Movie Tab II

[jrs]

Screw standard DVD. You ain't seen Beowulf unless you've seen it in the theaters ......and on HD-DVD. :cool: 4_5

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/HD%20and%20Blu-Ray/Beowulf-1.jpg

[Sleezy]

You ain't seen Beowulf unless you've seen it in the theaters ......and on HD-DVD. :cool:

I don't want to see Beowulf at all. :rolleyes:


Big Trouble in Little China

Words fail me.


1

Hmm. There may have been a problem with your expectations going in. The movie is supposed to be stupid fun. If you took issue with the stupid fun, though, I can't really argue. :)

[Powdered Water]

LMAO jrs! Opinionated much? Anyway, I also watched Beowulf on *gasp* regular DVD and it was pretty good for a cartoon, which is after all, all that this thing is a glorified shiny cartoon. Sure I'll probably see it again someday but it wasn't great or anything. Personally I don't need my movies to resemble my video games. Call me old fashioned but I like my cartoons to look like cartoons and my movies to look like movies. This is just a slick cartoon trying to look like a regular movie. I would have been a great deal more impressed if they followed the 300 mold and used real actors and did the rest on the Green screen.

Beowulf 3

30 Days of Night, now see this is not a "good" movie but I was somewhat entertained. I will always have a bit of a soft spot for these types of flicks and overall this one wasn't terrible. Just nothing new, but really what do you expect from a genre that has had more spin offs than one could possibly count. Truly, the only let down was the *boob* factor of which there was none. So sad.

2.5

[linespalsy]

Fearless Vampire Killers 4
Take the Lead 2.5

Forgot to mention:
Eight Men Out 4

[Powdered Water]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/DVDCover132x187.jpg
Legend of the Black Scorpion 4.5

I often remark on how I think the French just "do it" better. I'm getting real close to adding the Chinese to that list as well. Now if we here in America land could just stop changing the titles of the films when they make their way over here from China to something that most common "round eyes" will pick up and exclaim: " Wow! Black Scorpion!, I gotta get dis!". Anyway, this was originally titled The Banquet so where the whole Black Scorpion thing comes from you tell me...

This is a beautiful movie, the Hollywood reporter claimed that: "The Worlds best action choreographer, Yuen Wo-Ping might have topped Himself!" I kid you not, it says it right here on the box. Well, there is action in the movie. Not a lot of it and it's not really very crucial to the over all feel of this film. I will warn those of you that don't like the flying and the really big jumping that there is a bit of that. But, to write this film off simply because of that may be a mistake. Ziyi Zhang or Zhang Ziyi as she was called about 8 years ago when Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon came out (maybe someone at some point could tell me what order her name is supposed to go in and I could stop worrying about it.) may have done her best acting to date, there's a bit of that selfish little girl that I fell in love with during Dragon but it's clear to me that she is growing up and I just watched a big part of that during this film. She plays a young woman trapped by marriage first to the father and Emperor of the boy prince she loved as a child and later to the boy prince's uncle when the boy's father dies. All the while the boy is sort of left out in the cold. And yet he is the rightful heir to the throne. Of course the uncle starts trying to have the boy prince killed and it gets complicated at times from there. But I thought it was quite good and well worth checking out if you liked movies like Hero or House of Flying Daggers. Pretty interesting stuff.

[Yoda]

Had a little unscheduled movie marathon yesterday. Girlfriend and I watched Annie Hall in the afternoon, she want to class, and in the evening we watched Duck Soup, Notes on a Scandal, and The Fully Monty back-to-back-to-back. She'd only seen the last, while I'd seen Duck Soup countless times and wanted to introduce her to it.

Anyway, goodtimes.

[Sedai]

Hackers (Softley, 1995) - Ah, Hackers. The cheese! Definitely a guilty pleasure. This film, in spite of being SUPER silly in places, especially the third act, does a good job of crystallizing the mid-90s Rave/Techno/Cyber scene. That slightly elitist vibe of being on the cutting edge of both music and technology as tracks by Future Sound of London, Orbital, and Prodigy cut across glowing, pulsing dance floors in warehouses across the globe.

Alas, the evolution of the internet, and its flood of 12 year old loudmouths drop kicked the whole hacker mystique into the toilet. l337 speak became net-speak, and the whole world has screen names, a previously nerdy alter-ego.

So...the film is bad, but I love it. Guilty pleasure! I kinda dug Angelina in her raver gear...

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/030709/165215__06angie_l.jpg

[jrs]

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/Posters/carver_poster.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/Posters/lake_dead.jpg

[Powdered Water]

Father Goose 4
I do so love Cary Grant movies and this one was no exception, he was starting to show his age a bit in this one but I still found him very charming and funny.

On Golden Pond 4.5

[Ðèstîñy]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514F28KRTWL._AA240_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EAQ99035L._AA240_.jpg

[Holden Pike]

And what did you think of those two flicks, Ðèstîñy?

[7thson]

Girlfriend and I



Wait............. Wendy's has a .99 cent chicken sandwhich?

;)

Catch and Release: A bit cliche', but I liked it, and the sound track was not so bad either. I just saw this on Blu Ray and the scenes during the fishing excursion were amazing.

http://img3.glowfoto.com/images/2007/01/15-1152025539T.jpg

[mark f]

Serpico (Sidney Lumet, 1973) 4

http://www.reelfilm.com/images/serpico.jpeg http://movies.infinitecoolness.com/10/serp08.jpg

This is a powerful, true-life story of a New York cop who finds corruption everywhere he turns, and since he won't become part of it, he becomes a pariah, who even starts the film off in an ambulance with a gunshot wound to his face. Frank Serpico (a perfect Al Pacino) has always wanted to be a police officer, but he's heartbroken by the fact that he learns that most all NYC plainclothesmen in the 1960s are collecting payoffs to look the other way from crime. He has a good cop friend (Tony Roberts) who tries to help him get this info to the higher-ups, but it just seems that the corruption has been ingrained for too long, so Serpico can't get anywhere. This makes Serpico a marked man: an honest cop who won't take money is dangerous, or so his fellow officers believe.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Sbk/27/serpico.jpg

Sidney Lumet, who was a last-minute replacement as director for Joe's John Avildsen, brings his expertise of location filming in New York City into play in this tense, gritty film. The script, which is basically a collection of dialogue by Midnight Cowboy's Waldo Salt, structurally supported by Joe's Norman Wexler's re-write, gives plenty of opportunities for the huge cast to shine, but Pacino really excels and is allowed to create a strong character who is not only heartfelt, but also witty, light-hearted (when possible), sexy and justice-seeking. The brief, yet evocative, Mikis Theodorakis musical score is a major asset in making the film affecting and so easy to relate to. This is one of the true classics of the '70s which unfortunately seems to be lost in the shuffle of all that decade's great films. If you've missed it thus far, do your best to correct that oversight.

[Holden Pike]

The great Sidney Lumet (who was beat out of his Oscar for Network by Avildsen's Rocky at the 1977 ceremony) has made four films thus far centering on Police corruption. Serpico was the first and it is still the best, the gold standard by which all others must be judged forever. That it is based on a true story and a real guy makes it all the more remarkable. A great movie and a fantastic performance by Pacino before he slipped into easy self parody.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:G05yMmywxivC5M:http://www.impawards.com/1973/posters/serpico.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:qUwAT9J-Q_E5jM:http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Prince_of_the_City/prince_of_the_city_dvd.jpg http://www.celebritywonder.com/img/movieposter/tn/1990_Q__A.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:7qj66pqvmwQU6M:http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/movie/large/Night_falls_on_Manhattan.jpg http://entimg.msn.com/i/150/Movies/Actors2/Lumet_AKS567731_150.jpg

The subsequent Lumet flicks that deal with the same basic subject matter are Prince of the City (1981), Q&A (1990) and Night Falls on Manhattan (1997). Prince is also based on a true story but the other two are fictions, though full of authenticity. Prince of the City is good and has the best film work of both Treat Williams and Jerry Orbach, but its a bit overlong and could have used more focus.

Q&A I like a lot, especially for Nick Nolte's towering performance as an over-the-top psycho cop who is a racist, gay-bashing monster and Nolte has fun with every second of it. It was Timothy Hutton's last shot to be a movie star, but the movie fizzled even though it got critical raves. It did introduce me to a new generation of great character actors including Luis Guzmán and Charles S. Dutton. It's based on a book by real New York Judge Edwin Torres, who also wrote the novels that Carlito's Way was drawn from.

Night Falls On Manhattan really tanked, and while it's kind of a mish-mash of Lumet's previous corruption pictures I like it and it does focus more on the Justice System side of things this time. Andy Garcia never became a movie star either, but he's well cast as the new Assistant District Attorney who is thrown onto a big case when his father (Ian Holm) is one of the wounded cops at a seeming drug bust gone horribly wrong. Another great supporting cast with Richard Dreyfuss as an Alan Dershowitz-style defense attorney and Ron Leibman having a blast chewing up the scenery as the District Attorney. It also has some great character actors to-be including Tony Soprano and Uncle Junior themselves: James Gandolfini and Dominic Chianese. The main thing that holds this one down a bit in quality from the others is that the basic material is by now so familiar there's no new direction to go with it, really. And the opening action scene always seemed really badly staged to me, the kind of stuff you get on an average episode of middling TV fare like "Hunter". But the outstanding cast definitely makes it worth a look, despite the flaws.


There have been a couple great to good Police corruption movies not made by Sidney Lumet, like L.A. Confidential, Narc, Lone Star and CopLand as well as some very overrated pieces like Training Day and Dark Blue in recent years but Sidney Lumet is the undisputed master and Serpico is the best of the best.

[Lennon]

Marathon Man is coming on TCM, you all speak highly of it from what I hear, anything is better than The Breed on right now.

[Holden Pike]

Marathon Man is great. Did you just finish watching Three Days of the Condor on TCM, too?

[Lennon]

No, I didn't get to catch it, I just tuned into the Breed after watching K-19 4.5 then the documentary on th Fargo special features, do you advise watching it?

[Holden Pike]

Yes!

[Lennon]

Also, I ♥ Hukabees or Singin' in the Rain?

[Holden Pike]

Huckabees is a good flick but Singin' in the Rain, obviously.

[Lennon]

I'm gunna go with Hukabees, because I can watch Singin' in the Rain on my Netflix instant view.

[Holden Pike]

Then why did you ask?

[Lennon]

I didn't know by the time I asked I saw it was on Netflix. sorry

[Lennon]

Ah crap! I can't pay attention to this, I'll Netflix it later, I didn't take my medicine for ADHD and all I see is Roy in his undies beating on an asian guy, this will need some explaining, I;ll Netflix it again sometime

[Holden Pike]

By the by, now that we're on the topic there was a nice interview with Sidney Lumet in Entertainment Weekly a month or so ago where he gave some impressions on his body of work and the Oscar nominations he and his films have received over the decades (Lumet never won Best Director and none of his films ever Best Picture though he did get a Lifetime Achievement Award a little while back). My favorite is when he's talking about Network and says, "It's embarrassing that Rocky beat us out. Chayefsky was so prescient. Everyone was saying we were going to take it all. And on the flight out to L.A., he said, 'Rocky's going to take Best Picture.' And I said, 'No, no, it's a dopey little movie.' And he said, 'It's just the sort of sentimental crap they love out there.' And he was right.''

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/91507/lumet460.jpg

HERE (http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20173551,00.html) is that piece on-line.

[Iroquois]

Dumb and Dumber - 4

[Powdered Water]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/ef_gammera_alphaDVD.jpg

Yeah sure, Cloverfield is all neat and stuff, but if you want to see real monster movies you need to go back to the beginning. I bet that the Cloverfield monster isn't even a guy in a rubber suit. I mean c'mon! I bet it got hot in those things.

I've often wondered who came up with idea for Gammera, Godzilla was already out there. You had this big fire breathing lizard stomping around erector sets and splashing around in pools of water. Crushing little plastic cars and such. And not to mention whoever had the job of melting the little tanks with a lighter and the big can of 60's hairspray. Ah Goodtimes, goodtimes...

But I digress. Was Gammera like, a brother's idea or someone else on the Godzilla production that was scorned in some way? "I'll show those sons of b*tches!" "They can shove their giant Lizard up the collective asses!" "I'm gonna make a real monster movie, yeah that's it." "A giant turtle that can kick Godzilla's rubber ass!" "Oh! And My monster is gonna fly too!" "Let's see that mutated reptile do that!"

Anyway, I'm just running (or foaming) at the mouth here, I don't really need anyone to give me any answers to this; one of life's many riddles. But if you know feel free to chime in.

Oh, and this almost goes without saying doesn't it?
5

[Lennon]

Ladder 49- 4 God, I cry every time

[linespalsy]

The Barefoot Contessa 2 (this rating may be a little harsh, my viewing was immediately followed by the clearly superior Mankiewicz film, All About Eve, which made Contessa's flaws a little more obvious than they may have been otherwise.)
All about Eve 4.5
The Bourne Identity 3.5

[Ðèstîñy]

And what did you think of those two flicks, Ðèstîñy?

I loved them. American Dreamer was great, and it ended perfectly. Maybe too perfectly for some people, but I need more like that. I could say a few things about her husband, but I won't. Wow!
I wonder how many takes they had to do on this scene? It is hilarious . . .

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/nunions/Video%20Skits%20For%20Posting/th_AmericanDreamer.jpg (http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/nunions/Video%20Skits%20For%20Posting/?action=view&current=AmericanDreamer.flv)

It was funny. All along I assumed Victor was up to no good, but once she was OK, and felt guilty for almost killing him, I completely dismissed that thought. Here I thought the movie was over, once she left her husband at the station, and ran after Alan. I also feared her getting hit by another car, during that scene. She's pretty careless, running through the streets. Anyway, it was a great ending, but I didn't have it figured out.

Oh, and it reminded me, in some ways, of the John Candy movie Once Upon a Crime. It's not very popular, but I liked it a lot.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K1ZMQBBZL._AA240_.jpg

A Slight Case of Murder, was insane. I didn't picture him going that far over the edge.

I thought many times, that he was busted. Once he didn't get fingered for the bank robbery, I decided there was no way he was getting caught. All was right with his world, and then he gets home to the police. For a second, I wondered if Patricia was trying to get back at him. One girlfriend freaks out on him, and she ends up dead. So the other freaks out on him, and he ends up busted. That thought only lasted a minute, and I had to figure that her husband, the very handsome Adam Arkin/Fred, had found out what they had been up to. Irony! Gotta love it, until it happens to you.

I still haven't said anything about those others I viewed, but I will in time. I do a dreadful job on these, so I hesitate.

[Monkeypunch]

Anyway, I'm just running (or foaming) at the mouth here, I don't really need anyone to give me any answers to this; one of life's many riddles. But if you know feel free to chime in.


