28th Hall of Fame

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=86926
The ole 28th Hall o' Fame


Climb on board if ye dare! 'n we'll sail the seas once again. I know ye'll be a bunch of motley pirates but don't be forget t' read the 28th HoF Articles of Engagement. I'd hate t' be swingin' any scurvy cur from the yard arm befor' we even set sail.

Movie Nominations: Any movie that you feel is worthy of an HoF, that's under 240 minutes, can be nominated...Previous HoF winners are excluded. Movies that were HoF nominated in the past but did not win are still eligible.

PM me your nominations and include: film title & year of release. Keep your nomination a secret until the unveiling of the films at the reveal.

Open Door Policy: For one week after the reveal of the movie nominations, new members can still join. This is also the time period in which to withdraw from the HoF if you've changed your mind. I suggest people review the movies that are nominated and make sure they can watch them, if not you can withdraw during the Open Door week.

Length of HoF: There will be 5 days of viewing time per movie. So if there are 12 movie nominations the HoF will be about 2 months long. The deadline to finish will be posted after the HoF starts.

During the HoF: Everyone watches the nominated movies and will discuss them in this thread. You need to write at least a few sentences about your thoughts on each movie after you watch it. Part of the process is a shared discussion of the movies, as a group.

Note: If you've seen a movie recently or have seen it many times you can skip watching it, otherwise you have to watch all nominated movies. But you will still need to post a review about it.

Requesting help to locate movies: If you have trouble locating a movie make a post and ask for help in the HoF. When responding with a movie link send it by private message, don't post links or embed films in this thread.

Dropouts: Members who don't finish will be disqualified and their movie nomination removed from the HoF. Please make sure you have the time to complete this. It helps to start watching the movies right away so that you don't have a bunch of movies to watch at the end. If for any reason you do need to drop out make sure and let me know that you can't finish.
***Withdrawing during the Open Door week is not considered Dropping Out.

Participation: An HoF is about participation, you can go at your own pace with one caveat: If a member is inactive with no movies reviewed for long periods of time, I will contact them to see what's up. Depending on the situation I might place their movie in 'undetermined status' meaning the movie is not out of the HoF but is not required to watch at that time. Basically we don't want a situation where someone joins but never participates as that's not fair to the other members and we can't tell if that person has dropped out or not. As long as someone finishes by the deadline then all will be good.

Ballots: When you're done watching the nominations PM me your ballot. Once you've sent in a ballot it's not changeable so make sure you're happy with your rankings before sending it in. Keep your ballot private until after the reveal of the final voting results, then it's customary to post your ballot (voting list) once the HoF is all done.


Deadline: June 22nd

The Crew:

Captain Flynn aka Citizen Rules...Done
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299460#post2299460)
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300163#post2300163)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301500#post2301500)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302025#post2302025)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302884#post2302884)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304633#post2304633)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304936#post2304936)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309888#post2309888)

The Obra Dinn aka Ueno...Done
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299877#post2299877)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301705#post2301705)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303241#post2303241)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303512#post2303512)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2305216#post2305216)
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2308302#post2308302)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2308487#post2308487)

Bird-Eyed Bill The Feared aka Phoenix...Done
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299673#post2299673)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300549#post2300549)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300996#post2300996)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301701#post2301701)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303248#post2303248)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304724#post2304724)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304418#post2304418)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2307407#post2307407)

Bo'sun Lumpy Poopdeck aka Edarsenal...Done
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2306115#post2306115)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2307017#post2307017)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2307355#post2307355)
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309289#post2309289)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309887#post2309887)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309891#post2309891)

Rottooth Jones aka SpelingError...Done
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299629#post2299629)
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299964#post2299964)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300773#post2300773)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301667#post2301667)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302133#post2302133)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302956#post2302956)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303676#post2303676)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304660#post2304660)

The Naughty Navigator aka Allaby...Done
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299398#post2299398)
Young Man With A Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299764#post2299764)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300531#post2300531)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301417#post2301417)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302754#post2302754)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303071#post2303071)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304403#post2304403)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2305194#post2305194)

Peg-legged Peg aka MovieGal...Done
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300003#post2300003)
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300026#post2300026)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2300363#post2300363)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2301476#post2301476)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2302304#post2302304)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2304844#post2304844)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2305410#post2305410)
The Traveling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2308744#post2308744)

Geoffrey Thorpe aka Siddon...Done
Blue Spring (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2299378#post2299378)
The Painted Bird (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2303695#post2303695)
The Travelling Players (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2306737#post2306737)
Rams (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2308554#post2308554)
Young Man With a Horn (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2308629#post2308629)
Cuties (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309487#post2309487)
Miracle Mile (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309490#post2309490)
My Favorite Year (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2309570#post2309570)

[rauldc14]

See you decided to host. Cool.

[ueno_station54]

dibs on being the boat

[edarsenal]

Do we call our Pirate Names or dat be da de-srex-yun of da Cap'n?

[Citizen Rules]

See you decided to host. Cool. Thanks matey.


dibs on being the boat Welcome aboard!

Do we call our Pirate Names or dat be da de-srex-yun of da Cap'n?Ye all be choosin' yer owns pirate name...or I'll choose one!!! Better ye choose than me:p

[edarsenal]

Arrrrr-righty then. We have an accord

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bb/1c/39/bb1c396105e18a450fe2e965fa237cf7.gif

Look ta da horizon, here be yor nom And me Pirate de plume.

[PHOENIX74]

I'll be 'Bird-Eyed Bill The Feared'

Nomination in the mail shortly...

[edarsenal]

Oh, we can declare them here?

Noice.

Bo'sun Lumpy Poopdeck, at ya service.

[John W Constantine]

interesting....

[CosmicRunaway]

A pirate theme for a main HoF thread? Fascinating.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/80591c06f57b6d509a84d2105e3713db/72ec1b11763a18e6-fc/s540x810/e82d05072c5b6923b97ca2671b3ee94a9741d29f.gifv

[edarsenal]

Just realized something should our names be cinematic pirates?

If so, than make that Privateer Jean Lafitte

[pahaK]

I presume watching films from a legal source is forbidden on this one?

[Citizen Rules]

Just realized something should our names be cinematic pirates?

If so, than make that Privateer Jean LafitteBe that the name ye will be wantin' ta be called by? I am callin' ye all be yer pirate names:cool:

I presume watching films from a legal source is forbidden on this one?Ha...Nothin's forbidden on a pirate ship.

[CosmicRunaway]

So I've dressed up for the occasion, but have no nomination, and no ideas. Will have to think hard on this one.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e175ed1e0d21d2289760704bef83e316/703b6c450aed3d2c-e9/s540x810/63c7c620ef3855925ab4e036a089ac69d50a3a05.gifv

[SpelingError]

I'm in. I'll send my nomination in a bit.

[SpelingError]

Also, I love the pirate theme :up:

[Allaby]

Requesting permission to board your vessel! I’ve got my faithful parrot 🦜 (whose name is Larry) and a case of rum. My blackened heart is torn between two equally scandalous films and I don’t want any of you rascals to make me walk the plank. I will do some deep thinking and likely ship you my nomination tonight. My pirate name is “The Naughty Navigator.”

[Torgo]

It appears that pirates are eligible to join this Hall of Fame. What about spambots? ;)

[MovieGal]

This is too funny :lol:

[Wyldesyde19]

Not joining, but I will be following you all in my own ship, under my own flag, waiting to plunder what ever treasure you are able to discover and claim it as my own.

Avast ye, maties! You. Have. Been. Warned.

[MovieGal]

I may join but want to see nominations first. My taste varies and don't want to watch ones I will not care for. I do better in specialty HOF.

[MovieGal]

pahaK...yo,, you joining?

You always have interesting films.

[Citizen Rules]

Requesting permission to board your vessel! I’ve got my faithful parrot 🦜 (whose name is Larry) and a case of rum. My blackened heart is torn between two equally scandalous films and I don’t want any of you rascals to make me walk the plank. I will do some deep thinking and likely ship you my nomination tonight. My pirate name is “The Naughty Navigator.”Ahoy, Naughty Navigator 'n yer parrot matey Larry. Be ye warned, if Larry poops on the poop deck ye be scrubbin' it!

It appears that pirates are eligible to join this Hall of Fame. What about spambots? ;)We'll feed those squiffy buffoon spambots to the sharks!

[pahaK]

pahaK...yo,, you joining?

You always have interesting films.

I don't know yet. I'll make my decision during the open door period.

[SpelingError]

Just submitted my nomination. Not sure how well it will do amongst us, but I've been meaning to nominate it for the past couple Halls. Also, it can be found on youtube.

[MovieGal]

I don't know yet. I'll make my decision during the open door period.

As will I.

If I decide, CR already has my nomination.

[MovieGal]

Just submitted my nomination. Not sure how well it will do amongst us, but I've been meaning to nominate it for the past couple Halls. Also, it can be found on youtube.

I have a list started for my nominations for HOF. I know they are films very few have seen and would be rare occasion to be nominated by others.

[SpelingError]

I have a list started for my nominations for HOF. I know they are films very few have seen and would be rare occasion to be nominated by others.

I'll have to start making one once I join a few more Halls.

[MovieGal]

I'll have to start making one once I join a few more Halls.

People either like it or hate it, never love it.

[TheUsualSuspect]

I'm on the fence if I should join in this one or not.

[MovieGal]

I'm on the fence if I should join in this one or not.

You should join.

[TheUsualSuspect]

You should join.

Okay.

[Citizen Rules]

We have another crew mate! SpelingError. He didn't pick his pirate name so it's up t' us t' name the lad. What says ye all?

[Thief]

I might skip this one. I really had to scramble to finish the last one and as great as the films were, it really was a chore to juggle it with everything else I've got going on. I'll try to join the 29th.

[Thief]

Wait a minute, if I get a pirate name, I might reconsider!

Hmm, we'll see.

[MovieGal]

Wait a minute, if I get a pirate name, I might reconsider!

Hmm, we'll see.


Do it, Theif!

I promise it won't hurt!

[SpelingError]

Wait a minute, if I get a pirate name, I might reconsider!

Hmm, we'll see.

Due to the pirate theme and your username being Thief, you should join this one on principle.

[Allaby]

Just sent in my nomination...it's a risky one, but one that I love and am prepared to fight for!

[SpelingError]

Just sent in my nomination...it's a risky one, but one that I love and am prepared to fight for!

That describes my nomination lmao.

[Citizen Rules]

Due to the pirate theme and your username being Thief, you should join this one on principle.Ha, yup.

[Thursday Next]

Haha, love the pirate theme. I might be tempted to join this...

[Citizen Rules]

Haha, love the pirate theme. I might be tempted to join this...Thanks Thursday...it sure would be great to have you join our adventure.

So far we've got a lot of neat 'hidden gems', no Spielberg movies in the bunch:p. We have films from: Iceland, Japan, France, Greece, Eastern Europe. This is shaping up to be an excellent film explorers HoF with films from around the world. Oh wait, I forgot the pirate talk, Argh, our pirate booty be rich wit' treasures!

[Thursday Next]

So I've dressed up for the occasion, but have no nomination, and no ideas. Will have to think hard on this one.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e175ed1e0d21d2289760704bef83e316/703b6c450aed3d2c-e9/s540x810/63c7c620ef3855925ab4e036a089ac69d50a3a05.gifv


You could nominate this gif, I guarantee it a high spot on my list ;D

[Thief]

What's the deadline to decide to jump in?

[MovieGal]

When is the reveal so I can say yay or nay?

[Citizen Rules]

What's the deadline to decide to jump in?
When is the reveal so I can say yay or nay?
I'll do the reveal of the movie noms on Monday eve May 2nd. Then there's another week after that where people can still join if they want.

[Siddon]

I'll do the reveal of the movie noms on Monday eve May 2nd. Then there's another week after that where people can still join if they want.

I'm in but I'm going to wait for the reveal because I've got five picks in mind

(1956) - Science Fiction
(1958) - Noir
(1974) - Road Movie
(1977) - War Epic
(1982) - Satire

[Citizen Rules]

I'm in but I'm going to wait for the reveal because I've got five picks in mind

(1956) - Science Fiction
(1958) - Noir
(1974) - Road Movie
(1977) - War Epic
(1982) - SatireThose all sound intriguing, I'll be interested in seeing which one you pick.

[rauldc14]

How many people are in this Citizen? Unveiling tonight?

[Citizen Rules]

How many people are in this Citizen? Unveiling tonight? 7 right now with 3 more possibles, pretty small HoF actually. The last one had 16 members.

As soon as I'm done with work today I will do the reveal.

[CosmicRunaway]

I still can't for the life of me think of a film I'd like to nominate. So I'll just keep posting semi-relevant Blackbeard gifs and hope inspiration strikes before the open-door window is closed.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/25f8417a66832379259e871b2b3714b7/cddac4059624ee3c-97/s400x600/1099a61edd7670a64761e76dc0172bfc8680d8c4.gifv

[Citizen Rules]

I still can't for the life of me think of a film I'd like to nominate. So I'll just keep posting semi-relevant Blackbeard gifs and hope inspiration strikes before the open-door window is closed.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/25f8417a66832379259e871b2b3714b7/cddac4059624ee3c-97/s400x600/1099a61edd7670a64761e76dc0172bfc8680d8c4.gifv


I felt the same way until this very morning...I was flippin an floppin between a dozen noms, driving myself bonkers....finally it came to me....go with something I like! But I think the members will like it too (I hope!), I think you'd like it???:p

[MovieGal]

I felt the same way until this very morning...I was flippin an floppin between a dozen noms, driving myself bonkers....finally it came to me....go with something I like! But I think the members will like it too (I hope!), I think you'd like it???:p

Lol you know I can be difficult to please! :lol:

[Citizen Rules]

Lol you know I can be difficult to please! :lol::D


I'm working on the reveal and hopefully it doesn't take me to long before i can do it.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=86974
ueno_station54 @edarsenal (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @PHOENIX74 (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=112080) @SpelingError (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=91134) @edarsenal (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @Allaby (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=110465) @MovieGal (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=80538) @pahaK (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=100614) @CosmicRunaway (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=90868)

@anyone else who wants to join! You can hop aboard for the next 7 days. Stowaways are welcomed, but might be eaten if the crew gets really hungry.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm going to do a reveal of the noms...in alphabetical order. Oh and I throw in some pirate cursing too!

[Citizen Rules]

86976
Blue Spring (2001)
Japan
1h 22min
Nominated by The Obra Dinn

[Citizen Rules]

86979
Cuties (2020)
French
1h 36min
Nominated by The Naughty Navigator

[Citizen Rules]

86980
Miracle Mile (1988)
USA
1h 27min
Nominated by Captain Flynn

[edarsenal]

Blue Sky looks intriguing and it looks like have our "controversial" film with Cuties and it seems it's on Netflix

[Citizen Rules]

86981
Rams (2015)
Iceland
1h 32min
Nominated by Bird-Eyed Bill The Feared

[Citizen Rules]

86982
The Traveling Players (1975)
Greece
3h 42min
Nominated by Rottooth Jones

[Citizen Rules]

86983
Young Man with a Horn (1950)
USA
1h 52min
Nominated by Bo'sun Lumpy Poopdeck

[Citizen Rules]

So like only 6 films so far...But I do have MovieGal's nom and it's a good one! I think PahaK would like it so I hope he joins. Hopefully Cosmic settles on a nom and joins our motley crew...

Anyone else can join in for the next 7 days (until May 9th) and don't let the pirate theme throw you, that was me just having a bit of fun... we have some serious films here!

[edarsenal]

Pretty eclectic.
Haven't heard of any of these so they'll all be brand new experiences for me. Even my film, Young Man With a Horn is a Blind-Watch from my Movie Challenge Watchlist.

THANKS Cap'n!!

[MovieGal]

I haven't seen any of the films but Rams, which I enjoyed.

Now, I just need to lookup the synopsis of the other films to decide of I want to join and which film to nominate.

[Citizen Rules]

Pretty eclectic.
Haven't heard of any of these so they'll all be brand new experiences for me. Even my film, Young Man With a Horn is a Blind-Watch from my Movie Challenge Watchlist.

THANKS Cap'n!!I've seen Young Man With a Horn twice before, really liked it too. Other than that and my nom I haven't even heard of these.

We got Hidden Gems!!! for sure.

[Allaby]

An interesting and diverse bounty of nominations. Perhaps some hidden treasures await us? I haven't seen any of them except for my nomination, but they all sound intriguing. The Naughty Navigator is pleased and will not try to sword fight any of his mateys.

[Citizen Rules]

I got links for everything, free links cause we're pirates! And they got English subs too...Only Cuties is in English, I couldn't find a French language/English sub version of it. If you got a link your Cap'n will show his appreciation with another round of rum!

[MovieGal]

Six out of seven are yes. So I guess I'm in so far.

Still need to see what the others nominate and CR, I'm in with my first pick.

[Allaby]

I got links for everything, free links cause we're pirates! And they got English subs too...Only Cuties is in English, I couldn't find a French language/English sub version of it. If you got a link your Cap'n will show his appreciation with another round of rum!

Cuties is available on Netflix in French with English subs.

[Citizen Rules]

Six out of seven are yes. So I guess I'm in so far.

Still need to see what the others nominate and CR, I'm in with my first pick.I watched a bit of your first pick and people are going to like it, the cinematography and the atmosphere is amazing.

[Citizen Rules]

Cuties is available on Netflix in French with English subs.Thanks, but you know....:p

[ueno_station54]

well, i'd been meaning to watch a Theo Angelopolous film for years now and i guess i'll be getting my money's worth with this one lol.

[MovieGal]

I watched a bit of your first pick and people are going to like it, the cinematography and the atmosphere is amazing.

All three were good choices. Actually all 6 I had were good

[ueno_station54]

Thanks, but you know....:p
yeah, i don't have netflix but tbh i'm not sure i'd want to watch Cuties on something that's gonna track what i'm watching anyway lmao.

[MovieGal]

Once CR posts my pirate name and film, I will update pic .

[Wyldesyde19]

Cuties is going to cause some controversy.

I’ve seen Rams, and that’s an excellent film. Very eclectic group.

[MovieGal]

There is actually a story behind my pirate name :lol:

[Citizen Rules]

86984
The Painted Bird (2019)
Czech
2h 49m
Nominated by Peg-legged Peg

[MovieGal]

Sorry everyone that it's almost 3 hours long! :lol:

[Citizen Rules]

Once CR posts my pirate name and film, I will update pic .Your movie is posted.

