Films I watched this week
Discussion
P-Jay said:
Generally a film with a SLJ supporting role is pretty good - he's great in smaller doses and can really add something to the film and he can steal the limelight from other actors and in some cases it's just blind luck, but SLJ in a supporting role - usually a good film.
SLJ in a lead role on the other hand... it's a peculiar thing, he doesn't get many lead roles these days and when he does they tend to be straight to DVD s
te. The last decent, well regarded / profitable film he made as the lead was 'Unthinkable' in 2010m the one before that maybe 'Coach Carter'? was 2005 and neither were exactly Blockbusters.
There’s exceptions of course, for example he got top billing for Hateful 8, but that’s an ensemble cast if you’d ask me.
I think you're broadly right, but it's nuanced. I think SLJ falls down when he isn't directed right, and when he tries to veer out of his range. Perfect example is the Star Wars prequel, Lucas isn't a people director, hence we get shocking acting from a lot of big names, plus he's not playing a West side gun toting jedi.SLJ in a lead role on the other hand... it's a peculiar thing, he doesn't get many lead roles these days and when he does they tend to be straight to DVD s
te. The last decent, well regarded / profitable film he made as the lead was 'Unthinkable' in 2010m the one before that maybe 'Coach Carter'? was 2005 and neither were exactly Blockbusters. There’s exceptions of course, for example he got top billing for Hateful 8, but that’s an ensemble cast if you’d ask me.
Pan's Labyrinth - 10/10
Only ever watched this once despite it being one of my all time favourites. After 10 years I decided to re-watch it yesterday and it didn't disappoint. Top 3 possibly.
Aside from some iffy distant CGI explosions it's never going to age because everything is so physical, I forgot how beautifully done the various characters she meets are (and how much the thing with the eyes terrifies me).
Despite watching the really nasty/graphic 'Green Inferno' recently I found the violence in Pan's Labyrinth far more brutal and hard to watch (even though you don't see a great deal).
Only ever watched this once despite it being one of my all time favourites. After 10 years I decided to re-watch it yesterday and it didn't disappoint. Top 3 possibly.
Aside from some iffy distant CGI explosions it's never going to age because everything is so physical, I forgot how beautifully done the various characters she meets are (and how much the thing with the eyes terrifies me).
Despite watching the really nasty/graphic 'Green Inferno' recently I found the violence in Pan's Labyrinth far more brutal and hard to watch (even though you don't see a great deal).
Watched The Crow last night - I own it, but haven't watched it for a good few years.
I'd forgotten just how good it is. For a simple revenge / kill lots of people film it's very well done and it was a very enjoyable 90 mins.
Only negative was that I need to ditch my DVD copy and upgrade it to Bluray I think - but since it's an old film, that's a cheap thing to do.
I'd forgotten just how good it is. For a simple revenge / kill lots of people film it's very well done and it was a very enjoyable 90 mins.
Only negative was that I need to ditch my DVD copy and upgrade it to Bluray I think - but since it's an old film, that's a cheap thing to do.
Watched Listening last night on Netflix. An independent film about a a couple of science students who invent a device that allows you to read peoples minds. I was a bit disappointed TBH. I was expecting something along the lines of Primer, which is an absolute favourite and a brilliant film.
On the plus side, the female lead Amber Marie Bolilinger is indescribably hot
On the plus side, the female lead Amber Marie Bolilinger is indescribably hot
ukaskew said:
Pan's Labyrinth - 10/10
Only ever watched this once despite it being one of my all time favourites. After 10 years I decided to re-watch it yesterday and it didn't disappoint. Top 3 possibly.
Aside from some iffy distant CGI explosions it's never going to age because everything is so physical, I forgot how beautifully done the various characters she meets are (and how much the thing with the eyes terrifies me).
Despite watching the really nasty/graphic 'Green Inferno' recently I found the violence in Pan's Labyrinth far more brutal and hard to watch (even though you don't see a great deal).
I assume halfway between Peter Pan and The Labyrinth right? Sounds like a good film to take young kids to see!Only ever watched this once despite it being one of my all time favourites. After 10 years I decided to re-watch it yesterday and it didn't disappoint. Top 3 possibly.
Aside from some iffy distant CGI explosions it's never going to age because everything is so physical, I forgot how beautifully done the various characters she meets are (and how much the thing with the eyes terrifies me).
Despite watching the really nasty/graphic 'Green Inferno' recently I found the violence in Pan's Labyrinth far more brutal and hard to watch (even though you don't see a great deal).
Hidden Figures
Brilliant film. Paints a horrible picture of American attitudes in the recent past although the ladies themselves played this down. I am glad to live in an enlightened time and country.
