28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Mysterious Dude]

How does this compare to Orpheus? I liked that one well enough, but it was a pretty big letdown in comparison to The Blood of a Poet.
It's very meta. Jean Cocteau plays himself. He mentions Orpheus a lot (referring to it as "my film Orpheus"), and Edouard Dermithe, the actor from Orpheus, reprises his role, sort of. It's kind of like Cocteau's own 8½. Pretty self-indulgent. It's more overtly surreal than Orpheus (which, if I remember correctly, is more fantasy than surrealism), but it's been a while since I saw that one. The two films are intrinsically linked, though; they should probably be seen close together. Some great cameos, too.

[B-side]

It's very meta. Jean Cocteau plays himself. He mentions Orpheus a lot (referring to it as "my film Orpheus"), and Edouard Dermithe, the actor from Orpheus, reprises his role, sort of. It's kind of like Cocteau's 8½. Pretty self-indulgent. It's more overtly surreal than Orpheus (which, if I remember correctly, is more fantasy than surrealism), but it's been a while since I saw that one. The two films are intrinsically linked, though; they should probably be seen close together. Some great cameos, too.

Oooh. I like the sound of this a lot. I'll have to fast track my viewing of it. Yeah, Orpheus was more fantasy than surrealism, which was a bit jarring considering how overtly surreal Blood of a Poet was.

[B-side]

Le plaisir was good, but a bit strange formally. For a film so focused on its characters, it's rather... Brechtian. The narrator acknowledges the film as story, there's some self-referential dialogue and the elaborate sets are made light of several times. There's a focus on the decor and the sets that distracts from the human drama. I'm still unsure what to make of it thematically, though the relationships between men and women is the broad over-arching theme.

[Skitch]

I kind of surprised at the amount "benefit of the doubt" Match Cutters seem to be giving Polanski. Would you guys be this forgiving of someone accused of such who wasn't a good director?

[balmakboor]

I kind of surprised at the amount "benefit of the doubt" Match Cutters seem to be giving Polanski. Would you guys be this forgiving of someone accused of such who wasn't a good director?

If he wasn't Roman Polanski, we'd be spray painting "pervert" across the front of his house and sending him death threats. Since he is, this just adds another layer to his mystique.

[balmakboor]

I think you may be seeing apparitions of meaning, balmakboor.

Well, maybe I've added 2+2 and come up with 5 or something, but there's no denying that the evidence I've used to support my ideas exists. For instance, there are two key moments as I described where the lighting is exaggeratedly used for effect. The film does shout in our ears that Cruise's character is a union man. The class differences between the bulk of the characters and the privileged ones who avoid the attacks are underlined, two or three times. The son seems unusually compelled to join the military. He is alive at the end.

Unless Spielberg is a total hack, he made these choices for some reason. 2+2 equaled 4 in his mind as he made the movie. Part of reading a film is to figure out what 4 is. When people say that Spielberg makes this great movie most of the way and then does somersaults to undo everything and make everything come out perfect and happy in the end, they are really just saying "SPIELBERG IS A HACK!"

[Boner M]

For a film so focused on its characters, it's rather... Brechtian.
???

[balmakboor]

I know!

I really don't see any of those social themes on War of the Worlds. It occurs to me that maybe they are something that the writer (David Koepp, right?) wanted to introduce on the film, but Spielberg wasn't really interested on it, or he would have explored it better.

I'm curious as to what Spielberg should have done to "explore it better." What would Spielberg have had to do to justify that the ending means the sons/grandsons of the rich and privileged are above harm? (Assuming of course that that was what Spielberg even intended.)

By the way, the ending narration also can easily be read to have two meanings. That all it took to take down the menacing aliens is a bunch of tiny virus cells working together. -or- That all it takes to triumph over the oppressors is for a bunch of tiny men to work together, to unionize.

And how about the Tim Robbins scenes? That's the belly of the whale of the story with Cruise's character having to defeat the temptation to go it alone -- Robbins' character is an isolationist who must be killed. Also ironic casting since the very liberal Robbins is a very strong proponent of unions and socialist thought.

[lovejuice]

These two endings -- along with the very sad "happy" ending for A.I. -- suggest to me that Spielberg is very interested in complex and ambiguous endings, but may not be quite yet a master of properly setting them up and executing them.
this is probably the only paragraph i can agree on. in fact, if there is any truth in your analysis of WotW, this same shortcoming should also be applied to the whole movie. Spielberg might be interested in transcending his movie into something else, but it doesn't quite take wings.

A good comparison is Children of Men. even though i don't like the movie as much as many people, i can see there is something there. quite obvious this is not a simple tale of a guy trying to bring a pregnant woman to a place. (although what it's exactly is, i don't like the movie enough to dig deeper.)

[balmakboor]

A good comparison is Children of Men. even though i don't like the movie as much as many people, i can see there is something there. quite obvious this is not a simple tale of a guy trying to bring a pregnant woman to a place. (although what it's exactly is, i don't like the movie enough to dig deeper.)

So, are you saying both WotW and CoM have subtextual ambitions, but fail to pull them off?

Another thing that both movies have in common is a truly bravura car scene. The scene in WotW where the camera does two 360s around the car as it weaves past stalled vehicles is pretty sweet.

[balmakboor]

this is probably the only paragraph i can agree on. in fact, if there is any truth in your analysis of WotW, this same shortcoming should also be applied to the whole movie.

What exactly about my other paragraphs do you specifically disagree with? Certainly not the facts because they are clearly on screen. Are you saying that these creative decisions add up to something else? Or are you saying that Spielberg lacks to skill to make them add up to anything at all?

[lovejuice]

So, are you saying both WotW and CoM have subtextual ambitions, but fail to pull them off?
actually i believe CoM, unlike WotW, has subtextual ambition and pull that off.


Or are you saying that Spielberg lacks to skill to make them add up to anything at all?
this is probably along the line of what i think. it's not enough just to put a subtext in your work without making it look like you do. otherwise, we can dig pearl harbor all we want, but the exercise won't be fruitful.

take the appearance of the deer in CoM. what's the point of that? at first we are not sure, but it's ambiguous enough to invite us to dig deeper. how's about robbin's character in WotW? sure, he's so weird there must be some meaning. (similarly, the old botanical lady in Minority Report.) but instead of the movie inviting us to find meaning, it repels us with the execution.

[Qrazy]

I'll grant that Spielberg has a better editor, but in terms of cinematography and visual effects, I think War of the Worlds and Pearl Harbor are about equal (i.e. very good).

This is not the case.

[balmakboor]

Damn! And I so wanted to see A Christmas Tale. Then I read this:

PLEASE AVOID THIS B-O-R-I-N-G and exhausting film like the plague. Believe me, when I tell you, that I, too, was thrilled by the critics' fabulous reviews and so was looking forward to something exceptional and fascinating. Instead, I thought I would die if it didn't end. That said, I am going to reveal the secret of the film to you, and there is no need for a "Spoiler Alert!" here, because - TA-DA - THERE IS NO SECRET. That's right. No secret is forthcoming. Nothing is revealed, except the bland dialogue, dull, confused performances, sour faces, tedious haranguing about nothing, bad sets and dowdy clothes. And I need to write something here for the first and last time: CATHERINE DENEUVE IS A TERRIBLE ACTRESS, PARTICULARLY SINCE SHE HAS HAD HORRIBLE PLASTIC SURGERY AND CAN NO LONGER SMILE. At least, when she was younger, she had a pleasant expression, long legs and pretty blonde hair, so her wooden performances could be overlooked. NO-MORE! The woman is grim and sour-appearing and I believe it is time for her to LEAVE THE STAGE! Also: her daughter needs to have that mole removed. Note to Chiara: It is NOT a BEAUTY MARK! You may think me a curmugeon; a nasty nay-sayer who wants to spoil your fun. OK. Go ahead. Slip this piece of you-know-what-I-think-of-it into your DVD player, break out the popcorn or tofu cakes or whatever you love to nibble on, and sit back in your Barco-Lounger or leather Ligne Rosse sofa and die a little every minute that is wasted of your life. I have warned you; have told you that by the end of this silly stew you will be hitting yourself over the head with a frying pan... oh, never mind. I can tell you insist on experiencing it for yourself. But when you are finished, give me credit for having warned you that the "secret" at the heart of the film is never divulged, that someone needs to go back to film school, that it may cause you to shun French cinema for decades, and that this DVD should be labeled "environmentally unsound."

;)

[balmakboor]

I've never seen Pearl Harbor. I feel so left out.

[Qrazy]

I'm curious as to what Spielberg should have done to "explore it better." What would Spielberg have had to do to justify that the ending means the sons/grandsons of the rich and privileged are above harm? (Assuming of course that that was what Spielberg even intended.)

