28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Irish]

Yeh, seriously, 2 stars? What gives?

[Derek]

Derek, your RoboCop rating has invalidated anything you have ever or will ever post.

Tonally, it's an absolute mess. The cartoonish violence and poor FX feel like they belong in a different film than all the corporate sequences. Fortunately the satire has its heart in the right place and it mostly hits the target when going after police/military privatization and fascist corporate politics, but it's pretty poorly paced and put together. Not a bad film, but not particularly good either. Definitely a disappointment since I keep expecting Verhoeven to deliver one really good film, but oh well, I still have The Fourth Man and Total Recall to get to eventually.

[Pop Trash]

Derek just lost all cred with me.

[Sven]

Pshah. Verhoeven's delivered at least ten really good movies, dweeb.

I think you'll like The Fourth Man, actually. It's got the same twisted tone as the best stuff from De Palma and Fassbinder.

[Spinal]

When's Verhoeven going to make that Jesus movie?

[B-side]

My jimmies remain unrustled by your score, Derek, if that's any consolation.

[soitgoes...]

I'm more surprised that Derek hasn't seen Total Recall or Robocop before now.

[Derek]

Pshah. Verhoeven's delivered at least ten really good movies, dweeb.

Yeah, but who can trust someone who likes Hollow Man? Actually, there's plenty to like about Soldier of Orange and Black Book. I just don't think either are great.

I think you'll like The Fourth Man, actually. It's got the same twisted tone as the best stuff from De Palma and Fassbinder.

It sounds promising and the premise seems like it would play to Verhoeven's strengths.

[Derek]

I'm more surprised that Derek hasn't seen Total Recall or Robocop before now.

Yeah, I know. And I didn't see Predator (which is awesome) until a year or two ago. I'm not sure how I missed these growing up.

[Boner M]

Alright, Rapt in the next few days then.

[Rowland]

Predator (which is awesome)

Here I am pulling an all-nighter to finish my last film theory paper for the semester (total hackwork in which I apply André Bazin's concepts of the long take and composition in depth to the night sequences from Paranormal Activity), and now I desperately want to make myself a strong mixed drink and kick back to my umpteenth viewing of Predator. Fuck.

[MadMan]

Predator is probably one of the 10 movies I would bring with me to a desert island. Although that question is kind of stupid: you are assuming that a desert island is going to have a movie projector or a DVD player, electricity, a movie screen and or TV.

Anyways I finally saw American Gangster (2007) and I would have ranked it pretty highly in the consensus for Ridley Scott. Even though Scott is at times not a particularly strong director visually, he typical tackles interesting material and he was smart enough to cast Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington here, so kudos I suppose. Ridley directing a gangster movie still surprises me a bit, though, although I suppose he did make Black Rain (1989) which featured Japanese gangsters, so there is that. For the record, Black Rain is probably a Ridley Scott movie Brightside would enjoy, if he hasn't seen it already.

[B-side]

A Wolf Teeth Necklace is Ruiz, Tarkovsky (specifically The Mirror) and a little bit of Sokurov with a dash of Lithuanian spice. The natural elements and wartime reminiscences of Tarkovsky, the exaggerated perspectives, absurdity and evocation of childhood of Ruiz and a few stray large birds and winding rural paths that recall Sokurov's Stone and Mother and Son. Puipa absorbs their influences and crafts something pretty spectacular, and among the most visually stunning films I've seen in a long time. The final shot tracks backward over some 100+ feet of terrain as people dance in and out of frame around burning fires, and when it stops tracking backward it pauses to witness a kiss, then floats in the air to watch the fireworks.

[B-side]

For the record, Black Rain is probably a Ridley Scott movie Brightside would enjoy, if he hasn't seen it already.

You think so?

[StanleyK]

My Week with Marilyn is a pretty terrible movie. It only ever deviates from its hyperbolic aggrandizement of Monroe to occasionally deliver the mind-blowing insight that- hold on to your hats here- famous actors are people too! Between the completely uninteresting handling of subject matter and the almost aggressively mediocre direction you have a pretty damn terrible movie indeed.

[MadMan]

You think so?

Maybe, but I bet I'm wrong. Still give it a shot. I like it a lot, and its kinetic action sequences in some ways remind me a little of Ridley's brother Tony. Plus it has Michael Douglas being badass, and the film actually has some really good cinematography.

