[KidDork]

44 minutes of gore, wire-fu, swords and awesome. If that's not enough, Miki Mizuno is beautiful to behold.

Another Netflix unearthed treasure.

[Count Dookkake]

44 minutes of gore, wire-fu, swords and awesome. If that's not enough, Miki Mizuno is beautiful to behold. Another Netflix unearthed treasure.

FX by genius Yoshihiro Nishimura make for one of the most satisyfing final kills of all time. Seriously deranged and well-executed.

Did you know that there is a second installment?

[delta25]

Incredible.

[GhaleonEB]

My favorite film of all time.

Maybe you can explain this for me. Why was Michael just wandering around outside in the rain when they drove up in the beginning? Seems he could have just run away any time he wanted. I didn't quite get the logistics of the security system or the escape sequence.

[TheKaeptain]

44 minutes of gore, wire-fu, swords and awesome. If that's not enough, Miki Mizuno is beautiful to behold. Another Netflix unearthed treasure.

Watched the trailer. I need to see this.

[lucius]

Transformers 3, was much better than the 2nd not better than the 1st story wise, the effects in 3D are pretty amazing. I had a problem with the 2nd Tranformers telling who were good Transformers and bad Transformers in action scenes, not that much of a problem in this one. Worth seeing in a theatre especially in 3D, the mostly full crowd(saw it Sunday afternoon) applauded at the end so people seem to like the action I am guessing.

[Apdiddy]

The Tourist - Nice scenery, half-way decent story, although the tone of the movie seems contrary to the ending. It comes across as serious, but ends as a comedy (well, Paul Bettany's character is almost Inspector Clouseau-esque in his bumblings).

[JaskoX1]

[IMG]http://www.moviesonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/super8-2-590x873.jpg[IMG] Incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVq1iWqynjk

[Ridley327]

I was trying for the double entendre, yes. How well did I do? I dunno, I remember Suspiria and Inferno as being the crazy nonsensical ones, especially Inferno. I like them all to varying degrees (deliberately avoiding his 90s/00s output), probably because I was warned beforehand and went in expecting little cohesion. On first impressions Opera might even be my favorite if not for that soundtrack. Which is weird, all of the others have such good music.

I hate the Weinsteins so much for buying up all of the rights to Suspiria with their remake nonsense; I want a Suspiria Blu-ray that doesn't cost a small fortune.

[jakncoke]

Just watched a short documentary called Blue Highway. Initially it was going to be this group of people following this epic kayak trip but a storm came in and they had to chill at a cabin and wait for the waves to chill. They see this epic waterfall. They go up and it's marked up with trees that would be cut down if the road was to be built. Some people want 90 mile or so road connecting Juneau and some other towns that'd cost like 500 million, fuck up wildlife where no roads ever were and be used by less than 1k a day. rofl. Good shorty though.

Here is a link to it.

http://www.bluehighway.org/

[harSon]

Just watched The Next Three Days, which I felt was a solid thriller, but that's besides the point. As a Pittsburgh native, I can't help but notice the sudden burst of films being shot in Pittsburgh. Is there a reason for this? I'm assuming it's cheaper to film there or something?

[jakncoke]

Just watched The Next Three Days, which I felt was a solid thriller, but that's besides the point. As a Pittsburgh native, I can't help but notice the sudden burst of films being shot in Pittsburgh. Is there a reason for this? I'm assuming it's cheaper to film there or something?

Could be ending soon to :/

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11054/1127176-60.stm

Right now PA offers 25% Tax Credit to those who spend at least 60% of the budget in PA.

[AcridMeat]

Don't watch this trash. Group of friends wanted to see it, and I read that there was supposedly a good twist. Horrible cliché trash. So mad.

There were some awful moments that did make me laugh, though.

[ymmv]

IcheckMovies:
http://www.icheckmovies.com/list/1930s/ymmv/
#502 in the charts

Am I the highest Gaffer in ICM? (I'm dropping in rank all the time, I'm simply watching too many movies not on any list)

[jakncoke]

IcheckMovies: http://www.icheckmovies.com/list/1930s/ymmv/ #502 in the charts Am I the highest Gaffer in ICM? (I'm dropping in rank all the time, I'm simply watching too many movies not on any list)

swoon is top 5

[smurfx]

watched 13 assassins today. it was alright i guess.

