28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[soitgoes...]

Sometimes I think King Hu should have made nature documentaries. You should definitely see Dragon Inn, Come Drink With Me, and The Valiant Ones. All three are pretty awesome.

What Chang Cheh films have you seen so far?I have seen Dragon Inn (Amazing), Come Drink with Me (doesn't quite live up to it's hype), I want to see the Valient Ones, but I'll probably check out Raining on the Mountain first since I have it.

From Chang I've seen: One-Armed Swordsman, Have Sword Will Travel, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, Boxer from Shantung, Duel of Fists.

[D_Davis]

From Chang I've seen: One-Armed Swordsman, Have Sword Will Travel, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, Boxer from Shantung, Duel of Fists.

Nice.

You've seen some of the best Chang has to offer, at least from his earlier phase.

Back to Hu, I have not seen Raining on the Mountain, yet.

Have you ever checked out Sun Chung? His films, while not as well known as others, are remarkable. They are especially atmospheric, and focus on mood as much as action.

Avenging Eagle, Rendezvous With Death, The Kung Fu Instructor, and Human Lanters are especially good.

[soitgoes...]

Nice.

You've seen some of the best Chang has to offer, at least from his earlier phase.I have Five Deadly Venoms, which I'm having trouble getting the subs to sync up right. I just need to spend a few minutes to get it right. I also have Five Element Ninja.


Back to Hu, I have not seen Raining on the Mountain, yet.I'm not sure how eager I am to see this now, since it seems like it's a very similar film to the one I watched last night.


Have you ever checked out Sun Chung? His films, while not as well known as others, are remarkable. They are especially atmospheric, and focus on mood as much as action.

Avenging Eagle, Rendezvous With Death, The Kung Fu Instructor, and Human Lanters are especially good.I've never heard of him until now. I'll be checking some of his stuff out too. Thanks!

I also have Legendary Weapons of China, Dirty Ho, The Blade per your suggestion, as well as Long Arm of the Law which isn't quite in the same vein as the rest, but looks like it will be a fascinating watch.

[Spinal]

Keira Knightley to PhotoShop: Suck it! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/keira-knightly-refuses-br_n_115272.html)

[dreamdead]

Does anyone know of any places to get ahold of a Region-free copy to Takeshi Kitano's Takeshis and Glory to the Filmmaker? I'd figured that they'd be available by now in R1, but apparently Kitano's draw has died away here... :cry:

[Sven]

Does anyone know of any places to get ahold of a Region-free copy to Takeshi Kitano's Takeshis and Glory to the Filmmaker? I'd figured that they'd be available by now in R1, but apparently Kitano's draw has died away here... :cry:

I got a Canadian R1 DVD of Takeshis from Canadian Amazon. I'm sure Syco could suggest something like yesasia.com for Kantoku Banzai.

[dreamdead]

I got a Canadian R1 DVD of Takeshis from Canadian Amazon. I'm sure Syco could suggest something like yesasia.com for Kantoku Banzai.

Much obliged. :)

Meantime, I'm still as in love with Rohmer's filmmaking style as ever. Even if I love a visual formalist, which Rohmer is pretty much antithetical to, there's something so light about his touch and yet so developed about his characters. Here in A Tale of Springtime, the opening sequence reveals an insight into character as Jeanne observes her boyfriend's strewn-about place silently, yet the camera's roaming eye has a level of understated subjectivity. As per usual, the digressions into philosophy and psychology possess dramatic weight, as the characters reveal themselves in equal weight to both of them. And that ending is such a subversive, yet typically moral, Rohmerian touch, with all the implications of remaining steadfast despite sexual curiosities.

Damn, I could watch Rohmer's films forever. It's just frustrating that I can't find a dvd copy of Autumn Tale anywhere to complete the Four Seasons set...

[D_Davis]

hkflix.com

http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID.544559/qx/details.htm

$10.

[soitgoes...]

Keira Knightley to PhotoShop: Suck it! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/keira-knightly-refuses-br_n_115272.html)
Good for her. If the powers-that-be wanted to have a voluptuous actress play the lead of their movie, they should've cast one. They cast her knowing full well she's as close to being anorexic as one can be without being anorexic.

[soitgoes...]

Damn, I could watch Rohmer's films forever. It's just frustrating that I can't find a dvd copy of Autumn Tale anywhere to complete the Four Seasons set...
Downloading can be your friend.

[Melville]

I, Pierre Rivière, Having Slaughtered My Mother, My Sister and My Brother... (Allio, 1976) 84
Best. Title. Ever.

[Qrazy]

Keira Knightley to PhotoShop: Suck it! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/keira-knightly-refuses-br_n_115272.html)

Well as much as I dislike photoshopping.... she does kind of look like she has no breasts.

[megladon8]

Well as much as I dislike photoshopping.... she does kind of look like she has no breasts.


Which is what makes her so damn hot.

[MadMan]

Keira Knightley to PhotoShop: Suck it! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/keira-knightly-refuses-br_n_115272.html)She's cute, but she was at her hottest in the Pirate films.

Wrath of Khan is one of the best damn sci-fi films ever made. Meyer should really have directed more of the Star Trek films than he actually did. Especially since The Undiscovered Country was also very good also.

[Qrazy]

Which is what makes her so damn hot.

If you like 'em prepubescent.

[megladon8]

If you like 'em prepubescent.


Huge breasts are a waste.

Both Rhona Mitra and Laura Elena Harring looked much better before they got their mammoth implants.

[MadMan]

An American Werewolf in London was really fantastic. I loved how the film equally balanced humor with the pretty freaky and scary elements, and that film easily switched from being funny to being creepy. The transformation scene was utterly frightening and beyond awesome-I'm impressed with the FX, and I remarked to myself that the scene and the FX itself are both roughly 27 years old. Which only speaks to the skill of Rick Baker, who is one of the best FX guys in the business. I also liked that the movie sly made references to previous werewolf films, and the whole undead business only made the film one of the strangest I have ever seen. A pretty damn good first werwolf flick for me, and I look forward to seeing another entries in the sub-genre such as Dog Soldiers, The Wolf Man, The Howling, and others. 90/100

Oh and for not really being an auteur John Landis is fast becoming one of my favorite directors. I'm amazed at how he was so easily able to make many great comedies and then also do horror with this film, the video for "Thriller," and his Master of Horror segments.

[Qrazy]

Huge breasts are a waste.

Both Rhona Mitra and Laura Elena Harring looked much better before they got their mammoth implants.

Yes I'm inclined to agree but there's small breasts and then there's no breasts. Kiera's breasts are actually quite larger than that photoshoot made them look.

[megladon8]

By the way, was King Arthur really as bad as the reviews said it was?

[MadMan]

By the way, was King Arthur really as bad as the reviews said it was?The 2004 film? It was painfully mediocre, although it was no fault of the actors. Some of the action sequences were decent, and one was clearly a homage/rip off of a battle on the ice featured in an old Russian silent film. I can't remember the name of that film, but I imagine its probably better than King Arthur.

[Qrazy]

The 2004 film? It was painfully mediocre, although it was no fault of the actors. Some of the action sequences were decent, and one was clearly a homage/rip off of a battle on the ice featured in an old Russian silent film. I can't remember the name of that film, but I imagine its probably better than King Arthur.

Alexander Nevsky.

[Qrazy]

This has got to be my favorite scene in Shawshank Redemption. It's just such a resounding testament to the power of music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGPVF95HoDU&feature=related

[Sven]

This has got to be my favorite scene in Shawshank Redemption. It's just such a resounding testament to the power of music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGPVF95HoDU&feature=related

Love it.

[origami_mustache]

I cannot wait to see this. Though, i'd agree that very few comedies strive to have good visuals, I think the best looking film I've ever seen might very well be Catch-22.

Initially I wanted to see this, but the more I see the trailer the more it looks like a one joke film.

[soitgoes...]

Mafioso (Alberto Lattuada, 1962) - 8.5Glad you enjoyed it.

[Sven]

o_m, how is it that you can rate Oedipus Rex so low because of production value issues and then rate Porcile so highly?

[Qrazy]

Love it.

It certainly makes ya want to dance.

[Winston*]

Gomorra was a quality motion picture.

[monolith94]

Initially I wanted to see this, but the more I see the trailer the more it looks like a one joke film.
It's not a one joke film. I know for a fact that it has at least two jokes!

[monolith94]

It's not a one joke film. I know for a fact that it has at least two jokes!
Also, Catch-22 has some of my favorite movie-scenes ever. The scene where Yossarian dances w/ his Italian girlfriend in particular just captures me.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Initially I wanted to see this, but the more I see the trailer the more it looks like a one joke film.
Catch-22 is literally in my top 10 favourite films. It's way more than one joke, and continues to thrill and captivate me with every viewing. It's absolutely mesmerizing.

[Qrazy]

Initially I wanted to see this, but the more I see the trailer the more it looks like a one joke film.

Erm personally I love Nichols film but it's not for everyone, I think you have a good chance of liking it though. The script and general source material is definitely, definitely not one note. Even if you don't see the film you have to read Heller's book. It's both hilarious and exceptional.

[Winston*]

Dudes (and dudette), pretty sure he was talking 'bout the Ben Stiller movie.

[Qrazy]

Dudes (and dudette), pretty sure he was talking 'bout the Ben Stiller movie.

That makes more sense.

[Watashi]

Tropic Thunder is a one-joke film, but that joke is really, really funny.

[origami_mustache]

Erm personally I love Nichols film but it's not for everyone, I think you have a good chance of liking it though. The script and general source material is definitely, definitely not one note. Even if you don't see the film you have to read Heller's book. It's both hilarious and exceptional.


Catch-22 is literally in my top 10 favourite films. It's way more than one joke, and continues to thrill and captivate me with every viewing. It's absolutely mesmerizing.

Oh I was referring to Tropic Thunder...Catch-22 is my favorite book and the film was good enough....certainly more complex than one joke haha.


o_m, how is it that you can rate Oedipus Rex so low because of production value issues and then rate Porcile so highly?

Only part of the rating was based on production values. Porcile was a much more fascinating film...whereas I am very familiar with the story of Oedipus so it kind of just bored me. The acting was also pretty shitty in Oedipus Rex. A lot of my complaints were more based on the shaky hand held camera work, not that I am against it, but in this particular instance I think it magnified the other problems directly and indirectly related to the low production values. Porcile employed a lot of static shots. I liked the conversation scenes that would cut back and forth between 1 shot profiles of the characters.

