Baroquemantic
Member
Sounds like an upgrade to me.
The Best Buy I have been buying blurays from completely removed their horror section and replaced it with an anime section.
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Movies You've Seen Recently |OT| July 2016
- Thread starter lordxar
- Start date
- Status
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Went to the drive-in tonight for a double feature:
The Secret Life of Pets' opening credits identifies it as a Chris Meledandri production, as if this is something to be proud of. Meledandri has yet to produce something better than "outright obnoxious and terrible", so this viewer was confused on why this movie wears this credit like it's an honor. The first twenty minutes fit this monkier, featuring unlikable characters, annoying shoe-horned pop music, and overlong gags.
Yet, once Max and Duke get lost, the film finds its identity. It still is an Illumination film, focusing more on gags than anything else, but it's a lot of fun. The parallels to Toy Story are unavoidable, but what's particularly interesting is the somewhat "feminist remake" aspect of it. The best character in the movie is Gidget, voiced by Jenny Slate, who basically changes the movie from "a Toy Story ripoff" to "What if Bo Peep looked for Buzz and Woody on her own?" She's still just a typical love interest type character, so it's not all the way good, but it's a step in the right direction. Max and Duke also evolve to become pretty good characters in their own right, mostly thanks to some great voice acting on the part of Louis C.K. and Eric Stonestreet.
The saddest thing about the film is that merely cutting out ten minutes at the end of the second act would make the film as a whole better and have a stronger emotional core. However, Illumination as a studio has never been interested in that kind of animated filmmaking which is fine. The score is also worth noting, as Desplat has a lot of fun with the whimsy this world holds. The Secret Life of Pets may be a bit uneven, but when it works, it's plenty enjoyable and a delightful time at the theater.
Second movie was...
The Secret Life of Pets' opening credits identifies it as a Chris Meledandri production, as if this is something to be proud of. Meledandri has yet to produce something better than "outright obnoxious and terrible", so this viewer was confused on why this movie wears this credit like it's an honor. The first twenty minutes fit this monkier, featuring unlikable characters, annoying shoe-horned pop music, and overlong gags.
Yet, once Max and Duke get lost, the film finds its identity. It still is an Illumination film, focusing more on gags than anything else, but it's a lot of fun. The parallels to Toy Story are unavoidable, but what's particularly interesting is the somewhat "feminist remake" aspect of it. The best character in the movie is Gidget, voiced by Jenny Slate, who basically changes the movie from "a Toy Story ripoff" to "What if Bo Peep looked for Buzz and Woody on her own?" She's still just a typical love interest type character, so it's not all the way good, but it's a step in the right direction. Max and Duke also evolve to become pretty good characters in their own right, mostly thanks to some great voice acting on the part of Louis C.K. and Eric Stonestreet.
The saddest thing about the film is that merely cutting out ten minutes at the end of the second act would make the film as a whole better and have a stronger emotional core. However, Illumination as a studio has never been interested in that kind of animated filmmaking which is fine. The score is also worth noting, as Desplat has a lot of fun with the whimsy this world holds. The Secret Life of Pets may be a bit uneven, but when it works, it's plenty enjoyable and a delightful time at the theater.
Second movie was...
Discotheque
Banned
Sing Street
well that was ridiculously charming. captures the 80s UK just as well as this is england did, only this one was more of a crowd pleaser (lol). vastly prefer it over once and begin again (the latter of which i thought was a bit shite honestly). largely because of the era and also because of the fantastic soundtrack. the original songs are all influenced by the 80s artists such as duran duran, the cure, u2, the jam etc. and the licensed songs are from many of those same bands as well as the clash. it's your standard coming of age flick but you can't not like this if you enjoyed any of the music at the time. the scene when they're shooting the back to the future inspired music video at school especially is so great. got a little rebel without a cause sprinkled in there as well.
jack reynor is fucking awesome. this guy needs to hit it big. i thought he would amount to nothing after seeing him in transformers 4 but the man is so likable. basically seems like an irish chris pratt mixed with jack black from school of rock in this one. top 5 movie of the year, i think the witch might have to get bumped brehs, either that or hail caesar....
well that was ridiculously charming. captures the 80s UK just as well as this is england did, only this one was more of a crowd pleaser (lol). vastly prefer it over once and begin again (the latter of which i thought was a bit shite honestly). largely because of the era and also because of the fantastic soundtrack. the original songs are all influenced by the 80s artists such as duran duran, the cure, u2, the jam etc. and the licensed songs are from many of those same bands as well as the clash. it's your standard coming of age flick but you can't not like this if you enjoyed any of the music at the time. the scene when they're shooting the back to the future inspired music video at school especially is so great. got a little rebel without a cause sprinkled in there as well.
jack reynor is fucking awesome. this guy needs to hit it big. i thought he would amount to nothing after seeing him in transformers 4 but the man is so likable. basically seems like an irish chris pratt mixed with jack black from school of rock in this one. top 5 movie of the year, i think the witch might have to get bumped brehs, either that or hail caesar....
