28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Qrazy]

I don't think Birth of a Nation would be a better movie without the racism. I think it would be a more morally correct movie, which is not the same.

I find greater moral complexity and a more nuanced perception of individuals (rather than the good/bad) tends to make for more compelling, insightful and meritorious (narrative) art. George Kelly's 'construct' complexity theory for personality psychology provides a potent semi-relativistic, constructivist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivist_epistemology) model of comprehension that I find can be usefully applied to the thematic 'goodness' of art (formal concerns are separate although also similar in terms of nuance of execution)... such that greater construct complexity is often ultimately more rewarding.

[Qrazy]

And I'm guessing that by patriarchal visual language iosos just means that everyone is drawing from the same sources of film innovators - Griffith, Eisenstein, Vertov, etc. and they're all male. If you mean anything different, sorry.

Right but being influenced by past male directors doesn't say anything at all about the potential for 'feminist' cinema to retain it's erm... 'femininity'. Again, one doesn't have to reinvent the wheel to make a different car... or start a new language to get people to stop referring to God as a he or to make other similar gender neutral adjustments.

[Qrazy]

I thought of another director/actor match-up that's rarely mentioned...

Kusturica - Slavko Stimac

Life is a Miracle was quite good. I heart Kusturica. He reminds me a bit of Herzog... they share the same craziness but Kusturica I find has a much more optimistic outlook on things. I mean who doesn't love an ass saving the day?

[Qrazy]

Well I just watched 300.

So... 300 vs. Sin City

Rate both.

[Bosco B Thug]

I've seen it. It's alright. Sort of devolves into exactly what you expect it to be. That is, religion and rich people are creepy. Well, what better point to make? :P No, I see what you're saying about the film.

More people here should see Joshua. It reminds me of this film. Both films kinda devolve into rather over-the-top and gratuitous displays of depravity in order to make their mean little point, and then they sort of have the same mean little point too: they both work very effectively to devalue normal social values (i.e. bourgeoisie ones, religious ones) by subordinating the societal non-issue that is homosexuality beneath real issues of social ills and upbringing.


I find it hard to imagine things that could be done to Birth of a Nation that would make the actual thing worse... Agreed. With all due respect to relativism, I see no amount of formal reading into the ideologic precision of The Birth of a Nation would make it any less laughable a film than it is. John Ford is apparently more complicated though.

Fascinating debate, by the way, being played well on both sides. Not quite sure about "working outside of the system" in regards to "cinematic language," though, then the citing of a "feminist movement." What "systems" of cinematic language are there? We have genre, maybe. Documentary filmmaking. Then technology (animation, CG, digital video and verite), and then we have market divides: independent, art/avant garde, and then commoditized mainstream/niche output. African American movements, international cultural movements, all those movements and "New Waves" that Film History courses depend on, and the idea of a "feminist movement" - they all will really just fall into one of those "systems." A real "feminist movement" in cinema, that which comes to the point of "altering" it, would have to be in the industry system itself, no? Because movies (and any debates on their "moral relativism") aren't what causes further movie movements. They come after-the-fact and in (conscious or unconscious) response to the real-world societal alterations being indoctrinated (whether conservative or Left-wing, to avoid that double-standard of PC-ness iosos is arguing agianst) at the time, or the noticing of them. Are things not pretty good already, outside of Hollywood? What with technology and an industry market for independent art cinema now allowing "out there" female filmmakers like Breillat and Asia Argento to make movies?

[Derek]

I'll get my High Hopes thoughts up before iosos request's 'em:

Leigh's deck-stacking may be at its most overt and, at times, obnoxious, but the sheer humanity and tender compassion he mines from the Cyril/Shirley relationship alone makes up for the diminishing returns of his upper class caricatures. The see-saw of high hopes and bleak moments create Leigh's typical blend of sadness, anger, humility and despair. At times, the viciousness towards the elitist Thatcherites seems warranted, especially when carefully balanced with the humor of their values mirrored in the lower class wannabe social climber Valerie, but the film could certainly be more rounded and effective had every character been fully fleshed out regardless of social status. Still, like most of Leigh's social dramas, the good outweighs the bad.

[Derek]

Well I just watched 300.

So... 300 vs. Sin City

Rate both.

I graciously gave both * and soon after regretted not going lower.

[Duncan]

Are things not pretty good already, outside of Hollywood? What with technology and an industry market for independent art cinema now allowing "out there" female filmmakers like Breillat and Asia Argento to make movies?

The number of female directors is still inordinately low compared to male directors, even among "out there" directors.

[Duncan]

Well I just watched 300.

So... 300 vs. Sin City

Rate both.

Why? It'd be like rating horseshit and bullshit.

[Derek]

Why? It'd be like rating horseshit and bullshit.

I immediately thought of the douche vs. turd sandwich South Park episode, but same difference.

[trotchky]

Well I just watched 300.

So... 300 vs. Sin City

Rate both.

Sin City is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. I haven't seen 300.

[Qrazy]

Why? It'd be like rating horseshit and bullshit.

So rate horseshit and bullshit, which do you prefer? It's a bit of a mix for me. I prefer horses asses but bulls shit.

[balmakboor]

I'll simply say -- because I'm tired and headed to bed cause I have to get up early and help kids make breakfast in bed -- that The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is one great movie. My wife and I were thoroughly captivated by it.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Well I just watched 300.

So... 300 vs. Sin City

Rate both.
I've only seen Sin City. I found it so incredibly lifeless, the parts that mildly offended me aren't even worth mentioning. I HATE the visual style to boot. Just an unengaging boring film.

[monolith94]

I loved Sin City.

[megladon8]

Sin City - 8.5
300 - 6.5

[EyesWideOpen]

Sin City - A+
300 - B-

[Winston*]

Stardst- Not really much of anything but enjoyable enough. Could have done with giving the lead characters personalities and much less music.

Jason Flemyng, there's a guy I always like seeing in movies.

[Mysterious Dude]

Sin City - *½
300 - ***

[balmakboor]

I've only seen Sin City. I found it so incredibly lifeless, the parts that mildly offended me aren't even worth mentioning. I HATE the visual style to boot. Just an unengaging boring film.

I liked the visual style and found it anything but unengaging and boring. Still, for me, it was definitely one of those see it once and move on kinda films.

[Melville]

Sin City - 3
300 - 1

[lovejuice]

upon viewing, i much prefer Sin City. although right now if i have to pick one to watch, i'll go with 300. that movie is like a fast-food.

[DrewG]

Sin City 8
300 5

Sin City Actually uses the digital effects to create some atmosphere and grit in the city...300 reall doesn't do much of anything. What is going for, the beauty of battle? Doesn't work.

[Sycophant]

Sin City - 89
300 - 18

[dreamdead]

People weren't kidding when they said how the screenwriter of Tokyo Story was influenced by Make Way for Tomorrow. The latter film is an exquisite account of the mundane, exploring how these quotidian details of the elderly ravage the already-frayed relationship they share with their adult children. While there was something tender about Ozu's integration of the selfless Setsuko Hara into the mix, McCarey achieves a different sense by limiting the parents to complete and total abandonment, save for Bark's newspaper friend. The last 20 minutes are quietly devastating, and McCarey works his framing with simple assurance throughout. Solid in every way, and a wonderful testimony to McCarey's study of cinema.

[megladon8]

upon viewing, i much prefer Sin City. although right now if i have to pick one to watch, i'll go with 300. that movie is like a fast-food.


That's probably the best review I have read for 300.

[Grouchy]

Sin City - 8
300 - 7

[Rowland]

Determinism vs. Free Will: Why Gone Baby Gone was one of last year's most overlooked movies. (http://www.24liesasecond.com/site2/index.php?page=2&task=index_onearticle.php&Column_Id=90)

[number8]

Sin City - 7.5
300 - 3

[Ezee E]

Sin City - 7.5
300 - 6 (although for a proper score, I should watch it again, but why?)

[Russ]

People weren't kidding when they said how the screenwriter of Tokyo Story was influenced by Make Way for Tomorrow. The latter film is an exquisite account of the mundane, exploring how these quotidian details of the elderly ravage the already-frayed relationship they share with their adult children. While there was something tender about Ozu's integration of the selfless Setsuko Hara into the mix, McCarey achieves a different sense by limiting the parents to complete and total abandonment, save for Bark's newspaper friend. The last 20 minutes are quietly devastating, and McCarey works his framing with simple assurance throughout. Solid in every way, and a wonderful testimony to McCarey's study of cinema.
Those final 20 minutes rank among my absolute favorite bits of cinema ever.

