Movies you've just watched

[CMoon]

Is that The Cove?

[Skykid]

Is that The Cove?

Yep. I guess you've seen it.

Also, bought that book yet? For $4 I'll buy it for you.

[CMoon]

Is that The Cove?

Yep. I guess you've seen it.

Also, bought that book yet? For $4 I'll buy it for you.

No and no. I gotta do an Amazon order soon; no worries. Now to fortify myself for watching children beating dolphins to death.

[Skykid]

Now to fortify myself for watching children beating dolphins to death.

No children in it. Chilling documentary. The dolphin screams still haunt me.

[Skykid]

RAMPART

Don't watch this.

It's not a bad movie in purely technical terms. On the contrary, it's well acted, for the most part, has interesting cinematography, and the script isn't absolutely awful (there's a lot of improv in it that gets a little irritating.)

But it's like watching paint dry. If you tune in expecting a bad cop movie, may as well tune the fuck back out; this is a movie about a sociopath with a badge who can't control his temper and ends up spiralling into a pit of despair and depression because he's just such a bag of shit. Yet all the film's 'incidents' play out in the first 20 minutes, after which absolutely nothing comes to pass of any interest. It's wasteful and dull like I haven't seen dull being done in years. It mopes about, twiddles its thumbs, gets all muddled and aimless and repeats itself incessantly. Nothing happens, and the ending is so perfunctory it's the only part that made me sit up in my seat and say "wtf? That's it?!"

If you want a decent bad cop movie: Street Kings, Training Day, hell even that one with Kurt Russell is better than this. This is a movie for insomniacs looking for a remedy.

[Obiwanshinobi]

The Deer Hunter. Reminded me of two things:

1) Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich. Enough said.

2) Small town folks I used to work with who seemed less cock-sure than big town folks tend to be. I sort of miss them, but wouldn't like to live among them. Things they know about their neighbours are not something I'd like to know about anybody I'm familiar with.

All in all, not as glossy as Apocalypse Now and Taxi Driver, but doesn't have any off-screen monologues, so it's not any Italian curse put on Hollywood cinema; it's just Coppola and Scorsese to be blamed for employing such counter-cinematic techniques.
The moment it leaves America, the film becomes a fable, but I can deal with it. All indecorum the Vietnamese are depicted with is redeemed by the hooker episode.

[trap15]

Fit to Kill

Sidaris is all I have to say to explain this movie.

[Skykid]

Rear Window

I was reminded of how nice it is to watch films of such high caliber. Loved it! James Stewart and Grace Kelly (hawt) were great too.

[xbl0x180]

Rear Window

I was reminded of how nice it is to watch films of such high caliber. Loved it! James Stewart and Grace Kelly (hawt) were great too.

Of course, I suppose you have already seen Vertigo Kim Novak (a.k.a. teh hotness) and... James Stewart again! It goes well on a double-feature with Brian DePalma's Obsession

[Skykid]

Rear Window

I was reminded of how nice it is to watch films of such high caliber. Loved it! James Stewart and Grace Kelly (hawt) were great too.

Of course, I suppose you have already seen Vertigo Kim Novak (a.k.a. teh hotness) and... James Stewart again! It goes well on a double-feature with Brian DePalma's Obsession

Vertigo I haven't! Thanks for reminding me. I was going to show the Mrs North by Northwest tonight (which I have seen) but that's a good alternative. I went a bit crazy for the oldies and have the following on my list:

High Noon
Casablanca
Brief Encounter
Deliverance

[xbl0x180]

Ah, you can't beat the over-the-top theatric crop duster (shoot-'em-up!) chase scene in North By Northwest. Still, even though Eva Marie Saint was more attractive than Kim, I'd choose Kim. She was pretty enough to pull off the chola eyebrow look

[njiska]

Rear Window

I was reminded of how nice it is to watch films of such high caliber. Loved it! James Stewart and Grace Kelly (hawt) were great too.

Of course, I suppose you have already seen Vertigo Kim Novak (a.k.a. teh hotness) and... James Stewart again! It goes well on a double-feature with Brian DePalma's Obsession

Vertigo I haven't! Thanks for reminding me. I was going to show the Mrs North by Northwest tonight (which I have seen) but that's a good alternative. I went a bit crazy for the oldies and have the following on my list:

High Noon
Casablanca
Brief Encounter
Deliverance

I've got to agree, Vertigo is right up there with Rear Window as one of Hitchcock's best. It feels a touch long as it doesn't feel like a normal 3-act structure, but it is extremely enjoyable to watch. I'm genuinely surprised you haven't seen it.

And for High Noon we are talking the Gary Cooper film right? Also a very good movie, but you'll get way more out of it going in with the mindset that it's an allegory for the anti-communist, black-ball, nobody stands up and challenges the status-quo mentality of America in the 50s. One of the producers had himself been called before the House Un-Americam Activites Committee.

