Movie Tab II

[TokeZa]

This week in movies:

Feature films:

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Dark Skies (2013) by Scott Stewart 2+

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Lore (2012) by Cate Shortland 3.5

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Paradise: Love (2012) by Ulrich Seidle 3+

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Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan 4

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Hoop Dreams (1994) by Steve James 4

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Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) by Benh Zeitlin 2

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Rome, Open City (1945) by Roberto Rossellini 4.5

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Umberto D. (1952) by Vittorio De Sica 4

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The Imposter (2012) by Bart Layton 3

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The Master (2012) by Paul Thomas Anderson 2.5

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Like Someone in Love (2012) by Abbas Kiarostami 4

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Oslo, August 31st (2011) by Joachim Trier 3+

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Sinister (2012) by Scott Derrickson 1.5

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Chained (2012) by Jennifer Lynch 2+


Short Films:

Visca el piano! (2006) by Pere Portabella 3

You've Got Beautiful Stairs, You Know (1986) by Agnès Varda 3+

Arrotino (2008) by Alex Healey 3.5

Carabosse (1980) by Larry Jordan 4+

The Def. Song (2004) by Doctor L and Xavier Reyé 2

Hackensack Motet (2006) by Gregg Biermann 1.5

Honeymoon in Reno (1983) by Dominic Angerame 2.5

Made For Television (1981) by William Farley 2.5

Masquerade (1981) by Larry Jordan 3.5

Numéro 1765 (2008) by Syrus Neshvad 3

OMR: The Way We Have Chosen (2004) by mAt&spoN 2

Premios nacionales (1969) by Pere Portabella 2

Spizzichino (2006) by Alex Healey 1

Adagio (1983) by Larry Jordan 3

Aidez l'Espagne (1969) by Pere Portabella 3.5

American International Pictures (1997) by Vivian Ostrovsky 4

The Bell Rang To An Empty Sky (1977) by William Farley 2

Electronic Performers (2004) by Arnaud Ganzerli, Laurent Bourdoiseau and Jérôme Blanquet 3.5

Hands (1995) by Adam Roberts 2

Longing For The Kill (2008) by Alex Healey 2.5

Moonlight Sonata (1979) by Larry Jordan 3.5+

Orb (1973) by Larry Jordan 3.5

Chateau/Poyet (2004) by Larry Jordan 4

Visions of a City (1978) by Larry Jordan 3

Duo Concertantes (1964) by Larry Jordan 3.5

Overall (2006) by Emmanuel Lefrant 3

Lets Play (1970) by Sally Potter 2.5

Sea Horses (2008) by Alex Healey 2.5

The Stories (2005) by William Farley 0.5

Tung (1966) by Bruce Baillie 3

Les fiancés du pont Mac Donald ou (Méfiez-vous des lunettes noires) (1961) by Agnès Varda 3

13/67: Sinus Beta (1967) by Kurt Kren 3+

16/67: September 20 (1967) by Kurt Kren 2.5

Anbafey (2008) by Dominique Duport 1

Blitz (2006) by Emmanuel Lefrant 3

D.I.Y. (2005) by Royston Tan 2.5

****buddies (2011) by Juanma Carrillo 3.5

The Glass Eye Maker (2005) by Tomas Leach 2.5

Gymnopedies (1965) by Larry Jordan 3.5+

Message Machine (2002) by Azazel Jacobs 1

Plaisir d'amour en Iran (1976) by Agnès Varda 3

Saraban (2002) by Emmanuel Lefrant 3+

Un 45 tours de Cheveu (ceci n'est pas un disque) (2009) by Frank Beauvais 3

La Tempesta (2003) by Pere Portabella 3.5

All Over (2001) by Emmanuel Lefrant 3.5+

Cornell, 1965 (1978) by Larry Jordan 2.5

Erè mèla mèla (2001) by Daniel Wiroth 2

In a Tight Corner (2001) by Bruno Collet 2+

Mammal (2006) by Astrid Rieger 2.5+

Mon coeur (2007) by Henri-Jean Debon 2

Tribute (1986) by William Farley 3

The Attack (1984) by Pia Frankenberg 2.5

Das Neue Monster (2001) by Kate McCabe 2

Play Back (1970) by Pere Portabella 3.5

Portraits (2001) by Kate McCabe 3

Postcard from San Miguel (1996) by Larry Jordan 3+

Sea Space (1973) by William Farley 4

Tack (1995) by Kate McCabe 2.5

Underground (2001) by Emmanuel Lefrant 4+

Women Reply: Our Bodies, Our Sex (1975) by Agnès Varda 3.5

Beyond Enchantment (2010) by Larry Jordan 3.5

Fone Fur Follies (2008) by Vivian Ostrovsky 1.5

The Heart of Amos Klein (2008) by Uri Kranot and Michal Pfeffer 3.5

Line of Fire (1997) by Dominic Angerame 3

Monkeylove (2005) by Royston Tan 3.5

The Title Was Shot (2009) by Vivian Ostrovsky 4

Copacabana beach (1983) by Vivian Ostrovsky 2.5

Winter Light (1983) by Larry Jordan 3.5

12/66: Cosinus Alpha (1966) by Kurt Kren 2.5

Alice in Wonderland (1903) by Cecil M. Hepworth and Percy Stow 4

Being (1975) by William Farley 2

Outer Space (1999) by Peter Tscherkassky 4+

Public Domain (1996) by Vivian Ostrovsky 2

Petites Planètes (volume 4): Temporary Valparaíso (2010) by Vincent Moon 3+

Petites Planètes (volume 5): Peret (2010) by Vincent Moon 2.5+

[The Gunslinger45]

:D it's nothing! Had it for ages in my watchlist so seeing it in your top list encouraged me to see it and I'm glad I did.Btw,3/5 is quite good rating for me,it means it's above average. ;)

Yeah but I am still sad you did not like it as much as I did. I really dig the flick. But you liked it so that is good. :D

[The Gunslinger45]

Movies I have watched this week.

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City Lights 5



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Peeping Tom 3



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Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead: 4.5



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Two Minute Warning: 3



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Surf Nazi’s must Die: 2



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The Cinema Snob movie: 3.5



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Harakiri: 4

[Mr Minio]

I just watched the first position from my week-of-classics-and-highly-regarded-films list. It was Inland Empire. It was a masterpiece. Enough said, I guess you'd like to know why is it a masterpiece? I don't know whether my review will clear the things out for you, but I'll do my best. For the rest of films I've seen past week and thoughts (i.e. promised Caligula) about them you have to wait for a while...

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Films like Inland Empire not only show how vast art can be and how many things you can put into one movie, but also that in the times that everything has been done, made and converted four thousand times, it's still possible to create a film unlike the others. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Inland Empire although set in typical Lynchian mood, is a movie that doesn't seem to belong to any wave of cinema (maybe besides Lynch's own) and it's impossible to compare it to anything else (besides Lynch other films, of course). It's very rare phenomenon in contemporary cinema to create something nobody's never done before. Had I to name another filmmaker like this, I'd go with Apichatpong Weerasethakul and probably nobody else. (?)

Inland Empire is unsettling and bizzare like other films of Lynch, but I found it a lot darker and grimmier. Lynch abandoned comedy elements seen in his previous films to a more murky and obscure atmosphere. We have bizzare things, which seem typical when it comes to the cinema of Lynch, but in this movie they look different. The plot is compelling and it had me 3 hours of gaping at the screen with my mouth open. Must have looked like idiot.

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Asked how to create a mood for a horror movie I'd probably say music and cinematography. These two things affect the viewer the most I guess. In Inland Empire both are phenomenal. The camera work is tricky as sometimes it's steady and stagnant, the other time shaking and jerking all around, but not in an irritating manner like these Dogma 95 films. Hand-held camera takes give this creepy feel of being watched. The rich range of colours constantly changes from red to blue, black and white and then it all seems normal to attack again with all these hues. When something bizzare and scary happens the images shown at the screen are like Dark Ambient, frightening and uncanny, when it goes onto the street of Los Angeles it's like Shoegaze - blurry lights of cars blend together while the camera loses its sharpness. It only takes a moment to change this dreamy atmosphere to the horror again.

I was kind of surprised to hear Polish in the movie. The film had separate Polish crew starring inter alia veteran of cinema Leon Niemczyk and known from Euphoria and Oxygen (see my Movie Journey thread) Karolina Gruszka. They did a good job adding a lot of freshness and mystery into the flick. Turns out its genre is Experimental Psychological Mystery Horror Surrealism Thriller Drama and I'm pretty sure I missed something. Talking about the crew, Laura Dern's performance was outstanding. She is the kind of actress not afraid to show her emotions.

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I'm not writing about the story, because firstly I don't want to spoil anything and secondly I have to say that similarly to Mulholland Drive I didn't understand the whole movie. In spite of that, the last scenes left me breathless and speechless at how well crafted they were made. This song and these images coming together and scenes that allegedly clear out what's going on, while in fact they add more mysteries.

If you want to know what happens when you combine the sinister dark mood of Blue Velvet with mind-tuggling story of Mulholland Drive then watch Inland Empire. If you don't then watch it anyway. You may like it, you may hate it, but I assure you, you will not remain indifferent.

[Daniel M]

Ah man, I love Lynch and Inland Empire I have not seen yet, been meaning to for a while just it's really long and I've heard some people complain it can be tough too watch at times. I think that like you, I'll love it.

[TheUsualSuspect]

Django Unchained 3.5

Long, messy and pure Tarantino. The length and unnecessary scenes hurt an overall great film.


Life of Pi 3.5

Beautiful to look at and a wonderful performance from the unknown lead actor. Despite the animals being CGI, I was sad to see them go.

Beasts of the Souther Wild 3

Really great performances from two untrained actors. It brings a sense of realism to the film. I really loved the soundtrack as well, but the rest of the film kind bores me. Sad to see he got a director nod.

Hitchock 3

Very mediocre. Hopkins does a decent job as Hitchcock, but you can tell he is simply imitating him, rather than disappearing in the role and becoming him like DDL does with Lincoln. The film seems more interested in his relationship with his wife, than the making of Psycho.

Sinister3

Creepy, but extremely repetitive. Watch scary film, reveal something scary in it. Watch scary film, reveal something scary in it. I kinda expected a bit more from it which is why I feel underwhelmed. Still positive review though.

Silent Night 1

Ever since my grade 5 religion teacher showed us a tv special about the real St. Nick, which featured a bit about parents protesting the release of Silent Night Deadly Night because it showed a killer Santa Clause, I've wanted to see it. I feel like I was the only kid in that room that wanted to see it. I still have not seen it, but decided to watch this remake....big mistake. A total mess of a film from start to finish. Uninteresting characters, story and deaths.

Total Recall 2.5

Visually splashy and I feel like I'm being unfair to this because I would have really liked to have seen the Extended Cut, which features Ethan Hawk. Great effects can't save this tepid remake. It feels hollow inside and doesn't even begin to try and confuse the viewer regarding dreams vs reality.

[mark f]

Re: Inland Empire

I'm in the hate camp, and I've watched it three times. I think it's a complete masturbatory fantasy, but that's big nowadays. Your description of the cinematography is true for 10% of the movie. The other 90% is unbelievably dark, grimy and ugly. The digital video was a bad idea. Nobody cares though, but there's a reason why some "films" have never been made before - they're not good ideas, and in some cases, they barely qualify as ideas. But I'm a fuddy-duddy.

[Monkeypunch]

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane - Andrew Dice Clay was famous for like, what, a few weeks back in the 90's, and he made this movie. It's actually pretty funny, it has a great supporting cast (Lauren Holly, Wayne Newton, Robert Englund, Morris Day), a pretty good storyline, and some fun quotable bits. Thumbs up from me.

[Harry Lime]

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The Cinema Snob movie: 3.5

Hmmm...What's this? Sounds like my kind of movie.

[Mr Minio]

I thinks it's a complete masturbatory fantasy, but that's big nowadays. Yeah, I get your point. Did you like other Lynch films?
The digital video was a bad idea. I think it was a superb idea as it added some kind of mystery (Lost Highway feel).
But I'm a fuddy-duddy. Nope, just having your own opinion.

[mark f]

Fave Lynch - The Elephant Man, The Straight Story, Dune, "Twin Peaks"
Least Fave Lynch - Inland Empire, Lost Highway, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Wild at Heart

50/50 (Jonathan Levine, 2011) 3
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A Date with the Falcon (Irving Reis, 1942) 2
Murder Ahoy (George Pollock, 1964) 2
Tarantula (Jack Arnold, 1955) 2
For Love of the Game (Sam Raimi, 1999) 2.5
The Incredible Shrinking Man (Jack Arnold, 1957) 2.5+
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The Amazing Spider-Man (Marc Webb, 2012) 3
The Monster That Challenged the World (Arnold Laven, 1957) 2-
Giant (George Stevens, 1956) 4
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The Manitou (William Girdler, 1978) 2.5
The Devil Within Her aka I Don’t Want to Be Born aka Sharon’s Baby (Peter Sasdy, 1975) 1.5
Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow, 2012) 3
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Veronica Guerin (Joel Schumacher, 2003) 2+
13 Rue Madeleine (Henry Hathaway, 1947) 2
Billy Elliot (Stephen Daldry, 2000) 3
The Next Karate Kid (Christopher Cain. 1998) 2
Barton Fink (Coen Bros., 1991) 3 - not taking one minute literally
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…and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (Zbynek Brynych, 1965) 2.5
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Charles F. Reisner, 1928) 3.5
The Seventh Seal (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) 3.5
Love and Death (Woody Allen, 1975) 3.5
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[Mr Minio]

So you haven't seen Mulholland Drive or just think it's between best and worst?

[mark f]

i've seen them all. I'd put Mulholland Dr., Blue Velvet and Eraserhead in the middle.

[TokeZa]

i've seen them all. I'd put Mulholland Dr., Blue Velvet and Eraserhead in the middle.

Those are definitely my favorite Lynch movies, though i havent seen Inland Empire yet...

[Mr Minio]

Kinda changed my plans. Watched City Lights as well and going to watch To The Wonder in the evening.

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3.5

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3.5

[jiraffejustin]

Movies I've seen in April that are worth watching:

Duck Soup (1933, Leo McCarey)
The Producers (1968, Mel Brooks)

Both are currently nominated in the Hall of Fame. They are also both very hilarious. Watch these and prepare to laugh your stockings off

Pulp Fiction (1994, Quentin Tarantino)
Reservoir Dogs (1992, Quentin Tarantino)

Rewatches. I don't know how many times I've seen these two movies, but they are always going to be favorites of mine. Pulp Fiction is the coolest movie ever made.

Seven Samurai (1954, Akira Kurosawa)

Some of the best action sequences ever filmed, which is even more impressive considering they are closing in on being 60 years old.

Schindler's List (1993, Steven Spielberg)

I had seen this before, but it hadn't been since I was a kid. It's a great movie, helped by great performances for the most part, but it's hurt by Liam Neeson trying to cry. Which is one of the worst things I've ever seen on film. Still, a very powerful movie.

North by Northwest (1959, Alfred Hitchcock)

Alfred Hitchcock. Thriller. Duh. Just see it.

A Town Called Panic (2009, Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar)

Completely absurd French animation that feels like a stop-motion acid trip. You should definitely seek it out, because it's only around 70 minutes long. It won't take much away from you, but you can take a lot away from it.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012, Wes Anderson)

I've only seen The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic from Wes Anderson before this, and I enjoyed Tenenbaums and didn't care for TLA. I am always a little weary heading into Anderson movies because of his reputation amongst the "hipster" crowd. But, this quickly became my favorite of the three Anderson movies I've seen. It's funny, cute, and heartwarming all at the same time.

The White Ribbon (2009, Michael Haneke)

Fantastic popcorn movie. Fast-paced action. Chase sequences. A nice little murder-mystery. Definitely the type of movie where you can invite a group of friends over and you just have a kick-ass time. Solidified by the happy "guy-gets-the-girl" type ending. Pretty much your typical Haneke.

House (1977, Nobuhiko Ôbayashi)

If you are into surrealism, but haven't seen Hausu....you aren't into surrealism.

Hot Fuzz (2007, Edgar Wright)

More charming than it is funny, but still quite funny. Definitely an enjoyable experience.

Burn After Reading (2008, Coen Brothers)

Silly and twisted. It's pretty hilarious, even if it does feel like a B-side.

Alien (1979, Ridley Scott)

Rewatch. Very tense. Very claustrophobic. Way better than Aliens. Still, it's not quite as good as it's classic label. You should still watch it though, because it is pretty good.

Equus (1977, Sidney Lumet)

If you know anything about Sidney Lumet, and you saw the film without knowing the credits, he wouldn't be anywhere near the top of the list of guys you thought directed Equus. It's got quite the bizarre story, as you have a psychiatrist trying to figure out the mental state that drove a stable boy to blind 6 horses with a metal spike.

The Lives of Others (2006, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)

At times it touches on being overly melodramatic, but it still packs an emotional punch other times. It's also really interesting to see the way the surveillance team works. It's actually quite terrifying in the regard.

Godzilla (1954, Ishirô Honda)

If you are Japanese, Gojira will hold much more meaning to you, and you should have already seen it. I'm not Japanese, but I still enjoyed what I saw. Godzilla being an allegory to the H-Bomb and why we should leave weapons of mass destruction alone.

Man Bites Dog (1992, Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Benoît Poelvoorde)

I've seen this labeled as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer with a sense of humor, and I can kind of see that. But it's not as powerful as Henry, and it's not all that funny. It does have it's moments though, but most of the time you feel uncomfortable. I think that is a good thing though. It's definitely worth a watch, if only because it is unconventional.

The Thin Red Line (1998, Terrence Malick)

I am still being broken in to the world of Malick, I've only seen Tree of Life and The New World. I feel like The Thin Red Line is the least of these works though, but even then you need to watch it. It's got the obvious trademarks of the reclusive director. Beautiful cinematography, voice overs, and a dream like quality about it.

Torso (1973, Sergio Martino)

Giallo is quickly becoming one of the genres that I feel deserves more credit. It's often criticized as being just an excuse to show filth on the screen. I don't now if I agree or disagree or if it even matters. I've always hated the arguments against style-over-substance movies, because sometimes I feel like style is more important than substance. Giallo falls in the category of style being more important than the substance. If you can handle that and some gore and sex, then giallo is for you. This is one of the better gialli I've seen.

Martin (1976, George Romero)

The most interesting vampire movie you will ever see. For that alone you should watch Martin. And it's directed by Romero in his prime so there.

RoboCop (1987, Paul Verhoeven)

Currently nominated in the Hall of Fame. I like it, but I don't love it. Sometimes the dialogue borders on annoying, but the action makes up for it. Plus it's really interesting sci-fi material.

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012, John Hyams)

Tremendously underrated, probably because it comes from a terrible franchise. The action editing is top-notch, and it's very violent. You should check it out, I think it is on Netflix.

* One of the movies is not like I say it is, I did that to see if you are paying attention *

[Daniel M]

* One of the movies is not like I say it is, I did that to see if you are paying attention *

I was reading your whole post, got to The White Ribbon and thought what the hell? I mean I have never seen a Haneke film but I'm well aware of his reputation and sometimes controversial style. I even checked the IMDB page of the film to check the description and really couldn't work out what the hell you were talking about!

I was going to bring you up on it anyway, but noticed your note at the end :p All the films you listed that I have seen I think I love like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and North by Northwest, then there's some that I really want to see too, I have had The Thin Red Line recorded for ages.

[jiraffejustin]

I was reading your whole post, got to The White Ribbon and thought what the hell? I mean I have never seen a Haneke film but I'm well aware of his reputation and sometimes controversial style. I even checked the IMDB page of the film to check the description and really couldn't work out what the hell you were talking about!

I was going to bring you up on it anyway, but noticed your note at the end :p All the films you listed that I have seen I think I love like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and North by Northwest, then there's some that I really want to see too, I have had The Thin Red Line recorded for ages.

I was having a bit of fun with that one. The reason was a thought I had about people calling films popcorn films, and Haneke came to mind as popcorn balls infested with razor blades.

[Daniel M]

I was having a bit of fun with that one. The reason was a thought I had about people calling films popcorn films, and Haneke came to mind as popcorn balls infested with razor blades.

Haha, well I have Caché and Amour ready to watch so those two should be my first two Haneke films, I've been meaning to watch his stuff for a while but have kept delaying it/been busy, I'm expecting something strange, unique, but hopefully great, I think I'll like him.

[Brother Blue]

Missing (Garvas, 1982) 3.5
Bigger Than Life (Ray, 1956) 3
The Idiots (von Trier, 1998) 4
*The Naked Gun (Zucker, 1988) 4.5
Sinister (Derrickson, 2012) 2
Pigs and Battleships (Imamura, 1961) 4.5
Harlan County U.S.A. (Kopple, 1976) 4
Season of the Witch (Sena, 2011) 0------
Django (Corbucci, 1966) 3
Putney Swope (Downey Sr, 1969) 3.5

*rewatch

[jiraffejustin]

Haha, well I have Caché and Amour ready to watch so those two should be my first two Haneke films, I've been meaning to watch his stuff for a while but have kept delaying it/been busy, I'm expecting something strange, unique, but hopefully great, I think I'll like him.

I highly recommend Funny Games as well, it will pretty much give you the full Haneke experience. Including a rather infamous scene that I think is brilliant. But, we can discuss that later as it is a major spoiler. I haven't seen Amour yet, but I've heard it described as the film that proves Haneke actually has a heart. So that should be interesting.

I left out another movie in my earlier post that I want to show some love to:

The Fox and the Hound (1981, Ted Berman, Richard Rich, Art Stevens)

A really touching Disney picture about friendship against all odds, and how good always prevails, and people can change, and etc... It has a lot of cliches, but it's just so damn sweet that it doesn't matter. I love this movie.

[Brodinski]

Quick jabs:

Take The Money And Run (1969, Allen): 2
Adam's Rib (1949, Cukor): 3+
The Nanny (1965, Holt): 3+
Ride The High Country (1962, Peckinpah): 3.5
Winchester '73 (1950, A. Mann): 3.5+
Seven Psychopaths (2012, McDonagh): 3

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End of Watch (2012, Ayer): 3+
House of Games (1987, Mamet): 3.5+
The Good German (2007, Soderbergh): 2.5+
True Grit (2010, Coens): 3.5
Four Lions (2009, Morris): 3.5+
The Campaign (2012, Roach): 2+

And a small Joon-ho Bong marathon:

The Host (2006): 3+
Memories of Murder (2004): 4+
Mother (2009): 3.5+

[mark f]

Even though this board feels otherwise, I find Bong movies overrated and cartoony. They're OK, nothing more.

[planet news]

i don't like stoner films either

[donniedarko]

Just some quick rating...

A Crude Awakening 2.5
Four Lions 3
It's funny, but the ending is so bizarre it actually took me back. I would've wished for it just to keep it's juvenile humor and try not to mix it with dramatics, but it's certainly humorous.
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The Young Savages & The Manchurian Candidate 3
I'd give both these Frankenheimer films the same rating, I wrote some on both in my self challenge thread, along with Ronin.
Ronin 2
(Rewatch) Anything Else 3.5
Farewell my Concubine 2
The Odd Couple 3.5+
A Hysterical comedy which manages not to feel dated to any degree. No, there's nothing genius about the idea, but the story points flowed together well. The acting and facial expressions brought as many laughs as the jokes themselves.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npmjmIZOn_E/T9GJm1toskI/AAAAAAAABkA/vvVmtCm4dlQ/s1600/Odd-Couple-Lemmon-Matheau_l.jpg
Three Colors: Blue 4+
I'll review in my self challenge thread when I'm done finishing the trilogy, but it's a magnificent start. Beautiful in every sense of the word.

