Movies you've just watched

[Ed Oscuro]

improbable skill

Gotta ride that bell curve-shaped wave in that kind of business, I wager!

[BIL]

Favourite bit is EQ later equalising a mansion fortress full of armed bodyguards - but HE USE A GUN ROFL so why even bother showing it after he massacred a bunch of special forces dudes with corn and a shovel? And indeed, it doesn't show it! wa-wa-wa-waaaaa~

[Ixmucane2]

Hungry Hearts

A young modern family in New York: husband, wife and infant. The wife is such a fanatic of vegan diet and alternative medicine that the poor child is ill and undernourished, and the weight of the situation falls on the husband.

After an excellent beginning (the couple falling in love and their wedding) the narrative starts showing serious limitations: exclusive attention to the marriage and the child obliterates a large part of the personality of the characters and reduces realism, while events tread on a familiar ground of conflict and low-key thriller; still above average and very well told, but I expected more.
Egregiously bad ending, in all senses of the word, but it comes very late saving the disappointment for further discussions.

[Ixmucane2]

American Sniper

Somewhat effective in its treatment of Iraq war, with many good scenes and dialogues; less as a biography of Chris Kyle, given the combination of reticence about living or almost living people which afflicts most biographies (even worse than Jersey Boys), involved and somewhat dishonest inventions like the story arc about named terrorists rather than random savages, and the very vague timeline.
Bradley Cooper is fairly good.

[Satan]

Propagandafilm

I read a couple of Chomsky's books in my late teens/early twenties and this film conveys some of the themes of those books in the form of a pseudo-North Korean anti-Western propaganda film. I first watched this in 2013 and watched it again today. I love the deadpan delivery of the 'interpreter.'

[lilmanjs]

Armour of God II
I've had trailers for the first 2 in this series for quite some time now on another Jackie Chan Dvd, so when I saw I could get this on Dvd for only $12usd I couldn't pass it up. I quite enjoyed it today after it arrived from Hong Kong. I've only heard good things about Fortune Star's remastering of Jackie Chan's library of movies, and they did a fantastic job on this one. Lots of the usual action and comedy, but not really many times where the comedy is overplayed. A lot of quirky little stunts that just make you go, only Jackie could do that so effortlessly.

[drauch]

Hell yeah, the Armour of God films rule. I definitely prefer the second to the first, but they're both good fun. Just a warning on the Fortune Star Blurays if you ever go that route, because most of them are just upconverts of the DVD, so you're basically paying the extra for nothing. Some look better than others, but some also have really shit audio tracks. This is probably preaching to the choir, though, because if you're used to buying HK films on any media you sorta get used to the mediocre quality and the dire state they keep the majority of their films in.

[lilmanjs]

Hell yeah, the Armour of God films rule. I definitely prefer the second to the first, but they're both good fun. Just a warning on the Fortune Star Blurays if you ever go that route, because most of them are just upconverts of the DVD, so you're basically paying the extra for nothing. Some look better than others, but some also have really shit audio tracks. This is probably preaching to the choir, though, because if you're used to buying HK films on any media you sorta get used to the mediocre quality and the dire state they keep the majority of their films in.

A lot of that stuff is not in the greatest of quality, but heck, I guess I should see if the stateside release of Johnnie To's Exiled is better than the region-free version I found years ago. Ahh nice to know about the blu-rays. This was just a spur of the moment buy since I wanted to check out a new site I found and see if they were worth anything. Seems like they are, even if their site is slower than dirt.

[drauch]

Looks like it probably is better. Seems to be uncut, original aspect ratio and with subs. Still need to see that one. Love To's films but I haven't ventured too far into his newer stuff. I may go ahead and order this one myself.

[lilmanjs]

Looks like it probably is better. Seems to be uncut, original aspect ratio and with subs. Still need to see that one. Love To's films but I haven't ventured too far into his newer stuff. I may go ahead and order this one myself.

Ahh, the version I have is the Cat II release that takes out the Triad handshake scene. I think that's the only scene taken out to get it from a cat III rating. If the USA release of the movie has that scene, would be interesting to see. Exiled is a good movie and one of To's better movies actually. Worth grabbing. Have fallen in love with the composer's music from his movie Drug War, but haven't seen Drug War yet. Just know its the same guy who did the very good music for the movie Motorway.

[BIL]

Man On Fire (2004): my little cousin said I was a chump-ass bitch for not watching this revengey Denzel thriller instead of EQ: L'ultime Fidelitie, so after stuffing him in the freezer I thought I'd give it a look. This one is even friggin longer at 2.5hrs, but it's got a strong premise and a good deal more of the seething anger and release a good vengeance flick needs. Unfortunately, it has moderately annoying stylistic malady - the soundtrack has a severe case of pumpin' choons plus appearances from that scawy Mr. Razner of Quake OST fame and lots of Enya, compounded by the camera going into violent colour-desaturating seizures whenever Bad Things Happening. All a bit Music Television. To its credit lots of bad things really do happen, like a man's quivering asshole getting blasted rim from rim, so it does work out. Not bad at all, if very long and flowery.

