28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Qrazy]

hehe obviously repping this.

http://www.philebrity.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/deliverance.JPG

NEG RAPE.

[Rowland]

Jesus Christ, The Forbidden Kingdom was awful.

I guess that's what I get for wasting my time on the visual talents of..... Rob Minkoff.I warned you all... frankly, I'm amazed it's getting such a free pass by most critics, because I'd argue it's pretty incompetent in every respect.

[megladon8]

I said right in my first post of the thread for The Forbidden Kingsom that it looked lame, and would be bad.

But noooooo, no one wants to listen to meg.

:rolleyes:

[SirNewt]

http://cdn-7.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/large/774357.jpg

Look what's coming from Netflix. I'm so excited.

:pritch:

[Ivan Drago]

I don't know if anyone here knows this, but I just found this out: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is finally coming out on DVD on May 6th.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0013527KC/thedigitalbit-20

[Philosophe_rouge]

http://cdn-7.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/large/774357.jpg

Look what's coming from Netflix. I'm so excited.

:pritch:
I actually prefer it to King Kong, I hope you like it :)

I saw Exotica today and am at a loss for words, just :pritch:

[Watashi]

I wouldn't really use :pritch: to describe Exotica, but it's damn good.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I wouldn't really use :pritch: to describe Exotica, but it's damn good.
I use :pritch: to describe any film that is wonderful in every way. I can't remember the last time I was just completely taken in by a film's mood, atmosphere and characters. It's rare these days to forget I'm watching a film, but Exotica just made everything else fade away... just loved it.

[balmakboor]

I just watched Sunrise again for about the fourth time. And once again, during its soft and dull midsection with the wedding and photographer's studio and what not, I found myself wishing the farmer had gone through with it and killed his wife. The Woman From the City is the most interesting character in the film and its only source of energy.

I was of course once again captivated by its visuals and technical accomplishments. What a great looking film full of cool visual ideas it is!

[balmakboor]

I watched There Will Be Blood for the second time last night.

:pritch:

[Boner M]

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Haynes, 1987) *1/2
Eyes Without a Face (Franju, 1960) **1/2
Yeah, I hate Raiders too! *spits*

[DavidSeven]

Eyes Without a Face (Franju, 1960) **1/2

Yes.

[Spinal]

Yeah, I hate Raiders too! *spits*

Just put a target on my back, why don't ya?

[Spinal]

Yes.

I was expecting it to be more artful. There's a couple of cool, creepy shots and I suppose it's kind of an interesting curiosity because of the amount of gore it uses in 1960, but I didn't get much out of it. It bothered me that there wasn't even a hint of hesitation or remorse on the part of the people committing these horrible acts. It didn't seem to me a very interesting choice to have them be so single-minded.

[Qrazy]

I just watched Sunrise again for about the fourth time. And once again, during its soft and dull midsection with the wedding and photographer's studio and what not, I found myself wishing the farmer had gone through with it and killed his wife. The Woman From the City is the most interesting character in the film and its only source of energy.


Um, no.

[Qrazy]

http://cdn-7.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/large/774357.jpg

Look what's coming from Netflix. I'm so excited.

:pritch:

It's pretty average, not bad though, good premise obviously.

[Derek]

Just put a target on my back, why don't ya?

I think your sig has pretty much taken there. You might as well have it sing this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psvCUWzecGo) anytime someone scrolls past it. ;)

[Melville]

I was expecting it to be more artful. There's a couple of cool, creepy shots and I suppose it's kind of an interesting curiosity because of the amount of gore it uses in 1960, but I didn't get much out of it.
I'm with you on this, too. It's an all right movie, but it it's fairly dull; other than the occasional bit of atmospherics (primarily in the first and last scenes), it didn't seem to have much to interest me. Have you seen Blood of the Beasts?

[Qrazy]

I'm with you on this, too. It's an all right movie, but it it's fairly dull; other than the occasional bit of atmospherics (primarily in the first and last scenes), it didn't seem to have much to interest me. Have you seen Blood of the Beasts?

And again with both of you here as well and Blood of the Beasts is much, much better.

[Melville]

Blood of the Beasts is much, much better.
Indeed.

[Qrazy]

Indeed.

I wonder if Franju has many other films worth looking into... I mean with a name like Franju it kind of inspires intrigue... like Wajda or Jansco. It screams high potential for arthouse filmmaking

[Melville]

I wonder if Franju has many other films worth looking into... I mean with a name like Franju it kind of inspires intrigue... like Wajda or Jansco. It screams high potential for arthouse filmmaking
:lol:

[Spinal]

Have you seen Blood of the Beasts?

No, and I really don't want to. I imagine that I would spend most of it averting my eyes from the screen anyway.

[Melville]

No, and I really don't want to. I imagine that I would spend most of it averting my eyes from the screen anyway.
Its examination of the moment of death is pretty disturbing, but it has an incredibly haunting and mesmerizing mood which makes you ponder that moment rather than just being repulsed by it.

[Qrazy]

Its examination of the moment of death is pretty disturbing, but it has an incredibly haunting and mesmerizing mood which makes you ponder that moment rather than just being repulsed by it.

I'm encouraged by your rating of The War Game. I found it to be fairly average (although not pedestrian), just so over the top and blatant in it's politics that it becomes a bit of a joke.

[Raiders]

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Haynes, 1987) *1/2
Eyes Without a Face (Franju, 1960) **1/2

Oy.

:: drinks ::

[megladon8]

Not sure if there is a thread for it, so I decided to post it here...

Forgetting Sarah Marshall was, well, forgettable.

I'm afraid that Apatow and his gang might be turning into the next Farrelly Brothers, offering movies with less and less poignancy, but more and more "shocking" material.

I don't know if it was Jason Segel or what, but I just didn't sympathize with his character at all.

But, worst of all, it just wasn't that funny. It had its a few good moments, but I never laughed hysterically or really got into any of the comedy.

I hope Pineapple Express delivers.

[Spinal]

I'm encouraged by your rating of The War Game. I found it to be fairly average (although not pedestrian), just so over the top and blatant in it's politics that it becomes a bit of a joke.

Overt politics = joke? Huh?

[Qrazy]

Overt politics = joke? Huh?

Oh my bad for some reason I thought we were talking about Punishment Park.

[Ezee E]

Jason Segal is a pretty one-note, boring actor. Even in Freaks & Geeks. He should never lead a movie.

[Melville]

Oh my bad for some reason I thought we were talking about Punishment Park.
I haven't seen Punishment Park. The War Game was pretty good, but there wasn't much to it.

Edvard Munch is where it's at.

[monolith94]

No, and I really don't want to. I imagine that I would spend most of it averting my eyes from the screen anyway.

It's a shame you're already married; it's a great date movie!

[Spinal]

The War Game was pretty good, but there wasn't much to it.

Emphatically disagree. It's a sophisticated combination of meticulous research, political outrage and intelligent speculation.

[Winston*]

Fuck Blood of the Beasts.

[Watashi]

Fuck Blood of the Beasts.
You're not getting any rape for this post.

[Winston*]

It has come to my attention that during my absence from the Match Cut forums, rape has emerged as something of a running joke. While I am not saying that rape can never be humourous, I'm fairly certain it isn't inherently humourous and thus would appreciate the denizens of this internet community become more sparing in it's use within attempts to bring the lulz.

[Beau]

I am equally ambivalent about all this raping that is going on around us.

[balmakboor]

I finally saw Sunshine last night (Sunrise, Sunshine, sort of a theme day I guess) and pretty much loved it. I found the ending a bit confusing but certainly not off the rails like many have said. With every third line of dialog during the third act being "My God" or "Jesus Christ," it is clear that the film belongs to the same grouping as Solaris, Mission to Mars, and The Fountain.

While I love Mission to Mars, I couldn't help but think that Sunshine is pretty much what most people were hoping De Palma's film would be.

[balmakboor]

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Haynes, 1987) *1/2

I'm pretty puzzled by this. Superstar is my second favorite Haynes film after Poison. I even emailed my niece (a fledgling filmmaker in Seattle) a link to it as an example of doing great things with limited resources. I wish the Carpenter family would get over it already so this could get a proper release.

[EyesWideOpen]

I should have listened to everyone. Balls of Fury was atrocious.

[SirNewt]

I am equally ambivalent about all this raping that is going on around us.

I just watched 'The Virgin Spring' and am not ambivalent about rape right now. Nor will I be for the next two weeks. It's a good thing I've spread my Bergman viewing out as I'd have no sense of humor left by now if I hadn't.

[Spinal]

I'm pretty puzzled by this.

I'm puzzled why it has so many supporters. I'd give it three stars as a Youtube video. One-and-a-half when considered against actual films.

[Melville]

Emphatically disagree. It's a sophisticated combination of meticulous research, political outrage and intelligent speculation.
I read your review, and I agree with everything you said in it, but the film's message seems a bit simple and obvious (for a 50 minute runtime), and its technique seems fairly straightforward. Could you expand on what you think is sophisticated about it?

[Spinal]

I read your review, and I agree with everything you said in it, but the film's message seems a bit simple and obvious (for a 50 minute runtime), and its technique seems fairly straightforward. Could you expand on what you think is sophisticated about it?

If it were simple and obvious, then more people would be informed of the realistic consequences of nuclear arms build-up. Even 40 years later, I imagine that people interviewed on the street in the United States would be as ill-informed as the Brits interviewed here. Those people you see making those reactions are not actors. Even today, the average citizen remains blissfully unaware of way nuclear weapons are built and stored. Our media focuses on issues like what someone's pastor said years ago, while our leaders push us closer to the brink of apocalypse. Watkins imagines a kind of media that actually provides citizens with the content that they might need to make informed decisions about conflict with other nations and then uses a blend of documentary and recreation to bring it to life. The technique is straightforward? I don't think so. The technique is singular, unmistakable as a Peter Watkins film and unmatched by any imitators.