Also, inspired by Lines my top ten for the month of April 2013. Rewatches are invalid.
1. Three Colors: Blue
2. Monsieur Hire
3. King Size Canary
4. Education for Death
5. The Odd Couple
6. Cube 2: Hypercube
7. Inside North Korea
8. Everything Will be Ok
9. The Young Savages
10. The Ascent

[Mingusings]

The Lords of Salem (2013): 1_5
To the Wonder (2013): 3_5-
Blue Velvet (1986): 4
The Last Stand (2013): 3+
Perfect Blue (1997): 3_5+
The Breakfast Club (1985): 3_5-
The Thin Red Line (1998): 3_5
Hotel Chevalier (2007): 2-
The Darjeeling Limited (2007): 2+

[edarsenal]

Mark of Zorro 1940 with Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone and a very solid cast including Gale Sondergaard and the gravel voiced Eugene Pallette. This is a favorite from childhood that remains so in middle age.
4.5

http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/dfordoom/3834032/1831320/1831320_original.jpg

http://www.tyrone-power.com/biography_ty1a.jpg


The Pink Panther Strikes Again this has got to be the most slapstick out of the entire clousteau regime. It's a shame to have found out that Peter Sellers HATED doing that character.
4

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdTs1b67VDc/T4seEbE9eII/AAAAAAAAEoE/D3rJQUxqsfg/s1600/pink+panther+strikes+again.jpg

[Mr Minio]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2qcf9t3.gif
Metropolis. All other gifts in this post are from To The Wonder. Because I can!

Soundtrack to this post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xbf64o1z8w

http://24.media.tumblr.com/07dc99a51470b52d06a49c08bbd81ace/tumblr_ml8phnENAC1qadupho1_500.gif

Caligula - 2.5

Well, if you ask me it was OK. The porn scenes didn't spoil the movie, even if they were kind of over the top, but come on, Romans loved to fribble. McDowell was great portraying the psychopath and his sick desires. Rest of the crew did a decent job with Gielgud, Mirren and O'Toole giving nice, but not amazing performances. Loved the scenography. Especially the splenderous chambers and the moving wall of death with razor blades spinning and cutting heads off. Who came up with it was a genius. Sometimes it has this B movie feel, especially with the gore scenes (sic!) but other than that it's a good insight into the life of Ceasar, even though it's not too historically accurate, compared to flicks like Gladiator it's a history book.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/6b908890e12ec453e8dca3cd68a99458/tumblr_ml8phnENAC1qadupho2_500.gif

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans - 4.5

A true gem of silent cinema occupying the second place of my favourite silent films being inferior only to The Passion of Joan of Arc. One of these films that I really got into and felt sympathy to the protagonists. In the middle of the film, when I felt the happiness of the couple leaking out of the screen it was an extraordinary experience! The best melodrama I've ever seen. (?)

http://25.media.tumblr.com/efb87b98cb78b140bc248e25e4f0fadc/tumblr_ml8phnENAC1qadupho3_500.gif

Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom - 3.5

Not an easy film to watch due to the amount of violence seen on the screen. It's not a slasher with hectoliters of artificial blood, but a really sad drama portraying people being sexual slaves to a group of wealthy perverts trying to realize their wildest sexual desires including acts of coprophilia and other sick things. The fact the deviants act according to predetarmined rules makes this movie even more horrific.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/fafb487414e85d9f294b5c6fb7d0545b/tumblr_ml8phnENAC1qadupho4_500.gif

I Am Cuba - 4

A movie that remained almost unknown until it was seen by Scorsese and Coppola, who promoted it. Soviet-Cuban co-production gave birth to a propagandist film, in which guerillas are portrayed as heroes. Other than that we have three interesting stories, of which the most interesting could be one of a assassin, who couldn't kill his target, because "he had scrambled eggs on breakfast"... and it's not funny, you have to see the scene to know what's the point, as always I don't want to spoil too much.
But leave the story and focus on cinematography, as the movie has one of the most impressing camera takes I've ever seen. Especially genuine tracking shots of a mob and more. A must see for every nice-visuals admirer. Oh, and Guaporense, don't watch it, because you will most likely call it a propaganda crap and rate it 0.5, even though the "enjoyment" rating would be something like 3.5.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9c61b8a506d08cc58b5766fd8cb1da21/tumblr_ml8phnENAC1qadupho5_500.gif

The Wayward Cloud - 3.5

In my short pean in 'Rate the last movie you've seen' I said I probably forgot something trying to make out the longest possible descriptions of the genre, this film belongs to. I forgot to add 'culinary'. Big crabs bite! Yay!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/62fd6168cfc1fcb1fd61a5da886b90ce/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao1_250.gifhttp://24.media.tumblr.com/1c5cc689895cc1e9c29a1777ce45fc30/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao2_250.gif

Metropolis - 3.5

Another great silent! It felt like Orwell's world mixed with some religious themes to spice it up. Impressive scenography and false vision of future world made the film kind of cyber-punk even though it wasn't intended! 20's planes flying next to highways floating between the skyscrapers? Seven sins, Great Babilon and mob raising against authorities? All of this and a lot more to be seen in Metropolis being a harbringer of a masterpiece Lang has made few years later.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/7cea57605424c214abe7ee2e89bcf6fe/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao6_250.gifhttp://24.media.tumblr.com/2645fbffeac27ed7bd0c6ff0fe18af77/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao5_250.gif

City Lights - 3.5

I'm not keen on comedies, so I thought I'm gonna hate it, but strangely enough I enjoyed it! I even laughed a bit like 2 or 3 times and smiled all the way through. Even if Chaplin's gags aren't funny they ain't pathetic neither, which makes this flick an easy-watching piece of entertainment. Planning to watch The Dictator next. The idea of making fun of Nazis and Hitler himself tells me it's a good movie!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/62342c315f96e3d2a8c0b6a8ede2ba7e/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao7_250.gifhttp://24.media.tumblr.com/f6b35127d10085bc6a4d1cd96a7b03af/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao3_250.gif

To the Wonder - 4.5

I love how Malick doesn't give a flying damn about people's opinions and keeps making the films in his own style. The Tree of Life received Palme d'Or, but it wasn't a financial success (at least in my country). The critics divided into two camps. One claiming it's a masterpiece, the other it's a piece of pretentious crap. To the Wonder is so similar to The Tree of Life, it may be a part of trilogy (next film to be released in 2013). Once again Lubetzki proves he's a genius providing the most impressive cinematography I've seen since The Tree of Life. The story is very religious-concerned, but as in The Tree of Life it seems to transcend the borders of Christianity and Western Civilization producing an universal meaning. It's not only about God, but also, or maybe mainly, about marriage. The relationship between a couple. Olga Kurylenko reminded me of some characters from Raffael Santi painting, only skinnier, being a tool in hands of Lubetzki.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/5e7d0d4b0c194e9a59057eb6516e3c89/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao8_250.gifhttp://24.media.tumblr.com/ebf6fbe0a2dabd7ce7b23e40b49ddaf3/tumblr_ml9zpuKJSu1qbabvao4_250.gif

Ikiru - 3.5

Another classic. This time it's Kurosawa. Shimura gives an outstanding performance and the movie is great, but a tiny disappointment nevertheless. My expectations were too high, I guess. It didn't top my favourite Kurosawa - Rashomon and I find another film with a similar theme - The Quiet Duet better.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/221f83e537bbeb5f2c10bab735b27ec1/tumblr_mj1z4k25Pm1qah35to6_250.gif

Primer - 3

Legit independent American cinema. Really mind-tuggling, very hard to understand, story. Acting is a letdown, but considering it's an half-amateur production it's not a big deal. Recommended for physics enthusiasts.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/d05f0a9cb15f6db9c6daf583c260e11d/tumblr_mfcrm9oEnw1qf2x2mo7_r1_250.gif

A History of Violence - 3

As the title suggests it's a violent film. It shows it's not so easy to flee from your previous life and that people are not always what or who they seem to be.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/431817e8541ba8f04b9f46ec22b6e98d/tumblr_mj1z4k25Pm1qah35to4_250.gif

The Hunt - 4

Is well-developed welfare and self-awareness in Scandinavia a good thing at all? Sure it is! But it leads to situations like that. Watch the film to find out what I mean.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/83773cee4eff4b2efeaf791de0787545/tumblr_mfc5zhm39k1r211y7o5_250.gifhttp://24.media.tumblr.com/2b63aa6f50223236007600c04481b084/tumblr_mfc5zhm39k1r211y7o6_250.gifhttp://25.media.tumblr.com/0eceedf6f521893fa94321c8d2769335/tumblr_mfc5zhm39k1r211y7o3_250.gif

[Skepsis93]

Haven't been able to see as much lately with deadlines approaching, what I have been able to catch over the past few weeks:

The Fountain (Darren Aronofsky, 2006) 4
Bronson (Nicolas Winding Refn, 2008) 3.5-
Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005) 4
Duck Soup (Leo McCarey, 1933) 1
The Purple Rose of Cairo (Woody Allen, 1985) 4.5
Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Werner Herzog, 1972) 4

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLTeZOZwrfc/T6wnx7lybkI/AAAAAAAAAoI/q1TdqfL81q8/s1600/bronson.jpg

[mark f]

Little Mister Jim (Fred Zinnemann, 1946) 2
The Paleface (Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline, 1922) 3
Behold a Pale Horse (Fred Zinnemann, 1964) 2.5
Joshua (Gregory Ratliff, 2007) 2.5-
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/07/05/arts/08josh600.1.jpg
The Decoy Bride (Sheree Folkson, 2011) 2.5
Transsiberian (Brad Anderson, 2008) 2.5
Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding! (Peter Tewksbury, 1967) 2
Bittersweet Love (David Miller, 1976) 2
It Came From Outer Space (Jack Arnold, 1953) 2+
http://25.media.tumblr.com/dc0b4dbd2c02ba9dfde6c1cd1fde6e1d/tumblr_mkj86paoSw1r7dgeuo1_500.jpg
The Magnetic Monster (Curt Siodmak, 1953) 2
Riders to the Stars (Richard Carlson, 1954) 2-
The Power (Byron Haskin, 1968) 2
Lymelife (Derick Martini, 2008) 2+
The Man Who Wasn’t There (Coen Bros., 2001) 2.5
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnik9z1hAS1qzy109o1_500.jpg
Skin (Anthony Fabian, 2008) 3-
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (Charles Lamont, 1952) 2
Big Leaguer (Robert Aldrich, 1953) 2+
The Angry Hills (Robert Aldrich, 1959) 2
A Stolen Life (Curtis Bernhardt, 1946) 2.5
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/3650/8407f718.jpg
The Undercover Man (Joseph H. Lewis, 1949) 2+
Babies for Sale (Charles Barton, 1940) 2
The Doctor and the Girl (Curtis Bernhardt, 1950) 2
The White Tower (Ted Tetzlaff, 1950) 2.5
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6171529522_119fb8e760_m.jpg

[Gabrielle947]

I Am Cuba
I thought that I Am Cuba is surrealictic,now I might even watch it. :D

[Used Future]

It Came From Outer Space (Jack Arnold, 1953) 2+
http://25.media.tumblr.com/dc0b4dbd2c02ba9dfde6c1cd1fde6e1d/tumblr_mkj86paoSw1r7dgeuo1_500.jpg

The Power (Byron Haskin, 1968) 2

I coincidentally watched both of these a couple of months back. I like It Came From Outer Space quite a lot more than you do, and would give it 3. I have it in a classic Sci-Fi boxset, though judging from your score you'd probably contest the 'Classic' part. I see you were equally scathing with Tarantula (also in the set) which is admittedly pretty ropey, but at least Clint turns up at the end. I originally saw It Came From Outer Space on TV in a matinee double bill with a black and white British film about aliens trapping people in a hospital via an invisible force field. You don't happen to know what that one's called do you? Incidentally it's not Children Of The Damned, or Village Of The Damned.

I streamed The Power figuring it might be a fun overlooked gem worth reviewing, but was bored to tears. Such a great premise ruined by over length, and a muddled script with all the tension removed. Can't say I was convinced by Georgie Porgie in the lead either. The scene with the moving wall is pretty cool though. As is the bit on the military firing/bombing range. I'd go along with your rating.

[mark f]

I think your movie is Invasion.http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v0fV15P7uQo/TUBGFyvFdNI/AAAAAAAAI8g/WTXjudDeklE/s400/invasion%2Bmerton.jpg

I like ICfOS well enough and I consider it a classic, but the main problem I have is with the dumb sheriff (although he comes around) and the "lynch mob". Bradbury's script is thoughtful at times, but I didn't think the film was as good as The Incredible Shrinking Man which I saw a few days earlier. It's all relative, but Outer Space was the best of the four Richard Carlson films I watched that day.

[Used Future]

I think your movie is Invasion.

Hmmm...are you sure? I can find nothing online under that title. It would have been made in the 50's to early 60's I'd guess.

[mark f]

Here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060544/) is a link. Also if you go to the page (http://blackholereviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/horror-films-of-merton-park-studios.html) the photo is from, there's a brief description.

[Used Future]

Muchas gracias :)

Strangely didn't appear when I put the title into IMDB.

[Gabrielle947]

Lola rennt / Run Lola Run (1998) - that is probably the fastest film I've seen.I enjoyed it,it was interesting,although sometimes too bizarre. 3.5

Casualties of War (1989) - that was a very interesting war drama not exactly about war but,as the title says,about the consequences of war.First half of the film is much much better than the second half but overall I liked the dark and different De Palma take on the war.I've got to thank Linespalsy for recommendation. 4

The Godfather Trilogy (1972-1990) - first Godfather film still remains the best film ever made for me.It's absolutely flawless and it could be an example of a perfect film.As I mentioned in my top 100 thread,every aspect of the film is above average - acting is memorable,screenplay is just perfect and F.F.Coppola's vision perfectly fitted the story.Cinematography is wonderful and the whole plot just flows along with music,dialogue,culmination and character development.Also,this movie proves that films can be both art and entertainment. 5
Now,the second film is also significant but second is second.It's not the same.Actually,I believe that the second one has better camera work and I prefer Vito Corleone played by De Niro,although his story seems a bit undeveloped especially considering how detailed the whole Godfather franchise is.Another thing,which I noticed is that is follows a similar formula to the first film,especially towards the end. 4.5
The third one is really weaker,even the acting is bothering me a bit and the whole story seems too much.I enjoyed it but in terms of craftsmanship,it's the weakest of the series. 3.5

There Will Be Blood (2007) - I really love this film and it's a delight for me but every time I see it,I think that it is flawed somewhere.Now,I really love the two main characters and the silent battle between them,I love the cinematography and the theme of the film,the story is great but I'm thinking maybe the plot is not so consistent,maybe even a bit jumpy.Not sure actually,maybe it's because,after seeing Godfather,every other film seems worse. :D 5

Gangster Squad (2013) - The first time I've heard of this film,I thought it will be good.When I saw the trailer,I expected it to be at least enjoyable but when I finally saw the film tiself,I think it was tragic.Phony violence,cliche characters,absolutely worthless dialogue and the plot is way too fast.Sean Penn acting just killed me,he was just "overplaying" his character.Also,this movie tried to make some catchy phrases which were not only not funny but maybe even pathetic.The films had resources but lacked talent. 1

Forrest Gump (1994) - Seeing this film for 7th or 8th time,I'm starting to understand what Roger Ebert meant by saying that it is a magical film.You can always find something new about it and it amazes me how differently I interpret it every time I rewatch it.This film has everything from politics to culture,from war to hippies,from love to business and I could go on and on.This time I noticed how accurately it tells about destiny and life,how unexpected the life might be and notice how the characters are drifting like the feather at the beginning and in the end of the film.Watching it during different periods of my short life I always manage to connect with it in different ways.I used to prefer Forrest Gump character over others but now I like watching Lt. Dan's or Jenny's unstable lives and Forrest's impact on them.It's the best drama I've seen and probably one of the simplest yet most humane films that have ever been created.It just proves that the best things are the simplest ones. 5

[mark f]

Terror on a Train aka Time Bomb (Ted Tetzlaff, 1953) 2.5
Road to Nowhere (Monte Hellman. 2010) 2
Interrupted Melody (Curtis Bernhardt, 1955) 2
Trial (Mark Robson, 1955) 3
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8x2cK3uRqk/T10Zv1VEQbI/AAAAAAAAFqE/g3w53zayZuE/s1600/20.JPG
Ransom! (Alex Segal, 1956) 2.5
Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (Rogelio A. Gonzalez, 1960) 3
Cowboy from Brooklyn (Lloyd Bacon, 1938) 2
The Red Baron (Nikolai Müllerschön, 2008) 2.5
The Roost (Ti West, 2005) 2.5
http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2010/03/roost3.jpg
Married Before Breakfast (Edwin L. Marin, 1937) 2.5
Double Danger (Lew Landers, 1938) 2
Albino Alligator (Kevin Spacey, 1996) 2.5
Missing (Costa-Gavras, 1982) 3.5
http://pics.imcdb.org/0is190/vlcsnap2010100313h53m36.5346.jpg
The Color Purple (Steven Spielberg, 1985) 3.5+
An American Romance (King Vidor, 1944) 2.5
Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch, 2001) 2.5
John Carter (Andrew Stanton, 2012) 2.5
Three Days of the Condor (Sydney Pollack, 1975) 3.5
http://www.cinemasight.com/Reviews/Annual/1975/ThreeDaysoftheCondor.jpg
The Captain is a Lady (Robert B. Sinclair, 1940) 2
A Successful Calamity (John Adolfi, 1932) 3-
When Did You Last See Your Father? (Anand Tucker, 2007) 2.5
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Hayao Miyazaki, 1984) 4-
http://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/t/tk_tagoo/20130127/20130127222904.png

[linespalsy]

I need to re-read/watch Nausicaa. I remember the comic being a lot better, but I guess the story was only about 1/4-1/3 of the way done when the movie came out. ...Then again, I think the Akira movie is better than the comic, and that's pretty much the same deal.

[edarsenal]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
4 One of those feel-good about life, love, family films. Just enjoyment for enjoyment's sake. This is one from the collection that is on high rotation for late night, drifting off to sleep to.

Bunraku
4 Title is named after Japanese puppet theater and some of the cinematic contraptions follow suite. It's flashy, wonderfully corny, with a graphic, artistic flair to the camera work.

Werewolf; The Beast Among Us
2 actually skipped through after the first 30 mins just to see how the premise worked its way out

Mission Impossible; Ghost Protocol
4 This was a re-watch. I was a fan of the first and second and tried to watch the third, and couldn't. Number 4 had all the great twists, high-energy action that make this series worthwhile. Newcomers Simon Pegg, Jeremy Perren and Paula Patton round off Tom Cruise's team of MIF agents.
I think I need to watch #1 again. **insert MI theme song here**

[TokeZa]

This Week in Movies:

Feature films:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/Mama_2012_poster.jpg/220px-Mama_2012_poster.jpg
Mama (2013) by Andy Muschietti 1

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/77/ZeroDarkThirty2012Poster.jpg/215px-ZeroDarkThirty2012Poster.jpg
Zero Dark Thirty (2012) by Kathryn Bigelow 2.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Amour-poster-french.jpg/220px-Amour-poster-french.jpg
Amour (2012) by Michael Haneke 4+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/No_%282012_film%29.jpg
No (2012) by Pablo Larraín 3.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/45/Berberian_Sound_Studio.jpg/220px-Berberian_Sound_Studio.jpg
Berberian Sound Studio (2012) by Peter Strickland 2

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5d/The_Central_Park_Five_poster.jpg/220px-The_Central_Park_Five_poster.jpg
The Central Park Five (2012) by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Kokurikozaka_kara_film_poster.jpg/220px-Kokurikozaka_kara_film_poster.jpg
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) by Gorō Miyazaki 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/64/Killing_Them_Softly_poster.jpg/215px-Killing_Them_Softly_poster.jpg
Killing Them Softly (2012) by Andrew Dominik 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Looper_poster.jpg/220px-Looper_poster.jpg
Looper (2012) by Rian Johnson 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Barbara_%282012_film%29.jpg
Barbara (2012) by Christian Petzold 4.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Discreet-charm-poster.jpg/220px-Discreet-charm-poster.jpg
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) by Luis Buñuel 4

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Combat_shock_dvd.jpg/220px-Combat_shock_dvd.jpg
Combat Shock (1986) by Buddy Giovinazzo 2.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/70/Jacobsladderposter.jpg/215px-Jacobsladderposter.jpg
Jacob's Ladder (1990) by Adrian Lyne 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3e/Hitchcock_film_poster.jpg/220px-Hitchcock_film_poster.jpg
Hitchcock (2012) by Sacha Gervasi 2

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/Upstream_Color_poster.jpg
Upstream Color (2013) by Shane Carruth 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Tabu_poster.jpg/220px-Tabu_poster.jpg
Tabu (2012) by Miguel Gomes 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/98/Rust_and_Bone_poster.jpg/220px-Rust_and_Bone_poster.jpg
Rust and Bone (2012) by Jacques Audiard 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/Something_in_the_Air_poster.jpg/220px-Something_in_the_Air_poster.jpg
Something in the Air (2012) by Olivier Assayas 2.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Silver_Linings_Playbook_Poster.jpg/220px-Silver_Linings_Playbook_Poster.jpg
Silver Linings Playbook 1.5

Short Films:

Flux/fall (2012) by Dan Browne 1

Castro Street (1966) by Bruce Baillie 4

Consume (2003) by Dominic Angerame 3.5

[Mr Minio]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VyHlgltwR60/UOo4G7qWOkI/AAAAAAAAAhE/Tnl9iXNR3BM/s1600/142224__texas_chainsaw_l.jpg
Great cinematography in horror film? Yay!

Breaking the Waves - 4
Pokłosie - 2.5
Bad Lieutenant - 3
Secrets & Lies - 4.5
W ciemności - 3
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - 3.5
Salto - 4.5

[honeykid]

Spiders - 1.5 It's not good, but it just about keeps your attention for the duration. However, it's almost completely lacking in fun or idiocy, two things I usually find essential in enjoying this type of film. This just leaves the ridiculous plotting and narritive to entertain.

Starship Troopers 2: Hero Of The Federation - 2 I knew this was nothing like the first film, but I wasn't prepared for just how unlike it it is. I really didn't care for it at all until it it kicked into a bodysnatcher/The Thing type film. I really like those, so I'll forgive a lot. Maybe people who don't like/see the satire of the first film watches it as I do this? I'd watch this again, just to watch it in the knowledge of what it is. Maybe I'd like it more.

Silent Running - 1.5 I saw this when I was about 12 and I remembered it being a kind of hippy space bore, where nothing really happened. The thing was, I couldn't remember a single thing about it. Nothing. Not a frame. So it was interesting, to me at least, to watch this and find I'd describe it exactly the same way having watched it again as I would've before. I know it's a cult favourite and a Sci-Fi classic, but I don't get it.

