Author Topic: Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread (Read 5417290 times)

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #10260 on:** March 27, 2011, 10:48:53 PM »

Session 9
good tension and atmosphere. some spooky bits but the ending is unsatisfying.

Exam
pretty good character drama. i enjoyed the attempt to build a world around the movie instead of it sitting in a bubble. it gets kind of ludicrous near the end but i enjoyed it for the first 3rd at least.

The House of the Devil
SUPER surprised about this one. it's really great. perfectly recreates the early 80's vibe and builds some awesome tension. the scary house bits near the middle are really effective. what i like most is that it doesn't give in to the modern horror cliches of having gore and violence every ten seconds. it's a serious slow burn as it ramps up to the end, which is bloodsoaked without being too over the top gory. loved it.

it's on netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The-House-of-the-Devil/70117039#height1640
go watch it if you're a fan of horror

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #10261 on:** March 27, 2011, 11:20:49 PM »

Fire Walk with Me

Loved it. I can see why it would be a disappointment to some but it really fleshed out a lot of things. And man, I love the actress playing Laura Palmer.

Diunx · « **Reply #10262 on:** March 27, 2011, 11:35:34 PM »

Yeah she was hoooot

Just saw The Girl Who Played With Fire, really enjoyed it, liked it quite a bit more than dragon tattoo gonna watch the last one next time I have some free time.

HyperZoneWasAwesome · « **Reply #10263 on:** March 28, 2011, 12:03:11 AM »

The House of the Devil is a great dang film, so much a better horror film then My Soul to Take. Which is terrible but at least has the courtesy of being nearly as schizophrenic as two of its characters. Its got a retardedly convoluted plot that never pays off, as much miscasting as your average George Lucas movie, and the most unlikely high schooler dialog since Brick. The characterizations and dialog is what happens when a 70 year old man writes and directs a movie about 16 year olds.

I'm not even going to bother getting into the plot, as explaining why all that crazy shit is happening is something the movie itself never even stops doing, but suffice to say that there's many teenagers at the beginning of the film and far fewer left over at the end. None of them die in a particularly inventive manner and the only time things are surprising is when things happen unexpectedly because the movie as a whole is barking mad. The cumulative effect of all the constant clumsy exposition, the bizarrely drawn characters and dialog, and the plot that doesn't twist so much as it does spasm, creates a constant effect of WTF-effery. Its a tolerable movie because it doesn't commit the biggest sin of any bad film, its not boring. But man oh man is it crappy.

But its a certified Wes Craven movie. Even though its more Deadly Friend then it is A Nightmare on Elm Street. But like Deadly Friend, it might make a more impression then many better movies will leave you with.

**

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #10264 on:** March 28, 2011, 12:14:01 AM »

Quote from: HyperZoneWasAwesome on March 28, 2011, 12:03:11 AM

The House of the Devil is a great dang film

i can go to bed happy knowing at least 1 other person has seen it.
maybe it's just post movie high but i've watched around 6 or 7 movies in the last few days and this is the first i legitimately thought was great. i really do think it's the best horror movie i've seen since [REC].

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10265 on:** March 28, 2011, 12:16:49 AM »

+1 for House of the Devil love.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #10266 on:** March 28, 2011, 12:28:40 AM »

Limitless

pretty decent film, Bradley Cooper was great (but I do have a man-crush on him). A lot of holes in the concept and plot, but still an intriguing scenario. Couldn't quite keep it's momentum but was a great ride for the most part. Tried a few new things and used some interesting visual concepts, which was fantastic to see in a mainstream flick. I'd recommend it, 3 out of 5.

Diunx · « **Reply #10267 on:** March 28, 2011, 12:36:51 AM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on March 28, 2011, 12:14:01 AM

Quote from: HyperZoneWasAwesome on March 28, 2011, 12:03:11 AM

The House of the Devil is a great dang film

i can go to bed happy knowing at least 1 other person has seen it.
maybe it's just post movie high but i've watched around 6 or 7 movies in the last few days and this is the first i legitimately thought was great. i really do think it's the best horror movie i've seen since [REC].

Yeah I saw it last year, it was pretty fucking great, I remember willco pimping it a lot on the forums.

Bebpo · « **Reply #10268 on:** March 28, 2011, 02:23:48 AM »

Black Swan

I liked it about as much as I expected considering I find ballet boring and hate natalie portman. It was very well directed and good performances; the ballet parts were boring and I found myself tuning them out and the last 3rd while being nicely done was too predictable for my tastes (since you knew how the play ends and you could figure out what was going on by then). But it was still a good movie, just not my kind of movie. The Fountain was more my kind of Arnofsky movie.