Night Train (2007) - Not sure if i'd say it's better than Black Coal Thin Ice, but i liked it about the same amount, for different reasons.
It's a bit less cooky, and the subject matter more interesting, but somewhat less ambitious with its visuals.
Nevertheless, i'm loving this director's style a lot (only 2 movies so far, lol) and Liu Dan gave a pretty chilling performance, i wanna track down more movies with her.
It also made me think that nowadays (for good reason, don't get me wrong) you wouldn't have a scene like the final one with the horse, but it was some powerful shit, in context.
It also reminded me of a similar scene, in Touch of Sin i think, with another farmer fighting against a stubborn horse/donkey, refusing to carry their weight.
It's a bit less cooky, and the subject matter more interesting, but somewhat less ambitious with its visuals.
Nevertheless, i'm loving this director's style a lot (only 2 movies so far, lol) and Liu Dan gave a pretty chilling performance, i wanna track down more movies with her.
It also made me think that nowadays (for good reason, don't get me wrong) you wouldn't have a scene like the final one with the horse, but it was some powerful shit, in context.
It also reminded me of a similar scene, in Touch of Sin i think, with another farmer fighting against a stubborn horse/donkey, refusing to carry their weight.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
But its set in Dublin sure.
Discotheque
Banned
just throwing that whole region into the blanket 'UK' term. sorry irish folks. though the streets, clothes and everything but the accents felt very similar to this is england. i imagine that entire region was quite similar in fashion and the like during the 80s if this movie and this is england are in any way accurate to the period.
edit: ah shit didn't realize ireland was separated from UK.
edit: ah shit didn't realize ireland was separated from UK.
Don't worry, won't be the only one, in a little while.
Commando
Fun as fuck.
Feels like a video game in terms of structure and sheer ridiculousness, although I know that it's the other way around. Unlike most video games (and most modern action movies *cough* Nolan *cough* marvel) it has great pacing and a lean script - there's almost no blatantly expository dialogue. Apart from the corny montage at the beginning everything you need to know is conveyed subtly (can't believe I'm using that word in relation to this fucking movie) through natural dialogue or visual details.
Fun as fuck.
Feels like a video game in terms of structure and sheer ridiculousness, although I know that it's the other way around. Unlike most video games (and most modern action movies *cough* Nolan *cough* marvel) it has great pacing and a lean script - there's almost no blatantly expository dialogue. Apart from the corny montage at the beginning everything you need to know is conveyed subtly (can't believe I'm using that word in relation to this fucking movie) through natural dialogue or visual details.
It's hard to imagine that the notorious Jeph Loeb got his start as a writer with this and Teen Wolf.
lazybones18
Banned
John Dies at the End
Well...that was fucking stupid. Should have just stayed home and rested
Well...that was fucking stupid. Should have just stayed home and rested
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Did he die at the end?
Finally finished Martial Arts of Shaolin. It's got Jet Li playing his usual but isn't really an invincible badass. As a whole I didn't care for this movie so much. Maybe it's because it's a later Shaw film and their ideas dried up but it just didn't have the fun factor a lot of their previous movies did. I actually couldn't wait to get through it. I will say that the river boat part at the end was very scenic at least.
Baroquemantic
Member
Divergent: Allegiant
That was pretty awesome outside of the retread of certain elements, the worst of which being punk-ass, bitch-ass, betraying-ass Peter. Like for real, how many times y'all gon let this dude play you? It'sgetting ridiculous.
Anyway, I really liked all the beautiful imagery, and the revelation of how shit hit the fan and turned earth into not really Mars. Also less melodrama, I think? The first film seemed like it was aimed at the twilight crowd, but I think Insurgent and Allegiant have been moving away from that.
Of these futuristic, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi franchises, I think I like Maze Runner the most.
