Movies you've just watched

[Skykid]

The X-Files: Tempus Fugit

Okay, not a film as such, but my brother went out of his way to buy a VHS copy from eBay just so we could watch it in its full 90 minute cut with no severing between episodes and enjoy a real old-fashioned analog experience.

You have to be a fan to fully appreciate it, since it has characters and elements from previous episodes and series, but, in spite of that it still amazed me that this was ever TV. After the chase sequence down the runway, where they race under a landing plane, I turned around and said "this isn't just better than TV, it's better than film."

I remember Director Rob Bowman once said in an interview that when they got back the plane abduction/cabin depressurisation sequence for the first time, he couldn't stop laughing because of how amazed he was as what they had with such a minimal budget, and to such impressive effect.

Great show, great writing, great fun. Still stands up with the best of them.

[Randorama]

I agree the tone of the Craig movies is far superior to the ridiculousness of Brosnan (especially at the end of his run) and probably the most accurate since Connery, but I still think Casino Royale had more believability when it comes to the 'dark' side of Bond than Skyfall. That film opened with him beating a man to death in a bathroom, which is more Fleming's Bond than running around on top of moving trains. Also, we should write off QOS entirely as it's a pile of shit, one of the worst Bond movies ever, which only really leaves CR and Skyfall in contention.

I realized that I mentally ret-conned Quantum of Solace as being with Pierce Brosnan. The problem with Bond doing pointless stunts exists in Casino Royale too. When I saw the parkour scene the first time, I was very, very, worried. I guess that we cannot just have Bond pummeling people at cricket pitch toilets; we need him jumping around and do other goofy stuff.

Also, I disagree the Highlands actually worked that well - to me the sequence felt like a movie other than Bond, as though we had strayed onto a different film set.

That's what I meant "to an extent". Almost the whole movie is set the UK, with one general theme being that Bond has to conquer back his own "territory", rather than going to some fancy place to save the world. This theme comes from one of the non-Fleming novels, I believe.

Ironically, when I saw Ralph Fiennes in the movie, I thought that he could have been a perfect Bond, down to the receding hairline and the cold, ruthless glare.

[Skykid]

I realized that I mentally ret-conned Quantum of Solace as being with Pierce Brosnan. The problem with Bond doing pointless stunts exists in Casino Royale too. When I saw the parkour scene the first time, I was very, very, worried. I guess that we cannot just have Bond pummeling people at cricket pitch toilets; we need him jumping around and do other goofy stuff.

I absolutely agree, and I think that ultimately modern audiences expect some form of ridiculousness to be in a Bond film, simply because they've been that way since Roger Moore took up the mantle.

I can forgive these things to an extent, although after the Parkour sequence, CR held its own without too much in the way of superhuman activities, and still proved very successful. The collapsing building is farfetched, but it didn't involve racing motorbikes across Turkish rooftops at 100mph.

The thing is, CR comes from a novel, so its foundation is already solid. When they have to come up with something from scratch, it inadvertently ends up having tube trains arriving right on time through freshly made holes in walls along with other instances of evil serendipity. Also, what's the point of ever aiming a gun right at Bond's head, when he'll simply disarm and overpower you every single time?

There's some irritation at poor scripting and plot holes. Why would anyone say "I always hated this place" in reference to their childhood home, the place where they grew up, that holds the memories of their deceased parents? It's just stupid. The sort of thing Koepp might come up with on a first draft.

This reinforces my belief that Bond should break tradition and start to remake some of Fleming's novels. All the Moore films are so butchered you could remake them in the same vein as Casino Royale and they would end up as completely different movies.

Ironically, when I saw Ralph Fiennes in the movie, I thought that he could have been a perfect Bond, down to the receding hairline and the cold, ruthless glare.

Well, I'd say even Craig is a tad too old to play Bond, but I thought Fiennes was excellent in his role, one of the most consistent elements of the film.

[njiska]

Watched a British horror film called Triangle last night. Now my head is hurting and hurting bad. The first 40 minutes or so the film is a straight horror story about some capsized passengers finding an ocean liner, but from there on out things just keep getting more bizarre and more intriguing. It's the kind of film you need to spend an hour discussing after you watch it just so you can figure it out. I have a theory as to what's going on, but I'm still a little in the dark.

