Movies you've just watched

[Skykid]

Unforgiven, in my personal opinion, is a masterpiece of cinema.

I wouldn't go that far.

Certainly among the few Clint Eastwood films that are actually good. Most of his stuff is decently directed but very poorly written.

Very much agreed.

I'd say "serviceably" directed to be fair - it's not like he has any individual flair or artistic characteristics, but he knows how to put scenes together ok.

But it all start and ends - and occasionally ends before it starts - with a good script; and he tends to lack those.

[GaijinPunch]

I'd say "serviceably" directed to be fair - it's not like he has any individual flair or artistic characteristics, but he knows how to put scenes together ok.

Indeed. With all that beautiful cuntry in Unforgiven, not one shot really impressed me visually. That's not great direction.

Did anyone bother w/ American Sniper? Smelled like propaganda, and seeing how the right wing part of my Facebook basically jacked off to it on their news feed, it probably was.

[Squire Grooktook]

I saw it.

I'm not sure I'd call it propaganda. Clint was against the war in Iraq IIRC, and while the guy does come off as heroic (or at least decent), the point of the movie seems to be that his life is in an irrevocable downward spiral because of the war. Not a great movie, but I didn't hate it.

On that subject, I thought Gran Torino was "ok". I remember it being more competently put together and plotted then what I usually think of when I hear the phrase "Hollywood schmaltz/sentimentality." Okay viewing, never had a desire to see it again I guess. Maybe I'd like it less on a re-viewing.

[Obiwanshinobi]

The Outlaw Josey Wales is hardly "Hollywood" - violent scenes in particular are filmed in a detached style I'd seen before and since in the movies, but not from Hollywood.

[Skykid]

The Outlaw Josey Wales is hardly "Hollywood"

It's also from 1976.

[GaijinPunch]

I never saw Dirty Harry. :-/

[Mischief Maker]

It's worth noting that Unforgiven is not an Eastwood script, it was written by the co-writer of Blade Runner in 1976 then was kicked around until Eastwood picked it up in the 80s and intentionally sat on it because he wasn't old enough for the role yet.

It's also one of the least doctored scripts in history by the time it hit the screen.

[Zen]

Last weeks viewing;

10 Cloverfield Lane 2016 - Dan Trachtenberg.
Relies on John Goodman's ability to be threatening, to carry it, to an embarrassing degree. Theres twists and more twists and the ending jumps the shark BIG time. Boring.

Sumetai Nettaigyo (cold fish) 2010 - Sion Sono.
Holy fuck! A find. Really enjoyed this one. If you like your Japanese cinema extreme, check it out.

Only Lovers Left Alive 2013 - Jim Jarmusch.
A Jim Jarmusch vamprie film? Thats a must see, then! If your a big vampire movie fan (like I am) and Im talking about the quirky, insightful takes on the genre, like, Låt den rätte komma (let the right one in) 2008, you know, the good stuff, then you might like this one. Im liking it more, days after seeing it. Kinda grows on you, this one. Cant say any of the score hit me (I cant remember any of it), which is maybe a bad sign for a film that features musical themes. Its got that "something", this one.

[Mischief Maker]

[Deadpool]'s that bad?

You either love or hate it.

I'm in the kinda like it category. I think I'm more inclined to like it because of the story behind it rather than any attachment to the character. The only reason I ever heard of Deadpool is the Dr. McNinja guy wrote a couple issues. The best scenes were the ones where he had Colossus as a straight man.

That said, it's frustrating to me that in the world of R-rated antihero comic book movies the superior Punisher: War Zone and vastly superior Dredd were both commercial flops.

[Lord Satori]

10 Cloverfield Lane 2016 - Dan Trachtenberg.
Relies on John Goodman's ability to be threatening, to carry it, to an embarrassing degree. Theres twists and more twists and the ending jumps the shark BIG time. Boring.

Did you know that JJ Abrams is claiming that it has NOTHING to do with Cloverfield? If I were him, I wouldn't be saying that out loud. This movie's connection to Cloverfield was really the only thing that justified the massive genre shift towards the end.

If they wanted to go that route, they should've done so earlier, and had more of the movie take place outside. Or maybe not go that route at all, idk.

Not sure if they're trying to set up for a sequel or not. Either way, I hope they don't rely on deceptive marketing this time.