That was pretty awesome outside of the retread of certain elements, the worst of which being punk-ass, bitch-ass, betraying-ass Peter. Like for real, how many times y'all gon let this dude play you? It's
Anyway, I really liked all the beautiful imagery, and the revelation of how shit hit the fan and turned earth into not really Mars. Also less melodrama, I think? The first film seemed like it was aimed at the twilight crowd, but I think Insurgent and Allegiant have been moving away from that.
Of these futuristic, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi franchises, I think I like Maze Runner the most.
old manatee
Banned
Blue is the Warmest Color I put off watching this because I was afraid it would be a dull 3 hour long soft core porn, but it's actually quite an interesting 3 hour long soft core porn.
Spaghetti porn, would be the running gag, here.
The Neon Demon
Best cinematography, direction, costume, set design, make-up and sound of the year. Move over Glazer, PTA or Nolan. Refn is Kubrick's true visual heir. Three masterpieces in a row with Drive, Only God Forgives and Neon Demon. Shocking and provocative. The plot is bare minimum but when you command visual cinematic language this strong who needs it. Many will hate it but none will deny it's hypnotic power to stay with you after you watched it. Unforgettable filmmaking. Stunningly beautiful. My pick for best film of 2016 contender.
Discotheque
Banned
Man I dislike refns output post-pusher trilogy. His venture into the abstract has just left me feeling ambivalent every time.
But I'll check this out I guess because it seems like it cribs from Argento. Should be fun to look at if nothing else
But I'll check this out I guess because it seems like it cribs from Argento. Should be fun to look at if nothing else
Messofanego
Banned
Oh forgot Neon Demon came out yesterday. Gotta see that after this night shift.
Discotheque
Banned
I never saw glazers nicole kidman movie. The premise seemed hilarious going by the trailer but I never got around to it.
I put Birth in my top 10 favorite movies, last time we had that thread.
I think it's that good, but honestly i loved to death all three of his.
It does feel set in the same world than Eyes Wide Shut, though, if that makes sense.
Oh also, top tier Desplat on that.
Yes.
Good family movie, with some interesting visuals.
I hate post quoting, but i've spammed this page enough.
Baroquemantic
Member
Is that Speed Racer movie any good?
Discotheque
Banned
Oh damn. Should check it out soon then. Eyes Wide Shut name drop too.
Insane Metal
Member
Independendney's Day Resurgence
The original is by no means a great film, but it served its purpose of being a fun, brainless movie about the end of the world with aliens bringing the apocalypse upon us. Unfortunately, this sequel is so poorly made that it makes the original look like a classic in comparison. Nothing that worked flawlessly in the first movie works here, specially the humor. ID4 was never meant to be a serious movie and it made that clear. With Resurgence, the director seems to make a lot of effort making the whole story something meaninful, instead of just trying to make it fun. But even that doesn't work, so the result is a bit of a mess. And to make it even worse, the special effects are far from good. Everything looks like a poorly made videogame.
1/5
The original is by no means a great film, but it served its purpose of being a fun, brainless movie about the end of the world with aliens bringing the apocalypse upon us. Unfortunately, this sequel is so poorly made that it makes the original look like a classic in comparison. Nothing that worked flawlessly in the first movie works here, specially the humor. ID4 was never meant to be a serious movie and it made that clear. With Resurgence, the director seems to make a lot of effort making the whole story something meaninful, instead of just trying to make it fun. But even that doesn't work, so the result is a bit of a mess. And to make it even worse, the special effects are far from good. Everything looks like a poorly made videogame.
1/5
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Discotheque
Banned
I can't see that photo but since it's ViewtifulJC and speed racer I'm gonna assume it's the thumbs up or blessed emoji
Visually you will be impressed. However whether you like the tone/story depends on your taste (some would say its like a live action cartoon come to life e.g true to original or will complain that it is too kiddie).
I personally loved it. Up there with the Matrix from them.
True Savior
Member
I am going to watch Total Recall tonight. I want to listen to that club song. Cameron should just give all the Avatar money to Verhoeven so he can make another sci fi movie. I can't believe that mofo might die before making a new sci fi.
The Big Short - A terrific film about colorful figures in the financial world on the eve of the housing bubble. Good acting and humor, some clever breaking of the fourth wall, entertaining from start to finish. Based on real events.
In the Valley of Elah - A traditional suspense drama, this one revolving around the disappearance of a troubled US marine. Good acting from Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, a somewhat predictable plot that could have benefitted by having 15 minutes shaved off of it.