I liked My Week with Marilyn, and found it to be a delightful and enjoyable movie even though I agree that the overall story and plot were really paper thin. This could all be due to having low expectations going in, though. Michelle Williams did a fantastic job in the role, and if the Academy was going to give the Oscar to someone playing a dead famous person it should have been her instead. I'm never going to watch the Iron Lady, so I'll just continue to insist I'm right :P

[Qrazy]

Predator is probably one of the 10 movies I would bring with me to a desert island. Although that question is kind of stupid: you are assuming that a desert island is going to have a movie projector or a DVD player, electricity, a movie screen and or TV.

Anyways I finally saw American Gangster (2007) and I would have ranked it pretty highly in the consensus for Ridley Scott. Even though Scott is at times not a particularly strong director visually, he typical tackles interesting material and he was smart enough to cast Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington here, so kudos I suppose. Ridley directing a gangster movie still surprises me a bit, though, although I suppose he did make Black Rain (1989) which featured Japanese gangsters, so there is that. For the record, Black Rain is probably a Ridley Scott movie Brightside would enjoy, if he hasn't seen it already.

What? Scott is primarily known for his visuals. When his films fail it's the overarching tone/drama/concept that is usually at fault. American Gangster was a good looking film it was just boring as hell.

[Qrazy]

You think so?

No, it's bad.

[MadMan]

What? Scott is primarily known for his visuals. When his films fail it's the overarching tone/drama/concept that is usually at fault. American Gangster was a good looking film it was just boring as hell.

I find his talent as a storyteller far stronger, really. And American Gangster wasn't boring at all-and yes I viewed the DC.

As far as 80s action movies go, Black Rain is a good, solid flick. I'm just more curious about what Brightside will think since he loves many of the films of Ridley's brother, Tony.

[Derek]

Finally watched the 172-minute cut of The New World and this probably is the definitive cut. It's certainly not going to win over the unconverted, but for those who already appreciate it, it's worth the watch since it feels like a very different film. It is more sprawling, epic and ambitious, yet the added time allows for noticeably stronger characterizations and further clarity and depth in the relationship between Smith and Pocahontas as well as the natives and Brits. But while it is less elliptical than the shorter cuts, the additional scenes don't serve merely to connect the dots. The clearer sense of progression, geography and psychology actually helps to crystallize many of the themes and emotions that Malick explores, making it more accessible, or perhaps approachable, while losing none of its almost mythical romanticism. The added time with Smith and Pocahontas & her tribe strengthens their bond, giving the natives a more fleshed out, multi-dimensional presence, while the few extra scenes in the British camp do wonders to clarify both their desperations and motivations, making for a richer contrast to the natives than the shorter cuts and delving more into the conflicting thoughts and emotions of both sides as their cultures clash. The beefing up of the first half also allows the film to more properly divide itself, the triptych structure allowing for a more natural transition of metaphysical musings from Smith in the first act, Pocahontas in the second and Rolfe in the third as each discover something new yet vastly different about human nature. The final montage is untouched, though as the brief reuniting of Smith and Pocahontas just before it has an added layer of bittersweet tragedy, it is ultimately even more powerful than before. Pretty remarkable stuff overall.

[B-side]

Is it just me or is the site moving as slow as molasses right now?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yes, it most certainly is.

[Pop Trash]

Finally watched the 172-minute cut of The New World and this probably is the definitive cut.

Is that the current North American Blu Ray cut? If not how did you see it? I'm a big TNW fan.

[Spinal]

Thanks for your thoughts, Derek. Just watched it recently as well. Having never seen it before, I had no idea what was new and what wasn't. I particularly liked how Malick shifts the meaning of the title (and the perspective of the film) with the final act.

[Derek]

Is that the current North American Blu Ray cut? If not how did you see it? I'm a big TNW fan.

It was released on regular DVD a couple years...I just finally got around to watching it. I hope it's out on Bluray. If you're a fan, you definitely have to check it out, though I wouldn't be surprised if some people prefer the theatrical cut.

Thanks for your thoughts, Derek. Just watched it recently as well. Having never seen it before, I had no idea what was new and what wasn't. I particularly liked how Malick shifts the meaning of the title (and the perspective of the film) with the final act.

Yeah, that whole transition is masterfully handled. I also think Kilcher never gets enough credit - it's a wonderful, incredibly physical performance and while she's obviously a big part of selling the first act, the way she handles her scenes as Rebecca are perhaps even more impressive. I mean, when she bows to Smith at the end there, it's absolutely heartbreaking, but also somewhat hopeful in the sense that she has come to terms with her new identity while still retaining her true sense of self.

EDIT: Also, thrilled you liked it as much as you did. Even with Malick fans, this one's tough to predict how they'll react.