Movies you've just watched

[drauch]

Last I checked the entire world was still shitting out mediocre films.

[Ed Oscuro]

Why did that guy's tidy white tuxedo not explode into bouquets of gushing blood petals and / or he gets thrust into the ceiling fan within the first 16 seconds? I think I will be asking for a refund now. Wait, is this going to be a lounge lizard's movie?

A Beginner's Guide to Miami Connection ^_~

LOLZ.

A FRIEND!

[CMoon]

Why did that guy's tidy white tuxedo not explode into bouquets of gushing blood petals and / or he gets thrust into the ceiling fan within the first 16 seconds? I think I will be asking for a refund now. Wait, is this going to be a lounge lizard's movie?

A Beginner's Guide to Miami Connection ^_~

This sounds like it is on the same level as Shaolin Fox Conspiracy. I may have to watch this one.

[DEL]

Ed wrote;

RE: Revengers
Man, you know it's Borgnine when you can spot his face even from that small picture. Dude just eats the scenery.

Haha! Yeah the old Cabby from Escape from New York.
He plays a good sleazy character in the Revengers.

drauch wrote;

Never had heard of that one. Excellent cast. Looks to be American made, though.

Nor had I, but its got the best cover I have ever seen, plus the classic characters, so I had to buy it.
American made - not sure really...? There are the usual Italian looking extras in it, so I'm pretty sure its a Spag Western.

drauch wrote;

Last I checked the entire world was still shitting out mediocre films.

Oh you're not kidding on that score . Especially Hollywood.

For instance check this new trailer for Gallowwalkers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W37QoSb6Oms
No ideas left. Sad lazy bastards.

[Edmond Dantes]

I just slightly changed the direction so I could express a blanket opinion that completely encompasses and includes the film you were referencing regardless of its standing against US made 80's reboots. Make no mistake, I'm not dodging your assessment of the film; my statement went to great pains to include it.

Does that pass the mensa challenge?

Yep. Here's a seal of approval *stamps a seal of approval on Skykid's arm*

But personally, the only recent movies I've enjoyed so far were both Japanese Tokusatsu movies... and I wasn't even a Toku fan before last spring, so that's something. Americans just keep fucking up on the most basic things. ("Hey, let's include dick jokes in a Dr. Seuss movie! Because that's what Dr. Seuss was all about, right?")

The difference here is that Japan has faith in the source material, while American film is like a nation of identity-less whores who feel compelled to jump whatever bandwagon presents itself. I'm surprised they didn't change the Lorax into a pony just to ride the MLP wave.

[Skykid]

I just slightly changed the direction so I could express a blanket opinion that completely encompasses and includes the film you were referencing regardless of its standing against US made 80's reboots. Make no mistake, I'm not dodging your assessment of the film; my statement went to great pains to include it.

Does that pass the mensa challenge?

Yep. Here's a seal of approval *stamps a seal of approval on Skykid's arm*

But personally, the only recent movies I've enjoyed so far were both Japanese Tokusatsu movies... and I wasn't even a Toku fan before last spring, so that's something. Americans just keep fucking up on the most basic things. ("Hey, let's include dick jokes in a Dr. Seuss movie! Because that's what Dr. Seuss was all about, right?")

The difference here is that Japan has faith in the source material, while American film is like a nation of identity-less whores who feel compelled to jump whatever bandwagon presents itself. I'm surprised they didn't change the Lorax into a pony just to ride the MLP wave.

Well I can't say you're wrong with regards to one revisiting old material with more in the way of authenticity. I don't actually understand US reboots of 80's TV shows and whatnot, as they're usually nothing like the original in any way. They even turn stuff that used to be straight into comedies...

But at the same time, I don't watch any of that crap anyway. I don't know why anyone would want to watch a Dr. Seuss movie in the first place?

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

Live action Gatchaman looks shit though.

[Skykid]

Live action Gatchaman looks shit though.

Japan / Live Action.

Not the best combination.

Have you seen what they did to 20th Century Boys? Way to defile your country's most respected entertainment media. Shocking.

[system11]

Live action Gatchaman looks shit though.

Japan / Live Action.

Not the best combination.

Gunhed.

[Skykid]

Live action Gatchaman looks shit though.

