2nd Chance Hall of Fame [Archive] - Page 2

Nathaniel

12-22-18, 09:15 PM

Ed Wood (1994)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzhiOGJhYmYtOWMzOC00Nzk1LThkMWMtMTFlYzkwYWMyNDI2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5NjM0NA@@._V1_.jpg

Tim Burton is at his directing best here. His natural passion for gothic filmmaking and oddball personality crossing over with the story of the 'Worst Director of All Time'. Coming off Edward Scissorhands and Batman Returns, this feels like a more restrained Burton stylistically and it results in something with a style of its own. It's a view of Wood as something of a failed visionary who let his imagination run too far and learned how to creatively deal with budgetary restraint. It does a great job of building sympathy for Wood. On first watch, I was expecting a parody that totally mocked him so credit to this one for going somewhere surprising.

The homage to both B and monster movies clearly fit the vibe of the film. Burton himself was influenced by these genres so it's quite cool to see him pay homage. The entire ending sequence in particular is a stand out and I'd definitely state that Ed Wood has the best cinematography of any Burton film.

I like that Ed Wood lingers in the cartoonish and odd but it's also grounded in the friendship dynamic between Depp's Wood and Landau's Lugosi. I enjoyed their interactions and Landau certainly earned his Oscar here. He covers virtually the entire emotional spectrum.

Good pick CosmicRunaway

edarsenal

12-22-18, 09:20 PM

rauldc14

https://lukasplusfilm.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/ed-wood-crew.jpeg

Ed Wood

I've always enjoyed Tim Burton films for their off-kilter subject matter and a love for the darker aspects of our psyche with splashes of brightness within the folds of those aspects.
And over the years I have come to love Depp's performances. Both the serious and the outrageously odd. It's like witnessing a virtuoso just going utterly silly for silliness sake.

And together, they delve into the oddball with both love and respect for oddity. Therefore, it is no wonder that, together, they are able to pay homage, accordingly, to Director Edward D Wood Jr.
Admittedly, I STILL have not sat through an entire film of his, regardless of how pre-determined I am any time I've watched this film. Which I enjoy, for so many reasons that have already been expressed in previous reviews.
The skillful lighting, the intriguing characters throughout the film, and from the research I've done, some very strong replication of key scenes of Wood's films.

This time around I did attempt to find an interview or actual footage of Wood to see a comparison of Depp's representation and see if he came as close to nailing it as the others did to their representative real life individual.
Sadly, to no avail.
Perhaps, one day.
I will, like Depp's representation, remain optimistic and continue to dream and to fight for that dream. Which, of course, deep within, is the message beneath the story of "The Worst Director".
Dreams are worth fighting for.
Which is kind of a staple for a lot of Burton's work and while it can be quite naive, it still remains a beautiful sentiment.

Nathaniel

12-22-18, 09:20 PM

Snap ;)

edarsenal

12-22-18, 09:23 PM

Snap ;)

I know, right!

Citizen Rules

12-22-18, 10:03 PM

...Edward D Wood Jr.
Admittedly, I STILL have not sat through an entire film of his, regardless of how pre-determined I am any time I've watched this film...I actually thought about nominating an Ed Wood Jr film for the next Hof😲...When I first watched Ed Wood I had NO idea who the real Ed Wood Jr. was, but I remedied that by watching this:

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=50459

Admittedly some of the films are just plain bad, but there's some good stuff here too:
Disc One
GLEN OR GLENDA? (1953) – The cross-dressing classic that started it all, with Wood as a triple threat – writer, director, and star, along with future Plan 9 co-stars Bela Lugosi, Dolores Fuller, Lyle Talbot, and Conrad Brooks.

JAIL BAIT (1954) – Ed Wood goes film noir with this cautionary tale of a naïve young man who is lured into a life of crime. Dolores Fuller and Lyle Talbot co-star once again, and future Hercules Unchained star Steve Reeves has his first speaking role in this film as a police lieutenant.

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955) – One of Wood’s most-celebrated...er...creations, with Bela Lugosi as a mad scientist who kidnaps people and tries to turn them into super-men using atomic power. Tor Johnson and Paul Marco make their Ed Wood debuts as Lobo and Kelton the Cop, dis-respectively.

THE VIOLENT YEARS (1956) – Wood penned the script for this good-girls-gone-bad tale, helmed by veteran western director William Morgan. In something of a switch from Glen or Glenda, the girls dress up as boys in order to commit their crimes! Timothy Farrell of Glen or Glenda and Jail Bait is the only Ed Wood returnee here.

Disc Two
NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959) – Wood is back behind the megaphone again as the director and writer of this strange tale that is arguably worse than Plan 9 From Outer Space (if such a thing is possible). Western star Kenne Duncan is Dr. Acula (get it?), a phony spiritualist who conducts fake séances. Tor Johnson and Paul Marco reprise their perennial roles as Lobo and Kelton the Cop.

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959) – Wood’s piece de resistance (or piece of something). The grand-prize winner of so many so-bad-it’s-good lists, this horror/sci-fi curiosity has something to do with evil (and kinda bitchy) aliens who come to earth and resurrect the dead, using these vampire-zombies to help them take over the world. Starring Wood favorites Lyle Talbot, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Bela Lugosi, and Tom Mason (Wood’s wife’s chiropractor) as Bela’s double (since Lugosi died before principal photography had commenced).

BONUS FEATURE: The Ed Wood Story – An affectionate look at E.W. featuring clips and interviews with those who knew and admired him, including Dolores Fuller, Johnny Depp, and Martin Landau.

Jail Bate, The Violent Years and Plan Nine From Outer Space would be my favorites.

edarsenal

12-22-18, 10:38 PM

Citizen Rules

12-22-18, 10:51 PM

There are a couple of them on youtube; Glen or Glenda and Plan 9. Not sure, but I THINK Bride of Monster is as well. That one's iffy.

I should just watch Glen or Glenda to see Wood himself. Though I was hoping to see the person instead of him acting. Glen or Glenda is pretty trippy and you can see Ed's girlfriend Dolores it it (she's the one that hands over her angora sweeter) and Bela is in it too. PULL THE STRING! ha

edarsenal

12-22-18, 10:59 PM

Glen or Glenda is pretty trippy and you can see Ed's girlfriend Dolores it it (she's the one that hands over her angora sweeter) and Bela is in it too. PULL THE STRING! ha

I watched a comparison video with all the scenes from the movie and the Pull the String was in there. Pretty cool set up for that one.

gbgoodies

12-23-18, 02:17 AM

I actually thought about nominating an Ed Wood Jr film for the next Hof😲...When I first watched Ed Wood I had NO idea who the real Ed Wood Jr. was, but I remedied that by watching this:

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=50459

Admittedly some of the films are just plain bad, but there's some good stuff here too:

Disc One
GLEN OR GLENDA? (1953) – The cross-dressing classic that started it all, with Wood as a triple threat – writer, director, and star, along with future Plan 9 co-stars Bela Lugosi, Dolores Fuller, Lyle Talbot, and Conrad Brooks.

