Movies you've just watched

[neorichieb1971]

Ex machina - blu ray

Played out almost exactly the same as S1 of Westworld. Did not know what to expect, but a twist ending would have been nice. Maybe it was a twist ending but it was the ending that wasn't so twisty considering what had gone before.

The VVitch (Witch) - blu ray

I am no idea what this movie was trying to do. It wasn't scary, it didn't keep interest. It looks nice as a time piece with the costumes but ultimately it should have started where it ended. Would have made for a much better movie.

[GaijinPunch]

Stalker

The movie was beyond me. None the less it has stuck with me in thought more than anything else I've seen through the summer.

I watched this on my trip to Japan last month, and didn't write about it here. I'll share your sentiment. Honestly, I should have waited until I was far more awake. Eyes were open the whole time, but of course, I drifted a few times. Absolutely amazing cinemetography. Makes me want to by some of Tarkovsky's elusive photography books. The story did seem to overlap a bit with Solaris, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of it.

[Koa Zo]

Stalker

The movie was beyond me. None the less it has stuck with me in thought more than anything else I've seen through the summer.

I watched this on my trip to Japan last month, and didn't write about it here. I'll share your sentiment. Honestly, I should have waited until I was far more awake. Eyes were open the whole time, but of course, I drifted a few times. Absolutely amazing cinematography. Makes me want to by some of Tarkovsky's elusive photography books. The story did seem to overlap a bit with Solaris, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of it.

I went in not knowing anything about the film, nor of Tarkovsky's work (have yet to see Solaris). About an hour drive from me there is a classic 1920's Art Deco theater which has been modernized with quality projection and sound system, they were hyping this Stalker restoration print so I thought I'd give it a look.

Throughout, I really felt like I needed an academic primer or sort of Cliff Notes to understand the symbolism and imagery which seem to permeate the film. It was mystical and maybe dreamlike in parts, but overall failed to hold my suspension of disbelief. I just was never fully in the world of The Zone, nor of the characters. It seemed experimental and not fully realized. By the end I was just like "eh, whatever."

Spoiler

all that risk and trial to get into the Zone, and then they're just back chillin' at the bar. (the significance of the black dog eluded me there as well. A lot seemed to go over my head)

Still the imagery and and some of the character motivations are more significant and ponderous in my mind than fucking Wonder Woman, or the half dozen other movies I saw this summer so forgettable that I can't even recall their titles at the moment.

After posting last night I read the wiki entry for the film, and apparently the original cinematographer and film lab over-developed all the original outdoor scenes - so he was fired and an entire different version of the film was reshot as a result.
I also was surprised to learn that some videogames and other media expand on the Stalker story.

[GaijinPunch]

I went in not knowing anything about the film, nor of Tarkovsky's work (have yet to see Solaris). About an hour drive from me there is a classic 1920's Art Deco theater which has been modernized with quality projection and sound system, they were hyping this Stalker restoration print so I thought I'd give it a look.

Chicago's art house theater played it... once... on Memorial Day weekend when I was of course out of town. Really wanted to hit it at the theater. However, their seats kinda suck so at 2:45 that's a hard sell to the gf.

I found Solaris far more accessible... but that might have been due to less alcohol intake and starting it earlier on, ironically, the same 12 hour or so flight. The set work on it alone is worth the price of admission as well. I highly recommend it, but apparently it's Tarkovsky's least favorite of his own works.

I'll likely give Stalker another day in court, but perhaps I'll see some of his other works first. While there's a lot to take in, I gotta assume a ton of it is lost in translation.

[Vexorg]

Made of Honor:*1/2

Rather stupid RomCom my wife picked out. A serial womanizer decides he's falling in love with one of his flavor of the week girlfriends, only for her to meet and get engaged to someone much better just as he figures this out. The rest of the movie consists of him trying to steal the girl back, only we're supposed to root for him because he's Patrick Dempsey. I seriously hope some Man Cards were revoked over this one.

Sitting at a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which seems rather high.

[GaijinPunch]

Made of Honor:*1/2

Rather stupid RomCom my wife picked out. A serial womanizer decides he's falling in love with one of his flavor of the week girlfriends, only for her to meet and get engaged to someone much better just as he figures this out. The rest of the movie consists of him trying to steal the girl back, only we're supposed to root for him because he's Patrick Dempsey. I seriously hope some Man Cards were revoked over this one.

Sitting at a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which seems rather high.

I think my girlfriend has picked out about 2% of the films we've watched together... the most memorable one being Blue is the Warmest Color, which she had already seen, actually. 1.5 years later and she's still 100% into cock, damn it. Oh well.

