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Turbo Kid reminded me of one of my fav sci fi B movies,Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983) It has the same basic story and even has the same Michael Ironside.
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The 2nd Science Fiction Hall of Fame
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I'm suddenly expecting to hate this a lot less than I originally thought. While Spacehunter isn't exactly my favorite it's solid B-movie that I like well enough.
I thought the exact same thing. I was actually going to mention that you might like my nomination because of the similarities, but I didn't want to jinx it haha.
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I also considered Dark Star a sci fi black comedy. I had seen that as a kid and liked it so I rewatched it a week before the HoF as a possible nom. It's directed by John Carpenter and written by the guy who wrote Alien. It's interesting but more like a D budget student film and the acting is bad to passable...still fun though.
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I also rewatched Dark Star, a day or two before I decided to go with Turbo Kid as my nomination. Are we the same person? haha
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Coherence
This was the film I was planning on nominating, so imagine my disappointment and happy surprise when it was already nominated. The same thing happened when I wanted to nominate something for the horror HoF. Damn you people.
In these HoF's I usually try to go for the non-obvious choices. When I see a Sci/Fi HoF, I don't go ahead and nominate The Thing or Alien or 2001...I tend to go for movies that not get as much recognition, are still really good and ones I think deserved to be seen by more people. Coherence is a perfect example of this.
A film like this, with a small budget, relies heavily on writing and acting. The acting or the most part here is solid. A bunch of people acting confused isn't too hard to do. It helps when some characters are ahead of you, while others are far behind. It adds to the mystery the film wants to present.
The second is the writing and Coherence benefits from a strong concept that centres on one location. Shot in his own house in 5 days on a shoe-string budget, the film blew past my expectations and is a genuine surprise. I hope people really respond to this one.
Byrkit wanted conduct an experiment, Coherence is the result. The test was to shoot a film with no crew and no script for the actors. So each actor was given a paragraph for the specific scene and their goal was to achieve whatever was on that paper. For example, one actor was told he had to leave the house to investigate outside, another actor was told to make sure the guy doesn't leave the house no matter what. The rest is improvisation on the actors. Most of the dialogue is improv, which provides a more causal atmosphere.
A great nomination, nothing more to add from me.
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What I actually said to win MovieGal's heart:
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~Mr Minio
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I also rewatched Dark Star, a day or two before I decided to go with Turbo Kid as my nomination. Are we the same person? haha
SERIOUS alter ego scenarios going on, I think! Or the premise of a Twilight Zone episode for sure.
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CosmicRunaway, Citizen Rules . . .
SERIOUS alter ego scenarios going on, I think! Or the premise of a Twilight Zone episode for sure.
SERIOUS alter ego scenarios going on, I think! Or the premise of a Twilight Zone episode for sure.
dun dun dunnn..
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Aliens
Newt: We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.
I have loved this film since it first came out in the theaters and, yes, the Drive-Ins. After the intensity of the first film, it was, and remains, pretty amazing that they took all the thrills and intense situations of Alien and cranked it up so incredibly high without going over the limit to ridiculousness.
After these two first films, it is no wonder why this became as huge a franchise as it did. Creating two styles of Sci fi within one world. Using the same style of cinematography of slow scans of interiors, keeping things and situations nearly claustrophobic as the one solitary alien xenomorph is now a whole colonization of them against a very small group of colonial marines. Taking the horror aspect of the first and kicking up the action to an adrenaline overdose.
This film delivers on all levels and cylinders. A tight script with countless quotable lines, some amazing sets and camerawork that takes it all in while the lighting and angles set the mood as the soundtrack incites the heart to pumping as the action cuts loose and does not let up.
All of this is grounded by characters we care about and cheer for, and one or two we boo with equal pleasure.
An absolute popcorn devouring film worthy of the countless viewings that I am continually adding on to. And one that I always go with the Director's Cut every since I got my hands on a copy.
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I was hoping to get my thoughts on Seconds up this morning, but I haven't written a single thing, and time has somehow gotten away from me. I honestly have no idea what I even did all day. 
I wanted to get that done so I could do a third film this weekend, but that doesn't look like it'll be the case now. I guess I'm inadvertently forcing myself to go through this Hall of Fame at a more laid back pace haha.
I wanted to get that done so I could do a third film this weekend, but that doesn't look like it'll be the case now. I guess I'm inadvertently forcing myself to go through this Hall of Fame at a more laid back pace haha.
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'Attack the Block' (2011)
Firstly, I like Joe Cornish. I've been a fan of him and Adam Buxton since their early comedy tv appearances in the UK. I haven't got round to seeing this film yet because it just hasn't been on my radar.
Right from the off, it's clear that this film is going for a comedy angle too, which is a good thing as it doesn't take itself too seriously. The problem with that is that neither did I. I just couldn't buy into it as a sci fi film. Instead of being interested in the science or the fiction, it was just a comedy horror monster movie with a few jump scares and predictable action.
There are themes of disaffected youth and the politics of the UK which I sort of enjoyed, and there was a couple of very funny lines of dialogue (mostly from Nick Frost). But there are also terrible bits of dialogue - to the extent that it plays out like a children's movie but with lots of swearing. The constant inner city London colloquialisms were jarring and got on my nerves as they were neither interesting or funny.In that respect the tone was all over the place. It felt at times like a 4th rate version of Shaun of the Dead.
Not for me I'm afraid. Sorry The Usual Suspect.
Last edited by ScarletLion; 05-13-19 at 09:50 AM.
