28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Melville]

I have added the "last edited" tag to my last two posts, in the name of solidarity.
I like to have that tag on all my posts. I'll go edit some posts right now.

[origami_mustache]

Weekend:
Permanent Vacation
Labyrinth
The Dark Crystal
The Goods?
District 9?

[EyesWideOpen]

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.

The Howl and Mononoke dubs were good. The dub for Totoro is unwatchable and I hate the dub for Spirited Away. Having the two main characters of Ponyo be voiced by Hanna Montana's little sister and the fourth Jonas brother doesn't seem like it was something that Miyazaki had to much say in. I have a nagging feeling that Disney said these disney stars are gonna be the voice actors or we won't release it here.

[Winston*]

The Mononoke dub's good except for Billy Bob Thornton.

[Watashi]

My favorite dub is Whisper of the Heart's.

And John Lasseter is in control over the dubs, no just Disney.

[EyesWideOpen]

My favorite dub is Whisper of the Heart's.

And John Lasseter is in control over the dubs, no just Disney.

So I should blame him instead of Disney for picking voice actors based on their having existing contracts with Disney instead of the quality of their work? Good to know.

[Ivan Drago]

My weekend will consist of two of these three:

District 9
Funny People
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

[Watashi]

So I should blame him instead of Disney for picking voice actors based on their having existing contracts with Disney instead of the quality of their work? Good to know.
Dude, a lot of quality veteran voice actors are working on Ponyo. Maybe Cyrus and Jonas are actually you know... good for their roles. They're not marketing this film based on them anyway.

[baby doll]

Weekend:

Ashes of Time Redux (Wong Kar-wai, 2008)
Le Caporal Épinglé (Jean Renoir, 1962)
La Fille de l'eau (Jean Renoir, 1925)
Le Marseillaise (Jean Renoir, 1938)
Nana (Jean Renoir, 1926)
Southland Tales (Richard Kelly, 2006)
Sympathy for Mr. Vegence (Park Chan-wook, 2002)
Le Testament du Docteur Cordelier (Jean Renoir, 1959)
Tokyo! (Bong Joon-ho / Leos Carax / Michel Gondry, 2008)
Year of the Dragon (Michael Cimino, 1985)

[Watashi]

Roger Ebert defends Armond White. (http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/08/in_defense_of_armond_white.htm l)

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
District 9
Ponyo? or Public Enemies

Push
The Quiet Earth
Les Duolos

[Winston*]

Weekend

Code Unknown
Rebecca

Maybe Coraline 3D

[BuffaloWilder]

Roger Ebert defends Armond White. (http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/08/in_defense_of_armond_white.htm l)

I agree with him, to a point, but I am unsure if I agree with this:


I like to repeat, "If you have to ask what something symbolizes, it doesn't."

[baby doll]

I agree with him, to a point, but I am unsure if I agree with this:Well, he raises the issue in his review of whether the fanboys going to see the movie will even pick up on it. My question would be (speaking as some one who hasn't seen the film), if the filmmakers wanted to make a movie about apartheid, why not make a film about apartheid instead of putting it in code? Maybe because aliens are more commercial than black people?

By the way, before the backlash against me starts, I'm not saying it's a bad film or that I probably won't go see it. I'm just saying, in cases like this, where a filmmaker wants to make a film about a certain historical subject, why an allegory? Why not just make a literal film about the subject? Film is, after all, the best medium ever invented for showing things, and making us empathize with people.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm just saying, in cases like this, where a filmmaker wants to make a film about a certain historical subject, why an allegory? Why not just make a literal film about the subject? Film is, after all, the best medium ever invented for showing things, and making us empathize with people.

Why not an allegory? If Blomkamp feels more comfortable with science-fiction allegory, why not play to his own strengths?

[megladon8]

I don't understand what the problem with allegory is.

Often allegory can be much more potent than just a straight historical drama.

Since its inception, a large part of the sci-fi genre has been about commenting on the issues of the current time period by having them reflected in a futuristic or altered world.

I wrote a story about my dealings with depression, and the problems that arose from using large quantities of anti-depressants. But the story isn't about a guy named "Braden" who is 17 and can't attend school because of his crippling anxiety, it's about a character named Ron trying to overcome the loss of his child.

I really don't even understand your argument, baby doll. Allegory is one of the greatest tools an artist can use to communicate their message.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Maybe he thinks that an alien action picture will get more attention than a period drama about apartheid. So he can communicate the same messages/goals to an audience that might not be expecting it.

Here's a question: has no one done a period apartheid drama that, bubbling beneath the surface, is rife with science fiction allegory?

[Ezee E]

Why didn't the Beatles or Bob Dylan just write obvious lyrics?

[Milky Joe]

Armond White just won me over with his review of The Life Aquatic. The man is OK in my book.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Why didn't the Beatles or Bob Dylan just write obvious lyrics?

Some of those go beyond subtle, extractable songs and head into nowheresville. I'm looking at you, "Mr. Kite."

[Ivan Drago]

Just checked all the showtimes for every theater near me...and Ponyo isn't playing at any one of them. :frustrated:

[baby doll]

I don't understand what the problem with allegory is.

Often allegory can be much more potent than just a straight historical drama.

Since its inception, a large part of the sci-fi genre has been about commenting on the issues of the current time period by having them reflected in a futuristic or altered world.

I wrote a story about my dealings with depression, and the problems that arose from using large quantities of anti-depressants. But the story isn't about a guy named "Braden" who is 17 and can't attend school because of his crippling anxiety, it's about a character named Ron trying to overcome the loss of his child.

I really don't even understand your argument, baby doll. Allegory is one of the greatest tools an artist can use to communicate their message.Potent how? I guess the obvious example is Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," where the idea was to point out the contemporary parallels, thereby associating the McCarthy hearings with the Salem witch hunts. Here, I think it's something different in that, rather than having an implied parallel between two historical events, this film takes one event and substitutes aliens for black people, which puts us at another remove from the reality of apartheid. Furthermore, I'm not talking about communicating a message (we all know that apartheid was terrible) so much as showing us what something looked like, and making us empathize with the people who lived through it.

[baby doll]

Why didn't the Beatles or Bob Dylan just write obvious lyrics?Well, films aren't songs.

[BuffaloWilder]

Well, films aren't songs.

Films are visual music.

[baby doll]

Films are visual music.No, they're not. Lyrics can be concrete or vague, but films can only show concrete things.

[BuffaloWilder]

No, they're not. Lyrics can be concrete or vague, but films can only show concrete things.

:|

[megladon8]

Potent how? I guess the obvious example is Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," where the idea was to point out the contemporary parallels, thereby associating the McCarthy hearings with the Salem witch hunts. Here, I think it's something different in that, rather than having an implied parallel between two historical events, this film takes one event and substitutes aliens for black people, which puts us at another remove from the reality of apartheid. Furthermore, I'm not talking about communicating a message (we all know that apartheid was terrible) so much as showing us what something looked like, and making us empathize with the people who lived through it.


Potent as in reaching and affecting more people, as in promoting independent thought on a difficult subject.

Also, isn't the apartheid still occurring to some extent? I don't think this is a conflict that's all the way in the past as of yet.

[chrisnu]

The Nuart Theater is showing Taxidermia. I must see it.

[Raiders]

Some of those go beyond subtle, extractable songs and head into nowheresville. I'm looking at you, "Mr. Kite."

One of their best songs.

It does amuse that it seems Ebert has now disowned White's reviews in general as well after seeing that flowchart.

[Sycophant]

Still, things like this chart actually really irk me.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1897/armondwhiteisntinsane.jpg

The whole Internet Armond White hysteria is pretty nutso. I thought it was nutso enough on Match Cut.

[Watashi]

The complete reversal of Ebert's defense on White is so awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The complete reversal of Ebert's defense on White is so awesome.

Fanboys: "White's review is ridiculous!"
Ebert: "He's a respectable critic with a worthwhile perspective.
Fanboys: "He likes Death Race more than Dark Knight."
Ebert: "OMG WTF."

[Spinal]

The whole Internet Armond White hysteria is pretty nutso. I thought it was nutso enough on Match Cut.

Yeah, congrats Internet for making him one of the most discussed critics today. Don't you see? He feeds on hate much in the same way we breathe oxygen. Ignore him. Don't read his writing. Your outrage will disappear, he will shrivel into obscurity, the world will be a better place to raise your children.

[Mara]

I thought people liked him. Do they not? Do they like him ironically?

[Eleven]

The complete reversal of Ebert's defense on White is so awesome.

And we have that RT dude to thank for it. This is all just too goofy for words, except for "goofy."

[Dead & Messed Up]

Someone motivate me to watch Hitchcock's The Wrong Man tonight.

[Raiders]

Someone motivate me to watch Hitchcock's The Wrong Man tonight.

It's ridiculously good and second to only Vertigo for me from Hitch. There was a discussion between Rowland and myself a couple weeks or so ago but it gave away some details regarding the ending, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend reading it.

Really though, it should sell itself. If you have to debate then you have issues I have never experienced.