By the way, the ending narration also can easily be read to have two meanings. That all it took to take down the menacing aliens is a bunch of tiny virus cells working together. -or- That all it takes to triumph over the oppressors is for a bunch of tiny men to work together, to unionize.

And how about the Tim Robbins scenes? That's the belly of the whale of the story with Cruise's character having to defeat the temptation to go it alone -- Robbins' character is an isolationist who must be killed. Also ironic casting since the very liberal Robbins is a very strong proponent of unions and socialist thought.

Your points about him being a union man or the other family's resources are valuable. These things have an effect on Cruise's family dynamics. It's only when you're tying these to the war commentary that things don't make much sense.

It's this tug of war comparison between his poor side of the family and his rich side which seems off. Even rich kids who aren't kept out of war run the same risks as the poor who go to war. Once you're there, you're at risk. It is the resources of the wealthy which keeps their kids out of war in the first place. Cruise's son goes to war. Now let's say that a rich kid does go to war and someone pulls some strings so that they aren't on the front lines or get a desk job, again resources at work. Here however Cruise's son is directly on the front lines and there are no resources at work. His mother's family doesn't even know where he is. If your analysis were Spielberg's intention it's social critique would be absurd. By fate alone the rich survive? I think the film is much more about the son's need for independence and the importance for a parent to let go and hope for the best (at the end Spielberg assures the parents in the audience that it will all work out). It's supposed to be a film about the son 'growing up' and accepting his father, but this arc is a bit poorly handled. However, I do like the film and agree with you about the excellence of a number of shots and pacing throughout.

[balmakboor]

Your points about him being a union man or the other family's resources are valuable. These things have an effect on Cruise's family dynamics. It's only when you're tying these to the war commentary that things don't make much sense.

It's this tug of war comparison between his poor side of the family and his rich side which seems off. Even rich kids who aren't kept out of war run the same risks as the poor who go to war. Once you're there, you're at risk. It is the resources of the wealthy which keeps their kids out of war in the first place. Cruise's son goes to war. Now let's say that a rich kid does go to war and someone pulls some strings so that they aren't on the front lines or get a desk job, again resources at work. Here however Cruise's son is directly on the front lines and there are no resources at work. His mother's family doesn't even know where he is. If your analysis were Spielberg's intention it's social critique would be absurd. By fate alone the rich survive? I think the film is much more about the son's need for independence and the importance for a parent to let go and hope for the best (at the end Spielberg assures the parents in the audience that it will all work out). It's supposed to be a film about the son 'growing up' and accepting his father, but this arc is a bit poorly handled. However, I do like the film and agree with you about the excellence of a number of shots and pacing throughout.

Yeah, my analytical skills are kind of half there, half not. I wish they were stronger. My writing skills are pretty decent. These are the reasons I've chosen over the past couple years to pursue being more of an Ebert/Kael/Canby sort of reviewer rather than a more serious critic.

The tying of it to the war elements part of my analysis always seemed like the stretch to me, the tough sell. It was all sparked by Michael Moore's comments about how the majority of people doing our fighting come from the poorest families. (Something which may not even be true.) And that rich kids are kept out of the line of fire. (Which may also not be true.)

[Qrazy]

Yeah, my analytical skills are kind of half there, half not. I wish they were stronger. My writing skills are pretty decent. These are the reasons I've chosen over the past couple years to pursue being more of an Ebert/Kael/Canby sort of reviewer rather than a more serious critic.

The tying of it to the war elements part of my analysis always seemed like the stretch to me, the tough sell. It was all sparked by Michael Moore's comments about how the majority of people doing our fighting come from the poorest families. (Something which may not even be true.) And that rich kids are kept out of the line of fire. (Which may also not be true.)

Still, I do think that it's worth voicing somewhat unstable interpretations, because even if I don't agree with the final analysis it did remind me of, and got me thinking about, all of the textual instances of family background and character dynamics that you brought up. So thanks for sparking the discussion.

[ledfloyd]

why am i watching transformers 2? and why am i kind of enjoying it?

[Skitch]

why am i watching transformers 2? and why am i kind of enjoying it?

Because its kind of awesome!

[ledfloyd]

Because its kind of awesome!
whenever there's action the overbearing score, quick cutting, loud noises and overabundance of explosions becomes tiring. but otherwise it's entertaining, and bay's rampant militarism, sexism, racism and the extreme nature of his white male fantasy world is kind of bewilderingly amazing. it's so over over the top it becomes kind of awe inspiring, in a completely unintentional way.

[balmakboor]

why am i watching transformers 2? and why am i kind of enjoying it?

Is that on DVD already?

[ledfloyd]

Is that on DVD already?
not sure, it's available via other avenues though.

[Mysterious Dude]

This is not the case.
I disagree. I think the cinematography and visual effects are top notch in both films.

[Qrazy]

I disagree. I think the cinematography and visual effects are top notch in both films.

Visual effects, maybe. But cinematography is as much about meaning, flow and scene construction as it is about pretty lighting and composition. Bay certainly isn't on Spielberg's level in relation to the first three points and I can't even agree that Bay is on the same level as Spielberg when it comes to the latter two points.

There's nothing particularly good about Bay's compositions concerning pretty much any scene involving people. He can frame a decent landscape or wide shot but even then the image doesn't breathe, it feels like plastic.

Pearl Harbor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYHYPv9MdzI

War of the Worlds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9n5g8anVg&feature=related

Kaminski is an infinitely better DP than Schwartzman and achieved much better results in War of the Worlds than Schwartzman achieved in Pearl Harbor.

[Mysterious Dude]

As I was watching that War of the Worlds segment, I was thinking, "Maybe Qrazy is right; this cinematography is really good." Then I switched over the Pearl Harbor, and I find that I think the cinematography is really good in that film, too, though different. I particularly like the scene at 8:11. I really think the main problem is the editing.

[Qrazy]

As I was watching that War of the Worlds segment, I was thinking, "Maybe Qrazy is right; this cinematography is really good." Then I switched over the Pearl Harbor, and I find that I think the cinematography is really good in that film, too, though different. I particularly like the scene at 8:11. I really think the main problem is the editing.

I don't really like that scene very much (the composition at 8:30 is fairly bland (ditto the compositions during the scene at 6:00) and in general I find golden hue visuals too easy) but I'll give you this much, I think that in terms of cinematography Bay is a cut above most of the studio work horses out there. If Bay has one strength as a filmmaker it's in his visuals. But I still don't think he even comes close to Spielberg (and their respective DPs).

[Rowland]

Another thing that both movies have in common is a truly bravura car scene. The scene in WotW where the camera does two 360s around the car as it weaves past stalled vehicles is pretty sweet.I'm all for showy camerawork, but this shot just struck me as sorta stupid, even when I first saw it in the theater, where I found it ostentatiously artificial, which only really undermined the very sense of pandemonium Spielberg intended for it to express.

[Sycophant]

There aren't many movies I like more than Happiness of the Katakuris.

[Qrazy]

I'm all for showy camerawork, but this shot just struck me as sorta stupid, even when I first saw it in the theater, where I found it ostentatiously artificial, which only really undermined the very sense of pandemonium Spielberg intended it express.

I think it expresses pandemonium fairly well, why did you feel otherwise? However I would agree that it's artificiality does detract from the 'personal/singular family' experience I think Spielberg is trying to create (as a reaction to the disaster films which focus on politicians, military men, etc). Then again the fact that the camera is circling these characters does effectively communicate that this is their story while also communicating everything happening around them. And yet tonally I do agree that there's a bit too much formal flourish going on there.

I'm also not sure why you say your for showy camerawork when you then immediately state that you're bothered by the artificiality of this camerawork. Showy camerawork by in large draws attention to it's artificiality.

[Dead & Messed Up]

A much better sequence from WotW is the series of tracking shots that follow Ferrier as he narrowly escapes the first round of laser-dusting (or whatever you call it). It calls much less attention to itself while staying remarkably tense.

[megladon8]

I especially love the shot in WotW where we see the plane that crashed and destroyed absolutely everything around the house, but left their van completely untouched.

Great, subtle plot device there.

[Skitch]

There aren't many movies I like more than Happiness of the Katakuris.

Son of a bitchin' motherfucking Netflix and their long waits! I've been trying to see this for months!

[Skitch]

whenever there's action the overbearing score, quick cutting, loud noises and overabundance of explosions becomes tiring. but otherwise it's entertaining, and bay's rampant militarism, sexism, racism and the extreme nature of his white male fantasy world is kind of bewilderingly amazing. it's so over over the top it becomes kind of awe inspiring, in a completely unintentional way.

