Rate The Last Movie You Saw [Archive] - Page 333

Thief

08-06-24, 02:34 PM

A QUIET PLACE PART II
(2020, Krasinski)

https://i.imgur.com/ldSxjV5.jpg

"The people that are left, what they've become; you don't know, do you? ... They're not the kind of people worth saving."

A Quiet Place Part II continues the struggle of the Abbott family to survive against deadly aliens in a post-apocalyptic world. As was seen in the first film, Regan (Millicent Simmonds) has discovered a way to beat the aliens using her hearing aid, which allows them to leave their destroyed house to seek another shelter. Eventually, they stumble upon Emmett (Cillian Murphy), an old friend that has lost hope in humanity, which is why he delivers the above quote.

I'm not an adoring fan of the first film, but I thought it was a pretty solid alien horror film with an interesting premise and some effective setpieces. The sequel doesn't really bring a lot of new stuff to the table, but it's just as consistently effective. Most of the performances are solid, with Murphy being a welcome addition. His character adds a pretty good contrast to Evelyn's outlook and provides for a nice character arc. Djimon Hounsou also appears in the last act, but his role is fairly limited.

Grade: 3.5

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2477624#post2477624)

WrinkledMind

08-06-24, 04:23 PM

Cure 1997
Slow, riveting even if confusing at times & deeply engrossing. Really enjoyed watching this.
My first Kiyoshi Kurosawa film. Very tempted to check out his others movies after this.

Darth Pazuzu

08-06-24, 04:38 PM

You're over-thinking it. It's a movie adaptation of material that has been commenting on itself for several decades now, so in that sense it isn't anything new. It does a few things that the source material couldn't really do as well: it works extremely well as a bromance, it's as close to a full-blown musical as any comic book movie has ever been; and it is also an eulogy for a movie series produced by a now-defunct studio (and in some very subversive ways, it is also very critical of the media conglomerate that owns it).

But more than all of that, it's obviously the product of a creative team working on all cylinders and very much aware of the material's inherent flaws. It is, in its own viciously self-deprecating way, damn near perfect.

Yeah, I probably am over-thinking it. And I'm probably just overdosing on the post-modern and the self-referential at this point. I remember back when I saw Argylle and The Fall Guy earlier this year, and I remember feeling frustrated and wondering why anything can't just be a straight-ahead story anymore without commenting on itself. Which isn't true, there are probably lots of movies that are more straightforward these days. But to me, it just feels like there's a plethora of the post-modern these days, and it's kind of wearing thin on me. (And yet somehow, I am a fan of the recent Inside Out 2, which is a commentary on human emotional states by human emotional states. Post-modernism with its inner working components disguised, you might say.)

But it also kind of annoys me that something relatively straightforward yet ambitious like Kevin Costner's Horizon series can't get arrested these days, while it looks like Deadpool & Wolverine is going to clean up. (Frankly, it almost makes one sympathize with Martin Scorsese's criticisms of the comic-book movie phenomenon, although I'm not in full accord with them.) Yes, we can argue about the merits of Costner's Horizon back and forth ad nauseum until the cows come home, but I can't help but feel like most moviegoers these days don't seem to trust anything unless it's something which makes them feel smarter and more clever or hip than they really are. Traditional narrative may as well be dead. Most of the time I feel like I'm the furthest thing from a cultural conservative as it's possible for anyone to be, but at age 51, "hip" and "clever" is starting to wear a little thin with me. (That's probably one of the reasons why I'm starting to "age into" an appreciation of Westerns these days.)

BTW, FilmBuff, if criticism of media conglomerates as "on the nose" as it is in Deadpool & Wolverine is even allowed by those conglomerates, I'd hardly call it "subversive." :p

MovieGal

08-06-24, 04:47 PM

100253
Starve Acre
(2023)
3.5/5

A fairly decent folk horror. I will watch it again soon.

WHITBISSELL!

08-06-24, 05:39 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Wicked_Little_Letters_poster.jpg

Wicked Little Letters - Really enjoyed this British period comedy from 2023. Solid cast with Olivia Colman, Jesse Buckley and Timothy Spall. Based on the true events of the Littlehampton letters in 1920. Someone has been sending profanity laced missives to pious spinster Edith Swan (Colman). Suspicion immediately focuses on her hard living and free-spirited neighbor Rose Gooding. She's an Irish emigre and a war widow, raising her daughter Nancy by herself while cohabitating with her boyfriend Bill (Malachi Kirby). Edith's father is the tightly wound and bigoted Edward (Spall) who has both Edith and her kindhearted mother Elizabeth (Gemma Jones) cowed and under his thumb.

Mousy Edith secretly admires Rose for her joie de vivre and the letters start when their incipient friendship is abruptly terminated by Mr. Swan. He also goes to the local constabulary and demands that Rose be investigated. The cops are portrayed as casually virulent misogynists who border on buffoonery. It still serves to make your blood boil. The lone female constable Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) notices numerous discrepancies in the investigation but is quickly rebuffed by her superior. She recruits several of Rose's sympathetic friends to help uncover the actual author of the poison pen letters. At this point the scandal and subsequent libel trial have become national news.

This is not a true-to-life portrayal of the events. The filmmakers do attempt to tell a compelling real world story. But then they handicap themselves and that narrative with several casting choices that serve to take you out of the moment. They seem to want it both ways and IMO it ultimately doesn't work. It's still a vastly entertaining endeavor. Just not superlative.

75/100

FilmBuff

08-06-24, 08:48 PM

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/65tQjsvT2YZcepvbjPT6uQc6wBb.jpg

Blade trilogy
2.5

Watching the Blade trilogy with a 2024 perspective, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that these movies are definitely a mixed bag.

On the one hand, Wesley Snipes was an absolutely perfect choice to play the title role, and his performance remains a high benchmark for Mahershala Ali, should he indeed play Blade in the planned reboot. But these movies all suffer from anemic storylines that become increasingly repetitive with each new iteration.

Snipes is all too often saddled with a crew of misfits who take up a lot of screentime and leave less scenes for Blade himself.

And the quite incessant use of late-90s/early 00s CGI looks like a bad choice, artistically, in hindsight. Sure it might have seemed pretty cool to see a vampire disintegrate into a cloud of smoke, but did we need to see it hundreds of times in each movie?

Still, Blade was the first Marvel character to be successfully serialized by Hollywood - in some ways, he is still the granddaddy of the MCU. For that alone, he deserves a special place in CBM history.

Fabulous

08-07-24, 05:04 AM

Oklahoma! (1955)

3

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/pFExTkVIrjUNlfNaTxzbQhhFIBj.jpg

LChimp

08-07-24, 08:20 AM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/pv-target-images/b32d4904eb31998855eb13696e4d08eb1d799b56204fa33abb4e0c85ecf9c2aa.jpg

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare - (Guy Ritchie, 2024)

7/10

MovieGal

08-07-24, 11:13 AM

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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare - (Guy Ritchie, 2024)

7/10

I can't wait for this to drop on one of streaming services. I know I will like this. I tend to enjoy Guy Ritchie films.

Gideon58

08-07-24, 01:00 PM

Oklahoma! (1955)

3

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/pFExTkVIrjUNlfNaTxzbQhhFIBj.jpg

Why only three stars?

Gideon58

08-07-24, 01:05 PM

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Umpteenth Rewatch...This instant classic directed by John Landis is still as laugh out loud funny as it was since its theatrical release over 40 years ago. Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy play a commodities broker and criminal/hustler whose lives are changed forever by Aykroyd's greedy and manipulative uncles (Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy). It was only his 2nd feature film, but Murphy is a comic powerhouse here and Aykroyd matches him note for note. Another film with endless rewatch appeal. 4

Gideon58

08-07-24, 01:10 PM

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1st Rewatch...A juvenile and unfunny comedy about a group of high school classmates who are reunited as adults when their high school basketball coach dies. Despite a cast that includes Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and Maya Rudolph, the only real laughs in this film come from Rob Schneider as the high school cry baby now married to a much older woman (Joyce Van Patten). I don't know, the movie comes off like an expanded SNL skit that never made it to the air. Someone even decided that it was worthy of a sequel, which was even worse. 2

Gideon58

08-07-24, 01:13 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71z-sfw8zFL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

6th Rewatch...I think this has officially become my favorite Martin Scorsese film. Dazzling entertainment from opening to closing credits. I never get tired of re-watching this move, the fastest three hours in cinema history. 4.5

Gideon58

08-07-24, 01:18 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/810AheWkZXL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

1st Rewatch...An engaging drama that stars Joseph Gordon Levitt as a 27 year old writer who learns he has cancer. The screenplay takes the subject matter seriously without ever growing too maudlin. Nothing groundbreaking here, but Levitt is utterly charming and Seth Rogan provides just the right amount of comic relief as his BFF. Mention should also be made of Oscar winner Anjelica Huston as Levitt's mother and Bryce Dallas Howard, in another unsympathetic role as Levitt's girlfriend who can't handle what's going on. It's so funny to me that Howard, the real life daughter of one of the world's most likable actors, has made a career out of playing characters you love to hate. 3.5

WHITBISSELL!

08-07-24, 01:30 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/62/Holdovers_film_poster.jpg

The Holdovers - This is the seventh Alexander Payne film I've seen. The only one of his features I haven't watched is his first, Citizen Ruth (I'm not counting The Passion of Martin as a full length feature). In terms of body of work he might well be my favorite director. This features a resonant triumvirate of performances from Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and newcomer Dominic Sessa.

Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a teacher at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school in 1970. He's not well liked by either the students or fellow faculty. Before the Christmas holiday break he's inveigled to stay over at the school to watch over the handful of students that have no place to go. Randolph plays Mary Lamb, the no-nonsense cafeteria supervisor still in mourning over the death of her son in Vietnam. Sessa is Angus Tully, the resident troublemaker with an unspecified and problematic family life.

These three broken and solitary people eventually end up getting thrown together and this being a Payne movie it's basically a dialogue driven character study. The director excels at introducing audiences to these kinds of strangers and then gradually revealing their inner workings. This is only the second Oscar nominated Best Picture I've seen but it definitely belongs on that list and Giamatti earned his spot on the Best Actor nominee list as well. An Alexander Payne film is something to look forward to.

90/100

exiler96

08-07-24, 01:57 PM

I think this has officially become my favorite Martin Scorsese film...the fastest three hours in cinema history. 4.5Interesting... as this is often overshadowed by Goodfellas. What do you think about his other crime epics? Wolf, The Irishman...

exiler96

08-07-24, 02:04 PM

Reversal of Fortune (1990) - Reasonably fun. Came for Irons (choked on a few of his zingers), stayed for Silver (who's the heart of it, really)... Close makes most of her screntime too.
6-7ish/10.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.rogerebert.com/uploads/review/primary_image/reviews/reversal-of-fortune-1990/EB19901017REVIEWS10170301AR.jpg

doubledenim

08-07-24, 03:14 PM

Gideon58

08-07-24, 03:26 PM

Interesting... as this is often overshadowed by Goodfellas. What do you think about his other crime epics? Wolf, The Irishman...

I used to think Goodfellas was his masterpiece, but I'm re-thinking that. I liked The Irishman and I'm the only person on this site who HATED The Wolf of Wall Street

Gideon58

08-07-24, 04:04 PM

https://thenewbev.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/somebody-up-there.jpg

4

Marco

08-07-24, 04:50 PM

100253
Starve Acre
(2023)
3.5/5

A fairly decent folk horror. I will watch it again soon.

Yes, I saw this today. Atmospheric. I'd agree with your rating

Takoma11

08-07-24, 06:34 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegate.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FPast-Lives-Featured-scaled.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=bc1e234f2cb5f468e99ed153de2e09566ae9a326da9c4daf055480618c5e883a&ipo=images

Past Lives, 2023

Nora (Greta Lee) is a young woman whose family immigrated to Canada from South Korea when she was a child. Years later, she reconnects with her childhood friend, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) via social media. The two develop a long-distance relationship, but as both are unwilling to compromise their personal trajectories, things come to an end. Years later, Hae Sung comes to America to visit Nora and the pair must confront what could have been.

Heartfelt and deeply empathetic to its characters, this is a fantastic drama.

Very glad to have caught this lovely film on the big screen.

4.5

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2477903#post2477903)

MovieGal

08-07-24, 07:33 PM

100279
The Godsend
(1980)
3/5

I didn't think this was a Folk Horror at all. I would have put it in the same category as Thr Village of the Damned. It's more in the biology aspect than the Nature aspect of horror.

Nausicaä

08-07-24, 08:07 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Godzilla_x_kong_the_new_empire_poster.jpg/220px-Godzilla_x_kong_the_new_empire_poster.jpg

3

SF = Z

Viewed: DVD

https://media.tenor.com/9MoCINYh22wAAAAM/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-kong.gif

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

MovieGal

08-07-24, 08:10 PM

Nausicaä

08-07-24, 08:12 PM

^ I enjoyed it but still prefer Kong Skull Island. :p

FilmBuff

08-07-24, 08:24 PM

Very glad to have caught this lovely film on the big screen.

Same here! Probably the best movie of 2023

MovieGal

08-07-24, 09:47 PM

100281
You Won't Be Alone
(2022)
3.75/5

A beautifully made arthouse folk horror film. One I recommend.

Takoma11

08-07-24, 11:13 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fa0%2Fa9%2F5f%2Fa0a95f57dfcda3cbaa54a885e86884b4.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=7793cf88ce9110a726f47b73123b7583778f5205a21ae2a04b9324fa80774aa2&ipo=images

La Captive, 2000

Ariane (Sylvie Testud) lives with her boyfriend, Simon (Stanislas Merhar) and Simon’s grandmother (Francoise Bertin). The relationship between Ariane and Simon is defined by her passivity in the face of Simon’s increasing jealousy and conviction that Ariane is hiding secrets from him.

An interesting look at a quietly dysfunctional relationship that suffers a bit from closed off characters.

4

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2477933#post2477933)

Fabulous

08-08-24, 01:49 AM

The Tamarind Seed (1974)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/oVuCfiO34RuAYWTfad90zMmBSMS.jpg

LChimp

08-08-24, 08:28 AM

I can't wait for this to drop on one of streaming services. I know I will like this. I tend to enjoy Guy Ritchie films.

Amazon Prime is the place you're looking for.

LChimp

08-08-24, 08:32 AM

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Stopmotion - (2023)

6/10

Marco

08-08-24, 11:32 AM

A History of Violence (2005)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/History_of_violence.jpg
Cronenberg directed film about a quiet man thrust into a situation where his lifestyle and happiness are compromised. This is due to his actions before he pitched up in bidlybong Idaho. It's watchable and Mortensen is good. The story is all over the place thematically though. Serious bits with his family then comedic criminals and violence. It's just not consistent enough to make it a good film.
2.5

MovieGal

08-08-24, 02:17 PM

Amazon Prime is the place you're looking for.

Drop for free it's either Appletv or Paramount+. I have seen it on the Coming Soon

Raven73

08-08-24, 02:18 PM

Despicable Me 4
5/10

Despicable Me didn't need a sequel: Gru had a good character arc and the story ended on a good note. The franchise has become formulaic and bland.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BOTk4MjFhZTMtOWIxOS00YzE2LThkZGEtMzg0MDAyMmFiZmU1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTY3ODkyNDkz._V1_QL75_UX190_CR0, 2,190,281_.jpg

Raven73

08-08-24, 02:24 PM

Inside Out 2
7/10.
There are moments when the character Anxiety is a bit scary. Other characters (like Envy) didn't have much of a presence at all. I DO like that Riley ages between movies (unlike Despicable Me where the characters pretty much stay the same ages).

https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/images/p_insideout2_798_9b5e9941.jpeg?region=0%2C0%2C540%2C810

MovieGal

08-08-24, 09:16 PM

100290
The Feast
(2021)
3.5/5

A Welsh folk horror film. A slow burn with interesting storyline.

Marco

08-08-24, 09:48 PM

Mud (2012)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Mud_poster.jpg
This is a film that shouldn't really work. About an obsessed fugitive that befriends 2 teens who find him beguiling. The film isn't really about Mud (character, excellently played by Matthew McCounaghey) though his story is the lynchpin to this. Its about Ellis(Tye Sheridan, wonderful) and, though he is streetwise, coming to terms with adult issues. In ways Mud (the character) is an escape for the lad. I really liked this, it *does* work besides my misgivings.
A strong 3.5

*Sky*

08-09-24, 12:45 AM

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - Lewis Milestone: 9/10

FilmBuff

08-09-24, 12:50 AM

'All Quiet on the Western Front' (1930) - Lewis Milestone: 9/10

The original is still the best

Fabulous

08-09-24, 04:52 AM

Hawaii (1966)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/fSI7Aqy6hINb0pm5qwptYMTx6PC.jpg

chawhee

08-09-24, 09:24 AM

Night at the Museum (2006)
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/uY9k8t2FQkMj60obnAnsPKLxHCE.jpg
3
Another neighborhood outdoor movie to take my daughter too. A rewatch for me, and the concept of this movie is definitely cool. Everything else is pretty average though. I'm not even sure if I remember seeing any of the sequels...