Gamera was created by the Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan to cash in on (or rip off) the more popular Godzilla.

I'm a fan of the Gamera series, too. They have a goofy, low budget, batsh*t insane charm to them. Gamera Vs. Guiron is the best one, he fights a monster with a knife for a head who shoots ninja stars out of its nostrils. And it's as awesome as that sounds. :D

I just watched:

The Darjeeling Limited - I loved it. Its a quieter, more mature film than any that Wes Anderson has made previously, and it will stay with you long after you've seen it.

[mark f]

The Barefoot Contessa 2 (this rating may be a little harsh, my viewing was immediately followed by the clearly superior Mankiewicz film, All About Eve, which made Contessa's flaws a little more obvious than they may have been otherwise.)
All about Eve 4.5
The Bourne Identity 3.5

No biggie; my ratings are:

The Barefoot Contessa 3
All About Eve 4
The Bourne Identity 3.5


If any Gamera movie deserves more than 2, you guys are having WAY more fun than I ever did. :cool:

[Monkeypunch]

If any Gamera movie deserves more than 2, you guys are having WAY more fun than I ever did. :cool:

I dont think they do, but there is a lot of fun to be had watching crazy b-movies. :cool:

[mark f]

Yes, I do enjoy giving flix CAMP ratings. As long as that's understood, I can see giving a Gamera movie a 3.5-4 :)

[mark f]

First impression:

Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy, 2007) 3

I'll try to comment more specifically later.

[adidasss]

Badlands - Terrence Malick 5
The Naked city - Jules Dassin 3.5
Viridiana - Luis Buñuel 4
Kanal - Andrzej Wajda 5

[Powdered Water]

Yes, I do enjoy giving flix CAMP ratings. As long as that's understood, I can see giving a Gamera movie a 3.5-4 :)

I was totally serious about my 5-star rating. Best. Movie. Ever. (And if you believe that, well then my friend have I got a deal for you!) :p

Anyway, watched a few more yesterday:

Gamera vs. Monster X 3

After the bar had been set so high from the first Gamera movie its easy to see how this one just doesn't quite "cut the mustard" so to speak. :p

Gamera vs. Gaos 3.5

This is the one with the big "bat type creature" very scary. Oooooh, Aaaaaah, Eeeeeeeek! :p

[Piddzilla]

Saw La Môme / La Vie en rose (2007 - Olivier Dahan) the other day. Kind of crappy, isn't it?

[adidasss]

I've been avoiding it for a while...:\

OT:
http://www.posteritati.com/jpg/A2/ABERDEEN%201SH.JPG

Is it wrong to think Stellan Skarsgård is kind of sexeh...?http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/unsure.gif
Anywhae, it was alright in a good Sunday evening TV drama sort of whae...d'you see wha' ah did there...with the accent...lulz...

3.5

[mark f]

Berlin - Alexanderplatz: The Story of Franz Biberkopf (Phil Jutzi, 1931) 2.5

http://www.netzwerk-mediatheken.de/images/profile/dkmff/alex.jpghttp://www.cinegraph.de/filmtext/blnalex1.gif

I am in pain! Ignore that for now. This is an 83 minute adaptation of the gargantuan Alfred Döblin metropolitan novel. The author co-scripted, so he must have approved of the removal of dozens of characters and the distillation of many down into one. Well, if Fassbinder took 930 minutes to do the novel justice, I guess that makes sense. Politics is pretty much also thrown out the window, as well as most of the character motivations, but comparing this original to Fassbinder's version is fascinating. Director Jutzi is a talent I'd like to view more of; he may not be as accomplished as Fritz Lang or G.W. Pabst, but his version of early sound German expressionism is quite unique, whether it's on display in the hurlyburly Berlin or the beautiful forest outskirts. He seems to have a strong affinity for expressing emotions on location.

If none of this makes sense to you, check out my earlier comments about the 1980 Berlin Alexanderplatz at these posts: http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=406147&postcount=6460
http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=408457&postcount=6521
http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=411729&postcount=6610

Yes, I've seen the crazy epilogue, but I have to watch it a few more times to get my head around it all. Afterwards, I will post my final thoughts.

[Iroquois]

No Country for Old Men - 5

Blade Runner - 4.5

[undercoverlover]

Pleasantville - totally awesome, makes you wanna wear a poodle skirt

[7thson]

makes you wanna wear a poodle skirt


ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh

[Powdered Water]

That Touch of Mink, god I love Cary Grant, I may have had his children, you know if he were still around.

Aaaaneewaaay, now I get where they ripped off Pretty Woman from, I think I read that somewhere (probably here) before. It's interesting to me how in this version Doris Day plays a "working girl" you know just a gal that like goes to work everyday and is down to earth and smart and all that good stuff. And then in Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts plays a "working girl" who has got to be like, the cleanest nicest street urchin ever to grace the earth (that means she's a whore to all the rest of you playing at home :yup:). Not to sure if I would have gone the same direction if it were my movie, but what do I know I just watch them.

I've never seen Doris Day in a film before and I really liked her and Cary together. Sure, the movie itself is fluffy and silly but hey, that's my cup of tea.

4.5

I give this movie an around the world and back *SNAP*!

Also watched Broadcast News from the lists and I only watched about two thirds of it before I realized that I had in fact seen it before. I'm telling ya kids; "Don't do Drugs!" Especially the wacky tobaccy cos that's the one I did the most and I in fact have mental problems, if you can believe that. Anyway I think I liked it as much this time as I did the first time only I can't always be sure of these things. Goodtimes Eh?

4

[mark f]

If you've never seen Doris Day before, you should check out both Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back where she played opposite Rock Hudson. I enjoy That Touch of Mink (3.5), but I give those two earlier films both 4.

http://girlheadquarters.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/pillowtalk.jpg
Pillow Talk

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/images/pics/shrinkingcloset2.jpg
Lover Come Back

The Hairy Ape (Alfred Santell, 1944) 2.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/The_Hairy_Ape.jpg/180px-The_Hairy_Ape.jpg

William Bendix gives one of his more memorable performances in this adaptation of a Eugene O'Neill play. It's something like a twisted version of Beauty and the Beast, but somewhere along the line, it goes a bit too soft. Bendix plays a macho stoker who works on a steamship. He's hard-drinking and two-fisted, but he sees a beautiful woman (the young Susan Hayward) and falls for her. Unfortuately, she sees him as less-than-human and tells that to his face. The film has some strong violent scenes throughout, but when it builds to its conclusion, it almost turns into a comedy, which basically cuts down much of the earlier power. Even so, it's worth watching if you want to see Bill with his shirt off. :cool:

Jamaica Inn (Alfred Hitchcock, 1939) 2.5

http://www.mooncove.com/newton/images/jamca7.jpg

Hitch's last film before he went Hollywood begins atmospherically enough, but eventually it bogs down in the details of a plot which is far too predictable. In the early 19th century, plundering murderers lure ships to their doom by blocking the light from a Cornwall lighthouse. The gang then proceeds to steal all the cargo and murder the crews. Into this scenario, a beautiful teenage orphan(Maureen O'Hara) arrives to stay with family at the feared title lodge, but she first meets a rich nobleman (Charles Laughton) who's not exactly a guardian angel. Eventually, she learns that she's in the middle of a band of cutthroats and struggles to save herself and any others possible. There are a few Hitchcockian flourishes, but the hand is played a bit too early for the suspense to be as strong as usual.

Song of the South (Harve Foster & Wilfred Jackson, 1946) 4

Reviewed shortly here. http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=418122&postcount=22

[linespalsy]

The Bourne Supremacy 3.5
The Bourne Ultimatum 3.5
A Touch of Zen 2.5
Hackers 2

[Piddzilla]

Idi i smotri / Come and See (1985 - Elem Klimov)

This is one of the best war films I've ever seen. And I think I have Malick with me on that one... Has anyone else seen Klimovs masterpiece?

[mark f]

Here are some comments about it:

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=392002&postcount=37

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=392084&postcount=38

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=393659&postcount=6118

[birdygyrl]

The Other Boleyn Girl - 4/5

[witts]

The Kingdom (Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

[Mrs. Darcy]

Bonnie and Clyde



4

[witts]

Ocean's 12 (George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/3.5box.gif

[jrs]

Penelope 4

[Mr.Nobody]

The Entertainer:
This was one of those movies that are good, But drags at points. This movie tells the tale of a vaudville star that is long past his glory and all he has left is the women and the booze.Sounds great,right. On the surface perhaps.

The movie is very enjoyable,But there are just quite a few points where the fast foward button doesn't seem like a bad idea.Just stick with it though because it does get better.

Lawrence Olivier is great here in his portrayal as Archie Rice. His deliver on Vaudeville comedy is spot on and he plays the role convincingly. The one thing that stands out in the whole film is his performance. Especially during the scene where the crowd is gone and he delivers a great monolouge.

Overall,an enjoyable slow pace movie. It could have moved a little bit faster,But the film was fine and worth a watch for Olivier's performance.

[witts]

Snatch (Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones, Benicio Del Toro)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif

[Powdered Water]

Operation Petticoat, another Cary Grant film. This time with Tony Curtis and a pink submarine. Had some pretty funny moments but overall it wasn't great. 3


Now this was interesting...

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/TheFinalCountdownDVD.jpg

Never heard of it, my Dad brought it home awhile back and it was pretty good. I really liked the way it ended. 3.5

[adidasss]

http://www.amptoons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/taxi_to_the_dark_side.jpg

Essential viewing for all Americans.
5

[adidasss]

http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/7/66317-large.jpg

Yawn. God, please send me a good Asian film, it's been so freakin' long...:(
3

[witts]

You & Your Stupid Mate (unfinished)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/0_5box.gif

Do not ever. Watch. This movie.

[jrs]

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/Posters/th_poster_southland-final-poster.jpg

2 - The star studded cast couldn't save this poorly executed, piece of nonsense

[DeftDelivery]

The Simpsons Movie - 3/5 stars

[Iroquois]

You & Your Stupid Mate (unfinished)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/0_5box.gif

Do not ever. Watch. This movie.

I don't think anyone outside Australia would anyway.

[jrs]

You & Your Stupid Mate (unfinished)
http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/0_5box.gif

Do not ever. Watch. This movie.

Thank God this wasn't shown in the states. And you said you saw an unfinished version? Man , from what I read on this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375222/), you should be glad you didn't see the whole thing.

[adidasss]

Ugetsu Monogatari - Kenji Mizoguchi
http://pixhost.eu/avaxhome/avaxhome/2007-11-20/ugetsu3yw.jpg

Sigh, I don't even know what to say. I think it's fair to say I'm generally not fond of older films, so it takes a masterpiece 20 years ahead of its time to impress me...this one ain't it. Plus, I hate films with a "moral".:rolleyes:

3.5

[Mrs. Darcy]

North By Northwest

Awesome. Great screenplay and camera work. I still get tense every time I watch it.


"You're police, aren't you? Or is it FBI?"
"FBI, CIA, ONI... we're all in the same alphabet soup."

5

[Iroquois]

Mulholland Dr. - 3.5

[undercoverlover]

The unknown (1927) - only watched the first half an hour but wanted to know if anyone else saw this lon chaney/tod browning horror?

[Mrs. Darcy]

This is Spinal Tap


Hilarious. I especially liked when Derek got stuck in his little pod onstage.

4

[mark f]

The unknown (1927) - only watched the first half an hour but wanted to know if anyone else saw this lon chaney/tod browning horror?

Oh yes, I've seen it. It's very bizarre and actually reminded me of Santa Sangre. I'm not sure that I actually like it, but it's a trip and should be watched. Browning and Chaney certainly shared a twisted sensibility. (They made 10 silent films together.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjoae0aD4XM

[Powdered Water]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/249047.jpg

Thank goodness for Playstation is all I can say
here. These really cheap DVD's tend to not like to play on all three of my other players but as of today there has been only one disc that refused to load up on my Playstation 2. Best. System. Ever.

So, Cult Horror Collection eh? You're saying to yourself: "Here come some real humdingers..." You are correct! These aren't *campy* films so I can't give these *campy* ratings. These are however rather bad films, so do I bother giving these real ratings... I think not. I think this little fella right here will fit the bill nicely. :eek: So 5 of those little guys means its an especially good 'un ya dig?

Don't Look In The Basement (1973) :eek::eek::eek:

Memorial Day Massacre (1988) :eek::eek:

It Happened At Nightmare Inn (1970) :eek::eek::eek:

I'll be watching these all weekend so keep it tuned right here folks!

[linespalsy]

Mom and Dad Save the World 3.5
Stay Alive 1.5 (this is a rather forgiving rating)
Baby Geniuses - can't rate this as I haven't finished it. I've tried twice but haven't made it through more than a half-hour in sum total. Some day I might finish it but it's awful.

I also re-watched a couple favorites that are coming up on my top 100 so I won't write about them yet.

[adidasss]

http://www.cinemaretro.com/uploads/therewillbeblood.JPG
Hated the last 20 minutes...
4

[mark f]

Berlin Alexanderplatz (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1980) Final Rating:4

http://www.fassbinderfoundation.de/en/bilder/filme/40.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2003814475_ef00e837ee.jpg

This thread is the third part of my review of this epic 15 1/2 hour mini-series/film. The first sections are here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=411729&highlight=alexanderplatz#post411729) and here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=414858&highlight=alexanderplatz#post414858). I have watched it about 2 1/2 times so far.

I'm mostly concentrating on the two-hour epilogue here. I will admit that even taken in the context of the previous 13 1/2 hours, the epilogue is disappointing, and I can't give it any more than 3, which may be generous. It just seems more pretentious and intentionally over-the-top than the film proper, which doesn't overly concern itself with symbolism and surrealism. It also seems far too long for what it's trying to convey, so it suffers from overkill by rubbing the viewer's nose in some things which were better left implied in the first 13 episodes. I mean, when Franz is being crucified, and his mother Mary (Brigitte Mira, Franz's landlady) is holding a doll of Baby Franz wearing a swastika, and then an atomic bomb goes off in the background, it's a strange combo of bravura filmmaking and incredible vulgarity.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews33/a%20berlin%20alexanderplatz/sep%20alexPDVD_006.jpg

There is still much to be impressed about in this epilogue. At the end of the 13th episode, Franz was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and the gist of this epilogue is that Franz is taken to a mental hospital and appears to have dreams involving all the characters from the earlier part of the film. There are also two Angels (Helmut Griem and Margit Carstensen) who are following Franz around, discussing whether he is worth saving, considering his ordinariness. The first 15 minutes of the epilogue are very stylish with dead and living characters interacting with Franz in a Twilight Zone version of Alexanderplatz. The camerawork, staging and art direction are all quite striking here. There is also an original use of a spinning camera projected onto a background in a boxing ring during a later scene involving a fight between Franz and Reinhold which should not only have your head spinning, but maybe your mind being blown.

http://twi-ny.com/momafilm2.jpg
Writer/Director/Narrator Fassbinder (one of the few times you will see him without a cigarette)

The middle part of the epilogue is where the brutality and sex seem to take over and result in scenes which go on far after their potency has ceased. However, it's also in this part that Fassbinder does introduce anachronistic use of modern music, and I believe that this does work. Along with appropriate period music and some older classical and opera pieces, you will hear songs by the Velvet Underground, Elvis Presley, Kraftwerk, Janis Joplin, Donovan, Leonard Cohen and Dean Martin.

