View Full Version : Movie Tab II
ash_is_the_gal
07-29-06, 10:38 AM
Clerks II - what a great sequel.
Tacitus
07-29-06, 01:19 PM
A State Of Mind (2004, Daniel Gordan)
4/5
A British made documentary centering on two young North Korean girls' dream to be a gymnastic part of their country's Mass Games and, thus, good Communists.
Pretty darned good actually, revealing and refreshingly free from partiality.
Hoop Dreams with lycra and rationing... ;)
http://www.kosmorama.no/ezn/var/plain/storage/images/filmene/ukeplan/a_state_of_mind/3477-6-nor-NO/a_state_of_mind.jpg
Revenant
07-29-06, 05:59 PM
Happiness of the Katurkuris 3/5
Ummm.......
Dark Water (Salles, 2005) 3
A pretty good character-driven drama that never needed the supernatural angle to be memorable and engaging. It might have worked, but the "twist" at the end was brainless and pointless.
Rings-a 16 min. movie.Something like a pre-history of the second film
Piddzilla
07-29-06, 06:46 PM
John Q (2002 - Nick Cassavetes)
Pyro Tramp
07-30-06, 07:00 AM
Happiness of the Katurkuris 3/5
Ummm.......
Yes! What an awesome film. ****ing love Miike.
Dolls (Kitano) 3_5
2001 : A Space Odyssey (Kubrick) 5
Saving Private Ryan (Spielberg) 4_5
Lance McCool
07-31-06, 01:21 AM
The Bourne Identity (d. Liman - 2002)
Top-Notch action flick. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
SamsoniteDelilah
07-31-06, 01:45 AM
The Gold Rush - 5/5
The Vanishing 3.4/5 a bit choppy, but very intriguing and intelligently told suspense tale
Wild Reeds - 5/5 french flick, next to impossible to get ahold of, but this one is worth tracking down. One of the most beautifully shot, perfectly crafted coming of age stories I've ever seen.
Life is Beautiful - 4.5/5 a comedy, despite the subject matter. I loved the look of this and Roberto Begnini is amazing.
Holden Pike
07-31-06, 02:52 AM
The Vanishing 3.4/5 a bit choppy, but very intriguing and intelligently told suspense tale.
http://www.phantasmagoria.nl/assets/images/TheVanishing4.jpg http://www.dvdplanet.com/images/Covers/VAN090DVD_Cvr.jpg
The original or the remake? I suspect the Americanized remake with Kiefer Sutherland and Jeff Bridges, yeah? Get a hold of the 1988 original version, Spoorloos (The Vanishing). The director got a rare opportunity to remake his own movie, but the second take is very standard and nowhere near the level of creepy and brilliant as the original. Nowhere near.
It's available on R1 DVD in the Criterion Collection.
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) ~ :) Still like it and parts of the soundtrack are still with me. When my daughter heard this movie mentioned on VH1's "I love the 70's" she wanted to see it (Yay! Thanks Gilbert Gottfried!). I've loved Carl Anderson for awhile (I have one of his tape's) so it was great to see him again as Judas. I forgot how powerful he was in JCS. And of course, I loved Ted Neeley...aside from being a 'handsome' Jesus....he's no slouch in the vocal department either. My only complaint is that I wasn't crazy about the gal who play Mary this time around, but still thought it t'was very cool.
The Gold Rush - 5/5
Life is Beautiful - 4.5/5 a comedy, despite the subject matter. I loved the look of this and Roberto Begnini is amazing.
I'm really glad you liked these. The Gold Rush is among my all-time fav's...and Begnini is amazing. I went on a Beginini kick after that movie. He's so daggone likeable. :)
SamsoniteDelilah
07-31-06, 07:15 PM
http://www.phantasmagoria.nl/assets/images/TheVanishing4.jpg http://www.dvdplanet.com/images/Covers/VAN090DVD_Cvr.jpg
The original or the remake? I suspect the Americanized remake with Kiefer Sutherland and Jeff Bridges, yeah? Get a hold of the 1988 original version, Spoorloos (The Vanishing). The director got a rare opportunity to remake his own movie, but the second take is very standard and nowhere near the level of creepy and brilliant as the original. Nowhere near.
It's available on R1 DVD in the Criterion Collection.
Nope, I saw the Dutch one. Didn't even know there was a remake til after I'd seen the old one. I agree it's creepy and brilliant. My helf-point off was for one simple thing: there are flashbacks that are hard to distinguish from 'current' time, because it's only 3 years earlier and everyone looks the same. In some, of course you can tell where you are time-wise because the girl's still there. But there were other times when it was unclear. It's one of the best of it's kind I've seen, though.
Annie - yeah, both were the definition of charm. I was pleasantly surprised by The Gold Rush. I hadn't heard much about it and parts of it were amazingly poignant and it made me laugh out loud. I'm glad I saw that so soon before Life is Beautiful- the extras for the newer one said Chaplin was a major inspiration for Begnini.
Poseidon-The movie was nothing much just the next "saving everyone mumbo jumbo hero *****".The only good thing was the CG and that was what i saw of the movie,oh and people dying which was kind of depressing
I'll rate it 4/5 for CG
1/5 for the story
Clerks(1994)-absolutely amazing movie.Kevin Smith is a genius 5/5
My Name is Joe - Haven't been exposed to much Loachian emoto-realism, but this stuff cut good. Class performances and story all told. I was carried along by almost every battering wave.
*Note: Beware, all who wonder near, tho. The dialect can be like molasses eating beer ;)*
To kill a Mockingbird- 5/5 Great film, the only film to make me cry.
John McClane
08-04-06, 01:49 AM
Clerks 2- Crap.
Apollo 13- The good days of NASA. :up:
The Rock- I've always loved watching a movie involving Alcatraz Island.
V for Vendetta- A good look at what a government can do if people do nothing.
Switchback- Danny Glover is good, but he couldn't save this film. (However, I love it.)
Tacitus
08-04-06, 08:01 AM
My Name is Joe - Haven't been exposed to much Loachian emoto-realism, but this stuff cut good. Class performances and story all told. I was carried along by almost every battering wave.
*Note: Beware, all who wonder near, tho. The dialect can be like molasses eating beer ;)*
Now go and watch Raining Stones. :)
Beware Ricky Tomlinson's arse though...
adidasss
08-04-06, 08:37 AM
Life is Beautiful - 4.5/5 a comedy, despite the subject matter. I loved the look of this and Roberto Begnini is amazing.
oh no you don't missy...i want an explanation for the missing .5...
Requiem for a dream(Daren Arofonsky)-I feel strange after watching this movie.It was really good,amzaing performance of Elen Burnstyn at some moments I felt pitty for her and the end was so sad
Only Human - I'm no big fan of farce, but this one was a tour-de-force. I guess the Israeli-Palestinian conflict sitting in its Spanish heart helped a lot. Loved the political sparks in the final bathroom clash, but everything from the gun-toting Grandad to the multi-coloured relationship doubts and redemptive bouts was good.
As was the accusation of duck murder.
Iroquois
08-05-06, 01:19 AM
Fat Pizza - 8/10
The Aussie Dude Where's My Car? To quote Kevin Smith, "f*** you I dug it"
undercoverlover
08-05-06, 02:16 PM
the price of kissing - late night 90's fun
Rumour Has It -shirley maclaine's still got it, aniston does a good job of it too
Harry Potter and the goblet of fire - best one yet
walk the line - fantastic, joaquin pheonix was amazing as the man in black
ash_is_the_gal
08-06-06, 04:05 AM
Only You - i did like this one, but i found Tomei not to be as loveable as usual. a sweet story that pulled at my heartstrings no doubt!
there's another only you with andrew mccarthey, kelly preston and helen hunt...it's one of my guilty pleasures and i watch it every time they put it on
Holden Pike
08-06-06, 10:52 AM
there's another only you with andrew mccarthey, kelly preston and helen hunt...it's one of my guilty pleasures and i watch it every time they put it on
Yup, I prefer that Only You too. I have it on LaserDisc.
http://andrewmccarthy.net/images/onlyyoucov.JPG
Blister
08-06-06, 10:59 AM
Equilibrium - 4/5
Batman Begins - 4/5
Garden State - 4/5
The Devil's Rejects - 3/5
Bill and Ted's Exellent adventure-4/5
Bill and Ted's Bogus journey-3/5
Layer Cake-5/5
Copenhagen - Yay, a TV dramatisation of a play about two physicists. Having quantum crisises. During WW2.
Excruciatingly badly done in places, and excruciatingly ambitious in others, but really interesting subject matter. If you want to know something about how the first nuclear arms race was won, and how it twisted up some of the individuals involved, then it's an involving peek through the looking glass.
On all other fronts, it's like being hit in the face with a manuscript.
blibblobblib
08-08-06, 05:57 AM
Marvins Room (Jerry Zaks, 1996) - I liked this. Although i was under the influence. I fear there was a bit too much shmaltz in some parts, but i love the shmaltz. Dicaprio is great playng his troubled teenager roles. And i loved the relationship between Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep's estranged sisters. The moment where Diane Keaton's character talks about the only man she has ever loved, choking and laughing at the same time was a brilliant moment. Laugh or cry? Hmmm.
The star of the movie is Gwen Verdon though. What a legend she is in this movie. I'd love someone like her to be around me.
Monkeypunch
08-08-06, 09:07 AM
Awesome; I F***ing shot that! - 5/5 The Beastie Boys gave members of the audience handheld cameras to shoot their 2004 concert at Madison Square Garden, and the resulting film is a blast. One of the most original (and funniest) concert movies in years. Look for a cameo by Ben Stiller dancing like a dork. :D
blibblobblib
08-08-06, 09:38 AM
I read an artcle on that in Little White Lies magazine, sounds awsome. Well if you like the Beastie Boys that is.
Piddzilla
08-08-06, 05:36 PM
Finding Neverland (2004 - Marc Forster)
Disappointing since I've heard almost only good things about it. It's got a Disney feel over it, doesn't it?
Iroquois
08-08-06, 07:21 PM
Fat Pizza - 7/10
The Australian wog version of Dude, Where's My Car?
To quote Kevin Smith, "F*** you, I dug it!"
Wog. Cool. Were there minstrels too?
Strummer521
08-08-06, 10:58 PM
The Abyss
blibblobblib
08-09-06, 05:38 AM
The Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994) Caught the second half of this. Seen it a trillion times before. Great stuff.
NewDawnFades
08-09-06, 09:15 AM
Andrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky,1966) - 10/10 An absolutely amazing film. This film portrays the life of the 15th century painter perfectly. An ambiguous masterpiece. I highly recommend it.
Piddzilla
08-09-06, 12:24 PM
Tarkovsky sure is (was) the ****.
