28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Mara]

Beastly, actually. But I'm having trouble convincing my wife I don't want to go just to stare at Alex Pettyfer.

Boy's got a nasty reputation.

[Mara]

You guys convinced me to watch Fish Tank and I find myself a little torn. On the one hand, this film neatly sidesteps every moralizing, editorial trap that you think it's going to wander into, and the lead performance is strong. I was particularly entranced by the scenes with very little artificial lighting, and the scenes that involved dancing but no music, as they both gave a certain earnest vulnerability to the piece.

On the other hand, the characterizations outside of the main two felt obvious and shallow, and the contrast between the beauty and vulnerability of animals and the natural world with the ugly, dirty constructions in which Mia is contained sometimes became too heavy-handed and I began to feel bludgeoned by the subtext.

I did like it. I'm just not sure how much.

[Spun Lepton]

1941 (yes, the Spielberg project is back underway -- had a hiatus while I concerned myself almost solely with 2010 films)

Only funny part is the ferris wheel. Everything else ... pee-yew.

[Philosophe_rouge]

...and Battle:LA, right?
Goes without saying.

[StanleyK]

1941 (yes, the Spielberg project is back underway -- had a hiatus while I concerned myself almost solely with 2010 films)

Funny, I was just about to ask about that, 'cause I just rewatched your namesake film and it still rules. Any idea when you'll get to that one? I'm dying to talk about it.

[Raiders]

Funny, I was just about to ask about that, 'cause I just rewatched your namesake film and it still rules. Any idea when you'll get to that one? I'm dying to talk about it.

It will be next after 1941. I already own it so whenever I get the time.

[Qrazy]

Only funny part is the ferris wheel. Everything else ... pee-yew.

That was by far the least funny part of the film imo. The stuff with Belushi is fairly quality.

[Spun Lepton]

That was by far the least funny part of the film imo. The stuff with Belushi is fairly quality.

I dunno, arguing over which parts were funniest in an otherwise terrible movie seems like a waste of time for me. I'd never recommend it to anybody. I even gave it 2 chances, heh.

[Qrazy]

I dunno, arguing over which parts were funniest in an otherwise terrible movie seems like a waste of time for me. I'd never recommend it to anybody. I even gave it 2 chances, heh.

I didn't mind it that much. I'd give it a C/C- or something.

[Spun Lepton]

I didn't mind it that much. I'd give it a C/C- or something.

3/10 for me, which is essentially a D.

[megladon8]

3/10 for me, which is essentially a D.


But DD would be a 10/10!!!

Amirite?? Amirite??

[Spun Lepton]

But DD would be a 10/10!!!

Amirite?? Amirite??

HIGH FIVE!!! :lol:

[Boner M]

Omar raids the Criterion closet (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100209060527928) .

[B-side]

Omar raids the Criterion closet (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100209060527928) .

Bill Hader's is awesome. It's really cool discovering celebrity cinephiles.

[MadMan]

Omar raids the Criterion closet (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100209060527928) .Hell yeah. The man's got good taste.

1941 is one of those movies that I quit watching after 20 minutes in. More like 15 minutes, actually. Most comedies have something funny or interesting happen right off the bat, but I could tell that I was in for a lot of suck. Maybe one day I'll just get drunk and watch it, but until then I've concluded that Spielberg is better at drama. Although Catch Me If You Can is quite funny (but its still dramatic overall), and I did like The Terminal (but that love subplot was awful, and the film's ending is too anti-climatic).

[Spun Lepton]

Machete was exactly what I was expecting. A loosely constructed story that pieced together all of the images from the original mock trailer, with no aspirations to be anything more than empty entertainment. Which is fine. Some of the original imagery from the trailer was shoehorned in at best.

The result was a mixed bag. Rodriguez and company were constantly winking at the audience. It became difficult to tell whether I was laughing at something that was intentionally funny, or just a fuck-up by the filmmakers. By filming with a b-movie aesthetic in mind, they probably realized they could get away with almost anything. Mistakes would be easy to cover up, "Hey, it's a b-movie, just leave it in."

I was left wanting something more, although I was unable to put my finger on what it was that Machete lacked. The b-movie notes were struck perfectly, but ... well, no buts ... maybe that's it exactly. They struck the b-movie cord perfectly, as most b-movies are lacking something to make them great.

Performances, rated from best to worst.

HERE THERE BE SPOILERS:

Robert De Niro. Durr. Easily the best actor of the bunch. Even though he looked like he was hiding a smile for some scenes, it was nice to see an actor of his caliber goofing off as a racist governor.

Jeff Fahey. Chewed the scenery nicely as DeNiro's wing man. I would like to see him get more work, he's a capable actor.

Steven Seagal. Honestly, I wasn't expecting this kind of performance from him. He nailed it. Too bad his death scene was one of the least satisfying scenes in the movie. $10 says the seppuku idea was his own.

Don Johnson. Another actor who looked like he was really enjoying himself. Wearing sunglasses in every scene probably worked to his advantage.

Cheech Marin. Enjoyable stuff, very funny at times. Too bad he wasn't in the movie more.

Danny Trejo. Step 1. Be stoic to the point of being boring. Step 2. ???? Step 3. Get paycheck. I think Trejo is awesome, but I'm not sure he's cut out as a leading man.

Michelle Rodriguez. Step 1. Look pissed off. Step 2 ... yeah, I did this joke already. It's a b-movie, just leave it in. I'm sure she said this at least once during filming: "I will not kiss Danny Trejo."

Linsday Lohan. Who would've expected Lohan could look and act like a glass-eyed crack whore so convincingly? Her part was worthless, her character had no impact on the course of the story. (Hey, it's a b-movie ...) It was almost like her bits were filmed after the primary shoot. Notice that she and De Niro never actually share the screen.

Jessica Alba. I applaud her valiant attempt at kissing Trejo in the end, but I couldn't get around her piss-poor performance. The woman is gorgeous, but she has such a limited range. Watch her expressions when she's screaming, there's barely an attempt to register real emotion there. "I'm Jessica Alba and I'm scared right now." She's the female Josh Hartnett.

I would have thrown Tom Savini in there somewhere, but he barely registered. His one-armed machine-gun technique looked awkward.

[Spinal]

Re-watched The Evil Dead last night. Engaging and entertaining, but it's always strange to be reminded how this is an extremely rare case in which the sequels define what we remember about the franchise. The Ash bravado and wise-cracking humor is completely absent. He's mostly just a freaked out kid trying to survive. Indeed, none of the kids have much of a personality except for Scotty, the douchebag. The women have more clearly-defined personalities after they become demons actually. Still, it's the inventive and effective camerawork that is the star here and that chain-locked basement door is an iconic horror image.

[StanleyK]

I'm still not 100% sure about what happens at the end of Werckmeister Harmonies:

Is Valuska lobotomized? Why? And why was his uncle spared?

[Mara]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.

[Bosco B Thug]

Alan Resnais has been making Wild Grass-type fun since the 80s. <3 <3 <3 Wholly recommend Life is a Bed of Roses to those who thought Wild Grass was just the right kind of weird. He's a warmer, friendlier, mushier, less maddeningly brainy Godard fill-in. Private Fears in Public Places next, since I know people like that one.

[Skitch]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.

Agreed! One of the more engaging animated films I've seen in years. Biggest fault is that it was too short. Loved it. Also, the animation style reminded me I need to revisit the entire Samurai Jack series.

As for the debate from a couple pages ago...I wouldn't champion HTTYD as the best anything, but I thought it was far superior to Toy Story 3. I agree with (megs?) Comment that Jay is a major one trick pony with that voice, but I'm also finding TS3 to be one of the most overrated films of recent years. I really don't think its better than the first two, nor is it worthy of best pic nod. Not saying its bad, its just not nearly that good.

Watching Fantastic Mr. Fox, and thinking how mediocre HTTYD and TS3 are in comparison. Seriously, screw those two movies. And screw Cars 2. Sequel the most mediocre of the Pixar lineup? C'mon man...I want Incredibles 2...

[Spinal]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.

After we saw it, my son drew a picture for school in the style of the animation they used. I was very impressed with him.

[Sycophant]

I've got some reflecting to do about it, but no doubt about it, Masahiro Shinoda's Double Suicide is some kind of incredible.

[DavidSeven]

Star Trek. I liked this. Never saw any of the films, and I'm not familiar with the original series, so this was all about Abrams' direction for me. The tone and attention to strong characterization really reminded me of his early work on "LOST". Dude is quite clearly a solid storyteller, and he also captures some great images. Loved the framing of the futuristic highway patrolman. An impressive piece of filmmaking, excessive lens flares and bombast aside.

Also re-watched Jaws for the first time in ages. Great piece of craftsmanship. Not as affecting for me as it seems to be for others, but I can't deny Spielberg's skill here. Good film.

[soitgoes...]

