The 9th Mofo Movie Hall of Fame

[seanc]

182 for me. Mostly the shorts and the horror ones.

[MovieMeditation]

I made a list challenge list for all of the films nominated in a HoF so far.

http://www.listchallenges.com/movies-nominated-for-mofos-hall-of-fame-2016

I seen 130.
112.

Didn't see Gunbuster in there? Because it isn't a movie? :D

[Citizen Rules]

I haven't seen many on that list as I'm not a fan of horror, animation or foreign films. But I did see all the noirs and sci-fi;)

[Friendly Mushroom!]

112.

Didn't see Gunbuster in there? Because it isn't a movie? :D

Sean forgot to include it in the Organization thread. So it's his fault. Otherwise, I would have included it. ;)

I also noticed several typos there, like Escaoe From New York and Yango. :p

[neiba]

143 here!

[seanc]

Sean forgot to include it in the Organization thread. So it's his fault. Otherwise, I would have included it. ;)

I also noticed several typos there, like Escaoe From New York and Yango. :p

Typos in a Sean post. I find that highly unlikely.

[Friendly Mushroom!]

Typos in a Sean post. I find that highly unlikely.

I'mn ot lyibg. :p

[Swan]

161 for me.

[Cole416]

I made a list challenge list for all of the films nominated in a HoF so far.

http://www.listchallenges.com/movies-nominated-for-mofos-hall-of-fame-2016

I seen 130.
302

[Swan]

How dare you Cole, this is serious business!

[Friendly Mushroom!]

That is a way of getting around Youtube copyrighting rules. It is the same as changing the title or speeding up or slowing down the video which you can fix by using your video settings.

Reference joke time.

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/601/384/fd2.gif

[Citizen Rules]

I made a list challenge list for all of the films nominated in a HoF so far.

http://www.listchallenges.com/movies-nominated-for-mofos-hall-of-fame-2016
Good job at making that list! That's pretty neat. My results
141.

[Guaporense]

194 out of 302, though I think I forgot several as well

[Guaporense]

I think that this set of ca. 300 movies is a pretty nice overview of the diversity that movies can be.

[Friendly Mushroom!]

I made a list challenge list for all of the films nominated in a HoF so far.

http://www.listchallenges.com/movies-nominated-for-mofos-hall-of-fame-2016
Good job at making that list! That's pretty neat. My results

141.

Thanks. :)

[Gatsby]

Thanks FM, i think your list will give me a lot of films to watch/re-visit. :)

Edit: Didn't count every single film, but I think I've seen about 230-ish films from the list.

[Swan]

The Magnificent Ambersons - 3.5

As good and engaging a drama as it was, as auteuristic a piece of cinema as you'd expect from Welles (the lighting and cinematography, oh my!), this still felt to me like the remnants of a great film than an actually great film. Maybe that's because I went into it knowing that the studio had chopped it up and changed the ending. Had I not known that, I may have liked it even more. That said, while part of me hates that the studio chopped it up, the other part of me recognizes that that doesn't really matter anymore. We have a piece of cinema in our possession and it exists in this form, take it or leave it. How it came to be may, ultimately, not matter. Obviously some people, like Sean, think it's perfect this way, and I don't think they're wrong for believing that. Personally, I would love to have seen Welles' original vision. The dude was a giant. You guys might be surprised but a few years ago I considered Citizen Kane a top ten favorite film of mine. I also love F for Fake.

Anyway, despite my critique this is still a great nomination and a film I very much enjoyed watching.

[tatmmw2]

OMG Swan, I also was going to rate The Magnificent Ambersons 3.5. I enjoy it, I think the story was very original too and I also looked up the thing about the end, that's why there are longer versions. I specially like the personality of George :). Nice nom Seanc!

[Swan]

Great mind think alike, tat. :)

[gbgoodies]

Mikey and Nicky

I figured I would watch my nomination first so that it's fresh in my mind. I first watched it in preparation for the 70's countdown, and it would in fact make my list of 25. I now feel it may have been a mistake to nominate this film. Usually when I decide upon a nomination, I have some confidence that a few members are going to enjoy the film. While I love it, I can't think of a single member that I could recommend it to, and feel good about it. Stylistically, I think it's like John Cassavetes directed it, so there's hope if you like his films.



Mikey and Nicky has been recommended to me by a few people, so it's been on my watchlist for a while, and I'm looking forward to finally finding the time to sit down and watch it, so I'm kind of sad to read that you wish you hadn't nominated it, and you wouldn't recommend it.

I've only seen a few of John Cassavetes' movies, so I don't have a strong opinion on his movies one way or the other, but I'm a big fan of Peter Falk, so hopefully I'll love it and prove you wrong.

[gbgoodies]

Any of you looked for a way to watch Leave Her To Heaven yet?


If you're still looking for Leave Her to Heaven, it looks like the full movie is on DailyMotion.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlss2u_leave-her-to-heaven_shortfilms

[gbgoodies]

Don't let the run time worry you at all. I think it is one of those movies that is so good that you don't even realize that it is as long as it is. At least, I think it is one of those kind of movies. I don't know how anyone else feels, or will feel, about it. :)

I don't like long run times either, BUT, I loved The Best Years of Our Lives.

It's so well constructed with characters that I cared about, that the movie flew by. I had seriously considered it as a nomination. I'm glad to see it here:)


I just want to add a third vote for The Best Years of Our Lives being a long movie that doesn't feel long, and I loved it too.

I don't think it's been mentioned yet, (or I missed it if it was mentioned already), but an interesting piece of trivia for this movie is that Harold Russell, the actor who played Homer, is the only actor to win two Academy Awards for the same role. He received an honorary award for the role because they didn't think he would win, and then he won the Best Supporting Actor award too.


And the full movie is online at ffilms.org:

http://ffilms.org/the-best-years-of-our-lives-1946/

[gbgoodies]

I made a list challenge list for all of the films nominated in a HoF so far.

http://www.listchallenges.com/movies-nominated-for-mofos-hall-of-fame-2016




I've seen 181 of 302 movies listed.

That's not too bad considering I hate horror movies, and there have been a few horror HoFs. :)

[rauldc14]

162 for me. Not bad for seeing no docs or shorts and not being a part of those.

BTW when was Toxic Avenger nominated in a HOF? Lol

[gbgoodies]

BTW when was Toxic Avenger nominated in a HOF? Lol


I think it's in the current B-movies HoF.

[cricket]

Mikey and Nicky has been recommended to me by a few people, so it's been on my watchlist for a while, and I'm looking forward to finally finding the time to sit down and watch it, so I'm kind of sad to read that you wish you hadn't nominated it, and you wouldn't recommend it.

I've only seen a few of John Cassavetes' movies, so I don't have a strong opinion on his movies one way or the other, but I'm a big fan of Peter Falk, so hopefully I'll love it and prove you wrong.

What I meant was that I don't know who, specifically, I could recommend it to. Some members will enjoy it, but I have no idea which members those are.

[jiraffejustin]

162 for me. Not bad for seeing no docs or shorts and not being a part of those.

BTW when was Toxic Avenger nominated in a HOF? Lol

I've considered nominating it in previous HoFs. Somebody in the B-movie HoF just beat me to it. Bastards. :D

[jiraffejustin]

Once I finish some homework, I will be watching The Piano. There's also a chance I watch The Rules of the Game today as well.

[cricket]

I think I'll use the YouTube link GB posted to watch Brief Encounter next, and I will have the DVD of Beasts of the Southern Wild for next weekend.

[Pussy Galore]

I did the list and I've seen 171, it's not bad!

[Frightened Inmate No. 2]

i got 128 on the list

[Camo]

i got 128 on the list

Same.

[MovieMeditation]

Planning to watch The Descendants today.

I have been looking forward to this since before it even came out. Somehow I just never got around to it. Today is the day.

[Daniel M]

158 seen for me.

[Swan]

Planning to watch The Descendants today.

I have been looking forward to this since before it even came out. Somehow I just never got around to it. Today is the day.

Yeah well, I hope someone puts a flaming bag of dog crap on your front porch!

[MovieMeditation]

Yeah well, I hope someone puts a flaming bag of dog crap on your front porch!
Back biting at people again, Swan?

That's it, back in your lake!

http://i.imgur.com/4XO8f93.gif

[Citizen Rules]

By the time I complete all the current Hofs (50s, WWII, 9th) I should have about 35 more of the films on that list watched.

I'm impressed by how many films all of you have watched on that list. Especially Gatsby at 230+ I'm going to have to call him Mark Jr.:)

[Citizen Rules]

If you're still looking for Leave Her to Heaven, it looks like the full movie is on DailyMotion.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlss2u_leave-her-to-heaven_shortfilms

Thanks for posting that, but the video looks like crap. It's a second generation copy, it's blurry and faded and has the 4:3 formatting, it must have been from a home copy of a old print shown on TV.

I strongly suggest you guys get the DVD which has been beautifully restored and is crisp with rich technicolor. If I watched a video of that quality I wouldn't even like my own nom:eek: I do appreciate GBG posted that, but please do yourself a favor and find the DVD at your library if possible.

Update: Leave Her To Heaven will be shown on TCM
on February 5th, that's next Fri, 1PM PT, 4PM ET. But check your local listings. This will be the restored print that is shown!

Thanks to SilentVamp and Mark for posting the TCM info:)

[seanc]

My problem is that it's not on Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, or Amazon.

[Swan]

Back biting at people again, Swan?

That's it, back in your lake!

http://i.imgur.com/4XO8f93.gif

You know I kid.

[rauldc14]

You know I kid.

That's what the last Swan said.

[Swan]

Huh?

[Swan]

You guys know MovieMeds and I like to give each other sh*t, right? My initial post towards him was entirely well-intentioned.

[Citizen Rules]

My problem is that it's not on Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, or Amazon.
I'm sorry it's hard to find. I really did try to pick a nomination that was well enough known, so that it would be easy to find. That was one of my considerations. I thought it would be an easy film to get.

But now I don't know what to do? I found it at my library. Is anybody else having a hard time finding it? Maybe I should withdraw it?