But don't take (http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=2388) my (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19671003/REVIEWS/710030301/1023) word (http://www.villagevoice.com/screens/0629,atkinson,73991,28.html) for it.

[Melville]

If it were simple and obvious, then more people would be informed of the realistic consequences of nuclear arms build-up.
I don't think that's true. The fact that nuclear arms build-up has potentially devastating consequences is definitely simple, and it should be obvious to anybody who's informed about the basic facts (which could have been covered in just a few minutes). People being unaware of simple facts doesn't mean that the facts aren't simple.


The technique is straightforward? I don't think so. The technique is singular, unmistakable as a Peter Watkins film and unmatched by any imitators.
You're right. I should have said "structure" rather than "technique". The structure of the film is basically a very straightforward list of people's ignorance, the government's misinformation, and the devastating effects of a nuclear blast.


But don't take (http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=2388) my (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19671003/REVIEWS/710030301/1023) word (http://www.villagevoice.com/screens/0629,atkinson,73991,28.html) for it.
I don't know. Those reviews don't say much beyond emphasizing the importance of the subject matter.

[Spinal]

I don't think that's true. The fact that nuclear arms build-up has potentially devastating consequences is definitely simple, and it should be obvious to anybody who's informed about the basic facts (which could have been covered in just a few minutes). People being unaware of simple facts doesn't mean that the facts aren't simple.

The question is why don't average citizens have access to these facts. Why do citizens not have the basic information needed to help themselves in a crisis? Why is the government reluctant to share this information? Why is the information it does provide inadequate?

There is a difference between knowing that nuclear warfare is devastating and fully having a grasp of how cruel and inhumane it is. Watkins attempts to confront viewers with these images first-hand so that we cannot say later that we didn't realize what we were doing to other human beings and potentially bringing upon ourselves. I'm perplexed by your attempt to write this extraordinary film off as an exercise in obviousness. I suppose the same could be said of Night and Fog.



I don't know. Those reviews don't say much beyond emphasizing the importance of the subject matter.


They should string up bedsheets between the trees and show "The War Game" in every public park. It should be shown on television, perhaps right after one of those half-witted war series in which none of the stars ever gets killed.

And, somehow, it should be shown to the leaders of the world's nuclear powers, the men who have their fingers on the doomsday button.

Clearly, Ebert writing in 1967 didn't feel that the information was obvious.

[SirNewt]

The scariest thing to me, is that it wouldn't take nuclear holocaust to destroy our species but only the detonation of a relative few bombs.

[DavidSeven]

I was expecting it to be more artful. There's a couple of cool, creepy shots and I suppose it's kind of an interesting curiosity because of the amount of gore it uses in 1960, but I didn't get much out of it. It bothered me that there wasn't even a hint of hesitation or remorse on the part of the people committing these horrible acts. It didn't seem to me a very interesting choice to have them be so single-minded.

Yeah, its reputation seems to be built on its so-called atmosphere, but I didn't get much of a sense of it. As you said, the creepiness seems limited to just a couple shots of the entire movie. The rest of it just feels kind of procedural and empty. I'm still not sure how the father character is interesting enough to be the focal point of the film.

[Grouchy]

It has come to my attention that during my absence from the Match Cut forums, rape has emerged as something of a running joke. While I am not saying that rape can never be humourous, I'm fairly certain it isn't inherently humourous and thus would appreciate the denizens of this internet community become more sparing in it's use within attempts to bring the lulz.
You mean we need to stop raping each other? Do you really want that to happen?

And now that we're on the subject, Go, Go, Second Time Virgin is a very strange thing to watch. Short, beautifully shot and with some cool musical choices, sure, but also very puzzling and unintentionally funny. For those not on the known, it's an hour long Japanese pinku film about a negative rape on a rooftop. Wakamatsu was a guest at the festival, and we got to ask him some questions, none that he answered, though. He was pretty hilarious and said that he'd made the movie too long ago, didn't remember anything, and he made it because he thought his office's rooftop was a pretty good and cheap location for a sex story. I asked him why he'd put a seemingly random scene with close-ups of Sharon Tate pictures and some samurai manga. He didn't understand the question after three times and with some help from another audience member, he just said Tate was Polanski's wife who was very beautiful and that that was a very popular manga in Japan.

[Barty]

It has come to my attention that during my absence from the Match Cut forums, rape has emerged as something of a running joke. While I am not saying that rape can never be humourous, I'm fairly certain it isn't inherently humourous and thus would appreciate the denizens of this internet community become more sparing in it's use within attempts to bring the lulz.

You see Winston, It's the sense of touch. In any real forum, you post, you know? You quote people, people quote you. On Matchcut, nobody touches you. We're always behind this screen and keyboard. I think we miss that touch so much, that we rape each other, just so we can feel something.

[Ezee E]

Jees. Ebert fractured his hip while rehabbing from his surgery. :( (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/COMMENTARY/244040675)

[Qrazy]

If it were simple and obvious, then more people would be informed of the realistic consequences of nuclear arms build-up.

Nah that's like saying if it were simple and obvious more people would believe in evolution.

I don't think Melville's problems (and mine) are that the content is obvious so much as that the approach taken to the presentation of the information is obvious, the delivery is lacking in nuance (a lot of this has to do with bad acting but some of it has to do with the general approach to filmmaking, the way he uses the camera... quick zooms, and the whole bouncy faux-documentary tactic).

[Spinal]

Nah that's like saying if it were simple and obvious more people would believe in evolution.

I don't think Melville's problems (and mine) are that the content is obvious so much as that the approach taken to the presentation of the information is obvious, the delivery is lacking in nuance (a lot of this has to do with bad acting but some of it has to do with the general approach to filmmaking, the way he uses the camera... quick zooms, and the whole bouncy faux-documentary tactic).

Are we still talking about The War Game which I thought you said you had not seen?

[MacGuffin]

Are we still talking about The War Game which I thought you said you had not seen?

You're not a big Todd Haynes fan, are you?

[Spinal]

You're not a big Todd Haynes fan, are you?

Nope.

[MacGuffin]

Nope.

What did you think about that last one you watched?

[balmakboor]

Most Recent Masterpiece: Mister Lonely (Korine, 2008)

That's good to hear. If it comes to be true for me as well, it'll make him 3 for 3.

[MacGuffin]

That's good to hear. If it comes to be true for me as well, it'll make him 3 for 3.

I know, man. It was a really exciting fun time. He was nice in real life too.

[balmakboor]

I know, man. It was a really exciting fun time. He was nice in real life too.

Festival showing with Q&A?

[MacGuffin]

Festival showing with Q&A?

It was a sneak preview during a retrospective followed by a Q&A. Honestly, I wasn't surprised about liking the movie. I was surprised with how much I liked it. There are some images in this movie, and I really mean this, I don't think I'll ever forget. I think Korine may be the greatest director of his generation simply because he's bold enough find beauty where other directors wouldn't dare to look.

[balmakboor]

It was a sneak preview during a retrospective followed by a Q&A. Honestly, I wasn't surprised about liking the movie. I was surprised with how much I liked it. There are some images in this movie, and I really mean this, I don't think I'll ever forget. I think Korine may be the greatest director of his generation simply because he's bold enough find beauty where other directors wouldn't dare to look.

I agree with you completely. And I envy you for getting to see this already, and under those circumstances. Btw, I've read numerous people who made the same statement about the film's bold and striking images.

[MacGuffin]

I agree with you completely. And I envy you for getting to see this already, and under those circumstances. Btw, I've read numerous people who made the same statement about the film's bold and striking images.

Be wary though, while it does have a bigger budget and much prettier images, it does have a narrative. In fact, I have to give credit to origami_moustache for telling me about the screening. He didn't like the movie as much as he would've hoped because of its narrative. That's all I'll say for him though, just as a word of caution to you so that the movie doesn't throw you off, in case he wants to say more for himself. I personally thought that the narrative was handled in a fashion that was perfectly suitable with regards to the characters and their emotions. Korine made it clear though that you're not necessarily supposed to get much out of the movie after you watch it, so much as you are supposed to get something out of it while you watch it. He may even have been refering to his entire filmography, I can't recall. But that would certainly make sense.

By the way, I asked him if we could expect a DVD set of his short films, and he said that while he'd like that, The Diary of Anne Frank Part II in particular (I believe that it was) uses licensed music, so bootleg was brought up.

[balmakboor]

Be wary though, while it does have a bigger budget and much prettier images, it does have a narrative. In fact, I have to give credit to origami_moustache for telling me about the screening. He didn't like the movie as much as he would've hoped because of its narrative. That's all I'll say for him though, just as a word of caution to you so that the movie doesn't throw you off, in case he wants to say more for himself. I personally thought that the narrative was handled in a fashion that was perfectly suitable with regards to the characters and their emotions. Korine made it clear though that you're not necessarily supposed to get much out of the movie after you watch it, so much as you are supposed to get something out of it while you watch it. He may even have been refering to his entire filmography, I can't recall. But that would certainly make sense.

By the way, I asked him if we could expect a DVD set of his short films, and he said that while he'd like that, The Diary of Anne Frank Part II in particular (I believe that it was) uses licensed music, so bootleg was brought up.

Are you saying that Mr Lonely has more of a conventional sense of narrative? I would rather expect that over time and with larger budgets. For that matter, I find his first two features to have very satisfying narratives, though somewhat unconventional. If he was saying those things about his entire body of work, I'd say he is selling himself too short. I've always found much to enjoy with his work both in the moment and upon reflection hours, days, and even months later.

[MacGuffin]

Are you saying that Mr Lonely has more of a conventional sense of narrative? I would rather expect that over time and with larger budgets. For that matter, I find his first two features to have very satisfying narratives, though somewhat unconventional. If he was saying those things about his entire body of work, I'd say he is selling himself too short. I've always found much to enjoy with his work both in the moment and upon reflection hours, days, and even months later.

