28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Ivan Drago]

Eh the only part of Synecdoche that annoys me (only slightly) is that early scene in the car where young Olive keeps repeating "I don't want blood" over and over and over. Also something that doesn't annoy me but overemphasizes the "life is shit" theme is the motif of shit (i.e. "I've never seen your shit gray").

[Rowland]

Eh the only part of Synecdoche that annoys me (only slightly) is that early scene in the car where young Olive keeps repeating "I don't want blood" over and over and over.That was supposed to be annoying.
Also something that doesn't annoy me but overemphasizes the "life is shit" theme is the motif of shit (i.e. "I've never seen your shit gray").I don't think that's what the motif was getting at.

[Milky Joe]

My brain-mush must not have been prepared for that "intensified continuity" stuff when I first saw it, because I remembered the action scenes being almost incoherent, whereas I now think they are uniformly amazing.

I found the whole film to be almost incoherent. It also has the worst opening scene of maybe any "cool" (ie, one that wants to be taken seriously) action movie ever.

[Winston*]

I think the Paul Greengrass Bourne movies aren't very good. I'm the best!

[baby doll]

I think the Paul Greengrass Bourne movies aren't very good. I'm the best!I didn't even see them (or United 93, for that matter). I'm better!

By the way, did you mean to imply that the original was very good?

[Winston*]

I didn't even see them (or United 93, for that matter). I'm better!

By the way, did you mean to imply that the original was very good?

I haven't seen it since it came out but I remember liking it pretty well.

[baby doll]

I haven't seen it since it came out but I remember liking it pretty well.I remember not being able to remember anything that happened five minutes after it was over. Go it ain't.

[Ivan Drago]

I don't think that's what the motif was getting at.

:shrug:

That's how I interpreted it, anyway.

[Rowland]

Actually, that's a lie. But still, can we be some kind of Trinity of Cool?Only if we all uniformly deride the uber-overrated Ultimatum as the worst of the trilogy, then yes. Otherwise, get off my lawn.

[Sven]

Only if we all uniformly deride the uber-overrated Ultimatum as the worst of the trilogy, then yes. Otherwise, get off my lawn.

Wellllll, I don't know. I don't want to get on Milky Joe's bad side any more than I already probably am. Plus, a rewatch of Identity left me cold cold cold cold cold.

Still... I'd probably put the first and third about on par. The second is heads and tails above the other two and that's all that matters to me.

*moves stealthily off Rowland's lawn*

[BuffaloWilder]

So, that David Denby.

Ick.

[Sven]

So, that David Denby.

Ick.

What is wrong with Denby? I admit he's no Anthony Lane, but really...

I disagree with him plenty, but I always find his writing lucid and his opinions well-explained.

[BuffaloWilder]

What is wrong with Denby? I admit he's no Anthony Lane, but really...

I disagree with him plenty, but I always find his writing lucid and his opinions well-explained.


While I was no fan of the film itself, his review of V For Vendetta is pretty hilarious, as is this dissection (http://www.edrants.com/yo-new-yorker-david-denby-has-gots-to-go/)of it. And, he does this kind of thing - a lot.

He also wrote a book called "Snark: It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining Our Conversations." Which is exactly what it sounds like.

[Milky Joe]

Wellllll, I don't know. I don't want to get on Milky Joe's bad side any more than I already probably am.

Ha. You're actually on no real bad side of mine, at least not since your redemptive turnaround on The Life Aquatic.

[Sycophant]

That there's a Criterion edition of My Man Godfrey out there, but Netflix instead sent me this subpar, 1999 $5 dollar bargain bin public domain release is pretty much a sin.

Still, DVD problems aside, a pretty great movie. Surprisingly sober. Pretty much going to go on a William Powell spree.

[Sycophant]

I've had my share of frustrations with Denby, mostly because (as an avid Wonkette reader) of his Snark shenanigans. But that article BW linked was far more risible than Denby's piece.

Things I have no patience for #134: angry reactions to critical pieces that include "Now, I haven't seen the movie yet, but..."

[BuffaloWilder]

Well, sure. But, most of those complaints weren't really dependent on whether or not the poster had seen the film.

[Boner M]

Thoughts on Le Corbeau, Spinal? I rated it roughly the same. You should be happy to know that Haneke's latest reminded me of Clozout's film, only if it delivered upon its potentially fascinating premise.

[B-side]

The Marquise of O was remarkably austere. It looked like a filmed play replete with extended takes and little camera movement. It was very well acted. Something about its simplicity and austerity was kinda excellent. Each filmed sequence came to a close with a fade signifying the continuance of the life inhabiting the film. There's no excess. No fat. No distractions. It's pure, simple, detached drama with an eye for space and a sense of time. Likely to turn off a lot of people, I would imagine, but something about it just worked. I'm honestly surprised given the approach that it was as engaging as it was.

[Duncan]

Denby's review of V for Vendetta is perfectly fine. More interesting and thoughtful than the vast majority of film criticism out there. The piece criticizing it comes off as totally juvenile.

[Winston*]

Taken was extremely poorly directed and edited, also pretty stupid and xenophobic. Still, I kind of liked it.

[Sven]

While I was no fan of the film itself, his review of V For Vendetta is pretty hilarious, as is this dissection (http://www.edrants.com/yo-new-yorker-david-denby-has-gots-to-go/)of it. And, he does this kind of thing - a lot.

He also wrote a book called "Snark: It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining Our Conversations." Which is exactly what it sounds like.

Sorry, BW. You are wrong this time. That take down was utterly shallow. I was amused by his frequent trips to the thesaurus, though.

To cop Sycophant's formula: things that I have no patience for #xxx: angry reactions to critical pieces where the primary focus is either on a) the fact that the critic disrespected comic books or b) trying to enforce what a critic's job is supposed to be. This is the problem I have with practically every smackdown of A... W... that I have come across: the angry person spends far too much energy trying to tell the reader what they think a critic has to do. Seriously, STFU. (not you, BW, the other people)

[Melville]

Only if we all uniformly deride the uber-overrated Ultimatum as the worst of the trilogy, then yes. Otherwise, get off my lawn.
I still think Ultimatum is by far the best in the series, but that may change with a second viewing: I rewatched Identity a few days ago, and it definitely didn't live up to my memory of it—its style seemed almost amateurish, and certainly not very interesting, compared to Supremacy's. On the other hand, Identity at least had a well-defined plot, whereas both Supremacy and Ultimatum felt kind of like retreads of the same points, with tossed-together, contrived plots that don't really seem to justify their existence. All three films suffer from pretty weak dialogue.


While I was no fan of the film itself, his review of V For Vendetta is pretty hilarious, as is this dissection (http://www.edrants.com/yo-new-yorker-david-denby-has-gots-to-go/)of it. And, he does this kind of thing - a lot.
Yeah, I've got to agree with Duncan and Sven: Denby's review is much, much better than the "dissection" of it. The dissection seems to completely and repeatedly miss the point of everything Denby is saying. (Most obviously, the dissection says "It is a critic’s job to understand that a film which features terrorist acts does not, by necessity, 'celebrat[e] terrorism and destruction'," but Denby never implies a relationship of necessity: he simply says that this film celebrates terrorism and destruction, and he states why he thinks that.) The only thing I agree with is that Denby's view of comics is obviously way off—but that's a pretty minor component of Denby's review, and Frank Miller and a DC crossover are pretty weak counterexamples anyway.

[Spinal]

Thoughts on Le Corbeau, Spinal? I rated it roughly the same. You should be happy to know that Haneke's latest reminded me of Clozout's film, only if it delivered upon its potentially fascinating premise.

Yeah, I thought the premise was fascinating when I read the plot description. Then I watched the film and I found myself wondering why I thought this would be fascinating. Whereas Diabolique is basically wall-to-wall tension, this film has little if any. Why? Not sure. Maybe because it's not too terribly difficult to determine basically where the letters are coming from. Maybe it's because the doctor's personality barely registers, making his humiliation difficult to care about. It's difficult to pinpoint. But I think the film really has only two memorable scenes: the people ignoring the letter in the funeral procession and the letter falling in the middle of the church service. I didn't get much out of the thematic discussion of the blurred lines between good and evil.

[Qrazy]

I remember not being able to remember anything that happened five minutes after it was over. Go it ain't.

Are you suggesting it is not the terrible Doug Liman film from 1999? Then yes, you are correct, it is not.

Or are you referring to the 2001 Korean teen drama... in which case, what does that have to do with anything?

[Sven]

Or are you referring to the 2001 Korean teen drama... in which case, what does that have to do with anything?

Perhaps he is referring to the ancient Chinese board game...?