[seanc]

The Magnificent Ambersons - 3.5

As good and engaging a drama as it was, as auteuristic a piece of cinema as you'd expect from Welles (the lighting and cinematography, oh my!), this still felt to me like the remnants of a great film than an actually great film. Maybe that's because I went into it knowing that the studio had chopped it up and changed the ending. Had I not known that, I may have liked it even more. That said, while part of me hates that the studio chopped it up, the other part of me recognizes that that doesn't really matter anymore. We have a piece of cinema in our possession and it exists in this form, take it or leave it. How it came to be may, ultimately, not matter. Obviously some people, like Sean, think it's perfect this way, and I don't think they're wrong for believing that. Personally, I would love to have seen Welles' original vision. The dude was a giant. You guys might be surprised but a few years ago I considered Citizen Kane a top ten favorite film of mine. I also love F for Fake.

Anyway, despite my critique this is still a great nomination and a film I very much enjoyed watching.

I'm glad I didn't know it was chopped going in. I wonder how much that colors people's viewings of it. I think I may have even mentioned that I liked the editing in my original review. I kind of like how the passage of time just seems to happen and we have to fill in some blanks. I never found it hard to catch up and I really like how much time the film spanned. Glad you enjoyed it despite that Swan. I think it should fair well around here.

[Swan]

Is this not it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yEdNR4sfEU

[MovieMeditation]

You guys know MovieMeds and I like to give each other sh*t, right? My initial post towards him was entirely well-intentioned.
I plan a 4 hour long torture on you, Swan...

well-intentioned of course.

[Swan]

I just hate that you got all that rep for insulting my character, but I got none. How dare you! I'll get you one day, MovieMeds!

[seanc]

I'm sorry it's hard to find. I really did try to pick a nomination that was well enough known, so that it would be easy to find. That was one of my considerations. I thought it would be an easy film to get.

But now I don't know what to do? I found it at my library. Is anybody else having a hard time finding it? Maybe I should withdraw it?

No worries. I always mention it because the awesome MoFos here are always more than willing to help out with links. I have already received a PM with your nom. I have yet to not find a way to watch a HOF movie. We are all good.

[seanc]

BTW, I think Mark said Citizen's nom is going to be on TCM soon as well. That used to work for me but Charter sucks so I no longer have that option. Most probably will.

[Citizen Rules]

Is this not it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yEdNR4sfEU

Yes that's it. And at least on my computer screen that looks horrible. I see it digitized and the color is faded, shifted and it's blurry. Thanks Swan for looking for it, but that's no better than the video GBG posted. I apologize for choosing a film that was hard to find. I feel bad about that.

[Swan]

Definitely don't feel bad, Citizen. It sounds like Sean got a link to a good quality vid? Maybe he can share that with us all via PM?

[Citizen Rules]

BTW, I think Mark said Citizen's nom is going to be on TCM soon as well. That used to work for me but Charter sucks so I no longer have that option. Most probably will. I didn't see Mark's post. Is there a link to check TCM schedule? I tried to look for it but I can't make heads or tails of TCMs site. Help! Please:)

[cricket]

Leave Her to Heaven is on TCM 2/5

[seanc]

Definitely don't feel bad, Citizen. It sounds like Sean got a link to a good quality vid? Maybe he can share that with us all via PM?

I will pass it on to anyone that needs it. Just hit me up.

[Citizen Rules]

Update: Leave Her To Heaven will be shown on TCM
on February 5th, that's next Friday at 1pm PT, 4pm ET.
But check your local listings to make sure. This will be the restored print that is shown!

Thanks to Mark for posting the TCM info:)

[SilentVamp]

Update: Leave Her To Heaven will be shown on TCM
on February 5th, that's next Friday at 1pm PT, 4pm ET.
But check your local listings to make sure. This will be the restored print that is shown!

Thanks to Mark for posting the TCM info:)
Oh my God!

I said this two days ago:
Anyway, only two of these movies (again, times are Eastern):

Leave Her To Heaven Friday, February 5 - 4:00 PM
The Best Years Of Our Lives Friday, February 19 - 11:45 PM
It wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't for the fact that I already said something and, for some reason, I sometimes feel that what I say is ignored. :rolleyes: This isn't the first time this has happened. By the way, thanks to the one person (and sometimes second person) that I always know will see that I make a point of looking these movies up and posting them - you know who you are. :)

[Citizen Rules]

Sorry Vamp, I wasn't trying to ignore your post about the TCM time. I don't have TCM so I didn't remember your post or Marks either. It wasn't until Sean pointed out that Mark had mentioned it that I knew it was even on TCM. So thank you for posting that earlier.

[jiraffejustin]

The Piano? More like The Porno. Am I right, guys?

[cricket]

I've heard that, maybe that's why it was already on my watchlist. I can't really think of another reason why it would be.

[jiraffejustin]

I've heard that, maybe that's why it was already on my watchlist. I can't really think of another reason why it would be.

The gorgeous piano score, the fantastic photography, Powerhouse Paquin and the gang giving their career best performances are other reasons to have it on your watchlist.

I still have twenty minutes to finish, but I am loving it so far.

[jiraffejustin]

I finished The Piano, and the stuff I said in the previous post obviously still apply. It's gorgeous both visually and aurally. It's one of those films you can watch with the sound off or listen to without pictures and still be worth your while. I would say it reignited that small desire I have to learn to play the piano, but I don't want to have sex with Harvey Keitel or rub Sam Neill's asscrack.

The ending, no spoilers, was really interesting as well. It was almost as if you solved an equation involving a variable raised to the second power, because you got not one, but two different answers. You pick the one you want the most, because either choice is just as viable.

[gbgoodies]

Thanks for posting that, but the video looks like crap. It's a second generation copy, it's blurry and faded and has the 4:3 formatting, it must have been from a home copy of a old print shown on TV.

I strongly suggest you guys get the DVD which has been beautifully restored and is crisp with rich technicolor. If I watched a video of that quality I wouldn't even like my own nom:eek: I do appreciate GBG posted that, but please do yourself a favor and find the DVD at your library if possible.

Update: Leave Her To Heaven will be shown on TCM
on February 5th, that's next Fri, 1PM PT, 4PM ET. But check your local listings. This will be the restored print that is shown!

Thanks to Mark for posting the TCM info:)


Sorry about that. :facepalm:

I did a quick Google search for "Leave Her To Heaven watch online" and that link came up in the search. I quickly checked the video just to make sure that it was the right movie, and that the length was correct, (because I think the YouTube link is too short), but I didn't watch it for the quality of he video. (I have it on a DV-R from TCM so I didn't need to find it online for myself.)

I'm glad to you found it on TCM instead. :)

[Citizen Rules]

Hi GBG, there's nothing to be sorry about. I looked at many different online videos for Leave Her To Heaven and all the ones I seen looked horrible.

I didn't realize it was hard to find, so I appreciate your effort:)

I'm just bummed that it's hard to find a good print. But thanks to Silent Vamp and Mark, I know it's on TCM! And that will be the restored print:p

[Swan]

I finished The Piano, and the stuff I said in the previous post obviously still apply. It's gorgeous both visually and aurally. It's one of those films you can watch with the sound off or listen to without pictures and still be worth your while. I would say it reignited that small desire I have to learn to play the piano, but I don't want to have sex with Harvey Keitel or rub Sam Neill's asscrack.

The ending, no spoilers, was really interesting as well. It was almost as if you solved an equation involving a variable raised to the second power, because you got not one, but two different answers. You pick the one you want the most, because either choice is just as viable.

Glad you liked it bro!

[Gatsby]

I'm impressed by how many films all of you have watched on that list. Especially Gatsby at 230+ I'm going to have to call him Mark Jr.:)
I did an exact count, and found at that I've only watched about 204, Oops. You don't have to call me mark jr. :p

[Thursday Next]

I've seen 199 of the nominations, not all necessarily for the hofs they were nominated in.

A belated yes to that youtube video of Brief Encounter gbg posted, that is the right film.

Brief thoughts on the films I have seen (I might rewatch some if I have time):

Rules of the Game - I really loved this film, but it's one of those films where I couldn't pinpoint exactly why, I just found it fascinating and I enjoyed it. I don't remember it being particularly funny, there was something more tragic about the characters' self-absorption and belioef in the 'game' of society, of love, that they felt was so important.

The Lives of Others - I remember this being really hyped as some kind of masterpiece so I was a bit disappointed when I watched it. I still think it is a good film, but maybe not a great one.

The Piano - This was also pretty good, well filmed. I remember being in two minds about whether I liked the ending, but I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Adaptation - One of those clever-clever films that isn't all that enjoyable to watch, looks a mess and only really makes sense towards the end. The further it goes, the more it all unravels and the more interesting it is, but there's a lot of Nicolas Cage to sit through before it gets there.

Beasts of the Southern Wilds - I didn't really know what to think about this one. I didn't like it. But it wasn't irredeemably bad either. Some of it was really well shot, and the girl gives a good performance, but I'm not sure what the film was trying to say or whether I agreed with it.

[Swan]

I have two films for the Euro Horror HoF coming from Netflix, but also The Lives of Others, so I'm going to try and get to that within the week. I'm really excited to see that, it's been on my radar since I was 16 or so and I still have never seen it. I don't want to lose steam though so if I can get a movie in - maybe Citizen's nom - before that comes I will!

[AlexWilder]

here is my thoughts about the movies that i've already seen :

The Rules of the Game (1939)
my expectations were high before watching this movie especially after watching la grande illusion for the same director whitch is one of my all times favorites , well i was a little bit confused wether i liked it or no, one thing is sure, it's a good satire comedy criticising the 'first class' of the pre-WW2 french society in a weird way
so i definitely need to rewatch the film..

Brief Encounter (Lean, 1945)
great movie ! i really loved it, lean it one of my favorite directors, i loved all his movies that i've seen ( lawerence of arabia , Dr zhivago , bridge on the river kwai )
Brief Encounter is very different from the other lean movies, i liked the atmosphere of the film especially with the narrating.

Dead Man Walking (1995)
i've seen it a long time ago, i remember that i liked it and that the performences were great , need a rewatch...

