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Recent Movies Due A Reappraisal

Started by CaledonianGonzo, July 20, 2010, 08:22:06 PM

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El Unicornio, mang

Quote from: Johnny Townmouse on July 21, 2010, 11:33:20 PM

I will put my neck on the block and say that I find The Passion of the Christ to be a completely engrossing and well made film that manages to use language in a way that I wish ALL films would (it pisses me off when German soldiers speak to each other in English). It is also quite uncompromising not just from the point of view of the torture metered out, but more importantly from my view the production of what is really a one act film. If Cameron had directed this 'you know how this will all end' film, we would have had to endure all sorts of redundant shit. Yes, I know, I know. I like Polanski films too.


I agree with this. Despite not being at all religious, I thought the film was extremely well made. For me, the torture scene is worse than any I have seen (including real life stuff). After about 5 minutes of the relentless flogging I was begging them to stop, and had so much fear of what his tormenters were going to do next. I get the criticism of it being "torture porn" but I think the idea was to show that through all that he was able to turn the other cheek. As barmy as Mel Gibson may be, his films always show the reality of violence very well (see also: the battle scenes in Braveheart).

Santa's Boyfriend

Sodeburgh's version of Solaris is in my opinion a masterpiece.  It's not the same as Tarkovsky's version - it's interpreted in far more of a western way - but that does not make it a popcorn action fest.  It's a slow and thoughtful film (thought not glacial like the Tarkovsky version), and a very brave one in my opinion.  It's heavily influenced by 2001, and stylisticly borrows heavily from it.  It seems a shame that the film is probably destined to sink from cultural view, partly because the Tarkovsky version is an arthouse masterpiece and ultimately a more important film, and partly because the mainstream audience never went to see it, meaning the film fell between the two audiences.  But I love the film.  It's more accessible than the Tarkovsky version, but in my opinion doesn't compromise on ideas.

Johnny Townmouse

Quote from: El Unicornio
I agree with this. Despite not being at all religious, I thought the film was extremely well made. For me, the torture scene is worse than any I have seen (including real life stuff). After about 5 minutes of the relentless flogging I was begging them to stop, and had so much fear of what his tormenters were going to do next. I get the criticism of it being "torture porn" but I think the idea was to show that through all that he was able to turn the other cheek. As barmy as Mel Gibson may be, his films always show the reality of violence very well (see also: the battle scenes in Braveheart).

I *do* think that it is a vehicle for Gibson to vent his anti-semitism, no matter what one thinks of its historical accuracy and Jewish leaders involvement in his downfall. I think the term 'torture porn' is usually used in a pejorative way that does not take into account the salacious pleasure we take in all human suffering in film, and on that basis I tend to reject it. Saw and Hostel to me are just tediously bad horror/slasher films.

Quote from: Santa's BoyfriendSodeburgh's version of Solaris is in my opinion a masterpiece.  It's not the same as Tarkovsky's version - it's interpreted in far more of a western way - but that does not make it a popcorn action fest.  It's a slow and thoughtful film (thought not glacial like the Tarkovsky version), and a very brave one in my opinion.  It's heavily influenced by 2001, and stylisticly borrows heavily from it.  It seems a shame that the film is probably destined to sink from cultural view, partly because the Tarkovsky version is an arthouse masterpiece and ultimately a more important film, and partly because the mainstream audience never went to see it, meaning the film fell between the two audiences.  But I love the film.  It's more accessible than the Tarkovsky version, but in my opinion doesn't compromise on ideas.

Great post, and I couldn't agree more with every word. I was startled by how much I enjoyed Soderburgh's reversioning of Solaris. It was oftentimes diffciult to work out if he was going back to Lem's source material to re-adapt it, or if he was using Tarkovsky's SF masterpiece as the foundations for a remake. In the end it just stands as a fantastic film in its own right. It succeeds on its own terms, despite the fact that it lacks many of the elements of Tarkovsky's film that made it so wonderful (the extended driving scene, the anti-gravity/Brueghel scene, the raining indoors climax). I do think that it will disappear into obscurity but given how low-budget the film was, there is a sort of charm to this.

vrailaine

Quote from: Jack Shaftoe on July 21, 2010, 08:40:41 PM
Southland Tales is, while not good exactly, is certainly worth a go. Really makes me think of playing in someone's rather over-thought RPG campaign, where you don't really have a clue what's going on, but once you stop worrying about it and go along with the ride, it's rather good fun.
I thought it was great, somewhat interesting to watch just how awful the Cannes version was afterwards, it's much the same but all the fun was drained outta it(or should I say the fun was pumped in with the re-edit?).

Great use of the Rock's limited but undeniable talents... possibly unintentional, mind.