Spotlight - A decent drama about investigative journalists uncovering the widespread sexual abuse perpetrated by the Catholic Church in the 90's and 2000's, and the lengths it went to cover it up. Worth a watch during a slow weekend or before bed. Based on real events.
In the Valley of Elah - A traditional suspense drama, this one revolving around the disappearance of a troubled US marine. Good acting from Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, a somewhat predictable plot that could have benefitted by having 15 minutes shaved off of it.
Spotlight - A decent drama about investigative journalists uncovering the widespread sexual abuse perpetrated by the Catholic Church in the 90's and 2000's, and the lengths it went to cover it up. Worth a watch during a slow weekend or before bed. Based on real events.
old manatee
Banned
I think part of the reason he doesn't make movies in english anymore is because he wanted to make movies like Black Book and Hollywood wanted him to make crap like Hollow Man.
A double-bill of Jane Austen:
Sense and Sensibility (1995): Despite my love for Joe Wright's 2005 Pride & Prejudice, this film likely remains the best cinematic adaptation of the works of Jane Austen. One of the early acclaimed works of the by now legendarily versatile director Ang Lee, it also marked Emma Thompson's debut as a screenwriter -- a task she has seldom returned to in the succeeding two decades, and to underwhelming results when she does; but a screenplay of this calibre is enough to make a career on its own, and Thompson won a deserved Oscar for this. The cast, including an on-the-rise Kate Winslet and a pretty sizeable portion of the later supporting cast of the Harry Potter franchise, are in top form.
Love & Friendship (2016): The pairing of Whit Stillman and Jane Austen is one that would ever have occurred to me, but, upon having been informed of it, became immediately comprehensible. Stillman's whole career has been spent producing erudite upper class comedies, with a sensibility very similar to Austen's Regency-era wit. Here, he adapts Austen's posthumously-published and little-known epistolary novella Lady Susan (confusingly assigned the title of a different Austen work) to great effect. The resulting film is immensely enjoyable, but also feather-light -- not for a moment of its 92 minute running time is one in any danger of caring about any of the characters or the situations they find themselves in. That may sound like an indictment, but it is not intended as such; the film is solely concerned with observing and inviting us to be amused. And there is quite a gallery of characters on display here, centered around Kate Beckinsale's Lady Susan Vernon. This wouldn't really qualify as a revelatory performance, per se (Lady Susan never has much range as a character), but it's a lot of fun. The same might be said for Tom Bennett, who plays one of the stupidest characters one has encountered in a smart film in several years; this sort of role could easily grate, but Bennett manages to make him endearing.
Sense and Sensibility (1995): Despite my love for Joe Wright's 2005 Pride & Prejudice, this film likely remains the best cinematic adaptation of the works of Jane Austen. One of the early acclaimed works of the by now legendarily versatile director Ang Lee, it also marked Emma Thompson's debut as a screenwriter -- a task she has seldom returned to in the succeeding two decades, and to underwhelming results when she does; but a screenplay of this calibre is enough to make a career on its own, and Thompson won a deserved Oscar for this. The cast, including an on-the-rise Kate Winslet and a pretty sizeable portion of the later supporting cast of the Harry Potter franchise, are in top form.
Love & Friendship (2016): The pairing of Whit Stillman and Jane Austen is one that would ever have occurred to me, but, upon having been informed of it, became immediately comprehensible. Stillman's whole career has been spent producing erudite upper class comedies, with a sensibility very similar to Austen's Regency-era wit. Here, he adapts Austen's posthumously-published and little-known epistolary novella Lady Susan (confusingly assigned the title of a different Austen work) to great effect. The resulting film is immensely enjoyable, but also feather-light -- not for a moment of its 92 minute running time is one in any danger of caring about any of the characters or the situations they find themselves in. That may sound like an indictment, but it is not intended as such; the film is solely concerned with observing and inviting us to be amused. And there is quite a gallery of characters on display here, centered around Kate Beckinsale's Lady Susan Vernon. This wouldn't really qualify as a revelatory performance, per se (Lady Susan never has much range as a character), but it's a lot of fun. The same might be said for Tom Bennett, who plays one of the stupidest characters one has encountered in a smart film in several years; this sort of role could easily grate, but Bennett manages to make him endearing.
you thought only god forgives was a masterpiece? I never thought I would see someone say that
The Neon Demon
Best cinematography, direction, costume, set design, make-up and sound of the year. Move over Glazer, PTA or Nolan. Refn is Kubrick's true visual heir. Three masterpieces in a row with Drive, Only God Forgives and Neon Demon. Shocking and provocative. The plot is bare minimum but when you command visual cinematic language this strong who needs it. Many will hate it but none will deny it's hypnotic power to stay with you after you watched it. Unforgettable filmmaking. Stunningly beautiful. My pick for best film of 2016 contender.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
It's pretty great.