I've got some reflecting to do about it, but no doubt about it, Masahiro Shinoda's Double Suicide is some kind of incredible.I can't say I love any of the Shinoda films I've seen. Double Suicide and Silence were good, but something about them is missing for me to consider him a major Japanese director. There's a couple of big films I need to see, so hopefully he and I gel in the future.

[Rowland]

Private Fears in Public Places next, since I know people like that one.It's fine, but pretty conventional compared to the likes of Wild Grass. I believe it's based on a play, and it shows.

[Rowland]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.This was my favorite animated film from last year that hardly anyone saw. Only the epilogue threw me off a bit.

[Raiders]

Head's up:

Tonight on TCM there is a Joan of Arc marathon featuring not only Dreyer's film, but Preminger's Saint Joan and Bresson's The Trial of Joan of Arc. There is also, hilariously, Irwin Allen's camp classic The Story of Mankind.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Awesome. I set up the Bresson to record. Thanks for the head's up.

[Bosco B Thug]

Star Trek. I liked this. Never saw any of the films, and I'm not familiar with the original series, so this was all about Abrams' direction for me. The tone and attention to strong characterization really reminded me of his early work on "LOST". Dude is quite clearly a solid storyteller, and he also captures some great images. Loved the framing of the futuristic highway patrolman. An impressive piece of filmmaking, excessive lens flares and bombast aside. It really is quite solid. I haven't seen his shows, but it's definitely a television creator's knack for characterization and juicy interplay that makes the film as engaging as it is. I still think it's the most purely enjoyable summer blockbuster Hollywood's released in years.


It's fine, but pretty conventional compared to the likes of Wild Grass. I believe it's based on a play, and it shows. Oh, that is kind of disappointing. Well, I was being kind of sarcastic, since most people seemed to give it ~6 in the consensus thread.

[megladon8]

Bill Hader's is awesome. It's really cool discovering celebrity cinephiles.


"Another great date movie. Antichrist. This movie really puts me and my wife in the mood."

[Mara]

After we saw it, my son drew a picture for school in the style of the animation they used. I was very impressed with him.

That's impressive, but not surprising. I expect your kid to be clever like that.







Because Mrs. Spinal is so awesome, of course.

[Pip]

Rodriguez and company were constantly winking at the audience. It became difficult to tell whether I was laughing at something that was intentionally funny, or just a fuck-up by the filmmakers. By filming with a b-movie aesthetic in mind, they probably realized they could get away with almost anything. Mistakes would be easy to cover up, "Hey, it's a b-movie, just leave it in."

This has me a little torn on how I feel about the B-movie throwback trend Grindhouse made popular. This stuff's a lot of fun, but the constant winking at the audience and drawing attention to deliberate flaws goes contrary to the unintentionally cheesy spirit of the old movies they're trying to emulate. There's a certain earnest conviction to that old junk cinema that makes it all the more hilarious and entertaining. The newer throwbacks are fun but feel more like parodies than genuine exploitation and B-movies.

[Qrazy]

I can't say I love any of the Shinoda films I've seen. Double Suicide and Silence were good, but something about them is missing for me to consider him a major Japanese director. There's a couple of big films I need to see, so hopefully he and I gel in the future.

I don't like Double Suicide at all personally. Pale Flower and Samurai Spy are where it's at for me.

[Boner M]

Awesome. I set up the Bresson to record. Thanks for the head's up.
Don't watch it if you're hoping for your Bresson appreciation to grow. It's easily his worst film (h/s anything before Diary... though).

[bac0n]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.

My six year old loved it. It was on daily rotation here for about 2 weeks. She actually saw it in the theatres with my Mom, which means my daughter gets out to the movies more than I do. :|

[soitgoes...]

Pale Flower and Samurai Spy are where it's at for me.Those are the two I still want to see.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Don't watch it if you're hoping for your Bresson appreciation to grow. It's easily his worst film (h/s anything before Diary... though).

Oy.

[Derek]

Don't watch it if you're hoping for your Bresson appreciation to grow. It's easily his worst film (h/s anything before Diary... though).

I have a fondness for it and I think it suffers more for the unfair comparison to Dreyer's far superior film (but really, how many films is Passion not superior to?) and the fact that its sandwiched in between arguably his four best films than because it's a genuine misfire. You should check out Les Dames du Bois de Bologne if only because it looks amazing and it's interesting to see how Bresson gels (and doesn't) with Cocteau's dialogue and how capable he was of directing professional actors.


Oy.

Yeah, this is one for Bresson fans only.

[D_Davis]

So, The Secret of Kells is as visually stunning as any animated film I've ever seen. What a sad, frightening story, though... I can hardly imagine it was made for kids.

Yes - it's very good. Loved it. Watched it and Dragon Hunters on the same evening and had a very nice night of quality animation. Both had unique art styles and interesting stories.

[Watashi]

Hey Derek, check your PMs plz.

[soitgoes...]

I hadn't seen a film by João César Monteiro so I thought I'd give his Snow White a try. I hadn't read anything about it besides a brief synopsis, that it was his adaptation of the play by Robert Walser dealing with what happens to Snow White after the Brothers Grimm's story ends. Color me surprised when I found out that 99% of the film is a black screen with voice overs narrating the "action." Ugh. I admire the balls of making a film like this, but really this is almost no different than watching my i-Pod as it plays an audiobook. The half a dozen 10 second shots of the sky really doesn't hold my interest. Now I know this is the only film he made like this, so I'm willing to give him another go eventually.

[Winston*]

Any defenses of the characterisation and casting of the lead in Animal Kingdom? He was so wooden that it feels like it must've been somehow intentional.

[Rowland]

Any defenses of the characterisation and casting of the lead in Animal Kingdom? He was so wooden that it feels like it must've been somehow intentional.I thought the opening scene gave some hints without really spelling it out. The kid, who is obviously almost pathologically detached, is introduced as he sits next to his OD'ed junkie mother while the two share the glow of a garish game show. He might as well be under a constant morphine stupor most of the time as well, I presumed the result of the aforementioned sociological factors and who knows what else, which gives the kid one hell of a poker face. I found it a bit distracting during the first half of the film, but after the meltdown in his girlfriend's bathroom and the glimmers of humanity brought on by his relationship with Guy Pearce (who is revealed to have his own handicapped child, a mirroring of sorts), I found his more ambiguous presence compelling during the last act.

[NickGlass]

Any defenses of the characterisation and casting of the lead in Animal Kingdom? He was so wooden that it feels like it must've been somehow intentional.

Both Raiders and I have pondered, "So, is the protagonist supposed to seem autistic?"

[D_Davis]

Last night I watched the most absurd film I've ever seen:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WEE5D7PsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Hilarious.

[Lazlo]

I dunno if anyone remembers back at RT when we used to have a NCAA Tournament-style battle for years of movies but I've got an itch to do a Battle of 2010 here. Is anyone interested or are we 2010-ed out? Let me know and I'll set it up.

[Spinal]

I dunno if anyone remembers back at RT when we used to have a NCAA Tournament-style battle for years of movies but I've got an itch to do a Battle of 2010 here. Is anyone interested or are we 2010-ed out? Let me know and I'll set it up.

I feel like with the two wrap-up threads, we basically know which films are our favorites at this point.

[Mara]

I feel like with the two wrap-up threads, we basically know which films are our favorites at this point.

But how will we know for sure unless we get 'em liquored up, throw 'em in a pit, and egg 'em on?

[Rowland]

Speaking for myself, I'm pretty 2010'ed out. There are a few films I haven't yet seen that I still consider high priorities (Carlos immediately comes to mind), but otherwise I've kinda moved on for now.

[Lazlo]

Aight, fair enough. Just thought I'd toss it out there and gauge interest. Turns out there is not very much, which is kinda what I figured.

[Milky Joe]

Last night I watched the most absurd film I've ever seen:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WEE5D7PsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Hilarious.

So is it hilarious because it genuinely endorses the 'Paul is Dead' theory or because it mocks it?

[soitgoes...]

I hadn't watched In the Mood for Love since around 2002, when Criterion released in on DVD. I liked it, but I never held it in that upper echelon that many around here hold it. It was the first film by Wong that I'd seen. Since then I've seen 6 of his other films, and for the most part I'm extremely positive of his work as a whole. Last night I decided I owed In the Mood for Love a rewatch. Man did it deliver. I don't know if I would consider it his masterpiece (I'm still partial to Happy Together), let alone the film of the 2000's, but at least confusion won't set in when someone else claims either.

[B-side]

The Affair (Yoshida 67) ***½

I'm gonna go ahead and take credit for you watching this. Don't fight it.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad98/mlemos77/Random%20Crap/betty-white-deal-with-it.gif

[soitgoes...]

I'm gonna go ahead and take credit for you watching this. Don't fight it.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad98/mlemos77/Random%20Crap/betty-white-deal-with-it.gifOh totally. Until you came along I thought Yoshishige Yoshida was the full name of Mario's dragon friend.

Have you seen any thing else by him yet?

[D_Davis]

So is it hilarious because it genuinely endorses the 'Paul is Dead' theory or because it mocks it?

