28 Film Discussion Threads Later [Archive] - Page 147

Ivan Drago

11-08-2009, 03:48 AM

It was quite liberating. Very few movies hit me emotionally like. Having not read anything about this movie definitely had it's benefits. With out a doubt will sit in my top 5 of all time... I can't believe I went this long without seeing it.

Now you know I felt when I finally saw Raiders of the Lost Ark and Ferris Bueller's Day Off for the first time.

Dukefrukem

11-08-2009, 04:34 AM

Now you know I felt when I finally saw Raiders of the Lost Ark and Ferris Bueller's Day Off for the first time.

There's still a lot on my "NEED TO SEE" list though. Movies like, Gone with the Wind, Chinatown and Citizen Kane have all yet to be seen by me.

Also a side note, I had dinner at my parents house last night and brought with me Drag Me to Hell. They were scared shitless. Bwhahahahha. It was a great second viewing. I watched the UNRATED Directors Cut, but didn't notice ANYTHING new or extended. Does anyone know what's added to the cut?

Adam

11-08-2009, 04:39 AM

Went and saw Black Dynamite today. It runs a little long and gets way too self aware for my taste towards the end, but all told it's still pretty fantastic. Michael Jai White delivers the performance of the year, so far, hands down

Also picked up the Budd Boetticher box set at my local library and I started burning through that this morning. I was dozing halfway through Decision At Sundown, but I'll give it another chance. Seemed kind of lame, though

MadMan

11-08-2009, 06:41 AM

Went and saw Black Dynamite today. It runs a little long and gets way too self aware for my taste towards the end, but all told it's still pretty fantastic. Michael Jai White delivers the performance of the year, so far, hands down.The fact that this isn't at any of my local theaters depresses me. And yet, movies like Saw 6 and A Christmas Carol are playing. Bah.

Derek

11-08-2009, 07:08 AM

The fact that this isn't at any of my local theaters depresses me. And yet, movies like Saw 6 and A Christmas Carol are playing. Bah.

I imagine blaxploitation comedies would go over like gangbusters in Iowa.

soitgoes...

11-08-2009, 07:55 AM

Also picked up the Budd Boetticher box set at my local library and I started burning through that this morning. I was dozing halfway through Decision At Sundown, but I'll give it another chance. Seemed kind of lame, thoughThe ending is kinda atypical from what you'd expect from a western of that era. For that I think it is worth seeing. That said, I'm not sure the ending was completely satisfying.

B-side

11-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Skitch

11-08-2009, 12:07 PM

I finally ordered Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, with the ever badass James Mason. Loved it as a kid. Watched it yesterday, still fantastic. Was suprised to see several scenes directly ripped out and put in Raiders of the Lost Ark. For shame, George, for shame.

thefourthwall

11-08-2009, 05:36 PM

I'll let the screenshots give you an idea

What program do you use to capture screenshots?

Sycophant

11-08-2009, 09:46 PM

The fact that this isn't at any of my local theaters depresses me. And yet, movies like Saw 6 and A Christmas Carol are playing. Bah.

This is truly absurd.

Dukefrukem

11-08-2009, 09:59 PM

What program do you use to capture screenshots?

Probably PowerDVD or VLC.

baby doll

11-08-2009, 10:38 PM

The Decameron was terrific. It's about as subtle as a brick to the head, though it's never without a sense of humor. It juggles the poignant and pointed rather well. And it's very aesthetically pleasing. I'll let the screenshots give you an idea:

http://i38.tinypic.com/no6e76.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/3094so0.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/66yjnq.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/311knis.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/zm009z.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/zx8q9u.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2ed8raa.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/zob2i8.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/b5lleb.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2h4ygrs.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2gshfdl.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/908uti.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2l9ml9t.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/1rsttz.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/kdr0k2.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/1zcgxh2.jpgAs much as I admire Pasolini, I'm a little hesitant to see it because I liked the book so much.

Adam

11-09-2009, 12:51 AM

I really wanted to skip Precious because I like to think that I'm above anything that seems so overblown/pandering/Tyler Perry & Oprah approved. But now a friend of mine (who's an absurdly cynical bastard with good taste) tells me it's this completely moving film with at least two performances that measure up to the hype and now I pretty much have to see it. Drat

Qrazy

11-09-2009, 03:38 AM

Here's what I ended up grabbing from Chinatown (haven't seen any).

Incident at Blood Pass
Flirting Scholar
Police Story
Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Lifeline
God of Gamblers 2
A Chinese Odyssey
Dora-Heita
Red Sorghum
Fight Back to School
All for the Winner

Qrazy

11-09-2009, 03:43 AM

The Decameron was terrific. It's about as subtle as a brick to the head, though it's never without a sense of humor. It juggles the poignant and pointed rather well. And it's very aesthetically pleasing. I'll let the screenshots give you an idea:

http://i38.tinypic.com/no6e76.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/3094so0.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/66yjnq.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/311knis.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/zm009z.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/zx8q9u.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2ed8raa.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/zob2i8.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/b5lleb.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2h4ygrs.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2gshfdl.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/908uti.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2l9ml9t.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/1rsttz.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/kdr0k2.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/1zcgxh2.jpg

I feel pretty much the same way about Pasolini's adaptations of The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales and Arabian Nights. Well actually I prefer the first two to the latter. Ultimately I mildly enjoy them but find them fairly underwhelming. I'm not impressed by any of the films visuals really. I enjoy their renderings of the humorous moments from their respective narratives and that's pretty much it.

number8

11-09-2009, 04:36 AM

PRECIOUS is fucking terrible.

Ivan Drago

11-09-2009, 05:27 AM

PRECIOUS is fucking terrible.

But, sadly, a future Oscar Best Picture winner, right? And that means Oprah AND Tyler Perry will have as many Oscars as Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese.

I can't believe I just said that.

Derek

11-09-2009, 05:32 AM

PRECIOUS is fucking terrible.

I expected to hate it. I wanted to hate it. But despite myself, I just couldn't. And Mo'Nique is actually pretty good. It's kinda shallow and overbearing and the brief fantasy sequences are fucking terrible, but there were enough scenes with impeccable acting and legitimate emotional gravitas that I can't help but give it a slightly positive score. And yes, I feel awful supporting anything Tyler Perry is remotely attached to because he's responsible for some of the worst film and television ever made.

B-side

11-09-2009, 05:46 AM

What program do you use to capture screenshots?

VLC.

As much as I admire Pasolini, I'm a little hesitant to see it because I liked the book so much.

When you say you admire him, is that more admiration in place of enjoyment, or do you rather enjoy his work as well? It might be the best of the 4 Pasolini's I've seen.

Sycophant

11-09-2009, 05:58 AM

Love these:

Flirting Scholar
A Chinese Odyssey
Fight Back to School

Like these:

God of Gamblers 2
All for the Winner

MadMan

11-09-2009, 05:59 AM

This is truly absurd.Which part? Unless your just joking again. I'm not really sure. Not gonna worry about it.

I imagine blaxploitation comedies would go over like gangbusters in Iowa.Well damnit they should.

The Oscars are really irrelevent, and it doesn't matter who's won one and who hasn't. But I imagine it sure is nice to take home a little golden man to place on your mantle.

Sycophant

11-09-2009, 05:59 AM

But, sadly, a future Oscar Best Picture winner, right? And that means Oprah AND Tyler Perry will have as many Oscars as Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese.

I can't believe I just said that.

I know I'm all one-note about this Oscar bullshit, but there is just so much in this post I can't possibly care about it.

Sycophant

11-09-2009, 05:59 AM

I imagine it sure is nice to take home a little golden man to place on your mantle.

That's what she said.

MadMan

11-09-2009, 06:01 AM

That's what she said.Walked right into that one there, I suppose.

Mysterious Dude

11-09-2009, 06:25 AM

I was impressed by the trailers for Precious, but the names Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry did not encourage me.

number8

11-09-2009, 06:34 AM

I expected to hate it. I wanted to hate it. But despite myself, I just couldn't. And Mo'Nique is actually pretty good. It's kinda shallow and overbearing and the brief fantasy sequences are fucking terrible, but there were enough scenes with impeccable acting and legitimate emotional gravitas that I can't help but give it a slightly positive score. And yes, I feel awful supporting anything Tyler Perry is remotely attached to because he's responsible for some of the worst film and television ever made.

The acting is fine, though I do think Mo'Nique is being overpraised by the press here. One genuinely great "emotional" scene that's worth ga-gaing over following an hour of one-note shrillness. I find no legitimate emotional gravitas in any of it. It really doesn't have anything to say beyond "life can be super hard, but keep on going" and spends 2 hours just trying to prove that in the most over-the-top manner possible, while doing absolutely nothing else. It's actually kind of pathetic how hard it begs for sympathy from the audience—which is the complete opposite of the character's supposed journey.

Not to mention that the shit they pile on the girl are handled so callously that they feel more like a checklist of "bad things that can happen to you" than serious real-life problems. In fact, I almost burst out laughing when Precious got AIDS.

Just... Seriously one of the worst movies of the year.

Qrazy

11-09-2009, 06:46 AM

Does anyone know if there's a way to switch back to the old imdb formatting?

Stay Puft

11-09-2009, 07:53 AM

A Chinese Odyssey is awesome. The last ten minutes of Pandora's Box is just about my favorite thing with Stephen Chow. Being bombarded with soccer balls in Shaolin Soccer is probably second.