[xris]

I rather liked Triangle, but I've talked to a couple people that hated it just the same. There are a couple truly terrific scenes in it that do a great job of adding to the story while creating mystery, or at least a solid what the fuck is really going on. It is a bit of a head scratcher though, but still well made. Fun to rewatch as well.
I did watch Felidae because it came up here recently. Pretty good, neat story - but it seemed like there was some small piece missing - or, the main character was just too damn plucky. Did like, and happy to watch something that I had never heard of before, which is super exciting for any movie nerd. Imma hafta watch Plague Dogs now as well.
I also watch that new Universal Soldier movie as well. Whoah, this is a mess, I watched it twice and it made no sense what so ever. Yup, it has JCVD and Dolph L., but in villainous cameos. Randomly violent, and some of the most nauseating strobe effect ever. The movie was a disaster, but is kinda worth seeing if your curious about it - a whole new standard of low.

[system11]

I love Triangle, it's a great film. Even when you know what's going on it's still pretty mindbending on repeat viewings, but I can't really explain it here as it'd be a massive spoiler and this film is too good to ruin for people with spoilers. It's up there with Lost Highway in terms of films that aren't obvious, but can be understood with a little effort.

[mesh control]

Damnation Alley
Bizarre aurora effects.
Bizarre Raymond Scott-esque synth lines sneaking into the score.
Bizarre ending.
fuck.

[system11]

Domination Alley
Bizarre aurora effects.
Bizarre Raymond Scott-esque synth lines sneaking into the score.
Bizarre ending.
fuck.

Damnation Alley perhaps?

[mesh control]

gah.

Yes!

fixed.

[Randorama]

I can forgive these things to an extent, although after the Parkour sequence, CR held its own without too much in the way of superhuman activities, and still proved very successful. The collapsing building is farfetched, but it didn't involve racing motorbikes across Turkish rooftops at 100mph.

The collapsing building is, in fact, not in the book. If the writers would stick to the books, they would have certain limits for mindless action scenes. See my comment below, though.

There's some irritation at poor scripting and plot holes. Why would anyone say "I always hated this place" in reference to their childhood home, the place where they grew up, that holds the memories of their deceased parents? It's just stupid. The sort of thing Koepp might come up with on a first draft.

Bond lost his parents in a traumatic accident that happened as his manor, Skyfall. Besides, I also hate the place were I grew up, for very similar reasons. I can think of tons of other holes, but this one is actually a thread they took from the books.

This reinforces my belief that Bond should break tradition and start to remake some of Fleming's novels. All the Moore films are so butchered you could remake them in the same vein as Casino Royale and they would end up as completely different movies.

I agree as long as we don't get a second Moonraker, which was based on a rather zany book to begin with. I sincerely loathed Moore's movies, so a complete overhaul is in order. I'd throw in On her Majesty's secret service in the fray, although no woman will ever be able to fill the shoes of Diana Rigg, not in a one million years.

Well, I'd say even Craig is a tad too old to play Bond, but I thought Fiennes was excellent in his role, one of the most consistent elements of the film.

Well, when I saw Fiennes this image popped in my mind:

Bond, according to Fleming

[Skykid]

The collapsing building is, in fact, not in the book. If the writers would stick to the books, they would have certain limits for mindless action scenes.

Yes, I know that sequence isn't in the book, but what I'm getting at is I don't mind a halfway house (or maybe a 70/30 house) where the studio injects one or two superman scenes to appease audiences - just because they won't be able to sell it at all otherwise - but come at the general concept of the character from a more grounded perspective in-keeping with espionage and the original character. Basically CR got the balance as accurately as I could hope for, Skyfall not so much.

Bond lost his parents in a traumatic accident that happened as his manor, Skyfall. Besides, I also hate the place were I grew up, for very similar reasons. I can think of tons of other holes, but this one is actually a thread they took from the books.

I got the psychological issues surrounding the death of his parents, but still, I find that line very hard to swallow and not very well thought out... amongst others.

I agree as long as we don't get a second Moonraker, which was based on a rather zany book to begin with. I sincerely loathed Moore's movies, so a complete overhaul is in order. I'd throw in On her Majesty's secret service in the fray

^ Hell yes to all of this.

[GaijinPunch]

The X-Files: Tempus Fugit

What Season/Episodes does this correspond to? Is there any difference in just watching them on Netflix? I was debating going through and watching the show again. As you stated, it's great, and hasn't been topped. Fringe is good in it's own right, but the only thing that matched The X-Files in terms of intensity is The Wire & Breaking Bad.

[EmperorIng]

Maybe Fringe got better, but I thought that pilot all those years ago was so, so shitty that I never cared about watching the show again.