JAIL BAIT (1954) – Ed Wood goes film noir with this cautionary tale of a naïve young man who is lured into a life of crime. Dolores Fuller and Lyle Talbot co-star once again, and future Hercules Unchained star Steve Reeves has his first speaking role in this film as a police lieutenant.

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955) – One of Wood’s most-celebrated...er...creations, with Bela Lugosi as a mad scientist who kidnaps people and tries to turn them into super-men using atomic power. Tor Johnson and Paul Marco make their Ed Wood debuts as Lobo and Kelton the Cop, dis-respectively.

THE VIOLENT YEARS (1956) – Wood penned the script for this good-girls-gone-bad tale, helmed by veteran western director William Morgan. In something of a switch from Glen or Glenda, the girls dress up as boys in order to commit their crimes! Timothy Farrell of Glen or Glenda and Jail Bait is the only Ed Wood returnee here.

Disc Two
NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959) – Wood is back behind the megaphone again as the director and writer of this strange tale that is arguably worse than Plan 9 From Outer Space (if such a thing is possible). Western star Kenne Duncan is Dr. Acula (get it?), a phony spiritualist who conducts fake séances. Tor Johnson and Paul Marco reprise their perennial roles as Lobo and Kelton the Cop.

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959) – Wood’s piece de resistance (or piece of something). The grand-prize winner of so many so-bad-it’s-good lists, this horror/sci-fi curiosity has something to do with evil (and kinda bitchy) aliens who come to earth and resurrect the dead, using these vampire-zombies to help them take over the world. Starring Wood favorites Lyle Talbot, Tor Johnson, Paul Marco, Bela Lugosi, and Tom Mason (Wood’s wife’s chiropractor) as Bela’s double (since Lugosi died before principal photography had commenced).

BONUS FEATURE: The Ed Wood Story – An affectionate look at E.W. featuring clips and interviews with those who knew and admired him, including Dolores Fuller, Johnny Depp, and Martin Landau.

Jail Bate, The Violent Years and Plan Nine From Outer Space would be my favorites.

Jute a note for those of you who are planning to send in a list for the upcoming MoFo Horror Movies Countdown. These movies are tagged as "Horror" on IMDB, so they're eligible for the countdown:

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955)
NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959)
PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959)

edarsenal

12-24-18, 02:43 PM

gbgoodies

12-26-18, 12:01 AM

Jute a note for those of you who are planning to send in a list for the upcoming MoFo Horror Movies Countdown. These movies are tagged as "Horror" on IMDB, so they're eligible for the countdown:

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955)
NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959)
PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959)

Well, well, well :)

I've been reading through a VERY LONG list of movies tagged as "Horror" on IMDB, (over 26 thousand movies), trying to find movies to watch. You'd be surprised at some of the movies IMDB lists as "Horror". (I even found a bunch of kids movies, cartoons, and Disney movies tagged as "Horror" that are eligible for the countdown. :))

edarsenal

12-26-18, 01:07 PM

I've been reading through a VERY LONG list of movies tagged as "Horror" on IMDB, (over 26 thousand movies), trying to find movies to watch. You'd be surprised at some of the movies IMDB lists as "Horror". (I even found a bunch of kids movies, cartoons, and Disney movies tagged as "Horror" that are eligible for the countdown. :))
that's hilarious. Do you remember any of the Disney films that ranked as horror?

gbgoodies

12-27-18, 02:33 AM

that's hilarious. Do you remember any of the Disney films that ranked as horror?

Yes, I've been keeping a list of all the horror-tagged movies that I might watch. :)

These are some of the Disney movies that I found on IMDB's Horror list:
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Return to Oz (1985)
Mickey's House of Villains (2001)
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Frankenweenie (2012)

There are also Looney Tunes movies:
Bugs Bunny's Howl-oween Special (1977)
Daffy Duck's Quackbusters (1988)
Bugs Bunny's Creature Features (1992)
Tiny Toons' Night Ghoulery (1995)

And Scooby-Doo movies:
Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf (1988)
Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy (2014)
Lego Scooby-Doo!: Haunted Hollywood (2016)

Alvin and the Chipmunks movies:
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999)
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000)

A Batman animated movie:
The Batman vs. Dracula (2005 Video)

And even a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movie:
Scared Stiff (1953)

And don't forget about all the Abbott and Costello movies:
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949)
Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)

CosmicRunaway

12-27-18, 03:08 AM

Return to Oz (1985)
That movie did creep me out a bit as a kid. Particularly the Wheelers.

https://i.gifer.com/VyGT.gif

gbgoodies

12-27-18, 03:17 AM

Return to Oz (1985)

That movie did creep me out a bit as a kid. Particularly the Wheelers.

https://i.gifer.com/VyGT.gif

I've never seen it, but I added to my watchlist for the Horror Countdown. (Although that picture might make me move it further down the list, even though it's a Disney movie. :eek:)

neiba

12-27-18, 12:22 PM

So let's tackle this. I'll start by the reviews of the movies I've seen enough times or recently enough to know to a point I don't need a rewatch.

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

This one has been going in and out my Top 10 during the last 3 years (when I first watched him). I revisited it recently and I was suprised how different was the effect it had on me compared to the first watch. I adored it but it made me feel quite depressive.
There's so much to write about this, and at the same time so little. As every Godard film, it's not about the plotline, it's about those little scenes, those small truths and opinions Godard just infuses the movie with. If you take the time to actually enjoy those moments instead of trying to understand every single piece of this, Pierrot le Fou will certainly move you.

4.5

Memento (2000)

This is the second Nolan film, and perhaps his best right after Dunkirk and that's because it's one of the very few of him I don't view as pretentious.
It has all those traits that eventually gave Nolan his faithful fanbase which are pretty much the same that annoy me a lot, but in here I kinda like them. Nolan keeps a very tight grip on a very complex plotline never letting the viewer get lost and never letting him guess what's coming at the same time, and that's perhaps the greatest strenght about this film. The acting is quite nice and the script is surprisingly well written.

3.5

The Man From Earth

Watched it 3 times already and I really really like this. It's impressive how tight it is with such a risky premise. The amount of plotholes this could have had is huge and still, the story is quite believable.
I loved how John Oldman is not portrayed as a super man, but as a man who only knows as much as his generation. I also think it was a nice decision on not delving into his pscychology too much and just let the dialogue stay on a philosophical level. Ultimately this film is not trying to convince you it's possible, it's just making you imagine what if it was possible.
Ah, and all the religion talk was perhaps my favourite subject.