From what I can tell, it genuinely endorses it. It's amazing in the depths that it reaches in its conspiracy. Check it out. I think you'll get a kick out of it.

[B-side]

Oh totally. Until you came along I thought Yoshishige Yoshida was the full name of Mario's dragon friend.

It isn't?:confused:


Have you seen any thing else by him yet?

I watched Farewell to the Summer Light years ago. I don't really count it. I have Woman of the Lake and Heroic Purgatory on my hard drive.

[soitgoes...]

I have Woman of the Lake and Heroic Purgatory on my hard drive.I have both of these too.

[B-side]

I have both of these too.

Great minds!

[soitgoes...]

Great minds!I think I mentioned it to you before, but you need to get on Eros Plus Massacre and Affair in the Snow, my two favorites of his. To a lesser extent Coup d'etat, but that one only interested me on a technical level. I think that's the film where his style came to a peak, perhaps at the expense of story and pacing.

[B-side]

I think I mentioned it to you before, but you need to get on Eros Plus Massacre and Affair in the Snow, my two favorites of his. To a lesser extent Coup d'etat, but that one only interested me on a technical level. I think that's the film where his style came to a peak, perhaps at the expense of story and pacing.

In due time, of course.:)

[soitgoes...]

In due time, of course.:)No, now.

[B-side]

No, now.

I have Conan and a few hours of dwarf porn lined up for tonight, so no can do.

[Qrazy]

I have Conan and a few hours of dwarf porn lined up for tonight, so no can do.

Don't lie. You're not watching Conan tonight.

[soitgoes...]

I have Conan and a few hours of dwarf porn lined up for tonight, so no can do.
Nevermind. Totally understandable.

[B-side]

Don't lie. You're not watching Conan tonight.

There appears to be a Saw VII Blu rip out, so I guess I won't be.

[number8]

4TdczoetXk4

[Qrazy]

Nice but they pretty much just stole and remade this:

JpBGRA6HHtY

[Bosco B Thug]

Let's get some thoughts out of the way:

127 Hours - I liked it. Totally fine, not absolutely insulting, I uphold everyone comparing its verve and style and rhetoric to Into the Wild.

Lair of the White Worm - On the recommendation of Mara and Spun. I liked it. Totally fun. Take that. :) It's not good, but it's creepy and cool and engaging, thanks to Russell, bagpipe-filled Scottish jamming, and jolly performances by all actors, including a droll Hugh Grant and esecially sexy Worm Queen Amanda Donaghue.

Private Fears in Public Places - Definitely slight, but a joy to watch and with great moments of melancholy. Too slight to support Resnais's penchant for denying easy payoffs (boo the ending), but nevertheless 2+ hours of compulsively watchable stuff.

[Mara]

Lair of the White Worm - On the recommendation of Mara and Spun. I liked it. Totally fun. Take that. :) It's not good, but it's creepy and cool and engaging, thanks to Russell, bagpipe-filled Scottish jamming, and jolly performances by all actors, including a droll Hugh Grant and esecially sexy Worm Queen Amanda Donaghue.

Oh, BAH.

[Bosco B Thug]

Oh, BAH.
Sorry Mara, it's just that this is the sort of film that wants people's hate, in how half-assed and jokey it is. I'm afraid it just wins, even if you're totally justified in calling it an utter-balls put-on. :P

[dreamdead]

Powaqqatsi , the second in the trilogy, is almost too committed to its cause for its own good. The synchronicity between Philip Glass and Godfrey Reggio is too exact here, rather than exploring disjunctions or juxtapositions, so the piece feels more rote and less demanding on the viewer for its thesis. Really great music throughout, but not as stellar formally or intellectually as the first film.

I'll likely wait some time before getting around to Naqoyqatsi, though I like the formal explorations that the trailers promise in that one. Still afraid it'll end up as exact as this one.

[MadMan]

Some recent thoughts:

*A Season on the Brink may be a TV movie, but its still a captivating and interesting one. Brian Dennehy turns in one of the best performances of his career, completely capturing Bobby Knight via curse words, basketball genius, and moments of rage. Having seen footage of Bobby Knight multiple times, I was impressed by how well Dennehy played the man, and I liked that the film did not flinch away from showing both Knight's good and bad sides.

*Terribly Happy does borrow a lot from the Coen Brothers and David Lynch, but I didn't mind at all. Very much an effective and tightly wound film noir, the main protangonist is likable yet at the same time he's clearly not quite right in the head, either. The last act has me questioning whether or not it was completely real, or if certain aspects were all in his head-after all, the guy was kind of nuts. An awesome blind buy, and a possible new favorite of mine as well. Good job, Danish people involved in making this movie.

*Seven Days in May is vintage 60s Frankeheimer, a gripping and suspenseful paranoia filled political thriller with an excellent cast. Seeing Fredric March and Burt Lancaster duel it out verbally, while also getting to view Kirk Douglas's silent but conflicted military man deal with turning against the man that he so much admired and worked for, all of this is expertly captured onscreen. Whether or not such a military oriented coup could ever happen can be left up for debate, but Frankenheimer eeirly predicted the political riots that were to come four years later in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention.

[Sxottlan]

No one has posted the new Criterions for June yet?

There's a ton of them:

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3304/566_BD_box_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3310/567_BD_box_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3298/568_BD_box_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3292/569_box_BD_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3286/570_BD_box_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3280/571_BD_box_348x490.jpg

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3148/E26_SilentNaruse.png

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3316/Matarazzo_box.png

[Boner M]

Insignificance is lame; don't care for Malle; wanna see People on Sunday; haven't been blown away by Naruse yet but enticed by the Eclipse set; dig Kiss Me Deadly plenty, will probably buy that one; dunno 'bout the Ichikawa.

[soitgoes...]

Two of those Naruse films are great. The Ichikawa is mediocre (the book is much, much better). Kiss Me Deadly and People on Sundayt are both pretty great. Haven't seen the rest. The one Matarrazo film I've seen is great, so that'll get me to watch the others.

One thing is for certain, outside of the Roeg DVD, the rest of the covers suck.

[Rowland]

I've never heard of People on Sunday until now, but wow does it have one hell of a pedigree.

[soitgoes...]

I've never heard of People on Sunday until now, but wow does it have one hell of a pedigree.Yeah, but to be honest, with that crew you'd expect something jaw-dropping amazing. The most interesting part of the film to me, besides that talent involved, is seeing German life before the rise of the Nazi party a few years later.

[MadMan]

Kiss Me Deadly and the Roeg film are the only ones that interest me. The cover for Kiss Me Deadly is decidedly meh.

Last night I revisited Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I was reminded why its my #1 of 2004. Gondry manages to expertly capture heartbreak, raw emotion, longing, and the troubles that so many relationships go through. The sci-fi elements really take a backseat for the most part, and the dream sequences are often really funny and touching. I'm not sure which Carrey performance is better-Joel, or Truman-and him and Kate Winslet have a really natural chemistry here. A longer review is in order, but I'm not really convinced that the movie has a happy ending. More on that later.

[Derek]

but I'm not really convinced that the movie has a happy ending. More on that later.

What about the ending would make you think it's happy?

[MadMan]

What about the ending would make you think it's happy?Pretty simple. The fact that Joel and Clementine end up together, and are on the beach laughing.

The reason I don't think its is a happy ending: Considering that they already broke up, there's a good chance they won't stay together this time, either. Although I must confess part of this reasoning is inspired by elements that did not make their way into the film.

So its bittersweet, actually. Which is how I prefer the ending to be. Fits the tone of the movie.

[Raiders]

The reason I don't think its is a happy ending: Considering that they already broke up, there's a good chance they won't stay together this time, either. Although I must confess part of this reasoning is inspired by elements that did not make their way into the film.

They are in there, actually. The last shot, them running down the beach, is repeated again and again, indicating that this cycle continues to repeat itself.

[MadMan]

They are in there, actually. The last shot, them running down the beach, is repeated again and again, indicating that this cycle continues to repeat itself.Ah. I guess I should have payed closer attention. Makes the movie more depressing, but I prefer it that way.

[Ivan Drago]

http://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/3298/568_BD_box_348x490.jpg

YES!

[Qrazy]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?

[Kurosawa Fan]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?

The Mummy

[StanleyK]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?

Avatar.

[Raiders]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?

Michael Bay's The Island

[megladon8]

I have a feeling Battle: Los Angeles might fit that bill.

I haven't seen it of course, but I thought the commercials and ad campaign made it look really cool. Something I could go to with friends and enjoy in a non-guilty way - a well put together action film.

But the reviews have completely dissuaded me from seeing it.

[Sven]

Most recently, The Bank Job, but I guess that's a different kind of hype.

[Adam]

I got suckered into seeing The Invasion in theaters by this awesome trailer

Sigur Ros + Jeffrey Wright + 1970's conspiracy film throwback = bad movie?

s15PvvAt4lo

[Qrazy]

God damn, are there like 5+ Body Snatchers movies?

