28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Mara]

Her mouth will be very close to his urethra.

A hooker from an airport parking garage. I get it now.

(There were too many nouns in a row. I was befuddled.)

[Dead & Messed Up]

He Said WHAT?! – Reverse Shot’s Favorite Bits of Non-Classic Dialogue (http://blogs.indiewire.com/reverseshot/archives/he_said_what/)

:lol:

I genuinely love some of those lines, especially the Bill Paxton one from True Lies.

I'm also glad someone else heard that line from Showdown in Little Tokyo and never forgot it.

[Qrazy]

Thanks for the recommendations, I haven't seen most of them. Daisies is a film I took off the list, only becaue of personal bias. I didn't really like it, though I do think it's extremely relevant in a list like this. I'll definetely reconsider it next time around, maybe even watch it again. I don't like Breaking the Waves either, for mostly irrational reasons, but I probably won't consider it. I am planning on seeing some other Trier though, so he might make the list. The only other one I've seen is Heavenly Creatures, and it's been so long I barely remember it. Oh, I've also seen Muriel's Wedding, it missed "the cut", though it's decent. The others I'm adding to my to see list :)

Your Trier criticisms are not irrational as I subscribe to them as well. :) You should see Raise the Red Lantern though because it's great and a very much worthy of inclusion.


Well I'm looking forward to it, hopefully I enjoy it a bit more. I do love Ana Torrent, one of the best, if not the greatest child actor I've seen. Something about her face is just so hypnotic.

Agreed, she's astounding.


It's probably my favourite Bunuel, though I haven't seen much of his work. Actually mentioning her name, I never made the connection, but the root word of Severine would no doubt be severe, which means strict... which could be interesting in relation to her life pre-Belle de Jour.


Other Bunuel's that could make the list would be Viridiana, That Obscure Object of Desire, and maybe even The Young One. I wouldn't include Tristana because it sucks. The Exterminating Angel and Discreet Charm might have enough women in them to merit inclusion, but perhaps not. They are not focally about women.

I also think you could include more Antonioni. L'eclisse and La Notte preferably. Maybe just cheat and include the whole 'trilogy' as a statement on contemporary womanhood. I know Israfel and some others are super gung ho about Red Desert but I'd leave it off.

Maybe Pasolini's Mamma Roma and Fellini's Juliet of the Spirits (kudos on including Cabiria).

Maybe Wilder's Sunset Boulevard?

Or Dreyer's Gertrud.

Vigo's L'atalante? Might fit.

Perhaps some Ozu, Mizoguchi and Bertolucci as well. They all deal with women in interesting ways.

Ok I'll stop. haha.

[megladon8]

The Devil's Chair is another case of "they had something, and fucked it up".

Needed to lose all the terrible narration. Its whole Funny Games-esque attempt at breaking the fourth wall and criticizing viewers for watching violent films was laughable.

[Mara]

Okay, Ms. Philosophe_rouge, I've added about ten films to my Netflix queue. I hope you're happy.

I'm also wondering what you think about The Philadelphia Story. The notion of femininity as it is presented in that film has led to some heated debates with my friends and relations.

[Qrazy]

Girl, do yourself a favor and start with The Piano Teacher.

I don't see Rouge particularly liking that but who knows.

[Mara]

Okay, Ms. Philosophe_rouge, I've added about ten films to my Netflix queue. I hope you're happy.

I'm also wondering what you think about The Philadelphia Story. The notion of femininity as it is presented in that film has led to some heated debates with my friends and relations.

PS-- I know I know you under a different username as well, but I'm having trouble placing it... help please?

[Philosophe_rouge]

Your Trier criticisms are not irrational as I subscribe to them as well. :) You should see Raise the Red Lantern though because it's great and a very much worthy of inclusion.
I don't know, you're pretty kooky.



Other Bunuel's that could make the list would be Viridiana, That Obscure Object of Desire, and maybe even The Young One. I wouldn't include Tristana because it sucks. The Exterminating Angel and Discreet Charm might have enough women in them to merit inclusion, but perhaps not. They are not focally about women.
I've only seen The Obscure Object of Desire among the ones you name. I think it's a pretty good film, though I was torn on if it is about the girl(s) or the man. It could make it, I just think it teeters a fine line.


I also think you could include more Antonioni. L'eclisse and La Notte preferably. Maybe just cheat and include the whole 'trilogy' as a statement on contemporary womanhood. I know Israfel and some others are super gung ho about Red Desert but I'd leave it off.
I haven't seen L'Eclisse, but I really like La Notte.. I might even prefer it to L'Avventura. I'm not even sure why I didn't include it, I might have missed it. I'll see L'Eclisse and maybe find a cheat and include the three as one :D


Maybe Pasolini's Mamma Roma and Fellini's Juliet of the Spirits (kudos on including Cabiria).

Maybe Wilder's Sunset Boulevard?

Or Dreyer's Gertrud.

Vigo's L'atalante? Might fit.
I haven't seen the Pasolini or Fellini, so that explains them not being included.

Sunset Blvd. might be another overlook, I think I cut it early because I thought it was more about the writer, but really I think it's far more focused on Norma Desmond and even the script girl. So, yea... that could make it

Haven' seen Gertrud.

I don't remember L'Atalante to comment :/


Perhaps some Ozu, Mizoguchi and Bertolucci as well. They all deal with women in interesting ways.

Ok I'll stop. haha.
I still haven't seen any Ozu, and only one Mizoguchi. I think I've seen 2 Bertolucci, and yes, they certainly have interesting /strong female characters... though I'm not sure if it's as focal as I'm looking for. At least not in the Dreamers or the Conformist.

Heh :p


Okay, Ms. Philosophe_rouge, I've added about ten films to my Netflix queue. I hope you're happy.

I'm also wondering what you think about The Philadelphia Story. The notion of femininity as it is presented in that film has led to some heated debates with my friends and relations.
That does make me happy :D

It's honestly been about 5 or 6 years since I've seen it, I think it's an interesting and problematic film. There is no doubt that Katharine Hepburn is what you would see as being the image of a strong and intelligent "modern" woman, but at the same time, she runs back to what is a consistently abusive relationship. I don't want to comment any further since it's not fresh in my mind by any means.

[Philosophe_rouge]

PS-- I know I know you under a different username as well, but I'm having trouble placing it... help please?
I'm not 100% sure, but I think on the old Matchcut, I may have been under MrsEmmaPeel or some variant. Maybe :/ I don't know. I sometimes use that alias though.

[NickGlass]

Quick responses will be appreciated:

I have work to do, but I'm thinking of delaying that to go see Dassin's Phaedra. Good idea?

[The Mike]

That quote from The Rock makes my day happy. :pritch:

[Mara]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think on the old Matchcut, I may have been under MrsEmmaPeel or some variant. Maybe :/ I don't know. I sometimes use that alias though.

Yes, that's it! I know I've seen you as (at least) MrsPeel.

[eternity]

Yes, that's it! I know I've seen you as (at least) MrsPeel.

I know for sure that's her Icine name.

[megladon8]

Anyone know if the IFC Center like, stopped playing weekend midnight movies or something?

[Ezee E]

Heh. Danny McBride described David Gordon Green's next movie as, "Barry Lyndon meets Krull."

Awesome.

[Raiders]

Heh. Danny McBride described David Gordon Green's next movie as, "Barry Lyndon meets Krull."

Awesome.

I had not heard of this film 'til now. Reading up on imdb, it will certainly make my "most anticipated on 2011" list. Funny how guys like McBride and Best, which began as unit directors and misc. crew on Green's films have transferred to comedy and now Green seems to be following suit.

[Cult]

I don't see Rouge particularly liking that but who knows.
Why not? It's a great movie, and Rouge seems to have pretty adventurous taste from what I've seen.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Oh yea, Icine! I forgot about that, I knew I used that somewhere.

[Qrazy]

Why not? It's a great movie, and Rouge seems to have pretty adventurous taste from what I've seen.

Because Rouge and I both dislike Trier and my complaints with Trier are similar to my complaints with Haneke and thus with The Piano Teacher.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Just watched The Brood. Suspenseful, gory take on fears of children as victims and aggressors. That David Cronenberg is good. He apparently based this on a nasty custody battle with his ex-wife, who, to the best of my knowledge, did not react by subconsciously directing mutant children. But that's where the fiction kicks in, I suppose.

1) The Fly
2) The Dead Zone
3) Eastern Promises
4) The Brood
5) Existenz
6) A History of Violence
7) Videodrome
8) Spider
9) Scanners

[Qrazy]

Just watched The Brood. Suspenseful, gory take on fears of children as victims and aggressors. That David Cronenberg is good. He apparently based this on a nasty custody battle with his ex-wife, who, to the best of my knowledge, did not react by subconsciously directing mutant children. But that's where the fiction kicks in, I suppose.