LChimp

08-09-24, 12:57 PM

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The First Omen - (2024)

6/10

Sedai

08-09-24, 03:12 PM

Athlete A
Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk (2020)

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4

I made the mistake of watching this before bed, which had me not getting to sleep right away due to this documentary making my blood boil. Nothing like a decades long culture of child abuse of pretty much every kind to put the mind at ease, yea? I put this on because I had spent the last couple of weeks cheering on our women's gymnastics team in the Olympics, as well as watching replays of past routines from the past few decades.

I had read about this case when it was happening, but I hadn't dun into the details of the case because this stuff tends to really piss me off. Can confirm it still does!

The film draws connections all the way back to Nadia Comaneci and the Romanian couple that coached her squad, and how once these coaches defected to the US, they brought with them the normalization of abusive training techniques, both physical and mental. Soviet era methodology was abusive? Color me totally unsurprised.

Many of the gymnasts that came forward about Dr. Larry Nassar's sexual abuse link this normalization of abuse by the Karolyis as a key factor in how Nassar was able to get away with this stuff for so long, with organizations such as the Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics colluding to both cover up and downplay the assaults, and according to several gymnasts, even the FBI took part in colluding to cover it up. Totally disgusting.

The only silver lining I could find was that now that all this stuff has been exposed, and places like the Karolyi's training facility have been shut down, the treatment of these athletes has improved immensely, and more attention is paid to preserving their mental and physical health.

Gideon58

08-09-24, 04:31 PM

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4

Stirchley

08-09-24, 05:05 PM

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4

We have a documentary thread.

Looking forward to this. Huge fan.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=54401

Robert the List

08-09-24, 05:48 PM

Alphaville 9.5

Raven73

08-09-24, 07:27 PM

Madame Web
5/10
This would've been better if the heroines died only ONE time.

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Marco

08-09-24, 08:38 PM

Polarized (2023)
Interesting film about a Canadian woman who works in a fruit growing facility getting the sack after complaining about working standards. The family that own it are a moneyed Palestinian family and are trying to expand into the local area to own a "proper" farm. Her own family's farm has been foreclosed and despite this she strikes up a relationship with her female boss when she apologises and get's her job back. After which they fall in love. It's not quite UK Channel 5 material and the performances are good. It's well paced if predictable (culture clash). Pretty decent watch.
3

matt72582

08-10-24, 01:00 PM

The Godfather Trilogy
A month ago, I started watching this, and wanted to see it in chronological order, despite seeing all the movies about 20 times before I turned 25... Last night, I wanted to watch the "modern" part from Godfather II because after 15 years, I figure I might know some references, and this was the movie that started my love for movies.

After telling myself I'd probably never see Godfather III again, I actually saw half of it last night, and just finished it... If you took the first two movies (script, music, scenery/action) put them in a blender, you'd get this movie. But it was better than I thought it would.

Michael (Al Pacino) was not recognizable to me from the second movie.. Even though he was very cold, he was also "cool", but he was a little dopey or over-dramatic. It was also odd to see Dianne Keaton (who looked a foot taller than him) constantly throw digs at him. Don Luchesi with the biggest French accent was something that always bugged me, as if he was the only actor left on Earth. I even found a website from 24 years ago I used to check out (this time for the script, but not all is translated).. I even remember talks of a fourth part at that time.

I'm sure I'll never see this again. But maybe the next movie I do watch will also be from my past. I can't think of any other movies I want to see.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/47/The_Godfather.jpg

matt72582

08-10-24, 01:02 PM

I used to think Goodfellas was his masterpiece, but I'm re-thinking that. I liked The Irishman and I'm the only person on this site who HATED The Wolf of Wall Street

Those last two moves you mentioned are on my Worst 3 I have ever seen.

Robert the List

08-10-24, 07:09 PM

Pather Panchali 9.
Incredible effort bearing in mind the lack of budget.

Allaby

08-10-24, 07:33 PM

Harlem is Heaven (1932) Watched on Tubi. A musical with an all black cast. The story isn't great, but there are some highlights. The dancing is good and there is an entertaining fight scene between two women. 3

Fabulous

08-11-24, 12:33 AM

Freud (1962)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/9OAFaisshciBLDVQpIJkNAlHfCf.jpg

PHOENIX74

08-11-24, 01:31 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Galaxy_Quest_poster.jpg
By Dreamworks LLC, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=899091

Galaxy Quest - (1999)

I haven't been watching a whole load of old favourites lately, but last night I watched a short documentary about the making of Galaxy Quest, and it really put me in the mood - despite the fact that I pretty much know the movie off by heart nowadays. I still laughed enough to annoy my cat, who just wanted to rest peacefully on me. From conception, casting, writing onwards, there's not a single thing it gets even a little wrong. Every joke lands - and if it were a gymnast's routine it would get a 10.0 from me, with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell and Enrico Colantoni all worthy of individual mention for their comic performances. It's a great film even if you put aside the fact that it's such a loving ode to science fiction fans (very specifically Star Trek, but more generally a fan of anything really.) This is one of those films where the chips fell and ended up in all the right places, with Dean Parisot (not one of cinema's greats) the right person at the right time to direct, and a better choice than Harold Ramis regardless of the fact that he was a better filmmaker. Sometimes, you are simply put on this Earth to create the one masterpiece - (and yeah I know, Parisot does have an Oscar to his name for a short film he made.) There aren't many films like this one that I'll give this kind of score to - but it gets the score because of the fact that, in my mind, it's absolutely perfect. Nothing would better it. Any change would be to it's detriment. I absolutely love Galaxy Quest - with a passion.

10/10

WHITBISSELL!

08-11-24, 01:57 AM

I've seen Galaxy Quest countless times. It's so quotable.

"That was a hell of a thing."

"Miners not minors!" "You lost me."

"Look around, can you form some sort of rudimentary lathe?" "A lathe? Get off the line Guy!"

Fabulous

08-11-24, 02:37 AM

Julia (1977)

3.5

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Deschain

08-11-24, 02:47 AM

“Am I too late for Alexander’s panic attack?”

sawduck

08-11-24, 09:24 AM

Plane 7/10 - a fun action flick
Ricky Stanicky 6.5/10
The Last Stop in Yuma County 8/10 - has a tarantino feel to it, very enjoyable movie
Civil War 8/10 - a lot better than i was expecting, jesse plemons stole the show despite the fact he only had about 10 minutes of screen time
Hijack 1971 7.5/10 - an underrated Korean movie based on a real incident

Torgo

08-11-24, 11:07 AM

Perfect Days - 4

As Ferris Bueller put it, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." This Japanese drama is excellent for how it shows this philosophy in action. Koji Yakusho earned his acting award at Cannes for how content and peaceful he makes Tokyo toilet cleaner Hirayama out to be His life could be considered repetitive: he tends to his garden at the same time, buys the same kind of canned coffee on the way to work, spends his breaks sitting in the park taking pictures with his trusty 35mm film camera, has the same meal at the same bar after work, etc. but Yakusho totally sold me on the routine's benefits. The movie as a whole, on the other hand, manages to not be as repetitive, and Yakusho is just as adept at selling you on how his philosophy helps him weather life's storms.

While remembering to stop and smell the roses can make life better no matter where you live, the way director Wenders makes Tokyo seem like a supporting character really drives its value home. He does this at the small scale with how he depicts the tiny book shops, used media shops and the cafe Hirayama frequents as well as at the large scale, especially during a moment where Hirayama and his niece stand on a bridge overlooking the city. It made me wish the editor was Hirayama himself so I could take in the moment even more. As his fondness for film cameras, cassette tapes, etc., Hirayama is sort of an analog man in a digital world. Luckily, the movie does this without any generational supremacy. Mostly, it demonstrates that a moment spent scrolling on a phone is a profound moment in the real world missed. Also, Hirayama is not just taking pictures of squirrels when he is in the woods: he is attempting to capture a moment for which his lifestyle is necessary. We are with him 100% of the time, but the movie thankfully allows the few supporting players to shine. Highlights are his teenage niece, his less than devoted co-worker who should follow in his footsteps a bit more and a man close to his age who he reassures that it's never too late in life to do just that.

With this movie, Wenders once again succeeds at telling the stories of a unique individual and a real place at the same time. For these reasons, he joins the ranks of my favorite directors with this movie. Whenever I think about my grandfather, I always remember what I did with him when I visited him: sit together at the park while he solved his word puzzles and dropped the acorns he always gathered for his "squirrel friends." Since this tends be the first memory of him that comes to mind, Hirayama must be onto something.

*Sky*

08-11-24, 03:55 PM

The original is still the best

I haven't seen any of the others. However, I find it hard to imagine how the original could be improved.

LChimp

08-11-24, 06:21 PM

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Deadpool & Wolverine - (2024)

8/10

*Sky*

08-11-24, 06:47 PM

Les parapluies de Cherbourg (1964) - Jacques Demy: 7/10

Galactic Traveler

08-11-24, 06:50 PM

I was naughty this morning and re-watched my all-time favorite film for the 145,948 time.

5

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Gideon58

08-11-24, 07:04 PM

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Umpteenth Rewatch...The movie that officially made Chevy Chase a movie star still brings consistent laughs as it did over 40 years ago. Chase plays Clark Griswold, the goofy family man determined to get his family to Walley World. Beverly D'Angelo works perfectly with Chase as his wife, Ellen and Randy Quaid gets major laughs as Cousin Eddie. The film spawned three sequels, as well as countless imitations, rip-offs and a remake/sequel a few years ago. Anthony Michael Hall and Danna Barron played the Griswald children in this film, but I was always tickled by the fact that Rusty and Audrey were played by different actors in each film. 4

Gideon58

08-11-24, 07:18 PM

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5th Rewatch...Director Tim Burton may have created his masterpiece with this ghoulishly entertaining supernatural comedy. The film stars Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a young couple who are killed in a car accident but are in denial about it as they angrily watch a greedy and eccentric family move into their house. The decide to seek the aid of a "bio-exorcist" named Betelguese (Keaton) to scare the family out of the house despite the presence of the black-hearted daughter, Lydia (Winona Ryder), who is the only one in the family who can actually see Baldwin and Davis. This is not only a terrific story with a fantastic cast, but a dazzling technical achievement featuring Oscar-worthy production design, art direction, visual effects, and, of course, Danny Elfman's music. Loved Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara as Mr. and Mrs. Deitz and that dinner party salute to Harry Belafonte never gets old. With all the cinematic magic surrounding him, Keaton is the show here in a performance that should have earned him a supporting actor nomination. There's a sequel on its way this Christmas. 4

cricket

08-11-24, 07:19 PM

Emily the Criminal (2022)

3.5

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Hadn't watched a movie in about 6 weeks but wifey was up for something. I kind of dig Aubrey Plaza so we settled on this. She was very good as was the rest of the cast. Crime film done pretty realistically featuring characters who are average people. It was a very good watch.

Gideon58

08-11-24, 07:20 PM

Gideon58

08-11-24, 07:25 PM

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1st Rewatch...Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis manage to create some chemistry in this rom-com about a couple who try to have a strictly physical relationship. This was marketed as the romantic comedy for those who hate romantic comedies, but the screenplay is overly cute and spends so much time patting itself on the back for being so quirky and clever, that it grates it eventually grates on the nerves and makes the movie seem four hours. Timberlake and Kunis look great together and I also liked Richard Jenkins' as Justin's sickly dad and Woody Harrelson as his gay boss, but the film is kind of tedious. 3

Gideon58

08-11-24, 07:45 PM

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2nd Rewatch...Still loving this animated musical gem that is becoming one of those movies where I notice something I've noticed before. This is the story of a Koala bear named Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey)who owns his own theater and has decided to have a singing competition where the winner will receive $100,000 (it was supposed to be $1000, but Moon's secretary misprinted the flyers and he doesn't have the money). This, of course brings every singing animal within a thousand miles to his theater. There is standout work by Reese Witherspoon, as Rosita, a pig with 25 kids, Taron Egerton as Johnny, an ape who is trying to get out from under his criminal family, but my favorite is Mike (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), a white mouse who thinks he's Frank Sinatra. This is becoming one of those movies I never tire of watching and the sequel; is just as good. 4.5

Gideon58

08-11-24, 08:02 PM

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1st Rewatch...The late Chadwick Boseman became an official movie star with this dazzling epic from the director of Creed. Boseman plays T'Challa, the ruler of a scientifically advanced kingdom called Rawanda, who must defend his throne from a stranger (Michael B Jordan) who claims to be the rightful heir to the throne. This movie is rich with technical mastery and some terrific performances from Boseman, Jordan, and from Angela Basett. A sequel was made last year, after Boseman's death and it just wasn't the same without Boseman. 4

Gideon58

08-11-24, 08:52 PM

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2nd Rewatch...This movie is joining my list of movies like Forrest Gump and Air Force One that just get dumber every time I watch them. Adam Sandler plays Dave Buznik, a pet clothing designer who is falsely arrested for accosting a flight attendant and a cocktail waitress and, in order to avoid spending a year in jail, agrees to join an anger management course run by Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson), whose wacky course of treatment changes when he meets Dave's girl, Linda (Marisa Tomei). This movie starts out silly and just gets stupid. Dr. Rydell's methods are ridiculous for the most part and he makes both Dave and Linda look like morons. The knock down drag out fight Dave has with a childhood bully (John C Reilly) is funny, but this movie provides precious few laughs. Sandler manages to retain his dignity for the most part, but Nicholson has never been less appealing onscreen. 2

Galactic Traveler

08-11-24, 08:57 PM

Could anyone have played the role of Beetlejuice like Michael Keaton did? He was amazing. The film itself was a very funny and unique comedy. Not sure about the sequel coming out.

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5th Rewatch...Director Tim Burton may have created his masterpiece with this ghoulishly entertaining supernatural comedy. The film stars Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a young couple who are killed in a car accident but are in denial about it as they angrily watch a greedy and eccentric family move into their house. The decide to seek the aid of a "bio-exorcist" named Betelguese (Keaton) to scare the family out of the house despite the presence of the black-hearted daughter, Lydia (Winona Ryder), who is the only one in the family who can actually see Baldwin and Davis. This is not only a terrific story with a fantastic cast, but a dazzling technical achievement featuring Oscar0worthy production design, art direction, visual effects, and, of course, Danny Elfman's music. Loved Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara as Mr. and Mrs. Deitz and that dinner party salute to Harry Belafonte never gets old. With all the cinematic magic surrounding him, Keaton is the show here in a performance that should have earned him a supporting actor nomination. There's a sequel on its way this Christmas. 4

Gideon58

08-11-24, 09:47 PM

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2.5

Raven73

08-11-24, 10:39 PM

The Hunt
8/10
If you're a fan of Kill Bill, you'll love this one. Betty Gilpin is the head of Uma Thurman transplanted on the body of Angelina Jolie. Very cool.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/9171bKdiUwL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

Gideon58

08-12-24, 01:45 AM

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4

Fabulous

08-12-24, 02:20 AM

Silkwood (1983)

3.5

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Gideon58

08-12-24, 04:24 AM

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Umpteenth Retwatch...My favorite MGM msuical. Fred Astaire plays Tony Hunter, a washed upmovie star who has agreed to try and revive his career by returning to Broadway in a musical version of Faust directed by a tempermental egomaniac (Jack Buchanan), written by two old friends of his (Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray as a fictionalized Comden and Green) and co-starring with a snooty ballerina named Gabrielle Girard (Cyud Charisse) doing her first Broadway show. One memorable musical number after another including "Triplets", "A Shine on your Shoes", "Louisiana Hayride", Fred and Cyd at their best with "Dancing in the Dark" and the memorable Mickey Spillane Girl Hunt Ballet, brilliantly choreographed by Michael Kidd. 4

LChimp

08-12-24, 10:52 AM

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Anatomy of a Fall - (2023)

10/10

Marco

08-12-24, 01:07 PM

In a Violent Nature (2024)

A bit dull I thought.
2

cricket

08-12-24, 04:19 PM

Inside (2007)

3.5-

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Saw it before, it was on Tubi, so I put it on so my wife could try it. Needless to say this is the type of film that is out of her comfort zone. She claims she didn't like it but she was awfully animated throughout. It's a very good French horror and super violent, but I didn't quite love it the way I did the first time.