Solaris is on FilmFour at the moment...
(As part of a Clooney-themed night. Boo)
---
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean - Fun shaggy bear story from the Wild West. Stands on its hindlegs, and scratches a few fleas. Revels in its absurdities.
Tis good.
NewDawnFades
08-09-06, 10:44 PM
Tarkovsky sure is (was) the ****.
Indeed! Certainly my favorite director.
Piddzilla
08-10-06, 07:04 AM
Indeed! Certainly my favorite director.
Have you seen Stalker and The Mirror?
NewDawnFades
08-10-06, 06:21 PM
Have you seen Stalker and The Mirror?
I own both. The Mirror is my all-time favorite film.
Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing
Silly title, standard doc, but with some some earnest opinions and insights on display. The better talking-heads blew most of the fluff away.
Silent Hill-The movie was great and pretty sick too.Everithing was on level(effects that is)and was pretty decent for a horror movie that came out in 2006.But still they could do better(more creatures) so I'll give it a 4/5
Strummer521
08-12-06, 03:48 PM
Waking Life
The second Linklater I've seen (third if you count School of Rock, but his hollywood films are of a different category than his more personal work) and I really respect the level of artistic freedom he's maintained by running his own studio and therefore being able to make risky and creative movies. Not to mention his knack for ingeniously realistic dialogue.
NewDawnFades
08-12-06, 05:23 PM
Le Corbeau
An excellent film! Clouzot does a fine job of escalating the suspense. I highly recommend it.
The Descent (Marshall, 2006) - Simply one of the most riveting thrillers I have seen in a while. Claustrophobic, intense, and surprisingly well acted. A TAD over the top here and there with the gore, but overall I came out of the theater feeling this one. Well done! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
Contact (Zemekis, 1997) - One of my favorite Sci-fi pieces. I love this movie. Yes, it has a couple of cheese moments, but they simply don't bother me...
"Celestial event...no...no words...poetry...they should have sent a poet..."
That scene brings me to tears each time I see it....
Piddzilla
08-13-06, 08:25 PM
The Last Picture Show (1971 - Peter Bogdanovich)
This film is perfect...
Showgirls (1995 - Paul Verhoeven)
I've never seen this one from start to finish. And not this time either, but at least I finished this time. What a bad film. It's so bad it's actually interesting.... but the crappiness wins.
Braveheart (Gibson, 1995)
Million Dollar Baby (Eastwood, 2005)
blibblobblib
08-14-06, 07:04 AM
The Descent (Marshall, 2006) - Simply one of the most riveting thrillers I have seen in a while. Claustrophobic, intense, and surprisingly well acted. A TAD over the top here and there with the gore, but overall I came out of the theater feeling this one. Well done! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
Neil Marshall is good at what he does. Bleak grim horror. Have you seen Dog Soldiers? I hated it. But The Descent i liked alot more. His next project is a film called Doomsday. I dont think the title needs that much explaning. Im definatly looking forward to this one though.
Contact (Zemekis, 1997) - One of my favorite Sci-fi pieces. I love this movie. Yes, it has a couple of cheese moments, but they simply don't bother me...
"Celestial event...no...no words...poetry...they should have sent a poet..."
That scene brings me to tears each time I see it....
I love Contact. And that whole scene you mention is brilliant. This film has also got one of my favourite shots as well, when young Elle is runnng towards the bathroom cabinet containing her dads life-saving pills and the camera somehow moves into the mirror. Its an excellant bit of editing.
Lady in the Water (M.Night Shyamalan, 2006)
I have been dying to see this film since i heard of its beginnings. Being an uber M.Night follower i knew i was going to see it no matter what the critics said, and unfortunatly theyve had quite alot to say about it.
I liked it. But id say its my least favourite. The plot was too confusing. The whole back story of why the water nymph was there and their role in the universe was way too detailed and not explained enough. The script was by no means up to par as his previous releases either. Even though Signs and The Village were never greeted with praise, i still think the scripts are brilliant, with some truly excellant lines and moments (Mostly the childhood stories from Signs and almost all of the lines from Howards character in Village.) However there are no stand out moments from this script apart from the glimmer of one here and there.
The other thing that bothers me is M.Nights role he plays. As his films have continued he has worringly been giving himself larger and more crucial roles. Especially in Signs. And this time around he has given himself the role of a character that saves the world! You just cant help viewing this without thinking of how highly M.Night must regard himself, and his acting abilities.
Anywhoo, i still quite liked it. But not alot. The potential was great. The result was not.
Tacitus
08-14-06, 07:30 AM
I think Dog Soldiers is ace, bilbby! :D Not as polished as The Descent, true, which did what it was supposed to do damn well - shout "it's behind you!" at the screen on more than one occasion...
V For Vendetta (2005, James McTeigue)
2.5/5
Pity, really. I missed Alan Moore's allagory when reading this first as a kid and the film seems to have done the same, preferring to twist it into some sort of post 9/11 dystopia than a post-Thatcher grim fandango.
Clumsy, then, but stylish...
...and Blibby! Your dad's in this! :D
http://www.fractalmatter.com/images/fry.jpg
blibblobblib
08-14-06, 08:34 AM
...and Blibby! Your dad's in this! :D
http://www.fractalmatter.com/images/fry.jpg
Oh Daddy Fry! How i miss his knowledgable ways! Ever since getting his big hollywood career he's brushed aside the little people. Damn him and his giant tasty brain!
Piddzilla
08-14-06, 09:12 AM
V For Vendetta (2005, James McTeigue)
2.5/5
Clumsy, then, but stylish...
...but in a clumsy way. :D
...I didn't like it either.
Tacitus
08-14-06, 09:55 AM
...but in a clumsy way. :D
...I didn't like it either.
Heh, Alan Moore (the comic's writer) doesn't think much of it either:
"[It was] turned into a Bush-era parable by people too timid to set a political satire in their own country.... [This film] is a thwarted and frustrated and largely impotent American liberal fantasy of someone with American liberal values standing up against a state run by neoconservatives — which is not what [the comic] 'V for Vendetta' was about. It was about fascism, it was about anarchy, it was about [England]." From Wikipedia
Piddzilla
08-14-06, 10:13 AM
Heh, Alan Moore (the comic's writer) doesn't think much of it either:
"[It was] turned into a Bush-era parable by people too timid to set a political satire in their own country.... [This film] is a thwarted and frustrated and largely impotent American liberal fantasy of someone with American liberal values standing up against a state run by neoconservatives — which is not what [the comic] 'V for Vendetta' was about. It was about fascism, it was about anarchy, it was about [England]." From Wikipedia
Hmmm.. yeah, he kind of nails it, I guess. I'm totally unfamiliar with the comic, so I have no point of reference. But I read the film exactly the way he described it, as an American anti Bush film set in London. And then the casting of Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. It's like they are trying to please so many camps at the same time and in the end they only reach halfway towards every goal.
Tacitus
08-14-06, 10:20 AM
Hmmm.. yeah, he kind of nails it, I guess. I'm totally unfamiliar with the comic, so I have no point of reference. But I read the film exactly the way he described it, as an American anti Bush film set in London. And then the casting of Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. It's like they are trying to please so many camps at the same time and in the end they only reach halfway towards every goal.
The comic came out in the early 80s so I was a bit too young for the allagory but Alan Moore had done so much great work on 2000AD (still my favourite comic) that I sought it out a few years later. I'm paraphrasing here but the basic premise was that Thatcher had lost the 1983 election (she won by a landslide, as it happened), Labour came to power and disarmed the UK's nuclear weapons and thus got off lightly in the forthcoming nuclear war. The country then slowly turned into a 1984-style dictatorship with V as the avenging angel. ;)
NewDawnFades
08-14-06, 01:18 PM
The Descent
This movie was an awful mess. I have rarely had the urge to get up and leave the theatre. Every scene was filled with a sad attempt at gore in order to add substance to a very dry concept. This was a complete bore.
Tacitus
08-14-06, 03:37 PM
The Descent
This movie was an awful mess. I have rarely had the urge to get up and leave the theatre. Every scene was filled with a sad attempt at gore in order to add substance to a very dry concept. This was a complete bore.
Oh, I dunno. :)
The Descent doesn't pretend to be High Art but, for me at least, it did exactly what it said on the tin...
Piddzilla
08-14-06, 03:49 PM
The comic came out in the early 80s so I was a bit too young for the allagory but Alan Moore had done so much great work on 2000AD (still my favourite comic) that I sought it out a few years later. I'm paraphrasing here but the basic premise was that Thatcher had lost the 1983 election (she won by a landslide, as it happened), Labour came to power and disarmed the UK's nuclear weapons and thus got off lightly in the forthcoming nuclear war. The country then slowly turned into a 1984-style dictatorship with V as the avenging angel. ;)
Aha. Thanks. :)
thehulkzinger
08-14-06, 04:19 PM
I rented the Ringer last night, it was cracking me up, but its kind of wrong at the same time.
I rented the Ringer last night, it was cracking me up, but its kind of wrong at the same time.
I believe that movie was approved by the special olympics. I think cause it still put out the message that these guys are still tough competitors.
Caitlyn
08-15-06, 01:16 AM
Secondhand Lions (2003) 3/5
undercoverlover
08-15-06, 10:24 AM
Little mermaid - still as good as the first time i sang along as a kid
Aladdin - i think its one of the funnier disney movies with robin williams doing it up as the genie
the grinch - i love this film cause it just makes me feel good inside. Plus jim carrey is a christmas cracker as the big green meanie the grinch
Piddzilla
08-15-06, 02:13 PM
Mannen pĺ taket / The Man on the Roof (1976 - Bo Widerberg)
Classic swedish crime...
Unforgiven (Eastwood, 1992)
Just like heaven-I'm not sure why I watched this movie but I think it was because of Jon Heder and that's all
JibberJord
08-17-06, 01:19 PM
aladdin-7/10
the princess diaries-5/10
a clockwork orange-7/10
Tacitus
08-17-06, 06:01 PM
Rocky Road To Dublin (1968, Peter Lennon)
4/5
Ahhhhh Ireland in the 60s. Far from a Yeatsian Celtic Twilight and more of a Clerical Dictatorship.
One gets the feeling from this famous old documentary that The Church imposed such heavy restrictions on life, art, sport etc as a direct riposte to what they felt was the growing Godlessness across the water in an England still despised by the surviving sympathisers of the 1916 Rebellion.
http://www.bergen-filmklubb.no/images/The_Rocky_Road_to_Dublin.jpg
We'll have none of that Rock and Roll music here, so!
Iroquois
08-18-06, 01:44 AM
Sin City - 8/10
Still fairly good if only the disc didn't keep glitching.
