Movies you've just watched

[Domino]

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

One of the few films I can rewatch over and over. The Criterion Collection Blu-Ray is excellent. The Tri-Color Technicolor pops out so much, makes the film dream-like at times. The concept of your character growing old is always a fascinating concept to me.

[drauch]

^Man, thanks for reminding me. I really need to sit down and watch that, or really, just buy it. Gawd, I love me some technicolor. Picked up the Black Narcissus BD awhile back and it's a beauty to behold. Love those super intricate set paintings!

[Domino]

^Man, thanks for reminding me. I really need to sit down and watch that, or really, just buy it. Gawd, I love me some technicolor. Picked up the Black Narcissus BD awhile back and it's a beauty to behold. Love those super intricate set paintings!

Speaking of Black Narcissus I was able to get that today for $20 BD. 50% off Criterion now at B and N good until 12/01: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Criteri ... 379003202/

I spend $200+ on Criterion stuff today. Picked up stuff I wanted to get forever (Brazil, Red Shoes, Mystery Train).

[drauch]

Nice! I've been meaning to pick up all three of those as well. Yeah, I saw the sale, but with all these other Christmas sales coming up I've already blown a bunch on films from other sites, unfortunately. At least with Criterion I can rely on them have multiple sales throughout the year and hopefully get those cheap at a later date. Have you ever seen any of Narcissus/Red Shoes cinematographer Jack Cardiff's films? If you haven't, be sure to check out Dark of the Sun. One of my favorite films and criminally underrated. Wonderful score and cast, and really quite brutal for the time.

[Skykid]

Dunno. What's the worst?

I dunno. Maybe 2010? Just saying the movie had some entertainment value despite being altogether meh, overall.

Seriously, SK, lighten up a bit. Sometimes I wonder if a mediocre film murdered your family and burned down your village or something.

Actually very little problem with a film being mediocre, it's all the people that praise it that grinds my gears.

I'm fully expecting to be busting up Interstellar debate in the near future, and later all the plebians who start placing Nolan alongside Welles and Kubrick in sentences.

[Mortificator]

I saw Duel for the first time. Super-tense movie. That truck might already be my favorite villainous motor vehicle.

[gbaplayer]

Saw Interstellar last friday. Awesome movie and one to think about.

[GaijinPunch]

Dunno. What's the worst?

Elysium is pretty damn terrible in terms of components and even worse in assembly. It's enough to give you motion sickness between bouts of bearded idiots shouting and spitting through reams of trite scripting.

District 9 is absolutely superior on every possible level.

Word. I was really let down w/ Elysium. I agree w/ the wealth disparity in the US but I don't really want to see it in my Sci-Fi movies. I do realize that District 9 is a retelling of Apartheid but it doesn't have a lot of the cheesy bullshit that Elysium had. It does have some redeeming qualities: The exo skeleton and weapons in general were pretty dope. It did not succumb to a PG-13 rating. Everything else was kinda lame. Was not a fan of the ending.

In short, District 9 felt like an entirely new direction for SciFi. Elysium felt like a popcorn flick.

[SuperGrafx]

Ronin Gai

[boagman]

I saw Duel for the first time. Super-tense movie. That truck might already be my favorite villainous motor vehicle.

Very nice selection. It really holds up well today, even though it appears super-dated. A bit of schlock stuff there, but certainly excusable for the time, and the thing just *works*. Dennis Weaver really embraced the role.

[Domino]

Nice! I've been meaning to pick up all three of those as well. Yeah, I saw the sale, but with all these other Christmas sales coming up I've already blown a bunch on films from other sites, unfortunately. At least with Criterion I can rely on them have multiple sales throughout the year and hopefully get those cheap at a later date. Have you ever seen any of Narcissus/Red Shoes cinematographer Jack Cardiff's films? If you haven't, be sure to check out Dark of the Sun. One of my favorite films and criminally underrated. Wonderful score and cast, and really quite brutal for the time.