[origami_mustache]

http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/2849/52cc.jpg

Pasolini's segment in Ro.Go.Pa.G. is one of the best things I've seen him do, unfortunately Rosellini's and Godard's segments are among the worst I've seen from them; Rosanna Schiaffino was nice to look at though and Gregoretti's segment was decent. If anything, see this for Pasolini's "La Ricotta."

[Yxklyx]

Also, Catch-22 has some of my favorite movie-scenes ever. The scene where Yossarian dances w/ his Italian girlfriend in particular just captures me.

I love how the whole film is one continuous multi-thematic shot.

[D_Davis]

Anyone seen What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? an old war comedy written by William Peter Blatty? It looks like it was released on DVD fairly recently. I am excited to jump into some of Blatty's old comedies. I've queueueueud it up.

[Benny Profane]

Well as much as I dislike photoshopping.... she does kind of look like she has no breasts.

As flat as a wall.

[megladon8]

Wow, The Last Winter was quite something.

It's a little too preachy, but it works as a semi-continuation of the themes from Wendigo.

I'll be writing a full review of this one.

Larry Fessenden is officially on my "awesome" radar.

[Ezee E]

Wow, The Last Winter was quite something.

It's a little too preachy, but it works as a semi-continuation of the themes from Wendigo.

I'll be writing a full review of this one.

Larry Fessenden is officially on my "awesome" radar.
I've got this at home ready to be seen.

[megladon8]

I've got this at home ready to be seen.


Do not expect an all-out scare-fest.

It's subtly creepy, and a very slow build up.

Have you seen Wendigo? That might give you an idea of the pace you're looking at.

[Ezee E]

Do not expect an all-out scare-fest.

It's subtly creepy, and a very slow build up.

Have you seen Wendigo? That might give you an idea of the pace you're looking at.
D'oh.

[megladon8]

I could see D_Davis totally being a fan of Fessenden's films.

And he also still has to see Automatons :)

[D_Davis]

I could see D_Davis totally being a fan of Fessenden's films.

And he also still has to see Automatons :)

I tried watching Wendigo a few years ago, and I didn't care for it. Maybe I just wasn't in the proper mood.

I also watched Automatons a few months ago. It was pretty good, although I think I appreciate it more for what it was trying to do than for what it actually did. It was basically the same scenario over and over again; it would have made a better short film - there was a lot of fat that could have been trimmed, as is the case for a lot of no-budget genre cinema. This would have made a great entry into a SF anthology film, thus eliminating the need for the film to revisit its dull moments over and over again. It also felt as though the actors did things really slowly just to stretch out the running time.

I did really like the aesthetics though. It has some great atmosphere, made even better by some interesting sound design. Sound was probably the film's greatest strength.

[Sven]

After having just watched Wild Strawberries, I have concluded that Bergman ambivalence is for amateurs.

[megladon8]

I tried watching Wendigo a few years ago, and I didn't care for it. Maybe I just wasn't in the proper mood.

It is very, very slow.

But there is just so much there. So many different narrative levels, and different ways of interpreting the events of the film.

I thought it was really fantastic, and a great surprise because I was expecting to be really disappointed.

If you ever get a chance, and feel up to watching something of its slow pace and rather strange style, I'd highly recommend giving it another shot.



I also watched Automatons a few months ago. It was pretty good, although I think I appreciate it more for what it was trying to do than for what it actually did. It was basically the same scenario over and over again; it would have made a better short film - there was a lot of fat that could have been trimmed, as is the case for a lot of no-budget genre cinema. This would have made a great entry into a SF anthology film, thus eliminating the need for the film to revisit its dull moments over and over again. It also felt as though the actors did things really slowly just to stretch out the running time.

I did really like the aesthetics though. It has some great atmosphere, made even better by some interesting sound design. Sound was probably the film's greatest strength.


Sorry you didn't like it more. I honestly expected it to be one you'd totally dig.

I thought it was fantastic. It might even make my year-end list for GB.

[Grouchy]

Saw two Harold Lloyd films yesterday.

An Eastern Westerner was a 20 minute short where Lloyd gets sent to the countryside to avoid him getting into more partying. Predictable but fun stuff. There's something about Lloyd's attitude that I don't like, though. It's easy to see why he was so popular in his time, but his persona is a little inconsistent and I find that I sort of dislike him when compared to The Tramp or Laurel & Hardy.

Safety Last! sold me with its last sequence - I completely understood why the image of Lloyd hanging from the clockface is so iconic. The whole sequence is so carefully constructed it's impossible not to feel the danger the character is in and the combination of comedic elements is frenetic. It reminded me of the humor of Hergé's Tintin books, specially the opening scenes of Tintin in Tibet. The film leading up to that scene had a little too much fat, though. I would've been happier if the entire movie was the building scene. There's much to praise the director, Hal Roach, for, specially the cinematography and camera choices which are definitively ahead of 1923.

[Spinal]

Line-up for the 2008 Venice Film Festival (In competition):

Darren Aronofsky The Wrestler – USA
Guillermo Arriaga The Burning Plain – USA
Pupi Avati Il papÃ* di Giovanna – Italy
Marco Bechis BirdWatchers – Italy / Brazil
Patrick Mario Bernard, Pierre Trividic L’Autre – France
Kathryn Bigelow Hurt Locker – USA
Pappi Corsicato Il seme della discordia – Italy
Jonathan Demme Rachel Getting Married – USA
Haile Gerima Teza – Ethiopia / Germany / France
Aleksey German Jr. Bumažnyj soldat (Paper Soldier) – Russia
Semih Kaplanoglu Süt – Turkey / France / Germany
Takeshi Kitano Akires to kame (Achilles and the Tortoise) – Japan
Hayao Miyazaki Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on Cliff by the Sea) – Japan
Amir Naderi Vegas: Based on a True Story – USA
Mamoru Oshii The Sky Crawlers – Japan
Ferzan Özpetek Un giorno perfetto – Italy
Christian Petzold Jerichow – Germany
Barbet Schroeder Inju, la Bête dans l’ombre – France
Werner Schroeter Nuit de chien – France / Germany / Portugal
Tariq Teguia Gabbla (Inland) – Algeria / France
Yu Lik-wai Dangkou (Plastic City) – Brazil / China / Hong Kong/China / Japan

[Stay Puft]

Takeshi Kitano Akires to kame (Achilles and the Tortoise) – Japan

Please be in Toronto, please be in Toronto...

[Sven]

New Kitano, Bigelow, Schroeder, and Demme! So cool!!

[D_Davis]

Mamoru Oshii The Sky Crawlers – Japan

I cannot wait to see this.

Looks absolutely stunning.

http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/first-proper-teaser-for-mamoru-oshiis-sky-crawlers/

[Boner M]

Best. Title. Ever.
My sig looks mighty cool with that one and the Sharits titles in there at the moment; shame they'll be bumped off for less cool titles pretty soon. *sigh*

[Ezee E]

How big of a budget did The Road get? That's one of my Telluride hopes.

[Watashi]

Is The Wrestler coming out this year?

[DrewG]

So I just finished watching Ray's On Dangerous Ground, and for 82 minutes and something I wasn't expecting a ton of...I thought it was pretty good, more than anything a great story of two very different characters. I think the most interesting thing is Jim's relationship with Mary which I really saw as his disgust with the big city almost relentlessly feeding his almost jealously of her blindness and helplessness, her inability to be so deeply destroyed by the crumbling world that is on the far outskirts of her small, quiet lifestyle. I thought Lupino's performance was great and I thought Ryan did pretty well with his role as well...overall it's not world changing, but not a bad way to spend an hour or so.

I saw Lupino was also in Fritz Lang's While The City Sleeps...would anyone recommend it?

[Bosco B Thug]

George Romero's Bruiser only managed to waver shakily a teensy bit above mediocre throughout its running time, but his early film Season of the Witch was really excellent.

[MadMan]

George Romero's Bruiser only managed to waver shakily a teensy bit above mediocre throughout its running time, but his early film Season of the Witch was really excellent.I'm really interested in seeing both, although only Bruiser is actually available and at my disposal.

[Watashi]

A really interesting interview with Frank Darabont on The Mist's wildly divisive ending. (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37711)

[Kurosawa Fan]

A really interesting interview with Frank Darabont on The Mist's wildly divisive ending. (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37711)

That interview was as lame as the movie.

[Sycophant]

ANY INTERVIEWER: How did 9/11 change or influence the way you made [ANY FILM MADE SINCE 2002]?

ANY DIRECTOR: My vision for the project never really changed, but, golly, it sure felt more relevant, so I felt more like I really had to make it.

If Darabont is shocked by a conservative reading, he's either in denial or a nut.

[megladon8]

I've got to say, like my recent rant against Jesus-dropping, I'm also a little tired of everything somehow relating to 9/11.

Maybe it's my unorthodox views on the event (I probably shouldn't share them here for fear of being run out of this place by an angry mob), but man, not everything has to be about 9/11.

Some movies offer obvious allegories, but sometimes I think people try too hard.

*not saying that The Mist was not 9/11-related*

[Spinal]

If you can't see that Mamma Mia is about 9/11, then the terrorists have already won.

[Wryan]

If you can't see that Mamma Mia is about 9/11, then the terrorists have already won.

If you can't see that the terrorists have already won, you're making baby Jesus cry.

[D_Davis]

Jesus was a terrorist.

[Spinal]

If you can't see that the terrorists have already won, you're making baby Jesus cry.

If you can't make the baby Jesus cry, then you really need to work on your scary monster voice.

[Wryan]

If you can't make the baby Jesus cry, then you really need to work on your scary monster voice.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z167/Great_WhiteSnark/batman_bale-1.jpg

SWEAR TO ME!

[Sven]

Some movies offer obvious allegories, but sometimes I think people try too hard.

:frustrated:

[megladon8]

:frustrated:


I think this is different from your pet peeve.

I like and totally appreciate people looking deeper into a film, and arriving at their own conclusions.

But making wild assumptions based on very thing (sometimes completely non-existent) evidence just doesn't sit well with me.

I remember back in my early days at RT, when The Sixth Sense was still being widely discussed, and it seemed like every second movie that came out had people with these wild revelations about the main character being dead.

There's a difference between looking for hidden/different interpretations, and just being stupid.

