. I second your recommendation. One of those great Czech films that's either as deep or as shallow as you want it to be. Easy, breezy comedy, but also some compelling undertones about the oppression of imagination and desire.

origami_mustache

03-22-2009, 12:26 PM

Yeah.

Hot Fuzz is garbage

Scar

03-22-2009, 03:16 PM

Can someone settle this?

Who hacked the limbs off of the inoculated children in Apocalypse Now?

Kurtz and his Special Forces crew went into a village to inoculate the children. After they left, someone came running crying out of the village, so they went back, and all the children had their arm hacked off, implying that the villagers hacked off their own children's arms, since whitey had done something to that arm.

Scar

03-22-2009, 03:17 PM

Hot Fuzz is garbage

I disagree.

Grouchy

03-22-2009, 04:36 PM

I disagree.
Me too.

http://www.filmpeek.net/images/babylon-ad12.jpg

So I've seen this Midnight Meat Train thing, and I gotta say I was kind of disappointed - maybe I had my expectations too high, I don't know. The camerawork and editing are very kinetic, as expected from the guy who directed Versus, but the movie fails in just about every other aspect. The actors are ridiculous, their lines unconvincing, their characters and motivations one-note and irritating and whenever the scene is not showing hardcore violence, you realize what a bore the movie is. Kitamura does make a couple of moments work, such as the slaughterhouse chase, and Vinnie Jones is generally the film's strongest asset. A bit annoyed by the ending, but it could have been worse. I have the feeling Barker's short story is worth reading.

On the other hand, I didn't expect to like it and I ended up enjoying a lot of Babylon A.D. It's reminiscent in many ways of the frantic chases of Children of Men, but the internets say this has been in development hell much longer. Vin Diesel is a hilariously bad actor who was born for roles such as this - I dig his style. On the other hand, I'd never realized how good Michelle Yeoh actually is. I've read the stories about 20th Century Fox clashing with the director, and you can tell the ending suffers a lot because of it - it's extremely rushed and most likely not what was originally planned. But the bulk of the movie is solid, with a couple of awesome action sequences such as the cage fighting or the snowboard chase. To wrap it up, it's all in good entertainment and I'd like to see some kind of director's cut at some point down the road.

Wryan

03-22-2009, 07:33 PM

Somebody help me out. What's the Ocean's Eleven (or Twelve), Vegasy, Tom Jonesy song that starts out with a giant scream as a montage begins, sweeping over the city at dusk?

Pop Trash

03-22-2009, 07:37 PM

Hot Fuzz is garbage
Me three.

Wryan

03-22-2009, 07:37 PM

Qrazy

03-22-2009, 09:01 PM

The finale credits for Buckaroo Banzai were pretty sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WzB1Rtr7Q0

Qrazy

03-22-2009, 09:02 PM

I love Zeffir's R&J, and both Ran and Throne of Blood. I like the latter a bit better, and would call it perfect if it weren't for one sequence that Kurosawa lets go on far, far, far beyond the bounds of decency or necessity of comprehension.

That sequence, of course, is the "lost in the fog" sequence at the beginning. There are handily more than ten individual shots of our two protagonists riding into view, realizing they are still lost, and riding off in another direction. There may even be more than fifteen such consecutive, individual shots.

I like that sequence. Tarkovsky praises it briefly in the book Sculpting in Time. But yeah it's my favorite Kurosawa film I think. I think there's value in the lost in the fog scene being an extended sequence just as there's value in the extended driving sequence at the beginning of Solaris.

Wryan

03-22-2009, 09:09 PM

I like that sequence. Tarkovsky praises it briefly in the book Sculpting in Time. But yeah it's my favorite Kurosawa film I think. I think there's value in the lost in the fog scene being an extended sequence just as there's value in the extended driving sequence at the beginning of Solaris.

I wouldn't consider myself an impatient film watcher. But I really can't stand that sequence.

Amnesiac

03-22-2009, 09:43 PM

Kurtz and his Special Forces crew went into a village to inoculate the children. After they left, someone came running crying out of the village, so they went back, and all the children had their arm hacked off, implying that the villagers hacked off their own children's arms, since whitey had done something to that arm.

Yeah, I've heard this interpretation before. But I've also seen it vehemently argued against in another discussion.

Those who disagree with that interpretation claim that it was actually the Vietcong who went into the village and proceeded to hack off the children's arms. The American forces presumably inoculated these villagers in order to get them on their side, so that they could help win the war (in what ways, I don't know)... and the Vietcong stepped in and hacked off the arms of the inoculated children to send out a potent message. That is, this is what you get when you accept any help from the Americans.

Kurtz does mentions that the people who chopped off the arms were "trained cadres" and that doesn't seem like an apt description for a group of presumably amicable villagers...