1) The Fly
2) The Dead Zone
3) Eastern Promises
4) The Brood
5) Existenz
6) A History of Violence
7) Videodrome
8) Spider
9) Scanners

Hmmm (been too long for Crash):


Dead Ringers (1988) - B
Videodrome (1983) - B
The Fly (1986) - B
Naked Lunch (1991) - B-
A History of Violence (2005) - C+
Spider (2002) - C+
eXistenZ (1999) - C+
Eastern Promises (2007) - C
The Brood (1979) - C-
The Dead Zone (1983) - D+
Scanners (1981) - D

[Bosco B Thug]

I'm going to take some time to self-whore. I worked on this for months, so I feel like I've earned the right... sorta :p I assembled a personal list of 100 films that center on female characters, and made a sort of unnoficial "canon" of great films about women. You can read it Here (http://houseofmirthandmovies.wordpres s.com/2009/04/06/the-female-film-canon/). I'll now dissapear back into obscurity. Love the inclusion of Walkabout, looking at that film through the focal point of the cool and controlled, and aloof sister character makes the film really come into its alienated self. Also, Black Christmas - very interesting! I very much look forward to re-watching it with a female-perspective in the movie in mind, and that's a bewitchingly off-kilter, hard-to-put-in-context screen cap you've chosen for it.

Lots of classic Hollywood films to see on there, too, which is exciting. I've watched Rosemary's Baby, but I feel I undervalue it and all I remember is what's great about it. Itching to re-watch it now. Never heard of The House That Screamed, but it's become one of my top To See now, pretty quickly.

Nice work, fascinating idea. :)


I had not heard of this film 'til now. Reading up on imdb, it will certainly make my "most anticipated on 2011" list. Funny how guys like McBride and Best, which began as unit directors and misc. crew on Green's films have transferred to comedy and now Green seems to be following suit. Don't do it! You're a poet, resist the bro-etry!

But I'm optimistic about this surprise project. Knock this one out of the park for me, Davey baby, or I'll box you into dramas. Though you can still give Suspiria a shot.

[megladon8]

There are a few big gaps in my Cronenberg viewings, but I would say from the films I've seen that he has perhaps my favorite storytelling talents. I love the way he puts his stories together both visually and in the pacing of his writing. It's a great mix of horror, sci-fi and drama, and he's similar to Stephen King in the way he injects subtext into the out-of-this-world events.

I'd rank/rate his films...

01.) Dead Ringers - 10
02.) Videodrome - 10
03.) Naked Lunch - 8.5
04.) Camera - 8.5 (it's a short, but I love it)
05.) A History of Violence - 8
06.) Eastern Promises - 7.5
07.) eXistenZ - 7
08.) The Fly - 6.5
09.) The Brood - 6
10.) Rabid - 5

[lovejuice]

since you guys are all knowledgeble, i'll appreciate some help if you can go here (http://www.jffla.org/films), and recommend what i see for the japan film fest at la.

[Winston*]

Anyone seen Tell No One?I can't remember the last time I saw a what's going on? movie that was so compelling.

Some seriously awkward English language song use in there, though. U2 should not be used in movies.

[balmakboor]

1) The Fly
2) The Dead Zone
3) Videodrome
4) The Brood
5) Rabid
6) A History of Violence
7) Existenz
8) Naked Lunch
9) They Came From Within
10) Scanners

[Ezee E]

Anyone seen Tell No One?I can't remember the last time I saw a what's going on? movie that was so compelling.

Some seriously awkward English language song use in there, though. U2 should not be used in movies.
Been meaning to watch it. It's on my instant queue.

Best use of a U2 song that I've seen has been in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Worked great there.

[dreamdead]

Worst use of a U2 song? Runaway Bride, guaranteed. How much more literal could a song choice be. It's so on the nose I couldn't help but laugh. And gear up for a bad film.

[balmakboor]

Not a U2 song, but the use of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" during the titles for The Big Chill is uncomfortably on the nose.

[D_Davis]

I can't recall ever hearing U2 in a movie - I only remember the Passengers' (U2 and Eno) tune in Ghost in the Shell, and that, of course, was awesome. I can't imagine their pop-rock songs working very well in cinema.

[balmakboor]

This page lists a bunch of U2 songs in movies. I don't see Runaway Bride. It must've been so bad they blanked it out.

http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/sound.html

[Raiders]

Google tells me the film used "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and I am guessing it was used during some sort of montage where she runs from all her previous weddings.

[Kurosawa Fan]

This page lists a bunch of U2 songs in movies. I don't see Runaway Bride. It must've been so bad they blanked it out.

http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/sound.html

Look again. It's listed on that site.

[D_Davis]

My wife and I used U2's It's a Beautiful Day as our exiting song at our wedding, as I am sure many other people our age did that year. On the nose, yes, but still...the wedding party walked in to a mix of Nick Drake and Ben Harper.

[Raiders]

My wedding was, not surprisingly, dominated by Beatles songs.

[balmakboor]

Look again. It's listed on that site.

Ahh, so it is.

[Mara]

Has anyone seen Gardens of the Night? Is it worth it, or just depressing?

[Qrazy]

I can't recall ever hearing U2 in a movie - I only remember the Passengers' (U2 and Eno) tune in Ghost in the Shell, and that, of course, was awesome. I can't imagine their pop-rock songs working very well in cinema.

I can imagine much of The Joshua Tree working wonderfully.

[Grouchy]

I can't recall ever hearing U2 in a movie - I only remember the Passengers' (U2 and Eno) tune in Ghost in the Shell, and that, of course, was awesome. I can't imagine their pop-rock songs working very well in cinema.
Huh.. Gangs of New York?

1. Videodrome
2. Dead Ringers
3. The Fly
4. Naked Lunch
5. Spider
6. Crash
7. The Brood
8. Scanners
9. The Dead Zone
10. eXistenZ
11. Rabid
12. Shivers
13. A History of Violence

[Qrazy]

Huh.. Gangs of New York?

1. Videodrome
2. Dead Ringers
3. The Fly
4. Naked Lunch
5. Spider
6. Crash
7. The Brood
8. Scanners
9. The Dead Zone
10. eXistenZ
11. Rabid
12. Shivers
13. A History of Violence

Hmmm judging by the trajectory of the list it's not looking good for Eastern Promises.

[Grouchy]

Hmmm judging by the trajectory of the list it's not looking good for Eastern Promises.
Heh. I basically forgot all about it - I like it.

1. Videodrome
2. Dead Ringers
3. The Fly
4. Naked Lunch
5. Spider
6. Crash
7. The Brood
8. Scanners
9. Eastern Promises
10. The Dead Zone
11. eXistenZ
12. Rabid
13. Shivers
14. A History of Violence

[Raiders]

1. Dead Ringers
2. Spider
3. A History of Violence
4. The Fly
5. Videodrome
6. Eastern Promises
7. Scanners
8. eXistenZ
9. The Brood
10. Crash
11. Naked Lunch

[D_Davis]

I can imagine much of The Joshua Tree working wonderfully.

I think their best songs are already so iconic and so full of imagery, that just about any use in cinema would be too on the nose.

Or maybe it's just a personal thing - I've attached so much of my own life to U2 (they are the band I've listened to the longest - got my first U2 tape in 4th grade), that I have a hard time separating my own imagery/memories from the songs. That is highly likely.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I still need to see way more Cronenberg :/

1. The Brood
2. Shivers
3. Eastern Promises
4. A History of Violence

I've also seen the Fly, but I don't remember it enough to include it here.

[D_Davis]

Huh.. Gangs of New York?



I don't remember this at all.

[D_Davis]

The Fly
Scanners
Rabid
The Brood
Videodrome
A History of Violence
Existenz
Crash
Shivers
Naked Lunch


or something...

[Winston*]

I don't remember this at all.
They wrote a cheesy song that plays over the end credits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwj-cyiZU-Q&feature=related

[NickGlass]

Not a huge fan, but I lurve Spider and hate Videodrome.

1. Spider
2. Dead Ringers
3. Eastern Promises
4. A History of Violence
5. Videodrome

[Sycophant]

Haven't seen all that much, though I should, considering how much I like what I've seen.

1. The Fly (one of my all-time favorites)
2. A History of Violence
3. Eastern Promises

[D_Davis]

They wrote a cheesy song that plays over the end credits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwj-cyiZU-Q&feature=related

I guess I've never seen the end of that movie.

[balmakboor]

Interesting that nobody has seen M. Butterfly. It kinda makes me want to see it just to be different.

[lovejuice]

Interesting that nobody has seen M. Butterfly. It kinda makes me want to see it just to be different.
my mom loves the movie, if that means anything. and i too haven't seen it.

[Mara]

Interesting that nobody has seen M. Butterfly. It kinda makes me want to see it just to be different.

I have. It was okay.

The main problem is that it came across as highly implausible, regardless of the fact that it's based on a true story. It's one of those too-strange-to-be-fiction sort of stories. You can admire the visuals, you can be impressed by the acting (one scene with Jeremy Irons and his unmasked lover is particularly wrenching) but the suspension of disbelief just wasn't there for me.

[MadMan]

I liked the U2 song at the end of Gangs of New York, but then again I also really like the band as well. Oh and the song In God's Country works extremely well as the music for the ending of Three Kings and for its end credits.

And the only Cronenberg I've seen is History of Violence. Him and Lynch are two directors I really should try and see more from.

