28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[transmogrifier]

Weekend:

Coppolla's five hour version of Apocalypse Now.
Welles' original cut of The Magnificent Ambersons
Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon.
Woody Allen's Anhedonia
The Day the Clown Cried
Epic Movie

[Raiders]

*double checks to make sure I didn't spell it wrong*

:)

The misogyny... objectification, disdain for women.

Where is that in this film? I've heard of Preminger being a bit of a misogynist, but I don't see it at all in this film.

[Raiders]

Weekend:

Sweeney Todd
National Treasure: Book of Secrets

[Raiders]

Weekend:

Coppolla's five hour version of Apocalypse Now.
Welles' original cut of The Magnificent Ambersons
Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon.
Woody Allen's Anhedonia
The Day the Clown Cried
Epic Movie

How the heck were you able to find Epic Movie???

[transmogrifier]

How the heck were you able to find Epic Movie???

I raided iosos DVD collection. It was nestled between Ed and 101 Erotic Uses for the Ukulele. It appears he doesn't know how to alphabeticize, either.

[transmogrifier]

Weekend:
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
[/I]

Truth or Dare?

Or a Trent-Reznor-cut-yourself-to-see-if-you-still-feel kind of thing?

[Raiders]

Truth or Dare?

Or a Trent-Reznor-cut-yourself-to-see-if-you-still-feel kind of thing?

I find myself impulsively drawn to the cheese and ridiculousness of the original. It is like The Da Vinci Code, but with a self-aware Nic Cage performance instead of a constipated Tom Hanks. I recognize its awfulness while gleefully watching. I'm hoping this one will offer the same entertainment. I don't really want to see it, but I'm hoping for the best.

Oh, and it is a give-and-take, essentially. I want to go see Burton's film, she wants to see this one.

[origami_mustache]

This is not how I interpret the film at all.

The point is that they have the guts to appreciate what they have, yet understand that there are limits to what can happen between them in the long run. They fulfill each other as best they can and do not spoil the love they have for each other by 'making a go of it'. The time is not right and they are adult enough to understand it.
That's what makes the film so special.

+1

This is what I got from it as well.

[transmogrifier]

I find myself impulsively drawn to the cheese and ridiculousness of the original. It is like The Da Vinci Code, but with a self-aware Nic Cage performance instead of a constipated Tom Hanks. I recognize its awfulness while gleefully watching. I'm hoping this one will offer the same entertainment. I don't really want to see it, but I'm hoping for the best.

Oh, and it is a give-and-take, essentially. I want to go see Burton's film, she wants to see this one.

Well, it does have Ed Harris, Jon Voight, Bruce Greenwood, Harvey Keitel and Helen Mirren

:confused:

[origami_mustache]

I just finished watching Fando and Lis and couldn't help noticing similarities between it and Easy Rider which was released the following year, but I couldn't find anything written, comparing the two films (via brief google haha). The flash forward alternating scene transition is an obvious shared characteristic. The main characters in each were on sort of a philosophical odyssey; In Fando and Lis they search for the city of Tar, while in Easy Rider the bikers are looking for "America." Also, the celebrated LSD scene in Easy Rider reminds me of the cemetery scene in Fando and Lis. Perhaps this is all coincidence, but it seems to me Hopper and Fonda were influenced by this film.

http://img.youtube.com/vi/5sguR05dgMY/default.jpg (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5sguR05dgMY)

http://img.youtube.com/vi/pvKHkP5fUNo/default.jpg (http://youtube.com/watch?v=kpPP-Ixdp4k)

[Duncan]

Oh yeah, Sweeney Todd. I'll see that.

[Qrazy]

Where is that in this film? I've heard of Preminger being a bit of a misogynist, but I don't see it at all in this film.

Building a crucial case point around the attractiveness of the female witness... 'Any man would go temporarily insane if he thought his wife who looked like this... could you take your hat off please Ma'am? *shakes a luscious, full bodied head of hair... gasps from the audience*... was raped!'

Then the prosecutor implies that even if she was raped she was clearly asking for it.

A case could be made that the film is merely representing and/or commenting on attitudes towards women at the time, but I would find such a suggestion somewhat disingenuous given the entire presentation of the female character... how all the men view her as an object... how she views herself... her 'ideally feminine' dialogue, etc.

[Qrazy]

I just finished watching Fando and Lis and couldn't help noticing similarities between it and Easy Rider which was released the following year, but I couldn't find anything written, comparing the two films (via brief google haha). The flash forward alternating scene transition is an obvious shared characteristic. The main characters in each were on sort of a philosophical odyssey; In Fando and Lis they search for the city of Tar, while in Easy Rider the bikers are looking for "America." Also, the celebrated LSD scene in Easy Rider reminds me of the cemetery scene in Fando and Lis. Perhaps this is all coincidence, but it seems to me Hopper and Fonda were influenced by this film.

http://img.youtube.com/vi/5sguR05dgMY/default.jpg (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5sguR05dgMY)

http://img.youtube.com/vi/pvKHkP5fUNo/default.jpg (http://youtube.com/watch?v=kpPP-Ixdp4k)

I had the same thoughts when I first saw the film... so yeah, I agree.

[Sven]

I raided iosos DVD collection. It was nestled between Ed and 101 Erotic Uses for the Ukulele. It appears he doesn't know how to alphabeticize, either.

Hey! I may not know how to alphabeticize, but I do know how to alphabetize. And you better not scratch up that disk.

[Sven]

Last night, my wife said the following:

"When you say 'my darling, my dove', are you referring to me or Armond White?"

:lol:

:|

[Raiders]

Building a crucial case point around the attractiveness of the female witness... 'Any man would go temporarily insane if he thought his wife who looked like this... could you take your hat off please Ma'am? *shakes a luscious, full bodied head of hair... gasps from the audience*... was raped!'

Then the prosecutor implies that even if she was raped she was clearly asking for it.

A case could be made that the film is merely representing and/or commenting on attitudes towards women at the time, but I would find such a suggestion somewhat disingenuous given the entire presentation of the female character... how all the men view her as an object... how she views herself... her 'ideally feminine' dialogue, etc.

I don't think the film was in any way siding with the prosecutor's statement, and Stewart's comment is clearly played as an underhanded attempt to distract the jury. That really isn't the crux of his case.

You seem to suggest that any film in which a woman is anything less than a symbol of purity is misogynistic. She is an attractive woman who knows she is attractive and is a little flirty with most men. This is hardly qualifying of an accusation of misogyny.

Her "ideally feminine" dialogue? What is that? What about the daughter who comes in to testify? She's a strong-willed woman who lived with her father and isn't anything like the defendant's wife. The film certainly plays a little off the stiff upper lip of Scott's prosecutor who tries to play the defendant's wife as a whore, but the film shows she is more careless than devious, simply a rather immature character who flirts way too much.

It isn't a film that in any way takes pleasure in harming or villifying its female characters. Just because she isn't a saint doesn't make the film misogynistic.

[Sycophant]

Weekend? I'm spending it with my family, so they're likely to expose me to all kinds of crap I wouldn't voluntarily see otherwise. But between here and Christmas, the viewings are gonna look something like this:

Love Actually
Modern Romance
5 centimeters per second
Love on a Diet
Dororo
Sweeney Todd
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (if my family and I can't agree on anything else to do)

Tomorrow, Margot at the Wedding opens here, but I'll be out of town. :sad:

I'm also going to try to give my family a taste of their own medicine and make them watch stuff that I think is awesome that they wouldn't watch normally, including but not limited to God of Cookery, Babe: Pig in the City and something by Preston Sturges.

[Rowland]

I liked the film, don't get me wrong, but I don't buy this. I'm not saying that the film doesn't intend what you say, but I didn't find much preservation of the human spirit going on at all in the film. They both seem rather spirited to begin with, for one, and in the end, they don't really do anything with the gift that the music gave them, i.e bringing them closer together to someone that they may just be suited for. It seems to me that they rather depressingly accepted their situation and didn't do anything to fight for it, which I would have thought art would have encouraged.

If anything, they seem to limit even further the choices that they allow for themselves in life, and the phony uplift at the end cuts against this.Well, what I think gives the movie its edge is how the characters aren't dispirited from the outset, and they don't wind up happier ever after together. Just because the movie disregards these clichés doesn't mean it fails to embody the themes I put across. A few key moments spring to mind.

First, there's the scene where the woman walks to the store to grab batteries. The long tracking shot as the diegetic music plays through her headphones to her and us seems to deliberately call our attention to how she is winding through this impoverished neighborhood with a skip in her step because of the uplifting music we are listening to, which almost lends the scene the manner of a musical.

Secondly, the scene where the two of them visit the community of musicians and play along with them. This expresses the uplift of the bond these people share through their love of music and the act of musical collaboration. They may all be residents of a lower class neighborhood getting together in an ugly, virtually bare building, but the warmth of their communion is infectious.

Finally, there's one of my favorite minor peripheral details that strikes me as so honest and telling, which is how all of the guys in the girl's building pile into her apartment to watch her television, and instead of spinning forced drama or whatever out of this, everyone is cordial, like family. The movie doesn't condescend to these people, as it beautifully expresses how within this shared economic environment, they only have each other to rise above it.

Mind you, I'm not arguing that this is the core of the movie or anything, not by any means. As I initially stated, this is all in the margins. Instead of explicitly trying for social commentary, it embodies the social milieu in a manner forcefully authentic enough so that its omnipresence can't help but comment upon the proceedings.

[Doclop]

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is pretty horrible. It's fairly nonsensical and very much just a series of superficially related "clues" that ultimately amount to hardly anything. The best part of the film is Helen Mirren and her presence helps the second half of the film pick up a little, but regardless, this is an exceptionally dumb film that tarnishes the name of an already bemused franchise.

[Rowland]

I have a lot lined up for the next few days:

The Mist
Sweeney Todd
L'iceberg
Deep Water
In Between Days
The Screwfly Solution
Ratatouille
Seraphim Falls
Hot Rod

[Sycophant]

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is pretty horrible. It's fairly nonsensical and very much just a series of superficially related "clues" that ultimately amount to hardly anything. The best part of the film is Helen Mirren and her presence helps the second half of the film pick up a little, but regardless, this is an exceptionally dumb film that tarnishes the name of an already bemused franchise.Does it do as much to villify the English as the first film did? I'd like to see Mirren playing wicked.

I trust you disliked it even less than you did the first? Damn. Guess I'll have to avoid this like the plague, after all.

[Watashi]

Didn't you like the first National Treasure, Doclop?

[Watashi]

I have a lot lined up for the next few days:

L'iceberg
Deep Water
In Between Days
The Screwfly Solution
Ratatouille
Seraphim Falls
Hot Rod
If you watch Hot Rod before Ratatouille, I will kill you.

[Rowland]

If you watch Hot Rod before Ratatouille, I will kill you.That's tempting... because I'd love to see you try. ;)

[Philosophe_rouge]

Weekend
Two for the Road
House of Bamboo
M (rewatch)
Samurai Rebellion
The Thief of Bagdad

[Doclop]

Does it do as much to villify the English as the first film did? I'd like to see Mirren playing wicked.