Overall, the epilogue cannot dilute the power of the first 13 episodes, plus there are enough scenes which actually add to its meaning that I can take the overblown stuff. For every scene set in a slaughterhouse with humans as the slaughtered, there is a thoughtful scene such as the one where Reinhold explains his relationships with women to his prison cellmate. Reinhold has formed a deep love for this man and cannot understand his feelings although he certainly acts on them. When Reinhold says that he'll be lost when the man is released in two days, it's just about the first time that he reveals any warmth or love for anyone in the entire movie, and it definitely adds to the already complex nature of his character.

If anyone missed it and is interested, I have a mini review of a 1931 version of Berlin Alexanderplatz right here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=417968&highlight=alexanderplatz#post417968). Maybe I can get Yoda or somebody to combine these up, and I can start my own thread or put it in the Reviews section. :)

[witts]

Inside Man (Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen)
4

Pledge This! (Paris Hilton)
1

[linespalsy]

Grindhouse (double feature version was available on the Starz/on-demand service which I temporarily have, so...): Planet Terror: 3, Death Proof: 2, overall: 2.5.
Vacancy 2.5
Mystery Men (watching it right now, second or third time) 3.5

[Lennon]

House of Wax (remake) 3, best thing Paris Hilton did, was die!

[witts]

I remember when that came out, people were walking around with shirts, advertising the movie:
They said "See Paris Die!"

[Lennon]

Totally worth the $8 just to see that scene

[witts]

It was beheading, was it not?

300 posts!

[Lennon]

No, it twas a pole in the head I belive

[witts]

Something to do with head.
How appropriate ;)

[jrs]

Something to do with head.
How appropriate ;)

Notice how many people responded to that.:rolleyes:

[witts]

Literally, none.
Although, Lennon did comment me.
I apologise if I offended.

[Tacitus]

These really cheap DVD's tend to not like to play on all three of my other players but as of today there has been only one disc that refused to load up on my Playstation 2. Best. System. Ever.



I can vaguely remember Sony pushing the PS2 as a home media centre at the time of its release but they must have done it really quietly because I bought a PS2 and a DVD player over the same weekend in late 2000/early 2001. I obviously had more money than sense in those days.

PS3s are still cheaper than all but the cheapest standalone Blu Ray players over here and I didn't make the same mistake again - as soon as I bought my PS3 I got the media remote. ;)

This just goes to show that I've now got as much money as I have sense. Pity I'm broke, really...

[Powdered Water]

Continuing with our little Horrorfest we have:

The Demon (1976)
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/216V25HMQ9L_AA140_.jpg

It's interesting to probably no one except me how certain films attain a "cult" status and others simply go by the wayside and get forgotten. This film made almost 2 years earlier than Halloween in a lot of ways is the same film. In this one instead of a Doctor from an insane Asylum there is a Psychic and instead of slashing all of his victims to death he likes to put bags over their heads. He does wear a mask and even the famous scene where he lifts a person off the floor is done in this earlier film. This film however doesn't have the "catchy" little theme song and so I guess its not as good. To me though I think its as good and maybe better than Halloween simply because it was done before it. To those of you that think Halloween is this great "cult" film I challenge you to see this one and then try to convince me that Carpenter isn't just a rip-off hack.

I give this film 4 Eeks: :eek::eek::eek::eek:

The Hatchet Murders (1975)

Truly a terrible movie and when I say it, that's really saying something. Couldn't get all the way through it.

Only one eek: :eek:

Pieces (1983)

Trying to cash in on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre fad, and did an Ok job of it.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

[mark f]

The Hatchet Murders (1975)

Truly a terrible movie and when I say it, that's really saying something. Couldn't get all the way through it.

Only one eek: :eek:

That's too bad. That one is the butchered, dubbed, American version of Dario Argento's best flick, Profondo Rosso.

http://www.occhirossi.it/LocandineHorror/profondo-rosso.jpg

[Monkeypunch]

Into The Wild :up: :up: (I don't know how to do the popcorn bucket ratings) - This is a totally moving and heart-rending film. I am duly impressed and it belongs on my list of best movies from 2007.

[Lennon]

Into The Wild :up: :up: (I don't know how to do the popcorn bucket ratings)
if it was five star it would be this, [rating]5[*rating] except replace the asterisk with this: /

[Ðèstîñy]

The Silent Partner (1979)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V7-Sb2EKL._AA240_.jpg

A great movie, starring Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, John Candy . . .

Christopher Plummer was downright evil.

I didn't quite get why that one place allowed Plummer back in, and they acted as though he always treats the ladies that way. I swear you could hear the wall crackling behind her head. "You've gone too far this time, Reikle." This time? Whatever!

Now, Elliot Gould did seem like the quite type, that wouldn't get into anything. So when he went outside, called Plummer back on the phone, and told him to go f@ck himself . . . that was too cool. Underestimated, indeed. He was very intelligent, and slick at getting out of every bad situation he found himself in. From the maid cleaning out the refrigerator/losing the keys, to Elaine's murder/disposing of her. Why she kept pushing Harry, is beyond me. She knew he would/could kill her, so why in the world would she do that? I'd sooner play dumb, just a little longer.

Again, Cullen was intelligent, but even I noticed that there was no way in this world she worked at the nursing home. His father was mute. So how in the hell was he telling her all these details about his son!?! Especially the one on how he was so proud of him, for the way he handled the robbery. I don't think so!

As far as the ending, the way Cullen set him up at the end, was trick. Plummer's facial expression was priceless, too. I don't know if Cullen was suppose to be acting as though he thought the robber was a female, or not, but he first said, "Be careful,he's got a gun.", "He's got a gun, Frank!" and then "Where is she?" "Is she dead?" They ended the movie, so that slip-up wouldn't catch up to him anyway. haha

Once the security guard realized it was a man, and sat down beside him . . . "He ... he gave me ... he gave me the banks money." "What the hell did you expect him to give you? His own money?" Too funny!

The last mystery would be, was it Candy's baby? . . . Fa la la la la I don't think so! Who am I kidding. Every sexual situation in that movie, was confusing.

[Yoda]

Nice little mini-marathon yesterday, with three films that have no real theme or connection to one another, other than the fact that each of their titles are comprised of a single word: Laura, Once, and Jaws.

[Holden Pike]

A great movie, starring Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, John Candy... Christopher Plummer was downright evil.

http://www.thestopbutton.com/_Media/SilentPartner_sidebar.jpeg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:cCQzZ7r4E17r5M:http://www.northernstars.ca/posters/1978/the_silent_partner_150.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:f9r2Yj9fKAaf4M:http://www.cinemorgue.com/celinelomez1.jpg

Yes, The Silent Partner is truly underrated and very underseen. Maybe because it was a Canadian production, maybe because Gould's star was falling too quickly or even because its mix of humor and thrills was a little ahead of its time in some ways, but whatever the reasons it's a movie begging to be rediscovered. I love it, but I do think it has a couple tone shift problems here and there, and I agree that the true motive and identity of the character you had an issue with in your spoilers there Ðèstîñy is a bit easy to spot as an audience and probably Gould's character should have been smarter about it. But even with its flaws it is a very satisfying flick, lots of fun.

The screenplay was adapted by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, Wonder Boys), one of his first credits. The director, Daryl Duke, went to have some success in American TV with the hit mini-series "The Thorn Birds" (1983) and "Tai-Pan" (1986) and he directed a great early '70s cult classic Payday (1973) that has the great Rip Torn's best performance.

I'm very happy The Silent Partner was finally released on R1 DVD last year, but I absolutely hate the cover they slapped on it. The image of three faceless guys in Reservoir Dogs or Ocean's Twelve style suits walking on a gigantic hundred dollar United States bill has absolutely NOTHING to do with the movie. It's just a sad attempt to sell it as a generic "heist" movie. Why that is some marketing idiot's idea of being better than selling the movie as what it actually is, I couldn't tell you. There was one very provocative and interesting poster for the film that had Christopher Plummer in his Santa Claus disguise brandishing a .45 automatic pistol. THAT is the way to make somebody stop and pick it up in the bins at Best Buy or WAL-MART, not by making it as generic as possible.

http://www.dvdplanet.com/images/MuzeDVDCovers/16/966616.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V7-Sb2EKL._SS500_.jpg) http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:O8rC7PZ5KfEnrM:http://www.hotmoviesale.com/dvds/24896/1/Silent-Partner.jpg

And by the way, if you go to rent this from Netflix or someplace like that, don't accidentally get the 2005 movie called Silent Partner with Tara Reid.

[Pyro Tramp]

Diary of the Dead

After the over budgetedLand of the Dead, Diary is the exact place for Romero to go, independent. It's biggest weakness is the inevitable Cloverfield comparisons (and another similar little Brit-Zom flick) but i do believe it was in production before Cloverfield. It's unfortunate since Romero pumps Diary full of his wry commentary using the the similar technique that Cloverfield uses only as a gimmick. Ultimately that's what Diary of the Dead is, an open field for Romero to critique our media saturated culture, however it's negativity is blown out of proportion i felt. Regardless, it's still a top notch zombie flick full of Romero's ironic self reflexivity and it has a lot of fun with it's adopted POV perspective, with the film edited to favour the editor in arguments for example. Even in genre terms it manages to have increasingly inventive death scenes, though at times leaves the verisimilitude uneven- a deaf, dynamite throwing Amish farmer stands out, while providing an enjoyable interlude it does ruin the diegesis.

4

[Ðèstîñy]

I'm very happy The Silent Partner was finally released on R1 DVD last year, but I absolutely hate the cover they slapped on it. The image of three faceless guys in Reservoir Dogs or Ocean's Twelve style suits walking on a gigantic hundred dollar United States bill has absolutely NOTHING to do with the movie. It's just a sad attempt to sell it as a generic "heist" movie. Why that is some marketing idiot's idea of being better than selling the movie as what it actually is, I couldn't tell you. There was one very provocative and interesting poster for the film that had Christopher Plummer in his Santa Claus disguise brandishing a .45 automatic pistol. THAT is the way to make somebody stop and pick it up in the bins at Best Buy or WAL-MART, not by making it as generic as possible.

http://www.dvdplanet.com/images/MuzeDVDCovers/16/966616.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V7-Sb2EKL._SS500_.jpg)


I agree. I can't find a print of it on-line, but I much prefer that cover. When I made my post, I wondered why they had three men, in black suits, walking about with guns.
Even the old VHS covers look better . . .

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AKA75X2HL._AA280_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21aXd%2BBQlKL._AA140_.jpg

http://www.northernstars.ca/posters/1978/the_silent_partner_150.jpg

This poster picture, that you had posted above, was a funny scene. It's the mail-slot, yes?

When he was running back and forth, trying to block the door, I thought, "Baby, as fast as you can move that furniture, he's getting in if he wants to.

[Powdered Water]

That's too bad. That one is the butchered, dubbed, American version of Dario Argento's best flick, Profondo Rosso.

http://www.occhirossi.it/LocandineHorror/profondo-rosso.jpg

Yeah it is a terrible hack job, there are several of these dubbed chopped up films in these sets I'm watching and none of them offer the original dialog in whatever language they were originally in. I can't expect too much for $9.99 though I guess. On a side note some of these dubbed films aren't too bad, I don't watch these (dubbed films) as a rule but some are just so old and silly that it actually makes them a little more enjoyable. I'm a sad little man I know, but whatareyougonnado?

Anyway I've been watching these all day and needed a break so here's some more.

Night of Bloody Horror (1974)

This was actually pretty good for the most part, touted (according to the box and the box never lies ;)) as the goriest movie of its time, about a former mental patient who suffers from amnesia and several of his girlfriends keep ending up dead. Of course hilarity ensues and I won't spoil the ending.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

Horror Rises From The Tomb (1972) Or, Espanto Surge de la tumba, El


It appears to be from Spain and it was quite good in spite of the dubbing. Some day when I grow up I will probably track down the original version of this as it was very enjoyable.

Eek Factor: :eek::eek::eek:

The Devil's Nightmare (1971) Or, Plus longue nuit du diable, La

Now this was pretty frigging great! In a really bad sort of way. I liked it a lot. Another that I may find the original version of someday.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek::eek:

The House on the Edge of the Park (1980) Or, Casa sperduta nel parco, La

A lot of violence towards women in this film, more low grade torture horror than actual horror.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:

[Sci-Fi-Guy]

Wow.:eek:
Borrowed these two off a friend...

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/3598/loosechangedvdbo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9337/terrorstormjr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Damn.
Makes you think... :skeptical:

[mark f]

Google doesn't even have the cover of my VHS box of The Silent Partner.

[mark f]

The Big Clock (John Farrow, 1948) 3.5

http://www.cinepad.com/filmnoir/bigclock.jpg
(Publicity Photo)

This is a very strong screenplay, directed well by Mia's dad, John Farrow, which tightens the screws at every turn and becomes one of the best classic thrillers ever made. I personally enjoy the added humor which is occasionally interjected, but I can think of a few members here who may unfortunately find it to be "cheesy", although I hope I'm wrong. I just find it difficult to believe that people don't want their films to have some modicum of wit and humor, but I continue to learn things daily. Basically, the plot has Ray Milland having to hunt down who murdered a woman in the huge building which houses the business of his boss (Charles Laughton). All the evidence points to the fact that Milland did it himself, but the audience already knows who did it. This is a terrific Hitchcockian flick which also co-stars Mia's mom, Maureen O'Sullivan. This film uses elevators much better than most movies, and it was later remade as the Kevin Costner film, No Way Out.

The Darjeeling Limited (Wes Anderson, 2007) 3

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200710051488.jpg

I realize that many people love Wes Anderson, but he's never made a great film as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, although his movies seem to retread many of the same themes, I've never found any of his films weak enough to not recommend for the more adventurous viewer. This film begins a bit too preciously, and I was starting to think that maybe he had completely lost it. I mean, there's only so much of the quirky characters I can take, especially when the film seems to be a comedy with almost no laughs. However, about halfway through the film, the tone changes (at least to me), and it starts to get more serious and hook up a bit with the characters' past. Although I wouldn't call it a total success, if you are open to offbeat stories set in exotic locales, I'd say to give this flick a chance. I may actually find it to be Anderson's most likeable film, even if I hated Part One [The Hotel Chevalier, (The Darjeeling Limited Part I)], the short film which precedes "Part 2".