[Sven]

No, meg. It is legit to read into any major industrial output one of the most affecting international incidents the country has ever seen. If not directly metaphorical (OMG, this character represents the planes!), it without a doubt affected that product, whether it's economically, artistically, or culturally (probably all three). It hasn't even been ten years. 9/11 isn't just a spooky fad.

[Qrazy]

The King of Marvin Gardens was a strange film. I liked it.

[Raiders]

I think that people will look back on this event similarly to how many people, myself included, analyze the American horror films in the era, and post-era, of Vietnam.

I think living in the moment makes it difficult to gain perspective, but years from now people will look back and see how 9/11 shaped many films and a cultural world view.

[D_Davis]

I think that people will look back on this event similarly to how many people, myself included, analyze the American horror films in the era, and post-era, of Vietnam.


Exactly.

The Vietnam war, and it's impact on American pop-culture, had a huge impact on horror cinema, just as 9/11 has, and will continue to have.

[DrewG]

What ever shall I watch tonight...?

While The City Sleeps is in contention considering I just got it from KG, but I've got work 5 to 9 so while I'm gone I can grab pretty much anything. Looking for a mildly obscure classic, but a must-see nonetheless. Preferably American for tonight...anything?

[Spinal]

Exactly.

The Vietnam war, and it's impact on American pop-culture, had a huge impact on horror cinema, just as 9/11 has, and will continue to have.

Not only horror films, but superhero films. Like, for example, meg's favorite film.

[Raiders]

Looking for a mildly obscure classic, but a must-see nonetheless. Preferably American for tonight...anything?

I would recommend Portrait of Jennie.

[DrewG]

Spinal, that Breillat film is that good? Is that her latest?

I really enoyed Fat Girl (total OMG WTF!? factor on that awesome ending) but I found The Anatomy of Hell to be almost insufferable...where do you think I should go next: The Last Mistress or Romance?

[DavidSeven]

If you can't see that Mamma Mia is about 9/11, then the terrorists have already won.

Hurrah!

http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2008/06/4a8de172515255204a8632a02359aa 20-1.jpg

[DrewG]

A pound...a bump...a terrorist fist jab?

[megladon8]

No, meg. It is legit to read into any major industrial output one of the most affecting international incidents the country has ever seen. If not directly metaphorical (OMG, this character represents the planes!), it without a doubt affected that product, whether it's economically, artistically, or culturally (probably all three). It hasn't even been ten years. 9/11 isn't just a spooky fad.


Yes, I realize this.

But it's not in everything that has come out since then.

I'm not saying that 9/11 shouldn't be included in the analyses of films where it is relevant, but if someone were to say that, say, Knocked Up was about the country's reaction to that event, I would have to call bullshit.

[megladon8]

Not only horror films, but superhero films. Like, for example, meg's favorite film.


How do you know what my favorite movie is?

Even I don't know what my favorite movie is.

You're invading my psyche, aren't you?

[Raiders]

I'm not saying that 9/11 shouldn't be included in the analyses of films where it is relevant, but if someone were to say that, say, Knocked Up was about the country's reaction to that event, I would have to call bullshit.

But nobody has said this. That's the point. When people bring it up, they generally rationalize it somehow.

[Sven]

I'm not saying that 9/11 shouldn't be included in the analyses of films where it is relevant, but if someone were to say that, say, Knocked Up was about the country's reaction to that event, I would have to call bullshit.

I don't think anyone would say Knocked Up is ABOUT the reaction, but I think it's intellectually counterfeit to say that it can't INCLUDE the reaction or be a product OF the reaction. I'm thinking that it's you that's reading far too much into critical 9/11 parallels. Or at least, too literally.

[Spinal]

Spinal, that Breillat film is that good? Is that her latest?

I really enoyed Fat Girl (total OMG WTF!? factor on that awesome ending) but I found The Anatomy of Hell to be almost insufferable...where do you think I should go next: The Last Mistress or Romance?

The Last Mistress is probably her most accessible film to date. Romance is not quite as extreme as Anatomy of Hell, but it comes close.

[MadMan]

Hey has anyone here seen Badasses, Mario Van Pebbles film about his father's struggle to get a blackexplotation film made? I rented it on Monday because I've heard good things about it. I also have Suicide Kings and Super Troopers as well on hand.

[Spinal]

How do you know what my favorite movie is?

Even I don't know what my favorite movie is.

You're invading my psyche, aren't you?

Am I crazy? Haven't you been saying it's Batman Begins for a long time now? The only reason I can see that you would be in doubt is because the sequel just came out recently.

[MadMan]

I betcha none of you know what my favorite movie is. :P

http://www.channels.com/catalog/graphic/51397.jpg

Hah hah! Guessing game.

[Raiders]

Am I crazy? Haven't you been saying it's Batman Begins for a long time now? The only reason I can see that you would be in doubt is because the sequel just came out recently.

Heh. I assumed you were referring to the original Superman film (I thought you were referencing Vietnam, not 9/11), and I was trying to think of how it tied in.

[Spinal]

I could have sworn I had a conversation with megladon about how he's sick of getting crap for Batman Begins being his favorite film.

And I was all like, "Chin up! Stiff upper lip, what, what!"

[Idioteque Stalker]

Hidden Fortress was pretty good. An entertaining film with several brilliant moments and consistently great visuals, but the two peasants were a little too bumbling and one-note for me (which is quite a bummer because they're in just about every scene).

Probably my least favorite from Kurosawa so far. Amazing beginning, though.

[Spinal]

I betcha none of you know what my favorite movie is. :P

Hah hah! Guessing game.

Leprechaun ... wait for it!
















.... in the Hood

[MadMan]

Leprechaun ... wait for it!
















.... in the HoodMan, I wish. I've never seen that movie :sad:


Hidden Fortress was pretty good. An entertaining film with several brilliant moments and consistently great visuals, but the two peasants were a little too bumbling and one-note for me (which is quite a bummer because they're in just about every scene).

Probably my least favorite from Kurosawa so far. Amazing beginning, though.I liked the peasants, and I thought they were quite funny. But yeah the film is little more than high entertainment, infused with Kurosawa's eye for detail, style, and containing a bit of his intelligence. The fight scenes are utterly magnificent, of course.

[Sven]

One of the "Why have I not seen this movie yet" movies can be exxed off the list: La Bete Humaine

Golly, what a picture! That violent, forward motion so integral to Gabin's psychoses: placating (as he tells his aunt that he's "all better") though the seeds of dormancy quickly issue forth sprouts of profound guilt (as in the film's final sadness... one of my new favorite movie moments is the sequence where he nearly does in a guy with a lead pipe - through sheer mental force he commits to and rejects the decision, all in the course of about five seconds, photographed beautifully), its tone set to a torrid thrusting through the French countryside (I love that it opens on the hellish maw of the coal burner), contradictorily tranquil and turbulent, just like Simon's passionate confusion, her love genuine, her prurience too spontaneous.

Jeepers!

[Bosco B Thug]

If Darabont is shocked by a conservative reading, he's either in denial or a nut. Or amping up his sense of shock because he's aware the ending has been read that way, but is trying to emphasize that the film opens itself up to much more richness if the ending is not taken too literally and at such face-value?

Buuut Is till haven't re-watched the film since it came to theaters, so my resolve is wavering. I've been putting it off because I want to watch the B&W version, which isn't available for rental anywhere but Netflix. Suppose I should get on it then.


Exactly.

The Vietnam war, and it's impact on American pop-culture, had a huge impact on horror cinema, just as 9/11 has, and will continue to have. As much I love the horror genre, I'm skeptical there's any persuasive social response going on in the genre. Horror films have already bucked the trend from tame to crazy violent, and now they just tend to be lamely opportunistic.

[origami_mustache]

Hey has anyone here seen Badasses, Mario Van Pebbles film about his father's struggle to get a blaxploitation film made? I rented it on Monday because I've heard good things about it.

I saw this a while back, but don't remember much about it. Blaxploitation films are very interesting to me, and I'd like to explore them more at some point. This film was interesting from the perspective of seeing how his father got his film made, but I seem to remember it coming across as a little amateur and cheesy at times. I'd rather watch a documentary on the genre or the films themselves.

[Boner M]

Forgot to mention that I met Abel Ferrara in NYC at the Anthology Archives; I stood in a circle of onlookers while he paced back and forth erratically, talking shit about distributors and Werner Herzog, while looking typically coked-out. It was cool.

[origami_mustache]

foreign trilogies?

GO!

[Sven]

foreign trilogies?

GO!

French Cancan
Golden Coach
Elena and Her Men

More an "in spirit" trilogy than a literal one.

[MacGuffin]

French Cancan
Golden Coach
Elena and Her Men

More an "in spirit" trilogy than a literal one.

Still need to see French Cancan, maybe I'll rent it after Sátántangó.

[origami_mustache]

French Cancan
Golden Coach
Elena and Her Men

More an "in spirit" trilogy than a literal one.

funny... I just added that one as well as the The Yakuza Papers.

[D_Davis]

As much I love the horror genre, I'm skeptical there's any persuasive social response going on in the genre. Horror films have already bucked the trend from tame to crazy violent, and now they just tend to be lamely opportunistic.

Halloween is often considered one of the first post-Vietnam horror films in the way that it reflects the social changes of post-Vietnam America. The horror was no longer "out there," "in the woods," or "from outer space." The horror was brought home to the suburbs, the atrocities were committed by one of our own - not some alien or other metaphorical commie. Meyers was not from another place, he was from the very place in which he committed his murders, he was a product of the evil present in our society. In this way, the horror became more cynical.

A good horror film will always reflect the true to life horrors of the times they are made in, or at least be informed by them.

Genre is almost always shaped by social change - you could plot the changes in SF from the golden era through the new wave and see how the changes in society influenced changes in the genre.

The same goes for horror.

This is a pretty popular topic of study for cinephiles.

http://www.acmi.net.au/1F6B9E88D95C48FCA5239678F1BBC8 C6.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/movies/gore/stainedlens.html


In the 1970s, horror films were at their peak because America was itself a horror show,' says Bradley P. Guillory in his essay, Stained Lens: Style as a Cultural Signifier in Seventies Horror Films. (http://www.angelfire.com/movies/gore/stainedlens.html)

'The Vietnam War was in full force; police were shooting Kent State students for exercising their constitutional rights; technology was replacing factory workers, but gasoline was still running low. The American hero of World War II had vanished, and the horror directors of the seventies were compelled to comment on this disappearance. In Last House on the Left (1972), Wes Craven uses a family of criminals symbolically and juxtaposes them with a straight-laced family that tries to escape the new, post-Vietnam America, but the straight-laced family finds that the stain of war and atrocity affects their lives as well. Tobe Hooper created a family of economic degenerates who have resorted to cannibalism in order to survive the technological encroachment into their rural homeland of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. And just when Americans thought they were safe from the seventies, John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) appeared with a physical form of evil that reminds us that light cannot exist without darkness.'
Just one of many articles on the subject.