I trust you disliked it even less than you did the first? Damn. Guess I'll have to avoid this like the plague, after all.
No, I don't think this one villifies the English at all. Mirren plays an American (I think, that accent seemed to waver) and is plainly a good guy.


Didn't you like the first National Treasure, Doclop?
I thought it was decent. Didn't stoop nearly as low as Book of Secrets to be as broad-appealing as possible. Gave it two stars.

[Ivan Drago]

Weekend:

I Am Legend
Maybe Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

[chrisnu]

If I can get to the theater in between preparing for Christmas, I may see one or two of the following:

Atonement
The Savages
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Margot at the Wedding
Youth Without Youth

Any opinions on the Coppola film? Also, how much knowledge of Dylan is needed to appreciate I'm Not There? I'll admit that I don't know a lot about him.

[Doclop]

Also, how much knowledge of Dylan is needed to appreciate I'm Not There? I'll admit that I don't know a lot about him.
I knew nothing about Dylan and still think it's one of the best of the year.

[Doclop]

I want to try to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly this weekend, but we'll see how it goes. Seeing The Signal tonight.

[Li Lili]

The other day I watched Happy Killing, a korean black comedy, it was ok, at the state I was, anything would have been ok anyway.
Soon, I'm going to watch Like a Dragon by Takashi Miike unless I change my mind again, last night I started to watch Sukeban, another 70s Japanese exploitation film with girl gangs, but was too tired to continue. Maybe I'll watch it this week-end or something else...

[Mal]

Weekend
Band Of Outsiders (Yes, Nick, I really am going to watch it)
Le Samourai
The Apartment
The Lives of Others
The Hoax

[Briare]

Weekend:
Sweeney Todd
Walk Hard
Charlie Wilson's War
Margot at the Wedding

[Raiders]

I knew nothing about Dylan and still think it's one of the best of the year.

Haynes Fan Club REPRESENT.

[chrisnu]

Haynes Fan Club REPRESENT.
Hey, I loved Safe. :)

*joins club*

[lwilson85]

Have any of you guys seen any of Bill Viola's newest film Ocean Without A Shore? It's apparently inspired by the Senegalese poet Birago Diop. What I've seen of it... it's a masterpiece. I haven't seen anything this amazing in a long long time. I wish there was a way to see the entire film. I've only seen about 7 minutes.

[soitgoes...]

The Weekend:
Once
Stardust
The Devil and Daniel Webster
Ordet
Perhaps one of the dozen or so movies in theaters I need/want to see.

[DSNT]

If we get time on the weekend/holiday:

I'm Not There
Sweeney Todd
Walk Hard
Charlie Wilson's War

On DVD: Simpsons, Stardust

[Rowland]

Have any of you guys seen any of Bill Viola's newest film Ocean Without A Shore? It's apparently inspired by the Senegalese poet Birago Diop. What I've seen of it... it's a masterpiece. I haven't seen anything this amazing in a long long time. I wish there was a way to see the entire film. I've only seen about 7 minutes.Viola... he's the guy who Greenaway says is worth 100 Scorsese's, right?

How did you see seven minutes of his newest?

[transmogrifier]

Well, what I think gives the movie its edge is how the characters aren't dispirited from the outset, and they don't wind up happier ever after together. Just because the movie disregards these clichés doesn't mean it fails to embody the themes I put across. A few key moments spring to mind.

First, there's the scene where the woman walks to the store to grab batteries. The long tracking shot as the diegetic music plays through her headphones to her and us seems to deliberately call our attention to how she is winding through this impoverished neighborhood with a skip in her step because of the uplifting music we are listening to, which almost lends the scene the manner of a musical.

Secondly, the scene where the two of them visit the community of musicians and play along with them. This expresses the uplift of the bond these people share through their love of music and the act of musical collaboration. They may all be residents of a lower class neighborhood getting together in an ugly, virtually bare building, but the warmth of their communion is infectious.

Finally, there's one of my favorite minor peripheral details that strikes me as so honest and telling, which is how all of the guys in the girl's building pile into her apartment to watch her television, and instead of spinning forced drama or whatever out of this, everyone is cordial, like family. The movie doesn't condescend to these people, as it beautifully expresses how within this shared economic environment, they only have each other to rise above it.

Mind you, I'm not arguing that this is the core of the movie or anything, not by any means. As I initially stated, this is all in the margins. Instead of explicitly trying for social commentary, it embodies the social milieu in a manner forcefully authentic enough so that its omnipresence can't help but comment upon the proceedings.

I remember getting into this conversation because I think the final shot is show-offy and not fully representative of the movie that came before it. This doesn't, however, set me up in opposition to anything you have written here.

I still think the film chickens out in not allowing the characters to move - you're right in everything you say, but it doesn't really have any effect on anything meaningful. It certainly sketches in the details in the margins, but it leaves a big hole in the middle, where the main characters should be actually doing something. Instead, the film merely gifts them the diversion of music, while not allowing them any human urges.

I don't know, that's just my take. Still doesn't make it a bad film, however.

[Rowland]

I remember getting into this conversation because I think the final shot is show-offy and not fully representative of the movie that came before it. This doesn't, however, set me up in opposition to anything you have written here.

I still think the film chickens out in not allowing the characters to move - you're right in everything you say, but it doesn't really have any effect on anything meaningful. It certainly sketches in the details in the margins, but it leaves a big hole in the middle, where the main characters should be actually doing something. Instead, the film merely gifts them the diversion of music, while not allowing them any human urges.

I don't know, that's just my take. Still doesn't make it a bad film, however.:lol: Yeah sorry, I did sorta spin the initial topic into a whirlwind. I'll concede that the last shot may not aesthetically fit with the rest of the movie.

[Li Lili]

So I watched Takashi Miike's Like a Dragon, which was a complete mess and not worth much, apart maybe for the leading actor, Kazuki Kitamura, who's a rather handsome guy and pleasant to look at. :P

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
Sweeney Todd
Walk Hard
Charlie Wilson's War (? haven't read much, and it doesn't interest me much. I guess it would be to see if the award nominations are justified)
The Kite Runner

Cabaret
Interview
Once

[megladon8]

I find it incredible that despite incredible plot holes, leaps in logic, poor dialogue, a cast of incredibly stereotypical characters, and the fact that it takes more than an hour to get going, Aliens is still one of the most entertaining movies ever, and is never boring for even one of its 157 minutes.

It doesn't compare to the masterful Alien, but I don't think it's really trying to be compared to it. It's one of the definitive popcorn movies.

[Yxklyx]

Weekend:

Lady in the Lake
Wooden Crosses

anyone seen anything by Raymond Bernard?

[number8]

Oh my god, Teeth is unbelievable! :lol:

Eli Roth should be crying himself to sleep.

[Spinal]

Instead, the film merely gifts them the diversion of music, while not allowing them any human urges.

I honestly don't know where you're getting this. Do they have to act upon their urges in order for there to be evidence of human urges? I thought it was pretty clear that they had impassioned desires that were sublimated in order to keep the relationship unspoiled.

[lwilson85]

Viola... he's the guy who Greenaway says is worth 100 Scorsese's, right?

Yeah, he said he was worth ten Scorseses (and what Scorsese has made lately Greenaway is correct).


How did you see seven minutes of his newest?

On youtube of all places.

[Doclop]

Wow, people were not prepared for The Signal at all. I'd say half of the audience walked out. It's a low-budget, hyper-violent arthouse horror genre flick. It's funny, subversive and has a entirely philosophical approach that dabbles in identity and the effects of social conditioning. It never quite works, however, and the film lingers so long on key moments that all focus is lost. I heard lots of "worst movie ever" comments after the film, but I think it has some merit, even if said merit is born more from the concept than the execution. Remake, anyone?

[transmogrifier]

[/B]
I honestly don't know where you're getting this. Do they have to act upon their urges in order for there to be evidence of human urges? I thought it was pretty clear that they had impassioned desires that were sublimated in order to keep the relationship unspoiled.

And therein lies my objection. Unspoiled from what? Seeing each other naked?

Seems to be quite a puritan notion.

[Rowland]

[/B]

And therein lies my objection. Unspoiled from what? Seeing each other naked?

Seems to be quite a puritan notion.
You object to platonic relationships on principle, or just in the context of this movie?

[transmogrifier]

You object to platonic relationships on principle, or just in the context of this movie?


In this movie. I think that the platonic relationship in Lost in Translation works, for example, because the film is centred around the alienation of these two people and how they come to orbit around each other as a result of that. However, in Once, the twosome are just part of the same old crowd who obviously have an attraction, but the film is far too coy to let them just get on with it.

PS Bill and Scarlett didn't do it in LiT, right? I'm doubting myself.

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:

Lady in the Lake
Wooden Crosses

anyone seen anything by Raymond Bernard?
I've seen both movies in the boxset. Wooden Crosses was the better of the two, but both were great. Les Miserables didn't feel like other 5 hour long movies I've seen. I hope your experience with Lady in the Lake is better than mine.

[Spinal]

And therein lies my objection. Unspoiled from what? Seeing each other naked?

Seems to be quite a puritan notion.

I don't see what makes it puritan. She did not want a sexual relationship. He respected that. If you see that as some sort of cop-out, then, yes, this is not the film for you.

[transmogrifier]

I don't see what makes it puritan. She did not want a sexual relationship. He respected that.

And then he leaves. Nice.

[Rowland]

I see it as the fear of making the wrong choice. Given her economic status, it made more sense to go with the safer bet, while he technically already had a girlfriend that he still loved, IIRC. The movie doesn't definitively decide whether they made the right choices in the end, but their short-lived love did produce its own offspring of sorts, in the form of music. It's a celebration of the beautiful metaphoric music that can stem from even our most ephemeral relationships.

[MadMan]

Weekend:

*Watching as many Bond films as possible

*Maybe seeing a few college football games

*Perhaps some NFL as well. Although the Chiefs are heading for a Top 10 lottery pick and all the Packers have left to play for is seeding and home field advantage so I don't know if I'll even watch any games this weekend.

Tonight I viewed From Russia With Love a second time, and yes it holds up incredibly well. The action set pieces all rock, with the brutal brawl between Robert Shaw and Sean Connery the film's chief highlight. I like how the first two films put SPECTRE front and center-I'm still hoping that the next set of Bonds features those guys again because Bloomfield and company were the best Bond villians in the entire series.

[Qrazy]

I don't think the film was in any way siding with the prosecutor's statement, and Stewart's comment is clearly played as an underhanded attempt to distract the jury. That really isn't the crux of his case.

You seem to suggest that any film in which a woman is anything less than a symbol of purity is misogynistic.

I'm not really suggesting this at all.


She is an attractive woman who knows she is attractive and is a little flirty with most men. This is hardly qualifying of an accusation of misogyny.

Her "ideally feminine" dialogue? What is that? What about the daughter who comes in to testify? She's a strong-willed woman who lived with her father and isn't anything like the defendant's wife. The film certainly plays a little off the stiff upper lip of Scott's prosecutor who tries to play the defendant's wife as a whore, but the film shows she is more careless than devious, simply a rather immature character who flirts way too much.