"These were men... trained cadres. These men who fought with their hearts, who had families, who had children, who were filled with love... but they had the strength... the strength... to do that. If I had ten divisions of those men our troubles here would be over very quickly. You have to have men who are moral... and at the same time who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to kill without feeling... without passion... without judgment... without judgment."

It was actually my uncertainty as to which interpretation fits best that led me to post my question in the first place.

Rowland

03-22-2009, 09:49 PM

Burn After Reading (Coen Brothers, 2008) 58

I was so turned off by the gratuitously cruel misanthropy on display here that I gave it a just-barely negative score after my initial viewing. Hell, even the two characters who I suspect represent surrogates of sorts for the Coens' sociopolitical outlook at its polar extremes, those being Malkovich and Jenkins, are irredeemably flawed, and recall just which one mercilessly slaughters the other at the film's deliberately, hopelessly truncated climax. There aren't many laughs here, as it plays less like a comedy than an angry appeal from the bottom of an existential abyss, and worst of all, the Coens believe it's too late. A second viewing however revealed the lack of many real laughs less of a detriment than I initially felt, and I found myself reluctantly acknowledging and admiring the sheer, relentless audacity at work here, with seemingly little concern for mainstream reception. Furthermore, this runs like clockwork smoothly enough so that it proves reasonably satisfying on a visceral level, even if the middle act plays a bit clumsily. On an aesthetic level, this is more functional than anything, one of the less impressive efforts in the Coen canon, but as noted, it functions well on its own steely terms. And again, there are a disappointing number of laughs here apart from what the actors bring to their performances, which are roundly impressive as an ensemble, despite the Coens' attempts to stifle any emotional nuance. Most of the reviews I've read praise Pitt, though I'd point to Simmons as the funniest performer of the bunch, which is rather astounding when you consider that he only has two scenes. In the end, I'd point to Payne's Election as a superior example of what the Coens attempt here, itself a ruthlessly pessimistic spectacle of idiocy that applies a series of character types to a narrative designed as a microcosm for demonstrating what ails our society, from the bottom up to, at the end of both movies, our very government itself, only Payne's picture is probably better made, certainly funnier, and in the end more relatable, which only makes it hurt so much more.

Sven

03-22-2009, 09:55 PM

even if the middle act plays a bit clumsily.

What's clumsy?

Rowland

03-22-2009, 10:00 PM

What's clumsy?I don't know if I can precisely pin-point it, but the rhythm felt off to me both times. *shrug*

Stay Puft

03-22-2009, 10:02 PM

I still think George Clooney is the best thing about that movie. His last scene with Frances McDormand, and, conversely, Brad Pitt's last scene with him, are the best parts - easily two of my favorite scenes from the year.

Grouchy

03-22-2009, 10:08 PM

I have no idea what you're talking about with that one, Rowland. I laughed like a madman with the film and, even if I can sort of imagine where you're coming from with the misantrophy thing, it's the Coens after all. The ending of No Country for Old Men was equally bleak, and don't even get started on stuff like The Man who wasn't there.

Ultimately, even if the movie does contain a lot of social criticism (the constant focus on material gain, the obsession with surgeries), I think it's just an exercise in style and great writing. I don't think it has anything relevant to say on politics, for example - the spy genre is only used as an excuse to introduce story and characters.

Winston*

03-22-2009, 10:19 PM

I saw Pineapple Express the other night. Dug it. I think it works because the use of the action film formula means when it's not being funny there's usually still something engaging going on, unlike Superbad where you just end up mostly having idiots standing about. Also because Franco and McBride are much more hilarious than Jonah Hill and that McLovin kid.

Sven

03-22-2009, 10:43 PM

I don't know if I can precisely pin-point it, but the rhythm felt off to me both times. *shrug*

Stop shrugging.

DavidSeven

03-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Burn After Reading (Coen Brothers, 2008) 56

I like the comparison to Payne's Election, which I agree is better made, more nuanced, and better written. A great example, I think, of what the Coens wanted to accomplish here.

Don't get the praise for Pitt's performance. Weakest in the film. Some funny line readings (especially "you think it's a Schwinn..."), but mostly came across as completely self-aware and forced.

Scar

03-22-2009, 11:00 PM

I definately like Pineapple Express, but I'm not a fan of Burn After Reading. A chuckle or two, but not to into it. Perhaps a rewatch is in the future.

dreamdead

03-22-2009, 11:16 PM

While William Wellman admittedly trades in numerous shots of female flesh in 1931's Night Nurse, the film is constrained by a lack of actual eroticism. As a result, none of the moments of Stanwyck or Blundell's undress comes across as even remotely erotic, but are presented as so everyday that the sexual energy is null. And while there's a slightly transgressive moment where Stanwyck and Blundell end up in bed together, there are so few textual markers in terms of female sexuality that the moment ends up limp and insignificant. And while I grant that the coded markers of sin could not push the envelope, some of Lubitsch's films from this same period (notably Trouble in Paradise) have a sensual raciness to them that this film completely lacks. So while we get bootlegging and suggestions of vapid carousels of dating with Blundell, the finality of the film's transgressiveness is rather weak.

