28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Qrazy]

So who do you think gave the better performance as Francis Dolarhyde (Red Dragon/Manhunter)? I think it's fairly obvious that Hopkins performance eclipsed Cox but do you prefer Fiennes or Noonan for the other killer?

I'd also like to say I find the basic storyline of both films to be fairly uninteresting. One can do a lot more interesting things with serial killers.

[Qrazy]

How are Raimi's non-trilogy outings?

# The Gift (2000)
# For Love of the Game (1999)
# A Simple Plan (1998)
# The Quick and the Dead (1995)
# Darkman (1990)
# Crimewave (1985)

[Pop Trash]

How are Raimi's non-trilogy outings?

# The Gift (2000)
# For Love of the Game (1999)
# A Simple Plan (1998)
# The Quick and the Dead (1995)
# Darkman (1990)
# Crimewave (1985)
I always thought A Simple Plan was excellent. I think it didn't get enough respect since the similar (and admitantly better) Fargo came out a few years earlier and there is that Coen/Rami connection. I think next to Sling Blade, it has the best BB Thornton performance as well.

I love Darkman as well but knowing your taste Qrazy, you might not like it.

[Watashi]

So who do you think gave the better performance as Francis Dolarhyde (Red Dragon/Manhunter)? I think it's fairly obvious that Hopkins performance eclipsed Cox but do you prefer Fiennes or Noonan for the other killer?

I'd also like to say I find the basic storyline of both films to be fairly uninteresting. One can do a lot more interesting things with serial killers.
Fairly obvious? Cox is twice the Lector that Hopkins will ever be.

[Ezee E]

Fairly obvious? Cox is twice the Lector that Hopkins will ever be.
I've seen both films, and while I think both performances are good for their own reasons (I prefer Hopkins), I don't see why others believe Cox is by far the better performance.

Hmm... Unless we're solely talking about Manhunter VS. Red Dragon though.

[Winston*]

When I was at the video store today I saw that the critic quote on the movie poster for We Own the Night was "...a hard-boiled thriller". This is something I would like to see more from film advertising, none of this searching for a quote with right balance of critic prestige and praise given towards your product, simply finding a guy who managed to state the genre of your film at some point during his review.

[MacGuffin]

When I was at the video store today I saw that the critic quote on the movie poster for We Own the Night was "...a hard-boiled thriller". This is something I would like to see more from film advertising, none of this searching for a quote with right balance of critic prestige and praise given towards your product, simply finding a guy who managed to state the genre of your film at some point during his review.

But I thought you hate comparing movies to foods. ;)

[Winston*]

But I thought you hate comparing movies to foods. ;)

I'll set number8 on you, don't think I won't.

[Sven]

# The Gift (2000) -- terrible
# For Love of the Game (1999) -- terrible
# A Simple Plan (1998) -- excellent
# The Quick and the Dead (1995) -- fun
# Darkman (1990) -- strange
# Crimewave (1985) -- hilarious

[Sven]

Oh, and

Noonan/Cox > Fiennes/Hopkins

[Russ]

Crimewave (1985) -- hilarious
I know there are a lot of folks who hate it, but I'm with you on this. Everything to do with the Trends (Louise Lasser, Edward R. Pressman) is gold.

[D_Davis]

# A Simple Plan (1998) - a solid thriller
# The Quick and the Dead (1995) - a fun little western
# Darkman (1990) - has some cool parts, but misses more than it hits
# Crimewave (1985) - seriously one of the worst films I've ever seen. You've got the Coens, Raimi, and Campbell all imploding under the weight of a terrible script, some of the most unfunny "humor" I've ever seen, terrible sound design thrust upon the film by the studio, and just a terrible, terrible mess of a film. I spent about 2 years tracking down a copy of this on VHS, and even after hearing about how terrible it was I was shocked to find it was even worse than I could imagine.

[MacGuffin]

I Can't Sleep (Denis, 1994) 83

Hurray! Thoughts?

[Spinal]

# The Gift (2000) - **1/2
# For Love of the Game (1999) - no interest
# A Simple Plan (1998) - **
# The Quick and the Dead (1995) - ***
# Darkman (1990) - ***
# Crimewave (1985) - **

[Watashi]

Why does Qrazy put a # infront of everything?

[Sven]

Why does Qrazy put a # infront of everything?

Copy-paste from imdb

[Spinal]

Why does Qrazy put a # infront of everything?

I assume it has something to do with the cut-and-paste transfer from IMDb.

[Spinal]

Copy-paste from imdb

Round 3 goes to you.

Best 3 out of 5?

[DavidSeven]

I've seen both films, and while I think both performances are good for their own reasons (I prefer Hopkins), I don't see why others believe Cox is by far the better performance.

Hopkins hams it up as Lectar. His performance lacks any sort of human quality. It works for Lambs because he's only in it for 15 minutes and Starling's development is the focal point of the film. His cartoon-ish portrayal sinks the sequel and prequel because his character is center stage.

[Sven]

I know there are a lot of folks who hate it, but I'm with you on this. Everything to do with the Trends (Louise Lasser, Edward R. Pressman) is gold.

Not to mention Brion James and Paul Smith as the hitmen. Couldn't stop laughing.

[Qrazy]

I've seen both films, and while I think both performances are good for their own reasons (I prefer Hopkins), I don't see why others believe Cox is by far the better performance.

Hmm... Unless we're solely talking about Manhunter VS. Red Dragon though.

Who are these others? I thought it was fairly accepted that Hopkins defined the role.

[MadMan]

Spinal is your current avatar from some trippy cult classic? Heh.

Last night I viewed the following films, with both of them centering on high school:

Charlie Bartlett could have been a damn good, maybe even a great, film. Instead it simply settled for being entertaining and amusing, but nothing else. I came away feeling that the film's thoughts on high school and teen life in general, and how teens feel that no one listens to their problems or cares, could have been fleshed out in a more satisfying and meaningful manner. Too bad that this film, which at times walked the fine line between drama and comedy, ends up being a third rate Rushmore. The kid star of the picture though shows considerable promise, and I have a feeling we'll see more from him some day.

Drillbit Taylor was rather lighthearted for a film with a protangonist who really is a loser bum taking money from kids. While yes Taylor (predictably) redeems himself, the laughs do not come fast enough or hardly enough to make what seemed a halfway decent premise hilarious. Still Owen Wilson's likable personality and willingness to go all the way savages the film, and it was good for a couple laughs. I have to say though that the school principal and parents' unwillingness to acknowledge that the bullies were viciously attacking the kids though eerily reminded me of how the Columbine kids reports of bullying were ignored. That kind of affected how I viewed some of the film, in all honesty.

[Ezee E]

Who are these others? I thought it was fairly accepted that Hopkins defined the role.
It's more of a Match Cut quirk then anything.

[Sven]

Cox was more effective because he was so normal. Hopkins is a goofy force, a hideous anomaly of monstrosity that is more laughable than frightening. Cox isn't very menacing, but as far as creating a character that makes you go "Hmmm..." he's the far better pick.

[megladon8]

As an actor, I'd take Brian Cox over Anthony Hopkins any day of the week.

[MadMan]

As an actor, I'd take Brian Cox over Anthony Hopkins any day of the week.As a casual film critic I think Cox is the better actor. I haven't seen a great deal of either one's work but I think I've seen enough to judge and choose.

[megladon8]

As a casual film critic I think Cox is the better actor. I haven't seen a great deal of either one's work but I think I've seen enough to judge and choose.


Cox not only has better range, I just find him more charismatic.

Hopkins was wonderful up until The Silence of the Lambs, and ever since then he's been playing caricatures of Hannibal Lecter in almost every movie.

For my money, his performance in Magic was his best work to date.

[soitgoes...]

Spinal is your current avatar from some trippy cult classic? Heh.
Clash of the Titans

[origami_mustache]

For Love of the Game - 4
A Simple Plan - 7.5
The Quick and the Dead - 6

[MadMan]

Clash of the TitansAh. I saw bits and pieces of that film ages ago.

Hopefully tonight I'll see The Onion: The Movie but I'm too used to having movie plans foiled or delayed.

[Spinal]

Ah. I saw bits and pieces of that film ages ago.



Seems like it would be something you would like. It's not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, but it's goofy fun.

[balmakboor]

Charlie Bartlett ... simply settled for being entertaining and amusing ...

I can't tell you how many times I would've been very happy to settle for entertaining and amusing.

[megladon8]

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was a bloated, incoherent mess.

The action scenes are boring because they mean nothing, and are simply there to pad the movie out, since it has basically no story.

It's impressive that they managed to craft a film with no story, when every character has their own plot and agenda.

What a mess.

Though, it did have some gorgeous CGI.

[Spinal]

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was a bloated, incoherent mess.

By far, the worst of the three. Last one is much better.

[MadMan]

I can't tell you how many times I would've been very happy to settle for entertaining and amusing.Well to be honest some of the stronger parts of the film and its rather likable cast were the reasons why it received a 7.0 (I'm too lazy to pull up my /100 score at the moment). Is that generous? Probably. For a few years now I've been of the mind that unless a film is really crappy or actually pisses me off, its not going to get an extremely low score.

Speaking of that btw, I'm thinking that maybe I was a bit too harsh on Wag the Dog. I may up its score from a 55 to about a 64. Playing with numbers is fun heh.


