Movie Tab II

[Mr Minio]

http://i41.tinypic.com/9r135j.jpg
IT'S A TRAP! But it's the kind of trap I'd like to be trapped in. Talking about films of course.

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Orchestra playing on the wagon! Marvelous!

http://i40.tinypic.com/9huk1x.jpg
No wonder it's in someone's top 10. Magnificent.


Siekierezada (1985) - 4
Elégia (1965; short) - 3.5
Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) - 4
Sherlock Jr. (1924) - 3
Duck Amuck (1953; short) - 3
King Size-Canary (1947; short) - 2.5
The Terrorizers (1986) - 4.5
Charlotte and Her Boyfriend (1961; short) - 3
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1986) - 4.5

[meatwadsprite]

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmjsqFjIFH-7U9eA7wgMGWKdDOXAvxBKQGl8t9BnSgG_3-XYMv9w 3 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjzdHu5uPlIiWzS-rCS3NRyrccwZqgr6HtsHJzK3qtcLrIDCIvuA 3 https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsxKx0_TCTwU9KeFUQhrNcBNZE1TgeZNNaESB3GEohV6N2GTAqaA 3 https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTfB3fTXiJkudtld7P2mtr3Mtb8HFPtKdjMkR2omOMzbR2q4ALhvw 3.5 https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFsUaJmxKYdgZPRaPivktUKNk6qMulIbJsRb8qC3ktJnsIh5xL6w 4.5 https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQr5RfXKlZlgTkhJIhTPSbvu2BBhelur3mUA5wNrzLnnuey456zkQ 5

[Mr Minio]

Quite strict rating for Once Upon a Time in the West. Not to mention Iron Man 3 got the same as well.

[Harry Lime]

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1986) - 4.5
I figured you'd like it. More people need to see this film.

[Mr Minio]

I didn't like it for I LOVED IT! I've seen 2 German films so far. Any recommendations on which one should I watch next?

[donniedarko]

Ali:Fear eats the Soul comes to mind, and Downfall if you haven't seen that.

The only other one I remember seeing is Aguirre, Wrath of God.

[Mr Minio]

You misunderstood. I am talking about Aleksei German's films not German films as made by German directors. Besides, I've seen all you listed.

[Harry Lime]

I didn't like it for I LOVED IT! I've seen 2 German films so far. Any recommendations on which one should I watch next?
I like Khrustalyov, My Car! but you only have three more to choose from anyway. Until his new film is released this year at least.

[donniedarko]

You misunderstood. I am talking about Aleksei German's films not German films as made by German directors. Besides, I've seen all you listed.

Figured you'd have to have seen more than two :goof:

I found a DVD on amazons of My Friend Ivan... No subtitles but I can more or less understand Russain fluently, so might buy it.

[Harry Lime]

I found a DVD on amazons of My Friend Ivan... No subtitles but I can more or less understand Russain fluently, so might buy it.
I could provide you with English subtitles in .srt format that you might be able to reauthor onto a copy of the DVD or play with your DVD on your computer if you want. Send me a PM if so. Might be a bit of a challenge to do if you haven't done something like this before, though.

[meatwadsprite]

Quite strict rating for Once Upon a Time in the West. Not to mention Iron Man 3 got the same as well.

I've seen it a couple times now, and nothing for the rest of the movie really captures the awesomeness of the first two scenes. I love the music, the visual style, but the story is incredibly straight forward for a 3 hour movie.

[Guaporense]

Just the visuals and soundtrack makes Once Upon a Time in the West better than Iron Man 3.

[mark f]

Take away the visuals and the soundtrack, and what's left? :)

[Guaporense]

Take away the visuals of Iron Man 3 and what's left? The plot is as complex as of a saturday morning cartoon.

[mark f]

The answer to my question is nothing.

[Daniel M]

Take away the visuals and the soundtrack, and what's left? :)

I think OUATITW doesn't get enough credit around here, not only does it have great visuals and soundtracks, but it's also great in other aspects for me. Although the plot is a pretty simple one, and we are presented characters that are quite cliché, Leone makes them interesting, each character could have their own film, the sub-plots make this interesting, and it's kind of Leone's childish dream-like Western that he just fills with as many enjoyable things we associate with his films into one huge fairytale like story. I love it, anyway :)

[mark f]

All I meant is that a movie, any movie, only has visuals (to see) and a soundtrack (to hear). We don't smell, touch or taste films, even if sometimes we think so. My main point was to be careful what words you use. :)

[donniedarko]

http://i.imgur.com/UmpOi.gif

[jiraffejustin]

http://i.imgur.com/UmpOi.gif

T&E gifs. +1

[Mr Minio]

All I meant is that a movie, any movie, only has visuals (to see) and a soundtrack (to hear). We don't smell, touch or taste films, even if sometimes we think so. My main point was to be careful what words you use. :) http://i44.tinypic.com/24fa13r.gif

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

Bitter Moon 3_5

http://www.vangelismovements.com/BitterMoonStill06B.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=mg5ISo5HNUxoTM&tbnid=LOL7F_MCGtM_JM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vangelismovements.com%2Fbittermoon.htm&ei=n8m1UcvaB4id0QXo_oHIBQ&bvm=bv.47534661,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNHV1N3Dd4_8Xqjb559aCe8SxrZTGg&ust=1370954518541459)

I thought this minor Polanski film was going to be terrible. I mainly watched it because it's a chance to see Hugh Grant pre-Four Weddings and A Funeral. Personally I never bought into him as a charming bumbling Brit- maybe because he's played the part so often- and I prefer him in these older dramatic roles. A backhanded compliment it may be but he's good at playing the aristocratic/comfortably middle-class bland sexually repressed observer. A sort of Nick Carraway figure if you will.

Anyway, the film's set on a cruise ship, with flashbacks to eighties Paris. Nigel (Hugh Grant) and Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas) are going on a lovely cruise to India. They find distraught Frenchwoman Mimi (Emmanuelle Seigneur) crying in a bathroom but manage to calm her. Unfortunately whilst taking a stroll around the ship, Nigel bumps into her husband- wheelchair-bound American Oscar (Peter Coyote), who takes Nigel into his cabin and proceeds to tell him an explicit narrative about his relationship with Mimi, who put him in the wheelchair.

Oscar and Mimi's relationship initially starts as some comic S and M, then Oscar becomes emotionally sadistic and their relationship finally descends into mutual torture. For all its psychotically comic elements, it's actually a biting look at the type of relationships that really do exist, where the partners' love has faded but they find it impossible to split up so they remain together out of spite.

Most of the comedy actually comes from Grant's reaction. It’s still bumbling Britishness but it’s more of a politeness that the audience can identify with much more. Coyote is suitably unhinged as Oscar, the failed writer who likes to supply some rather vivid descriptions.

Seigneur is beautiful and morphs well from innocent girl to sadist nymphomaniac, still eliciting sympathy even when she is cruel. Scott Thomas unfortunately has little to do in her role, apart from a very contrived moment at the end. If you want to see her in the role of complicit voyeur, try Dans La Maison.

Arguably Polanski could have gone further with the sinister moments but maybe that’s the studio holding him back. The film remains compelling for a running time clocking over two hours but it would have been nice to see more of Nigel and Fiona. Nevertheless, this is an odd tale uniquely touching in its portrayal of the destructive potential latent in every relationship.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

The Full Monty 4

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0TmAso6Sko/TXz4ackmbzI/AAAAAAAABLM/LDlPkBchlyg/s1600/fullmontyREX_468x312.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=nPhOGUHETUzfaM&tbnid=BwHF5jWNZnqQEM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgreatestmoviethemes.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fhot-stuff-full-monty-1997.html&ei=7u21UbzDD8TL0QX-roC4Aw&bvm=bv.47534661,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNHshuHTDB0AMGaXc09bcU8QnL_B3A&ust=1370963815676860)

I was so tempted to give it four and a half but the ending is a bit abrupt for what proves to be more than just a light comedy.

It's the eighties and it's pretty grim up North. Unemployment is rife so a bunch of Sheffield men decide to make a bit of cash by stripping. But they're not just going to go down to a thong- they're going full-frontal! (don't worry, it's shot from the back) But these blokes are just ordinary men with a bunch of hang-ups. Can they build up the courage to go through with the show?

The portrayal of masculine insecurities is so touching and hilarious that this is genuinely a heart-warming film. Like Gregory's Girl, Americans may be unused to the Northern vernacular but the meanings are pretty clear.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

Blow-Up 2

http://www.wineandbowties.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/verush-2.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=OGDX8N7HtRmFTM&tbnid=csYsqSHDlcDrbM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwineandbowties.com%2Fart%2Fblowing-up-the-spirit-of-london-in-1966%2F&ei=of-1UYLwJqKI0AXD7gE&bvm=bv.47534661,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNFsgXiKuduy0rcd-GMpXBBcktWFuA&ust=1370968350106248)


For a film that led to the collapse of the Production Code and the introduction of the ratings system, you would have thought it would be a lot more interesting than this. Director Michaelangelo Antonioni's mistake is to make a film about boredom and alienation boring and alienating.

Granted, you probably had to be there because the film is incredibly dated today, with all the cliches of the swinging sixties- drugs, promiscuity, protests, artiness, mods, etc. If the sixties really was the place to be, you wouldn't know it from this film. Everyone looks bored out of their skulls.

If you want a film about modern alienation, there's plenty to choose from, with far more excitement, emotion and content than this. The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy both look at the theme of alienation but they are moving and interesting films. If you want the alienating nature of art, Peeping Tom is a good choice.

The plot of this film- although it's a bit misleading to call it a plot- is that fashion photographer Thomas (David Hemmings) is bored of shooting twig-like models when on taking a chance photo in a park, he spots a corpse in the background. But what is reality and what is fantasy?

The blurring of fantasy and reality should be intriguing and thrilling but it just isn't. The excuse for this blurring appears to be "Well, it was the sixties and those were some crazy times and nobody remembers the sixties and if you do you weren't there."

There's also a strong current of trendy sexism, with loads of 'titillating' women being abused by Hemming's character. So yeah, the sixties weren't that great were they?

I gave it two instead of one because if you were around in the sixties or like those type of time capsules, you might find it an interesting curiosity. Anybody else is likely to find it tedious and superficial.

[Daniel M]

As a Brit I have seen The Full Monty many times, very good film. Not seen Bitter Moon although I like Polanski and your post makes it sound interesting, have you seen Blow Out? I haven't seen Blow Up but I love De Palma's film so I would be interested to see what you make of that as it's supposed to be heavily inspired by it.

[mark f]

The Tell-Tale Heart (Jules Dassin, 1941) 2.5
A Criminal is Born (Leslie Fenton, 1938) 2
Around the World in California (no director listed, 1947) 2.5
City Streets (Rouben Mamoulian, 1931) 3
http://www.seraphicpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/sylvia-sydney-gun.jpg
Dogtooth (Giorgos Lathimos, 2009) 2
The Maltese Falcon (Roy Del Ruth, 1931) 3
The Glass Key (Stuart Heisler, 1942) 2
After the Thin Man (W.S. Van Dyke, 1936) 3-
http://goldenagedames.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/thinman73.jpeg
The Third Wheel (Jordan Brady, 2002) 2
Click (Frank Coraci, 2006) 2.5
Charlotte and Her Boyfriend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1960) 2
Tightrope (Richard Tuggle, 1984) 3
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/tightrope/w448/tightrope.jpg?1308616421
99 River Street (Phil Karlson, 1953) 2
Undercurrent (Vincente Minnelli, 1946) 2
School of Life (William Dear, 2005) 2.5
Black Christmas (Bob Clark, 1974) 3
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bHSVCs9rX0A/RhXHbwubcJI/AAAAAAAAAzI/yNCmOpCsJPo/s320/bagDVDbeaver.jpg
Thank Your Lucky Stars (David Butler, 1943) 2.5
Time of the Wolf (Michael Haneke, 2003) 1.5
It (Clarence Badger, 1927) 2.5+
The Lavender Hill Mob (Charles Crichton, 1951)3.5+
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01959/lavender-hill-mob_1959089c.jpg
Another Face (Christy Cabanne, 1935) 2
Big Fan (Robert D. Siegel, 2009) 2
Lantana (Ray Lawrence, 2001) 3
Kapo (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1960) 3+
http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/kapo-2-3001.jpg

[Mr Minio]

Wanted to see Dogtooth for a long time, but I didn't enjoy another contemporary Greek film, which is said to be familar to this one, only Dogtooth is said to be more pretendious, kinky and bloody.

[mark f]

Dogtooth is interesting and does have a point, but I think it should have been a short. It takes a long time to reveal what's going on and then it grows repetitious before it gets to the climax. It is recommended though for fans of messed-up cinema and pretty girls doing naughty things (most guys around here :cool:).

[Mr Minio]

pretty girls doing naughty things. You convinced me!

[donniedarko]

The Third Wheel is comedy cliche to the max.

[Mingusings]

Stoker (2013): 3_5+
The Aviator (2004): 3
How to Train Your Dragon (2012): 3_5+
Knowing (2009): 3+
The Call (2013): 3
The Buddhist Fist (1980): 3
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978): 4-
V/H/S 2 (2013): 3+
Schramm: Into the Mind of a Serial Killer (1994): 1_5
Sin City (2005): 3_5

[Used Future]

Blow-Up 2

Director Michaelangelo Antonioni's mistake is to make a film about boredom and alienation boring and alienating.


I thought the film was mainly about interpretation (as well as what you describe). How an image or piece of art can often contain a variety meanings to different people. Thomas' seemingly innocuous park photograph and the possibly sinister, or innocently explainable goings on contained within. But yeah, not exactly a Friday nighter. I'd much rather sit down and watch De Palma's homage, Blow Out any day.

[Daniel M]

http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tale-of-tales-pic.jpg


The Terrys (Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, 2011) 1.5

10/65: Selbstverstümmelung (Kurt Kren, 1965) 2

Bambi Meets Godzilla (Marv Newland, 1969) 2.5

Memento mori (Dan Browne, 2012) 2.5+

The Critic (Ernest Pintoff, 1963) 3
Geri's Game (Jan Pinkava, 1997) 3
Envelope (Aleksey Nuzhny, 2012) 3

Outer Space (Peter Tscherkassky, 2000) 3+
Charlotte and Her Boyfriend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1960) 3+

The House is Black (Forugh Farrokhzad, 1963) 3.5-
Entr'acte (René Clair, 1924) 3.5-
Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren & Alexander Hammid, 1943) 3.5-

The Music Box (James Parrott, 1932) 3.5
A Trip to the Moon (Georges Melies, 1902) 3.5
King-Size Canary (Tex Avery, 1947) 3.5
The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse, 1956) 3.5
Harvie Krumpet (Adam Elliot, 2003) 3.5
Frankenweenie (Tim Burton, 1984) 3.5
Paperman (John Kahrs, 2012) 3.5
Presto (Doug Sweetland, 2008) 3.5

Duck Amuck (Chuck Jones, 1953) 3.5+

Everything Will Be Ok (Don Hertzfeldt, 2006) 4
Vincent (Tim Burton, 1982) 4
Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave (Nick Park, 1995) 4
Un Chien Andalou (Luis Bunuel, 1929) 4
Dimensions of Dialogue (Jan Svankmajer, 1983) 4
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (Aleksandr Petrov, 1992) 4
Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (Peter Capaldi, 1995) 4

The Heart of the World (Guy Maddin, 2000) 4+

Wallace & Gromit in The Wrong Trousers (Nick Park, 1993) 4.5
Night and Fog (Alain Resnais, 1955) 4.5

Tale of Tales (Yuriy Norshteyn, 1979) 5
La Jetée (Chris Marker, 1962) 5

Watched all the short films for the tournament plus Vincent to go with Frankenweenie, I loved Mr. Minio's two Russian nominations: The Dream of a Ridiculous Man and Tale of Tales, I loved the design of both and thought they were absolutely beautiful, the latter I absolutely fell in love with, especially the little wolf that travels through the many images of the film. I might write more about a few of the shorts if I feel like it again, but any questions about my ratings/what I think, feel free to ask.

[donniedarko]

The Terrys (Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, 2011) 1.5.
Didnt really like this one myself, but it was about what people eat up on TV (Teen Mom, Jerry Springer) today and shows how trashy and ridiculous it all is.

10/65: Selbstverstümmelung (Kurt Kren, 1965) 2
.
This ones about body mutilation, I can understand why you don't like it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Glad to see high ratings for my nominations :)

[Daniel M]

Didnt really like this one myself, but it was about what people eat up on TV (Teen Mom, Jerry Springer) today and shows how trashy and ridiculous it all is.


This ones about body mutilation, I can understand why you don't like it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Glad to see high ratings for my nominations :)

The Terrys I think I was a harsh on, I think watching it on the back of some dreamlike or fun animations, and going completely to abrupt gross style humour didn't help it. I'll watch it again when I'm in the mood perhaps, some find it a lot funnier than I did I suspect.

And yeh I really didn't get 10/65, it's certainly interesting, but I just found it weird and the transition of the face wasn't really that radical, kind of reminded me of the orcs from The Lord of the Rings though :D

And yeh I really enjoyed your nominations. Un Chien Andalou I had already seen but watched again, as strange but fascinating as ever, then I thought Dimensions of Dialogue was great, I love clay animation and it was incredibly creative, which always does well with me. Did you see the Oscar nominated short last year, Fresh Guacamole? Watching it again now and it seems very similar in its use of food/objects and the way they transform on the screen, very good :)

Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life was a surprisingly great nomination, another one with an extremely creative and clever idea behind it. I haven't actually seen It's A Wonderful Life so I'm not sure if it's like that but it reminded me of A Christmas Carol a hell of a lot in the way Kafka's character's attitude changes. Envelope was also good, and one of the best made ones, but I just felt the ending left a lot to be desired and was kind of abrupt, didn't feel much afterwards, the story could have been expanded on I felt.

[donniedarko]

Ya I saw Fresh Guacomole, I was rooting for it to win, even though I new Paperman would. I was thinking of nominating it in fact, seen it Atleast 10 times now. After I watched Dimensions of Dialogue Tyler1 posted someone's theory of what it all meant somewhere here in the Movie Tab, you could probably find it fairly easily, certainly worth a look. I loved Dream of a Ridicolous Man, I'm gonna try to watch Tale of Tales and Marks nomination of Entr'acte tonight.

[Gabrielle947]

Life Of Pi (2012)

I was moved and I enjoyed this film a lot.I prefer looking at it as a movie about wild animal and a human being because,I believe,that it managed to develop this idea the best and show that this connection is basically impossible.Even after surviving extreme situations these two creations of God basically remain strangers.The scene where tiger looks at the sky and Pi is wondering what he is looking at portrays it the best that Pi has no idea what the tiger is,what he might do,hat he feels if can feel at all.

However,in my view,the story towards the end goes too far and it starts exploring various themes and makes the viewer wonder what was the movie exactly about.It begins as a human/nature connection thing and ends up being... hm,I'm not even sure.It's good when film leaves space for interpretation but sometimes it ends up making the viewers puzzled and uncertain.I also sometimes find it annoying when the characters themselves start to explain films scenes(like tiger not looking back and what it means),so I have a strong feeling that this film could have been better if it just told tiger's and Pi's story and without the writer and the second story.Just tell the story and leave it free for interpretation.

Also,unlike many people who say that the animals looked real,I found this film very very CGI.And that was disturbing considering that one of the film's themes is laws of the nature and human's role in it and yet,there's nothing natural in the film itself.

Overall,a good film but I think it tried to be too clever.3.5

[jiraffejustin]

Sad to see the lack of love for The Terrys, but I guess it is one of those things where it's not for everybody. And let's face it, Tim & Eric are certainly not for everyone.

[Godoggo]

The Killing (1956 Stanley Kubrick) B
Breathless(1960 Jean-Luc Godard) B-
Sweet Smell of Success (1957 Alexander Mackendrick B-
Stoker (2013 Park-Chan-wook) It's hard to grade this one. It's stylish, pretty and Mia Wasikowska is becoming one of my favorite current actors, but Stoker falls a little bit short of the twisted movie it should have been. C+
Like Crazy (2011 Drake Dormus) B-
The Help (2011 Tate Taylor) D
My Life as a Dog (1985 Lasse Hallstrom) Yep. Still my favorite movie. A+

Still have more to tab, but got to go now.

[TylerDurden99]

Tim And Eric are twisted brilliance.

A bit of what I've been watching:

Over The Top (1987) 4
Young Frankenstein (1974) 4.5
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) 3.5+
The Three Musketeers (1993) 3
Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man 3
Rising Sun (1993) 3+
Star Trek (2009) 3
Frailty (2001) 3.5

[Used Future]

* = re-watches.