Monkeypunch
08-18-06, 02:13 AM
King Kong - (the Peter Jackson one) 10/10
It's the type of movie my 8 year old self would watch endlessly and never get tired of. (my 30 year old self loves it too.) It has a giant gorilla, a pretty girl, and lots of dinosaurs. Really, that's all you need sometimes. :)
undercoverlover
08-18-06, 11:21 AM
romy and michelles high school reunion - awesome and you know it
Iroquois
08-19-06, 09:11 AM
The Evil Dead - 8/10
It's all good.
Strummer521
08-19-06, 02:18 PM
Easy Rider
The people in this film aren't so much characters as they are representations of archetypes. This film doesn't seem overly concerned with characters though (still...Captain America is pretty damn cool). Its focus is the plot, which is really just a series of episodes that is a vehicle for the message. And its the best kind of message film, as it never overtly tells us what the message is, rather its ingrained into the story. Are we saddened by what happens to our outlaws in the end. No, and I don't think we are supposed to be. We're supposed to reflect on the irony of it all. This is the film that ushered in Hollywood's true golden age. And although its got a driving purpose that is so strong, it never sucumbs to the desire to preach. The closest it comes to revealing its overall intent is a three word sentence. "We blew it."
undercoverlover
08-19-06, 07:19 PM
A Scanner Darkly - awesome looking drug addled story of addicts and paranoia. Kinda confusing for me, maybe i was just tired.
tarzan - the disney version, i cant help but love the animation and the awesome soundtrack
blibblobblib
08-21-06, 07:17 AM
High Anxiety (Mel Brooks, 1977)
Brilliant. I had no idea that this was a spoof of Hitchcocks movies, i would have watched it so much earlier if i did! Although looking back i guess the title pretty much sums it up. Cloris Leachman was so good as Nurse Diesel and most of the spoofs in this were pure genius, i was so impressed. Especially with the shower scene.
"HERE! HERES YOUR PAPER! HERE! HERE! HERE! HERE!"
Les Yeux Sans Visage (Eyes without a Face) (Georges Franju, 1960)
I really enjoyed this. Iv'e never seen Diabolique written by the same sriptwriter, but several people have always recommended this one to me. The story was a bit slow at times, and not as shocking as i would hope, but for its release time, i should imagine this would have been incredibly shocking, especially the scene when we watch a girl have her face removed. To me it was like watching an episode of Extreme Makeover but thats the desensitised nature of the world today for ya. It was a beautiful film though, the cinematogprahy and especially lighting was incredible. The actress who plays the young girl with no face plays the part excellantly. Her movement is more than acting, its dance. And this combined with the ghostly porcaline mask she wears gives an awesome result. A really beautiful spooky movie.
Babe: Pig in the City (George Miller, 1998)
No way does this have the heart of the first one, and unfortunatly we hardly see anything of James Cromwell's 'Boss' who made the first film so excellant. This was much much darker and quite strange. Still enjoyable but alltogether a bit pointless with a stupid script. The animal actors in it are still excellant though, especially the Orangutan who must always wear his clothes.
Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich, 2003)
Perfection in every way.
Tacitus
08-21-06, 11:28 AM
Twenty Four Seven (1997, Shane Meadows)
4.5/5
Local man tries to save a bunch of hardened urban teenagers by setting up a boxing club - thematically this is hardly front page news and could easily have turned out as mawkish treacle.
Thankfully Meadows (even more impressive as this was his debut feature at the age of 24) has enough nous to rise above genre conventions and produce a film of rare quality, using a largely unknown cast, beautiful B&W photography and miniscule budget. It's hardly a massive surprise, though, as I rate Shane as the best young director in Britain.
Praise also has to go to Bob Hoskins, playing against type, who's performance as Darcy is, for me, the best thing he's done since The Long Good Friday. A decent man, caught between loneliness and compassion.
If you can find Twenty Four Seven, watch it.
http://www.bob-hoskins.de/fotos/image/2473.jpg
John McClane
08-21-06, 01:37 PM
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights- 1/5 Movie making reached an all time low with this film.
RV- 3/5 Laughed my butt off at everything Robin Williams said. Rest of the stuff was just ridiculous.
Rest of the stuff was just ridiculous.
Amen to that
Srendipity-Prpbably the only romantic comedy that I enjoyed and Kate Beckinsale
John McClane
08-21-06, 04:30 PM
Serendipity-Probably the only romantic comedy that I enjoyed and Kate BeckinsaleAh, I really enjoyed that one too. It was quite funny.
Unforgiven (Eastwood, 1992) - Yeah, had to watch it again...
Magnolia (Anderson, 1999)
blibblobblib
08-22-06, 10:43 AM
A Scanner Darkly (Richard Linklater, 2006)
What a brain f*ck. I didnt expect anything less from Mr Dick. I really enjoyed it though, and by the end I more or less understood what had happened and what was happening. I never knew i would see a film that could capture so accuratly what it is like when your on drugs. My friend who i was seeing it with said that she felt like she was on drugs watching it. But the rotascope can account for that. Id reccommend this film to everyone for the animation alone. Even if you dont understand whats going on you certainly cannot deny how beautiful it looks. i really liked it, and the ending i enjoyed alot, although overall, its a really sad film. Dick doesnt leave us with a nice view of the future, just a dystopian society, declining rapidly due to the addictive personality of the human race, something P.K.Dick was all too familiar with.
http://www.aintitcool.com/image/asd3.jpg
Not a movie but a t.v. series. Finished about 2 discs of "Prison Break". It's dope so far, ya know what i'm sayin'? :cool:
Favorite line so far: "Did I say you can talk Cherry?" I'm too ashamed to say the rest though. :blush:
blibblobblib
08-24-06, 05:50 AM
Im working on the first issue of the official Prison Break magazine at the moment. In case any of you are interested in it, its out in November in the States :)
Im working on the first issue of the official Prison Break magazine at the moment. In case any of you are interested in it, its out in November in the States :)
What do you mean your working on it blib. What exactly is this about? The series or actual real life prison breaks over the years?
Friday Night Lights (Berg, 2004) 4
There aren't too many fresh directions one can take with sports films these days, and this one doesn't attempt to break tradition. But Berg and crew have successfully framed an artistic, emotionally driven ensemble piece about those who find turmoil, triumph, and a sense of purpose by making football the center of their own universe. And I can't say enough great things about the young actors who make this glimpse so very real.
blibblobblib
08-24-06, 04:43 PM
What do you mean your working on it blib. What exactly is this about? The series or actual real life prison breaks over the years?The series you numpty. Im working on the marketing and PR for the fan magazine. Its fun :)
Snakes on a Plane 2
I found it to be just an afternoon, nothing to do popcorn flick. It all ended up to be just too much hype and not much entertaainment. Sure, some parts were fun but that doesn't cut it.
As for Samuel L. Jackson, it was one of his worst roles....no make it THE WORST role of his career.
His best work is as follows:
Unbreakable (2000)
Jackie Brown (1997)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Jungle Fever (1991)
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
School Daze (1988)
Tacitus
08-24-06, 07:04 PM
Two For The Money (2005, Some Hack)
1/5
What a load of arse. Every tired cliche in the book gets thrown at this nonsense which not even the uninspired 21st Century typecasting of Little Shouty Al's 'bedraggled, middle-aged, crisis-torn antihero' can save.
Matthew McConaughey does 'sparkly-eyed, grinning plank with big pecs' acting very well but sinks out of his depth quicker than Dakota Fanning in the deep end wearing diver's boots when called upon to do some acting.
Oh yeah, Rene Russo really needs to eat more pies.
http://www.avclub.com/content/files/images/Two-For-The-Money.article.jpg
Hoo-Haazzzzzzzzzz
Iroquois
08-26-06, 02:57 AM
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 5/10
I seriously do not like Indiana Jones anymore.
The Aristocrats - 7/10
High Fidelity - 7/10
Escape From L.A. - 8/10
NewDawnFades
08-26-06, 02:07 PM
Humanite - 6/10
There were many problems with this film. It felt like a concerted attempt to make art, instead of allowing it to "happen". A big plus for this film was the in depth introspective analysis of a man becoming desensitized to all that is around him.
linespalsy
08-26-06, 08:23 PM
I took one brother to see Snakes on a Plane last week, and the other one I took to Monster House today. Monster House was great. Snakes on a Plane was not bad (except in the way it was supposed to be.)
Revenant
08-26-06, 08:36 PM
To be different for a change I'll give percentages.
Solaris 81%
Wing Chun 69%
Ocean's Eleven 86%
Piddzilla
08-27-06, 06:34 PM
To be different for a change I'll give percentages.
Solaris 81%
Wing Chun 69%
Ocean's Eleven 86%
Good idea!
The Kovak Box (2006 - Daniel Monzón) 55%
Bad Boys(Michael Bay 1994)-My favourite action movie i must have watched it more than 20 times-5/5
undercoverlover
08-28-06, 02:16 PM
legends of the fall - i really enjoyed this film about the sons of the ludlow family. A fine performance from anthony hopkins and brad pitt
Holden Pike
08-28-06, 03:28 PM
Legends of the Fall...a fine performance from Anthony Hopkins
Are you joking? This is easily Hopkins' chessiest, most over-the-top, awful and embarassing performance ever put to celluloid. Especially the scenes after the stroke. It's like a comedy skit, the level of his work there.
But hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
http://videodetective.com/photos/129/000543_13.jpg
Jarhead (Mendes, 2005) 3 - OK. Entertaining in parts, a bit too derivative of Full Metal Jacket in others...
Kingdom of Heaven - Director's Cut (Scott, 2005) 3_5 I didn't see the theatrical run, which Ridley trashed pretty openly. Bloom was weak, but the rest of the cast was pretty damn good, and it was three hours of well shot, decently visceral cinema. Clearly not the most historically accurate picture, but that didn't bother me. Way better than Alexander, anyway. I had fun watching it, and anyway, I can look at Eva Green all day....
undercoverlover
08-28-06, 03:58 PM
thanks, i had a riot
Ghost Dog - Erm 35%. A couple of nice conceits swamped by a flood of duff ones, and some made-for-tv standard execution. Waving a Rashomon novelette around does not a good film make.
John McClane
08-29-06, 01:55 PM
Are you joking? This is easily Hopkins' chessiest, most over-the-top, awful and embarassing performance ever put to celluloid. Especially the scenes after the stroke. It's like a comedy skit, the level of his work there.
But hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
http://videodetective.com/photos/129/000543_13.jpgSee this comment, I'd really have to agree. It wasn't horrible but man, it was a low point.
