ScarletLion's Movie Log

[ScarletLion]

I figured that given I am watching so many movies at the moment, I :

1) Was clogging up the "Rate the Last Movie you watched" thread with my mini reviews.

2) Need a single place to keep all the rants, praise and general wiffle that I spout.

If anybody comments on my scribblings then thanks. If not, no hard feelings as I'm going to scribble them anyway. I may even do a "Favourite 100 movies" at some point too. Cheers

First up 'Paths of Glory' (1957) :

1.
Kubrick's early movies all seem to be ahead of their time. The camerawork and general imagery in 'The Killing' and '2001' were decades ahead of everybody else. Paths of Glory is no exception. The "over the top" scene was pretty incredible as the camera followed Colonel Dax out of the hole into almost certain death. The move itself was incredibly emotional at the end and just summed up the 'absurdity of war'. I'd go so far as to say it's probably in the Top 15 or 20 WAR movies that I have seen for sure. I wouldn't say it's the most exciting, but it certainly makes you shake your head in disbelief. Based loosely on a true story it depicts man's insanity at the heart of battle. And does it very well.

I actually thought George McReady stole the show. He was terrific as General Mireau and outshone everybody, even Kirk Douglas. Kubrick was 29 when he directed this. Pretty amazing maturity to make something as adult and as intelligent as this movie. It's also amazing to think that this, in my opinion, isn't even Kubrick's best war movie.

A true great. 8.5/10

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3aubmFWAAEN3h_.jpg

[the samoan lawyer]

Paths of Glory is brilliant, great start!! Cant really go wrong with Kubrick.

[ScarletLion]

Cheers. Really enjoyed it. One of those big well known movies that I'm ashamed to say I haven't watched yet. There'll be a few of t in this thread.

Oh and I kind of mucked up the thread title, but there you go. It's just 'all mine' now.

[the samoan lawyer]

Cheers. Really enjoyed it. One of those big well known movies that I'm ashamed to say I haven't watched yet. There'll be a few of t in this thread.

Oh and I kind of mucked up the thread title, but there you go. It's just 'all mine' now.


I'm the same, loads of movies I should have seen but haven't yet. Wouldn't have it any other way though would ya?


Make sure you keep this updated

[Chypmunk]

Nicely written up and a good film to start with :up:

(hope you don't mind me scribbling something in here even though I don't have the initials SL anywhere in my usename ;))

[ScarletLion]

http://i.imgur.com/nIQEvfX.gif http://i.imgur.com/4pWEeyl.gif
2.

'American History X'

I've always been keen to watch this as it's highly rated. Edward Norton's performance stood out as extremely strong and brought back memories of the excellent 'Primal Fear'. Even Furlong was convincing (not an actor I particularly admire). The message was quite clearly spelled out at the end as we read Danny's paper. And that is...... hate doesn't work.

As I was watching it, it became quite clear that:

1) It is a very important film and I can imagine that the reason it's held up so well is that the message is so vital to take on board in order to make society stand up and realise what society should be, and that no matter what "justification" there appears at the time, violence just breeds violence.

2) Unfortunately, the message hasn't got through and the implications of the character's actions still mirror everyday life. I'm sure I don't need to rant anymore about the films moral and how it relates to current affairs, so I won't.

The transformation / 'rehabilitation' of Derek Vinyard was fascinating to watch. I think it all begins when he sees the hypocritical nature of the skinheads in prison (buying drugs from the very people they are supposed to despise) - showing that the neo-nazi bravado is just a sham.

I have 1 question: The character of 'Lamont' - the black prison inmate that leads to Derek's transformation - How much influence does he really have? And does he have any connection with the 'crips' (the black gang that eventually kill Derek's younger brother?

I thought it was an extremely good watch; although the early basketball scene had the completely wrong tone (felt like something out of Rocky when it needed to be more sinister). So there were minor flaws but overall I'd say it's a movie everyone should have on their lists. It would probably make my Top 100.

8.5/10

[Camo]

American History X is one of my least favourite films ever; i think it's horribly heavy handed and it's way of getting across it's stupidly simple message is disgusting. Glad you liked it though, the reps were mainly for you starting the thread because i think i'll like future entries.

[ScarletLion]

American History X is one of my least favourite films ever; i think it's horribly heavy handed and it's way of getting across it's stupidly simple message is disgusting. Glad you liked it though, the reps were mainly for you starting the thread because i think i'll like future entries.

I think it's purposefully heavy handed. There are plenty of other films that deal with the message in subtler ways.

[Miss Vicky]

I have to agree with what Iro said when I reviewed it in my log - it played like an after school special. Good performances and I like the look of the film, but the content just wasn't there.

[ScarletLion]

http://i.imgur.com/840KRVR.gif

3.
'A Separation' (2011)

An example of what happens when a couple of white lies snowball into tragedy. It's a study of the human condition more than anything, and the impulsive not compulsive tendency to say and do whatever your instinct tells you.

The subservient nature of women's attitude to men in this film (and in Iran in general) is interesting, as the female lead breaks from that - making the story unfold in the first place. After she does that there's a conflict and a series of events that spiral a little out of control.

I thought there was an annoying flaw in the dialogue, with too many examples of the two protagonists always sarcastically answering a question with a question, like :

"You're not being fair!"
"Oh really, I'm not being fair?"

This seemed to happen every scene in which they were arguing, but it's only a minor detail.

One thing I will say, is that even though I don't speak Persian, the acting in this movie seemed rather incredible. I know very little about the actors used but it genuinely seemed that the casting department had just put the camera in a corner of a real family's apartment at times. Astonishing stuff - so much so that I'm willing to say that I cannot imagine the same all round performance given by a western cast. Every single character was just so real it was something else - even the old man who barely says a word. This tends to be the case with many foreign language movies - I wonder if I would be quite so enthusiastic if I could speak the language. Who knows.

Anyway, I find that while this is a very compelling movie with a fantastically ambiguous ending, although it is slightly overrated in some quarters. I'd give it about 7.6/10

[ScarletLion]

http://i.imgur.com/YgIfIsE.jpg
4.
'The Mirror' (1975)

This is my first Tarkovsky film. And I have to say that even if I didn't quite understand all the meanings of the Russian literature and poetry combined with the history of society, I will watch more Tarkovsky films on the strength of the visuals alone. That may sound stupid to some, but I kind of let the entire experience seep into me, as it was clear early on that it would be a difficult film to watch in any sort of traditional manner. So I've not got much to comment on as regards any sort of plot, structure or meaning, safe to say that I enjoyed the "experience" that this film gave me. One of the 10 best looking films I've ever seen.

[Miss Vicky]

I watched A Separation for a Hall of Fame and I thought it was excellent. I agree that the characters felt very real. I also really liked that it didn't paint anybody as either hero or villain, but just all flawed humans.

[ScarletLion]

A rather odd double bill for me last night:
5.
'Edge of Seventeen' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/Af1Eei3.jpg

I needed some light relief to watch and wasn't expecting much from this. But I giggled my way through this sharp scripted one and in the end it did surprise me. It's a bit different from you're regular coming of age movie in that it shows that everybody has problems not just the young protagonist. Hailey Steinfeld was absolutely brilliant as the bumbling and unpopular junior (why she was unpopular I don't really know - she seemed a hoot). Woody Harrelson was also a joy to watch in this movie.

I thought the ending brought it down a mark or 2, as it was disappointingly slushy and predictable. But I really enjoyed the overall journey. 7/10

6.
'Persona' (1966)

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

All that light relief ended when I switched this on. It's one of the best Head***k movies I've ever seen and am still not really sure I fully understood the meaning of it. What I took from it, is that us as humans adapt to different people and situations and therefore we all have a split personality to some degree, as we use our "personas" at different moments. Bergman uses some gorgeous shots to make his point - the angles that he films the two female leads are so intelligent and really see the 2 characters meld together both physically on screen and metaphorically, as the usage of repeat dialogue and confusing imagery appear. He also made the score sound effective because alot of the film is silent, so when we hear some of the beautiful, eerie string sounds they stand out.

Those that think it is a pretentious art film probably need to take a step back and see just how much it might have influenced others. I can imagine that this movie inspired such movies as : 'Enemy' and 'Fight Club' and even 'Donnie Darko' and 'Shutter Island'. All with similar themes. I'd give this 8/10.

[Camo]

A Separation is one of my favourite films, my second favourite from this decade after The Master. Glad you liked it even though you don't as much as i do.

The Edge of Seventeen was good. Not fantastic though i agree with your write-up. Persona i need to see again, i watched it while very tired i do remember liking it though.

[ScarletLion]

A Separation is one of my favourite films, my second favourite from this decade after The Master. Glad you liked it even though you don't as much as i do.

The Edge of Seventeen was good. Not fantastic though i agree with your write-up. Persona i need to see again, i watched it while very tired i do remember liking it though.

Did you agree about the ending in Edge of 17 though? It really disappointed me, the movie was heading for an 8 out of 10 before that.

[Camo]

Did you agree about the ending in Edge of 17 though? It really disappointed me, the movie was heading for an 8 out of 10 before that.

Yah, it wasn't good. Honestly don't think it affected my rating much though. I gave it a 3+ so about the same as you did.

[Miss Vicky]

Persona is excellent. :up:

[ScarletLion]

http://i.imgur.com/dL6Qh4O.jpg
7.
'45 years'

I wasn't expecting much from this for some reason. But it turned out it was perfect Friday night film fodder.


The bombshell worked well in the fact that they'd been living a 45 year lie. Everything thy'd shared together was basically a fallacy, which I thought was great concept. I'm not entirely sure why the realisation hits her at the very end scene, as it should really have hit her way before that. I guess the pomp of the dinner hall and dancing just got to her and was perhaps the best example of the falsehood of their relationship.


Charlotte Rampling was her usual fantastic self, but I thought Tom Courtenay hammed it up a bit, especially in the first act when he played the bumbling, mumbling old gent.

Overall a good solid British movie about relationships.

[ScarletLion]

8.
'Y Tu Mamá También' (2001)

http://i.imgur.com/8HYFQ35.png

Life just doesn't turn out the way you think it will. Dealing with that bobmshell is difficult, but this movie just explained in 2 hours why life is unexpected, brilliant, tragic and uplifting - and you can't plan what is going to happen. It's gone straight into my top 100. I absolutely loved it. There are goofy parts but they didn't take away from the message. The movie is simply about death and loss in my opinion, but to tell it in such an affirming and relatable way is huge credit to Cuaron. I probably need to let the film sink in as I've literally just finished watching. But for now I'd rate it as high as 8.5/10. Superb.

[Little Devil]

Great movies you have there. You show a good sensibility to aesthetics.

I have to re-watch The Mirror and I'll add Persona to my *to watch list*.

M;any thanks for this.

[ScarletLion]

Great movies you have there. You show a good sensibility to aesthetics.

I have to re-watch The Mirror and I'll add Persona to my *to watch list*.

M;any thanks for this.

No worries. And thanks.

I've got some crackers lined up this week. Will love to know the Mofos thoughts as usual.

[cricket]

I didn't think much of Y Tu Mama when it first came out but I loved it when I recently revisited it.

[ScarletLion]

I didn't think much of Y Tu Mama when it first came out but I loved it when I recently revisited it.

The 3rd act is brilliant. What a way to sew up a movie.

[Okay]

I didn't like The Edge of Seventeen as much as you did, and I do agree that its ending was its biggest weakness. They really dropped the ball there.

[ScarletLion]

Another odd double bill last night:
9.
The fall (2006)

http://i.imgur.com/o0MVCd4.png

This movie has featured quite frequently in lists of the most beautiful movies of all time. I can now see why. It is absolutely mind blowingly beautiful to watch it unfold. I have no idea what sort of timeframe it took Tarsem Singh to plan, develop and finalise this project but I read that it was filmed in 18 different countries, and I’m not surprised. The sweeping shots of sand dunes, mountains, temples, forests, islands and everything in between truly takes you to a magical mythical place which I’m sure is the intention. It’s a bout an injured, heartbroken stuntman and a girl in hospital recovering from a broken arm. Minor spoilers ahead:

The trouble is – It doesn’t really go anywhere. It feels like a living, breathing Ron Fricke documentary that just sort of fizzles out. There was one moment where I thought it might get interesting and we find out that the little girl is actually on her deathbed and is imagining everything as her real father comes to visit her by her bedside. But it’s far more linear than that and just seems to be a story of how 2 patients at a hospital are getting each other through tough times. (Unless I’ve completely been whooshed by a plot device somewhere along the line.) We see at the end that they are both still in recovery as they watch a moving picture film - and she probably idolises the stuntman in every film she’ll ever watch again. But it’s hardly a “pay off” or a resolution. I like ambiguous endings but this didn’t even provide an ending of any sort really. Inevitably, there will be accusations of “style over substance” as a consequence. Which in this case is quite fair.

That said, I can’t help but admire it for its’ ambitious nature, and I wouldn’t disagree with anybody that said it is one of the most visually striking movies of all time – and that alone is enough to ramp its’ score up a notch………..7/10

10.
‘Wendy and Lucy’ (2008)

http://i.imgur.com/ZdKxtgY.png

This is why I love movieforums.com . Somebody reviewed this on the “Rate the last movie you watched” thread, and being a fan of Michelle Williams I had to give it a go. She really delivers. The girl can act, and the best part of it is that she knows when not to overact. Her mannerisms in this film are excellent because she spends half the movie it chaotic bewilderment as she tries to find her lost dog.

Yes it’s a minimalistic movie. Yes it’s quiet, subdued and downbeat. But you can’t ignore that part of life. And this film showed a side of struggling that a lot of movies don’t. It was like a slice of a drifter’s life, 3 days in time that we peek into and then forget about. Who cares we don’t find out what happens to her, that’s not the point.

So thank you to whoever brought this to my attention last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus it had Bonnie Prince Billy in it. Which was just weird.

I’m off to check out more of Kelly Reichardt’s films, probably starting with’ Meek’s Cutoff’. Meanwhile I’d give this a 7.5/10

[Camo]

Really glad you liked Y Tu Mama Tambien. I just nominated it for the 12th Hall of Fame here.

That's the only one i've seen since my last comment, really want to see Wendy and Lucy though as i love Reichardt. Meek's Cutoff, Night Moves and Certain Women are all very good.

[ScarletLion]

Really glad you liked Y Tu Mama Tambien. I just nominated it for the 12th Hall of Fame here.

That's the only one i've seen since my last comment, really want to see Wendy and Lucy though as i love Reichardt. Meek's Cutoff, Night Moves and Certain Women are all very good.

I need to get on this hall of fame stuff.

[Miss Vicky]

Shame you didn't enjoy The Fall more than that. Have you seen The Cell?

[ScarletLion]

Shame you didn't enjoy The Fall more than that. Have you seen The Cell?

I have not. But heard good things. Will check it out soon.

7/10 isn't a bad score btw!

[Miss Vicky]

I didn't even look at the rating, just read the not so favorable review. I love The Cell, but wouldn't suggest any of Tarsem Singh's other work. Except maybe the music video for R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion.

[Camo]

I need to get on this hall of fame stuff.

I need to get off it, i can never not join them now haha.