[Zen]

10 Cloverfield Lane 2016 - Dan Trachtenberg.
Relies on John Goodman's ability to be threatening, to carry it, to an embarrassing degree. Theres twists and more twists and the ending jumps the shark BIG time. Boring.

Did you know that JJ Abrams is claiming that it has NOTHING to do with Cloverfield? If I were him, I wouldn't be saying that out loud. This movie's connection to Cloverfield was really the only thing that justified the massive genre shift towards the end.

If they wanted to go that route, they should've done so earlier, and had more of the movie take place outside. Or maybe not go that route at all, idk.

Not sure if they're trying to set up for a sequel or not. Either way, I hope they don't rely on deceptive marketing this time.

No, I did not know that. Reading up on it now. I had thought the title was just a cheeky cash-in by some cheeky chap. Turns out the cheeky chap was JJ. abrams himself. Reading his pre release spiel is fucking infuriating. Abrams is an apex level bullshitter.
How the fuck do we avoid this hack? I mean, jesus christ, he is, conspicuously, everywhere.
Its like being constantly slapped across the face by a pair of spielberg's disposable rubber gloves.

[soprano1]

The Ambassador (2011)
Corruption in Africa (and Europe) documentary. Mads Brugger is balsy. Wonder if they tried to kill him yet?

[boagman]

Turns out the cheeky chap was JJ. abrams himself. Reading his pre release spiel is fucking infuriating. Abrams is an apex level bullshitter.
How the fuck do we avoid this hack? I mean, jesus christ, he is, conspicuously, everywhere.
Its like being constantly slapped across the face by a pair of spielberg's disposable rubber gloves.

Wow...overreact much?

It may or may not be a fair criticism in this case, but he's kind of earned his stripes. Yes, he's a child of the Spielberg school, but looking at the embodiment of his work, I'd say that he's earned his stripes pretty well. I enjoy a good deal of what I've seen of his, but I haven't (by far) seen his entire catalog of work. Having said that, it's not a surprise that he's "everywhere"...he's made some darned good stuff in different mediums. You'd be hard-pressed to find more than a few producer/director/writers of his caliber.

Spielberg did the *exact same thing* in his time, where he literally branded a whole crap-ton of projects with his "Steven Spielberg Presents..." mumbo-jumbo. In JJ's case, it's simply "Bad Robot" productions. At least he's not actually making it "J.J. Abrams Presents: Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens".

I'm not saying the man isn't playing the game. I'm simply saying that the man has earned the right to be, and think of himself as, a player. Success breeds it. You may not like that, or him, but it's hardly like he's the first to do it, or the worst at doing so.

[Zen]

Turns out the cheeky chap was JJ. abrams himself. Reading his pre release spiel is fucking infuriating. Abrams is an apex level bullshitter.
How the fuck do we avoid this hack? I mean, jesus christ, he is, conspicuously, everywhere.
Its like being constantly slapped across the face by a pair of spielberg's disposable rubber gloves.

Wow...overreact much?

It may or may not be a fair criticism in this case, but he's kind of earned his stripes. Yes, he's a child of the Spielberg school, but looking at the embodiment of his work, I'd say that he's earned his stripes pretty well. I enjoy a good deal of what I've seen of his, but I haven't (by far) seen his entire catalog of work. Having said that, it's not a surprise that he's "everywhere"...he's made some darned good stuff in different mediums. You'd be hard-pressed to find more than a few producer/director/writers of his caliber.

Spielberg did the *exact same thing* in his time, where he literally branded a whole crap-ton of projects with his "Steven Spielberg Presents..." mumbo-jumbo. In JJ's case, it's simply "Bad Robot" productions. At least he's not actually making it "J.J. Abrams Presents: Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens".

I'm not saying the man isn't playing the game. I'm simply saying that the man has earned the right to be, and think of himself as, a player. Success breeds it. You may not like that, or him, but it's hardly like he's the first to do it, or the worst at doing so.

If you genuinely believe that, "You'd be hard-pressed to find more than a few producer/director/writers of his caliber.", then I can, perhaps, see why you feel my view of abrams as an overreaction.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Vampyres (1974, UK).



Not as trashy as expected; on the contrary - pretty classy for its decade's exploitation cinema. I did feel sorry for some of the dialogue, but it's at its best without words and it knows that. As a matter of fact, I had fewer problems with it than with 1983 The Hunger (which mostly was entertaining enough for my money).