Also pay attention to the clocks. The film tries to occur in as close to real time as possible and it's a very nice touch. Always keeps the viewer aware of how time is running out.

[Skykid]

I've got to agree, Vertigo is right up there with Rear Window as one of Hitchcock's best. It feels a touch long as it doesn't feel like a normal 3-act structure, but it is extremely enjoyable to watch. I'm genuinely surprised you haven't seen it.

It's just one of those ones that eluded me along with Rear Window. It's nice to have something to look forward to in the Hitchcock dept actually.

I've seen High Noon a loong time ago - or at least I think I have. Isn't it the one where the dude spends most of his time in and around a saloon? Or a train station waiting area, and the whole film is focussed on the clock and when the train is arriving with some bad mothercrushers on it?

Or is that a different film?

[njiska]

I've got to agree, Vertigo is right up there with Rear Window as one of Hitchcock's best. It feels a touch long as it doesn't feel like a normal 3-act structure, but it is extremely enjoyable to watch. I'm genuinely surprised you haven't seen it.

It's just one of those ones that eluded me along with Rear Window. It's nice to have something to look forward to in the Hitchcock dept actually.

I've seen High Noon a loong time ago - or at least I think I have. Isn't it the one where the dude spends most of his time in and around a saloon? Or a train station waiting area, and the whole film is focussed on the clock and when the train is arriving with some bad mothercrushers on it?

Or is that a different film?

Yeah, that's basically it. Though the heart of the movie lies in the town folks refusal to help their fellow man.

[Skykid]

Yeah, that's basically it. Though the heart of the movie lies in the town folks refusal to help their fellow man.

Awesome, looking forward to re-watching this now. I haven't seen it since I was pretty young, probably in my teens, so I don't remember much except I really enjoyed it.

I always find it next to impossible to convince the mrs to watch westerns though, which she calls 'man-on-horse' films, but since she loved The Good, The Bad and The Ugly I should be able to convince for this one.

Otherwise it'll be more Hitchcock.

Or Deliverance. Girls enjoy films with gay rape, right?

[CMoon]

Oh man, the quality of films being discussed in this thread just went way up. Honestly, I need to spend some more time with Hitchcock. Unfortunatley, I only have NbNW, and while it is a very good film with some excellent scenes, it isn't his best. I desperate need to see Rear Window and Vertigo (I don't know why they aren't streaming.) Saw The Birds a million times as a kid, but it's a stinker. Strangers on a Train always gets recommended to me. I probably could spend a whole summer watching this guy's movies.

As far as High Noon, it's an excellent movie and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. At the time of release there are people that hated this movie, and while definitely an allegory, it also does quite a bit on the superficial level of exposing the cowardice (and even ugliness) of men.

A similar, but older western is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. This is another thinking persons' western that the Mrs. will like. More about character, integrity and the change in times than dudes riding around on horses. This, High Noon and The Wild Bunch are probably my three favorite American westerns.

[xbl0x180]

I always find it next to impossible to convince the mrs to watch westerns though, which she calls 'man-on-horse' films, but since she loved The Good, The Bad and The Ugly I should be able to convince for this one.

Have you seen Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man? I think people who aren't into Westerns could be a bit more receptive to this one.



You can then move on to Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven



Actually, you can't really go wrong with most of the Westerns Clint Eastwood directed: High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider, and even Two Mules For Sister Sarah. They're very palatable because they have juuuust enough of ol' school John Ford with the new, rugged Spaghetti Western style of Sergio Leone and Massimo Dallamano. It's a very good mix, I think.

You can increase the cheeze factor by adding both Young Guns movies, which I thought were decent and entertaining. They're not gonna win any cinematographic or music awards, but they're far from boring. They look like what a kid would have in mind if he were to direct a Western - lotta gunplay, lotta running around and getting into trouble, dudes he could relate to, and a Hair Metal ballad thrown in there for good measure.

Theeeeen, I'd say proceed to the other Sergio Leone Westerns: "For A Few Dollars More" and "A Fistful Of Dollars." "For A Few Dollars More" is one of my all-time favourite films. I always rank it on a list of faves. It is movie perfection galore: Fantastic music score by Ennio Morricone; formidable cast of Lee Van Cleef, Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria Volonte, and... KLAUS KINSKI ; bitchin' camera work from Massimo; everything edited into a tighly, action-packed story of mystery and revenge by Sergio. I'd go insofar as to say this one is better than the Ronin and Samurai films they drew inspiration from. It is the quintessential Spaghetti Western, bar none

[CMoon]

Remember, we're recommending westerns for the women folk; even Dead Man really is a dude film.

