Movies you've just watched

[xbl0x180]

It's a much lower budget production and the cops are way too hammy for their roles, although I think it adds to the movie. So, really, it ends up looking like a teevee-movie-of-the-week film. The robbers look like Steely Dan rejects, which I thought was cool hahaha. But, man, Isabelle Adjani was teh hotness back then in anything she was cast. In spite of the drawbacks, I think The Driver got everything right that Drive did not (even though it looked and sounded beautiful in its intro).



I couldn't keep a poker face in front of her

[CMoon]

I'm still trying to decide if MM's write-up is allowing me to appreciate the film in a different way. The intro and title definitely built up certain expectations in my mind, but then it went in a different direction. This isn't the fault of anyone except for myself. Ultimately the film was actually a little more human than I was expecting (not a bad thing.)

[Skykid]

I'm still trying to decide if MM's write-up is allowing me to appreciate the film in a different way. The intro and title definitely built up certain expectations in my mind, but then it went in a different direction. This isn't the fault of anyone except for myself. Ultimately the film was actually a little more human than I was expecting (not a bad thing.)

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations. I don't think that's the fault of the audience, we just wanted lots of cool driving with a cool driver!

If it had gone in the direction the opening had suggested, it could have been a lot better than the mafia thing, which is a bit trite.

[Mischief Maker]

I'm still trying to decide if MM's write-up is allowing me to appreciate the film in a different way. The intro and title definitely built up certain expectations in my mind, but then it went in a different direction. This isn't the fault of anyone except for myself. Ultimately the film was actually a little more human than I was expecting (not a bad thing.)

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations. I don't think that's the fault of the audience, we just wanted lots of cool driving with a cool driver!

If it had gone in the direction the opening had suggested, it could have been a lot better than the mafia thing, which is a bit trite.

It's not a crime caper, it's an art film.

I've only seen two Nicolas Refn movies, but the title with two meanings and the bait-and-switch opening act that makes you think it'll be meaning #1 only for the remainder of the film to be set firmly behind meaning #2 seems to be his "thing."

[xbl0x180]

Well, then, that second meaning makes for an uninteresting movie that neither looks and sounds as good as the first meaning

[Acid King]

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations. I don't think that's the fault of the audience, we just wanted lots of cool driving with a cool driver!

If it had gone in the direction the opening had suggested, it could have been a lot better than the mafia thing, which is a bit trite.

I don't think you can blame the movie for your expectations. The intro has to be considered in context and how it fits with the rest of the movie. The opening sequence with the robbery is establishing aspects of the driver's personality and his talents as a driver. Without it, Crantson's character's idea of building a stock car wouldn't sound reasonable, nor would his reputation as a driver amongst underworld types seem deserved. If I remember correctly, the only other scenes of him driving before the failed heist are the not particularly challenging stunt he does (which the audience wouldn't understand as being below his talents without the opening) and the brief scene of him driving alone on the track, which doesn't visually establish his skill.

Expectations come from viewer baggage, which I think has to do with his given talent and its association with earlier movies. I'm reminded of my dad's disappointment and dislike of Fight Club because it didn't focus on bare knuckle fights. If the Driver had some other occupation and the opening served the same narrative purpose, I don't think people would react so strongly to it.

[Mischief Maker]

I'm reminded of my dad's disappointment and dislike of Fight Club because it didn't focus on bare knuckle fights.

Ooh! I like that analogy.

[Skykid]

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations. I don't think that's the fault of the audience, we just wanted lots of cool driving with a cool driver!

If it had gone in the direction the opening had suggested, it could have been a lot better than the mafia thing, which is a bit trite.

I don't think you can blame the movie for your expectations. The intro has to be considered in context and how it fits with the rest of the movie. The opening sequence with the robbery is establishing aspects of the driver's personality and his talents as a driver. Without it, Crantson's character's idea of building a stock car wouldn't sound reasonable, nor would his reputation as a driver amongst underworld types seem deserved. If I remember correctly, the only other scenes of him driving before the failed heist are the not particularly challenging stunt he does (which the audience wouldn't understand as being below his talents without the opening) and the brief scene of him driving alone on the track, which doesn't visually establish his skill.

Expectations come from viewer baggage, which I think has to do with his given talent and its association with earlier movies. I'm reminded of my dad's disappointment and dislike of Fight Club because it didn't focus on bare knuckle fights. If the Driver had some other occupation and the opening served the same narrative purpose, I don't think people would react so strongly to it.

That's all well and good, and MM's analysis is interesting. Unfortunately none of this makes it a great movie, arthouse or otherwise.

[Acid King]

That's all well and good, and MM's analysis is interesting. Unfortunately none of this makes it a great movie, arthouse or otherwise.

You're right, it does, however, make complaints about expectations moot. Movies should be judged on their own merits, on what they are, not what they aren't. Otherwise it's like mainstream gamers complaining about scrolling shooters only taking 30 minutes to beat.

[Mischief Maker]

"Ninja in Dragon's Den"

I'm assuming this movie was made in Hong Kong because there was no way in hell this movie was going to let the Japanese Ninja Master get a leg up on the Chinese Kung Fu Douche Bag.

Great opening training montage and excellent theme music, but it's a pity they didn't keep the whole thing in Japan. I came for a Ninja movie, not the poor man's Jackie Chan.

[Moniker]

The Dark Knight Rises.
Fantastic. Bane doesn't quite live up to the Joker, but still great.


Still talking about Driver... well I guess I"ll check back in in another couple months and see if anything changes.

[Skykid]

North by Northwest

Ok, so it's pretty 'Hollywood' for Hitchcock, but still great fun. I forgot about the Mt Rushmore set piece, that was great. The crop dusting scene is still the films best of course. Classic stuff.