[Qrazy]

Perhaps he is referring to the ancient Chinese board game...?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/gukgigg/Hikaru-No-Go.png

You might like this show (Hikaru no Go). It's fairly solid, picks up steam as it goes along.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I'm a bit rusty on writing about film, but I'll give it a go since Qrazy asked for my thoughts on Thirst and Gate of Flesh. The former I'm putting in the official thread.

Gate of Flesh has at the very least inspired me to watch more of Suzuki's films. It's pop art sensibilities; the vibrant colour schemes, larger than life attitudes and the stylized film techniques are right up my aesthetic alley, and I was quickly convinced that I was going to love the film. Though the film maintains and even enhences this style throughout, adding touches here and there that continued to thrill and excite me, I found the story lacking and began to lose interest at the half way point. Again, the pulpy sensabilities is really something I love, but I didn't think it was seedy enough to be frank... I think it's less the actual storyline, but it's presentation, I didn't quite feel the emotional and psyhological degradation of the female characters, even though their actions were changing. I still think I rather liked the film, even though it was ultimately dissapointing. I think I'll check out Story of a Prostitute next.

[Grouchy]

That review of V for Vendetta implies that Darkman is based on a comic-book. Guy should have done his homework better.

[Raiders]

That review of V for Vendetta implies that Darkman is based on a comic-book. Guy should have done his homework better.
Either that or poorly worded in that the Darkman comics came about because of the film (both concurrent with the film's release and subsequent). Minor, and unimportant, mistake.

[Qrazy]

I'm a bit rusty on writing about film, but I'll give it a go since Qrazy asked for my thoughts on Thirst and Gate of Flesh. The former I'm putting in the official thread.

Gate of Flesh has at the very least inspired me to watch more of Suzuki's films. It's pop art sensibilities; the vibrant colour schemes, larger than life attitudes and the stylized film techniques are right up my aesthetic alley, and I was quickly convinced that I was going to love the film. Though the film maintains and even enhences this style throughout, adding touches here and there that continued to thrill and excite me, I found the story lacking and began to lose interest at the half way point. Again, the pulpy sensabilities is really something I love, but I didn't think it was seedy enough to be frank... I think it's less the actual storyline, but it's presentation, I didn't quite feel the emotional and psyhological degradation of the female characters, even though their actions were changing. I still think I rather liked the film, even though it was ultimately dissapointing. I think I'll check out Story of a Prostitute next.

Nice, if it was just the story that you found underwhelming you may have better luck elsewhere. In terms of emotion and character psychology though I'm not sure you'll have much more luck especially not with his more experimental works (Branded to Kill, Tokyo Drifter). Story of a Prostitute is a good place to head next. Tattooed Life or Youth of the Beast might be a worthwhile third stop after that. I'll get back to you on Carmen from Kawachi which is the third in his flesh trilogy (including Gate and Story).

Do not watch A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness. The Flower and the Angry Waves is a middling effort. I also don't really see you liking Fighting Elegy, I'm fairly mixed on it myself. It's formally strong but the story never really amounts to anything.

[MacGuffin]

his more experimental works (Tokyo Drifter).

It's not experimental, it's just crap.

[Rowland]

I just watched the original Manchurian Candidate, and I wonder if I missed something, because I've noticed the film often described as parodying both left-and-right-wing politics, when it seems pretty clear to me a satire of the manipulative machinations of the Cold War-era Right. Where does the Left come in?

[Qrazy]

It's not experimental, it's just crap.

Says you.

[transmogrifier]

The perils of having a wife, part 53:

It was apt that I watched Twilight on the same day as Harry Potter 6, as they are almost exactly the same film in structure: long passages of facile "romance" and questioning Who We Are and What We Do, with a random plot contrivance near the end to provide at least some sense of forward momentum before the inevitable sequel comes along.

It was really uncanny, watching them back-to-back.

[Sven]

The perils of having a wife, part 53:

It was apt that I watched Twilight on the same day as Harry Potter 6, as they are almost exactly the same film in structure: long passages of facile "romance" and questioning Who We Are and What We Do, with a random plot contrivance near the end to provide at least some sense of forward momentum before the inevitable sequel comes along.

It was really uncanny, watching them back-to-back.

My wife is making me watch Eddie Izzard stand-up tonite.

[transmogrifier]

My wife is making me watch Eddie Izzard stand-up tonite.

I'm sure I would be more jealous if I liked Eddie Izzard, but I take your point. Though, in my wife's defence, she is totally awesome (no doubt, like yours). That counts for something.

[megladon8]

Awesome wives are pretty awesome.

[Sven]

I'm sure I would be more jealous if I liked Eddie Izzard, but I take your point. Though, in my wife's defence, she is totally awesome (no doubt, like yours). That counts for something.

Yes, I certainly do not mean to disparage. After all, my wife also made me watch Real Genius, not just once, but twice. Ouch.

[trotchky]

a half hour into tarsem singh's the fall and i'm pretty much bored out of my mind. does it get any better or should i just give up now?

[Stay Puft]

Not entirely sure what to do with Melville's Un flic. The major setpiece in the second half of the film is rendered partly with toy miniatures, complete with Richard Crenna action figure. It kinda works. Even when you see Crenna executing his mission in a stylish night robe with nothing but tape measure and a giant magnet, it kinda works. I couldn't stop laughing, but it kinda works. Beyond that, still, interesting and atmospheric film. Probably my least favorite so far, though (out of this, Bob, Army, le samourai).

[transmogrifier]

Melville (the director) owns.

[Dead & Messed Up]

a half hour into tarsem singh's the fall and i'm pretty much bored out of my mind. does it get any better or should i just give up now?

It continues to be what it is. Wish you dug it.

[BuffaloWilder]

I side with DaMU. It seems to be an aqquired taste 'round these parts, I reckon.

Interestingly, it has occured to me that I have not yet seen Plan 9 From Outer Space. So, to correct this egregious error, I have it lined up for later on tonight.

Will I survive?

[MacGuffin]

An Autumn Afternoon is a movie that feels very similar, at least to me, to Late Spring, but I think it's even better. I feel that it also adds an entire layer of humor that Late Spring may have lacked a bit (although, don't get me wrong, both are admirable masterpieces). I think it's also a movie that does a lot more with the script than Late Spring.

The characters of An Autumn Afternoon are astonishingly well-crafted: it's the sort of movie I can see myself watching multiple times if only to focus on particular characters and understanding them better than the previous time. But getting to the point, it's clear that this is a movie rooted in the generational gap and the struggle for older folks to find their place in a society like this one, and similarly, to bond with the younger generation, of whom they are obligated to send away.

Because of this, it's an intensely emotional film, and even when it's humorous, we're constantly reminded of that same generational gap; for example, Professor Horie's younger wife, as well as The Gourd, an aging former teacher (one of my favorite characters) and his daughter who has takes care of him instead of having gotten married. It's also a bittersweet movie as it's the last movie Ozu made before he had died of cancer. It would be superfluous to discuss how this is a personal movie and perhaps even reactionary considering I've only seen two movies so far by Ozu, but I still think that it's worth acknowledging that even though on a superficial level this seems like a near-remake to Late Spring, it still has a lot of depth — emotionally, thematically and also in its magnificent characters constructions; even the female bartender could probably be looked at to a surprisingly multilayered level — that that movie has, but in a completely different way.

Oh, and I preferred Iwashita to Hara. Ryu was amazing, but I expected that, and the supporting cast were all terrific (I hated Koichi's wife for a while, until she revealed herself to be a very careful, if at the same time, rather selfish character).

[Spinal]

I side with DaMU. It seems to be an aqquired taste 'round these parts, I reckon.

Eh?

Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Metacritc: 64

Match Cut: #14 film of 2008

[BuffaloWilder]

Eh?

Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Metacritc: 64

Match Cut: #14 film of 2008

If I remember correctly, when it was brought up previously there seemed to be an equal number of detractors and - well, whatever the opposite of a detractor is.

Sorry, I just decided to subject myself to Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race. I don't know why, but it's very hard for me to form cogent sentences at prcnt.

[soitgoes...]

An Autumn Afternoon is a movie that feels very similar, at least to me, to Late Spring, but I think it's even better.
I haven't seen An Autumn Afternoon yet, but he did remake Late Spring in 1960 as Late Autumn.

[MacGuffin]

I haven't seen An Autumn Afternoon yet, but he did remake Late Spring in 1960 as Late Autumn.

Hmm, interesting. I need to see more Ozu and soon. By the way, I'm going to put an order in for MoC's Naruse Volume One box set in the next few days. It features Repast, The Sound of the Mountain, Flowing and a 182-page booklet. I'm excited.

[soitgoes...]

