Miscellaneous Movie Musings [Archive] - Page 20

Snowflake

08-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by JWBear
While I adore SITR, imo his masterpiece is the American in Paris ballet sequence.

iSm said:
IMHO, the American in Paris ballet sequence is an overbloated, far overlong, pretentioius segment of nonsense and non-musicality.

By contrast, the swift, tight, ultra-musical, story-in-five-minutes Broadway Melody ballet in SitR is genius incarnate.

Less is more.

Difference:
American in Paris - Vincent Minnelli
Singin in the Rain - Stanley Donen

IMO, Donen always, always had a much lighter touch and easy feel with the films and musicals he directed.

Minnelli, while admittedly an artist has always struck me as pretentious. He's also left us one of the hootiest fun films in The Cobweb (and a few other stinkers, too). As much as I love looking at The Pirate, it's a misfire. Lush, yes, but a little too rich sometimes. I'm with iSm on this, I think. Then again, I will watch Oscar Levant in anything. :-)

Strangler Lewis

08-28-2009, 02:22 PM

Snowflake

08-28-2009, 02:42 PM

I like the Broadway Melody sequence even though it really sticks out like a sore thumb in the movie. However, I will commit heresy by saying that Cyd Charisse was too big for him, was too facially wooden even within the context of her character's impassivity, and moved like a truck.

Girl Hunt Ballet in The Bandwagon (which is my favorite MGM musical, for the record) Much sillier numbers, but it's Fred Astaire, always wins my heart.

But I do love both Kelly and Astaire, greeeeeeeeeat dancers (and Gene Kelly had a really nice tush, too)

innerSpaceman

08-28-2009, 05:17 PM

What is UP with the missing bit of footage in the Cyd Charrise segment? Has anyone EVER seen it? Is there any story about how and when it went missing.

I don't remember the jarring moment from my first viewings as a kid, but I won't trust those long-ago memories. But from when I first starting seeing SitR in revival theaters circa 1976 or so, that horrible jump of missing slinky Charrise footage was there.

I mean, WTF? This is one of the most famous films all all time. What happened?

Gemini Cricket

08-28-2009, 05:36 PM

What happened?
Censorship.

innerSpaceman

08-28-2009, 06:32 PM

I feel I must report that Isaac is watching the over-iconic number Singin' in the Rain on his iPhone at this precise moment.

And censorship? Did Gene's Kelly pop out of his pants at that moment? Or could you somehow plainly see the boner that practically every man in America has sported at that time? He's wearing black pants, so i don't think so.

Alex

08-28-2009, 08:42 PM

I've always understood that jump cut was always there (though I didn't see it when it was first released like you did) and that it was simply a necessity when they were forced to edit two master shots together.

They're not completely uncommon in the old dance musicals where video monitors weren't available to immediately spot a lot of issues only to be found later and the nature of the long master shots used in dance numbers made unexpected editing difficult (in a modern movie, who'd notice?).

Gemini Cricket

08-28-2009, 09:04 PM

I had heard it was because of their position and where their crotches were. But I could have sworn I heard about that here. Maybe I'm wrong...

On a completely different note, I've tried and tried to watch and like High Society but can't seem to embrace it. I guess I love Philadelphia Story too much to watch different (albeit wonderful) actors in those parts... I never really was fond of the music either...

Alex

08-28-2009, 09:40 PM

I've heard that too (though I've also heard it wasn't their relative positions but rather she was explicitly exposed). But never from anybody who'd actually know or is able to point to someone who'd actually know.

Cadaverous Pallor

08-28-2009, 11:30 PM

Saw *batteries not included after many years away. Another beloved childhood film that is full of holes. And my God, the matte painting on the "roof"! Oh well, still adorable, though seeing Jessica Tandy with a lost mind just isn't as funny as it was when I was a kid...

Yes, this movie was brought to mind due to our Be Kind Rewind viewing. Any other "it'll take a miracle to keep us from getting evicted from this run down place" movies?

Alex

08-29-2009, 06:53 AM

Rent?

Cadaverous Pallor

08-29-2009, 09:24 AM

Rent?Ah, never seen that. (runs away from gay people wielding pitchforks and torches)

Strangler Lewis

08-29-2009, 09:47 AM

"It's a Wonderful Life."

Gemini Cricket

08-29-2009, 11:52 AM

Any other "it'll take a miracle to keep us from getting evicted from this run down place" movies?
Eviction movies...

You Can't Take it with You
Rent
House of Sand and Fog
Grey Gardens
District 9
Shane
Lil Abner
George Washington Slept Here
Rappin'

Strangler Lewis

08-29-2009, 08:06 PM

Ponyo, Ponyo, fishy in the sea . . .

CoasterMatt

08-29-2009, 09:42 PM

I just watched "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog" - pure awesomeness.

katiesue

08-29-2009, 11:01 PM

I tried to watch Valerkrie - but then I got bored and went and took a shower. Then it was still on and I realized I didn't miss anything. So I did really try to pay attention, but I had to blow dry my hair. Then it was still on and I did sincerely try to pay attention, but I got bored and went in the other room.

On the other hand - Braveheart on BluRay is awesome. I need to go to Scotland, now.

Gemini Cricket

08-29-2009, 11:11 PM

I actually like the current commercial for 2012. It's an ad for a group called the Institute for Human Continuity. Except for a couple of random shots included in the commercial and the "this film is not rated" caption at the end, you can't tell it's really a trailer for 2012. It's clever. Kinda reminds me of the T2 attraction at Universal or Total Recall or something. Neat! The website for the film is theihc.com, it's neat too.

Alex

08-29-2009, 11:51 PM

I like the ad because I know it is an ad. I don't like it because I've already run into too many people who actually believe the 2012 end of the world BS. The rubes need not the encouragement.

SzczerbiakManiac

08-30-2009, 11:36 AM

I'm right there with you Alex. I plan on getting the rubes to sign away all their earthly possessions & wealth to me, delivery guaranteed on January 1, 2013. There are a lot of stupid people out there--I plan on becoming rich--rich I tells ya!!

innerSpaceman

08-30-2009, 12:11 PM

I tried to watch Valerkrie - but then I got bored and went and took a shower.

I still want to see Valerkrie ... I think it would make an awesome double-feature with Inglourious Basterds. Ya know, the pompous, serious-mode, historically accurate Kill Hitler movie ... and the edgy, semi-comical, tense Tarantino instant-masterpiece Kill Hitler movie that throws historical accuracy to the winds in favor of fantastic wish-fulfillment alternate history.

In case you can't tell, i freaking LOVED Inglourious Basterds. Breezy even at 2.5 hours, a collection of very tense and fantastically enjoyable witty dialogue scenes, all with war suspense, but nary a battle scene anywhere. Oh, and the dialogue is 90% foreign language. And it's at once nail-biting and hysterical.

And the two music cues from Kill Bill totally cracked me up.

Gemini Cricket

08-30-2009, 01:13 PM

I love the discussion people have regarding the end of the movie Shane. Did he die or not, etc. I guess it's implied, but I love how people still talk about it 56 years later.
:)

Tref

08-30-2009, 03:23 PM

Me likee

1. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2igjYFojUo) ("that's my trademark")
2. A Serious Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcUTv3LH3ss) ("please, I need help")
3. Tron Legacy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jgM-G1JbvY) (two Jeff Bridges for the price of one!)
4. Bad Lieutenant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl9AmGLRyXA) (herzog's version NSFW)
5. The Expendables (no trailer as yet)

Cadaverous Pallor

08-30-2009, 05:40 PM

Me likee

1. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2igjYFojUo) ("that's my trademark")Wow, I am so damn excited about that one. :D

Strangler Lewis

08-30-2009, 08:55 PM

I just go backl from the English language Ponyo - I can't say anything about it that won't sound unbelievably sappy - but it felt cleansing in its simplicity, beauty and uncynical humanity. Just a small story, not a big emotional roller-coaster, but between the gorgeous drawings and Joe Hisaishi's score, I spent most of my time quietly leaking out of the corners of my eyes while smiling. So, I can't wait to see it in its original nihongo. (Though, as dubs go, this one was very well done.)

Megadittoes. Plus, with all the 3D, Pixar, etc. clever animation, I've seen, this is the first movie I've been at where little kids were gasping and oohing in surprise and amazement.

And while I usually don't indulge in superlatives . . .

["Ssh, quiet, he's going to indulge in superlatives.]

. . . I would say that

the scene with Ponyo tirelessly and joyfully running on the fish to be with the boy belongs on any montage of the great images of movie history.

Gemini Cricket

08-31-2009, 01:14 AM

The Party. Hysterical. I laughed all the way through it. I think this might have been one mousepod had recommended to me but I'm not sure. I loved it. Peter Sellers was damn funny. "Birdie Num Num."

Nerd

08-31-2009, 11:17 AM

I had a chance to see Adam a few days ago - going into it, I knew that I was going to compare it to 500 Days of Summer. With that said, I didn't think that Adam was as good as 500 Days. AFAIK, Adam is the first movie that explicitly deals with Asperger's syndrome... but yet, it didn't do much with it and it certainly did not resonate with me. It's very funny at times but also heavy-handed at others.

I would recommend at least a rental for Hugh Dancy's performance. Just ignore Rose Byrne.

Gemini Cricket

09-05-2009, 01:44 AM

I gotta say A Goofy Movie is one of my favorite Disney animated features. It's truly inspired in a lot of places. I mean, for me, it's totally laugh out loud funny. Lester's Possum Park is comedy gold in a Disney parodying Disney sort of way. All that and then there's a really cool father/son plot throughout. Good stuff.
:)

Gemini Cricket

09-07-2009, 02:41 PM

Yikes! 5% for All About Steve (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_about_steve/).

Ty Burr from the Boston Globe:
(http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_about_steve/articles/1842159/easily_the_worst_movie_of_the_week_month_year_and_ bullocks_entire_career_it_is_to_comedy_what_lepros y_once_was_to_the_island_of_molokai_a_plague_best_ contemplated_from_many_miles_away)
Easily the worst movie of the week, month, year, and Bullock’s entire career. It is to comedy what leprosy once was to the island of Molokai: a plague best contemplated from many miles away.

Wow! Harsh!
:D

katiesue

09-08-2009, 09:22 AM

Maddie loved All About Steve - I luckily didn't have to watch it.

Alex

09-08-2009, 09:27 AM

In a shocking turn of events, Gamer was not very good. Though more Michael C. Hall should have had more screen time. It was like Dexter gone bad (well, badder than he is).

Betty

09-08-2009, 10:35 AM

Gran Torino. Decent flick. I do NOT like Clint Eastwood but I really liked him as a crotchety old man. get off my lawn!

Cried at the end. Worth the pay per view.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

09-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Saw Extract last night - didn't laugh much, not very funny or interesting. The only LOL was the fate of one character that was a surpise. Other than that it was very pedestrian.

Gemini Cricket

09-11-2009, 01:04 AM

28 Weeks Later ~ I liked the first one and I liked the sequel just as much. The editing and sound was amazing in this film. I thought the cast as pretty danged good.

Sleuth (Jude Law version) ~ Mixed feelings about this one. I liked the original and liked parts of this one. I'd give it a meh but a hearty meh. I watched this one because one of the theatres here are doing the stage version and I'd love to be in it.

Land of the Dead ~ After the awesome Dawn of the Dead remake, this one was so bad that I stopped watching it after a half hour. Yikes.

