Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: JarlWolf on August 18, 2013, 12:47:52 AM

Title: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on August 18, 2013, 12:47:52 AM
While reading is grand, good and healthy, a good viewing of films is also very invigorating from time to time.

Post about any short film, film, movie, even TV show (but do not post about reality TV, news or sports, only story based shows and maybe a few documentaries) and discuss. I felt this thread was needed because film is a big part of our lives and like writing or painting or videogame design, or music/dance, it is an art form within itself.


Watched The Nameless Man Trilogy again, which included the films: A Fistful of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, And the Ugly.

I love the cinematic style and near mythological theme it has to it, and they are probably my favourite Westerns. I think only White Sun of the Desert or The Fiery Miles, and maybe a few others can really compare in my like of them.

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on August 18, 2013, 03:46:27 AM
*trilling whistle* wanh wanh wanh - Spaghetti Westerns  ;b;


As people may know, Fistful of Dollars was a remake of Kurosawa's Yojimbo.  Back in the day, when one rented videotapes, my friends and I were on a Kurosawa kick, and one exclaimed, "Hey! This is a ripoff of A Fistful of Dollars!"  And I corrected him.


Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite actors (q.v., the Dirty Harry series, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Hang 'em High, etc., etc., etc.).  I like the Man with No Name movies, especially The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.  Did you see the extended version, where a couple deleted scenes were put in?  The original sound was lost, so they had Clint & Eli Wallach reread their lines and dubbed it in.  But they were old men with thin, weak voices compared to their younger days, so it doesn't quite fit.


I recently rewatched The Great Escape, about Allied POWs engineering an escape from their camp.  Good stuff.  And the TV comedy "Hogan's Heroes," also about Allied POWs in a Luftstalag (except they only left the camp to do espionage and sabotage), was a favorite in my youth.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2013, 03:55:23 AM
And run the last two together, and you've got Stalag 17...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on August 18, 2013, 11:09:18 AM
Recently watched Warriors of Heaven and Earth again, Chinese film.

Here's part 1 if you want to watch it online, the other parts you can find in related video's I think.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth p1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSGN0kMjTc#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on August 18, 2013, 11:42:03 AM
And run the last two together, and you've got Stalag 17...
Well, actually, Stalag 17 came first ('53), then The Great Escape ('63), then "Hogan's Heroes" ('65-'71).
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 03:24:53 PM
Caught the 2006 'live action' remake of Charlotte's Web over the weekend, and was pleasantly surprised.  There are things it does better than the animated film, none of the annoying song routines, for instance.  However, the whole relationship with Fern really doesn't play out as well here, and her budding romance/crush really falls flat.  Other attempts to add humor would have been better left out as well.  Still, far better than I expected (which was for it to be utter garbage).



This was sandwiched in between Exorcist III (where you expel the demon by disemboweling the posessed aparantly) and The Wall.  How's that for ecclectic?   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on August 26, 2013, 08:57:08 AM
I haven't watched TV this year since The Borgias ended its last season (still annoyed that we won't get a 4th season to wrap everything up). Since then, I've been catching up on about 3 and a half years' worth of General Hospital. The current storyline keeps referring back to events from years ago, when I wasn't watching (due to not having a TV). So I've been OD'ing on this soap opera stuff. Thank goodness for YouTube and uploaders who deleted the commercials.


The last movie I watched was The Hunger Games, just out of curiosity to see why it's so popular.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 02:52:25 PM
Any conclusions?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on August 26, 2013, 05:04:27 PM
Well, the actress who played Katniss is undeniably cute, and appears competent with bows. The "love story" doesn't come across as completely contrived, and I can see an attempt on the part of the filmmakers to create a dystopian future with elements of the upcoming French Revolution thrown in (the silly hairstyles and makeup on the despots running the Games).

As a dystopian movie, it's better than some I've seen, but certainly doesn't rank with the more adult ones. I must admit I haven't read the books.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 03:36:21 AM
King Kong, the Peter Jackson remake, is on AMC right now. 

God this movie pisses me off to no end.  There is SO MUCH superb work here that just gets drowned out because Jackson doesn't know what the word "edit" means. 

Granted, the original ranks somewhere in my top 10 horror movies, so I'm all kinds of biased and openly admit to that.  Further, unlike most reviewers who said the movie drags UNTIL you get to the island, I find it doesn't BEGIN to drag till you get into the insert peril scene that goes on way too long here.  That background stuff was mostly in the original.  The slight changes were actually masterfully done, as was the homage to the originals.  Jack Black was an inspired casting choice, and there are real moments of brilliance...

And then we have the idiotic scenes that DESTROY our pacing and drag on too long.  Kong vs 3 Trex's, for instance, falling down through vines forever.  Once they hit the ground and it's down to 1 Trex, it's well done, and all we really needed.  The bug/slug scene replacing the spider scene was an abysmal choice.  The dino stampede is just so ludicrously awful it's almost B movie. 

There's enough elements here, it could have been a top 5 movie, really, but it ends up as a horrendous dud.  And thus began my hatred of Jackson...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2013, 06:14:00 AM
Don't go in the Woods.

I don't think it's supposed to be hilarious...but it sure is.   

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2013, 06:26:34 AM
Mylochka just watched Snow White and the Huntsman.

Really?  Kristen Stewart is supposed to be playing someone 'fairer' than Charlize Theron?  How much cocaine did they have to consume to come up with THAT non-starter?  Hey!  To play a character whose defining characteristic is beauty, let's go with that mediocre-looking girly whose defining characteristic is facial paralysis!
Sometimes the world just saps my will to live.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2013, 07:42:39 AM
The Sigourney Weaver's Snow White: A Tale of Terror is the one to watch. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on September 14, 2013, 07:51:45 PM
I found the Disney version scary enough. I used to have nightmares about it back when I was 8 or so, and that was just from the book. I didn't see the movie itself until it was re-released many years later.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 14, 2013, 08:46:47 PM
Mylochka just watched Snow White and the Huntsman.

Really?  Kristen Stewart is supposed to be playing someone 'fairer' than Charlize Theron?  How much cocaine did they have to consume to come up with THAT non-starter?  Hey!  To play a character whose defining characteristic is beauty, let's go with that mediocre-looking girly whose defining characteristic is facial paralysis!
Sometimes the world just saps my will to live.

While I don't watch many movies at this time in my life, that was one I did happen to see in the theater. I thought Charlize acted particularly well. That's my lasting impression of that movie, Charlize in a great villainous role.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2013, 08:50:22 PM
My snap reaction was "They made the evil queen blonde?"  -But she did about all that could be done with the role - and was indeed the fairest in the movie.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2013, 12:42:34 AM
What's wrong with an evil blonde? 
Michelle Pfeiffer made a pretty darn good evil witch in Stardust.  A movie that is really underrated.  In the same tone as "Princess Bride". 
Stardust - Michelle Pfeiffer (she's the best) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBKHoc-e1tk#)
Kinda interesting to watch the condensed transformation there. 

Charlize was certainly the highlight of the movie, but Sigourney is Sigourney :luv:, and thus that version will always be better.  It's also a little more aligned with Grimm, so, has that going for it, too.   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on September 15, 2013, 01:36:39 AM
I'll put the Sigorney Weaver movie in my queue. She's always interesting to watch.

Snow White and the Huntsman wasn't bad; it just wasn't good. In fact, I think if it would have been really bad, it would have been more fun to watch. As is, it was just sort of ho-hum. 

The special effects were spectacular.  I found several of their choices to be quite creative.  For example, I loved Ravenna's dress of crows.  I thought the decision to have the mirror melt into a draped ghost was creative and interesting.  I even liked the little alien-crossed-with-a-salamander sort of look they came up with for the cameo appearance of some fairies to be original and effective.  However, special effects alone do not a movie make.  I just couldn't get excited about either the hero or the heroine.  Their relationship had no sizzle.  The Dwarves and Prince Charming should have jumped ship and created their own movie...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2013, 01:54:15 AM
In fact, I think if it would have been really bad, it would have been more fun to watch.

Another connoisseur of crappy movies, eh? 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on September 15, 2013, 02:05:29 AM
Oh, yes.  I thought Mystery Science Theater was an attempt at a documentary biopic of my life.

When I see a truly awful movie, I immediately think,  " ;excite; I must watch this with Buncle! We can have it ripped up and sewn back together four different ways before the credits roll!"

I remember being really excited about showing "The Day After Tomorrow" to him.  "The science errors alone will make him spit blood!" I thought.  ;excite; ;excite; ;excite;

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on September 15, 2013, 02:09:04 AM
If you want a treasure trove of bad films, search up Godfrey Ho. That man has made more cheesy Ninja movies and unintentionally funny films that utilized copy pasta film editing style it'll make you cry.

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on September 15, 2013, 02:21:32 AM
Cheesy ninja movies!  ;excite; ;excite; ;excite; The best kind! 

I'm a big fan of early Jackie Chan -- Drunken Master and Dragon Lord are my favorites.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on September 15, 2013, 02:27:42 AM
An example of one of those glorious Ninja movies.... a clip at least...

HIGH SPEED NINJA ACTION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4s6zFVm9qI#)


Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2013, 02:28:56 AM
Cheesy ninja movies!  ;excite; ;excite; ;excite; The best kind! 

I'm a big fan of early Jackie Chan -- Drunken Master and Dragon Lord are my favorites.
While we were rewatching Children of Dune the other night, during the scene at the end where a transformed Leto stomps into the throne room, while he was beating up a bunch of guards, I DID say "If only he was whooping them with a bench - or a ladder - or was drunk..."

I really did.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on September 15, 2013, 02:44:28 AM
 
An example of one of those glorious Ninja movies.... a clip at least...

HIGH SPEED NINJA ACTION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4s6zFVm9qI#)


 ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol Pure win!  ;lol ;lol ;lol

"Never mind! We'll kill him later!"

...And this is why I don't drive a Mini Cooper.  They enrage roller-skating Ninjas!
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Arbee on September 19, 2013, 03:19:55 AM
Recently watched Pan's Labyrinth with the girlfriend.  I was expecting to be turned off by the fact that the film's done in Spanish, but even though I didn't understand a word they were saying (well, I wouldn't have if I hadn't been paying attention to the English subtitles), the Spanish actually served to pull me in deeper, great immersion.

I don't usually watch movies, I don't have the attention span for them and there are very few that I find good enough to grab my attention and hold it, so... the fact that I sat through this one and paid enough attention to understand what was going on has got to say something about it, haha.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2013, 06:25:53 PM
We watched The Other Boleyn Girl last night.

My review is meh.

Everything about the movie was eye-candy.  Like Anne of a Thousand Days before it, looking at beautiful people sporting fabulous Tudor fashions doesn't get old in a hurry.  -But that was carried to the point of being a fatal flaw here - Henry didn't look anything like Eric Banna by that point in time, and Scarlett Johansen was simply miscast as Natalie Portman's sister, coming off as far less canny than one would have expected.  Portman carries the picture, of course, being not miscast, and for a mercy, actually bright enough to portray the keen intelligence of a very complex and fascinating woman.

The picture also made the opposite mistake of Anne of a Thousand Days, a movie that surprised me by having put right there in the title how long it seems to drag on.  The Other Boleyn Girl shares unfortunate pacing, but in this case, does a very poor job of providing a sense of time passing.  It skips lightly over the foundation of the Church of England as if it happened overnight.  There are numerous examples of the same poor pacing, especially toward the end, and a distinct impression is conveyed that the entire Boleyn family was living in the east wing of the palace -the same palace for the whole picture, incidentally- for most of the movie.  And unlike Anne of a Thousand Days, no real advantage is taken of the architecture and scenery.

I did like everything the actress playing the Boleyn mother did - I don't recall anything about the historical person, but the character clearly learned her lessons well at Bene Gesseret school, something she was able to get Anne to do without passing on her fundamental good sense and decency.  It played well, and I'd have liked to have seen more of her.

So, if you like that sort of historical costume drama, recommended, even if historical accuracy bothers you as much as I; just don't expect the intellectual stimulation to equal the visual.  They were close to getting both, if not for a few poor creative decisions, most obviously in casting - but it looks GREAT.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on October 05, 2013, 07:35:36 PM
Anne and Mary's mother (Lady Elizabeth Howard, sister to Lord Thomas Howard) was played by Kristen Scott Thomas -- a very fine actress indeed...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on October 05, 2013, 10:53:38 PM
We watched The Other Boleyn Girl last night.

My review is meh.

Everything about the movie was eye-candy.  Like Anne of a Thousand Days before it, looking at beautiful people sporting fabulous Tudor fashions doesn't get old in a hurry.  -But that was carried to the point of being a fatal flaw here - Henry didn't look anything like Eric Banna by that point in time, and Scarlett Johansen was simply miscast as Natalie Portman's sister, coming off as far less canny than one would have expected.  Portman carries the picture, of course, being not miscast, and for a mercy, actually bright enough to portray the keen intelligence of a very complex and fascinating woman.