[GaijinPunch]

It did. Took it a while to find it's groove, and it's WAY closer to science fiction than science, but the writing is pretty good, and I think the stand-alone episodes are quite often better than the X-Files stand alones. Kind of a broad statement I guess. Back when X-Files was airing, every episode I was praying was an episode was a mythology-related one. W/ Fringe, I didn't care so much. Also don't like it as much though either. I think at her peak though, Scully was hotter than Olivia Dunham.

[Octopod]

I never watched X-Files back in the day but I started watching the first season on Netflix a couple months ago. I didn't make it past the first 5 or 6 episodes. It was funny seeing Seth Green as a grunge stoner in one episode but I think the show may just not be my thing. It seems like it would be my kind of thing but maybe it is just the 90's aesthetics that bother me or something. Then again I am not a huge TV person. I started watching Battlestar Galactica at the beginning of the year and I am still only halfway through the third season. I'll probably give it another chance though since there isn't anything else on that I watch since the Walking Dead lost me about halfway through the second season.

I think I was watching Northern Exposure instead during the X-Files days.

[Nana]

BULLET BALLET

Hot damn, this movie's cool. Lots of great machinery and gun porn (though the fights are kind of lacking), with wonderful photography as is to be expected from Tsukamoto. Rad soundtrack, underdeveloped but cool characters, and some surprisingly tense plot situations. I actually liked this one enough to watch it twice in a row -- that never happens! If you like the idea of Tetsuo the Iron Man but want a movie that actually makes sense, I highly recommend it.

The trailer's pretty badass, too.

[Skykid]

The X-Files: Tempus Fugit

What Season/Episodes does this correspond to? Is there any difference in just watching them on Netflix? I was debating going through and watching the show again. As you stated, it's great, and hasn't been topped.

In agreement again, we need to stop doing this.

Tempus Fugit/Max was originally a two-parter that aired in season 4. It revisits the character Max Fenig who appeared in an episode in season 1 where an invisible entity is running through laser trip wires in the forest (awesome episode). There will be no difference watching on Netflix except the episodes will be cut in two, I imagine. Various VHS releases including Tunguska were released as 90 minute features where the two-parter was just run into one.

I've been thinking about watching them over again too, but time is always a factor that stops me. I have watched some choice episodes recently though, including Home and Drive and the last ep in Season 7 (which is essentially the proper ending imo.)

[GaijinPunch]

Ah, yeah. I actually remember that one. The only other "airplane" episode was, AFAIK, in one of the latter seasons and was quite intense as it were. The episodes that really pulled me in were Anasazki & Paper Clip. My GF of the time introduced the show to me.

Fun Fact: Was leaving the downtown/school area of Austin to go do laundry at home and watch the show w/ my lady friend, (it was the next couple of mythology episodes I remember) when I happened upon a wreck on the freeway. Trying to go around (and not knowing a circular motion of the flashlight meant "stop") I was arrested for Disregard of a Police Officers Lawful Order. It's a class C Misdemeanor (traffic violation) so basically I spent the night in jail b/c this cop had a small cock.

[mesh control]

And now I'm watching X-Files for the first time.

Huh

[Skykid]

Ah, yeah. I actually remember that one. The only other "airplane" episode was, AFAIK, in one of the latter seasons and was quite intense as it were. The episodes that really pulled me in were Anasazki & Paper Clip. My GF of the time introduced the show to me.

Anasazi, iirc is the season 1 finale. "Burn it" being the most memorable line.

I watched the pilot on BBC2 when it first aired with my folks, since we were intrigued by the promo ads running a few weeks before. Never looked back really, watched it consistently through all the seasons. ER was another guilty pleasure that used to air just after the X-Files on another channel, making wednesday night TV awesome for several years.

[GaijinPunch]

Anasazi was the Season 2 finale, and Paper Clip the season 3 opener I believe. You got the Burn It part right -- the creepy old train car in the desert. I liked the Indian touch as well, and the fact that they brought Albert back a couple of times over the years.

I'd rank this as best TV show ever perhaps if they ended it at Season 7 or so. On the up side, I think a lot of shows have since learned to bail out before it's too late.

[Skykid]

Anasazi was the Season 2 finale, and Paper Clip the season 3 opener I believe. You got the Burn It part right -- the creepy old train car in the desert. I liked the Indian touch as well, and the fact that they brought Albert back a couple of times over the years.

I'd rank this as best TV show ever perhaps if they ended it at Season 7 or so. On the up side, I think a lot of shows have since learned to bail out before it's too late.

Ah yeah, you're right. The season 1 finale was the Erlenmeyer Flask? (Quick google... says yes.)

