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Movies You've Seen Recently |OT| September 2015
- Thread starter Charles Foster Kane
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Fancy Clown
Member
I'm a recent graduate and that is one of the things I miss the most lol. Pretty much any movie I wanted was available to take home for a few nights, it was great.
Infernostew
Member
Our film library in college was insanely good since my school had just a few years prior to me going there started up a filmmaking major. Since I minored in film, I was one of not many that could check out multiple films and had priority on course material. I wish I had taken more advantage because I didn't use it as much as I would like to now. Although my social life in college was real active so I'm not sure how often I'd use it.
Ah, yes, I actually watched this today, too. It really was wonderful, but also very difficult to watch for me. It's such a stark representation of both the relationship, and hate from society against others, that I was uncomfortable throughout most of the film. I did not know quite where the film would take me. And as you say, it's easy to relate to the characters' actions and feelings of crippling loneliness. I really felt the power of cinema while watching it.
It's not subtle, but a lot is said in just a few words in this movie. "A police man with long hair?" was a favorite, but even a simple "Yes." had me smiling like nothing else at one point.
damn! I figured it'd hit plenty of non-US countries before its stateside release in march but I didn't expect it to be a full six months earlier. Very jealous.
It's supposedly looking more and more likely that Voyage of Time and FKA Weightless will find their ways to festivals next year as well.
UberTag
Member
For those of you who enjoy watching old-fashioned newsroom procedurals, I can say that Spotlight more than delivers. This is poised to be the annual flick that racks up a host of Oscar noms, wins an award for Screenplay and calls it a day.
Mark Ruffalo, in particular, impresses as he clearly broke a fresh characterization out of his bag of tricks for this one. He came off to me like Michael Mancini from Melrose Place minus the sleaze and injected with caffeine and the earnestness of Jimmy Olsen. It's quite the performance although I suspect Keaton and McAdams are more likely to get nominated in a supporting capacity than he is.
I have a pet peeve to raise, though... one that inevitably comes up when I watch an otherwise smart film where they sneak in what should have been a common sense logic leap and staged it like a plot device revelation.
Without going into too many specifics, there's a part roughly an hour into the movie where they effectively crack the code on how the Catholic church masks priests that transfer between congregations due to abuse claims filed against them. Instead of reverse engineering the data to get a sense of how big the problem is, the Spotlight crew simply use the information to confirm names they already have. It takes another 15-20 minutes and one nudge in the right direction before they bother to even try that. As someone who does analysis and constantly reverse engineers metrics for a living this part bothered me.
Still a solid 8 out of 10, though.
Mark Ruffalo, in particular, impresses as he clearly broke a fresh characterization out of his bag of tricks for this one. He came off to me like Michael Mancini from Melrose Place minus the sleaze and injected with caffeine and the earnestness of Jimmy Olsen. It's quite the performance although I suspect Keaton and McAdams are more likely to get nominated in a supporting capacity than he is.
I have a pet peeve to raise, though... one that inevitably comes up when I watch an otherwise smart film where they sneak in what should have been a common sense logic leap and staged it like a plot device revelation.
Without going into too many specifics, there's a part roughly an hour into the movie where they effectively crack the code on how the Catholic church masks priests that transfer between congregations due to abuse claims filed against them. Instead of reverse engineering the data to get a sense of how big the problem is, the Spotlight crew simply use the information to confirm names they already have. It takes another 15-20 minutes and one nudge in the right direction before they bother to even try that. As someone who does analysis and constantly reverse engineers metrics for a living this part bothered me.
Still a solid 8 out of 10, though.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Mark Ruffalo needs to be in some kind of Supporting Actor hall of fame by this point
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Fancy Clown
Member
Legend of the Drunken Master. Unfortunately the version on Netflix only featured an english dub and looked like it was cropped from a widescreen aspect ratio to 16:9 which was very bothersome. But the movie itself was awesome. Incredible action sequences and choreography, like some of it is just unreal. Jackie Chan is insane. The story beats were pretty goofy especially with the dubbing, but they were still charming. I also find it interesting how so many Chinese martial arts movies plots are centered around the protection of Chinese culture and way of life, as a defense against western influence.
