What is the Last Film You Watched? - Part II

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

I really dug the connection between Godzilla, Baby and Rodan, which was made more significant by Rodan's ultimate sacrifice for Godzilla in order to allow life to win against artificial life. The way you take that is up to interpretation because Godzilla managed to destroy MechaGodzilla, and Baby was allowed to live naturally rather than in an artificial environment.

Strangely enough, when Junior is killed in Gvs.D, the only way he is brought back to life is from Godzilla's death, the same as how Rodan brought Godzilla back to life, with that mysterious gold dust being present both times, which tells me that Kaiju besides Mothra in the Heisei series have special mystical powers that the movies didn't fully explain.

[Marian Schedenig 8,211]

It's the same with the supposed director's cut of The Frighteners that came out on DVD last year or so. It had already been released on LaserDisc as a special edition, and Jackson quite literally states the director's cut is the version that was released in the cinemas in the bonus material.

I do think the longer version works well though. Also, the longer version of Heavenly Creatures has some scenes I'd really be missing otherwise, although Jackson once said he prefers the shorter cut. Though the situation is somewhat different in this case because here the longer version is the original release.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

I haven't seen the special edition of The Frighteners in its entirety yet, but from what I've seen (the first twenty minutes or so), it really takes a much longer time to get the story going.

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

Saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Enjoyed it. I think I got it. But I didn't love it. Is something wrong with me?

[robthehand 3]

Saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Enjoyed it. I think I got it. But I didn't love it. Is something wrong with me?

I guess I have the same "problem".

I think it was well-made, well-acted and well-written, but something about it didn't quite work, for me.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Star Trek VI: The Undercover Country

The dissapointing performance of The Final Frontier (which did not flop, as so many seem to think, but brought in far less money then expected) fortunatly didn't kill the films series. (in part because TNG was a enormous succes at the time, keeping Star Trek alive and well).

For the 6th film Paranount wanted Nimoy to return to the director's chair, but since this might cause a problem with Shatner, it was decided to bring back Nicholas Meyer, who repeats what he did in the early 80's and saves the film franchise.

The biggest advantage this film has over the previous one, is that it founded on a solid script, with a interesting concept that works in the Star Trek Universe.

Basically an allegory for the collaps of the Sovjet Union and the fall of Communism, The Enterprise is send out to escort a Klingon delegation to a summit for peace negotiations with The Federation. Things go badly wrong when the Klingon Chancellor, played by David Warner in a brief, but good role get's killed, apparently under orders of Kirk.

The good old cast again does a fine job with the characters they know so well.

Kim Cattrall joins then as the Vulcan helmsman who should really be named Saavik, but isn't. (many fans and apparently Roddenberry objected to Saavik betraying the Federation, so the name was changed.)

In this role Kim Cattrall does a better job then Kirstie Alley and Robin Curtiss before her.

Christopher Plummer makes for a good villian, I liked the concept of Klingon's reciting Shakespearian dialogue, and Plummer has his way with it.

Meyer's direction is again very sure and steady, the pacing is fine and he gets the most out of a rather small budget. (It's rather fun seeing certain sets from The Next Generation disguised in this film)

The cinematography Hiro Narita is very good, the image is incredible sharp and the red of the uniforms have never looked better.

Cliff Eidelman follows in the footsteps of Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner...and that other guy. He does a very admirable job, the score works very well in the film and Eidelman's music for the Klingon's is a nice chance of pace from the frantic music that Goldsmith and Horner gave them. While composing a completely new score, it's clear that Eidelman does make some small links to the previous scores, most notable in his Vulcan music, which uses similar synth work that Horner used. He only makes some nice use of Alexander Courage's fanfare. The best parts are the opening and closing themes though.

While this film is overall excellent, there are a few things one might wonder about:

What exactly is the Romulan involvment in this murder plot, it's never made clear?

With changing Saavik to Valeris, a completely new character, the who-dun-it aspect of the story becomes very predictable, since she's the only new character on the Enterprise.

Also we are never given her motivation for betraying the Federation.

During the final battle The Enterprise never fires it's phasers? (actually The Wrath Of Khan is the only Classic Trek film were the Enterprise is seen firing phasers)

The Praxis wave, it's become a very popular special effects, re-used in Stargate and several Star Wars films, but it actually doesn't really make sense for a shock wave to travel in such a narrow band, now does it? (It does make for a great opening)

During the assasination of Gorkon, not one of the Klingons tries to fire a phaser or tries to stop the assasins in any way. They may be weightless, but they are still Klingon Warriors.

Unisex bunks? yeah right!