[soitgoes...]

Fanny trilogy
Apu trilogy
Calcutta trilogy
Mabuse trilogy
One-Armed Swordsman trilogy
Infernal Affairs
A Better Tomorrow

Both the last two I believe include a prequel instead of a straight trilogy.

[Bosco B Thug]

Halloween is often considered one of the first post-Vietnam horror films in the way that it reflects the social changes of post-Vietnam America. The horror was no longer "out there," "in the woods," or "from outer space." The horror was brought home to the suburbs, the atrocities were committed by one of our own - not some alien or other metaphorical commie. Meyers was not from another place, he was from the very place in which he committed his murders, he was a product of the evil present in our society. In this way, the horror became more cynical.

A good horror film will always reflect the true to life horrors of the times they are made in, or at least be informed by them.

Genre is almost always shaped by social change - you could plot the changes in SF from the golden era through the new wave and see how the changes in society influenced changes in the genre.

The same goes for horror.

This is a pretty popular topic of study for cinephiles.

http://www.acmi.net.au/1F6B9E88D95C48FCA5239678F1BBC8 C6.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/movies/gore/stainedlens.html

Just one of many articles on the subject. Oh, yeah, I know... in the original post, I was only refering to now, a current "new wave" of societal horror film.

I mean, of course there's horror movies now (and always) that respond to the times (whether with political commentary or just what's currently drawing the crowds), and there's all the "digital video" horror movies of late, and "global warming" horror, etc... all important trends and "artistic" movements in the genre, but I figure there's only one big "social evolution" that the genre can make and that's deciding to become violent and unflinching and in-your-face back in the 60s and 70s. ... is all I meant, and it could probably be more complex than that, maybe...

[D_Davis]

I think one could make a pretty good argument for the whole "torture porn" thing being a reflection of our post-9/11 society.

Or you could go even more meta and look at trends like remakes - I am sure this says something about our current culture, or at least something about how we perceived our current culture.

[Spinal]

I think one could make a pretty good argument for the whole "torture porn" thing being a reflection of our post-9/11 society.



Hostel is totally a post-9/11 film.

[megladon8]

Am I crazy? Haven't you been saying it's Batman Begins for a long time now? The only reason I can see that you would be in doubt is because the sequel just came out recently.


Yeah, a while ago it was my favorite movie, but I'm starting to lean towards not having a definitive favorite movie.

At least not for a while.

I seem to be more of a "favorite movie of the moment" type person.

[MadMan]

I think one could make a pretty good argument for the whole "torture porn" thing being a reflection of our post-9/11 society.

Or you could go even more meta and look at trends like remakes - I am sure this says something about our current culture, or at least something about how we perceived our current culture.The belief I've held for some time is that unlike the previous decades, we are really truly copying the past to a point where its becoming obscene. However since everything has been done before and we really long for the past, remakes, prequels, sequels and the like (usually derrived from, or created for past creations such as movies, books, etc.) have become common place. And even expected. I myself really have no proble with such things because they've been done in the past, and sometimes they are either necessary or warrented. These days I care about quality and skill, not orginality because really originality has died out. Everything's pretty much been done.

[D_Davis]

Hostel is totally a post-9/11 film.

I don't know if you're being snarky, but, yeah it is. 9/11 has made us afraid of the "other" again, of, frankly, foreigners. What are they going to do to us? What are the foreigners going to do to the loudmouth, rude Americans?

[megladon8]

I don't know if you're being snarky, but, yeah it is. 9/11 has made us afraid of the "other" again, of, frankly, foreigners. What are they going to do to us? What are the foreigners going to do to the loudmouth, rude Americans?


Just say you're Canadian and you'll be fine.

*pat on back*

[Sven]

I don't know if you're being snarky, but, yeah it is. 9/11 has made us afraid of the "other" again, of, frankly, foreigners. What are they going to do to us? What are the foreigners going to do to the loudmouth, rude Americans?

Nah, he's being serious. Because yes, it is obviously a post-9/11 picture.

[D_Davis]

The belief I've held for some time is that unlike the previous decades, we are really truly copying the past to a point where its becoming obscene. However since everything has been done before and we really long for the past, remakes, prequels, sequels and the like (usually derrived from, or created for past creations such as movies, books, etc.) have become common place.

This may be true. But what does it say about the way our society thinks of modern times? Do we perceive ourselves as being artistically bankrupt? Do we think that we simply have nothing else left to say, and so we mine the past?

[Spinal]

I don't know if you're being snarky ...

Not at all.

[D_Davis]

Not at all.

Didn't think so, but I didn't want to agree and then have you say, "I was joking you damn fool!" and then make me look like an ass as I walk away in shame.

[Ezee E]

Didn't think so, but I didn't want to agree and then have you say, "I was joking you damn fool!" and then make me look like an ass as I walk away in shame.
Well, now you just look stupid.

[megladon8]

Watched the first half hour of Exiled this afternoon before falling asleep - I haven't been sleeping more than 2-3 hours at a stretch lately, so I've been feeling pretty run down.

It's quite good, though I have to say the music jumps around from being almost Morricone-inspired (which is wonderful, and really matches the pace and style of the filmmaking) to cheesy and melodramatic.

And that tonal shift at the beginning, from them trying to kill each other to refurnishing the guy's house, was a little jarring, but I dug it.

Though I really, really want to slap those damn sunglasses off Anthony Wong's face. You're indoors! And it's night time! Take them off!! :frustrated:

I was also caught a little off-guard by the crazy gun powers these guys have - being able to make a door spin through the air with bullets, and shooting a can multiple times to keep it airborn and knock a car door shut.

I'm going to start the movie over with all this in mind. I was honestly expecting something more along the lines of Infernal Affairs.

[Spinal]

Though I really, really want to slap those damn sunglasses off Anthony Wong's face. You're indoors! And it's night time! Take them off!! :frustrated:

:lol:

[Melville]

So, Spring in a Small Town, the best Chinese film ever made (according to the Hong Kong Film Awards), was pretty good. Lots of good old fashioned quiet desperation.

[soitgoes...]

I was also caught a little off-guard by the crazy gun powers these guys have - being able to make a door spin through the air with bullets, and shooting a can multiple times to keep it airborn and knock a car door shut.

I'm going to start the movie over with all this in mind. I was honestly expecting something more along the lines of Infernal Affairs.
This kinda threw me off too. I actually restarted the movie immediately after finishing it the first time, just because after watching it straight through I had become so impressed by it I wanted to see the beginning with my now "opened" eyes. Great movie.

[soitgoes...]

So, Spring in a Small Town, the best Chinese film ever made (according to the Hong Kong Film Awards), was pretty good. Lots of good old fashioned quiet desperation.
I wish someone would do some sort of restoration of this just to make it more watchable.

[D_Davis]

Exiled is more mythical, more fantastic, as are most of To's films. To often deals with the mythology and legends of gangsters, much like how Leone dealt with the mythology of the old west.

[MadMan]

This may be true. But what does it say about the way our society thinks of modern times? Do we perceive ourselves as being artistically bankrupt? Do we think that we simply have nothing else left to say, and so we mine the past?Honestly I'm not sure I or others have the answers to those questions. My guess is that we may be somewhat artisically bankrupt, but perhaps this stems from the fact that we do have nothing else left to say. And thus mining the past is an easy way out. 'Tis harder to create something halfway original than to go back and harvest ideas from some obscure foreign flick that you can only find in some random video store or via Netflix. I suppose....but I'm not really sure.

[DrewG]

Pick:

Witness for the Prosecution
Saboteur
Broadway Danny Rose
The Lady Vanishes

[Watashi]

Broadway Danny Rose is the only good movie in that bunch.

[Sven]

Witness for the Prosecution - ****
Saboteur - ****
Broadway Danny Rose - ****
The Lady Vanishes - ****

So really, any.

[Philosophe_rouge]

The Lady Vanishes, though I haven't seen Broadway Danny Rose

[Boner M]

Not really crazy about any of those, though I do owe TLV and BDR repeats. I'd go with Witness, if only for teh Laughton.

[soitgoes...]

Pick:

Witness for the Prosecution
Saboteur
Broadway Danny Rose
The Lady Vanishes
The Lady Vanishes


Broadway Danny Rose is the only good movie in that bunch.
This is wrong.

[Sven]

You may want to Spoiler and NSFW that picture, homeboy.

[Watashi]

What was seen cannot be unseen.

[Sven]

What. The. Flabbergasting. Hell. Is. This.

It's a provocative still from, I believe, Fox and his Friends. Apparently being used as an album cover.

[Grouchy]

Saw The Bank Job, and don't feel like writing a full review. Entertaining caper movie in the style of Guy Ritchie (well, maybe it's just the Brit setting), and Statham is his usual, awesome, badass, self. I was stricken by how emotional it could be - unknown (to me) Keeley Hawes plays Statham's long-suffering wife and there's an arguing scene between the two of them that features really good acting. Of course, the script also helps, since the characters are very well drawn and become endearing early on in the movie. This is only the third film I've seen by Roger Dolandson (the other two being Species and The Recruit) and I gotta say, he likes shots twisted to the sides a lot. Overall it was a hit with me, and the fact that it was a real story made it even more amusing.

Shannon Burrows is incredible. Sexy bitch and a class act all along:

http://images.askmen.com/photos/saffron-burrows/63051.jpg

I was thinking someone like her, or her, is what Nolan and company should've gotten as Rachel Dawes (or any other love interest) back in the days of Batman Begins.

[Grouchy]

It's a provocative still from, I believe, Fox and his Friends. Apparently being used as an album cover.
Ah, ok. Those '70s, man. Wacky times.

[Spinal]

Can we not post pictures with penises please? I don't ask for much.

[Grouchy]

Just finished Batman: Gotham Knight. My thoughts on each episode.

"Have I got a Story for You" is the second animated adaptation of that classic '70s Batman comic where each kid imagines his own Batman. The first one was one of the most awesome Batman Animated episodes ever. This one, not so much. Ugly animation, and the kids of Batman look goofy, specially since the whole story is set in daytime for some reason.