Japan / Live Action.

Not the best combination.

Gunhed.

Watched it 6 months back.

The greatest waste of a visual spectacle I've ever seen.

[EmperorIng]

Tokyo Gore Police is one of the more interesting Japanese movies of recent times. And by interesting I mean disgusting. I awkwardly watched it with my sister until the dildos showed up.

Though I think it would have made a better anime.

[lilmanjs]

Tokyo Gore Police is one of the more interesting Japanese movies of recent times. And by interesting I mean disgusting. I awkwardly watched it with my sister until the dildos showed up.

Though I think it would have made a better anime.

I think its part of the flashy and makes zero sense section of Japanese movies. Hot gals, lots of blood and a thin plot. I know It made me wonder how it got released after seeing it.

[7711]

I know It made me wonder how it got released after seeing it.

If you look at all these weird japanese movies that got an international release these recent years its far from the worst.

I personally tought it was okay, but I enjoyed Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl better

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The HD version of Tokyo Gore Police is quite something.

Finally checked out the Blu-Ray version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture flick -- was a mere $14.99 at the local Target store. For what I can recall about it, it was never released seperately as a Blu-Ray release and sold exclusively together with a bundled ST Blu-Ray set. It's about damn time that it got a proper BR release by itself.

ST:TMP Film Factoid:

In the 1980 Guinness Book of World Records book release, the ST:TMP flick was listed as having the most expensive production budget of $42 million USD (according to Paramount Pictures Studio at the time). Over four years in the making & released nationwide on December 8th, 1979 on the big screen, it earned a whopping $139 million at the U.S. box office easily.

And saw that the Blu-Ray version of "The ABCs of Death" at Target as well for a mere $17.99...got that one as well. Has the Blu-Ray exclusive of BD-Live Feature - short film contest submisions that the DVD version of the same name doesn't have.

The Japanese actress whom goes by the name Jessica in the very last film short using the letter Z shown in "ABCs of Death" anthology is quite easy on the eyes indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

ST:TMP Film Factoid:

In the 1980 Guinness Book of World Records book release, the ST:TMP flick was listed as having the most expensive production budget of $42 million USD (according to Paramount Pictures Studio at the time). Over four years in the making & released nationwide on December 8th, 1979 on the big screen, it earned a whopping $139 million at the U.S. box office easily.

What they usually don't mention is that this money included the development of the aborted Star Trek: Phase 2 TV series. Scripts were written, sets, costumes and miniatures were made before someone decided they should make a movie instead.

Plinkett approved, Star Trek TMP is one of the best films ever made and is my go to "is your opinion even worth consideration" movie.

[Edmond Dantes]

Well I can't say you're wrong with regards to one revisiting old material with more in the way of authenticity. I don't actually understand US reboots of 80's TV shows and whatnot, as they're usually nothing like the original in any way. They even turn stuff that used to be straight into comedies...

Or, in the case of Transformers, turn something that used to be about an intergalactic robot war... into a teen comedy.

But at the same time, I don't watch any of that crap anyway. I don't know why anyone would want to watch a Dr. Seuss movie in the first place?

Dr. Seuss may be for kids, but the animated specials based on his works were quite good. So some of us had high hopes for the live-action/recent CGI movies.

Of course, our hopes were quickly dashed....

Although really, if I wanted to name a revival that pissed me off... it would be the 2002 He-Man. Either that or the remake of Battlestar Galactica. Of course most people consider these improvements, often for ignorant or superficial reasons (normally just because the animation is better or there's more pop culture references, proving your average American has the artistic sensibilities of an autistic magikarp). But neither of those were movies, so I'm getting off-topic.

Regarding "Japan/Live Action, not a good combination..." Eh, I dunno. Still better than Hollywood any day.

That's not to say I've never seen a bad J-film. Battle Royale makes a mockery of an excellent book, and I'm tempted to say that Parasite Eve does too (but I've never read the book, so I can't), and Freeze Me was laughably stupid. But I'd rather watch those, than watch anything Hollywood has crapped out in the last ten years.

[spadgy]

After it lurking in my brain as a distant childhood memory for many years, I finally watched Maximum Overdrive. Seeing it again, it's far from high quality. In fact, it's pretty awful really, but I loved it. I especially enjoyed the scene with the sentient vending machine.