The turbolift on the bridge seems to be in a different location then it was in the last film. How exactly does one move an elevator shaft?

There are at least 2 clocks on the bridge. Nicholas Meyer and his editor did a reasonable job in keeping the times somewhat correct, but at times they are still a few seconds off between different shots.

Shatner doesn't do a very good job acting with himself during his sparring with Martia. (the eye lines don't match)

Spock slaps a transponder on Kirk before he goes to the Klingon ship, why wasn't that confiscated before he was sent to the Ruhra Penta?

The ending. The film appears to end on a bittersweet note with Kirk giving his final log entry, entrusting his ship to a new Generation. But if you actually look at the visuals, Kirk seems to be taking the Enterprise on a SUICIDE RUN INTO A SUN!!!!!

That's no way to end a movie.....

***1/2 out of ****

[Ollie 1,059]

I imagine there's no sense in firing phasers at a target you can't see.

"The only way I'll give up command is if they pry my dead body from this chair!!! Full ahead Mr. Chekov, we'll take her into the sun!!!!! They'll never get us!!!!!"

[Morlock 11]

It's the same with the supposed director's cut of The Frighteners that came out on DVD last year or so. It had already been released on LaserDisc as a special edition, and Jackson quite literally states the director's cut is the version that was released in the cinemas in the bonus material.

I do think the longer version works well though.

I've only seen the longer one, and I don't think it works at all. A mess of a film.

Oh, I saw Hot Fuzz. WTF HAPPENED? Bad movie. Pegg and co. seem to think that the material should hvae been funny just because it was them doing it. The film was boring, and barely amusing. Big dissapointment. Although, I did like all the veteran actors playing the village elders.

**/****.

[Marian Schedenig 8,211]

I didn't find it more than likeable when I first saw it many years ago, but it improved greatly on subsequent viewings.

I haven't seen the special edition of The Frighteners in its entirety yet, but from what I've seen (the first twenty minutes or so), it really takes a much longer time to get the story going.

The only thing I don't like about the longer version is that it ruins the wonderful cut to Michael J. Fox throwing wood into the fireplace.

Kirk seems to be taking the Enterprise on a SUICIDE RUN INTO A SUN!!!!!

Suicide run? Wouldn't that just be time travel?

[John Crichton 4]

In this role Kim Cattrall does a better job then Kirstie Alley and Robin Curtiss before her.

She was good yes, but better than Kirstie Alley? I'm not sure. Ever since I found out that Saavik was supposed to be the villian I've been really disappointed it didn't happen.

Meyer's direction is again very sure and steady, the pacing is fine and he gets the most out of a rather small budget. (It's rather fun seeing certain sets from The Next Generation disguised in this film)

They certainly hide it better than in V, though it's still obvious in some scenes.

Cliff Eidelman follows in the footsteps of Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner...and that other guy. He does a very admirable job, the score works very well in the film and Eidelman's music for the Klingon's is a nice chance of pace from the frantic music that Goldsmith and Horner gave them. While composing a completely new score, it's clear that Eidelman does make some small links to the previous scores, most notable in his Vulcan music, which uses similar synth work that Horner used. He only makes some nice use of Alexander Courage's fanfare. The best parts are the opening and closing themes though.

The opening credits (more of an overture, really) are superb and the Sign Off/End Credits sequence is also fantasitc, but while the bulk of the score works great within the film it's really a bit of a tedious listen on CD.

Oh, and one comment about Martia: horrible casting.

I love this movie, it actually rivals TWOK for my favorite Trek film, largely because of the politics involved, and great resolution (of sorts) for Kirk with the Klingons.

[Marian Schedenig 8,211]

It's probably the best non-Goldsmith Trek score. If not, it's at least very close to TWOK.

[Morlock 11]

In this role Kim Cattrall does a better job then Kirstie Alley and Robin Curtiss before her.

The women of the Star Trek films have always really bad characters, though none worse than in TMP.

It's probably the best non-Goldsmith Trek score. If not, it's at least very close to TWOK.

I like it....but not for very long. The new theme is good, the Holst music works....not all that much there.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It's probably the best non-Goldsmith Trek score. If not, it's at least very close to TWOK.

No it isn't.

The score is good, at times very good, but it doesn't have the depth and dark beauty of TMP, or the giddy enthusiasm and off-kilter sound of The Wrath of Khan.

Also The Battle For Peace is too fragmented, listening to it you can constantly hear when the film cuts to the Khitomer conference, it stops and restarts over and over again, which is fine in the film, but hinders it on CD.

