Movies you've just watched

[soprano1]

Philadelphia.
Not sure what to say about this one, really...

[dan76]

Bone Tomahawk. Disappointed in this. My old flatmate recommended it but it seemed like a student film with good actors. Can't put my finger on what it was, all the ingredients were there it just didn't seem valid for some reason. Didn't seem authentic. Poor Sid Haig, looking and sounding really old. Ho-hum.

[Xyga]

Deadpool

Meh. Those superhero movies only get worse, even a witty, swearing, baddie-butchering, anti-hero doesn't help a miserable everything film.

[Obiwanshinobi]

The 2002 Spider-Man must have been a fluke. At least it worked for many viewers who had zero attachment to the title (or to the nineteen-eighties as they remember those days while we're at it). Well, I guess the 1978 Superman was a proper movie too (it's been a while, though).

[GaijinPunch]

[Tarma]

Robocop - the 2014 remake...

Meh, it was entertaining enough I guess, but it had none of the charm or grit of the original.

Gary Oldman was the only thing really worth watching in this one.

Not one I'll be adding to the blu-ray collection.

[Ixmucane2]

Love and Mercy

Two periods in the life of Brian Wilson: about 1965 when he started to become mad (played by Paul Dano) and around 1990 when he started to recover (played by John Cusack)
Great music, of course, but also unusually good scenes about music: recording sessions, piano improvisations, etc.
While actors are excellent, Paul Dano and his hair in particular, the story as a whole is full of feeling but sketchy; as usual in friendly biographies of living people, the bad periods and the bad sides of everyone involved are left out of the picture, with bad guys (Wilson's father, Dr Landy) to underline the skewed viewpoint.

[BrianC]

I liked the 1978 Superman movie, though it did have a couple cheesy scenes like the one where Superman

Spoiler

reversed time to save Lois Lane

. My favorite Luthor is Clancy Brown (Superman TAS, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited). He nailed his personality. The Jessie Eisenburg version of Lex seems to have more in common with the Joker.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Finally checked out the theatrical version of Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight (TH8) film that clocks in at a whopping 2 hours & 47 minutes long out on Blu-Ray format -- it was finally released on BR format on 3/29/16 stateside. (Yes, I know the limited engagement run of the 70mm print reel Roadshow version of the same name is an impressive 3 hours and 7 minutes in duration but it wasn't playing locally during the month of December 2015 and would've had to go to either Sacramento, CA or San Jose, CA just to see as it was originally intended in glorious 70mm UltraPanavision format -- so I missed out on seeing it in that particular once-in-a-lifetime format.)

Since Mr. Tarantino couldn't have the 3,000+ movie theaters show the 70mm format of TH8 in the USA, it was witted down to just a mere 100 theaters across America with the old-school 70mm film projectors to show it properly (talk about exclusivity) -- a huge undertaking unto itself easily. Makes me wonder if the Roadshow version of TH8 will be released on Blu-Ray or 4K formats down the road or not (only time will tell if this is to be or not). Not to mention that this is the 11th 70mm format film to be released since the 1960s era -- so be it.

I do know that this particular film was nominated for three Academy Award catagories including Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Best Original Score & Best Cinematography. It did end up snagging an Academy Award for Best Original Score during the recent live televised February 2016 Academy Award show.

There are a couple of scenes that has that trademark Tarantino wit & sense of humor to make the audience laugh (as not to take itself too seriously) during a lull of the on-going story that unfolds in real time within each chapter segment (with some slick twists & spins you won't see coming).