We'll see what Babyface and Red-headed Woman (which is the one I'm truly anticipating) do in the coming week or so.

Rowland

03-22-2009, 11:16 PM

Stop shrugging.no.

Spinal

03-22-2009, 11:26 PM

Doing a search for the keyword 'shrug' and the user Rowland yields 57 posts. I would have guessed more.

Doing a search for the phrase 'Asia Argento' and the user Spinal yields 13 posts. I would have guessed more for that too.

Spinal

03-22-2009, 11:27 PM

'Popeye' for 'Sven' = 14 posts.

I think I found a new fun game.

Rowland

03-22-2009, 11:31 PM

for example - the spy genre is only used as an excuse to introduce story and characters.Completely disagree. It's an incisive satire of unjustified paranoia begetting irrational actions, delusions of self-important grandeur, and covetous self-entitlement issues. That it's set in the nation's capital makes this all the more potent.

Ezee E

03-23-2009, 12:59 AM

Rewatched Kundun today. It's certainly a different topic for Scorsese to go after, but it's definitely a Scorsese film. While the script and acting have a little to be desired, the camerawork is beautiful, and while Scorsese uses his kinetic camera, this is the moment where it's a little toned down from the previous movies he had been working on.

This also has the best score from any Scorsese film.

Wryan

03-23-2009, 02:30 AM

Does anyone know the answer to my question about the song in Ocean's Eleven? I would really like to know and I can't find it online anywhere. I'd like to see if its the song I remember liking a lot and, if so, burn it onto a "driving music" CD for my trip home tomorrow.

Pls halp!

Grouchy

03-23-2009, 02:34 AM

Completely disagree. It's an incisive satire of unjustified paranoia begetting irrational actions, delusions of self-important grandeur, and covetous self-entitlement issues. That it's set in the nation's capital makes this all the more potent.
But, what exactly are the Coens saying about paranoia? The only character who suffers from it is Clooney's, and that's due to a series of sentimental misunderstandings that, in fact, have nothing to do with espionage, the CIA or politics. The whole point of the failed blackmail plan is that none has any interest in this guy's memoirs. The two scenes with J.K. Simmons at CIA Headquarters base all of their humor on the fact that none understands what is going on and would prefer it if it ended quickly.

I think the Coens treat the whole genre and the political or international content it generally carries as a big joke. They create a McGuffin and then they spend the rest of the movie demolishing its supposed importance. For me, the movie is apolitical - it's about its characters.

Duncan

03-23-2009, 02:54 AM

I love that fog scene in Throne of Blood. One of my very favourite films.

About Apocalypse Now, I always thought it was the Vietcong that did the arm chopping.

Grouchy

03-23-2009, 03:04 AM

People, this Kubrick blooper reel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVTVa4B1rSc&feature=related) is good stuff, specially the Shining one.

MadMan

03-23-2009, 03:41 AM

I've seen a decent amount of movies recently, but I've been too preoccupied to write proper reviews.

Burn After Reading, despite its nihilistic and depressing qualities, is still the best comedy I've seen from 2008. I loved it, and I think that Clooney should continue to work with the Coens. He's a great leading man for their type of humor. And every scene with JK Simmons was absolute gold.

Spinal

03-23-2009, 04:11 AM

'Popeye' for 'Sven' = 14 posts.

I think I found a new fun game.

'Eventually' for 'MadMan' = 65 posts. :)

Winston*

03-23-2009, 05:24 AM

'Eventually' for 'MadMan' = 65 posts. :)

Madman + 'lazy' = 68 posts. Factoring in derivatives = 84 posts.

monolith94

03-23-2009, 05:26 AM

The finale credits for Buckaroo Banzai were pretty sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WzB1Rtr7Q0
Hey, that's great. I love people walking. Too bad Banzai sucked too much for me to make it that far.

MadMan

03-23-2009, 05:51 AM

'Eventually' for 'MadMan' = 65 posts. :)Only 65? :P

Madman + 'lazy' = 68 posts. Factoring in derivatives = 84 posts.Hmm, 16 shy of 100. Nuts.

Rowland

03-23-2009, 05:55 AM

But, what exactly are the Coens saying about paranoia? The only character who suffers from it is Clooney's, and that's due to a series of sentimental misunderstandings that, in fact, have nothing to do with espionage, the CIA or politics. The whole point of the failed blackmail plan is that none has any interest in this guy's memoirs. The two scenes with J.K. Simmons at CIA Headquarters base all of their humor on the fact that none understands what is going on and would prefer it if it ended quickly.