The picture also made the opposite mistake of Anne of a Thousand Days, a movie that surprised me by having put right there in the title how long it seems to drag on.  The Other Boleyn Girl shares unfortunate pacing, but in this case, does a very poor job of providing a sense of time passing.  It skips lightly over the foundation of the Church of England as if it happened overnight.  There are numerous examples of the same poor pacing, especially toward the end, and a distinct impression is conveyed that the entire Boleyn family was living in the east wing of the palace -the same palace for the whole picture, incidentally- for most of the movie.  And unlike Anne of a Thousand Days, no real advantage is taken of the architecture and scenery.

I did like everything the actress playing the Boleyn mother did - I don't recall anything about the historical person, but the character clearly learned her lessons well at Bene Gesseret school, something she was able to get Anne to do without passing on her fundamental good sense and decency.  It played well, and I'd have liked to have seen more of her.

So, if you like that sort of historical costume drama, recommended, even if historical accuracy bothers you as much as I; just don't expect the intellectual stimulation to equal the visual.  They were close to getting both, if not for a few poor creative decisions, most obviously in casting - but it looks GREAT.
I have the DVD of this movie, but haven't watched it yet. I did see another movie based on the book, and I've read the book several times.

Can you imagine how different history would have been if the Bene Gesserit had been in control then?

I read somewhere several years ago, that there was a genetic defect in Henry VIII - that he could father one child on one woman, but she could never again carry another child to term by him. Anne never would have been able to have a healthy son by Henry, given that Elizabeth was born first.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2013, 11:31:34 PM
That sounds unlikely - how would his sperms keep track?  He had two with her sister, although they left that out of the movie...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on October 06, 2013, 12:44:28 AM
That sounds unlikely - how would his sperms keep track?  He had two with her sister, although they left that out of the movie...
Historians disagree on whether any of Mary Carey's children were really fathered by Henry.

The article mentioned something about a change occurring in the woman's immune system, that went active when she got pregnant. Basically her immune system saw the baby as something that was attacking her, and took steps to kill it.

I'll try to find the article again; it was several years ago that I read it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Mylochka on October 06, 2013, 01:20:48 AM
Granted -- Henry Carey's parentage is a question that probably can't be proved one way or another now... and granted -- portraits of the time were stylized... but don't two of these men look more related to each other than the other?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on October 06, 2013, 01:41:40 AM
I recognize Henry VIII. Who are the others?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on October 06, 2013, 01:52:11 AM
The third one is Richard the III, I can tell you right off the bat. Forget who the middle one is though. Richard the 3rd, or sometimes known as Richard the crooked (he had a spinal injury that hobbled his stature, required him to have a cane too.) was considered by many, including Shakespeare, to be morally/politically corrupt as well. Either way he ruled during a pretty chaotic, turbulent time, England was in a lot of civil warfare at that point if I recall.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2013, 06:14:37 AM
Just watched Oblivion

Not as terrible as I'd heard, but it was quite predictable. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2013, 12:45:33 PM
Oh, yes.  I thought Mystery Science Theater was an attempt at a documentary biopic of my life.

When I see a truly awful movie, I immediately think,  " ;excite; I must watch this with Buncle! We can have it ripped up and sewn back together four different ways before the credits roll!"

I remember being really excited about showing "The Day After Tomorrow" to him.  "The science errors alone will make him spit blood!" I thought.  ;excite; ;excite; ;excite;




Well, for the fellow fans of movies so horrendously bad they are good, I present quite possibly the worst Halloween special ever made.  Bonus:  Tim Curry.   

80's Halloween Special: The Worst Witch FULL MOVIE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUkVcd7SbTw#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2013, 10:37:27 AM
I mean, it's no surprise they screwed up the Evil Dead remake....

DAMN.  It's impressive how completely they ripped it's soul out. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 18, 2013, 04:49:49 AM
Is anybody intending to see 47 Ronin's Excellent Adventure?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2013, 04:01:49 PM
That's straight to dvd, right? 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 18, 2013, 10:33:19 PM
Hey! Wouldn't it be cool if they made samurai movie in which Tom the cocky short guy cruise and Keanau the stoner Reeves cut each other's heads off? Or maybe they could commit ritual suicide after being forced to watch their own films.

I can dream.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on December 19, 2013, 02:33:47 AM
I recently rewatched Demolition Man.  It was a joy-joy experience.  :D
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 19, 2013, 03:57:00 AM
The Stallone movie?  Dumb fun - I liked it, too.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2013, 02:07:09 PM
Is that the ratburger one? 

Mmmm Taco BELL! 


yeah, thats some good mindless fun. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2013, 02:08:34 PM
Hey! Wouldn't it be cool if they made samurai movie in which Tom the cocky short guy cruise and Keanau the stoner Reeves cut each other's heads off? Or maybe they could commit ritual suicide after being forced to watch their own films.

I can dream.

Everyone knows it takes a real white dude to become the best samurai, indian, or blue alien to save the respective culture.   :danc:
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on December 19, 2013, 03:57:02 PM
The Stallone movie?
Yep.  And Wesley Snipes and Sandra Bullock.
Is that the ratburger one?
"Este carne es de rata."


"Rat? This is a rat burger? [She nods.] Not bad!  Matter of fact this is the best burger I've had in years!"  ;lol
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 20, 2013, 08:25:23 PM
Okay, this kind've freaks me out.  One of my chess cronies is being played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in one of those 'teacher saves the po' kids' movies.

Life Of A King Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Haysbert Movie HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiX5d8c8IWg#ws)

Eugene kicked my butt over the board.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2013, 01:39:43 AM
Ok...so, um...

Watching Man of Steel....

Now, I've never been a huge Superman fan, so maybe I missed some retcon stuff somewhere, but is this supposed to make sense?  Everyone's a clone or some nonsense.  Clone of half a skull that is quite simian I must say. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on December 31, 2013, 04:22:18 AM
Recently saw Where Eagles Dare - Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2014, 06:56:56 AM


King Kong Escapes - English Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrUFlFD4Lvo#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 05, 2014, 05:51:21 PM
Recently saw Where Eagles Dare - Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood.

That was a great action/spy film. I had no idea who the mole was.


I went to see Disney's Frozen yesterday. I thought it was their best musical ever.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 06, 2014, 01:03:24 PM
Rare Exports Finnish Trailer (english) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQlikX4vvw#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMqMN9Bo0IE#t=328 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMqMN9Bo0IE#t=328)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2014, 02:54:41 AM
13th warrior. 


I'm not going to say it's a GOOD movie.  But it's not as terrible as some make it out to be.  There is a lot of things in there I could draw from...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on January 23, 2014, 07:24:42 AM
Recently rewatched Stripes and am rewatching Full Metal Jacket, just a little past halfway.  If there's a better movie drill instructor than R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, I'd like to know.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Vishniac on February 01, 2014, 08:23:55 PM
If there's a better movie drill instructor than R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, I'd like to know.
There can't be: before acting, he was a real Marine D.I.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2014, 10:03:21 PM
Haunter

A slow burn...I wouldn't go so far as to call it 'horror', more thriller.  If you can get past the low/no budget, it's actually quite a clever little slant on the norm. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Valka on March 16, 2014, 01:13:41 AM
I re-watched a couple of movies recently (it's been years since I last saw them, but found them online):

Brave New World
Scavenger Hunt

I also saw The Butterfly Effect (the abomination based on Ray Bradbury's short story).
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on March 28, 2014, 09:41:50 PM
A reminder to appreciate certain Scifi movies. ;)

http://www.deredactie.be/permalink/1.1923989 (http://www.deredactie.be/permalink/1.1923989)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Vishniac on April 06, 2014, 05:39:30 PM
My brain works sometimes curiously.
This is a poster I only saw once in a video club some 30 years ago. It came back to my mind last week. :o
Never heard, never read about it.

The movie is from 1974. Without spoiling me, has someone anything to say about it?
The first links appearing in Google seem to indicate that it had no ending but it has now been revealed.
I'll probably try to watch it, it's been creeping in my head for too long.  :D

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIweV94OSi0/UuJ4M6_sK1I/AAAAAAAAr-8/aRe749mMHDY/s1600/Phase+IV+(1974).jpg)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on April 06, 2014, 07:37:48 PM
No idea. But it seems like it should have been on MST3K.

Recently rewatched Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on April 06, 2014, 08:28:16 PM
I actually remember seeing this movie on TV back when I was still a teenager.
Well, I remembered the sunset ending scene, and some of the measures and countermeasures between the ants and the scientists in the station, that's it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on April 14, 2014, 09:32:54 PM
Got a new TV, so rewatched Blade Runner: Final Cut.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2014, 09:39:04 PM
And?

That's unicorn-and-no-narration, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on April 14, 2014, 09:53:49 PM
And?

That's unicorn-and-no-narration, isn't it?
Looks really good, even though my recording's not HD. TV has picture & sound settings for cinema. Yes, unicorn, no narration, ends with elevator doors closing.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2014, 09:55:30 PM
That's no ending.  I hate that version. ;)

One of the best movies of all time, mind.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on April 14, 2014, 10:28:33 PM
I think that ending fits better. That sunny shot of them driving/flying off together is a total clash with the gloomy, rainy whole rest of the movie. It's just wrong for the film noir aspect.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2014, 10:39:21 PM
It's still no ending, even if so.  That version stops instead of ends.

I'm sure there's a Blade Runner thread somewhere here - wanna go argue about whether Dekart was a replicant?  I say no.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Vishniac on April 14, 2014, 11:54:02 PM
...wanna go argue about whether Dekart was a replicant?  I say no.
;b;
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on June 02, 2014, 01:35:33 AM
Battleship Potemkin (1925) - Full Movie; English (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TgWoSHUn8c#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on June 02, 2014, 06:32:45 PM
"It is good meat!" ;sarc
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on June 02, 2014, 07:36:00 PM
"Killed for a plate of soup!" ???
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: JarlWolf on June 03, 2014, 05:03:50 AM
The revolt was pretexted by the fact the Captain was fed up of the crew complaining about the meat and more specifically, the broth. It wasn't really implied/mentioned well by the English subtitles, but its more or less to paint the cruelty of the captain and the Russian naval ministry and officers- more or less to say: This man died for a stupid, arrogant reason.

The film is definite propaganda mind, but it is also based on a true story- the conditions within the Russian navy at the time, especially for conscript sailors were abusive and horrid. It wasn't uncommon for many sailors to "take a long swim" back then because the conditions were so miserable, killing themselves and compatriots throwing them overboard, or being executed.

The mutiny of the potemik was fairly famous though and it was a definitive moment within the Russian military as a whole, and it showed the severe disparities between the largely aristocratic officer corps and the lower class soldiery and sailors. And this would later come to bite the Russian aristocracy in the ass when the lower classes- with the soldier and low rank military regulars and such would revolt against them.

And generally such men in the higher brass were hated so much, and those who sympathized, is how Stalin later justified killing all the Kulak. Kulak means fist in Russian and the Kulaks were land owners who owned farms, and used to bully and intimidate other serfs to work their property and pay rent, a case where lower class terrorize each other. Not saying that such a bloody atrocity is justified, just stating that such attitudes allowed it to happen.

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on June 03, 2014, 11:12:21 AM
I wasn't confused about the pretext nor meaning of the phrase, Jarlwolf. That particular smilie I use for things that are literally beyond me.
The movie makes the cruelty visibly clear, especially with the facial expressions of the officers during the tarpaulin scene.
One thing regarding historic accuracy: as I have read it, the crew sailed around in the Black Sea in hopes to persuades crews of other vessels to also rise up, but let the Potemkin sink when that didn't happen. The movie depicts it as a whole naval squadron joined it after the Odessa massacre.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Sensor Osden on June 03, 2014, 04:31:52 PM
I've watched two Nordic horrors/slasher fests recently- both Norwegian. One called 'Cold Prey' and the other 'Manhunt'.

The latter is similar in some respects to a cross between 'Texas Chainsaw' and 'Deliverance' or 'Southern Comfort' while the former is the usual small group isolated in a remote spot- this time in a disused ski lodge set amongst jaw-dropping landscape.

The Norwegians like to think that the British (or English) are like Norwegians, just mad. These two films show that Nordic horror comes with a fair sprinkling of madness, humour and social commentary.

On a completely different note, I recommend 'Pelle The Conqueror' which I watched again recently- not just for Max von Sydow's great performance as a man whose hopes are crushed beyond redemption but also for the young man who plays his disillusioned, but still affectionate son, Pelle.


Oh and 'Babette's Feast' too, simply because it's never out of my Top 10, just like 'The Grifters'.

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2014, 01:38:46 PM
Kids and I watched World War Z over the weekend. 

I'd heard nothing but terrible things from this one. 

Other than the fact we were watching a disaster movie (which I hate) more than a Zombie Movie (which I'm ambivalent), it was occasionally entertaining.  Only decent scene was at the end, and I guess a lot of folks didn't like.  Whatever. 

Main character was a selfish unlikeable ass.  The zombie plague was poorly thought out and contradictory.  Various openings were never explored.  And the "cure" was ludicrous.  Pretty much standard zombie movie these days.  But that took a back seat to all the running from impending mass of disaster moments. 

Not my thing, but better than expectations. 


I attempted to watch Sint.  AKA Saint.  AKA Saint Nicholas. 

Dutch? Slasher Horror movie about St Nick and his band coming for everyone whenever there's a full moon on...whatever the holiday was in early december that he comes.

Not something I can watch with kids around, turns out.  Even teenage kids.