It isn't a film that in any way takes pleasure in harming or villifying its female characters. Just because she isn't a saint doesn't make the film misogynistic.

You're interpreting my use of the term in relation to hatred for women. I'm using it as indicative of sexual prejudice, condescension. I mean the ideal feminine in the Simone de Beauvoir-esque sense of the term... women are viewed primarily as irresponsible, infantile, frivolous objects. Reinforcing these social mores is a form of implicit oppression. The daughter is an improvement over the wife, but she's also just a pawn in the world of men... manipulated and coerced by her father, her lover and finally Scottie.

[Derek]

You're interpreting my use of the term in relation to hatred for women. I'm using it as indicative of sexual prejudice, condescension. I mean the ideal feminine in the Simone de Beauvoir-esque sense of the term... women are viewed primarily as irresponsible, infantile, frivolous objects. Reinforcing these social mores is a form of implicit oppression. The daughter is an improvement over the wife, but she's also just a pawn in the world of men... manipulated and coerced by her father, her lover and finally Scottie.

So I'm guessing you dislike a majority of film noirs for their cold, calculating femme fatales? It seems incredibly limiting to view Hollywood films of, especially, the 40s and 50s solely through our modern, "enlightened" lens, not only holding their sexism, racism, etc. against them, but using it as the major criteria for judging their worth. Would you dismiss The Searchers for its racism or Johnny Guitar and All About Eve due to the bitchiness of the female leads? I'm not saying your argument of misogyny in the film is wrong, but if you're going to use that to take the film down, then you'd have to do that to all Hollywood films where women are just pawns in the world of men and vice versa. And that's an awful lot of films, many of which are pretty goddamn great.

[origami_mustache]

Weekend:
Sansho the Bailiff
O Lucky Man!

[Bosco B Thug]

Oh my god, Teeth is unbelievable! :lol:

Eli Roth should be crying himself to sleep.
Wow, people were not prepared for The Signal at all. I'd say half of the audience walked out. It's a low-budget, hyper-violent arthouse horror genre flick. It's funny, subversive and has a entirely philosophical approach that dabbles in identity and the effects of social conditioning. It never quite works, however, and the film lingers so long on key moments that all focus is lost. I heard lots of "worst movie ever" comments after the film, but I think it has some merit, even if said merit is born more from the concept than the execution. Remake, anyone? Intrigued!

I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry was ambushed on me. No surprises for me, anyway. Jessica Biel looks extra good, its matter-of-fact about the naturalization of gay lifestyles, and gay stereotypes are entrenched instead of mere spectacles, but whatever, it's a ruse to cash in on the crowd-pleasing way it covers all its bases while pandering to seekers of laaamme, oh so lame vanilla comedy.

Adaptation was good, at times deeply affecting. Didn't love it for some reason I can't put my finger on at the moment.

Gah. Sweeney Todd. Day of Reckoning tomorrow (hopefully).

[Qrazy]

So I'm guessing you dislike a majority of film noirs for their cold, calculating femme fatales? It seems incredibly limiting to view Hollywood films of, especially, the 40s and 50s solely through our modern, "enlightened" lens, not only holding their sexism, racism, etc. against them, but using it as the major criteria for judging their worth. Would you dismiss The Searchers for its racism or Johnny Guitar and All About Eve due to the bitchiness of the female leads? I'm not saying your argument of misogyny in the film is wrong, but if you're going to use that to take the film down, then you'd have to do that to all Hollywood films where women are just pawns in the world of men and vice versa. And that's an awful lot of films, many of which are pretty goddamn great.

Yeah, in retrospect I agree with both of you. I'm not really using it as a critique, just saying that in this film it bothered me more than most. I guess what most bothered me was the way in which the wife's looks, particularly the hair thing, were used in the courtroom by both sides... I disagree that it was just a minor element of the proceedings. It may not have been the crux of either side's case, but it just got on my nerves... Other than that I enjoyed the film well enough.

[Watashi]

Sweeney Todd... :eek:

[Morris Schæffer]

I find it incredible that despite incredible plot holes, leaps in logic, poor dialogue, a cast of incredibly stereotypical characters, and the fact that it takes more than an hour to get going, Aliens is still one of the most entertaining movies ever, and is never boring for even one of its 157 minutes.

The only genuinely puzzling plot element I can think of is how the queen manages to hitch a ride on the dropship. What I also found a bit odd is that it was determined that contact was lost at the precise moment that the film starts. Did no one maintain a link with the engineers (Newt's family amongst others) during the past 57 years?

I think that some of the characters are potentially stereotypical, but it doesn't take long for them to get their asses horribly kicked. Indeed, the ensuing despair is totally believable. Perhaps those stereotypical aspects are virtually intentional to ensure that it contrasts hugely with the desperation that follows later on. Actually, scratch "perhaps." It probably was intentional. I mean, if these (over)confident and heavily armed badasses stand zero chance, then the viewer is pretty much thrown into a similar state of distress, wondering how the heck everyone's going to survive, especially a woman, asskicking heroine or not. The contrast between the first 25 minutes and the remainder of the film regarding the Marines' psycholgical states is worlds apart and yet utterly real.

And that it takes more than one hour to get going isn't really a drawback. In fact, it kinda proves that it has plenty of quieter moments so that in the end it becomes an incredibly satisfying combination of action and the more horror & suspense-driven element of the 1979 film.

[NickGlass]

Are people that shocked by Sweeney Todd? It throws a lot of cartoonish Hawaiian Punch around, but it's a fairly tame film. I still don't really see Depp's "descent into madness."

[balmakboor]

I watched Bladerunner last night for the first time in like 10 years and I must say it is finally starting to win me over. It's still not great in my mind the way films like A Clockwork Orange and Gattaca are but it's pretty damn good.

I watched the "my final cut I promise" version btw.

[jesse]

Weekend:

Lady in the Lake Such a dreadful film. Good luck.

[Melville]

Recent viewings:

Written on the Wind: after the slightly-tongue-in-cheek tone of All that Heaven Allows and the almost-completely-serious tone of Imitation of Life, I was a bit surprised by the absurdly over-the-top melodrama in this one. I think I prefer the only-slightly-over-the-top style of the first two. The slight ironic distance of those two somehow allowed me to take their melodrama more seriously than if it were played completely straight, but the total ironic dissociation of Written on the Wind makes it merely amusing.

Get Carter: its insistence on keeping the audience in the dark, with strangely elliptical dialogue and no exposition, was nicely complemented by its cinematography, with a muted color scheme and with the foreground of the frame unusually filled with the backs of peoples heads, pints of beer, or whatever else was handy. However, I'm not sure how much I liked the complete package and its relentless nihilism.

[Melville]

I still think the film chickens out in not allowing the characters to move
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: this is what I liked most about the movie. It captures a small moment in these characters' lives and expands its details and mood to fill the entire film. The characters' have lives (both are still embroiled in romantic relationships) outside the film's storyline, and those lives intersect in a fleeting moment. The film is about examining the nuances of that moment and its ephemeral romance.

[megladon8]

So yeh, I still think Minority Report is one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, and one of Spielberg's best.

Tom Cruise gives a fantastic performance - again, one of his best.

The effects (aside from some of the jetpack stuff) achieve photorealism, it's beautifully filmed, tightly paced, and knowing where it's going doesn't ruin the journey at all.

A brilliant movie.

[Ezee E]

So yeh, I still think Minority Report is one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, and one of Spielberg's best.

Tom Cruise gives a fantastic performance - again, one of his best.

The effects (aside from some of the jetpack stuff) achieve photorealism, it's beautifully filmed, tightly paced, and knowing where it's going doesn't ruin the journey at all.

A brilliant movie.
Indeed.

[megladon8]

Indeed.

Glad yu love it too.

After being a little let down by the effects in War of the Worlds when I rewatched it a few weeks ago, I was a little worried going into this, since it's older.

But man, those helicopter ship chopper craft thingies that the Pre-Crime guys fly in look incredible.

And all the technology seems very believable for 50 years in the future. What could be more effective than a baton that makes the perpetrator start vomitting? There's no way someone could fight when they're puking up a storm, plus in the end it's pretty much harmless.

[Ezee E]

Glad yu love it too.

After being a little let down by the effects in War of the Worlds when I rewatched it a few weeks ago, I was a little worried going into this, since it's older.

But man, those helicopter ship chopper craft thingies that the Pre-Crime guys fly in look incredible.

And all the technology seems very believable for 50 years in the future. What could be more effective than a baton that makes the perpetrator start vomitting? There's no way someone could fight when they're puking up a storm, plus in the end it's pretty much harmless.
Hmm... I wonder what it would be that actually makes them vomit. Not that the movie needs to supply detail, I'm just curious for curiosity's sake.

[megladon8]

Hmm... I wonder what it would be that actually makes them vomit. Not that the movie needs to supply detail, I'm just curious for curiosity's sake.


I'm not sure, I wondered that myself.

I wonder if you have to hit the person in the throat with it? Only one guy gets it, and he got it in the throat.

If that's so, maybe it's some sort of electrical current that stimulates the gag reflex?

Otherwise, I imagine it's a small shot of ipecac which has been modified to be absorbed anywhere in the body.

[Qrazy]

So yeh, I still think Minority Report is one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, and one of Spielberg's best.

Tom Cruise gives a fantastic performance - again, one of his best.

The effects (aside from some of the jetpack stuff) achieve photorealism, it's beautifully filmed, tightly paced, and knowing where it's going doesn't ruin the journey at all.

A brilliant movie.

Could've been a masterpiece but it buggered the ending, as it is it's just very good.

[Morris Schæffer]

So yeh, I still think Minority Report is one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, and one of Spielberg's best.

Tom Cruise gives a fantastic performance - again, one of his best.

The effects (aside from some of the jetpack stuff) achieve photorealism, it's beautifully filmed, tightly paced, and knowing where it's going doesn't ruin the journey at all.

A brilliant movie.

Right on!

[Grouchy]

My only previous experience with Tinto Brass being Salon Kitty, a fantastic movie, I gotta say Tras(gre)dire was pretty tame and just a funny but cheap European softcore. Still, the lead actress who plays Carla is the most creamy woman in the world, with a bottom the size of Budapest and lips to match (in fact, she looks a lot like the women drawn by cartoonist Milo Manara (http://dreamers.com/maestrosdelcomic/html/imagenes.html), and I never imagined I'd see a chick like that in reality), and some of the erotic sequences are very imaginative. I also like the transitions, like vaginal fluid dissolving into pouring rain. Tinto is a very creative filmmaker, but this recent effort (it's a 2000 movie, while the other was from the '70s) is not as good as what I'd seen before and, in fact, the final conclusion the film comes to is somewhat in the conformist side.

[megladon8]

Could've been a masterpiece but it buggered the ending, as it is it's just very good.


Really? I liked the ending. I thought it suited the rest of the film.