[Koa Zo]

Chicago's art house theater played it... once... on Memorial Day weekend when I was of course out of town. Really wanted to hit it at the theater. However, their seats kinda suck so at 2:45 that's a hard sell to the gf.

I found Solaris far more accessible... but that might have been due to less alcohol intake and starting it earlier on, ironically, the same 12 hour or so flight. The set work on it alone is worth the price of admission as well. I highly recommend it, but apparently it's Tarkovsky's least favorite of his own works.

I'll likely give Stalker another day in court, but perhaps I'll see some of his other works first. While there's a lot to take in, I gotta assume a ton of it is lost in translation.

That's funny you mentioned the seats... I was also going to mention the seats at the 1920's theater were modernized. They were just fine through Stalker, however they somehow became uncomfortable during Lost City of Z ...go figure.

For Solaris, I'm holding out for the next opportunity to see it in a theater. We'll see if that day ever comes.

[GaijinPunch]

For Solaris, I'm holding out for the next opportunity to see it in a theater. We'll see if that day ever comes.

Pretty sure they were both recently restored. In fact, the aforementioned Memorial Day Weekend showed both. PRobably would have gone to see both. Waiting for it at the theater is probably the right call.

[lilmanjs]

Boomerang
Not the greatest Eddie Murphy movie, but also not the worst. A player getting played by his new boss when the company he works for is overtaken. It just kinda can't figure out what type of movie it wants to be. Still it was enjoyable somewhat. Not worth seeing more than once probably though.

[Mischief Maker]

What We Do in the Shadows

A mockumentary by the Flight of the Concords guys about a group of New Zealand vampires and their lifestyles.

They have all the powers and weaknesses of vampires, but they're also kind of dorks.

Much dry and pitch black humor ensues.

Recommended.

[BrianC]

The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Fun campy horror movie with cheesy music and an organ playing villain. Good stuff with Vincent Price.

[soprano1]

Modern Times (1936)
Last time I saw this was in 9th grade or something. It's a cliché to say this, but things haven't changed much 80 years on. And the things that did change for the better are gradually being lost.

[soprano1]

Duck Soup (1933)
Oh shit, my sides.
I need to see more Marx Brothers movie, these guys were the best.

[soprano1]

They Live (1988)
Nice concept, i guess. That back alley fight, though, wtf?
Roddy Piper man...

[Mischief Maker]

That back alley fight, though, wtf?

See the Bush 2017 thread.

[soprano1]

Assault On Precinct 13 (1976)
Pretty nice movie with great synth music (of course ). The darkness of the night time and lack of power in the station made things even bleaker.

[soprano1]

Prince of Darkness (1987)
Another weird as hell( ) Carpenter movie. The idea of mixing religion with advanced physics was interesting, though. What the hell was up with the Alice Cooper wankering, though?
Carpenter's synth music really shined here, by the way.

[BrianC]

Duck Soup (1933)
Oh shit, my sides.
I need to see more Marx Brothers movie, these guys were the best.

I watched this recently too. Good stuff. I'm glad they released that Blu-ray set, though it's disappointing they couldn't get the original version of Horse Feathers. Still a great movie and it's nice having the early movies with all four Marx brothers together.

[BryanM]

That back alley fight, though, wtf?

See the Bush 2017 thread.

Too many people take this fight literally, it's a metaphor.

Roddy wants them to see the truth of the world, they refuse because they are comfortable, but Roddy is determined because if more people see the truth, it can be changed for the better.

The fight ensues because the comfortable guy likes the system, and is fighting to protect it.

Good lord, so many good youtube comments these days. What a bizarre computer simulation we're living in.

Too pertinent to modern politics.

[Vexorg]

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales: ☆☆1/2

The fifth movie in a franchise that probably overstayed its welcome about halfway through the third movie. Relies heavily on the likeability of an accused wife beater (My wife, who picked the movie out, spent about half of it complaining about how terrible a person Johnny Depp is) and the usual dose of paint by numbers plot and big budget special effects, and the result is a rather generic popcorn movie. Made enough money that they'll probably keep milking this particula4r cash cow until it runs dry.


More in spoiler text, but not really spoiling anything.

Spoiler

After watching several of these movies now, it occurs to me that Jack Sparrow is basically the same type of character as Rincewind from the Discworld novels, minus the murderous sentient luggage. Incompetent, bungling, constantly in trouble, but yet somehow completely impossible to kill for any reason. No matter how much trouble he gets into he somehow manages to magically attract whatever ridiculous ex machina it takes to get him out of it. On one hand, it makes the job of whatever lazy writers they have churning these things out a lot easier. On the other hand, it also makes them so predictable it's ridiculous.

