Movies you've just watched

[Skykid]

watched "Monsters" today. A solid recommendation for Monster Movie fans.

Made on a pathetic budget of $500k, the acting isn't the best but it's a decent flick.
The "creatures" have taken up refuge between Mexico and the US, which is now referred to
as the "quarantined zone." A journalist has been given the responsibility of escorting an
American citizen (his bosses daughter) back home.

The creatures are seen several times throughout the film but the plot focuses more on
the effect the occupation has had on an impoverished country and it's residents: pay
$5k (which may as well be 5 million) for a ferry ride to the states (gas mask for free!) or
take your chances and go through the quarantined zone.

See, we can agree on something.


And they're remaking Fright Night?! FFS is nothing sacred!

[xris]

Got sucked in to watching Magic Beyond Words on lifetime the other night, the bio-pic for J K Rowling. I haven't read any of the books, but have seen a couple of the movies. I've been working hard on a novel, so I think that's what got me interested in watching this. I actually enjoyed it, and the damn thing kept threatening to make my cry near the end. It was because I could relate to what she was feeling at the time. And, before you go and say so what, she's very rich, STFU, the woman is much more of a humanitarian than you could ever be. She has behaved very responsibly with her money, and has done great things for her country-men. The over all awareness of reading that she has brought to modern youth is commendable in it's self.
Watched Fight Club on teevee last night, seen it a bunch of course, but what was interesting was that I watched a censored version. Now, the only things that were censored was the image of a dildo, and the word fuck. Okay, so that is much more destructive than all of the graphic violence, and the seriously anti-social concepts presented? Wow, censors get your act together, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Went and saw Captain America today, it rocked. But, I've always been a big fan of Captain America all my life, so I may be biased. (go America!) I enjoyed allot of it, it does take place during WWII, almost none of it is in modern time. They did a fantastic job on the skinny version of Chris Evans, except his voice seemed really out of place. Great characterisation of him before the serum, and he did well to keep his integrity intact after. Howard Stark was in the movie much more than I expected. It had one of the strongest female leads in a movie in awhile, fantastic portrayal, bravo for them. She was quite the looker as well. Red Skull was cool, the Hydra tech was dope. A good mix of plot and action, but it did drag a little in the middle. Although, the USO parts were very well handled. Good set up for The Avengers, and we were the only ones that stuck around for the teaser after the credits, it was worth it. I'm dieing to know who the villain is going to be i n it!
There were some flaws, but I don't really want to give out too many details. It does count toward a very strong run of movies from Marvel. This series leading up to Avengers has been so much fun to watch.

[rapoon]

If nothing else, any aspiring director should watch "Monsters" to see just what
you can do with a $500k (equipment was only $15k).

I haven't seen the original Fright Night in ages. From what I remember, it tried to
be a "serious" vampire movie??

As an actor, I like Collin Farrell (his off-screen behavior is a different story).
I rented "Tigerland" in college and thought he was excellent. He was in quite a bit of shit
the following years but lately: In Bruges, The Way Back, London Blvd, I've been impressed.

I watched "Tetro" (Francis Ford Coppola) this afternoon. Vincent Gallo is the lead. The story
revolves around his younger brothers attempt at reconnecting with Gallo and family secrets
that emerge while they re-establish a relationship. I think it's one of his best films. There's
an enormous amount of talent in that family. Anyone else like Sophia Coppola and
seen "Somewhere?"

[Skykid]

If nothing else, any aspiring director should watch "Monsters" to see just what
you can do with a $500k (equipment was only $15k).

Totally agree, I was incredibly impressed to learn the backstory.

I haven't seen the original Fright Night in ages. From what I remember, it tried to
be a "serious" vampire movie??

Nooo, it was totally tongue in cheek really, and great fun because of it. There's no way this remake is going to be able to top it, Fright Night was all about throwbacks to classic trashy horror and campy vampire killers (Roddy Mcdowell.)

The whole college-kid-living-next-door-to-a-vampire thing is a totally 80's spin, you can see from the trailer for the remake they're taking it in some kind of wack twilight direction.

On other things, I just went to the local independent for an 11am 'Senior Screen' showing of Source Code, lol.
There were a few old folks in there, but it was cool (no making out in the back seats or throwing popcorn at the screen). Really I just wanted to see Duncan Jones' next movie after Moon.

I quite liked it in a kind of let yourself go with it kind of way. The plot was fun, if utterly bonkers, and Gyllenhall was actually ok.