"Crossfire" has killer dialogue by Greg Rucka and it's basically about the police viewpoint on the Batman. The animation is VERY expressive here, with bats filling the screen for a transition fade to black and close-ups of the insane at Arkham Asylum. It's nice that Rucka used Dt. Crispis Allen, a cop from the newer Batman comics who fills the bat-hating shoes of Harvey Bullock. The episode has almost non-stop action, but it really doesn't feel like it amounts to much in the end.

"Field Test" would probably be one of the best episodes if the character drawings weren't that ugly. In typical anime fashion, Bruce Wayne looks like a 15-year-old girl and Batman looks like some sort of hawk... creature... thing. Sal Maroni is a senior citizen on coke with a moustache. But the script is actually good, and it concerns the limits Batman has to put to his use of technology due to possible collateral damage. In a universe as realistic as the one of the Nolan films, this issue is impossible to avoid and the movies just sort of step around it, so in this case Gotham Knight actually added something to the saga!

"In Darkness Dwells" is the best one I found in the entire anthology. It's Batman taking on Killer Croc AND Scarecrow on the sewers of Gotham. The animation is the best of the bunch and the script by Goyer is very involving. It's the only one that really drowns you with the atmosphere of the city and the Gordon/Bats relationship is filled with precious little quips. Killer Croc, though, made a piss-poor appearance. He's basically a stock hoodlum for Batman to punch on his way to Crane's hiding place and is barely on screen for a minute.

"Working Through Pain" is also interesting. It takes us back to Wayne's training days. Batman is drawn here without his body armor, in a plain cloth costume, which is the version of the character I prefer, continuity be fucked. It also makes sense since the entire point of the episode is to showcase the techniques Bruce learned in India to endure blinding pain. The Cassandra character, I thought, was ambiguous enough to be a future villain. Heh, maybe even Lady Shiva. The ending is all kinds of odd. It obviously works to set up the next chapter, since all these ones seem to follow each other in close chronology, but it doesn't really make any sense. Like "Crossfire", this one sets up a lot but the ending is disappointing.

"Deadshot" ends the whole thing on the right note. With a script by Animated Series veteran Alan Burnett, it's the only one of these that would work as a stand-alone episode of any TV series. It's basically about the Batman's conflict with guns and him trying to understand the mentality behind them. Of course, it has mercenary Deadshot being hired to cap a bullet on Gordon's head by the Russian mob, which has a lot of protagonism in this entire movie. The closing Batman/Alfred scene is excellent. Goosebump-inducing stuff.

Overall, this movie came out very positive for me. Kevin Conroy's voice is awesome, I'm actually glad they went with him instead of Christian Bale. This is the first DC Universe movie I see and, without it being anything awe-inspiring or brilliant, I didn't think it was bad either, unlike I've heard around here. There is a preview for a Wonder Woman animated DTV I found very cool, too.

[Qrazy]

One of the "Why have I not seen this movie yet" movies can be exxed off the list: La Bete Humaine

Golly, what a picture! That violent, forward motion so integral to Gabin's psychoses: placating (as he tells his aunt that he's "all better") though the seeds of dormancy quickly issue forth sprouts of profound guilt (as in the film's final sadness... one of my new favorite movie moments is the sequence where he nearly does in a guy with a lead pipe - through sheer mental force he commits to and rejects the decision, all in the course of about five seconds, photographed beautifully), its tone set to a torrid thrusting through the French countryside (I love that it opens on the hellish maw of the coal burner), contradictorily tranquil and turbulent, just like Simon's passionate confusion, her love genuine, her prurience too spontaneous.

Jeepers!

Well shot with a great opening but I found the dramatic beats to be completely off the mark and inept... a fault of the director not the actors however.

[Qrazy]

foreign trilogies?

GO!

I already gave you a ton when you asked a while back.

[Qrazy]

I think one could make a pretty good argument for the whole "torture porn" thing being a reflection of our post-9/11 society.

Or you could go even more meta and look at trends like remakes - I am sure this says something about our current culture, or at least something about how we perceived our current culture.

I find that the more I dig back into the archives of film history the more I realize that remakes have actually been a relative constant for Hollywood for the last 70 years... and if they're not remaking they're at the very least adapting literature.

[Qrazy]

So now that three of us have seen and really liked/loved My Friend Ivan Lapshin what are the rest of you waiting for?

[Winston*]

Saw a collection of CGI animated shorts today. Pretty much a waste of time, like it was last year. CGI animators seem overly fond of having a lot of little men run around in white space.

Question: Is there a better CGI short than Ryan? If so, what?

[Qrazy]

Saw a collection of CGI animated shorts today. Pretty much a waste of time, like it was last year. CGI animators seem overly fond of having a lot of little men run around in white space.

Question: Is there a better CGI short than Ryan? If so, what?

The majority of Pixar's animated shorts are quite enjoyable.

o Mike's New Car - Pixar Animation Studios - Gale Gortney
o Boundin' - Pixar Animation Studios - Bud Luckey
o One Man Band - Pixar Animation Studios - Andrew Jimenez and
o Lifted - Pixar Animation Studios - Gary Rydstrom

Amongst others.

[Rowland]

So The X-Files movie is basically just a sub-mediocre episode stretched out to feature length with extensive monologues explicating its themes and BIG ISSUES awkwardly namedropped throughout? Lame. Did anyone else laugh when the head opened its eyes? Much funnier than the Bush joke.

Rian Johnson's The Brothers Bloom gets a 76 from D'Angelo! Knowing that he was as huge a fan of Brick as myself, my excitement level is now through the roof. Here's a trailer: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-brothers-bloom/trailer

[Bosco B Thug]

So The X-Files movie is basically just a sub-mediocre episode stretched out to feature length with extensive monologues explicating its themes and BIG ISSUES awkwardly namedropped throughout? Lame. I was expecting this, but I was surprised with how subtly written and unforced the talky monologues/dialogues were. It is still a problem with the film (a minor one for me), but it was also a really refreshing aspect about the film.

[Rowland]

Season of the Witch - 7.5~8Kudos for this by the way. I was surprised by how formally experimental it was, and it's really a very well acted and written piece. Too bad it remains in relative obscurity. Hell, I liked it more than Martin, which I wasn't expecting.

[Sven]

Drunken Angel - :eek:

[Bosco B Thug]

Kudos for this by the way. I was surprised by how formally experimental it was, and it's really a very well acted and written piece. Too bad it remains in relative obscurity. Hell, I liked it more than Martin, which I wasn't expecting. Sweet, I was looking forward to someone having have seen this (and liking it too, ideally). I'd have even gone so far as 8.5, I liked it so much, but I dialed it down, scared off by just how formally experimental (i.e. low-budget artsy-fartsy) it is (not to say Romero's directing isn't very good and sensitive) and how low-key and un-pleasing the story is. The screenplay really is excellent.

[Sycophant]

Though I really, really want to slap those damn sunglasses off Anthony Wong's face. You're indoors! And it's night time! Take them off!! :frustrated:

He's Anthony Wong. As a badass, he gets to wear his sunglasses anywhere he damn well pleases. And he certainly doesn't have to take advice from you. He's Anthony Wong.

[D_Davis]

He's Anthony Wong. As a badass, he gets to wear his sunglasses anywhere he damn well pleases. And he certainly doesn't have to take advice from you. He's Anthony Wong.

That's right.

Anthony Wong can do anything.

[Stay Puft]

Drunken Angel - :eek:

Yeah, love that ending, and the sequences on the beach. Probably my favorite pre-50's Kurosawa.

[Stay Puft]

Last night a friend and I watched the two Royal Tramp movies back to back. I'm pretty sure I have no idea what happened. Laughed my ass off, though. The "Emperor and the Assassin" scene was great.

The second one isn't as enjoyable, probably because it's not as off-the-wall nonsensical, but it does have the benefit of an unstoppable cast (Brigitte Lin, always great, Shi-kwan Yen, rocking hard at any age, and Michelle Reis, back when she was still hot).

Decent fun, some good laughs, not as great as Chinese Odyssey or other Chow films, but whatever.

[Sycophant]

Those Royal Tramp movies are insane. I actually saw them with a group of friends about four years ago, several months apart.

I don't remember much about them, except a prevailing bizarreness and an excess of dick jokes.

[Sven]

Just watched Beverly Hills Cop for the first time. It was pretty lame. I am sad.

[Winston*]

Just watched Beverly Hills Cop for the first time. It was pretty lame. I am sad.
Hey man, that's the third best movie of all time you're talking about there. Axel Foley is an American hero.

Oh, I also saw Waltz with Bashir last night. Not quite sure about this masterpiece stuff form Cannes, but it was very good.

[soitgoes...]

Drunken Angel - :eek:
With this, Stray Dog, and No Regrets.. it's obvious Kurosawa knew what he was doing long before he landed any international recognition from Rashomon.

[megladon8]

I have a question...do the movies in The Mummy series have intentionally bad CGI?

Honestly, the CGI in all three of the previous installments was god-awful, and the trailers for this new one really don't look any better.

[Qrazy]

Hey man, that's the third best movie of all time you're talking about there.

Pretty sure that's Beverly Hills Cop 3.

[D_Davis]

I have a question...do the movies in The Mummy series have intentionally bad CGI?

Honestly, the CGI in all three of the previous installments was god-awful, and the trailers for this new one really don't look any better.

I don't know - I always have too much fun watching the movies to really care. Except the Rock-Scorpion King monster - that's pretty damn bad. But still, I love those films so much that I don't really care.

[Melville]

Mystery of the Leaping Fish was pretty funny stuff. A rich guy gets a wad of bills pressed each morning, while Douglas Fairbanks rides around in a checkered car and eats a can of opium.

[EyesWideOpen]

I don't know - I always have too much fun watching the movies to really care. Except the Rock-Scorpion King monster - that's pretty damn bad. But still, I love those films so much that I don't really care.

I can't even comprehend that someone can "love" all three Mummy films.

[Qrazy]

I can't even comprehend that someone can "love" all three Mummy films.

He also loves Michael Bay.


Got ya D! :)

[origami_mustache]

Can we not post pictures with penises please? I don't ask for much.

it was art

censorship is for suckers


I already gave you a ton when you asked a while back.

just found it...must have missed it initially...good recommendations, although I've seen all of them except The Samurai Trilogy which I am adding.