[Spun Lepton]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?

Emmerich's Godzilla.

[Ezee E]

All Michael Bay films fool me, and they will continue to do so.

[DavidSeven]

Michael Bay's The Island

Nice. The quality of teaser-to-quality of actual film ratio on this one was off the charts.

[Qrazy]

All Michael Bay films fool me, and they will continue to do so.

Realizing you have a problem is the first step towards change.

[Ezee E]

Realizing you have a problem is the first step towards change.
...Maybe this will be the time?

[Derek]

Realizing you have a problem is the first step towards change.

Yeah, if you were "fooled" into seeing a Michael Bay film after Armageddon (I can even give you Pear Harbor), that's entirely on you.

I'm with KF on The Mummy. I'd also throw Little Children in there, since I actually expected that one to be really good.

[Raiders]

Yeah, if you were "fooled" into seeing a Michael Bay film after Armageddon (I can even give you Pear Harbor), that's entirely on you.

I'm with KF on The Mummy. I'd also throw Little Children in there, since I actually expected that one to be really good.

Eh, I don't know. The Island was his first film away from Bruckheimer and that teaser-trailer was exceptional. Even if Bay always cuts a great trailer, you can still usually tell what kind of film you're in for. This one was rather deceptive. I also remember multiple online bloggers/MC members ratcheting up the hype for Bay's potential coming out from under Jerry's bombastic shadow. Of course, the end result was perhaps the worst thing he has done (not that ranking all his shit is necessary).

[Ezee E]

Yeah, and I'm still partial to Bad Boys 2 myself, despite how bloated of a story it is. Armageddon and Pearl Harbor I can attribute to my high school expectations.

[Fezzik]

Emmerich's Godzilla.

Yep.

[megladon8]

The Phantom Menace seems like the penultimate answer.

[Russ]

We've all been victims of the hype machine at one time or another. What is the worst film advertisements convinced you to see?
Inception.


:)

[Qrazy]

Inception.


:)

I will cut you.

[Qrazy]

The Phantom Menace seems like the penultimate answer.

What's the ultimate answer?

[Spun Lepton]

What's the ultimate answer?

Emmerich's Godzilla.

[MadMan]

For me the answer is also the 1998 Godzilla. At the time I was too young to understand I had seen an awful movie. Watching it on TV two-three years later made me realize what I had viewed was a terrible movie. But damnit it had a really good trailer, teasers, yada yada yada.

Biggest disappointment overall though has to be the Matrix sequels. Oh and of course the prequels minus ROTS, which is the only one that actually lived up to its hype.

[Boner M]

Cloverfield.

[Boner M]

On an unrelated note, Richard Brody is an idiot.

[megladon8]

My misuse of "penultimate" was meant to be a joke but I think it ended up just being confusing.

[Winston*]

Attack of the Clones is the penultimate answer.

[transmogrifier]

For me, Eternal Sunshine has an exquisitely happy ending - two adults who decide to risk heartbreak again in order to enjoy a period of true joy in each other's company. That decision is the essence of humanity.

[Ivan Drago]

Attack of the Clones is the penultimate answer.

This. The first teaser set to Darth Vader's breathing, as well as the TV spots for each character sold me into thinking I would see something great. Ad campaigns like that make me love advertising.

[Raiders]

The Steel Helmet (Fuller, 1951) 6.5

Oof.

Just imagine if it was directed by Tony Scott, amirite?

[soitgoes...]

Oof.

Just imagine if it was directed by Tony Scott, amirite?I think he's overrating it and underrating I Shot Jesse James.

Yeah, that's right.

[Raiders]

I think he's overrating it and underrating I Shot Jesse James.

Yeah, that's right.

Well, I agree with half of this, so I can ignore the rest of it.

[DavidSeven]

Despicable Me. Despicable Meh? OK, it's not quite that bad, but certainly not up to par with the ambition typically exhibited in this genre. Doesn't it take them like 17 years to make these things? That alone should mean the films should be better than this.

[soitgoes...]

Hou's Flowers of Shanghai starts off with an 8 minute beautifully composed shot that sets up perfectly how Hou will convey his film to the viewer. His camera slowly glides back and forth, stalking his actors, behind a crowded table as men play a game, sort of like "Rock Paper Scissors," while a number of courtesans attend to them. An interior shot with a soft yellow glow of candlelight, every subsequent shot will be like this one. Hou's films tend to be light on story. Most of the time he's capturing life as it unfolds, but by doing this he is making a statement on Taiwanese life, mostly in the past, but on occasion he'll comment on the present. Here I left the film confused as to what Hou is trying to present. His film takes place in Shanghai, and really isn't about relating anything. Rather I guess he's just giving the viewer a glimpse into 19th century Shanghai brothel life. This is okay I guess, but if Hou took the time to make the film about something, however simple, such as in his previous film where he shows ever so subtly the social disconnect of the Taiwanese youth, then this film probably would've been great.

[elixir]

short reactions/thoughts on recent viewings

m. hulot's holiday -- not funny. Not sure I have any deeper critiques here, but didn't work for me at all. Still intrigued by Play Time though.

daisies -- fun, playful. Grew a bit tiresome however.

lotr: fotr -- finally have seen one of them!. It's pretty good, but nothing spectacular for me.

irma vep -- a nice little movie. Maggie Cheung is hot.

kes -- bloody hell yes! Loved it.

the player -- funny, thrilling, fantastic. Pretty sure Altman and I will get along well--I need to see more of his.

[B-side]

Oof.

Just imagine if it was directed by Tony Scott, amirite?

I was never bored, but I was never really thrilled either. Some stuff I wasn't too sure on may elevate it on a second viewing.

[B-side]

Korine's wonderful new short, Umshini Wam, can be seen here (http://www.vbs.tv/watch/umshini-wam--2/umshini-wam). Was shot by Alexis Zabe, the master DP behind Reygadas' beautiful and spatially scrumptious Silent Light.

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:

Red Peony Gambler (Yamashita)
Café Lumière (Hou)
Nanami: The Inferno of First Love (Hani)
The Embryo Hunts in Secret (Wakamatsu)
Kill! (Okamoto)
Boat People (Hui)

My girlfriend's out of town for a week, so I'm planning on an all Asian weekend.

I'm pretty certain that Kôji Wakamatsu is the best director at naming films.

[Boner M]

Weekend:

Nouvelle Vague (Godard)
Shoah (at least the first half of it)
The Killer Inside Me
Theatre: Unknown, Rango, Of Gods and Men

[Winston*]

Weekend

Dogtooth
Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee

[Sven]

Shoah (at least the first half of it)

Psh. Some Raiders you turned out to be.

[Boner M]

Pics or it never happened.

[Sxottlan]

I'll admit I got suckered by the ads for Pearl Harbor to think it would genuinely be good. Oh well.


One thing is for certain, outside of the Roeg DVD, the rest of the covers suck.

I don't think I'll get any of these, but I like how the cover for Kiss Me Deadly mimics the old pulp covers.

[Derek]

spatially scrumptious

Promise me you'll never say this again.

[kuehnepips]

My girlfriend's out of town for a week, so I'm planning on an all Asian weekend.



All Asian? ;)

I'll watch Alexandra's Project this weekend.

[Raiders]

Promise me you'll never say this again.

Aw, don't be a meanie. I'm partial to "temporally titillating" myself.

[MadMan]

The cover for Kiss Me Deadly could have been much better, or at least cooler. Compared to other film noir covers they've done, it just appears to be really meh looking. Oh well, I'll still buy it anyways.

Weekend:

*Akira
*It Happened One Night
*The NCAA tourney
*The Conformist

[Rowland]

My 1981-for-the-hell-of-it project will continue this weekend with these possibilities:

Pennies from Heaven
Cutter's Way
Possession
Montenegro
Out of the Blue
Deadly Blessing
Sharky's Machine

Or who knows, maybe something else. I discovered quite a number of intriguing goodies from this year with a little digging, it's always humbling to consider in perspective just how many movies are out there waiting to be seen from any given year.

[DavidSeven]

We Don't Live Here Anymore. I always seem to respond to these kinds of films. Relentlessly depressing, for sure, but undeniably honest and perceptive. Really impressed with Curran's ability to keep this formally understated, yet consistently artful. This is one I will definitely revisit.

[B-side]

Promise me you'll never say this again.

No promises.

[Sycophant]

Weekend:

Red Peony Gambler (Yamashita)
Café Lumière (Hou)
Nanami: The Inferno of First Love (Hani)
The Embryo Hunts in Secret (Wakamatsu)
Kill! (Okamoto)
Boat People (Hui)

My girlfriend's out of town for a week, so I'm planning on an all Asian weekend.

I'm pretty certain that Kôji Wakamatsu is the best director at naming films.

Hey, I might watch Kill! this weekend!

Other weekend possibilities:
Noriko's Dinner Table
The Masseurs and a Woman
Silence
Confessions
Summer Wars

I need to get my hands on more Wakamatsu films. I really, really wanna see Caterpillar.