Cuties is going to cause some controversy... I seen bits of Cuties while I was looking for the movie...I think it's going to come down to how one perceives the film's message, I don't know how the film will play out but I think there's more to the film. I'm glad it was nominated so I can see it.

[rauldc14]

Won't be joining.

[Siddon]

Nom sent

[Citizen Rules]

Yahoo, we got another member, Siddon just joined and that makes 8...posting his nom in a minute.

[Citizen Rules]

86985
My Favorite Year (1982)
USA
1h 32min
Nominated by Geoffrey Thorpe

[MovieGal]

TheUsualSuspect , are you still in?

[Citizen Rules]

There is actually a story behind my pirate name :lol:Let's hear it!

[MovieGal]

Let's here it!

A few years ago, I ate something with a lot of sodium and all that fluid sat in my right knee. A co-worker nicknamed me "Pegleg" because I limped when walking. Even though, I no longer work with him, he still calls me that. Each of us had a nickname. I was "Pegleg" and "Gangsta".

[Citizen Rules]

A few years ago, I ate something with a lot of sodium and all that fluid sat in my right knee. A co-worker nicknamed me "Pegleg" because I limped when walking. Even though, I no longer work with him, he still calls me that. Each of us had a nickname. I was "Pegleg" and "Gangsta".Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that. Sodium, lots of it, does a number on me too. That's why I basically do all my own cooking. Is your avatar from a movie?

[MovieGal]

Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that. Sodium, lots of it, does a number on me too. That's why I basically do all my own cooking. Is your avatar from a movie?

No, it's just art.

Worst thing ever was to have that sodium drained by orthopedic doctor.

[Citizen Rules]

No, it's just art.

Worst thing ever was to have that sodium drained by orthopedic doctor.Oh, that's sounds painful.

[pahaK]

I'll pass this one. I've seen two of the nominations. The Painted Bird is really good (if I'd have to name my favorite film from 2019 it would be that). Cuties, surprisingly to some no doubt, wasn't my kind of movie but I think it's a quite well-made film. I'm really interested in reading people's reactions to these.

But yeah, it doesn't look like a setup I'd enjoy so I'll pass.

[SpelingError]

I haven't seen any of the nominations, aside from my own. Overall, this seems like it'll be an interesting Hall. A bit worried about Cuties, but I'll go into it with an open mind.

[SpelingError]

As an aside, my nomination (The Travelling Players) is available on youtube.

[SpelingError]

well, i'd been meaning to watch a Theo Angelopolous film for years now and i guess i'll be getting my money's worth with this one lol.

Since you said you were nominating something more conventional for this Hall, I decided to be your substitute for this round (or, at least, I think I did). Don't know how well it'll do, but it's in my all-time top 15 and I was meaning to nominate it for the past couple Halls.

[Siddon]

Well this is a first...I haven't seen a single film nominated other than my own.

[PHOENIX74]

My router was hacked, and the computer guy who came to fix it says it's the first time he's ever seen that - but I'm back just in time to a very interesting list of nominees. I've seen My Favorite Year with the beautiful Jessica Harper in, but apart from that and my own, it's a list of films I haven't seen and know little about. I'm really looking forward to watching them.

[PHOENIX74]

I remember reading about Cuties recently. Netflix gave it a promo with the very young girls wearing sexually suggestive clothing and poses, and there was a huge amount of controversy. They had to apologize, first of all to the film's director, then the everyone.

[MovieGal]

Watching Cuties now but I may end up rewatching later.

My best day to watch films is Saturday.

[Torgo]

I want the next Hall of Fame I do to be a specialty one, so I'll skip this one.
Have fun, everybody! I'll be reading.

[SpelingError]

I'll start today :up:

Also, what's the deadline for this Hall?

[Citizen Rules]

My router was hacked, and the computer guy who came to fix it says it's the first time he's ever seen that - but I'm back just in time to a very interesting list of nominees...Bummer! Did the computer guy who fixed it say how that happened?

I want the next Hall of Fame I do to be a specialty one, so I'll skip this one.
Have fun, everybody! I'll be reading.Specialty HoFs are always fun, you should host one:)

[MovieGal]

I'm going to need some help locating some of the films.

JustWatch doesn't have listing for 2 and several I can rent from prime.

[SpelingError]

I'm going to need some help locating some of the films.

JustWatch doesn't have listing for 2 and several I can rent from prime.

Which ones do you need help with?

[MovieGal]

Which ones do you need help with?

I will send you message

[SpelingError]

I will send you message

Sent!

[MovieGal]

Sent!

Thanks!

[Siddon]

https://a.ltrbxd.com/resized/sm/upload/cw/3w/el/8o/blue-spring-1200-1200-675-675-crop-000000.jpg?k=9233a691b1


Blue Spring (2001)

Blue Spring is a blend of eastern and western films, it tells the story of a group of young men in a failing Japanese boy's school. These boys are in a gang where their leader has to prove his power by playing a sort of suicide game. Obviously by the title you can see the Ozu influence attempting update the social dramas of the 30's/40's with a 90's flair.

The filmmaker was clearly inspired by Tarantino as the film is littered with violence told in small segments that seem to be just tangentially tied together. Don't bother paying attention to any of the characters they all basically do their thing and then are written off as we move onto the next story. It's not a bad idea if the film is well executed but the second more glaring problem with the film is it's technical ability. Because we don't know who these people are we the audience doesn't really care about them. Perhaps we're not supposed to care about any of these kids but the problem is the film is so low budget that any scene of action happens off screen. It's a distraction that truly hurts the work and reminds you that you are watching basically a student film.

Now while I will call this a student film I will point out that it has some strong elements to it. The filmmaker isn't lazy with his shot selections, often times he tries to set up scenes as artistically and "cool" as possible. The film also plays a steady diet of pop songs that gives it a MTV vibe...actually I think that is the best way to describe this film...think of an early 90's MTV music video and that's kinda what you get with this. It wasn't great but it was watchable.

[TheUsualSuspect]

TheUsualSuspect , are you still in?


Recovering from stomach flu. I'll sit this one out.

[MovieGal]

Recovering from stomach flu. I'll sit this one out.

I hope you feel better soon!

I was thinking that Citizen Rules and I need to do another 80s Teen or a fantasy HOF.

[SpelingError]

Recovering from stomach flu. I'll sit this one out.

Get well soon.

[Allaby]

86993

I just finished watching Cuties (2020). This was my 3rd time watching the film. Directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, Cuties is a controversial coming of age drama. Fathia Youssouf stars as Amy, an 11 year old Muslim girl torn between the values and traditions of her family and the Cuties, a dance group of "cool girls" at her school.

First, I want to say that I unapologetically love this film. Cuties is a powerful and beautiful film that isn't afraid to make some bold choices and take risks. It is challenging and provocative. Fathia Youssouf is a revelation and I absolutely loved her beautiful, brave performance. Médina El Aidi-Azouni is fantastic too and the other girls in the film are good too. The film has depth, heart, and is always engaging and compelling. The opening shot is wonderful and captivating and the final shot is fantastic.

There was a lot of controversy that started even before the film was released. Netflix mishandled the marketing and some people got the wrong impression and made assumptions about the film without seeing it. I remember when I posted my review of the film on Facebook in some movie groups and got a lot of insults and called nasty names from people who didn't know me and hadn't even seen the film. Cuties is absolutely not child pornography. It is not an exploitation film. It was not made for paedophiles. Cuties is an excellent, well crafted film that raises important questions and intentionally doesn't provide easy answers. 4.5

[MovieGal]

86993

I just finished watching Cuties (2020). This was my 3rd time watching the film. Directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, Cuties is a controversial coming of age drama. Fathia Youssouf stars as Amy, an 11 year old Muslim girl torn between the values and traditions of her family and the Cuties, a dance group of "cool girls" at her school.

First, I want to say that I apologetically love this film. Cuties is a powerful and beautiful film that isn't afraid to make some bold choices and take risks. It is challenging and provocative. Fathia Youssouf is a revelation and I absolutely loved her beautiful, brave performance. Médina El Aidi-Azouni is fantastic too and the other girls in the film are good too. The film has depth, heart, and is always engaging and compelling. The opening shot is wonderful and captivating and the final shot is fantastic.

There was a lot of controversy that started even before the film was released. Netflix mishandled the marketing and some people got the wrong impression and made assumptions about the film without seeing it. I remember when I posted my review of the film on Facebook in some movie groups and got a lot of insults and called nasty names from people who didn't know me and hadn't even seen the film. Cuties is absolutely not child pornography. It is not an exploitation film. It was not made for paedophiles. Cuties is an excellent, well crafted film that raises important questions and intentionally doesn't provide easy answers. 4.5

No reason to apologize for loving it. I really enjoyed it and having a daughter who is now 29, I remember her and her friends wanting to act more mature than they were at that age. I will have a bit more to add about this on my small review.

[edarsenal]

There is actually a story behind my pirate name :lol:
A few years ago, I ate something with a lot of sodium and all that fluid sat in my right knee. A co-worker nicknamed me "Pegleg" because I limped when walking. Even though, I no longer work with him, he still calls me that. Each of us had a nickname. I was "Pegleg" and "Gangsta".
Worst thing ever was to have that sodium drained by orthopedic doctor.

Now, that,
THAT right there.

That's f@ckin Pirate, Girlfriend



So very sorry to hear ya having to go through that sh#t, my dear. But ecstatic to have you here.
Cool Story sharing nicknames.
So, uh, yeah, tell me about "Gangsta" :cool::yup:

[edarsenal]

I'm going to need some help locating some of the films.

JustWatch doesn't have listing for 2 and several I can rent from prime.

Not sure if ya need them, but sent you Young Man With a Horn and Rams. Hope it helps.

[edarsenal]

Recovering from stomach flu. I'll sit this one out.

Feel better, TUS

[edarsenal]

Nice write-up, Allaby.

[Allaby]

Nice write-up, Allaby.

Thanks, Ed. :)

[edarsenal]

Your write-up Siddon has got me even more curious about Blue Spring than I already was. Nice.

[edarsenal]

Thanks, Ed. :)

Love breaking through the reputation and into the substance. Along with MovieGal's comment and the truth of it in my experience, gives me cause to open my mind when viewing this.
Thank you.
Both of you.

[MovieGal]

Love breaking through the reputation and into the substance. Along with MovieGal's comment and the truth of it in my experience, gives me cause to open my mind when viewing this.
Thank you.
Both of you.

Sorry about that! I use my phone most of the time anymore and I just scroll.

Come on Ed, you know you are my HOF buddy!

[edarsenal]

I want the next Hall of Fame I do to be a specialty one, so I'll skip this one.
Have fun, everybody! I'll be reading.
Specialty HoFs are always fun, you should host one:)

Innnn facttttt

ya all need to host a Specialty HoF, Torgo.
:yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup: :yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup:

:cool::D:D
:yup:

[MovieGal]

Not sure if ya need them, but sent you Young Man With a Horn and Rams. Hope it helps.

Yup thanks! I have all but my nom, which I will pay Prime to watch!!

[edarsenal]

Also, what's the deadline for this Hall?
It'll be a week per amount of folks, so once the Open Door closes back up, CR will post the final Deadline.

[MovieGal]

Now, that,
THAT right there.

That's f@ckin Pirate, Girlfriend



So very sorry to hear ya having to go through that sh#t, my dear. But ecstatic to have you here.
Cool Story sharing nicknames.
So, uh, yeah, tell me about "Gangsta" :cool::yup:

"Gangsta". How familiar are you with the crime family in NY?

[MovieGal]

Innnn facttttt

ya all need to host a Specialty HoF, Torgo.
:yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup: :yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup::yup:

:cool::D:D
:yup:

Ed,

I know you are always ready for 80s Teen and Fantasy HOF.

[SpelingError]

It'll be a week per amount of folks, so once the Open Door closes back up, CR will post the final Deadline.
Gotcha, thanks 👍

[edarsenal]

Come on Ed, you know you are my HOF buddy!
https://c.tenor.com/gSQ2fhJP6RkAAAAM/michaelscott-wink.gif

[MovieGal]

Every HOF I have been in, Ed and CR is there as well. Even when I nominate not so great films. :lol:

[edarsenal]

Ed,

I know you are always ready for 80s Teen and Fantasy HOF.
You have my attention :)

[Citizen Rules]

I was thinking that @Citizen Rules (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=84637) and I need to do another 80s Teen or a fantasy HOF.I'd join either or both! I need to be in HoFs to have me some fun. Back in the day we'd have the main HoF going and 2 specialty HoFs also.

You know what would be fun? an Antiquities HoF. You know movies about the Roman Empire, Ancient Egypt or any ancient civilization...I love those films and have been watching quite a few recently.

[MovieGal]

I'd join either or both! I need to be in HoFs to have me some fun. Back in the day we'd have the main HoF going and 2 specialty HoFs also. You know what would be fun an Antiquities HoF, you know movies about the Roman Empire, or Ancient Egypt or any ancient civilization...I love those films and have been watching quite a few recently.

You know I would join those.

[Citizen Rules]

You know I would join those.I remember you liked films about the Roman empire. I must have seen 3 or 4 of those in the last few weeks.

[PHOENIX74]

Bummer! Did the computer guy who fixed it say how that happened?


I think it was one time where a "click this to prove you're not a robot" came on and I carelessly clicked it - because I'm so used to that routine. So be careful every time you're asked to prove you're not a robot - if anything looks the slightest bit suspicious don't do it.

[Citizen Rules]

86996
Rams (2015)

I'm off to a good start with my watch of a very well made & enjoyable film from Iceland...Rams. I believe I've only seen one other film from Iceland so it was a real treat to see some of this far-away country that I've never visited. Just the bird eye view of the landscape made me appreciate this nom...But even more so, I loved the way it was film...slow...nicely paced...never hurried. The style of the film making fit to a tee the story and the sparse countryside location. I felt like these people were real and I was there...and that's a high compliment to any film.

[Citizen Rules]

I think it was one time where a "click this to prove you're not a robot" came on and I carelessly clicked it - because I'm so used to that routine. So be careful every time you're asked to prove you're not a robot - if anything looks the slightest bit suspicious don't do it.Gosh, I just had to do that at ebay. I have to do that all the time as they don't believe I'm me:p

[MovieGal]

I remember you liked films about the Roman empire. I must have seen 3 or 4 of those in the last few weeks.

Ancient Rome, Ancient Gaul/Celts and Ancient Egypt.

[PHOENIX74]

Gosh, I just had to do that at ebay. I have to do that all the time as they don't believe I'm me:p

😄

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

[CosmicRunaway]

Gosh, I just had to do that at ebay. I have to do that all the time as they don't believe I'm me:p
Maybe they don't believe you for a reason? Sounds like you're going to have to select all the pictures of traffic lights to prove you're human, or else we'll have to commandeer this HoF.

https://imageproxy.ifunny.co/crop:x-20,resize:640x,quality:90x75/images/14bbdc388c578e51670caa5d9405b9ada017d73c7ecd29419886e74006812aaa_1.jpg

[SpelingError]

Blue Spring (2001) - 4

As someone who's grown somewhat weary of high school/teen movies, this film clicked with me much more than I expected it would. Its representation of teen angst and troubled youths encompassed by their run-down and violent surroundings with little hope for their futures resonated really well with me. Some of the characters are given more focus than others, but none of them were unmemorable since they're all in the same boat. Given the apparent 'freedom' the boys have in the school which includes wandering out of their classes at will, spraying graffiti around the school's interior, fighting each other in the halls without punishment, and playing a dangerous game of chicken on the school's roof, the school feels like a playground that allows for their behavior to continue, in spite of how several faculty members warn the boys of their situations. A few scenes in this film might be too weird for some people, but given its somewhat unconventional style, I don't think the film is going for realism. Rather, it seems caught between reality and a dream. I don't have much to say about this film in the way of flaws. I suppose the soundtrack teetered on being overbearing every now and then, but not enough to harm the film much. Overall, really enjoyed this one.

Next Up: Cuties

[MovieGal]

Blue Spring (2001) - 4

As someone who's grown somewhat weary of high school/teen movies, this film clicked with me much more than I expected it would. Its representation of teen angst and troubled youths encompassed by their run-down and violent surroundings with little hope for their futures resonated really well with me. Some of the characters are given more focus than others, but none of them were unmemorable since they're all in the same boat. Given the apparent 'freedom' the boys have in the school which includes wandering out of their classes at will, spraying graffiti around the school's interior, fighting each other in the halls without punishment, and playing a dangerous game of chicken on the school's roof, the school feels like a playground that allows for their behavior to continue, in spite of how several faculty members warn the boys of their situations. A few scenes in this film might be too weird for some people, but given its somewhat unconventional style, I don't think the film is going for realism. Rather, it seems caught between reality and a dream. I don't have much to say about this film in the way of flaws. I suppose the soundtrack teetered on being overbearing every now and then, but not enough to harm the film much. Overall, really enjoyed this one.

Next Up: Cuties

So I take it you aren't much of a fan of troubled teen films?

I enjoy them so I should enjoy this.

If you want to check out the ones I know, let me know. They are from Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

[SpelingError]

So I take it you aren't much of a fan of troubled teen films?

I enjoy them so I should enjoy this.

If you want to check out the ones I know, let me know. They are from Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

To clarify, I was mainly referring to the more 'lighter' and conventional teen films which I see pop up the most (Freaky Friday, A Cinderella Story, Mean Girls, To All the Boys I've Ever Loved Before, etc). I like some of those more than others, but overall, those kinds of films aren't my bag. Troubled teen films are fine by me.

Also, if you have some recommendations, I'm happy to hear them.

[PHOENIX74]

I've just finished watching Cuties - review to come. But I just wanted to say it was pretty good, and that the controversy over it has to be one of the dumbest things our culture wars have delivered so far - with the film actually being on the same side as the people protesting it.

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/W3FYFbTW/mignonnes.jpg

Cuties (Mignonnes) - 2020

Directed by Maïmouna Doucouré

Written by Maïmouna Doucouré

Starring Fathia Youssouf, Maïmouna Gueye
& Médina El Aidi-Azouni


So, this is the film that so many people stupidly protested without watching it. The ignorance of humanity is just stunning to observe sometimes, and there are a great many people who came out against this film, despite the film being on the same side they are. It was just a pile on. U.S. Lawmakers joined in the hunt, making indictments as it became a topic of the moment, and yet without having a single clue about what they were talking about. Because they hadn't seen it. Because they didn't know what they were talking about. Because they were reacting to a tweet, or a poster, or the guy they shared a lunch with who also hadn't seen it. If they had, they would have realised everything was back to front - and that Cuties represents a strong statement against the sexualization of minors. But what can we do? Some people are idiots.