Indeed! But I still found it completely enjoyable...all four times I saw it. Granted, I grew up on Transformers...they were my life. I'm fully aware how big my blinders are when it comes to Bay's TF1 and 2, but I can't help myself. :)

[Rowland]

I think it expresses pandemonium fairly well, why did you feel otherwise? The rising tension was broken for me when it became so clear that what I was watching was a pseudo-long take comprised of fancy editing and computer effects, my concern less about the characters than wondering which window the camera would fly out of next. The technique may have been effective in another context, but as you said, it doesn't feel tonally appropriate in this case.

I'm also not sure why you say your for showy camerawork when you then immediately state that you're bothered by the artificiality of this camerawork. Showy camerawork by in large draws attention to it's artificiality.It certainly does, but I feel it can enhance the gravitas/tension/exuberance/whatever of any given scenario when skillfully applied, or even set the tone for an entire film when applied consistently. So, in this instance, the single-take camera swirling felt graceless, especially after the stunning impact and resonance of the preceding attack.

[number8]

These people suggesting that we should boycott movies by Polanski and other filmmakers who support him are really clueless about how many people that is, are they? Might as well tell people to give up on movies.

But really. Fuck you, don't tell me I can't watch Chinatown.

EDIT: Preemptive HAHAHALESSPEOPLEWATCHINGNINTHG ATE for Spinal.

[Spinal]

These people suggesting that we should boycott movies by Polanski and other filmmakers who support him are really clueless about how many people that is, are they? Might as well tell people to give up on movies.

But really. Fuck you, don't tell me I can't watch Chinatown.

EDIT: Preemptive HAHAHALESSPEOPLEWATCHINGNINTHG ATE for Spinal.

I agree that that's pretty stupid. Out of curiosity, who's suggesting a boycott? Bloggers? Fox News anchors? Surviving Manson Family members?

[balmakboor]

These people suggesting that we should boycott movies by Polanski and other filmmakers who support him are really clueless about how many people that is, are they? Might as well tell people to give up on movies.

But really. Fuck you, don't tell me I can't watch Chinatown.

EDIT: Preemptive HAHAHALESSPEOPLEWATCHINGNINTHG ATE for Spinal.

I wonder what percentage of these people had even heard of Polanski this time last week. I'll guess 10%. I'm probably too high though.

I grew up in Southern California and remember the whole thing when it happened. I think I've had plenty of time to process it.

Boycott the guy's films? Fuck that. The whole thing has made me want to pull my copies of Rosemary's Baby and The Tenent off the shelf and give them another spin.

[balmakboor]

I agree that that's pretty stupid. Out of curiosity, who's suggesting a boycott? Bloggers? Fox News anchors? Surviving Manson Family members?

I'm kind of curious about that myself.

[megladon8]

Wouldn't it be a little late to boycott Polanski anyways?

He's already made a fortune and established himself as one of the most popular and influential filmmakers of the latter half of the 20th century. Deciding to stop watching his movies now isn't going to do much.

[number8]

I agree that that's pretty stupid. Out of curiosity, who's suggesting a boycott? Bloggers? Fox News anchors? Surviving Manson Family members?

Commenters on the various news stories.

[balmakboor]

If you act quick, Clean Flicks still offers Polanski's Oliver Twist. Beware though. It has seven instances of the D-word and the following imitative phrases:

"Give it a rest," "(You little) Wretch," "You hardened scoundrel," "Damn me," "Queer name" (meaning strange, not gay), "I'll eat my own head," "You avaricious old skeleton," "Shut it" and "Damn you (all)"

It also has scenes of kids smoking a pipe and, possibly, drinking wine.

[Spinal]

I would be so proud if my kid started calling people avaricious old skeletons.

[balmakboor]

I was reading the Clean Flicks content warnings for E.T. and came across this:

"As a woman bends over in the kitchen, one of Michael's friends licks a finger and points it out toward her clothed rear end, but nothing else happens..."

Now, am I alone on this or has that scene never seemed remotely as dirty as the site author makes it sound here? I bet he got a hard-on while writing that.

[balmakboor]

I would be so proud if my kid started calling people avaricious old skeletons.

:lol:

[B-side]

???

Like what I was talking about. It seems to be struggling between grabbing you and distancing you via making light of the sets and being so self-referential.

[Ezee E]

Watching The Last House on the Left really makes me appreciate The Virgin Spring all the more.

[MadMan]

Watching The Last House on the Left really makes me appreciate The Virgin Spring all the more.I haven't seen the remake, but I actually think the original is a good movie. Eventually I'll get around to watching The Virgin Spring.

[Ezee E]

I haven't seen the remake, but I actually think the original is a good movie. Eventually I'll get around to watching The Virgin Spring.
Don't bother with it. Although the final shot is pretty laugh out loud worthy.

[Ivan Drago]

Don't bother with it. Although the final shot is pretty laugh out loud worthy.

Of the remake of LHOTL when the guy's head blows up in the microwave? An open microwave, mind you?

I'd agree with that.

[chrisnu]

My brother was posting on Facebook during his screenwriting class (oops!), saying that he was bored by the movie they were watching. I asked him what they was watching. Redbelt. Aha! His professor is a David Mamet geek.

[Ezee E]

Of the remake of LHOTL when the guy's head blows up in the microwave? An open microwave, mind you?

I'd agree with that.
Yeah. That shot.

[Rowland]

My brother was posting on Facebook during his screenwriting class (oops!), saying that he was bored by the movie they were watching. I asked him what they was watching. Redbelt. Aha! His professor is a David Mamet geek.Bah, Redbelt is the shit. There's still a lot I haven't seen from last year, but Redbelt still ranks in my '08 top ten.

[Ezee E]

Bah, Redbelt is the shit. There's still a lot I haven't seen from last year, but Redbelt still ranks in my '08 top ten.
Yeah. Don't care for Mamet, but that one's easily his best.

[number8]

chrisnu, your brother should drop out RIGHT NOW.

[B-side]

Rate/discuss what you've seen from Robbe-Grillet plz kthx.

[B-side]

I think I'm gonna love this Robbe-Grillet character.

[ledfloyd]

Don't bother with it. Although the final shot is pretty laugh out loud worthy.
i hated that shot. so much.

[Skitch]

I think the guy is a scumbag, but if I boycotted the films of scumbags, I'd never get to watch any movies.

Oh, and The Ninth Gate is great. I just pulled it out to watch again this week.

[kuehnepips]

Oh, and The Ninth Gate is great. I just pulled it out to watch again this week.

Just to piss off Spinal, right?

I watched Fist of Legend on Blu-ray and now everything hurts.

[Skitch]

Just to piss off Spinal, right?

I watched Fist of Legend on Blu-ray and now everything hurts.

No, but I'll enjoy it more after the revelation that it does.

Fist of Legend is great!

[baby doll]

Rate/discuss what you've seen from Robbe-Grillet plz kthx.I've read The Erasers (1953), The Voyeur (1955), Jealousy (1957), and In the Labyrinth (1959), which are all pretty amazing, and I've seen L'Année dernière Ã* Marienbad (1961) countless times and I'm totally obsessed with it, but I haven't seen any of the films he's directed.

[Winston*]

Saw The Wrestler. Thought it was okay . Decent enough verite slice of life thing. Rourke was fine. Daughter angle was tacky. Really thought I would like this more.

[balmakboor]

Saw The Wrestler. Thought it was okay . Decent enough verite slice of life thing. Rourke was fine. Daughter angle was tacky. Really thought I would like this more.

I agree with all of this. The father/daughter relationship didn't really work for me. I do think I liked it better than it seems that you did. I thought Rourke's performance and Aronofsky's total commitment to his approach ultimately outweighed the negatives.

[Qrazy]

It was really one of those films where I felt the acting and directing elevated the material. I didn't care for the script much at all.

[megladon8]

It was really one of those films where I felt the acting and directing elevated the material. I didn't care for the script much at all.


So then I guess you're not too interested in Big Fan?

[Winston*]

I'm still interested in Big Fan solely 'cos of Patton.

[Qrazy]

So then I guess you're not too interested in Big Fan?

I'm somewhat interested. I like Patton Oswalt and maybe Siegel will be a decent director, who knows. But I am a bit more cautious now than if I hadn't seen The Wrestler. I'm anticipating the possibility of a few cliches and somewhat thinly sketched character dynamics. Still a writer can always improve and Big Fan seems like it could be quite funny. The Wrestler script certainly wasn't terrible, but I felt it had a number of missteps that could have been easily remedied.

[Qrazy]

East of Eden (Elia Kazan, 1955) / ***1/2

I was really disappointed by a rewatch of this one. I'm a huge Kazan fan but the film felt truncated and I don't know, just unengaging. Not a bad film, but underwhelming for me.