[Sycophant]

While I'm not likely to pick it up (soitgoes... is right in his description of it as mediocre, and quite inferior to the Tanizaki novel it's based on), I might want to check out the Criterion edition of Makioka Sisters one of these days. The transfer I saw was from an old letterboxed VHS with blurry white subtitles that looked excessively washed out and video-y. The sound was pretty bad, too. If its technical elements are restored (?), it could actually improve my estimation of the film.

[Qrazy]

Watched a lot of movies lately.

Osterman Weekend
Major Dundee
The Three Musketeers
The MacKintosh Man
Memories of Murder
Brubaker
The Fugitive Kind

If anyone wants more thoughts on any of these let me know.

[B-side]

If anyone wants more thoughts on any of these let me know.

Some ego on you.

The Peckinpahs plz.

[StanleyK]

I'm still not 100% sure about what happens at the end of Werckmeister Harmonies:

Is Valuska lobotomized? Why? And why was his uncle spared?

Help? Anyone?

[soitgoes...]

While I'm not likely to pick it up (soitgoes... is right in his description of it as mediocre, and quite inferior to the Tanizaki novel it's based on), I might want to check out the Criterion edition of Makioka Sisters one of these days. The transfer I saw was from an old letterboxed VHS with blurry white subtitles that looked excessively washed out and video-y. The sound was pretty bad, too. If its technical elements are restored (?), it could actually improve my estimation of the film.
The novel is just too dense. It gives such a solid depth to each of the characters, that a 140 minute film just doesn't have the time to do it justice. What would work for some books, can't with one were the multiple characters are the story. I was actually surprised when I had discovered that it was a film, and that it was directed by someone I admire a lot.

[soitgoes...]

Hey, I might watch Kill! this weekend! I just finished it. I liked it quite a bit. It's a funny parody of samurai films. Nakadai has so much fun in his role.


Other weekend possibilities:
Noriko's Dinner Table - Great
The Masseurs and a Woman - Very good
Silence - Okay, but ultimately disappointing. I had higher hopes for this one.
Confessions - Crazy fun
Summer Wars - Haven't seen... yet.


I need to get my hands on more Wakamatsu films. I really, really wanna see Caterpillar.I haven't seen anything made by him after 1970 yet. I love that on paper his film's are basically throwaways, and yet with his idiosyncratic vision he's able to make them at the very least entertaining. His mise en scène isn't as spatially scrumptious as Yoshida, but they both have striking similarities.

[Qrazy]

Just watched Summer Wars the other night. It's pretty good as long as you can suspend disbelief in regards to the anthropomorphized cyber world which makes up half the film. Definitely a highlight for recent animated films.

[Qrazy]

Some ego on you.

The Peckinpahs plz.

Just completed his filmography (aside from Noon Wine (TV)) with Major Dundee this morning. Both of them were adequate. I was actually expecting The Osterman Weekend to be much worse than it was. Granted the plot makes little to no sense because of one huge plothole and a few smaller ones but ignoring that it's pretty entertaining (Straw Dogs-esque) and works on some level as fractured social commentary. Major Dundee is much like any other middle tier western. It's competently made and features some great character actors in bit parts (Warren Oates, Slim Pickens, James Coburn) but ultimately it's just not that compelling.

[Sycophant]

The novel is just too dense. It gives such a solid depth to each of the characters, that a 140 minute film just doesn't have the time to do it justice. What would work for some books, can't with one were the multiple characters are the story. I was actually surprised when I had discovered that it was a film, and that it was directed by someone I admire a lot.

Agreed, entirely. It wasn't an awful adaptation, in that it smartly refocused and pared down the story to communicate some of the core themes of the novel, but it's ultimately unsatisfying.

It was my first Ichikawa, I'm sad to say. What's a better entry point?


I just finished it. I liked it quite a bit. It's a funny parody of samurai films. Nakadai has so much fun in his role.


Nakadai has become a favorite actor of mine recently. I'm stoked.


Silence - Okay, but ultimately disappointing. I had higher hopes for this one.

I just read the novel it's based on. It had a profound effect on me. I'm approaching the film with both hesitation and excitement (as established a few pages ago, I did like Double Suicide a whole hell of a lot).

[Boner M]

We Don't Live Here Anymore. I always seem to respond to these kinds of films. Relentlessly depressing, for sure, but undeniably honest and perceptive. Really impressed with Curran's ability to keep this formally understated, yet consistently artful. This is one I will definitely revisit.
Put Curran's earlier Praise on your radar immediately. One of my favorites.

[soitgoes...]

Agreed, entirely. It wasn't an awful adaptation, in that it smartly refocused and pared down the story to communicate some of the core themes of the novel, but it's ultimately unsatisfying.

It was my first Ichikawa, I'm sad to say. What's a better entry point?The Burmese Harp is one of my top 3 Japanese films, and incidently the first Ichikawa film I saw, so that one. An Actor's Revenge is another film that I can see you loving. It's completely different from any other film I've seen. It seems so out of place when compared with the rest of his oeuvre.

[Russ]

Todd Solondz' Life During Wartime to get the dee-lux Criterion treatment this summer?

<---Happy camper

[DavidSeven]

Put Curran's earlier Praise on your radar immediately. One of my favorites.

Hm. Doesn't look like it's currently available stateside. Will definitely keep an eye out for it.

[Qrazy]

The Burmese Harp is one of my top 3 Japanese films, and incidently the first Ichikawa film I saw, so that one. An Actor's Revenge is another film that I can see you loving. It's completely different from any other film I've seen. It seems so out of place when compared with the rest of his oeuvre.

I can see him loving it as well since it seems somewhat similar to Double Suicide in some respects. I personally didn't care for it much myself.

Fires on the Plain and The Burmese Harp are both tops though.

[B-side]

Todd Solondz' Life During Wartime to get the dee-lux Criterion treatment this summer?

<---Happy camper

Ew. What an unnecessary Criterion release.

[eternity]

Life During Wartime was on TMC one night at 1 am and then was never on again. If I didn't have to be up at 5 am that day, I would have been all over that. Thanks a lot, The Movie Channel.

[eternity]

The new Mubi layout is grotesque. I guess I won't be traversing around that website anymore... (http://mubi.com/home)

[Lucky]

We Don't Live Here Anymore. I always seem to respond to these kinds of films. Relentlessly depressing, for sure, but undeniably honest and perceptive. Really impressed with Curran's ability to keep this formally understated, yet consistently artful. This is one I will definitely revisit.

I remember liking this movie, but the only thing I can remember about it is a sex scene involving Naomi Watts in a car.

[Sycophant]

The new Mubi layout is grotesque. I guess I won't be traversing around that website anymore... (http://mubi.com/home)

Is it really that bad? The front page is a bit messier, but for the most part, the site seems unchanged. Hardly enough for me to swear it off.

[Boner M]

My 1981-for-the-hell-of-it project will continue this weekend with these possibilities:

Cutter's Way
Possession
You'll love these.

[Derek]

Brief thoughts:

The Adventures of Robin Hood: The gorgeous cinematography is almost enough to make me forget how often the rest of it is grating or exceptionally silly. Almost.

Blind Shaft: Great use of sound and atmosphere in an otherwise standard neorealist downer. The crunching of coal and the heavy shuffling of feet combined with the subtle decrepitude of the environment plays an equally important role as the situation itself in creating an overwhelming sense of moral indifference.

Triad Election: Not as strong as the first Election, but To's angular style continues to fascinate as does his talent for exploring the ethical intricacies and internal politics of the Triad.

[Qrazy]

"In 2004, A Matter of Life and Death was named the second greatest British film ever made by the magazine Total Film in a poll of 25 film critics,[1] behind only Get Carter."

Fail.

[Winston*]

Get Carter is great.

[Qrazy]

Get Carter is great.

At being shitty.

Just kidding.

It's only mediocre, but it's so far from the best British film as is A Matter of Life and Death that it's damned embarrassing for Total Film

[Winston*]

1. Get Carter - Great
2. A Matter of Life and Death - Not Seen
3. Trainspotting - Great
4. The Third Man - Great
5. Life of Brian - Great
6. The Wicker Man - Great
7. Kind Hearts and Coronets - Not seen
8. Lawrence of Arabia - Great
9. From Russia With Love - Not sure if I've seen
10. Naked - Great

Weird list though I agree. Where's Kes and Withnail and I?

[Qrazy]

1. Get Carter - Great
2. A Matter of Life and Death - Not Seen
3. Trainspotting - Great
4. The Third Man - Great
5. Life of Brian - Great
6. The Wicker Man - Great
7. Kind Hearts and Coronets - Not seen
8. Lawrence of Arabia - Great
9. From Russia With Love - Not sure if I've seen
10. Naked - Great

Weird list though I agree. Where's Kes and Withnail and I?

I'd wager you'd like Kind Hearts and Coronets.