[ScarletLion]

11.
'In the Mood for Love' (2000)

http://i.imgur.com/9UxDOOZ.png

Beautiful Film. It felt like it was from the 1950s. Brilliantly played by the 2 leads and an absolutely terrific 3rd act. The absence of what are essentially the 2 villains is fabulous - as was the playing out of the adulterous actions by the protagonists that made you think you were watching something else in various scenes. 8/10

12.
'The Squid and the Whale' (2005)

http://i.imgur.com/LawaG5y.png

I had no idea it would be such a poignant, funny, sensitive and memorable film. The script was sharp the cast made it. A real insight into Noah Baumbach's young psyche I suppose. The humour was as dry as I can remember. I've seen a couple of Woody Allen films and in some parts it reminded me of them. Also loved the 'in movie movie' of David Lynch's "Blue Velvet".

Enjoyed it. 7.5/10

[Chypmunk]

In The Mood... is a lovely film, gets the same rating from me.

[ScarletLion]

13.
'Irreversible' (2002)

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

Well that was a tough watch. There's not many movies I've watched where I've had to look away from the screen but I did during this. After the first 20 minutes I thought that it might be a gratuitously violent art film. But I was wrong. As it unfolds it becomes more and more tense and increasingly meaningful. Loved the nod to kubrick and the subtle hints at what's come before in terms of the philosophical side of time / art.

No doubt it will be compared to Memento as it came before, but this is a great film in itself. Even with Vincent Cassell's hilarious goof when he calls himself by his own name instead of the character's. The infamous scene will always get talked about but that shouldn't distract from what is a really interesting movie. I particularly liked the constant references to time, fate and how we think we can change what's going to happen but some things are written in the stars.

One of those movies that I won't be in a hurry to watch again soon, even though I really enjoyed it. 8/10

[ScarletLion]

14.
'Cinema Paradiso' (1990)

http://i.imgur.com/fHkXCHg.gif

Ah what a beautiful film. It's another classic that I've shamefully never got round to seeing. Until now. I didn't see the Director's cut, just the theatrical Blu-Ray and it was really lovely.

It's another of those movies that aims to show that 'life jut doesn't plan out the way you think it will" etc but it is very well done with expert photography. Even the very first shot resembled a cinema screen with the curtains drawing.

Had a bit of dust in my eye at the end. 8.5/10

[ScarletLion]

15.
'Wadjda' (2012)

http://fan-force.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/W4.jpg

Heard good things about this. On first reflection I'm a bit disappointed. I commend the film-makers for getting something out there which must have had considerable hurdles, but we still have to look at it objectively, and it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I think it would have worked better as a short as there was so much dialogue that just seemed a bit drawn out. It's a very interesting subject matter, I just feel certain elements were hammered home too much.

6.5/10

[ScarletLion]

16.
'Ikiru' (1952)

http://i.imgur.com/DrdQqic.gif

I'm wading through Kurosawa bit by bit when I get the chance. This was certainly quite different to most of his output that I've sen. But just as good. As ever he's a master of the camera. I loved the way he used slow moving shots to make scene s feel more poignant and that the focal character really was contemplating. Also liked the use of sounds to convey points - some almost felt like jump scares. I can imagine it was quit something to witness in 1952.

Overall it's a simple message about the bittersweet ironies in life, and how altruistic actions can really make a person feel like they're living life to the full. I think though that there's probably a deeper, more spiritual meaning at play here which I could probably only truly appreciate if I was exposed to Japanese culture / life.

8/10

[Chypmunk]

Sadly I never got past the first few minutes of Irréversible when I went to watch it, that nightclub scene just started to give me a headache. Hopefully one day I'll get to experience it.

Ikiru is a gem imho.

Loving the varied viewing!

[ScarletLion]

Sadly I never got past the first few minutes of Irréversible when I went to watch it, that nightclub scene just started to give me a headache. Hopefully one day I'll get to experience it.

Ikiru is a gem imho.

Loving the varied viewing!

Thanks. I strongly suggest you re-visit Irreversible. It has a nauseating first 20 minutes for sure but the film really pays off by the end.

[Chypmunk]

Thanks. I strongly suggest you re-visit Irreversible. It has a nauseating first 20 minutes for sure but the film really pays off by the end.
I will do someday - at least next time I'll be ready for the sensory assault of both light and sound :)

[FromBeyond]

‘Wendy and Lucy’ (2008)

http://i.imgur.com/ZdKxtgY.png

This is why I love movieforums.com . Somebody reviewed this on the “Rate the last movie you watched” thread, and being a fan of Michelle Williams I had to give it a go. She really delivers. The girl can act, and the best part of it is that she knows when not to overact. Her mannerisms in this film are excellent because she spends half the movie it chaotic bewilderment as she tries to find her lost dog.

Yes it’s a minimalistic movie. Yes it’s quiet, subdued and downbeat. But you can’t ignore that part of life. And this film showed a side of struggling that a lot of movies don’t. It was like a slice of a drifter’s life, 3 days in time that we peek into and then forget about. Who cares we don’t find out what happens to her, that’s not the point.

So thank you to whoever brought this to my attention last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

That was me and you are most welcome, I enjoyed reading your review and pleased you enjoyed it. I found that movie because I wanted to see a dog themed movie but got a lot more than that, I enjoyed it especially as I can relate so well to that situation

Have you seen the movie Hacksaw Ridge yet ? :D

[ScarletLion]

17.
'The beat that my heart skipped' (2005)

http://www.cineoutsider.com/reviews/pix/b/be/beatthatheart1.jpg

I'm a fan of Jacques Audiard, he's one of those directors that I aim to watch whatever he puts out because I know it has a good chance of being very good. So I'm catching up on his filmography. This is just as good as the rest. It's violent but has a sentimental streak running through it. Romain Duris gives a superb, almost 'young de Niroesque' performance as the lead who has some very important choices to make. I'd recommend this film from a master of French crime drama. 7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

That was me and you are most welcome, I enjoyed reading your review and pleased you enjoyed it. I found that movie because I wanted to see a dog themed movie but got a lot more than that, I enjoyed it especially as I can relate so well to that situation

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I haven't stopped thinking about it all week.

Have you seen the movie Hacksaw Ridge yet ? :D

No comment.

[ScarletLion]

18.
'Mystery Road' (2013)

http://i.imgur.com/s1WvB9t.png

Small Outback town in Australia. Murder of a young girl. Elements of race, drugs, poverty, sex, violence and your typical gorgeous photography come together to form a nice but not groundbreaking drama. No Country for Old Men meets The Proposition. Hugo Weaving is a very very good actor.

7/10

[ScarletLion]

19.
'The Devil's Backbone' (2001)

http://i.imgur.com/zR1zden.gif

History repeats itself, and we as a species don't learn. How appropriate. I thought this was a fantastic movie. It might not be as good looking as Pan's Labyrinth but it actually might better. The backdrop of the war is the history and the ghosts are the metaphor for us not learning and the cycle repeats itself time and time again. Superbly crafted by Del Torro, it didn't drop in pace, tension or beauty one single bit

I really enjoyed this. The ending was brilliant too.

8.5/10

[Camo]

Glad you liked In The Mood For Love so much :up:.

It felt like it was from the 1950s.

It's a 60's Period-FIlm so close. It reminds me of Mad Men in that what the characters are wearing, their hairstyles, etc, bring so much to the film at least for me. When Maggie Cheung first wears that red dress is one of my favourite parts of the film. Mad Men is my second favourite show after The Sopranos so it's no wonder i liked it so much.

I feel similarly to you about Wadjda. Godoggo nominated it for a Hall of Fame here and i liked it but something felt a bit off about it; think your complaints could have been it. It's a very important film though so i'm glad i watched it.

[ScarletLion]

Glad you liked In The Mood For Love so much :up:.



It's a 60's Period-FIlm so close. It reminds me of Mad Men in that what the characters are wearing, their hairstyles, etc, bring so much to the film at least for me. When Maggie Cheung first wears that red dress is one of my favourite parts of the film.
.

Yeah but it had the feel of a movie that was actually made decades ago too. I hope you know what I mean by that, I can't really explain it.

[cricket]

I agree with your feelings on The Devil's Backbone but liked Wendy and Lucy a bit less.

Still need to see In the Mood for Love!

[Chypmunk]

I agree The Devil's Backbone is a decent enough story pretty well executed.

[cricket]

I'm a little sick of ghost stories but it's cool being set in a different time and place.

[ScarletLion]

20.
'Lonesome Jim' (2005)

http://i.imgur.com/pDT4PY8.png

I wish Steve Buscemi directed more movies. This wasn't a great movie but it's one of the funniest I've seen in a long while. Casey Affleck plays a down on his luck affable loser type struggling to find the meaning of life. But he's struggling for struggling's sake, and the movie does well not to make it a downbeat experience. It does he opposite, the humour is a sort of 'American Graffiti' , 'Dazed and Confused' meets 'Happiness' style comedy. And it works. It made me laugh out loud more times than any movie has recently. Oh and Liv Tyler was utterly beautiful in 2005.

7/10

[Camo]

Yeah but it had the feel of a movie that was actually made decades ago too. I hope you know what I mean by that, I can't really explain it.

I do and i think that was a major aim of the filmmaker so it was a major success with you. Everything together; the music, dialogue, performances, every visual as in every single item you could see whether it was a characters clothing or a piece of funiture or whatever, was placed to try and create the feeling of a past time specifically; the 60's. If you felt like this movie felt like it was made decades before it actually was then it was a major success with you, and i'm with you for the record.

[ScarletLion]

21.
'The Deerhunter' (1978)

http://i.imgur.com/yKxG9uL.jpg

This movie often features in the "Greatest ever" war movies or some such list. I do feel it is a movie worth watching but also feel it is overrated. The main reason for this is the pacing. It feels so disjointed. The first act is over an hour long, in which we learn all about their current, working class lives. Then within 5 minutes of the second act, our heroes have been to war and been captured. It just felt like Michael Cimino didn't have the budget to film the war scenes he wanted so the entire 2nd act was rushed.

Obviously you can't ignore the iconic, horrifying scenes that the movie is infamous for, or the acting by Walken and de Niro. But I think overall I'd give it 7/10 due to the long winded 1st act and slightly bizarre pacing. Good but not great.

[Chypmunk]

I love The Deer Hunter, I'd certainly never argue against anyone saying it's drawn out in places but personally I have no issue with the brevity or lack of war scenes as those salient to the human drama that unfolds are all in place and the war serving as both backdrop and context is enough for me without it potentially distracting from that story.

[ScarletLion]

I love The Deer Hunter, I'd certainly never argue against anyone saying it's drawn out in places but personally I have no issue with the brevity or lack of war scenes as those salient to the human drama that unfolds are all in place and the war serving as both backdrop and context is enough for me without it potentially distracting from that story.

Yes, I think the movie is strong enough in the right places to be considered a good movie, but I was just surprised by how quickly we were thrust into the harrowing war scenes after such a long drawn out first act.

[Chypmunk]

Yes, I think the movie is strong enough in the right places to be considered a good movie, but I was just surprised by how quickly we were thrust into the harrowing war scenes after such a long drawn out first act.
Only Cimino would know for sure but for my take is it helps avoid potentially distracting from the principal story as already mentioned and also perhaps an attempt to quickly convey the disorientation, shock and complete contrast that the characters must feel between the two.

[ScarletLion]

Only Cimino would know for sure but for my take is it helps avoid potentially distracting from the principal story as already mentioned and also perhaps an attempt to quickly convey the disorientation, shock and complete contrast that the characters must feel between the two.

It certainly came across as utterly horrifying so it worked on me. Some of the hunting scenes in this movie were absolutely gorgeous by the way. The mountains and scenery etc.

[Camo]

I don't like The Deer Hunter much, partially for the reasons you stated. Would probably give it 2+ mostly for the performances.

[cricket]

I first saw The Deer Hunter around 1982 when I was about 11. It seems strange now that I loved it at that age. I still love it, but there's a lot of people that strongly dislike it.

[ScarletLion]

22.
Wasp [short] (2003)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzI0NjY2MDQtOTk2Mi00ZDVjLWE5ODAtZjIxOWU1MjQ0YWE1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjExNjgyMTc@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182 ,268_AL_.jpg

I watched this as someone mentioned it in another thread (along the lines of Danny Dyer starring in an Oscar winning film! :D)

It was very well shot for a 20 minute short, you can tell Andrea Arnold has a gift for film-making and I really want to check out more of her films, especially 'Fish Tank'.

It's on youtube, so worth 20 minutes of your time if you're at a loose end.

[Camo]

It was me who mentioned it :D. Yeah, i thought it was pretty good. Was bleak as hell but i usually really like bleak British films. Arnold is great, i've liked everything she's done. Fish Tanks would be my least favourite but i still like it; haven't seen her Wuthering Heights.

[ScarletLion]

It was me who mentioned it :D. Yeah, i thought it was pretty good. Was bleak as hell but i usually really like bleak British films. Arnold is great, i've liked everything she's done. Fish Tanks would be my least favourite but i still like it; haven't seen her Wuthering Heights.

Excellent. We seem to have the same taste in British films. Have you seen the excellent 'The Selfish Giant' ?

[Camo]

Never heard of it. It looks good, will try and see it soon.

[ScarletLion]

Never heard of it. It looks good, will try and see it soon.

I absolutely loved it. I think you will enjoy it too. It has a very Ken Loach feel to it.

[ScarletLion]

'Under the Shadow' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/BC0MqFj.gif

I'd heard great things about this, with some movie critics even calling it the best film of 2016. It wasn't. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad film. It is very well made and the two female leads are extremely convincing. Where I had trouble was:

-The sheer amount of metaphors for terror/oppression that we are getting. The missile, the crack in the roof, the book, the garage door, her dead mother, the husband, the doll, the djinn ghost, the mute kid, the door slamming, the tape on the windows, the locked drawer etc etc etc

They all jumble up in to one big metaphor of oppression and terror that she experiences. Which is fine but it was just too overbearing.

Maybe I over-analysed this movie in looking for one single thing that was driving her to have a breakdown, when it was all of the things she was experiencing in her life. I'm not sure, but it just felt muddled and I felt that Babadook was a better movie of this kind of subject. Disappointed 6/10

[Derek Vinyard]

http://i.imgur.com/nIQEvfX.gif http://i.imgur.com/4pWEeyl.gif

'American History X'

I've always been keen to watch this as it's highly rated. Edward Norton's performance stood out as extremely strong and brought back memories of the excellent 'Primal Fear'. Even Furlong was convincing (not an actor I particularly admire). The message was quite clearly spelled out at the end as we read Danny's paper. And that is...... hate doesn't work.

As I was watching it, it became quite clear that:

1) It is a very important film and I can imagine that the reason it's held up so well is that the message is so vital to take on board in order to make society stand up and realise what society should be, and that no matter what "justification" there appears at the time, violence just breeds violence.

2) Unfortunately, the message hasn't got through and the implications of the character's actions still mirror everyday life. I'm sure I don't need to rant anymore about the films moral and how it relates to current affairs, so I won't.

The transformation / 'rehabilitation' of Derek Vinyard was fascinating to watch. I think it all begins when he sees the hypocritical nature of the skinheads in prison (buying drugs from the very people they are supposed to despise) - showing that the neo-nazi bravado is just a sham.

I have 1 question: The character of 'Lamont' - the black prison inmate that leads to Derek's transformation - How much influence does he really have? And does he have any connection with the 'crips' (the black gang that eventually kill Derek's younger brother?

I thought it was an extremely good watch; although the early basketball scene had the completely wrong tone (felt like something out of Rocky when it needed to be more sinister). So there were minor flaws but overall I'd say it's a movie everyone should have on their lists. It would probably make my Top 100.