No Man's Land (2001
my nomination , my thoughts about it are in the first page.

Adaptation (2002)
ive seen it long time ago, i really loved it, it was one of my all time favorites, i loved all charlie kauffman's works that i've seen, i hope i'll enjoy it like the first time..

Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) (2006)

when i saw the film many years ago i didn't know much about the cold war, and the conditions in germany back then, but that didn't stop me for loving it
i wonder how much i will apreciate it now.

The Descendants (Payne, 2011)
i don't remember much about this movie...

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
all i remember about this film is that i didn't really anjoy it..

[AlexWilder]

the one's that i didn't see yet :

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
i'm not a big fan of orson welles, i've seen citizen kane a long time ago, i have also seen tha lady from shanghai lately, i'm not saying that they're bad but i didn't anjoy them much, so maybe this film will change my mind about welles..

Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
never heard of it..

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
one of the big classics that I'm Ashamed To Admit I Haven't Seen yet, it's been on my watchlist like for ever, my expectations are really high for this one..

Death Race 2000 (Bartel, 1975)
never heard of it before, and i don't think i'll like it.

Mikey and Nicky (1975, May)
never heard of it before.

The Piano (Jane Campion, 1993)
i've been planning to see this movie, i don't know what to expect, the story doesn't really attract me but i've heard nothing but good thing about it..

Shiki Jitsu (Anno, 2000)
never heard of it..

Time Lapse (2014)
never heard of it, but its allways intresting to see an indie sci-fi

[seanc]

Rules Of The Game: Interesting to watch this just a couple weeks after watching Smiles Of A Summer Night. They are very similar in themes and tone. I liked Smiles way more though. I don't know if that is because of the dialogue or if the characters are more fleshed out. I just couldn't get into this. It's a farce that isn't funny. It wears its themes on its sleeve but doesn't have anything particularly interesting to say about them. I was disappointed in this one.

[jiraffejustin]

The Rules of the Game tonight/tomorrow and Adaptation tomorrow/Thursday for me. What are you guys gonna be watching this week?

[cricket]

I've got Brief Encounter lined up for tonight

[seanc]

The Rules of the Game tonight/tomorrow and Adaptation tomorrow/Thursday for me. What are you guys gonna be watching this week?

Mickey And Nicky will be coming this week for me. Might be the weekend before I get to it.

I own Descendants and Adaptation and am looking forward to the rewatches, so I could pop those in at any time.

[Gatsby]

I plan to watch Beasts of the Southern Wild this week. It was real easy to get and didn't cost much.

[cricket]

Brief Encounter

https://filmgrab.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/0120.jpg?w=1110&h=

I had heard of this movie before, but it was a completely blind watch. I only knew that it was a highly regarded classic. My initial thought in the first few minutes, was that this would be a charming British film, but nothing special. About 10 minutes in, when the story really started to be told, was when I got completely involved. As a movie should, it got better and better all the way to the end.

One way a married guy like me can look at this movie is as a cautionary tale to never take your wife for granted, and never allow your marriage to become stuck in a rut. In this sense, it's not that dissimilar to my nomination in the 8th Hall of Fame, Coming Home. That is where the similarities between those two movies end.

It's a simple story, and one that's been told countless times, but this movie tells it expertly. I think that one very big key is that the movie makes the husband out to be a very good man. This is crucial in creating a real emotional dilemma. The challenge with this is to still portray the wife in an understanding light, and the film pulls it off seamlessly.

I thought all of the acting, music, and camera work was superb. The ending is beautiful and perfect. I think many people will underrate this movie because it lacks scope, especially when compared to some of the director's grand epics. I believe I may be underrating it as well. This is unfair, because I think it is virtually flawless.

4.5+

[edarsenal]

great review, cricket, as always. Saw a link posted to youtube in this thread and a few others, this movie looks very worthwhile.

[cricket]

great review, cricket, as always. Saw a link posted to youtube in this thread and a few others, this movie looks very worthwhile.

Thank you Ed, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves older movies.

[edarsenal]

sweet! THANKS

[gbgoodies]

I've heard of Brief Encounter, and it's been on my watchlist for a while, but I've never seen it. I'm looking forward to seeing it even more since reading your review. It sounds like my kind of movie.

[cricket]

With this HoF seeming to be pretty wide open, I think it could be a serious contender to win.

[gbgoodies]

With this HoF seeming to be pretty wide open, I think it could be a serious contender to win.


I haven't seen everything in this HoF yet, but of the movies that I've seen, I think it's strongest competition is probably The Best Years of Our Lives, and maybe Leave Her to Heaven.

[cricket]

I completely agree with Best Years of Our Lives, while I haven't seen the other yet.

[rauldc14]

This one is as wide open as any HOF that I have seen.

Hopefully my Brief Encounter rewatch improves how I feel about it.

[neiba]

The Lives of Others is the movie with the highest IMDb rating, so I'd say it's a contender :p

[tatmmw2]

I managed to get The Piano, later I will post what I thought about it! :)

[Gatsby]

The Lives of Others is the movie with the highest IMDb rating, so I'd say it's a contender :p
No sh*t Neiblock.

[neiba]

:p yeah, u better rank it #1 then!

[seanc]

Brief Encounter: I don't really disagree with anything Cricket said about this film yesterday. Good story, score. cinematography, well written, and characters. It is a very adult love story told in a very mature way. Pretty flawless film from a structure stand point. It was pretty dry for me though. There is nothing here that will have me thinking about it a couple days from now. Nothing that will have me returning to it. Glad I saw this and it is a good nom, but ultimately average for me.

[MovieMeditation]

The Descendants or:
Little Miss Sunshine 2, Honolulu Happenings

http://movie.webindia123.com/movie/2012/Hollywood/January/The_Descendants/The_Descendants.jpg

I'm just kidding about that headline, but this film really did remind me of Little Miss Sunshine in a lot of ways. It had the destructive, dysfunctional family who is forced to take a trip across the lands and encounter different semi-serious events that deal with death, drugs and divorce. Well, I don't know about the last one, but anyways it's also mostly the whole tone of the film. It has that dramedy fell to it, where the audience is supposed to be entertained by the current situations of one broken family - most of which is tragic, but handled in amusing ways.

I didn't love Little Miss Sushine, but thought it was fairly good. This film I liked a little bit better, but I still can't seem to connect completely with movies that centers on these dysfunctional families in dramatic yet amusing ways. I feel like I watch it from beginning to end, but I don't really gain much and I can't sympathize entirely for the characters either. It's a fun ride, I chuckle a bit here and there, laugh about 1 or 2 times and that's it.

But the movie is well made, it's well acted, it's amusing enough to keep you entertained but I think it's personally just me that can't completely cope with the approach these kind of movies have.

3.5

[seanc]

This film I liked a little bit better, but I still can't seem to connect completely with movies that centers on these dysfunctional families in dramatic yet amusing ways. I feel like I watch it from beginning to end, but I don't really gain much and I can't sympathize entirely for the characters either.]

It is interesting that you frame it this way because I feel the exact opposite. I feel like a director evokes a lot more emotion from me if he uses humor amongst tragic or dark elements. I think it humanizes the characters for me. If everything is stone cold serious it feels less real to me. Maybe that is because I use humor a lot in real life, I don't know. It makes for interesting conversation though.

[cricket]

I'm far from serious in real life, but I usually prefer my dark movies to be without humor. I may watch this one tonight. Rewatch

[rauldc14]

I feel the same as Sean obviously. A lot of people in real life use humor as a way of escaping tragic events, at least I've certainly seen it this way. I'm glad you at least somewhat enjoyed it though.

[MovieMeditation]

I don't know how to put it. I don't disagree with you, sean, not even the slighest. I agree that humor can be a great way to humanize the situation, light or dark, and make us more engaged and involved in what is happening.

But with the case of The Descendants and Little Miss Sunshine it just feels too artificial and straight forward. I don't know. But I do agree with cricket and also I'm the same way. I always joke around I'm mostly the loudest person in the room when we are having a fun time, but movies - most of the time - hit me harder when it's darker and more realistic.... not that there haven't been movies using humor that hit the spot, but it just never hit it as well - at least not what I can think of right now.

[MovieMeditation]

I feel the same as Sean obviously. A lot of people in real life use humor as a way of escaping tragic events, at least I've certainly seen it this way. I'm glad you at least somewhat enjoyed it though.
Somewhat? I enjoyed it a lot. I gave it a 3.5 - that's really good in my book.

I think we'll stop the discussion here, I doubt we'll get any further since it seems to be purely personal that I can't completely buy into the set-up and get anything more than entertainment out of it - and a hint of realism. At least The Descendants did the humor/tragic balance better than Little Miss Sunshine in my opinion.

[rauldc14]

I think it's on a person to person case for his real it feels, so I can't really blame you for feeling that way. It obviously works really well for me. Even the Sid character, who could seem a ridiculous addition for me, works real well.

[Thursday Next]

Leave Her to Heaven

**SPOILERS**

Kind of like a 1940s Gone Girl, if that isn't too much of a spoiler for both movies. Slightly noirish but in full, lush colour. Ellen Bernet makes Scarlett O'Hara look like a nice girl as she gradually does more and more crazy things in the name of her obsessive love for the man who happens to look just like her dear, departed daddy.

I mostly enjoyed this movie, it's absorbing, colourful and increasingly creepy. I thought the final part, wasn't as good as it should have been, the courtroom scenes and the tacked on happy ending. It's a neat idea, someone monstrous enough to commit suicide and frame their sister for their murder, but it could have been played out better. I also wonder whether if Ellen was mentally ill rather than just evil, all of the family should share some responsibility for not trying to get her help before things went so far.

[seanc]

I don't know how to put it. I don't disagree with you, sean, not even the slighest. I agree that humor can be a great way to humanize the situation, light or dark, and make us more engaged and involved in what is happening.

But with the case of The Descendants and Little Miss Sunshine it just feels too artificial and straight forward. I don't know. But I do agree with cricket and also I'm the same way. I always joke around I'm mostly the loudest person in the room when we are having a fun time, but movies - most of the time - hit me harder when it's darker and more realistic.... not that there haven't been movies using humor that hit the spot, but it just never hit it as well - at least not what I can think of right now.

