Movies you've just watched

[Skykid]

That's hookers for you.

You're an idiot. I've been with my g/f for 13 years. Do I make stupid posts like that when you find excuses to post pictures of your g/f?

Jeez, new low for you buddy.

Er, it was only a joke!

I know you have a long term partner. I should have included sarcasm/comedy/gaijinpunch tags or something, I didn't think you'd actually take it seriously (personally.)

[system11]

Trying to decide if the joke or response was the most amusing.

I'll contemplate it over a drink.

[Skykid]

^ Either way, sardonic British humour does not always translate internationally. :scribbles mental note:

[jonny5]

Oh, I get it now. My g/f is a hooker.

No wait, still

You should try that one in real life sometime; don't forget to duck.

[CMoon]

OK, just got back from Dredd 3D and really enjoyed it. This is probably what Die Hard would have been like if they let John Carpenter direct it. I realize I've never read the source material nor seen the apparently much superior The Raid, but nonetheless, gets a solid thumbs up from me.

What the hell, Django Unchained by Tarantino???

[KAI]

Tarantino is killing westerns now?
I hope it's not a comedy. 100% sure he's going to reuse Django's theme song

[Skykid]

You should try that one in real life sometime; don't forget to duck.

I didn't expect you to take genuine offence to such a schoolyard wisecrack, or else I wouldn't have made it, and I apologise for misjudging its comedy value (or lack thereof). I expected you to find it amusing and not think I was making a realistic, humourless, intentionally offensive, defamatory judgement about you or your partner, completely out of the blue and for no reason whatsoever. That would be a bit of a strange thing.

Apologies again, I feel bad to know you took it so sincerely.

OK, just got back from Dredd 3D and really enjoyed it. This is probably what Die Hard would have been like if they let John Carpenter direct it. I realize I've never read the source material nor seen the apparently much superior The Raid, but nonetheless, gets a solid thumbs up from me.

What the hell, Django Unchained by Tarantino???

Yep, that's his last movie apparently.

Glad you liked Dredd, I can breathe easy now about the recommendation (what with the price of a cinema ticket these days.)

[system11]

OK, just got back from Dredd 3D and really enjoyed it. This is probably what Die Hard would have been like if they let John Carpenter direct it. I realize I've never read the source material nor seen the apparently much superior The Raid, but nonetheless, gets a solid thumbs up from me.

Having seen both now (Raid a few days ago), I'd have to say I enjoyed Dredd more, despite The Raid being a better film. It's all down to the character being brought to life. Raid is great fun, but it's a lot of martial arts from the heros rather than the hail of bullets Dredd becomes.

What the hell, Django Unchained by Tarantino???

I have a bad feeling about this... Django is a cult classic, it takes balls of steel to think you're worthy of using the name.

[mesh control]

No one has seen The Master yet?

[njiska]

What the hell, Django Unchained by Tarantino???

I have a bad feeling about this... Django is a cult classic, it takes balls of steel to think you're worthy of using the name.

I've been hesitant of Tarantino after his last few movies really failed to wow me, but I do think the premise of Django Unchained has promise. That said, it's going to piss off anyone looking for Django unless Jamie Foxx spends the entire movie dragging a coffin.

[RGC]

OK, just got back from Dredd 3D and really enjoyed it. This is probably what Die Hard would have been like if they let John Carpenter direct it. I realize I've never read the source material nor seen the apparently much superior The Raid, but nonetheless, gets a solid thumbs up from me.

Excellent. I'm off to see this and Looper at the weekend.

[drauch]

Wait, is it really supposed to be Tarantino's last film? This would be the best news ever if it's true.*



*flamebait.

[drauch]

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls - Russ Meyer is my favorite director. This is his big budget masterpiece. Not as many tittays as his other flicks, but still a hilarious satire with all his trademarks. Groovy score, as well, featuring Strawberry Alarm Clock at a party in person, even.

I only recently found out who penned this one, then felt ashamed for having liked it over the years.

