Movies you've just watched

[EmperorIng]

For me, Ootachi is probably the single best kaiju fight in the movie - especially for the stratospheric finisher move. I was actually disappointed that the 5 mechs we see in the movie are quickly whittled down into 2. The human characters, outside of the scientists and Ron Perlman, are throwaway, I'll give you that. The Japanese chick really needed more dialog. Still I had lots of fun, and might even see it in IMAX 3D tomorrow.

[CMoon]

For me, Ootachi is probably the single best kaiju fight in the movie - especially for the stratospheric finisher move. I was actually disappointed that the 5 mechs we see in the movie are quickly whittled down into 2. The human characters, outside of the scientists and Ron Perlman, are throwaway, I'll give you that. The Japanese chick really needed more dialog. Still I had lots of fun, and might even see it in IMAX 3D tomorrow.

Yes, everything needs to be less. I don't argue this for a lot of films, but Mechagodzilla2 is a much better film because every character and every monster is one we care about. We only care about a few of the mechs, characters and NONE of the monsters here. That is part of the problem. Still recommend this to anyone who want to see a fun summer flick or likes giant monster movies.

[Edmond Dantes]

Minor nitpick, but the VHS/Rhino editions also have a touch of censorship. At one point Spike says "shit!" when Unicron approaches, and I think they even removed Ultra Magnus' "Damn it! Open!"

Also, no scrolling credits over the final frame.

This may be true for the VHS editions, but Rhino's DVD definitely has "shit", "Damn it, Open!" and the scrolling credits.

[Skykid]

The UK DVD has an entire extra features music montage using only the soundbyte, "shit, what are we going to do now?" over and over. Oddly amusing.

[spadgy]

I just saw that strange South African comedy The Gods Must be Crazy.

I'd not even heard of it before stumbling upon it on Netflix. At first it seemed pretty rubbish to me, and felt like it was made in about 1970 (it was actually made in 1980). but increasingly I became enchanted, and the more I think about it post watching it, the more I think there's a genius behind its simple, low fi make-up. Awful editing, cheap jokes and some plainly silly, but equally beautiful and admirable in it's strange way.

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

[nasty_wolverine]

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

You should watch Nostalgia Critics review of it. Over the top.

[neorichieb1971]

Pacific rim -

Strangely the storyline often strays from the main event and concentrates on individuals. This is a strong 8/10 for me. The only downside is that the pace is a bit slow for a single movie. Too much time invested in the individuals getting along.

Other little bits I got -

1) All fights are in the dark
2) Some of the action is way too close to the camera
3) It takes more than 7 helicopters to lift a Jaegar.

Apart from that

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The 2013 remake of Evil Dead is out today on both Blu-Ray & DVD formats stateside. It's even available for rent on the Redbox rental kiosks as well. Director Sam Raimi is excutive producer on this ED remake indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[drauch]

I just saw that strange South African comedy The Gods Must be Crazy.

I'd not even heard of it before stumbling upon it on Netflix. At first it seemed pretty rubbish to me, and felt like it was made in about 1970 (it was actually made in 1980). but increasingly I became enchanted, and the more I think about it post watching it, the more I think there's a genius behind its simple, low fi make-up. Awful editing, cheap jokes and some plainly silly, but equally beautiful and admirable in it's strange way.

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

The first one is sort of tolerable, but I think I hate it for the reasons you mention. They wound up making a sequel as well, then somehow made a third one in Hong Kong.

[emphatic]

I just saw that strange South African comedy The Gods Must be Crazy.

I'd not even heard of it before stumbling upon it on Netflix. At first it seemed pretty rubbish to me, and felt like it was made in about 1970 (it was actually made in 1980). but increasingly I became enchanted, and the more I think about it post watching it, the more I think there's a genius behind its simple, low fi make-up. Awful editing, cheap jokes and some plainly silly, but equally beautiful and admirable in it's strange way.

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

I wonder if Crazy Legs aka Off The Mark is on Netflix? If so, you should see it.

[system11]

Boy Wonder - ***

Good stuff. A young boy sees his mother killed in an attempted hijacking, leading him to the life of a vigilante. It's got some nice twists to the story in there and the lead actor is convincing in the role, definitely a different pace to your normal vigilante film.

[GaijinPunch]

Akira - DSR 5.1 Moderately Loud* version in theater
10/10 of course

Took a friend that literally just got off he plane hours before, and this was not subtitled so I had to section off an IMDB summary to keep him up to date. He's an audiophile though, so he was entertained enough.

The showing I saw 2 years ago at the Bakuon Movie Festival was one of the loudest things I've heard in my life, and I've spent a large portion of my adult life in clubs. I told him on the way out, "It was so much louder the other time" and he was in shock. So yeah, this was still pretty impressive.

Every time I watch this film, the more I think about Japan of 1988, and how now we're probably living in an alternate reality of everything that was imagined back then. The premise of the movie itself, even though set in a time of turmoil, shows a very ambitious Japan, rebuilding Tokyo to a megalopolis in a relatively short period of time. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[GaijinPunch]

For all you locals, you should sign up for "Dream Pass". Numbers 2 & 3 of their request list are Innocence and Wings of Honneamise. I'm at half-mast already for a Wings showing.