[Holden Pike]

I may actually find [The Darjeeling Limited] to be Anderson's most likeable film, even if I hated Part One [The Hotel Chevalier, (The Darjeeling Limited Part I)], the short film which precedes "Part 2".

Wow.

I love "The Hotel Chevalier". As much as I love Rushmore and Tenenbaums and all of Wes' stuff so far, I think it is his most perfect bit of film yet. It's an absolutely perfect short story. Perfect. You get everything you need to know about the past and future of these two characters in regards to the arc of their love affair in a few minutes, plus all the kind of attention to detail and music to create a moment and tone that Anderson does so brilliantly in his features. I agree with you with just about everything you said about Darjeeling, but couldn't disagree more about "The Hotel Chevalier".

http://horsesthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/hotel.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:PTjtsXcOW739OM:http://productshopnyc.com/htdocs/hotel-chevalier-thumb.jpg

[Iroquois]

Spartan - 2

[Caitlyn]

No Country For Old Men - (2007) - still trying to decide where to rate this one...

[mark f]

Wow.

I love "The Hotel Chevalier". As much as I love Rushmore and Tenenbaums and all of Wes' stuff so far, I think it is his most perfect bit of film yet. It's an absolutely perfect short story. Perfect. You get everything you need to know about the past and future of these two characters in regards to the arc of their love affair in a few minutes, plus all the kind of attention to detail and music to create a moment and tone that Anderson does so brilliantly in his features. I agree with you with just about everything you said about Darjeeling, but couldn't disagree more about "The Hotel Chevalier".

http://horsesthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/hotel.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:PTjtsXcOW739OM:http://productshopnyc.com/htdocs/hotel-chevalier-thumb.jpg

I'll watch it again, but my first impression is that it tries too hard to be like Bertolucci by straining for mood and effect over substance.

[Yoda]

That's interesting, Mark; when I was watching The Dreamers a couple weeks back, it reminded me of The Hotel Chevalier. I've seen the latter twice, but can't really form a strong opinion either way. I like it just fine, and don't have any specific complaints at the moment. But it didn't exactly move me, either. If efficiently summarizing a relationship in a short period of time is brilliant, then I guess it's brilliant, though that seems too modest a goal to be amazed by.

I did like it, though...but having seen it by itself, and in front of the film, I think it's better with the film.

"That was a pretty long pause."

[Powdered Water]

Yongary Monster from the Deep, a Godzilla rip-off and not altogether a terrible one. Still pretty cheesy overall. 2

Lust, Caution, pretty damn fine movie right there. 4

[Monkeypunch]

Yongary Monster from the Deep, a Godzilla rip-off and not altogether a terrible one. Still pretty cheesy overall. 2


Ooh, that sounds like something I'd like to watch. LOL.

[Powdered Water]

Ooh, that sounds like something I'd like to watch. LOL.

I guess its Korean and he's got a little spike on his nose, wait here he is...

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/yongarydance.jpg

This is shortly after he was almost poisoned to death and then as he begins to recover he inexplicably starts dancing. If you can dig that! :eek:

[Monkeypunch]

I guess its Korean and he's got a little spike on his nose, wait here he is...

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/yongarydance.jpg

This is shortly after he was almost poisoned to death and then as he begins to recover he inexplicably starts dancing. If you can dig that! :eek:

That sounds unbelievably awesome. :eek: I must check that out.

If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend War of the Gargantuas. It's one of the most ludicrous japanese giant monster flicks I've ever seen.

http://www.videoterror.com/COVERS/WAROFTHEGARGANTUAS.jpg.

[undercoverlover]

Night and Fog - 1956 documentary on concentration camps, incredibly emotive and horrifying, difficult to watch and not one im keen to watch again

Right now watching Demolitian Man - totally awesome, 3 sea shells he he

[adidasss]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/morbs/Maurice.jpg

Possibly the best Merchant-Ivory film I've seen. Quite mesmerizing.http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/sir.gif

5

[undercoverlover]

The Princess Bride - havent seen it in years, it was just as good as i remembered it. 'My name is Inigo Montoya...'

[Mrs. Darcy]

Spartacus

"I'm Spartacus!"

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fthisdistractedglobe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2007%2F01%2FSpartacus3.jpg&moduleId=image_details.jsp.M&clickedItemDescription=Image Details

4

[Powdered Water]

Bloody Pit of Horror (1965) Or, Boia scarlatto, Il

These just get better and better depending on your meaning of the word anyway. This baby was Italian in origin and the folks that dubbed it must not really have known much Italian because they just had the main villain keep repeating "I'm the crimson executioner!" :laugh: My god these are really something, this is another that I may find the original version of someday.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

Horrors of Spider Island (1959) Or, Ein Toter hing im Netz

My sweety nailed this one! We've been playing this little game while watching all these old horror movies, we try to figure out what language they were in originally by watching their mouths. Great Game huh? :p Anyway, quite a bit of almost nudity for 1959 and that's about it, there were a couple of enlarged spiders but then they disappeared and I was sad. :yup:

Eek factor: :eek::eek:

Hitman, was pretty crap I guess. Certainly not as good as any of the Bourne movies but it was alright at times.
2

[undercoverlover]

goodbye Lover - Ellen Degenres, patricia arquette, dermot mulroney and mary louise parker appear in this weird kill for inheritance screw over story which was weirdly funny. ellen should do more movies, she has a weird movie comedy style.

[linespalsy]

The Incredibles 4 yeah, this is still really good, but to be honest I'm a little sick of it after this, my 6th or 7th time through. I think if I had the chance I would strike it off my top 100 now. Meanwhile, Monsters Inc. is still as fun now as any other time I've watched it.
Le Samourai 2.5. OK, not as good as either Le Cercle Rouge or Elevator to the Gallows, which I've seen recently.

[Powdered Water]

No Country For Old Men (2007)

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/no_country_for_old_men_coen.jpg

I guess a *WOW!* is in order here. It is pretty difficult for me to put films like this into some kind of coherent thoughts that I can then relay to you. I'll try though. If you like your movies all wrapped up in neat little tidy packages with shiny happy endings then this one is not for you. I thought that only Eastwwod as an American film maker was able to capture just how untidy life really is. Not anymore. I need to go re-watch Blood Simple and Miller's Crossing and see if they are this good, maybe they are and I missed it. Fargo is really close but at times it was so funny that I was able to take it a lot more lightly even though it was a pretty sad story.

I may be to far gone for the Coen Brother's at this point to be able to really judge, but now having seen it, I really think they should have been given several more Oscars. I am truly delighted that Javier Bardem won one because he was just completly riveting wasn't he? Tommy Lee Jones just shows that once again guys that can really act sometimes get a little forgotten. Did you know he used to be a welder? Maybe that's why I can dig him so much, he used to be a working stiff just like I am now and he brings so much of that feeling to the table when he acts. I just simply *click* with him. If you're looking for a modern day masterpiece then I say you've found it. This is probably going to end up in my top 10 someday.

5

[Mrs. Darcy]

The Rat Race (1960)

Very nice drama with Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds. Tony is a nice midwestern boy that meets up with a world-weary Debbie in New York city. The plot was predictable, but well done and thankfully, not overly sweet.

3.5

[mark f]

I still have to write mini-reviews of Paris, Je T'aime, Into the Wild, eXistenZ and Solaris (1972), but it won't be tonight. I'm pretty sure that Into the Wild is the best one, and I recommend it if you can grab it as a rental and watch it on the most theatrical screen you can. (This isn't a slam at the others though.)

[witts]

Azur And Asmar or Azur et Asmar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3CpzO0JOO4

Having to watch this for a French excursion was a delight.
A magical little film, animated beautifully and captivating - I recommend you get a copy of this film & find it.

The story is about two young boys who both grow up to be princes who are after the same thing - La fée des djins. (The Djinn Fairy)
It goes on to see them in their travels, travelling and fighting off various enemies.

If you're looking for a fantastic foreign film that kids & adults alike should enjoy, watch Azur et Asmar. It's truly wonderful.

4.5

[adidasss]

http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/0/30410-large.jpg

Can't really rate it because I understood only a fraction of the dialog and have only barely acquainted myself with the plot prior to watching it so I would at least understand a bit of what was going on. Visually it's quite beautiful.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006ADES.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Quite dull I have to say. The taste of cherry was far better.
3

[Iroquois]

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - 4

[Powdered Water]

More Horrorlicious...

Sisters of Death (1976)

Eek factor: :eek:

Terror Creatures From the Grave (1966) Or, 5 tombe per un medium

Not to good and not to bad, another Italian film.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:

[Pyro Tramp]

Be interested to hear your thoughts on eXistenZ, Mark.

[Swedish Chef]

On a bit of a John Cusack kick right now...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/Martin_Blank.JPG/200px-Martin_Blank.JPG

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
4.5

High Fidelity (2000)
3

The Road to Wellville (1994)
3

1408 (2007)
1

[mark f]

Reel Paradise (Steve James, 2005) 3

http://www.moviecitynews.com/static_images/images/2006/200x300/reel_paradise.jpg

Director James (Hoop Dreams, Stevie) follows the year-long exploits of John Pierson, "The Guru of Independent Film", as he and his family live on the remote Fiji island of Tavenui and show Hollywood films for free to the native population. Things don't go exactly as planned, as the film shows the Pierson clan to be highly dysfunctional and victims of a robbery, but everybody certainly loves the movies being shown. Well, everybody but the censors and the Catholic Church. It's a strange combo of a reality series, an examination of Fijian customs and their broad knowledge of our current world, and an homage to the simple joys of film.


For All Mankind (Al Reinert, 1989) 3.5

http://www.kk.org/truefilms/archives/for_mankind.shot.jpg

This is an eerie, spectacular compilation of scenes, all photographed up close and personal by NASA, detailing Man's trip to the Moon during the flights of Apollo 8 through Apollo 17. The astronauts "narrate" the film, in their own words, reacting to the awe, joy, fear and pride they feel in being able to participate in this science fact story which plays out far more incredibly than any science fiction film. Although some will remember or have seen many of the jaw-dropping iimages on display here, it's really quite something to see the best of them all assembled into an order which allows the viewer to experience their own trip to the moon along with the men who did it and returned.

http://static.flickr.com/52/131685123_dee8ef59cb_o.jpg

Interestingly enough, Sexy reviewed a similar film today right here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=420345&postcount=48).

[Lennon]

The Girl Next Door 4 A LOT funnier than I thought

[linespalsy]

http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/0/30410-large.jpg

Can't really rate it because I understood only a fraction of the dialog and have only barely acquainted myself with the plot prior to watching it so I would at least understand a bit of what was going on. Visually it's quite beautiful.

I've watched that twice in the last couple weeks, it is a favorite of mine. I understand the plot and dialog, and reading the tempest beforehand helps because the movie really takes the dramatization of the text for granted by having almost every line monologued by Sir John Gielgud. The harder part to get than the text is the network of visual references and metaphors spun by Greenaway/Gielgud/Vierny. I've only yet picked out a handful of external references on my own, and much of it seems to be so laborious that it probably was never meant to be fully apprehended. I've read and heard some accusations of pretentiousness leveled at the movie, some of which is probably accurate and maybe even intended, other strangely focus on things that aren't even all that difficult to understand. Some of it seems to be an exhaustive allegorical list. Plus, it is about a bitter old magician/scholar/scientist in exile who plays some really mean and elaborate pranks on people who done him wrong (and some who ain't never) just so he can condescend to forgive them, so it's not like it needs to be all austere and o'er earnest, and as far as offering a bewildering hall of mirrors/maze of illusion it delivers more lavishly than anything, literally anything that I've ever seen. I'm glad you saw it, hope you'll give it another try some time. I think it gets easier with repeat viewings, and the easier it gets, the more you want to keep going back to bask in it's beauteous tendrils.

[mark f]

I'll agree that Prospero's Books is dense, and I believe that is why it seems impenetrable. Now, as a rule, any film you lavish your time upon will become more friendly and easier to understand, but this specific film seems the least likely candidate for a viewer-friendly film of almost any I've ever seen. It is its own curse that it is also highly cinematic, but I find that you need to be on some major downers to be able to meet the film halfway (not ever having tried any major downers...:cool: )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQbQfdMD-4

I'll admit this is a pretty mellow snippet of the film.

[Powdered Water]

The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave (1971) Or, La Notte che Evelyn Usci dalla Tomba

I love how these flicks have like 3 or 4 different titles.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:

The Vampire's Niece (1968) Or Malenka la risposta del vampiro

Or it could be one of about 5 other titles but I think those 2 are right. Anyway, Fantastic Castle in this one. I doubt they really shoot these flicks inside most of these Castles but from the outside shots those places must be amazing to see in person. Not a terrible flick either.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

House of Frankenstein (1944)

Boris Karloff, John Carradine and Lon Chaney Jr. couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again. Wow! This was great and it was terrible (kind of an ongoing theme here I guess) and sadly just barely over an hour long.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

[Iroquois]

Planet Terror - 3.5
Death Proof - 2

[Caitlyn]

The Godfather ~ 4/5
Forest Gump ~ 4/5
The Crow ~ 4/5
The Terminator ~ 4/5

[Piddzilla]

Watched a bit of Kes (1969 - Ken Loach) last night. I was unaware of that it was on and it was pretty late so I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes or so. But the part I saw was amazing. I have to watch the whole film one day. I've only seen a handfull of Loach's films but not one has been weak and most of them has been at least great.

[Thursday Next]

Quadrophenia (1979)

4.5/5 I really, really liked this film. It managed to be comic and tragic, realistic and yet romantic. Highly recommended.

http://www.modernsuede.com/images/Quadrophenia-ride.jpg

[adidasss]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Spellbound_original.jpg
As Hitch put it himself: "Well, it's just another manhunt story wrapped in pseudo-psychology".
It's also a tad misogynistic and downright stupid at times. Did not stand the test of time.
2.5

[Holden Pike]

[Hitchcock's Spellbound is] also a tad misogynistic and downright stupid at times. Did not stand the test of time.

Yes, true, but the Salvador Dali stuff is still way cool, and both Peck and Ingrid are sure enough easy on the eyes.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:e-Nst98RbcikjM:http://www.stomptokyo.com/img-m1/spellbound1.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:lYFszoEXs6fK_M:http://www.robertswriter.net/images/e1.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:37NeckaLPiP4aM:http://www.stomptokyo.com/img-m1/spellbound2.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:qG2uI4eKESCR5M:http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/images/stills/spellbound/dream-eye-cut.jpg

[adidasss]

Indeed.:yup: Too bad they cut a lot of the Dali stuff out, or so says wiki...:\

[linespalsy]

I don't remember the Dali stuff at all (and those pictures are bringing back more memories of un chien andalou than Spellbound). I recall thinking Spellbound was pretty mediocre too, but maybe I'll see it again sometime... I remember none of it, I tell you.