You couldn't have picked a better day to watch it.

[Qrazy]

Bram Stoker's Dracula sucked so much.

[Raiders]

Bram Stoker's Dracula sucked so much.

I liked it.

[balmakboor]

Bram Stoker's Dracula sucked so much.

In spite of Keanu Reeves and a rather clunky script by James V. Hart who also treated us to the rather clunky script for Hook, BSD is one of my all-time top guilty pleasures. (Or actually, I don't feel much guilt for liking it.)

[Rowland]

In spite of Keanu Reeves and a rather clunky script by James V. Hart who also treated us to the rather clunky script for Hook, BSD is one of my all-time top guilty pleasures. (Or actually, I don't feel much guilt for liking it.)Ditto. I don't think the movie actually works, in the sense that the drama and romance absolutely fail to convincingly register, but it's all so deliriously baroque that it entertains the hell out of me all the same.

[Russ]

High Tension (Alexandre Aja, 2003) ***
Interesting that you rate this higher than Iron Man (near universal acclaim, etc), and I'm curious: what exactly about this film do you like? Nearly every discussion centers around the "reveal", but I keep pointing to Aja's skill in other areas: sound design, for one. Purely from a technical sense, that area is on a par with stuff like the cinematography in Wolf Creek. I mean, regardless of how one feels about the narrative, you can't deny the skill involved in putting together certain aspects of the film. Fwiw, I wasn't crazy about the ending, either; but I loved how it was constructed. Btw, I haven't seen the Hills remake.

[Qrazy]

I liked it.

I couldn't handle the garishness of the entire affair... particularly when it crept beyond the art design and into the film itself... oh god the dissolves.

[Rowland]

Interesting that you rate this higher than Iron Man (near universal acclaim, etc), and I'm curious: what exactly about this film do you like? Nearly every discussion centers around the "reveal", but I keep pointing to Aja's skill in other areas: sound design, for one. Purely from a technical sense, that area is on a par with stuff like the cinematography in Wolf Creek. I mean, regardless of how one feels about the narrative, you can't deny the skill involved in putting together certain aspects of the film. Fwiw, I wasn't crazy about the ending, either; but I loved how it was constructed. Btw, I haven't seen the Hills remake.Well sure, the filmmaking in High Tension is far more involving and arresting than Favreau's meat-and-potatoes approach. I just find it to be a skillfully rendered exercise in austere nastiness, and I think it's smarter than it's given credit for.

[number8]

It has Tom Waits.

[Benny Profane]

In spite of Keanu Reeves and a rather clunky script by James V. Hart who also treated us to the rather clunky script for Hook, BSD is one of my all-time top guilty pleasures. (Or actually, I don't feel much guilt for liking it.)

Keanu was bad, but let's not forget about Anthony Hopkins, who was way worse.

I enjoy the film a lot, actually. Oldman is fantastic. Winona looks great.

[Winston*]

It has Tom Waits.

I think the only reason Tom Waits in in that movie is so people can say Tom Waits in in that movie. Kind of like Bowie in The Prestige.

[Qrazy]

I think the only reason Tom Waits in in that movie is so people can say Tom Waits in in that movie. Kind of like Bowie in The Prestige.

Bowie's character actually served an important purpose however while Waits' character served a marginal purpose at best.

[Winston*]

Apparenly Nolan considered Bowie the only person who was capable of playing that part. The only actor in the entire world. Like, if they were only able to get Gary Oldman or Iggy Pop or someone to play Nikola Tesla, they would have just scrapped the movie.

[Grouchy]

Interesting that you rate this higher than Iron Man (near universal acclaim, etc), and I'm curious: what exactly about this film do you like? Nearly every discussion centers around the "reveal", but I keep pointing to Aja's skill in other areas: sound design, for one. Purely from a technical sense, that area is on a par with stuff like the cinematography in Wolf Creek. I mean, regardless of how one feels about the narrative, you can't deny the skill involved in putting together certain aspects of the film. Fwiw, I wasn't crazy about the ending, either; but I loved how it was constructed. Btw, I haven't seen the Hills remake.
It's true, and I also noticed how much the sound enriched the suspense of the movie. It's a very crafty and skillful film, but the problem is not that the ending is bad on itself, it's that it renders everything that happens before pointless and fake. It drastically changed how I felt about the movie - I love the killer's first attack on the house, for example. Vintage hardball Horror.

[Qrazy]

Apparenly Nolan considered Bowie the only person who was capable of playing that part. The only actor in the entire world. Like, if they were only able to get Gary Oldman or Iggy Pop or someone to play Nikola Tesla, they would have just scrapped the movie.

You seem irritated by this... want to hug it out?

[Winston*]

You seem irritated by this... want to hug it out?

If by "hug it out" you mean "have cybersex with you", then yes.

[megladon8]

Yes, it's not like it's the first time a role has been written for a specific actor.

[Winston*]

Yes, it's not like it's the first time a role has been written for a specific actor.

Anyone could have played that role. Tom Selleck could have played it, he's already got the damn moustache.

[megladon8]

Anyone could have played that role. Tom Selleck could have played it, he's already got the damn moustache.


And anyone could have played that little girl in your avatar.

Orlando Bloom already has the female features.

But would he play it well?

[MacGuffin]

I am 85% sure this (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3740533017/) will be a good movie. Is that percentage too high? I think it could have some pretty disturbing imagery, which is one of the things that allow me to remember horror movies for a while.

[chrisnu]

Sin City - 6
300 - 3

Raiders, have you written anything about Southern Comfort? I just watched it and I think I might love it, and am going to watch it again. I'd enjoy reading your thoughts.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I am 85% sure this (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3740533017/) will be a good movie. Is that percentage too high? I think it could have some pretty disturbing imagery, which is one of the things that allow me to remember horror movies for a while.

I like the seemingly minimalist approach, but I'm not a fan of random acts of violence. The previews insinuate an approach where there's little to no motivation for these people. Like Funny Games without the attempted cleverness.

[MacGuffin]

I like the seemingly minimalist approach, but I'm not a fan of random acts of violence. The previews insinuate an approach where there's little to no motivation for these people. Like Funny Games without the attempted cleverness.

With something like this though, I approach it looking for a general sense of dread. I'm hoping it's good because perhaps, for once, a horror trailer will serve it's purpose and will hint at how the movie actually is (which is to say, start to finish fucked up images). However, even if I'm not going to be particularly nitpicky about the subject matter, the fact that it's inspired by a true stories that gets no accurate Google hits leaves me unsure of whether the trailer is just nonsense or not.

[Qrazy]

I am 85% sure this (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3740533017/) will be a good movie. Is that percentage too high? I think it could have some pretty disturbing imagery, which is one of the things that allow me to remember horror movies for a while.

Ehh looks like the usual crapola to me... lightings ok but I see nothing particularly interesting about any of the compositions.

[MacGuffin]

Ehh looks like the usual crapola to me... lightings ok but I see nothing particularly interesting about any of the compositions.

Yeah, maybe you're right. I guess I put too much hope in the fact that America will, at some point, start making decent horror movies again like they used to. There's always a chance that it could be good, however.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I am 85% sure this (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3740533017/) will be a good movie. Is that percentage too high? I think it could have some pretty disturbing imagery, which is one of the things that allow me to remember horror movies for a while.
I have some hope for it, which is more than I can say for most Hollywood-released horrors. So I'll see it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Oh yeah! I saw The Fall today. It was fantastic visually, and the story wasn't too shabby either. Some of it seemed a little too schmaltzy, but that's just a little, mind you. The two main performances were well-done, as well.

[Mysterious Dude]

The previews insinuate an approach where there's little to no motivation for these people.
I bet it turns out that at least one of the two victims (probably the guy) deserves to be killed for having previously wronged the killers somehow.

[MacGuffin]

I bet it turns out that at least one of the two victims (probably the guy) deserves to be killed for having previously wronged the killers somehow.

Well, at the end of the trailer they say their motive is because they're "home".