[Skykid]

Every time I watch this film, the more I think about Japan of 1988, and how now we're probably living in an alternate reality of everything that was imagined back then. The premise of the movie itself, even though set in a time of turmoil, shows a very ambitious Japan, rebuilding Tokyo to a megalopolis in a relatively short period of time. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Super interesting interpretation because I've often had the same thought when reading or watching anime of the 80's and early 90's. I think Japan might always have been destined for an alternate reality, but there was a point in the 90's where I glimpsed a Tokyo that might come to resemble the neon powerhouse it was in all that delicious fiction.

Sadly, something stagnated: the economy; and we all know that's bad for business, progress, creativity and opportunity.

[GaijinPunch]

Super interesting interpretation because I've often had the same thought when reading or watching anime of the 80's and early 90's. I think Japan might always have been destined for an alternate reality, but there was a point in the 90's where I glimpsed a Tokyo that might come to resemble the neon powerhouse it was in all that delicious fiction.

Sadly, something stagnated: the economy; and we all know that's bad for business, progress, creativity and opportunity.

Obviously I wasn't here in the bubble, so I don't know, but it's just kind of my interpretation over spending most of my adult life here. There's some fantasy in the movie, obviously, but definitely not proof of bubble life. It is decidedly Japanese, but I guess a lot of Sci Fi anime is. Honneamise, definitely. Aim for the Top -- hot springs in outer space anyone? That could have been b/c it was easy to show some huge tits, but still...

[spadgy]

I just saw that strange South African comedy The Gods Must be Crazy.

I'd not even heard of it before stumbling upon it on Netflix. At first it seemed pretty rubbish to me, and felt like it was made in about 1970 (it was actually made in 1980). but increasingly I became enchanted, and the more I think about it post watching it, the more I think there's a genius behind its simple, low fi make-up. Awful editing, cheap jokes and some plainly silly, but equally beautiful and admirable in it's strange way.

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

The first one is sort of tolerable, but I think I hate it for the reasons you mention. They wound up making a sequel as well, then somehow made a third one in Hong Kong.

They made about five (you were talking The Gods Must Be Crazy, and not alien Duck movies, right? I discovered that looking into N!xau, the chap that stars as the main 'bushman' (a Sho of the Kalahari desert). He was the real deal tribesman, with no acting experience up until that point. Apparently he'd only seen three white faces by the time he was cast, and had no concept of paper money at that time, meaning he simply chucked away his first payment for the movie. Good man!

I'm still torn - it was kind of a crappy film, but there was a magic in there somewhere. Certainly, I've thought about it lots since, so it had something to it!

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

So, I watched Rubber. It's a stupid movie starring a tire that rolls through the desert and can make things explode. I don't know why but I kept watching it and expecting something interesting to come out of it. Did not happen. I'd like to see the MST3K crew tear into this one. It's a real stinker.

[spadgy]

So, I watched Rubber.

I trust you that it's awful, but I really want to watch it now you've made me aware of it!

[cj iwakura]

We laughed hard when Gypsy Danger walked up to a Kaiji wielding a fricking battleship.

I wonder if the Jaegers will be put into Super Robot Wars...

[rapoon]

Akira - DSR 5.1 Moderately Loud* version in theater
10/10 of course

nice! the story behind the remaster (192khz, bluray) is awesome. they went straight to the analog master tapes as a source, the sound quality is unreal.

[drauch]

I just saw that strange South African comedy The Gods Must be Crazy.

I'd not even heard of it before stumbling upon it on Netflix. At first it seemed pretty rubbish to me, and felt like it was made in about 1970 (it was actually made in 1980). but increasingly I became enchanted, and the more I think about it post watching it, the more I think there's a genius behind its simple, low fi make-up. Awful editing, cheap jokes and some plainly silly, but equally beautiful and admirable in it's strange way.

Then I watched Howard the Duck for the first time.

The first one is sort of tolerable, but I think I hate it for the reasons you mention. They wound up making a sequel as well, then somehow made a third one in Hong Kong.

They made about five (you were talking The Gods Must Be Crazy, and not alien Duck movies, right? I discovered that looking into N!xau, the chap that stars as the main 'bushman' (a Sho of the Kalahari desert). He was the real deal tribesman, with no acting experience up until that point. Apparently he'd only seen three white faces by the time he was cast, and had no concept of paper money at that time, meaning he simply chucked away his first payment for the movie. Good man!

I'm still torn - it was kind of a crappy film, but there was a magic in there somewhere. Certainly, I've thought about it lots since, so it had something to it!

Ha! Wish I was talking about Howard. Wow, didn't realize they made five.

[system11]

Pacific Rim - ****

Oh look, one of my favourite film makers made something with robots and monsters in it. This was never going to be anything but awesome, although I wish they'd had more daytime scenes. Thank god it wasn't Michael Bay. I hope we get a Hellboy 3, or his Lovecraft adaption at some point. This man really needs to be given a stack of money and allowed to create whatever he likes without studio meddling.