[ymmv]

swoon is top 5

#4 in fact. Wow.

[TheKaeptain]

Is that the same Swoon?

[jakncoke]

Yep. Also kinda worried..

http://www.icheckmovies.com/about/donate/

You can check an unlimited amount of movies.

Maybe im paranoid and looking to much into it. But being a bullet point makes me worry people that don't donate will be limited checks.

[RadioHeadAche]

I saw Bridesmaids with a friend last night. It was decent, but nothing special. I enjoyed seeing some recognizable actors (including a few from The Office). It was also nice to see Kristen Wiig doing something other than a horrible, recurring character on SNL.

[Satyamdas]

Regarding the rabbits, yes, there are several of those sequences in the movie, along with other imprecise, detached scenes that can seem as if they're only present to add atmosphere (or confusion). The thing about Inland Empire is that while I believe, taken as a whole, it's the strongest, most compelling and fascinating piece of work in Lynch's entire career and the performance he brings out of Dern is unrivaled, for better or for worse it also features the least amount of structure and narrative, and certainly fewer answers than ever before. This can mostly be attributed to Lynch working for the first time without any constraints: IE is his movie, on his terms. Period. It isn't necessarily bad that he's more digestible when being watched over by a studio, but I loved seeing the results of Lynch distilled into a purely unadulterated form. The common thread each time that I've seen the movie (theatrically and multiple DVD viewings alone and with people) is that I never sat down and watched it with my full attention (or consciousness, as was the case the first time around). It's my feeling that Inland Empire is best when you stop trying to approach it like a traditional film and simply allow yourself to be swept up in the experience as much or as little as your mind wants.

It took me 3 tries to get through Inland Empire. My mind kept wandering off at around the 45 minute mark, and knowing that the film was light on narrative I was worried that I might miss what little story was there. When I finally watched it, I found that there was even less narrative than I thought there would be, and like you I realized that it is not a story/plot driven film to be watched, it is a display of surrealism to be experienced. You are not meant to figure out the mystery, you are meant to soak up the ambience.

I love Lynch, I love surrealism/absurdism, I love mindfucks, I like strange and weird. And up until Inland Empire, every move I'd seen that fit into those categories still for the most part followed the standard formula of characterization, plot and progression. Mulholland Dr. and Lost Highway for example introduce plenty of absurd elements that have no bearing on the story and are there strictly to confuse and contribute to the atmosphere, yet even with all those absurd moments they are still plot driven films that you can make sense of. In Inland Empire those weird atmospheric scenes are the entire package with tiny elements of story and plot sprinkled in.

Inland Empire is like looking at one of those Magic Eye things and seeing the outline of a shape but never getting it into focus. The mind is frantically trying to piece everything together, but it doesn't know what to accept or reject, or where any of the pieces fit. When we watch regular movies, we recognize tropes and formulas. "Oh, here is the protagonist/antagonist/comic relief/twist/tragic event/uplifting scene/etc." We recognize all the tropes because we have seen them so many times before, and while we appreciate trends and norms being bucked, conventions toyed with or disregarded, almost never does the entire film remain unclassifiable. Unconventional things in film are almost always done within the confines of a familiar paradigm. Inland Empire succeeds, ironically enough, because no other film dares to deviate so fucking far from the well-worn templates we are so familiar with, lest it find itself unpopular and ignored. Inland Empire creates friction in our mind as we watch because it doesn't adhere to the norms we have been conditioned to expect from our standard fare. Early on in the film the viewer's mind sends the signal of "Hold on, this isn't making any sense. What the fuck am I watching?"

With every successive scene the film gets further out of our grasp, it further denies attempts by the viewer to make sense of it all, to derive meaning, to say "Ah I get it, this means that." At some point you come to the realization that you are not going to make sense of this thing, that it is not going to be coherent to a satisfactory degree or ever resemble a 'normal' film. It isn't going to 'click'. Those who are too dogmatic and rigid in their view of what a film should be will hate that realization. They feel cheated and betrayed and trolled, much like those who hated the ending of The Sopranos. Those who are able to revel in atmosphere and enjoy the tone of a film and who like scratching the mind-itch that the film creates will enjoy it (to varying degrees). And then there are those who are just so baffled that they genuinely have no opinion either way. In my experience there are very few of the third category.