Fight Back to School also has my favorite Man Tat Ng moment, though overall I don't like the movie as much as some of Stephen Chow's other stuff.

Stay Puft

11-09-2009, 07:56 AM

Spinal, any thoughts on this?

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 (Rafferty, 2008) **1/2

I'd probably give it a similar rating, but I have to admit I found it surprisingly compelling. It's as funny as anything I saw last year.

number8

11-09-2009, 07:59 AM

Fight Back to School also has my favorite Man Tat Ng moment...

And which one is that? "You can't see me"?

Stay Puft

11-09-2009, 09:48 AM

And which one is that? "You can't see me"?

The running gag with him smoking.

The final part, specifically, when he finally leaves his pipe or whatever unattended for a moment so Chow can inspect it, confirming it is unlit. When Man Tat Ng sits back down and continues smoking, I fell out of my chair.

The entire gag is completely unassuming. Up until that brief conclusion/confirmation, neither actor has really brought attention to it, even though both Chow and the audience suspect what is going on the whole time. Nor do they comment on it afterwards.

Dukefrukem

11-09-2009, 11:35 AM

I still can't get over how great The Shawshank Redemption was.

lovejuice

11-09-2009, 01:10 PM

Just... Seriously one of the worst movies of the year.
haven't heard about it but any movie that calls itself

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE

must be terrible.

Mara

11-09-2009, 02:05 PM

haven't heard about it but any movie that calls itself

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE

must be terrible.

I keep hearing raves about it, especially the two women's performances. But the comments on this page are making me rethink ever seeking it out.

number8

11-09-2009, 06:17 PM

haven't heard about it but any movie that calls itself

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE

must be terrible.

Apparently, there's a reason for that. The star, Gabby Sibide, said that every black girl has read the novel, so they feel that it's some kind of sacred text. They want to call it Push, but since some superhero movie took that, they have to go with something else, but they want to make absolutely sure people in the black community know it's based on the book Push. By Sapphire.

Yxklyx

11-09-2009, 06:45 PM

I still can't get over how great The Shawshank Redemption was.

I haven't seen this one in a while. I thought it was very good but what makes it great - as many seem to think.

Dukefrukem

11-09-2009, 07:04 PM

I haven't seen this one in a while. I thought it was very good but what makes it great - as many seem to think.

It touches on all levels; Friendship, love, devotion, pride and honor, corruption, greed and revenge. It’s setup beautifully and executed perfectly.

thefourthwall

11-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Probably PowerDVD or VLC.

VLC.

Thanks, I'm trying to figure out how I can start get screen shots/clips to incorporate into my academic life without spending lots of money for software
and if possible not switching to a mac.

number8

11-09-2009, 09:28 PM

I was offered an interview with Troy Duffy. I haven't responded yet.

Match Cut, tell me to grow some balls.

Spun Lepton

11-09-2009, 09:30 PM

I was offered an interview with Troy Duffy. I haven't responded yet.

Match Cut, tell me to grow some balls.

What's your opinion on the douchebag?

number8

11-09-2009, 09:51 PM

What's your opinion on the douchebag?

That he's a douchebag who thinks his shitty writing is clever.

ledfloyd

11-09-2009, 10:02 PM

That he's a douchebag who thinks his shitty writing is clever.
in that case, do the interview.

Spun Lepton

11-09-2009, 10:06 PM

That he's a douchebag who thinks his shitty writing is clever.

Were you given the assignment by somebody else, and if so, will the assignment go to somebody else if you decline it?

Qrazy

11-09-2009, 10:15 PM

Decline. Life is too short.

Dead & Messed Up

11-09-2009, 10:33 PM

I was offered an interview with Troy Duffy. I haven't responded yet.

Match Cut, tell me to grow some balls.

Oh God, do the interview, and bombard him with the types of questions you would ask a Scorsese or Kurosawa. The type of deep, cinema-loving questions that would leave him confused and incoherent.

number8

11-09-2009, 10:35 PM

Were you given the assignment by somebody else, and if so, will the assignment go to somebody else if you decline it?

Eh? No, I was asked by the publicist.

Spun Lepton

11-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Oh God, do the interview, and bombard him with the types of questions you would ask a Scorsese or Kurosawa. The type of deep, cinema-loving questions that would leave him confused and incoherent.

I'm going to have to go with DaMU's suggestion, here. This is an opportunity to really fuck with a guy who deserves to get fucked with. Bring a video camera or voice recorder.

megladon8

11-09-2009, 10:51 PM

Ask him what his thoughts are on the auteur theory, and if he feels that cinema is an expression of the human condition which surpasses that of pictures or sounds on their own.

Then ask him what kind of guns he used in Boondock Saints II.

number8

11-09-2009, 10:54 PM

This would be a good time to admit that I accept all your ridicule for passing on a Herzog interview last week.

megladon8

11-09-2009, 10:57 PM

I'd like to see Werner Herzog interview Troy Duffy.

BuffaloWilder

11-09-2009, 11:04 PM

Do this interview, Number 8. You do it NOW.

See, that's how you do it, guys. You've gotta be direct, see.

Dukefrukem

11-10-2009, 01:36 AM

I must have missed the Troy Duffy duchebagery days. What did he do aside from making a crappy movie based in Boston?

megladon8

11-10-2009, 01:40 AM

I must have missed the Troy Duffy duchebagery days. What did he do aside from making a crappy movie based in Boston?

Watch Overnight.

Dukefrukem

11-10-2009, 01:44 AM

Watch Overnight.

But what makes him a douchebag?

Mysterious Dude

11-10-2009, 01:45 AM

This would be a good time to admit that I accept all your ridicule for passing on a Herzog interview last week.
I wonder if those evangelical Christians were invited. Now that I'd like to see.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 01:56 AM

But what makes him a douchebag?

All questions are answered in Overnight.

megladon8

11-10-2009, 01:57 AM

But what makes him a douchebag?

The fact that he is a douchebag :P

The Weinsteins picked up his script for The Boondock Saints and said they'd produce it and he could direct it. Sweet, right? Finally a big studio is recognizing that, hey, there are people out there with great stories to tell who aren't connected to the Hollywood system, and who deserve a chance to share their work with the world.

Right away he started acting like he was king shit. He would openly insult and belittle other big name people in the industry over the phone and on camera. For example he called Kenneth Branagh a "cunt" for not getting back to him soon enough, and he told Paul Reubens that he didn't know what it was like to earn his celebrity status. All on camera.

He was notorious for being an arrogant, controlling asshole on the set of the film, again constantly insulting and belittling other established names in the industry.

What's special about his case, though, is that he ruined it for everyone else. The Weinsteins went out on a limb giving him this budget and contacts and crew and everything, and he acted like a complete douche-hat and ruined what could have potentially been a really cool trend-starting project where movie studios would give chances to the "little people".

Skitch

11-10-2009, 01:59 AM

I came out of Overnight hating the people that made it, and feeling pity for Duffy being uneducated in the politics of how Hollywood works.

megladon8

11-10-2009, 02:01 AM

I came out of Overnight hating the people that made it, and feeling pity for Duffy being uneducated in the politics of how Hollywood works.

Really?

You felt pity for Duffy not knowing that you shouldn't openly call other people in the industry "cunts" and "talentless nothings"?

If you were fired from your job for calling your boss a cunt, would you say that you did nothing wrong because you didn't know that was frowned upon?

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:03 AM

The fact that he is a douchebag :P

Right away he started acting like he was king shit. He would openly insult and belittle other big name people in the industry over the phone and on camera.

He was notorious for being an arrogant, controlling asshole on the set of the film, again constantly insulting and belittling other established names in the industry.

Now you're just describing Bostonians. Why do you hate the Irish?!

Why yes, I am kidding.

sort of...filthy Celtic fans...

megladon8

11-10-2009, 02:03 AM

I am Irish.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 02:05 AM

The fact that he is a douchebag :P

The Weinsteins picked up his script for The Boondock Saints and said they'd produce it and he could direct it. Sweet, right? Finally a big studio is recognizing that, hey, there are people out there with great stories to tell who aren't connected to the Hollywood system, and who deserve a chance to share their work with the world.

Right away he started acting like he was king shit. He would openly insult and belittle other big name people in the industry over the phone and on camera. For example he called Kenneth Branagh a "cunt" for not getting back to him soon enough, and he told Paul Reubens that he didn't know what it was like to earn his celebrity status. All on camera.

He was notorious for being an arrogant, controlling asshole on the set of the film, again constantly insulting and belittling other established names in the industry.

What's special about his case, though, is that he ruined it for everyone else. The Weinsteins went out on a limb giving him this budget and contacts and crew and everything, and he acted like a complete douche-hat and ruined what could have potentially been a really cool trend-starting project where movie studios would give chances to the "little people".

My favorite part of Overnight is when he's scrambling to find a new source of money for BS after Weinstein pulled his money out of the project. Douchebag finds a producer willing to work with him, and over the course of one phone call where he berates and abuses her, she pulls funding from the movie all over again.

Duffy was shown as a man too arrogant to learn from his mistakes. I seriously doubt giving him the opportunity for a sequel is going to change that. Who knows, though? People will sometimes surprise you.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 02:06 AM

I came out of Overnight hating the people that made it, and feeling pity for Duffy being uneducated in the politics of how Hollywood works.

WHAT? Being generally civil and respectful of others is "politics"?