4 +

neiba

12-27-18, 12:24 PM

When's the deadline on this?

Siddon

12-27-18, 12:51 PM

When's the deadline on this?

Saturday

neiba

12-27-18, 12:52 PM

Saturday

Say WHAAAT?

neiba

12-27-18, 12:57 PM

The last time Raul mentioned a deadline was late January or early February.

Citizen Rules

12-27-18, 12:57 PM

When's the deadline on this?Unless I missed something, this is what Raul said about the deadline.
Technically I haven't set a concrete deadline yet, so we have quite awhile. I've been toying with late January early February...

Siddon

12-27-18, 01:06 PM

Say WHAAAT?

http://1heskt3q6n7k43n2qo3edarx-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Groundhog.gif

neiba

12-27-18, 01:13 PM

http://1heskt3q6n7k43n2qo3edarx-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Groundhog.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/3CU9QjErtnI8E/giphy.gif

neiba

12-27-18, 07:30 PM

After Hours (1985)

What did I just watch???
I knew almost nothing about this, only that it was a comedy by Scorcese, and it took me totally by surprise.
So many random things randomly being connected to each other just left me totally dazy! I loved its fast pacing and how unexpected everything was. I especially liked the fact that the movie led me to believe that Paul would eventually be killed and desfigured as the news on his arm predicted and I'm quite happy that he didn't cause in all this maze I end really caring about the guy!

I can't really describe the film so sorry this write up is a mess.

4 -

neiba

12-28-18, 04:19 PM

Ed Wood (1994)

I find it hard to like this movie, to be honest. Tim Burton never impressed me, I find Johnny Depp a bit overrated and I don't really care for so-bad-that-are-good films. I also have no sympathy for stories like these ones, with talentless artists just throwing madness and passion at something expecting it finally works, but never really learning nothing in the process...

The one character for whom I felt some compassion was Bela Lugosi. If there's a thing this film does right is portraying the treatment an old film star gets after his prime. Lugosi shouldn't have to to films like these, he deserved respect for everything he did.

2.5 +

Nathaniel

12-30-18, 07:17 AM

After Hours (1985)

http://i.imgur.com/r872VeN.jpg

This is a strange film and outside of its views of New York it doesn't really feel like it's made by Scorsese. The concept and sexual dynamics are so weirdly unlike Scorsese. Not that this a bad thing because I enjoyed it and it's a cool oddity in his filmography.

The experience is a well put together nightmare scenario for Paul Hackett. Steadily losing control and feeling trapped on a night out in this way would be terrifying haha. A lot of close up shots as you try to work out the motivations of who Paul is interacting with through their facial gives which I thought was a great way of capturing this WTF is going to happen next quality. That's maintained pretty well over the film's duration.

The thing that hurts this film in the context of this Hall of Fame is that whilst I like it, I don't have a strong impression on it. I think it's one of Scorsese's weaker features overall. I get the attempt to focus on many different aspects of SoHo nightlife but it reaches a point where I think reigning it in would have been more immersive. When I look at what else has been nominated, I can't see this doing well for me unless my opinion changes radically on the remaining films.

neiba

12-30-18, 05:06 PM

Letter from an Unknown Woman

This is one of my favourite romances.
The circle narrative works wonderfully, Joan Fontaine is awesome and the directing is superb from every point of view! I love the way Vienna is portrayed in 1900 and the figure of the pianist that throws away a promising career just because he loved women a bit too much - that is probably the most realistic reality of this time in the musical background of Vienna. The difference between different social classes is also really well portrayed!
The soundtrack is glorious, filled with constant references to operatic repertoire which speaks directly to my heart.
I recommended this to my sister last week and she was in love with the film!

4 +

neiba

12-30-18, 05:11 PM

3 rewatches to go! :)

Nathaniel

01-02-19, 02:37 PM

Memento (2000)

http://thefilmspectrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-24-at-12.14.18-PM.png

I liked Memento and the unique focus on memory was something that I found to be really impressive. In all honesty, it connected with me more the first time I seen it. The novelty of it is lost a bit on rewatch but I still get a kick out of how Christopher Nolan weaves the string of reveals into this narrative. I've disliked every film he's released this decade and I do wish he'd go back to this kind of filmmaking.

The way Memento unfolds hammers home the idea that memory distorts your surroundings and tiny actions can have so many varying consequences. Especially in impressions of a person's character. It places you right in Lenny's shoes as it were. I've seen complaints that it's gimmicky but personally I don't see Memento that way. It's a clever use of confusion that runs concurrently with Lenny's particular condition. I like the Sammy Jankis scenes a lot due to how effective they are in grounding Lenny within this situation. They develop Lenny's character and the way they play into the finale is excellent.

rauldc14

01-07-19, 09:46 PM

The Man from Earth

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCqt35Ve0gQ/UlKM8btpYsI/AAAAAAAAEak/_dETXZrFACk/s1600/The+Man+from+Earth+6.jpg

A tough one to see get nominated again. Absolutely didn't like it at all the first go around. So much I'd say it was a bottom 10 film for me ever. This time it wasn't much better, but I did seem to think the premise of the film was at least intriguing. Still, the execution of a solid movie really just wasn't there. Much of the acting I thought was rather poor, almost gave off a Hallmark movie type of vibe for me. I also didn't think the dialogue was interesting enough since that is what the film was basically dependent upon being a one location type of movie. We will just chalk it up as not my type of film.

2

rauldc14

01-08-19, 01:46 PM

Memento

http://www.hdnetmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/Memento_Blog1.jpg

I think this one weakened a but for me on a second watch. I am not a huge fan of the structure of the film, although I would say it was a pretty bold idea. The performances are ok but not necessarily memorable. Maybe the film could have been better with some different people involved I think Nolan is a very talented filmmaker, in all honesty he's pretty high on my list, but he does need to work on some of his dialogue scenes. Although this film isn't bad with it, there are some scenes that kind of lost me. The coolest part for me actually was the black and white scenes that went in chronological order of what actually happened. A cool contrast to the rest of the film. In the end maybe this is my second least favorite Nolan. I'd have to see Dunkirk again to confirm that though but Following is definitely at the bottom. I don't mean to sound so negative, the film really isn't bad it's just that it's usually regarded as one of the better films of the 2000's and that I just do not see.

3+

Nathaniel

01-09-19, 07:57 PM

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

https://www.nziff.co.nz/assets/resized/sm/upload/yp/fz/qp/03/Raise-the-Red-Lantern-006-800-800-450-450-crop-fill.jpg

It's an entrapped feeling for these women as they are controlled by the almost faceless master. Little of him is actually shown but his presence is always felt as these women compete, manipulating each other along the way for his approval. Unknowingly at times in their subconscious. It's like psychological torture and watching the carnage come through competition for the power that is represented through the lanterns. The colour red symbolises it through the lanterns adorning the chosen ones and absent from those that rebel. Suppose the film focuses on a misanthropic view of how people act through notions of distrust but this situation inevitably brings about conflict. And the characters are developed in a way to make it natural that competition would be the driving factor.