SOME-MIST
Member
I've been dying to see infinitely polar bear partly because I'm a ruffalo fan.
DVR'd these two films that aired on TMC.
The Face of Another (1966) - Weird and surreal as hell, I sort of liked it. I liked the acting, Tatsuya Nakadai brought a lot to the lead role, very expressive with his eyes and mouth, and I liked the weird energy of the production design and camera work.
Eyes Without a Face (1960) - Not as weird as the last film, but very demented, I sort of liked this one as well, I wouldn't watch either again but I can appreciate quality of filmmaking of both. The music was a big highlight of the film, the main song playing throughout was like an off kilter theme of a circus, made the film that much stranger.
The Face of Another (1966) - Weird and surreal as hell, I sort of liked it. I liked the acting, Tatsuya Nakadai brought a lot to the lead role, very expressive with his eyes and mouth, and I liked the weird energy of the production design and camera work.
Eyes Without a Face (1960) - Not as weird as the last film, but very demented, I sort of liked this one as well, I wouldn't watch either again but I can appreciate quality of filmmaking of both. The music was a big highlight of the film, the main song playing throughout was like an off kilter theme of a circus, made the film that much stranger.
soapypanda
Member
For some reason I was under the impression that Breathless (Godard) is a buddy cop movie so I spent the whole movie confused. Also, the main male actor is like the ugliest Frenchman of all time.
BaronLundi
Member
Infernostew
Member
Gaslight - Ingrid Bergman's acting saves this poor man's psychological thriller. 6/10
Fancy Clown
Member
Oh shit, post impressions. I just rewatched Identity the other night too.
UberTag
Member
Charlotte Rampling never fails to captivate me in any of her films. She just has this presence about her that commands the screen. In 45 Years, she literally devotes fully half of her performance to acting with her eyes while otherwise restraining her emotional reactions. It's evocative of the same sort of acting I've seen out of Adele Exarchopoulos in Blue is the Warmest Color or Eddie Redmayne in his recent films.
My familiarity with Rampling stems predominantly from her appearances in Francois Ozon's films (Swimming Pool in particular) but I really need to make an effort to seek out some of her other work.
My familiarity with Rampling stems predominantly from her appearances in Francois Ozon's films (Swimming Pool in particular) but I really need to make an effort to seek out some of her other work.
Messofanego
Banned
Uncle Boonmee has stuck with me ever since. Gonna see Apichatpong's new film at LFF, Cemetery Of Splendour (trailer).
That film has had a super weird release period even in the US. Nobody knows when it will be released in the US to the masses, based on reviews it is looking like straight to on demand with a few film screens.
I would but I don't have the means to watch it, sadly. Sister told me about it, not sure how she discovers such things, like the Steve Guttenberg IMDB page which is just a work of art
Rhomega Beta
Member
Decided to spend some more time in the Silent Era with Buster Keaton.
Sherlock Jr.: I really liked this one, especially the "inside the movie" scene, the billiards game, and the motorcycle scene.
Steamboat Bill Jr.: This one was nice, but not as good as Sherlock Jr. Highlights were the jail scene and the famous frame collapse.
True Grit (1969): Ok, this one isn't a silent movie. I haven't been the biggest fan of Westerns, but this one was pretty good, especially with John Wayne as this "I work on my own" grizzled, drunk marshall. I've also seen the Jeff Bridges remake. Not sure which is better.
Sherlock Jr.: I really liked this one, especially the "inside the movie" scene, the billiards game, and the motorcycle scene.
Steamboat Bill Jr.: This one was nice, but not as good as Sherlock Jr. Highlights were the jail scene and the famous frame collapse.