Hmm, interesting. I need to see more Ozu and soon. By the way, I'm going to put an order in for MoC's Naruse Volume One box set in the next few days. It features Repast, The Sound of the Mountain, Flowing and a 182-page booklet. I'm excited.
I really liked the first two in that set. Flowing while good, was a bit of drop off in terms of quality. I really think that if you like Ozu then you'll probably like Naruse, and vice versa. Which Ozu's have you seen? Late Spring, An Autumn Afternoon and Tokyo Story I'm guessing.

[MacGuffin]

Which Ozu's have you seen? Late Spring, An Autumn Afternoon

Just these. I was thinking of catching Tokyo Story next, but it's bound to be depressing, I'm sure. I'm also very much so interested in I Was Born, But... and Tokyo Twilight and of course, any other recommendations you might have.

[MacGuffin]

Speaking of which, BFI also has a Naruse Collection out which features When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (I saw the reportedly superior Criterion transfer), Floating Weeds (which I've heard some say is his best) and Late Chrysanthemums. I don't have the money for this set right now, but will probably get it later on.

[soitgoes...]

Just these. I was thinking of catching Tokyo Story next, but it's bound to be depressing, I'm sure. I'm also very much so interested in I Was Born, But... and Tokyo Twilight and of course, any other recommendations you might have.
Those are all good. An Inn in Tokyo is my favorite early Ozu. It's Ozu tackling realism. Personally, if you ask me, I can pick any of his films and end up being happy with the decision. I'm a fan.

[soitgoes...]

Speaking of which, BFI also has a Naruse Collection out which features When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (I saw the reportedly superior Criterion transfer), Floating Weeds (which I've heard some say is his best) and Late Chrysanthemums. I don't have the money for this set right now, but will probably get it later on.
Floating Clouds. Floating Weeds is Ozu. But yeah, it is great, for me though not his best. Late Chrysanthemums is good, but in the end I think the MoC set is stronger.

[MacGuffin]

Floating Clouds. Floating Weeds is Ozu. But yeah, it is great, for me though not his best. Late Chrysanthemums is good, but in the end I think the MoC set is stronger.

Plus there's the 182-page book. I've read writings on Naruse in English are sparse, so this will be indispensable, I'm sure. By the way, are you familiar with Donald Richie, the film scholar who specializes in Japanese cinema? His book, 100 Years of Japanese Cinema is ready for me to pick up at the library, and I'm excited to look through it and get some recommendations.

[MacGuffin]

An Inn in Tokyo is not on Netflix and it's only available on a Region 3 Panorama DVD with a shoddy-looking transfer. I guess they didn't put it in the Early Ozu set from Criterion. I'll wait and see if someone else releases it. There's so many other things accessible to me I have to see. Any other Ozu recommendations you especially like?

[soitgoes...]

Plus there's the 182-page book. I've read writings on Naruse in English are sparse, so this will be indispensable, I'm sure. By the way, are you familiar with Donald Richie, the film scholar who specializes in Japanese cinema? His book, 100 Years of Japanese Cinema is ready for me to pick up at the library, and I'm excited to look through it and get some recommendations.Yes, I have it. It is a good introduction, but I wish it went into a little more depth. It makes me sad when I read about all the films that have been lost. I hate reading about a film I know I'll never be able to see.

[MacGuffin]

Yes, I have it. It is a good introduction, but I wish it went into a little more depth. It makes me sad when I read about all the films that have been lost. I hate reading about a film I know I'll never be able to see.

Ha, yeah. I know how you feel. But then they go showing up in Norwegian mental hospital janitors' rooms years later, so you never know.

[soitgoes...]

An Inn in Tokyo is not on Netflix and it's only available on a Region 3 Panorama DVD with a shoddy-looking transfer. I guess they didn't put it in the Early Ozu set from Criterion. I'll wait and see if someone else releases it. There's so many other things accessible to me I have to see. Any other Ozu recommendations you especially like?
I'm pretty sure the Eclipse Ozu transfers are the same as the Panorama DVDs only with better subtitles, so even if it ever does get a Region 1 release it'll never be that much better.

Early Summer, Floating Weeds, Early Spring, Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (Panorama, but subtitles are decent) as well as the one's mentioned. Flavor of Green Tea is interesting as it is more bitter and deals with man/woman drama as opposed to cross-generational drama. Those two things give it a very strong Naruse vibe, but with the usual Ozu style.

[soitgoes...]

Plus there's the 182-page book. I've read writings on Naruse in English are sparse, so this will be indispensable, I'm sure. By the way, are you familiar with Donald Richie, the film scholar who specializes in Japanese cinema? His book, 100 Years of Japanese Cinema is ready for me to pick up at the library, and I'm excited to look through it and get some recommendations.
I should state that the book is indispensable to getting a better grasp on Japanese cinema outside of the usual suspects.

[soitgoes...]

I also recommend that everyone watch a film with a benshi, Japanese narrator used in their silent cinema. It's definitely different.

[transmogrifier]

Dear Zachary - devastating material; justifiable structure that faithfully mirrors the turns of the case; annoying editing...after the first three minutes, my first conscious thought was "Geez, I hope this guy calms the fuck down with the cutting". He doesn't, but luckily for him, he has first two aspects working in his favour, plus his own genuine emotional investment.

So...I don't know, 65?

[Skitch]

a half hour into tarsem singh's the fall and i'm pretty much bored out of my mind. does it get any better or should i just give up now?

Well...you tend to hate everything I like, I thought The Fall was fantastic...so...yeah, shut it off.

[Boner M]

Vertical Features Remake was weirdly awesome. I don't really know what to make of the mockumentary framing, other than a device to keep the film from overdosing on structuralist dryness overload... but it sure as hell is funny. Actually, in hindsight I can see the mock-academic narration as an ironic counterpoint to the inexplicable beauty of the vertical features shots. I noticed the film was pretty low-rated in the Greenaway consensus, which makes me keen to check out the many (allegedly superior) films of his that I haven't seen.

[number8]

I just found out that in the UK release of Shrek 2, they replaced the voice of Larry King with Jonathan Ross and the voice of Joan Rivers with some chick who does Pop Idol.

No, no one should care. I just felt like mentioning my newfound discovery.

[EyesWideOpen]

I just found out today on a flyer while walking through a local used book store that Hausu is playing at a local theater this saturday. I own it but fuck yeah this opportunity doesn't come along everyday so I told my wife we have to go.

[number8]

That movie is insane. I'd love to see it on the big screen.

[number8]

I watched The Virgin Spring for the first time a few days ago. Out of all the Bergman films I've seen so far (The Seventh Seal, Persona, Fanny & Alexander, Wild Strawberries), this one just might be his most accessible.

Totally! I can even see it being a horror movie or something.

[B-side]

Oh, just start a blog already, Amnesiac.:P

[Spinal]

Goatherds!

[Boner M]

EDIT: In case anyone is wondering, number8's reply came before my post because I deleted and re-posted with edits. Just thought I'd mention that in case anyone was going to lose sleep over that mystery. :P
I skimmed your review when you posted the first version, then I kept clicking on the last page of the thread thinking there was a new post, and ended up giving in and reading the whole thing thoroughly. Good move on your part, I guess. :)

[Watashi]

And here I just thought number8 could see into the future.

[number8]

And here I just thought number8 could see into the future.

His explanation disproves nothing.

[B-side]

The proper thread is dead considering I'm so late to the party, but Bruno was not good. Little satire, more obnoxious provocation. There are moments that are funny and worthy of the celluloid they're printed on, but not nearly enough to make the film any good.

[Skitch]

Friday The 13th remake was fucking terrible. I'm gonna have to watch Freddy Vs. Jason just to cleanse my brain.

[Sven]

dreamdead, I had a dream that you needed to borrow my copy of Topkapi. Do you still need it?

[Grouchy]

The Limey is an amazing movie. The unconventional editing, the flashbacks to Stamp in a '60s movie, the references to the actor themselves (at least as far as Peter Fonda is concerned), strangely don't take away from the drama of the story but enhance it. I love the strange rythm and the bizarre comedy Soderbergh has injected on some scenes, specially the conversation with the D.E.A. agent. There are also sublime (and subtle) cinematography moments such as the one that has Wilson killing a security guard in silence, in the background of a dialogue shot. This is a revenge drama that trascends its own genre boundaries due to style and intelligence.

[Raiders]

The Limey is an amazing movie. The unconventional editing, the flashbacks to Stamp in a '60s movie, the references to the actor themselves (at least as far as Peter Fonda is concerned), strangely don't take away from the drama of the story but enhance it. I love the strange rythm and the bizarre comedy Soderbergh has injected on some scenes, specially the conversation with the D.E.A. agent. There are also sublime (and subtle) cinematography moments such as the one that has Wilson killing a security guard in silence, in the background of a dialogue shot. This is a revenge drama that trascends its own genre boundaries due to style and intelligence.

