What Is The Last Film You Watched?

[Charlie Brigden 7]

No Country For Old Men is scary. Or at least very tense. But, I guess, people today equate scary with torture-porn. I seriosuly think there is something wrong with people who enjoy these.

Karol

I agree, Bardem is absolutely terrifying and it's almost like a horror film at times.

[A24 4,351]

Indeed, the scene when Josh Brolin sits on the bed in his hotel room while listening to the sounds of the hallway (you don't see Bardem and yet you can picture it completely) was one of the most scariest, tense moments I've experienced since Alien in 1979. But I somehow understand my friend, there's some very dark humor to it as well. That's the Coen brothers for ya.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

Indeed, the scene when Josh Brolin sits on the bed in his hotel room while listening to the sounds of the hallway (you don't see Bardem and yet you can picture it completely) was one of the most scariest, tense moments I've experienced since Alien in 1979. But I somehow understand my friend, there's some very dark humor to it as well. That's the Coen brothers for ya.

Undoubtedly. The scene in the service station is both terrifying and funny, although it's almost nervous laughter, with the attendant almost being the audience surrogate.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,577]

Yesterday, I watched "Explorers", on T.V. I hadn't seen this for many a good year, and I was both surprised, and delighted on how well it had aged since 1985.

The leads are uniformly excellent, and go beyond the cliched perception of a "typical teenager". The combination of "the dreamer", "the realist", and "the scientist" made for three very good performances. It was interesting to note that the Jason Presson character was the first to make the connection between building the Thunder Road and its ultimate use.

The effects were top-notch, the in-jokes were a nice touch (the parents' spaceship not only does a 3-point turn - in space?! - but also indicates right before moving off? Very funny!).

Added to this, all the usual Dante regulars were out in force. Forget the holodoc, Starkiller (along with The Cowboy) is Picardo's finest hour.

I won't even mention the score, it being so well known to almost everyone who reads this, except to say "complete score, now!".

Two hours in front of the telly which were very well spent, and were the perfect antidote to all that soggy Christmas fayre (and turkey sandwiches!).

[Quintus 5,399]

The score ain't to shabby, either

[Naïve Old Fart 9,577]

The score ain't to shabby, either

The score is in my Goldsmith top-ten. The Varese c.d. doesn't do it justice.

If ever a great score was crying out for a complete release, it would be "Explorers".

[JoeinAR 1,949]

When I told a friend No Country frightened the living daylights out of me, he looked at me as if I came from Mars. He thought it was a total comedy.

you scare easily, while the film was tense, it was never scary.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Indeed, the scene when Josh Brolin sits on the bed in his hotel room while listening to the sounds of the hallway (you don't see Bardem and yet you can picture it completely) was one of the most scariest, tense moments I've experienced since Alien in 1979. But I somehow understand my friend, there's some very dark humor to it as well. That's the Coen brothers for ya.

Undoubtedly. The scene in the service station is both terrifying and funny, although it's almost nervous laughter, with the attendant almost being the audience surrogate.

The film is filled with tons of dark comedy. Tommy Lee Jones' partner, for example, brings lots of laughs.

[Quintus 5,399]

Tense film, not scary. Some movies can be both at once.

No Country is not Jaws, or Alien.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Yes, but it's unbelievably tense. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Probably the most engrossed I've ever been at the theater.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

now this film is completely laughable. After seeing the edited version with Badam's voice replaced by the gay guy's voice the film is forever changed.

It's still a good movie, but I have never thought it was great like others here. It lacks something.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Still full of charm, fun and magic long after the novelty of mixing animation and live action has worn of.

Bob Hoskins does the smart thing by playing his character absolutely straight, and the script is full of delightfull little gems. Roger is lovable, if annoying, and Jessica still gives me a boner.

A great film from Zemeckis before he became smaltzy and boring!

[Naïve Old Fart 9,577]

Nice to know I'm not the only one who gets a hard-on thinking about Jessica Rabbit.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Hey, what can i say, I love a red head!

[Richard Penna 3,703]

Watched Salt this afternoon. Reasonably good flick but nothing special.

I still don't get what is seen in JNH's score. It works great in the film, providing tension, and the russian theme is good, but the orchestra only has a role behind the old tired 'beat', and what melody there is just seems repetitive. I know many think highly of this, but I think any half decent composer could've written this.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

but I think any half decent composer could've written this.

Well, that's what JNH is, right?

He's preferable to Zimmer or any of his ilk, but no John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Poledouris, Kamen, Horner, Herrmann etc...

[Quintus 5,399]

Nice to know I'm not the only one who gets a hard-on thinking about Jessica Rabbit.

Yeah, but she's no Princess Jasmine.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You dirty man!

[Quintus 5,399]

I can't stand that bint, but in this case I'd make the exception.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

I'm sure I could make lots of exceptions for her.