The Day of the Locust (John Schlesinger, 1975) 5
Argo (Ben Affleck, 2012) 4
Nattevagten / Nightwatch (Ole Bornedal, 1994) 3-
City Hall (Harold Becker, 1994) 3+
The Osterman Weekend (Sam Peckinpah, 1983) 2+++
Against All Odds (Taylor Hackford, 1984) 2

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/day_of_the_locust_zpsd7aa61dd.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/ImageProxymvc_zps7834dcee.jpg

* Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974) 5
* Breakdown (Johnathon Mostow, 1997) 4
* Diamonds Are Forever (Guy Hamilton, 1971) 4
* Outbreak (Wolfgang Petersen, 1994) 3+
* Brannigan (Douglas Hickox, 1975) 2.5

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/lenny_ver2_xlg_zps66b3b53d.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/brannigan_xlg_zps0c9ab168.jpg

[mark f]

Running Scared (Peter Hyams, 1986) 3
Tequila Sunrise (Robert Towne, 1988) 2.5
Brighton Rock (Rowan Joffe, 2011) 2.5
The Celebration (Festen) (Thomas Vinterberg, 1998) 3.5+
http://i32.servimg.com/u/f32/11/02/05/91/festen10.jpg
And Baby Makes Three (Henry Levin, 1949) 2+
Chain Lightning (Stuart Heisler, 1950) 2+
The Voice of the Turtle aka One For the Book (Irving Rapper, 1947) 3-
Everyone Says I Love You (Woody Allen, 1996) 3.5
http://www.idiots32.com/fichiers/5RNJsdtBgAhHq2sKq7gHVqakCUSBFhCu.jpg
The Woman in White (Peter Godfrey, 1948) 2.5
It’s a Great Feeling (David Butler, 1949) 2.5
They Drive By Night (Raoul Walsh, 1940) 2
Detour (Edgar G. Ulmer, 1945) 2.5
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6867978955_943985d8e9_n.jpg
Homicide (Felix Jacoves, 1949) 2
The Hitch-Hiker (Ida Lupino, 1953) 2
His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940) 3.5
Seconds (John Frankenheimer, 1966) 2.5+
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mfR244kRXZk/S3h-_28quYI/AAAAAAAAASY/9GqXReWe07E/s320/blog+seconds.jpg
They All Kissed the Bride (Alexander Hall, 1942) 2.5
Pillow to Post (Vincent Sherman, 1945) 2
Danger Signal (Robert Florey, 1945) 2.5
My Winnipeg (Guy Maddin, 2008) 3.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sq4s7kd5tEs/SiWr-b2f9bI/AAAAAAAAAmw/OlWx2B82iA8/s320/winnipeg.jpg

[donniedarko]

The Limits of Control (Jim Jarmusch, 2009)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/sh/thumb/1/13/Limits_of_control.jpg/200px-Limits_of_control.jpg

The Limits of Control is a film burned down to its absolute core. A minimalist story with no given purpose. As the director Jarmusch put it himself this was an action movie with no action. This much will already set off most audiences. But I love the concept. None of the characters have a name, they aren't even addressed by anything. The protagonist says as little as possible, and does the same amount. I'd make the argument that this is extreme existentialism.

The main character goes around primarily to 2 locations. A Coffee shop and art galleries. At night you can see him in his hotel room, but once he leaves for the day he has no purpose. This makes the movie slow in tempo. The climax comes in the last thirty minutes of the film, the rest is hardly rising action. What I did enjoy about this film is the intensities it emphasized on the arts. The paintings developed as the story developed, and films alongside music were constantly discussed.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tPF3qL9Qo3M/0.jpg

The films major deficit in my viewing was the language barriers during scenes of non-English dialogue. I understand the purpose was so that you understand only as much as the protagonist, but at the same time it got annoying due to the amount of Foreign tongues being spoken with no subtitles. The film had beautiful cinematography done by Christopher Doyle who is huge on the scene of modern Asian films. He has done camerawork for In The Mood of Love, Paranoid Park, and Three Extremes.

This movie also has a star filled cast. The main actor Bankole works along side Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton. None of the acting was remotely difficult or needing of talent so they were just there for eye candy. Speaking of eye candy lets all give Jarmusch a round of applause for having Paz de la Huerta appear in this film fully nude on serval occasions. This alone makes Roger Eberts (RIP) rating to strict, and makes this artistic film worthy while.
3.5

Other Viewings:
Anchorman- 2.5
Memento Mori (short, 2012)- 3-
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (short)- 4-
Night and Fog (short)- 3.5
The Critic (short)- 3.5
Carrie- 3+
Upstream Color- 3
Caged- 2
[REWATCH] Hellraiser- 3
Hellbound: Hellraiser II- 3.5
[REWATCH] 8 1/2- 2.5
Tale of Tales (short)- 3.5
Manny (short)- 2.5-

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/the-dream-of-a-ridiculous-man/w448/the-dream-of-a-ridiculous-man.jpg?1301759468
Dream of a Ridiculous Man (this film is making my 90s list, it's awesome)

Also been viewing some David Lean films but I'll save those ratings for my self challenge thread.

[Daniel M]

Good stuff Donnie, glad you liked Tale of Tales too, I might put The Dream of a Ridiculous Man on my list too, although got to see just how big the pool of great films is that I have to choose from, would be good to see some shorts get on to the final list though.

[Mr Minio]

Daniel M's avatar <3

[Gabrielle947]

Seeing tons of animation and shorts here,I was late for the tournament but I'd like to recommend Estonian short animated film Suur Toll,pretty good stuff.It can be found on YouTube.

Not to be this offtopic,I saw Before Night Falls today,not sure what I didn't like about it but I just didn't but I can't argue - it's a decent film. 2.5

[Sexy Celebrity]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=10669&stc=1&d=1371083839

Argo (First Viewing)

--- I liked it a lot and I can understand why it won the Oscar for Best Picture ... yet, I'm also surprised by how quick and simple the movie felt to me. But, I mean, it's more deserving of the award than The Artist. And why is John Goodman in every Best Picture winner lately? He's like the supporting actor version of Tom Hanks or Russell Crowe.

4.5

[Godoggo]

The Clockmaker (1974 Bertrand Tavernier) A-
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012 Derek Cianfrance) C+
Silver Linings Playbook (2012 David O. Russell) Really surprised at how much I liked this. I expected it to be charming and like able, but not to the degree that it was. B+
Reflections of Evil (2002 Damon Packard) B-
Whistle Stop (1946 Leonide Moguy) C-
Place Without Limits (1978 Arturo Ripstein) Good one for the next LGBT tournament. A-

Also various shorts. I'll get to them later.

[jiraffejustin]

Just watched The Breakfast Club. I can't decide whether I like it or not. Some good things: some funny moments, you genuinely start caring for some of the characters, and Molly Ringwald's face reminds me of someone's I went to high school with. The bad: very unbelievable, overly sentimental at times, the acting was patchy, the dialogue was cringe worthy at some points, I can't remember who Molly Ringwald's face reminds me of.

[edarsenal]

REWATCH Camille 4 just love me some Greta Garbo
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxwv6dmhEn1qdomqvo1_500.jpg

Oxford Murders 3.5 not too shabby of a murder mystery with John Hurt and Elijiah Woods

REWATCH Crimson River 3.5 from the collection with my two favorite frenchmen; Jean Reno and Vincet Cassel as two policeman seperately investigating some very bizarre, brutal murders.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/the-crimson-rivers/w448/the-crimson-rivers.jpg

there were a couple more over the weekend, but for the life of me, i can't remember them

[Skepsis93]

On the Waterfront (Elia Kazan, 1954) 4-
The Seventh Seal (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) 4
8½ (Federico Fellini, 1963) 3.5
Jerry Maguire (Cameron Crowe, 1996) 4
The Big Lebowski* (Coen Brothers, 1998) 4.5
Quiz Show (Robert Redford, 1994) 4
The Fisher King (Terry Gilliam, 1991) 3.5-

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idgcvKuHOy8/ULNu-8-O6HI/AAAAAAAAJgg/-xizsUInCZk/s1600/The-Big-Lebowski-still.jpg

http://www.empireonline.com/images/uploaded/the-seventh-seal-chess-game.jpg

Shorts:
10/65: Selbstverstümmelung (Kren, 1965) 1
The Terrys (Heidecker/Wareheim, 2011) 1
Memento mori (Browne, 2012) 1.5
Outer Space (Tscherkassky, 2000) 2
Frankenweenie (Burton, 1984) 2+
Meshes of the Afternoon (Deren/Hammid, 1943) 2.5
Entr'acte (Clair, 1924) 2.5
The Music Box (Parrott, 1932) 2.5+
The Critic (Pintoff, 1963) 3
Charlotte et son Jules (Godard, 1960) 3
Everything Will Be Ok (Hertzfeldt, 2006) 3
Tale of Tales (Norshteyn, 1979) 3
The House is Black (Farrokhzad, 1963) 3
Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave (Park, 1995) 3+
Geri's Game (Pinkava, 1997) 3.5-
King-Size Canary (Avery, 1947) 3.5
Dimensions of Dialogue (Svankmajer, 1983) 3.5
The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse, 1956) 3.5
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (Petrov, 1992) 3.5
Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (Capaldi, 1995) 3.5
Wallace and Gromit in the Wrong Trousers (Park, 1993) 3.5+
Bambi Meets Godzilla (Newland, 1969) 4
Presto (Sweetland, 2008) 4+

http://splinedoctors.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/presto1.jpg

[Daniel M]

On the Waterfront (Elia Kazan, 1954) 4-
The Seventh Seal (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) 4
8½ (Federico Fellini, 1963) 3.5

I watched On the Waterfront today Skepsis, I would give it a slightly higher rating than you, but glad you enjoyed it too. I also plan on watching those two films also in the quote as well as many others, now it's summer and no more school for me I am working my way through tons of great films :D

And you know I'm glad that you are now a Lebowski lover :p

[donniedarko]

I was going to comment on the same films as Daniel. I think On the Waterfront is a decent film, it's certainly a classic. I don't get 8 1/2, I tried giving another viewing recently but nothing changed. I own The Seventh Seal and was already planning to watch it tonight.

[mark f]

Spanky: To the Pier and Back (Guy Maddin, 2008) 2.5+
Berlin (Guy Maddin, 2008) 2
Odin’s Shield Maiden (Guy Maddin, 2007) 2
City For Conquest (Anatole Litvak, 1940) 3+
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/CityForConquest5.jpg
The Toast of New York (Rowland V. Lee, 1937) 2.5
The Rains of Ranchipur (Jean Negulesco, 1955) 2
The Sea Chase (John Farrow, 1955) 2
Imitation of Life (Douglas Sirk, 1959) 3
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhJV67EFdUo/UWJL581XwvI/AAAAAAAAGQM/fQImHJVqAGA/s320/vlcsnap-2013-04-06-20h06m08s232.png
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (Roy William Neill, 1942) 2.5
The Last Days of Pompeii (Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1935) 2.5
The Magic Sword (Bert I. Gordon, 1962) 2
Venus (Roger Michell, 2006) 3-
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8yiAigp_6CM/RbZUk8eg6vI/AAAAAAAAAEw/iH9Nlqv5AXI/s320/otoole-venus1.jpg
Janie Jones (David M. Rosenthal, 2011) 2
Neptune’s Daughter (Edward Buzzell, 1949) 2.5
Terror by Night (Roy William Neill, 1946) 2.5
Bathing Beauty (George Sidney, 1944) 2.5
http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ed/eb/edeb377ef02ad22aa742c58393b09cb5.jpg?itok=FIK3lj8K
Million Dollar Mermaid (Mervyn LeRoy, 1952) 3
Dangerous When Wet (Charles Walters, 1953) 2.5
Easy to Wed (Edward Buzzell, 1946) 2+
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Nicholas Meyer, 1982) 3.5
http://www.castleawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/wrath-of-khan-46-326x170.jpg

[Camo]

http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tale-of-tales-pic.jpg


The Terrys (Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, 2011) 1.5

10/65: Selbstverstümmelung (Kurt Kren, 1965) 2

Bambi Meets Godzilla (Marv Newland, 1969) 2.5

Memento mori (Dan Browne, 2012) 2.5+

The Critic (Ernest Pintoff, 1963) 3
Geri's Game (Jan Pinkava, 1997) 3
Envelope (Aleksey Nuzhny, 2012) 3

Outer Space (Peter Tscherkassky, 2000) 3+
Charlotte and Her Boyfriend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1960) 3+

The House is Black (Forugh Farrokhzad, 1963) 3.5-
Entr'acte (René Clair, 1924) 3.5-
Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren & Alexander Hammid, 1943) 3.5-

The Music Box (James Parrott, 1932) 3.5
A Trip to the Moon (Georges Melies, 1902) 3.5
King-Size Canary (Tex Avery, 1947) 3.5
The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse, 1956) 3.5
Harvie Krumpet (Adam Elliot, 2003) 3.5
Frankenweenie (Tim Burton, 1984) 3.5
Paperman (John Kahrs, 2012) 3.5
Presto (Doug Sweetland, 2008) 3.5

Duck Amuck (Chuck Jones, 1953) 3.5+

Everything Will Be Ok (Don Hertzfeldt, 2006) 4
Vincent (Tim Burton, 1982) 4
Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave (Nick Park, 1995) 4
Un Chien Andalou (Luis Bunuel, 1929) 4
Dimensions of Dialogue (Jan Svankmajer, 1983) 4
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (Aleksandr Petrov, 1992) 4
Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (Peter Capaldi, 1995) 4

The Heart of the World (Guy Maddin, 2000) 4+

Wallace & Gromit in The Wrong Trousers (Nick Park, 1993) 4.5
Night and Fog (Alain Resnais, 1955) 4.5

Tale of Tales (Yuriy Norshteyn, 1979) 5
La Jetée (Chris Marker, 1962) 5

Watched all the short films for the tournament plus Vincent to go with Frankenweenie, I loved Mr. Minio's two Russian nominations: The Dream of a Ridiculous Man and Tale of Tales, I loved the design of both and thought they were absolutely beautiful, the latter I absolutely fell in love with, especially the little wolf that travels through the many images of the film. I might write more about a few of the shorts if I feel like it again, but any questions about my ratings/what I think, feel free to ask.

I love The Wrong Trousers it's the only movie i regret not putting on my 90's list.

[Camo]

Spanky: To the Pier and Back (Guy Maddin, 2008) 2.5+
Berlin (Guy Maddin, 2008) 2
Odin’s Shield Maiden (Guy Maddin, 2007) 2
City For Conquest (Anatole Litvak, 1940) 3+
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/CityForConquest5.jpg
The Toast of New York (Rowland V. Lee, 1937) 2.5
The Rains of Ranchipur (Jean Negulesco, 1955) 2
The Sea Chase (John Farrow, 1955) 2
Imitation of Life (Douglas Sirk, 1959) 3
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhJV67EFdUo/UWJL581XwvI/AAAAAAAAGQM/fQImHJVqAGA/s320/vlcsnap-2013-04-06-20h06m08s232.png
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (Roy William Neill, 1942) 2.5
The Last Days of Pompeii (Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1935) 2.5
The Magic Sword (Bert I. Gordon, 1962) 2
Venus (Roger Michell, 2006) 3-
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8yiAigp_6CM/RbZUk8eg6vI/AAAAAAAAAEw/iH9Nlqv5AXI/s320/otoole-venus1.jpg
Janie Jones (David M. Rosenthal, 2011) 2
Neptune’s Daughter (Edward Buzzell, 1949) 2.5
Terror by Night (Roy William Neill, 1946) 2.5
Bathing Beauty (George Sidney, 1944) 2.5
http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ed/eb/edeb377ef02ad22aa742c58393b09cb5.jpg?itok=FIK3lj8K
Million Dollar Mermaid (Mervyn LeRoy, 1952) 3
Dangerous When Wet (Charles Walters, 1953) 2.5
Easy to Wed (Edward Buzzell, 1946) 2+
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Nicholas Meyer, 1982) 3.5
http://www.castleawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/wrath-of-khan-46-326x170.jpg

The 1959 Imitation of Life is my mum's best movie along with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? :)

[Daniel M]

I love The Wrong Trousers it's the only movie i regret not putting on my 90's list.

Ah, you silly guy ;) You see this is why I am waiting until the end of this month to send mine, to make sure I can see as many great films as possible and don't regret leaving anything out, although I will be spoilt for choice and still struggle to make a list ;)

[linespalsy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9j3fhcEgRM

Aces Go Places II (Eric Tsang, 1983) 3+
Up (Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, 2009) 3
Man of Steel (Zack Snyder, 2013) 2

[edarsenal]

Rum's Diary (S. Thomson Hunter) 4
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/11/2/1320248926657/The-Rum-Diary-007.jpg

The Secret Six (1931) 4 Gangsters, racketeering, prohibition and the citizens who attempt to stop them. Very solid cast and good pacing of story. Very worthwile.

REWATCH Red 4.5 Bruce Willis, Helen Mirran, Mary Louise-Parker, Brian Cox, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Karl Urban. I enjoy this movie more and more everytime i watch it

[Brother Blue]

The Bay (Levinson, 2012) 3
We Own the Night (Gray, 2007) 4
Double Indemnity (Wilder, 1944) 3
Side Effects (Soderbergh, 2013) 4
The Hunt (Vinterberg, 2012) 3
Castaway on the Moon (Lee, 2009) 4
Man of Steel (Snyder, 2013) 2

[Gabrielle947]

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

This is one of the few films that show lives of soldiers after the war and it managed to prove that,although the real war has ended,these ex soldiers are still fighting their little wars inside their souls as they try to get back to normal lives.

Overall,I liked this film because I like story-centered films which is exactly it.The movie is quite long and I felt the length but then again,the film consists of three stories as it tells about lives of 3 soldiers and all three are from different angles.One is facing physical injury (the role was played by really injured war veteran Harold Russell),another one is a wealthy man trying to get back to normal life and the third one is still a young person who just married and struggling to get a job(he kind of reminded me of Brando's character in One The Waterfront).

The plot moves slowly so step by step it shows how the characters are trying to blend in.This helps to study their personalities so the film is quite interesting.However,long films have that advantage that they can show a long time period and make the viewers feel that time is actually passing but this film didn't use that.

Another thing which bothered me,is that it moved from a psychological drama to more like a romance film and since I'm not a fan of it,I was disappointed.I think the best story as well as the best acting performance was Homer's (Harold Russell).Since he really survived similar fate to his character,his performance was pretty heartbreaking and even too real at times.I think I would have loved the movie more if it concentrated more on his life after the war instead of others.

This film also reminded me of Treasure of Sierra Madre,mainly because of B&W,multiple characters and deep character study.I enjoyed both films pretty much on the same level. 3.5

[Sedai]

Trouble with the Curve (Eastwood, 2012)

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02413/trouble-with-the-c_2413889b.jpg

Decent baseball flick with an occasionally over the top sentimental Father/Daughter story intertwined in the proceedings. As mentioned, it drifts too far into sentimentality here and there, but is worth a watch for fans of Eastwood and baseball. Not one of his best, but a decent little film, overall.

[mark f]

Nightfall (Jacques Tourneur, 1957) 2+
Shoot the Piano Player (Francois Truffaut, 1960) 2+
The Wacky World of Mother Goose (Jules Bass, 1967) 2.5
Dark Passage (Delmer Daves, 1947) 3.5+
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gbb4Wa8ZEBg/SvcUvqT2jdI/AAAAAAAABdE/Cv6me3G45ms/s320/2.jpg
Newsies (Danny Ortega. 1992) 3
Gold Diggers in Paris (Ray Enright, 1938) 2.5
Sweet Music (Alfred E. Green, 1935) 2+
Oldboy (Chan-wook Park, 2003) 3.5
http://content8.flixster.com/question/37/98/39/3798398_std.jpg
Night of the Creeps (Fred Dekker, 1986) 3
I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now (Lloyd Bacon, 1947) 2
Follow the Sun (Sidney Lanfield, 1951) 2
The Palm Beach Story (Preston Sturges, 1942) 3.5-
http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/ladylavinia/4967203/1303735/1303735_320.jpg
Man of the West (Anthony Mann, 1958) 2.5
Centurion (Neil Marshall, 2010) 2.5+
Headline Shooter (Otto Brower, 1933) 2+
Close-Up (Abbas Kiarostami, 1990) 2.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NPCD2dRFtMc/SDRMYmKvzTI/AAAAAAAABZc/bB8XfqhOLMo/s320/close_up.jpg
Kingdom Come (Paiman Kalayeh & John Lyons Murphy, 2012) 2.5
Broken Kingdom (Daniel Gillies, 2012) 1.5+
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Nicholas Meyer, 1991) 3.5
Les Miserables (Tom Hooper, 2012) 3.5
http://www.elseptimoarte.net/imagenes/noticias/26683.jpg

[Daniel M]

I've been watching loads of films recently, wont post all of them, saving a lot of the classics/list-films for other post(s). I am trying to tighten up my ratings a bit recently too.

A Bronx Tale (Robert De Niro, 1993) 4

http://www.dieselsc.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/bronx-tale.jpg


One of only two films directed by legendary crime actor Robert De Niro, his first film is a very mature and heartfelt film that surpassed my expectations, one that I found thoroughly enjoyable and left me with a big smile on my face after watching.

Not a planned watch, I noticed this was showing on BBC and decided to give it a watch, I have been on the look out for nineties films recently, in preparation for Harry Lime’s best of the nineties list.

This film feels like a great reflection of what De Niro has learnt through his many acting roles, the film is quite ambitious in the way it attempts to deal with a number of issues within a local community, but for me it succeeds at them. Not filled with violence, or used as an excuse to abuse the stylistic clichés of gangster films, there is a lot of substance in the film that deals with a young kid growing up in a crime filled community. Caught between the working class man of family principles, his father, and a ‘friendly’ local crime boss, we see the life of Calogero, a boy who has to deal with the varying opinions of the people around him. He is different people around his father, Sonny (the crime boss) and his immature ‘gangster’ friends.