I think the Coens treat the whole genre and the political or international content it generally carries as a big joke. They create a McGuffin and then they spend the rest of the movie demolishing its supposed importance. For me, the movie is apolitical - it's about its characters.Well yeah, none of it is even remotely important, that is the point precisely. Nobody has any clue what is going on, so the genre trappings exist primarily to mock the characters. It's about timidity, incompetence, vanity, superficiality, greed, irresponsibility, and just about every other negative human trait you can imagine, infecting our culture on a massive scale, from the government bureaucracy to the elite class right on down to society's most desperate and vacant. If anything, this is one of last year's most corrosively political films, in its sneaky way.

Hmm, thinking about this more has convinced me to bump my grade up a few points. The Coens hate us all, props to them for their honesty.

Winston*

03-23-2009, 10:20 AM

Doomsday has post-apocalyptic punks and post-apocalyptic medieval knights. If it makes me a philistine for liking it for that reason, then so be it.

Scar

03-23-2009, 12:37 PM

I gave Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist a shot this weekend.

Pure, absolute shit. Definately pig shit, 'cause pig shit is the stinkiest!

dreamdead

03-23-2009, 02:19 PM

I must see more of this Ophuls fellow. Madame de... was just marvelous. Wonderfully expressive cinematically and tragic in a thoroughly romantic way. Amazing.

Mara

03-23-2009, 02:26 PM

This must be the case for me and Newsies.

Hold on, I missed the fact that you JUST watched this. For the first time? I'd love to hear a couple thoughts. Obviously, it's not a film I'm objective about, and so I'd like to hear a different viewpoint.

Qrazy

03-23-2009, 02:38 PM

Hey, that's great. I love people walking. Too bad Banzai sucked too much for me to make it that far.

*shrug*

It's not that great a film but I found it mildly amusing at times.

megladon8

03-24-2009, 03:09 AM

Anyone seen or have thoughts on the two recent samurai films Hana or Love and Honor?

Both from 2006 I believe.

Sycophant

03-24-2009, 03:15 AM

Love and Honor is alright, but if you haven't yet seen The Twilight Samurai, see it instead. I was disappointed how Yamada's two follow ups (Love and Honor and that other one) to that incredible film felt so much like retreads (thematically, stylistically, even narratively).

Hana is a joy, but feels like a decidedly minor work from Kore-eda Hirokazu, while also being very much out of pace with his other work. It's got kind of a fluffy exterior, but has a heartfelt humanist core that makes it very compelling. But it's probably my least favorite of any of the Kore-eda films I've seen.

If you're in a position to choose between the two, I'd recommend Hana.

Sycophant

03-24-2009, 03:23 AM

Why do you ask, Meg?

megladon8

03-24-2009, 03:26 AM

Why do you ask, Meg?

They were in the Kung-Fu section (which is really just the section for all Asian films) of both Best Buys I've been to in the last week.

They both looked really good. Jen adored The Twilight Samurai and has been begging me to see it for a while, and these looked similar.

Thanks for the advice - I'll follow it and try to get a viewing of The Twilight Samurai in first.

Dead & Messed Up

03-24-2009, 03:37 AM

So Let the Right One In just kicked me square in the junk.

Question for those who've seen it:

Was Eli a dude? One very brief shot showed Eli's nether regions and what looked like scar tissue, but I wasn't sure if that could go either way. I'm erring on the side of girl, though.

Anyway, tremendous movie. I had no idea that someone could completely re-legitimize the old vampire "rulebook," but this film does so with grace and beauty.

megladon8

03-24-2009, 03:40 AM

DaMU...

Apparently in the novel, it was very clearly stated that Eli was a boy.

In the movie, I felt it was more ambiguous, but apparently the intention was still there, so says the director - Eli was a boy.

Dead & Messed Up

03-24-2009, 03:41 AM

megladon8

03-24-2009, 03:44 AM

Huh.

Well, now I...

...

Huh.

:|

I actually didn't realize that was what had been revealed until people here on MC told me.

When she said to Oskar "what makes you think I'm a girl?" I didn't take it as her saying "I'M MALE!!!" I thought it was more like "I'm not really human...I'm a monster".

And then when we got the quick crotch shot, I don't know if maybe the theatre I saw it in wasn't projecting clearly or what, but I thought it looked like a vagina with pubic hairs just beginning to grow in...it definitely didn't register with me that there was scar tissue from a lopped-off penis.

I've been dying to see it again. I keep forgetting it's out on DVD already.

