28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Sycophant]

I liked La Jetée quite a bit. Sans Soleil is one of my favorite movies ever.

[Grouchy]

I'd rank what I've seen like that. Tokyo Twilight (aka Twlight in Tokyo) is more melodramatic than most of his stuff, but it works really well.
Thanks.

[megladon8]

The best video game movie ever made just happens to not even be based on a video game.

Crank is great fun. Really interesting commentary track on the DVD, as well.

This is probably as close as we'll get to a "Grand Theft Auto" movie being done right.

[BIOspasm]

Stalker.

Wow. Don't know why I didn't recognize it.

[Beau]

So, I was going to watch a film. Instead, I found a documentary about The K Foundation burning a million quid.

[Ezee E]

Has anyone watched that extended edition of Dark City? I didn't even know it was out yet until Netflix recommended it to me. It's now on the top of my queue.

[Yxklyx]

Zhang Yimou is directing ... the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.

[D_Davis]

Has anyone watched that extended edition of Dark City? I didn't even know it was out yet until Netflix recommended it to me. It's now on the top of my queue.

Man, I totally forgot about this.

I'll need to check it out.

[soitgoes...]

"Unknown Ozu" film cycle at the local arthouse.

The following films are going to be shown from today onwards -
Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice
Early Spring
Twilight in Tokyo
The End of Summer

Assuming I'm only going to watch one of these, which one should it be?Ranked:
Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice
Tokyo Twilight
Early Spring
The End of Summer

Flavor of Green Tea is quite different from much of Ozu's films. One of his best efforts. There's a strong sarcastic tone, almost bitter. It feels more like Naruse than Ozu. Tokyo Twilight and Early Spring are about on par with each other, but are a step behind Flavor of Green Tea in quality. The End of Summer is good, but definitely not among my favorites.

[soitgoes...]

Ozu has about 6-8 films that I'd consider great. To say only one or two are essential is silly.

[Raiders]

Ozu has about 6-8 films that I'd consider great. To say only one or two are essential is silly.

I was kind of joking since I am usually the one to give the "meh" in Ozu discussions.

[soitgoes...]

I was kind of joking since I am usually the one to give the "meh" in Ozu discussions.
Yeah I know. I can do the same with Mizoguchi. Though I find myself warming to him recently. Different tastes and such.

[Weeping_Guitar]

"Unknown Ozu" film cycle at the local arthouse.

The following films are going to be shown from today onwards -
Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice
Early Spring
Twilight in Tokyo
The End of Summer

Assuming I'm only going to watch one of these, which one should it be?

Of those I've only seen Early Spring and it's very good so I'd recommend that.

[Watashi]

Hey led, thoughts on Brothers Grimm?

[Sven]

Hey led, thoughts on Brothers Grimm?

Srsly. Any score above two stars for that junk pile needs to be defended.

[Watashi]

Srsly. Any score above two stars for that junk pile needs to be defended.

I've always wanted to see both that and Tideland, but never got to them due to the bad reviews. I know mono and soori are big fans.

[number8]

Would any of you find it distracting if a movie features an actor with a missing finger and they never bothered to address it?

[Watashi]

Would any of you find it distracting if a movie features an actor with a missing finger and they never bothered to address it?
Is this the Shia LeBouf story? I heard Bay is writing the missing finger into the script.

[Beau]

Would any of you find it distracting if a movie features an actor with a missing finger and they never bothered to address it?

It depends if they were trying to hide the fact that he was missing a finger, or if the rest of the characters were completely oblivious to his loss. Otherwise, I don't expect an entire sub-plot explaining his missing finger, or a back story, or anything else. Why explain it? Some people have all their fingers. Other people don't.

[Winston*]

I've always wanted to see both that and Tideland, but never got to them due to the bad reviews. I know mono and soori are big fans.

Tideland was good. Brothers Grimm wasn't.

[Raiders]

Is this the Shia LeBouf story? I heard Bay is writing the missing finger into the script.

Hasn't this already been debunked that he isn't going to need his finger amputated?

[Boner M]

Weekend

Charley Varrick
Wedding in Blood
This Sporting Life

[Sven]

Tideland was good. Brothers Grimm wasn't.

Truth.

[Winston*]

Gonna finally watch Manderlay this weekend, methinks.

[Watashi]

Weekend:

Ladyhawke
Henry Fool
Transsiberian

[Yxklyx]

Weekend:

My Favorite Year
Querelle

[Ezee E]

Gonna finally watch Manderlay this weekend, methinks.
I think I'm the only one that thinks it's superior to the also-great Dogville.

[Winston*]

I think I'm the only one that thinks it's superior to the also-great Dogville.
Just watched it, and I think I agree.

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:
The Servant
More Buster Keaton shorts
King and Country
Where Is the Friend's Home?
Wings (Shepitko)

[Ezee E]

Just watched it, and I think I agree.
awesome. any further thoughts?

[Watashi]

I'm pretty sure Manderlay is longer than 16 minutes.

[Ezee E]

I'm pretty sure Manderlay is longer than 16 minutes.
heh. his attempt at rep failed.

[BIOspasm]

I'm pretty sure Manderlay is longer than 16 minutes.

lol. I am a huge LVT fan. One of my fav filmmakers working today. I still need to see Manderlay myself though.

[Raiders]

Weekend:

Pineapple Express
Man on Wire
Little Fugitive

[Winston*]

I'm made of magic. Pretty sure we've discussed this before.

EDIT: Also, my favourite thing about Manderlay was it's searing qualities. Also, it's thematic layers.

[Beau]

Weekend:

The Tulse Luper Suitcases
Underground
Man on Wire

[Ezee E]

I'm made of magic. Pretty sure we've discussed this before.

EDIT: Also, my favourite thing about Manderlay was it's searing qualities. Also, it's thematic layers.
neg repped.

[Winston*]

He actually did it!

[transmogrifier]

He actually did it!

Perhaps it was for the misuse of "it's"

[Winston*]

Perhaps it was for the misuse of "it's"
Is it an English teacher you're becoming?

[BIOspasm]

Weekend:


Underground

I really need to see this.

[Beau]

I really need to see this.

I should have seen it already, but my DVD was being funny. So I had to fix the problem. It's been done. So now I can watch it without the fuzziness that characterized my previous attempts at movie-enjoyment.

[BIOspasm]

La Jetee just blew my mind. I didn't realize it was composed almost entirely of still photography. I loved it. I'm going to watch Sans Soleil tomorrow.

[BIOspasm]

I should have seen it already, but my DVD was being funny. So I had to fix the problem. It's been done. So now I can watch it without the fuzziness that characterized my previous attempts at movie-enjoyment.

I look forward to your review. It's in the top ten of my queue right now so I'll be getting it soon.

[SirNewt]

for me,

Pineapple Express
Heist
4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days

[BIOspasm]

My weekend.

The Kingdom
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
Last Year at Marienbad

[BIOspasm]

4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days

This is another one coming up soon inmy queue. Im really looking forward to it.

[Derek]

I really need to see this.


It's in the top ten of my queue right now so I'll be getting it soon.


This is another one coming up soon in my queue. I'm really looking forward to it.

...

Madman?

[Lucky]

I think I'm the only one that thinks it's superior to the also-great Dogville.

No, I wholeheartedly agree.

[BIOspasm]

...

Madman?

Um......?

[Winston*]

Madman is a poster on this site who often makes posts proclaiming his desire or need to see certain films (most of which he will never get around to). What Derek was doing with his post was jocularly assuming that you were said poster as those posts were made in a distinctly similar style.

[Winston*]

Also, the username "BIOSpasm" paired with a La Dolce Vita avatar is a combination that just doesn't work. Please change one or the other immediately.

[BIOspasm]

Also, the username "BIOSpasm" paired with a La Dolce Vita avatar is a combination that just doesn't work. Please change one or the other immediately.

Lol.