[Rowland]

Bah. With three art house theaters in my city, which total seven screens between them, three of those screens are being devoted to Juno starting on Christmas. There are so many movies I'm waiting to see... dammit.

[Mysterious Dude]

I'm watching Mary Poppins on TV right now. I'm not convinced that this movie has any point.

[Grouchy]

I'm watching Mary Poppins on TV right now. I'm not convinced that this movie has any point.
And your soul? Look under the carpet!

(non-sequitor post of the day)

[Derek]

I'm watching Mary Poppins on TV right now. I'm not convinced that this movie has any point.

Uh, a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down and chimney sweeping is a really shitty job?

[Mysterious Dude]

Uh, a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down and chimney sweeping is a really shitty job?Really? Because I kind of want to become a chimney sweeper after seeing that movie.

[Derek]

Really? Because I kind of want to become a chimney sweeper after seeing that movie.

Whatever floats your boat. All that singing and dancing with penguins would wear me down after the first week, despite the cool coal stains that come with the job.

[Mr. Valentine]

Bah. With three art house theaters in my city, which total seven screens between them, three of those screens are being devoted to Juno starting on Christmas. There are so many movies I'm waiting to see... dammit.


you could just go watch Juno you know. ;)

[Rowland]

you could just go watch Juno you know. ;)Yeah, I will. But it's taking up screens that could be showing other movies too. The big theaters will be showing Juno as well, so three screens out of seven in the art house theaters is overdoing it. I understand why they're doing it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

[Mr. Valentine]

Yeah, I will. But it's taking up screens that could be showing other movies too. The big theaters will be showing Juno as well, so three screens out of seven in the art house theaters is overdoing it. I understand why they're doing it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

ok i know what you mean then. the arthouse theater here which usually plays 5 or 6 different films each week is down to 3 (Atonement, Juno and No Country for Old Men) for at least the next week or so which is annoying because No Country is playing at quite a few other theaters nearby also.

[Sycophant]

Walk Hard was very, very silly. But I found myself laughing at quite a bit, despite the fact that some of it just isn't that well put together.

[Watashi]

Bah! My computer finally crapped out on me so my posting will suffer in the next few days or until I get my laptop running.

[Yxklyx]

I've seen both movies in the boxset. Wooden Crosses was the better of the two, but both were great. Les Miserables didn't feel like other 5 hour long movies I've seen. I hope your experience with Lady in the Lake is better than mine.

Les Miserables shows as 108 minutes on IMDB. Your's was 5 hours?

Lady in the Lake is all sorts of meh - I'm reaching the bottom of the barrel as far as "film noir" goes and this one wasn't even.

Wooden Crosses was pretty good though the characterizations were poor and I didn't really care much for anyone. There's also one very poorly done death scene where the boom mike is more visible than in any other movie I've seen - and it stays visible for a very very long time - visible is too kind a word. The battle scenes are incredible though. In some of them the camera moves and pans like what you would see in Vietnam - following the men in action - it reminded me of Children of Men for a second there. More explosions than any movie I can recall.

[baby doll]

Man, my cousin's wedding is putting a real damper on my moviegoing. Oh well, my review of Control is up and I'll be seeing The Savages is seventy minutes.

[megladon8]

I don't know that anyone here is really into this type of movie, but if there is anyone here who likes a good slasher, you should check out Hatchet.

Just watched it last night and it was a really great movie. The best word I can think of to describe it is "fun". There's this undeniable sense of fun throughout the whole movie. It knows it's stupid and part of an inherently stupid genre, and it rolls with that.

It's also got some of the most incredible, disgusting, inventive gore I have seen in years.

And some genuinely funny dialogue.

The acting isn't much to write home about, but that's pretty much a criticism which can be applied to most slashers.

It's a very fun movie and I look forward to watching it with my gore-hound uncle.

[origami_mustache]

Man, my cousin's wedding is putting a real damper on my moviegoing. Oh well, my review of Control is up and I'll be seeing The Savages is seventy minutes.

Sigh, surprise surprise another bad review for Control. I love Corbijn's music videos and enjoy Joy Division, but at this point this film has fallen to the bottom of my priority list.

[soitgoes...]

Les Miserables shows as 108 minutes on IMDB. Your's was 5 hours?


305 minutes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025509/)

[Grouchy]

I don't know that anyone here is really into this type of movie, but if there is anyone here who likes a good slasher, you should check out Hatchet.

Just watched it last night and it was a really great movie. The best word I can think of to describe it is "fun". There's this undeniable sense of fun throughout the whole movie. It knows it's stupid and part of an inherently stupid genre, and it rolls with that.

It's also got some of the most incredible, disgusting, inventive gore I have seen in years.

And some genuinely funny dialogue.

The acting isn't much to write home about, but that's pretty much a criticism which can be applied to most slashers.

It's a very fun movie and I look forward to watching it with my gore-hound uncle.
I always stare at this for a long time at the rental place but end up choosing something else. I think this is the extra push I needed to watch it.

I love the tagline. "It's not a remake. It's not a sequel. And it's not based on a Japanese one".

[Bosco B Thug]

I'm watching Mary Poppins on TV right now. I'm not convinced that this movie has any point. Mary Poppins is all point.

Like the father, her business calls for emotional intransigence, yet wants for liberation bubble beneath both. Poignant. But unlike the blustery, intimidated father, she's halfway there because (other than in admitting true affection for her wards) she has zero inhibitions. Hawt.

Sweeney Todd tonight. Hatchet soon hopefully.

[Grouchy]

I knew there was a reason why I always loved Kids in the Hall beyond measure and that reason is Brain Candy. It's sure to become something of a new cult classic for me and all my friends will end up seeing it. What's great about it is that, despite being the movie spin-off of a sketch TV show, it retains the sketch format while at the same time being a "real" movie with a coherent storyline and three-act structure. The plot concerns a doctor, Chris Cooper, who has manufactured an anti-depression drug. He wants to run more tests, though, while the head of the company wants to market it inmediately and even without a prescription. Money wins and then it's teh hilarity all night long. The performances, the detailed way in which it's directed (somewhat reminiscen of Terry Gilliam) and the awesome production values put it even above the show's best stuff. A great swan song for an unforgettable comedy team.

I also saw Ultimate Avengers, which is pretty solid stuff. Never read any Ultimates (downloading right now, actually), and I understand it's a harsher and more cynical book than what the movie shows. Still, since the movie has the Avengers name in the title, I think it's reasonable that they decided to go with a somewhat more mainstream approach to the characters - and the plot is still quite grown-up, portraying some of the hero characters (Betty Brant, Giant Man) as real douches. It's obviously an introductory movie with a generic extraterrestrial villain, which serves to have the heroes meet, fight each other, then fight the enemy. One thing I found curious is that while the animation was good enough, the movements were like something from the middle-'90s, not very fluid, like the Spiderman and X-Men shows with only a little more polish. It didn't bother me, though. The voice acting and the writing are very solid. I'm hyped to watch the second one, which I'm sure will be a step forward. Oh and that Black Widow is a saucy momma.

[origami_mustache]

Kids in the Hall is great...I have Season 2 and 3 on DVD...need to get the rest.

[megladon8]

I always stare at this for a long time at the rental place but end up choosing something else. I think this is the extra push I needed to watch it.

I love the tagline. "It's not a remake. It's not a sequel. And it's not based on a Japanese one".


Yeh, it's a great tagline :)

I watched the making-of documentary and it almost made me like the movie more.

It was so great to see and hear Adam Green (director) talking about making the movie.

He is still absolutely stunned at how it's been received, and the fact that people actually saw it.

It's such a great case of a totally regular guy who loves movies and always dreamed of making one, and finally it happened and he is still awestruck that this actually happened to him.


Seriously, do not expect a wonderful story or acting. It's pure retarded slasher fun with AMAZING gore and tons and tons of boobs.

I loved it.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Two for the Road may be my favourite Donen, although it has tough competition with the endlessly vibrant Singin' in the Rain. More mature than I could have imagined, a married couple reflects on their marriage through a series of flashbacks of their three vacations together in Southern France. Avoiding any sense of "gimmick", the film is all at once heacy and light, tense and romantic.. and all around beautifully made. The actors are great, but again, it's Donen's direction that holds the film together.

Also rewatched the Muppet's Christmas Carol, good stuff.

[Derek]

It's pure retarded slasher fun with AMAZING gore and tons and tons of boobs.


Also rewatched the Muppet's Christmas Carol, good stuff.

I love these two posts being next to one another. :)

I thought I was the only one that loved A Muppet's Christmas Carol. It's been years since I last saw it, but am I right in remembering Beaker flipping on Scrooge at one point in the film?

[Winston*]

I thought I was the only one that loved A Muppet's Christmas Carol.

What? I thought everyone loved The Muppet Christmas Carol.

[Derek]

What? I thought everyone loved The Muppet Christmas Carol (how could you not?). I have yet to be proved otherwise.

*waits to be proved otherwise*

Actually, I've never heard anyone mention it that I can remember. I can't see how anyone could dislike it either, but I figured not that many people have seen it. Good to hear if that's the truth, and for now let's assume it is. It's easily my favorite of the Muppet movies.

[Sven]

As an amateur puppeteer and somewhat rabid Jim Henson fan, I feel I am in a somewhat objective position to decry The Muppet Christmas Carol as one of their least inventive, or blander, works. I figured that Muppets + Dickens + Oscar-winner Michael Caine would = Gold, but unfortunately, Caine is merely coasting (insane to see how good he is even on auto-pilot) but the script is, when contrasted to the Henson factory's earlier masterpieces The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and particularly The Great Muppet Caper, shockingly wit-free. It features Gonzo and Rizzo at their most annoyingly ubiquitous and relishes not in Piggy's inspired pomp and slapstick or Kermit's effortless everyman relatability. It was the first real step on the Muppet road to shrill. Far from terrible, it's mostly just mediocre with an inspired bit or two thrown in for good mix (Statler and Waldorf are never awful, though I fear their essential Balcony Crank personas were probably misappropriated by giving them a major role, making it more of a cutesy conceit than a witty edge).

Consider me "not a fan". That anyone could compare it favorably to the comic magnum opus of The Great Muppet Caper is practically a crime.

[Sycophant]

I thought I was the only one that loved A Muppet's Christmas Carol. It's been years since I last saw it, but am I right in remembering Beaker flipping on Scrooge at one point in the film?I love this film. sure, I wouldn't call it the best Muppet film, but there's a lot to like about it and it represents probably my favorite adaptation of the story.

[chrisnu]

I believe Raiders mentioned Shoot the Moon a while ago, and I just watched it, and I thought it was just great. Very adept at allowing you to view all the different perspectives of a broken family, how things break down, how you move on (or don't), roles you accept. Excellent use of music, and children need to be written and acted this well more often. I must see more films by Alan Parker.

[Sven]

I must see more films by Alan Parker.

Believe it or not, Shoot the Moon is more or less considered a fluke. I don't mind him as much as most in the film community, but he's more or less been written off at this point as a Haggis-type. Liberal lacking nuance, kind of thing. I'd suggest seeing Birdy and Angel Heart, and maybe if you're daring, Pink Floyd's The Wall, but Shoot the Moon is definitely distinguished by being a "great" movie from a pretty decidedly "ungreat" filmmaker.