8.5/10


Best movie ever right here :up: nice review buddy :) Ed Norton performance is out of this world

For the spoiler: Nope he is not with the gang.

[ScarletLion]

Best movie ever right here :up: nice review buddy :) Ed Norton performance is out of this world

For the spoiler: Nope he is not with the gang.

Thanks for that. I always wondered why you were called Derek Vinyard, then within like 5 minutes of this movie starting I was like "Oh that's why the poster on MOFO is called Derek Vinyard". I am now at peace.

[ScarletLion]

'The French Connection' (1971)

http://i.imgur.com/wRsiB2D.jpg

Another classic. I really liked this. It felt very real, as if I was taking a tour of New York City with some cops. And some of the shots were lovely to look at. There were flaws, the biggest one was the scene in the underground car park where Roy Scheider's character literally bumps into the criminal Sal Bocca and exchanges words - I thought at the time Scheider was a dirty cop. That scene was a bit muddled. But the rest of it, wow it was brilliantly edited and acted. Gene Hackman is a bona fide hollywood legend.

The way Freakdin creates a mystery within a mystery is also great. He leaves us with little tantalysing images of French advertsiments, French logos, and the "word connection" etc I expect he was having fun with us, but I enjoyed his shennanigans.

http://i.imgur.com/dt1KfuZ.png?1

All in all a really enjoyable cops and robbers turn with little Hollywood sentimentalism or cliches to be seen.

8.5/10

[Chypmunk]

Superb film :up:

[cricket]

I've got to see that again. I love a lot of movies from that director but The French Connection isn't one of them yet.

[ScarletLion]

'Other People' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/lgAusPW.png

This is a movie that deals with alot of common themes; family life, difficult news, dealing with sexuality, life and death. And it does them quite well. Jesse Plemmons is rather good as the main character, and Molly Shannon is excellent as the mum. It was very funny in 2 or 3 places but the constant product placement got on my nerves - maybe that's how the movie was financed, but every 5 minutes there was a mention of pepsi, jc penney or applebee's etc It will not break any cinematic moulds but is ok for a gentle nights movie viewing.

6.9 cup cakes out of 10.

[ScarletLion]

'The Horseman' (2008)

http://i.imgur.com/UhHhb4x.jpg

I saw this mentioned in another thread and thought it looked worth visiting. It was a violent and gritty revenge flick but in all honesty too far fetched. Basically like a more dramatic, less cheesy Australian version of Commando. Disappointing 5/10



'Margaret' (2011)

http://i.imgur.com/QgRSso2.jpg

I was keen to look at a couple more Kenneth Lonergan movies after enjoying 'Manchester by the Sea' so much. It's long and slow (150 mins) and half way through I did wonder where it was going, consequently it does ebb and flow.. Having said that, on reflection after completing the film it is actually a pretty interesting character driven piece that explores personality dynamics in families and guilt and closure. Anna Pacquin does an amazing turn as the awkward teen, if a little hystrionic at times, and it's far more than a coming of age story.

Jeannie Berlin is also very good as Emily the deceased's friend, although is only marginally more neurotic than the rest of the characters.

I will say that it has one of the most powerfully beautiful endings I've seen in a long time. Lonergan sure knows how to captivate an audience.

I stuck with it and it delivered. 8/10

[the samoan lawyer]

I've not seen Margaret but like you, after watching and loving Manchester by the Sea, its definitely piqued my interest. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Chypmunk]

Yeah, The Horseman really isn't very good, more like a 2 for me.

[ScarletLion]

'Paterson' (2016)

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

I'v not seen many Jim Jarmusch films. Dead Man was ok but here's always something ethereal and dream like about them. Paterson is the same in that it meanders along with repetitive scenes, dialogue and features. I enjoyed the overall premise, and the notion that anyone can be a poet or an artist if they have it in them.Some of the characters were almost Lynchian and some of the shots were like a Terrence Mallick movie.

I felt a little frustrated though that it took 2 hours to get to this. Maybe it was because I expected the themes (Twins, black and white, waterfalls) to link up in some way. I guess that's for us to work out. Maybe it means that there is a ying to your yang if you look hard enough or that there is a perfect version of you in there somewhere if you let it out. All in all, I wasn't 100% sure what the deeper meaning of it all meant. Maybe that's my error though.

A nice dreamy movie but I'm not sure it hit the high notes 6.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'The Fits' (2015)

http://i.imgur.com/n3ARahE.jpg

A very impressive debut from Anna Rose Holmer. I watched this on a recommendation of a friend and I have to say I thought it was excellent. Especially from a first time feature length film-maker.

It is a coming of age story but developed as an abstract like tale. There are large parts with no dialogue and no music. What little score there is features creepy, unsettling sounds yet we are centered on a community hub for youths and a dance troupe. It all makes for compelling viewing with a fantastically filmed ending. The young lady who plays the lead is also surely destined for greater things (Royalty Hightower).

This film won't be for everybody. It tells it's story in unusual ways. But I recommend it. 8/10

[ScarletLion]

'Rififi' (1955)

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

Jules Dassin's 1950s Noir thriller is set in Paris and right from the outset, we are transported into this dark world of "hoods" where loveable rogues and femme fatales dance, drink smoke and plot cunning plans to rob jewelers and banks.

The film centres around Tony, Jo and Mario who plot to commit the perfect crime. The first and third acts are the human, emotional elements where we see families, lost lovers, loneliness and regret. This, in turn, explains why the characters act like they do. But what is remarkable about this film is the second act that features the heist scene. During this scene, we hear creaks, screwdrivers, drills, sighs, coughs, knocks, footsteps; but there is not a word spoken, nor a hint of music for around half an hour (a quarter of the film's running time). This scene where we see the characters carry out their cunning plan is surely one of the most tense, daring and captivating scenes in noir cinema. It's a huge compliment to Dassin's craft that an audience can remain so hypnotized and charmed by this eerily gratifying sequence, the likes of which are few and far between in today's cinema.

The amount of films that seem to have directly benefited from Rififi are endless. It reminded me of Reservoir Dogs, The Killing, The Sting, Ocean's Eleven and perhaps even HEAT and Mission Impossible. That should be enough to note how inspirational and influential this movie is.

The main message may be an often repeated one, which seems to be that crime doesn't pay, but the way in which it is told (not least from Jo's wife who claims that Jo's poverty stricken friends who didn't turn to crime are the real tough guys) sets it apart from others. The fact that it doesn't follow the glorification of crime that other heist / noir movies can sometimes do is also a huge bonus.

There are flaws. It may have borrowed certain aspects from 'The Asphalt Jungle', and the editing in some scenes is far from perfect, with some scenes cutting rather abruptly, but surely we can forgive that for a film that is over 60 years old.

Rififi is a must see.

4.5

[Chypmunk]

One of my favourite films :up:

[Camo]

Rififi is the first i've seen since The French Connection. Not a fan really, don't think anything was wrong with it it just didn't really work for me.

[the samoan lawyer]

Love Rififi.

[cricket]

Rififi is my favorite 50's noir. It would be my favorite from 1995 as well;)

[Camo]

haha. Had no idea what you were talking about for a moment there.

[ScarletLion]

'Like Father, Like Son' (2013)

http://i.imgur.com/E1ty8gg.jpg

Hirokazu Koreeda's work has been recommended to me by a few people, and I'm ashamed to say this is the first of his movies I have seen. Based on 'Like Father, Like Son' I am now in a rush to see a few more. It is an excellent film that deals with raw human emotion. But the genius is the way Koreeda shows us that emotion. There are beautiful looking films and then there are just beautiful films. This falls into the latter category.

This story centres around receiving the inexplicable news that your child was swapped at birth and your real child lives a few miles away ion the next town. That's a horrific thing for anybody to deal with but Koreeda doesn't show us the hysterical scream fits that both mothers would have no doubt had, he instead deals with the inner turmoil and pain that anyone in this position would no doubt feel. Questioning yourself to understand if you could have done something different. Examining your morals and your judgments on others.

The main protagonist is Ryota, expertly played by Masaharu Fukuyama. Through his journey we see that he has to learn alot about his role in the family even though he thinks he has made it as the main breadwinner with a high powered job. The use of pianos, kites and robots are all fantastic mechanisms to enable us to see how he views his "son", and the level of expectation placed upon him. In one scene towards the end in particular (you could very loosely call it a reveal scene) the emotions become too much for Ryota and we finally see him learning and accepting what his role in the family should ultimately be. How Koreeda manages to weave this into the plot is just masterful film-making.

It's such a simple concept - child swapped at birth = tragedy. But not many people could write a screenplay and direct a 2 hour feature on the turmoil and upheaval of family life based around it. Koreeda manages it, and also enables every single actor in this movie to nail their roles. Great film

4

[the samoan lawyer]

Sounds good. Added to watchlist. Nice work Scarlet.

[ScarletLion]

Sounds good. Added to watchlist. Nice work Scarlet.

Don't forget to let me know what you thought of it.

[ScarletLion]

'Meek's Cutoff' (2010)

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

I had high expectations of this movie, namely because Kelly Reichardt is a Director that comes with alot of recommendations. It's a Western at heart and follows the decision makings of 3 families and the guide that's taking them to safety through the Oregon desert. It looks lovely, it sounds lovely and Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Bruce Greenwood give superb performances. I enjoyed the sparse dialogue. But there was something that just didn't click with me. I don't mind the non-closure. I don't mind the minimalistic feel and slow pace, but I do feel that there was just a little bit of substance missing. The isolation, the xenophobia, the hardship, the fear of these times was captured beautifully. There was just not enough of it.

Unfortunately the movie didn't really live up to my expectations, I guess they were a bit high, but that won't stop me checking out more of Reichardt's films. 6.5/10

[Camo]

I like it a bit more than you but it's my least favourite from her so far. Night Moves>Certain Women>Meek's Cutoff.

[ScarletLion]

I like it a bit more than you but it's my least favourite from her so far. Night Moves>Certain Women>Meek's Cutoff.

Night Moves and Certain Women are next for me in terms of Reichardt. I also want to see 'River of Grass' which looks interesting.

[Camo]

Night Moves and Certain Women are next for me in terms of Reichardt. I also want to see 'River of Grass' which looks interesting.

I'd be surprised if you didn't like Night Moves after reading your posts here. Not sure about Certain Women though, i'm more interested in what you'll think of that.

[ScarletLion]

'The Double' (2013)

http://i.imgur.com/34tbThy.jpg

Richard Ayoade is a very talented man. He's a funny comic and a good director. His first feature, 'Submarine' was a lovely tale about handling the harsh realities of being young. 'The double', however is basically a retelling of Dostoyevsky's novel. It's also a bit of a homage to a mixture of inspirations such as Gilliam, Fincher, Lynch and Wes Anderson.

Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska deliver nice performances here, but I'm afraid I'll have to resort to the cliche of "I didn't find myself caring about them much" to ram home the flaws in the Direction. Perhaps we're not supposed to care about them but then that leaves little else to engage with. This film came out the same year as Denis Villeneuve's 'Enemy'. But that film (though not based on Dostoyevsky) was so much more engaging because it lured you into the mystery and made you want to find out why things were the way they were.

The Double is a bit of a let down as it is just so unoriginal. Have we seen these bubbling up in a plot before?

Dystopian corporate culture - check
Themes of dopplegangers - check
Old striking faces to instill dread and claustrophobia - check
Odd Dream sequences - check
Lead character scorned by parents - check
Overbearing soundtrack - check
Very fast paced witty dialogue - check
Social misfit trying to fit in - check

It all melds into a huge crockpot of unoriginality that however nice it is to look at, never gets off the ground because of the forced nature of the storylines. That means that every 5 minutes, something in the back of your brain is twitching, saying, "oh that reminds me of Fight Club", or "that was similar to Brazil". It eventually distracts the viewer from the action which is a shame.

http://i.imgur.com/urMw1g9.gif

I still like Ayoade and the lighting in this film is used masterfully though. Some of the photography is a joy to look at. Yellows, greys and white lights are used very well in almost every scene with some luminous blues and reds chucked in for good measure to add to the dystopian feel/

It's about time Ayoade directed something else, I'm convinced he has at least 1 great film in him.

This wasn't it though - 2.5

[ScarletLion]

'Frances Ha' (2012)

http://i.imgur.com/zRLjDwC.gif

Noah Baumbach's neat little film about growing up in New York is quaint and quirky. I can understand why someone would think it's a bit of second rate Woody Allen rip off, but I just took it for what it was and really enjoyed it. Greta Gerwig is great as the lead, and the goofyness or aloofness just adds to her character rather than detract. Some characters are spoilt, some are unlikeably care free, some are pious and pretentious. But then that's what some people are like.

If I was to be hyper critical I'd say that the third act just announces itself rate abruptly on our laps, and could have done with a few more scenes to bed in, especially given the movies' short running time. But that' a minor quibble. Baumbach's films continue to entertain me.

I found it charming, quirky, unusual, endearing, amusing and interesting. As I was watching I was thinking to myself "I bet this film got loads of hate" and I still think that. But there's always the next Mission Impossible round the corner for the haters. I enjoyed it. 7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'American Honey' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/z9kszyM.jpg

Andrea Arnold is an oscar winning director, she's no spring chicken and knows her way around. Maybe that's a factor when considering that the performances in this movie are nothing short of incredible. Loads of first timers. Loads of inexperienced kids. How she has got these performances out of this cast is nothing short of mesmerising.

The movie is long, lets be honest. But it is very rewarding and is a very accomplished way of exploring society's values and attitudes towards youngsters, poverty, opportunities etc. I found large similarities between this and her short 'wasp'. Which is no bad thing. The film also looks amazing.

I'd probably find a place for this in my top 10 of 2016.

4



'I don't feel at home in this world anymore' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/QKaX0em.jpg

This is Macon Blair's directorial debut. Given he produced and starred in 'Green Room' and 'Blue Ruin' I was really keen to see what he could do.

The problem with this film is that it isn't quite sure what it wants to be. It's too funny to be a thriller, and it has to many serious elements to be a full out comedy. Therefore it ends up being a mish mash of both. It's a bit like a Ben Wheatley black comedy co-written by Edgar Wright. While that might sound appealing it just doesn't click with me because it gets it a bit wrong, especially in the final act.

I really liked Elijah Wood's character and I was totally on board with what the film was actually trying to tell me, it just didn't pull it off very well.

Blair is still one to watch though I feel.

2.5

[Camo]

So glad you like American Honey :up:. My #1 from last year.

[ScarletLion]

So glad you like American Honey :up:. My #1 from last year.

I dug it. So what should I see next of hers? Red Road or Fish Tank?

[Camo]

I dug it. So what should I see next of hers? Red Road or Fish Tank?

I think Red Road is better but if you're planning on seeing both i'd personally leave that to last. I still haven't seen her Wuthering Heights.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

So glad you like American Honey :up:. My #1 from last year.

Sorry I don't want to contradict just to contradict. For me it was quite a mess. I could not find any in-depth message that this movie would give me. And yes, it was too long. I was also pretty annoyed with that blond guy flashing his boom-stick. Otherwise it was watchable. :)

[Camo]

Sorry I don't want to contradict just to contradict. For me it was quite a mess. I could not find any in-depth message that this movie would give me. And yes, it was too long. I was also pretty annoyed with that blond guy flashing his boom-stick. Otherwise it was watchable. :)

How does that contradict it being my favourite movie of the year? That makes no sense. I didn't find it a mess, that's fine if you did. Great film.