I got you. Payne's movies almost play as straight comedy. Everything hits everyone different. His films just hit all my pleasure points. Interestingly, I don't even like Little Miss Sunshine very much. I think a lot goes into how we view film and what we think we love can be contradicted at any time. For instance, I love Bergman. He couldn't be more different then what were talking about.

Definitely not trying to argue with anyone. I just found it interesting that your negative in viewing The Descendants was my biggest positive.

[Swan]

I got The Lives of Others in the mail yesterday, so I'll watch that within the next few days.

[MovieMeditation]

I got you. Payne's movies almost play as straight comedy. Everything hits everyone different. His films just hit all my pleasure points. Interestingly, I don't even like Little Miss Sunshine very much. I think a lot goes into how we view film and what we think we love can be contradicted at any time. For instance, I love Bergman. He couldn't be more different then what were talking about.

Definitely not trying to argue with anyone. I just found it interesting that your negative in viewing The Descendants was my biggest positive.
It's all good, man, I think it was just as much my own frustration in trying to explain something I couldn't seem to get out in the proper way. It's just a little polished and a little too well planned in advance, both humor and heart, to make me truly encaged. But I don't doubt the very craft of the film and that it is made by and with talent. It's just not entirely me and I really like the outer layer while I can't quite get to the inner layer enough for me to wholeheartedly love it.

A very good movie nontheless!

[Swan]

Jeez guys, stop being so hostile towards one another! All I hear is "I'm gonna punch you in the face, MM!" "Not if I kick you in the stomach first, Sean!"

:tsk: Shame on you both.

[seanc]

Anyone up for a Swan roast tonight, my treat.

[Swan]

http://conservativepapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/obama-middle-finger.jpg

[seanc]

Mikey and Nickey: This was right in my wheel house. I am shocked I have never heard of this before it is perfect 70's crime flick. Falk is unbelievable as always, I love him in anything I see him in. Cassavetes was really good as well. His character puts you right on edge, which is exactly where the story wants you. The relationship is the key to the whole thing, of course, but there are other elements I loved. I really like the mystery element through the first half of the movie. Everything unravels naturally and you are not quite sure where it is going. Great form of storytelling. Two or three scenes here are stand outs, but the whole film is very engaging. Great choice Cricket, so happy to discover this one.

[Gatsby]

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Zeitlin, 2012)

http://i.imgur.com/CUMgKWa.jpg

I had almost no knowledge of this film beforehand, expect that it was about a young girl her father.

I don't know if the low expectations helped or not, but Beasts of the Southern Wild was a surprise. Finally, a movie handles the concept of an area of land being cut off from the rest of the world with expert storytelling and direction. The urge for survival, the mystery, and the beauty of a fictional wilderness needs no analysis.

4-

[cricket]

Mikey and Nickey: This was right in my wheel house. I am shocked I have never heard of this before it is perfect 70's crime flick. Falk is unbelievable as always, I love him in anything I see him in. Cassavetes was really good as well. His character puts you right on edge, which is exactly where the story wants you. The relationship is the key to the whole thing, of course, but there are other elements I loved. I really like the mystery element through the first half of the movie. Everything unravels naturally and you are not quite sure where it is going. Great form of storytelling. Two or three scenes here are stand outs, but the whole film is very engaging. Great choice Cricket, so happy to discover this one.

I'm relieved by that.

I'll write something later on The Descendants which I watched last night for the 2nd time.

This weekend I have Leave Her to Heaven, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and my 2nd viewing of The Magnificent Ambersons.

[cricket]

The Descendants

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/6c2373918e2b8e334ccc58b1b3337fb1/the-descendants.jpg

I had seen this before, and while I thought it was a very good movie, the story upset me so much that I didn't enjoy it. For that reason, I was always interested in seeing it again. I still figured that I would have the same reaction, and that the movie would probably rank in the bottom of my list. I'm a little surprised how much I liked it this time around.

I'm definitely a fan of the director. His movies seen to strike a very good balance, and that's definitely the case here. I remarked yesterday how the humor in movies like this usually don't work for me. For whatever reason, it worked this time. George Clooney is the key. I think he gives a great performance playing someone who has to be very unselfish during his hardest personal time. The other performances are also very good, especially by the kids. I can see why it won best picture.

4+

[Gatsby]

I can see why it won best picture.

Thankfully, this isn't true.

[rauldc14]

It should have won over The Artist, regardless of Gatsbys comments.

[cricket]

Oh wow, I always thought it won.

[MovieMeditation]

Good write-up, cricket. :up:

[jiraffejustin]

It should have won over The Artist, regardless of Gatsbys comments.

The Artist? More like The Shartist. Am I right, guys?

[rauldc14]

Well, I liked The Artist decently, but not even close to The Descendants for me. Of course, that's just me.

[seanc]

The Artist? More like The Shartist. Am I right, guys?

I like to call it the Fartist.

[Citizen Rules]

I like to call it the Fartist. :p

( i did like the movie though)

[seanc]

I liked it too. Very fun.

[MovieMeditation]

I really liked The Artist a lot when I first watched it. Bought it on Blu-ray soon after,

and haven't watched it since...

[Citizen Rules]

Leave Her To Heaven will be shown on TCM today! February 5th, 1PM PT, 4PM ET. That means it's starting shortly.

[Derek Vinyard]

The Descendants

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/6c2373918e2b8e334ccc58b1b3337fb1/the-descendants.jpg

I had seen this before, and while I thought it was a very good movie, the story upset me so much that I didn't enjoy it. For that reason, I was always interested in seeing it again. I still figured that I would have the same reaction, and that the movie would probably rank in the bottom of my list. I'm a little surprised how much I liked it this time around.

I'm definitely a fan of the director. His movies seen to strike a very good balance, and that's definitely the case here. I remarked yesterday how the humor in movies like this usually don't work for me. For whatever reason, it worked this time. George Clooney is the key. I think he gives a great performance playing someone who has to be very unselfish during his hardest personal time. The other performances are also very good, especially by the kids. I can see why it won best picture.

4+


same rating as me Crick :up: ! love that flick

[cricket]

Leave Her to Heaven

http://oneperfectshotdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/14.-Leave-Her-to-Heaven.png

I knew nothing about this going in. The way the story is told is much like Brief Encounter. That was a good thing here, because without wondering how the movie gets to that point, it could have been tough to get into. The mystery the movie creates at the beginning got me involved quickly. I loved the story, and there's some great, shocking scenes. The only problem for me is that, in between these scenes, the movie would be somewhat plodding. The movie looks incredible with it's color; it doesn't look like something from 1945 at all. It took me a little time to get into Cornel Wilde's performance. As much as I liked him in The Big Combo, it seemed here that he lacked a little bit of presence. This turned out ok as I thought he suited the role pretty well. All of the other performance were strong points. I didn't quite love it, but I thought it was very good.

3.5

[MovieMeditation]

Damn, cricket, on a roll as always!

[cricket]

I'm going on only my 4th movie this month, but they've all been from this HoF.

[Citizen Rules]

Cricket, did you watch Leave Her to Heaven on TCM? or how? I'm just curious to the print quality.

[cricket]

Cricket, did you watch Leave Her to Heaven on TCM? or how? I'm just curious to the print quality.

TCM, looked fantastic.

[Citizen Rules]

Cool:p

[rauldc14]

I'm gonna have a late start to this HOF. Just finishing the 8th and then I'll bounce back and forth between this and 50s.

[MovieMeditation]

I'm going on only my 4th movie this month, but they've all been from this HoF.
Only? So far I've only watched one movie that was strictly for this HoF (watched Beasts of the Southern Wild a while ago) and was within the time frame of the announced nominees.

4 sounds like a lot to me. :p

[SilentVamp]

Well, I was just about to ask when the deadline is for this. I don't know if I am missing it somewhere.

I have only watched 1 and a quarter of the films (when I finish the other one, I will write my opinions). That is bad for me. I should be pretty much done with the WWII HoF and be far enough into this one already, but unforeseen circumstances this week made me fall terribly behind.

At least I am not the only one who hasn't watched only one movie around here. I feel better about that now. :)

Anyway, like I said, I don't know if I am missing something, but what will the deadline be for this HoF?

[cricket]

Don't take my word as fact, Vamp, but I think you have like 3 months.

[gbgoodies]

I watched Mikey and Nicky last night. (I hope I'm posting this in the right HoF thread for this movie.)

This movie has a pretty dark theme, so I don't know if "enjoyed" is the right word, but I definitely liked this movie. This movie has been recommended to me a couple of times, so it was already on my watchlist, but I didn't know much about it other than that it stars Peter Falk and John Cassavetes. I've seen Peter Falk in a bunch of movies, as well as every episode of "Columbo", but I'm not too familiar with John Cassavetes as an actor. (Ironically the only thing that I can remember having seen John Cassavetes in was an episode of the TV show "Columbo".)

At the beginning of the movie, it's easy to see that these two men are great friends, but when Nicky thinks he's in danger and he calls his best friend Mikey for help, their friendship gets tested over the course of the night. We see different sides to both of these men as the night goes on.

Great acting, great dialogue and a great story make this movie worth watching.

[gbgoodies]

Well, I was just about to ask when the deadline is for this. I don't know if I am missing it somewhere.

I have only watched 1 and a quarter of the films (when I finish the other one, I will write my opinions). That is bad for me. I should be pretty much done with the WWII HoF and be far enough into this one already, but unforeseen circumstances this week made me fall terribly behind.

At least I am not the only one who hasn't watched only one movie around here. I feel better about that now. :)

Anyway, like I said, I don't know if I am missing something, but what will the deadline be for this HoF?

You should have plenty of time for this HoF. I think it just started a couple of weeks ago.

[SilentVamp]

Don't take my word as fact, Vamp, but I think you have like 3 months.

You should have plenty of time for this HoF. I think it just started a couple of weeks ago.
Thanks. :) I still just wanted to make sure, though.