Michael Clayton ~ I liked this one a lot. The more I see Clooney, the more I like him. I think Swinton was good in this but I didn't think her performance was that Oscar worthy.

Stuff I re-watched:

Dawn of the Dead ~ Remake. I like this one a lot. It was so intense. Loved it. The first fifteen minutes are damn good.

Cloverfield ~ You know, as stupid as some parts of this movie are, I like it. Yes, the handheld thing can make you nauseous but it is a really well put together film. I think the first half is better than the second half but all in all it's a cool flick.

Morrigoon

09-11-2009, 01:20 AM

Just watched a Nova documentary called Absolute Zero. I think they only showed half of it though, because it stopped at the invention of air conditioning. Still, very VERY cool stuff about the history of the evolving science of temperature, and I finally kind of understand how refrigeration works, which is a concept I've been trying to wrap my brain around for ages (eg: I knew it involved "removing heat" but I didn't get how it was accomplished, and this explained it).

I know I'm a total dork, but you give me a show that explains how a particular machine works and I'm all ears. Throw in a little history on the evolution of the science and I'm yours forever, or an hour, however long the documentary lasts ;)

innerSpaceman

09-11-2009, 10:26 AM

Holy Hell, there are a lot of movies I want to see this Fall. Um, my average is paltry, so most of these would be Netflixed, but I'd like to see each of them in theaters:

9 - out just now, the post-apocalyptic animated tale that intrigues me with cool visuals.

The Informant - Matt Damon as a true-life corporate whistle-blower, but with a comical satiric twist.

A Serious Man - The Coen Brothers based this on their own dad.

Capitalism: A Love Story - Michael Moore takes on Wall Street.

Where the Wild Things Are - because I just must. It will either be an abject failure or a complete delight.

The Road - Viggo Mortensen as a post-apocalyptic dad. Reportedly very depressing. I'm interested.

Amelia - Hillary Swank as aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox - Wes Anderson's take on the Roald Dahl tale.

Nine (not to be confused with 9) - the musical loosely based on Fellini's filming of 8-1/2, with Daniel Day Lewis as the Fellini-esque director, and the women in his life played by Marion Cottilard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Kate Hudson.

The Lovely Bones - Peter Jackson, who did so well with Heavenly Creatures, directs this tale of a 14-year-old girl who, from beyond the grave, watches the man who raped and killed her (Stanley Tucci).

Up in the Air - George Clooney as a corporate hit man who travels the world firing people.

Avatar - I think it looks really cool. Could stink. Could be great.

Pirate Radio - Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Bill Nighy as 60's offshore broadcasters, loosely based on truth.

The Vampire's Assistant - hahaha, the vampire is played by John C. Reily and the film is directed by the brother of the guy who directed the Twilight sequel coming out a week or so earlier (which is decidely not a movie I'm interested in seeing ... ever).

2012 - can't resist. Looks like fun.

and

A Christmas Carol - a really odd-looking take on the Dickens holiday classic with, ugh, Jim Carrey as Scrooge. But I pretty much see every version of A Christmas Carol.

Alex

09-11-2009, 01:47 PM

Disney and Guillermo del Toro are teaming up on a new production label for scary animated films.

I predict shock the first time parents take kids to a movie because it has the Disney label only to find it has del Toro's vision.

SzczerbiakManiac

09-11-2009, 01:59 PM

But will it have the actual Disney name or be something like Touchstone which people "in the know" know is Disney but the general populace does not?

Alex

09-11-2009, 02:25 PM

The production label the announced is Disney Double Dare You (horrible name).

innerSpaceman

09-11-2009, 02:30 PM

How about Downtown Disney's Disney Double Dare You District of Disney?

SzczerbiakManiac

09-11-2009, 03:22 PM

Ug, that's an awful name.

I guess my next question is, are these movie going to be "Disney scary" (a la the Haunted Mansion attraction) or genuinely scary (horror film)?

Cadaverous Pallor

09-12-2009, 01:47 PM

If it says Disney on it, I don't expect it to be scary, by any measure.

CoasterMatt

09-12-2009, 05:16 PM

The only scary Disney products have "Princesses" or "Fairies" in the title.

Alex

09-12-2009, 05:41 PM

If it says Disney on it, I don't expect it to be scary, by any measure.

Considering I occasionally get email from parents upset that I didn't warn them in my reviews about thing they thing are too scary or intense for children in the movies Disney is already making, I think you'd be surprised.

But if it isn't scary or intense by any measure then del Toro is being wasted. Certainly a possibility.

Alex

09-13-2009, 06:29 AM

9 was visually quite a treat.

The ending was thought provoking but as Lani and I discussed it after the fact it seemed to fall apart so now it seems faux though provoking but maybe I missed something.

Unfortunately, much of the 80 minutes is just a sequence of chase set pieces and really rather dull.

==

Unintentionally watched La Matriarca (The Libertine) a 1968 Italian sex romp comedyish thing. A young window finds the apartment her husband kept for the fun kinky sex you just don't have with your wife and decides she wants some of that too and the rest is an exploration of various kinks and fetishes until she finds her own. Comedically bad dubbing, attractive actress. Not much worth watching.

Definitely not Johnny Depp's The Libertine which is what I'd thought I put on my Netflix queue.

LSPoorEeyorick

09-13-2009, 08:31 AM

I get the sense that del Toro is not one to give up his own creative vision. Even if it's not horror, he does creepy very well. And I'd be down with something dark and visionary like Haunted Mansion (ride, not movie) even if it wasn't strictly "horror."

flippyshark

09-13-2009, 08:52 AM

9
Unintentionally watched La Matriarca (The Libertine) a 1968 Italian sex romp comedyish thing. A young window finds the apartment her husband kept for the fun kinky sex you just don't have with your wife and decides she wants some of that too and the rest is an exploration of various kinks and fetishes until she finds her own. Comedically bad dubbing, attractive actress. Not much worth watching.

Based on your plot description, I just may have to be the judge of that.

Ghoulish Delight

09-13-2009, 11:00 AM

Finally saw Inglorious Basterds last night.

It left me a little conflicted. On the one hand, it's a great movie, Tarantino doing what he does best. Reminded me in pace and story telling of Jackie Brown, one of my favorite and often under appreciated Tarantino films. Can't say a bad thing about it as a movie.

But I still don't like watching Nazi movies. Even if it was fantasy Nazi slaughter pron. The serious Jew-hunting scenes just depress me, and I can't even delight in the fantasy slaughter 'cause, well, it didn't happen that way, it never could have happened that way, and no amount of fantasizing changes that.

Not that I spent the whole movie crying over the Holocaust or anything, but I just found myself unable to indulge in the feeling of vengeance the movie was trying to illicit.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 11:10 AM

They're prepping for Indy 5 (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20304223,00.html)

I just let out a Charlie Brown-esque "Auuuggghhh!" just now.

flippyshark

09-14-2009, 11:31 AM

They're prepping for Indy 5 (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20304223,00.html)

I just let out a Charlie Brown-esque "Auuuggghhh!" just now.

Ugh. Truly, haven't these people got anything better to do?

Well, whatever they come up with, my expectations are sub-basement low.

flippyshark

09-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Finally saw Inglorious Basterds last night.

It left me a little conflicted. On the one hand, it's a great movie, Tarantino doing what he does best. Reminded me in pace and story telling of Jackie Brown, one of my favorite and often under appreciated Tarantino films. Can't say a bad thing about it as a movie.

But I still don't like watching Nazi movies. Even if it was fantasy Nazi slaughter pron. The serious Jew-hunting scenes just depress me, and I can't even delight in the fantasy slaughter 'cause, well, it didn't happen that way, it never could have happened that way, and no amount of fantasizing changes that.

The whole fantasy revenge angle is what has kept me away. I didn't relish the idea of inhumanity being met by gleeful revenge inhumanity, no matter how justified. It sounded like a nasty pretext for nihilism on paper. But several reviews I've read have indicated that such fears may be groundless, and in any case, I totally loved Jackie Brown. So, hmm, I dunno. Probably wait for video, but I'm too intrigued now to avoid it.

innerSpaceman

09-14-2009, 11:40 AM

Definitely not Johnny Depp's The Libertine which is what I'd thought I put on my Netflix queue.
Consider yourself fortunate for the mistake. Even if your incorrect choice were the second worst movie EVER made.

As for Tarantino's I.B., it's my hands-down favorite movie of the year, and I didn't for an instant feel any sort of revenge-fantasy. I'm a jew, and that wasn't an inkling's part of the fun for me. I have no idea if that was even supposed to be part of the movie's pleasures. I found so many besides that, I don't even care if it misfired on that particular score.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 11:50 AM

I do not think Tarantino is that great of a director. I think his writing skills are wonderful and he should write plays (if he hasn't already). My favorite of his is still Reservoir Dogs and I have to say I wasn't on the bandwagon with Pulp at all. In fact, I hated Pulp. As for Jackie Brown, I found it completely boring. I gave JB a couple of viewings and couldn't find much about it that I liked. With that being said, I'm going to give Inglorious a shot. I've heard a lot about this one and am curious.

Strangler Lewis

09-14-2009, 12:03 PM

I loved Pulp Fiction, but I agree that Jackie Brown was a huge bore. It struck me as one of those films where the director/writer doesn't realize that he's the only one who gets the joke/point/etc.

Ghoulish Delight

09-14-2009, 12:50 PM

I know Im in the minoroty with Jackie Brown (hi flippy!). I'm actuallly surprised how well i do lime it as i usually hate long slow movies. but that one just hits me right. I love the characters and the pace is jus absolutely necessary for those characters. And say what you want about quentin's directing I thought he got some masterful performances out of that cast.

Moonliner

09-14-2009, 12:51 PM

They're prepping for Indy 5 (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20304223,00.html)

I just let out a Charlie Brown-esque "Auuuggghhh!" just now.

In the linked article, Harrison Ford says:

If the script is good, I'll be very happy to put the costume on again."

I'm assuming he is using the version of the word "script" that is synonymous with payment.

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/uploaded/zakota/2009415_Militar.JPG

Otherwise his statement makes no sense at all.

innerSpaceman

09-14-2009, 12:59 PM

Ugh, I hate that I clicked on that. There's a reason I don't want to know about any celebrities' personal lives. They often make me ill. I hate to be judgmental, but men who continue to Sire children like some scion of the old testament make me cringe. His kids are between 8 and 42 years old? I think I threw up a little in my mouth.

Alex

09-14-2009, 01:11 PM

His 8 year old is not a biological child. It is a child that Calista Flockhart had adopted before she and Ford got together. His last biological child was born when he was 48. Not young, but not horribly old either (though his four biological children came in pairs 15-20 years apart with two wives).

Tref

09-14-2009, 01:59 PM

His last biological child was born when he was 48.

That is one long gestation period!

Snowflake

09-14-2009, 02:05 PM

They're prepping for Indy 5 (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20304223,00.html)

I just let out a Charlie Brown-esque "Auuuggghhh!" just now.

That's what I felt and sounded like with the announcement of another POTC film.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 09:32 PM

Inglorious Basterds

I saw it today. I have a lot to say. Sorry if this post is uberlong.

Dirty Dozen with a dash of Cinema Paradiso and a splatter of Reservoir Dogs.