"Encounter At Farpoint"

Man, there's more overacting in the first half hour of this episode than there is in Shatner's entire career. Some of it is neat, but man it's often unintentionally hilarious. And Tasha Yar's sudden outbursts are full of win. Also, the random tracking of the TNG main title during the separation sequence. Hysterical.

[crocodile 8,026]

After seeing the edited version with Badam's voice replaced by the gay guy's voice the film is forever changed

I need to see that...

Karol

[Richard Penna 3,703]

but I think any half decent composer could've written this.

Well, that's what JNH is, right?

He's preferable to Zimmer or any of his ilk, but no John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Poledouris, Kamen, Horner, Herrmann etc...

He can write amazing stuff when called for. I just don't think this film asked for his talent level.

[crocodile 8,026]

And that makes his output frustrating.

Karol

[Ollie 1,059]

but I think any half decent composer could've written this.

Well, that's what JNH is, right?

He's preferable to Zimmer or any of his ilk, but no John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Poledouris, Kamen, Horner, Herrmann etc...

He can write amazing stuff when called for. I just don't think this film asked for his talent level.

He used to write amazing stuff. King Kong was a nice throwback, even though it sounds rushed at times.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

but I think any half decent composer could've written this.

Well, that's what JNH is, right?

He's preferable to Zimmer or any of his ilk, but no John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Poledouris, Kamen, Horner, Herrmann etc...

He can write amazing stuff when called for. I just don't think this film asked for his talent level.

He used to write amazing stuff. King Kong was a nice throwback, even though it sounds rushed at times.

I agree. I loved Kong, but find most of his stuff outside of The Fugitive nice but a bit dull. Dinosaur was very good. The Last Airbender was awful. Maybe he writes best for prehistory?

[crocodile 8,026]

I don't blame King Kong for sounding rushed. That wouldn't be fair.

Karol

[Ollie 1,059]

Waterworld is an excellent score.

I don't blame King Kong for sounding rushed. That wouldn't be fair.

Karol

I'm not blaming it, it's amazing what he did in such little time.

[crocodile 8,026]

And that was another 2-3 weeks work, wasn't it? Waterworld, I mean.

As for King Kong, I'm not a big fan of the score, but the last two tracks are beautiful.

Karol

[Ollie 1,059]

I'm not sure how much time he had to replace Isham's score.

And that was another 2-3 weeks work, wasn't it? Waterworld, I mean.

As for King Kong, I'm not a big fan of the score, but the last two tracks are beautiful.

Karol

which bear a strong resemblance to Howard Shore's style.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

Didn't they even get the same solo kid back?

[Ollie 1,059]

I have no idea, although I doubt it since Kong was recorded in L.A.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

You're right, although the soloist has the same first name and is English, so it's probably where I got mixed up.

[crocodile 8,026]

Speaking of using the same perfomers I was always amused when Yared's Troy score was rejected, because it was too big. He used 100-piece orchestra on that one, which was then replaced by 125-piece orchestra to make it more intimate! And they used the same choir and vocal soloist.

Karol

[Ollie 1,059]

Actually I found it amusing that they called Yared's work old fashioned and yet they brought in Horner, who cribs "old fashioned" music. Actually I should be nice and say he composes in the same style.

[crocodile 8,026]

The most amusing thing is that they paid for it twice! Why they wouldn't just let Yared make it smaller is beyond me. I get why the score is too big. It is. But it could have been fixed easily. He had the studio and orchestra booked already! And I can guarantee they would sell more soundtrack albums. As obnoxious as it was, the score was at least memorable.

Karol

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Most of everything Howard composed from 1999-onward is pretty damn brilliant. Snow Falling On Cedars, Signs, The Village, The Sixth Sense, Blood Diamond, I Am Legend, King Kong, Lady In The Water... The list goes on and on.

Only very recently he has seemed to change a little. For what it's worth, The Tourist is surprisingly good.

[Henry B 50]

The most amusing thing is that they paid for it twice! Why they wouldn't just let Yared make it smaller is beyond me. I get why the score is too big. It is. But it could have been fixed easily. He had the studio and orchestra booked already! And I can guarantee they would sell more soundtrack albums. As obnoxious as it was, the score was at least memorable.

It's not as simple as scale. Horner knew how to create the unobtrusive sound the producers were evidently looking for, even if it took 125 musicians to realize. Less is more... or more is less. As for soundtrack album sales, that's a very slight concern, except for something like TRON: Legacy.

[Marian Schedenig 8,215]

Unobtrusive? It was one of the most out-of-place scores I've experienced, and not just when it ripped off Prokofiev for the sequence that was already a visual Nevsky rip.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Horner's score was obtrusively bad. I remember thinking about the music while I was watching it, especially during the fight between Eric Bana and Brad Pitt. It was funny, because the day after in school, a friend said the same exact thing.

[Morlock 11]

Most of everything Howard composed from 1999-onward is pretty damn brilliant. Snow Falling On Cedars, Signs, The Village, The Sixth Sense, Blood Diamond, I Am Legend, King Kong, Lady In The Water... The list goes on and on.