It's my favourite TV show ever, certainly the one I enjoyed most and still find impressive on return visits. Season 7 was technically the finale from what I understand - Carter, Duchovny and Co. didn't want to do any more and weren't sure if Fox would commission another series. When they did, I think most of the writers and many of the long term directors bailed (Rob Bowman, Glen Morgan & James Wong etc), and some of the titles are a bit suspicious, specifically when they introduced Monica Reyes in an episode named "This is not happening," which were my thoughts exactly while watching it.

The final episode is such a pile of garbage, it's easy for me to draw the line with series 7's closing event, which at least has some poetic justice to it.

Also, did you see the recent movie? It's basically just another episode, and kind of awesome because of it.

[xbl0x180]

Yeah, I've got They Call Her One Eye, and yeah, I can agree; but when the revenge starts you really feel the long, drawn out scenes of suffering and payback. Trust me, your opinion of worth is right up there with mine .

I ended up seeing Anita twice and, in spite of the exploitative nature of the movie, it played like a straight drama-romance... but it also helps that Christina Lindberg is really easy on the eyes.

I came back from the Criterion Collection sale at Barnes & Noble with a stack of movies that'll keep me busy 'til the next sale. First movie I popped open was Design For Living. If I didn't know this was from the pre-code 30s, I'd think this was a modern sex comedy. It also helps that Miriam Hopkins is really easy on the eyes. Once I got over that, the art deco for outdoor and indoor sets was beautiful, too.



Art deco + pretty girl = marriage made in heaven

[GaijinPunch]

Season 7 was technically the finale from what I understand - Carter, Duchovny and Co. didn't want to do any more and weren't sure if Fox would commission another series. When they did, I think most of the writers and many of the long term directors bailed (Rob Bowman, Glen Morgan & James Wong etc), and some of the titles are a bit suspicious, specifically when they introduced Monica Reyes in an episode named "This is not happening," which were my thoughts exactly while watching it.

I remember Duchovny stating he was burned out. I would assume after 10 years of many questions being brought up and very few being answered, it would have been taxing.

The final episode is such a pile of garbage, it's easy for me to draw the line with series 7's closing event, which at least has some poetic justice to it.

It was better than the season leading up to it, so it didn't bother me nearly as much.

Also, did you see the recent movie? It's basically just another episode, and kind of awesome because of it.

I did, and liked it. Pretty well done. Would like to know what happened w/ the alien invasion though. I guess it is sitting around doing lines of coke with Shenmue III somewhere.

What are you Scully thoughts? I knew she grew up in the UK but I didn't know until recently she could turn on and off the British accent. I got into a bit of an argument about it w/ someone here, about it being the same as speaking two languages. Even I, to an extent, am different when I speak Japanese (even though as a white, I am allowed to fuck up). When you hear someone that's mastered both (there are very few, btw) it literally looks like a switch is being flipped. Of course, this debate was with a woman, so you can imagine how much reasoning was involved.

Speaking of the writing: you know that Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame started off as an X-Files writer? I'm telling you... you're truly missing out.

[DEL]

Rando wrote;

I saw Skyfall yesterday, which I liked.

I think that they could have used Silva's character better, as it was clearly meant to be a foil to Bond.

Among other things, it is somewhat obvious that both characters have a death wish, although they act upon it in different ways. Why they didn't exploit more this theme? Were they afraid that Bardem would have trampled over Craig? (ahem!)

I generally think that this the Bond movie that the character deserved, since its inception. Some may dislike may comment, but the Craig movies seem to be finally doing justice to the novels. I have read the books ages ago, but I still recall that they features much darker themes and moods than the techno-pop that went on screen for 40 years or so. I liked one line from M: "Orphans make the best recruits", which sums up very well some of the forlornness that constantly lingers in the books.

Also, the fact that the final battle is set at Bond's old house in the Highlands is to an extent a brilliant choice.

I also saw it on the opening weekend here, but haven't posted in a while.
Yes a welcome return to form after the more than dismal QOS.
One thing I mentioned as I came out of the cinema was that it breaks the mould in terms of the bad guy Bardem isn't like Blofeld or DRAX or Pryce in Tomorrow Never Dies, in that he's not after World Domination, just revenge on one woman.
The mixed-race girl in the AURORA scene onwards is hot! Shame she didn't feature more.
My favourite line:
Bond; "Or a gas explosion in London."
Least favourite line:
Bond; "There's a storm coming."