Backstory to start the movie was mildly entertaining, but the jump to present day took all of about 2 minutes to be waving dildos in the camera, talking sex and making fun of the virgin.  Sure, it's almost a given the virgin will survive and all the others will die at that point, but it was going down the "horror = excuse to film naked girls" route fast.   

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2015, 04:43:47 AM
So, the boss and I went to see Into the Woods....

Let me preface by saying, I LOVE the play.  As in, it's probably my favorite Broadway production.  Ever. 

From the get go, it was clear Disney decided to steer away from some of the subtext of the play when Cinderella is introduced, and suddenly her drunken Father is erased from the script.  Unlike some other cuts, this was not a cut for time as he barely has any stage time in the play.  Jack's mom was also toned down right out the gate shortly after. 

Ok, I thought, we can roll with it, minor changes.  Then they started cutting little pieces.  The Baker's dad is all but removed from the script, and the fantastic number that ties a major theme of the play together when he's reunited with the Baker in act 2 is totally stripped, and a couple lines of dialog added instead which miss the whole heart of that theme. 

In fact, half of act 2 was just cut in favor of...I don't know. 

Depp's wolf was fantastic...and uncomfortable.  It's SUPPOSED to be uncomfortable. 

Streep played the witch as more of a basket case/mentally disturbed person where Bernadette Peters plays her as the only one that really knows what's going on in the original cast.  Both have their strengths and weaknesses there, but I'm biased and partial towards Peters.  However, I found both makeup jobs on the character SO underwhelming that they become distracting.  The Witch makeup was so STATIC it may as well have been a mask, and they obviously tried to do it minimally which makes the lack of movement all the more strange.  The beauty makeup was rather bland as well. 

Jack is fantastic, as are the Baker's wife and Cinderella. 

Overall, I'd say good, but not great.  Get the video of the stage play.  IMO. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on January 03, 2015, 07:02:51 AM
I attempted to watch Sint.  AKA Saint.  AKA Saint Nicholas. 

Dutch? Slasher Horror movie about St Nick and his band coming for everyone whenever there's a full moon on...whatever the holiday was in early december that he comes.

Saint Nicholas is called "Sinterklaas" in most of Belgium and the Netherlands. Its often shortened to "Sint". His return from the south (Spain for the kids) happens on December six. Fixed date, not related to the Moon AFAIK. Although the historical figure the "Sint" is based on seems to have been a cruel church official (bishop?) at Nicosia 7 or 8 centuries ago.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2015, 01:46:52 AM
I attempted to watch Sint.  AKA Saint.  AKA Saint Nicholas. 

Dutch? Slasher Horror movie about St Nick and his band coming for everyone whenever there's a full moon on...whatever the holiday was in early december that he comes.

Saint Nicholas is called "Sinterklaas" in most of Belgium and the Netherlands. Its often shortened to "Sint". His return from the south (Spain for the kids) happens on December six. Fixed date, not related to the Moon AFAIK. Although the historical figure the "Sint" is based on seems to have been a cruel church official (bishop?) at Nicosia 7 or 8 centuries ago.

Yeah, the premise of the movie is that when there's a full moon on December Sixth (insert every incredibly long period here), the cruel church official rises from the grave to rape and murder everyone in one particular town. 

The full movie wasn't so bad, really.  Gore was wonderfully old school, and easily ranks right alongside Silent Night, the American cousin. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Dio on April 09, 2016, 02:25:32 AM
Cowboys vs. Dinosaurs  :) (don't watch it because I lasted about 5 minutes into the movie)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 12:13:49 AM
Captain America: Civil War  Fulfilling a promise to my son to take him if he got all his school work in.

Effective Comic book movie.  Not the greatest thing ever some reviews would lead you to believe.  Go expecting mindless action and you won't be disappointed.  Nothing earth shattering, but solid action.  Everything else feels a little contrived.  If you were going to base the entire final battle on that little nugget, Marvel, you've had 6 movies to precursor it...instead you practically beat us over the head with it at the start of this one.  hardly subtle storytelling. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 02:17:09 AM
On a related note for George Lucas - everyone already knew how Darth Skywalker was ending up - you needed to play against that, not, for the love of God, foreshadow it like a no-talent amateur.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2016, 05:20:00 PM
On a related note for George Lucas - everyone already knew how Darth Skywalker was ending up - you needed to play against that, not, for the love of God, foreshadow it like a no-talent amateur.

Prequels?

I disagree.  You have to presume the intended viewing starts at #1.  Thus the foreshadowing is needed/good storytelling.  The fact that 90% of the audience at the time of release had already read the end of the book so to speak can't be held against him. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2016, 09:14:31 PM
Prequels. 

STRONGLY disagree back - it was heavy, heavy, overkill foreshadowing that made Darth Skywalker very unlikeable.  Gotta focus on the bulk of the audience, besides.  I've talked about this: you ditch The Phantom Menace entirely except to move Darth Maul into a better movie, and you cast Ewan McGregor as Darth Skywalker, telling him to play him as a charming hero, wassisname as Obiwan -so you get his Qui Gon-like action in all three films, and make up a whole 'nother adventure between Clones and Return of the Sith - and make us deplore it when he goes bad, even though we knew it was coming.  I wanted to cut off Hayden Christiansen's limbs and set fire to him every frame of both movies he fouled, not withstanding that an incompetent director told him to play it that way.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2016, 10:01:16 PM
I didn't say he did it WELL.  But you have to foreshadow something and write it as though no one has seen 4-6.  Because, when you get to that next generation, they'll be watching starting at 1. 

Episode 1, an older Anakin would fix a heck of a lot. Shoot for a 16 year old.  Making Jar Jar a non-idiot would make up the rest.  Make him a Gungan outlaw/smuggler who regularly steals from the Naboo or something to give the appearance he knows his way around, which would explain why they might keep him around. 

The film gets a lot of flak, but really, those two changes would make it a decent movie. 

I have a feeling there was supposed to be a lot more Qui Gon in the following movies via voice/ghost/whatever that didn't make it for whatever reason.  I happen to LIKE his death and the resulting growth shown from Obi-Wan.  Not to mention the whole burning of Qui-Gon with Obi-Wan and Anakin talking correlation to ROTJ.  One of the best things in the prequels as they are. 

2 and 3, watching through the filter of my boys who were the age I was with 5 and 6, I think they would be fine with a recast of Anakin (who would now be mid-late 20's, and make a lot more sense being given such solo roles) to be honest.  Not perfect, mind you, but fine.   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2016, 10:53:38 PM
[shrugs] Are you talking about using Jake Lloyd?  I'd certainly audition him out of curiosity for the Lukeish face, and the stunt casting possibilities, but I saw a headline recently that he got convicted or something.

I never meant to suggest zero foreshadowing - and agree with this post.

McGregor still would have made sweet, sweet love to playing young Flash Gordon before the evil ray hit, and made you love Flash even after the turn, though.

(Structural note:  I remember before G. Lucas changed his account retroactively/revisionistly/he's lying now, and Luke needs to get born by the end of the first movie, 'cause Wars is his story....)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 02:09:46 PM
Zootopia

One of the better non-musical animated films I've seen.  Probably up there near Incredibles. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I was just making Ming an avatar, and had a thought...

Uno - your reaction to this assertion, please, and anyone else's who knows to have an opinion:

Max Von Sydow was a magnificent Ming, but in no way embarrassed Charles Middleton, whose performance has stood the test of time and basically did all the groundwork for Von Sydow.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2016, 07:59:30 PM
I'll take Sydow on voice talent alone. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 08:22:15 PM
The mic on my webcam is nearly better equipment than Middleton was recorded on.  None of this is to dismiss Von Sydow at all, but he was essentially doing an imitation of Middleton as Ming, the part having already been nailed.

-Maybe you didn't notice that most of the other acting in the serials was barely competent, if that.  -Even Vultan was taking up space once he swore off evil and laughing.  (Brian Blessed definitely watched the serials, too, but only kept the good part.)  A strong Ming carries a flawed picture, whether in the 30s or the 80s...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 08:43:38 PM
For a quick exercise in an acting class many years ago, I once was given a scene where I was to be a middle-aged dad talking to his son-in-law.  I had the easier part, since grumpy middle-aged man gives you a great hook that the other student, a young guy playing a young guy, didn't have.

My performance was well-received and during the post-mortem, I told the 'fessor that I was just doing George C. Scott - not the voice much, but the attitude, as if I had a cigar in the corner of my mouth.  She said that she wasn't sure an imitation of another actor right for the part was actually acting.  I'm not sure, either...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 23, 2016, 09:26:18 PM
Well, I came down on the side of pretending to be somebody else in some other situation is acting, and pretending to be yourself in that same imaginary situation is not.

For all I know, the director told Von Sydow to try to recreate the serial role, rather than it being his choice or interpretation.

If I were directing Star Wars prequels, I would tell the actors that James Earl Jones was the definitive Darth Vader, the ultra villain that required an entire Falcon-full of heroes to overcome.

Sometimes I think actors try to do parts differently for the sake of putting their own imprint or twist on things, but really shouldn't if the part is well written. They should become the character, rather than the character become Tom Cruise or ( insert other big box office guy here ).
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 10:11:29 PM
A-MEN.

If I played King Arthur in Camelot, I'd watch some Richard Burton doing it, not to imitate, but to burn Richard Harris out of my head so I could sing the songs like me, not Harris.  I don't find his performance definitive, merely very Richard Harris; and he did make it work, but I wanna do my own Arthur.

But If I was playing Vultan, I'd be doing the BEST Brian Blessed I could, because he owned the part, now and forever -for all his derivative Vultan owed the original- better a pale quasi-Blessed imitation Vultan than anything else, and I'd do it without shame.

-Those are parts feel like I could really do justice...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 27, 2016, 12:51:05 AM
Well, I came down on the side of pretending to be somebody else in some other situation is acting, and pretending to be yourself in that same imaginary situation is not.

What I should have said was -

Well, I came down on the side of pretending to be somebody else in some other situation is acting, and pretending to be yourself in that same imaginary situation is simply called "pretending".
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 27, 2016, 01:00:42 AM
I think the teacher was trying to point out that I was playing George C. Scott, not the character.

[classroom exercise - not like I had time to score my roll and methodize it.]
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 27, 2016, 01:07:31 AM
Fair enough.
I'm just going for coinable/ quotable.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 27, 2016, 01:13:49 AM
Got both Krampus and The VVitch for gorging on this weekend. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lord Avalon on May 27, 2016, 02:36:06 AM
Some movies I watched in recent weeks/months: Run Silent, Run Deep; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Charlie Wilson's War; Trouble with the Curve; Jurassic World; Jurassic Park III; The Expendables 2; Batman: the Dark Knight Returns pt 1 & 2; Lucy; Weird Science, The Thomas Crown Affair.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 27, 2016, 03:29:15 AM
Today I learned:


apparently [fuddle-duddle] is fair game for PG-13 movies....???
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2016, 02:34:07 AM
Got both Krampus and The VVitch for gorging on this weekend. 

Krampus:  Talia: "It's like a cross between Devil's Carnival and Gremlins"

That's a fair assessment.  Like Trick or Treat, Michael Dougherty falls just short of an enjoyable experience with curious choices. 


The VVithch:

I understand the very mixed reviews this film has:

Challenge 1: period piece with period puritanical English being spoken.
Challenge 2: ABSOLUTELY ZERO explaination of what is going on.  The movie expects you to understand witch superstitions, signs, symbols, and fears enough on your own merit. 

I had no trouble with challenge 2.  I noticed all kinds of otherwise sidebar scenes that were hinting as signs of witchcraft.  Kyle not so much. 

Challenge 1, I struggled mightily, but more because I couldn't understand the male lead.  I don't know if he was mumbling or just his deep voice was low enough my ears didn't pick it up so much.  Kyle, fresh off an english class study of The Crucible and with younger ears didn't struggle here. 

The soundtrack and setting carry most of the movie, though the soundtrack occasionally drifts into a 2001 direction that feels misplaced. 

Overall, I'd place this alongside Häxan as a curious piece worth viewing only for those who are fans of pure oldschool (ancient school) horror that uses pure horror rather than jump scares.   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2016, 10:18:53 PM
The Hobbit  Battle of the 5 boredoms. 


Big loud and dumb I expected.  Downright poor special effects were a surprise. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2016, 02:24:18 PM
10 Cloverfield Lane

Preface:  The boys and I loved the first one.  Saw this one opening weekend, even though I knew it was not a sequel proper.  Watched with Talia this weekend. 

This plays out as a very by the numbers thriller with near perfect pacing, a protagonist that is surprisingly smart, and a compelling premise that rewards you for not seeking out spoilers.  Confined and trapped, with minimal cast, and near perfect pacing, doling out revelations at the requisite pitch, and leave you wondering if the antagonist is insane, or the only sane one around. 

Was Goodman's character a good natured, if slightly deranged, prepper who saved everyone from an attack?  Or a sick [progeny of unmarried parents] who has abducted the protagonist?  You alternate between questioning and cautiously believing in Goodman, to maybe even moments of trusting him as the savior. 