Chazz Palminteri, who plays the role of Sonny, deserves massive credit for the film, having written the original play version of the story and the screenplay on the condition that he starred in the film with De Niro directing. Calogero’s tale is touching, very funny, and sad too, I was surprised by how emotional I felt by the time the film had finished. This film definitely as I previously mentioned left a big smile on my face once it had finished, one of my favourite scenes involves Calogero black girlfriend Jane Williams and the ‘car test’, which I won’t spoil for those who have not seen the film, but the relationship and racism that is dealt with within the film is extremely pleasing to watch.

The characters in the film all offer something different to the life of Calogero, these characters are neither good or bad with De Niro and Palminteri’s opposite characters both being loveable in their own way, despite the latter being the ‘bad guy’, no matter how bad these people are, each have had a huge impact, good or bad, or Calogero’s life, and taught him many things, the very last scene rounds things off very nicely and is a great way of showing the development of Calogero and how his life has been affected by Sonny.

Rolling Thunder (John Flynn, 1977) 3

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLoKFyKPccKiYOEut1yxWW9dzClwCSkDlhS2amx0qwWIuFKO4KSw


This film appeared on Quentin Tarantino’s latest Sight&Sound top ten list which had me interested in seeing it, so now I finally have, and well, it wasn’t that great.

A very straightforward story of revenge, I have seen some people label this as a great Vietnam character study, but I definitely wouldn’t agree, and that would be what prevents this from getting a higher rating for me. I did not particularly care when Major Charles Rane’s (William Devane) wife and kid were murdered, it happened pretty quickly, and without much emotion, even Devane’s character did not appear to care that much, and with it happening early on in the story it nicely setup the rest of the film to be a violent tale of revenge.

William Devane’s metallic hook hand tells you everything you need to know about what this film sets out to be, a brutal weapon that he uses to torture his enemies that was given to replace his injured hand.

Once Devane finally teams up with Tommy Lee Jone’s character, the film does seem to move up a gear and heads towards an explosive finish. The final bar scene is fantastic to watch, and one of the best action scenes I can remember in recent times, delivering a high-energy and also very satisfying violent end to the tale of vengeance.

Play Misty for Me (Clint Eastwood, 1971) 3.5

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYJveaF48cnx4J4_JBAZNMib5ui7MbHS_uty7vNIFqOJ8D3er--g


Clint Eastwood's first directed feature film is a great and still very effective thriller. Centred around the psychopathic Evelyn (Jessica Walter) who becomes dangerously obsessed with Eastwood's character, disc jockey Dave.

What starts off as a friendly romance between a fan who often requests Dave to 'play Misty' for her, quickly begins to show signs of becoming much more of a problem than first imagined as Evelyn begins to show up uninvited at Dave's home, stalking him and becoming jealous over other female relationships in his life.

Eastwood manages to build up fantastic suspense, the further the film goes on the more scary and threatening the character of Evelyn becomes, in terms of atmosphere this film is very much like a horror film and stylistic elements seem to reference the great Psycho. The final scene brings together this dark, horror atmosphere with the deadly character of Evelyn, keeping you on the edge of the seat as Eastwood's character finds his life seriously under threat. As far as first films go, this is one of the finest around, and although Eastwood maybe more famous for his Westerns he manages to create a highly effective and one of the best thrillers I have recently seen.

The Hangover Part III (Todd Phillips, 2013) 2.5

http://www.okmagazine.com/sites/okmagazine.com/files/imagecache/gallery_full_image/photo_gallery_picture_images/ok_052013_the-hangover-3.jpg


The Hangover Part III has, as many expected, been largely panned by critics, which meant going in to the film my expectations were pretty low. However I was slightly surprised by the film, which although fails to regain the level of quality of the first film, I found it to be much better and enjoyable than the second part, and as a single film, a decent comedy.

Although ultimately forgettable, as a standalone film I don't feel that this is a particularly bad effort, but as part of a trilogy made famous by it's fantastic first entry, it fails to do anything 'great'. The plot involves John Goodman, who although capable of a fantastic comedic performance, plays is relatively straight in the film, as the ruthless 'bad guy' who employs the wolfpack to track down their friend Chow, who is responsibly for stealing his gold.

The film did make me laugh, and I didn't find it boring, so for me to tell you it was terrible would be a lie, okay it is no where near the best film of the year, but it was not that bad, at least for me.

Speed (Jan de Bont, 1994) 4

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C_8M2WVWfgM/TD3NfkGJ_vI/AAAAAAAAHdM/vKkNLt7p8z0/s400/speed_l.jpg

A big favourite around here, Speed was pretty much everything I expected it to me, a great enjoyable popcorn film, fully of energy and excitement.

Often regarded one of the greatest films of it's kind, I am pretty sure you will all know the plot of the film. Keanu Reeves finds himself on board a bus that he has to keep above 50 miles per hour to stop it blowing up, this is the plan of Dennis Hopper's criminal character who previously found a money making plan that involved blowing up an elevator thwarted by Reeves and his partner Jeff Daniels.

Reeves is superb in the main role, although he gets some criticism as an actor, in the right role he can be great, and he does everything that is required for the main protagonist of an energetic action film. Sandra Bullock, who he meets and ends up driving the bus is also great in her role helping Reeves as the two help each other whilst developing a romantic liking for each other.

Dennis Hopper, one of my favourite actors, has to be perhaps the only disappointment of the film. People say his role in Blue Velvet is over the top and silly? This isn't? His character just seemed really unrealistic and un natural in his actions and dialogue, and has some very cheesy and weird moments, although I am willing to let a lot of them pass as it wasn't incredibly important in the film for me.



Point Break (Kathryn Bigelow, 1991) 3.5

http://cdn-media.hollywood.com/images/l/point_break_presidents.jpg


Another 90s Keanu Reeves action flick that is loved around these parts, and another film that I found myself enjoying a lot. Once again Reeves fits the main role perfectly, and I found the plot interesting enough, even though at times unrealistic.

Reeves again finds himself at the centre of stopping crime, this time becoming an undercover surfer who must track down the 'ex-Presidents', a group of robbers whom are suspected surfers, who have so far been successful in avoiding the law.

What makes this film slightly weaker than Speed for me, is its third act. Although I am willing to accept unrealism and cheesy lines, there comes a point where a film can go over the top. Up until the third act, I thought the story was very interesting, but when it comes to the final bank robbery, things begin to get a bit too messy and unrealistic for me.

[HitchFan97]

^Play Misty for Me :)

[Daniel M]

^Play Misty for Me :)

I knew you liked it from the movie you're watching thread :) But I have watched a few of Eastwood's older films now and it's good to see the difference between his older stuff and newer stuff, in a way I think I prefer his older stuff, it has this old gritty style feel to it that kind - his Westerns obviously have a lot of Leone elements in them, whilst Play Misty for Me kind of had a dark/noirish feel at times that some of Siegel's films do. It would have got a higher rating a few months ago, but like I said I am trying to be a bit stricter and rate films mainly out of 4 unless they feel really great for me, although with a lot of classics I am watching I have found myself still giving a lot of films very high ratings :p

And anybody else here happen to like A Bronx Tale? Didn't plan on watching it but I think it will be on my 90s list now, no idea what anyone else thinks about it though.

[Frightened Inmate No. 2]

I have A Bronx Tale on my Netflix queue, but it's not very high up on my priorities at the moment, and I don't expect to watch it any time soon, even though it does look really good.

[Gabrielle947]

And anybody else here happen to like A Bronx Tale? Didn't plan on watching it but I think it will be on my 90s list now, no idea what anyone else thinks about it though.
I really enjoyed it,now I want to see it again :D

[donniedarko]

I had A Bronx Tale in my Netflix instant but looks like I missed out on it as it's no longer available to stream.

[Daniel M]

I have A Bronx Tale on my Netflix queue, but it's not very high up on my priorities at the moment, and I don't expect to watch it any time soon, even though it does look really good.

I had A Bronx Tale in my Netflix instant but looks like I missed out on it as it's no longer available to stream.

That's a shame guys that you are unlikely to watch it this month then for the 90s tournament. It's great though when every now and then you stumble upon a film randomly and it turns out to be a great little film that has a great impression on you, I know I have made it clear in my little review, but I really did enjoy the film, although there's no promising it would have the same effect on others, it would be good to see it on the top 100, looking forward to seeing how many lesser known films will make it on after the 'dead certs' at the top - Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, Forrest Gump, Shawshank etc. :)

[gandalf26]

Daniel M you must be a quick typist, you write an encyclopaedia with every post!:)

[Daniel M]

Daniel M you must be a quick typist, you write an encyclopaedia with every post!:)

Haha thanks, I am an incredibly fast typist actually ;) But I find when I post in here or similar film threads, I just find thoughts flooding to me and myself rambling on, but I do like to make sure my posts have a certain quality about them and that I am not just posting for the sake of it. You could say I aim quality over quantity, but I post a lot too so I guess it is both, but it is good to see you guys seems to appreciate most of what I have to say and my ramblings aren't just pointless drivel :D

[mark f]

Let's not go too far. :cool:

[Godoggo]

Frankenweenie (2012 Tim Burton)

http://imageshack.us/a/img195/3489/u2dz.jpg

My second viewing. The short is probably the better story but I love the animation in the feature length film so much. B-

Compliance (2012 Craig Zobel)

http://imageshack.us/a/img20/838/hz5c.jpg

If you aren't familiar with the true story, google it. It's astonishing that this happened, not once, but many times to some degree or another.

The purpose of this movie, I think, is to present the events pretty much as they happened, (or fairly close to it) and to get people talking. In that the movie is a complete success. It infuriated me almost as much as any movie ever has, because it's upsetting that people can be that incredibly, dangerously stupid. B

[Used Future]

* = re-watches

Atlantic City (Louis Malle, 1980) 4.5
Down in the Valley (David Jacobson, 2005) 3.5-
Mad Dog and Glory (John McNaughton, 1993) 3
The Education of Sonny Carson (Michael Campus, 1974) 2.5
American Buffalo (Michael Corrente, 1996) 2.5

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/AtlanticCityposter1_zps52590cc2.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/MPW-56871_zpsca82f7e3.jpg
https://dub114.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=31shwLweGVqhJ9G0nkLKkzTpQCti2BizOADTZ%2fdWrdA%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fi733.photobucket.com%2falbums%2fww335%2fGialloFunk%2fAtlanticCityposter1_zps52590cc 2.jpg https://dub114.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=31shwLweGVqhJ9G0nkLKkzTpQCti2BizOADTZ%2fdWrdA%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fi733.photobucket.com%2falbums%2fww335%2fGialloFunk%2fMPW-56871_zpsca82f7e3.jpg

* Breaker Morant (Bruce Beresford, 1980) 4+
* Executive Decision (Stuart Baird, 1996) 3.5
The Nesting (Armand Weston, 1981) 2+
Liquid Dreams (Mark Manos, 1991) 2+
Canadian Bacon (Michael Moore, 1995) 2

https://dub114.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=31shwLweGVqhJ9G0nkLKkzTpQCti2BizOADTZ%2fdWrdA%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fi733.photobucket.com%2falbums%2fww335%2fGialloFunk%2fbreaker-morant-movie-poster-1980-1020185153_zpsd3e5721e.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/breaker-morant-movie-poster-1980-1020185153_zpsd3e5721e.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/nesting_poster_01_zpsaacbdbc6.jpg

[honeykid]

A Clockwork Orange 1.5 - Yeah, I still don't get it. I may've given it half a popcorn too much, but I'm in an indecisive mood. It looks really good for about the first 10-15 minutes and there's some wonderful cinematography but, other than that, it's the usual dull, soulless, pretty pictures I associate with Kubrick's work and I struggle to maintain an interest. One thing I had forgotten about, though, is how bloody annoying the use of music is in this film. I don't know how I forgot because it drove me mental throughout the entire film.

[Mingusings]

This Is the End (2013): 2_5-
Three... Extremes (2004): 3-
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970): 1_5
War of the Worlds (2005): 3
The Sitter (2011): 2_5+
Man of Steel (2013): 2_5-
Like Someone in Love (2012): 3_5-
X-Men (2000): 3
Insidious (2010): 2_5+
The Fast and the Furious (2001): 2_5
Saw (2004): 3_5
Saw II (2005): 3_5-

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

A Clockwork Orange 1.5 - Yeah, I still don't get it. I may've given it half a popcorn too much, but I'm in an indecisive mood. It looks really good for about the first 10-15 minutes and there's some wonderful cinematography but, other than that, it's the usual dull, soulless, pretty pictures I associate with Kubrick's work and I struggle to maintain an interest. One thing I had forgotten about, though, is how bloody annoying the use of music is in this film. I don't know how I forgot because it drove me mental throughout the entire film.

Kubrick's done some good stuff: Lolita and Spartacus (even though it's not very Kubricky).

[Mr Minio]

A Clockwork Orange 1.5
And I thought that my 3 was a strict rating...

[honeykid]

Kubrick's done some good stuff: Lolita and Spartacus (even though it's not very Kubricky).
Sorry. I don't like those, either. Though, I will say that I've not seen Lolita for nearly 20 years. There again, it'd almost been as long since I'd last seen A Clockwork Orange and, apart from forgetting how annoying the music was, I felt the same.

And I thought that my 3 was a strict rating...
Not when it comes to Kubrick.

[edarsenal]

REWATCH Scaramouche (1952) 4 always a fun watch and eleanor parker is SO DAMN enticing in this lol
http://dustedoff.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/pic45.jpg?w=560

REWATCH The Score 3.5 old style caper movie where the technical details of the theft take center stage. Not extrodinary, but a solid cast and very good story and script. Edward Norton, Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando and Angela Bassett

Dead Space: Downfall 2.5 animated prequel to a video game. Decent animation but rather lackluster in style, acting and so on

REWATCH Death At A Funeral 4.5 No one, but NO FREAKIN ONE can do madcap humor where everyone tries to remain calm and proper as everything gets crazier and crazier and then, at its very height of insanity comes a beautiful moment of warmth and sensitivity like the british.
A spot-on ensemble directed by ex-muppet master Frank Oz.
http://johnlinkmovies.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/arts-graphics-2007_1181685a.jpg

REWATCH Monsters Inc 4.5 still under Disney's sponsership, Pixar was off and running as a SERIOUS name in animation when this came out. Looking VERY forward to the second installment

REWATCH Monsters vs Aliens 4.5 did this one as a double feature after Monsters Inc and Dreamworks really did a fantastic job with this one all around

[HitchFan97]

I've had some serious luck with finding great movies lately, several of which will make my 90s list:

Star Trek: Into Darkness (J.J. Abrams, 2013) - 3
Decent, nothing special. Cumberbatch is excellent, of course.

Jackie Brown (Quentin Tarantino, 1997) - 4.5
Probably my second favorite Tarantino film now, behind only Pulp Fiction. All of his best films have substance to them beyond mere crime antics and stylized chaos, and this is one of them; more than anything else, it's about socioeconomic inequality and the inability of its characters to escape the dangerous lives they live. Pam Grier is great, as is the rest of the cast.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WL03YqsAbpc/UM-YfkSpWOI/AAAAAAAADKw/hZou6yB_-dg/s1600/Jackie+Brown.jpg

Mystery Train (Jim Jarmusch, 1989) - 3
I was expecting to like this one much more than I did. Robby Muller's cinematography is probably my favorite thing about the film (this is the same guy who worked on Paris, Texas) but the rest of it I find kind of dull.

American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999) - 3.5
Fascinating indictment of suburbia takes cues from Lynch and Sirk, but for me the theme it works best at dealing with is the modern preoccupation with "setting up a life" while simultaneously losing sight of what's important.

Drive (Nicholas Winding Refn, 2011) - 4
Ultra-stylized thriller features a fantastic lead performance from Gosling and also functions as an excellent morality tale on the nature of redemption. Some of the violence strikes me as somewhat gratuitous, but that does little to detract from the film's inherent entertainment value.

Dazed and Confused (Richard Linklater, 1993) - 5
The best movie I've ever seen about high school and growing up; a clear-eyed, unsentimental look at some of the most tumultuous years of one's life that is especially resonant for someone of my age. Linklater does a great job of evoking the time period and he creates quite a fascinating set of characters that I suppose are more true to one's memories of the era than the reality of it.

http://images.fandango.com/MDCsite/images/featured/201305/Dazed.jpg

Man of Steel (Zack Snyder, 2013) - 3
Unusually dark for a superhero movie, but somewhere beneath the typical blockbuster action scenes and disjointed flashback sequences is a film about personal identity and finding out who you are.

Safe (Todd Haynes, 1995) - 4.5
Slow-burn psychodrama about the breakdown of a suburban housewife featuring a stellar lead performance? Count me in. This kind of movie has always appealed to my tastes, and it's a strange coincidence that so many of the movies I've seen lately have been, in some way or another, about the emptiness of suburban life. At any rate, this one builds a powerful sense of tension and dread throughout in a way that can be compared to Lynch's Mulholland Drive, so count on seeing it way high up on my 90s list. If you haven't seen it, please do before you submit yours as it deserves to make it on there.

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/sevenarts2/cinema/filmsilove/safe-haynes6.jpg

The Big Heat (Fritz Lang, 1953) - 4.5
I've got a new favorite classical American noir right here. Gritty, dark, and especially shocking given when it was made, which reinforces its status in my mind as an early masterpiece of feminist filmmaking. Few films of the era that I know of have so powerfully evoked the struggling of women in society. Most of all, it's a superb meditation on the destructive consequences of revenge.

http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/inside_out/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The-Big-Heat-Gloria-Grahame-and-Glenn-Ford.jpg

Extended thoughts on Written on the Wind can be found here: http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=914120#post914120

[Monkeypunch]

Stranger than Fiction - Will Ferrell gives a restrained and wonderful performance as a sad sack IRS auditor who discovers that he's the lead character in a yet to be published novel, and he's slated to be killed. It's got an amazing cast, great story, and it's actually quite touching. I didn't know Ron Burgundy had this in him. lol.

Street Fighter - On the opposite side of the good/bad spectrum we have this pile of crap. Jean Claude Van Damme stars as...you know what? That's all you need to know. It stars Jean Claude Van Damme. And he beats up an obviously sick (and cancer ridden) Raul Julia in a fight scene that made me feel ill. Movie sucks. move on.

[Mr Minio]

http://i42.tinypic.com/spemme.jpg
Prepare your anus!

Agony (1981) - 4
My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? (2005) - 4.5
Pornography (2003) - 3
As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000) - 4.5
Farewell (1983) - 4
Fruit of Paradise (1970) - 4

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkn4caAwqp1qah9gwo1_500.png

[Mr Minio]

More about As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty as requested by Tyler1:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6cvtgqnyE1ro73ufo1_500.gif

An old man found some tapes he'd recorded in seventies. The recordings had recalled his life. He wanted to sort them out and merge in logical order, but anything he had done he wasn't happy with, so eventually he gave up and decided to put them together by chance. That's how a chronicle of his life was made. As a viewer, here I am, watching 288 minutes of somebody's life, listening to the music the man had recorded and added to the footages randomly. From time to time he comments the recordings. However, his commentary doesn't concern the things on the screen, but his thoughts on life.

It's very offbeat, because although the footages may hold a great meaning for the people appearing in them, a viewer who has never known any of the protagonists may find himself pretty confused and think that the director is just a conceited retard. Through his commentary the author slowly reveals his intention. Using intertitles in a form of boards he asks himself why had he been recording all of this stuff. Another boards say: "Nothing happens in this film" and "Keep looking for things in places where there is nothing--". He has been looking for beauty for all his life, but he was so focused on recording he didn't fully appreciate the great time he had. Now that he discovered these footages and eternized moments of happiness, he found out what beauty is. "Happiness is beauty" says another sign. But it still doesn't justify the reason why somebody should watch somebody's private tapes.

Mekas believes all our lives are kind of the same and even though we might've never visited the Central Park we might've felt the same ectasy he felt when he was picnicking there with his family and friends. By recording all this stuff, he recorded, perhaps unconsciously, small pieces of beauty that can be found in the lives of all of us. No need to seek overly philosophical themes in this film, because the meaning is simple yet beautiful. It's very powerful and optimistic experience and a pean in the name of life.

And you... Can you see brief glimpses of beauty?