Cuties is something of an autobiographical film for it's feature debut director Maïmouna Doucouré, a woman of Senegalese family origin that lived with a polygamous father, and thus two mothers. In this film Amy (played by Fathia Youssouf, making her film debut) is also in a Senegalese family, and is waiting for her father to return to her home in France with his second bride. She's 11 years-old, has a strict religious upbringing, and finds it hard to fit in at school. She's drawn to a group of peers who wear overly-sexualized clothing and are constantly practicing how to dance, and even though they bully her, she eventually gains acceptance into their group. These girls have access to pornography and suggestive dancing on their phones and other devices, and it's this dancing that some of them try to emulate, without fully realising the implications of what they're doing. Eventually, Amy will be in conflict with her restrictive, traditional family, and her rebellion will only lead her further down the wrong path. Good role models seem very hard to find, and all Amy really wants is acceptance and respect - not realising that this kind of dancing won't get that for her.

There are a lot of real issues raised by this film, and all of the young actresses do well in giving us an impression of how these kids lack maturity, mimic a lot of what they see, and are full of sensitivity and emotion. One scene in particular, with a condom one of them has found, shows us just how naïve they really are as they insist touching one gives you AIDS (they eventually wash the poor girl's mouth with soap to try and "wash away the infection".) There's an uncomfortable moment when Angelica (Médina El Aidi-Azouni) is introduced as she dances - already with suggestive clothes in a sexual manner - as when she turns it really hits us just how young this girl is. But it's clear that none of them even realise what they're doing - they're simply imitating what they see on their computer screens and phones. These are girls that don't have strong parental figures to sit down with them and talk to them. Most often they're left to fend for themselves in a society that's just too busy to stop, listen to them, and discuss all of this with them.

All of this is mostly played with realism, but there is just one small part of the film - where Amy comes into contact with a traditional Senegalese dress, the gives a small sense of the mystic. This dress bleeds when she does, unknowingly becoming a woman, and it bulges as if becoming her at a certain point in the film. Living in a French or Western society, but still adhering to many old Senegalese traditions must be hard - and I know if I was a kid I would have been rebelling against a lot of it - especially considering how different it would have made me to my peers. The same goes for Amy, who starts the film so alone, except for her little brother. When she rebels, witch doctors are called in, and religious ceremonies are performed, but her mother never really sits down and talks with her. Amy herself only finds out more about her father by eavesdropping on a conversation while hiding under a bed. Her mother, meanwhile, is deeply wounded by her husband taking a second bride - but polygamy isn't the subject of this film, and that practice isn't explored much more than this.

As the film was released on Netflix, a very silly, and frankly weird, mistake was made. The promotional image used for it's cinematic release in France wasn't used - that of some kids shopping and having fun in the streets. Instead the girls were shown in sexually suggestive clothing, striking sexualized poses. Whoever decided this was a good representation of the film, and a good advertisement for it, needs to see a psychologist and answer some questions. As expected, controversy came down hard, as people took that marketing on face value and decided this film was nothing more than child pornography - the very thing the film is railing against. Once that genie was out of the bottle, it didn't matter anymore what the film actually was - people decided on the strength of other people's tweets, social media and comments. I feel so sorry for Maïmouna Doucouré, having her great film misrepresented in such a way by people who hadn't even seen it. I hope it doesn't damage her career. The film sits with a 3.4/10 rating on the IMDb, and this is a solid 7.1/10 film - many people have rated it "1" without ever seeing it. This is all madness.

The cinematography (which was quite good), music and editing were performed by fresh young French talent, making this a truly 21st Century generational film - it all marks a new voice speaking out against the permissive culture we have media-wise, where what young eyes can see has truly spiraled out of control. It doesn't help that mindless people protest this film, and help support platforms that allow this permissiveness to flourish. It truly marks this particular era in human history as an era of ignorance. Fortunately, Doucouré won the Directing Award when the film was shown at Sundance, and in 2017 the script also won an award at that particular Sundance Festival. It was this recognition that tempered demands from U.S. lawmakers that the film be banned. Netflix was indicted by a grand jury in Tyler County, Texas, but the platform defended the film, as they should. The people that tried to market it on Netflix the way they did however, should have had some kind of case to answer.

I was fully immersed in Amy's world, and could understand her need for acceptance and validation - the film does this very well. Even though I've certainly seen a few films like this before, it was fresh enough not to bore me, or seem derivative of anything else. I remember watching Christiane F. way back when I was a child, and it was considered an important film to watch to educate young people about how easy it is to fall into a cycle of drug addiction, how dangerous it is, and how hard it is to get out of it with your life. The same could be said for Cuties, for both young people and older people who have children. The over-sexualization of children is everywhere we look these days, from advertisement, to inappropriate beauty contests, to dancing contests like the ones in this film. Kids have access to too much adult content. If society isn't smart enough to deal with it, it's up to individual parents to provide guidance for their kids. Just good, level headed, guidance.

I thought this was a great film that handled it's subject in just the right manner, and gave the audience a point of view very close to that of an 11 year-old girl in modern society. The pressures, the fears, responsibilities to family, need for friendship and recognition, and over-exposure to inappropriate media content. They live in a society where there never seems to be much time for communication, and where good role models seem to be scarce, but the film itself gives us the impetus to step up and educate and be good role models for our kids. It's also a good warning about social media, the internet and modern music and dancing - that not all of the content is appropriate for girls who are yet in their late teens. That this was protested boggles the mind and defies belief. It presents us with naive girls who imitate, but not aspire to this sexualization we see in dance - and they can pay for that with ridicule and shame. Some almost seem to be raising themselves on social media, with no guidance at all - which makes Cuties a great wake-up call for parents these days.

4

[Allaby]

https://i.postimg.cc/W3FYFbTW/mignonnes.jpg

Cuties (Mignonnes) - 2020

Directed by Maïmouna Doucouré

Written by Maïmouna Doucouré

Starring Fathia Youssouf, Maïmouna Gueye
& Médina El Aidi-Azouni


So, this is the film that so many people stupidly protested without watching it. The ignorance of humanity is just stunning to observe sometimes, and there are a great many people who came out against this film, despite the film being on the same side they are. It was just a pile on. U.S. Lawmakers joined in the hunt, making indictments as it became a topic of the moment, and yet without having a single clue about what they were talking about. Because they hadn't seen it. Because they didn't know what they were talking about. Because they were reacting to a tweet, or a poster, or the guy they shared a lunch with who also hadn't seen it. If they had, they would have realised everything was back to front - and that Cuties represents a strong statement against the sexualization of minors. But what can we do? Some people are idiots.

Cuties is something of an autobiographical film for it's feature debut director Maïmouna Doucouré, a woman of Senegalese family origin that lived with a polygamous father, and thus two mothers. In this film Amy (played by Fathia Youssouf, making her film debut) is also in a Senegalese family, and is waiting for her father to return to her home in France with his second bride. She's 11 years-old, has a strict religious upbringing, and finds it hard to fit in at school. She's drawn to a group of peers who wear overly-sexualized clothing and are constantly practicing how to dance, and even though they bully her, she eventually gains acceptance into their group. These girls have access to pornography and suggestive dancing on their phones and other devices, and it's this dancing that some of them try to emulate, without fully realising the implications of what they're doing. Eventually, Amy will be in conflict with her restrictive, traditional family, and her rebellion will only lead her further down the wrong path. Good role models seem very hard to find, and all Amy really wants is acceptance and respect - not realising that this kind of dancing won't get that for her.

There are a lot of real issues raised by this film, and all of the young actresses do well in giving us an impression of how these kids lack maturity, mimic a lot of what they see, and are full of sensitivity and emotion. One scene in particular, with a condom one of them has found, shows us just how naïve they really are as they insist touching one gives you AIDS (they eventually wash the poor girl's mouth with soap to try and "wash away the infection".) There's an uncomfortable moment when Angelica (Médina El Aidi-Azouni) is introduced as she dances - already with suggestive clothes in a sexual manner - as when she turns it really hits us just how young this girl is. But it's clear that none of them even realise what they're doing - they're simply imitating what they see on their computer screens and phones. These are girls that don't have strong parental figures to sit down with them and talk to them. Most often they're left to fend for themselves in a society that's just too busy to stop, listen to them, and discuss all of this with them.

All of this is mostly played with realism, but there is just one small part of the film - where Amy comes into contact with a traditional Senegalese dress, the gives a small sense of the mystic. This dress bleeds when she does, unknowingly becoming a woman, and it bulges as if becoming her at a certain point in the film. Living in a French or Western society, but still adhering to many old Senegalese traditions must be hard - and I know if I was a kid I would have been rebelling against a lot of it - especially considering how different it would have made me to my peers. The same goes for Amy, who starts the film so alone, except for her little brother. When she rebels, witch doctors are called in, and religious ceremonies are performed, but her mother never really sits down and talks with her. Amy herself only finds out more about her father by eavesdropping on a conversation while hiding under a bed. Her mother, meanwhile, is deeply wounded by her husband taking a second bride - but polygamy isn't the subject of this film, and that practice isn't explored much more than this.

As the film was released on Netflix, a very silly, and frankly weird, mistake was made. The promotional image used for it's cinematic release in France wasn't used - that of some kids shopping and having fun in the streets. Instead the girls were shown in sexually suggestive clothing, striking sexualized poses. Whoever decided this was a good representation of the film, and a good advertisement for it, needs to see a psychologist and answer some questions. As expected, controversy came down hard, as people took that marketing on face value and decided this film was nothing more than child pornography - the very thing the film is railing against. Once that genie was out of the bottle, it didn't matter anymore what the film actually was - people decided on the strength of other people's tweets, social media and comments. I feel so sorry for Maïmouna Doucouré, having her great film misrepresented in such a way by people who hadn't even seen it. I hope it doesn't damage her career. The film sits with a 3.4/10 rating on the IMDb, and this is a solid 7.1/10 film - many people have rated it "1" without ever seeing it. This is all madness.

The cinematography (which was quite good), music and editing were performed by fresh young French talent, making this a truly 21st Century generational film - it all marks a new voice speaking out against the permissive culture we have media-wise, where what young eyes can see has truly spiraled out of control. It doesn't help that mindless people protest this film, and help support platforms that allow this permissiveness to flourish. It truly marks this particular era in human history as an era of ignorance. Fortunately, Doucouré won the Directing Award when the film was shown at Sundance, and in 2017 the script also won an award at that particular Sundance Festival. It was this recognition that tempered demands from U.S. lawmakers that the film be banned. Netflix was indicted by a grand jury in Tyler County, Texas, but the platform defended the film, as they should. The people that tried to market it on Netflix the way they did however, should have had some kind of case to answer.

I was fully immersed in Amy's world, and could understand her need for acceptance and validation - the film does this very well. Even though I've certainly seen a few films like this before, it was fresh enough not to bore me, or seem derivative of anything else. I remember watching Christiane F. way back when I was a child, and it was considered an important film to watch to educate young people about how easy it is to fall into a cycle of drug addiction, how dangerous it is, and how hard it is to get out of it with your life. The same could be said for Cuties, for both young people and older people who have children. The over-sexualization of children is everywhere we look these days, from advertisement, to inappropriate beauty contests, to dancing contests like the ones in this film. Kids have access to too much adult content. If society isn't smart enough to deal with it, it's up to individual parents to provide guidance for their kids. Just good, level headed, guidance.

I thought this was a great film that handled it's subject in just the right manner, and gave the audience a point of view very close to that of an 11 year-old girl in modern society. The pressures, the fears, responsibilities to family, need for friendship and recognition, and over-exposure to inappropriate media content. They live in a society where there never seems to be much time for communication, and where good role models seem to be scarce, but the film itself gives us the impetus to step up and educate and be good role models for our kids. It's also a good warning about social media, the internet and modern music and dancing - that not all of the content is appropriate for girls who are yet in their late teens. That this was protested boggles the mind and defies belief. It presents us with naive girls who imitate, but not aspire to this sexualization we see in dance - and they can pay for that with ridicule and shame. Some almost seem to be raising themselves on social media, with no guidance at all - which makes Cuties a great wake-up call for parents these days.

4

Great review, Phoenix. Glad you appreciated the film and got what it was saying.

[SpelingError]

Feeling a bit better about watching Cuties now. I already have something else planned for tonight, but I'll get to it tomorrow.

[Citizen Rules]

Glad to hear people are liking Cuties, I'm curious about that film myself, hope to catch it soon.

[Citizen Rules]

@ueno_station54 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=111569) @edarsenal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @PHOENIX74 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=112080) @SpelingError (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=91134) @edarsenal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @Allaby (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=110465) @MovieGal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=80538) @pahaK (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=100614) @CosmicRunaway (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=90868)

The deadline is June 22nd



87028

[CosmicRunaway]

I'll probably just have to follow behind the HoF ship in my little dinghy instead of coming on board. Throughout the week I've started to rewatch a few potential nominations, but wasn't really vibing with any of them, so I always turned them off before long.

I might be in a bit of a film funk right now or something. I can't even list any favourites I want to revisit because whenever I try to think about what I'd like, my brain is just like "I don't know man, whatever", and I don't really seem to be in the mood for anything at all.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e3e0ed28918aa13c6be1fc040b7f2d87/fc19e8ce6bb06202-fc/s540x810/17e21bda15a97fda8b61d367a2ed26aaf57d71d9.gifv

[Citizen Rules]

I'll probably just have to follow behind the HoF ship in my little dinghy instead of coming on board. Throughout the week I've started to rewatch a few potential nominations, but wasn't really vibing with any of them, so I always turned them off before long.

I might be in a bit of a film funk right now or something. I can't even list any favourites I want to revisit because whenever I try to think about what I'd like, my brain is just like "I don't know man, whatever", and I don't really seem to be in the mood for anything at all.

Bummer but I understand. Hey here's an idea that has been done in past HoFs: if you watch all the noms and do a little write up for them, then you can vote and without having to choose a movie of your own. Just and idea, no pressure🙂

[CosmicRunaway]

Hey here's an idea that has been done in past HoFs: if you watch all the noms and do a little write up for them, then you can vote and without having to choose a movie of your own.
That's probably the ideal set-up for me right now if the crew doesn't mind.

Is the deadline for submitting a week-late-to-the-party nomination still Monday? Or is it tomorrow? Maybe my brain fog will clear over the weekend (though I wouldn't bet on it).

[SpelingError]

I'll probably just have to follow behind the HoF ship in my little dinghy instead of coming on board. Throughout the week I've started to rewatch a few potential nominations, but wasn't really vibing with any of them, so I always turned them off before long.

I might be in a bit of a film funk right now or something. I can't even list any favourites I want to revisit because whenever I try to think about what I'd like, my brain is just like "I don't know man, whatever", and I don't really seem to be in the mood for anything at all.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e3e0ed28918aa13c6be1fc040b7f2d87/fc19e8ce6bb06202-fc/s540x810/17e21bda15a97fda8b61d367a2ed26aaf57d71d9.gifv


I hope to see you in some future Halls. You write some good reviews.

[SpelingError]

@ueno_station54 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=111569) @edarsenal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @PHOENIX74 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=112080) @SpelingError (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=91134) @edarsenal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @Allaby (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=110465) @MovieGal (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=80538) @pahaK (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=100614) @CosmicRunaway (https://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=90868)

The deadline is June 22nd



87028

Could you increase the deadline by two minutes, perhaps? I want to make sure we all have enough time to finish.

[CosmicRunaway]

Alternatively, I can catalogue all the movies myself and my room mates own on DVD/BluRay/VHS and put them in an online randomizer and see what nomination the fates have decided on.

We own a lot of trash picked up for cheap when local video stores closed though, so there's no guarantee of quality haha.

[Citizen Rules]

That's probably the ideal set-up for me right now if the crew doesn't mind.

Is the deadline for submitting a week-late-to-the-party nomination still Monday? Or is it tomorrow? Maybe my brain fog will clear over the weekend (though I wouldn't bet on it).I don't remember what the deadline for noms was:p Hell I have to think about what day tomorrow is! Sure Monday eve/Tuesday morning is fine🙂

Alternatively, I can catalogue all the movies myself and my room mates own on DVD/BluRay/VHS and put them in an online randomizer and see what nomination the fates have decided on.

We own a lot of trash picked up for cheap when local video stores closed though, so there's no guarantee of quality haha.I kinda like that idea. Or ask your roommates to pick one, my wife has suggested HoF noms before to me.

[Allaby]

87031

I just finished watching Young Man with a Horn (1950). Directed by Michael Curtiz, this drama features a great cast including Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall, Hoagy Carmichael and Juano Hernandez. Douglas plays Rick Martin, a talented and obsessive trumpet player whose self destructive nature threatens his career and relationships. The lead actors are all good here. I believed Douglas's performance and I thought Day and Bacall were convincing and interesting in their roles as the women in his life. Black and white cinematography was well done and the music was nice too. I felt that some of the story elements were a little predictable and formulaic at times though. The film does feel a touch too long and could have easily been a little shorter without losing anything significant. Director Michael Curtiz doesn't always get the appreciation he deserves. He directed 173 an impressive 173 feature films, including some great ones. I've seen at least 11 of his films and I would rank Young Man with a Horn as his 5th best. This was a good nomination and I'm glad I have now seen it. 3.5

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87031

I just finished watching Young Man with a Horn (1950). Directed by Michael Curtiz...Director Michael Curtiz doesn't always get the appreciation he deserves. He directed 173 an impressive 173 feature films, including some great ones. I've seen at least 11 of his films and I would rank Young Man with a Horn as his 5th best...And he directed two of the all time great pirate movies:D

87032 87033

[ueno_station54]

http://data.heimat.de/pics/a/b/b/6/e/pic_1597496784_abb6ea5475ada0ea3037b1f1f095ebfc.jpeg
The Painted Bird (Vaclav Marhoul, 2019)

Boring misery porn that's too goofy to be miserable. Like most shock movies it has a scene or two that'll rustle your jimmies for whatever that's worth but it lacks any strong imagery that could make it hit in a lasting way. It's unlikely this could have been a film I would have really enjoyed anyway but it suffers so much from just being a modern film made with modern film sensibilities. By this I mostly mean the film just looks awful. Modern black and white always has way too much contrast and for whatever reason modern films in general just kind of look like credit card commercials. Tbf the film looks fine in low light/lower contrast scenes but like, 70% of the film is still annoying to look at lol. I do appreciate that its light on narrative but i could have gone for a few less things happening and a bit more space. Just not my jam aesthetically or otherwise.
rating_2

[CosmicRunaway]

Turns out two of my co-workers who have been off for the last couple of days have tested positive for covid, so our already disgustingly understaffed team is going to be very busy for the next couple of weeks as they recover. One of them is our team lead and none of the managers can consistently make it in for 5am (the last three days have been an absolute mess because of that), so not only will we have more work each, but more responsibilities to handle as well.

