Movies you've just watched

[xxx1993]

Jarhead 3: The Siege (2016).

[lilmanjs]

Why Don't You Play in Hell?
Such a campy movie in all respects. Yakuza war being filmed as a movie to save an actress's career is just one of the strange things this movie does. I enjoyed the heck out of it though.

[cj iwakura]

After going through as many Criterions as I could before the 11th...

Persona: what in the hell.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg: cute, but nothing really special like Rochefort.
M: classic, well deserved.
Daisies: the director was on acid, straight up.



Dr. Strange was fantastic. Best MCU film in years.

[Lord Satori]

Just saw Doctor Strange. It's an amazing film. Definitely going to see the sequel.

Spoiler

Very clever of them to have a false post-credits scene. It reminded me of TLBs.

[Kaiser]

The Exorcist

I've seen The Shining, Psycho, Suspiria and many other horror/thriller classics but nothing could prepare me for this one, I was just expecting an another classic but what I got instead was a masterpiece that left a mark on me with it's amazing climax that lasted whole 1/4 of the film. This film is gorgeous and the sound design (and the soundtrack) is great for 1973! If you removed all the grain you would think the movie's like 20 years younger. And the acting is top notch

The funny thing is, people quote this movie a lot (specifically the exorcism climax) and it sounds completely off the line but when you watch it and understand the context of those lines, you ain't laughing anymore, because truly, the context is both sad and terrifying.

And the ending left me in awe, not asking myself "What the hell happened", I was both without words and questions. The only actual flaw in this film is the character of Kinderman (played by Lee J. Cobb), I wish it was more in place and more developed, I personally would have loved to see him as the ultimate skeptic that has doubts until the very end.

[xxx1993]

Saw Central Intelligence as well as the Bad Ass trilogy.

[Skykid]

The Exorcist

I've seen The Shining, Psycho, Suspiria and many other horror/thriller classics but nothing could prepare me for this one, I was just expecting an another classic but what I got instead was a masterpiece that left a mark on me with it's amazing climax that lasted whole 1/4 of the film. This film is gorgeous and the sound design (and the soundtrack) is great for 1973! If you removed all the grain you would think the movie's like 20 years younger. And the acting is top notch

The funny thing is, people quote this movie a lot (specifically the exorcism climax) and it sounds completely off the line but when you watch it and understand the context of those lines, you ain't laughing anymore, because truly, the context is both sad and terrifying.

And the ending left me in awe, not asking myself "What the hell happened", I was both without words and questions. The only actual flaw in this film is the character of Kinderman (played by Lee J. Cobb), I wish it was more in place and more developed, I personally would have loved to see him as the ultimate skeptic that has doubts until the very end.

Perfect; I'm really glad to see people appreciating this movie in this way when viewing it in this day and age. It is indeed a brilliant piece of film-making, real craftsmanship and genuinely powerful.

I don't mind Cobb's character, and he does have a slight expansion in the director's cut (or at least one that restores several minutes and has a slightly alternate ending featuring Cobb).

I think it's also really funny to see someone talk about the quality of The Exorcist only to be followed by xxx1993's current straight-to-video movie watching: for me that puts it perfectly in perspective.

[GaijinPunch]

I think it's also really funny to see someone talk about the quality of The Exorcist only to be followed by xxx1993's current straight-to-video movie watching: for me that puts it perfectly in perspective.

It's symbolic of voting Trump into office.

[BIL]

RedLetterMedia recently included legendary kusofilm The Exorcist II on Best of the Worst, so I've been thinking of the movies lately. The original is one of those films I respect but hesistate to rewatch purely on account of how discomforting it is. Not the now-familiar supernatural stuff, but the theme of sickness and decay in one's family - that stuff worms into me. The retirement home and hospital scenes unsettle me more than any of its funhouse gags (as impactful as those still are).

I heard the third film recently got a "director's cut" of sorts... thinking of rewatching it. The existing version was a pretty fun horror/police procedural with all too hamfisted studio interference. Even a bit less of that could be welcome.

The Exorcist II is really something. Knew of its rep but holy fuck. More entertaining than the movie itself are the scattered attempts to rehabilitate it as anything but dimension-rendingly misguided.

[NTSC-J]

the Bad Ass trilogy

I had to google it and was not disappointed.

The fact that you unironically watched a trilogy "based on" the Epic Beard Man meme is the best part, though.

[Mischief Maker]

Oh god, because of this election I finally "get" Romero's Day of the Dead.

Spoiler

The main character scientist lady is trying to save the world. But the world doesn't want to be saved.

