Movies you've just watched

[JBC]

You realize I'm addressing the negative reactions to G14 & not the Godzilla franchise? I'm saying those people have their expectations set too high & that they should turn off their brains to enjoy something like Godzilla, a series of films which typically set out to be goofy & shallow, fun & entertaining. That G14 is the first film that makes a good attempt to present the subject matter in a more mature style for a worldwide audience rather than just Japan.

You don't have to get all upset & start throwing insults. You've completely misinterpreting what I've stated. I love Goji, but it's a silly franchise.

That's not shitting on it, it's just calling it what it is.

[Lord Satori]

I'm not too sure "goofy" and "silly" are the exact words to use. I get what you're trying to say, but they don't come off as a compliment when you use them to describe something that isn't a comedy.

[JBC]

It shouldn't come off as an insult either. After all, it is a franchise that's spent the better part of the last 60 years predominantly aimed at kids, thus the action figures & video games. There was a time where the majority didn't recognize those things as being marketable to adults.

In fact merchandising is heavily responsible for the continued existence of the series & it's unprecedented absorption into worldwide pop culture. You can throw the prefix 'zilla' onto the backend of something & just about anyone will know that you mean something big.

It's easy to forget in today's climate of nerd acceptance, but there was a time when a grown man renting a Godzilla flick would at best be assumed to have kids & at worst ridiculed or shot a funny look.

It's only just now we are getting a Goji that's a bit more adult. That's why G14 rocks & I can't wait for the sequel. The concept art of Rodan is just incredible.

[Lord Satori]

predominantly aimed at kids, thus the action figures & video games

The Walking Dead has these two things also. Is it also "aimed at kids"? There are plenty of questionable franchises that have these two things.

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Anyway, I haven't seen all the old films, but I've seen the original Gojira and I'm pretty sure it wasn't made with children in mind. There's a difference between something being appropriate for kids and aimed at kids.

[neorichieb1971]

Dredd. Best super hero movie of the past 20 years.

[JBC]

The Walking Dead came out in the last ten years. I covered that topic in my previous post.

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*suffix

Honest mistake.

I know you said you haven't seen them all, but not including G14 there were a whopping 28 films succeeding the original Godzilla. They very rapidly became a marketing vehicle targeting children.

That's not an insult, but an aspect of what they were.

[Skykid]

we got a decent take on how a Hollywood Godzilla could be.

Predictably terrible?

It's only just now we are getting a Goji that's a bit more adult. That's why G14 rocks & I can't wait for the sequel.

Sorry, sorry - don't mean to push the point but you seem to be unaware. You know that movie absolutely stinks right? And I'm not saying that as a GZ fan versus its predecessors, I mean completely in its own right, as a standalone product, that it's several shades of awful in all aspects of its makeup?

[Lord Satori]

Can we stop with the Godzilla discussion now? When Skykid jumps in and gets like this, you know you aren't going to get any further. I say quit and talk about other movies while we're ahead.

I really wish I'd seen other movies within the past few weeks to break up the discussion with, but I've got nothing. I think the most recent film I've seen was Ex Machina? I rather enjoyed it, but there were a couple scenes in it that were rather jarring. The loud abrasive "buzzing" (I'm not sure what else to call it?) that accompanied one of the scenes seemed to amplify the effect. Though they could've toned it down just a little; I had to actually cover my ears during that part.

[JBC]

Oh, G14 is NEW!!! I thought the 14 meant it was way way old.

I was wrong. New stuff is shit no matter how good it is.

[Skykid]

Oh, G14 is NEW!!! I thought the 14 meant it was way way old.

I was wrong. New stuff is shit no matter how good it is.

Can we stop with the Godzilla discussion now? When Skykid jumps in and gets like this, you know you aren't going to get any further.

Depends on whether or not you have something to say. Evidently Satori-Kun, you don't, because you're not involved in the discussion.

[Squire Grooktook]

I was wrong. New stuff is shit no matter how good it is.

Didn't catch the sarcasm at first because I agree :3

[Shepardus]

I really wish I'd seen other movies within the past few weeks to break up the discussion with, but I've got nothing. I think the most recent film I've seen was Ex Machina? I rather enjoyed it, but there were a couple scenes in it that were rather jarring. The loud abrasive "buzzing" (I'm not sure what else to call it?) that accompanied one of the scenes seemed to amplify the effect. Though they could've toned it down just a little; I had to actually cover my ears during that part.