It didn't have any of the artistry of Moon, but was still competently put together. I felt it was weakened by too much shmaltz - I can take a bit, but it was a touch too heavy at the end. That's Hollywood for you.

I'd recommend it if you want something fun and easy going.

[jonny5]

Mutant Girls Squad

Noboru Iguchi.....need I say more?

Simply awesome!

[Skykid]

And the plot was actually very good. You really need to stop voicing the opinions of others when you don't have one of your own...'I haven't seen this, but the people I know have and they didn't like it'... it's pointless.

Who goes in to see a movie loaded with hot young girls doing crazy shit then criticizes the plot? Me, that's who.
Maybe I've "moved" past the stage of finding it necessary to drop $10 to see a flick with vapid, talentless, casting couch trash bounce their jiggly
parts on screen, or maybe I simply don't care anymore. Personally, if I wanna see some hot ass, I'll warm up tube8 and rub one out. However, I agree the plot was good. Albeit poorly executed.
I have no qualm referring to myself as a film geek/nerd. Fine girls are always a plus! but the acting was complete shit and no matter how tight the asses
or how perky (or big) the titties, it doesn't make up for a garbage film. It's a bit like getting a toy in box of cereal that taste like crap.

Right Sucker Punch, here we go:

So weird, watching this I could see exactly what Snyder was trying to do, and at times it had me sitting bolt upright in frustration. I was urging him to just 'get it' in the next minute, but he never managed to nail what he was going for. I'll elaborate in a bit.

From the top:

The acting was shit all round (especially Scott Glen - christ that guy is absolutely unwatchable), and the dialogue, what little there was, was tragic. But you know what, it's hardly a performance piece - that's totally not what Snyder was going for. Sure it would be nice if he paid a little attention to the subtleties beyond stylising every inch of every scene, but I'm starting to realise that's his forte. To that end, I couldn't fault the art direction. Even though it's totally commercial, it's a very good commercial. Snyder definitely has a grasp on visual stylisation that few modern directors seem to be able to manage. Even though everyone cites 300 as visually impressive, it was really Watchmen where I noticed some actual talent - and this followed suit.

The plot was allegorical of course, but it was no way near as intelligent a metaphor as all the ditzy teens leaving the movie theatre would have thought ("like totally wow maaaan, it was soooo deep"). It wasn't deep, it was paper thin, completely revealed in the final cut to black summary.

But fuck all that, I couldn't stop thinking about false eyelashes, high heels, knee high socks and all those pictures I saw of Vanessa Hudgens naked. Should a red-blooded male watch this just to see some hot chicks flipping about in their panties? Sure, why not, it's on the table, may as well get involved.

BUT (and here's the but) going back to that opening point of frustration: the action was just not right. I'd stand up and light a candle for the film's imagination, I have nothing but praise for someone who wants to make a barmy movie with no plot and a bunch of scantily clad teens kicking the shit out of stuff. I liked the sequences, I liked the cinematography (well, the CG), but I was punching the sofa over the action.

Snyder wanted ANIME. He didn't get it.
Of all those American directors who think "Anime's cool, let's make a movie that looks like Anime!" after seeing some of the visual flair in Watchmen I would have actually pegged this guy to pull it off at some point, but he didn't.

By the time they were doing the rolling action sequences on the train, my hopes faded completely. One day someone will realise that to get the right motion, you can't just randomly keep slowing down and speeding up shots and following bullets through the air - if you don't cut frames, you won't get the right impact.
Anime timing isn't all about slowing shit down. Stuff slows down after frames are skipped, that's basically how anime is given false weight and greater impact. Sucker Punch was trying so hard it was painful, but all the action ended up feeling off-kilter and... soft.

It was a shame really, because there were some cool shots and really nice ideas in there, he just didn't nail the motion properly. Rrrgh, annoying.

Anyway, would I recommend this? Well, you can live without it. It's basically a 2 hour music video with heavy pop culture references through fetishistic imagery, and it's about 60% good, 40% poor (that's a 6/10 for score freaks). But I wouldn't say don't watch it either, there are certainly noteworthy elements done better than the average Hollywood fare. Respect where it's due: Snyder has something with Sucker Punch, but whatever 'it' is, it's not capitalised on properly. Watchmen is still a far superior film.