Did you miss the part where he alienated his friends and family, too? Did you honestly see all of his on-camera behavior and think that was a perfectly reasonable way to behave?

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:06 AM

Really?

You felt pity for Duffy not knowing that you shouldn't openly call other people in the industry "cunts" and "talentless nothings"?

If you were fired from your job for calling your boss a cunt, would you say that you did nothing wrong because you didn't know that was frowned upon?

C'mon, you don't really believe everybody in Hollywood is totally awesome and a joy to work with like every actor says about everyone else in every interview. I pitied him for his ignorance in dealing with the situations, not saying that he was right. Hey, some people just aren't good at dealing with people. Besides, why does [Three Kings] Russell seem to get a pass?

megladon8

11-10-2009, 02:07 AM

I still stand by my statement that The Boondock Saints is a fun movie. I've had a few nights where friends and I have drank beer, watched that and had a grand time.

But Troy Duffy is indeed a douchebag, and I agree with Spun's sentiment that a second movie probably won't change that.

I could honestly see him thinking of himself as some kind of martyr who lost credibility in Hollywood through no fault of his own, and is now making it out of his own pocket.

megladon8

11-10-2009, 02:08 AM

C'mon, you don't really believe everybody in Hollywood is totally awesome and a joy to work with like every actor says about everyone else in every interview. I pitied him for his ignorance in dealing with the situations, not saying that he was right. Hey, some people just aren't good at dealing with people. Besides, why does [Three Kings] Russell seem to get a pass?

Did I say everyone is a joy to deal with?

I don't like many people that I've worked with, but calling them names and berating them is not how you deal with it. Don't like someone you work with? SUCK IT UP.

Troy Duffy gets none of my pity, and deserves none of yours either.

And for the record, I think David O. Russell is a douchebag, too.

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:09 AM

WHAT? Being generally civil and respectful of others is "politics"?

Did you miss the part where he alienated his friends and family, too?

That wasn't the part I meant to imply as politics. I was referring more to his tantrums at the Weinsteins for delaying everything they promised (which it seemed they were doing because he was acting like a douchebag).

megladon8

11-10-2009, 02:11 AM

That wasn't the part I meant to imply as politics. I was referring more to his tantrums at the Weinsteins for delaying everything they promised (which it seemed they were doing because he was acting like a douchebag).

You're talking in circles and contradicting yourself.

Are you saying the Weinsteins were in the wrong for delaying stuff because of him being a douchebag? Should they have just said "oh well, he's a disagreeable chap, but tally-ho, here's a few more million dollars!"

They had the money. In the end, it's their choice whether to give it to him or not. Which is where being nice to them comes into play.

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:14 AM

Troy Duffy gets none of my pity, and deserves none of yours either.

And for the record, I think David O. Russell is a douchebag, too.

That's fair, I'm not standing on a soapbox praising the guy, by any stretch. I just came out of Overnight with a different perspective then most. I just feel that far too often people think there are only a few assholes in Hollywood, where as I believe most of them are. Hell, I think you probably have to be an asshole to get anything accomplished out there...only difference is people got Duffy doing it on tape.

Completely speculative, but I felt Overnight painted it as if Duffy were the only asshole in Hollywood ever.

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:17 AM

You're talking in circles and contradicting yourself.

Are you saying the Weinsteins were in the wrong for delaying stuff because of him being a douchebag? Should they have just said "oh well, he's a disagreeable chap, but tally-ho, here's a few more million dollars!"

They had the money. In the end, it's their choice whether to give it to him or not. Which is where being nice to them comes into play.

I am?

Of course not, I'm saying I pitied him for not knowing how to deal with people. If he had been civil, he could have accomplished his goals more the way he wanted to, but making a big stink, he aggrivated his situation.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 02:18 AM

O Russel's on-set antics have turned me away from his movies in general. That said, Three Kings is head and shoulders above anything Duffy could ever hope to produce in his wildest dreams.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 02:19 AM

That's fair, I'm not standing on a soapbox praising the guy, by any stretch. I just came out of Overnight with a different perspective then most. I just feel that far too often people think there are only a few assholes in Hollywood, where as I believe most of them are. Hell, I think you probably have to be an asshole to get anything accomplished out there...only difference is people got Duffy doing it on tape.

Completely speculative, but I felt Overnight painted it as if Duffy were the only asshole in Hollywood ever.

Yeah, but there's a difference between being an asshole to everybody when you're just coming out of the starting gate, and becoming an asshole later on when you've already proven yourself. Overnight profiled a dickhead who didn't understand this concept.

Skitch

11-10-2009, 02:23 AM

O Russel's on-set antics have turned me away from his movies in general. That said, Three Kings is head and shoulders above anything Duffy could ever hope to produce in his wildest dreams.

Who knows. I'll reserve judgement tell I could see a library from the guy...if that ever happens.

Yeah, but there's a difference between being an asshole to everybody when you're just coming out of the starting gate, and becoming an asshole later on when you've already proven yourself. Overnight profiled a dickhead who didn't understand this concept.

You're absolutely right.

number8

11-10-2009, 03:09 AM

Actually, the director of Overnight said he tried his best to make Duffy look more sympathetic, or at least balanced, in Overnight. He cut out a lot of footage of Duffy being an even bigger asshole and making incredibly racist and misogynistic remarks, in the hope that the doc wouldn't be seen as an attack. Didn't work, obviously.

Winston*

11-10-2009, 07:11 AM

Redbelt was total class. Way better than The Wrestler IMO, as far as seemingly random but then not seeming so random exhibition fighting movies by auteurs go.

Rowland

11-10-2009, 07:56 AM

Redbelt was total class. Way better than The Wrestler IMO, as far as seemingly random but then not seeming so random exhibition fighting movies by auteurs go.This was one of my favorites from last year, totally underrated.

Boner M

11-10-2009, 08:54 AM

w/e

Be Here To Love Me: Townes Van Zandt
Love Townes, and the live performances were great (esp. "Waitin' Round to Die", with the zoom-in to the dude tearing up while watching), but overall this doco was a bit wishy-washy.

The Best Years of Our Lives
The Hustler
2 Great American Movies with Great American Actors giving their all. ****, sez Leonard Maltin! btw, is it just me, or is the Newman/Laurie affair in the latter the most compelling part of the film?

Safe Conduct
Didn't watch this. Drat!

the rest of the Ozon shorts on the disc I rented
Watched Summer Dress, which was erotically charged but ultimately vacuous. 'A bit of straight sex on the side can spice up yr. gay sex' seems to be the message, or something to that effect. *shrugmeh*.

something from last week's roundup that I didn't get 'round to
I think The Hustler was on last week's roundup, not sure tho.

something housemate-friendlyHousemate watched a bit of TBYooL, got bored after half and hour. He liked what he saw of The Hustler, I think.

porn
Summer Dress was pretty hot. Is Ozon a closet straight?

B-side

11-10-2009, 10:49 AM

I'm thinking Masculin féminin might be my favorite Godard so far.

dreamdead

11-10-2009, 12:04 PM

Checked out the original Grey Gardens. It's quite a hypnotic take on personality, with two overblown and neurotic women sparring verbally for the duration, with the Maylses' camera occasionally lighting on the meta-framing of the whole thing since the Beale women keep talking to them and engaging them. It's a good study of how the effects of psychology continually spill over and keep damaging one's concept of normality.

Dukefrukem

11-10-2009, 12:34 PM

The fact that he is a douchebag :P

The Weinsteins picked up his script for The Boondock Saints and said they'd produce it and he could direct it. Sweet, right? Finally a big studio is recognizing that, hey, there are people out there with great stories to tell who aren't connected to the Hollywood system, and who deserve a chance to share their work with the world.

Right away he started acting like he was king shit. He would openly insult and belittle other big name people in the industry over the phone and on camera. For example he called Kenneth Branagh a "cunt" for not getting back to him soon enough, and he told Paul Reubens that he didn't know what it was like to earn his celebrity status. All on camera.

He was notorious for being an arrogant, controlling asshole on the set of the film, again constantly insulting and belittling other established names in the industry.

What's special about his case, though, is that he ruined it for everyone else. The Weinsteins went out on a limb giving him this budget and contacts and crew and everything, and he acted like a complete douche-hat and ruined what could have potentially been a really cool trend-starting project where movie studios would give chances to the "little people".

Well that's interesting. I guess I do need to watch Overnight.

Dukefrukem

11-10-2009, 12:34 PM

Now you're just describing Bostonians. Why do you hate the Irish?!

Why yes, I am kidding.

sort of...filthy Celtic fans...

grrr

NickGlass

11-10-2009, 06:14 PM

2 Great American Movies with Great American Actors giving their all. ****, sez Leonard Maltin! btw, is it just me, or is the Newman/Laurie affair in [The Hustler] the most compelling part of the film?

I think it's the only compelling part.

Qrazy

11-10-2009, 06:56 PM

I think all of The Hustler is compelling although I believe soitgoes found the film underwhelming precisely because of the Newman/Laurie part.

Ivan Drago

11-10-2009, 06:58 PM

All this talk about Troy Duffy reminds me - I've gotten a ton of flack from friends for disliking The Boondock Saints. Most of their comments have varied from "Duffy did so much with so little money" and "Have you been in a fight with a drunk Irishman? That's why the fights were so one-sided." and "How could you not enjoy that movie? It's so badass" Yes, it's masculine, yes, it's awesome. Is it a good movie? NO! :rolleyes: And here were my reasons for disliking it:

- The whole "let's show the murder AFTER Smecker analyzes the crime scene" gimmick got repetitive and boring after a while.