[Pop Trash]

Someone motivate me to watch Hitchcock's The Wrong Man tonight.

I thought it was boring and the worst of Hitch's movies that I watched in a film class I took on him.

[Spinal]

The Wrong Man, as the title implies, is quintessential Hitchcock. One of his best films with a stellar lead performance by Fonda.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Really though, it should sell itself. If you have to debate then you have issues I have never experienced.

I'm just tired as hell, bro.

[Raiders]

I thought it was boring and the worst of Hitch's movies that I watched in a film class I took on him.

Film classes always manage to ruin good movies, but I'm going to blame you for this obviously insane opinion.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I thought it was boring and the worst of Hitch's movies that I watched in a film class I took on him.

At least you enjoyed the new Indiana Jones though.

[Dead & Messed Up]

At least you enjoyed the new Indiana Jones though.

Zing. A mild one, but a zing nonetheless.

[Pop Trash]

At least you enjoyed the new Indiana Jones though.

Wait...why did I just defend you?

[Rowland]

Persuasion (1995) - 5.0I rented Persuasion after being blown away by Wright's P&P in the theaters, my interest sparked by several critical voices suggesting that the former was a superior adaptation. Rather, I found it remarkably dry and nearly fell asleep, so I went to bed, never found time (nor felt all that compelled) to finish the film until I had to return it to the video store, and that was that. Your score is probably about right.

[Spinal]

Discussion moved to appropriate thread.

[Sven]

Purple Rain (Who cares, 1984): Sing-a-long in a park. So, overwhelming.

Oh, Nick, Nick, Nick. "Who cares"? That movie is fantastic. You saw it for the first time at an impossible venue. I'm sure it was very fun, though.

[Ivan Drago]

Oh, Nick, Nick, Nick. "Who cares"? That movie is fantastic. You saw it for the first time at an impossible venue. I'm sure it was very fun, though.

I want to see it. I've always liked Prince. Plus he's responsible for the greatest lyric ever (or at least my favorite) in his song "Kiss" - 'Act your age, not your shoe size' :D

[Watashi]

Nick, thoughts on In the Loop?

[trotchky]

finally saw wr: mysteries of the organism and it was pretty much a masterpiece. regret reading the included jonathan rosenbaum essay because it predictably demystifies the film by saying basically nothing.

[B-side]

finally saw wr: mysteries of the organism and it was pretty much a masterpiece. regret reading the included jonathan rosenbaum essay because it predictably demystifies the film by saying basically nothing.

It's pretty great, but I definitely prefer Sweet Movie.

[trotchky]

It's pretty great, but I definitely prefer Sweet Movie.

i think i do, too, but i definitely want to rewatch both of them. wr strikes me as more of an immediate, reactionary piece of counter-propaganda, while sweet movie is much more meditative and somber.

[B-side]

i think i do, too, but i definitely want to rewatch both of them. wr strikes me as more of an immediate, reactionary piece of counter-propaganda, while sweet movie is much more meditative and somber.

Right, yeah. I'll be looking further into this Makavajev character.

[balmakboor]

Right, yeah. I'll be looking further into this Makavajev character.

I figure his first three features would make a great Eclipse box. Are you reading this Criterion?

[baby doll]

regret reading the included jonathan rosenbaum essay because it predictably demystifies the film by saying basically nothing.What? First of all, isn't it necessary to say something about the film in order to demystify it? Also, what's wrong with demystifying a film? It's not like movies appear out of thin air. I haven't read Rosenbaum's essay, but I really like Bordwell's whole approach to the "poetics of cinema," as he calls it (poetics meaning "active making").

[baby doll]

Oh, Nick, Nick, Nick. "Who cares"? That movie is fantastic. You saw it for the first time at an impossible venue. I'm sure it was very fun, though.Whaa?? No, it's not. This is a terrible movie! I mean, I love Prince, but this is not a good movie. It's just bad on every level: characterization (thin), plot (formuliac), style (bland). I'm pretty sure Prince improvised that line, "Why don't you purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka?" because it's the only thing in the film that isn't a cliché of backstage musicals.

[soitgoes...]

I figure his first three features would make a great Eclipse box. Are you reading this Criterion?
Uh, are you being serious? Because they are releasing his first three on Eclipse (http://www.criterion.com/boxsets/668).

[baby doll]

Okay, here's something that's been bugging me: movies strenuously disavowing what it is that they in fact are. First it was Whatever Works, which begins with Larry David telling us the film isn't a feel good movie, even though it totally is. And now it's (500) Days of Summer, which begins with the narrator telling us, "This is not a love story." Wanna bet? Really guys, it's okay to make a perfectly conventional Hollywood romantic comedy if that's what you want to do. One reason I preferred Yes Man (another middle-of-the-road rom-com with Zooey Deschanel), apart from Jim Carrey speaking in Korean, is that it was at least upfront about what it was. It didn't try to convince us it was indie with fancy, design school animation or by name-dropping mopey British bands. And speaking of the music that they use, when did I get to be so freakin' cool? Belle and Sebastian, Carla Bruni, Feist, and a score by Atom Egoyan's composer; shouldn't my enthusiasm for this stuff trip some alarm bell at hipster central command?

[Qrazy]

And speaking of the music that they use, when did I get to be so freakin' cool? Belle and Sebastian, Carla Bruni, Feist, and a score by Atom Egoyan's composer; shouldn't my enthusiasm for this stuff trip some alarm bell at hipster central command?

Blarmzorb.

[baby doll]

Blarmzorb.You lost me.

[balmakboor]

Uh, are you being serious? Because they are releasing his first three on Eclipse (http://www.criterion.com/boxsets/668).

Holy shit! I honestly didn't know that, but have been wishing for it ever since I saw WR and Sweet Movie. When was it announced?

[soitgoes...]

Holy shit! I honestly didn't know that, but have been wishing for it ever since I saw WR and Sweet Movie. When was it announced?Last month. It comes out in October I believe.

[Sven]

First it was Whatever Works, which begins with Larry David telling us the film isn't a feel good movie, even though it totally is.

I have not seen it yet, but I would think, knowing Allen as well as I do, that this contradiction would be pretty much the point. He's always ironic like that.

[balmakboor]

Last month. It comes out in October I believe.

Today is a happy day. Needless to say, they will be mine.

Since I'm on a roll, I think Montenegro would make a terrific addition to the Criterion collection. Are you listening Criterion?

[Dead & Messed Up]

The Wrong Man was one of the most interesting Hitchcock films I've ever seen. Using the true story as a backbone, Hitch is able to engage in wonderful scenes of formal play (Fonda following the shoes, the fade-through to the real criminal) and odd religious parallels. Fonda's continual interviews and depositions play as penitence, and all those cell-like rooms double as confessionals. Hitch's skill is more than matched by lovely twin performances: Fonda does great work as usual, but Vera Miles stunned me with her brave (yes, brave) performance as a woman falling apart.

A-

PS: This is a film that uses Jesus imagery to terrific effect, something that cannot be said of nearly every other film that uses Jesus imagery.

[Amnesiac]

Has anyone here seen The Cove yet? Or at least planning on it?

[megladon8]

I'm dying to see the Marlene Dietrich-starring film The Devil is a Woman, also starring Cesar Romero.

Anyone seen it?

It's in the (fairly) recently released "Marlene Dietrich Glamour Collection".

[Philosophe_rouge]

Has anyone here seen The Cove yet? Or at least planning on it?

I saw it today, it's an extremely persuasive and engaging documentary. It presents it's points very clearly and coherently (appealing both to people who believe strongly in animal rights, as well as addressing many of the harmful effects dolphin meat in particular has on humans). Some of the footage is understandably, difficult to watch. One shot in particular struck me especially; they had placed a camera underwater in the cove, and the shot of the underwater slowly becomes murky, before the shot is complimentely filled with red... The film left me genuinly shaken up by the end.

[Amnesiac]

I saw it today, it's an extremely persuasive and engaging documentary. It presents it's points very clearly and coherently (appealing both to people who believe strongly in animal rights, as well as addressing many of the harmful effects dolphin meat in particular has on humans). Some of the footage is understandably, difficult to watch. One shot in particular struck me especially; they had placed a camera underwater in the cove, and the shot of the underwater slowly becomes murky, before the shot is complimentely filled with red... The film left me genuinly shaken up by the end.

Thanks for the thoughts. Sounds good and in line with some of the praise I've seen elsewhere.

I'm pretty eager to check it out and I was actually going to see it today but I had to decide between it and Tetro and I chose the latter.

[Ezee E]

:sigh:

That's what happens when you let friends decide the movies you see. Ponyo, The Perfect Getaway, hell, I'd even take GI Joe over The Goods. And this is what I get?

What a waste of money and 90+ minutes of my life.

I did laugh at everything Craig Robinson did though. That must prove that comedy triumphs over tragedy.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Thanks for the thoughts. Sounds good and in line with some of the praise I've seen elsewhere.

I'm pretty eager to check it out and I was actually going to see it today but I had to decide between it and Tetro and I chose the latter.

