28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[balmakboor]

Someone not in this rut: the Coens.

I think of the Coens as being more like Jarmusch in that they've never really made a big film. Woody Allen is another example. I often wonder actually how it would work out if Allen directed some ambitious adaptation of a novel or something. But maybe they all know that once you cross that threshold there's no turning back.

Of course you can say that Warren Beatty gave us a hugely ambitious Woody Allen movie with Reds.

[Watashi]

I love baby doll's assumption that Scorsese would be laughed at for proposing a film idea with a low budget. It's Martin Scorsese. He can do whatever the fuck he want.

Plus, he HAS done smaller projects inbetween his major works. No Direction Home and Shine a Light were not at all commercial hits with bloated budgets.

[baby doll]

I love baby doll's assumption that Scorsese would be laughed at for proposing a film idea with a low budget. It's Martin Scorsese. He can do whatever the fuck he want.

Plus, he HAS done smaller projects inbetween his major works. No Direction Home and Shine a Light were not at all commercial hits with bloated budgets.Well, his PBS documentaries (My Voyage in Italy, No Direction Home, the one about Elia Kazan) are PBS documentaries, not commercial features. Likewise, Shine a Light is a concert film, and as far as I've read, a fairly straightforward one--yet he still had nine different cinematographers (including Robert Elswit, Ellen Kuras, and John Toll, plus Robert Richardson coordinating), so even his straight-up concert doc is a huge undertaking (at least by the standards of most other concert films, including his own The Last Waltz).

In any case, I was thinking more of his recent narrative features, which have all been expensive blockbusters. It's interesting to compare Scorsese with Francis Ford Coppola, who restarted his career as an independent filmmaker, and has said that he decided to shoot his last two films in Romania and Argentina because it's just too expensive to shoot in the States. I'm not sure Scorsese can make a small picture anymore, because once you cast Leonardo DiCapprio (who gets paid like twenty million dollars a picture), you've basically decided that you're making a blockbuster for a mass audience. Scorsese couldn't make a film like Taxi Driver today, because even though it's regarded as something of a classic now, it's not a film with great commercial prospects, so no studio would want to put up a hundred million dollars to make a film that Scorsese himself didn't think would appeal to that wide of an audience.

[Grouchy]

How dare Scorsese use money to make movies.

[baby doll]

I think of the Coens as being more like Jarmusch in that they've never really made a big film. Woody Allen is another example. I often wonder actually how it would work out if Allen directed some ambitious adaptation of a novel or something. But maybe they all know that once you cross that threshold there's no turning back.I would say with the Coens that Intolerable Cruelty was a kind of a turning point into making bigger films, because it did have A-list stars, as did The Ladykillers (Hanks), No Country for Old Men (Bardem), Burn After Reading (Clooney and Pitt and a post-Oscar Swinton), and True Grit (Bridges). So within the context of their recent work, A Serious Man was kind of an interesting film for them to make, really a throwback to their pre-Intolerable Cruelty days.

[baby doll]

How dare Scorsese use money to make movies.I'm only harping on this point about money being the root of all evil because I genuinely think that Scorsese could make better films with less money.

[balmakboor]

I love baby doll's assumption that Scorsese would be laughed at for proposing a film idea with a low budget. It's Martin Scorsese. He can do whatever the fuck he want.

Plus, he HAS done smaller projects inbetween his major works. No Direction Home and Shine a Light were not at all commercial hits with bloated budgets.

I agree with baby doll that his documentaries don't really apply to this discussion. I agree with you that if Scorsese wanted to make some little picture with an unknown cast for $2mil or something that someone would give it to him. I mean shit. If I had $2mil to hand out it would be a no brainer to give it to him. The thing "flops" and you triple your money.

So, why is it that he doesn't make small films anymore, really? Ego? A love of working with stars?

[balmakboor]

I would say with the Coens that Intolerable Cruelty was a kind of a turning point into making bigger films, because it did have A-list stars, as did The Ladykillers (Hanks), No Country for Old Men (Bardem), Burn After Reading (Clooney and Pitt and a post-Oscar Swinton), and True Grit (Bridges). So within the context of their recent work, A Serious Man was kind of an interesting film for them to make, really a throwback to their pre-Intolerable Cruelty days.

I guess I just consider all of those to be too idiosyncratic to be "big" films.

[baby doll]

Both received arguably their best reviews for films populated with mostly Hollywood unknowns (TWBB and A Serious Man).Daniel Day-Lewis is a Hollywood unknown?


There are a handful of directors who seem to be in love with the 2.5 hour movie with big name stars, but this point that Godard is apparently getting at seems rather phoney, especially considering that his most respected films were the ones he probably had the easiest time financing.Most of Godard's '60s films were shot pretty cheaply, but even at his most commercial (Le Mépris and Détective, for instance), Godard never had anything like the budgets Scorsese works with.

[balmakboor]

I think every director in Hollywood should be required to make a movie with almost nothing in 2012. Give them a consumer hi-def camera and a laptop with Final Cut Pro and say "Have at it." No crew. Only working-for-free non-actors for a cast. Write their own scripts. Do their own editing...

I think Scorsese and Spielberg would both fair pretty well.

And, heck, why not? We're all gonna die at the end of the year anyway.

[baby doll]

I agree with baby doll that his documentaries don't really apply to this discussion. I agree with you that if Scorsese wanted to make some little picture with an unknown cast for $2mil or something that someone would give it to him. I mean shit. If I had $2mil to hand out it would be a no brainer to give it to him. The thing "flops" and you triple your money.

So, why is it that he doesn't make small films anymore, really? Ego? A love of working with stars?Sure, somebody would probably give him the money, but what would it do to his career? I think in his films with DiCapprio, there's a desperation to stay relevant in the industry. (Whereas somebody like Godard is "irrelevant," because his recent movies haven't made much money.)

[Milky Joe]

I'm only harping on this point about money being the root of all evil because I genuinely think that Scorsese could make better films with less money.

Pretty sure this is true of everybody. It's a pretty sure-fire formula: the more money a director is given to make a film, the less good it's going to be, and that has more to do with the responsibilities that come with having someone give you that much money more than any lack of vision on the part of the director. This little essay (http://www.badgerinternet.com/~bobkat/waterstone.html) kind of neatly sums up the whole thing by looking at James Cameron the first two Terminator films. This was written in the 90s but it's still pretty amazingly relevant to the J.C. of today.

[DavidSeven]

Daniel Day-Lewis is a Hollywood unknown?

You do understand the meaning of the word mostly, right?

Please compare the cast of Scorsese's The Departed or Mann's Heat with that of TWBB. Even Godard's Contempt had more star power than Anderson's film.

[baby doll]

You do understand the meaning of the word mostly, right?

Please compare the cast of Scorsese's The Departed or Mann's Heat with that of TWBB. Even Godard's Contempt had more star power than Anderson's film.But as far as getting asses in the seats, when your dad asks you, "Who's in it?" you can just say Daniel Day-Lewis. It's not really an ensemble film, like The Departed.

[DavidSeven]

But as far as getting asses in the seats, when your dad asks you, "Who's in it?" you can just say Daniel Day-Lewis. It's not really an ensemble film, like The Departed.

And? You were talking about how money leads many big-name directors to fall into an "epic-making" rut whereby they shoot unnecessarily long movies populated with a bunch of big name stars because they cannot go smaller in Hollywood. I was pointing out PTA as a director who went in the opposite direction and cited TWBB, which, even if as long, has a far more limited scope than Boogie Nights and Magnolia. And yet, the reaction to him making this film was not "OMG, he's finished in Hollywood!"

[Ezee E]

And I think Francis Ford Coppola was done when he did shit movies. People just didn't even notice that he was still around after he did Jack...

[baby doll]

And? You were talking about how money leads many big-name directors to fall into an "epic-making" rut whereby they shoot unnecessarily long movies populated with a bunch of big name stars because they cannot go smaller in Hollywood. I was pointing out PTA as a director who went in the opposite direction and cited TWBB, which, even if as long, has a far more limited scope than Boogie Nights and Magnolia. And yet, the reaction to him making this film was not "OMG, he's finished in Hollywood!"I went looking up box office mojo to back up my point, thinking that Magnolia was actually a cheaper movie than There Will Be Blood, since it's not a period piece or an adaptation, and it's reasonable to assume that many of the actors (particularly Tom Cruise) took a pay cut on the film. It turns out Magnolia was actually the more expensive picture by about ten million dollars. However, I don't think that's quite the same as going from a big-budget film (Magnolia had a production budget of 37 million) to a low-budget one (There Will Be Blood cost 25 million). Both are essentially in the same medium range.