Seems like it would be something you would like. It's not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, but it's goofy fun.I'm a sucker for clay animation and Greek mythology, so yeah chances are high that I would dig it greatly.

[soitgoes...]

I'm a sucker for clay animation and Greek mythology, so yeah chances are high that I would dig it greatly.Well it is Harryhausen, so there is that. Plus Olivier, Maggie Smith and Burgess Meredith. It was at one point my favorite movie, of course I was six when it came out. All told I've probably seen it 20-30 times. I just watched it for the first time in about ten years a few day ago, and let's just say it's lost some of the luster that I adored as a kid. I prefer Jason and the Argonauts to this now. Still it will always be a movie that's close to me. Also, I'm kinda wary about the remake.

[megladon8]

By far, the worst of the three. Last one is much better.


I hope so! This was just, ugh...such a mess.

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, it felt like an hour was cut out, and that hour was the story.


Oh, and by the way - love the new avatar!

[Philosophe_rouge]

By far, the worst of the three. Last one is much better.

I completely agree, after the mess that was the second, I expected really bad things from the third. Despite the length, I found myself thoroughly entertained.

[Qrazy]

The last Pirates film is a complete waste of space, much worse than the second. I felt the same way about those two as I did about reloaded/revolutions. I gave the second one the benefit of the doubt as long as the third paid off, which it did not.

[megladon8]

I actually like the Matrix sequels.

They don't touch the original, but they're fun entertainment, with some great action sequences.

[Mysterious Dude]

After seeing Matrix 2 and Pirates 2, I thought I liked them, but then I made no effort whatsoever to see the third one.

[Qrazy]

Ghost in the Shell 2 would have been a hell of a lot better if all of the dialogue had been excised. Great world building and visual storytelling, piss poor script replete with dime store philosophy and unnecessary literary allusions and quotations.

The third one was an improvement in this regard but it's no surprise that without Oshii helming the visual storytelling was the weakest (although still decent) of all three.

[Qrazy]

After seeing Matrix 2 and Pirates 2, I thought I liked them, but then I made no effort whatsoever to see the third one.

Yeah well, don't bother.

[soitgoes...]

After seeing Matrix 2 and Pirates 2, I thought I liked them, but then I made no effort whatsoever to see the third one.I'm glad you liked ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear. I watched it last week, and I really dug it too. Not only does it have one of the coolest movie titles, but also was one of the better of the "Czech New Wave" films I've seen.

[Mysterious Dude]

I'm glad you liked ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear. I watched it last week, and I really dug it too. Not only does it have one of the coolest movie titles, but also was one of the better of the "Czech New Wave" films I've seen.
A very interesting film. Pretty simple story, but kind of subversive. On the surface, it's about the Nazi occupation, but really, it's probably about the Soviet stranglehold on the country.

It was a really creative little movement, albeit a brief one.

[Grouchy]

Lots of movie watching lately.

I saw Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring Again!, which was just a beautiful, heart-warming movie. The only thing I went as far as having minimum qualms with is the attitude of the two policemen, which didn't seem believeable to me, but then again, maybe they were religious people as well, so who knows. Other than that, I found the pacing, acting, and specially the beautiful movie score very fitting. As a quirky note, my DVD had a subliminal message in it. No, seriously. When the kid is tying up the fish to the rock in the first part of the movie, a message had been recorded, lower than the rest of the volume: "¿Tú crees que Dios es bueno? / Lo que estás haciendo es malo [Do you think God is good? / What you're doing is mean!]". Creepy stuff.

Also saw 30 Days of Night. While I didn't like the protagonists all that much, and found the script's attempts to make then likeable too obvious, I think it has to be one of the grittiest, bloodiest vampire movies in the last 5 or 6 years, so I give it one big long hail. The influence of Carpenter in the directing style is tremendous, and the special effects work is clearly the best of the year. The movie is superb entertainment. I was highly surprised by Danny Huston here, specially since I wasn't able to recognize him until the credits. To all those who've read the comics, are they better and more fleshed out than the movie? And what fucktastic kind of language do the vampires speak?

Also saw again The Dirty Dozen. Quite simply, the best war movie ever made. And as far as ensemble pictures, this one has the best cast I've ever seen. Almost every single one of the dozen is a great actor. The cultural and artistic importance of this movie can't be overplayed. Never seen any of the sequels, but they don't really spark my curiosity.

Saw Machine Girl too. Waiting 'till I have time for full review.

[transmogrifier]

It's interesting

TTT > FOTR > ROTK

ESB > SW > ROTJ

DMC > CBP > AWE

A > A > A3

[Winston*]

What's interesting trans? The greater than sign? I'm not sure I concur.

[Pop Trash]

Watched All the Real Girls again. Loved it even more. The first time I saw it I liked it but felt a tinge of disappointment that it didn't blow me away like George Washington. But now I truly feel this is one of the best relationship movies I've ever seen. I like how Green captures how people in love tend to speak to each other in ways that are simultaneously dumb and sweet at the same time. It's really heartbreaking and sad but has a transcendent beauty all the same. Zooey Dachenel is fantastic and in an alternate world is nominated for an Oscar. It also helps that she is cute as hell and I actually thought she looked better after she cut her hair.

Anyways: 9/10

[origami_mustache]

It's interesting

TTT > FOTR > ROTK

ESB > SW > ROTJ

DMC > CBP > AWE

A > A > A3

Good thing I had my Ovaltine secret decoder ring.

[Spinal]

DMC > CBP > AWE



What case can you possibly make for the second one being the best?

[Mysterious Dude]

A is greater than A? Are you sure about that?

[Qrazy]

What case can you possibly make for the second one being the best?

Actually I'm tempted to agree, but that says more about them all being fairly crappy in different ways than anything else really. I would change Fellowship to best though (unless we're talking Two Towers extended, then the first two are closer to equal).

[SirNewt]

Name some films where you expected one particularly memorable scene amidst fluff but were pleasantly surprised when you discovered that the overall film was stronger than you originally anticipated.

I felt this way about...

Saturday Night Fever
Bullitt

Gilda 46 I don't remember loving this but I remember liking it for more than the one famous scene.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Everybody quotes the **** out of that coconut scene but the black knight is what had me on the ground, oh and the horny nuns.

[SirNewt]

It's interesting

TTT > FOTR > ROTK

ESB > SW > ROTJ

DMC > CBP > AWE

A > A > A3



BBC > PBS > MSNBC = CNN

DDT > BT > TDE

BLT > TNMT > DDR

[soitgoes...]

It's interesting

TTT > FOTR > ROTK

ESB > SW > ROTJ

DMC > CBP > AWE

A > A > A3

2nd>1st>3rd? Is this the case you're trying to make? If it is the Terminator trilogy works too. Though I don't agree with your first and third examples.

[Qrazy]

2nd>1st>3rd? Is this the case you're trying to make? If it is the Terminator trilogy works too. Though I don't agree with your first and third examples.

A case could be made (and I would make it) for The Godfather and Spider-man too. More often than not though I think it tends to be the case that the first two films are both quality and the third of the trilogy is either too bloated, runs out of steam or just fails to deliver on the promise of the first two.

Then again sometimes trilogies just get progressively worse.

Back to the Future, Scream, Jurassic Park

[soitgoes...]

A case could be (and I would make it) made for The Godfather and Spider-man too. More often than not though I think it tends to be the case that the first two films are both quality and the third of the trilogy is either too bloated or runs out of steam.Spider-man...ok. Godfather...I'm afraid no. I still haven't seen the third, but it already fails for me because I'm one of the minority that finds the original better than the sequel. Granted they are both still great.

[origami_mustache]

Spider-man...ok. Godfather...I'm afraid no. I still haven't seen the third, but it already fails for me because I'm one of the minority that finds the original better than the sequel. Granted they are both still great.

I didn't think that was the minority opinion...I prefer the original as well, although the sequel is about equally outstanding.

[soitgoes...]

I didn't think that was the minority opinion...I prefer the original as well, although the sequel is about equally outstanding.Perhaps not. I guess perhaps I've read more on why 2 is superior to 1, and not vice versa, thus my errant claim. Either way I can understand liking either one over the other. They're both great. I just happen to like the first more. It's not as cut and dry like some of the other trilogies listed above, where one is hands down better. Apologies to the Alien trilogy where 1 and 2 are both great too.

[transmogrifier]

What case can you possibly make for the second one being the best?


It's better than both the first and third ones. There is currently no fourth one. Hence, the best.

QED

[transmogrifier]

A is greater than A? Are you sure about that?


Well, that was a series from an era that wasn't really into colon-izing its sequels.

Maybe

As > A > A3

I forgot about

S-M2 > S-M1 > S-M3
AP:TSWSM > AP:IMM > APiG
BTTF2 > BTTF1 > BTTF 3
O12 > O11 > O13
ITMFL > DOBW > 2046
W > B > R
FD2 > FD1 > FD3
OB > SFMV > SFLV
X-M2 > X-M1 > X-M3

It's uncanny.

[soitgoes...]

