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

indy4 · July 11, 2012

Ahh, Batman Forever. Now there's a fun flick. Underrated. Inception? It put me to sleep. I have serious man crushes on Leo and JGL, so if seeing the two of them together there did nothing for me, it must really have stunk. It was an exercise in joylessness, with pounding Zimmer music, way too much exposition and mostly terrible characters.

According to the video lecture I posted earlier,

the reason the characters are 2 dimensional is because the entire movie is a dream .

Koray Savas · July 11, 2012

That's bs.

indy4 · July 11, 2012

That's bs.

Actually he brings up some pretty persuasive/awesome points. I'll outline some of the main ones:

- that french song that is used to wake people up (when it's over, the dream is over) is 2:28. The run time of Inception is 2 hours 28 minutes and 0 seconds. (Ok this could just be a coincidence, but it's still fucking awesome)
- At the very end when most of the audience is distracted by whether or not the top falls over, the real clue comes from the dialogue between Leo and his kids. Leo asks his kids what they did, and they respond "we made a house on a cliff in the sand." The "house on a cliff" is how the script describes Saito's house when he's in limbo (you know, the place that Leo finds Saito in the beginning of the movie). So the lecturer thinks the entire movie is Saito's dream.
- Whether or not the top falls is irrelevant, for three reasons:
1. There's the scene where Leo asks Ariadne how her totem works, and she refuses. Leo says something along the lines of "good job, you're never supposed to show anybody how your totem works because then they could just dream that it was doing whatever it's supposed to do in real life. Literally right after Leo says that, he explains how his totem works to Ariadne! So it could be her dream at the end, even if the totem stops spinning. Not only that, but Leo also tells her that it was Mal's totem, which means it could be her dream too (and yes she's supposed to be dead, but she could have been correct when she jumped off that hotel ledge).
2. They never explain why totems would work in your own dream--why couldn't Leo just dream that his top stops spinning?
3. This one is particularly awesome. If you think about the totems, all of them are normal in the dream and weird in real life. For instance, that one guy has a weighted die--in the normal world it always shows up as a certain number, in a dream somebody else wouldn't know that so they would dream that it keeps showing up as random numbers. But Leo's is the only one that's weird in the dream and normal in real life. If he were in somebody else's dream, why would they dream that a top keeps spinning? If you had a dream and you spun a top, wouldn't you dream that it falls down eventually?
- There are indicators in the "real world" that it's really a dream. Overhead shots in Mombasa make the location feel like a maze, like it has been sculpted. There are discontinuities, like when that Australian guy looses all his Poker chips, but then magically goes to cash in a bunch of poker chips (the script even says he "mysteriously produces" poker chips). Then there's the whole walls closing in on Leo in Mombasa, and some other discontinuities. And like I already said, all the characters but Leo are pretty two dimensional, like they've been dreamed up.

After watching this I saw the film again and as impressive as some of these observations are, I didn't feel they quite explained the entire film. I think there might be some genuine mistakes that Nolan made, along with many moments of genius plot.

Koray Savas · July 11, 2012

I think whoever came up with those points is looking too much into it. The Mombasa sequence with the walls and overhead shot is an obvious nod to the whole situation.

I never watched that video because a 45 minute lecture on the intricacies of Nolan's script is a bit excessive. I take it as I saw it in the theater. Everything else is probably Nolan's way of messing with the audience.

A24 · July 11, 2012

I count myself a Nolan fan, but not an ardent one. I agree with Alex and Quint when it comes to Inception. That film is simply too dense with plot... And talking. The characters simply do not pause to explain each and every thing that happens. Instead of showing, it tells. You're always processing what is being said, what is happening. There are no moments of pause, no moments of quiet to simply take it in. The first time I watched it, I have to admit it was quite a rush... I've never done so much literal processing in a film before. But... That's all there is to it. Upon watching a second time, I realized it was just a shell of a film. There was nothing left to savour. I will say that it is at least a unique film, and props to Nolan for that.
I watched TDK again the other day. Now this is another densely plotted film, where there isn't much of a pause as well. But the thread is singular instead of the multiple you get in inception. Despite the density of the plot, you are not processing at 100% all the time, so you're actually able to enjoy and be engrossed by what is unfolding. And there are a great many superb scenes here- the opening heist, the first appearance of the Joker, the interrogation, the final confrontation of Batman and Joker... Though I do feel it does get a bit heavy-handed at times with its morality plays, like when the big brute of a convict throws the detonator out of the window. It just screams contrivance.