[mark f]

Alice in Wonderland(Norman Z. McLeod, 1933) 2
No Greater Glory (Frank Borzage, 1934) 2.5
http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/noGreaterGlory1_b-e1342372209531.jpg
Blue Hawaii (Norman Taurog,1962) 2
Flaming Star (Don Siegel, 1960) 3
These Thousand Hills (Richard Fleischer, 1959) 2
Kinky Boots (Julian Jerrold, 2005) 3-
http://i2.listal.com/image/1984785/600full-kinky-boots-screenshot.jpg
Back to the Future (Robert Zemeckis, 1985) 4.5
Back to the Future Part II (Robert Zemeckis, 1989) 3.5
Back to the Future Part III (Robert Zemeckis, 1990) 3.5
Footlight Parade (Lloyd Bacon & Busby Berkeley, 1933) 3
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1MHSeAz76UU/S7T-qddjPlI/AAAAAAAADFE/GksfibxmIbU/2170759726_1d9e409229_o_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800
The Lonely Guy (Arthur Hiller, 1984) 3-
Bio-Dome (Jason Bloom, 1996) 2-
The Millionairess (Anthony Asquith, 1960) 2.5+
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Lasse Hallstrom, 2011) 3
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2012/4/18/1334764118733/Salmon-Fishing-in-the-Yem-008.jpg
You’re a Big Boy Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1966) 2.5
Nob Hill (Henry Hathaway, 1945) 2
The Revolt of Mamie Stover (Raoul Walsh, 1956) 2.5
Vengeance is Mine (Shohei Imamura, 1979) 2.5
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/derZornGottes/wordpress/vengisme1.jpg
A Merry War (Robert Bierman, 1997) 3+
The Shopworn Angel (H.C. Potter, 1938) 2.5+
Boom Town (Jack Conway, 1940) 3+

[JayDee]

Someone get on to Guiness World Records and find out the record for most films watched in a year. Whatever the number I think Mark may shatter it! :D

[The Gunslinger45]

I thought he was the record holder!

[Thursday Next]

The Help 3
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner 3.5
Manhattan Murder Mystery 3.5
Scorpio Rising 4.5
The Kid Stays in the Picture 4
From Here to Eternity 3.5
The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford 3.5
Little Big Man 2.5
Cemetery Junction 2.5
Bal (Honey) 2.5
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) 4
THX 1138 3
Touch of Evil 4
Nina's Heavenly Delights 3

[edarsenal]

The Thieves (Korean) a very good movie all the way around. Enjoyable cast and characters, great storyline with very good twists, intelligent capers and great pace
5

http://koreandrama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/30000129613_700.jpg

Silent Hill; Revelations 3 watched it mostly for the creatures. Acting and story was so-so

Total Recall (2010) 3.5 as far as remakes are concerned, had no idea why they would tear it apart at the very core, but beyond that, it was an amusing watch

Rango 5 this is a favorite out of the collection that i thoroughly enjoy on every level and re-watch quite often.

[Daniel M]

Rango 5 this is a favorite out of the collection that i thoroughly enjoy on every level and re-watch quite often.

You are my new favourite member, I love Rango :p

[Brodinski]

What I remember from past week:

Des Hommes et Des Dieux (2010, Beauvois): 4.5

One of the great French films of the century, up there with Un Prophète and 35 Shots of Rum. It's a very slow build, but you can sense that unforgivably tough ending approaching. Just the sheer fact that this is still compelling to the very end is a triumph in itself. I honestly can't think of a single thing I really dislike: great acting, beautiful cinematography, wonderful atmosphere setting, deliberately slow pacing which is necessary to really make the film hit home, and a truly remarkable message that it delivers.

If you've got 2 hours to sit in front of a screen, you'll have to look quite hard to find anything as good as this film to spend 'em on.

Role Models (2008, Wain): 3
The Paper (1994, Howard): 2.5
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946, Wyler): 3.5+
The Dead (1987, Huston): 3+
The Dilemma (2011, Howard): 1
Argo (2012, Affleck): 3+
Pursued (1947, Walsh): 2.5

[Mr Minio]

Des Hommes et Des Dieux is truly magical. Especially the last supper scene with music from Swan Lake!

[mark f]

Terri (Azazel Jacobs, 2011) 2.5
Irene (Herbert Wilcox, 1940) 2.5
Virginia City (Michael Curtiz, 1940) 2.5+
Incendies (Denis Villeneuve, 2010) 3+
http://www.kinofilmtrailer.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Die-Frau-die-singt-Icendies-02-300x169.jpg
The Lady (Luc Besson, 2011) 2
We Who Are Young (Harold S. Bucquet, 1940) 2
Firestarter (Mark L. Lester, 1984) 2+
Strange Cargo (Frank Borzage, 1940) 3
http://www.alifeatthemovies.com/images/2010/07/strange-cargo-231x130.jpg
Code Unknown (Michael Haneke, 2000) 2
Babes On Broadway (Busby Berkeley, 1941) 2.5
Gay Purr-ee (Abe Levitow, 1962) 2.5
Don’t Say No Until I Finish Talking (Laurent Bouzereau, 2013) 3+
http://enjoy.ohio.com/polopoly_fs/1.394254.1367445586!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_270/channels05-02.jpg
Ill Met by Moonlight aka Night Ambush (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1957) 2.5+
So Long at the Fair (Antony Darnborough & Terence Fisher, 1950) 3
Driving Miss Daisy (Bruce Beresford, 1989) 3.5
The Call of Cthulhu (Andrew Leman, 2005) 3-
http://vicsmovieden.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/download-21.jpg
Mirage (Edward Dmytryk, 1965) 3
Cold Creek Manor (Mike Figgis, 2003) 2
Have I the Right To Kill? aka The Unvanquished (Alain Cavalier, 1964) 2.5+
Purple Noon (Rene Clement, 1960) 3.5
http://cfs1.blog.daum.net/upload_control/download.blog?fhandle=MDdKa01AZnMxLmJsb2cuZGF1bS5uZXQ6L0lNQUdFLzMvMzgxLmpwZy50aHVtYg==&filename=381.jpg

[Gabrielle947]

Born on the Fourth of July (1989) - actually,it's not that hard to tell that it's directed by Oliver Stone.Despite his more or less controversial themes,I am starting to think that some of his movies(especially political ones) just lack..art - some subtle hidden messages or silent pauses.I basically like O.Stone's ideas and interesting plots but since this one involves physical disability and I'm not a fan of that,I found the film very unmemorable.On the other hand,it was quite educating and it managed to disturb me at times (like soldier hospitals),so 2.5

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - I'd describe this film as a combination of video games and conventional love story presented in modern ways.I like original ideas in films and I tend to overrate such movies even if I don't like them.This one was interesting to watch(that's obvious) but I'm not sure if I liked it.However,I'm pretty sure I will not see it again as I don't miss anything from it. 2.5

The Hitcher (1986) - watched it only because of the villain(Rutger Hauer) acting performance and actually that is what I liked most about the film.The beginning was very promising but I was bored by it towards the end and even if it's quite a short feature movie,I felt like it is strained towards the end.Might see again. 3

Dirty Girl (2010) - I don't like talking about bad films but basically this road comedy has everything that I don't like in film - conventional characters,unrealistic story,way too sentimental family drama,not funny humor and no desire to get back to the movie. 1

A Clockwork Orange (1971) - being not a big fan and viewer of disturbing films,I really can't call this my favorite but it's probably the only uncomfortable content movie which I can take. :D It's a rewatch,so I was able to analyze it more.I remembered that in this forum there was a discussion about Kubrick being not "close to human" and I'm thinking that I may agree with it.But despite the idea that his movies may not have a lot of contact with humanity,they plenty of contact with fantasy.It amazes me how Kubrick managed to make A Clockwork Orange exactly the way it is.By the way,I'd like to praise the dialogue,whether the credit goes to Kubrick or Burgess. 4

Into the Wild (2007) - It might be a good film but I don't connect with it at all.Actually,I don't even understand whether the story is optimistic or depressing.The characters for me were extremely uninteresting as was the conclusion and I didn't like the non-linear structure of the movie.Funny thing is that I saw this film maybe 3-4 years ago and I didn't like it for the same reasons. 2

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - watched,enjoyed,forgot. :D No,actually it was my first time seeing the film and it really wasn't memorable.It's good for the single watch and it is interesting,I really liked the TV game inclusion (great contrast!) and I think that the idea of the movie was to show that knowledge doesn't come from schools and universities,it comes from life and I liked that idea.But basically that's it.This is my third Danny Boyle movie and the least favorite but still watchable. 3

[CelluloidChild]

mark f.....what are some movies that you give more than four bags of popcorn to?

[donniedarko]

I believe he's said that he only gave more than a 4, somewhere around 30 times. Back to The Future is one and that was in his last post, also his top ten films are more than 4 I guess.

[Brother Blue]

*L'avventura (Antonioni, 1960) 5
*The Bird with a Crystal Plumage (Argento, 1970) 3.5
*The Mist (Darabont, 2007) 3.5
*30 Days of Night (Slade, 2007) 3
*Kind Hearts and Coronets (Hamer, 1949) 4.5
The Apple (Golan, 1980) 1.5 - As terrible as this is, watch it. It's amazing.
Upstream Colour (Carruth, 2013) 4.5

[short] Nocturne (von Trier, 1980) 2.5

* = rewatch

[mark f]

mark f.....what are some movies that you give more than four bags of popcorn to?
Basically the top 30 here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=14820), but the next few are close and a few of the add-ons later in the post qualify too.

[CelluloidChild]

Basically the top 30 here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=14820), but the next few are close and a few of the add-ons later in the post qualify too.

Thanks...I like the inclusion of Alfie and Little Big Man. Haven't seen those at the top of many lists.

My question was a light-hearted semi-rhetorical one. But it is interesting that you set the bar very high for any movie that, in effect, qualifies for anything over 80 percent.

[mark f]

I grew up when 4 stars was the highest rating. I feel with the addition of an extra star, 4 stars still qualifies as great and that anything above that has to be very special for me. I rate few films 0-1 star too, so it's somewhat symmetrical. :)

[CelluloidChild]

Kinda like 'Turn it up to 11' :)

[Daniel M]

http://m0vie.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/laconfidential1.jpg?w=468 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgaZ_s8dvBo/T1OqGgN4apI/AAAAAAAAB3I/Y0X9fm3aWvY/s1600/natural-born-killers_l.jpg

The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982) 4

A cult horror classic, this film is a great example of why such films should focus on suspense and psychological horror rather than physical, in your face shocks - although it can be argued that this has both. The film deals with paranoia as a science research crew begin to fear for their lives as they discover they are under attack from a shape shifting monster. Although the characters are quite shallow and forgettable, I felt that unlike some horrors, this was okay for the plot. Kurt Russell gives an enjoyable performance and the final scene leaves you attempting to piece together what you have just seen, and closer viewings reveal that the monster and the way it operates are extremely cleverly written. In one scene I actually jumped too, which is not an often occurrence these days with predictable horror films, the blood test scene which was built up brilliantly.

Dirty Harry (Don Siegel, 1971) 4

Possibly Eastwood's most well known film as an actor, my first proper viewing had been a long awaited one. Eastwood works great as an action star set on delivering his own personal justice to the 'Scorpio' killer, a role different from his work with Leone, but also similar in a lot of ways, we watch this cool, collected and extremely likeable character assert his masculinity through enjoyable violence. The ending is very well known and often quoted, and was as great as I hoped it to be, despite Eastwood's characters political views (he finds himself in trouble with the police/legal system) not matching my own, Siegel does a great job in making them highly enjoyable to watch.

Blades of Glory (Josh Gordon & Will Speck, 2007) 2.5

A comedy film that is pretty much what you would expect from Will Ferrell and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), although I must say this is one of the better 'dumb comedies' I have seen and it did surpass my expectations at times. It is very stupid at times, but provides a decent number of laughs, a decent effort that will probably please a lot more people than me.

American Reunion (John Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg, 2012) 2

I am not the biggest fan of the American Pie films, I never really watched them when I was a that young (Probably watched the first when I was about 15) so I didn't find myself enjoying some of the more teenage orientated scenes as well as I would of if I was younger, although it is meant to be a kind of fun 'coming of age/leaving school' type film, it didn't do too much for me apart from a few scenes which were genuinely really funny. I do not though think that this is the weakest of the series, and fans of the original will surely like it, but I set here now attempting to write a paragraph about it and I find myself remembering barely anything of note to write about.

Little Nicky (Steven Brill, 2000) 1.5

I am not a big Sandler fan, which puts me probably in the majority here, but I would not say I hate him. I had been told that this along with Happy Gilmore (not seen) was one of his more enjoyable older films, however now watching it I can only disagree. I know comedies like this are supposed to be silly, but this was just really strange and made even more bizarre by some of the actors that appear in it. I love Harvey Keitel and like Patricia Arquette (for True Romance, at least) and Rhys Ifans (a fellow Welshman) well enough, but they couldn't stop this from being a poor film. Keitel looks like he is having fun, but I have no idea why he would do something like this, unless he just wanted to to do just that, have fun with something different (I recall Al Pacino recently appeared in Jack and Jill too). Quentin Tarantino's small character is even more bizarre, I could not help but laugh at his scenes.

L.A. Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997) 4.5

A film that is a fantastic reminder of why I love films, a love letter to film noir but a very respectable one in itself, the film oozes style and has some great performances that makes it a top viewing experience. Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe (who would have guessed two Neighbours stars would be such great actors here) are great in their contrasting good cop, bad cop roles, then there's lots of other top performances from the likes of Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger (who looks nothing like 44), Danny DeVito and James Cromwell. In true noir style, the film excels in all the right departs, direction, cinematography, sound and perhaps most importantly script.

Natural Born Killers (Oliver Stone, 1994) 4

This film is a hell of a ride, and it had me hooked from the opening scene, one of my favourites in the film as we see Stone/Richardson beautifully construct a scene using various different shots and photography styles to create a highly energetic, hyper scene where we are introduced to the film's main characters, Mickey and Mallory. There are a few things I don't understand about people who complain about this film, the first is complaints about violence, I am honestly going to say I do not think this film was very violent. Sure it deals with a lot of blood/violent scenes but the killings are never explicitly shown in detail and it was never difficult to watch for me. The second is the complaint about its satirical (or not) nature with Stone coming under some criticism for his removal of Tarantino's original comedic elements, turning the film into violent entertainment that it is supposed to mock, I don't get this because all the way through I found the film to be a comedy, it is about as over the top as you could get, its in your face stupid at times, but that's what makes it such a great experience. I loved Robert Downey Jr.'s hilarious character for the film's second half, some of the ending prison scenes are also brilliant.

[donniedarko]

Since my last post, I've been having some good watches. Mainly recent films lately (1994 up), just a trend I guess.

Cosmopolis, Cronenberg, 2012
http://www.slantmagazine.com/images/house/festivals/cosmopolis.jpg
Good watches, outside of this P.O.S. The only other Cronenberg film I've seen is Videodrome, I gave that film a 2/5, but this makes it look like a masterpiece. Honestly this was utter crap all the way to its shallow core. It's nice to see Pattinson out of a romantic movie, but he picked up Kristen Stewarts technique of not acting, or showing emotion. The goal of surrealism was failed, and the indescribable pointlessness of scenes is beyond my belief. I'll be honest and admit I couldn't finish this, but I'm not willing to torture myself. The cheapness of how it was set up, and the fact that when there's a punch thrown it looks like how it'd be seen in a highschool play, made this the worst film of 2012. In one word it's unbearable.
1

Hope Springs, Frankel, 2012
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/still/hope-springs-2012-image03.jpg
I actually was excited for this film and really did hope to like it. Most of the funny parts were revealed in the trailer though, and I felt it was over sextualized to feel touching. It's almost just I expected more from a movie where Streep and Tommy Lee Jones and getting couple counseled by Steve Carrel. The worse thing was the intrusive and over used score though, one of the most irritating I've heard.
2.5-

Metropia, Saleh, 2009
http://skarsgardfans.com/wp-content/gallery/metropia-2010/metropia_08.jpg
Metropia has beautiful video game style animation, and honestly this made up for all of its flaws. It has a lot to be built on, but it had enough visual pleasure to make it more noticeable than a weak story and narration. The voice acting was bad, but I soon got over that to.
3.5

The War on Kids, Soling, 2009
http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCkvpqjxk7Dr-SI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvthumb.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhvthumb-ak-ash3%2Fs403x403%2F158823_634529470789_561314608959_36996_1311_b.jpg&jq=100
The War on Kids is amongst the greatest documentaries I've seen. It shows the problems of the public school system in an outspoken point of view. It shows how our schools are modeled after prisons, and children are treated as prisoners. It is biased, but I agreed with everything that was being said. Which ranged from zero tolerance to the myth of ADHD. As a student myself maybe in 15 years I won't feel this film as much as I do now, but I hope that I will always recognize this message. Unless this message would be out dated in the future, which would be a great thing. The film even got me enraged at some points, especially when talking about the whole guilty until proven innocent approach. It was also lively and entertaining, full of energy, and even humorous. The people interviewed were animated, and knowledgeable. It'd be an interesting day if this was shown to every high schooler across the nation.
4.5-

Movies that either are or will be talked about in my self challenge thread:
Three Colors: White- 2.5
Three Colors: Red- 3.5
Barking Dogs Never Bite 2

TV documentaries:
The True Story of Rasputin- 3-
Nuremburg: Tyranny on Trial- 3.5

[teeter_g]

This weeks' movies:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/The_Host_Poster.jpg/220px-The_Host_Poster.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/Trainspotting_ver2.jpg/250px-Trainspotting_ver2.jpg 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/98/Rocknrolla_ver3.jpg/215px-Rocknrolla_ver3.jpg 3.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/Revolver2005.jpg/220px-Revolver2005.jpg 4

The Terrorist 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Pain_%26_Gain_film_poster.jpg/220px-Pain_%26_Gain_film_poster.jpg 3.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8b/Flight_of_Fury_1412.jpg/220px-Flight_of_Fury_1412.jpg 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/62/I_Am_Number_Four_Poster.jpg/220px-I_Am_Number_Four_Poster.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7f/Inception_ver3.jpg/220px-Inception_ver3.jpg 4+

[Brodinski]

mark f.....what are some movies that you give more than four bags of popcorn to?

All of these:


Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=876136#post876136)
Room at the Top (Jack Clayton, 1959) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4.5box.gif
The Innocents (Jack Clayton, 1961) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=876665#post876665)
Bonnie and Clyde (Arthur Penn, 1967) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, 1993) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=877158#post877158)
Cabaret (Bob Fosse, 1972) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (Joe Dante, 1990) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=878948#post878948)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (William Dieterle, 1939) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=879433#post879433)
The Trouble With Harry (Alfred Hitchcock, 1955) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=880165#post880165)
Ben-Hur (William Wyler, 1959) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
North By Northwest (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
From Russia With Love (Terence Young, 1963) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif-
Goldfinger (Guy Hamilton, 1964) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif-
Poltergeist (Tobe Hooper, 1982) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif+

Originally Posted by mark f http://www.movieforums.com/community/images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=881431#post881431)
The Caine Mutiny (Edward Dmytryk, 1954) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
Easy Rider (Dennis Hopper, 1969) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
The Bridge on the River Kwai (David Lean, 1957) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean, 1962) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif

[Sedai]

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Kim, 2003) 4

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lay8ps6krj1qbhsbe.jpg

Amazing stuff. A quiet, meditative study on the cycle of life. Zen on film.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

The Graduate 4

http://cinemabeats.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/the-graduate-2.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=the+graduate&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=jfWfvk48_7WiwM&tbnid=uk6labRidR7fWM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcinemabeats.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fthe-graduate%2F&ei=jF-NUZe7JMrK0QXduoDgAg&bvm=bv.46340616,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNGCpEiUoDb9tD3bOde2SmpRZgJUGw&ust=1368305903683598)


Judging from its cultural influence, I thought this would be a sex comedy- and it does start out that way, as hapless graduate Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) begins an affair with older woman Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft) but then falls in love with her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross). But it actually proves to be a rather melancholy meditation on what happens after university and what your future will be. The music (Simon and Garfunkel songs, in particular The Sound of Silence) brilliantly reflect the ennui and confusion of Ben as he tries to figure out his life.

The film raises more questions than answers, which is a little frustrating, but it also makes it very modern, and you can see why it strikes a cord with people. There are also a lot of shots of Dustin Hoffman staring, which does make the film quite slow in places but again, it fits in with the theme.

The love story is sweet, but again, it's more about Ben and his uncertainties over his future- and to an extent, Mrs Robinson and Elaine's uncertainties. So for anyone expecting a rip-roaring farce, what you're really getting here is something rather tragicomic and a little deeper than it's known in popular culture.

I'd recommend it for fans of American Beauty and Lost in Translation.

[Guaporense]

Last few weeks have been kind of light on movies, I watched one classic, one blockbuster and the first three movies of the remake of the anime tv series Evangelion:

Battleship Potemkin - 3_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Battleship_Potemkin.jpg
One of the most overrated movies ever made considerig it's reputation, though it must have been revolutionary in 1925 now it feels a bit plain.

Iron Man 3 - 3 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Iron_Man_3.jpg
Straight Hollywood blockbuster, fun and forgettable.

Evangelion 1.0 - 4_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Evangelion_10_You_Are_Not.jpg
This is a straight remake of the first six episodes of the TV series. Given that many consider it to be the greatest TV series ever made it managed to deliver a more refined telling of the first 1/4 of the TV series.

Evangelion 2.0 - 5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Evangelion_20_You_Can_Not.jpg
That's possibly the best movie ever made featuring Godzilla-like monsters. It has some serious problems related to two corny moments when they decided to play J pop-songs during the film's two climaxes and the introduction of a useless character considering the themes of the film. But these flaws are not enough for me to take out any points from the rating, given the extreme emotional hellride it was.

Evangelion 3.0 - 3_5 -
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Evangelion_30_You_Can_Not.jpg
Here the extreme corny problems of the film were enough to make me substantial cuts on the rating. Much weaker than the other movies and the TV series.

[donniedarko]

A 3.5 for one of the most over rated movies ever made seems like one of highest over ratings of a movie, based on that statement. I'd give it (Potemkin) the same rating as you, but I consider a quiet good movie.

[Sexy Celebrity]

The Great Gatsby
(directed by Baz Luhrmann, 2013)

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=10549&stc=1&d=1368308521

Thoughts I said in the Shoutbox:

I saw The Great Gatsby last night. I'm not sure how I feel about it... it has moments of greatness mixed in with moments of blandness. Tobey Maguire felt kind of strange to me, too. Like an alien. Like when you suspect someone you love has been taken over by alien pods. I need to process it all some more.

Apparently someone said it's the best work Leonardo DiCaprio's ever done... I don't believe that's true at all. They're crazy if someone actually thought that.

He was good, but... it just doesn't seem like a showcase movie for his talent and especially for Tobey Maguire. Tobey Maguire seems quite lessened around Leonardo DiCaprio. Diminished. He seemed strongest in scenes where it's the future and he's alone with a doctor and he's writing the book about Gatsby.

It felt like someone took a classic work of literature and made a pop culture party out of it. I felt like I went to the movies to attend a party... with RAP MUSIC playing throughout it. Need I say more? Rap music. Not jazz music. RAP MUSIC.

And the ending felt like it had a major homoerotic subtext.

It felt like it was in league with Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, but not as good. Also made me think of Baz's Romeo and Juliet, even though I haven't seen all of that movie yet. It looks like a '90s cult movie got a sequel with aged characters. It doesn't really feel with the times. The rap music seems like it's trying hard to fit in. There's something about it, combined with Leonardo and Tobey being the main stars, that just makes it feel... OLD. While trying to also be young. It's like the Joan Rivers of movies.