[number8]

The thinness of The Wrestler's script is what I like so much about the film, I think.

[megladon8]

Maybe it's just the way it was edited and scored, but I didn't see much in the trailer for Big Fan that led me to believe it could be funny.

[Ezee E]

Maybe it's just the way it was edited and scored, but I didn't see much in the trailer for Big Fan that led me to believe it could be funny.
Ha. When I think of the trailer, that makes me laugh pretty hard actually.

ANyway, has anyone seen Julia with Tilda Swinton? Interesting character that goes in a direction that I don't care for in the movie. I stopped it when I thought it was coming to an end, only to find out I had one more hour to go.

[Derek]

Maybe it's just the way it was edited and scored, but I didn't see much in the trailer for Big Fan that led me to believe it could be funny.

Given that it's not a comedy, that seems to make sense.

[Derek]

Ha. When I think of the trailer, that makes me laugh pretty hard actually.

ANyway, has anyone seen Julia with Tilda Swinton? Interesting character that goes in a direction that I don't care for in the movie. I stopped it when I thought it was coming to an end, only to find out I had one more hour to go.

I liked it a lot (http://www.tinymixtapes.com/Julia). The unexpected transformation into black comedy worked for me, but I won't be surprised if a lot of people share your complaint.

[Qrazy]

Maybe it's just the way it was edited and scored, but I didn't see much in the trailer for Big Fan that led me to believe it could be funny.

I haven't seen the trailer, I've just heard it described as a dark comedy. I don't know whether this description is accurate or not.

[number8]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lXl1RKYdL._SS500_.jpg


Before you ask... not photoshop.

[Spun Lepton]

Ha. When I think of the trailer, that makes me laugh pretty hard actually.

ANyway, has anyone seen Julia with Tilda Swinton? Interesting character that goes in a direction that I don't care for in the movie. I stopped it when I thought it was coming to an end, only to find out I had one more hour to go.

Ezee, you're not one of those asshats who beats feet out of the theater a few minutes before the credits roll, are you? :D

[Spun Lepton]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lXl1RKYdL._SS500_.jpg


Before you ask... not photoshop.

They needed the money?

[number8]

They needed the money?

I'm referring to the box set title, not the release.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm referring to the box set title, not the release.

I understand that. My joke was ... ah, never mind.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Simon and Simon: Mid-Life Crisis. "But Simon, you have to understand. I needed to buy that tricked-out helicopter!"

[MadMan]

While I'll admit I still have quite a bit to go in terms of 2008 viewing, The Wrestler is still my #1 of that year. Rourke's performance was flat out amazing.

[B-side]

I've read The Erasers (1953), The Voyeur (1955), Jealousy (1957), and In the Labyrinth (1959), which are all pretty amazing, and I've seen L'Année dernière Ã* Marienbad (1961) countless times and I'm totally obsessed with it, but I haven't seen any of the films he's directed.

If Successive Slidings is any indication, then his body of work behind the camera is very worthy stuff. Judging from what I've read about his literary style, it sounds rather fascinating.

[Adam]

Back to Big Fan for a sec - I was lukewarm on it after seeing the trailer and I wasn't all that crazy about The Wrestler, either. But ridiculously, you know what totally sold me? An off the cuff comment Patton Oswalt made on a Bill Simmons podcast last week. He mentioned his character was so pathetic that he'd literally script out in excruciating detail everything he was gonna say before calling into a sports radio talk show and then it just winds up being a smattering of stammered cliches anwyay. That rang so true to me as an obsessive sports fan who listened to the great Mike and the Maddog in NY all through high school and, I dunno, that one nugget's somehow got me so excited to see this movie

[Rowland]

Hmm, should I consider [REC] a 2009 US release because of its DVD? I recall Derek labeling it for 2008, can't recall why.

[Derek]

Hmm, should I consider [REC] a 2009 US release because of its DVD? I recall Derek labeling it for 2008, can't recall why.

I could've sworn it played in LA, or at least a festival in the US, last year, but IMdB proves me wrong. I'd say consider 2009 at this point.

EDIT: Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the exclusive I Love You, Man > The Hangover club. :)

[Rowland]

Glad you enjoyed it Me too. I was a bit worried after its mixed reception around these parts, coupled with agreeing with most MCers (yourself included) over the majority of bloggers/critics I read regarding Diary of the Dead's ineptitude, so I was relieved to find myself consistently impressed with this one, right up to its nightmarishly realized (and pleasantly unanticipated) climax. Had it included a few less conventional scares and perhaps been fleshed out a bit more in its character dynamics, I'd really be giving it the pedastal treatment.

and welcome to the exclusive I Love You, Man > The Hangover club. :) Consider me a proud member.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Back to Big Fan for a sec - I was lukewarm on it after seeing the trailer and I wasn't all that crazy about The Wrestler, either. But ridiculously, you know what totally sold me? An off the cuff comment Patton Oswalt made on a Bill Simmons podcast last week. He mentioned his character was so pathetic that he'd literally script out in excruciating detail everything he was gonna say before calling into a sports radio talk show and then it just winds up being a smattering of stammered cliches anwyay. That rang so true to me as an obsessive sports fan who listened to the great Mike and the Maddog in NY all through high school and, I dunno, that one nugget's somehow got me so excited to see this movie

Absolutely. That entire interview got me excited for the film.

[Raiders]

EDIT: Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the exclusive I Love You, Man > The Hangover club. :)

I'm in this one as well. Maybe just barely, but the more I think them over, the more the former wins out.

[Sycophant]

I think I Love You, Man is one of the decade's best comedies, so I'm definitely in that club.

[Ezee E]

Not in that club, but I will say they are both a rarity as far as being consistently funny from beginning to end.

[Winston*]

Saw Highlander the whole way through for I think the first time. The movie's pretty much cheesy rubbish, but what an amazing concept for an action movie. If someone good remade this with a budget and someone who isn't the least convincing action hero ever, it could be awesome. Nick Cave wrote a Gladiator sequel that was basically the Gladiator becomes the Highlander

[number8]

Oh, man. I think I'm about to puke from excitement.

Since I started working for JPP, I've interviewed many famous filmmakers, and they're always a treat, but once in a while, I get to meet those directors that have really made an impact on me. I was so nervous when I got to interview Wong Kar-wai last year that I had to take a dump 10 minutes before the interview.

Today, I got an email from a publicist asking me if I want to interview John Woo when he's in town next week, and I started shaking from excitement. JOHN. FUCKING. WOO.

[Sycophant]

HOLY SHIT JOHN WOO

[lovejuice]

Today, I got an email from a publicist asking me if I want to interview John Woo when he's in town next week, and I started shaking from excitement. JOHN. FUCKING. WOO.
holy. shit. dude. yeah, i know, lately his movies suck, but i'll be lying if i don't admit that woo plays a huge part -- at least at some point in my life -- in building what today i call my "aesthetic sense".

edit: fuck "aesthetic sense." 'a better tomorrow' is a part of my fucking identity!

[Dead & Messed Up]

http://mayfairtheatre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/john-woo-784999-300x225.jpg

[Sycophant]

I love John Woo's Hong Kong films as much as I love any films. He's had a profound influence on me. He's John Fucking Woo.

[number8]

Seriously. "Do you want to interview John Woo" is like the second best question to get next to "Do you want to play Time Crisis with Chow Yun Fat?"

[lovejuice]

woo, i think, is a film-maker who is easier to love than to like. you just don't like john woo. either you dislike him, or just fall for him head over hill.

[Sycophant]

Very nearly everyone I know who isn't like "John Woo sucks" is like "OMG LOVE JOHN WOO."

[Ezee E]

He's alright.

[megladon8]

Yeah, I'm also in the "he's OK" camp.

Way too melodramatic for my tastes, but he's still among the greatest action scene directors of all time.

Hard Boiled is a bloody masterpiece.

[number8]

He's alright.

http://10kbullets.com/images/2006/05/abt1ultimateediton-05.jpg

[Qrazy]

He's alright.

I'm in this camp as well. There's a lot about his melodrama, drama and even aesthetic I dislike, but he knows (knew) how to stage and build a kinetic action sequence.

[Rowland]

Saw Highlander the whole way through for I think the first time. The movie's pretty much cheesy rubbish, but what an amazing concept for an action movie. If someone good remade this with a budget and someone who isn't the least convincing action hero ever, it could be awesome. Nick Cave wrote a Gladiator sequel that was basically the Gladiator becomes the HighlanderThe first Highlander has plenty of entertainment value as '80s cheese, and its immediate sequel is compulsively watchable for its flamboyant idiocy, but yeah, the only decent film in the series is Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, and even that remains merely passable.

