Films I watched this week
Discussion
I feel slightly ashamed to say, but we watched San Andreas the other night, and we both quite enjoyed it, despite it being pure bunkum!
Just ordered the BR box set of back to the Future 1, 2 and 3 for a tenner off Amazon - can't believe I have never owned these films! (Oh, and at the same time ordered 1987's No Mans Land, with those gorgeous Porches)
Just ordered the BR box set of back to the Future 1, 2 and 3 for a tenner off Amazon - can't believe I have never owned these films! (Oh, and at the same time ordered 1987's No Mans Land, with those gorgeous Porches)
ash73 said:
I'm going to have to avoid this thread for a bit, there will be pages of people raving about The Martian and someone will reveal the plot. Then in a couple of weeks we'll get a wave of miserable gits saying it's crap because physics cgi story blah blah, then after a while the rest of us will see it and enjoy it.
Looking forward to it!
I think, generally speaking, it's being praised for its accuracy. The book was as well, storm aside, which the author stated was an important plot point so was happy to let that one go.Looking forward to it!
As always though, if you have a vague idea of the story the trailer actually reveals a key scene near the end.
ukaskew said:
ash73 said:
I'm going to have to avoid this thread for a bit, there will be pages of people raving about The Martian and someone will reveal the plot. Then in a couple of weeks we'll get a wave of miserable gits saying it's crap because physics cgi story blah blah, then after a while the rest of us will see it and enjoy it.
Looking forward to it!
I think, generally speaking, it's being praised for its accuracy. The book was as well, storm aside, which the author stated was an important plot point so was happy to let that one go.Looking forward to it!
As always though, if you have a vague idea of the story the trailer actually reveals a key scene near the end.
I did that experiment 18 months ago, and read Wolf of Wall Street, Gone Girl and American Sniper 6 months before the film came out.
I very much enjoyed all of the books, but, and although I thought all the films were great, it did of course spoil some of the plot twists.
Not sure I'll do it again.
That said, I've just finished Girl on a Train and that's going to be a film next year now - so I can't escape!
I very much enjoyed all of the books, but, and although I thought all the films were great, it did of course spoil some of the plot twists.
Not sure I'll do it again.
That said, I've just finished Girl on a Train and that's going to be a film next year now - so I can't escape!
TCEvo said:
Homefront
Usual Jason Statham nonsense; this time "quiet" outsider moves to yokelsville, redneck/gang shenanigans inevitability ensues.
I tend to like most Statham films; this one was little different to his usual far & I enjoyed it.
Spooky - I watched this 2013 film yesterday - enjoyed it too.Usual Jason Statham nonsense; this time "quiet" outsider moves to yokelsville, redneck/gang shenanigans inevitability ensues.
I tend to like most Statham films; this one was little different to his usual far & I enjoyed it.
I'll have nothing bad said about our Jas. He's never going to be a John Gielgud, Al Pacino or Danny Dyer but I've always enjoyed any film he's been in.
VEA said:
I'm just about to finish reading the book. It's been great having certain actors in my mind playing the characters. Great book, hope the film lives up to it.
Having enjoyed the book, I'd been looking forward to this ever since it was announced. Saw it yesterday and I'm happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The whole atmosphere and sense of humour of the film felt similar to the book which I was pleased about. Mr Damon does a good job as usual and, despite knowing how it all turns out, I found myself literally on the edge of my seat at the end. A solid 8/10 
Asterix said:
TCEvo said:
Homefront
Usual Jason Statham nonsense; this time "quiet" outsider moves to yokelsville, redneck/gang shenanigans inevitability ensues.
I tend to like most Statham films; this one was little different to his usual far & I enjoyed it.
Spooky - I watched this 2013 film yesterday - enjoyed it too.Usual Jason Statham nonsense; this time "quiet" outsider moves to yokelsville, redneck/gang shenanigans inevitability ensues.
I tend to like most Statham films; this one was little different to his usual far & I enjoyed it.
I'll have nothing bad said about our Jas. He's never going to be a John Gielgud, Al Pacino or Danny Dyer but I've always enjoyed any film he's been in.
Nightcrawler - Jake Gyllenhaal doing his best to look like Bruce Wayne as a sociopath who stumbles into being a freelance tv news cameraman and needs to keep raising the stakes to keep viewers.
He plays a wonderful part, really creepy, you never feel comfortable when he's on screen. It plays with your emotions and is very nicely paced.
Looks great too.
And a nice car.
9/10
He plays a wonderful part, really creepy, you never feel comfortable when he's on screen. It plays with your emotions and is very nicely paced.
Looks great too.
And a nice car.
9/10
Hard to be a God
A new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
A new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
JustinP1 said:
Hard to be a God
A new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
Sounds very interesting - I shall give it a go if I can find a source with embedded subs.A new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
JustinP1 said:
Hard to be a God
A new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
Sounds vaguely like the Iain M Banks book InversionsA new sci-fi film - but not sci-fi as you know it.
The plot is on the planet Arkanar, 40 humans from Earth have infiltrated society in order to help them though their 'Renaissance' and develop into higher beings.
At the moment, they live like England, AD 1000 and look exactly like humans. The protagonist is one of the intergalactic 'helpers' who has assumed a role of a nobleman and uses that sway to try and influence things.
The problem is this is a medieval world of rain, disease, mud, waste body fluids and squalor. Additionally militia factions of peasants have formed to summarily execute anyone like doctors or anyone who might lead society out of the mud. The protagonist gets through the day by doing what he can to keep his position whilst dulling himself with alcohol.
The closest film in terms of camera style is actually Birdman. While these horrors are going on, you are literally 'in' the huts, and streets like a third person watching, and so close in what is going on in a very claustrophobic way - some characters even occasionally break the 'fourth wall' and look at 'you' in the camera making you feel complicit to the horror.
However, this film is not for everyone:
1) It's in Russian. So subtitled.
2) It's in black and white.
3) There is no 'plot' in the Hollywood sense - you are literally on a guy's shoulder in real time.
4) It is three hours long.
However, it is an experience to watch unlike no other I've seen. As such, it is very difficult to rate in a conventional way. A lot of critics from the broadsheets have given this 5 stars. I perhaps wouldn't go as high as that. If you are into 'film' this is something perhaps not to be 'enjoyed' but certainly experienced.
JonRB said:
judas said:
Sounds vaguely like the Iain M Banks book Inversions
Very vaguely. But I see where you are coming from there. It's the kind of film that you will either be entranced by and drawn into, or you will get 15/30/60 minutes in and say 'why am I watching this, what the hell....?'
It's not an 'easy' or 'fun' watch, and not a lot goes on in the three hours, you are just watching madness unfold while characters look at a summary execution by a hammered bolt to the back of the head like an everyday scenario.
Internal affairs
Brilliant thriller. Real tension which is rare in films for me. Really don't know who is going to win. The two main characters are great. Ending feels a bit rushed though. 7/10
Memento
Been meaning to watch this for a while I should have been in bed ages ago. Awesome film, very clever and different. Not sure about the ending. Loved how it went backwards but started losing track probably have to watch it again. 9/10
Brilliant thriller. Real tension which is rare in films for me. Really don't know who is going to win. The two main characters are great. Ending feels a bit rushed though. 7/10
Memento
Been meaning to watch this for a while I should have been in bed ages ago. Awesome film, very clever and different. Not sure about the ending. Loved how it went backwards but started losing track probably have to watch it again. 9/10
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