Such eeriness to the residence, right from the routine meetings for food to how the servants and wives interact, to its look at the harshness of Chinese social structure at the time. The character of Songlian played impeccably by Gong Li is so well developed and her character's trajectory is powerful. The film as a whole develops the motivations of these characters very well. Chinese period pieces tend to have good costume design but Raise the Red Lantern stands out in that regard. The costume design adds to the fantastic use of colour that makes this film truly a wonder to behold.

If I were to make a list of the best films of the 90s, Raise the Red Lantern would be in my top 10. It is stunning.

rauldc14

01-09-19, 09:02 PM

Still need links with Subs for Pierrot Le Fou and Le Trou, if anyone can help me.

Citizen Rules

01-09-19, 10:27 PM

Still need links with Subs for Pierrot Le Fou and Le Trou, if anyone can help me. I have links for both with English subs, I'll PM you and I want a PM back letting me know if it works or not.

edarsenal

01-09-19, 11:48 PM

I have links for both with English subs, I'll PM you and I want a PM back letting me know if it works or not.
send me one for Pierrot Le Fou, please -- and THANKS!!

neiba

01-13-19, 01:05 PM

rauldc14, is there a deadline for this?

Citizen Rules

01-13-19, 01:18 PM

rauldc14 is Jabs and his nom The Man From Earth still in the HoF?

rauldc14

01-13-19, 01:22 PM

I sent out a PM to Jabs.

Let's set a tentative deadline date for Feb 1st if that will work for everyone. Not too many people have much left.

edarsenal

01-13-19, 03:17 PM

I sent out a PM to Jabs.

Let's set a tentative deadline date for Feb 1st if that will work for everyone. Not too many people have much left.

That works for me, thanks Raul

rauldc14

01-15-19, 09:52 AM

Le Trou

https://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/arton247.jpg?w=780

Glad this one was nominated again as I eventually wanted to get to it again. I think I feel fairly similar to how I felt the first time. I really like the premise of the story, obviously based on a true story although I'm not sure if that is loosely or if this is pretty much how it all went down. I wish there was a little more character development, maybe to make the viewer actually care more on if the inmates got out or not. Of course, again, this is just how the story went so I understand. I did grow to like the ending more though this time around, a really tense conclusion. My biggest beef was that some of the picking rock scenes went on too long and had me lose interest for a bit. Overall it's a good film that I have something holding me back from elevating it to the next level.

3+

MijaFrost

01-16-19, 06:16 AM

February 1st? Alrighty. I'll watch Ed Wood around the end of January then.

rauldc14

01-16-19, 08:56 AM

Just Ed Wood and Pierrot Le Fou left for me. I'll probably watch one next week, got a busy couple days ahead of me.

edarsenal

01-17-19, 09:30 PM

https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/after-hours-2.jpg

After Hours

This was a film I had wanted to see for quite some time and never got around to. It had all the aspects and a number of actors I enjoy and a director I admire. When I did see this about a year or so ago, I was VERY surprised that I could not, would not, enjoy this film and the spiraling misfortunes of our leading word processor that just wanted to go out and meet the woman he met at the diner earlier that night.
It was a frustrating and aggravating thing as each episode of neurotic encounter frayed his calm til he couldn't take it anymore. And neither could I on my first watch.

This time around?

Not so frustrating. I knew the spiral and the increasing pitfalls and was able to appreciate the neurosis of the denizens this time around. Not love them, but appreciate them. I even caught Scorsese's cameo, moving the spotlight at the punk dance club. Which I missed the first time. Aggravation can be a blinding thing.

This is definitely a film that would, in time, and after multiple viewings, have a strong possibility of growing on me. Which is quite the relief to me since, as I stated, it was a movie I TRULY SHOULD HAVE liked and was utterly frustrated when I didn't on my first watch.
Thanks rauldc14 for giving me cause to take another step down that path. Much appreciated.

rauldc14

01-18-19, 07:13 PM

Cool, glad it work with a second chance Ed.

edarsenal

01-19-19, 01:24 PM

Cool, glad it work with a second chance Ed.

so am I

Nathaniel

01-19-19, 05:56 PM

Just watched Anatomy of a Murder. I should be finished later this week.

Thursday Next

01-23-19, 05:17 PM

Hi guys, so sorry to have had to drop out, not fun to have been without a laptop for so long either! I fully intend to read through how you have been enjoying the other noms. :)

Jabs

01-23-19, 05:39 PM

I don't think I am going to make it in time guys. I fully intend to watch all your nominations anyway, but the past two months have been way too hectic and my schedule will remain the same for another month at least. I offer my apologies.

edarsenal

01-23-19, 07:59 PM

Hi guys, so sorry to have had to drop out, not fun to have been without a laptop for so long either! I fully intend to read through how you have been enjoying the other noms. :)

Glad to hear things worked out. You were VERY MUCH missed :)

rauldc14

01-23-19, 11:21 PM

A little irritated that I had to watch The Man from Earth again for no reason, but I guess not surprised.

Jabs

01-24-19, 06:20 AM

A little irritated that I had to watch The Man from Earth again for no reason, but I guess not surprised.

To be fair, I did watch After Hours again and even wrote a comprehensive review of it. Other people have more reason to complain.

As I said earlier I will watch all your nominations though and write short reviews about them. I just don't have the time to do so before the deadline.

neiba

01-26-19, 06:36 AM

Raise the Red Lantern

It's interesting to rewatch this after seeing more from Zhang, you start to notice patterns you didn't before.
First of all, I love the sound environment he builds on his movies. Not only the soundtrack, that is very beautiful, but also every little sound as the foot massages.
The acting is great, in particular from the main lead who builds a very interesting character ark.
I like that it's centered on the women and their relationship, as in The Flowers of War. It is a nice perspective of the role of women in China and in a way a form of positive feminism.
Oh, and of course, what makes me adore this film: IT LOOKS AMAZING!!! Bravo to the cinematography!

4 +

Nathaniel

01-26-19, 08:01 AM

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59e512ddf43b55c29c71b996/t/5c0440b870a6ad0f6bad49a9/1543782591097/anatomyofamurder.jpg

When you look at the plot of Anatomy of a Murder on paper it's fairly straight forward and it works really well. The way the characters are developed initially made me care about their motivations and there's an authentic complexity to the psychology involved. There's really no right or wrong opinion when it comes to this case so often times during the trial sequences I found myself agreeing with both sides or questioning the behaviour of each lawyer. I've lost count now of the amount of occasions that courtroom dramas have failed in terms of ambiguity. This can make them a challenge to engage with and Anatomy of a Murder certainly avoids that despite its long running time. Great acting all around from everyone involved. Nice to to see George C. Scott stand out and he gives off this excellent demeanour the whole way through the trial.

