What Is The Last Film You Watched? (Older Films)

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It's a very fearful way to live.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,499]

That's what it is, to be a slave.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

This grail is obviously phoney. Mr. Spielberg, do you know anything about the art of film production?

[JoeinAR 1,949]

45 minutes ago, Horner's Dynamic Range said:

This grail is obviously phoney. Mr. Spielberg, do you know anything about the art of film production?

He called and said he does and he regrets not catching that mistake and he suffers because of it. He is more bothered that he made light of the Nazi's as buffoons instead of making them terrorizing.

[Wojo 2,453]

 

1 hour ago, Horner's Dynamic Range said:

This grail is obviously phoney. Mr. Spielberg, do you know anything about the art of film production?

 

What I want to know is, who put the Grail in Petra? 

 

Who wasted a medieval fortune on all the fake Grails? 

 

Who leaked all information about the three tests to the outside world? By the time Indy reached the temple, the alphabet floor of the second test was in perfect shape. I could see that desert animals or time would disentegrate any headless corpses that were not penitent, but you're telling me that nobody ever failed the second test? Did the Knight keep a stash of letter tiles to swap out? Or did God reset it each time? 

[Naïve Old Fart 9,499]

The first thing the grail knight said to Indy was "Knew you'd come", suggesting that no-one else had.

Keep this to yourself, Woj, but (whispers) sshhh, it's only a movie. Mum's the word, eh?

[publicist 4,643]

 

This one had extraordinary reviews, i fully admit not really getting it: a contemplation of current showbiz, actor's foibles, popularity etc., Iñárritu's direction certainly has flair and some visually arresting sequences, but what did he want to tell me? It seems to be one of the numerous movies that score with people because it's so - deliberately or not - vague and opaque everyone can hang their own ideas on it. Looking for clues what makes Birdman's satire tick can make you dizzy - am i supposed to laugh at a daughter who doesn't reprimand dad for neglecting her but for not getting Twitter? And when you have established so many phonies (Hollywood is evil, of course, but so are vain method actors, arrogant Manhattan critics and the clueless audience), it's hard to feel much for anyone at the end. But for that kind of satire you need to stay above the fray, not positioning yourself at the center. And you may also need to look harder for a punchline: making a bad play a hit by having someone shooting himself at the end reeks of self-congratulory wanking - does that make the preceding hours any better? Is an audience that hollow? But still, it was enough razzle-dazzle to keep me entertained, though i guess this particular director is better suited to more literal material.

[Brundlefly 2,385]

Iñárritu's movies often suffer from the lack of profound focus. It seems like he himself rarely knows what exactly he is trying to tell his audience. The prime example of someone who couldn't be clearer and more targeted (and is still distanced and subtle) is Villeneuve.

[Matt C 452]

Wizards

 

What a strange animated relic from 1977. It's clear from the outset Ralph Bakshi's themes are about the dangers of modern technology and potentially toxic propaganda can be, and it's wielded like a blunt instrument in its final 10-15 minutes. Most of the animation is serviceable, occasionally good, but the usual Bakshi designs (like the female characters being scantily clad). I wouldn't say it's good, but an interesting experiment.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

On 1/2/2019 at 10:36 AM, Chen G. said:

The departed won best editing despite being two-and-a-half hours long and rife with continuity errors.

Runtime and editing are not really correlated.

 

On 1/2/2019 at 5:22 PM, Brundlefly said:

Iñárritu's movies often suffer from the lack of profound focus. It seems like he himself rarely knows what exactly he is trying to tell his audience. The prime example of someone who couldn't be clearer and more targeted (and is still distanced and subtle) is Villeneuve.

Idiot!

[Brundlefly 2,385]

23 minutes ago, Koray Savas said:

Idiot!

Iñárritu isn't that bad.

[Wojo 2,453]

2 hours ago, Koray Savas said:

Runtime and editing are not really correlated.

 

He wasn't correlating runtime to editing. He was questioning how 150 minutes of continuity errors justify a prestigious award for good editing. Seems like it shouldn't. 

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Riiiigghhht...

[mrbellamy 6,272]

The “continuity errors” in Scorsese’s movies are virtually always deliberate.

[publicist 4,643]

'Deliberate creative decision'

[Naïve Old Fart 9,499]

16 hours ago, Matt C said:

Wizards

(...like the female characters being scantily clad)

[John 2,032]

And we wonder why female members never stick around on this site...

[A24 4,326]

More tension and with fuller characters than (the similar) Bird Box but it's still a 6/10 movie. (Bird Box scored its points with being more atmospheric)

 

 

 

Interactive movie (like a video game) but becomes quickly tedious after a few coarse corrections. I was glad when the end credits appeared. 3/10

 

 

 

Funny! This is Judd Apatow at his best! 7/10

[bollemanneke 3,337]

La La Land.