I'm going to see what ones I can pick up at the library tomorrow (I know there are a few that I have to request - so I am holding off with those for now).

[cricket]

The Magnificent Ambersons

http://blog.bearstrong.net/max256/uploaded_images/The-Magnificent-Ambersons-(1942)---Tim-Holt,-Anne-Baxter-730438.jpg

3+

My second time watching this after first seeing it last month. When I first watched it, I restarted it several times about 20 minutes in, hoping to get into it more. Eventually I did, and I ended up feeling quite favorable towards it. I had a harder time caring this time around without the excitement of a 1st watch. There are times during the movie that I seem to have a hard time with exactly what is going on or who is who. I'd like to chalk that up to the film not being in it's original form, but it could just be that I have a hard time maintaining interest. For a movie that's less than 90 minutes long, it goes by very slow for me. There is plenty of good too, but I'm not getting the total package for whatever reason.

[cricket]

I watched Mikey and Nicky last night. (I hope I'm posting this in the right HoF thread for this movie.)

This movie has a pretty dark theme, so I don't know if "enjoyed" is the right word, but I definitely liked this movie. This movie has been recommended to me a couple of times, so it was already on my watchlist, but I didn't know much about it other than that it stars Peter Falk and John Cassavetes. I've seen Peter Falk in a bunch of movies, as well as every episode of "Columbo", but I'm not too familiar with John Cassavetes as an actor. (Ironically the only thing that I can remember having seen John Cassavetes in was an episode of the TV show "Columbo".)

At the beginning of the movie, it's easy to see that these two men are great friends, but when Nicky thinks he's in danger and he calls his best friend Mikey for help, their friendship gets tested over the course of the night. We see different sides to both of these men as the night goes on.

Great acting, great dialogue and a great story make this movie worth watching.

Glad you liked it because I didn't think it was your type of movie. I figured it would help that Falk was in it, and plus it's not very foul.

[gbgoodies]

Glad you liked it because I didn't think it was your type of movie. I figured it would help that Falk was in it, and plus it's not very foul.

Yes, it always helps if there's an actor that I like in the movie, (in this case, Peter Falk), but it's also a very good movie. It's kind of a unique take on the "buddy" movies, but with a bit of a mystery mixed in.

[MovieMeditation]

Staaaaap cricket, you're lowering my confidence with each nomination you watch!

Anyways, I got my ass in gear, literally, and sat down to watch Death Race 2000 just now. :up:

[rauldc14]

Well, you are one ahead of me already MM!

[MovieMeditation]

Wuhu! Confidence boost!

[Citizen Rules]

Add my name to late starters:rolleyes: I haven't watch a film yet for the 9th and only 1 film for the WWII Hof. But now that I'm done with the 50s Hof (one more to go) I can start watching some films:D

[cricket]

Beasts of the Southern Wild

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/10c8fd6f5fbbbd0b523f67b67cddbd0c/beasts-of-the-southern-wild.jpg

I was somewhat optimistic about this one. I knew it was a best picture nominee, and because I was watching it with my wife, I read the synopsis. Unfortunately, the movie ends up having a couple of components that are like the kiss of death for a movie I watch. First off, there's a slight mythical side to the movie, and that's something that will almost always lose me. Secondly, it's a kid's movie. I know it has mature themes, but it stars a kid and is narrated by a kid. The movie didn't annoy or aggravate me, and I can't really pick fault with it. In fact, it has some effective moments. Sorry to whoever nominated this; it just wasn't for me.

2.5

[seanc]

Leave Her To Heaven: I thought I was going to be bored out of my mind through the first half of this film. When it turns, I am pretty sure I love it. The story goes to some places I wasn't expecting. The characters are good and the movie looks great. I think I would have liked it if they rimmed some fat at the beginning of the film and left more room for better development of the courtroom stuff at the end. Very good nomination.

[edarsenal]

I tried watching that on youtube but the video was too pixelated and it looked like a great movie that I didn't want to short change my first watch on bad video. The first ten minutes definitely caught my interest.

[cricket]

I tried watching that on youtube but the video was too pixelated and it looked like a great movie that I didn't want to short change my first watch on bad video. The first ten minutes definitely caught my interest.

Ed, if you have Comcast On-Demand, it's on TCM until the 12th.

[tatmmw2]

The Piano 4.5 *spoilers below*
Amazing movie, the trama made me wonder what was going to be next all the time. It was pretty hilarious when the little girl was swearing. At the beginning it was pretty mysterious, a woman and his daughter in the middle of the beach with a piano (I miss the introduction that I later read online). I wasn't expecting George to fall in love with her, or that Alisdair would let her be with George and even when the piano drag her to the sea, I really though she was dead for good. I had the impression she was going to say something important in the right time, but I guess she didn't. Still an amazing movie what you recommended Swan!

[MovieMeditation]

I didn't expect you to love it, cricket, I figured it wouldn't be for you. :)

[MovieMeditation]

Death Race 2000 (1975)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/Deathrace2000poster.jpg/215px-Deathrace2000poster.jpg

I was going into this with rather low expectations, but something said I was going to dislike it and once it started I was pretty sure I was going to downright hate it.

After watching it, I'm surprised I didn't hate it, because it had many signs showing that I would. It is cheesy and campy as hell, a "central story" is pretty much non-existing, the film is low-budget and has a sense of satire that just doesn't come through. The satire in this movie comes off as an outlined idea rather than something that has been worked on and I personally hate these kind of "satirical films" where they overblow one element of it and calls itself satire. I mean, I guess I just like my satire a bit more clever that's all.

The driving and so-called action was boring and not that well executed until maybe the end. The characters were flat, boring and stereotypical. The movie is a like a car with no engine. Flashy to look at, but it gets nowhere and only seem to talk loud about what's on the outside rather than what's inside. Of course, this film clearly doesn't set itself up as a story-driven deep film, but I didn't even enjoy myself too much with the exterior of it.

My rating is ultimately rather generous, but I can't seem to award it with anything lower though there are many things screaming at me to do so. It's bad enough to annoy me, but not awful enough to truly piss me off.

2-

[Swan]

MM not liking an exploitation film? What else is new? :p

[MovieMeditation]

MM not liking an exploitation film? What else is new? :p
I love Zombie Flesh Eaters bruh, c'mon!

I like some French New Wave Horror, I love Death Proof, I love Machete, I like a lot!!!!!

But exploitation is hit or miss (mostly miss) with me. It is a stupid genre tbh. Anyways whatever. :D

[Swan]

YER FACE IS A STUPID GENRE.

[MovieMeditation]

YER FACE IS A STUPID GENRE.
ABSTRACT ART CAN STILL BE BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[Swan]

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/qi2r5cwgejjl.jpg

[Swan]

He looks high af in that picture.

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=24146&stc=1&d=1455038653
Death Race 2000

In the year 2000...the distant future;) Americans have become overly obsessed with graphic violence as entertainment, of course that would never happen today;)...The President/Dictator keeps the people pacified by giving them what they want...and they want the Death Race! the ultimate spectator sport where over-the-top violence in a cross country car race plays out for TV viewing pleasure, as contestants score points by running down and killing pedestrian, all the while, overly zealous TV reporters tally up the daily kill score. (and that was one long run-on sentence!)

So what's not to like about that? For 1975 that's a pretty groovy idea for a movie!

From the get-go my attention was held in high gear by the sheer satirical wit and spectacle of bizarre cars and topless women which makes such a strange film satisfying.

Death Race 2000 never takes itself seriously. Because of that, the outlandish scenes of running down and killing pedestrians not only works, but rocks!

I loved the scene where one of the Death racers spots a mother & children having a quiet country picnic. “If they scatter, go for the baby and the mother.”....As the mother and kids run for their life, the baby is left behind and we hear, "GO FOR THE BABY! THE BABY! :laugh:

I loved it when the old people hospital, wheels out elderly patients, lining them up for an easy hit by the racers. But something else happens that is very rewarding! That's a clever scene.

I thought David Carradine who was quirky in real life, was perfectly cast as the mysterious masked man, Frankenstein.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=24148&stc=1&d=1455040632


Sylvester Stallone as Machine Gun Joe, totally steals the film! No wonder he became a big star shortly after this. His navigator does a darn good Judi Holliday impersonation. Which is just one more layer of coolness to the film. Though if you don't know who Judi Holliday is I guess you won't get it.

Not all movies have to be artsy high-brow, this one's clever, hilarious and one helluva ride! rating_4

[MovieMeditation]

I'm gonna rewatch the remake now AKA the better film. ;)

[jiraffejustin]

I'm gonna rewatch the remake now AKA the better film. ;)

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnzw9wBQOL1qzstkb.gif

[jiraffejustin]

My copy of The Rules of the Game had some issues, so I didn't get that watched. I was pretty busy in the latter part of last week, so I didn't get to my Adaptation rewatch.

I did watch Leave Her to Heaven though. It's a solid nomination, CR.

Some of the acting was a little rough, mostly by the guy playing Danny. To be fair to him, I don't think that character was written particularly well, or perhaps he just seems silly to me. He's too over the top for me, the close younger brother, he's dealing with illness, and he's always extra chipper. He became grating after just a little while, the cliche overload was doing me in.

That's my only real complaint, I suppose. The positives do outweigh the negatives, but it does hurt my enjoyment and might keep this movie relegated to the lower-middle section of my list.

On the flipside, the technicolor bonus is in effect; technicolor is always gorgeous. Gene Tierney is great as the jealous "lover." Aside from Danny, the writing/story is all very good stuff.

The best part of the film has to be the second hour, starting right after Ellen mentions the thing about the baby growing inside of her. We see a wonderful shot of her standing near the top of the stairs with just the right touch of light coming through a curtained window shining on blue wallpaper with a white pattern, with Ellen dressed in a blue gown. The ominous music growing with the passing seconds created a really tense scene, my favorite in the film. I'd call it the turning point in the film as it goes from "pretty good, but nothing special" to "pretty good, memorable, and worthwhile." Hopefully that makes sense on how I feel about it.

I probably wouldn't have seen it if wasn't nominated in a hof, so thanks for that, CR.

