What is the Last Film You Watched? - Part II

[Romão 2,274]

I also thought about that when watching the 30's version. There is a blooper real from the 2005 film that shows how this was achieved.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

The Last Laugh (the American-UFA version). One of Murnau's early masterpieces, with what I think is the first hand-held shot in History. Very good plot, very stupid epilogue.

[QMM 4]

Capote

Good film from a new director, Hoffman deserved his nomination and award.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Terminator 3: The Rise Of The Machines.

A slick and fairly wellmade action film.

Unfortunatly not directed by James Cameron, but by Jonathan Mostow (U-571).

He's a fairly good director who manages to keepo the pace going and the plot clear, but he fails totally in providing this films with the same sense of darkness and impending doom that Cameron's films had.

Everything is to bright and shiny, and even the final shots of humanity being destroyed by a nuclear assault do not carry the same sense of drama that the atomic bomb sequence in Sarah Conner's dream in T@ had.

Ah'nold is again The Terminator, and no-one else could play him better, but he lacks both the cold, efficient deadlyness from the first film, or the convincing budding of emotions from the second.

Also, they seem to be playing him mostly for laughs.

Kristanna Loken isn't as menacing as Robert Patrick was in T2, and despite her frowning with lethal determination throughout the film, you can just sense that she's really a nice girl underneath.

Nick Stahl is ok for the older John Conner, but nothing more, and Claire Danes is just OK as the girl caught up into the situation.

The film has countless CGI effects, sadly none of them as realistic or interesting as the groundbreaking T@.

Marco Beltrami delivers an average score for an average film.

Not a bad film, but a poor follow-up to it's 2 famous older brothers.

** out of ****

[Incanus 5,714]

I thought the car crashing chase scene in the beginning of T3 was so hilarious. I think the director thought "Let's see how many buildings and cars we can wreck in one chase scene". And there were alot I was laughing through the whole sequence.

Otherwise a pretty bland compared to the predecessors which have a truly dark athmosphere and menace this new movie did not capture at all.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I thought the car crashing chase scene in the beginning of T3 was so hilarious. I think the director thought "Let's see how many buildings and cars we can wreck in one chase scene". And there were alot I was laughing through the whole sequence.

That's pretty much the films big problem.

It's to lightweight, to funny.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines wasn't bad, but it ended far too abruptly. I agree with Steef though, films these days are far too glossed and polished, which lead to T3 lacking a sense of dread, doom and gloom, though ironically, the worst possible scenario happens at the end of the film.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Last Of The Mohicans

Michael Mann's visual masterpiece.

Lacking somewhat in chatacter development and clear narrative, but a thrilling and visceral experience nontheless.

Beautifully photographed, with solid performances by Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe.

The score (most of it by Trevor Jones, with bits of pieces scored by Randy Edelman after Jones left the project) is vital to the epic, yet gritty tone of the film.

Jones' main theme is outstanding, and the rest of his score is very impressive (even though one can hear that Holst Mars and Orff's O Fortuna were probably part of the temp score)

*** out of ****

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

Ladder 49. - Pretty good actually, without a *MINOR SPOILER!* cop-out ending I was half expecting.

*END OF SPOILER*

Underrated.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Spider-Man

A comic book movie, and it sure looks like one. All colors are bright and saturated. I always feel it takes long for this film to get under way, but as it is a first film in what was obviously going to become a franchise (or at least I assume that's what Columbia was going for), it has to deal with the whole origin story. Solid comic book flick, though, despite the horrible Green Goblin suit, which seems to come straight out of a Power Rangers episode.

Spider-Man 2

Bill Pope tones down on the comic book feel, but while the idea of Parker abandoning his alter ego may make for a more interesting story, I felt it actually took too long for him to go back to being Spider-Man. The action sequences are so completely rediculous and over the top, that when the movie goes on for a long stretch without wrecking stuff in a crazy fashion, you're quick to get slightly unpatient. It's not that I need these characters to tear up half a block every 5 minutes, it's just that the film sets you up for that kind of action to come with the crazy bank robbery sequence, so that it almost feels like it roughly shifts down a few gears when Parker just becomes Parker.

