Movies you've just watched

[BIL]

Thunderbolt And Lightfoot (1974) Clint Eastwood buddy roadtrip/heist caper, co-starring a babyfaced Jeff Bridges. Young shitbird LIGHTFOOT rescues fugitive safecracker THUNDERBOLT from his vengeful ex-crew, then accompanies him on One Last Score™! Mirthful crime antics ensue!

Amiably overlong, like many Eastwood pictures greater and lesser. Snuffs the opening's gleeful mayhem with an indulgent 45minute ~BROS ON TEH ROAD~ layover, leaning overly on wacky young Lightfoot - who I'm sure was tres hip n' cool BITD, but is a bit tiresome in these cynical post-Dude days. Pulls up nicely once Thunderbolt's old war buddy/partner in crime RED (an invaluable George Kennedy) and his disarmingly hapless minion GOODY arrive, emphasising the film's stronger black-comedic suit. Red's an unironically great antagonist; equal parts menacing and pitiful, whining about his asthma and hayfever while shamelessly pulling a piece after Clint manfully thrashes him mano-a-mano. The film's best stretch, by far, is watching these beleaguered crooks holding down day jobs, fractiously plotting that Last Big Job™ paycheque-to-paycheque, the climax unraveling with venomous elan.

A heartily irreverent romp in need of a stern buzzcut. Not a bad watch for a patient night. Bonus points for gorgeous landscape photography, and some surprisingly intense off-roading stunts across same. Also a young GARYBUSEY, in the same frame as young Jeff, even!

Never seen this, but I've been told that this was the movie playing at the drive-in the night my parents met for the first time. I'm told they didn't care much for it at the time. Should probably check it out some day for that very reason, and probably only for that very reason.

Besides the slow opening act, I could see all the whoremongering and overall T&A being a potential date night liability Coincidentally, a drive-in theatre figures heavily in the Last Big Score™, bit meta there!

[xxx1993]

The next movie on my list was Night Train, some obscure movie from Saban Films that came out sometime this year about a single mom who smuggles medical supplies for her sick son. It was fine.

[emphatic]

I have no idea how much of this is Noah Baumbach, and how much of it is in the book, but I do recommend anyone who's a fan of movies to not miss out on this one.

I remember starting the book but it wasn't my thing back then. Chuck Palahniuk recommended Delillo and I was heavily into the former's books back then. I'm gonna watch the movie then read the book now, I still have in in my book case.

[NYN]

Never seen this, but I've been told that this was the movie playing at the drive-in the night my parents met for the first time. I'm told they didn't care much for it at the time.

Never been myself, yet isn't the drive-in only attractive for getting the sex unsupervised? Not for whatever plays, right?
Perhaps it's story-time now for you from P+M...

I'm told they didn't care much for it at the time. Should probably check it out some day for that very reason, and probably only for that very reason.

Bad way to go into any movie. "Ma-and-Pa-first-encounter-movie-way-back-that-kinda-sucked" . Won't hold the pressure of expectations.

No offence.

[xxx1993]

They Cloned Tyrone felt like a blaxploitation movie from the 70s!

[lilmanjs]

The Big Boss: The Mandarin Cut
New Arrow 4K set of Bruce Lee includes the full version that wowed the Hong Kong public back in the day. It is a bit messy as the 35mm footage wasn't really cleaned up all that much but it still makes really good. Some of the stuff that was removed for the current version everyone's seen does help flesh out the plot a bit more. Still some fantastic basher sub-genre action in this Martial Arts movie.

[Ixmucane2]

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One

A faithful, high budget Lupin III live-action adaptation.

There are Lupin (Ethan Hunt), Fujiko (Grace), Inspector Zenigata (the nice guy from CIA), the rest of the IMF team as equivalents of Jigen and Goemon, a cruel and deranged villain (with mustaches), a yellow Fiat 500, a plot about saving the world with mostly nonlethal heists, stealing and re-stealing and recovering and planting and delivering a macguffin discovering the location of a treasure, and very appropriate action (falling, gratuitous explosions, parachute flight, chases on foot, acrobatics).

Will part 2 return to more traditional espionage models?

[BryanM]

Man, a bit of nostalgia for the drive-in. It was definitely a hang out spot where watching the movie wasn't the only attraction. Privacy, playgrounds, being able to still watch the movie on your way to the toilet/concessions, being able to talk without being shushed by NPC's.... Aside from the time constraints, they were a better experience. Mosquitoes and all.

Kind of reminds me of playing online games. Everyone else only seemed to care about making the numbers go up, but I was there to talk about Alf and Urkel.

It feels a lot like arcades; no longer the product, but an accessory to the thing that actually makes money. Sometimes I feel like these things ought to be like libraries; a non-profit public utility.