Indeed (http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=1150).

[Grouchy]

Indeed (http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=1150).
Good review. I agree, no other Soderbergh movie that I've seen comes even close to this one's achievements.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I'll chime in on The Limey love, one of my all time favourite films.

[DrewG]

I could easily be nailed to the cross for this but..Orphan wasn't that bad at all. For a 2 hour horror flick it moves along at a relatively brisk clip and the performances elevate the subpar writing across the board. The plot twist, while implausible, isn't COMPLETELY devoid of belivabilitiy considering its loose basis on a true event. While the reverse-boo scare/boo scare are overused, I never really thought the movie had intentions to scare you, just unnerve and set an achingly ominous tone, which it does well. Watching Esther eat up the destruction of the family is pretty chilling stuff and my only major dissapointment is the things I read that they took OUT of the original script that would better explain certain character motives and events.

I can honestly that I'm sad this movie isn't making a little bit more money. Yes, I said it.

[megladon8]

Re-watched Blood Simple last night. This is my second viewing of it - the first was probably 7 years ago, and I loathed it.

While I don't think it's nearly as bad as I remembered, I still don't like it very much. At all.

Bottom line - it bored me. The characters' stupidity drove me up the wall, the inventive camerawork became slightly annoying at times where it completely halted the film to show a neat shot.

I'm just not a fan of this one.

[NickGlass]

I could easily be nailed to the cross for this but..Orphan wasn't that bad at all. For a 2 hour horror flick it moves along at a relatively brisk clip and the performances elevate the subpar writing across the board. The plot twist, while implausible, isn't COMPLETELY devoid of belivabilitiy considering its loose basis on a true event. While the reverse-boo scare/boo scare are overused, I never really thought the movie had intentions to scare you, just unnerve and set an achingly ominous tone, which it does well. Watching Esther eat up the destruction of the family is pretty chilling stuff and my only major dissapointment is the things I read that they took OUT of the original script that would better explain certain character motives and events.

I can honestly that I'm sad this movie isn't making a little bit more money. Yes, I said it.

So, let's recap. Orphan is...

(a) not boring.
(b) very poorly written, but well-acted enough.
(c) implausible, but validated by being loosely based on a true story. (?)
(d) disturbing because it depicts a young girl who likes to kill people and/or watch them deeply suffer.
(e) not making enough money to match its quality. (huh?)

Yeah, the filmmakers really seemed to have done their job well.

[Grouchy]

Just seen the original Resident Evil for the first time on its entirety. Cool film. Definitively better than Extinction. I think Anderson was going for a John Carpenter vibe with the dialogue and characterization and, although it obviously isn't as good, it's still better than you'd guess.

[dreamdead]

dreamdead, I had a dream that you needed to borrow my copy of Topkapi. Do you still need it?

I had never even heard of this film until now. And, actually, I've never seen any Dassin. I presume Night and the City or Rififi is the appropriate starting place, or would your dream be correct and this is where I should start?

[dreamdead]

Marzieh Meshkini's The Day I Became a Woman is a typically understated Iranian film about women and how they are ostracized and objectified once they become adults (here at the age of nine). Split into three separate shorts, the first traces once the young girl is forced into wearing the customary shawl of a woman, examining how familial influences determine or refute a woman's independence once she acquires her adulthood. The second, and most interesting in its utter lack of context which forces the spectator into a viewing position wholly aligned with a young wife choosing her passion (bicycling) over a husband and the social repercussions that follow (from physical threats to outright divorce). The last short, examining the lack of respect an elderly woman secures from those administered to help her deliver her new purchases back to her house, cannot compensate for the archetypal elegance of the second short, and because of that Meshkini's film loses a little luster toward the end. Nonetheless, it's always interesting and frequently mesmerizing in the second arc.

[soitgoes...]

I had never even heard of this film until now. And, actually, I've never seen any Dassin. I presume Night and the City or Rififi is the appropriate starting place, or would your dream be correct and this is where I should start?
Rififi is the place to start. Topkapi is good, but you might as well start with his best.

[BuffaloWilder]

Paul Anderson's Death Race is just - so bad. I mean, I've seen it before - but, not like this. Good Christly cookies, man.

[B-side]

To watch Moodysson's latest, Mammoth, or not. That is the question.

[Qrazy]

To watch Moodysson's latest, Mammoth, or not. That is the question.

How's that new Quay film?

[Derek]

I mean, I've seen it before - but, not like this.

On crystal meth? Because until you specify, I'm going to assume that's what you mean.

[B-side]

How's that new Quay film?

It's OK. Nothing like Street of Crocodiles or Rehearsals for Extinct Anatomies. Apparently it's rather similar to a previous short they did, The Phantom Museum. Basically, it's part strangely composed documentary and part pseudo-horror film. It's odd, that's for sure, but kinda neat. Might help if I knew anything about Jan Potocki, the author of The Saragossa Manuscript.

[Qrazy]

On crystal meth? Because until you specify, I'm going to assume that's what you mean.

Nice GI Joe review.

[BuffaloWilder]

On crystal meth? Because until you specify, I'm going to assume that's what you mean.

adrenochrome

[MacGuffin]

I unintentionally watched a trilogy of movies with Parisian suburbs as a major theme today:

L'amour existe: A harrowing portrait of a poor side of Paris not far from the Champs-Élysées is where Pialat's directoral debut (in short-length form) takes place. It's masterful in it how it lays all down in a very straight-forward way — Pialat uses the camera as an eye here in the purest way possible ("pure cinema" you might say) — watching people go about their lives in these suburbs: working, living at home, swimming, boarding a subway. Pialat isn't sentimental on purpose, but one can't help but feel that way towards these subjects who don't have very much at all and have made a live for themselves. He'd go on to assess the main thesis here later in L'enfance-nue in which people who are born in the suburbs have a much lesser chance of being successful at doing much of anything, much less having a voice in society. For a debut of any kind or even as a movie by itself, it's a fantastic one; but it's all the more important for laying down Pialat's directoral code.

L'enfance-nue: In which Pialat depicts a society similar to the one in L'amour existe and focuses on a child who moves from family to family as an orphan because no one can take care of him, as he's a very mischievous troublemaker. Pialat doesn't make much interaction with the material, which isn't to say that he doesn't leave his mark. After three movies, I'm not exactly read to call him an auteur, but he does have a very distinctive style of not intruding with the occurrences onscreen. Like us, he watches it unfold, which could very well explain the improvisational techniques he employs. As a result, Pialat doesn't choose sides and instead shows, in a reflection of the film's title, a simple life-like portrayal of a child at all odds with the society around him and the people who try to take care of him, but ultimately, can't. It's strong work indeed.

Caché [third viewing]: I don't have much to add to the masses, but this is probably Haneke's strongest film to date and I'm very excited for The White Ribbon. Basically, the video tapes are the movie on a superficial level. There is one of Haneke's favorite basic themes of voyeurism here, but it's obviously more of a movie about racial and class tensions in Paris between Algerians and Parisians to this day. Haneke didn't really give us very much room to feel sorry for Georges, who unlike his wife, is portrayed as a snobby upper-class character. It's clear to see where Haneke's sympathies lie, but this only adds more tension to the surface of the movie. More movies should be like this.

[BuffaloWilder]

I love The Breakfast Club, let me be clear preemptively. But, reading the screenplay, I began to realize - no teenagers would ever be that weepy in front of each other, regardless of how much time they'd spent together. I mean, my god - not two scenes go by where one of the characters isn't like, "Fuck you!" and after a long and personal monologue they just break down and cry.

For the most part, the film really is the only high-school centric to really get that rhythm down, but still.

[Rowland]

I love The Breakfast Club, let me be clear preemptively. But, reading the screenplay, I began to realize - no teenagers would ever be that weepy in front of each other, regardless of how much time they'd spent together. I mean, my god - not two scenes go by where one of the characters isn't like, "Fuck you!" and after a long and personal monologue they just break down and cry.

For the most part, the film really is the only high-school centric to really get that rhythm down, but still.Worst ending ever.

[BuffaloWilder]

You know, where did Allison get that dress?

[Qrazy]

Worst ending ever.

If it didn't have that ending we wouldn't have had those dozens of hilarious spoofs, thus, best ending ever.

[kuehnepips]

Paul Anderson's Death Race is just - so bad.

And how. Man, do I love this movie!

[Sven]

I had never even heard of this film until now. And, actually, I've never seen any Dassin. I presume Night and the City or Rififi is the appropriate starting place, or would your dream be correct and this is where I should start?