How is Tetro? I've been wondering if it's worth the effort of seeing in theatres or not.

[Amnesiac]

How is Tetro? I've been wondering if it's worth the effort of seeing in theatres or not.

I enjoyed it and will likely write up some thoughts on it when I have more time on my hands. I would personally recommend seeing it in theatres if only for its visual splendor (you may have issues with the crystal clear HD video visuals, but I thought it looked quite beautiful). The expressionistic use of lighting and the bold compositions are definitely accentuated by the big screen, too.

[Ivan Drago]

:sigh:

That's what happens when you let friends decide the movies you see. Ponyo, The Perfect Getaway, hell, I'd even take GI Joe over The Goods. And this is what I get?

What a waste of money and 90+ minutes of my life.

I did laugh at everything Craig Robinson did though. That must prove that comedy triumphs over tragedy.

Not even Jeremy Piven could save it?

Speaking of stupid comedies, Kung Pow: Enter The Fist is so stupid and poorly made...but I still find it hysterical, even on my 10th or so viewing. Probably my favorite guilty pleasure.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just got back from the Hausu screening. So awesome to see on the big screen, it was playing at a dinner theater about 40 minutes away that I had never been to. You could order drinks, dinner or dessert for the showing. I don't drink but they had a drink there called The Clockwork Orange so I had to get it, some mix of oj, orange vodka and peach scnapps.

The lady in charge of putting on the screening mentioned a little about the movie before hand and said the rights were owned by criterion and hopefully they'll put a dvd release out someday.

[Boner M]

Good Morning was pleasant and gentle-hearted to a fault. Not bad by any means, but I watch Ozu to be quietly devastated, as opposed to mildly charmed. No "isn't life disappointing", no anguished apple peeling, no melancholy, no real drama; just a series of cute and quizzical scenes with an occasional spot of insight and/or social critique. DVD has an Adrian Martin commentary that I'll listen to tomorrow; maybe I'm not giving the film a fair shake.

[baby doll]

I'm dying to see the Marlene Dietrich-starring film The Devil is a Woman, also starring Cesar Romero.

Anyone seen it?

It's in the (fairly) recently released "Marlene Dietrich Glamour Collection".It's my second-favorite Sternberg-Dietrich film after The Scarlet Empress.

[transmogrifier]

Okay, here's something that's been bugging me: movies strenuously disavowing what it is that they in fact are.

Boy, sarcasm must really give you hell on a daily basis. Are you the world's most literal person? You're Canadian, right?

[Ezee E]

Not even Jeremy Piven could save it?


I wonder if Piven will ever get a role where he isn't Ari now. Only in this one, he was Ari +10, but without any family life to him. So basically, very annoying, just like the movie.

Craig Robinson, who I think is okay in most movies, is still great though.

[BuffaloWilder]

Okay, here's something that's been bugging me: movies strenuously disavowing what it is that they in fact are.

Shades of Andrew Stanton making a clear point in every interview to say, "WALL-E isn't an environmental film," like that was a bad thing.


And, then it was.

[baby doll]

Boy, sarcasm must really give you hell on a daily basis. Are you the world's most literal person? You're Canadian, right?Maybe with the Allen film, but with (500) Days of Summer I'm not so sure. And it seems to go hand-in-hand with marketing this as an independent film when, structurally and aesthetically, it's very much an old fashioned Hollywood romantic comedy.

[megladon8]

I'm pretty sure that line in (500) Days of Summer was meant ironically.

Just sayin'.

[Stay Puft]

I didn't even think Herzog's My Son My Son What Have Ye Done was going to be finished until next year (weren't they filming just a while back?) but I just found out it's going to play in Toronto, alongside Port of Call New Orleans. That was one thing, but this... so fucking awesome.

[Ezee E]

I didn't even think Herzog's My Son My Son What Have Ye Done was going to be finished until next year (weren't they filming just a while back?) but I just found out it's going to play in Toronto, alongside Port of Call New Orleans. That was one thing, but this... so fucking awesome.
I didn't see that listed. Awesome. I hope (and assume) that Herzog will be hitting Telluride with one or both movies as well. He's come two or three of the five years I've been there.

[Amnesiac]

Tarkovsky mentions a short (ten-minute) film by Pascal Aubier in Sculpting In Time. Does anyone know what it is called? Here is what he mentions:


"First it shows the life of nature, majestic and unhurried, indifferent to human bustle and passions. Then the camera, controlled with virtuoso skill, moves to take in a tiny dot: a sleeping figure scarcely visible in the grass, on the slope of a hill. The dramatic denouement follows immediately. The passing of time seems to be speeded up, driven on by our curiosity. It is as if we steal cautiously up to him along with the camera, and, as we draw near, we realise that that the man is dead. The next moment we are given more information: not only is he dead, he was killed; he is an insurgent who has died from wounds, seen against the background of an indifferent nature" (114).

The description reminds me of Wavelength.

[Yxklyx]

Hilarious clip from Joe Versus the Volcano

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

[Derek]

This Walter Hill fellow, he's okay in my book.

[Sycophant]

I don't know why I've ignored Guy Maddin for as long as I have. The Saddest Music in the World is incredible.

[Winston*]

I don't know why I've ignored Guy Maddin for as long as I have. The Saddest Music in the World is incredible.

I keep renting this movie then watching like half an hour of it and then giving up. I don't know why, seems alright.

[trotchky]

in the loop was pretty amazing

[Amnesiac]

in the loop was pretty amazing

Cool. How was James Gandolfini?

[Qrazy]

Tarkovsky mentions a short (ten-minute) film by Pascal Aubier in Sculpting In Time. Does anyone know what it is called? Here is what he mentions:



The description reminds me of Wavelength.

I have not seen it but based on the footnotes I think it's probably Valparaiso, Valparaiso. Aside from the death of a man I don't actually think it sounds that much like Wavelength. On an unrelated note, based on Sculpting in Time I don't think Wavelength is the type of film Tarkovsky would be particularly fond of, nor am I personally.

[Sven]

This Walter Hill fellow, he's okay in my book.

... addendum to rep note: see Extreme Prejudice, though attempt to obtain a widescreen copy. The R1 DVD is an offense. I think it's one of my 3 favorites. The Nolte factor is in full effect.

[Rowland]

How is Another 48 Hrs.? It keeps staring at me as I walk past it at the video store, and since I liked the first so much more than I anticipated, I can't help being curious.

[transmogrifier]

Two questions:

1. Why isn't The Hangover funnier?
2. What exactly was Baz Luhrmann intending Australia to be?

[Rowland]

1. Why isn't The Hangover funnier?Because it doesn't need to be. People have low standards. (sorry everyone, just joshin')

But seriously, it's the most overrated film I've seen this year.

[transmogrifier]

Because it doesn't need to be. People have low standards. (sorry everyone, just joshin')

But seriously, it's the most overrated film I've seen this year.

I really wanted to laugh - I was so in the mood for a rollicking R-rated comedy. But the movie is too broad and balls-free, with a plot that doesn't really go anywhere near territory that would provide for genuine, inspiration comedy. The whole thing is kept afloat by individual wisecracks/line readings by Helms and Galafanasakinisikis.

[Amnesiac]

Aside from the death of a man I don't actually think it sounds that much like Wavelength.

It's been a while since I last saw the film, but it was not the death of a man that reminded me of Wavelength but this bit in particular:


"Then the camera, controlled with virtuoso skill, moves to take in a tiny dot: a sleeping figure scarcely visible in the grass, on the slope of a hill. The dramatic denouement follows immediately. The passing of time seems to be speeded up, driven on by our curiosity. It is as if we steal cautiously up to him along with the camera, and, as we draw near, we realise that that the man is dead."

To clarify, I wasn't trying to say that they are especially or 100% similar or anything like that but was merely noting that Tarkovsky's description reminded me of Wavelength in a general sort of way. That is, the idea of seeing something in the far distance that is seemingly banal yet oddly mysterious due to its very distance (however, since Aubier's film is only 10 minutes, this affect is surely not as accentuated as it is in Wavelength). And the whole notion of coming ever closer to that far off detail, and the languid camera movement frustrating (or galvanizing) the viewer's growing curiosity. And the attention to the passing of time, as well the notion of learning more information about the ostensibly banal detail (Wavelength, it's the portrait, and in Aubier's film, a dead man) as that time passes.


On an unrelated note, based on Sculpting in Time I don't think Wavelength is the type of film Tarkovsky would be particularly fond of, nor am I personally.

Again, it's been a while since I've seen it (about 2 years) but I don't remember enjoying it all that much either. However, given its focus on the integrity of time and its patient unfolding (the term is still awfully vague to me, but would this film's use of unfolding time be a successful example of what Tarkovsky calls 'time-pressure'?), I'm inclined to think Tarkovsky might like it. However, I vaguely recall some visual play with filters, fade-ins, and elliptical cuts and Tarkovsky might not appreciate something so arguably showy/empty. My memory of the film is very vague, however.

Also, thanks for the reply and the title. I'll look into it.