Also, natalie portman is just skin and bones. It's really disgusting and she has no sex appeal. How can people like her looks?

The Sceneman · « **Reply #10269 on:** March 28, 2011, 02:39:48 AM »

she did lose weight for that film, but yeah I agree, I've seen more attractive things in my toilet bowl

Polari · « **Reply #10270 on:** March 28, 2011, 07:41:29 AM »

I fucking love skin and bones.

Mupepe · « **Reply #10271 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:28:36 AM »

The Fly (1986)
I've heard this movie was gross and shocking, but I figured that was 80's standard gross and shocking. Man, what an awesome movie. That shit was bananas. The practical effects were awesome. And it just had some really awesome ideas

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Him spitting up the digestive shit on the dude's leg and whatnot.

[close]

Awesome fucking movie.

The Switch
Rom com with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. Was surprisingly watchable because of Bateman.

Eat Pray Love
What the fuck did I just watch??

Mupepe · « **Reply #10272 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:40:50 AM »

my wife put it on and she didn't read the book! I didn't choose that shit!

muckhole · « **Reply #10273 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:45:11 AM »

Rivers & Tides

Gave this a peek after seeing it mentioned here. I can't imagine the patience one would require to do some of the works Mr. Goldsworthy does, let alone multiple times as he does when they come apart during the making. Pretty relaxing flick to watch, though if I leveled a complaint at it, I'd say I wish there was a little more detail into the man himself rather than just his works and process. Now I want to make ice snake through a rock!

Raban · « **Reply #10274 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:57:38 AM »

Quote from: Mupepe on March 28, 2011, 10:28:36 AM

The Fly (1986)
I've heard this movie was gross and shocking, but I figured that was 80's standard gross and shocking. Man, what an awesome movie. That shit was bananas. The practical effects were awesome. And it just had some really awesome ideas
spoiler (click to show/hide)
Him spitting up the digestive shit on the dude's leg and whatnot.
[close]
Awesome fucking movie.

Cheeseburger.

The Fly is one of my all-time favorites. So twisted and hilarious.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10275 on:** March 28, 2011, 11:04:28 AM »

Quote from: muckhole on March 28, 2011, 10:45:11 AM

Rivers & Tides

Gave this a peek after seeing it mentioned here. I can't imagine the patience one would require to do some of the works Mr. Goldsworthy does, let alone multiple times as he does when they come apart during the making. Pretty relaxing flick to watch, though if I leveled a complaint at it, I'd say I wish there was a little more detail into the man himself rather than just his works and process. Now I want to make ice snake through a rock!

I've watched this a couple of times over the years, really like it.

Diunx · « **Reply #10276 on:** March 28, 2011, 01:00:17 PM »

What movie is that mojo? Can't see youtubes on my phone.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10277 on:** March 28, 2011, 01:26:19 PM »

Quote from: Diunx on March 28, 2011, 01:00:17 PM

What movie is that mojo? Can't see youtubes on my phone.

Snuff: A Documentary about Killing on Camera

But apparently the "real snuff film" they show is pretty fake.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10278 on:** March 28, 2011, 01:57:14 PM »

Quote from: mojovonio on March 28, 2011, 01:48:52 PM

Where do you see that? Most of the movie talks about how Snuff movies are fake and there has never been one found. So far, they're talking about this child porn ring in Russia where apparently they killed young boys, but they never found any tapes. They talk about faces of death, the videos of people getting killed in Iraq, etc.

Saw a thread about it on IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1237926/board/nest/118548824

Himu · « **Reply #10279 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:04:08 PM »

The Himuboo Chinese film binge of 2011

Preface: I love Chinese film making and I am entranced by Chinese history and culture. I have always loved their martial arts movies and even non-martial arts movies, so every now and then I get OBSESSED with China. Like, I have to watch Chinese movies and I have no clue why.

Solution: Netflix instant!

The list:

~~Ip Man~~

Three Kingdoms
Election
Wild China (docu on China nature and beauty

)
The Warlords
Red Cliff
The Road Home
Last Train Home
The Emperor and the Assassin
In the Mood For Love

Bonus (not Chinese):

Chocolate
Ong Bak 2 (never seen)
Ong Bak 3
Legend of the Tsunami Warrior
The Bodyguard

Suggestions: welcome!

To be honest, right now I'm really in the mood for Chinese period pieces. I saw Ip Man yesterday and I really got a lot of and found it one of the more enjoyable Chinese kung fu movies I've seen in recent times alongside Karate Kid.

Rarely do martial movies have both good action and good story, but both Ip Man and Karate Kid did. Usually movies like this don't have both.