- The villains in this movie were very vulnerable and beatable. At least give me a fight scene that's NOT one-sided....

- Everyone in this movie, even the Saints have no personality whatsoever. All I learned about them was that they were Irish, religious, and knew how to shoot a gun.

- To add to it, both Flanery and Reedus aren't the best lead actors in the world.

- No one can pull a toilet out of the ground, handcuffs or no handcuffs.

Grouchy

11-10-2009, 07:04 PM

I think all of The Hustler was very compelling and the Newman/Laurie relationship was unbelievably heartfelt and realistic.

number8

11-10-2009, 07:19 PM

All this talk about Troy Duffy reminds me - I've gotten a ton of flack from friends for disliking The Boondock Saints. Most of their comments have varied from "Duffy did so much with so little money" and "Have you been in a fight with a drunk Irishman? That's why the fights were so one-sided." and "How could you not enjoy that movie? It's so badass" Yes, it's masculine, yes, it's awesome. Is it a good movie? NO! :rolleyes:

Some of these people get really perplexed. The wife and I were talking about how shitty Boondock Saints is once, and one of our friends overheard us and said, "Wait, you guys don't like Boondock Saints?" We both shook our heads. Immediately there was this pain in his eyes, like we just shot a puppy in front of him, and he went, almost pleading, "Whyyy? But it's so awesome!"

megladon8

11-10-2009, 08:52 PM

- No one can pull a toilet out of the ground, handcuffs or no handcuffs.

He was supposed to have been touched by God.

Spun Lepton

11-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Qrazy

11-10-2009, 09:18 PM

I wanted to like Mazursky's Tempest more than I ultimately did. It's always nice to see Rowlands and Cassavetes playing off of one another but this is far from their most engaging work. Overall the film is just too damn long. It's poorly structured and meandering. Of course there's still much to be admired. It's cleanly shot, it's an interesting albeit half baked re-envisioning of Shakespeare's work and the performances are quality. Raul Julia as Calabanos provides some particularly engaging comic relief. However, it never really comes together and the Fellini-esque ending comes across as forced and arbitrary.

number8

11-10-2009, 09:51 PM

I don't remember many details on the movie, but I remember having a serious problem with the sketchy, poorly-defined morals of the lead characters and then having Duffy treat them as if they were some kind of positive example for the audience.

That's because he does see them that way, more or less. I don't remember if this was in Overnight or if I read it somewhere else, but he wrote the movie as "therapy," after watching all the crime and violence on the news and getting too sick not to do something, or whatever that means. So he wrote a screenplay that's basically his own murder fantasy.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 12:04 AM

The difference between The Boondock Saints and The Punisher is that Marvel writers know Frank Castle is a sicko.

number8

11-11-2009, 12:07 AM

And that Frank Castle is not a pop-culture spouting pair of twats.

number8

11-11-2009, 01:11 AM

I don't know what this means.

you can pretty much give a horror movie any plot, characters, setting, and dialogue and as long as it's REALLY scary, the movie could be considered good, but not that good.

Dead & Messed Up

11-11-2009, 01:22 AM

I don't know what this means.

It means nothing. Disregard it.

B-side

11-11-2009, 07:31 AM

I'm thinking Masculin féminin might be my favorite Godard so far.

To extend this, I love this part of a review for it by Chris Fujiwara of The Boston Phoenix:

In questioning his own authority to ask his questions and the place from which he asks them, Paul is Godard’s surrogate — as he is in other ways too. Paul’s troubles with Madeleine echo the experiences of obsessive males in such previous Godard films as À bout de souffle/Breathless, Le mépris/Contempt, and Pierrot le fou. The hint of an autobiographical component in these narratives of shipwrecked romantic love is strong. Anguished by their own apartness and their inability to possess the feminine object, both Paul and Godard dismantle and parody the object — and then turn their interrogations around on themselves. Paul’s longing to "see life, really see it" is shared by Godard, and Paul’s final (off-screen) gesture, backing up in order to reach a better position from which to take a photograph, is that of a filmmaker who accepts as a condition of his work the need to find a real distance from and a real relationship with the objects he films.

balmakboor

11-11-2009, 05:27 PM

My wait seems to be over. Netflix just shipped me a disc that turns my PS3 into a Netflix enabled device. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

number8

11-11-2009, 06:53 PM

Hey guys, I'm interviewing Joe Swanberg tomorrow morning. Some of you know I'm really not a fan of his (or mumblecore in general), so if you have a question you want me to ask, shoot.

number8

11-11-2009, 06:53 PM

My wait seems to be over. Netflix just shipped me a disc that turns my PS3 into a Netflix enabled device. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

It's great.

trotchky

11-11-2009, 07:34 PM

I watched Manderlay late last week; it's probably one of the best things I've ever seen. At the very least, a movie about race that attacks rather than flatters its audience's ego is kind of an accomplishment in and of itself, but it's also basically the opposite of an Orwellian Nightmare: a film relentlessly intent on causing cognitive dissonance in the extreme, challenging convictions, worldviews, getting to the root of beliefs.

Needless to say Lars Von Trier has become one of my absolute favorite directors. Dude makes my former choice for best director working today, Michael Haneke, look totally anemic.

trotchky

11-11-2009, 07:44 PM

Raiders

11-11-2009, 08:00 PM

The Machinist was good in ways I didn't expect it to be; that is to say it had me thinking about what it might be saying longer than Memento (which is to say, longer than the end credits roll). Which probably makes it one of the best "neo-noirs" of the decade. It's the Se7en of its era.

Not sure what's "noirish" about it other than its dull and drab monochrome palette. Bale's stunt-method performance doesn't elevate or enliven what is essentially a very easily spottable modern, pop-psychology twist at the center of a malnourished (pun intended) and fairly rote screenplay.

I've seen a lot of people praise it, but I don't really get it. The filmmakers outside of Bale take no risks with the project and can't really inject any life or interest into the story; it's all grays and quiet-shock-quiet horrors. It doesn't even approach Fincher's interest in the erosion of societal comforts and the underbelly of society eating away at the surface. It's all superficial, technological angst that fails to effectively dramatize what could be interesting material.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:02 PM

Count me into The Machinist was great club.

Great, eerie musical score as well.

Spun Lepton

11-11-2009, 08:10 PM

I'm with Raiders on this one.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:11 PM

Brad Anderson's Session 9 was fantastic as well.

Transsiberian was a bit of a let-down though.

Kurosawa Fan

11-11-2009, 08:14 PM

I'm with Raiders and Spun.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:15 PM

I see how it is...:|

Winston*

11-11-2009, 08:15 PM

I'm with Raiders and Spun and Kurosawa Fan.

Kurosawa Fan

11-11-2009, 08:18 PM

I see how it is...:|

I'm with you in the animal/food discussion in the other thread. Sorry bud, I like to spread the KF love. Especially with Winston*.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:19 PM

I'm with you in the animal/food discussion in the other thread. Sorry bud, I like to spread the KF love.

It's OK you don't like The Machinist...everyone has a flaw of some kind.

Kurosawa Fan

11-11-2009, 08:23 PM

It's OK you don't like The Machinist...everyone has a flaw of some kind.

Good of you to admit your flaw. That helps start the healing process.

Spun Lepton

11-11-2009, 08:29 PM

Good of you to admit your flaw. That helps start the healing process.

:lol:

To be fair, I think Anderson's Session 9 is terrific.

Dead & Messed Up

11-11-2009, 08:36 PM

I find The Machinist an effective little tone piece, lacking the creep factor of Session 9 and the more lively attitude of Transsiberian, but it confirms, for me, Brad Anderson's status as a genre voice worth listening to. It also furthers this interesting thread throughout Anderson's work, in which the stories are driven by main characters weighted down by sin and guilt, desperate for absolution, unable to escape; they frequently retreat into their minds. This also comes up in his "Sounds Like" (from Masters of Horror), where the main's guilt manifests itself through the exaggerated soundtrack.

Very interested in what he does next.

1. Session 9
2. Transsiberian
3. The Machinist
4. "Sounds Like"

Raiders

11-11-2009, 08:40 PM

Hmm, Sounds Like is actually my favorite Anderson piece, though I am also a fan of Session 9 in spite of the Caruso factor. Didn't care much for Transsiberian and The Machinist.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:41 PM

Apparently (that is, according to IMDb) his next two projects are horrors.

The first (slated for a 2010 release) is titled Vanishing on 7th Street and has the incredibly underwhelming cast of Thandie Newton, Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo. It's currently filming.

Then in 2011 he has a project called All Lost Souls.

Kurosawa Fan

11-11-2009, 08:42 PM

Session 9 was decent. Nothing too impressive, but solid.

megladon8

11-11-2009, 08:42 PM

Hmm, Sounds Like is actually my favorite Anderson piece, though I am also a fan of Session 9 in spite of the Caruso factor. Didn't care much for Transsiberian and The Machinist.

Really? I could have sworn you were really impressed with Transsiberian when you first saw it.

Did your opinion change over time, or am I remembering wrong?

Dead & Messed Up

11-11-2009, 08:44 PM

Hmm, Sounds Like is actually my favorite Anderson piece, though I am also a fan of Session 9 in spite of the Caruso factor. Didn't care much for Transsiberian and The Machinist.