[Rowland]

I love how the single most striking moment in Encounters at the End of the World is the scene with the wayward penguin, given how Herzog begins his documentary with narration explaining how he took the project with the stipulation that it wouldn't be about penguins. The image of the single penguin remaining motionless as the rest trail off one way or the other, until he turns to the mountainous horizon and scampers off on his own is a haunting one.

Otherwise, the picture was riddled with slow spots, and I wasn't as impressed by the underwater footage as I'd anticipated, but otherwise it's good stuff. It didn't really begin to click with me until the double meaning behind the title dawned on me.

[Ezee E]

Weekend:
Pineapple Express

The Counterfeiters
Dark City - Extended Edition

[Qrazy]

I liked La Jetée quite a bit. Sans Soleil is one of my favorite movies ever.

This is an opinion I share, regarding both films.

[Qrazy]

It depends if they were trying to hide the fact that he was missing a finger, or if the rest of the characters were completely oblivious to his loss. Otherwise, I don't expect an entire sub-plot explaining his missing finger, or a back story, or anything else. Why explain it? Some people have all their fingers. Other people don't.

What about a missing nose?

[Qrazy]

Tideland was good. Brothers Grimm wasn't.

They're both pretty bad and I'm a big Gilliam fan.

[Grouchy]

I think Tideland is as awesome as Brothers Grimm is fucking terrible. And I'm pretty big on Gilliam as well.

What's all this about Shia LaBeouf missing fingers?

I saw Repo Man yesterday. Man, Alex Cox has absolutely nothing to envy the like QT or Jarmusch for. While the story is totally crazy and goes off in as many tangents as possible, the way the film is directed and paced is quite good for anyone's first feature. Some of the subtler touches, like how Otto's punk friends are always robbing every store he enters or the self-explanatory "food" and "drink" are very inspired. This is the very definition of a cult film, and one that never bored me and kept me amused and surprised for all of its running time. Harry Dean Stanton is an amazing actor, and it's surprising that he has been giving all these multi-layered performances since the '50s without ever getting any more famous.

[Beau]

What about a missing nose?

Mmmh. That might be a bit more noticeable. And this gives me flash-backs of The House is Black, which I saw yesterday.

[SirNewt]

My weekend.

The Kingdom
The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
Last Year at Marienbad

These guys needed some tripods.

[SirNewt]

Weekend:
Pineapple Express

The Counterfeiters
Dark City - Extended Edition

really undervalued flick that

EDIT: it's actually pulling a 94% on RT, not bad, not bad at all.

[BIOspasm]

These guys needed some tripods.

I dig it.

[Rowland]

Sion Sono's Exte: Hair Extensions is being released next week, hell yeah... which reminds me that I need to watch Noriko's Dinner Table. Strange Circus and Suicide Club have rendered the rest of his work as must-watch material.

[Duncan]

Watched Children of Men for the first time since theaters tonight. It's a few script issues shy of masterpiece, I think.

[Sven]

Saw the most gorgeous print of Tokyo Drifter tonite. Suzuki > Godard. The End.

[Derek]

Saw the most gorgeous print of Tokyo Drifter tonite. Suzuki > Godard. The End.

Lots of people > Godard for you, which leads me to the slightly different conclusions that lots of people > you and a relevant comparison > your comparisons of random directors to Godard. Fin.

[BIOspasm]

Watched Children of Men for the first time since theaters tonight. It's a few script issues shy of masterpiece, I think.

Its filled to the brim with technical bravura that serves no purpose other than to show off. Plus the immigration stuff was heavy handed.

[BIOspasm]

Saw the most gorgeous print of Tokyo Drifter tonite. Suzuki > Godard. The End.

Tokyo Drifter was okay. Suzuki is nowhere near Godard imo. Though I have only seen three of his films.

[Rowland]

Its filled to the brim with technical bravura that serves no purpose other than to show off. Plus the immigration stuff was heavy handed.Pfft.

Yes, that's an argument, just try to refute it. You can't, it's definitive.

[Sven]

Lots of people > Godard for you, which leads me to the slightly different conclusions that lots of people > you and a relevant comparison > your comparisons of random directors to Godard. Fin.

If there's any non-French director I can think of off the top of my head that is comparable to Godard (and thereby a relevant comparative), it is Seijun Suzuki. I agree with the rest of your post, though. :)

[BIOspasm]

If there's any non-French director I can think of off the top of my head that is comparable to Godard (and thereby a relevant comparative), it is Seijun Suzuki. I agree with the rest of your post, though. :)

Tarantino owns Suzuki.

[Qrazy]

Tarantino owns Suzuki.

No.

[Beau]

Its filled to the brim with technical bravura that serves no purpose other than to show off. Plus the immigration stuff was heavy handed.

Wrong on both counts? The "technical bravura" is there for a reason. It's easy to just throw up your arms and say it's all for showing off, but no, not quite.

[BIOspasm]

Wrong on both counts? The "technical bravura" is there for a reason. It's easy to just throw up your arms and say it's all for showing off, but no, not quite.

Elaborate. I gathered that the film was going for a more "realistic" depiction of the future but the filmmaking itself completely severed me from the experience. I was more "aware" that I was watching a movie, so to speak, than most other films. It was frustrating.

[Beau]

Elaborate. I gathered that the film was going for a more "realistic" depiction of the future but the filmmaking itself completely severed me from the experience. I was more "aware" that I was watching a movie, so to speak, than most other films. It was frustrating.

Children of Men is going for immersion, immediacy, and visual detail. By allowing the camera to move through a three-dimensional space, we are given a better understanding of the fictional environment. We are 'walking' through it. This increases our immersion, as well as our 'link' to the protagonist: we follow him in his adventures and experience events alongside him. When he is shocked, we are shocked, and when he notices something, we notice it as well. It's a nice union. Also, by making things unfold in real-time, we get a 'living' world that moves independently. The camera 'finds' points of interest. It doesn't cut away to an explosion or a little detail. These things just 'happen.' There is stuff beyond the camera-frame. The created milieu is not just propped up in-front of our field of view. It is all-encompassing, and it exists behind us, and to our left and right. When the camera turns a corner to reveal that there is fighting going on, it's like we just walked into an ongoing confrontation. Furthermore, the film's penchant for visual exposition means that, as the camera moves through this organic self-functioning arena, we get loads of information through the interaction between background and foreground: signs, commercials, pedestrians, large rooms, computer monitors, little movements and mannerisms. We get layering and complexity. And, because the camera is not cutting away to these points of interest, these tidbits occur naturally on the frame like a slow unveiling of visual narrative.

Such intentions require virtuoso film-making, and that can ostensibly make someone take notice, to the detriment of the film, if they are so inclined. But once the impressive sheen wears off, we are really left with what I describe above.

[SirNewt]

Tarantino owns Suzuki.

He's goin' down!

PULL UP! PULL UP!

[BIOspasm]

Children of Men is going for immersion, immediacy, and visual detail. By allowing the camera to move through a three-dimensional space, we are given a better understanding of the fictional environment. We are 'walking' through it. This increases our immersion, as well as our 'link' to the protagonist: we follow him in his adventures and experience events alongside him. When he is shocked, we are shocked, and when he notices something, we notice it as well. It's a nice union. Also, by making things unfold in real-time, we get a 'living' world that moves independently. The camera 'finds' points of interest. It doesn't cut away to an explosion or a little detail. These things just 'happen.' There is stuff beyond the camera-frame. The created milieu is not just propped up in-front of our field of view. It is all-encompassing, and it exists behind us, and to our left and right. When the camera turns a corner to reveal that there is fighting going on, it's like we just walked into an ongoing confrontation. Furthermore, the film's penchant for visual exposition means that, as the camera moves through this organic self-functioning arena, we get loads of information through the interaction between background and foreground: signs, commercials, pedestrians, large rooms, computer monitors, little movements and mannerisms. We get layering and complexity. And, because the camera is not cutting away to these points of interest, these tidbits occur naturally on the frame like a slow unveiling of visual narrative.