[megladon8]

The fact that the soundtrack is by Queen is one of the leading reasons why I've avoided Highlander thus far.

*shudder*...I do so hate Queen.

[Spun Lepton]

The fact that the soundtrack is by Queen is one of the leading reasons why I've avoided Highlander thus far.

*shudder*...I do so hate Queen.

You're lucky there's no neg-rep, Meg. You're LUCKY.

[Spinal]

Yeah, Queen is quite easily the best thing about that movie.

[Qrazy]

The scene where the guy runs people over on the sidewalk was quite memorable. They should make a Carmageddon movie.

[megladon8]

Any time I hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" I kind of want to run to the nearest living creature and slaughter it.

I don't know which I hate more - songs I dislike from the start, or songs I dislike due to hearing them 10 times a day for 15 years.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The fact that the soundtrack is by Queen is one of the leading reasons why I've avoided Highlander thus far.

*shudder*...I do so hate Queen.

Whenever I'm down, "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "You're My Best Friend" cheers me up.

[Ivan Drago]

The fact that the soundtrack is by Queen is one of the leading reasons why I've avoided Highlander thus far.

*shudder*...I do so hate Queen.

wut.

Imaginary negative rep and dislike button x1000.

[number8]

Wow, I'm going to mail dead animals to your house, meg. Hating Queen. Why, I'd never.

[EyesWideOpen]

I thought I hated Queen at one time but after purchasing the three disc greatest hits set it taught me the error of my ways. They are now my second favorite band of all time.

All I had ever heard of Queen was Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions and We Will Rock You. I still love the first one but Queen is much more then those last two show.

[megladon8]

The only Queen song I like isn't even a Queen song.

David Bowie and Queen - "Under Pressure"

[Skitch]

There are days when I hate you, 8. Today just became one of those days.

*raging jealousy*

[EyesWideOpen]

The only Queen song I like isn't even a Queen song.

David Bowie and Queen - "Under Pressure"

"Killer Queen"? It's impossible to dislike that song.

[Qrazy]

Haha Moonraker's funny. Already two musical cue references to 2001 and Close Encounters.

[Yxklyx]

Wellman's Beau Geste is the worst movie I've seen from the 30s. What a stupid film.

[MadMan]

I never thought I'd run into someone who hated Queen. Number8, you getting to meet John Woo is lucky. I haven't seen much from him, but Hard Boiled rules.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Number8, let's say that, hypothetically, I've never seen a John Woo film. What would be the five best ones to check out?

[Grouchy]

Number8, let's say that, hypothetically, I've never seen a John Woo film. What would be the five best ones to check out?
I'm not number8 but A Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Hard Boiled are pretty much essential cinema.

The last page of this thread is a fucking mental asylum. Hating Queen, Highlander is not good. Wow. Holy basket of bonkers, Batman.

[MadMan]

Furthermore, yes Highlander is gloriously cheesy and endlessly entertaining. "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!!!" Plus the sword fights, Sean Connery, Christopher Lambert hamming it up....good stuff. AMC kept showing the movie on TV once, so I actually watched it two days in a row.

[Qrazy]

One time when I was sick as a kid so I watched the first three Highlander films back to back to back. They get worse as you go along. Kawajiri's film is indeed the exception. I haven't seen endgame or the source.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I haven't seen any of the Highlander films, but I feel like I should see the first one, if only because of my abnormally high love of actor Clancy Brown, who plays the Kurgan.

[number8]

Number8, let's say that, hypothetically, I've never seen a John Woo film. What would be the five best ones to check out?

1. A Better Tomorrow
2. Bullet in the Head
3. Hard Boiled
4. The Killer
5. The ending of A Better Tomorrow II

[number8]

Actually, replace #5 with Hard Target, because instead of watching the whole of A Better Tomorrow II, just watch these 2 videos. The second video, to me, is the best of action cinema from anybody. It is a travesty that a sequence this good is tacked on a movie so shitty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0fEJt54vxI

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.indi vidual&videoid=18380735

[Spinal]

Was talking movies with my 7-year old tonight and with some questioning got him to settle on a top 5 which I share for your amusement:

1. Corpse Bride
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Star Wars
4. Kirikou and the Sorceress
5. Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (IMAX film)

Say what you will, he does have a foreign film in there.

[Ivan Drago]

Clancy Brown will never be less than awesome as long as he is Mr. Krabs.

[Ivan Drago]

The last page of this thread is a fucking mental asylum. Hating Queen, Highlander is not good. Wow. Holy basket of bonkers, Batman.

Superbad is one of the 3 best comedies ever made.*

* I have retracted that statement since I first said that 2 or so years ago. If anything, Superbad is my 3rd favorite comedy ever, not one of the best ever.

[EyesWideOpen]

Was talking movies with my 7-year old tonight and with some questioning got him to settle on a top 5 which I share for your amusement:

1. Corpse Bride
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Star Wars
4. Kirikou and the Sorceress
5. Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (IMAX film)

Say what you will, he does have a foreign film in there.

I'd give him rep for Corpse Bride and Kirikou.

[The Mike]

The last page of this thread is a fucking mental asylum. Hating Queen, Highlander is not good. Wow. Holy basket of bonkers, Batman.Quoted for truth. Flash Gordon frowns upon you all. (Assuming Sam J Jones knows how to frown. :cool: )

[Mysterious Dude]

The mention of Kirikou reminds me of a story I need to get off my chest for some reason.

I went to see another Michel Ocelot film in theaters a while ago, Azur and Asmar. Besides me, the only other people in the theater were one family. In the middle of the movie, one girl started crying uncontrollably and left the theater along with one of the adults. I think she was having her period.

That is all.

[Grouchy]

The mention of Kirikou reminds me of a story I need to get off my chest for some reason.

I went to see another Michel Ocelot film in theaters a while ago, Azur and Asmar. Besides me, the only other people in the theater were one family. In the middle of the movie, one girl started crying uncontrollably and left the theater along with one of the adults. I think she was having her period.

That is all.
Who knows, maybe she was being molested by the adult while on the theater.

Just offering my morbid two cents.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Thanks, Grouchy and 8! Netflix has only Hard-Boiled, so I guess I'll start there.

[Boner M]

weekend

Che
Funny People
Brute Force
La Cienega
The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice
Le Vent d'est (Godard)
Ministry of Fear
Georgia

[Bosco B Thug]

Weekend: One Missed Call (2008), Blow Out, Hail Mary

[lovejuice]

Actually, replace #5 with Hard Target, because instead of watching the whole of A Better Tomorrow II, just watch these 2 videos. The second video, to me, is the best of action cinema from anybody. It is a travesty that a sequence this good is tacked on a movie so shitty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0fEJt54vxI

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.indi vidual&videoid=18380735
actually i love ABT2 when it first came out. youth, i guess. but that sequence is freaking fantastic. sadly, i think it has to be watched in context. it works much better with that chessy pop song and the accompanied event.

but rep to you, sir, for acknowledging Hard Target. quite an underrated flick.

[Qrazy]

Was talking movies with my 7-year old tonight and with some questioning got him to settle on a top 5 which I share for your amusement:

1. Corpse Bride
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Star Wars
4. Kirikou and the Sorceress
5. Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (IMAX film)

Say what you will, he does have a foreign film in there.

lolz top l0s shudnt hav flims frum thes decad.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Was talking movies with my 7-year old tonight and with some questioning got him to settle on a top 5 which I share for your amusement:

1. Corpse Bride
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Star Wars
4. Kirikou and the Sorceress
5. Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (IMAX film)

Say what you will, he does have a foreign film in there.

Ooo. That's exciting. Not sure about that Corpse Bride rating, but it's a very solid list. I'll have to grill my 7-year-old when I pick him up from school today, and see how the two lists compare. The only crossover potential is Star Wars, as he hasn't seen the other four on your son's list. His #1 will most certainly be Speed Racer. The rest of the list is up in the air.

[[ETM]]

I think she was having her period.

Since it was Azur et Asmar, irreversible retinal damage would have been my first choice.

[Spinal]

I'm not a big Corpse Bride fan either.

[Rowland]

Goldeneye - B+
Wow, that's really impressive by your scale. I haven't seen the film since I rented it as a N64-obsessed adolescent who couldn't stop kicking multi-player ass with proximity mines. I just assumed it wouldn't hold up, but I have meant to revisit it eventually.

[Rowland]

I rented Jennifer Chambers Lynch's Surveillance, hope to watch it tonight. Anyone see it?