[cricket]

I read that the actor who played Danny was abused by the director, and that he almost drowned in the lake because they kept forcing him to redo that scene.

[jiraffejustin]

I read that the actor who played Danny was abused by the director, and that he almost drowned in the lake because they kept forcing him to redo that scene.

Damn.

Maybe he was fed up with his acting. :D

[Guaporense]

Guys. I don't have the free time to participate in this. So I am dropping out.

[rauldc14]

Thank you for the early notice Guap. Hope to see you in the 10th

[cricket]

That's too bad, Guap. I was really looking forward to Shiki Jitsu.

[Swan]

I've stalled but that's only because I'm focusing on getting the B-Movie HoF done. I have three left there, then I will start back on this. I have no plans of dropping out.

[SilentVamp]

Guys. I don't have the free time to participate in this. So I am dropping out.
That is too bad. Yours was the first one that I was watching. I was 25 minutes into it and then my computer restarted. :rolleyes: But I was actually planning on finishing it this weekend. Oh, well. I suppose I will still watch it sometime after I get through all the rest of these.

[Gatsby]

The Best Years of Our Lives (Wyler, 1946)

http://i.imgur.com/ulxQwa2.jpg

Normally I dislike films about war that takes place after the war it discusses, because usually what you'll get is an awkwardly shoed-in romance, drama, or patriotism. Or all of the above.

This means that I love films that go against what is expected from me. The Best Years of Lives is about the story of three troubled men who are struggling with getting back to a normal life. The three are not war heroes, they are not extraordinary, or eccentric in any way: they are genuine human beings who have the eyes of some who wants to tell their story, but can't because nobody will understand and relate.

At 2 hours and 50 minutes, the film could have felt a bit mundane. but there are some great deep-focus shots, honest dialogue and moments that keep the film going. Some scenes do get too sentimental (as always), in defense however, in a post-war film those scenes are inevitable, and do work if you have interesting characters, which is the case for The Best Years of Our Lives.

On whether or not this film gives an accurate portrayal: who cares, as long as the film delivers.

4.5-

[Daniel M]

Glad you enjoyed it Gatsby. I guess a few scenes to venture a little close to being sentimental, or perhaps the solution seems to simple, but I think overall all the characters are portrayed with enough genuine affection for themselves and their problems, the important thing to me was that it felt sincere. I think in my mini-review I actually forgot to mention the deep focus photography which is great. Gregg Toland's (Citizen Kane) work is fantastic...

http://generationfilm.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/best_years_of_our_lives.jpg

[neiba]

I haven't started this yet! I'll try to finish at least one of the other 2 HoFs I'm in by the end of this months and I'll start this! :)

[Citizen Rules]

I like romance, drama, and patriotism in a war film. Especially in a 40s-50s war film. Today a war film would be shoot with a 100 camera cuts a minute, with shaky cam and ultra gore. That's fast food.

[rauldc14]

So the TCM broadcast of Leave Her to Heaven is On Demand, so I will be starting with that film for this HOF.

[AlexWilder]

the exams are over so i'm free now ( well half free..xD ) so i think im gonna start today or tomorrow, maybe i'll start with orson's film.

[Guaporense]

That is too bad. Yours was the first one that I was watching. I was 25 minutes into it and then my computer restarted. :rolleyes: But I was actually planning on finishing it this weekend. Oh, well. I suppose I will still watch it sometime after I get through all the rest of these.

I can still watch it, right? ;) I dropped out because I felt overwhelmed with the 3 hofs I was participating plus my additional interests.

I dropped put now because I though nobody had watched my nomination.

[rauldc14]

Leave Her to Heaven
http://i.imgur.com/HWcqugE.jpg
This is the second straight nomination from Citizen that boded really well for me. I liked Thursday's comparison of this to a classic Gone Girl. 5 stars alone go to Gene Tierney, who was amazing in this. The technicolor used in the film really made it stand out prominently and I'm glad I got to see it in a legitimate format. Tierneys character was the highlight of the film, going from an innocent loving character to one of deceit and distrust. The story was real solid. Lots of people griped about the beginning of the film but to me I would have liked a little more of a shock value to the ending as I could certainly see it coming (although I don't think it was meant as a surprise, a small ending twist would have made it a tad more satisfying)

3.5+

PS Google sucks. How the hell can't I put pictures on here anymore on my ipad :p

[Gatsby]

You can still post pictures. Save the image on your device then upload to an image site, instead of copy and pasting the link.

[AlexWilder]

So i started the HoF yesterday with Leave Her to Heaven
it was a good start, in the middle of the film i was a little bit disappointed i expected more from the film and the story seemed in the first hour of the movie plain and predictable but the last half hour saved the movie with an interesting turn of events and a great way to show it especially with the courthouse scenes.
the acting was good especially from gene tierney who was just perfect for the role, i also loved the cinematography and the use of colors.

[SilentVamp]

I finally got a chance to get to the library today. So, this is what I will be watching this week:

Beasts Of the Southern Wild
Brief Encounter (re-watch)
Time Lapse
The Lives of Others
The Descendants (re-watch)


I can't play games, though. I have to get these 5 watched this week because the library that I checked them out from won't allow me to renew them. :mad: I have to get them back in a week. So, be expecting some sort of reviews from me in that amount of time. :yup:

[Swan]

Starting Beasts of the Southern Wild right now. My expectations are extremely low, knowing it's MM's nomination.

[cricket]

Adaptation.

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/2e62fa0d306108b7f3fd7c44682d7d1b/adaptation.jpg

I'm not sure if this movie is brilliant, or if it just has me fooled into thinking that way, but I get more out of it every time I watch it. I think my feelings will only grow stronger as time passes. What's better than having Nic Cage in a movie? Having two Nic Cages, of course. Throw in the great Meryl Streep, an incredible Chris Cooper, and a wide array of other terrific actors, and you have constant high quality acting. The story and dialogue are a huge treat, and I love the way Being John Malkovich is incorporated into it all. I think it's a great combination of entertainment and intelligence, and it's so original. I love it!

4.5-

[gbgoodies]

Adaptation.

I'm not sure if this movie is brilliant, or if it just has me fooled into thinking that way, but I get more out of it every time I watch it. I think my feelings will only grow stronger as time passes. What's better than having Nic Cage in a movie? Having two Nic Cages, of course. Throw in the great Meryl Streep, an incredible Chris Cooper, and a wide array of other terrific actors, and you have constant high quality acting. The story and dialogue are a huge treat, and I love the way Being John Malkovich is incorporated into it all. I think it's a great combination of entertainment and intelligence, and it's so original. I love it!

4.5-


There are two Nic Cages in this movie?! :eek:

He's one of my top reasons for avoiding a movie, so I can't imagine liking a movie that has two of him in it. :skeptical:

[Swan]

He's actually fantastic in it, GB.

[gbgoodies]

He's actually fantastic in it, GB.


I'll try to watch it with an open mind, but offhand, I can't think of any Nic Cage movies that I've liked. :shrug:

[seanc]

Have you seen any of Kauffman's stuff GB? I will be kind of surprised if you respond very well to it.

[gbgoodies]

Have you seen any of Kauffman's stuff GB? I will be kind of surprised if you respond very well to it.


I had to look him up to see what else he's done.

I liked Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but neither would be considered a favorite movie, and I didn't like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

[Citizen Rules]

Adaption is one of the films I'm really looking forward to. It sounds like my type of film too:

A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean for the screen.

[jiraffejustin]

It's not a typical "Nic Cage movie." A good director, a good screenwriter, other good actors, and an out-of-body Nic Cage performance make Adaptation. more than any other movie Nic Cage was in. It also makes Adaptation. one of the best movies of the last 25 years. There's this complex playfulness that is fun to peel off in these Charlie Kaufman movies.

Some spoilery stuff follows.

I just finished my rewatch: I got most of my joy this time from the way all of the time we are hearing the things we are not supposed to do in writing movies, but the movie ignoring its own "advice." We get our Deus ex Machina, or maybe even two of them if we want to look at it that way, in Robert McKee, who warns us of the perils of the Deus ex Machina and of voice over, and even more so in the hungry alligator. In a movie about scriptwriting, it's fitting that so many plot devices are played with, one of them being Chekov's gun, the alligators we see every time we visit the swamp. Multiple personalities is played with, maybe in more of a meta sense, even though I can't say for certain I like using the term "meta." Donald Kaufman doesn't exist, but Charlie Kaufman does. Donald Kaufman is his Tyler Durden in this case, but in the reality of this movie he actually exists as what Charlie wants to be, but can't, depending on your perspective, raise or lower himself to the standards of Donald.

cricket you are right about this movie being brilliant.

[gbgoodies]

It's not a typical "Nic Cage movie." A good director, a good screenwriter, other good actors, and an out-of-body Nic Cage performance make Adaptation. more than any other movie Nic Cage was in. It also makes Adaptation. one of the best movies of the last 25 years. There's this complex playfulness that is fun to peel off in these Charlie Kaufman movies.

Some spoilery stuff follows.

I just finished my rewatch: I got most of my joy this time from the way all of the time we are hearing the things we are not supposed to do in writing movies, but the movie ignoring its own "advice." We get our Deus ex Machina, or maybe even two of them if we want to look at it that way, in Robert McKee, who warns us of the perils of the Deus ex Machina and of voice over, and even more so in the hungry alligator. In a movie about scriptwriting, it's fitting that so many plot devices are played with, one of them being Chekov's gun, the alligators we see every time we visit the swamp. Multiple personalities is played with, maybe in more of a meta sense, even though I can't say for certain I like using the term "meta." Donald Kaufman doesn't exist, but Charlie Kaufman does. Donald Kaufman is his Tyler Durden in this case, but in the reality of this movie he actually exists as what Charlie wants to be, but can't, depending on your perspective, raise or lower himself to the standards of Donald.

cricket you are right about this movie being brilliant.


Before this HoF started, I had already heard that Adaptation was a very good movie, but I didn't know anything about it, including the cast. (I usually try not to read much about movies that I haven't seen yet.) I was looking forward to seeing it because of it's high praise, so I'll still watch it. I'll just have to pretend that Nic Cage isn't in it.