It was nice to see how people's attitudes changed over time.
70%
Passengers
I really enjoyed this. I understand some people think the story is "light" but I thought it raised an interesting question - whether you could live alone like that or whether you'd have to wake someone to keep you sane, at the expense of their future.
Loved the sets too.
8/10
Brilliant film. Paints a horrible picture of American attitudes in the recent past although the ladies themselves played this down. I am glad to live in an enlightened time and country.
It was nice to see how people's attitudes changed over time.
70%
Passengers
I really enjoyed this. I understand some people think the story is "light" but I thought it raised an interesting question - whether you could live alone like that or whether you'd have to wake someone to keep you sane, at the expense of their future.
Loved the sets too.
8/10
Watchman said:
Something prompted me to re-watch Wild Things again (possibly jumped out at me on the "downloads" listings). Now, apart from the obvious reason(s) to watch this film, and they are obvious and they are immensely worthwhile, it's actually a pretty decent story. Of course, I knew what to expect which sort of dampens it a little but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Definitely an A minus, even though I've seen it at least twice previously.
Its a very good underrated film. Too many people saw that sex scene and discounted the actual story being half decent.
parabolica said:
Free Fire
Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
I've been looking forward to this since I saw the trailer a few months ago. Got rave review on the BBC this morning too.Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
Unfortunately it doesn't open till next Friday down here in Truro.
e21Mark said:
parabolica said:
Free Fire
Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
I've been looking forward to this since I saw the trailer a few months ago. Got rave review on the BBC this morning too.Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
Unfortunately it doesn't open till next Friday down here in Truro.
Great fun film, and Sam Riley from SS-GB is in it, totally different and doesn't sound like John Hurt at all!
ajprice said:
e21Mark said:
parabolica said:
Free Fire
Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
I've been looking forward to this since I saw the trailer a few months ago. Got rave review on the BBC this morning too.Hands down the most enjoyable film I've seen in the past 12 months!
50% gun play
40% crawling around in the dirt
10% witty barbs
If you liked the gun fights in Kingsman you'll like this, although it's a lot more gritty a film.
Unfortunately it doesn't open till next Friday down here in Truro.
Great fun film, and Sam Riley from SS-GB is in it, totally different and doesn't sound like John Hurt at all!
It's a very funny film with a lot of gasps as well - I didn't see the John Denver-soundtracked kill coming!!
The arrival
I'm quite surprised this has been so divisive. It was very well done, but a decidedly average story. Enough has already been said so.
5 out of 10 out of 5
Ghost in the shell.
Not quite the scene for scene remake of the anime, some elements from other entries in the series. Visually stunning, somewhat dumbed down with characters explaining exactly what's going on for the hard of thinking.
Speaking of hard of thinking this definitely applied to the woman sitting behind me who was consently asking her other half about what was going on, despite the clunky exposition. When she wasn't asking questions she was jumping 10 feet in the air every time there was a gun shot. (Clue here is imax is not for those of a nervous disposition) I'm certain she must have soiled herself by the end.
Back to the film. If you are a fan of the manga or anime you'll probably like it quite a lot. Also it youre a fan of eighties lotus you'll find a lot to like too.
7.5/10
Yes that's right I thinks its a better film than arrival.
I'm quite surprised this has been so divisive. It was very well done, but a decidedly average story. Enough has already been said so.
5 out of 10 out of 5
Ghost in the shell.
Not quite the scene for scene remake of the anime, some elements from other entries in the series. Visually stunning, somewhat dumbed down with characters explaining exactly what's going on for the hard of thinking.
Speaking of hard of thinking this definitely applied to the woman sitting behind me who was consently asking her other half about what was going on, despite the clunky exposition. When she wasn't asking questions she was jumping 10 feet in the air every time there was a gun shot. (Clue here is imax is not for those of a nervous disposition) I'm certain she must have soiled herself by the end.
Back to the film. If you are a fan of the manga or anime you'll probably like it quite a lot. Also it youre a fan of eighties lotus you'll find a lot to like too.
7.5/10
Yes that's right I thinks its a better film than arrival.
RBH58 said:
Ridley Scott should have been shot for Prometheus. Compared to Alien it was absolute ste. Talk about failing to live up to your own standards!
Interesting. How many times did you watch it?te. Talk about failing to live up to your own standards!I thought it was balls after the first viewing, when it first came out. I didn't watch it again for years until last October, we were on Skye and had climbed the Quirang and I was reminded of the film. Downloaded it and really enjoyed it, watched it two more times since then and enjoyed it more each time. I'll watch it again before the next one comes out.
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