[KindGrind]

Blue Ruin (rewatch)

Still found it great. I don't like the title much, to be honest. I understood why this time around...

Spoiler

I found the use of blue in the movie to be distracting. I understand the artistic idea behind it - it somehow reminded me of the use of orange in Drive- but it was way more subtle in the latter.

I felt the movie was a bit too self-conscious in that regard. Maybe I'm OCD, but I felt the color came back relentlessly, enough so that at some point I think I said to myself, "We get it".

Do watch the movie, it's good stuff. Not exactly on the lighter side, though.

[iconoclast]

Killer Virgin Road - Enjoyed this a lot. I'm surprised it only has a 6.1 rating on imdb and is incorrectly labeled as a drama to boot (should be comedy imo). It got a little too sappy towards the end, but it's a fun ride.

[dspoonrt]

The Equalizer: wanted a low-fi vigilante fantasy, got a superhero movie. Not a bad one at all, but Denzel's globe-spanning omnipotence and relative detachment from his targets gives little of the intensity or catharsis I enjoy from stuff like Dirty Harry and Taken. By the point EQ was nonchalantly locking himself in a DIY store barehanded with a squad of former Spetsnaz I was almost feeling sorry for the poor assholes, though they certainly deserved barbed-wire garotting as much as anyone. Fun (if a bit overlong) ride with some brutal kills and a great sense of escalation as ever bigger fish run head-on into the invincible murder machine that is EQ, but it lacks the passion of a great vigilante revenging.

I watched The Equalizer last week. I agree with pretty much all of your gripes, but it was still one of my favorite movies of 2014, along with The Grand Budapest Hotel, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Edge of Tomorrow.

[boagman]

"American Sniper"

You never heard it so quiet on the way out of a movie from a packed theater on a Monday afternoon matinee.

I liked it. Clint Eastwood really, really knows how to make a movie. He doesn't make them often, but when he does, he tends to reach the seats with it. I think Cooper does an excellent job showing the internal struggle(s) of the man, and I wouldn't exactly call the movie an "easy watch", just like I wouldn't call "Schindler's List" an "easy watch", either.

Interesting movie to say the least. Makes you think.

[Satan]

What about?

[boagman]

What about?

Many things having to do with war, its aftereffects, human frailty, basic human condition.

I'm not saying the movie gets everything right, but it certainly fosters thought.

[Tregard]

I stayed away from the cinema for years after laying down £16 (!) to see Iron Man 3 and walking away seething with hatred and bile at having been robbed of two precious hours of life (and sixteen quid). But last week I crawled back to check out Birdman and was really glad I did. It's beautifully composed, brilliantlly acted, and leaves your mind with a lot to chew on afterward. I've missed you Michael Keaton!

Next weekend I'm heading to a friend's place to do a marathon of all four Tremors films. Really looking forward to that, haven't seen the three sequels in yonks.

[boagman]

I stayed away from the cinema for years after laying down £16 (!) to see Iron Man 3 and walking away seething with hatred and bile at having been robbed of two precious hours of life (and sixteen quid).

Wow...*really*? I thought that was lots of fun. Sorry you didn't care for it.

[Tregard]

Wow...*really*? I thought that was lots of fun. Sorry you didn't care for it.

I was perhaps a bit rough on it there, it had some good bits. I really didn't like the villains though - very lazy T1000-esque "indestructable" dudes with attitude. The Sentinels in the latest X-Men were equally boring. In fact it made me appreciate what Cameron achieved with the T1000 even more. That thing was so dangerous, but even though it was practically unkillable in normal circumstances it never felt like they were completely helpless against it. His appearance was always terrifying.

[Mischief Maker]

What about?

Many things having to do with war, its aftereffects, human frailty, basic human condition.

I'm not saying the movie gets everything right, but it certainly fosters thought.

It also makes one prone to having arguments with an empty chair.

[Ed Oscuro]

But you guys were going to give Tregard a pass for saying the same thing about Birdman

Hmm...revenge flix...Can't say Man On Fire is my top pick. Only did a couple things I thought memorable.

Bloodsport: Good flashback sequence and montage, but it really loses a bit of steam with that nonsensical bit right at the opening. "Oh no! Some random Captain might stub his toe on furlough! WE CAN'T HAVE THAT, THE COMMIES MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE." They also have the mandatory line of privates drilling somewhere I don't think they would in real life (in this case, in front of the rather posh headquarters of Army Intelligence). Gonna put it off for spoilers (!) but this page looks interesting.

BTW, this Chris Rock interview is fantastic. Reminds me that I've gotta watch New Jack City still - I only ever got 10 minutes in.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I liked the British 1998 Sweet Revenge film (about two suicidal strangers etc.)