SavageHedgehog

I found parts of The Passion rather campy despite (or maybe even because of) the horrific violence, and recall some of the lighting seemed inadequate. Also, I may be wrong on this, but isn't the dialect used in the film of questionable authenticity? (That's just something I recall reading, I have zero expertise on the matter) Despite all this, I can't deny it's a remarkable achievement, just one I have no use for personally.

I agree with the Solaris remake and Southland Tales. Harry Knowles compared the later to the 1967 Casino Royale, and as much as I dislike him I think that's a really good comparison. I enjoyed both films in the same way, and I think a lot of people hated both films for the same reasons.

Ballad of Ballard Berkley

Quote from: Ignatius_S on July 21, 2010, 02:14:52 PM
I must take up cudgels over that with you – I fear you've oversold it, I fear. A nasty little misogynistic melodrama.

Yes, in retrospect I see the mistake I made there. Describing Requiem for a Dream as "a modern-day Reefer Madness with added dildos" makes it sound far, far more enjoyable than it actually is. "A nasty little misogynistic melodrama" is much more apt.


biggytitbo

2 horror remakes that are actually quite good. Last House on the Left, not seen the original but the remake is a tight, effectively grimy and nasty little film in its own terms, with some excellent acting. Friday the 13th, I have seen the original, and although this technically isn't a remake (its Jason's mother that does all the killings in the original, not Jason)  the remake is a big improvement on what is a very influential but dreary and boring film. The killings are better, the characters are better, the sex is better and it breezes by with a lot more fun than the original film.

Famous Mortimer

I thought Cloverfield was excellent too, bad reviews be damned. A little bit daft how the monster found our heroes in Central Park at the end, but by and large it's a great film and deserves more praise (if it didn't get any, I just saw it in this thread and thought I'd join in).

Jemble Fred

Quote from: DJ Solid Snail on July 21, 2010, 03:55:59 PM
If they're a Film Studies student and they've not seen Citizen Kane then yes, sod them.

I have a film degree. I have seen Citizen Kane, and it is good, but I prefer the Real Ghostbusters episode based on it.

JPA

Quote from: Famous Mortimer on September 06, 2010, 11:18:06 AM
I thought Cloverfield was excellent too, bad reviews be damned. A little bit daft how the monster found our heroes in Central Park at the end, but by and large it's a great film and deserves more praise (if it didn't get any, I just saw it in this thread and thought I'd join in).

That lingering close-up of the monster's face in broad daylight was a ridiculous inclusion. Less is more.

Big Jack McBastard

I'll also throw in a coin for Cloverfield I really enjoyed it, though I'll admit I did guffaw a bit when the girl's head exploded behind the haz-mat curtain.

thugler

Quote from: JPA on September 06, 2010, 12:16:34 PM
That lingering close-up of the monster's face in broad daylight was a ridiculous inclusion. Less is more.

watching a cam version made it much better!

Shoulders?-Stomach!

Cloverfield definitely gets worse towards the end, but you could also argue it doesn't take itself too seriously either in doing so. Big monster, over the top deaths, etc, great set pieces.

The rather videogame-style plot of 'we must go back into the heart of the danger for a contrived reason not even the writers have the guts to justify' was annoying, but you sort of expect something like that anyway.


Custard

#73
Kickass.

I just don't get the praise it's getting. I really wanted to enjoy it, but bar the odd fun scene, I found it all pretty underwhelming. Yet everywhere you look, 5 STAR REVIEWS! Empire nearly tossed itself to death over it, and is still trying.

I didn't really find the little girl swearing shocking or funny, but she was still easily the best thing in it. Central character was too much of a dozy donk to be likeable to me, and the baddies were completely faceless and unthreatening. I also didn't find the OTT, comical, action-scenes as fun as most people. They were pretty standard and uninspired, really. The savage original beating of main character was quite well done, though.

I can see what they were trying to do, but it really fell flat for me. The neverending praise is starting to grate, as the Emporer looks a bit naked to my eyes. And Nic Cage didn't get to punch any old women.

Brundle-Fly

Quote from: biggytitbo on July 22, 2010, 08:19:04 PM
2 horror remakes that are actually quite good. Last House on the Left, not seen the original but the remake is a tight, effectively grimy and nasty little film in its own terms, with some excellent acting. Friday the 13th, I have seen the original, and although this technically isn't a remake (its Jason's mother that does all the killings in the original, not Jason)  the remake is a big improvement on what is a very influential but dreary and boring film. The killings are better, the characters are better, the sex is better and it breezes by with a lot more fun than the original film.

I feel the same with Dawn Of The Dead, The Hills Have Eyes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre remakes. They are good horror films in their own right but ultimately, glossed up versions bereft of the seedy allure of the originals. 