[Ezee E]

How about Spike Lee? He did his biggest, most successful production in Inside Man and we haven't heard from him since.

[Ezee E]

Oh wait, he did his large-scale WWII movie, and then hasn't been heard of since.

[balmakboor]

I thought Malcolm X was his big movie. Or did he shoot that really cheaply? I can't remember.

[Raiders]

How about Spike Lee? He did his biggest, most successful production in Inside Man and we haven't heard from him since.

He also did the same year a four-hour Katrina documentary which premiered on TV and may very well be his best work to date.

[baby doll]

He also did the same year a four-hour Katrina documentary which premiered on TV and may very well be his best work to date.I'm partial to Do the Right Thing, Summer of Sam, and 25th Hour myself, but When the Levees Broke was pretty impressive as well.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I'm learning that "Oscar-bait" is a useful phrase when you want to denigrate a movie but aren't in a specific kind of mood.

[balmakboor]

"What the Coens need is some Viagra and a weekend with Angie Dickinson."

:)

I don't know why, but I haven't had much interest in seeing True Grit, either version.

[baby doll]

I'm learning that "Oscar-bait" is a useful phrase when you want to denigrate a movie but aren't in a specific kind of mood.Oscar-bait (noun): Basically any commercial American movie above a certain budget that can be reasonably expected to be nominated for an Academy Award. True Grit, for instance, was nominated for like ten of them. I really liked A Single Man, but that doesn't make it any less Oscar-bait. It's still in that bracket of filmmaking, in that it's an adaptation of a prestigious novel (which it basically censors in order to make it more acceptable politically to Hollywood liberals), it has an A-list cast (including perennial Oscar favorites Colin Firth and Julianne Moore), and while it wasn't a big, big-budget movie, it certainly had a budget. It's a film that can be shown in multiplexes to a wide audience.

[baby doll]

"What the Coens need is some Viagra and a weekend with Angie Dickinson."

:)

I don't know why, but I haven't had much interest in seeing True Grit, either version.The original is a lot of fun--although to be clear, Angie Dickinson was in Rio Bravo (also a fun western), not True Grit.

[Ezee E]

So if a movie tries to be good, and gets into theaters beyond the Landmark, it's Oscar-bait. Got it.

When The Levees Break is just along the same lines as No Direction Home as far as I see it. Just different networks.

[baby doll]

So if a movie tries to be good, and gets into theaters beyond the Landmark, it's Oscar-bait. Got it.Basically, yeah. When we talk about the Oscars, we're talking about commercial narrative features for a mass audience. And getting an Oscar nomination is basically free publicity. Well, not free, because running a successful Oscar campaign costs money, but publicity nonetheless.

[soitgoes...]

Prior to Intolerable Cruelty the Coens worked with:

Albert Finney <---Nominated for 4 Oscars prior to film
Judy Davis <---Nominated prior to film
Tim Robbins
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Paul Newman <---Really?
Charles Durning <---Nominated for 2 Oscars
Jeff Bridges <---Had already been nominated for 3 Oscars. Famous family.
Julianne Moore <---Nominated the year prior
George Clooney
Holly Hunter <---Had already won and been nominated for 2 Oscars
Billy Bob Thorton <---Had already won and been nominated for 2 Oscars
James Gandolfini <---Height of Sopranos

That's not including Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, John Mahoney, John Turturro, Francis McDormand who were the Coens stock actors, but were also recognizable.

It isn't as if with Intolerable Cruelty the Coens started casting named stars. A Simple Man is completely foreign when compared to the rest of their filmography in regards to casting. I think their popularity now has more to do with their writing than their casting. It doesn't hurt that they are pulling from known literary and film sources for material.

[Adam]

Prior to Intolerable Cruelty the Coens worked with:

Nicolas Cage at the height of his powers, also

[soitgoes...]

Nicolas Cage at the height of his powers, too

I wouldn't say he was exactly known in 1987 though.

[Adam]

I guess Moonstruck made him more of a household name and that was late 1987, so you're probably right

[baby doll]

It isn't as if with Intolerable Cruelty the Coens started casting named stars. A Simple Man is completely foreign when compared to the rest of their filmography in regards to casting. I think their popularity now has more to do with their writing than their casting. It doesn't hurt that they are pulling from known literary and film sources for material.Point well taken. I still maintain that Intolerable Cruelty was a bigger film than anything they'd done previously, in the sense that, if I recall correctly, it had the widest release of any Coen Brothers' film up till that point. But that said, when we talk about that being a bigger film in relation to, say, The Man Who Wasn't There, the Coens have never been marginal figures in the American film industry in the sense that Charles Burnett has been for much of his career (despite a couple attempts at reaching a mainstream audience).

[soitgoes...]

Point well taken. I still maintain that Intolerable Cruelty was a bigger film than anything they'd done previously, in the sense that, if I recall correctly, it had the widest release of any Coen Brothers' film up till that point. But that said, when we talk about that being a bigger film in relation to, say, The Man Who Wasn't There, the Coens have never been marginal figures in the American film industry in the sense that Charles Burnett has been, for much of his career, a marginal figure (despite a couple attempts at reaching a mainstream audience).
I'm not denying that they haven't had a surge in popularity over the last ten years, I just think it has to do with a combination of factors outside of casting choices. I think that O Brother did better domestically than Intolerable Cruelty, but you're right that their films are finding their way on to more and more screens.

[megladon8]

That definition for Oscar bait is hilariously absurd.

[balmakboor]

The original is a lot of fun--although to be clear, Angie Dickinson was in Rio Bravo (also a fun western), not True Grit.

Yeah, I know. I've had Rio Bravo queued up for a re-watch for a while now. It was my favorite critic's favorite movie after all.

On a related note, I watched Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! last night and had a lot of fun with it. Beautiful late period McCarey with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Joan Collins.

[Sycophant]

Getting nominated for an Oscar does not make a film Oscar-bait. It's generally understood to be a film that was designed to get Oscars, perhaps cynically by a big prestige picture about some important time period or historical event, like the Holocaust. Or the Holocaust.

Urbandictionary is by no means an authority, but I think this definition is really pretty apt: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Oscar+Bait

[Barty]

If Match-cut had an award for posters. And Baby Doll was nominated, and then Baby Doll won the Matchie, would then Baby Doll be too mainstream and cease to exist?

[baby doll]

Getting nominated for an Oscar does not make a film Oscar-bait. It's generally understood to be a film that was designed to get Oscars, perhaps cynically by a big prestige picture about some important time period or historical event, like the Holocaust. Or the Holocaust.

Urbandictionary is by no means an authority, but I think this definition is really pretty apt: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Oscar+BaitHow about instead of Oscar-bait, let's say that True Grit is more of an "Oscar film" than the John Wayne original?

[Derek]

Yeah, I know. I've had Rio Bravo queued up for a re-watch for a while now. It was my favorite critic's favorite movie after all.

It's such a great film. Were you not a fan the first time around?


On a related note, I watched Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! last night and had a lot of fun with it. Beautiful late period McCarey with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Joan Collins.

I wasn't really a fan of this one, but the cinematography was great and you can't fully discount a film that has a drunken Paul Newman swinging from the chandelier. :)


Getting nominated for an Oscar does not make a film Oscar-bait. It's generally understood to be a film that was designed to get Oscars, perhaps cynically by a big prestige picture about some important time period or historical event, like the Holocaust. Or the Holocaust.

I think the problem here is that what is generally understood and what baby doll understands (or rather chooses not to understand) are two entirely different things. I'm not saying that's always a bad thing cuz it's not, but y'all need to let this shit go.


How about instead of Oscar-bait, let's say that True Grit is more of an "Oscar film" than the John Wayne original?

Swirling, swirling, swirling down the abyss of meaningless semantics we go...

[Winston*]

Oscar Bait is an anagram for "Is a act, bro" and "It so a crab'.

[soitgoes...]

Oscar Bait is an anagram for "Is a act, bro" and "It so a crab'.
Rob is a cat?

[Winston*]

Rob is a cat?

Basic Tora(h)

[soitgoes...]

Basic Tora(h)O(h), basic art.

[Sycophant]

I think the problem here is that what is generally understood and what baby doll understands (or rather chooses not to understand) are two entirely different things. I'm not saying that's always a bad thing cuz it's not, but y'all need to let this shit go.

You're right. I'm actually violating my own standards by participating in this conversation.