[Rowland]

Triad Election: Not as strong as the first Election, but To's angular style continues to fascinate as does his talent for exploring the ethical intricacies and internal politics of the Triad.Thoughts for this one but not Vengeance or Mad Detective? Boo.

[transmogrifier]

"In 2004, A Matter of Life and Death was named the second greatest British film ever made by the magazine Total Film in a poll of 25 film critics,[1] behind only Get Carter."

Fail.

"In 2011, Qrazy tried to intimate that A Matter of Life and Death wasn't all it was cracked up to be".

Fail.

[Qrazy]

"In 2011, Qrazy tried to intimate that A Matter of Life and Death wasn't all it was cracked up to be".

Fail.

Erm no as I just said a second ago, I tried to intimate that neither that nor Get Shorty are close to the best British films of all time. In fact I can name five Powell and Pressburger films alone which are better than both easily.

[B-side]

'R Xmas is kinda unique in Ferrara's filmography: the first, say, 45 minutes are downright quotidian, complete with more dissolve edits than traditional ones. And even when things get heated, Ferrara's approach doesn't really get any more intimately dramatic. There's a certain air of passing fate to the film. It slowly crawls in, swells, then crawls out. I suppose this aesthetic is what makes the film unique for me in Ferrara's filmography. To those who've seen it: do you think Ferrara was attempting any sort of real comparison between traditional consumerism and the drug trade? And what do you make of the governmental references at the beginning and end?

[Stay Puft]

Qrazy, I'd love to hear what you thought of Memories of Murder.

[Watashi]

Brief thoughts:

The Adventures of Robin Hood: The gorgeous cinematography is almost enough to make me forget how often the rest of it is grating or exceptionally silly. Almost.


It's official. You hate fun.

[Qrazy]

Qrazy, I'd love to hear what you thought of Memories of Murder.

Ultimately I quite enjoyed it. I've only seen this and The Host from Joon-ho Bong and I liked them both, although I find there to be a certain element of cheesiness to his work. The way he treats his fight sequences for instance I find fairly silly (or the train incident). The method of some of the detective work is also a bit ludicrous. But there are enough compelling sequences sprinkled throughout (the whistling, the penultimate scene and the final scene) which certainly elevate the film, and it has a strong narrative arc.

[Qrazy]

Brief thoughts:

The Adventures of Robin Hood: The gorgeous cinematography is almost enough to make me forget how often the rest of it is grating or exceptionally silly. Almost.


Check out Curtiz's The Breaking Point.

[soitgoes...]

I can see him loving it as well since it seems somewhat similar to Double Suicide in some respects. I personally didn't care for it much myself.

Fires on the Plain and The Burmese Harp are both tops though.
I think all three are great. The Burmese Harp is a different level of great though. Also of note is Tokyo Olympiad. Everything else I've seen of his is various degrees of okay.

Sycophant, if you're interested in my brief thoughts on An Actor's Revenge you can find them here. (http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=224215&highlight=actor%27s+revenge#po st224215) Also, if that one works for you, I'd check out Schrader's Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters if you haven't yet. It utilizes the same type of highly stylized sets. It's the only other film I can think of that at least compares to Ichikawa's film in look.

[number8]

A top ten British films that doesn't include any Alan Clarke is just silly.

[StanleyK]

Ultimately I quite enjoyed it. I've only seen this and The Host from Joon-ho Bong and I liked them both, although I find there to be a certain element of cheesiness to his work. The way he treats his fight sequences for instance I find fairly silly (or the train incident). The method of some of the detective work is also a bit ludicrous. But there are enough compelling sequences sprinkled throughout (the whistling, the penultimate scene and the final scene) which certainly elevate the film, and it has a strong narrative arc.

The cheesiness is quite appropriate I think, considering it's as much a comedy as it is a thriller. And some of the detective work being ludicrous is kind of the point (for instance, when Park consults a shaman but dismisses investigating the radio station, it establishes him as a hypocrite with a grudge against Seo). I don't see what's silly about the train scene, and the (admittedly silly) frequent dropkicking is awesome.

[Eleven]

Most of the Korean thrillers I've seen, Bong or not, include a dropkick. Apparently Hong Sang-soo's recent movie was originally to be called Hahaha, You've Been Dropkicked, but censors had other ideas.

[Dead & Messed Up]

It's official. You hate fun.

It's silly, sure. Gloriously silly. Transcendentally silly. Rathbone and Flynn and de Havilland should've been cryogenically preserved so they could've played Sparrow, Swann and Barbossa.

[Watashi]

A Robin Hood movie is supposed to be silly. If you do Robin Hood straight you get this:

http://www.dailyactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Robin-Hood-poster.jpg

Which is still silly in its own right.

[Derek]

A Robin Hood movie is supposed to be silly.

Exceptionally silly, Wats. Exceptionally.

[DavidSeven]

Never Let Me Go. Mostly just a chore to sit through. The framework of a classic romance told within a modern moral tale is promising enough, but this movie has no pulse. I'm sure it's by design, but I can't imagine being passionate about something this lifeless. A lot of nice lensing and some decent performances gone to waste.

[Watashi]

Exceptionally silly, Wats. Exceptionally.

Then what is Robin Hood: Men in Tights?

Oh, and your PM box is full

[Qrazy]

The cheesiness is quite appropriate I think, considering it's as much a comedy as it is a thriller. And some of the detective work being ludicrous is kind of the point (for instance, when Park consults a shaman but dismisses investigating the radio station, it establishes him as a hypocrite with a grudge against Seo). I don't see what's silly about the train scene, and the (admittedly silly) frequent dropkicking is awesome.

SPOILERS

It's entirely possible to do comedy without cheesiness, the cheesiness is just something that Bong seems to enjoy similar to De Palma or Carpenter. While I enjoy all three's work to varying degrees I don't have much use for cheesiness. In terms of the ludicrousness of the detective work I wasn't really talking about Park's side of things, I was referring to the entire affair. The convenience of having that woman tell them about the radio station amongst other 'clues' didn't sit all that well with me as anything more than narrative conceits. The train scene is silly because of the vfx when the guy is hit by the train. It would have been better not to show the hit and just to show the blood splatter. It would still have been silly in that case but perhaps a little less silly.

[Qrazy]

Never Let Me Go. Mostly just a chore to sit through. The framework of a classic romance told within a modern moral tale is promising enough, but this movie has no pulse. I'm sure it's by design, but I can't imagine being passionate about something this lifeless. A lot of nice lensing and some decent performances gone to waste.

Agreed. I haven't read the book but I also found the central story fairly insipid or at least not properly fleshed out.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Never Let Me Go. Mostly just a chore to sit through. The framework of a classic romance told within a modern moral tale is promising enough, but this movie has no pulse. I'm sure it's by design, but I can't imagine being passionate about something this lifeless. A lot of nice lensing and some decent performances gone to waste.

That sounds exactly like the book.

[Derek]

Then what is Robin Hood: Men in Tights?

Oh, and your PM box is full

A spoof?

PM Box cleared out, send away.

[Spinal]

Then what is Robin Hood: Men in Tights?


Awful.

What do I win?

[Bosco B Thug]

SPOILERS

It's entirely possible to do comedy without cheesiness, the cheesiness is just something that Bong seems to enjoy similar to De Palma or Carpenter. But not literally similar to De Palma and Carpenter... De Palma's camp is very distinguished from Bong's quirk, which are different from Carpenter's weakness for genre, where the cheese is inherent rather than contrived by Carpenter's sensibility, which I'd call very straight-laced. Personally, I'd take De Palma's overt intellectualizing and Carpenter's traditionalism over Bong's dramatic manipulating (I do like Bong's films a good deal, though).

[Milky Joe]

So Aaron Katz's Cold Weather really nails the Portland experience: shitty weather, shitty jobs, a lack of desire to either go to sleep or wake up, depending on the time of day, and the feeling that nothing is as exciting as it should be.

[Qrazy]

But not literally similar to De Palma and Carpenter... De Palma's camp is very distinguished from Bong's quirk, which are different from Carpenter's weakness for genre, where the cheese is inherent rather than contrived by Carpenter's sensibility, which I'd call very straight-laced. Personally, I'd take De Palma's overt intellectualizing and Carpenter's traditionalism over Bong's dramatic manipulating (I do like Bong's films a good deal, though).

For sure, they all have their unique brand of cheese. Although I'd have to disagree with you on Carpenter. I think the cheesiness is very much apart of his sensibility and not inherent to genre cinema. For instance Kobayashi's samurai films are not cheesy whereas Toshiya Fujita's films are. Similarly in the post-apocalyptic spectrum Escape from New York is cheesy (although a hell of a lot of fun) while Haneke's Time of the Wolf is not.

[soitgoes...]

So Aaron Katz's Cold Weather really nails the Portland experience: shitty weather, shitty jobs, a lack of desire to either go to sleep or wake up, depending on the time of day, and the feeling that nothing is as exciting as it should be.I don't live in Portland, but I live close enough that none of this sounds like it's "nailing" anything about the Portland experience.