Night and the City is the best Dassin film and a fine starting point. Topkapi is incredible, but I think it is best appreciated once one has seen him do a straight-faced heist film, being Rififi, which is practically a masterpiece.

I'd say start with Rififi, do N&tC, then Topkapi.

[B-side]

I've only seen Brute Force from Dassin. Pretty good prison melodrama.

[Boner M]

Goddammit B-side, change your av already.

[Mysterious Dude]

There is nothing about The Breakfast Club that doesn't ring false for me. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a more realistic depiction of high school.

[Mara]

Antoine, I don't think I saw any thoughts from you on Kiss of the Spider Woman.

[number8]

There is nothing about The Breakfast Club that doesn't ring false for me. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a more realistic depiction of high school.

A.O. Scott: "The Breakfast Club is a fable, not a documentary."

[Raiders]

A.O. Scott: "The Breakfast Club is a fable, not a documentary."

A fable about what? It illuminates nothing. It's all so forced. The romance of Pretty in Pink navigates the different social circles and high school types much more effectively and without shoving your face in it.

[Mara]

A fable about what? It illuminates nothing. It's all so forced. The romance of Pretty in Pink navigates the different social circles and high school types much more effectively and without shoving your face in it.

It's sort of deliberately iconic, which sort of works but mostly doesn't. A few cute lines. I agree that Pretty in Pink is a better film, although Andrew McCarthy looks disturbingly like a fetus in it.

[baby doll]

So, I saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which makes a good companion piece with Whatever Works, but where that film is a comedy, this one is a tragedy in that the characters don't have the courage to face up to their desires. It's not as satisfying as that film where all the characters grow, even the most narrow-minded and conservative ones. Also, Scarlet Johannson gives her least annoying performance.

[baby doll]

I can't help but note that, as an alleged proponent of movie title fidelity, you should be calling it Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Also, I love the film.An honest mistake. I'll make a correction.

[BuffaloWilder]

And how. Man, do I love this movie!

It's not even 'so bad it's good,' it's just terrible.

I mean, this is a movie where every character - every:frustrated: one:frustrated: - says something like, "aw, fuuuuuck meeee!" or, "oh shiiiiit" just before they meet their end.

This is a movie where Joan Allen tells Jason Statham, "fuck with me and we'll see who shits on the sidewalk."

This is a movie that stops for a four minute long ass-montage, twice, set to some forgettable music or another.

This is a movie where you can't even tell what's going on, in the race(s).

This is a movie where Ian McShane is forced to say lines like, "now that's entertainment," and "I love this game."

Gurgle.

[Rowland]

The only Dassin I've seen is The Naked City, which didn't impress me at all. I discovered afterward that it wasn't all that representative of his usual style, so I may like his other stuff more.

[MacGuffin]

The only Dassin I've seen is The Naked City, which didn't impress me at all. I discovered afterward that it wasn't all that representative of his usual style, so I may like his other stuff more.

I've seen The Naked City and Night and the City and thought they both sucked, but Rififi could be okay, I guess.

[Qrazy]

The only Dassin I've seen is The Naked City, which didn't impress me at all. I discovered afterward that it wasn't all that representative of his usual style, so I may like his other stuff more.

It's not that far from his style per se but it's one of his weaker films. Night and the City and Rififi are really where it's at.

[Derek]

I've seen The Naked City and Night and the City and thought they both sucked, but Rififi could be okay, I guess.

Who pissed in your Cheerios?

[Winston*]

Kes is such a good movie. God damn.

[Qrazy]

Kes is such a good movie. God damn.

Yeah it's the only Loach film I've really liked, but I like it quite a lot.

[NickGlass]

Kes is such a good movie. God damn.

I felt steam-rolled after seeing this on the big screen. You know, like, pleasurably steam-rolled.

[Rowland]

The only Ken Loach film I've seen is Land and Freedom, which I LOVED. Looks like Kes should be my next stop in exploring his ouevre.

[NickGlass]

The only Ken Loach film I've seen is Land and Freedom, which I LOVED. Looks like Kes should be my next stop in exploring his ouevre.

I was totally enthralled by Sweet Sixteen and totally bored by The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I was totally enthralled by Sweet Sixteen and totally bored by The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

So, so true.

[Pop Trash]

a half hour into tarsem singh's the fall and i'm pretty much bored out of my mind. does it get any better or should i just give up now?

GIVE UP!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! GO OUTSIDE AND FIND SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR!!!

[Spinal]

GIVE UP!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! GO OUTSIDE AND FIND SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR!!!


Joy Division -7

This can't be a coincidence.

[Pop Trash]

This can't be a coincidence.
Wait...what? The Joy Division documentary is a waste of time?

[BuffaloWilder]

GIVE UP!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! GO OUTSIDE AND FIND SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR!!!

If there was still neg-rep, I'd give you three.

Finish The Fall. Do it.

[Spinal]

Wait...what? The Joy Division documentary is a waste of time?

You're encouraging someone to find something to live for after watching a Joy Division doc. You don't see the connection?

[Pop Trash]

You're encouraging someone to find something to live for after watching a Joy Division doc. You don't see the connection?
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS SACRED IN THIS WORLD: NEVER WATCH STROSZEK EVER!!!

[origami_mustache]

I was totally enthralled by Sweet Sixteen and totally bored by The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

other way around for me.

[Qrazy]

I did not care for either.

[transmogrifier]

I haven't seen either.

[Boner M]

Wind is the only Loach I haven't liked.

1. Kes
(BIG GAP)
2. Raining Stones
3. Sweet Sixteen
4. Riff-Raff
(BIG GAP)
5. The Wind That Shakes Barley

[BuffaloWilder]

I posit that Leon is the only good thing that Luc Besson has written.

[number8]

I posit that Leon is the only good thing that Luc Besson has written.

I posit that you are wrong.

[BuffaloWilder]

I posit that you are wrong.

I posit that it is you, sir, that are wrong.

http://fi.somethingawful.com/customtitles/title-idemandsatisfaction.gif

[soitgoes...]

I posit that it is you, sir, that are wrong.

http://fi.somethingawful.com/customtitles/title-idemandsatisfaction.gif

Actually, it is you who are wrong, if only for Nikita.

[Qrazy]

Wind is the only Loach I haven't liked.

1. Kes
(BIG GAP)
2. Raining Stones
3. Sweet Sixteen
4. Riff-Raff
(BIG GAP)
5. The Wind That Shakes Barley

You'll probably like My Name is Joe. It struck me as about on par with Sweet Sixteen.

[BuffaloWilder]

Actually, it is you who are wrong, if only for Nikita.

Nikita was - alright, I guess. I suppose it would've made more sense to say, "post-1994."

[Qrazy]

Actually, it is you who are wrong, if only for Nikita.

I found Nikita to be thoroughly mediocre. Le Dernier Combat however is also well written although there is not much dialogue. I'll have to get back to you guys on Le Grand Bleu and Angel A.

[Mysterious Dude]

The Fifth Element is awesome. I don't care what anyone says.

[Qrazy]

The Fifth Element is awesome. I don't care what anyone says.

The world building is awesome. The script is fairly weak, especially by the third act.

[Mysterious Dude]

Antoine, I don't think I saw any thoughts from you on Kiss of the Spider Woman.
I don't think I've written any!

Kind of awkward that this is coming right after I post about how unrealistic I find The Breakfast Club to be, because Spider Woman is unrealistic for similar reasons, but it doesn't bother me as much. Even though the characters are both a little stereotyped, I find that I identify with them both and with their respective plights as outcasts.

[Raiders]

I loved Besson's Angel-A. Easily my favorite thing he has made.

[BuffaloWilder]

The world building is awesome. The script is fairly weak, especially by the third act.

Yes.

I mean, look at District B13 - he didn't direct, but he did write, and whenever what's on the screen isn't purely visual, it's just terrible.

"Six million people died 'cause they didn't have blond hair and blue eyes!" I wanted to find him and punch him in the face after that line of dialogue.

[Watashi]

For a film that "no one saw because everyone assumed it sucked", The Soloist is pretty good. Sure, it has some unnecessary flashbacks and some cloying didactic sentimentality, but the two lead performances and the beautiful direction by Joe Wright really makes this so-called "Oscar bait" film worth watching.

[Rowland]

The Fifth Element is pretty awesome. Angel-A is not, sorry Raiders. :)

[Watashi]

The Fifth Element is awesome. I don't care what anyone says.
I'll go one further.

Chris Tucker in The Fifth Element is awesome. I don't care what anyone says.

[megladon8]

Did anyone see the Willem Dafoe thriller Anamorph from '07?

I just put on the DVD of Stuck, and the trailer for that one played before the menu. I thought it looked pretty interesting, but also like something that could be a typical cop vs serial killer story - yet another Se7en / Hannibal Lector rip-off.