Apu Trilogy=Fail (Though close)
Bourne Identity=Fail (Hated the second)
Evil Dead=Fail (2 and 3 are better than one)
Major League=Fail (1 would be the only I'd ever watch again)
Matrix=Fail (1 is far superior to the other two)
The Naked Gun=Fail (^)
Poltergeist=Fail (^^)
Samurai Trilogy=Fail (Two is the weakest)
Scream=Fail (1 is the best)
Shrek=Fail (^)
Three Colors=Fail (White is the weakest)

Not quite the iron-clad case from where I sit.

[Winston*]

Hollywoodland - Well acted, handsomely staged, not very interesting.

[origami_mustache]

I didn't come to the film discussion thread to decipher math equations. :frustrated:

[megladon8]

DMC > CBP > AWE


I can't for the life of me figure out what these ones are.

[transmogrifier]

Major League=Fail (1 would be the only I'd ever watch again)

You watching all 3 Major League films=Fail

:)

[Winston*]

I can't for the life of me figure out what these ones are.Dude...really?

[megladon8]

Dude...really?


...it was a joke.

Guess I needed a smilie in there.

[Winston*]

...it was a joke.

Guess I needed a smilie in there.

Sarcasm doesn't travel well over the internets.

[megladon8]

Sarcasm doesn't travel well over the internets.


I guess I just figured since two of the movies are in my signature as we speak, people wouldn't actually think I was that stupid. :rolleyes:

[Ezee E]

Sarcasm doesn't travel well over the internets.
Yet, it almost seems like every Winston post has a default of:

[/sarcasm]

[origami_mustache]

It's a little shocking to me how much more sloppy Oedipis Rex and The Hawks and the Sparrows seem in contrast with Pasolini's earlier works, Accattone and Mamma Roma. The editing, camerawork, and shot selections are pretty rough and amateur looking at times, whereas I felt the earlier films were very professionally executed. I don't recall how Teorema compared, but I'm thinking it was a bit more on the sloppy side as well. The acting in Oedipis Rex is pretty poor as well.

[Sven]

It's a little shocking to me how much more sloppy Oedipis Rex and The Hawks and the Sparrows seem in contrast with Pasolini's earlier works, Accattone and Mamma Roma. The editing, camerawork, and shot selections are pretty rough and amateur looking at times, whereas I felt the earlier films were very professionally executed. I don't recall how Teorema compared, but I'm thinking it was a bit more on the sloppy side as well. The acting in Oedipis Rex is pretty poor as well.

Humbug. It's not sloppy, it's raw. Give me the jagged tapestry of Oedipus Rex over pretty much anything, any day. Some of the sequences in that film defy comparison.

[MadMan]

It's interesting

TTT > FOTR > ROTK

ESB > SW > ROTJ

DMC > CBP > AWE

A > A > A3You know what? Those kind of posts are one of my biggest pet peeves. I'm sick and tired of folks throwing around the damn ">" symbol. Everytime one of those posts sparks a long, lame discussion covered completely in ">'s" I die a little inside. :|


I didn't come to the film discussion thread to decipher math equations. :frustrated:Exactly. If this continues on I'll just leave the thread for a while and come back when sanity has been restored. Which could be a long time all things considered :P

[MacGuffin]

Is this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079020/) any good, or a good entry to Eisenstein? Because I rented it from my library.

[soitgoes...]

You watching all 3 Major League films=Fail

:)
I've made many poor decisions in my lifetime. Surprisingly this one doesn't even approach the top. It's still a doozy though.

[Ezee E]

Stop-Loss teetered on greatness for a while. Then it became a guy on the run story.

[Spinal]

Stop-Loss teetered on greatness for a while. Then it became a guy on the run story.

Pretty much agree. The first half-hour is pretty intense. Ironically, it is about the time that the stop-loss is introduced that the film loses momentum. The story is fairly weak; however, Peirce's direction is strong and there are some great moments that make the film worth recommending. Also, the acting isn't nearly as strong as in her debut film.

[Qrazy]

BTTF2 > BTTF1 > BTTF 3
O12 > O11 > O13
W > B > R
FD2 > FD1 > FD3


These are wrong, the others are accurate.

[Qrazy]

Apu Trilogy=Fail (Though close)
Bourne Identity=Fail (Hated the second)
Evil Dead=Fail (2 and 3 are better than one)
Major League=Fail (1 would be the only I'd ever watch again)
Matrix=Fail (1 is far superior to the other two)
The Naked Gun=Fail (^)
Poltergeist=Fail (^^)
Samurai Trilogy=Fail (Two is the weakest)
Scream=Fail (1 is the best)
Shrek=Fail (^)
Three Colors=Fail (White is the weakest)

Not quite the iron-clad case from where I sit.

I don't know if I agree with Samurai Trilogy. The actual Duel at Ichoji temple is my favorite scene in the series.

[Sven]

The finale of the third film (on the beach) in the samurai trilogy is the only part of the trilogy that I thought was executed above banal level.

[transmogrifier]

You know what? Those kind of posts are one of my biggest pet peeves. I'm sick and tired of folks throwing around the damn ">" symbol. Everytime one of those posts sparks a long, lame discussion covered completely in ">'s" I die a little inside. :|

Exactly. If this continues on I'll just leave the thread for a while and come back when sanity has been restored. Which could be a long time all things considered :P

Well, I could have written all 10-odd instances of my grand unifying theory (for trilogies) in full perfect grammar for you, but brevity > worrying about MadMan's sensibilities.

[soitgoes...]

I don't know if I agree with Samurai Trilogy. The actual Duel at Ichoji temple is my favorite scene in the series.
The final scene of the final film is the best.


The finale of the third film (on the beach) in the samurai trilogy is the only part of the trilogy that I thought was executed above banal level.
Yes. I'm not a fan of any of the three. I watched them when I first "discovered" Mifune through Kurosawa. A re-watch is probably in order, but truth be told, isn't too high on my list of things to do.

[Ezee E]

Pretty much agree. The first half-hour is pretty intense. Ironically, it is about the time that the stop-loss is introduced that the film loses momentum. The story is fairly weak; however, Peirce's direction is strong and there are some great moments that make the film worth recommending. Also, the acting isn't nearly as strong as in her debut film.
There simply aren't enough opportunities for great acting here as there were in Boys Don't Cry. Er, at least advantages that Peirce could've taken advantage of.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the highlight of the movie.

[number8]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the highlight of the movie.

Isn't that every movie he's in?

[Winston*]

Isn't that every movie he's in?

Larry Miller is the highlight of 10 Things I Hate About You.

[Ezee E]

Larry Miller is the highlight of 10 Things I Hate About You.
Exception to the rule.

Great answer though.

[megladon8]

Lord Voldemort, top movie villain of ALL TIME??? (http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0261731/)

WTF???

That makes me want to give up movies as an obsession.

[MacGuffin]

Lord Voldemort, top movie villain of ALL TIME??? (http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0261731/)

WTF???

That makes me want to give up movies as an obsession.

Seriously, he's not even a movie villain. He's a book villain.

[Winston*]

Lord Voldemort, top movie villain of ALL TIME??? (http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0261731/)

WTF???

That makes me want to give up movies as an obsession.

Heath Ledger's Joker in a movie that has yet to be released is at number 5. This strikes me as a little more ridiculous.

[Ezee E]

Lord Voldemort, top movie villain of ALL TIME??? (http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0261731/)

WTF???

That makes me want to give up movies as an obsession.
It's moviefone. They already have Heath Ledger's Joker on the list, and the movie comes out on Friday...

[Spinal]

Somebody do a Best Movie Villain poll.

[Ezee E]

Somebody do a Best Movie Villain poll.
Done!

[Spinal]

Man, this new avatar works wonders.

Sombody PayPal me $1000!

[Winston*]

Man, this new avatar works wonders.

Sombody PayPal me $1000!

Done!

[Ezee E]

Man, this new avatar works wonders.

Sombody PayPal me $1000!
Ah, what the hell. I'll do $2000

[Spinal]

Done!

I'm running out of ideas. I might have to go rent Bruce Almighty.

[Winston*]

That was NZ $1000 btw. I don't have your American "bucks".

[megladon8]

*waits for Spinal to request a Holy Handblaster*

[origami_mustache]

Humbug. It's not sloppy, it's raw. Give me the jagged tapestry of Oedipus Rex over pretty much anything, any day. Some of the sequences in that film defy comparison.

Raw sounds like a poor excuse for low budget and not enough time to set up a tripod and dolly track. I've seen student films that look better.

[Qrazy]

Raw sounds like a poor excuse for low budget and not enough time to set up a tripod and dolly track. I've seen student films that look better.

I haven't seen that one but I'd say that often Pasolini is striving for a raw aesthetic... even his later Arabian Nights, Canterbury Tales, and Decameron demonstrate this approach... that is to say the budget is there but he just chooses to film it in a particularly gritty manner. However I agree with you that I tend to prefer his films with the more polished aesthetic. By and large I find his aesthetic to be relatively second tier (feel the same way about Imamura), but I still enjoy watching his films... and they're often better content-wise with their raw aesthetic than other more formally polished works.

I quite enjoyed the aesthetic of Hawks and Sparrows for the most part, but at other times the rawness does have an amateurish tinge to it.