Spoiler

[boagman]

If you genuinely believe that, "You'd be hard-pressed to find more than a few producer/director/writers of his caliber.", then I can, perhaps, see why you feel my view of abrams as an overreaction.

I do believe that, but I should have been a bit more specific, too: I was referring to those who do all three, and do so currently, at this particular time and in this particular era. I think that being able to pull off what he has is pretty darned impressive. Not that he hasn't had a lot of help along the way, but that same descriptor could be said of any great producer/director/writer of any era.

Obviously, there are a good deal of people over the last century or so that are greatly accomplished, but even those are few and hard-to-come-by. It's an impressive accomplishment, no matter what.

[Zen]

The Witch - 2015- Robert Eggers

Was not expecting this. Blown away. Faith in modern film, restored.
For those who understand that the true nature of fairy tales is more Blair witch, than Disney.

If you can believe it, a critique I read of this film, (which, for context, is set in the 1630's) was that it did not have enough special FX . . . . . . .

Cleanse your palate of the shit they have been feeding us for just one evening and give this one a shot.
To quote a "character" in the film;

Spoiler

Wouldst thou like the taste of butter and pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?

[Ixmucane2]

X-Men: Apocalypse

Apocalypse, a mutant supremacist leader, awakes in 1983 and tries to destroy the world to purge it of weak people. He manages to recruit four "horsemen" and cause great destruction before being put into place by Charles Xavier and the nascent X-Men.

As far as superhero films go, quite better than Civil War. Despite casual disrespect for the laws of physics (for example, Quicksilver manages to accelerate not only how fast he moves but how fast the soda he's drinking comes out of the can) and common sense (for example, safety measures at Xavier's school) the characters and the plot are reasonably motivated and coherent; many elements are too briefly covered and out of place (for example, what's colonel Stryker doing? Who are Caliban and Psylocke?) but a film of moderate length and unusual "breadth" needs to set priorities.

Special effects vary between technically and artistically very good (Quicksilver, Jean Grey, most CGI destruction), bizarre but well made (many of Apocalypse's eldritch powers) and absurd or goofy (particularly Magneto's grandest displays of power, with debris attached to, rather than pushed along, the shape of extremely realistic field lines that also behave as vortices).

[lilmanjs]

White Lotus Cult
A vicious band of thrives and swindlers make trouble in this 1993 martial arts movie. They end up being endorsed by the rulers of the time and become an honored clan able to impose their will. A man named Sam who can't fight worth anything saves a man and learns martial arts. Fun movie and start of a trilogy.

[Vexorg]

Point Break(2015): *1/2

A few decent action scenes along the way can't make up for a really terrible plot and bad characters. An Owen Wilson look-alike chases and infiltrates a bunch of extreme sports athletes on a quest based on some sort of vague hippie nonsense which causes them to commit various crimes along the way (We must give back to the Earth.... Here Gaia, have a dozen dead police officers.) There isn't a single character among the lot of them you'd care about if they splatted into the side of a mountain in a wingsuit accident.

One Crazy Summer: ***

A sort-of spiritual sequel to Better Off Dead (with the same director and some of the same actors including John Cusack in the lead role, but all playing different characters) that tries for the same "slapstick teen comedy" formula, but doesn't work quite as well as it did in Better Off Dead. It still has a few funny moments though, just nothing particularly memorable.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I couldn't sympathise with the 1991 Point Break dudes. Had my fill's worth of summer holidays as a kid and was looking forward to something new in my life, personally (certainly not becoming a cop either).

[Stevens]

Kung Fu Hustle.

A little back story if I may:

I saw this in the movies back in 2005. I was alone and had a ticket for another show. I passed the auditorium ,saw the title, and looked inside. It was empty.

I went in and sat down. Now mind you I knew absolutely nothing about this movie as I'm sitting in this theater by myself. I had never heard of it, saw none of the promotional posters, nothing. Not knowing anything made it ten times better. I was so blown away I went back a few hours later and saw it again. I paid to see it one or two more times before the DVD came out (bought that the 1st day it came out).

Now sadly it has been seven or eight years since I last spent time with my friends from Pig Sty Alley. When you go such a long time without watching a movie you loved you wonder if you will still feel the same way about it.