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Seconds
This was a pretty disturbing movie with great acting and a good plot that yes, as some have already said, went down hill after the grape stomping scene. So, the opening 45 minutes or so is just masterful, we get suspense, drama, bits of romance, and all in this shroud of mystery from the Company. With the introduction of Nora, I felt the film lost its track a little bit (the party scene and the grape stomping scene were just too long, we lost the meaning of the film). While the return to the Company made for a pleasant change, the ending seemed abrupt and unsatisfactory. Besides all of that, this was an excellent film with an ambiguous and frightening message about eternal youth and avoiding life's plan.
This was a pretty disturbing movie with great acting and a good plot that yes, as some have already said, went down hill after the grape stomping scene. So, the opening 45 minutes or so is just masterful, we get suspense, drama, bits of romance, and all in this shroud of mystery from the Company. With the introduction of Nora, I felt the film lost its track a little bit (the party scene and the grape stomping scene were just too long, we lost the meaning of the film). While the return to the Company made for a pleasant change, the ending seemed abrupt and unsatisfactory. Besides all of that, this was an excellent film with an ambiguous and frightening message about eternal youth and avoiding life's plan.
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I've watched Gattaca couple of days ago. Just haven't found the energy to write a review yet.
Things have been busier at work than anticipated (we're down another person but still have the same amount of work to get done daily), so I'm just physically and mentally exhausted when I get home. If I start writing progressively shorter reviews for films, you guys can call my employer to complain haha.
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Seconds (1966)
Directed By: John Frankenheimer
Starring: John Randolph, Rock Hudson, Salome Jens
The first hour of Seconds is a very captivating watch. Much of the story is initially told visually and with minimal dialogue, allowing an attentive audience to draw their own conclusions and engage with the film's mystery. The different lenses, angles, and close-ups help to set an uneasy and occasionally dour tone that the black and white cinematography is able to enhance beautifully. Unfortunately the aesthetic dulls somewhat during the low points of the story, so the visuals are unable to elevate the worst parts of the film.
Seconds has an incredibly strong opening, and a satisfying conclusion. The problem lies with the film's second act, which feels overly long and unrewarding to watch. On paper, the Bacchanalia and all it represents should fit the film's narrative, but something was obviously lost in its execution. The following scenes at Wilson's house drag the film down even more, since it fails to alleviate the jarring tonal shift of the preceding scenes, and doesn't expand on any themes that would make the debauched celebration worth including.
Luckily Seconds manages to pull itself back together for its finale, which revives much of the intrigue found in the film's earlier sequences, as well as introduces new philosophical elements to the story. It's a pity that these concepts weren't included earlier, since there isn't much time to explore them before the ending. Much of the final act feels like a more natural follow-up to the opening than what we actually got, so with some restructuring, I think the film would've been more successful. With the exception of that middle piece, I did thoroughly enjoy Seconds anyway; I just think that it could've been realized a little better.
Seconds has an incredibly strong opening, and a satisfying conclusion. The problem lies with the film's second act, which feels overly long and unrewarding to watch. On paper, the Bacchanalia and all it represents should fit the film's narrative, but something was obviously lost in its execution. The following scenes at Wilson's house drag the film down even more, since it fails to alleviate the jarring tonal shift of the preceding scenes, and doesn't expand on any themes that would make the debauched celebration worth including.
Luckily Seconds manages to pull itself back together for its finale, which revives much of the intrigue found in the film's earlier sequences, as well as introduces new philosophical elements to the story. It's a pity that these concepts weren't included earlier, since there isn't much time to explore them before the ending. Much of the final act feels like a more natural follow-up to the opening than what we actually got, so with some restructuring, I think the film would've been more successful. With the exception of that middle piece, I did thoroughly enjoy Seconds anyway; I just think that it could've been realized a little better.
Last edited by CosmicRunaway; 05-16-19 at 02:59 AM.
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(the party scene and the grape stomping scene were just too long, we lost the meaning of the film)
The film lost it's unique style when it shifted gears to the nude grape crushing scene.
On paper, the Bacchanalia and all it represents should fit the film's narrative, but something was obviously lost in its execution.
I agree with@Citizen Rules that the film kinda went a little downhill after the very awkward 60’s soft-porn cult-like grape crushing scene.
Future filmmakers take note: try not to include drunken, nude wine making festivities in your films if possible, but if it is required, please keep it brief!
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I see a commonality here haha....
Future filmmakers take note: try not to include drunken, nude wine making festivities in your films if possible, but if it is required, please keep it brief!
Future filmmakers take note: try not to include drunken, nude wine making festivities in your films if possible, but if it is required, please keep it brief!
I wonder if that nude grape scene was the first time in American made movies that full frontal nudity was shown? I know Jayne Mansfield is mentioned as the first American mainstream actress to appear topless in a movie, Promises..... Promises! (1963) The grape seen is the earliest Hollywood movie where I've seen full frontal nudity. I just think that's interesting from a film history standpoint....I still wonder what the chicken wire covering the clearing in the woods was for?
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Minority Report
Based on a Philip K Dick story, and thereby, having at its core, a warning against technology beneath the action and the crime sleuth premise.Which, having Tom Cruise star in, draws upon that aspect more heavily. The end result is a rather delicate balance that showcases the imagery of technological advancements with a very subtle, darker price for the shiny facades and, in a more Philip K Dick reference, the Lies.
We get hints of it on several occasions. Such as Cruise's visit with the Inventor of Precogs and it's more gruesome origins. The fact that, regardless of the advancements of technology, the amount of murder and crime had increased in equal measure.
As I've said, these aspects are ingrained within the action, the intense race of our hero trying to stay one step ahead of his fellow pre-crime officers while discovering the darker truth behind the department he has given his all to.
Much of the action is quite good and an enjoyable watch as befitting a Cruise film.
I have seen this film a number of times and have bounced back and forth from complete appreciation to finding it more of a popcorn fodder. This time around I seemed to have made a concerted effort to focus on the subliminal aspects and my enjoyment of the film's entirety was on the higher spectrum.
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