[ScarletLion]

'In Order of Disappearance' (2014)

http://i.imgur.com/hXrN7xd.jpg

Hans Petter Moland's dark thriller delivers despite having a less than original premise. Man seeks vengeance after death of son. It must be difficult to get a film like this just right because revenge capers have been done so many times. But this film just about manages it, mainly due to the script, it's interesting enough to keep us switched on amongst the cold blooded actions on screen. Stellan Skarsgård and Bruno Ganz also give us more than adequate performances. There are elements that reminded me of Fargo, Snatch and others, and the way in which we see the 'order of disappearance' is quite novel, especially the very end sequence.

There are moments of dark comedy that intermingle with the beautiful landscape photography. All in all it's not going to tear up any trees but there is enough here to result in a decent 2 hours of film watching. 7/10

[the samoan lawyer]

I'm gonna watch American Honey and IDFAHITWA asap. Both sound like something I'd like. I take it you liked Green Room and Blue Ruin?

[ScarletLion]

I'm gonna watch American Honey and IDFAHITWA asap. Both sound like something I'd like. I take it you liked Green Room and Blue Ruin?

I liked Blue Ruin more than I liked Green Room. But that's just because I prefer movies in the ilk of Blue Ruin. Both were very watchable. I've not seen 'Murder Party', which he also produced and starred in with Saulnier directing. I'm not convinced it's my thing.

[the samoan lawyer]

I liked Blue Ruin more than I liked Green Room. But that's just because I prefer movies in the ilk of Blue Ruin. Both were very watchable. I've not seen 'Murder Party', which he also produced and starred in with Saulnier directing. I'm not convinced it's my thing.


Like you, I preferred Blue Ruin to Green Room. In fact, I thought Green Room was pretty disappointing. Not seen Murder Party either but its on the watchlist.

[ScarletLion]

'4.1 miles' (2016)

Directed by Daphne Matziaraki

http://i.imgur.com/tZfKytj.png



A harrowing, heartbreaking, disturbing 22 minute short focusing on the captain of the coastguard ship on a Greek Island who gets continually called out to save the lives of thousands of Syrian and Afghan Migrants coming across from Turkey on poorly constructed vessels. There is little closure here. It's just a slice of life type short on the continuing humanitarian scandal we occasionally get to hear about. 4

[the samoan lawyer]

Scarlet, have you watched The White Helmets (2016)? Think you'd really like it.

[ScarletLion]

Scarlet, have you watched The White Helmets (2016)? Think you'd really like it.

I've been trying to get a copy. I don't have Netflix at the moment. I did a bit of research on that and apparently the white helmets are not seen in the same light by some Syrians as they are portrayed in the film. That's putting it mildly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge3geoTjZNE&t=176s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmFFvu5H4f4

[ScarletLion]

'What Maisie Knew'

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

Didn't click with me this really. I appreciated the tone of the film and the performances were ok. But I think it would have been better with more working class families or set as a miserable British film. :D The good looking characters were moving from high rise millionaire appartments to idylic beach houses and travelling the world in between. It seems made for some sort of middle class audience. I'm quite shocked it's rated on IMDB so highly. 6/10 at the most.

[ScarletLion]

'The Salesman' (2016)

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

This movie has had a lot of praise recently, so I was interested to see if it lived up to the hype. Asghar Farhadi places us in the lives of a contemporary Iranian couple who go through an ordeal which forces them to make a few important decisions. The film therefore explores elements of morality, fate, death and 'karmic balance' for want of a better phrase. It is also about marriage breakdown, and the different roles of men and women in society. Farhadi masterfully manages to make us question each of these roles and what we really should be perceiving in each of our own societies. The backdrop of both the school and the play engineers these thoughts into our minds, and I'm not sure there is a better Director out there at doing these types of unsettling psychological real life pieces.

It's an interesting revenge tale that intertwines Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman' with a similar real life quandry, and the resemblance of the play and the movie's plot is familiar, but not so similar that it causes the movie to lose focus. The performances, as with most of Farhadi's films are tremendous. The lead couple are absolutely captivating, and deserve all the praise they get. It was noticeable that the cast is also not too large. There are only a few characters which helps to create a little claustrophobic world.

There were similarities in tone and atmosphere to Farhadi's 'A Separation' which is no bad thing. Unsettling sequences, lack of score, eerie silences, drab buildings all help to make sure we are transported to the environment that the couple face.

The film's pacing is also a plus, and the tension just builds and builds into the climax that Farhadi uses very well to make his point. If I had to point out one flaw it was that the set of their play looked vastly expensively assembled considering it was an amateur dramatic production but that would be missing the point a bit.

I'd recommend this film to anyone who enjoys suspenseful, analogy driven dramas. Farhadi is a gem of a director. 4

[ScarletLion]

'Hard Eight' (1996)

http://i.imgur.com/7aBcNAg.gif

This is a peach of a movie. There's no other way of saying it. Paul Thomas Anderson's first ever movie feels like it should be his fifth or sixth. His camera movement, tracking shots, close ups etc are all brilliantly done and the film overall feels like a neatly done Scorsese / Cohen Brothers collaboration. Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow were all excellent and helped to create a mix of naivety, mishap and tragedy.

http://i.imgur.com/cDjbC4h.gif

Some Directors take years to learn their craft, others are just born with it and PTA demonstrates his freakish talent right out of the blocks in this one.

The film has also not dated. It feels like it could have been made in the last few years.

Excellent. 8.3/10

[ScarletLion]

'Carancho' (2010)

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

This movie packs a punch. The second act lacked a tiny bit of go forward, but you realise that, by the amazingly powerful 3rd act - it was just setting us up for the punch. And it was a knockout blow.

I've never seen Ricardo Darin star in a bad movie. I'm sure there are some, but they're not on my radar. This isn't considered Pablo Trapero's best movie by a long shot, so I'm now on the lookout for more. 8/10

[Upton]

'Hard Eight' (1996)


This is a peach of a movie. There's no other way of saying it. Paul Thomas Anderson's first ever movie feels like it should be his fifth or sixth. His camera movement, tracking shots, close ups etc are all brilliantly done and the film overall feels like a neatly done Scorsese / Cohen Brothers collaboration. Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow were all excellent and helped to create a mix of naivety, mishap and tragedy.

Some Directors take years to learn their craft, others are just born with it and PTA demonstrates his freakish talent right out of the blocks in this one.

Agreed with all this. Despite never not feeling like some ripoff artist whippersnapper's audition movie, it's still irresistibly assured and confident and compelling enough that all you can do is throw up your hands and give the guy millions of dollars to make a porn movie. Best scene is the opening diner conversation; which feels like the whole reason he made the movie in the first place

[ScarletLion]

'Eden' (2012)

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

I don't think I've ever seen a movie that has disturbed me so much yet has so little graphic illustration on screen. There are zero sex scenes, and very little violence, yet the entire film is conducted in a version of hell that is so real, the normal person can only guess at what it would have been like.

It's based on the true story of Chong Kim who is abducted and used as part of a human trafficking and sex slave ring. The real life travails of Chong Kim, are too disturbing to document here. She has an essay that I may one day read but haven't had the guts to yet. Here's the link:

http://www.survivorarchivesproject.com/archives/2006/10/23/chong-n-kim.html

This film adapts her story and does it very well, thanks to Megan Griffiths direction. The lead is played by Jamie Cheung and she does a great job. The horror and unspeakable crimes that her captors inflict make you wonder what the level of human being below scumbag is.

Unfortunately, the movie suffers from an average script and some below average performances (Beau Bridges is pretty woeful as the sherriff). But it's one of those movies that I'd recommend despite giving only a 6 or 6.5 out of 10.

[the samoan lawyer]

Nice review Scarlet. I've not seen it yet so I've bumped it up the watch list.

[ScarletLion]

Nice review Scarlet. I've not seen it yet so I've bumped it up the watch list.

Have you got a movie log thread? I'd be interested in reading it if you have. If not. start one!

[cricket]

I've seen Eden, it was a made for TV movie. I feel like I've seen a few movies like that but they're usually exploitive. I thought it was pretty solid.

[cricket]

Actually from what I'm seeing now it wasn't a made for TV movie. I saw it on TV and I swear that's how it was advertised.

[ScarletLion]

Actually from what I'm seeing now it wasn't a made for TV movie. I saw it on TV and I swear that's how it was advertised.

Yeah the production values are slightly higher than a made for tv movie. It's worth watching just to see what unspeakable crimes some people are capable of.

[Chypmunk]

I've got Eden sitting on a shelf here somewhere, hopefully I'll get round to it in the not too distant future.

[the samoan lawyer]

Have you got a movie log thread? I'd be interested in reading it if you have. If not. start one!


I keep threatening to do a movie log or a top 100 but I just cant get the time. I only really get on here during a break at work, hence why I don't post much but maybe some day I'll get a countdown going.

[ScarletLion]

'Lilya-4-Ever' (2002)

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

I watched this not knowing the film's content at all, and seeing as 'Eden' was the last film I saw, it was a complete coincidence that the films resembled each other so much. Therefore I decided to put this in a spoiler just incase. The similarities end at the subject content however.

This movie is something else. I think it will take me days, if not, weeks to digest what I've just seen. It's realism on another scale. Beautiful, heartbreaking cinema. I expect many people will call this movie' miserable', but for me it is completely the opposite. It made me think that there is a message of hope and faith in there. It's easy to label this purely a film about the criminal elements explored. But it is way more than that.

It's gone straight into my top 100.

9/10

[Chypmunk]

Meh, not a fan of the second half of Lilya 4-Ever at all which is a shame as the first half was nicely made. Sorry.

[ScarletLion]

Meh, not a fan of the second half of Lilya 4-Ever at all which is a shame as the first half was nicely made. Sorry.

I guess it's not for everybody but I found it gut wrenchingly brilliant.

[ScarletLion]

'The Eyes of my Mother' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/crq56CZ.jpg

Beautiful Film. Absolutely nuts. Strong debut from Nicolas Pesce. It's an art house gore horror. Very disturbing, really not usually my thing but I enjoyed it because it was so damn minimalistic. It totally worked. It's not groundbreaking. But it made me sit up and take note. 810

[cricket]

Lilya 4-Ever is very much my kind of movie. I loved much of it but the fantasy aspect towards the end blemished my overall feelings.

You see Head-On? That seems like something you might like.

[ScarletLion]

Lilya 4-Ever is very much my kind of movie. I loved much of it but the fantasy aspect towards the end blemished my overall feelings.

You see Head-On? That seems like something you might like.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out if i can locate a copy.

I see your point about Lilya's 3rd act. But it didn't detract for me.

[Camo]

I agree with Chyp about Lilya. I really loved the first half but the second wasn't for me. You should try ******* Amal (a.k.a Show Me Love) from Moodyson. It's more like the first half of Lilya throughout. It is full of angsty teenagers though so i could see anyone hating it for that, i'm amazed it didn't bother me as it usually does.

The Eyes of My Mother was very good.

[the samoan lawyer]

'The Eyes of my Mother' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/crq56CZ.jpg

Beautiful Film. Absolutely nuts. Strong debut from Nicolas Pesce. It's an art house gore horror. Very disturbing, really not usually my thing but I enjoyed it because it was so damn minimalistic. It totally worked. It's not groundbreaking. But it made me sit up and take note. 7/10


Glad you enjoyed. Watched it recently myself and loved it.

[ScarletLion]

'Nocturnal Animals' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/BMnwEW1.jpg

Tom Ford's latest film deals with rejection, life choices and closure. It's a very nice film to look at, with several scenes lasting long in the memory, mainly due to the aesthetic of the shot. It's well made in terms of plot too with a 'book inside a film' technique - and the mechanics of how to get Jake Gyllenhall's character inside both the book and the film plot is nicely manufactured. Amy Adams is enigmatic as the lead, who is querying choices made in previous times, Gyllenhall is his usual very solid self but Michael Shannon more or less steals every scene he's in. He really is one of the most terrific actors on the planet.

The film has flaws. I'm not sure I really believed that some of Gyllenhall's and Adams' backstory was totally without problems

Does he just turn up at the abortion clinic unannounced? Ok maybe it could happen but it was contrived.

And I know the novel was a complete work of fiction but inviting a victim's family along to stake out the potential suspect was a bit much. There's nothing wrong with a novel that suspends belief, but when that novel becomes half of a 2 hour film - it takes over and therefore you find yourself questioning it somewhat.

That said, this is a very watchable film with gripping thriller elements, some psychological drama, some romance, and plenty of nice photography.

It's well worth a watch........ 7/10

[ScarletLion]

'Infinitely Polar Bear; (2014)

http://i.imgur.com/0T4VXze.jpg

I enjoyed the novel way that the manic depression / bipolar disorder is depicted and the way it comes very early in the plot. It's a nicely filmed piece but at the end of the day there just wasn't enough to make me laugh enough, cry enough, be inspired enough or feel any other emotion to make me recommend this movie. It just plodded on and made me nod my head. That's about it. 5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Old Joy' (2006)

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac148/scarletlion/old%20joy_zpso5qihdoo.gif


Continuing on my Kelly Reichardt crusade, I stumbled upon Old Joy. With a short running time it felt like I'd eavesdropped on a conversation in a nature reserve. Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted it is a tiny slice of life style film about 2 friends who have drifted apart, and the film centres around them realising just how far they have drifted apart.

We learn that these 2 friends once had a bond that was a bit stronger than friendship. They were soul mates and nothing could touch that. But life moves on. People move on. And this resonated with me. I think probably nearly every adult can find similarities with this in their life. Ever lost touch with a friend? Ever grown apart due to changes in taste? This film deals with it perfectly. There are large parts with no dialogue, typical of Reichardt, but it seems to perfectly fit the awkwardness of the 2 friends journey.

And Lucy the dog! wow, I had no idea she featured in more than 1 Reichardt film, I even noticed that there was a bit of graffiti on the hot springs that mentioned 'Wendy'. I love connections like this. Reichardt has conjured up her own little world in Oregon. This has made me wonder about how Lucy gets to Wendy now, as Old Joy was released 2 years before 'Wendy and Lucy'.

It's a tiny glimpse into an everyday subject, made very personal by one of the greatest female Directors of this generation.

7/10

[ScarletLion]

'Next Floor' [short]

Denis Villeneuve

Villeneuve flexes his muscles in this 10 minute short. I took it to be a repulsion of the throwaway manner on which everything is consumed in modern life and mass produced for a materialistic greedy consumer . Although it could equally have connotations around the way corporations treat humans.

An enjoyable way to spend 10 minutes and a glimpse into the talent, artistry and brilliant mind of Denis Villeneuve. Some of the shots are almost Gilliamesque in look and atmosphere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmRVKJ8AUtk

[ScarletLion]

'Land of Mine' [Under Sandet] (2015)

http://i.imgur.com/1HuOhRM.jpg

Martin Zandvliet's World War II movie is not an original piece, but it is compelling, emotionally powerful and one of the most gorgeously shot war movies I have ever seen. The end of the war arrives in Denmark and the Danish army have a need to clear thousands of live land mines, laid by the Nazis from their beaches.There are very tense scenes,a s you'd expect from the subject content, but also very touching ones.