[soitgoes...]

A car's obit.

[Winston*]

O(h), basic art.

Art bias co.

[Mysterious Dude]

Rob is a cat?
Is cat a bro?

[soitgoes...]

Art bias co.It's a b, c or a.

EDIT:
Better would be - It's a cab or...?

[Mysterious Dude]

It's a cab or...?
'tis a cobra!

[Winston*]

Scab Ratio

Racist Boa

[Ezee E]

Tora Tora Tora?

[soitgoes...]

A stoic bar

[Milky Joe]

bias cart O.

[Spinal]

Get Him to the Greek: Promising start and generally amusing for the first two-thirds or so. I finally get the appeal of Russell Brand. Enjoyed his turn as the pompous rock idol. Also enjoyed Rose Byrne as his ex and Diddy has some good scenes as well. Jonah Hill feels like he's playing Michael Cera for some strange reason. Weird. The film's never really as dangerous as it purports to be and becomes disappointingly conservative right at the moment you'd want it to let loose. The fuzzy wall pandemonium is just long and awkward, rather than being delightfully chaotic. Also, the journey doesn't really have a finale with any sort of memorable payoff. Eh, it passed the time.

[MadMan]

I heartily approve of Encore showing 24 hours of Groundhog's Day, which is one of the best comedies of the 90s.

And Spinal while my rating for Get Him to the Greek is slightly higher, I agree that it could have been a lot funnier and a much better movie. However the whole furry wall bit was still really humorous to me a second time around. The film is odd in that it has a lot of good jokes, and then when Hill trips balls it becomes one long string of hilarious moments. Followed again by more smaller jokes. I'd say the songs and Brand going all out were the best things about it, really.

[Morris Schæffer]

A Webchat with the one and only William motherfucking Fichtner:

http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1180

[Boner M]

The fuzzy wall pandemonium is just long and awkward, rather than being delightfully chaotic.
Nah, it's definitely the latter. One of the best scenes of 2010.

[balmakboor]

[Rio Bravo]'s such a great film. Were you not a fan the first time around?

I've always been a fan. I didn't like it as well as some westerns like The Searchers or Red River though.


I wasn't really a fan of [Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!], but the cinematography was great and you can't fully discount a film that has a drunken Paul Newman swinging from the chandelier. :)


I was entertained by it and it certainly is beautifully shot and edited. I've always loved rear projection so the "driving home from the train station" scene is gold to me. I like Wood's interpretation of it as McCarey's subconscious wish the "United States of America" had never happened. An added plus was that I found both Collins and Woodward to be pretty hot.

[Spinal]

Nah, it's definitely the latter. One of the best scenes of 2010.

Someday I will post on this site and everyone will respond, "Hey, you're totally right!"

[Raiders]

Someday I will post on this site and everyone will respond, "Hey, you're totally right!"

No, wrong. I don't think that will happen.

[Spun Lepton]

Someday I will post on this site and everyone will respond, "Hey, you're totally right!"

:lol:

Oh ... you were serious.







:D

[Dukefrukem]

are you guys familiar with http://ch131.com/? What the hell? How is this legal/possible?

[megladon8]

Maybe it's because I haven't seen the movie in some time, but I had no idea that Bill Murray was supposed to have been stuck in the "loop" in Groundhog Day for well over 10 years.

I always thought it was like a year or so.

[Ezee E]

Maybe it's because I haven't seen the movie in some time, but I had no idea that Bill Murray was supposed to have been stuck in the "loop" in Groundhog Day for well over 10 years.

I always thought it was like a year or so.
He learned French and how to play piano.

[megladon8]

He learned French and how to play piano.


Like I said, I haven't watched it in some time.

I read an article today in which the author estimated he was stuck for upwards of 35 years.

[megladon8]

I wish I was a student at Columbia.

James Franco is going to be teaching a class about James Franco. 15 of the school's top film editing students will get to take the class, with the final project being to edit together a 30 minute documentary about James Franco. It will be graded by James Franco.

[Pop Trash]

FRANCOOOOO!!!

[Spinal]

I wish I was a student at Columbia.

James Franco is going to be teaching a class about James Franco. 15 of the school's top film editing students will get to take the class, with the final project being to edit together a 30 minute documentary about James Franco. It will be graded by James Franco.

Are you sure this isn't a Charlie Kaufman movie?

[megladon8]

Are you sure this isn't a Charlie Kaufman movie?


:lol:

The class is called "Master Class: Editing James Franco... with James Franco"

[Spinal]

The class is called "Master Class: Editing James Franco... with James Franco"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/227839420.gif

[Raiders]

That's almost as awesome as his stint on daytime soap General Hospital as a crazy villain named "Franco."

[DavidSeven]

Franco seems to have successfully transitioned from super-dull supporting actor to The Most Interesting Human Being on the Planet. Hooray for widely publicized idiosyncrasies, I guess.

[Russ]

Animation watch...just finished an insane film courtesy of the 2009 graduating class of the Korean Academy of Film Arts. I think I love it, but I have absolutely no idea what the hell was going on at any point in the film. The Story of Mr. Sorry, about this fellow who cleans the wax out of people's ears for a living (I know, yuk..) begins taking a vitamin that makes him really small, which makes it a lot easier for him to earn his living. Apparently. There's trippy visions. And incest. And game shows. And monster spiders. And...well, what the hell. Daniel, soitgoes, you're the only ones who are gonna want to see this, so...don't miss it!

[soitgoes...]

Animation watch...just finished an insane film courtesy of the 2009 graduating class of the Korean Academy of Film Arts. I think I love it, but I have absolutely no idea what the hell was going on at any point in the film. The Story of Mr. Sorry, about this fellow who cleans the wax out of people's ears for a living (I know, yuk..) begins taking a vitamin that makes him really small, which makes it a lot easier for him to earn his living. Apparently. There's trippy visions. And incest. And game shows. And monster spiders. And...well, what the hell. Daniel, soitgoes, you're the only ones who are gonna want to see this, so...don't miss it!
Thanks! Grabbing it now.

[megladon8]

That's almost as awesome as his stint on daytime soap General Hospital as a crazy villain named "Franco."


Apparently he's directing an episode of "General Hospital" right now.

[B-side]

Daniel, soitgoes, you're the only ones who are gonna want to see this, so...don't miss it!

I'm shocked and offended I didn't immediately jump to mind when considering who to recommend this uber-strange sounding film to.

[soitgoes...]

I'm shocked and offended I didn't immediately jump to mind when considering who to recommend this uber-strange sounding film to.Watch Mind Game first, then you can be part of this club. Sycophant and Stay Puft might should be included too.

[B-side]

Watch Mind Game first, then you can be part of this club. Sycophant and Stay Puft might should be included too.

Negro, please. I was all over that ages ago. Here it is on my top 25 films first seen in 2009 list:


The Steamroller and the Violin (Tarkovsky, 1961)
Fando y Lis (Jodorowsky, 1968)
Dream Work (Tscherkassky, 2002)
Santa Sangre (Jodorowsky, 1989)
Harakiri (Kobayashi, 1962)
Husbands (Cassavetes, 1970)
Statues Also Die (Marker/Resnais, 1953)
Chinese Roulette (Fassbinder, 1976)
Emak-Bakia (M. Ray, 1926)
My Night at Maud's (Rohmer, 1969)
Eden and After (Robbe-Grillet, 1970)
Last Year at Marienbad (Resnais, 1961)
The Wild Bunch (Peckinpah, 1969)
At Land (Deren, 1944)
Singin' in the Rain (Donen/Kelly, 1952)
Masculin féminin (Godard, 1966)
Salt for Svanetia (Kalatozov, 1930)
LBJ (Álvarez, 1968)
Opera (Argento, 1987)
Mind Game (Yuasa, 2004)
The Decameron (Pasolini, 1971)
Seven Chances (Keaton, 1925)
Une femme mariée (Godard, 1964)
Happy Together (Kar-Wai, 1997)
The Son (Dardennes, 2002)

[soitgoes...]

Negro, please. I was all over that ages ago. Here it is on my top 25 films first seen in 2009 list:

2lo. Sorry.

;)

[Milky Joe]

Convento (http://www.twitvid.com/XFP32)

That's going on the list. It's at Sundance I guess...

[Stay Puft]

My brother gave me a copy of Mind Game but I haven't watched it yet.

/Asian Cult fail

[Ezee E]

Sycophant was suppose to give me a Mind Game copy, but hasn't yet. I think I've moved during that time though.