Whatever I know you can budge. :p I haven't see Jack Cardiff's other films, do you know if Dark of the Sun has a Criterion release? Due to me being burned on regular consumer Blu-Ray releases I stick to Criterion label. Feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

Tokyo Drifter

First film I saw from Seijun Suzuki. TERRIBLE Editing, characters you don't really like/love/understand. Like the visuals. Boom. At least with the Blu-Ray release the artwork is cool:

[system11]

Watched a couple of films today:

Hard Times - Charles Bronson is a drifter who punches people for money, but it's actually more about the people he meets - you'll know more about each of them than you will about him. Good stuff.

Rec 3 - seen this many times, fans of the previous films seem to mostly hate it because it does away with that awful found footage style very early in the film. It's also not taking itself seriously, and has an impossibly hot lead actress.

[drauch]

Whatever I know you can budge. :p I haven't see Jack Cardiff's other films, do you know if Dark of the Sun has a Criterion release? Due to me being burned on regular consumer Blu-Ray releases I stick to Criterion label. Feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

Dark of the Sun is unfortunately--and only sorta recently--available as a Warner Archives DVD-R. Still, most of those Archives DVD-Rs look quite nice. You do definitely get your moneys worth with Criterion BDs, especially for the sale price, so I understand that. Love Tokyo Drifter, as well as Suzuki in general. Still need to replace my old Criterion DVD. Replaced the BD this year with the Arrow UK BD. Opted for this one because it looks just as nice, plus comes with an additional film, a Roman Porno remake! Still have yet to watch it, and despite my complaining about funds, ordered more Nikkatsu Roman Porno releases today.

Looooooove Hard Times! One of the most underrated Bronson films, as well as director Walter Hill. Shame Hill dun goofed at the opportunity at working with Bronson again. He didn't like Jill Ireland's performance, and that pissed off Bronson, so he said no more. I can only imagine the gold they could have made together!

[Skykid]

Tokyo Drifter looked interesting, but my friend considered it barely watchable and ordered it off after 25 minutes. Haven't been back to it since.

I saw Duel for the first time. Super-tense movie. That truck might already be my favorite villainous motor vehicle.

Very nice selection. It really holds up well today, even though it appears super-dated. A bit of schlock stuff there, but certainly excusable for the time, and the thing just *works*. Dennis Weaver really embraced the role.

Great movie. Alongside Jaws, one of Spielberg's best.

No idea what 'schlock' you're referring to, I don't remember a single instance?

[Stevens]

Nice! I've been meaning to pick up all three of those as well. Yeah, I saw the sale, but with all these other Christmas sales coming up I've already blown a bunch on films from other sites, unfortunately. At least with Criterion I can rely on them have multiple sales throughout the year and hopefully get those cheap at a later date. Have you ever seen any of Narcissus/Red Shoes cinematographer Jack Cardiff's films? If you haven't, be sure to check out Dark of the Sun. One of my favorite films and criminally underrated. Wonderful score and cast, and really quite brutal for the time.

Whatever I know you can budge. :p I haven't see Jack Cardiff's other films, do you know if Dark of the Sun has a Criterion release? Due to me being burned on regular consumer Blu-Ray releases I stick to Criterion label. Feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

Tokyo Drifter

First film I saw from Seijun Suzuki. TERRIBLE Editing, characters you don't really like/love/understand. Like the visuals. Boom. At least with the Blu-Ray release the artwork is cool:

Looks like an flyer for a new Sega Hologram game. Man those were bad..

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Watched the sci-fi flick by the name of "Space Station 76" which was released direct-to-video earlier this year -- a throwback to the 1970s aestethics in overall visuals -- background settings, clothing, and whatnot. If you have a sharp eye for detail, you'll instantly recognize two of Tomy's classic toy robots (from the early 1980s) in some scenes, Verbot and Omnibot 2000, with slightly different props added on for a slightly different look overall. Dr. Bot (using the Verbot prop) is quite funny, especially if boxed into a compromising situation.

The Star Angel character is really easy on the eyes as well.