Wha????? Why ashamed!?

[njiska]

Robot & Frank

Holy crap is this an amazing film. I first heard about it a few months back, but recently I discovered it was playing at my local indie theatre and man am I ever glad I checked it out. Here's a brief synopsis:

Frank is an aging ex-convict who, over the past few years, has started to suffer from mental deterioration and dementia. His son, Hunter, purchases a medical assistance robot to look after him, but Frank sees the robot as little more than an annoyance who will try to strangle him in his sleep. Eventually Frank starts to warm up to the robot when he realizes he can teach it how to assist him in his former profession as a cat burglar and begins to plan a proper heist.

Although the film is lighthearted at times, it is very much a drama that takes a serious look at the mental health of the aging population and just what it's like to live with dementia. If you've ever had to experience it with a family member, the film really hits home. There's also a few twists that are handled well and serve to strengthen the feeling of Frank's situation rather than simply exploiting it.

Special attention needs to go to Frank Langella who deserves, but will likely not receive, an award for his outstanding performance as Frank. He is extremely likeable and believable as a character, making it that much more painful when you realize he's had a lapse. The way he slips between lucidity and dementia is incredibly subtle and at times barely noticeable unless there's a direct reference to let you know it's happening.

Brilliant writing, masterful acting and sadly almost no one will get to see it. This may very well be the best dramatic film I've seen this year. Certainly an impressive first feature for Jake Schreier and Christopher Ford.

Dr. No
Since my Bond 50th Anniversary Blu-rays arrived yesterday I was able to finally start my marathon. It's been several years since I had seen Dr. No, but it was just as good as I remember. Solid plot, decent intrigue, fantastic charm from Connery and a surprising about of death. Still love the opening with the calypso Three Blind Mice.

[drauch]

Exit Wounds - Oddly high production Seagal flick with DMX. Some fun action and over-the-top Seagal, as you would expect, but DMX is absolutely dreadful to watch. Maybe one of the worst actors of all time. Seriously.

Death Warrant - Pretty mediocre Van Damme prison movie. Not a whole lot going on. Not awful, but not great.

[jonny5]

You should try that one in real life sometime; don't forget to duck.

I didn't expect you to take genuine offence to such a schoolyard wisecrack, or else I wouldn't have made it, and I apologise for misjudging its comedy value (or lack thereof). I expected you to find it amusing and not think I was making a realistic, humourless, intentionally offensive, defamatory judgement about you or your partner, completely out of the blue and for no reason whatsoever. That would be a bit of a strange thing.

Apologies again, I feel bad to know you took it so sincerely.

In hindsight, I did go off a bit, but the response kind of floored me when I read it. I was like 'seriously?'

No harm done, but ya, cultural differences perhaps? Where I come from, you don't generally joke about that stuff, unless you're looking for a fight.

Oh well, back to movies.

I really wanna see this Dredd3d biznass! This weekend maybe. Apparently the soundtrack is dope!

[DEL]

Finally saw The Grey.
Nihilistic and very anti-religion, but then I saw 'Ridley Scott' in the Producer credits and it made sense (knowing which occult cult he belongs to).

Watched Sherlock Holmes 1 & 2. Gee Wiz, I can't seem to avoid this cult

Then watched Segal's The Glimmer Man again to give myself a reprieve. A pretty good film with a decent mix of humour, action, mystery and the best coats ever worn.

Saw Total Recall 2012 a few weeks ago. Dumbed down with too much action, but still watchable. Strange how Mars doesn't feature in it at all. Just a chemically attacked London.

[Skykid]

In hindsight, I did go off a bit, but the response kind of floored me when I read it. I was like 'seriously?'

No harm done, but ya, cultural differences perhaps? Where I come from, you don't generally joke about that stuff, unless you're looking for a fight.

No sweat dude, the second you responded I knew it had gone down completely the wrong way. One person's comfort zone for humour does not always translate to keyboard, forum, and into the transatlantic ether so well. I'll be walking on eggshells around you from now on!