[number8]

I'll admit that the posters and tralers show off some fantastically creepy visuals, but I was at Comic Con last year and they had Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman and the director. Worst panel of the con. Tyler seemed like she just wanted to be in it because it's a horror movie, Speedman looked bored, and the director came across as a spoiled douche. On top of that, they showed two extended clips from the film and they were uber-shitty; like a lazy Aja. Frankly, I give big props to the trailer people, because when I saw it, I actually went "Hmm, looks pretty goo-- HEY! This is the crappy-ass movie from Comic Con last year?"

[MacGuffin]

On top of that, they showed two extended clips from the film and they were uber-shitty; like a lazy Aja.

Unfortunate, but I don't think it's fair to judge two clips since they're out of context.

[number8]

Unfortunate, but I don't think it's fair to judge two clips since they're out of context.

Usually, sure. But they were clips of when the "strangers" first started breaking in and a clip of when they start to fight back. As in, the scary parts. If the crucial scary parts are shitty, it's kind of a pretty good indication of the overall movie. Plus, I'm pretty sure I got the gist of the context. The movie really is as plotless as the trailers make it out to be. They're just a couple at home. Someone rings the door bell. Horror starts.

[MacGuffin]

Usually, sure. But they were clips of when the "strangers" first started breaking in and a clip of when they start to fight back. As in, the scary parts. If the crucial scary parts are shitty, it's kind of a pretty good indication of the overall movie. Plus, I'm pretty sure I got the gist of the context. The movie really is as plotless as the trailers make it out to be. They're just a couple at home. Someone rings the door bell. Horror starts.

Fair enough; I guess I'll just stick with renting Frontier(s) and Ils next weekend.

[megladon8]

Clipper Ship Captain, have you seen Session 9?

Looking for a good, off-the-beaten-track horror flick, check that one out.

[Qrazy]

Unfortunate, but I don't think it's fair to judge two clips since they're out of context.

I dunno i find that 90 percent of the time I can judge the approximate calibur of the film based on just a couple scenes or a couple minutes of film... the exceptions are when the director fucks up a good movie with a shitty ending.

[Qrazy]

Clipper Ship Captain, have you seen Session 9?

Looking for a good, off-the-beaten-track horror flick, check that one out.

I'll second this recommendation.

[Mysterious Dude]

Well, at the end of the trailer they say their motive is because they're "home".
If that were really the only motivation, I doubt the trailer would give it away.

Plus, they wrote "killer" on the window. I think that's probably significant.

[MacGuffin]

Clipper Ship Captain, have you seen Session 9?

Looking for a good, off-the-beaten-track horror flick, check that one out.

Yeah man, that's a great one. I saw it about two years ago and it stuck with me real nicely (in particular, a scene where he finds some sort of buried treasure in an underground hallway, only to hear some on the other end). I should watch it again sometime though; I was meaning to.

[MacGuffin]

I dunno i find that 90 percent of the time I can judge the approximate calibur of the film based on just a couple scenes or a couple minutes of film... the exceptions are when the director fucks up a good movie with a shitty ending.

I don't think it's possible to completely ruin a movie because of an ending unless your name is Stefan Avalos or Lance Weiler and you just made The Last Broadcast.

[MacGuffin]

If that were really the only motivation, I doubt the trailer would give it away.

Plus, they wrote "killer" on the window. I think that's probably significant.

I guess we'll have to see the movie to find out. ;)

[Mysterious Dude]

Movies that would probably be in my top 100 if they had better endings:

The Last Laugh
The Woman in the Window

[megladon8]

I don't know if it was due to the audience I was watching it with - friends who kept groaning at all the emotional moments, and yawning / watch-checking when things weren't blowing up - but The Professional (Besson) was kind of disappointing last night.

Which is really sad, because it's one I adored when I saw it several years ago. I loved it so much I watched it like 9 times in a row...I think I even included it in my top 25.

But man. These years weren't friendly.

I would like to watch it again in a month or so, by myself.

[monolith94]

Oh yeah! I saw The Fall today. It was fantastic visually, and the story wasn't too shabby either. Some of it seemed a little too schmaltzy, but that's just a little, mind you. The two main performances were well-done, as well.

Why oh why does this have to be a limited release??? :sad:

[Qrazy]

I really have to stop watching 80's films. I always come away wishing I'd shot myself in the face instead.

[Qrazy]

I don't think it's possible to completely ruin a movie because of an ending unless your name is Stefan Avalos or Lance Weiler and you just made The Last Broadcast.

I polled people for a few titles of films they felt were significantly harmed by their endings a week or two ago... don't remember all the titles that came up... Red River was one uhh... there were 5-10 of 'em. *shrug*

[Dead & Messed Up]

Why oh why does this have to be a limited release??? :sad:

The theater I saw it in was actually kind of empty. A real shame, too. Few directors really make their work look like moving art, but Tarsem does it effortlessly.

Hopefully its lack of business will mean a quicker DVD release.

[transmogrifier]

I really have to stop watching 80's films. I always come away wishing I'd shot myself in the face instead.

I'm surprised this statement is limited to just the 80s.

[Qrazy]

I'm surprised this statement is limited to just the 80s.

F = failure
D = below average
C = average
B = above average
A = excellent

To Live and Die in LA could have been a good film if it had been made in the 70's with I dunno Conrad Hall DP'ing. Some brain dead character choices, a terrible synth score and the 80's lazy, close camera aesthetic are what kill it.

[MacGuffin]

C = average
B = above average

To Live and Die in LA could have been a good film if it had been made in the 70's with I dunno Conrad Hall DP'ing.

Yeah, I don't really see you as dismissive as, say, NickGlass. But you're more vocal about dismissing a given movie, so take that as you will. I have nothing against now that I know your Brakhage comments were merely an allusion to Dave Chappelle.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, I don't really see you as dismissive as, say, NickGlass. But you're more vocal about dismissing a given movie, so take that as you will. I have nothing against now that I know your Brakhage comments were merely an allusion to Dave Chappelle.

Yeah I love lots of films I just don't like to give out the top grade often because I find it devalues it for the films that I think truly earn it. If I give everything I like 9's and 10's then the stuff I love I have to give 11's and 12's.

[MacGuffin]

Yeah I love lots of films I just don't like to give out the top grade often because I find it devalues it for the films that I think truly earn it. If I give everything I like 9's and 10's then the stuff I love I have to give 11's and 12's.

That's usually how I feel also, but it's too complicated for me, so I just grade out of four with no halves when I put stuff in my screening log (less thought for the ratings, more thought for the writings, assuming I ever get to those :cry:).

[Qrazy]

That's usually how I feel also, but it's too complicated for me, so I just grade out of four with no halves when I put stuff in my screening log (less thought for the ratings, more thought for the writings, assuming I ever get to those :cry:).

Yeah that's why I use A-F cause I'm so used to it from school.

[Dead & Messed Up]

This conversation reminds me of how freeing it is to NOT use a ratings system. 99% of the time, I just give one or two sentences instead.

[MacGuffin]

This conversation reminds me of how freeing it is to NOT use a ratings system. 99% of the time, I just give one or two sentences instead.

Yeah, I think I may join your club to be honest with you.

[Qrazy]

This conversation reminds me of how freeing it is to NOT use a ratings system. 99% of the time, I just give one or two sentences instead.

Meh it's a good short hand for initial reaction.

[Derek]

*shoots self in the face*

[Mysterious Dude]

*shoots self in the face*
I feel your pain.

[Qrazy]

I should probably amend my statement as 80's American cinema... the rest of the world (by and large) continued to make decent films.

[Winston*]

Letter grades? What are you, the professor of movies sitting at your desk handing out grades based on a marking system of your own devising? Failing directors for not giving you the answer you want?

And star ratings? What are you, the emperor of the universe plucking out stars from the sky to gift to whichever peasant director you deem worthy? Those stars should shine for everyone.

And number ratings? Fuck number ratings.

[origami_mustache]

I like the seemingly minimalist approach, but I'm not a fan of random acts of violence. The previews insinuate an approach where there's little to no motivation for these people. Like Funny Games without the attempted cleverness.

Yeah, it reminded me a lot of Funny Games.

[Boner M]

The Edge of Heaven is an astutely performed and well-written exploration of cultural displacement and socio-political blah blah blah we are all connected blah blah blah sometimes the most meaningful relationships are born from tragedy blah blah blah... OK, it's compelling enough but I've seen this schtick countless times, meh.