[trotchky]

Cool. How was James Gandolfini?

he rocked it as tony soprano in a military uniform, minus the jersey accent.

this flick is the office meets dr. stangelove. seriously people, see it.

[Watashi]

Quentin Tarantino's 20 Favorite Films Since 1993 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4K-Rxx2Bk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfil m.com%2F2009%2F08%2F16%2Fmovie-playlist-quentin-tarantinos-top-20-films-to-be-released-since-he-became-a-filmmaker%2F&feature=player_embedded)

Battle Royale
Anything Else
Audition
The Blade
Boogie Nights
Dazed & Confused
Dogville
Fight Club
Friday
The Host
The Insider
Joint Security Area
Lost In Translation
The Matrix
Memories of Murder
Police Story 3
Shaun of the Dead
Speed
Team America
Unbreakable

[Philosophe_rouge]

Quentin Tarantino's 20 Favorite Films Since 1993 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4K-Rxx2Bk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfil m.com%2F2009%2F08%2F16%2Fmovie-playlist-quentin-tarantinos-top-20-films-to-be-released-since-he-became-a-filmmaker%2F&feature=player_embedded)

Battle Royale
Anything Else
Audition
Blade
Boogie Nights
Dazed & Confused
Dogville
Fight Club
Friday
The Host
The Insider
Joint Security Area
Lost In Translation
The Matrix
Memories of Murder
Police Story 3
Shaun of the Dead
Speed
Team America
Unbreakable
I'd probably have Audition, Battle Royale and Memories of Murder on my list. At least the last one.

[BuffaloWilder]

The only thing on there that's surprising is Lost In Translation.

[Pop Trash]

The only thing on there that's surprising is Lost In Translation.

Why? It seems like it would be up his alley. Plus didn't he date Sofia Coppola for awhile?

I'd be curious to hear his defense of Anything Else. I haven't seen it, but isn't that considered the nadir of Woody Allen's recent films? And that is saying something since this isn't exactly Woody's best decade for filmmaking.

I agree with him about Unbreakable. I have a friend who hates Shyamalan and it's getting increasingly difficult for me to defend him myself, but Unbreakable is a great movie and Tarantino is right on in his assessment of it. It's a great deconstruction of superhero motifs.

[Rowland]

A very... fanboy-ish list, but kudos to him for the courage of his convictions. I mean seriously, it take cajones to list Anything Else as one of your twenty favorite movies from the last 15+ years.

[Pop Trash]

Anybody know when he recorded that video? Was that this year?

[Philosophe_rouge]

I know in my film courses, my teachers always HATED vehemently both music videos and slide shows, and yet, this is one of my favourite short films. Obviously, the strength of the music raises the somewhat simple storytelling a few notches, but it's still quite possibly the best slideshow I've ever seen;

http://www.nfb.ca/film/ballad_of_crowfoot/

[Boner M]

I somehow can't help but love Tarantino after watching that video. Maybe because his Unbreakable comments reminds me of Eli Tenenbaum:

'Well, everyone knows Custer died at Little Bighorn. What this book presupposes is... maybe he didn't."

Weird that he didn't include Chungking Express.

[Rowland]

I can't get behind the Battle Royale love, which, despite a large quantity of ideas and amusing satire, came across to me as obnoxiously melodramatic and haphazardly plotted (I'd like to see the non-DC).

Otherwise, I love Audition, Fight Club, Lost in Translation, Memories of Murder, and Unbreakable, I like The Host, JSA, The Matrix, Shaun of the Dead, and Speed a lot, I'm indifferent to Team America, it has been too long since I've seen Boogie Nights, and the rest I haven't seen.

[Watashi]

I really want to see Anything Else now.

[trotchky]

Tarantino seems like someone who really understands movies and their craft as one inseperable, profound object. I'm more excited to see Inglorious Basterds after watching that. Dude knows what he's doing.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Wow. Quentin's list is full of awesome movies - go figure. I love his passion for Unbreakable and Shaun of the Dead, a passion I certainly share.

[Amnesiac]

Ditto on the Unbreakable passion.

I wonder if Shyamalan is ever going to pursue that sequel idea. He brought it up shortly after the movie released, then dropped it, then brought it up again somewhat recently I believe. I'm not sure it's the best idea to pursue but I can't say I'm not curious about how he would tackle it.

And Tarantino's words on Speed made me look back on my first viewing rather fondly. He's pretty much right. I wouldn't go so far as to put it on my top 20 list but it really was a pretty fun movie to watch way back when it first came out.

Battle Royale was okay but it didn't really inspire too much of my interest or admiration. It deserves a re-watch somewhere down the line.

[B-side]

Wow. Meshes of the Afternoon is fantastic. I'd seen it before a while back long before I was into experimental film, but seeing it now was like seeing it for the first time.

[Boner M]

Wow. Meshes of the Afternoon is fantastic. I'd seen it before a while back long before I was into experimental film, but seeing it now was like seeing it for the first time.It's great indeed, but I might prefer At Land by a hair. Guess I just dig sand dunes.

[B-side]

It's great indeed, but I might prefer At Land by a hair. Guess I just dig sand dunes.

Well, that's up next. I've decided to do a big blog entry on her entire filmography, not including Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti as she apparently never got to put any of it together. Her third husband and his wife did, but they aren't her, and word is it doesn't feel like what she would've created.

[Skitch]

The Mutant Chronicles was a very strange, conflicted film. The first half was gorgeous to look at...I was thinking it had potential for 'gem in the rough' status...the second half was terrible SyFy original material.

[B-side]

Pretty sure Deren is one of my favorite film-makers now.

[dreamdead]

On the basis of Fernando F. Croce's putdown of (500) Days of Summer even as he praises Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I checked out the latter. And I can see where one can highlight the positives in N&NIP: the handling of gay identity in a positive light, the tender love story that's wrapped around the edges, and Cera and Jennings' performances, but even with all of that it's fascinating to consider how slight the film is. Though it explores the cityscape and nightlife in NYC, its party-first demeanor seems sophomoric and somehow neglects the complexity of these teenagers slipping into adulthood. These are two individuals who lack any true exploration of their adult selves, talking around that aspect rather than engaging in it. It's the rare film where I yearn to see the next day of their lives and see how they respond to a commitment of self, rather than the far more trivial party-mindset they have here. And the bubblegum bits feel crass and unneeded here, like leftover gross-out scenes from the American Pie series. Interesting, but never as thoughtful as 5DoS at its best.

[Raiders]

Pretty sure Deren is one of my favorite film-makers now.

Meshes and At Land are brilliant films, perhaps the pinnacle of experimental (and silent) filmmaking; however her subsequent films on choreography, movement and performance, despite their craft, have never really captured my interest.

[Qrazy]

It's been a while since I last saw the film, but it was not the death of a man that reminded me of Wavelength but this bit in particular:



To clarify, I wasn't trying to say that they are especially or 100% similar or anything like that but was merely noting that Tarkovsky's description reminded me of Wavelength in a general sort of way. That is, the idea of seeing something in the far distance that is seemingly banal yet oddly mysterious due to its very distance (however, since Aubier's film is only 10 minutes, this affect is surely not as accentuated as it is in Wavelength). And the whole notion of coming ever closer to that far off detail, and the languid camera movement frustrating (or galvanizing) the viewer's growing curiosity. And the attention to the passing of time, as well the notion of learning more information about the ostensibly banal detail (Wavelength, it's the portrait, and in Aubier's film, a dead man) as that time passes.



Again, it's been a while since I've seen it (about 2 years) but I don't remember enjoying it all that much either. However, given its focus on the integrity of time and its patient unfolding (the term is still awfully vague to me, but would this film's use of unfolding time be a successful example of what Tarkovsky calls 'time-pressure'?), I'm inclined to think Tarkovsky might like it. However, I vaguely recall some visual play with filters, fade-ins, and elliptical cuts and Tarkovsky might not appreciate something so arguably showy/empty. My memory of the film is very vague, however.

Also, thanks for the reply and the title. I'll look into it.

I just don't think structuralist cinema in general is probably Tarkovsky's cup of tea, I like some of it though. Wavelength is one that I'm glad I saw but I enjoyed it's ideas more than many elements of it's execution.

I also want to check out the Pascal Aubier film. I just watched Lipstick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDrUhUEjuo) on youtube.

[Qrazy]

This Walter Hill fellow, he's okay in my book.

Despite it's flaws I think Hard Times might be my favorite from him. Give that one a look if you haven't had a chance yet.

[Sven]

Despite it's flaws I think Hard Times might be my favorite from him. Give that one a look if you haven't had a chance yet.

Innnnnnnteresting. It's one of my least favorites, though I like it. I find it a strange choice. Care to comment further?

Oh, and Rowls, re: Another 48 Hours, I really dig it. I'd probably put it about par with the first, though it is rather more of a stretch. Some really weird things with form, I think.

[baby doll]

I really want to see Anything Else now.It's good, but Allen has made much better films in the same period. I prefer Bullets Over Broadway, Match Point, and even Whatever Works.