'Pretty damn brilliant'? Hardly. He went from a composer who one could expect remarkable things from to a good, effective, minor one. Duplicity is about the best I could hope for nowadays from Howard- a fun, spirited score that totally apes John Powell.

Horner's score was obtrusively bad. I remember thinking about the music while I was watching it, especially during the fight between Eric Bana and Brad Pitt. It was funny, because the day after in school, a friend said the same exact thing.

Horner's score was terrific in the film, and makes for a good album, as well.

[A24 4,351]

The Book Of Eli: A somewhat watchable B-movie with B-movie writing and direction. The self-important ending is terrible and brings its score into the negative.

But the search for the real Lara Croft is over, fellas.

[crocodile 8,026]

The most amusing thing is that they paid for it twice! Why they wouldn't just let Yared make it smaller is beyond me. I get why the score is too big. It is. But it could have been fixed easily. He had the studio and orchestra booked already! And I can guarantee they would sell more soundtrack albums. As obnoxious as it was, the score was at least memorable.

It's not as simple as scale. Horner knew how to create the unobtrusive sound the producers were evidently looking for, even if it took 125 musicians to realize. Less is more... or more is less. As for soundtrack album sales, that's a very slight concern, except for something like TRON: Legacy.

I'm not referring to the actual music, but to the ridiculous costs.

Horner's score was terrific in the film, and makes for a good album, as well.

It's a good album, I agree.

Karol

[Morlock 11]

I meant to catch up with, looked like fun. Totally forgot about it, though.

[A24 4,351]

I meant to catch up with, looked like fun. Totally forgot about it, though.

Its fun factor is quite low because the film takes itself way too serious. My advise is to 'approach with caution'.

Alex - about to see Ridley Scott's Robin Hood (and on Blu-ray, no less)

[BloodBoal 7,538]

Alex - about to see Ridley Scott's Robin Hood (and on Blu-ray, no less)

Do you plan on watching the Director's cut right away, or are you going to start with the theatrical cut ?

[A24 4,351]

The Director's Cut and only the Director's Cut. Then the film goes back to the video rental shop.

[Quintus 5,399]

I'll save you the bother if you allow me too...

You'll hate it.

I enjoyed it quite a lot, daft though it seriously was. I mean, it's even more daft than Braveheart, which says a lot.

[Richard Penna 3,703]

Just watched The Social Network. Quite remarkable how interesting Fincher manages to make this story. Performances are uniformly superb too.

The score was appropriate; I'll give it that, but only the piano/synth parts, particularly at the beginning, really captured me as music I'd want to listen to separately.

Horner's score was obtrusively bad. I remember thinking about the music while I was watching it, especially during the fight between Eric Bana and Brad Pitt. It was funny, because the day after in school, a friend said the same exact thing.

For me, Horner's score ranges from passable to downright obnoxious. I edited the track 1000 Ships because the brass figures in the middle clashed so badly.

But I don't look on Horner and this score in a good light because of what he said in the infamous interview.

And aren't scores recorded with instruments and choir separated? Why not just remove some elements from the mix of Yared's score and allow him to use the extra sessions to tone it down? I think his promo score is great, and that the WB execs are dicks for caving in to the test audience.

He used to write amazing stuff. King Kong was a nice throwback, even though it sounds rushed at times.

Rushed or not (and I think it's an outstanding score), it shows he still had what it takes in 2005.

But with Salt, the director/producers clearly chose the no-themes route (well there's a Russian motif, but I can't identify anything for Salt herself) and wanted most of it to be scored in a particular style, and I'd argue that JNH's talents were wasted with what they wanted.

Compare it to Hancock if you want. That score was synth heavy, but the difference was multiple themes and that even during the heavier sequences (i.e. Hollywood BLVD), the orchestra was right at the front and wasn't just the same figure repeated with a little variation. Take away the synth beat and it would still work as music.

JNH should stick to dramas/adventure scores.

[crocodile 8,026]

The Director's Cut and only the Director's Cut. Then the film goes back to the video rental shop.

I'll save you the bother if you allow me too...

You'll hate it.

I enjoyed it quite a lot, daft though it seriously was. I mean, it's even more daft than Braveheart, which says a lot.

Robin Hood is no Kingdom of Heaven!

Karol - who would laugh at himself if he heard himself saying that a week ago.

[A24 4,351]

Robin Hood is no Kingdom of Heaven!

Indeed, it sure isn't. Doesn't the old man know that, in order for the Robin Hood concept to work, he already needs to be an 'outlaaaaaw' living in the forest?!! Anyway, the film couldn't grasp my full attention. I watched it but I really couldn't care less for the story, the characters or the filmmaking. Especially the music irritated me to no end. With Gladiator, Ridders and Crowe managed to bring some old fashioned heriosm to the screen, which is something these movies should be about, but with Robin Hood, the heart monitor shows a flatline.

Outlaaaaaaaaaaaw!!!!!!

Alex