[Spinal]

it was art

censorship is for suckers

Yes, this is precisely the position you put me (and the other mods) in when you choose to post those pictures. I am now forced to make a decision I really don't want to make about what is going to be uncomfortable/objectionable for other people who access the site. Many people access the site at work. Some access the site with their kid looking over their shoulder. If I allow your picture, do I have to allow Robert Mapplethorpe pictures of nude minors, erect cocks and fisting? That, after all, is art. However, it is not material that one expects find when accessing this site. Nor is a picture of a man taking a whiz. So according to community standards and the precedents that have been set, I feel like I have no choice but to remove it. Never mind that I have been permissive with people who have given other users fair warning and spoiler tags. My reward is get the word 'censorship' thrown at me. Joy.

I'm trying to help you guys out, so that you have the site you want to have. If you want something different, that's fine with me. But you're going to have to clear it with Raiders.

[Pop Trash]

Can we not post pictures with penises please? I don't ask for much.
So vaginas are A-OK? Cool...got it. :P

[Raiders]

I didn't see it, but yeah, no penises, or vajayjays, or nudity... please.

[Watashi]

When I stumble out of bed and log on to MC, seeing some 70's guy with his penis out taking a piss is the last thing on my "to see" list of the day.

[Spinal]

When I stumble out of bed and log on to MC, seeing some 70's guy with his penis out taking a piss is the last thing on my "to see" list of the day.

What if he was animated?

[Russ]

What if he was animated?
His name would be God.


...j/k...j/k...

[Derek]

Yes, this is precisely the position you put me (and the other mods) in when you choose to post those pictures. I am now forced to make a decision I really don't want to make about what is going to be uncomfortable/objectionable for other people who access the site. Many people access the site at work. Some access the site with their kid looking over their shoulder. If I allow your picture, do I have to allow Robert Mapplethorpe pictures of nude minors, erect cocks and fisting? That, after all, is art. However, it is not material that one expects find when accessing this site. Nor is a picture of a man taking a whiz. So according to community standards and the precedents that have been set, I feel like I have no choice but to remove it. Never mind that I have been permissive with people who have given other users fair warning and spoiler tags. My reward is get the word 'censorship' thrown at me. Joy.

I'm trying to help you guys out, so that you have the site you want to have. If you want something different, that's fine with me. But you're going to have to clear it with Raiders.

Fascist.

[origami_mustache]

My reward is get the word 'censorship' thrown at me. Joy.

I'm trying to help you guys out, so that you have the site you want to have. If you want something different, that's fine with me. But you're going to have to clear it with Raiders.

I was being facetious...not trying to be an ass...well maybe a smartass...thought the waters should be tested at least...and it was a legitimate album cover. :shrug:

[D_Davis]

I find that the more I dig back into the archives of film history the more I realize that remakes have actually been a relative constant for Hollywood for the last 70 years... and if they're not remaking they're at the very least adapting literature.

This is true. I think its just that we are more aware of the fact that they are remakes now because of the internet, DVD and cable making the originals easier to come by.

[baby doll]

This is true. I think its just that we are more aware of the fact that they are remakes now because of the internet, DVD and cable making the originals easier to come by.Well, before video came along, repertory theatres were quite common.

[Watashi]

Hal Hartley's Trust must have been a dialogue coach's nightmare. There is no pause between lines and each actor delivers their lines knowing how they'll respond halfway through the delivery before them. Yet this surreal performance choice makes it fresh and stand out amongst the many copycats. We've seen the story before: two dysfunctional outsiders having the worst day in their life meeting each other and falling love. Yet, here everything doesn't fall neatly in a line to follow. Both leads drift out from being likable outcasts to "what the hell are you doing?" psychopaths. It's surprisingly moving amongst all that quick banter and you really fight along side the characters to earn their way through this. I can see the comparisons to Juno, but at least the late Adrienne Shelley didn't need to namedrop anyone to act different.

I also learned via tomatometer that our pal Derek is quoted on the tomatometer. Rock on.

Oh, and is the VHS box art any more misleading?

http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/47/113247.jpg

I mean... holy shit.

[D_Davis]

Well, before video came along, repertory theatres were quite common.


Of course, but not even close to the same in terms of how much information was available because of the internet and the niche pop-culture of the today.

[Sven]

Real quick, people: which version of Killing of a Chinese Bookie is considered the preferred version? I think I'm going to watch it today. First Cassavetes, can you believe it?

I hate being sick more than anything (been floored for the last four days now), but I've got to admit, I do like being able to see all these movies.

[Boner M]

Real quick, people: which version of Killing of a Chinese Bookie is considered the preferred version? I think I'm going to watch it today. First Cassavetes, can you believe it?

I hate being sick more than anything (been floored for the last four days now), but I've got to admit, I do like being able to see all these movies.
You have the box set, right? Just watch A Woman Under the Influence first. But if you've really got a hankerin' for Bookie, go with the director's cut (shorter version). I don't think Cassavetes ever stated his preference, but I know even fans consider the longer one to be pretty maddening in parts. It has more stripper footage, though. Win-win.

[Duncan]

I'm pretty sure I've only seen the longer one, and I loved it. I might watch it again today or tomorrow, actually.

[Boner M]

Also, what happened to the weekend viewing craze as of late. Don't let trans get ye down, folks.

A Perfect World
Caro Diaro
Vacation

[Duncan]

weekend

Cleo from 5 to 7
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
In Cold Blood
The American Friend

Are the last two any good? I need encouragement to watch them. I've had them sitting around for a while.

[Boner M]

weekend

Cleo from 5 to 7
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
In Cold Blood
The American Friend

Are the last two any good? I need encouragement to watch them. I've had them sitting around for a while.
I've seen The American Friend, though it's been a while. I remember it being sorta dull. I guarantee someone else will provide encouragement, though.

[Sven]

I've seen The American Friend, though it's been a while. I remember it being sorta dull. I guarantee someone else will provide encouragement, though.

I am that someone else. It's on my top hundred. Fascinating, beautiful film.

Cleo is also one of my favorites.

[Qrazy]

Real quick, people: which version of Killing of a Chinese Bookie is considered the preferred version? I think I'm going to watch it today. First Cassavetes, can you believe it?

I hate being sick more than anything (been floored for the last four days now), but I've got to admit, I do like being able to see all these movies.

I prefer the extended version, much better opening for one.

[Qrazy]

weekend

Cleo from 5 to 7
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
In Cold Blood
The American Friend

Are the last two any good? I need encouragement to watch them. I've had them sitting around for a while.

In Cold Blood is, haven't seen the other one.

[Kurosawa Fan]

In Cold Blood made my top 100. Fantastic film.

[megladon8]

Great score for The Limey, Raiders.

Love that movie to death.

[megladon8]

The Last Winter

a review by Braden Adam


Imagine if Mother Earth had had enough. We’ve destroyed the rain forests, mined and drilled the surface of our planet into a pock-marked horror, we’ve polluted and corrupted both the land and the animals with our waste and filth. What if Nature put its foot down and said “enough”, and refused to let us tamper with the one last secret that it holds? No, this is not The Happening, but it is an equally preachy horror tale, trying to warn us of our erring ways and remind us how much power nature really has over us. Directed by Larry Fessenden, The Last Winter is a deliberately paced psychological horror film, which slowly burns with an impending dread which climaxes with some spooky supernatural occurrences. In his 2001 feature, Wendigo, Fessenden gave us an almost fairy-tale like story, with an ominous beast in the woods who may or may not be a presence of evil. With this follow-up, Fessenden once again obscures the exact meaning and motive of this supernatural beast - is it really evil? Sure, it kills people, but is it not doing this in self-defense? It’s a film filled with questions, many completely unanswered, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4999/85744176dg7.jpg

Set amidst the inhumanly cold and harsh climate of Northern Alaska, the story follows a team working for an oil company who wants to tap into a possible oil reserve in this region. Through a slightly intrusive bit of exposition at the beginning of the movie, we learn that this site had been drilled many, many years ago, but the strange occurrences kept the findings from being shared with the world. The original valve remains to this day, and is protected by a giant white crate, and its presence immediately evokes the same terror as the Monolith of 2001: A Space Odyssey. One of the crew begins to obsess over this giant white box out in the snow, and as the team gets closer and closer to being able to open the box, it becomes more apparent that, well, maybe they shouldn’t.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2337/91084479tr5.jpg

Environmentalism is, of course, the first thing that this movie has to teach, and it gets a little much at times. The overall narrative is enough to communicate the message that we’ve screwed up the planet and it’s probably not too happy about it, but random montages of bubbling oil, tankers capsizing in the ocean, and brutal forest fires really drive the point home. It wouldn’t have been surprising to read the name “Al Gore” in the producing credits of this film. But the environmental implications are not all that this film has to offer. Much like Wendigo, there are layers upon layers of subtext here, and it can all be interpreted in very different ways, making for some potentially great discussion. By looking at the events of the film through different lenses, it can take on entirely new meanings.

One of the most interesting ideas in the film is a battle of spirituality and science. Are there things in the universe (or in our own world) that we are not meant to know? When we learn of the previous expedition to drill for oil - which left the original valve - it is never clear what the expedition really did find, due to the mystery in which the story is enshrouded. They went searching for oil, but is that what they found? And if it is not oil under the cold ground and snow, what is it? While nature is protecting itself from our destructive influence, could it also be protecting one of its own secrets? What would it mean for us to open that valve, and let loose whatever it is that’s under there?

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/9790/32010991qz2.jpg

The film is immaculately shot. Fessenden has no qualms with sustaining a shot to emphasize the stark, haunting imagery within. And much of the film does have a barren, cold feeling - it fits both the setting and the mood, making these characters feel alone and desperate, completely cut off from the outside world. While many films have been set in these sub-zero climates, it’s rare that they really evoke a shiveringly cold feeling in the viewer. Shots of wind blowing violently through the snow, stirring up the surface powder and covering the characters in layers of icy cold really bring this feeling to the forefront. This is another area where Fessenden’s cinematic earnestness shines through. He is willing to keep the pace slow yet constantly moving forward, so the fear in the characters doesn’t seem rushed and the impending doom feels real and unexpected. It’s something that’s rarely seen in big budget theatrical releases, which is probably one of the reasons why we don’t see Fessenden’s name floating around AMC’s.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5805/63995286yv3.jpg

This is not The Thing. There is a “being”, yes, but this is not a gore-ridden, effects-driven fright fest. Its political ambitions may be a little too in-your-face, but The Last Winter is mostly effective with its theatrics, and the writing and characters have greatly improved since Fessenden’s last effort. With a strong cast (including Ron Perlman, and Connie Britton of “Spin City” fame) the scares feel authentic and the characters real, and these are two of the most important and, coincidentally, widely ignored areas of modern horror cinema.