True Grit (1969): Ok, this one isn't a silent movie. I haven't been the biggest fan of Westerns, but this one was pretty good, especially with John Wayne as this "I work on my own" grizzled, drunk marshall. I've also seen the Jeff Bridges remake. Not sure which is better.
Sicario was excellent. Aside from a few stylistic decisions
, I felt this was a far better directed film than Prisoners... a lot more restrained, there is not a single moment in the film that is not milked for maximum tension and dread. I need to let the meaning digest for a bit, but, as a pure thriller, I really enjoyed it.
night vision ew
Singin' in the Rain: I'm not a big film musical guy (seeing a musical live is a much more exhilarating experience for me) but I had been meaning to see this for a while. This film is so highly regarded and the subject matter was interesting, so it had to be seen at some point. And wow! it was a great time. Just like everybody else, I knew most of the songs beforehand and it was a delight to hear them in their most iconic form. The film was a lot of fun, and I definitely see why it is so highly regarded. Some of the bits fell flat for me, but I imagine they killed when it was first released.
The Searchers: Regular Westerns have never been my thing. I adore all the Leone stuff and that's about it for me. But like, Singin' in the Rain, this was a film that needed to be seen even if it was from a genre that didn't interest me. It was good film, I'm not sure if I can personally call it great, but I understand how someone may think that. The most interesting aspect of the film is its subtlety concerning Ethan and his sister-in-law. I noticed how they first interacted and was very impressed that Ford and his crew showed restraint by not having it leak into the film's plot more than it did. Reading up on the subject afterwards made me look at the film in an entirely different light, and it certainly made me enjoy the film more as a whole.
Pierrot Le Fou: Due to my mixed feelings towards Alphaville, I wanted to check out another Godard film. After Breathless and Le Mepris, this was the film of his that popped up most online, so I decided to check it out not knowing much beforehand. There's a lot to it, and my best description for it would be "a French Bonnie and Clyde stuffed with pop art and politics". I loved it, and as with Breathless and Le Mepris, I imagine I will love it more with each additional viewing. The party scene keeps replaying in my head. I absolutely adore how that scene was handled.
The Searchers: Regular Westerns have never been my thing. I adore all the Leone stuff and that's about it for me. But like, Singin' in the Rain, this was a film that needed to be seen even if it was from a genre that didn't interest me. It was good film, I'm not sure if I can personally call it great, but I understand how someone may think that. The most interesting aspect of the film is its subtlety concerning Ethan and his sister-in-law. I noticed how they first interacted and was very impressed that Ford and his crew showed restraint by not having it leak into the film's plot more than it did. Reading up on the subject afterwards made me look at the film in an entirely different light, and it certainly made me enjoy the film more as a whole.
Pierrot Le Fou: Due to my mixed feelings towards Alphaville, I wanted to check out another Godard film. After Breathless and Le Mepris, this was the film of his that popped up most online, so I decided to check it out not knowing much beforehand. There's a lot to it, and my best description for it would be "a French Bonnie and Clyde stuffed with pop art and politics". I loved it, and as with Breathless and Le Mepris, I imagine I will love it more with each additional viewing. The party scene keeps replaying in my head. I absolutely adore how that scene was handled.
John Dunbar
correct about everything
Excalibur: Thought it was pretty good, although it felt very disjointed. I guess that is inevitable when you try to shove pretty much the entire Arthurian legend into one movie. I think I saw at least part of this when I was a kid because I remembered that hand taking the sword back at the end rather vividly. Long movie, but worth the watch.
In Bruges: Finally got around to watching this, and it really was as great as I have been hearing. Farrell, Gleeson and Fiennes all do a great job, though with this script it's hard to see how they could not have. One of those movies I can see myself watching several times in the future.
Trespass: Eh, this was less than 90 minutes long and still got repetitive. I was hoping that Nicolas Cage would go crazy at some point, since this is the kind of movie he should start chewing the scenery in to provide some entertainment, but he was disappointingly subdued for most it, even when shouting. Maybe he's just getting old. But anyway, this movie felt like a huge waste of time for everyone involved so I don't really get why Cage and Nicole Kidman agreed to do it, except Cage might be broke and he does pretty much anything. Kidman did look pretty good in that black dress, though.