(Edit: jonny5 I wrote this essay for you punk, let's hear what you got to say! )

[Siren2011]

Just saw "Good Will Hunting" for the first time. Extraordinary, powerful film with a strong, witty script and equally brilliant actors to bring it to life. Superb character development as well. Elliot Smith was a great choice for the soundtrack, and his music matched the film well. It instantly became one of my favorite movies overnight. I don't cry very easily from films, but there was a certain point in the film (many will probably know which one I'm referring to) that left me balling.

I watched that, and The Pagemaster. It was great returning to an old childhood favorite after all of these years.

[Bloodreign]

Captain America First Avenger, not bad, not bad at all, a little slow paced, but once the action starts up, it doesn't let up till the end. Much better paced than Thor was too (Thor just seemed to just run in circles for the longest).

[Skykid]

Watched The Pawnbroker last night.

Rod Steiger. Wow. Now there's a guy who can act anyone else right off the screen. Incredible performance.

[jonny5]

And the plot was actually very good. You really need to stop voicing the opinions of others when you don't have one of your own...'I haven't seen this, but the people I know have and they didn't like it'... it's pointless.

Who goes in to see a movie loaded with hot young girls doing crazy shit then criticizes the plot? Me, that's who.
Maybe I've "moved" past the stage of finding it necessary to drop $10 to see a flick with vapid, talentless, casting couch trash bounce their jiggly
parts on screen, or maybe I simply don't care anymore. Personally, if I wanna see some hot ass, I'll warm up tube8 and rub one out. However, I agree the plot was good. Albeit poorly executed.
I have no qualm referring to myself as a film geek/nerd. Fine girls are always a plus! but the acting was complete shit and no matter how tight the asses
or how perky (or big) the titties, it doesn't make up for a garbage film. It's a bit like getting a toy in box of cereal that taste like crap.

Right Sucker Punch, here we go:

So weird, watching this I could see exactly what Snyder was trying to do, and at times it had me sitting bolt upright in frustration. I was urging him to just 'get it' in the next minute, but he never managed to nail what he was going for. I'll elaborate in a bit.

From the top:

The acting was shit all round (especially Scott Glen - christ that guy is absolutely unwatchable), and the dialogue, what little there was, was tragic. But you know what, it's hardly a performance piece - that's totally not what Snyder was going for. Sure it would be nice if he paid a little attention to the subtleties beyond stylising every inch of every scene, but I'm starting to realise that's his forte. To that end, I couldn't fault the art direction. Even though it's totally commercial, it's a very good commercial. Snyder definitely has a grasp on visual stylisation that few modern directors seem to be able to manage. Even though everyone cites 300 as visually impressive, it was really Watchmen where I noticed some actual talent - and this followed suit.

The plot was allegorical of course, but it was no way near as intelligent a metaphor as all the ditzy teens leaving the movie theatre would have thought ("like totally wow maaaan, it was soooo deep"). It wasn't deep, it was paper thin, completely revealed in the final cut to black summary.

But fuck all that, I couldn't stop thinking about false eyelashes, high heels, knee high socks and all those pictures I saw of Vanessa Hudgens naked. Should a red-blooded male watch this just to see some hot chicks flipping about in their panties? Sure, why not, it's on the table, may as well get involved.

BUT (and here's the but) going back to that opening point of frustration: the action was just not right. I'd stand up and light a candle for the film's imagination, I have nothing but praise for someone who wants to make a barmy movie with no plot and a bunch of scantily clad teens kicking the shit out of stuff. I liked the sequences, I liked the cinematography (well, the CG), but I was punching the sofa over the action.

Snyder wanted ANIME. He didn't get it.
Of all those American directors who think "Anime's cool, let's make a movie that looks like Anime!" after seeing some of the visual flair in Watchmen I would have actually pegged this guy to pull it off at some point, but he didn't.

By the time they were doing the rolling action sequences on the train, my hopes faded completely. One day someone will realise that to get the right motion, you can't just randomly keep slowing down and speeding up shots and following bullets through the air - if you don't cut frames, you won't get the right impact.
Anime timing isn't all about slowing shit down. Stuff slows down after frames are skipped, that's basically how anime is given false weight and greater impact. Sucker Punch was trying so hard it was painful, but all the action ended up feeling off-kilter and... soft.

It was a shame really, because there were some cool shots and really nice ideas in there, he just didn't nail the motion properly. Rrrgh, annoying.