The first time I watched this, I remember being annoyed by James Stewart and I couldn't remember why. Because he's suitably well cast for this role. I'm thinking it was probably some of the courtroom one liners.

I wasn't all that sure about this one when I seen it nominated but it's another great pick from Siddon.

edarsenal

01-30-19, 02:46 PM

alright, I have about 10 min left of Raise The Lantern, SO glad I got to revisit it. Though I am having trouble with the link CR sent me for Pierrot Le Fou, the subtitles pop up about 30 seconds earlier. I may have to just suck it up and try to adjust. It does look rather promising though.

I WILL have this done by the deadline of February 2 though with write-ups and voting sent in.

rauldc14

01-31-19, 10:48 PM

I'm going to extend the deadline due to bad hosting. I've been pretty sick this month, and when not sick I've just been really super busy. I still have two myself to finish.

Citizen Rules

01-31-19, 10:56 PM

I'm going to extend the deadline due to bad hosting. I've been pretty sick this month, and when not sick I've just been really super busy. I still have two myself to finish.Bummer that you were sick, tis the season:eek: No worries extending the deadline, fine by me:p

rauldc14

01-31-19, 11:26 PM

neiba
MijaFrost
edarsenal
Nathaniel

Can we shoot to have write ups and lists in by Feb 15?

MijaFrost

02-01-19, 03:35 AM

Sorry you haven't been feeling well @rauldc14 (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=60169), and that's no problem at all. I just watched Ed Wood tonight so I'll have my review for that up soon, as well as that of Pierrot Le Fou (which I had seen shortly before nominating), and then I'll send in my list. So these are left to vote for, right?

Memento
Le Trou
Ed Wood
Letter from an Unknown Woman
Raise the Red Lantern
Pierrot Le Fou
After Hours
Anatomy of a Murder

and then The Man from Earth & Farewell My Concubine are out?

CosmicRunaway

02-01-19, 03:36 AM

Hope you're feeling better now, and have more time to relax. Being busy and sick is never a good combination, since you don't really get the rest you need to fully recover.

rauldc14

02-01-19, 07:52 AM

neiba

02-01-19, 06:29 PM

neiba
MijaFrost
edarsenal
Nathaniel

Can we shoot to have write ups and lists in by Feb 15?

I'll send you my list this weekend!

edarsenal

02-02-19, 01:50 PM

neiba
MijaFrost
edarsenal
Nathaniel

Can we shoot to have write ups and lists in by Feb 15?

Hope you're feeling better raul.

I just need to write up Red Lantern (which was great to revisit again) and I was going to watch Fou today (looking forward to it) and shoot for write-ups and sending in a vote tonight, so either way, this will work for me.

Nathaniel

02-02-19, 05:40 PM

Can we shoot to have write ups and lists in by Feb 15?

Hope you're feeling better raul. That's ok for me.

I'll have my Le Trou review up tomorrow and I'll send my list through.

Nathaniel

02-03-19, 04:04 PM

Le Trou (1960)

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/54/3e/18/543e18c46445647ee2953bdbdba9f5b7.gif

1960 was a great year for cinema with so many quality directors releasing highly regarded classics but Jaques Becker's Le Trou is my favourite of the bunch. I love its moody and gloomy atmosphere. Which isn't out of the blue for Becker but Le Trou lets the drama build through the prisoners getting closer and closer to escape and how that leads to a rise in the mental pressure. Dialogue is remote and there are quite lengthy scenes of hammering or sawing their way further forward. Still the film gives each prisoner his own separate character traits. Gaspard is the lead but Manu as a character feels as if he could snap at any moment in the last twenty minutes. It's crazy that this was the first major role for Leroy and the main cast.

The lack of a score adds this tension where in the tunnels and sewers the potential escapees are filled with adrenaline to the point of complete focus. All the audience can hear is the dripping, the footsteps, the use of tools and the background noise in general. If ever a film suited no score whatsoever it's this one. It creates this intensity that had me glued to the screen for its duration. The way the camera swivels quickly between actors brings the intensity too and man does Becker love his creative reflection shots through keyholes. Each second feels intrinsically important to what is going to happen next. It's sad what happened to Becker shortly after shooting. He was an excellent director, one that Renoir and the New Wave highly appreciated.

rauldc14

02-04-19, 01:34 PM

Ed Wood

http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ed-Wood024.jpg

I saw this film last time around July last year, and I actually downgraded my rating. I watched it again today and I'm not sure why I did that. I think it's great story telling. It is probably Burtons best directing job. I also think that the acting is very good all around. Landau getting an Oscar for his portrayal as Bela Legosi is the highlight but I also think it may be Depp's best performance in a tough role as Ed Wood Jr. The supporting acting is great as well. The choice of black and white really works for this film, gives off a peculiar vibe to it that helps the films atmosphere. Really not too many blemishes with this film, it's really well done. The rating goes back up.

4

edarsenal

02-05-19, 04:15 PM

http://www.onepeggenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/raise-the-red-lantern31.jpg

Raise The Red Lantern

There is, on far more accounts than not, a beauty to Asian filmmaking that is founded on a symmetry that is imbued with poetry. Especially when creating emotional energy visually. This really steps up several notches when involving a period film and Red Lantern is, of course, a very good example of that.
The use of the red lantern and all it's symbolic, as well as emotional and cerebral impact, comes through and we are caught up in the world of the four wives.
In fact, the focus is so brilliantly done, that even the master is a vague figure that we never truly get a close up of his face. He remains a nondescript entity that judges and selects. Allowing us to focus on the interplay and harsh chess game, or perhaps, in this case, mahjong that the women do battle with one another.
Seeing, in all four, the various stages of those who are new to the conflict for the prize, those who are worn out from it, those that fight with passion and those who conspire and plot.
It's an intriguing game ripe with emotional conflict that consumes them and diminishes everything else, including the man who's decision rules the outcome of who will be allowed to express affection and attention to him and thereby secure a better place and life for themselves.

One aspect I also wish to compliment on is that our leading lady, Fourth Wife, is not a gentle, naive waif thrown into the wolves' den, but one who is up for the competition and the fight. There is no fragile child learning harsh lessons of life, but a young woman knowing full well what is in store. She is full of anger at being taken out of school and placed into a submissive role to a man she knows nothing of nor cares to while battling other women for a secured place.

It is so very easy to see why CR chose this film just on the world-building alone.