Pirates 2- I really liked the ending. But overall it was just OK. C
Bad Boys II(Michael Bay 2003)-Great sequel.I just can't get enough of Michael Bay movies.5/5
Strummer521
08-29-06, 09:33 PM
I just can't get enough of Michael Bay movies.5/5
I don't think that's ever been said on Mofo before. :)
Cypher - Reasonable slice of paranoid sci-fi twistiness that never unlocks any real magic. Worth a watch none-the-less.
Heat - Like a slick yet inept thief, this one always seems to grab my attention only to lose it. Repeatedly. For hours. That becomes very annoying. The finale works as a perfect summary of the film for me: It has tension and a nice little twist, but is also beset with lulls and ludicrous moments.
I don't think that's ever been said on Mofo before. :)
There's a first time for everithing;)
Starship Troopers (Verhoeven, 1997)
blibblobblib
08-30-06, 01:06 PM
Mysterious Skin (Gregg Araki, 2004)
Touching, twisted, Horrifying and beautiful. Pretty good performance by Levvit as well. He is going to do well if he keeps getting these indie film roles.
She Devil (Susan Seidelman, 1989)
Streep is at her comedic best in this film. Every theatrical glance and eye movement is choreagraphed brilliatly in this. Classic.
War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg, 2005)
I love this film. Its so horrid. But im always left wanting more, which is the same reason i feel this didnt do too well. The martians tho, eek!
Dawn of the Dead (Zack Snyder, 2004)
Brilliant horror movie. I love my apocalyptic stories and this is one of the best ones. So bleak and terrifying. I like my zombies to run and scream. Much more scary. Great stuff.
The New World (Terrence Malick, 2005)
I enjoyed this but i'll be honest and say that i didnt actually finish it. Malick makes beautiful films and this one is no exception. Its just very long, and very intesne and slow burning. Once im in the right frame of mind i'll sit through it. But what i did see of the first half was poetic and beautiful.
Tacitus
08-30-06, 07:11 PM
The Wild Bunch (1969, Sam Peckinpah)
5/5
Not a lot to say other than I finally got around to watching the remastered print that's been sitting on the coffee table for what seems like months. Excellent picture quality and a surprisingly subtle 5.1 soundtrack conversion (much better than, say, the DTS and DD tracks on the Leone reissues) make Peckinpah's meisterwork even more of an essential watch.
The docs on disc 2 aren't bad either and I'm pleased to see that they've included the original B&W 'making of' from the first, flipper, release.
I wouldn't have it any other way...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/wildbunch.jpg
hazii82
08-31-06, 03:18 AM
August
08.01 Failure to Launch (2006) // The Toy (1982) // The Shaggy Dog (2006)
08.02 Requiem for a Dream (2000) // V for Vendetta (2005)
08.03 Once Upon a Time in the Hood (2004) // Transamerica (2005) // Army Of Darkness (1993)
08.04 Love, Ludlow (2005)
08.08 Drumline (2002) // Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006) // Inside Man (2006)
08.12 Memento (2000) // Eraserhead (1977) // Little Giants (1994)
08.15 Stillwater (2005) // Evil Dead II (1987)
08.17 Scary Movie 4 (2006) // RV (2006) // Cujo (1983)
08.19 The Players Club (1998) // The Fantasia Barrino Story // Videodrome (1983)
08.20 Dr. Giggles (1992)
08.23 Saw (2004) // American Me (1992) // Art of the Devil II (2005)
08.29 Take the Lead (2006)
08.30 Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
08.31 Zero Day (2003) // Brick (2005) // Nobody Knows (2004)
1/5
2/5
3/5
4/5
Armageddon(Michael Bay 1998)-Still the idea sounds silly and there are some goofs but I love this movie 4/5
Revenant
08-31-06, 06:45 PM
Ghost Dog - Erm 35%. A couple of nice conceits swamped by a flood of duff ones, and some made-for-tv standard execution. Waving a Rashomon novelette around does not a good film make.
Oooh :(
I have that saved on my TV planner. Not worth it then?
Island of Fire 85%
When I started watching this I thought oh boy this isn't going to be that good but then it spins it around and becomes a surprise. Love all those familiar faces.
linespalsy
09-01-06, 01:15 AM
House of Wax. bad movie, Good ending.
..aaaand...
Casualties of War. good movie, Bad ending.
ps sorry you didn't like goat dog, golgot. i thought it was the best jarmusch movie since Stranger than paradise (which you really should see if you haven't already). Not sure about Rashomon but there was a nice Branded to Kill reference in there, and some Public Enemy (the band not Cagney, though maybe him too) if I remember correctly. I thought it stood up pretty well without the film-quotes propping it up too though.
Haven't seen Stranger... i'll check it out...
I actually had fairly fond memories of GD - but on rewatching it just seemed to be a block of cheese. Public Enemy's all well n good, but flipping a Lee Scratch CD into a car stereo using back-n-forward 'knife motions' is just daft ;). The gangsters being caught in a no-man's-land between comedy and believability didn't work for me either in the end. By the time that bird landed on his gunsight, i'd given up on taking it seriously. It is a shame tho, coz the overall idea's got a lot going for it, and there were some stylish flourishes and cheeky expectation-reversals floating around.
(The Rashomon theme was to do with the short story being passed between several characters, but any light it shed on the story was borrowed light. It just reminded me of a better film ;))
---
Rev, i wouldn't say don't watch it tho, coz it does have some decent ideas and moments. Give it a go, just be prepared for it being both po-faced and silly ;)
Taxi(Tim Story 2004)-aaa the original is better this is a waste of time 2/5
Tacitus
09-01-06, 10:13 AM
Beowulf & Grendel (2005, Sturla Gunnarsson)
2/5
Spactularly dull adaptation of the wonderful old poem, the only plus point being that it's given me the impetus to dust down my copy and give it another read.
Now, I can understand why the film's makers wanted to stay true to the original text from the point of view of not making Grendel into some sort of CGI supervillain but the resulting concoction of 'big bloke + rubber suit' is rather comical.
The casting's not great either - Gerard Butler isn't the most charismatic of heroes, Sarah Polley's accent wanders from Calgary to Cork and back again and poor old Stellan Skarsgĺrd is allowed nothing more than the occasional growl or guffaw. A fine talent sadly underused (again).
Plotwise, the thing looks hacked to death, with a couple of important characters popping up out of the blue and a resolution that, while somewhat sympathetic to the poem, grinds against the narrative thrust of the film up to that point.
Beowulf & Grendel then: neither epic enough to satisfy the sword 'n' slash movie genre nor introspective enough to justify the wonderfully moody work of fiction on which it is based.
Great scenery, though, and at least it's better than King Arthur.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/beowolf.jpg
"Another bloody stick-on beard......I need a new agent."
Tacitus
09-01-06, 06:52 PM
The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006, Ken Loach)
4.5/5
Ken does it again...
I thought it would be hard for the director to top his Spanish Civil War tale, Land And Freedom, for sheer guts, pathos and emotion but he has.
The Wind That Shakes The Barley tells of the early stages of that almost forgotten conflict, not least in my own country, the Irish Civil War. In true Loachian style, our Ken takes a side (no prizes for guessing that it's the side of The Working Man) and sticks with it, warts and all.
It's an extremely partial viewpoint with none of the pandering to Hollywood convention of Neil Jordan's Michael Collins, which covers much of the same, bittersweet ground. British soldiers are portrayed as animalistic killing machines to a man and Republican volunteers as idealistic freedom fighters - a point of debate, for sure, but the history books note that the Cork of 1920 was a savage, strife-torn place and the atrocities by Crown forces (a mixture of hardened veterans of the 14-18 War and boys fresh from school) have passed into a particularly gory legend.
I never thought I'd say this but Cillian Murphy is superb as the quiet, intelligent young doctor drawn to arms against the occupying forces and, later, his own countrymen (and brother). Liam Cunningham, too, gives a gritty and heartfelt performance as Dan, another anti-Treaty volunteer.
Loach has striven for naturalism his entire career - ad-hoc performances given to cameras positioned as far from the action as possible (with a very long lens, of course, so kudos to Barry Ackroyd's cinematography) with the director often hiding himself and his crew from the actors' view so that they're totally 'in the moment'.
The style works here just as effectively as in Ken's smaller scale dramas.
On the basis of a single viewing I'd have to say that The Wind That Shakes The Barley is the best film I've seen this year by a street, and the most powerful in many a year...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/barleywind9874234.jpg http://www.channel4.com/news/images/feed/entertainment_teaser577475_160x120.jpg
Last night:
Darkness Falls(Jonathan Liebsman 2003)-It was ok it had it's scary moments 4/5
Today:
Laurel Canyon(Lisa Cholodenko 2002)-Great movie amazing performances by Frances McDormand and Christian Bale but still it's kind of complicated so I'll have to give it a 4.5/5 probably the second time I watch it I'll give it 5 out of 5
undercoverlover
09-02-06, 03:05 PM
American Beauty - just had to remind myself, awesome
John McClane
09-02-06, 05:01 PM
Crank- This film does exactly what it's supposed to do. Entertain a group of 17-18 year old teenagers. Just enough action with some mild humor. In terms of my enjoyment. B+ However, in terms of a movie. C or C-
I've been on vacation for the last week, so.....
The Sentinel 8/10
Pretty good. I heard tell that this was supposed to be the "movie version" of 24, but I didnt get that feel. Eva Longoria was nothing more than a warm body on the screen, as she added nothing more than her name and (star?) personality. You decide. The plot was actually too predictable, though it was good to see them resurrect the film dreadnought that is Kim Basinger, and Michael Douglass is always good in any movie. Shame he had to fall so low as to be the First Lady's boy toy. :( Michael! You're too good for Kim Basinger!
Poseidon 7/10
I heard bad reviews on this movie, and decided to see for myself. The plot was horribly thin, and seriously shallow in certain places (i.e. the kitchen staff who KNOWS the ship is expendable, but the old man who was going to kill himself isnt? Please explain.) Josh Lucas is always a loveable rake, and they have the sister from Alias who is always intriguiging to watch - I expected a little more character development on that one - sad was I when that didnt happen. Finally,good to see Kurt in his old role.
Take the Lead 8/10
Dancing. Again. Me? Im not a huge fan of any ballroom dancing movies, and have never had the patience to actually sit through one. My interest was peaked by the trailer for this one, and I have to say - I wasnt let down. The movie was quite predictable in its plot unfoldings, but as you can tell by the end of the movie - its not so much about the ending, as the doing. I wouldnt get this as opposed to something you really want to see, but it is not a bad way to blow some time.
The Cavern 1/10
Bad Movie. Of all of the cave movies I've watched in recent months (The Cave, The Descent) this was the absolute worst and dumbest of them all. Save time and skip viewing this film.