[Boner M]

Hurray! Thoughts?
Really hard to get a hold on, and I'll have to give it a few more viewings for sure, but in the case of Denis that's a high compliment. I love how she's able to take the most sensational, ripped-from-the-headline premise for a film and transform it into such a potently abstract mood piece. The one thing that threw me off at first was how incredibly simplistic the psychology of the killers seemed, but when you consider the narrative elisions elsewhere, it feels more like a play on the audience's assumptions. So very melancholic, intoxicating, haunting, etc etc. Music was awesome too.

And hurray for that Dreamers score. The high rating it got in the Bertolucci consensus was just weird.

[MacGuffin]

Really hard to get a hold on, and I'll have to give it a few more viewings for sure, but in the case of Denis that's a high compliment. I love how she's able to take the most sensational, ripped-from-the-headline premise for a film and transform it into such a resonant, typically Denis-ian mood piece. I initially thought the psychology of the killers was incredibly simplistic, but when you consider the narrative elisions elsewhere, it feels more like a play on the audience's assumptions. So very melancholic, intoxicating, haunting, etc etc. Music was awesome too.

Agreed. Denis sure sets a mood with the movies I've seen of her (even with Friday Night, which I don't like), and Golubeva is one of my favorite modern actresses.


And hurray for that Dreamers score. The high rating it got in the last consensus was just weird.

Yeah, the characters are too theatrical as people (if that makes sense? QUICK NAME THIS MOVIE REFERENCE!!!! OHOHOHOHOHOOoo I KNO IT! OMG), and they're not in the least bit believable as far as liking the movies they do. Rosenbaum said it best in his review when he said something along the lines of the props seeming planted just for the fuck of it. So all in all, it's a giant shit on the stomach of the French New Wave time period.

[Boner M]

Yeah, the characters are too theatrical as people (if that makes sense? QUICK NAME THIS MOVIE REFERENCE!!!! OHOHOHOHOHOOoo I KNO IT! OMG), and they're not in the least bit believable as far as liking the movies they do. Rosenbaum said it best in his review that all of the props felt planted just for the fuck of it. So all in all, it's a giant shit on the stomach of the French New Wave time period.
The scene where Louis Garrel's character is introduced midway through namedropping each of the five central new wave figureheads (in order of history-book prominence, no less), before exclaiming "Nicholas Ray is cinema" makes me wonder if Bertollucci had ever met a cinephile in the 60's, or even his entire life.

[soitgoes...]

*waits for Spinal to request a Holy Handblaster*
I gave this to myself last night. :|:eek::)

[MacGuffin]

The scene where Louis Garrel's character is introduced midway through namedropping each of the five central new wave figureheads (in order of history-book prominence, no less), before exclaiming "Nicholas Ray is cinema" makes me wonder if Bertollucci had ever met a cinephile in the 60's, or even his entire life.

Actually, it's weird because I actually liked it the first time I watched it a long time ago (which was with the Hollywood Video edited DVD when I didn't have Netflix), but now watching it again, uncut, on TV, and even bigger fan of movies than I was before, I see that's it bland and takes no risks. Regular Lovers is the movie you want to see if you want to learn more about this era (of course, sans all the movie stuff).

[Pop Trash]

Regular Lovers is the movie you want to see if you want to learn more about this era (of course, sans all the movie stuff).
And sans Eva Green's delicious, delicious breasts. I can't be to hard on the movie for all her casual nudity but I do agree its overrated.

[Spinal]

... Eva Green's delicious, delicious breasts ... hard on ...

Reported.

[Sven]

Children, all of you.

[Grouchy]

So, I saw Teeth, and while my anticipation might have been a little too high (I blame number8) I agree it's a quirky movie, worth seeing. It's genuinely grindhouse in that it has a ridiculous premise (vagina dentata in a not-until-marriage teen) but it takes it very seriously and it carries that idea to its extreme but very realistic consequences. In fact, most of the dark humor is not forced, but comes from the very serious way in which the girl's strange mutation is treated. I didn't like the stereotyped characters - I'm not against the stereotypes themselves, but the characters didn't exist beyond them, they had zero personality traits. There's the nerd, the fucked up kid, the stupid parents, etc. The actors pretty much suck, too, except for the lead girl. I liked that, even if the script didn't waste time finding the causes of the mutation, there was a visual clue in most shots of the town as to why did it happen. In fact, I think Teeth might grow a little with time.

"VAGINA... DENTATAAAA! IT'S REAAAAAL!"

[monolith94]

Is this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079020/) any good, or a good entry to Eisenstein? Because I rented it from my library.
It's a great film, but it's hard to justify seeing it before Battleship Potemkin.

If the dvd has Romance Sentimentale on it, be sure to see it.

[origami_mustache]

It's a great film, but it's hard to justify seeing it before Battleship Potemkin.

If the dvd has Romance Sentimentale on it, be sure to see it.

I haven't seen it yet, but I wouldn't consider an incomplete Eisenstein film to be a good entry point.

[Qrazy]

Children, all of you.

How young are these children? Surely past or at least in the midst of puberty.

[Qrazy]

I haven't seen it yet, but I wouldn't consider an incomplete Eisenstein film to be a good entry point.

Yeah likewise on both counts... I'd start with either Battleship or Ivan the Terrible.

[soitgoes...]

Yeah likewise on both counts... I'd start with either Battleship or Ivan the Terrible.
Battleship Potemkin all the way.

[origami_mustache]

I think it is important to watch at least some of his silent work before delving into the sound pictures, or at least understand the basic principles of the montage film makers.

[Qrazy]

I think it is important to watch at least some of his silent work before delving into the sound pictures, or at least understand the basic principles of the montage film makers.

Yeah if the purpose is historical but as stand alone films I think I'd give the edge to the Ivan's as his greatest achievement... it's close though.

[number8]

So, I saw Teeth, and while my anticipation might have been a little too high (I blame number8) I agree it's a quirky movie, worth seeing. It's genuinely grindhouse in that it has a ridiculous premise (vagina dentata in a not-until-marriage teen) but it takes it very seriously and it carries that idea to its extreme but very realistic consequences. In fact, most of the dark humor is not forced, but comes from the very serious way in which the girl's strange mutation is treated. I didn't like the stereotyped characters - I'm not against the stereotypes themselves, but the characters didn't exist beyond them, they had zero personality traits. There's the nerd, the fucked up kid, the stupid parents, etc. The actors pretty much suck, too, except for the lead girl. I liked that, even if the script didn't waste time finding the causes of the mutation, there was a visual clue in most shots of the town as to why did it happen. In fact, I think Teeth might grow a little with time.

"VAGINA... DENTATAAAA! IT'S REAAAAAL!"


Oh, sure. Blame me for everything.

[DrewG]

Whatever, I'll probably get flamed and a bit for this but: I think Reign Over Me is definitely one of the more underrated movies of the past few years. I've been rewatching it in pieces on television and it seems to hold up very well, I love a lot of little things about it...granted, it's not perfect but I think it's a very interesting movie that navigates through complex emotions and makes beautiful, visual use of its exciting setting and a character so totally lost in it.

[Qrazy]

Whatever, I'll probably get flamed and a bit for this but: I think Reign Over Me is definitely one of the more underrated movies of the past few years. I've been rewatching it in pieces on television and it seems to hold up very well, I love a lot of little things about it...granted, it's not perfect but I think it's a very interesting movie that navigates through complex emotions and makes beautiful, visual use of its exciting setting and a character so totally lost in it.

I agree. Wait we're talking about Reign of Fire right?

[Winston*]

Re-watched The Player. Fred Ward is an actor with a repertoire of, like, one facial expression, but that facial expression is awesome. He looks like statue of Fred Ward.

[number8]

I agree. Wait we're talking about Reign of Fire right?

I will join you in saying that movie was underrated.

[balmakboor]

Lots of "new" Criterions have been announced. Mizoguchi Eclipse box. Costa Gavras' Missing (now there's a film I haven't seen for a loooong time). Some Melville stuff. And a few single "out of boxset" Cassavetes and a cheaper re-issue of Short Cuts (yay, I already own the book anyway).

[Philosophe_rouge]

Sometimes I wonder why I waste my time seeing such terrible films, Journey to the Centre of the Earth is so completley uninspired on every level. I can imagine kids enjoying it, and parents being happy that it manages to be so completely innoffensive in any way. It's so bland. I also don't get 3-D, it's cool for maybe 3 minutes but it's just not that impressive. It mostly looks bad. At least the glasses are kinda badass. Ugh. One of the worst I've seen this year, and I've seen some crappy films.

[origami_mustache]

Yeah if the purpose is historical but as stand alone films I think I'd give the edge to the Ivan's as his greatest achievement... it's close though.

Hmmm I better get on that then.

[origami_mustache]

I plan on watching The Apu Trilogy and Orphic Trilogy once I finish off my Italian stint. Recommend some other trilogies and is the BDR a good place to start for Fassbinder?

[Watashi]

Sometimes I wonder why I waste my time seeing such terrible films, Journey to the Centre of the Earth is so completley uninspired on every level. I can imagine kids enjoying it, and parents being happy that it manages to be so completely innoffensive in any way. It's so bland. I also don't get 3-D, it's cool for maybe 3 minutes but it's just not that impressive. It mostly looks bad. At least the glasses are kinda badass. Ugh. One of the worst I've seen this year, and I've seen some crappy films.