[Qrazy]

Interesting that nobody has seen M. Butterfly. It kinda makes me want to see it just to be different.

Everyone I know that has seen it says it's his worst.

[Qrazy]

I guess I've never seen the end of that movie.

Consider yourself lucky. It's completely moronic and a horrible way to end the film. Actually the entire film was god awful.

[megladon8]

Rogue was surprising. Really surprising.

I guess I should have known better going into it since it's by the man who did Wolf Creek, one of the most poetic and uncompromising horrors of the last decade. But wow, who would have known that a crocodile movie could be so damn good?

It's by far the best I've seen of the giant croc/gator sub-genre of horror films, and is a great movie in its own right.

McLean mixes Terence Malick's keen eye for the haunting beauty to be found in nature, with an almost Hitchcock-ian ability to escalate tension to a near unbearable level.

That was very good. $4.35 well spent.

[Wryan]

Consider yourself lucky. It's completely moronic and a horrible way to end the film. Actually the entire film was god awful.

Hey whoa whoa. DDL was most certainly not god awful in that movie. And there was some good stuff in there with him.

[Qrazy]

Hey whoa whoa. DDL was most certainly not god awful in that movie. And there was some good stuff in there with him.

Ok ok, he was good and had a few good moments. I like the brief montage of him sharpening his knives, but I still maintain that the film as a whole (particularly the second half) was awful. After watching that ending clip on youtube I watched the clip of the draft riots and it's just terrible.

[Rowland]

Rogue was surprising. Really surprising.It's still my favorite horror movie from last year, evocative and taut throughout. I'm glad you gave it a chance.

[megladon8]

It's still my favorite horror movie from last year, evocative and taut throughout. I'm glad you gave it a chance.


I also thought the gator effects were pretty great for the most part. Its movement was especially impressive.

[Sven]

Watched the first half of Brain Dead. Repetitive, obnoxious. Paused movie. Considered. Got wasted. Watched the second half of Brain Dead. Absolute nightmare. Didn't like it much. Girl was cute. Prefer Evil Dead.

So I like Forgotten Silver and The Frighteners. I feel like I don't need to see Bad Taste.

[Winston*]

Sorry iosos, but I'm afraid you're now banned from New Zealand.

[Wryan]

I can't imagine a world where the same person can dislke both Heavenly Creatures and Braindead.

If you hated his Kong, I think I might have to do something rash.

[Spinal]

Watched the first half of Brain Dead. Repetitive, obnoxious. Paused movie. Considered. Got wasted. Watched the second half of Brain Dead. Absolute nightmare. Didn't like it much. Girl was cute. Prefer Evil Dead.

Now this time I will fully support you.

[Spinal]

Interesting that nobody has seen M. Butterfly. It kinda makes me want to see it just to be different.

Seen it. It's not good.

[Spinal]

The main problem is that it came across as highly implausible, regardless of the fact that it's based on a true story. It's one of those too-strange-to-be-fiction sort of stories. You can admire the visuals, you can be impressed by the acting (one scene with Jeremy Irons and his unmasked lover is particularly wrenching) but the suspension of disbelief just wasn't there for me.

Probably easier to suspend disbelief in its original form as a play where you're not getting close-ups of the actors' faces.

[Raiders]

I feel like I don't need to see Bad Taste.

Yeah, save me from the headache please.

[Amnesiac]

DDL was most certainly not god awful in that movie.

Yeah, from what I recall, he really was the best part of the film.

[D_Davis]

Sorry iosos, but I'm afraid you're now banned from New Zealand.

And my house.

[Winston*]

And my house.

You should move to New Zealand, then he could be double banned.

[Rowland]

Dead Alive >> The Frighteners

If you hated his Kong, I think I might have to do something rash.Yes, indifference is clearly the most rational response. ;)

[Rowland]

I just watched a movie called The Shaft, directed by Dick Maas. *cue Beavis and Butt-Head laughter*

[megladon8]

The only thing that bothered me in Dead Alive was all the puking. But that's just a personal thing, since vomit (and the act of vomitting) is a phobia of mine.

[Winston*]

I just watched a movie called The Shaft, directed by Dick Maas. *cue Beavis and Butt-Head laughter*
Is that the killer elevator movie with Naomi Watts?

[Russ]

The only thing that bothered me in Dead Alive was all the puking.
I generally feel this way too (didn't care for the puking scene in Stand by Me either), tho I loved its use in The Meaning of Life.

[Rowland]

Is that the killer elevator movie with Naomi Watts?Yep. It's solid schlock for the first half, but it peters out and grows tedious as it runs out of imagination while trying to inject some idiotic post-9/11 commentary. The cast is fun, including Ron Perlman, Michael Ironside, Dan Hedaya, and Naomi Watts performing like her Betty persona from Mulholland Drive, and the director has obvious talent.

[Bosco B Thug]

It's still my favorite horror movie from last year, evocative and taut throughout. I'm glad you gave it a chance. I thought Rogue was pretty weak, but it got better as it went along and the climax is very inspired and well done.


Watched the first half of Brain Dead. Repetitive, obnoxious. Paused movie. Considered. Got wasted. Watched the second half of Brain Dead. Absolute nightmare. Didn't like it much. Girl was cute. Prefer Evil Dead. Some of the finest filmmaking I have ever... jk.

But really, great filmmaking, IMO. It is a bit obnoxious, though, I for one hate that park scene with the baby, which was so close yo not existing.


Is that the killer elevator movie with Naomi Watts? Seen it. The movie involving Naomi Watts and the word "shaft." Personal victory. Don't remember much about it.

[Sven]

I for one hate that park scene with the baby, which was so close yo not existing.

Why did he even take the baby out? That dude was confusing.

[Sycophant]

Anyone seen Katsuhito Ishii's Yama no anata (or My Darling of the Mountains)? If so, thoughts?

I'm trying to figure out if I want to splurge on the Japanese release or if I'm going to wait or possibly forget about waiting for an American or Hong Kong release. So I'm seeing if you guys can get me worked up to prioritize it.

[balmakboor]

The only thing that bothered me in Dead Alive was all the puking. But that's just a personal thing, since vomit (and the act of vomitting) is a phobia of mine.

I actually don't really even recall vomiting scenes in Dead Alive.

I used to be like you. I had to turn off The Tin Drum because of a puking scene. I was afraid to watch Jaws because the book had a puking scene.

Then I got married and had kids. Christ almighty! Between the three of them, I've seen enough puking to desensitize me for three lifetimes. (My wife gets occasional severe migraines for instance.) And I won't even talk about our two dogs and six cats. I swear there's alway a pile of puke somewhere in my life.

I still couldn't bring myself to watch Hurl though.

[balmakboor]

Btw, you may recall that Dead Alive made my top 100. Pretty high up too as I recall.

[Spun Lepton]

Why did he even take the baby out? That dude was confusing.

:lol: Oh, man, that's one of the funniest parts of the movie.

What happened was, they finished making the film, and Jackson still had enough budget left to shoot one more scene, so they did that scene on the fly. I guess they liked it enough to include it in the actual movie.


Watched the first half of Brain Dead. Repetitive, obnoxious.

You expected restraint from Peter Jackson??

[Spun Lepton]

On the way from Netflix:

3:10 to Yuma (remake) -- Blu-Ray
Cthulhu -- based on DaMU and meg's recommendations.
My Name is Bruce -- Blu-Ray

[Qrazy]

Might watch one of these tonight:

Southern Comfort
White Dog
Lone Star
Smoke

[Spun Lepton]

Lone Star

UUGGGHHH GOD GET IT AWAY!! One of the two films to literally put me to sleep in the theater. This and Robert Altman's tedious "Kansas City" hold that crown. Ugh.

Edit: You're talking about the 1996 Lone Star, correct? :)

[Qrazy]

UUGGGHHH GOD GET IT AWAY!! One of the two films to literally put me to sleep in the theater. This and Robert Altman's tedious "Kansas City" hold that crown. Ugh.

Edit: You're talking about the 1996 Lone Star, correct? :)

Yes.

[Spinal]

Lone Star is really great. I'm pretty sure that's the consensus here.

[Ezee E]

There will eventually be a successful Colorado filmmaker. Apparently this one is trying to get a little recognition. Ink (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C5I1SavGyA&feature=player_embedded). I don't know. I've worked with some of these actors in the past. They're horrible. And outside of a few neat shots (which all good film school-ish movies have), there's nothing else.

[Raiders]

Lone Star is really great. I'm pretty sure that's the consensus here.

Yeah, indeed it is. Second best film of 1996.

[MadMan]

On the way from Netflix:

3:10 to Yuma (remake) -- Blu-Ray
Cthulhu -- based on DaMU and meg's recommendations.
My Name is Bruce -- Blu-Ray"3:10" is pretty damn good, "Bruce" is rock solid and quite funny. Haven't seen Cthulhu yet, but I want to.

Dead Alive is a truly hilarious, gory, violent and entertaining film that goes beyond the boundaries of good taste. But in a super kickass, frantic B-movie style. Love it.