Now anyone can just film crazy shit that makes no sense. What makes Lynch work even at his most extreme is that he gives us just enough narrative and cohesion to make that teasing feel good. It's all just familiar enough that our mind is reaching and stretching and clawing at the meaning, which feels as though it is ever within our grasp. If it were just pure absurdity with no semblance of purpose, we would disconnect completely and find zero value in watching it. It is a tightwire act of which Lynch is a master. Inland Empire comes very close to being the film equivalent of the blank canvas as modern art showpiece. I look at those pieces of "art" and I refuse to buy into it. I can't see it as anything other than a troll of the art viewer. And yet I know that there are those who view Inland Empire the same way, as an empty gesture or piece of troll wankery. Just as all the meaning in the blank canvas is created by the viewer, so too must the artistic merit of IE be created by its viewer, right? I'd be forced to agree were not the performances so great, the composition and lighting (even with the ugly digital format) so brilliant, and Lynch's particular style of fucked up weird shit not always so interesting to look at. The precise meaning may elude us forever, but there is no question that Lynch is putting something worth looking at on his canvas. By crafting a world that is overwhelmingly absurd yet just familiar enough to keep us engaged, he succeeds in making a pure mood piece that washes over those willing to just soak it in. For those who aren't it is just a bunch of weird shit that makes no sense and it sucks, the end. >:(

I can totally understand the rejection and negative view of those who can't or prefer not to let go of their notions of what a film is, and who find no pleasure or redeeming factor in watching something like Inland Empire, but honestly I find such a view terribly narrow and limiting. Inland Empire is the film analogue of a great guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page. Sure, what they are doing is not *technically* a song, but music need not be confined to such rigid parameters to be enjoyable and worthwhile. I can't imagine listening to them jam, and critiquing "Well, it isn't in a standard verse-chorus form, so I reject it". Sometimes people just want to jam the fuck out, and if you let them and listen with an open mind, you might really hear some sweet shit. I for one am glad Lynch and others like him are able to jam the fuck out from time to time, I *need* that kind of film making to be happening.

[AnkitT]

Havent been watching a lot of movies lately. Last one that deeply affected me was The Thin Red Line. Anyways, here's my iCM: http://www.icheckmovies.com/profile/ankitt/

[Red UFO]

TRON Legacy: I don't understand why some people are so negative on this film. It didn't capitalise on it's potential enough, and the dialogue is kinda hokey, but for what it's worth (the visual/audio splendour) you can't go much wrong.

127 Hours: Incredible, uplifting, inspirational film. Danny Boyle's attention to detail in sound design, choice of music, etc. is brilliant. The cinematography is perfect in making us feel claustrophobic and alone. James Franco absolutely kills it and shows us that a positive outlook on life really does make a difference.

[INDIGO_CYCLOPS]

Love the Mr. Show reference!

[jarosh]

TRON Legacy: I don't understand why some people are so negative on this film. It didn't capitalise on it's potential enough, and the dialogue is kinda hokey, but for what it's worth (the visual/audio splendour) you can't go much wrong. 127 Hours: Incredible, uplifting, inspirational film. Danny Boyle's attention to detail in sound design, choice of music, etc. is brilliant. The cinematography is perfect in making us feel claustrophobic and alone. James Franco absolutely kills it and shows us that a positive outlook on life really does make a difference.

you sound like a bizarro version of myself. what are some of your other movie preferences? i'm honestly curious.

[moonspeak]

Recent stuff...

Riki-Oh: The Story Of Ricky


So yeah this was pretty effing amazing. That's all I really have to say on that.

The Magnificent Butcher


My buddy and I were browsing the trailers section on the Riki-Oh DVD and came across this one. It seemed really cool so we netflix'ed it. It had some really awesome choreography. A fun kung-fu movie.

I Saw The Devil


Kept hearing about this one from different sources so decided to check it out. I enjoyed it. I'd recommend it if you're into the whole revenge film movie scene.

Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance


Definitely a great movie. Really sad at times but I thought it was very good.

Guess this past week or so has been an asian/revenge kinda week. I caught the first part of Sympathy For Lady Vengeance but I missed out on most of it due to lack of sleep. I'll have to finish the rest of it soon. I've already seen Oldboy as well.