Label this paragraph with a "So they say".

[Spinal]

Believe it or not, Shoot the Moon is more or less considered a fluke. I don't mind him as much as most in the film community, but he's more or less been written off at this point as a Haggis-type. Liberal lacking nuance, kind of thing. I'd suggest seeing Birdy and Angel Heart, and maybe if you're daring, Pink Floyd's The Wall, but Shoot the Moon is definitely distinguished by being a "great" movie from a pretty decidedly "ungreat" filmmaker.

Label this paragraph with a "So they say".

The Commitments!

[Sven]

The Commitments!

Oh yeah! I forgot he did that one too. I like that one.

[Sycophant]

Hairspray was incredibly fun and refreshingly smart. I hope Nikki Blonsky finds as much work as she wants, as she proved herself quite the talent.

I don't think Travolta worked, though.

[chrisnu]

Believe it or not, Shoot the Moon is more or less considered a fluke. I don't mind him as much as most in the film community, but he's more or less been written off at this point as a Haggis-type. Liberal lacking nuance, kind of thing. I'd suggest seeing Birdy and Angel Heart, and maybe if you're daring, Pink Floyd's The Wall, but Shoot the Moon is definitely distinguished by being a "great" movie from a pretty decidedly "ungreat" filmmaker.

Label this paragraph with a "So they say".
I've seen Angel Heart, and enjoyed it quite a lot. An entirely different bird, but very enjoyable just the same. I will check out Birdy and The Wall, however. His latter filmography doesn't seem too impressive.

[Winston*]

The Wall is rather not good.

[Sven]

The Wall is rather not good.

I don't disagree, but it sure is something different.

[Qrazy]

I quite like The Wall, although it's very dated. I've only seen that one but I was under the impression that Birdy, Shoot the Moon, Midnight Express, Mississippi Burning, and The Commitments were all pretty well reputed.

[Boner M]

Mmm, Raising Arizona was much better the second time round. Way funnier and more poignant than I gave it credit for. The only scene that doesn't work for me is Cage's first kidnap of Nathan Jr. from the Arizona household. Falls flat for me as far as humour or suspense goes, and runs for way too long. The neighborhood/supermarket chase, however, is madcap bliss.

[balmakboor]

Pink Floyd the Wall is awesome! I saw it probably 6 times in the theater and I still love it today over 20 years later. But yes, Alan Parker isn't a very good director. Kind of a heavy-handed commercial director trying to make features and succeeding only a few times more by the strength of the material than by his direction -- like the Scott bros.

[DSNT]

Pink Floyd the Wall is only good in, ahem, a heightened state. Otherwise it is quite mundane.

[Melville]

The Darjeeling Limited was awesome for most of its running time. I love how Anderson loosened his style, using more handheld camera shots, breaking up the ineluctable symmetry of his framing, etc. The music and its use rocked. The character interactions were wonderful, with perfect performances and consistently successful humor. While the whole thing kind of went off the rails into nauseating sappiness toward the end, particularly after the brothers met there mother, I really liked it overall.

[Rowland]

Hairspray was incredibly fun and refreshingly smart. I hope Nikki Blonsky finds as much work as she wants, as she proved herself quite the talent.

I don't think Travolta worked, though.The segregation politics were way too heavy-handed. I liked the movie, but I had the most fun during its opening number.

[Sven]

The segregation politics were way too heavy-handed. I liked the movie, but I had the most fun during its opening number.

The number where they're marching and Latifah is singing... yeah, that was a bit much, but other than that, I thought the politics were handled intelligently. I do prefer the way Waters handled the original, though.

My biggest problem with the movie was that its direction was kind of... non-existent perhaps? This one was all about the actors, the songs, and the design. The way the camera moved and how it was all pieced together was uninspired. Serviceable when it should've been ecstatic.

[Rowland]

The number where they're marching and Latifah is singing... yeah, that was a bit much, but other than that, I thought the politics were handled intelligently. I do prefer the way Waters handled the original, though.I was just surprised by how much the movie focused on them. It became something of a drag in spots.



My biggest problem with the movie was that its direction was kind of... non-existent perhaps? This one was all about the actors, the songs, and the design. The way the camera moved and how it was all pieced together was uninspired. Serviceable when it should've been ecstatic.It should also have been just a bit more expressionistic... which I suppose is a directorial thing. The pacing is off too (there are noticeable lags), and I just can't stand Travolta. I dunno, it was a fun movie, but it didn't leave much of an impression for me.

[Sven]

I was just surprised by much the movie focused on them. It became something of a drag in spots.

Yeah, Waters does it better. Have you seen the original?


It should also have been just a bit more expressionistic... which I suppose is a directorial thing. The pacing is off too (there are noticeable lags), and I just can't stand Travolta. I dunno, it was a fun movie, but it didn't leave much of an impression for me.

I agree with this, although I didn't think Travolta was bad at all and I did like it a lot more than most of what else I've seen this year. It was fun, funny, and at times kinda exhilarating. But yeah, the pacing, expression, etc...

[Rowland]

I didn't think Travolta was bad at all My problem is that his performance feels so forced. He is the only actor affecting a Boston accent, it sounds like he has a hard time maintaining his "female voice", and dammit, he simply isn't enough of a queen! :lol: Now imagine someone like Harvey Fierstein in his prime tearing that shit up...

[Bosco B Thug]

It should also have been just a bit more expressionistic... Haha. That's a perfect line to use against this harmlessly buoyant but not-too-convincing-otherwise film.


Sweeney Todd. Tonight. *whithers*

[Mal]

My problem is that his performance feels so forced. He is the only actor affecting a Boston accent

I've lived more than half of my life near Bawstohn...and that ain't no Bawstohn accent. IMO, he nailed the dialect of a woman in Baltimore, even when the movie doesn't exactly require such a vocal affect to that extent. The only problem I had with his performance is the facial mask they had him in. That kind of change the presentation of Edna from the original standpoint of Hairspray. But otherwise... he was just short of endearing greatness.

[Grouchy]

I was right. Ultimate Avengers II: Rise of the Panther builds an obelisk where the previous movie had laid the grounds. It's 73 minutes of non-stop superheroics, and the introduction of Wakanda and the Black Panther was a refreshing change from all the hi-fi technology locations in the movie. The animation improved, the character interactions improved, and even though a new villain was probably needed, the invaders from the first movie return with a lot more backstory and purpose. All the War of the Worlds style battles at the end were awesome, and Iron Man in his War Machine armor rocked the skies. If there's one thing I can complain about these movies, is that they should be longer. The Hulk, for example, is foreshadowed as a crucial player in the story, yet his intervention is given few screentime. I hope they keep making these. The fact that so many characters can be succesfully explained even in a tight running time gives me hope for a great live-action Justice League movie.

[Rowland]

I've lived more than half of my life near Bawstohn...and that ain't no Bawstohn accent. IMO, he nailed the dialect of a woman in Baltimore, even when the movie doesn't exactly require such a vocal affect to that extent. The only problem I had with his performance is the facial mask they had him in. That kind of change the presentation of Edna from the original standpoint of Hairspray. But otherwise... he was just short of endearing greatness.Boston, Baltimore... begins with a B, damn you. :P

[Mal]

Boston, Baltimore... begins with a B, damn you. :P

Lucky for you this ain't no Geography Bee. ;)

[Winston*]

The Host, it rocks.

[Raiders]

Eastern Promises suffers a little from Knight's script (undercover... WTF?), but damn is Cronenberg's formal mastery on full display. And the film's obsession with the body, its form and fragility, is wonderfully subversive of the narrative's standard immigrant trajectory.

[megladon8]

I was right. Ultimate Avengers II: Rise of the Panther builds an obelisk where the previous movie had laid the grounds. It's 73 minutes of non-stop superheroics, and the introduction of Wakanda and the Black Panther was a refreshing change from all the hi-fi technology locations in the movie. The animation improved, the character interactions improved, and even though a new villain was probably needed, the invaders from the first movie return with a lot more backstory and purpose. All the War of the Worlds style battles at the end were awesome, and Iron Man in his War Machine armor rocked the skies. If there's one thing I can complain about these movies, is that they should be longer. The Hulk, for example, is foreshadowed as a crucial player in the story, yet his intervention is given few screentime. I hope they keep making these. The fact that so many characters can be succesfully explained even in a tight running time gives me hope for a great live-action Justice League movie.


This is encouraging.

The Invincible Iron Man animated movie is one of the worst movies I have seen all year. And that's coming from an Iron Man fanboy.

[Mr. Valentine]

i'll give a counterpoint, both Ultimate Avengers movies suck. although yes the Iron Man movie is even worse.

[dreamdead]

I quite enjoyed Cukor's The Philadelphia Story. Some wonderful witty repartee; I love old school Hollywood's embracing of alcoholism as a way to lead to intellectual barbs being thrown back and forth. And I've decided that I love few actors more than James Stewart. He makes this picture with his timing and verbal stylistics, even if his character suffers in transition in the finale as he nonchalantly shifts between Hepburn and Ruth Hussey.

And for a non-lover of Hepburn, she was decidedly wel suited to the material. Quite good. I'm thinking I'm finally gonna hit Mr. Smith and It's a Wonderful Life before the next semester hits...

[Rowland]

Ratatouille is pretty freaking impressive. Bird's directorial chops are a sight to behold, and his writing respects audiences of all ages. Fantastic.

[Watashi]

Ratatouille is pretty freaking impressive. Bird's directorial chops are a sight to behold, and his writing respects audiences of all ages. Fantastic.
I don't even need to say it.

[megladon8]

I loved Ratatouille, as well.

I was surprised my mom didn't enjoy it more, since cooking/baking is like, her #1 interest and hobby.

[Rowland]

I don't even need to say it.How do you do it? Seriously, one minute after I posted? :lol: ;)

[baby doll]

My review of The Savages is up; the three movies I saw today are on the way, and then I'm done.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Pretty Persuasion (2005) was meh. I have to stop having hope for teen comedies, because I'm dissapointed 98% of the time. James Wood was hilarious though, I'm making a mental note to watch more of his stuff.

[Melville]

Due to the clumsily mannered acting, the editing that never seemed to hold a shot long enough, and the weak comedy routines, it took me a while to warm up to Chaplin's Limelight. But the story and its lead character eventually won me over; I'm a sucker for Chaplin's sentimentality.

[Winston*]

Pretty Persuasion (2005) was meh.
You're being too kind; Pretty Persuasion is awful. James Woods does rule though, in pretty much everything he's in.

[Boner M]

I kinda liked Pretty Persuasion, though in hindsight it might be entirely because of James Woods.

[Philosophe_rouge]

You're being too kind; Pretty Persuasion is awful. James Woods does rule though, in pretty much everything he's in.
Any particular recommendations, I've seen him in The Virgin Suicides and Hercules. Not much beyond. I was thinking of checking Videodrome next, but I'm up for a suggestion.