FilmBuff

08-12-24, 04:21 PM

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Borderlands
0

There's honestly nothing to see her except a monumental waste of talent, which is especially sad because actors like Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt and Jamie Lee Curtis deserve better.

The only upside is that this flopped horribly, so we will not have to dread the potential Borderlands 2.

FilmBuff

08-12-24, 04:27 PM

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Cuckoo
2.5

This is a harmless mess of a film that, regrettably, just leaves one hoping it could have been as interesting as it sounded from the previews.

Coming so shortly after Longlegs and MAXXXINE, it feels like too little, too late. And it just has this frustrating habit of trying to be weird just for the sake of it.

Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens are pretty good actors, but I don't think they've been give something that is up to their abilities here. And Stevens's German accent wasn't nearly convincing enough. Jessica Henwick does what she can with a very underwritten part, and it's a shame that she wasn't given more to do.

Well, at least the locations are nice.

heineken

08-12-24, 04:30 PM

Anatomy of a Fall - (2023)

10/10

Good?

stillmellow

08-12-24, 05:26 PM

Marco

08-12-24, 07:51 PM

The Sense of an Ending (2017)
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A sensitive film based on the book by Julian Barnes. A selective memory affair about relationships, loves, mistakes and missed opportunities. It's a bit staid in parts and quite emotional in others. The cast is impeccable. Think I've said before, I'd like to see Billy Howle doing more films as I think he is a very nuanced actor. Seems to be more suited to the stage though.
3.5

Takoma11

08-12-24, 09:29 PM

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Mon Oncle Antoine, 1971

Benoit (Jacques Gagnon) is a young man who lives with his Uncle Antoine (Jean Duceppe) and Aunt Cecile (Olivette Thibault), who run the local store in a small mining town in Quebec. As Christmas approaches, Benoit flirts with Carmen (Lyne Champagne), creates store-front decorations, and generally observes the events in town. But on Christmas Eve, emotions run high and Benoit is unprepared for how complicated life can be.

What I liked most about this film was the mood. I’m not sure I clicked with it as strongly as I would have liked on a character level, but it’s certainly a visceral portrait of what it’s like to live in the last throes of adolescence.

4

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2479015#post2479015)

iluv2viddyfilms

08-13-24, 12:33 AM

Baby Driver- B-
Lawrence of Arabia - A+
Inferno (1953, Ray Ward Baker) - C+

Fabulous

08-13-24, 02:24 AM

Still of the Night (1982)

3

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Deschain

08-13-24, 03:31 AM

Hundreds of Beavers. A black and white silent film from...2022!?!? When his apple cider supply is sabotaged by local critters, a drunkard turns to fur trapping to survive the wilderness in this action comedy.

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Most of the animals are represented by people in mascot costumes for maximum silliness; but 2d animation, stop motion, and even puppetry are also used, as well as many different filmmaking techniques that weren't necessarily available or invented yet before the age of talkies.

There are so many different types of humor employed here, including but not limited to: slapstick, scatology, looney tunes, modern day memes, and even the most juvenile sights (like a snowman with a cock and balls). Early scenes of the main character isolated and tormented by the forces of nature are reminiscent of the Evil Dead movies (which in of itself is paying homage to Three Stooges).

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But it's not all just random jokes as the beginning might imply. What start as recurring gags are taken as teachable moments by our hero, who embraces the cartoon logic of the world to achieve his goals. We watch him gain experience, trade in spoils for better tools, and fill in parts of a map, much like in a video game in a very satisfying way.

I'm going to have to watch it again because it throws so many gags and ideas at you so fast that I'm sure I missed plenty of little moments and callbacks. What it all amounts to is a remarkable feat of visual storytelling and comedic timing that everyone should check out.

Robert the List

08-13-24, 08:20 AM

The First Echelon (1955)
It needs to be digitally restored if it's possible, because it is one of the most visually beautiful films ever made, but it is a bit blurry.
I watched it in Russian, of which I know only two words (nyet and traktor), but it was still worthwhile.
The plot was something about vodka, love, farming, fire, comradeship, and the young soviet farmer of the year award.
But most of all it is a visual masterpiece.
For me Kalatazov ought to be regarded as one of the greatest artists all time, even if he uses film instead of paint and canvas.

As a film I'd give it an 8, as a piece of art a 9.75.
Overall, maybe a 9.

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LChimp

08-13-24, 10:14 AM

Good?
Yep.

Allaby

08-13-24, 12:26 PM

My Dreams of You (2024) I enjoyed this. I really liked Skyler Samuels and Kapil Talwalkar and hope they do more Hallmark movies. They had good chemistry together. This was an entertaining and cute film with a good story. One of the better Hallmark films of the past few years. 4

Gideon58

08-13-24, 12:50 PM

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2nd Rewatch...For my money, the best of the comic book action adventures of recent years. This one finds Batman (Christian Bale) wounded and living the life of a recluse in Wayne manor until the Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy) become intent on destroying Gotham City. Slam-bang entertainment that was just as thrilling on the third watch. Especially loved the scenes at the stock exchange, Batman's one on one with Bane, and the burying of the police force and release of the inmates from Gotham City jail. This movie rocks. 4.5

Gideon58

08-13-24, 12:57 PM

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1st Rewatch...Decent sequel to the story of Apollo Creed's illegitimate son and his journey to follow in dad's footsteps. This film finds Creed confronting Ivan Drago's son Victor, which leads to surprise appearances from Dolph Lundgren and Brigitte Nielson (who the years have been very kind to BTW) for the first time since Rocky IV. The story kind of implies that Creed initially loses to Viktor because Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) wasn't in his corner and subplot of Rocky trying to reconnect with his son (Milo Ventimiglia) kind of slows things down too, but the film is definitely watchable. 3

Gideon58

08-13-24, 01:01 PM

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2nd Rewatch...Director James Cameron and leading lady Sigourney Weaver deserve the lion's share of the credit for the entertainment value provided by this sequel to Ridley Scott's film that finds Ripley going after the alien colony that destroyed her crew in the first film. Cameron pulls out all the directorial stops here and Weaver is so damned good that she actually earned an Oscar nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. 4.5

Marco

08-13-24, 01:59 PM

Rollerball (1975)

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Really well performed and filmed action sequences, unfortunately accompanied by hamfisted attempts at social commentary in a dystopian setting.

I still liked it, but if I watch out again, I'm skipping any scenes that don't take place at the Ring or in a locker room.

C+

I tried to watch this not so long ago after convincing myself I loved it as a kid. It's quite a boring film really although some of the visuals are striking. The hard men on roller-skates thing really made me chuckle though. The music is not bad either.

Gideon58

08-13-24, 04:00 PM

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3.5

WHITBISSELL!

08-13-24, 05:13 PM

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Fiend Without a Face - If one didn't know any better one could swear that either Marshall Thompson or Peter Graves starred in most of the low budget late 50's scifi/horror films. Thompson is the lead in this independently made British production playing Air Force Major Jeff Cummings. He's in charge of an experimental program at an installation in Manitoba, Canada trying to boost long-range radar using atomic power.

Local folks in the rural area are dying. Rather violently. They hear the sound of heavy footsteps and see the surrounding ground being disturbed. Then they scream and clutch at their throat. Because of suspicions regarding the installation, the local authorities are reluctant to perform autopsies but are eventually persuaded. The growing list of casualties have all had their brains and spinal columns sucked out. For some unspecified reason Cummings grows suspicious of retired British scientist Professor R. E. Walgate (Kynaston Reeves) who is currently working on another book on telekinesis. His secretary/transcriber Barbara Griselle (Kim Parker) is also the sister of the first victim and does double duty as Cummings requisite love interest.

There's a slow moving first and second act featuring Cummings' time killing "investigation" which leads up to a comparatively interesting third act. I've read numerous reviews describing the special effects as "impressive" and "surprisingly good". I suppose given the time period this holds some element of truth and I can even acknowledge how some viewers found it shocking and according to British censors of the time "out of bounds". You'll have to judge for yourself once the invisible invaders become visible. You kind of have to admire the FX department's inventiveness. Patience, in this case, is rewarded (for the most part).

65/100

Gideon58

08-13-24, 06:53 PM

Good?

Fantastic movie

LChimp

08-14-24, 10:11 AM

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Saltburn - (2023)

Barry Keoghan is a very brave, confident young man. WOW

Stirchley

08-14-24, 01:02 PM

Re-watch of an excellent true-life movie. Sydney Sweeney so good.

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FilmBuff

08-14-24, 02:17 PM

Sydney Sweeney is always good

Gideon58

08-14-24, 02:26 PM

She was great on The White Lotus

Gideon58

08-14-24, 02:30 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71F5bEqBKsL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

Umpteenth Rewatch...The ultimate date movie is still as fresh and watchable as it was back in 1990. Of course, after all these years and rewatches, you do begin notice things like how Julia Roberts' Vivian is really spoiled little child who demands constant attention and she falls for Gere's Richard Lewis, a sexist jerk who just can't devote every minute of his life to her. But the chemistry is there and makes you forget all of that. You also get to watch Jason Alexander's single opportunity to play an assh*le as Edward's lawyer, Phillip Stuckey. Roberts received her second consecutive Oscar nomination for her performance here. Roberts and Gere were reunited in 1994 for Runaway Bride but it just wasn't the same.
4

Gideon58

08-14-24, 02:34 PM

https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_9c20a204-a12f-4708-a43e-e618565e5b97?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg

3rd Rewatch...Loving this third remake of the classic more and more with each viewing and mainly for one reason...Bradley Cooper. His work as a director, screenwriter, and actor is on the money here and managed to make a movie star out of Lady GaGa while he was doing it. 4.5

Gideon58

08-14-24, 02:35 PM

https://br.web.img2.acsta.net/pictures/23/10/19/09/11/1246153.jpg

Saltburn - (2023)

Barry Keoghan is a very brave, confident young man. WOW
Loved this movie...Keoghan was robbed of an Oscar nomination.

Stirchley

08-14-24, 02:51 PM

She was great on The White Lotus

Yes.

In The Handmaid’s Tale was where I first saw her. In a terrifying rôle.

Fabulous

08-14-24, 05:52 PM

A Monkey in Winter (1962)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/4KnKQPGJ95Ti2pEJbkVLXPtooOm.jpg

Darth Pazuzu

08-14-24, 06:13 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5e/Trap_2024_%28film_poster%29.jpg/220px-Trap_2024_%28film_poster%29.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/My_Penguin_Friend_poster.jpg/220px-My_Penguin_Friend_poster.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Borderlands_Teaser_Poster.jpg/220px-Borderlands_Teaser_Poster.jpg

August 6, 2024
TRAP (M. Night Shyamalan / 2024)

August 12, 2024 ($5 MARCUS MYSTERY MOVIE)
MY PENGUIN FRIEND (David Schurmann / 2024)

August 13, 2024
BORDERLANDS (Eli Roth / 2024)

Here are my three most recent theatrical viewing experiences in the past two weeks.

M. Night Shyamalan's Trap is rather fascinating, for it takes quite an interesting risk in attempting to make a serial killer (played by Josh Hartnett) into a sympathetic character. I guess sympathy might be a bit much, but I do think the audience is very much involved and engaged in the character's plight. There are a few movies that do this effectively, ranging from Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) to Mary Harron's American Psycho (2000), but as a rule it's a very risky strategy, and not every filmmaker is on par with Michael Powell. M. Night Shyamalan certainly isn't, but as a filmmaker he's just unique and idiosyncratic enough to pull it off. The scenario of this movie, and the whole structure of the plot, is something I have admittedly not seen executed before in quite the same way. A father takes his daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by her favorite pop singer as a reward for good grades, and begins to notice a strong police presence built up within the venue. He discovers that the police and the FBI (led by Hayley Mills, in an interesting bit of casting) have discovered that a notorious serial killer known as "The Butcher" is going to be in attendance at the concert, and they're reasonably sure they're going to catch him. Problem is, this loving father is "The Butcher"! I have to say that, even though Shyamalan has kind of a mixed track record, his films are always unique, and however wonky the tonality of his writing can sometimes be, the storylines are almost never predictable, and they never go quite where you're expecting them to go. For this reason alone, I heartily recommend Trap. (BTW, the only time I ever saw a Shyamalan film that even remotely reminded me of another film, it was 2016's Split, which sort of reminded me of David Cronenberg's The Brood from 1979, one of my all-time favorites. I won't elaborate here why it did, I'll just leave that to everyone else's speculation.)

For the first time ever, I attended a Marcus Mystery Movie this past Monday for $5.00. I was just sort of curious as to which up-and-coming film would be showing. Much to my surprise, it was a Brazilian family film called My Penguin Friend, starring Jean Reno as a fisherman who nurses an oil-covered penguin back to health and adopts it. The penguin is named Dindim by the fisherman's granddaughter. This movie is actually based on a true story. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie, and that penguin is pretty darn cute! I would definitely recommend this for those with a sweet tooth for family fare.

In a way, Borderlands is exactly the type of movie that really starts to wear on me late in the summer. But while I had no real expectations for anything substantial from yet another sci-fi/action bonanza with smart-alecky dialogue based on a video game, and even though I still think it's far from a cinematic masterpiece, it's definitely a few notches above average. I must admit that when I discovered that Eli Roth was the director, my doubts were somewhat alleviated, my being a fan of much of his past work. (Although I think last year's Thanksgiving was simply okay.) I found the cast to be pretty impressive, as well. Let's face it, nothing Cate Blanchett's involved in can be all bad, and she is definitely in fine form here as the bounty hunter Lilith, sort of a distaff version of the sort of irreverent badass that Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford and Kurt Russell used to be able to play in their sleep. But quite honestly, I found Jack Black as the voice of the robot Claptrap to be rather annoying after a while. What can I say? Borderlands is ultimately a mixed bag. :p

Fabulous

08-15-24, 04:25 AM

Mississippi Mermaid (1969)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/bEe4xvjFr9kObNeBCw8kce3o047.jpg

Robert the List

08-15-24, 06:40 AM

Killer of Sheep (1977)
10
It's low budget, but it's a masterpiece.
Beautifully shot, beautifully put together, beautifully crafted, beautiful soundtrack beautifully used. Thought provoking.
Arguably let down a lit but in places with slightly amateur acting, but that's also part of it's charm. It's the greatest african american movie ever made. Possibly the greatest low budget talking movie ever made. It's one of the great films.

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LChimp

08-15-24, 08:15 AM

https://br.web.img2.acsta.net/pictures/24/01/09/19/11/4724529.jpg

Monolith - (2022)

The ending ruined it for me, otherwise a really interesting movie.

Torgo

08-15-24, 10:56 AM

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance -4

While not the classic its predecessor is, this is a worthy sequel that is just as deserving of being in the Criterion collection. It satisfies the "culturally significant" requirement, if anything, for how well it captures the corruption and sharp economic division Japan endured in the wake of the Russo-Japanese War. What's more, it places Lady Snowblood (Kaji) right where she needs to be: in the middle of a struggle between a government desiring total control and an activist, Ransui Tokunaga (Itami), who stands for the opposite, i.e. total anarchy. Does the movie favor one side over another? Yes, but you still feel the same weight Snowblood has on her shoulders regarding who to trust. If this movie sounds more politically charged than the first one, that's because it is. It still has its same appeals; namely, vibrant and beautiful sets and action that doesn't hold back on the (bright) bloody payoff.

Kaji is incredibly good as Snowblood and she makes her scenes count, but I agree with criticisms that there's not enough of them. She seems like more of a supporting player than a lead, in other words. Also, if you're not an expert on the Russo-Japanese War, it wouldn't hurt to read up on it before pushing play. While the movie provides decent background on it and made me grasp the stakes, since I went in cold, I still felt like a bit of an outsider. Other than that, it works as well as an action movie as it does a political thriller for its boldness and for how iconic Kaji makes her character. It's just a shame that this the last time we see her.

WHITBISSELL!

08-15-24, 07:32 PM

https://www.movieposters.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG-8324_480x.progressive.jpg?v=1712616714
https://64.media.tumblr.com/532569ab8657d531c60f648ba5fe9ec3/23bb7ce38d3d7031-bf/s1280x1920/5748998b592a3a8e774b69c05cb76c3e7d6d4636.gif

Godzilla Minus One - Up to a certain point I knew I was watching a movie where they were actually doing right by Godzilla. But I have to admit to still feeling an electric jolt when they eventually cued up Akira Ifukube's iconic suite III from the 1954 original. This wasn't the leviathan taking a back seat to Hollywood glitz and a bloated plot and certainly not the cartoonish camp of the 60's, 70's and 80's. And I get that those were meant to be fun. But this struck the right balance of gravitas without forgetting the sheer novelty of a 164 foot tall atomic-fire breathing lizard. I haven't seen Shin Godzilla so I don't know how exactly they handled their depiction but this one puts the Hollywood versions to shame. They're also able to capitalize on the concept of it as a force of nature by keeping the whole movie steeped in this realism. I've heard there will be a sequel and I can only hope that it's the same team handling that.