Fried Food
Banned
I need to watch that one again. My first viewing was in a less than ideal setting.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
Aye I know what you mean. I really liked The Neon Demon in fact, but in the screening I seen it in, there was someone at the back constantly groaning and making noise through the whole film, distracted me.
Today: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Wasn't planning on going but my next address doesn't have cable so i'm taking my last weekend here to torrent some stuff to replace cable with home-media-server and needed to get out of the house while it ran, sucks a lot of juice out of my old laptop.
It was pretty good. Adam Devine (Workaholics, Modern Family) character Mike is the one who sucks up the attention of most of the scenes he's in, though Aubrey Plaza's Tatiana (Parks and Rec) does a fair job trying to keep up. Dave and Alice, the other two, don't do nearly as well though get their punches in. It gets a little crude in parts (the massage scene with a Kumail Nanjiani cameo is the worst of it), but overall runs with a good energy throughout. As a King of the Hill fan, i feel like it's a shame Stephen Root was underutilized as the sensible dad who's trying to bring his rambunctious sons into line for the sake of his daughter's wedding.
The movie also comes off as neatly pop-culture savvy, including a part where Mike tries to, in his words, "Wedding Crashers" his hated cousin Teri (e.g., poison her with eye drops) and Dave points out that that was a movie and the active ingredient in eye drops that would do that was removed over 20 years ago. For characters being described as in-universe stupid as they claim to be, everyone's clever enough. Devine and Plaza are the reasons to watch, as their characters are the dominant partners in both of the pairs, Mike with his high-energy excitable idiocy and Plaza with her crude, brusque, self-serving cunning.
It was pretty good. Adam Devine (Workaholics, Modern Family) character Mike is the one who sucks up the attention of most of the scenes he's in, though Aubrey Plaza's Tatiana (Parks and Rec) does a fair job trying to keep up. Dave and Alice, the other two, don't do nearly as well though get their punches in. It gets a little crude in parts (the massage scene with a Kumail Nanjiani cameo is the worst of it), but overall runs with a good energy throughout. As a King of the Hill fan, i feel like it's a shame Stephen Root was underutilized as the sensible dad who's trying to bring his rambunctious sons into line for the sake of his daughter's wedding.
The movie also comes off as neatly pop-culture savvy, including a part where Mike tries to, in his words, "Wedding Crashers" his hated cousin Teri (e.g., poison her with eye drops) and Dave points out that that was a movie and the active ingredient in eye drops that would do that was removed over 20 years ago. For characters being described as in-universe stupid as they claim to be, everyone's clever enough. Devine and Plaza are the reasons to watch, as their characters are the dominant partners in both of the pairs, Mike with his high-energy excitable idiocy and Plaza with her crude, brusque, self-serving cunning.
Fried Food
Banned
I had the theater to myself for Neon Demon.
Fancy Clown
Member
4 people walked out of the neon demon screening I was in. I was impressed the old people made it past the
scene before walking out in the last 5 minutes.
necrophelia
There is a movie for everyone I suppose.
IMO I thought it was one of the worst movies to release that year
Fancy Clown
Member
Yeah Only God Forgives was really really bad and Neon Demon wasn't a whole lot better. He really, really, really needs to stop writing his own movies.
Although his next project is a spy movie set in Japan and being written by Wade and Purvis (who have written the last few Bonds). He was also offered Skyfall but turned it down. So he turned down Bond to Bond on a smaller budget but more room for his weird shit. NWR.
Although his next project is a spy movie set in Japan and being written by Wade and Purvis (who have written the last few Bonds). He was also offered Skyfall but turned it down. So he turned down Bond to Bond on a smaller budget but more room for his weird shit. NWR.
brianjones
Member
his not so good movies are at least interestingly watchable tho.. ill give him that
ill always check out his shit day 1
i can already picture the neon pachinko parlors
ill always check out his shit day 1
i can already picture the neon pachinko parlors
The Purge: Anarchy fully realizes the promise of the first Purge film. DeMonaco realizes that his sick world fits more an action-thriller than a horror, and thus the entire approach is fixed. No longer are there silly jump scares and a small scale; this film feels epic in its relatively small scope. Grillo does a great job as the unnamed Sergeant, bringing to mind 80s action stars in a way rarely evoked in today's filmmaking. It does feel a tad episodic but compared to the dull simplicity of the first film, it's welcome. The Purge: Anarchy is a greatly improved sequel that is probably the best a film with "The Purge" premise could be: a fun B-movie that ultimately is forgettable fun.