While a good movie storywise to not go for spectacle for the entire film, and let the 2nd act be mostly about character, it doesn't play out as well as it should have, because the action sequences are so completely rediculous and over the top, that the film becomes slightly unbalanced.

I also had a problem with the last shot. I expected them to cut back to Spider-Man after the shot of Mary Jane. I was now left with the feeling that the story was unfinished, and while it quite clearly sets up for another sequel, I still would have liked to have better closure on this chapter.

Still, I found it even more enjoyable than the first film, and in the genre of comic book movies, this is one pretty high up there (not the top, but a good one), and I think that's saying something.

[Panthera 0]

Still, I found it even more enjoyable than the first film, and in the genre of comic book movies, this is one pretty high up there (not the top, but a good one), and I think that's saying something.

Ya, most comic book movies aren't very good. Fortunately the Spiderman ones were.

[Romão 2,274]

Recent movies like Batman Begins or V for Vendetta are way superior to the Spiderman films, which are as conventional as they come.

[A24 4,333]

Recent movies like Batman Begins or V for Vendetta are way superior to the Spiderman films, which are as conventional as they come.

I'm not a Spider-Man fan at all but I like Hellboy and the two X-Men films. Spider-Man 's narrative is too naive and puppyish for me.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[Elmo Lewis 6]

I think the Spider-Man movies are the best superhero movies we can get this day and age. They are also probably the best superhero movies I have seen.

How can one not love a movie that spends half of its running time in a self-parody mode and the other half being a good movie? Unlike Marc, I think this perfectly balances the film, if you are willing to go with Raimi's rules.

[Romão 2,274]

Mary Jane has like 4 or 5 different boyfriends in a two-hour movie.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

I don't think she dates more than two guys in the same picture (which usually cover a year-long time span).

[Romão 2,274]

But she kisses both Peter and Spiderman not knowing they're the same person. And the dialogue is awful, specially in the first Spiderman. Just watch the hospital scene.

[SturgisPodmore 0]

Spider-Man was very good, Spider-Man 2 was . . . just bad. It tried too hard to be something it wasn't. I found that stupid "What else can go wrong for Peter?" slapstick attitude to be getting old really fast.

Over the past month and a half, I saw these in the theater:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Upon my fourth viewing, I loved it and its score as much as the first time. Had a helluva time getting a parking space, though, almost made us miss it. A-

Date Movie

Basically what you'd expect from a parody movie. Stupid humor, but enjoyable if you like that kind of thing. B-

16 Blocks

A good real-time thriller. I don't remember much about it except that I liked it, because it was like a month ago. B+

V For Vendetta

Very enjoyable. Incredibly blatent political statements, but thrilling and moving nonetheless. I liked the framing of the camera, with a lot subject-in-the-center-of-the-picture shots. Natalie was delightful (although you'd think if they wanted an English Natalie, they could just use Kiera ). A-

Inside Man

Another good one. I liked almost everything about this movie, except that its score, though fitting at times, was often intrusive (the tribal chants=?). Denzel, Clive, and Julianne were all very good (she's great at playing the bitchy businesswoman). The film kept you guessing constantly, and although there are about five too many "closure" scenes, the end makes you think for a minute. I actually had to see it twice to figure out what had happened. A-

Each Saturday, I've been watching a different Bond movie. Since I last posted, I saw:

-You Only Live Twice

-On Her Majesty's Secret Service

-Diamonds Are Forever

-Live And Let Die

-The Man With The Golden Gun

-The Spy Who Loved Me

For the most part, they're all very good. I enjoyed them all except OHMSS. Wonder why. I love JW (ambiguously ) and Jaws, who are both good reccuring characters.

Well, IMO it's been a good haul for spring movies so far.

~Sturgis, who's looking forward to seeing The Sentinel and Scary Movie 4, among others

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

16 Blocks

A good real-time thriller.  I don't remember much about it except that I liked it, because it was like a month ago. B+

It's real-time too? Now I have to see it!

I'm looking forward to The Sentinel too. Watch Kiefer Sutherland scream orders and waving a gun on the big screen.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come out here until September.

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

There's a new real-time thriller?

And for the record, I find both Spider-Man movies to be very good, among the best comic book movies I've seen.

