Films I watched this week (NO SPOILERS) (Vol 3)
Discussion
Sleeping Dogs
Russell Crowe plays a retired cop struggling with Alzheimer's after being involved in a drink driving accident, however he's going through some experimental treatment to get his memory back.
A man on death row convicted of killing a college professor 10 years earlier in a case Crowe handled, asks him to look into it again as he pleads his innocence.
Uncovering some holes in the original investigation leads Crowe to try and solve the case again and find the real killer.
Pretty decent murder mystery which also stars the lovely Karen Gillan.
6/10
Russell Crowe plays a retired cop struggling with Alzheimer's after being involved in a drink driving accident, however he's going through some experimental treatment to get his memory back.
A man on death row convicted of killing a college professor 10 years earlier in a case Crowe handled, asks him to look into it again as he pleads his innocence.
Uncovering some holes in the original investigation leads Crowe to try and solve the case again and find the real killer.
Pretty decent murder mystery which also stars the lovely Karen Gillan.
6/10
Mars said:
Eric Banana in Force of Nature: The Dry 2 second part (but unrelated story) to The Dry that Banana was in previously. That one was OK (if nothing special) however this one was just slow and dull.
The book itself if much more interesting and the reveal/ending is a little more "wow" iirc - the movie just didn't translate it that well.The only really interesting part for me was it was filmed about 10km away from where I live in Melbourne.
I watched a little art-house film Columbus; slow, interesting, and great if you love Saarinen architecture.
And Widows - I'd almost forgotten about this film, it's a nice thriller/heist movie with a great cast; Viola Davies, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall...
And Widows - I'd almost forgotten about this film, it's a nice thriller/heist movie with a great cast; Viola Davies, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall...
The Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare.
Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
President Merkin said:
The Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare.
Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
I agree, it was rubbish. Quite a good cast horribly wasted in cinematic no man's land. Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
Edited by peterperkins on Tuesday 21st May 10:10
bodhi said:
C5_Steve said:
I bowl (not on Saturdays) and this and Kingpin are the GOATS when it comes to accurate films about bowling. Although it's not the main theme of Lebowkski it captures the weirdness so well.
I'm praying that the phrase "f
k it dude, let's go bowling" gets used a lot....
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Went and saw this last night. It's been given a lot of praise, the only criticism of it I've read is it drags a bit in the middle. For me, I didn't feel that at all.
I loved this film. I think the previous Reeves trilogy is one of the best trilogies of any genre and was hesitant when I read about them making more, but the time jump with this one works beautifully. We're seeing the apes at a really interesting point in their development; they're now the dominant species but still pre-industrial. It's 300 years since the last film and Ceasar has now passed into history and is remembered through stories told and passed down and like all legendary figures, open to interpretation and abuse.
Firstly, the technology has come on leaps and bounds. The previous films set the standard at the time (and still do) for Mocap performances, more so than Avatar IMO but this just felt so much more real, I'm not even sure how that's possible. There were times when there was a monkey, a horse and an eagle on the screen and any or none of them could have been real, it's that good. I think the big change is the micro expressions (which I read they use AI to help with) of their faces and eyes. The tiniest emotion is now translated beautifully. The characters are now half way between human and ape with their performances as they retain the mechanics and mannerisms of monkeys but with the language and expression of humans. I could have just watched them all day and I think that's why I didn't find the film dragged at all. The entire thing, characters and scenery is just beautiful.
The story overall is really interesting with a lot of parallels that reflect modern society as well as the way in which the humans are now portrayed. It really does add to the whole movie universe and extend the lore wonderfully.
I hope they continue with the other two films Wes Ball has planned as I'd love to see more of this timeline and see how they progress towards the original, there are a lot of nods in this one to the original films which really work well.
8.5/10
Went and saw this last night. It's been given a lot of praise, the only criticism of it I've read is it drags a bit in the middle. For me, I didn't feel that at all.