Everything about this movie is still absolutely wonderful. The characters are memorable and loveable, the music fits like a custom suit, and the comedy is fantastic. Although I always wonder what is lost in translation.

Now just pay your rent or I'll burn your shop down:D

[iconoclast]

Kung Fu Hustle.

Everything about this movie is still absolutely wonderful. The characters are memorable and loveable, the music fits like a custom suit, and the comedy is fantastic. Although I always wonder what is lost in translation.

You should check out the rest of Stephen Chow's movies (or at least everything up to CJ7). Love on Delivery & King of Comedy are my favorites.

[Skykid]

Nothing wrong with CJ7 and even less wrong with Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons or the latest, Mermaid.

I wouldn't say anything Chow directed is worth skipping tbh.

[Stevens]

I've also seen Shaolin Soccer quite a few times as well. I tried to watch God of Cookery a year or so ago but couldn't get into it. Maybe I should give it another chance.

[soprano1]

Zootopia.
Some nice jokes here and there, the social rank thing was interesting.

[emphatic]

Cookery is great.


Posted from my portable device using Tapatalk

[Stevens]

I will give it another shot.

[Mischief Maker]

Finally watched Pacific Rim.

Man, I have read reviews savaging this movie for the plot. The only explanation I can think of is that like the Wachowski Brothers' Speed Racer, it's a visually unique but otherwise low-aspiration film by directors with a reputation for aiming higher. Yes, Pacific Rim is not even remotely in the same league as Pan's Labyrinth. But I've seen a lot of Godzilla movies and unless Toho kicked up the writing quality since "Giant Monsters All-Out Attack," Pacific Rim is a high-water mark for Kaiju movie writing. The conflicts are straightforward, character motivations clear, even the odious comic relief characters aren't all that odious. What's more, how can you expect to take a movie seriously that features robots with jet engines on their elbows to make for stronger punches? Definitely a better movie than Independence Day (you would all be dead if it weren't for my David!)

Now let's talk about the important part of the movie: the Giant Robot vs Monster battle scenes. One of my biggest complaints about modern CGI action is the fluid lack of physicality to the action. The reason Gollum bouncing around and talking was the CGI effect that impressed the socks off everyone in LOTR instead of Legolas surfing the Oliphant to death is in great part because Gollum was tethered to an actual physical actor and had a realistic physical presence. I've always said that in a Transformers or Avengers movie, if you want a giant robot dragon to fly through a skyscraper you can do it, but don't have it go through like the building's made of water, have it stall for a splitsecond of resistance before it starts to break through and not only will the effect be more believable, it will feel more viscerally brutal.

Pacific Rim gets that right! It gets so much right. Unlike Bay Transformers, these giant robots move with the kind of inertia you'd expect from something that size. What's more the movie makes use of that inertia to forecast the good guy strikes so every hit is satisfying. Apparently behind the scenes the cockpit room was built on hydraulics so the actors could physically react like they're in a lumbering monstrosity. What a goddamn pity this movie didn't do better at the box office, it's a perfect demo reel for how to do CGI action right.

My one biggest complaint about this movie is the same I have for Edge of Tomorrow. The real action climax of the movie happens in the middle, then it ends with an unsatisfying limp to the finish line.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Is Pan's Labyrinth considered benchmark for the plot in a film now? I wonder what would win world-wide election for the best plot in a video game.

Not knowing anything made it ten times better.

Most good things are like that. These days the stronger hunch I have I just may like a movie, the less I read about it before watching.
Been collecting cheap DVDs lately following those hunches and little else, mostly having jolly good times watching them. Blu-rays are nice and all, yet DVDs not only come cheaper (making for that much lower risk of disappointment), but also happen to be easier to share with other people.
The latest such random DVD treat for me was Hanging Up (2000) - without even knowing Diane Keaton* directed it, but with Crimes of the Heart still fresh in memory. So, Keaton must have treasured these Crimes... for all those years too. I'd summarise Hanging Up as a phoney comedy about Oedipal complications - pretty tough subject matter to make an easy-watching film about; no wonder it was a flop. People don't go to the movies for the sake of being told the things it tells.
I'd go so far as to tell it picks up when Crimes of the Heart stopped (in the family album browsing scene), thus I recommend watching both in chronological order and see for yourselves.

*) Likewise, I didn't even remember Burn After Reading was by Coen brothers while watching it - such is the power of cheap DVDs.