Movies you've just watched

[BIL]

I love the Don Siegel-directed first, and like the Eastwood-helmed second and fourth. First is a superb renegade cop flick. A few lines have become legend, of course, but the surrounding movie is consistent quality. Tight, stylish direction, downbeat yet wryly humane tone, a classic villain from Andy Robinson, a soulful Lalo Schifrin soundtrack that broods, wails and grooves with seamless grace... there's a lot to enjoy. I can rewatch this any time.

Second (Magnum Force) is overlong, but I like its expansion on the original's themes. That movie is about Harry crossing lines; this one's about his limits, and other cops who've gone far beyond them. Not as great, but certainly worth a watch if you like the character and/or Eastwood. Fourth (Sudden Impact) is kinda Death Wish Lite, but again contributes some decent material with its contrasting of justice and revenge. Also has some neat visuals... the sleepy small-town daylight is blinding and bleaching, while the nights are an inky-black venue for horror.

The third and fifth (The Enforcer/The Dead Pool) I don't downrate so much as fail to recall much of, besides a few very gimmicky scenes (Harry firing a rocket launcher at some domestic terrorists / Harry firing a harpoon at some Bond villain asshole). Can't remember either having much to do with the classic genre theme of law vs chaos, seemed more outright Super Cop pictures.

[Xyga]

I was a kid the last time I saw the first, so I've picked that one for a good refresh, and yup, enjoyed it!
Very stylish indeed, absolutely loved the music too.
The French Connection remains my favourite crime flick of the era, but I have a lot more to rewatch and explore.

Spoiler

The scene at the cross with Scorpio wearing that red hood, aww yeah, they've managed an actually scary baddie there.

I actually remember Magnum Force now, nice but quite a few levels below indeed. Dunno if i'll give the other a chance.

[xxx1993]

But Rogue Nation is already being loved by everyone, it's said to be even better than Ghost Protocol.

[EmperorIng]

The French Connection remains my favourite crime flick of the era

It's because the French guy got away, isn't it?

Naw, just messing with you. I was lucky to see the French Connection in my local theater a few years ago. What a treat to have that as my first time seeing the movie!

French Connection is well within my canon of "essential 70s urban movies", along with Taxi Driver, Dirty Harry, and Death Wish. Gritty, downbeat, and cynical... what's not to love?

[Vexorg]

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: ***

Late 80s comedy starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine as a couple of con artists with very different styles (Martin goes for the quick buck while Caine is much more for the long con) who run into each other in the French Riviera, and ultimately get into a loser-leaves-town contest to see who can be the first to scam $50,000 out of a rich tourist who appears in town. Not particularly funny on its own, but more of a slow-burn type movie as you see them get deeper and deeper into their phony characters and are forced to keep up the charade...

Spoiler

...until ultimately they end up being the ones who get swindled by their intended mark in the end.

Probably not something I'd rewatch, but worth watching once. Currently on Amazon Prime Video if you want to see it.

[Some-Mist]

meet the fockers during fantasy hockey draft last night. bit of a guilty pleasure I guess, but if anything it just made me want to rewatch greenberg. not really a fan of that type of character that stiller plays in so many movies, tho I am a fan of the ben stiller show, greenberg, and the secret life of walter mitty. some how forgot that shelley berman was in it and I absolutely love him in curb.

chicago international film festival lineup was announced, so I'm hoping to pounce on some non-member tickets for jim jarmusch's paterson, ned crowley's (debut?) middle man, and park chan-wook's the handmaiden. here's to hoping they don't sell out before friday!

went last year for anomalisa and dheepan and had a blast.

[GaijinPunch]

chicago international film festival lineup was announced, so I'm hoping to pounce on some non-member tickets for jim jarmusch's paterson, ned crowley's (debut?) middle man, and park chan-wook's the handmaiden. here's to hoping they don't sell out before friday!

went last year for anomalisa and dheepan and had a blast.

What's the alternative i they sell out. I'm in Japan until next week, but should be embracing shit like that.

I agree 3 is a serious contender for the best one. But while realism doesn't apply anywhere in the series, the first is a more serious espionage yarn and handled tightly by De Palma.

5 really isn't that great though, I think 4 was a tad better. Everyone agrees 2 is fucking dogshit though... Except maybe xxx1993.

3 was the only one I enjoyed. Phillip Seymour Hoffman - great villain.
I hated the first one when I saw it in the theater, but then again, never watched the show, had low expectations, and am on the fence with Tom... was even before he was crazy.

[GaijinPunch]

Fallen Angels (Won Kar Wai)

Probably should have watched this ages ago, but not as sad I didn't as with Chung King Express. Features a very quirky character in this "lots of things going on in HK" film. Despite being at least somewhat familiar with Asian culture (even though no Hong Kong or Chinese really) I felt I should be able to relate a bit more to the weird nature of the Kaneshiro Takeshi's character. It was still quite enjoyable, and of course, the filming/direction is beautiful.

Will probably go for 2046 next.

[Skykid]

Fallen Angels (Won Kar Wai)

Probably should have watched this ages ago, but not as sad I didn't as with Chung King Express. Features a very quirky character in this "lots of things going on in HK" film. Despite being at least somewhat familiar with Asian culture (even though no Hong Kong or Chinese really) I felt I should be able to relate a bit more to the weird nature of the Kaneshiro Takeshi's character. It was still quite enjoyable, and of course, the filming/direction is beautiful.

Will probably go for 2046 next.

2046 is also great. You'll dig it.

[emphatic]

I didn't enjoy Fallen Angels, but I watched it in 98 or something, still reeling from the pleasure that is Chungking Express.