And Lone Star is one of the best movies of the 90s :|

[Spun Lepton]

Lone Star is really great. I'm pretty sure that's the consensus here.

Maybe I owe it another look-see, but I doubt it's going to happen.

Edit: Wow, really? Perhaps I was just in an unreceptive mood when I saw it. That happens.

[Sycophant]

There will eventually be a successful Colorado filmmaker.

Trey Parker?


And outside of a few neat shots (which all good film school-ish movies have), there's nothing else.

It looks like it's lit well enough, but I couldn't make it through the trailer.

[Winston*]

I liked Kansas City okay too. It has an evil Harry Belafonte and some awesome jazz sequences.

[Raiders]

David Fincher is from Colorado.

[Ezee E]

David Fincher is from Colorado.
Just born, not raised.

I guess Trey Parker could count.

[Spun Lepton]

I notice Lone Star is available instantly on Netflix. Now I'm curious to see whether it'll still bore me to sleep...

You folks better not lead me astray here. I have friends. Powerful friends. :evil:

[Raiders]

Just born, not raised.

I guess Trey Parker could count.

I didn't realize that was a qualification.

You have revered screenwriter and one-time director Dalton Trumbo. Also, the director of The Nines with Ryan Reynolds and screenwriter of Go and some Tim Burton films, John August was born and raised in Colorado.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm about 50 minutes into Lone Star.

*sigh*

Honestly ... I must've been on crack when I saw it in the theater. I'm really enjoying it this time around.

[balmakboor]

I'm about 50 minutes into Lone Star.

*sigh*

Honestly ... I must've been on crack when I saw it in the theater. I'm really enjoying it this time around.

Yeh, the first time I watched Syncedoche, NY, I fell asleep and I was about to sit down and write a negative review. I'm actually on a break from re-watching it right now -- my daughter pulled me a way to proofread a term paper -- and it is quite brilliant this time.

[Sycophant]

Guys, if you fall asleep during a movie, there's a really good chance it's because you were tired.

[Sycophant]

First time I saw True Romance, I was all feverish and kind of tired. I think I dozed in and out in the middle, and some dream imagery got in there. Still enjoyed the movie, but I recognized that my experience was invalid.

Watched it again a couple years later and was like "Hey, yup, this is pretty good."

First time I tried to watch Infernal Affairs I fell asleep, though I caught the beginning, most the middle, and the end. It made the movie kinda lame, and I was like "Huh, I wonder if it was actually a good movie," then it turned out that it would end up being one of my favorite movies.

Still can't say I've really seen Clockers, because even though I was awake enough to follow the plot, I was sleepy and may have even been sleeping, so my viewing was invalid.

[dreamdead]

So since my euphoria following Come and See remains, are there any truly anti-war films that need viewing beyond Shoah? Even something as anti-war as The Thin Red Line still vaguely fetishizes war in some of the visual sequences when the soldiers try to take the bunker, but since films like Black Rain aren't in R1 yet to my knowledge is there still material to be seen?

[Spinal]

So since my euphoria following Come and See remains, are there any truly anti-war films that need viewing beyond Shoah?

You seen The War Game yet? Atomic Cafe?

[Spinal]

Yeah, indeed it is. Second best film of 1996.

Match Cut consensus says #5, but close enough.

Finshed behind ...

1. Fargo
2. Trainspotting
3. Breaking the Waves
4. Secrets and Lies

[balmakboor]

Guys, if you fall asleep during a movie, there's a really good chance it's because you were tired.

That's probably correct. If a movie is working for me though, I tend to overcome tiredness. I was actually more tired tonight when I started SNY and enjoyed the whole thing. The first go around, I was wide awake at the start, but I was having a hard time connecting to the characters -- they seemed really stiff and lifeless -- and the stranger the movie got, the more I was taken out of it until I konked out.

This time, I seemed more in tune with the characters, the performances were filled with little gestures that I found familiar, and I was drawn more and more into things as they got more whacked out instead of my previous opposite reaction.

Or maybe this is a movie that benefits from the viewer being tired. I'm going to hang onto the disc for one more viewing, hopefully one that isn't interrupted in the middle.

[Ivan Drago]

I'll be seeing Lone Star in a week or so in my Film Theory class. I look forward to watching it.

[Ezee E]

Saw Synecdoche, NY a second time a few weeks ago. Still don't like it much. Certainly with some neat intentions, but PSH's character is just a guy I don't like at all.

[Spun Lepton]

Yeah, I will remain awake, no matter how exhausted, if the movie interests me enough. Even at home I have an uncanny knack for remaining awake and attentive, if the movie interests me. There Will Be Blood kept me up despite terrible exhaustion, and I was laying on the couch while I watched it.

Lone Star: 8/10

Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking. I hardly remembered a thing about it, so I can only guess I was wasted when I saw it.

I'm still processing it now. The ending would've been ten times bleaker had this been made today, not that that's a bad thing.

[Winston*]

Jean Claude Van Damme pulling off a 10 minute dramatic monologue has got to be one of the 21st century's greatest cinematic surprises.

[Derek]

Jean Claude Van Damme pulling off a 10 minute dramatic monologue has got to be one of the 21st century's greatest cinematic surprises.

It's shocking how good he is in that film.

[soitgoes...]

My weekend choices:

Intentions of Murder
The Profound Desire of the Gods
Ornamental Hairpin
Violence at High Noon
Street of Shame

Yay Japan!

[trotchky]

Hey guys. I'm stopping in after a long hiatus because I watched Twentynine Palms tonight and it's some of the most offensive bullshit I've ever seen. Dumont feigns objective voyeurism but his camera is an omnipotent force that picks and chooses what to show the audience with a callous whim more blatant than any I can recall right now (David telling Katia that he'd like to watch her take a piss some day, and then Dumont instantly cutting to her doing just that, being a prime example of this).

The scenes where Katia tells David she's hungry and then they're in a supermarket buying hair gel, or when David orders "two ice creams" (a request no human being has presumably made since the dawn of the multiple flavor) and seconds later is handed two cones the color of fetid lard, are pretty good metaphors for the film's overarching philosophy: fuck the details (in which lies the humanity), all that matters is Dumont's screechy preachy Big Picture.

Man. What do you guys think of this one? I can't remember the last time I was this enraged by a movie. I also watched Visitor Q yesterday, and I thought that one went a bit overboard, but man, that looks like a Spielberg picture (in terms of generosity) compared to this shit.

EDIT: MORE THOUGHTS: The film's aesthetic reminded me sort of of Michael Haneke's, only Haneke is all about the truth (which more often than not is perverse and inhumane) hidden in the details; in Twentynine Palms, the details don't matter, because it's all been predetermined by Dumont anyway. When he fades to black after a particularly vicious bout of face-fucking, hiding a pivotal falling-out between the two leads, there doesn't seem to be any justification for it but the arbitrary application of mystery. Why wouldn't Dumont show us what worked these two people up into such a frenzy that they end up wrestling in the middle of a four-lane highway in the middle of the night, other than that he just doesn't think it matters?

[Qrazy]

Street of Shame


I've only seen this. It was well made but a rather minor effort. I can't say much about it has stuck with me.

[MadMan]

What Just Happened? was actually quite funny. Even though the Hollywood satire and pointed shots at the movie business weren't as sharp as they could have been, I still didn't mind because of the great humorous bits that really kept the movie afloat. It could have really used more biting and darkly humorous dialogue, but what was available did make me laugh a lot. Bruce Willis (as himself, wearing a hobo gray beard and acting like a complete asshole) and a world wary, endlessly hustling De Niro were the film's key highlights among the cast. My assessment is that its fairly solid and I'm glad I gave it a chance, even though I think a much better movie was in there somewhere.

[soitgoes...]

I've only seen this. It was well made but a rather minor effort. I can't say much about it has stuck with me.

Hopefully I have a better experience. I'm an hour into Intentions Of Murder, and it is well on target for ending up my favorite Imamura. Fantastic film thus far.

[Sven]

So since my euphoria following Come and See remains, are there any truly anti-war films that need viewing beyond Shoah? Even something as anti-war as The Thin Red Line still vaguely fetishizes war in some of the visual sequences when the soldiers try to take the bunker, but since films like Black Rain aren't in R1 yet to my knowledge is there still material to be seen?

Night and Fog.

[Boner M]

w/e (only the first one is concrete)

Fanny & Alexander (rpt, theatre viewing)
JCVD
The Soft Skin
Le Beau Serge
The Small Black Room
Grey Gardens

[dreamdead]

You seen The War Game yet? Atomic Cafe?

Seen Night and Fog and The War Game. I will look up Atomic Cafe... much obliged.

[balmakboor]

w/e (only the first one is concrete)
The Small Black Room


Is that the P&P movie The Small Back Room? If so, it's one of their best? Very crafty, deceptively simple movie.

[Boner M]

Is that the P&P movie The Small Back Room? If so, it's one of their best? Very crafty, deceptively simple movie.
Yup. Looking forward to it.

[Spinal]

Man. What do you guys think of this one? I can't remember the last time I was this enraged by a movie.