[Ezee E]

-I swear that The Strangers was suppose to come out last year. I think I even bought it on the Fantasy Movie Mogul game. Delaying it a year is a good indication of sucking.

-I found Session 9 to be pretty boring actually.

-Unlike Leon: The Professional which remains one of my favorites.

-Another ratings discussion?

[origami_mustache]

I saw The Man Who Laughs with a special live music accompaniment by Ariel Pink, Plastic Crimewave, and Jimi Hey which was very cool. I was impressed by many different elements, but the art direction in this dark film was especially incredible. I also enjoyed the adorable apple throwing monkey and the heroic wolf dog named Homo.

[Winston*]

Watched Three Colours: Blue tonight for the first time since I was first really getting into movies. Realised I remembered like literally nothing about it, which was neat. Excellent film. Now back to watching The Sarah Silverman Programme.

[Raiders]

a terrible synth score

Dude, what? It's Wang Chung. Fuckin' Wang Chung.

[balmakboor]

I feel like I'm way behind the curve around here with my viewing rate. I watched three movies in the past week -- Tokyo Chorus, Teeth, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I did watch Diving Bell twice because it was so damn good, but some of you seem to watch another movie every third time you post and you post a lot. Are you like that guy in Slacker who has 20 tvs going at once in his room and you've become expert at media multitasking?

I'm not knocking this high rate of movie consumption of course. I fully understand the pleasure that movie buffs get. It's a form of natural high. It does make me wonder though how many here plan to build careers around the cinema and what various paths they have mapped out.

Probably the one thing that I love more about the cinema than watching movies is re-watching movies. I always get more out of a movie the second time around -- I probably have mild ADD or something -- and I love periodically re-watching favorite movies -- or movies I didn't like but suspect that things have changed. It seems like every thing that happens in life -- from reading certain books to seeing certain other movies to raising children to being in a serious auto accident -- changes one's perspective enough to render a re-watch a brand shiny new experience. I don't really go for quantity. I have a set of a few hundred movies that mean a lot to me and that I constantly return to for these brand shiny new experiences.

I'm pretty selective about what I watch. I'm hesitant to watch well-known crapfests like all things Uwe Boll. My main goal is to find occasional new things to add to my few hundred most meaningful films rotation.

[chrisnu]

-I found Session 9 to be pretty boring actually.
So did I. The best part of the film was this:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/chrisnu/GIFTFORUBER.gif

[balmakboor]

Dude, what? It's Wang Chung. Fuckin' Wang Chung.

You're probably just ribbing him, but I like the Wang Chung score. I also think TLADILA is near the top of Friedkin's output. It's better and more interesting than French Connection for instance.

[Sycophant]

Dude, what? It's Wang Chung. Fuckin' Wang Chung.
This is where I agree with Raiders. Emphatically.

[balmakboor]

Looks like I'll be getting Youth Without Youth from Netflix tomorrow. It won't be long now before I'll know if FFC has scored another hit with me or if he's totally gone off the rails.

[Grouchy]

Count me in as another one who didn't care for Session 9. It's directed with craft, but the story left me cold and I don't think I understood whatever the fuck it was going for. Too many directions, too little closure.

[Rowland]

Count me in as another one who didn't care for Session 9. It's directed with craft, but the story left me cold and I don't think I understood whatever the fuck it was going for. Too many directions, too little closure.Ditto. The last 15 minutes left me scratching my head. Cool setting though.

[Raiders]

Session 9 seemed fairly obvious to me.

It was a simple possession story. Simon, the possessing spirit, feeds on the weak and hurt (I believe that is taken right from the film) and the domestic problems hinted at through Gordon make him susceptible and ultimately he becomes entirely possessed by Simon.

[Rowland]

Session 9 seemed fairly obvious to me.

It was a simple possession story. Simon, the possessing spirit, feeds on the weak and hurt (I believe that is taken right from the film) and the domestic problems hinted at through Gordon make him susceptible and ultimately he becomes entirely possessed by Simon.Yeah, I got that this was the general gist of what happened. It just didn't work for me. I wasn't wowed, or scared, or anything really. The whole overlong climax just sorta washed over me.

[Sycophant]

We're over a third of the way through the year. Isn't it about time to start a top ten thread?

[balmakboor]

We're over a third of the way through the year. Isn't it about time to start a top ten thread?

I was just thinking that now that I've seen 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly that I'm just about ready to post a 2007 top ten list.

[megladon8]

I'm with Raiders...Session 9 wasn't hard to understand at all.

[Grouchy]

I'm with Raiders...Session 9 wasn't hard to understand at all.
It's not that I didn't understand what was going on so much as I didn't understand the point. There was no satisfactory pay-off for me and the story on itself didn't interest me.

[Rowland]

It's not that I didn't understand what was going on so much as I didn't understand the point. There was no satisfactory pay-off for me and the story on itself didn't interest me.Yeah, that's what I was trying to say in my response to Raiders.

[Qrazy]

It's better and more interesting than French Connection for instance.

How? And by how I mean no.

The orange and green title cards alone make it a worse film than The French Connection.

But out of curiousity rate Friedkin's filmography peoples... I've only seen this, the exorcist and the french connection. Sorcerer I hear is worth watching... some say Bug... what else?

[Raiders]

You're probably just ribbing him, but I like the Wang Chung score. I also think TLADILA is near the top of Friedkin's output. It's better and more interesting than French Connection for instance.

I was ribbing him, but it is also my very favorite Friedkin film.

[Qrazy]

I was ribbing him, but it is also my very favorite Friedkin film.

So the rest of his filmography is really that bad eh?

[Raiders]

So the rest of his filmography is really that bad eh?

:lol:

No. I'm a really big fan, actually. I also love The Hunted, especially for Caleb Deschanel's cinematography. But, most don't agree.

[Qrazy]

:lol:

No. I'm a really big fan, actually. I also love The Hunted, especially for Caleb Deschanel's cinematography. But, most don't agree.

Any others aside from that, Bug and Sorcerer worth a look?

[Qrazy]

What should I watch?

A Geisha
Alice in the Cities
Jezebel
Harlan County, USA
Osaka Elegy
Blackboards
Monterey Pop
Muriel
White Nights
When Father was Away on Business
Pandora's Box
Queen Christina
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Night of the Iguana

[Raiders]

Any others aside from that, Bug and Sorcerer worth a look?

I suppose The Exorcist though you may have seen that. I thought Rampage was a well-executed film. I have heard really interesting things, both good and bad, about Cruising.

[Sven]

What should I watch?

Monterey Pop
Pandora's Box
Night of the Iguana, although I know you don't much like the Huston. You may like this, though.

[origami_mustache]

What should I watch?


Osaka Elegy

[Duncan]

Muriel is excellent. Only other one I've seen is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Don`t remember much of it.

[Qrazy]

Monterey Pop
Pandora's Box
Night of the Iguana, although I know you don't much like the Huston. You may like this, though.

Not true, although I can see why you might think that. I just don't like his later work very much... Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Asphalt Jungle, Fat City, Beat the Devil and Key Largo are all good to excellent. Moby Dick, The African Queen and The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean are all OK, above average... Prizzi's Honor and The Man Who Would Be King are mediocre, average to below average. I'm actually a pretty big fan.

[Raiders]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Original? This one.

[Qrazy]

Original? This one.

Yeah I guess I should at some point I just find it difficult to get myself in a motivated state to watch slasher films... I dunno.


Pandora's Box, Muriel, Night of the Iguana and When Father was Away on Business are most enticing right now (my Mizoguchi's are poor quality prints)... but I've been binging on old cinema for a few days now so I may just watch some anime or something instead.

[Bosco B Thug]

Yeah I guess I should at some point I just find it difficult to get myself in a motivated state to watch slasher films... I dunno. It'd be interesting to get a fresh first-viewing opinion of this.

If it's the interminable "stalking"/pre-attack stretches of slasher films that tries your patience (it's sort of what gets me tired of slasher flick... also because shock kills are kinda my Achilles heal :P ), TCM should be a good counter-medication.


How? And by how I mean no.

The orange and green title cards alone make it a worse film than The French Connection.

But out of curiousity rate Friedkin's filmography peoples... I've only seen this, the exorcist and the french connection. Sorcerer I hear is worth watching... some say Bug... what else? Friedkin's a fine director, I think. His directing is sorta flamboyant, sorta sleazy, yet sorta often very elegant and of the utmost dramatic seriousness.