Easy. Get better friends.

[number8]

Sometimes I have this urge to just give all of you my Blockbuster Online account and have you folks add movies to my queue. Then I'd just be completely surprised at what arrives in the mail.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Easy. Get better friends.
That is a viable solution, but they're usually not that bad. They know their stuff movie-wise, just some of them have anticipation for the worst movies. I still don't understand why we didn't see Hellboy 2.

[soitgoes...]

Lots of "new" Criterions have been announced. Mizoguchi Eclipse box. Costa Gavras' Missing (now there's a film I haven't seen for a loooong time). Some Melville stuff. And a few single "out of boxset" Cassavetes and a cheaper re-issue of Short Cuts (yay, I already own the book anyway).Melville's Le Deuxième souffle is fantastic. Le Doulos not as much. I'm looking forward to seeing Missing some day, and I'll check out the one Mizoguchi I haven't seen.

[Ezee E]

Sometimes I have this urge to just give all of you my Blockbuster Online account and have you folks add movies to my queue. Then I'd just be completely surprised at what arrives in the mail.
It'd be a test run for you videostore idea.

You can trust us here, we won't change your account or the shipping address. :)

[MacGuffin]

Sans soleil (1983, Chris Marker) 1


I wouldn't exactly call this a masterpiece like everyone else (it loses focus sometimes), but seriously? I'd like to hear some thoughts. For real. Please.

[MacGuffin]

I wouldn't exactly call this a masterpiece like everyone else (it loses focus sometimes), but seriously? I'd like to hear some thoughts. For real. Please.

Also, an 8 for Cure, Boner? And out of 100! Wow. You must have really hated it. I've never seen it, but everyone says it would make a good entry to the director.

[Qrazy]

I plan on watching The Apu Trilogy and Orphic Trilogy once I finish off my Italian stint. Recommend some other trilogies and is the BDR a good place to start for Fassbinder?

Have you seen Antonioni, Kieslowski and Bergman's lose trilogies? Inagaki's samurai trilogy? I know you've seen The Human Condition trilogy... Wong Kar Wai's loose trilogy... Leone's Dollars trilogy.

[Boner M]

Also, an 8 for Cure, Boner? And out of 100! Wow. You must have really hated it. I've never seen it, but everyone says it would make a good entry to the director.
No, it's an 8 followed by a question mark in lieu of a TBA digit, meaning my rating will likely eventually fall into the 80-ish range. I found Kurosawa's treatment of his themes thoroughly fascinating, and can't remember the last time I was so creeped out by a film... but I was way confused by the ending, and feel like I need some time to think it over. I read a few explanations from some seemingly sane IMDbers, but they just seem to reinforce the film's ambiguity and help the formation of my own interpretation (which is much better than merely having the puzzle pieces filled in for you).

[Qrazy]

I wouldn't exactly call this a masterpiece like everyone else (it loses focus sometimes), but seriously? I'd like to hear some thoughts. For real. Please.

Personally I would call it a masterpiece and significantly better than La Jetee.

[MacGuffin]

No, it's an 8 followed by a question mark in lieu of a TBA digit, meaning my rating will likely eventually fall into the 80-ish range. I found Kurosawa's treatment of his themes thoroughly fascinating, and can't remember the last time I was so creeped out by a film... but I was way confused by the ending, and feel like I need some time to think it over. I read a few explanations from some seemingly sane IMDbers, but they just seem to reinforce the film's ambiguity and help the formation of my own interpretation (which is much better than merely having the puzzle pieces filled in for you).

Interesting. Everybody says this guy's movies are creepy, so I should see for myself.

[MacGuffin]

Personally I would call it a masterpiece and significantly better than La Jetee.

That's not really what I'm worried about. I mean, I liked it enough to wonder why the hell it would deserve a 1? Did Chris Marker piss on his lawn or something? Seriously.

[Qrazy]

That's not really what I'm worried about. I mean, I liked it enough to wonder why the hell it would merit a 1? Did Chris Marker piss on his lawn or something? Seriously.

Yeah the curtness of my last statement probably made it sound aggressive but all I meant was to add my 2 cents about Marker really.

[Qrazy]

Interesting. Everybody says this guy's movies are creepy, so I should see for myself.

I could definitely see you liking them (Pulse and Cure particularly... fuck doppelganger).

[Rowland]

No, it's an 8 followed by a question mark in lieu of a TBA digit, meaning my rating will likely eventually fall into the 80-ish range. I found Kurosawa's treatment of his themes thoroughly fascinating, and can't remember the last time I was so creeped out by a film... but I was way confused by the ending, and feel like I need some time to think it over. I read a few explanations from some seemingly sane IMDbers, but they just seem to reinforce the film's ambiguity and help the formation of my own interpretation (which is much better than merely having the puzzle pieces filled in for you).Yeah, I had to watch the ending twice before I began to grasp what had happened. The confidence Kurosawa demonstrates in ending the film with such ambiguity and such a devastatingly casual slight of hand is really amazing.

[Boner M]

Yeah, I had to watch the ending twice before I began to grasp what had happened. The confidence Kurosawa demonstrates in ending the film with such ambiguity and such a subtle slight of hand is really amazing.
I'm kinda pissed that I rented this as part of my watch-everything-that-isn't-available-in-Australia spree, because I really wanna watch it again ASAP but I have a huge pile of stuff I need to get through tonight and return tomorrow (same w/ Denis' film).

[Sven]

I dunno... for WTF ambiguity, Cure was significantly easier to comprehend than Pulse (which I still don't get) or the utter wackness of Charisma.

Q, no likey Doppelganger? I think it's easily the best of his that I've seen.

CSC, how 'bout YOU give us some thoughts about your low Sans Soleil score?

[megladon8]

I agree, Cure was easier to understand than Pulse, which I don't get at all.

However, my first viewing of Pulse would be in my top 10 for "most unnverving movies ever".

[MacGuffin]

CSC, how 'bout YOU give us some thoughts about your low Sans Soleil score?

Well, it isn't bad. I felt like I was watching it just to watch both movies on the set. I think it was a little unfocused too, but maybe that is because the structure... well now, what structure!? Does one even exist with this movie? Maybe it was more a matter of me not being fully prepared for what I was about to see. The only flaw I found with the movie was that maybe it showed too much Tokyo (which isn't inherently bad... Tokyo rules) and not enough Iceland.

[MadMan]

Well, I could have written all 10-odd instances of my grand unifying theory (for trilogies) in full perfect grammar for you, but brevity > worrying about MadMan's sensibilities.Fuck brevity. Its overrated. And I don't have any sensibilities worth worrying over anyways *shrug*

I Spit On Your Grave was the biggest waste of time, and easily one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I knew the film was bad, but curiosity (and a friend who paid for the rental) drew to me to it like one of those bugs to the electric shock lights. Ugh. I already wasted enough words and space on the film on another message board, if only to purge my hate of the film from my system. 0/100 is too kind a rating.

[Qrazy]

I dunno... for WTF ambiguity, Cure was significantly easier to comprehend than Pulse (which I still don't get) or the utter wackness of Charisma.

Q, no likey Doppelganger? I think it's easily the best of his that I've seen.

CSC, how 'bout YOU give us some thoughts about your low Sans Soleil score?

I actually don't hate it I just thought it was very middling especially in the last act. I quite prefer Cure and Pulse... haven't seen the rest... Bright Future next or?

[Watashi]

That's not really what I'm worried about. I mean, I liked it enough to wonder why the hell it would deserve a 1? Did Chris Marker piss on his lawn or something? Seriously.

Did Ang Lee piss on your lawn for giving Brokeback Mountain a 0?

[MacGuffin]

I Spit On Your Grave was the biggest waste of time, and easily one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I knew the film was bad, but curiosity (and a friend who paid for the rental) drew to me to it like one of those bugs to the electric shock lights. Ugh. I already wasted enough words and space on the film on another message board, if only to purge my hate of the film from my system. 0/100 is too kind a rating.

Rep.

[Winston*]

I'm kinda pissed that I rented this as part of my watch-everything-that-isn't-available-in-Australia spree, because I really wanna watch it again ASAP but I have a huge pile of stuff I need to get through tonight and return tomorrow (same w/ Denis' film).
I don't understand why Madman hasn't been getting onto more Kurosawa releasing.

[Sven]

I actually don't hate it I just thought it was very middling especially in the last act. I quite prefer Cure and Pulse... haven't seen the rest... Bright Future next or?

My two favorites are Doppelganger and Bright Future. BF may surpass it, actually, in retrospect. Dunno. Make sure you try to get the uncut BF.

[MacGuffin]

I actually don't hate it I just thought it was very middling especially in the last act. I quite prefer Cure and Pulse... haven't seen the rest... Bright Future next or?

My library has Bright Future. Good entry?

[Rowland]

I dunno... for WTF ambiguity, Cure was significantly easier to comprehend than Pulse (which I still don't get) or the utter wackness of Charisma.Absolutely. Charisma in particular is batshit insane... and kinda stale IMO, though another viewing is in order.

[Sven]

I don't understand why Madman hasn't been getting onto more Kurosawa releasing.

Too busy fucking brevity.

[Qrazy]

My library has Bright Future. Good entry?

I would go with Pulse or Cure but I haven't seen Bright Future so couldn't say.