No, Mister Lonely definitely has a more conventional narrative than his other two movies, and this was acknowledged during the Q & A.

[Winston*]

Y'know what movie's awful? Down to Earth with Chris Rock. I remember seeing it a few years ago and thinking "Wow, that was an awful movie".

[MacGuffin]

Y'know what movie's awful? Down to Earth with Chris Rock. I remember seeing it a few years ago and thinking "Wow, that was an awful movie".

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6982/chrisrockhi0.jpg

[Winston*]

I know what Chris Rock looks like, Clipper Ship. I've seen him in Down to Earth.

[Duncan]

Man, I really missed Winston's posts.

[Melville]

The question is why don't average citizens have access to these facts. Why do citizens not have the basic information needed to help themselves in a crisis? Why is the government reluctant to share this information? Why is the information it does provide inadequate?
But the movie doesn't really explore those questions. I would have loved it if the film provided a more detailed and nuanced exploration of the historical, political, and scientific background of the issue to go along with its "this could happen to you" creation of a nuclear disaster. The information could just be embedded in short written segments, like the various quotations.


There is a difference between knowing that nuclear warfare is devastating and fully having a grasp of how cruel and inhumane it is. Watkins attempts to confront viewers with these images first-hand so that we cannot say later that we didn't realize what we were doing to other human beings and potentially bringing upon ourselves.
But the only thing that makes nuclear war special is the scale of devastation, which I thought people at the time were generally aware of an afraid of (after all, wasn't the phrase "mutually assured destruction" part of the lexicon?). Other than that scale, I don't see how nuclear war is any more cruel or inhumane than many other forms of attack on civilians (e.g. chemical weapons, mass bombing, raping and pillaging). It's important for people to understand the suffering caused by all such attacks, but that doesn't mean the suffering is not obvious or that a straightforward depiction of is complex.


I'm perplexed by your attempt to write this extraordinary film off as an exercise in obviousness.
I'm not writing it off; I liked it. I just would have preferred more complexity.


Clearly, Ebert writing in 1967 didn't feel that the information was obvious.
I don't think he was saying it's not obvious, but that it needs to be emphasized. According to Merriam-Webster, "obvious" means "easily discovered, seen, or understood". Doesn't that fit?

[Qrazy]

Are we still talking about The War Game which I thought you said you had not seen?

I've seen it I was just confused and thought we were talking about Punishment Park for a second, Melville hasn't seen it.

[Melville]

I've seen it I was just confused and thought we were talking about Punishment Park for a second, Melville hasn't seen it.
So were your most recent comments about War Game?

[Qrazy]

So were your most recent comments about War Game?
Yes.

[Melville]

Yes.
Oh. Well, then, our apparent agreement on The War Game doesn't bode well for my chances of loving Punishment Park.

Hey, Spinal, given that I thought The War Game was just good and that Edvard Munch was a masterpiece, which Watkins film should I check out next?

[Spinal]

What did you think about that last one you watched?

I thought it looked a lot like a student film made with Barbie dolls after reading a couple of magazine articles about The Carpenters and anorexia.

[Spinal]

Oh. Well, then, our apparent agreement on The War Game doesn't bode well for my chances of loving Punishment Park.

Hey, Spinal, given that I thought The War Game was just good and that Edvard Munch was a masterpiece, which Watkins film should I check out next?

The Journey.

[Duncan]

I thought it looked a lot like a student film made with Barbie dolls after reading a couple of magazine articles about The Carpenters and anorexia.

:lol:

Alright, maybe I'll watch the Haynes movie.

[balmakboor]

I thought it looked a lot like a student film made with Barbie dolls after reading a couple of magazine articles about The Carpenters and anorexia.

Isn't that basically what it is? (I don't know if he was actually a student but it certainly is a student film in the sense of his learning how to make films.) It is also though a very well made and engaging student film made with Barbie dolls after doing a lot of reading about anorexia and just enough about The Carpenters to get the history more or less correct. It actually plays like a rough draft for Poison in a lot of ways.

[DavidSeven]

I'll give it up to Wats on this one. Lars and the Real Girl was a very nice little movie with some unexpected complexity. Gosling is a knockout, but the ensemble is also one of the strongest in recent memory.

[Spinal]

Isn't that basically what it is? (I don't know if he was actually a student but it certainly is a student film in the sense of his learning how to make films.) It is also though a very well made and engaging student film made with Barbie dolls after doing a lot of reading about anorexia and just enough about The Carpenters to get the history more or less correct. It actually plays like a rough draft for Poison in a lot of ways.

Yeah, my unembellished answer was intended to say 'it is what it appears to be, and in my opinion, it is not much more.' I found that the novelty wore off quickly and that it did not enlighten me about its subject matter. There is a flippancy in the dialogue that is reminiscent of a Trey Parker film. I found it to be off-putting. I can see why the Carpenter family doesn't want this released. It basically puts Karen's death at their feet.

[origami_mustache]

I have to give credit to origami_moustache for telling me about the screening. He didn't like the movie as much as he would've hoped because of its narrative. That's all I'll say for him though, just as a word of caution to you so that the movie doesn't throw you off, in case he wants to say more for himself.


Mister Lonely (Harmony Korine, 2007)

http://www.tinymixtapes.com/IMG/jpg/news-mister_lonely.jpg

Harmony Korine's latest film is somewhat of a departure from his past work, showing both progression and missteps. It is also his most autobiographical picture. Returning from an 8 year hiatus, Korine litters his new film with fragments of his midlife crisis. I was optimistic after a very strong opening and the always exciting screen presence of Werner Herzog, but the film began to stagger with it's insistence on indiscreet voice over and dialogue along with a few audaciously cheesy scenes including a nun falling from an airplane, and surviving the fall after praying to the lord. Despite these "mistakes" which Harmony claims to love, the film is filled with many memorable and even gorgeous images. The soundtrack consisting of everything from original score by Spaceman and the Sun City Girls, to A Silver Mt. Zion, Spank Rock, and some old blues and folk music is one of the strongest assets. Michael's character played by Diego Luna, laments at not being able to relate to the rest of the world. He sees things differently than others and wants to be someone other than himself. He and his fellow impersonators including Marylin Monroe, played by Samantha Morton, live in a sort of dream-like reality. To parallel this rebellious nonconformity, the commune raises witless sheep who are without the freedom of choice. The main goal of the commune is to build a theater and draw audiences to "share the beauty of the world" with others, although only a few lonely souls show up to watch their performance. I saw his is as another reflection of Korine's struggle to make his mark with his own art. Originally I felt that the more conventional narrative structure of the film was what hindered it the most, however after thinking about it a little more I think Korine is capable of successfully making a conventional narrative. Unfortunately Mister Lonely is much more overt about letting you known what it wants you to feel, as opposed to his first two features which allow for much greater personal reflection through mostly just imagery.

[Boner M]

Edgar G. Ulmer's Ruthless could've been a brilliant B-movie counterpoint to There Will Be Blood or Citizen Kane (the film's obvious template), had it's mid-section not been so flabby and weirdly staid, especially considering that the bookending portions are distinguished by the same awesomely crude expressionism that made Detour so great. Plus, there's a few too many characters for a scant 90 minutes, all serving as little more than puppets of virtue, when the focus should've stayed on Vendig's all-consuming capitalist greed, and his rise and fall trajectory. Even despite these flaws of plotting and characterization, it's still a neat and satisfying little film for fans of noir-tinged stories of power and corruption, mainly because of Ulmer's skills with transcending his limitations.

Also finally finished The Best of Youth. Maybe it would've improved had I not watched it in itty bitty pieces over than span of two weeks, but I still found it immensely moving. The performances are out-of-this-world good, and it manages the difficult task of being a model of classical storytelling while at the same time never succumbing to reductive Screenwriting 101 tropes, with just as many perfectly judged small moments as well as well-sold melodrama. Pretty much agree entirely with Gonzalez's (http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=1124) review, although I'm not quite as head over heels.

[D_Davis]

I showed a couple of friends of mine Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie, this weekend. They had never seen a Troma film before.

Wow.

I had forgotten how totally wrong, outrageous, nasty, funny, bloody, irreverent, disgusting, tasteless, and entertaining this film is.

Truly one of the best films of its kind.

It pretty much skewers everything it can: school shootings, abortion, religion, sex, abuse, the meat industry, the porn industry, politics, the media, and the list goes on and on.

It's so excessive in its debauchery that I can't help but be amused by it all. Just when you think it can't get any more tasteless, it does.

[megladon8]

I showed a couple of friends of mine Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie, this weekend. They had never seen a Troma film before.

Wow.

I had forgotten how totally wrong, outrageous, nasty, funny, bloody, irreverent, disgusting, tasteless, and entertaining this film is.

Truly one of the best films of its kind.

It pretty much skewers everything it can: school shootings, abortion, religion, sex, abuse, the meat industry, the porn industry, politics, the media, and the list goes on and on.

It's so excessive in its debauchery that I can't help but be amused by it all. Just when you think it can't get any more tasteless, it does.



Reminds me of what Uwe Boll's Postal is trying to be.

Only...good.

[MadMan]

I actually want to see Postal, although I'll probably have to wash out my eyeballs after viewing it.

[Rowland]

Resident Evil: Extinction (Mulcahy, 2007) **Agreed. It may arguably be the most technically competent entry in the series, but it's also the least entertaining.

[Spinal]

Agreed. It may arguably be the most technically competent entry in the series, but it's also the least entertaining.

Yeah, it just wasn't as fun as the others for some reason. Maybe because it was so blatant in its theft from The Birds, Day of the Dead, The Road Warrior, The Matrix, etc. Milla is starting to take herself way too seriously in this one. I really hope they don't make the sequel that the end of the film suggests. Gotta hand it to the guys who made the trailer though. They made it seem like it would be much more fun than it was. I was surprised that the Las Vegas section was such a small part of the film.