I think THe Mist has been underrated but I gather it is building up a following?

defmem

Quote from: Brundle-Fly on September 14, 2010, 09:29:42 PM
I feel the same with Dawn Of The Dead, The Hills Have Eyes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre remakes. They are good horror films in their own right but ultimately, glossed up versions bereft of the seedy allure of the originals. 

I think THe Mist has been underrated but I gather it is building up a following?

Yeh, The Mist seems to be becoming recognised as, if not quite a classic, a very decent, suspenseful film. In all honesty, i think the poor CGI is what irks most detractors.

My then girlfriend was emotionally shattered by that last scene, and has steadfastly refused to even entertain the thought of ever watching it again. After a few minutes of crying during the credits, she turned to me pleadingly and said "What will [Frank Castle] do now?", before breaking down into further sobbing. So it was certainly an effective film for some people!

Famous Mortimer

It was such a shock because that ending came out of nowhere - Stephen King film, mini-series...it was really good and I'm tempted to watch it again now.

non capisco

Quote from: defmem on September 16, 2010, 07:53:35 PM
Yeh, The Mist seems to be becoming recognised as, if not quite a classic, a very decent, suspenseful film. In all honesty, i think the poor CGI is what irks most detractors.

I've only seen it in colour in the cinema but apparently Frank Darabont's preferred black-and-white version is superior in that it masks some of the ropier bits of CGI and gives the whole thing the feel of an especially nightmarish 'Twilight Zone' episode. I may well have to but the DVD which I think has both versions, I loved 'The Mist'. Though I sort of wish I hadn't gone in already having heard the 'bleakest ending ever' hype as I think it would have had even more impact if I hadn't have been expecting one. Still a punch to the gut though.

chocolateboy

Quote from: defmem on September 16, 2010, 07:53:35 PM
My then girlfriend was emotionally shattered by that last scene, and has steadfastly refused to even entertain the thought of ever watching it again. After a few minutes of crying during the credits, she turned to me pleadingly and said "What will [Frank Castle] do now?", before breaking down into further sobbing. So it was certainly an effective film for some people!

Sorry, this isn't entirely directed at you, but it's a film that lives or dies by its ending (which I felt cheated/tricked/fucked about/annoyed by). Your then-girlfriend clearly had the decorators in. It's not fucking Shoah.

Famous Mortimer

Blades of Glory

I must have been in a bad mood when I watched this the first time, and it seems to be a minor film in the recent canon of Will Ferrell, but on a rewatch the other day...it's fucking great! Right up there with the McKay-helmed ones.

mikeyg27

Quote from: Famous Mortimer on November 06, 2010, 07:47:52 PM
Blades of Glory

I must have been in a bad mood when I watched this the first time, and it seems to be a minor film in the recent canon of Will Ferrell, but on a rewatch the other day...it's fucking great! Right up there with the McKay-helmed ones.

That's a film that I think belongs in the 'saved by their endings' thread. Considering that it manages to just about stay within the confines of reality for the most part, the final shot came completely out of the blue and floored me.

On a very loose tangent (since it was originally a script for Ferrell) I wish Hot Rod got more credit as the best 'stupid' comedy of the last few years.

kidsick5000

Quote from: Famous Mortimer on November 06, 2010, 07:47:52 PM
Blades of Glory

I must have been in a bad mood when I watched this the first time, and it seems to be a minor film in the recent canon of Will Ferrell, but on a rewatch the other day...it's fucking great! Right up there with the McKay-helmed ones.

It is my instant good vibes film. Ony caught it on DVD but loved it. The right amount of stupid with a good story that actually makes you root for Ferrell and Heder. Seems that Ferrell films need DVD viewings to sink in.

Dead kate moss

Quote from: Phil_A on July 21, 2010, 11:15:49 AM
I've always thought Brick deserved more attention than it got - although it was a critical hit, I don't think many people actually saw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBzX6fFvhwA

I'd say it's probably the best modern take on the film noir genre I've seen, a really strikingly assured debut from writer/director Rian Hughes. The idea of superimposing the tropes of a pulp detective story onto a high school environment is such an obvious idea it's hard to believe it hadn't already been done, but Hughes really carries it off with panache. Hopefully more people will go back and check it out now Joseph Gordon Levitt seems to be about to hit the big time.

I'm slightly annoyed that Hughes second feature, "The Brothers Bloom", didn't even come out over here. Why?

I hated Brick. Brick is about a young nerd who improbably has a hot-but-nice blonde ex gf, who gets killed because she gets caught up in drugs and cool people. Its the ultimate pussy fantasy/fears made celluloid.

The main character, played by the long faced kid off Third Rock From The Sun, will appeal to losers who have not actually had an angelic blonde ex-gf, but who know a thing or two about obsessing and/or stalking them.