I'm so glad I got to revisit this and would have loved to have done a double bill with Farewell My Concubine, but that will be another time.

neiba

02-09-19, 08:13 PM

Le Trou (1960)

This was one the first films I've seen since I'm a member of this Forum which makes it one of my first discoveries as a cinephile. I'm not sure what compelled me to watch it or how did I find it, but I'm glad I did.
Le Trou is one of those films that remind me why I love cinema. Just like masterpieces like Das Boot, Alien, 12 Angry Men, Reservoir Dogs or Judgement at Nuremberg, it has a small cast and very limited settings, removing all the extra stuff a movie doesn't need and leaving just the essential: great acting, a solid script and a great director, able to explore the confined space to either make it feel larger than it is or even more claustrophobic. Le Trou checks all the boxes and it ends up being a wonderful ride, with more adrenaline you'd expect a french film from the 60s to have, perfectly paced and a strong ending!

4.5 -

edarsenal

02-09-19, 08:21 PM

rauldc14

02-09-19, 08:29 PM

Citizen Rules

02-09-19, 08:38 PM

So I need an emergency link for Pierrot to finish this up because the one I was given the subtitles are actually ahead of what they say and it's just too obnoxious to watch that way. Why is this film so damn hard to find :laugh:This will fix out of sync subs. I just used it for Perfect Blue in the 18th.

http://subshifter.bitsnbites.eu/

MovieMeditation

02-09-19, 08:58 PM

This looks like such an interesting HoF! Love the idea behind it.

A lot of great movies. The level is so high. And those I haven’t seen are big ones on my watchlist.

Citizen Rules

02-10-19, 04:46 PM

So I need an emergency link for Pierrot to finish this up because the one I was given the subtitles are actually ahead of what they say and it's just too obnoxious to watch that way. Why is this film so damn hard to find :laugh: I got one, with English subs already there and working perfect. BUT your message box is full, you need to delete some so I can PM you.

rauldc14

02-10-19, 05:20 PM

I got one, with English subs already there and working perfect. BUT your message box is full, you need to delete some so I can PM you.

Done! Sorry about that.

rauldc14

02-11-19, 06:24 PM

Pierrot Le Fou

https://i0.wp.com/film-grab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/image034.jpg?fit=1016%2C435&ssl=1

This is honestly the toughest film for me to track down in any Hall of Fame ever, and Citizen finally got it for me, so thanks for that. The first thing that striker me was how cool the film looked. It had a bit of an Umbrellas of Cherbourg look to it, very colorful and the scenery just drew you in. The two main character leads seemed pretty cool too. But after awhile, I became a bit tired of it all. There seemed to be no real rhyme or reason to what exactly they were doing on their adventure and it took me out of the movie. I also wasn't a fan when there were periods were the characters broke out in singing, just seemed it was kind of corny to me. I was enjoying the film for about the first thirty minutes but after that I just wasn't a fan. And I don't even really know what to make of that ending, but I really really disliked that part certainly. Overall I can't really blame anyone who thinks it's a decent film, because it has a lot to be respected of from a technical standpoint, but that's where my appreciation really kind of ends.

A generous 3-

And that's a wrap finally for me. Sorry for slowpoking this one.

rauldc14

02-11-19, 06:27 PM

Just waiting on lists and a couple reviews from MijaFrost neiba and edarsenal

edarsenal

02-12-19, 02:51 PM

Hoping to knock out Pierrot Le Fou tonight. Should be an intriguing end to this Second Chance HoF, which has been a really great idea for a Specialty HoF

edarsenal

02-12-19, 09:52 PM

http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab40/rebeccamadams/pierrot%20le%20fou/lefou20.jpg

Pierrot Le Fou

Having watched Day for Night previously in the 17 HoF, I have been very curious to delve into another Goddard film AND with this being nominated by MijaFrost who's noms such as The Hawks and the Sparrows and The Goddess, my curiosity continued into what form of cerebral realm this film would unfold itself from.

And on that point I was not disappointed.
Also, as I stated in my review for The Hawks and the Sparrows, multiple viewings is rather mandatory to view, contemplate, explore, and, in our minds, come to an understanding of this film. Or, perhaps, overthinking is the wrong thing to do and we should experience the emotion of it instead.

In my research of this film it states that Goddard had initially wanted to recreate a crime noir novel called Obsession with a Lolita motif to it with his wife starring in it.
When he did begin to shoot the film he lost interest in the material source and was divorced to the actress who would play Marianne. The collective claim is that his boredom, disillusionment and post divorce disposition becomes the creative fodder for the film and it's meandering, or more accurately termed, lack of, narrative.
Which is not to say I found the display without any enjoyment, Especially, knowing the wanderings of style and concept already, I simply let my mind go limp and allow myself to be tossed about by Goddard's film. While finding myself dying for a cigarette like never before. lol

Still, while I am not learned enough to properly interpret a film nomination by Mija, I am VERY happy to follow along and enjoy the spectacle thereof and look forward to the next sojourn.

MijaFrost

02-12-19, 11:10 PM

MijaFrost

02-13-19, 12:26 AM

Alrighty, time to post my last two reviews.

Ed Wood (1994)

https://commentarytrack.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ed_wood.jpg

It was over a decade since I last saw this, so it almost felt like a new film for me.

I have to say it was as good this time as I remembered from before. Johnny Depp gives what feels like a spot-on portrayal of a man who decides to embrace his "differences" and pursue his passion, while trying not to let the extremely critical feedback get him down. You can't make a movie without a lot of perseverance - it's just a shame Mr. Wood didn't allow anyone to help him improve his "vision." On that note, I did watch Plan 9 from Outer Space back in December in preparation. Yes, it was bad, but there could have been potential there. 'Tis a pity.

Martin Landau was a standout who stole all his scenes as Bela Lugosi. I'm inclined to believe that he and Edward Wood did become genuine close friends, despite how Lugosi's son claimed that Wood took advantage of him. He probably only said that out of embarrassment that his father would associate with such a director.

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

https://data.whicdn.com/images/175161/large.jpg

POSSIBLE SPOILERS ALERT

I decided to re-watch this tonight as it had been a few months since my viewing.

Like edarsenal was saying earlier, I do think it did benefit from a second watch. I felt like I perceived it differently this time.

Ferdinand is bored in his life, lost his job, isn't in love with his spouse, so when his attractive ex-girlfriend shows up, he's more than willing to take a chance with her again. It's adventure and lust for the sake of it. He's not even horrified to find out that she's mixed up in some kind of gangster business and that she commits serious crimes as casually as she applies her lip-gloss. His combination of ennui and curiosity is such that he just goes along with it, becoming a criminal himself in the process. Of course, it's all fodder for his book, and great writers need interesting experiences to stimulate their mind, anyway. That's probably what he tells himself. (Or, perhaps the entire movie IS all fiction he's writing.)

Something I've appreciated about the Godard films I've seen so far is that they're very abstract and not so much emotional. I did quite like the line in this one, "You speak to me in words, and I look at you with feelings."
I know I've felt this way many times when trying, and failing, to communicate with romantic partners.