[xbl0x180]

I thought "Johnny Depp" would be the selling point there

[njiska]

"For A Few Dollars More" is one of my all-time favourite films. I always rank it on a list of faves. It is movie perfection galore: Fantastic music score by Ennio Morricone; formidable cast of Lee Van Cleef, Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria Volonte, and... KLAUS KINSKI ; bitchin' camera work from Massimo; everything edited into a tighly, action-packed story of mystery and revenge by Sergio. I'd go insofar as to say this one is better than the Ronin and Samurai films they drew inspiration from. It is the quintessential Spaghetti Western, bar none

Count me with you on this one. One of my all time favourites and arguably better paced than Good, Bad, Ugly. If for no reason other than this being one of Lee Van Cleef's finest performances, it's a must see.

[Skykid]

Remember, we're recommending westerns for the women folk; even Dead Man really is a dude film.

I've seen Dead Man. She'd really hate that I think. Too far out generally, and a western. She even thought Unforgiven was slow, so that one won't go down well.

All the Leone stuff is win, I love the dollars trilogy. TGTBTU is still my favourite.

As for tonight's pick, we went with Deliverance. Boorman is a terrific director, I love the camera work. Great tension. But boy, it's uncomfortable viewing isn't it. I didn't remember it being quite that edgy.

SPOILER:

Also, is it a dream or what?

[xbl0x180]

No (regarding the spoiler)

[xbl0x180]

I'm watching The Shining on teevee right now. It never fails to thrill. I always rooted for Jack on this one, even when I first saw it I wanted him to catch her

[njiska]

I'm watching The Shining on teevee right now. It never fails to thrill. I always rooted for Jack on this one, even when I first saw it I wanted him to catch her

I feel the same, though it's less because i root for Jack and more because Shelly Duval is a scary woman who could stand to die.

[CMoon]

Sergio Leone films: Just for the record, these are among my favorite movies, so don't get me wrong. Just making the statement that they are obvious dude films. If women like them, bully for them, but many wouldn't.

Deliverance: Boorman is genuinely an amazing director who spent his prime making some pretty strange films. Point Blank/Zardoz/Excalibur are among some of my favorite films with Deliverance trailing behind somewhere. All four are excellently crafted, and while many like to take pot shots at Zardoz, it is just as well crafted as the others. All four have amazing shots that still blow my mind today. I'm not sure Boorman has made anything really substantial post Excalibur, or at least nothing that sounded interesting. Oh yeah, from this same period is the one with Mifune and Marvin set during WW2, and was really dissapointing (at least to me). Also, the intriguing failure of a film, Exorcist 2. Can't recommend either, but they continue to have interesting moments scattered throughout.

[xbl0x180]

I'm watching The Shining on teevee right now. It never fails to thrill. I always rooted for Jack on this one, even when I first saw it I wanted him to catch her

I feel the same, though it's less because i root for Jack and more because Shelly Duval is a scary woman who could stand to die.

Nah, it's for the same reason. Shelley Duval needed to die because she is a scary-lookin' broad

[xbl0x180]

Sergio Leone films: Just for the record, these are among my favorite movies, so don't get me wrong. Just making the statement that they are obvious dude films. If women like them, bully for them, but many wouldn't.

Well, here's a question to you movie watchers out there:

What, um, do you guys think girls enjoy watching?

I never watched movies on dates - or ever - with a girl mainly because I'm very peculiar about the movies and how I view them, and because I concentrate on what I am watching too much to pay attention to anyone else. Hence, I can only guess what a girl would like to see

[emphatic]

American Reunion - 3/5. Holds up well to the three other American Pie movies that got to the theaters. Also, it has:

[Skykid]

What, um, do you guys think girls enjoy watching?

I don't think girls should be typecast about enjoying a certain type of movie, like romcoms n' all that trash. In my experience, girls who are film fans (and intelligent enough to know a good movie when they see one) like all the same stuff guys do.

Romcom's and Twilight for the dead of brain population > good quality film for everyone else.

My gf just finds anything where men ride around on horseback to be tedious unless I force her to watch it (like Leone) in which case she gets it. Just a taste thing.

Otherwise we watch everything together: sci-fi, arthouse, violent movies, revenge, vendetta, 80's action, foreign, drama, thriller - the lot. She thought Twilight was an unmentionable barrel of shit, same as me.

But for date material: Horror. You can't go wrong!

[xbl0x180]

I can see people getting bored if it was one of those Existential road movies from the 70s: Two-Lane Blacktop and Electra Glide In Blue. But classic Westerns are so cinematographically expansive with elaborate orchestrated music and memorable leading roles. They have so much going for them that if a person did not like them or had a hard time watching one, I couldn't begin to guess what that person would or would not like.



Most of the girls I've dated and have been acquainted with had very - veeeery - pedestrian (i.e., horrible) taste in movies, so I tend to make generalisations about what a girl may enjoy watching... which makes me avoid watching movies with girls altogether. I don't kid around when I'm genuinely shocked a girl knows any little thing about movies beyond Twilight