The new leader of her base (Reagan/Bush/Trump) is only nominally on her side and just itching for the chance to destroy her work. The blue collar workers who she assumes should be on her side barely lift a finger because they don't believe in what she's doing (already fucked by NAFTA). The authoritarian scientist man who barely keeps civilization held together is so lost in his own insanity (DC bubble) that not only aren't his experiments helping her cause, he's doing counterproductive things that are going to shift the power into the hands of the asshole leader (Tim Kaine for VP!). And the man she moves heaven and earth to try and save resents her help, becomes a liability, and in the end commits suicide anyway (after months of arguing, supergrafx77 proudly proclaimed that instead of Jill Stein he voted for Trump as the ultimate "fuck you" to people like me).

So she leaves behind her anti-zombie research, holes up on a beach somewhere, and marks a calendar. Message: fuck it, just wait this shit out.

Kind of a liberal "Atlas Shrugged" when you think about it.

[Ixmucane2]

The Accountant

On the surface, a decent thriller of the super-competent protagonist variety, with an interesting protagonist (the autistic accountant assassin, too twisted and unrealistic to serve the obvious cause of educating people about autism). Highly predictable plot (it's easy to guess who all "mysterious" characters are) except for the surprising lack of positive character developments.
The general "message" is that ultraviolence solves problems and that if you are relatively non-evil killing people is OK; not new, but taken to fairly disgusting levels.
Interesting gunfights, and Ben Affleck is quite good (somewhat Batman-like, but the character justifies the resemblance).

[Opus131]

RedLetterMedia recently included legendary kusofilm The Exorcist II on Best of the Worst, so I've been thinking of the movies lately. The original is one of those films I respect but hesistate to rewatch purely on account of how discomforting it is. Not the now-familiar supernatural stuff, but the theme of sickness and decay in one's family - that stuff worms into me. The retirement home and hospital scenes unsettle me more than any of its funhouse gags (as impactful as those still are).

I heard the third film recently got a "director's cut" of sorts... thinking of rewatching it. The existing version was a pretty fun horror/police procedural with all too hamfisted studio interference. Even a bit less of that could be welcome.

The Exorcist II is really something. Knew of its rep but holy fuck. More entertaining than the movie itself are the scattered attempts to rehabilitate it as anything but dimension-rendingly misguided.

Trying to get the Exorcist II really does feel like aimlessly rolling a giant hexagon for no reason.

[emphatic]

I really like Exorcist III, it's based on the follow-up book to The Exorcist, called "Legion". I've always avoided the second one. Fun fact, the guy who wrote these also penned the fantastic Peter Sellers movie, A Shot In The Dark.

[BIL]

Trying to get the Exorcist II really does feel like aimlessly rolling a giant hexagon for no reason.

Indeed. The controversy around the movie is great though. John Boorman's apologies/explanations can be interesting. Apparently he hated the original on the grounds of it being "child torture" and wanted to make the sequel about "good versus evil." I do understand the former reaction, but by that same token he should've stayed the fuck away. His movie radiates tryhard cringe and hippy sap with the fury of a dying star.

Apparently it was initially going to be a cheapo quickie cash-in. An extravagant turkey isn't the worst outcome, I guess.

I really like Exorcist III, it's based on the follow-up book to The Exorcist, called "Legion".

Yes - it's a shame they didn't just leave WP Blatty to his devices. Just hearing the blatantly studio-contrived, off-book finale isn't in the recent Scream Factory edit piques my interest.

[chempop]

The Man From the Future

A scifi love story from Brazil (Portuguese language) from 2011. Dude who plays Pablo Escobar in that new Narcos show is the lead character, he's a quirky scientist who goes back in time to attempt to fix things with his college love interest. I liked it!

[EmperorIng]

Exorcist II is kinda fun if you take it as a completely unrelated (to its predecessor), gonzo supernatural thriller schlock. The abstract visuals, combined with the nonexistent plot and Ennio Morricone* music, makes it feel positively European.

I always admire John Boorman's imagination, which makes each of his movies a truly distinct world like none other. Zardoz is a near damn work of genius for the $1,000,000 it cost to make. Of good films, Excalibur might be one of the best fantasy movies of the 80s, as well.

*come on, you can exactly note the type of feeling this movie is going for with this track! Doesn't hold a candle to the the plaintive use of Tubular Bells in the first Exorcist, but hey.

[xxx1993]

the Bad Ass trilogy

I had to google it and was not disappointed.

The fact that you unironically watched a trilogy "based on" the Epic Beard Man meme is the best part, though.