[Rowland]

My two favorites are Doppelganger and Bright Future. BF may surpass it, actually, in retrospect. Dunno. Make sure you try to get the uncut BF.You saw the uncut BF? I prefer that cut myself, but I had to import it.

[soitgoes...]

Too busy fucking brevity.Madman as in the Australian DVD company, not Match-Cut poster.

[Sven]

You saw the uncut BF? I prefer that cut myself, but I had to import it.

I don't think so. I'd love to see it, though, as I hear it is much better.

[MadMan]

Madman as in the Australian DVD company, not Match-Cut poster.I had no idea they named a company after me. I should demand royalties.


Too busy fucking brevity.Hopefully I'm wearing protection this time. :P


Rep.I'm curious as to why, but its rep so I won't ask questions.

[MacGuffin]

I'm curious as to why, but its rep so I won't ask questions.

Because it's one of the biggest wastes of time you could spend watching a movie, and rep for being so bold as to watching it regardless.

[soitgoes...]

Because it's one of the biggest wastes of time you could spend watching a movie, and rep for being so bold as to watching it regardless.Shouldn't I get rep for reading your posts then? :P

[Sven]

Madman as in the Australian DVD company, not Match-Cut poster.

Hmmmm...

[Raiders]

Because it's one of the biggest wastes of time you could spend watching a movie, and rep for being so bold as to watching it regardless.

Hey, I've watched it too.

[Winston*]

Madman as in the Australian DVD company, not Match-Cut poster.

I'm pretty sure iosos didn't actually think that MadMan the poster was in a position to release J-Horror films onto the Australasian market.

[MadMan]

Because it's one of the biggest wastes of time you could spend watching a movie, and rep for being so bold as to watching it regardless.Oh. Makes sense to me. My friend also rented Last House on the Left. I actually have some sizable expectations for that flick.

[number8]

I dunno, I had an easier time following Cure's plot, but it left me pondering what the hell it was trying to say for a long time (which might be why it's my fav K. Kurosawa). While Pulse is definitely more WTF, I got the isolation and human contact theme right away.

[MacGuffin]

Shouldn't I get rep for reading your posts then? :P

Ouch. :sad:

[soitgoes...]

Hmmmm...


I'm pretty sure iosos didn't actually think that MadMan the poster was in a position to release J-Horror films onto the Australasian market.
Moment of denseness. Apologies.

[MacGuffin]

Oh. Makes sense to me. My friend also rented Last House on the Left. I actually have some sizable expectations for that flick.

It's eh. Not bad, not good. I can't say much more because I haven't seen the movie it ripped off: Ingmar Bergman's The Virgin Spring. I know some guy did a remake of The Last House on the Left a few years ago called Chaos. Which would make it a remake of a remake. Yikes.

[Boner M]

I have to admit, my mind tends to wander during films more often when I'm on holidays. And yet, I'll probably be visiting a theatre once a day for the next week and a bit when I hit NYC tomorrow. Contradiction! [/Spinal]

[Sven]

I dunno, I had an easier time following Cure's plot, but it left me pondering what the hell it was trying to say for a long time (which might be why it's my fav K. Kurosawa). While Pulse is definitely more WTF, I got the isolation and human contact theme right away.

I'm never at a loss for the grand gesturing and thematic what's-its he's attempting. It's his blasted narratives that leave me head-scratching.

[transmogrifier]

Doppelganger was really stupid. I watched about 50 minutes and switched it off. I don't often do that.

[MadMan]

It's eh. Not bad, not good. I can't say much more because I haven't seen the movie it ripped off: Ingmar Bergman's The Virgin Spring. I know some guy did a remake of The Last House on the Left a few years ago called Chaos. Which would make it a remake of a remake. Yikes.Eventually I will get my hands on The Virgin Spring, especially since I know that LHOTL is a remake of it. I've actually watched the remake before the original before twice: first when I saw The Magnificent Seven before I viewed The Seven Samurai, and also I saw Fistful of Dollars before I viewed Yojimbo. I'll probably have to Netflix Bergman's movie, but I'm sure it will be worth it, as I'm interested in seeing more of his work since I found The Seventh Seal to be a great and masterful film.

Also I'm finally quoted in someone's sig. Awesome :lol:

[Qrazy]

How about this, don't watch Last House on the Left, do watch The Virgin Spring.

[Boner M]

The Virgin Spring is good, but it doesn't have bumbling, comic relief cops. Wes wins.

[MacGuffin]

The Virgin Spring is good, but it doesn't have bumbling, comic relief cops. Wes wins.

You're going to need this.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll265/staticshotcinema/SHIELD01.jpg

[Raiders]

Last House on the Left is a great film. Yes, I said it.

[MadMan]

How about this, don't watch Last House on the Left, do watch The Virgin Spring.I plan on watching both. I just happen to have one already available for viewing.


Last House on the Left is a great film. Yes, I said it.Actually this reminds me that you calling it a great film on the Axis is one of the reasons I wanted to view it in the first place.

[number8]

Last House on the Left is a great film. Yes, I said it.

Correct.

[megladon8]

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6227/pulse2afterlifer1art1xi3.jpg

[Raiders]

Nick Ray's Wind Across the Everglades is all kinds of tonally bizarre. Paired with Budd Schulberg, I expected something entirely different, and I think Ray's being kicked out of the editing room by Schulberg can be felt in the final product, which is scattershot and leaves a lot of plot lines sort of hanging in the air. Ray's outdoor photography is as brilliant as always, but the positive score I gave it is almost entirely due to the brilliant final act. More or less a showdown between poacher Burl Ives and game warden Christopher Plummer, Ray and Schulberg imbue a heavy generational-conflict in the film (standard for a Ray film) and the interplay between the two is terrific (major kudos to the performance of Ives, both a villain and an uneasy authority figure). The film works opposite the way those Peckinpah westerns did, with the youth being the side of moral order and the crusty old-timer being deception and anarchy. The moral quandaries provide interesting text as Ives' "force of nature" clashes with the young idealist who values civilization and order, though it is that same civilization that has spawned the bird poaching that Ives thrives off. Not among Ray's, or Schulberg's, finest, but enough of interest to give a look.

[balmakboor]

How about this, don't watch Last House on the Left, do watch The Virgin Spring.

Have you ever read Robin Wood's skewering of Roger Ebert's capsule review of Last House on the Left? Ebert had described it as a reworking of The Virgin Spring -- which it is -- and in so doing managed to -- in two short paragraphs -- commit a world record of critical inaccuracy. Wood then provided his own very favorable analysis of Craven's film.

[Rowland]

Be Kind Rewind doesn't plausibly exist in the real world, and sometimes reaches nigh-unbearable heights of sincere sentimentality, but it has a palpably warm, beating heart, exuding a love and respect for the possibilities of the medium and its capacity to bring people together. Ultimately a minor film, it's still a lovely, charming encapsulation of Gondry's cinematic philosophy.

The Ruins is reasonably effective at what it sets out to do, especially by the standards of what often passes for horror in the mainstream as of late, but it doesn't leave much of an impression, nor is there anything noticeably substantial to it beyond the surface engagement. *shrug*

[megladon8]

Rowland, I remember there being some hooplah about "The Ruins" book, saying it was rather brutal/gory.

Is the film similarly disturbing?

[Rowland]

Rowland, I remember there being some hooplah about "The Ruins" book, saying it was rather brutal/gory.

Is the film similarly disturbing?It's brutal and gory, but not disturbing. As I understand it, there was a palpable strain of existential dread in the book that to my eyes didn't survive the leap from the page to the screen, so that's probably why it doesn't register as more than a moderately engaging b-flick.

[balmakboor]

Anyone who gives Marker's Sans Soleil a 1 (out of 10 or 100) should have his critical license revoked.

[Raiders]

Have you ever read Robin Wood's skewering of Roger Ebert's capsule review of Last House on the Left? Ebert had described it as a reworking of The Virgin Spring -- which it is -- and in so doing managed to -- in two short paragraphs -- commit a world record of critical inaccuracy. Wood then provided his own very favorable analysis of Craven's film.

Huh? I don't have access to Wood's review, but I read Ebert's review on his site and I can't really find any amazing inaccuracies.

[Bosco B Thug]

Doppelganger and Charisma have similar MOs. I can see how Kurosawa's stabs at comedy - mismatched so strangely with his droll directing, very passive-aggressive characters, and his non-accentuation of the performances - can be irritating... But I think both those films are ultimately very very sharp, political, and funny. Doppelganger is pretty accessible, though, when it comes to a clear narrative and visual sequencing that doesn't try to be confusing (which relates to probably why iosos likes it). Charisma, on the other hand, exemplifies Kurosawa's irritating traits - but I still love the film, it's whimsical and it gets hysterical at moments. Cure and Seance are pretty easy to follow, but they're also not entirely free from Kurosawa's cutesy/cryptic fragmented rhythm/style. Pulse is just a different beast, since it's like 2% plot, 98% metaphorical, moody set-pieces/mood paintings. Not at all rooted to the ground, to an almost vapid extent, but nevertheless very beautiful and emotional.


Last House on the Left is a great film. Yes, I said it. Thirded. ... It has problems, but "inconsistent tone" isn't one of them!