Such intentions require virtuoso film-making, and that can ostensibly make someone take notice, to the detriment of the film, if they are so inclined. But once the impressive sheen wears off, we are really left with what I describe above.

Well I was completely "un-immersed" on first viewing. But then again, its been known to happen to me. Your points are very interesting. I'll give it a rewatch soon.

[BIOspasm]

He's goin' down!

PULL UP! PULL UP!

.....

Because I like QT?

[Grouchy]

Sion Sono's Exte: Hair Extensions is being released next week, hell yeah... which reminds me that I need to watch Noriko's Dinner Table. Strange Circus and Suicide Club have rendered the rest of his work as must-watch material.
I loved Strange Circus but disliked Suicide Club. I guess it just got way too rambling for me. If I watched it with different expectations, however, I might like it.

And yeah, I don't see any "showing off" in Children of Men either. It's all in the service of a first-person perspective. The long takes are the perfect way to show unfolding chaos in real time.

[BIOspasm]

I find it extremely frustrating that Kieslowski seems to get all the recognition as far as Polish film goes. I much prefer Wajda. I hardly ever see his name mentioned on here or RT. With the exception of maybe Overlord, Ashes and Diamonds is the best war film I have ever seen.

[Beau]

Ashes and Diamonds is the best war film I have ever seen.

In my top ten!

[BIOspasm]

In my top ten!

Awesome. Do you own the criterion? There are a bunch of interesting extras.

[Beau]

Awesome. Do you own the criterion? There are a bunch of interesting extras.

No. I want to get it, though. I also want to see the rest of the trilogy, which I have put off for years, for no good reason whatsoever.

[BIOspasm]

No. I want to get it, though. I also want to see the rest of the trilogy, which I have put off for years, for no good reason whatsoever.

Yeah, they are awesome. One of my favorite trilogies. Also Katyn is one of my favorite films of this decade. It chronicles the massive Soviet slaughter which took place in the Katyn forest, and also claimed the life of Wajda's father.

[Qrazy]

I find it extremely frustrating that Kieslowski seems to get all the recognition as far as Polish film goes. I much prefer Wajda. I hardly ever see his name mentioned on here or RT. With the exception of maybe Overlord, Ashes and Diamonds is the best war film I have ever seen.

Kieslowski has a much more consistent filmography. Wajda is also great though.

[Duncan]

Ashes and Diamonds is the only one of his films that I've seen, but it's excellent.

[SirNewt]

.....

Because I like QT?

Tee Hee. . .

[BIOspasm]

Kieslowski has a much more consistent filmography. Wajda is also great though.

Can't argue with this. But I do think Wajda's best are superior to Kieslowski's best.

[BIOspasm]

Tee Hee. . .

*is scared*

[SirNewt]

*is scared*


It's cause I like ya ;)

[Derek]

Mulholand Drive - Needs another watch

Needs another 'l' too.

[Qrazy]

Can't argue with this. But I do think Wajda's best are superior to Kieslowski's best.

I don't. Ashes and Diamonds as far as I know is Wajda's best and is on par with Kieslowski's best. A Generation is on a similar level as most great directors early works (probably a little below)... Variety Lights, The White Sheik, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog... that is to say it shows promise but isn't really great. Kanal's very good but isn't as good as Ashes and Diamonds. I disliked Man of Marble, really tedious film.

[SirNewt]

Needs another 'l' too.

:lol:

Godamit. . . mutters MatchCutters are like the fuckin' spellin' police. . .

[BIOspasm]

It's cause I like ya ;)

Haha interesting.

[Morris Schæffer]

Bernie Mac passed away!

EDIT: Sorry. It was already posted in the OBIT thread.

[number8]

It depends if they were trying to hide the fact that he was missing a finger, or if the rest of the characters were completely oblivious to his loss. Otherwise, I don't expect an entire sub-plot explaining his missing finger, or a back story, or anything else. Why explain it? Some people have all their fingers. Other people don't.

I find it curious because I can't think of a precedent.

Let's say that, luck forbid, Brad Pitt or Hugh Jackman gets his left arm blown off in a freak Hot Pockets incident. Every single movie he signs on from then on, he'd be a one-armed man. Would you prefer it if they just take it for what it is and he's just this one-armed dude, or if he gets a different arm-losing backstory in every movie?

[Qrazy]

I find it curious because I can't think of a precedent.

Let's say that, luck forbid, Brad Pitt or Hugh Jackman gets his left arm blown off in a freak Hot Pockets incident. Every single movie he signs on from then on, he'd be a one-armed man. Would you prefer it if they just take it for what it is and he's just this one-armed dude, or if he gets a different arm-losing backstory in every movie?

They would have to incorporate it somehow. Perhaps it's unfortunate but there is a basic norm of appearance such that anything that deviates too widely from that norm sort of demands an explanation. I think you could get around showing a missing finger but a missing arm would have to be explained.

[soitgoes...]

I find it curious because I can't think of a precedent.


Harold Lloyd

[Beau]

I find it curious because I can't think of a precedent.

Let's say that, luck forbid, Brad Pitt or Hugh Jackman gets his left arm blown off in a freak Hot Pockets incident. Every single movie he signs on from then on, he'd be a one-armed man. Would you prefer it if they just take it for what it is and he's just this one-armed dude, or if he gets a different arm-losing backstory in every movie?

When I responded to that, I didn't know about Shia's "incident." So my reply has to be seen through the filter of my lack of knowledge. I was thinking of a random person in a random movie in some hypothetical universe. Now, this real-life business with Mr. "no, no, no" is a bit different than what I had in mind. I honestly have no idea. I'm thinking prosthetic. You know. A plastic finger thing. Or something.

[Beau]

There's not going to be an amputation, though. If the fan-site is to be believed. I am behind on these celebrity-news. And yes, I just ventured into Shia's fan-site. Neg rep?

[Morris Schæffer]

Did you all know Zhang Yimou directed the opening ceremony of the olympics 2008?

[Beau]

Did you all know Zhang Yimou directed the opening ceremony of the olympics 2008?

Yeah. That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to watch it in the first place. It did not disappoint.

[Morris Schæffer]

Yeah. That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to watch it in the first place. It did not disappoint.

So I heard.

[Qrazy]

Is it online somewhere?

[number8]

There's not going to be an amputation, though. If the fan-site is to be believed. I am behind on these celebrity-news. And yes, I just ventured into Shia's fan-site. Neg rep?

Well, I'm not even talking about Shia anymore, because like Harold Lloyd, a missing finger is easy to hide with prosthetic or gloves or something. But the false rumor got me wondering about this hypothetical situation.

If a big time A-list Hollywood star loses a whole limb or an eye or something... what then? Would people still flock to an Angelina Jolie movie if she has a stump where her right hand should be? Now maybe they can movie magic it to look normal, but then that raises the question... If they CGI or prosthetic the missing part, would that be distracting since you know it's fake? If it's common knowledge that Christian Bale has one arm but then we see a Batman sequel where he has two arms, would that freak you out? Or would you prefer it if he just retires and never make movies again that doesn't involve a handicapped person?

For some reason I'm morbidly fascinated by this.

[Qrazy]

For some reason I'm morbidly fascinated by this.

Indeed you are.

[Ezee E]

CGI would probably come into effect to finish a movie.

Then, career finished.

That'd be the truth unless there is a role suited for them. Or animated roles.

[soitgoes...]

I don't even think they'd be able to finish the film with CGI. Imagine how long you'd have to wait for the actor to recover from an amputated arm, both physically and mentally. It'd probably be cheaper to just hire someone else and reshoot their scenes. Of course people's morbid fascination would sell lots of tickets to see an one-armed Bale take on baddies.

There wouldn't be any question of a re-cast if a major actor loses a leg.