The ranking isn't necessarily a patch on the episode, which is one of the best from MoH's second season. My problem with it was that there was no real progression to the story. It played like a series of incidents pitched at the same volume.

Spun Lepton

11-11-2009, 08:45 PM

The first (slated for a 2010 release) is titled Vanishing on 7th Street and has the incredibly underwhelming cast of Thandie Newton, Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo. It's currently filming.

Well ... Leguizamo is no slouch. Newton is capable. Christensen is ... *ahem*

Raiders

11-11-2009, 08:51 PM

Really? I could have sworn you were really impressed with Transsiberian when you first saw it.

Did your opinion change over time, or am I remembering wrong?

I was indifferent to it then and probably still am. Ben Kingsley needed to be cut out. The film really just got more and more silly.

Henry Gale

11-11-2009, 10:41 PM

http://i35.tinypic.com/20iiald.jpg

I happened to catch just 15 minutes of Session 9 a long time ago having no idea what it was and saw that scene (before I knew the gif of it was as popular as it is). And boy, did I ever die laughing. I never saw any more of it, so when I later loved The Machinist, I was confused when I saw Anderson had also directed that.

But seeing the consensus here that it's actually half decent, even with Caruso, I may just check it out at some point. Transsiberian, too. I also remember seeing Ebert & Roeper review his Happy Accidents as a kid and remember the premise really intriguing me at the time, I just never looked too hard for it. Has anyone seen that?

Dukefrukem

11-11-2009, 10:43 PM

Assault on Precinct 13(2005) sucked.

Ezee E

11-11-2009, 10:46 PM

I think that Anderson guy gets better with each movie. But has yet to have anything "pretty good."

Ivan Drago

11-12-2009, 12:31 AM

I think that Anderson guy gets better with each movie. But has yet to have anything "pretty good."

Which one? Paul Thomas?

Wes?

Paul W.S.?

.....Louie?

megladon8

11-12-2009, 12:34 AM

Which one? Paul Thomas?

Wes?

Paul W.S.?

.....Louie?

Read the last several posts.

BuffaloWilder

11-12-2009, 04:15 AM

So, X-Men 3 is pretty terrible on the whole, but Magneto gets a couple of really nice character moments that stand out among the rest of the film, and the rest of his character in the film, which is painted somewhere between a cartoon and an old mad scientist (??).

Watashi

11-12-2009, 04:45 AM

So I really should be saving money as I'm pretty slim in the bank account, but Amazon was having a deal where you get the blu-ray of Up, Monster's Inc., and Cars all for 35 dollars. I am a weakling for Pixar.

Boner M

11-12-2009, 05:37 AM

w/e

Battles Without Honour and Humanity (Fukasaka)
The Young One (Bunuel)
Family Life (Loach)
A Matter of Life and Death (Powell (finally...(?)))

Spinal

11-12-2009, 05:52 AM

The Young One (Bunuel)

Great movie.

Derek

11-12-2009, 05:58 AM

Trevor Reznick is one of the lamest, audience-pandering character names I've ever come across. The rest of the film isn't that lame, but it can't quite escape it.

number8

11-12-2009, 07:06 AM

So... No Joe Swanberg fan?

Derek

11-12-2009, 07:50 AM

So... No Joe Swanberg fan?

I haven't seen any of his films, but I read a quote somewhere that his films' thoughts begin and end at the tip of his penis. I'd be interested to hear his response to that.

B-side

11-12-2009, 11:30 AM

Shock Corridor is pretty good. It was my first Fuller. It was a bit hard for me to jive with the campiness, but I like the implications of its narrative.

Yxklyx

11-12-2009, 12:23 PM

Weekend:

Food, Inc.
The Brothers Bloom
The Lineup (recently released on DVD)
The Year of Living Dangerously
Planet Terror (maybe)

Raiders

11-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Weekend:

The Long Goodbye [Altman]
Let the Right One In [Alfredson]
Foreign Correspondent [Hitchcock]
Onibaba [Shindo]

Grouchy

11-12-2009, 02:43 PM

The Machinist has impressive cinematography, music and, of course, Christian Bale on the verge of death by inanition. But I don't find the story all that meaningful - standard psychological thriller stuff, down to the final twist.

Session 9 was way too abstract for me. It's well made, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Transsiberian, on the other hand, was the first Anderson film to fully blow my mind. I think that movie is really an achievement - I would love to hear what Hitchcock would have to say about it.

Philosophe_rouge

11-12-2009, 03:59 PM

weekend
Niagara
Some Brakhage
Sweet Bird of Youth
ANTICHRIST
Three Colors: White
The Fall
Last Tango in Paris

Well, not all of these, but some :/

Kurosawa Fan

11-12-2009, 04:23 PM

Weekend:

The Long Goodbye [Altman]
Let the Right One In [Alfredson]
Foreign Correspondent [Hitchcock]
Onibaba [Shindo]

Wow. That's one hell of a weekend. It's impressive when a Hitchcock film is the low point of a movie schedule.

I'm going to try to see something in the theater tonight with a friend. Either Where the Wild Things Are, The Men Who Stare at Goats, or The Box. Whichever we agree upon.

Aside from that, hopefully I'll get to squeeze in Memories of Murder as well.

number8

11-12-2009, 04:27 PM

This NY Times feature on Megan Fox is really interesting. I love stories about modern culture disguised as celebrity interviews.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/magazine/15Fox-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Ezee E

11-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Weekend:
Antichrist
The Quiet Earth
Adoration
Detective Story

number8

11-12-2009, 05:47 PM

Trying to call Swanberg for the past 50 mins. Keeps getting voicemail. :sad:

Sycophant

11-12-2009, 05:48 PM

Swanberg reads Match Cut and hates you.

number8

11-12-2009, 05:49 PM

I should have known. It's the animal thread, isn't it?

balmakboor

11-12-2009, 06:27 PM

W/E
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Shree 420
Last Year at Marienbad
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Spun Lepton

11-12-2009, 06:32 PM

Shock Corridor is pretty good. It was my first Fuller. It was a bit hard for me to jive with the campiness, but I like the implications of its narrative.

Gasp! Nymphos!!!

jamaul

11-12-2009, 07:40 PM

So I know I don't post very often, and that most of you guys probably don't know who I am, but I'm starting work on an ambitious project to release my top 50 favorite films of the decade. I've started today, as it's 11/12 and there are 50 days left in the year. That way, if I release one film entry per day, my favorite film of the decade will drop on 12/31.

I don't usually have time to post often enough to have much of a presence here, but I do lurk quite often ... which I guess has some creepy implications to it now that I think about it.

Here's the link: top50films00.blogspot.com (http://top50films00.blogspot.com)

balmakboor

11-12-2009, 08:40 PM

lovejuice

11-12-2009, 09:53 PM

Here's the link: top50films00.blogspot.com (http://top50films00.blogspot.com)
i'll check it out too, although i think it would be nice if you make a thread here and regularly post the links to your blog.

ledfloyd

11-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Zabriskie Point was pretty good all things considered. i can see why it has the reputation it has. it's very dated, and i'm not sure it succeeds entirely at doing what it intends to do. but it's antonioni. and it's beautiful. and something like the exploding stuff sequence would make a wonderful short film on it's own.

dreamdead

11-12-2009, 10:32 PM

Quoth the Derek -- Night & Day (Hong, 2009) 50

:sad: Ah, damn it. I'm losing such hope for this film, especially since I've been such a fan of Hong's vision as a filmmaker. I think the interplay between Seoul culture and a man's masculinity--and a man's ability to secure romantic attraction--has become a key theme in his most recent work (Tale of Cinema and Woman on the Beach), and so I was excited to see how he dealt with a complete separation from Seoul. Only filmbrain, fanboy that he is, is still spurring me on with this film.

lovejuice

11-12-2009, 10:39 PM

:sad: Ah, damn it. I'm losing such hope for this film, especially since I've been such a fan of Hong's vision as a filmmaker.
my friend loves it though, so you should still keep up your hope.

jamaul

11-12-2009, 10:42 PM

i'll check it out too, although i think it would be nice if you make a thread here and regularly post the links to your blog.

Where do I make the thread? I thought it would clog up the board if I made a thread dedicated to my own personal list. You guys don't like that, right?

lovejuice

11-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Where do I make the thread? I thought it would clog up the board if I made a thread dedicated to my own personal list. You guys don't like that, right?
i think we kinda do. as you might notice, there are top ten, top hundred, most awesome and at one point, things that make one's blood boil. (of course, i can't speak for everyone here.)

Ivan Drago

11-12-2009, 10:47 PM

Weekend:

2012
Revenge of the Nerds

Derek

11-12-2009, 11:12 PM

:sad: Ah, damn it. I'm losing such hope for this film, especially since I've been such a fan of Hong's vision as a filmmaker. I think the interplay between Seoul culture and a man's masculinity--and a man's ability to secure romantic attraction--has become a key theme in his most recent work (Tale of Cinema and Woman on the Beach), and so I was excited to see how he dealt with a complete separation from Seoul. Only filmbrain, fanboy that he is, is still spurring me on with this film.

Dan Sallitt, who has remarkably varied taste and sees a lot of films, thinks it's a masterpiece, so it has it's supporters. To me, it was thematically blunt and visually bland - two things I haven't encountered in any of Hong's previous films.

megladon8

11-12-2009, 11:30 PM

Where do I make the thread? I thought it would clog up the board if I made a thread dedicated to my own personal list. You guys don't like that, right?