I should rewatch all of these, but...:

The French Connection - 8/10
The Exorcist - 6/10
To Live and Die in L.A. - 8.5/10
The Guardian (his flighty, oddly inconsequential 90s horror film) - 4.5/10
Bug - 7.5/10

[Boner M]

Alice in the Cities is pretty great. One of the best and least creepy depictions of a child/adult relationship in film.

As for Friedkin, I'm not one of those crazy auteurist appreciators who liked The Hunted or even remembers Rules of Engagement, but I'm a big fan of The Exorcist and To Live and Die in LA, like The French Connection well enough, and thought Bug was unfairly overlooked. When he's on, his films are singularly visceral and immediate.

[Qrazy]

The Exorcist - 6/10


Yeah I'm not too huge on this one either. I don't think it's all that deserving of it's greatest horror film of all time status.

[Bosco B Thug]

Yeah I'm not too huge on this one either. I don't think it's all that deserving of it's greatest horror film of all time status. Totally. Well-made, but Karras' crisis of faith is frankly boring. It shouldn't have shifted away from Ellen Burstyn. And the titular exorcist and the climactic exorcism brings absolutely zero to the table.

[Qrazy]

Totally. Well-made, but Karras' crisis of faith is frankly boring. It shouldn't have shifted away from Ellen Burstyn. And the titular exorcist and the climactic exorcism brings absolutely zero to the table.

Well I kind of liked the stuntwork on the stairway but yeah... Father Merrin's face off with the statue at the beginning of the film was just stupid in retrospect.

And Merrin's death was about as arbitrary as Scatman Crothers axe to the back in The Shining... but at least Crothers death had some black humor going for it.

[origami_mustache]

The French Connection


is there a yawning smiley?

[balmakboor]

I saw Cruising long ago and found it worthwhile. I've been meaning to watch the new special edition because I found Robin Wood's analysis fascinating. Here is a film that was scorned by the gay world at the time of its release and yet found one of its biggest defenders in one of film criticism's most outspokenly and openly gay critics.

I understand that when Friedkin made The Exorcist he was an atheist. He then became a born again Christian and re-worked the Exorcist from his new world view to become the "director's cut" that most are probably familiar with now. One complaint that I remember made about the new "improved" version is that it totally inverts the meaning of the ending, trashing it in the process. I've never seen the new cut and haven't seen the original in about 15 years so I can't provide any details. I'd kinda like to check both out some day though.

[balmakboor]

is there a yawning smiley?

I have to agree with you. For a movie so well known as a thrilling, chase-filled experience; I found it remarkably lacking in thrills.

I attended a screening of Blue Thunder followed by a Q&A with John Badham (kinda dates me doesn't it?) and Badham made an interesting comment about The French Connection. He said he had recently watched it in a motel room with the sound muted while on the telephone and said that the car chase -- so thrilling with sound -- became quite flat and dull without sound. (I'm not sure actually if this is a condemnation of The French Connection or a case for the power of sound in the cinema.)

[megladon8]

Yeah I'm not too huge on this one either. I don't think it's all that deserving of it's greatest horror film of all time status.


I certainly wouldn't call it that, but it's a very well crafted film. Well written and acted, beautifully shot.

It definitely scared me silly when I was younger. I'm curious to watch it again.

[Derek]

What should I watch?

I'm probably late to the party but I'd go with one of these three:

A Geisha (a criminally overlooked Mizoguchi, that I'd take over Osaka Elegy)

Harlan County, USA (more invigorating than you'd think any film about miner's struggles could be)

Pandora's Box (aside from Godard w/Karina and von Sternberg w/Dietrich, I'd struggle to come up with a director who better captured his leading lady's radiant beauty on the screen as effectively as Pabst w/Brooks. Great film too. :))

[baby doll]

A Geisha (a criminally overlooked Mizoguchi, that I'd take over Osaka Elegy)I'll have to see it again, but on first viewing, this struck me as the least inspired of Mizoguchi's films I've seen. Mizoguchi tackled similar material--and did a better job of it--in Sisters of the Gion.

[Derek]

I'll have to see it again, but on first viewing, this struck me as the least inspired of Mizoguchi's films I've seen. Mizoguchi tackled similar material--and did a better job of it--in Sisters of the Gion.

They're similar in their focus, but considering A Geisha is concerned with the decline of the geisha in post-war Japan and Sisters was made in the mid-to-late 30s, they're far from interchangeable. It's a restrained film by Mizoguchi standards, but there's something profoundly moving about the protag's stoicism more than any of his other second tier outings.

[Qrazy]

Rate Mizoguchi's filmography.... go!

[Philosophe_rouge]

Mizoguchi
Ugetsu 8

[soitgoes...]

Please watch Harlan County. Amazing documentary.

[Qrazy]

Jezebel
Blackboards
White Nights
When Father was Away on Business
Queen Christina
Rocky Horror Picture Show


I'm still waiting for someone to tell me to watch these ones.

[Duncan]

Oh yeah, I watched Pabst's Diary of a Lost Girl last night. It was good.

/insightful

[Philosophe_rouge]

Watch Queen Christina and White nights. The former is my favourite Garbo film, and for what it's worth, my favourite mamoulian film. White nights is my favourite Visconti, defines bittersweet and at the very least has incredible set design.

[baby doll]

Rate Mizoguchi's filmography.... go!Osaka Elegy (1936) [8]
Sisters of the Gion (1936) [9]
Life of Oharu (1952) [10]
A Geisha (1953) [6]
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) [9]
Sansho the Bailiff (1954) [9]
Street of Shame (1956) [8]

I need to re-see The Loyal 47 Ronin before giving it a rating.

[Derek]

Rate Mizoguchi's filmography.... go!

Sansho the Bailiff - 10.0
Ugetsu - 10.0
The Story of the Late Chrysanthemums - 9.5
The Life of Oharu - 9.0
The 47 Ronin - 8.5
A Geisha - 8.5
Princess Yang Kwei Fei - 7.5
Crucified Lovers (aka Chikamatsu Monogatari) - 7.0
Osaka Elegy - 7.0
Sisters of the Gion - 6.5
Street of Shame - 6.0

[Ezee E]

Well, Match Cut may hate Diablo Cody, but they should at least appreciate her for being able to get Megan Fox naked (http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=312#more-312) (NSFW) in her next movie.

[Sven]

Hot Rod (Schaffer, 2007) **1/2
Teeth (Lichtenstein, 2007) ***
Speed Racer (Wachowskis, 2008) ***1/2
Cloverfield (Reeves, 2008) ***
The Golden Compass (Weitz, 2007) **1/2

Wow. I think all five of these ratings surprise me. In a good way, mostly, I think. At least, it's nice to get another nudge in the direction of seeing Speed Racer.

[Ezee E]

Well, is it bad to say that I would've rather seen The Agony & The Ecstasy delve into the artwork and architecture that Michelangelo created that was talked about in the first fifteen minutes compared to the two-hour bore that resulted afterwards?

Definitely not.

Carol Reed directed this? That surprises me.

[Sycophant]

Welcome back, Spinal! Looking forward to Speed Racer thoughts if you have 'em.

[origami_mustache]

Rate Mizoguchi's filmography.... go!

Sansho the Bailiff - 9.5
Ugetsu - 9.5
The Story of the Late Chrysanthemums - 9.5
The Life of Oharu - 10
Osaka Elegy - 9
Sisters of the Gion - 8

[Boner M]

I gave Hot Rod a pretty low rating initially, but I like it the more I look back. Some of it's plain inspired ("cool beans" remix, dancing Asian dude, the entire town marching/singing/rioting), even if the funny:not ration is way out of wack.

KM:

Sansho the Bailiff - 10
Ugetsu - 8
The Life of Oharu - 8

The latter two need rpts.

[Rowland]

dancing Asian dudeMy favorite joke in the entire movie. Dead-on skewering of xenophobic 80's Asians-are-inherently-funny humor.

[number8]

yup. Hot Rod was a missed op, but the funny bits were extremely inspired.

[megladon8]

An Affair to Remember was OK entertainment, but quite sappy and delusional.

[Philosophe_rouge]

An Affair to Remember was OK entertainment, but quite sappy and delusional.
I've only ever seen half of it, I like the look but from what I can tell it doesn't touch the original Love Affair. Which I should also rewatch.