[Skykid]

The Thing 2011

I didn't actually know this was by a foreign director until recently, so I took a punt on it. It was very average, but watchable I suppose.

Could have lived without it. It suffered from general weaknesses, specifically a terrible script and some very poor actors, including Mary Elizabeth Winstead (bless her cotton panties.)

I liked the prequel concept and the fact they stayed relatively close to the tone, but it's no way near in the same class as Carpenter's film. For a start, too much 'Thing' in it, in quasi-Resident Evil mode. Why can't people understand that tension and fear are about what we don't see, not all the full on gore. It loses its impact quickly that way.

SPOILER The spaceship shit didn't work, it was too clean and futuristic inside and that bothered me. SPOILEREND

It didn't seem like the 80's, the director didn't make enough effort to keep it in the era.

It also would have worked ten times better entirely in Norwegian. The US actors felt like tag alongs in a weird way.

There was a little tension and some good jumps, just a shame they didn't do more. I did like the ending over the credits, that worked really well in leading into Carpenter's film.

One of the best parts was that joke the guy told at the beginning ha ha, he told it really well! I lol'd.

[mesh control]

Moonrise Kingdom
I'm a sucker for childhood romances and Francoise Hardy.

Space is the place
After making too many jokes about it while I was in SF, I decided to finally sit down and watch it. Too much for me. I'll have to finish the last half hour tomorrow.

[drauch]

Haven't seen Moonrise Kingdom, but I'm a big fan of Francoise Hardy. So good.

[Skykid]

Walter Hill's The Driver was way better. It starred Ryan O'Neal and Isabelle Adjani

This was awesome, just the kind of gritty affectation I've come to expect from Walter Hill, and really good cinematography too. The chase scenes in this were superb, and while the cop was a little quirky, O'Neal and Adjani were both really well cast (quite novel characters, too.)

It is a better film than Drive, although there were aspects of the character in Drive I still liked, (particularly his latent penchant for violence) it was just the weakness of the peripheral characters and plot that dragged it down. This didn't really have those issues, staying smart and simple.

Great recommendation, tnx.

[GaijinPunch]

Gran Torino
Had never seen it for some reason. Not a big secret, but it was great. Laughed my balls off all the way through it. Clint Eastwood plays a great mean, old bastard.

[CMoon]

Moonrise Kingdom
I'm a sucker for childhood romances and Francoise Hardy.

You've already heard what I have to say about this film, but I think it 'ages' well. A lot of films I really enjoy the first time but never need to see again. I enjoyed (but didn't love) Moonrise Kingdom in the theatre, but now can't wait to see it again. Does that make any sense?

Space is the place
After making too many jokes about it while I was in SF, I decided to finally sit down and watch it. Too much for me. I'll have to finish the last half hour tomorrow.

Unfortunately this IS a joke film. You want to see (if you can) Sun Ra's Joyful Noise which is a documentary.

[null1024]

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Very enjoyable. Khan is a great villain to go up against Kirk.

[trap15]

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!

[GaijinPunch]

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations.

Wait, a movie did something unexpected and it's a bad thing?

[Skykid]

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations.

Wait, a movie did something unexpected and it's a bad thing?

In this case yes... Why is that weird?

[xbl0x180]

Hmm, actually I think it is the fault of the film. I was lead down the same path in the opening 10 minutes, and also had different expectations.

Wait, a movie did something unexpected and it's a bad thing?

An unexpectedly lame thing

[Skykid]

High Noon

Was great. Wish Lee Van Cleef had been given a line, such a good actor/bad guy face. Grace Kelly, hawt.

[CMoon]

In the same vein as Drive but infinitely better, just saw Michael Mann's Thief (81). It's streaming on netflix, so if you haven't seen it, or need more, just click that button. Not a perfect film but much better than anything I've seen for a while. I'm not even sure the revenge ending makes perfect sense with the character, but it at least seems to connect with the main characters experience in prison rather than just being tacked on. Maybe if he'd gotten to the boss some other way than just shooting it out--something a little more clever. The Tangerine Dream is both out of place and completely awesome at the same time, and at times has as important role as James Cann in carrying the film. Fairly good cinematography with some nice shot composition; but not spectacular.

Feels like it is floating in the territory between The French Connection and To Live and Die in LA, and that's a helluva good place to be. At 2 hours and 3 minutes, I was never bored. Guess I need to watch more Mann's films.

[xbl0x180]

Michael Mann adds way too much drama background to his movies and it doesn't make them good. Still, Thief is not overwhelmed by it - and it does have that Tangerine Dream music score

[jonny5]

Project X - I don't even.....ugh. But boobs.

Oh, and watched the Miami Vice movie last night. Quite a thought provoking film. I felt enlightened after watching it. How many Oscar's did this get?

[GaijinPunch]

Project X - I don't even.....ugh. But boobs.

Oh, and watched the Miami Vice movie last night. Quite a thought provoking film. I felt enlightened after watching it. How many Oscar's did this get?

None since it was kinda sub-par for Mann, but still fun. Those Aryans at the end. Whew...

Heat is his best. One of my faves. I think one of Pacino's last roles where he isn't pussified at least a little.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Can't forget that legendary downtown LA massive shootout in Heat...I was blown away when I first saw it on the big screen back in the day. Looks great when viewed on Blu-Ray format.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Moniker]

Project X - I don't even.....ugh. But boobs.

Oh, and watched the Miami Vice movie last night. Quite a thought provoking film. I felt enlightened after watching it. How many Oscar's did this get?

None since it was kinda sub-par for Mann, but still fun. Those Aryans at the end. Whew...

Heat is his best. One of my faves. I think one of Pacino's last roles where he isn't pussified at least a little.

I do like me some Heat, but it's all about Thief. Among the best heist scenes ever, despite being quite simple. And what an ending.