[Raytrace]

Bloodsport: Good flashback sequence and montage, but it really loses a bit of steam with that nonsensical bit right at the opening. "Oh no! Some random Captain might stub his toe on furlough! WE CAN'T HAVE THAT, THE COMMIES MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE." They also have the mandatory line of privates drilling somewhere I don't think they would in real life (in this case, in front of the rather posh headquarters of Army Intelligence). Gonna put it off for spoilers (!) but this page looks interesting.

it is a sad fact that it is probably the action film I have seen the most times in my life - my first gf gave it to me on VHS for my birthday when I was about 13 I think, and I watched it literally 100 times at least back then - it is very cheesy no doubt, but it is absolutely entertaining. Bolo is always a great bad guy, the chief jock from Revenge Of The Nerds is hilarious too. Interestingly (ish), I was reading about the Kowloon Walled City, and check this, the bits in Bloodsport really are footage of it, and they did go into it for that classic scene as he walks up the lane down to the door of the kumite. Things I always remember from it:

'OK USA!'

'To always keep an open mind...'

'You break my record, now I... break you - like I break your friend!'

Chase scene through the streets, JCVDs ridiculous 'hey I'm running so far ahead of you I'm leaning against this post like I'm waiting for a bus' poses.

that song too 'KUMITE! KUMITE!'

ah man I can't help it, I fuckin love that film lol.

having said all that: Big Jimmy Bennett from Fatal Deviation would batter JCVD, no doubts :p.

[Ed Oscuro]

Cool notes, just need to finish up my viewing so I'm skipping the quotes section I'm not far in, once again (is not big surprise); I've still got to see Ogre's reaction to JCVD whuppin' him at the arcade game.

You reminded me, though, that Jean-Claude Van Damme was one of the '88 winners of the "Worst New Star" Razzie. On telling this to somebody in IRC: "I forgot about the Razzies." *insert picture of JCVD yelling victorious over the Razzies*

Still, I am suddenly seized with the need to find out more about one of 1990's "Worst New Actor" awards: Donald Trump in "Ghosts Can't Do It." Or noted wiener / literal clown Ronald McDonald in '88s "Mac and Me."

Poor Bennett. Think I saw some Japanese blog once whose background was just a mosaic of Bennett pulling faces during the final showdown. Of course, somebody else uses Bill Duke, also pulling a face (in the "Green Berets for breakfast" scene). Poor guys both had their careers cooled off, but Wells has been in a bunch of junk unfortunately. I'm reliably informed by Wikipedia that one of the few times he wasn't cast as a villain, it was in the "potentially bigger than Ninja Turtles" live action kids' series "The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys," with people-sized sea monkeys. In live action. I'm sure that worked out well enough to convince Wells to keep playing heels! It's like Mr. Smith deciding to be the hero and save the Robinsons for once, only to find out that being a villain is much better after all. (But in real life, Jonathan Harris got some probably pretty good hero roles on Twilight Zone and Night Gallery.)

Speaking of which: What's this Jimmy Bennett connection? Obviously, you made me think of Commando and its character there. Revenge flick?

[BIL]

Indeed and not just any revenge - IRISH KENPO REVENGE

Marvelous entertainment. <-- patriotic emoticon, unpartisan recommendation!

Watched Prisoners (2013). Hugh Jackman's daughter goes missing, Jake Gyllenhaal's only suspect walks, Wolverine busts out the B&D for maximum interrogation. Parallells well the dispassionate, brutal arcs of a desperate parent turned torturer and a ferociously driven, regulation-frustrated detective. Enjoyed watching this unhurriedly unfold. I know Jackman mostly from X-Man: Imma Get U Dr. Octopus and my mom's gossip magazines, so I was surprised by his incendiary performance. Not bad. edit: Bonus points for gorgeous photography of wintry Pennsylvania.

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh, that's the Irish martial arts movie you were talking about, I've already shortlisted it due to your description. For the fadders! *gets in a tree*

[JBC]

I like old blaxploitation movies but have never seen Black Caeser. I started watching Hell Up In Harlem tonight & like it so far but have only seen the first half. It's pretty good, but I noticed it's ratings & reviews are low. I think it'll be interesting to see how I react to it once I know the series more intimately.

I also recently got Sugar Hill. No not that one, the one where Not Pam Grier commands a horde of black zombies against gangsters to avenge her strip club!

[boagman]

Wow...*really*? I thought that was lots of fun. Sorry you didn't care for it.

I was perhaps a bit rough on it there, it had some good bits. I really didn't like the villains though - very lazy T1000-esque "indestructable" dudes with attitude. The Sentinels in the latest X-Men were equally boring. In fact it made me appreciate what Cameron achieved with the T1000 even more. That thing was so dangerous, but even though it was practically unkillable in normal circumstances it never felt like they were completely helpless against it. His appearance was always terrifying.

Fair enough. I've not problem with you disliking it, mind you...I just thought that the vitriol was a bit much.

And yes: the T-1000 is still very, very cool, to this very day. Kind of makes you wonder what happened to Cameron.

[emphatic]

I like old blaxploitation movies but have never seen Black Caeser. I started watching Hell Up In Harlem tonight & like it so far but have only seen the first half. It's pretty good, but I noticed it's ratings & reviews are low. I think it'll be interesting to see how I react to it once I know the series more intimately.

I also recently got Sugar Hill. No not that one, the one where Not Pam Grier commands a horde of black zombies against gangsters to avenge her strip club!

You've seen Hit Man? It's like Get Carter. Pam Grier is in it, and bares all.