[megladon8]

I've only ever seen half of it, I like the look but from what I can tell it doesn't touch the original Love Affair. Which I should also rewatch.


I found it a little :rolleyes:-inducing how both Grant and Kerr's partners gave them up without a fight.

[soitgoes...]

I found it a little :rolleyes:-inducing how both Grant and Kerr's partners gave them up without a fight.
Eh, if I were competing for a girl's affections with Cary Grant I'd probably give up too.

[Melville]

Rate Mizoguchi's filmography.... go!

Ugetsu - 8

That's all I've got.

[number8]

For bac0n. (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/best-godzilla-scene-not-from-a-godzilla-movie/)

[Derek]

An Affair to Remember was OK entertainment, but quite sappy and delusional.

Ugh, even thinking about the scene with the children's choir sends shivers down my spine. It's the only McCarey film I don't like, but I really don't like it. I should check out Love Affair though.

[Raiders]

For bac0n. (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/best-godzilla-scene-not-from-a-godzilla-movie/)

I think the best Godzilla scene not in a Godzilla movie is the one with the hot Asian girl in the Subway five dollar foot long commercial. They way he makes his hands measure a foot while looking down at her is just classic.

[Winston*]

I Know Who Killed Me (Siverston, 2007) *
:eek:

[megladon8]

I think the best Godzilla scene not in a Godzilla movie is the one with the hot Asian girl in the Subway five dollar foot long commercial. They way he makes his hands measure a foot while looking down at her is just classic.


Do you have a link for this? I'm intrigued...

[Derek]

:eek:

2hi?

It's honestly not as deserving of its horrific reputation. It's by no means a good film and its inept storytelling and laughable attempt at color symbolism do it no favors, but while there were a number times I laughed at it, there were nearly as many where I found myself enjoying it to some degree on its own campy terms.

[Winston*]

2hi?


Nah, I was just shocked you watched I Know Who Killed Me. I Know Who Killed Me.

[Derek]

Nah, I was just shocked you watched I Know Who Killed Me. I Know Who Killed Me.

That's Razzie Winner I Know Who Killed Me to you! After watching a couple Frederick Wiseman films, I was in need of some mindless entertainment and my roommate actually owns this one.

[Winston*]

That's Razzie Winner I Know Who Killed Me to you! After watching a couple Frederick Wiseman films, I was in need of some mindless entertainment and my roommate actually owns this one.

I Know Who Killed Me

EDIT: Wait..why am I getting on your case for this? I've seen all of You, Me and Dupree. You, Me and Dupree.

[megladon8]

I really wish Michael Keaton could get his career going again.

[Derek]

I Know Who Killed Me

In case you're wondering, Lohan does turn back towards the camera and utter the exact line "I know who killed me." You don't get poetry like that every day.

[Sycophant]

I Know Who Killed Me

EDIT: Wait..why am I getting on your case for this? I've seen all of You, Me and Dupree. You, Me and Dupree.
I watched them both in full. I Know Who Killed Me was more respectable.

[Derek]

I Know Who Killed Me

EDIT: Wait..why am I getting on your case for this? I've seen all of You, Me and Dupree. You, Me and Dupree.

Heh, I would wager that was far more painful to sit through than this one. :)

You, Me and Dupree!!

[Winston*]

Speaking of stupid titles, can someone explain Made of Honour to me? What does that even mean?

[Sycophant]

Speaking of stupid titles, can someone explain Made of Honour to me? What does that even mean?A few of my friends found this particular idiotic title fascinating. As much fun as it might be to have a laugh about it, the topic just kinda irritates me now.

[Qrazy]

2hi?

It's honestly not as deserving of its horrific reputation. It's by no means a good film and its inept storytelling and laughable attempt at color symbolism do it no favors, but while there were a number times I laughed at it, there were nearly as many where I found myself enjoying it to some degree on its own campy terms.

Duck, You Sucker (Leone, 1971) *½

http://thecraptastics.files.wordpress .com/2008/04/fail.jpg

[Derek]

I love Leone, but Duck verges on self-parody given the haphazard execution of his stylistic ticks and even the Morricone score, which could have been great coupled with a great Leone film, feels out of place, specifically with the horrible flashback sequences. Not a terrible film, but Leone's worst by quite a wide margin.

[Qrazy]

I love Leone, but Duck verges on self-parody given the haphazard execution of his stylistic ticks and even the Morricone score, which could have been great coupled with a great Leone film, feels out of place, specifically with the horrible flashback sequences. Not a terrible film, but Leone's worst by quite a wide margin.

Colossus of Rhodes?

Anyway I prefer it to Fistful and For a Few Dollars personally. It was hilarious. Morricone's score during the flashback sequences 'John, John, John' ribbing of Truffaut's Jules et Jim is absolutely priceless... couple that with pre-Svankmajer grotesque food consumption, a psychotic literally explosive anti-hero, some typically fantastic cinematography from Leone (my god the lighting!) such as the two protag's having a conversation alone together in a train car and a variety of excellent long shots... all makes for some terrific entertainment. This is what good pulp cinema should be... visually remarkable, exciting and most of all maintaining a sense of humor about itself.

I saw nothing haphazard about the film's stylistic execution.

But I can see the entire experience rubbing someone the wrong way if they found Rob Steiger's performance fairly unbearable.

[Qrazy]

Mad Detective was quality. To is definitely at the peak of his career stylistically. After seeing this I'm interested in seeing Sparrow... although I don't really have any inclination to see Linger. At some point I'll also check out PTU, Breaking News and Running out of Time... after being sorely disappointed with Fulltime Killer and A Hero Never Dies I'm less excited about his earlier work but The Mission and Throwdown are quality enough that I remain cautiously optimistic. I'm also hesitant but excited about his Red Circle remake... it looks like an english language debut which rarely bodes well but Melville + To could equal good things.

[Derek]

Colossus of Rhodes?

Sorry, I should've specified of the 6 Leone films I've seen.


Anyway I prefer it to Fistful and For a Few Dollars personally. It was hilarious. Morricone's score during the flashback sequences 'John, John, John' ribbing of Truffaut's Jules et Jim is absolutely priceless... couple that with pre-Svankmajer grotesque food consumption, a psychotic literally explosive anti-hero, some typically fantastic cinematography from Leone (my god the lighting!) such as the two protag's having a conversation alone together in a train car and a variety of excellent long shots... all makes for some terrific entertainment. This is what good pulp cinema should be... visually remarkable, exciting and most of all maintaining a sense of humor about itself.

I saw nothing haphazard about the film's stylistic execution.

But I can see the entire experience rubbing someone the wrong way if they found Rob Steiger's performance fairly unbearable.

Yeah, Steiger's accent was rather irritating and makes Pacino's Tony Montana accent come off as culturally sensitive. :) The food consumption scene was great, but that was about 45 seconds out of 165 minutes. Had there been more inspired sequences like that, the film would've at least been more entertaining.

[Qrazy]

Sorry, I should've specified of the 6 Leone films I've seen.



Yeah, Steiger's accent was rather irritating and makes Pacino's Tony Montana accent come off as culturally sensitive. :) The food consumption scene was great, but that was about 45 seconds out of 165 minutes. Had there been more inspired sequences like that, the film would've at least been more entertaining.

I just kind of liked watching Leone take a piss all over the themes and politics of the french new wave... it was perversely gratifying.

[balmakboor]

Okay, I've watched it once and I'm not sure what to think yet. Youth Without Youth is one of the most beautiful and passionate meditations on mortality imaginable. It's just the sort of thing I'd expect from Coppola at this stage of his career and life. Then again, Coppola made a just as beautiful and almost as passionate meditation on mortality with Bram Stoker's Dracula about 15 years ago. In fact, YWY reminded me a lot of BSD only much better acted and much more difficult to follow. They are Coppola's two most visually garish films. Tim Roth's character even seems to be channeling some mixture of Dracula and Michael Corleone.

I'll say for now that it is the sort of gorgeous and endearing and passionate nonsense that only a great director allowed to wander completely unchained can create. If the plot makes more sense to me on a second viewing, I may upgrade it to who knows what. I know there were passages here and there that had me thinking "this is Vertigo great" thoughts so I'm definitely looking forward to a re-visit. Plus I notice it has a FF Coppola commentary -- something that I've found is always worth a listen.