It's awful (http://filmepidemic.blogspot.com/2006/05/twentynine-palms-dumont-2003.html). Idiotic film.

[Raiders]

Weekend:

Adventureland
Edvard Munch

[balmakboor]

This is kind of cool. Netflix has never done this before for me. It certainly beats having something repeatedly skipped over or having to wait extra days to get something:

Dear Todd,

The Films of Michael Powell: Disc 1: A Matter of Life and Death was not available from your local shipping center. Fortunately, it was available from a shipping center in another part of the country. It's on its way and should arrive within 3 to 5 days.

You'll notice we also recently sent the next available DVD from your Queue to enjoy while The Films of Michael Powell: Disc 1: A Matter of Life and Death makes its way to you.

Your Queue now shows this extra DVD rental. Enjoy.

-The Netflix Team

[Ezee E]

That is very cool. They just started it a few months ago. Denver seems to have a high volume of discs, so I haven't had that happen yet.

[Sycophant]

Weekend:
Observe & Report
Gomorrah
Dave Chapelle's Block Party
Mother
Dragonball: Evolution (seeing this seemed like a much better idea when it was much farther away)

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
Observe & Report

Two-Lane Blacktop
The Conformist
The 49th Parallel

[Grouchy]

I've seen Rocketeer! Great fun, the type Hollywood doesn't seem to know how to make anymore. It's funny how, after Batman '89 exploded box offices, the comic-book movie craze started in a completely different direction than what it is like now, focusing more on classic pulp heroes and camp than epic superheroics. Anyway, this was a fun, light-hearted movie with a wonderful cast of character actors, and I was particularly happy seeing Timothy Dalton and Paul Sorvino as the villains. The fact that it was produced by Disney apparently didn't stop the writers from creating a mature story that's not completely shy of sex and murders - and it even makes some fun at the era's notions of correct behavior. I thought it was quite clever to replace Doc Savage from the Dave Stevens comic with Howard Hughes.

[Mara]

The Rocketeer is fun times. It has good replay value as well-- the sort of easily digestible fun that plays well when you're, say, home sick with the flu.

[Sycophant]

I haven't seen The Rocketeer since like 1993. I should do something about that.

[MadMan]

Yeah its been ages since I last saw all of The Rocketeer. I caught bits and pieces of it on some cable channel a year ago, and I agree its great fun.

Weekend:

*The Abyss(1989)
*All That Jazz(1979)
*The Godfather Part II(1974)-I'm just watching the DVD boxset of the trilogy, and I hope to get to to the third one soon as its the only one I haven't seen yet.

[Bosco B Thug]

So since my euphoria following Come and See remains, are there any truly anti-war films that need viewing beyond Shoah? Even something as anti-war as The Thin Red Line still vaguely fetishizes war in some of the visual sequences when the soldiers try to take the bunker, but since films like Black Rain aren't in R1 yet to my knowledge is there still material to be seen?
On the same Peter Watkins note (even though I haven't seen The War Game or Come and See...), Culloden is pretty literally about war left un-romanticized.

Weekend: I will watch The Apartment Complex, see Adventureland.

[Russ]

Dave Stevens' Rocketeer comics are awesome too. He's a great artist. One of the characters in Rocketeer was modeled after Bettie Page. Sadly, both Dave Stevens and Ms. Page died last year.


http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5136/dave20stevens20rocketee.jpg

[origami_mustache]

Weekend:
Fanny and Alexander
Cries and Whispers
The Class

[megladon8]

Might go see El Topo tomorrow or Sat - it's the midnight movie at the IFC Center this weekend.

They're also playing Renoir's The Rules of the Game at 11:00am all weekend.

[Philosophe_rouge]

WEekend:
Adventureland
The Marriage of Maria Braun
Innocence
Little Darlings

[Ezee E]

First time seeing El Topo Meg?

[megladon8]

First time seeing El Topo Meg?


Nope. I have the Jodorowsky box set - saw El Topo probably around this time last year.

I really liked it, though I do think it became a mess in the last bit.

[Sycophant]

One of these days, I'm going to give Jodorowsky another shot. But while there were moments, images, and sequences in both El Topo and The Holy Mountain that impressed me, neither has held up well in my memory.

[Qrazy]

Nope. I have the Jodorowsky box set - saw El Topo probably around this time last year.

I really liked it, though I do think it became a mess in the last bit.

Pretty sure Matewan cribbed it's ending from El Topo.

[SirNewt]

I'll catch 'Raise the Red Lantern' and 'Walkabout' this weekend.

[soitgoes...]

I'll catch 'Raise the Red Lantern' and 'Walkabout' this weekend.
And you shall be happy.

[Ivan Drago]

I've only seen El Topo once, and that was two years ago. But to this day I'm still thinking about it.

[B-side]

One of these days, I'm going to give Jodorowsky another shot. But while there were moments, images, and sequences in both El Topo and The Holy Mountain that impressed me, neither has held up well in my memory.

Have you seen Santa Sangre? That one's Argento-esque and perhaps more in tune with your taste? Obviously I can't say, so I'm asking.:P
______________________________ __

I don't understand this hatred for Twentynine Palms. I thought it was terrific.

[Wryan]

And you shall be happy.

Damn right.

[NickGlass]

Might go see El Topo tomorrow or Sat - it's the midnight movie at the IFC Center this weekend.

I saw that on the marquee and got all excited since I've never seen a film by Jodorowsky, but I don't think I can fit it into my schedule. First Naked Lunch, now this. You would think that moving two blocks away from the theater, I might actually be able to go to all the midnight showings. Nope, social obligations or states of incapacitation (you expect my brain to be calm enough to truly experience El Topo by midnight on a Friday/Saturday?) still get in the way.


They're also playing Renoir's The Rules of the Game at 11:00am all weekend.

I hate that their Weekend Classics program runs so early in the morning--and they still charge full price. Don't they know I'm sleeping off a hangover?

[megladon8]

Jen and I might actually go see The City of Lost Children at the Landmark instead of El Topo, but we're not sure. We're two of the most indecisive people on the planet :)

I also got a copy of Timecrimes, which we're both eager to see.

[Mara]

Jen and I might actually go see The City of Lost Children at the Landmark instead of El Topo, but we're not sure. We're two of the most indecisive people on the planet :)

I love that film. I saw it on the big screen when it first came out and was blown away. The at-home experience was never quite the same.

[Derek]

(you expect my brain to be calm enough to truly experience El Topo by midnight on a Friday/Saturday?)

Why would you want your brain to be calm while experiencing El Topo?

[NickGlass]

Why would you want your brain to be calm while experiencing El Topo?

I was anticipating that comment, but it relates more to my lack of memory retention than actual current state of mind. I'm fine watching films drunk, but it shouldn't be a film I actually want to remember.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I watched El Topo drunk and high once and that shit was tight, as the kids like to say.

[megladon8]

Um...Argento fans should definitely go out of their way to see Four Flies on Grey Velvet. It may be in my top 3 Argento films.

While some argue that one of the flaws of Argento's filmmaking is "style over substance", I beg to differ...kind of. In Argento's films the style is the substance, and this is showcased brilliantly here in the story of a rocker who is stalked by a lunatic in a very creepy mask.

While the kills themselves aren't as stylish or over-the-top as, say, the opening kill in Suspiria, they're still filmed with his incredible eye for flamboyant imagery.

He finds some of the craziest camera angles I've ever seen. Within the first five minutes we get to see the rock band jamming from inside an acoustic guitar, the top of a bass guitar staring down the neck, and several other really inventive angles.

Its plot is fairly standard, and I admit that the final scene of revelation drags the film to a halt with a nearly 10 minute diaogue scene that reveals very little information...but really, it's Argento, and I can't say that I've ever been overwhelmed with amazement by his narratives.

So yeah, hearty recommendation there.

But I want to write to Mya/Ryko (the DVD's producer/distributor) and complain about how there are NO SUBS on the DVD, not even for the several instances of newspaper clippings and notes that we are meant to read, but are written in Italian.

Even if you put the DVD on to play in the original Italian language, it doesn't have english subs.

[Derek]

I was anticipating that comment, but it relates more to my lack of memory retention than actual current state of mind. I'm fine watching films drunk, but it shouldn't be a film I actually want to remember.

I can't imagine you'll forgot about El Topo, whether you want to or not. :)

Also, watched Erick Zonca's Julia last night for review and really liked it. Obviously a bitter, raging alcoholic played by Tilda Swinton will automatically get some mileage, but the loose, freewheeling camerawork, the increasingly absurd kidnapping plot that often walks the line between tragedy and the blackest comedy, the soulful supporting performances, the elliptical editing and general air of desperation all work brilliantly to create an unrelenting, offbeat tension and a despicable character who I paradoxically became more attached to the deeper the whole she dug for herself became. Highly recommended for anyone who doesn't need a protagonist to be likeable, because I guarantee you wouldn't want to have a beer with this Tilda.

[Qrazy]

I was anticipating that comment, but it relates more to my lack of memory retention than actual current state of mind. I'm fine watching films drunk, but it shouldn't be a film I actually want to remember.