Dead & Messed Up

03-24-2009, 03:50 AM

I actually didn't realize that was what had been revealed until people here on MC told me.

When she said to Oskar "what makes you think I'm a girl?" I didn't take it as her saying "I'M MALE!!!" I thought it was more like "I'm not really human...I'm a monster".

And then when we got the quick crotch shot, I don't know if maybe the theatre I saw it in wasn't projecting clearly or what, but I thought it looked like a vagina with pubic hairs just beginning to grow in...it definitely didn't register with me that there was scar tissue from a lopped-off penis.

I've been dying to see it again. I keep forgetting it's out on DVD already.

Yeah, I took that to mean, "I'm not a girl, I'm an old woman." And there are a couple of quick shots where we actually see Eli as an old woman.

As for that quick shot of the scar, I thought it could indicate mutilation of either set of genitals. I sided with female because, apart from that ambiguous comment about girlhood, there's nothing in the film to suggest that Eli's a boy.

Unless I'm being ignorant.

I wish they'd either elaborated on that just a bit more or ditched it.

But yeah, still a damn good movie.

soitgoes...

03-24-2009, 06:50 AM

Mind Game might very well be the best use of animation I have ever seen. It's the most imaginative for sure.

megladon8

03-24-2009, 07:20 AM

Mind Game might very well be the best use of animation I have ever seen. It's the most imaginative for sure.

R1 DVD release NOW.

Russ

03-24-2009, 01:47 PM

Mind Game might very well be the best use of animation I have ever seen. It's the most imaginative for sure.

One reason why it landed in the top 10 of three of the top 100 lists.

dreamdead

03-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Assayas' Late August, Early September has the naturalness (or, alternately, the artificiality) of the best Dogme style. Here Assayas captures the flitting energy between childish adults who waver about what they truly want, and how the ramifications of their decisions lead them into contact even after relationships have separated. There's a manic sexuality to these people, yet even if Assayas is adept at eroticizing the moment (and he is), there nonetheless remains the question as to whether this sexuality is helping characters toward emotional maturity or stunting that growth. Solid filmmaking from the man, and the acoustic guitar score is a delight. Only one more of his to see before Summer Hours works its way to dvd.

Grouchy

03-24-2009, 07:13 PM

Anyone seen or have thoughts on the two recent samurai films Hana or Love and Honor?

Both from 2006 I believe.
I haven't seen Love and Honor, but Hana and Twilight Samurai are both extremely great films for me.

And yeah, that Let the Right One In revelation continues to leave people with flabbergasted faces. I didn't get it either.

I've seen a great film! It's called Wings of Desire, but I think that's a very crappy title and I wish they had literally translated it as The Sky over Berlin. Much more coherent with its tone and less misleading. I don't know what else to say about it other than that I enjoyed every single shot and second of it. Peter Falk's role was the most unexpected part. Question to those that have seen it - is the sequel as good? I'll watch it anyway, just curious. I don't know what's my favorite Wenders, but so far it's obviously a choice between this and Paris, Texas.

megladon8

03-24-2009, 07:31 PM

Grouchy - Wings of Desire is one I've owned for nearly 5 years now and have never gotten around to watching. Actually, I brought it with me in my big DVD wallet (I'm in NYC now) so maybe Jen and I will watch it in the next couple of days.

I feel slightly ashamed to admit that, as a kid, I adored the American remake City of Angels.

Stay Puft

03-24-2009, 07:44 PM

Question to those that have seen it - is the sequel as good?

No. It's rather different, actually - but it has its moments. It's worth checking out just for the subplot with the chauffeur.

number8

03-24-2009, 07:50 PM

Say, remember the RT Kevin Smith debacle? Here's a recent interview where Smith talks about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnkFYTSeT_U

Qrazy

03-24-2009, 07:59 PM

Say, remember the RT Kevin Smith debacle? Here's a recent interview where Smith talks about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnkFYTSeT_U

I remember Cult Icon shitting all over him and loving it. Also I don't remember her crying as a result of his 'cat and mouse games'. Someone needs to bring up the old argument, clarify what happened and shit all over him in the youtube comments. Also... stick it in his wife's ass? What a crude, sad, child of a man he is.

Kurosawa Fan

03-24-2009, 08:45 PM

I don't remember any of this. What happened at RT?

Qrazy

03-24-2009, 09:00 PM

I don't remember any of this. What happened at RT?

We were discussing some film (financial status of Clerks II I think... or maybe that came after and it was his review to Revenge of the Sith) and Kevin Smith came in and used his official website to prove it was him. Most people were like 'Oh Hi cool of you to post, your movies are pretty good' but Cult and a few others told him his filmmaking was garbage and then they all got in a flamewar with each other.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=410113&page=8&pp=30

Here's the thread, the two of them start going at it page 8 or so.