Dredd is pretty badass, I'm glad to see so many positive responses coming back. It does have its weaknesses, and honestly I don't remember the soundtrack particularly well, but the bone crunching, bullet shredding violence definitely stays with you.

[njiska]

Dredd is pretty badass, I'm glad to see so many positive responses coming back. It does have its weaknesses, and honestly I don't remember the soundtrack particularly well, but the bone crunching, bullet shredding violence definitely stays with you.

See it's statements like this that explain why I've been burning through cash since I got laid off. Guess I'll have to find time to go see it.

[judesalmon]

We Bought A Zoo. Typical schmaltzy, sentimental Hollywood clap-trap. I loved it.

[CMoon]

Dredd's soundtrack is good, but in reflection, a Carpenter soundtrack like Precinct 13/Escape from New York would have been even better. Regardless, what's there is perfect for the film.

[njiska]

Just got back from Dredd. It was alright, but not as good as I was lead to believe. The pacing was slow and methodical, which at times is good, but at other I just wished the film would get a move on. Action scenes were well done and Karl urban was a very emotionless Judge Dredd. Not sure how I feel about him giving the pass at the end of the film though.

Overall it was a good film, but not a great one.

[Skykid]

Overall it was a good film, but not a great one.

Oh absolutely. I do wonder if there's a certain resonance in it that goes down better with Brits though, since Alex Garland clearly screenplayed it to look like the cast had been handpicked from Camden Town.

[CMoon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31AEcylwn9s

[blackoak]

Saw Dredd today too, thought it was great for what it was. I can still get into "violence ballets" given the right absurd/fantastic setting. Its things that take place in the real world *cough Breaking Bad cough* where I find much to criticize, and I don't mean prurient objections. Back in the day I would have eaten this up purely for the post-apocalyptic world. I thought Karl Urban was awesome as Judge Dredd, and I liked the soundtrack too (though I agree a Carpenter style would have been very interesting--remix on dvd, perhaps?)

I also saw the 1977 Japanese film "House." I'd like to see more horror movies like this, especially capturing the feel in the first half. Shades of David Lynch there. Its a kitchen sink approach in the latter half in terms of avant gardey stuff, but most of it is good.

[drauch]

Above the Law - Seagal's first film. A good start with a moderately (but still attractive) Pam Grier. A bit slow at parts, but a good display of Seagal's brutal Aikido. Seagal is losing a lot of hair for his debut, yet it magically reappears after this film! What could it be!?

[CMoon]

I also saw the 1977 Japanese film "House." I'd like to see more horror movies like this, especially capturing the feel in the first half. Shades of David Lynch there. Its a kitchen sink approach in the latter half in terms of avant gardey stuff, but most of it is good.

I really dig this film. Definitely not perfect, but manages to be smart while also coming off as rather innocent. It is meant to be something of a childrens' ghost story, and seems to accomplish this goal easily, while dozens of other films which attempt to capture some fanciful aspect of our youth typically never quite manage to accomplish this end.

[xbl0x180]

I managed to get a Criterion DVD of Hausu during the last Barnes & Noble sale. It's an interesting film, although my opinion of it may not be as reliable since 1) I love most Criterion Collection videos and 2) I tend to like the Japanese films I watch in spite of their flaws

[chum]

I also saw the 1977 Japanese film "House." I'd like to see more horror movies like this, especially capturing the feel in the first half. Shades of David Lynch there. Its a kitchen sink approach in the latter half in terms of avant gardey stuff, but most of it is good.

One of Nobuhiko Obayashi's short films "Emotion" is quite similar.

[blackoak]

Nice, I will check Emotion out. Any idea where to see it? I'm also planning to get the Criterion release... can't wait to watch that interview.

Yeah, in reflection, it probably was that aura of childhood that animated many of the scenes that I found incredibly moving. I need to watch it again to say more, but there were certain scenes that I found so poignant, a combination of the camera technique, disjointed narrative, and music...