So it's probably a good thing I didn't officially join yet. The next two weeks are probably going to be very tiring, and I likely won't have as much time or energy left to participate.

On the plus side...the weather here is supposed to warm up a bit. Double digits hopefully. Might finally be able to open the window. :|

[SpelingError]

Cuties (2020) - 2.5

I wasn't eager to watch this film given the controversy it got, but I'm still happy I gave it a fair chance. With that being said, while I didn't hate this film, its point ultimately fell apart for me. Firstly, no, this film isn't child pornography by any means. The film clearly has different intentions in mind. I also think the type of content shown in this film can function in the right context, in the same way that extreme portrayals of violence and racism in media can be used to create a point on both subjects. Rather, where this film falls apart for me is that the young actresses don't have the ability to properly consent to being portrayed the way they are in this film, which includes wearing revealing clothing, dancing in sexually suggestive ways, and showing close-ups of them twerking. While I appreciate the point Doucouré was making with this film, I think it would've worked better if the content was either shown in a different medium or if the film took the route that many high school sex dramas/comedies take by having adults play younger kids (though, the latter suggestion would've obviously been hard to pull off since the girls in this film are supposed to be 11, as opposed to 16 or 17). I will give the film some credit in a few areas though. Fathia Youssouf does a great job as Amy, a naïve young girl slowly falling out of touch with her religion as she spends time with Angelica and her friends, all the while being unaware of the consequences her actions have on her and other people. There's also some technically impressive moments here and there, like the opening and closing shots. I also thought there were some non-problematic disturbing scenes in the film here and there, like a scene where Amy walks in on her friends watching porn in a bathroom or when Amy's asked to photograph a random boy's penis. I wouldn't say these aspects outweigh my issues with the film and I wouldn't say I enjoyed watching it, but I do think there's a fair share of compelling bits mixed in with the problematic bits which made it easier to stomach. Anyways: Right intentions, wrong execution of them.

Next Up: Miracle Mile

[MovieGal]

87059
Cuties
(2020)
Nominated by The Naughty Navigator

I understand the controversy some people may have over this film but I, myself, see it as a way that younger girls want to be popular. Having a daughter that was once this age, there is a lot of media that encourages girls to be "popular, idolized, sexy" and in no way, do I feel this is what should truly happen to them. They want to appear older and more mature but keep the values of their innocence. This movie shows both of these aspects. Amy struggles between what she knows is morally right and how she wants to appear to her new friends. She does what is somewhat natural to young girls who are heading to maturity. She becomes "a woman" in her culture's eyes during this film. She wants to be popular among her friends to the point of lying, stealing, and even posting inappropriate picture on the net. In the end, Amy does realize her actions were not what she truly wanted and had remorse for the wrong she has done to her family.

This movie isn't about sexualizing the innocent as some people out there believed. It's showing, what I see, as the truth about our young children and their perception of the media. Am I saying it's wrong, to a point, yes.

I did enjoy this film enough to watch it a second time to get what I can take from it.

[MovieGal]

In less than 15 minutes into Blue Spring, I texted my daughter and asked if there was a manga/anime called this and her reply was "Yes.".

[ueno_station54]

In less than 15 minutes into Blue Spring, I texted my daughter and asked if there was a manga/anime called this and her reply was "Yes.".
hahaha yes i have tricked you all into watching a comic book movie!

[MovieGal]

hahaha yes i have tricked you all into watching a comic book movie!

No, its not really a comic book film. Manga and American comics are far different.

[ueno_station54]

No, its not really a comic book film. Manga and American comics are far different.
i don't really think some cultural differences make them completely different mediums tbh.

[MovieGal]

in this regard, the context makes the difference. Most anime/manga/light novels I have read are aimed at a specific gender or age group. I can tell this is a Shonen as it's about teenage boys and their angst and it's aimed toward teenage boys. Where American comics are not Shonen or any other style of manga. They are aimed at anyone of any age.

I have read a few mangas and light novels
I have watched a few anime series and films.

I have read some yaoi and enjoyed it as well.

[ueno_station54]

in this regard, the context makes the difference. Most anime/manga/light novels I have read are aimed at a specific gender or age group. I can tell this is a Shonen as it's about teenage boys and their angst and it's aimed toward teenage boys. Where American comics are not Shonen or any other style of manga. They are aimed at anyone of any age.

I have read a few mangas and light novels
I have watched a few anime series and films.

I have read some yaoi and enjoyed it as well.


every product is aimed at a specific age or gender. i think any batman comic is just as "for boys" as any shonen.

[MovieGal]

every product is aimed at a specific age or gender. i think any batman comic is just as "for boys" as any shonen.

I disagree. That's why they insert female superheroes and villains. Batman had Catwoman, Superman had Supergirl. Both males and females alike enjoy comics.

I have read several of them myself. Even met the artist Salvator Larocha while at the Wizard World comic convention in Chicago. I read all his Xtreme X-Men comics. I have read some that are cutesy and some that are violent like "Caligula"87065

[ueno_station54]

the most popular shonen series' have girls in the main cast and from my personal experience i know far more women who watch or read shonen than men. even the shonen series' that are wholly focused on dudes seem to appeal more to girls, at least in the west.

[MovieGal]

the most popular shonen series' have girls in the main cast and from my personal experience i know far more women who watch or read shonen than men. even the shonen series' that are wholly focused on dudes seem to appeal more to girls, at least in the west.

a preteen and teenage girl.

Dude, no way in heck I would read something like Dragonball Z. Im 55 years old and still enjoy watching Mushishi or Hell Girl.

I am reading a light novel now called "Torture Princess" and its pretty dang good.

[MovieGal]

87066


Blue Spring
(2001)
Nominated by The Obra Dinn

As I noted previously in this thread, I could tell this was based off a manga within 15 minutes of watching the movie. The dialog shows that its probably direct from the manga and the casting would probably be very similar to the art.

I found it at times slow and uninteresting. Their life was humdrum to me. Very little violence until almost the end of the movie.

I probably would have enjoyed reading the manga more.

[ueno_station54]

a preteen and teenage girl.

Dude, no way in heck I would read something like Dragonball Z. Im 55 years old and still enjoy watching Mushishi or Hell Girl.

I am reading a light novel now called "Torture Princess" and its pretty dang good.
Naruto, Demon Slayer, JoJo, InuYasha, FMA, MHA,all have a ton of female fans. the only reason i don't jump into much shonen is because they tend to go on forever (and yeah Mushishi is incredible)

[MovieGal]

Naruto, Demon Slayer, JoJo, InuYasha, FMA, MHA,all have a ton of female fans. the only reason i don't jump into much shonen is because they tend to go on forever (and yeah Mushishi is incredible)

I enjoy Darker than Black and there are several anime movies I enjoy.

I have tried to watch Bleach with my daughter but there is so much filler in it. I really enjoy the American anime show "Avatar: the Last Airbender". But I have to say, I enjoyed one of the very first anime's that came to the United States when I was very young - Mach Gogogo aka Speed Racer.

[ueno_station54]

I enjoy Darker than Black and there are several anime movies I enjoy.

I have tried to watch Bleach with my daughter but there is so much filler in it. I really enjoy the American anime show "Avatar: the Last Airbender". But I have to say, I enjoyed one of the very first anime's that came to the United States when I was very young - Mach Gogogo aka Speed Racer.
i need to watch a lot more of it but Speed Racer is so fun lol. i'd argue both Speed Racer and Avatar are shonen so i'd say we have plenty of examples of shonen having cross appeal. even me, a girl who does happen to not find shonen specifically appealing, still really likes One Piece.

[MovieGal]

i need to watch a lot more of it but Speed Racer is so fun lol. i'd argue both Speed Racer and Avatar are shonen so i'd say we have plenty of examples of shonen having cross appeal. even me, a girl who does happen to not find shonen specifically appealing, still really likes One Piece.

if you read manga, check out March Story. Its pretty violent. I bought it for myself but my daughter took the books and finished them off. My great nephew is currently reading the series after my daughter and I told him, he would probably enjoy it.

Angel Sanctuary is pretty good as well.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87078
Cuties (2020)

First time watch and I didn't see anything that should cause a controversy. In fact I liked the movie and I actually was expecting to hate it. I had previously seen it was rated a dismal 3.4 on IMDB, what the f*** only the crappiest films should ever be rated that low. I'm guessing those ridiculously low ratings are the result of some alt-right christian types who hate this movie enough to login to IMDB and down-vote it to a 1...and no doubt without even having seen it:rolleyes: I mean geez, we already had a little girl dancing provocatively at a competition 16 years ago with Little Miss Sunshine...so why are people being so offended now???

Anyway, I laughed at the antics during the first part of the film like when Amy wouldn't carry the giant bowl of chopped onions on her head (who can blame her?) but instead ditched them and took off...And I was sad for her as I seen her life was spiraling out of control as she began to act in very unappropriated ways, like unzipping her pants for her cousin who only wanted his stolen phone back...and of course the explicit photo she took of herself and uploaded to the web...That was heart breaking because if Amy was a real person she most likely would have acted that way due to be sexually abused. In fact I think this film isn't condemning modern culture or the internet as much as it's condemning the way these girls were neglected and mistreated by their families. I think it's telling when during the prayer scene Amy is told hell has many more women then men.

Good film, good nom! Thanks Allaby

[MovieGal]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87078
Cuties (2020)

First time watch and I didn't see anything that should cause a controversy. In fact I liked the movie and I actually was expecting to hate it. I had previously seen it was rated a dismal 3.4 on IMDB, what the f*** only the crappiest films should ever be rated that low. I'm guessing those ridiculously low ratings are the result of some alt-right christian types who hate this movie enough to login to IMDB and down-vote it to a 1...and no doubt without even having seen it:rolleyes: I mean geez, we already had a little girl dancing provocatively at a competition 16 years ago with Little Miss Sunshine...so why are people being so offended now??? I also read that Turkey banned this movie, don't they marry off their daughters at 12 years of age there?

Anyway, I laughed at the antics during the first part of the film like when Amy wouldn't carry the giant bowl of chopped onions on her head (who can blame her?) but instead ditched them and took off...And I was sad for her as I seen her life was spiraling out of control as she began to act in very unappropriated ways, like unzipping her pants for her cousin who only wanted his stolen phone back...and of course the explicit photo she took of herself and uploaded to the web...That was heart breaking because if Amy was a real person she most likely would have acted that way due to be sexually abused. In fact I think this film isn't condemning modern culture or the internet as much as it's condemning the way these girls were neglected and mistreated by their families. I think it's telling when during the prayer scene Amy is told hell has many more women then men.

Good film, good nom! Thanks Allaby




I didn't see anything wrong with it. My 29-year-old was 11 at one time and yes, girls do silly things like these girls. They know very little about sex but want to be mature enough to think they do.

[Citizen Rules]

I didn't see anything wrong with it. My 29-year-old was 11 at one time and yes, girls do silly things like these girls. They know very little about sex but want to be mature enough to think they do.Yeah me too, I didn't see anything wrong with Cuties. Both the wife and I liked the movie...I'm totally surprised there was such an uproar over the movie when if first came out.

I just read everyone's reviews here of Cuties and all the reviews here had insightful views and I could agree with what was being said. So far this is turning out to be a very interesting HoF!

[SpelingError]

I just read everyone's reviews here of Cuties and all the reviews here had insightful views and I could agree with what was being said. So far this is turning out to be a very interesting HoF!

I'll probably end up in the minority in regards to the film in this thread, but unlike some people, I didn't hate the film or anything.

[MovieGal]

I have a feeling some wont understand what my film is getting across. That's ok. My choices can be unique.

[MovieGal]

87097


Miracle Mile
(1988)
Nominated by Captain Flynn

Their love started at the La Brea Tarpits and it ended where it began.

This wasn't a bad little film. I could tell it was completely 80s by actors, hairstyles, scenery and music. There were actors that had minor roles that have been in many of the films I have seen throughout my life. There were a few aspects that reminded me of the film "2012".

Would this be something I would watch on my own? not really, maybe something I would come across on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I'm not saying its a bad movie but not one I would normally watch. Perhaps I will watch it again someday to get a better understanding.

[Allaby]

87112

I rewatched My Favorite Year (1982). This was my 2nd time seeing it and my opinion hasn't changed much since the first time. Peter O'Toole is wonderful here. He was deservedly nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe. I think the film itself is fine, but not great. There is some charm here and a couple funny moments, but nothing really impressive or special. It has a decent screenplay and some good supporting performances. I liked the film well enough, but feel it could have been better. It's an alright film, worth watching once, but I probably wouldn't have watched it a second time if it wasn't nominated for this hall. 3

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/sXW1wzkV/the-travelling-players2.jpg

The Travelling Players (O thiasos) - 1975

Directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos

Written by Theodoros Angelopoulos

Starring Eva Kotamanidou, Vangelis Kazan, Aliki Georgouli
Stratos Pahis & Petros Zarkadis

Some films you want to learn more about, and they encourage repeated watches. The Travelling Players does that with me, despite it's eye-watering running time of 230 minutes. The film is unconventional in many respects, and concerns itself more with Greek history than that of telling the story of any individual characters - the characters themselves are the backdrop to the turmoil and upheaval which takes place in Greece over the years 1939 to 1952. Despite it's long running time, there are only 80 shots used - and most of them are long, meticulously rehearsed shots, often tracking ones which are uninterrupted. Sometimes two different time periods are combined into one shot, with both characters and places becoming fluid and interchangeable.

The film ostensibly begins in 1952, but quickly morphs into 1939 (the reverse will be true at the film's conclusion) and we get to know this travelling group of performers and the play they're rehearsing and performing, Golfo the Shepherdess. Dictator Ioannis Metaxas rules Greece, but soon the Italians invade, followed by the Germans as the Italian attack falters. We don't see any of this directly, but instead see how events continually interrupt performances put on by the players, as members of the troupe are arrested and bombs fall. Some members are avowed communists, and others fascists. The whole group is nearly executed by the Nazis, but Greek partisans take over and they're followed by the British as Greece descends into civil war. The British broker a truce, but those communists who surrender are treated in a cruel manner, and Greek government becomes more and more dictatorial once again.

Characters in this film aren't introduced in any conventional manner, but are more like recognizable archetypes who either collude with the government or power of the day or else rebel and have communist or partisan sympathies. There's the troupe's leader, Agamemnon , played by Stratos Pahis - his wife Clytemnestra, played by Aliki Georgoul and their son Orestes (Petros Zarkadis) who becomes a communist and a partisan. There's also a recognizable villain in Aegisthus, who not only is a fascist and colludes with the Nazis, but also betrays Agamemnon, with the help of Clytemnestra, who he's sleeping with. We keep a certain, unusual distance from the characters though, and see much of what happens from one step removed, aside from when various characters talk to the audience directly, imparting historical facts, or tales of what they have individually gone through during certain periods of upheaval in Greece.

Each long shot is wonderful to watch, and give us a sense of time and space that is missing from a lot of other films. We almost feel like we're one of these travelling players - who are one moment running from gunfire and conflict, another happily singing and swinging their suitcases and trunks. At one stage, they're accosted on a shore by a British patrol not long after their liberation from the Nazis, and all of the players raise their hands in fear, not realising if these soldiers are friend or foe. For most of this time, they've been at the very lowest rung of society, and at the mercy of the elements and their fellow human beings. The British encourage them to perform their show, then dance and make merry with them - but things like this never last, and it's not long before gunfire is heard, and someone drops down dead. It's hard to comprehend just how volatile this period of history was - seeing as we live in relatively more stable times (and I emphasize, relatively.)

Although director Theo Angelopoulos often cowrote his screenplays with Tonino Guerra later in his career, here he takes sole credit for The Travelling Players script, but frequent cinematographic collaborator Giorgos Arvanitis is on board as always, teaming up with the director early on the short film Broadcast in 1968 and sticking with him for every film he ever made bar the last three. Here Angelopoulos and Arvanitis create beautiful shot after beautiful shot - many of them breathtaking, dazzling and just ever so enjoyable to watch. Together they create something outside of just about every film experience you could have, with the camera travelling all manner of places as the painstakingly planned sequences play out. Such exacting work is exciting to sit and experience. A whole new kind of film is created, with character and film composition differing in many different ways from the norm.

The drama and tragedy is mostly left to speak for itself, without any underlying score, and it's a silence that will at times be shattered, but there are plenty of opportunities for music created by this band of theatrical travelers, other civilians, or the various military personnel who populate the film. We get a great deal of an accordion playing traditional Greek music, and the travelling players sing a welcoming song which will become something of an anthem for them as the film progresses. Music that didn't already exist was composed by Loukianos Kilaidonis, a Greek composer who mostly championed the working class of Greece, putting him in close touch with the sympathies here of the ordinary man and woman of 20th Century Europe.

Although The Travelling Players doesn't focus on any one specific character, and has such an unusual 'non-narrative' drive, it is principally devoted to examining human nature in connection with larger, historical and political forces that sweep entire communities and nations almost like tidal waves. The people it concentrates on are ones who are trying to entertain, enliven and uplift those who come to watch them perform, but the effect is always almost the exact opposite, and it's the players who are affected by their environment and various situations that surround them. They never seem to get beyond the first scene in their play before some kind of force has them abandoning the attempt. For all that though, my favourite scene in the film is one in which they follow a winding road up a hill in a snow swept landscape, singing their song and lugging their luggage in a moment of spontaneous joy - just to be alive, free and moving forward.

I don't know enough about composition to fully explain why I think The Travelling Players is a masterpiece - but that's indeed what I think. I find the unique way this film is put together exciting, and wonder why this film in particular has had such shoddy attention paid to it by lacking good releases on various media. It is simply one of the best films I've ever seen, with every moment constructed in an interesting way, while saying a lot and keeping my absolute attention - and for a film with a running time like this I've never been as attentive from beginning to end. With a firmer grasp on Greek history during the time period it covers my interest in it is enhanced even further, as is my curiosity about Theo Angelopoulos. Surely this is his best film - he could hardly do better.