3

[mark f]

The Amateurs (Michael Traeger, 2005) 3
Underworld: Awakening (Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein, 2012) 2.5
Spirits of the Dead (Roger Vadim, Louis Malle, Federico Fellini, 1968) 2.5 – Fellini’s episode is best, by far
The Amityville Horror (Stuart Rosenburg, 1979) 2
Full Metal Jacket (Stanley Kubrick, 1987) 4
http://u.jimdo.com/www31/o/s484cc35ab3cb3f8e/img/i6061d3b4c3610549/1320622400/std/full-metal-jacket-1987.gif
The Vow (Michael Sucsy, 2012) 2
The Day the Fish Came Out (Michael Cacoyannis, 1967) 1.5
Salvation Boulevard (George Ratliff, 2011) 2
Alias Smith and Jones (Gene Levitt, 1971) 2.5
I Only Want You to Love Me (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1976) 2.5
http://a402.idata.over-blog.com/300x215/4/12/45/26/JE-VEUX-SEULEMENT-QUE-VOUS-M-AIMIEZ-07_Peter--Vitus-Zeplich.jpg
Anonymous (Roland Emmerich, 2011) 2.5
A River Runs Through It (Robert Redford, 1992) 3-
The Strangler (Burt Topper, 1964) 2+
Crime and Punishment (Josef von Sternberg, 1935) 2.5
Cold Weather (Aaron Katz, 2010) 2.5
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/9108337-large-375x210.jpg
The Falcon’s Brother (Stanley Logan, 1942) 2
Fighting Mad (Jonathan Demme, 1976) 2+
The Nutcracker: The Untold Story (Andrei Konchalovsky, 2009) 2
Angels Crest (Gaby Dellal, 2011) 2
Kon-Tiki (Thor Heyerdahl, 1950) 3
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/oeT7cTAEUHIFbKNKx58kuANFy4C.jpg

[meatwadsprite]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7VopYErZEmVcnG5r29-CzrVRWAmIw2EfQnSWfEwZaCh3idbTb 3 https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS94lN_cGTYz3yOdsO1VkGonYSXRRgThsZ9V87Y8_G0Z3VoMU2C 2.5

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKWg6hmcvVufUjxMupQ1VyQ9gCKL_VQAvoNkxhBQoY4GebRkhd 3 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGa-JE6AG708Kgr2XINsVKLMQ6n-9ReHJe82GFKKJrXC2QL4FoAA 4.5

[Pyro Tramp]

Star Trek Into Darkness

http://cromeyellow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Matt_ferguson_INTO_DARKNESS_web.jpg

(Potential Spoilers) - typos and illiteracy amended on Review Thread post


Undecided if this one was inspired or lazy.

The film jumps straight to the end of a mission which serves to primarily setup the dichotomy of Spock's pragmatism and Kirk's brashness to echo over the film. Secondarily to pay lip service to the 'Prime Directive' although any of Spock's adherence to this (which is what sets the aforementioned theme into play) is overshadowed by hypocrisy inherent in their mission itself. It left a funny taste in my mouth, at least until they directly addressed back on Earth by the excellent Robocop.

Cut to John Harrison setting up the films main narrative and pulling some pranks on Star Fleet back on Earth. All very enigmatic, nicely staged and shot, leading into Kirk's mission of destroying him. Some rather unsubtle foreshadowing that all is not what it seems with his task. We meet the remodelled Klingons, which wasn't too keen on new versions but they're mostly a plot device to set some peril and show that John Harrison is maybe not such a bad guy but definitely a bad ass. The Enterprise forget that he's massacred a few chaps back at the office and buddy up against Robocop who turns out to be the real villain. The whole bureaucrat pulling strings is quite a tired trend and he turns out to be ultimately disposable. And it all serves as a very thinly veiled distraction to John Harrison actual agenda and inevitable deception. There's a lot of wasted time when they could be turning JH into a much more active and threatening villain. Shame considering. The film suffers by getting distraction between the core Kirk/Spock dynamic and trying to include uneven and diluted antagonists, neither quite getting into the full swing of the job.

It's a fun ride and full of big lovely effects and overused digital lense flares, and isn't actually too bad in 3D. They definitely enjoy throwing nods to fans, which I won't spoil as they're the real treat in the film. However, they become possibly too preoccupied with them and the deviations don't serve any purpose other than to avoid being verbatim of another film. What was an inspired device in the previous entry is a nice mask to reuse and redo canon. The foundation of the film is meant to be dichotomy of Spock and Kirk and Quinto does a marvellously nuanced Nimoy impression but Kirk is written as near incompetent. So when it comes to the character climax, it doesn't quite have the same emotional hit or sign of development it should - yet you get the feeling the makers were giving themselves a big pat on the back with it. As is symptomatic with Hollywood these days, it also lacks any conviction to the actions. The scenes it takes from still makes me well up after several viewings, this didn't manage it once.

It seems like the final piece before a traditional Trek film and does at least know the right buttons it should be hitting, even if doesn't quite push them hard enough. It's one of those films that needs a second viewing to appreciate, I feel. I did vocally cheer one point in the film, which i've tried to avoid revealing. All in all, the best compliment I can pay to it is it's firmed a resolve that I do not want JJ directing Star Wars. He's created a fantastic Trek universe and don't want to see him doing another franchise and replacing characters into same world, be to the detriment of both.

I didn't hate Simon Pegg this time though, accent aside, so gets a bit of extra credit.

3_5

[HitchFan97]

Some recent watches...

Gloria (John Cassavetes, 1980) - 3
Blood and Black Lace (Mario Bava, 1964) - 3.5
The Untouchables (Brian de Palma, 1987) - 4
Seven (David Fincher, 1995) - 4
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) - 4.5
Room 237 (Rodney Ascher, 2012) - 3.5
The Purple Rose of Cairo (Woody Allen, 1985) - 3
Voyage to Italy (Roberto Rossellini, 1954) - 4
Iron Man 3 (Shane Black, 2013) - 3.5
My Night at Maud's (Eric Rohmer, 1969) - 5
Paris, Texas (Wim Wenders, 1984) - 5

http://www.larysubero.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Eternal-Sunshine-of-the-Spotless-Mind-eternal-sunshine-4401555-1024-576.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hRvcLLjtWM/T_hZMSL4q5I/AAAAAAAANLA/EcKjN39MFB4/s1600/Fran%25C3%25A7oise%2BFabian%2B2%2BMy%2BNight%2Bat%2BMaud%2527s%2B%25281969%2529.jpg

http://scottbrothers.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/nk.jpg

[TokeZa]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/Side_by_side_2012.jpg/220px-Side_by_side_2012.jpg
Side by Side (2012) by Christopher Kenneally 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/Kon-tiki_2012_Poster.jpg/220px-Kon-tiki_2012_Poster.jpg
Kon-Tiki (2012) by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg 2

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/20/Cloud_Atlas_Poster.jpg/220px-Cloud_Atlas_Poster.jpg
Cloud Atlas (2012) by Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer and Andy Wachowski 2.5

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTk0MDM4MjMyMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDE2MjUyMQ@@._V1_SY317_CR4,0,214,317_.jpg
In My Skin (2002) by Marina de Van 1.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Blancanieves_poster.jpg
Blancanieves (2012) by Pablo Berger 2.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/The_Place_Beyond_the_Pines_Poster.jpg/220px-The_Place_Beyond_the_Pines_Poster.jpg
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) by Derek Cianfrance 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d6/Room_237_%282012_film%29.jpg/220px-Room_237_%282012_film%29.jpg
Room 237 (2012) by Rodney Ascher 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6d/Larsvontrierantichristposter.jpg/220px-Larsvontrierantichristposter.jpg
Antichrist (2009) by Lars von Trier 4

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/64/The_Deep_Blue_Sea_%282011_film%29_poster.jpg/215px-The_Deep_Blue_Sea_%282011_film%29_poster.jpg
The Deep Blue Sea (2011) by Terence Davies 3.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5f/SoldierOfOrange.jpg/220px-SoldierOfOrange.jpg
Soldier of Orange (1977) by Paul Verhoeven 3.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cb/Dead_Man%27s_Letters_film.jpg/220px-Dead_Man%27s_Letters_film.jpg
Letters from a Dead Man (1986) by Konstantin Lopushansky 5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/13/Limits_of_control.jpg/220px-Limits_of_control.jpg
The Limits of Control (2009) by Jim Jarmusch 4+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d1/Bonsai_film.jpg/220px-Bonsai_film.jpg
Bonsai (2011) by Cristián Jiménez 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Sonar_Kella_book_front_cover.jpg/200px-Sonar_Kella_book_front_cover.jpg
The Golden Fortress (1974) by Satyajit Ray 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/86/SideEffects2013Poster.jpg/220px-SideEffects2013Poster.jpg
Side Effects (2013) by Steven Soderbergh 3.5

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3HgYu1atOo

Broken City 2.5-

I found this movie to be formulaic and yet convoluted all at once and filled with unsympathetic and, in some cases, unnecessary characters. It's pretty to look at and Crowe turned in a solid performance as the corrupt Mayor, but really nothing particularly stellar could be made from what he had to work with. Probably best to just skip the movie and watch the trailer I posted, it pretty much gives everything away anyway.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBVLhcHcc0

The Great Gatsby 3+

I've hated this story ever since being forced to read the novel in high school, and I still don't like the story itself, but I actually found myself pretty well engaged in the film. I know a lot of people have complained about the soundtrack (rap in the roaring 20's?) but I found it far less distracting than some of the very artificial looking "special effects" (despite seeing it in 2D). Actually I barely noticed the rap music at all. There's no denying that it doesn't fit the period the film is set in, but it does fit the mood and atmosphere of the movie rather well.

In any case, I was quite distracted from the music by the stellar performance of DiCaprio who brought dreamer and romantic J. Gatsby to heartwrenching life. The rest of the cast seemed to fall a bit short, though I'm not sure if the fault there was with the acting or the script. Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway was all awkwardness and wide-eyed naivete that I found more annoying than endearing and Mulligan's valliant attempt to make Daisy seem less the shallow, heartless b*tch she is just didn't quite cut it.

[Guaporense]

A 3.5 for one of the most over rated movies ever made seems like one of highest over ratings of a movie, based on that statement. I'd give it (Potemkin) the same rating as you, but I consider a quiet good movie.

I was expecting a 5 movie. :)

For instance, Tokyo Story, The Passion of Joan D'Arc, Persona, The Mirror, Taxi Driver, Seven Samurai, Apocalypse Now and 2001 are movies that show up regularly in greatest films lists and all these movies are either 4_5 or 5 movies. These movies didn't disappoint. Potemkin was disappointing.

[Sexy Celebrity]

The Great Gatsby 3+

I've hated this story ever since being forced to read the novel in high school, and I still don't like the story itself, but I actually found myself pretty well engaged in the film. I know a lot of people have complained about the soundtrack (rap in the roaring 20's?) but I found it far less distracting than some of the very artificial looking "special effects" (despite seeing it in 2D). Actually I barely noticed the rap music at all. There's no denying that it doesn't fit the period the film is set in, but it does fit the mood and atmosphere of the movie rather well.

In any case, I was quite distracted from the music by the stellar performance of DiCaprio who brought dreamer and romantic J. Gatsby to heartwrenching life. The rest of the cast seemed to fall a bit short, though I'm not sure if the fault there was with the acting or the script. Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway was all awkwardness and wide-eyed naivete that I found more annoying than endearing and Mulligan's valliant attempt to make Daisy seem less the shallow, heartless b*tch she is just didn't quite cut it.

I particularly did not care for Carey Mulligan's performance. She was not interesting and remarkable. The other women though -- particulary Jordan (Elizabeth Debicki) as well as Myrtle (Isha Fisher) and Catherine (Adelaide Clemens) -- they were fierce, I thought. They fit with the movie.

You gave this movie the same rating I did. I was certainly engaged with it -- its 2 hours and 20 minutes length did not feel long to me. The Place Beyond the Pines was the same running time and it felt LONG compared to The Great Gatsby. But there's a bunch of things that didn't feel well done to me. I don't think the rap music was the worst part of it. It just didn't feel all that stunning and special to me. I went to see the guys -- Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire -- and it just feels like a mediocre movie compared to other things they've done. And Tobey Maguire shouldn't have had that role. He is playing second fiddle to Leo and coming across like some kind of virgin spinster woman/closeted homosexual thing or something. Maguire has more cojones than we think. He could have played Gatsby. It is so easy for Leo to play someone like Gatsby -- it would have been more impressive if they had switched roles. It would have made the film strike more of a nerve with people, I think, which could have made the film stronger.

[honeykid]

I was expecting a 5 movie. :)

For instance, Tokyo Story, The Passion of Joan D'Arc, Persona, The Mirror, Taxi Driver, Seven Samurai, Apocalypse Now and 2001 are movies that show up regularly in greatest films lists and all these movies are either 4_5 or 5 movies. These movies didn't disappoint. Potemkin was disappointing.
Potemkin is mostly heralded for its montage editing. I'd argue those films you mentioned are thought of as great films, rather than innovative or a landmark in cinema history.

[Monkeypunch]

Les Miserables - I was duly impressed with and really moved by this film. The performances, the actors, even the kind of off beat way it was done (use of hand held cameras, the songs were all performed live) were spot on. Hugh Jackman makes an excellent Jean Valjean, and Anne Hathaway is heart wrenching as the doomed factory worker, Fantine, plus great comedy relief by Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen as a pair of shady innkeepers. I loved how you could see and feel the emotion in the songs and on the actors faces due to the director's use of close ups and "you are there" sort of filmmaking. I loved this movie a lot.

[Sedai]

Restrepo (Junger, 2010) 4

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMkejfOmEME/TmKTi3UnAvI/AAAAAAAABBk/iqfz9K2pBHw/s1600/4808_Restrepo-14_04700300.JPG


Yikes. Documentary about Outpost Restrepo, a small forward military outpost in the Korengal Valley. Hard hitting and stark, this is a must watch.

[CelluloidChild]

Agree about Restrepo. Other very good docs to do with the Afghanistan war are Armadillo and Taxi to the Dark Side.

[Sedai]

Added both to queue. Thanks for the recs!

[Tyler1]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l781njTHiz1qa3llmo1_400.jpg

Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) - 3
El Verdugo (1963) - 1.5
The Addiction (1995) - 4
King of New York (1990) - 4+
Lost in America (1985) - 3
Karamay (2010) - 4+
Letter from a Filmmaker to his Daughter (2000) - 2
Warrendale (1967) - 4+
The Magic Blade (1976) - 3-
Chronicle of a Disappearance (1996) - 3+
Silent Waters (2003) - 2

http://lucatleco.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/busterkeaton.jpg?w=320&h=256

Film (1965) - 4
Crime and Punishment (1970) - 3.5
The Goddess (1934) - 2.5+
Suzhou River (2000) - 3
Daughters of the Dust (1991) - 3.5
Disorder (2009) - 2
Statues Also Die (1953) - 2
Ice (1970) - 5

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/ice/w448/ice.jpg?1308427071

[mark f]

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Jaromil Jires, 1970) 3
http://cinema.nouvelobs.com/media/image/89/89070/gallery_image/movie_callout_image.jpg?1332090586
The Twonky (Arch Oboler, 1953) 2
Guarding Tess (Hugh Wilson, 1994) 2.5
Bellflower (Evan Glodell, 2011) 2+
http://www.moegame.com/movie/%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%83%95%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC04.jpg
Allan Quatermain and the Temple of Skulls (Mark Atkins, 2008) 1
Blues Brothers 2000 (John Landis, 1998) 2.5
The Electric Horseman (Sydney Pollack, 1979) 3.5
http://aka.media.entertainment.sky.com/image/unscaled/2007/11/20/The-Electric-Horsema-10091525.jpg
100 Girls (Michael Davis, 2000) 2.5
Three Came Home (Jean Negulesco, 1950) 2.5+
The Young One (Luis Bunuel, 1960) 2.5
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/the-young-one/w448/the-young-one.jpg?1323454198
The Eclipse (Conor McPherson, 2009) 2.5
Coast Guard (Edward Ludwig, 1939) 2
A Film With Me in It (Ian Fitzgibbon, 2008) 3
http://www.cinefreaks.com.ar/archivos_remotos/arch_400/4136_cuatro_foto_320-0.jpg
Spinout (Norman Taurog, 1966) 2
So Big! (William A. Wellman, 1932) 2
Gallipoli (Peter Weir, 1981) 3
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/img/2005/ep63/Gallipoli_01_320x180.jpg
Between Strangers (Edoardo Ponti, 2002) 2.5
In Enemy Hands (Tony Giglio, 2004) 2.5
Of Time and the City (Terence Davies, 2008) 3
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZDSe_e3Bs0/TFs1IqNp4JI/AAAAAAAAAnE/0e90K4SG0ok/s320/of+time+and+the+city.jpg
Another Happy Day (Sam Levinson, 2011) 2

[Mr Minio]

Is the first screen from Funeral Parade of Roses, Tyler? If so, I want to watch it even more.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdk5vfJfuE1qkf22qo1_500.gif


The Great Dictator - 3.5

As I thought it's an successful attempt in mocking the Nazis. Final scene is both incredibly powerful and pompous, but understandingly well put as an ending of the movie. The parts with the inkwell and G... I mean, Herrings' inventions are hilarious!

A Tale of Two Sisters - 3.5

Begins like an ordinary horror film, but later evolves into complicated psychological drama. I'd cut out the last minutes. Great cinematography.

Wenecja - 4
Jasminium - 3.5

Sentimental and magical Polish arthouse movies made by Jan Jakub Kolski, an interesting figure in contemporary filmmaking.

Life in Pink - 3

Really decent biodrama about the life of Edith Piaf. Chaotic editing spoils some good moments. Cotillard's well-deserved Oscar performance compensates the flaws, but it's still only a nice film.

Dancer in the Dark - 4.5

Trier's films are surprising and controversial even if they aren't porno-horror arthouse films. In this one he mixes relatively sad and serious story with musical aesthetics, appearing in a form of short singing and dancing sequences. It's up to everybody if he or she will love it or hate. I love it.

Adelheid - 3.5

Marketa Lazarova is Vlacil's magnum opus and probably known by everyone. Come on, you haven't seen this film? And you call yourself a film-lover? Nah, just kidding, it's understandable you might have never heard about it, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't change it and watch it instantly! What was I.. Ah, yes! Adelheid is less known, but as good as Vlacil's most acclaimed work. Truly sad psychological drama.

The Drummer for The Red Cross - 3.5
The Dynamic Rectangle - 1
The 3 Rs - 3

Czech short, anti-war film. Worth seeing. It's only 13 minutes AND...
Polish quirky short. Only for hipsters. Music is fine AND...
Surreal Lynchian one-minute-long trip with horror aesthetics.

The Karamazov Brothers - 4.5

Touching version of Dostojewski's famous book with an additional sub-plot. Everything is perfect.

Brazil - 3.5

Parody of Orwell. Parody of superheroes and probably parody of everything.

Wilcze Echa - 4

Polish try on Western genre. Pretty damn good one. Reminds Italian spaghetti westerns, but set in Bieszczady. Great cinema.

Everything Will Be OK - 3.5
I Am So Proud Of You - 3.5
It's Such a Beautiful Day - 4.5

Surreal black-comedy psychological animated drama film in three parts. The last one is a genuinely touching masterpiece.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9bsphMAAM1qbgyx2o1_250.gif

[donniedarko]

Feature films

The Host (2006, Joon-ho Bong)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dxdSiIiqxjs/TP0hV9FtE6I/AAAAAAAAAdI/US6atQ8O7B4/s1600/first+rampage.jpg
I thought The Host was strong in comedy but was weak in genre mixing. The monster wasn't scary and as a horror this completely failed. The acting was believable but the premise wasn't.
2.5

Mother (2009, Joon-ho Bong)
http://endersgirrrl.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/mother-londonkoreanlinks-net.jpg
What seems like a simple premise ends up being a psychological thriller that is successful in genre mixing. It started out hilarious but by the end I wasn't laughing. Some scenes were over extended, but over all it's a strong film.
3.5+

Louie Bluie (1985, Zwigoff)
http://ibdp.huluim.com/video/50116051?size=512x288
Better known for Crumb Zwigoff directs this fine documentary about the artist Louie Bluie. I never heard of the man before but he is a fascinating character. The porn book itself makes this interesting enough to watch, but there's more to this man than just that.
3.5

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985, Woody Allen)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tGnc2h9b--A/TMItWCJs02I/AAAAAAAAAdk/NP3-7DDXs9M/s1600/purplerose_450x300.jpg
Decent Woody film, I felt that it started running low on ideas by the second half, but it has an intelligent concept to it. Mia Farrow is as always traditionally sexy, and as always from Woody the dialogue was solid. He did not have a role in this picture though.
3

Short Films
The Art of Drowning- 3.5
Life (2000)- Made by over thirty animators this short shows the dog eat dog world concept, in a childlike but amusing way. 3-
The Man Who Yelled- 2.5
Don't Hug Me I'm Scared- This short has gone viral recently but it's inner meaning was lost in the process. I've seen it 10+ times now and I find it fascinating to a high degree. Even if you don't get it, it will be memorable. 4-

[linespalsy]

Is the first screen from Funeral Parade of Roses, Tyler? If so, I want to watch it even more.

yeah it's from Funeral Parade of Roses. Anywho...

http://www.flixist.com/ul/199164-Akira.jpg

Akira (Katsuhiro Otomo, 1988) 5

[Gabrielle947]

The Karamazov Brothers
which one you watched?

[edarsenal]

Othello (1965) 3.5
with Sir Laurence Olivier as the Moor in black paint that came off as a dark grey and an alway wonderful Maggie Smith as Desdemonia and a shakesperian regular, Derek Jacobi as Cassio. The real star of this Shakesperian stage play/movie was Frank Finlay playing the conspiring Iago, whom, I had no idea watching this version was the hilarious Porthos in the 1973 version of Three Musketeers with Micheal York and Oliver Reed (my favorite of ALL musketeer adaptions)
Have never seen this version, I have seen Laurence fishburne's version and the Tragedy of Othello with Orson Welles belting out his lines

http://s3.amazonaws.com/img.goldderby.com/images/20110911_58_08othello1965.jpg

[Mr Minio]

which one you watched? Zelenka's 2008 version.

[mark f]

Saratoga Trunk (Sam Wood, 1945) 2
Lethal Weapon (Richard Donner, 1987) 2.5
Breezy (Clint Eastwood, 1973) 3-
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ggsiiPTv1qawgyho1_500.jpg
Resistance (Todd Komamicki, 2003) 2+
Where the Sidewalk Ends (Otto Preminger, 1950) 2+
Point Blank (John Boorman, 1967) 2.5
http://impactist.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/0impactist_pointblank08.jpg
Soldier’s Girl (Frank Pierson, 2003) 2.5+
Blessed (Simon Fellows, 2004) 2
A Shot in the Dark (Blake Edwards, 1964) 3.5-
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tE7pxorPqL4/TRQFeSbI87I/AAAAAAAAAYI/IMleU2tkxGc/s1600/006.jpg
Magnificent Obsession (Douglas Sirk, 1954) 2
Restless (Gus Van Sant, 2011) 2.5
Kiss of Death (Henry Hathaway, 1947) 2.5
http://www.screeninsults.com/images/kiss-of-death-tommy-udo-stairs.JPG
Mimic (Guillermo del Toro, 1997) 2.5
Jack of Diamonds (Don Taylor, 1967) 2+
Gung Ho (Ron Howard, 1986) 3
http://www.paramountchannel.es/files/2012/external/16114730.jpg
My Sister Eileen (Richard Quine, 1955) 2
Higher Ground (Vera Farmiga, 2011) 2.5
Enemies: A Love Story (Paul Mazursky, 1989) 3
http://jimmywinokur.com/ImagesFromAgora/Film_Images/EnemiesYidWEB.jpg
Queen Bee (Ranald MacDougall, 1955) 2
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (Eric Idle & Gary Weis, 1978) 3.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bHSVCs9rX0A/R9GlK4fYX4I/AAAAAAAACqo/ZzjXOs-5tJ0/s400/rutles.jpg

[jiraffejustin]

Maniac (2012, Franck Khalfoun)
I haven't seen the original, but I can only hope it is half as good. Elijah Wood puts on a good performance as the titular maniac. The only negative is the occasional cgi looking poor.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984, Hayao Miyazaki)
Currently nominated in the hall of fame. Fantastic animated film from a great director. Worth a watch, and not just because of the hall of fame nomination.