It's a' Schindler's List LITE' feature. But that shouldn't put any one off

The young cast of boys in it are truly superb (most of them had never acted in a feature before) as is Roland Moller as the Danish seargent. The script is also just fantastic, it is minimal and doesn't overdo the horrors of war. This film is about love, hate, patriotism, sufferring and forgiveness. Yes the Nazis aren't always the bad guys. The winner though is the photography. It is just stunning.

Strongly recommended. I'd give it at least 8/10.

[Gideon58]

[CENTER]'The beat that my heart skipped' (2005)



FABULOUS title

[cricket]

I haven't seen anything from this page yet, but I'm very much looking forward to Nocturnal Animals next weekend!

[Camo]

Yeah, i haven't seen any either, or heard of quite a few. How are you choosing these SL, are they recs are what? Just curious coz as i said i haven't heard of some of them and they look interesting.

[ScarletLion]

Yeah, i haven't seen any either, or heard of quite a few. How are you choosing these SL, are they recs are what? Just curious coz as i said i haven't heard of some of them and they look interesting.

Mostly recommendations from Movie Forums.Some from friends. Some that I've been meaning to watch for a while. Some I have on Blu Ray some of the less easy to find I try and borrow from friends or have to download. I try and keep track of what I watch and what I need to watch by Letterboxd .

[ScarletLion]

'Tangerine' (2015)

http://i.imgur.com/mdn5T80.jpg

A proper indie film, shot on a mobile phone. I wasn't sure if the hype would match the movie, but it did. It's funny, touching and was an entertaining glimpse into 2 hours of street life in LA. It also has a killer soundtrack. The 2 leads are superb.

Oh and Chester from the Wire is also Chester in this. Weird coincidence.

7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

Tell No One (2006)

http://i.imgur.com/IMjbW3B.jpg

A solid French thriller from Guillaume Canet. There are moments of real tense drama here and intriguing mystery. Beautifully shot and very well acted. The problem is that there are gaping plot holes and a very fantastical twisty turny ending. That said, there would be no movie (and no novel it's based on) without them, so you tend to forgive the flaws and take it for what it is - which is an entertaining popcorn flick which melds 'The Fugitive' with 'Cache'.

7 out of 10

[ScarletLion]

Wiener Dog (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/q9okqJk.jpg

Well I liked it, To me it was a typical Solondz black as night comedy that dealt with the unavoidable situation of dealing the hand we're dealt with. You can try and shape yourself, behave differently or pretend your something else, but at the end of the day, we are the person we are born. We don't really have a choice to change our personalities. Just like a dog doesn't have the choice which home it goes to. We can take different paths and try out new things but the only thing we're sure of is that this is who we are at this moment and one day we're going to die.

It was laugh out loud funny in places (Muhammed the dog), par for the course with Solondz.

7.5 out of 10.

[Camo]

I only found out about a month ago that features Dawn from Welcome To The Dollhouse. Got to see it.

I felt about the same as you about Tangerine too.

[ScarletLion]

I only found out about a month ago that features Dawn from Welcome To The Dollhouse. Got to see it.

I felt about the same as you about Tangerine too.

Yeah it has. Let me know what you think.

[ScarletLion]

Kikujiro (1999)

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

Takeshi Kitano's Kikujiro is a strange one. In all senses. It has absolutely beautiful moments. And some completely off the wall segments. The trouble is the character Kitano plays is an idiot. If he was just a loser tryng to connect with a young boy who's trying to find his mother, then I think I would have liked it more. It's still a solid 7/10 but I just didn't identify with some of Kikujiro's actions in the film. I get that he becomes increasingly self aware due to the nature of the similarities between the boy and him, but it falls a little short as it blurs the lines between comedy and drama.

[ScarletLion]

'The Man who wasn't there' (2001)

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

One of the few Coen bros movies I've not seen until now. And it is typically brilliant, mysterious, character driven off the wall fare. The way it is shot is absolutely gorgeous. The black and whites are striking as the use of artificial light cuts through creating memorable lines, shadows and apparitions. It is a lovely film to look at.

The plot is a Neo-Noir inspired mystery with a few other zany elements involved. B Thornton carries it through with aplomb. He's just such a watchable actor, his screen presence and mannerisms are mesmerizing.

The movie leaves a few questions unanswered and the ending is ambiguous, so I think many viewers would probably be annoyed. But that's part of the point. To piece the jigsaw together yourself however you see fit.

In my opinion, while on death row, BBT is probably making half the story up in a Kaiser soze style - he more or less admits it too, as he writes an article for a magazine (and gets paid by the word). So a second viewing might enable the viewer to ascertain which bits we think were made up and which bits were not.

Very enjoyable viewing. 8/10

[Camo]

That's one of the few Coens i haven't seen. Should watch it soon since i've heard such varied opinions on it, i've heard it called their most underrated as well as one of their worst.

[ScarletLion]

That's one of the few Coens i haven't seen. Should watch it soon since i've heard such varied opinions on it, i've heard it called their most underrated as well as one of their worst.

I'd appreciate your view on it. I'd certainly put it up there with their best

[ScarletLion]

'Half Nelson' (2006)

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

A fine character drama about addiction and finding your place in the world with 2 stand out performances from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps. The troubles of the lead character are very well played out. Recommended.7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Sorcerer'(1977)

http://i.imgur.com/ihoB7Yg.jpg

Filmed in locations including Paris, Mexico, Israel and Mexico, William Friedkin's underrated classic is an epic journey in more than one sense. Certain shots and segments reminded me of Apocalypse Now and Papillon. Roy Scheider is terrific as the gaunt lead on the run from the mob.

The first half of the film sets up the backstory of the main characters and why they've landed in such strife. The second half provides us with the futile nature of their attempt to get out of it. The film is a thriller in essence but is far more cerebral than a simple caper in the jungle. Well worth tracking a copy of this down, if only to see the trucks filmed moving across perilous roads and dilapidated rope bridges.

7.5/10

[the samoan lawyer]

'Sorcerer'(1977)

http://i.imgur.com/ihoB7Yg.jpg

Filmed in locations including Paris, Mexico, Israel and Mexico, William Friedkin's underrated classic is an epic journey in more than one sense. Certain shots and segments reminded me of Apocalypse Now and Papillon. Roy Scheider is terrific as the gaunt lead on the run from the mob.

The first half of the film sets up the backstory of the main characters and why they've landed in such strife. The second half provides us with the futile nature of their attempt to get out of it. The film is a thriller in essence but is far more cerebral than a simple caper in the jungle. Well worth tracking a copy of this down, if only to see the trucks filmed moving across perilous roads and dilapidated rope bridges.

7.5/10


Watched this recently and gave it full marks.

[mark f]

No mention of Tangerine Dream's score?

[cricket]

One of the most tense movies I've seen-loved it!

[ScarletLion]

'Loving' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/06srUao.jpg

I was hoping 2016 was going to be the year to launch Jeff Nichols into the stratosphere. With an exciting sci-fi (Midnight Special) and 'Loving', a drama based on true events of Mildred and Richard Loving. But it didn't quite turn out. Midnight Special I found interesting but derivative, and Loving, although a massively important and touching story just didn't quite have the script it needed to have. It's not that Loving isn't interesting or beautiful to watch or engaging or have 2 exceptional lead performances. It's all those things, and you care for the characters involved in a big way. But it didn't go the extra mile in the "drama" quota. We more or less know the story from history the way the movie was marketed. We know how it ends. We know how stories like this had to happen for society to change. So what we need to get from A to B is a journey. But that journey just didn't have enough elements to it for this film to get an 8 out of 10. Whether it's because Nichols admirably stuck to true life events too much, I do not know.

Nichols will remain one of the best Directors around though. He's too good not to. This one just wasn't him at the top of his game.

6/10

[ScarletLion]

'A Hijacking' (2012)

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

Danish thriller 'A Hijacking' presents us with a neat conundrum that forces us to look at who really has the most stress in their working lives, who bears the scars of horrible industrial situations like this and what the right way of dealing with them really is. There's also a strong anti corporate message.

The film is incredibly realistic in it's depiction of a hostage / hijack situation both from the point of view of the negotiators and the hostages, and at times almost felt like a documentary style film.

The film opens with the CEO of the shipping company taking a few minutes to negotiate a multi million dollar deal. The next hour and half shows him take considerably longer to negotiate another multi million dollar deal that involves the lives of the 7 screw members aboard the ship. I enjoyed this comparison and how it made us contrast the 2 situations and the effects of the families involved. It's this human and emotional element that makes it evolve from a straight up action thriller to a more nuanced drama. This is what made this movie far better than the likes of 'Captain Phillips' which was released round about the same time.

At the end of the film I almost felt like I'd watched a war movie. It evoked the same sort of emotions. Mostly of relief and sadness.

I'd give this an 8/10. It's well worth 1 hour and 43 minutes of your time.

[ScarletLion]

'Perfect Strangers' (2016)

http://www.iitaly.org/sites/default/files/styles/article-slideshow-visual/public/slideshow_pro/Perfect_strangers_1460042222.jpg

Perfect Strangers is a smart little Italian film that deals with morals, secrets, the intrusion of technology, guilt and conscience. It has many flaws, but a neat payoff.

It's basically a play set around a dinner table, and the first half of the film has so much dialogue and so many camera angle changes that I could feel my eyes getting heavy as I struggled to cope with the pace of the script. It levelled out in the second half though with a few dilemmas for the characters. The friends sat around the table agree to leave each others phones out so anybody can read them - with varying consequences.

It's not groundbreaking, and not even brilliant, but what it did is made me eager to see what happened to the characters in the end that we've learned about over the course of the film. This is due mainly to the witty, intelligent script.

Recommended 7.5/10

[Chypmunk]

'A Hijacking' (2012)

Cue Swan with "Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir!!!!!!" :)

[ScarletLion]

Cue Swan with "Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir!!!!!!" :)

I thought the score was great too. Icelandic music is pound for pound the best music on the planet for sure.

[Swan]

Cue Swan with "Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir!!!!!!" :)

I know. I still need to watch it, dammit.

[ScarletLion]

'Krisha' (2015)

http://i.imgur.com/PDyf6iK.jpg

Well that wasn't an easy watch. I went in to this blind. Didn't even know what it was about. I just saw it recommended elsewhere. It's a really frank, candid, unsettling bit of character drama directed brilliantly by a first time filmmaker. It's actually pretty astonishing what Trey Edward Shults has done in this film.On a budget of practically nothing I expect.

The film follows an estranged Aunt making the trip back to the rest of her family for Thanksgiving. But things go wrong. Badly wrong, in ways which develop the context of the movie, the characters and the dynamics of the whole setting. It's more like a short play that delves deep into the workings of a 'semi-dysfunctional' family trying desperately to be as functional as possible.

Krisha Fairchild is absolutely barnstorming in the lead role. She nails it and it's one of the most memorable performances I've seen in the last couple of years. One scene in particular where Krisha meets an old family member is as heartbreaking as it is brutally brilliant, realistic and compelling.

I found elements of Todd Solondz and even PT Anderson in some of the early camerawork. But it actually stands on it's own as a very impressive piece of work. Film school is clearly working in some part of the world. It's inspiring, particularly the use of subtle camerawork and aspect ratios to convey the different states of mind of the lead protagonist. There is also alot of dialogue that seems improvised as conversations overlap and audio gets louder and quieter. This, along with the very minimal score just adds to the realism if anything. Watching the credits roll is when you realize that the cast is made up of rather unexpected group. I won't spoil it for others but it must give hope to loads of wannabe film-makers to watch something like this.

I'll be watching Shults' career with interest, for sure.

4

[cricket]

I watched that on Camo's rec and felt similar to you.

[Camo]

Glad you liked it man :up:. Krisha Fairchild was indeed amazing, my fave performance from last year and i think the director will have a bright future. Here's his next film that will be released June 9th - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Comes_at_Night

Starting to think i work for the guy, i'm the only person i've seen anywhere pimping this film :laugh:

Agreed on Half Nelson too. The film wasn't completely amazing or anything but Gosling was great.

[ScarletLion]

'The Club' (2015)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHVh3qWXAAAPqqa.jpg

'The club' is a dark, dreary and disturbing tale about excommunicated Priests sent to a small town for their heinous crimes. The colour palette used by Pablo Larrain rarely shifts from foggy greys and dark greens which helps create an atmosphere of bleakness and doom. And that is also reflected in the story. It's an incredibly difficult subject matter to make engaging and while the film was quite good at getting the more sordid details across, there just wasn't enough of a narrative to distract me from the depravity of it all. Worth watching but not a huge hit. 6/10

[Ms. M]

'Irreversible' (2002)

Well that was a tough watch. There's not many movies I've watched where I've had to look away from the screen but I did during this.

[quote]
I really regret I've watch this movie. After seeing it, I had about for a week the scen of rape in front of my eyes. I couldn't thinking about nothing else. To be honest since today I feel anxiety, when I'm going underground passageway. I haven't seen such a violent scene never before and never after.

One of those movies that I won't be in a hurry to watch again soon...Me either ;)

[Ms. M]

'Paterson' (2016)


I'v not seen many Jim Jarmusch's films. Dead Man was ok but here's always something ethereal and dream like about them. Paterson is the same in that it meanders along with repetitive scenes, dialogue and features. I enjoyed the overall premise, and the notion that anyone can be a poet or an artist if they have it in them.Some of the characters were almost Lynchian and some of the shots were like a Terrence Mallick movie.

I felt a little frustrated though that it took 2 hours to get to this. Maybe it was because I expected the themes (Twins, black and white, waterfalls) to link up in some way. I guess that's for us to work out. Maybe it means that there is a ying to your yang if you look hard enough or that there is a perfect version of you in there somewhere if you let it out. All in all, I wasn't 100% sure what the deeper meaning of it all meant. Maybe that's my error though.

A nice dreamy movie but I'm not sure it hit the high notes 6.5/10
I love Jarmush. Patterson isn't like one of his films. But it have such a charming mood, like fairy tales. I was superrelaxing, sitting in dark cinema, in cosy chair and "feed" eyes with simply pictures and "ears" with everyday talks. By the way, I like eavesdrop on people in buses or trams:D

[Ms. M]

'Frances Ha' (2012)



I found it charming, quirky, unusual, endearing, amusing and interesting. As I was watching I was thinking to myself "I bet this film got loads of hate" and I still think that. But there's always the next Mission Impossible round the corner for the haters. I enjoyed it. 7.5/10
Ha ha ha :up: I enjoy it either. I like this kind of movies.

[Ms. M]

[quote=ScarletLion;1663865]'Eden' (2012)



There are zero sex scenes, and very little violence, yet the entire film is conducted in a version of hell that is so real, the normal person can only guess at what it would have been like.

Well said. Sometimes our imagination can prompt much worst pictures, then somebody could show in a movie.

[Ms. M]

'Perfect Strangers' (2016)


It's not groundbreaking, and not even brilliant, but what it did is made me eager to see what happened to the characters in the end that we've learned about over the course of the film. This is due mainly to the witty, intelligent script.

Recommended 7.5/10

This movie suprised me. I wouldn't watch it, if my friend haven't recommended it to me. I was convinced it is one of this seasonal comedies, which you forget five minutes after watching it. But it turned out to be one of the most unpredictable movies.

[Ms. M]

BTW, great Log, ScarletLion.

[ScarletLion]

BTW, great Log, ScarletLion.

Thanks for the comments. I agree about perfect strangers. A little gem of a script.