[Some-Mist]

chicago international film festival lineup was announced, so I'm hoping to pounce on some non-member tickets for jim jarmusch's paterson, ned crowley's (debut?) middle man, and park chan-wook's the handmaiden. here's to hoping they don't sell out before friday!

went last year for anomalisa and dheepan and had a blast.

What's the alternative i they sell out. I'm in Japan until next week, but should be embracing shit like that.

rush tickets where you have to show up to get a 'number' and if a seat remains open you can buy the ticket for it. the ticket sales are online through ticketmaster though, so if there's anything you want to see and you have an opportunity to hop on Friday then definitely try to do so.

alternatively, if there's anything you want me to try and snipe for you, I'd be happy to do so. Just shoot me a PM tomorrow.

edit: tickets just went on sale - nabbed paterson and middle man for myself.

[soprano1]

Snow White: The Sequel (2007)
Another "what the fuck did i just watch" movie...

[xxx1993]

The Magnificent Seven was a good remake.

[lilmanjs]

The Magnificent Seven was a good remake.

The remake of a remake?

[Skykid]

The Magnificent Seven was a good remake.

Don't quote him on that.

[CIT]

Watched Scarface again, after about 20 or so years. Was much better the second time around than I had expected. Shitty videogamifictions and rap references aside, this is a legit classic movie.

[xxx1993]

I'm just saying, I liked the Antoine Fuqua directed remake of The Magnificent Seven.

[GaijinPunch]

chicago international film festival lineup was announced, so I'm hoping to pounce on some non-member tickets for jim jarmusch's paterson, ned crowley's (debut?) middle man, and park chan-wook's the handmaiden. here's to hoping they don't sell out before friday!

went last year for anomalisa and dheepan and had a blast.

What's the alternative i they sell out. I'm in Japan until next week, but should be embracing shit like that.

rush tickets where you have to show up to get a 'number' and if a seat remains open you can buy the ticket for it. the ticket sales are online through ticketmaster though, so if there's anything you want to see and you have an opportunity to hop on Friday then definitely try to do so.

alternatively, if there's anything you want me to try and snipe for you, I'd be happy to do so. Just shoot me a PM tomorrow.

edit: tickets just went on sale - nabbed paterson and middle man for myself.

Word, cheers. There's a Japanese movie I might go see. Not sure of all the others.

[GaijinPunch]

Demolition

I realize it's cool to hate Jake Gyllenhaal, but between this and Night Crawler I am colored impressed. Pretty dark, and the closest thing to a date movie I (or most critics here) will enjoy. Watched it on a long plane ride, for which it was perfectly suited.

[iconoclast]

I haven't seen Demolition, but I liked Jake Gyllenhaal in Zodiac, Prisoners, Enemy, and especially Night Crawler. All really good or great movies, too (except for Enemy, which is just okay).

[GaijinPunch]

I haven't seen Demolition, but I liked Jake Gyllenhaal in Zodiac, Prisoners, Enemy, and especially Night Crawler. All really good or great movies, too (except for Enemy, which is just okay).

Was on the fence on Zodiac... I'd probably enjoy it more now. I think I just expected something more like Se7en. He can play a good wacko for sure.

[soprano1]

Good Will Hunting (1997)
I liked this, only because of Robin Williams's acting. Goes hand to hand with The Dead Poets Society.

[lilmanjs]

Star Wars Despecialized v2.7
Great movie still, everyone knows that. Biggest change is that a fan started color correcting the 2.5 release and was given the master for the project. Star wars the other day on tv looked too blue looking back now.

[emphatic]

Star Wars Despecialized v2.7
Great movie still, everyone knows that. Biggest change is that a fan started color correcting the 2.5 release and was given the master for the project. Star wars the other day on tv looked too blue looking back now.

These versions look awesome. My kids will be shocked when they see the official ones.

[soprano1]

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Greed lessons.

[Some-Mist]

coffee and cigarettes (rewatch) in anticipation for Paterson in October. not my favorite jarusch, but good as background noise/half paying attention. not really much of a story arc as it's a bunch of shorts thrown together, but with a lot of amazing actors.

probably going to rewatch dead man soon and then stranger than paradise for the first time.

[Shoryukev]

Star Wars Despecialized v2.7
Great movie still, everyone knows that. Biggest change is that a fan started color correcting the 2.5 release and was given the master for the project. Star wars the other day on tv looked too blue looking back now.

I've been curious about these versions, been using the Laserdisc "faces" set to get my SW fix the last few years.

[soprano1]

Fallen Angels (Won Kar Wai)

Probably should have watched this ages ago, but not as sad I didn't as with Chung King Express. Features a very quirky character in this "lots of things going on in HK" film. Despite being at least somewhat familiar with Asian culture (even though no Hong Kong or Chinese really) I felt I should be able to relate a bit more to the weird nature of the Kaneshiro Takeshi's character. It was still quite enjoyable, and of course, the filming/direction is beautiful.

Will probably go for 2046 next.

2046 is also great. You'll dig it.

Skykid, would you recommend watching In The Mood For Love?

[lilmanjs]

Star Wars Despecialized v2.7
Great movie still, everyone knows that. Biggest change is that a fan started color correcting the 2.5 release and was given the master for the project. Star wars the other day on tv looked too blue looking back now.

I've been curious about these versions, been using the Laserdisc "faces" set to get my SW fix the last few years.

They are crazy good and include the laserdisc audio and commentaries as well. I'd go with the one mentioned if wanting commentaries, but as far as the original Star Wars goes, I'd go with the Team Negative1 release, until a proper 1080p version is released. The amount of work that's gone into these is astounding and worth watching.

[Xyga]

I'd go with the Team Negative1 release

25 GB tho