The jock character is a laughable stereotype that ends up killing the pusher dude who dresses like Jack The Ripper. To the scaredy cat boffin types, these muscle guys are just animals, so it doesn't seem ridiculous how his punching a guy a few times is equal to Wolverine's beserker rage. Luckily our hero manages to run away from this fight.

Throughout the film everyone does as the pussy tells them to, when in real life they would say 'shut it poindexter' and he would cry.

He finally works out that the chick from Heroes is evil, and his ex was a poor little angel who only hung out with the cool kids because they were like cool and stuff. And they got her addicted to 'dupe' or 'tug' or whatever stupid ergot they invented for this film. Every line is incomprehensible, with talk of 'every bull in the burg being on their shadow if the 9th line goes bong-bong' or somesuch.

The evil chick gets hers when four-eyes reveals he has put a letter under the sheriffs door telling him to search her locker where the drugs are. The perfect nerd solution, run away from every confrontation, then tell the teacher.

Famous Mortimer

Quote from: mikeyg27 on November 07, 2010, 12:02:31 AM
On a very loose tangent (since it was originally a script for Ferrell) I wish Hot Rod got more credit as the best 'stupid' comedy of the last few years.
Much as I love Samberg, it's not quite good enough a film to really get behind. But it certainly merits more people seeing it than evidently have. Wasn't it written by Seth Meyers, the current head writer for Saturday Night Live?

Custard

Quote from: kidsick5000 on November 07, 2010, 06:54:14 AM
It is my instant good vibes film. Ony caught it on DVD but loved it. The right amount of stupid with a good story that actually makes you root for Ferrell and Heder. Seems that Ferrell films need DVD viewings to sink in.

Heh, yeah i love it too, and i'm amazed that more people don't. I find it funnier than most Ferrell films, and it's full of genuinely funny moments. Much better than anything he's done since

SavageHedgehog

I also think it's much better than Talladega Nights, which would seem to have the upper hand in being a McKay-Ferrel collaboration, but is overblown and doesn't have as many good gags as Blades.

Serge

I've seen two films in the past two days which I thought were quite good, but no more than that - 'A Prophet' and 'A Serious Man'.

To be fair, I bought 'A Prophet' on the recommendation of a friend who thinks it's one of the greatest movies ever made, and admittedly, of the two films, it was certainly the better, but ultimately, it didn't have me jumping up from my seat proclaiming that I'd just seen a cinematic masterpiece. It's not even the best French film about criminals that I've seen this year (hats off to 'Mesrine'.)

'A Serious Man' was even more "So what?", and I'm usually someone who likes films that aren't really about anything, but, great performances aside, there didn't really seem to be anything at all to this film. I wasn't expecting any kind of tidy resolution, I knew it wasn't going to be that kind of film, but again, I rose from my seat afterwards feeling like I'd been expecting a Mars Bar and got a Milky Way.[nb]'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' gave me the same feeling, though that was funnier.[/nb] I certainly can't see why anyone would claim it was the 'Best Coen Brothers Film Ever', as someone quoted on the box did. And can anyone tell me the point of the prologue?

kidsick5000

Quote from: Famous Mortimer on November 07, 2010, 11:10:09 AM
Much as I love Samberg, it's not quite good enough a film to really get behind. But it certainly merits more people seeing it than evidently have. Wasn't it written by Seth Meyers, the current head writer for Saturday Night Live?

It's got some great set pieces, and uses lots of the Lonely Island bag of tricks (the 80's soft rock references crop up in Jorma Taccome's Macgruber too).
I'm more surprised that Samberg hasn't followed it up yet. He's role on SNL has been greatly reduced too.

SavageHedgehog

Haven't seen Hot Rod (although I keep meaning to; I loved the trailer), but I did rather enjoy MacGruber. There were some gags where I couldn't quite tell if they were jokes about macho attitudes or simply homophobic or frattish, but I kind of liked that ambiguity. The funny thing about it is while an 80s action parody with a eponymous character originally based on another who most people might know today as Patty and Selma's crush or what that Stargate bloke used to do on the surface would seem to be about as culturally irrelevant as you could get, it's actually wierdly tiimely; with macho 80s attitudes films making a comeback with The Expendables, Predators, Machete, Red etc., MacGruber shows the potentially disturbing, ugly and embarassing side of taking that kind of attitude too seriously or too far.

Famous Mortimer

Quote from: kidsick5000 on November 07, 2010, 06:39:32 PM
I'm more surprised that Samberg hasn't followed it up yet. He's role on SNL has been greatly reduced too.
He's on it, in terms of number of sketches, more than anyone other than Kristen Wiig at the moment.

MacGruber is another one. It looked awful and didn't get many great reviews, but it was pretty damn funny too. The repeated
Spoiler alert
"I will suck your dick"
[close]
line is just puerile enough to make me howl with laughter.