Anyone who accuses you of clogging up the board deserves a swift punch in the face.

Raiders

11-12-2009, 11:46 PM

Where do I make the thread? I thought it would clog up the board if I made a thread dedicated to my own personal list. You guys don't like that, right?

The opposite actually. We're pretty much list-hounds and the more the merrier.

Eleven

11-12-2009, 11:56 PM

Did somebody say "list?"

Shock Corridor is pretty good. It was my first Fuller. It was a bit hard for me to jive with the campiness, but I like the implications of its narrative.

Sammy may have punched you in the face for calling it camp. It's blunt, sure, but such a message and narrative, as with several of his films (most especially The Naked Kiss), need to be.

MadMan

11-13-2009, 12:03 AM

The Criterion Half-Off sale at Barnes and Noble has struck again. I bought Repulsion and The Hit, and since its going on until Thanksgiving and I'm getting paid tomorrow, I'm probably heading back. Funny thing is that aside from Criterions I have only bought two DVDs in the past two years. I usually rent.

megladon8

11-13-2009, 12:40 AM

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (Hiroshi Inagaki, 1954) - **½

Damn, sorry to see you didn't enjoy this as much as I did.

I thought the trilogy was quite masterful, actually. Though I will say I found it strange that the second film is often the highest rated, because I found to to be easily the weakest of the three.

B-side

11-13-2009, 02:43 AM

Sammy may have punched you in the face for calling it camp. It's blunt, sure, but such a message and narrative, as with several of his films (most especially The Naked Kiss), need to be.

:lol:

It was pretty wild stuff. The pathos jumbled with all the wild characters and melodrama. It was a difficult balance, but luckily, Fuller pulled it off for the most part.

Eleven

11-13-2009, 02:52 AM

:lol:

As Fuller says in Pierrot le fou: "Film is like a battleground. Love. Hate. Action. Violence. Death. In one word…emotion."

It was pretty wild stuff. The pathos jumbled with all the wild characters and melodrama. It was a difficult balance, but luckily, Fuller pulled it off for the most part.

This could describe The Naked Kiss. Or White Dog. Or I Shot Jesse James. The balance is probably best expressed in Pickup on South Street, but his more sober efforts like The Steel Helmet and Park Row are tremendous as well. His work is always eye-catching, all-out, and intriguing, especially in relation to its time.

Qrazy

11-13-2009, 03:22 AM

Damn, sorry to see you didn't enjoy this as much as I did.

I thought the trilogy was quite masterful, actually. Though I will say I found it strange that the second film is often the highest rated, because I found to to be easily the weakest of the three.

I think the fight in the second film in the rice paddies is the best scene in the trilogy. But the fight on Ganryu island is also great. Overall I'm not sure which film I prefer in general. The first one might be the most compact.

MadMan

11-13-2009, 04:35 AM

As Fuller says in Pierrot le fou: "Film is like a battleground. Love. Hate. Action. Violence. Death. In one word…emotion."That is one of my favorite quotes, ever.

Speaking of Fuller, at Barnes and Noble there is the Criterion three movie set of his featuring his first three films: The Baron of Arizona, I Shot Jesse James, and The Steel Helmet. Should I considering buying it, since it will be half off? Bear in mind I've never seen any of his movies before.

EyesWideOpen

11-13-2009, 05:47 AM

Ivan Drago

11-13-2009, 05:51 AM

The Criterion Half-Off sale at Barnes and Noble has struck again.

I'm not missing out on this again. Breathless and Benjamin Button are MINE.

Boner M

11-13-2009, 06:09 AM

I didn't care much for A Matter of Life and Death. Didn't connect with the fanciful concept, left me cold. Great to look at though, as ever with P&P.

Derek

11-13-2009, 06:13 AM

I didn't care much for A Matter of Life and Death. Didn't connect with the fanciful concept, left me cold. Great to look at though, as ever with P&P.

I'm with ya, though I don't connect with most P&P, Black Narcissus being the biggest exception.

MadMan

11-13-2009, 06:19 AM

I'm not missing out on this again. Breathless and Benjamin Button are MINE.Heh. Button is a great film, yes, but I wouldn't bother buying it. Haven't seen Breathless yet. Still, I can't fault you for wanting to purchase either. My friend told me about the first time they had the sale, and informed me about this one as well. He loaded upon on Orsen Welles-he has never viewed F For Fake-and thus he is in for a treat.

kuehnepips

11-13-2009, 10:29 AM

Weekend:

2012
Revenge of the Nerds

2012 - Revenge of the Nerds.
That's actually a nice film title.

Weekend:
Capitalism: A Love Story
Hey, another one.

Skitch

11-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Damn, sorry to see you didn't enjoy this as much as I did.

I thought the trilogy was quite masterful, actually. Though I will say I found it strange that the second film is often the highest rated, because I found to to be easily the weakest of the three.

I think I found the third the weakest, but its been a while since I've seen it. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series though.

Eleven

11-13-2009, 11:33 AM

That is one of my favorite quotes, ever.

Speaking of Fuller, at Barnes and Noble there is the Criterion three movie set of his featuring his first three films: The Baron of Arizona, I Shot Jesse James, and The Steel Helmet. Should I considering buying it, since it will be half off? Bear in mind I've never seen any of his movies before.

That was one of the first Eclipse boxed sets, IIRC. Steel Helmet is one of his best films, Baron is, like EWO said, a terrific showcase for Vincent Price, and Jesse James would at least be an interesting contrast with the recent Brad Pitt movie. But as introductions, understanding that for those alive at the time, they logically would have been introductions, I'm not particularly confident. Better to go for Pickup on South Street or Shock Corridor.

MadMan

11-13-2009, 06:12 PM

That was one of the first Eclipse boxed sets, IIRC. Steel Helmet is one of his best films, Baron is, like EWO said, a terrific showcase for Vincent Price, and Jesse James would at least be an interesting contrast with the recent Brad Pitt movie. But as introductions, understanding that for those alive at the time, they logically would have been introductions, I'm not particularly confident. Better to go for Pickup on South Street or Shock Corridor.Well, considering the price and all I may actually go with something along the lines that you suggested.

Oh and The Hit (1984) is a damn good gangster movie, but I wasn't surprised considering the cast involved. Even though Tim Roth isn't given much to work with, Terrence Stamp and John Hurt are fantastic in this. The Spanish countryside has never looked more gorgeous onscreen, and the film's stripped back, lyrical guitar driven score reminded me of the score Neil Young produced for Dead Man. Oh and I'm pretty sure this and a handful of other gangster movies inspired In Brunges, which in some ways is a cousin to this movie. Only this one is rather straightforward serious, while Brunges had many comedic elements.
Another good blind buy, and I think at this point I'm a rather budding fan of British gangster movies. There's something about them that interests me, although the crime genre in general is something I've always enjoyed.

Dead & Messed Up

11-13-2009, 06:16 PM

So I impulse-bought Dogma last night at the grocery store, and I got about halfway through it, and I was surprised by how much I still enjoy that film. No doubt it reminds me of when I first viewed it as a faith-in-crisis Catholic teenager, but much of the dialogue holds up very well, and I love how Bartleby and Bethany have their parallel arcs. Sure, it's eighty percent exposition, but I'm cool with that.

"This coming from the guy who owes me ten dollars over which was gonna be the bigger film: E. T. or Krush Groove."
"Hey, fuck you man, cause time's gonna tell on that."

:lol:

Raiders

11-13-2009, 06:21 PM

That is one of my favorite quotes, ever.

Speaking of Fuller, at Barnes and Noble there is the Criterion three movie set of his featuring his first three films: The Baron of Arizona, I Shot Jesse James, and The Steel Helmet. Should I considering buying it, since it will be half off? Bear in mind I've never seen any of his movies before.

The Baron of Arizona is one of his least interesting films, but still very entertaining. The other two are vintage Fuller and Jesse James is one of his very best.

I actually think they are pretty good intros to his work, though not much can really prepare you for the gonzo Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss.

I guess the very best intro would be Pickup on South Street.

kuehnepips

11-13-2009, 06:38 PM

.... when I first viewed it as a faith-in-crisis Catholic teenager, ...

Explains a lot. :lol:

*passes bottle to a fellow Taurus*

MadMan

11-13-2009, 06:48 PM

The Baron of Arizona is one of his least interesting films, but still very entertaining. The other two are vintage Fuller and Jesse James is one of his very best.I almost forgot you are the resident Fuller fanatic on the site.

I actually think they are pretty good intros to his work, though not much can really prepare you for the gonzo Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss.But I like the gonzo.

I guess the very best intro would be Pickup on South Street.Alright, I'll Netflix it.

Weekend:

*Repulsion
*The Darjeeling Limited (don't care how its spelled)
*Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia-Started this, then fell asleep because it was 4 am in the morning. Will finish it.

Dead & Messed Up

11-13-2009, 06:50 PM

Explains a lot. :lol:

*passes bottle to a fellow Taurus*

::drinks::

Sycophant

11-13-2009, 06:50 PM

*The Darjeeling Limited (don't care how its spelled)

You spelled the title right, though you used should've used "it's" instead of "its."

kuehnepips

11-13-2009, 07:23 PM

You spelled the title right, though you used should've used "it's" instead of "its."

:lol:

I love such Nazi grrrrammerrrs ...