The Travelling Players is beautiful in it's imagery, interesting in it's historical narrative, and achingly emotional when it swoops down from it's wider view to force us to witness the pain suffered by individuals because of the choices made by others. Amazingly, Angelopoulos will often manage to merge the three of those things in one single shot, over and over again. Greece was undergoing a transition from dictatorship to democracy as the film was being shot, and there's a feeling of revolutionary verve and optimism despite the bitter, cold winds that were faced by the entire population from 1939 to 1952 and onwards to the commencement of production. Throughout everything there was a flame burning brightly, and comfort in the company of shared experience. These travelers are bound tightly to each other, and are family - as an entire nation can be despite the terrible betrayals and resentment sometimes wrought.

I'm sure I'll be watching The Travelling Players again a few times in the future, and when it comes to re-examining films, or promoting and suggesting them, this will be near the top of my list. It reaffirms the 1970s as a kind of great decade for film globally, and one out of which you can discover truly great films that haven't had their time in the limelight, despite deserving it. Theo Angelopoulos directed here with such confidence and ability that he captured the essence of his country and humanity, with the appearance of ease - which I know may not have been the case. It's as if he tuned in to something ethereal and just followed where that led him. I've heard the characters in this film described as kinds of "ghosts" who even cross over to inhabit his other films - they exist as emotional responses to events more than individuals.

This film is a flat out masterpiece, and exciting. I enjoyed it about as much as I can possibly enjoy a film, and wholeheartedly agree with anyone else who considers it a lofty addition to the greats. When I watch it I feel like I'm watching something absolutely unique and different that works in myriad ways and is alluring. It's everything I love about cinema. It's waiting for certain cinephiles out there to discover and get blown away by, if they're at all similarly aligned to the tastes that I am. I can understand if some will be put off by it's length or by it's unusual lack of character-driven narrative and tendency to mix time-periods, confusing us as to where we are or with whom. These things didn't bother me, and in fact they added much to it's mysterious charm. I've never felt as freed from needing to exactly know, instead just taking in what I think each shot is trying to say and integrating it as a whole to see the whole. It's poles-apart from everything else, distinctive and absolutely incredible.

5

[PHOENIX74]

A huge thankyou to SpelingError (umm, Rottooth Jones) for that great nomination, which in my estimation, despite not having seen all the nominees, ought to win this HoF.

[SpelingError]

Glad you really liked the film! Also, excellent review of it. I'm not sure how well it will fare amongst everyone else, but I'm glad I got the film at least one new fan.

[Citizen Rules]

A huge thankyou to @SpelingError (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=91134) (umm, Rottooth Jones) for that great nomination, which in my estimation, despite not having seen all the nominees, ought to win this HoF.Always good to see someone enthusiastic for one of the noms, especially when it's someone elses. We're trying to vote for the best movie to be honored, regardless if it's our own nom or someone else's...So I approve of the sentiment of your post!

Glad you really liked the film! Also, excellent review of it. I'm not sure how well it will fare amongst everyone else, but I'm glad I got the film at least one new fan.I'm looking forward to watching it. And I was glad to see that both you and Allaby said you went with personal favorites this time that you weren't sure how they would do but you believed the films were great so nominated them...I like that sentiment too!

[SpelingError]

Miracle Mile (1988) - 3.5

This was a lot darker than I expected it would be going into it. At the back of my mind, I noticed a bit of cheesiness here and there which may or may not bother me if I were to rewatch it (Harry searching for a helicopter pilot was a prime example of this), but for the most part, I enjoyed the film quite a lot and felt it was able to maintain its disturbing feel. This is the kind of film whose tone at the end is so different than what it was like at the beginning, by the time I finished it, I lost sight of how the film even got to such a state as I was edged closer and closer to the climax. The film is also technically impressive, specifically with its depiction of the city-wide panic in the final act which ranks amongst the most exciting sequences I've seen in a while. The only flaw with this film is it hasn't aged that well as, if something like this were to happen nowadays, the film would be more like Don't Look Up. Still though, really good film and I'm glad I watched it.

Next Up: Rams

[Citizen Rules]

Miracle Mile (1988) - rating_3_5

This was a lot darker than I expected it would be going into it. At the back of my mind, I noticed a bit of cheesiness here and there which may or may not bother me if I were to rewatch it (Harry searching for a helicopter pilot was a prime example of this), but for the most part, I enjoyed the film quite a lot and felt it was able to maintain its disturbing feel. This is the kind of film whose tone at the end is so different than what it was like at the beginning, by the time I finished it, I lost sight of how the film even got to such a state as I was edged closer and closer to the climax...
You took the words right out of my mouth! Glad you liked it.

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/50R61JTC/my-favorite-year.jpg

My Favorite Year - 1982

Directed by Richard Benjamin

Written by Norman Steinberg & Dennis Palumbo

Starring Peter O'Toole, Mark Linn-Baker
& Jessica Harper

I don't think I've ever seen an 80s comedy as well-mannered, inoffensive and generally clean as My Favorite Year, mirroring the 1950s cultural epoch it's character is thinking back to. That's despite it's Errol Flynn stand-in, Alan Swann - played convincingly by Peter O'Toole - being something of an alcoholic louse. If he's discovered naked in a park carousing with a girl we hear about it instead of see it, and his dialogue never takes a crude turn. I'm sure in real life, Errol Flynn would have been swearing and telling any nearby confidante the most outrageously personal and descriptive things about what he's been doing. That's just life - especially intoxicated life. My Favorite Year isn't life. Rather it's an image of 1950s America that only exists on Christmas cards and advertisements of the time. It has been mythologised in the imagination of one Benjy Stone - the role Mark Linn-Baker found himself wrestling with at the very beginning of his career.

Benjy Stone is thinking back to his "Favorite Year" - and more specifically, one of the events that happened to occur during that year. It's 1954, and Stone (really Steinberg, changed to obfuscate the fact he's Jewish) works at 30 Rockefeller Plaza as a writer for the variety show Comedy Cavalcade which is a weekly television production. Famous, swashbuckling movie star Alan Swann is to appear on this week's show, and so Benjy has his hands full keeping the always troublesome Swann under control and romancing co-worker K.C. Downing, played by the gorgeous Jessica Harper who really isn't given enough to do in the film's screenplay. In the meantime, the show's star, King Kaiser (Joseph Bologna) is being threatened by mob boss Karl Rojek (Cameron Mitchell) due to some unflattering sketches the former has taken the lead in. Rojek's threats appear to signal that Kaiser is in imminent danger which could be waiting around every corner.

Like almost everything in this film, the threat to Kaiser ends up materializing into something deflatingly tame (getting roughed up by some goons) and not very memorable. The only thing really keeping the show going is Peter O'Toole's charisma and his attempts to breathe vigor and life into Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo's cautious screenplay. As already mentioned, O'Toole's Swann gets up to drunken antics, but they're stopped far short of being truly outrageous. He's never the slightest bit offensive, nor does he cause anyone (save the worrying producers of the show) trouble. The height of his playfulness has him dropping into a party from the floor above by way of a firehose, but even this middle act climax doesn't set us on edge (Swann plummeting to his death would surely have have made this Benjy Stone's least favourite year.) For a comedy writer, Benjy also has a surprising lack of wit* and Mark Linn-Baker makes us yearn for the real Mel Brooks, Woody Allen or Carl Reiner, on whose recollections this film is based.

Although screenwriter Norman Steinberg had experience as a writer for a televised comedy show, it was Mel Brooks and Woody Allen being writers for Your Show of Shows which inspired this film. Errol Flynn did make an appearance on the show, and King Kaiser relates to Sid Caesar who headlined the production. Brooks worked as Executive Producer on this film, but let it be known that Flynn's appearance on the show was uneventful in the end, and merely an inspiration for the initial screenplay. Another interesting connection with real life takes the form of Herb Lee (played by Basil Hoffman) who always whispers what he wants to say to others, so that this person can relay whatever that message is. Apparently Herb is based on Neil Simon, who would whisper his ideas to others to make them known instead of shouting above all the others who would be making a lot of noise in the writer's den. In the film this whispering is just an eccentricity of the character. 30 Rockefeller Plaza exists in real life of course, and is the headquarters of NBC, where Your Show of Shows and many other comedy series are/were filmed.

What interests me the most about My Favorite Year are the performers, especially Jessica Harper. I guess you could call me a fan of Harper, (a Harper freak) even though I hardly like any of the films she's appeared in. I like her anyway, which is what makes me very familiar with My Favorite Year, but her character in it isn't very well developed, although admittedly she's very beautifully dressed and looks fantastic. She exists only to be wooed by Benjy, and after the characters kiss she disappears from the film, without even a mention. Did they go on to marry? Benjy would have to have done more than palled around with Swann for this to be his favourite year, so I guess we can at least assume they did. I enjoy seeing Selma Diamond in this as well, and it's interesting to note that she actually was a writer for Your Show of Shows, which makes a neat little connection for lovers of trivia.

Peter O'Toole is the big attraction for people who love this film, and he received yet another Oscar nomination and yet another loss on Oscars night (during his career he was nominated 8 times and never won.) He fits his role well, as a once-beloved swashbuckler who is far past his prime and permanently wedded to the bottle - and plays with gusto. He outshines Mark Linn-Baker to such an extent that it seems to me to have been a mistake to cast Linn-Baker in this role - even if he does give an accurate reflection of someone who is young, fresh faced and somewhat inexperienced. He's no young Woody Allen, or young Mel Brooks. Linn-Baker would have his moment on television's Perfect Strangers, which ran for an impressive 8 seasons, but he never managed to find a niche when it came to feature films. Apart from those I've mentioned, Cameron Mitchell is an extremely well known face, and an actor that would appear in anything for a paycheck. Bill Macy is always a pleasure, and here he's as likeable and funny as he always seems to be.

Behind the camera, directing, is someone people of the 1970s and early 80s had seen a lot of in front of the camera, Richard Benjamin. He never made a really good director, and after the success of My Favorite Year he began a downward slide in quality, both in his work and in the projects that came his way. The Money Pit was mid-80s comedy that was at least appreciated by me at the time, but later the likes of My Stepmother Is an Alien and Made in America saw him cement a place in the lower echelons of mediocrity as a bit of a hack (though some might give him some credit for 1990 comedy Mermaids.) By the late 90s he was mostly directing for television. Nat 'King' Cole sings on the soundtrack, "How High the Moon" turns up numerous times. Aside from that Ralph Burns (a two-time Oscar winner) has added a very sparing score which highlight moments, and you notice it when it decides to underline these occasions. Cinematographer Gerald Hirschfeld was director of photography on Young Frankenstein and Fail Safe, two very notable films in an uneven career.

"Haven't we walked enough for one night!?" towards the end O'Toole grabs a policeman's horse (and Linn-Baker) galloping away to the surging sounds of an orchestra and providing that excitement that the films of old used to. It's not enough, and he can't rescue this film from the mediocre writing, lack of really outstanding comedy and poorness of performers that surround him. It's not that My Favorite Year ends up being a terrible movie, but it doesn't rise to any heights of greatness, and despite being a regular favourite film for some it doesn't stand out as ever so deserving of that status it has. I don't mind seeing Jessica Harper circa 1982, but she's spread pretty thin here, and Mark Linn-Baker, who I don't like so much, is spread very thickly. I don't understand why Mel Brooks or Carl Reiner couldn't write or direct it, seeing as they had such a personal connection to the story. It would have made a vast improvement to the finished product. That said, it could have been worse. There could have been no Jessica Harper, and it had the potential to be a bad film which it is certainly not. There's a lot worse a film can do than be on many a 'favourite film' list and have a legend produce an Oscar-nominated tour de force performance. There's something authentic about it's enthusiastic nostalgia.

3

* In a deleted scene seen mostly in televised replays of the film, Benjy has a scene in an elevator with K.C. where he actually displays a great sense of comedy and wit.

[Allaby]

So I watched Blue Spring (2001). Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda, this Japanese drama is about the lives and experiences of a group of high school students in Tokyo. Sorry to say this didn't do much for me. I didn't find the story very interesting and I felt it was hard to get invested in the characters. Acting was alright, but no one actor's performance really stood out to me. I think it could have been better if they had developed the characters more, so each character stood out and we could get to know them better. Cinematography and score were decent. The film is fairly short, so even though I didn't care for it, at least it didn't drag on. There were a couple of interesting moments along the way, but not enough to make the film compelling or entertaining to me. I haven't seen any other films by this director, so I can't compare it with his other films. I can understand and appreciate why some viewers might really connect with this, but it fell mostly flat for me. 2.5

[MovieGal]

87200


Hrútar
(2015)
Nominated by Bird-Eyed Bill The Feared

First off I want to say, I'm annoyed that every great foreign film has been made into an English-speaking version. Maybe the reason they are great is that they are foreign!
I was super annoyed that on Hulu, there was an Australian version of this film! I will refuse to watch the English version.

A story of two brothers, who have had a quarrel for 40 years, and who come together to save their beloved sheep due to an illness that has come upon several of the herds on nearby farms in Iceland.

I completely understand how they felt. These were not just their livelihood but their pets/children. Raising sheep for their wool is a major trade in Icelandic culture.

This is my third viewing of the film. My opinion of it has not changed. Great film, interesting story, and at times, funny especially when he takes his drunk brother to the hospital using the bulldozer

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87204
My Favorite Year (1982)


I was sorta lukewarm to this film back when I first seen it, but after a rewatch I have a whole different viewpoint and appreciation for the film.
I think the reason for the change of mind is that since my first viewing I've learned a good deal more about 1950s television...and I know I must have missed a lot of the references in My Favorite Year to the golden age of TV...I didn't know who Alan Swan was suppose to be or King Kaiser and his Comedy Cavalcade show.

For over a year I binged watch What's My Line? (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042168/) I watched all 835 of the existing episodes, which is a lot of time to spent viewing the past! What's My Line? was famous for having mystery celebrity guest and one of those guest was Errol Flynn...and he appeared to have been drinking too. So this time I seen Peter O'Toole not as himself but as Errol Flynn at the end of his movie career and forced to do a parody of himself on TV. That personal connection made the charter of Alan Swan seem very real and very sad too. I liked this a lot.

[SpelingError]

Rams (2015) - 4

I can understand this film being too slow for some people, but I really enjoyed its story. I found Gummi's and Kiddi's disdain towards each other tragic since, from what we saw in the film, their behavior made both their lives more complicated. Kiddi had two instances of nearly freezing to death due to his alcoholism and Gummi played a part in saving him both times. Meanwhile, Gummi's jealousy of Kiddi's success at the start of the film led to an act which caused most of the conflict in the film. It was clear they both needed each other since their behavior was bad for both of them. A similarity between the two of them though was that they both cared deeply for their rams, so it wasn't until a threat came to their herd that they were forced to cooperate. Some people may take issue with how a couple details are left open at the end, but I didn't mind that since it prevented the film's emotional register from feeling blunt. The film was also darkly humorous in certain scenes, specifically when Gummi used his tractor to pick up Kiddi and carry him to a hospital, only to dump his body at the entrance and drive off. Given the rather dehumanizing elements of that scene, it seemed like Gummi was giving Kiddi a middle finger and saving his life at the same time. Finally, the various landscape shots were lovely to look at. I don't believe I've ever seen a film from Iceland, but I found this film to be a great introduction to the country.

As an aside, does anyone know why Kiddi took both his and Gummi's clothes off at the end? I mean, if you're trying to keep warm, shouldn't you not want to do that? I don't know much about wilderness survival, so maybe someone else can fill me in.

Next Up: The Travelling Players

[MovieGal]

Rams (2015) - 4

I can understand this film being too slow for some people, but I really enjoyed its story. I found Gummi's and Kiddi's disdain towards each other tragic since, from what we saw in the film, their behavior made both their lives more complicated. Kiddi had two instances of nearly freezing to death due to his alcoholism and Gummi played a part in saving him both times. Meanwhile, Gummi's jealousy of Kiddi's success at the start of the film led to an act which caused most of the conflict in the film. It was clear they both needed each other since their behavior was bad for both of them. A similarity between the two of them though was that they both cared deeply for their rams, so it wasn't until a threat came to their herd that they were forced to cooperate. Some people may take issue with how a couple details are left open at the end, but I didn't mind that since it prevented the film's emotional register from feeling blunt. The film was also darkly humorous in certain scenes, specifically when Gummi used his tractor to pick up Kiddi and carry him to a hospital, only to dump his body at the entrance and drive off. Given the rather dehumanizing elements of that scene, it seemed like Gummi was giving Kiddi a middle finger and saving his life at the same time. Finally, the various landscape shots were lovely to look at. I don't believe I've ever seen a film from Iceland, but I found this film to be a great introduction to the country.

As an aside, does anyone know why Kiddi took both his and Gummi's clothes off at the end? I mean, if you're trying to keep warm, shouldn't you not want to do that? I don't know much about wilderness survival, so maybe someone else can fill me in.

Next Up: The Travelling Players


Body warmed since Gummi was almost froze.

They say its the best way to bring someone's body temperature up safely.

[SpelingError]

Body warmed since Gummi was almost froze.

They say its the best way to bring someone's body temperature up safely.

Aye, gotcha.

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/9f4pV30r/rams.jpg

Rams (Hrútar) - 2015

Directed by Grímur Hákonarson

Written by Grímur Hákonarson

Starring Sigurður Sigurjónsson & Theódór Júlíusson

Iceland has a population of roughly 370,000 people. I live in a modest city, but the city I live in alone has almost 10 times the population of the entire Icelandic nation - a nation that seems to continually make itself known far above what it's population would merit. On the film front, Iceland has produced enough quality filmmaking to create a commendable top 10 list of Icelandic movies, and 2015 production Rams won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the Cannes film festival and was voted as the second best Icelandic film ever made in their Kjarninn publication. Iceland seem barely a nation, but whether it be on the sporting field or in the arts they have their culture and pride well represented.

Rams takes place at the base of a windswept, barren hillside in the remote country, where brothers Gummi (Sigurður Sigurjónsson) and Kiddi (Theódór Júlíusson) breed sheep and enter their prize-winning rams into yearly contests. They have not spoken to each other in 40 years, and any urgent need to communicate is done through writing which is duly delivered by Kiddi's dog. Upon the discovery of the disease Scrapie amongst various flocks in the area, including Kiddi's, it's determined that all the sheep in the area must be put to sleep, and various sheds and pens destroyed. Gummi and Kiddi's sheep have been bred down the generations, and are an import part of the duos identity - can they really just destroy all of that and move on? Gummi's solution will produce unintentional flow-on effects that disrupt the brother's day-to-day lack of contact and mutual hostility.