[Solo]

Maybe you can explain this for me. Why was Michael just wandering around outside in the rain when they drove up in the beginning? Seems he could have just run away any time he wanted. I didn't quite get the logistics of the security system or the escape sequence.

Its never explicitly stated, but I always assumed that there had been some kind of patient uprising or riot. Everyone got out of their cells and got outside.

[Jexhius]

Leaving Las Vegas

It's slightly surreal to watch this movie, and thoroughly enjoy it, whilst thinking about the kind of roles Nicholas Cage has been playing lately. Surreal and sad.

[bud]

i was about thirteen years old when i bought that on dvd, and i hated it so much that i threw it away. i remember it being depressing as fuck.

[EliCash]

It took me 3 tries to get through Inland Empire. My mind kept wandering off at around the 45 minute mark, and knowing that the film was light on narrative I was worried that I might miss what little story was there. When I finally watched it, I found that there was even less narrative than I thought there would be, and like you I realized that it is not a story/plot driven film to be watched, it is a display of surrealism to be experienced. You are not meant to figure out the mystery, you are meant to soak up the ambience. I love Lynch, I love surrealism/absurdism, I love mindfucks, I like strange and weird. And up until Inland Empire, every move I'd seen that fit into those categories still for the most part followed the standard formula of characterization, plot and progression. Mulholland Dr. and Lost Highway for example introduce plenty of absurd elements that have no bearing on the story and are there strictly to confuse and contribute to the atmosphere, yet even with all those absurd moments they are still plot driven films that you can make sense of. In Inland Empire those weird atmospheric scenes are the entire package with tiny elements of story and plot sprinkled in. Inland Empire is like looking at one of those Magic Eye things and seeing the outline of a shape but never getting it into focus. The mind is frantically trying to piece everything together, but it doesn't know what to accept or reject, or where any of the pieces fit. When we watch regular movies, we recognize tropes and formulas. "Oh, here is the protagonist/antagonist/comic relief/twist/tragic event/uplifting scene/etc." We recognize all the tropes because we have seen them so many times before, and while we appreciate trends and norms being bucked, conventions toyed with or disregarded, almost never does the entire film remain unclassifiable. Unconventional things in film are almost always done within the confines of a familiar paradigm. Inland Empire succeeds, ironically enough, because no other film dares to deviate so fucking far from the well-worn templates we are so familiar with, lest it find itself unpopular and ignored. Inland Empire creates friction in our mind as we watch because it doesn't adhere to the norms we have been conditioned to expect from our standard fare. Early on in the film the viewer's mind sends the signal of "Hold on, this isn't making any sense. What the fuck am I watching?" With every successive scene the film gets further out of our grasp, it further denies attempts by the viewer to make sense of it all, to derive meaning, to say "Ah I get it, this means that." At some point you come to the realization that you are not going to make sense of this thing, that it is not going to be coherent to a satisfactory degree or ever resemble a 'normal' film. It isn't going to 'click'. Those who are too dogmatic and rigid in their view of what a film should be will hate that realization. They feel cheated and betrayed and trolled, much like those who hated the ending of The Sopranos. Those who are able to revel in atmosphere and enjoy the tone of a film and who like scratching the mind-itch that the film creates will enjoy it (to varying degrees). And then there are those who are just so baffled that they genuinely have no opinion either way. In my experience there are very few of the third category. Now anyone can just film crazy shit that makes no sense. What makes Lynch work even at his most extreme is that he gives us just enough narrative and cohesion to make that teasing feel good. It's all just familiar enough that our mind is reaching and stretching and clawing at the meaning, which feels as though it is ever within our grasp. If it were just pure absurdity with no semblance of purpose, we would disconnect completely and find zero value in watching it. It is a tightwire act of which Lynch is a master. Inland Empire comes very close to being the film equivalent of the blank canvas as modern art showpiece. I look at those pieces of "art" and I refuse to buy into it. I can't see it as anything other than a troll of the art viewer. And yet I know that there are those who view Inland Empire the same way, as an empty gesture or piece of troll wankery. Just as all the meaning in the blank canvas is created by the viewer, so too must the artistic merit of IE be created by its viewer, right? I'd be forced to agree were not the performances so great, the composition and lighting (even with the ugly digital format) so brilliant, and Lynch's particular style of fucked up weird shit not always so interesting to look at. The precise meaning may elude us forever, but there is no question that Lynch is putting something worth looking at on his canvas. By crafting a world that is overwhelmingly absurd yet just familiar enough to keep us engaged, he succeeds in making a pure mood piece that washes over those willing to just soak it in. For those who aren't it is just a bunch of weird shit that makes no sense and it sucks, the end. >:( I can totally understand the rejection and negative view of those who can't or prefer not to let go of their notions of what a film is, and who find no pleasure or redeeming factor in watching something like Inland Empire, but honestly I find such a view terribly narrow and limiting. Inland Empire is the film analogue of a great guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page. Sure, what they are doing is not *technically* a song, but music need not be confined to such rigid parameters to be enjoyable and worthwhile. I can't imagine listening to them jam, and critiquing "Well, it isn't in a standard verse-chorus form, so I reject it". Sometimes people just want to jam the fuck out, and if you let them and listen with an open mind, you might really hear some sweet shit. I for one am glad Lynch and others like him are able to jam the fuck out from time to time, I *need* that kind of film making to be happening.