[Qrazy]

Innnnnnnteresting. It's one of my least favorites, though I like it. I find it a strange choice. Care to comment further?

Oh, and Rowls, re: Another 48 Hours, I really dig it. I'd probably put it about par with the first, though it is rather more of a stretch. Some really weird things with form, I think.

Well in general I prefer the 70s era aesthetic to the late 70's/80's (I'd include The Warriors into the 80s aesthetic category). I've seen...

1. Hard Times
2. Southern Comfort
3. The Driver
4. The Warriors
5. Brewster's Millions

For starters I love James Coburn. The fighting is superb, the exploration of the lifestyle singular and the depiction of the time period compelling. Aside from a couple of cliches the love story is the only particularly sour note in the film but even that relationship is handled in a unique fashion.

[Sven]

Well in general I prefer the 70s era aesthetic to the late 70's/80's (I'd include The Warriors into the 80s aesthetic category). I've seen...

1. Hard Times
2. Southern Comfort
3. The Driver
4. The Warriors
5. Brewster's Millions

For starters I love James Coburn. The fighting is superb, the exploration of the lifestyle singular and the depiction of the time period compelling. Aside from a couple of cliches the love story is the only particularly sour note in the film but even that relationship is handled in a unique fashion.

Very cool. It is certainly a film that needs more love than it gets, so it's cool that you've got that going on. Coburn is one of my five favorite actors of all time, so we share that attraction. I found the movie to be a bit flat, a bit slow... perhaps I was expecting something tighter and more action-oriented, instead of the introverted character piece that it is. I will watch it again, I'm sure.

Speaking of Coburn, have you seen Duck, You Sucker? He's so good in it. It might be my favorite Leone, though TG,tB,atU is in the running.

[Qrazy]

Very cool. It is certainly a film that needs more love than it gets, so it's cool that you've got that going on. Coburn is one of my five favorite actors of all time, so we share that attraction. I found the movie to be a bit flat, a bit slow... perhaps I was expecting something tighter and more action-oriented, instead of the introverted character piece that it is. I will watch it again, I'm sure.

Speaking of Coburn, have you seen Duck, You Sucker? He's so good in it. It might be my favorite Leone, though TG,tB,atU is in the running.

I didn't mind it's pacing but you're right that here and there it is a little flat. But I find this occurs predominantly during the romance and particularly when Coburn is not on screen. Another thing I liked about Hard Times was the overall trajectory of the film or rather the character of the 'villian'.

I appreciated that he was a man of his word.

I have seen Duck, You Sucker? and we share the love for that one too. Jean. Jean. Jean. Although I prefer TGBU and OUATIW I think Dynamite edges out America, although I'd have to rewatch both to know for sure. The other two Dollars films come are my least favorite although I still enjoy them.

Speaking of Coburn I need to finish up Peckinpah's filmography and check out Major Dundee. I wasn't huge on Pat Garret and Billy the Kid but Coburn is indeed great as Pat Garrett. The last thing I saw from him was A High Wind in Jamaica. It's a lesser Mackendrick but as a huge Mackendrick fan it's still a pretty good film. I think I'll look into Hudson Hawk, The Loved One and Ride Lonesome next. They aren't exactly starring roles but they seem like they could be good films.

[Boner M]

Last 1/2 hour of Let Sleeping Corpses Lie made me fall in love with zombie movies all over again. Uneven flick, but damned if it doesn't get progressively more awesome as it goes.

[BuffaloWilder]

Here's an interesting bit of trivia - if any of you have seen Larry Buchanan's Mars Needs Women, and in particular that scene with the stripper, that was my aunt.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s_30zQFJp4g/R0ET5bwoDUI/AAAAAAAABvI/GYJ5ybunUpQ/s320/Mars%2BNeeds%2BWomen%2B03.jpg

We do not have a proud movie history.

[ledfloyd]

i have an unnatural love for anything else. but it wouldn't make my top 20 films of the last 17 years. it's not even my favorite woody allen film of the last 17 years.

[Sycophant]

I believe that on QT's list, Blade should be The Blade.

I like Anything Else well enough (and admire anyone willing to stand up for it), but I do think the majority of Woody's output in the last 16 years has been better than it (though it is one I should revisit sooner or later).

[megladon8]

Last 1/2 hour of Let Sleeping Corpses Lie made me fall in love with zombie movies all over again. Uneven flick, but damned if it doesn't get progressively more awesome as it goes.


Glad you liked it.

It's criminally underseen. I'd put it in my top 5 zombie films of all time.

[megladon8]

Quentin Tarantino's 20 Favorite Films Since 1993 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4K-Rxx2Bk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfil m.com%2F2009%2F08%2F16%2Fmovie-playlist-quentin-tarantinos-top-20-films-to-be-released-since-he-became-a-filmmaker%2F&feature=player_embedded)

Battle Royale
Anything Else
Audition
The Blade
Boogie Nights
Dazed & Confused
Dogville
Fight Club
Friday
The Host
The Insider
Joint Security Area
Lost In Translation
The Matrix
Memories of Murder
Police Story 3
Shaun of the Dead
Speed
Team America
Unbreakable



Good list, but uh, "M. Night Shyamalamadingdong"?

Wow.

[Spinal]

So relieved to know that Tarantino was not raving about the Wesley Snipes Blade movie.

****
Dogville
Lost In Translation
Shaun of the Dead

***1/2
Battle Royale
Boogie Nights
Dazed & Confused
Unbreakable

***
Fight Club
The Matrix
Speed

**1/2
Audition

**
The Host

*
Team America

Haven't seen:
Anything Else
The Blade
Friday
The Insider
Joint Security Area
Memories of Murder
Police Story 3

[Raiders]

Battle Royale [**]
Audition [***]
Blade [***½; assuming Tsui Hark]
Boogie Nights [***]
Dazed & Confused [***½]
Dogville [***]
Fight Club [**]
Friday [**½]
The Host [****]
The Insider [***½]
Lost In Translation [***½]
The Matrix [**½]
Memories of Murder [***]
Shaun of the Dead [***½]
Speed [***]
Team America [*½]
Unbreakable [***]

[Ezee E]

I'm surprised nobody is shocked by Friday making the list. Whaaa?

[D_Davis]

Awesome. He loves Tsui's The Blade. One of the very best films ever made.

[BuffaloWilder]

While I'm not shocked to see The Matrix there, I'm glad it is - although, having watched it again recently, there are really a lot of parts that could have been trimmed. Some terrible dialogue. And, so on.

Oh, and I hate Rage Against the Machine. Seriously.

[megladon8]

I just could not get into The Blade at all.

[Henry Gale]

I'm surprised nobody is shocked by Friday making the list. Whaaa?

I just burst out laughing when he got to that for some reason. I mean, it makes it such a Quentin list. But yeah, completely agree with him on Unbreakable.

[Qrazy]

While I'm not shocked to see The Matrix there, I'm glad it is - although, having watched it again recently, there are really a lot of parts that could have been trimmed. Some terrible dialogue. And, so on.

Oh, and I hate Rage Against the Machine. Seriously.

I think it's quite tightly woven actually, not much that could be trimmed.

[Ezee E]

I like that he calls Dogville one of the best scripts ever, because I completely agree.

[Eleven]

Bong Joon-ho getting two films on QT's list? Good call, man.

[megladon8]

Bong Joon-ho getting two films on QT's list? Good call, man.


Indeed.

They're both modern masterpieces.

[megladon8]

I think I'm prepared to say that The Triplets of Belleville is one of my all-time favorite animated movies.

Love, love, LOVE it.

[Sycophant]

Bong Joon-ho getting two films on QT's list? Good call, man.

Now QT needs to go all mid-nineties on it and help Barking Dogs Never Bite get an American release.

[Pop Trash]

9/10
Boogie Nights
Lost in Translation
The Matrix

8/10
Shaun of the Dead
Battle Royale
Unbreakable
The Insider
Audition

7/10
Dazed & Confused
Fight Club
Speed
Team America

5/10
Friday (but needs a rewatch)

4/10
Dogville

Haven't Seen:
Anything Else
The Blade
Joint Security Area
The Host
Memories of Murder
Police Story 3

[baby doll]

Because I don't have time to bitch...

Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000) / 1/2*
Anything Else (Woody Allen, 2003) / ***
Audition (Takashi Miike, 1999) / 1/2*
Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997) / ***1/2
Dazed and Confused (Richard Linklater, 1993) / ***1/2
Dogville (Lars von Trier, 2003) / ****
Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999) / ***
The Host (Bong Joon-ho, 2006) / ***1/2
The Insider (Michael Mann, 1999) / ***
Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003) / **
The Matrix (Andy and Larry Wachowski, 1999) / ***1/2
Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho, 2003) / ***
Speed (Jan de Bont, 1994) / ****

[baby doll]

They're both modern masterpieces.Let's not go nuts. The Host is definitely the best monster movie I've ever seen, but that doesn't make it a masterpiece. And Memories of Murder is even more heavy-handed than Mystic River. Both good films, but not great ones.