Throughout the film we get a first-hand impression of Gummi's lonely existence. He celebrates Christmas with a couple of candles, and what looks to be a self-wrapped present to himself. This existence is often explosively disrupted by his errant brother, who is often drunk and thinks nothing about blasting a hole through Gummi's bedroom window with a shotgun, as Gummi sleeps nearby. Gummi is a peaceful, measured person who is obviously more intelligent and responsible, but he promised his parents that he wouldn't evict and banish his brother. There's certainly no love lost, and Gummi doesn't even seem all that concerned when a passer-by discovers Kiddi drunk and passed out in the freezing outdoors. They simply bring up his body temperature in a tub full of hot water, and Gummi leaves him face down and naked on his couch to eventually come to and leave. Later, when Gummi himself discovers him, he uses a loader to pick him up and unceremoniously dump him at the Emergency Department at the nearby hospital.

It's an interesting dynamic that pays off in this film in conjunction with Gummi being the person who does the wrong thing, hiding sheep in his cellar, against the strict protocols in place. Kiddi doesn't know about Gummi's secret, and his only reaction to the Scrapie outbreak is violently irrational - blaming Gummi for what is obviously beyond his control. Sigurður Sigurjónsson does really well with a screenplay that is light on spoken lines for him, even though he's the lead in the film - he has to communicate to us his guilt, worry and trauma through other means, and his range is more subtle than Theódór Júlíusson, who mostly just has to evoke drunken rage. Moments where Gummi walks through his brother's house, a place he obviously hasn't seen for decades, are really well filmed, scripted and acted, with Gummi finding a photograph of the two of them as kids - a long lost childhood where they were brothers in more than name alone.

The score evokes the desolate place the film depicts, and the sound of the wind on the plains mixes with an ethereal silence broken by these two human specks living out this drama in the remoteness. The cinematography takes advantage of the beautiful and barren landscape which stretches off into a gigantic, unpopulated and endless vista. It also takes advantage of the especially severe winters which hit the region, leaving banked up snow at Gummi's doorstep which needs chopping away - it creates a certain impression of loneliness and isolation. How two people withhold from each other the desperately needed company and warmth in such a place speaks volumes for the relationship at the heart of the film. It had to have been broken by some unspeakable act of betrayal which escalated to a point of no return. This sets a very good stage for the film's final act, and how emotionally satisfying it is.

I was quite taken by this film the first time I saw it, encouraged to by the number of international awards it had accrued by the time I came across it. The esteem I held it in didn't do much to help the 2020 Australian remake, which changed several elements to it's detriment - and I came away from that film unimpressed and more in favour of this one. I made a note to myself to check out more Icelandic film and came across Hlynur Pálmason's 2019 film A White, White Day. Both that film and Rams were shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film nomination at the Academy Awards but didn't make the cut. Grímur Hákonarson, who directed Rams, directed The County in 2019, which looks good and I look forward to watching. Summerland was his first feature film, released in 2010 and nominated for Icelandic film awards.

If Rams is anything to go by, brotherly love never dies, no matter how long it is left dormant - and a person's connection to their ancestors is also as strong as that love. People will do anything to not sever those connections, no matter the cost, and that's what makes this such a compelling film to watch play out. Personally, it would be hard to imagine people genuinely loving sheep, but in Rams that love is evident, and well portrayed - especially in the crucial scene where Gummi has to contend with having just put to sleep most of his beloved flock. I could very well imagine the feelings he was going through. It's a heady mix, when intermingled with what he also goes through on an almost daily basis - avoiding, but also having to contend with, his brother. A violent, drunken man who lacks good sense, but also part of that ancestry that include his sheep, and also part of the love inside of him that has been buried, only to be dug up by the crisis the community goes through. The brothers end up in a situation that reminded me of being back in the womb - wound all the way back in time to their very birth.

4

[ueno_station54]

https://www.framerated.co.uk/frwpcontent/uploads/2017/10/miraclemile01.jpg
Miracle Mile (Steve De Jarnatt, 1988)

This was probably the film I was looking most forward to simply because I saw a nice screenshot from it on twitter one time, even though the premise made it sound kinda bad. Off the start its got some visual flair, I like the tone, the ill-fitting score was adding a lot and it was really winning me over for awhile there but it loses steam hard in the second half. There's just a tone change at some point and it made the film far less enjoyable for me. It weirdly gets both goofier and more serious as it goes and whatever it had that had me hooked got lost along the way. There's still cool stuff in the back half don't get me wrong but I'm mostly just acknowledging these moments instead of feeling them the way I was in the first. Balances out to still be pretty alright I suppose.
3

[CosmicRunaway]

I kept my pirate avatar in case I could still participate in the discussions by speeding through the nominations once work went back to normal, but I think I'd rather rewatch favourites and get through some of my most-want-to-watch list in case I come across something I'd like to nominate in the next Hall of Fame. (Also I totally forgot the Comedy Countdown deadline was so close.) I'll still creep on the thread though, as always.

Might keep the avatar regardless though, since it amuses me how he looks a little suspicious of all my posts haha.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87241
Blue Spring (2001)

I guess that clapping on the edge of a tall building ledge was the main thing that I took away from this Japanese Tarantino-esque movie. I wonder if the contestants in the clapping challenge could lean forward just a bit and then be able to balance their weight when they let go of the railing? Or maybe that would be cheating? Not my cup of saki but for Tarantino fans this might be up their alley.

[ueno_station54]

lmao i can't even pick a softball nomination that anyone likes. i haven't seen it in a long time and these reviews are making me worried if i'm even gonna like it now lol.

[SpelingError]

lmao i can't even pick a softball nomination that anyone likes. i haven't seen it in a long time and these reviews are making me worried lol.

For what it's worth, I enjoyed it. My review is somewhere upthread.

[SpelingError]

The Travelling Players (1975) - 5

This is my second time watching this film and it's just as great as I remember it being. In regards to Angelopoulous, the only other film I've seen from him is Landscape in the Mist, which I also really enjoyed, but I like this one much more. Landscape in the Mist is definitely the more accessible of the two films since it has a greater emphasis on characterization, but while I enjoyed that film quite a bit, I prefer this film for its greater focus on its mysterious charm.

I stopped caring about the story and the characters about half an hour into this film and instead focused on the film's style. Angelopoulos seamlessly blends personal and political history in a number of hypnotic ways in just about every single sequence. And this is accomplished despite the film being almost four hours long! Throughout all the long takes in the film, Angelopoulos managed to drop my jaw a number of times. For one, he found all kinds of creative ways for the various political figures and set pieces to creep into the frame and intrude on or interrupt the characters lives. For example, the film sometimes showed the sounds of a patrol of Nazis or a political march in the distance get louder and louder until the characters eventually entered the frame. Also, sometimes when the characters would exit from the frame of a shot, it would linger in that location for a while until a soldier or a military vehicle would enter the frame, often indicating the film is jumping from past to present. This unconventional shooting style gave a hypnotic style to the film which I found quite mesmerizing and poetic.

The way violence is shown in this film is also impressive, specifically in regards to which bits are shown onscreen and which are shown offscreen. A recurring aspect to the violence was that, right when a violent bit would start, the characters would run away from the frame and the sounds of gunfire, explosions, or screaming could be heard in the distance, creating a strong sense of claustrophobia and (at times) fear of the unknown in the process. In many other cases, the violence served to prevent the actors from performing time and time again. The main highlight to the violence though is a lengthy sequence in the middle where the actors come across a gunfight between a patrol of Nazis and a group of Communists while sneaking through a town at night. The way the violence and the military units in this sequence are framed (they're only shown through the gaps between various houses and stores), in addition to a dose of surrealism, is nothing short of perfect.

Really, this film kept me glued to the screen from beginning to end in a way that few films have accomplished, and that it accomplishes this in spite of its length makes me all the more impressed by it. Some people may take issue with its lack of characterization, but I didn't mind that at all since it contributed to the film's mysterious power. Of course, I understand that many people will be intimidated by this film's length (which is understandable as I was worried it would be a chore to get through when I first watched it), but I still recommend giving it a chance anyways.

Next Up: Young Man With a Horn

[SpelingError]

Also, I just realized that I forgot to watch the nominations in ABC order like I usually do with these Halls. Guess I have to drop out now :)

[Citizen Rules]

Also, I just realized that I forgot to watch the nominations in ABC order like I usually do with these Halls. Guess I have to drop out now :)Ye 'r bout ta walk ta plank!

[CosmicRunaway]

Also, I just realized that I forgot to watch the nominations in ABC order like I usually do with these Halls. Guess I have to drop out now :)
Maybe they can still be in alphabetical order...if you grossly misspell them lol

[SpelingError]

Maybe they can still be in alphabetical order...if you grossly misspell them lol

The Atrvelling Players

Fixed!

[MovieGal]

87269

The Painted Bird
(2019)
Nominated by myself

First, I want to say this film is not for the light-hearted. It is beautiful and disturbing at the same time.

Set during WW2, in black and white, the story of a young boy trying to find his way home to his parents. Along the way, he meets several different characters that impact his life, not always in a positive way. It's the dark side of mankind.

In the opening scene, we see him running in the woods with his pet ferret being chased by a few other boys. They push him down, and while one continues to hit him, the others take the ferret and douse it with a flammable liquid, and set it on fire. He wonders to what we feel is his home and the older woman says he's to be blamed for what happened and he calls "Auntie". A bit later we see him draw a picture on the sail of a handmade, with drawings of his parents and himself requesting "come and fetch me". From here, life for him gets even worse. His Aunt dies and the house catches afire. He is left on his own to endure what horrors unfold for him.

Each segment of the film is titled after a person or persons he comes in contact with. There are all forms of abuse in each segment from discrimination, religious persecution, slavery, sexual abuse, etc.

When I first viewed the film, I really enjoyed it. The scenes were stuck in my head. The horrors of humanity are real. This is what life was like seen through the eyes of this young boy. Death, despair, horrors untold.

Most people think that life should be full of joy and no pain. In reality, life is a two-sided card. You take the bad with the good and in hopes, that everything works out for you but there are those times that you just struggle to get through.

[Allaby]

I just finished watching Miracle Mile (1988) for the first time. Directed by Steve De Jarnatt, the film stars Anthony Edwards as a man who hears a phone call revealing nuclear war has started and missiles are going to hit soon. It's an interesting story and I thought the film was a reasonably effective drama with enough suspense to keep things moving along. It was relatively short and the pace was good. Anthony Edwards is an actor I have liked for some years now and always felt he was underrated. I think he had the potential to be a bigger star than he ended up being. I liked his performance here. None of the other actors really stood out to me, although they were fine. I think this was a good, solid pick as it isn't a really well known film, but was definitely worth watching. 3.5

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87290
The Travelling Players (1975)

I have no idea who any of these people were, besides being a troupe of actors. I never learned their names. I never learned their relationships, other than I knew there was a mother and son among them. Basically I never knew what was going on in the film.

The first 50 minutes which constitutes the first act really had me lost as the narrator said it was 1952 and the actors were returning home and hadn't slept in two days...then the narrator says, Joseph Goebbels was traveling through town on his way to Olympia. I'm thinking what??? Goebbels died in the Fuhrer Bunker in 1945 during the last days of WWII. It took me until the second act, almost an hour into the film before I seen Nazis on the street and then realized the film was looking back to events in Greece's past. But there was no hint of the time change in the first act and the video quality I had wasn't the greatest so if the troupe of actors looked younger in 1945 than 1952, I couldn't tell it. The director never did closeups so I couldn't even see what these people looked like. All I knew was there was a couple of men with mustaches, a thin woman and a woman with red hair among the group.

Why did the young woman cry when she seen a man and woman in bed at the hotel? I don't know...was she happy for them? Was one of them her parent? Or her former lover? I don't know, I didn't learn anything about these people, I'm not even sure it was a hotel...All of this lead me to a complete disconnect from the film.

The film's subject matter is right up my alley and I was very interested in that. I was also interested in seeing parts of Greece but there wasn't that many different shooting locations in the 4 hour film. I went into the film with high hopes and I do love slow cinema when it's done with intent of impact, but with this movie I felt the director suffered from something I've read other director's struggle with...not wanting to cut any of the film footage they shot...and The Travelling Players needed editing to bring the film into focus.

[SpelingError]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87290
The Travelling Players (1975)

I have no idea who any of these people were, besides being a troupe of actors. I never learned their names. I never learned their relationships, other than I knew there was a mother and son among them. Basically I never knew what was going on in the film.

The first 50 minutes which constitutes the first act really had me lost as the narrator said it was 1952 and the actors were returning home and hadn't slept in two days...then the narrator says, Joseph Goebbels was traveling through town on his way to Olympia. I'm thinking what??? Goebbels died in the Fuhrer Bunker in 1945 during the last days of WWII. It took me until the second act, almost an hour into the film before I seen Nazis on the street and then realized the film was looking back to events in Greece's past. But there was no hint of the time change in the first act and the video quality I had wasn't the greatest so if the troupe of actors looked younger in 1945 than 1952, I couldn't tell it. The director never did closeups so I couldn't even see what these people looked like. All I knew was there was a couple of men with mustaches, a thin woman and a woman with red hair among the group.

Why did the young woman cry when she seen a man and woman in bed at the hotel? I don't know...was she happy for them? Was one of them her parent? Or her former lover? I don't know, I didn't learn anything about these people, I'm not even sure it was a hotel...All of this lead me to a complete disconnect from the film.

The film's subject matter is right up my alley and I was very interested in that. I was also interested in seeing parts of Greece but there wasn't that many different shooting locations in the 4 hour film. I went into the film with high hopes and I do love slow cinema when it's done with intent of impact, but with this movie I felt the director suffered from something I've read other director's struggle with...not wanting to cut any of the film footage they shot...and The Travelling Players needed editing to bring the film into focus.




That's it! I'm changing my review of Miracle Mile to a 0.5 now!!!

In all actuality, I can understand your take as I knew in advance this film would get mixed reviews from us. In regards to Angelopoulos though, I recommend watching Landscape in the Mist if you haven't seen it yet. It's much shorter and the characterizations are more conventional, so it would make for a good entry point to his filmography.

[Citizen Rules]

In all actuality, I can understand your take as I knew in advance this film would get mixed reviews from us. In regards to Angelopoulos though, I recommend watching Landscape in the Mist if you haven't seen it yet. It's much shorter and the characterizations are more conventional, so it would make for a good entry point to his filmography.

That's it! I'm changing my review of Miracle Mile to a rating_0_5 now!!!I wasn't going to rate your movie that low:p Seriously, I didn't hate your movie, in fact I really, really wanted to like it and I thought I would. It did have some nice compositions. Perhaps if the video quality that I watched was better...or if I had read what the movie was about before viewing it, I might not have been so lost.

But like I said before, I think it's great that you and Allaby went with movies that were your personal favorites:up:

[SpelingError]

Young Man With a Horn (1950) - 4

I initially had a couple issues with this film, but it sat quite well for me upon reflection. One could say the film takes too long to get going, but I enjoyed how both halves of the film represented the right and wrong paths which Rick took. In the first half, it was implied that Jo was into Rick and they would eventually fall in love. Since Jo had similar interests as Rick and since her close friends were people in the same profession as him, you definitely got the sense that a relationship between the two of them would be healthy. In the second half though, Rick ultimately fell in love with Amy, Jo's friend. Amy was uninterested in Rick's music, spent little time around him, and they argued constantly, resulting in Rick neglecting his music and his friends (his rejection of Art stuck out as especially heartbreaking). Not only was the second half emotionally powerful, but it also twisted my expectations on the direction I thought the film was going to go in. I definitely couldn't imagine the second half being as impactful as it was without the first half which fleshed out the various characters. Fortunately, both halves of the film were given enough breathing room without them overstaying their welcome. Also, given that the film was released in 1950, bonus points to it for having positive African American representation. I did feel that the final couple minutes were rushed, but that's my only knock against the film.

Next Up: The Painted Bird

[Allaby]

87304

I watched Rams (2015) today for the first time. Directed by Grímur Hákonarson, this Icelandic drama stars Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson as two brothers who haven't spoken to each other in decades. They must work together in order to save their sheep.

I thought the cinematography in the film was very beautiful and really helped enhance it. The score was lovely and effective too. Performances were pretty good. I believed the actors. I personally didn't find the story overly engaging though. It wasn't bad, but I felt it just wasn't as interesting as it could have been.

I have only seen a few films from Iceland, so I was happy to check this one out.
3

[ueno_station54]

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYjY5NmRjOTUtYjhjZC00ZmM5LWFhOTctNjljOWVlMzZhODA0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTI3MjMxMTY4._V1_.jpg
Blue Spring (Toshiaki Toyoda, 2001)

Went with a nostalgia pick this time around as this was a big film for me in high school (honestly anything with Ryuhei Matsuda is gonna feel nostalgic to me dude was in like everything I watched around this time lmao). Did it hold up? Ehhh not all the way but the stuff that really stuck with me over the years still works. Mostly its the themes. It really hits that aimless feeling of post-high school anxiety where you don't know what you should be doing and you need to figure it out asap as well as the feeling of having a goal you can never achieve or potential you can never live up to. I think all these feelings are highly relatable and the moments it quietly muses on these kind of ideas are the highlights for me for sure (these are also the moments the cinematography stands out the most) but the other stuff is fun enough too. It does borrow pretty heavily from yakuza films and anime and whatnot (The ending in particular is extremely anime and I'll fully admit to being a sucker anime endings lol) but the grungy 90s aesthetic is a nice touch and the songs featured really bang, love me some noise rock. Doesn't quite hit like it used to but still a good time.
3.5

[PHOENIX74]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87290
The Travelling Players (1975)

I have no idea who any of these people were, besides being a troupe of actors. I never learned their names. I never learned their relationships, other than I knew there was a mother and son among them. Basically I never knew what was going on in the film.

The first 50 minutes which constitutes the first act really had me lost as the narrator said it was 1952 and the actors were returning home and hadn't slept in two days...then the narrator says, Joseph Goebbels was traveling through town on his way to Olympia. I'm thinking what??? Goebbels died in the Fuhrer Bunker in 1945 during the last days of WWII. It took me until the second act, almost an hour into the film before I seen Nazis on the street and then realized the film was looking back to events in Greece's past. But there was no hint of the time change in the first act and the video quality I had wasn't the greatest so if the troupe of actors looked younger in 1945 than 1952, I couldn't tell it. The director never did closeups so I couldn't even see what these people looked like. All I knew was there was a couple of men with mustaches, a thin woman and a woman with red hair among the group.