85/100

hownos

08-15-24, 08:36 PM

Ida (2013) -------8/10

*Sky*

08-15-24, 09:25 PM

Alphaville 9.5

Love it.

*Sky*

08-15-24, 09:26 PM

King Kong (1933) - Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack: 7/10

Galactic Traveler

08-15-24, 10:20 PM

OK, don't laugh at me, but I watched an old childhood classic and favorite.

3.5

https://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PetesDragon1.jpg?fit=580%2C300

Takoma11

08-15-24, 10:31 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alternateending.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F02%2Fw2q6KwXhCJWyOxGd9lVVYd4PaRZ.jpeg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=7bbafa1e6b1916db5b0fec34b7ef1a34087f818e1f13d3a37c1c00a6d97e7475&ipo=images

Demonlover, 2002

Diane (Connie Nielsen) has just ruthlessly elevated herself to a more executive position in the Volf Corporation as the firm is attempting to acquire the rights to distribute adult animation from a Japanese studio. Diane’s tactics put her in the crosshairs of her co-worker Elise (Chloe Sevigny), and she also struggles to get a bead on her boss, Herve (Charles Berling). As negotiations become more complicated, corporate espionage and ethically questionable content come into the mix. Diane’s ruthlessness, it turns out, might have its limits.

This is a moody, entrancing reflection on the intersection between control, desire, and commerce.

4.5

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2479914#post2479914)

Fabulous

08-16-24, 05:11 AM

That Man from Rio (1964)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/7vjQlWymYxmWLdO4AbV3o77dNEQ.jpg

PHOENIX74

08-16-24, 06:12 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/The_Fortune_Cookie_%281966%29_poster.jpg
By May be found at the following website: http://www.movieposterdb.com/poster/07196c6a, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28015892

The Fortune Cookie - (1966)

Another Billy Wilder movie featuring Jack Lemmon, of which it feels like I've seen a few (I've yet to get to The Front Page - of which I've seen many prior versions) - but I'd never really heard of The Fortune Cookie before. We're just getting to that post-Kiss Me Stupid period where Wilder made a few movies that didn't live on in the public's consciousness like Some Like it Hot or Double Indemnity. The magic was no longer quite strong enough to make that imprint. Here cameraman Harry Hinkle (Lemmon) is injured when a Cleveland Browns football player runs into him, and his ambulance-chasing brother-in-law Willie Gingrich (Walter Matthau - in a role that won him his only Oscar) sees a quarter of a million dollar payday in front of him if he can persuade Willie to play up his injuries to the extent that he has to stay immobilised in a wheelchair, and fool insurance claim investigators. He agrees to in the hopes it will win him his ex-wife, Sandy (Judi West) back. Lemmon and Matthau would end up becoming great friends during this production (and Matthau would also suffer a heart attack.) Wilder gives what at first glance seems an unremarkable film that impeccable sheen of master-craftmanship. Convincing Harry, and keeping him convinced through hardship, humiliation and concern over breaking the law keeps Matthau working double-time as Willie, the cynical straight man in this comedy. It was okay - but I have to admit that I'm often impervious to Wilder's comedy - which seems to work so well on so many others. I do admit - watching Matthau and Lemmon in action is a pleasure no matter what they're in, so there's always that.

6/10

Allaby

08-16-24, 11:52 AM

Jackpot (2024) Awkwafina and John Cena make a good comedy team. This was fun with some laughs and crazy action. It loses a little steam towards the end and could have been a touch shorter, but I enjoyed this. 4

Gideon58

08-16-24, 03:17 PM

Gideon58

08-16-24, 03:24 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91F8ampdMOL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

1st Rewatch...Fans of All the President's Men will have a head start with this near flawless 2015 Oscar winner for Best Picture. This docudrama follows a 4 person investigative reporting team (Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Brian D'Arcy James) for the Boston Globe who begin an investigation into a priest molesting children that balloons into an investigation that reveals almost 90 priests who have molested over 1000 children. Love the irony that the Globe was brought this story five years prior to the beginning of this film and ignored it. This sad and gripping drama riveted this reviewer just like it did the first time. Trying to think of something wrong with this film, but coming up blank. In addition to Best Picture, Josh Springer's screenplay also won the Original screenplay Oscar and Ruffalo and McAdams received supporting nominations. 5

Gideon58

08-16-24, 03:29 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNjYzOGJkNWEtN2Q1ZS00YzFjLThiZGQtMjdjMDVlMDI1ZWU0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTUzMDUzNTI3._V1_.jpg

1st Rewatch....Dennis Quaid's charismatic, movie star performance is the primary selling point of this biopic of 1950's recording superstar Jerry Lee Lewis. As terrific as Quaid is in this movie, there are a couple of things this movie tries to sell that I just can't buy. The main one is that we're not supposed to find anything wrong with Lewis marrying his 13-year old cousin, Myra (Winona Ryder). The other is that Lewis and his people considered him a serious threat to Elvis Presley, who he actually meets in one scene. Quaid is fantastic though, but something about Ryder's Myra is kind of off-putting. I did like Alec Baldwin playing Lewis' cousin Jimmy Swaggert. As for how well the film sticks to the facts, research revealed that the screenplay is based on a book written by the real Myra and that Lewis hated the book and this movie. 3

Gideon58

08-16-24, 03:34 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzU2NTQ1NTkxOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTE1MTEzMw@@._V1_.jpg

2nd Rewatch...I really like this parody of the classic television show that is not really a parody of the show, but is really a salute to 1970's pop culture in general using the television show as its canvas. In this movie, Starsky (Ben Stiller) is a no-nonsense by the book cop trying to live up to his mother's legacy and Hutch (Owen Wilson) is a more laid back officer who enjoys the perks of being a cop more than he does catching the bad guys. We watch as the polar opposites go after a couple of coke dealers (Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman). This film contains pretty consistent laughs and I've never understood why it never got more attention than it did. I love the scene in the jail with Will Ferrell and a coked up Starsky getting down at a disco. And it goes without saying that Snoop Dogg steals every scene he's in as Huggy Bear. 3.5

Citizen Rules

08-16-24, 03:37 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzU2NTQ1NTkxOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTE1MTEzMw@@._V1_.jpg

2nd Rewatch...I really like this parody of the classic television show that is not really a parody of the show, but is really a salute to 1970's pop culture in general using the television show as its canvas. In this movie, Starsky (Ben Stiller) is a no-nonsense by the book cop trying to live up to his mother's legacy and Hutch (Owen Wilson) is a more laid back officer who enjoys the perks of being a cop more than he does catching the bad guys. We watch as the polar opposite go after a couple of coke dealers (Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman). This film contains pretty consistent laughs and I've never understood why it never got more attention than it did. I love the scene in the jail with Will Ferrell and a coked up Starsky getting down at a disco. And it goes without saying that Snoop Dogg steals every scene he's in as Huggy Bear. rating_3_5Loved that movie, so much fun!

Gideon58

08-16-24, 03:43 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518YHWH8AWL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

1st Rewatch...Director Mike Newell scores a bullseye with this gritty and uncompromising mob epic that strips away all of the glamour that Coppola and Scorsese brought to the genre. This fact based story is about an FBI agent named Joe Pistone who agrees to go undercover with the mob under the name Donnie Brasco. for three months that turns into almost two years before he realizes it thanks primarily to the relationship he develops with a 2nd rate mafioso named Lefty Ruggierio There are a couple of storyline moves that imply that either Pistone is the greatest detective on the planet or that Lefty is the dumbest mob boss ever, but the movie is so compelling we're willing to let them go in favor of the big picture, which is so worth it. Johnny Depp and Al Pacino are both Oscar worthy as Donnie and Lefty and they have a solid supporting cast behind them including Anne Heche, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Brain Tarantina. Zeljko Ivanek, Gerry Becker, and Terry Serpico. The Oscar-nominated screenplay reveals a few things about mob life that have never been revealed before, especially in my favorite scene where Donnie explains the multiple meanings of the most famous mob expression, "Forgeddaboutit." 4.5

Stirchley

08-16-24, 04:51 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91F8ampdMOL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

1st Rewatch...Fans of All the President's Men will have a head start with this near flawless 2015 Oscar winner for Best Picture. This docudrama follows a person investigative reporting team (Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Brian D'Arcy James) for the Boston Globe who begin an investigation into a priest molesting children that balloons into an investigation that reveals almost 90 priests who have molested over 1000 children. Love the irony that the Globe was brought this story five years prior to the beginning of this film and ignored it. This sad and gripping drama riveted this reviewer just like it did the first time. Trying to think of something wrong with this film, but coming up blank. In addition to Best Picture, Josh Springer's screenplay also won Original screenplay and Ruffalo and McAdams received supporting nominations. 5

I enjoyed this movie.

Robert the List

08-16-24, 06:01 PM

Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003) 8.5.
If I hadn't seen Vive L'Amour I'd have probably given it more though. Still, an enjoying film with some moments of genius.
A few of these would have smashed their way into my 1000 if the film was 4 years earlier:
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Takoma11

08-16-24, 07:16 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-NXAcPUe5hV8%2FVzTHEHmUzSI%2FAAAAAAABONM%2FjSfhhOPiRtIrwrUK05764wnV940yaUUEwCLcB%2Fs1600%2Fnocturama. jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=0cf2bcd3b9d782d85e773412c0f02453e0c3304540b45f4765a3b077de9d3467&ipo=images

Nocturama, 2016

A group of young adults, including couple David (Finnegan Oldfield) and Sarah (Laure Valentinelli), decide to lash out at the society that they see as corrupt. As we follow them, they plant bombs in various buildings, assassinate the head of a large bank, and set fire to the Jeanne d’Arc. As their plans come to fruition, they find themselves holed up in a closed shopping mall, hoping to wait out the night without attracting the attention of the authorities.

I did really enjoy the idea of spending the majority of the movie between the moment an arrow leaves a bow and the moment it strikes the target. The empty mall is a wonderful setting, and the performances are solid. But there’s a critical gap in the humanity of its main characters that somewhat dulls the impact, despite strong building of suspense.

3.5

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2480118#post2480118)

Nausicaä

08-16-24, 08:19 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7f/Jackpot_2024_film_poster.jpg/220px-Jackpot_2024_film_poster.jpg

2.5

SF = Zzzz

Viewed: Amazon Prime

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

Raven73

08-16-24, 10:57 PM

Ghost Busters Frozen Empire
7.5/10.

When I saw the trailer, the first thing that came to mind was Scorcher VI...

Scorcher IV (https://youtu.be/qIeTw7dX8bE?si=dXEqT4GEP44Omosb)
But the movie was actually better than I thought it was going to be.
Kumail Nanjiani was the best part of it. Some of the CGI was cartoonish. The middle seriously dragged, and the end left me a little cold (pun intended). Yet there were some good moments.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Ghostbusters_%282024%29_poster.jpg

Thief

08-16-24, 11:32 PM

BEVERLY HILLS COP
(1984, Brest)

https://i.imgur.com/Lt71nar.png

"We're more likely to believe an important local businessman than a foul-mouthed jerk from out of town."

This is a film I've seen several times, though not in a while. So with the newest entry in the franchise coming out, I thought it would be fitting to revisit it. The film follows a similar pattern to many other cop action/comedies of the 1980s where there really aren't a lot of stakes, characters are safe from harm, and the focus is mostly big action sequences and/or witty one-liners. With Murphy in the lead, you know this one leans more towards the latter.

Murphy is indeed a standout in pretty much every scene. He just oozes charisma and feels so comfortable in front of the camera. But more importantly, the way he jokes feels organic and part of his personality, and not like a comedian doing a schtick inside a film. His interactions with Taggart, Rosewood, their superior Bogomil (Ronny Cox), and friend Jenny (Lisa Eilbacher) feel earned. But jokes aside, Murphy also knows how to balance between funny quips and serious delivery when the script calls for it.

Grade: 4

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2480171#post2480171)

Takoma11

08-16-24, 11:39 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FM%2FMV5BMmViZDY1NTQtMjU2Ny00ODc5LWFmZDYtZWQ1YzY2ZDQ3YzYwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyOTc5MD I5NjE%40._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8b6cd5a1c668a6408aa41d9ee5cd978530b66fcbe9dcc5f466e2c6d55a7a2f30&ipo=images

The Strangler, 1970

On the streets of Paris, the innocuous looking Emile (Jacques Perrin) goes out night after night to find and kill women he deems to be too sad and lonely to live, strangling them with white scarves he makes at home. Desperate to catch Emile is detective Dangret (Julien Guiomar), who ends up posing as a psychiatrist in order to lure the killer out. Also in the mix are Anna (Eva Simonet), a lonely woman who seems to want to be Emile’s victim, and “La Chacal” (Paul Barge), a violent, opportunistic thief who happily robs Emile’s victims once they’re dead.

At times wonderfully moody and visually evocative, a somewhat lackluster premise keeps the film in subdued and at times cliched territory.

3.5

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2480173#post2480173)

PHOENIX74

08-17-24, 01:15 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fe/InterviewwithaVampireMoviePoste.JPG
By Source: http://www.movieposter.com/poster/A70-3639/Interview_With_The_Vampire.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11312095

Interview with the Vampire - (1994)

This movie (which I saw way, way, way, way back when it first came out at the movies) sure is pretty. Well, what I mean to say is that the visuals are really excellent - and the art direction, make-up effects and set design are really imaginative and up to the task this sets itself. I still feel the same way I did back then though, and that's because of the shallow, young adult, melodramatic narrative which doesn't add much heft to what we're seeing. I do love Brad Pitt's line near the end of the film to the interviewer (played by Christian Slater), when he wants to be turned into a vampire himself - something along the lines of "Have you not been listening to a word I've said??" I really enjoyed looking at this movie again - it's even better than I remembered in that respect - and wow, the 11-year-old Kirsten Dunst is instantly recognizable. I'm not a big fan of the story or screenplay, and I neither fancy the glut of teen vampire fiction that followed, but credit where it's due. Very well crafted and packaged.

7/10

skizzerflake

08-17-24, 01:58 AM

10 out of 10

So which famous songwriter had an early hit with the theme music for a cheesy 1950's monster movie? It's Bert Bacharach and Hal David that did a song to open one of the cheesiest (and completely likable) movies of its sort, The Blob, from 1958. All you need to know is that a meteor contains a lump of some sort of extraterrestrial red goo that eats the residents of a small town. As these sort of movies go, it's completely likable, with a good cast, including Steve McQueen in the starring role as the teenager who saves the town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzHDvzGmmw0&t=37s

Fabulous

08-17-24, 04:07 AM

Seven Days... Seven Nights (1960)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/7mzqRltG7gWEtAX4CM6lfcelS4L.jpg

Thief

08-17-24, 01:18 PM

EDEN LAKE
(2008, Watkins)

https://i.imgur.com/IymlDyF.jpg

"Follow the blood!"

Eden Lake follows Jenny and Steve (Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender), a young couple that decide to spend the weekend at the titular lake but end up being terrorized by a gang of local youths. But what starts as disrespect and just "bad blood" quickly descends into torture and actual bloodspill. This is a film I had heard from, specifically when talking about disturbing films, but I had never ventured into. Now that I have, I can say that the reputation is, for the most part, earned.

The film is, in many ways, not an easy watch. The abuse that the couple is put through is bound to make some squirm. But I appreciate the fact that the film seems to have a bit more to offer than just blood. From passing references in the first act to parental responsibilites and education ("boys being boys") to the actual revelation in the end which shows you why these teenagers might behave the way they do. Granted, the film doesn't dwell in any deeper social analysis about it, but the implications are there.

Grade: 4

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2480302#post2480302)

Nausicaä

08-17-24, 05:11 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/91/Millers_girl_poster.jpg/220px-Millers_girl_poster.jpg

2.5

SF = Zzz

Viewed: Amazon Prime

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

Galactic Traveler

08-17-24, 10:38 PM

Had date night last night with the wife. Ate at Carrabba's and went to the movies to see the new Alien: Romulus. Don't want to spill any spoilers so I will just say it was a very solid film. Not going to win the Oscar for Best Picture or anything but if you like sci-fi horror this is definitely for you. I rank it 4th best in the Alien franchise below Alien, Aliens and Prometheus.