Wow, it's nice to simply be able to agree with someone.

Instead of showing, it tells. You're always processing what is being said, what is happening. There are no moments of pause, no moments of quiet to simply take it in.

As I was watching I realized the movie was doing this, it doesn't speak with images but with literal text, and it actually made me angry and worried. Inception is so plot-driven, I could have read the script instead and not miss anything of the 'experience'. People said it's the new Blade Runner, the best sci-fi movie of today. And, unlike with Blade Runner, everyone thought it was great. It was successful. Critics and audiences loved it ... but ... it did everything I hate. I even thought, if this is the future of moviemaking, then I need to find myself a new passion.

Though I do feel it does get a bit heavy-handed at times with its morality plays, like when the big brute of a convict throws the detonator out of the window. It just screams contrivance.

That's the moment the movie ends for me. Nolan slaps the audience in the face with lessons on morality, and not through subtext or layering either, but by putting it literally in the plot. He either can't say or suggest it with visuals (the unique language of film) or he simply has no respect for the audience. I think it's the former.

indy4 · July 11, 2012

I saw Adventures of Robin Hood for the first time. What a fun movie--pure escapism, and a visual feast! Music was good too.

BloodBoal · July 11, 2012

Actually he brings up some pretty persuasive/awesome points. I'll outline some of the main ones:
- that french song that is used to wake people up (when it's over, the dream is over) is 2:28. The run time of Inception is 2 hours 28 minutes and 0 seconds. (Ok this could just be a coincidence, but it's still fucking awesome)

Yeah, but the original cut was 3 hours 28 minutes and 0 seconds, just like Highway to Hell is 3:28. That's profound, man!

Koray Savas · July 11, 2012

Though I do feel it does get a bit heavy-handed at times with its morality plays, like when the big brute of a convict throws the detonator out of the window. It just screams contrivance.
That's the moment the movie ends for me. Nolan slaps the audience in the face with lessons on morality, and not through subtext or layering either, but by putting it literally in the plot. He either can't say or suggest it with visuals (the unique language of film) or he simply has no respect for the audience. I think it's the former.

Did you read the quote in your signature?

alicebrallice · July 11, 2012

the best exotic marigold hotel - 6.7/10

Brónach · July 11, 2012

Inception is a cinematic treat. I saw it three times in the theater, more than any other film since my childhood. Back then I think I saw Batman Forever like 14 times.

It's underappreciated on this board. Or maybe it's not appreciated by some who post a lot.

JoeinAR · July 12, 2012

I haven't found a reason to appreciate it. Someday I might watch it again.

Ren · July 12, 2012

I use to have inception on blu ray. Then the divorce happened..........

Koray Savas · July 12, 2012

I haven't found a reason to appreciate it. Someday I might watch it again.

For what it's worth, it completely engrossed me in the theater. The editing and cinematography are wonderful, as are the costumes. JGL is as sharp as ever. I remember you and others saying the dreams were boring but I found them exhilarating. The third act had me on the edge of my seat, and I don't think I ever wanted anything to happen in a film as badly as I wanted

that top to fall over.

It's not a perfect film, but I enjoyed the hell out of it.

#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal · July 12, 2012

I use to have inception on blu ray. Then the divorce happened..........

Something to be grateful for then.

Hlao-roo · July 12, 2012

I liked Inception and appreciated its relative originality, but I enjoyed Waking Life and The Science of Sleep more.

Admiral Holdo · July 12, 2012

I saw Moonrise Kingdom earlier today.

It's just so good-natured and adorable, all the performances are great (yeah, Bruce Willis putting effort into something... when's the last time that happened?), the characters they play are all compelling, and the story's told with energy and a perfect pace.

Not a huge fan of hyperbole, but... there is no legitimate reason someone could hate this movie. NONE. AT ALL.