/double fail

[Sycophant]

Yeah, I suck at a lot of things. If you want it, though, I will seriously get it out in the next week, if you want to PM me your new address.

Sorry for my sucking.

[Boner M]

In My Skin - Really? Really? That's all the film's gonna do with a premise that's potentially ripe for social commentary? This makes American Psycho look like a masterpiece of allegorical nuance and complexity by comparison. Corporate dinner scene's a tour-de-force; the rest is padding.

[B-side]

This makes American Psycho look like a masterpiece of allegorical nuance and complexity by comparison.

Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston had 4 number one singles on it? Did you know that, Boner?

[Rowland]

Ooohh. Blue Valentine, The Illusionist, and Another Year all about to be playing in my area. I've got some theater-going ahead of me.

[Boner M]

Weekend:

Inside Job
Some Brakhage
Some Allan King
Some von Sternberg
Some other shit

[kuehnepips]

In My Skin - Really? Really? That's all the film's gonna do ...

Ouch. I'm glad the Pup isn't around.

[Boner M]

Ouch. I'm glad the Pup isn't around.
The Pup's one-man In My Skin cheerleader squad was one of the first things I remember about joining RT in late-2003. *wistful sigh*

[Dukefrukem]

I'm officially ready to judge Best Picture at the Oscars having seen all the films nominated. Inception is still taking it.

[Boner M]

I'm officially ready to judge Best Picture at the Oscars having seen all the films nominated. Inception is still taking it.
http://turbo.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2009/11/stop-the-press.png

[Dukefrukem]

damn straight

[dreamdead]

The Treasure of Sierra Madre 'twas indeed really good; the first hour seems a bit slight but by the end it proves to effectively establish angles for why Curtin is able to hold onto his humanity, and why others are not so lucky. Last half hour is pretty special, though the moralistic coda seems rather silly--(really, Huston, laughter needs to be sustained that long). While not typically what I throw my hat by, this was solid.

Irma Vep, meanwhile, blossomed into a favorite on the second viewing. The ambiguity with which Assayas leaves the unfinished Les Vampires footage is marvelous in sustaining ideas of experimentation and moving away from staid updates. Cheung of course looks gorgeous the whole time, but I found the ideas resonating much more this go-around. Kinda want to rewatch Boarding Gate and see if it feels any less slight in turn.

[Ezee E]

damn straight
Should take it. Or will take it?

[Raiders]

In My Skin - Really? Really? That's all the film's gonna do with a premise that's potentially ripe for social commentary? This makes American Psycho look like a masterpiece of allegorical nuance and complexity by comparison. Corporate dinner scene's a tour-de-force; the rest is padding.

:pritch:

Did not care for it much at all. I think I do remember disappointing the Pup when I posted my thoughts.

[Dukefrukem]

Should take it. Or will take it?

Should and Will take it.

[NickGlass]

In My Skin - Really? Really? That's all the film's gonna do with a premise that's potentially ripe for social commentary? This makes American Psycho look like a masterpiece of allegorical nuance and complexity by comparison. Corporate dinner scene's a tour-de-force; the rest is padding.

Yeah, that film is such a brutally wasted opportunity.

[Ivan Drago]

Who do I rep for the new thread title?

[Spinal]

Who do I rep for the new thread title?

James Franco.

[MadMan]

Pup needs to post on Match-Cut, damnit. I can't remember what happened to him, though.

The new thread title=meh :P

Weekend:

*The Wire Season 1 (I already finished the first episode last night)
*Bigger Than Life
*Lost in Translation
*Alphaville (when it finally gets here)

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
The Bad Sleep Well
The Tillman Story
Monsters

[Dukefrukem]

Weekend: Tron Legacy
The Expendables

[Sven]

Man, I don't know what crack the haters be smokin', because Kitano's Outrage is pretty much the tops. It's a tremendous development, heavy and impossibly entertaining. Can't wait to see what he does next.

[Sycophant]

Man, I don't know what crack the haters be smokin', because Kitano's Outrage is pretty much the tops. It's a tremendous development, heavy and impossibly entertaining. Can't wait to see what he does next.

I'm excited to hear this, since your opinions on Kitano align closely with mine. And I'm watching it Saturday.

As for what Kitano's doing next? Word on the street is we can expect Outrage 2 this fall.

[number8]

That reminds me. I should publish my review of that.

Although I hereby insist that Match Cut spells the title Autoreiji.

[Sven]

Also, all discussions of glorious extensive director/cinematographer collaborations MUST, from here on out, include mention of Kitano and Yanagijima. The look is as integral to anything else in these pictures. Steely, sterile blues punctuated with complimentary reds and greens, reflective panes, flattened dimensions, minimal but potent gestures of the camera... it is truly difficult to give credit to either man. Looks like the editor, a Yoshinora Ota, is also a long-time collaborator whose contribution is also intrinsic to the value of these movies... the long takes and shocking, clipped violence, the protracted unraveling of particularly convoluted plots, the meditative gaze on the wind blowing through leaves... and it's all present in glorious spades in Outrage.

[Watashi]

What's the Match-Cut consensus on the better film: Godfather or Godfather Part 2?

Is there anyone out there (Sven?) who thinks the third film is the best?

[Sven]

For a very small time, I was so impressed with the (actual quality:reported quality) ratio of GFIII that I vocalized a preference for it. I'd probably say the first is the best.

[soitgoes...]

The first is the best.

[Bosco B Thug]

I had to stop watching Wild Grass about twenty minutes into it because it sounded too much like an X-Files episode. It was only to be fair to it. I'll pick it up again tonight.

[MadMan]

Godfather>Godfather II, but its really close. I still haven't viewed Godfather III yet.

[Scar]

Godfather>Godfather II>>Godfather III

[Ezee E]

I vote II because of the DeNiro section. Those are the best sequences I've seen on film period.

[Spinal]

First one is far superior the other two.

[DavidSeven]

I slightly prefer II because the parallel stories and the dual protagonists make it a more ambitious effort and they're brought together with perfect execution. The Michael section itself seems so much broader in scope than the entire narrative of the first film. On the other hand, the allegory of American Capitalism is so perfectly rendered in the first film. It's really a toss up.

[elixir]

Part I is the best...well, I haven't seen Part III yet. Michael's transformation in I basically defines character arc.

[chrisnu]

Imelda Staunton gives Patricia Clarkson (in Shutter Island) strong competition for the best one-scene performance of the year in the opening scene of Another Year. Truly excellent.

[StanleyK]

Make Way for Tomorrow: great as advertised. One hour of a brutally honest portrayal of just how sucky and inconvenient it is to be old, leading to a refreshingly sap-free climactic romantic evening. I love how Bark and Lucy spend so much time just in silence, not because they don't have anything to say; they don't need to. Devastating. I kind of wish some of the younger folk such as the doctor weren't portrayed unambiguously as fools, but I guess that can be written off as being from the POV of the old guy. Maybe, I dunno. I can definitely see this becoming a favorite of mine though.

[megladon8]

Make Way for Tomorrow: great as advertised. One hour of a brutally honest portrayal of just how sucky and inconvenient it is to be old, leading to a refreshingly sap-free climactic romantic evening. I love how Bark and Lucy spend so much time just in silence, not because they don't have anything to say; they don't need to. Devastating. I kind of wish some of the younger folk such as the doctor weren't portrayed unambiguously as fools, but I guess that can be written off as being from the POV of the old guy. Maybe, I dunno. I can definitely see this becoming a favorite of mine though.


Excellent.

One of the most devastating films I've seen in...well...maybe ever.

Probably the best thing I watched last year.

[balmakboor]

I own the Godfather Blu-ray set. I've only watched I so far though. It is greatness in every possible way. I do love II, but I don't think it ever quite pulls off the parallel story thing. I've been meaning to revisit III. I only saw it once the day it opened. I'm sure I'll find something redeeming. If nothing else, I now know a helluva lot more about Sophia.

[Derek]

Man, I don't know what crack the haters be smokin', because Kitano's Outrage is pretty much the tops. It's a tremendous development, heavy and impossibly entertaining. Can't wait to see what he does next.

I liked it a lot too. My main complaint is that the last hour+ was not as gloriously raucous (chopsticks and a few other scenes aside) and remarkably taut as the first 40 minutes. Still, it's real good.

[balmakboor]

For a very small time, I was so impressed with the (actual quality:reported quality) ratio of GFIII that I vocalized a preference for it. I'd probably say the first is the best.

I was living in Seattle when III was released and I remember it making the top ten list by the critic for The Stranger. He had good reasoning too. I wish I could remember what it was.