I recently watched Ex Machina too, my brother was starting to watch it and I checked out the first few minutes with him and ended up watching the whole thing. Pretty neat film. I don't remember what part you might be referring to with the "buzzing" though.

[dingsbums]

Ant-Man (Cinema)
Sure it was a dumb plot but the movie was entertaining as hell.

Terminator Genisys (Cinema)
The first two Terminator movies are up there as my favourite movies ever so the new one had a hard time before I even walked in.
They tried really hard to make a good movie but when you enter "alternative timelines" it can only turn out as a mindfuck. When they kill the 1984 Terminator doesn't it make the complete first movie non existent ? I still don't get how John Connor can exist without his parents fucking .

Beetlejuice (Blu Ray)
Last time I watched this movie was when I was around 8/9 years old - I loved it back then and I still love it now. This movie (along with Ed Wood and Mars Attacks) is / are Tim Burton's masterpieces.

Stripes (Blu Ray)
I never watched this movie until now - big mistake - funny as hell.

[xxx1993]

I enjoyed Pixels!

[Skykid]

I was wrong. New stuff is shit no matter how good it is.

Didn't catch the sarcasm at first because I agree :3

I'd rework it into something like people who think new stuff is good tend not to be able to see why it's shit. Or something.

Taking a genuine hardline is stupid though - of course there are new movies that are good. Predestination surprised me, for example, Budapest Hotel was superb, and I know Fury Road will be fantastic even though I haven't been fortunate enough to see it (China has no release date as yet).

The odd gem still gets made, it's just a constant battle against people who tell you Furious 7, Godzilla, Terminator Genysis and Man of Steel were anything except further exercises in the decline of mainstream movies into splendid effects laden dogshit.

[system11]

Brighton Mob - some of the acting is a bit wonky but it's worth checking this one out if you like crime dramas.

[Ixmucane2]

The odd gem still gets made, but while I wait for it...

Deep Red

Among the best works of Dario Argento, a timeless classic that defined a genre.
A psychic announces there's a really bad person in the audience at her mind-reading show, earning the privilege of being the first of several people the bad person kills to avoid being discovered. The protagonist is the psychic's neighbour (a jazz pianist), who collaborates with a female journalist and the psychic's clever friend on a private investigation, with a relatively good final score of 6 dead, 1 in hospital and 0 apprehended.

An unusually good script, full of clever anticipations and revealing details, irony and gags (for example, the journalist's car and her very unsubtle and unsuccessful seduction attempts), and economical storytelling (for example, a character who has been relentlessly set up as a suspect in the first part is cleared in a fraction of a second, being on the phone with the protagonist at the same time as the killer is making threats from outside the door). Excellent editing also contributes to narrative effectiveness.
There are many quirky scenes and diversions, from the non-lifelike people at the bar to the long arm wrestling sequence, which strongly establish an "anything can happen" tone. Spoiler: lots and lots of anything actually happen.

Acting is less bad than typical for Dario Argento, with an old star (former beauty Clara Calamai) and a rising star (Gabriele Lavia) offering particularly good performances (overshadowing the merely adequate protagonist, David Hemmings).

Great music, both Giorgio Gaslini's piano pieces and the famous rock pieces by the Goblin; it appears either diegetically or in meaningful quasi-scenes rather than as a mere background.

[Skykid]

Monster Hunt





A movie that makes $170 million in 8 days and breaks all Chinese records should be amazing. It's not amazing, of course, but it also isn't too bad.

By virtue of not being American you would assume there's an instant advantage here, yet simply having a different cultural flavour doesn't guarantee anything special. Asia's Hollywood is really trying hard to achieve that of its western market leader, and doing a damn good job of peddling equally vacuous, join-the-dots nonsense to audiences with half-mast cognitive function. There is a distinction because of the cultural differences that do offer something compelling for the foreign viewer - and some elements of those copycats that are arguably superior because they don't always follow the same exact paths - but if you strip it down they're still aping a common formula of stars + cliche + crap, especially in the Hong Kong industry. Interestingly this is a mainland movie with a Hong Kong director who incidentally hates Stephen Chow for some personal reason (perhaps he fucked his wife - it's possible) but more on that connection later.

Monster Hunt is refreshing in many ways. The feudal setting is very attractive, and the cast are capable actors who give good performances.