DavidSeven

03-24-2009, 09:11 PM

Say, remember the RT Kevin Smith debacle? Here's a recent interview where Smith talks about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnkFYTSeT_U

I could actually feel myself getting dumber as that went on.

Dead & Messed Up

03-24-2009, 09:14 PM

I remember that. Regardless of how clever Kevin Smith was, it was a losing situation. He should've stepped in, said hello, then left. If even that.

D_Davis

03-24-2009, 09:16 PM

Is he wearing a Jedi robe?

Watashi

03-24-2009, 09:27 PM

Best thread on RT evah!

Dead & Messed Up

03-24-2009, 09:29 PM

I remember Cult Icon shitting all over him and loving it. Also I don't remember her crying as a result of his 'cat and mouse games'. Someone needs to bring up the old argument, clarify what happened and shit all over him in the youtube comments. Also... stick it in his wife's ass? What a crude, sad, child of a man he is.

Indeed, it would be worthwhile to point out his childishness by shitting all over him on Youtube.

Watashi

03-24-2009, 09:31 PM

Oh my god... reading that thread now is brilliant.

Seeing Rowland and NickGlass suck up to Kevin Smith = priceless.

Qrazy

03-24-2009, 09:37 PM

Indeed, it would be worthwhile to point out his childishness by shitting all over him on Youtube.

Did I say anything about pointing out his childishness? No, I did not. I just think it would be ironic to shit on him for misrepresenting an argument he had online when he's talking about not wanting to get into any more similar arguments.

The child comment was in relation to his referencing anal sex with his wife as a better use of his time.

number8

03-24-2009, 09:40 PM

Let's start an argument here! Let's put it into teams. I'll defend Kevin Smith. Who wants to take a shot, and who wants to help me?

number8

03-24-2009, 09:41 PM

First up: I agree with Kevin Smith that anal sex with the wife is a better time than arguing on the internet.

Qrazy

03-24-2009, 09:43 PM

First up: I agree with Kevin Smith that anal sex with the wife is a better time than arguing on the internet.

OK, I don't think many people disagree with that statement, but that's not the argument. The argument is whether or not it is a valuable, classy, interesting, or in any way worthwhile thing for him to state that anal sex with his wife is a better use of his time than arguing on the internet.

Sycophant

03-24-2009, 09:43 PM

Reading that RT thread. You'd think Smith would know better than to get involved in this kind of shit on the Internet. Didn't he see the end of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back?

Grouchy

03-24-2009, 10:08 PM

That fat fuck really made an ass of himself on that thread, and the fact that he still needs to talk about the incident four years later only makes him a sadder person.

Probably why I never got enthusiastic enough to watch any of his films besides Jersey Girl, which completely sucked.

DavidSeven

03-24-2009, 10:15 PM

Interesting, I guess, that attempting rear entry with his wife is the first place his mind goes when considering a valuable use of time. Reminds me of a story I heard where Smith, in trademark basketball shorts, spoke in front of the faculty and students of the NYU film school and said he only wanted to make movies so he could have sex with women. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's funny that many of his films express a similarly narrow view of the world around them.

megladon8

03-24-2009, 10:36 PM

Vaginal entry > anal entry

Ivan Drago

03-24-2009, 10:41 PM

Woah...this (http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.html) is getting a Criterion???

Grouchy

03-24-2009, 10:43 PM

Vaginal entry > anal entry
Hahahahahahah!

What the hell.

Winston*

03-24-2009, 10:44 PM

...anyway I saw Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once last night.Thought it was pretty good. Lots of dry ice and people saying "it's all society's fault". What are match cut's views on You Only Live Once?

Sycophant

03-24-2009, 10:46 PM

Yes, it is, Ivan.

Ivan Drago

03-24-2009, 10:49 PM

Yes, it is, Ivan.

:shrug: I dunno, I'm just really surprised.

Sorry to whoever it is who hates the :shrug:. ;)

megladon8

03-24-2009, 10:50 PM

There was a big discussion about it just a couple of pages back, Ivan.

Ivan Drago

03-24-2009, 10:50 PM

There was a big discussion about it just a couple of pages back, Ivan.

:smacks forehead: Where have I been?

Pop Trash

03-25-2009, 12:48 AM

I dunno, Kevin Smith came off as pretty sharp in that thread. Cult Icon had it coming.

Spinal

03-25-2009, 12:50 AM

I am hard pressed to think of topics I want to hear less about than Kevin Smith's sex life.

Sven

03-25-2009, 01:29 AM

...anyway I saw Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once last night.Thought it was pretty good. Lots of dry ice and people saying "it's all society's fault". What are match cut's views on You Only Live Once?