[Derek]

I was living in Seattle when III was released and I remember it making the top ten list by the critic for The Stranger. He had good reasoning too. I wish I could remember what it was.

He saw the cut without Sofia? ;)

[balmakboor]

He saw the cut without Sofia? ;)

What I can't remember is if it's a good movie besides Sofia. I think Dracula is a fantastic movie besides Keanu. Could III be the same?

[Derek]

What I can't remember is if it's a good movie besides Sofia. I think Dracula is a fantastic movie besides Keanu. Could III be the same?

Actually, I remember the whole attempt to bring the Catholic church into the fold to be rather botched. Sofia was bad, but she alone didn't ruin the film.

[baby doll]

I had to stop watching Wild Grass about twenty minutes into it because it sounded too much like an X-Files episode. It was only to be fair to it. I'll pick it up again tonight.Well, it is the same composer, so isn't that to be expected?

[Melville]

In My Skin - Really? Really? That's all the film's gonna do with a premise that's potentially ripe for social commentary? This makes American Psycho look like a masterpiece of allegorical nuance and complexity by comparison. Corporate dinner scene's a tour-de-force; the rest is padding.
Nuts to social commentary and allegory. I thought it was pretty great. (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=167104#post16 7104)

[balmakboor]

I do wonder what became of the Pup. He never got me to check out In My Skin, but he did talk me into seeing Huckle. Great film.

On a competely different topic, what's the consensus on which is better, The Buddy Holly Story or La Bamba. I think I'm in the La Bamba camp. I do love me some Gary Busey though.

[Bosco B Thug]

Well, it is the same composer, so isn't that to be expected? Oh, I expected it - I had even read an interview with Mark Snow a long time ago where he talked about scoring it. How I feel about it is the question. But I was serious when I said I'm a taking this breather hopefully to go back into it and be as fair and open-minded about this admitted distraction for me as possible.

[B-side]

Make Way for Tomorrow: great as advertised. One hour of a brutally honest portrayal of just how sucky and inconvenient it is to be old, leading to a refreshingly sap-free climactic romantic evening. I love how Bark and Lucy spend so much time just in silence, not because they don't have anything to say; they don't need to. Devastating. I kind of wish some of the younger folk such as the doctor weren't portrayed unambiguously as fools, but I guess that can be written off as being from the POV of the old guy. Maybe, I dunno. I can definitely see this becoming a favorite of mine though.

I don't get it. There has to be at least one other person on this forum that doesn't love that film. Sap-free? I thought it was rather maudlin. It's just a thoroughly mediocre film. Nothing about it exceeds or elevates its manipulative, high concept premise. McCarey's filmmaking is serviceable, nothing more. Too many scenes feel like weak build-up to another moment desperate to extract yet another cheap tear or more empathy. Bleh.

[soitgoes...]

I don't get it. There has to be at least one other person on this forum that doesn't love that film. Sap-free? I thought it was rather maudlin. It's just a thoroughly mediocre film. Nothing about it exceeds or elevates its manipulative, high concept premise. McCarey's filmmaking is serviceable, nothing more. Too many scenes feel like weak build-up to another moment desperate to extract yet another cheap tear or more empathy. Bleh.
You heartless bastard. :P

Well Ozu made the film better, but McCarey's film is still great, I wouldn't say sap-free though.

[B-side]

Well Ozu made the film better

I actually agree, though neither are very good.

[soitgoes...]

I actually agree, though neither are very good.

Jesus Christ.

[B-side]

Jesus Christ.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/images/blogimages/2010/05/07/1273252027-buddy_jesus.jpg

[Sven]

I miss the days when, as a people, we talked about Billy Bob Thornton as much as we do James Franco. I miss ol' Billy Bob.

[B-side]

I miss the days when, as a people, we talked about Billy Bob Thornton as much as we do James Franco. I miss ol' Billy Bob.

I thought he was kinda brilliant in the Bad News Bears remake.

[megladon8]

I miss the days when, as a people, we talked about Billy Bob Thornton as much as we do James Franco. I miss ol' Billy Bob.


He seems to be making a name for himself as kind of a crotchety bastard.

[Sven]

I thought he was kinda brilliant in the Bad News Bears remake.

Sub-sub-Bad Santa. THAT movie is brilliant. The BNB was just tired.

[B-side]

Sub-sub-Bad Santa. THAT movie is brilliant. The BNB was just tired.

The movie's nothing special, but I loved his performance and the caustic, acerbic dialogue he delivered with such ease and humor.

[soitgoes...]

Sub-sub-Bad Santa. THAT movie is brilliant. The BNB was just tired.
Good news! Reportedly a Bad Santa 2 (http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/weinsteins-and-miramax-strike-sequels-deal/) is in the works.

[Spinal]

I hate Bad Santa so much.

[Morris Schæffer]

I love Bad Santa. A smashing antidote to all those syrupy christmas movies. Not that I needed such an antidote, but I love how it subverses expectations of what a christmas movie should be.

[kuehnepips]

I actually agree, though neither are very good.

*updates ignore list*

[Raiders]

A study was performed in 2000 at Berkeley and it was determined that if you don't love either Make Way for Tomorrow or L'Atalante you cease to be considered a carbon-based lifeform.

[Spaceman Spiff]

So I rewatched Groundhog Day last night and something struck me. How fucking long was Bill Murray in that continuous loop? You don't get that good at ice sculpting or at the piano without many, many years of practice.

Kind of made the movie sadder for me.

[Watashi]

So I rewatched Groundhog Day last night and something struck me. How fucking long was Bill Murray in that continuous loop? You don't get that good at ice sculpting or at the piano without many, many years of practice.

Kind of made the movie sadder for me.
It was said earlier in this thread that he was stuck for about 10 years.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It was said earlier in this thread that he was stuck for about 10 years.

Haha, so it was.

[DavidSeven]

An Education - Mostly watchable and nice to look at, I guess, but dramatically inert. How is this a story worth telling? I didn't mind the "message" of the film as much as how pussyfooted the film is about it.

[Spun Lepton]

Hate for Bad Santa?? I am disappoint.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hate for Bad Santa?? I am disappoint.

Indeed. Hilarious film.

[NickGlass]

An Education - Mostly watchable and nice to look at, I guess, but dramatically inert. How is this a story worth telling? I didn't mind the "message" of the film as much as how pussyfooted the film is about it.

Thanks for putting "message" in quotation marks, since it seems like the film just sections of bits of it to put in quotes, as well. Now, pray tell, what do you think is the "message" of the film? It's all so jumbled in its advice on life experience that, after the final monologue, I had no idea what the film was preaching--but it was certainly preaching a lot regarding how to live your life.

[B-side]

A study was performed in 2000 at Berkeley and it was determined that if you don't love either Make Way for Tomorrow or L'Atalante you cease to be considered a carbon-based lifeform.

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.c om/images/0/0e/Forever_Alone.png

[DavidSeven]

Thanks for putting "message" in quotation marks, since it seems like the film just sections of bits of it to put in quotes, as well. Now, pray tell, what do you think is the "message" of the film? It's all so jumbled in its advice on life experience that, after the final monologue, I had no idea what the film was preaching--but it was certainly preaching a lot regarding how to live your life.

Yeah, this is such a problem that I'm almost left to feel the film really isn't about anything at all. The half-hearted montage and final monologue seems to hammer home a dubious message about the virtues of living cautiously. This wouldn't be a problem if the film simultaneously managed to be an indictment of the naive, but the neat and tidy ending make this an impossibility. Hate to come off so nihilistic, but this girl's world needed to get rocked a lot harder than it did. The films just ends up muddled as heck with all the convenient good fortune loaded in the final act. When I say I don't mind the message, I mean to say that a pro-formal education viewpoint isn't so unworthy of exploration, but damn, deliver the message with some conviction.

[Spaceman Spiff]

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.c om/images/0/0e/Forever_Alone.png

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldp3jukzHo1qb9a2wo1_500 .png

[MadMan]

Yey for Forever Alone :lol:

Groundhog's Day is a lot like Its a Wonderful Life in that both films have happier messages while masking a heavy dark side that one only notices after multiple viewings.

Bad News Bears remake's first half is great, the second half rather meh. Its still fairly funny, though. Bad Santa on the other hand is one of the best X-Mas movies ever made.

[baby doll]

So Maria Schneider died.

[Scar]

So Maria Schneider died.

http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=420&page=26

[Derek]

Groundhog's Day is a lot like Its a Wonderful Life in that both films have happier messages while masking a heavy dark side that one only notices after multiple viewings.