[origami_mustache]

Wow these United Airlines commercials are gorgeous:

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/XzvamSr3lec/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzvamSr3lec)

http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Q9kangmTTWg/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9kangmTTWg&feature=related)

http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/Zs2VJW9tYtc/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2VJW9tYtc&feature=related)

http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/uY_perXDdFQ/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY_perXDdFQ&feature=related)

http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/NWIv0tAszm4/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWIv0tAszm4&feature=related)

http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/B9vWCKlseus/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vWCKlseus)

[Qrazy]

Pretty sweet ^

I can't seem to hear Rhapsody in Blue anymore without immediately conjuring up images of Manhattan though... kudos to Gordon Willis.

-------

Well I read two people a while back describe The Breaking Point as Curtiz's masterpiece and while I don't agree (Casablanca is still tops), it is pretty darn good. You peoples should get it off Karagarga and help boost my ratio. :)

[Beau]

I agree! I saw the first one during the opening ceremony and I was dumbstruck by the visual ingenuity on display. It's so refreshing to run across such wonderful animation and conceptual imagination amidst the usual sea of boring commercials.

[MadMan]

Madman is a poster on this site who often makes posts proclaiming his desire or need to see certain films (most of which he will never get around to). What Derek was doing with his post was jocularly assuming that you were said poster as those posts were made in a distinctly similar style.I'll eventually get around to every film every made. You'll see Winston. I'll prove you wrong. One day. When the moon turns into cheese. But maybe its already cheese. Who knows.


...

Madman?:lol: Nope, its not my alias. Maybe he's really my long lost brother that my parents never told me about.


Weekend

Charley Varrick
Wedding in Blood
This Sporting LifeHey, I actually rented "Varrick" for a second viewing. Its been years since I last saw it. I also rented Full Time Killer as well, plus I bought Stranger Than Fiction (blind buy) too. I wanted to get I'm Not There, but I had to take a raincheck seeing as it wasn't available. Both it and "Stranger" were only $7.00. Its about time that I viewed a Todd Hayes film.

Finally, Repo Man is an awesome film. I actually created a write up for it last year, but I'm utterly behind on posting reviews like that one that I'm done noting my procrastination.

[transmogrifier]

Is it an English teacher you're becoming?

I've been an English teacher for years. Science is the way forward.

[Morris Schæffer]

Is it online somewhere?

Don't know dude. Perhaps a crummy Youtube version?

[Melville]

Chimes at Midnight seems like it's probably a masterpiece, but I only understood about a quarter of the dialogue. I fail.

[number8]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_HD_OCB _HL_EN197

[Sven]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_HD_OCB _HL_EN197

Incredible.

[number8]

Incredible.

Absolutely. Just like the rep you're about to give me.

[Qrazy]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_HD_OCB _HL_EN197

Nice one.

[BIOspasm]

Chimes at Midnight seems like it's probably a masterpiece, but I only understood about a quarter of the dialogue. I fail.

God I love your av. One of the best films I have ever seen.

[Yxklyx]

Wow these United Airlines commercials are gorgeous:

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/XzvamSr3lec/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzvamSr3lec)



Wow! Way cool - like a Bosch painting.

[BIOspasm]

Wow! Way cool - like a Bosch painting.

That was damn cool.

[Winston*]

MasterBlaster runs Bartertown. MasterBlaster runs Bartertown!

[MadMan]

MasterBlaster runs Bartertown. MasterBlaster runs Bartertown!:lol: I'm ashamed to admit that I've only seen Thunderdome and not the other two Mad Max films. I'll rectify this, I swear! *Runs away from thread in shame*

[Winston*]

:lol: I'm ashamed to admit that I've only seen Thunderdome and not the other two Mad Max films. I'll rectify this, I swear! *Runs away from thread in shame*

It's the Army of Darkness of Mad Max movies.

[megladon8]

Watched The Bourne Identity tonight - first time I've seen this one in a long time. Several years.

I really enjoyed it, but I do think it's the weakest of the trilogy.

And despite the action scenes not having as much of the insanely quick editing that the sequels had, I actually think it has the weakest action of the series.

[Boner M]

Friday Night is even better than I remembered. Pure sex, that film.

[Dead & Messed Up]

MasterBlaster runs Bartertown. MasterBlaster runs Bartertown!

Two men enter. One man leave!

[Qrazy]

Shanghai Blues was so much fun. Based on what I've seen I'm not that big a fan of Tsui Hark as a cinematic stylist (Peking Opera Blues, Once Upon a Time in China) but I still manage to really enjoy his films for the most part. The end of Shanghai Blues was really quite touching.

[Ezee E]

The damn NBC Olympics page only works on the Intel Macs.

BOooo!

[Stay Puft]

Shanghai Blues was so much fun. Based on what I've seen I'm not that big a fan of Tsui Hark as a cinematic stylist (Peking Opera Blues, Once Upon a Time in China) but I still manage to really enjoy his films for the most part. The end of Shanghai Blues was really quite touching.

Hell yes. I love that movie. Probably my favorite Sally Yeh role, too.

I'd recommend The Blade and Green Snake next, see how they impact your perception of Tsui Hark as a stylist. Or maybe even... Knock Off. :)

[Sven]

It's the Army of Darkness of Mad Max movies.

Slander.

[Qrazy]

Hell yes. I love that movie. Probably my favorite Sally Yeh role, too.

I'd recommend The Blade and Green Snake next, see how they impact your perception of Tsui Hark as a stylist. Or maybe even... Knock Off. :)

I actually currently have both and just started Green Snake so... will do. :)

[Winston*]

Slander.

I like Army of Darkness.

[Grouchy]

I like Army of Darkness.
Everyone does.

[Grouchy]

Speaking of movies everyone likes, just finished The Graduate. Kind of disappointed by it. Well, not entirely disappointed, but not totally bought on it either. Lots of good stuff, but the constant camera tricks become tiring after a while. They feel show-offy at moments that would benefit from subtlety, or the sound would go mute for no apparent reason. There are so many montages where the music completely takes over that it's like it's put in there to elevate a drab spot in the action. The ending is pretty much a cop-out too. It's some sort of extended wish-fulfillment fantasy and I kept expecting Benjamin to wake up sweating or something. I did notice the couple's sort of bored expression at the very end as an attempt at satirizing those types of Hollywood endings, though.

The bottom line is, I appreciate the film, but while watching it, I was often thinking about the baby boomers Nichols was lampooning and the generation of confused teenagers he was reaching for, or thinking about the inventive editing and cinematography, but I wasn't often drawn into the drama or the characters. I couldn't care less. I have the feeling it's a classic and important movie that has aged pretty badly. Or that it just isn't made for me.

[Bosco B Thug]

The Stunt Man was really good. Has a lot to say, lots of dense social commentary that deserves effortful unpacking, and it's heck of inventive filmmaking. On the con-side, it's also sort of presumptuous, its themes and narrative modus operandi hopelessly belabored - perfectly reflecting its subject: the high-strung, self-important moviemaking business, which probably just irritates me personally. But a small quibble, the screenplay's really very good.

And I hate to say it, since I'd have gladly joined the Steve Railsback fanclub after watching Lifeforce and The X-Files, but I have to partially agree with Qrazy (and I began watching the film telling myself I wouldn't) that Railsback sort of detracted from the movie. His perpetually mumbly and perpetually in-a-trance-of-stupid-rage performance did often become distracting, especially when performing besides the more organic, versatile acting Hershey and O'Toole (both looking strikingly pretty here, BTW). I won't say he sucked, though, because he does pull off the crazy, slightly dim lug character he's supposed to pull off, and he does have a handful of very good dramatic moments in the movie. It just gets kind of very irritating, something a better actor could have prevented. I mean, he's doing his best work with his one-note shtick that only he can produce, but here he's trying way too hard and when his creepy unibrowed face gets a lingering close-up, you just start wanting to slap him and tell him to loosen up..