A24 · July 12, 2012

I'm curious of this film. Snyder's, that is.
As far as TDKR goes. I hope it's good. Being a Nolan fan, I will probably enjoy it much more than you. At the very least.
Karol

Well, let's face it, with TDKR (recordable), we already know we're going to be lectured about the dangers of terrosism but we are in the dark when it comes to Man Of Steel. How does a reboot of a traditional, old-fashioned superhero going to be like? Will it work? Can he fly without Williams' theme? Will the style lean towards neorealism (Nolanesque) or will it be pure, unadulterated Zack Snyder's Expressionism? And so on so forth.

Alex

BloodBoal · July 12, 2012

Wojo · July 12, 2012

I think he should stick a feather in his nose, personally.

Delorean90 · July 12, 2012

I saw Moonrise Kingdom earlier today.
It's just so good-natured and adorable, all the performances are great (yeah, Bruce Willis putting effort into something... when's the last time that happened?), the characters they play are all compelling, and the story's told with energy and a perfect pace.
Not a huge fan of hyperbole, but... there is no legitimate reason someone could hate this movie. NONE. AT ALL.

Agreed, I enjoyed it quite a lot. Some really nice filmmaking touches, too. Loved the opening credits sequence to bits--nice use of music throughout the film.

alicebrallice · July 12, 2012

finding nemo - 8.5/10

my cheeks hurt from smiling too much and my skin feels weird after all the goose bumps caused by newman's brilliance. might be my favorite pixar film.

hornist · July 12, 2012

Newman is damn good with this and Wall E. I like the guy.

KK · July 12, 2012

finding nemo - 8.5/10
my cheeks hurt from smiling too much and my skin feels weird after all the goose bumps caused by newman's brilliance. might be my favorite pixar film.

Finding Nemo might be your favourite Pixar film but you only gave it a 8.5?!? 9.5 more like it....

hornist · July 12, 2012

Favourite Pixar film...

Ren · July 12, 2012

I love nemo. I used to have it on in the house everyday. Those days may be coming back.

alicebrallice · July 12, 2012

Newman is damn good with this and Wall E. I like the guy.

and the flawlessness of your taste knows no bounds.

Finding Nemo might be your favourite film but you only gave it a 8.5?!? 9.5 more like it....

I never said that

KK · July 12, 2012

Favourite Pixar film...

Ya, I accidentally missed the Pixar part. That's whats shocking. Your favourite Pixar film (we're talking about the pre-Cars 2 Pixar here) is only an 8.5? That's pretty tough....

I adore Finding Nemo and I'd give it a 9.5/10. It's amongst my top 3 Pixar films.

Finding Nemo might be your favourite film but you only gave it a 8.5?!? 9.5 more like it....
I never said that

I meant Pixar Alice. Curse typos...you have one of those online and everything goes wrong!

What I basically meant to say is 8.5 is too low a rating to give to your favourite Pixar film

alicebrallice · July 13, 2012

Favourite Pixar film...
Ya, I accidentally missed the Pixar part. That's whats shocking. Your favourite Pixar film (we're talking about the pre-Cars 2 Pixar here) is only an 8.5? That's pretty tough....
I adore Finding Nemo and I'd give it a 9.5/10. It's amongst my top 3 Pixar films.

to be honest, I was going to give it 8.8 but I changed my mind in the last second for some reason.

and I don't know if I'd even give my all-time favorite film a 10. maybe a 9.5 or 9.6. and then 8.5 is pretty damn good.

KK · July 13, 2012

I wouldn't give my favourite film a 10 because that means they're perfect and I don't think any film is perfect really. That's not to say Finding Nemo is my favourite film, because it's not, nor is any Pixar film. But Finding Nemo, Wall-E and Up are so darn good when it comes to their quality. So I don't mind giving ratings like 9.5 to a film as great as Finding Nemo. Its so masterfully crafted. Great movie.

Apologies for the confusion. I often look at pre-Cars 2 Pixar very highly.

hornist · July 13, 2012

Yeah, Cars-2 was a disaster.

I'm not the biggest fan of Pixar but i have to admit that the first half of Wall-E was near to perfection(big thanks to Snoozeman). Well

the second part dropped it to be just quite a great animated movie.