Why did the young woman cry when she seen a man and woman in bed at the hotel? I don't know...was she happy for them? Was one of them her parent? Or her former lover? I don't know, I didn't learn anything about these people, I'm not even sure it was a hotel...All of this lead me to a complete disconnect from the film.

The film's subject matter is right up my alley and I was very interested in that. I was also interested in seeing parts of Greece but there wasn't that many different shooting locations in the 4 hour film. I went into the film with high hopes and I do love slow cinema when it's done with intent of impact, but with this movie I felt the director suffered from something I've read other director's struggle with...not wanting to cut any of the film footage they shot...and The Travelling Players needed editing to bring the film into focus.




The Travelling Players is interesting in how it purposely misdirects the viewer, changing time periods with absolutely no warning. I was confused when, just after being informed that it's 1952 we see fascists in the street and hear about speeches from Goebbels - then at the end, with the characters obviously at the end of their journey, we're told it's 1939. Or else, when it's obviously the 1950s, and then in the very same shot we see Nazi occupiers. Theodoros Angelopoulos seems to have wanted to blend this 13 year period together, beginning at the end and ending at the beginning - at the same location. The travelling players were different, but they were basically the same. The characters actually take a linear path through the film, often in spite of what we're told the time period is. I've read someone mentioning that these travelling players are like ghosts, unfettered by the dictates of straight narrative. They not only wander around the Greek countryside, but the wander around in time as well. When you begin watching The Travelling Players expecting just a normal movie, you quickly realise this is going to be anything but.

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/Z0ztpJQT/miracle.jpg

Miracle Mile - 1988

Directed by Steve De Jarnatt

Written by Steve De Jarnatt

Starring Anthony Edwards & Mare Winningham

It all comes down to that age-old question. If you knew the world was about to end - say, in about 1 hour - what would you do? Of course, perhaps the first thing you'd do is try to confirm that the world will actually end in 1 hour, and make sure someone isn't pulling your leg. How much of that hour you waste doing that is up to you. It's the first step Harry (Anthony Edwards) takes in Miracle Mile, Steve De Jarnatt's labor of love that took nearly a decade to create from inception to it's release. Harry's second step is finding and warning Julie (Mare Winningham) of the danger, and then rescuing her - they've only just began dating and falling in love, something which changes the tone of Miracle Mile so drastically when the doomsday clock starts ticking, and the people of Los Angeles start tearing the place apart in blind panic. It's a very unusual, and surreal film.

Harry has unfortunately just stood his new girlfriend up, accidentally sleeping in due to a power cut in his building (fate : delivered by a feckless pigeon.) He arrives at the diner where she works at around 4am, and feels compelled to answer a ringing payphone. It happens to be a young person working in a missile silo, trying to warn his father that missiles are about to be launched and that a retaliatory response is to be expected in around 70 minutes time. You can forgive Harry for not quite believing it, but the call troubles him. It sounded like the caller had been silenced. Inside the diner, he hashes it out with both customers and employees - and there happens to be someone there (played by a young Denise Crosby) who can find out how reliable the information may be. When everyone decides that this could well be true, a race is on to a helipad which can hopefully transport these hopefuls to the airport and onwards to Antarctica - but Harry won't leave Julie behind.

Harry and Julie. There's is a really cute romance, with Harry being introduced as someone perhaps unlucky in love, and reserved. They meet at the La Brea Tar Pits, and size each other up over the course of the main credits sequence, almost going their own way. It's not the handsome guy and gorgeous girl we're used to in American feature films, but neither is this the story and tone we really get from any other feature. Winningham looks like she's been modelled on 1970s glam era David Bowie (that hairstyle is...something), and Edwards sports a blue suit only suitable for wear in the 1980s and absolutely no other time period. They do enough for me to buy that they're falling in love, and although neither were going to receive an Oscar nomination, there's not really anything much in the script that allows for them to really dig deep, except for in the film's final moments. It's especially sweet to know that these two performers married in real life in 2021 though - they sell the love story, so that even though they've just met, you understand why Harry comes back for her when he'd be forgiven for just taking off.

Along the way, these characters come across many people playing small parts. Denise Crosby I've mentioned. Mykelti Williamson (billed as Mykel T. Williamson - obviously somebody wrote that down while on the phone with him) plays a thief that Harry hijacks and forces to drive him places. It rankles a little that the part for the black actor here was as a thief, but at the time this was pretty common. Both Harry and this character come across Eddie Bunker, which perked my interest, and they participate in a scene where two cops burn alive - really creating a sense of whiplash, for this started out as a cute love story. Robocop's Robert DoQui plays the chef at the diner. The ever-recognizable O-Lan Jones plays a waitress. The equally recognizable character actor Kurt Fuller shows up on the helicopter pad, and features in a controversial moment late. Earl Boen, the ever-present psychologist in the Terminator franchise is one of the diners. Brian Thompson is a buffed-up helicopter pilot. It's always pleasant having recognizable faces show up in a film, and this one is treasure trove of 1980s bit-players.

Steve De Jarnatt's script for this became a well-known piece of property during the 1980s, and studios wanted to produce what would have been a toned down version of what he wrote. De Jarnatt was painfully aware of what that would mean to the whole concept, and at one stage bought the option back so he'd have the opportunity to make it himself, and stay true to the ending and tone. John Daly eventually decided to produce, in what would be a difficult, drawn-out process, for $3.7 million - so when necessary reshoots and adjustments didn't fit within Daly's budget, De Jarnatt himself would pay the bills and fight every step of the way. The screenplay was finished in the early 80s, and the film was eventually released in May 1989, an almost decade-long process to see out someone's artistic vision without any interference from anyone else. This impacted Steve De Jarnatt in a way which made him non-prolific in the industry, only directing two features among other screenwriting and directing for television.

The cinematography was performed by Dutch director of photography Theo van de Sande and is given an eye-catching style and artistry at times which would satisfy those who want something more than shot-reverse-shot and static filmmaking. The real attention grabbers though are Tangerine Dream, who gave Miracle Mile it's electronically pulsating score - a factor which succeeds more than any other aspect of the film. You'd be forgiven (or, more accurately, admired) for getting the album and playing it during your rush hour commute - the sense of urgency which infects society as a whole is rhythmically tuned into, and every beat accelerates to various synthetic sounds and instruments. When thinking back on the film, it's with Tangerine Dream's magnetic fast-paced music at the forefront every time, and it compliments this movie to a perfect degree. Tangerine Dream had most notably scored Sorcerer and remained a source of cinematic musical accompaniment for a considerable time, giving us music for Risky Business, Thief, Legend, Firestarter and Near Dark.

Miracle Mile is a good example of a film which plays out in real time, at least from the moment where Harry discovers there's little more than an hour left according to his providential phone call. From there on out everything slides steadily in the direction of surrealism, which mirrors how our characters would really be feeling - from all night gyms to night-time strolls with your girl slumped in a shopping trolley, the film keeps up it's pace well. It manages to insert emotional cues, with Julie's grandparents (played by Lou Hancock and John Agar) being re-united after an extended period separated, but whisked away from Julie just at a time she'd like to be close to them. Harry would almost have to feel a sense of guilt, especially when we consider the possibility that the phone call he received might not be genuine. Panic is spreading, instigated by him - could all this be Harry's fault? Is he a proverbial Chicken Little? At a certain stage in the film, people have died, so when Harry and Julie stop to consider that the missiles may not be coming after all, you almost hope they do.

I'm probably underselling Edwards and Winningham when I compare their performances to Oscar-winning ones, for they do have an emotional journey. Theirs is a love life on fast forward (it's easy to profess life-long love when your life expectancy is measured in minutes) but it's a love fettered by fear and anxiety. This is a strange love story, but I enjoy anything that's strange and unusual - especially if it comes from the 1980s and is infected with recognizable 80s trademarks, fashion-wise, actor-wise, music-wise and culture-wise. There's even that one moment of gratuitous nudity, which comes out of the blue. When the movie was released it competed with Road House at the box office for a few weeks, and was then crushed when Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade came out. After nearly a decade of work, that seems wrong, but films get a chance to live on in this era and I'm happy I got to take a look at it and experience it. This is one film that passed me by at the time, and that I've only found out about now.

At a casual glance, I didn't realise that this film would be about nuclear catastrophe. Way back before De Jarnatt had backing it was going to provide a stand-alone plot for The Twilight Zone movie which was just about to be given the green light - and the finished film does have that Twilight Zone feel about it. The show did have many entries related to various apocalyptic scenarios. The tone we end up with by the end is the same one you'd feel when things became strange on that show, and I'm glad we ended up with a version that wasn't messed around with and given a 'Hollywood' ending, or featured 'Hollywood' actors. I really wish that De Jarnatt had of had an easier time of it though, and I really wish he'd had the kind of career where we'd get to experience a lot more of his films. It maddens me to think that filmmakers like this are so discouraged, and other less talented ones have longer careers just because they accept interference with their films - interference which usually makes for worse movies in the end. I think Miracle Mile would have been even better with a budget that at least allowed for what De Jarnatt wanted to do, and didn't have him struggling so hard to make changes and finish it. It's a real labor of love though, and a film I think people will always by interested in seeing and talking about.

3.5

[Citizen Rules]

The Travelling Players is interesting in how it purposely misdirects the viewer, changing time periods with absolutely no warning. I was confused when, just after being informed that it's 1952 we see fascists in the street and hear about speeches from Goebbels - then at the end, with the characters obviously at the end of their journey, we're told it's 1939. Or else, when it's obviously the 1950s, and then in the very same shot we see Nazi occupiers. Theodoros Angelopoulos seems to have wanted to blend this 13 year period together, beginning at the end and ending at the beginning - at the same location. The travelling players were different, but they were basically the same. The characters actually take a linear path through the film, often in spite of what we're told the time period is. I've read someone mentioning that these travelling players are like ghosts, unfettered by the dictates of straight narrative. They not only wander around the Greek countryside, but the wander around in time as well. When you begin watching The Travelling Players expecting just a normal movie, you quickly realise this is going to be anything but.That makes sense, thanks. I wish I had knew that before I watched The Travelling Players, but I went into without knowing a thing about the movie. Some people prefer to watch all 1st time watches by doing a blind watch, others do research before watching so they have some back ground information about the director's intentions. I think both methods are good, it just depends on the movie.

Sounds like you might have done a blind watch, that's what I did and somewhere after the Nazi's appear I started to think the director wasn't using a chronological timeline which of course made it hard for me to ground my thoughts, hence I felt as lost as the traveling players seemed to be:p...As a side note, my wife who also watched the movie, next day read about Greece's 20th century history and she told about what she read...so at least I got a mini history lesson out of it🙂

[ueno_station54]

https://harvardfilmarchive.org/public/upload/events/medium_wide/5cf03ac818a8b.jpg
The Travelling Players (Theo Angelopoulos, 1975)

So this does a lot of things I like. Exactly my shit in terms of camerawork with all the pans, dollies and trucking shots and y'all know I dig on films with little to no direct narrative but despite this its also not my kind of film at all. I always have a tough time getting into films that are just wall-to-wall misery, especially when they're presented with a realist approach but I'll also admit that I went into this blind and was really not in a good mindset for it since, you know, *gestures at everything*. This also being the first year of my life where I've actually been happy, spending like 6 hours (approximately how long it took me to watch this) being miserable wasn't ideal. This probably would have went over a lot better with me basically any time before now lol. To talk about the film itself, I did find a hefty chunk of it extremely repetitive. Like there's probably an hour and a half straight of "here's a scene, then someone gets shot, repeat" and this is probably my only real complaint about it. Otherwise its an extremely well made, effective film that I hated watching lmao.
2.5

[SpelingError]

The Painted Bird (2019) - 2

I couldn't get into this one. Comparing this to other films about kids experiencing the horrors of war, it can't help but pale to Come and See, but every war film I've seen does, so I won't hold that against this film. What I will hold against it though is how cold I was left throughout it. In spite of how much misery the boy experiences and witnesses in the film (physical abuse, rape, suicide, animal cruelty, pedophilia, bestiality, antisemitism, etc.), the impact it had on him remained too vague for those scenes to stick with me in any lasting way. A lot of this falls on Kotlár since neither his acting nor his physical appearance make any changes throughout the film. Rather, he just keeps the same blank expression on his face and looks the same at the end of the film as he does in the opening. Even the retaliation angle in the second half of the film, while it's one of the more promising elements of the film, didn't click with me as well as it could've due to the reasons listed above. Technically speaking though, the movie is pretty good. Some of the larger-scale gunfights looked cool and, in spite of what I said up above, a couple of the disturbing scenes left a decent impact on me (that's to be expected with a movie like this though). Also, while fair criticisms could be made that the black and white photography looks too pretty and doesn't pair well the disturbing content shown in the film, I enjoyed how it created a contrast between the two. Finally, it was also cool to see Aleksei Kravchenko (star of the aforementioned Come and See) in this film, perhaps as a nod to the film. Overall though, the film sort of just came and went and was pretty forgettable.

Last Up: My Favorite Year

[Siddon]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyMnjl1hVLAm2t-aOs-_LH8I2QTXCmHPkvnw&usqp=CAU

The Painted Bird is the story of Bluey a one winged blue bird that just wants to dance. Bluey gets his chance when the town announces a talent competition where the winner gets 10,000 bird dollars...seed money if you will. Unfortunately old man skunky the skunk wants to crush Bluey's dreams. Bluey is going to have to get all his little friends together to put the play on and crush Skunky's intention.

Nah I'm just kidding this was a horrific experience of the film. Similar to Come and See but with more animal cruelty, sexual and child abuse. It's a long film broken up into chapters though the lead is basically mute he's just experiencing these horrors of War.

The film is a nihilistic mixed bag...using intense and beautiful black and white cinematography but then inserting horrific experiences. The film also uses stunt casting grabbing Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) as a Russian sniper and the boy from Come and See as a rescuer. It's at that point of the film that the movie turns...it's the end of the war and the horrors that the child goes through have roughly finished.

Of-course the narrative is cluttered and clunky. Many plot points seem to come out of random story elements. Several times I had no idea what was going on with the characters. A number of scenes don't really translate they just sort of exist without any sense of context. You also have this weird sense that time is almost 100 years apart with some villages feeling like they are from completely different centuries. The process of modernization is jarring and then you get the kid thrown into an outhouse scene.

[MovieGal]

Well my film wasn't popular. I didn't expect it to be with the norm. I like darker films and I thought it was beautiful but horrific as well

No wonder Pahak and I are the only ppl I know who enjoyed it.

[PHOENIX74]

Well my film wasn't popular. I didn't expect it to be with the norm. I like darker films and I thought it was beautiful but horrific as well

No wonder Pahak and I are the only ppl I know who enjoyed it.

It sounds like my kind of movie, so you'll probably pick up a good review or two late.

[Siddon]

Frankly I have no idea where I'm going to rank The Painted Bird...it's technically well made it's just flawed and disgusting.

[Allaby]

I watched The Painted Bird (2019) for the first time. Directed by Václav Marhoul, this gruelling drama is about a young boy in Eastern Europe during World War II. After the death of his aunt, he is forced on a difficult journey where he meets terrible people and experiences and witnesses the evil and cruelty of humanity.

First, I will start with the positives. The cinematography is excellent. This is a beautifully filmed movie. I think the actors did a decent job with the material that they were given to work with.

However, there were several issues I had with the film. There isn't enough of a story here and there isn't much character development. We don't really get to know anyone. It feels like a bunch of bad stuff happening for the sake of bad stuff happening. The darkness, brutality and unpleasantness of the film weren't in service of the story or characters. It felt over the top and excessive and it didn't feel like a rewarding or worthwhile experience to me. The film is also much too long and drags on and on at times. It needed to be at least a half hour shorter. There was a lot that they could have (and should have) cut out. I can handle brutality and misery in films, but this felt like too much with no real point. 2.5

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/rwqMryK5/the-painted-bird.jpg

The Painted Bird - 2019

Directed by Václav Marhoul

Written by Václav Marhoul
Based on a novel by Jerzy Kosinski

Starring Petr Kotlár, Udo Kier, Stellan Skarsgård, Harvey Keitel
Julian Sands, Aleksei Kravchenko & Barry Pepper

Controversy has followed The Painted Bird around ever since it was written and published in 1965 - with author Jerzy Kosiński very foolishly and falsely claiming that it was autobiographical. It paints a very poor picture of rural Poland, with superstition, cruelty and sexual deviancy running riot. If that weren't bad enough, Kosiński's troubles were deepened by claims of plagiarism. Fortunately, with a film based on the novel, we can remove ourselves from questioning the source and integrity and simply judge the story itself for what it is, and what it's trying to say. It's not an easy film to watch, for it's central character, young Joska (Petr Kotlár) is forced to suffer in one way or another throughout it's entire running time.

Joska lives with his elderly aunt in a fictional Slavic country during the Second World War, but her death, and the subsequent destruction of their house, has him on the road looking for food and shelter. Joksa's compatriots treat him with suspicion and ignorant paranoia, and he's lucky to survive their hostility when sold to an old folk healer who announces that he's in fact a vampire. She saves him when he falls desperately ill, but he's forced to flee and take refuge with a cruel and violent miller, an ill-fated birdkeeper, Nazi-collaborating Cossacks who turn him in as a Jew, a priest who adopts him out to a sadistic townsperson, a mean and nasty nymphomaniac, Red Army officers fighting the Germans and a horrible orphanage. Throughout all of this he learns to become as nasty, cruel and uncompromising as his fellow countrymen, despite his youth.

Right from the start we get a taste of what we're in for with this film, when a fleeing Joska has his beloved pet ferret forcibly taken from him and burned alive as he's beaten up. The film has already got me a little wary of what's to come, and kind of semi-traumatized right away. When you see how well the animals in this production were treated it's a load off my mind, but I hate to see that kind of cruelty depicted in film - and although there's nothing quite like that for it's remainder we do get to see a horse with a broken leg, chickens beheaded offscreen, a cow on fire and a goat's death serving as vengeance. There's a special place for human suffering in this though, and we'll get to see people burn, get shot, hang themselves, get their eyes gouged out, eaten alive by rats you name it - humiliation, torture and death are always just around the corner.