Rowland

11-13-2009, 07:50 PM

The One - With my youngest son: Called Jet Li "cool". Such an awful movie.

baby doll

11-13-2009, 07:51 PM

When you say you admire him, is that more admiration in place of enjoyment, or do you rather enjoy his work as well? It might be the best of the 4 Pasolini's I've seen.When I say I admire him, it means I genuinely enjoy his movies. Teorema would probably be in my top two dozen films of all time.

kuehnepips

11-13-2009, 08:07 PM

Such an awful movie.

Not to a 14 years old.

StanleyK

11-13-2009, 09:30 PM

Has anyone seen Michael Cimino's Year of the Dragon? I just felt like sharing that it's great, and better then The Deer Hunter.

Derek

11-13-2009, 09:51 PM

Not to a 14 years old.

But most 14 year olds have shite for taste, my younger self included.

number8

11-13-2009, 10:03 PM

I don't think that's an excuse. At 14, there are MUCH better and cooler Jet Li movies to enjoy. Kiss of the Dragon, for one.

megladon8

11-13-2009, 10:23 PM

Kiss of the Dragon is still frickin' awesome.

Derek

11-13-2009, 11:09 PM

I don't think that's an excuse. At 14, there are MUCH better and cooler Jet Li movies to enjoy. Kiss of the Dragon, for one.

Not really my point though.

ledfloyd

11-13-2009, 11:18 PM

i feel disappointed by wings of desire because i don't feel it's nearly as good as paris, texas even though it's an astounding film in it's own right. odd feeling.

Raiders

11-13-2009, 11:20 PM

i feel disappointed by wings of desire because i don't feel it's nearly as good as paris, texas even though it's an astounding film in it's own right. odd feeling.

Not odd. Correct.

BuffaloWilder

11-14-2009, 06:24 AM

Speaking of Wim Wenders, what are everybody's thoughts on the extended cut of Until The End of The World?

The Mike

11-14-2009, 08:06 AM

Speaking of Wim Wenders, what are everybody's thoughts on the extended cut of Until The End of The World?It seems like it's gone on for years, and I'm unsure if the ending will come suddenly or be drawn out.

Duncan

11-14-2009, 08:30 AM

Anyone know what song is playing in Eternal Sunshine... when Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst are dancing on the bed?

Winston*

11-14-2009, 09:21 AM

Anyone know what song is playing in Eternal Sunshine... when Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst are dancing on the bed?The Willowz - Something

B-side

11-14-2009, 12:31 PM

I should probably check out something of Godard's that's more divisive before saying this, but I feel like he can't really go wrong.

megladon8

11-14-2009, 12:33 PM

Please sign the petition to see Bryan Singer's original vision for Superman Returns released. (http://www.supermanreturnsthebryansin gercut.com/)

B-side

11-14-2009, 12:45 PM

Please sign the petition to see Bryan Singer's original vision for Superman Returns released. (http://www.supermanreturnsthebryansin gercut.com/)

I signed it. Just for you, meg, just for you.:P

Ezee E

11-14-2009, 01:08 PM

What are the differences?

number8

11-14-2009, 03:51 PM

What are the differences?

You see the sequence where Supes visit Krypton, and some additional explanation scenes. I think it's about 15 min longer.

Raiders

11-14-2009, 04:50 PM

http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2569/505_Box_348x490.jpg

:pritch:

Dead & Messed Up

11-14-2009, 05:57 PM

Please sign the petition to see Bryan Singer's original vision for Superman Returns released. (http://www.supermanreturnsthebryansin gercut.com/)

His original version is longer? Ugh.

No joke in here. It's too long as is.
Seriously. No jokes. It's a boring movie.
:pritch:

Spun Lepton

11-14-2009, 06:02 PM

Please sign the petition to see Bryan Singer's original vision for Superman Returns released. (http://www.supermanreturnsthebryansin gercut.com/)

All four people who liked the movie are going to be stoked.

:D

Spaceman Spiff

11-14-2009, 06:22 PM

http://criterion_production.s3.amazon aws.com/release_images/2569/505_Box_348x490.jpg

:pritch:

Woah. I love Seth.

Eleven

11-14-2009, 09:06 PM

That damn cover alone is gonna make me cry over the movie all over again.

megladon8

11-14-2009, 10:51 PM

I'll be buying that.

ledfloyd

11-15-2009, 12:59 AM

criterion using seth makes me happy. are there chris ware or daniel clowes criterion covers in the future? also, love the film.

MadMan

11-15-2009, 01:14 AM

You spelled the title right, though you used should've used "it's" instead of "its."Hah. You got me there.

That Criterion cover is stunningly beautiful. I love it. Never heard of the movie, though.

Sorry meg-even though I liked Superman Returns the film's length should have been trimmed down. It feels/is long enough.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 01:52 AM

criterion using seth makes me happy. are there chris ware or daniel clowes criterion covers in the future? also, love the film.

I'd love to see a Chester Brown DVD cover.

Or Craig Thompson. His artwork for the cover of Menomena's album "Friend and Foe" is great...

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/501/menomenafriendandfoe.jpg

The whole inner booklet for the album is that kind of jumble of doodling. Incredible detail. And the CD itself also has this on it, and you can line it up with small holes in the booklet to read the song titles.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 01:54 AM

Sorry meg-even though I liked Superman Returns the film's length should have been trimmed down. It feels/is long enough.

No need to be sorry. Just different strokes.

Jen, my mom, my sister, a few friends and I all had the same reaction after seeing the movie - "I didn't want it to end".

My mom was actually crying quite heavily by the end of the movie, and she said those exact words when the final credits rolled.

Boner M

11-15-2009, 02:21 AM

Ken Loach's Family Life is probably the grimmest and most joyless of his films that I've seen, which is saying something. A compelling outcry throughout, and the final scene/line is pitch-perfect, but the insane reach-for-the-razors level of miserablism holds it back from being on the level of Kes for me.

StanleyK

11-15-2009, 11:56 AM

I've finally completed Steven Spielberg's filmography! In celebration, here's my top 10 (all 4-star films):

1. Schindler's List
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Jurassic Park
4. War of the Worlds
5. Jaws
6. Artificial Intelligence: AI
7. Empire of the Sun
8. Duel
9. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
10. Catch Me if You Can

lovejuice

11-15-2009, 12:09 PM

The Saddest Music in the World (Maddin, 2003) 7.5
just so you know, i love this movie.

B-side

11-15-2009, 01:45 PM

just so you know, i love this movie.

Well, it's pretty damn great. I definitely prefer Brand Upon the Brain! of my feature-length Maddin's, though.

balmakboor

11-15-2009, 01:55 PM

Has anyone seen Michael Cimino's Year of the Dragon? I just felt like sharing that it's great, and better then The Deer Hunter.

I agree that it is very good, but I'd rank the five of his I've seen something like this:

1. Heaven's Gate
2. The Deer Hunter
3. Year of the Dragon
4. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

5. The Sicilian

balmakboor

11-15-2009, 02:01 PM

i feel disappointed by wings of desire because i don't feel it's nearly as good as paris, texas even though it's an astounding film in it's own right. odd feeling.

I saw the American premiere of Wings at the Seattle film festival and remember thinking at the time that it was pretty damn pretentious. (No, I don't like using the "P" word very often, but I did with this one.)

I've since watched it a few more times and it has grown tremendously in my estimation. I plan on Netflixing the new DVD soon.

I still think the "sequel" Faraway, So Close is pretty bloated and disappointing though.

And yeah, Paris, Texas is friggin amazing.

balmakboor

11-15-2009, 02:04 PM

StanleyK

11-15-2009, 02:17 PM

I agree that it is very good, but I'd rank the five of his I've seen something like this:

1. Heaven's Gate
2. The Deer Hunter
3. Year of the Dragon
4. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

5. The Sicilian

I'm kind of preoccupied by Heaven's Gate reputation, especially since I didn't find The Deer Hunter to be that great, but now I want to check it out.

Wow. I like War of the Worlds far more than the average guy, but I would never take my praise that far.

It's the ending, isn't it? I find it to be only a very minor slight against what is otherwise a masterpiece.

balmakboor

11-15-2009, 02:30 PM

It's the ending, isn't it? I find it to be only a very minor slight against what is otherwise a masterpiece.

Actually, I argued a while back (not very successfully) that the ending is its most interesting part. I love the ending actually. I love everything about the movie actually. It's just that some of his other films seem to me much better including A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report, Munich, Close Encounters, and The Color Purple. Not to mention E.T. which is truly, along with Schindler's List, one of his twin masterpieces.

lovejuice

11-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Well, it's pretty damn great. I definitely prefer Brand Upon the Brain! of my feature-length Maddin's, though.
i wish i could see BUtB in theatre with real orchestra. that must be quite an experience.

Grouchy

11-15-2009, 07:10 PM

Spun Lepton

11-15-2009, 08:56 PM

Spun Lepton

11-15-2009, 09:19 PM

I saw A Christmas Story with my girlfriend. One of her favorite childhood movies, but for some reason it seemingly never had as huge an impact in Argentina as in the rest of the world - few of my friends have heard about it and I don't remember it being shown in TV much. Anyway, it's a cute, quiet little movie. Darren McGavin as the father is the funniest role.

No doubt! McGavin steals that movie.

I watch this one almost every year around Christmas, (it's on TV all the time). It really captured what it was like to be a kid in those days/weeks just before Christmas. All off the craziness and excitement and frustration that went along with it. I love how the humor is balanced between bitter and cartoony.