[Qrazy]

Wow, that's really impressive by your scale. I haven't seen the film since I rented it as a N64-obsessed adolescent who couldn't stop kicking multi-player ass with proximity mines. I just assumed it wouldn't hold up, but I have meant to revisit it eventually.

Yeah I did like it quite a bit but I think I overinflated the score. I sort of rated it in relation to the other Bond films I've been watching lately rather than in relation to my usual ratings. It should probably be more of a B/B-. All the Bond films in my sig could probably fall down 1/3 of a point. I guess what I liked most about it is I think the script is probably the most self-aware a Bond film has ever been. M calls out James on his misogynistic tendencies. The antagonist calls into question Bond's blind allegiance to his missions. These things aren't delved into too deeply per se but they're there, and the film benefits from this self-reflexivity.

[megladon8]

Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.

[Grouchy]

All the first movies for new Bond actors are usually significantly better than what comes later, I guess because the writers are forced to rethink the character. Goldeneye is indeed very awesome. The game rocked my world back in the '90s.

Although, compared to the mostly negative reactions around here, I'm a pretty big Quantum of Solace fan.

[Dukefrukem]

Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.

It sure is. It also has the best opening Bond scene ever.

Some terrible use of models later in the movie however...

[Skitch]

Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.

...and still the best Bond movie yet.

[Ivan Drago]

I'm not a big Corpse Bride fan either.

I don't even remember Corpse Bride.

[Sycophant]

I remember Corpse Bride being like 8 hours long.

[Ezee E]

I rented Jennifer Chambers Lynch's Surveillance, hope to watch it tonight. Anyone see it?
Can you call the ending within fifteen minutes? Because I did.

There's a couple good things in there, but with the last awful twenty minutes, it really doesn't matter.

[Eleven]

Can you call the ending within fifteen minutes? Because I did.

There's a couple good things in there, but with the last awful twenty minutes, it really doesn't matter.

Same here. French Stewart's, um, "performance" was memorable, though.

[lovejuice]

Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.

Goldeneye >> Casino Royale. take that!

[balmakboor]

Goldeneye >> Casino Royale. take that!

Naw, Peter Sellers, David Niven, and Woody Allen rule.

Or at least I thought so when I was in my teens. Haven't seen it since then.

[Qrazy]

Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.

I agree.

[Qrazy]

Naw, Peter Sellers, David Niven, and Woody Allen rule.

Or at least I thought so when I was in my teens. Haven't seen it since then.

I'll be watching it within the next few days.

[megladon8]

Goldeneye >> Casino Royale. take that!


Completely agree.

[StanleyK]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff.

[Adam]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Stepmom.jpg/200px-Stepmom.jpg

[MadMan]

Although, compared to the mostly negative reactions around here, I'm a pretty big Quantum of Solace fan.I also highly enjoyed that one. Its a rock solid entry into the series, and better than what usually passes for a Bond flick.


Goldeneye is one of the best action films of the '90s.Yep. Its also in my Top 5 Bonds.

Hey The Mike I love Flash Gordon, too.

*Sees Adam's post. Has flashblacks to when he was forced to watch that godawful movie. Runs from the thread in terror*

[chrisnu]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff.
Jaws.

[Qrazy]

Tough call. Maybe Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

[megladon8]

John Williams' work on the Star Wars prequels was fantastic. The best thing about them.

But all-time favorite score? Really not sure...

[Qrazy]

John Williams' work on the Star Wars prequels was fantastic. The best thing about them.

But all-time favorite score? Really not sure...

My friends and I used to stick fight to Duel of the Fights. Good times.

[megladon8]

My friends and I used to stick fight to Duel of the Fights. Good times.


I did a demo to that song when I was in Jiu-Jitsu.

It was great.

[Derek]

My friends and I used to stick fight to Duel of the Fights. Good times.

And you were good, Qrazy, you were good.

http://www.memecat.com/images/memes/star_wars_kid_drunken_jedi.jpg

[Mysterious Dude]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff.
I am partial to his jazzy score to Catch Me If You Can.

[balmakboor]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff.

The Long Goodbye

[Dead & Messed Up]

Instead of just saying Star Wars, I'll say "Asteroid Field" from Empire and "Battle of the Heroes" from Revenge. And whatever the cue is called when Luke screams "DARTH!" and leaps at Vader. There are days when I can still get goosebumps from that funereal choir.

[Qrazy]

And you were good, Qrazy, you were good.

http://www.memecat.com/images/memes/star_wars_kid_drunken_jedi.jpg

Damn right.

[balmakboor]

For Your Eyes Only - B
Goldeneye - B+
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - C-
Licence to Kill - C+
The Living Daylights - B-
From Russia with Love - B-
Visitor of a Museum - B+
The Misfits - B
Killer Elite - C
Fast Company - C-
Thieves Like Us - C-
The Place Promised in Our Early Days - B
March of the Penguins - B-
Drowning Pool - B

Whenever I look at this, I think, "Damn, this guy is a tougher grader than my daughter's middle school." Oh, and I also think, "What! OHMSS is top tier Bond in spite of George Lazenby."

[Spun Lepton]

Die Hard with a Vengence > Goldeneye.

That should stir up some shit. :D

[The Mike]

Die Hard with a Vengence > Goldeneye.

That should stir up some shit. :D

That's true.

Any Die Hard Film > Any Bond Film.

[BuffaloWilder]

...no.

[Spun Lepton]

...no.

"Oh, it's twoo! It's twoo! It's twoo, it's twoo!"
--Lili Von Shtupp

[balmakboor]

One Die Hard Film > Any Bond Film without Sean Connery except for a few with Roger Moore and one with George Lazenby.

[BuffaloWilder]

I happen to think From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service,The Living Daylights and Casino Royale (and, even Quantum of Solace, to a lesser extent) are all better films than Die Hard: With A Vengeance. There are maybe only six really, really good Bond films -- but, these are all really, really good films.

So there.



I need to get around to seeing Wake In Fright.

[Boner M]

My favorite Bonds filmzzzzzzzzzzz...

[balmakboor]

W/E

Gran Torino (re-watch)
Jeanne Dielman
Capitalism: A Love Story or Zombieland

[BuffaloWilder]

W/E

Being sick.

[Bosco B Thug]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff. This is more a movie-I-to-some-degree-love plug than an educated and held opinion on my favorite (his Star Wars work s cool...), but Williams' score for Robert Altman's Images is totally cool.

[Qrazy]

Whenever I look at this, I think, "Damn, this guy is a tougher grader than my daughter's middle school." Oh, and I also think, "What! OHMSS is top tier Bond in spite of George Lazenby."

OHMSS Spoilers

I didn't like it much at all. Lazenby wasn't terrible but he's still the worst Bond in my opinion. It doesn't help that for much of the film he's wandering around in a kilt and glasses. Then there's the pacing, the first two thirds of the film is full of meandering nonsense (i.e. the plot). It's not really until the last third that the action kicks into gear and then it's just relentless. This set-up may have worked for Zulu but it doesn't work for a Bond film and it certainly doesn't work here. There are a couple of solid set pieces (car rally chase for one), but overall the action is also horribly edited. I find it funny that Quantum of Solace was so heavily criticized for it's editing given that this one has some of the worst action editing I've ever seen. In some of the fist fights there's pretty much a cut every single punch. Then there's the one on one battle with Blofeld. Physical battles with Bond are not what that character is or should be about. He's a behind the scenes man, a strategist. I also found Bond's wife to be one of the least attractive Bond girls in the series and a fairly weak actress to boot. Nothing about the courtship or the plot with her father caught my interest and her death scene was poorly executed. I don't mind that Bond married and I don't mind that the girl died, but the way it came about was asinine. A hit and run from Blofeld? Come on. What did you particularly like about the film?

[Qrazy]

I happen to think From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service,The Living Daylights and Casino Royale (and, even Quantum of Solace, to a lesser extent) are all better films than Die Hard: With A Vengeance. There are maybe only six really, really good Bond films -- but, these are all really, really good films.


Ehh, I'd go even further. About half the Bond films are better than the second two Die Hard films.

[B-side]

I kinda wanna download a John Ford film. Favorite Ford film, match-cutters?

[Spinal]

I kinda wanna download a John Ford film. Favorite Ford film, match-cutters?