[Watashi]

Do Ed and Nick still write for Slant?

I swear every one of their new reviews is written by someone else.

[BuffaloWilder]

For a film that "no one saw because everyone assumed it sucked", The Soloist is pretty good. Sure, it has some unnecessary flashbacks and some cloying didactic sentimentality, but the two lead performances and the beautiful direction by Joe Wright really makes this so-called "Oscar bait" film worth watching.

I'll agree with you, but man, that trailer. It was like it was "manufactured by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

[BuffaloWilder]

Did anyone see the Willem Dafoe thriller Anamorph from '07?

I just put on the DVD of Stuck, and the trailer for that one played before the menu. I thought it looked pretty interesting, but also like something that could be a typical cop vs serial killer story - yet another Se7en / Hannibal Lector rip-off.

I haven't seen it, but the critical reception was terrible.

[MacGuffin]

A little over an hour into Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors and hating it. Should I continue it or go watch something else?

[BuffaloWilder]

You should watch The Fall.

[Qrazy]

You should murder a small family.

[MacGuffin]

BuffaloWilder: No, looks like crap.
Qrazy: No, not funny.

[BuffaloWilder]

BuffaloWilder: No, looks like crap.


Blasphemy.

[B-side]

Goddammit B-side, change your av already.

I wasn't aware people were hating my avatar. I'll change it if it's really grating people.

[MacGuffin]

I wasn't aware people were hating my avatar. I'll change it if it's really grating people.

It really is the ugliest avatar I can recall seeing on this site.

[B-side]

It really is the ugliest avatar I can recall seeing on this site.

High praise indeed. I'll shop around for a new one.

[soitgoes...]

I kinda like it. Scary sure, but no more freaky than his last avatar, which creeped me the fuck out.

[MacGuffin]

I kinda like it. Scary sure, but no more freaky than his last avatar, which creeped me the fuck out.


A little over an hour into Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors and hating it. Should I continue it or go watch something else?

A little help, man?

[soitgoes...]

A little help, man?
I remember liking it, but honestly I have very little recollection of it. My rule is that if it's a fairly well respected director I'll watch the whole film. Some films end up surprising you at the end. If I don't end up liking the film, then chances are I'll not see another of his films for awhile.

[B-side]

I kinda like it. Scary sure, but no more freaky than his last avatar, which creeped me the fuck out.

Heh. I don't like the idea of my avatar actively grating someone, though.

[Qrazy]

BuffaloWilder: No, looks like crap.
Qrazy: No, not funny.

Do it anyway.

[MacGuffin]

Do it anyway.

I don't like this sort of humor, if you can call it that.

[Qrazy]

I don't like this sort of humor, if you can call it that.

I don't like your response to my sort of humor. I guess we're at an impasse. I suggest you give way. I can be fairly stubborn.

[B-side]

Heh.

[Philosophe_rouge]

My searching capabilities don't seem to be at their best tonight, but I didn't find a thread on Julie & Julia, so I'll post my thoughts here. It's a serviceable film that attempts to bring the world of the Internet to the big screen, in a way. Blogging as a subject matter is fairly bland, and unsurprisingly, it doesn't translate particularly well. The cast makes it work mostly, though it seems rather aimless, often working with rather simple changes in superficial behavior, as opposed to conveying strong emotional and internal changes as a means of propelling the action.

Though Adams is still likeable, the character she portrays is frustrating, and the script offers very little insight into her struggle as a "modern" adult struggling to survive. It paints the portrait of a woman who had all the potential in the world, and seems to have failed miserably to live up to it, only to have Julia Child "save" her by giving her a goal to reach and achieve. It's motivating in a way, sweet I suppose... but without ever really enhencing or exploring the circomstances, it feels somewhat empty, and her characterization bland and grating.

The Julia Child segment is more interesting, if only because she is a more vibrant personality. The segment and story itself is not presented particularly well, it's very conventional and would never really hold up on it's own. Streep gives an expectantly great performance, and really evokes both the manneurisms and the passion of Child. It's really her work that holds up the entire film.

The line drawn between the storylines is quasi similar circomstances and similar archs. Thematic match-cuts are used most often to tie the two together, and they're a bit wishy-washy, for lack of a better term. It never feels obnoxious, but is never quite seamless either. The film unfortunately falls apart simply because the premise itself doesn't seem strong enough to sustain a feature length film, especially not one as long as this (2 hours is long for a film of this nature). Overall, I found it to be a moderately entertaining diversion, and it made me want to eat and cook delicious food.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I wasn't aware Clipper Ship Captain had a sense of humour.

[B-side]

I wasn't aware Clipper Ship Captain had a sense of humour.

Yeah, really.

[transmogrifier]

I don't get it; watching something part of the way through and then needing to ask others whether you should finish it.

Surely the bits that you have watched, coupled with the rare pleasure of being yourself and knowing intimately what you like, would suffice, no?

[BuffaloWilder]

Perhaps he has a unique viewing habit. I'm sure everybody - or almost everybody - on here has one.

Usually, I'll put a film on to listen to as I go to sleep, and watch it again the following day. Most times I'll stop intermittently throughout if I'm watching it on the computer.

[Boner M]

I wasn't aware people were hating my avatar. I'll change it if it's really grating people.
I was speaking for myself. I can only look at a facial'd face with shit-smeared lips for so long until I'm like, "hmm, that's kinda gross".

[B-side]

I was speaking for myself. I can only look at a facial'd face with shit-smeared lips for so long until I'm like, "hmm, that's kinda gross".

Well, to be fair, the white stuff was sugar and the red was blood.:P

[Boner M]

Well, to be fair, the white stuff was sugar and the red was blood.:P
At av size it ain't.

[Qrazy]

At av size it ain't.

Feel like discussing Gloria?

[B-side]

At av size it ain't.

I was gonna make a joke about size not mattering, but eh.

[Boner M]

Feel like discussing Gloria?
Haven't seen it yet. I still have Minnie and Moskowitz ahead on my JC priorities list. I've been put off Gloria ever since reading that it was among the films of his he felt the least passionate about, and had the least creative input on his part (even though it got some of the best initial-run reviews of his career). I'll eventually see it, but more for Rowlands than anything.

[Qrazy]

Haven't seen it yet. I still have Minnie and Moskowitz ahead on my JC priorities list. I've been put off Gloria ever since reading that it was among the films of his he felt the least passionate about, and had the least creative input on his part (even though it got some of the best initial-run reviews of his career). I'll eventually see it, but more for Rowlands than anything.

I thought Minnie and Moskowitz was quite good, I'd say top five. Gloria was very odd. Especially odd because the other three people I saw it with had such differing reactions. The film is primarily Rowlands and a little boy. One person I saw it with thought the boy was very good, another thought the boy was really weird, I just found him to be incredibly uneven. Some scenes worked others were god awful, shrill and obnoxious. Then there's some odd stuff with genre. The narrative is a bit baffling at times which works for something like Love Streams but felt like a handicap to me here.

[MacGuffin]

Brightside, the "Surreal" under your username and your signature font are both grating on me. Change them, please?

[MadMan]

'Breaker' Morant (1980) ***½This rating is all kinds of win. I saw it in a ethics class my sophmore year of college, and thought it was great. If anything it deserves to be featured in a double bill with the also fantastic Paths of Glory. Not sure if I ever wrote a review of it, though.

The Fifth Element is indeed a highly entertaining, well made sci-fi movie. And Chris Tucker is actually funny in it, as he fills out a role almost tailor made for him.

[B-side]

Brightside, the "Surreal" under your username and your signature font are both grating on me. Change them, please?

I'd say if those things are grating you, then you're far too easily irritated.

[MacGuffin]

I'd say if those things are grating you, then you're far too easily irritated.

Oh, okay. Thanks anyway.

[Rowland]

Just fuck.

[Ezee E]

It's 5 AM and all, but what the heck is going on here?

[Boner M]

I really think this last page has been a highlight in the history of cinematic discourse. Next time one of those professional critics or renknowned bloggers signs up 'cos their name turned up here in a google search, I hope they see page 1116 first for an example of what we're truly capable of - not just as a forum, but as a community.

[Derek]

I really think this last page has been a highlight in the history of cinematic discourse. Next time one of those professional critics or renknowned bloggers signs up 'cos their name turned up here in a google search, I hope they see page 1116 first for an example of what we're truly capable of - not just as a forum, but as a community.

Clipper Ship's anger and hatred brings the best out of all of us.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Wow. I kind of really dug Welcome to the Dollhouse. Bizarre and dark and at times absolutely hilarious. Seems like the type of movie that would be even more appreciated after another viewing.

[megladon8]

Stuck was great.