Brónach · July 13, 2012

I always loved Snoozeman in Nemo and WALL·E. In fact I think that's most of what I know from the guy.

KK · July 13, 2012

Try Angels in America. It might just be my favourite Snoozeman score. It combines his lush and beautiful orchestral writing while taking the best of his eclectic side.

Hlao-roo · July 13, 2012

Try Angels in America. It might just be my favourite Snoozeman score. It combines his lush and beautiful orchestral writing while taking the best of his eclectic side.

It definitely makes for an excellent survey of Newman's career up to that point.

Quintus · July 13, 2012

finding nemo - 8.5/10
my cheeks hurt from smiling too much and my skin feels weird after all the goose bumps caused by newman's brilliance. might be my favorite pixar film.

My favourite Pixar movie. First viewing I was like, "meh." Second time around I was like, "aww shiiiiiiiiit."

Koray Savas · July 13, 2012

Nothing beats Newman when he's with Mendes.

Was doing some light drinking with a friend last night, and we watched about an hour each of The Hangover Part II and The Thing (2011). What terrible films, the both of them. Former wasn't even remotely funny, and just plain boring. Latter was typical contemporary horror gorefest with poor CGI.

Matt C · July 14, 2012

Ted - As much as I'm loathe to admit it, this movie works for the most part. Seth McFarlane's humor works far better in live-action than it did in Family Guy, and like that turd, doesn't hold back in insulting everyone but it does have heart. But that jab at Superman Returns... not only is it five years late, but it goes on too long. If McFarlane wanted to be more relevant, he should've done Green Lantern instead -- which would've made the Ryan Reynolds cameo even funnier.

And I love how Walter Murphy's score plays it straight. Very lush for the most part, interspersed with that big jazzy sound McFarlane and Murphy did well on FG. In fact, I think Ted is one of the best scores of 2012. Anyone who doesn't think that clearly haven't seen the film or listened to the soundtrack.

JoeinAR · July 14, 2012

Batman Begins in its entirety, didn't remember the joker ending.

I appreciate this film much more. I still prefer the Dark Knight. I think it's more straight forward story telling.

I think tomorrow I'll have to watch Superman the Movie. It's a film Nolan said he drew inspiration from for Batman Begins.

I want to watch it because I like the lighter aspects of it. It's not as dark or brooding but at it's heart it features a villain who is so ruthless but so likable that you don't ever fear him to the degree that you probably should.

Before we go see Dark Knight Rises we'll see the Dark Knight just to be completely caught up.

indy4 · July 14, 2012

The Amazing Spiderman: It was pretty mediocre and boring. I really liked the mallet percussion music when Spidey is climbing the wall to avoid the gang of criminals. Other than that the score was decent but not that great.

A24 · July 14, 2012

4/10

Alex

#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal · July 14, 2012

Star Trek Generations

Warning review by a Trekkie!

Now it has to be said that from a story and concept perspective, this movie has some severe issues. The previous one The Undiscovered Country already functioned as a farewell movie for the TOS crew. So if they were gonna bring Kirk back for yet another big farewell, it would have to be epic

The main problem is The Nexus. An place were time has no meaning and only eternal bliss exists. The concept of it doesn't really work in this film. Not only is it a do-over of the Wormhole/Celestial Temple from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (a concept that worked far better). The nexus never feels like anything more then a sci-fi trick to get Kirk and Picard together.

But it's not just bad science, it's also bad fiction. For instance it's almost impossible to get into the Nexus, yet you can leave whenever you want to? Would the energy ribbon not be a problem both ways?

Also the mis-en scene inside the Nexus is dodgy. Picard's dream family look like something out a a Dickens novel. Horribly snotty and unappealing children and a novelty Christmas house. It's laughable. Stewart is great in the scene though.

Guinan shows up, and tells us that she actually never left the Nexus. Which makes sense since time is meaningless there. So if you go in once, and leave....you actually stay forever. This does mean that Soran is actually already inside the Nexus he's trying to get back into. We never see Soran in the Nexus. Would he melt with the Soran that's already there? Would the two of them be containing in an eternal struggle like Lazarus in TOS' The Alternative Factor? Soran and anti-Soran locked in combat.... We will never know.