[megladon8]

Resident Evil was one I enjoyed back when it came out in '02.

A few years later I tried to watch it and absolutely hated it.

And the sequel was absolute balls.

I really don't have the drive to see Extinction any time soon.

[Ezee E]

Anthony Minghella sure loves making long movies.

This is the first of the three movies I've seen from him that I didn't really like though. I can't really figure out why either.

[Winston*]

It's been a hard decision to make but I think I've decided that I can't seen myself ever viewing Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

"Today, I'm going to watch Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

"Hey Winston what movie should we watch?"
"Hmm, how about Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium?"

It just doesn't fit.

[Spinal]

It's been a hard decision to make but I think I've decided that I can't seen myself ever viewing Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

"Today, I'm going to watch Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

"Hey Winston what movie should we watch?"
"Hmm, how about Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium?"

It just doesn't fit.

I think you're lying. I don't believe that was a hard decision to make.

[MadMan]

It's been a hard decision to make but I think I've decided that I can't seen myself ever viewing Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

"Today, I'm going to watch Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

"Hey Winston what movie should we watch?"
"Hmm, how about Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium?"

It just doesn't fit.Dustin Hoffman seems to be the only reason to see it. Natalie Portman I suppose is another if you really favor her, which I kind of do and I kind of don't.

[Qrazy]

The Man without a Past didn't do much for me. Kaurismaki strikes me as the Finnish answer to Jarmusch or vice versa. I don't dislike either filmmakers films for the most part but they both feel fairly amateurish.

[Watashi]

And Apatow's career of pairing up average Joes with ridiculously hot women continues in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but like most of his films, there is a genuine sense of poignancy rolling around amongst all the dick and sex jokes. I like how Apatow is giving a merry-go-round of all his supporting regulars a chance in the spotlight and is really building careers more than any other director/producer (Steve Carrell was practically put on the map because of him).

Plus Mila Kunis is really, really, really hot.

Sweet Moses, the naughty, nasty things I would do to her....

[balmakboor]

Anthony Minghella sure loves making long movies.

This is the first of the three movies I've seen from him that I didn't really like though. I can't really figure out why either.

To be truly accurate, that'd be Anthony Minghella sure loved making long movies.

And, yes, his movies are long. To me, they are very very long. My wife and I saw The English Patient back in '96 and we were both bored to tears. The same thing happened for us with Cold Mountain.

I'd like to check out Truly Madly Deeply. I don't think it's very long either.

[balmakboor]

Kaurismaki ... Jarmusch ... for the most part but they both feel fairly amateurish.

Um, no.

[Raiders]

Plus Mila Kunis is really, really, really hot.

She doesn't hold a candle to Kristen Bell.

[Winston*]

Is that Jonah Hill guy in Forgetting Sarah Marshall much? Because Christ he sucks.

[Watashi]

Is that Jonah Hill guy in Forgetting Sarah Marshall much? Because Christ he sucks.
Yeah, his scenes are painful to watch.

Thank God for Russell Brand and Paul Rudd's small role.

I also liked Jason Bateman's small cameo.

[Qrazy]

Um, no.

Well I can't speak to anything Kaurismaki's done other than that film but for Jarmusch um, yes.

[MacGuffin]

Well I can't speak to anything Kaurismaki's done other than that film but for Jarmusch um, yes.

No.

[trotchky]

Well I can't speak to anything Kaurismaki's done other than that film but for Jarmusch um, yes.

Hell no.

[Grouchy]

Well I can't speak to anything Kaurismaki's done other than that film but for Jarmusch um, yes.
Nah.

[Winston*]

I, too, enjoy the films of Jim Jarmusch and would also like to express my disagreement with Qrazy's views on the quality of his work.

[Qrazy]

To me Jarmusch is one of the most overrated, uninteresting filmmakers in contemporary cinema. He's not a bad filmmaker, he just possesses absolutely no formal alacrity, or nuance. A singular vision yes but also a very bland one. I've seen nearly all of his films.

# Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)
# Night on Earth (1991)

About half of the vignettes in both of these work well, the other half are a waste of time.

# Broken Flowers (2005)

Painfully insipid.

# Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

I enjoyed it at the time, hasn't left much of an impression.

# Mystery Train (1989)
# Stranger Than Paradise (1984)

Both very student film-y... mildly amusing at times, fairly disposable.

# Dead Man (1995)
# Down by Law (1986)

His two strongest works to date, I'd still probably give each a B for their tonal, thematic, and aesthetic execution.

I find minimalism to be interesting when the artist pares the work down to it's essential elements (Dreyer, Bresson), not when it is employed to showcase simplicity. If Jarmusch's central thesis as an artist is to find the beautiful and the relevant in the mundane, he's not trying hard enough.

[megladon8]

Settle this once and for all...

How do you actually pronounce his name?

[Qrazy]

Settle this once and for all...

How do you actually pronounce his name?

Jar-moosh I've assumed.

Basically like I said I don't mind Jarmusch at all I just don't think he has much of a command over the medium.

[Raiders]

I like Jarmusch in general, but Dead Man is a truly great film.

[Grouchy]

Basically like I said I don't mind Jarmusch at all I just don't think he has much of a command over the medium.
That's too big an accusation to make, specially for a guy who directed Dead Man, which shows a great command over, at least, directing actors, pacing and cinematography. That and Ghost Dog are my favorites.

I think you just don't like his style.

[Qrazy]

That's too big an accusation to make, specially for a guy who directed Dead Man, which shows a great command over, at least, directing actors, pacing and cinematography. That and Ghost Dog are my favorites.

I think you just don't like his style.

Dead Man has a couple stand out shots but overall I just don't agree that the acting, pacing or directing are anything spectacular... again they're not bad but I see nothing incredible about them.

I"m reminded of this quote from Bergman on Tarkovsky... "All my life I have hammered on the doors of the rooms in which he moves so naturally." Those two filmmakers aside, this is how I feel about Jarmusch's approach to the medium. I feel (formally) he's always hammering on the doors of what he's trying to express. His films don't flow... either in the mise-en-scene (the definition I"m using here is of movements of actors and camera) or shot to shot. Yeah I'm willing to admit much of that is his style (choosing to make his films episodic with fades to black and long spacing and a sense of humor that I find more miss than hit) but his style is also couched in it's formal limitations (whether intentional or not... I would venture intentional only in so far as he recognizes his own limitations). But no I find nothing spectacular about his use of the camera in Dead Man. The film is most interesting as genre deconstruction but that only takes it so far for me.

[Spinal]

If only the adult performances in Forbidden Games were as good as the child performances. I found myself losing interest whenever the attention turned away from the children and became about the petty bickering between the neighbors. The first ten minutes of the film are stunning. The ending is heartbreaking. In between ... it has its ups and downs. Six-year old Brigitte Fossey is wonderful. One of the best child performances I have seen and probably the primary reason to see the film. Looking on IMDb to see if she continued on as an actress, I was delighted to see that she has had a long career. I was thrilled to discover that she played Adult Elena in Cinema Paradiso. Her scene is one of my favorites in that film, even though it only appears in the Director's Cut.

[Grouchy]

Dead Man has a couple stand out shots but overall I just don't agree that the acting, pacing or directing are anything spectacular... again they're not bad but I see nothing incredible about them.

I"m reminded of this quote from Bergman on Tarkovsky... "All my life I have hammered on the doors of the rooms in which he moves so naturally." Those two filmmakers aside, this is how I feel about Jarmusch's approach to the medium. I feel (formally) he's always hammering on the doors of what he's trying to express. His films don't flow... either in the mise-en-scene (the definition I"m using here is of movements of actors and camera) or shot to shot. Yeah I'm willing to admit much of that is his style (choosing to make his films episodic with fades to black and long spacing and a sense of humor that I find more miss than hit) but his style is also couched in it's formal limitations (whether intentional or not... I would venture intentional only in so far as he recognizes his own limitations). But no I find nothing spectacular about his use of the camera in Dead Man. The film is most interesting as genre deconstruction but that only takes it so far for me.
Yeah, yeah, Tarkovsky, hammering on doors, whatever, but he doesn't have command over the medium? He's amateurish?

Ed Wood Jr. doesn't have command over the medium. That's what I was trying to point out.

[Duncan]

Anyone have thoughts on Oshima's Diary of a Shinjuku Thief? Just watched it. Not really sure where I stand.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, yeah, Tarkovsky, hammering on doors, whatever, but he doesn't have command over the medium? He's amateurish?

Ed Wood Jr. doesn't have command over the medium. That's what I was trying to point out.

There are gradations obviously. Jarmusch is still better than the majority of what Hollywood produces. He's not amateurish when compared with gross incompetence, I find his employment of the camera to be respectively amateurish for the 'one of the best leading contemporary directors' label he seems to have going on in the film community.

[megladon8]

Wow...Blast of Silence was, well, delightful.

I was thinking of writing a little gimmick review, in the style of the narration by Lionel Stander.

Would anyone actually be interested in reading that?

[Qrazy]

Anyway aside from the my not being overly enamored with either Jarmusch or Kaurismaki I'm still curious how well the comparison holds up (how much people love or value a film or filmmaker usually strikes me as much less interesting than form/content relationships and connections, what the filmmaker is trying to say and how they say it... but as a byproduct of any kind of art discussion, value judgments are mostly what we all end up discussing/debating... just par for the course I suppose).

But can anyone who's seen more Kaurismaki comment on my hypothesized projection? Man without a Past had both the deadpan humor, the minimalist scene construction and the focus on the mundane that are typical Jarmusch traits... do these traits hold across Kaurismaki's work?

[Stay Puft]

But can anyone who's seen more Kaurismaki comment on my hypothesized projection? Man without a Past had both the deadpan humor, the minimalist scene construction and the focus on the mundane that are typical Jarmusch traits... do these traits hold across Kaurismaki's work?