The Last Waltz (1978, Martin Scorsese)
The Band is one of my favorite bands, which left me slightly disappointed that the focus wasn't more on them. There were a few too many guest spots, but still worth watching. The interview parts were interesting, but I am more on the side of Levon Helm. There should have been more focus on Levon.

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985, Woody Allen)
Another film nominated in the hall of fame. It's a good film, but it's not great. It's worth seeing because of the witty dialogue.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012, Jay Oliva)
If you like Batman, this is for you. If you aren't a fan of Batman, you probably aren't going to watch this anyway.

Trailer Park Boys (1999, Mike Clattenburg)
Not as good as the television show that it spawned, but still really funny.

[Brodinski]

What I remember:

Dead Ringers (1988, Cronenberg): 3+

This is an underrated film, but soooo depressing. I remember watching this one as a kid, and I thought it was a fvcked up film, but I was amazed by how Cronenberg and Irons handled the dual role. Up to that point, I think that kinda stuff was realised by strange, unnatural camerawork in order to allow an actor to share screen time with himself. Having rewatched it multiple times since, I think it's quite laboring to watch it, because it's so dark, but still, it's meant as such, so definitely worth a watch.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012, Cianfrance): 3
Valhalla Rising (2009, Winding Refn): 1.5
28 Weeks Later (2007, Fresnadillo) 3
Drive (2011, Winding Refn): 3+
Good film, but not as good as it's made out to be, and neither is Gosling's acting. This celebrates quite a shallow form of cinema that died out some decades ago. I didn't connect with any of the characters, not in the slighest Gosling's. Some say this is pretentious, but I wouldn't call it that.

Iron Man II (2010, Favreau): 2.5+
Favreau did a ***** job directing this. He couldn't juggle the many characters and the plot, which made this film a bit muddled to me. Good thing they replaced him, but not so sure if picking Shane Black as a replacement is good.

The Cabin in the Woods (2011, Goddard): 3
This is a decent film, but some make it out to be much more than it is. It doesn't completely turn the rules of horror upside down, but it's a fresh take on one of the most traditional horror plots.

[Mingusings]

Caught up with some recent movies:
The Place Beyond the Pines: 4
Texas Chainsaw 3D: 1+
Aftershock: 2_5-
Side Effects: 3_5
Iron Man 3: 3-
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters: 2
American Mary: 3
Warm Bodies: 2

Also watched the three colors trilogy, but I was kind of disappointed:
Three Colors: Blue: 3_5-
Three Colors: White: 3
Three Colors: Red: 2_5+

[mark f]

Mrs. Dalloway (Marleen Gorris, 1997) 2.5
I Met My Love Again (Arthur Ripley & Joshua Logan, 1938) 2
The Story on Page One (Clifford Odets, 1959) 2
Hudson Hawk (Michael Lehmann, 1991) 2.5
http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy300/belmontheir/Movie%20Reviews/3n.jpg
Texas Killing Fields (Ami Canaan Mann, 2011) 2.5
Fireflies in the Garden (Dennis Lee, 2008) 2.5
Lawless (John Hillcoat, 2012) 2.5
http://i2.listal.com/image/4086094/300full.jpg
Charms for the Easy Life (Joan Micklin Silver, 2002) 2.5
The Perfect Score (Brian Robbins, 2004) 2.5
It’s Always Fair Weather (Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1955) 3
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qB_dIrLWN44/TVB0Xq917pI/AAAAAAAAJb0/3btrlHYK17I/s400/78njtztskncvtzkn.jpg
Father of Invention (Trent Cooper, 2010) 2.5
Paper Man (Kieran & Michele Muloney, 2009) 2.5
Our Man in Havana (Carol Reed, 1959) 3.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EUt4jeHRPwQ/RjrYERN117I/AAAAAAAAAMg/1cObiVGtrYQ/s320/Our+Man+in+Havana1.jpg
Pierre of the Plains (George B. Seitz, 1942) 2
The George Raft Story (Joseph M. Newman, 1961) 2+
Bubba Ho-Tep (Don Coscarelli, 2002) 3
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZoeQIsXdGk/Tq6uKasb9rI/AAAAAAAAFmE/_3IkuZxSlr4/s320/bubba-ho-tep-2002-10-g.jpg
The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Blake Edwards, 1976) 3
Cradle Will Rock (Tim Robbins, 1999) 3
Night of the Ghouls (Edward D. Wood, Jr. , 1959) 1 Camp Rating 3.5
The Beast of Yucca Flats (Coleman Francis, 1961) 1 Camp Rating 3.5
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/644642_353804418044046_970029847_n.jpg

[TokeZa]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e3/Seven_Psychopaths_Poster.jpg/220px-Seven_Psychopaths_Poster.jpg
Seven Psychopaths (2012) by Martin McDonagh 2.5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/88/Yossi_original_film_poster.jpg/220px-Yossi_original_film_poster.jpg
Yossi (2012) by Eytan Fox 2.5+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Copie-conforme-poster.png
Certified Copy (2010) by Abbas Kiarostami 4

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/The-Music-Room-poster.jpg/220px-The-Music-Room-poster.jpg
The Music Room (1958) by Satyajit Ray 4.5

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWecDqOInab2vyca03qHV2g9y3gpJTzsw9vutS7A6aDqhrXbzh
The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye (2011) by Marie Losier 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/58/Ciesandwhispers.jpg/220px-Ciesandwhispers.jpg
Cries and Whispers (1972) by Ingmar Bergman 5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/08/Persona_Poster.jpg/220px-Persona_Poster.jpg
Persona (1966) by Ingmar Bergman 5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Mahanagar2.jpg
The Big City (1963) by Satyajit Ray 4+

[nebbit]

Dead Ringers (1988, Cronenberg): 3+

This is an underrated film, but soooo depressing. I remember watching this one as a kid, and I thought it was a fvcked up film, but I was amazed by how Cronenberg and Irons handled the dual role. Up to that point, I think that kinda stuff was realised by strange, unnatural camerawork in order to allow an actor to share screen time with himself. Having rewatched it multiple times since, I think it's quite laboring to watch it, because it's so dark, but still, it's meant as such, so definitely worth a watch.
Agreed :yup: do own it but haven't watched it for years because it is sooooo depressing :(

[Miss Vicky]

Bubba Ho-Tep (Don Coscarelli, 2002) 3
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZoeQIsXdGk/Tq6uKasb9rI/AAAAAAAAFmE/_3IkuZxSlr4/s320/bubba-ho-tep-2002-10-g.jpg



Why so low?

[mark f]

If you look at my ratings lately, that's pretty high. It's true that I don't love it like you do, but my 3 is definitely positive and probably equivalent to most people's 4.

[honeykid]

Yes, a 3 from mark is pretty high praise, indeed.

[Mr Minio]

mark f did you give 5 only to your top 10 films, or even less?

[Guaporense]

I think that 3 is my average rating. Though since I only try to watch above average films the average movie out there may be around 2_5 or 3. Some examples of films that satisfy the full range of the ratings scale according to my tastes:

0
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Alexander.jpg

0_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Nutty_Professor_II_The_Klumps.jpg

1
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Scary_Movie_2.jpg

1_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Fantastic_Four.jpg

2
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Brave.jpg

2_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Puss_in_Boots_2011.jpg

3
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Iron_Man_3.jpg

3_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Pans_Labyrinth.jpg

4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Ivans_Childhood.jpg

4_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_Virgin_Spring.jpg

5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Spirited_Away.jpg

Some of the stuff I watched recently:

The Exterminating Angel - 4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_Exterminating_Angel.jpg
First Bunuel movie I ever watched.

The Apu Trilogy - 5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Pather_Panchali.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Aparajito.jpghttp://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_World_of_Apu.jpg

First Indian movies I watched and I started with a bang. Clearly among the greatest movies ever made.

Meshes in the Afternoon - 3_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Meshes_of_the_Afternoon.jpg

A Day in the Country - 4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/A_Day_in_the_Country.jpg

Un Chien Andalou - 3_5 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Un_Chien_Andalou.jpg

Shôjo tsubaki: Chika gentô gekiga - 3 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Midori.jpg
Quite aggressive.

The Wire - 1st season - 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg/250px-The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg

It appears to be an above average cop show, featuring a ton of curse words and ugly faces. Greatest TV series ever? Not remotely. Even among crime series I think that Dexter may be more interesting, although less complex. In terms of crime shows Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are my favorites and are way above The Wire. The Wire's themes and tropes appear to be quite cliche to me.

[teeter_g]

Last week in movies:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/70/Terminator1984movieposter.jpg/220px-Terminator1984movieposter.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/This_Boys_Life.jpg/215px-This_Boys_Life.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/68/Seven_%28movie%29_poster.jpg/220px-Seven_%28movie%29_poster.jpg 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8c/XMen1poster.jpg/220px-XMen1poster.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/50/The_Breakfast_Club.jpg/220px-The_Breakfast_Club.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/89/Megamind2010Poster.jpg/220px-Megamind2010Poster.jpg 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4e/The_Covenant.jpg/215px-The_Covenant.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bd/The_Stand_%28TV_miniseries%29.jpg/220px-The_Stand_%28TV_miniseries%29.jpg 4.5+

[linespalsy]

Daddy Day Care (2003) 2.5
Iron Man 3 (2013) 2.5
The Wicker Man (2006) 2
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) 2.5
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) 2

[Mr Minio]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/silent-light/w448/silent-light.jpg
Cinema is worth exploring for moments like that. Stellet Licht

The Wild Bunch - 3
Airplane! - 2
Krakatau (short) - 4
The Element of Crime - 4.5
oko invoca Dio... e muori [Vengeance] - 4
Night of the Living Dead - 3.5
The Naked Island - 4.5
Diamonds of the Night - 4.5
The War Game (mockumentary) - 3.5
The Straight Story - 4
The Mill and the Cross - 3.5
Lot in Sodom (short) - 1.5
A Simple Life - 3.5
Stellet Licht - 4.5
Battle in Heaven - 3.5

[mark f]

The sight in that image is most affecting when seen in real life. Of course, if you had a camera, you could have taken it. Cinema can share such sights with more people though.

[meatwadsprite]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwUl5yoq5cnCsTTDFvpKaaQ7Es3OXnYX3HRvbvZj6I2ZRhckaA 3 https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTPSptmKpcoT1jw_NRwCnR-YxRJRRmnBYvB8o-V8cH4IzywYaUl 3 https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMmIsYCBfPpNA6LsUVYW8_kwEPWywYuF4cZn04RLy_tApRRSMeXQ 2.5 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEKo7xvUgGQZekqXlxsrF5unfWEv3CbCDrQJtciondHSjR0IEaHQ 3.5 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ_dh8lLa8uLS19xeY7dS66bLm4q4qzrUEGGWiPqOSS_3OZsqW 3.5 https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDDus_lHjJ_F5z7imTmVL_3GDpdq86vC8TNCzs6bG5GCVkm5se 4.5

[donniedarko]

Part: 1/2

Naked (1993, Leigh)
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2008/02/20/thewlis460.jpg
From Self Challenge Thread:

Naked is a sadistic vicious realist film which is black as coal. The improvised dialogue is the basis of this films acclamation, and it's well earned. This was in no way a comedy but the dialogue was wit filled. It sounded as if it was real lower class conversation. But the dark humor didn't distract from the mysoginistic theme. Nor did the philosophies of the main character Johnny, which just added to how deep of a character study Leigh created. The shocking thing about Johnny is despite him being a (borderline) rapist and sexists, he's the idol of the film. He may be despicable, but he's not the worse. David Thewlis himself put on a magnificent performance of Johnny, but the supporting characters of Louise, Sophie, and Jeremy also shined during their limited screen time. The soundtrack was centralized and efficient in creation of gloom. The whole slum setting was efficient in a pessimistic view. I mean for Gods sake the film opened with a sexual assault. The story which takes place in less than 24 hours feels like an epic, as if we've known Johnny for years now. This could well become one of the few films I'd award a 5/5, it's tremendously moving, and outstanding in craft.

4++

The Killers (1946, Siodmak)/Ubiytsi (1956, Tarkovsky)
http://filmsnoir.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/thekiller_gunsblazing.jpghttp://litbirthdays.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tarkovsky-film-still-the-killers1.jpg?w=640
Thoughts in MoFo Club page.
3 and 2.5

REWATCH: Young Frankenstein (1974, Mel Brooks)
http://cf.drafthouse.com/_uploads/galleries/4464/young_frankenstein1.jpeg
I watch this a lot, but haven't in a few years. It still hasn't lost its touch, and might be the best Brooks film. This is also the first I watched this since reading the novel Frankenstein. I love Igors character, and ABbey Normal.
4

Salesman (1968, Albert and David Maysles
http://ttcritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/salesman.jpg
I thought it was an interesting look in the perspective of bible salesmen but I feel that I got the point after 45 minutes, making the rest somewhat snoozy. The yawn count got high, but it was a concept that I was intrigued to.
2.5-

Selling God (2009, Christman)
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Selling-God-DVD-2011/24/!!eG6jCwEGM~$(KGrHqR,!lYE1F1V,V(IBNWP-fRrjg~~_35.JPG
I watched this documentary after Salesman which was a kind of ironic experience, but not a special one. This was low on facts but high on humor. I didn't here anything new, including new opinions. The subject matter I agree with, but this was all about assumptions. The heaven part was funny.
2.5

[HitchFan97]

The Wire - 1st season - 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg/250px-The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg

It appears to be an above average cop show, featuring a ton of curse words and ugly faces. Greatest TV series ever? Not remotely. Even among crime series I think that Dexter may be more interesting, although less complex. In terms of crime shows Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are my favorites and are way above The Wire. The Wire's themes and tropes appear to be quite cliche to me.

I watched the first episode of this the other night, after a friend of mine recommended it. I liked it, but it didn't immediately hook me in the same way that The Sopranos or Twin Peaks did, which both wasted no time in drawing me into their world. I'll probably watch the other two episodes in the disc, but if I'm not significantly more interested after that I don't think I'll be clogging up my Netflix queue with the rest of the series.

[mark f]

The Speed of Thought (Evan Oppenheimer, 2011) 2
Apollo 18 (Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego, 2011) 2+
Racing With the Moon (Richard Benjamin, 1984) 3.5
http://i.digiguide.tv/up/1303/33551-Racingwit-13632771408.12.jpg
The Replacement Killers (Antoine Fuqua, 1998) 2.5
Your Sister’s Sister (Lynn Shelton, 2011) 2.5
A Room With a View (James Ivory, 1985) 3.5
http://sacresoeur316.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/unknown-1.jpeg
Blizzard (LeVar Burton, 2003) 2.5-
Max is Missing (Mark Griffiths, 1995) 2.5
The Mortal Storm (Frank Borzage, 1940) 3.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umYemNIrkhA/T8KmtSEORdI/AAAAAAAAEQo/jX4HeMjtzq4/s320/the-mortal-storm.jpg
Love Field (Jonathan Kaplan, 1992) 2.5+
Gran Casino (Luis Bunuel, 1947) 2.5
Coal Miner’s Daughter (Michael Apted, 1980) 3.5
http://media.jinni.com/movie/coal-miners-daughter/coal-miners-daughter-1.jpeg
Kettle of Fish (Claudia Myers, 2006) 2
Conspiracy Theory (Richard Donner, 1997) 2.5
Nothing Sacred (William A. Wellman, 1937) 3.5
http://backlots.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/carole.jpeg?w=300&h=225
Les Girls (George Cukor, 1957) 2+
Whirlpool (Otto Preminger, 1949) 2
The Reluctant Debutante (Vincente Minnelli, 1958) 3
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3JeYU8ghf0/TFlIODs1daI/AAAAAAAAD24/rmetTxmcVzQ/s288/qu-est-ce-que-maman-compr-ii1-g.jpg
Hide-Out (W.S. Van Dyke, 1934) 2+
The Niklashausen Journey (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1970) 2
http://80.241.247.186/m_posters/big/132608307384.jpg

[donniedarko]

Part 2/2

Atlantic City (1980, Malle)
http://www.longpauses.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/04_12_09_atlantic.jpg
Watched this on the recommendation of Mark F and I loved the cinematography and colorful scenery. I wasn't highly attached to the story or Lou, so this was more about technique for me. Thought it was funny to see Wallace Shawn (above) as a waiter.
3.5-

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970, Jires)
http://i2.listal.com/image/1354710/600full-valerie-and-her-week-of-wonders-.jpg
I do not understand the small cult this film has picked up on this forum, and can't even credit the make up department in this case. I felt that this ruined all the childhood stories, not added a new view. This coming of age fantasy, was nothing special, and I'd consider my rating generous oif anything.
2

REWATCH: Stranger Than Fiction (2006, Forster)
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/745/745085/ferrell-stranger-than-fiction1_1163118029.jpg
I didn't like this as much as the first time, but it's still a good rom com. Ferrel does surprise in his performance, and the film has creative intent. Would've been better without the last five minutes, more shock value tha way.
3.5

Life is Beautiful (1997, Benigni)
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/0Y9aKqawdUQ/mqdefault.jpg
One of the few holocaust films that is more comedy than drama and I don't mind that at all. It had an original flare, and while not realistic, enjoyable. The character development was to long, but overall it's touching.
3.5

Rain Man (1988, Levinson)
http://www.homevideos.com/freezeframes2/RainMan13.jpg
The 1988 best picture winner, was more than a worthwhile drama. The touching story of a brother (re)unification went from comedic to depressing in minutes, and then back to comedic. I felt like the manipulation only added to the realism that this film provided. I was never bored, and while the same things did happen again and again, I didn't find it repetitive. Then of course I must praise the awesome performances from Cruise and Hoffman, which were the core of this film. Without the genuine great acting the film would collapse upon itself, and I believe this to be the most powerful Cruise has ever been on screen. The ending was predictable, but still emotionally felt. I shouldn't have delayed this watch for so long.
3.5+++

REWATCH: Dr. Strangelove (1964, Kubrick)
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/files/a-strangelove_0.jpg
This Cold War satire still holds up strongly on viewing number three, and I always catch something new. I love the star filled cast, and the characters created. Kubricks third best film, and an absolutely hysterical one.
4

[honeykid]

It appears to be an above average cop show, featuring a ton of curse words and ugly faces. Greatest TV series ever? Not remotely. Even among crime series I think that Dexter may be more interesting, although less complex. In terms of crime shows Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are my favorites and are way above The Wire. The Wire's themes and tropes appear to be quite cliche to me.
I'm sorry. I like Dexter and everything, but Dexter is to The Wire as One Direction is to The Velvet Underground. There are plenty of people who'd much prefer to listen to One Direction, but you'd have to be a simpleton to think they're better in any other way.

However, you are only judging it after the first season, so you're not seeing the same picture I am. I'm not saying you'd like it any more were to watch all of it. I just don't think you'd bring up something like Dexter to compare it with.


The Straight Story - 4
You seem to've hit the 4 key instead of 5. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. ;)

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970, Jires)

I do not understand the small cult this film has picked up on this forum, and can't even credit the make up department in this case. I felt that this ruined all the childhood stories, not added a new view. This coming of age fantasy, was nothing special, and I'd consider my rating generous oif anything.
2
I don't have a defence of it, I just find the whole thing ethereally beautiful and soaked in atmosphere. That's why I like it and the only reason I'd recommend it to someone else.

[jiraffejustin]

I'm sorry. I like Dexter and everything, but Dexter is to The Wire as One Direction is to The Velvet Underground. There are plenty of people who'd much prefer to listen to One Direction, but you'd have to be a simpleton to think they're better in any other way.

However, you are only judging it after the first season, so you're not seeing the same picture I am. I'm not saying you'd like it any more were to watch all of it. I just don't think you'd bring up something like Dexter to compare it with.


Dexter is really awesome. Especially the first 4 seasons. Comparing it to One Direction is just...I don't even know the words. And Velvet Underground isn't that great.

[Mr Minio]

2

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvlm8tkQW41qai0ebo1_500.gif

You seem to've hit the 4 key instead of 5. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. Nope. 5 is reserved for Werckmeister Harmonies only. I've thought about giving it 4.5, but found out Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive and Elephant Man are slightly better. Great movie, though proving Lynch is one of the best American directors.

I don't have a defence of it, I just find the whole thing ethereally beautiful and soaked in atmosphere. That's why I like it and the only reason I'd recommend it to someone else. Oh, come on. We all know why you like it:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/df97e2065d8892f8a6990279bf0408c9/tumblr_mgqi8dANuz1r87lzko1_1280.jpg

[Sedai]

Dexter is really awesome. Especially the first 4 seasons. Comparing it to One Direction is just...I don't even know the words. And Velvet Underground isn't that great.

Yes, they are that great. Legends, actually.

Meanwhile:

Life of Pi (Lee, 2012) 4_5

http://www2.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/life-of-pi-LOP-274_rgb1-660x370.jpg

This film blew me away. I have a feeling I will be sliding this into my top 10 after another viewing or two. The cinematography was stellar, the music amazing, and I just adored Richard Parker the tiger. Aside from a small teaser in a theater concerning the flying fish scene, I knew absolutely nothing about this movie, and that made it all the better. Brilliant stuff.

[Skepsis93]

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (Ross Wilson, 2006) 4
Fascinating, revealing and deeply personal documentary and character study.

A Scanner Darkly (Richard Linklater, 2006) 3.5-
Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982) 4
Moon (Duncan Jones, 2009) 4-
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring (Ki-duk Kim, 2003) 4-
Wonder Boys (Curtis Hanson, 2000) 4

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHK8r9CpH7Q/Tf0WrpAQf6I/AAAAAAAAAQI/k1j0FaMfnK4/s1600/wonderboys_james_grady.jpg

[Brodinski]

The Wire - 1st season - 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg/250px-The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg

It appears to be an above average cop show, featuring a ton of curse words and ugly faces. Greatest TV series ever? Not remotely. Even among crime series I think that Dexter may be more interesting, although less complex. In terms of crime shows Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are my favorites and are way above The Wire. The Wire's themes and tropes appear to be quite cliche to me.

You need to stop trolling. You're probably one post like this shy of getting banned.

[Daniel M]

I have the entire five series of The Wire on DVD, have done for a while, it's only a matter of time before I get round to it.

I've seen bits of it though and a comparison to Dexter seems strange, Dexter is more a less serious drama than what The Wire appears to be - a more realistic look at criminal life and its affects on communities. Dexter's first four seasons were great, the fourth the best, but the last few have been below the standard set there, although I'm a big fan I wouldn't put it on the same level as The Sopranos, which I hope The Wire is as good, or better than.

[HitchFan97]

^Just watched the other two episodes on the disc, it's definitely improving. Nowhere near as good as The Sopranos yet, but hey, time will tell. I might decide to finish the first season.

[edarsenal]

REWATCH Arsenic & Old Lace 4
http://israelity.com/wp-content//2010/06/arseniceoldlace_468x365.jpg

Lady by Choice (1934) Carole Lombard 3.5

REWATCH -- COUNTLESS TIMES and will continue to Open Range 5in my top five for westerns
http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/1436/844370_223.jpg

REWATCH Finding Nemo 4

John Carter 3 not as horrible as i thought it would be, so-so

REWATCH Hudson Hawk 3.5

[The Gunslinger45]

Open Range is awesome!