[Melville]

I think his triumph was that episode of the Simpsons where he worked at the Kwik-E-Mart. Brilliant.

[Winston*]

Any particular recommendations, I've seen him in The Virgin Suicides and Hercules. Not much beyond. I was thinking of checking Videodrome next, but I'm up for a suggestion.
That's a good'n. Salvador's probably his best performance.

[Philosophe_rouge]

That's a good'n. Salvador's probably his best performance.
Sounds good :)

[Boner M]

John Carpenter's Vampires is pretty boss too... though again, I'm biased.

[Winston*]

John Carpenter's Vampires is pretty boss too... though again, I'm biased.
It's an entire film based around James Woods killing the shit out of a bunch of vampires. That alone makes it awesome. Objectively.

[Sven]

John Carpenter's Vampires is pretty boss too... though again, I'm biased.


It's an entire film based around James Woods killing the shit out of a bunch of vampires. That alone makes it awesome. Objectively.

You done both got repped.

[Ivan Drago]

I think his triumph was that episode of the Simpsons where he worked at the Kwik-E-Mart. Brilliant.

The one where Homer buys Lisa a pony? Bird wrote that episode?

[Boner M]

The one where Homer buys Lisa a pony? Bird wrote that episode?
Reeead the thread.

[Philosophe_rouge]

It's an entire film based around James Woods killing the shit out of a bunch of vampires. That alone makes it awesome. Objectively.

I'm seeing this. NOW.

[Sycophant]

I was really, really impressed by The Bourne Ultimatum. After recently rewatching the other two entries, I think I can say that this is my favorite in the series.

I was too distracted by watching how much fun everyone was having on the set of Ocean's Thirteen to really care much about trying to make sense of the plot. All I really know is Soderbergh, Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Cheadle, Pacino, and a bunch of other people who rock were all up there on screen being awesome. The palette Soderbergh employs, usually limiting what's on screen to a two-tone set up made me all sorts of giddy.

I can concede to Shankman's direction on Hairspray not being much to get excited about, but the film generally had a pretty swell momentum, even if his camera wasn't used most effectively. His choreography was plenty awesome though and Shaiman's songs (yay Shaiman!) had me grinning, with the exception of, yes, the protest/vigil/whatever. But I forgive it. The politics of the film are heavy-handed, but I think handled smartly and in a way that actually is useful to modern audiences.

I do need to see Waters's original.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I pretty much agree on all your thoughts Sycho. I watched Waters' version of Hairspray and to my surprise, I actually prefer the most recent musical version. Waters' film is still good though, and I encourage you seeing it.

[transmogrifier]

I don't even need to say it.


Me neither.

[Grouchy]

Huh... Once upon a time in America, anyone? That's what James Woods is all about.

And, of course, Vampires. Best neck-biting movie of the millenium so far. It's John Carpenter at his most fun-loving. And it has one of those Baldwins in it.

[Winston*]

Best neck-biting movie of the millenium so far.
How are we counting millenniums here?

[soitgoes...]

That's a good'n. Salvador's probably his best performance.
I would have to agree.

[Thirdy]

Stardust Memories, what a wonderful little film. Comparisons to 8 1/2 are of course inevitable, but Allen combines the Felliniesque with his own spirit and it all results in an introspective and oft-surrealistic work that further proves (at least in my mind) that the 80s were the best and most fruitful years for Allen's cinema.

[DSNT]

I kinda liked Pretty Persuasion, though in hindsight it might be entirely because of James Woods.
I kinda liked it too, partially because of James Woods, but I also the over-the-top devilry of Evan Rachel Wood's character.

[Rowland]

I'm seeing this. NOW.It kinda sucks, as most late-period Carpenter does.

[Rowland]

The politics of the film are heavy-handed, but I think handled smartly and in a way that actually is useful to modern audiences. Are they useful? Or relevant at all? The '60s milieu sorta casts it as a relic of the past, so I don't think many people will apply its politics to a modern context. And I dunno, it's depressing to imagine that anything in Hairspray is still more than an artifact taboo-wise.

[Rowland]

I was really, really impressed by The Bourne Ultimatum. After recently rewatching the other two entries, I think I can say that this is my favorite in the series. Really? I'd say it's my least favorite of the trilogy. The human element is the least prevalent or convincing, the cinematography/editing is the most reckless and borderline-incoherent of the series, which I know lots of people seem to like, and it just feels a bit too much like a retread.


I was too distracted by watching how much fun everyone was having on the set of Ocean's Thirteen to really care much about trying to make sense of the plot. All I really know is Soderbergh, Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Cheadle, Pacino, and a bunch of other people who rock were all up there on screen being awesome. The palette Soderbergh employs, usually limiting what's on screen to a two-tone set up made me all sorts of giddy.They weren't being awesome, they were being lazy and condescending. But I've decried this stupid movie enough.

[transmogrifier]

Stardust Memories, what a wonderful little film. Comparisons to 8 1/2 are of course inevitable, but Allen combines the Felliniesque with his own spirit and it all results in an introspective and oft-surrealistic work that further proves (at least in my mind) that the 80s were the best and most fruitful years for Allen's cinema.

It's a superbly directed film. It's a pity Allen has seemed to become more and more conservative in his filmaking as time has passed. It seems that Deconstructing Harry, and to a lesser extent Celebrity, was his last attempt to push himself with form and technique. it's a shame, because he had the chops.

[Melville]

Stardust Memories, what a wonderful little film. Comparisons to 8 1/2 are of course inevitable, but Allen combines the Felliniesque with his own spirit and it all results in an introspective and oft-surrealistic work that further proves (at least in my mind) that the 80s were the best and most fruitful years for Allen's cinema.
Yes, I love that film. It's probably my second favorite of Allen's, after Manhattan. The shot toward the end where Allen's ex-girlfriend sits on the floor, looking up at the camera, is one of the most perfectly executed pieces of bittersweet romance I've ever seen.

[Qrazy]

Yeah... don't believe the hype, Vampires is awful.

Salvador
Videodrome
Once Upon a Time in America

I'll second the recs for the above.

Stardust Memories is fine, but too similar/derivative of 8 1/2 to be top tier Allen for me. While a lot of his work is very much inspired by Bergman, Fellini, etc. I find a film like Interiors can stand on it's own while Stardust just feels like he's riffing his own sensibilities off of someone else's work.

[transmogrifier]

Yeah... don't believe the hype, Vampires is awful.

Salvador
Videodrome
Once Upon a Time in America

I'll second the recs for the above.

Stardust Memories is fine, but too similar/derivative of 8 1/2 to be top tier Allen for me. While a lot of his work is very much inspired by Bergman, Fellini, etc. I find a film like Interiors can stand on it's own while Stardust just feels like he's riffing his own sensibilities off of someone else's work.

Then don't wander anywhere near the Dark Knight thread, seeing as that is basically a lot of people jumping for joy that Nolan is ripping off Heat.

[Melville]

Stardust Memories is fine, but too similar/derivative of 8 1/2 to be top tier Allen for me. While a lot of his work is very much inspired by Bergman, Fellini, etc. I find a film like Interiors can stand on it's own while Stardust just feels like he's riffing his own sensibilities off of someone else's work.
That's a valid criticism, since the homage is so overt without really playing any metatextual role. But even if the style is lifted from 8 1/2, Allen makes tremendous use of it in telling his own very particular story, and he imbues it with his own sensibilities.

[Philosophe_rouge]

It kinda sucks, as most late-period Carpenter does.
:cry: I've never seen any Carpenter so I can't be dissapointed on some sort of expectations level. Still, if this movie isn't awesome I will be sad inside.

[Orange Claw Hammer]

:cry: I've never seen any Carpenter so I can't be dissapointed on some sort of expectations level. Still, if this movie isn't awesome I will be sad inside.

Escape From New York is a good Carpenter to start with.

[Melville]

So, what's the deal with The Best Years of Our Lives? It was a decent—if somewhat sappy and occasionally hokey—drama but it hardly seemed to deserve its canonical status. Did I miss something, or is its appeal mostly based on patriotism?

[Sven]

So, what's the deal with The Best Years of Our Lives? It was a decent—if somewhat sappy and occasionally hokey—drama but it hardly seemed to deserve its canonical status. Did I miss something, or is its appeal mostly based on patriotism?

Nah. It sucks.

And Vampires haters are all drinking the Kool-Aid. I suppose it is only a film for the wise and learned.

[Milky Joe]

I was really, really impressed by The Bourne Ultimatum. After recently rewatching the other two entries, I think I can say that this is my favorite in the series.

Totally. It blows the first two out of the water, especially the god-awful Supremacy. Bourne in the first two is like a sissy little boy compared to the Bourne in Ultimatum. And I have to say I completely disagree with everything that Rowland said about it, especially w/r/t the cinematography, which I thought was the best, most controlled-yet-still-chaotic of the series. I had no problems following the action, unlike when I watched Supremacy, during a few scenes of which I literally had no idea whatsoever what was happening or had happened until it was already over.

[Philosophe_rouge]

So, what's the deal with The Best Years of Our Lives? It was a decent—if somewhat sappy and occasionally hokey—drama but it hardly seemed to deserve its canonical status. Did I miss something, or is its appeal mostly based on patriotism?

I love it, and not really because of it's patriotism. I've seen it twice, and am always completely captivated by the character's hardships and as cheesy as it is, how they manage to find happiness in their lives. I always was most fascinated with Fredric March's story, although I feel it's the most underplayed. His seems to lack resolution, and by the end I can only help feeling his character will continue to spiral downward. The photography, especially the deep focus work, was beautiful and I thought there were many subtleties in the direction notably the use of long halways and mirrors that helped to strengthen the film. I think the hopefullness is sadenning rather than aggravating, as it is clear that the transition back to civilian life was not as easy as it's painted in the film. For me, it's very much what we want to believe will happen, rather than what actually does... and I don't think there is anything fundamentaly wrong with that. I think it's a great companion to a lot of film noir for this reason... the other side of the coin.

[Spinal]

And Vampires haters are all drinking the Kool-Aid. I suppose it is only a film for the wise and learned.

You're funny. I would make as much sense if I said the same about Resident Evil.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, I'll echo Rouge's praise for Best Years, one of my favorite's as well. The emotions and psychology of the characters in the film felt much more valid and genuine to me than many other Hollywood films from the same era... or Hollywood of any era for that matter. There's something particularly compelling to me about seeing these men try to return to a world that is no longer theirs. I think Wyler's film explores the alienation and self defeating capacity of modern man on a much more realistic and personal level than most films which explore similar themes. But really it's the cinematography which clinches the film's quality. The footage in the plane yard and that beautifully simple shot at the wedding are able to reveal more in a few seconds than most films can in their entirety.

[Qrazy]

But speaking of films American films we think ought to be de-canonized (on formal rather than for historical/political reasons)... I'm going to go with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. What a bland film, even the color palette is bland, bland, bland.