And then there's the 15 minutes at the end. 
(click to show/hide)

Watching with Alec in the theater:  He nervously chomped on popcorn through the movie followed by shocked horror and finger biting the last 15. 
On Video:  Gleefully watched up until that last 15, then fled the room, unwilling to watch that part again. 

Talia:  Hook line and sinker through the first of the movie, the movie playing every beat to her perfectly.  Terrified right before the final 15...to look at me amused. 
(click to show/hide)
  Those final moments moving it from a great movie to ridiculous in her eyes. 

I fall somewhere in the middle.  The final moments are nowhere near as good as everything leading up to them, but they don't ruin it for me, either. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2016, 01:45:14 PM
The Jungle Book

Surprisingly good.  Superb voice talent abounds, and the child actor is passable.  Shere Kahn steals every scene he's near.  Get's a cold blooded and "shocking" murder on film, and implied mass slaughter on the side. 

Watched with kids from age 4 and up.  Younger ones hit that perfect scared enough to keep interest and grab onto parents or jump into laps, but not in tears level. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on July 05, 2016, 08:22:46 PM
Independance Day 2

Um, boring.  Just boring.

Special effects were OK, but not anything to write home about.  Plot was lackluster at best.  Didn't even have those couple of tear jerker moments of "proud to be a human" like the first one had.  And the badguy alien.... sorry, complete rip off from Alien. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2016, 08:28:26 PM
-And the original was deeply, deeply flawed, at that...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on July 05, 2016, 08:31:28 PM
-And the original was deeply, deeply flawed, at that...

Yes, but entertaining.  This one wasn't really entertaining.  I walked away feeling like the $4 could have given me much better entertainment for the 2 hours. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2016, 08:43:16 PM
Let me do a cut of Independence Day - without changing anything, I'll make it look like the dog didn't make it, and take over a half hour out -the eternal before-final-battle sequence, mostly- and make it tighter and better and a lot more fun - (except for for dog fanciers, but they'll be a lot more into seeing the nasty ETs die die die, which was the whole point, storywise, of the attack-and-'splosions sequence).  The pacing went into the toilet right before the end, which largely ruined a serviceable, if uninspired, by-the-numbers bestseller of a 'splosions flick for me.  Too long bored before the final pew-pew and swelling music...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2016, 10:24:31 PM
Let me do a cut of Independence Day - without changing anything, I'll make it look like the dog didn't make it, and take over a half hour out -the eternal before-final-battle sequence, mostly- and make it tighter and better and a lot more fun - (except for for dog fanciers, but they'll be a lot more into seeing the nasty ETs die die die, which was the whole point, storywise, of the attack-and-'splosions sequence).  The pacing went into the toilet right before the end, which largely ruined a serviceable, if uninspired, by-the-numbers bestseller of a 'splosions flick for me.  Too long bored before the final pew-pew and swelling music...

If you're getting to recut ANYTHING, it's got to be King Kong.  A proper edit of that movie and it could be epic. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2016, 10:34:15 PM
Which version - the Peter Jackson?  Haven't seen it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2016, 03:01:55 PM
Which version - the Peter Jackson?  Haven't seen it.

Just picture him full of himself in the wake of LOTR, but before he got his claws into The Hobbit. 

He actually did a good job of expanding the characters, but made every action sequence way too overblown and ended up with a movie 3ish hours that should have been a max of 2, and likely under 2. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2016, 03:14:24 PM
-That's sorta my opinion of his middle-earth stuff, in a nutshell; aside from some New Zealand visuals, he cut Middle Earth out of the pictures as completely as could be done, and it, not Frodo, was the actual star in the books.  Left me cold, stone cold, and I haven't seen a minute of blowing up The Hobbit into a trilogy, which sounds like every kind of bad idea except financially.

I do not understand the tastes of the majority, sometimes.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2016, 03:28:16 PM
The Hobbit it nigh unwatchable.  Kyle was REALLY into LOTR when the first Hobbit hit, and stuck for the 2nd.  He had no desire to watch the 3rd.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on July 06, 2016, 03:30:12 PM
He missed nothing in the 3rd.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2016, 03:45:17 PM
Buster's actually read half the Silmarillion -enough there for a movie every ten pages or so, you know, mostly the First Age- and loves it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on July 07, 2016, 12:14:58 AM
I like reading the silmarillion.  I can see some good movies out of the stories, but the lack of context would make them non-blockbusters so I doubt they will ever happen.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2016, 12:26:04 AM
I understand Jackson's got a rights problem, there - those rights weren't sold off a long time ago, the Tolkien estate -I assume that means Christopher- doesn't like the movies as much as I do -which isn't much- and Jackson's never going near the First Age...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Bearu on October 03, 2016, 03:07:02 PM
I enjoy the following films (The movies have an English closed captioning for the people that do not understand Russian):

 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0yO6Q9NQyg#)

 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-cOMy9k-6s#)

No Major Spoilers:
The first movie recounts the fictional story of a boy named Ivan during the events of World War 2 on the front against Germany.

The second movie recounts the story of a Russian woman during the events in World War 2.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2017, 10:34:38 PM
Catching up from my break: 

Kubo and the Two Strings:  Great movie. 
Probably the "Best" Laika movie yet.  (the guys who make all the stop motion pics lately).  I liked Coraline better myself, but this is superior from a non-biased perspective. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4-6qJzeb3A#)

Mrs Peregrines Home for whatever. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAdpJw-MM-M#)

Talia's really wanted to see this one, so we headed to the dollar theater on new years eve. 

This is what happens when you ask Time Burton to make a kids movie with some exceptionally dark source material.  I'd be interested to see a straight up horror version level dark. 

It wasn't marketed as a kids movie, but it is.  Purposely hammy acting along the lines of spy kids to balance the themes and some of the images.  The lead is a little spotty in his performance.   

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on January 06, 2017, 02:39:47 AM
Ya, I heard (haven't read them) that the books were real dark, but all the adds for the movie looks tween friendly... and Tim Burton, so wondering if it had at least some cool twists to make it interesting.  Was thinking of hitting it up at the dollar theater tomorrow, but decided it is just best not to.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2017, 02:59:03 PM
Redboxs with the kids:

Secret life of pets:

Bleh.  That was a phone it in money grab. 

Storks:

Talia enjoyed, otherwise awful. 

Suicide Squad:

Better than expected, especially if you can get past the awful Joker. 


Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 17, 2017, 03:03:46 PM
Weird interpretation, that.  He was playing a repugnant serial killer -yuck- until he'd say something in a perfect vocal impression of Mark Hamill's cartoon Joker.  That didn't make up for anything; it just sucked.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2017, 07:31:02 PM
Random Netflix.


Tales of Halloween

Horror anthology that is essentially a short movie marathon.  8-10 short films packed into a 'movie' supposedly all happening in this one town. 

Wildly uneven from story to story.  Effects wise, it's colored karo syrup and expanding foam mask level.  Most the stories go for the characters getting what they deserve type of 'scare', with a whole lot of humor mixed in, it's rather horror light most of it, with language too salty to fit that level, unfortunately.  Would have worked better as a PG 13 fest kids could enjoy, or at least a soft R, keeping the 'blood' but removing the language. 

Favorite story is neighbors starting up a rivalry over Halloween decorations.  With a very traditional graveyard and cobwebs on one side of the street, and over the top blood and guts on the other.  Both getting self righteous about how theirs is the REAL Halloween.  I see this conversation every year, so it was comedy gold for me.  Well over the top acted and meant to be humorous
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2017, 04:24:47 PM
Dollar movie with Alec:

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzx-zryEgM#)


I have this love/hate relation with Marvel movies.  They keep bringing in characters I just HATE.

Dr Strange is the latest.  Like Iron Man, I find the character an insufferable ass. 

However, Marvel has crafted a rather enjoyable popcorn film with him, though it's becoming quite formulaic lately.  Fortunately that formula is adding a healthy dose of comedy to the mix. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2017, 02:30:20 PM
Beware the Slenderman

HBO documentary revolving around the girls who stabbed their friend.  Analyzes the origin and mythos of Slenderman as well.  Wasn't anything shocking I didn't really know already, but I spend an inordinate amount of time studying these things.  Though it featured really creepy stop motion clips of some pied piper movie/special.  I gotta find that film. 

Also inadvertently explains the clowns. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9igINAFXXNA#)

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on January 28, 2017, 04:52:38 AM
Dr. Strange is boring, but made an important contribution to society by way of serving as the inspiration for Dr. Byron Orpheus.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 28, 2017, 12:56:54 PM
Trianna is no Clea.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2017, 02:33:39 AM
Trianna is no Clea.

Her absence doesn't help the film.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2017, 01:56:08 PM
I haven't seen it, but know it's right up my alley.  Just thrilled with the news Split has passed $100M and is #1 for the second week in a row.  Hoping Hollywood gets the clue these are the types of horror films people show up for, not the rated R for the sake of getting an R rating torture porn crap. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TouqfIsiI#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2017, 02:31:29 PM
I haven't seen it, but know it's right up my alley.  Just thrilled with the news Split has passed $100M and is #1 for the second week in a row.  Hoping Hollywood gets the clue these are the types of horror films people show up for, not the rated R for the sake of getting an R rating torture porn crap. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TouqfIsiI#)


Uno's SPLIT review:


Friday night, 7 PM.  Full theater still several weeks after release.  Felt good. 

Most the audience was 30+, few teens.  Relatively strange for a horror movie. 

As a horror movie, this was rather fairly paint by numbers.  AND M KNIGHT PLAYS IT STRAIGHT.  This is KEY. 

The acting is what makes this movie tick, and we're fortunate to get someone at the top of their game in James McAvoy, and a really good supporting roll from Anya Taylor-Joy as well. 

Knight keeps the movie on the horror movie pace near perfectly, though I've seen some complaints about this from some reviews, they've forgotten what the traditional pace IS by the new jump scare every 2 minute BS. 

The plot revolves around Kevin's personalities and his psychiatrists' belief that they really ARE 23 different people.  The world, of course, has a more traditional interpretation of the split personalities.  It is this belief that drives 3 of the personalities (who we spend most the movie with, the others are cameos at best) to attempt to PROVE they are different by bringing out person #24 who provides the climax.   

I'm going to tag this.  It's "the twist".  It's also what convinced hEt to go see the movie, and didn't lessen the viewing for us in the slightest, but others would have different reactions. 
(click to show/hide)

Uno's gore rating:

Mola Ram's heart scene is worse than anything you'll see, but there's plenty of IMPLIED gore. 

CAUTION:

It's PG-13, but there's some VERY HEAVILY implied childhood sexual abuse. 

Special shout out to West Dylan Thordson.  Relatively new composer did a MASTERFUL job on the soundtrack.  Lots of dark ambient music that is JUST off, and keeps the mood exactly where it needs to be, and hearkens back to The Shining just a bit.  I could see myself actually using this soundtrack. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2017, 02:54:53 PM

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/movies/split-tops-box-office-again-as-rings-falters.html?_r=0 (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/movies/split-tops-box-office-again-as-rings-falters.html?_r=0)

Quote
“Rings,” which cost $25 million to make, arrived to a disappointing $13 million in domestic ticket sales, extending a troubled box office run for Paramount Pictures. The last entry in this supernatural horror franchise, “The Ring Two,” collected $35.1 million over its first three days in 2005, or $43 million at today’s ticket prices.

Note to film companies: 

This is the modern age.  Us movie fans, ESPECIALLY HORROR MOVIE FANS, have SEEN the foreign originals.  We'll go watch an american remake that is fairly true to form (ring), and you might fool some folks into going to it's sequel even though you butcher the story (Ring two), but don't expect us to get excited about you utterly ignoring the story line of a beloved horror icon in favor of your attempt to capture the teen market.  (Rings) 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 08, 2017, 12:28:53 AM
I probably only average a couple of first run movies a year any more. One while on the fishing vacation, and another in winter when we go on a cruise. Not like in the '80s, when I watched scores of them.  I'm not much of a critic. So For what it's worth-

"HIDDEN FIGURES"

I was interested since my visit to NASA/Cape Canaveral in December. It's about the Mercury program, segregation, discrimination against women and blacks, and about making yourself indispensable  in the face of emerging technology. The three main characters worked as "calculators" for NASA.

Maybe my wife ( who is no space geek, she skipped the trip to Canaveral ) could identify with the struggle, because she describes it as one of the best movies she's ever seen. Usually she falls asleep. Today she didn't, because it was that interesting to her.

I really liked it, but then I like all movies about the space program, so I don't know how to put it in perspective, other than to say, If you like space program movies, too, you should go see it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2017, 01:37:31 PM
I probably only average a couple of first run movies a year any more. One while on the fishing vacation, and another in winter when we go on a cruise. Not like in the '80s, when I watched scores of them.  I'm not much of a critic. So For what it's worth-


Oh, I hear that.  We usually hit the dollar theater (ok, it's $2 a ticket now) when movies have been out a while.  Usually a couple weeks before they hit DVD.  It's actually a nice theater. 

We get to 3 at most, and probably wouldn't have gone to this if we didn't have a gift card from Christmas. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 08, 2017, 08:00:23 PM
Not that I go on a cruise every year, either. Lots of times we'll say "We want to see that one!" But we won't go the first week or two when it's crowded. By then RL intervenes, and we forget to go.

