Films I watched this week (NO SPOILERS) (Vol 3)
Discussion
21TonyK said:
The Beekeeper... I have nothing against Mr Statham and some of his older films are quite good but Lordy... what a self-indulgent pile of crap. If he could have "sung the theme toon" he would have.
I'm not sure why this film gets so slated on here , one knows what one is going to get with a Statham movie , they're all basically the same other than a couple of exceptions early doors.Edited by Black can man on Tuesday 9th April 10:46
renmure said:
smn159 said:
Crook said:
C5_Steve said:
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Another vote here for Arrival
I think Denis Villeneuve is possibly now my favourite director.
I think I'd agree that he's certainly my favourite current director and it's exciting to see him just go from strength to strength. I think Denis Villeneuve is possibly now my favourite director.
A few more spoilery comments on Arrival from me.....
I think like most of DVs recent films (last 5 at least), they all get better with each subsequent watch. His vision and scope is so massive sometimes that it's hard to notice the intricacies. Whether it's incredibly tense scenes that envelope you in the action or worlds and concepts so alien that you have to alter the way you think, like Nolan he's able to tell genuinely engaging stories about life wrapped against these fantastic backdrops.
The real beauty of Arrival is that the entire film is circular. Not always literally and not always perfectly, much like life. At the start, the opening shot is of Banks' window facing out onto the water. The widow features many times and is direct reference to the heptapods window, thus creating that link early on (there's a panning shot from top to bottom of both that's exactly the same later on) In that opening scene, on first viewing we think we're seeing flashbacks. We'll later come to learn that these are in fact visions of what is to come, but also that Banks will come to see these herself later in the film. On first viewing, we think these events are what drive Banks' attitude and outlook on life. In fact, it's quite the opposite as we later learn. So whilst we think we're moving forward in time chronologically through the film, we're actually seeing both the present and future at the same time. We'll learn by the end of the film that our visions of the future that we think are the past have affected our perception of the present; on second viewing it'll change again as we begin with not only the knowledge of what is to come in the film but also the understanding that what we see is actually the future not the past. Not only do we know how the film ends, we know the consequences of Banks' actions. So our perception changes again because of our ability to perceive the future and past simultaneously.
This directly mirrors what happens to Banks. Once she learns to perceive time as the heptapods do, it alters her view and allows her to change the present (by speaking with the Chinese General) with her knowledge of the future. But more importantly, it gives her the strength to follow her own preconceived future to have her daughter. By the end of the film, she's learned that the pain, the grief and the joy are all a part of life and so she chooses to continue with that version of her future even though she now has the power to change it. She understands and accepts that all these emotions are an important part of life. Knowldege of the future doesn't mean avoiding pain or tough choices, it just allows you to accept them.
This was the mission of the heptapods all along. They could see what the future had in store for humans and their own race, but rather than take destructive action they made sacrifices to better the human race and help us evolve to be better than we are. This flies in the face of most other scifi stories like this where the alien race will just attempt to destroy humans. In fact, as viewers we've spent a good portion of the film unsure about the heptapods and their intentions because of our preconceived ideas. Once humans have the ability to understand the consequences of our actions, we can work towards bettering ourselves.
Ultimately, it's a beautiful story of love and loss told simultaneously in past and future tense. It is both a romance and a tragedy whilst also being a scifi film. I can't help but see the echoes of this thematically in Dune Part 2. Whilst not DVs own story, when you re-watch his latest film that's the thing that really stands out for me. He perfectly captures the beauty of Paul and Channis developing relationship along with the tragedy of where it will lead that not only you the audience appreciate (if you've read the books or already seen the film), but from Pauls perspective once he drinks the water of life. Those final scenes after, you feel the weight of the actions he takes and the impact it will have on his relationship. You really do believe he will love Channi as long as breathes, but he acts with the assurance that regardless of the pain he must now suffer and cause he knows (or believes he knows) where his actions will lead (although, long term I appreciate it doesn't all go so well in the book but in the film, DV tells you that Paul is doing what he sees as the right thing for as many people as he can despite himself).
Fair to say, I'm less than popular at the moment and can offer no defense. Didn't enjoy it, didn't like it, wouldn't ever watch it again, wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'd not even go as far as saying it was "ok"
Hey ho. As I say, it takes all sorts.
Dune Part 2 is part two of a film split into two parts. The clue is in the name. So it's not a sequel.
I'd argue that Aliens was a completely different film to Alien so the two shouldn't really be compared against each other.
I'd say Mad Max and Mad Max 2 are difficult to compare too, as the former is pre-apocalyptic (and deals with the breakdown of society) and the latter is post-apocalyptic.
(Not aimed at anyone specifically, hence deliberately didn't quote anyone)
I'd argue that Aliens was a completely different film to Alien so the two shouldn't really be compared against each other.
I'd say Mad Max and Mad Max 2 are difficult to compare too, as the former is pre-apocalyptic (and deals with the breakdown of society) and the latter is post-apocalyptic.
(Not aimed at anyone specifically, hence deliberately didn't quote anyone)
bodhi said:
I know this is a massively unpopular opinion, but I honestly don't think Terminator 2 was better than the original. Better effects sure, but seemed a bit fluffy and light after the dark and menacing original.
It told a different story, from a different perspective. So, again, not directly comparable (although more comparable than the other films I mentioned, for sure)stemll said:
JagLover said:
Shaoxter said:
Terminator 2, Empire strikes back, Dark Knight and more recently Dune 2 and Top Gun Maverick.
and AliensMovies like T1 and T2 or Alien and Aliens are very different movies, but it is hard to argue that the sequel did not "match up". Which one you prefer is a matter of personal preference.
Personally I think Aliens is superior but that is because I lean more toward action sci-fi and I think other aspects of the sequel make it near perfect as well.
Edited by JagLover on Tuesday 9th April 14:10
bodhi said:
I know this is a massively unpopular opinion, but I honestly don't think Terminator 2 was better than the original. Better effects sure, but seemed a bit fluffy and light after the dark and menacing original.
Plus a Terminator that can't kill people? Not really a Terminator then....
The Terminator is a very good B movie whereas Terminator 2 is probably about as good as a big budget action blockbuster can be, in terms of message, quality of writing, action set pieces etc. Plus a Terminator that can't kill people? Not really a Terminator then....
You are not really comparing like with like.
bloomen said:
A second film being a very different beast to the first is what you want out of a sequel, innit?
Certaintly that seems to be the case for most of those sequels that are very well regarded.Even the Godfather part 2 is quite a different film to the first one, with the split timelines etc.
JagLover said:
The Terminator is a very good B movie whereas Terminator 2 is probably about as good as a big budget action blockbuster can be, in terms of message, quality of writing, action set pieces etc.
You are not really comparing like with like.
I'd disagree on that as well - big action blockbuster perfection was achieved pretty early on with Die Hard - it's been all downhill since then. You are not really comparing like with like.
Also note I was responding to a comment comparing the two, suggesting I disagreed
Don't get me wrong T2 was a good film - but if I had a choice where I could only watch one it would be T1 all day long, despite the dodgy effects.
Although in fairness I'd go for Aliens over Alien, but only because my grandad made me watch Alien when I was 4, so there is a little trauma there.....
DodgyGeezer said:
C5_Steve said:
Just to have fun with the sequels debate and name a few that haven't come up......
Star Trek 2
Spiderman 2
X Men 2
The Two Towers
Captain America: Winter Soldier
All (IMO) better than the original.
Return of the KingStar Trek 2
Spiderman 2
X Men 2
The Two Towers
Captain America: Winter Soldier
All (IMO) better than the original.
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