3

PHOENIX74

08-17-24, 11:54 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/30/Saw_X_poster.png
By Lionsgate / Twisted Pictures - Lionsgate Publicity / IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74457269

Saw X - (2023)

I'm not sure if I've seen Saw Nine, or even Saw Eight for that matter, but I have seen most of the Saw movies (I remember subjecting myself to a gruelling marathon once, watching around 6 or 7 of them in a row.) Look, these are all about the traps - and more specifically, the thought while you're watching it - "How would I go on that particularly horrifying contraption?" Would I be able to saw my own leg off? Probably not. This latest edition in the long-running series starts shakily (I was expecting tarantulas for the poster-teasing eye trap. I demand tarantulas!), but when it really gets going, it lives up to some of the best stuff the series has given us so far. Some traps might lack a little imagination - but sometimes keeping it simple is the best policy (just take that opening trap as an example of that.) Also, bringing us back to Jigsaw's (Tobin Bell) own story gives this a decent narrative drive, and adding revenge to the mix sweetens our lust for awful-person blood.

7/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1d/TheWanderers.1979.movieposter.jpg
By The poster art copyright is believed to belong to either director Philip Kaufman, or the distributor of the film, the publisher of the film and/or the graphic artist. - This image was retrieved from the internet., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45243017

The Wanderers - (1979)

While the film's poster (above) might be enough to put you off the film (Sexual Harassment : The Movie!), and although it's jam-packed full of questionable moments, The Wanderers' better moments drip with that nostalgic haze that must have been building in the likes of Philip Kaufman and similarly aged filmmakers. The classic songs we hear can be heard two ways, either as overplayed clichés or golden old favourites - this movie doesn't shy from paying the likes of The Four Seasons and Dion DiMucci's estate the dollars necessary for "Walk Like a Man" and "Runaround Sue", and getting an amazing range of other great numbers. There's plenty of mixed-messaging about race and sexism, but mostly this wants to explore camaraderie, friendship, belonging and family - basically bonding, in a coming of age sense. The eager young cast (including Linda Manz and Karen Allen) enthusiastically tackle their roles. There are divisions, and attachments - along the lines of who you identify as, and what seems most attractive when kids reach those upper teens and their parents are on the outer. Almost a parody of the 50s, and an odd duck of movie when compared to the same year's brutal beat-em-up The Warriors, which was also about gangs.

7/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6d/Geishaboy.jpg
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6765737

The Geisha Boy - (1958)

You ever wonder what a Martin & Lewis vehicle would have been like if Dean Martin had of been replaced with a rabbit? The bunny stuff is a lot of fun in The Geisha Boy, but at times I really stiffen up as it looks like the bunny itself isn't having much fun at all as Lewis manhandles the struggling oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus creature (which gets screwed when it comes to this film's poster.) Can rabbits swim? Apparently yes! That rabbit goes through hell in this movie. Gilbert "The Great" Wooley (Lewis) travels to Asia to entertain GIs in Japan and Korea, but his slapstick antics get him into hot water, and he spends most of the film in some kind of trouble with someone while at the same time developing a relationship with poor orphan boy Mitsuo Watanabe - the boy who plays him would make a great "where are they now?" subject, although he'd be in his 70s now. The Bridge on the River Kwai's Sessue Hayakawa is in this, and is greatly appreciated - a tonic for those tiring of Lewis antics. The Geisha Boy came hot on the heels of Brando hit Sayonara, and at least has moments of magic sprinkled amongst it's more dubious acts of comedy crime.

6/10

Siddon

08-18-24, 02:38 AM

https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ALN-TF-AndyLight.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1

Alien Romulus (2024)

When Star Wars Rogue One came out we thought it was bad. With that said the film had some strong points but it also had a number major flaws. Alien Romulus is a film in conflict with itself. At times the film has touches of Alien and Blade Runner genuinely classic science fiction stuff. And many of the set pieces are bonkers many times in the film I said to myself that is a great idea...that is a great effect parts of this film work really well.

But other parts of the film go horribly wrong. One major effect in the film that wasn't needed almost sinks the entire film. It's also frustrating and annoying at times...and yes it's a little woke. I think week two the film is going to bomb because I do think word of mouth is going to carry this film. And it's a real shame because it it didn't engage in so much ecsess and just focused on making a horror film. Letting time and tension go by and not just rushing to the next gimmick and call back this could have been great.

I would love for this film to get the Blade Runner treatment and get some different edits because their is something very good here.

2.5

*Sky*

08-18-24, 03:50 AM

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) - Martin Scorsese: 8/10

Robert the List

08-18-24, 05:25 AM

La Point Courte (1955) 9.5
The birth of new wave cinema.
A landmark. A new approach to film making, in terms of editing and narrative.
Also, beautiful, striking images. Thought provoking, poignant. Poetic.
A genius in Agnes Varda, plus Alain Resnais.

Resnais is credited with editing. I would be interested to know how influential he was, as the film is almost identical to the style of Last Year At Marienbad, whilst Varda's own subsequent work was not of the same style.
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Fabulous

08-18-24, 06:08 AM

The Professional (1981)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/5F9oNWg07Z6VRZo7JekX5NYVQYc.jpg

Tugg

08-18-24, 06:36 AM

Daddio (2023-2024) 3
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MaXXXine (2024) 3.5
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The Instigators (2024) 3
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Twisters (2024) 3.5
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Torgo

08-18-24, 11:20 AM

Action U.S.A. - 3

If the relentless pace of Mad Max: Fury Road makes you crave other movies like it, and who could blame you, there's an unlikely place you should go: Texas. This works just as well as a travelogue of that state as it does an action movie that like Fury Road has no shortage of vehicle chases. I was not surprised to learn that director John Stewart is also a stuntperson and coordinator because a valid description of this movie is "stunt highlight reel." In addition to the chases and many scenes where cars fly off ramps in ways that would make the Dukes of Hazzard blush, there's an awesome one involving a fall from a helicopter. Luckily - and with no disrespect to the profession - none of the characters seem like stuntpeople. From our FBI agent heroes to their ward, Carmen, down to the merest lackey of their diamond-obsessed pursuers, the movie bothers to give everyone distinct personalities and even more than one juicy or funny line of dialogue. On that note, it is just as funny as it is thrilling as if aware of how ridiculous it and other movies like it can be, yet thankfully without overdoing it Marvel-style. I'll just say that the inspiration for the recurring joke in The Simpsons involving objects or buildings exploding for no good reason may come from this. Also, for a genre and era notorious for machismo and objectifying women, I love how much more Carmen gets to do than women typically get to in roles like hers.

Some critics of Mad Max: Fury Road claim it is just one long chase scene. Does a chase make up most of the runtime? Sure, but it provides enough opportunities to stop and look around so that it never seems tedious. This movie has moments like this too, but it could us more. I hesitate to mention that as the movie reached its conclusion, indications that another chase or brawl was forthcoming made me more tired than excited. On the whole, though, it's like a bottle of affordable domestic beer the brewer made for themselves or a burger and fries in fast food wrappings, but that are actually from a dine-in restaurant. I would go as far to say it is just as deserving of popularity and would make a worthy double feature with that other Southern-fried action classic of 1989, Road House.

matt72582

08-18-24, 11:26 AM

Just trying to find a movie.... But I had to get rid of cable (TCM).. If you saw a movie on YouTube, PLEASE post a link. Thanks.

Allaby

08-18-24, 12:57 PM

It’s Always Something (2021) I watched this today on the Criterion Channel. It is an 11 minute short film consisting of a seemingly unrelated series of vignettes about random people being absurd, illogical and weird. I liked it. The use of narration was well done and it is witty in a droll sort of way. Worth a watch. 4

LeBoyWondeur

08-18-24, 01:48 PM

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
I have no idea why it's taken me so long to watch it, perhaps I was afraid it wouldn't be as good as its reputation suggested - and I'd hate to hate a film with Tim Robbins in it.
It's certainly no masterpiece and the current 9.3 on IMDB seems a tad overrated, but it does have that pleasantly old-fashioned and semi-epic feel that reminded me of the popular mini-series of the 1980s (e.g. the hero's victory and the comeuppance of the villains).
Entertaining from start to finish I'd rate 7/10

Marco

08-18-24, 02:33 PM

FilmBuff

08-18-24, 03:30 PM

https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Alien-Romulus-poster-601x901.jpg

Alien Romulus
2

Alien Romulus is to this franchise what The Force Awakens was to the SW one - not by any means an unwatchable movie, just one that doesn't really have anything new to offer that hasn't been done before - and better.

While the production values certainly seem to be where they need to be, this is the first time I've felt that an Alien movie was almost completely forgettable just a few hours after watching it.

And as much as I like Cailee Spaeny - she's no Sigourney.

P.S. If you do watch it in a cinema, make sure it's one that has really top-notch, bright projection, otherwise the whole thing might look too dark to enjoy - I know people to whom this has already happened.

https://aftercredits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MyPenguinFriendPoster.jpg

My Penguin Friend
2.5

This based-on-a-real-life-story movie seems to have been aimed squarely at the very youngest viewers - and as such, it's definitely not the worst such attempt in recent memory.

Older viewers may have a feeling of deja vu - the story is presented in a very manipulative way, and is completely predictable.

Having said that, the penguins in the movie are adorable (at least the ones that aren't CG) and the Argentinian/Brazilian locations are quite pretty.

You may have a hard time believing that Jean Reno and Adriana Barraza are a Brazilian couple, but they are still pretty good in their roles.

The clips from the real-life counterparts of the protagonists shown at the end of the movie are easily more touching than anything that comes before them.

https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/good-one-2024-movie.jpg

Good One
3.5

This movie is the feature directing debut of India Donaldson, daughter of famous film director Roger Donaldson.

Before you say "nepo baby" - I'll have you know this is by far one of the best indie films of the year.

This simple story of a young teenager who goes on a camping trip with her father and an adult friend is full of nuance and well-observed characterization. It might sound like the story outline of a very uneventful film, but in Donaldson's hand, it is anything but.

And Lily Collias is absolutely perfect as the young lady who isn't quite comfortable trying to soothe the egos of the two overgrown babies she has to put up with.

In the US, the film is being distributed by Metrograph Pictures, an small indie which hasn't really managed to make a name for itself as a movie distribution outfit. The movie is well worth catching in a cinema if you should get a chance.

Takoma11

08-18-24, 04:47 PM

I'm intrigued by this.

I do think it's worth watching, and it definitely gets better as it goes along.

Allaby

08-18-24, 04:47 PM

Alien: Romulus (2024) This feels really unnecessary. We have seen this before in the other Alien films and similar films, usually done better. Alien: Romulus doesn't do enough distinctively to stand out. Performances are hit and miss. Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced are effective, but the rest of the cast fell flat for me. No one here even comes close to matching Sigourney Weaver's iconic performance in the original Alien. It's not very scary and only moderately entertaining. For me, this is the weakest of the Alien films. 3

Gideon58

08-18-24, 07:46 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/Less_than_zero_1987_poster.jpg

Umpteenth Rewatch...It's not great moviemaking but the extraordinary performance by Robert Downey Jr still makes it worth sitting through. 3

Gideon58

08-18-24, 09:00 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d7/Showgirls_%281995_film_poster%29.jpg/220px-Showgirls_%281995_film_poster%29.jpg

4th Rewatch...This cheap and tawdry melodraama provides a whole bunch of unintentional giggles. Elizabeth Berkley plays a woman running from a questionable past all the way to Las Vegas to pursue her dream of being a showgirl. Berkley's uneven performance and the cliche ridden screenplay make it nearly impossible to take this one seriously. Alan Rachins (in a ridiculous hairpiece) is laughable as the director of the Vegas show and Kyle MacLachlan looks like he accidentally wandered onto the set from another movie. LOVED Gina Gershon as the bisexual star of the show who has the hots for Berkley. 2.5

Gideon58

08-18-24, 09:12 PM

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1st Rewatch...Director Tate Taylor asssembled some of the best actresses in the business to pull off this elegant and emotionally charged period piece looking at a rarely talked about social phenomenon. The setting is 1960's Jackson Mississippi where we meet Skeeter Leland (Oscar winner Emma Stone), a young woman who is more interested in a career as a writer than marriage and famliy who decides to write a book about women who worked as maids, those black women who went to work every morning to take care of other women's children and left their own children in the care of someone else and the firestorm that the book causes when it's published. Her story starts centered around two maids, Abilene (Viola Davis) is employed by a woman who is a terrible mother and is about to bring another child into the world and Minnie (Octavia Spencer) lost her job with the bitchy Hilly Holbrook while dealing with her physically abusive husband and gets a new job with Celia, a young bride with a bad reputation who desperately needs Minnie's help but doesn't want her husband to know about it. This movie hits all the right notes and could ignite a tear duct if caught in the right mood. The 2011 film was an Oscar nominaee for Best Picture and received four other nomintatons. Spencer won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her vibrant Minnie and Jessica Chastain was nominated in the same category for her sad and swete Celia. Mention should also be made of Dallas Bryce Howard, in yet another unsympathetic role, as the bitchy Hilly Holbrook and Allison Janney as Skeeter's mother. Sparkling entertainment. 4

KeyserCorleone

08-18-24, 09:36 PM

I just made a new addition to my top 20: Amelie!

Allaby

08-18-24, 09:40 PM

The Garment Jungle (1957) I enjoyed this. Well written and with good performances, it has drama, action, and suspense. An underrated film noir. 4

hownos

08-18-24, 09:55 PM

The Garment Jungle 1957 - 6.5/10

Gideon58

08-19-24, 01:59 AM

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2nd Rewatch...Brilliant direction by Sidney Lumet and superb performances from Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon highlight this stylish mystery based on the long running Broadway play by Ira Levin about a playwright who plans to revive his career by murdering the young author of a new play and taking credit for his work. This one provides surprises at every turn, especially an eye opening performance by Reeve. 4

Fabulous

08-19-24, 03:19 AM

The Nutty Professor (1963)

3

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/3IlQs0nIO944ZICTTFwM0OeQBXG.jpg

Gideon58

08-19-24, 03:32 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/It%27s_Always_Fair_Weather_%281955_film%29_poster_%28yellow_background%29.jpg

1st Rewatch...One of the best musicals from the King of Musicals, MGM. The story is about three WWII buddies played by Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, and Michael Kidd who think they are going to be friends forever, but when reunited ten years later, find they have nothing in common. They still end up being exploited by a late night television show hostess (Dolores Gray) and her no nonsense assistant (Cyd Charisse). This film has a meatier screenplay than most MGM musicals, taking some clever pot shots at the advertising business. The film was originally supposed to be sort of a sequel to On the Town, but Jules Munshin was having health issues that kept him out and Sinatra had just won an Oscar and thought he was too good to make musicals anymore,. so Dailey replaces Munshin and future Tony Award winning choroegrapher Michael Kidd took over for Sinatra. The film features some terrific musical numbers, especially the ash can dance, Charisse's "Baby You Knock Me Out", the number in the restaurant set to the Blue Danube Waltz, that split screen dance with the three leads dancing in sync in different locations, and, of course, "I Like Myself", Kelly's amazing solo on roller skates. 4

Gideon58

08-19-24, 05:49 AM

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Umpteenth Rewatch...I first saw this during its original theatrical release back in 1967 at the tender age of nine. Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds play a couple splitting up after 18 years of marriage, even though they haven't stopped loving each other. Written by Norman Lear and directed by Bud Yorkin, this razor sharp comedy delivers the laughs. As good as Reynolds and Van Dyke are, the film is nearly stolen by Jason Robards as the badly "cut up" Nelson Downs, a divorcee trying to pawn his ex-wife (Jean SImmons) on Van Dyke. 3.5

xSookieStackhouse

08-19-24, 09:18 AM

5 huge major fan of aliens movie trilogy, loved cailee spaney she did a good job and loved the action and storyline and cant wait for the movie to release on ultra 4k dvd for my collection <3
https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/images/romulus_payoff_poster_australia_bea5a8af.jpeg?region=0%2C0%2C770%2C1100

chawhee

08-19-24, 09:49 AM

Long Shot (2019)
https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Long-Shot-movie-2019.jpg
4
I still maintain my love for this movie after each time I watch it. There is only one sequence of scenes that are a bit cringe, but it's hilarious and charming throughout.