[Benny Profane]

Ganja Queen -- a documentary about the court trial of an Australian woman caught with a bag load of pot at the Bali airport and thrown in jail. Saw it on HBO on demand. Anyone else catch this? It's pretty intense.

[Spinal]

The Traveling Pants sequel was #4 at the box office? I'm speechless.

[Ezee E]

Filled with mood, haunting images, and then some, Wisconsin Death Trip is a marvel to look at, but eventually, it gets tiresome. It's sort of like the beginning of Magnolia as far as telling these relatable stories, but it goes on for 80 minutes.

I am curious about James Marsh's Man on Wire now, as it seems like it focuses on one event, something that might work better for him.

[Raiders]

I am curious about James Marsh's Man on Wire now, as it seems like it focuses on one event, something that might work better for him.

It's fantabulous. I'm working on writing something about it.

[BIOspasm]

I am curious about James Marsh's Man on Wire now, as it seems like it focuses on one event, something that might work better for him.

Im looking forward to this but I'll wait for the dvd.

[Qrazy]

Ms .45 - 'And I strangled her cat!' Yeah... was not a fan.

[Grouchy]

So, none's gonna tell me how wrong I am about The Graduate?

Ok, on different news, just watched Tsukamoto's Nightmare Detective. A lot more mainstream than Tetsuo, in that his brand of experimental filmmaking is confined within a single genre (Horror), but it's still imaginative as all hell - I swear, this guy is the Japanese Cronenberg. The movie is genuinely tense and disturbing, and it has great, catchy music. While its plot is apparently derivative of many J-Horrors (suicide epidemic, killer cell phones) the script really takes it to relatable, human territory. The last thirty minutes are unstoppable. I couldn't take my eyes off it.

Another thing worthy of praise - the fast camera and edits. Tsukamoto seems to find the perfect balance to make the audience dizzy, while at the same time showing what he wants to show and allowing us to understand everything that's going on. The common complain people have with movies like Batman Begins or the last two Bournes is not exactly the frantic camera, but the fact that sometimes it seems as if the editing is random instead of deliberate, like in this case.

[SirNewt]

Just caught 'Ace in the Hole'. You all were pretty much right, great stuff. Is it just me or was being picked up by Criterion the best thing that ever happened to this movie?

[Winston*]

Real time The Lookout thoughts!

59.24: This movie is a little bit boring.

90.23: That movie was a little bit boring. Also a little bit stupid.

[Boner M]

Les Nouces Rouges is another goodie from Chabrol's golden age. More infidelity, blackmail, murder, caricatured political figures, coy eroticism, Stephane Audran's frequent blank stares, a style that feels both amateurishally bland and artfully detached, and me correspondingly passive and unreasonably compelled, as well eager to watch whatever I haven't from that nice boxset perched on my overflowing pile of DVD's under my desk. Mmm.

[Rowland]

I feel I can now safely label Superbad the most touching, relatable, cinematic, and funny, as well as the least subtextually troublesome, entry in the Apatow canon. I still need to see Pineapple Express, mind you.

[Benny Profane]

The interlude with the cops and McLovin (OMG he called himself McLovin LOL!) makes that movie fairly unwatchable.

[BIOspasm]

So, none's gonna tell me how wrong I am about The Graduate?

There wasnt anything special about it. It was okay. Meh.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah, I pretty much hated Superbad, and in the time since I've seen it my hatred has just grown stronger. I can only remember the annoying moments, and can't remember a single instance where I laughed.

[balmakboor]

I picked up a screenwriting magazine -- called Script I believe -- while on vacation and it had an article about Pineapple Express. I didn't realize the first draft of Superbad was written by 13-year-olds. Kinda makes sense. I did like the movie though.

I also keep seeing this movie called Doomsday on dvd racks and the cover looks cool, but I guess I haven't heard of it. Any thoughts on it?

[D_Davis]

Yeah, I pretty much hated Superbad, and in the time since I've seen it my hatred has just grown stronger. I can only remember the annoying moments, and can't remember a single instance where I laughed.

Same here. I thought it was incredibly stupid.

[Spinal]

Superbad is the worst film I have seen in the past year and a half. And I saw Bee Movie.

[Yxklyx]

Querelle (Fassbinder, '82) wasn't bad. I've seen most of his films and this one isn't that different (except that it's in English). Reminded me of some of Maddin's work (sans the humor) - color palette is similar to that in Twilight of the Ice Nymphs. It was somewhat refreshing - as are most of Fassbinder's films.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Superbad is the worst film I have seen in the past year and a half. And I saw Bee Movie.

:lol:

Too true. I'd rather watch Bee Movie again than Superbad.

[Sycophant]

I feel I can now safely label Superbad the most touching, relatable, cinematic, and funny, as well as the least subtextually troublesome, entry in the Apatow canon. I still need to see Pineapple Express, mind you.Agreed on all counts (including the need to see PE), though I'd give it a few more points than you did. I need to see exactly how well it holds up to a complete second viewing, but I still find it to be an achingly keen take on particularly male anxieties. That it was originally penned by middle schoolers, finished by twenty-somethings, and directed by a middle-aged guy is both apparent and fitting.

[Sycophant]

The Traveling Pants sequel was #4 at the box office? I'm speechless.That it didn't perform better? Me too.

Hasn't everyone seen the Batman movie enough by now?

[balmakboor]

Querelle (Fassbinder, '82) wasn't bad. I've seen most of his films and this one isn't that different (except that it's in English). Reminded me of some of Maddin's work (sans the humor) - color palette is similar to that in Twilight of the Ice Nymphs. It was somewhat refreshing - as are most of Fassbinder's films.

It has such a terrible reputation, mostly undeserved. I grow to like it more each time I see it (four times now).

Querelle was one of three novels that Fassbinder was burning with desire to bring to the screen -- the others were Effi Briest and of course Berlin Alexanderplatz -- it his passion and commitment to the material is on display at ever moment. Much like the other two works, if there is a problem it is that he was so much in love with the novel that he approached it faithfully to a fault. They all have a reverent, static, sticking to the page, even placing text on the screen approach that becomes just a bit too constraining at times.

[D_Davis]

Hasn't everyone seen the Batman movie enough by now?

Apparently not.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Hasn't everyone seen the Batman movie enough by now?

I'm rooting for TDK to break the box office record, if only to knock that abysmal Titanic out of the top spot once and for all. So as far as I'm concerned, everyone needs to go see it once more, just to make sure it happens.

[Rowland]

Agreed on all counts (including the need to see PE), though I'd give it a few more points than you did. I need to see exactly how well it holds up to a complete second viewing, but I still find it to be an achingly keen take on particularly male anxieties. That it was originally penned by middle schoolers, finished by twenty-somethings, and directed by a middle-aged guy is both apparent and fitting.Phew, so I'm not the only one. The vitriol aimed at the movie around here seems to be a MC quirk more than anything, but nevertheless, that gang bang was growing dispiriting for a moment there. :lol:

[number8]

I have a feeling Tropic Thunder will knock it off the top.

[Raiders]

I'm rooting for TDK to break the box office record, if only to knock that abysmal Titanic out of the top spot once and for all. So as far as I'm concerned, everyone needs to go see it once more, just to make sure it happens.

Not a chance. I'm thinking it will top out at around $515 million.

[Watashi]

I'm going to see the Dark Knight again this weekend with my dad and I'd like to see Sycophant try to stop me.

[Rowland]

And I'll be seeing Tell No One and My Father, My Lord, so THERE you Hollywood teet-suckers.

[Watashi]

Superbad is the worst film I have seen in the past year and a half. And I saw Bee Movie.

You rated The Golden Compass over The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. :crazy:

[Spinal]

You rated The Golden Compass over The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. :crazy:

Yes.

[Watashi]

Yes.