[Scar]

Wendigo and Last Winter are now in my queue.

I watched most of Doomsday last night. So far, its a whole lotta meh.

[Duncan]

Alright. I am sufficiently encouraged.

[D_Davis]

Nice review meg, and that film looks sweet.

[Raiders]

The Last Winter is pretty great, indeed.

[Sven]

Raiders, not that I, like, am begging for rep or am trying to forge any alliances or nuthin', but did you see my responses to both Bride of Frankenstein and La Bete Humaine? I know you're a fan of both and was hoping to get some words about them out of you.

[Qrazy]

So in PTU...

Was it the kid on the bike breaking the car windows? And was the guy with asthma the guy that killed Ponytail? I couldn't tell. Also do you think Eyeball called the hit or no?

[Qrazy]

Raiders, not that I, like, am begging for rep or am trying to forge any alliances or nuthin', but did you see my responses to both Bride of Frankenstein and La Bete Humaine? I know you're a fan of both and was hoping to get some words about them out of you.

That's not really hypocrisy, it's toning down my initially exaggerated response, I still don't think it's a good film I just didn't dislike it as much as my initial statement made it seem, but if it's a war you want.

[Raiders]

Raiders, not that I, like, am begging for rep or am trying to forge any alliances or nuthin', but did you see my responses to both Bride of Frankenstein and La Bete Humaine? I know you're a fan of both and was hoping to get some words about them out of you.

Yes. I guess I assumed those were the only rational responses to such films and took them in stride.

[Sven]

Yes. I guess I assumed those were the only rational responses to such films and took them in stride.

Okay, excellent. I needed vindication. :)

[D_Davis]

So in PTU...

Was it the kid on the bike breaking the car windows? And was the guy with asthma the guy that killed Ponytail? I couldn't tell. Also do you think Eyeball called the hit or no?

Man - I don't remember. I need to rewatch this.

[Sven]

That's not really hypocrisy, it's toning down my initially exaggerated response, I still don't think it's a good film I just didn't dislike it as much as my initial statement made it seem, but if it's a war you want.

You called me out for exaggerating my response per the response of others.

[MacGuffin]

So what do you think is the definitive 1,000 movies you must see list?

[Sven]

So what do you think is the definitive 1,000 movies you must see list?

See every movie on the imdb top 250 four times.

[Qrazy]

You called me out for exaggerating my response per the response of others.

I called you out for setting up your critical responses in relation to artificially constructed demographics, not for over-exaggerating a negative reaction and then backing off of it when you realize you made it sound like you dislike a film more than you actually do. Hyperbole is not identical to hypocrisy, and the hypocrite comment was in relation to something else entirely anyway.

But really what can I expect from someone who considers railing on Trapped in the Closet to be 'anti-intellectual' or who views a refusal to read 9/11 parallels into every contemporary cinematic exercise to be 'intellectually counterfeit'. Please shoehorn pompous ass into the reprehensible hypocrite tag line.

[D_Davis]

I think iosos and Qrazy need their own sub-forum.

:)

[Sven]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/iosos/matchcut%20misc/Astaire.jpg

[Qrazy]

Man - I don't remember. I need to rewatch this.

I just downloaded a Johnny To collection I found on mininova... only a few of the films in the collection though because some I'd seen and some I had no interest in seeing. Aside from PTU I got Running Out of Time 1 and 2 and The Heroic Trio.

[MacGuffin]

See every movie on the imdb top 250 four times.

Is this a joke?

[Spinal]

Is this a joke?

Ya think? :)

[Sven]

But really what can I expect from someone who considers railing on Trapped in the Closet to be 'anti-intellectual'

Refusing to entertain ideas about its merit.


or who views a refusal to read 9/11 parallels into every contemporary cinematic exercise to be 'intellectually counterfeit'.

Refusing to admit that they exist.

[Duncan]

I've never heard a convincing argument that Trapped in the Closet isn't stone cold brilliant.

[Spinal]

Oh, and Clipper, this one (http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000.htm) is pretty good.

[Qrazy]

I've never heard a convincing argument that Trapped in the Closet isn't stone cold brilliant.

Then you don't get out much.

[Qrazy]

Oh, and Clipper, this one (http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000.htm) is pretty good.

Yeah I would second that one for the best compromise list between NYT and the Before you Die list.

[MacGuffin]

Oh, and Clipper, this one (http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000.htm) is pretty good.

Yeah, I was wondering whether I should use that as a checklist or the book of 1,000 movies with the Jack Nicholson cover. Seeing as how They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? is updating their list in December, it may be better just waiting. Maybe I'll use both. I'm finally forming a list of (nearly) every movie I've ever seen; I think you were the one I asked about that a while ago back.

[Qrazy]

Refusing to entertain ideas about its merit.



Refusing to admit that they exist.

I'm sorry I consider the use of the English language to be too lowbrow and anti-intellectual for me. If you want to have a discussion please speak to me only in Latin from now on.

---

I do like the idea of self-described populists throwing around terms such as anti-intellectual though, it tickles my elmo.

[Duncan]

Then you don't get out much.

That's not an argument.

Nothing in the series suggests to me that its ridiculous isn't entirely intentional. I mean, it's called Trapped in the Closet. You can't tell me that's not a joke.

[Spinal]

Yeah, I was wondering whether I should use that as a checklist or the book of 1,000 movies with the Jack Nicholson cover. Seeing as how They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? is updating their list in December, it may be better just waiting. Maybe I'll use both. I'm finally forming a list of (nearly) every movie I've ever seen; I think you were the one I asked about that a while ago back.

There's probably many films on both lists that you could watch before choosing one over the over becomes an issue.

[Sven]

I'm sorry I consider the use of the English language to be too lowbrow and anti-intellectual for me. If you want to have a discussion please speak to me only in Latin from now on.

---

I do like the idea of self-described populists throwing around terms such as anti-intellectual though, it tickles my elmo.

I am very confused.

[Spinal]

Nothing in the series suggests to me that its ridiculous isn't entirely intentional. I mean, it's called Trapped in the Closet. You can't tell me that's not a joke.

But if we accept the humor as intentional, it makes the film even worse. Midget poop. Brilliant.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, I was wondering whether I should use that as a checklist or the book of 1,000 movies with the Jack Nicholson cover. Seeing as how They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? is updating their list in December, it may be better just waiting. Maybe I'll use both. I'm finally forming a list of (nearly) every movie I've ever seen; I think you were the one I asked about that a while ago back.

I dunno how much those lists will help you formulate your own list. When I made mine I went through imdb year by year, those lists really only help to cross reference I found, and even then I probably missed quite a few... of course my computer was stolen later that year and I lost the list so... shit.

[MacGuffin]

I dunno how much those lists will help you formulate your own list. When I made mine I went through imdb year by year, those lists really only help to cross reference I found, and even then I probably missed quite a few... of course my computer was stolen later that year and I lost the list so... shit.

No, I'm using IMDb power search and just making the minimum of 100 or 500 voters. Surprised at how much shit I saw in the 2000s, and how little I saw everywhere else (even in the 90s, there are few lists that have nine movies). Oh well, that just gives me incentive to see more I guess. It'll fun to watch the lists get bigger as time progresses. And your computer got stolen? Ouch.

[D_Davis]

I've never read an argument that convinced me that Trapped in the Closest isn't the most retarded thing ever created.

[Duncan]

But if we accept the humor as intentional, it makes the film even worse. Midget poop. Brilliant.

Well, I was laughing from start to finish. And all of R. Kelly's posturing about it being a serious work of art just makes things funnier.

[Qrazy]

That's not an argument.

It wasn't meant to be.


Nothing in the series suggests to me that its ridiculous isn't entirely intentional. I mean, it's called Trapped in the Closet. You can't tell me that's not a joke.

If you find midgets and fart humor intrinsically hilarious then I guess your argument holds. Personally the element about it that I find funny is precisely it's ill-conceived attempts at humor (and it's not always trying to be funny, in the paraphrased words of R Kelly it's also about all this crazy shit going down). Like all bad films it's something I laugh at, not with. Oh and those cliffhangers man, just great writing, that R Kelly must be some kind of genius.

[Qrazy]

No, I'm using IMDb power search and just making the minimum of 100 or 500 voters. Surprised at how much shit I saw in the 2000s, and how little I saw everywhere else (even in the 90s, there are few lists that have nine movies). Oh well, that just gives me incentive to see more I guess. It'll fun to watch the lists get bigger as time progresses. And your computer got stolen? Ouch.

Yeah aside from losing some files though it was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. It was a four year old computer and with homeowner's insurance I basically got a brand new Mac Book Pro for free... I think I had to pay a few hundred on top but still.