[mark f]

Mr. Mom (Stan Dragoti, 1983) 2.5+
A Flea in Her Ear (Jacques Charon, 1968) 2
The Awful Truth (Leo McCarey, 1937) 2.5
Picture Snatcher (Lloyd Bacon. 1933) 3-
http://www.filmforum.org/images/content/268/Picture_Snatcher_1933_1268.jpg
Boy Meets Girl (Lloyd Bacon, 1938) 2
Bulletproof Monk (Paul Hunter, 2003) 2+
Kiss the Bride (Vanessa Parise, 2002) 2
Scaramouche (George Sidney, 1952) 3.5
http://www.dvdclassik.com/upload/images/critique-scaramouche-sidney12.jpg
Miller’s Crossing (Coen Bros., 1990) 4-
Lizzie (Hugo Haas, 1957) 2
The Seventh Sin (Ronald Neame, 1957) 2
Home from the Hill (Vincente Minnelli, 1960) 3+
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ivCP5mXKF70/RalwUebLQuI/AAAAAAAABgY/g-5g0yojRXg/s400/home+from+the+hill+-+15.jpg
Valley of the Kings (Robert Pirosh, 1954) 2
Love is News (Tay Garnett, 1937) 2+
The Magnificent Dope (Walter Lang, 1942) 3
Pollock (Ed Harris, 2001) 3
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/pollock/w320/pollock.jpg?1289471354
Many Rivers to Cross (Roy Rowland, 1955) 2.5+
Grease 2 (Patricia Birch, 1982) 2+
Turning Green (Michael Aimette & John G. Hofmann, 2005) 2.5
How to Train Your Dragon (Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders, 2010) 4
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100416201541/howtotrainyourdragon/images/thumb/b/bc/Toothless!!!!!!!!!1.jpg/350px-Toothless!!!!!!!!!1.jpg

[donniedarko]

Part 1

Floating Weeds (Ozu, 1959) 2
Highly dissapointed with this film, being my first Ozu I had high expectations. The story movement was elongated and boring, the acting was weak, and cinematography wise it had one amazing moment (above), and that's it.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/product_images/477/Film_232w_FloatingWeeds.jpg?1328128315


Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984, Miyazaki) 1
Man I am being tough on those Japs, I had a rant in the MoFo Hall of Fame thread, and overall it's just one of the most childish P.O.S. I've ever watched. Less effort on animation more on the film.
http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/7wSba9hwCaU/hqdefault.jpg


Clean, Shaven (Kerrigan, 1993) 3
Shocking character study on a schizophrenic looking for his daughter, has some of the most cringe worthy scenes, EVER. Great performance by Peter Greene.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/clean-shaven/w448/clean-shaven.jpg?1289427385

Entr'acte (short) 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnXdYxvBHf8

Geri's Game (short) 3
A nice little short film about a lonely old man and his game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03T2pKO8ItE

The Music Box (short) 3
I've always been neutral on Laurel & Hardy as a slapstick duo, they pull some funny stunts, but they're not laugh out louds like Chaplin or Bean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyRkefFHJBw

Outerspace (short) 1.5
What a headache
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcwjJ3r689w

Cropsey (Branccacio & Zeman, 2009) 3
A solid documentary on the urban legend and crimes of Cropsey. Over built itself on several occasions, but remains a passable effort on a crime documentary.
http://www.rowthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/cropsey.jpg

Jules et Jim (Truffaut, 1962) 2.5
Didn't really get the hype of this French film about a love triangle. Character reactions didn't seem likely, and I was annoyed by some of the actions. Felt similar to this as I did in 400 blows.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/2726/P.jpg?1328128293


more later...

[The Gunslinger45]

Well I am a little more then a week into my leave, and I have taken advantage of it by watching a lot of movies from Hulu, a few DVDs, and the movie theater. So here is a list of the films I have watched so far.

It’s a Wonderful Life 4.5

The Last Picture Show 3

Philadelphia 3.5

Sunrise 3.5

City of God 4

Sophie’s Choice 3 (ending was DEPRESSING!)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 3 (A bit to cheesy, and I am far too cynical for this movie)

Fanny and Alexander 3.5

Andrei Rubelev 2.5 (yeah I feel Tarkovsky is not for me)

The Passion of Joan of Arc 4.5 (WOW!)

Pickpocket 4.5 (New favorite French film)

Man of Steel 2

Man Bites Dog 5 (now in my top 10)

Ugetsu 3.5

The Rules of the Game 2.5

Children of Paradise 3

Jules and Jim 2.5

L’Avventura 2.5

Amarcord 2.5 (Fellini is not for me either)

Three Colors: Blue 3

Three Colors: White 3.5

Three Colors: Red 4

[ThomasP]

Spartacus (Stanley Kubrick 1960) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2.5box.gif
Good Morning (Yasijiro Ozu, 1959) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif
Runaway (Kanye West, 2010) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/3.5box.gif
Looper (Rian Johnson, 2012) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/3box.gif
The Navigator (Buster Keaton, 1924) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4.5box.gif
Amour (Michael Haneke, 2012) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif
Eclipse (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4.5box.gif

[The Gunslinger45]

Donniedarko, it seems I am not the only one who failed to get the hype of Jules and Jim. +rep

[Godoggo]

Donniedarko, it seems I am not the only one who failed to get the hype of Jules and Jim. +rep

No you're not. I differ from Donnie though in that I really like 400 Blows.

[The Gunslinger45]

No you're not. I differ from Donnie though in that I really like 400 Blows.

I have not seen that movie yet.

[donniedarko]

Part 2

Broken Flowers (Jarmush, 2005) 3.5+
The more I watch ths films of Jim Jarmusch the more I like him. This film goes through the stages of life through four of Don (played by Bill Murray) the bachelors former women as he is in search of his son. This film has plenty of funny moments, but the end is chilling.
http://dvdmedia.ign.com/dvd/image/article/680/680947/broken-flowers-20060112103942572-000.jpg

Kapo (Pontecorvo, 1960) 3-
A realistic look in the women's perspective of the holocaust. The film isn't heart breaking like many others on the topic, but it doesn't cut corners, and shows the concentration camps realistically.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/60483/EAH5_Film_Kapo.jpg?1328128301

Loves of a Blonde (Forman, 1965) 3.5
This film has great scenes, and weak scenes, the great scenes outnumber the weak. The ending with the family was great, and I might not find this sad like many do, but I think it has good humor in it, and amazing cinematography.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/3157/P.jpg?1328128294

Beware of a Holy Whore (Fassbinder, 1971) 3.5
What a f*cked up set of characters, which are extremely fun to watch. I didn't like the face zoom ins, but I love the colors. This is for the crowd who likes controversy and eroticism, I'd reccomend this to Hitchfan97 and Minio.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/132151/Fassbinder_Film_BewareHolyWhore.jpg?1368640595

Vincent & Frankenweenie (Burton, 1982 and 84) 3.5 and 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rcPe9sojpc

David Lean films Mini Reviews (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=914324)
Hobson's Choice 3
Brief Encounter 2.5+
In Which we Serve 2.5+
This Happy Breed 3-
Blithe Spirit 4

Speaking Freely Series
John Perkins 2.5
Susan George 3+
Ray McGovern 2

[HitchFan97]

Beware of a Holy Whore (Fassbinder, 1971) 3.5
What a f*cked up set of characters, which are extremely fun to watch. I didn't like the face zoom ins, but I love the colors. This is for the crowd who likes controversy and eroticism, I'd reccomend this to Hitchfan97 and Minio.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/132151/Fassbinder_Film_BewareHolyWhore.jpg?1368640595

Fassbinder was a huge Sirk fan, who is my current director obsession, so I'll have to check out his work. With a title like that I suppose this one would catch anyone's attention ;)

[Mr Minio]

Yeah, I'll watch it eventually after I'd seen 2 other Fassbinder films, which are ready to watch.

[Tyler1]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/until-the-ship-sails/w448/until-the-ship-sails.jpg?1289450095

The Parallel Street (1962) - 1
Until the Ship Sails (1966) - 2-
A Fugitive from the Past (1965) - 3.5
In a Year with 13 Moons (1978) - 3-

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_loki0e5LCM1qbulvwo1_500.jpg

Elsewhere (2001) - 4.5+
July (1988) - 3
Frozen (1996) - 2+
Alamar (2009) - 3.5

http://i2.listal.com/image/445119/600full-machuca-screenshot.jpg

Mandara (1981) - 3.5+
Black Harvest (1992) - 4
Machuca (2004) - 2+
Muddy River (1981) - 4-

http://www.dreamtheend.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/MARPESSA-DAWN-AS-EURYDICE-IN-BLACK-ORPHEUS-14.jpg

A Confucian Confusion (1994) - 4
Shanghai Blues (1984) - 2
Black Orpheus (1959) - 3+
The Devils (1971) - 4.5
Love Streams (1984) - 4+

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls80mlA0Em1qkxt4do1_500.jpg

[edarsenal]

The Long Goodbye 4 Not sure if i can call this a rewatch since I haven't seen this since i was a kid at the Drive-In, but I definitely have a new appreciation for this movie. (Oh, a little Easter Egg, had no idea Arnie Swartzenegger has a small bit part playing a mobster heavy in this)
http://nevalalee.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/long-goodbye.jpg?w=503


Seven Dwarves/ 7 Zwerge (Germany) 3 a "clean" spoof of the snow white tale. Very vauldvillian-like comedy, extremely silly and at times, corny, but still, rather amusing.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/seven-dwarfs/w448/seven-dwarfs.jpg?1342203132

[Gabrielle947]

The Place Beyond The Pines (2012) - I really enjoyed this film.I think I'm really into these modern yet serious and complex films and this is something close.It tells a story about two men who interfere in each others lives and forever changes them.Decent acting,interesting story.
However,this film is divided into three acts and it is not bad actually but I think it failed to show time frame (and actors weren't aged).Also the plot is pretty confusing,it's like a puzzle - it seems that there is a main picture but the rest of the pieces are scattered.
Anyway,subjective wins over objective,so 4

The Hangover(2009) - I was never a fan of comedies and I rarely burst into laugh while watching them and this seemed to look worse rewatching it.I even started to think that it's interesting only because of the sexy Cooper's character. :D 2.5

Spirited Away (2001) - well,looking objectively I'd say that it's a pretty good film,well done,fast-paced,with interesting characters,unusual story and lots of values.But I don't like such films,I guess I just find them to primitive. 2.5

[Deadite]

Primitive?

[Gabrielle947]

Yeah,the stories are predictable,you are sure that they will have a good endings and some obvious messages (which are in lots of animation) like how friendship,love always wins and bad guys always lose etc.I like simple films but I don't like obvious movies.

[Mr Minio]

Gabrielle947, yet another person on Gua's black list.

[mark f]

Slightly Dangerous (Wesley Ruggles, 1943) 2
Robin and the 7 Hoods (Gordon Douglas, 1964) 3
The Thirteenth Chair (George B. Seitz, 1937) 2+
Big Fish (Tim Burton, 2003) 3.5-
http://www.eeditrice.com/gcfantoni/bigfish3.jpg
The Constant Nymph (Edmund Goulding, 1943) 2.5
Multiple Sarcasms (Brooks Branch, 2010) 2
My Name is Julia Ross (Joseph H. Lewis, 1945) 2.5
Anchors Aweigh (George Sidney, 1945) 2.5+
http://content8.flixster.com/question/60/62/55/6062558_std.jpg
Devotion (Curtis Bernhardt, 1946) 2.5
Mallrats (Kevin Smith, 1995) 2.5-
The Return of the Pink Panther (Blake Edwards, 1975) 3
The Ref (Ted Demme, 1994) 3+
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3H1dWtzmZYU/Sy98UOqPUBI/AAAAAAAAB-s/j9bdZBcr4wE/s320/16194__ref_l.jpg
Jade (William Friedkin, 1995) 2.5
Holy Man (Stephen Herek, 1998) 2.5
Cosi (Mark Joffe, 1996) 2.5+
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (Billy Wilder, 1970) 2.5+
http://katapultrocha.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the2bprivate2blife2bof2bsherlock2bholmes2b3.jpg?w=368&h=155
The Snow Walker (Charles Martin Smith, 2003) 2.5+
Meet Wally Sparks (Peter Baldwin, 1997) 2.5
Cornered (Edward Dmytryk, 1945) 2
Japanese Summer: Double Suicide (Nagisa Oshima, 1967) 2
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hLY9DmXXlH4/Sab838vathI/AAAAAAAABAo/iRFrAzUc9ak/s320/doublesuicide_Large.jpg

[Deadite]

Haven't seen The Ref in a looong time but remember liking it fairly well.

[Mr Minio]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/edc2fb70b61c172960397830c131b29b/tumblr_mg8oj4KvJ31qgu2gyo1_500.gif

Days of Heaven (1978) - 3.5
Jane Eyre (2011) - 3
The Moromete Family (1987) - 3
Daisies (1966) - 4.5
Battle Royale (2000) - 3.5
Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003) - 4
Family Nest (1979) - 3
Black Narcissus (1947) - 3.5
Lady Snowblood (1973) - 4
Perfect Blue (1998) - 4

[BlueLion]

American Psycho (2000) - 4-
http://i.imgur.com/u9z1B5D.png

Christian Bale running down the hallway chasing a prostitute with a chainsaw, with his Nike shoes on while butt naked. What an epic scene. But it wasn't more epic than this:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/747a8d4bcea6a328c46435fa0d8723dd/tumblr_mlgrp39T041rek9wio1_500.gif
"In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself. Hey Paul!"

American Psycho was hilarious, just like I was hoping it would be. But it is also a very violent film, of course, and it is quite disturbing at times. Bale was terrific as Patrick Bateman, and I feel that he was perfectly cast for this. The movie has quite a few unforgettable lines/scenes, which is why I certainly wouldn't say no to a rewatch.

--

Prometheus (2012) - 1.5
http://i.imgur.com/iF3WUUL.png

I am definitely not a fan of sci-fi, but when you make such a movie and it fails to entertain an audience or keep them interested, or make them care about the story or any of the characters for that matter, then, Mr. Ridley Scott, you can proudly say you had the perfect recipe for a failure. Nothing is explained in Prometheus, it's like even the characters knew they were in a movie, and it seemed to me that they really didn't care about anything that was happening, just like I didn't care.

So, to sum up...
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Gladiator_Thumb_Down_01.gif

--

Bolt (2008) - 4
http://i.imgur.com/zY2sj9M.png

Bolt is a very entertaining animated action comedy. It is about a dog who believes he has superpowers even though they're not genuine as he is a TV show star, and goes on a mission to rescue his owner who he believes has been kidnapped. If you like dogs (or pets in general) and animated movies, then you will love this. For now, it is right up there with How To Train Your Dragon for me, which was my best animated movie experience. But I have to see more animated films. And it's what I've been doing.

[Mr Minio]

Just in case you care:

American Psycho - 3 (seen uncut version ages ago - kinky!)
Prometheus - 2 (bumped from 1.5 for Fassbender)

[BlueLion]

Just in case you care:

American Psycho - 3 (seen uncut version ages ago - kinky!)
Prometheus - 2 (bumped from 1.5 for Fassbender)

I didn't know there was an uncut version. What's the difference between the two?

[jiraffejustin]

Either of you guys read the book? I loved it, but it had me depressed for a couple weeks.

[Mr Minio]

Haven't seen the cut one, so can't say, but there's a cool sex scene in uncut one.

I haven't read the book. :(

[BlueLion]

Haven't seen the cut one, so can't say, but there's a cool sex scene in uncut one.

I haven't read the book. :(

You mean the threesome scene, in which Bale says "look at the camera"? If that's the one, then I have seen the uncut one.

[Mr Minio]

Yeah, you most likely have seen the uncut one, then.

[Mingusings]

I read the book and I loved it. I read it before I heard about the movie because its author, Bret Easton Ellis, wrote my all time favorite book, Less than Zero. It's a shame because my favorite scenes from the book didn't make the movie. But understandably so, as there's no way it could have gotten an R with those scenes.

And Mr Minio, I loved Perfect Blue. Glad you liked it :)

[BlueLion]

Yeah, you most likely have seen the uncut one, then.

According to IMDb it appears I have seen the cut version, actually.

There is a graphic scene involving a man and two women having sex with each other. The movement is explicit. Although all three are nude, private parts are hidden apart from fleeting glimpses of breasts and female and male buttocks (18 seconds were cut from this scene in order to avoid an NC-17 rating). This is a lot more graphic in the uncut version.

[Mr Minio]

I've seen uncut. :cool:

[BlueLion]

I've seen uncut. :cool:

You win.

[jiraffejustin]

I read the book and I loved it. I read it before I heard about the movie because its author, Bret Easton Ellis, wrote my all time favorite book, Less than Zero. It's a shame because my favorite scenes from the book didn't make the movie. But understandably so, as there's no way it could have gotten an R with those scenes.

And Mr Minio, I loved Perfect Blue. Glad you liked it :)

The homeless man with the dog? or some of the other brutal killings left out?

[Mingusings]

The homeless man with the dog? or some of the other brutal killings left out?

I'm pretty sure the homeless man with the dog is in the movie. But my favorite scene from the book was when he murdered the kid at the aquarium. And I also loved the scene with the mouse. And there were a couple parts in the book that talk about him cooking the corpses and eating them and that would have been awesome to see.

[jiraffejustin]

I'm pretty sure the homeless man with the dog is in the movie. But my favorite scene from the book was when he murdered the kid at the aquarium. And I also loved the scene with the mouse. And there were a couple parts in the book that talk about him cooking the corpses and eating them and that would have been awesome to see.

That's right, the homeless man with the dog is in the movie...but it's not as graphic in the movie. In the book he cut the guy's eye out.

[honeykid]

According to IMDb it appears I have seen the cut version, actually.
Don't you live in the UK, BlueLion? I thought you did. If so, then you'll have almost certainly seen the BBFC version, which is completely uncut.

It's always worth checking the BBFC website about stuff like this.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/american-psycho-2000

[BlueLion]

Don't you live in the UK, BlueLion? I thought you did. If so, then you'll have almost certainly seen the BBFC version, which is completely uncut.

It's always worth checking the BBFC website about stuff like this.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/american-psycho-2000

Nope.

[mark f]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Th22WWxHcc
The Beat Generation (Charles Haas, 1959) 2
Untamed Youth (Howard W. Koch, 1957) 1.5+
Born Reckless (Howard W. Koch, 1958) 2
New York, I Love You (Multiple Directors, 2009) 2.5
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AoK_4QqfqHc/S4NrhXwuqDI/AAAAAAAACt0/-Yjk8KwS7Y4/s320/new_york_i_love_you+eli.jpg
Cry of the City (Robert Siodmak, 1948) 2
Guns, Girls and Gangsters (Edward L. Cahn, 1959) 2-
Vice Raid (Edward L. Cahn, 1960) 1.5+
Sex Kittens Go to College (Albert Zugsmith, 1960) 2
https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/RDNqMW09gtM/mqdefault.jpg
Panic in the Streets (Elia Kazan, 1950) 2.5
The Outlaw (Howard Hughes, 1943) 2
Murder, Inc. (Burt Balaban & Stuart Rosenberg, 1960) 2
African Cats (Keith Scholey & Alastair Fothergill, 2011) 3
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoV_ibvToyE/TavJlpQ_W2I/AAAAAAAACOE/ed6ia5sxymY/s320/MSvO_AfrCats_IMG_4608.jpg
Young Widow (Edwin L. Marin, 1946) 2
Can’t Hardly Wait (Harry Elfont & Deborah Kaplan, 1998) 2.5
Nocturne (Edwin L. Marin, 1946) 2.5
The Changeling (Peter Medak, 1980) 3
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/w300/zbuS7hBeBPWmBYLw4RQBi6Bzt9i.jpg
Blackbeard, the Pirate (Raoul Walsh, 1952) 2
The Prince and Me (Martha Coolidge, 2004) 2.5
The Distinguished Gentleman (Jonathan Lynn, 1992) 2.5
Lovely & Amazing (Nicole Holofcener, 2001) 2.5
http://lady.webnice.ru/img/2009/08/img20090805140250_8314.jpg

[Daniel M]

The Tin Star (Anthony Mann, 1957) 3.5

http://www.bigcountry.de/Der%20Stern%20des%20Gesetzes.jpg


An interesting story that sees Anthony Perkins and Henry Fonda unite to protect a town. At only an hour and a half running time the tale is fairly straightforward put never the less a delightful one, with two enjoyable performances, great directing and beautiful black and white cinematography making this under seen Western a very worthy watch.

Face/Off (John Woo, 1997) 3

http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Face-Off-movie-01.jpg


An enjoyable 90s action flick, John Travolta and Nicolas Cage face off against each other following the swapping of each other's faces in order to prevent a bomb explosion destroying Los Angeles. With some great action scenes this film is seen as part of a Cage action trilogy also containing The Rock and Con Air, with the latter being my favourite of the three.

A Good Day to Die Hard (John Moore, 2013) 1

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/bruce-willis-is-a-bad-tourist-in-a-good-day-to-die-hard.jpg

This film was everything I expected it to be, and unfortunately, that was not a good thing. A really terrible film, I did not like Die Hard 4.0, and although both films feel very far from the original Die Hard, at least the last entry had a clear structured plot and villain. This one really was bad, the respectable characters and relationships that made the first film so good are none existent, the only reason to watch the film might be to watch some of the action sequences, which some may find impressive.



Harold and Maude (Hal Ashby, 1971) 3

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7o9meN6MgI/TzQ49l_VYeI/AAAAAAAAB1c/r19IB6VF5VI/s1600/harold%2Band%2Bmaude.jpg

A cult comedy classic, this is the type of film I think you either 'connect' and fall in love with, or you do not. Whilst certainly interesting with its quirky style and and characters, I did not find myself enjoying it massively on my first viewing. The characters were too unusual for me to really care for on a romantic level, and much of the comedy I say as strange rather than funny, although I can see how this can be used as a film to show the importance of individualities and the uniqueness of certain personalities, Ruth Gordon's character is 80 yet is as lively as anyone you have ever seen portrayed in a film. I did enjoy the suicide scenes with Harold's character (whose character reminds me of Lloyd Tate from Submarine), they were intelligent and funny, and as a whole I could appreciate what the film was going for, I think.