[Ollie 1,059]

I think the score is very good. The "cutting back and forth" adds to the tension in the music.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It would if it were slightly better written. Goldsmith would have nailed it for sure.

[Ollie 1,059]

Yes, that falls under another "Goldsmith should have scored", although I think that has more to do with Nicholas Meyer's wants.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Nicholas Meyers wanted to cut and paste The Planets into the film.

[Ollie 1,059]

Thank god that didn't work out.

[A24 4,346]

Capote: Good biopic with good performances and but as a film it brings very little new under the sun.

Alex

[Morlock 11]

I agree. I actually think the film was unnecessary. There was nothing in the film that I didn't get from the Trailer alone. The film should have been a good article.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I agree. I actually think the film was unnecessary.

That's an odd comment to make.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

Sideways. I saw it for the first time and love it.

In five years I've seen now two great movies.The other one was Little miss Sunshine.

What a great decade(film wise) this is going to be.

[Morlock 11]

I know, but the film just had that feel for me. It's not so much that it would have been better in another form....it's just a film made totally unnecessary by watching the trailer, or even reading a short summery.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Chris Rock: Bring the Pain, a 1996 HBO television special starring comedian Chris Rock. Although Rock was already a well-known comedian, Bring the Pain made him one of the most popular comedians in the United States.

And it's not hard to see why, this is a 58 minutes of hilarious, insightfull, agressive, truthfull and at times brilliant tour da force.

Highlights:

Rocks opinion on the O.J Trail

The entire black people vs n*gg*s routine.

The bit about infidelity, and of course.

Tossing....the....salad...

They was interviewing a brother in there, they said now, "Sir, when a new inmate comes in and he wants some drugs, how do you initiate him?" The guy goes, "Well, the first thing I do is make him toss my salad." The guy's like, "'Toss my salad?' What's that?" The guy: "Well, having your salad tossed means having your asshole eaten out with jelly or with syrup. I prefer syrup." I'm not making this up!

[A24 4,346]

Sideways. I saw it for the first time and love it.

In five years I've seen now two great movies.The other one was Little miss Sunshine.

What a great decade(film wise) this is going to be.

Yesterday I watched Broken Flowers for the first time and maybe you should too because it's another good one.

Alex

[Morlock 11]

It was good. Not great, but good. Sideways and Little Miss Sunshine were both very good.

[A24 4,346]

I think Broken Flowers is easily as good as Sideways. Sure, the latter has a better first half but a weaker second half. And in that regard I feel Jarmusch's film is more even. The intent does not change halfway through, if you know what I mean.

I've haven't seen Little Sunshine yet. I hope it's not some corny, sentimental comedy like Spanglish for I can't stand those.

[Morlock 11]

Saw a bunch of real meaty movies (well, meaty to me at least), but I'm gonna start with the only one I haven't seen before.

David Fincher's Zodiac. Very dissapointing. I'm a big fan of Fincher's work, and was hoping he'd pull another terrific film out of his hat, but, alas, it was not meant to be. While visually pretty nifty, the film rarely came alive, and, overall, I didn't feel it had a good tale to tell. The performances were far from perfect....Robert Downey Jr. is as watchable as always, although even his character is less than interesting. Jake Gyllenhall was miscast. I didn't believe him in character at all. Mark Ruffalo was solid.

I didn't feel the movie had a thru-line, it felt very, very long, and it was a rather discouraging plot. The non-existant make-up didnt help. the characters age 12 years, and not one looks a minute older one minute to the next. I wouldn't have thought that'd be a critical point, but it ruined a lot of believability and seriousness.

Score was okay...it felt a bit too much like The Conversation. Although I do recall one very attractive cue.

A very dissapointing outing. **/**1/2, and that's only for the rare good scenes and authentic feel of the film.

[Jeshopk 8]

I'm watching the original King Kong. A native just fell out of his house and landed on some chickens. That is some damn fine stuntwork on the chickens' part.

[Marian Schedenig 8,211]

Your avatar is... scary.

[QMM 4]

Seraphim Falls

Bought it because of Brosnan and Neeson. An adequete western harkening back to the old movies with some great locations and a handful of nice scenes. I loved the Brosnan didn't speak for the first half hour or so of the movie, except for screaming, and when he did speak his whispering adequetely covered his accent. Neeson was good as well but he's played this role before and HGW's score had a few nice moments but was not particularly memorable.

The Painted Veil

Had been interested in this ever since I saw the trailer and it didn't disappoint. Norton was wonderful and had some nice chemistry with Watts in their scenes together. Didn't know what to expect from Desplat's score but he put out a wellmade score that I plan on picking up.