[edarsenal]

you got that right!!!

[Used Future]

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970, Jires)
I do not understand the small cult this film has picked up on this forum, and can't even credit the make up department in this case. I felt that this ruined all the childhood stories, not added a new view. This coming of age fantasy, was nothing special, and I'd consider my rating generous oif anything.
2


Rain Man (1988, Levinson)
3.5+++
]

I've been wondering the same thing about Valerie and Her Week of Wonders because I honestly had to force myself to finish it. Some nice dreamy imagery but it doesn't make a lot of sense as the narrative is way too surreal for my taste. Influential I guess because stylistically it slightly reminded me of Ken Russell's The Devils, and Gothic, as well as the lesser known Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural (I struggled to finish those too), but it's nowhere near as pretty as Russell's efforts at least. I was disappointed.

Coincidentally I just watched Rain Man again yesterday and agree with your rating. As much as I love Dusty I actually think Cruise gives the better performance.

[mark f]

Knucklehead (Michael W. Watkins, 2010) 2.5-
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Alfred Hitchcock, 1941) 2.5+
The Petrified Forest (Archie Mayo, 1936) 3
Bogie’s star-making turn as Duke Mantee was facilitated by Broadway co-star Leslie Howard who refused to star in the film without Bogart.
http://prettycleverfilms.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/the-petrified-forest/00191a30_medium.png
My Life With Caroline (Lewis Milestone, 1941) 2
Colin Fitz Lives! (Robert Bella, 1997) 2.5
It’s Love I’m After (Archie Mayo, 1937) 3.5
Classic screwball comedy which few have heard of reteams Leslie Howard and Bette Davis from Of Human Bondage and Petrified Forest. Howard’s valet Eric Blore is hilarious signaling him with bird calls.
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/ayZxqMIyDQtW9JjDHf4yaIEoJc9.jpg
I Ought to Be in Pictures (Herbert Ross, 1982) 2.5
Hot Shots! (Jim Abrahams, 1991) 2.5
Blithe Spirit (David Lean, 1945) 3.5
Lean’s first four directorial credits were all collaborations with writer Noel Coward, and this hilarious color fantasy is probably my favorite. Props to Margaret Rutherford as the ultimate eccentric medium.
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/3vDzqbIXmD5ZStmmI9T2GEws8p0.jpg
The Outfit (John Flynn, 1974) 2.5
The Rain People (Francis Ford Coppola, 1969) 2
Pineapple Express (David Gordon Green, 2008) 3.5
You may think it’s idiotic and reprehensible, and it probably is, but it’s very funny with James Franco’s performance as stoner Saul right up there with Sean Penn’s Spicoli and Brad Pitt’s Floyd.
http://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Pineapple-Express-300x199.jpg
The Racers (Henry Hathaway, 1955) 2
The Take (Brad Furman, 2007) 2.5
Invincible (Werner Herzog, 2001) 2.5
Herzog films another version of the Hanussen story, but this time it’s through the eyes of a Polish-Jewish strongman. The film is lush but overlong and the split focus diffuses much of the power.
http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/isS4UkFSEoU/hqdefault.jpg
Spaceballs (Mel Brooks, 1987) 2.5
Fade to Black (Oliver Parker, 2006) 2.5
Death in the Garden (Luis Bunuel, 1956) 2.5
A straight action adventure, filmed in color and French in Mexico with many French stars, seems unusual for the director, but Bunuel seems at home pulling for the diamond mine workers against the fascistic government. The last half involves a trip down river and a slow-motion chase through the heavy jungle.
http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/8f/1e/000b1e8f_medium.png
Revenge of the Pink Panther (Blake Edwards, 1978) 2.5
Casper (Brad Silberling, 1995) 2.5

[edarsenal]

Jesse James (1939) with Tyrone Power as Jesse and Henry Fonda as his brother Frank. It also starred Randolph Scott and John Carradine as Bob Ford. From what I understand this was one of the first films to make Jesse more of a Robin Hood, if i hear Osbourne on TMC correctly. The story centered more around Jesse and his wife Zee and her worries and concerns over Jesse's decision on being an outlaw. Didn't care all that much for the actress playing Zee; no soul, dead-eyed emotion.
2.5

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6b0a0XYzOY/T_js6R_DKjI/AAAAAAAAAFc/xxRpQIGQN5E/s1600/jesse+James+Movie.jpg

I will be watching the sequel, The Return of Frank James with Henry Fonda in the near future and see how that one pans out

[mark f]

It's a little better, perhaps due to Fritz Lang's direction.

[edarsenal]

i didn't know lang directed it, i'm starting to look forward to it, instead of dreading it. Hopefully they didn't have the same person who scripted Jesse.
THANKS mark

[Mr Minio]

http://i39.tinypic.com/b6f1o1.jpg
Beautiful Anna Karina aka I have to watch The Passion of Joan of Arc again!

Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame - 4
Witches' Hammer - 4
Paths of Hate (short) - 3
Kitchen Sink (short) - 3.5
The Last Laugh - 4
Tyrannosaur - 3.5
Haiku (short) - 2.5
Phantoms of Nabua (short) - 3
A Letter to Uncle Boonmee (short) - 3.5
Syndromes and a Century - 4
Apu Trilogy - 4
My Life to Live - 4.5

[honeykid]

The Dambusters 3.5 - Like a good many Brits, I've seen bits of this film, literally, dozens of times. It's a real Sunday afternoon/Bank Holiday Monday British film, but I've only sat and watched it all the way through 4 or 5 times. It's a great piece of nostalgia, strong performances, stirring soundtrack and that last line often brings a tear to my eye. I've occassionally wondered whether the last twenty minutes inspired Lucas' ending for Star Wars?

[mark f]

It does but...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OZq-tlJTrU

[honeykid]

That's very good. As that's the 'Hollywood' version of the British WW2 movie, that actually makes a lot more sense that he'd know that one more than The Dambusters. I know Lucas used dogfight footage for the ending of Star Wars when he showed it to friends, including De Palma and Spielberg, as they hadn't finished the effects for the films finale. Apparently everyone hated it, bar Spielberg.

I can't actually remember the last time I saw 633 Squadron.

[Mr Minio]

I decided to increase the rating of the third film of Apu trilgoy to 4.5!

[The Gunslinger45]

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day 4

Princess Mononoke 3.5

There Will Be Blood 3

[teeter_g]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Jack_the_Giant_Slayer_poster.jpg/220px-Jack_the_Giant_Slayer_poster.jpg 2.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Northbynorthwest1.jpg/220px-Northbynorthwest1.jpg 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/29/Startrekposter.jpg/220px-Startrekposter.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/50/StarTrekIntoDarkness_FinalUSPoster.jpg/220px-StarTrekIntoDarkness_FinalUSPoster.jpg 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/54/Fast_and_the_furious_poster.jpg/220px-Fast_and_the_furious_poster.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Two_fast_two_furious_ver5.jpg/220px-Two_fast_two_furious_ver5.jpg 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/Thefastandthefurioustokyodrift_bigearlyposter.jpg/220px-Thefastandthefurioustokyodrift_bigearlyposter.jpg 3
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8f/Fast_and_Furious_Poster.jpg/220px-Fast_and_Furious_Poster.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Fast_Five_poster.jpg/220px-Fast_Five_poster.jpg 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fd/FastandFurious6-teaserposter.jpg/220px-FastandFurious6-teaserposter.jpg 4.5+
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f2/Last_Stand_2013.jpg/220px-Last_Stand_2013.jpg 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/70/Ironmanposter.JPG/220px-Ironmanposter.JPG 4.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/Iron_Man_2_poster.jpg/220px-Iron_Man_2_poster.jpg [rating]4.5[rating]+
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Iron_Man_3_theatrical_poster.jpg/220px-Iron_Man_3_theatrical_poster.jpg 4.5++

[Daniel M]

The Dambusters 3.5 - Like a good many Brits, I've seen bits of this film, literally, dozens of times. It's a real Sunday afternoon/Bank Holiday Monday British film, but I've only sat and watched it all the way through 4 or 5 times. It's a great piece of nostalgia, strong performances, stirring soundtrack and that last line often brings a tear to my eye. I've occassionally wondered whether the last twenty minutes inspired Lucas' ending for Star Wars?

My step dad always watches this too, so I've seen it quiet a few times, actually watched it the other day too on Channel 5 I think, I'd give it the same rating :)

[Gabrielle947]

Mulholland Dr. (2001)
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTsrEqzr03tbriLzH6xF5pEBQKrFipQ9c0ryFdgiyz8u1OS1AuWCA

This film is extremely popular here and considering my huge dislike for Eraserhead,I kept delaying other Lynch's works.Now that I finally did watch it,I have quite mixed feelings.
My expectations were not high but I expected this film to be more elegant,maybe even more sophisticated yet I found some shots and scenes to be slightly irritating,maybe even pompous(when I read some analyses it only improved that).Also,I found some characters flawed,maybe there were too much of them playing relatively small parts.
However,overall I was pleased and I especially liked that this movie isn't completely surreal as it has some strings with reality yet the viewer can't actually tell what exactly it is about.That is good as it might be much more interesting to watch it numerous times.
So to conclude in short,I'd say that the content is strong but I think that the visuals and the "figuration" of the film is flawed.It's not perfect but it is above average. 3.5

[Mr Minio]

No, it's a masterpiece. Watch Straight Story - you should like it.

[mark f]

Masterpiece gets used far too often around here. Sorry, but it's true.

[Mr Minio]

OK I'll use masterwork instead trolololololo

[TheUsualSuspect]

So Fast Five and Fast and Furious 6 have almost identical posters....

[Gabrielle947]

Watch Straight Story - you should like it.
Actually,I am more interested in The Elephant Man but I'll try to see both.

[Mr Minio]

You haven't seen Elephant Man neither? It's a masterp... masterwork!

[Gabrielle947]

I've seen only Eraserhead and Mulholland Dr. from Lynch.Since I really disliked Eraserhead,I'm kind of afraid to see other Lynch's work as I really don't like surreal films. :/

[Mr Minio]

Neither Elephant Man nor Straight Story have surreal moments.

[Gabrielle947]

Great!I'll try to these two when I get the chance!

[mark f]

Neither Elephant Man nor Straight Story have surreal moments.

I wouldn't go that far. The Elephant Man's origin story is surreal. The Straight Story may not be surreal but it has some freaky atmosphere and photography.

[Mr Minio]

But these movies are not even close to surreal compared to other Lynch works or, say, early Bunuel films.

[mark f]

That's true but not what you originally wrote. :)

[Monkeypunch]

The Hangover part III - This was an interesting film. Don't roll your eyes, it was. Basically it has everything you'd normally expect from the series...but darker. It's like this film is the flip side of the previous 2 films' frat boy humor where despite everything, the guys come out unscathed. We see Alan as the horrifying man/child he is, causing death and horror wherever he goes, Stu is burnt out and bitter (and who could blame him) and Phil is angry and exasperated that he may end up taking care of Alan for the rest of his natural life. And Mr. Chow is a psychotic nightmare. Still, the film is, at points, hilarious, even as the director gives the story real stakes for once, and even shoots it more like a serious film than a comedy. It took guts to make a film like this, taking a funny, commercial property and making it dark and unpleasant, and I don't know if it will even pay off financially, but I liked it.

[HitchFan97]

I've seen only Eraserhead and Mulholland Dr. from Lynch.Since I really disliked Eraserhead,I'm kind of afraid to see other Lynch's work as I really don't like surreal films. :/

Eraserhead is among the least accessible of Lynch's films. I would say that Inland Empire is the only one that tops it in terms of surrealism, but then again I think it's a much better movie too. :D What did you think of Mulholland Drive? Along with his masterpiece Blue Velvet, I think it's the film where he most seamlessly balances surrealism with storytelling.

[Gabrielle947]

What did you think of Mulholland Drive?
I wrote a short review of Mulholland Dr. in the previous page. ;)

[HitchFan97]

I wrote a short review of Mulholland Dr. in the previous page. ;)

Oh, duh. Well I'm glad you liked it :) I think some of the characters are written as two-dimensional; remember that the first 3/4 of the film is all Diane's dream, which is in the vein of a hammy Hollywood melodrama. But if you're looking for a Lynch that is somewhat more grounded in reality while retaining the mystery and dark style of Mulholland Drive, check out Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks.

[Mr Minio]

Yah, check Twin Peaks series. At first I wasn't keen on comedy elements, but later I found out they make obscure moments even more dark, quirky and surreal - it works as a juxtaposition. Lynch likes to portray quaint American towns with cool folks and at the same time hide some sinister and dark mysteries beneath.

[HitchFan97]

Yah, check Twin Peaks series. At first I wasn't keen on comedy elements, but later I found out they make obscure moments even more dark, quirky and surreal - it works as a juxtaposition. Lynch likes to portray quaint American towns with cool folks and at the same time hide some sinister and dark mysteries beneath.

^It's very much an extension of Blue Velvet in both regards. What are your thoughts on Fire Walk With Me? I think it's an excellent coda to the series and I personally would like to re-watch it, though I do remember being a bit thrown off by the first half hour. It's possibly Lynch's darkest work.

[mark f]

Fire Walk With Me shows how much "Twin Peaks" needed co-creator Mark Frost to create its brand of magic.

[Mr Minio]

It's pretty good, but not as good as the series. It gives some explanations (but people who were watching the series with attention should've already known the essential answers) and sets some new mysteries as well. I don't remember it as well as the original series, though.

[Gabrielle947]

I found The Elephant Man at home,so I'll be watching it this week! ^^ Not sure if I will see Twin Peaks or Blue Velvet,they don't look interesting at the moment. :))


Anyway,another important film which I haven't seen but saw few days ago was Persona.Actually I was disappointed.And not with the film but more with myself because I feel that I fail to connect with Bergman.
I noticed the magnificent use of shadows and some overall great shots.I also think that acting was superb and both women looked so natural!
However,I failed to get the content,it's my third Bergman film and I feel like he and I live in different worlds.I understand the plot but I don't get the story. :/

[The Gunslinger45]

I found The Elephant Man at home,so I'll be watching it this week! ^^ Not sure if I will see Twin Peaks or Blue Velvet,they don't look interesting at the moment. :))


Anyway,another important film which I haven't seen but saw few days ago was Persona.Actually I was disappointed.And not with the film but more with myself because I feel that I fail to connect with Bergman.
I noticed the magnificent use of shadows and some overall great shots.I also think that acting was superb and both women looked so natural!
However,I failed to get the content,it's my third Bergman film and I feel like he and I live in different worlds.I understand the plot but I don't get the story. :/

I am checking out Twin Peaks the TV show later today. And Blue Velvet is now one of my top ten favorite films.

I also have Mulholland Drive on it's way in the mail. Need to order the rest of the Lynch filmography.

[mark f]

Hell and High Water (Samuel Fuller, 1954) 2
The Magic of Belle Island (Rob Reiner, 2012) 2.5
Flypaper (2011) (Rob Minkoff, 2011) 3
A crazy bank heist plot morphs every few minutes into something else as a hostage uses deductive reasoning to determine what’s really going on and who’s responsible. Besides being a pretty good mystery, It’s a decent comedy.
http://itelka.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/flypaper-film-online.jpg
The Arrangement (Elia Kazan, 1969) 2
Harriet Craig (Vincent Sherman, 1950) 3
A Woman Under the Influence (John Cassavetes, 1974) 1 Art House Rating: 4
Cassavetes may be the Godfather of Independent Cinema, so I give him credit for that, but his films are difficult to watch and relate to. Long takes of improvisation between characters we never see act rational for a moment were tough to take in ’74 and have been each time I’ve seen it since. Maybe if we saw what they were like happy, I’d care something about their loss, but to tell you the truth, I don’t think they ever were happy. Falk is as loony tunes as Rowlands. Some good acting here, but the hysteria level is pitched at 11 for most of the 2 ½ hours.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gESD1wkyrz8/SdLlk2X5leI/AAAAAAAADqg/HscJNtlYkCU/s320/mabel+longhetti.jpg
Network (Sidney Lumet, 1976) 3.5
Julie Walking Home aka The Healer (Agnieska Holland, 2002) 2+
The Loved One (Tony Richardson, 1965) 3.5+
Pitch black comedy about Southern California’s funeral industry is crammed with hilarious cameos and dialogue as well as outrageous tastelessness. If Mr. Starker and Mr. Joyboy aren’t creepy enough for you, check out Mrs. Joyboy!
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/vUz0kBo3ETq5V59OAmjIHbalOkm.jpg
29 Palms (Leo Ricagni, 2002) 2
Legendary (Mel Damski, 2010) 2
Mickey One (Arthur Penn, 1965) 1 Art House Rating: 3
Penn and Warren Beatty make a Godard film, only worse. It’s basically a simple, underdeveloped idea stretched out to feature length with wacko characters and weird photography. It’s probably influenced Lynch when he has worked in his weird mode, so some members here might go for it. The team did use what they learned here to next make the vastly superior Bonnie and Clyde.
http://pics.imcdb.org/0ge28/281346-MickeyOne00017.jpg
Torpedo Run (Joseph Pevney, 1958) 2
King Creole (Michael Curtiz, 1958) 2+
Teacher’s Pet (George Seaton, 1958) 3.5
Clark Gable and Doris Day make a good team in this comedy-drama about an old-fashioned New York City newspaper editor who attends a night school journalism class incognito. Gig Young lends support as a renaissance man psychologist in this funny entertainment which also provides a surprisingly contemporary message.
http://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/_img/656-3.jpg
G.I. Blues (Norman Taurog, 1960) 2+
Men Must Fight (Edgar Selwyn, 1933) 2.5+
Rescue Dawn (Werner Herzog, 2006) 2.5
http://www.sinemadevri.com/ssler/sinemadevri_com_safak-harekati8.jpg
The Deep Six (Rudolph Mate, 1958) 2
Back to Bataan (Edward Dmytryk, 1945) 2
The Color of Money (Martin Scorsese, 1985) 3
http://eolmsted35.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/colorofmoney.jpg?w=300&h=225

[donniedarko]

I didn't dislike A Woman Under the Influence as much as you, but I to found it hard to relate, and it didn't seem like the regular family it was trying to portray. Rowlands was great though, and if I still arthouse ratings I'd probably give it a 3.5 in that sense, I gave it a 2 as an all around film.

[HitchFan97]

Anyway,another important film which I haven't seen but saw few days ago was Persona.Actually I was disappointed.And not with the film but more with myself because I feel that I fail to connect with Bergman.
I noticed the magnificent use of shadows and some overall great shots.I also think that acting was superb and both women looked so natural!
However,I failed to get the content,it's my third Bergman film and I feel like he and I live in different worlds.I understand the plot but I don't get the story. :/

Don't feel too bad, the first time I saw Persona I had a similar reaction (in fact, I think I disliked it far more than you do). I've seen it many times since then and now I consider it one of my absolute favorites.


A Woman Under the Influence (John Cassavetes, 1974) 1 Art House Rating: 4
Cassavetes may be the Godfather of Independent Cinema, so I give him credit for that, but his films are difficult to watch and relate to. Long takes of improvisation between characters we never see act rational for a moment were tough to take in ’74 and have been each time I’ve seen it since. Maybe if we saw what they were like happy, I’d care something about their loss, but to tell you the truth, I don’t think they ever were happy. Falk is as loony tunes as Rowlands. Some good acting here, but the hysteria level is pitched at 11 for most of the 2 ½ hours.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gESD1wkyrz8/SdLlk2X5leI/AAAAAAAADqg/HscJNtlYkCU/s320/mabel+longhetti.jpg


I guess I understand where one could find the hysteria of the characters in Woman difficult to relate to. But for me, the film's portrayal of emotional miscommunication and the failure of people to understand one another was very affecting and tragic. It is painful and difficult to watch at times but given its theme I think that's sort of appropriate.

Anyways, I just finished Stalker. I'm a little burnt out but I'll try to consolidate my thoughts the best that I can.

http://thefilmstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/stalker.jpg

My first experience with Tarkovsky was just as challenging as I expected, and if you asked me to explain what Stalker means I'd be stumped. There's clearly a lot going on here. The central concept of faith vs reason (at least I think that's the main theme) is embodied by the writer and the professor. There's a lot of religious symbolism as well, i.e. biblical references, the crown of thorns that the writer wears at one point, and probably some other stuff that's slipped my mind. Other motifs that I have no idea what to make of include the mysterious black dog and the Stalker's telekinetic daughter. Essentially, I think Tarkovsky is trying to make some sort of a statement about the necessity of spirituality in society, particularly as an embodiment of hope for humanity. It's worth noting that he did make this movie within the atheistic USSR. Maybe the Soviet censors didn't pick up on Tarkovsky's message.

So, as you can see I'm quite scatterbrained about the meaning of Stalker. If someone can help explain things better for me that would be much appreciated. If nothing else, this is surely a great film from a technical perspective; some of the images are indeed beautiful and Tarkovsky engulfs you in his world in a way that few films do. As of right now, I think I'll give it a 4.

[donniedarko]

The only Tarkovskys I've seen are Solaris and his short film Ubitsy. I have the Criterion for Rublev on the shelf, but waiting for the right moment. You talked about censorship but I know most of his films have even near restore to original, but I don't believe a big company has picked up Stalker yet, so maybe it isn't in its intended state. Anyway hopefully I get to that one, too. I'm about 10 minutes in to My Night at Maud's right now, Hitch.

[HitchFan97]

Sweet! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.

[Brodinski]

What I've watched last week, including a truly great film.

The Great Gatsby (2013, Luhrmann)

Seems to me like there's barely any middle ground among people who've watched this. Very few praise the film as one of the best of the century, but most people - casual fans and revierw alike - appear to dislike it, or flat out despise it. From what I've read, they latter group believes that it's batsh!t crazy, but empty and drawn out madness, and that the spirit of the book is completely lost.

My honest opinion is that one shouldn't even try to recreate the magic of the book. You'd fail miserably. I've read the book a couple of times, and I dare say not even freakin' Kubrick or Leone would of been able to do recreate the particular vibe of the novel on screen. Luhrmann made the right choice of just shaping his own Gatsby universe and retell the story in his way. If you don't like that, you're going to dislike the film. If you do, you'll think it's great.

What I personally think is that this is a raucous, very atmospheric film that takes you on a rollercoaster ride during the first hour and then steadily builds up to its inevitably gloomy climax. I'll say right here and now that Luhrmann is one of the best in the business today in terms of creating a certain atmosphere. When Toby Maguire accepts Gatsby's invitation and he enters the party, you enter into a whole other universe of decadence. The way he creates that atmosphere of abundance and the party vibe is nothing short of truly brilliant. The costumes, the scenery, the music (shades of Moulin Rouge!), the bright colours, and the way he lets his camera float across the party scene is daring and flamboyant, but he pulls it off. And Gatsby's introduction to the viewer is very well done, worthy of his mythical character.

http://www-sassisamblog-com.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/The_Great_Gatsby_Movie_Poster-300x200.jpg

But inside the package, you also find a content that isn't entirely hollow. The gloom and despair are almost ever present throughout the film, and the way he builds up towards that climax (the verbal showdown between Buchanan and Gatsby lasts for over 20 minutes!) shows directoral prowess. And the modern hiphopsoundtrack with shades of historic instruments fits perfectly with the atmosphere Luhrmann tries to create. If it'd been a throwback to the music of Gatsby's age, it wouldn't fit in with Luhrmann's visio at all.