Part of it is that with my inner ear disorder, I can't stand to watch stuff with these flying camera angles, Transformer and super hero movies as examples. Same for 3D, although I used to love it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2017, 10:30:50 PM
Mines more of a wanting to make the movies a family event.  3 kids, wife, me, it's not cheap to make it to a first run movie. 

We would have hit Rogue One, but my parents had their surgeries scheduled at that point and may as well wait for the dollar house at this point. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2017, 02:33:23 PM
MOANA

Dollar movie with the daughter. 

Definitely attempts a mixture of potty humor, slap stick and self aware humor.  IMO Tangled did a better job of that lot.  Not quite as good as all the reviews made it out to be, really, but by the book NON PRINCESS disney movie.  (did we really need to be continually reminded this is NOT A PRINCESS?)

Wife and I disagree on this villain. 
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on February 22, 2017, 10:03:29 PM
I did like the coconut dudes, though. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2017, 11:26:09 PM
Rogue One hit the dollar movies...


I'm glad I waited for the dollar movies...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2017, 02:11:20 PM
Had a particularly crappy week and needed a pallet cleanser, so Friday night Alec and I went to see Life at the dollar house. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwhd4uuqM48#)

I knew we were in for B stock creature flick from the get go.  And it is rather paint by numbers, but it's well done paint by numbers. 

What it does right:
Pacing is near perfect, and a little bit of a throw back to the 70s era.
Cinematography is pretty darn good, and they capture the weightless feeling of space well. 
There are two extremely satisfying deaths for those of us who appreciate such things.  (my son nearly lost his popcorn at one)
Calvin (as they name it) is suitably alien. 

What it does poorly:
whoever is on the writing team doesn't understand orbital mechanics, or how a space station really works well at all. 
I mentioned the two satisfying deaths above...the rest are rather bland. 
The mandatory (I argue it shouldn't feel mandatory) 'gotcha' at the end of most horror movies was too telegraphed and poor.  I immediately had 3 better scenes.

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2017, 03:32:09 PM
We lost phone, internet, and TV on Friday, so rented Fantastic Beasts and who cares about them?

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vso5o11LuGU#)

As someone luke warm on the Potter Movies, and rather cold on the Potter Books, this movie really didn't do a lot for me.  I didn't care for the lead, the costar, or the primary villain, but liked the whole concept of the obscurus, which is arguably the best thing in the whole potterverse IMO.  I found the Deus Ex Machina ending stupid and poorly thought out. 


hEt is a devoted Potter geek, and loved it. 

Talia was ambivalent. 

Alec is a potter geek and grew bored. 


Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 14, 2017, 02:12:49 PM
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRfnevzM9kQ#)

When I first saw the previews for this, I labeled it as a race/gender reversed version of The Skeleton Key using hypnotism instead of voudou.

After seeing nothing but great reviews I figured I must be wrong and was looking forward to it. 

Now that I've watched it, I pretty much nailed it with my initial thoughts.  However, it is rather expertly done, and channels a near perfect 70's horror vibe. 


Bonus fabulous title track. 
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWrb_5Qoic0#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2017, 02:36:42 AM
The Mummy

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNLw24D3p0#)

Going in I expected bad action crapfest. 

And the opening 20 minutes is full of bad action crapfest.  Then it falls into this rhythm of classic horror vibe intermixed with modern too-long survival horror action sequences.  I was actually pleasantly surprised. 

Sexy female mummy is awesome.  Seriously, The Mummy even back to the original, had this somewhat sympathetic longing for his lost love, to a 'youre trying to steal my girl' anger. 

That's gone.  But in it's place is a dark obsessed girl with a woman scorned vibe that really WORKS. 

That said, they really missed some opportunity with her and the old narrative of them becoming more human the more they, um, collect. 

Gratuitous (barely) PG-13 Nude scene.  Hey, horror movies need these things...

Creepy mummies if very much zombie-esque. 

That said...I think Cruise is miscast.  I get they wanted him to channel Lestat.  We needed Louis.  Cruise has a lot of tools in his bag, that pained struggle against his own dark isn't one of them. 


As for the whole Dark Universe...

I can see where they want to go.  I'm on board. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on July 23, 2017, 02:55:43 PM
Valorian

Sooo much potential.  So much MISSED potential.

Story was so unbelievable and just poorly executed, that the amazing universe and background was completely wasted on it.  This could have taken place anywhere, really. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2017, 07:29:39 PM
A Cure for Wellness.

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF1rLFCdewU#)

Um.  Where to start? 

2.5 hours.  Lets start there.  This is a bloated run time for a horror movie.  However, it was still not enough time to fully develop this story, so various bits feel extremely rushed. 

This would have served better as an American Horror Story season, or a Netflix mini-series. 

Pervasive nudity abounds, (I mention this mostly because the trailers would not lead one to believe this) and it's intended to shock the audience.  Unfortunately, that form of shock has never existed within me, so the scenes tend to fall flat. 

Runs on the premise of you're not supposed to be sure whether the lead is crazy or not, but the foreshadowing is done with the subtlety of a jack hammer. 

Rather disappointing as a whole, but with enough good I'd still love to see a mini series.   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 02:01:04 PM
Kong: Skull Island

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44LdLqgOpjo#)

Three fold review:

As a KING KONG movie:  Below average.  It barely scratches on the emotional aspects of Kong.

As a setup for the Kong vs Godzilla it was supposedly setting up:  Fairly well, actually.  Plenty of world building done to the whole 'universe'.  Monsters are real, and where they are coming from. 

As a stand alone monster movie:  Really good. 

Samuel L Jackson steals this movie.  I find his acting typically overdone and sometimes bordering on comical as a result.  I don't know if he just dialed it back, or the director just knew how to use him better than most, but he absolutely nails the role given him in a heart of darkness-esque tale this movie weaves. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 02:08:47 PM
Ghost in the shell. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4VmJcZR0Yg#)

I fell asleep and wasn't interested enough to go back and finish later...

Was coming off much more like something out of blade runner than it was from the Ghost in the Shell world I know. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lorizael on August 01, 2017, 10:57:59 PM
Recently watched the new one, too. The whole thing felt perfunctory, like all they cared to do was mention a particular idea or plot element and consider that done rather than actually explore any themes. There was no ghost in the shell.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Beowulf on August 02, 2017, 09:10:08 AM
I have also watched Ghost in the Shell recently, and must say that I unexpectedly liked it. The story line, actors' play and gorgeous Scarlet :D This movie glues you to the screen. Was happy to watch something of a high quality as 2017 has brought only worthless movies IMHO
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2017, 07:34:28 PM
gorgeous Scarlet :D

Seemed like mostly an excuse to stare at Scarlet wearing nothing but the cyborg 'skin'.  Maybe enjoyment is based on how much one is influenced by this appeal.  Or perhaps too much of me liking the anime so much. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2017, 09:28:50 PM
The anime drives me nuts - it's what I call half smart, Death Note being another example of one that thinks it's clever/profound, but ALL the characters need to talk 1/4 as much at most to seem sharp if you're over the age of twelve...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2017, 10:00:50 PM
Death Note needs an editor and it'd be fine.  I'm kind of curious what Netflix will do to it. 

Ghost in the Shell anime was uneven in places, but there's a couple of really good episodes in there that made me like the series as a whole.  Keep in mind this is ME here, I don't do your typical scifi.  (and not huge anime viewer either, really, more a take it or leave it type)   I'm not even sure I ever saw the series in order, even.  Just episodes here and there on a semi-regular basis. 





Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Beowulf on August 03, 2017, 05:27:39 AM
gorgeous Scarlet :D

Seemed like mostly an excuse to stare at Scarlet wearing nothing but the cyborg 'skin'.  Maybe enjoyment is based on how much one is influenced by this appeal.  Or perhaps too much of me liking the anime so much.
yes and no. I said that I liked the story +gorgeous Scarlet. The story is good. Scarlet is gorgeous. That's all why I liked the movie.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on August 03, 2017, 10:58:24 PM
I didn't mind either of them; but found nothing to write home about, either. 

I didn't get the whole tribe thing in kong, with them being on the islands in the late 20's early 30's and having come from a freighter.  Was there boat people back then with whole tribes moving around (I am not familiar with SE asian history at that time) as cargo?  Sam Jackson came across as a bad Apocalypse Now Colonel Kurtz wanna be - although how they tied it into the media loosing the war instead of the military was done excellently I thought.  The (admittedly few) combat military officers and senior NCO's have have known of the years were all about keeping their people safe, not putting them unnecessarily at risk. 


Ghost I thought was a good movie, but was so far off on comparison to the original anime that I thought it would have done a much better job if they gave it a different title, with Ghose being a subtitle.  Would have made it clear just how different it was.  Of course, I rewatched the anime movie the day before I watched the Scarlet new version. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on August 03, 2017, 11:00:10 PM
Dunkirk

Made my wife drop tears.  Not a common occurrence for her.  She didn't get the technology back then, though, and why they tried to turn cars into docks (at low tide). 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2017, 04:07:47 AM
I didn't mind either of them; but found nothing to write home about, either. 

I didn't get the whole tribe thing in kong, with them being on the islands in the late 20's early 30's and having come from a freighter.  Was there boat people back then with whole tribes moving around (I am not familiar with SE asian history at that time) as cargo?  Sam Jackson came across as a bad Apocalypse Now Colonel Kurtz wanna be - although how they tied it into the media loosing the war instead of the military was done excellently I thought.  The (admittedly few) combat military officers and senior NCO's have have known of the years were all about keeping their people safe, not putting them unnecessarily at risk. 

I know for a fact the wreckage of the freighter is The Wanderer, as they made a POINT of showing it.  What folks might not know is this is a nod to the original novelization, which they traveled on The Wanderer, not The Venture.  I thought he said that the tribe had been living in fear on the island, but that one day something made things they fear start protecting them.  I took it to mean the original boat that captured Kong/family of Kong crashed on the island, thus releasing Kong/parents of Kong rather than the tribe coming on the boat. 

Hence the whole boat temple and Kong worship. 


Quote
Ghost I thought was a good movie, but was so far off on comparison to the original anime that I thought it would have done a much better job if they gave it a different title, with Ghose being a subtitle.  Would have made it clear just how different it was.  Of course, I rewatched the anime movie the day before I watched the Scarlet new version. 
  That may be why it felt more like bladerunner to me.  Again, generic Scifi not being my thing, it might have even been good scifi but not for me as a result. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on August 04, 2017, 05:36:34 PM
That I guess makes more sense, re: boat that had kong on it and thus the shrine.

I thought that they lived in fear of kong & kin, and then they realized that kong was killing the lizard heads and left them alone if they left him alone, so paz and all that stuff. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2017, 06:30:12 PM
So....

Death note live action movie made for Netflix. 

Go in with low expectations, and note it's billed as a HORROR movie (I wouldn't label the source material Horror, myself).

Quickly see attempted shock-gore death with a ladder decapitating a bully. 

Ok, I think, we're going for silly gore levels.  I can get behind that.

A string of Final Destination inspired deaths ramped up to ultra gore levels commence.  It's actually funny, and decent in the not-take-too-serious just laugh at it sense.  The acting is all WAY overdone, but somehow fitting with the silliness of the deaths.  B movie gore goodness.   

I feel somehow obligated to note a particularly bad nude seen.  I mean, it's clearly tacked on as an excuse to add nudity to begin with, but it was extremely poorly done in a genre known for poor and tacked on nudity.   

Then we hit the mid point and it does an about face and attempts to become this psychological thriller.
Which is exactly what all that overacting DOESN'T do well. 

Overall NOT what I expected.  The first half is silly, but fun.  The second half is a waste of time. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2017, 06:54:10 PM
-The source material's greatest fault was taking itself too seriously, of course.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2017, 08:28:22 PM
Thats just it, I thought it could make a GOOD 2.5ish hour movie out of that source material.  Trim most of that exposition and focus it down right...

Yeah, no, it turned into mind game thrillers based on umpteen billion added rules to the book.  Which ITSELF could have done well, had they let Ryuk go to town on the creepy. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2017, 08:40:09 PM
Well hell - I could turn the original anime authentically brilliant with a sufficiently ruthless edit.  There's a couple hours of good stuff in the whole run if 90% of the dialogue/babbling and nearly that much unnecessary plot was thrown out.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lorizael on September 14, 2017, 10:34:33 PM
...had they let Ryuk go to town on the creepy.

I had heard that Willem DaRyuk was basically the only highlight of the film.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2017, 04:48:12 AM
The best part, by far, but so little screen time it's hardly worth mentioning.  If you liked the Final Destination series at all, I'd think the first half would hold your interest fine.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2017, 06:40:35 PM
IT

Yes, folks.  Not only did I go to a full price horror movie...but it was hEt's choice. 

Last horror film we went to in theaters at all was in 2000.  Usually just me with the kids. 

Movie was good and well done and everything...

To my surprise the new Pennywise is every bit as well done as Tim Curry's, though it left me wanting more of him. 

All that said, I really don't get the whole clown thing. 