I've only seen Leningrad Cowboys Go America, but your descriptors would certainly apply to that. Also, I bring it up because it has a Jim Jarmusch cameo. Make of that what you will! :)

[Grouchy]

Anyway aside from the my not being overly enamored with either Jarmusch or Kaurismaki I'm still curious how well the comparison holds up (how much people love or value a film or filmmaker usually strikes me as much less interesting than form/content relationships and connections, what the filmmaker is trying to say and how they say it... but as a byproduct of any kind of art discussion, value judgments are mostly what we all end up discussing/debating... just par for the course I suppose).

But can anyone who's seen more Kaurismaki comment on my hypothesized projection? Man without a Past had both the deadpan humor, the minimalist scene construction and the focus on the mundane that are typical Jarmusch traits... do these traits hold across Kaurismaki's work?
Yeah, I think it's a good comparison. As you say, they share the same sense of humor and stoic camera. However, two big differences: Jarmusch has a conventional approach to film acting, while Kaurismaki's actors are always non-emoting in a Bresson kind of way; and Kaurismaki's movies often have political and social themes, while Jarmusch is more a cinema philosopher and never a moralist or a society critic.

I love both directors, but I love Kaurismaki more, I think.

[Qrazy]

I've only seen Leningrad Cowboys Go America, but your descriptors would certainly apply to that. Also, I bring it up because it has a Jim Jarmusch cameo. Make of that what you will! :)

Ah hah! I knew they were in cahoots.

[Stay Puft]

I watched Imamura's The Pornographers over the weekend, and what an impressively shot film! I wish I had kept the DVD longer and made some screen caps, because I'm having a hard time finding good shots of it online.

Much of the film is shot in wide takes and from "outside" the dramatic stage, such as in this shot:

http://i31.tinypic.com/23kre4o.jpg

The entire scene plays out from that angle, and we hear only audio from the left side, specifically the dialogue from the meeting taking place as Ogata is attempting to sell his material.

There are a few more examples here:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview/pornographers.htm

Those will give you an example of some of the more voyeuristic shots, but my favorite shots are not among them.

There are a couple shots I can recall clearly in which the camera is situated outside a window, but positioned so that it is looking through the room, beyond the characters, and directly out another window behind them, capturing the activity of the world around them. Such as when Haru is in the hospital. It's a penetrating and naked shot.

I read an article by Tony Rayns, kind of a memorial about Imamura's career after he had died, in which he mentioned Imamura's personal belief that he is not an artist, but rather an anthropologist. The way Imamura shoots this particular film certainly creates the impression that, much like Ogata invades his neighbor's privacy to record sounds of them having sex, Imamura is invading on Ogata and Haru's privacy, studying them from a distance, observing and cataloging their behavor, and above all looking through their lives, penetrating them and situating them, through both composition and blocking, in the context of the world around them.

It's pretty cool. I guess Vengeance is Mine is next, if I can track down a copy.

[Qrazy]

It's pretty cool. I guess Vengeance is Mine is next, if I can track down a copy.

Both The Insect Woman and The Ballad of Narayama are very good as well.

[Qrazy]

No.

What's your av from?

[Duncan]

So I guess I'm ending up negative on Diary of a Shinjuku Priest. It's a surreal, theatrical film about a couple of student radicals who hang out in a library, steal books, and have sex. There relationship, as far as I can make out, reflects the Japanese political scene at the time. Oshima seems discontent with the direction being taken by the intellectual class, and so has his lead actress offer to sell herself while lying on a pile of books. It ends up being a didactic political film (something I usually dislike) as expressed through Freudian ideas (something I also dislike). There is a lot of narrative experimentation, but unlike Godard's work from the same period (to which Oshima's films are often compared), the experimentation seems sloppy. When Godard makes a formal choice, even something really annoying, you get the feeling that it was purposeful. This film seems much more reckless, and less endearing. There are some funny bits though, like when the lead man chases his girlfriend through the streets of Tokyo carrying a strap on dildo. I mean, that's high comedy. What it says about gender roles with respect to Japanese politics circa 1966 I'm not so sure about.

[Rowland]

Nobody Knows (Koreeda, 2004) ****Us Asian cultists are sometimes on to something. ;)

[MacGuffin]

What's your av from?

Mister Lonely.

[Rowland]

The Forbidden Kingdom (Minkoff, 2008) - Terrible! Just crazy incompetent. The Li versus Chan fight is okay, but not great. Li was surprisingly enjoyable as the Monkey King, at least.I warned you! I'm telling you, I don't understand how the critical establishment gave it as much of a pass as they did, because it really is just an incompetent mess.

[Spinal]

Us Asian cultists are sometimes on to something. ;)

I read about the incident that the film is based on. Jeez. The film is practically sugar-coated by comparison.

I also have The Children are Watching Us checked out, but after the last couple films I've seen, I think I might hold off on that one.

[Qrazy]

I read about the incident that the film is based on. Jeez. The film is practically sugar-coated by comparison.

I also have The Children are Watching Us checked out, but after the last couple films I've seen, I think I might hold off on that one.

It's OK, don't set your hopes too high.

[Spinal]

It's OK, don't set your hopes too high.

Didn't care for it?

[Beau]

It's OK, don't set your hopes too high.

Yeah, I was disappointed. My viewing conditions, admittedly, were not conductive to a proper appraisal, but I saw nothing to stimulate a re-watch.

[Watashi]

What the Jesus? Why is Baby Mama at 88% on the tomatometer? I know it's early, but the trailers for this were dreadful.

Why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are popular, I will never know....

[MacGuffin]

What the Jesus? Why is Baby Mama at 88% on the tomatometer? I know it's early, but the trailers for this were dreadful.

Why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are popular, I will never know....

I can guarantee, it's shit, without having seen it.

[Ezee E]

What the Jesus? Why is Baby Mama at 88% on the tomatometer? I know it's early, but the trailers for this were dreadful.

Why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are popular, I will never know....
Tina Fey, I like.

Amy Poehler, I am annoyed by.

Mix them together. Too much Poehler.

I'll pass.

[Duncan]

Tina Fey is hilarious.

[Boner M]

Heads up: Subscribe to Cinema-Scope (http://www.cinema-scope.com/paypal_country.htm) and you get a free DVD copy of Pedro Costa's Colossal Youth. Nice.

[Kurosawa Fan]

What the Jesus? Why is Baby Mama at 88% on the tomatometer? I know it's early, but the trailers for this were dreadful.

Why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are popular, I will never know....

I thought the trailer looked great, and I think Tina Fey is one of the funniest people on the planet.

[Winston*]

Clerks 2 (2006) - 2.0
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/colpot/thumbsup.gif

[balmakboor]

The whole point (joke?) behind my "Umm, no" post in support of Jarmusch seems to have been missed, but I'm glad others came out in his defense as well.

To me, he is one of the most precise and meticulous filmmakers around, each film crafted in minute and loving detail. I can watch them over and over always finding something new in the same way as I can with Ozu and Tati and Bresson. I differ from the norm a bit with him though. I love Dead Man, but to me Mystery Train and Night on Earth are his masterpieces. The only film I didn't much like is Coffee and Cigarettes although it wasn't really conceived initially as a film at all. (I haven't seen Permanent Vacation yet.)

[Qrazy]

Didn't care for it?

Just thought it was fairly average/above average. It's worth watching (unlike Indiscretion of an American Wife) but just don't expect to be blown away is all I'm saying.

[EyesWideOpen]

I thought the trailer looked great, and I think Tina Fey is one of the funniest people on the planet.

Yep. The only negative feeling I have towards the film is the title but it looks hilarious.

[Spinal]

unlike Indiscretion of an American Wife

Hmmm ... I have that one out too.

[soitgoes...]

Hmmm ... I have that one out too.
Its the worst De Sica film I've seen. Pretty disappointing.

[Qrazy]

Ladyhawke was OK, the drama all around was pretty weak and Broderick is particularly uninteresting but Stroraro pulls through with some solid work as DP which makes the entire experience slightly more bearable.

[Qrazy]

Its the worst De Sica film I've seen. Pretty disappointing.

James Wong Howe short that precedes it is quality at least.

[soitgoes...]

James Wong Howe short that precedes it is quality at least.
I assume this is on the DVD. I saw it on cable, so I just got to see De Sica/Selznik's film.

[D_Davis]

Ladyhawke was OK, the drama all around was pretty weak and Broderick is particularly uninteresting but Stroraro pulls through with some solid work as DP which makes the entire experience slightly more bearable.

I love the synthrock score.

[Qrazy]

I assume this is on the DVD. I saw it on cable, so I just got to see De Sica/Selznik's film.

Yeah it's a 9 minute prologue... Autumn in Rome... James Wong Howe DPing.

[Qrazy]

I love the synthrock score.

Ugh can't stand that stuff, primary reason I hate the 80's with a passion.

[soitgoes...]

Ugh can't stand that stuff, primary reason I hate the 80's with a passion.
QFT. Synth music in films almost always manages to lower my level of enjoyment.

[DavidSeven]

I can guarantee, it's shit, without having seen it.

I would have made a similar statement about the latest Harmony Korine film.

[Qrazy]

I would have made a similar statement about the latest Harmony Korine film.

Come on guys, they're both equally shit. Now doesn't everyone feel better?

[Raiders]

I thought the trailer looked great, and I think Tina Fey is one of the funniest people on the planet.

I agree with this.

[ledfloyd]

Wow...Blast of Silence was, well, delightful.

I was thinking of writing a little gimmick review, in the style of the narration by Lionel Stander.

Would anyone actually be interested in reading that?
I couldn't be any worse than the actual narration. I was expecting to love this, but I felt stuck in a choose your own adventure book.

[MacGuffin]

I would have made a similar statement about the latest Harmony Korine film.

Well, that's fascinating. I'm sure that Baby Mama is bound to split audiences right down the middle. Really provocative stuff!