[Rowland]

You're funny. I would make as much sense if I said the same about Resident Evil.He gave Ghosts of Mars a 10.0 in the directors consensus thread. That's all that needs to be said. :twisted:

[Rowland]

:cry: I've never seen any Carpenter so I can't be dissapointed on some sort of expectations level. Still, if this movie isn't awesome I will be sad inside.
If you haven't seen any Carpenter, you definitely don't want to start with mediocre detritus like Vampires.

[Ivan Drago]

Reeead the thread.

I'll take that as a yes.

[Watashi]

I'll take that as a yes.

Bird did not write Lisa's Pony. Read the freakin' thread.

[Melville]

And I've decided that I love few actors more than James Stewart. He makes this picture with his timing and verbal stylistics
:pritch:


I'm thinking I'm finally gonna hit Mr. Smith and It's a Wonderful Life before the next semester hits...
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is good. It's a Wonderful Life is one of the best movies ever made: a magnificent combination of charm and existential angst.


I love it, and not really because of it's patriotism. I've seen it twice, and am always completely captivated by the character's hardships and as cheesy as it is, how they manage to find happiness in their lives. I always was most fascinated with Fredric March's story, although I feel it's the most underplayed. His seems to lack resolution, and by the end I can only help feeling his character will continue to spiral downward.
He didn't really seem to be spiraling downward, though. He was getting along just fine with his family and work, despite his disillusionment with the banking world; and his alcoholism had remarkably little negative impact on his life.


The photography, especially the deep focus work, was beautiful and I thought there were many subtleties in the direction notably the use of long halways and mirrors that helped to strengthen the film.
Maybe this is what I missed. I don't remember any of those subtleties. Any thoughts on how they benefited the film?


I think the hopefullness is sadenning rather than aggravating, as it is clear that the transition back to civilian life was not as easy as it's painted in the film. For me, it's very much what we want to believe will happen, rather than what actually does... and I don't think there is anything fundamentaly wrong with that. I think it's a great companion to a lot of film noir for this reason... the other side of the coin.
I don't think there's anything fundamentally wrong with making a film hopeful, even unrealistically so, but since this film was dealing with societal issues in a pseudo-realist way, I think it would have been better off with more nuance.


Yeah, I'll echo Rouge's praise for Best Years, one of my favorite's as well. The emotions and psychology of the characters in the film felt much more valid and genuine to me than many other Hollywood films from the same era... or Hollywood of any era for that matter.
They're certainly more genuine than many other Hollywood films, but I don't think that makes them terribly genuine. The treatment of love, especially, was straightforward to the point of meaninglessness. And at least two of the female characters were complete caricatures.


But really it's the cinematography which clinches the film's quality. The footage in the plane yard and that beautifully simple shot at the wedding are able to reveal more in a few seconds than most films can in their entirety.
Which beautifully simple shot are you referring to?


I'll take that as a yes.
I was referring to the episode called Homer and Apu, in which James Woods gets a job at the Kwik-E-Mart. The central storyline is about Apu getting fired from the Kwik-E-Mart and moving in with the Simpsons, but it's great primarily because of Woods' hilarious voice work in this exchange:
James Woods: [after just giving Jimbo change at the Kwik-E-Mart] Hey, excuse me... sorry, but did you believe that? I mean, did you believe that I was giving you the money?
Jimbo Jones: Well, actually, I thought it was kinda forced. You've got to lose yourself in the character, man.
James Woods: Lose yourself... yeah... yeah! Okay, let's try this again. You be you, and I'll be me.
Jimbo Jones: [Confused] I'm... me?
James Woods: Hey! Don't... jerk around with me buddy.
Actually, that quote doesn't sound right. I got it from IMDb, but I think the wording is wrong. Anyway, my reference to the episode had nothing to do with Brad Bird.

[Watashi]

Christmas Day Viewings?

I'm going to try to watch two of the following:

The Road Warrior
Exiled
Picnic at Hanging Rock
The Awful Truth
The Hustler
Starman

Any idea which I should go after first?

[dreamdead]

Christmas Day Viewings?

The Awful Truth



You will love it. Lurve it. Love it. And once you do, you will get repped. McCarey, Dunne and Grant = damn great.

[Morris Schæffer]

Eastern Promises suffers a little from Knight's script (undercover... WTF?), but damn is Cronenberg's formal mastery on full display. And the film's obsession with the body, its form and fragility, is wonderfully subversive of the narrative's standard immigrant trajectory.

I agree with the spoilertagged bit. A fine fine film, but Nicolai became a lot less fascinating and textured after this stunningly poor revelation.

EDIT: Although perhaps it didn't come totally out of the blue sinceit was rather odd that the police found the body that Nicolai and Kiril disposed of in the very beginning.

[Wryan]

I know I'm late to the game (shut up), but Into the Wild was fucking amazing. I loved the book and I'm on the side of the McCandless fence that pities him/is inspired by him for his idealism and foolhardy dreams a tad more than wants to slap him for his idiocy and recklessness. Penn's version pretty much hit the exact notes I was hoping to see.

See a double feature of this and No Country For Old Men to see how stunningly and perfectly an entire film can be cast even when the tones of the films' characters diverge more than slightly.

Oh and The Best Years of Our Lives bored two generations when my dad and I sat down to watch it. Me no like.

[Ivan Drago]

Bird did not write Lisa's Pony. Read the freakin' thread.

Ah. My mistake. Brad Bird and James Woods were discussed on the same page, so it was confusing as to who Melville was referring to.

[Morris Schæffer]

I saw Zodiac again tonight and came away with a slightly increased level of appreciation for it. Definitely one of five 2007 faves.

[megladon8]

I tried to watch The Road Warrior on TV today, and I still do not understand the appeal at all.

[Yxklyx]

Christmas Day Viewings?

I'm going to try to watch two of the following:

The Road Warrior
Exiled
Picnic at Hanging Rock
The Awful Truth
The Hustler
Starman

Any idea which I should go after first?

Picnic at Hanging Rock

[Ivan Drago]

Christmas Day Viewings?

Not tomorrow, but tonight I'll be watching MST3K: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

"Hey look, their ship runs on a Simon game."

[Qrazy]

They're certainly more genuine than many other Hollywood films, but I don't think that makes them terribly genuine. The treatment of love, especially, was straightforward to the point of meaninglessness. And at least two of the female characters were complete caricatures.

Which beautifully simple shot are you referring to?


Yeah, the female characters are weak but that's pretty much par for the course from all films of this era. Anyway, the film's focus is really on the three men. It's their story first and foremost, before the peripheral characters.

What I found interesting in the treatment of love was not their love or the validity of their love per se, because I agree with you there, that we're pretty much just expected to go with it... but what interests me is how the character shuts down and withdraws from his love because of his feelings of guilt and shame... shame at what he's become physically and guilt that he can't provide a better life for his love... but extrapolated past that, also the guilt and shame engendered by the horrors of war... a horror which we never witness but lurks just beneath the surface of the film (rearing during the airplane sequence and elsewhere)... of being part of that ugliness, and becoming sullied as a result... even though the character may believe the war was justified or that it was right of him to fight, there are still heavy socio-psychological repercussions he must deal with.

The shot where Homer and Wilma take their vows and Fred and Peggy are left staring forlornly at one another.

The bank manager certainly adjusts the best of the three characters but that sense of alienation comes through for him as well.

[Qrazy]

I tried to watch The Road Warrior on TV today, and I still do not understand the appeal at all.

It provides masochistic relief and solemnity for sand fetishists the world over.

[Qrazy]

Picnic at Hanging Rock

And then The Hustler.

[Sven]

If you haven't seen any Carpenter, you definitely don't want to start with mediocre detritus like Vampires.

You are *this* close to negative rep, my man. :)

[Sven]

You're funny. I would make as much sense if I said the same about Resident Evil.

But... but that doesn't make any sense.

[Spinal]

But... but that doesn't make any sense.

Exactly. :)

[Sven]

Exactly. :)

...

...

*dawning recognition in eyes*

Hey!

[Qrazy]

But... but that doesn't make any sense.

Let's all put our differences aside and settle down with a bucket of blood for a quiet viewing of The Fearless Vampire Killers.

[Sven]

Let's all put our differences aside and settle down with a bucket of blood for a quiet viewing of The Fearless Vampire Killers.

Forgo Carpenter for Polanski? Not in your life, buddy.

[megladon8]

iosos and I frequently watch double-billings of Vampires and Ghost of Mars together.

We laugh joyously at all you mere mortals who do not understand true cinema when it slaps you in the face.

[Melville]

Yeah, the female characters are weak but that's pretty much par for the course from all films of this era. Anyway, the film's focus is really on the three men. It's their story first and foremost, before the peripheral characters.
Normally I have nothing against undeveloped peripheral characters, but in this case I thought it didn't jive with the film's attempt at realism. For example, it's hard to properly appreciate Fred's alienation from his wife when she's such a cliche. A more stylized film could make that alienation appreciable in other ways, e.g. by offering a more subjective or archetypal narrative, but the realistic/objective point of view in this film demanded a more realistic depiction of the wife.


What I found interesting in the treatment of love was not their love or the validity of their love per se, because I agree with you there, that we're pretty much just expected to go with it... but what interests me is how the character shuts down and withdraws from his love because of his feelings of guilt and shame... shame at what he's become physically and guilt that he can't provide a better life for his love... but extrapolated past that, also the guilt and shame engendered by the horrors of war...
But that would have been a whole lot more interesting if Homer's sense of shame was entangled with a more believable or meaningful depiction of his love. Anyway, the depiction of Fred and Peggy's love was what really bothered me. Its banality was staggering, and Fred's storyline really required that love to be believable.


The shot where Homer and Wilma take their vows and Fred and Peggy are left staring forlornly at one another.
Yeah, that was a nice shot. But I don't think it said more than most films... or most good films, anyway.

[MadMan]

So I think I discovered the point where the Bond series started to go into decline over the weekend: You Only Live Twice, which is only gets a 6.5 because it has Donald Pleansance, ninjas and a secret volcano lare in it. Up to that point all of the Bonds get an 8.0 or higher from me with the exception of Dr. No, which gets a 7.0 and is due for a rewatch. From Russia With Love is the best of those followed by Goldfinger. Thunderball is pretty rock solid for the most part. The first five Bonds rated/ranked:

1. From Russia With Love(1963)-10.0
2. Goldfinger(1964)-9.0
3. Thunderball(1965)-8.0
4. Dr. No(1962)-7.0
5. You Only Live Twice(1967)-6.5

Although I must confess I have yet to see On Her Majesty's Secret Service which is regarded as one of the best Bonds, The Spy Who Loved Me which is reportedly the best of the Moore Bonds, and The Living Daylights which is well....a Dalton Bond. Not sure what to expect of that one.

[megladon8]

You Only Live Twice is tied with Die Another Day as the worst Bond film in the entire series.

They're also just terrible films.

[MadMan]

You Only Live Twice is tied with Die Another Day as the worst Bond film in the entire series.

They're also just terrible films.For me the worst Bond films are Die Another Day and A View To A Kill.

Also I'm watching "24 Hours of A Christmas Movie." I love that film although I think Its a Wonderful Life is better by a small margin.