It's brutal and gory, but not disturbing. As I understand it, there was a palpable strain of existential dread in the book that to my eyes didn't survive the leap from the page to the screen, so that's probably why it doesn't register as more than a moderately engaging b-flick. Yeah, the book was heaping with existential angst. Haven't seen the film yet, but wouldn't expect it to make the jump.

[Winston*]

Film Festival starts tomorrow. Going to go see Hunger, I think.

[Qrazy]

Have you ever read Robin Wood's skewering of Roger Ebert's capsule review of Last House on the Left? Ebert had described it as a reworking of The Virgin Spring -- which it is -- and in so doing managed to -- in two short paragraphs -- commit a world record of critical inaccuracy. Wood then provided his own very favorable analysis of Craven's film.

Nah I haven't, I don't follow the critical scene or really read critics in general. They bore me.

[MacGuffin]

Anyone who gives Marker's Sans Soleil a 1 (out of 10 or 100) should have his critical license revoked.

Well, let's not mistake ratings for criticism. I for one would like to hear his thoughts before taking the critical license of someone who is obviously a movie lover.

[balmakboor]

Huh? I don't have access to Wood's review, but I read Ebert's review on his site and I can't really find any amazing inaccuracies.

You should get your hands on Wood's book Hollywood From Vietnam to Reagan. It's in there.

I was looking for the piece but couldn't find it. I OCRed it about two years ago a posted it somewhere. Probably RT which explains why I couldn't find it.

I came across this fine tribute to Wood though while google-ing:

http://www.nervepop.com/nerveblog/screengrabblog.aspx?id=107e119 30#11930

I just checked out Ebert's review on his site and it is nothing like his initial capsule review that Wood tears apart.

[balmakboor]

Well, let's not mistake ratings for criticism. I for one would like to hear his thoughts before taking the critical license of someone who is obviously a movie lover.

Ah man. I go for my little moment of over-the-top hyperbole and you have to ruin it. Seriously, I'd be interested to read his reasoning behind such a low rating.

[MacGuffin]

Ah man. I go for my little moment of over-the-top hyperbole and you have to ruin it. Seriously, I'd be interested to read his reasoning behind such a low rating.

To your defense however, when I asked him about his 1 for Pierrot le fou the extent of his criticisms were something like "nothing worked", so I wouldn't expect very much, if anything.

[origami_mustache]

http://images.allmoviephoto.com/2005_Batman_Begins/2005_batman_begins_049.jpg

Batman Begins wields fantastic visuals, and the most plausible superhero story I've seen (I typically hate these kinds of movies). Nolan blends the comic book world with realism and avoids pandering for the most part, allowing for a more humanized portrayal of the characters. Bruce Wayne's public perception vs. his true self is another interesting element and there is even a decent surface level philosophical discussion about "justice." I agree with the complaints about the fight sequences being poorly executed, but Bale's voice didn't bother me. I interpreted it as his way of both taking on another persona and throwing his voice in an attempt to intimidate criminals as well as disguise his identity. If only he could have avoided including the random child interaction scene which is so flagrantly abused in comic book movies.

[Qrazy]

http://images.allmoviephoto.com/2005_Batman_Begins/2005_batman_begins_049.jpg

Batman Begins wields fantastic visuals, and the most plausible superhero story I've seen (I typically hate these kinds of movies). Nolan blends the comic book world with realism and avoids pandering for the most part, allowing for a more humanized portrayal of the characters. Bruce Wayne's public perception vs. his true self is another interesting element and there is even a decent surface level philosophical discussion about "justice." I agree with the complaints about the fight sequences being poorly executed, but Bale's voice didn't bother me. I interpreted it as his way of both taking on another persona and throwing his voice in an attempt to intimidate criminals as well as disguise his identity. If only he could have avoided including the random child interaction scene which is so flagrantly abused in comic book movies.

Yeah I felt like there was some minor studio interference or something... with the child sequence, the cool ride comment and one other comment which I've forgotten... just didn't seem like Nolan-esque flourishes to me. Although maybe I"m wrong and he's into that sort of cheese once in a while.

[origami_mustache]

Yeah I felt like there was some minor studio interference or something... with the child sequence, the cool ride comment and one other comment which I've forgotten... just didn't seem like Nolan-esque flourishes to me. Although maybe I"m wrong and he's into that sort of cheese once in a while.

Yes, I thought the same, but it was nice to not have to roll my eyes, or sigh in frustration every few minutes.

[megladon8]

I'm really glad you liked it, origami.

I will probably watch it in the next night or two, before I see The Dark Knight - just to frshen my memory :).

Nolan's style and sense of serious-ness just really worked with me. I thought he captured some of the best, most interesting elements of the character.

[Yxklyx]

Sans Soleil...I wouldn't exactly call this a masterpiece like everyone else (it loses focus sometimes), but seriously? I'd like to hear some thoughts. For real. Please.

The whole attitude of this film came off as one of exaggerated importance, worth, and stature. There, I didn't use the P word. That, and it was extremely dull - perhaps cut down to a 10 minute short it would have been more palatable. Basically, it felt like someone tried to make a film based on their home movie footage by just adding some inane drivel over the top for narration. Don't ask me about Pierot le Fou - I've managed to forget all about that one.

Horror Express (1973, Gene Martin) was fairly entertaining. Very very low budget affair but with a very interesting story that would work great as an X-File. It's got Christopher Lee in the lead with some support by Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas. The entire film takes place in 1906 on a Russian train somewhere around Siberia/China and deals with an alien that came to Earth millenia ago.

[Qrazy]

The whole attitude of this film came off as one of exaggerated importance, worth, and stature. There, I didn't use the P word. That, and it was extremely dull - perhaps cut down to a 10 minute short it would have been more palatable. Basically, it felt like someone tried to make a film based on their home movie footage by just adding some inane drivel over the top for narration.


The editing and cinematography were remarkable. Did you watch a shitty print?

[MadMan]

Horror Express (1973, Gene Martin) was fairly entertaining. Very very low budget affair but with a very interesting story that would work great as an X-File. It's got Christopher Lee in the lead with some support by Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas. The entire film takes place in 1906 on a Russian train somewhere around Siberia/China and deals with an alien that came to Earth millenia ago.That's one of my favorite cult/B-movie horror films. Highly entertaining, and it features a rather violent and somewhat bloody climax that is awesome. Plus Lee and Cushing make for one great duo-I really must see their Dracula and Frankenstein collaborations. I was somewhat surprised to see Kojak in this, and I must say that Savalas was born to play a Russian soldier. To me this film reminds me of John Carpenter's The Thing and a few zombie movies as well, and is really straight 60s campy horror.

[Yxklyx]

That's one of my favorite cult/B-movie horror films. Highly entertaining, and it features a rather violent and somewhat bloody climax that is awesome. Plus Lee and Cushing make for one great duo-I really must see their Dracula and Frankenstein collaborations. I was somewhat surprised to see Kojak in this, and I must say that Savalas was born to play a Russian soldier. To me this film reminds me of John Carpenter's The Thing and a few zombie movies as well, and is really straight 60s campy horror.

Horror Express could do for a remake with Scully and Mulder in a retro early 1900s X-Files movie.

[Raiders]

Weekend viewings (bring it on, trans):

Irwin Allen Disaster Movie Marathon!:

The Poseidon Adventure
The Towering Inferno
The Swarm
When Time Ran Out...

Also, will try and make it out for The Edge of Heaven and I'm sure the missus wants to see The Dark Knight.

[Boner M]

Weekend:

Probably Mad Detective, and whatever else catches my eye around NYC. And maybe that silly Batman movie.

[Watashi]

I like how Match Cut is afraid to admit they want to see The Dark Knight even though the reviews have been jaw-dropping incredible.

The first thing I asked Barty when he saw it was "who on Match Cut will hate it?"

He said no one. Everyone will love it. Even the BB detractors will love it.

[megladon8]

I like how Match Cut is afraid to admit they want to see The Dark Knight even though the reviews have been jaw-dropping incredible.

The first thing I asked Barty when he saw it was "who on Match Cut will hate it?"

He said no one. Everyone will love it. Even the BB detractors will love it.


iosos told me that more people here would be interested in it if it had subtitles.

:P

[Sven]

I was more pumped to see it than I am now, but then that spate of bad reviews came in echoing that this one suffers from many of the same things that I thought killed Batman Begins and my interest waned. I'll see it, but hellz no, not opening weekend.

[Watashi]

I was more pumped to see it than I am now, but then that spate of bad reviews came in echoing that this one suffers from many of the same things that I thought killed Batman Begins and my interest waned. I'll see it, but hellz no, not opening weekend.

Barty says The Dark Knight makes Batman Begins it's bitch and there is a wide wide wide margin separating the two.

Slant's review sums it up well too.

[Raiders]

I like how Match Cut is afraid to admit they want to see The Dark Knight

I'm not afraid. If it was up to me, I would still see it in theatres, just not this weekend when it will be overwhelmingly crowded.

[Watashi]

I'm not afraid. If it was up to me, I would still see it in theatres, just not this weekend when it will be overwhelmingly crowded.
Oh man, I would freak out if I couldn't see this opening weekend, let alone the midnight show tonight. I'm dressing up and arriving six hours early to geek out with the hundreds of Bat-maniacs in line with me.