[Daniel M]

Bolt (2008) - 4
http://i.imgur.com/zY2sj9M.png

Bolt is a very entertaining animated action comedy. It is about a dog who believes he has superpowers even though they're not genuine as he is a TV show star, and goes on a mission to rescue his owner who he believes has been kidnapped. If you like dogs (or pets in general) and animated movies, then you will love this. For now, it is right up there with How To Train Your Dragon for me, which was my best animated movie experience. But I have to see more animated films. And it's what I've been doing.

Bolt is a delightful little film, and although I love animations and dogs, I was still surprised by just how much I enjoyed the film. How to Train Your Dragon is great too. When it comes to non-Pixar animations I can not recommend Rango enough, give it a watch and I think you'll like it :)

[mark f]

Harold and Maude is better and more relatable than anything by Altman. There, I said it. :)

[Cobpyth]

Harold and Maude is better and more relatable than anything by Altman. There, I said it. :)

I don't agree, although I do like some parts of Harold and Maude (most of the comical parts). I still find it a little too sentimental at some moments, but I might like those kind of things more when I get older and probably get more sentimental and less cynical. :p

@Daniel: I know somehow (probably saw it in the 'what are you seeing tonight?'-topic) that you watched The Long Goodbye recently, but I can't find your opinion about it anywhere. Where can I find it?

[mark f]

Well, I first saw it when I was 17 and loved it then.

[BlueLion]

Bolt is a delightful little film, and although I love animations and dogs, I was still surprised by just how much I enjoyed the film. How to Train Your Dragon is great too. When it comes to non-Pixar animations I can not recommend Rango enough, give it a watch and I think you'll like it :)

I'd already planned to see Rango next week. :)

[Cobpyth]

Well, I first saw it when I was 17 and loved it then.


SPOILERS!!!

I also watched it for the first time when I was 17 and also liked it a lot, but I wasn't a fan of the ending (not the very last scene with the car, that one was very good). I guess i can't fully understand people that want to end their very own existence yet. I liked how Harold played with the thoughts in a cynical and comical way and I completely got the character's thoughts of emptiness, but I couldn't understand Maude's actions (maybe because she's an older woman and I'm a guy who's starting his twenties). I guess she was pretty messed up, because she was in a concentration camp, but why would she involve Harold so much? She starts to show him how much fun life can actually be, but then she ends it herself and gives him another reason to be depressed and feel empty again?

Maybe it's more about the life lesson than her as an actual person, but then the romance doesn't make much sense to me and just seems a part of the lesson, which reduces its effect and beauty, in my opinion.

It's still a pretty good film, though, that I truly enjoyed. I would rate it a little higher than Daniel, probably.

[Daniel M]

@Daniel: I know somehow (probably saw it in the 'what are you seeing tonight?'-topic) that you watched The Long Goodbye recently, but I can't find your opinion about it anywhere. Where can I find it?

Watched a load of quality older films mainly from the lists section but haven't really posted my thoughts yet, will do some Movie Tab posts on them eventually :)

But I absolutely loved it, I'll expand on my thoughts when I do a much longer post because I feel I have a lot to say. But I loved the laid back, cool feel, and although I have watched a few great noirs this one is completely unique in its 70s style. Gould and Hayden are both fantastic as well as the other actors, I found it hilarious in parts and absolutely brutal in others (bottle scene), this mixture emphasised for me this 'character out of place', he seemed so disconnected with the shocking and very real and dangerous events unfolding around him, and his character attempted to completely undermine this, which I liked. I can see how it kind of inspired The Big Lebowski as well with its laid back detective and messy story approach.

Some other fantastic noirs I watched include Touch of Evil, Sweet Smell of Success and The Maltese Falcon, the first I especially loved.

[Skepsis93]

Planet of the Apes (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1968) 4+
Superbly entertaining, and its comments on human-nature dynamics, science and religion, and the advancement of knowledge hold up brilliantly, even if the effects do not (although they do have a lot of charm).

Shakespeare in Love (John Madden, 1998) 4
Cunningly smart film in its playful handling of the dynamic between Shakespeare's real life and work and the mostly fictionalised version of the celebrated playwright portrayed in the film with great energy and vigour by Joseph Fiennes. Lots of fun and sadly shunned because of the whole (stupid and pointless) Saving Private Ryan Best Picture deal. I think it's a very good film in its own right. The production design especially is second-to-none.

Half Nelson (Ryan Fleck, 2006) 4-
Must-see for Gosling/Epps' performances alone.

Quills (Philip Kaufman, 2000) 3.5
The Last of the Mohicans (Michael Mann, 1992) 3.5
Pickpocket (Robert Bresson, 1959) 3.5-
Shine (Scott Hicks, 1996) 3

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/toddessig/files/2011/08/planetoftheapesending.jpg
"You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! God damn you all to hell!"

[HitchFan97]

Harold and Maude is better and more relatable than anything by Altman. There, I said it. :)

:eek: I guess I'm gonna have to see it then!

[Daniel M]

Planet of the Apes is awesome and one of my favourite films growing up, is that the first time you've seen it Skepsis?

[Skepsis93]

Yes! Long time coming.

[Gabrielle947]

What's with the Altman praise?Ok,I've only seen Nashville but it didn't felt like a great movie achievement.

[edarsenal]

thoroughly enjoyed Harold and Maude the first time is saw it, around 13, and still love it today. It's one of those movies i watch every year or so.

and i'm with daniel, i was a kid when it came out and i got all got up in the planet of the apes movies and tv show. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it skepsis

[Guaporense]

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.

My point is that Dexter is clearly not a masterpiece of TV, and I prefer it to The Wire, pointing out that The Wire is far from being a masterpiece of TV. Anyway, taste is taste and The Wire didn't touch me as strongly as some people think it should.

Simpleton are the ones who think The Wire is a serious work of art. It is visually mediocre, the soundtrack is nonexistent, the characters are not very memorable and the writing is not very good. It's not art, it's entertainment. Anyway, you should have already noticed that you and I have very, very different tastes in terms of screen entertainment.

[Guaporense]

L'Atalante 4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/L_Atalante.jpg
A classic for a good reason. Very memorable if not a bit dated in my opinion.

The Garden of Words 4+
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Garden_of_Words.jpg
Makoto Schinkai is a genius.

Fill the Void 3
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Fill_the_Void.jpg
A movie about the lives of the people under radical orthodox Jewish customs. Very interesting.

Chungking Express 2_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Chungking_Express.jpg
Boring.

It's Such a Beautiful Day 3_5 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Its_Such_a_Beautiful_Day_2012.jpg
Very smart but the visuals are just too simplistic and the animation is mediocre.

The Snow Queen 3_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_Snow_Queen.jpg
Soviet Children's fairytale, better than 90% of the stuff Disney/Pixar made.

The Master 4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_Master_2012.jpg
PTA's stamp of quality.

Ohayo 4
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Good_Morning.jpg
Ozu's stamp of quality. His weakest movie, up to this point, still excellent.

Redline 3
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Redline_2009.jpg
Quite average given the praise it gets among many. Very simplistic but still reasonably effective, though, lacking in substance.

[Guaporense]

Andrei Rubelev 2.5 (yeah I feel Tarkovsky is not for me)

Don't worry. Andrei Rublev is the hardest movie he made. His other movies are much more accessible.

Try watching Ivan's Childhood, Solaris and Stalker, which are his most entertaining movies, before giving up on him.

The Passion of Joan of Arc 4.5 (WOW!)

That's some serious stuff indeed.

Pickpocket 4.5 (New favorite French film)

Bresson was a genius indeed.

Amarcord 2.5 (Fellini is not for me either)

Try watching 8 1/2, I didn't like any other Fellini movie, but 8 1/2 really clicked for me. I think his other movies are just to lazy and fail to capture my attention but 8 1/2 just clicked magically and I was under his spell.

[Brother Blue]

Nightmare Alley (Goulding, 1947) 4
Platform (Zhangke, 2000) 3+
Sightseers (Weatley, 2012) 3
Days of Being Wild (Kar-Wai, 1990) 3.5
*Psycho (Hitchcock, 1960) 5
*The Thing (Carpenter, 1982) 5
*Children of Men (Cauron, 2006) 4.5
*Before Sunrise (Linklater, 1995) 4
Near Death (Wiseman, 1989) 4.5
Orpheus (Cocteau,1950) 3-
Gummo (Korine, 1997) 4
*A Serious Man (Coens, 2009) 4.5

[short] Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy (Arnold, 1998) 4

* rewatch

[Mr Minio]

Hold on, we've got a classic Guapo right here with his trademark quote:

Soviet Children's fairytale, better than 90% of the stuff Disney/Pixar made.

Which means he no longer is drunk, but on the other hand watching films while having a hangover isn't a good idea. Look:

Chungking Express 2_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Chungking_Express.jpg
Boring.

It's Such a Beautiful Day 3_5 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Its_Such_a_Beautiful_Day_2012.jpg
Very smart but the visuals are just too simplistic and the animation is mediocre.

[Godoggo]

Patrik 1.5 (2008 Ella Lemhagen) B

Happy Together (1997 Kar Wai Wong) B

Kiss Me Deadly (1955 Robert Aldrich) B

Carol's Journey (2002 Imanol Uribe) C

John Dies at the End (2012 Don Coscarelli) D

Rewatches: Winter's Bone B+& Mama B

[The Gunslinger45]

Don't worry. Andrei Rublev is the hardest movie he made. His other movies are much more accessible.

Try watching Ivan's Childhood, Solaris and Stalker, which are his most entertaining movies, before giving up on him.



That's some serious stuff indeed.



Bresson was a genius indeed.



Try watching 8 1/2, I didn't like any other Fellini movie, but 8 1/2 really clicked for me. I think his other movies are just to lazy and fail to capture my attention but 8 1/2 just clicked magically and I was under his spell.

I have watched four Tarkovsky movies. I personally say Mirror was Tarkovsky's hardest movie. At least for me. Ivan's Childhood I liked, Solaris not so much. Have not seen Stalker and sadly it is not on Hulu.

I have watched four of Fellini's films including 8 1/2. I have watched a few other Italian films, and I only seem to enjoy either Italian Neo realist films or Spaghetti westerns. La Strada was good though. Then again that was Italian Neo Realism, but nothing close to Bicycle Thieves

[Guaporense]

I have watched four Tarkovsky movies. I personally say Mirror was Tarkovsky's hardest movie. At least for me. Ivan's Childhood I liked, Solaris not so much. Have not seen Stalker and sadly it is not on Hulu.

Stalker is on youtube, legally, as all other Tarkovsky films:

http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=hUHBgqx8YP8

It's my favorite of his and on my top 10.

La Strada was good though. Then again that was Italian Neo Realism, but nothing close to Bicycle Thieves

Bicycle Thieves is mental.

[The Gunslinger45]

Stalker is on youtube, legally, as all other Tarkovsky films:

http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=hUHBgqx8YP8

It's my favorite of his and on my top 10.



Bicycle Thieves is mental.

Bicycle Thieves breaks my heart. Damn good movie. Thanks for the link!

[Guaporense]

Hold on, we've got a classic Guapo right here with his trademark quote:

Were I used that quote before?

Which means he no longer is drunk, but on the other hand watching films while having a hangover isn't a good idea. Look:

I think I am becoming a bit tired of watching many experimental movies. I think I will give up watching those movies for a few months to recharge my batteries.

[Miss Vicky]

Monsters University 2
The Blue Umbrella 1.5
Paranorman 2.5

A disappointing day of animation.

[Mr Minio]

Were I used that quote before? Got no time to look for it, but I'm pretty sure you've been using the "% better than XX films" I've seen a lot.

I think I am becoming a bit tired of watching many experimental movies. I think I will give up watching those movies for a few months to recharge my batteries. As you wish. Watch some Japanese or Hollywood classics instead. I watch a lot of arthouse, but neglect classics. :(

[Daniel M]

Monsters University 2
A disappointing day of animation.

I see that Monsters University is getting quiet mixed reviews (around the 60 mark at metacritic I think), so not good to see that you didn't like it either. How would you rate the original and what is it you found so disappointing? I hope I will enjoy it anyway, if least for nostalgic reasons.

[Miss Vicky]

I see that Monsters University is getting quiet mixed reviews (around the 60 mark at metacritic I think), so not good to see that you didn't like it either. How would you rate the original and what is it you found so disappointing? I hope I will enjoy it anyway, if least for nostalgic reasons.

Though not my favorite Pixar film, Monsters, Inc. I'd probably give a 4.

But in this, the jokes fell flat (I may have chuckled once the whole way through). The premise seemed uninspired. I didn't care anything for the new supporting characters either and the established supporting cast - Randall in particular - hardly got any screen time at all.


Also, in the beginning of this movie, Randall starts out as a sort of nerdy nice guy desperate to get in with the cool kids. His transition from this to his role in Monsters, Inc. is never explained.

I wouldn't call it a bad movie or anything, it was animated beautifully and had it been another studio I might've rated it less harshly, but this is Pixar and they've shown themselves to be capable of producing masterpieces. But with each of their last 3 releases I've found myself less and less enamored with them. Even their shorts - which really are half the reason I go to see their films - recently have lacked that magic of past releases. The Blue Umbrella may very well be my least favorite Pixar short to date, behind even Boundin' which annoys the heck out of me.

[mark f]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuuw6zkOdA
The Lady and the Reaper (Javier Recio Gracia, 2009) 4-
Bhowani Junction (George Cukor, 1956) 2.5+
From the Earth to the Moon (Byron Haskin, 1958) 2
Gods and Monsters (Bill Condon, 1998) 4-
http://blogs.whatsontv.co.uk/movietalk/files/2009/08/gods-monsters-2.jpg
About Cherry (Stephen Elliott, 2012) 1.5-
The Foreigner (Amos Poe, 1978) 1.5
Alphabet City (Amos Poe, 1984) 2.5-
The Searchers (John Ford, 1956) 4-
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc2tlm97S51qzzh6g.png
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Michael Curtiz, 1960) 2.5
My Gal Sal (Irving Cummings, 1942) 2
Die Another Day (Lee Tamahori, 2002) 2.5+
Carousel (Henry King, 1956) 3.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PjETEQ8gO7M/S8BhsuT3LiI/AAAAAAAAAiA/76_jJdXqVog/s1600/carousel+3.jpg
Palm Springs Weekend (Norman Taurog, 1963) 2
Kisses for My President (Curtis Bernhardt, 1964) 2
Bells Are Ringing (Vincente Minnelli, 1960) 2.5
The Pirate (Vincente Minnelli, 1948) 3+
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb1moiGEss1rvu1j4o1_500.jpg
Gone (Heitor Dhalia, 2012) 2.5-
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Gore Verbinski, 2003) 3
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (Eli Craig, 2010) 3
The Crimson Pirate (Robert Siodmak, 1952) 3.5
http://www.february13creative.com/sites/default/files/pirate_6732933933_0a7df4f60d.jpg

[Mingusings]

The Bling Ring (2013): 3_5+
I disagree with the hate that this movie is getting. It's hilarious, beautifully shot, and has amazingly realistic characters.

Limitless (2011): 3+
The storyline is pretty standard, but it is still very intriguing.

The Prestige (2006): 3_5
Extremely unique and interesting, but felt sorta lifeless to me.

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013): 3_5-
Nothing spectacular, but I'm a sucker for those magical movies.

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005): 4
What makes it so funny is that the characters are so believable.

[The Gunslinger45]

End of leave tomorrow, so here is a list of the movies I watched for the second half of my leave.

Mirror 2.5 The hardest Tarkovsky movie for me so far.

This is the End 3.5 much needed laughs at the theater

La Strada 3 Decent Italian Neo Realism from Fellini. The only movie of his I claim to like

La Jetee 3 Very original short.

Brazil 3.5 WOW the visuals! Started really good, but let off towards the end for me. But I feel I will enjoy it more after multiple viewings.

Django 4 EXCELLENT spaghetti western! Bad ass opening song too

Lost Highway 4 Another damn good David Lynch movie

World War Z 1 ALL OF MY HATE!

Inland Empire 3 VERY hard to describe

Persona 3.5 Very interesting movie. I think this is my favorite Bergman movie.

[donniedarko]

I've been watching less than I was at the beginning of summer, I'm pretty much a film a day right now, just not in the mood to watch a ton lately. For the most part I've had some good watches since my last post, mainly recent movies.

Hollis Frampton films
(from my thread)
Nostalgia 2.5
Critical Mass 2.5
Poetic Justice 1.5

Arthouse Rating: 4.5

Hollis Frampton is hailed as a king of avant-garde cinema. I'm not sure if there's any on this site (SnuffStuff liked him, and Hapax probably) but he has a cult. I watched the first three films of his short film series Hapax Legomena. While I'd like to give all of them higher ratings, since in theory I like this kind of experimentism, I can't get myself to, due to how hard they are to watch. First is Nostalgia, a film that tells a story through a dozen photographs taken by Hollis in his lifetime. It's narrated by Edward Snow and is the best of the three due to it's sedative effect. Critical Mass is to hard to describe, a five minute conversation, is turned into near half an hour. It's a couple arguing and while the technique shows the beauty of speech, it's irritating as hell. Then there's Poetic Justice. The film is a screenplay. No, no, it's not somewhat writing a screenplay, it's literally just 30 minutes of flipping through a screen play. I turned on my own music in the background since this didn't have it. I think it would've been funny if it was an action screenplay being read, but no it's artsy sh*t. Not the best week, atleast the films are short.

The Guilt Trip (Flethcher, 2012): What a pleasant surprise. If you're like me you thought this would be a cliche comedy after watching the trailer, it really is not. Does not rely on old jokes or perverted humor to get the laughs, but instead is wholesome, and touches the heart. 3.5

The Thin Blue Line (Morris, 1988): This acclaimed documentary successfully argues a Texas mans innocence. It's gripping, and while I did find the story telling of this film to be confusing, I did enjoy it. Glad I got around to it. 3.5-

Leaving Las Vegas (Figgis,1995): Probably Nicolas Cages most acclaimed film, Leaving Las Vegas is an off beat romance about a drunk who gets encountered, and in his own way falls in love with a hooker. And vice versa. The problem for me was that I couldn't relate with the characters, but I liked the setting. 3

Premonition Following an Evil Deed (Lynch, 1975): This is probably the highest rating I'd give for a film that's less than a minute long. The first time I watched it I just said "what". The second time I watched it I said "wait, what?". I'm sure Lynch has an idea of what it all means, and I have a small theory, but pretty good considering the running time. 3+

Side Effects (Soderbergh,2013): Woah this film is not what it appears to be. This thriller is loaded with twists, and has four solid performances with Mara, Tatum, Jude Law, and Zeta-Jones all starring. The film has great atmosphere, the setting evolves as the plot thickens. Unfortanelty the movie lost me once Emily Taylor started going public so I missed a few things, but the first 40 minutes kept me on edge. The dialogue, written by Scott Z. Burns, isn't fantastic but it's way better than what he did with The Informant!. I'm pleased with how this turned out, and that it shows that what you see with your eyes, isn't all that there is to see. 3

Children of Men (Cuarón, 2006): I didn't plan watch this, I accidentally bumped this on my Netflix without noticing, but it is a film I have long awaited to get around to. A solid dystopian sci-fi, where infertility is practically unescapable, and Britain is the last functioning country. The U.K. seems run down in the film, so one can only imagine how bad the other nations have become. This is an absorbing film, and does a lot of good with a thin plot. Clive Owen has a strong performance and Michael Caine did a magnificent job of bringing his character to life. 3.5

Doodlebug (1997, Nolan): This short film starring Jeremy Thobaid, who Nolan brought back for Following, is a cool examination on mental insanity. Simple but eye catching special effects. 3

[BlueLion]

I've watched 4 films within 24 hours, a new personal record. :cool:

And those films include:

Melancholia (2011) - 4.5+
http://i.imgur.com/dGlGCwF.png
Very, very powerful stuff. Kirsten Dunst gives a superb performance, the same can be said about the actress who plays the character of her sister. Definitely one of the most dark and depressing movies I've watched, and everything looks so realistic.

A Clockwork Orange (1971) - 4.5
http://i.imgur.com/qW5QCKq.png
A Clockwork Orange has one of the best openings I've seen in any movie, and it's one of the movies with the best writing that I've seen. But I refuse to overanalyze the film. Even though this was only my third Kubrick, from now on I feel I will be able to recognize a Kubrick movie within less than 10 minutes of watching it. His use of colours is very unique.

Carnage (2011) 2
http://i.imgur.com/RW6UjIf.png
Christoph Waltz is very good in this, and the most realistic of all characters, because he sees the whole thing as pointless. So did I.

Amélie (2001) 3
http://i.imgur.com/s97CxSX.png
The best thing about the movie? The soundtrack. I liked the ending, and this is generally a pleasant film. But in a way, I have mixed feelings about it.

[Mr Minio]

Not in a mood for a movie marathon today, so I figured I'll just write down what I've seen since my last post.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPq-VLGZPRwQsJlmCI2oX8TIGQPXb8_Veww1kU4Io-zRanJlN3sw
That's creepy!