[ScarletLion]

I'll use this post for my Hall of Fame reviews:

'The Quiet Earth' (1985):

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1687196#post1687196

'Manchester by the Sea' (2016):

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1687224#post1687224

'Buffalo '66 (1998)

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1687696#post1687696

Captain Fantastic (2016)

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1689540#post1689540

'Nightmare Alley' (1947)

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1692409#post1692409


'Forbidden Games' (1952)

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1696819#post1696819

'Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter....and Spring' (2003)

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1704987#post1704987

'The Marriage of Maria Braun' (1979):
https://www.movieforums.com/community/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=48960

'The Great Dictator (1940)
https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1721316#post1721316

'Wings of Desire' (1987)
https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1726340#post1726340

[ScarletLion]

'Mammoth' (2009)

http://i.imgur.com/h6XkFcQ.jpg

Lukas Moodysson's movies are always interesting. This one was panned by alot of critics as just a rehash of the likes of Babel and Crash. But it's harsh to just dismiss it as a failure. It raised important points, namely those of global capitalisation and the notion that family is everything. There were constant visual reminders about the earth, the cosmos and our place in the universe. There were many flaws and some really did require the viewer to question some character motives. But overall I enjoyed it. Admittedly, that may be due to my unquestionable, undying love for Michelle Williams though. 7/10

[ScarletLion]

'Personal Shopper'

http://kinoafisha.ua/upload/2017/02/films/7543/fotos/src_1486544491personalni-pokupatel.jpg

Loads of mystery, ambiguous 3rd act, a fantastic performance by Kristen Stewart. Loved it. I do feel it requires another watch as I'm certain I missed things, which might annoy some viewers, but I don't see this as a flaw.

I gather some people were wanting to see a paranormal horror film, but this isn't the one. It's a layered film about dealing with death and altering your perspectives. There are supernatural elements to it but most of them are a sideshow to the main crux of the movie. Stewart is brilliant as the lead, almost effortless at some points. Director Olivier Assayas leaves alot to the imagination and alot to figure out, but the film is better for it, as the levels of intrigue stay with you right up until the credits roll.

Anyone who enjoyed the Neon Demon should give this a shot as there are certain elements to it that draws parallels.

8/10 at least. Maybe more.

[ScarletLion]

'The One I Love' (2014)

http://i.imgur.com/MX0TrIk.jpg


"I am not an Aardvark!".

Mark Duplass' work always seems to float my boat, and although this was Directed by Charlie McDowell, you can sense Duplass had a strong input. After seeing and enjoying his 2016 effort 'Blu Jay', I was sure that this would be another romantic drama but I was completely wrong. This movie is extremely ambiguous, very contrived and a complete headf**k, which contains not only the relationship element but also thriller and sci-fi components too.

Whilst watching, I was reminded of segments from films like Coherence, Beetlejuice, The Truman Show and others. It requires huge portions of belief suspension and the ending will either make you smile or throw something at the tv. But I'd much rather watch an ambitious indie movie that perhaps just falls short than yet another regurgitated hollywood superhero action clone.

A solid 7/10.

[the samoan lawyer]

I watched and loved Blu Jay on your recommendation so I'll definitely be adding this to the watch list. In fact, from your review it sounds like something I'll really like. Cheers

[ScarletLion]

I watched and loved Blu Jay on your recommendation so I'll definitely be adding this to the watch list. In fact, from your review it sounds like something I'll really like. Cheers

Let me know how you get on. And what you think of the ending!

[ScarletLion]

'Notes on Blindness' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/r6YjE4Z.jpg

This is a semi-dramatized documentary focusing on retelling the audio memoirs of a man going blind. If that sounds slightly unusual, it's because it is. The cast lip sync the actual recorded words spoken by John Hull and his wife who detailed his descent into the debilitating world of visual impairment in the 1980s.

The memoirs capture the pure physical and psychological turmoil experienced by John as he experiences this loss of vision, and as he says he battles to live in reality instead of this nostalgic world that his brain is forcing upon him. The dreams he experiences and the way he describes them are beautiful bittersweet torture - as it is his only way of conjuring new images into his world, yet he wakes every morning crestfallen, as he remembers he cannot see, and they were just dreams. One night he dreams he can see his new child that was born after he lost his sight. The way this scene is directed (by Peter Middleton & James Spinney) is as magical as it is emotive.

John expresses to us that he believes part of his brain is dying as a portion of it no longer requires power to process images. He says he feels hungry for stimulation that he just cannot obtain. He also forgets what his wife looks like, which must be pure agony. The frustration of being rendered effectively useless as a parent also weighs heavily on his mind, and some points on the audio tapes you can almost feel the depression that John must be battling.

Dan Renton Skinner does an unbelievable job as the taunted John Hull. His facial expressions transport us into this hell that John must have been in and his performance is one of the most captivating of any portraying an illness / disability that I can remember.

I couldn't wait to splash down a few words about this film in the hope that just 1 or 2 people watch it as a result. That has to be a sign that of its' quality.

Beautiful agony. 5

[the samoan lawyer]

Great review Scarlet. I saw this fairly recently on BBC. Stunning documentary. So so sad and impossible to imagine what it must be like.

[ScarletLion]

Mommy (2014)

https://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_960w/Boston/2011-2020/2015/01/19/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/ADorval21418088660.jpg

Absolutely superb. Dolan's craft is on full display. The 2 female leads steal the show. It's a remarkably emotional, poignant journey into the painful world of a struggling mother. There are no gimmicks. It's not pretentious. It's wonderful. Heartbreaking, but wonderful.

9/10

[ScarletLion]

Double bill:

'The Puffy Chair' (2005)

http://www.unsungfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-Puffy-Chair-Unsung-Films-4.jpg

A nice way to spend 90 minutes. The Duplass brothers always make interesting movies. And this must be quite a personal film for Mark Duplass given he ended up marrying his love interest and talking to his real life dad about their relationship on screen. It's not a huge triumph and there is little depth to it, plus the shaky camera does grate a little (what do you expect on a tony budget?). But what's there is interesting enough as regards the illustration of human emotions.

3

'Get Out' (2017)

http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2016/10/peele-getout.jpg

This threatened to be intriguing. It wavered into a nice mix of modern society allegories and horror. But in the end it's just another genre movie that left me disappointed by lack of substance.

2

[ScarletLion]

'Ratcatcher' (1999)

http://i.imgur.com/ECVxCr6.jpg

I was amazed to hear that this was Lynne Ramsay's debut feature. I enjoyed "We need to talk about Kevin" alot but Ratcatcher was a totally different type of film that hasn't really threatened my radar until recently, and I have to say it is up there with the best British movies I've ever seen. Seriously.

It's also one of the grimmest, dirtiest, melancholic films I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. There are pay offs to counter this, but they are few and far between. I can't say that downbeat films get to me, as if a film is good then it's good and I feel glad that I just watched a terrific film rather than "depressed" at it's content. And this is one of those. So maybe it just suited me, or my mood at least.

Set during the waste removal strike in Glasgow in the early 1970s, it's a tale of death, poverty, learning, awakening and guilt. It follows the story of a young boy called James who goes from hardship to hardship while dreaming of a better life. There are some mesmerizing sequences that won't leave me in a hurry including pairs of gasses, balloons, cornfields and bathtubs. Right from the opening sequence that deceptively tantalyzes us with a young boy trapped in a curtain, we are thrust into this mini world of typical childhood pains.

The manner that Ramsay unfurls James' thoughts, experiences and actions is as engrossing as it is clever, and the last 5 minutes, while being slightly ambiguous is utterly beautiful. The first half conjures up obvious comparisons with other British movies delving into the working class like Kes, The Selfish Giant, Gregory's girl, I Daniel Blake, Tyrannosaur etc - but what we're left with is a more cerebral, contemplative experience than those movies, that percolates in the mind for a long while after viewing stops.

Rachel Portman's score is also worth a mention. It weaves in and out at crucial times, yet there are moments of silence that Ramsay perfects in order for us to be transfixed at James' actions, and the end piece of music is beautifully timed.

A must see.

4.5

[Camo]

So glad i decided to look in here, as i love this page. Ratcatcher is one of my very favourite films and i think Ramsay's best, so glad you liked it so much :up:. I expected you to because as i noted in the past you seem to like alot of the same bleak British drama's as me.

Mommy is my favourite film of 2014 so glad to see you really liked that too. I liked Get Out quite a bit but totally get why you didn't.

BTW, did you just find out how to do the popcorns or did you just now decide to start using them? Just wondering.

[ScarletLion]

So glad i decided to look in here, as i love this page. Ratcatcher is one of my very favourite films and i think Ramsay's best, so glad you liked it so much :up:. I expected you to because as i noted in the past you seem to like alot of the same bleak British drama's as me.

Mommy is my favourite film of 2014 so glad to see you really liked that too. I liked Get Out quite a bit but totally get why you didn't.

BTW, did you just find out how to do the popcorns or did you just now decide to start using them? Just wondering.

Yeah, love those British dramas. You seen 'The Selfish Giant' yet?

I normally only use the popcorn ratings when I submit a review, as I prefer to mark out of 10. Not that ratings are everything - they are so subjective.

I'm going to try and delve into some more Xavier Dolan. Talented young man.

[Ms. M]

Yeah, love those British dramas. You seen 'The Selfish Giant' yet?

I normally only use the popcorn ratings when I submit a review, as I prefer to mark out of 10. Not that ratings are everything - they are so subjective.

I'm going to try and delve into some more Xavier Dolan. Talented young man.
Dolan's movies make my brain crush (in disturbing, but positive way). He is so extraordinary movies director. His every film is indyvidual story, but when You watch it You know it's Dolan's. Thouht his young age...
Scarlet, enjoy...

[ScarletLion]

Dolan's movies make my brain crush (in disturbing, but positive way). He is so extraordinary movies director. His every film is indyvidual story, but when You watch it You know it's Dolan's. Thouht his young age...
Scarlet, enjoy...

Thanks. I plan to. seems Quebec has alot going for it movie wise these days.

[Upton]

FYI while it is her first feature film Lynne Ramsay made several very good shorts that are all available on Youtube/Vimeo

Gasman (https://vimeo.com/196442430)

[ScarletLion]

'Mississippi Grind' (2015)

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wStSmgbx--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1446520478090270639.png

Ryan Fleck and Ana Boden directed 'Half Nelson' which I thought had quite a lot going for it. So I watched this on the back of that movie. It's a pretty neat road trip tale of compulsive gamblers trying to catch a break. The third act is slightly muddled but the message is quite plain to see, and Ben Mendelsohn is his usual formidable self. The rainbow symbolism was also nicely subtle. Enjoyable, if not essential viewing.

6.5/10

[nebbit]

Nice thread Redpussycat Thanks https://media.giphy.com/media/eQZPrashbH9vy/giphy.gif

[Ms. M]

Thanks. I plan to. seems Quebec has alot going for it movie wise these days.
True:yup:

[ScarletLion]

'The Bow' (2005)

http://i.imgur.com/1GJFFE3.jpg

I've had this movie in my collection for years, and as I knew it was about a boat, i thought it was called "The Bow", as in the hull (front) of a boat. Turns out, it's not. And that confusion sort of sums up how I would feel at the end of the movie. After watching Ki-Duk Kim's 'Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter....and Spring', I delved into this one head on. Like 'Spring, Summer' it's another single location movie, which rather than detract from the tone of the move, adds to it, because we are drawn to the isolated / claustrophobic setting and devoutness of the characters. This is exacerbated with the lack of dialogue, something which drives home the philosophical nature of his movies.

The film's strengths lie in it's ability to intrigue and mystify us with the dynamics of the young girl and the old man who has taken her in. He plans to marry her on her 17th birthday. And we see their relationship develop throughout the first two thirds of the film. There are some truly beautiful moments as you'd expect from Ki-Duk, but what follows in the third act is just something that unfortunately fell flat on my eyes and mind. The spiritual nature of what unfolds is so peculiar that I'm not even sure I was totally on board with what Ki-Duk Kim was trying to tell me. The notion that love can become so powerful that it transcends age and even death is hammered home adequately enough but the final few scenes felt a little forced in their eccentricity, and made me question my understanding of the first two acts.

I'll still be visiting the rest of Ki-Duk Kim's work in the future, but this one just didn't quite match up to the expectations due to the finale. That could well be my lack of understanding, so I'd love to hear any interpretations of what the final few scenes were portraying.

6.5 / 10

[ScarletLion]

River of Grass (1994)

http://cdn2.walkerartcenter.org/static/cache/da/da7557db6159214136738ce2684eda61.jpg

Kelly Reichardt's career is something I'm trying to follow and piece together having enjoyed everything of her's I've seen so far. This was no exception. The monotony of life is explored in under 90 minutes as we follow a young woman who just wants a bit more fun while she's on the planet.

It is easy to call this film a Malick homage as it is very derivative of 'Badlands'. But that turns out to be one of it's strengths. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in performances and realism. It was part Badlands, part 70s detective movie, part road movie, part black comedy, part drama. And together with some nice Jazz score and drum workings that remind be of certain scenes in 'Birdman', it just works and being her debut, was a sign of things to come for Recihardt.

You just can't help wanting to know what happens to the characters, even though they are not the greatest examples of human beings. That's what Reichardt seems so good at doing, letting us have a peek on a situation and getting us invested in it.

A very good debut from a very good Director.

8/10

[ScarletLion]

'Raw' (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/kPmRU6n.jpg

An impressive debut from Julia Ducournau. It meandered between different genres and didn't settle on one. The soundtrack / score was absolutely brilliant, and with big organ / electro / proggy sounds, at times it went quite Dario Argento.

The conforming (or not) to societal norms message was pushed out there early on, and on which at times left the movie with nowhere else to go, and nothing left for the viewer to guess. But the claustrophobic, unsettling nature of the way the movie looks and feels went some way in making up up for that. Can't complain about the performances too, Garance Marillier being the stand out.

Interesting, well executed movie and far far better than most other mainstream movies that proclaim themselves to be "horror". It just lacked a tiny bit of depth to make me really write home about it.

6.5/10

[the samoan lawyer]

Nice review for Raw, Scarlet. I'm really looking forward to seeing this and although you didn't love it, there seems to be enough there for me to. Cheers.

[ScarletLion]

Nice review for Raw, Scarlet. I'm really looking forward to seeing this and although you didn't love it, there seems to be enough there for me to. Cheers.

I think you'll like it. I might be being hyper critical with that review.

[ScarletLion]

'Hush' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/2PJpaNV.jpg

It's my own fault. I wanted a Saturday night movie. I chose a blumhouse home invasion picture, so I can hardly complain at the lack of cerebral tickling. (and I'm a fan of John Gallagher Jnr).

And to be fair it completely did it's job. Solid thriller that entertained a little, even though it tried to be more clever than it was. I ate my popcorn and that's about it.

6.5/10

[cricket]

Agree 100% on Hush, and I already have Raw on my watchlist courtesy of the mighty Swan.

[ScarletLion]

'The Hunt for the Wilder People' (2016)

http://i.imgur.com/PJNLZu4.jpg

Taika Waititi's latest film has been recommended to me by several people. So I watched it. It's an endearing story of the bond between a youngster an an older man but at the end of the day it's a rehash of an age old story just with stunning landscape in the background. I preferred the likes of Kikujiro that tell a similar tale but with more originality.