[adidasss]

The Dali dream sequence was very brief, and it sort of got lost in all the kindergarten psychology stuff. :\

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to seeing Rebecca soon, a little birdy tells me it has some lesbian subtext...woot!

[mark f]

I give Spellbound 3. The ending is cinematically fun too. Rebecca is certainly better, but I still think others should watch Spellbound.

[witts]

Scarface (remake)

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/universal_pictures/scarface/scarface_bigboxart.jpg


4.5

[linespalsy]

The Book of Life 2.5

[mark f]

eXistenZ (David Cronenberg, 1999) 2.5

http://www.strangekidsclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/existenz-03-595x335.jpg
Spoilers Everywhere (although, as in most of my mini-reviews, I try not to divulge major plot twists, but in this case... However, the spoilers have more to do with ME than the film :cool: )

OK. I'll admit that I'm late to the eXistenZ party. I've seen basically all of Cronenberg's films, but somewhere along the time I stopped going to many theatrical releases and I had an impressionable daughter, I started missing certain things in cinema. Just to be official, I watched this film with my 16-year-old daughter tonight. She's an aspiring screenwriter/director, but she has only been exposed to A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. In other words, she doesn't really understand the Cronenberg who is obsessed with gooey human-machines or the psychosexual nature which is at the heart and soul of Cronenberg's style and themes.

Another thing I've missed is modern gaming. Oh sure, I played ancient Pong, Pac-Man, DonkeyKong, etc, but I've never played a "game system" of any kind, and I have no desire. Movies are my game system, and that's why I think I can understand this flick as well as any gaming aficionado. Just like Fincher's The Game, which came out a year earlier, this film leaves all kinds of clues scattered about for those who have a mind to interpret.

https://thekingjellyfish.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/existenz-05.jpg?w=584
One other thing I have to mention about Cronenberg's style. No matter how crazy his subject matter (and this is mild compared to Naked Lunch), he always has a way of presenting his stories in a dull manner. Now, please don't misunderstand me here. Cronenberg's films tend to be non-ostentatious and on the low-budget scale. Therefore, most of his films come across in just that manner; sorta low-budget, everyday tales which suddenly transform into horror/sci-fi of the most primordially-disturbing kind. I realize I seem to be avoiding this specific film, but since I believe that Pyro is interested, I'm trying to leave clues for him, sorta like Cronenberg does in this entire movie.

One thing to consider about eXistenZ, and yes, I'm trying to focus now because if I want to get more into Cronenberg specifically, I believe I have to post at another thread, is that Cronenberg is unafraid of rubbing your noses in clues. Although Jude Law's character comes across as extremely interested in all the goings-on at the beginning, he also seems to be a bit dense in the fact that he misses that almost all the major locations in the "film" are named generically: "Southern Gas Station", "Ski Lodge", "Chinese Restaurant". Additionally, some of the actors really look like video game characters; Willem Dafoe obviously looks like a maniacal character from a game/movie (two for one!) and several other characters just look too perfectly coiffed to be real. The outrageous accents of some characters also reminds me of earlier "artificial", yet humorous, films as Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

https://postmediamontrealgazette2.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/existenz-willem-dafoe.jpg?quality=55&strip=all&w=640

One other thing to mention is that I find the film funny. Some of the dialogue and delivery of a few characters are meant to be just as scary/unsettling as they are funny, but I tend to tilt toward the funny side when watching it. Perhaps that's why I may not be giving the film as much love or respect as it may deserve. I do believe that people should watch it, but as with most Cronenberg films, it probably needs added viewings and it depends on the perspective you bring to it.

The actual plot of the film, concerning "rebels", spies, contacts, double agents, mutant reptiles and amphibians, and all having something to do with a world where gaming is far more significant than real life, is probably a satirical comment on our current society. I find it interesting, but it's basically one long chase, and no matter what level you proceed to in the game, it does seem to keep on going. Now, the question is, when all is said and done, is the film nothing but a game where all the clues are placed just to trick you, or does it all actually fit together and make sense when it makes its final "twist"? After watching it twice, I'm not really sure that I care, and that might be partly why I feel ambivalently about the film.

http://i.imgur.com/5ttWykF.gif

I could spend another page on the film's final 10 minutes, but in general, I believe the film is the film, just like the game is the game. If you aren't sure how to respond to the character at the end, about whether or not he has to die, then watch the movie again, at least if you really care.

[witts]

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

5

Supreme.

[adidasss]

I don't remember the Dali stuff at all (and those pictures are bringing back more memories of un chien andalou than Spellbound). I recall thinking Spellbound was pretty mediocre too, but maybe I'll see it again sometime... I remember none of it, I tell you.

The Dali stuff, yay for youtube and copyright infringement!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzMF4EuVUi4

[mark f]

The Last Mogul (Barry Avrich, 2005) 3.5

http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/cover_art3/lastmogulwasserman.jpg

I seem to be on a documentary kick in the last few days. This film explains, even if you've never heard of Lew Wasserman, why he was considered the most powerful man in Hollywood for decades. Maybe one of the reasons that he's not that well known in general circles is because he was fastidious about never writing anything down, keeping any records or doing any interviews of any kind. In fact, the only time we hear Wasserman in this film is when he accepts his Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars from presenter (and client) Alfred Hitchcock in 1974.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/071010/singer_l.jpg

Lew Wasserman grew up in the Red Light District of Cleveland during the teens and twenties, surrounded by gangsters and prostitutes. One of his first jobs was as an usher at the Hippodrome Theatre, and it was there, he saw what he envisioned his life to become. He watched Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer and saw how the son of a devout Jewish father could make it big in Showbiz. A few years later, when Wasserman met the President of MCA (Music Corporation of America), Jules Stein, his fate in Hollywood seemed to be sealed. Wasserman, a lifelong Democrat, was also close friends with actor Ronald Reagan, and in fact, when Lew took charge of MCA's new project as an agency for entertainers in 1939, his only two clients were Reagan and Hattie McDaniel.

Eventually, Wasserman became the Agent to almost EVERY Hollywood personality, so much so that in the '60s, Attorney General Bobby Kennedy actually went after him for Anti-Trust violations over his monopoly, and he actually crushed MCA. In the long run, it didn't matter because that motivated Wasserman to go political and he eventually became even more powerful. Besides running a reconstituted MCA, he ran Universal Studios during its heyday in the 1970s and was responsible for approving such hits as The Sting, American Graffiti and Jaws.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/protectedimage.php?image=MikeSutton/sting2.jpg

I think I need to shut down now. The film details lots of other juicy tidbits about Wasserman's "possible" connections to the Mob, the way he could make phone calls to Presidents and have FBI investigations quashed, the fact that he was beloved by many prominent people whose entertainment or political careers he mentored, and the fact that he was influential in the growth of the MPAA in the '60s and having LBJ's buddy Jack Valenti take charge of it. Overall, this is a very interesting and entertaining peek into the life of a very powerful, yet also very private man. The most important person in his life was his wife Edy whom he was married to for 65 years up to the time of his death in 2002.

[Mrs. Darcy]

A Walk In the Clouds

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/movie/small/Walk_in_the_clouds_(1995).gif (http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/movie/large/Walk_in_the_clouds_(.jpg)

Keanu Reeves is so pretty...until he opens his mouth. This was beautifully filmed, the music was pleasant, and although Reeves gives a wooden performance, the rest of the cast did fine in their roles.

3

[witts]

Have you ever seen the Celebrity Jeopardy skit on SNL where Keanu Reeves is taken off?

"Keanu Reeves has wagered.. Eleventy billion dollars. That's not even a real number."
"Yet."

"Is this cup of hot tea hot or cold?"
"..Is it.. iced tea?"
"No, it's hot tea!"
"Well then I have no idea."

[Mrs. Darcy]

So he has a sense of humor about himself! That's nice to know. It would be sad if he took himself too seriously.

[witts]

It wasn't him.
It was an actor playing him.
And doing quite well, I might add.

[Monkeypunch]

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie For Theaters -0 Could this film have been any worse? Could it have robbed me of any more of my time? It was painfully bad. It made me want to do this:
http://www.movieforums.com/community/customavatars/avatar41531_2.gif

[witts]

Ha! Clever.

No Country For Old Men

4

Could Javier Bardem be any creepier?

[Monkeypunch]

Ha! Clever.



You do have the best Av on here!:yup:

[witts]

Well thank you.

[Powdered Water]

Warning From Space (1956)

Eek factor: :eek:

Destroy All Planets (1968)

I guess they ran out of ideas for Gamera becuase this one was totally rehashful of his first 2 or 3 movies.

Eek factor::eek:

Monster From A Prehistoric Planet (1967)

Pretty terrible in a mostly good way.
Eek factor: :eek::eek:

The House by the Cemetery (1981) Or, Quella villa accanto al cimitero

Not bad, Kind of a Poltergeist and Amityville Horror type flick.

Eek factor::eek::eek::eek:

I Eat Your Skin (1964)

Zombies man, gotta love 'em even bad ones.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:

[adidasss]

http://www.fusionview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/earth.jpg
Beautiful and heartbreaking.
4.5
http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/media/images/music/dvd/ggallin.jpg
Disturbing.
4
http://srv14.movie-list.net/sexmaniac/img/raisetheredlantern1.jpg
Perfection.
5

[Mrs. Darcy]

American Gangster

Maybe I've seen too many movies in the genre to appreciate this fully. It was fine for what it was, but I felt like I'd seen the characters before, heard the story before, and it wasn't delivered in a new or innovative way.

3

[mark f]

Into the Wild (Sean Penn, 2007) 3.5

http://www.worstpreviews.com/images/intothewild.jpg

The tragic true-life story of Chris McCandless is brought to the screen by writer/producer/director Sean Penn in a meticulous production which not only honors the young man, but enables Penn to fly like the birds with all the flair of the high altitude jets' contrails. I'll try to explain that soon enough, but first off, this film presents, at least to me, Sean Penn's most heartfelt, poetic and personal depiction of his prowess as a filmmaker thus far. Penn basically takes a straightforward, yet heartbreaking story, and impressionistically makes it as complex as he possibly can. But, I believe that the result is so inclusive that most people won't even notice all the gymnastics he actually brought to the powerful story.

In the Spring of 1992, McCandless (who renamed himself Alexander Supertramp) made his way to the wilderness north of Fairbanks, Alaska. This was the culmination of a two-year journey where he rejected all the things which his rich, but unhappy family believed in. This journey is told in parallel lines which are made even more complex by Sean Penn's technique. Basically, one thread of the film follows Chris' story in Alaska, from the time he found the remote "Magic Bus" up through his fate. The other thread shows him graduating from college two years earlier and traveling across the country on his own personal odyssey to find the truth without ever resorting to communicate with his parents (William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden) or his loving younger sister (Jena Malone).


http://movies.sulekha.com/moviepics/intothewild1.jpg

Another way in which the film is told in multiple ways is that McCandless' diary sometimes tells the story, while at other times, his sister narrates their story, which not only includes the loss their parents feel after he disappears, but includes earlier episodes of family tension involving adultery and earlier expressions of disharmony amongst the family before Chris went "into the wild". On his journey, Chris comes across many interesting people who are also living an alternate lifestyle, and he also becomes a true adventurer. Some of the most spectacular scenes in the film, besides those in Alaska, involve his kayaking through the Grand Canyon without a permit or a helmet and his subsequent kayaking trip to the Sea of Cortez.

http://www.catholicexplorer.com/explore4325/bm~pix/into-the-wild~s600x600.jpg

The contradiction which I find in the character is that he obviously rejects his parents' way of life, but he never honestly seems to reject people in general because he comes across far too many giving individuals who want to help him. He seems to have his sights set on a way to "punish" his parents, but his naivete leads him to shortsidedly neglect certain provisions to get himself out of a "no-win" situation. As the film gets closer to the end, Chris' "fellow travelers" reach out to him more and more, none more than the 80-ish Ron (Hal Holbrook), who is a kindred spirit and a truly worthy grandfather for the young man. Looking at things in hindsight, the saddest part of the movie is when Chris leaves Ron.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/071220/into_l.jpg

Basically, Penn uses every technique he can think of to tell this story. Besides using Eddie Vedder's personal songs, he includes plot-pertinent oldies such as "Going Up the Country" and "King of the Road". He also includes fake home movies, split screens, freeze frames, poetic shots of birds and high altitude jets, and they are all meant to show a young man's quest for freedom. Most of us yearn for and dream of getting away from it all, but Chris McCandless actually got literally away from it all, and this film is his memorial. I know that some people dislike Sean Penn because of his politics, but his artistry is evident all over this mostly-unassuming film which is chockful of individuality.

http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Into_the_Wild/emile_hirsch_into_the_wild_movie_image__6_.jpg

[Iroquois]

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/sunshineposterbig.jpg

4.5

[Piddzilla]

Nostalghia (Andrei Tarkovsky - 1983)

Ratatouille (Brad Bird - 2007)

[B-card]

Hellraiser(Clive Barker 1987)-3

The Mist(Frank Darbont 2007)-5

[Powdered Water]

Great review mark, I don't know a thing about Penn's politics and honestly I couldn't care less. I think he's a fantastic film maker and I wish he would make more. I know I'm showing how ignorant I am here but this film is not about the same person that is portrayed in the Grizzly Man film correct? But they did both die right?

[adidasss]

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/i-will-use-google-b4-dump-question-bart.png

;)


Grizzly man was about Timothy Treadwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Treadwell), Into the wild was about Christopher McCandless (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless). One died of starvation, the other was mauled by a bear 11 years later.

[undercoverlover]

First Wives Club - love this movie, Robert Harling really knows how to write womens speech, feels so real

[Mrs. Darcy]

The Darjeeling Limited

I really liked this movie. The dialogue was spare, but true. I could connect to the characters and the journey they were on. The cinematography was well done, the colors brilliant, and the soundtrack was great. I loved the end scene where they're ditching their baggage literally and metaphorically. Well done.

http://ochmonek.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/darjeeling-600.jpg?w=541&h=295 (http://ochmonek.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/darjeeling-600.jpg)

[Piddzilla]

Last Days (Gus Van Sant - 2005)

Nah....

Raising Arizona (Les Coens - 1987)

Yeah!

It was my first time and I loved the wacky almost cartoonish style... I can't believe Cage was only 23 when he did this one.

[adidasss]

http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/chinatown/chinatown-poster01.jpg

First time seeing it.http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/bagonhead.gif
4.5

[Holden Pike]

First time seeing [Chinatown].http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/bagonhead.gif
4.5


http://filmfanatic.org/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/knife.JPG
"Hold it there, Kitty Cat!"