It'd be cool if Mr. Tarantino could get this Kill Bill Vol. 3 movie greenlit and up & running with the remaining characters including Beatrix Kiddo, her daughter, Black Mamba's daughter, Sofia & the blind blond assassin gal to finish it up as a nice Kill Bill trilogy if you will. Damn, it seems to be regulated to the backburner for now (after the release of Inglorious Basterds & Django Unchained along with this recent TH8 flick). Of course, the sexy and well respected actress, Uma Thurman, would reprise her role as Beatrix, indeed. I'm sure Beatrix still has some hidden tricks up her sleeves to get out of a tight situation if it needed be. Would be quite something if the fight scenes for KB3 will eclipse the fight scenes shown in KB1 (assuming if it does get greenlit) in grand fashion -- it'd certainly would be fitting for an all-out KB film for the ages (along with RZA's awesome musical contributions to set the pacing along).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[boagman]

My favorite Luthor is Clancy Brown (Superman TAS, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited). He nailed his personality. The Jessie Eisenburg version of Lex seems to have more in common with the Joker.

Very much agreed, here. Actually, Clancy does great voice work in just about everything he's done. He's pretty good in live action, too.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I only watched the 1978 Superman on a ~15'' b&w telly (could be the year 1990 or so). Never did I take the character (and his long johns-wearing ilk) seriously, either. Me and the family had a good time watching the film, though, which is all we could ask of it.

[nissling]

Not to mention that this is the 11th 70mm format film to be released since the 1960s era -- so be it.

Not true. It's the eleventh feature film to be shot on 65mm with X1.25 anamorphic lenses. Super Panavision 65 has identical mechanics but uses spherical optics instead. Most films shot on 65mm however were made with Todd-AO.

Needless to say though that Technirama was a far more common to use as negative format for features to be distributed in 70mm.

[Kaiser]

Batman v Superman: Dawn of AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDS [/RLM mode]

If you want to see a movie packed with MOMENTS that equal with Indiana Jones and the Crystal Meth's Fridge in terms of "What the fuck just happened?", this is the movie for you, fortunately I didn't need a funeral seeing this as I wasn't even the one that paid for the tickets so I was ready to see some of the dumbest shit this year and I WAS not dissapointed. I snorted, I laughed because this entire movie was absurd, incomprehensible and ultimately pointless. It's Hack Snyder: The Egotrip movie!

I don't even know where to begin! I haven't been this baffled even by Wachowski SISTERS Jupiter Ascending which was already a "how the fuck did they even make this and what they did smke" masterpiece.

There are only two good things about it, Ben Affleck as no-bullshit middle aged Batman (except for the WHY DO YOU KNOW HER NAME which is the new Abrams Spock punching and screaming on top of a flying car moment. I fucking blame Hack Snyder for inventing that moment). And the soundtrack, fortunately Hans Zimmer has retired from making scores for superpantsy movies after this, good for him! This movie wasted his talents big time.

As for the bad things, well it's everything else, even the action scenes, it's more confusing and hilarious bad at the same time but it's still bad. I don't want to give away too much but if somebody made a supercut of this where they cut out the entire second half after the titular battle which takes up 1% of the movie and doesn't even matter and cut out all the superman-related stuff, it would be an average movie then.

THERE is a third good thing about this film, Michael Shannon as Zod, his perfomance is so stunning with his stoicism, Mark Hamill can run away! Michael Shannon is the best no-liner actor!

Stay tuned for my giant post reviewing all Death Wish movies sometime soon (i've been on a death wish marathon, sometime following RLM best of the worst showing death wish 3)

[rapoon]

Love and Mercy

Two periods in the life of Brian Wilson: about 1965 when he started to become mad (played by Paul Dano) and around 1990 when he started to recover (played by John Cusack)
Great music, of course, but also unusually good scenes about music: recording sessions, piano improvisations, etc.
While actors are excellent, Paul Dano and his hair in particular, the story as a whole is full of feeling but sketchy; as usual in friendly biographies of living people, the bad periods and the bad sides of everyone involved are left out of the picture, with bad guys (Wilson's father, Dr Landy) to underline the skewed viewpoint.

the portrayal of the 'pet sounds' recording session(s) was fascinating.
speaking of music, is anyone else watching the new HBO series 'Vinyl'?


Wild at Heart

two pages of nick cage shit talk inspired me to re-watch this. one of lynch's best films, and cage is excellent.