The Fountain

Very nice and it had the perfect length. Jackman and Weisz were great together and the cinematography was brilliant as well as the score. I only had a problem with one scene in particular because it lacked the elegance of the rest of the film but on the whole I was very satisfied.

[Beowulf 4]

The Fountain

Very nice and it had the perfect length. Jackman and Weisz were great together and the cinematography was brilliant as well as the score. I only had a problem with one scene in particular because it lacked the elegance of the rest of the film but on the whole I was very satisfied.

Agreed. I watched this film on the plane back home over easter holidays - the sound quality was really bad [no thanks to those awkward headphones] but the visuals were what stuck with me. I'm of the opinion that art-films like this should be promoted and encouraged in America more than they currently are.

I had a mini Coen brother's marathon last evening and watched Fargo and Raising Arizona, two of my favorite films. Raising Arizona to me is one of the funniest movies out there and Nicolas Cage does a fantastic job in the lead with a great ensemble cast to round it out (typical of Coen Brothers movies). This movie and Adaptation always renew my faith in Cage's acting abilities, in spite of his more questionable mainstream movie roles.

[Red 75]

Nicholas Cage is a great actor. No amount of Ghostriders and Nexts will ever change that.

[Morlock 11]

Nicholas Cage has been great in some roles. He's been bad or simply uninteresting in many others. I'll always like him for Lord of War, Raising Arizona, Adaptation., The Rock(guilty pleasure, yes), and, even though I didn't like the film, The Weatherman.

Morlock- who (having nothing to do with anything discussed) saw Smoking Aces and thought it was ass wipe

Morlock2- who has seen several other infinately more notable films in recent days, but did not think he would remember seeing a film as unnecessary as Smoking Aces tomorrow

[Ollie 1,059]

Nicholas Cage is a great actor. No amount of Ghostriders and Nexts will ever change that.

He's a tad overated.

[Morlock 11]

Okay. Saw a bunch of real movies in the past few days.

The Shining. A strange movie. The story is not well told, and the characters are not at all developed. But the film looks and feels so amazing.....The horror is there, in the daytime, it's not hiding, it's all around us. The movie has so many amazing shots and images.....the hotel is such a character, it's huge hollow rooms. It is probably the most alluring and entrancing movie that fails almost entirely to tell it's story. It's plain why King fans hate the film as King fans, but I don't see how someone cannot be at all impressed by the film if separated from it's origins. Can't give it a star rating, as I'm torn between **** for it's style and *1/2 for it story. One heck of a movie experience any way you look at it.

Taxi Driver. This is one film that I always forget how down to earth and accessible it is. Very disturbing, obviously, but it's tale of urban lonlieness is so affecting, and sad. Strange, but when thinking of this film, I at times found myself thinking about Unbreakable (spoiler ahead). Taxi Driver is about (among other things) a man who's only way to connect with the rest of the world is through violence. Unbreakable is about a man who's come to the conclusion that the only perpuse he has in life is in being the villain. I know, sacrileage, but I just found my mind wandering. Obviously, performances and cinematography are just amazing in the film, and Herrmann's score is the greatest final score I can imagine.

I always loved the movie, and I am always surprised by how affecting and melancholy it is.

The Third Man. A miracle of a film. So timeless, so rich, so watchable, so unique......this is one of the sweetest meals a film enthusiast can enjoy. Welles is timeless, Cotton is so real. And I forgot how big a part Trevor Howard had in the film. He's terrific in the film. Cinemtography is as good as it gets. The score is still surprising in how different it is, yet how absolutely perfect it is.

The final shot is one of the greats. Loved Scorsese's homage to it in The Departed.

Hannibal. The odd man out in this bunch. But I don't know, this film has a hold on me. Such an elegant movie. I have more respect for Ridley Scott for pulling this film off than other film of his I've seen. I think it takes a really great director to make a film as classy and watchable as this from a novel as trashy as Hannibal. The only bone i have to pick with this film is Julliane Moore. I've loved her in some things, but I just can't stand her here. I couldn't care less about her. Hopkins is very fun, and does have some real terrific moments. But the real stars of the film for me are Giancarlo Giannini and Gary Oldman. Giannini is the only character that has real depth to him, only one who was relatable. And Oldman, Oldman is just amazing. To make such a depraved, disgusting, yet likable and very funny character.

Cinematography is beautiful and really, really elegant. That John Mathieson is quite maddening. On the one hand, he does a great job with this and a fine job with Matchstick Men and Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand he's responsible for the look of Gladiator and, infinately worse, The Phantom of The Opera, one of the worst shot films I've ever seen.