There was a couple of absolutely gorgeous set pieces.  To the point where one of them in particular actually pulled made me break suspension and begin analyzing how they had built the piece.  Clearly physical props, and easy/cheap ones at that, but masterfully put together, as in you could use it to teach classes. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Spacy on October 15, 2017, 08:26:26 PM
Blade Runner 2049

Worthy
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2017, 05:00:19 PM
RAW

French horror film which had taken on a kind of mythical hype around horror circles.

Folks fleeing the theater in disgust and terror mythical hype. 

Don't know how much of it is due to culture, but the plot really had a lot of suspension of disbelief required to get into.  Wasn't the language barrier, just a 'people wouldn't act that way in that situation' barrier. 

Outside of that, the story is well told and gleefully non-traditional. 

And while the gore is certainly amplified, it's mostly in that 80s too red and semi-silly style.

With one particular scene being an exception.  I'd have to go view it again to verify whether it was digital or physical effect, but either way, it was clearly done with an eye for anatomy which is typically lacking in such things. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2017, 04:49:31 PM
IT

Yes, folks.  Not only did I go to a full price horror movie...but it was hEt's choice. 

Last horror film we went to in theaters at all was in 2000.  Usually just me with the kids. 

Movie was good and well done and everything...

To my surprise the new Pennywise is every bit as well done as Tim Curry's, though it left me wanting more of him. 

All that said, I really don't get the whole clown thing. 

There was a couple of absolutely gorgeous set pieces.  To the point where one of them in particular actually pulled made me break suspension and begin analyzing how they had built the piece.  Clearly physical props, and easy/cheap ones at that, but masterfully put together, as in you could use it to teach classes. 


They've release this scene...which explains so much of what I'm trying to say above. 

ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY NAILED the creepy clown.  Makes me wish they'd have found a way to fit in MORE of that, instead of so much of the Pennywise turning into other stuff.  God, you've so perfectly captured the clown, let him go all creepy on all the kids. 

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJWJ6RP55nU#)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2017, 04:22:21 AM
Valorian

Sooo much potential.  So much MISSED potential.

Story was so unbelievable and just poorly executed, that the amazing universe and background was completely wasted on it.  This could have taken place anywhere, really. 

Yeah, there was a good movie in there somewhere.  I haven't seen acting that bad in a long time...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2017, 04:29:25 AM
The Dark Tower

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjwfqXTebIY#)

Going in what to know about me:

Like, do not love King. 

Like Idris Elba. 

Love the man in black as a character. 

The movie is a hot mess. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2017, 10:54:35 PM
First movie in theater in a very long time for me and I had gone to see Justice League in IMAX.  Was good.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2017, 02:45:02 PM
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf7TA4nKpfg#)

This is one of those movies that people in my circles have treated next to sacred.  You DO NOT RUIN this movie with spoilers.  You just recommend it to someone. 

So, I went into it more or less 'cold'. 

Among the better horror movies of late, and I will keep the convention of merely recommending.  I would add a caution to THIS audience that it IS an autopsy you are more or less watching 'live'.  Neither nudity nor gore (good practical effects) are shied away from. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2017, 07:29:34 AM
Mother!

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpICoc65uh0#)

What. The. Hell. Was. That?

I mean, I caught a lot of the allegory and all, but WTF?   

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2018, 04:42:51 AM
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89OP78l9oF0#)


Um...

Yeah.   

That was stupid. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2018, 04:44:25 AM
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caj2OoFUXsQ#)

"good"

Too artsy for my taste.  I mean, I could appreciate the craft, but it's not for me. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2018, 05:48:30 AM
Ms. Portman always looks like my idea of a good time, I have to give the former that...

The actress in the latter was taking on the same quality, the longer I watched...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2018, 12:58:06 AM
Ms. Portman always looks like my idea of a good time, I have to give the former that...

The actress in the latter was taking on the same quality, the longer I watched...

If THAT'S what you're after, definitely go for the second movie.  Some older (presumably LDS) couples we were in the theater with were leaving in shock due to some graphic content. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 13, 2018, 01:51:14 AM
It's more not interested in horror, but am in women, clicked your links anyway and women were in them...

I only saw her head and hands - dunno how a good personality affects what's under the clothes.

-Worth seeing, you say?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2018, 03:28:33 AM
Shape of water is NOT 'horror' as you might think of it today.

It's the closest thing I've seen to a classic universal black and white movie in 30 years with a concerted effort to lean artsy/awards grabby.  Seriously, I don't recommend it as a horror movie at all.  The horror is the background to the artsy. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2018, 03:32:51 AM
I hesitate to spoil anything at all, but if I really had to describe the film, it plays along a similar line of the old 80's TV beauty and the beast love story but with a fish and a hard R on the sex. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 09:18:57 AM
Uno's spoiler free Infinity War review:

Marvel finally figured out how to make a compelling villain on the big screen. 

That's all you'll get out of me. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Vishniac on April 28, 2018, 12:57:29 PM
Uno's spoiler free Infinity War review:
All those critics and reviews talking about "shock" and "never seen in a movie"...
Do these guys know it's based on a 25-year-old story that almost any Marvel fan has read and that you can find in omnibus editions ever since without having to really search?

It's like ---SPOILER--- if reviews would be astonished by Rorschach dying in Watchmen the movie!
It's faithful to the story?!? Wow! Who could have guessed that?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2018, 06:28:24 PM
It's different than the comic in a LOT of the particulars, so knowing the comic is only superficially helpful.  In fact they do a number of rope a dopes, making things LOOK like it's going the comic direction and then veering left. 

As far a shocking...I wouldn't say never before seen, but certainly unusual for non-horror settings in one particular scene. 

I kinda wish they'd spent more time with certain things to be honest.  Like, this could have made a great netflix series.  As is, it's simply the best movie villain they've ever had.  But also the first one they've really bothered giving a full backstory. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lorizael on May 01, 2018, 12:37:47 AM
Well then.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on May 01, 2018, 12:50:30 AM
Good for a part 1, now we have to wait for part 2...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2018, 04:07:50 AM
Spoilers for really old movie ahead. 


What Lies Beneath was just on, and I hadn't watched it in ages, and with Talia on a ghost story kick, we take the opportunity to watch when a PG-13 one comes on.   

I remembered liking it for the whole twist of Ford playing the bad guy. 

And while Ford/Pfeiffer put on admirable performances, my good lord what a mess of a script were they given.  Good ole ghost story drifts into unexplained witchcraft, exorcisms, and channeling of ghosts that really show up for no real reason.  They clearly drew inspiration from Stir of Echoes, and would have been far better off sticking with that line than dragging in the whole unexplained books and rituals and BS. 

Bonus points for another quaint old movie that cell phones more or less ruins. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2018, 05:02:40 AM
Jupiter Ascending was free to me. 

Um. 

If they had hired a decent cinematographer, this could have been MST3K level Good/Bad/Fun.  As is, everything is so damned dark (as in light level) you can't hardly see half the movie.  Or maybe it was a mix of my color blindness creeping in as a lot of things have similar colored characters/ships against a similar colored background.  Black ships against black sky.  Blue lighting all the actors on a blue background, etc. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2018, 10:36:08 PM
The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina

I started this show out of curiosity with Talia.  She made it about a half an episode.  I finished the series with it on in the background only half paying attention. 

Caveat, I haven't read the comic run it's based on. 

It's not BAD, but it's not good.  It's like the CW trying to put out a buffy clone.  They really try to beat people over the head with political commentary in the first half of the season when it's trying to find it's legs. 

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on November 06, 2018, 05:09:39 AM
Yeah, I wasn't really that taken with it either...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2018, 01:40:55 PM
In case you hadn't noticed by Talia's costume, Creeped out gets a hearty thumbs up from the tween crowd.  It's better than the old goosebumps shows.  Kind of like Black Mirror for teens.  She was thrilled people actually recognized the costume as well. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on November 06, 2018, 04:40:38 PM
Glad she had fun!!

Speaking of Goosebumps, have you seen the trailer for the new movie?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2018, 06:45:19 PM
I wasn't particularly a fan of the last movie.  I've vaguely seen a few pieces of the trailer here and there, but I'm not sure if it was from the full trailer or from people trying to make the witches from the trailer.  Either way, the witches with glowing green balls for heads are about the only thing I can point to being memorable. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 03:22:57 PM
Ralph breaks the Internet

Me and the kids went out to watch this after turkey dinner on Thursday.

Decidedly 'good, but nowhere near as good as the first' across the board.  Granted, we may have enjoyed the first more than the average joe. 

The princess scene you see part of from the trailers definitely steals the show, along with a scene just after, IMO. 
(click to show/hide)

I think there was a real missed opportunity in the movie...

(click to show/hide)

Another thing of note...

Most theaters around here have gone to the cushy recliner seating.  Fewer seats, but super comfy.  I'm starting to think this actually hurts the experience of going to the theater to watch a movie.  The theater we watched this in seats, perhaps 75.  It was sold out except the front row, because who wants to sit there?  It's just not the SAME as the larger capacities of old.  The whole Jungian crowd psychology effect doesn't really have the same impact, causing the jokes (in this case, but scares in a horror movie) to not quite hit as hard. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 03:34:12 PM
Blade Runner 2049

Worthy

Having a mostly meh opinion of the first movie, rather enjoyed this. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 28, 2018, 03:33:45 PM
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfWIfwKJ7vA#)

The boys and I went to this the Sunday before Christmas.  I didn't take Talia due to common sense media's review claiming there was some graphic sexual content in one of the songs.  Grease has worse, I should have taken Talia. 

The first half of this movie absolutely NAILS the concept, the humor, and the music. 

The second half, all three fall apart.  It's like they had a good short film and didn't know how to extend it to a full movie. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on December 29, 2018, 03:54:14 PM
How would you have prevented the movie falling apart like it did?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2018, 02:41:28 AM
How would you have prevented the movie falling apart like it did?


Mostly, they drop the tone in the songs and nearly all the humor in the third act. 

Ok.  Here.  This is from the first act, before the zombies (as all promotional material). 

(click to show/hide)

That thing is BEGGING a reprise in the third act.  That's like musicals 101.  It never comes. 

Instead we are saddled with a 'villain' that really can't hold his own.  (though I think the songs are as much to blame as the actor)

(click to show/hide)

Keep the humor (it can be done), reprise that above song in the final act, and rewrite/recast the villain song, and you'd have a decent third act, which would not completely detract from the strength of the first. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 19, 2019, 04:30:10 AM
The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina

I started this show out of curiosity with Talia.  She made it about a half an episode.  I finished the series with it on in the background only half paying attention. 

Caveat, I haven't read the comic run it's based on. 

It's not BAD, but it's not good.  It's like the CW trying to put out a buffy clone.  They really try to beat people over the head with political commentary in the first half of the season when it's trying to find it's legs. 

(click to show/hide)
 

The Christmas special was actually pretty darn good. 

Season two, however, has been even worse with the commentary.  They dropped the hammer beating and got a steamroller. 

God I wish they fleshed out Salem.  He's completely forgotten this season. 


Alita: Battle Angel

Talia wanted to see.  It was ok, not great.  Better than I expected, really.


Captain Marvel:

Another Talia wish.  Rather middle of the road for a Marvel film.  Nothing fabulous, but good popcorn movie. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2019, 07:14:43 PM
Uno's Endgame impression:

Meh.  Somewhere around Avengers 2 quality.  It does some things good, but ends up a steady stream of fan service that is just trying to finish the big paint by numbers wrap up that seemed to lack the weight of Infinity War. 

I'll not go into detail on my problems as it would be spoilertastic.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2019, 05:07:08 AM
Shazam

Dollar theater, low expectations. 

This thing is actually pretty darn good.  Best DC movie IMO. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 13, 2019, 05:45:26 PM
Shazam

Dollar theater, low expectations. 

This thing is actually pretty darn good.  Best DC movie IMO.
This is surprising - the trailer struck me strongly as Big with the comedian in a muscle suit.  Maybe they did really well at ripping off Big?...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2019, 02:30:02 AM
There's a certain element of that for sure. 

It might be that Sandberg just paced it much like he does his horror movies, so I felt immediately at home and comfortable with the film in that sense.  Nothing really jumps out as fantastic about it, and it's certainly an origin paint by numbers, but it was solidly done and I like the levity in the DC world. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2019, 02:41:51 AM
Maybe I just have trouble respecting something that so obviously exists mostly only to compete with MARVEL'S Captain Marvel movie.  It was released less than a month later...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2019, 12:29:02 PM
Hm.  Not Captain Marvel.  (though there is a sequence/running gag of them trying to come up with a name, they really should have put in a reference to Captain Marvel somehow.  Even a 'do you want to be sued?' joke) 

Captain Marvel had very little humor in it, and was trying to be Serious Marvel.  In a lot of ways it felt like Captain Marvel was trying to be Wonder Woman, actually. 

Where Ant Man and Guardians shoot for comical Marvel. 

I'd say Shazam falls somewhere in between akin to Thor Ragnarok. 

But it's like I've been telling my kids, who are now Marvel fanboys.  If DC can nail the tone, they really have a better stable of heroes to bring to the screen, just by the fact the general public is already primed.  Many haven't heard of half these marvel folks before, but a properly done Justice League, even if it's just copying the MCU formula, would make BANK. 