[MacGuffin]

For example, these are all the movies I have seen in 1971:

1. The Act of Seeing With One's Own Eyes (Stan Brakhage) 8
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart) 6
3. Vampiros lesbos (Jesus Franco) 6
4. Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah) 5
5. A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick) 4
6. The French Connection (William Friedkin) 2
7. Punishment Park (Peter Watkins) 1

Versus all the movies I have seen in 2006:

2006
1. Miami Vice (Michael Mann) 10
2. The Departed (Martin Scorsese) 8
3. Children of Men (Alfonso Cuarón) 8
4. Inland Empire (David Lynch) 8
5. Calvaire (Fabrice Du Welz) 8
6. The Black Dahlia (Brian De Palma) 7
7. Art School Confidential (Terry Zwigoff) 7
8. Half Nelson (Ryan Fleck) 7
9. A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (Dito Montiel) 7
10. Letters From Iwo Jima (Clint Eastwood) 6
A Scanner Darkly (Richard Linklater) 6
The Abandoned (Nacho CerdÃ*) 6
Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola) 6
Running Scared (Wayne Kramer) 6
Shortbus (John Cameron Mitchell) 6
Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro) 6
The Prestige (Christopher Nolan) 6
Three Times (Hsiao-hsien Hou) 6
This Film Is Not Yet Rated (Kirby Dick) 6
Deja Vu (Tony Scott) 6
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Justin Lin) 6
The Hills Have Eyes (Alexandre Aja) 6
Time to Leave (François Ozon) 5
Snakes on a Plane (David R. Ellis) 5
Casino Royale (Martin Campbell) 5
Paris, je t'aime (Various directors) 5
Inside Man (Spike Lee) 5
Live Feed (Ryan Nicholson) 5
Breaking News (Johnny To) 5
The Science of Sleep (Michel Gondry) 5
Death of a President (Gabriel Range) 5
Cars (John Lasseter and Joe Ranft) 4
Monster House (Gil Kenan) 4
Black Snake Moan (Craig Brewer) 4
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Larry Charles) 4
The Host (Joon-ho Bong) 3
Silent Hill (Christophe Gans) 2
Little Miss Sunshine (Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris) 2
Renaissance (Christian Volckman) 2
Babel (Alejandro González Iñárritu) 2
Idiocracy (Mike Judge) 2
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (Liam Lynch) 2
Jackass Number Two (Jeff Tremaine) 2
Old Joy (Kelly Reichardt) 2
The Devil Wears Prada (David Frankel) 1
Grandma's Boy (Nicholaus Goossen) 1
Clerks II (Kevin Smith) 1
An Inconvenient Truth (Davis Guggenheim) 1
Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest (Gore Verbinski) 1
Basic Instinct 2 (Michael Caton-Jones) 1
The Bridge (Eric Steel) 1
Dirty (Chris Fisher) 1
Slither (James Gunn) 0
American Hardcore (Paul Rachman) 0
Fast Food Nation (Richard Linklater) 0
Saw III (Darren Lynn Bousman) 0
RV (Barry Sonnenfeld) 0
United 93 (Paul Greengrass) 0

Priorities!

[Raiders]

7. Punishment Park (Peter Watkins) 1

I no longer support your endeavor.

[Spinal]

Well, I was laughing from start to finish. And all of R. Kelly's posturing about it being a serious work of art just makes things funnier.

I think any appreciation of it must either contain an element of irony or a fondness for seeing something so out of touch with everything else around it. I find it difficult to accept the idea that anyone feels that it is a genuinely successful effort at comedy (the jokes aren't funny in themselves, they're funny because they are not funny/vulgar), drama (the set-ups are repetitive, tedious, predictable and meaningless) or music (it is a piece of three-minute recitative repeated ad nauseum).

[Qrazy]

Well, I was laughing from start to finish. And all of R. Kelly's posturing about it being a serious work of art just makes things funnier.

I'm sure he thinks of it as a tragicomedy in equal parts comedy and tragedy... unfortunately it's his tragedy which is comic and his comedy which is tragic. Aside from this project have you had any other exposure to the guy? Lyrically his music is equally worthless and insipid and then of course there's real talk.

Real Talk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaAWFoWr2c

[D_Davis]

I just downloaded a Johnny To collection I found on mininova... only a few of the films in the collection though because some I'd seen and some I had no interest in seeing. Aside from PTU I got Running Out of Time 1 and 2 and The Heroic Trio.

I love the atmosphere in PTU, but I remember the narrative being very convoluted. I think To was showing that sometimes things just happen - for no rhyme or reason. While some of the events are connected to Lam Suet's character losing his gun, other events seem to exist simply to show how unpredictable the night can be.

[MacGuffin]

I no longer support your endeavor.

That's not the point! ;)

[Spinal]

1. The Act of Seeing With One's Own Eyes (Stan Brakhage) 8
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart) 6
3. Vampiros lesbos (Jesus Franco) 6
4. Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah) 5
5. A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick) 4
6. The French Connection (William Friedkin) 2
7. Punishment Park (Peter Watkins) 1



What the hell? :confused:

[MacGuffin]

What the hell? :confused:

What am I missing?

[D_Davis]

I think any appreciation of it must either contain an element of irony or a fondness for seeing something so out of touch with everything else around it. I find it difficult to accept the idea that anyone feels that it is a genuinely successful effort at comedy (the jokes aren't funny in themselves, they're funny because they are not funny/vulgar), drama (the set-ups are repetitive, tedious, predictable and meaningless) or music (it is a piece of three-minute recitative repeated ad nauseum).

I think it's a case of schaedenfreude.

[Sven]

I think any appreciation of it must either contain an element of irony or a fondness for seeing something so out of touch with everything else around it. I find it difficult to accept the idea that anyone feels that it is a genuinely successful effort at comedy (the jokes aren't funny in themselves, they're funny because they are not funny/vulgar), drama (the set-ups are repetitive, tedious, predictable and meaningless) or music (it is a piece of three-minute recitative repeated ad nauseum).

I think my mind wants me to take this as a dare.

[Spinal]

What am I missing?

Apparently a lot, if you find more value in a Jesus Franco film than in A Clockwork Orange, The French Connection and Punishment Park.

[D_Davis]

4. Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah) 5
5. A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick) 4
6. The French Connection (William Friedkin) 2
7. Punishment Park (Peter Watkins) 1


The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Justin Lin) 6
Snakes on a Plane (David R. Ellis) 5


Are those numbers after the titles your score? Do you have a golf-thing going on, or are you just totally nuts?

[MacGuffin]

Apparently a lot, if you find more value in a Jesus Franco film than in A Clockwork Orange, The French Connection and Punishment Park.

Ah, I should've used a different year as an example.

[Spinal]

I think my mind wants me to take this as a dare.

I'm sure it does. :)

[MacGuffin]

Are those numbers after the titles your score? Do you have a golf-thing going on, or are you just totally nuts?

My score.

[Qrazy]

I love the atmosphere in PTU, but I remember the narrative being very convoluted. I think To was showing that sometimes things just happen - for no rhyme or reason. While some of the events are connected to Lam Suet's character losing his gun, other events seem to exist simply to show how unpredictable the night can be.

Hrm ya think? I mean yeah I agree that much of the film is predicated on mistakes made and chance...

i.e. the whole gun thing was a wild goose chase really that led to the final confrontation... but I also think most of the plot threads tied together by the end...

i.e. the final four guys being the four guys that robbed the bank and shot the first police officer we heard about at the beginning of the film.

[D_Davis]

My score.

So the lower the better?

You seriously believe that Tokyo Drift is better then The French Connection, A Clockwork Orange, Straw Dogs and Punishment Park?

Wow!

:)

[MacGuffin]

Apparently a lot, if you find more value in a Jesus Franco film than in A Clockwork Orange, The French Connection and Punishment Park.

To be honest with you, I though the Franco was more fun to watch than all of those others. I can't say I really like ACO's class and government depiction. TFC is just dull and has nothing to say. PP says everything it needs to say in the first five minutes.

[D_Davis]

Hrm ya think? I mean yeah I agree that much of the film is predicated on mistakes made and chance...

i.e. the whole gun thing was a wild goose chase really that led to the final confrontation... but I also think most of the plot threads tied together by the end...

i.e. the final four guys being the four guys that robbed the bank and shot the first police officer we heard about at the beginning of the film.

True.

[MacGuffin]

So the lower the better?

You seriously believe that Tokyo Drift is better then The French Connection, A Clockwork Orange, Straw Dogs and Punishment Park?

Wow!

:)

Yeah, I enjoyed Tokyo Drift. I mean, it's no masterpiece or anything, but I liked it's flashiness. It looked better than most Hollywood movies. As for Straw Dogs, I'll see it again probably, as I remember it being pretty okay.

[D_Davis]

The escalating absurdities and rising frustrations felt by the characters in Punishment Park are what make the film so powerful. Sure, the idea is conveyed very early on, but the way in which it displays the hopelessness of the situation, and, in fact, our real world situation, is brilliant.

[Sven]

I'm sure it does. :)

I will not bite. However, I am tempted to take on Trapped in the Closet in essay format, if only so I can try and explain how it is that I appreciate it. I nearly agree that the dramatic set-ups are repetitive and predictable, but I think that's part of the joke, which I think is genuinely funny. I disagree about the music--I quite like it because I think Kelly is a very gifted storyteller. I love the way the words aren't lyrical--it's a fairly banal recount of a convoluted narrative, but boy, he sells it. His delivery is natural, he's never putting on airs. I like the mix of melody and mundaneness he achieves, but mostly I like his investment in the tale's telling.

This doesn't mean that I don't think that it cannot or should not be appreciated ironically, for we cannot predict the amount of hokiness with which Kelly wished to inject the piece.

But I'm not biting! :)

[Sven]

The escalating absurdities and rising frustrations felt by the characters... are what make the film so powerful. Sure, the idea is conveyed very early on, but the way in which it displays the hopelessness of the situation, and, in fact, our real world situation, is brilliant.

-iosos, on Trapped in the Closet

*too easy*

[D_Davis]

Yeah, I enjoyed Tokyo Drift. I mean, it's no masterpiece or anything, but I liked it's flashiness. It looked better than most Hollywood movies. As for Straw Dogs, I'll see it again probably, as I remember it being pretty okay.

Enjoy more yes, but a better movie?

I think this is why I have trouble rating films. Many films I really like are actually pretty terrible. I can say that I like watching them more than others, but I couldn't put a grade to them. For instance, I would rather watch Freddy Vs. Jason than A Clockwork Orange most of the time, but I know that ACO is undeniably the better made film of the two.

That's cool though, you've got your own thing going on.

[Spinal]

And The French Connection totally has something to say about how an obsession with winning and competitiveness can cloud good judgment and justice.

[Spinal]

-iosos, on Trapped in the Closet

*too easy*

You did not just compare Trapped in the Closet to Punishment Park. This did not just happen. Is nothing sacred?!?!?!

[D_Davis]

You did not just compare Trapped in the Closet to Punishment Park. This did not just happen. Is nothing sacred?!?!?!

I'd rather be sent to Punishment Park than watch Trapped in the Closet.

[MacGuffin]

Enjoy more yes, but a better movie?

I think this is why I have trouble rating films. Many films I really like are actually pretty terrible. I can say that I like watching them more than others, but I couldn't put a grade to them. For instance, I would rather watch Freddy Vs. Jason than A Clockwork Orange most of the time, but I know that ACO is undeniably the better made film of the two.

That's cool though, you've got your own thing going on.

Yeah, I see what you're saying. But I ultimately can't appreciate ACO's excessive violence nor its message. I think Tokyo Drift is one of those movies that is bad on the surface, but has some technical merit. You guys would be outraged if I posted all of my ratings.

[MacGuffin]

And The French Connection totally has something to say about how an obsession with winning and competitiveness can cloud good judgment and justice.

I pretty much gotta side with Pauline Kael on this.