To be honest I'm in a really big mood for wuxia. I should take this query to Something Awful so I can come back with a gigantic list of suggestions.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #10280 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:05:59 PM »

Quote from: Bebpo on March 28, 2011, 02:23:48 AM

Also, natalie portman is just skin and bones. It's really disgusting and she has no sex appeal. How can people like her looks?

thank god someone said it. She's disgustingly skinny. I know she lost weight for the film, but she's ALWAYS been skinny. There's nothing appealing about her, and her meh-ness was only enhanced by Kunis being in the film

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10281 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:19:28 PM »

Quote from: Stringer Bell on March 28, 2011, 03:04:08 PM

The Himuboo Chinese film binge of 2011

Preface: I love Chinese film making and I am entranced by Chinese history and culture. I have always loved their martial arts movies and even non-martial arts movies, so every now and then I get OBSESSED with China. Like, I have to watch Chinese movies and I have no clue why.

Try The Story of Qui Ju, it's one of Zhang Yimou's early movies.

Himu · « **Reply #10282 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:25:02 PM »

Almost every time I watch a Chinese film I have this urge to buy a plane ticket and go there.

Mupepe · « **Reply #10283 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:39:50 PM »

you should do it.

TEEEPO · « **Reply #10284 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:00:23 PM »

if you can find it, Yellow Earth directed by Chen Kaige embodies both the historical and cultural aspects of China far better than all the films on your list save for two, with one not even being from China. Not only was it Kaige's first directorial debut, it's also one of Zhang Yimou's finest accomplishments as a cinematographic as well. infact, i'd focus entirely on the Fifth Generation of directors early and mid outputs.

i don't know much about period films like Red Cliff. not my thing

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #10285 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:15:03 PM »

Quote from: mojovonio on March 28, 2011, 03:41:53 PM

You should go to Hong Kong.

Himu couldn't turn down the ladyboiz

TEEEPO · « **Reply #10286 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:37:56 PM »

that good?

cool breeze · « **Reply #10287 on:** March 28, 2011, 05:07:57 PM »

put In the Mood For Love at the top of that list

HyperZoneWasAwesome · « **Reply #10288 on:** March 28, 2011, 06:02:36 PM »

Quote from: Linkzg on March 28, 2011, 05:07:57 PM

put In the Mood For Love at the top of that list

listen to this man.

also, you really, really, really need to catch a Jonnie To flick or two if you're gonna delve into Hong Kong films. He's been the most reliable auteur in that scene for the last decade and has an assload of great films to his name. I can easily recommend the gangster political thriller duo Election 1 and 2 (aka Election and Triad Election), the cop movie/dark Seinfeld episode-ish P.T.U., and Triangle, which is a thriller with a constantly mutating story and characters because each of three directors made 1/3rd of the movie picking up from the other. All of those are great films that showcase To's love of moody, noirish atmosphere and his often bleak and hilarious sense of humor.

and as for quality wuxia, the best one I've seen in quite some time wasn't even Chinese at all, the Korean film The Legend of the Shadowless Sword, like many K-films, has terrific technical credits, but also a slightly nutty sensibility and lots of satisfying (and sometimes bodily explosive) violence. Check it out y'all.

Robo · « **Reply #10289 on:** March 28, 2011, 06:30:57 PM »

In the Mood for Love is off Netflix streaming after April 1st, apparently. There's another reason to put it at the top.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #10290 on:** March 28, 2011, 06:53:56 PM »

Quote from: Robo on March 28, 2011, 06:30:57 PM

In the Mood for Love is off Netflix streaming after April 1st, apparently. There's another reason to put it at the top.

I've still got the DVD release, but what is taking Criterion so fucking long with the Blu-ray? Did they have to go back and renegotiate with Universal (American license holder)?

Himu · « **Reply #10291 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:31:48 PM »

added to the list, along with goon film suggestions:

In the Mood For Love
Devils on the Doorstep
The Story of Qiu Ju
Not One Less
In the Heat of the Sun
The Sun Also Rises
Farewell My Concubine
Postmen in the Mountains
Still Life
Pickpocket
Raise the Red Lantern
Triad Election
Dragon Tiger Gate
Once Upon a Time in China
Fist of Legend
Fearless
Chungking Express
Yellow Earth
Three Kingdoms
Election
Wild China
The Warlords
Red Cliff
The Road Home
Last Train Home
The Emperor and the Assassin
P.T.U.
Triangle
Infernal Affairs (I haven't seen this but always have wanted to)

Non-Chinese:

Chocolate
Ong Bak 2 (never seen)
Ong Bak 3
Legend of the Tsunami Warrior
The Bodyguard
Raging Phoenix
The Legend of the Shadowless Sword

Okay, April is officially Chinese asian film month for me.

