Good films I watched this weekend
Discussion
Billy Bathgate. With proud production details, a concrete cast (Hoffman, Kidman, Willis, Buscemi, Tucci), and a pastiche of real and fictional events framed against a portrayal of Dutch Shultz, on paper it was a surprise that it imploded at the box office. Strip it back and it's a 1930's version of Pileggi's 'Wiseguy' [read 'Goodfellas'], a basic local kid, seduced and apprenticed into a world that doesn't let go. It's not great, but one to tick off for those who enjoy pre-war New York gangsterism crime dramas.
The Terror. After thoroughly enjoying Bogdanovich's 'Targets' a couple of weeks back, I was drawn to revisit Roger Corman's Boris Karloff vehicle, from which small segments were interjected into the latter film. Jack Nicholson, in one of his early parts, plays an incredibly lost cavalry officer (Napoleanic era), who decides to drop in and bunk up with any local that will take him in. Low budget pyscho-horror ensues. Good fun.
A Fistful of Dynamite. Leone's fifth Western, and a mini-masterpiece. A vastly underrated film, with Rod Steiger chewing the scenery, and a soulful James Coburn the catalyst for all the key setpieces. The sort of film that just wouldn't get made these days - the wistful flashback scenes highlight perfectly why Leone was at his best as a craftsman when shooting his subject, but with nothing said, everything is told. Blink and you'll miss it, but the cinematography involved just before the bank heist (camera pans and follows, nods and acknowledgements from gang member to gang member, like a burning fuse) is as good as anything you'll see in a Scorcese film.
Oh, 'Bad Boys' is on, and for me, that's never, ever to be missed, regardless of what other highbrow is on! Lisa Boyle tottering around at the beginning with the two douchebag stick-up merchants beats anything Kubrick did from 1981-86.
The Terror. After thoroughly enjoying Bogdanovich's 'Targets' a couple of weeks back, I was drawn to revisit Roger Corman's Boris Karloff vehicle, from which small segments were interjected into the latter film. Jack Nicholson, in one of his early parts, plays an incredibly lost cavalry officer (Napoleanic era), who decides to drop in and bunk up with any local that will take him in. Low budget pyscho-horror ensues. Good fun.
A Fistful of Dynamite. Leone's fifth Western, and a mini-masterpiece. A vastly underrated film, with Rod Steiger chewing the scenery, and a soulful James Coburn the catalyst for all the key setpieces. The sort of film that just wouldn't get made these days - the wistful flashback scenes highlight perfectly why Leone was at his best as a craftsman when shooting his subject, but with nothing said, everything is told. Blink and you'll miss it, but the cinematography involved just before the bank heist (camera pans and follows, nods and acknowledgements from gang member to gang member, like a burning fuse) is as good as anything you'll see in a Scorcese film.
Oh, 'Bad Boys' is on, and for me, that's never, ever to be missed, regardless of what other highbrow is on! Lisa Boyle tottering around at the beginning with the two douchebag stick-up merchants beats anything Kubrick did from 1981-86.
tigerkoi said:
Oh, 'Bad Boys' is on, and for me, that's never, ever to be missed, regardless of what other highbrow is on! Lisa Boyle tottering around at the beginning with the two douchebag stick-up merchants beats anything Kubrick did from 1981-86.
One of those 'douchebag' stick up merchants is Tig from Sons Of Anarchy so I would watch your lip.tigerkoi said:
Oh, 'Bad Boys' is on, and for me, that's never, ever to be missed, regardless of what other highbrow is on! Lisa Boyle tottering around at the beginning with the two douchebag stick-up merchants beats anything Kubrick did from 1981-86.
Waaay too slick for my taste. I'll take a grizzled Nick Nolte and the wise-ass Eddie Murphy all blended by Walter Hill over pretty boys in a Porsche any day. TheHeretic said:
'As Good as it Gets' - Still utterly brilliant! I reckon it is one of Nicholson's beat films! Some superb one liners.
The best bit about that film for me was a really tiny thing. He answers the his door and the person says something and for a split second he looks slightly sideways and then back at the person. It could not have said, 'are you really that fking stupid', any louder than a bill board in Times Square.Superb acting.
I watched the "Baader Meinhof Complex" - Started out ok, but seemed to lose its way (or maybe I just did) half way through and strung out to an overlong ending. Interesting idea, explaining how the terrorist group rose, but overall they just seemed like a bunch of spoilt tossers.
Also watch "Ironclad" - Rather enjoyed it, although it was a bit formulaic.
M.
Also watch "Ironclad" - Rather enjoyed it, although it was a bit formulaic.
M.
Cotty said:
Legend83 said:
I didn't want to get into this debate again, but 9/10 for Date Night?!