 

I didn't want to watch it at first because the insane hysteria surrounding this movie drove me crazy and two people had already told me it wasn't that special at all, but somehow I suddenly felt inclined to give it a chance this week. The first half was pleasant enough and I found myself mildly and quietly enjoying it, not expecting anything and never getting bored. Even though hardly anything was happening, the film made me feel blisfully empty. As the story unfolded, however, I felt my attention ebbing away and was positively bored by the end. It's not a bad movie, but it's certainly not good either and I still don't understand why it was so widely embraced.

The music is another matter. I just love romantic music, so loved most of the songs and score, especially Emma Stone's moments. Ryan Gosling's singing was less entertaining, I'm not a jazz fan and am very glad I did grow up recently.

[crocodile 7,984]

I watched two 1980's films for the first time last night. The Princess Bride and Big Trouble in Little China. Both were really entertaining.

 

Karol

[SteveMc 2,674]

1 minute ago, crocodile said:

The Princess Bride

That's a nice one.  Great screenplay, of course.

[crocodile 7,984]

True. The score was a bit annoying though.

 

Karol

[Nick Parker 3,040]

Just noticed these two posts were back to back

 

On 1/4/2019 at 7:02 AM, John said:

And we wonder why female members never stick around on this site...

 

On 1/4/2019 at 7:51 AM, Alexcremers said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, crocodile said:

True. The score was a bit annoying though.

 

Karol

 

I love how offput by it people are now when they watch this "classic" for the first time. 

[SteveMc 2,674]

The score works somehow.  Part of the charm, I guess.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,499]

What was the last film I watched?

LA LA LAND. No! MOONLIGHT.

[mrbellamy 6,272]

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

ISLE OF DOGS

This is a very interesting film. When I say interesting I mean interesting. While there is much to be said for Wes Anderson's unmistakable style, I am not the biggest fan, although I do enjoy some of the cleverness and, yes, quirkiness that makes his films so different. Isle of Dogs is no exception. The humans in the film only speaking in their native language (Japanese, methinks), which is already a deterrent for me, even though there are some translated parts (no subtitles, translators in the movie!). It's just hard to pick up on all the details when the only characters in the film you understand all the time are dogs, the English-speakers. The dogs are banished from the city by the cat-loving mayor and his cabinet, sent to live on Trash Island. Ward of the mayor Atari Kobayashi goes after his dog on Trash Island, where he befriends a pack of dogs, who rally together to legalize their return. Yeesh.

 

It was a quirky and odd flick. I had a hard time really getting hooked. However, I particularly liked the scene Three Years Later. In fact, I preferred the scenes on Trash Island to the scenes in the human world.

 

I have seen a few of Anderson's films and I've liked some more than the others. Isle of Dogs is too quirky for me, and I had I hard time really enjoying it. 

 

I liked the Jeff Goldblum dog.

 

RATING: ** out of *****

CONSENSUAL STATEMENT: "Too peculiar, but not all bad." -Jerry

 

[Wojo 2,453]

1 hour ago, crocodile said:

Big Trouble in Little China

 

I've tried to watch this with two different girlfriends, but I've never finished the movie either time. 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

The memoirs of Jane Hawking (Felicity Jones), wife one of the greatest minds in the history of science Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), told in an absolutely wonderful film. Redmayne is absolutely phenomenal as Hawking, fully immersing himself in the role. The film follows him through the difficulties of his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has a huge effect on his life with his family and his professional pursuits. Nonetheless, he persevered. There are some really beautiful scenes in this film, one particular shot (above) which I thought would be good to attach to a review. I was very intrigued by the relationships between Stephen and his wife, and then the latter to the church choirmaster Brian, who assists the family. 

 

Johan Johansson's score is splendid. I am definitely giving the OST another listen after this viewing. I was also interested to learn of Hawking's love of music. One scene sees him travelling to Bourdeaux to see a Wagner opera. Nice touch!

 

RATING: **** out of *****

CONSENSUAL STATEMENT: "Quite good. Redmayne is excellent and the film is very intriguing." -Jerry

[John 2,032]

3 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

ISLE OF DOGS

 

This is a very interesting film. When I say interesting I mean interesting. While there is much to be said for Wes Anderson's unmistakable style, I am not the biggest fan, although I do enjoy some of the cleverness and, yes, quirkiness that makes his films so different. Isle of Dogs is no exception. The humans in the film only speaking in their native language (Japanese, methinks), which is already a deterrent for me, even though there are some translated parts (no subtitles, translators in the movie!). It's just hard to pick up on all the details when the only characters in the film you understand all the time are dogs, the English-speakers. The dogs are banished from the city by the cat-loving mayor and his cabinet, sent to live on Trash Island. Ward of the mayor Atari Kobayashi goes after his dog on Trash Island, where he befriends a pack of dogs, who rally together to legalize their return. Yeesh.

 

It was a quirky and odd flick. I had a hard time really getting hooked. However, I particularly liked the scene Three Years Later. In fact, I preferred the scenes on Trash Island to the scenes in the human world.