I found its religious sentimentality more effective than the similarly-themed Angels with Dirty Faces, though I think it's a less effective film overall. Doomed lovers are not quite as interesting as James Cagney, I'm sorry. Still, it's atmospheric and impressively shot. I like it.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 01:45 AM

OK, I don't think many people disagree with that statement, but that's not the argument. The argument is whether or not it is a valuable, classy, interesting, or in any way worthwhile thing for him to state that anal sex with his wife is a better use of his time than arguing on the internet.

Yeah, but you're the guy who once recommended that another poster "stick it in her brownie".

Is this just because he's on a more public channel? Or because he's a celebrity?

Raiders

03-25-2009, 01:56 AM

I found its religious sentimentality more effective than the similarly-themed Angels with Dirty Faces, though I think it's a less effective film overall. Doomed lovers are not quite as interesting as James Cagney, I'm sorry. Still, it's atmospheric and impressively shot. I like it.

This is pretty accurate.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 02:29 AM

Yeah, but you're the guy who once recommended that another poster "stick it in her brownie".

That was an Arrested Development reference.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 02:32 AM

That was an Arrested Development reference.

I found it crude, sad, and man child-esque. :P

And I don't watch that show.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 02:33 AM

I dunno, Kevin Smith came off as pretty sharp in that thread. Cult Icon had it coming.

Still, your gender doesn't preclude you from f**king a trannie raw in the mouth, nor from topping her/him off. So the assessment (not mine, mind you - just the stuff they told me about you when I got here) still stands.

Right, he's the real height of wit. :rolleyes:

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 02:37 AM

I found it crude, sad, and man child-esque. :P

And I don't watch that show.

It is not my problem that you are unable to recognize the difference between a reference to a hilarious moment on a hilarious show and someone referring to anal intercourse with their wife as a better use of their time than internet flamewars.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 02:39 AM

It is not my problem that you are unable to recognize the difference between a reference to a hilarious moment on a hilarious show and someone referring to anal intercourse with their wife as a better use of their time than internet flamewars.

Why are you are taking this so seriously? Does the ':P' emoticon mean nothing?

Relax.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 02:43 AM

But it's good to know that both you and DaMu presumably refer to your significant others in a similarly callous fashion. I can't really fathom why else you would be defending Smith's comments.

What? Who said I was defending Smith? I was merely pointing out a potential point of hypocrisy and now you're getting all truculent and red in the face. Yes, it's a reference from a show... established. There's no need to edit your post with ridiculous conclusions because you're upset.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 02:43 AM

Why are you are taking this so seriously? Does the ':P' mean nothing?

I was told the internet was serious business... they were lying to me!??

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 02:45 AM

What? Who said I was defending Smith? I was pointing out a potential point of hypocrisy and now you're getting all truculent and red in the face. Yes, it's a reference from a show... established. There's no need to edit your post with ridiculous conclusions because you're upset.

I'm really not upset, I was just being a dick in response to what I perceived as you being a dick (before you knew it was a reference), but you're right it's an unnecessary road to continue down.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 02:50 AM

I was just being a dick in response to what I perceived as you being a dick (before you knew it was a reference)

Before I knew the reference, I thought it was a legitimate point of hypocrisy and so I asked you to clarify. You explained the reference, I admitted I didn't watch the show, and that's all there was to it.

you're right it's an unnecessary road to continue down.

Yep, as is usually the case when one begins to make silly and baseless assumptions about the way strangers treat their significant others.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 03:03 AM

Before I knew the reference, I thought it was a legitimate point of hypocrisy and so I asked you to clarify. You explained the reference, I admitted I didn't watch the show, and that's all there was to it.

Yep, as is usually the case when one begins to make silly and baseless assumptions about the way strangers treat their significant others.

Now who's seemingly taking things too seriously? Who started this argument again? Even if it had actually been a point of hypocrisy you were the one looking for a tussle.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 03:08 AM

Now who's seemingly taking things too seriously? Who started this argument again? Even if it had actually been a point of hypocrisy you were the one looking for a tussle.

I know you must be reveling in the pointing fingers back game, but it's quite clear that I was looking for clarification. Not a "tussle".

Furthermore, I didn't extend my request for clarification into a baseless assumption regarding the way you allegedly treat your significant others. I wasn't even making declarations. I waited for your response first. Your following assumptions were silly and went beyond a certain boundary, I'd say. There was no reason to go there, and it's worth taking seriously. A potential point of hypocrisy that you explained, thereby rendering it not a point of hypocrisy, and which I thereby did not contest ... was not worth any real upset. Making asinine comments regarding how people you don't know treat their loved ones is a whole different matter.

Spinal

03-25-2009, 03:11 AM

Hey guys, can we wrap up the argument? Nothing personal, but it's kind of dragging out and I'm sure people aren't really interested in that mucking up the thread.