Marian - who just started watching 24's 5th season.

[Justin 2]

Dressed To Kill. I was surprisingly disapointed with the film. It just didn't seem to really work in just about any way. I'm hoping to watch the documentaries on it hopefully that will shed some light on the film.

Oh yeah, and the film has some horribly graphic dialogue about castration which I didn't find particularly enjoyable.

Justin

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

Each Saturday, I've been watching a different Bond movie.  Since I last posted, I saw:

-You Only Live Twice

-On Her Majesty's Secret Service

-Diamonds Are Forever

-Live And Let Die

-The Man With The Golden Gun

-The Spy Who Loved Me

I never liked Live and Let Die

[A24 4,333]

16 Blocks

A good real-time thriller.  I don't remember much about it except that I liked it, because it was like a month ago. B+

It's real-time too? Now I have to see it!

Good luck, it's panned by the critics. That means there's a good chance that it ain't good after all.

[Romão 2,274]

Just Friends

I was expecting a pretty typical teenage movie, and yet this movie does have its charm. And Anna Ferris is hilarious. Nothing trascendent, but some sincere laughs and engaging characters, which is something severly lacking in today's comedies.

[Docteur Qui 1,544]

sincere laughs and engaginh characters... today's comedies.

I know those words, but that doesn't make sense!

[Romão 2,274]

I'm even worse talking.

[robthehand 3]

The Eiger Sanction on TV. I enjoyed it a lot, even though it really wasn't very good. Nice music though.

[nightscape94 965]

Mysterious Skin. I had no idea this film would be as frank and graphic about child sexual abuse as it was. It was difficult to watch at certain parts.

Tim

[Ollie 1,059]

I think the Spiderman films are the best superhero films since Donner's Superman. I will say Burton's first Batman film holds it's own and I find the X-Men films to be a bit bland so I'm not holding too much hope for Singer's take on Superman.

King Kong (2005) - This film does not feel like 3 hrs. I love it, I thought Peter Jackson brought resepct back to Kong after the 76 crapola. While WETA isn't on ILM's level yet as far as dinosaurs go they still did a great job. Andy Serkis was great as Kong. At times Jack Black is a little flat with his delivery of certain lines but he came out better than I expected.

The 1933 film never showed how they got Kong back either.

Casino Royale.....dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb.

The last time I saw it I was in my early 20's, I though I might enjoy it or appreciate it more now that I'm pushing 40.

Nope, still dumb.

[robthehand 3]

Casino Royale

The spoof or the '54 TV film?

[Ollie 1,059]

The film with David Niven, Woody Allen and Peter Sellers, I wasn't aware of a TV film.

[Morlock 11]

How can one not love a movie that spends half of its running time in a self-parody mode and the other half being a good movie? Unlike Marc, I think this perfectly balances the film, if you are willing to go with Raimi's rules.

I think it succeeded at the self-pardoy, but utterly failed at being a good movie. Weak, weak villains. Super hero movies are like Bond movie- they can't possibly be much better than the villain, and both Spiderman movies have very weak villains. Batman Begins is my favorite superhero film to date, followed probably by X-2 and Superman (although I may have forgotten about one of the films).

[A24 4,333]

How can one not love a movie that spends half of its running time in a self-parody mode and the other half being a good movie? Unlike Marc, I think this perfectly balances the film, if you are willing to go with Raimi's rules.

I think it succeeded at the self-pardoy, and utterly failed at being a good movie.

I agree with the Morlock.

[robthehand 3]

The film with David Niven, Woody Allen and Peter Sellers, I wasn't aware of a TV film.

It's quite hard to come by, it's got an American James Bond, and is not much better than the spoof. Both are best avoided, I think.

[SturgisPodmore 0]

How can one not love a movie that spends half of its running time in a self-parody mode and the other half being a good movie? Unlike Marc, I think this perfectly balances the film, if you are willing to go with Raimi's rules.

I think it succeeded at the self-pardoy, and utterly failed at being a good movie.

I agree with the Morlock.

I agree with them both.

~Sturgis, who would like to add that X2 kicks Batman Begins' ass

[Morlock 11]

Blade Runner: The Director's Cut.

SPOILERS ABOUND!!!!