Also went to the theater today:
Also went to the theater today:
Messofanego
Banned
Love Only God Forgives for its memorable imagery and themes (oedipal complex, fairytale-like morality, existential heroes). More interesting to think about than a lot of universally well regarded movies.
Somewhere over the last few days I ran across this history of horror Youtube video. Basically this guy took bits from 122 different horror movies over the years and chained it all together into a few minutes of video set to some music. Letterboxd also has a list of all the movies. I'd watched about a third of them so I thought it would be a fun experience to try and watch them all over time.
History of Horror
So I spent the afternoon plowing through these late 1800's and early 1900's films:
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Haunted Castle
The Merry Skeleton
The Astronomer's Dream
The Devil in a Convent
Sherlock Holmes Baffled
The Haunted Curiosity Shop
The House of Ghosts
A Trip to the Moon
Faust et Méphistophélès
The Mistletoe Bough
The Black Imp
I think the longest of those was like 13 minutes and their pretty much all on either Fandor or Youtube. A lot of them are only a minute or so and maybe up to four minutes. So far a few of these revolve around the same effects and some reuse set pieces. What I wish the Youtube video had was a reason for each being on the list. The Sherlock Holmes one was really odd to be included and the Merry Skeleton was kind of just showing off some effects of a dancing skeleton.
I'd recommend The House of Ghosts out of all those so far. It's your travelers seeking refuge in a haunted house story but excellently done. The dinner table scene was amazing for the time period. Don't get me wrong, the rest are pretty cool to watch for origins but this one was the best.
I'd lump The Astronomer's Dream and A Trip to the Moon together simply because they share a lot of the same backdrops. A Trip to the Moon is up there with The House of Ghosts too but it's a bonafide classic anyway.
I also watched the Great Train Robbery as well since I ran across it looking for the others. What struck me on this one was the violence. It's early 1900's and were getting shootouts and a train engineer beaten to death by a rock and tossed off the train. I was kind of surprised that kind of violence was in movies back that far.
Completely off topic but my great grandma was born in like 1896 and she died just shy of the year 2000. It's crazy to think that I actually knew someone who might have watched these old ass films when they were release.
History of Horror
So I spent the afternoon plowing through these late 1800's and early 1900's films:
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Haunted Castle
The Merry Skeleton
The Astronomer's Dream
The Devil in a Convent
Sherlock Holmes Baffled
The Haunted Curiosity Shop
The House of Ghosts
A Trip to the Moon
Faust et Méphistophélès
The Mistletoe Bough
The Black Imp
I think the longest of those was like 13 minutes and their pretty much all on either Fandor or Youtube. A lot of them are only a minute or so and maybe up to four minutes. So far a few of these revolve around the same effects and some reuse set pieces. What I wish the Youtube video had was a reason for each being on the list. The Sherlock Holmes one was really odd to be included and the Merry Skeleton was kind of just showing off some effects of a dancing skeleton.
I'd recommend The House of Ghosts out of all those so far. It's your travelers seeking refuge in a haunted house story but excellently done. The dinner table scene was amazing for the time period. Don't get me wrong, the rest are pretty cool to watch for origins but this one was the best.
I'd lump The Astronomer's Dream and A Trip to the Moon together simply because they share a lot of the same backdrops. A Trip to the Moon is up there with The House of Ghosts too but it's a bonafide classic anyway.
I also watched the Great Train Robbery as well since I ran across it looking for the others. What struck me on this one was the violence. It's early 1900's and were getting shootouts and a train engineer beaten to death by a rock and tossed off the train. I was kind of surprised that kind of violence was in movies back that far.
Completely off topic but my great grandma was born in like 1896 and she died just shy of the year 2000. It's crazy to think that I actually knew someone who might have watched these old ass films when they were release.
Finally opened my TWF copy of Kikujiro and watched it with a group of friends. I've seen it years ago on DVD but no one else had.
It's a very enjoyable and fun film. Full of funny, sweet and tender moments, excellent music from Hisaishi and gorgeous cinematography. The picture quality is noticeably better.
I am going to watch the making of, which apparently has never been released in England before.
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