[balmakboor]

QFT. Synth music in films almost always manages to lower my level of enjoyment.

I'm fine with most of them, but then I was in my early 20s when they were in fashion (I saw things like Scarface and To Live and Die in LA in theaters on opening night) and thus have a strong nostalgia thing going on. The only thing that gets to be too much is the music video montages. Yep, that one in Scarface is especially a doozy. I remember liking it back in the 80s though.

[Stay Puft]

I warned you!

Yeah, yeah, I know. :lol:

I watched SPL right after it, which was night and day. That is a goddamn ferocious action movie, at least when there is action. For the most part it is a decent, compelling drama, well grounded by Simon Yam, but when the action hits it hits right fucking hard, and Donnie and Sammo are on another goddamn plane of existence.

Yip doesn't strike me as a particularly interesting director (this is the only film I've seen him direct, I guess it's adequate, some of the stylistic choices do nothing for me), but seeing SPL back to back with Forbidden Kingdom is like, wow, those guys had no idea what the fuck they were doing. Or perhaps they did, and that's part of the problem, because Forbidden Kingdom is unquestionably Hollywood in aesthetic, with all the lack of cinematic art that that implies (at least where individual taste is concerned, I suppose, because I don't care for it).

[Melville]

I just watched The Ascent. It's a magnificent portrayal of faith, and a much better passion play than the Passion of the Christ. The moment when one soldier thaws out another's hair with his breath was perhaps the most sublime bit of humanism since the breastfeeding at the end of The Grapes of Wrath. And the use of snow to create an almost impermeable whiteness through which the characters move was terrific, providing some of the most striking imagery I can recall and working perfectly with the religious allegory.

[megladon8]

I couldn't be any worse than the actual narration. I was expecting to love this, but I felt stuck in a choose your own adventure book.


Lame.

I thought the narration was awesome.

It's like Sin City...but better.

[soitgoes...]

I couldn't be any worse than the actual narration. I was expecting to love this, but I felt stuck in a choose your own adventure book.


Lame.

I thought the narration was awesome.

It's like Sin City...but better.
Actually this was my biggest problem with the film. An interesting film, but definitely the naration derailed it.

[Bosco B Thug]

Yeah, The Life Aquatic is a much more challenging film than The Royal Tenenbaums - the characters are less schematized, their character arcs are unpredictable, and the film is wonderfully impolite at times. Despite that overly mannered eccentricity of his style and dialogue, certain characters like Zissou and the Cate Blanchett character are very well-drawn - they're unwholesome but have a poignance, and the film doesn't totally resolve their flaws and problems but just resolves to throw them a bone, a decision which has a surprising resonance. The dramatic conclusion of the film is a little vague and flimsy, though maybe it's just me and the arm's length Anderson's contrived visual whimsy puts me personally back by (is it intellectual prejudice?). I think Anderson's a fine, nuanced director, though, thinking back over his work, and thankfully there were less "over-directed" scenes here than in 'Tenenbaums.'

[Duncan]

The Jarmusch discussion inspired me to go watch Stranger Than Paradise. Loved it. Seems like the kind of film that could piss people off, but I found most of it pretty hilarious. A lot of affectations, sure, but if I may use a bit of an oxymoron, they were genuine affectations.

[Beau]

The Jarmusch discussion inspired me to go watch Stranger Than Paradise. Loved it. Seems like the kind of film that could piss people off, but I found most of it pretty hilarious. A lot of affectations, sure, but if I may use a bit of an oxymoron, they were genuine affectations.

It's been a very long time since I've seen that film. Since it was my first (and so far, only) Jarmusch, it took some time for me to get used to the editing style. Nevertheless, I grew to really enjoy the film and the relationship between the three leads. There seems to be a genuine connection between the trio, despite what communicative difficulties they may have with each other.

[Qrazy]

After watching Taxidermia and Hukkle (a while ago) I've concluded that Palfi is the new Gilliam/Jeunet/Caro with both their strengths and their weaknesses... he's more direct and raw in his approach than the other two... but he possesses that hyper-stylized visual inventiveness and ingenuity that mark their work as well as an element of caricature and a penchant for 'organic' humor... and a bizarre compulsion to be as disgusting as possible.

[Beau]

After watching Taxidermia and Hukkle (a while ago) I've concluded that Palfi is the new Gilliam/Jeunet/Caro with both their strengths and their weaknesses... he's more direct and raw in his approach than the other two... but he possesses that hyper-stylized visual inventiveness and ingenuity that mark their work as well as an element of caricature and a penchant for 'organic' humor... and a bizarre compulsion to be as disgusting as possible.

I've been wanting to watch Hukkle ever since some poster raved about it on RT, a few years ago. He made a thread, called it revolutionary, and told us all to go watch it. I put my fist up and said, "I'll get on with that!" Apparently, I'm still "getting on."

[Qrazy]

I've been wanting to watch Hukkle ever since some poster raved about it on RT, a few years ago. He made a thread, called it revolutionary, and told us all to go watch it. I put my fist up and said, "I'll get on with that!" Apparently, I'm still "getting on."

He's a very talented filmmaker, Taxidermia is a darkly hilarious, disturbing and insightful film as well... but start with Hukkle.

Oh and yeah that poster was the Pup I believe.

[Beau]

He's a very talented filmmaker, Taxidermia is a darkly hilarious, disturbing and insightful film as well... but start with Hukkle.

Oh and yeah that poster was the Pup I believe.

Yeah! That's right. He barely posts at RT anymore. Did he flee over here? A few 'legends' have. Some have different names, others have kept them (Grouchy, for instance). I'm having difficulty making matters out.

[origami_mustache]

He's a very talented filmmaker, Taxidermia is a darkly hilarious, disturbing and insightful film as well... but start with Hukkle.

Oh and yeah that poster was the Pup I believe.

Taxidermia was certainly disgusting yet interesting...I still need to watch Hukkle as well.

[Boner M]

Taxidermia has its moments... but I mostly found it relied on empty shock value (as much as I hate that term) and it brought my opinion of Hukkle down, which I found formally magnificent, but was ambivalent about its depth).

[origami_mustache]

Taxidermia has its moments... but I mostly found it relied on empty shock value

Yeah, I didn't find much to take away from this either, other than the bizarre and disgusting images and frivolous stylization, but that isn't to say I didn't like it.

[Boner M]

Yeah, I didn't find much to take away from this either, other than the bizarre and disgusting images and frivolous stylization, but that isn't to say I didn't like it.
It's certainly never boring, and Amon Tobin's score was great... but it left me feeling empty, and seemed to confirm my suspicion that Palfi is as a shallow huckster.

[Yxklyx]

Hukkle is amazing - perfect visual storytelling. Reminds me of Tati's work a bit. One of the few movies I've watched on succeeding days. There are two stories being told at the same time - the obvious one at the surface and the darker one underneath. Brilliant stuff!

[Qrazy]

I don't see how you can come away from either Hukkle or Taxidermia feeling that Palfi is a shallow filmmaker. A better term I think would be he's an overt (perhaps too much) filmmaker. His films lack emotional nuance and the metaphors are at times perhaps too explicit. Still every artistic choice he makes he does so with purpose and with an eye to the larger theme of the work.

I wouldn't call Jeunet or Gilliam shallow filmmakers either. All three of these directors obviously have a lot on their mind, they just choose to bury their ideas in the style and overall narrative. As I said though, he shares both their strengths and their weaknesses. Their fixation on and use of caricature tends to limit the emotional effectiveness of the films... also sometimes I feel like there's a bit too much disgust for the human creature and it's foibles which can get a little trying... and all three have a fairly adolescent sense of humor.

But no I don't think he's shallow and the shocking moments in his films, while overt in their thematic purpose are not actually that overly gratuitous or even that shocking, all the taboo pushing serves the themes of the film... unlike someone like Miike who does put nasty shit into his films for seemingly no reason (DoA: Bestiality, Endless enema, etc) Now Palfi certainly isn't developing some grand treatise on the nature of the nature of humanity here. He's not a brilliant filmmaker but his films are executed with care, creativity and intelligence.

I think I see what you mean in that sometimes his aim exceeds his reach (in the effectiveness of those overt metaphors to say something really insightful about humanity) but at least he executes his film with a sense of humor and without the pretension which can suffocate the work of other arthouse filmmakers. He doesn't take himself too seriously.

[Qrazy]

Hukkle is amazing - perfect visual storytelling. Reminds me of Tati's work a bit.

Ehh I don't really feel that much of a connection between him and Tati.

[Sycophant]

I'll be watching my first movie in 2.5 weeks tonight. It's Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I have almost no expectations for it. But I needed an excuse to visit the mall tonight.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'll be watching my first movie in 2.5 weeks tonight. It's Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I have almost no expectations for it. But I needed an excuse to visit the mall tonight.

Wooing a lady? That'd be the only reason I could see for visiting a mall.

[Sycophant]

Wooing a lady? That'd be the only reason I could see for visiting a mall....Video game store.

[Raiders]

Wooing a lady? That'd be the only reason I could see for visiting a mall.

Huh? I go to malls all the time. It's called shopping.

[Watashi]

I hate malls so much.

I buy nearly everything online. Yes, that includes socks and underwear.

[Beau]

I go to malls to remind myself why I should not go to malls.

[Raiders]

I'm starting to picture all of you as little social hermits. The pasty white guys glaring at everyone from the corner of the mall.

[Beau]

I'm starting to picture all of you as little social hermits. The pasty white guys glaring at everyone from the corner of the mall.

That is completely untrue. I'm not pasty white.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Huh? I go to malls all the time. It's called shopping.

Pssh. That's what the internet is for. Malls are for kids to hang out and feel like their older than they are. At least, that's how it goes in my crappy town.

[D_Davis]

I love malls.

Mall culture fascinates me.

They offer a sense of the familiar.