Ultraviolence

08-19-24, 10:38 AM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fhips.hearstapps.com%2Fhmg-prod%2Fimages%2Falien-romulus-poster-665ebe4c40cda.jpg%3Fcrop%3D1.00xw%3A0.681xh%3B0&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=837fc04a2fcd4550a3298c95503dc0fdc910d8d23634fb1a0c9f2ee224b80f6e&ipo=images
This movie was very weak - The third act was nice, though.
1.5

LChimp

08-19-24, 10:41 AM

https://nz.originalfilmart.com/cdn/shop/products/beavis_and_butt_head_do_america_1996_teaser_original_film_art_5000x.webp?v=1673637886

Beavis & Butt-head do America - (1996)

Re-watch, 9/10

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X6IRBwT6L.jpg

Beavis & Butt-head do The Universe - (2022)

8/10. :D

Marco

08-19-24, 12:49 PM

Lowlife (2017)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Lowlife_poster.png
Weird melange of different styles in an intertwined story between someone that runs a taco place and organ harvesting business, his employee (a luchador), the luchadors GF and unborn baby and the GFs parents *and* 2 desperadoes hired to kidnap the GF. Phew. It jumps about quite quickly and is quite, *grimey* would be the word. Like quite a few films I watch, just I don't see the motivation for making this.
2

Gideon58

08-19-24, 06:37 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RTp7vTC3L._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

1st Rewatch...One of the better Elvis outings that gets its edge from picturesque location and the casting of the legendary Angela Lansbury as his smothering mother. 3.5

Gideon58

08-19-24, 06:52 PM

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1st Rewatch...This musical was apparently supposed to do for Christina Aguillera what Bradley Cooper's A Star is Born did for Lady GaGa. Aguillera plays a small town girl who moves to Los Angeles and gets a job waiting tables at a burlesque house owned by an aging diva (Cher) that is is about bought by a millionaire and torn down to build condos or something. Thje movie is great to look at, in fact, a little too great, for a theater that is supposed to be having financial trouble, but the story is about as substantial as a Mickey Rooney Judy Garland musical. Though she receives. top billing, Cher's role is really a supporting one that she tries to make the most of, but Aguillera's killer pipes don't disguise the fact that she is no actress. The musical numbers all seem to be ripped off from films like Cabaret and Chicago. For hardcore Cher fans only. 2.5

Gideon58

08-20-24, 02:08 AM

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2

Fabulous

08-20-24, 04:16 AM

State of the Union (1948)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/uvIrUSOTcF3kdxbrhFKmwWhNPmi.jpg

PHOENIX74

08-20-24, 07:03 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Alien_Romulus_2024_%28poster%29.jpg
By Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures - IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76404631

Alien : Romulus - (2024)

I have these nightmares. In my nightmares I'm a character in a movie, as if I'm experiencing a new kind of entertainment - complete immersion, as you experience what a character does in a film. Often, this involves me in an Alien movie (A Nightmare on Elm Street is also a frequent franchise for me to be a "victim" of), and I'm scared. I'm more than scared, I'm terrified, because we're looking for the alien, and I know I'm about to die, and I don't know if I'm going to feel the pain - but I reckon I am. Everything in dreams is surreal, except for the feeling of terror/love/excitement/anger - which is the most realistic aspect, and in these dreams I'm not aware that I'm dreaming, so I'm facing the prospect of a terribly violent agony. Am I going to be ripped in two? Burned by acid? Stabbed through the abdomen? Have my face mushed by that spring-loaded inner mandible? Even though I'm not of the opinion I'm about to die in real life, experiencing violent death like this is too terrible to contemplate, and as my dream continues I find myself freezing in place, trying to escape, and trying to wish the situation away. But it doesn't go away. I had one of these dreams just a few weeks ago - and as strange as this sounds, it had me excited about going to see this Alien film. I have a particular reason to connect with what the characters are going through.

So, Alien : Romulus. It's not a really great movie. At times, it's unbearably dumb - for example, sudden new "synthetic human" exposition tells us that the facehuggers are attracted to sound and heat, so a group of characters try to silently tip-toe through a room where the temperature has been raised to body-temp levels to cloak them (iffy enough scene already.) They have to be silent! They're surrounded by facehuggers. Suddenly, someone comes through on a live radio feed a character has, and this character stops to try to talk while in mid-room stealth mode - who wouldn't have their equipment on silent mode, and wait a second befo...never mind. He has a whole conversation, and of course the facehuggers hear him. Doesn't matter - apparently you can swat facehuggers away like flies anyway. The logical inconsistencies, plot holes, middling character development and just generally rehashed for the nth time Alien stuff abound to such an extent that I had a hard time enjoying the science-fiction imagery - because the rocket powered craft and vistas of space (and the planet our characters are coming from) - all of that is very cool, it's just the writing that isn't ("Get away from her you bitch"? From the synthetic? It sounded so awkward.) The end though, oh baby, the end I'm telling you...

I wish those human-DNA-dominant aliens were the ones we had throughout the whole film. That monster was scarier than the classic version! For the first time in the entire film I was actually scared, and I thought that whole end sequence was fantastic. It wasn't enough for me to give this movie my tick of approval (too little too late) and I was miffed because up until this point I was watching a very forgettable Alien film, and I had even more reason to think this could have been so much better.

Action-wise, Alien : Romulus tries to hit us with too much too often, and came off to me as a jumbled sci-fi action movie where the xenomorphs and facehuggers come off as more ineffectual than "the perfect organism". The perfect organism wouldn't be able to be avoided, outwitted, done away with and outrun so often! Not enough character development (a little more downtime - remember Aliens?) in this, leading to our having completely forgettable characters, too many silly contrivances concerning how liquids behave in zero-gravity space and how people seem to find themselves in situations with a countdown clock ticking. Worst of all though - for me - is how ridiculously fast the alien's metabolism and growth is - from a facehugger leaping at you to full grown alien in around 20 minutes? No sir. No way. That doesn't work for me. Try slowing down a bit, telling an interesting story with unusual characters, work your way up to horror and nail-biting action. Don't just throw $80 million in our face with bombast, a countdown clock (again) and "more facehuggers than you've ever seen in one place!" My opinions may change. I expect I'll watch this again one day (I still haven't seen Alien : Covenant again since I saw it with friends - I will one day.) But for now, that was a little disappointing overall - with a super final 10 minutes or so.

5/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/I_Feel_Pretty.png
By The poster art can or could be obtained from the distributor., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56535428

I Feel Pretty - (2018)

I didn't think I Feel Pretty was an all time classic, but I didn't think it was as bad as it's reputation suggests. It's message about confidence and the world of difference it makes to a person is at least refreshing to hear during this age of rom-coms and comedies where characters own their own mansions and jets or are ravishing beauties/hunks beyond all compare. The comedy...probably needed some better writers (Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein aren't a pair who have made movies anywhere near my wheelhouse in any case.) Amy Schumer is extremely energetic, but doesn't have much to go with apart from the film's central conceit. Good intentions though. Great intentions. Movies with unrealistic ideals in them are what have sapped the confidence of so many, so it's nice for at least one to show us it's not what you have or how you look - it's how you feel and how you project yourself.

5/10

Ultraviolence

08-20-24, 09:52 AM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmlpnk72yciwc.i.optimole.com%2FcqhiHLc.IIZS~2ef73%2Fw%3Aauto%2Fh%3Aauto%2Fq%3A75%2Fh ttps%3A%2F%2Fbleedingcool.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F09%2Fconstantine_ver2.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=ddb9cc8f7456b2ad7b845cdf5fd0e50a8a7f23e7f9ed0d194ca185c94b7c7a2d&ipo=images
I have been revisiting this movie from time to time since it came out. It's always a good experience. What I like most about this adaptation is that it's not an origin story, it doesn't waste time introducing all the characters in detail, explaining too much about their world or John's paranormal abilities. The dialogues are also something I like.
3.5

mrblond

08-20-24, 12:29 PM

The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968) aka Naked Under Leather

Starring Marianne Faithfull and Alain Delon

Discovered this movie yesterday. Nice psychedelic art film about the free love visions of the modern woman dressed in leather. Kind of a promo for Marianne Faithfull delicately supported by Alain Delon. Superb cinematography!
I'd put this a step above the famous Easy Rider, released in the next year, which run on the same track.
4
80/100
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Allaby

08-20-24, 02:53 PM

In Bloom (2024) Watched on Paramount+. An interesting and worthwhile collection of five short films directed by women from all over the world. Some of the short films are stronger than others. I thought the first one dealing with menstruation in schools was the best and the one focused on dealing with HIV was also really well done. Overall, these are well acted and although they don't all have the intended impact, this is worth checking out. I would definitely be open to more similar type of female focused/directed anthologies. 3.5

Thief

08-20-24, 03:41 PM

GREENLAND
(2020, Waugh)

https://i.imgur.com/1BmBBXn.jpeg

"If I get one thing right, I’m gonna get my son and my wife into that bunker."

That's the assurance that John Garrity (Gerard Butler) gives to his father-in-law in the midst of a cataclysmic disaster. Despite all his faults, he will make sure that he saves his family. That's what Greenland is about, as it follows Garrity and his family trying to survive the impact of a destructive comet that is heading towards Earth. But to make it, they're gonna have to go past military roadblocks, desperate people, and numerous comet fragments.

The film does follow the typical disaster film template: family discovers threat and prepares to go to a safe place, family is separated and encounters obstacles, family is reunited and have to race time to get to the safe place, i.e. Greenland. The thing with Greenland (the film, not the island) is that it takes its time to develop a connection with its main characters. The performances are not superb, but they're good enough to work with a solid script that does enough to expose certain key points and then builds tension on top of them with good action setpieces.

Grade: 3.5

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481212#post2481212)

LChimp

08-20-24, 06:35 PM

https://vortexcultural.com.br/images/2021/10/Evangelion-1.11.jpg

Evangelion 1.11 - You Are (Not) Alone - (2007)

8/10

Takoma11

08-20-24, 10:58 PM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.idfa.nl%2Fimage-transforms%2F346dafb3-2328-4747-957d-bfbb5ade90fe%2F2500.jpeg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=ad387bcadb7e96cd01947107298afcc49420070846825204dbd1467daf620961&ipo=images

Our Body, 2023

In this documentary, director Claire Simon and her crew follow the staff and patients in a gynecology ward in a Parisian hospital. Everything from fertility treatment to gender-affirming care, cancer, and births are explored.

This movie is incredibly human, and despite it being a total emotional rollercoaster, I’m really glad that I watched it. Whether you’ll ever use the services of a gynecological ward or not, these are powerful stories told with a fly-on-the-wall camera that sits at just the right place between detachment and empathy.

4.5

FULL REVIEW (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481279#post2481279)

PHOENIX74

08-21-24, 01:22 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b5/Hot_Shots_2.jpg
By POV - IMDb, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18551867

Hot Shots! - (1991)

Not all of the jokes land (no pun intended), but many do and considering the current state of anarchic nihilist comedy you could consider this one from the golden age of such cinematic fare. Jim Abrahams was working alone in regards to Hot Shots!, and this time the likes of Top Gun and An Officer and a Gentleman were being spoofed. I won't start talking about the idiot that's Charlie Sheen, but Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Jon Cryer and Lloyd Bridges are all good - playing things straight as their lines and the slapstick antics around them point to madness.

6/10

Deschain

08-21-24, 02:25 AM

GREENLAND
(2020, Waugh)

https://i.imgur.com/1BmBBXn.jpeg

That's the assurance that John Garrity (Gerard Butler) gives to his father-in-law in the midst of a cataclysmic disaster. Despite all his faults, he will make sure that he saves his family. That's what Greenland is about, as it follows Garrity and his family trying to survive the impact of a destructive comet that is heading towards Earth. But to make it, they're gonna have to go past military roadblocks, desperate people, and numerous comet fragments.

The film does follow the typical disaster film template: family discovers threat and prepares to go to a safe place, family is separated and encounters obstacles, family is reunited and have to race time to get to the safe place, i.e. Greenland. The thing with Greenland (the film, not the island) is that it takes its time to develop a connection with its main characters. The performances are not superb, but they're good enough to work with a solid script that does enough to expose certain key points and then builds tension on top of them with good action setpieces.

Grade: 3.5

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481212#post2481212)

Never heard of this but just watched it. Indeed a solid disaster flick that focuses more on individuals helping each other through minor interactions and gestures instead of world-saving plans and big picture events.

Fabulous

08-21-24, 06:19 AM

The Wedding Singer (1998)

3.5

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/ldS8BUKaPzj4OsEpp42JUfNTY3Z.jpg

LChimp

08-21-24, 08:32 AM

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/ee8f74af-1dc2-49d4-a4fa-5e4f326e7bbf/dbnfxdq-816cfbe5-d715-4089-9b38-e52519c93622.jpg/v1/fill/w_1280,h_1811,q_75,strp/evangelion_2_22_poster_by_ad_n_dbnfxdq-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNh NWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7 ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTgxMSIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2VlOGY3NGFmLTFkYzItNDlkNC1hNGZhLTVlNGYzMjZlN2JiZlwvZGJuZnhk cS04MTZjZmJlNS1kNzE1LTQwODktOWIzOC1lNTI1MTljOTM2MjIuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJu OnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.pu4K5hna2CMylxNYhJeN-xIe--CKDqoN8sV5bpr8n_I

Evangelion 2.22 - You Can (not) Advance - (2009)

There are a few weird cuts in this one, almost took one point from the final score, but the ending redeemed the whole thing. 9/10

Thief

08-21-24, 11:43 AM

Never heard of this but just watched it. Indeed a solid disaster flick that focuses more on individuals helping each other through minor interactions and gestures instead of world-saving plans and big picture events.

If I remember correctly, the film was kinda lost in the shuffle of releases during the pandemic. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Stirchley

08-21-24, 12:36 PM

Thief

08-21-24, 02:36 PM

DAMIEN: OMEN II
(1978, Taylor)

https://i.imgur.com/1suA0dI.jpeg

"The day will come when everyone will know who you are but that day is not yet."

That's the advice and assurance that Sergeant Neff (Lance Henriksen) gives 12-year-old Damien Thorne (Jonathan Scott-Taylor) after a particularly intense confrontation with a teacher. You see, Damien is the Antichrist. We know it, Neff knows it, but neither the world nor Damien himself are ready to know his true nature. Damien: Omen II follows him as he comes to terms with his fate as the "son of destruction".

Like the original, this is a film I had seen numerous times. Probably one of my entry points in horror cause I remember seeing them both on TV very often when I was still a kid. However, it had been a while since I had revisited it, so it was fun to go back to it. Even though the original is usually held as the superior one, I think the sequel does enough things well to hold its own as a worthy sequel. Is it a lesser effort? Yes, but a pretty good film nonetheless.

Grade: 3.5

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481422#post2481422)

Thief

08-21-24, 07:17 PM

BATMAN
(1966, Martinson)

https://i.imgur.com/hFyCewf.jpeg

"Penguin, Joker, Riddler... and Catwoman, too! The sum of the angles of that rectangle is too monstrous to contemplate!"

Holy wordplay! Can Batman and Robin figure out a way to stop them? That's what Batman, the 1966 TV movie, will answer. Following up the success of the TV series, the film follows the Caped Crusader (Adam West) and his sidekick Robin (Burt Ward) as they try to foil the plans of their arch-nemeses who have joined forces against them. Like Commissioner Gordon says in the above quote, something "too monstrous to contemplate!".

I grew up in the 1980s at a time when the 1960s Batman TV series was a staple in local television. I have no specific recollection of watching this film, but I must have seen it during that time, even if I didn't remember it fully. But what a joy it was to go back to this world and this characters. Batman is a perfect example of camp done right.

Grade: 4

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481495#post2481495)

Marco

08-21-24, 07:56 PM

The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
https://a.ltrbxd.com/resized/film-poster/2/2/8/7/3/22873-the-charge-of-the-light-brigade-0-230-0-345-crop.jpg?v=40dafab306
This was pretty good. About the ill-fated (and rather ill-communicated) foray of the British Army during the Crimean War. Simply, no-one comes out with any honour, even the supposed "good man" played by David Hemmings. It bowls along at a fair pace and shows the utter hypocrisy of the military in the 19th century when you could literally buy a commission to lead thousands. It has valuable interjections too by a series of animations done in the style of "Punch" magazine that are impressive. Trevor Howard as Lord Cardigan is a real arsehole and embodies the film.
3.5

FilmBuff

08-21-24, 09:43 PM

https://cdn.siasat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/maxresdefault-5-1024x576.jpg

Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank
3

Stree 2 may well be India's answer to Ghostbusters - by which I do not mean it borrows at all from the story, plot or characters of the American hit.

It is, if anything, totally faithful to the culture of the country that created it, but it skillfully blends equal parts broad comedy and some scary monsters you wouldn't want to run into late at night (or probably at any other time of day).

Throw in a few delightful musical numbers, and you have some pretty solid entertainment.