Towering Inferno

watched this for the first time. hysterical, particularly when an inflamed fireman is plunging down an elevator shaft, past McQueen, and it doesn't phase him in the slightest.

wages of fear

i saw sorcerer first and enjoy it more, but it's still a great film.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I liked the Canadian film Whale Music (adaptation of a novel somewhat based on Brian Wilson story).

Not to mention that this is the 11th 70mm format film to be released since the 1960s era -- so be it.

Not true. It's the eleventh feature film to be shot on 65mm with X1.25 anamorphic lenses. Super Panavision 65 has identical mechanics but uses spherical optics instead. Most films shot on 65mm however were made with Todd-AO.

Needless to say though that Technirama was a far more common to use as negative format for features to be distributed in 70mm.

I wonder what optics got used in Wild at Heart; some frames' periphery is glaringly out of focus, which makes me suspect a technical compromise rather than the filmmakers' incompetence.

[copy-paster]

Idiocracy.

Somewhat terrible for a comedy movie, but the message is strong. The movie that predicts it all, and truly happening(?) nowadays.

District 9.

Liked instantly, the aliens were nice reminds me of something.

[EmperorIng]

Stay tuned for my giant post reviewing all Death Wish movies sometime soon (i've been on a death wish marathon, sometime following RLM best of the worst showing death wish 3)

Sweet! I still need to watch The Crackdown: Charles Bronson Fights (and Wins) the Drug War (its bluray is sitting in my TV room)... Not sure if I want to watch the fifth and final installment, Charles Bronson Anemically Explodes the Mafia, outside of funny highlights.

But the first three movies are definitely a roller coaster in emotions (and quality!). First movie is still excellent and one of the best urban-setting movies of the decade in my opinion. drauch always liked the second one best because of how scuzzy it is. And a scuzzy, slimy, and occasionally depressing film it is! At least it has an awesome soundtrack. And the third is, well, all-out-war, in the good way. The movie equivalent of a beatemup.

[Xyga]

Everest (2015)

Lol white people

Nice landscapes though

[options]

Midnight Special

*sigh*

this movie should've been awesome, but it isn't. not because it did anything wrong per se, but because it didn't do what it did right enough. there are some great moments, but they ultimately just highlight how the rest of the movie falls short of its potential. I left the theater feeling... flat, wishing I hadn't paid as much for my ticket.

for anyone interested in seeing it, don't read up on it first; going in blind is best.

[Skykid]

London Has Fallen

Perhaps the most xenophobic, Islamaphobic, outright racist, mean-spirited, embarrassingly patriotic, ridiculously violent action movie I've ever seen. That said, it was quite entertaining.

Gerard Butler plays an insane, bloodthirsty lunatic who gets real thrills from mass murder, while masquerading as a family man and well-intentioned Presidential bodyguard. When opportunity to begin his barbarism arises, he doesn't hold back, butchering people with knives, crushing larynxes with blows from wooden planks and then watching men suffocate, and telling brown people that their existence is worthless and white people will always be the best - right before snuffing them out.

Compared to Olympus Has Fallen, which was mostly really crap and horribly patriotic, this is a lot better. It's got pace and tension and as action movies go these days, rather a few good one-liners peppered between predictably awful scripting. But it's engaging in a way the first wasn't, and more engaging a movie generally than the likes of Spectre, for example, thanks to fewer weaknesses overall and fewer tonal inconsistencies.

That's not to say there's any brain here. It's a lesser Die Hard in London using uncomfortably real Muslim terrorism as a predicament in which to get out of. And it's not pretty. It's occasionally too violent for its own good and certain dialogue constitutes pure and actual racism. This is the sort of things that offends Muslims and stirs up hate in radical groups. It's so anti brown people it's in danger of having real-world ramifications and consequences.

But it seems to get off on this. It feels as though the production was designed to stick two fingers up at Syria and say "fuck you" numerous times and in numerous ways, all the while ensuring they know white people, specifically British and most certainly American, are just better.