This is a fantastic feeling movie, with great performances, but, on an idea level, bets on the wrong horse, for my tastes at least. Very, very similar questions were asked and, I think, answered by A.I. in a more interesting and far, far more satisftying form. But still, this is certainly no film to be tossed aside. It does have a distinct feel, and on a level which few films have achieved, and does present excellent, relevant questions. I feel that it takes the wrong side of the matter.

Regarding your signature, Alex, I haven't a clue what Mr. Cunningham is talking about. The atmosphere was a statement, no doubt about it. And I also can't think of another film with such a strong atmosphere. But nostalgia? What nostalgia? The only time nostalgia (kind of) showed it's face in the film was in the (fantastic) scene where Ford confronts Young about her memories.

*** out of ****.

[nightscape94 965]

You can't think of another movie pre-1982 that had a strong atmosphere?

Tim

[Morlock 11]

I didn't say that. If I implied it, let me correct any misunderstandings- many films pre-1982 had a strong atmosphere. But few films before or since 1982 have had as strong an atmosphere as that film.

[nightscape94 965]

Thank you for clarifying. I knew something didn't sound right. At first, after thinking you meant there were no strong atmospheric films before 1982, I pictured you something akin to this:

Though I still think Blade Runner is slightly overrated, overall.

Tim

[A24 4,333]

Regarding your signature, Alex, I haven't a clue what Mr. Cunningham is talking about.

So melancholy, and the strangest feeling of nostalgia for a place and time that never was.

Not for the characters but for the viewer. The whole film, not only the characters but also the very environment itself, immerses in a sea of sad melancholy. There's even something strangely sad and beautiful in seeing a slowly acending police spinner.

Blade Runner has to be experienced instead of watched. The film's most interesting information lies in the visuals and not upfront on the surface. And there are many themes. For instance, there's a enormous sense of loneliness in this film that no book can describe. It says more about the problem of social isolation than a documentary that specifically deals with the subject. Those who only follow the paper thin plot will be disappointed. Those who expect a Harrison Ford movie will be even more disappointed. But if one "connects" to the many layers, if one opens the right door, than the film actually becomes a very warm and rich experience. Blade Runner remains the most powerful movie experience I ever had.

I should point out that the current DVD with its faulty transfer is not an ideal basis for the unaware viewer to get "in tune" with Blade Runner. Personally, I have never watched the DVD for more than a couple of minutes, for the simple reason that it is a pure insult to the film. Also, I'm not a big fan of the so-called Director's Cut of 1992. I'm waiting for the new release (a real Director's Cut and hopefully the Theatrical Cut of 1982, my personal favorite) to come out in the new high definition format.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you regard Blade Runner more highly than you used to, Morlock. It makes you appear more sophisticated somehow .

Good news! Those of you who appreciate the finer films in life and who are waiting for the Region 2 version of The Heiress (William Wyler) can finally pop the champagne. It's available! OMG!

----------------

Alex Cremers

[robthehand 3]

I watched Vertigo last night. It's not Hitchcock's best, but it's certainly a strong runner-up, and the obviously dated effects in the dream/death sequences don't take away any of the tension. ****/****

[Morlock 11]

That's one of the movies I have to see again, I didn't get the big deal around it at all the first time I saw it.

@Alex: While I had my reservations (detailed above), at least this time around I really earned a respect for the film, and I am anticipating seeing it again, maybe seeing more of what others see in it. My question about your sig was not the malencholy part, which I totally got (although I'm sure it would be 150% better on the big screen, in a decent transfer), but about the nostalgia. I didn't get the slightest feeling of nostalgia from the film, except from Sean Young's yearning.

My biggest probelm with the film was with the quest of the replicants. The film seems to side with the replicants, while I, on the other hand, didn't really care about them. I am not a big fan of technology in general, and if an artificially created being is suffering out there, no matter how life like, I don't really give a damn. That, to me, is the brilliance of AI. It shows us the entire quest from the POV of a robot (and I don't mean David), and because of that, it raises so many question about love, and humanity in general. It shows us a one sided view of things, making almost no comment for the other side, and let's you fill in the blanks, depending on your point of view. Giving Ray that speech at the end strikes me as the filmmakers taking sides, and for me, it's the wrong side. But I'll give it another viewing one day, see where the film takes me then.