I recommend seeing it drunk. It will be a fun viewing. It's that kind of film, lots of zany humor. If you want to remember it just see it again.

[Mara]

Or, don't get drunk and then see it.






I know, crazy talk, but let's explore options.

[Duncan]

I went to go see El Topo at the IFC Center for a midnight showing, but the digital print wasn't compiled yet. So we had a sort of group discussion among patrons about what movie to watch. We ended up seeing The Player. But the funny part is that all these people were clearly on shrooms or some other hallucinogen and were just losing their minds over the wasted high. Poor suckers.

Anyway, I saw El Topo the next night for free, which was nice.

[Derek]

I went to go see El Topo at the IFC Center for a midnight showing, but the digital print wasn't compiled yet. So we had a sort of group discussion among patrons about what movie to watch. We ended up seeing The Player. But the funny part is that all these people were clearly on shrooms or some other hallucinogen and were just losing their minds over the wasted high. Poor suckers.

Anyway, I saw El Topo the next night for free, which was nice.

Yeesh, if they had to watch an Altman film on shrooms, they should've at least argued for 3 Women.

[Derek]

Or, don't get drunk and then see it.

I know, crazy talk, but let's explore options.

But how about we stick to realistic options for Nick's sake.

[Qrazy]

Yeesh, if they had to watch an Altman film on shrooms, they should've at least argued for 3 Women.

Or Brewster Mccloud :lol:

[Raiders]

Also, watched Erick Zonca's Julia last night for review and really liked it. Obviously a bitter, raging alcoholic played by Tilda Swinton will automatically get some mileage, but the loose, freewheeling camerawork, the increasingly absurd kidnapping plot that often walks the line between tragedy and the blackest comedy, the soulful supporting performances, the elliptical editing and general air of desperation all work brilliantly to create an unrelenting, offbeat tension and a despicable character who I paradoxically became more attached to the deeper the whole she dug for herself became. Highly recommended for anyone who doesn't need a protagonist to be likeable, because I guarantee you wouldn't want to have a beer with this Tilda.

Nice. I want to see this so bad. Awesome to see he finally made another film.

[Derek]

Nice. I want to see this so bad. Awesome to see he finally made another film.

I haven't seen Dreamlife of Angels, which I know you love, but I'll make it a priority now. This seems like something you'd like, though even more tailor-made for Boner with the Cassavetes comparisons and all. Not to say it's all that Cassavetesian (why not) once the thriller aspects kick into full gear, but it establishes its world in a similar way and I could imagine a young Gena Rowlands in this role. Tilda however knocks it out of the park - probably my favorite of her performances.

[number8]

Does anyone know how to pronounce Atom Egoyan?

I might be interviewing him shortly and I don't want to make an ass of myself.

[Qrazy]

Does anyone know how to pronounce Atom Egoyan?

I might be interviewing him shortly and I don't want to make an ass of myself.

http://forvo.com/word/atom_egoyan/

[Spun Lepton]

Does anyone know how to pronounce Atom Egoyan?

"Oo-vee bowl."

:twisted:

[Spinal]

Does anyone know how to pronounce Atom Egoyan?

I might be interviewing him shortly and I don't want to make an ass of myself.

I've always said AT-um ee-GOY-yun. I have no idea if that is right.

[[ETM]]

Hmm... for some reason, I always put the accent on the "E".

[Spinal]

This trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7w-dPZI_LY) will help. Go to about 2:15.

[SirNewt]

"Oo-vee bowl."

:twisted:

Definitely this.

[D_Davis]

ee-GOY-yun

This is right.

Most Armenian last names I've heard and know have stress the second syllable.

[number8]

Thanks all.

...except Spun.

[Spun Lepton]

I've discovered a number of my co-workers have never seen Evil Dead 2.

WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO WE LIVE IN?!!? :eek::eek::eek:


:|

[Spun Lepton]

Thanks all.

You're wel --


...except Spun.

-- d'oh!

[Scar]

You're wel --



-- d'oh!


Pwned.

[Qrazy]

Watching Hard Times. I heart James Coburn.

[megladon8]

Timecrimes was quite the mind-fuck if I do say so myself.

I was kind of left with a "so what?" feeling at the end. So all this crazy shit happened and we don't know what might still happen...so what? What are you trying to tell me? That time travel is evil and shouldn't be explored even if it is possible? OK...but that's nothing new. Anything from Terminator to Bill & Ted could be construed that way.

It kind of felt like it was just showcasing a neat twisty-turny idea that retains information sporadically to keep you wondering what's really happening. It certainly succeeds at keeping the viewer guessing and on edge, but for all the twists that are genuinely neat, there are others that seem kind of cheap. Just removing something from the image or having it oh-so-slightly off screen so that you wouldn't have been asking questions about it when you see it the first time around. This ultimately cheapens the experience because it's the type of film that's obviously meant to evoke a response of "I must see this again and again to catch on to more clues!" but this type of reviewing would be pointless when the clues are hidden from you.

I really am being nit-picky I suppose, and I liked more than I didn't like in the film. Who knows, perhaps a rewatch will be kinder than I'm aniticipating...but I feel like it's a slightly above-average sci-fi with some clever ideas but not quite the ingenuity to carry it all out to its fullest.

[Boner M]

Conversion! Canonised 'classic'! Controversy!

[Qrazy]

Conversion! Canonised 'classic'! Controversy!

What are you on about? Your Grey Gardens rating?

[Boner M]

What are you on about? Your Grey Gardens rating?
Yes. Although I don't really have any good reason for disliking it. I found it a flat artless drone of a film, and by the halfway mark I was just staring at the screen, waiting for it to end.

[Qrazy]

Yes. Although I don't really have any good reason for disliking it. I found it a flat artless drone of a film, and by the halfway mark I was just staring at the screen, waiting for it to end.

Have you seen Salesman? Might like it more.

[Boner M]

Have you seen Salesman? Might like it more.
Yes, and I did, but not by much. I'm guess I'm just not really a fan of straight-up verite docos, outside of the two Wisemans I've seen.

[Qrazy]

Yes, and I did, but not by much. I'm guess I'm just not really a fan of straight-up verite docos, outside of the two Wisemans I've seen.

Hrm I guess not.

Not precisely verite but have you seen Harlan County USA?

[soitgoes...]

Hrm I guess not.

Not precisely verite but have you seen Harlan County USA?

Umm... It's my job to pimp that movie.

[Qrazy]

Umm... It's my job to pimp that movie.

She's ma Ho now.

[Spinal]

Grey Gardens artless? Oh dear god, serenity now.

[soitgoes...]

Grey Gardens artless? Oh dear god, serenity now.
The very least it is enthralling, just observing the Beales had me glued to my TV.

[soitgoes...]

She's ma Ho now.

Well, I still have the 70's Idi Amin doc to pimp.

[Qrazy]

Well, I still have the 70's Idi Amin doc to pimp.

Well I've seen it, but I guess I'll let you have it. Every pimp's gotta eat.

[Boner M]

Grey Gardens artless? Oh dear god, serenity now.
'Artless' is my way of saying that I didn't like the film, for reasons that are slightly irrational to me, so I want to raise the ire of those who did like it and thus put us on the same wavelength.

[/confession]

[Rowland]

Wow, Slumdog Millionaire was actually worse than my low expectations were anticipating. Really, it's idiotic, pandering, artless, and tedious. Was Sunshine a fluke?

[Boner M]

Fallen Angel - Not so much a noir as a fascinatingly offbeat character study of an inscrutably motivated character. A film with such a lead is obviously quite a bit of a gamble, but the way the film is structured - at first wayward and haphazard, mirroring Dana Andrews' lost soul, but finally becoming more streamlined with his newly acquired sense of purpose - has a humanistic quality that feels like a radical departure from the standard noir structure. Maybe I'm just getting soft, but what's the use of fatalism, and what's wrong with giving a disreputable character - who'd traditionally be a sidebar figure in any other film of this ilk - a chance at redemption? Preminger posits these questions persuasively, making some of the more obviously contrived scenarios and slack plotting seem as under control as one could imagine.

Spider Baby - I'd seen bits and pieces of this ages ago, and had remembered it finding it fun and kooky, but the second time around was not so kind. Cumbersome pacing, uncertain tone, cutesy political incorrectness, and ultimately sunk for good by that pervasively unpleasant air of 'calculated cult classic'... it's likely that what I thought was cool about this film a while back was probably just the superficial excitement of seeing something cult-ish for the first time. Jack Hill's really not that good, in fact... dunno why I thought he was worth investigating in the first place.

Elegy - Had no intention of seeing this, which was just a last-ditch substitute for a missed JCVD session, but fortunately this is much better than the first half of My Life Without Me, which made me never want to see another film by Coixet ever again. Genuinely sensuous, beautifully acted, and atmospherically immersed in the upper-crust NYC milieu, all combine to make a self-consciously adult-oriented but modestly engaging middlebrow drama. Only an uncharacteristically mannered Peter Sarsgaard manages to stink things up, pushing way to hard to convey a history of father-son conflict in his late scenes with Kingsley.