[Ixmucane2]

World War Z

If it were yet another b-movie, it would be merely mediocre: lots of long and meaningless action scenes to pad out a trivial, contrived plot about an hero who saves the world thanks to his superhuman luck.
But unfortunately it's an extraordinarily high budget adaptation of a great novel, and given the expectations it goes far beyond failing miserably: few adaptations have ever been so contrary to the source material.
R= Max Brooks & Brad Pitt R=War, with heroes and cowards&Epidemic, with victims and not yet victims R=Focus on zombies in different places and on different aspects of the zombie invasion&Focus on pointless characters R=Plausible tactical and weapon developments to win the war&A ridiculous gimmick to cure people R=Collective heroism, effort and sacrifice&A handful of brave professionals and a herd of insignificant civilians R=A study of evil and selfish behaviour in a crisis&A few random harmless demonstrations of pitiful stupidity and insensitivity R=Resourcefulness and hope in the worst situations&Rampant idiocy, e.g. using helicopters to move low-priority refugees to less safe places
The list could go on, but suffice it to say that, instead of mankind evolving and uniting enough to face a global threat, the only thing that appears at stake is whether Gerry reunites with his family.

Good production values and special effects and some decent acting, all wasted.

[boagman]

The original 1980 "Flash Gordon".

This is nothing but campy, silly, way, way, *way* over-the-top hilarity. The number of now-stars that parade through this movie is sort of mind-boggling, when you realize how bad the dialogue is that they're being paid to say. I daresay it's basically impossible to watch this movie and not smile (at the very least) or laugh your way through it. The Queen soundtrack is, again, hilarious (and surprisingly good stuff)...but you honestly can't say that it's wrong for the movie at all. This thing *revels* in its own absurdity, and really: it feels like it owes a lot to the likes of things such as Rocky Horror Picture Show and what not. Only, you know...clean.

If you don't find this entertaining enough to laugh with/at, then I feel there really isn't any hope for you. Garbage? Perhaps. But it's garbage which *understands* that it's garbage, and asks only that you try to not complain about the smell while you're driven along by its self-effacing humor. *Fun* garbage. Over-produced garbage. Ridiculous garbage. Two hours which will leave you not wishing you could have those hours back, but knowing that, really: you *should be wanting* those two hours back, in a World Of Responsible Viewing.

I don't care, in this case. I enjoyed the utter camp of the whole thing. Embrace the suck, I suppose.

[Skykid]

The original 1980 "Flash Gordon".

This is nothing but campy, silly, way, way, *way* over-the-top hilarity. The number of now-stars that parade through this movie is sort of mind-boggling, when you realize the how bad the dialogue is that they're being paid to say. I daresay it's basically impossible to watch this movie and not smile (at the very least) or laugh your way through it. The Queen soundtrack is, again, hilarious (and surprisingly good stuff)...but you honestly can't say that it's wrong for the movie at all. This thing *revels* in its own absurdity, and really: it feels like it owes a lot to the likes of things such as Rocky Horror Picture Show and what not. Only, you know...clean.

If you don't find this entertaining enough to laugh with/at, then I feel there really isn't any hope for you. Garbage? Perhaps. But it's garbage which *understands* that it's garbage, and asks only that you try to not complain about the smell while you're driven along by its self-effacing humor. *Fun* garbage. Over-produced garbage. Ridiculous garbage. Two hours which will leave you not wishing you could have those hours back, but knowing that, really: you *should be wanting* those two hours back, in a World Of Responsible Viewing.

I don't care, in this case. I enjoyed the utter camp of the whole thing. Embrace the suck, I suppose.

Man, putting this on my watch list. Haven't seen it since I was a kid, so remember mostly nothing, but after watching Ted I had the most unbelievable urge to watch it. Thanks for reminding me.