Certainly not flawless. There were a few times I felt the movie was trying to tell me something but I couldn't put my finger on what that was.

However on the whole it was a darkly funny social satire with a conclusion befitting the gorehound horror roots of its director Stuart Gordon.

Highly recommended.

[Ezee E]

I think I'm the only one that thought Stuck was just a slightly better MoH episode. Mena Suvari annoyed me like none other in it as well.

[megladon8]

I think I'm the only one that thought Stuck was just a slightly better MoH episode. Mena Suvari annoyed me like none other in it as well.


Really?

I certainly found the character to be horrible, selfish and awful...but her performance didn't bother me.

I mean, I'm not going to be putting her on a "Best Actress of 2007" list any time soon, but I thought she pulled it off.

[D_Davis]

Chris Tucker completely ruined The Fifth Element. He is the original Jar-Jar Binks, only even more annoying. Because the movie he ruined would actually be good if not for him.

[Ezee E]

Really?

I certainly found the character to be horrible, selfish and awful...but her performance didn't bother me.

I mean, I'm not going to be putting her on a "Best Actress of 2007" list any time soon, but I thought she pulled it off.

Not sure what it is, but she's annoyed me in everything I've seen her in.

[Spinal]

Stuck was the first time I've actually seen Suvari act and not just be a pretty face on screen delivering lines. I thought she was great.

[Russ]

Chris Tucker completely ruined The Fifth Element. He is the original Jar-Jar Binks, only even more annoying. Because the movie he ruined would actually be good if not for him.
I love Chris Tucker in The Fifth Element. The over-the-top portrayal he delivers is both hilarious and essential to balance Bruce Willis' deadpan permformance.

[D_Davis]

Stuck was the first time I've actually seen Suvari act and not just be a pretty face on screen delivering lines. I thought she was great.

She was great in that. She totally sold the character.

[Spinal]

If I made a list of worst performances ever, Chris Tucker would be on it. Like Davis said, the worst thing about it is that it ruins an otherwise good movie.

[D_Davis]

If I made a list of worst performances ever, Chris Tucker would be on it. Like Davis said, the worst thing about it is that it ruins an otherwise good movie.

He would have been okay had his character been kept on TV, and in the background - as a sort of humorous punctuation mark. What if in Robocop they had made the "I'd by that for a dollar!" guy into the main character? Because essentially, that's what happened. It felt to me as if, by the end of the film, Tucker's character had more screen time than any of the other characters. He was loud, obnoxious, stupid, and annoying. Essentially Jar Jar.

I expect everyone who likes Tucker in that movie to also like Jar Jar. Nay, I demand it. It has been demanded! Do it, do it.

[Sven]

I expect everyone who likes Tucker in that movie to also like Jar Jar. Nay, I demand it. It has been demanded! Do it, do it.

Absolutely not. Your model is fundamentally flawed.

[Mara]

I would agree that Tucker is annoying in the film, but I wouldn't say it ruined the whole movie. If I'm thinking about the film in my noggin, I usually forget he's in it at all.









Noggin is a funny word. Noggin noggin noggin.

[Bosco B Thug]

She was great in that. She totally sold the character.
There's a certain high in being horrified at every single word that comes out of her mouth.

Godard's Notre Musique was difficult, erratic, exquisite, transcendent, uneven... the usual. I'm giving it a 6.5. Latter Godard is way too elegant for it's own good sometimes.

[D_Davis]

Absolutely not. Your model is fundamentally flawed.

Only as flawed as the character and performance in relation to the movie. Bah! I can't be bothered to think of Chris Tucker in a logical manner.

[Russ]

Only as flawed as the character and performance in relation to the movie. Bah! I can't be bothered to think of Chris Tucker in a logical manner.
The tone of The Fifth Element was fairly goofy long before Tucker's first appearance. While the Star Wars films would aim for lighter moments interspersed within the boundaries of their self-defined, somewhat more serious, universe, the Jar-Jar character was a huge misfire, plain and simple. I hated Jar-Jar; not so much the character, per se, but for the idiotic things that they had him say and do. I loved Chris Tucker's character precisely for the idiotic things that had him say and do. It simply felt like his shenanigans were more in line with the cartoony universe in which they occurred than his Star Wars counterpart, who was the essence of gross miscalculation.

[D_Davis]

I found it's tone more irreverent before Tucker. Before Tucker it had a Stainless Steel Rat vibe, after Tucker it had a Cartoon Network vibe.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I quite liked Tucker's performance in The Fifth Element, although it certainly could've been reeled in. I think the film would be a damn-near perfect action flick if Ruby escape with the rest of his crew when the lifeboats escape from Phloston, and Korben and the gang were left to their own devices.

[Raiders]

Chris Tucker is awful in The Fifth Element, but he is no worse than most everything else in the film.

[dreamdead]

Jung Ji-woo's Happy End is a surprisingly uncompromising take on the classic infidelity issue that so many Korean films explored in the late 1990s, though thankfully it is woven through with a critique of Korean gender politics and expectations, and also a subtext of financial collapse. Choi Min-shik continues his streak of being one of South Korea's most impassive actors, letting his eyes convey the loss as he discovers his wife's infidelity. However, the film does not just brood on that detail, but takes its economical script and does not neglect any tangential bit of narrative information, whether it's musing on the nature of love stories or exploring the gaps of a mystery novel. Though the music occasionally does the usual Korean browbeating, Jung keeps things grounded by enforcing a long-take and long-shot aesthetic for the most part. It's surprisingly effective and the ending is ambiguous, a rarity for Korean films of this ilk.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just finishing watching Song of the South for the first time since I was a kid and I'm amazed at how good it was. I'd easily put it on the list with the other great early Disney films.

[Sven]

Just finishing watching Song of the South for the first time since I was a kid and I'm amazed at how good it was. I'd easily put it on the list with the other great early Disney films.

*gasp, whisper "he's so brave"...*

But seriously, I'd rep you if I could (out for the day) because I, too, am a huge fan. Those Br'er Rabbit sequences are incredible.

[EyesWideOpen]

*gasp, whisper "he's so brave"...*

But seriously, I'd rep you if I could (out for the day) because I, too, am a huge fan. Those Br'er Rabbit sequences are incredible.


I doubt very seriously that the majority of people who condemn the film have even watched it. I ordered a copy online expecting it to be pretty poor quality but it looked better then probably half the stuff I've watched on netflix instant viewing.

[BuffaloWilder]

I know Sycophant doesn't enjoy my shameless self-plugging, but what the hell. I'm looking for another writer, for the blog. Because, why not?

Anyone interested? (more than one - uh, position (?) open I guess)

[origami_mustache]

can anyone identify this movie?

http://5.media.tumblr.com/2m8BXUfrir2jsy8a2uS00Wfyo1_500 .jpg

[Grouchy]

can anyone identify this movie?

http://5.media.tumblr.com/2m8BXUfrir2jsy8a2uS00Wfyo1_500 .jpg
Take Aim at the Police Van by Suzuki.

I haven't seen it, just read the review on DVDBeaver earlier today.

[Grouchy]

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2007/10/04/control460.jpg

Control was amazing. I'd downloaded it for my girlfriend some time ago but, having zero knowledge or interest in Joy Division, I kept putting it off. Finally I decided to read something on Wikipedia, listen to a few songs and play it. Seriously, best rock biopic I've ever seen next to Sid and Nancy. But where the latter feels more like an overblown fantasy that simply uses Sid Vicious as its subject, this one has an extraordinary feel of accuracy and reality. No wonder, since it's based on writings by the widowed wife of Ian Curtis and directed by a rock photographer who started his career with the band.

Extraordinary movie. The casting of Sam Riley is a blessing to the film, since he's not a known face and is also a rock solid actor. Samantha Morton as his wife was so blended into her character as well that I didn't recognize her until halfway through the thing. Between this and Synechdoque, New York I'm now convinced she's the best young actress alive. I think the script's greatest accomplishment is that it avoids the kind of rags-to-riches and emotional downfall story that seems almost inevitable in any biopic. Since Curtis was a cronic depressive the success means nothing to him, and the black and white cinematography stresses that point perfectly. Despite the bleak life story it tells, the tone is bittersweet, with several characters contributing the kind of random chaos comedy any good rock movie should have.

Highly recommended. A lot of Grouchies for this one. And a cookie.

[BuffaloWilder]

You know, my discussion with Sven made me go back and look at the two DVD copies I have of Mad Max 2 - one in widescreen and the other in full, because I was young and stupid - and I've come to realize something:

Now, the first film got a remastering back in 2002, and Beyond Thunderdome has never had a bad looking print. But, The Road Warrior has languished in stained and scratched prints - up until 2007, when it was remastered for it's HD release, and it looks just glorious. So, it's made me come to realize two things -

a) why has the most well-remembered film in the series only just been remastered, and why is it on HD?

b) Goddammit I really don't want to have to go and get an HD player just to have a decent-looking print of the film.

b.5) Also, why are there no proper torrents of this HD release?