The score is one of Zimmer's best, and also one of the most elegant scores I've ever heard. The themes are perfect (Clarice's theme is particularly beautiful), it drives the film wonderfully, and it has two set pieces that are just inspired in very different ways (Klaus Badelt's wonderful twisted take on Strauss, and that beautiful opera piece written with Patrick Cassidy). I just love the score.

I will call it a very pleasurable guilty pleasure.

[Romão 2,274]

Hannibal is my favorite Zimmer score. Whe he combines talent with good taste, he can really produce quality work.

[A24 4,346]

The Shining. A strange movie. The story is not well told, and the characters are not at all developed. But the film looks and feels so amazing.....The horror is there, in the daytime, it's not hiding, it's all around us. The movie has so many amazing shots and images.....the hotel is such a character, it's huge hollow rooms. It is probably the most alluring and entrancing movie that fails almost entirely to tell it's story. It's plain why King fans hate the film as King fans, but I don't see how someone cannot be at all impressed by the film if separated from it's origins. Can't give it a star rating, as I'm torn between **** for it's style and *1/2 for it story. One heck of a movie experience any way you look at it.

Even though I like the first half, to me The Shining is the beginning of Kubrick's decline. I'm a Kubrick fan but his latest three films (The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut just don't do it for me. Whether he fails to tell a story or not, I'm just not interested psychologically.

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Even though I like the first half, to me The Shining is the beginning of Kubrick's decline.

Are you quitting on me? Well, are you? Then quit, you slimy fucking walrus-looking piece of shit. Get the fuck off of my obstacle. Get the fuck down off of my obstacle. Now. Move it. I'm going to rip your balls off, so you cannot contaminate the rest of the world. I will motivate you, Alexcremers, if it short-dicks every cannibal on the Congo!

[A24 4,346]

Is that from Full Metal Jacket? If it isn't you sure know how to kill a thread.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It is.

[Hitch 57]

Recent movies I've seen:

POTC III - It stank more than Alma's gut.

ZODIAC - Best Fincher movie in 5 years. Wait...he hasn't made a movie in 5 years. Ahhh...that figures.

300 - Can't wait for the sequel.

SPIDER-MAN 3 - Let's hope Columbia can save this franchise before Sam Raimi ruins it. Oh wait...he has!

SUNSHINE - One of the better sci-fi movies in recent years. Pity about the last 20 mins.

BABEL - The Japanese segment of the movie stands out. Gustavo Santaclaus' Oscar-winning music is a knockout....for anyone interested in learning the guitar or any other plucky stringed instrument.

A GOOD YEAR - It hasn't been for me so far. Has Ridley Scott gone soft in the brain or what?

PAN'S LABYRINTH - Now there's a movie that should been seen by all. Bravo!

SAW III - Come on, people....I want to be scared not throw my soya shake at the screen. Pathetic movie.

Hitch, back in bitching mode again. What did I miss???

[A24 4,346]

PAN'S LABYRINTH - Now there's a movie that should been seen by all. Bravo!

Now here's a movie I want to see!

BTW, did you come back because you heard I was back?

Alex

[Hitch 57]

Hell...I even thought I was dead. Until I found out I was just in Nebraska.

Hitch Complete score to BABEL by Gustavo Santat...Santalowya...Santalowball...oh whatever

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

PAN'S LABYRINTH - Now there's a movie that should been seen by all. Bravo!

Now here's a movie I want to see!

I have not seen it yet either. Here's hoping it's as good as Blade II!

[A24 4,346]

PAN'S LABYRINTH - Now there's a movie that should been seen by all. Bravo!

Now here's a movie I want to see!

I have not seen it yet either. Here's hoping it's as good as Blade II!

Blade II? Hmm, I think you will be disappointed.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Did you see it Alex? Blade II.

For what it is, it's very, very good. Guillermo del Toro is a master in creating mood and atmosphere.

[A24 4,346]

I know. I think I've seen Blade II but I'm not sure. I can't seperate them Blade Films from one and other. Believe it or not, but I'm a Del Toro fan since Hellboy. I even thought he elevated Mimic to a much better movie than it should've been.

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Yeah I agree, Mimic and Blade II may be B-film trash, but Del Toro makes them into really good B-film trash.

[Hitch 57]

Did you see it Alex? Blade II.

For what it is, it's very, very good. Guillermo del Toro is a master in creating mood and atmosphere.

I'm the only one around here who is any good at creating mood and atmosphere. As for the Blade movies, the only blade I've seen is the one I've to clean up after Mother.