Himala (1982) - 4
Freeze. Die. Come to Life. (1989) - 4
Krišana (2005) - 4 SLOWLY DESCENDING INTO NIHIL TARR INSPIRED BADGE
A Page of Madness (1926) - 4.5
Three American Beauties (1906; short) - 3
Veronika Voss (1982) - 4
My Night at Maud's (1969) - 4.5
Upstream Color (2013) - 4.5

[Tyler1]

The Naked Kiss (1964) - 2-

Sundays and Cybele (1962) - 2

L'Enfance Nue (1968) - 2.5+

Letter Never Sent (1959) - 2

[edarsenal]

You Can't Fool Your Wife 3 Lucille Ball

Guns, Girls and Gangsters 3.5 B movie maudlum(sp?) with Mamie Van Dorn & Lee Van Cleef

SERIOUS REWATCH Kung Fu Hustle 5
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/hBHD6Po961s/hqdefault.jpg

After the Thin Man 4 Myrna Loy & William Powell. Had no idea the writer was the same guy who penned the Sam Spade series - very cool

[Iroquois]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Robert Zemeckis, 1988) - 4

I vaguely remember seeing this a long time ago (I still remembered some scenes vividly) but I ended up catching it on TV one evening and actually getting into it. Aside from the fact that it's got a solid noir plot running underneath its vivid cartoon exterior riddled with excellent blending of live-action and animation. The performances are delightfully caricaturish, from Bob Hoskins' grumpy detective to Christopher Lloyd's brilliantly sinister "judge", and the film manages to make all sorts of animation in-jokes and references without ever getting tired.

Mean Girls (Mark Waters, 2004) - 2

Even after trying to push the Heathers comparisons out of my mind, there wasn't that much here that I really liked. Sure, it wasn't horrible or anything, but not even the snappy dialogue (some of which has admittedly entered my daily syntax, though I'm not happy about that) is enough to save the whole thing.

Aladdin (Ron Clements, 1992) - 3

Figured I haven't watched it in so long that it might as well get referenced in a tab. It's got its plot holes and I've really got to be in the mood to enjoy some of the musical numbers (Robin Williams is just a little too hammy here) but it helped cement Jafar as one of my favourite Disney villains.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (David Lynch, 1992) - 2.5

So I'd watched Twin Peaks in its entirety - of course I was going to check out the "prequel" (put in quotes because I find it hard to count it as just a prequel) to the series. The prequel follows the final days of Laura Palmer before she ended up becoming the plastic-wrapped catalyst for the series. Definitely not recommended unless you've watched the show, and even then it's little more than confirmation of what the series had already implied, plus a couple of extra scenes featuring the FBI for good measure. So...yeah. Not bad, but not great by itself.

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Shichiniro Watanabe, 2001) - 3.5

One of the most popular anime series ever gets a standalone movie that takes place sometime during the last handful of episodes of the show (right before things get serious) and involves the crew of the Bebop contending with an insane super-soldier terrorist unleashing chemical warfare on Mars. Despite being bigger and better as far as the action goes - dogfights, fistfights and gunfights are all on the menu here - it doesn't quite have the same emotional core that made for some of the show's best one-off adventures. Still a fairly decent-looking work all the same, but as with the last film I mentioned it's best reserved for those who've seen the original show.

Face/Off (John Woo, 1997) - 2.5

Ah, yes, the infamous movie where John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play arch-enemies on opposite sides of the law who both end up undergoing surgery to look like one another and take over each other's lives. I guess it's worth it to see the leads ham it up with a vaguely serviceable story and some surprisingly unremarkable John Woo action going on, but otherwise, blah. I can always go back to Con Air or Hard Boiled if I really want Cage hamminess or Woo brilliance.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (Jim Jarmusch, 1999) - 4

I haven't watched this in God knows how many years (at a guess I'd say seven) and though I remember liking it, the avant-garde modern-day take on samurai fiction was entertaining enough but I don't think I really got it. Jarmusch's tale of Forest Whitaker as the titular hitman makes for a good character study and it's got a certain fatalism to it reminiscient of films like Le Samourai, plus peppering the film with all kinds of oddball characters as Jarmusch does is always good. Still won't overtake Dead Man as my favourite Jarmusch, though, but that would be hard to do.

Jesus Christ Superstar (Norman Jewison, 1973) - 3

The first cinematic adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about the last days of Jesus, complete with a weird meta aesthetic (the cast and crew are shown traveling into the desert dressed normally and then setting up the production before the movie properly starts) and the songs are all pretty decent, even if I don't really get into the musical as a whole.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (Kenji Misumi, 1972) - 3.5

I recently acquired a box set containing all six Lone Wolf and Cub movies and the English-language recut of the first two films (re-titled Shogun Assassin). Having only seen the first two in full before, I decided to watch them all from the beginning. Based on the manga of the same name, the series follows disgraced samurai Ogami Itto as he travels the land with a cart carrying his infant son. The first film is basically his origin story and does have its fair share of bloodletting but it's definitely not the best in the series.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (Kenji Misumi, 1972) - 3.5

The second film in the series follows the Lone Wolf and Cub as they alternately do battle with a clan of female ninjas and also take on a contract to assassinate a traitor to a local business, coming face to face with a trio of "gods of death". Definitely one of the better films in the series if only because of the desert finale where Itto has a proper showdown with the Gods of Death.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades (Kenji Misumi, 1972) - 3.5

The third Lone Wolf and Cub film maintains the quality of the previous entries by having Ogami Itto once again perform surprisingly honourable deeds despite claiming to be a "demon between heaven and hell". Even more bloodshed occurs as he goes up against an entire army, though that somehow isn't quite on par with him battling the Gods of Death. Still a solid bit of samurai exploitation, though.

Star Trek: Into Darkness (J.J. Abrams, 2013) - 3

Passable enough summer blockbuster that tries too hard to reintroduce elements of The Wrath of Khan (you know, the best movie in the whole franchise) and looks fairly swish but yeah, kind of drops the ball a bit and again, after a while I just wanted it to be over. These newer films are slick but they don't have much soul.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (Buichi Saito, 1972) - 3

Even though these films were apparently made one after the other almost like a TV show, the cracks definitely start to show in the fourth instalment. The most memorable thing about this one is the tattooed female assassin Itto goes up against in this film, otherwise yeah, it's basically more of him hacking and slashing his way through barely memorable enemies.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (Kenji Misumi, 1973) - 3

Even though I didn't marathon these one after the other, they do get awfully repetitive. Even so, the non-action parts of the movie are just as bad, with the film's lengthy middle section concerning Itto's son Daigoro and his encounter with a lady pickpocket just seems to drag. The water-based finale is kind of cool, but otherwise these things are kind of a chore to get through, and considering how they last about 80 minutes on average, that's kind of a problem.

Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell (Yoshiyuki Kuroda, 1974) - 3

The last film in the series involves Ogami Itto finally going up against arch-enemy Retsudo and his children, one a dangerous female assassin (again?) and the other a crazed warlock who creates a trio of undead warriors (well, that's different...I guess). Noted for having the highest body count of any of these films, the seemingly random introduction of supernatural elements and the silliness of a snowfield battle involving ninjas skiing at Itto kind of knocks it down a peg. As a whole, the series was fairly worthwhile but when it drags, it drags.

Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell, 2012) - 3.5

Hard not to think of this as the obligatory quasi-independent dramedy that gets a bunch of nominations come awards seasons (and I'm not so sure Jennifer Lawrence was great enough to get an Oscar but I don't think I've seen any of the other nominees so never mind) - in any case it managed to be an engaging enough movie given its length and its all-too-familiar narrative progressions. Also, it's hard not to think of Chris Tucker's character as being the same character he played in Friday only fifteen years later and relocated to a different part of the country.

Flight (Robert Zemeckis, 2012) - 2.5

Sort of character study about Denzel Washington's incredibly dysfunctional pilot who ends up crash-landing a malfunctioning plane and alternately being hailed as a hero and being judged because of his personal demons. There's some decent performances but it's stretched a little thin and there's not nearly enough at stake throughout the narrative so when it does end, I just went "...oh, so that's what happens". Hardly terrible, but pretty passable.

[mark f]

The Prince and the Pauper (William Keighley, 1937) 3
The Big Mouth (Jerry Lewis, 1967) 1.5
Dear God (Garry Marshall, 1996) 2.5-
The Whole Town’s Talking (John Ford, 1935) 3-
http://www.canaltcm.com/myfiles/decine/town.jpg
Vaudeville (Roy Mack, 1934) 2+
So You Want to Be a Detective (Richard L. Bare, 1948) 3
How to Be a Detective (Felix E. Feist, 1936) 2.5
Detective Story (William Wyler, 1951) 3+
http://images.vefblog.net/vefblog.net/g/a/galate1/galate01/photos_art/2010/12/Galate1:galate01129241289943_art.jpg
A Millionaire for Christy (George Marshall, 1951) 2.5-
Valentino (Lewis Allen, 1951) 2
The Last Legion (Doug Lefler, 2007) 2.5
Maurice (James Ivory, 1987) 3-
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ut2Xo8A9610/TQWF7xa8S7I/AAAAAAAAB2U/z7MzFdlRPtY/s400/Maurice-screen%255B1%255D.jpg
An American Dream (Robert Gist, 1966) 2-
Dazzle (David Lister, 1999) 2.5
After… (David L. Cunningham, 2006) 1.5
Starting Out in the Evening (Andrew Wagner, 2007) 2.5
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__mokxbTmuJM/R9RuNSYZ__I/AAAAAAAABYQ/R_pUf4VIyNQ/s400/up-1starting_out_in_the_evening.jpg.jpeg
A’Mare (Martina Amati, 2008) 2
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (Danny Leiner, 2004) 3-
Sylvia (Christine Jeffs, 2003) 2.5
Waking Life (Richard Linklater, 2001) 3
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2547906861/9ksg14tiovx412qhh6jk.jpeg
The Passion of Ayn Rand (Christopher Menual, 1999) 2.5
In Dreams (Neil Jordan, 1999) 2.5
Born to Be Bad (Nicholas Ray, 1950) 2+
Edge of America (Chris Eyre, 2003) 3
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8u13yzeH71rsjqaao1_500.jpg

[Mr Minio]

http://i40.tinypic.com/2qcqv0g.jpg
The Big Gundown (1966) - 4

A great spaghetti western from the member of the Trinity of Italian Western Geniuses. Lee van Cleef is badass as always, while Morricone provides an outstanding soundtrack. Have to say I completely love this genre!

http://i42.tinypic.com/egz5t2.jpg
Maborosi (1995) - 4

An amazing meditative drama and character study. It's my first Koreeda film and I am looking forward to his next ones!

http://i39.tinypic.com/w2ep3a.jpg
El Topo (1970) - 4.5

The rich symbolism and mystical oneiric atmosphere juxtaposed to bloody spaghetti western formulas as well as Biblical references in surreal sauce. "Acid western" is a great description of this movie.

http://i42.tinypic.com/nfib7l.jpg
Holy Mountain (1973) - 4

At first I was disgusted with insolent Christianity metaphors that felt sacrilegious and blasphemic. I understood them, but abhored. I was tempted to give this film 0.5, but I knew I had to watch the entire film to scold it. Then there was a scene portraying a company that makes guns for people of all religions. So they made a revolver for Buddhists (the revolver was hidden behind Buddha statue), Jews (the gun had the candlestick attached to it) and Christians (it had a cross attached to it). I was laughing out loud at the two first, but didn't laugh at the last one, which made me think. I mean, I am Christian and it was kind of rude I laughed at other religions, but not mine. So it was like, if you bash other religions it's ok with me, but don't touch mine. And then I thought this film indeed is pretty sacrilegious, but wasn't as offended as I used to be. Besides, later it turns into black comedy and satire with some funny elements to it, but never ceases to be incredibly bizarre. It has some kinky scenes and some disturbing ones as well. The ending was unexpected and simply briliant!

http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/131940/Film_446w_AutumnAfternoon.jpg?1331084357
An Autumn Afternoon (1962) - 4

My second meeting with Mr. Ozu and not significantly worse than the first one (Tokyo Story). It's incredible how a film, so minimalistic and simple can be so emotive. I smiled when they trolled him (don't wanna spoil anything) and was amazed with the warmth and brilliance of this little flick. I'm going to watch some silent Ozu now to complete Guapo's quest of a hipster.

http://i41.tinypic.com/33w8e2e.jpg
Caché (2005) - 4

My third Haneke was a nice surprise. Pretty solid film, interesting yet disturbing story and Juliette Binoche make for a four star film.

[jiraffejustin]

J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000) - I was expecting a lot more from this movie, but it was a let down.

Tetsuo, the Iron Man (1989) - Very bizarre film, but that is exactly the type of film I love. it was surreal and was edited in a very interesting way. There is not much in the way of a legible story, but it was all the better for it. I need to watch the sequel now.

Princess Mononoke (1997) - Another Ghibli film, another very enjoyable experience.

Zodiac (2007, rewatch) - Still very good. very well acted. Serial killers have always fascinated me, the Zodiac killer in particular.

It's not really movies, but I watched all of George Carlin's stand-up specials. We disagree in the religion department, but hearing his opinion on the subject is always interesting. It helps that he was also funny as hell. His strongest suit was just his ability to play with language though.

A Short Film About Killing (1988) - It got boring at times, but it was still a powerful film. It didn't really inspire me to see all 10 hours of The Decalogue though.

Brick (2005) - Juno for boys. I hate Juno. I hate Brick. The episodes that Rian Johnson directed for Breaking Bad are fantastic (The Fly in particular), but this sucked. Should I see Looper?

Kuroneko (1968) - Fantastic cinematography, but I had a hard time paying attention. It seems to be a problem I have with a lot of Japanese films of the era with similarly beautiful cinematography. The exception being The Human Condition trilogy and Kurosawa's work. Still a solid film that I would recommend to viewers who appreciate great black and white cinematography. The film's ending is spectacular as well, so sitting through some of the less exciting parts is worth it.

[mark f]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V2geixX9D2Y/ScZMPmHOJhI/AAAAAAAAAac/SQdKxXMME5Y/s400/once-2.jpg
Once (John Carney, 2006) 3
Destination Murder (Edward l. Cahn, 1950) 1.5
Armored Car Robbery (Richard Fleischer, 1950) 2+
The Princess and the Pirate (David Butler, 1944) 3
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhXwAKvO2BQ/T8PgR4isgrI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ZmeHupW1f5A/s1600/PrincessandthePirate.png
Blast from the Past (Hugh Wilson, 1999) 2.5+
Pirates of Tripoli (Felix E. Feist, 1955) 2+
The Beast of Hollow Mountain (Edward Nassour & Ismael Rodriguez, 1956) 2
Evil Under the Sun (Guy Hamilton, 1982) 3.5
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IEGO5RjyCw/UF2pfb2_FaI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/q61KDQqE-Nk/s400/1982+Nicholas+ClayEvil+under+the+Sun.JPG
Searching for Bobby Fischer (Steven Zaillian, 1993) 3-
Elmer Gantry (Richard Brooks, 1960) 5
Next Stop, Greenwich Village (Paul Mazursky, 1976) 4
Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005) 3
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/media/images/1755.jpg
The Anderson Tapes (Sidney Lumet, 1971) 3-
The Proposition (John Hillcoat. 2005) 2.5
The Net (Irwin Winkler, 1995) 2.5+
Robin and Marian (Richard Lester, 1976) 3.5-
http://renatofelix.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/robin-e-marian-02.jpg
June Bride (Bretaigne Windust, 1948) 2.5
Fitzwilly (Delbert Mann, 1967) 3
The Dead Pool (Buddy Van Horn, 1988) 3-
Love in the Afternoon (Billy Wilder, 1957) 3.5+
http://i500.listal.com/image/1730069/500full.jpg

[Mr Minio]

If they'd give you money for every movie you see, mark f would be a milionaire.

[honeykid]

And a long time ago, as well.

Music And Lyrics 3.5 - Despite the obvious reason for me to like this, it's just a nice, fun little rom-com. The rom feels a little forced and the com isn't particularly funny, but I like watching it and Drew's delightful.

Power, Money, Greed and Oil 3.5 - A slightly depressing documentary about the birth of Ghana's oil industry. It seems to be a fairly honest, as far as I know, and fair film, surprisingly so if you're used to the more agenda-driven documentaries that've become more prevalent since, the excellent, Bowling For Colombine. The depressing thing is, even with this even handed approach, none of the twists and turns surprise you and you know how this is going to end.

[edarsenal]

extra reps for mark f on Robin & Marian LOVE that flick!! Need to see that one again, been a few years
"I said, a BUCKET of wine!"

[Godoggo]

ParaNorman (2012 Chris Butler, Sam Fell) Second viewing didn't make this any better. When you put this up against similar animated movies (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, Corpse Bride, etc.) it fails miserably in comparison. Where those movies had characters and the world they inhabit rich in detail and imagination, the animation of ParaNorman is uncreative and bordering on ugly. It ends a lot stronger than it begins, but it's not enough. D

Sinister(2012 Scott Derrickson) Has a strong start, but as more and more of the story is revealed it just ends up dumb and more silly than scary. Sinister is so determined to have a twist (that you can see coming a mile away) , that it completely undoes any chance it had of being good. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a straight forward horror story as is with the case of something like Mama. D

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011 Sean Durkin) Elizabeth Olsen gives a strong performance that makes her one to watch for in my book. Well crafted and acted film. The only thing I'm not certain of is if the ambiguous ending helped or hurt the story, but it's still a really good film regardless. B

[jiraffejustin]

Spring Breakers (2012) - My favorite thing about this was James Franco as a more criminal RiFF RaFF. He was great, sadly the movie was not. It was actually pretty trashy, and Franco couldn't salvage it.

Ghostwatch (1992) - A one-off BBC program that is pretty much a TV movie regardless of what anybody says :p. It's also terrifying. It freaked me out. It's like Poltergeist combined with The Blair Witch Project. Except better than both.

The Straight Story (1999) - I liked it. It's weird in that it's not weird. The most bizarre opening credits I've ever seen "Walt Disney Pictures Presents...A Film By David Lynch"

V/H/S/2 (2013) - I still haven't seen the first V/H/S, but a friend of mine suggest we watch it. We live in different states, so we skyped while watching it. I might not fairly rate the film because it was a lot of fun watching a movie with my buddy again. But it did seem to be pretty good, and we enjoyed ourselves.

L.A. Confidential (1997) - I knew going in that this was well regarded, and thankfully it lived up to it's hype.

The Match Factory Girl (1990) - Clocking in at a measly 70 minutes, The Match Factory Girl still manages to punch you in the gut in a short time frame. There are no frills, just a straight-forward story that is really tragic. I think Mr. Minio would like this one.

Goodfellas (1990; rewatch) - Still really awesome. Ray Liotta's performance always seems to get better for me. Joe Pesci's is still sublime.

[The Gunslinger45]

Yeah I have A Straight Story in my to watch DVD pile. I will get to it later on in the weekend. It seems I choose the most normal movie for my final David Lynch feature.

[linespalsy]

Am I the only one who finds Straight Story genuinely disturbing (ie not just because "woah, Disney+Lynch")?

[Skepsis93]

Am I the only one who finds Straight Story genuinely disturbing (ie not just because "woah, Disney+Lynch")?

In what way?

[mark f]

Well, The Elephant Man was Mel Brooks + Lynch.

[The Gunslinger45]

I will admit it was strange when Merrick started doing his Marty Feldman impression but I liked it. :D

[linespalsy]

In what way?

Well it's partly just knowing Richard Farnsworth was dying of cancer and in real pain during filming, and would blow his brains out afterwards, but even on its own terms as a story the movie feels pretty painful to me.

All the vignettes are open-ended enough that you can think they end happily if you choose to. You can also interpret it as a bleaker personal journey into darkness than Apocalypse Now, because the main character is convincing as a guy who actually tries to do and see good things in the world but it's ultimately not in his control.

[Guaporense]

Princess Mononoke (1997) - Another Ghibli film, another very enjoyable experience.

The emotions generated by this movie were so powerful that I was unable to sleep for two days after I truly grasped this movie when I watched it for the second time. I don't understand why similar movies failed to touch me as remotely as strongly. Remains the most powerful emotional experience ever induced by a movie that I experienced.

[jiraffejustin]

The emotions generated by this movie were so powerful that I was unable to sleep for two days after I truly grasped this movie when I watched it for the second time. I don't understand why similar movies failed to touch me as remotely as strongly. Remains the most powerful emotional experience ever induced by a movie that I experienced.

I can't say that it hit me as hard as it did you, but I am certainly a fan. I've seen Totoro, Nausicaa, Kiki's Delivery Service, and now Mononoke, which Miyazaki do you suggest I go with next? I was thinking Porco Rosso.