What it does well, it does very well. There are some very funny moments but all in all I truly have no idea why it is rated so highly. There's such a distinct lack of originality and a huge amount of predictability that it falls short of the hype that came with those recommendations.

3

[ScarletLion]

'The Visitor' (2007)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/anchorbay/Visitor2_large.jpg

I wanted to see this because I'm a fan of Richard Jenkins. He gives another performance, but he's the only one in it that does. The others plus the dialogue are very wooden and it just feels like they are struggling. Which is a shame as it has some nice moments amid all the post 9/11 paranoia messages. But it never gets above 6 out of 10.



'You can Count on Me' (2000)

http://thatmomentin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/screen-shot-2015-08-28-at-12-40-19-am-1-650x283.png

Kenneth Lonergen scripts are usually interesting but this didn't really click for me. It's a bit clunky in the sense that it doesn't burst out into any real drama at any point. With his other films at least there seems to be moments of clarity / tension / false hope / pay off. But there wasn't much of anything in this. Ruffalo and Linney are ok as the mixed up siblings. But it's just got average written all over it unfortunately.

[ScarletLion]

'Lebanon' (2009)

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

I only heard of Samuel Maoz' debut feature recently when I was researching lists of reviewers favourite "single location movies". This war movie is set entirely inside a tank. It follows a group of young men in the Lebanon conflict of the early 1980s and uses clever camera "POVs" to capture the soldiers surroundings.

There are flaws such as the pace - we are thrust into the narrative head on without really getting to know much about the backstory of anything, and the action does rather fizzle out abruptly. The script is also a bit meandering. But overall the claustrophobia of tank warfare is captured quite well. Not a brilliant film but by no means one that should be ignored.

6.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Free Fire' (2016)

http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/main_wide/public/free-fire1.jpg?itok=dEZ_eXNN

I like Ben Wheatley but this was a misfire (pun intended). It looks nice. There are some decent performances. But overall it's a comedy crime caper that just didn't have enough bite in it. There was so much gunfire, I half expected Bill Murray to turn up and shout "woah woah nice shooting Tex". And At times it just felt like watching your friends play Paintball.

Onto the next one Mr Wheatley.

5.5/10

[the samoan lawyer]

'Free Fire' (2016)

http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/main_wide/public/free-fire1.jpg?itok=dEZ_eXNN

I like Ben Wheatley but this was a misfire (pun intended). It looks nice. There are some decent performances. But overall it's a comedy crime caper that just didn't have enough bite in it. There was so much gunfire, I half expected Bill Murray to turn up and shout "woah woah nice shooting Tex". And At times it just felt like watching your friends play Paintball.

Onto the next one Mr Wheatley.



5.5/10


That's a shame. Wheatley's early stuff was great. Kill List is one of my favourite films. But his most recent efforts I haven't found that great. I'll still watch this and see for myself but I never really had high hopes of it.

[ScarletLion]

That's a shame. Wheatley's early stuff was great. Kill List is one of my favourite films. But his most recent efforts I haven't found that great. I'll still watch this and see for myself but I never really had high hopes of it.

A Field in England, Kill List and Sightseers are very good. But this just didn't click. It might just be me though, let me know what you think.

[the samoan lawyer]

A Field in England, Kill List and Sightseers are very good. But this just didn't click. It might just be me though, let me know what you think.


I will do.


1. Kill List
2. Down Terrace
3. Sightseers
4. High Rise
5. A Field in England


for me.

[cricket]

I'm always interested in the next Wheatley movie but I didn't even put that one on my watchlist. The trailer made it look like he was trying to be Guy Ritchie.

I agree with you on Wilderpeople but I loved You Can Count on Me!

[ScarletLion]

'The Man from Earth' (2007)
https://billsmovieemporium.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/the-man-from-earth.jpg

I watched this on a whim last night. It's like a made for TV movie written by the guys from the Twilight zone. Has some really nice concepts and great script, but the reveal and the last 15 minutes is a bit of a let down.

Worth putting on if you're into indie Sci-Fi though. 6.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Rabbit Hole' (2010)

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

It's yet another movie about grief coping mechanisms, but it is Directed very well by John Cameron Mitchell. Based on a play by David Lindsay-Abaire it tells the story of a couple dealing with tragic loss, and shows how their behaviour is effected because of it. Some scenes reminded me of elements of 'Manchester by the Sea' (although 'Rabbit Hole' pre-dates it by 6 years) in terms of the portrayal of coping with devastating loss. Though not as effective as Manchester, this is still a valuable, albeit less subtle look at tragedy, closure and family repercussions.

The main problem I had with the film is the lack of chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. They both give suitable performances (Kidman especially), but there's just something that didn't connect them to me. I just didn't really get emotive from Eckhart's outbursts.

The star in this show is Miles Teller though. He doesn't have a great deal of screen time but when he's on it you can't take your eyes off him for some reason. His distant expressions and slow paced dialogue just draws you in. One scene in particular with Kidman is brilliantly captured and Teller does an amazing job of letting us get a little glimpse of his world. Diane Wiest is also very watchable as the affable, long suffering mother.

Overall the sum is greater than its' parts and it is a thought provoking enjoyable journey. Recommended, if you can look past Eckhart.

7.2 / 10

3.5

[ScarletLion]

'Okja' (2017)

Directed by Bong Joon-Ho

https://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/vulture/2017/03/26/26-okja-3.w710.h473.jpg

This film has been on my watchlist for months. The little viral ad campaigns have been tantalysing and the cast / director combination absolutely mouth-watering. The movie is a combination of endearing bond between man (or girl) and animal and an ecological warning to us of how our food resources might be affected if we don’t wise up.
Firstly, the visuals and special effects are stunning. The film looks as you’d expect from a master of his craft like Bong Joon-Ho. From Korean wilderness to New York street parades, the scenes are awesome to watch unfold.

As for the performances, Seo-Hyun Ahn steals the show as the young Mija, although Tilda Swinton is her usual ridiculously good self. That’s it though, there’s a disappointing lack of other characters that shine through. I have a lot of time for Paul Dano and Jake Gyllenhall but neither really played to their strengths in this one. And Gyllenhall’s zany, neurotic character seemed out of place, as if he was in the wrong film.

The film also struggles with deciding what tone it really wants to be. It is part dystopian dysfunction, part heartwarming tearjerker, part thriller and part zany comedy. Whilst that's not a combination impossible to meld on screen I'm not sure Bong Joon Ho quite nails it as the shift from sad animal shot to crazy Gyllenhall shot sort of takes something away from each.

That said, it was an entertaining movie with a few laughs and a tear or 2, and although it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I’d recommend it easily as one of the top films of 2017 so far.

3.5

NB: Submitting this post using this button was just weird:

http://i.imgur.com/xcZ1NiG.png

If you've seen the film, you'll know what I mean.

[Ultraviolence]

'Okja' (2017)



NB: Submitting this post using this button was just weird:

http://i.imgur.com/xcZ1NiG.png

If you've seen the film, you'll know what I mean.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[ScarletLion]

'Entre Nos' (2009)

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

This film caught me square on the jaw, and will probably stay with me for a while. There have been many movies about poverty stricken families struggling at their lowest ebb....from Will Smith Hollywood productions to Ken Loach's recent 'I, Daniel Blake'. But I don't think I've ever seen such a realistic and heartbreaking portrayal as 'Entre Nos' ('Between Us').

Paola Mendoza was absolutely brilliant as a mother that has nothing but will do anything for her children. I was so curious about the film's background (and after seeing the end credits) that I looked online and found:

The script for "Entre Nos" was created after Paola Mendoza sat down with her mother to ask questions she'd never asked and, as well, to ask her mother's blessing to make the film. Having received her mother's blessing, Mendoza got to work with Gloria La Morte and wrote the script over the course of two years and subsequently received the Panasonic Digital Filmmakers Award from Independent Film Week and were accepted into Tribeca's All Access Program. These successes allowed the partners access to the cameras and equipment needed to make "Entre Nos" a reality.

So she Directed, wrote and starred in this movie about her own mother. That made it seem even more heartfelt and you can see why some of the scenes are so realistic and very personal to Mendoza.

It's a very, very good film.

8.5.10 at least

[ScarletLion]

'Dark City' (1998)

Directed by Alex Proyas

http://i.imgur.com/nBpcEO9.jpg

Finally got round to watching this much recommended movie. What I found is that:

1) Rufus Sewell can't do an American accent
2) Jennifer Connelly can't sing
3) This was not Keiffer Sutherland's best role

Apart from that it's a very solid sci-fi mystery flick with an excellent dose of noir. The stand out is the set design. The morphing streets, menacing skies and overbearing buildings just give us this sense of claustrophobia and doom. Excellently done, if a bit too fantasy heavy for my usual tastes.

7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Valhalla Rising' (2009)

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

http://i.imgur.com/fp7IKa1.jpg

It looks beautiful, but I didn't really have a clue what was going on.

6/10

[ScarletLion]

Berberian Sound Studio (2012)

Directed by Peter Strickland

http://i.imgur.com/5XcmHcc.jpg

I came in to this blind. I went out of it in awe. It feels like it's what would have happened if Bergman and Lynch met Argento in the bar and made some notes.

The terror is really the mystery and suggestions that you don't see but are aware of because of the anxiety of the lead character played very well by Toby Jones. The last third of the film is bound to raise more questions than answers, but because I'm still having fun trying to answer them, I like that aspect.

This isn't your typical modern horror flick. Far from it. I can imagine people being very disappointed by this movie if they went in to it expecting your average scare flick. But that's why it's good. Highly recommended to those that like a bit more to think about in their horror movies.

8/10

[ScarletLion]

'It Comes at Night'

https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2017/06/it_comes2/lead_960.jpg?1496959268



After enjoying 'Krisha' so much I was keen to see what Trey Edward Shults did next. He doesn't disappoint with this. Superbly tense, and with a chilling atmosphere of dread, this is a post apocalyptic psych chiller. This movie will probably get lots of hate from those who are expecting a horror film. Because it's not a horror film.

The paranoia and isolation that the family go through must have been quite personal to Shults as he has spoken about his losses quite openly. There was not a single dud performance, so much so that it's difficult to pick a stand out. Plus, the score by Brian McOmber is absolutely spot on in nailing the creepy dread at every corner. Movie of 2017 so far.

8.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'The Nice Guys'

https://popcornandfilm.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/tumblr_o8nwyzrcvw1tkodheo4_540.gif?w=620

The first half was very funny. The second half wasn't. Worth a popcorn watch but nothing more.

6.5/10

[the samoan lawyer]

'It Comes at Night'

https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2017/06/it_comes2/lead_960.jpg?1496959268



After enjoying 'Krisha' so much I was keen to see what Trey Edward Shults did next. He doesn't disappoint with this. Superbly tense, and with a chilling atmosphere of dread, this is a post apocalyptic psych chiller. This movie will probably get lots of hate from those who are expecting a horror film. Because it's not a horror film.

The paranoia and isolation that the family go through must have been quite personal to Shults as he has spoken about his losses quite openly. There was not a single dud performance, so much so that it's difficult to pick a stand out. Plus, the score by Brian McOmber is absolutely spot on in nailing the creepy dread at every corner. Movie of 2017 so far.

8.5/10


Great news! Cant wait to see this!! Have you seen Hounds of Love yet?

[ScarletLion]

Great news! Cant wait to see this!! Have you seen Hounds of Love yet?

I'll be honest - it's not been on my radar at all. Any good?

[ScarletLion]

'James White' (2015)

http://dl9fvu4r30qs1.cloudfront.net/cc/07/b5466f7548f6a4d1d96ee2cb1925/james-white-503828.jpg

Josh Mond's debut feature contains a brilliant performance from Christopher Abbott, as a troubled youngster facing even more tragedy. It's a very candid look into addiction, illness, loss, grief and hope. Not an easy watch, but a very good one.

4

[the samoan lawyer]

I'll be honest - it's not been on my radar at all. Any good?


I liked it and strikes me as a film you'd like. Give it a go.

[ScarletLion]

'Bottom of the World' (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/MiJXfoT.gif

Excellent concept but slightly muddled. Jenna Malone is very good as the lead. It's an abstract, mindf**k dreamlike movie mystery that slightly loses it's way mid way through. But is worth a watch if you enjoy movie puzzles.

[ScarletLion]

'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' (2014)
Directed by Ana Lily Armipour

http://i.imgur.com/DR4xJzJ.gif

Absolutely loved it. Clashes of culture, clashes of genders, stigmas, depravity, loneliness, good Vs evil. A very impressive debut.

8.5/10

[the samoan lawyer]

'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' (2014)
Directed by Ana Lily Armipour

http://i.imgur.com/DR4xJzJ.gif

Absolutely loved it. Clashes of culture, clashes of genders, stigmas, depravity, loneliness, good Vs evil. A very impressive debut.

8.5/10


Thought you would like this. Great score too!

[ScarletLion]

Thought you would like this. Great score too!

Yeah loved the whole thing. I intend to watch her follow up "The Bad Batch" this week but it's been panned almost everywhere.

[MovieMeditation]

I was pretty disappointed with Okja... a lot of interesting ideas, but it was so split in tone and quality throughout. Okja is my spirit animal though. :D

Dark City and A Girl Walks Home are two very long overdue watches of mine. I should really get around to them. I felt the same about Valhalla Rising though probably felt a little more spiritually connected to it than you. I don't know, but I kinda felt drawn in and the atmosphere was great. I wanna see it again now actually.

Really liked It Comes at Night and liked The Nice Guys okay. Some good watches you've had lately! :up:

[the samoan lawyer]

Yeah loved the whole thing. I intend to watch her follow up "The Bad Batch" this week but it's been panned almost everywhere.


Ill look out for your review.

[ScarletLion]

I was pretty disappointed with Okja... a lot of interesting ideas, but it was so split in tone and quality throughout. Okja is my spirit animal though. :D

Dark City and A Girl Walks Home are two very long overdue watches of mine. I should really get around to them. I felt the same about Valhalla Rising though probably felt a little more spiritually connected to it than you. I don't know, but I kinda felt drawn in and the atmosphere was great. I wanna see it again now actually.

Really liked It Comes at Night and liked The Nice Guys okay. Some good watches you've had lately! :up:

I'm a big Refn fan, so if Valhalla Rising set him on the path he's taken, then that's fine by me. But it was a bit hard to connect with. I see what you mean about Okja. Bong Jon-Ho usually introduces tonal shifts in his films (maybe some with comedy / slapstick type elements). But this was something else. It didn't quite fit.

[Beatle]

Christ, man, this is the first one I've even heard of! Except Paths of glory. Just goes to show how limited my knowledge is...Just when I think I have a respectable knowledge and watching experience, something like this happens. I didn't even see Mark here. Is it POSSIBLE he hasn't seen them all?!

'The Deerhunter' (1978)

http://i.imgur.com/yKxG9uL.jpg

This movie often features in the "Greatest ever" war movies or some such list. I do feel it is a movie worth watching but also feel it is overrated. The main reason for this is the pacing. It feels so disjointed. The first act is over an hour long, in which we learn all about their current, working class lives. Then within 5 minutes of the second act, our heroes have been to war and been captured. It just felt like Michael Cimino didn't have the budget to film the war scenes he wanted so the entire 2nd act was rushed.

Obviously you can't ignore the iconic, horrifying scenes that the movie is infamous for, or the acting by Walken and de Niro. But I think overall I'd give it 7/10 due to the long winded 1st act and slightly bizarre pacing. Good but not great.