 

I have seen a few of Anderson's films and I've liked some more than the others. Isle of Dogs is too quirky for me, and I had I hard time really enjoying it. 

 

I liked the Jeff Goldblum dog.

 

RATING: ** out of *****

CONSENSUAL STATEMENT: "Too peculiar, but not all bad." -Jerry

 

 

Were you not touched by any of the emotional beats? Did you appreciate the various movie homages throughout? The visuals and set designs? The world-building?

[Faleel 5,340]

5 hours ago, crocodile said:

True. The score was a bit annoying though.

 

Karol

I imagine the Horner score it should have had

[crocodile 7,984]

8 hours ago, Richard said:

What was the last film I watched?

LA LA LAND. No! MOONLIGHT.

How was it?

 

Karol

[publicist 4,643]

Moonlight was good but could've used a better score. Britell has done some very good things lately, so his total failure here is regrettable.

[A24 4,326]

8 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

 

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

I was also interested to learn of Hawking's love of music. One scene sees him travelling to Bourdeaux to see a Wagner opera. Nice touch!

 

 

Are there any brilliant minds that don't like music?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,499]

13 hours ago, W0$ said:

 

I've tried to watch this with two different girlfriends, but I've never finished the movie either time. 

Maybe the exploding Chinaman puts them off. Either that, or the sight of you drooling over Kim Catteral.

 

 

6 hours ago, crocodile said:

How was it?

 

Karol

Confusing. I started to watch one DVD, but it was taken away from me, and I had to watch another, instead.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Casino Royale (2007)

 

Outstanding action thriller that reinvigorated a franchise by cutting much of the fat.

Campbell's direction is dynamic and stylish, gorgeously shot en tightly edited.

 

Superb cast with Craig as a Bond who actually screws up, Dench as an M who's more autocratic then ever and Green as a Bond girl who's heartbreaking. Mikkelson make a formidable, sinister villain with minimal dialogue.

 

Arnold's 4th score sorta hones and refines his Bond sound. More restraint compared to his Brosnan ones, while being no quiet wallflower. Great main theme and a few superb action setpieces.

 

**** out of ****

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

14 hours ago, John said:

Were you not touched by any of the emotional beats? Did you appreciate the various movie homages throughout? The visuals and set designs? The world-building?

Atari's motives are probably the strongest point that struck me with the plot; him courageously flying to Trash Island to find his long lost dog whilst all other owners continued their lives without them.

 

The visuals were very good; many shots were quite memorable. Some scenes felt a little "busy" to look at, but they were few and far between. The world building is notable, but again it was really peculiar in certain aspects. 

 

I liked the kidney transplant scene. That was a neat shot.

 

These were a lot of the points I enjoyed, yes, but at the end of the day I did not like the film. I respect Anderson's style, but I don't always like it. I hope you can understand that John.

[John 2,032]

I understand. Obviously some of the common masses do not love Anderson’s filmography. 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

1 minute ago, John said:

I understand. Obviously some of the common masses do not love Anderson’s filmography. 

 

They aren't for the regular moviegoers like @Alexcremers.

[A24 4,326]

True, Wes Anderson is only for the hardened cinefile. I'll stick to Paul W.S Anderson. I know my boundaries. 

 

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Are the Resident Evil films out on 4K yet, Alex?

[A24 4,326]

4K? You better ask crocs then. Oh wait, he dwells with Nolan, so that means he's too much of a picky cinefile to know anything about Paul W.S. Anderson ... In fact, right now, he's probably sitting on his knees praying to a poster of Paul Thomas Anderson ...

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Who was talking about @crocodile? Why do you always deflect, Alex?

[A24 4,326]

I'm just fooling with you. 

[Nick Parker 3,040]

I thought Wes Anderson was really popular? 

[publicist 4,643]

People seem afraid to give him bad reviews (the Metacritics). Somehow his doll house stuff connects with mainstream audiences - precious is easier to swallow than real cutting-edge, i suppose.

[SteveMc 2,674]

18 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

It's just hard to pick up on all the details when the only characters in the film you understand all the time are dogs, the English-speakers.

I have not seen the film, but that particular element strikes me as a strength.  The viewer is forced to take the dogs' perspective. 

Anyway, I'm not the biggest Wes Anderson fan.  I adore his willingness to be singular, though.  

2 hours ago, Stefancos said:

Casino Royale (2006)

Fixed!  Solid movie.  A bit too physical at times, but that's just my taste.

[Nick Parker 3,040]

2 minutes ago, SteveMc said:

  A bit too physical at times

 

Visceral violence? 

[SteveMc 2,674]

Yes.  But also part of the James Bond mystique was being a bit, if not cartoonish, a little unrealistic, elegant even about the violence.  

The fight scenes in Casino Royale are just brutal, more for the sake of being brutal and in with the times than being really realistic.  

[Jay 37,287]

I've never seen Big Trouble in Little China at all