You'd never seen Chinatown?!?

ESCOBAR
You really think I'm stupid, don't
you, Gittes?

GITTES
I don't think about it one way or
the other. But if you want, give
me a day or two, and I'll get
back to you. Now I'd like to go
home.

ESCOBAR
You were following him night and
day. You saw who killed him.
You even took pictures of it.
It was Evelyn Mulwray; she's
been paying you off like a slot
machine ever since.

GITTES
You accusing me of extortion?

ESCOBAR
Absolutely.

GITTES
I don't think I need a day or
two; you're even dumber than
you think I think you are. Not
only that, I'd never extort a nickel
out of my worst enemy, that's where
I draw the line.

[adidasss]

Indeed, there are quite a few classic films I haven't managed to see yet (my lists are quite disgraceful). But with the help of internet theft, I'm hoping to remedy this situation...in the next decade or so...http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/sigh.gif

[Piddzilla]

Indeed, there are quite a few classic films I haven't managed to see yet (my lists are quite disgraceful). But with the help of internet theft, I'm hoping to remedy this situation...in the next decade or so...http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/sigh.gif

Steal Come and See (1985 - Elem Klimov) when you're at it (original title: Idi i smotri).

[adidasss]

I already have...;)

[undercoverlover]

Dont tell mom the babysitters dead - possibly my favourite movie from my childhood, totally awesome. When their mom goes away for 2 months and the babysitter dies, Sue Ellen and her siblings have to fend for themselves. Sue Ellen ends up faking her way into a top job at a fashion agency.

[Powdered Water]

I watched Transformers again and I'm sorry but that movie is just fun to watch.

[ash_is_the_gal]

hello!

okay, the last thing i saw was the Darjeeling Limited. but i've seen oodles of movies since i last posted. i wish i could remember better. i'll cheat later, and go look at my Netflix.

[jrs]

I had no internet for a while, so I had some plenty of free time to catch some movies.......

10,000 B.C. 3_5
Drillbit Taylor 3
Shrooms 2
Horton Hears a Who 4
Doomsday 3
The Bank Job 3
Spiral 2_5
Charlie Bartlett 3_5
27 Dresses 3_5
Cloverfield 5
Superhero Movie 0
Run, Fatboy, Run 4

[Powdered Water]

I had no internet for a while




Egads... What would we do without our DSL and our super lighting quick cable connections. Can you believe that there once was a time when you had to set your rotary telephone down in a receiver to get online? Goodtimes, goodtimes...

[Lennon]

10,000 B.C. 3_5


:eek: :eek: :eek: Even I thought it sucked... and I started the Roland Emmerich appreciation thread!

[Ðèstîñy]

Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) (TV)
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113421/)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511459C22FL._AA240_.jpg

James Woods ~ Danny Davis
Mercedes Ruehl ~ Lael Rubin
Lolita Davidovich ~ Kee McFarlane
Sada Thompson ~ Virginia McMartin
Henry Thomas ~ Ray Buckey
Shirley Knight ~ Peggy Buckey
Mark Blum ~ Wayne Satz
Alison Elliott ~ Peggy Ann Buckey
Chelsea Field ~ Christine Johnson

I know that when these 'based on a true story' movies are made, normally there are scenes added, here and there, to keep the viewers entertained. I don't know what all was added to this one, if any, so I will comment freely, as though it is all fact.

Some spoilers involved, if you haven't seen the film, or know about this trial:

I can't believe the pure hell these people went through, all based on one woman with severe mental problems, one sick-in-the-head woman (Kee McFarlane), who doesn't know squat about dealing with children, and one other woman (Lael Rubin) hell-bent on hanging this entire family, no matter what.

What were these parents thinking? Did they not see any of those videotapes? If I had seen her using those dolls, talking like that to my children, I don't need to tell you where those dolls would have ended up at. How obvious was it, that these children were lying. Coached, in a twisted sort of way. I don't even know who to be more angry at. Those who held back that letter, Kee McFarlane, for being a huge part in creating this enormous lie, and/or the parents . . . As a parent who obviously knows her children a hell of a lot better than any of those people, all I would of had to of done, was ask them. Honestly, I can't imagine them not telling me the moment it would happen.

Ray Buckey did a great job holding up, once he was on the stand. I wasn't sure if he would be able to keep it together.

I loved when Diana Sullivan came in as his witness, of sorts. They were hoping to make him look as though he couldn't have a relationship with a woman. Her testimony was funny. Especially the . . .
"It's not the language I would have used."
"What language would you have used?"
"I would have said, 'head'."

Then we have more of her idiotic proof of him being the type of person, capable of child molestation.
"Isn't a raydome supposed to be 40 times more effective than a regular pyramid?"
"Objection, Your Honor. Calls for speculation as to the wattage of the raydome."

I just loved when everyone in that courtroom, including the judge, started laughing at that. The look on Lael Rubin's face was priceless.

This took way too long to clear up. The family went through way too much, and lost everything. It was nice when the verdict came back as not guilty. Then came the always annoying Lael Rubin . . . "We have reached a decision to have a second trial on the McMartin case." Talk about everyone trying to cover their ass. She starts this back up, and then leaves the case. A nolo plea!?! I wouldn't have accepted it either. No way would I, in any way, say that I did something that I did not do. I'd sooner fight. I'm glad he refused it. The tape recording was slick. As was letting this information out to that reporter. Sometimes the press can come in handy!


That film reminded me of another true life disaster. I have only viewed it once, a few years ago, so forgive my memory.

Just Ask My Children (2001)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZG870P2KL._AA240_.jpg

Virginia Madsen ~ Brenda Kniffen
Jeffrey Nordling ~ Scott Kniffen

Just Ask My Children, is also based on the true story.

The Kniffens are asked to testify at a custody hearing for their friends. At that point, a relative accuses both sets of parents of molesting their children. The lawyers trick the children into testifying against their parents, by implying that the sooner they say that yes, their parents did do these thing, the sooner it would all be over with, and they would be able to go home. The Kniffens end up behind bars for 12 years, fighting to prove their innocence, so that they can be with their children, once again.

[mark f]

Well, I gave Indictment: The McMartin Trial 3.5. If anyone watches it without reacting strongly, I guess they don't take too much seriously at all. Of course, the point of the movie is to get you to react strongly.

[Ðèstîñy]

Well, I gave Indictment: The McMartin Trial 3.5. If anyone watches it without reacting strongly, I guess they don't take too much seriously at all. Of course, the point of the movie is to get you to react strongly.

Well of course. It's the only true justice this family received. Thanks to the movie, people know. I'm sure some people still believe they are guilty, but anymore, that doesn't surprise me any.

[Powdered Water]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/TheThreeBurialsofMelquiadesEstrada2.jpg

And here I was raving about Tommy Lee Jones in No Country for Old Men, he not only stars but directs this wonderful film which is several times better in its simplicity than 3:10 to Yuma with all its name actors and big ridiculous explosions could ever hope to be. I'm also a bit of a Barry Pepper fan although I don't see him in to many films. Excellent film Tommy, here's to ya. 5

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/arcticArctic-Tale-Posters152x225.jpg

Now this on the other hand was not good, I'm so sick of these so-called nature documentaries, that are billed as "fun for the whole family!" and then we watch as one horror after the next drops into the lives of these animals. I'm not completely ignorant I know that it's tough to live in the wild and I know animals die out there. Is it really necessary to exploit it for your f*cking cause? Which in essence is all this film was really about in my estimation, get the kids crying and then get them asking questions about the environment that most laymen can't really answer in the first place. It's an ever changing world and this planet that is a hell of a lot older than most of the bible thumpers out there would like you know is in a constant state of change. Animals come and go, they adapt and most continue their lives just fine. It's us, the humans that have such a hard time adapting to changing conditions.
1

[ash_is_the_gal]

okay, heres a better list-

Paper Moon - i'm at a loss as to why i hadn't seen this sooner, but i hadn't! it was an old recommendation from someone around here, actually. i found it quite lovely, so thanks to that someone! 5

The Last Picture Show - same dealio. i liked this one too, for lots of reasons, though not as much as Paper. i'd give it a 4.

Volver - a personal favorite. 5

There Will Be Blood - totally stunning, especially the opening sequence. 5

Freaks - oh, Hans! 4

Audition - 4

Twin Peaks, Season 1 - ooh... 5 ['as black as the blackest night at midnight.' 'pretty black.']

Six Feet Under, Seasons 1-4 - [still in the process of watching this series]. overall, i'd give it 4.5

A Very Long Engagement - eh. 3

Before Sunrise - 4.5

Before Sunset - 4

Glengary Glenross - whoa. 5

My Left Foot [as recommended by Caitlyn!] - 4

Texas Chainsaw Massacre [original] - amazing ending. why'd they off the disabled boy in the remake? shame. 4

This Is England - 4

Being John Malkovich - 4

This Film Is Not Yet Rated - 3

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not - 3.5

[adidasss]

http://www.junkiesfan.com/images/cover_wilbywonderful.jpg

I lovelovelove Daniel MacIvor. He makes such wonderful, funny, charming little films...gah...nearly had me in tears near the end. Canadians...http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/diezelpower/love.gif

4.5

[Mrs. Darcy]

Farewell My Concubine

I like some history in my movies, and this had some great stuff from Peking during the first half of the 20th century. Leslie Cheung and Gong Li were exquisite.

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dianying.com%2Fimages%2Fmoviepics%2Fbwb1993.jpg&moduleId=image_details.jsp.M&clickedItemDescription=Image Details

4

[Golgot]

Brick - Noir's hard-hearted molls and wronged underdogs slot neatly into the highschool milieu, and Brick combines the two ingeniously enough that it feels surprising no one's tried it before. The 'archetypes' (as Ebert neatly puts it) have to be ramped up to the Nth degree for it all to work, but it makes for an entertainingly grim joyride all told.

Sure, teen violence doesn't carry the same gravitas as crooks at work, but the tight-lipped codas of the classroom fit the dialogue well (if occasionally feeling like Shakespeare from inexpert lips) while the claustrophobia of the ever-watching peer-pyramid helps the wide open spaces close in on our protagonists. The skittery camera work never feels as suave or successfully-experimental as that of high-end noir flicks (black-bag motif aside), but you've gotta say the director's hurled a big ole brick o' potential into the sky - and the story arc lands with a satisfying thump.


Stranger Than Fiction - If Kaufman didn't exist, and Hoffman hadn't played a similar role in I Heart Huckabees, this woulda been a lot more enjoyable. As it is, I felt Ferrell grew into the role (if not setting it up that convincingly for me) and all the support was strong. Well worth a watch.


Zodiac - Felt a bit indulgent, with its apparent desire to recreate the entirety of the 70s, and turn us all into budding (or stunted) detectives. No qualms with the topic, or the form that the film ultimately takes, but it does grate a bit to have so many periphery characters shuffling through the screen, only for Gyllenhaal's central figure to feel a bit like one too, with his sketchily substantiated drives. Not a bad film by any means, but felt like a 'cat and mice' game watching it - we're the slightly-disinterested hunter, being slowly submerged under a preponderance of mice.

[7thson]

Zodiac - Felt a bit indulgent, with its apparent desire to recreate the entirety of the 70s, and turn us all into budding (or stunted) detectives. No qualms with the topic, or the form that the film ultimately takes, but it does grate a bit to have so many periphery characters shuffling through the screen


Very nice sumup Gols - matches my thoughts for the most part.:)

[Iroquois]

Eastern Promises - 3

[Lennon]

School of Life- 4

[jrs]

Shutter (2008) 1

[Lennon]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/Powderedwater96/arcticArctic-Tale-Posters152x225.jpg

Is it really necessary to exploit it for your f*cking cause?[

I don't know why but it reminded me of this quote from The Simpsons Movie

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070802/green_l.jpg
Billie Joe Armstrong (http://imdb.com/name/nm0035626/): We've been playing for three and a half hours. Now we'd like just a minute of your time to say something about the environment.
[all goes quiet, followed by angry shouts and hurled debris]

[Mrs. Darcy]

Things We Lost in the Fire

Benicio Del Toro gives a wonderful performance as a man struggling to get over a drug addiction with the help of his best friend's widow.

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peliculas.info%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2007%2F12%2Fthings_we_lost_in_the_fire.jpg&moduleId=image_details.jsp.M&clickedItemDescription=Image Details

3

[Golgot]

Fantastic Four - God that was silly

[Mrs. Darcy]

Death at a Funeral
bleh.



Sunshine (2007)

3.5

[mark f]

Paris, Je T'aime (numerous directors, 2006) 2.5

http://pradt.net/imgs/cap/c-parisjetaime.jpg

First off, I feel a little bit mean (say what?) not rating this at least 3. When I first watched it, I thought there wasn't that much of a quality differential to the stories, so it seemed like a fair rating, but having rewatched it, taking notes, and rating each episode individually, I'm going to stick with my lower rating. However contradictory this sounds, I still recommend the film for viewing for the better episodes, but I'm just warning you that there will be some which leave you cold, and they're probably not the same ones that I thought were of lesser quality.

http://www.coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com/archives/paris%20je%20t'aime%201.jpg

Paris, Je T'aime is a "collective film", consisting of 18 self-contained episodes, all set in the City of Light and Love, and all filmed by different directors. Most all of the episodes are five to six minutes long; some try to tell a story, while others are just slices of life. One other thing they all have in common is that the directors each had two days to shoot their entire episode. I don't think that any of the films are downright horrible, but I find some far more interesting and entertaining than others. The episodes are separated by some scenes of the dailly and night life of Paris, but basically, they all flow one into the other with only a quick title and director listed to show you where each one begins.

http://i16.tinypic.com/2q1sxds.jpg

The episodes which meant the most to me included the Coen Brothers' humorous tale of vacationer Steve Buscemi whose happiness is destroyed when he makes eye contact with a lovemaking couple, even though his travel guide highly recommends against it; Alexander Payne's wonderful finale about an American female postal worker (Margo Martindale) who narrates her own story in the best French she can muster (it contains the biggest laugh and the most-poignant moment for me); the first two episodes, which both show how a male with no positive experiences with the opposite sex can actually relate to a female by simply caring enough to help them when they need it; Tom Tykwer's wildly-stylistic tale of the love affair between an actress (Natalie Portman) and a blind man (Melchior Belsion); and, perhaps against my better judgment, I actually found the tale of the mimes meeting each other in jail and finding true love to be one of the more creative parts of the film.

http://images.fandango.com/ImageRenderer/375/250/nox.jpg/102844/images/masterrepository/tms/59545/59545_bm.jpg

There are many other actors/directors I haven't mentioned, and some do worthwhile work. Among those would be Nick Nolte, Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Juliette Binoche, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Miranda Richardson, Willem Dafoe, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Gérard Depardieu, Alfonso Cuarón, Walter Salles, Gus Van Sant, Olivier Assayas, Wes Craven, etc. This film is far superior to a similar film made about 20 years ago called Aria, which I might just put into my 10 Worst Art House Films list. This one is a pretty good omnibus film, considering the constraints under which it was made. That's the main reason I think it's worth checking out, especially if you love Paris.

