28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Boner M]

Seeing the [insert shitty movie] thread pop up again, I'm reminded of what a shitty movie it was.

Duke's here to help.

[megladon8]

I'm re-watching (and still love) Patton, but I wonder how much of the film is an accurate portrayal of his character, and how much is embellishment by screenwriters with an agenda.

If the film is accurate...the guy was a fucking loon.

[Dukefrukem]

Seeing the Observe and Report thread pop up again, I'm reminded of what a shitty movie it was.

It's better than the Other Guys.

[Grouchy]

Saw Pleasantville. Gotta admit, even if the script isn't very good and the film falls often into repetition and schmaltz, I couldn't stop loving it just for the visual work, which is truly extraordinary. Probably the best use of alternative b&w / color since Wings of Desire. It's an obvious message the movie is carrying, but one told with love and wit. Jeff Daniels is a big asset. Loved the closing shot.

Also saw Batman: Under the Red Hood. As enjoyable as these DC Universe DTV movies usually are. This one is a bit too obscure for anyone not into Batman's history of Robins, methinks.

[Dukefrukem]

I like Pleasantville too. Been a while since I saw it. I like the scene where the basketball players make 100% of their shots.

[MadMan]

I'm re-watching (and still love) Patton, but I wonder how much of the film is an accurate portrayal of his character, and how much is embellishment by screenwriters with an agenda.

If the film is accurate...the guy was a fucking loon.

Patton was indeed batshit crazy, but the guy was one of the best generals in WW II. He had a mastery of tank warfare, and a strange but oddly admirable respect for his enemies like Rommel. Patton is indeed a great film-both George C. Scott and Karl Madden are fantastic as Patton and his only friend, General Bradley. I like that they decide to only focus on his life during WW II, instead of trying to cover his entire life in 2-3 hours, which is what standard biopics usually do.

[B-side]

Duke's here to help.

:lol:

It's better than the Other Guys.

[balmakboor]

This W/E I saw:

Jaws - Brilliant as already noted.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High - Still love it. Love how matter of factly it deals with the subject of abortion. So much smarter than the later Juno.

Zodiac - This was my second viewing and I found it even more absorbing.

Secretariat - Blech

[Derek]

I used to like Pleasantville til I saw it again and realized it's really no better than the any of the typical liberal back-patting films that flood our theaters each fall. But it could be that I'm generally tired of the take-that-50s-suburbia sub-genre.

[Grouchy]

I used to like Pleasantville til I saw it again and realized it's really no better than the any of the typical liberal back-patting films that flood our theaters each fall. But it could be that I'm generally tired of the take-that-50s-suburbia sub-genre.

For what it's worth, I think Far From Heaven is a much deeper take-that-50s-suburbia film.

[balmakboor]

My daughter and I also finished watching the first season of the anime series Big Windup. I found it surprising addictive. I've always been fascinated by how cerebral the game of baseball is and this series truly understands that. The series actually devotes 11 episodes to a single ball game and I was never even close to being bored.

[balmakboor]

For what it's worth, I think Far From Heaven is a much deeper take-that-50s-suburbia film.

And I think Fido is a much more entertaining take-that-50s-suburbia film. Actually, I think All That Heaven Allows, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Far From Heaven, and Fido would make a great quadruple bill.

[Derek]

For what it's worth, I think Far From Heaven is a much deeper take-that-50s-suburbia film.

I completely agree. I also love Sirk, so I'm not saying they're all bad, just most I've seen from the past 7 or 8 years.

[megladon8]

I thought Far From Heaven was wonderful.

I haven't seen Pleasantville since it first came out on VHS, so I don't feel I can fairly comment on it. I remember finding it rather boring.

Jen really wants me to see Revolutionary Road.

[chrisnu]

Jen really wants me to see Revolutionary Road.

I don't want to give anything away, but this went from a 7-7.5 in my estimation to about a 5, because of the final ten minutes of the movie.

[Boner M]

The final minutes of California Split are the very definition of 'quietly devastating'. Elliott Gould's as fun to watch as ever, but George Segal emerges as the MVP.

[Ezee E]

I don't want to give anything away, but this went from a 7-7.5 in my estimation to about a 5, because of the final ten minutes of the movie.

Indeed.

[Skitch]

I've seen the trailer for this on some dvds, and I have to say, it looked unconscionably bad.

Well...*shrug*

I thought it was decent.

[Skitch]

Indeed.

I would board a "Revolutionary Road is crap" bandwagon.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm in the other camp. I loved Revolutionary Road.

[Sven]

... but George Segal emerges as the MVP.

Seriously, and how rarely does this happen?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Watched Runaway Train. Wish I hadn't. Bad performances, bad script, ridiculous ending, corny metaphors, etc. I want my two hours back. How does this film have a good reputation?

[Watashi]

Watched Runaway Train. Wish I hadn't. Bad performances, bad script, ridiculous ending, corny metaphors, etc. I want my two hours back. How does this film have a good reputation?

Because it's completely awesome and Eric Roberts is the shit.

Me and Sven will kill you now.

[megladon8]

Anyone else think Patton is a masterpiece?

[balmakboor]

Anyone else think Patton is a masterpiece?

I'd probably thumb a ride on that bandwagon. It's been too long for me to know if I'd stay on board past the next town though. The script is a great achievement that seldom gets mentioned when people talk about Coppola.