Tomy's Omnibot 2000 Factoid: This particular robot came with a MSRP of $399.99 USD back in 1984 and was even sold through Best retail stores during that point in time. Tomy's earlier iteration of Omnibot was a MSRP $249.99 USD deal also.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[system11]

Watched the sci-fi flick by the name of "Space Station 76" which was released direct-to-video earlier this year -- a throwback to the 1970s aestethics in overall visuals -- background settings, clothing, and whatnot. If you have a sharp eye for detail, you'll instantly recognize two of Tomy's classic toy robots (from the early 1980s) in some scenes, Verbot and Omnibot 2000, with slightly different props added on for a slightly different look overall. Dr. Bot (using the Verbot prop) is quite funny, especially if boxed into a compromising situation.

I loved this. It's also a Sony label but not available on Blu-Ray, only DVD or "HD Download", which isn't a thing that exists. Unhappy.

[lilmanjs]

Watched the sci-fi flick by the name of "Space Station 76" which was released direct-to-video earlier this year -- a throwback to the 1970s aestethics in overall visuals -- background settings, clothing, and whatnot. If you have a sharp eye for detail, you'll instantly recognize two of Tomy's classic toy robots (from the early 1980s) in some scenes, Verbot and Omnibot 2000, with slightly different props added on for a slightly different look overall. Dr. Bot (using the Verbot prop) is quite funny, especially if boxed into a compromising situation.

I loved this. It's also a Sony label but not available on Blu-Ray, only DVD or "HD Download", which isn't a thing that exists. Unhappy.

Yea, not happy this isn't on Blu-Ray, as I quite enjoyed this movie when I rented it a while back. Simple, but effective story!

[Some-Mist]

found out this girl is a movie buff at my work and she's been lending me a buncha different movies
watched 2 of the 3 that she lent me this weekend

watched igby goes down first
It was basically a dark comedy about a rich boy with a peculiar way of viewing life and lashing out on his family and the people around him. played by kieran culkin with some others big names such as susan sarandon, jeff goldblum, claire danes, and jared harris. hated the character sootie, but I guess you're supposed to.

then watched amelie which was absolutely fantastic. I've only seen audrey tautou in l'ecume des jours (mood indigo) and it was great seeing her in another lead role. about an introverted girl who loves to live in her imagination instead of pushing herself to interact with others. she works at a restaurant and has a very special way of improving (or damaging) the lives of the people around her for the benefit of those who deserve it.

only partway through the 3rd - the dangerous lives of alter boys but definitely no enjoying it as much as the first two.

[BIL]

Winter Soldier - good fun big action movie. Reasonably grounded, very violent, credible threat, likey likey! Some rather cool shmuppin/Contra/Sin & Punishment setpieces in there too, without going overboard into numb-dicked Man of Steel inanity.

[rapoon]

then watched amelie which was absolutely fantastic. I've only seen audrey tautou in l'ecume des jours (mood indigo) and it was great seeing her in another lead role.

she plays the lead in another jean-pierre jeunet (city of lost children, delicatessen) film: a very long engagement.


young ones - post-apocalyptic crap about a water shortage (uh oh spaghetti o's!). michael shannon is pretty good for the 10 whole minutes he's in it.

[KindGrind]

Europa Report

Loved it. Had very low expectations, but thought it was a very capable science fiction movie. Editing is particularly good here. Script felt solid as well. A very surprising movie for me. Found myself caring for the characters, their mission.

It reminded me of Sunshine, a movie I found very good up to the last 20 minutes. Those who saw it know the feeling, I'm sure. Well ER reminded me of the good bits of Boyle's movie. Highly recommended, which is rare these days it seems.

This talk about science fiction makes me think of Tarkovsky's Solaris, which is, for me, the best sci-fi movie ever by a mile. I'm mentioning because...

...I have yet to be swept away by a movie this year, despite my viewing 4/5 movies a week. Last time this happened to me was when I watched Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice last year, for the first time. Despite my love for Solaris, I had appreciated Ivan's Childhood but had disliked Stalker when I saw it years ago. I have yet to see Andrei Rublev, but plan on doing soon. The Sacrifice left me thinking for a long while. I went back to it often and it absolutely fascinated me. Still does.

Question: What's the last movie that "left you reeling" because of how absolutely outstanding it was?