Great impressions, I should repost your hitting the nail on the head image. What I will say though is that even after you accept Inland Empire on the terms you have, I think there's still criticism to be applied. For me, some of the scene's didn't work on any level at all and not just because of a lack of narrative cohesion. But I guess that's what Inland Empire does, it clicks on different levels for different viewers - that is if it clicks at all.

[JGS]

Battle Los Angeles - Not nearly as horrible as I was lead to believe but still nothing great. It was not nearly as epic as the trailers presented it.

Gladiator - This is not a top film for me. It's not even the top Roman gladiator movie for me. With that said, the ending is so perfect it has me getting dust in my eye every time.

[Fritz]

I absolutely loved it, and my friends as well. Most beautifully shot. Super stylish. Very long, quiet but intense scenes. I thought the music was a bit pretentious, but the others loved that as well. Sounded a bit like 2001 as a drama/romance.

Tilda Swinton is genious, as always, but she's also very soft and feminine in this one.

4/4

[faridmon]

I can't bellieve I missed Super 8. If I would have known S. Speilberg was in it, I would have wtahced it day 1. Too bad its not on cinemas Anymore. Stupid me :(

[EliCash]

I can't bellieve I missed Super 8. If I would have known S. Speilberg was in it, I would have wtahced it day 1. Too bad its not on cinemas Anymore. Stupid me :(

Are you from the UK? Your Everton avatar makes me ask that, if so it's not out here until August 5th.

[Fallout-NL]

[IMG]http://i51.************/jttbep.jpg[/IMG]


Senna documentary: it was awesome. I was too young to appreciate Formula 1 back when Senna was racing so it was great for this documentary to point out why this particular period and Senna were so special. The late eighties / early nineties footage is fascinating to watch since it's so reminiscent of my early childhood (just the aesthetic of TV footage and clothes during that time).

If you're not really into fast cars, or the skill involved racing them, you might not like this film as much, but for me it was mind blowing to see what Senna could do with cars from that era.

[Red UFO]

you sound like a bizarro version of myself. what are some of your other movie preferences? i'm honestly curious.

Umm, I don't know really haha. My favourite film is Back to the Future if that helps... What do you mean by bizarro version of yourself? The opposite?

[EliCash]

Senna is fantastic. Film of the year so far for me, and I have no interest in Formula 1.

[pieatorium]

Umm, I don't know really haha. My favourite film is Back to the Future if that helps... What do you mean by bizarro version of yourself? The opposite?

I think it means you have a goatee and are evil.

[Salazar]

Someone who is the opposite of jarosh in every way might be pretty rad.

[jarosh]

I think it means you have a goatee and are evil.

Umm, I don't know really haha. My favourite film is Back to the Future if that helps... What do you mean by bizarro version of yourself? The opposite?

well, i don't HATE bttf, so i guess my theory was wrong. but yeah, the idea was that my reaction to both 127 hours and tron legacy was pretty much diametrically opposed to yours.

see here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...ostcount=15132
and here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...ostcount=14662

[Fersis]

I watched I Am Legend last night.
Pretty cool movie, Will Smith rocks hard. And yes i almost cried during 'that scene'.