Anyway, I love this. Deeply emotional etc. Beautiful film. And the score. My nam fave is The Killing Fields however. The Bridge on the river Kwai as my fave war.

My only objection would be that it drives too much on pathos. So, i agree a bit. It's a bit overrated.

I don't know if you're right about the budget, but didn't he make the biggest flop in history? I think it's even in the Guinness book of records! Heaven's gate, what's it called?

i also think Christopher overshadowed Robert here. And speaking of overrated, I'm not gonna invite trouble by saying Robert is overrated, i love him, but I also feel there are better actors, like Alec Guinness, Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, Ewan McGregor, James Dean, Christopher Lee, Gene Hackman, Jack Lemmon, Marlon Brando, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Christian Bale etc. :)

I love The Deer Hunter, I'd certainly never argue against anyone saying it's drawn out in places but personally I have no issue with the brevity or lack of war scenes as those salient to the human drama that unfolds are all in place and the war serving as both backdrop and context is enough for me without it potentially distracting from that story.

I agree 100%. :)

Yes, I think the movie is strong enough in the right places to be considered a good movie, but I was just surprised by how quickly we were thrust into the harrowing war scenes after such a long drawn out first act.

Maybe the point is to show horrors of war without actually showing war itself?

[ScarletLion]

Christ, man, this is the first one I've even heard of! Except Paths of glory. Just goes to show how limited my knowledge is...Just when I think I have a respectable knowledge and watching experience, something like this happens. I didn't even see Mark here. Is it POSSIBLE he hasn't seen them all?!



Anyway, I love this. Deeply emotional etc. Beautiful film. And the score. My nam fave is The Killing Fields however. The Bridge on the river Kwai as my fave war.

My only objection would be that it drives too much on pathos. So, i agree a bit. It's a bit overrated.

I don't know if you're right about the budget, but didn't he make the biggest flop in history? I think it's even in the Guinness book of records! Heaven's gate, what's it called?

i also think Christopher overshadowed Robert here. And speaking of overrated, I'm not gonna invite trouble by saying Robert is overrated, i love him, but I also feel there are better actors, like Alec Guinness, Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, Ewan McGregor, James Dean, Christopher Lee, Gene Hackman, Jack Lemmon, Marlon Brando, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Christian Bale etc. :)



I agree 100%. :)



Maybe the point is to show horrors of war without actually showing war itself?

I agree on some points, especially the last bit but I'm really not sure Ewan McGegor is a better actor than Robert de Niro!

[ScarletLion]

'Dunkirk' (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/bNWFt0a.gif

Possible spoilers ahead

Very well scored, very well shot, Rylance is a beast in it. Emotional ending. Brannagh is quite good and I loved how the timelines overlapped and then came together.

2 things bothered me:

-The mole timeline seems quite far away from the other 2 timelines in order for them to catch up with each other, unless I misread it.

-Cillian Murphy's character doesn't have much say, other than in the pleasure boat timeline. I would have liked to see him more in the mole timeline to understand his character, instead we just get this isolated look at his shellshocked self. I get that this was what Nolan was going for. To make the point that in this war, death comes from anywhere and can strike anyone no matter what their part. I just thought he didn't quite nail it as far as Murphy's character goes.

All in all though, incredibly entertaining and well Directed. 8/10

[ScarletLion]

'A Ghost Story' (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/jValyAk.gif


David Lowery's latest feels like a film that will be revered in 10 to 15 years time. I enjoyed 2013's 'Ain't them bodies Saints' - but this is a whole new ballgame. It's a complex, ambitious, minimalist almost 'art-house mystery drama' take on the human condition, existentialism and lets us realise that we are each a tiny pinprick of the bigger picture.

It does deal in death and grief, as you might expect. But the overall message is more along the lines of a love story, but not in the traditional sense. The way Lowery expands on the relationship between man and his surroundings and man and woman is breathtaking and just left me totally overcome with emotion towards the end of the film.

This movie will divide opinions. There will be those that think it's experimental, pretentious nonsense. But if you let it take you for a ride, and let it give you an experience rather than a traditional narrative, then it won't disappoint. Overall I'd describe it as a "rumination on the enormity of life, love and time". It's an abstract viewpoint. A visual poem. Plus, some of the photography is mesmerising, and the score by Daniel Hart is absolutely perfect for setting the tone. It's also shot in a square aspect ratio that gives you the sense that we are watching a very personal interpretation.

At the theatre I was in, 3 people walked out. One can only assume they were after some throwaway fright flick. They missed the film of 2017.

4.5

[mark f]

I'm really hoping this is better than Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints, Pete's Dragon and St. Nick. I can tell you obviously did.

[ScarletLion]

I'm really hoping this is better than Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints, Pete's Dragon and St. Nick. I can tell you obviously did.

Yeah let me know you're thoughts on it. It's a totally different film. I've not seen St. Nick though.

[MovieMeditation]

Can't wait till A Ghost Story hits theaters or digital here, so I can watch it. One of my most anticipated of the year for sure...

[ScarletLion]

Barbara (2012)

http://i.imgur.com/hvhPVXe.gif

Set in 1980s Germany, a languid tale of a woman who leads a pretty miserable existence. Explores themes of forbidden love, the stasi, pre unification troubles, paranoia and mental health etc. It didn’t match the heights of ‘The Lives of Others’ and instead resembled ‘The Marriage of Maria Braun’ in terms of stunted dialogue, lack of score etc. It’s a solid movie but it didn’t tug at my emotions as much as it could have, save for the finale. The performances though, were absolutely top drawer. Nina Hoss was just supreme as the lead role.

3.5

[ScarletLion]

‘Shot Caller’ (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/PuH85pM.gif

Watched this movie on a whim. There are a few good performances along with some graphic violence. The premise is a mix of Scarface, A Prophet and Breaking Bad, so it is a touch derivative. What ruined it slightly was the constant force feeding of information to let us know what is happening, this culminated in one scene towards the end that literally told us the plot as if read out of a book it was based on. It’s not too bad for a Saturday night popcorn film but there are brutal prison scenes throughout.

3

[ScarletLion]

‘Talk to Her’ (2002)

http://i.imgur.com/pmuaZe2.gif

Recurring themes of maternity, sex, gender from Pedro Almodovar. But done very very well. The relationship between the two men I found massively engaging. There was an almost symmetrical way that the story was told between them, and some of the camera shots were lovely. I’m on a mission to explore Almodovar’s movies and this didn’t disappoint.

4

[ScarletLion]

‘Frantz’ (2017)

http://i.imgur.com/dIUYxlb.gif

I’d heard some good things about Francoi Ozon’s World War 1 drama, but nothing prepared me for how good the movie is. How a 22 year old can play the female lead as well as this makes my mind boggle, it was an outstanding performance from Paula Beer.

The movie centres around a foreigner that arrives at a small German town after the war, and what unfolds is a beautiful tale of love and loss. Peace, death, jealousy and grief are also all doled out in the 2 hours as well as some stunning looking photography, some monochrome, some not.

Great, great film

4.5

[ScarletLion]

'About Elly' (2009)

http://i.imgur.com/8BhThub.gif

A Very compelling synopsis of Iranian culture mixed in with the deceit and mistrust it can sometimes presumably cause. Just as good as his follow up 'A Separation', perhaps even better - and as with most of Farhadi's films, he really gets the best out of his cast. He is a masterful story teller.

4

[ScarletLion]

'The King of Comedy' - Martin Scorsese

https://68.media.tumblr.com/b11490b4f46f915e5e1314fdbba89df6/tumblr_ouqoozCneH1wviohto1_1280.gif

Strangely, I watched this shortly before Jerry Lewis' death. Never seen it before. I really enjoyed the balance of desperate black humour and tension, especially towards the end. Pupkin is a great character, and Sandra Bernhard and Lewis were very fine support. I wouldn't say it's one of Scorsese's best, but it's still very watchable.

3.5

[ScarletLion]

'Una' (2016)

http://dl9fvu4r30qs1.cloudfront.net/05/47/f35f0be743649f1fcb0f5f9b1b6b/blackbird-rooney-mara.jpg

Enjoyable but disjointed. Nice premise, 2 great leads and nicely supported by Riz Ahmed. But in the end there are too many "that would never happens".

3

[ScarletLion]

'Beatriz at Dinner' (2017)

http://img.wennermedia.com/article-leads-horizontal/rs-beatriz-at-dinner-cc4ebf39-4f3a-4324-9f4e-5281c4343232.jpg

Director Miguel Arteta has given us a take on modern America here. There's plenty of them about, but this one is a pretty brutal portrayal of the helplessness and frustration felt by so many at this point in time. I'm not sure I've seen Salma Hayek give a performance like this before. At times, her personality in this film is so secluded it's almost creepy. I would guess that is what the film-makers are going for to convey this sense of futile anger that so many of us feel on an almost daily basis.

The premise of the movie isn't original - poor foreign born woman rallies against entitled white folk. But the way in which it unfolds outside of the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes, in a chamber piece style tone is very, very well done.

The message of uncertainty at the film's conclusion is actually quite terrifying. And the movie will probably split audiences on account of there being very few payoffs. But it's a hugely gripping journey while it lasts, and Hayek is ably supported by John Lithgow and Connie Britton who take turns in seeing who can be the vilest character on screen. There are cliches involved when it comes to getting us to this point, but I'm unsure how the writers would have made us hate these characters this much if they weren't included. There's an undercurrent of resentment and animosity in this film, understandably. Whether it is justified will be a matter of hindsight I expect.

I'd probably give this a 7.8 out of 10. But 4 popcorns out of 5 will suffice.

4

[Dani8]

Hmpfff I might have to start stalking your movie ratings, Scarlet. All of those hve just gone on my list.

[ScarletLion]

Hmpfff I might have to start stalking your movie ratings, Scarlet. All of those hve just gone on my list.

I would be honoured :D

[Dani8]

I would be honoured :D

nd I've only seen the last page so far. Going to bookmark your review thread. *stalker alert*

[ScarletLion]

'The 400 Blows'

http://frenchculture.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/400blows_webevent.jpg

Yes, I'd never seen it before, and I am ashamed. I can see why it is seen as a sort of milestone in cinema. The way it is shot is quite lovely. It looks like it was made about 25 years after it actually was. The final scene of Antoine running to the beach is a thing of beauty. His performance in the whole thing is quite remarkable, more like that of a seasoned actor than a youngster. The other shots wandering through streets, putting the rubbish out, cameras on ceilings and inside of fairground rides are also very cleverly done.

I can only imagine how much filmmakers must have been inspired by this at the time. Truffaut was obviously a pioneer. I will try to seek out the follow ups to this film.

4

[ScarletLion]

'The Fountain' (2006)

http://i.imgur.com/VNctpjV.gif

A beautiful lament on mortality. Darren Aronofsky's an absolute master at getting inside the psyche and exploring how the human brain copes with adversity. This film has gone straight into my top 100, despite having a few flaws. The sheer audacity of telling a tale that interweaves present day, pre civilization and years into the future is to be admired. I'm certain that in time, this film will be revered in the same way that some of Tarkovsky and Kubrick's films are now. And the score from Clint Mansell is beyond perfect.

8.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'Turtles can Fly' (2004)

http://i.imgur.com/6JrOe3i.png

A very difficult watch. The troubles of a group of youngsters in a Kurdish refugee camp on the Iraq / Turk border during the US "liberation" of Iraq. One of the most solemn, melancholic movies I've ever seen. It truly captures the horrors of being an isolated, nomadic group of people that have no place in their country, or any country, due to conflict and prejudice. This film has left it's mark on me, and anybody who doesn't "get" why refugees should be housed not hated should regard this as required viewing. One warning: there's not many payoffs here.

8/10

[ScarletLion]

'Anvil: The Story of Anvil'

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lqCXyY6rYEI/maxresdefault.jpg

Emotional, heartbreaking/heartwarming documentary about the continuing struggles of the band Anvil to hit the big time. Highly recommended.

[ScarletLion]

'Detour' (2016)

https://i.imgur.com/79k809W.gif



Christopher Smith's 'Triangle' (2009) was a beast of a movie which interwove time / space and the psyche together. This is another film of his that explores life decisions and morality although not quite with the same levels of mindf***ery.

Tye Sherdian is ample as the lead who struggles with feelings of blame and guilt for his mother's condition in hospital. The movie is good at keeping you guessing but ultimately has a few characters that don't nail their roles and a few bits of dialogue that aren't as sharp as they could be.

Overall it's an enjoyable crime / thriller romp with some beautiful photography, some flaws and not enough to keep you thinking about it after he credits roll. There's a nice nod to Paul Newman's 'Harper' in it too.

[the samoan lawyer]

Not heard of this but I liked Triangle so will give it a go.

[ScarletLion]

'Before I disappear'

https://68.media.tumblr.com/3cd3fd875efa83b404d6ca4473440462/tumblr_oviqgpjv3h1wviohto1_1280.gif

I watched Shawn Christensen's short film "Curfew" a few years back and really enjoyed it. This movie is his feature length version. It doesn't translate quite as well as the short, and has a few issues around the dialogue. But it is a very nice, quaint adaptation. It reminds me a bit of 'Half Nelson' in the way that there are characters with struggles, the female involved and a youngster looking for guidance. Worth a watch for sure.

7/10

[ScarletLion]

'Force Majeure' (2014)

https://i.imgur.com/1d9b0FL.gif

I was absolutely captivated from start to finish. A fantastic piece of cinema that explores the "fakeness" of what we would call our normal, routine, secure lives via gender roles, marriage, and family pressures. The final scene seemed a bit melodramatic but I can understand why the Director wanted to show us the different reactions to the situation. I'll be thinking about this for a long time.

4.5

[ScarletLion]

'Blue Caprice' (2013)

http://cdn.wegotthiscovered.com/wp-content/uploads/blue-caprice-2.jpg

I watched this film because I liked the Blu-Ray cover. It's inspired by the Washington "beltway" sniper attacks in 2002 and the 2 individuals that wreaked havoc.

It's an intriguing film but a really frustrating one. There is no real emotion involved. The characters are slightly robotic in their decisions and actions. This is mostly down to the script. If it was a tad more expressive and showed the turmoil that the 2 leads were going through and also the fear that they must have caused, then it might have been a better film. As an audience we're not really sure what we are supposed to think about these 2 characters. Pity? Anger? Disgust? Maybe all 3. That said, Isiah Washington gives a very, very good performance in this. The guy can clearly act. It's just a shame he didn't have more to work with. Nice Blu-Ray cover though.

6/10

[ScarletLion]

'Heaven Knows what' (2014)

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/heaven-knows-what-venice-film-festival.jpg?w=1000&h=562&crop=1

An extremely well made, unsettling, authentic portrayal of drug addiction and homelessness. It's almost a hyper-realism piece as the acting feels more like a fly on the wall documentary at times, which isn't surprising when you learn the backgrounds of the cast.

There's no real solution to some of the problems posed and not many pay offs here, but then that's because this is just about how life is for some people.

Well worth a watch if extremely grim

7.5/10

[ScarletLion]

'The Tree of Life' (2011)

http://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/the-tree-of-life.png

Remarkable piece of work from Malick. The whole aesthetic, atmosphere and experience is quite ethereal. It's almost indescribable as a movie, save to say that it covers life, death faith and almost everything inbetween.

[MovieMeditation]

Props for liking Tree of Life!!! Wuhuuu