The premise is odd: humans and monsters coexisting, with humans hunting them out of their territory and serving them up as fine dining courses. The monsters themselves are a clear marketing gimmick to sell toys, and are totally unlike how the west would portray them. The designs are straight out of the Nintendo playbook, almost Pikmin-esque. Despite the jarringness of cartoon monster in human environs, it's somehow quite appealing.

The movie is well engineered toward both children and adults. In-fact I'd say this is its most successful feat. The balance of not being too kiddy to turn off adults but totally on the money to appease children is rather special.

But as a movie? Ultimately it hasn't done much to deserve such incredible success, but it's certainly entertaining, occasionally fresh, has some great sequences (battling in an ancient elevator shaft is very cool) and a nice blend of inoffensive comedy, capering, and cliché Asian movie tenderness. It's a bit wearying by the end, the action laid on a little too thick in the last third, but in terms of pacing it doesn't feel particularly formulaic (which is nice).

Of course so much of it is ripped off from Stephen Chow's recent Journey to the West it's almost a case for plagiarism, with a bit of CJ7 marketing ploy thrown in just to kick him in the balls. But most people don't seem to care, even though it's no way near his film-making calibre.

Recommended for a one time viewing just for something different, and obviously creatively superior, to current Hollywood.

[Lord Satori]

I really wish I'd seen other movies within the past few weeks to break up the discussion with, but I've got nothing. I think the most recent film I've seen was Ex Machina? I rather enjoyed it, but there were a couple scenes in it that were rather jarring. The loud abrasive "buzzing" (I'm not sure what else to call it?) that accompanied one of the scenes seemed to amplify the effect. Though they could've toned it down just a little; I had to actually cover my ears during that part.

I recently watched Ex Machina too, my brother was starting to watch it and I checked out the first few minutes with him and ended up watching the whole thing. Pretty neat film. I don't remember what part you might be referring to with the "buzzing" though.

During the scene where he slits his wrist, there is this loud... noise that accompanies it. It's presented as part of the soundtrack, so it's not like it's coming from anywhere in the actual movie.

I enjoyed Pixels!

I can see that you are too far gone...

[trap15]

I enjoyed Pixels!

Continuing the trend of "worst taste on shmupsforum".

[Shepardus]

I really wish I'd seen other movies within the past few weeks to break up the discussion with, but I've got nothing. I think the most recent film I've seen was Ex Machina? I rather enjoyed it, but there were a couple scenes in it that were rather jarring. The loud abrasive "buzzing" (I'm not sure what else to call it?) that accompanied one of the scenes seemed to amplify the effect. Though they could've toned it down just a little; I had to actually cover my ears during that part.

I recently watched Ex Machina too, my brother was starting to watch it and I checked out the first few minutes with him and ended up watching the whole thing. Pretty neat film. I don't remember what part you might be referring to with the "buzzing" though.

During the scene where he slits his wrist, there is this loud... noise that accompanies it. It's presented as part of the soundtrack, so it's not like it's coming from anywhere in the actual movie.

Oh right, I do remember that and several other moments where the soundtrack has that sort of throbbing, buzzing, I-don't-know-what-to-call-it sound to it. Didn't really bother me since the speakers I was listening on weren't so loud, but I get what you mean, it is a discomforting sound.

[Tregard]

I just watched the Evil Dead remake. Holy sheeit that was grisly as fuck. Didn't have particularly high expectations and ended up enjoying it. It had a very appealing gothic look, although they failed to find the right tone overall. The various nods to the originals raised a smile (particularly the camera work when the main guy "tools up").

[BrianC]

I actually liked the HB Godzilla cartoon in a "so bad, it's good" kind of way, though it's a messed up Americanization. I did see Gojira and liked it quite a bit. I wish it was still on Netflix (they only have the US one now).

edit: Doh. Looks like ALL Godzilla movies were delisted from Netflix streaming, probably because of some Amazon deal. Even Gojira is steaming on Amazon Prime now.

[neorichieb1971]

Hitting the 80's here.

Midnight run. (blu ray)

De Niro and John Ashton are very well cast here as two bounty hunters trying to get Charles Grodin into LA. There are some really cool lines, some nice comedy tones, action set pieces and a great storyline. It was one of the 80's wonder movies that never really hit it off at the box office. It has an 18 certificate but nothing in it deserves it. There is a lot of smoking and use of the F word though.