[Qrazy]

Wow, Slumdog Millionaire was actually worse than my low expectations were anticipating. Really, it's idiotic, pandering, artless, and tedious. Was Sunshine a fluke?

Trainspotting is good. A rewatch comfirmed this.

[number8]

A Life Less Ordinary is good.

[Ezee E]

A Life Less Ordinary is good.
I like Millions a lot as well.

[Raiders]

A Life Less Ordinary is good.

Ugh. No. One of the most annoying movies I have ever seen.

[Grouchy]

I knew about the death of Dave Stevens, but not Bettie Page. Weird and kind of sad.

I watched Born to be Bad expecting a Nicholas Ray film. Instead I got an hour-long '30s melodrama with the same title - heh. Still, that wasn't a wasted hour. Loretta Young plays what's evidently a prostitute or a high paid escort girl. Apparently quite beaten up by life, she raises her 8-year old kid to be a liar and a thief so he won't be taken advantage of. When the kid is involved in a car accident, although he suffers no injuries, the mother uses it as an opportunity to get money from the company via a lawsuit. Enter Cary Grant, the benevolent president of the company who takes an interest on the kid. The plot is obviously contrived but effective, worthy of the finest soap operas. Although the film is quite moralist in its outcome, the frankness it has when portraying the characters - both the prostitute and Cary Grant's apathetic wife - makes me wonder exactly how much problems did this have with the Hays office. In short, if you get the chance to see this or mistake it for the Ray film like I did, it's not all that bad.

Dance of the Dead is a zombie comedy that's not unlike a hundred other zombie comedies that came out in the last few years, since Dawn of the Dead '04 returned the sub-genre to the mainstream. The title of the film refers to a prom night in a small Springfield-like town which suffers the attack of the undead. Kudos to the director and casting crew for choosing most of the kids - not only do they have the age they're trying to portray, they are also all fine comic actors. Since most of the humor in Dance comes from dialogue and imaginative lines, this is one of the few times acting can be considered a key element in a zombie movie. The zombies themselves are not half bad, although the make-up is a bit boring and reiterative and there are not inventions like a Hare Krishna zombie or stuff like that. In short, this is not Shaun of the Dead, but it's a well-made, manic, high-school meets zombies film. It's got the funnies. Good soundtrack, too.

http://thumbs.filmstarts.de/image/Stalag17_scene03.jpg

Finally, I saw Stalag 17. Favorite POW movie ever - still The Great Escape. This one - another great film. Wilder's approach to the genre with broad comedy and a large array of characters introducing the audience to the barracks is skillful. William Holden is as good as usual or probably better, which would explain the Oscar. Peter Graves as the icy villain is the shiznit. Excellent cinematography that accurately conveys the claustrophobia of the setting. I didn't know it was an adaptation of a Broadway play before hitting the 'net, but it figures. Otto Preminger was awesome and deserved more scenes. I liked that Holden's protagonist wasn't squarely a "good guy" - he wasn't the spy and the monster the others made him out to be, but he was still arrogant, overconfident and selfish and didn't change those traits throughout the movie. Hogan's Heroes was inspired by this? More like it stole the entire plot and characters.

[[ETM]]

Trainspotting is good. A rewatch comfirmed this.

It is. I wish Boyle would be venture out of the safe teritory again now that he got the statuette and some cred with the money people... Sunshine was flawed but it was incredibly refreshing in many ways. Trainspotting was one of the quotable films of my generation, and it has aged well.

[NickGlass]

Personally (since he seems to be a filmmaker that affects different people with a variety of films), Danny Boyle's films really run the gamut. In terms of quality, I list them as follows:

Shallow Grave: flashy, semi-interesting concept with shallow execution
Trainspotting: flashy, perfect combination of tone and content
A Life Less Ordinary: flashy, flawed, choppy, and one of the most bizarrely enjoyable experiences I've ever had watching a film
The Beach: flashy, promising start, ambitious yet failed second half
28 Days Later...: Flashy, exciting, well-developed thesis
Millions: flashy, irritatingly optimistic, with a misguided tacked on villain
Sunshine: flashy, obvious, half-baked, with a lame tacked on villain
Slumdog Millionaire: flashy, pandering, obvious and tiresome

[Qrazy]

I like Millions a lot as well.

28 Days Later, Millions and Sunshine all have major third act problems in my book. Otherwise I enjoy them all to varying degrees.

[Qrazy]

Ugh. No. One of the most annoying movies I have ever seen.

Agreed.

[Ezee E]

The Beach did have a ton of promise at first, but jees, did it fall apart at the end.

[number8]

Ugh. No. One of the most annoying movies I have ever seen.

Speaking of which, I saw Happy-Go-Lucky last night, which fits that bill better. What a maddeningly insufferable film, topped off by a worthless and obnoxious performance.

[DavidSeven]

I saw Happy-Go-Lucky last night, which fits that bill better. What a maddeningly insufferable film, topped off by a worthless and obnoxious performance.

I saw Happy Go-Lucky several weeks ago. What a wonderfully engaging and provocative film, topped off by a complex and endearing performance.

[balmakboor]

My wife and I had the choice of Observe and Report or Sunshine Cleaning today. We saw Sunshine Cleaning. It wasn't the right choice. If I ever get around to O and R, I'll know if it was the wrong choice.

Great night last night though. Finally saw Rachel Getting Married.

[Watashi]

Speaking of which, I saw Happy-Go-Lucky last night, which fits that bill better. What a maddeningly insufferable film, topped off by a worthless and obnoxious performance.
This is the most wrong post in Match Cut history.

[[ETM]]

Speaking of which, I saw Happy-Go-Lucky last night, which fits that bill better. What a maddeningly insufferable film, topped off by a worthless and obnoxious performance.


I saw Happy Go-Lucky several weeks ago. What a wonderfully engaging and provocative film, topped off by a complex and endearing performance.

I love you guys.

[number8]

Empowered Man Murders Controlling Wife in Lifetime for Men Original Movie (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/empowered_man_murders_controll ing?utm_source=a-section)

[Ezee E]

I wouldn't call Hawkins' performance complex, but I'd certainly say charming.

[balmakboor]

I can be slow at times -- and maybe it was just simple hype avoidance -- but I finally watched Cloverfield tonight. Loved it.

[Ezee E]

I can be slow at times -- and maybe it was just simple hype avoidance -- but I finally watched Cloverfield tonight. Loved it.
Good. I like it a ton as well.

[Ivan Drago]

Cloverfield is awesome.

The Onion Movie was...good. The majority of sketches were funny, but a select few I didn't really care for (the rapist game, the nerd playing the Dungeons & Dragons-like game, to name a couple). Still enjoyable.

[Watashi]

Still stuck in the nostalgic 80's from Adventureland, I decided to watch Pretty in Pink.

Uh, how come no one told me this film plays New Order's Elegia? Greatest film ever?

[Spinal]

Time magazine's top 10 Jesus films:
(http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1890518_1890479,00.htm l)
The King of Kings (De Mille, 1927)
The King of Kings (N. Ray, 1961)
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Pasolini, 1964)
Godspell (Greene, 1973)
Gospel Road (Elfstrom, 1973)
Jesus of Nazareth (Zeffirelli, 1977)
Life of Brian (Jones, 1979)
The Last Temptation of Christ (Scorsese, 1988)
The Passion of the Christ (Gibson, 2004)
South Park: Fantastic Easter Special (Parker/Stone, 2007)

[Watashi]

No WALL-E? :sad:

[Spinal]

No WALL-E? :sad:

Yeah, see, these films are about Jesus.

[Raiders]

Yeah, see, these films are about Jesus.

Yeah, they were too literal. They should have gone with the top ten films featuring awesome Jesus poses.

[Spinal]

Godspell and Passion of the Christ are awful. Life of Brian and Last Temptation are awesome. The Pasolini film is OK, not too impactful really. The inclusion of South Park is an eye-roller.

[Grouchy]

The inclusion of South Park is an eye-roller.
Wha? That Easter Special is the awesome.

[Spinal]

Wha? That Easter Special is the awesome.

It's a television episode. It's not a film.

[Watashi]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_M89vNDcglYw/R-bWhJRShTI/AAAAAAAABvI/m7Nmy8Vuu1s/s400/Christian-Bale-Jesus_l.jpg

Christian Bale weeps for Time's sins for his snub.

[Watashi]

I love how Christian's hair looks in that photo. Jesus was certainly well groomed.

[Grouchy]

It's a television episode. It's not a film.
Bah.

[Ezee E]

Jesus of Nazareth is probably the best of adapting from the Bible to screen that I can think of.

[Qrazy]

Can someone recommend me more films like The Wanderers? That is to say 1960's coming of age films, not necessarily gang related (The Warriors) although they can be... but more about the time/place. I think Diner fits, haven't seen it in a long time.

They can bleed into the 70s as well I suppose... American Graffiti, etc.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Uh, how come no one told me this film plays New Order's Elegia?

...as does an episode of CSI (and also in the film your avatar is from :P )

[Dead & Messed Up]

Why the eff did they ignore Jesus Christ Superstar? Sure, it ain't perfect, but Jewison's compositions, combined with some truly soulful music ("Everything's Alright," "Gethsemane"), and it loses out to a mediocre episode of South Park?