Seriuosly, James Gunn doing Guardians of the Suicide Squad has serious potential even as a complete ripoff. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2019, 12:41:07 PM
Oh, Suicide Squad had everything going for it but a coherent/competent plot - the character and humor moments were often very good.  Gunn has all the toys already in place he needs for an excellent comic book sort of movie, provided he shows up with a decent script.

Did anyone say Captain Marvel during Shazam?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on July 17, 2019, 01:45:04 PM
There's a certain element of that for sure. 

It might be that Sandberg just paced it much like he does his horror movies, so I felt immediately at home and comfortable with the film in that sense.  Nothing really jumps out as fantastic about it, and it's certainly an origin paint by numbers, but it was solidly done and I like the levity in the DC world.
I was planing to likely not ever see this, but now...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2019, 05:13:19 AM
Did anyone say Captain Marvel during Shazam?

No.  :(  Though they should have.  There might have been a quick scanning of it in a headline somewhere that I missed, but I doubt it. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lorizael on July 24, 2019, 03:10:25 PM
Saw Shazam. Enjoyed it. But had a lot of trouble with the central conceit of how Billy ends up with his foster family.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2019, 04:18:25 AM
Thor: Ragnarok was okay - MOST of the jokes failed a little, in my book, and the movie doesn't really work w/o you laughed at the jokes - also, no surround-sound.  In the theater, I imagine you could feel the Hulk's punches a little.  So none of the blow-you-away sequences w/ Led Zeppelin playing blew me away.  I was burdened with a knowledge of the comics, too - knew how they were doing various characters wrong; the Executioner was miscast, for example - he had a story arc right there in the script that didn't quite work at all with an actor whose presence didn't scream dangerous, bad, man in every frame.

It was way too long by about one third.  I'd cut the whole middle hour of the movie out completely, Jeff Goldblum and Sakaar gone, introduce Valkyrie and Hulk some other way, and keep it in Asgard, which parts were more interesting.  Set up all those civilian Asgardians with a few lines so they're not anonymous in the crowd scenes fleeing, edit everything ruthlessly to tighten the pace - and maybe then it's a good movie.  It did have some charm.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2019, 02:35:04 AM
Thor: Ragnarok was okay - MOST of the jokes failed a little, in my book, and the movie doesn't really work w/o you laughed at the jokes - also, no surround-sound.

Yeah, if you did not like the jokes, it's a bad movie.  And frankly, while I enjoyed them the first time, they have not held up well on repeated viewings, which makes me wonder how much crowd psychology played into it.  I first saw it in a theater full of teenagers who found it hilarious.  I'm much more knowledgeable on the horror side of crowd psychology, but humor makes sense it would have a similar impact.   It's still easily the best of the Thor movies, and I do think Thor works better as a comedy, but it's gone from wow that was great on initial impression to 'eh' big loud stupid movie with a few cool action scenes. 

Ironically, the Ant Man movies seem to grow on me with repeated viewings.  Ant Man and his daughter/family is possibly the best relationship in all of the MCU.  They could have written the step dad as a villain so easily, but the way they all make it work for that girl is just awesome.   

Quote
In the theater, I imagine you could feel the Hulk's punches a little.  So none of the blow-you-away sequences w/ Led Zeppelin playing blew me away.  I was burdened with a knowledge of the comics, too - knew how they were doing various characters wrong; the Executioner was miscast, for example - he had a story arc right there in the script that didn't quite work at all with an actor whose presence didn't scream dangerous, bad, man in every frame.

Disagree here.  You really can't judge the MCU on the comics at this point.  The executioner had a decent arc as written from the guy just wanting the fame to just trying to save his own ass to finally stepping up. 

Quote
It was way too long by about one third.  I'd cut the whole middle hour of the movie out completely, Jeff Goldblum and Sakaar gone, introduce Valkyrie and Hulk some other way, and keep it in Asgard, which parts were more interesting.  Set up all those civilian Asgardians with a few lines so they're not anonymous in the crowd scenes fleeing, edit everything ruthlessly to tighten the pace - and maybe then it's a good movie.  It did have some charm.

Nope and nope.  You HAVE to do the fight to make the movie work.  Everything else is getting us TO the fight.  There's a reason it was marketed as a Hulk/Thor showdown with very little of the actual plot revealed in marketing.  It's one of the Vs comics sandwiched in that middle act.  The licensing difficulties with Hulk made this the closest thing we can get to planet Hulk, and has some character progression for Hulk that becomes important no matter how much I disagree with it. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2019, 04:40:03 AM
So DO the fight.  Throw Thor into the outer wilds of Asgard, do all the same plot points, but with hostile low-tech barbarians.  15 minutes of no-fat, no Jeff, spare me an hour of running around comedy Corescant not advancing the plot making jokes that weren't funny and didn't advance the plot.  Fill a few of the other minutes freed up setting up those civilians to give all their appearances later running and being rescued STAKES.  Use some of the CGI money freed up making Surtur at the end IMPRESSIVE.  -It should have been.

So you think a smarmy guy's redemption arc is as interesting as a dangerous brute's?  Tsk.  I'm a sucker for redemption narratives, and claim some slight authority that my way's better.  The fact that I'd seen it done more effectively in a comic -Skurge's end scene w/ M-16s was lifted whole from Walt Simonson's Thor run, if none of the setup/rest of Skurge's arc- does not negate that the same story works better with a different performance.  I've acted professionally; I claim more than slight authority on a performance interpreting a script, for better or worse.  A sleezy fellow is redeemed by acts of selfless honesty.  The noble application of violence saving others redeems a bad man given to evil violence.  Symmetry.

---

I just saw Captain America: The First Avenger - and it was a more solidly-made movie.  Mind you, that wasn't Cap.  Cap might flop his first ill-conceived overseas USO show for real soldiers, BUT - CAP would never leave the stage defeated, no more than he gives up in a fist-fight.  CAP would have, oh, lifted something ludicrously heavy and dropped it through the stage to get their attention, then given the most rousing speech they'd ever heard about how great American freedom is, and how punching Hitler was what to do about it.  Cap is pure win and charisma, not a shy buff Canadian who can't hang later when Robert Downey Jr.'s talking.  -But leave it if I can't recast the lead...

-I'd also have beefed up the first meeting the Skull, had the fight w/o the army uniform covering Cap's USO costume, and ended the main action of the movie with turning up alive in camp with Bucky and ALL of the Howling Commandos, avec Sgt. Fury, now Col. Fury's dad.  Screw setting up Avengers.  They could have done the cosmic cube setup for some future Skull story then, or saved it for a later prequel, and either way, kept Cap in his natural habitat punching Nazis for maybe ten movies.  Avengers had to re-introduce him anyway, and didn't need a second of it, except promotionally.  Make the movie you're making better, instead, and don't make the same mistake the Wonder Woman show did - it was never as good again, set in the present w/o Nazi-punching.

-I'm supposed to see Winter Soldier, soon, too, but we didn't set a date yet.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2019, 01:44:18 PM
So DO the fight.  Throw Thor into the outer wilds of Asgard, do all the same plot points, but with hostile low-tech barbarians.  15 minutes of no-fat, no Jeff, spare me an hour of running around comedy Corescant not advancing the plot making jokes that weren't funny and didn't advance the plot.  Fill a few of the other minutes freed up setting up those civilians to give all their appearances later running and being rescued STAKES.  Use some of the CGI money freed up making Surtur at the end IMPRESSIVE.  -It should have been.

Go watch the animated Thor vs Hulk, where Loki tricks Hela into separating Bruce from Hulk and Hulk goes ape[poop].  Yeah, we get to the fight...but we lose a lot of what's going on with the Hulk, and that is IMPORTANT to the MCU.  The fact Hulk has found a life for himself.  Been allowed to feel other things, make friends.  Found a voice on Sakaar.  While we groan at Jeff, a LOT of people LOVE him, so mass market win there. 

I don't think we get any of that if we're on Asgard.  No way Thor didn't know Hulk was on Asgard the whole time.  No way Hulk's found a life.  Again, Sakaar isn't about THOR.  It's about HULK.  The specifically mentioned through several interviews, they wanted to add to Hulks story, but couldn't make a HULK movie, so jammed that into here.  You can't do that on Asgard.  So, yes, you might lose a bit of Asgard and Thor, but we gain a bunch on Hulk, which again is IMPORTANT to the MCU going forward.  Arguably, the only important parts from Ragnarok are Hulk's changes, and Asgard's destruction.  Literally nothing else matters. 

Quote
So you think a smarmy guy's redemption arc is as interesting as a dangerous brute's?  Tsk.  I'm a sucker for redemption narratives, and claim some slight authority that my way's better.  The fact that I'd seen it done more effectively in a comic -Skurge's end scene w/ M-16s was lifted whole from Walt Simonson's Thor run, if none of the setup/rest of Skurge's arc- does not negate that the same story works better with a different performance.  I've acted professionally; I claim more than slight authority on a performance interpreting a script, for better or worse.  A sleezy fellow is redeemed by acts of selfless honesty.  The noble application of violence saving others redeems a bad man given to evil violence.  Symmetry.

I don't think Dangerous brute works here no.  Again, we're going for comedy.  Loki picking the guy who's using the Bifrost to collect STUFF to impress girls is an immediate comedic commentary on what Asgard's become under Loki.  Big dangerous brute doesn't have the same commentary as that can perfectly sum up Heimdall in the MCU (yes, that is a scathing but true representation of how they screwed that up) and you HAVE to contrast him.   

Quote
I just saw Captain America: The First Avenger - and it was a more solidly-made movie.  Mind you, that wasn't Cap.  Cap might flop his first ill-conceived overseas USO show for real soldiers, BUT - CAP would never leave the stage defeated, no more than he gives up in a fist-fight.  CAP would have, oh, lifted something ludicrously heavy and dropped it through the stage to get their attention, then given the most rousing speech they'd ever heard about how great American freedom is, and how punching Hitler was what to do about it.  Cap is pure win and charisma, not a shy buff Canadian who can't hang later when Robert Downey Jr.'s talking.  -But leave it if I can't recast the lead...

-I'd also have beefed up the first meeting the Skull, had the fight w/o the army uniform covering Cap's USO costume, and ended the main action of the movie with turning up alive in camp with Bucky and ALL of the Howling Commandos, avec Sgt. Fury, now Col. Fury's dad.  Screw setting up Avengers.  They could have done the cosmic cube setup for some future Skull story then, or saved it for a later prequel, and either way, kept Cap in his natural habitat punching Nazis for maybe ten movies.  Avengers had to re-introduce him anyway, and didn't need a second of it, except promotionally.  Make the movie you're making better, instead, and don't make the same mistake the Wonder Woman show did - it was never as good again, set in the present w/o Nazi-punching.

-I'm supposed to see Winter Soldier, soon, too, but we didn't set a date yet.

I really have a hard time with all the Captain America's.  I recognize that Winter Soldier and Civil War probably do the most plot work for the Avengers of anything not labeled Avengers, but I'm not on the Evans train, myself. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2019, 02:44:56 PM
Make the movie you're making better, instead

M informs me that Evans is pretty, but I don't think he's even handsome enough.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2019, 04:15:55 AM
Pet Sematary

This is bad.  This is real bad. 

It's pretty damning the promos do a better job of designing the sour earth than the movie itself.

Church (the cat) looks more like he's seeking cuddles than menacing people. 

If there is a saving grace, it's the kid.  Lithgow and the kid are the only 2 casting decisions that pan out, really.  Both nail their characters. 

(click to show/hide)



US

...I'm a Jordan Peele fan. 

This doesn't quite match Get Out, and the trailers don't really do it justice, but there's some mixed acting in this one.  The male leads seem to careen all over the place, but there's damn good performance by the female lead.

Decent story and pacing, though as with Get Out, you kinda know what's coming if you've seen the inspirations. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on August 19, 2019, 04:56:02 AM
The thing is, will he be able to do it a 3rd time?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2019, 02:03:59 PM
The thing is, will he be able to do it a 3rd time?

Well, he's going on to Candyman...

There's a WHOLE LOT of untapped potential with that, really.  I'm at least curious to see where he goes with it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2019, 03:25:10 AM
Child's Play Remake. 

It is VERY OBVIOUS where this thing come from.

Someone watched THIS SHORT:


And decided to make IT into a full length Chucky movie. 

AND IT WORKS really well...as a stand alone.  I don't know that they launched a new franchise. 

Hamill does a great job with Chucky's voice, the actual visuals on Chucky are a little bit all over the place, but I think that was actually by design as it gets progressively better as the movie goes on, I think they wanted it "off" even before it goes psycho. 

I can certainly see where fans of the original were upset by the change to Chucky's nature.  The new one has an INNOCENCE which is damn near a 180 from the character we know. 

Movie is tightly placed and well constructed, but there's nothing we haven't seen before here, and it doesn't take any strides to purposely subvert expectations.  If you can divorce yourself from the originals, I do think this is ACTUALLY a better overall movie.  (though to be honest, the original was never a work of art either)
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on September 29, 2019, 12:23:14 AM
Will be traumatizing my kids with The Dark Crystal tonight, assuming they can clean their room in a timely manner.  Would like to introduce them to the original Star Wars, but the convenient branch of the library doesn't carry that, I feel silly doing inter-library loan for it, and I'm too cheap/lazy to buy it.  Alas.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2019, 12:28:07 AM
I can never see The Dark Crystal for the first time as young as they are, but I would never associate it with trauma, Skeksis included.