:crazy:

[Sycophant]

I'm going to see the Dark Knight again this weekend with my dad and I'd like to see Sycophant try to stop me.If you and/or your father get in a car wreck that prevents you from attending the screening, know these three things: 1) I willed it so, 2) Ha ha ha!, and 3) Sorry.

[Spinal]

:crazy:

I also rated Surf's Up over I'm Not There and don't regret it for a second.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I also rated Surf's Up over I'm Not There and don't regret it for a second.

I probably would too.

[Raiders]

I feel confident that I do not need to see Surf's Up to know that it is not better than I'm Not There.

[Watashi]

I also rated Surf's Up over I'm Not There and don't regret it for a second.
Yes, but I like Surf's Up.

The Golden Compass was however an abomination in filmmaking and fans of the book everywhere.

[Spinal]

The Golden Compass was however an abomination in filmmaking and fans of the book everywhere.

Disappointing considering the book's greatness? Sure. But just because it gets some things wrong doesn't mean there aren't some things that it gets right.

[number8]

I feel confident that I do not need to see Surf's Up to know that it is not better than I'm Not There.

Same.

[Grouchy]

I also keep seeing this movie called Doomsday on dvd racks and the cover looks cool, but I guess I haven't heard of it. Any thoughts on it?
I'm guessing...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483607/

It's supposed to be a vintage apocalyptic actioner a la Mad Max or the Escape from... movies. The director is the one who did Dog Soldiers and The Descent. I want to watch this badly too.

[balmakboor]

I'm guessing...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483607/

It's supposed to be a vintage apocalyptic actioner a la Mad Max or the Escape from... movies. The director is the one who did Dog Soldiers and The Descent. I want to watch this badly too.

That's the one.

[D_Davis]

Doomsday is retched. A total failure of a film. Easily the worst film I've seen this year. I'd rather rewatch The Happening.

[Grouchy]

I'd rather rewatch The Happening.
Wow, those are strong words. I rather kick a wall with my bare feet than rewatch The Happening.

I just have to watch it to know where I stand, though. I really liked Marshall's two previous films.

[D_Davis]

I just have to watch it to know where I stand, though. I really liked Marshall's two previous films.

So do I. The Decent is on my top 100.

[Boner M]

I feel I can now safely label Superbad the most touching, relatable, cinematic, and funny, as well as the least subtextually troublesome, entry in the Apatow canon. I still need to see Pineapple Express, mind you.
The hate baffles me too. The final scene is just as moving as Old Joy's.

[Winston*]

I could see myself appreciating Superbad more if they removed every frame of Jonah Hill's unbearable performance.

[Qrazy]

I'm in the middle camp, I thought it was fairly cinematically poor as most Apatow productions are wont to be... but I also found there were enough funny and semi-touching moments to carry it along and make it passable entertainment.

[Qrazy]

I could see myself appreciating Superbad more if they removed every frame of Jonah Hill's unbearable performance.

He does get hit by a car what like... three times? The haters must have enjoyed this much at least.

[Boner M]

I even liked Hill's performance. Mainly because Cera is such a perfect foil, but he also handled the emotional scenes quite well.

[Winston*]

Then again I wasn't really all that hot on the McLovin stuff either. I think I would have appreciated the film more if it was a completely different movie starring Michael Cera.

[Silencio]

Hou's Flight of the Red Balloon was lovely. An ethereal, fly-on-the-wall examination of everyday life. His ability to turn even the most mundane mundanities into cinematic poetry is ridiculously impressive. And Juliette Binoche gives one of the most convincing, natural performances I've seen in quite some time. Incredible film with an image that'll be ingrained in my mind for a long time to come.

[MadMan]

The Graduate is a great film, and would easily crack my Top 100, quite possibly even my Top 50, if I ever make such lists.

Also I loved Superbad, although I'll admit that some elements of the film don't work. Parts of the drama feel a bit forced, and while the film is quite funny some of the humor doesn't work, either. I did laugh my ass off though when McLovin' showed up with that fake ID, though.

Charlie Varrick is exactly how I remember it years ago: a fairly solid, entertaining and well made crime drama/thriller. Walter Mathau surprises me here, as he plays an anti-hero protagonist facing off against the sadistic Jon Don Baker hitman character with Andy Robinson (of Scorpio fame) in tow as his partner. John Vernon makes an appearance here, but is only really noteworthy because he utters the line "They'll strip you naked and go to work on you with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch," which is a line that QT pretty much copied later on in Pulp Fiction.
Anyways, Don Siegel, who's directed better (and probably worse-I haven't seen all of his films) fare, smartly decides to feature a car chase that is actually interesting, as it sports a car actually chasing a plane. While the movie is somewhat predictable, I still like it quite a bit, and I don't regret voting for it in the 1973 consensus.

Oh and I finally saw Badassses(2003) and I loved it. Awesome flick, and it actually deserves a decently long review. I'm just lazy and I don't really have much time anyways.

[Ezee E]

Smart People is the first movie this year that I'll simply say this, "Ugh."

[origami_mustache]

Anyone interested in shorts might want to check out this DVD magazine...


Wholphin is a quarterly DVD magazine featuring short films, documentaries, animation, and instructional videos that have not, for whatever reason, found wide release. Recent issues of Wholphin have included films by Spike Jonze, David O. Russell, Miranda July, Miguel Arteta, Errol Morris, and Steven Soderbergh, and performances from John C. Reilly, Selma Blair, Patton Oswalt, Andy Richter, a monkey-faced eel, and many others.

here is a short written by Miranda July and starring John C. Reilly

Are You The Favorite Person on Anybody? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t-5PLQgcSA)

[baby doll]

Weekend:

All That Heaven Allows (Douglas Sirk)
The Love Parade (Ernst Lubitsch)
The Merry Widow (Ernst Lubitsch)
Sleep, My Love (Douglas Sirk)
A Time to Live and a Time to Die (Douglas Sirk)
Wall-E (Andrew Stanton)

[Ezee E]

Weekend:

All That Heaven Allows (Douglas Sirk)
The Love Parade (Ernst Lubitsch)
The Merry Widow (Ernst Lubitsch)
Sleep, My Love (Douglas Sirk)
A Time to Live and a Time to Die (Douglas Sirk)
Wall-E (Andrew Stanton)
Planning early I guess...

[Qrazy]

Hated Green Snake.

---

Angel Heart I liked quite a bit but felt the ending would have benefited from a bit more ambiguity.


It would have been more effective imo if the supernatural was a suggestion but not necessarily the answer. I dunno I guess I just have little patience for endings which invoke the supernatural because I'm left wondering why such a powerful presence (the devil) would go through such an elaborate scheme to bring someone's memory back. Or perhaps it was more ambiguous than I'm giving it credit for and I missed something entirely? (De Niro clearly having killed the girl at the end, sitting outside the house... perhaps Angel was just hallucinating the crazy eyes stuff?).

[soitgoes...]

Weekend:

Tout ce ciel laisse (Douglas Sirk)
Le Défilé de l'amour (Ernst Lubitsch)
La Joyeuse veuve (Ernst Lubitsch)
Sommeil, mon amour (Douglas Sirk)
Un Temps pour vivre et un temps de mourir (Douglas Sirk)
Le Wall-E (Andrew Stanton)

Fixed.

[Izzy Black]

Why would you give French titles to American films?

[Horbgorbler]

Today I am a man.

I totally just watched Troll 2.

[baby doll]

Planning early I guess...It's already Wednesday afternoon here.

[baby doll]

Why would you give French titles to American films?I guess he's referring to the fact that, as a rule, I'm pretentious refer to French language films by their original titles.

[Izzy Black]

I guess he's referring to the fact that, as a rule, I'm pretentious refer to French language films by their original titles.

Yes - I actually suspected as much. I have been poked out for doing this as well. I find it incredibly dull.