[Spinal]

I don't live in Portland, but I live close enough that none of this sounds like it's "nailing" anything about the Portland experience.

I do live in Portland and that is not my experience. At all. I feel so grateful to live in such an awesome city.

[soitgoes...]

I do live in Portland and that is not my experience. At all. I feel so grateful to live in such an awesome city.I love going up there and hanging out with friends. I can't wait for the day when we move there. Two years? Seems forever away.

[Derek]

I don't live in Portland, but I live close enough that none of this sounds like it's "nailing" anything about the Portland experience.

Sounds like what it'd be like to anyone who hates rain as much as I do.

[soitgoes...]

Sounds like what it'd be like to anyone who hates rain as much as I do.The rain isn't bad for me. I will take 6 months of rainy weather over the daily grind of traffic, brown landscapes, and entirely way too many people. I have no desire on ever leaving the Northwest, let alone move back to where I lived a large portion of my life, in Orange County. To each their own.

[Derek]

The rain isn't bad for me. I will take 6 months of rainy weather over the daily grind of traffic, brown landscapes, and entirely way too many people. I have no desire on ever leaving the Northwest, let alone move back to where I lived a large portion of my life, in Orange County. To each their own.

Orange County sucks, I agree with that. I only lived there for school and promptly moved to LA County which is far better. I've heard great things about Portland by the way, didn't mean to sound like I was trashing it. I honestly get really depressed when it's rainy over long periods of time, so I know I could never last in Portland or Seattle.

[Spinal]

I would much rather have occasional rain and get the benefit of abundant trees than live in a place where the sun is beating down on me day in and day out. Just my personal preference.

[Mara]

Orange County sucks, I agree with that. I only lived there for school and promptly moved to LA County which is far better.

I lived there for about five years. The lack of weather bothered me, but not as much as the shallow and aggravating people. I don't regret my time there, but I don't miss it, either.

[soitgoes...]

I lived there for about five years. The lack of weather bothered me, but not as much as the shallow and aggravating people. I don't regret my time there, but I don't miss it, either.
Whatever Mara, you couldn't possibly understand us.

;)

[Sven]

Whatever Mara, you couldn't possibly understand us.

;)

I think she was referring to the OC, not the NW.

[soitgoes...]

I think she was referring to the OC, not the NW.In response to Derek's response that I'm from Orange County.

[Mara]

In response to Derek's response that I'm from Orange County.

I'm sure you're not at all aggravating.

[Derek]

I lived there for about five years. The lack of weather bothered me, but not as much as the shallow and aggravating people. I don't regret my time there, but I don't miss it, either.

Orange County is almost like a pocket of the Midwest being transplanted between San Diego and LA. It's incredibly strange. As skeptical of LA as I was when I first moved out west, it actually has a lot going on culturally, so long as you stay out of Beverly Hills.

[MadMan]

http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/allposters/20/1807736420p.jpg

I like this movie. A lot ;)

Oh and Robin Hood: Men In Tights is really funny, and the last good/decent movie Mel Brooks ever made, sadly. Scott's Robin Hood was meh, and I haven't seen the Flynn Robin Hood yet.

[Mara]

I didn't find it similar to the Midwest (where I was raised.) I found it more conservative, with more money, more materialism, and more emphasis on partying and good times. I actually thought that Arrested Development was a pretty good indicator.

[Watashi]

I much rather live in LA than the OC.

I've been living in Orange County for about 5 years and there's nothing going on anywhere. Is there such thing as an artsy part of OC?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Living in the Valley in LA is pretty nice.

[soitgoes...]

I much rather live in LA than the OC.

I've been living in Orange County for about 5 years and there's nothing going on anywhere. Is there such thing as an artsy part of OC?Laguna Beach is the artsiest part of Orange County. I always liked Laguna in the winter, when there's about a tenth the amount of people. Lots of cool galleries, shops and restaurants. It's becoming much more trendy now than say 20 years ago, when it was just a small gay, art community isolated on the coast.

[Mara]

I've been living in Orange County for about 5 years and there's nothing going on anywhere. Is there such thing as an artsy part of OC?

My sister is out there right now on a vacation and asked what there was to do in the area. I came up with NOTHING.

[Watashi]

Laguna Beach is the artsiest part of Orange County. I always liked Laguna in the winter, when there's about a tenth the amount of people. Lots of cool galleries, shops and restaurants. It's becoming much more trendy now than say 20 years ago, when it was just a small gay, art community isolated on the coast.
Where do you live?

[soitgoes...]

Where do you live?
Eugene, Oregon. I lived all over Orange County for about 23 years though.

[Mara]

Don't you think it's weird that, the United States being completely huge, how many of us have lived in the same places?

[soitgoes...]

Don't you think it's weird that, the United States being completely huge, how many of us have lived in the same places?
I think it's weird that you taught at my high school.

[Sven]

In response to Derek's response that I'm from Orange County.

Ah. My bad.

[Mara]

I think it's weird that you taught at my high school.

Yeah, it was weird. Not because of you, though. ;)

[soitgoes...]

Yeah, it was weird. Not because of you, though. ;):)

[Boner M]

I love rain. Anyone wanna trade me Portland for Sydney?

[Raiders]

Perhaps I was in an easy-to-please mood, but Roger Michell's Morning Glory was genuinely entertaining and at times surprisingly funny. You aren't going to be fooled by a single plot twist, and this is certainly straight from writer Aline Brosh McKenna's (The Devil Wears Prada) schematic playbook. Yet, Harrison Ford gives his most noteworthy effort in years; McAdams is as reliable as ever to give as much charm as possible to her role; Michell as always makes a pretty film; the "rise to success" montage is just damn funny. It is successful where it ought not to be and this in spite of the wealth of formula and blandness around the edges (Patrick Wilson in a nothing role as the sadly neglected love interest). Only marginally recommendable, but hey, I dreaded the viewing (my wife is a huge Diane Keaton fan) and came away satisfied.

[DavidSeven]

I'll cop to enjoying Morning Glory, too. Saw it in theaters with the lady and thought it was fine. Not enough standout elements to really recommend, but it's decently made and perfectly watchable. That montage definitely killed in the theater.

But yeah, Patrick Wilson? Most boring love interest ever.

[transmogrifier]

Sounds like what it'd be like to anyone who hates rain as much as I do.

I can't trust anyone who hates rain. Overcast, gloomy cloudy days? Sure, they suck dog's balls. But there is almost literally nothing more relaxing than the sound of a heavy rain on the roof. Love it.

[Winston*]

I don't like rain because when you walk in it you get wet and cold.

[Qrazy]

I don't like rain because when you walk in it you get wet and cold.

I don't like it because it melts me.

[B-side]

How about those moving pictures?

[elixir]

How about those moving pictures?

Well, I saw A Nos Amours, which I thought was fantastic. And it's really settling in very well since I saw it last night, definitely growing in my mind just thinking about it. I can see how some of the family scenes (i.e. the violence) could come across as shrill and over-the-top, but those scenes were always juxtaposed against quieter (but not resolved) scenes with the family, and the rest if filled with this wistful sadness that it makes those violent scenes bearable and powerful (instead of just histrionic). Very impressive lead performance and great all-around, it definitely captures this girl Suzanne's struggle to, well, be happy and to actually connect with others, as she goes through all these casual (sexual) relations with others, denying the only one she seems to forge a real connection with. It's very naturalistic, and all the drama feels like a organic progression, with the drama unfolding hours at a time or jumping ahead months with perfect rhythms. The father is used exceptionally well within the framework of the narrative (this will make more sense if you've seen it).So yeah, it's sitting really well with me right now and it's been great to mull over...definitely recommended.

[Qrazy]

Watched I Clowns (Fellini) and Ryan's Daughter (Lean). I don't really understand why Fellini shrugged off his visual elegance later in his career but other than that the film is interesting... funny, entertaining with an undercurrent of uneasy sadness for a forgotten world. I Clowns is to Fellini as Parade is to Tati.

Lean on the other hand seems to have become more and more visually elegant with each passing film. He can do no wrong when shooting in color. I've now seen all his color films and they have all been varying degrees of quality. Every once in a while here a theme will be delivered somewhat heavy handedly or a characterization will be sketched a bit broadly, but as purely visual storytelling this is an impeccable work. The acting is also terrific.

[Milky Joe]

I certainly wouldn't mind visiting Portland in the summer, mainly for the food and the beer, but I'm done with living here. soitgoes's complaints about traffic and entirely way too many people in the OC (sorry) are mine about Portland. Except unlike LA the "culture" here or what little there is is majorly disappointing. If you like to eat and drink, by all means move here, but don't think you're going to escape bad traffic or an excess of idiots every direction you look.

[Qrazy]

Also finally completed German's filmography with The Seventh Companion... another great film of course, as is to be expected.

[soitgoes...]