[Brother Blue]

Rio Bravo (Hawks, 1959) 4.5
The Marriage of Maria Braun (Fassbinder, 1979) 4.5
The Act of Killing (Oppenheimer, 2012) 5
The Lady From Shanghai (Welles, 1947) 3.5
Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life (Herzog, 2011) 4
World War Z (Forster, 2013) 3
An Autumn Afternoon (Ozu, 1962) 5

[Brodinski]

***** I remember:

The Internship (2013, Levy): 2
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done (2009, Herzog): 2.5+
The Year of Living Dangerously (1982, Weir): 3.5
Heist (2001, Mamet): 3+

And a revisiting of some of Soderbergh's work:

Out of Sight (1998): 3.5
The Informant (2009): 3
Ché: Part I: 2.5+
Ché: Part II: 2.5
Full Frontal (2002): 2.5
Kafka (1991): 1.5+
Traffic (2000): 4.5
Magic Mike (2012): 4

[mark f]

Cannery Row (David S. Ward, 1982) 3
Mrs. Soffel (Gillian Armstrong, 1984) 3
The Sentinel (Michael Winner, 1977) 2.5
The Rock (Michael Bay, 1996) 3.5-
http://estrenos.com/fotogramas/large/la-roca.jpg
Murder, My Sweet (Edward Dmytryk, 1944) 2.5
The Eye (David Moreau & Xavier Palud, 2008) 2
Are Animals Actors? (No Director Listed, 1945 3-
The Hitcher (Robert Harmon, 1986) 3.5-
http://nonsonsolofilm.altervista.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Hitcher-1986-%E2%80%93-La-lunga-strada-della-paura-Rutger-Hauer.jpg
Lady in the Lake (Robert Montgomery, 1947) 2.5+
Mad Monster Party? (Jules Bass, 1967) 2.5
The Falcon in Hollywood (Gordon Douglas, 1944) 2
The Sea Hawk (Michael Curtiz, 1940) 3
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6qgeWVXWLfY/TTuLC5ShKEI/AAAAAAAABF0/kZs5WaZzA0U/s1600/Seabags.jpg
The Reef (Andrew Traucki, 2010) 2.5
In the Shadows (Ric Roman Waugh, 2001) 2
Misery (Rob Reiner, 1990) 3.5-
Cloud Atlas (Wachowski Sibs., Tom Tykwer, 2012) 3+
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc5loehEgr1qjqfcgo1_500.gif
Legend (Ridley Scott, 1985) Theatrical Release: 2.5 Director’s Cut: 3
Give a Girl a Break (Stanley Donen, 1953) 2.5
The Picasso Summer (Robert Sallin [& Serge Bourguignon], 1969) 1.5
Basic Instinct (Paul Verhoeven, 1992) 4-
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Basic_instinct_001.jpg

[donniedarko]

Nice to see Misery and Basic Instinct getting such high ratings from you.

[Guaporense]

I've seen Totoro, Nausicaa, Kiki's Delivery Service, and now Mononoke, which Miyazaki do you suggest I go with next? I was thinking Porco Rosso.

Pretty much. You can't go wrong with any of his movies from 1984 to 2004.

[Guaporense]

Les Miserables 1_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Les_Miserables_2012.jpg
Please, stop the songs, please... Though the film themes are very cool and stuff but the quality of the music was very poor. I don't generally like musicals very much but these songs were quite horrible. Sweeney Todd was much better (another relatively recent musical).

The Impossible 2_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/The_Impossible.jpg
Very standard disaster survival movie. It truly tries to manipulate your emotions with mixed results.

The Spirit of the Beehive 3_5 +
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Spirit_of_the_Beehive.jpg
A tale of cute Spanish speaking children and Frankenstein. Interesting how medieval like Spain still was in 1940. Indeed, it was the poorest major country in Western Europe at the time. The film is a study of childhood and remembered me of Fanny and Alexander in that regard.

Fanny and Alexander 5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Fanny_and_Alexander.jpg
Over 300 minutes of pure Bergman soap opera. I watched this on an extra large TV this time. One of the greatest TV series ever made. The heavy decoration in earth 20th century upper class European houses and apartments is also very impressive.

[Mr Minio]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eg04Zz3CERw/TET016VHAbI/AAAAAAAAEgw/-wB7ZxllazE/s400/Deep+Red.png
Argento's Deep Red was an eyecandy visually and an ultimate giallo camp stylistically.

The Piano Teacher (2001) - 4.5
The Woman Who Powders Herself (1972; short) - 4
Deep Red (1975) - 3.5
The Seventh Continent (1989) - 4.5
Cemetery wthout Crosses (1969) - 4
Few of Us (1996) - 4.5
Playtime (1967) - 3
+
Danger 5 (TV series) - 3
Luther (TV series) - 4

[Miss Vicky]

Les Miserables 1_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Les_Miserables_2012.jpg
Please, stop the songs, please... Though the film themes are very cool and stuff.


You did know this was a musical before you watched it, right? (Actually it's more of an opera than a musical, since there's virtually no spoken dialogue).

I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't like musicals either but that rating seems rather unfair.

[Godoggo]

I agree with you, Guap on Spirit of the Beehive, but Les Mis is a musical. ;)

I can see someone coming away from The Impossible with that critique, but I actually quite liked it. I thought the acting was really strong from the leads and Ewan McGregor surprised me with the amount of emotion he put into his role.

[Brodinski]

Les Miserables 1_5
http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Les_Miserables_2012.jpg
Please, stop the songs, please...

**** else did you expect when you started watching it?

[Guaporense]

You did know this was a musical before you watched it, right? (Actually it's more of an opera than a musical, since there's virtually no spoken dialogue).

I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't like musicals either but that rating seems rather unfair.

There are vastly better musicals (Sweeney Todd, for example). The songs were not good according to my tastes.

[Guaporense]

**** else did you expect when you started watching it?

Better songs. Of course. I though that was plain from the post.

[Miss Vicky]

There are vastly better musicals (Sweeney Todd, for example). The songs were not good according to my tastes.


Agree to disagree. I hated Sweeney Todd but was pleasantly surprised by Les Mis.

And obviously the intention of your statement wasn't that clear.

[Guaporense]

I can see someone coming away from The Impossible with that critique, but I actually quite liked it. I thought the acting was really strong from the leads and Ewan McGregor surprised me with the amount of emotion he put into his role.

The acting was very good. However, I though that the whole plot and writing felt a bit too transparent for me. Thus, the film failed to be effective: instead of feeling anything I was thinking about the intentions of the writer/director.

Competent acting is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a good movie.

[Guaporense]

Agree to disagree. I hated Sweeney Todd but was pleasantly surprised by Les Mis.

And obviously the intention of your statement wasn't that clear.

I edited it.

[Miss Vicky]

I edited it.

You always do.

[Godoggo]

The acting was very good. However, I though that the whole plot and writing felt a bit too transparent for me. Thus, the film failed to be effective: instead of feeling anything I was thinking about the intentions of the writer/director.

Competent acting is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a good movie.

There are other good things. The beginning was incredibly tense and shot extremely well. I also appreciate Bayona's examination of the strength of the family bond. He also did this well in The Orphanage which was superb and I like better, but overall I quite like Bayona's sensibilities and style and I hope he makes another movie soon.

[mark f]

Redemption Road (Mario Van Peebles, 2010) 2
Absentia (Mike Flanagan, 2011) 1.5+
The Bat (Crane Wilbur, 1959) 2
Atom Age Vampire (Anton Giulio Majano, 1960) 1.5-
http://25.media.tumblr.com/b7d31ffda11f48b39191975c7e8be7f3/tumblr_mlq5ivHJnc1r3nh4ho1_500.png
Last Woman on Earth (Roger Corman, 1960) 2
Face the Music (Carol Wiseman, 1993) 2
Hick (Derick Martini, 2012) 2.5
Tokyo Drifter (Seijun Suzuki, 1966) 2.5+ Cult Rating: 4
http://www.screenadventure.com/images/suzuki5001.jpg
The Skulls (Rob Cohen, 2000) 2
God's Country and the Woman (William Keighley, 1937) 2.5
About Adam (Gerard Stembridge, 2000) 2.5
Moontide (Archie Mayo, 1942) 2
http://bluemoviereviews.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/moontide-6.jpg?w=500
Tango & Cash (Andrey Konchalavskiy, 1989) 3
Air Force One (Wolfgang Petersen, 1997) 3+
The Pilot’s Wife (Robert Markowitz, 2002) 2.5
Zero Hour! (Hall Bartlett, 1957) 2 – source for Airplane!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/14694_451776858209495_617550105_n.jpg
The Sunshine Boys (Herbert Ross, 1975) 3.5-
The Goodbye Girl (Herbert Ross, 1977) 4-
California Suite (Herbert Ross, 1978) 3
Wings of the Morning (Harold D. Schuster, 1937) 2.5
http://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/styles/15_columns/public/image/wings-of-the-morning-1937-001-gypsy-dancer.jpg

[Mr Minio]

Tokyo Drifter (Seijun Suzuki, 1966) 2.5+ Cult Rating: 4 I rate it 3. It's got great cinematography and style, but I didn't find the story interesting.

[Sedai]

Safety Not Guaranteed (Trevorrow, 2012) 3_5


A small, character driven time-travel flick. Not too bad for a lil indie flick! Plaza was decent in the lead, but her range limits cropped up here and there.

http://content9.flixster.com/movie/11/16/73/11167331_800.jpg

[Skepsis93]

* = Rewatch

Fanny and Alexander (Ingmar Bergman, 1982) 4.5
Captures the intricacies of family, fantasy and the universality of the human experience in vivid detail the likes of which few films I've seen come close to, and is flawlessly designed and stunningly beautiful to look at. It is true for most films, I think, that multiple viewings are needed to really process it but that is particularly true here.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/Images/f_fanny_alexander.jpg

The King of Comedy (Martin Scorsese, 1982) 4+
Fascinating, superbly performed and darkly funny look at obsession, mental illness and the cult of celebrity.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/martin-scorsese-king-of-comedy-to-be-restored-for-tribeca-film-festival-closing.jpg

American Graffiti (George Lucas, 1973) 4
Sharply observed teen comedy/drama that evokes the era quite brilliantly. There are flashes of genius here.

Yes Man* (Peyton Reed, 2008) 4-
For those predisposed to Jim Carrey this is a good laugh.

All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950) 3.5
Very well acted and written but I didn't find myself drawn to it on an emotional level. Loved that final shot that suggests so brilliantly the nature of fame.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg, 1977) 3.5
More pure entertainment from Spielberg.

Black Narcissus (Emeric Powell & Michael Pressburger, 1947) 3.5-
A little bland, if I'm honest but it does pick up considerably as it moves along to a good finale, plus the Technicolor looks excellent.

[Mr Minio]

http://i41.tinypic.com/r7635v.jpg

L'Atalante - 3.5 - synchronised spasms of loneliness and diving in the search of soul - I am certain I'll rewatch it sometime and then bump the rating, but as for now it's OK.

Breathless - 4 - stylish and revolutionary, but slightly worse than the other two I've seen. Whets apetite for more Godard.

Funny Games - 4.5 - disturbing paradoxical satire against violence, where the violence itself is but a beginning and incentive to enter Haneke's game.

This Transient Life - 4.5 - an insight into incest relations between siblings, sexuality of a man, death and life, Hell and Heaven and for those not keen on ambitious cinema - kinky but restrained sex scenes.

Le révélateur - 4.5 - mesmerizing, breathtaking, fascinating! A jolt of pure cinematographical art hitting harder than a bunch of Technicolor ex-boxer wannabies. God, what am I talking about? Anyway, it's glorious.

[HitchFan97]

* = Rewatch

Fanny and Alexander (Ingmar Bergman, 1982) 4.5-
Captures the intricacies of family, fantasy and the universality of the human experience in vivid detail the likes of which few films I've seen come close to, and is flawlessly designed and stunningly beautiful to look at. It is true for most films, I think, that multiple viewings are needed to really process it but that is particularly true here.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/Images/f_fanny_alexander.jpg

Fanny and Alexander!! So glad you loved it. I totally agree with you on Black Narcissus as well.

[ThomasP]

http://www.room237movie.com/wp-content/themes/room237/images/background.jpg

Room 237 (Rodney Ascher, 2012) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/3.5box.gif - An interesting take on Kubrick's classic, although some of the ideas (namely that Kubrick filmed the moon landing) are a little too flamboyant for my liking. It definitely makes me want to watch The Shining again, and I'm sure I will always look at it differently because of this.

Man of Steel (Zack Snyder, 2013) http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif - I've yet to see a good Zack Snyder film, and this one is no different. Boring action sequences and a lot of desperate messages on hope and optimism, which sort of makes the film hypocritical, considering we're being given death and destruction for entertainment purposes.

Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif - Kick-Ass is violence's answer to kiddie porn.

Batman Begins (Christopher Nolan, 2005) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2.5box.gif - The follow-up to this film was so much better, which is probably why I didn't enjoy revisiting this.

Last Year at Marienbad (Alain Resnais, 1961) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif - For all its notoriety, this masterpiece among masterpieces has never really received its due.

[Mr Minio]

Last Year at Marienbad is one of my all-time favourites! +1

[Mingusings]

Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif - Kick-Ass is violence's answer to kiddie porn.

I think the Dark Knight is way more violent than Kick-Ass.

[ThomasP]

I think the Dark Knight is way more violent than Kick-Ass.


Really? What makes you say that?

[Mingusings]

Really? What makes you say that?

For me, the level of violence I can handle does not come down to the amount of gore or the body count, instead it comes down to the tone of the film. I always have two quotes that pretty much sum up my opinion on this subject, one of these quotes ironically comes from Matthew Vaughn.

"Films can imply some pretty horrible violence without showing it. I think ‘The Dark Knight’ was darker and more violent than ‘Kick-Ass’ in a psychological sense. When the Joker started playing with his knife, it made you look away from the screen. In ‘Kick-Ass,’ you’re laughing at the violence and enjoying it for its silliness. You’re not thinking ‘Eeww! That’s disgusting!"
-Matthew Vaughn

"Gangsta comes in many forms. You can watch a movie like Die Hard, which is full of violence that’s in your face. But if you watch a movie like The Godfather, the violence is subtle - it’s in a word, a nod, a gesture. I think you walk out of Die Hard and leave something in the theater. With Godfather, you walk out with something put in you."
-The RZA

[donniedarko]

Rewatch: Eraserhead (1977, Lynch)

As I turn on Eraserhead my heart immediately starts thumping, I last watched this two years ago with a buddy of mine and was practically muted once it was done. For awhile I proclaimed it as my favorite movie (it's still close) and practically followed it as a religion. I believe subconsciously I was putting off this watch out of the pure terror I was in when I first watched it. This time it was far scarier, watching it alone, shivering from the opening moment. This is the greatest horror film ever created, since even the most regular moments terrify me. This is pure surrealism, the greatest accomplishment in David Lynch's filmography, and he has plenty of gems in there.

Every scene is memorable whether it's the chickens or the earser head it self. Like many of Lynch's works people spend time and energy figuring out what it all means. Apparently this is inspired by one line in the bible, but I doubt even Lynch knew what he was trying to say in some scenes. I'm almost positive this film has to do with the sexual revolution, though. Here are some of my many theories: the chicken scene represent the defloweration of a woman, the scary rashed up reapearing man is the baby grown up all mistreated, the woman of the dreams represents contraception as she squashes sperm cells. I have more ideas on what this all means but those are the main ones that I am stuck on.

Perhaps more important than Lynch was Jack Nance as Henry. He comes back in many later Lynch films like Blue Velvet and Lost Highway, but his centered performance here is unforgettable. He has an incredibly creepy vibe to him, he's a highly awkward man, but perhaps the most normal character. That is if you take out his mutualism. We really only see him upset once, when his neighbor brings back another man to her house. Which in my opinion is another representation of the sexual revolution, as it shows casual sex becoming the norm. Indeed even Henry was part of this trend, sleeping with Mary not thinking a baby was even possible. But the older generation still insists he marries her.

Each scene in this film seems like it happened hours ago once the next one starts playing. I don't know why I feel this way but it just feels like so much time elapsed between the scenes. The film is in no way elongated though, it's a film that I wouldn't care if it lasted twice the running time. But at the same time the 90 minutes was more than efficient, even though when the movie credits begin rolling, it feels as if I just sat down. This is a highly disturbing, metaphorical, and intense horror. It is the most frightening of works. The images stay I'm your head and the mood remains in your surroundings.

5

[Daniel M]

Great write up Donny, not seen it yet, been putting it off for some reason - not because I don't think it'll be great, because I really do think I'll love it. I think I might finally give it a long awaited watch tonight. I would recommend Twin Peaks to you by the way as a Lynch fan, that also has Jack Nance in a small role.

On the theme of sexual revolution I read an article once about the theme of sexuality in Blue Velvet, and how the film was itself a warning against sex, relationships etc. in the changing late 20th century, and also how it was to do with AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

[donniedarko]

Great write up Donny, not seen it yet, been putting it off for some reason - not because I don't think it'll be great, because I really do think I'll love it. I think I might finally give it a long awaited watch tonight. I would recommend Twin Peaks to you by the way as a Lynch fan, that also has Jack Nance in a small role.

On the theme of sexual revolution I read an article once about the theme of sexuality in Blue Velvet, and how the film was itself a warning against sex, relationships etc. in the changing late 20th century, and also how it was to do with AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

Thanks Daniel. I have Twin Peaks in my Netflix Queue, I might even start it tonight. Idk though that much Lynch in a row might lead to an overload
http://www.victusspiritus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/scanners_exploding_head.gif
Anyone know where this gif is from btw?

I don't think I've read that specific theory on Blue Velvet. It might be the coolest P.S.A. Made though if it really is just a warning of the aids epidemic.

[Mingusings]

^gif might be from Scanners. Not 100% sure though.

[Daniel M]

Thanks Daniel. I have Twin Peaks in my Netflix Queue, I might even start it tonight. Idk though that much Lynch in a row might lead to an overload
http://www.victusspiritus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/scanners_exploding_head.gif
Anyone know where this gif is from btw?

I don't think I've read that specific theory on Blue Velvet. It might be the coolest P.S.A. Made though if it really is just a warning of the aids epidemic.

Sorry Donnie but what do you mean by PSA, I think I might be being stupid here :p

And I'm pretty sure that GIF is a famous scene from David Cronenberg's Scanners, I haven't seen the film, but I'm pretty sure.

[The Gunslinger45]

^gif might be from Scanners. Not 100% sure though.

You are correct. It is Scanners by David Cronenberg.

[donniedarko]

^gif might be from Scanners. Not 100% sure though.
Thank you, and thank you Gunslinger for confirming

Sorry Donnie but what do you mean by PSA, I think I might be being stupid here

Public Service Announcment

[The Gunslinger45]

Rewatch: Eraserhead (1977, Lynch)

As I turn on Eraserhead my heart immediately starts thumping, I last watched this two years ago with a buddy of mine and was practically muted once it was done. For awhile I proclaimed it as my favorite movie (it's still close) and practically followed it as a religion. I believe subconsciously I was putting off this watch out of the pure terror I was in when I first watched it. This time it was far scarier, watching it alone, shivering from the opening moment. This is the greatest horror film ever created, since even the most regular moments terrify me. This is pure surrealism, the greatest accomplishment in David Lynch's filmography, and he has plenty of gems in there.

Every scene is memorable whether it's the chickens or the earser head it self. Like many of Lynch's works people spend time and energy figuring out what it all means. Apparently this is inspired by one line in the bible, but I doubt even Lynch knew what he was trying to say in some scenes. I'm almost positive this film has to do with the sexual revolution, though. Here are some of my many theories: the chicken scene represent the defloweration of a woman, the scary rashed up reapearing man is the baby grown up all mistreated, the woman of the dreams represents contraception as she squashes sperm cells. I have more ideas on what this all means but those are the main ones that I am stuck on.

Perhaps more important than Lynch was Jack Nance as Henry. He comes back in many later Lynch films like Blue Velvet and Lost Highway, but his centered performance here is unforgettable. He has an incredibly creepy vibe to him, he's a highly awkward man, but perhaps the most normal character. That is if you take out his mutualism. We really only see him upset once, when his neighbor brings back another man to her house. Which in my opinion is another representation of the sexual revolution, as it shows casual sex becoming the norm. Indeed even Henry was part of this trend, sleeping with Mary not thinking a baby was even possible. But the older generation still insists he marries her.

Each scene in this film seems like it happened hours ago once the next one starts playing. I don't know why I feel this way but it just feels like so much time elapsed between the scenes. The film is in no way elongated though, it's a film that I wouldn't care if it lasted twice the running time. But at the same time the 90 minutes was more than efficient, even though when the movie credits begin rolling, it feels as if I just sat down. This is a highly disturbing, metaphorical, and intense horror. It is the most frightening of works. The images stay I'm your head and the mood remains in your surroundings.

5

Excellent review! I remember my first time watching Eraserhead. I had no idea what the hell was going on, but I knew it scared the crap out of me! And it still holds up after repeat viewings! I also love that Lynch's films are like little puzzles and he gives you just enough pieces to figure it out. Pretty much mandating repeat viewings. I love that!

[HitchFan97]

On the theme of sexual revolution I read an article once about the theme of sexuality in Blue Velvet, and how the film was itself a warning against sex, relationships etc. in the changing late 20th century, and also how it was to do with AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

That's a unique interpretation, do you have a link to the article? I'd love to read it.

Donnie, nice write-up. Hope you love Twin Peaks as much as I do :D

[mark f]

I rate [Tokyo Drifter] 3. It's got great cinematography and style, but I didn't find the story interesting.
Suzuki is a maverick with style to burn, so there's always a reason to watch his films. So far, I think I like Branded to Kill, Fighting Elegy and Youth of the Beast the best. He recently turned 90.

[donniedarko]

Thanks Gunslinger and Hitchfan. I like the puzzle analogy, I'm sure there will always be missing pieces though :)

[The Gunslinger45]

Thanks Gunslinger and Hitchfan. I like the puzzle analogy, I'm sure there will always be missing pieces though :)

That allows these movies to be open to interpretation. Because my take on Blue Velvet was WAY different to the whole AIDS thing! :D

[Daniel M]

That's a unique interpretation, do you have a link to the article? I'd love to read it.