Anyway, would I recommend this? Well, you can live without it. It's basically a 2 hour music video with heavy pop culture references through fetishistic imagery, and it's about 60% good, 40% poor (that's a 6/10 for score freaks). But I wouldn't say don't watch it either, there are certainly noteworthy elements done better than the average Hollywood fare. Respect where it's due: Snyder has something with Sucker Punch, but whatever 'it' is, it's not capitalised on properly. Watchmen is still a far superior film.


(Edit: jonny5 I wrote this essay for you punk, let's hear what you got to say! )

It's basically a 2 hour music video with heavy pop culture references through fetishistic imagery

I will agree with this, but I see that as a good thing.

I think we approach films differently. The best way to describe it is I have a check list; as long as a film check off enough boxes, it's good to me. Take Sucker Punch for example; the acting may not have been great, and the delivery might not have appealed to everybody, but it had lots of sparkly things going on on screen most of the time, loads of fit girls in revealing clothing, kung fu fighting and stuff, steam punk nazi zombies, dragons, interesting plot....the list goes on. It checks off tons of boxes, more than enough to make for a great watch.

I expect different things from different films. I expect tight direction and acting in a drama film, as without those things it will undoubtedly suck. In an action movie the acting isn't necessarily as important as long as the action is good. Different genres require different things to be good. I don't think a film like Sucker Punch set out to be anything more than a action film with tittys, and as such its good for what it is.

Glad you watched it anyways.

[Skykid]

Glad you watched it anyways.

I'm also quite glad I watched it too. It's one I would have rather seen than not, although I only got that in hindsight.

[DEL]

Just come back from seeing Midnight in Paris - Great Movie!
I agree with Border Red on this one.

Skykid wrote;

Watched The Pawnbroker last night.

Rod Steiger. Wow. Now there's a guy who can act anyone else right off the screen. Incredible performance

AHA! Gotta get back on the Steiger binge.
Cheers.
Will check.

Currently working my way through Korean film The Yellow Sea.

[jonny5]

Space Battleship Yamato - Live action remake.

AVOID....AVOID....AVOID!!!

It was quite long, the acting was terrible for the most part and the CGI was the only saving grace; the ship looked badass though!

[Strider77]

I actually recommend Yamato highly if you like Godzilla type stuff.... enjoyed it WAY more than Sucker Punch. I admit to being entertained by both though.

[emphatic]

"Your Highness". Instant classic in my book, 4/5.

[emphatic]

Green Lantern - 3.5/5

Nice effects, fun, some really great action stuff. I usually really hate Ryan Reynolds, but he was alright I guess.

[Skykid]

I'm off to see a little known movie called JAWS, which is showing in the local independent 5 mins down the road (which also happens to be Britain's oldest cinema - ain't it cool?) which is on at 11:30pm. Late shows ftw.

Wish me luck!

[jonny5]

"Your Highness". Instant classic in my book, 4/5.

Thanks for the recommendation! Watched it the other night, but fell asleep for the last 1/4 or so.

It seemed pretty funny, but the main dude is kind of a one trick pony, no? It seems like he is always playing the same character in different situations, whether its fits or not; although it was funny to hear so much modern profanity in a period flick.

[CMoon]

I'm off to see a little known movie called JAWS, which is showing in the local independent 5 mins down the road (which also happens to be Britain's oldest cinema - ain't it cool?) which is on at 11:30pm. Late shows ftw.

Wish me luck!

Awesome!

[DEL]

Saw Super 8 the new Goonies movie in the cinema last night very good.

[emphatic]

"Your Highness". Instant classic in my book, 4/5.

Thanks for the recommendation! Watched it the other night, but fell asleep for the last 1/4 or so.

It seemed pretty funny, but the main dude is kind of a one trick pony, no? It seems like he is always playing the same character in different situations, whether its fits or not; although it was funny to hear so much modern profanity in a period flick.

Yes he is. But if you (like me) really like his tricks, then it's very funny. He wrote it as well. I really loved the special effects too.

[jonny5]

"Your Highness". Instant classic in my book, 4/5.

Thanks for the recommendation! Watched it the other night, but fell asleep for the last 1/4 or so.

It seemed pretty funny, but the main dude is kind of a one trick pony, no? It seems like he is always playing the same character in different situations, whether its fits or not; although it was funny to hear so much modern profanity in a period flick.

Yes he is. But if you (like me) really like his tricks, then it's very funny. He wrote it as well. I really loved the special effects too.

I liked him in that new Beastie Boys video, the 30 minute one. Way too funny! Shame about the album though

I will try and finish watching it this weekend.