[Ezee E]

Yes - I actually suspected as much. I have been poked out for doing this as well. I find it incredibly dull.
Only he's given the French name to American films as well.

[baby doll]

Only he's given the French name to American films as well.Who, me? When?

[Izzy Black]

Only he's given the French name to American films as well.

He deliberately translated an American title into French so as to post it with a French title?

[Izzy Black]

As a side note, I just saw the early documentary Praejusios dienos atminimui by Sharunas Bartas. Any Bartas fans here?

[soitgoes...]

Controversy!!! It's just light ribbing people.

[number8]

I think I'll go see Le Batman, Criminalle Possible?

[Sven]

I guess he's referring to the fact that, as a rule, I'm pretentious refer to French language films by their original titles.

I suppose it's that, compounded with (a) the fact that you watch and love a lot of French films, so exposure is high, and (b) that you don't do it with other languages.

Oh, and it was Death Proof, dude.

[Bosco B Thug]

The interlude with the cops and McLovin (OMG he called himself McLovin LOL!) makes that movie fairly unwatchable. Proponents of Superbad who feel they have a firm grasp of the film, would you argue that the film would be a lesser, less rich film without the subplot with the cops?

Not making any claims myself yet. :)

And I dunno if Superbad was exceptionally cinematic or not (I'm thinking it was getting there), but I'd say it was exceptional building a steady mood, which is more than I could say for (the really almost wonderful) Pineapple Express. Superbad's successfully gloomy and grimey throughout.


Angel Heart I liked quite a bit but felt the ending would have benefited from a bit more ambiguity.

It would have been more effective imo if the supernatural was a suggestion but not necessarily the answer. I dunno I guess I just have little patience for endings which invoke the supernatural because I'm left wondering why such a powerful presence (the devil) would go through such an elaborate scheme to bring someone's memory back. Or perhaps it was more ambiguous than I'm giving it credit for and I missed something entirely? (De Niro clearly having killed the girl at the end, sitting outside the house... perhaps Angel was just hallucinating the crazy eyes stuff?). Nah, I remember thinking the film became less and less enigmatic and meaningful as it drew to its conclusion. Otherwise it is a pretty solid film, but I only moderately liked it. Some very evocative visuals.

[Winston*]

Oh, and it was Death Proof, dude.

Intended as self-parody, perhaps?

[Sven]

Intended as self-parody, perhaps?

I've never known baby doll to attempt comedy. But I'll give you 'perhaps.'

[Winston*]

I've never known baby doll to attempt comedy.
A male poster naming himself "baby doll" or "Domino Harvey" seems to me something that would be done for the purpose of humour.

[baby doll]

I suppose it's that, compounded with (a) the fact that you watch and love a lot of French films, so exposure is high, and (b) that you don't do it with other languages.

Oh, and it was Death Proof, dude.In the case of Tarantino's film, it opened in the North America as the second half of Grindhouse; it was first shown as a seperate film at the Cannes film festival where it was called Le Boulevard de mort, which is a far better title. I don't do it for other languages because I speak more French than German, Italian, Spanish, etc., and written Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Tamil all have different alphabets.

[Spinal]

On the other hand, I like to refer to Tarantino's film by its Turkish title, Ölüm geçirmez, which to my mind better communicates the feeling of hüzün which underlies all of the şiddet.

[Pop Trash]

Thoughts on recent topics:

I hope The Dark Knight doesn't stop Titanic's box office because 1) I truly do like Titanic a lot and 2) I've always liked the fact that the #1 USA box office champ isn't a franchise film. It's its own entity and the popularity of it didn't have anything to do with previous films, stories, comic lore, etc.

I like Superbad quite a bit and agree the ending is terrific (as is Pineapple Express) but the main reasons why I gave it no higher than a 7/10 was 1) As I get older I feel more and more of a disconnect with current teenagers. I realize this has more to do with me than the film itself but the feeling remains. I've reached the point where I see teenagers at the mall with their skinny girl jeans and crooked ballcaps and shaggy hair all mussied up with precision and I feel a huge generation gap. And I'm only 28. And 2) A little Jonah Hill goes a long way and there were times where the film crossed my Jonah Hill threshold. But I do agree he was strong in certain scenes. And the Ghostbusters lunchbox bit was gold.

[transmogrifier]

Thoughts on recent topics:

I truly hope The Dark Knight doesn't stop Titanic's box office because 1) I truly do like Titanic a lot and 2) I've always liked the fact that the #1 USA box office champ isn't a franchise film. It's its own entity and the popularity of it didn't have anything to do with previous films, stories, comic lore, etc.
.

Plus Titanic is significantly better than TDK

[origami_mustache]

box office records are pointless anyways unless they are ticket sales based.

[Winston*]

Manderlay was quite excellent I thought (actually watched it this time (not lying).

[Sven]

In the case of Tarantino's film, it opened in the North America as the second half of Grindhouse; it was first shown as a seperate film at the Cannes film festival where it was called Le Boulevard de mort, which is a far better title. I don't do it for other languages because I speak more French than German, Italian, Spanish, etc., and written Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Tamil all have different alphabets.

Hey, I've never teased you for it. I'm just saying.

[megladon8]

Plus Titanic is significantly better than TDK


You've been drinking a lot of Hate-orade lately, eh? :P

[Scar]

Wow, those are strong words. I rather kick a wall with my bare feet than rewatch The Happening.

I just have to watch it to know where I stand, though. I really liked Marshall's two previous films.

Doomsday fucking sucks.

And I love Marshall's previous movies.

[Ezee E]

Doomsday fucking sucks.

And I love Marshall's previous movies.
While I liked it considerably less the second time around, I still love the stadium scene.

I'll still be first in line for his Medevil Heist film.

[Sycophant]

You've been drinking a lot of Hate-orade lately, eh? :P
In this instance, I believe I agree with trans.

[Grouchy]

Ok, I'm seeing Doomsday tonight.

Saw A Tale of Two Sisters. It has beautiful cinematography, editing and score like most recent Korean films I've seen, and it's not surprising considering the director did A Bittersweet Life, another formally excellent piece. I was really interested for the first 40 minutes or so. After that... I'm not sure I understood anything at all about it. I didn't understand what the fuck I was watching.

If I get it straight, this is what happened -

The ending flashback is the only scene where we see what actually happened. The evil stepmother saw the closet falling on Su-Yeon but, since she hated the girls, didn't say anything and let her die. The older sister went crazy because she couldn't live with the fact that she could've saved her. The mother hanged herself long before this scene, though, and what Su-Yeon saw inside the closet was a ghost or a hallucination. Also, at some point the evil stepmother was the mother's psychiatrist and, in turn, became the girl's. Right? During most of the movie, the stepmother we see is actually the girl in a case of schizophrenia? Everything is a dellusion, including the ghosts? That's why they all drink medications? The father molested the girls? What the hell was up with the bag? What about that bag made even an ounce of sense? That house fucking sucked.

I'm just confused because I didn't expect the movie to end with so many mysteries unsolved. I realize it was done deliberately, but it left me confused to the point where I'm not even sure I liked it. Fuckin' Asians.

[Sven]

New York Film Festival line-up!

Opening Night: The Class (Cantet)
Centerpiece: The Changeling (Eastwood)
Closing Night: The Wrestler (Aronofsky)
Retrospective: Lola Montes (Ophuls)

24 City (Zhangke)
Afterschool (Campos)
Ashes of Time Redux (Wong)
Bullet in the Head (Rosales)
Che (Soderbergh)
Chouga (Omirbaev)
A Christmas Tale (Desplechin)
Four Nights with Anna (Skolimowski)
Gomorrah (Garrone)
Happy-Go-Lucky (Leigh)
The Headless Woman (Martel)
Hunger (McQueen)
I'm Going to Explode (Naranjo)
Let it Rain (Jaoui)
Night and Day (Hong)
The Northern Land (Botelho)
Serbis (Mendoza)
Summer Hours (Assayas)
Tokyo Sonata (Kurosawa)
Tony Manero (Larrain)
Tulpan (Dvortsevoy)
Waltz with Bashir (Folman)
Wendy and Lucy (Reichardt)
The Windmill Movie (Olch)

I hope to see the ones in bold. What else?