[boagman]

This man really needs to be given a stack of money and allowed to create whatever he likes without studio meddling.

I'm a pretty big fan of GDT myself, but I'm not sure that your last statement is fair. By any source, the budget for "Pacific Rim" was, bare minimum, $190 million. High end puts it at about $230 million (edited to add that neither of these figures include marketing the movie, of which they did a *piss poor job*). These are some *very* sizable budgets, even when you look at the major-league crazy things like "The Avengers" ($300M), "Man of Steel" ($300M), or "Iron Man 3" ($275M). Let's take it right down the middle and say that the budget for PR was $210 million...that's hardly a man that's not being given a *crapload* of rope...and this wasn't a known property, either.

I love his vision, but especially given his track record of box office performance, I would think that studios would be looking to give him less, not more, in the future. He's hardly being put-upon with $200 million dollar budgets.

[Leandro]

Man of Tai Chi - surprisingly good martial arts movie with Keanu Reeves as villain and final boss fight, lol...

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Pacific Rim - ****

Oh look, one of my favourite film makers made something with robots and monsters in it. This was never going to be anything but awesome, although I wish they'd had more daytime scenes. Thank god it wasn't Michael Bay. I hope we get a Hellboy 3, or his Lovecraft adaption at some point. This man really needs to be given a stack of money and allowed to create whatever he likes without studio meddling.

Well, considering that Pacific Rim is Del Toro's own baby to the tune of $30 million dollar budget...he says that's the most he's spent on creating a film. I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel to Pacific Rim is green lit/in the works.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[system11]

I love his vision, but especially given his track record of box office performance, I would think that studios would be looking to give him less, not more, in the future. He's hardly being put-upon with $200 million dollar budgets.

I suppose what I mean is, he needs to be given this kind of money and allowed to make whatever he likes with it, regardless of what hollywood execs think will sell.

[lilmanjs]

Star Trek: First Contact.
Bought it last night and don't really know why I haven't owned this sooner. Great movie, and the best one with the TNG cast. Even though the one that follows it has more laughs, this one shows that they knew how to make the borg a worthy enemy for once.

[rapoon]

Pacific Rim - ****

Oh look, one of my favourite film makers made something with robots and monsters in it. This was never going to be anything but awesome, although I wish they'd had more daytime scenes. Thank god it wasn't Michael Bay. I hope we get a Hellboy 3, or his Lovecraft adaption at some point. This man really needs to be given a stack of money and allowed to create whatever he likes without studio meddling.

he had Mountain of Madness yanked from him. supposedly, he's going to pitch it to another studio. I'd love to see a Pacific Rim sequel. I'm sure it'll clear the appropriate amount to justify one. Release in China is end of month and early aug for Japan.

[spadgy]

So, I watched Rubber. It's a stupid movie starring a tire that rolls through the desert and can make things explode. I don't know why but I kept watching it and expecting something interesting to come out of it. Did not happen. I'd like to see the MST3K crew tear into this one. It's a real stinker.

So, I borrowed a DVD of Rubber from a friend based on your anti-recommendation, and I adored it!

I thought it was beautifully shot, with remarkable effects (that tyre always looked so real). I found it funny and captivating, really distinct and full of character. I loved the way it balanced it's intellectual wankery with an equal measure of silliness, and its critique of the pointlessness of mainstream films while being utterly self deprecating and ridiculous itself was great. I thought the score was ace, and the anthropomorphic realisation of the tyre wonderful. It was kind of shit, but with a dash of brilliance and absurdity. My favourite bit, though, was the film's own internal fourth wall, and the way it even confused the 'actors'. Silly in a big way, and a nice spin on the 'chasing freedom' road movie. I'm keen on a sequel based on that final shot.

So, thank you MOSQUITO FIGHTER, for introducing me to a recent favourite of mine through the power of you loathing it!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Finally checked out "The Conjuring" horror flick directed by James Wan (the guy whom directed the very first Saw with it's novel torture/gore/mechanical traps premise) yesterday. The setting takes place in Rhode Island back in 1971. Principle shooting was done in Wilmington, North Carolina to fill in/substitute for RI, of course. It's a given to use one state for shooting certain exterior scenes to fill in for another state's background settings if it needed be.

The supernatural events that take in this flick will remind you of The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, etc. The opening scene with the demonic female doll is quite something else that sets the tone/pacing to introduce the paranormal team duo to the audience. The heavy bass surround sound EFX used in certain key scenes really spices up the overall pacing/mood indeed. If you stay for the ending credits, you get to see the real folks that this TC movie was based on.

Considering that TC's timeline is even earlier than the events that occur with "The Amityville Horror" flick (the one with actress Margret Kidder starring in it), it's interesting to learn about what transpires to get the affected family to flee their home never to return again. Still plenty of 'em ye olde American haunted houses with tales waiting to told, TC certainly delivers in spades.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~