Winston*

11-15-2009, 09:21 PM

Grouchy

11-15-2009, 09:36 PM

I don't think it's a phenomenon that transported outside of North America.
My girlfriend is from Panama, which is pretty heavily invaded by US culture.

Dead & Messed Up

11-15-2009, 09:37 PM

Two capsule reviews:

The Thin Man is terrific fun, a murder mystery in which the murder mystery is almost an afterthought. Instead, the delightful interplay between William Powell and Myrna Loy dominates the picture. They playfully jab at each other, laconically drink, and their sleuthing emerges mostly from the boredom of their extended vacation, rather than from any need or desire to exact justice. That sense of playfulness reaches its peak in the hilarious final act, where they assemble the dozen or so suspects for dinner, and Loy asks a waiter to "please serve the nuts...I mean, serve the guests the nuts." It's like The Maltese Falcon as written by the Marx Brothers.

A

Freaked deserves to be seen, especially by fans of the "splatstick" comedies of Yuzna, Raimi, and Jackson. Within its narrative, Alex Winter (Bill of Bill and Ted) plays Ricky Coogan, an entitled star who wisely takes his friends to a freak show, whereupon Randy Quaid turns them into freaks. The freak effects are continually jaw-dropping, even before one considers the musta-been-small budget, and the jokes are fast and funny. However, it's an inherently ugly film, and it's so overpacked with incident that some gags fail to excite (a couple of homophobic jokes feel out of place, as well). Overall, though? Hilarious, fast-paced grotesquerie.

B+

lovejuice

11-15-2009, 09:38 PM

I don't think it's a phenomenon that transported outside of North America.
indeed. i honestly just heard of this movie for the first time.

baby doll

11-15-2009, 09:54 PM

I saw A Christmas Story with my girlfriend. One of her favorite childhood movies, but for some reason it seemingly never had as huge an impact in Argentina as in the rest of the world - few of my friends have heard about it and I don't remember it being shown in TV much. Anyway, it's a cute, quiet little movie. Darren McGavin as the father is the funniest role.Are there any classic tango/magic realist movies that those of us outside Argentina should know about? (Sorry that's all I know about Argentina: the tango, Borges, and the films of Lucrecia Martel.)

lovejuice

11-15-2009, 09:57 PM

baby doll

11-15-2009, 09:58 PM

surely you know about his amazing soccer team?I'm not really a sports fan.

Derek

11-15-2009, 09:59 PM

surely you know about his amazing soccer team?

Good drugs there too, I hear.

Grouchy

11-15-2009, 10:14 PM

Are there any classic tango/magic realist movies that those of us outside Argentina should know about? (Sorry that's all I know about Argentina: the tango, Borges, and the films of Lucrecia Martel.)
Well, now that you mention it, there is a recent movie, Fantasma de Buenos Aires (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1332675/), which is all about a "compadrito" whose ghost returns to life after it's invoked by a couple of dudes researching his life. Sounds interesting but I haven't seen it.

Magical realism? I dunno. Ever seen movies from Eliseo Subiela? They could be called that way, I guess. If you like Borges, you should know he wrote a movie script, Invasión (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064490/), with his friend Bioy Casares. I never got a chance to see it but it's pretty highly regarded and it's science fiction.

Good drugs? Where? I want some.

baby doll

11-15-2009, 10:17 PM

Well, now that you mention it, there is a recent movie, Fantasma de Buenos Aires (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1332675/), which is all about a "compadrito" whose ghost returns to life after it's invoked by a couple of dudes researching his life. Sounds interesting but I haven't seen it.

Magical realism? I dunno. Ever seen movies from Eliseo Subiela? They could be called that way, I guess. If you like Borges, you should know he wrote a movie script, Invasión (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064490/), with his friend Bioy Casares. I never got a chance to see it but it's pretty highly regarded and it's science fiction.

Good drugs? Where? I want some.Thanks for the recommendations.

Spun Lepton

11-15-2009, 10:22 PM

Freaked deserves to be seen, especially by fans of the "splatstick" comedies of Yuzna, Raimi, and Jackson. Within its narrative, Alex Winter (Bill of Bill and Ted) plays Ricky Coogan, an entitled star who wisely takes his friends to a freak show, whereupon Randy Quaid turns them into freaks. The freak effects are continually jaw-dropping, even before one considers the musta-been-small budget, and the jokes are fast and funny. However, it's an inherently ugly film, and it's so overpacked with incident that some gags fail to excite (a couple of homophobic jokes feel out of place, as well). Overall, though? Hilarious, fast-paced grotesquerie.

B+

Agreed, 100%. Everybody involved is hilarious, but Randy Quaid really stands out. His performance was consistently hilarious, pitch-perfect all the way through. William Sadler was also a scene-stealer. The man needs to get as much work as possible, because he really can do anything.

My favorite gag is in the airplane. When Stuey opens the emergency hatch and the guy in the wheelchair gets sucked out of the plane. It's a throw-away gag, but it kills me.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 10:26 PM

I loved Freaked as well.

Just good clean fun.

Dead & Messed Up

11-15-2009, 10:27 PM

Agreed, 100%. Everybody involved is hilarious, but Randy Quaid really stands out. His performance was consistently hilarious, pitch-perfect all the way through. William Sadler was also a scene-stealer. The man needs to get as much work as possible, because he really can do anything.

My favorite gag is in the airplane. When Stuey opens the emergency hatch and the guy in the wheelchair gets sucked out of the plane. It's a throw-away gag, but it kills me.

I think my favorite was when Randy Quaid suddenly hears something and mutters, almost inaudibly, "Styrofoam...cup."

Watashi

11-15-2009, 10:54 PM

I took advantage of the 50% of Criterions at Barnes and Nobles today with a 25% coupon. I picked up Fanny and Alexander and Days of Heaven for 25 dollars. The former is a blind buy.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 10:57 PM

I took advantage of the 50% of Criterions at Barnes and Nobles today with a 25% coupon. I picked up Fanny and Alexander and Days of Heaven for 25 dollars. The former is a blind buy.

Hope you like it.

Watch the 5 hour TV version. It's infinitely superior.

ledfloyd

11-15-2009, 11:08 PM

you will love fanny and alexander wats. at least you should. it's perfect.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 11:08 PM

you will love fanny and alexander wats. at least you should. it's perfect.

Rep.

My favorite Bergman.

Watashi

11-15-2009, 11:14 PM

Hope you like it.

Watch the 5 hour TV version. It's infinitely superior.
It's only the theatrical version.

megladon8

11-15-2009, 11:16 PM

It's only the theatrical version.

It's still great.

If you like/love it, I strongly suggest seeking out the TV version.

It's like the difference between watching Serenity and watching "Firefly".

The Mike

11-16-2009, 12:14 AM

It's been far too long since I saw Freaked. Gonna have to look in to it.

balmakboor

11-16-2009, 01:56 AM

I got my PS3 signed into Netflix last night and watched a few minutes from a few different TV shows and movies, and I'm really impressed. The quality of the picture was better than I was anticipating -- MUUUCH better than the quality of their WWW stream.

I may watch The Elephant Man tonight.

I got mine going this morning and was also quite impressed. I re-watched Munyurangabo (an absolute masterpiece btw). I'm about to start watching the three Ross McElwee documentaries.

Derek

11-16-2009, 02:40 AM

Woops, meant to respond to bonerz re: Your Friends & Neighbors over here:

Ah, bullocks. The film may be blunt and needlessly cruel and calculated, but I tend to like LaBute's borderline psychotic, go-for-broke appproach to the male psyche and fucked up relationship dynamics simply for how effectively he externalizes the inner thought processes of his protags. It's best not to take his films at face value or as accurate portrayals of reality, I think, because they can come off as quite silly (even something as solid as In the Company of Men) when viewed in terms of how realistic they are. Aside from the miscast Ben Stiller, who still wasn't too bad, the cast did a stellar job here.

Qrazy

11-16-2009, 02:49 AM

I had a party a little while ago and projected some muted films on the wall while music was playing. I put on The Man Who Planted Trees, Ashes and Snow, Shuffle and The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello. In the past I've also used the visualizations from Winamp's Milkdrop program but the mac ported version kept crashing for me. I was wondering though if anyone could think of some other extremely visual films that would be good for this kind of thing. I was thinking Baraka, Koyanisqaatsi, Man with a Movie Camera, stuff like that, although the first two may be a little too tonally heavy in places. I'd like to stay away from films with a lot of shot/reaction shot conversations. Color is also preferable but not essential.

Philosophe_rouge

11-16-2009, 03:59 AM

Qrazy

11-16-2009, 05:10 AM

I think a lot of Brakhage would work for this :lol:

How about?
The Fall
Suspiria
Dead Man
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Spirit of the Beehive.

THose mostly don't seem like the kind of stuff you're looking for, but they're films I'd try it with on my wall.

Yeah I don't want anything scary or horror, just beautiful either tranquil or high energy things. I like the Spirit of the Beehive idea but I think it may be a little too tranquil.

I thought of some others:

Mindgame
Tekkon Kinkreet
Soy Cuba
Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors
Maybe some Tarr, Angelopoulos, Tarkovsky, Fellini or Kurosawa.
Playtime

Brakhage might be a good idea but a lot of his stuff is just too short unfortunately. Don't think I'd want to throw on Dog Star Man. Animation tends to work quite well.