It took you multiple viewings to notice the suicide attempts in those films?

[Scar]

It took you multiple viewings to notice the suicide attempts in those films?

:lol:

[Watashi]

I have never seen Groundhog's Day, but due to popular culture, it feels like I've seen it all.

[Ivan Drago]

I have never seen Groundhog's Day, but due to popular culture, it feels like I've seen it all.

That's how I felt before I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Princess Bride and Star Trek II. Didn't hinder my first viewings of either of them at all.

[Ezee E]

I have never seen Groundhog's Day, but due to popular culture, it feels like I've seen it all.
Fairly sure you'd love it.

[megladon8]

The best part is when everyone dies at the end.

[DavidSeven]

I love Bill Murray as much as the next guy, but Groundhog Day's status as an enduring classic is pretty absurd. It's throwaway Hollywood hackwork without him. His presence alone makes it pretty good, but this is a Harold Ramis flick we're talking about. It shows.

[megladon8]

I love Bill Murray as much as the next guy, but Groundhog Day's status as an enduring classic is pretty absurd. It's throwaway Hollywood hackwork without him. It's not like Harold Ramis churned out any cinematic treasures afterward.


I thought the concept was pretty intriguing and carried out well.

There was more depth to it than your average rom-com.

[DavidSeven]

I thought the concept was pretty intriguing and carried out well.

There was more depth to it than your average rom-com.

I'd rate it above the average Hollywood rom-com. But that's it.

[megladon8]

I'd rate it above the average Hollywood rom-com. But that's it.


And I'd rate you above the average MC'er, but that's it.

[Ezee E]

To ignore Bill Murray's presence is silly though. How else did a movie make Andie McDowell likeable?

[DavidSeven]

And I'd rate you above the average MC'er, but that's it.

I'm overrated.

[DavidSeven]

To ignore Bill Murray's presence is silly though. How else did a movie make Andie McDowell likeable?

I never thought McDowell was ever especially dislike-able. Just a bad actress. She's a bad actress in Groundhog Day too.

[Spun Lepton]

I love Bill Murray as much as the next guy, but Groundhog Day's status as an enduring classic is pretty absurd. It's throwaway Hollywood hackwork without him. His presence alone makes it pretty good, but this is a Harold Ramis flick we're talking about. It shows.

Are you being disparaging of Ramis? You didn't like Vacation or Caddyshack? He was also part of the writing teams for Ghostbusters and Animal House. You didn't like those either?

[megladon8]

I'm overrated.


I'm a contrarian, so it works out.

[DavidSeven]

Are you being disparaging of Ramis? You didn't like Vacation or Caddyshack? He was also part of the writing teams for Ghostbusters and Animal House. You didn't like those either?

I've never actually seen Caddyshack and don't remember much of Vacation. I'm not doubting his ability to write an amusing story, but as a filmmaker, dude lacks serious vision.

Filmography:

2009 Year One
2007 Atlanta (TV movie)
2005 The Ice Harvest
2002 Analyze That
2000 Bedazzled
1999 Analyze This
1996 Multiplicity
1995 Stuart Saves His Family
1993 Groundhog Day
1986 Club Paradise
1983 Vacation
1980 Caddyshack

I'd give Groundhog Day a mid-6 or a 7. It's fine for what it is. But one of the best films of the 90s? Nah.

[Ezee E]

What's not to like about Multiplicity?

[DavidSeven]

What's not to like about Multiplicity?

http://www.lisamertins.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/multiplicity80.jpg

...never go full retard.

[Russ]

Director's Consensus: Harold Ramis!


..oh wait, we've already done him, right?

[Watashi]

I've heard great things about The Ice Harvest.

[Watashi]

What's not to like about Multiplicity?
I saw Multiplicity twice in theaters.

Envy me, bitches.

[Spun Lepton]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought Multiplicity was funny. Not a great film, but funny.

[Raiders]

Ramis' career may be hit-or-miss and he may not necessarily have some great vision as a filmmaker, but there is a pretty distinct and great vision within Groundhog Day. In addition to that, it is essentially a one-man show, and Bill Murray is sensational in it. I like the comparison to It's a Wonderful Life--hell, even The Exterminating Angel is a seeming predecessor of sorts. I also have never understood the hate for Macdowell, and their scenes together here are a sort of minimalist romance. The emotion is never maudlin and their interactions vary between cunning, absurd and very tender.

Still though, the film contains one of the single-most brilliant comedic performances ever. Rating that just a 7 is silly.

[elixir]

I haven't seen Groundhog Day in a long time, so I can't judge her from that, but Macdowell was awful in sex, lies, and videotape, and I just find her extremely grating and unnatural. I think I may watch Groundhog Day tonight.

[DavidSeven]

I don't know... I do enjoy the film for the most part, but I'm not especially moved by it and the filmmaking elements are so blah. Four stars and general adulation for something that blah just seems odd to me, even it's not terrible otherwise. I think a 7 (borderline three stars) is pretty fair for a one-man show and cleverly executed concept. Like I said, it's a fine movie. But a classic? Gotta go against the grain there.

[elixir]

Eyes Wide Shut. I don't get what people see in this movie. It felt like anything it had to say about sex or relationships was facile at best, but I didn't see any deep psychological insights or anything. Kidman had the two best scenes of the movie--revealing her sexual fantasy and telling about her dream...which made Cruise's turn all the more disappointing, because I could always see him trying to act (I guess he's better at being open then repressed, because I far prefer his turn in his other 1999 movie, Magnolia). The orgy scene just left me confused...it wasn't shocking, weird, or even creepy and certainly not revealing...at the end, I just kind of shrugged...though the last line was good.

Three Colors: Blue. Now this is more my type of movie. Really enjoyed it, and it felt ambiguous but not to the point of inscrutability. I liked the neat use of music (though I suppose I could see how someone could be bothered by it or find it shallow perhaps), and appreciated how even though Julie tried to isolate herself from human connection, she really couldn't--it's impossible. Just finished it this moment, so I'm still gathering my thoughts on this, but it definitely hit me at the end.

[B-side]

Absurdity. Eyes Wide Shut is excellent.

[elixir]

Absurdity. Eyes Wide Shut is excellent.

Elaborate please...or link me to a review you think explains its excellency best. I know many people feel this, and I'm really wondering why. It didn't do it for me at all.

[Ezee E]

Eyes Wide Shut is a disappointment to everyone on first viewing I think.

And i forgot about The Ice Harvest. Love that one too.

[elixir]

Oh, I will say though that the lighting, especially at the opening party, was quite breathtaking.

[Russ]

Prepare for a flood of EWS defenders (that would include me, actually).

[B-side]

Elaborate please...or link me to a review you think explains its excellency best. I know many people feel this, and I'm really wondering why. It didn't do it for me at all.

I don't know that I could really elaborate considering how long it's been since I've seen it. I probably shouldn't have said anything.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Stuart Saves His Family

This movie is better than many might think.

[Milky Joe]

Eyes Wide Shut. I don't get what people see in this movie. It felt like anything it had to say about sex or relationships was facile at best, but I didn't see any deep psychological insights or anything.

Hint: it's not really about sex, or relationships.

[elixir]

Hint: it's not really about sex, or relationships.

Okay. What is it about then? I thought about how Bill always said, "I'm a doctor," so I tried to make some connection between capitalism/wealth/status/something, but didn't really come up with anything. Care to clue me in how what it's really "about," instead of just giving a hint?

[balmakboor]

Elaborate please...or link me to a review you think explains its excellency best. I know many people feel this, and I'm really wondering why. It didn't do it for me at all.

I love Eyes Wide Shut and have watched it around ten times, though not for a while. I should give it another spin soon.

This "review" has always been one of my faves.

http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0096.html

[Winston*]

I've never actually seen Caddyshack and don't remember much of Vacation. I'm not doubting his ability to write an amusing story, but as a filmmaker, dude lacks serious vision.

Filmography:

2009 Year One
2007 Atlanta (TV movie)
2005 The Ice Harvest
2002 Analyze That
2000 Bedazzled
1999 Analyze This
1996 Multiplicity
1995 Stuart Saves His Family
1993 Groundhog Day
1986 Club Paradise
1983 Vacation
1980 Caddyshack

I'd give Groundhog Day a mid-6 or a 7. It's fine for what it is. But one of the best films of the 90s? Nah.
The Ice Harvest is very good.