[vol.2]

Man, a bit of nostalgia for the drive-in.

Always. We have a good drive-in in the Baltimore area. Projection and facilities are top notch, and they have good food. Also they claim that it's the largest movie screen in the country, but whatever idk if that's true.

Probably my only complaint is that they don't do more older films. The drive-in that I went to when I was younger would play a bunch of double/triple features of old b-movies on the off days and save the blockbusters for thur-sun. Bengies won't do it anymore because it's too expensive to keep it open and pay all the employees. But once in awhile they will do a revival thing.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Well, apologies if I'm not welcome here anymore. Things happen. Nevertheless, if you happen to be ANYWHERE near Wrocław, Poland nowadays - do visit the Wrocław's Market Square at 22:00 (10:00 PM, I guess) and attend showing of a movie (free of charge). Two evenings ago they started with no less than fucking "Blade Runner", the quality of all stuff was all over the roof, I am especially impreseesd with sound system they put together. It was all huge, loud & clear. "2001: Space Odyssey" is upon, and whathaveyou. Really makes my "summer in the city".

[drauch]

Obi, no! Why wouldn't you be welcome? Keep Team Drunk alive for all of time.

[BIL]

Obi u are on my OFFICIAL list of Good Shumps Peeps, tell me who said you weren't welcome and I'll rub my fuckin bristling nutsack on their face like a cactus until they recant 3;

[BurlyHeart]

The Wailing (or Gokseong as it is known in Korea - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wailing) - Brilliant Korean horror. Had me researching for days afterwards - there was a lot going that I missed. Anybody watches it and needs the down low, let me know. I found a great write-up on the interweb.

The Roundup (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_roundup_2022) - A Korean movie and a superb sequel to The Outlaws (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_outlaws_2017) sees Ma Dong-seok reprise his role as the Beast Cop taking on all comers. It still has the charm from the first movie, tho admittedly not quite as much, and the action has been ramped up to 11. Quite violent and a lot of knife fights, but the action is pure quality. Highly recommended.

Escape from Mogadishu (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/escape_from_mogadishu)- based on a true story about the North and South Korean embassies working together to escape Somali civil unrest. First half is a little slow but it certainly ramps up after. Has a fantastic car chase with unreal camera shots. I swear Korea is becoming the king of action sequences.

Nope (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nope) - Can't say much about this without spoiling it, but it was alright. It was fantastic for an hour and a half, but the final 30mins or so lets the movie down. Jordan Peele (Get Out; Us) is a master of building up intrigue and making you wonder wtf is going on.

[BIL]

The Wailing (or Gokseong) - Brilliant Korean horror. Had me researching for days afterwards - there was a lot going that I missed. Anybody watches it and need the down low, let me know. I found a great write-up on the interweb.

Fuckin killer occult horror; I've been meaning to rewatch, actually. I loved the unravelling jumble of uneasy, light-hearted, and utterly horrifying. Like life itself. Unforgettable.

[NYN]

After I loose decade, I got to watch American Hustle again. It still had the fun. What would otherwise be played straight "inspired-by-real-events-maybe" about half-criminals going off the deep end with blood in the water, is actually close to a parody to said crime-thriller trope. Hilarious goofy characters undermine the very concept of heroes of narrative, without becoming cardboard-cutouts in the process. Tricky thing, though I can affirm that balance a second watch. Versatile '70s soundtrack made even slow-motion-montages smooth to consume. Remembered that on first watch I rented this from a town video store, as part of a chain. Closed at least for 8 years. Aah, the days! All gone.

[xxx1993]

Shin Kamen Rider. I enjoyed it, but it felt a bit dark at times...

[vol.2]

Shin Kamen Rider. I enjoyed it, but it felt a bit dark at times...

I'm definitely planning on watching this. What did you think about Shin Godzilla and Ultraman?

[xxx1993]

Shin Godzilla I also enjoyed. Didn't watch Shin Ultraman, though.

[xxx1993]

Paradise, some German movie on Netflix. Average.

[DMC]

I watched Hausu (1977) recently. Very charming soundtrack. Some characters had their own recurring, cheerful themes like this one.
The music added a lot to the happy-go-lucky vibe and the dreamlike atmosphere.



The Brood (1979) was highly enjoyable too. Some great inspiration for modern psychiatry. Fewer pills, more brooding!

This scene is referenced in some other film. I think Changeling?


And the "picking flowers squence" in the House of flying daggers (2004) is quite pleasant to watch. Where's next to go if you enjoyed the aesthetics and sense of perfection in this one and Hero?

[NYN]

The Brood (1979) was highly enjoyable too. Some great inspiration for modern psychiatry. Fewer pills, more brooding!