BlackMage · « **Reply #10292 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:37:26 PM »

I'm downloading The House of the Devil as we speak. I'ma watch it alone in the dark

cool breeze · « **Reply #10293 on:** March 28, 2011, 11:47:35 PM »

put Chungking Express right under In the Mood For Love

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10294 on:** March 30, 2011, 12:37:23 AM »

Strange Days

It feels out of place coming out in 1995 [and taking place in the far-flung future of 1999], but I suppose I can forgive that. It's not too hard to see James Cameron's touch hiding just beneath the surface, helping to elevate what might have been just another moldy scifi relic and raising to, while not a classic, something that's still an interesting watch 15 years later. It kinds of reminds me of Johnny Mnenomic, only better in just about every way [acting, writing, story, direction, ect.]. The biggest downside is that the movie veers away from the central technology and how it might affect people and society and turns towards what is a very standard crime-thriller setup. It's a decent movie, interesting in a number of ways, and it fits nicely into that little cinema niche full of movies whose flaws I can overlook.

Also, there's an episode of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex that's clearly directly influenced by Strange Days: Jungle Cruise [episode 10 from the first season].

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #10295 on:** March 30, 2011, 03:47:40 PM »

I watched the rifftrax for birdemic last night. rifftrax is all over the place in quality level but I thought this one was okay. It was helped by the actual movie being enjoyably bad of course.

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #10296 on:** March 30, 2011, 04:54:21 PM »

Flying to Amsterdam tomorrow. I took a look at the in-flight entertainment on the plane, looks like I'll be watching:

Due Date
It's Kind of a Funny Story
Inside Job (already saw it, but it's fantastic)

The American is also on there, was it any good?

Mupepe · « **Reply #10297 on:** March 30, 2011, 05:01:24 PM »

The American is good, but I don't know if I'd watch it on a plane. Its strong points are the great cinematography and relaxed pacing. I don't think it'd make a great movie for a flight though.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #10298 on:** March 30, 2011, 08:33:21 PM »

I've got 10 hours to kill on the plane and they're free. Eh.

Robo · « **Reply #10299 on:** March 31, 2011, 12:00:19 PM »

Continuing the Bruce Robinson + Richard E. Grant love-in, I watched Withnail & I again.

It's a shame Robinson largely abandoned directing; The Rum Diary will be his first since 1992.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #10300 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:06:25 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on March 30, 2011, 03:47:40 PM

I watched the rifftrax for birdemic last night. rifftrax is all over the place in quality level but I thought this one was okay. It was helped by the actual movie being enjoyably bad of course.

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

animated gif birds

thanks for reminding me about this one, it's been on my "to watch" list after I missed it at the annual Wellington Film Festival.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10301 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:19:14 PM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on March 31, 2011, 11:06:25 PM

Quote from: Stoney Mason on March 30, 2011, 03:47:40 PM
I watched the rifftrax for birdemic last night. rifftrax is all over the place in quality level but I thought this one was okay. It was helped by the actual movie being enjoyably bad of course.

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

animated gif birds

thanks for reminding me about this one, it's been on my "to watch" list after I missed it at the annual Wellington Film Festival.

Make sure you watch it with Rifftrax commentary:

[youtube=560,345]zQVv_qNKkQQ[/youtube]

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #10302 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:43:17 PM »

Birdemic is a legit enjoyably bad film. It feels like something that would have made the old mst3k show.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10303 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:47:21 PM »

Yeah, it's basically a modern-day Giant Spider Invasion.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #10304 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:54:00 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on March 31, 2011, 11:47:21 PM

Yeah, it's basically a modern-day Giant Spider Invasion.

I really dig it. It's bad but bad in a really earnest way which is refreshing. There doesn't appear to be a hint of irony or post modernism in the film. It feels like legit someone just making a really bad movie but you respect them because they actually went all the way with it and really wanted to make a film.

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #10305 on:** April 01, 2011, 04:30:26 AM »

http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/must-watch-hilarious-full-length-trailer-for-the-hangover-part-ii/

26 seconds in and i'm laughing my ass off.

Diunx · « **Reply #10306 on:** April 01, 2011, 11:35:32 AM »

Looks better than the first one, too bad the fat fuck killed Gibson's cameo that means I won't be seeing this in theaters.