[adidasss]

Paris, Je T'aime (numerous directors, 2006)
The episodes which meant the most to me included the Coen Brothers' humorous tale of vacationer Steve Buscemi whose happiness is destroyed when he makes eye contact with a lovemaking couple, even though his travel guide highly recommends against it; Alexander Payne's wonderful finale about an American female postal worker (Margo Martindale) who narrates her own story in the best French she can muster (it contains the biggest laugh and the most-poignant moment for me); the first two episodes, which both show how a male with no positive experiences with the opposite sex can actually relate to a female by simply caring enough to help them when they need it; Tom Tykwer's wildly-stylistic tale of the love affair between an actress (Natalie Portman) and a blind man (Melchior Belsion); and, perhaps against my better judgment, I actually found the tale of the mimes meeting each other in jail and finding true love to be one of the more creative parts of the film.


I liked those the most too.:yup:

[witts]

Le Dîner Du Con 3

Another French movie (we seem to be following a similar theme) about a group of men led by Pierre Brochant (Thierry Lhermitte), who have a dinner each week where they must each bring an "idiot", or the dumbest person they can find.
The movie is set mainly in Brochant's apartment, where he and his "idiot" are located. After hurting his back, and not being able to make it to this weekly dinner, the idiot, François Pignon (Jacques Villeret) helps Brochant onto his sofa, and as a consequence, much "hilarity" enuses.

The movie does have some funny parts, but by the end, I just ended up hating Pignon, because he really is an idiot - and he does things that just make you want to tear your hair out and throw things at whatever screen you're watching this movie on.

I would recommend it to anyone with a high level of patience, because if you don't have patience, you'll more than likely crack the TV screen with the remote about halfway through.


http://thumbnail.search.aolcdn.com/truveo/images/thumbnails/F9/A7/F9A769744FF818.jpg

[linespalsy]

The Saddest Music in the World 3.5
The 3 Ninjas 1
The Holiday 1.5

I've only seen the Coen Bros. segment of Paris, Je'Taime, and would give that a 2.5.

[Powdered Water]

Elizabeth 4

I really loved the first one when I first saw it several years ago and I still do. I think it's the first time I really took notice of Cate Blanchet and I've been a pretty big fan ever since.

Elizabeth 2 The Golden Age 2.5

I didn't hate it, I just didn't really like it very much, chalk this one up to the "Why bother make it in the first place?" camp for me. It had a few elements from the first film but not enough to really capture my interest.

[Mrs. Darcy]

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Typing this title took almost as long as the movie!

Robert Ford is awestruck by James and tries to ingratiate himself into his gang. He gets rebuffed, and builds a deep resentment toward James. He eventually has an opportunity to take James down. The movie covers the last few months of James' life.

There was beautiful cinematography, with atmospheric lighting and gorgeous vistas, and fine supporting acting, especially by Rockwell and Affleck, but the movie had some flaws. One of them was the development of very minor characters. It threw off the pace of the film, and I wonder what the point was. Another problem for me was the length. Finally, Brad Pitt didn't seem all that invested in his character. He's been better.

3.5

[linespalsy]

The Frighteners 2.5

Started watching Cabin in the Sky, and since I didn't make it more than 20 minutes in I won't pretend to have a handle on what grade it deserves, but I would have to be pretty entertainment-starved to finish that film.

Quills 2.5

[Mr.Nobody]

Five Easy Pieces:
I went into this wanting to love this,But it felt a little flat to me. Apart from Jack Nicholson and Karen Black's performances not much stands out.

The storyline is interesting and the dialogue is good, But for some reason I can't bring myself to love this film like I wanted to when I first sat down to watch it.

Nicholson is brilliant in it though and Karen Black plays white trash really well. There performances defiantly hold up the movie completely though.

Overall, it was a good film. But, for some reason I didn't like it as much as I wanted to.

Little Big Man:

A classic portrayal of one man's life among the Indians and among the common man during the civil war. It is a very interesting tale and the film is defiantly one that strives for an epic feeling.

Dustin Hoffman is really good in this. He plays his role very convincingly and it is just interesting to see him go through different periods of his life and he plays them all well.

However, Chief Dan George steals this movie with his performance of Hoffman's Indian grandfather. He just gives off that sage Indian vibe so well and the way he speaks seems so natural(Assuming that it's probably due to his knowledge of Indian culture).

The plot is filled with neat encounters with historical figures and although it botches history to a degree it manages to be very entertaining. It gives off the epic vibe with the way the plot is multilayered and things come together at the end. However I find that the box is a bit too tied up at the end and perhaps there are too many coincidences(Like who Faye Dunaway's character
winds up with in the end for example.) and that I feel takes a bit away from it.

Overall,it is a very good film. Not epic like it strives to be, But definatly worth a second viewing somewhere down the line.

Apocalypse Now:

I went into this dreading the length, But by the time it was over it far exceeded my expectations so I didn't mind.

First off, the cast is an amazing ensemble of people. From legends like Brando to stars of the time like Sheen and Duvall it is clear to see that we have an amazing cast.

Brando is amazing here for the little time he is given and really puts across the mentally scared army soldier role well. He social quips and thoughts on life are very interesting and to here that this was mostly improvised is very impressive.

Duvall also delivers a great crazy man performance here as Killgore.He just makes every scene he's in and I honestly wish he could be in more of the picture.

Everyone else also work solid and really portray the feeling of what war can do to men. There are just so many scene's in this movie where the portrayal of man's blemished soul is very startling and chilling.

Secondly,the direction and cinematography are top notch. Coppola really brings out the best in these actors(It's a shame everything he did after this sucked though.) and Storaro frames the movie perfectly. Also the locals are quite amazing to look at and some of the scene's are just captivating(The scene where Sheen's head is coming up from the water is just an incredible moment in the film.).

Thirdly,the score is well put together and the choices for the songs couldn't be better. The opening with The End playing as the jungle blows up is just perfect and from that moment on the film had me.

Overall, This was a great movie. It just has so many layers and I think it requires a few viewings just to get to everything that is underlined in the plot. Amazing film.

[Powdered Water]

Mulberry St. 3.5
An After Dark horrorfest movie, pretty decent zombie flick.

Dragon Wars 2
If this were on Sci-fi channel I'd be saying: "Wow this is pretty good for the Sci-fi channel!", since we watched it on DVD and no commercials, it made it slightly better.

Daywatch 4
I don't really know anything about this Russian fella that put both Nightwatch and Daywatch out but they sure are cool. I wish more countries would try this. Daywatch was much better looking than Nightwatch, he obviously found a little more funding, the story was still a bit confusing but it all worked itself out in the end. If this is the types of films this guy is always going to make I'm in.

[Thursday Next]

The Other Boleyn Girl 3/5

Alright, I suppose, but nothing special. One problem is that everyone knows the story of Henry VIII marrying and beheading Anne Boleyn, and although there was kind of a different take on it here with the film focusing more on Anne's sister, Mary, it wasn't quite different enough. Besides, the politics of the whole situation, a major event in the history of England and the Church, the breaking with Rome and the founding of the Church of England was skimmed over in favour of a bit of sibling rivalry between the King's two mistresses. And Anne is so awful to her sister and Mary such a doormat it is difficult to feel much sympathy with what happens later on.

This is adapted from a book which I haven't read (but might look out for, now), I get the impression that quite a bit was cut from the book, as some characters who play important roles get little screen time. The acting is mediocre, and Portman is not very well cast, although the Boleyn parents are quite good, as is the scheming uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. Oddly, the film suffers in comparison to the recent tv series 'The Tudors', which although sexed up and historically dubious, at least developed the characters and their ambitions more, and showed more of the political game playing at court and across the world stage.

[jrs]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518tvbJL02L._SS500_.jpg

[jrs]

Silly, but friggin damn hillarious!!!


http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/HD%20and%20Blu-Ray/monsturdpostergood.jpg

[Mrs. Darcy]

The Virgin Spring.

My gosh this film was excellent. This is the first film I can recall seeing that didn't have a soundtrack and it was the better for it, I think.
I really liked how Bergman posed the shots of Karin's attack and the dad's attack with the same shots. It was haunting.

Shouldn't this film be on a list here somewhere?

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiff07.ca%2Fimages%2Ffilms2007%2F707261904151386.jpg&moduleId=image_details.jsp.M&clickedItemDescription=Image Details

[linespalsy]

Trader Horn (1931) 3

[ash_is_the_gal]

Paris, Je T'aime

cool review... i really liked the film [on the whole], my favorite stories were probably Paynes, and the second one--i forget the directors name, its the one with the boys who are taunting girls walking by, and the third one strikes up a conversation with the Muslim girl.

edit - i looked it up, its a husband and wife team, Paul Mayeda Berges and Indian-British director Gurinder Chadha.

[Golgot]

The Prestige - Lots to like (and Bale & Bowie can be forgiven any number of silly accents ;)). Mainly hits the mark with its tumultuous 'turn of the century' personality clash between two competing stage magicians. Nice approach to the interplay of technical trickery and dramatisation too, for the most part. Which is why it's such a shame that one strand of the 'prestigious' final act felt like it belonged in another film, and didn't illuminate all the other factors as well as some other tacks might have done...


The sudden emergence of a sci-fi/horror 'get out clause' really squandered the story's potential for me. As the famous Arthur C Clarke quote goes: suitably advanced science should be indistinguishable from magic. Having shown Jackman's character to already to be in the sway of Tesla's renown and skills, and having conjured the historical ambience so well, it's a shame Nolan and Co couldn't have broken from the book, and had us marvelling at something both 'magical' and 'true'. The tricks of science, art and the natural world can inspire far more lasting wonder in an audience than a 'CGI dove from a hat' ever could, if you ask me :)

[Thursday Next]

Jackie Brown 4/5

[Mrs. Darcy]

The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Very good film, but heartbreaking. It chronicles the start of the IRA during the wars of independence, and eventual split amongst them. The acting was strong, and the history accurate. Interestingly, a sympathetic view of the IRA by a British director.
4


Broken English

Parker Posey did a great job in this. Her desperation was palpable. Melvil Poupaud was a charming and relaxed foil for Posey's angst.
3.5

[Monkeypunch]

No Country for Old Men - Liked it, didn't love it, but I feel like I should have done, since it was such a huge, critically acclaimed film. It just sort of sat there for me, even though I did think that the killer was an awesome character.

[jrs]

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/Posters/boarding.jpg

[mark f]

I read about the above film in today's L.A. Times. How was it?

[Powdered Water]

Asia Argento is naughty...

[mark f]

Duh!*


*even if her daddy directed The Hatchet Murders. You need to find a copy of Deep Red. :cool:

[mark f]

Green For Danger (Sidney Gilliat, 1946) 3.5

http://pixhost.eu/avaxhome/avaxhome/2007-07-03/Green_for_Danger_02.jpg

In the same year that his production partner Frank Launder directed the delightful I See a Dark Stranger, reviewed here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=409833&postcount=6563), Sidney Gilliat directed this sparkling murder mystery, which not only keeps you guessing, but makes you laugh out loud at the mostly efficient police detective Cockerill (Alastair Sim) who tries to solve the case. The film is set in 1944, during the days when unpiloted V1 bombs (buzzbombs) were regularly sent over to England to bomb random sites based on when their fuel ran out. This adds a lot of tension (and actually, comedy) to the film.

http://i.cnn.net/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i61/green_for_danger-10_092820070459.jpg

The basic plot of the film is that a postman dies on the operating table before he can even be operated upon. There were two physicians and four nurses present, and one of them subsequently announces during a huge public gathering that she knows it was a murder and that she knows who did it. Needless, to say, she's dispatched from this earth soon enough. At this point, Cockerill (the heretofore-unseen, yet humorous, narrator) shows up to ply his worldly-wise skills as a detective. All of the people who attended the initial operation seem likely candidates for the murderer, and the whole thing plays out in a claustrophobic wartime setting with plenty of suspense and humor. The actual ending is wildly-unpredictable and terrifically witty. I'll say it again. They don't make 'em like they used to.

[Tacitus]

Black Sheep (2006, Jonathan 'no not that one, thankfully' King)

1/5

Jesus Wept.

Shaun Of The Dead might well be a great little film but there are times I wish it had never been made. American Werewolf in London this most certainly ain't.

Mr Brooks (2007, Bruce Evans)

3/5

Surprisingly ok, actually. Apart from the director overdosing on the Rock Video pills in the last third and the complete irrelevance of Demi Moore's (I know this isn't the first time that this has been said, even in films where she's had the starring role) character, Mr Brooks is a perfectly acceptable and offbeat thriller.

Costner is fine, does what he has to do in that old-fashioned understated way of his, same with Billy Hurt. Marg Helgenberger is, as always, lovely and does something very suggestive with a pair of in-ear headphones. Ok, not SUGGESTIVE suggestive but the director admitted in the commentary that they'd not realised quite where the 'buds' were hanging in a particular scene until the movie (which was admirably low budget, as these things go) was in the can. Not exactly deep but well worth a rental...

That the thing was rather obviously set up for a sequel is a testament to the filmmakers' optimism. ;)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/MrBrooks.jpg

[Powdered Water]

I know you've all been waiting for more of these so here ya go. (I'm a people pleaser)

The Last Man On Earth (1964)

Not nearly as terrible as I'd heard, of course it wasn't good either but hey, define good.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

King Of The Zombies (1941)

Wow, talk about your politically incorrect film. Watch it for yourself to see what I mean. One thing I'm finding about these horror flicks from the 30's and 40's is that most of them are only slightly over an hour long so, even if it were to cause physical pain to watch it'll fade after about an hour or so.

Eek factor: :eek:

The Thirsty Dead (1975)

I swear (a lot) why the Sci-fi channel doesn't have more of these flicks on is beyond me. Their must be at least a couple hundred thousand of these god awful flicks out there and they never show them. Instead they bring us "Sci-fi channel originals" :laugh: Which basically means "New" crap. This flick here may be one of the absolute worst movies I've ever seen. Does that make it "good"? Uh, no not really I guess, it was pretty bad either way you slice it.

Eek factor: 0

Messiah of Evil (1974)

Not to bad, two smoking hot babes from the 70's in this one too.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:


The Lost World (1925)

Now we're talking! 83 years old and it's still good. The dawn of stop motion animation. Man, I wish they still made a few movies like this.

4

[mark f]

Messiah of Evil (1974)

Not to bad, two smoking hot babes from the 70's in this one too.

Eek factor: :eek: :eek:

"Do you like WAGner?"