[BuffaloWilder]

I submit that Ishiro Honda's Gojira is the best monster movie I have ever seen.

[baby doll]

I submit that Ishiro Honda's Gojira is the best monster movie I have ever seen.I've never seen it.

[trotchky]

Good list, but uh, "M. Night Shyamalamadingdong"?

Wow.

that was hilarious.

oh, okay:

Battle Royale - terrible
Audition - great
Boogie Nights - masterpiece
Dazed & Confused - masterpiece
Dogville - masterpiece
Fight Club - great
The Insider - bad
Lost In Translation - great
The Matrix - okay
Shaun of the Dead - good
Team America - okay

[megladon8]

Hilarious 'cause Tarantino said it?

[Derek]

The Insider - bad

no

[Dead & Messed Up]

I submit that Ishiro Honda's Gojira is the best monster movie I have ever seen.

I'd give it to Whale's Frankenstein or Scott's Alien.

[BuffaloWilder]

I've never seen it.

I'm legitimately shocked.

[BuffaloWilder]

I'd give it to Whale's Frankenstein or Scott's Alien.

I don't know if either of these could even be considered the same genre, though.

[baby doll]

I'm legitimately shocked.Sarcasm?

[Bosco B Thug]

Battle Royale - need to re-watch, maybe 6.5
Audition - 8.5
Boogie Nights - 7.5
Dogville - 9
Fight Club - 8
The Host - 8
Lost In Translation - 7.5
The Matrix - 5
Shaun of the Dead - 7
Speed - 4.5

I'm seeing high Speed scores. Do I need to watch it not on TV, not in an "Oh this is mildly engaging, let me cook dinner while it's on" state of mind?

[megladon8]

The xenmorph is certainly the greatest monster design of all time.

[Melville]

Anything Else - 3.5
Audition - 8.5
Boogie Nights - 8
Dogville - 8.5
Fight Club - 3
The Host - 7
The Insider - 7
Lost In Translation - 9.5
The Matrix - 4
Memories of Murder - 7.5
Shaun of the Dead - 7
Speed - 2.5
Team America - 3
Unbreakable - 7.5

Haven't seen:
Battle Royale
The Blade
Dazed & Confused
Police Story 3
Joint Security Area
Friday

[Amnesiac]

New Criterions announced:

http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2383/491_box_348x490.jpg
http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2410/Gomorrah_web.jpg
http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2404/downhillracer_web.jpg
http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2401/GATV_web.jpg

There's no cover art for it yet but Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale is also getting a release. I wanted to see that and Gomorrah but I never got a chance, so it's pretty awesome that they're both getting the Criterion treatment.

Gomorrah is the only one getting a Blu-ray release.

[Raiders]

Downhill Racer, huh? I'm a huge fan of Ritchie's 70s output so that'll be a definite rental for me.

[trotchky]

Hilarious 'cause Tarantino said it?

that, and his totally deadpan tone

[right_for_the_moment]

That Z cover is awesome

[Ivan Drago]

Good list, but uh, "M. Night Shyamalamadingdong"?

Wow.

A real movie nerd would say "M. Night Shyamalamainmyramaramadingdong" - make a joke about his name AND make a movie reference at the same time (Animal House).

[Spinal]

Gomorrah might be a good movie, but man, I'm tired of seeing the publicity shots of that guy walking around in his underpants carrying a gun.

[Spinal]

Good list, but uh, "M. Night Shyamalamadingdong"?

Wow.

Possibly the lamest joke since ...

... I gotta go back to Hertz Doughnut.

[transmogrifier]

that was hilarious.

oh, okay:

Battle Royale - terrible - WRONG
Audition - great - RIGHT
Boogie Nights - masterpiece - RIGHT
Dazed & Confused - masterpiece - RIGHT
Dogville - masterpiece - WRONG
Fight Club - great - RIGHT
The Insider - bad - WRONG
Lost In Translation - great - PARTIAL CREDIT
The Matrix - okay - WRONG
Shaun of the Dead - good - RIGHT
Team America - okay - RIGHT

6 and a half out of 11. You must try harder.

[trotchky]

my liszt:

1. there will be blood (paul thomas anderson)
2. punch-drunk love (paul thomas anderson)
3. magnolia (paul thomas anderson)
4. boogie nights (paul thomas anderson)
5. eyes wide shut (stanley kubrick)
6. cache (michael haneke)
7. chungking express (wong kar wai)
8. dogville (lars von trier)
9. synecdoche, new york (charlie kaufman)
10. inland empire (david lynch)
11. mulholland dr. (david lynch)
12. the royal tenenbaums (Weş anderson)
13. dazed and confused (richard linklater)
14. the piano teacher (michael haneke)
15. totally f***ed up (gregg araki)
16. last days (gus van sant)
17. elephant/paranoid park (TIE) (gus van sant)
18. i'm not there (todd haynes)
19. fear and loathing in las vegas (terry gilliam)
20. lost in translation (sofia coppola)


hm: memento (christopher nolan), gomorra (matteo garrone), bad education (pedro almodovar), rachel getting married (jonathan demme), the squid and the whale (noah baumbach), irreversible (gasper noe), crumb (terry zwigoff), mysterious skin (gregg araki), smiley face (gregg araki), se7en (david fincher), fight club (david fincher), eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (michel gondry), audition (takashi miike), in the company of men (neil labute), sick (kirby dick), kill bill (quentin tarantino), the devil's rejects (rob zombie), beau travail (claire denis), the loss of sexual innocence (mike figgis)

[Pop Trash]

my liszt:


Needs more Atom Egoyan, Spielberg, Coens, and Tarantino himself.

[Spinal]

I'm curious why he all of a sudden capitalized Wes.

[Qrazy]

Rate/rank the last three pages:

1. Page 1125 - An unexpected twist! Didn't really follow it up though, still it's not quite over yet, could get better.
2. Page 1123 - Some interesting stuff in here.
3. Page 1124 - Rote.

[Sycophant]

My own favorites of the last twenty years (off the top of my head, with probably glaring omissions!)

The Royal Tenenbaums
Deconstructing Harry
All About Lily Chou-Chou
Whisper of the Heart
No Country for Old Men
The Big Lebowski
Millennium Actress
Hana-bi/Fireworks
After Life
Hot Fuzz
God of Cookery
Mind Game
Citizen Dog
Doppelganger
The Host
Dead or Alive 2: Birds
Funky Forest: the First Contact
Men Suddenly in Black
The Truman Show
Chungking Express

[megladon8]

that, and his totally deadpan tone


No.

[Ivan Drago]

Page 1125 - OMFG TROTCHKY USED THE SHIFT KEY :hole tears in the universe:

My own favorites of the last 20 years:

Magnolia
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Memento
In The Mood For Love
Irreversible
Pulp Fiction
Batman Returns
Donnie Darko
The Thin Red Line
The Dark Knight
Punch-Drunk Love
Do The Right Thing
Superbad
Schindler's List
The Truman Show
There Will Be Blood
Synecdoche, New York
Being John Malkovich
Casino
Mulholland Dr.

[megladon8]

OK, my top 20 since 1992. Like Syco, this is off the top of my head. Certainly some HUGE things missing here, but this is fairly accurate methinks. Doing it alphabetically...


American Psycho
The Big Lebowski
The Dark Knight
Ed Wood
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Fountain
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
Heat
The Iron Giant
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Memories of Murder
Mind Game
Mulholland Dr.
Oldboy
Princess Mononoke
Pulp Fiction
The Royal Tenenbaums
Se7en
Solaris
Unbreakable

[Amnesiac]

my liszt:

1. there will be blood (paul thomas anderson)
2. punch-drunk love (paul thomas anderson)
3. magnolia (paul thomas anderson)
4. boogie nights (paul thomas anderson)
5. eyes wide shut (stanley kubrick)
6. cache (michael haneke)

That's a pretty awesome top six.

While there are a few definite top films for me, like Quentin, I find it hard to place many of my favorites in any hierarchal order.

[Dead & Messed Up]

This is also off the top of my head, but it feels pretty right.

Adaptation
Boogie Nights
Bringing Out the Dead
The Dark Knight
Ed Wood
Fargo
Finding Nemo
The Forty-Year-Old Virgin
The Green Mile
Jackie Brown
Junebug
Minority Report
The Mist
Monsieur Ibrahim
Pulse
Requiem for a Dream
Seven
Shaun of the Dead
Spirited Away
Unbreakable

[StanleyK]

Boogie Nights - ****
Dazed & Confused - ***½
Dogville - ****
Fight Club - ***½
The Insider - *** (Need to rewatch)
Joint Security Area - ***
Lost In Translation - ***½
The Matrix - ***
Shaun of the Dead - ***½
Speed - **
Team America - **½
Unbreakable - ***½

Shouldn't he have Hero or Hostel in there?

[Ivan Drago]

That's a pretty awesome top four.

Fixed.

[Sycophant]

I think he actually left off any release he was even tangentially involved with. Which is pretty classy!

[trotchky]

No.

thanks for your input

[Amnesiac]

I think he actually left off any release he was even tangentially involved with. Which is pretty classy!