Diunx · « **Reply #10307 on:** April 01, 2011, 12:14:51 PM »

Gibson >>> neeson

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #10308 on:** April 01, 2011, 12:51:26 PM »

Gotta side with Gibson too. Neeson is awesome though.

chronovore · « **Reply #10309 on:** April 01, 2011, 07:38:28 PM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on March 26, 2011, 10:49:41 PM

i realized netflix has like all the Masters of Horror episodes. sooo i rewatched my favorite one: Fair Haired Child
IMO this is definitely not only the best episode of Masters of Horror but one of my favorite pieces of horror fiction. It's a really short simply story but it works for me. Basically it's about a young girl who gets kidnapped by a couple and thrown in a basement with a young boy for the purposes of being scarified for a blood pact.

The scenes when the Fair Haired Child actually arrive are terrifying not only in how they are shot but thanks to the design of the monster itself. I also really enjoyed the relationship that forms between the main female character Tara and the other boy in the basement, Johny. The relationship makes the scene near the end incredibly sad when
spoiler (click to show/hide)
Tara sacrifices herself to the Fair Haired Child and in the very next scene you see the blood scrawled note where she professes her forgiveness to him. Just the scene itself is done really well. You get the moment just before where Johny and Tara are embracing then it cuts to black for like a full 5 seconds and cuts right to him as the Fair Haired Child mauling Tara on the floor. It's one of the most brutal scenes I've ever seen and for me really makes me sad for her demise.
[close]
Unfortunately I would say that the END END kind of defeats all that but it works in a "FUCK YEAH" kind of way and sends you home happy.

What sucks is that I bet barely anyone has seen it so all the spoilery comments will fall on deaf ears. It's on netflix (HERE) and it's only 55 minutes. I hope more people watch it and comment. Even if you think it sucks.

I'll have to check out Fair Haired Child. I just watched the trailer on YouTube, and it looks really eerie.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #10310 on:** April 01, 2011, 08:35:28 PM »

i'm eager to hear others opinions. i've always felt i was the only who ever watched Masters of Horror when it was on Showtime.

choco parfait · « **Reply #10311 on:** April 02, 2011, 12:59:08 PM »

Just watched Moon in order to prime myself on Source Code, after having my interest piqued by the latter's trailer.

It's a nice movie, definitely proves that one can make still make a strong movie without spending fancy budgets or super effects, but outside of that it wasn't an amazing movie to me in of itself. It gets strong props for not following the current trend in cinematic style, but at its heart it's still only good, not the levels of great I've heard tossed at it.

ManaByte · « **Reply #10312 on:** April 02, 2011, 02:13:43 PM »

[youtube=560,345]FbyJSbimX0Y[/youtube]

Diunx · « **Reply #10313 on:** April 02, 2011, 03:21:39 PM »

Neeson is great but seeing gibson playing a crazy tattoo artist after all the controversy would have been hilarious but now is just neeson in a movie.

cool breeze · « **Reply #10314 on:** April 02, 2011, 04:17:43 PM »

The stuff in space and on Oa looks cool. But everything that takes place on Earth (after he becomes a green lantern) looks like stupid comic book movie stuff. He returns to Earth and punches a homeless guy, saves that chick, a random kid (so other kids can dream about being saved by Hal) and finally realizes his potential as a hero. It's the same thing as Batman Begin's and Iron Man's ending.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #10315 on:** April 02, 2011, 04:44:57 PM »

Quote from: ManaByte on April 02, 2011, 02:13:43 PM

[youtube=560,345]FbyJSbimX0Y[/youtube]

That's the worst cgi I've ever seen in a blockbuster film circa 2008-2011

ManaByte · « **Reply #10316 on:** April 02, 2011, 04:59:48 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on April 02, 2011, 04:44:57 PM

Quote from: ManaByte on April 02, 2011, 02:13:43 PM
[youtube=560,345]FbyJSbimX0Y[/youtube]

That's the worst cgi I've ever seen in a blockbuster film circa 2008-2011

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #10317 on:** April 02, 2011, 05:12:15 PM »

How do you like it now

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10318 on:** April 02, 2011, 07:55:10 PM »

Quote from: choco parfait on April 02, 2011, 12:59:08 PM

It gets strong props for not following the current trend in cinematic style, but at its heart it's still only good, not the levels of great I've heard tossed at it.

A drop of water in the desert, man.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #10319 on:** April 02, 2011, 08:05:16 PM »

Quote from: Linkzg on April 02, 2011, 04:17:43 PM

The stuff in space and on Oa looks cool. But everything that takes place on Earth (after he becomes a green lantern) looks like stupid comic book movie stuff.

Yeah, more crazy outerspace stuff, less generic Earth stuff.

News:

Author Topic: Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread (Read 5417290 times)