[Thursday Next]

The Descendants

I don't know right now whether I liked this or not. It seemed to be a weird mix between comedy and drama, which is a difficult balance to pull off at the best of times. I felt like as the movie went on, it lost some of the humour of the start. It seemed to struggle to balance the different plot elements as well - was it about Matt King coping with his children, or pursuing his wife's affair, or deciding on the land deal? Obviously the answer should be all of these, but it felt like the problem children who are in the foreground at the start, get pushed to one side a little bit as the movie becomes more about finding the man Elizabeth had an affair with. Also, at times it felt really grown up and original, but then it threw in some more cliched elements - the disgruntled mother saying "I'll go straight to the dean! You can't buy your way out of this." (who talks like that?), or the sleazy real-estate developer, or the slightly cheesy resolution to the land sale plot. Visually it wasn't interesting or nice to look at. (When you start to think a film might work better as a book you know there's something wrong with it.) BUT all that said I didn't dislike it at all. It was competently made, well acted and interesting story-wise - most of the time I didn't know where it was going next, and avoided ever becoming too melodramatic or too straightforward. There aren't any easy answers in the situation the family is facing, there aren't any heroes or villains and that was conveyed quite well.

[MovieMeditation]

Damn, I've been stuck on two movies watched for quite some time now. But I've been so busy.

I'll try and fit a nom into the weekend.

- Oh, and good write-up, Thursday! Seems like we have some of the same mixed feelings towards it.

[Beatle]

Hello all. :) Could someone explain how this works? So that I know for the next time around. All who have joined see all the movies, and then there's a vote?

[rauldc14]

Damn, I've been stuck on two movies watched for quite some time now. But I've been so busy.

I'll try and fit a nom into the weekend.

- Oh, and good write-up, Thursday! Seems like we have some of the same mixed feelings towards it.

I was going to watch one today but the damn survivor game ruined it.

[jiraffejustin]

Found Leave Her to Heaven in a box of free books outside of the restaurant I ate at tonight. I picked up a few others as well, but I didn't give the boxes a good enough combing. Being high on allergy pills will do that to you; but, it's okay, because I like to party. Not even sure why I posted this, probably the allergy pills too.

[MovieMeditation]

Hello all. :) Could someone explain how this works? So that I know for the next time around. All who have joined see all the movies, and then there's a vote?
Wait. Didn't you join the 8th Hall of Fame?

[Beatle]

Wait. Didn't you join the 8th Hall of Fame?

I did, but due to my issues I dropped out. I just couldn't be here. I've forgotten how this works already. In all honesty, I don't know, out of the responsability for others, whether I should join even the next one. We all saw what happened the last time. But all I have to do is see all the movies, right? I don't know...better not. I'm just too unreliable. Plus I can hardly endure a movie these days. I'm still welcomed to drop in now and then, aren't I?

[MovieMeditation]

It's okay, Beatle, I just had to make sure. :)

Yes, the rules to officially join is that you have to watch all the movies nominated and in return others will watch your nomination as well. Then the point is you discuss and debate along the way and when the deadline comes you send in a list, ranked from best to worst, and we'll see which movie wins and gets included in the forum's Hall of Fame.

As always, all members are welcome to join the discussions and watch the movies without being an official part of the HoF, BUT they don't get to send a nomination and they don't get to have a say in the final ranking of the films. For that you have to join at the beginning, nominate a movie AND of course watch all movies, as stated above.

But you don't have to be disappointed or mad with yourself that you didn't finish, Beatle. A lot of people drop out of these HoF, so you are far from the only one. But of course we encourage people to only join if they are sure they can finish. Some things might come up along the way and we can't do much about that.

Anyways, you are welcome to join future HoF's if you ever feel like you are in a period where you are available and in the mood to finish. Until then you are welcome to join the debate on all the ongoing HoFs and maybe comment on the ones you already watched. It's up to you. ;)

[Beatle]

It's okay, Beatle, I just had to make sure. :)

Yes, the rules to officially join is that you have to watch all the movies nominated and in return others will watch your nomination as well. Then the point is you discuss and debate along the way and when the deadline comes you send in a list, ranked from best to worst, and we'll see which movie wins and gets included in the forum's Hall of Fame.

As always, all members are welcome to join the discussions and watch the movies without being an official part of the HoF, BUT they don't get to send a nomination and they don't get to have a say in the final ranking of the films. For that you have to join at the beginning, nominate a movie AND of course watch all movies, as stated above.

But you don't have to be disappointed or mad with yourself that you didn't finish, Beatle. A lot of people drop out of these HoF, so you are far from the only one. But of course we encourage people to only join if they are sure they can finish. Some things might come up along the way and we can't do much about that.

Anyways, you are welcome to join future HoF's if you ever feel like you are in a period where you are available and in the mood to finish. Until then you are welcome to join the debate on all the ongoing HoFs and maybe comment on the ones you already watched. It's up to you. ;)

Yeah, thanks man. CHRYSTAL clear. I'll sure as hell drop here every once in a while, to speak my mind. And maybe even oldes HoFs. When is the next one sheduled? I really am not sure at all if I'll join, probably not, but if I do, it'll be only if I'm 100% certain that I'll be able to finish (unless a nuclear war breaks out), and I'll nominate again The Killing Fields. I'd really like for people to see it. :)

[rauldc14]

Are any of these noms on Netflix or Hulu that anyone knows of?

[Swan]

Are any of these noms on Netflix or Hulu that anyone knows of?

Time Lapse is on Netflix Instant.

[Camo]

Dead Man Walking was on Netflix Instant not sure if it still is.

[Swan]

Camo's Boxing Gloves are on Instant, cause that's how fast they are.

[cricket]

Rules of the Game is on Hulu

I watched Mikey and Nicky online and could find the link if you need it.

[tatmmw2]

Time Lapse is on Netflix Instant.
Is it?..I mean, I definitively knew that :shifty:

[Swan]

I gave Adaptation a rewatch tonight, and ended up writing a review for it here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1463861#post1463861).

[Thursday Next]

Death Race 2000

What the hell did I just watch? I still don’t know quite what to make of this. It’s essentially a super violent Wacky Races. As it started I thought I would hate it. But then it was actually quite funny in places. Then in other places it just came across as cheap, and I still don’t know whether it was intentionally bad or just bad. In the end, I sort of enjoyed it and I can definitely see the cult appeal, although the ending was cheese and I'd hoped for it to be a bit more dark and satirical than it was.

[cricket]

HBO On Demand has The Piano; I may watch it tonight.

[rauldc14]

The Rules of the Game

Don't kill me Gatsby but I really dislike this film. It is mainly because the themes are uninteresting to me and I don't care at all about any of the characters in the film. This was a Rewatch for me but I think I actually liked it less the second time around (so, a reverse Rashomon effect). When it comes to foreign films I need a good story with good characters, and this one provides neither for me. Initially when I watched this film it was because it has been regarded as on of the best films of all time, and two watches in I just don't see that at all. Sorry.

1.5

[Swan]

What do you need with non-foreign films?

[rauldc14]

Probably the same, but other things can save it. A film like this can simply be chalked up as "not for me".

[Swan]

That's fine, I'm just wondering why you made the distinction between foreign and non-foreign. Aren't they all just films?

[rauldc14]

Answered you via comment Swan.

[Citizen Rules]

I also watched Rules of the Game last night and I've been agonizing over if I should even write my opinion of it....I don't want to bum out Gatsby. But I need to be honest in my opinion.

Rules of the Game, I didn't hate it, but it didn't do much for me. I felt no connection to it, nor was I ever 'in the film', it's certainly nothing that made an impact on me. In a way the criticism of my film Lady Killer applies to Rules of the Game, it's entertainment with some funny prat falls and zany characters, but nothing extra special.

The movie looks great with high production values and skilled camera work. I liked the actress who played Lisette, she was very personable.

[jiraffejustin]

Don't be bummed out, Gatsby.

I watched The Rules of the Game recently as well, but I loved it. The camera work and framing seemed well ahead of its time and impressed me on several occasions. And I enjoyed how humorous the film is, particularly the fight and chase scenes. I enjoy well done slapstick humor, and I love well done slapstick fight scenes.

[Thursday Next]

I really liked The Rules of the Game, but now I'm scared to watch it again in case it turns out to be this horrible slapstick film everyone else is watching and not the brilliant one I thought I saw years ago...

[Citizen Rules]

I've been thinking about The Rules of the Game, I do believe it's an excellent nomination for the Hof, as it's a highly regarded film. I'm glad to have final watched it too.

It's a very French film, in that it embodies joie de vivre (love of life). I've noticed that French films and literature love to have everyone in love with everyone else, including married people...which for westerns can be hard to relate to.

The other very French thing this film does is to poke fun at the rich aristocracy class. The well to do are lampooned, which I'm sure was to the delight of the working class French who saw this film back in the day.

I didn't connect to the film but I'm sure some will.

[cricket]

The Best Years of Our Lives

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v27hJrrgr_A/STHVzgBWcpI/AAAAAAAAVYY/njZgKkeSN2s/s1600/T-44189.jpg

This was my second time watching this movie, and nothing has changed. The first half hour has me with constant tears in my eyes. It is unbelievable how fast I truly care about the three men who are on their way home after being in the war. Even though they are just meeting for the first time, their camaraderie is instantaneous. They are not portrayed as saints, but they are good, solid men, and the stage is set for the rest of this almost 3 hour movie. The rest of the movie is consistently strong, if unspectacular, and every scene feels sincere and heartfelt. It's hard to explain, but the movie just seems to have a wonderful aura about it. The whole cast is fantastic and help make the whole thing seem so real. I wouldn't call this a feel good movie, yet watching it is a beautiful and joyous experience.

4.5

[gbgoodies]

Time Lapse is a very interesting time travel movie about a group of friends who find a camera that takes pictures 24 hours in the future. It has a few plot holes, but if you can overlook them, it's a very good movie. (Due to spoilers, I don't want to say too much about this movie until more people watch it, but I recommend it if you like unique time travel stories.)