Let me do bad stuff first:

1. Too long. Tarantino seems to have the George Lucas air about him that people around him are worried about telling him the stuff he's doing needs to be cut. The first table scene in the movie is dull. Now, if it built suspense, like the last five minutes of the scene did then it would have been a different scene altogether. But it didn't. At least, not for me.

2. Too long deux. There were chunks of this film that could have been featured as deleted scenes on the DVD release. I mean if long sections of a scene don't lead up to anything and doesn't move the story along, it's not needed.

3. It's built up to be this sort of Dirty Dozen with us following the Basterds around. Uh, not exactly. It's like he wanted to make one film at first and then thought... hmm, let's change course. What's the point in building up characters like the Bear Jew and Hugo Stiglitz when they are introduced as major players and then are nothing more than less than secondary characters? I know Tarantino likes to do the "ooh, you didn't expect that didn't you" thing but surprises still can be pertinent to the story.

4. "Fu ck a duck!" and referring to a guy's dick as a "weinerschnitzel" pulls me right out of the movie. They are totally modern day references that distract from the movie's intent of trying to convince you that you're in the mid-40's.

5. The gore didn't affect me at all. I was expecting it and now I don't even wince at it when it happens in a Tarantino flick. Yeah, we get it you have the brain of a teenage boy.

6. I wasn't on-board with the Aldo Raine character. Again, Brad Pitt being Brad Pitt with an accent. Pulled me right out of the movie... There's a point where certain actors become parodies of themselves on screen. I started feeling that with Pitt around Ocean's 11...

7. When the film ended, I thought what's the point of this movie? Yes, it's historical fiction, a fantasy version of what happened. But I have no idea what Tarantino is trying to say here other than "wouldn't it have been cool if..."

The good stuff:

1. Two words: Daniel Brühl. He first caught my eye in Ladies in Lavender and again in this film. So very cute and not a bad actor. But I love how he was portrayed as being so likable until you find out more and more about him. Nicely done.

2. Tarantino knows how to use music. The music choices in the film were great. But again, it pulled me out of it at times.

3. The montage of Shoshana getting ready for the premiere is wonderful.

4. Christoph Waltz is a delight to watch. So jolly then so evil.

5. The Reservoir Dogs standoff scene in a French basement. I liked it. The camera loves Diane Kruger.

So, did I like it? I guess. Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? No. I guess I'm on the fence on this one. Great moments, great choices here and there but a long-winded script is still a long-winded script no matter what.

Alex

09-14-2009, 10:11 PM

Strongly opposing reaction for me. The prologue (assume what you mean by "first table scene" is probably the best single scene I've seen in recent memory.

According to Google Books, "**** a duck" has appeared in print at least back to the early '50s. "**** a duck and screw a pigeon, that's the way you'll get religion" is a piece of bathroom graffiti that I now learn originated in a 1955 novel.

My dictionary tells me the wiener/penis connection is about 100 years old. Don't know how long it took for the first wienerschnitzel joke to be told.

That said, it didn't take me out of the movie even if it is modern swearing. I remember hearing David Milch asked why he had his characters in Deadwood saying "**********" all of the time. His answer was that he wanted to true to the foul mouths of the characters but that we'd laugh at what was considered profane at the time. So it is spiritually accurate if not linguistically.

Loved Aldo Rains and am glad the movie wasn't actually a chronicle of the basterds exploits. That would have been boring.

To me, a big part of what the movie is saying is "how comfortable are you with brutality and slaughter when you agree ideologically with those doing it." We in the audience are condemning the Nazi's for their pleasure at a chronicle of the slaughter of U.S. soldiers and are immediately dumped into ourselves taking some positive feeling from the slaughter of the Nazis (and what exactly is the distinction between Zoller as a hero and Audie Murphy as a hero?).

To me it actually took a little bit away from that to have Hitler and the rest of the leadership there. It took away from the ambiguity. Very hard to feel any sympathy at all for Hitler. More questionable would be the slaughter of a hundred mid-level officials and their families.

Cadaverous Pallor

09-14-2009, 10:12 PM

7. When the film ended, I thought what's the point of this movie? Yes, it's historical fiction, a fantasy version of what happened. But I have no idea what Tarantino is trying to say here other than "wouldn't it have been cool if..."I believe this is all that Tarantino is ever trying to say with any movie.

I dug this one. While the music choices and language obviously clashed with the period, I enjoyed that, as it was his way of saying that while they didn't say "kick ass" back then, they meant the same things. (At least this is how I rationalized it.)

I was also rather bummed to not see more of the cool characters. I was struck by Tarantino's usual mark of not making any of the characters stupid or bumbling (which I believe Alex mentioned earlier). Everyone was smart, everyone did the best they could, for good or evil. I'm so sick of movies where you end up shaking your head at the stupid choices that don't make sense within the characters. This was much more enjoyable.

ETA - agreed with Alex, the first table scene was awesome.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 10:22 PM

I mean, I think one would have to be pretty out of it if one didn't know the man was hiding people at his house. I knew it from the start. But the scene didn't build for me at all. When we finally saw the man cry and even seeing the expression of Shoshana (I believe it was her) through the slats that's where I bought the scene. But the scene could have started a lot later in.

I wanted to see a scene where Landa realized who Shoshana was. I mean, what's the point in him knowing her name at the beginning if that doesn't happen. UNLESS we're supposed to derive from the milk reference that he knew. Not sure.

Alex

09-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Since half the purpose of that scene was to set a tone I think it would have lost its value if it started later (though of course that is lost anyway if the tone doesn't work for a person).

Of course we knew he was hiding them as soon as Landa's purpose was revealed. It wasn't about whether he was, it was about what Landa would do with that knowledge. But talking where Michael Bay would have a 50-person shootout is pretty much the epitome of Tarantino.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 10:40 PM

Which is why I think he'd make a great playwright.

innerSpaceman

09-14-2009, 10:45 PM

And yes, I'm pretty sure the milk reference was the pay-off on that. Nice that it wasn't spelled out with spilt ink, but pretty clear nonetheless.

I'm with Alex all-the-way on this one. Table Scene 1 (as it shall henceforth be known) = brilliant. Un-exploit chronicling = smart. The series of scenes were tense, entertaining and suspenseful just as much for the interplay between the characters as for the situations. That they didn't consist entirely of when the situations are prevalent was a unique joy of these film.

Most movies don't have scenes that play out so langorously as these. True, if you find them boring, they are just "slow." But I found ever scene in this movie clever and interesting.

Gemini Cricket

09-14-2009, 11:04 PM

Sorry, I don't mean to go on and on about IB but things keep popping up in my little bird brain.

The whole Chapter thing and the whole "Once upon a time" thing at the beginning felt phony to me. Kinda cheesy and bushwa. I'm not sure how to describe that. It didn't seem necessary. But I like how it seemed like each Chapter could be its own movie or short film.

Tarantino's films kinda feel like this for me: You're watching a fireworks show at the beach or park. You stand there and the sky starts off black and calm. Then bang a big firework. It screams look at me! Look at what I'm doing. Then it goes away. Then there's another bang, different colors maybe bigger than the last one. We go oooh and aaahh and then it goes away. Maybe there's the Star Spangled Banner playing somewhere and it sort of fits because the blooms are red white and blue. But halfway through this fireworks show you think, hmm... I wish I was at Disneyland. At Disneyland there's music choreographed to the show, it's coordinated and makes you feel something. Happy, sad, touched etc. I never feel emotionally invested in any of his films. I don't care about a lot of his characters. I cared about Shoshana as she ran away at the beginning but I was also resolved to think that hey, Tarantino is probably going to kill her off anyway... maybe right at the beginning, right now.

I have no idea if I'm making any sense.
:D

ETA: Now, I'm not saying everything has to be Disney. That's not the point I was trying to make.

LSPoorEeyorick

09-15-2009, 06:19 AM

But I have no idea what Tarantino is trying to say here other than "wouldn't it have been cool if..."

I believe this is all that Tarantino is ever trying to say with any movie.

And this is why I just don't find his work as interesting as many other filmmakers'. (Though, good point about his occasional subtlety - I hate Michael Bay's films; I don't hate Tarantino's - they just annoy me.)

innerSpaceman

09-15-2009, 07:06 AM

I agree there's more than a tiny bit of artifice that proclaims This is a Tale in Tarantino's films, rather than the usual movie mode of lulling you into a false sense of Really-Happening.

I'm not belittling that. I love the way movies can do that. And how such Absolutely Artifice conventions as a musical score can relay the element of emotion rather than proclaiming This is a Tale throughout the proceedings.

But the mode of Storyteller Presence also works for me. It's just another way of telling a story, and I find it a rather entertaining one. Yes, everything seems less "real," but as long as the story is told well, I certainly don't mind one now and again that has the Storyteller front and center.

Chapter headings, obviously incongruous music cues (heck, a few of them were from Kill Bill! and certainly "took me out" for a moment) ... as long as it's done well, I don't rather like some obvious technique now and then. I guess it's the corollary of the Roger Rabbit theorem .... as long as it was [funny], or - in this case, as long as it was [good.]

Ghoulish Delight

09-15-2009, 07:24 AM

Gemini Cricket

09-16-2009, 03:26 AM

flippyshark

09-16-2009, 04:51 AM

Tarrantino's style is all about the artifice of film making. He had no interest in suspending disbelief, he always wants you to be aware that you're watching a movie, being told a story. That's why, I believe, he uses so many idioms from the early days of film, when they were still toying with the medium, hadn't mastered the suspension of disbelief, and were still just putting plays and telling stories on screen.

Actually, I find suspension of disbelief frequently tougher in current mainstream movies than in much fare from the thirties through seventies. Quick case in point: A Night To Remember (58) vs. Titanic (97). The latter is so impressed with itself and its shiny effects that it pulls me out of its story constantly. AN2R is subtle, unflashy, and even if the effects are primitive, I leave that movie feeling like I lived through it much more than Cameron's effort. Another quick example; I prefer The Longest Day (62) over Saving Private Ryan (98) for Normandy landing sequences, largely because it doesn't go out of its way to throw snazzy techniques, severed limbs and surround sound whooshes and explosions in my face. Ryan almost seemed like a (very grisly) theme park attraction. And don't get me started on Pearl Harbor. Okay, rambling, must get ready for work.

Strangler Lewis

09-16-2009, 05:23 AM

Getting back to Michael Clayton:
Does anyone have an opinion about the last shot of the film. Clooney in the taxi. The shot goes on and on. Kinda cool but I'm wondering why it was there and what it meant. I'm not sure. I liked it, I guess.

Then you liked the last shot of Jackie Brown.

I liked the performances in Michael Clayton, but I thought the script was trying too hard to be Networky. I also didn't buy the basic set-up. (He's a "fixer" at a law firm? With a gambling problem?)

Actually, I find suspension of disbelief frequently tougher in current mainstream movies than in much fare from the thirties through seventies. Quick case in point: A Night To Remember (58) vs. Titanic (97). The latter is so impressed with itself and its shiny effects that it pulls me out of its story constantly. AN2R is subtle, unflashy, and even if the effects are primitive, I leave that movie feeling like I lived through it much more than Cameron's effort. Another quick example; I prefer The Longest Day (62) over Saving Private Ryan (98) for Normandy landing sequences, largely because it doesn't go out of its way to throw snazzy techniques, severed limbs and surround sound whooshes and explosions in my face. Ryan almost seemed like a (very grisly) theme park attraction. And don't get me started on Pearl Harbor. Okay, rambling, must get ready for work.