[Pop Trash]

I would love to see Wendy and Lucy since I loved Old Joy and I have a huge crush on Michelle Williams so seeing a film that is only focused on her would be heavenly.

Waltz with Bashir is supposed to be great, especially if you are interested in animation.

Gommorah sounds intertesting. I think that is the one about contemporary Italian mafia.

Film Comment's critics loved A Christmas Tale but the only other film I've seen by that director (Kings and Queen) I got kind of bored with and turned it off. I guess I should give it another chance some day since that filmmaker is such a critics darling.

I'm most jealous that you get to see The Wrestler.

[Sycophant]

Tokyo Sonata and Ashes of Time Redux. Damn.

[Bosco B Thug]

Saw A Tale of Two Sisters. It has beautiful cinematography, editing and score like most recent Korean films I've seen, and it's not surprising considering the director did A Bittersweet Life, another formally excellent piece. I was really interested for the first 40 minutes or so. After that... I'm not sure I understood anything at all about it. I didn't understand what the fuck I was watching.

If I get it straight, this is what happened -

The ending flashback is the only scene where we see what actually happened. The evil stepmother saw the closet falling on Su-Yeon but, since she hated the girls, didn't say anything and let her die. The older sister went crazy because she couldn't live with the fact that she could've saved her. The mother hanged herself long before this scene, though, and what Su-Yeon saw inside the closet was a ghost or a hallucination. Also, at some point the evil stepmother was the mother's psychiatrist and, in turn, became the girl's. Right? During most of the movie, the stepmother we see is actually the girl in a case of schizophrenia? Everything is a dellusion, including the ghosts? That's why they all drink medications? The father molested the girls? What the hell was up with the bag? What about that bag made even an ounce of sense? That house fucking sucked. Yeah, pretty much. That's how I read the film. I never caught anything that told me

the father was molesting them, though... but I'm thinking you threw that in a joking, "Hell why not?" sort of way? But who knows! Considering that a definite implication in the film's premise is that the girl, in her schizophrenia, is "pretending" being her father's new girlfriend (complete with the psychosexual insecurities, no less).

I fault the film too for being overly cryptic and obfuscatory, but I think it becomes pretty powerful in the end nevertheless.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yikes. I had no idea Southland Tales was 2:20. I'm an hour in and it's felt like two. This is terrible. I'm not sure I'll finish.

[balmakboor]

Yikes. I had no idea Southland Tales was 2:20. I'm an hour in and it's felt like two. This is terrible. I'm not sure I'll finish.

I thought that 2:20 ended up feeling like about 5:50. You've already seen the best and most coherent part -- the first five minutes.

[number8]

Yikes. I had no idea Southland Tales was 2:20. What a pleasant surprise. I'm an hour in and it's felt like two because it's so rich. This is awesome. I'm not sure I'll finish it now, but I'll definitely make time for this later.

Cool.

[Grouchy]

Yeah, pretty much. That's how I read the film. I never caught anything that told me

the father was molesting them, though... but I'm thinking you threw that in a joking, "Hell why not?" sort of way? But who knows! Considering that a definite implication in the film's premise is that the girl, in her schizophrenia, is "pretending" being her father's new girlfriend (complete with the psychosexual insecurities, no less).

I fault the film too for being overly cryptic and obfuscatory, but I think it becomes pretty powerful in the end nevertheless.
Actually...

Early on the movie, he's seen cozy with evil stepmother, then at one point he gets up and goes to sleep on his own (single) bed. If we're to believe there's only one girl with split personalities for most of the film, then he was hugging his daughter and went to sleep alone for the night. Also, the girl does tell him at one point that she blames him for "the naughty things he's done".

I'm not sure about that, though. I agree the movie is very powerful, but you said it, it's way too cryptic for its own good, to the point that it made me stop caring or, at least, it lessened my interest. There is no reason for the movie to be that misleading. It's like fucking Twin Peaks.

I love Twin Peaks, by the way. Bought Season 1 and it's driving me crazy. Guess it was just too much mystery in too few days.

[D_Davis]

Yikes. I had no idea Southland Tales was 2:20. What a pleasant surprise. I'm an hour in and it's felt like two because it's so rich. This is awesome. I'm not sure I'll finish it now, but I'll definitely make time for this later.


Cool.

Definitely. It is truly an awesome film, one that exists on a level far too few films do.

I need to watch this again, and soon.

[Beau]

Wow, those are strong words. I rather kick a wall with my bare feet than rewatch The Happening.

Hey, I hear that's a great way to build kicking skills for soccer (er, futbol).

[balmakboor]

Definitely. It is truly an awesome film, one that exists on a level far too few films do.

I need to watch this again, and soon.

Looks like a bit of post editing got over-looked here.

[Rowland]

Proponents of Superbad who feel they have a firm grasp of the film, would you argue that the film would be a lesser, less rich film without the subplot with the cops?I would argue this, but I would also argue that the subplot could have used maybe ten minutes cut out of it.

[Sycophant]

Cool.
http://whatnot.bombdotcom.net/shit/mc/giantmeh.gif

[Sycophant]

Southland Tales felt like the better part of a month to me.

[D_Davis]

Looks like a bit of post editing got over-looked here.

Just playing along. :)

[D_Davis]

Southland Tales felt like the better part of a month to me.

Must have been the best month ever.

[Rowland]

I should try to finish Southland Tales. Not because I like what I've seen, which has been astonishingly incompetent and obnoxious, but I'd like to legitimately rate it.

[Sycophant]

Must have been the best month ever.Haw, haw.

I still have yet to read a convincing defense of this film. No slight intended to its fans 'round these parts, but the reasons it's apparently so awesome and brilliant just don't pass muster in my book.

[number8]

It has Jon Lovitz. In a dramatic role.

Also, "Teen Horniness is Not a Crime" is very catchy.

[Sycophant]

It has Jon Lovitz. In a dramatic role.

Also, "Teen Horniness is Not a Crime" is very catchy.Counterpoints:
1) Everything else
2) Those same two things

Concession:
1) Dwayne Johnson twiddling his fingers.

[number8]

And Justin Timberlake music video. And Kevin Smith with a beard.

Individually, these things don't amount to much. But combined together in an epic sci-fi, it's magical.

[Yxklyx]

I love Twin Peaks, by the way. Bought Season 1 and it's driving me crazy. Guess it was just too much mystery in too few days.

Heh heh - what an ending to the season!

[Winston*]

Gomorrah (Garrone)
Happy-Go-Lucky (Leigh)
Hunger (McQueen)
Waltz with Bashir (Folman)


I've seen these ones. All definitely worth seeing IMHO.

[Qrazy]

Haw, haw.

I still have yet to read a convincing defense of this film. No slight intended to its fans 'round these parts, but the reasons it's apparently so awesome and brilliant just don't pass muster in my book.

Yeah I don't feel I have to see it to slight it's fans.

*slight slight slight slight* *slight slight*

[Pop Trash]

And Justin Timberlake music video. And Kevin Smith with a beard.

Individually, these things don't amount to much. But combined together in an epic sci-fi, it's magical.
Dude you are totally getting rep from me. I yearn for the year 2020 in which after Southland Tales is considered an ahead-of-its-time cult classic, it wins the Match-Cut yearly poll for 2006.

[Sycophant]

Dude you are totally getting rep from me. I yearn for the year 2020 in which after Southland Tales is considered an ahead-of-its-time cult classic, it wins the yearly poll for 2006.[obligatory line about how if ST is ahead of its time, then you can count me out of the future of cinema; and how cult classics suck]