[Skykid]

I'm off to see a little known movie called JAWS, which is showing in the local independent 5 mins down the road (which also happens to be Britain's oldest cinema - ain't it cool?) which is on at 11:30pm. Late shows ftw.

Wish me luck!

Awesome!

Holy fucking shit, now that's a real movie!

What an awesome evening. The theatre was packed out, and they were playing 80's INXS hits as people were getting seated, lol.
It was a fun audience too: there was a big cheer when Brody dropped the 'bigger boat' line.

It's definitely Spielberg's best film, no doubt in my mind. Duel, possibly tied for second place with a couple of his others.

Watching it on the big screen for the first time, it struck me that Spielberg was the first director I can remember (from when I was a kid) who films scenes where he has several different conversations happening at once with the most important narrative usually in the foreground. It lends dynamism and activity to the scene. However, I realised that it's an extremely similar technique to the one that Orson Welles used in A Touch of Evil. Almost exactly the same in-fact. Even though it's now considered a typically Spielberg trait (or was, in some of his earlier movies), I gotta wonder if he was influenced by Welles.

Anyway, the film just has it all. So much fun it's criminal. All the great lines and all those really stand-out moments, it just doesn't age.
And I'm pretty sure the "Smile you sonnuva-" is the finest bullet send-off line ever.

[CMoon]

RE: Jaws

It's definitely Spielberg's best film, no doubt in my mind.

I'm glad you see that. People forget this film perhaps because of all the special effects and over the top drama/action that was to come later, but on a pure directorial level, Jaws is a masterful film. I've projected it on to a larger screen, but never seen it on a THE BIG SCREEN. Quite envious. I don't think it's in the top 10 american films, but definitely the top 50.

[CMoon]

Just watched Fulchi's The Beyond which has been long overdue. Italian exploitation cinema (be it Western or Horror) has always been a passion, even when the films have been shit. The Beyond is probably Fulchi's best film, and like Argento's Phenomena is a sort of new fusion of fantasy horror. The Beyond is very entrenched in Lovecraft and nothing about it is believable. Nothing is fleshed out. Even the gore effects should probably be called ineffects (because they are so ineffective!), but that is hardly the point here. In execution this is gornography. The soundtrack is executed like a John Carpenter/Argento hybrid at all the right (climax) moments, while everything else is about atmosphere and gooey/runny latex. If the special effects crew behind The Thing had a hand at this movie, it would be a total legend. As it is, it is an unapologetic sadistic, atmospheric fantasy. Even like the Good, The Bad and The Ugly (almost mainstream) is about feelings that don't really belong in normal married society anymore--The Beyond is great because it belongs to whatever you were when you were maybe 10 years old; back when spiders eating a man's face was the coolest, most disgusting thing you can imagine.

Seriously, not a great film, but more significant to me than anything Hollywood is capable of producing (not counting Cohen Bros and Wes Anderson).

[drauch]

Fulci is god. I've been proud to have my FULCI LIVES bumper sticker for like 7 years now. The Beyond is a fine film; a true depiction of a nightmare.

Oh, and Cmoon...PUT ON THE GLASSES.

[emphatic]

Anyone read the Jaws novel? I read it a couple of years ago, and it's really sleazy. In fact, it's incredible how much better the movie is.

[Skykid]

but on a pure directorial level, Jaws is a masterful film.

QFT

I don't think it's in the top 10 american films, but definitely the top 50.

I think you're probably right if you categorise the top 10 'American' films, but what if you categorise the top 10 Hollywood films (as in, films in the same commercial vein.) Then it would be in the top 10 right?

[CMoon]

Oh, and Cmoon...PUT ON THE GLASSES.

Sorry man, I *got drunk* and watched They Live again. I was laughing my ass off when I made that avatar.

[CMoon]

RE: Jaws

I don't think it's in the top 10 american films, but definitely the top 50.

I think you're probably right if you categorise the top 10 'American' films, but what if you categorise the top 10 Hollywood films (as in, films in the same commercial vein.) Then it would be in the top 10 right?

It's really hard to say. Look, there's no question in my mind that Jaws is a 10/10 film, but when you start saying best 10 American films, or best 10 Hollywood films, it does become very subjective. I mean, every film on that list (and a much longer one) are going to be 10/10 films, so from there it is your call. Certainly if the AFI said Jaws was top 10, I couldn't really argue with them.