Shatner returns for the last time (in cinema) as James T. Kirk. He's great to watch as ever. With the usual Shatnerian swagger. But it does feel like an extended cameo. He really is kinda tagged on at the end of the picture. And the death scene is unworthy of such an iconic character.

Patrick Stewart makes his first cinema appearance as Jean Luc Picard. It's actually interesting seeing the two contrasting acting styles of the two actors in once film. Stewart has always had a less is more approach to his portrayal. He is strong in a film that doesn't always give him good material. He definitely gets the best line in the film. "This is not your bedroom?"

Brent Spiner has fun with his Data full of emotions. Seeing the android laughing his ass of or crying should not work, but it does.

The legendary Malcolm McDowell plays yet another villian. It's a decent performance in a somewhat underwritten role.

Barbara March and Gwyneth Walsh are devilishly over the top at the Duras Sisters.

Walter Koenig and James Dooham return in cameo's in the opening scene that features the depressed kid from Ferris Bueller as Captain of The Enterprise. It's weird hearing Scotty spouting out TNG style techno babble.

The first Star Trek TOS movie flaunted The Enterprise. Gave it a big 6 minute introduction. Generations fails to make any fuss over the fact that it's iconic ship can be seen in glorious cinema. The first view of The Enterprise D is when it approaches the Armagosa observatory, and it's a bog standard shot that just shows a bit of the saucer section. Many other shots look like they were updated from the TV show. Apart from the scene were it crashes there isn't really a single time that they "show off" The Enterprise. Did the makers really not think we didn't want to see the D in it's full majesty before they destroyed her? (the next film, First Contact shows us the newer, less beautiful ship in full detail).

The special effects are generally outstanding though

The film looks good. Filmed by John A. Alonzo the interior at least looks beautiful. Particularly when lit by the Armagosa star.

The pacing is good, the direction by David Carson is workman-like but solid. And the space battle is well shot. The final crash of the saucer section is spectacular.

This film is Dennis McCarthy's lone Star Trek film outing. I've always been a fan of his style on Star Trek. This score is an extension of that, but with actual themes. His main theme is a solid entry into the world of Star Trek themes. His Nexus music is soothing and beautiful and his action music is positively propulsive. The orchestrations are as ever superb. It's really an underrated score that has had too many people crapping all over it. It's far more a Star Trek score then Gia's effort will ever be.

This film has many good moment, many good scenes. but it's based on a rather silly and misguided notion that they needed to have Kirk in it...and that Kirk needed to die.

**1/2 out of ****

Quintus · July 14, 2012

It's Saturday tea time and that means it's Indiana Jones HD again on BBC1.

Again, it's beautifully rich on the eyes. I may be overlooking an obvious example, but is this movie THE reddest ever filmed or what?

I wish more movies looked as thick with crimson and shadow as this.

Ren · July 14, 2012

now they are teal and orange.

#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal · July 14, 2012

Lot of teal and orange in the pictures above Ren.

Ren · July 14, 2012

My favourite Pixar movie. First viewing I was like, "meh." Second time around I was like, "aww shiiiiiiiiit."

yessssss!

JWfangirl1992 · July 14, 2012

I have to say Wall-E and Up are two of my favorite movies. The themes behind those two movies are absolutely outstanding and quite comical.

Has anyone seen The Artist? I am thinking about renting it tonight but trying to decide if it is worth it or not.

#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal · July 14, 2012

It's black and white and has no dialogue.

Muad'Dib · July 14, 2012

It's a gorgeous crowd-pleaser, highly enjoyable. I went to the cinema expecting it be a cheap homage to the silent film era, but it turned to be a film made with so much love towards those decades, that when it ended I was smiling from ear to ear.

It's also a great introduction to those people who don't watch silent films.

indy4 · July 14, 2012

As somebody who hasn't see many silent movies, I loved the Artist. I found it incredibly moving.

Ren · July 14, 2012

Lot of teal and orange in the pictures above Ren.

not enough teal

Koray Savas · July 15, 2012

Spielberg has always had a taste for red. He uses it exceptionally well in a handful of films.

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

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