Another observation of Godard's films with Anna Karina, is that he seems to both idolize and hate her at the same time. I hadn't known until Ed mentioned that they were already divorced when they made this one, but now the story makes even more sense, especially the ending.

I think this film could symbolize a few different concepts that are up to individual interpretation, especially since it's rather dream-like in presentation.

edarsenal

02-13-19, 08:12 PM

Hehe, edarsenal, I don't think I quite understand any of the films I nominate either, but yeah, I guess for me that's been part of the appeal. Um... I've liked choosing movies that most people haven't seen or heard of before, something off the beaten path, you know?
I mean, I do hope that EVENTUALLY I will find something that's more enjoyable to most people though -
ideally I would want others to have a positive experience watching my noms. (Or a positive negative experience, if it's a "dark/grim" themed movie aha.)
finding films I haven't heard of would have seen is one of the top reasons I continually join in on these HoFs, and don't worry, TRYING to find something everyone will like is like chasing down a unicorn. . . lovely idea, but a bit unlikely lol

rauldc14

02-15-19, 11:40 AM

Everyone's lists are in. An unveil will happen quite soon this weekend.

edarsenal

02-15-19, 09:35 PM

Wonderful news, raul!!

curious to see how it all plays out. I'm guessing Letter from an Unknown Woman should either win it or at least come pretty high in the ranking.

Citizen Rules

02-15-19, 09:52 PM

I have no idea which nom will win? But I'm pretty sure The Man From Earth doesn't have a prayer:p

neiba

02-16-19, 06:39 AM

Having watched Day for Night previously in the 17 HoF, I have been very curious to delve into another Goddard film

Day for Night is Truffaut's, not Godard! :)

edarsenal

02-16-19, 05:40 PM

Day for Night is Truffaut's, not Godard! :)

Thanks for the correction, very much appreciated :)

rauldc14

02-19-19, 11:06 AM

Anybody here if I do the results?

neiba

02-19-19, 01:11 PM

Anybody here if I do the results?

will be here for the next hour

rauldc14

02-19-19, 01:22 PM

Anyone else?

rauldc14

02-19-19, 01:56 PM

8th Place-
After Hours

http://www.the80smovieclub.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/after-hours-2.jpg

22 Points

1- 1st
1- 5th
1- 6th
2- 7th
3- 8th

rauldc14

02-19-19, 02:23 PM

7th Place-
Pierrot Le Fou

http://images.amcnetworks.com/ifccenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pierrot_le_fou_1280.jpe

26 Points

1- 1st
1- 3rd
1- 5th
3- 7th
2- 8th

rauldc14

02-19-19, 02:25 PM

6th Place-
Memento

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51b3dc8ee4b051b96ceb10de/t/5b1057e8758d46d341ec6ad1/1527797743761/?format=2500w

28 Points

2- 2nd
1- 5th
1- 6th
3- 7th
1- 8th

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 02:35 PM

I'm here!

and ouch After Hours was last, people really do tend to hate comedies. I liked it though.

Bring em on!

Yam12

02-19-19, 02:38 PM

After Hours coming last is a travesty.

CosmicRunaway

02-19-19, 02:50 PM

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the film, I'm also surprised that After Hours finished last.

CosmicRunaway

02-19-19, 02:55 PM

Since they were disqualified after I sent my list, I'll just mention now that I had Farewell My Concubine ranked 6th, and The Man From Earth in the 9th spot. I was certain Man from Earth would end up being last on my list when I saw that it was nominated, but it managed to squeak ahead one spot.

rauldc14

02-19-19, 03:03 PM

5th Place-
Le Trou

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/06/23/arts/23REWIND/23REWIND-facebookJumbo.jpg

34 Points

2- 2nd
1- 4th
2- 5th
2- 6th
1- 8th

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 03:05 PM

Le Trou, I really dug that film, ha get it!

rauldc14

02-19-19, 03:06 PM

4th Place-
Letter from an Unknown Woman

http://obscurehollywood.net/art/letter-from-an-unknown-woman-1948.jpg

40 Points

1- 1st
1- 3rd
4- 4th
2- 6th

Nathaniel

02-19-19, 03:08 PM

After Hours coming last is a travesty.

I would have had it higher in any other HoF but every film here was great or better.

CosmicRunaway

02-19-19, 03:12 PM

Letter from an Unknown Woman was ranked 4th four times, and finished at #4. That's quite amusing haha.

Edit: Just noticed that it also had 40 points. That makes four 4s!

Nathaniel

02-19-19, 03:16 PM

Top 3 guess:

3. Ed Wood
2. Anatomy of a Murder
1. Raise the Red Lantern

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 03:26 PM

Letter from an Unknown Woman was ranked 4th four times, and finished at #4. That's quite amusing haha.

Edit: Just noticed that it also had 40 points. That makes four 4s! It's spooky:eek:

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 03:27 PM

I would have had it higher in any other HoF but every film here was great or better. Good point. All the films were well worthy in my book, so much so that it was hard to decide.

rauldc14

02-19-19, 05:08 PM

3rd Place-
Ed Wood

http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviewimgs/e/edwood_imgs/edwood_01.jpg

42 points

1- 1st
2- 2nd
1- 3rd
2- 4th
1- 5th
1- 8th

rauldc14

02-19-19, 05:16 PM

2nd Place-
Anatomy of a Murder

http://www.filmnoirblonde.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Anatomy-3.jpg

45 Points

2- 1st
1- 2nd
1- 3rd
2- 4th
2- 6th

rauldc14

02-19-19, 05:18 PM

1st Place-
Raise the Red Lantern

https://i1.wp.com/www.vcinemashow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Red-Lantern-3.jpg?resize=640%2C345

51 Points

2- 1st
1- 2nd
4- 3rd
1- 5th

CosmicRunaway

02-19-19, 05:45 PM

Looks like Nathaniel was spot on with those guesses haha. Congrats on the win Citizen! Raise the Red Lantern was a beautiful film, and it's something I probably wouldn't have watched on my own accord, so I'm very glad you nominated it.

I don't typically end up ranking my own nomination at #1, but I really dug Ed Wood when I rewatched it. It was exactly the kind of film I wanted to see at the time, so that definitely helped. Here was my list:

01. Ed Wood
02. Raise the Red Lantern
03. Anatomy of a Murder
04. Letter from an Unknown Woman
05. Le Trou
DQ. Farewell My Concubine
06. Memento
07. After Hours
DQ. The Man from Earth
08. Pierrot le Fou

Thanks for hosting, Raul! This was an excellent idea for a HoF. :up:

rauldc14

02-19-19, 06:05 PM

Yeah I would definitely be open to this idea down the road again sometime. Was fun to revisit pretty much all of these, except Man from Earth which I still hated.

edarsenal

02-19-19, 07:55 PM

A second Second Chance HoF would definitely be worthwhile in the future and THANKS raul for Hosting!!!