(The movie is currently being shown with intermission in the US despite being a relatively snappy 140 minutes long)

Nausicaä

08-21-24, 09:45 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/Venom_Let_There_Be_Carnage_poster.jpg/220px-Venom_Let_There_Be_Carnage_poster.jpg

2

SF = Z

Viewed: Television(Film4)

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

PHOENIX74

08-22-24, 12:31 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/654jBtGP/day-at-the-races.jpg
By Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer - siteposter, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36431753

A Day at the Races - (1937)

There's a story, but on the whole it's mainly there to be used to set up various vaudeville routines, music numbers and physical comedy - the thing I love about the Marx Bros and Irving Thalberg is the fact that nobody demands all of the attention, with various other performers given their own time to shine. I got a whole lot more out of this than I thought I would, and it has me wanting to catch up with other Marx Bros movies (especially those produced by Thalberg) - I've seen segments of their films from when they'd be on television when I was a kid (the World has changed so much in the interim, which begs the question - who watches movies on commercial TV anymore?) So many of the gags are hilarious in a timeless kind of way, and our three main stars are comedic perfectionists who have carefully honed their routines in front of live audiences. I thought A Day at the Races was funny while also managing to exude a feelgood atmosphere because of how inclusive and generous it was with all of it's performers and extras. I used to only like Groucho, but somehow my enmity concerning the other two has faded and I thought they were quite good - especially Chico, who is the first we see in this particular outing. In fact, Chico's piano playing was one of the highlights - the most theatrical way I've seen a piano played since I last saw Victor Borge!

8/10

PHOENIX74

08-22-24, 01:03 AM

Watchlist Thread highlights :

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9f/Blue_Ruin_film_poster.jpg
By IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2359024/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42662781

Blue Ruin - (2013)

The complete focus of the movie is on how grubby, tangled, unpleasant and chaotic vengeance often is - something revenge films often don't accurately reflect. This one really does. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2477087#post2477087), in my watchlist thread.

8/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b5/I_Don%27t_Feel_at_Home_in_This_World_Anymore.png
By The poster art can or could be obtained from the distributor., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53235513

I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore - (2017)

How do we confront the jerks of society when any act of retribution is obviously morally wrong? This movie confronts this question in a light-hearted, fun and very blood-soaked way, with characters that actually do the impulsive things we think of but never dare do - because it's best and wise not to. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2477745#post2477745), in my watchlist thread.

8/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/When_a_Woman_Ascends_the_Stairs.jpg
By May be found at the following website: https://www.cinematerial.com/movies/onna-ga-kaidan-wo-agaru-toki-i54144/p/fnu5yqd6, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51449267

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs - (1960)

I was so very sad and affected by the main character in this film - and through her felt a deeper appreciation for how tough it was at this time for women in Japan who wanted more than to simply be of service to a man. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2479062#post2479062), in my watchlist thread.

8/10

https://i.postimg.cc/BQVTNnJv/grey.jpg
By Photograph credited to Herb Goro, per sources. Distributed by Portrait Releasing, Inc. - Scan via Heritage Auctions. Cropped from the original., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86281496

Grey Gardens - (1975)

The connection we manage to make with the subjects whom which this documentary focuses on, "Big and Little Edie" - who so often look back in time with their regrets and fondness for what's gone - worked through me, right into my heart as a profound contemplation of how a life goes by. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2479325#post2479325), in my watchlist thread.

9/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8f/Jean_de_Florette.jpg
By Source: http://www.impawards.com/1987/jean_de_florette_ver1.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2886558

Jean de Florette - (1986)

This film (the first of a two-part overall story) was so compelling, and manages (in such a great way) to showcase the best and worst in all of us. As a period film it has a certain 'timeless' quality to it, and I simply couldn't wait to finish the story after watching it. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2479663#post2479663), in my watchlist thread.

9/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Manon_des_Sources_ver2.jpg
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14505011

Manon des sources - (1986)

The follow-up to Jean de Florette. Once all is said and done, Claude Berri and his cadre of actors manage to have their audience feeling sympathy for everyone, good and bad, and opens up the scope of this story to make it a tale about generations. Supplements the first film so well. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2479959#post2479959), in my watchlist thread.

8.5/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d5/Mommy-by-xavier-dolan-cannes-poster.jpg
By http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/first-clip-poster-xavier-dolans-cannes-entry-mommy/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42873854

Mommy - (2014)

The extraordinary highs and lows that unfold over Mommy's 138 minutes create a concoction both complex and full of the kind of layered personality that touches on the real. I loved it. Full review here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2480180#post2480180), in my watchlist thread.

9/10

Fabulous

08-22-24, 05:58 AM

People Will Talk (1951)

4

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/pto9KqfiM1b0HG40NMR5bMnOOQp.jpg

Robert the List

08-22-24, 06:34 AM

Ornamental Hairpin (1941) Japan 8.75
Daft as a brush and a bit disjointed, as well as incredibly dated, but in its way a lovely little film.
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Robert the List

08-22-24, 08:48 AM

Sanshiro Sugata (1942)
9.5 Masterpiece
The best ever martial arts film, best fight film, and best Japanese film of the 1940s. The template for all martial art films.
Also the inspiration for the anonymous emblem.
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Allaby

08-22-24, 10:27 AM

Dance With Me,Henry (1956) I enjoyed this. It was amusing and humorous. I liked Abbott and Costello's performances. 3.5

Robert the List

08-22-24, 10:30 AM

The Seventh Victim (1943) 8.5
Very borderline over whether I finished it, but I think it was very influential on Hitchcock (one scene in particular), and others.
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Gideon58

08-22-24, 11:38 AM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71w9fDFXStL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

3rd Rewatch....A powerhouse performance by Joan Allen that should have earned her an Oscar nomination is at the center of this off beat comedy drama about the wife and mother of four daughters whose anger completely consumes her when she thinks her husband has run off with his secretary and is unable to open herself to the possibility of a new life with her husband's best friend (Oscar winner Kevin Costner), a former pro baseball player, who has been harboring a secret crush on her for years. Mike Binder wrote and directed this winner and also wrote a juicy role for himself as Costner's assistant who falls for one of Allen's daughters. The daughters are beautifully played by Alicia Witt, Keri Russell, Erika Christensen, and Evan Rachel Wood. Fans of Terms of Endearment will have a head start with this one. 4

Gideon58

08-22-24, 11:43 AM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTgyNjE1OTc4Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjc4MTA3MjI@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg

1st rewatch...This oddball docudrama stars Matt Damon as a food additive executive who finds himself involved with a price fixing scandal that finds him traveling all over the world, being set up by foreigners and his own company and being a double agent for his company and for the FBI and managing to embezzle a whole bunch of money while he's doing it. Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) takes a very strange approach in presenting this story. This is a pretty serious story but it's presented in the form of a satire or lampoon with a musical score by Marvin Hamlisch that sounds something like an Austin Powers movie. Damon and a solid supporting cast do keep it watchable though. 3.5

Gideon58

08-22-24, 11:47 AM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTU2OTQzOTc1Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDM5MDE4Mg@@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg

2nd Rewatch...This film becomes a little less watchable with each viewing, despite Ricky Gervais in the lead role. The film takes place in an alternate universe where no one has ever told a lie. Gervais plays a struggling screenwriter who is about to be fired from his job and evicted from his apartment until he tells the world's first lie, which allows him to keep his job and his apartment, and then another lie he tells to his dying mother turns him into an international celebrity. It's just hard to buy anything that happens here, especially since the first lie that Gervais' character tells shouldn't have worked out the way it did, making the rest of the movie hard to swallow, despite an impressive all-star cast. 2.5

Mr Minio

08-22-24, 12:53 PM

Daft as a brush Why is it daft?
a bit disjointed How is it disjointed?
incredibly dated How is it dated?

best Japanese film of the 1940s It's not even Kurosawa's best film of the 1940s.

Robert the List

08-22-24, 01:12 PM

Why is it daft?
A man treads on a hairpin and cuts his foot.
He then spends months recovering on crutches, learning to walk a bit further each day.
Even when he's walking further he's still not putting the injured foot on the floor, so there's no reason he couldn't walk that far in the first place.
The woman who owned the hairpin cheers him on like he's her child running from a tsunami and trying to make it to high ground before being wiped out and killed.

How is it disjointed?
Probably stuff they've edited out.

How is it dated?
A man treads on a hairpin and cuts his foot.
When the woman who owned the hairpin travelled 100s of miles to apologise to the man, pressure is put on her to reward him for imagining that their meeting would be poetic, and she's told by his friend not to let him down.

It's not even Kurosawa's best film of the 1940s.
Although I've only seen Stray Dog and I think Drunken Angel, I'd be amazed if it wasn't. I'm astonished to read the poor reviews.
I'm torn over whether it beats High and Low as his best film of all.

Marco

08-22-24, 02:17 PM

Doctor Jekyll (2023)

Nothing really works in this from Eddie Izzard's performance to the tenuous story of the ex lag trying to get back his kid in social services. The acting is dire. The only thing I'll give it is the homage to Hammer House of Horrors graphics. Avoid.

Robert the List

08-22-24, 02:53 PM

Talking about dated. I've just started Stromboli (1950).

I know they're Italian, but this guy asks a woman he's just met to marry him.
She says how do you know I'm what you want in a woman?
He says, if you aren't I'll slap you around until you are*. How about it?
She says, she'll think about it. Come back tomorrow and she'll tell him.

Update, they just got married.

*it didn't seem like banter, although he's a nice bloke in fairness.
**In fact 25 minutes in and tbh...

matt72582

08-22-24, 03:30 PM

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs - 7/10

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/When_a_Woman_Ascends_the_Stairs.jpg

Mr Minio

08-22-24, 05:10 PM

A man treads on a hairpin and cuts his foot.
He then spends months recovering on crutches, learning to walk a bit further each day.
Even when he's walking further he's still not putting the injured foot on the floor, so there's no reason he couldn't walk that far in the first place.
The woman who owned the hairpin cheers him on like he's her child running from a tsunami and trying to make it to high ground before being wiped out and killed. Oh, just tiresome nitpicking that misses the film's point anyway.

The point is that Nanmura is a soldier on leave and Emi is a geisha who ran away. Neither of them wants to return so they might just as well extend their stay at the hot spring as much as they can. And they're slowly falling in love while they're at it. But the overarching cloud of doom, that is the realization that they eventually need to part ways, is always above their heads. This makes Emi's support for Nanmura doubly moving because even though she knows that her help will hasten his departure, she still wants to help him regardless of the fear of losing her newly-found beloved, family, and haven.

This film is, among others, a metaphor for the uncertainty of the time. It cannot be nitpicked at face value without taking into account the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the oncoming Second World War, and the cultural significance of the many symbols (i.e., the hairpin itself, or how Emi's long journey of healing from the geisha work mimics Nanmura's healing from the wound), as well as Shimizu's style (I've seen 33 of his films and this is his best).

Probably stuff they've edited out. Might be that it was edited due to censorship. Or that Shimizu is showing as little as possible of some of the important events. I've seen it twice but don't remember it feeling disjointed. Not that it matters anyway.

A man treads on a hairpin and cuts his foot.
When the woman who owned the hairpin travelled 100s of miles to apologise to the man, pressure is put on her to reward him for imagining that their meeting would be poetic, and she's told by his friend not to let him down. Isn't kanzashi a symbol of love or affection, though? Maybe somebody more versed in Japanese culture can comment on this, but I remember reading something like that once. I think Nanmura sees stomping on the hairpin as fate. It can be a playful travesty of the same idea we have in the West where a woman deliberately drops her handkerchief for the man to pick it up and start a conversation. Of course, Emi didn't do that on purpose - she had never even met Nanmura before, but that's the offbeat comedic bit of the film, one of many. Besides, Nanmura is looking for poetic beauty in mundane things, just like Emi is looking for something more fulfilling in her life, a respite from her geisha work. They both eventually find the beauty in the resort and each other's company.

Shimizu is a director who made over 160 films. Many are lost. Some are very dense and full of characters and subplots. But his best films are those where he removes as much as he can, leaving only the bare essentials. Those films might come off as simplistic or vague to the untrained eye, but they hide a wealth of meaning presented in a very unassuming and subtle way. Shimizu was simply a master.

There's so much to unpack in Ornamental Hairpin if one wishes, it's almost a crime to sum the film up as daft and dated, but it's usually my experience that films that are worth delving into prove too challenging for most and are therefore dismissed or misunderstood, whereas films that might be interesting to analyze but fail in other fields even before you get to the analysis often get the appraisal and approval of the audiences. In other words, even those who claim they love thinking about films and analyzing them, usually choose the easiest films to analyze, and ones that aren't that great anyway, regardless of whether you analyze them. This bit isn't aimed at you, by the way, and it's just me grumbling.

Although I've only seen Stray Dog and I think Drunken Angel, I'd be amazed if it wasn't. I'm astonished to read the poor reviews.
I'm torn over whether it beats High and Low as his best film of all. Johnnie To, is that you?

Robert the List

08-22-24, 05:23 PM

Stromboli (1950) 9.25
I thought it was fantastic.
Pictures to follow (and it's Rossellini, so....).

Gideon58

08-22-24, 05:51 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTc1MDQ3NjAtOWEzMi00YzE1LWI2OWUtNjQ0OWJkMzI3MDhmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDM2NDM2MQ@@._V1_.jpg

3.5

Robert the List

08-22-24, 06:10 PM

Oh, just tiresome nitpicking that misses the film's point anyway.

The point is that Nanmura is a soldier on leave and Emi is a geisha who ran away. Neither of them wants to return so they might just as well extend their stay at the hot spring as much as they can. And they're slowly falling in love while they're at it. But the overarching cloud of doom, that is the realization that they eventually need to part ways, is always above their heads. This makes Emi's support for Nanmura doubly moving because even though she knows that her help will hasten his departure, she still wants to help him regardless of the fear of losing her newly-found beloved, family, and haven.

This film is, among others, a metaphor for the uncertainty of the time. It cannot be nitpicked at face value without taking into account the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the oncoming Second World War, and the cultural significance of the many symbols (i.e., the hairpin itself, or how Emi's long journey of healing from the geisha work mimics Nanmura's healing from the wound), as well as Shimizu's style (I've seen 33 of his films and this is his best).

....

There's so much to unpack in Ornamental Hairpin if one wishes, it's almost a crime to sum the film up as daft and dated, but it's usually my experience that films that are worth delving into prove too challenging for most and are therefore dismissed or misunderstood, whereas films that might be interesting to analyze but fail in other fields even before you get to the analysis often get the appraisal and approval of the audiences. In other words, even those who claim they love thinking about films and analyzing them, usually choose the easiest films to analyze, and ones that aren't that great anyway, regardless of whether you analyze them. This bit isn't aimed at you, by the way, and it's just me grumbling.

I haven't dismissed it. I've picked it out from all the films in the Criterion Collection and I've included it in my greatest 250 films (I don't know where yet).

In terms of the metaphor, yes I read that but it doesn't come across strongly to me in the film. The idea that they have to leave at some point is only introduced quite near the end.

In any case, you can't just dismiss the lack of realism of what is depicted on the film, merely by saying it's part of a metaphor. The bloke spends weeks/months recovering from a cut on his foot from treading on a hairpin, and is shown trying to walk gradually further as he recovers, even though he's never actually walking on the bad foot. It's ridiculous.

There's enough beauty in there for me to include it as an, albeit substantially flawed, classic.

aloosecannon

08-22-24, 06:14 PM

Kneecap - 8/10

new movie about the north of Ireland, very entertaining and well made, would recommend :)

aloosecannon

08-22-24, 06:15 PM

stillmellow

08-22-24, 06:46 PM

The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973)

Shatner hams it up on a plane, with a title that's an homage to his most famous twilight zone episode. The actual movie is closer to Exorcist on a plane.

It starts very slow, but it gets interesting halfway through, with an unholy spirit using powers to kill the crew and passengers.

It has enough to keep me watching. But a solid half hour near the start is just people making small talk on a plane.

C

...

LeBoyWondeur

08-22-24, 06:47 PM

In The Name Of The Father (1993)

8/10

No matter how good these true stories/biopics are, there's always something slightly unsatisfying about them. For me, 8/10 is possibly the best score in this genre.

PHOENIX74

08-23-24, 01:32 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Rent_movie_poster.jpg
By Movie City News, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3230432

Rent - (2005)

Just like with listening to a new album, it takes me a few viewings to really get a feel for how much I like a musical - and I've never listened to any of the songs in Rent before - on stage or in this case, in the adaptation. The story - life and love in the era of AIDS concerning a group of very Bohemian, smack-loving friends in New York City - time setting : 1989/1990. Did it sound like something I could like? Yeah. It's not up there with the first time I saw Jesus Christ Superstar, and I don't think it's going to be one of my favourites (it certainly won't make my ballot in the Musicals Countdown), but I didn't hate it. Amy Cooper & Debra Taylor included it amongst their cavalcade of the worst in modern multiplex bad cinema in their book Night O' Shite (which is where I first read about it), but there are some movies in their book I think are pretty good, like Eyes Wide Shut and The New World, the last of which I was very surprised to see. Also, that song and scene in Team America World Police is now funnier and has context.