[Derek]

I tried to watch The Road Warrior on TV today, and I still do not understand the appeal at all.

If you watched in Pan & Scan, there's your problem.

[megladon8]

If you watched in Pan & Scan, there's your problem.


No, it was 2.35:1.

[Watashi]

I keep remembering that KF hates A Christmas Story.

What is wrong with that man?

[MadMan]

I keep remembering that KF hates A Christmas Story.

What is wrong with that man?That's just flat out weird. How the hell can anyone hate that movie? It doesn't compute man.

[Sven]

No, it was 2.35:1.

So confusing...

[Ezee E]

I have no idea how one cannot like A Christmas Story. Unless they celebrate Hanukkah.

[Winston*]

Has anyone here outside of the US seen A Christmas Story?

[MadMan]

Has anyone here outside of the US seen A Christmas Story?Beats me. That avatar though is creepy and reminds me of the demonic Santa in A Christmas Story though heh. After all, you change the letters around and Santa spells out Satan :eek:

[Ivan Drago]

That's just flat out weird. How the hell can anyone hate that movie? It doesn't compute man.

My sister also hates it. She complains that it has nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas. I wonder if that's why KF hates it.

[MadMan]

My sister also hates it. She complains that it has nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas.What the hell? Has she actually seen the movie? It has everything to do with Christmas. The movie is a very funny and touching celebration of the actual holiday and the search for the perfect desired gift.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, that was a nice shot. But I don't think it said more than most films... or most good films, anyway.

Well it did. Best shot ever. Best film ever made. Conversation over. I demand this thread now be closed.

[Qrazy]

BReminds me of the demonic Santa in A Christmas Story though heh. After all, you change the letters around and Santa spells out Satan :eek:

Ere I am JH.


Ironically my initials are also JH... get out of my head Stoppard!

[Melville]

Well it did. Best shot ever. Best film ever made. Conversation over. I demand this thread now be closed.
:lol:

[baby doll]

I'm back in Halifax, and my review of Atonement is up.

[Sycophant]

Adapting a film from a work of literature is difficult. How do you condense the plot of Pride & Prejudice or the insight presented in the narrative voice of something like The Golden Compass? It's tough work and sometimes a screenwriter, director, and everyone else can get together and make it work. Sometimes not.

It seems almost more of a challenge to take a short work--say a Dr. Seuss book or a couple portions of chapters from different books in the Bible--and blow them up into a 90-120 minute Major Motion Picture.

I didn't expect much of it and The Nativity Story certainly didn't deliver. Hardwicke's direction is even more frustrating in its refusal to comment than it was in Lords of Dogtown. There's nothing here that's interpretive or insightful, merely making a movie exactly like what anyone with limited imagination might reasonably expect. The film offers no explanation for why the events are important outside of the fact that I should know they are. there's nothing that really means anything to Christianity's theology or philosophy.

The attempt at turning the three wise men into comic relief (?!) was an excruciatingly pointless choice.

[MadMan]

Ere I am JH.


Ironically my initials are also JH... get out of my head Stoppard!I don't get it. Elaborate good sir.

[Morris Schæffer]

So I think I discovered the point where the Bond series started to go into decline over the weekend: You Only Live Twice, which is only gets a 6.5 because it has Donald Pleansance, ninjas and a secret volcano lare in it.

Other bits I really like are the John Barry score ("Capsule in Space" is particularly strong), Nancy Sinatra's title song, Little Nellie, the locations which look and feel so much more authentic than most of the Brosnan Bonds, giant magnet + car, a Piranha-filled pond. My God, how could you forget about the piranhas? :)

I'd give it a ***.

[Boner M]

Lordy, the English subtitling on the Secret Sunshine DVD I picked up from Chinatown is just incomprehensible. Maybe the worst subtitling job I've come across. Too bad, cos the first ten minutes had me hooked from the photography and acting alone. At least it's been acclaimed enough so that the Sydney Film Festival will eventually pick it up.

Also watched The Long Kiss Goodnight. Pretty meh; some great one-liners and witty repartee between Jackson and Davis, but all surrounded by soulless, tension-free action scenes that seem edited with a chainsaw. Still, the strength of Shane Black's tongue-in-cheek script and the actors outweight the direct-to-video anonymity of Harlin's direction.

[Thirdy]

Has anyone here outside of the US seen A Christmas Story?

Nope. I really don't think it's that much of a Christmas classic outside of the US (unlike It's a Wonderful Life, for example).

[Boner M]

Damon Packard's Dawn of an Evil Millennium is just... wow. A phantasmagoric super-8 compendium of sci-fi, horror and cop film cliches, filtered through the sensibilities of Benny Hill, Kenneth Anger and 80's educational videos, all while maintaining a unique flavor of it's own. It's such a riot partly because Packard shows absolutely no condescension towards the mainstream cinema he's riffing on; it's clearly the work of someone who's obsessed with Carpenter, Spielberg, Lucas etc. to a degree that borders on dementia. Perhaps best thought of as an inscrutably lo-fi remake of 1987's Kyle McLachlan-starring The Hidden? Either way, it's the kind of experimental film that absolutely resists any kind of academic analysis, as well as an instant favorite of mine, not to mention my favorite offering in Other Cinema's excellent Experiments in Terror DVD, which also includes Peter Tscherkassky's sublime Outer Space among other goodies.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Nope. I really don't think it's that much of a Christmas classic outside of the US (unlike It's a Wonderful Life, for example).

In that case, I wish I lived outside the U.S. :|

[Qrazy]

I don't get it. Elaborate good sir.

Sorry I'm being particularly obscure.

The picture of creepy Santa is from Gilliam's Brazil. Also in Brazil Sam has to figure out the anagram Ere I Am JH (Jeremiah) in order to reach the apartment of the administrator who is the man in the Santa suit. Which makes it somewhat interesting that the anagram for Santa is actually Satan. Also of interest is that in the bible the prophet Jeremiah is known as the broken hearted prophet. God told Jeremiah, "You will go to them; but for their part, they will not listen to you." Which ties together neatly with Brazil as both dystopian fiction, satire, and warning of things to come, as well as with the whole bit about Jeremiah in the film as the ghost in the machine. As an aside, another partial 'anagram' in the film is when Sam is fighting a large samurai that turns out to be him... Sam U Ar I. Oh and the script was written by Tom Stoppard (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) as well as by Gilliam.

Oh and my initials are JH... seemingly unrelated and yet...

[Philosophe_rouge]

I've never seen A Christmas Story, and it's never on television from what I gather. I'm from the Canada. My favourite Quebec holiday favourite is Peau D'Ane... mmm... donkey gold.

[Yxklyx]

Adapting a film from a work of literature is difficult. How do you condense the plot of Pride & Prejudice ...

How about you don't condense it or at least don't be constrained by a 2 hour running time defined by marketing considerations? For all the excellent camerawork and scenes in the latest P&P I find the 5 hour movie version from a decade back to be much superior.

[Yxklyx]

And then The Hustler.

Oh yeah, absolutely. The movie name didn't click with me. I love Piper Laurie in this.

[Wryan]

I really really don't care for A Christmas Story at all.

At. All.

[ledfloyd]

do christmas movies get better than santa claus conquers the martians?

[Ivan Drago]

do christmas movies get better than santa claus conquers the martians?

I doubt it.

Moldar: "All this trouble for a fat little man in a red suit!"
Servo: "Truman Capote?"

[Rowland]

I really really don't care for A Christmas Story at all.

At. All.I liked it years ago. Now, I kinda hate it. Over-exposure and all that.

Same goes for A Christmas Carol. And Christmas Vacation.

[Watashi]

A Christmas Story might have the best narration ever.

All of you are heathens.

HEATHENS!

[Li Lili]

I finally watched Tarantino's Death Proof, the film itself was so so, I even almost got bored, but Kurt Russel was quite good. Just after I watched Sukeban, Girl Boss, which lifted up a bit more my attention. It's a pinku 70s Japanese, sexploitation film dealing with girl gangs, with sex & violence, the music was quite cool, but some scenes were too badly lit and badly cut, but I guess it's a solid film in its genre.

http://www.kurotokagi.com/images/sukeban.jpg

[Ezee E]

A Christmas Story might have the best narration ever.

All of you are heathens.

HEATHENS!
I never thought of that. But I think you might be right. Great call.

[Spinal]

My feeling on Christmas Story is ... it's all right. Not a film I have a special attachment to, but it's OK.

[Qrazy]

My feeling on Christmas Story is ... it's all right. Not a film I have a special attachment to, but it's OK.

Yeah, it's simplicity works well in context but... it's still quite simple... and contextual.

[chrisnu]

I was banned by Karagarga, because I was .005 below the needed ratio limit. Oh well. Made some choices in what I thought would help (low seeds, high leeches) that didn't pan out. If anyone has any other invites, I'd take a different approach the next time.

[Derek]

I have some fond memories of A Christmas Story and I still think it's a good film, but I've kinda grown detached from it the past few years. On the other hand, I caught the last 40 minutes of It's a Wonderful Life last night and still got goosebumps and tears streaming down my cheeks. I must've seen it at least 30 times and it still gets me every. single. time.

[DSNT]

I was banned by Karagarga, because I was .005 below the needed ratio limit. Oh well. Made some choices in what I thought would help (low seeds, high leeches) that didn't pan out. If anyone has any other invites, I'd take a different approach the next time.
I would post about it in the forums. Usually they'll give you a second chance. Will PM you the link.

[Watashi]

Charlie Wilson's War fucking pwned.

Hanks and Hoffman rule in this film.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I have some fond memories of A Christmas Story and I still think it's a good film, but I've kinda grown detached from it the past few years. On the other hand, I caught the last 40 minutes of It's a Wonderful Life last night and still got goosebumps and tears streaming down my cheeks. I must've seen it at least 30 times and it still gets me every. single. time.

Same here, I'm usually crying five minutes into it. Gets me all the time, at any time... gets worse every year really.

[Kurosawa Fan]

My wife is the same way with It's a Wonderful Life. We watched it together a few nights ago, it's our tradition every Christmas season, and she was bawling her eyes out again. I admit I get choked up, but it's never made me cry. I don't care what anyone says, I love that movie.

[Melville]

:pritch:

All this It's a Wonderful Life love is warming my heart.

[Ezee E]

I still regret not trying out for a role in the school version of It's A Wonderful Life. I would've made a solid Angel (forgot the name of the character).

[Kurosawa Fan]

I still regret not trying out for a role in the school version of It's A Wonderful Life. I would've made a solid Angel (forgot the name of the character).

That'd be Clarence.

[Ezee E]

That'd be Clarence.
Gracias.

[transmogrifier]

My wife is the same way with It's a Wonderful Life. We watched it together a few nights ago, it's our tradition every Christmas season, and she was bawling her eyes out again. I admit I get choked up, but it's never made me cry. I don't care what anyone says, I love that movie.

The only movie moments that consistently choke me up are the conclusions to The Iron Giant and The Last of the Mohicans,

"Superman!"

and

the cliff face suicide

Other than that, I have a heart of stone.