If Jack Sparrow ever somehow manages to accidentally wander into Westeros, I figure I'd give him, oh, around 20 seconds to live...

[NYN]

Prince of Darkness (1987)
Another weird as hell( ) Carpenter movie. The idea of mixing religion with advanced physics was interesting, though. What the hell was up with the Alice Cooper wankering, though?

Can't exactly tell why, but I can state this as kinda my favorite Carpenter.
Sure, it's somehow slow, performances vary, there is the chance you won't follow ("What is it?") if it bores you and switch it off.
But I dig it nontheless.
Images where the homeless people (AC in the front) are standing in the shades or bright sunlight, just staring, not moving. Some really nice effects. The distorted voice of warning, when they are called to the window frame. The origin of the dream. All chaining with the score.
I laugh out loud every time I see the opening credits: from names to strange signs to dialog all under the throbbing pulse of the track. Goes on and on. Something I would never see in any modern film. Just fun.
Yeah, it's weird as you say. Maybe just my kind of weird.

Carpenter's synth music really shined here, by the way.

OH MAH SWEET POTATO.
Through The Mirror

[Baileyes]

Kingsman 2
My rate 6/10

[soprano1]

Tales Of Terror (1962)
Three tales from Edgar Allan Poe's works, with Vincent Price's wonderful acting, as well as Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. The sets and some of the scenery look very nice. Worth a watch, I say.

[soprano1]

War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017)
Wonderful, just like the previous two. All in all, a surprisingly well-made trilogy that shines in the dank that is Hollywood nowadays. My hope is that the inevitable retelling of the 1968 movie is treated as well as these movies were. Or that there isn't one at all.

[Xyga]

^
Yup.

Agreed it was good yet obviously borrowing its substance from other films, and massively so;
therefore aside from the overall good craft; filming, visuals, script that've become rare things today in big productions, the film screams dejà-vu loud-enough that it's a bit embarrassing. I've read it's totally assumed though so it's alright because it ended good.

I have to say after seeing the quality of the CGI here that we're getting closer to a believeable actors-less (as 'playing directly') type of cinema, and I don't know if it's a good thing or not that it would become a mix of animation with only people dressed in green spandex. The idea of cinema without the movie star system is refreshing but also a bit scary.

EDIT: the Gollum-like 'bad monkey' was the most unnecessary borrowed thing, thankfully it's not overly present in scenes.

[Zen]

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) - Matt Reeves

Only positive I can see here, is if you went in expecting b-movie fare its watchable.

The rest;
Brought to you by the same guy that directed the net minus that was Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014).
This is tv level stuff. Andy Serkis performance as Caesar, is now an exhibition in ennui.
Some clumsily rushed story

Spoiler

here is is my wife and son aaaand . . . . they're gone

One of the only nice shots, had the apes travelling on horseback on a nicely lit beach but I could not suspend my disbelief at the sight of the 500-600 gorillia daintily perched on the spine of one of the unfortunate horses.
I know its a film about talking apes and everything but Jesus Christ!

The film really suffers from degenerating sequel syndrome. Its not as bad a the second one but let me put it this way; the creative dearth is pointedly obvious in that most effort has been put into a new comic relief ape character called "Bad Ape"



"thats all I have to say about that"

[Skykid]

Jeebus, it wasn't that bad. I thought it was a fairly nice third act, daring for eschewing convention and not being the film everyone expected (that of mammoth CGI war). Its influences were a bit too heavy handed, one part Deliverance, three parts Apocalypse Now... or something; but as Hollywood goes it was well executed.

That said it wasn't my favorite of the three, and there were a few things that bothered me and let my attention wane. For pure entertainment value I still credit the first of the reboots.

[BrianC]

Tales Of Terror (1962)
Three tales from Edgar Allan Poe's works, with Vincent Price's wonderful acting, as well as Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. The sets and some of the scenery look very nice. Worth a watch, I say.

I might be watching it soon since it's in the same set as Dr. Phibes. I really wanted it on Blu-ray, but opted for DVD since it was cheap and the first Vincent Prince Blu-ray set is oop and expensive.

[soprano1]

Monkey Shines (1988)
Uh...Yeah. I'll post this video review by James Rolfe, he does a good job reviewing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH_sva8ku7c

[xxx1993]

The Foreigner kinda reminds me of Collateral Damage. A businessman goes on a vigilante mission to bring down terrorists responsible for blowing up his daughter, even committing acts of terrorism on his own in order to get the information he needs. Pretty decent movie, but I still like American Assassin more. Also the movie doesn't involve Islamic terrorists, but the IRA for once. Haven't heard from those guys in a while.