I have to say, on two occasions I found myself laughing out loud at the ultraviolence coupled with one-liners, partly because of the absurdity of it and how much it twisted the knife - literally. The one which took me a while to really get over was when

Spoiler

Butler is holding a phone talking to some head honcho while holding said honcho's brother on the floor, already mortally wounded with a knife in his side. The guy on the phone says something like "You're going to get to watch your president die on live TV," to which he replies, "Ok. But first I want you to listen to the sound of your brother dying," before proceeding to slowly push the knife into the man-under-knee's side while he screams in agony down the phone. Afterwards he stands up and the president looks at him, taken aback, and says "Was that really necessary?" To which Butler replies, "No," before walking off.

I fucking LOL'D.

I'm not sure quite why movies are getting a Sarkeesian pass in the current climate. While videogames are getting done over for having exaggerated hipsways, Hollywood is going nuts with un-PCness and evidently having the time of its life.

I won't pretend it's clever or funny. It's annoyingly patriotic, jingoistic, dumb, and genuinely offensive. But it's also rather enjoyable for an action movie, and considering that they've been failing that genre since Die Hard With A Vengeance I'd say there's at least one small victory amidst the endless bullets, bodies, and a single rolling take straight out of videogamedom where Butler executes about a hundred people in a street firefight.

[Some-Mist]

Wild at Heart
two pages of nick cage shit talk inspired me to re-watch this. one of lynch's best films, and cage is excellent.

have to admit I've actually never seen wild at heart, though I've had it downloaded for years. you reminded me that I still have to get around to watching it. probably another cage film I'd add to my list of good cage flicks.

[Tarma]

Sorcerer - first time I've seen this, what a great film! It's aged pretty well in my opinion and the effects are very good, especially the iconic crossing of the bridge.

The Keep - the cult Michael Mann film from 1983. Interesting film, I would love to have seen / to see Mann's original vision of the film before Paramount butchered it. The editing leaves too many truncated sections, and Scott Glenn barely has any screen time despite being a major character.
I found it to be more of a dark fantasy film than a horror... certainly with the version that's out there. This is ripe for a remake in the right hands, some one who can deliver something akin to Mann's vision but without the studio interference.

[xxx1993]

Hardcore Henry was awesome.

[Opus131]

Idiocracy.

Somewhat terrible for a comedy movie, but the message is strong. The movie that predicts it all, and truly happening(?) nowadays.

This is film was such a step down from Office Space. I heard Extract was pretty average too. Wonder what happened.

[Lord Satori]

Hardcore Henry was awesome.

Are you fucking kidding me?

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'd go watch Hardcore Henry theatrically (if I wasn't broke right now). Don't have much interest in watching it at home, though. It's the first movie I feel this way about (if memory serves). I have a hunch YouTube just might not give this one justice.

[Skykid]

Hardcore Henry was awesome.

Are you fucking kidding me?

He always says the exact same thing. Just take:

__________ was awesome

And insert any film name in there for an xxx1993 movie appraisal.

[MX7]

Idiocracy.

Somewhat terrible for a comedy movie, but the message is strong. The movie that predicts it all, and truly happening(?) nowadays.

This is film was such a step down from Office Space. I heard Extract was pretty average too. Wonder what happened.

Wut

Idiocracy is one of the best things Judge has ever made. I haven't seen it post-Trump so it might be a little depressing.

Extract was shit. So boring. But he redeemed himself with Silicon Valley. Can't wait for series 3.

WHILE I'M HERE

I've been watching loads of Argento films on BluRay. Wow. Tenerbrae looks particularly sublime. The stark, empty streets, the gorgeous costumes, the shotgun montage of each exquistely shot deathscene, the probing, voyeuristic establishing shots, often accompanied by pounding proto-techno. Just an absolute joy, like a missive from a parallel earth.

[BIL]

Intense giallopost, that's my long-shirked Tenebre rewatch scheduled for 2NITE

[xxx1993]

I liked Hardcore Henry, so what?