Strummer521
09-03-06, 01:06 AM
Darkness Falls(Jonathan Liebsman 2003)-It was ok it had it's scary moments 4/5
Naturally it's your decision to rate things as you see fit, but how can a movie that's just "ok" with only a few worthwhile moments be a 4/5? it sounds like a two star movie. I've seen it, and I think even two stars would be generous.
meanwhile: It Came from Outer Space
meh. This was obviously a B-movie, and that's ok. But with bad acting, cheesy and terribly transparent special effects and a message that's annoyingly overt and some just-plain-dumb looking aliens there's really no way to justify the time spent watching. It wasn't even fun.
Naturally it's your decision to rate things as you see fit, but how can a movie that's just "ok" with only a few worthwhile moments be a 4/5? it sounds like a two star movie. I've seen it, and I think even two stars would be generous.
Actualy I rated the movie that high because it's a small movie with a little Budget but the money were spend well and the result was good-nice effects,actors that I never heared before.Lately that's what all I see in movies.OK I'll play your game 4/5 for well made movie and 2/5 for story
Anyway just watched
Confessions of a dangerous mind(Geroge Clooney2002)-Ok the movie was briliant I never knew that George Clooney could do so well as a Director and the Script written by Charly Kauffman was so original and good and Sam Rockwell was amazing in the role of Chuck Barris 5/5
Piddzilla
09-03-06, 08:33 PM
Pusher 3 (2005 - Nicolas Winding Refn)
It was good. I'd heard bad things about it but I was positively surprised.
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005 - George Clooney)
Pure brilliance. I loved it, all of it. A great film.
Titanic (Cameron, 1997) - Yeah, yeah...I needed a good cry. DiCaprio's worst performance, by far. I cried at more than the sad ending....
Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958) - Still peeling away the layers here, even after dozens of viewings. Amazing.
Rear Window (Hitchcock, 1954) - Yet another amazing film from the hitch, even after dozens of viewings, etc.
Watched the two Hitch films on me Pop's new 60" LCD.... Terrific experience.
Revenant
09-04-06, 07:02 PM
Hotel Rwanda 92%
This film was pretty damn good. Should have done better in the Oscar year it was nominated. Definately.
Jet Li- Legend 73%
Not the greatest film in the world and I saw it dubbed but this does amuse me every time I see it. :D
Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon 50%
A quirky film. Got a little tire of it midway but amusing nonetheless.
Animal House (Landis, 1978) - Classic
Formula 51 (Yu, 2002) - NOT a classic
Crank(Neveldine/Taylor 2006)-Just came from the theatre well all i can say is that the movie has good camera work and a lot of violence it was ok for a C grade action movie it had it's pointless scenes but it was ok I hadn't watch a decent action movie that came out in the past 3 years since Bad boys 2 anyway 3.5/5 will do
Iroquois
09-06-06, 02:31 AM
Clerks II - 10/10
Project A - 8/10
SamsoniteDelilah
09-06-06, 05:18 PM
Must Love Dogs - This is the utter ruination of a fairly predictable, but intelligent and charming script. If I had written it, I'd kill everyone who made the movie. And not in their sleep. Terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE direction.
Match Point - whoa. I'm not that into Woody Allen, but this one grabbed me with both hands. It's not brilliant, but well worth seeing.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada - more on this later, obviously, but jiminy cristmas this is a fantastic piece of film. I watched it 3 times over the weekend and am looking forward to seeing it again before it goes back to BBuster. Criterion? Get on this, por favor.
PimpDaShizzle V2.0
09-08-06, 04:10 AM
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
http://www.wherehouse.com/amgcover/dvd/large/t1/00/t10031s0itm.jpg
I want to make stains with this movie but I have to return it. It's really good. If you haven't seen it, do it. The acting, from everyone, is ridiculous. I'm in a Kubrick phase right now. I watched, Eyes Wide Shut, and that was amazing too. Any more suggestions? I'm even willing to do 2001. Probably, The Shining, is next. Even though I've seen the majority of his films every time I watch them I'm still sucked into them as if it were the first time.
PROTECT YOUR BODILY FLIUDS AT ALL COSTS!
Anchorman:The Legend of Ron Burgundy(Adam Mckay 2004)-The second best comedy that I have ever watched it's so damn Funny 5/5
Jeepers Creepers 2 (8/10)
Water (2005) :up: :bawling: I loved this sad, heartbreaking story of widows in India in the late 1930's. It was beautifully done and well acted. Lisa Ray and John Abraham in particular are charmers. I only wish a couple of things were explained in the beginning more, but I still loved it.
Turnabout (1940) :) Cute "B" movie directed by Hal Roach. First time I've seen Carole Landis in a movie and I really liked her.
Just my luck(2006)-No Comment!
spudracer
09-10-06, 06:00 PM
The Hills Have Eyes (remake) - It's got some intense moments, but for the most part, it was a flop.
Enigma - Staid and a bit choppy in places, but in a thoroughly suitable way. A slow-burner overall, but a pretty decent one. And it almost manages to make mathmaticians sexy. Heavens.
Lady in the Water (Shyamalan, 2006) 1
So very disappointing. I can't help but think that a truly magical concept was wasted. 'Generic' pretty much sums it up. Poor writing is the biggest perpetrator here, but lackluster editing and a collection of rather unremarkable performances make this Shyamalan's worst effort to date. Paul Giamatti does what he can with such a messy script, but his inherent charm never comes close to saving the picture. And Bryce Dallas Howard's character - the major focus of the film - might as well have been a cardboard standee.
I can't recommend Lady in the Water.
The Illusionist (Burger, 2006) 4
Gilda (Vidor, 1946) 5 Man, I love this movie...
Tacitus
09-11-06, 06:44 PM
Roger & Me (1989, Michael Moore)
4/5
Big Mick takes a lot of flack and, it has to be said, a lot of the flack is deserved thesedays.
Roger & Me is pre-chicken suit Moore. Pre-needless grandstanding and pre-mawkishly cringeworthy stunts.
For those who don't know, the movie tells of Moore's home town of Flint, decimated by the unemployment created when it's biggest employer, General Motors decides to close their factories down and relocate to somewhere with cheaper labour. Mick embarks on a quest to track down Roger Smith, GM's biggest wig...
A simple story, reasonably simply told - and it works. Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 weren't exactly labyrinthine either and could stand perfectly well on their own two feet without becoming the egotistical vehicles which made it all too easy for the boo-boys to nitpick and dismiss. Shame.
That being said, I've liked Moore since his TV Nation days on C4 but 17 years is far too long to wait for something as heartfelt as Roger & Me. ;)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/home-cinema-4.jpg
Ping Pong - A friendship. Ping pong. And - somewhere in the middle - a collaborative rivalry which may just bring out the best in everyone. (Will it? Well, you'll just have to watch and see ;))
(NB - includes the standard chorus of embittered coaches and unstoppable nemesises - but still conjures a fresh and breezey take on the well-worn sporting genre :))
Hard Candy(David Slade 2005) Good movie I liked it nice Psychological Drama but still i can't givi it a 5 so 4/5
Mulholland Drive (Lynch, 2001)
The Kid (1921) ~ :up:
I loved everything about this movie. Chaplin and Jackie Coogan make a great pair.
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) :)
Great cast and fun story. I didn't even recognize a young Diane Keaton at first. However, I did cringed towards the end concerning one of the couples, but had to remind myself of the time period and to overlook an irritating plot point.
diamondgeeza
09-13-06, 06:04 PM
Pierrepoint (2006) - A true story based on Albert Pierrepoint, Britain's most prolific hangman.
Pierrepoint is a fascinating portrait of a man trying to maintain a decent, ordinary life while presiding over legally sanctioned death. We first meet Albert (Spall) being talked through the execution procedure at London's Pentonville Prison in 1932. Shortly afterwards, Pierrepoint, a grocery delivery man, receives a letter at his home in Oldham, Lancashire. He's been accepted onto "the list" to become an executioner, following in the footsteps of both his father and uncle. "It's just in me. I knew it'd come out one day," he tells his mother.
While continuing his day job in groceries and marrying local shopgirl Annie (Stevenson), Albert goes about his new work with professionalism, eager to prove himself, to better both his father and his peers. He soon breaks records and rises to become Britain's number one executioner. "I do try to take a pride in my work. I don't believe there's a quicker man on the list," he says.
He gets a further ego boost after the Second World War when he's selected by the Army to handle the execution of those convicted of war crimes. Monty (Francis) himself tells him, "I want the world to know our executions are the most efficient and the most humane." But in Germany, Albert is faced with huge batches of executions. Can he maintain his professionalism, and his mental wellbeing, in the face of such a production line of killing?
For the most part, Albert seems a very ordinary man, albeit a quiet, repressed one. He only loses his cool when the system breaks down - when he's hanging 13 Nazis on the 13th day of the month and they run out of coffins. The worst breakdown in the system comes when he's exposed in the press. "It's not right," he says of becoming a celebrity of sorts. Of course, at the same time, the anti-capital punishment movement was gathering momentum. All these elements combine in a film that looks both at the man himself and at Britain at a turning point in its attitude towards law and human life.
Cutting back and forth between prison, the holding cell, the gallows, home and the pub (where he does a double-act with his ill-fated best friend, played by Vera Drake star Marsden), the film emphasises that capital punishment can't be dissociated from ordinary life, in the same way that ultimately Albert can't detach himself from his acts.
8/10
http://partner.mymovies.net/ugc/83466_93x130.jpghttp://www.timeout.com/img/9131/w100/Timothy_Spall_as_Albert_Pierrepointimage.jpghttp://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/medias/nmedia/18/51/90/46/18603741.jpg
Tacitus
09-14-06, 07:02 AM
Pierrepoint (2006) - A true story based on Albert Pierrepoint, Britain's most prolific hangman.
Now, Tim Spall I love but half-inching the review from Channel4's website ain't so cool. ;)
Adaptation(Spike Jonez 2002)-what can I say pure Brialiance funny and sad story I love it 5/5
Pyro Tramp
09-14-06, 09:28 AM
This is like my summers movie viewing...
Happiness- 3_5
Highway- 3_5
The Good Girl- 4
Severance- 4_5
Snakes on Plane- 5
Crank- 4
The Sentinel- 3
Little Miss Sunshine- 4
Dead and Breakfast- 5
Boy Eats Girl- 2_5
The Proposition- 4
13- 4
Orgazmo- 3_5
Faust- 4
Cronos- 4
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me- 5
Naed Lunch- 4_5
Kill Bill: Vol 2- 5
The French Connection- 5
The French Connection 2- 4_5
The Dead Zone- 4_5
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin- 2_5
Scanners- 4_5
Stir Crazy- 3
Once Upon a Time in China 2- 4_5
Dune- 4
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels- 4_5
American Psycho- 4_5
Blood Simple
Elephant- 4
Rabid- 2_5
Baadasssss- 4
The Elephant Man- 4
Layer Cake- 4_5
Amelie- 5
Saw 2- 3_5
Silent Hill- 3_5
Freddy's Dead- 3
Idle Hands- 5
Wishmaster- 4
Shivers- 4
Beyond the Re-Animator- 3_5
Night Watch- 4
Crash- 4_5
Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children- 5
Broken Flowers- 4
Sam Hain: Evil Breed- 0
Sam Hain is about the worst film ever. Dead and Breakfast might be the best zombie splatter movie since Evil Dead 2. Amelie is the perfect film. Kill Bill: Vol 2 is quickly becoming my favourite Tarantino film. Once Upon a Time in China 2- a sequel better than the first! Really recommend Severance as well if it gets released Stateside.