6/10

Mr Minio

08-23-24, 04:29 AM

In any case, you can't just dismiss the lack of realism of what is depicted on the film, merely by saying it's part of a metaphor. I absolutely can. The obsession with hyperrealism, as well as nitpicking every little part of the film that escapes realism is a very recent phenomenon, no doubt proliferated by people with no wish to engage with art on a transcendent or metaphorical level enough not to pay attention to such insignificant things.

But I don't have to say any of this because what you say is simply not true. Your misconceptions come from:
1. Not understanding what a kanzashi looks like.
2. Saying something that isn't even true.

The bloke spends weeks/months recovering from a cut on his foot from treading on a hairpin https://i.imgur.com/t12IA87m.png

Just imagine you step on this thing when it's upright, the shorter side buried in sand at the bottom of a hot spring, with the longer side sticking out like a spike. Ouch! There's a reason kanzashi was used as a weapon.

and is shown trying to walk gradually further as he recovers, even though he's never actually walking on the bad foot. It's ridiculous. This isn't true. He does use his injured foot when walking. He's stepping on it in a careful way as to not put weight on the injured foot.

You can see this at 41:38 and again at 51:10 in the video below (awful quality, if anybody wants to watch the film, don't watch this copy). It's true he's using crutches and isn't stepping on the injured foot right after he was injured (at 23:19), but isn't it obvious he doesn't want to do that right after to prevent further damage and allow the wound to heal properly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TucDCbY-RaY

There's enough beauty in there for me to include it as an, albeit substantially flawed, classic. The flaws are all in your head. :yup:

Robert the List

08-23-24, 04:37 AM

I absolutely can. The obsession with hyperrealism, as well as nitpicking every little part of the film that escapes realism is a very recent phenomenon, no doubt proliferated by people with no wish to engage with art on a transcendent or metaphorical level enough not to pay attention to such insignificant things.

But I don't have to say any of this because what you say is simply not true. Your misconceptions come from:
1. Not understanding what a kanzashi looks like.
2. Saying something that isn't even true.

https://i.imgur.com/t12IA87m.png

Just imagine you step on this thing when it's upright, the shorter side buried in sand at the bottom of a hot spring, with the longer side sticking out like a spike. Ouch! There's a reason kanzashi was used as a weapon.

This isn't true. He does use his injured foot when walking. He's stepping on it in a careful way as to not put weight on the injured foot.

You can see this at 41:38 and again at 51:10 in the video below (awful quality, if anybody wants to watch the film, don't watch this copy). It's true he's using crutches and isn't stepping on the injured foot right after he was injured (at 23:19), but isn't it obvious he doesn't want to do that right after to prevent further damage and allow the wound to heal properly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TucDCbY-RaY

The flaws are all in your head. :yup:
try 50.52 onwards and 29.15 onwards for example.
In both cases you can see the ridiculously exaggerated cheering on, and managing to walk amazingly increased distances whilst not putting the injured heal on the ground.

Anyway, these things irritated me and somewhat spoiled an otherwise very interesting/enjoyable/beautiful film for me. If they didn't for you, great.

Mr Minio

08-23-24, 05:05 AM

try 50.52 onwards and 29.15 onwards for example.
In both cases you can see the ridiculously exaggerated cheering on, and managing to walk amazingly increased distances whilst not putting the injured heal on the ground. The cheering is mostly done by children. And Emi, of course, joins them. Nanmura is putting his foot on the ground, though. He's putting it up a lot, but then cautiously treading on it with each step.

Robert the List

08-23-24, 05:14 AM

The cheering is mostly done by children. And Emi, of course, joins them. Nanmura is putting his foot on the ground, though. He's putting it up a lot, but then cautiously treading on it with each step.
You are looking at it in too much detail. The overall impression is that it is unrealistic.

Mr Minio

08-23-24, 05:28 AM

You are looking at it in too much detail. The overall impression is that it is unrealistic. Oh, so you're just trolling. Good game! ;)

Fabulous

08-23-24, 06:02 AM

Another Man's Poison (1951)

3

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/cfYKYL7hx3AvqLRwPjoYgIP7ZDX.jpg

Ultraviolence

08-23-24, 09:53 AM

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic1.srcdn.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F03%2Fthe-crow-reboot-movie-poster-featuring-bill-skarsgard-as-eric-draven-with-black-paint-dripping-down-his-face.jpeg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=b3eca8f9900da57195da5b52e01e52ab193c894bd41461acc7f329cd2777b841&ipo=images
This is the DmC Devil May Cry reboot fans never asked for of the movies, only it's worse.
The “romance” is just awful; weak acting and God, the story is so boring.
There's an action sequence with a lot of violence that I thought was okay, but it could have been better. At least the soundtrack is very good - but well, it's better to just listen to the music at home.
I'm not even going to compare it to the original... it is what it is.
1

Robert the List

08-23-24, 10:04 AM

The Killing (1955) 8.75

FilmBuff

08-23-24, 11:23 AM

https://media.mobilemoviegoing.com/CustomOneSheets/1723651259_blink-twice-poster.jpg

Blink Twice
5

Zoë Kravitz's directing debut is a real knockout, with absolutely perfect performances from a great cast headlined by Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum. The only thing that could have made it even better is if it had been allowed to be released with its original title.

One thing that does need to be said - this is the first movie I can remember that included a trigger warning at the beginning of the movie, for "mature themes and depictions of violence — including sexual violence"

It is a good idea to include that trigger warning, although of course by the time the movie's about to start, it might not be an ideal situation for anyone who would maybe think the movie isn't really their cup of tea.

That observation aside, much of the film revolves around a dazzling series of revelations that become increasingly disturbing, this is definitely one of those movies where nothing is as it first appears. For a psychological thriller, it does have quite a bit of humor in it (mostly of the dark variety).

Most of the movie was shot in Mexico (Quintana Too and Yucatan, to be precise) and it makes the most of those gorgeous locations.

Red rabbit!!

Mr Minio

08-23-24, 11:37 AM

One thing that does need to be said - this is the first movie I can remember that included a trigger warning at the beginning of the movie, for "mature themes and depictions of violence — including sexual violence"

It is a good idea to include that trigger warning, although of course by the time the movie's about to start, it might not be an ideal situation for anyone who would maybe think the movie isn't really their cup of tea.

We're in the era of weak people and entitled snowflakes so this sort of content warnings was a matter of time in the US, though content information in general is nothing new in cinema. If you watched a few films from India I bet you saw the info about no animals harmed or that smoking is bad.

It's indeed hilarious that people see the warning only after paying for the film tho. A sort of if you're a snowflake you won't get a refund kinda thing.

Allaby

08-23-24, 11:43 AM

Hit Man (2024) Glen Powell is quite good here but the rest of the cast are serviceable, at best. The screenplay, while amusing at times, has many holes in it and not everything is sufficiently believable. There are some laughs and fun to be had, but it is a little longer than it needs to be. Powell's performance and some good moments mask the flaws and make this an enjoyable enough black comedy. 3.5

FilmBuff

08-23-24, 11:45 AM

Robert the List

08-23-24, 12:15 PM

3:10 To Yuma (1957)
8.5
I found the last 30 minutes or so a little 'confusing', but up until then thought it was terrific.
Great idea for a western.

Gideon58

08-23-24, 01:05 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RaTsRrI8L._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

Umpteenth Rewatch...When I did my list of favorite teen comedies, this one clocked in at #1. Based on screenwriter Cameron Crowe's experience when he went undercover as a high school student, this movie combines multiple storylines effectively and efficiently and introduced a lot of future stars like Eric Stolz, Taylor Negron, James Russo, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Schiavelli, Amanda Wyss, Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Forrest Whitaker, and Phoebe Cates (whose exit from a swimming pool has now become part of pop culture). Ray Walston has a memorable role as a history teacher named Mr. Hand, but when it comes down to it, Sean Penn steals this movie as a perpetually stoned goof off named Jeff Spiccoli. I don't how this movie has remained watchable and still makes me laugh after all these years but it does. 4

Gideon58

08-23-24, 01:11 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d6/Avatar_%282009_film%29_poster.jpg

1st Rewatch...There is imagination and technical razzle dazzle to spare in support of this unique story about a paraplegic soldier who is sent to a moon called Pandora on a special mission but is treated like family on this new moon and becomes torn between his mission and his new family, even though he has been promised the use of his legs when he completes his mission. James Cameron's work is unprecedented here, a visual and audio feast and he does borrow things from other movies, but they're his movies, so it's OK. 4.5

Gideon58

08-23-24, 04:08 PM

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjhkNDE2OWUtMjQ4Zi00MDY1LTlmMjktNmE4MzUwZTJhYjBjXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDI2NDg0NQ@@._V1_.jpg

3

Robert the List

08-23-24, 04:32 PM

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) 9.5

Fantastically paced film that was engrossing viewing for 2.75 hours.

Also, the only suits to rival North by Northwest. (same year, same suits??)

matt72582

08-23-24, 05:21 PM

The Haircut - 6/10
Starring John Cassavetes in this 20 minute movie.

https://youtu.be/kbbHzrmAnsw

Thief

08-23-24, 06:27 PM

GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS
(2019, Dougherty)

https://i.imgur.com/qWaEyAl.jpeg

Senator Williams: "So you'd want to make Godzilla our pet."
Dr. Ishiro Serizawa: "No. We will be his."

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the second installment withis this franchise to feature the big lizard. The film follows Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) who is still coping with the death of his son during Godzilla's attack in San Francisco in the previous film. Meanwhile, his ex-wife (Vera Farmiga) and daughter (Millie Bobby Brown) are kidnapped by a group of eco-terrorists led by Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) who are trying to take control of several monsters, or "Titans", across the world. This forces Godzilla to return to fight them, as Mark tries to rescue his family.

The thing that puts this one above the ones that came before and after is its focus on real characters. 2014's Godzilla tried, but Aaron Taylor Johnson didn't really have the chops to carry the film. Here, the plight from Mark's family feels real and the emotional weight from what happened before and the twists that this film takes are effectively portrayed by the cast. The actions from Emma (Farmiga) feel believable within this world, and all of them – Chandler, Farmiga, and Brown – do a great job. Plus you give me the excellent Charles Dance as a bad guy and I'm sold.

Grade: 4

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2481951#post2481951)

Robert the List

08-23-24, 06:42 PM

Jesus wept, Witness for the Prosecution (1957) is over rated.

In spite of Charles Laughton's excellent performance.
Watching it right after Anatomy of a Murder it's woeful amateurism in comparison. No wonder it's not in the Criterion Collection.

6/10

FilmBuff

08-23-24, 08:30 PM

It's not in the Criterion Collection... yet.

PHOENIX74

08-23-24, 11:34 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b4/Outpostposter2008.jpg
By www.impawards.com/2008/outpost.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20238931

Outpost - (2008)

I don't expect the world from Nazi zombie movies, which is why I put this on in the background one day, hoping to see enough to conclude this wasn't worth a proper watch - but I was confounded when I kept getting drawn in, due to the fact that the filmmakers here were genuinely making an effort. I put it back into the rotation, and watched it properly last night. The build up to the expected action is atmospheric, and I bought into the sense of mystery which comes from a group of mercenaries (hired by some CIA stooge) going behind enemy lines in some Eastern European war-torn country only to stumble into an old WWII Nazi bunker, in which resides a cobweb-strewn "miracle weapon" which relates to what the Americans were doing in The Philadelphia Experiment. Things appear and disappear as Mr CIA activates the machine, and before you know it our characters are being killed by Nazi ghosts/apparitions - but unfortunately, any attempt to really explain what is going on gets jumbled and we lack enough clarity to be able to see this as anything more than ad hoc way to get supernatural Nazi zombies into the narrative. I really needed some kind of solid explanation that went further than guesses about Einstein, unified physics fields and the occult. We were that one small step away from a really satisfying gem, but without it the ending really feels lacking.

5/10

Nausicaä

08-24-24, 01:45 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5b/Dinner_in_America.jpg/220px-Dinner_in_America.jpg

3.5

SF = Z

Viewed: Blu ray

https://64.media.tumblr.com/0ee870d31548ba79b7b0bf0856b32ea2/cd1aa1d397ac6e1b-7c/s400x600/6a74df63ca9ebdb6e1f3c7abf244d8724e04ac69.gifv

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

Fabulous

08-24-24, 07:07 AM

The Nanny (1965)

3

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/edGEr8fTufeIisaTSJi19D3loYN.jpg

Robert the List

08-24-24, 09:46 AM

Dragon Inn (1967)
All a bit silly, and personally I found it dragged on without much in terms of variety, with no subtlety or mystery.
Really lovely to look at though. I think it might have taken some inspiration from West Side Story.
Also, I think this was hugely influential, and could perhaps be seen as the start of the superhero movies (albeit I personally find that a regretful direction for cinema to have taken).
Very difficult one to rate, but I'll say 8.5.

Robert the List

08-24-24, 02:53 PM

Stolen Kisses (1968) 9
A hidden gem. Reminded me a little bit of Harold and Maude, but (albeit without the handful of lol moments) this is a much better film.
It's beautifully made with some gorgeous shot compositions, and is amusing, charming, and entertaining, with a little flavour of mystery.

Allaby

08-24-24, 04:49 PM

Blink Twice (2024) Zoë Kravitz does a fantastic job directing this smart and engaging thriller. Boosted by strong performances from a good cast including Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Alia Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, and Kyle MacLachlan, this is one of the best films of the year. Kravitz handles the material very well and effectively builds suspense to reach a memorable climax with a brilliant ending. It's a shame more people aren't seeing this because Blink Twice could have been one of the most talked about films of the year. I really hope that Kravitz directs more films in the future because Blink Twice is a winner. Don't miss it. 4.5

Tugg

08-24-24, 06:54 PM

Inside Out 2 (2024) 3
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a12629_b8c5025233674d398c5261da97c40b37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_640,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/a12629_b8c5025233674d398c5261da97c40b37~mv2.jpg
Oddity (2024) 3.5
Creepy atmosphere, intriguing layout and plot twists make the movie special experience. But I didn't like the ending.
https://images.thedirect.com/media/photos/odditl.png

Nausicaä

08-24-24, 07:45 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/31/Ghostbusters_%282024%29_poster.jpg/220px-Ghostbusters_%282024%29_poster.jpg

3

SF = Z

Viewed: Blu ray

[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

FilmBuff

08-24-24, 08:49 PM

https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/images/orig/T/The-Crow-2024.jpg

The Crow (IMAX)
0.5

Like Deadpool, the title character of The Crow is unkillable. Unlike Deadpool, unfortunately, the Crow is deadly dull, uninteresting, and not at all funny.

I am unfamiliar with the source material, so I can't comment on whether or not it is even vaguely faithful to it.

But as a movie, it's one of the year's worst. The movie certainly looks like you'd expect a big-budget movie to - but the writing and dialogue is as pedestrian as the worst TV movie you've ever seen (and frankly, even the visual aspects of the movie are largely forgettable the moment it's over).

And most of the performances are nothing to crow about, either, although Danny Huston certainly tries to earn his paycheck here (it is certainly not going to be something he will ever boast about in his filmography).

Director Rupert Sanders's previous movies weren't that great, either, but this one is probably his absolute worst.

doubledenim

08-24-24, 09:19 PM

Something that exists in two places at once, threatens to tear apart the fabric of MoFo and usher in the apocalypse.

I’m going to the store to get a pack of Camels.

Thief

08-24-24, 09:58 PM

GODZILLA VS. KONG
(2021, Wingard)

https://i.imgur.com/hz8tnQq.jpeg

"The myths are real. There was a war. And they're the last ones standing."

Set several years after the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the film features Alexander Skarsgård as the new reluctant "human hero", Dr. Nathan Lind, a geologist who specializes in Hollow Earth and thus is recruited to lead the expedition to take Kong there. He is joined by Kong expert, Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) and her adoptive daughter, Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a survivor from the Iwi tribe in Skull Island. Meanwhile, Millie Bobby Brown returns as Madison as she recruits conspiracy theorist and podcaster Bernie Hayes (Brian Tyree Henry) to investigate Godzilla's attacks.

But anyway, Godzilla vs. Kong, right? This is one of the cases where you can infer that the plot is just an excuse to bring these two creatures together and have them fight over and over. So what this film lacks in human character development and emotional pull, it kinda makes up for with some pretty cool creature fights and action setpieces. I appreciated the different ways in which the two main fights are staged, with the final one in Hong Kong taking the upper hand for me, mostly for its use of the neon lights from the city to the benefit of the fight choreographies.

Grade: 3.5

Full review on my Movie Loot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2482159#post2482159)