It's as if there is only one universal mall, and each mall in every town opens up into a section of the one universal mall through some kind of inter-dimensional teleportation or something. They share smells, stores, and ambiance.

I love going to different malls just to be reminded of how similar things really are.

And it's fun to watch the chicks.

[DavidSeven]

I thought malls were for kids who wear baggy black clothing and who claim they hate being social while loitering at the most social place a teenager could be.

[megladon8]

I like malls when I have money.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I thought malls were for kids who wear baggy black clothing and who claim they hate being social while loitering at the most social place a teenager could be.

This.

[Spinal]

I neither seek nor avoid malls. If ya gotta go, ya gotta go.

[Sycophant]

To date, I have spent the majority of my adult life working in a mall. I hate malls.

[Raiders]

I thought malls were for kids who wear baggy black clothing and who claim they hate being social while loitering at the most social place a teenager could be.

That's a great stereotype, isn't it?

[Sycophant]

That's a great stereotype, isn't it?****

[Raiders]

Pssh. That's what the internet is for. Malls are for kids to hang out and feel like their older than they are. At least, that's how it goes in my crappy town.

Last time I checked, I couldn't try anything on or play with anything technical while shopping online. Call me old fashioned, but for most things other than media types (books, movies, etc.) I like to see the product first hand before purchasing. Not so much for quality as to make sure it is exactly what I want (at my size, 5' 8", clothes can be a bit of trouble).

[DavidSeven]

That's a great stereotype, isn't it?

Hey, I also go to malls to when I need to. I rarely shop for anything online. I like to try on clothes before I buy them, and waiting a week for socks or underwear doesn't really make sense to me. It's a generalization for sure, but that's what I see when I'm there.

[Spinal]

300 was more hilarious than I could have hoped for. I humbly assert that it surpasses Passion of the Christ as the most uproarious comedy of the Fascist New Wave.

[MadMan]

I love malls.

Mall culture fascinates me.

They offer a sense of the familiar.

It's as if there is only one universal mall, and each mall in every town opens up into a section of the one universal mall through some kind of inter-dimensional teleportation or something. They share smells, stores, and ambiance.

I love going to different malls just to be reminded of how similar things really are.

And it's fun to watch the chicks.Actually there is a mall in my home town that is slowly dying. I've often thought about writing a paper about how its decay is similar to decay/death in other systems, but I'm just too lazy to go through with it.


I'm starting to picture all of you as little social hermits. The pasty white guys glaring at everyone from the corner of the mall.I'm a red head damnit. Of course I'm pale and white :P And when I go to malls I'm usually the loud obnoxious guy making snide comments and wandering around aimlessly.


I hate malls so much.

I buy nearly everything online. Yes, that includes socks and underwear.So do I. When my friends often drag me to malls I make note of this, although I guess one of their few purposes is that they result in a good walk. Plus all I can think about when entering a mall is the original Dawn of the Dead. There is one mall in Des Moines that I actually liked, but it wasn't a mall so much as a gigantic village full of stores. For the record though I too like to touch and feel something I'm buying, and I actually don't really trust online shopping because of that.


Yeah! That's right. He barely posts at RT anymore. Did he flee over here? A few 'legends' have. Some have different names, others have kept them (Grouchy, for instance). I'm having difficulty making matters out.Sadly no the Pup didn't come over here. I'm an ex-RTer along with everyone else here, but I'm no legend heh.


300 was more hilarious than I could have hoped for. I humbly assert that it surpasses Passion of the Christ as the most uproarious comedy of the Fascist New Wave.While I don't agree with you about it being part of Fascist New Wave (whatever the hell that means :lol: ) I do second your thoughts on it being hilarious. In fact I remain convinced that a great deal of it wasn't meant to be taken seriously, and its very over the top in a way that much of 80s beefcake action cinema is. This film is still in my Top 10 simply because I'm really behind in 2007 viewing (I've only seen roughly 15-17 films I think....)

[Spinal]

If you think 300 is funny now, imagine how funny it will be in 30 years.

[Grouchy]

I have a friend who works at a toy story in a mall. He called me for psychological help the night before Christmas Eve at 3 in the morning. I went there with another friend loaded with one whisky bottle and a cup of coffee. We gave the guy the coffee with some whisky in and then went to the bathroom to drink the rest. It was insanity. There were families in a shopping craze dragging their 4-year-olds who should be in bed hours ago. Rich skanks with fucking sunglasses inside a mall. People with strapped-on sirens advertising where the biggest sales were.

It was an extreme gonzo look at the dark side of shopping. I've never been able to look at a mall the same way.

[ledfloyd]

The Major and the Minor is an awesome first film. Great screwball comedy.

[Philosophe_rouge]

The Major and the Minor is an awesome first film. Great screwball comedy.
I can't wait to see this :(

[Spinal]

Just got my Region 5 Nightwatching DVD in the mail. Woot!

[ledfloyd]

I can't wait to see this :(
If I had to guess I'd say you'll dig it.

I was just thinking, I've seen 12 of Wilder's films and I've yet to be let down. The closest I've came was The Lost Weekend and Ace in the Hole, both of which improved on rewatches.

[Eleven]

300 (Snyder, 2006) *1/2

Neg rep for the half.

[Ezee E]

I work near a mall.

I really don't have a problem with it. If I need to get something on a whim, it's most likely there.

[megladon8]

Back to the mall talk for a sec...

I've never been able to understand people who buy musical instruments online.

My uncle has done this with all of his bass guitars, and has been disappointed in almost all of them, yet still doesn't see the error of his ways.

I would never, ever buy a guitar without having already played it first. I don't give two shits what a guitar looks like - if it feels like it's meant to be in my hands, that's what I go with.

[Eleven]

Neg rep for the half.

Sorry, I mean "NEG REP...for the HALF!!" *charges in slow motion*

[Spinal]

Sorry, I mean "NEG REP...for the HALF!!" *charges in slow motion*

But it's so funny! I would be lying if I said it wasn't somewhat watchable.

[transmogrifier]

And it's fun to watch the chicks.

This.

[Eleven]

But it's so funny! I would be lying if I said it wasn't somewhat watchable.

I agree. But watching it (it's too loud and boisterous to ignore), I just couldn't imagine anyone (filmmakers or audience) taking one iota of it seriously or thinking it "cool" or "dramatic." "Funny" would be a word for it, though.

[lovejuice]

back in thailand, mall is still the thing. due to the weather, outdoor shopping is not the best option there is. here in california, i avoid mall. a really good one can be fun to go to, but within this sunshine state they are all dying.

[monolith94]

If I had to guess I'd say you'll dig it.

I was just thinking, I've seen 12 of Wilder's films and I've yet to be let down. The closest I've came was The Lost Weekend and Ace in the Hole, both of which improved on rewatches.
I've made it through half of Irma La Douce, but I'm not sure if I can make it through to the end...

[MacGuffin]

Hurray! Netflix sent me 5 Centimeters per Second (which was first on my list) over Hitman even though the former had a very long wait. What do you think of it?

[MadMan]

Neg rep for the half.*Gave the film a 85/100....slowly wanders off*


If you think 300 is funny now, imagine how funny it will be in 30 years.In 30 years it will be regarded just like the 80s action beefcake films are right now.

Anyways I saw Harvey yesterday. What a gloriously fun, light hearted and well made comedy. Jimmy Stewart actually gives one of his best performances here, as he embodies Elwood with the right touch of delightful warm spirit without appearing annoying or really cheesy. Although I think only certain parts where really all that funny, much of the film (especially the finale) left me with a gigantic smile on my face. I think the best moment in the entire film is when Elwood states the following set of lines: "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

[megladon8]

Glad you liked Harvey, MadMan.

It's wonderful.

One of the few feel good movies that isn't horrible cheese. The first time I saw it, it made me want ot be a better person - I think that says a lot about a film's power and importance.

[Melville]

I think I might be having the best movie-watching streak of my life. God bless the internet.

[DavidSeven]

I think I might be having the best movie-watching streak of my life. God bless the internet.

Maybe you should keep watching movies that start with "the."

[DrewG]

I wrote a really long winded review of 88 Minutes ripping it to shreds...summary: it's not even stupid fun after a while. I probably won't post it here just because, well, it's 88 Fucking Minutes people.

Re-watched Metropolis however and finally saw the more definitive version (static images to fill everything, good descriptions of missing scenes, other version I saw missed this stuff) and I loved it even more this time around. For 1927 it's just so damn epic and hypnotizing, and I still love the whole theme of the son finding out and going against a father's power and evil.

[Sycophant]

I think I might be having the best movie-watching streak of my life. God bless the internet.I say God damn the Internet. It's in the Bible.

[Boner M]

Weekend viewings, minus DVDs I own and have promised to watch for the last few weeks but haven't:

The Phenix City Story
La Grande Bouffe
Coffy
The Edge of Heaven
The Painted Veil

[Spinal]

Initial reaction is that Nightwatching is a fairly substantial disappointment. Strong lead performance from Martin Freeman, but in many ways it feels like a shell of a Greenaway film. A few captivating visuals, but not nearly as much as usual. The script sorta kinda has a puzzle along the lines of The Draughtsman's Contract, but not a terribly compelling one. It lacks the wit and dry humor that typically balances the highbrow academic stuff. Supporting characters are barely existent. Lots and lots of stuff that feels more essay than cinema. (As per usual, the detractors might say. But typically there is enough dramatic thrust, artistic experimentation or tantalizing game playing to sustain interest. Not so here.) I may watch it one more time to see if that helps. Then again, I might not.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I really have no problem with 300. It seems to be exactly the film it wants to be - a gloriously one-dimensional ode to machismo and bloodletting.

But I'm still confused by the film's curious motif of deformity in its villains. The traitor is deformed. The "elders" are deformed. The immortals are deformed. The big mutant soldiers are deformed. The harem is full of deformed women. I can't say it's surprising, since the film seems to reach for motifs that make archetypes seem deep, but I don't really dig it.