Boo, I say.

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHoTOgeNWE) and go to 3:18.

[balmakboor]

Why the eff did they ignore Jesus Christ Superstar? Sure, it ain't perfect, but Jewison's compositions, combined with some truly soulful music ("Everything's Alright," "Gethsemane"), and it loses out to a mediocre episode of South Park?

Boo, I say.

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHoTOgeNWE) and go to 3:18.

I've seen it on stage and used to listen to the LP all the time, but I've never seen the film. That clip really raised my interest.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I've seen it on stage and used to listen to the LP all the time, but I've never seen the film. That clip really raised my interest.

Give it a shot. The flick's a little too long, but some of those songs still shatter me.

[Spinal]

Jesus Christ Superstar isn't perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than Godspell.

[Qrazy]

You know what could be interesting. A website that compiled deceased directors entire filmographies by runtime. Counting by individual films gives one sense of things but some films are 90 minutes while others are 180 minutes. Longer films often take longer to shoot, edit, etc. There's also longer TV projects such as Bergman's, Fassbinder's, Kieslowski's etc. I think it might be neat to see the stats.

[Thirdmango]

I thought I'd throw in a mini-review for this since I actually did see it.

Miss March

I really wanted to see a bad movie and when I saw that Miss March had a 5% on the Tomato Meter (It's now at 4%) I knew I was going to see something awful. This movie really was plain awful. Never before have I felt justified in sitting in the back of the theater and pulling out my Gameboy until this movie came along. The criticisms of this movie are vast and far reaching, in the same breath I can say the movie didn't have any laughs and I can also say it didn't even have enough nudity. I literally laughed once during the whole movie and I had low expectations. The only time I laughed was because after the scene apparently shown in all the trailers of the girl falling off the bus, they keep the camera on the main fellow's shocked face for a little longer then I expected. As of now I can say this is the worst movie of the year.

[dreamdead]

Cronenberg's Crash takes an interesting thesis (people turned on by the intersection of violence and sexuality) and struggles to make its ideas credible through Cronenberg's typically dispassionate mise-en-scene, but the whole affair gets bogged down in the pure ludicrousness of the idea.
Some great cinematic moments, as when Kosteas and Spader wander the crash site that is all aglow in police lights and fog, but it ultimately reveals little. The story lacks in the way of character, and the film ultimately becomes a constant shuffling of sexually excited bodies that lack distinction or note. The result, then, becomes a film devoid of little more than shock whenever Cronenberg goes to the line of taste and cackles as he jumps over it (see especially the leg sex). And for a director that willfully tries to subvert viewer expectations with glimpses of unorthodox sexuality, it was depressing to see him tiptoe around scenes of gay desire while he holds shots of heterosexual or lesbian desire.

[Wryan]

Yeah I was gonna say that Jewison's JCS is fantastic.

[balmakboor]

I've been screwing around with Burroughs' cut-up technique and used it to mash together my review of Marley & Me and a news article about the Obama's new dog Bo. Some interesting and startling things can happen. Things like:

"We know that Bo is a 6-month-old. Forget that a life lasts a lifetime. And, as if a Kennedy, the dog should be thrilled. He’ll have times with news stories of pets left to starve in North Lawn, the South Lawn, a swimming pool..."

"Obama’s daughters seem like a good idea now."

“Animal rights activists never end.”

The whole piece is here: http://mycutups.blogspot.com/2009/04/bo-me.html

I believe that Burroughs also experimented with filmmaking using cut-up. Anyone seen "Thee Films?"

In any case, I would think it would be -- if not necessarily fruitful -- certainly interesting to take two or more existing films, cut them up and re-assemble them at random, and see what pops out.

[Ezee E]

Anyone see the Boorman movie with Mifune and Marvin. Hell in the Pacific maybe. Anyways, worthy of watching? I'm trying to figure out which Boorman movie to check out for his consensus.

Svenosos, I'm looking at you.

[Qrazy]

Anyone see the Boorman movie with Mifune and Marvin. Hell in the Pacific maybe. Anyways, worthy of watching? I'm trying to figure out which Boorman movie to check out for his consensus.

Svenosos, I'm looking at you.

I think Sven is quite a big fan of The General and Leo the Last in terms of Boorman's lesser seen work.

Out of what I've seen... stay away from Zardoz. Check out Point Blank and Deliverance. I don't like Excalibur much at all but Sven and some others would recommend that one as well.

[Raiders]

Anyone see the Boorman movie with Mifune and Marvin. Hell in the Pacific maybe. Anyways, worthy of watching? I'm trying to figure out which Boorman movie to check out for his consensus.

Svenosos, I'm looking at you.

Have you seen any besides Deliverance? Point Blank obviously if you haven't seen it. Otherwise, Hope and Glory, Excalibur and The General are pretty top notch.

[Mara]

Excalibur

I had to double-check that we were talking about the same film here. I thought it was awful-- you really liked it? Maybe I missed something...

[balmakboor]

Anyone see the Boorman movie with Mifune and Marvin. Hell in the Pacific maybe. Anyways, worthy of watching? I'm trying to figure out which Boorman movie to check out for his consensus.

Svenosos, I'm looking at you.

Can't help you there, but it is on Netflix instant watch. I'll probably check it out.

I'm planning to watch Zardoz. It looks like a really ridiculously silly movie that takes itself really ridiculously serious. Plus it looks like the Connery character considers a found copy of The Wizard of Oz as something of a religious text. I can't wait to be amused and amazed.

[Qrazy]

I had to double-check that we were talking about the same film here. I thought it was awful-- you really liked it? Maybe I missed something...

It's style is about the only thing it has going for it. Gritty fantasy films aren't made frequently enough. That being said nearly every other element of the narrative is a mess, so yeah I agree with you.

[Qrazy]

Can't help you there, but it is on Netflix instant watch. I'll probably check it out.

I'm planning to watch Zardoz. It looks like a really ridiculously silly movie that takes itself really ridiculously serious. Plus it looks like the Connery character considers a found copy of The Wizard of Oz as something of a religious text. I can't wait to be amused and amazed.

It is one of those so bad it's good movies, this is true.

http://www.hobo-bonobo.co.uk/topten/images/0810122125374.jpg

[Mara]

It is one of those so bad it's good movies, this is true.

That's not nice. I had food in my mouth.

[Sycophant]

I'm not one who enjoys "so bad, it's good" movies. But I have a desire to see Zardoz, with the full understanding that I'll probably hate it.

But LOOK AT THAT. I need to know how that happened.

[Derek]

Yeah, Zardoz is ridiculous, entertaining and awful all in one. Not only does Connery wear that outfit, but there's the giant floating head that shoots guns out of its mouth.

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/zardoz.jpg

[Qrazy]

I'm not one who enjoys "so bad, it's good" movies. But I have a desire to see Zardoz, with the full understanding that I'll probably hate it.

But LOOK AT THAT. I need to know how that happened.

If memory serves I believe it had something to do with climbing into the mouth of a floating head... or maybe that's how he procured a change of clothes.

[Raiders]

I had to double-check that we were talking about the same film here. I thought it was awful-- you really liked it? Maybe I missed something...

Absolutely. It's got some marvelous images in there and I love the way that unlike all those literal, sword-with-little-sorcery epics that retell King Arthur, this film is all about the magic, and it nicely mixes religion into that magic. Boorman manages to trade in bloody "realism" while setting the film in its expressive English countrysides and dense, fantastical forests.

Gorgeous, evocative film. It is this kind of detail to magic and fantasy that makes me giddy for Boorman's The Wizard of Oz.

[Qrazy]

Gorgeous, evocative film. It is this kind of detail to magic and fantasy that makes me giddy for Boorman's The Wizard of Oz.

Yeah that looks like it has a ton of potential.

[Stay Puft]

Yeah, Zardoz is ridiculous, entertaining and awful all in one. Not only does Connery wear that outfit, but there's the giant floating head that shoots guns out of its mouth.

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/zardoz.jpg


You guys just made me want to see Zardoz. I'm going to look for it next time I'm at the video store.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I was just checking TCM's schedule, and I'm pretty psyched. Some of their upcoming movies - which would be first-time views for me - include:

Grand Illusion
Gone With the Wind
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Most Dangerous Game
Top Hat
From Russia With Love
Stagecoach

[Qrazy]

I was just checking TCM's schedule, and I'm pretty psyched. Some of their upcoming movies - which would be first-time views for me - include:

Grand Illusion
Gone With the Wind
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Most Dangerous Game
Top Hat
From Russia With Love
Stagecoach

The Most Dangerous Game and Gone with the Wind are mediocre. The rest are good.

[baby doll]

The Most Dangerous Game and Gone with the Wind are mediocre. The rest are good.I haven't seen The Most Dangerous Game, but Gone With the Wind is indeed mediocre. So is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and all James Bond movies (I haven't seen From Russia With Love, but they're all basically the same).

La Grande illusion is great, and Top Hat is the best Astaire-Rogers film.