[Gatsby]

The Rules of the Game
1.5
http://i.imgur.com/WplULOT.gif

[seanc]

The Piano: I had the same reaction to this that I had to Quills and Sex, Lies, And Videotapes in previous HOF. It is very well done. Very good cinematography, great performances, absolutely outstanding music. I had a very hard time engaging with the narrative. It is not themes of sexuality that bother me. It bothers me when I find no other motivations in the characters past the sex. That was my issue with the other two films, and it was my biggest obstacle here. I am supposed to be squarely in the corner of Keitel but until the last thirty minutes I was for Neil. Keitel is very rapey through most of this film but once him and Hunter are together,it as if all that should go away. I do like the final scenes, starting with Neil's turn, where hopefully everyone has got off his side. This is a good movie, and a good nomination. I can see why people love it. The themes are just not for me unfortunately.

[cricket]

I was debating on if I should put The Piano on tonight for my wife and I. I was wondering if she could possibly like it, but I decided no literally about 5 minutes before I saw your write-up. I'm looking forward to it still, and I'm a fan of the two movies you compared it to.

[Swan]

We seem to look for different things in cinema, you and I, Sean. Which is coo. For example, you seem to need characters arcs and themes in order to enjoy a film. Those things can be great but I don't believe they are necessary to the medium. I think you can show the immense complexity of being human in other ways and have it be just as poignant as a character arc. Johnny in Naked doesn't have much of an arc, it's basically just a snapshot and examination of a fatalistic man at one point in his life. But, it's the greatest character study ever put on celluloid, in my opinion.

This isn't much to do about The Piano, I know. But you talk about character arcs and themes in your reviews often, so I wanted to talk about that. :)

[seanc]

We seem to look for different things in cinema, you and I, Sean. Which is coo. For example, you seem to need characters arcs and themes in order to enjoy a film. Those things can be great but I don't believe they are necessary to the medium. I think you can show the immense complexity of being human in other ways and have it be just as poignant as a character arc. Johnny in Naked doesn't have much of an arc, it's basically just a snapshot and examination of a fatalistic man at one point in his life. But, it's the greatest character study ever put on celluloid, in my opinion.

This isn't much to do about The Piano, I know. But you talk about character arcs and themes in your reviews often, so I wanted to talk about that. :)

Yeah, we do and I think you are dead on about what appeals to me. I never like it when I am iffy on one of the movies my buddies love. Ultimately though, that's what makes cinema great, the diversity. Makes it fun to talk about and that is why I never fake it.

[Swan]

Of course. I'm all about people having their own opinions about film and not caring about what anyone else thinks about it. So feel free to bash any of the films I love in the future. By the way, The Shawshank Redemption is overly sappy garbage.

:D

[seanc]

You crossed the line, we're through.

[mark f]

sean, did you say what the themes are in The Piano? Sexuality? I thought it was an examination of an exotic land through the eyes and heart of a strange, troubled woman who is constantly being treated as property and can only find happiness playing her piano which is quickly taken from her and sold. The plot from there, involving a battle of the sexes, was fascinating. I thought Sam Neill's character was a butthole basically the entire movie.

[seanc]

sean, did you say what the themes are in The Piano? Sexuality? I thought it was an examination of an exotic land through the eyes and heart of a strange, troubled woman who is constantly being treated as property and can only find happiness playing her piano which is quickly taken from her and sold. The plot from there, involving a battle of the sexes, was fascinating. I thought Sam Neill's character was a butthole basically the entire movie.

He's set up as that, but why? You could say he is misogynistic, and in a different movie that would be enough. But when the Keitel character is set up as the good guy, I think that falls apart.

I like the idea of what you are saying, but once we are off the beach I don't feel that at all.

[mark f]

Keitel at least treats her as a person, not chattel. They both need something so there is an agreement - a relationship. Neill may not know any better since his family supports him and it's the Victorian Era, but since Keitel's gone native, he's not as concerned with the Empire's mores.

[Citizen Rules]

...I thought Sam Neill's character was a butthole basically the entire movie. Please tell me we don't have to actually see it:eek:



I was debating on if I should put The Piano on tonight for my wife and I. I was wondering if she could possibly like it, but I decided no literally about 5 minutes before I saw your write-up That has me worried! I watch all these Hof movies with my wife and if Mrs Cricket won't like The Piano, I'm thinking Mrs Rules won't either.

[mark f]

Keitel and Hunter are full-frontal, not Neill.

[seanc]

Keitel at least treats her as a person.

Yikes, I can understand why people like this movie so much but I have a hard time understanding that.

[Swan]

Come on guys it's a beautiful film. Don't make me put on my Holly Hunter face.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8teomINnR1rb83v8o1_500.gif

[Citizen Rules]

Keitel and Hunter are full-frontal, not Neill.
Are those guys or girls, please tell me they're girls.:)

[seanc]

It is beautiful. There is a shot of Hunter in the mirror that really grabbed me for some reason. It's quick but great.

[Swan]

Are those guys or girls, please tell me they're girls.:)

It's a male and a female, and it is shown in a very artistic respective way in my opinion.

It's the human body folks.

[Swan]

At least I didn't make you guys watch Haneke's The Piano Teacher. :p

[mark f]

I had a hard time understanding your problems with the "themes". What themes?

[Citizen Rules]

It's a male and a female, and it is shown in a very artistic respective way in my opinion.

It's the human body folks. I wish we were watching these in some order as I like to add to the conversation but can't, I haven't seen it.

It is beautiful. There is a shot of Hunter in the mirror that really grabbed me for some reason. It's quick but great. I just looked it up, oh Holly Hunter, cool.

[seanc]

I had a hard time understanding your problems with the "themes". What themes?

Surely you can see that sexuality is one of the themes. It is all Neil and Keitel's intentions are with her until near the end. I have a hard time getting into a character that falls in love with a man who treats her like a whore for the better part of a movie and then uses her sexuality on the man who at least had an interest in her that went beyond sex. The only reason she does it is because of the other man. She gets a bit rapey herself.

I can understand what you are saying up above, and that does go beyond the surface narrative but what I am saying is there in a more overt way and is what drives the majority of the film.

[Swan]

Lol sean, dislike the film much?

[Swan]

And anyway, what right have you to call her a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France?

[seanc]

Lol sean, dislike the film much?

I really didn't. I'm not crazy in thinking sexuality is one of the themes though, right?

[Swan]

I really didn't. I'm not crazy in thinking sexuality is one of the themes though, right?

I'm not sure. I think sexuality is more a tool to explore other things, but I don't think you're crazy for thinking otherwise. I mean, it's obviously in the film a lot. I think if it were exploring sexuality as a theme it would be a bit different, though. I would have to watch the film again to really know what I think.

[Swan]

I think Blue is the Warmest Color is an example of a film with sexuality as a theme (in fact, it's main theme). It's exploring sexuality itself. The Piano on the other hand is maybe using sexuality to explore how women were treated in that society at that time.

[mark f]

It's more about gender politics, but I feel I'm cheapening the film by overanalyzing it a certain way. Better to enjoy it viscerally for its unique locations, unpredictable story, acting, characters and music. :)

[Swan]

However, I could be reaching. I ought to watch the film again. I love the film for it's craft, characters, performances, score, direction, atmosphere - it's pure beauty. But, as we talked about earlier, themes are not always as important to me with certain films as they are with you. Sometimes they are, and speak to me. I think Synecdoche, New York is one of the best films ever when it comes to exploring themes. But, my appreciation for The Piano is not so much about it's themes as it is what I see as it's pure beauty, cinematically, character-wise, and story-wise.

[seanc]

I think Blue is the Warmest Color is an example of a film with sexuality as a theme (in fact, it's main theme). It's exploring sexuality itself. The Piano on the other hand is maybe using sexuality to explore how women were treated in that society at that time.

This isn't a coming of age sexual story at all but I do think it is obvious that Neil's character is repressed sexually. I think there is good reason to think Keitel's is as well. I feel bad for Hunter and I am interested in how she is feeling on both fronts that you guys are talking about. Being a woman forced into this marriage and coming to a strange country. Beyond being attached to the piano we don't see this explored at all though. Everything with Keitel is sexual until the climax (no pun intended). Maybe the major difference between how I feel and how you guys feel is that I have a big problem with Keitel's behavior at the beginning of the relationship.

[seanc]

It's more about gender politics

I will just say one more thing about this and then let it be. I really feel like this would come through more if the film didn't put us squarely on the side of one of the male characters.


I have said enough bad. I do want to reinforce that I thought the cinematography was very good and the score was amazing. I love the piano, and we get tons of beautiful piano music.

[Swan]

Maybe the major difference between how I feel and how you guys feel is that I have a big problem with Keitel's behavior at the beginning of the relationship.

It's a complex film emotionally and with it's characters, but that's why I like it.

[Swan]

I will just say one more thing about this and then let it be. I really feel like this would come through more if the film didn't put us squarely on the side of one of the male characters.


I have said enough bad. I do want to reinforce that I thought the cinematography was very good and the score was amazing. I love the piano, and we get tons of beautiful piano music.

Nah dude you're good, we're just talking. Your criticisms are certainly thought-provoking. I think we're just seeing the film with different eyes.

I'm glad you appreciated it technically, though. If you couldn't respect the cinematography, then I'd think you were crazy. ;)

[mark f]

The piano is the way Hunter gives voice to her passions and joy. Even her daughter is jealous of the piano. The ending shows how her character has evolved in her relationship to the piano and life.

[rauldc14]

I'd like to make the deadline May 22nd if that's kosher with everyone.

[MovieMeditation]

I'd like to make the deadline May 22nd if that's kosher with everyone.
Damn I got work to do.

So far I'm only at 2/16... but maybe 3/16, since I might not bother watching my own nom again. After all I did watch it very recently, which is also the reason I chose to nominate later on.

[rauldc14]

I'm only at 2 as well. But we still got 3 months!!! I think there's only 15 nominations if I counted right since Guap dropped.

[MovieMeditation]

Ah yes that's true. I hadn't updated the list I had in my notes program...