[Some-Mist]

then watched amelie which was absolutely fantastic. I've only seen audrey tautou in l'ecume des jours (mood indigo) and it was great seeing her in another lead role.

she plays the lead in another jean-pierre jeunet (city of lost children, delicatessen) film: a very long engagement.


young ones - post-apocalyptic crap about a water shortage (uh oh spaghetti o's!). michael shannon is pretty good for the 10 whole minutes he's in it.

I want to wife her so bad.

I've actually be interested in seeing city of lost children for quite some time but never got around to it. iirc, they even made a point and click adventure game based on it that supposedly flopped and didn't capture the same weird/unique atmosphere for the film. haven't looked into delicatessen but I'll check it out.

thanks for the heads up

[CMoon]

This talk about science fiction makes me think of Tarkovsky's Solaris, which is, for me, the best sci-fi movie ever by a mile. I'm mentioning because...

...I have yet to be swept away by a movie this year, despite my viewing 4/5 movies a week. Last time this happened to me was when I watched Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice last year, for the first time. Despite my love for Solaris, I had appreciated Ivan's Childhood but had disliked Stalker when I saw it years ago. I have yet to see Andrei Rublev, but plan on doing soon. The Sacrifice left me thinking for a long while. I went back to it often and it absolutely fascinated me. Still does.

Question: What's the last movie that "left you reeling" because of how absolutely outstanding it was?

Did you ever revisit Stalker? Solaris and Stalker are the only two of Tarkovsky's films I've made it through. I need to push my way through Mirror and am really interested in Ivan's Childhood. After taking a break from film as a whole (weird, huh?) I came back to it suddenly with 3rd Man. Now I'm watching Wages of Fear and want to follow it with Friedkin's Sorcerer (a remake of the former, and apparently a great film nobody knows about.) I've always really dug Tarkovsky and need to explore more of his work.

[Skykid]

Question: What's the last movie that "left you reeling" because of how absolutely outstanding it was?

Probably Brief Encounter and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

But 'reeling' these days usually occurs whenever I stumble on actual scriptwriting and actors - those long forgotten commodities of cinema.

[KindGrind]

Did you ever revisit Stalker?

I admit I never revisited it. I do remember liking some of the imagery (I recall some very vividly in fact), but the message of the movie had fallen flat at that time. I remember thinking it was philosophical ramblings and that it sounded like pseudo-intellectualism. That judgement might have been harsh... Pretty sure if I'd seen The Sacrifice at that time I would have discarded it as too meditative or something.

If I remember well, Stalker was my first experience with Tarkovsky, roughly 15 years ago. I wanted to like it, but couldn't. I also remember watching The Mirror without knowing what to make of it. Too personal of a movie for me, and I had no idea what it referred to. I was totally lost, much like when I watched Persona for the first time. It's not the kind of movie you can pick up and watch randomly without prior knowledge. It's like picking up Pink Sweets, playing 3 credits and thinking you'll make something of the scoring system. Not likely.

I've watched all of Tarmovsky except Andrei Rublev. I think Ivan's Childhood is his most accessible movie.

Brazil is another movie I'd watch forever. If anyone hasn't watched it around these parts, you must give it a go. Joy on film.

[BPzeBanshee]

I watched Krull a few days ago.



For what it's worth I didn't think it was that bad of a movie, but in the grand scheme of things it's about as typical as a typical fantasy movie gets, so if you want something "innovative" this isn't your movie. Save the princess with the magical weapon along with a wise old man and a rag tag group of actors that actually act better than the main characters do. Beautiful scenery and music though, special effects for 1983 weren't all that bad either. It's a bit before my time so perhaps I'm missing something here but I'm still half-guessing Skykid would rather pretend this didn't exist.

Notable actors include Robbie Coltrane, Liam Neeson and Alun Armstrong in the band of thieves, Freddie Jones and Francesca Annis (I discovered today both ended up in Dune a year later, thought I recognised them from somewhere), not-so-notable actors include Kenneth Marshall who popped up in Star Trek a few years later and pissed off, some chick that got her voice overdubbed horridly because the directors thought she'd sound too squeaky otherwise, and some awesome voice guy that did the Beast but wasn't credited anyway.

[CMoon]

Wow, that poster is amazing!