I think this is why the voting on IMDB is good as you get an average rather than rely on people who either really love or really hate the same film. http://xkcd.com/937/
Asterix said:
TheHeretic said:
'As Good as it Gets' - Still utterly brilliant! I reckon it is one of Nicholson's beat films! Some superb one liners.
The best bit about that film for me was a really tiny thing. He answers the his door and the person says something and for a split second he looks slightly sideways and then back at the person. It could not have said, 'are you really that fking stupid', any louder than a bill board in Times Square.Superb acting.
Insidious - had this for ages but never bothered watching since I was expecting a crappy film full of cgi and jump scares but ended up for the most part pleasantly surprised. Although its true there are jump scares and some are predictable, it's the few that come out of absolutely nowhere that get under your skin. The anarchistic music, close camera and excellent use of lighting all help contribute to an atmosphere where nothing feels quite right, and something could happen at any time.
That said, there are some problems. Considering the demon is trying to take over their son's body, it seems odd he leaves them alone for long periods of time, or certainly enough to up sticks and move houses in the course of a jump cut. When we do finally get a vision of the Further it looks like a cheap fairground ride, and the demon itself just isn't scary. There is of course the twist which every horror movie must include by law, which I did see coming. Does anyone these days ever believe the scene right near the end where everything seems to have been resolved and they'll live happily ever after? Wouldn't it be a great twist to have no twist at all?
7/10
That said, there are some problems. Considering the demon is trying to take over their son's body, it seems odd he leaves them alone for long periods of time, or certainly enough to up sticks and move houses in the course of a jump cut. When we do finally get a vision of the Further it looks like a cheap fairground ride, and the demon itself just isn't scary. There is of course the twist which every horror movie must include by law, which I did see coming. Does anyone these days ever believe the scene right near the end where everything seems to have been resolved and they'll live happily ever after? Wouldn't it be a great twist to have no twist at all?
7/10
I upgrade my cinema experience to a 3D projector so thought I would give Avatar a go.
It's better in 3d for sure and the use of it is subtle rather than the things poking out the screen school of 3d. The film itself looks great but the characters are cartoon cut-outs the plot is paper thin and the whole lot is just a massive eco rant.
Pandora? Unobtainium? really.....
6/10 for the film 8/10 for the visuals.
In conclusion, if this is the pinnacle of 3D then I'll be glad when the fad passes.
It's better in 3d for sure and the use of it is subtle rather than the things poking out the screen school of 3d. The film itself looks great but the characters are cartoon cut-outs the plot is paper thin and the whole lot is just a massive eco rant.
Pandora? Unobtainium? really.....
6/10 for the film 8/10 for the visuals.
In conclusion, if this is the pinnacle of 3D then I'll be glad when the fad passes.
russ_a said:
Zombieland,
Bloody Brilliant (for the 10th time too)
Last night was a zombie fest for us too;Bloody Brilliant (for the 10th time too)
Cockneys Vs Zombies
Exactly what it says on the tin. Don't expect much, good line up of older actors obviously doing it for a laugh.
I don't think it was trying to be Shaun of the Dead, I'm sure they were hoping to be almost as funny, but it was still a good romp.
6/10
Dead Snow
Nazi Zombies in modern day snow covered Norway. Again, you get what you expect. Cabin in the mountains, med students (including one with a fear of blood) on holiday, Nazi zombies and a thin plot line with guts, gore and silliness in spades.
5/10
Brave - Very enjoyable, and the animation was top drawer. Granted it is for kids, but even as a 36 year old, I still watch kids films.
The Watch - Not bad. A bit predictable at times, and whatshisname from the IT crowd was woefully underused, BUT, decent enough for a few giggles.
The Watch - Not bad. A bit predictable at times, and whatshisname from the IT crowd was woefully underused, BUT, decent enough for a few giggles.
Edited by TheHeretic on Friday 2nd November 07:29
Last of the Mohicans: still stood up to the test of time for me. Good easy to followstory, in-djans (as my son says) and a good fight or 2. Easily a 7/10 for me
I'll manors; way too much ott swearing but a very clever screenplay and a nice cameo from plan b too. I didn't want to get up to go to the loo so it wasn't too bad. Some bits daft but very intense for a short while 6.8/10
Looper: IMO a fantastic film, Willis awesome fore and although a very type cast gritty me against the world role, I enjoyed it and will definitely be getting this for home viewing when released. 8/10
Halloween 3: so bad it's still good 6/10
Busy week so far
I'll manors; way too much ott swearing but a very clever screenplay and a nice cameo from plan b too. I didn't want to get up to go to the loo so it wasn't too bad. Some bits daft but very intense for a short while 6.8/10
Looper: IMO a fantastic film, Willis awesome fore and although a very type cast gritty me against the world role, I enjoyed it and will definitely be getting this for home viewing when released. 8/10
Halloween 3: so bad it's still good 6/10
Busy week so far
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