The Descendants: It was okay. Didn't really leave me with any strong impression one way or the other, enjoyed it well enough while it lasted and then forgot all about it.
Magic in the Moonlight: Minor Woody, half-mast at best, but charming and entertaining enough for a lazy afternoon. It did feel like the movie ended about 20 minutes before it actually did and the rest of it was a formality.
In Bruges: Finally got around to watching this, and it really was as great as I have been hearing. Farrell, Gleeson and Fiennes all do a great job, though with this script it's hard to see how they could not have. One of those movies I can see myself watching several times in the future.
Trespass: Eh, this was less than 90 minutes long and still got repetitive. I was hoping that Nicolas Cage would go crazy at some point, since this is the kind of movie he should start chewing the scenery in to provide some entertainment, but he was disappointingly subdued for most it, even when shouting. Maybe he's just getting old. But anyway, this movie felt like a huge waste of time for everyone involved so I don't really get why Cage and Nicole Kidman agreed to do it, except Cage might be broke and he does pretty much anything. Kidman did look pretty good in that black dress, though.
The Descendants: It was okay. Didn't really leave me with any strong impression one way or the other, enjoyed it well enough while it lasted and then forgot all about it.
Magic in the Moonlight: Minor Woody, half-mast at best, but charming and entertaining enough for a lazy afternoon. It did feel like the movie ended about 20 minutes before it actually did and the rest of it was a formality.
Thebeardofknowledge
Banned
Watched mad max fury road yesterday
I don't get it
I don't get it
old manatee
Banned
They are in Australia.
Rhomega Beta
Member
It's a 2-hour car chase. What's not to get?
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
It is impossible not to like Singin' in the Rain. Well, if you're human.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
In the future, it will be the Turing test to see who's human and who's replicant.
not psycho
Member
Singin' in the Rain is very good... Broadway Melody is wayyyy too long though. I'm not sure if it should have been cut completely, but it doesn't fit at all (which I can overlook) and is at least 3 times too long (which I can't overlook).
Rhomega Beta
Member
I've seen it years ago. At least part of it. I should watch it again.
Open Your Eyes (1997) & Vanilla Sky (2001) - Both flawed as hell, enjoyable but they are cheesy as hell. I had seen Vanilla Sky before and I had remembered liking it more than I did this time, very straight forward remake, does nothing to elevate original, outside higher production values and Cruise giving a better acted but less honest portrayal of the leading character. Both have bad music, Open Your Eyes a bad score, Vanilla Sky a bad use and overuse of licensed music. Acting of the supporting characters were mostly average in both, Cruz was quite good in Open Your Eyes but bad or oddly enough didn't seem to fit the role the second time around, Jason Lee was better by far as the friend of the lead character. I really can't get over how stupid the ending was of both,
so freaking cheesy 90's sci fi ish, the cryogenics part made me lol at the stupidity, from the reveal of him having a lucid dream on I was not a fan at all.
TheKaeptain
Banned
Count Dookkake
Member
Anyone going to Fantastic Fest this year?
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
So wrong, in so many levels.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Just rewatched Matilda again last night and it always creates this bubbly feeling for me. I also like to think that Matilda and Truncbull are mutants.
Two more films to my watched list. I did watch John Wick earlier as i posted but i now realize i didn't have much to say about it. I liked it... like i said.
RoboCop
The original, of course. Honestly, pretty dated, which makes it kind of hilarious... which may not be a good thing, depending how one thinks the film should be viewed, perhaps. I certainly couldn't take it seriously really. Of course, it is satire so perhaps it works.
Influences from Judge Dredd are clearly visible, and if considered an adaptation, it is pretty good one at that. Sufficiently satirical for sure.