It's my dream to film black box versions of all the recent special effects extravaganzas: "Black Box Titanic," "Black Box Beowulf," etc.

Ghoulish Delight

09-16-2009, 07:05 AM

Actually, I find suspension of disbelief frequently tougher in current mainstream movies than in much fare from the thirties through seventies. Quick case in point: A Night To Remember (58) vs. Titanic (97). The latter is so impressed with itself and its shiny effects that it pulls me out of its story constantly. AN2R is subtle, unflashy, and even if the effects are primitive, I leave that movie feeling like I lived through it much more than Cameron's effort. Another quick example; I prefer The Longest Day (62) over Saving Private Ryan (98) for Normandy landing sequences, largely because it doesn't go out of its way to throw snazzy techniques, severed limbs and surround sound whooshes and explosions in my face. Ryan almost seemed like a (very grisly) theme park attraction. And don't get me started on Pearl Harbor. Okay, rambling, must get ready for work.I'm not saying everyone other than Tarrantino succeeds at it, just that Tarrantino or that all old movies failed, simply that Tarrantino actively avoids it preferring the purposeful effect of putting style and film making technique in the forefront of your mind during his movies (as opposed to the examples you give where the same may happen for you but not for the reasons it does in a Tarrantino film).

Gemini Cricket

09-16-2009, 10:45 AM

Then you liked the last shot of Jackie Brown.

But I liked the rest of Michael Clayton... ;)

I prefer The Longest Day over Saving Private Ryan as well, flippy. I found SPR to be pretentious in places. Also I was confused on how the movie was supposed to be Ryan's flashback but he didn't see any of what happened.

innerSpaceman

09-16-2009, 10:51 AM

I'm pretty sure the long last shot of Michael Clayton is just to let it sink in what he's done and get a glimmer of how he feels about it and how the past week has changed his life.

Keep in mind it was just an interesting way to do the end credits. If it hadn't been the end of the film, the taxi shot would have been 6 seconds long instead of 600.

Gemini Cricket

09-16-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm pretty sure the long last shot of Michael Clayton is just to let it sink in what he's done and get a glimmer of how he feels about it and how the past week has changed his life.

That's what I figured. Very interesting.

Moonliner

09-16-2009, 11:18 AM

But I liked the rest of Michael Clayton... ;)

I prefer The Longest Day over Saving Private Ryan as well, flippy. I found SPR to be pretentious in places. Also I was confused on how the movie was supposed to be Ryan's flashback but he didn't see any of what happened.

I've watched Saving Private Ryan a couple of times. I like the beach landing scene. Lot's of action and great sound effects. It's like a theme park ride. I've never made it much past that point however, I assume from comments above that they eventually find the guy....

innerSpaceman

09-16-2009, 11:34 AM

Yeah, and I like the movie past that point more than the opening. IMO, it's a great distillation of the WWII genre. As such, I tend to like it better than actual WWII movies that are truly part of that genre.

The cast is great, especially Tom Hanks. And the reveal is not a trick, as some may claim.

Alex

09-16-2009, 11:38 AM

The "flashback" used to bother me but I've decided to accept it not as a literal flashback but rather Ryan's pausing to reflect on the sacrifice that was made for him and whether he was worth it and then the movie showing us what that sacrifice was.

Still didn't much care for the movie though.

Gemini Cricket

09-16-2009, 11:45 AM

flippyshark

09-16-2009, 02:34 PM

For me, one of the most unforgettable movies about WWII has to be The Fighting Sullivans. It's horribly sad but based on the true story of the Sullivan Brothers. I can't watch it any more (it makes me profoundly sad) but it's a good film.

OOOH what a flashback. I was very young and that was on TV, and man did I cry - Now, do I dare go back and see it again?

Morrigoon

09-16-2009, 11:59 PM

I finally saw Doubt. Great great performances! And I loved the very ending.

flippyshark

09-17-2009, 05:47 AM

Yes, I highly recommend Doubt. I was especially pleased by the remarkable mid-movie performance of CCH Pounder.

LSPoorEeyorick

09-17-2009, 06:41 AM

Viola Davis, but yes. She was tremendous. I actually thought everyone's performances were quite brilliant. It was one of my favorites of last year (and with the exception of one or two badly-angled shots, I don't know why it wasn't nominated for best picture.)

innerSpaceman

09-17-2009, 09:32 AM

Yes, I enjoyed that one very much, and was impressed with it. Didn't Davis win Best Supporting for, basically, her two scenes? If so, I was amazed to discover that was completely deserved.

Alex

09-17-2009, 09:45 AM

No, she didn't win. She was nominated though (she and Amy Adams may have split the vote). Penelope Cruz was the winner for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Haven't seen Doubt yet.

Have recently seen:

Quarantine - A bad horror zombie movie. Angela Carpenter showed good natural ease in the early parts of the movie. But it quickly got down to formula and was boring.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - Both Nick and Norah are charismatic and likable (and Kat Dennings in my wheelhouse for fine people watching) but the movie is hampered by the fact that teenaged love strikes me as comicly silly and not romantically intense. Not the movies fault but I couldn't take them seriously.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812

09-17-2009, 04:39 PM

28 Weeks Later ~ I liked the first one and I liked the sequel just as much. The editing and sound was amazing in this film. I thought the cast as pretty danged good.

The sequel was surprisingly good, in large part because the casting was terrific. And I love how 28 Days Later feels uniquely English, but 28 Weeks Later (which I believe was a domestic sequel), felt very, well, American. It was a neat contrast and made the film unique instead of just a rehash of the first movie.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812

09-17-2009, 04:48 PM

Gemini Cricket

09-23-2009, 04:15 PM

Psycho - Rewatched this one for the umteenth time. Still love it. Robert Osborne introduced it on TCM and noted that the film's score was all strings. I guess I hadn't noticed that before. Pretty cool. I also chuckled at one line of dialogue Janet Leigh says at the beginning, "For this, we have to meet in secrecy to be secretive". Something like that. Funny.

Behave Yourself - Quirky slapstick comedy with Farley Granger and Shelly Winters. It was only okay. Kinda dull.

The Human Comedy - A tug at the heart strings movie about a family living in a small town. Mickey Rooney, Donna Reed are in it. It was okay, kinda sappy.

The Window - A Hitchcockian "boy who cried wolf" story. I liked this one although the ending was weak. Bobby Driscoll was in it, he was pretty good. Apparently won a special juvenile Oscar for his performance.

Breaker Morant - I love this movie. I can watch this one over and over. Something about it...

Hold Your Man - Jean Harlow, Clark Gable. Mild film with some pretty good moments in it.

Gemini Cricket

09-25-2009, 05:52 PM

Didn't know where else to post this but I found this Indiana Jones TOD animated gif on MC and it made me laugh:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/avatar25008_2.gif

tod

09-26-2009, 10:55 AM

tod

09-26-2009, 11:02 AM

I saw a new movie at a screening the other night. "I'm Good at Freaky."

It's a fictionalized imagining of what happened when Phil Spector and Lana Clarkson got together. Claustrophobic and intense. The actors are good and the story is fascinating -- when she holds a gun to HIS head you wonder if this time it's going to turn out different.

It was shot in three marathon days by B-movie guys, and it is probably going straight to video, so keep an eye out for it.

--t

3894

09-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Last week I watched I Love You So Long. I place Kristin Scott Thomas' performance on the shelf next to Maria Falconetti's in The Passion of Joan of Arc. Some of the finest acting I've witnessed on film or stage.

Well, that's good to know about and I'll give it a chance. Kristin Scott Thomas in "The English Patient" and "The Horse Whisperer" made me want to bite the heads off kittens.

Gemini Cricket

09-29-2009, 01:35 AM

I just got back from seeing Departures. I loved this film. If you get a chance to see it, give it a shot. It's funny, it's sad, and it's terrific.

It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film this year. I think it's well deserved.

I think it's the best film I've seen in several months.

:)

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

09-29-2009, 01:42 AM

FAME! - It was a good popcorn movie and thankfully we were the only ones in the theatre so we could seriously MST3K the film. Best part was when my Projectionist friend came dancing into the theatre during a dance number.

The SECRET OF JONATHAN SPERRY - Not to be confused with The Secret of Jennifer Sperrry's Body... (heheh) Saw mmost of this very Jesus/ bible thumping/ Christian films staring Capt. Stubing and Benson. A older man befriends 3 young boys and teaches them about Jesus. No, it's not a chapter from Michael Jackson's Bio-pic. This is a film that beats you over the head with Jesus this, Jesus that and wacks you in the crotch with the Bible. Horrible acting but like all "Christian" films, needs to be viewed while intoxicated and laughed at... LOUDLY..

LSPoorEeyorick

09-29-2009, 07:45 AM

Cue 17 -- "The Murder" -- is still used as a terror cue.

Well, yeah, it's only the most famous scary cue ever.

Gemini Cricket

09-30-2009, 04:17 PM

It's been awhile since I watched the movie version of Hair. I gotta say, I forgot what a piece of crap the movie is. There's no comparison to the stage musical. It's awful.

Alex

09-30-2009, 04:20 PM

I only made it about halfway through, and it has thoroughly but me off the idea of seeing it on stage.

Alex

09-30-2009, 04:20 PM

I only made it about halfway through, and it has thoroughly but me off the idea of seeing it on stage.

Gemini Cricket

09-30-2009, 04:23 PM

The stage version is wonderful.

Ghoulish Delight

09-30-2009, 04:34 PM

It's been awhile since I watched the movie version of Hair. I gotta say, I forgot what a piece of crap the movie is. There's no comparison to the stage musical. It's awful.
But have you seen it....on weeeeeed?

Yeah, still pretty terrible. But at least you laugh a lot more that way.

Gemini Cricket

09-30-2009, 04:38 PM

But have you seen it....on weeeeeed?

No. But the play... Like I said, it's wonderful.
;)

innerSpaceman

09-30-2009, 05:13 PM

I've never seen the play. I was intrigued by a documentary I recently saw on HBO of a high school doing a revival, sans nudity, and teaching the kids enough about the '60's to have them grok their characters and the situations.

innerSpaceman

09-30-2009, 05:23 PM

By the way, it's uber-cool that the current NYC cast of Hair is letting the show go dark one otherwise very profitable night so they can attend the gay rights Equality March in D.C.

They are attending in my stead, since I can't make it. It was all my idea. ;)

katiesue

09-30-2009, 07:15 PM

I belive I have somewhere in my newly inherited album collection a Hair album. But I don't know if it's from the movie or the play.

flippyshark

09-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Gosh, guess I have to shamefacedly admit that I actually like the movie Hair. It's very eighties and has its flaws, but I think a lot of the performances and numbers are tremendously energetic and most of the songs have terrific arrangements (by the original composer Galt MacDermott, if I recall correctly.) I would certainly never prefer it over a good production of the show, but I can't say I haven't gotten a charge from much of it.

I would love to see the current revival. I have several cast albums, including the groundbreaking original cast, but my favorite thus far may be the Australian 90s revival. Haven't yet checked out the new Broadway cast, but I am certain to purchase sooner or later.