[BaronLundi]

So GAF, I bought a shitload of second hand DVD's today and among them is Enter the void (French edition).

There are two versions on disc one called "Theatrical version" (runtime is 154 min) and the other called "Alternative version" (runtime : 139 min). I'm guessing the latter might be the US/UK theatrical version (missing a reel from what I gathered).

Which one should I watch first and is being high recommended/necessary ?

[Yes Boss!]

Have not been to a movie theater in about a year. Finally got to see Tree of Life and then the next day saw Hangover 2. Nice mix.

[Mister Wilhelm]

So GAF, I bought a shitload of second hand DVD's today and among them is Enter the void (French edition). There are two versions on disc one called "Theatrical version" (runtime is 154 min) and the other called "Alternative version" (runtime : 139 min). I'm guessing the latter might be the US/UK theatrical version (missing a reel from what I gathered). Which one should I watch first and is being high recommended/necessary ?

Theatrical, bro. Theatrical.

[swoon]

Is that the same Swoon?

itsa me.

i wish the we could have a neogaf group or something and compete against the other factions on the icm. but i don't think that's in their cards.


the unlimited check thing is very very worrisome.

[Satyamdas]

Great impressions, I should repost your hitting the nail on the head image. What I will say though is that even after you accept Inland Empire on the terms you have, I think there's still criticism to be applied. For me, some of the scene's didn't work on any level at all and not just because of a lack of narrative cohesion. But I guess that's what Inland Empire does, it clicks on different levels for different viewers - that is if it clicks at all.

Agreed. In addition, I'd be lying if I said that the lack of coherent narrative doesn't diminish my enjoyment in some capacity. For as much as I appreciate the abstract nature of the film, I can't help but be conscious of the fact that there is nothing to "get", no strong theme or concept presented. My mind craves understanding and meaning and the film actively denies me that.

[EliCash]

Yea same here, which is why Mulholland Drive is my favourite Lynch film - it's a beautiful mix.

[Cmagus]

I watched Ninja Assassins last night.This film was so bad I mean some of the fight scenes were cool but overall it was weak.Felt like this was written by a 13 year old who thinks ninjas are cool.I just kept thinking this could have been a cool movie has they really fleshed it out.

I found the stuff where they were young and doing the training and what not interesting I think this was the only time where the film was decent it's just the modern day stuff that was awful I really wish they would have made a gritty revenge story.I mean every time one of the two main characters are about to die the other shows up and saves them at the last moment it was ridiculous at time.

3/10

[Ridley327]

So GAF, I bought a shitload of second hand DVD's today and among them is Enter the void (French edition). There are two versions on disc one called "Theatrical version" (runtime is 154 min) and the other called "Alternative version" (runtime : 139 min). I'm guessing the latter might be the US/UK theatrical version (missing a reel from what I gathered). Which one should I watch first and is being high recommended/necessary ?

If you were to ask my personal preference, I'd suggest taking that DVD out for skeet shooting.

Saw Transformers 3 last night and it was even dumber than I was expecting. That said, I didn't actually hate it; I think the growing number of facepalm-worthy scenes and moments ended up going so far that it gets to be oddly compelling to watch. It's certainly a step up from the completely miserable second film.

[icarus-daedelus]

So GAF, I bought a shitload of second hand DVD's today and among them is Enter the void (French edition). There are two versions on disc one called "Theatrical version" (runtime is 154 min) and the other called "Alternative version" (runtime : 139 min). I'm guessing the latter might be the US/UK theatrical version (missing a reel from what I gathered). Which one should I watch first and is being high recommended/necessary ?

The shorter one is indeed the one that was cut by one reel for US distribution. There's nothing absolutely essential in it, but it does flesh out some things.

Considering how polarizing the film is I would actually suggest watching the shorter version first - if you hate it, it's 15 fewer minutes of agony, and if you love it, you've got more to look forward to. :lol

I hate the Weinsteins so much for buying up all of the rights to Suspiria with their remake nonsense; I want a Suspiria Blu-ray that doesn't cost a small fortune.

me too, dude, me too. As if one needed extra reasons to hate TWC.