So, obviously this is a film about suffering and being ostracized from your own people - the lack of solidarity and cohesiveness that comes with a people under the strain of war and extermination. Everywhere this kid goes, he's met with hostility, cruelty and exploitation. I can see why the people of Poland were angry with the novel, which was set in their nation (director Václav Marhoul, who adapted the novel, decided to remove it from any specific place.) There's a frustrating amount of superstition, and mind-boggling propensity to violence in almost every character we happen to come across. When we do meet a kind character, the story wastes no time bumping them off by having them die from natural causes, such as happens to Joska's Aunt, and Harvey Keitel's kindly priest - who, although well-meaning, sets the poor kid up with a sadist and paedophile.

For a foreign language film, there are a surprising number of big stars from around the globe. Keitel is joined by Julian Sands, Barry Pepper, Stellan Skarsgård and Udo Kier, which makes the film a lot more watchable. Also appearing is Come and See's Aleksey Kravchenko as a Russian officer who takes Joska under his wing. I'd only ever seen him as the lead in that notorious Russian war film, so I was really fascinated by seeing him play such a different role as a middle-aged actor now. Although the tone of the two films are poles apart, there's an obvious connection between the two, with the level of violence and the fact that both films feature boys having to fend for themselves in the East during the Second World War. Marhoul had no problem attracting actors of stature to this project, despite it's controversial source.

The cinematography is good, and the film has a sharp, black and white look. The aesthetic was decided upon while the director and cinematographer Vladimír Smutný were perusing old black and white photos relating to the war years , and they captured something of that look - much of the time I concur with black and white being used, but for some reason there's something inside of me that yearned to see this film in colour. We don't even get to fully notice the coloured ribbons which are used to ward off evil spirits in some parts of this region. One of the advantages they had, however, was that the filmmakers had control of how the sky appeared, using coloured filters, and this influenced the mood of the film at any particular time. The film has no score, so we depend on the contrast, lighting and framing to determine that subtle, subconscious mood of the moment.

It's important to note that along with having no score, the film is almost humorless. I can't think of one single light moment in the film, or many warm ones, so it's 169 minutes can be quite numbing and that can even go as far as to separate us a little from any human element in it. When Joska plays with a wind-up toy just as he's gone to bed at the start of the film, it's really the most pleasant moment he's going to have moving forward. The Painted Bird is relentless in that regard - the title referring to how a bird is attacked and killed when it seems different, as happens when one is literally painted. We get to see this play out when the birdkeeper paints one and releases it, only to see that bird assaulted by the others until it falls from the sky, lifeless. It doesn't take much to realise the connection this has with Joska.

There are many scenes in The Painted Bird that I think are really excellent, powerful and memorable - I really appreciate a lot of them, but sewn together they don't quite make a whole that's really satisfying. The relentless horror can't stir anything but a sense of anger, sadness and discontent within me, and there just wasn't much hope to cling on to. Nevertheless, that weakness of the film as a whole shouldn't detract from the acting and cinematography that rises to the occasion so often. It was a stupendous undertaking, adapting the novel and creating the film we get - working through tough conditions in Ukraine and the Czech Republic. I admire it, and I wish I could have walked away with the impression that I'd seen a great movie. To get this movie right you'd need to be a brilliant screenwriter and director, and Václav Marhoul - in conjunction with editor Ludek Hudec, couldn't quite get there, but they created something that deserves praise all the same.

I used to have a rule I always worked by, whereupon if a movie had Udo Kier in it, then it automatically got an extra point. That works fine for me here, because I just can't find it within myself to rate such an visually impressive and substantial film very lowly. I would gladly watch scenes from it over again, but it's not the kind of film I could sit and watch again from start to finish, where the mood is usually one of horror, which occasionally rises to neutral - and we stick to that for nearly 3 hours. If the protagonist had of been an adult instead of a child, then maybe I wouldn't have been as affected, but as it is I constantly feel pained by this poor boy set adrift in a land of monsters, losing a little of his soul after each and every encounter.

3.5

[PHOENIX74]

I can't pick out a clear and obvious winner in this Hall of Fame, so I'm really interested in seeing what wins, what comes second, and by how much.

[Allaby]

I can't pick out a clear and obvious winner in this Hall of Fame, so I'm really interested in seeing what wins, what comes second, and by how much.

Same. There is no clear frontrunner at this point.

[SpelingError]

Yeah, that's something cool about having only obscure nominations in a Hall. It makes it more ambiguous over which film will win.

[Citizen Rules]

I agree with the last three post...I haven't even really thought about the order of my ballot yet.

Oh BTW, if someone finishes before me, hold off on sending your ballot to me until I'm done. Not that it would influence me but I like to have my ballot done and finalized before the ballots come in. I should be done hopefully in just a few days.

[Citizen Rules]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.QKtoe3weKSWmraIgLs5IcQHaEK%26pid%3DApi&f=1
The Painted Bird (2019)

There's lots of great countryside location shooting in this film...The war scenes were well done too, but I liked best the rural settings with their poverty and primitive mystic-spiritual beliefs, which are pretty weird! I like the artistry of camera work like in the above screenshot, with it's use of a wide angle lens shoved right up to the foreground subject which makes the midground subject and the background look remotely away...giving a feeling of isolation and hopelessness. The entire film has amazing shots like that. I especially liked the rural village scenes, they almost seem like they were back in the middle ages.

BUT I hated this as it's shock-thrills...with the film's claim to fame being a whole bunch of nasty stuff going on for the sake of it. Animals on fire are an immediate negative for me, even if it's CG it still seems real. Most of these shock-for-thrills films are poorly made but the sad thing here is The Painted Bird really looks good and sets us in a desperately poor world during WWII. I just wish it was 45 minutes shorter and nix the extreme stuff, then it could've be great.

[MovieGal]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.QKtoe3weKSWmraIgLs5IcQHaEK%26pid%3DApi&f=1
The Painted Bird (2019)

There's lots of great countryside location shooting in this film...The war scenes were well done too, but I liked best the rural settings with their poverty and primitive mystic-spiritual beliefs, which are pretty weird! I like the artistry of camera work like in the above screenshot, with it's use of a wide angle lens shoved right up to the foreground subject which makes the midground subject and the background look remotely away...giving a feeling of isolation and hopelessness. The entire film has amazing shots like that. I especially liked the rural village scenes, they almost seem like they were back in the middle ages.

BUT I hated this as it's shock-thrills...with the film's claim to fame being a whole bunch of nasty stuff going on for the sake of it. Animals on fire are an immediate negative for me, even if it's CG it still seems real. Most of these shock-for-thrills films are poorly made but the sad thing here is The Painted Bird really looks good and sets us in a desperately poor world during WWII. I just wish it was 45 minutes shorter and nix the extreme stuff, then it could've be great.




I kind of knew it wasn't your type of film. You said it sounded interesting when I asked about it. If I join another HOF, I promise it will be a different type that you would enjoy.

[Citizen Rules]

I kind of knew it wasn't your type of film. You said it sounded interesting when I asked about it. If I join another HOF, I promise it will be a different type that you would enjoy.No worries. You should pick what you like, don't worry about me:) I do think it was amazing looking but lost me with the violence especially towards animals.

[MovieGal]

No worries. You should pick what you like, don't worry about me:) I do think it was amazing looking but lost me with the violence especially towards animals.

I just hope you enjoy my next one as much as I do. :D

[Citizen Rules]

I just hope you enjoy my next one as much as I do. :DYou've recommended me some films in the past I really liked.

[SpelingError]

My Favorite Year (1982) - 2.5

I don't have a whole lot to say about this one as it didn't leave that great of an impression on me (I'm also not the best at reviewing comedy films, tbh). Granted though, I'd probably rank it slightly above the average comedy film since the character arcs in it (Alan's arc, especially) don't have predictable outcomes (which is a common flaw I've noticed with some other comedy films). However, since I felt that a couple sub-plots (Benjy's relationship with K.C. and Alan's conflict with his daughter) weren't as memorable or impressive as they could've been, I can only give so much praise to the characters. On the plus side, Peter O'Toole was really good and a few other supporting cast members did a fine job as well. Also, the jokes were fine, I suppose. Nothing stuck out to me as especially clever and I didn't laugh much while watching the film, but none of them missed the mark, so there's a positive I guess. Overall though, I was left kind of just lukewarm to most of the film. Definitely not something I can see myself revisiting in the future.

[SpelingError]

Also, let me know when I can submit my ballot, CR.

[Citizen Rules]

Also, let me know when I can submit my ballot, CR.
Well do.

[SpelingError]

Also, this is the first Hall where I'm the first one to finish.

[Citizen Rules]

Also, this is the first Hall where I'm the first one to finish.Congrats! You finished in just under 1 month:up:

[PHOENIX74]

https://i.postimg.cc/13WCbySQ/blue-spring.jpg

Blue Spring (Aoi haru) - 2001

Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda

Written by Toshiaki Toyoda
Based on manga by Taiyô Matsumoto

Starring Ryûhei Matsuda, Hirofumi Arai, Sôsuke Takaoka
Yûta Yamazaki & Shûgo Oshinari

While certainly not violent, my high school days felt a little bit like the Japanese boys in Toshiaki Toyoda's Blue Spring - a sense of alienation, uncertainty and rebelliousness and it always evokes a wave of nostalgia, as it certainly did for Toyoda. Although based on the manga of the same name, the director (who also adapted) also included incidents which had happened to him in high school - and that's what a good portion of Blue Spring feels like. Incidents. It's not all neatly tied together, and somewhat episodic in nature when not dealing directly with the film's two chief characters, Kujo (Ryuhei Matsuda) and Aoki (Hirofumi Arai). A couple of friends who turn enemies before the film is finished, furnishing it with an element of tragedy.

Kujo and Aoki are part of a group of friends that include Yukio (Sousuke Takaoka), Yoshimura (Shugo Oshinari) and Ota (Yuta Yamazaki). As far as leadership is concerned, of the gang that rules supreme over the school (including teachers), a clapping game is played to test the mettle of whomever wins it. Contestants hold on to a railing above what would be a fatal drop, clap their hands a number of times, and grab the railing again. Too slow and you'll miss the railing, and be on your way down. Kujo challenges, and wins leadership, but he doesn't treat it seriously which leads to conflict with his once-best friend, Aoki. This conflict affects Aoki's outlook on life, changing him in negative ways, darkening his personality and causing mental health problems. In a high school as dysfunctional as Asashi High, it's sink or swim, and Aoki, not to mention a few others, are drowning.

Asashi High in Tokyo is a filthy, run-down place with graffiti covering the walls on the inside and very few staff members to be seen - a depressing place made even more unpalatable by the students which roam it's halls with baseball bats ready to break the bones of those unfortunate enough to have displeased gang leaders and misanthropes. If a career in baseball is looking unlikely, there's always the Yakuza waiting impatiently for their next henchman while driving along the bordering streets. It's comforting to know though, that if a student does go so far as to stab another classmate to death they will finally, at long last, get into trouble. On the lighter side, you might just find yourself wet through when someone pours a bucket of water on you while you're in a toilet cubicle.

When Toyoda found a vacant school to shoot on location, he actually needed to have it roughed up and painted with graffiti, which had to be stripped and cleaned at the end of the filming schedule - a difficult task for those to whom it was given. It gives this film a sense of reality anyway. Many of the young Japanese actors (most, I feel) try to project a sense of 'toughness' and bravado - although a few are obviously more suited to being followers and gofers. In this film we don't bother much with adult authority or the teachers, and never once get to meet the parents of any of these boys. Instead Blue Spring presents us with a self-contained world - the school as the whole universe, which we never leave during the duration of the film.

There are some nice shots - including a spectacular 16 hour time-lapse one of Hirofumi Arai's Aoki standing at the railing at the top of the building from 4pm to 8pm the next morning without changing his stance - a real-life achievement from the actor which the director wasn't at all confident he could pull off, and presented to Arai before he signed on to do the film. The colour blue features prominently (as you'd expect) signaling inexperience, but with "Blue Spring" also, in Japanese, meaning "youth" or "best time of life". I notice that there's a preponderance of black as well, usually signifying anger, frustration, death and rage. Cinematographer Norimichi Kasamatsu was well experienced - but for editor Mototaka Kusakabe, Blue Spring was his first film.

The soundtrack contains a preponderance of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant songs, and this band appears to have been something of an obsession for Toshiaki Toyoda at the time. The film actually had wall-to-wall Thee Michelle Gun Elephant in it's soundtrack before producers stepped in and literally forced Toyoda to use different music during segments of the film. The music isn't bad, and finishing with the song "Drop" - a real grungy and almost angry, defiant shout of a song, fits the movie perfectly and comes at just the right time. Although in Japanese and unintelligible to me from just listening to it, the lyrics about wandering from day into night have an added sense of meaning considering the way the film ends.

I thought this film was okay, but I didn't get passionately invested in it, and I could have done without so much of it taking place in filthy toilet cubicles and featuring, lets say, "human waste product" as much as it did. I liked aspects, and the metaphorical use of flowers in the school's garden was interesting. The photograph at the start, of all of our principal players together as a tightly bonded group, gave me a sense that these kids were closer than what they ended up being - but a lot of the film is involved with the establishment of a kind of pecking order, which drives multiple wedges between these friends. In the end there wasn't much camaraderie between these kids, although by the time the credits are ready to roll, you feel that Kujo will always sadly regret turning Aoki from friend to enemy.

Do the power games and oppression at the high school relate to the politics of the adult world? Are these kids simply quick learners when it comes to iron-fisted rule, and how it safeguards those at the top? The perks of being a dictatorial leader? The fact that when you become a dictatorial leader, you also become friendless? Perhaps this is the inevitable state of a society without any real hope for the future, as evidenced by the fact that these kids seem to have little hope for one. Nobody seems to care - not their parents or their teachers, and what we have is humanity reduced to it's natural, brutal state. Swinging clubs at each other to make sure everyone stays in their place. Everything that cannot blossom is destined to remain dead, and trod on, and repressed - like these kids' and their optimistic hope for their future.

3.5

[MovieGal]

87417
My Favorite Year
(1982)

About a young writer who idolize an older actor, who is a womanizer and drunk, which his company has hired. He is assigned the task of watching over the older actor, who gets in all kind of antics.

I really don't have much to say as this is definitely not my type of film. If it was on TV on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, I would pass it by. I'm familiar with the actors especially nice to see Selma Diamond and Adolph Green since I have seen other films/tv of them when I was younger.

And I rarely enjoy any American comedies.

[Citizen Rules]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fandersonvision.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F01%2Fyoung-man-with-a-horn-9.png&f=1&nofb=1
Young Man With a Horn (1950)


This is the type of movie I usually watch, it has the stars that I like, a director I like and the subject matter too is to my liking. So yeah, I liked this! I mean how can it not be to my liking with Kirk Douglas, Dorris Day and Lauren Bacall.

I think my favorite part was the first half were we see a very special friendship develop between the jazz musician Art Hazard (Juano Hernandez) and Rick Martin the young man with a horn (Kirk Douglas). I especially appreciated the rare chance in an early 1950s film for a black actor to have such a large and positive role...and where the white actor was very close to him. I found that all touching and interesting from a cinematic history viewpoint, it made for a good story too.

I like the second half as well. It was unusual that Lauren Bacall's character took center stage with her neuroses. I'm gathering she was suppose to be bi-polar or something like that. Then on top of that it was very, very interesting that a 1950 movie eluded to the fact that she was a lesbian, albeit a very subtle mention. Lauren Bacall's character was so interesting that she overshadowed Kirk Douglas's character and I wanted to know more about her. Which is all very curious for a 1950s film but I guess that's the way it was written in the novel.

Doris Day...any film with Doris will make my Day;) Loved hearing her sing and I loved the look and feel of the swanky jazz and dance clubs that we see.

What can I say? This is my type of movie!

[SpelingError]

Btw, is ed still in this Hall?

[Citizen Rules]

Btw, is ed still in this Hall?I'm sure he probably is, he's always been solid in HoFs...but let's ask him. edarsenal How you doing?

[MovieGal]

Every HOF I have been in, usually edarsenal, Citizen Rules and TheUsualSuspect is in. This time TUS didn't participate but that ok.

Ed, get your butt to watching and review my film!

I'm gonna give yours a second watch to better review it!

[Siddon]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=87417
My Favorite Year
(1982)

About a young writer who idolize an older actor, who is a womanizer and drunk, which his company has hired. He is assigned the task of watching over the older actor, who gets in all kind of antics.

I really don't have much to say as this is definitely not my type of film. If it was on TV on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, I would pass it by. I'm familiar with the actors especially nice to see Selma Diamond and Adolph Green since I have seen other films/tv of them when I was younger.

And I rarely enjoy any American comedies.


Six whole sentences...glad I watched a three hour movie that featured


an old lady pissing
a rape of a 10 year old
a brutal murder of a horse
a brutal murder of a bird
a brutal murder of a ferret
a baby getting shot
a 10 year old getting thrown into a pile of shit
a woman f'n a goat
the same goat getting decapitated

but man am I so sorry that a comedy wasn't up your ally. It must have been so rough and difficult for you to sit through a 92 minute film without any child nudity.

[Citizen Rules]

Some members don't write long reviews, then there's Phoenix:D

Seriously MovieGal and sometimes Allaby...and others too, write short reviews and that's totally OK, it's just their style. I've wrote short reviews myself.

I just checked and MG wrote 7 lines about my movie (Miracle Mile) and 6 lines about Blue Spring, she doesn't usually write scathing negative reviews but chooses to be kind and say little when she doesn't like a film which is just fine. Allaby wrote 6 and half lines about My Favorite Year, also totally OK.

BTW I've wrote the smallest review, only 4 lines for Blue Spring.

[MovieGal]

Some members don't write long reviews, then there's Phoenix:D

Seriously MovieGal and sometimes Allaby...and others too, write short reviews and that's totally OK, it's just their style. I've wrote short reviews myself.

I just checked and MG wrote 7 lines about my movie (Miracle Mile) and 6 lines about Blue Spring, she doesn't usually write scathing negative reviews but chooses to be kind and say little when she doesn't like a film which is just fine. Allaby wrote 6 and half lines about My Favorite Year, also totally OK.

BTW I've wrote the smallest review, only 4 lines for Blue Spring.

Don't worry Phoenix , we still luv ya!!

[MovieGal]

AND the reason I DON'T write long reviews is that I don't want to give the full plot away for other who havent viewed it yet. It's kind of like your friends telling you "I don't want you to tell me about to spoil it." Which is a valid reason.