Pyro Tramp
09-14-06, 10:25 AM
Oh and Twin Peaks: Season 2 which got a bit flacid but is by far my favourite TV show ever.
The Shield: Season 5. Personally i think it's the best show on TV at the moment and Season 5 while the narrative arch took a bit of work Forest Whitaker stole the season and the finale was insane yet so perfect. Probably the best season conclusion i can remember after Twin Peaks.
ash_is_the_gal
09-14-06, 11:29 AM
Oldboy - seriously, im still deciding. metaphor out of 5
Fat Actress volume 1 - a hoot and a sockful of yowzas. humdinger out of 5
Mean Creek - the performances of this cast blew me away. spellbound out of 5
V for Vendetta trigger out of 5
White Coats deliberate out of 5
Only You flighty out of 5
Mullholland Drive shimmer out of 5
Sinny McGuffins
09-14-06, 12:15 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/christat23/2005_shopgirl_036.jpg
Shopgirl, Anand Tucker, 2005
I don't think the fairy tale storytelling really fits in with the story, if that makes any sense. It just makes the film a lot slower than it already is. Steve Martin's fine "playing it straight" and Claire Danes is as lovely as always, but the man who steals the show from them both is Jason Schwartzman. His pathetically odd character is the one thing in the whole movie that's most interesting to watch. It's a shame he only has a supporting role. He has quite a lot of screentime before Martin shows up, but then is simply pushed aside to make room for the romance when he unexpectedly becomes a Roadie for a touring rock band. As I was watching Danes and Martin eat dinner for the fourth or fifth time, I was wondering how Schwartzman was getting on on the road. We do see him on the road a few times, but then it's still just a few. So "OK" is how I'd sum up Shopgirl. But "refreshing, funny and charismatic" is how I'd sum up Schwartzman's priceless performance.
linespalsy
09-14-06, 12:17 PM
most recently i saw two movies:
1st viewing: throw momma from the train (8 outta ten)
1st viewing: days of being wild (9 outta ten)
Strummer521
09-14-06, 11:13 PM
but the man who steals the show from them both is Jason Schwartzman.
Of course! :). Hasn't anyone in the movie business seen Rushmore? If so, why the hell don't they give this guy another role he can sink his teeth into?
Adaptation(Spike Jonez 2002)-what can I say pure Brialiance funny and sad story I love it 5/5
One of my favorites. :) Have you seen any other movies written by Charlie Kaufman?
Oldboy - seriously, im still deciding. metaphor out of 5
Fat Actress volume 1 - a hoot and a sockful of yowzas. humdinger out of 5
Mean Creek - the performances of this cast blew me away. spellbound out of 5
V for Vendetta trigger out of 5
White Coats deliberate out of 5
Only You flighty out of 5
Mullholland Drive shimmer out of 5
I diddly dig this new rating system. It gives me no clue as to the quality of the movie, but still I dig. :) I'm getting excessive with the smilies tonight, must be lack of sleep. Dang, I haven't seen a movie in a little while. I wanted to watch one today or yesterday but jeez...no time. I'll have to catch one soon enough to review for issue # 1 of the school paper.
linespalsy
09-15-06, 01:00 AM
Ping Pong - A friendship. Ping pong. And - somewhere in the middle - a collaborative rivalry which may just bring out the best in everyone. (Will it? Well, you'll just have to watch and see ;))
(NB - includes the standard chorus of embittered coaches and unstoppable nemesises - but still conjures a fresh and breezey take on the well-worn sporting genre :))
Golgot, that movie is fun but I was a little disappointed that it pretty much played the sports genre pretty straight (ie straight sports manga, not straight sports movie), unlike the comic that it's based on, by Taiyou Matsumoto, who always manages to make something exciting and original out of his various genres of expertise. If you can get any of it in england, I strongly recommend checking it out.
a slightly better, balsier movie based on a Taiyou Matsumoto manga is Blue Spring. check it out.
Little Miss Sunshine - 4_5
blibblobblib
09-15-06, 06:20 AM
Amelie is the perfect film.Have you seen A Very Long Engagement?
And what did you think of Blood Simple?
Pyro Tramp
09-15-06, 08:41 AM
Have you seen A Very Long Engagement?
And what did you think of Blood Simple?
I honestly can't remember Blood Simple though i probably enjoyed. And yuh, seen AVLE once at the cinema (for free!!) and again on DVD, it's a great film but prefer Amelie.
One of my favorites. :) Have you seen any other movies written by Charlie Kaufman?
Yes so far I've watvhed Confessions of a dangerous mind which is also briliant and at the moment I'm watching Beign John Malkovich and planing to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind
Sinny McGuffins
09-15-06, 09:17 AM
...and planing to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mindWell Eternal Sunshine is by far the best film scripted by Kaufman, perhaps one of the best films of all time too.
Drunken Master(1978) :up: :D
Cheezy fun. My daughter wanted to see more Jackie Chan movies so I picked this up. Oh dear lord, the music, acting, directing and going between dubbed english and chinese is sooo bad...but boy is this fun. Loved the non-stop fighting scenes (they were amazing) and the silly humor. Loved the old man/master character and how he meshed with Jackie (and seeing him so young was a kick).
Has anyone seen The Legend of the Drunken Master? If so, how does it compare? Is it worth a watch?
linespalsy
09-15-06, 11:46 AM
Legend of Drunken Master is quite good, certainly one of the better Jackie Chan movies from that decade. Umm, i guess it's comparable to the original in the same way the whole post-80s generation of martial arts comedies compares to those early pioneers in the genre, which is to say it's more comedy, a little less chop-socky.
ash_is_the_gal
09-15-06, 11:49 AM
I diddly dig this new rating system. It gives me no clue as to the quality of the movie, but still I dig. :)
its quite fun to do.
there isn't too much rhyme or reason to it either, anyone can do it.
(Ben, let me know when you see Mulhollhand Drive finally so i can hear your thoughts on it)
Mulholland Drive (Lynch, 2001)
http://flakmag.com/film/images/mulhollandcom.jpg
Beign John Malkovich(Spike Jonez 1999)-Just finished watching it what can I say Kaufman is a genious Oficialy he is the best writter ever in my openion he knows how to tell a story 5/5
I like his work, for the most part. I can't say I think he is the best ever, with scripts by people like Robert Towne (Chinatown), Michael Curtiz (Casablanca), and David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner, Unforgiven) out there...
Michael Curtiz (Casablanca)
About him I'm not sure but Brian Cox in Adaptation said that Casablanca was the best script ever written is it true should I watch it?
Legend of Drunken Master is quite good, certainly one of the better Jackie Chan movies from that decade. Umm, i guess it's comparable to the original in the same way the whole post-80s generation of martial arts comedies compares to those early pioneers in the genre, which is to say it's more comedy, a little less chop-socky.
Thanks linespalsy! I appreciate your comparison and it's just what I wanted to hear. I went ahead and put it in my 'Q'. :)
B-card...yes...watch Casablanca ! :)
John McClane
09-15-06, 04:40 PM
Douches froides- It's always nice to watch something other then the regular crap they put in theaters. And I liked how I was able to relate at times. Very good. A-
About him I'm not sure but Brian Cox in Adaptation said that Casablanca was the best script ever written is it true should I watch it?
See all the films I listed if you haven't... They are all great, IMO. Casablanca is seminal stuff. I guess it depends on whether or not you like old films, if you will like Casablanca. It's a great, great movie.
Strummer521
09-15-06, 06:59 PM
(Ben, let me know when you see Mulhollhand Drive finally so i can hear your thoughts on it)
I'll try to catch it relatively soon for ya, but it might be a while.
John McClane
09-16-06, 11:33 AM
Has anyone seen The Legend of the Drunken Master? If so, how does it compare? Is it worth a watch?
Legend is, IMO, one of the best Jackie Chan films. It's one of those rare occasions where it's better then the first one. The steel mill fight scene near the end is absolutely one of the best fight scenes I've ever watched, it's also my favorite one. I totally recommend you watch it.
Golgot, that movie is fun but I was a little disappointed that it pretty much played the sports genre pretty straight (ie straight sports manga, not straight sports movie)
Hey lines. Yeah, i don't really have any experience of the context its taken from, so i just kind of enjoyed it for the breeziness, and for the use of the mindset/friendship angle. I'm sure the manga has the time to explore all the non-sports currents better tho.
I've added Blue Spring to my list. And i've booked a second life to watch everything on there ;)
My super Ex-girlfriend(Ivan Reitman2006)-well the movie is nothing much stupid story nice effects the humor was ok,all in all 2/5
linespalsy
09-16-06, 05:22 PM
rosencrantz & guildenstern are dead.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (Jones, 2005) 4
An engaging story with a deep, rooted commentary on humanity through the lens of cultural and social identity. I really liked the performances here, which only deepened as the story went along. I can't say I was able to really find myself in the story, but I was definitely able to relate to just about every character in the film.
Slingblade (Thornton, 1996) 5
Wow.
Tora! Tora! Tora! (Fleischer, 1970)
Strummer521
09-17-06, 10:23 PM
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/04.09.98/gifs/mean-sts-9814.jpg
Mean Streets
Ok, so I saw Goodfellas and Raging Bull (the biggies) and was unimpressed with Scorsese, in contradiction to popular opinion. I saw Taxi Driver, and thought it reflected well on Paul Schrader and De Niro, but I still didn't "get" Scorsese. That's all changed now, and I think I'll be revisting the preceding films with new eyes. Anyways...wow.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Black, 2005) - Had borrowed this from a friend, so I got a second viewing in before returning it. Good stuff.
Unbreakable (Shyamalan, 2000) - Great, as always.
See no Evil(Grgory Dark 2006)-Damn,hell of a good movie after Silent Hill this is the best Horror of the year well done effects and stuff the producers spend their money well I'm impressed 5/5
Modigliani (Davis, 2004) 4_5 - This film got panned badly, but I liked it a lot...
Very sad, though...