Gemini Cricket

09-30-2009, 08:35 PM

Ghoulish Delight

09-30-2009, 09:39 PM

I was so high when I saw it I really cannot tell you what I thought of it. I spent the whole time trying to figure out if I was watching a strangely poorly executed musical, a devastatingly brilliant parody of poorly executed musicals, or a poorly executed parody of poorly executed musicals. One of these days I'll have to watch it sober and figure it out.

flippyshark

10-01-2009, 06:08 AM

I mean, don't get me wrong, seeing Treat Williams is a treat and I must admit that I had a crush on John Savage as a kid but still the flying pregnant Beverly D'Angelo in a wedding dress was just too much. :D

You have certainly identified the worst scene in the movie.

If you wish to give it a sober re-visit, you can do so for free on hulu.

Gemini Cricket

10-01-2009, 10:03 AM

You have certainly identified the worst scene in the movie.

If you wish to give it a sober re-visit, you can do so for free on hulu.
Yep. I blame hulu for my viewing yesterday.
:D

Gemini Cricket

10-01-2009, 06:43 PM

Hmmm. Zombieland's rt ratings keep going up. I have to see this flick!
:)

innerSpaceman

10-01-2009, 07:53 PM

Probably gonna see it this weekend. It will get me in the mood for the Zombie Walk on the 17th!

flippyshark

10-04-2009, 10:37 PM

I just got back from a screening of the latest "viral" indie horror event pic Paranormal Activity. Paramount has been releasing this slowly to college towns, and now it's starting to leak out into a wider release. Anyway, it's Blair Witch all over again, but this time, it's a mock-verite about a young couple in a haunted house scenario, video-taping their bedroom while they sleep at night. Needless to say, they capture images of those things that in the night do go bump.

Anyhow, there is massive hype around this film, and I saw it with a full house which, just as in the ad campaign, jumped and screamed and shouted "omigod" at all the right times.

Me? Well, I guess I'm just jaded. I admired a few scenes, I thought the main actress did a terrific job seeming natural and ordinary. I wasn't scared and I will have not the slightest problem getting to sleep. Your mileage may vary.

It's much longer than it should be. I found one scene very creepy, and the ending made me grin with shadenfreude like Uncle Fester in a famous Charles Addams cartoon panel.

two almost spoilery points:

The guy character in this movie is so annoying, I was praying for him to die. I'm afraid he drove this modest story waaaay over into idiot plot territory.

The admittedly bravura ending seemed suspiciously less "indie" than the rest of the picture, and sure enough, I come to find out that it is not the original ending, but one cooked up by Spielberg and associates to goose things up a bit. Having learned that, I feel kind of cheated, because I was ready to really admire these first-time filmmakers for pulling it off. But sadly, the current ending despoils their efforts, and includes a bit of unecessary CGI as well. Gads, Hollywood, thou art corrupt and inane.

So, well, I'm glad I went on a crowded night, but for my money, not the soul-shattering experience I had vainly hoped it might be.

katiesue

10-05-2009, 09:19 AM

We saw Toy Story & Toy Story 2 in 3D. So much fun. And the short trailer for Toy Story 3 looks awesome.

The trailer for whatever the Jim Carey Scrooge thing looks creepy. I thought for a sec it was live action but it's animated by the Polar Express people. And they all look creepy.

flippyshark

10-05-2009, 09:31 AM

Yes, Robert Zemeckis has become the undisputed king of the Uncanny Valley. Dead eyes, oh, all of the dead eyes.

This Christmas Carol looks like cut-scenes from a video game, and I'm sorry to see the Disney name on it. With the way Pixar proudly boasts of (rightly) animating the hard way, it's a shame to see us putting out something that, no matter how much effort may have been put into it, comes off looking like it cut corners. This looks awful.

innerSpaceman

10-05-2009, 09:32 AM

Zombieland was hella fun (yes, I said "hella"). Not what I was expecting, and so much better than I expected. Really a lot of fun, and pretty darn funny.

See it at the Chinese Theater for a special treat.

SzczerbiakManiac

10-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Ourtage (http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/outrage/index.html) premiers on HBO tonight. I can't wait to see is as I was not able to catch it while it was in theaters.

innerSpaceman

10-05-2009, 10:04 AM

Cool, I thought I'd missed it last night during my TV marathon of Dexter and Mad Men.

(Why am I back to watching 2 shows? That's TV overload for me ... and just like the last time I watched two (when True Blood was on), they are consecutive on Sunday nights. Ugh.)

CoasterMatt

10-05-2009, 10:04 AM

cirquelover

10-05-2009, 10:16 AM

Ourtage (http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/outrage/index.html) premiers on HBO tonight. I can't wait to see is as I was not able to catch it while it was in theaters.

I had to click because I couldn't figure out what Our-tage would mean. I see it's Outrage, ok that makes more sense;)

Deebs

10-05-2009, 10:44 AM

The trailer for whatever the Jim Carey Scrooge thing looks creepy. I thought for a sec it was live action but it's animated by the Polar Express people. And they all look creepy.

Shhyeah. I was saddened to see that. I was hoping to see Colin Firth looking cute, but no.

Watched Seven Pounds on a small TV while visiting over the weekend. I can't not like Will Smith in anything. Rosario Dawson was good. Even knowing where the movie was going to end up, it was still disturbing.

SzczerbiakManiac

10-05-2009, 10:50 AM

<heavy sigh>
Thanks for catching that :)

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

10-05-2009, 10:27 PM

Zombieland gets Best Picture so far this year... :)

Gemini Cricket

10-10-2009, 12:07 PM

Zombieland gets Best Picture so far this year... :)
I saw Zombieland yesterday. Loved it. It was a lot of fun.

innerSpaceman

10-10-2009, 03:48 PM

on the subject of zombies ... maybe i'm out of it, but I only just heard of the nationwide Reenact THRILLER Project for people to get all zombied-up, learn the choreography at pre-event seminars throughout the country, and perform Thriller simultaneously everywhere on October 24 (in L.A., at the Music Center, I believe).

I even have a zombie costume for the Hollywood Zombie Walk the weekend before, but I'll be hip-deep in Masquerade work on the 24th - so I won't be able to make it. :(

Still, with Zombieland a good word-of-mouth hit, and two big Be-A-Zombie events in L.A. this month, it's turning out to be a really themie Halloween season.

Morrigoon

10-12-2009, 02:12 AM

So I've discovered Jim Henson's The Storyteller (http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Jim_Henson_s_the_Storyteller_Fearnot/70125596?trkid=912834). If I saw any of this series back in 1987 I'm afraid I don't recall, but I am absolutely LOVING it. And just the right "flavor" of stories for the month of October. Available for instant stream on Netflix.

Gemini Cricket

10-12-2009, 02:25 PM

Even though I know it's going to be a crap movie, I kinda wanna see 2012. Chaos! Woohoo!

Alex

10-12-2009, 02:29 PM

I can't even watch the trailer without fearing the stupid will kill me.

Gemini Cricket

10-12-2009, 02:35 PM

I can't even watch the trailer without fearing the stupid will kill me.
I feel the same way. But... still!
I predict it will have a 38% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Gn2Dlnd

10-12-2009, 03:16 PM

I can't even watch the trailer without fearing the stupid will kill me.

Every time I see it, I yell out, "Train!"

CoasterMatt

10-12-2009, 03:24 PM

I think 2012 should be screened immediately after 1776, and 1984.

Gn2Dlnd

10-12-2009, 03:28 PM

and 2 Million B.C.

flippyshark

10-12-2009, 05:47 PM

I like the giant destruction scenes in the 2012 trailer. I'm a bit of a sucker for natural disaster effects scenes, old and new. I feel certain the movie containing these scenes will be predictable and dimwitted, but I'm also pretty sure I'll give it a go.

And no, I don't for a second think the Mayans knew jack about events in the 21st century. AND last time there was a big "world's gonna end" alignment back in 1988, the worst thing that happened was my cash register came up short at a Burger King in Ridgecrest, CA.

innerSpaceman

10-12-2009, 07:54 PM

I fell deeply in love during the "world's gonna end alignment" back in 1988.

I'm looking forward to 2012 with renewed gusto ... including the movie!

Alex

10-13-2009, 05:30 AM

Hate to burst your love bubble, but there is no planetary alignment in 2012, let alone specifically on 12/21/2012. Hopefully you don't have to wait for one to find love, the next major alignment is in 2040.

Here's where the outer planets (http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/wspace?tbody=1000&vbody=1001&month=12&day=21&year=2012&hour=00&minute=00&fovmul=1&rfov=45&bfov=30&porbs=1) will be on 12/21/2012. Here are the inner planets (http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/wspace?tbody=1000&vbody=1001&month=12&day=21&year=2012&hour=00&minute=00&fovmul=1&rfov=2&bfov=30&porbs=1).

Once the planetary alignment idea was destroyed (though apparently not for the movie) the thinking among those who take the doomsday stuff seriously shifted to that date being one on which earth will be aligned with the galactic plane (false, we're currently moving away from the plane) or that the solstice will align directly at the galactic center (essentially true, but true for the last 30 years and the next 30 years and entirely a visual artifact).

All of this, of course, ignores the fact that the Mayan calendar did not actually end on 12/21/2012 as archaeological artifacts include plenty of references to dates beyond that.

CoasterMatt

10-13-2009, 08:57 AM

I can't wait to see Black Dynamite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-wqmnJrOFM)!

flippyshark

10-13-2009, 09:45 AM

From what I read elsewhere, lots of people are putting stock in that galactic center alignment. I'm sure there will be some who will decide that the date is not a moment for disaster, but one for a re-awakening of cosmic consciousness or similar blather. I predict there will be truckloads of useless 2012 crap that will join the useless Y2K crap in our landfills.

flippyshark

10-13-2009, 09:49 AM

Has anyone gone to see the Toy Story 3D double feature? I'm tempted, but I don't know if I can take that much candy-colored eyestrain in one sitting.

I'm off to Zombieland at the Drive-In tonight - whee

flippyshark

10-13-2009, 09:54 AM

I can't wait to see Black Dynamite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-wqmnJrOFM)!

That is such pitch-perfect parody, I had to go look it up to make sure it was a new movie. And, if anything, it looks much cheaper than even the cheapest 70s blacksploitation. (There appear to be about three locations and a limited number of camera setups throughout the trailer.) The narration made me laugh - I hope the movie can follow suit.

Alex

10-13-2009, 09:57 AM

No, I haven't seen the double feature and don't have much interest in doing so.

The first Toy Story is not a movie I feel much urge to see again and adding 3D isn't a significant enough change to inspire curiosity.

SzczerbiakManiac

10-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Has anyone gone to see the Toy Story 3D double feature?I'm going tonight after work. I've never seen Toy Story 2, so I am especially looking forward to seeing that.

innerSpaceman

10-13-2009, 10:50 AM

I'm going tomorrow (if the deal is still on with mp and GN2DL). I love Toy Story, and never much cared for Toy Story 2 - which I've seen 1.5 times. Everyone raves about it, so I thought I'd give it a second chance some day ... and this seems the perfect opportunity.

Gn2Dlnd

10-14-2009, 12:20 AM

It's been such a long time since I've watched these movies, I'm really looking forward to it. I love "Jesse's Song" in TS2. For real tearjerkiness, listen to it with the French language track on your DVD at home.

Moonliner

10-14-2009, 04:08 AM

I now have Sleeping Beauty snuggled up next to Snow White on my Blu-Ray shelf.

That's not kinky is it?

mousepod

10-14-2009, 09:44 AM

We're going to meet at 6:15ish tonight at the El Cap for the Toy Story Double Feature. We're going to go for the GA tix... the show starts at 7.

innerSpaceman

10-14-2009, 09:48 AM

6:15ish??? I may be a little late. :cool:

Gn2Dlnd

10-14-2009, 10:53 AM

We'll save you a seat.

But we won't buy you popcorn.

flippyshark

10-14-2009, 03:14 PM

Just saw Zombieland, and true to the buzz, it was immensely entertaining. So, why did I find the last third of it lacking?

The blend of comedy and horror was pretty much perfect for the first two thirds of the film, but once MAJOR SPOILER the movie paused for a very lengthy Bill Murray tribute/cameo, which was admittedly kind of funny, my investment in the characters came to an end. This happens so often when movies get pop culture happy or self-referential. Note to Hollywood - Get the fvck over yourselves, please. The tone of the movie shifted to something much tamer - essentially it became skit comedy, with no emotional stakes whatsoever.

I still had a really good time, but came away thinking of it as kind of a wasted opportunity. Still worth a look, and if you aren't bothered by the thing I talked about in the spoiler above, hang out until the credits are over.

innerSpaceman

10-14-2009, 05:30 PM

Yeah, but the double-spoiler section had me doubled-over in laughter, so the shortcomings resulting from that were worth it.

And I'm so glad that hadn't been spoiled for me. I was surprised with hysterics.

Gemini Cricket

10-15-2009, 01:03 AM

I think Ratatouille has the best animation of all of the Pixar movies. I just watched it again and it continues to blow me away each time I watch it because I see new stuff with each viewing. And I just adore the Anton Ego speech at the end. I think I've watched this one more than the others.

innerSpaceman

10-15-2009, 07:12 AM

Speaking of Pixar, Toy Story 2 still sucks. It's sequelish through and through.

No character arc for any of the characters. There's a villain, which the first movie didn't have. But the first movie was a buddy film with a decided arc for each of the two main characters so that they move from enemies to, ya know, buddies.

Part 2 was a plain-jane actioner with zero further character development. Bah.

But now I'm curious if the two Barbies the Prospector is "auditioning" during the hilarious end-credit outtakes will really be in Toy Story 3 as he promised them.

Strangler Lewis

10-15-2009, 08:50 AM

I thought the second was better than the first in every respect. Buzz may have had a character arc, but it was one of those arcs that start at complete blowhard and are very annoying to watch.

The second dealt bittersweetly with disappointment and the passage of time, i.e., toys being put on the shelf, shows being cancelled, relationships fading, dreams being dashed. And it didn't have an annoying mean kid.

innerSpaceman

10-15-2009, 09:44 AM

That's what most people say. Better in every respect, in fact, were mousepod's exact words last night.

I just don't see it. I found it completely inferior in absolutely every respect, though not without its charms. It suffered from Star Trek Syndrome ... i.e., how to gin up drama when your entire cast is all lovey dovey. I liked it much better when Buzz and Woody hated each other, and all the toys except Bo Peep wanted to lynch Woody from the nearest Lincoln Log.

So outside characters were introduced to be villains and have the dramatic tension. I felt something for Jesse, but none of the others did anything for me and the action-packed rescue plot was sequel-all-the-way.

Bah.

But to each his own.

And I'm actually looking forward to Toy Story 3.

Ghoulish Delight

10-15-2009, 09:48 AM

In a rare occurrence for this thread, I completely agree with iSm.

Alex

10-15-2009, 10:00 AM

The big flaw with the first Toy Story is that it is vaguely boring. That first visual thrill covered all flaws the first time I saw it, but with each subsequent viewing I find I care for it less.

innerSpaceman

10-15-2009, 10:46 AM

I loved it just as much last night as I ever did. I have a thing for perfectly constructed films. I guess that seems easier with a by-the-numbers buddy pic ... but if it was, more films would be perfectly constructed -- and most films ARE NOT.

I don't think there's a boring instant in Toy Story. If you are bored because you've seen something before (perfectly natural), I daresay someone would be just as bored watching Speed for the 4th time as Toy Story.

Alex

10-15-2009, 10:51 AM

Perhaps, but there are plenty of films that I do not find boring simply for having seen them before (I've seen Toy Story 2 more often and don't find it boring).

So obviously, whatever element provides a movie with that boost is -- for me -- missing from Toy Story. I still wouldn't go so far as putting Toy Story in the same bucket as Speed but if you want to I won't leap in front of you to prevent it.

innerSpaceman

10-15-2009, 11:18 AM

I was just trying to think of something with constant action, that was generally well-received. Most of the action films that came to mind were rightly crucified critically and word-of-mouthful.

I wasn't putting Toy Story in the same bucket at all. Quite the opposite. In fact, I'd put Toy Story 2 in that bucket. Action-based. Sloppy construction ... well, not really, more like zero need for any construction.

There's nothing wrong with liking that kind of thing. But the only vivid segment of Toy Story 2, imo, was Jesse's disappointment over Woody's decision not to go to Japan, her fear of being storaged forever, and her heartbreak over being an abandoned toy. That segment had heart and soul.

I find heart and soul all over the first Toy Story. Plus, witty dialogue (Heheh, I'd forgotten Josh Whedon helped pen the script) and, as I've said before, solid story construction with built-in conflict among the main characters that is resolved to great effect.

To each his own. I'm just trying to offer why Toy Story is much more my cup of tea than the sequel. Lots of good jokes in the sequel, btw. But I happen to also find the original twice as funny.

Alex

10-15-2009, 11:24 AM

And I should be clear that complaining about Toy Story is a relative thing. It is a fine movie. By no means am I saying it is a dog. It's just that over time it slides down the Pixar totem poll.

Moonliner

10-15-2009, 11:32 AM

And the 3D aspect? Did it make any real difference for you?

So far I've been underwhelmed by the technology. Bolt in 3D was a fun movie but I really don't think the 3D was anything more than a distraction.

Gemini Cricket

10-15-2009, 11:39 AM

I must admit that I don't own the two Toy Story movies on DVD because I don't think they're all that repeatable. I liked TS2 more than TS mostly because of the nostalgia of Woody's TV show and I really liked the Jessie character. I'll be checking out the third movie just to see the animation more than anything else.

But sometimes I do wonder if people say they like certain sequels better than the first film because the reviews and the promotions for the movie say so. I kinda felt that way when reviews kept saying that Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was better than Lord of the Rings: Fellowship. I love Fellowship ten times more than the other two.

innerSpaceman

10-15-2009, 11:52 AM

So did I. But it's not because the 2nd and 3rd acts were sequels - at least not in the traditional sense. All 3 films were lensed at the same time. The last two films sucked, however, like sequels often do. They were edited after the first film was released, and I happen to think a re-editing more along the lines of Tolkien's original structure would be much better. So perhaps they were sequels in all respects that matter for suckitude insofar as any story constructions decisions were made.

I have no real knowledge, but I rather think the story construction was decided far in advance. Sometimes sequelitis is just in the cards, whether subsequent movies are true sequels or not.

As for the 3-D in Toy Stories ... meh. It was neither a detraction nor an amazement. Like with UP, it worked really well in a couple of sequences, and was worthless in most others. It's a gimmick I don't really like. (Though I remember being pleased with Nightmare Before Christmas's 3-D treatment a few years back).

According to mousepod, John Lasseter announced at D23 that TS 3-D was a gimmick to give kids a chance to see Toy Stories in theaters, now that the home theater phenomenon has obliterated Disney's old-school 7-year re-release pattern which allowed each new generation of children to experience the films in theaters as was intended by the filmmakers.

To the extent the gimmick worked to get some kids in the seats for the 2-week run of Toy Stories, I give kudos for that. (Though there were some notorious kids decidedly NOT in their seats during last night's screenings. mousepod chastized the parentsfor letting their kids run all over the theater, and so the family left the auditorium mid-TS2, heheh.)

€uroMeinke

10-15-2009, 08:11 PM

Tour Guide Barbie - that's why TS2 rocks

Gemini Cricket

10-17-2009, 02:16 AM

I saw Barbarian Princess tonight at the Hawai'i Theatre presented by the Hawaii Film Festival. It tells the story of Princess Kai'ulani who is played by Q'orianka Kilcher. It's not a perfect film but I liked it. It's slow in places but it was nice to see a period piece about America's colonization of Hawai'i. You could pretty much tell right off that it wasn't made by American filmmakers, the U.S. is not portrayed in a very positive light. The cinematography is stellar in places. I'm not sure that it will get a very wide release from here. But if you get a chance to see it, rent it, it's worth a gander. The director (Marc Forby) and Kilcher were there at the screening with the local actors who played roles in the film. The Q&A session afterward was interesting. Most discussed was the title (which I wasn't fond of at first but after seeing the film, I get it) and the controversy it's been causing here in the islands.

bewitched

10-20-2009, 09:16 AM

Has anyone seen Where the Wild Things Are? It got really good reviews but now I've been reading that a lot of people seem disappointed in it (story:cnn (http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/19/parents.wild.things.are/index.html)). I understand that Spike Jonze intended it (w/Sendak's approval) to be more of a story about being a kid than a story for kids-- I wonder if people not knowing/understanding this is a reason for their dissatisfaction (expectations not meeting up with reality).

Of course there were also people interviewed like the guy who was upset because his 20 month old lost interest and his 4 year old got distracted and didn't get it. DUH, dude. A 20 month old and a 4 year old are not likely to sit still for the entirety of any movie.

If you saw it,what did you think? Is it good or do these people have a point?

Strangler Lewis

10-20-2009, 09:22 AM

I haven't seen it, though I plan to. I will say the trailer gave me pause with its apparent back story of suburban dysfunction. To me, the point of the book was that sometimes you want to get away for no particularly good reason.

innerSpaceman

10-20-2009, 09:25 AM

Ugh, I meant to see it over the weekend. I'm DYING to ... but with Halloween coming up, I'm afraid I may not get to till after the holiday. Bah.

Morrigoon

10-20-2009, 01:18 PM

I finally saw Bolt. It was cute. It was a bit much getting through the first 10 minutes or so, but after you got through the story set up and things started moving forward, it improved greatly. I actually really loved the uber-geek hamster character.

Gemini Cricket

10-20-2009, 01:37 PM

I saw The Mist last night. It was okay. Not the best. Not what I was expecting. It turned into more of a Sci Fi creature feature than a horror flick. The ending was a kick in the teeth.

innerSpaceman

10-20-2009, 01:39 PM

The Mist? Never heard of it.

Are you sure you didn't mean The Fist? Just asking cause, well, it's you. ;)

mousepod

10-20-2009, 01:47 PM

Gemini Cricket

10-20-2009, 01:51 PM

I especially liked the way The Mist was shot. Almost documentary like. I also liked the way they used a lot of actors from other King movies.

LSPoorEeyorick

10-20-2009, 02:26 PM

...apparent back story of suburban dysfunction...

Heh. The back story of suburban dysfunction isn't particularly long. What might surprise you is the considerable presence of jungle dysfunction.

I have seen it twice - once for work, and once with Tom. I like it. It's not the book, and it's not for children with small attention spans. But it's a beautiful depiction of childhood, and its myriad struggles and confusions. It made me feel quite sad (but I'm easily swayed to sadness right now, so your mileage may vary.)

flippyshark

10-20-2009, 06:06 PM

I loved The Mist. I avoided it in the theater, because the commercials made me think it was a crappy knock off of The Fog. Then I heard that the director's preferred version was the one in black & white, so when the blu-ray came out, that's the one I watched first. Granted, I watched it alone, but it frightened me in the same way that Quatermass and the Pit did when I first saw that. If anyone is interested in watching it with me ... the projector will be up by Sunday... just sayin'

(and try to avoid spoilers)

I was very impressed with The Mist (though I had one severe reservation about it - but it's spoiler-city, so see below.) I watched it in color before I found out that the director preferred black and white - and indeed, it's much creepier that way. If anyone is curious, take up Mousepod on his offer and go watch it. It's one of the better Stephen King adaptations out there recently.

I read the novella and liked it a lot way back in the day. The book essentially has no ending, just a few characters venturing off into the unknown. The movie, on the other hand, has got an ending you won't forget - though one aspect of it didn't seem right with me.Given the level of dedication the main character shows to his son throughout, I thought he arrived at his difficult decision far too easily, and put it into action much more quickly than I thought likely or believable. It came off to me like an inorganic plot point in order to deliver the giant stinger of an ending. Apparently, Stephen King loved it and wished he had thought of it.

For more Halloween fun, I really liked the recently released 2007 movie Trick R' Treat, which has a fun 80s horror vibe and struck me as one of the more entertaining anthology movies I'd seen in a long time. It's stylish, funny, spooky, not terribly gory, and little cloth-hooded Sam Hain is just adorable.

Gemini Cricket

10-20-2009, 07:00 PM

bewitched

10-20-2009, 07:13 PM

Sayyy. I call shenanigans.
I could have sworn that I saw the Wind and the Willows short that comes with the Sleepy Hollow short on DVD. But I didn't. So I watched it for the first time today. I gotta say: huh?
There's no wild ride in it, at least none that we see. There's no running down people and going to hell and all that. Weird. I guess the attraction at DL was its own thing. And even outside the fact that the events in the ride and the movie differ, the story itself is kinda meh.

I believe that the ride is based on the AA Milne (sp?) play, Toad of Toad Hall which was, in turn, based on the book, The Wind in the Willows (well, the "Toad" part, at least). The ride has all of the characters in the play and includes the part of TWitW where Toad steals a car, crashed it, went to jail and had to fight the weasels to get Toad Hall back.

I don't remember there being any "hell" part in the play or the book though.

flippyshark

10-20-2009, 08:47 PM

I found the lack of a wild ride in the film disappointing, to be sure.

The ride seems to be sort of an extrapolation of the characters and settings of the film, but the designers certainly took it in their own fanciful (or even bizarre) directions.

I can't remember if the live actin Mr. Toad's Wild Ride had any wild riding in it or not. (That's the one that was released to video, starring Eric Idle and a few other Pythons - it was called The Wind In The Willows overseas.)

I was in a production of Milne's Toad of Toad Hall when I was in grade school. I think I was Ratty, but boy that was a long time ago.

Gemini Cricket

10-23-2009, 03:08 PM

Bad news for Amelia:

16% all critics
12% top critics

The commericals are hyping this movie to be the first of the end of the year Oscar-worthy pics but the reviews have been hammering this one...

Snowflake

10-23-2009, 03:24 PM

The Nightmare Before Xmas is showing at the Castro and I've never seen it. Should I go? I only know what little smidgen I do about the film from riding HMH with GC one night.

Ghoulish Delight

10-23-2009, 03:27 PM

YES!

innerSpaceman

10-23-2009, 03:29 PM

Um, another vote for YES.

Snowflake

10-23-2009, 03:37 PM

Okay! I know you won't steer me wrong!

Gemini Cricket

10-23-2009, 03:47 PM

TNBC is worth seeing for the art direction and the amount of hard work that went into making it. But the story is dull as are the characters and a majority of the songs. Just sayin'. I like the ride we went on better.
:)

Deebs

10-23-2009, 03:58 PM

The Nightmare Before Xmas is showing at the Castro and I've never seen it. Should I go?

Oh, I wish I could go with you! I only have it on VHS and haven't watched it in for-evah, but I still remember going to the movies to see it when it first came out, on a date with a very cute boy I met at a Halloween party. He was a graphic artist and had been wanting to see it very badly. I loved it. I've never thought of anything about TNBC as dull.

innerSpaceman

10-23-2009, 04:17 PM

The songs are an acquired taste ... just like the songs to most British musicals.

I went in expecting songs .... but frankly, it's an operetta -- and until I groked that, I was pretty disappointed. There's barely any dialogue and so the songs are not all toe-tapping ditties. Also, the main character is the Rex Harrison of puppets -- in that he talk-sings just about all his numbers. He breaks out into tuneful song only during his last number (which I think is done to great effect).

bewitched

10-23-2009, 05:32 PM

The Nightmare Before Xmas is showing at the Castro and I've never seen it. Should I go? I only know what little smidgen I do about the film from riding HMH with GC one night.

Absolutely.

Gemini Cricket

10-23-2009, 06:23 PM

Snowflake

10-23-2009, 06:30 PM

I just scored getting the 30th Anniversary DVD box set of Close Encounters of the Third Kind for $8.99 at Barnes. It has 3 versions of the movie on it. I think iSm said they were all the wrong versions but I thought the price was pretty good...

According to iSm aren't all the versions the wrong versions, except the one screening in 1977 at the Cinerama Dome, 8:45 screening? After that, kaput?;)

Sorry :iSm: I could not resist

Gemini Cricket

10-23-2009, 06:33 PM

According to iSm aren't all the versions the wrong versions, except the one screening in 1977 at the Cinerama Dome, 8:45 screening? After that, kaput?;)

Yes.

LSPoorEeyorick

10-24-2009, 01:37 AM

Bad news for Amelia:

16% all critics
12% top critics

The commericals are hyping this movie to be the first of the end of the year Oscar-worthy pics but the reviews have been hammering this one...

It's definitely not the first. An Education and A Serious Man have gotten far better reviews and came out earlier. Where the Wild Things Are, too, for tat matter.

Ghoulish Delight

10-24-2009, 10:34 PM

Finally saw Zombieland. Yay, fun! Inevitably my thoughts turned towards comparison with Shawn of the Dead, and while I think I still prefer Shawn for sheer cleverness and consistency, Zombieland had much to love. And for the second time in a matter of weeks in this thread I'm in complete agreement with iSm regarding Flippy's bit of criticism. Any determent to the film, which I can understand where he's coming from, is totally outweighed by the sheer delight the sequence instilled in me. And I remarked as we left how surprised and happy I was that, even weeks into the run, I had not heard even a whisper of said sequence, so it was a totally unexpected treat. :)

flippyshark

10-25-2009, 06:02 AM

While I thought that sequence weakened the story, and said story never regained any momentum after that, I will admit that

flippyshark

10-25-2009, 06:05 AM

D'oh -

What I meant to say:

While I thought that sequence threw the movie into a torpor from which it never really recovered, I admit that
it still made me love Bill Murray even more.

There is clearly set-up for a sequel, what with the narrator even saying something like "so until next time..." - I'll be there for whatever they do, but I'm hoping the stakes are a little higher on the next go-round.

Cadaverous Pallor

10-25-2009, 11:21 AM

it still made me love Bill Murray even more.Agreed! I could not believe that he actually strapped on a vacuum cleaner and yelled "don't cross the streams"! BM is beyond awesome.

There's also something great about having one star play themselves and another play fawning fan. Too funny.

It was nice seeing Abigail Breslin again, as her other projects have been ones I'll probably never see.

Count me in as loving Zombieland. I'm still not hugely impressed by whats-his-name mini-Andy Samberg, but he did well enough. Everyone else was great.

Gemini Cricket

10-25-2009, 01:54 PM

I liked Zombieland a lot, too.
:)

One thing about the film and Breslin that I'd like to point out.
I think I mentioned this before but sometimes casting is a spoiler. The scene is set up to make you think that Breslin is going to get shot. To me, it was obvious that she wasn't going to get shot and that she was going to be a major player in the film. I knew the whole thing was a trick they were playing on the Harrelson character and the mini-Sandberg guy. I came to this conclusion because why would they have Oscar nominated Breslin only there for a couple of minutes in a film? The answer is, they wouldn't.

Ghoulish Delight

10-25-2009, 01:57 PM

There's also something great about having one star play themselves and another play fawning fan. Too funny.

I'm ashamed to admit that, discussing this particular point after the movie, I thought, "Weren't they in a movie together?" and couldn't come up with it. Considering the # of times I've seen that movie it shouldn't have been that hard to come up with.

Gemini Cricket

10-25-2009, 02:00 PM

I'm ashamed to admit that, discussing this particular point after the movie, I thought, "Weren't they in a movie together?" and couldn't come up with it. Considering the # of times I've seen that movie it shouldn't have been that hard to come up with.
I need to see that one. I haven't yet.

Ghoulish Delight

10-25-2009, 02:01 PM

It's dumb, but funny dumb.

ETA: we're talking about Kingpin, for those not reading spoilers

Gemini Cricket

10-25-2009, 02:23 PM

I like dumb sometimes. :)

Inherit the Wind is on TCM right now. I love that movie.

cirquelover

10-28-2009, 04:54 PM

We just came home from This Is It. The boy became a big fan of Michael Jackson a few years ago after he saw Thriller. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would but it also made me a little sad.

He had a very talented crew of young people backing him up. Some of those dancers were amazing young talents.

Gemini Cricket

10-29-2009, 01:33 AM

I watched The Miracle Worker last night. What a wonderful flick. The scene where she's teaching Helen Keller to use a spoon was fantastic. Such a powerful scene. I loves Anne Bancroft.
:)

Ghoulish Delight

11-02-2009, 04:35 PM

An open letter from Joss Whedon to the owners of the Terminator franchise:

Dear Sirs/Ma'ams,

I am Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Titan A.E., Parenthood (not the movie) (or the new series) (or the one where 'hood' was capitalized 'cause it was a pun), and myriad other legendary tales. I have heard through the 'grapevine' that the Terminator franchise is for sale, and I am prepared to make a pre-emptive bid RIGHT NOW to wrap this dealio up. This is not a joke, this is not a scam, this is not available on TV. I will write a check TODAY for $10,000, and viola! Terminator off your hands.

No, you didn't miscount. That's four -- FOUR! -- zeroes after that one. That's to show you I mean business. And I mean show business. Nikki Finke says the Terminator concept is played. Well, here's what I have to say to Nikki Finke: you are a fine journalist and please don't ever notice me. The Terminator story is as formative and important in our culture -- and my pretend play -- as any I can think of. It's far from over. And before you Terminator-Owners (I have trouble remembering names) rush to cash that sweet cheque, let me give you a taste of what I could do with that franchise:

1) Terminator... of the Rings! Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far... back to when there was dragons and wizards? (I think it was the Dark Ages.) Hasta La Vista, Boramir! Cool, huh? "Now you gonna be Gandalf the Red!" RRRRIP! But then he totally helps, because he's a cyborg and he doesn't give a s#&% about the ring -- it has no power over him! And he can carry it AND Frodo AND Sam AND f@%& up some orcs while he's doing it. This stuff just comes to me. I mean it. (I will also offer $10,000 for the Lord of the Rings franchise).

2) More Glau. Hey. There's a reason they're called "Summer" movies.

3) Can you say... musical? Well don't. Even I know that's an awful idea.

4) Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.)

5) More porn. John Connor never told Kyle Reese this, but his main objective in going to the past was to get some. What if there's a lot of future-babies that have to be made? Cue wah-wah pedal guitar -- and dollar signs!

6) The movies will stop getting less cool.

Okay. There's more -- this brain don't quit! (though it has occasionally been fired) -- but I think you get my drift. I really believe the Terminator franchise has only begun to plumb the depths of questioning the human condition during awesome stunts, and I'd like to shepherd it through the next phase. The money is there, but more importantly, the heart is there. But more importantly, money. Think about it. End this bloody bidding war before it begins, and put the Terminator in the hands of someone who watched the first one more than any other movie in college, including "Song of Norway" (no current franchise offer). Sincerely, Joss Whedon.

Gemini Cricket

11-03-2009, 09:23 PM

Boy, is there any movie that's as jolly and as fancy free as The Grapes of Wrath? (I love this film and consider it to be a masterpiece but, boy, it's sad.)

SzczerbiakManiac

11-04-2009, 01:14 PM

I saw Hamlet 2 Monday night. I didn't especially care for it. A lot of that was due to the way it was marketed. According to the ads, it was going to be a hilarious romp. Sure, there was humor, but it was very subtle and dry. I didn't dislike the film and there were several scenes/events in it that I quite enjoyed. But as a whole, I don't think I'd recommend it.
_________________________________________

I just saw the trailer (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809998233/video/16425316) for How to Train Your Dragon. I think that film has potential, but I remain cautious because it could easily slip into being cloying and/or preachy.

Morrigoon

11-04-2009, 01:32 PM

Oh dear, Alex is telling me I simply must see that, too...

Gemini Cricket

11-04-2009, 11:28 PM

I'm watching Fort Apache for the first time. I love it but Shirley Temple was horribly miscast in her role. Ugh.

Gemini Cricket

11-05-2009, 09:24 PM

High Noon

Love this movie but gosh almost everyone in that town is an asshole. Except for maybe his wife and that one kid... Sheesh. I guess that the moral is being right and doing the right thing can be lonely.

lashbear

11-05-2009, 09:33 PM

I wish I could buy The Ritz (http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/3GXMEG4HBVHW5?reveal=unpurchased&filter=all&sort=priority&layout=standard&.x=12&.y=16)- I keep watching bits of it on YouTube, and I miss it so. On to the Amazon WishList it goes.

Gemini Cricket

11-05-2009, 10:58 PM

I watched both versions of My Darling Clementine today. It's a pretty entertaining telling of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone but there are a lot of factual errors here and there. But still another good John Ford film. (ie. James Earp was the eldest and not the youngest and Morgan Earp was the one assassinated causing the whole vendetta.)

Gemini Cricket

11-06-2009, 12:52 AM

I have a crush on Robert (Bob) Cummings. He was really, really funny! I'm watching Princess O'Rourke right now. Goofy slapstick comedy. Love it. I loved him in The Devil and Miss Jones, too. And he was there at Disneyland's opening day. What's not to love?

Strangler Lewis

11-06-2009, 07:22 AM

Love that Bob.

Gemini Cricket

11-06-2009, 05:38 PM

Never Cry Wolf
Great movie.
Darn that Brian Dennehy!

innerSpaceman

11-09-2009, 10:55 AM

I wish I hadn't chased after it on its 3rd and hopefully near last weekend of release. Where the Wild Things Are was a huge disappointment. The kid was great as Max, but the whiny, neurotic, boring "Wild Things" were a what were they thinking mistake of monstrous proportions.

Cadaverous Pallor

11-10-2009, 01:37 AM

Holy crap, Jeff Daniels was incredible in The Squid and the Whale. Just rode that character straight through the film without any deviations. Fantastic. I've been avoiding this one due to cringing at this type of fare but it was well worth wincing through.

CoasterMatt

11-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Watched No Country For Old Men tonight- I love that movie, Rose just says it's a stupid movie.

flippyshark

11-10-2009, 11:32 PM

No Country was my fave movie of that year, so I was surprised that it won Best Picture. That same year, I also adored There Will Be Blood, but I felt lonely in that response.

innerSpaceman

11-11-2009, 10:32 AM

I liked There Will Be Blood a lot more than No Country, though I really enjoyed them both. Purchased the former, though it's not the kind of movie that has high repeatability with me. But didn't buy the latter, which is telling of my preference.

Both were great films. I want to see the new Coen Brothers movie, but I fear it will be out of theaters before I get around to it. Not doing too well, I think.

Ghoulish Delight

11-11-2009, 10:41 AM

No Country was alright, it just didn't have enough substance for me. It never went beyond, "Dude, check this creepy motherfvcker out!" Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed watching the creepy motherfvcker, but it left me wanting so much more.

Never did see TWBB.

Regarding Squid and the Whale...LOVED it. I've been putting off seeing it because of the luke warm reception it seemed to have received. I knew not at all what it was about, and once we started watching it I was worried because, like CP, I generally don't really enjoy movies on that subject. But it sucked me in, the performances were so great and the film so well put together. Maybe not a lot of repeatability, but I'm really glad I saw it.

innerSpaceman

11-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Yeah, I kept the screener because I was so impressed with it .... but I've never been in the mood to watch it again. :)

Alex

11-11-2009, 02:38 PM

1. Used part of my day off to go see The Men Who Stare at Goats. It was awfully dull. Performances were ok but I'm struggling to understand why anybody thought this needed to be a movie.

2. 20 animated films have been formally submitted for Oscar consideration meaning that for just the second time since the award was created there will be five Best Animated Picture nominees (3 or 5 is determined by number of candidates not quality of candidates). The possibilities are:

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle for Terra
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up

Cadaverous Pallor

11-11-2009, 04:37 PM

Can't wait to see Fantastic Mr. Fox!!!

Mousey Girl

11-11-2009, 05:18 PM

Boy, is there any movie that's as jolly and as fancy free as The Grapes of Wrath? (I love this film and consider it to be a masterpiece but, boy, it's sad.)

That is one of my favorite books. I have only been able to sit through the movie, the entire movie, twice.

Every time I come down 58, leaving Tehachapi, I can't help but think what it was like for them.

Gemini Cricket

11-11-2009, 06:16 PM

That is one of my favorite books. I have only been able to sit through the movie, the entire movie, twice.

Every time I come down 58, leaving Tehachapi, I can't help but think what it was like for them.
You know what I used to think when I was leaving Tehachapi? THANK GOD!
lol!
:D

Well, that's because Ralphie's parents lived there and we'd usually stay with them a week at a time and well you know how the rest goes...

Snowflake

11-11-2009, 06:41 PM

Roger Corman is getting an honorary Oscar. COOL :snap:

Gemini Cricket

11-13-2009, 05:20 PM

I gotta say it again. The first 12 minutes or so of Up is an example of damn good storytelling. I'm getting more and more lukewarm about the rest of the film but man what a way to start a movie.
:)

innerSpaceman

11-13-2009, 05:24 PM

I'll still buy it when it comes out later this month (this week?). It's not Pixar's best, imo, but hardly their worst. I don't own either Cars or Bug's Life, though I think the former is completely enjoyable and I promised to give the latter another try.

On another note, now that's it's out ... I'm lukewarm about seeing 2012.

Gemini Cricket

11-13-2009, 05:25 PM

It came out last Tuesday.
:)

innerSpaceman

11-13-2009, 05:43 PM

oh, well, when I go buy Star Trek next week, I'll pick up ... heheh ... UP.

innerSpaceman

11-13-2009, 06:19 PM

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a MUST. But I've been warned that, if I'm going to bother seeing 2012, I should see it on the Biggest Screen Available. Ugh, it's 2 hours and 40 minutes long. I do not have that much spare time this weekend. Sigh.

SzczerbiakManiac

11-13-2009, 06:21 PM

Help me understand why Fantastic Mr. Fox is so appealing. I've heard nothing but baited breath for that film, but nothing I've seen makes me want to watch it. I'm missing something here, what is it?

Alex

11-13-2009, 06:21 PM

Fantastic Mr. Fox is top of my list. But apparently it isn't opening here this weekend.

SM: Do you like Wes Anderson generally?

SzczerbiakManiac

11-13-2009, 06:40 PM

I had to look him up. Of his films listed on IMDb, I've only seen Rushmore. I thought it was weird, I didn't really "get it", but found it intriguing.

Alex

11-13-2009, 06:50 PM

I'd say that most people who are eager for it, sight unseen, it is simply because it is a Wes Anderson movie. That's pretty much what's driving it for me, though I have liked the trailers I've seen.

Cadaverous Pallor

11-13-2009, 06:56 PM

I had to look him up. Of his films listed on IMDb, I've only seen Rushmore. I thought it was weird, I didn't really "get it", but found it intriguing.Well, this may be one of those get it or don't situations. If you want to give Wes another try, check out Life Aquatic, my fav, and I believe the most accessible of his.

LOVE him.

Ghoulish Delight

11-13-2009, 07:00 PM

I'd say that most people who are eager for it, sight unseen, it is simply because it is a Wes Anderson movie. That's pretty much what's driving it for me, though I have liked the trailers I've seen.
The fact that it's Roald Dahl adds to that also.

mousepod

11-13-2009, 07:10 PM

All of the reviews I've read and heard (from critics I trust) say that Fantastic Mr. Fox is more a Wes Anderson movie than a Roald Dahl movie. Which isn't a bad thing. I look forward to seeing it. I'm disappointed that my favorite local theater is showing 2012, though.

innerSpaceman

11-13-2009, 08:22 PM

I'm not particularly a Wes fan. I liked Rushmore and Life Aquatic a lot ... much less so The Royal Tennenbaums and Dar Jeiling Express (sp?).

But it seems a good trio of Anderson, Dahl and the screenplay by that Noah guy who wrote The Squid and the Whale, which was the subject of some posts here a few days ago.

It's gotten pretty RAVE reviews, I like the subject matter, I like the voice actors, I like the look of the film ... so what's not to entice??

flippyshark

11-13-2009, 08:37 PM

On another note, now that's it's out ... I'm lukewarm about seeing 2012.

I'm still weirdly jazzed about it, but that feeling may wear off before its 2 hours and 40 minutes are over. In any case, I plan to give it a shot on
Sunday.

Gemini Cricket

11-13-2009, 10:57 PM

So, The Wizard of Oz is on TBS. So, of course, I had to watch it. It's irresistible to some of us gays. It's like a gay moth being lured in by a pink flame.

There are some funny moments in this film. It's been awhile since I've seen it.

The Scarecrow talking about how he was attacked by the Winged Monkeys:

Scarecrow: First they took my legs off and they threw them over there! Then they took my chest out and they threw it over there!
Tin Woodsman: Well, that's you all over!

That's hysterical!
:D

ETA: Also, I remember when I was young, I had no idea that all the men Dorothy and friends talked to in Oz were played by the same actor, Frank Morgan.

I never noticed the score playing "Night on Bald Mountain" before when the Scarecrow and friends enter the witch's castle.

I also didn't notice before that the witch's guards were green like her.

Another cool quote:

Wicked Witch of the West: The last to go will see the first three go before her.

Anyway, just a couple of tidbits I wanted to share.
:)