My Darling Clementine

[B-side]

My Darling Clementine

I was leaning toward that one anyway.:)

[lovejuice]

OHMSS Spoilers

I didn't like it much at all. Lazenby wasn't terrible but he's still the worst Bond in my opinion. It doesn't help that for much of the film he's wandering around in a kilt and glasses. Then there's the pacing, the first two thirds of the film is full of meandering nonsense (i.e. the plot). It's not really until the last third that the action kicks into gear and then it's just relentless. This set-up may have worked for Zulu but it doesn't work for a Bond film and it certainly doesn't work here. There are a couple of solid set pieces (car rally chase for one), but overall the action is also horribly edited. I find it funny that Quantum of Solace was so heavily criticized for it's editing given that this one has some of the worst action editing I've ever seen. In some of the fist fights there's pretty much a cut every single punch. Then there's the one on one battle with Blofeld. Physical battles with Bond are not what that character is or should be about. He's a behind the scenes man, a strategist. I also found Bond's wife to be one of the least attractive Bond girls in the series and a fairly weak actress to boot. Nothing about the courtship or the plot with her father caught my interest and her death scene was poorly executed. I don't mind that Bond married and I don't mind that the girl died, but the way it came about was asinine. A hit and run from Blofeld? Come on. What did you particularly like about the film?

totally with you on this, qrazy. granted i watched it loooooong time ago, but OHMSS always remains my least favorite bond. ever. (ok, except for die another day.) i'm willing to give it a second chance though.

but except for a few, all die hard's > all bond's.

[Qrazy]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Stagecoach, Grapes of Wrath, How Green was My Valley

[B-side]

Anyone catching the new Ken Burns doc, The National Parks? I watched the first episode last night. Pretty informative and interesting stuff.

[Boner M]

I actually need some Ford recos myself, too. Seen all his canonical ones: Searchers, Clementine, Valance, Grapes, Stagecoach (my fave, actually)... need to see way more.

[B-side]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Stagecoach, Grapes of Wrath, How Green was My Valley

I've seen The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Liked it a lot. Is it strange that I've only seen 3 Ford films? That, The Searchers and Young Mr. Lincoln. The Searchers is the best, followed by Liberty Valance, then Young Mr. Lincoln. Even the latter is still very good.

[B-side]

I actually need some Ford recos myself, too. Seen all his canonical ones: Searchers, Clementine, Valance, Grapes, Stagecoach (my fave, actually)... need to see way more.

I'm watching Stagecoach after Clementine for sure.

Also, I can't help but laugh every time I read this:


"minor elements of ham"

[MadMan]

Brightside I have been watching bits and pieces of the National Parks. What I've seen has been great. Love the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, and of course Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Been meaning to get back to those places for years.

From what I've seen, John Ford rocks. And funny enough I watched a Bond film tonight, Moonraker. Gloriously cheesy, and full of moments ripped off from Star Wars. Gotta love them laser space battles.

[Boner M]

Also, I can't help but laugh every time I read this:
It will remain in my sig for as long as I hope, as an example of acting criticism at its most precise.

[B-side]

It will remain in my sig for as long as I hope, as an example of acting criticism at its most precise.

I keep saying it out loud quietly and can barely finish. Oh, Qrazy, you wacky guy.

[Qrazy]

I actually need some Ford recos myself, too. Seen all his canonical ones: Searchers, Clementine, Valance, Grapes, Stagecoach (my fave, actually)... need to see way more.

I posted briefly about it before but what can you tell me about the Pusher series? Someone rec'd me the director's film Bronson, so I'm going to be checking that out soon.

[Rowland]

The first half of Die Hard 3 really holds its own, but it derails in the second half as the main plot thread loses momentum, too much time is devoted to the school-bomb subplot that should have been ditched entirely, and the ending is as phoned in as they come.

[Boner M]

I posted briefly about it before but what can you tell me about the Pusher series? Someone rec'd me the director's film Bronson, so I'm going to be checking that out soon.
Oops, sorry about before. Pusher series is pretty good; dunno if this subject deserves a trilogy - I get the impression that Refn might just likes indulging in underworld-bound grunge-chic - but each film is very good. Dunno how I think you'd feel about 'em, but I'd say to give the first one a try and you'll pretty much instantly decide whether the other two are worth a look. I like the third one the best, although I seem to be in the minority there.

Bronson had some strong UK/Sundance buzz, but a lot of friends said it was basically bereft of anything save for a striking visual style; Michael Sicinski (awesome web critic) echoed these comments by calling it 'A Clockwork Organd stripped of every single idea'.

[Qrazy]

The first half of Die Hard 3 really holds its own, but it derails in the second half as the main plot thread loses momentum, too much time is devoted to the school-bomb subplot that should have been ditched entirely, and the ending is as phoned in as they come.

Yeah the end is awful, particularly the scene where Willis shoots up out of the water pipe.

[Qrazy]

Oops, sorry about before. Pusher series is pretty good; dunno if this subject deserves a trilogy - I get the impression that Refn might just likes indulging in underworld-bound grunge-chic - but each film is very good. Dunno how I think you'd feel about 'em, but I'd say to give the first one a try and you'll pretty much instantly decide whether the other two are worth a look. I like the third one the best, although I seem to be in the minority there.

Bronson had some strong UK/Sundance buzz, but a lot of friends said it was basically bereft of anything save for a striking visual style; Michael Sicinski (awesome web critic) echoed these comments by calling it 'A Clockwork Organd stripped of every single idea'.

Thanks, well I already have Bronson so I'll check it and the first Pusher out for starters.

[chrisnu]

I must see A Serious Man this weekend. Also, there's a Jane Campion film playing at the local muiltiplex. Imagine that. I may also give The Informant a re-watch. Also getting Midnight Run from Netflix.

There's also a new 35mm print of Rashomon playing at the Nuart. I haven't seen this before. Worth it?

[Derek]

There's also a new 35mm print of Rashomon playing at the Nuart. I haven't seen this before. Worth it?

Uh, yeah. It's not top-tier Kurosawa IMO, but don't miss a chance to see his films on the big screen at least once.

[Bosco B Thug]

Liked Blow Out a lot. It takes a story that would be usually treated bathed in mystery and menace, and instead treats it plainly, breezily, but infused with the direness of the events depicted. Sally is a great character.

[right_for_the_moment]

I rented Jennifer Chambers Lynch's Surveillance, hope to watch it tonight. Anyone see it?

Yup. I thought it created a pretty decent sense of atmosphere. Couldn't really find much else to like though. And I'll echo what E said about knowing the ending 15 minutes in

[Raiders]

What's everyone's favorite John Williams score? As of right now I'm inclined to say Jurassic Park. Memorable stuff.

Far and Away

[balmakboor]

I've seen the following Fords and all were well worth the time.

Stagecoach
Young Mr. Lincoln
The Grapes of Wrath
How Green Was My Valley
My Darling Clementine
3 Godfathers
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Rio Grande
The Quiet Man
The Searchers
Sergeant Rutledge
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Hard to pick a favorite and my list would look like a lot of those already posted. So I'll just recommend the generally overlooked 3 Godfathers. Corny at times and not a good movie for the type people who would grumble, "That baby would've been dead in 24 hours in the hands of those three clueless men." But it is also beautiful and heartfelt. I've shown it to about 10 people now and all have loved it.

[Raiders]

Hard to pick a favorite and my list would look like a lot of those already posted. So I'll just recommend the generally overlooked 3 Godfathers. Corny at times and not a good movie for the type people who would grumble, "That baby would've been dead in 24 hours in the hands of those three clueless men." But it is also beautiful and heartfelt. I've shown it to about 10 people now and all have loved it.

Yeah, this is probably my favorite as well. That or 7 Women.

[The Mike]

Big agreement with the 3 Godfathers love. :D

[Yxklyx]

Whenever I look at this, I think, "Damn, this guy is a tougher grader than my daughter's middle school." Oh, and I also think, "What! OHMSS is top tier Bond in spite of George Lazenby."

I totally agree with you here. Lazenby IS the worst Bond but Diana Rigg is probably the best Bond Woman and the rest of the movie is very well put together so that it works very nicely in spite of Lazenby. Some Bond fan here should start a poll thread relating to Bond Women.

[Qrazy]

I totally agree with you here. Lazenby IS the worst Bond but Diana Rigg is probably the best Bond Woman and the rest of the movie is very well put together so that it works very nicely in spite of Lazenby. Some Bond fan here should start a poll thread relating to Bond Women.

In which way?

[Raiders]

I'm pretty anti-Bond in general, so the slight change up in character handling in Majesty's Secret Service is enough for me to say it is probably my favorite. Really though, I'll just go with 2006's Casino Royale.

[Grouchy]

Qrazy, I couldn't disagree with you more on the Lazenby movie. It's directed by the editor of previous Bond movies, so the editing in particular is a bit "experimental", but that doesn't make it bad in my eyes. In fact, it anticipates a lot of editing resources in '70s action movies.

Diana Rigg is hands down beautiful and the finest, most attractive Bond girl ever. I really don't know what you're talking about there, dude.