The one thing I disliked about The Great Gatsby, was perhaps the one thing you'd Always expect in this film, namely the voiceover. I know that Nick Carraway is the narrator of Fitzgerald' story, but I can't help but think the film could've done without. Everything Carraway's character in the film tells us through voiceover, can be deduced from what we see. I think it would of lent the film more emotional subtlety (which is contradictory enough, given this in-your-face film) that would of made the whole thing even more powerful.

Still, it was good enough even with that minor annoyance of mine. After Moulin Rouge! and Australia, Luhrmann further establishes himself as a director whose ability to create his own world (admittely, it's excessive and very caleidoscopic) on the screen is almost unparalleled in the business nowadays. If you don't like him now, you won't ever, because he's not about to change. I personally feel Luhrmann has just created his masterpiece. Much like Fitzgerald's creation was one of the great American novels of the 20th century, Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is one of the great American films of the 21st century. *****, it might be in my top 5.

4.5


Other (vastly inferior) films I've watched last week:

Prometheus (2012, R. Scott): 3
Four Lions (2010, Morris): 3.5
The Tall Men (1955, Walsh): 3
Seconds (1966, Frankenheimer): 3
Star Trek: First Contact (1996, Frakes): 3.5

[Mingusings]

Drive Angry (2011): 2_5+
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013): 3_5-
Peeping Tom (1960): 3
A History of Violence (2005): 3_5
Back to School (1986): 1_5
Five Fingers of Death (1972): 3_5
Leon: the Professional (1994): 4
The Magnificent Seven (1960): 3
Ratatouille (2007): 4-
The Hangover (2009): 3_5
The Hangover Part II (2011): 3-
The Hangover Part III (2013): 1+

[donniedarko]

REWATCH: Valkyrie (2008,Singer)
http://scm-l3.technorati.com/glosslip/2008/04/valkyrie.jpg
Last time I saw this was in theaters, and my thoughts are the same. I respect the work put in this film far more than I enjoy. I find it to be one of the slowest WWII films, and perhaps any war film, out there. 2.5

Truth or Die (2012, Heath)
http://comicsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/trut-or-die-two-320x200.jpg
An entertaining horror flick, that is on the border of torture porn and, well not torture porn. The acting was actually good considering the rank of this film. The postcard twist was honestly pathetic, the end was a WTF moment.
2.5

Midnight Cowboy (1969,Schlesinger)
http://knightleyemma.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/midnight-cowboy-photo.jpg
It's a decent film but I can't say it's a masterpiece, I love me some Hoffman, but the overall acting by the cast was average. I didn't sympathize with Joe Buck farther in the film since he just seemed completely lost. I didn't enjoy most of the flashback/dream sequences. It was well directed, but unmemorable in my eyes. Rating is a tad generous.
3-

REWATCH: True Grit (2010, Coen Brothers)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4dNUMJXtF_I/TRmy_SUI5UI/AAAAAAAAABQ/5Lz8KEvLg2U/s1600/TrueGrit-Bear-Man-400x230.jpg
Modern day gem! Best Coen film, and from the handful I've seen, the best western. I adore the cast and multi-dimesnional characters. No matter how minor they are. Damon, Brolin, Bridges, and Steinfeld, were all spectacular.
And no wonder. This used to be a top ten film of mine, and while it's not that great, it's the best of these few years of the decade.
4.5

La Collectionneuse (1967)/ My Night at Maud's (1969) (Both Rohmer)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/5919/Film_346w_Collectionneuse.jpg?1328128294
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/5927/Film_345w_MyNightMauds.jpg?1328128294
Thoughts. (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=908460)
La Collectionneuse- 3.5
My Night at Maud's- 2.5-

[Skepsis93]

New York Stories
Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola & Woody Allen, 1989

http://brianwelk.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/lifelessons.jpg

Life Lessons (Scorsese) 4
Best of the three. Excellent performance from Nolte as the jealous, possessive artist and some great use of music.

Life without Zoe (Coppola) 2-
Bizarre in conception, poor in execution. Both Marty and Woody use this as an opportunity to do something a little more out there but still in line with their traits as filmmakers - the former a brooding, introspective drama, the latter a wacky, high-concept comedy - but for reasons unbeknownst to me Coppola opts for a weak, almost story-less attempt at what seems to be a kids comedy. He wrote it with his then-18-year-old daughter, but it plays like a collaboration between a father and 8-year-old daughter, honestly. Every joke misses the mark, the performances are shoddy and it just seems completely out of place in the anthology.

Oedipus Wrecks (Allen) 3.5
Allen as we know him plus probably the most surreal plot point he's ever conceived. A fair few small laughs and a couple of big ones, not his best work, but certainly enjoyable.

Overall: 3.5. Interesting and enjoyable for the most part (sit through Coppola's segment through pure morbid curiosity, such a weird choice) but you'd be forgiven for expecting more from such an impressive group of filmmakers.

[TylerDurden99]

Star Trek: First Contact (1996, Frakes): 3.5

One of my all-time favourite films. I'd love to hear more about what you liked/disliked about it.

[Daniel M]

I'd give Valkyrie a slightly higher rating, but that's based off memory, I quite enjoyed it but didn't think it was great. Probably a 3 now.

REWATCH: True Grit (2010, Coen Brothers)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4dNUMJXtF_I/TRmy_SUI5UI/AAAAAAAAABQ/5Lz8KEvLg2U/s1600/TrueGrit-Bear-Man-400x230.jpg
Modern day gem! Best Coen film, and from the handful I've seen, the best western. I adore the cast and multi-dimesnional characters. No matter how minor they are. Damon, Brolin, Bridges, and Steinfeld, were all spectacular.
And no wonder. This used to be a top ten film of mine, and while it's not that great, it's the best of these few years of the decade.
4.5

This makes me want to watch the film again, that image from the film is brilliant by the way, just looks beautiful, I agree it's a great film but its an odd one for me in that it's a Coen Brothers' film that I have only seen once fully, definitely need to watch again, in terms of craft I think it's one of the most perfect films I have seen, especially modern.

[Sedai]

Midnight Cowboy (1969,Schlesinger)
http://knightleyemma.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/midnight-cowboy-photo.jpg
It's a decent film but I can't say it's a masterpiece, I love me some Hoffman, but the overall acting by the cast was average. Rating is a tad generous.
3-


This comment knocked me right out of my chair. You have got to be kidding me! Hoffman's performance is by far his best in any film, and IMO one of the best performances in film, ever.

[donniedarko]

This comment knocked me right out of my chair. You have got to be kidding me! Hoffman's performance is by far his best in any film, and IMO one of the best performances in film, ever.

Hoffman had a good performance, but overall, especially when it comes to minor characters, like the one Joe Buck asked money from, I thought they were overacting. I'm not saying the performances were all bad, but nothing stood out to me.

@Daniel. The scenery is beautiful in the film. It's shot in my home state so I guess I have to love it. And ya the casting was brilliant, I've never had a problem with anyone casted in a CB film though.

[meatwadsprite]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg/250px-The_Wire_-_Season_1.jpg

It appears to be an above average cop show, featuring a ton of curse words and ugly faces. Greatest TV series ever? Not remotely. Even among crime series I think that Dexter may be more interesting, although less complex. In terms of crime shows Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are my favorites and are way above The Wire. The Wire's themes and tropes appear to be quite cliche to me.

Breaking Bad and Sopranos are two of my favorite show, I've seen every episode of them and I didn't even watch the first season of wire all the way through. Still I remember a lot more about The Wire than those other shows, I think the premise and the setting is a lot more original than anything from Sopranos or Breaking Bad.

[Brother Blue]

May (McKee, 2002) 2.5
Jigoku (Nakagawa, 1960) 2
Maniac (Khalfoun, 2012) 2.5
Close-Up (Kiarostami, 1990) 5
*Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang (Black, 2005) 3.5
La Chinoise (Godard, 1967) 3.5
The Steel Helmet (Fuller, 1951) 3
Exotica (Egoyan, 1994) 3.5
A Royal Affair (Arcel, 2012) 4.5

*rewatch

[mark f]

The Hurricane (John Ford, 1937) 3+
Robin Hood (John Irvin, 1991) 3-
People Like Us (Alex Kurtzman, 2012) 2.5
http://images.moviefanatic.com/iu/t_xlarge_l/v1364991571/elizabeth-banks-and-chris-pine-in-people-like-us.jpg
The Coward (Reginald Barker & Thomas Ince), 1915) 1.5
The Runner (Ron Moler, 1999) 2
Flesh and the Devil (Clarence Brown, 1927) 3
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af205/preeto_f268/k09.jpg
Take This Waltz (Sarah Polley, 2011) 2
Mindhunters (Renny Harlin, 2004) 2.5
Trainspotting (Danny Boyle, 1996) 2.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cdw38coSGc/UBMeCM8kpgI/AAAAAAAAD4U/9zVRV3TCHFs/s640/Trainspotting+07.jpg
Daydream Nation (Mtchael Goldbach, 2010) 2
The Waiting City (Claire McCarthy, 2009) 2+
Tom Jones (Tony Richardson, 1963) 4
http://www.show4utube.com/Hollywood-News/Oscars/36-Tom-Jones.jpg
Till the End of Time (Edward Dmytryk, 1946) 2
Come Live With Me (Clarence Brown, 1941) 2.5
Pale Rider (Clint Eastwood, 1985) 3.5-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/dyd/PaleRider_3.jpg
Lone Rider (David S Cass Sr., 2008) 2
Ultraviolet (Kurt Wimmer. 2006) 1.5
Southie (John Shea, 1998) 2
The Two Jakes (Jack Nicholson, 1990) 3-
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIaitixYQ2M/Svk0GPc08RI/AAAAAAAABsc/ByfLDzfhkT4/s400/Two+jakes.jpg

[edarsenal]

Reincarnation Japanese horror 3

Hold On To Your Man (1933) Jean Harlow & Clark Cable 3.5

REWATCH Sleepy Hollow (Tim Burton) While this IS one of those "Based on" but, in truth, scarcely has anything to do with the original story, I must admit i DO like the film, the actors and the cinematic work 4
http://www.alifeatthemovies.com/images/2011/01/sleepy-hollow.jpg

Kinky Boots rather enjoyed this one, not extrodinary, but quite enjoyable. After all, drag queens and stiletto heels, how can you NOT have a good time? 4
http://blogs.whatsontv.co.uk/movietalk/files/2008/12/kinky-boots-free-33.jpg

REWATCH Murder By Death Neil Simon's spoof of Great Detectives with a great cast and vaudvillian (sp?) wit 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7f/Murder_by_death_movie_poster.jpg/220px-Murder_by_death_movie_poster.jpg

Forgot one,

Waking Life a rather intriguing lil flick. A young man dreams and encounters a long list of individuals who contribute various philosophies regarding inner awareness, dream lucidity, cosmic connections on a quantum level; all done in animated form. 4.5
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/waking_life/23.jpg
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/waking_life/11.jpg

[Daniel M]

Trainspotting (Danny Boyle, 1996) 2.5
Tom Jones (Tony Richardson, 1963) 4
Pale Rider (Clint Eastwood, 1985) 3.5-
The Two Jakes (Jack Nicholson, 1990) 3-



Some films I want to see there, Tom Jones because it's in your Top 100, Pale Rider because it's Eastwood (recorded another early Eastwood, Play Misty for Me the other day too) and The Two Jakes because it's a sequel to Chinatown. Then Trainspotting because I know a lot of people like it, am I correct in saying most of your 2.5 ratings seem to be for films that you can admire from a certain level, like you appreciate the directorial effort but you don't think it comes together as a whole?

[mark f]

A 2.5 is not a full-on recommendation but it has something to make it worth watching. Trainspotting starts off strong and has some good visuals but doesn't really sustain itself. Still, it's superior to Requiem for a Dream. :)

[Skepsis93]

Barton Fink (Coen Brothers, 1991) 4.5-
Possibly my new favourite Coen brothers film, must rewatch Fargo and O Brother soon though.

Intolerable Cruelty (Coen Brothers, 2003) 3.5
Madcap fun for the first hour with lots of laughs, but trails off toward the end.

Amadeus (Milos Forman, 1984) 4
Stunningly decadent production design and superbly written and (mostly) acted, but doesn't quite reach the dramatic heights that perhaps I was expecting.

McCabe & Mrs. Miller (Robert Altman, 1971) 4-
Marred a little by a stop-start viewing (my fault) but still incredibly intriguing with a brilliantly pessimistic conclusion. Great use of music too.

The Godfather: Part II (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974) 4
Similar to the first for me: I have never been too much of a fan of the genre but these are of course wonderful technical accomplishments across the board, they just don't seem to hit me as they do so many others. Still, it kept me engrossed for the entire running time. I did miss Brando somewhat this time around.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2009/10/22/1256201853667/Tom-Hulce-and-F-Murray-Ab-001.jpg

Shorts:
Night and Fog (Alain Resnais, 1955) 4.5
More (Mark Osborne, 1998) 4
Vincent (Tim Burton, 1982) 3.5
Day & Night (Teddy Newton, 2010) 4
Luxo Jr. (John Lasseter, 1986) 3.5
Mike's New Car (Pete Docter & Roger Gould, 2002) 4
Blackadder Back & Forth (Paul Weiland, 1999) 4-
Doodlebug (Christopher Nolan, 1997) 3.5
The Heart of the World (Guy Maddin, 2000) 3.5

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/nightandfog/title3.jpg

[Mingusings]

Still, it's superior to Requiem for a Dream. :)

That's where you're wrong. :p

[Gabrielle947]

I also prefer Trainspotting to Requiem but I think they both have some flaws.
It's hard to tell what's wrong with Trainspotting because I really like that film,maybe it is the fact that it mixed drama and comedy,so sometimes it's hard to take it seriously.
Now,Requiem For a Dream is depressing but it tries so hard to "tell the message" that sometimes it gets annoying.I don't understand people saying that this film is extremely shocking and that they will never do drugs.Are you really that affected?I tend to look more skeptical(but don't get me wrong,it is sad during the view).But I really love the way it is shot,it serves the story,yet I feel that people praise it for wrong reasons.

[Daniel M]

Barton Fink (Coen Brothers, 1991) 4.5-
Intolerable Cruelty (Coen Brothers, 2003) 3.5
McCabe & Mrs. Miller (Robert Altman, 1971) 4-
The Godfather: Part II (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974) 4

I have Barton Fink and Intolerable Cruelty on Blu-ray ready to watch, looking forward to them, especially the first as a lot of people on here seem to like/love it. I somehow haven't seen The Godfather: Part II yet either, might get the trilogy on Blu-ray as I want to watch the first again before watching the second part.

And glad you liked McCabe & Mrs. Miller, watched it recently but loved it, and I know Copbyth loved it too, only problem I had was with it was dodgy sound editing as the beginning, I thought, but might have been just me.

[Skepsis93]

only problem I had was with it was dodgy sound editing as the beginning, I thought, but might have been just me.

Not just you. If I remember correctly Peter Biskind wrote about it in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, can't remember what he said exactly but the IMDb trivia section gives you the gist:

Editor Lou Lombardo complained that the soundtrack was too "muddy" and asked Altman fix it. Altman refused and later claimed the bad soundtrack was Lombardo's fault.

Some people claim it adds to the naturalism of the film, but I personally think they're clutching at straws.

[mark f]

When one rationalizes how a flaw in a film by one of one's favorites is really an asset, one often straw clutches. Even I do it (I think). Whoa, that was a lot of "one"s. :)

[Daniel M]

Not just you. If I remember correctly Peter Biskind wrote about it in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, can't remember what he said exactly but the IMDb trivia section gives you the gist:



Some people claim it adds to the naturalism of the film, but I personally think they're clutching at straws.

Fair enough, I just remember the opening bar scene I was really confused, sounds seemed to be coming from all over the place, and the photography in that particular scene is one that uses a lot of darkness, was struggling to keep up with what was going on, who was saying what etc.

Apart from that though I have no complaints, I loved the film.

And I think I get what you are saying Mark, one shouldn't feel the need to justify a flaw with one of his favourites just because it is his favourite, and should be able to except it for what it is, nothing is perfect :)

[meatwadsprite]

I also prefer Trainspotting to Requiem but I think they both have some flaws.
It's hard to tell what's wrong with Trainspotting because I really like that film,maybe it is the fact that it mixed drama and comedy,so sometimes it's hard to take it seriously.
Now,Requiem For a Dream is depressing but it tries so hard to "tell the message" that sometimes it gets annoying.I don't understand people saying that this film is extremely shocking and that they will never do drugs.Are you really that affected?I tend to look more skeptical(but don't get me wrong,it is sad during the view).But I really love the way it is shot,it serves the story,yet I feel that people praise it for wrong reasons.

I'm in favor of Requiem, i think it's loaded up with more technical flash and I really love Clint Mansell's score on it.

[Used Future]

* = re-watches.

Jack Reacher (Christopher McQuarrie, 2012) 3
The Missouri Breaks (Arthur Penn, 1976) 3.5
Dead Of Winter (Arthur Penn, 1987) 3.5
Accidental Hero aka Hero (Stephen Frears, 1992) 3+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4b/Missouri_breaks_movie_poster.jpg/220px-Missouri_breaks_movie_poster.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/88/Dead_of_winter_poster.jpg/220px-Dead_of_winter_poster.jpg

Dark Age (Arch Nicholson, 1987) 2.5
The Survivor (David Hemmings, 1981) 1
*Aracnophobia (Frank Marshall, 1990) 4
*Parenthood(Ron Howard, 1989) 4+
*Sea Of Love (Harold Becker, 1989) 3.5+

http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1010/183278.1010.A.jpg http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1010/104989.1010.A.jpg

[donniedarko]

Fishing With John (1992, John Lurie)
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdreviews11/milwaukee-minnesota/fishing%20with%20john%20title.jpg
Fishing with John is a six episode document ray program, of the fishing adventures of John Lurie. He brought his friends along, which included, Jarmusch, Waits, Dillon, Dafoe, and Hopper. My favorite episode was the first, with Jim Jarmusch, as it set a tone, and had hilarious dialogue. In fact I like the conversation in all the episodes, John Lurie is an obvious BS artist, and everyone else has wit in them. The only episode that I found boring is with Matt Dillon, since things just moved a bit slow.

http://static.flickr.com/24/55486629_676aa8fe4d_o.jpg
The man who had the most humorous moments in this film is narrator Robb Webb. I like how Lurie put it in an interview with Criterion:
"He says something and it sounds as though it has to be true. And that is what really made it work, with him saying that ludicrous narration that I wrote." In fact a few times when Webb said something ridiculous, I believed him. What I did while watching this was I would view an episode or two a night, and process it the next day. This was a great leisure viewing, and a relaxing experience.
4-


Other:
Freedom Writers 2
Pitfall (1962) 2-
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 3

[mark f]

Return to Me (Bonnie Hunt, 2000) 2.5
Shadows and Lies aka William Vincent (Jay Anania, 2010) 0.5
Two Against the World (William McGann, 1936) 2
Outsourced (John Jeffcoat, 2006) 3+
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCX-uipUKy4/ToKumLTZudI/AAAAAAAAAGU/LQKGpVFsEp4/s320/badfilmreview3.jpg
Pretty Persuasion (Marcos Siega, 2005) 2.5
Crime School (Lewis Seiler, 1938) 2+
Love’s Kitchen (James Hacking, 2011) 2
Libeled Lady (Jack Conway, 1936) 3
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Wpt4FD5o9M/S1dE3JnGT1I/AAAAAAAAAYw/Z0Ue-lXTEwQ/s320/libeled-lady-1936-jean-harlow-william-powell-myrna-loy-and-spencer-tracy-in-opening-credits2.jpg
No Looking Back (Edward Burns, 1998) 2.5-
A Fine Madness (Irvin Kershner, 1966) 2.5
The Way to the Stars (Anthony Asquith, 1945) 2
Wreck-It Ralph (Rich Moore, 2012) 3.5
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlKRLMARXmE/UXxSp6eySpI/AAAAAAAAKyA/dgc0ztnaa1o/s320/Wreck-it-ralph.jpeg
White Hunter Black Heart (Clint Eastwood, 1990) 3+
Friends With Benefits (Will Gluck, 2011) 3-
The Passionate Friends (David Lean, 1949) 2.5
The Cockleshell Heroes (Jose Ferrer, 1955) 2.5
http://www.cockleshell-cadets.com/cockle2.jpg
Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008) 2
Run For the Sun (Roy Boulting, 1956) 2+
Pickup Alley aka Interpol (John Gilling, 1957) 2
Dean Spanley (Toa Fraser, 2008) 3+
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/vJuIJdPVpo6tQauOUneS6syVaN.jpg

[Mr Minio]

Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif

Why so low? Have you seen Shame?

[donniedarko]

I give Hunger a 1

[Mr Minio]

That's pretty harsh of you.

I rate both Hungers 4 (the one from 2008 and one from 1966 as well).

Shame I found one of my favourite films. 4.5

[mark f]

I watched and rated Shame earlier this year - 2. McQueen takes provocative subjects and turns them incredibly obtuse. I think it's why you and what passes for critics nowadays like him while I'm unimpressed. :)

[Mr Minio]

Interesting to read other people's opinions.

I respect your opinions... even though they are wrong and you will burn in hell.

<sarcasm off>

[mark f]

Having watched McQueen's films, I feel I already have. :cool:

[Mr Minio]

So what happened after you watched Shadows and Lies?

[mark f]

Catatonia.

[Mr Minio]

And what happened after you watched Jaws? Ascension or ultimate bliss?

[mark f]

A party with one of my best friends, whether I'm alone or not.

[Mr Minio]

Only this? I bet you've seen Jaws at least 20 times.

BTW: Opinion is like an ass. Everybody has its own.

[Daniel M]

Only this? I bet you've seen Jaws at least 20 times.

BTW: Opinion is like an ass. Everybody has its own.

If I remember correctly on the podcast where Mark talks about why Jaws is his favourite film he said he watched it 30 times in one summer, so maybe 200 would be closer ;)

[donniedarko]

I still haven't seen Jaws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy_7haflaM

[Tyler1]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/the-death-of-epedocles/w448/the-death-of-epedocles.jpg?1312830143

The Death of Empedocles (1987) - 3-
Letters from a Dead Man (1986) - 2
Basic Training (1971) - 4
My Own Private Idaho (1991) - 3+

Shorts:

More (1998) - 4
The Pearl (1929) - 2
Neighbours (1952) - 2
Balance (1989) - 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBnGCn1Mt4c

And a surprise for all David Lynch fans - A NEW SHORT FROM THE MASTER! :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bgoRGqHwBE

[Mr Minio]

Obviously Lynch read my tutorial (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32080) on hippie filmmaking.

[Tyler1]

Oh David Lynch, please please please make a new movie!

[HitchFan97]

I saw that yesterday! AHHHH maybe it's a teaser for a new movie? After reading up on Ronnie Rocket, a project that he's wished to do ever since Eraserhead, I wouldn't be surprised if he's finally going through with it. Here's some more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Rocket

[edarsenal]

Two Against The World (1932) with Neil Hamilton (known by some of us as Commisioner Gordon in the Batman TV series) and Candice Bennett. 3

REWATCH The Crow Brandon Lee in the infamous movie where he was killed on set. I had read the original comics when it was published here in Michigan under Dark Horse and met O'Barr, the creator, and knew the sad inspiration behind creating the comic.
I had seen this somewhere around 10 times in the theater and who knows how many times since then. 5

http://www.jonnycharlton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/thecrow.jpg

[Mr Minio]

http://i40.tinypic.com/keys84.jpg
Seriously, WTF?!