I certainly wouldn't mind visiting Portland in the summer, mainly for the food and the beer, but I'm done with living here. soitgoes's complaints about traffic and entirely way too many people in the OC (sorry) are mine about Portland. Except unlike LA the "culture" here or what little there is is majorly disappointing. If you like to eat and drink, by all means move here, but don't think you're going to escape bad traffic or an excess of idiots every direction you look.
Comparing Portland traffic and population to Orange County is almost laughable.

[Qrazy]

*cough* random thoughts *cough*

[soitgoes...]

*cough* random thoughts *cough*Whatever, yadda yadda Aleksei German is amazing blah blah.

[Milky Joe]

It's all about densities.

[Qrazy]

Whatever, yadda yadda Aleksei German is amazing blah blah.

AT LEAST IT'S FILM RELATED

*bursts into tears*

[soitgoes...]

AT LEAST IT'S FILM RELATED

*bursts into tears*I'll talk Asian films with anyone who'll listen.

[soitgoes...]

AT LEAST IT'S FILM RELATED

*bursts into tears*I just watched the first Tora-san film. It was amusing at points. It has a wonderful cast (Ryu and Shimura!), but I can't see myself watching many more of the films in the series.

[Sycophant]

I just watched the first Tora-san film. It was amusing at points. It has a wonderful cast (Ryu and Shimura!), but I can't see myself watching many more of the films in the series.

I need to check a couple of these out. I've only seen Yamada's recent samurai trilogy. Twilight Samurai is one of the best films of the 21st century. Hidden Blade was a bit underwhelming. Love and Honor was somewhere in the middle, but still really good, I thought.

[soitgoes...]

I need to check a couple of these out. I've only seen Yamada's recent samurai trilogy. Twilight Samurai is one of the best films of the 21st century. Hidden Blade was a bit underwhelming. Love and Honor was somewhere in the middle, but still really good, I thought.
The best way to describe the film is a light piece of fluff. I mean that in the best sense possible. Yamada isn't doing anything groundbreaking. It's a family drama with some comedic elements, a hilarious opening sequence somewhat betrays the tone of the rest of the film. Over time I'll watch more of these films, but I can only imagine them being more of the same, therefore won't be the highest of priorities.

[Qrazy]

The best way to describe the film is a light piece of fluff. I mean that in the best sense possible. Yamada isn't doing anything groundbreaking. It's a family drama with some comedic elements, a hilarious opening sequence somewhat betrays the tone of the rest of the film. Over time I'll watch more of these films, but I can only imagine them being more of the same, therefore won't be the highest of priorities.

Yeah they're all almost exactly the same thing. The first two are the best. I watched the 14th a few days ago.

[Boner M]

Well, I saw A Nos Amours, which I thought was fantastic. And it's really settling in very well since I saw it last night, definitely growing in my mind just thinking about it. I can see how some of the family scenes (i.e. the violence) could come across as shrill and over-the-top, but those scenes were always juxtaposed against quieter (but not resolved) scenes with the family, and the rest if filled with this wistful sadness that it makes those violent scenes bearable and powerful (instead of just histrionic). Very impressive lead performance and great all-around, it definitely captures this girl Suzanne's struggle to, well, be happy and to actually connect with others, as she goes through all these casual (sexual) relations with others, denying the only one she seems to forge a real connection with. It's very naturalistic, and all the drama feels like a organic progression, with the drama unfolding hours at a time or jumping ahead months with perfect rhythms. The father is used exceptionally well within the framework of the narrative (this will make more sense if you've seen it).So yeah, it's sitting really well with me right now and it's been great to mull over...definitely recommended.
You're alright, elixir.

[Sven]

Lean on the other hand seems to have become more and more visually elegant with each passing film.

A major accomplishment, given how sumptuous A Brief Encounter is. That was 1945.

[Pop Trash]

For the first half-hour Broadcast News was making me cringe with its forced whimsy and overly written cutesiness, but I'm glad I stuck with it, because it wound up being a more intelligent film than I anticipated. James L Brooks is a humanist and that comes through here. Some of the comedy is a little overcooked and the dialogue can be on-the-nose at times, but keep in mind Brooks is going for a Hawksian romantic comedy and not a hard-boiled drama/satire like Network.

EDIT: This also had some wildly contemporary Gaddafi info in it.

[Sven]

My least favorite thing about Broadcast News is how easily Holly Hunter's character was suckered into believing that Hurt's character cried. She should've seen the ploy, if she was as good as she was.

Other than that, I like it a lot.

[Watashi]

Holly Hunter is so goddamn sexy in Broadcast News.

[Qrazy]

My least favorite thing about Broadcast News is how easily Holly Hunter's character was suckered into believing that Hurt's character cried. She should've seen the ploy, if she was as good as she was.

Other than that, I like it a lot.

Ehh I feel like it's established right at the beginning of the film how miserably lonely she is. She desperately wants to believe he's genuine.

[Pop Trash]

Ehh I feel like it's established right at the beginning of the film how miserably lonely she is. She desperately wants to believe he's genuine.

Right, it felt believable to me, considering she had such a crush she probably didn't want to think about it at all. Most rational people that had ever produced a TV/film piece would know that was a cutaway.

I think the cheeseball score was my least favorite thing about Broadcast News.

Also, without Brooks we could very possibly not have "The Simpsons" or Wes Anderson. True story.

[Adam]

We possibly might've missed out on Spanglish, too

[Dead & Messed Up]

Saw the restored 35mm print of Taxi Driver tonight. Beautiful print. Succulent. I've seen the film only once before, so it was a great opportunity to bathe in the visuals while re-considering everything in the film. More than anything, I'm just taken aback by how strange and specific the movie is. The only film I can think to compare it to is Fight Club, which similarly takes a less structured approach to a story of misguided self-actualization, but even that film feels slicker and more populist than this one, which plays like the nightmare of a crack addict sleeping in a film noir revival.

God, what an interesting movie.

[baby doll]

Holly Hunter is so goddamn sexy in Broadcast News.And The Piano. And Crash. Especially Crash. Everybody's sexier after they're in a car wreck.

[StanleyK]

Watched two great recent documentaries. Both are ultimately about the act of documentation itself, and like I'd wager most great non-fictional films, slowly through the course of their narrative reveal their subjects to be greatly flawed, posing interesting questions in examining what it is that drives them to do what they do.

My favorite moment from each: the sheep staring at the camera in Sweetgrass (the lens does seem to have a curious arresting power for all species), and Banksy's reaction to the fake (?) Guetta film 'Life Remote Control' in Exit Through the Gift Shop. I think I may actually prefer the former for its patient and gorgeous look and feel (that Herzogian zoom-in to the flock of sheep descending the mountain, cutting through it like veins in the manner of the colonists in Aguirre... excellent), but the latter is probably the funniest film from last year.

[Spinal]

Everybody's sexier after they're in a car wreck.

Jayne Mansfield?

[Raiders]

To those who've seen it: do you think Ferrara was attempting any sort of real comparison between traditional consumerism and the drug trade?

Naturally. Consumerism, particularly around the holidays, is a legalized form of drug addiction. I think also in a way, as a kind of parallel, he legitimizes the drug trade as just another form of consumerism and shows the benefits to the central family income yet through governmental oppression of the drug trade, it is also the most dangerous form of consumerism.


And what do you make of the governmental references at the beginning and end?I remember the opening quote referencing Dinkins which seemed to me Ferrara's veiled stab at Dinkins' successor, Rudy Giuliani (who I believe is noted for his staunch crime determent efforts which merely pushed crime to different segments and out of sight rather than going away).

[Ivan Drago]

but the latter is probably the funniest film from last year.

"I always used to encourage everyone I met to make art. I used to think that everyone should do it.

:long pause:

....I don't really do that so much anymore."

[StanleyK]

Duck You Sucker aka A Fistful of Dynamite aka Once Upon a Time the Revolution is actually a kind of terrible movie. I'm a pretty big fan of Leone, but this was all of his worst tendencies exacerbated to an alarming degree. Heavy-handed proselytism, misogyny, scenes drawn out but this time lacking any tension. Where GBU and OUATITW use respectively thin characters and western conventions to gleefully skewer them, DYS seems to revel in them. Man, even Morricone's score was bad. The only good thing I can say is that Leone's direction is still just as good; cinematography, editing are all top notch, but at the service of an awful, shallow, dynamite-subtle, haphazard attempt at political satire.

[B-side]

Naturally. Consumerism, particularly around the holidays, is a legalized form of drug addiction. I think also in a way, as a kind of parallel, he legitimizes the drug trade as just another form of consumerism and shows the benefits to the central family income yet through governmental oppression of the drug trade, it is also the most dangerous form of consumerism.

I remember the opening quote referencing Dinkins which seemed to me Ferrara's veiled stab at Dinkins' successor, Rudy Giuliani (who I believe is noted for his staunch crime determent efforts which merely pushed crime to different segments and out of sight rather than going away).

Mm. Yeah, that sounds about right.

I don't know anything about Giuliani, so I was curious what the thematic connection was. Thanks.

[Boner M]

Empire Records (1995) Nega-starsGood man.