[Sven]

I just kind of liked watching Leone take a piss all over the themes and politics of the french new wave... it was perversely gratifying.

Yeah, this. I love this film. I'm glad you do, too.

[Derek]

I just kind of liked watching Leone take a piss all over the themes and politics of the french new wave... it was perversely gratifying.

Given my fondness for the FNW, it's not surprising I experienced none of that same gratification.

[Qrazy]

Given my fondness for the FNW, it's not surprising I experienced none of that same gratification.

Well I'm a huge New Wave fan too but I also like it when certain genres and/or movements get a good ribbing... someone needs to take the piss out of Italian Neorealism fo shizzle.

[Winston*]

The Promise, that's a really good film.

[Boner M]

The Promise, that's a really good film.
The Dardennes'? Yeah.

I rented out a Kieslowski collection the other day and have watched Camera Buff and Blind Chance... both were okay but neither really clicked with me, ditto with all his stuff save for Blue, Red and a few Dekalog chapters. Should I bother with No End and The Scar on the collection despite by tepid reactions to the first two?

Apart from that, I have Forty Shades of Blues, This Man Must Die, La Femme Infidele and I Am Cuba lined up for the weekend.

[Sven]

So I saw my first mumblecore film the other day. I figured that this "genre" would be completely insufferable to me, so I decided to watch the one that had the most sex in it. You know, to make sure that I would keep watching for at least one reason. Turns out it was practically the worst film I've ever seen. Joe Swanberg's Kissing on the Mouth. Excruciatingly awful. I'll probably never see another one.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So I saw my first mumblecore film the other day. I figured that this "genre" would be completely insufferable to me, so I decided to watch the one that had the most sex in it. You know, to make sure that I would keep watching for at least one reason. Turns out it was practically the worst film I've ever seen. Joe Swanberg's Kissing on the Mouth. Excruciatingly awful. I'll probably never see another one.

Mutual Appreciation also comes in as an insufferable piece of dung. Glad you hate the movement as much as I.

[Benny Profane]

"Mumblecore" is a movement?

Where have I been.

[Sycophant]

Where have I been.Just a little village known as "MISSING OUT TOWN."

[Grouchy]

So, after all the John Ford discussion, I remembered that I still had two thirds of his Cavalry Trilogy left unseen after Fort Apache, so I got into She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Fairly standard military drama, elevated by Wayne's performance as an captain about to retire who refuses to leave the army, specially after the failure of a mission. The Fordian touches of Irish comedy were the best part, since otherwise the movie pales in comparison to the much more complex and exciting Fort Apache. About its Indian stance, though, I recommend you all just watch the scene between Wayne and an old Chief, lamenting the hot-headed youngsters from both sides that will get themselves killed. I can admit to somewhat patronizing or oversimplifying the native issue on his movies, but to call Ford is a racist is to watch his movies expecting to see just that.

Hell, I admit to being irritated by his blatant patriotism (on this and Drums Along the Mohawk) much more than any supposed racism.

[Rowland]

So I saw my first mumblecore film the other day. I figured that this "genre" would be completely insufferable to me, so I decided to watch the one that had the most sex in it. You know, to make sure that I would keep watching for at least one reason. Turns out it was practically the worst film I've ever seen. Joe Swanberg's Kissing on the Mouth. Excruciatingly awful. I'll probably never see another one.Lame. Very lame. Embarrassingly lame.

[Rowland]

"Mumblecore" is a movement?

Where have I been.It was a buzzword used to group together several superficially similar filmmakers a few years ago. Nobody who wants to be taken seriously should still be using it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It was a buzzword used to group together several superficially similar filmmakers a few years ago. Nobody who wants to be taken seriously should still be using it.

For those of us who would like to ridicule their terrible attempts at filmmaking, it actually works out pretty well.

[Sycophant]

Have any of you people who hate so-called mumblecore seen Quiet City? Not that I think y'all would necessarily like it, but so far it's the standout of the movement/genre/confederation/derisive term.

[Raiders]

Weekend:

Redbelt
Jellyfish

My little party of bad films has been delayed a couple weeks.

[NickGlass]

Weekend:

Jellyfish



Wahoo!

Then again, I've really liked five of the eight so-called "mumblecore" films that I've seen--so what do I know about quality filmmaking?

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:
Leibelei
The Only Son
Through a Glass Darkly
Finishing the last 4 chapters of Scenes from a Marriage

[Sycophant]

Weekend:

The Passion of Joan of Arc
My Night at Maud's

Maybe...
Redbelt
Then She Found Me
My Blueberry Nights

Looking at my local film society's calendar, I don't think I'll ever, ever watch Young@Heart.

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
Holy Smoke
Youth Without Youth
Finish up The Big Red One

Redbelt?

[Raiders]

Looking at my local film society's calendar, I don't think I'll ever, ever watch Young@Heart.

I think this looks pretty good, actually. I may watch it this weekend.

[Sycophant]

I think this looks pretty good, actually. I may watch it this weekend.I feel like a horrible person for not wanting to watch it.

[MadMan]

Speaking of bad films or B-movies/cult films, that's what I'm been watching the past week. I revisited the first two The Evil Dead films and found them to be even more awesome than I remember, although I came away thinking lesser of the second film and thinking more higher of the first, although the second is easily the best of the entire series. I also checked out Death Race 2000, which is a gloriously entertaining, cheesy satire and is pretty funny. However the movie's satire doesn't go far enough, and I feel that Roger Corman would have been better off directing the picture instead of producing it. I also finally viewed Return of the Living Dead, and yes it is one of the funniest and radical zombie flicks ever made. I liked how the film is rather different from Romero's zombie flicks, and yes Tar Man lived up to his billing. And I made time for Iron Man, which is one of the best superhero movies of the past decade.

As for the weekend, hopefully I'll finally get to Toxic Avenger and Big Bad Mamma, two other B-movie flicks my friend and I rented, along with Leprechaun in the Hood. And maybe another theater viewing, perhaps Harold and Kumar 2.

[Watashi]

Weekend:

Nothing.

I'm going to be working like a madman this weekend thanks to Prince Caspian. I'll probably see the midnight show tonight.

[BirdsAteMyFace]

Then She Found MeYeah, I'll be seeing this next week. Taking my mother for an out-of-town fancy dinner/film birthday present, and this will be the only film playing at the local arthouse theatre. Oh well.

Weekend:
The Taste of Tea
Boarding Gate
The Funeral
Garden of the Finzi-Continis

Been putting these off for well over a month.

[Sycophant]

I have in my mind this stereotype of cheap sequels being spun off with this clichéd plot device of major or minor characters opening up a detective agency.

However, I can't think of a single example. Anyone know of any?

[Winston*]

The Dardennes'? Yeah.
That's the one. "La Promesse", if you prefer.

[Qrazy]

The Dardennes'? Yeah.

I rented out a Kieslowski collection the other day and have watched Camera Buff and Blind Chance... both were okay but neither really clicked with me, ditto with all his stuff save for Blue, Red and a few Dekalog chapters. Should I bother with No End and The Scar on the collection despite by tepid reactions to the first two?

Apart from that, I have Forty Shades of Blues, This Man Must Die, La Femme Infidele and I Am Cuba lined up for the weekend.

Probably not No End and The Scar are the weaker two of the four although I like all four. Just watch I Am Cuba instead.

[Grouchy]

I have in my mind this stereotype of cheap sequels being spun off with this clichéd plot device of major or minor characters opening up a detective agency.

However, I can't think of a single example. Anyone know of any?
Huh, no idea what you're talking about.

Calle 54 is a concert film by Fernando Trueba about latin jazz and it's incredible. Tito Puente, Chucho and Bebo Valdés, Jerry Gonzalez, Paquito D'Rivera are all spellbinding. Unlike, say, Buena Vista Social Club, which is a documentary on musicians where Wenders becomes an opinionated voice and investigator, Trueba takes second place to the performances, and covers them exhaustively with six or seven cameras at times. Very recommended if you're into jazz or feel like listening to it.

[origami_mustache]

Weekend:
Death Laid An Egg
Umberto D.
Satyricon
The Happiness of the Katakuris

[number8]

So I saw my first mumblecore film the other day. I figured that this "genre" would be completely insufferable to me, so I decided to watch the one that had the most sex in it. You know, to make sure that I would keep watching for at least one reason. Turns out it was practically the worst film I've ever seen. Joe Swanberg's Kissing on the Mouth. Excruciatingly awful. I'll probably never see another one.