Then again, what exactly were picture-perfect Aragorn and Legolas facing? Wildly disgusting Orcs that looked like (a) overcooked Rastafarians or (b) Sloth from Goonies.

Ah well.

[DrewG]

I remember giving 300 a friendly 6 but now I feel like upon extra thought my feelings on it have dipped. DaMU, you make a really good point about the villains, though I don't think it was anything deep, just a way to make the villains more noticeable and different against our very obvious heroes. Just creates a deeper contrast.

My reviews here: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?journalid=346 678&entryid=406776&view=public

I guess a big annoyance for me was this:

But is Leonidas even fighting the good fight? We’re beaten over the head to believe that the Spartans are supporters of freedom, non-tyranny, honor, democracy and the like but we’re never really given reasons to like them or believe what they’re saying is even true. Let’s see what we’re told about the Spartans: they throw newborn babies off cliffs if they don’t fit battle criteria, force children to bloody each other and kick inept (though threatening) enemy messengers into strategically placed bottomless pits. 300 sells the Spartans as warriors of nobility but I don’t understand how anyone can buy it. One would say they are honorable because they defend their values and cultural “norms” but when their beliefs are so backwards it’s hard to be supportive. Let’s face it: they’re as depraved and crazy as the Persians, only a whole lot more badass.

or

At its absolute worst 300 makes redundancy an art form. The battle scenes are exciting blitzkriegs of gory mayhem when they finally kick in but soon evoke an overwhelming sense of déjÃ* vu. There’s an immeasurable amount of overly dramatized speeches preaching the Spartans courageousness and ability for beating the odds but they didn’t get me pumped to see people get shredded, only curious as to how many times the screenwriters had obviously written the same thing over and over again.

I find all this a bit weird, considering I really enjoy Sin City, though I guess they're such different movies because of their time period and genre, only drawn together by unique art styles and the author they're based on..

[Spinal]

Yes, I guess I don't understand what it means to 'fight as a free man' when you are raised from birth to die on a battlefield. I was also bewildered by Leonidas' claims to be on the side of reason.

[Dead & Messed Up]

My ultimate question about 300 is: do you think the Persian knew what was going on with the big fucking hole in the ground? I mean, they were walking toward it slowly, methodically, and you know that, somewhere deep in the back of his mind, the Persian's thinking, "I really hope this guy doesn't kick me into that big fucking hole."

[DrewG]

My ultimate question about 300 is: do you think the Persian knew what was going on with the big fucking hole in the ground? I mean, they were walking toward it slowly, methodically, and you know that, somewhere deep in the back of his mind, the Persian's thinking, "I really hope this guy doesn't kick me into that big fucking hole."

Some serious :lol: here.

[Spinal]

I also liked how the Spartans referred to themselves as Spartans at every opportunity.

"Well, as a Spartan father and a Spartan warrior who is married to a Spartan woman, it is important to raise my Spartan child according to Spartan law and make sure than he learns Spartan ideals and Spartan ethics so that the glorious day will come when he can fight in a Spartan army alongside his Spartan brothers. That is the Spartan way."

I might be paraphrasing.

[DrewG]

I also liked how the Spartans referred to themselves as Spartans at every opportunity.

"Well, as a Spartan father and a Spartan warrior who is married to a Spartan woman, it is important to raise my Spartan child according to Spartan law and make sure than he learns Spartan ideals and Spartan ethics so that the glorious day will come when he can fight in a Spartan army alongside his Spartan brothers. That is the Spartan way."

I might be paraphrasing.

THIS IS....SPARTA!

:cry:

[Mysterious Dude]

I thought 300 was entertaining enough to give three stars to. :cool:

[D_Davis]

For some reason, I never want to see 300.

I just can't imagine a moment in time where watching this would be exactly what I would want to do.

Of course I thought the same thing about Beowulf, and I ended up renting that POS.

So I guess the moral of the story is to never say never!

[Raiders]

Ride Lonesome (Boetticher, 1959) **½

Bah. BAH, I say.

[Ezee E]

Eh. 300 is a movie that has a few good fight scenes. Fast-forward through the rest.

I'll still continue to check out Zack Snyder's future efforts.

[megladon8]

Like Antoine, I thought 300 was entertaining fare.

[Grouchy]

You guys need to give 300 a fucking break. It's a pretty entertaining movie.

And the villains are deformed because they haven't been selected to be the best of their kin like the Spartans - nobody threw them into bottomless pits as babies.

[lovejuice]

i enjoy 300 but since we're picking it apart, my two cent is the premise led us to believe those 300 soldiers were their last resort. turn out, the spartan are just too screwed up politically to mobilize their troops. so much for the descendants of hercules!

[Spinal]

You guys have to be kidding me. 300 is gleeful in celebrating its own idiocy. Seriously, I thought it was Mystery Science Theater level of dopey.

[D_Davis]

I bet that The Samurai Jack episode about the 300 is a gojillion times better than the movie.

[Qrazy]

For some reason, I never want to see 300.

I just can't imagine a moment in time where watching this would be exactly what I would want to do.

Of course I thought the same thing about Beowulf, and I ended up renting that POS.

So I guess the moral of the story is to never say never!

It seems more like the moral is trust your gut cause you were right all along and I agree with you.

[MadMan]

I bet that The Samurai Jack episode about the 300 is a gojillion times better than the movie.Duh. That's because Samurai Jack is utterly amazing. I'm still puzzled as to why Cartoon Network ended the show, unless the creators quit or something.

Only on Match-cut do people seriously discuss and dissect 300. Heh.

Weekend:

*The Gold Rush(1925)
*The Great Dictator(1940)

I got both from my local library-I finally got a library card on Tuesday, the day that I had to take my laptop downtown to get fixed.

TCM Viewings:

*My Favorite Spy(1951)
*Brannigan(1975)
*Paths of Glory(1957)-if I actually wake up in the morning....
*La Roue(1922)

[Philosophe_rouge]

Weekend
Spoorloos (1988)
Last Year at Marienbad
Pierrot le fou

Probably something else too

[Eleven]

You guys have to be kidding me. 300 is gleeful in celebrating its own idiocy. Seriously, I thought it was Mystery Science Theater level of dopey.

Rifftraxroll (http://youtube.com/watch?v=V2Bbwj3P4C4).

[Sycophant]

Only on Match-cut do people seriously discuss and dissect 300. Heh. You're right, there does need to be more places where people look at movies like 300 and not allow arguments like "Aw, c'mon, dudes, it's just entertainment!" to pass for discussion.

*grumbles in a sour mood*

Anyway, 300 was pretty terrible. Maybe I need to have my testicles examined or something, because I didn't find the fight sequences particularly inspiring. As such, there was really nothing left for me besides its obvious and ham-fisted parallels to modern America and her enemies, replete with all the disturbing, nauseating fascism-cum-freedom supertext.

And Dominic West acting very, very badly. That hurt.

[Sycophant]

I really knew almost nothing about Forgettting Sarah Marshall except that it was written and starring Jason Segel and produced by Judd Apatow. It was a different movie than I was expecting, better in some ways, worse in some others. I think it's over-resolved and that's its most major downfall. But I mostly enjoyed it.

Movies that open with Cake songs also get a +1 from me.

[Spinal]

Rifftraxroll (http://youtube.com/watch?v=V2Bbwj3P4C4).

Who took my happy mask? :lol:

[Spinal]

Only on Match-cut do people seriously discuss and dissect 300. Heh.


Was the discussion that serious? I can get much more in depth if you want to. I haven't even touched on the film's wrong-headed politics, misogyny and racism. I figured I'd spare you all that.

[Wryan]

replete with all the disturbing, nauseating fascism-cum-freedom supertext.

This is doubly appropriate.

[megladon8]

300 isn't racist.

It's misogynist, but it ain't racist.

[Sycophant]

Nah, it's pretty much racist--jingoistic in a pro-white/Spartan/American and anti-brown/Persian/Iranian, if you'd prefer. But I'm comfortable with rounding that up to racist. If anything redeems its racism, it's that the movie's too stupid to really say anything about it.

[Eleven]

300 isn't racist.

It's misogynist, but it ain't racist.

Oh, let's not fight about it. It can be all those and more!

[megladon8]

Nah, it's pretty much racist--jingoistic in a pro-white/Spartan/American and anti-brown/Persian/Iranian, if you'd prefer. But I'm comfortable with rounding that up to racist. If anything redeems its racism, it's that the movie's too stupid to really say anything about it.


Once again, we ignore the fact that the Spartans were white, perfection-obsessed semi-Nazis, and the Persians were "brown".

The movie's a far cry from being historically accurate, but this part is.

And I'm not arguing this anymore. I did it enough when the movie first came out.

[ledfloyd]

Why does Bull Durham have a reputation as one of the best sports movies ever? It might be one of the worst I've seen.

[Sycophant]

Once again, we ignore the fact that the Spartans were white, perfection-obsessed semi-Nazis, and the Persians were "brown".

The movie's a far cry from being historically accurate, but this part is.

And I'm not arguing this anymore. I did it enough when the movie first came out.
I understand that you won't want to back and forth on this, and I probably don't really want to either, but the reason the movie comes off as racist isn't that the Persians are the villains, but the way they're depicted as a people, particularly in contrast to the portrayal of the "perfection-obsessed semi-Nazis" that are the Spartans, with which the film wants the audience's sympathies to rest with unquestioningly.

There are choices made in the depiction and translation of certain historical or textual accuracies when adapted to film. There's also the choice in telling a story as a film altogether. And the end result of these decisions was something I found deplorable on a number of levels.

*shrugs*

[Qrazy]

I think that whole... reverse effect of panning a movie... is taking place here... I kind of feel like watching 300 now.

[Spinal]

See Madman ... now that's serious discussion and dissection of 300. :)