Another point about Blade Runner, which I sense from your comments, is that seeing in 1982 is very different than seeing it in 2006. I've seen so many hints of Blade Runner (most of them inspired by it, no doubt) before experencing the film, that it may have dulled the real thing. When I spoke about Dark City, you dismissed it as a Blade Runner rip-off. But having seen it first, I can't help but admire it.

Oh, and BTW, would you mind explaining your POV on Empire of The Sun briefly? I know you've always loved it, and I always liked it a lot but not too much more. Ross gave part of your POV on the film, and it sounded intriguing, and I wanted to understand it better, so that when I watch the film next time, I'll take your theory into account (I love experiencing familiar films in a totally new way).

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

The film seems to side with the replicants, while I, on the other hand, didn't really care about them.

My big problem with the film is that I did not care for anyone.

Even in Kubrick's 2001 I was able to care about HAL.

[nightscape94 965]

Even in Kubrick's 2001 I was able to care about HAL.

I still get a little sad when HAL sings "Daisy" and is pleading with Dave.

Tim

[Justin 2]

Nightscape is your signature from an actual MST3K episode? What movie is that?

Justin

[robthehand 3]

It's Daddy-O, isn't it?

[nightscape94 965]

It's Daddy-O, isn't it?

Correctamundo

[robthehand 3]

This site is my friend.

[A24 4,333]

My question about your sig was not the malencholy part, which I totally got (although I'm sure it would be 150% better on the big screen, in a decent transfer), but about the nostalgia. I didn't get the slightest feeling of nostalgia from the film, except from Sean Young's yearning.  

Morlock, melancholy and nostalgia are more or less the same. And it has nothing to do with the story or with what the characters are saying (at least not in a direct way). It's the atmosphere of the film that brings the viewer in a certain mood of strang melancholy. It's strange because, even though it's a dystopian depiction of the future, you could actually long for a place like this. Once affected by it, you start feeling compassionate about almost everything and everybody, even about a spinner that lifts off, or the geisha taking pills on the video billboard. Needless to say that the replicants move me very much. Of course, understanding what they are after, which is the very reason for their rebellion, also helps a lot. I know a lot of people are touched when Roy dies on the roof. The character I care the least about is Deckard (Ford). Although, that too changes by the end of the film. All humans, except J.F. Sebastian (who awaits the same faith as the replicants), are portrayed as cold and cynical. They smoke, drink and are quite apathetic. It is through the replicants and their will to live that Deckard becomes more humane. At the same time the viewer is left with the notion that he might not be human after all.

Oh, and BTW, would you mind explaining your POV on Empire of The Sun briefly? I know you've always loved it, and I always liked it a lot but not too much more. Ross gave part of your POV on the film, and it sounded intriguing, and I wanted to understand it better, so that when I watch the film next time, I'll take your theory into account (I love experiencing familiar films in a totally new way).

Are you sure Ender was referring to me and not Peyo? I'm not really that strongly opinionated about Empire Of The Sun. I know that the film relies on themes rather than on plot (just like Blade Runner). I know I love the visual language of this film which, of course, is enforced by one of my favorite soundtracks. There are so many breathtaking scenes that literally have me gasping for air. I love the dramatic story of a journey that ends with the death of innocence (a journey far more interesting than the one in LOTR) and how it is shown to us through the eyes of Jim Graham. I regard young Christian Bale's performance to be Pulitzer prize-winning stuff. It's amazing how Spielberg did absolutely nothing to change him into a nice kid that would steal everybody's heart. It's almost the 8th wonder of the world.

Alex

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Are you sure Ender was referring to me and not Peyo?

I'm sure.

You said something about the whole film being told through Jamie's eyes (i.e. Basie's first appereance matching the "American hero" from the magazine seen before), didn't you? At least I seemed to recall so when talking to Morlock.

By the way, I kept on the Murnau thing and watched Sunrise. What a flawed masterpiece this is. Three acts, three different genres... but how bravely visual it all is. And how innovative for 1927 (you need to check out the unused streetcar sequence - even the film's lesser version is brilliant).