He's good friends with Paul Thomas Anderson. His Boogie Nights pick is pure, unadulterated nepotism. Not classy.

This is a joke.

[StanleyK]

I think he actually left off any release he was even tangentially involved with. Which is pretty classy!

I think that's an interesting question: If someone here was a filmmaker, and was listing some favorite movies, would you include one of your own if you really thought it was deserving?

[Amnesiac]

I think that's an interesting question: If someone here was a filmmaker, and was listing some favorite movies, would you include one of your own if you really thought it was deserving?

There's actually a well known example of this happening that is eluding me...

[trotchky]

Kevin Smith included Clerks 2 in his top 10 of 2006. i think it was at number 4.

[Philosophe_rouge]

My top 20 since 1992, more or less;


1. The New World
2. Love Exposure
3. No Country for Old Men
4. Exotica
5. The Limey
6. The Sweet Hereafter
7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
8. Trouble Every Day
9. Chungking Express
10. Zodiac
11. In the Mood for Love
12. Spirited Away
13. Let the Right One In
14. Marie Antoinette
15. Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
16. The Fog of War
17. The Secret Garden
18. Orlando
19. La Ceremonie
20. Black Book

[D_Davis]

I think that's an interesting question: If someone here was a filmmaker, and was listing some favorite movies, would you include one of your own if you really thought it was deserving?

If you genuinely like it, then I don't seen any problem with it. Art should be made for one person first - the artist. If other people like it, then that's even cooler. For instance, I included one of my own albums on my top own top 50 list. Why? Because I love it. It makes me really happy, and I listen to it all the time. I make the kind of music I want to listen to. I hope that filmmakers make the kind of movies they want to watch. It makes sense.

[BuffaloWilder]

My favorites in no real particular order, since around 1990.

Silence of the Lambs
Lorenzo's Oil
Fearless (Peter Weir)
The Truman Show
Babe: Pig In the City
Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas
Dark City
The Big Lebowski
Happy Feet
Children of Men
The Fall
The Dark Knight
There Will Be Blood

There's probably some more I should mention, but I've blanked on them. Hazard of making a list, I s'pose.

[Lucky]

Here's my list based on a quick scan of my DVD catalog:

Almost Famous
2046
Match Point
Chungking Express
Fellowship of the Ring
The Lives of Others
Before Sunset
Mulholland Drive
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Requiem for a Dream
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Boogie Nights
Metropolitan
Interview with the Vampire
Kill Bill
21 Grams
Silence of the Lambs
House of Flying Daggers
Red
LA Confidential

[Sycophant]

I don't think I could ever really rate one of my films.

I like a lot of my films, and I can often see where I've done good stuff, or what works. But when I watch something--be it the feature I shot last year, or one of the shorts I shot when I was 17--I'm really seeing an entire production process, not a film.

Hell, I often feel too close to friends' work to really react to it properly.

[Spinal]

I think that's an interesting question: If someone here was a filmmaker, and was listing some favorite movies, would you include one of your own if you really thought it was deserving?

No. What's the point? If it's great, it's great. Listing it just reeks of insecurity.

[Pop Trash]

OK I'll play too (in alphabetical order from 1990 or so):

Adaptation.
A.I.
All the Real Girls
The Assassination of Jesse James...
Being John Malkovich
Boogie Nights
Donnie Darko
Exotica
Fargo
George Washington
Ghost World
Goodfellas
No Country for Old Men
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Schindler's List
The Silence of the Lambs
The Truman Show
The Sweet Hereafter
You Can Count on Me

[Boner M]

Exotica is Canadian, PT, gonna have to swap it with something else.

[Melville]

1. Mulholland Dr., Lynch (2001)
2. The Son, Dardennes (2002)
3. Magnolia, PT Anderson (1999)
4. Lost Highway, Lynch (1997)
5. In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-Wai (2000)
6. Unforgiven, Eastwood (1992)
7. Schindler's List, Spielberg (1993)
8. The Aviator, Scorsese (2004)
9. Punch-Drunk Love, PT Anderson (2002)
10. Rushmore, Wes Anderson (1998)
11. There Will Be Blood (PT Anderson, 2007)
12. Fargo, Coens (1996)
13. Requiem for a Dream, Aronofsky (2000)
14. The Big Lebowski, Coens (1998)
15. Buffalo '66, Gallo (1998)
16. Boys Don't Cry, Peirce (1999)
17. The New World (Malick, 2005)
18. The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson (2001)
19. Crumb, Zwigoff (1994)
20. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gondry (2004)

[Pop Trash]

Exotica is Canadian, PT, gonna have to swap it with something else.

Your face is Canadian.

[Boner M]

Your face is Canadian.
Halifax-born, in fact.

[Qrazy]

Halifax-born, in fact.

Despicable.

[origami_mustache]

Gomorrah isn't Criterion worthy...but neither are a lot of the newer releases lately.

[Qrazy]

Gomorrah isn't Criterion worthy...but neither are a lot of the newer releases lately.

Haven't seen it but something tells me it's more worthy than Michael Bay.

[origami_mustache]

Haven't seen it but something tells me it's more worthy than Michael Bay.

...and Benjamin Button, and at least just as worthy as Che.

[trotchky]

it's the best movie about organized crime since, uh, goodfellas

[origami_mustache]

it's the best movie about organized crime since, uh, goodfellas

Eh, that's not really saying much.
I'm not saying I didn't like it, I'm just saying Criterion has lowered the bar.

[megladon8]

I still want Criterion to get a hold of Shindo's The Black Cat.

[Mysterious Dude]

Not all Criterion movies are good. Although they are ostensibly "dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world," they're really just a DVD distribution company. Any film is worthy of distribution.

That said, Gomorra is better than any other 2008 film I have seen, so I think it is especially worthy.

[origami_mustache]

Not all Criterion movies are good. Although they are ostensibly "dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world," they're really just a DVD distribution company. Any film is worthy of distribution.



Ooooh, so that's what they are. I'm glad you cleared that up for me. Thanks. Sorry to hear you missed all the good movies from last year.

:lol:

[Mysterious Dude]

Ooooh, so that's what they are. I'm glad you cleared that up for me. Thanks. Sorry to hear you missed all the good movies from last year.

:lol:
Your sarcasm is duly noted.

[Boner M]

Between The Servant, Accident and now The Criminal, I'm starting to wonder why Joseph Losey is so little-discussed here and elsewhere. Anyone got any other recommendations/favorites?

[ledfloyd]

i'll play the tarantino game:

Adaptation
Amelie
The Big Lebowski
A Christmas Tale
Chungking Express
Dazed and Confused
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
Eyes Wide Shut
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Jackie Brown
Lost in Translation
Mulholland Dr.
Naked
Short Cuts
Spirited Away
Talk to Her
Three Colors
Wall-E
Wonder Boys
Zodiac

[Grouchy]

Battle Royale - 10
Anything Else - 3
Audition - 9
Boogie Nights - 9
Dogville - 8
Fight Club - 10
The Host - 6
The Insider - 10
Joint Security Area - 8
Lost in Translation - 1
The Matrix - 7
Shaun of the Dead - 9
Team America - 6
Unbreakable - 9

Interesting list.

[Amnesiac]

Lost in Translation - 1


Say what.

[B-side]

I'm getting my first Lubitsch, The Shop Around the Corner, tonight.

[Grouchy]

Say what.
Exactly what I mean. Hate the stupid movie.

[Bosco B Thug]

I think that's an interesting question: If someone here was a filmmaker, and was listing some favorite movies, would you include one of your own if you really thought it was deserving? It's an interesting question, but nah, wouldn't happen. It wouldn't make sense to list a film you made as one of your favorites. You regard it differently, and know what went into it, and what you failed to put into it. What makes one have favorite movies is the admiration or awe of another's talent as it is untouchable by your own, so putting in your own movie would just show how little appreciation you have for the many different ways different minds can make films brilliant.

Aww, You Can Count On Me was really great. It does a surprising amount cinematically, and the screenplay gets more and more intricate as it goes along. I didn't think it would pull it off, but the personal drama evolves to be very nicely entwined with grander commentary about what people will do to satisfy their sense of control and/or worldview, and we see horizons widen for both the brother and sister. Linney got the Oscar nom (and she's very good), but Mark Ruffalo I found the most impressive and most convincing. He's really fantastic here.

[Rowland]

Between Happy-Go-Lucky and now Vera Drake, I can't say Mike Leigh is doing all that much for me. Both strike me as very intriguing films, particularly because Leigh's attitude towards his female protagonists and their environments is more ambiguous than many critics seem to give him credit for, but there are many sloppy, crudely drawn elements in both that weaken their credibility as character studies and political treatises, and neither has managed to elicit any real reaction beyond said curiosity over what Leigh is really getting at with the both of them, since neither is cut-and-dry. I'll still seek out some of his earlier work, in time.