Donnie, nice write-up. Hope you love Twin Peaks as much as I do :D

Honestly, I've tried googling it but I can't find anything, but I swear I read it somewhere. Was ages ago and I've seen the film a few times since.

It was basically talking about the film as a sexual warning following the aids epidemic of the 1980s.

This is my thoughts: Frank's character is full of sexual desire, and his exploration in to the mystery underworld is like an analogy representing how people delve and explore different sexual desires, but their are frightening consequences and not everything is as romantic and sexual as it appears on the outside. We see Frank looking in on Rossellini's character at first and the two together instantly seem to have quite a hot sexual chemistry, Frank is young and curious, she is experienced but damaged, then there is revealed to be many layers and lots of explanation behind the sexuality of Rosselini's character and why she is the way she is, as is almost instantly revealed with the shocking sexual scene with here and Frank.

That's not what the review/article said, by the way, about the specific scene, but I was interested in it and when you analyse the film as a whole and apply the theory to that introduction to the characters of Frank and Dorothy, it becomes interesting and you can see how the point can be expressed.

[The Gunslinger45]

Honestly, I've tried googling it but I can't find anything, but I swear I read it somewhere. Was ages ago and I've seen the film a few times since.

It was basically talking about the film as a sexual warning following the aids epidemic of the 1980s.

This is my thoughts: Frank's character is full of sexual desire, and his exploration in to the mystery underworld is like an analogy representing how people delve and explore different sexual desires, but their are frightening consequences and not everything is as romantic and sexual as it appears on the outside. We see Frank looking in on Rossellini's character at first and the two together instantly seem to have quite a hot sexual chemistry, Frank is young and curious, she is experienced but damaged, then there is revealed to be many layers and lots of explanation behind the sexuality of Rosselini's character and why she is the way she is, as is almost instantly revealed with the shocking sexual scene with here and Frank.

That's not what the review/article said, by the way, about the specific scene, but I was interested in it and when you analyse the film as a whole and apply the theory to that introduction to the characters of Frank and Dorothy, it becomes interesting and you can see how the point can be expressed.

Are you talking about Frank Booth (Dennis Hooper) or Jeffery Beaumont (Kyle McLachlan) with the whole sexual awakening? Cuz Boothe comes off more rapey.

[Daniel M]

Are you talking about Frank Booth (Dennis Hooper) or Jeffery Beaumont (Kyle McLachlan) with the whole sexual awakening? Cuz Boothe comes off more rapey.

Jeffrey represents the innocent side of sex, young and curious, he's eager and wants to delve in to and explore the world, unaware of the harsh realities and consequences. Frank is the harsh reality and consequences of sex, he represents the evil, malicious , bad side.

[The Gunslinger45]

Jeffrey represents the innocent side of sex, young and curious, he's eager and wants to delve in to and explore the world, unaware of the harsh realities and consequences. Frank is the harsh reality and consequences of sex, he represents the evil, malicious , bad side.

I see where you are coming from.

[donniedarko]

Jeffrey represents the innocent side of sex, young and curious, he's eager and wants to delve in to and explore the world, unaware of the harsh realities and consequences. Frank is the harsh reality and consequences of sex, he represents the evil, malicious , bad side.

Pretty much how I see it. I remember I compared Jeffery to Ben in The Graduate, both awkward and niave on what they're getting into. I guess you could compare Mrs Robinson to Dorothy, but a far less sinister one.

[HitchFan97]

Pretty much how I see it. I remember I compared Jeffery to Ben in The Graduate, both awkward and niave on what they're getting into. I guess you could compare Mrs Robinson to Dorothy, but a far less sinister one.

Holy crap, they are really similar! I definitely agree with the interpretation of Blue Velvet as a sexual awakening/coming of age story - the best and most disturbing one ever made, for my money. I've also always seen it as the definitive battle of good vs evil; Jeffrey and Frank really are two sides of the same coin, and the film is just as much about Jeffrey's internal conflict as the one he has with Frank.

[The Gunslinger45]

Holy crap, they are really similar! I definitely agree with the interpretation of Blue Velvet as a sexual awakening/coming of age story - the best and most disturbing one ever made, for my money. I've also always seen it as the definitive battle of good vs evil; Jeffrey and Frank really are two sides of the same coin, and the film is just as much about Jeffrey's internal conflict as the one he has with Frank.

I tend to go with this interpretation as well. But yeah I see the coming of age story too. Adding more reasons for me to love this movie.

[Daniel M]

Blue Velvet is definitely a tale of good versus evil. Take out the sexual part of the analysis I made and it still makes sense to life in general with Jeffrey being young and naive to the world and Frank representing the harsh/realities and dangers of it. It's a warning of evil and the world, not just sex, but I do believe that Lynch might have had something to say specifically about sex/AIDS.

[donniedarko]

The rest...

MASH (Altman, 1970): This is considered an American comedy classic but for me it's just another boring Altman flick. My laugh count during the whole movie was at 1. 2-

Wedding Rehersal (1932,Korda): Review in my thread 1.5
Private Life of Henry VIII (1933, Korda): Review in my thread 2-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And last second 90s watching...

The Red Violin (Girard, 1998): The film is kind of hard to follow as it goes through so many stories, placed, and times. It does represent the life of an antique well and has a great score. 3

Man on the Moon (Forman, 1999): This rating is highly generous but I did consider this a touching and a funny movie. I wasn't alive during the Kaufmann era so didn't know much about him coming in, but looking at some YouTube clips, this does recreate his antics well. 4--

Underground (Kusturica, 1995): I was lucky to find this at my local library because i didn't think I'd be able to watch it on time. It doesn't feel three hours long, it a has a lively circus-like setting to it. The last 30 minutes were fantasic 3.5+

Americn Beauty (Mendes, 1999): Awesome film! American Beauty has great black humor and is one of the funniest movies classified as drama. Kevin Spacey as Lester is a perfect combination, and this is a great multi-layered story. Happy I caught this Best Picture winner on time. 4+

The Player (Altman, 1992): Two comedies later I remember why I don't like Altman. His style is boring, and despite my love for The Long Goodbye, the rest hasn't been anything appealing. During the first act I thought I'd like this, but it was to anti-climatic and obvious after that. 2.5

[The Gunslinger45]

The rest...

MASH (Altman, 1970): This is considered an American comedy classic but for me it's just another boring Altman flick. My laugh count during the whole movie was at 1. 2-

Wedding Rehersal (1932,Korda): Review in my thread 1.5
Private Life of Henry VIII (1933, Korda): Review in my thread 2-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And last second 90s watching...

The Red Violin (Girard, 1998): The film is kind of hard to follow as it goes through so many stories, placed, and times. It does represent the life of an antique well and has a great score. 3

Man on the Moon (Forman, 1999): This rating is highly generous but I did consider this a touching and a funny movie. I wasn't alive during the Kaufmann era so didn't know much about him coming in, but looking at some YouTube clips, this does recreate his antics well. 4--

Underground (Kusturica, 1995): I was lucky to find this at my local library because i didn't think I'd be able to watch it on time. It doesn't feel three hours long, it a has a lively circus-like setting to it. The last 30 minutes were fantasic 3.5+

Americn Beauty (Mendes, 1999): Awesome film! American Beauty has great black humor and is one of the funniest movies classified as drama. Kevin Spacey as Lester is a perfect combination, and this is a great multi-layered story. Happy I caught this Best Picture winner on time. 4+

The Player (Altman, 1992): Two comedies later I remember why I don't like Altman. His style is boring, and despite my love for The Long Goodbye, the rest hasn't been anything appealing. During the first act I thought I'd like this, but it was to anti-climatic and obvious after that. 2.5

Dude you got more out of MASH then I did. My laugh count was zero.

[donniedarko]

Guess I'm a lucky one. I laughed at this part:

Hotlips O'Houlihan: [to Father Mulcahy, referring to Hawkeye] I wonder how a degenerated person like that could have reached a position of responsibility in the Army Medical Corps!
Father Mulcahy: [looks up from his Bible] He was drafted.

[Guaporense]

* = Rewatch

Fanny and Alexander (Ingmar Bergman, 1982) 4.5
Captures the intricacies of family, fantasy and the universality of the human experience in vivid detail the likes of which few films I've seen come close to, and is flawlessly designed and stunningly beautiful to look at. It is true for most films, I think, that multiple viewings are needed to really process it but that is particularly true here.

Watch the TV version, it is significantly better.

[Guaporense]

Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2box.gif - Kick-Ass is violence's answer to kiddie porn.

What? It's awesome to watch a 10 year old girl killing people with SMG's and swords. One of the best superhero movies I ever watched.

Batman Begins (Christopher Nolan, 2005) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/2.5box.gif - The follow-up to this film was so much better, which is probably why I didn't enjoy revisiting this.

I agree that it is quite weak.

Last Year at Marienbad (Alain Resnais, 1961) - http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif - For all its notoriety, this masterpiece among masterpieces has never really received its due.

Now that I watched Playtime I understand why you liked this so much.

[Skepsis93]

Dude you got more out of MASH then I did. My laugh count was zero.

Guess I'm a lucky one. I laughed at this part:

Hotlips O'Houlihan: [to Father Mulcahy, referring to Hawkeye] I wonder how a degenerated person like that could have reached a position of responsibility in the Army Medical Corps!
Father Mulcahy: [looks up from his Bible] He was drafted.

Either of you guys ever seen the show? I can see why someone might not like the film but I'll defend the series forever.

[donniedarko]

:nope:

[Skepsis93]

Check it out. You probably don't need to watch from the start if you don't want to, I personally think it's at its best from season 4 onwards once Trapper and Col. Blake leave and the show starts transitioning from straight comedy to comedy/drama. The film and the show are pretty different thanks to Altman's lack of involvement, you might be encouraged to hear. :p There are some really special episodes and the show is consistently funny, I think.

[Upton]

I didn't fully embrace Altman until I saw Short Cuts, which I think is the best showcase for the style people most associate him with. After that, I did a bit of a 180 on some of the ones I wasn't crazy about before like MASH, The Player and Nashville; though still none of those are favorites of mine.

Funniest Altman movies, in order, are

1) The Long Goodbye
2) Popeye
3) California Split
4) Brewster McCloud

[BlueLion]

Midnight Cowboy (1969) 3.5+
One of the most depressing films I've watched. It isn't just depressing, it's also very dark and extremely sad. Very powerful stuff. Was Dustin Hoffman even acting?

Horton Hears a Who! (2008) 3.5+
Usually animated movies (especially like this one) tend to consist of annoying characters/scenes here and there. From this one I cannot recall any. Loved the colors, and the movie was quite funny and enjoyable.

Raising Arizona (1987) 3.5+
Stupid but rather enjoyable Coen brothers comedy.

Annie Hall (1977) & Manhattan (1979) 3.5
Is Woody Allen the nicest guy in all of cinema? I've no idea how he is like in real life, but you can't not like him in these two films, although he talks probably more than he should. Annie Hall and Manhattan are both enjoyable and they get a solid 7 from me, but as romantic films for me they simply do not work. "Why?", one might ask. For the simple reason that the Woody Allen-Diane Keaton relationships seemed like genuine relationships of two friends, but not romantic couples. They just didn't seem like they were in love with each other, in both films. I would say I liked Manhattan better although the ending could've been better.

For a Few Dollars More (1965) 4.5
Even though I posted about this in the 'Rate the last movie you saw' thread, I feel it deserves a post here as well. This was the best western I've seen by far, Clint Eastwood oozes extreme coolness and this time I truly felt in love with his character. For a Few Dollars More is much better than both A Fistful of Dollars and Once Upon a Time in the West, and now I am really looking forward to the last film of the trilogy, and I think I am gonna love it.

[JayDee]

Check it out. You probably don't need to watch from the start if you don't want to, I personally think it's at its best from season 4 onwards once Trapper and Col. Blake leave and the show starts transitioning from straight comedy to comedy/drama. The film and the show are pretty different thanks to Altman's lack of involvement, you might be encouraged to hear. :p There are some really special episodes and the show is consistently funny, I think.

I'm with Skepsy 100% on this. The TV show is one of the all time great sitcoms with some of the most iconic characters ever put on the small screen.

[Upton]

Is Woody Allen the nicest guy in all of cinema? I've no idea how he is in real life, but you can't not like him in these two films, although he talks probably more than he should.

Eh, his "character" is super self-centered in those two movies but I guess if you're trying desperately to make someone happy just so they'll like you, you're still trying to make people happy. Most selfless and lovable Woody is Broadway Danny Rose.

I would say I liked Manhattan better although the ending could've been better.Crazy talk. The smile he flashes Mariel Hemingway at the end when she tells him to have a little faith in people is probably the greatest thing he's done his whole life.

[BlueLion]

Crazy talk. The smile he flashes Mariel Hemingway at the end when she tells him to have a little faith in people is probably the greatest thing he's done his whole life.

Why did it end so suddenly, though? I am not saying I didn't like that scene. But it just happened so quickly, in fact, everything in these two films happens so quickly. It's like the total opposite of slow motion. Woody should've just slowed down a little.

[The Gunslinger45]

Either of you guys ever seen the show? I can see why someone might not like the film but I'll defend the series forever.

The series was actually funny.

[edarsenal]

i'm a big fan of early M*A*S*H and still love the movie, though the whole football game was strange to have in the movie, even read hooker's books that it came from, very funny reading.

did an aardman double feature

Flushed Away 4.5 Some excellent voice work from some great actors (Ian McKellen, Nighy, Jean Reno at the top of the list, though, honestly, across the board). funny, well-written, and very well done.

Chicken Run 4 chickens trying to escape Tweedy's Farm with a great salute to The Great Escape in the opening.

Bay Rong aka Clash (Vietnam) 4.5 in the past few years i have really been delving deep into Korean, Vietnam action movies. Along with china and japan there is a beauty, style and elegance to the cinema and the storylines are well done and they don't sugar coat.
http://www.brutalashell.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/clash_01.jpg

[Miss Vicky]

+rep for the Aardman flicks. Love them both.

[Mingusings]

Volver (2006): 3- Great characters and interesting premise, but painfully slow at times

Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS (1975): 2_5- Average exploitation flick with tons of violence and sex to make it watchable

Ted (2013): 3 Very funny at times but the drama and suspense scenes really bring the film down

They Live (1988): 2+ A film with a lot of good ideas, but even more bad ones; so incredibly dumb at times

Fast Five (2011): 3- Passable action film with some really cool moments; too many plot holes

The Purge (2013): 1+ The idea of a night where all crime is legal as a way to "get all the crime out of everyone" sounds like an idea devised by a 6 year old. I could have gotten past this premise if the film ended up being good; it wasn't.

Chained (2012): 3+ Very fresh horror film from the daughter of David Lynch, despite it taking the traditional horror route in the final act

Trance (2013): 3 Although it is a mess, it's intriguing and entertaining.

Kick-Ass (2010): 4 After my 4th viewing, I still firmly believe this is the best superhero movie ever made. Not only is it more fun and entertaining than any of the DC or Marvel movies, it's emotional. Perfect combination of action, laughs, and heart.

[edarsenal]

MirrorMask 3.5 a cerebral and visually alluring movie by the Jim Henson company.
http://files.myopera.com/hazez/blog/2005_mirrormask_006.jpg

[Miss Vicky]

So I got bored, really bored, and for sheer lack of anything better to do, I found Only Yesterday online and watched it (despite saying that I would not watch it)

I didn’t like it. Just as in Grave of the Fireflies, I felt very much disconnected from the characters as a result of the animation and this disconnect was compounded by some of the facial expressions of the characters that were just, well, creepy. Also the 5th grade version Tae-Ko was really, really annoying.

But that wasn’t even really the main reason I didn’t like the movie. I didn’t like it because it falls into that sort of Under the Tuscan Sun/A Good Year city-dweller-goes-to-the-country-and-finds-their-true-self type of film that I have never liked, animated or otherwise. It just doesn’t appeal to me – that sort of romanticizing of country/simple life. Not my cup of tea. I'm sticking with my gut next time and avoiding anything that gives me that "you're not going to like it" vibe.

2.5

[Mr Minio]

I was supposed to watch Spirited Away, but I've seen two other films instead. I've already got it, so it's only a matter of time.

[mark f]

Caesar and Cleopatra (Gabriel Pascal, 1945) 2.5
Topaz (Alfred Hitchcock, 1969) 2-
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (Simon Wincer, 1991) 2.5
Thief (Michael Mann, 1981) 3
http://cinenthusiast.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/thief.png
The Dead Zone (David Cronenberg, 1983) 3-
Lifeforce (Tobe Hooper, 1985) 2.5
The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (Budd Boetticher, 1960) 2
Grace of My Heart (Allison Anders, 1996) 2.5+
http://www.jamesrocchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/grace-of-my-heart2.jpg
An American Haunting (Courtney Solomon, 2005) 2.5
The Split (Gordon Flemyng, 1968) 2.5
Chandler (Paul Magwood, 1971) 2
Major Dundee (Sam Peckinpah, 1965) 2.5
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q534/GaiderDraco7/MajorDundee02_zps5f8df2b4.jpg
Hoffman (Alvin Rakoff, 1970) 2.5
With Six You Get Eggroll (Howard Morris, 1968) 2.5+
And So They Were Married (Elliott Nugent,1936) 2.5
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1974) 3
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/ali-fear-eats-the-soul/w448/ali-fear-eats-the-soul.jpg?1333963237
You Can Count On Me (Kenneth Lonergan, 2000) 3.5-
Scarface (Brian De Palma, 1983) 3
The Scarlet Coat (John Sturges, 1955) 2.5
Night Shift (Ron Howard, 1982) 3.5
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma1nfidm751qa4v5yo1_500.gif

[Mr Minio]

I guess some of them are rewatches, aren't they?

[mark f]

At this point in time, most of the movies I watch are rewatches. :)

[Used Future]

* = re-watches.

The Player (Robert Altman, 1992) 3
* The Last Picture Show (Peter Bogdanovich, 1971) 4.5
Nickelodeon (Peter Bogdanovich, 1976) 2.5
* Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979) 4+
Running Scared (Peter Hyams, 1986) 2
Ransom (Ron Howard, 1996) 3

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/player_ver1_zpsb6c9a921.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/ravenous_ver1_zpsab812e56.jpg

Payback (Brian Helgeland, 1999) 2.5
Phantoms (Joe Chapelle, 1998) 2.5++
* Ravenous (Antonia Bird, 1999) 3.5+
The Negotiator (F. Gary Gray, 1998) 3
In the Electric Mist (Bertrand Tavernier, 2009) 2.5

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/last_picture_show_ver3_xlg_zps14d3f720.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/GialloFunk/600full-phantoms-poster_zps8c43134a.jpg

[Godoggo]

Glad to see Ravenous get a good rating. I always thought it was an under appreciated movie. I know Deadite likes it and maybe a few other people here, but I had heard horrible things about it before I actually saw it. I thought it was great.

*crap! I just realized it's a 90's movie. Damn, it probably would have made my list too.

[Guaporense]

Kick-Ass (2010): 4 After my 4th viewing, I still firmly believe this is the best superhero movie ever made. Not only is it more fun and entertaining than any of the DC or Marvel movies, it's emotional. Perfect combination of action, laughs, and heart.

Indeed. Very close to my favorite superhero movie (after Watchmen).

[Guaporense]

So I got bored, really bored, and for sheer lack of anything better to do, I found Only Yesterday online and watched it (despite saying that I would not watch it)

I didn’t like it. Just as in Grave of the Fireflies, I felt very much disconnected from the characters as a result of the animation and this disconnect was compounded by some of the facial expressions of the characters that were just, well, creepy.

Even though you have an animation in your top 10 you don't recognize animation as a powerful artform.

Also the 5th grade version Tae-Ko was really, really annoying.

I found it nearly perfectly realistic. Realistically portrayed children are "annoying" like real children. More realistic than, for instance, the rather cold children of Fanny and Alexander.

But that wasn’t even really the main reason I didn’t like the movie. I didn’t like it because it falls into that sort of Under the Tuscan Sun/A Good Year city-dweller-goes-to-the-country-and-finds-their-true-self type of film that I have never liked, animated or otherwise. It just doesn’t appeal to me – that sort of romanticizing of country/simple life. Not my cup of tea. I'm sticking with my gut next time and avoiding anything that gives me that "you're not going to like it" vibe.

At least you now understand that anime is incredibly varied. I personally don't care very much about the theme of a film but the execution. And I found the execution of this movie very, very powerful.

[Miss Vicky]

Even though you have an animation in your top 10 you don't recognize animation as a powerful artform.

Yes, I do recognize it. You and I just have different taste in animation. Just as we have different tastes in movies in general and in music. Doesn't make one superior to the other.


I found it nearly perfectly realistic. Realistically portrayed children are "annoying" like real children. More realistic than, for instance, the rather cold children of Fanny and Alexander.

I never said it was unrealistic. I said it was annoying. Real children are annoying and so I found this child annoying as well.


At least you now understand that anime is incredibly varied. I personally don't care very much about the theme of a film but the execution. And I found the execution of this movie very, very powerful.

I rate movies mainly based on how well they were able to entertain me. If I don't care for the theme of the film, I'm more likely to get bored. Boredom = low rating.