:bawling:
Tacitus
09-19-06, 08:23 AM
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, Alex Gibney)
3.5/5
Clear, concise account of a scandal that I only knew from 10 second bursts at the tail end of local news programmes.
Now, making billions on the back of a theory is fine in my book but Lay and Skilling's complete absence of accountability (pun intended) or, indeed, the ability to realise that their wealth was built on sand until far too late is a little less smart.
The subsequent tail-chasing which resulted in plunging California into darkness would have been funny, if it wasn't so painfully true.
Recommended. ;)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/enron_big_051012040111274_wideweb__.jpg
God complex? It's ok....I forgive you.
Amelie (Jeunet, 2000) - It was time to visit my favorite little cutie, again. I had missed her!
http://img.timeinc.net/ew/features/010824/fmp2001/img/nov/amelia_l.jpg
Mission:Impossible III(J.J. Abrams 2006)-Movie ticket-2$ Popcorn-0.75$,watching Philip Seymour Hoffman beating the crap out of Tom Cruise-Priceless 3/5
Miami Vice(Michael Mann 2006)-Great action movie it was so realistic and the camerawork was great it looked more like a reality show the shootouts were great and the violence was on level.Michael Mann=Perfect action 5/5
Monkeypunch
09-20-06, 01:11 AM
Has anyone seen The Legend of the Drunken Master? If so, how does it compare? Is it worth a watch?
The Legend of the Drunken Master is probably my favourite Jackie Chan movie. It's got non-stop fighting once it gets going, and it's probably his funniest film. :)
Today I saw The Black Dahlia. I liked the look of the film, and some of the performances were not bad, but the director wants to show off more than he wants to stage believable scenes, some of the actors go so far over the top that they unwittingly make some of the film funny, and some of the plot twists seemingly come out of nowhere. It all comes at you so fast, you can't take it all in before the film ends. I can't help but wonder what a more patient and less flashy director, as well as a better screenwriter who doesn't sacrifice characterization for plot momentum, could have done with this. The original novel was a great, lurid noir about obsession and moral ambiguity, this only scratched the surface.
linespalsy
09-20-06, 02:21 PM
1st viewing - My Brilliant Career (9/10)
slow Jane Austen-y romance but set in rural Australia. The romance/acting/story aren't compelling but it's got a great emptyness that contrasts pretty oddly with the attempted intrigue.
1st viewing - Zhou Yu's Train (8/10)
Chinese movie with Gong li, very reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai's loveless romances. Confusing but worth seeing at least once.
Strummer521
09-20-06, 08:22 PM
Amelie (Jeunet, 2000) - It was time to visit my favorite little cutie, again. I had missed her!
I picture Tautou so very often as the characters in books I read. She was Mademoiselle Nioche in The American and now is Teresa in The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
Anyway: Clerks
Full of non-actors standing around spouting dubious dialogue as their tiny lives erupt into big trouble. It's a much more fun watch than it sounds. There's some key element that makes it very watchable. The mystery of that fact alone makes it worth a re-watch or two.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000FS9FIK.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V63003132_.jpg
The Hidden Blade (2004) :up:
I loved this movie! Birdy...if you're around, I think you'd like this. Very sweet character story about love, honor, stations in life and the duties that come with it for one Samurai. This takes place in the 1860's during a time of change in Japan. Loved the two main characters....the actor and actress were perfect. For a Samurai movie I expected more sword fighting, but that's ok...it's a touching story and wonderfully told.
Because of The HIdden Blade I'm going to check out Yamada's Twilight Samurai. I like his style.
...........
Thanks Monkeypunch and John...I put Legend of the Drunken Master on my "Q". Not sure when I'll get it though. :)
Holden Pike
09-21-06, 01:28 PM
Yeah, I like The Hidden Blade too, Aniko. My review from earlier this year is HERE (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=312151). I like Twilight Samurai even more, though there's even less swordplay in that one. But it's an excellent flick.
If you like both of these, check out Samurai Rebellion (1967 - Kobayashi). My review for that one is HERE (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=298994).
Yeah, I like The Hidden Blade too, Aniko. My review from earlier this year is HERE (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=312151). I like Twilight Samurai even more, though there's even less swordplay in that one. But it's an excellent flick.
If you like both of these, check out Samurai Rebellion (1967 - Kobayashi). My review for that one is HERE (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=298994).
Thanks. I'll look forward to watching Twilight Samurai then. And, I went ahead and put Samurai Rebellion in my 'Q'. I liked your review on it.
Sideways (Payne, 2004) 5
Still a marvelous example of contemporary storytelling.
Kill Bill vol.1(Quentin Tarantino 2003)-Great film well put up story keeps your atention trough the whole movie and the fighting scenes were amazing it's kind of a mix between a asian martial arts movie and a western 5/5
undercoverlover
09-22-06, 01:17 PM
happy gilmore --- pretty good, first time viewing, perhaps one of sandlers funnier outings
ash_is_the_gal
09-22-06, 03:28 PM
P.S - for once, i liked that Topher guy. one of the better sex scenes, too. vehement out of ten
Raising Arizona - weakest Coen movie (minus their recent butcheries), but Hunt was actually watchable! i loved the chase scene where she's driving with the babe. domino out of ten
Chinatown crackerjack out of ten
Monkeypunch
09-22-06, 06:11 PM
Hard Candy - This is one messed up film. A very smart low budget suspense flick. Loved it.
Piddzilla
09-22-06, 08:12 PM
The Great Yokai War (2005 - Takashi Miike)
The New World (2005 - Terrence Malick)
NewDawnFades
09-23-06, 01:26 AM
The Great Yokai War (2005 - Takashi Miike)
The New World (2005 - Terrence Malick)
How did you like The New World? I absolutely loved it.
Piddzilla
09-23-06, 05:25 PM
How did you like The New World? I absolutely loved it.
I liked it a lot of course. The Thin Red Line is one of my absolute favourite films so it's kind of hard to top that one. But, yeah, I liked it a lot.
^^^ I liked The New World, but I like The Thin Red Line quite a bit more. I am in awe of TTRL each time I watch it... I also found the score in The New World grating on my nerves a couple of times...
Meanwhile:
Solaris (Soderbergh, 2002)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2003/02/28/bfalso28.jpg
A Very Long Engagement (Juenet, 2004)
http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/mo/cinemasource/20060217/09/3104000687.jpg
American Beauty (Mendes, 1999)
http://members.lycos.nl/tipweb/thora.jpg
linespalsy
09-23-06, 08:20 PM
Femme Fatale - 7/10.
Black Dahlia - 8/10.
John McClane
09-23-06, 08:48 PM
Everyone's Hero- I haven't loved an animated film this much since Finding Nemo. B+
ash_is_the_gal
09-23-06, 09:04 PM
Little Manhatten - ohhh, the delightful awkwardness! lumber out of ten
Barton Fink powwow out of ten
undercoverlover
09-23-06, 09:20 PM
oceans eleven --- just a brilliantly made film, i love everything about it, especially the score-wonderful
NewDawnFades
09-24-06, 01:39 AM
I liked it a lot of course. The Thin Red Line is one of my absolute favourite films so it's kind of hard to top that one. But, yeah, I liked it a lot.
Somehow I still find myself in love with Days of Heaven.
Lucky Number Slevin (McGuigan, 2006)
Piddzilla
09-24-06, 05:00 AM
Somehow I still find myself in love with Days of Heaven.
I love all Malick's films. I've been hesitating to name him my all time favourite director because of the small number of films he's actually made. But The New World is truly as artistic as his previous works and definitely a very fine film, so now he's very close to being my number one.
Grizzly Man (2005 - Werner Herzog)
This guy reminded me a bit of Steve Irwin and not very surprisingly they both met the same fate.
It is an incredible film. I'm at the same time fascinated with this kind of passionated people but, as Herzog says, the bears aren't our pals who think like humans do. They're predators struggling to survive in a pretty rough world and if you look eatable it doesn't matter if you're fighting for their cause. And Treadwell seems to have gotten some of his facts wrong since the Alaska grizzlies don't appear to be in any real danger. Even if I found the guy rather annoying at times it was still touching to see how he had found a place in the wild after all the trouble with drugs and stuff he obviously went through in his life. He had it coming but at the same time he probably went the way he wanted to go...
....and I want a fox.
undercoverlover
09-24-06, 08:53 PM
Leon - beautiful performance froma young natalie portman, mesmerizing film to watch
Me and You and Everyone We Know - A strange little doggy bag of 'art installation' nervous breakdowns and child voyages into the adult world.
In other words: it's quirky. And overall i enjoyed it - which sort of surprised me, as some of it was quite shrill, and other bits fairly trite. Perhaps it helped that there was some danger and groundedness lurking amongst its wandering clouds of fluff?
Monkeypunch
09-27-06, 12:34 AM
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - (third or fourth time) one of the most original and clever films I've ever seen. Dying to see the Science of Sleep, but that will never play at a theater anywhere close to me, so I might have to catch it on video. booo.
Willow (Howard, 1988) 4_5
Outdated by now, but still very impressive (and charming!).
Good Night, and Good Luck. (Clooney, 2005) 5
Razor sharp. Excellent low-key performances all around, but many kudos go to David Strathairn and Clooney/Heslov for making Robert Murrow such a sturdy, haunting presence. Still a favorite of mine.
Piddzilla
09-27-06, 07:36 PM
Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004 - Hayao Miyazaki)
(English title: Howl's Moving Castle)
Almost as great as Spirited Away. I love the duality theme in the film that was very present in Spirited Away as well. There's good in evil and evil in good and nothing is as simple as black or white. Great stuff, I loved it!!
Piddzilla
09-28-06, 07:27 PM
The Machinist (2004 - Brad Anderson)
One of the reasons that I never loved Fight Club as much as 95% of this planet's population is the fact that it's all based on what goes on in a mentally unstable guy's head. That was the case with The Machinist as well. I think it's that theme mixed together with the thriller genre that annoys me. The film is built up almost like a conspiracy plot against Trevor Reznik, but pretty instantly you realize that the guy is nuts. So you wait for the resolution where the explanation to his insanity is given to you and you stop to contemplate over the events of the film. It's all in his head anyway...
I didn't hate it, not at all. It was okay, it's just not my kind of film. Bale was good though, but man, they must have had a doctor on the set all the time in case he would break or faint or something.
One of the reasons that I never loved Fight Club as much as 95% of this planet's population is the fact that it's all based on what goes on in a mentally unstable guy's head.
I find the concept somewhat fun to indulge when it's done well (as in the case of The Machinist), as opposed to when it isn't (example: Stay, which was disorienting and awful). But I think what separates Fight Club and The Machinist is that, while the latter is only really playing in a fun little sand box, the former is doing that and actually saying something about the sandbox itself.