The Good, The Bad and The Weird (2008) - 3
Contempt (1963) - 4.5
Perfume: The Story of Murderer (2006) - 3
The Shop on Main Street (1965) - 4.5
Ucieczka z kina "Wolność" (1990) - 3.5
Pictures of the Old World (1972) - 4.5
The Hole (1998) - 4
Found Memories (2011) - 4
The Day He Arrives (2011) - 3.5
A City of Sadness (1989) - 3 + A DISAPPOINTMENT BADGE
Dealer (2004) - 4.5 + SLOWLY DESCENDING INTO NIHIL TARR INSPIRED BADGE
Fando and Lis (1968) - 4 + SERIOUS MINDTUGGLER BADGE

[Guaporense]

Obviously Lynch read my tutorial (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32080) on hippie filmmaking.

I still think that your one is better!

[Guaporense]

I still haven't seen Jaws

Actually, you have already seem Jaws, since most blockbuster movies made after 1975 follow the formula defined in Jaws. The difference is that instead of a shark you get maybe a twister, the end of the world, the hulk or a giant alien spaceship.

[The Gunslinger45]

Actually, you have already seem Jaws, since most blockbuster movies made after 1975 follow the formula defined in Jaws. The difference is that instead of a shark you get maybe a twister, the end of the world, the hulk or a giant alien spaceship.

Also Piranhas, orcas, anacondas, and grizzly bears. To stick to the horror genre.

[Mr Minio]

I still think that your one is better! And I think that you can make even better film!

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

Happiness (1998) 3

http://thatwasjunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/happinessSPLASH.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=todd+solondz+happiness&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=JWXYDkxxm4grkM&tbnid=o26ZirIEGGuRiM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthatwasjunk.com%2F2010%2F07%2F26%2Fmy-favorite-movies-2-happinesslife-during-wartime%2F&ei=BXmrUffBG4Gc0QW4nYCoDg&bvm=bv.47244034,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNFCAYgRBVkAcwsDewcp3czEwFhQ1g&ust=1370278528154542)

I've seen quite a few dark and grim movies but this has to be the grimmest. It's a series of interconnected plot threads in a web of New Jersey surburbanites, the most prominent of which is paedophilic father Bill (Dylan Baker), who attempts to drug his son's friends.

It's a well-acted film, particularly from Dylan Baker and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, as Allen, a creepy obscene phone-caller, and the paedophilia story works. The film's billed as a black comedy but it's too grim to be funny. Happiness in some respects reminds me of Your Friends and Neighbors, although that actually was a dark comedy. There's one blackly comic moment where Bill goes out to buy a porno mag which turns out to be a children's magazine for boys and if you like body fluid, there's plenty of that around, but Solondz is not satirical enough to bring it to the level of biting satire. Neil LaBute has been described as misanthropic but Solondz really takes misanthropy to a new level.

The acting's good all round. The women have less to do then the men but Camryn Manheim as Kristina, the overweight woman who loves Allen, is very touching and the most sympathetic out of a bunch of relatively unsympathetic people. The dynamic between Hoffman and Manheim is very touching and gives the film a quiet humanity.

Really, the title of the film should have been Sex, because that's actually what the characters are looking for. The film feels a little self-indulgent at times, particularly with the heavy-handed irony in naming the lead woman Joy, as if Solondz likes to wallow about in the deepest stickiest pits of hell. The concept of happiness is therefore never really explored, so the title just seems like a bit of snark.

The film's worth a watch, although some of it is unspeakably grim, but some of the plot threads and other characters are a bit limp.

[Dust]

Happiness (1998) 3

It always puzzled me to see that it's listed as a comedy/comedy drama depending on where it's listed, but I personally don't see a lot of comedic elements to it.

It is a well made movie though - albeit hard to watch in places... occasionally disturbing depending on the fortitude of one's grounding and moral fiber. I just found myself wanting to take a shower after seeing it. :facepalm:

The movie as a whole reminds me ever so slightly of American Beauty and Lester describing his marriage.... "Our marriage is just for show. A commercial for how normal we are when we're anything but."

Yeah, Lester... that's it in a nutshell. :up:

[Skepsis93]

I think Happiness is very, very funny indeed and one of my favourite things about it is its surprising ability to switch seamlessly from light to pitch-black funny, to shocking, to dramatic, to touching. I think it's a superb film. Or maybe I'm just a sicko. :p

[Cobpyth]

I think Happiness is very, very funny indeed and one of my favourite things about it is its surprising ability to switch seamlessly from light to pitch-black funny, to shocking, to dramatic, to touching. I think it's a superb film. Or maybe I'm just a sicko. :p

I second your opinion. Happiness is HILARIOUS! Even the pedo scenes were funny, while still holding their disturbing effect. Great movie!

Then again, I'm a HUGE fan of dark humor.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

I think Happiness is very, very funny indeed and one of my favourite things about it is its surprising ability to switch seamlessly from light to pitch-black funny, to shocking, to dramatic, to touching. I think it's a superb film. Or maybe I'm just a sicko. :p

There are some blackly comic moments but it doesn't have that satirical edge, or at least, only in flashes. Solondz doesn't have targets he wants to skewer; he just wants to show you some grim stuff. I would also say that the only fleshed-out (no pun intended) thread is the paedophile one and that the central sisters are all fairly dull ciphers.

It's a good film but undermined by Solondz's insistence of wallowing in grim. The fact that at moments it is moving seems to be more to do with the actors than the script.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

I second your opinion. Happiness is HILARIOUS! Even the pedo scenes were funny, while still holding their disturbing effect. Great movie!

Then again, I'm a HUGE fan of dark humor.

If you are, I'm hoping you'll have seen Your Friends and Neighbors or In The Company of Men? :)

[donniedarko]

I like dark humor, and therefore was excited to watch Happiness. For me it was a huge dissapointment, and while I understand why some people love it, I was so over-hyped it crashed for me. I laughed a couple times at the beginning, but ended up turning it off, due to sheer boredom. Ill try to finish it one day, but right now I'm not counting down to that day. But yes it has a pretty large fan basis on this forum.

[mark f]

Any Wednesday (Robert Ellis Miller, 1966) 3-
Someone to Watch Over Me (Ridley Scott, 1987) 2.5
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (Marina Zenovich, 2013) 3
A New Leaf (Elaine May, 1971) 3.5
http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/images/3957a.jpg
The Phantom Tollbooth (Chuck Jones, Abe Levitow, Dave Monahan, 1970) 3
The Golden Bowl (James Ivory, 2000) 2.5
Curse of the Pink Panther (Blake Edwards, 1983) 2.5
1941 (Steven Spielberg, 1979) 3.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ksUU9buGCQ/T3WsCG13FdI/AAAAAAAADok/AAntCVL3NPk/s1600/1941-ferris-wheel450x189.jpg
Swinging With the Finkels (Jonathan Newman, 2011) 2+
Ring of Fire (Andrew L. Stone, 1961) 2
But I’m a Cheerleader (Jamie Babbit, 1999) 2.5
Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974) 3.5
http://m5.paperblog.com/i/23/234039/my-top-100-films-1-20-L-dRPyWg.jpeg
Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (Susan Muska & Greta
Olafsdottir, 2009) 2.5
The Alamo (John Lee Hancock, 2004) 2.5
Easy Virtue (Stephan Elliott. 2008) 2.5
American Pop (Ralph Bakshi, 1981) 3.5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/thumb/9/94/American_Pop.jpg/320px-American_Pop.jpg
Balto (Simon Wells, 1995) 3+
Second Chorus (H.C. Potter, 1940) 2.5
Black Legion (Archie Mayo, 1937) 2.5
Shakespeare in Love (John Madden, 1998) 3.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSy8eOm9CZA/UOHrMBvpCfI/AAAAAAAAm0Y/wbxCvkIqMwo/s320/Shakespeare+Apaixonado.jpg

[Cobpyth]

If you are, I'm hoping you'll have seen Your Friends and Neighbors or In The Company of Men? :)

I've seen In the Company of Men a few days ago (I liked it) and I'll add Your Friends and Neighbors to my watchlist. Thanks for the recommendation! :)

[edarsenal]

REWATCH LA Confidential 4.5 Loved the movie from the first time at the theater, even higher praise for the book and the series it came from
"Some guys get the world. Others; ex-whores and a trip to Arizona."

Love Crazy (1947)?? 3 William Powell and Myrna Loy. A team who did very well with the Thin Man movies, continues their usual casually elegant aplomb when, to avoid divorce, hubby claims insanity.

REWATCH Army of Darkness 4.5
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbmdeybhQk1qzztl4.jpg

http://www.movie-list.com/a/armyofdarkness.jpg

"This. . . is. . . my BOOM stick!"

[ThomasP]

[IMG]
[B][I]Contempt (1963) - 4.5
A City of Sadness (1989) - 3 + A DISAPPOINTMENT BADGE]


Contempt is probably my favourite JLG film.

Surprised you didn't like A City of Sadness that much.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

I've seen In the Company of Men a few days ago (I liked it) and I'll add Your Friends and Neighbors to my watchlist. Thanks for the recommendation! :)

Your Friends and Neighbors is a similar theme, belonging to the genre I call psychosuburbia. It's not a perfect film- like Happiness, the pace is a little slow- but it's much shorter and sharper with the lines. Happiness does have some sharp lines but they're kind of buried under the sort of pit of grimness.

Roger Ebert described Your Friends and Neighbors as "the kind of date movie that wants to make you go home alone" and it's true but only because it's so spot on about the negative aspects of relationships.

Your Friends and Neighbors also has a great comic/chilling scene (2.26 to 8.29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oubnr-4_RCo

[Mingusings]

Dawn of the Dead (1978): 3+
The Fly (1986): 4-
Heat (1995): 3
Platoon (1986): 4-
Battle Royale (2000): 3_5
Five Fingers (2006): 3-
Tokyo Gore Police (2008): 3_5+
Smiley (2012): 1_5
Deep Red (1975): 3
The Incredibles (2004): 3
The Elephant Man (1980): 3
Candyman (1992): 2_5+

[mark f]

Pot o’ Gold (George Marshall, 1941) 2.5-
An Ideal Husband (Alexander Korda, 1947) 3
The Oxford Murders (Alex de la Iglesia, 2008) 2.5
Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell, 2012) 3.5+
http://tvfan.kyodo.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/contents_6.jpg
Hollywood Canteen (Delmer Daves, 1944) 3
Vanity Fair (Mira Nair, 2004) 2.5
Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks, 2011) 3
Stakeout (John Badham, 1987) 3.5
http://nuno-hall.up.seesaa.net/image/stakeout5.jpg
Crazy in Alabama (Antonio Banderas, 1999) 2.5
Raid on Rommel (Henry Hathaway, 1971) 2.5
Sweet Home Alabama (Andy Tennant, 2002) 2.5
Team America: World Police (Trey Parker, 2004) 3
http://www.journeyoftheseeds-themovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/111219-team-america-world-police-9a.3803807700-300x197.jpg
Visioneers (Jared Drake, 2008) 2+
You Can’t Fool Your Wife (Ray McCarey, 1940) 2
Background to Danger (Raoul Walsh, 1943) 2
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Peter Jackson, 2012) 3.5
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/185spvtts3zocjpg/k-medium.jpg
The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (Terence Young, 1965) 2.5
Extreme Measures (Michael Apted, 1996) 3=
Flight Command (Frank Borzage, 1940) 2
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (Jane Anderson, 2005) 3-
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cysPeUF-tLU/USaXD7b6b7I/AAAAAAAAMQ4/Gi6Sud41YyY/s320/julianne+moore+The+Prize+Winner+of+Defiance,+Ohio.jpg

[Cobpyth]

Your Friends and Neighbors is a similar theme, belonging to the genre I call psychosuburbia. It's not a perfect film- like Happiness, the pace is a little slow- but it's much shorter and sharper with the lines. Happiness does have some sharp lines but they're kind of buried under the sort of pit of grimness.

Roger Ebert described Your Friends and Neighbors as "the kind of date movie that wants to make you go home alone" and it's true but only because it's so spot on about the negative aspects of relationships.

Your Friends and Neighbors also has a great comic/chilling scene (2.26 to 8.29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oubnr-4_RCo

I'm watching it one of the following days for sure. I very much appreciate your recommendation. :)

[ThomasP]

Faust http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif
City Lights http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
Sherlock, Jr. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4.5box.gif
Intolerance http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif
Safety Last http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2.5box.gif
Watching a lot of silent films lately

[mark f]

Really low for Safety Last.

[honeykid]

No, your rating for Team America: World Police was really low. That's a high rating for a silent comedy.

[mark f]

It's more of a comedy thriller, will. :)

[mark f]

Adaptation. (Spike Jonze, 2002) 2.5
Sympathy For Delicious (Mark Ruffalo, 2010) 2
Memento Mori (Dan Browne, 2012) 2.5
Harvie Krumpet (Adam Elliot, 2003) 3.5
http://www.atocadohutt.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/00000422-300x168.jpg
Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life (Peter Capaldi, 1995) 3+
Tale of Tales (Yurly Norshteyn, 1979) 3
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (Aleksandr Petrov, 1992) 3
Presto (Doug Sweetland, 2008) 4
http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/presto.jpg
The Cotton Club (Francis Ford Coppola, 1984) 3+
The House is Black (Forugh Farrokhzad, 1963)
Originally: 2.5 Revised: 3.5
Envelope (Aleksey Nuzhny, 2012) 2.5
Duck Amuck (Chuck Jones, 1953) 4
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlZmS5gO7s/SjN51UlxlOI/AAAAAAAAAGs/1d_dUZt9B2c/s320/Amuck05.jpg
Dimensions of Dialogue (Jan Svankmajer, 1983) 3
The Terrys (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2011) 2.5
Wake Me When It’s Over (Mervyn LeRoy, 1960) 2
High Wall (Curtis Bernhardt, 1947) 3-
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yg0wzuV8KA0/Sk4iYmMdn_I/AAAAAAAADes/FQdAVYGs99Y/s320/vlcsnap-2009-07-03-11h17m32s83.jpg
Outer Space (Peter Tscherkassky, 2000) 1
La jetee (Chris Marker, 1962) 2.5
Way… Way Out (Gordon Douglas, 1966) 2
King-Size Canary (Tex Avery, 1947) 3.5
http://www.fattidibio.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/produttore/king-size-canary.jpg
Everything Will Be OK (Don Hertzfeldt, 2006) 3
Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren & Alexander Hammid, 1943) 3
10/65: Selbstverstümmelung (Kurt Kren, 1965) 2
Geri’s Game (Jan Pinkava, 1997) 3.5
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nF5bT9i9ebA/TpIoJCuUXJI/AAAAAAAAALw/Ayc5cfw4CMI/s1600/geri31-300x210.jpg
Resisting Enemy Interrogation (Bernard Vorhaus, 1944) 2
Screaming Eagles (Charles Haas, 1956) 2
A New Kind of Love (Melville Shavelson, 1964) 2+
The Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935) 3+ Classic Rating: 5
http://maggiemcneill.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/the-bride-of-frankenstein.jpg?w=300&h=233
The Return of Peter Grimm (George Nichole, Jr., 1935) 2+
It Came From Beneath the Sea (Robert Gordon, 1955) 2
Carefree (Mark Sandrich, 1938) 3
The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse, 1956) 3.5
http://mediji.hr/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/the-red-balloon-16-300x223.jpg

[Monkeypunch]

The Wedding Singer - Remember when Adam Sandler was actually funny and even a little bit charming? Remember when Drew Barrymore was actually in movies? Yeah, this was a great little bit of fluff, lots of 1980's jokes and a fun Billy Idol cameo. It seems to me that both of the best Adam Sandler films had Drew Barrymore in them, so they should REALLY make more, maybe it will get him out of his unfunny "Jack and Jill/That's My Boy/Grown Ups" rut..

[donniedarko]

Mark: Could you expand on Envelope and The House is Black, please.

[Daniel M]

Good to see you watching animations for the tournament Mark. From what I have seen so far I give the same ratings for Memento Mori (difficult to rate), Harvie Krumpet, Presto and King-Size Canary, however I rate La Jetéé much higher.

[Mr Minio]

Lately you've been watching a lot of great shorts, mark. + for that.

[Daniel M]

Lately you've been watching a lot of great shorts, mark. + for that.

It's for this tournament: http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32142

Take a look and vote, you'll like it :)

[Mr Minio]

I know about it, but I'm too lazy to watch these nominated shorts. I watched Sherlock Jr. instead. :cool: It's short - about 40 minutes.

[donniedarko]

Sherlock Jr. is great. The only Keaton film I've truly liked so far. Why not vote on the ones you have seen though, Minio?

[mark f]

For donnie:

I'll admit that I'm too tough on The House in Black, but to quote the film, "Alas, my wounds have numbed my spirit." It's tough for me to watch it in my post-stroke life. I'm much better off than these people but my right arm is still mostly unusable and it's difficult to walk even with the walker. I also have sore skin from rubbing against the bed I sit/lay on, so I do relate to those shown in the film. The fact that there is an overriding prayer is also tugging at my conscience since I've periodically wished I were dead - not only to put me out of my "misery" but to provide my family with some much-needed cash from my life insurance. All this has probably skewed my viewing, thinking and feeling of the film, but I do feel that it's easy to overrate something like this just because of the subject matter. If I don't think it's great cinema then I must be a bad person. I will say I'm raising my rating but it won't be that much higher; at least I don't think so. It's still hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

I'll talk about Envelope later, but that rating stands. :)

[donniedarko]

Sorry to hear Mark, but I do think it's great cinema, while I didn't find The Red Balloon touching at all, so I guess I'm the bad guy. I thought Envelope was the best, but Spacey did two more short films with that company, if you'd like to check them out. They're both less professional but more comedic.

[Mr Minio]

I've seen a lot of them, but sadly not the ones they're paired with.

[donniedarko]

^Got it

Anyways, here's what I've been watching lately.

Feature films (ranked)
Don't Let me Die on a Sunday 2-
After Earth 2.5
The Madness of King George 2.5
I think Madness had a lot of potential, but overall I don't think I actually laughed once. Something like this in the hands of, lets say Mel Brooks, would've been a classic, as it stands now, it's a decent film with a solid statement.
Sexy Beast 2.5
Bowling for Columbine 3.5-
Two sided and entertaining, talks about the still ongoing gun debate, and attempts to find the root. I like that this doesn't demonize the average gun owner or even guns, but instead people like the NRA chairman.
The Face of Another 3.5
Silver Linings Playbook 3.5
Woman in the Dunes 3.5
Night on Earth 3.5++
Awesome Jarmusch film which follows five taxi cabs throughout the U.S. and Europe. Despite the visuals being simple and even pale they were blended in perfectly to the surroundings. The dialogue included plenty of hysterical moments. This is the only second film I've seen of Jarmusch (first being Dead Man) and I highly prefer this one. The way this movie was broken up into five short films made it move fast, and keep its up beat character. The acting was genuine, and the two I'd praise the most are Gena Rowlands and Beatrice Dalle. My favorite scene didn't feature either though, and that one is Rome. This one included Roberto Benigni who kept the perverted comedy going in a laugh riot scene.

http://www.chud.com/articles/content_images/173/WITD%20-%202.jpg
Woman in the Dunes

Short films (ranked)
Bambi Meets Godzilla 1.5
The Heart of the World 1.5
Meshes of the Afternoon 1.5
The Red Balloon 2 :drevil:
The Cabinet of Jan Svankmajer 2.5
As some of you know I love Svankmajer but don't care for the Quay Brothers. The stop animation was nice, but as most Quay films make me feel, I wanted to fall asleep.
The Terrys 2.5
A Trip to the Moon 3-
The Wrong Trousers 3-
A Close Shave 3
Presto 3+
Balance 3.5
10/65: Selbstverstümmelung 3.5+
Wonderful short film on the issue of body mutilation, which ran chills down my spine in its disturbing nature.
Duck Amuck 4-

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcjf8inTT01qbet2do1_400.jpg
Balance

[Daniel M]

Your ratings for the Wallace and Gromit films are way too low :( Maybe it's a British thing... anyway I might post up all my animation ratings later, haven't seen a lot of the ones you have yet Donnie but I will do soon, my ratings so far are much kinder though :p Although I didn't like Duck Amuck as much as you (3.5), I look forward to 10/65: Selbstverstümmelung.

[Gabrielle947]

Ohh,Im so jealous that you are watching films,I'm working during the summer and I have no time at the moment. :/ Irony is that I have a computer at my work and I can use it all the time(basically that's what I do all night),yet there's no sound,no video watching programme and I'm not sure where the PC actually is,there's tons of computer stuff. :D

Anyway,managed to watch Thirteen few days ago,I'd say it a mediocre film about teen problems,drugs,relationships with parents,self-discovery and so on.I liked that its target audience may not only be teen but their parents as well but I thought that the story is a bit over the top. ;) 2.5

[honeykid]

The Madness of King George 2.5
I think Madness had a lot of potential, but overall I don't think I actually laughed once. Something like this in the hands of, lets say Mel Brooks, would've been a classic, as it stands now, it's a decent film with a solid statement.
As no one else has mentioned it, I'm assuming I'm wrong. But is there another The Madness Of King George film that I'm unaware of? Because the 1994 film about King George III, while it has some amusing moments/instances, isn't a comedy.

[donniedarko]

No, same one. While it had dramatic aspects I do believe it was mainly a comedy. I just checked and IMDB has it listed at biography, comedy, drama, historical, in that order. Unless your argument is dementia is no laughing matter, I don't see how it's not (primarily) a comedy.

[edarsenal]

High Wall (1947) 3.5 A flyer pilot with a head injury is sent to an insane asylum after murdering his wife, only to discover he may not have been the murderer. For the first half of the movie I was on the fence about this one but by the end I did come to enjoy this one

Hit & Run 2.5 I REALLY wanted to like this one. I has a lot of the premise that I normally enjoy. I think what put me off was the constant dialogue between the main couple (dax shephard and kristen bell). It felt like I was stuck in a Positve Reaffirmation Seminar.

Rango 5 When I first saw this at the movies I rated this around 3.5, but after buying it and watching it more and more, I have really come to love this movie. It hits all the right buttons in all the right ways. Story, dialogue, camera work, the tip of the hat to so many old time western characters that have filled saloon after saloon in so many old time favorites, to the narrating owls telling us that "This lizard's gonna die."

http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2012/02/f_rango._bar_27-02-2012.jpg

[Daniel M]

Awesome that you now love Rango, my favourite animated film :D

Donnie, having now seen 10/65: Selbstverstümmelung I am not sure why you rate it so highly, I was expecting something weird but interesting, but it was just weird, and nothing really happened, just a guy picking at his deformed face, one of my least favourites so far I am afraid :(

[HitchFan97]

Night on Earth 3.5++
Awesome Jarmusch film which follows five taxi cabs throughout the U.S. and Europe. Despite the visuals being simple and even pale they were blended in perfectly to the surroundings. The dialogue included plenty of hysterical moments. This is the only second film I've seen of Jarmusch (first being Dead Man) and I highly prefer this one. The way this movie was broken up into five short films made it move fast, and keep its up beat character. The acting was genuine, and the two I'd praise the most are Gena Rowlands and Beatrice Dalle. My favorite scene didn't feature either though, and that one is Rome. This one included Roberto Benigni who kept the perverted comedy going in a laugh riot scene.

I've got Mystery Train in from Netflix and I'll probably watch it tomorrow. It'll be my first experience with Jarmusch and I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully it's in the same vein as Altman/Cassavetes ;)

[edarsenal]

Awesome that you now love Rango, my favourite animated film :D

Thanks daniel and I definitely have to agree about being the favorite for me as well :)