The third movie teased a sequel at the end, I hope it's true.

[Ixmucane2]

Masterminds

Sufficiently funny, particularly because of a good cast, but missing many opportunities to really take advantage of extraordinarily stupid characters and of the complications of a heist plot. Action scenes are particularly notable for the combination of silliness and realism.

[atheistgod1999]

Masterminds

Sufficiently funny, particularly because of a good cast, but missing many opportunities to really take advantage of extraordinarily stupid characters and of the complications of a heist plot. Action scenes are particularly notable for the combination of silliness and realism.

I saw the beginning of that, but got bored sometime after the kid was parkouring on the roof like Ezio or something.

Hackers FTW

Spoiler

ARF! ARF!
WE GOTCHA!

Spoiler

MESS WITH THE BEST
_.DIE LIKE THE REST

[Durandal]

Ghost in the Shell Reboot Trailer
Eh...
Feels like it's trying to copy the original movie TOO much, what with some shots directly copied over and a misguided focus of style over substance.
ScarJo as the Major is a mistake. She comes over as the Driver instead of the dutybound woman the Major originally was.

[Ikaruga11]

Léon
I found out later that the Netflix version of the movie lacks almost half an hour of movie. US release and all.
I'll go for the missing scenes on you tube or something... ¬¬ The movie is awesome, actually. I have the same feeling watching Taxi Driver, somehow.

I was just wondering now if Leon didnt knew how to read, or if he didnt knew how to read in english.

Really good movie. The action scenes and Gary Oldman's performance is incredible.

[Mischief Maker]

Ghost in the Shell Reboot Trailer
Eh...
Feels like it's trying to copy the original movie TOO much, what with some shots directly copied over and a misguided focus of style over substance.
ScarJo as the Major is a mistake. She comes over as the Driver instead of the dutybound woman the Major originally was.

According to the comments, if you complain they didn't cast an Asian actress you're a SJW.

[Mortificator]

I didn't even like the original anime film, though I know it's one of the most respected. Contrast with Akira, which I knew was respected and greatly enjoyed.

Speaking of, we still haven't seen Kaneda and Travis go at it.

[GaijinPunch]

I didn't even like the original anime film, though I know it's one of the most respected. Contrast with Akira, which I knew was respected and greatly enjoyed.

Speaking of, we still haven't seen Kaneda and Travis go at it.

Akira is better in every respect... GitS took me a long time to warm up to... but I finally did. It's not something I can watch on demand like Akira. (Speaking of, it's playing here at the Music Box Theater at the end of the night. Seriously debating going both nights.) Part of the reason I first hated it was b/c I saw the shit dub first, long after I was broken into proper anime, and had no desire to see anything other than subtitles. Many moons later I went back, and appreciated it much more. It succeeds greatly in atmosphere, music, and a pretty compelling story. Pacing? Not as much, but not whorable.

Promoting these old films is a lot like promoting your favorite political view on Facebook.

[Durandal]

Ghost in the Shell Reboot Trailer
Eh...
Feels like it's trying to copy the original movie TOO much, what with some shots directly copied over and a misguided focus of style over substance.
ScarJo as the Major is a mistake. She comes over as the Driver instead of the dutybound woman the Major originally was.

According to the comments, if you complain they didn't cast an Asian actress you're a SJW.

Honestly, they could've randomly cast anyone, even a dude, and they would do a better job than Scarlett Johanson at conveying emotions.

[EmperorIng]

GITS suffers in that it does not tell a complete or coherent story. You need to watch the anime to have context for the characters (who is this guy and why does it matter that he likes using old-fashioned guns?) and their relationships with one another. If not, it's just setpieces and cameos strung together - beautifully, to be fair.

[GaijinPunch]

GITS suffers in that it does not tell a complete or coherent story..

Which is why I was hoping for a more original story.

Prediction: They will spoon feed the whole backstory of all the characters.

[Vexorg]

Doctor Strange: ***

For as much as people seem to like this, I found it a bit average for a Marvel movie. Bendystraw Kumquat's Doctor Strange comes across as just a bit too much of a discount Tony Stark, and the ending seemed just a little too conveient.

[neorichieb1971]

Arrival -

Aliens arrive and it gets political. Some interesting ideas but ultimately a slow paced, mostly non eventful movie. It does build a bit of tension and there is lots to think about but this is not ID4 by any stretch of the imagination. This is how you would do ID4 sensibly, but to me that ensures its a letdown.

I'm not going to say its crap because its not. Its really good and anyone who liked District 9/Contact/Monsters will like this.

6/10.