I also remember watching The Mirror without knowing what to make of it. Too personal of a movie for me, and I had no idea what it referred to. I was totally lost, much like when I watched Persona for the first time. It's not the kind of movie you can pick up and watch randomly without prior knowledge. It's like picking up Pink Sweets, playing 3 credits and thinking you'll make something of the scoring system. Not likely.

Yeah, I think that is a great analogy to what is going on. You're probably right about needing to go back to Ivan. Solaris is also pretty accessible. Stalker is somewhere in between those and the more esoteric films. Great you mentioned Persona because I also remember being repelled by that one. I really need to get back into Bergman. It might be the right time. Stalker to me is all about the weird (autistic) guy and his dog. I started reading the story and it is real sci fi, but in the movie it is something else about the stalker thriving off of the opening up/breaking down/revelations of the people he took to this weird, abandoned place. The idea of his wife waiting for him, and that every trip is about reaching a psychological breaking point. I've only seen it twice, but it is beguiling without being completely abstract.

[drauch]

Question: What's the last movie that "left you reeling" because of how absolutely outstanding it was?

For me this year there have been quite a few that enter my mind a bunch. Possession ('81), which I watched tonight, Sorcerer [twice; once in a theater! (get on it, Cmoon!)], Wake in Fright, The Keep, The Last Battle (Le Dernier Combat), The Phantom Carriage, Invasion of the Body Snatchers ('78), Blow Out, Thief of Baghdad ('24), The Killing Fields, Thief, The Long Good Friday, The Big Heat (Johnny To), Excalibur, All Ladies Do It, The Vanishing ('88), and not a movie, but Dennis Potter's Pennies From Heaven mini-series.

Be it imagery, subject matter, performances, soundtrack, direction, or just a goddamn enjoyable film, these have been in my mind the most. Watched a bunch of other fantastic movies so far as well, but these really stuck. The Killing Fields has been on my mind for both good and bad reasons, partly because I think it's a wonderful film, but there's a certain moment of sorta cringe-worthy bathos and a poor song choice towards the end. Both The Keep and Thief have distinct visual styles (both from Michael Mann,) but the amazing Tangerine Dream soundtracks that accompany some beautiful shots really get me going--and pumped! Same with the theme from Long Good Friday; I blast that all the goddamn time. I won't waste everyone's time and sum everything up, but I really adore all of these for different reasons.

On Krull: I've basically tracked down every sword & sorcery movie from when the flourished in the 80s (most Italian,) and Krull kinda left me unsatisfied. Love the F/X and the odd blend of sword & planet with the typical fantasy setting, but I find it sort of weak both with the unlikeable and goofy lead character, as well as the lack of just good fashioned adventure. Definitely enjoyable, but I guess I had much higher hopes for a film with the budget like that.

*EDIT* I've also rewatched a handful of favorites this year as well that I adore, at least more than usual it seems. Looking through my list, mainly horror and action. My buddy works at a local theater and we've watched a handful this year on the big screen, like the aforementioned Sorcerer. One of my highlights was the Bronson kill-fest masterpiece, Death Wish 3! Buddy was in town who's a big Bronson fan, and seeing this on the big screen in marvelous Bluray was a sight to behold! We were cheering and hooting and stomping our feet as endless scum got blown away, fell out of windows, and cars exploded! Watched the new BD of Phantom of the Paradise the other night as well with the volume cranked high. By Crom, wish I could do that every night! Revisiting stuff like Day of the Dead, Dellamorte Dellamore, Razorback, Phenomena, The Terminator, Eastern Condors, Streets of Fire, Branded to Kill, Out for Justice, and a new favorite, Dredd a few times! Watched Out for Justice twice, once on my friend's wedding day. Ain't a wedding like a Seagal wedding! A lot were rewatches on either new BD releases, or just revisiting some of the favorites. Get all giddy just thinking about them!

[Squire Grooktook]

Excalibur

Saw this earlier this year for school. I felt like the unexpected time skips and surreal Holy Grail quest in the second half really captured the "feel" of mythology/legend. All those larger then life characters striding around with sound and fury, leaving the lesser details of their lives to our unconcerned imaginations.