Amnesiac

03-25-2009, 03:12 AM

Fine by me.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 03:19 AM

I know you must be reveling in the pointing fingers back game, but it's quite clear that I was looking for clarification. Not a "tussle".

Furthermore, I didn't extend my request for clarification into a baseless assumption regarding the way you allegedly treat your significant others. I wasn't even making declarations. I waited for your response first. Your following assumptions were silly and went beyond a certain boundary, I'd say. There was no reason to go there, and it's worth taking seriously. A potential point of hypocrisy that you explained, thereby rendering it not a point of hypocrisy, and which I thereby did not contest ... was not worth any real upset. Making asinine comments regarding how people you don't know treat their loved ones is a whole different matter.

I'm not reveling in anything, I want out of this trainwreck of a conversation. My assumption was not an assumption because I don't actually assume that about either of you. The purpose of the comment was to make a hyperbolic exclamation of the fact that I do not understand what either of you have to gain by aligning yourself with Smith's callous remarks. If you took the comment literally I apologize for that, it was not meant literally. Although even if it were, which it wasn't, I don't understand what you're getting excited about since at it's worst all it insinuates is that you would make a comment such as 'I'd rather be fucking my wife in the ass right now'. That was the full extent of the implied callous behavior, not really that awful, just childish as I remarked about Smith earlier... and now we've come full circle. Yippee hoo-fucking ray.

Spun Lepton

03-25-2009, 03:19 AM

Aww, man! The argument was just getting good, too. I love seeing uptight people getting bent out of shape over somebody else's language. :pritch:

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 03:23 AM

Hey guys, can we wrap up the argument? Nothing personal, but it's kind of dragging out and I'm sure people aren't really interested in that mucking up the thread.

Yeah, I don't think either of us are really that interested in it either, not sure how it's traveled so far.

Qrazy

03-25-2009, 03:23 AM

Aww, man! The argument was just getting good, too. I love seeing uptight people getting bent out of shape over somebody else's language. :pritch:

What do you mean by language?

Spinal

03-25-2009, 03:24 AM

Aww, man! The argument was just getting good, too. I love seeing uptight people getting bent out of shape over somebody else's language. :pritch:

The people have spoken. I am but their humble servant. :)

Rowland

03-25-2009, 03:26 AM

W. (Oliver Stone, 2008) 59

This could have used another rewrite or two to further delineate its thematic structure, a tighter handling of tone, and a great deal of editing, but otherwise I find Stone's approach oddly compelling in its humanist bent, his attempt to recontextualize most of what we think we know about Bush and his presidency through the prism of a tragic hero arc and its attendant editorializing through armchair psychology proving most refreshing, if a mixed bag in execution and ultimately less than stirring on an emotional level. It's also quite funny as satire (love the meeting out on the ranch), and Brolin's performance is commendably nuanced.

B-side

03-25-2009, 03:32 AM

I'm sure I'm not the only one to point this out, but I don't think I've seen you rate a film above an 80, Rowland.:P

Rowland

03-25-2009, 03:34 AM

I'm sure I'm not the only one to point this out, but I don't think I've seen you rate a film above an 80, Rowland.:PYeah, it doesn't happen very often, just as you will very rarely see me rate a film below 20. I haven't yet seen a 2008 release I've deemed worthy of an 80+ score, though I did have three or four from '07.

B-side

03-25-2009, 03:40 AM

Yeah, it doesn't happen very often, just as you will very rarely see me rate a film below 20. I haven't yet seen a 2008 release I've deemed worthy of an 80+ score, though I did have three or four from '07.

Interesting. You might be harsher than our dear Israfel.:lol:

Spinal

03-25-2009, 04:33 AM

Because you enjoyed:
Red Road
Dead Calm

We think you'll enjoy:
Donkey Punch

:|

MadMan

03-25-2009, 07:00 AM

:|Can't say I've heard of Donkey Punch :lol:

Short thoughts because I'm tired and lazy (its 2 am right now):

*Slumdog Millionaire was really good, and I liked it. But Best Picture? Seriously? Honestly? The Bollywood inspired ending made me laugh, which means I'm probably not a prime candidate to enjoy any of their movies anytime soon. I have to say that the score was the strongest element here.

*The Warriors needs to be double billed with Escape From New York. Both ooze badass cool, and have rather gruff, hardcore anti-hero protagonists. I dug the groovy visuals and the way the movie managed to showcase violence without glorifying it but also without toning it down. Once again I noticed a movie's score, but this one was also awesome, and used to achieve what I just noted, primarily in one particularly brutal fight/battle sequence.

Today instead of writing a review for a good movie I instead reviewed Atom Age Vampire. Not sure what this means.