Midnight run also has a really cool soundtrack.

As good as Heat, For a few dollars more etc.

This ranks as one of my favourites and I give it 9.5/10.

[boagman]

While I really enjoy MR, I wouldn't rate it as highly as you do. Quite funny, but not in the same tier of the other movies you mention. It's actually quite surprising how good Grodin is in it, and how much Kotto brings to the table.

[drauch]

You realize I'm addressing the negative reactions to G14 & not the Godzilla franchise?

What. You're addressing the negative reactions to the new movie by shitting on the old ones? Not really making much of a case in either sense. Why not just look at the new one objectively? Everyone else arguing with you is hardly comparing to the others. The first was brought up by a few people because you claim the entire 28 films were solely made with children in mind and are too goofy to be taken serious.

I'm saying those people have their expectations set too high & that they should turn off their brains to enjoy something like Godzilla, a series of films which typically set out to be goofy & shallow, fun & entertaining.

Again, why? Why do you need to "turn off your brain" to enjoy something? Do you not experience the suspension of disbelief at all in your fiction? Why lower unrealistic fiction down to an arbitrary level so you can enjoy it?

You've completely misinterpreting what I've stated. I love Goji, but it's a silly franchise.

That's not shitting on it, it's just calling it what it is.

I don't think I have. No. Yes, you are. And no, you're not.

After all, it is a franchise that's spent the better part of the last 60 years predominantly aimed at kids, thus the action figures & video games. There was a time where the majority didn't recognize those things as being marketable to adults.

Not really. A few films is hardly 60 years. Know what else had action figures and video games? Alien, The Terminator, Mad Max/The Road Warrior, Rambo, Predator, blah blah... Look at other Kaiju like the stand alone films of Rodan, Mothra, Daimajin, Half Human, etc. Not for kids.

In fact merchandising is heavily responsible for the continued existence of the series & it's unprecedented absorption into worldwide pop culture. You can throw the prefix 'zilla' onto the backend of something & just about anyone will know that you mean something big.

You do realize the first film was released in an Americanized version as well, which spawned the further interest, especially since monster movies were huge in the 50s. This was built upon even more with the collaboration to have King Kong Vs Godzilla. Godzilla is a cultural icon, yes. Okay? So is James Bond, Zatoichi, Bruce Lee, Marilyn Monroe, Dirty Harry, Chaplin's The Tramp, Rocky, blah fucking blah. ALL FOR KIDS.

It's easy to forget in today's climate of nerd acceptance, but there was a time when a grown man renting a Godzilla flick would at best be assumed to have kids & at worst ridiculed or shot a funny look.

Ah yes, I remember the days of the ye olde rental store when the entire population would chastise those for renting such children's fare. Thank god people have finally accepted these things. I can now walk the aisles safely.

It's only just now we are getting a Goji that's a bit more adult. That's why G14 rocks & I can't wait for the sequel. The concept art of Rodan is just incredible.

Because the heavily militarized and serious films towards the end of the Japanese run were so ostensibly marketed towards children with their endless talk of scientific procedures and military strategy.

[JBC]

Adventures in Babysitting

Pretty fun. Elisabeth Shue was such a hottie.

[boagman]

Elisabeth Shue was such a hottie.

Yeah...it makes you wonder what happened.

[Strider77]

Randomly gave "The Guest" a watch on Netflix. I went into it pretty much blind and glad I did.

It was a surprisingly fun watch. It wasn't ultra predictable and I was motivated to see how things would pan out. I'm not saying it's amazing on all counts but it does have its strengths.

The lead roll delivers a performance that garners your attention. I enjoyed the synthesizer score also. I'd recommend giving it a watch and going in knowing as little as possible. I'm not sure that was required really but it was how I did and it was fun.

Refreshing to stumble on something blindly that's off the beaten path and actually motivates you to pay attention.

[Mischief Maker]

Whatever happened to the term "Guilty Pleasure?" It's such a perfect term for indefensible films that you enjoy.

The Warrior and the Sorceress has nothing of merit save copious female nudity, but the film is a guilty pleasure of mine. You'll never hear me shitting on Yojimbo to try and build W&S up, nor will I imply you're watching it wrong if you fail to turn off your brain. It's a guilty pleasure. Conflict over.