In other news:
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Coen, 2000) 4_5
Brilliant, beautiful, silly film.
undercoverlover
09-29-06, 08:32 AM
Dogma - first time viewing, thoroughly enjoyed it. Ben Afleck was a lil bi dreary but i loved Matt Damon as the angel Loki. Really funny and astrange kind of believeable logic to the story.
Iroquois
09-30-06, 05:00 AM
Nacho Libre - 6/10
They Live - 9/10
Heathers - 8/10
Piddzilla
09-30-06, 10:27 AM
The Manchurian Candidate (2004 - Jonathan Demme)
Looking for Fidel (2004 - Oliver Stone)
Piddzilla
09-30-06, 10:49 AM
I find the concept somewhat fun to indulge when it's done well (as in the case of The Machinist), as opposed to when it isn't (example: Stay, which was disorienting and awful). But I think what separates Fight Club and The Machinist is that, while the latter is only really playing in a fun little sand box, the former is doing that and actually saying something about the sandbox itself.
That's another thing with Fight Club that annoys me. That it's supposed to be telling me the truth about this world. It's supposed to be critical of the consumer society, and perhaps the basic story is, but the film reproduces everything it's supposed to be attacking; like entertainment violence and vanity. It throws a boomerang at the target, misses, and hits itself instead.
I think it's more the praising of the film than the film itself that makes me defensive about it. You're right, it does say something about the sandbox, but it does so by being a product of the sandbox rather than offering an alternative. That's how I read it anyway....
It's quite entertaining but in my opinion the greatness of it is exaggerated.
That's another thing with Fight Club that annoys me. That it's supposed to be telling me the truth about this world. It's supposed to be critical of the consumer society, and perhaps the basic story is, but the film reproduces everything it's supposed to be attacking; like entertainment violence and vanity. It throws a boomerang at the target, misses, and hits itself instead.
I think it's more the praising of the film than the film itself that makes me defensive about it. You're right, it does say something about the sandbox, but it does so by being a product of the sandbox rather than offering an alternative. That's how I read it anyway....
Completely agreed, and I think that was the film's intention. Tyler Durden -- who stands for the complete rejection of consumerism, social conformity, and just about everything else that doesn't adhere to the rules of anarchy (which is an ironic way of putting it) -- isn't at all justified, at the end of the film. If anything, I think Tyler Durden shows us what to really expect from anarchy: self-righteous terrorism and collapsed buildings. Strange how films can be eerily prophetic.
Either way, I think Fight Club does genuinely criticize some things about our society that we probably shouldn't be indulging (or else Tyler Durden wouldn't have come off as such a passionate inidividual); but at the same time, warns us that - among the boiling masses - there exists the capacity for resentment against the capitalist model, that not everyone gets to live the American Dream...
Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God d--- it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy s--- we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.
...which is a million times more dangerous and self-destructive.
Piddzilla
10-01-06, 11:32 AM
The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005 - Jeff Feuerzeig)
What an amazing person Johnston is. Great film!!!
End of Days(Peter Hayms 1999)-The action version of the Omen but still watching Arnold beating the devil it's worth it 3/5
Eurotrip(Jeff Scaffer 2004)-So so so stupid 0.5/5
Jay and Silent Bob strike back(Kevin Smith 2001)-It's the fifth time I watch this movie and I laugh every time it's so damn funny 5/5
Click(Frank Coraci 2006)-This movie is so depressing should I laugh or should I cry?When I saw Adam Sandler in the beginning I thought "a comedy" but ehrn they wrote as a genre:comedy,fantasy they should have add DRAMA too 2/5
John McClane
10-01-06, 03:01 PM
End of Days(Peter Hayms 1999)-The action version of the Omen but still watching Arnold beating the devil it's worth it 3/5 That film was absolutely bad. But god, I LOVED it. :D
I watched Coach Carter and Mean Girls with a girl in NC. She was on the phone with me as we watched them at the same time. :)
Black Hawk Down (Scott, 2001) - Enjoyable, even with some uneven performances.
Underworld : Evolution (Wiseman, 2006) - Yup, I am a sucker for vamp girl in booty pants.
Meanwhile, I just picked up the newly remastered Blade Runner DVD. I was going to wait, but felt like watching the director's cut and I can't seem to find my old copy. Must have lent it out. I must say, this transfer is a MAJOR improvement over what I had perviously. It's almost like watching the film for the first time... well, after watching over 100 times before, but still, like the first time...
Anyhoo...In the middle of that now, so, back to it I go!
undercoverlover
10-01-06, 07:01 PM
hey sedai, what are the differences between the original and the remastered blade runner-im thinking about buying it
Holden Pike
10-01-06, 07:48 PM
hey sedai, what are the differences between the original and the remastered blade runner-im thinking about buying it
Remastered picture and sound. This reissue is much better, technically, though exactly the same content-wise. However, a real and true special edition is finally on its way that will also have the remastered quality as well as brand new material, versions and extras. HERE (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/spinsheet091406.html#bla) is a review on the remastered reissue, if you're interested.
Unless you're absolutely jonesing for a pristine print like NOW, I'd recommend waiting for the big release coming down the line.
That's what I'm doing.
PimpDaShizzle V2.0
10-01-06, 08:40 PM
The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005 - Jeff Feuerzeig)
What an amazing person Johnston is. Great film!!!
I've wanted to see this ever since I saw the trailor at Apple's site. Now, since you said it was great, I will see it. You are the authority when it comes to these sorts of things. I wish I had some Mac&Cheese to eat with my orange juice. Maybe a large spoon too.
I watched a made for tv movie based on actual events, Prom Queen. All I have to say about it is, Proms suck, why would you want to go anyway? PLus, why would you want to go when no one but your friends want you there and they will probably be making your night hell? Why didn't Marc just go to a public school? Sure the story is about gay rights and the catholic church, but come on, you go to a catholic school and even though I believe the catholic church is wrong about homosexuality, he knows what to expect. If you want to be openly gay, don't go to a catholic school. Jeez
Piddzilla
10-02-06, 05:47 AM
I've wanted to see this ever since I saw the trailor at Apple's site. Now, since you said it was great, I will see it. You are the authority when it comes to these sorts of things. I wish I had some Mac&Cheese to eat with my orange juice. Maybe a large spoon too.
I actually started to write a review of it here but then I realized I was only retelling the story of Johnston's life, which is exactly what the film is doing, only much better than me. All I can say is that the film succeeds in capturing the originality of Johnston's personality and art. It's based on old Super 8 films and recordings of monologues and conversations that Johnston and people around him have made over the years since he was a kid. So it's like you really get to be there from the beginning and experience, not what Johnston felt like, but what his friends and family must have felt like both when he delivered fantastic music and drawings but also during the times when his mental illness went totally out of control. It's a fascinating film about a fascinating artist but also quite sad at times.
A Letter to Three Wives (1949) - Well-handled ensemble piece with some verbal spark and pleasing performances. A fun little jaunt into small-town 'married strife'.
Unless you're absolutely jonesing for a pristine print like NOW, I'd recommend waiting for the big release coming down the line.
That's what I'm doing.
It seems this is what was happening with me. I just couldn't resist getting this release, although Holden is correct in his thinking, and the later release will be the real deal. With my old copy MIA, though, I just couldn;t fathom spending months without seeing my favorite film of all time.... The new transfer is stunning, BTW, and I loved every second of it....
Blade Runner (Scott, 1982) 5
Piddzilla
10-04-06, 06:28 PM
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002 - George Clooney)
Nice one....
The Queen - We are slightly amused. Quite a gentle peek behind several doors of power. Pretty genteel and slight stuff really, but Helen Mirren is great as queenie, and the supporting cast are all strong too. Makes Brits look like a bunch of Diana-worshipping, curtsying pillocks, but it is pretty tightly focused on the anachronysm known as royalty, after all.
undercoverlover
10-04-06, 07:51 PM
Click --- was expecting some comedy crap, actually surprised coz it was prett good with some real laughs. Some strange dialogue choices but other than that a nice effort. Also was not expecting the emotional side of the story but i cried like a baby at a particular part.
NewDawnFades
10-04-06, 09:40 PM
KIDS
A good, powerful film. All great performances.
undercoverlover
10-05-06, 06:43 AM
bread stories---bloody boring documentary about a a russian township getting bread, sent me to sleep
Iroquois
10-05-06, 09:05 PM
The Killer - 9/10
Ninja Scroll - 8/10
Brother - 6/10
Hard-Boiled - 9/10
Straight to Hell - 6/10
The Fog (original) - 7/10
Prince of Darkness - 7/10
Wings of Desire - 8/10
In The Mouth Of Madness - 7/10
Piddzilla
10-06-06, 05:43 PM
Malcolm X (1992 - Spike Lee)
The Departed (Scorsese, 2006) 3
Great performances by some top-notch actors (young and old alike) working today, but the script took a few missteps toward the end that came off silly and contrived.
The Departed (Scorsese, 2006) Loved it. Everyone that went was chatting and excited about it afterwards. Why I like going to the movies...
4_5
Cast Away (Zemeckis, 2000) 3
Interesting film. I never felt like anything more than an observer, though. I wanted to connect, but never found a way into the film. It seemed like some of the more emotionally loaded situations -- the dead body, the consideration of suicide, etc. -- were glossed over. But three cheers for Tom Hanks and an unforgiving, lonely performance.
Sahara (Eisner, 2005) 4
I'm going to give this one a generous four out of five. I was feeling an adventure movie today, and it satisfied. I know it's about as deep as a bird bath, but it was a fun flick with some really sharp banterlogue between McConaughey and Zahn, and more than a few hairy, goofy action scenes. And yeah... Penelope Cruz. :)
undercoverlover
10-09-06, 11:17 AM
Black Narcissus - had to watch it for film studies and i actualy really enjoyed it. Tale of repression in the himalayas with Deborah kerr.
My Summer Of Love - two teenager girls fall in love; one is a liar and the other feels trapped by her brothers new found christianity.
Sommersby - not the greatest but i quite enjoyed this story of false identity with Jodie Foster and Richard Gere
Piddzilla
10-10-06, 10:15 AM
Crooklyn (1994 - Spike Lee)
It was the first time I've seen it. It's quite good, I especially like the efforts put in by the actors, both the leading adult characters but the kids as well. I can understand bell hooks' criticism of the way Lee portraits women in his films though. Sure, the female characters have central positions in the film, Alfre Woodard as the mom and Zelda Harris as Troy in particular, and are depicted as the ones who make the machinery work, but what it all comes down to in the end is that the woman's place is at home, taking care of the male family members. Instead of offering an alternative to that, probably very true, scenario Lee settles with "telling us how it is" but also seems to argue for that that's how it should be.
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