Agreed! For the pink filter morgue scene of a failed gas bag win!

Where's next to go if you enjoyed the aesthetics and sense of perfection in this one and Hero?

Nowhere. Sad, depressing answer? OK. Though, it holds its own rewards.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

The Getaway (1972) - 7.5/10

[xxx1993]

Just saw the Ladybug and Cat Noir movie. It feels very much like the show. And I enjoyed it. The musical numbers almost made the movie feel like a Disney flick from the 90s at times, though. Anyway, my next movie will now be Hidden Strike, also on Netflix.

[xxx1993]

Hidden Strike was pretty good. Being directed by Scott Waugh, it felt like a sneak peek of what I'm about to experience in Expend4bles. It's got Jackie Chan and John Cena.

[GaijinPunch]

La Grande Bellezza / The Great Beauty

As a new fan of Italy, gave this recommendation a day in court on a long haul flight. An aging former author, now journalist, looks back at his life through Rome's lavish high society. Was not familiar with the director, but will check out his other works. Beautifully shot, and a humorous look at the sometimes absurd. I feel like those of us reaching our older years can relate to the main character. At least I can.

[BryanM]

Normally I have great fun obnoxiously shouting "SO ARE YOU EXCITED FOR _____________?!!!" where blank is some remake or reboot or sequel. (Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters being this year's workhorses.) But I can't work up the energy for the bit for The Exorcist. You can only be the first person to pee on the floor and say a swear, once.

I gave Wreck-it Ralph a shot. I enjoyed a bit of the start, but once it reached its rut in the center with plot I cut my losses. I think plots are what I hate most about movies; the ones that don't really have any like Zombieland are so much better.

[GaijinPunch]

Barbie

This was a pretty hands on date I went on, and I had an absolute blast. As some here know, I'm not afraid to embrace the flamboyant. So, donned a pink shirt and enjoyed an espresso martini while catching this at a rather nice theater in Soho in London. Somewhat surprisingly, I really enjoyed it. It was the right amount of cheese, and it was quite funny. If you're the spitting image of the caricature bro that's the butt of most of the humor, well, it's obviously not gonna be for you. And even though Gossling is playing second fiddle to Margot Robbie, he does quite a compelling job with the music and dancing. The last "number" the Kens did is fucking hilarious.

[NYN]

Aah, I was going to ask when folks here would start admitting in watching either Barbie or Oppenheimer this summer. Thanks for stepping up. From a far distance, I'd say neither can grab me. The Plastic Icon's Biopic, does it come with protest and boycott, same as the toy? Aaand I was done with Nolan before. Spinning his fiction around one of the eggheads who brought us THE bomb. I'm doubtful a movie can give out a sentence the man never got in life. Denied.

[BryanM]

I watched Shoe0nHead's take on Barbie. And Oppenheimer has been relevant as an analogy in conversations about AI. That's as close as I'll be getting to either.

Sad that the lesson the MBA's will take from this is they need to make an Uno and Monopoly movie. As opposed to letting them make a Last Starfighter 2 already. Sigh.

(My god, just look at that man's youtube page. An audio book and a vid on a mecha model kit for it. With like 50 views. Could you imagine any of the shot-callers in Hollywood ever having a hobby like that?)

Watched a bit of the old Twilight Zone episodes. It's nice that the vibes were appropriate to the times, I still have no interest in even watching a clip of Peele's version. It's already been done man. It's not appropriate anymore. Black Mirror is already old cat food, slowly (or very quickly, if you think in the scale of generations) phasing into reality under our eyes, and they're going back there?

[GaijinPunch]

Aah, I was going to ask when folks here would start admitting in watching either Barbie or Oppenheimer this summer. Thanks for stepping up. From a far distance, I'd say neither can grab me. The Plastic Icon's Biopic, does it come with protest and boycott, same as the toy? Aaand I was done with Nolan before. Spinning his fiction around one of the eggheads who brought us THE bomb. I'm doubtful a movie can give out a sentence the man never got in life. Denied.

I'll call it a guilty pleasure. Honestly I don't identify as even remotely close as the boogieman of the show. I realize it's not going to be for everyone, and that's fine. It does seem like a topic that is rife for parody though: Corporate world, basically dominated by men, owns a product that embodies some perfect, nothing is ever wrong world: except that Ken, and men in general, are just an afterthought. How many female action figures are there in the GI Joe line? I think 2 back when I was blowing them up. I enjoyed the self-aware humor. Not going to go buy the Bluray or anything.

I will go see Oppenheimer, but I know what I'm expecting. I think of Nolan as a summer blockbuster flick guy, but with some style.