And some of the elements you find ridiculous, like Bond's Scottish disguise and the hit towards the end, well... I know this is a poor defense if they don't work for you on film, but they come straight from Ian Fleming.

[Qrazy]

Qrazy, I couldn't disagree with you more on the Lazenby movie. It's directed by the editor of previous Bond movies, so the editing in particular is a bit "experimental", but that doesn't make it bad in my eyes. In fact, it anticipates a lot of editing resources in '70s action movies.

Diana Rigg is hands down beautiful and the finest, most attractive Bond girl ever. I really don't know what you're talking about there, dude.

And some of the elements you find ridiculous, like Bond's Scottish disguise and the hit towards the end, well... I know this is a poor defense if they don't work for you on film, but they come straight from Ian Fleming.

Agree to disagree on the editing. We could get into a point by point analysis of a scene or two but I don't really think either of us want to. Here's the opening scene. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7s2hscBp_8&feature=related) It's also worth noting that Bond is looking through a magnifier but the circle of the magnifier does not fill the screen while the magnification does (1:44). Lame. Fist Fight (3:54). Cut. Cut. Cut. No sense of geography or character movement.

I'll fault Fleming for the disguise but not for the ending because I like the idea behind the ending, I just don't like it's execution. Perhaps I wouldn't like the execution (pun!) in the novel either, couldn't say.

This is very subjective but for comparisons sake (I find the other girls much more attractive):

D Rigg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/53/Contessa_Teresa_di_Vicenzo_by_ Diana_Rigg.jpg

D Bianchi (From Russia with Love)

http://www.razorfine.com/images/uploads/tanya_romanova.jpg

U Andress (Dr No)

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/f60/96b/f6096b30-5a78-4fb9-9c45-165ca95489bd.large-profile.jpg

[BuffaloWilder]

Yes, the execution of the ending feels a little weird, partly because of how it's shot, and also because the actor playing Blofeld just looks ridiculous hanging out the window of a bright red convertable in a neck-brace firing a machine gun. It's really the only problem I have with the film, besides the uncharismatic nature of Lazenby.

[Watashi]

Saw the Toy Story double feature. The conversion to 3D was pointless but it was sooooo good revisiting them on the big screen. Plus the Toy Story 3 trailer was great.

[Rowland]

So yeah, that movie about monsters who fight aliens wasn't nearly as cool as its trailer suggested it may be. I chuckled a few times, and most of it was reasonably competent, but yeah, talk about squandering a neat premise with a predictably generic lead character arc, lazy plotting, ugly character design, and a surplus of noisy, violent action in lieu of imagination, wit, or grace.

[number8]

Saw the Toy Story double feature. The conversion to 3D was pointless but it was sooooo good revisiting them on the big screen. Plus the Toy Story 3 trailer was great.

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/movie-news/5972-toying-around-with-3-d.html :)
(http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/movie-news/5972-toying-around-with-3-d.html)

[Watashi]

Zombieland sucked. Should have seen Bright Star instead.

[number8]

Just got my mind blown by someone saying that SUMMER HOURS and TOY STORY 2 are the same movie.

[Boner M]

Just got my mind blown by someone saying that SUMMER HOURS and TOY STORY 2 are the same movie.
Up reminded me of Summer Hours in places, actually.

[Raiders]

Zombieland sucked.

Shame. I'm seeing it tomorrow.

In other news, Jeanne Dielman did not suck.

[Adam]

Zombieland did not suck

[BuffaloWilder]

Babylon A.D. is a visually pretty-well-put-together film that's occasionally interesting, but all too often becomes mind-bogglingly incoherent, especially near the end. One character is just like, "find my daughter!" and then there's a chase scene, and Vin Diesel scowls a lot, and then the girl dies -- for some reason -- and Vin Diesel proves that he sounds unnervingly creepy when he says lines like, "hey, kids! A storm's coming. We better go inside," while he stares down at us leeringly with his dead eyes. And, then the movie's over.

Still, that city is something else, though.

[number8]

Um, why did you just spoil a movie like that?

[Derek]

Zombieland did not suck

This. Fucking Wats and his uppity tastes.

[Boner M]

In other news, Jeanne Dielman did not suck.Awesome, same rating as me too. I'd probably give it an extra 1/2 star upon reflection, though.

[Spinal]

30 minutes into The Girlfriend Experience and it's putting me to sleep. I have no desire to finish it. Damn it, I need some Antichrist stat.

[B-side]

Day 2 without My Darling Clementine. Got caught up in chat. Very tired. Hopefully day 3 is the sweet spot.

[trotchky]

i know nothing about zombieland except the billboards and posters ("nut up or shut up!") which fucking infuriate me. i don't think i'll be seeing it.

[Watashi]

This. Fucking Wats and his uppity tastes.
The whole movie is just like an alternate ending to Adventureland where instead of Eisenberg boning that chick in New York, a zombie apocayplse happens and he has to run around with Woody Harrelson, Superbad chick, and Little Miss Sunshine.

[Watashi]

Actually reading that above, that does sound kinda awesome.

But it wasn't.

[Rowland]

You know that Surveillance movie, directed by David Lynch's daughter... yeah, it kinda sucked. New worst movie for 2009, lovely.

[Boner M]

You know that Surveillance movie, directed by David Lynch's daughter... yeah, it kinda sucked. New worst movie for 2009, lovely.
The director of Boxing Helena makes the worst film of the year? Inconceivable!

[Ezee E]

You know that Surveillance movie, directed by David Lynch's daughter... yeah, it kinda sucked. New worst movie for 2009, lovely.
Told you it was bad.

[BuffaloWilder]

Um, why did you just spoil a movie like that?

You know, I thought about that. But, then I realized that it's all so nonsensical even in the context of the film that it really makes no difference.

I kind of want to see this three and a half hour cut the director's been going on about, now.

[Grouchy]

Counter-argument:

http://www.triptronix.net/ishbadiddle/emma.jpg

http://www.poster.net/rigg-diana/rigg-diana-photo-xl-diana-rigg-6226710.jpg

http://calwestray.tripod.com/images/diana_rigg_2.jpg

Was The Avengers broadcast in American TV? That's where I fell madly in love with her.

[Spaceman Spiff]

30 minutes into The Girlfriend Experience and it's putting me to sleep. I have no desire to finish it. Damn it, I need some Antichrist stat.

mininova.org - Dvd Screeners

[Spinal]

mininova.org - Dvd Screeners

Nah, I want to see it on the big screen. But thanks.

[Ezee E]

Precious is opening the Denver Film Festival. Eh... Look forward to whatever else they show, it's usually ones that I see that nobody else will ever see.

[Qrazy]

Counter-argument:

http://www.triptronix.net/ishbadiddle/emma.jpg

http://www.poster.net/rigg-diana/rigg-diana-photo-xl-diana-rigg-6226710.jpg

http://calwestray.tripod.com/images/diana_rigg_2.jpg

Was The Avengers broadcast in American TV? That's where I fell madly in love with her.

I just don't find her face attractive. It's mostly the nose but also her eyebrows, complexion and bone structure. I'm guessing you're of the school of thought that finds Maggie Gyllenhaal attractive.

[[ETM]]

Those are unflattering pics...
http://www.moviecritic.com.au/images/diana-rigg101.jpg
http://www.donny.co.uk/Doncaster/ecards/images/Famous%20Doncastrians/118.jpg

But honestly, arguing over women is even more pointless than arguing over films.

[Qrazy]

I'm not saying she's unattractive, but she pales in comparison to most other Bond girls imo. Except for this femme fatale:

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/061116/163736__view_l.jpg

By far the most unattractive girl in the Bond series.

[Rowland]

The director of Boxing Helena makes the worst film of the year? Inconceivable!I haven't seen Boxing Helena, but her latest effort wasn't received half bad, so I was hoping for the best.
Told you it was bad.You were right, and yeah, I guessed the twist almost immediately. It was the only twist there could be, unless Lynch was clever enough to fuck with us through her Rashomon-lite storytelling, which she wasn't.

[MadMan]

Diana Rigg isn't considered hot by some people? That's just crazy talk.

[megladon8]

Diana Rigg is definitely very sexy.

But I still prefer Claudine Auger...


http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3333/1210641.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/765/celebrityimageclaudinea.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2662/claudineaugerjamesbondg.jpg

[number8]

http://corriecanuck.files.wordpress.c om/2008/01/daniel_craig_shirtless_2.jpg

[Raiders]

Actually reading that above, that does sound kinda awesome.

But it wasn't.

Actually it kinda was.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I ADORE Diana Rigg, especially in the Avengers. I love her face <3

[Philosophe_rouge]

RIGG!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F02llSrNfnQ

[Watashi]

Actually it kinda was.
Elitist.