You and I, we are a team. Let us fight this idiotic sabotage masquerading as a film movement.

[Sven]

It was a buzzword used to group together several superficially similar filmmakers a few years ago. Nobody who wants to be taken seriously should still be using it.

Critics are still writing defenses of it. If the only response you can muster up is to insult those who use the word, I recommend a hearty shutting up.

Have you seen Kissing on the Mouth? See it and defend it for me, please. It's enough to make one want to swear off watching ANY movie, let alone mumblecore.

[Qrazy]

I asked this a while back but what's the final consensus on Quiet City?

[Winston*]

Mumblecore talk is boring. Lets talk about movies with lasers.

Top 5 laser movies, go!

[Derek]

I asked this a while back but what's the final consensus on Quiet City?

It's very good.

[Winston*]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/88/Laser_Mission.jpg

[Sycophant]

It's very good.
Yeah, one or two people hated it (eternity, right?), but I and several others rather loved it/liked it a lot.

[Winston*]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3c/Jettjackson1.jpg/200px-Jettjackson1.jpg

[number8]

Winston, you are not LOL nor Funny Ha Ha. No one here shares a Mutual Appreciation of your laser bullshit. Stop it. Stop it before I put a Bag on your Head. Puffy Chair.

[Winston*]

Winston, you are not LOL nor Funny Ha Ha. No one here shares a Mutual Appreciation of your laser bullshit. Stop it. Stop it before I put a Bag on your Head. Puffy Chair.
Pretty good.

[Qrazy]

Was The Puffy Chair mumblecore?

[Sven]

Pretty good.

Now Kiss him on the Mouth!

[Philosophe_rouge]

Weekend
Narnia (actually more likely early next week)
Some Came running
The Falll of the roman Empire

[Qrazy]

Weekend
Narnia (actually more likely early next week)


You think it will deliver? I like fantasy but I have low expectations for this after the first one.

[dreamdead]

All grades for the students' work will be turned in early tomorrow, so weekend should equal a return to consistent filmwatching:

Ace in the Hole
La Commare Secca
Season 2 of Buffy

[balmakboor]

All grades for the students' work will be turned in early tomorrow, so weekend should equal a return to consistent filmwatching:

Ace in the Hole
La Commare Secca
Season 2 of Buffy

I forget. What is it that you teach?

[Philosophe_rouge]

You think it will deliver? I like fantasy but I have low expectations for this after the first one.

I didn't even see the first one, have low expectations, and am not a fan of the books. Once a week me and my friends see a cheapo movie though, and it's Narnia this time.

[Qrazy]

I didn't even see the first one, have low expectations, and am not a fan of the books. Once a week me and my friends see a cheapo movie though, and it's Narnia this time.

Ah, well set your expectations low.

[Qrazy]

What are the best arthouse TV (or just really long films) miniseries?

Here's what I've seen:

Fanny and Alexander
Decalogue

Here's what I've heard about and plan on checking out:

Seventeen Instants of Spring
Berlin Alexanderplatz
War and Peace
Scenes from a Marriage
Times of the Gypsies (300 minute version)

[Boner M]

I'd add The Kingdom and The Best of Youth to that list.

[Qrazy]

I'd add The Kingdom and The Best of Youth to that list.

Good calls.

[Boner M]

August Criterions:

http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/17_box_348x490.jpg
http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/440_box_348x490.jpg
http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/441_box_348x490.jpg
http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/442_box_348x490.jpg[/img
[img]http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/2001100_box_348x490.jpg
http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/2001102_box_348x490.jpghttp://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/2001101_box_348x490.jpg

[Raiders]

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Yay!!!

[Boner M]

Yeah, I'll be buying the Shepitko twofer immediately.

[Boner M]

End of August at the Hotel Ozone - C+
Thoughts? I loved it, though I think I may have initially overrated it since I had no expectations whatsoever.

[monolith94]

Awesome. I want to see all of them, save Salo. I'm particularly eager to see Shepitko's films; my russian film prof was a huge advocate of hers.

[Spinal]

Salo cover is an immediate contender for best of all time.

[dreamdead]

I forget. What is it that you teach?

College English composition (I'm an English PhD student.

In other news, I'm super excited for the Maddin film, and will finally check out what's got Raiders all hot and bothered.

[Philosophe_rouge]

THE SMALL BACK ROOM!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that film, cant' wait to see a decent print and some special features!

[MacGuffin]

Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom sucks, but Brand Upon the Brain! looks great.

[megladon8]

To this day, I have yet to see a Guy Maddin film.

I have no idea where to start.

[Boner M]

To this day, I have yet to see a Guy Maddin film.

I have no idea where to start.
Heart of the World should be on youtube, it's only 5 minutes long.

Brand Upon the Brain! is pretty good, dunno why it's being Criterion'd above some of his others tho.

[megladon8]

Heart of the World should be on youtube, it's only 5 minutes long.

Brand Upon the Brain! is pretty good, dunno why it's being Criterion'd above the rest tho.


Jen brought Dracula: Pages From a Virgin's Diary on her last visit, but she insisted we not watch it because she had tried to, and really didn't enjoy it (or see me enjoying it) at all.

I'm still very curious about it, though.

Cowards Bend the Knee looks interesting.

[DrewG]

That...Salo cover...awesome.

[Boner M]

Jen brought Dracula: Pages From a Virgin's Diary on her last visit, but she insisted we not watch it because she had tried to, and really didn't enjoy it (or see me enjoying it) at all.

I'm still very curious about it, though.

Cowards Bend the Knee looks interesting.
Dracula was good, but kinda outstayed its welcome even at just over an hour. Didn't like Saddest Music in the World much at all. I'm not a huge fan of his from what I've seen so far, but Heart of the World is pretty amazing. Watch it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DWmrWfPTmI).

[megladon8]

Dracula was good, but kinda outstayed its welcome even at just over an hour. Didn't like Saddest Music in the World much at all. I'm not a huge fan of his from what I've seen so far, but Heart of the World is pretty amazing. Watch it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DWmrWfPTmI).


Cool, thank you!

[Boner M]

Cool, thank you!
No problemo.

[Qrazy]

Thoughts? I loved it, though I think I may have initially overrated it since I had no expectations whatsoever.

I dunno, the whole going around killing tons of animals thing was a big turn off for me. I don't mind animal deaths in films when I feel they're used efficiently and with great purpose but here it just felt to me like a concise way for the filmmakers to go about communicating the post-apocalyptic setting... and the beastly-ness of the next generation.

Other than that I just didn't find myself becoming particularly invested in any of the characters or in many of the scenes of the film... either emotional or intellectual investment. There were a handful of stand out moments... using the tree rings as calender, the two old people first meeting... but other moments such as the first playing of the gramophone and the battle for the gramophone were lacking in the tension and emotional content that I felt such moments ought to convey (even with such 'beastly' people).

A fairly well executed post-apocalyptic low budget sci-fi... minus much of the camp and silliness of similar themed films... which is a plus... but also not demonstrating any specific clarity of vision in it's cinematic execution... beyond the competent telling of it's story.

--------

Also color me excited for the Shepitko's... and P & P.

[megladon8]

The Heart of the World was quite good.

I love silent era films, and am a sucker for the low-budget yet very effective SFX used back then, and Guy Maddin really captured the style and feeling. Much better than most other modern silents I have seen.

It doesn't really say anything new about industrialism or the constant battle between science and religion, but it does it all with such style and skill I couldn't help but really enjoy it.

Thanks again, Boner!

[Ezee E]

That Salo cover is ridiculous.

I'll finally get to see the shit in the film too. CAN'T WAIT!

[Watashi]

Boner seemed to be missing one:

http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/442_box_348x490.jpg

[Qrazy]

Boner seemed to be missing one:

http://www.criterion.com/content/images/full_boxshot/442_box_348x490.jpg

I've also heard great things about this so damn... Criterion's on the ball these days.

[megladon8]

I'm looking forward to Criterion's release of The Thief of Bagdad later this month.

[Derek]

That Salo cover is ridiculous.

I'll finally get to see the shit in the film too. CAN'T WAIT!

You'll love it. I hope you give it a shot!

:pritch: