Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread

[Robo]

You're Gonna Miss Me - Documentary focusing on Roky Erickson, singer for psychedelic rock pioneers the 13th Floor Elevators, and his struggle with mental illness.  Not quite as interesting as I expected as Erickson is completely unable to communicate his take on things, it spends a lot of time with Roky's family and their quarrel over control of Roky's care, each attempting to valid their role in Roky's past and his future.  His mother is quite the basket case herself, saving newspaper clippings, photographs and various knicknacks, pasting them up on cardboard and writing her autobiography around them, seemingly for no other purpose than to convince herself that she's been the best mother she could've been with what she had to work with.  Happy ending though, as the route that's ultimately taken over Roky's care led to an album this year with Okkervil River, which he did not appear to be at all capable of when this flick was put together.

Onibaba - 1964 samurai film based on a Buddhist fable about a woman and her daughter-in-law living in poverty in feudal Japan that murder stray samurai and trade their belongings for food; the daughter-in-law eventually planning to leave for a new husband, and the woman attempting to scare her into staying with her and remaining faithful to her late husband.  The directing is a marvel; making the tall grass swamp (the sole setting) seem haunting and isolating, the odd camera work on the characters adding to the effect.  Also, I don't think I'd ever seen so much black & white titty before, which was kinda surprising.  It's difficult to read the subtitles when there are exposed breasts in nearly every scene.

[Mupepe]

onibaba is on instant streaming.  nice.  i'll check it out this week.

[Robo]

Netflix has a small, but good selection of samurai films up on streaming:

Yojimbo
Sanjuro
Seven Samurai
Samurai Rebellion
Hidden Fortress
The Twilight Samurai
Kagemusha

All of which are excellent.

[muckhole]

Finally saw The Expendables. My poor gf had grown a set of testicles and a full beard by the time it was over from the sheer amount of testosterone flying around. Fun flick.

Band of Brothers
Not a movie I know.  But I just watched this for the first time.  Holy fucking shit it was amazing.  Everything was great about it.  Best 27 dollars for 10 hours of blu ray i've ever spent.  Simply incredible.

Just began re-watching this, as the gf had never seen it. I won't even let her skip through the intro music. I'm a sucker for sappy, heroic music set to visuals.

[Mupepe]

 

We watched it all in two days and only 2 episodes on the second day.  So towards the end of Saturday after 8 hours of it, we skipped the last few opening credits.  We were both glued to it though.  Episode 9 is just emotional as fuck.  :'( 

[Stoney Mason]

Saw Inglorious Bastards tonight.

I'm a huge Tarantino fan but something felt off here. Like it was both too contrived and yet it didn't truly embrace the exploitation film it should have been. I felt oddly disappointed watching it. And Brad Pitt sucked. 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

IMO His best since Pulp Fiction.

[Stoney Mason]

I normally love his stuff but for whatever reason that one didn't do it for me. It was probably my least favorite film he has done.

[BobFromPikeCreek]

I definitely enjoyed it a great deal more the second time I saw it. If the opportunity comes up give it another chance maybe.

[EmCeeGrammar]

I wanted to watch the Labyrinth for nostalgia reasons.  It's really bad. David Bowie tends to break out into song alot which would be cool if the song had anything to do with plot.

[EmCeeGrammar]

BON JOR NO

[Great Rumbler]

BON JOR NO

Yeah, I don't see how anyone could say that Brad Pitt sucked in Inglourious Basterds.

[BobFromPikeCreek]

AREEVADERCHY

[CajoleJuice]

I didn't like Brad Pitt in it either. I understand what he was going for, but he still kinda sucked. It's part of the reason why I empathize with Stoney, even though I loved the film overall. And shit, I watched part of it again over a friend's house, and I definitely enjoyed it even more.

[chronovore]

I'm halfway through watching G.I. Joe during my commute. The effects are pretty good when viewed on an iPod Touch screen, to the point where I may rent the DVD to see things on a 40 inch screen instead of a 4 inch one.

Assuming these are about the 3.5" figures, not the original series, I know making a compelling movie based on a 25 year old toy line with a backstory fleshed out from back-of-blisterpack to comics and Saturday morning cartoons is a tall order, so I'm kind of impressed that it's not utter trash from start-to-finish.

That said, there are some things which still irk me:
Was Snake-Eyes always caucasian? I get it that they're orphans from mixed backgrounds, but Stormshadow and Snake-Eyes' origin is in Japan, while the household speaks Chinese, they're practicing Chinese kung-fu under a Chinese instructor, dressed as Japanese ninjas. The grown-up Stormshadow is Korean, sure whatevs. I know this is like arguing cartoon physics, and theoretically all of this can be hand-waved away, but it reeks of Generic Asian Backstory for Gwailo Martial Artist.

That Wayans Brother playing the same wiseass-and-lecherous-sidekick to the story's stoic-but-charismatic-caucasian that Wayans played in Dungeons and Dragons.

The movie at least answers some questions about Inception. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt's brief appearance, we can be certain the entirety of Inception takes place inside his head while the character is in high-tech recovery ICU somewhere. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is sadly wasted in this, with maybe one spoken line and 30 seconds of screen time. How sad.

Anywho, it's fun. The action sequences are exciting, and it's nice to see stuff not using Bourne shakycam.

[BobFromPikeCreek]

And shit, I watched part of it again over a friend's house, and I definitely enjoyed it even more.

That's how Tarantino films are for some reason. Really didn't care for Death Proof the first time I saw it, but now when I watch it I can say I enjoy the majority of it.

[Phoenix Dark]

IMO His best since Pulp Fiction.

Agreed. Really, really liked IB. The movie can be split into a handful of acts which range from good to brilliant (the intro is amazing, the bar scene is amazing, etc damn). I thought the trailers/teasers looked horrible but the film really blew me away.

I liked Pitt in it. Especially the redneck James Bond scene 

[Mupepe]

IB is definitely something that gets better with repeat viewings even though I already loved it on the first watch.  I actually clapped with others in the theater.  Usually the theater near my house just claps for things like Transformers and whatnot.  I absolutely loved it.  And the 2nd time I watched it I loved it even more.  The thing I love most is that every foreign person isn't walking around speaking English with a British accent. 

[CajoleJuice]

I was talking to my "boss" about IB and when I told him there were subtitles, he said "subtitles???" and groaned. I wanted to punch him in the fucking face.

[BobFromPikeCreek]

That's up there with the folks who'd say "why would I watch widescreen?? I want to use my whole TV dammit!"

[EmCeeGrammar]

It's kind of distinguished mentally-challenged to applause in a movie theater. Like, who are you clapping for? Who is going to hear it? Hmmm?

[Mupepe]

I was talking to my "boss" about IB and when I told him there were subtitles, he said "subtitles???" and groaned. I wanted to punch him in the fucking face.

yeah, I hate people like that.  I have a friend who loves anime and shit, but he only watches dubbed anime because he can't stand subtitles.  wtf?  That shit is terrible.  And he always has to listen to dubbed voices in foreign movies.  The bad VA is far more annoying than fucking reading!

It's kind of distinguished mentally-challenged to applause in a movie theater. Like, who are you clapping for? Who is going to hear it? Hmmm?

It's just a group experience.  Like half of the fun of Paranormal Activity was seeing it in a theater and hearing/seeing people getting scared.  Everyone enjoying something together and displaying that joy does make it more enjoyable sometimes.

[Mupepe]

It's kind of distinguished mentally-challenged to applause in a movie theater. Like, who are you clapping for? Who is going to hear it? Hmmm?

You're congratulating yourself on your taste in movies.  

This also works for me.

[EmCeeGrammar]

It's kind of distinguished mentally-challenged to applause in a movie theater. Like, who are you clapping for? Who is going to hear it? Hmmm?

You're congratulating yourself on your taste in movies.  

 

[CajoleJuice]

You guys were right about The Ghost Writer. So, so good. Final shot was so fucking brilliant.

[Eric P]

now watch The Tenant, a thematically similar film from earlier on Polanski's career.  it makes for a good compare / contrast

[Howard Alan Treesong]

You guys were right about The Ghost Writer. So, so good. Final shot was so fucking brilliant.

I watched this last night, too!

Pretty good, and yeah, great last shot. But I really want to rewatch Chinatown, now.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/toronto-qa-julias-eyes-and-biutiful-producer-guillermo-del-toro/

interview with Del Toro about Mountains of Madness &c.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

the best part about that interview is where he confirms he put together a director's cut of Mimic and whenever the suit's who own Miramax decide it'll eventually hit DVD/Blu-Ray.

[Mupepe]

I love that type of filmmaker, with those gigantic stainless steel balls, Alec Baldwin-style in Glengarry Glen Ross, fucking clanking together.

I fucking love del Toro.

I was surprised to see how much hate he got on GAF after he bailed on The Hobbit.  Now when his name is thrown around I saw so many "as long as he doesn't write/direct, just do art design"  wtf.  I think he's a great writer/director.

[Phoenix Dark]

There wasn't a lot of hate iirc, people were just disappointed. Personally I'd rather see Jackson handle it, although if it's gonna be LOTR 2.0 it'll be a shame. The Hobbit is not LOTR. I trust Jackson but given all the studio turmoil, who knows what they'll do.

[Mupepe]

I was afraid del Toro might turn it into something it's not (dark for the sake of his (admittedly awesome) art design) and I'm afraid studios will ask Jackson to turn it into something it's not (LOTR 2.0).  I'm not sure about it still.  I'm happy as fuck with LOTR so I figure if the hobbit sucks, it can't make LOTR suck in retrospect so I'll be okay either.

But read up on the thread about mountains of madness and the haunted mansion on GAF.  People were hating on his directing/writing left and right.

[Joe Molotov]

I’m putting all the chips I have accumulated in 20 years as a director, betting them on a single number.  This is not just a movie and then move on to the next. It’s do or die time for me.

[Phoenix Dark]

Does it really need to be turned into some 3D summer blockbuster?

[Mr. Gundam]

I got home as Brother was starting on HBO Zone. Holy balls this movie is ridiculous.

[Great Rumbler]

If it means cyclopean cityscapes and galactic horrors on the big screen, sure why not?

[Eric P]

if you like offbeat spy parodies, both of the French OSS117 farces are available on netflix and come recommended

[fistfulofmetal]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/toronto-qa-julias-eyes-and-biutiful-producer-guillermo-del-toro/

interview with Del Toro about Mountains of Madness &c.

ctrl f "Hellboy"

no entries found



 :'(

[Mupepe]

Liar. The comments mentioned hellboy! It would have come up.

[Mr. Gundam]

if you like offbeat spy parodies, both of the French OSS117 farces are available on netflix and come recommended

Yes, they are absolutely awesome. I've heard from Francophile friends that they're even funnier if you speak French.

[Mupepe]

[REC]2 is pretty damn satisfying.  It's so awesomely cheesy in all the right parts and seeing it with a crowd on midnight was the shit. I especially love the part where

spoiler (click to show/hide)

the guy rips open his vest and says "because i'm a priest" and everyone including the actors does the 

[close]

  so awesome

[Cheebs]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/toronto-qa-julias-eyes-and-biutiful-producer-guillermo-del-toro/

interview with Del Toro about Mountains of Madness &c.

ctrl f "Hellboy"

no entries found



 :'(

At the Mountains of Madness >>> Hellboy. Madness is Del Toro's dream movie he has wanted to make for years and years. Del Toro wants Tom Cruise as the lead apparently.

[fistfulofmetal]

Hellboy 3 needs to happen soon because Pearlman is getting old.

[Great Rumbler]

If Hellboy 3 never happening meant a movie adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness, I'd take that deal.

[Cheebs]

Hellboy 3 needs to happen soon because Pearlman is getting old.

Del Toro has like 50,000 other movies he is already signed on to make so it may be a few decades.

[Phoenix Dark]

who cares about hellboy

[chronovore]

I do! I liked both of them.

[Cheebs]

Just assume there will never be a sequel so you'll be pleasantly surprised if he ever found the time to do one because the chances are probably small. Throw it in the pile with movies like Sin City 2 of sequels that have almost no chance in hell of ever happening but people keep holding on to.

[Great Rumbler]

 

[Dickie Dee]

Amazing

[EvilBoris]

 BALE FYC 2010 SUPP. ACTOR


 The role doesn't read itself as a revelatory one (the fuckup brother) but his wierd gangliness had me from
opening muckabout in the admittedly formulaic trailer of The Fighter. Recently rewatched 'Three Kings',  finding it to be a more visually keen and intense studio flick than usual so I very much trust David O Russell to find some grit in the inspirational beats here... I mean if I am forced to accept a Cinderella Man 2 here. Dug the genuine volatile chord from Wahlberg on his slap to taunting barkeep, and that shambling boxer pummelling him. Need less stuff like the unyielding ex and doorblocking new boyfriend (he just wants to see his kid!), and late night apartment door buzzer apologies.

 

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Pokémon trailer is an obvious hoax
hopefully it ends up a full fan movie and not just a fake trailer

[rodi]

I do! I liked both of them.

So did I. I don't get the hellboy hate, as far as comic book movies go I'd rate hellboy over Nolan's version of a rich white guy fighting crime in Chicago.

[Great Rumbler]

Yeah, I liked both of them too, they're really good. BUT, this is At the Mountains of Madness we're talking about.

[Great Rumbler]

All I'm asking for is cyclopean cityscapes and galactic horrors.

[Cheebs]

You guys were right about The Ghost Writer. So, so good. Final shot was so fucking brilliant.

More people need to see this. It's Polanski's best since Chinatown.

[Mr. Gundam]

Ghost Writer is EB's Dark Knight.

While it was a good movie, it was no where as good as everyone makes it out to be.

Yeah, it was a good film, but not deserving of some of the raves I've seen online.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

All I'm asking for is cyclopean cityscapes and galactic horrors.

don't forget the non-Euclidian geometries!

I wonder if you could do some things with non-overlapping 3D images to create that effect

[Joe Molotov]

All I'm asking for is cyclopean cityscapes and galactic horrors.

don't forget the non-Euclidian geometries!

I wonder if you could do some things with non-overlapping 3D images to create that effect

It should probably be at least 7D to cover some of the dimensions that are beyond human comprehension.

[CajoleJuice]

I just thought it was really good and wanted to give EB credit for getting me to watch it. :shrug