I loved this film. I think the previous Reeves trilogy is one of the best trilogies of any genre and was hesitant when I read about them making more, but the time jump with this one works beautifully. We're seeing the apes at a really interesting point in their development; they're now the dominant species but still pre-industrial. It's 300 years since the last film and Ceasar has now passed into history and is remembered through stories told and passed down and like all legendary figures, open to interpretation and abuse.
Firstly, the technology has come on leaps and bounds. The previous films set the standard at the time (and still do) for Mocap performances, more so than Avatar IMO but this just felt so much more real, I'm not even sure how that's possible. There were times when there was a monkey, a horse and an eagle on the screen and any or none of them could have been real, it's that good. I think the big change is the micro expressions (which I read they use AI to help with) of their faces and eyes. The tiniest emotion is now translated beautifully. The characters are now half way between human and ape with their performances as they retain the mechanics and mannerisms of monkeys but with the language and expression of humans. I could have just watched them all day and I think that's why I didn't find the film dragged at all. The entire thing, characters and scenery is just beautiful.
The story overall is really interesting with a lot of parallels that reflect modern society as well as the way in which the humans are now portrayed. It really does add to the whole movie universe and extend the lore wonderfully.
I hope they continue with the other two films Wes Ball has planned as I'd love to see more of this timeline and see how they progress towards the original, there are a lot of nods in this one to the original films which really work well.
8.5/10
C5_Steve said:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Went and saw this last night. It's been given a lot of praise, the only criticism of it I've read is it drags a bit in the middle. For me, I didn't feel that at all.
I loved this film. I think the previous Reeves trilogy is one of the best trilogies of any genre and was hesitant when I read about them making more, but the time jump with this one works beautifully. We're seeing the apes at a really interesting point in their development; they're now the dominant species but still pre-industrial. It's 300 years since the last film and Ceasar has now passed into history and is remembered through stories told and passed down and like all legendary figures, open to interpretation and abuse.
Firstly, the technology has come on leaps and bounds. The previous films set the standard at the time (and still do) for Mocap performances, more so than Avatar IMO but this just felt so much more real, I'm not even sure how that's possible. There were times when there was a monkey, a horse and an eagle on the screen and any or none of them could have been real, it's that good. I think the big change is the micro expressions (which I read they use AI to help with) of their faces and eyes. The tiniest emotion is now translated beautifully. The characters are now half way between human and ape with their performances as they retain the mechanics and mannerisms of monkeys but with the language and expression of humans. I could have just watched them all day and I think that's why I didn't find the film dragged at all. The entire thing, characters and scenery is just beautiful.
The story overall is really interesting with a lot of parallels that reflect modern society as well as the way in which the humans are now portrayed. It really does add to the whole movie universe and extend the lore wonderfully.
I hope they continue with the other two films Wes Ball has planned as I'd love to see more of this timeline and see how they progress towards the original, there are a lot of nods in this one to the original films which really work well.
8.5/10
Den of Geek have an interesting article about how Planet of the Apes is one of the few, if not only, franchise that looks forwards rather than rehashing the past, and that's how it stays fresh. Went and saw this last night. It's been given a lot of praise, the only criticism of it I've read is it drags a bit in the middle. For me, I didn't feel that at all.
I loved this film. I think the previous Reeves trilogy is one of the best trilogies of any genre and was hesitant when I read about them making more, but the time jump with this one works beautifully. We're seeing the apes at a really interesting point in their development; they're now the dominant species but still pre-industrial. It's 300 years since the last film and Ceasar has now passed into history and is remembered through stories told and passed down and like all legendary figures, open to interpretation and abuse.
Firstly, the technology has come on leaps and bounds. The previous films set the standard at the time (and still do) for Mocap performances, more so than Avatar IMO but this just felt so much more real, I'm not even sure how that's possible. There were times when there was a monkey, a horse and an eagle on the screen and any or none of them could have been real, it's that good. I think the big change is the micro expressions (which I read they use AI to help with) of their faces and eyes. The tiniest emotion is now translated beautifully. The characters are now half way between human and ape with their performances as they retain the mechanics and mannerisms of monkeys but with the language and expression of humans. I could have just watched them all day and I think that's why I didn't find the film dragged at all. The entire thing, characters and scenery is just beautiful.