[elixir]

I love Eyes Wide Shut and have watched it around ten times, though not for a while. I should give it another spin soon.

This "review" has always been one of my faves.

http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0096.html

It's a good review, but I think the review is better than the movie. I really don't see all these things, but even if I do, I don't really agree with what Kubrick is saying then, and it really oversimplifies things...plus, the whole thing with "the wife is a high-class prostitute" is, well, a bit troubling and even offensive (so, what, all housewives are just different classes of prostitutes?). Hm...still thinking it over...thanks for the link.

[Pop Trash]

Don't worry elixir, I'm iffy about EWS as well.

In other news, The Host was pretty disappointing.

[balmakboor]

It's a good review, but I think the review is better than the movie. I really don't see all these things, but even if I do, I don't really agree with what Kubrick is saying then, and it really oversimplifies things...plus, the whole thing with "the wife is a high-class prostitute" is, well, a bit troubling and even offensive (so, what, all housewives are just different classes of prostitutes?). Hm...still thinking it over...thanks for the link.

Have you only seen it once? I'm a guy who likes to see movies more than once, but this movie flat out demands to be seen at least three or four times. Way too much to even hope to absorb in one viewing. Just the first shot alone is loaded with information that I think Kubrick didn't even want us to notice at first. He just wanted us to notice Kidman's ass. The moment where Bill tells Alice she looks terrific and she scolds him for not even looking at her is fascinating once you realize what it is he is and isn't actually looking at. And think about the bedroom scene near the end with the mask on the pillow. Critics tore that scene apart when the movie was released for its sloppy editing, showing a "totally redundant" second shot of the mask on the pillow. But show those critics the two shots side by side and only those with their eyes shut tight would refrain from eating their words. That second shot of the mask is one of the creepiest things I've ever seen.

[elixir]

Have you only seen it once? I'm a guy who likes to see movies more than once, but this movie flat out demands to be seen at least three or four times. Way too much to even hope to absorb in one viewing. Just the first shot alone is loaded with information that I think Kubrick didn't even want us to notice at first. He just wanted us to notice Kidman's ass. The moment where Bill tells Alice she looks terrific and she scolds him for not even looking at her is fascinating once you realize what it is he is and isn't actually looking at. And think about the bedroom scene near the end with the mask on the pillow. Critics tore that scene apart when the movie was released for its sloppy editing, showing a "totally redundant" second shot of the mask on the pillow. But show those critics the two shots side by side and only those with their eyes shut tight would refrain from eating their words. That second shot of the mask is one of the creepiest things I've ever seen.

Yup, I've only seen it once. Right now, there is just so much I want to see, so I'm going to opt for first viewings of "new" movies rather than repeats most of the time. Perhaps a second viewing will make me appreciate it more, but I'm not so sure. Just as a personal reaction, I didn't find that shot creepy--but I can easily visualize it right now. I really appreciate that link and your thoughts though.

[balmakboor]

Yup, I've only seen it once. Right now, there is just so much I want to see, so I'm going to opt for first viewings of "new" movies rather than repeats most of the time. Perhaps a second viewing will make me appreciate it more, but I'm not so sure. Just as a personal reaction, I didn't find that shot creepy--but I can easily visualize it right now. I really appreciate that link and your thoughts though.

That's cool. I'm amazed by how many people fail to see the difference between the two mask-on-the-pillow shots until it's pointed out. Kudos to you for catching it.

I'll occasionally get hooked on a movie and watch it three or four times in a week. But most of my re-watching is much more spread out. I love revisiting movies every five or ten years and watching them from a whole new perspective. When I first watched The Man Who Fell to Earth 30 years ago, I didn't even understand it. I watched it last weekend and understood it almost too well. I've had an identical experience with 8 1/2. I just re-watched All That Heaven Allows this evening for the first time in a long time and it floored me. I'd never felt it so personally before.

I'd say just forget about Eyes Wide Shut for a long spell and then take another look.

[elixir]

Hm, funny you should mention it, because I just added All That Heaven Allows to my InstantQueue (along with Imitation of Life). Yeah, it will probably be awhile before I rewatch anything but favorites (or that my film class will make me), because there is just so much I want to see that it's ridiculous.

[Russ]

I'd say just forget about Eyes Wide Shut for a long spell and then take another look.

Yes (for elixir)


I just added Imitation of Life to my InstantQueue...Which one?

[B-side]

Sirk <3

[elixir]

Yes (for elixir)

Which one?

Sirk. Didn't realize it was a remake...

[Milky Joe]

Okay. What is it about then? I thought about how Bill always said, "I'm a doctor," so I tried to make some connection between capitalism/wealth/status/something, but didn't really come up with anything. Care to clue me in how what it's really "about," instead of just giving a hint?

Really, nothing? And after you looked at that review, what is it that you disagree with Kubrick about?

But mostly I prefer indirect communication, so, another hint: what does Eyes Wide Shut have in common with The Matrix?

[elixir]

Really, nothing? And after you looked at that review, what is it that you disagree with Kubrick about?

But mostly I prefer indirect communication, so, another hint: what does Eyes Wide Shut have in common with The Matrix?

Well, I admit I didn't come up with that reviewer did after my viewing, so perhaps I'm stupid. I think reading that review certainly elucidated matters in that aspect of the film, but I think the reviewer did some stretching and filling in the gaps because some of it I just didn't see in the movie. (And, yeah, you can argue this is my failing of course). It just seems like what the reviewer is saying then is that the elite exploit those below them in social classes--okay, fine, nothing new...but I don't think it ever gets deeper than that. Like I said earlier, I have an issue with how he sees Nicole Kidman's character. Also, the reviewer just throws out there that the characters are shallow--but that is the point, right? But to me, a problem emerges because Kubrick shallowly characterizes them, not just because they are shallow. On a personal level, it didn't hit me in any way beyond some visual sights, and I just didn't find it as compelling as many of you do.

ETA: I haven't seen The Matrix in a very long time, so I don't think I can answer that question.

[megladon8]

That review was quite a wonderful read.

And I agree with the writer's sentiments near the beginning, regarding the critical reception (ie, the disappointment over it being "not sexy".)

Errr...guys, that was kinda the intention.


EDIT: I do take issue with his reading of The Shining, but that's another kettle of fish.

[Watashi]

So yeah, I watched Groundhog Day tonight. McDowell is servicable, but Murray just owns this role and the sentimental scenes are really paid off well.

[MadMan]

It took you multiple viewings to notice the suicide attempts in those films?No....but it becomes more and more obvious each viewing. Which is what I was trying to say. Jackass.

[balmakboor]

I can now say without hesitation that my favorite movie is Heaven's Gate. I used to waffle like a fool. No more.

[number8]

I made a film festival.

[megladon8]

I made a film festival.


Aryan....Nation....?

[Spinal]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)

[balmakboor]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)

Thanks for that link. Between that list and the following from the same site, I have lots of new fodder for my Netflix queue.

http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/599047/the-50-best-documentaries-of-all-time

I especially want to see Lake of Fire.

[megladon8]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)


That was quite a good list. Much better than other lists of the same type I've encountered in the past, where "controversial" just equates to "has lots of boobies."

I once read a list with Barb Wire in the top 10.

[Russ]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)
A Serbian Film owns that list. Guess they haven't seen it yet.

Fun true fact: back in the day, I had to cross one of those picket lines to see
Life of Brian (in Auburn, Alabama). The picketers were met with waves of derisive laughter (at least that's how I like to remember it).

[balmakboor]

A Serbian Film owns that list. Guess they haven't seen it yet.

Fun true fact: back in the day, I had to cross one of those picket lines to see
Life of Brian (in Auburn, Alabama). The picketers were met with waves of derisive laughter (at least that's how I like to remember it).

Another true fact: I got a black eye while walking into the opening night showing of The Last Temptation of Christ in Seattle.

[Mara]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)

They left off Kazan's Baby Doll, which has a fascinating history of supression. And is a fantastic film.

[Raiders]

They left off Kazan's Baby Doll, which has a fascinating history of supression. And is a fantastic film.

I immediately thought of that film as well. And yes, it is pretty fabulous.

[megladon8]

But does it have lots of boobs and sex and cuss words?

[Scar]

Faster was much better then I thought it could be. No one liners, just a man on a mission. These are the kind of the movies The Rock is supposed to be making, not that Disney crap.

[megladon8]

Faster was much better then I thought it could be. No one liners, just a man on a mission. These are the kind of the movies The Rock is supposed to be making, not that Disney crap.