As for the argument that Bond films should be grittier with less comedy....well I personally like a bit of levity here n'there.
Craig simply cannot do comedy. Plus I noticed his last line in Skyfall came out so flat that it almost completely lost its meaning
-------------------------
Started to watch the "Falling Skies" series. A bit low budget and the listing of Steven Spielberg as Exec Producer has you expecting more.

[chempop]

Has no one gone to see Cloud Atlas? I plan on going this week. I suspect most viewers will think it's "trying to hard" or "too deep/spiritual", but as a huge fan of Tree of Life and The Fountain I think I'm going to be amazed.

[Skykid]

I did, and liked it. Pretty well done. Would like to know what happened w/ the alien invasion though. I guess it is sitting around doing lines of coke with Shenmue III somewhere.

Lol. Carter actually said he had two more films he wanted to do that would wrap up the mythology, and was hoping the recent one would be a platform. It wasn't a blockbuster, but it profited, so there's some hope he may get a shot.

I can't abide that last episode, it's just farce. Skinners matrix bullet, the smoking man's hippy missile injection - it's as dumb a wrap up as they could get. It's honestly not worth paying any mind to, I respect that the crew were done by season 7, everything else afterward may as well be swept under the rug.

What are you Scully thoughts? I knew she grew up in the UK but I didn't know until recently she could turn on and off the British accent. I got into a bit of an argument about it w/ someone here, about it being the same as speaking two languages. Even I, to an extent, am different when I speak Japanese (even though as a white, I am allowed to fuck up). When you hear someone that's mastered both (there are very few, btw) it literally looks like a switch is being flipped. Of course, this debate was with a woman, so you can imagine how much reasoning was involved.

She always said she found herself snapping back into british english almost automatically after returning to the UK for a short while. I expect there's a nuance to the accent that's easier to flip if it was native from childhood. She's all up in the BBC these days, does plenty of period dramas where the accent is well employed.
I've heard of UK people picking up US accents after living there for several years, but never the other way around (unless they train to lose the US accent, which some stage people have done.)

Speaking of the writing: you know that Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame started off as an X-Files writer? I'm telling you... you're truly missing out.

Wasn't aware of that. I do need to watch that and The Wire at some point. I know Glen Morgan and James Wong went off to do Space Above and Beyond and then made a fortune on the Final Destination movies, now never needing to work again.

[drauch]

Godzilla Final Wars - What the fuck. This isn't a Godzilla movie. This is garbage. Even if this wasn't a Godzilla movie, I'd probably rank it up there with some of the worst films I've ever seen, or at least one of the most obnoxious. Didn't realize it was the same guy who made "stylish" sword/gunplay movies that are so prevalent in Japanese film nowadays, and it obviously really shows. The fights are uneventful (when it's actually a Kaiju battle), the music is incessant and NEVER STOPS, CGI IS EVERYWHERE; it's essentially a Japanese The Matrix--but with monsters! I knew I was in for a hard ride with Gotengo blew up a terrible looking CGI Manda within the first few minutes. I don't understand how movies of the past receive so much flack for using "dated" special effects, yet garbage CGI just sorta breezes by without foul. As a 50th Anniversary Film, this is more of an insult than a celebration. My least favorite Godzilla movie. I almost had to turn it off. KING CAESAR ANGUIRUS BALL SOCCER. No wonder this movie bombed. I'd rather them stop making Godzilla movies if they would continue to be like this.

[jonny5]

I've heard of UK people picking up US accents after living there for several years, but never the other way around (unless they train to lose the US accent, which some stage people have done.)

I actually have a buddy who lived in the UK for like 5 years, and came back about 5 years ago.

Born and raised in Canada; when he first got back he was full on Brit, saying 'garij'(?) instead of garage and all kinds of funny things we made fun of him for endlessly. I still bring up the 'garage' thing every now and then, possibly threaten to 'throw him in the boot' . Even normal words that aren't necessarily said different there than here, sounded funny with his new British accent.

I think it's natural to start picking up the speech patterns of those around you. I lived on the east coast of Canada(they talk funny) for about 10 months and it totally rubbed off on me, even for such a short time. It disappeared pretty quick once I got back, but you don't even notice the change until you are around people that speak differently again.

[Octopod]

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe. This was a pretty fun film and Gyaos makes for a decent bad monster. I didn't really get the whole thing with the girl with the empathetic connection to Gamera though. It didn't really add much tot he film and it is not like she told him what to do or anything. It seemed like a tacked on bit but it didn't really detract from the film either so whatever. I started The Attack of Legion last night but haven't finished it yet.