I mean, seriously. Look at this:

Standard Widescreen print -
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7495/shot0051.png
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9360/shot0053.png

HD-DVD print -
http://www.cueball.de/images/MadMax/HDDVD/Breakout01_small.jpg
http://www.cueball.de/images/MadMax/HDDVD/Gyro_End_small.jpg

Isn't this like a crime in Russia?

[B-side]

So, uh, Ms. 45 was pretty sweet.

More thoughts in the blog.

[soitgoes...]

Weekend options:

The Hurt Locker
Older Brother, Younger Sister
The Story of Late Chrysanthemums
Dragnet Girl
Cold Water

[baby doll]

Weekend options:

The Story of Late Chrysanthemums
Cold WaterYou bastard.

[Skitch]

I'm down for the love Fifth Element and Angel-A.

[Boner M]

Weekend:

Honor de cavalleria (Serra)
Tyson (Toback)
Good Morning (Ozu)
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (Grau)
The Criminal (Losey)

[Pop Trash]

Weekend options:

District 9
GI Joe
Exorcist II
The Wicker Man (original)
Waiting for Guffman

[Melville]

Has anyone here read Tarkovsky's Sculpting In Time?

I'm about 100 pages in and I'm finding his passion, conviction and the ideas he puts forward interesting but his writing style is a little idiosyncratic. The book isn't always the most coherent and he seems to jump from disparate issue to disparate issue within the same chapter in a stream of consciousness sort of way.
I agree with a lot of his ideas, but I found the book to be very uneven.
http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=127332#post12 7332

[D_Davis]

Just finishing watching Song of the South for the first time since I was a kid and I'm amazed at how good it was. I'd easily put it on the list with the other great early Disney films.

Song of the South is brilliant. It's condemnation in light of political correctness is asinine.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Where are you guys watching Song of the South? I thought Disney discontinued the shit out of that film, what with the magical Negroes and all.

[Sycophant]

Where are you guys watching Song of the South? I thought Disney discontinued the shit out of that film, what with the magical Negroes and all.

There is this thing called the Internet that has certain corners in which you can find certain... things.

I should finally watch the copy I've had for like six years.

[Spinal]

self-plugging

Reported.

[D_Davis]

Where are you guys watching Song of the South? I thought Disney discontinued the shit out of that film, what with the magical Negroes and all.

A friend of mine has the Japanese LD - he made me a VHS copy a few years ago.

[Philosophe_rouge]

weekend options
Adam
Bonjour Tristesse
The Deer Hunter
The Sisters of the Gion
Pygmalion
Ashes of Time Redux

Yea, I'm totally not watching all ofthem.

[Watashi]

Adam


I saw a trailer for this, and outside of the Rose Byrne factor, it looks like one of the worst movies ever made.

[Sycophant]

Things I might watch this weekend:
Ponyo
The Saddest Music in the World
Waltz with Bashir

[Watashi]

I'm definitely seeing Ponyo first thing in the morning tomorrow.

I hate how people bitch about the dubbing the recent films have had.

The dubs have been terrific and personally approved by Miyazaki.

[Skitch]

Wow, Kontrol was pretty interesting.

[Raiders]

Weekend:

District 9
Ponyo
Tobe Hooper's Dance of the Dead
Dario Argento's Jenifer

[Derek]

looks like one of the worst movies ever made.


I hate

Polishing up your CSC impersonation?

[Watashi]

Polishing up your CSC impersonation?
I hate your face.

[Stay Puft]

Okay, actually going to Toronto, so this weekend perhaps Summer Hours and/or Thirst, maybe The Hurt Locker. Found out Flame & Citron is playing as well, not sure if I can make a screening, though.

There's Ponyo, too, I suppose, but I have to admit I have no interest whatsoever. I watched Kiki last night instead and feel content.

[Rowland]

Weekend maybes:

Vera Drake
Demonlover
Bad Lieutenant
The Hurt Locker
District 9
Ponyo
/The Abandoned/

[BuffaloWilder]

Reported.

:sad:

[Eleven]

Weekend:

Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open tennis tourney
Whit Stillman two-fer (Barcelona and Last Days of Disco)
Maybe District 9

[Melville]

He does seem rather dogmatic.

I'm only 100 pages in, but he's already dismissed the avant-garde genre (or at least any film that wears experimentation on its sleeve) as totally superfluous:



This is an interesting view. I take this to mean that any serendipitous events that occur in the process of filmmaking should not be included unless they unequivocally serve the artist's primary and driving idea. The method shouldn't be on display, but the result. In other words, don't publish a sketchy and aimless first draft. However, I can see this being a contentious view as a film that is made in a haphazard and meandering fashion, not driven by an unflinching and personal goal, could end up being pretty beautiful and affecting to some and thereby warrant the status of 'art'.

I haven't gotten far enough but I think I see where he is coming from when he disses Eisenstein's theory of montage. I think he has a problem with Eisenstein's method (shot A + shot B = C, a new concept) as it attempts to impose the filmmaker's ideology onto the spectator with little (or no) room for the ambiguity that allows personal choice and discovery. That is Eisensten's ostensible intent, anyway (correct me if I am wrong). Conversely, Tarkovsky seems adamant about maintaining this crucial level of ambiguity in his films, whereby myriad audiences can then find something personally truthful in an image instead of being restrained to the author's particular view as consolidated by montage. André Bazin had the same problems with montage and similarly promoted a filmmaking style that was equivocal, not conclusive. I don't necessarily agree but I can at least understand the logic in this statement.
I don't remember him having a problem including serendipitous events: if they happen as part of the natural unfolding of a moment of time, then they're all good. Nor do I recall ambiguity being an essential point in his dismissal of montage: he says it's bad because it's all about conveying ideas rather than capturing experiences of time. I disagree with that, because I don't think montage is all about conveying ideas (even if Eisenstein might have thought so, his editing does a lot more than that), and I don't think the ideas should be separated from the experience in time. Still, it's a good book, and I like his overall emphasis.

[Qrazy]

I guess I interpreted it somewhere between the two of you. I found his point to be ultimately that montage conveyed primarily a symbolic expression of meaning while he was more interested in a metaphoric expression. Metaphors can be interpreted in a number of different ways while symbolic communication conveys ideas in a much more direct manner. Letting the time sequences flow naturally (in terms of the aesthetic, ideas and emotions he wants to communicate) into one another rather than juxtaposing them directly achieves this metaphoric effect to a greater extent.

[Melville]

Well, he certainly mentions his preference for ambiguity and contradictions elsewhere and I thought this was directly related to his dislike of montage. Furthermore, isn't there an ambiguity in the experiences of time he wishes to transfer to the screen and a singularity in Eisensteinian montage's insistence on ideas? One is specific and the other is broad. One equivocal, the other not.
Sure. But I think his idea is that the ambiguity, the broadness of the experience of passing time, is only part of its appeal. I'd have to read it again to gauge the importance of that aspect, but I remember the emphasis being on the importance of capturing the passage of time as an end in itself.

I vaguely remember thinking that his attitude toward serendipity was internally contradictory. He definitely seemed to contradict himself quite a few times.

[BuffaloWilder]

I know Sycophant doesn't enjoy my shameless self-plugging, but what the hell. I'm looking for another writer, for the blog. Because, why not?

Anyone interested? (more than one - uh, position (?) open I guess)

Nobody?

[Melville]

The sudden re-ordering of the this thread just blew my mind. Amnesiac, stop messing with my head!

[Qrazy]

Bad and quirky habit, I know. But now you have a claim to clairvoyance. :lol:

Just edit instead of deleting?

[Qrazy]

I know, but that's the thing, I hate those edit tags at the end of the posts. Yeah, I should probably get over this but oh well.

If you edit within the first minute or two it doesn't post the edit tag. It's a race against the clock!

[Sycophant]

Amnesiac, I wouldn't mind if you started using the edit button. I keep going into threads expecting new posts, only to see you've delted/replaced your post sometimes five, six times in the course of ten minutes.

[Sycophant]

Also, Preview.

[Amnesiac]

Also, Preview.

Yeah, but then there's always afterthoughts. It's not really about proofreading so much.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, but then there's always afterthoughts. It's not really about proofreading so much.

Yeah I never proofread and then I look back on my posts and realize they read like the ravings of a rabid orangutan... and then I edit.

[Sycophant]

I have added the "last edited" tag to my last two posts, in the name of solidarity.