The story overall is really interesting with a lot of parallels that reflect modern society as well as the way in which the humans are now portrayed. It really does add to the whole movie universe and extend the lore wonderfully.
I hope they continue with the other two films Wes Ball has planned as I'd love to see more of this timeline and see how they progress towards the original, there are a lot of nods in this one to the original films which really work well.
8.5/10
Worth a read
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/planet-of-the-ape...
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Den of Geek have an interesting article about how Planet of the Apes is one of the few, if not only, franchise that looks forwards rather than rehashing the past, and that's how it stays fresh.
Worth a read
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/planet-of-the-ape...
A very good read, thanks for sharing. Worth a read
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/planet-of-the-ape...
Couldn't agree more, it's interesting how bigger franchises are now facing calls from fans (ST and SW stand out) to do new stuff that continues the story rather then rehashing what came before.
ETA:
ajprice - The director of Kingdom has said on the Blu Ray he intends to have the whole movie, without the CGI so just the actors performances in mocap suits he was that impressed with them. Not sure how feasible that will be but I'm looking forward to it.
Also, on the notion of the franchise always looking forward I found this quote from the director on the ending of the film:
I figured there is nothing I could show you that would be stronger than what the audience's imagination would conjure up. Sure, it might turn some people off, but some people will like it. I have ideas of what they're looking at... Right, they're looking at (SpaceX founder) Elon Musk flying around on his Falcon 9 rocket. But I'll just say this. Space obviously is a key idea in all of these movies. So, maybe it's them looking to the future?
Edited by C5_Steve on Tuesday 21st May 12:08
peterperkins said:
President Merkin said:
The Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare.
Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
I agree, it was rubbish. Quite a good cast horribly wasted in cinematic no man's land. Chanced on this last night & gave it a go. Within ten minutes, I was longing for thre sweet embrace of death. In the hands of Guy Ritchie, a daring WW2 operation to disrupt German U boat operations is run over by a bus, dragged 100 yards down the road & finally flung through a plate glass window, Long on action, short on tension, cardboard cut out characters, overlong one handed, no aiming machine gun massacres.
Every last German lifted straight from the pages of every 1950's war comic, managing to be simultaneously arrogant & hapless, lacking only fencing scars & monocles, Churchill seemigly on a crash diet & played as a cringy caricature and somehow having his premiership in the hands of an admiral who may or may not tell on him. Ultimately, Guy Ritchie's laddish vibe overlays the whole thing to its grea detriment. I wasn't a fan. Three ration books out of ten.
Edited by peterperkins on Tuesday 21st May 10:10
Dune: part II (2024)
Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
sturge7878 said:
Dune: part II (2024)
Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
Oh noes! Not the wokes! Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
sturge7878 said:
Dune: part II (2024)
Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
Oh noes! Not the wokes! Finally got around to watching this. Part 1 was impressive yet suffered a couple of woke elements (*Liet Kynes etc.) , but thankfully they didn't detract from the story too much. I was concerned Part II may have been wokified still further but thankfully any woke elements were also fairly minimised. All in all a great watch if you have nearly three hours to kill and can crank up the soundtrack, but I do wish they'd been able to resist the wokes fully and keep it closer to the books.
t.Clockwork Cupcake said:
sturge7878 said:
Yep, they've ruined many a film project but thankfully even Disney now recognise people don't want to watch minority agenda st.
Oh yes. God forbid that any films get made that are not targeted 100% at your narrow-minded tastes, you poor fragile thing. t.
Re-working one of the great sci fi classics could easily have been a disaster of wokeness and I'm glad they (mainly) stopped listening to those pushing this agenda.
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