Of the two Verhoeven films i've seen, i do like Starship Troopers more than this. (Even if it isn't a good Starship Troopers adaptation because it is more or less the inverse of the book.)
I recommend watching this as it is considered a classic, and for its satire value. Not sure i'd call it good though.
Dredd
I figured that since RoboCop is spiritually a Judge Dredd adaptation, i probably should watch the newer Dredd film. (I am a fan of the original Judge Dredd comics.)
And it is pretty damn good. Nice looking, good adaptation, my kind of humor, focused. Relatively smart villains!
Karl Urban's portrayal of Dredd is very good, and i liked the realistic interpretation of the armor and equipment.
Negatives:
The soundtrack suits the film but is forgettable otherwise though.
Arguably not enough satire, but then this kind of tight film isn't probably a good medium for that.
Some would be probably bothered by the violence (considerably more violence in the film than in the comics). I'm not, and i think i can kind of appreciate the aesthetics of violence but i don't care either way.
(I have seen the old Judge Dredd film, which is pretty terrible, other than, based on my vague recollection, matching the comics style pretty neatly.)
Very much recommended, as are the Judge Dredd comics.
Next up are a re-watch of Stardust (will show it to my brother and to take break from action), and then RoboCop remake, perhaps. I suspect i will not like the remake much, based on what i've read about it, but i want to compare it to the original.
Not going to watch RoboCop 2 and 3 seeing as they're badly received and are mostly violence without satire, apparently.
RoboCop
The original, of course. Honestly, pretty dated, which makes it kind of hilarious... which may not be a good thing, depending how one thinks the film should be viewed, perhaps. I certainly couldn't take it seriously really. Of course, it is satire so perhaps it works.
Influences from Judge Dredd are clearly visible, and if considered an adaptation, it is pretty good one at that. Sufficiently satirical for sure.
Of the two Verhoeven films i've seen, i do like Starship Troopers more than this. (Even if it isn't a good Starship Troopers adaptation because it is more or less the inverse of the book.)
I recommend watching this as it is considered a classic, and for its satire value. Not sure i'd call it good though.
Dredd
I figured that since RoboCop is spiritually a Judge Dredd adaptation, i probably should watch the newer Dredd film. (I am a fan of the original Judge Dredd comics.)
And it is pretty damn good. Nice looking, good adaptation, my kind of humor, focused. Relatively smart villains!
Karl Urban's portrayal of Dredd is very good, and i liked the realistic interpretation of the armor and equipment.
Negatives:
The soundtrack suits the film but is forgettable otherwise though.
Arguably not enough satire, but then this kind of tight film isn't probably a good medium for that.
Some would be probably bothered by the violence (considerably more violence in the film than in the comics). I'm not, and i think i can kind of appreciate the aesthetics of violence but i don't care either way.
(I have seen the old Judge Dredd film, which is pretty terrible, other than, based on my vague recollection, matching the comics style pretty neatly.)
Very much recommended, as are the Judge Dredd comics.
Next up are a re-watch of Stardust (will show it to my brother and to take break from action), and then RoboCop remake, perhaps. I suspect i will not like the remake much, based on what i've read about it, but i want to compare it to the original.
Not going to watch RoboCop 2 and 3 seeing as they're badly received and are mostly violence without satire, apparently.
Working my way through some shorts. Election Night does what Crash wishes it could do, and manages to be quite funny with its biting satire. I'll Wait for the Next One... was the best of the three, thanks to it being concise and also quite tragic in a sense. I tried Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall, but couldn't make it six minutes into it. Dry direction utterly ruined it.
Agreed. It feels like they wanted to throw in another song but couldn't think of a more organic way to do it.
karasu
Member
so just found out there's another Bourne Identity before Bourne Identity
I'm curious, even tho it will probably suck
This thing has the strangest sex scene. His Bourne was ruthless though.
Serpentine
Banned
It's pretty good
True Savior
Member
Last 15 minutes are beautiful as fuck. Shame it takes a while to get there.
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