Oh man, this is awesome to hear. I always thought The Rock could have totally taken the mantle of the "new action star".

How was the action itself? I hear it's meant to feel like the gritty '70s crime flicks with Steve McQueen or Charles Bronson.

[Stay Puft]

I made a film festival.

Gotta say I was disappointed with Legend of the Fist. I love Donnie Yen, but the action direction in this one is mostly unimpressive (I know you weren't a fan of the film, but come on, the dojo scene has nothing on the similar multi-combatant prison scene in Ip Man). The script is terrible, Andrew Lau's direction is haphazard and borderline incompetent at times. The WWI segment is the only good thing about the film. The rest is such a letdown in comparison.

[Scar]

Oh man, this is awesome to hear. I always thought The Rock could have totally taken the mantle of the "new action star".

How was the action itself? I hear it's meant to feel like the gritty '70s crime flicks with Steve McQueen or Charles Bronson.

The action is, basic, I guess. But in the brutal way. And Dwayne uses a real hand cannon, a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Its chambered in either 454 Casull or 480 Ruger. The pistol was designed for campers/backpackers/what not who have to worry about a pissed off grizzly coming at them.

The scary part, is it doesn't look like that big of a pistol when he uses it. :lol:

[megladon8]

The action is, basic, I guess. But in the brutal way. And Dwayne uses a real hand cannon, a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Its chambered in either 454 Casull or 480 Ruger. The pistol was designed for campers/backpackers/what not who have to worry about a pissed off grizzly coming at them.

The scary part, is it doesn't look like that big of a pistol when he uses it. :lol:


Awesome, I'm really looking forward to seeing this.

I really wanted to see it in theatres with Jen in NYC, but she insisted that it was going to be terrible :sad:

[balmakboor]

I wonder. Am I the only person at Match-Cut whose favorite film won a Razzie for Worst Director and was described by Roger Ebert as "the most scandalous cinematic waste I have ever seen."

[soitgoes...]

42nd Street (Bacon, 1933) 6.5Have you seen the better Berkeley film from that year, Gold Diggers of 1933? It has the best musical numbers of the three Berkeley films released that year, and it's surprisingly poignant. It falls short in how the film incorporates the musical bits, as the numbers were tacked on after the success of 42nd Street.

[B-side]

Have you seen the better Berkeley film from that year, Gold Diggers of 1933? It has the best musical numbers of the three Berkeley films released that year, and it's surprisingly poignant. It falls short in how the film incorporates the musical bits, as the numbers were tacked on after the success of 42nd Street.

That's the only Berkeley musical I've seen. I have Footlight Parade to see next.

[soitgoes...]

I wonder. Am I the only person at Match-Cut whose favorite film won a Razzie for Worst Director and was described by Roger Ebert as "the most scandalous cinematic waste I have ever seen."
It's possible my favorite film is contained in the 3½ hour bloated mess too.

[Sven]

I wonder. Am I the only person at Match-Cut whose favorite film won a Razzie for Worst Director and was described by Roger Ebert as "the most scandalous cinematic waste I have ever seen."

Mine comes close.

Heaven's Gate may be in my top 50 at this point. So good. I'm so glad that some people see it.

[SirNewt]

very funny/familiar entry on urban dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=queuestipated&defid=1454383

[balmakboor]

It's possible my favorite film is contained in the 3½ hour bloated mess too.

That's the thing though. I sat there during and after watching it this morning unable to think of a single minute out of 219 I'd change. I wiped away a tear more than once and said the word "Masterpiece." Of course, I've watched it about six times now, I know it very well. And I'm also -- obviously -- influenced by Robin Wood's famous essay.

My favorite things about the movie though are how scenes get totally swept away by the passion, the sheer elan, of the moment. The Harvard waltz, the ride in the birthday carriage and lazing by the lake afterwards, and the climactic battles among others.

The criticism that bugs me the most is when people say the Harvard prologue adds nothing to the film. Christ, are they blind? It plays a role very similar to Citizen Kane's "News on the March." It's the structuring and thematic key to the whole movie.

[balmakboor]

very funny/familiar entry on urban dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=queuestipated&defid=1454383

That's funny, and true.

[MadMan]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)I've sadly only seen roughly 17 movies off that list.

Interestingly enough I revisited one of those on said list today, the original Last House on the Left. I still find it to be a raw, powerful and disturbing horror movie that is the best of the ones I've viewed from Wes Craven. Its very much a 70s Grindhouse film in every single way, and the parents seeking revenge is still just as chilling to watch as the depraved acts the criminals commit earlier on in the film.

[Ezee E]

I'd like to see Titticut Follies at some point. Not on Netflix though.

[endingcredits]

The 50 most controversial films ever (http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/725761/the-50-most-controversial-movies-ever)

Hunger (McQueen, 2008) should be on there.

[D_Davis]

Enthiran (The Robot) was really good. Turns out, a ton of Hong Kong people worked on the film - it was practically a cross-production between India and Hong Kong, and it totally shows. From the off-kilter, low-angled camera shots, to the constant movement of the camera, and to the crazy-amounts of energy on display, the film totally feels like a late-80s, early-90s HK film - and that's a very good thing. It's long - nearly three hours - but it is never dull.

The story is good, the comedy, while broad, is often funny, and it has a ton of memorable moments. I was a little disappointed in the song and dance numbers - only a couple of them really fit into the story, and these were the best. The others just felt like musical breaks spliced into a film, and were somewhat jarring. Also, the music and the dancing wasn't all that great - I've seen better.

However, the two best songs were awesome. Daft Punk would be jealous of all the dancing robots on display.

Oh, and I think it goes without saying that Aishwarya Rai is just about the hottest chick on the planet.

[Ivan Drago]

I'd like to see Titticut Follies at some point. Not on Netflix though.

I saw the first half hour in a documentary class I took over the summer. Freaked me out, but I liked it a lot.

[balmakboor]

I'd like to see Titticut Follies at some point. Not on Netflix though.

I've seen it. I think it was on PBS or something a few years ago. It's pretty great. Sadly -- very sadly -- it's the only Wiseman I've had a chance to see.

[number8]

Gotta say I was disappointed with Legend of the Fist. I love Donnie Yen, but the action direction in this one is mostly unimpressive (I know you weren't a fan of the film, but come on, the dojo scene has nothing on the similar multi-combatant prison scene in Ip Man). The script is terrible, Andrew Lau's direction is haphazard and borderline incompetent at times. The WWI segment is the only good thing about the film. The rest is such a letdown in comparison.

I agree that the dojo scene is same old, but I thought the action scenes when he's in costume as Kato are fun as hell. Lay is a little all over the place, but I prefer that energy to Ip Man's dull tone.

On another note, I saw this and Ip Man 1&2 within 3 months. The nationalism is all the more redundant.

[megladon8]

I still like Donnie Yen best in supporting roles.

Blade 2 for the win.

[Sycophant]

James Franco's The Ape is awful.

[Scar]

I still like Donnie Yen best in supporting roles.

Blade 2 for the win.

Supporting roles, sure. Painfully underutilized? No.

[Spinal]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/film.jpg

Link (http://wonder-tonic.com/filmthesis/)

[Stay Puft]

but I thought the action scenes when he's in costume as Kato are fun as hell

I still found the camera work too erratic in those scenes, especially the fight on the street. I didn't like the way that scene that was edited, either. I have a feeling that might have been Lau who was trying to punch up the film a bit, because Donnie Yen doesn't usually go for flash.

That might just come down to personal preference, though. I could also see the film working better on a smaller screen. I saw it at the Elgin in Toronto and frankly I was getting a headache.

[balmakboor]

I didn't know this. I'll get started on my paper right after the game:

Showgirls delegitimizes stereotypical conceptions of Islamofascism through its masking of narrative.

[Raiders]

Hide that site from Rowland.

[Winston*]

The use of the male gaze in my penis exposes the fascist aesthetic.

[Boner M]

The subversion of the male gaze in Ernest Goes to Camp questions the pre-war crisis of masculinity.

Space Jam dichotomizes scopophilic tendencies of the viewer through its masking of narrative.

Through the prevalance of foreground obstructions, Santa With Muscles deconstructs colonial attitudes toward race.

The prevalance of foreground obstructions in The Zapruder film of Kennedy's Assassination unpacks the subjugation of the individual in the face of the primacy of television.

Ghoulies 3: Ghoulies Go to College demystifies existentialist philosophy through its collapsing of identity and whiteness.

[Boner M]

You could retitle it the Armond soundbite generator and it'd be the same.