[CMoon]

Totally stand by that review of Flash Gordon. Lord, it isn't a good movie, but it is visually bizarre and its plot is so throw away its hard not to end up enjoying it.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Back in the early 1980s, at the local Vintage Fair Mall in Modesto, CA was a high-end A/V retailer by the name of Video Concepts (which was owned by Radio Shack at the time) and they always had the latest and greatest audio/video gear to sell. At the very front of the store was one of those huge RCA produced front-projection screen 4:3 based TVs with a movie playing daily. On occsasion, the 1980 Flash Gordon flick would be playing but more times than naught, Star Wars Episode V: TESB would take precedence (with director George Lucas' local ties to Modesto, CA). There was a public sitting bench placed on the mall floor area that was located directly in front of the RCA projection TV. It was interesting to watch the grand finale battle between Flash and King Ming with the sky ablaze with colorful laser scatterfire everywhere. With TESB, it would always attract an audience with a bunch of folks stopping for a few minutes to watch a memorable scene. Star Wars mania/hype was at an all-time high with RoTJ just around the corner in May of 1983. That's how it was at the local mall back in the early '80s era.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[boagman]

Man, putting this on my watch list. Haven't seen it since I was a kid, so remember mostly nothing, but after watching Ted I had the most unbelievable urge to watch it. Thanks for reminding me.

Oh, thank you, Skykid. You have *no idea* how I was trying to scrape the recesses of my brain trying to think of the movie "Ted" when I was watching FG. I knew I'd seen a stoner movie with multiple (and quite funny) Flash Gordon/Sam Jones references, but for the life of me, all I could think of was Seth Rogen, who I cannot *stand* watching or listening to (thus, why I wasn't willing to give it any further thought). "Ted" was a funny romp, and the FG references were an amusing part of that.

As an aside: this may have been my first viewing, ever, of FG. I honestly don't recall any of it before, and usually you'll remember *something* while watching it, if you've seen it before. I tuned in somewhat because of "Ted", yes, but also because of the pinball machine.

I hope it's enjoyable for you.

[rapoon]

Trace - art, pubic hair, hypnosis and Rosario Dawson's shaved clam. disappointing for Danny Boyle.
Fast and the Furious pt. 642 - nice cars, rest is shit. same as the others.
Harold and Maude - rewatch. excellent
Two Lane Blacktop - rewatch. excellent

[7711]

Watched Two Thousand Maniacs! and Irreversible this morning. The first one was lots of fun, the second a bit less (I had already watched Irreversible when it was first released and remembers hating it).
Enjoyed both and since I bought a few others DVDs yesterday I can't way to sit in front of another one later on.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

That Irreversible film caused quite a controversy when it premired at the Cannes festival back in the day. Some folks promptly left in the middle of that infamous rape scene as they thought it was too much to handle/deal with. But in retrospect, it's all up to the director on how to film a scene with grace and dignity with respect to the actor/actress doing the scene. This particular film doesn't hold back when dealing with serious subject matter either.

The real irony is that how the Irreversible film ends is really the beginning of it and the revelation/discovery that it brings that hits the viewer/audience full on.

Got to thinking about some of the other movies with a 1st-person viewpoint presentation with System11's take on Maniac:

Enter The Void
Strange Days - in dealing with the underground Squid (in short for "Super Quatum User Interface Device") Virtual Reality market. The obvious glaring mistake is in going with the alternative 1999-2000 (aka Y2K) timeline when it should've been 2000-2001 to ring in officially the 21st century. Oh well...a director's cut of SD could remedy that slight chronological issue at hand.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Dragoforce]

Many years late to the party, but I saw (no pun) Hostel yesterday. Rubbish. Needs more torture and something better than the generic rape-revenge plot.

[Edmond Dantes]

I remember when I was young, I kept getting Flash Gordon mixed up with Masters of the Universe.

Then I saw the latter as an adult and said "Wait, where's the scene where they duke it out on a tilting platform with the spikes coming out?"

... The real irony, of course, is that Masters of the Universe has barely anything to do with He-Man, but Flash Gordon could very easily be changed into a He-Man movie if you just changed some of the characters' names.

[Ed Oscuro]

I remember when I was young, I kept getting Flash Gordon mixed up with Masters of the Universe.

Yeah, I could see that one if you only knew the franchises at arm's length (like I did). Wish I'd shelled out the bucks for that poster-sized print of a Flash Gordon strip I found years back.

[Skykid]

I remember when I was young, I kept getting Flash Gordon mixed up with Masters of the Universe.

It's that "Saviour of the universe!" line in the main theme.