CONGRATS CR for the win on Raise the Red Lantern, a very worthy win!!

Here's my list:

1) Letter from an Unknown Woman
2) Memento
3) Raise the Red Lantern
4) Anatomy of a Murder
5) Ed Wood
6) Le Trou
7) Pierrot Le Fou
8) After Hours

This wasn't easy and I had to go with the enjoyment of the movies to make a list.

MijaFrost

02-19-19, 08:03 PM

Yay, I'm glad Raise the Red Lantern won! These were my votes.

1. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
2. Ed Wood (1994)
3. Pierrot le Fou (1965)
4. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
5. Memento (2000)
6. Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)
7. After Hours (1985)
8. Le Trou (1960)

Siddon

02-19-19, 08:47 PM

Sent my list in, this was by far the best Hall of Fame quality wise I've participated in I think my star ratings are

rating_5
rating_5
rating_5
rating_4_5
rating_4_5
rating_4
rating_4
rating_3_5
rating_2_5
rating_2_5

Anatomy of a Murder
Memento
Raise the Red Lantern
Le Trou
Ed Wood
Letter From an Unknown Woman
Pierott Le Fou
After Hours
The Man From Earth
Farwell my Concubine

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 11:08 PM

Wow, I'm very surprised Raise the Red Lantern won. I didn't expect that especially as I had it as my #3. I do think highly of it, but there were a couple of other films that I also really, really liked.

I enjoyed this HoF, great idea Raul! I knew it would be fun back when you first talked about doing it. BTW I'm ready for another HoF right now:p

Citizen Rules

02-19-19, 11:11 PM

This was my voting list. The first 4 films I loved and were a toss up in my mind.

1 Anatomy of a Murder
2 Ed Wood
3 Raise the Red Lantern
4 Letter from an Unknown Woman
5 Le Trou
6 After Hours
7 Farewell my Concubine
8 The Man From Earth
9 Pierrot Le Fou
10 Memento

I think Pierrot Le Fou and Memento were both good films that achieved what they were trying to do, but they weren't my cup of tea, still good noms though.

Siddon

02-19-19, 11:30 PM

After Hours coming last is a travesty.

For me this Hall was just to stacked, normally 3.5 would be a top three finisher for me

MijaFrost

02-20-19, 01:30 AM

After Hours coming last is a travesty.

For me this Hall was just to stacked, normally 3.5 would be a top three finisher for me

Agreed, I rated both After Hours and Le Trou 3.5 stars, but everything else was good, too.

rauldc14

02-20-19, 10:00 AM

The lowest rating I gave out was Pierrot Le Fou with a 3-

A pretty high floor certainly.

neiba

02-20-19, 10:22 AM

Pierrot le Fou
Le Trou
Raise the Red Lantern
Letter from an Unknown Woman
The Man from Earth
After Hours
Anatomy of a Murder
Memento
Ed Wood

A nice HoF, I would say Ed Wood is the only truly weak film I've seen here (for my taste). It's a good sign when I rank my own nom, which I adore, out of the top 3.

cricket

02-20-19, 11:10 PM

I would have voted like this-

1. Letter from an Unknown Woman
2. After Hours
3. Anatomy of a Murder
4. Le Trou
5. Raise the Red Lantern
6. Memento
7. Ed Wood
8. Pierrot Le Fou

I love the first 6 and also liked Ed Wood a lot. I liked Pierrot Le Fou a little the first time but disliked it the second time.

edarsenal

06-20-21, 11:55 PM

Two VERY solid additions to the Countdown. Red Lantern was a sad cut for me. Glad to see it.

https://lwlies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/the-skin-i-live-in-review-768x539-c-default.jpg

The Skin I Live In aka La piel que habito

Profesora de Yoga en TV: There's a place where you can take refuge. A place inside you, a place to which no one else has access, a place that no one can destroy.

Holy f@ckin sh#t!

What a very beautiful and engrossing cerebral mind f@ck this was!
This is my very first Pedro Almodóvar film and I'm quite curious and a little worried about that curiosity to witness more of his work. Causing an underlying. . . not dread nor trepidation, but something akin to being lost in the unknown that instantly feels intimate and subconsciously familiar.
That sensation took root at the very start of the film with the home/clinic/holding cell that had a mixture of cold methodical architecture whose walls are lined with sensual paintings. Giving the eye both a warning and an invitation to this dwelling and its denizens.

Shot extremely well, that even the disturbing subject matter held a fixed fascination.
And when the twist is brought into play and the proverbial other shoe echoes in both the mind and the body I was completely hooked into the premise and what was to occur next in regards to the "prisoner/patient" being held in the Doctor's home.
And I very much loved the ending.
https://i2.wp.com/www.vcinemashow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Red-Lantern-3.jpg?resize=640%2C345

Raise The Red Lantern

There is, on far more accounts than not, a beauty to Asian filmmaking that is founded on asymmetry that is imbued with poetry. Especially when creating emotional energy visually. This really steps up several notches when involving a period film and Red Lantern is, of course, a very good example of that.
The use of the red lantern and all its symbolic, as well as emotional and cerebral impact, comes through and we are caught up in the world of the four wives.
In fact, the focus is so brilliantly done, that even the master is a vague figure that we never truly get a close-up of his face. He remains a nondescript entity that judges and selects. Allowing us to focus on the interplay and harsh chess game, or perhaps, in this case, mahjong that the women do battle with one another.
Seeing, in all four, the various stages of those who are new to the conflict for the prize, those who are worn out from it, those that fight with passion, and those who conspire and plot.
It's an intriguing game ripe with emotional conflict that consumes them and diminishes everything else, including the man whose decision rules the outcome of who will be allowed to express affection and attention to him and thereby secure a better place and life for themselves.

One aspect I also wish to compliment is that our leading lady, Fourth Wife, is not a gentle, naive waif thrown into the wolves den, but one who is up for the competition and the fight. There is no fragile child learning harsh lessons of life, but a young woman knowing full well what is in store.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/JXsskg9Zxyioi5FptQFAXreESjEYULjTUHf6I_FsCp-cmxhdoyoTW5gLFLpAj-xHQHPfM12x0Q1LhVH2_oOV3VyEaSmJ06bTxw2HXDhkYl9CIRaM0wMrj6oKnslesAT5PAsLzJUvY6T-EVKaVVfoUw
She is full of anger at being taken out of school and placed into a submissive role to a man she knows nothing of nor cares to while battling other women for a secured place.

Movies Seen: 5 of 10 (50.0%)
4. Rome, Open City (1945) #93
19. Paprika (2006) #100
25. In This Corner of the World (2016) One Pointer