It will be a glorious day today. I was shaking while I was laying in bed out of pure excitement.

[Boner M]

I was more pumped to see it than I am now, but then that spate of bad reviews came in echoing that this one suffers from many of the same things that I thought killed Batman Begins and my interest waned. I'll see it, but hellz no, not opening weekend.
Let's see it and hate it together.

[Sven]

Let's see it and hate it together.

Let's. :)

[Watashi]

I guarantee that you will both love this movie.

[Benny Profane]

I guarantee that you will both love this movie.

Even though you haven't seen it yet?

[origami_mustache]

Weekend:
Porcile
Variety Lights
The Dark Knight

possibly...
The Red Desert
Zabriskie Point
Hellboy II

[Ezee E]

Why would someone be afraid to admit that they are seeing a movie?

Here's what someone should be afraid to admit...

My weekend viewings:
The Bank Job
Cube
Step Up 2 The Streets


HELLZ YEAH!

[Bridget Jones]

Weekend Viewing:

Mamma Mia :)

[Benny Profane]

I'll try to watch either Zero Day or Werckmeister Harmonies tonight (still no Phillies baseball, dang it).

[Benny Profane]

Too lazy to look for the thread, but did anyone find the placement of "Idiot Wind" weird during I'm Not There. Like, I know he and his wife were breaking up and all, but they were amicably going about it. Maybe because it was the slower, easier version of the song, and not the hard-driving, more spiteful-sounding version from Blood on the Tracks that Haynes decided to use it.

By the way, best film I've seen in a long time.

[Duncan]

Weekend viewings (bring it on, trans):

Irwin Allen Disaster Movie Marathon!:

The Poseidon Adventure
The Towering Inferno
The Swarm
When Time Ran Out...

Also, will try and make it out for The Edge of Heaven and I'm sure the missus wants to see The Dark Knight.

Do you have a paragraph on Up the Yangtze anywhere? I watched it last night. I didn't really think it was 81 worthy. Reviews seem pretty positive across the board though.

[D_Davis]

My friend from Germany is in town and we are going to watch:

Boxer's Omen
Id

on Friday night.

I expect my new guitar to show up on Friday, so I will probably just be playing it all weekend.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'll try to watch either Zero Day or Werckmeister Harmonies tonight (still no Phillies baseball, dang it).

Zero Day is good. I think you'll like it.

All-Star Week sucks. Last night I listened to music and went to bed at 11. I felt kind of lame.

[origami_mustache]

watched Salo...

Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me.

[dreamdead]

I should get to the following in the next week:

Beyond Our Ken
Citizen Dog
A Tale of Springtime
The Dark Knight

[Sycophant]

Beyond Our Ken
Awesome! Let me know what you think!


Citizen Dog
Awesome! Let me know what you think!

[Raiders]

Do you have a paragraph on Up the Yangtze anywhere? I watched it last night. I didn't really think it was 81 worthy. Reviews seem pretty positive across the board though.

No, never really felt driven to say much. I thought the filmmaking was stellar and the film's human focus, as opposed to a more ecological one, was a fresh, nice surprise. The shots of white tourists (on "goodbye tours," an ironic title since these goodbye tours are there to welcome Westerners to the "new" China) matched with the flooded homes and shops was nicely done and subtly critical. In general, it is a rather delicate film, though I think the idealism is a bit naive (to suggest that Chinese heritage is "up the creek" over the future symbolized by the dam ignores the necessity of change). I think the film is wonderfully successful though in capturing the change and the groans of a society forced to accept it (the two central characters working the tours show in their own way the difficulties faced). I am reminded of many fiction films that have stressed the change from ruralism to modern civilization and I think the real characters here are even more sympathetic.

Ultimately, it isn't a film that opened my eyes or really made me feel all that much emotionally, which may say something about me or the film, but I think for what the film wanted to tell, it did it as gracefully as possible.

[Yxklyx]

Weekend:

Edvard Munch
Billy Liar (maybe)

[Spinal]

I want to see The Dark Knight, but only for Ledger's performance. Watashi has the hardest time believing that some people just aren't into superhero movies.

[D_Davis]

I want to see The Dark Knight, but only for Ledger's performance. Watashi has the hardest time believing that some people just aren't into superhero movies.

I have to say that I am somewhat jealous of the massive Batboner people have right now. I just don't get that excited for movies anymore. I keep reading about people unable to sleep, or physically shaking with excitement, bursting into tears at the thought of the film, or being left absolutely speechless by the film's power.

The last time I was excited, really excited, for a film was Star Wars episode 1, and we all know how that turned out. But then again, I don't think I was half as excited for the actual film as I was for the hype and circus surrounding its release. It was a fun time, camping out for 3 days for tx, and just being a huge nerd.

I wish there was a film that could do this for me again.

[Sven]

I came to the realization about five minutes ago that the only reason I actually kind of want to see The Dark Knight is because there's this shot in the trailer of Batman jumping off the roof of a brightly lit building at night.

[Barty]

The Dark Knight really is as good as everyone says. I may be a fanboy, but if I don't like a movie, hype or not, I'll straight out say it. You guys know how much I anticipated Indy 4, but frankly compared to Dark Knight, Indy 4 is like a Uwe Boll film.

[Grouchy]

I can't believe I have to wait until Saturday to watch the movie on IMAX first - I have to fight the urge to run to any cinema and watch the damn thing already. I also want to re-watch Batman Begins before, just for kicks.

Oh, and Horror Express is an incredibly awesome movie. Not only is the Lee/Cushing/Savalas trio a show-stopper, but the plot is way ahead of its time. It's a bona fide b-movie that's as exciting as The Thing and maybe even bolder in its premise and resolution. I love love love love love love love it.

[Sven]

iosos told me that more people here would be interested in it if it had subtitles.

:P

I chuckled, but I would like it to go on record that I did not actually say this.

[number8]

I came to the realization about five minutes ago that the only reason I actually kind of want to see The Dark Knight is because there's this shot in the trailer of Batman jumping off the roof of a brightly lit building at night.

Then please see it on IMAX. That whole sequence is jaw-dropping in its power of composition. The way Nolan utilized the entire 7-feet screen to convey the height of the building... it felt like the seats were rigged to move along with the action.

[Watashi]

Not to add anything to my immense hype for The Dark Knight, but Chaw's review is up here (http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/darkknight.htm).


There's not a moment of The Dark Knight that's fun, not one single ray of light in its thick running time that concedes to popular appreciation; am I going too far to say that this might be the best American film since fellow sequel The Godfather Part II? Rolling that around on my tongue, I have to say it feels right.

[Yxklyx]

So, do I need to see Batman Begins before The Dark Knight? In truth I'm kinda tired of this whole Batman thing. I liked the the Burton film. Do these two new films bring anything new to the table or just more of the same old stuff?

[Sven]

Hellboy II and Cloverfield? I'll let Wall E by, but come on.

[number8]

I really don't think the film is as cynical and hopeless as all these critics are making it out to be. I confess I think Chaw is blowing smoke.

[MadMan]

Oh, and Horror Express is an incredibly awesome movie. Not only is the Lee/Cushing/Savalas trio a show-stopper, but the plot is way ahead of its time. It's a bona fide b-movie that's as exciting as The Thing and maybe even bolder in its premise and resolution. I love love love love love love love it.Gotta love the weirdo Pink Floydish music playing at the end, and that final eerie shot as well. I actually saw the film twice thanks to a local movie channel, and I didn't know anyone else around these parts had viewed it until recently.


watched Salo...

Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me. Can't sleep fascists will rape me.:lol: That post is awesome.


Horror Express could do for a remake with Scully and Mulder in a retro early 1900s X-Files movie.Okay that would be cool, but part of me is dead set against any remake of the film. I like it the way it is, campy cheesiness and all.

Weekend Viewings:

*The Dark Knight
*Last House on the Left

[Sven]

I confess I think Chaw is blowing smoke.

A redundancy at this point.

[D_Davis]

Is the Godfather II largely considered the best American movie ever made?

[MadMan]

Is the Godfather II largely considered the best American movie ever made?Perhaps by some. I think that The Godfather and Apocalypse Now are better. All three are masterpieces in my book.

[Ezee E]

There are now two Batman threads. Great

[Raiders]

There are now two Batman threads. Great

Yeah, I'd prefer the discussion of Chaw's review over there, but whaddya gonna do?

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:
Titicut Follies
The Exterminating Angel
The King of Comedy
The Ruins

[Melville]

Is the Godfather II largely considered the best American movie ever made?
Presumably Chaw considers it the best American film since Citizen Kane. Masterpieces arrive in roughly thirty-year cycles.

[DavidSeven]

I refuse to believe Christopher Nolan could be responsible for the best in American Cinema this year, much less the last 35.

[MadMan]

I have a feeling that even after tonight I'll still think that Memento is Nolan's best film. That I've seen anyways, as I will admit I haven't viewed Insomnia (which I doubt is better) or The Prestige.

[Qrazy]

So, do I need to see Batman Begins before The Dark Knight? In truth I'm kinda tired of this whole Batman thing. I liked the the Burton film. Do these two new films bring anything new to the table or just more of the same old stuff?

It brings something new to the table, something new to the entire superhero genre.