[B-side]

Between Happy-Go-Lucky and now Vera Drake, I can't say Mike Leigh is doing all that much for me. Both strike me as very intriguing films, particularly because Leigh's attitude towards his female protagonists and their environments is more ambiguous than many critics seem to give him credit for, but there are many sloppy, crudely drawn elements in both that weaken their credibility as character studies and political treatises, and neither has managed to elicit any real reaction beyond said curiosity over what Leigh is really getting at with the both of them, since neither is cut-and-dry. I'll still seek out some of his earlier work, in time.

I haven't seen Vera Drake, but I'm to this day unsure what to think of Happy-Go-Lucky. I like a little optimism in my films, but something about Happy-Go-Lucky strikes me as reductive. By the end, I didn't really know if what I had experienced even meant anything, really. It's hard to describe. I loved Hawkins in it, but where was the nuance in the story? She sees people being miserable and bad stuff happening, but she's still happy at the end. Not saying there would've been anything to gain by having her become bitter by the end, but I don't know. Where's the meat? Bleh.

Anywho, as for Leigh, I'm sure I wouldn't be alone in suggesting you seek out Naked and Secrets & Lies promptly.

[soitgoes...]

it's the best movie about organized crime since, uh, goodfellas
Not even close. Johnny To all by himself has made at least 3 organized crime films that are better than Gomorra.

[Qrazy]

Between The Servant, Accident and now The Criminal, I'm starting to wonder why Joseph Losey is so little-discussed here and elsewhere. Anyone got any other recommendations/favorites?

These are the Damned.

[Qrazy]

Not even close. Johnny To all by himself has made at least 3 organized crime films that are better than Gomorra.

Nice to see you saw a Suzuki film you enjoyed a bit more. I have that one and will watch eventually. I think you'll like Gate of Flesh.

[soitgoes...]

Nice to see you saw a Suzuki film you enjoyed a bit more. I have that one and will watch eventually. I think you'll like Gate of Flesh.
I liked Youth of the Beast quite a bit too. I'm much more enthused about his films than before.

Also, watch your film Mr. No-Patience.

[B-side]

The Man Who Planted Trees is beautiful stuff. So inspirational, too. It had that feeling of nostalgia for me despite never having seen it, which of course only added to its appeal.

[Qrazy]

I liked Youth of the Beast quite a bit too. I'm much more enthused about his films than before.

Also, watch your film Mr. No-Patience.

I watched 15 minutes... now I'm watching Hudson Hawk. Haha sorry just needed something lighter tonight. I'll watch it tomorrow.

[Qrazy]

The Man Who Planted Trees is beautiful stuff. So inspirational, too. It had that feeling of nostalgia for me despite never having seen it, which of course only added to its appeal.

You used to plant a lot of trees?

[B-side]

You used to plant a lot of trees?

In the Serbian mountain ranges, yes.

[Boner M]

So I just watched Weerasethakul's PPhantoms of Nabua (http://www.animateprojects.org/films/by_date/2009/phantoms); I'd been putting off it for a while since there's just too many unwatched online shorts vying for my attention, and the only other of Joe's installation pieces I've seen haven't struck me as much more than neat conceptual doodles. But man, this new one's totally captivated me; only slightly 'busier' than Prosperity for 2008 (http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/01/prosperity-for-2008-by-apichatpong.html), but just so brimming with possibility and wonder in its simple light and shadow play... it's been a while since I've watched one of his features and he'd kinda slipped off my radar since then, but this beautiful little missive has reminded me he's one of the most exciting things going in cinema today.

[B-side]

I'll take my rep for whoring that one out now, Boner.:D

[Boner M]

I'll take my rep for whoring that one out now, Boner.:D
It was actually Sicinski who brought it to my attention first, but I'll rep you for being a lil' sweetie anyway.

[Skitch]

I think I'm prepared to say that The Triplets of Belleville is one of my all-time favorite animated movies.

Love, love, LOVE it.

Definately!

[Eleven]

There's actually a well known example of this happening that is eluding me...

Cecil B. De Mille's 1952 top ten for Cahiers included four of his own movies. Humble is definitely the word.

[Benny Profane]

Red Road - it's nice to see the kid from Sweet Sixteen in other roles. As for the rest of the movie, it was pretty good, though from the description I was expecting more intensity.

[Mysterious Dude]

Fellini and Buñuel each included one of their own movies among their favorites, according to this site (http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/faves.shtml). And Mario Puzo's favorite film is The Godfather.

[B-side]

It was actually Sicinski who brought it to my attention first, but I'll rep you for being a lil' sweetie anyway.

:lol:

[Ivan Drago]

I think my movie buff license should be revoked. I've been revisiting stupid comedies recently. First it was Kung Pow: Enter The Fist, then I've been watching Don Hertzfeldt shorts from The Animation Show, and last night I stayed up late watching Dude, Where's My Car? on Cinemax. My brain is slowly turning into mashed potatoes.

[Boner M]

I think my movie buff license should be revoked. I've been revisiting stupid comedies recently. First it was Kung Pow: Enter The Fist, then I've been watching Don Hertzfeldt shorts from The Animation Show, and last night I stayed up late watching Dude, Where's My Car? on Cinemax. My brain is slowly turning into mashed potatoes.
Nah, they're both good.

[Mara]

Dude, Where's My Car?

I have a grudging respect for this film for being so completely insane.

[Derek]

Between The Servant, Accident and now The Criminal, I'm starting to wonder why Joseph Losey is so little-discussed here and elsewhere. Anyone got any other recommendations/favorites?

Secret Ceremony is wonderfully bizarre and Mr. Klein stars Delon and Moreau which should sell itself. His remake of M is also supposed to be interesting, but I haven't gotten around to that one yet.

[Mara]

I have a grudging respect for this film for being so completely insane.

Then again, Monkeybone was completely insane and I HATED IT.

Trying to think of more insanely-plotted films now. (And I don't mean unusual, I mean insane.)

[Ivan Drago]

I have a grudging respect for this film for being so completely insane.

If only your avatar was of an ostrich. Or a llama.

[Mara]

If only your avatar was of an ostrich. Or a llama.

That doesn't make any sense. I'm a giraffe.

[Spinal]

Fellini and Buñuel each included one of their own movies among their favorites, according to this site (http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/faves.shtml). And Mario Puzo's favorite film is The Godfather.

Werner Herzog's favorite film is Cane Toads? That's hilarious.

[D_Davis]

I'm always surprised by how much David Bordwell likes Tsui Hark's The Chinese Feast. I don't think I'd even rank it top 10 Tsui, but Bordwell has it in his top 10 of all time.

[transmogrifier]

Then again, Monkeybone was completely insane and I HATED IT.

Trying to think of more insanely-plotted films now. (And I don't mean unusual, I mean insane.)

Monkeybone is awesome.

[Raiders]

His remake of M is also supposed to be interesting, but I haven't gotten around to that one yet.

It's awesome. Probably even better than the original. The Go-Between is worth a look, but Modesty Blaise sadly lives up to its reputation and should be avoided.

[Qrazy]

48 Hrs - Terrible villain. Uninteresting aesthetic. Poorly acted. Awful script. The Nolte/Murphy dynamic barely saves it.

Lethal Weapon 3 - A disposable but fun time.

JCVD - Fairly solid with something relatively interesting meta-commentary about action films. It never quite rises to greatness. Has anyone seen Virgil?

[megladon8]

Qrazy, were you not taken aback by Jean Claude Van Damme's performance?

Particularly his 6 minute speech?

I definitely shed a few tears for him.

[Grouchy]

Why is that?
The annoying characters, the lazy characterizations of those relaying too much on clumsy "fish out of the water" comedy. The terrible script. The pacing. It's a movie I find terribly uninteresting for some reason, like something made out of snobbish pride instead of commitment.

Even then it's better than Marie Antoinette.

[Pop Trash]

Fellini and Buñuel each included one of their own movies among their favorites, according to this site (http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/faves.shtml). And Mario Puzo's favorite film is The Godfather.

Well Joe Bob Brigg's list gets the award for MOST AWESOME.

[Pop Trash]

The annoying characters, the lazy characterizations of those relaying too much on clumsy "fish out of the water" comedy. The terrible script. The pacing. It's a movie I find terribly uninteresting for some reason, like something made out of snobbish pride instead of commitment.

Even then it's better than Marie Antoinette.

Well, at least you are original. But seriously: booooo!

[MadMan]

Well Joe Bob Brigg's list gets the award for MOST AWESOME.I liked it when he hosted B-movies late at night on TNT back in the day. Sadly that ended.

[Sycophant]

Repo! The Genetic Opera with live stage performance and creator, writer, and actor, Terrance Zdunich, in person!

We'll be holding two special midnight screenings of this modern cult classic at the Tower Theatre on August 28th and 29th at Midnight.
Special discussion with Terrance Zdunich starts at 11:00. Pre-Show starts at 11:30. Tickets on sale now at the Tower!

Not usually my sort of thing, but if I can get friends to go, I think I'll do it.

[Spinal]

I liked it when he hosted B-movies late at night on TNT back in the day. Sadly that ended.

Yeah, Joe Bob is highly entertaining.