[Caitlyn]

Little Big Man (1970) 4/5


Absolutely loved Chief Dan in this... and couldn't help but grin a little at the fact they made Custer out to be an arse... :D

[Powdered Water]

"Do you like WAGner?"

I take it you've indulged? I love how all the Zombies or whatever they were would all go down to the seashore and stare at the Ocean. Kind of a "Zombie picnic" if you will.

[mark f]

http://www.horrorphile.net/userimages/user-1893202_1174532687.jpg

I saw that thing at the drive-in when it came out. It was written and directed by the husband/wife team Willard Huyck/Gloria Katz, who also co-wrote American Graffiti, wrote Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and wrote/directed Howard the Duck.

[Powdered Water]

"Thing"... Pretty good description. I thought I recognized the Gloria Katz name from somewhere.

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

Someone help me please.

I saw a movie about a blind white woman who was being raised by her aunt and grandpa who was kind of racist, and then this blind girl falls in love with a black guy who buys her some shades while shes making jewelry at a park.... What movie was this? It was great.

[mark f]

A Patch of Blue

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/01/27/images/2006012702670801.jpg http://www.movieactors.com/wincovers/patchofblue.jpeg

[undercoverlover]

I'm watching Moulin Rouge right now - I bought it, a two disc special edition, in the HMV sale for £3, with 10% student discount i got this baby for £2.70!

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

A Patch of Blue

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/01/27/images/2006012702670801.jpg http://www.movieactors.com/wincovers/patchofblue.jpeg
Hell yes. I was looking up, A Shade of Blue. DANG! :up:

[jrs]

Transformers Two-Disc Special Edition HD-DVD

[Powdered Water]

Invaders From Mars (1953)

After posting this bad boy in the Baker's dozen game I said to myself: "Self you need to watch this movie." So I did. I don't think I've seen this since I was about 9 or 10 years old. It was scarier then. Still a good movie though.

3

Things to Come (1936)

Pretty interesting flick, I liked it.

[Mrs. Darcy]

Seven Beauties by Lina Wertmuller

I'm still thinking about what I think about this movie.

Should you see it if you haven't? Yes.

Maybe it was the Italian Language or the acting, but at times it felt reminiscient of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western.

[linespalsy]

Southland Tales - This is a huge mess, terrible acting which doesn't always bother me and actually probably helped in this case, or at least I think it was deliberately (or deliberately casted to be) bad. I won't say it's a great movie but I do recommend people give it a chance. It has a conceit similar to the one in Shadow of the Vampire (actors more or less playing their celebrity persona's playing/living as characters in a bad movie whose plot mirrors the actual movie) and even though I don't think it has as good a production value or as consistent a style (It's full of references to movies and other media) as 'Shadow', I liked it better. Plus there was a lot of stuff I genuinely found funny in this movie. I think "The Rock" is funny, sue me (actually I would prefer it if you didn't). Even the Justin Timberlake music video wedged into the movie was pretty amusing.

First impression: 3.5

Twilight of the Ice Nymphs

This is the third and worst film by Guy Maddin that I've seen but it's still decent. I think this one has less adventurously and unrelentingly bizarre editing than his later movies (especially the Dracula ballet one) so it's easier to follow and might be a good intro, but I'll take those other more cinematic films over this.

3

I rented it because it had Shelley Duvall. She wouldn't really fit in with most movies very well but I think this movie is geared to her style and I wish there were more movies that I could say that about: it's high praise indeed, in spite of the middling rating I give the movie.

[Lennon]

"Self you need to watch this movie."


You talk to yourself like you are the lord? :p

[jrs]

Dan in Real Life

[mack]

Why Did I Get Married? - by Tyler Perry 6/10
Didnt rent this one myself, as I figured it would be more of the same Perry type movie. Funny thing? A DUDE rented it and told me to watch it as it was ridicuously funny. NOT the type of movie for men, I wouldnt think, but it was as expected.

I Am Legend 1/10
Horrible movie. Worse than Omega Man, and disgusting in its lack of ability to explain the book, or even the concept as shown in Omega Man. More in is own thread.

No Country for Old Men - by the Coen Brothers 10/10
Ok, I was at first unappreciative of this movie as an action type flick, but....that's the whole point, isnt it? That its NOT normal for old men, that they ARE a dying breed, that the crime and criminals of today have outpaced them in harshness and cruelty, and that this is not a world that they want to exist in? I found Tommy Lee Jones character sympathetic in that he retired. He retired in the middle of that madness, and the point was profound. I can see why it won awards.

[Ðèstîñy]

Brokeback Mountain 5/5

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TGWD8STCL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

OK, a sad ending, and not how I wanted it to end, but I still gave it a perfect rating. I felt for the wives, because the guys shouldn't have brought them into their lives, knowing they had a true love for each other. However, I truly do understand the situation. Especially for back then. I also understand how complicated love, and relationships can be. I think that part has gotten worse through the years. We don't mean to hurt others, but love really can complicate life. Man, do I know.

There were all of two trivial flaws in this film.

One, was were his baby-face barely aged at all, while his daughter grew up to be an adult. He was such a doll.
Then, in two to three scenes, his deep voice mumbled so badly, I couldn't understand what he said. That's a weird quirk of mine, where I have to know everything that is said. Gotta love the rewind button, and subtitles. Can't get those at the theater.

Anyway, like I said, trivial.

Oh, and I knew good and well that he kept his shirt. That is normal. I've collected a few in my time. (I didn't steal them, though!) I love how they used it in the ending of the movie. That was a nice touch, since he wasn't going to get to spread his ashes on Brokeback.

[jrs]

The Japanese 6-Disc Grindhouse DVD Box Set

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/jason_1973/HD%20and%20Blu-Ray/51x2pygCaVL_SS400_.jpg

[Powdered Water]

I just can't get enough of these lately and I'm sure you can't either...

Primal Rage (1988)

A rather Ho-hum 80's horror movie until you watch it and sort of realize that this may in fact be where Danny Boyle got the idea for 28 Day Later. But other than that this is an 80's flick with all the trimmings, bad hair (including mullets) and the outfits... Remember when we thought it was cool to wear those little gym shorts outside of a pair of sweatpants? Fashion Mavens we were back in those days. Despite all that and the terrible 80's soundtrack it wasn't all bad.


Eek factor: :eek::eek: 1/2


Carnival of Souls (1962)

This is actually my second viewing of this film and I'm not sure if I liked it any better this time around. There are parts that are really creepy and others that don't make any sense at all. But hey! When has that ever stopped me from liking a movie? I did like the ending. Very much.

Eek factor: :eek::eek: 1/2


Chamber of Horrors (1940)

This was really really good. I enjoyed it immensely.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek::eek:


White Zombie (1932)

Bela Lugosi looking an awful lot like Dracula, only he wasn't Dracula he just looked like him dig? There were a lot of very good parts of this film as well.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:


The Gorilla (1939)

Ever heard of The Ritz Brothers? Me either. I'm so smart though I had them pegged as a poor mans Marx brothers and from what I read here about them. (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1360648/bio) It appears I was pretty right on. So, how was the movie you say? It was uh, interesting I guess. Not very scary though. The house did have all kinds of secret passages which I'm a big fan of.

Eek factor: :eek:1/2

[Caitlyn]

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) 4/5


Loved the story... the characters and the whole Goth look... but... the singing was a wee bit on the annoying side to me and I was a little torn between giving it a 3 ½ or a 4...

[linespalsy]

Twin Warriors 2.5
The Jazz Singer 3

[mark f]

Atonement (Joe Wright, 2007) 3

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/c2de508f-9cec-4cc0-98fd-7c30eafe831f_ms.jpeg

Ian McEwan's novel is brought to the screen by Joe Wright, using much of the same muscular style he displayed in the recent Pride & Prejudice. The camera is often moving furiously and following its characters wherever they go. Wright is equally adept at staging quiet, intimate exchanges and enormously-complex shots involving numerous characters. Atonement is a good film, and it tries to do something few films attempt; it wants to tell a story of a doomed romance through different perspectives, ultimately challenging the viewer to question whether what they are seeing is true or not. Of course, films aren't "true" and never will be, but this one attempts to intermingle literature, movies, and history, all at the service of telling a story about what one highly-creative character believes she sees, the horrible repercussions on her loved ones due to her acts and how she attempts to atone for them.

Although the film is beautifully shot, has a wonderful musical score and sound design, and is well-acted, I wasn't as emotionally-involved in what I was watching as I felt I should have been. The movie is clever, but part of that cleverness involves turning who you believe are the lead characters into supporting ones. Although I was never bored, it was only at the end when the last of the film's twists are revealed that I came close to being moved. I certainly recommend the movie, and I've come across many viewers who believe it to be one of the best they've ever seen. Although it doesn't exactly cover the same ground, I prefer Karel Reisz's and Harold Pinter's version of John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman as a story about perspectives and expectations, but you know me; I'm different... and old.

P.S. Some people obviously prefer No Country For Old Men for a rumination on similar themes.

[happycyclist]

I watched Inside recently, the French horror. It's really the most graphic, horrible move I've ever seen. It's so relentless, and so disgusting. It was okay, though, despite becoming a bit absurd.

scissors out of ten

[Mrs. Darcy]

Galaxy Quest 3.5

Indescreet 3

The Great Escape 4

[undercoverlover]

First Wives Club - loves it
Drop Dead Gorgeous - loves it more

[Lennon]

Drop Dead Gorgeous - loves it more

YES!

[Powdered Water]

You know you want more so here you go...

The Devil Bat (1941)

These are all Bela Lugosi flicks btw. And even though some aren't that good we've been enjoying them immensely. So get this, in this flick. Dr. Carruthers (Lugosi) uses electrical stimulation to *grow* vampire bats larger, and that's not even the best part. Early in the flick he has a conversation with himself where he decides to go a little crazy and knock off everyone that is involved with the company that he works for and has made lots of money for you see. So now for the best part. He creates a new shaving lotion, only when you wear this shaving lotion a giant bat (The Devil Bat) comes and seeks you out and freaking kills you! Love that. So obviously the rest of the movie is spent with him trying to get all the people that he wants dead to put on the shaving lotion. And its particularly enjoyably to hear Bela say "shaving lotion" but that's just because I'm me.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:


The Human Monster (1939)

Or, The movie with the men that have the shiniest hair I've ever seen. Lots of Dapper Dan men in this flick I'll tell you what.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:


The Invisible Ghost (1941)

This was also pretty good, Dr. Kessler (Lugosi) goes into a trance when his "dead" wife (who isn't dead at all, just a little nutty and living in the basement out in the garden shack) shows up in the garden at night and possesses Kesseler who then begins to strangle people in the house one by one.

Eek factor: :eek::eek::eek:

[mack]

Hellsing Ultimate Ova 1-3 10/10
Much better than our version. Stoylines the same, it could sans the gratuitous violence, but I guess thats the point...

[linespalsy]

Freaks I've been avoiding this for a while, it sounded kind of like a precursor to John Waters which made me not too enthusiastic to see it, but now I'm glad I did. The last 15-20 minutes are some of the most intense cinema I've seen, and then it just cuts away before the most lurid part, offering no catharsis... apparently there was more to the ending that just didn't make it through the 1932 censors, but I actually think I liked it this way. On the whole it's a very imperfect film but I'm going to recommend it. I'll have to think about it some more and maybe watch it again, right now I'm going to say 4

[mark f]

Actually, there were no 1932 censors except for individual jurisdictions. I believe that was the original ending. Now, if something is missing, and I don't believe it is, then the censors who were butchering films from 1934 on did it for the reissues. I think it makes sense the way it is though. [EDIT- I checked IMDb, and they claim there are alternate endings, but they were NOT cut due to censorship, but due to test audience revulsion. However, they claim the cut endings would probably still not allow you full catharsis.]

The early part of the film has really amateurish "acting", but it still holds your interest due to its utter uniqueness. However, as you say, when the freaks gather during the rain, you've gotta love it. The other thing I enjoy is realizing that "freak" Angelo Rossitto has such a significant role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

http://zomboscloset.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/10/freaks05.jpg http://www.gorbould.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/master_blaster.jpg

[Powdered Water]

"Who runs Barter town?"

[Powdered Water]

The Ape Man (1943)

In this movie we first find Dr. Brewster (Bela Lugosi) sleeping in a cage with a terrifically bad looking guy in a Gorilla suit. It turns out that Brewster has been doing experiments on himself and is slowly turning himself into an ape creature of sorts, you dig? Yeah me too. :cool: Wait, it gets better. So he (Lugosi) figures out that what he needs is spinal fluid (yes I'm serious, I couldn't make this up if I tried) to turn him back into a normal human being. So of course he and his big Gorilla pal go out and start knocking people off and taking their spinal fluid. Nice huh?

Oh and just a small editor's note here. No actual guys in bad Gorilla suits were harmed during the making of this film.

Eek factor: :eek::eek:1/2


Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965)

Oh dear, now I've seen some pretty bad movies and I'm beginning to pick up on the fact that there is usually a reason for it. And thanks to tedg at IMDB who wrote most of what I'm going to relate here.

Apparently this is actually a Russian film that Roger Corman bought up and dubbed and shortened and added a few actors too. It was a trip to watch this almost unwatchable movie because I knew there was something going on here and I couldn't wait to find out what it was. So, he (Corman) actually added Basil Rathbone (yeah Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone) to the film and slapped it down as part of the movie. He also cut out the Russian woman that stayed in the ship and substituted another woman who stayed in the ship. The bottom line is that this was originally made as like a Russian propaganda film for the Russian Space race back in the 50's if what I'm reading is correct and then Roger Corman snapped it up and just turned it into one of the worst pieces of film I've ever sat through.

There will be no Eeks, for this film.

[Tacitus]

Rendition (2007, Someone Who Needs To Be Told A Funny Story)

2/5

A plodding, obvious, uninspiring lump of a film. Babel for slow(er) learners. Kinda.

Not much else to say apart from Gyllenhaal J playing another naive middle class type, Witherspoon R sleepwalking with what appears to be the late John Candy stuffed up her blouse, Arkin A not having much to do and Saarsgaard (presumable hired from the same 'Double A' casting agency as nice young Jake) P continuing his slow rise to become the quiet supporting actor of choice in modern Hollywood.

On the plus side, Meryl isn't too Streepy in this and doesn't make you want to chew off your own thumb through rabid grandstanding (remember Demme's Manchurian Candidate remake?). Yigal Naor is a shoe-in for any proposed Kojak remake and North Africa is most definitely Babe Central.

That's it. I'm off to watch The Parallax View and remember when political conspiracy-type shtick was good...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/greenspagbol/jake_gyllenhaal6.jpg

"Ok Crocker, book 'em!"

Bugger :blush:

[Sedai]

Clue (Lynn, 1985)

Legend (Scott, 1985)