Uno?


-Mind you, I saw Wizard of Oz so young that I thought the Flying Monkeys were scary, so...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on September 29, 2019, 02:36:07 AM
I figured he'd be a little weirded out by the crystal sucking the life out of the podlings.  As it happened, he was fine.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2019, 11:31:52 PM
I can never see The Dark Crystal for the first time as young as they are, but I would never associate it with trauma, Skeksis included.

Uno?


-Mind you, I saw Wizard of Oz so young that I thought the Flying Monkeys were scary, so...

That Movie still tastes funny, but it never otherwise bothered me.  But, I was watching Alien at 6 years old, so...

Still curious the cause of that particular synesthesia.  I actually have just come to call the taste podling essence.  It's the first movie to cause it, or rather the first I was able to directly link the cause to the movie, but not the ONLY, though I don't believe any of the computer generated movies have the taste, I think it's directly the puppets, as the dog/dragon from never ending story causes it too... 

I've been meaning to get to the Netflix series for a while, but need to have time to sit and focus.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2019, 11:37:59 PM
Oh, Hellboy remake: 

Avoid at all cost.  That's all. 

I mean I see what they WANTED to do, and could have gotten behind that, but they half assed it. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on October 02, 2019, 04:26:18 AM
I can never see The Dark Crystal for the first time as young as they are, but I would never associate it with trauma, Skeksis included.

Uno?


-Mind you, I saw Wizard of Oz so young that I thought the Flying Monkeys were scary, so...
I want to hear his take on the AHS(American Horror Story) 1984 show/season
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2019, 04:35:18 AM
Mine?  Never heard of it.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2019, 03:33:25 PM
I’
I can never see The Dark Crystal for the first time as young as they are, but I would never associate it with trauma, Skeksis included.

Uno?


-Mind you, I saw Wizard of Oz so young that I thought the Flying Monkeys were scary, so...
I want to hear his take on the AHS(American Horror Story) 1984 show/season

hated the first season of AHS, or rather they lost me an episode or two in and I’ve never returned.  Did it ever turn into actual horror and not weird softcore Fetish porn?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on October 03, 2019, 06:17:27 AM
don't really know, I don't really watch it.  But I did catch the first epi for this newest season and didn't know if you might have seen it or not.  Sort of a Friday-13 theme-ish but fairly different, too
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2019, 12:32:11 PM
The first season started out with the husband banging the maid/ghost and the wife banging the S&M ghost, with mixed on screen masturbating....and I just didn't even bother after that.  I might have caught an episode of the nun season, but the catholic horror has never resonated with me. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2020, 12:34:24 PM
It  1&2


What is wrong with people? 

Skarsgard is ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY rocking the performance and NAILING the performance as a creepy clown.  Even MORE in chapter two. 

WHY in the name of all that is holy are you taking screen time AWAY from him to make more CGI atrocities.  I DON'T CARE that the book is written this way with Pennywise taking on different forms.  LEAVE the clown that is absolutely KILLING it. 

Title: Mean Girls: A Story of a Dictatorship
Post by: Bearu on January 18, 2020, 02:30:28 AM
I recently watched Mean Girls. I vouch for Regina George as a model of a dictatorship because the film provides a story of a dictatorship.
This film provides an in depth coverage of the functions of a dictatorship.
Title: The Stepford Wives: The Film Corner
Post by: Bearu on November 08, 2020, 04:14:56 AM
I watched The Stepford Wives yesterday from the 1975 version with Katherine Ross yesterday. Joanna’s fear struck me as a moral foreigner in a community when Joanna said to the psychiatrist “I won’t be here when you get back. There will be someone with my name. She will cook and clean like crazy, but she won’t take pictures and she won’t be me.” (around 88:00 in the movie) The quote expressed my emotional horror at the mindless people around me every time I enter my job. These companies impose restrictions on us and make us less like humans and more like automatons just as the men in the movie replaced the women with robots. I suspect companies and employment kill the inner spirit of some of my coworkers like the men imposed fear on Joanna and leave moral empty shells of people wandering the world for the next pleasure hit from consumption as the alleged true form of happiness.
The movie also struck my anger and fear in my search for more assistance against the imposition of other people’s values on me. Joanna’s desperate pleas for assistance struck this fear and anger when Joanna says to Bobbie “Look, I bleed. When I cut myself, I bleed. Do you bleed? Bobbie: Why, look at your hand? Joanna: No. You look! (stabs Bobbie)” This entire scene played into my fears of imposed conformity because superiors will kill a person’s spirits without remorse. I fear a similar thing will happen to me after I have achieved my goals from graduate school over the next three to four years.
Title: Re: The Stepford Wives: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on November 08, 2020, 06:08:02 PM
I watched The Stepford Wives yesterday from the 1975 version with Katherine Ross yesterday. Joanna’s fear struck me as a moral foreigner in a community when Joanna said to the psychiatrist “I won’t be here when you get back. There will be someone with my name. She will cook and clean like crazy, but she won’t take pictures and she won’t be me.” (around 88:00 in the movie) The quote expressed my emotional horror at the mindless people around me every time I enter my job. These companies impose restrictions on us and make us less like humans and more like automatons just as the men in the movie replaced the women with robots. I suspect companies and employment kill the inner spirit of some of my coworkers like the men imposed fear on Joanna and leave moral empty shells of people wandering the world for the next pleasure hit from consumption as the alleged true form of happiness.
The movie also struck my anger and fear in my search for more assistance against the imposition of other people’s values on me. Joanna’s desperate pleas for assistance struck this fear and anger when Joanna says to Bobbie “Look, I bleed. When I cut myself, I bleed. Do you bleed? Bobbie: Why, look at your hand? Joanna: No. You look! (stabs Bobbie)” This entire scene played into my fears of imposed conformity because superiors will kill a person’s spirits without remorse. I fear a similar thing will happen to me after I have achieved my goals from graduate school over the next three to four years.


As if the same isn't tried again and again by dictators and repressants in communist/maoist/whatever countries
At least companies' influences usually don't go beyond the thousands/tens of thousands people range.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on November 08, 2020, 11:40:41 PM
Watched Sanjuro with the kids.  It needed some explanation but was still good fun.  Kurosawa knew his stuff, it seems ...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2020, 01:29:30 AM

I randomly got tipped off to this show by a scrolling text at the bottom of the screen while hEt was watching a harry potter marathon...and it just said "mayan mythology set to anime", and I was in. 

I've seen the first two episodes and it gets my full endorsement.  It's not the tightest animation or voice acting, but it goes FAIRLY all in on the mythology.  Maybe a slight bit of revisionism, but not at ALL afraid to show the realities of human sacrifice either. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2020, 01:34:16 AM
Other holiday viewing this year:

Santa Jaws

Awful.  Plain awful.  And not in the fun way lie Sharknado. 

Letters to Satan Clause.

A purposeful riff on all hallmark movies, it does it well enough to be slightly entertaining, but Satan could have used some more screen time. 

You Better Watch Out

I hadn't seen this one before...I really wish they would have gone all in on the ending.  Kind of ruined it for me a bit.  Surprisingly solid acting.   

About 20 minutes of the Grinch musical.  Bleh. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 06, 2021, 01:13:08 AM

I randomly got tipped off to this show by a scrolling text at the bottom of the screen while hEt was watching a harry potter marathon...and it just said "mayan mythology set to anime", and I was in. 

I've seen the first two episodes and it gets my full endorsement.  It's not the tightest animation or voice acting, but it goes FAIRLY all in on the mythology.  Maybe a slight bit of revisionism, but not at ALL afraid to show the realities of human sacrifice either. 

So...a couple more episodes in and I've cooled off considerably.  For some inexplicable reason, the first couple episodes earn their TVMA rating 'naturally' if that makes sense.  From there we are introduced to a couple characters who have a particular fondness of the f-bomb.  Not that I'm necessarily a prude, but it really feels out of place here and feels more lie bad dialog writing. 

I'll finish it off eventually just because the source material, but it's not so much top of my to do list anymore.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on January 06, 2021, 03:04:11 AM
It's an unfortunate thing at times, when what could be a good story concept runs into the lack of being able to keep the actual story moving forward and keeping it fresh.  It takes a good trick to do at times.  Sorry to hear it...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on January 08, 2021, 12:34:00 AM
UnO, have you seen anything on Shudder and your thoughts about the website?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2021, 06:10:20 PM
There's been a thing or two come up in the news that would spark my interest there, but I've never actually gone there. 

It's AMC movie stuff, and IMO not worth the $6/month.  They'd be better off making an AMC + ish channel for the same price and package all their [poop] together. 



Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on January 08, 2021, 06:16:55 PM
I've seen many trailer ads on you tube and many of the things look fairly (for me) interesting.  I still have some issues overall with "horror", but if is good story along with the "guts and gore", well...   And the best can be entirely bloodless...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on January 08, 2021, 06:18:06 PM
Any thoughts on the Remake of "The Stand"?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2021, 06:21:55 PM
Back to Onyx Equinox,

I think I've identified the issue.  It's like they have a great story board for what should have been 2-3 seasons, and they're trying to dump it all into one season.  We don't really have enough time to get to know or care about many of the characters and they just come off as insert trope here.  There's very little of the lighthearted side stuff that is part of what made Avatar such a good series.  They even get fast-travel to eliminate the need of journeys between plot points.  We're closing in on the end, and all the relationships feel forced and shoehorned in as a result. 

I'm just hoping for some big God vs God blowout at the end at this point. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: E_T on January 08, 2021, 06:24:20 PM
A Divine Cliffhanger??
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2021, 07:08:54 PM
Any thoughts on the Remake of "The Stand"?

I generally wait for a series to be complete so I can binge it.  I think it's only 4-5 episodes in right now?  Word on the street isn't great though.  Seems they altered the book way too much. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 08, 2021, 07:35:15 PM
The book is a bit of a mess - that somehow comes together to be really good.  The last try was probably as good as an adaption of the story as is going to happen.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2021, 10:38:29 PM
Onyx Equinox final couple episodes. 

THIS is the second to last episode, and the best of the series, IMO, with a possible exception of the pilot.  Ironically, those are the two episodes that actually make some attempt at showing some backstory for the gods. 

THIS, the series needs more of THIS.  The names are impossible enough to keep track of, and you NEED this kind of stuff to feel any connection to the characters being discussed. 



So, series as a whole:  Really fun design of the monsters and gods.  Really bad at introducing characters/making you care about them.  So-so action. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on January 13, 2021, 10:42:22 PM
Well, I watched it and besides the bone god, his baby-queen, and her love interest I couldn't figure out the other characters.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2021, 01:46:54 AM
I was debating whether to put this over here or in my thread. 

I'm going to preface this with a couple things. 

For the better part of 2 years now, I've been collecting/studying fae stories.  Celtic, Irish, Germanic, and even Slavic.  It hasn't really shown as I'm still building the set pieces for the yard, but I'm slowly going to be moving more that direction once the basic set pieces finish. 

I haven't decided if I'm just not that much an anime fan, or if the current options just aren't my cup of tea. 

So, I was needing some background noise in december while working on Christmas items, and this popped up as a suggestion, mentioning fairies as a reason.  So, I started figuring I didn't have to pay attention...but it caught my attention. 

Talia caught a few minutes several episodes in, and she decided we needed to watch together and we started over.  hET caught a couple episodes one night and decide SHE wanted to join in (never happens). 

If I had to describe it, this is the closest thing I've seen from an anime series to Kiki's Delivery Service/Spirited Away once you get going, but has a really fubar starting premise. 


Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Syn on January 21, 2021, 07:36:53 PM
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Devastatingly boring, pointless, and dumb. 1/10.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Dio on February 10, 2021, 02:34:30 AM
I watched the documentary The Mask You Live In last month.  This film details the construction of American masculinity in children and the social problems this construction creates in society. I recommend watching this film with care because of disturbing visual content.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Geo on February 10, 2021, 09:24:43 AM
I watched the documentary The Mask You Live In last month.  This film details the construction of American masculinity in children and the social problems this construction creates in society. I recommend watching this film with care because of disturbing visual content.


Since roughly halve the children are members of the other sex, I can indeed see how this could be a problem. ;clap
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2021, 04:18:26 PM
Lets see: 

Trolling around various streaming sites halloween offerings: 

The Banana Splits Movie

Yes, THOSE Banana Splits from the 70s.  C rate slasher with occasional laughs. 

The Taking of Deborah Logan

I could go on a rant about this one.  Fairly well reviewed movie, interesting premise, good casting, SHOULD have been great.  1/10 delivery. 

Edit, alright small part of the rant.  You got a movie positing is it alzheimers or possession?  You got a good actress capable of pulling crazy/possessed off, don't insult me trying to play it as a found footage documentary.  Even if I bought THAT, you honestly expect me to believe the medical professional advises you to consider possession and seek out assistance from.....A WITCH DOCTOR! 

Dr Cyclops

Holds up just as well as I remember, with Alec asking how the hell they pulled off some of the scenes prior to cgi. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Lorizael on October 04, 2021, 05:00:17 PM
Pick a random horror movie made in the last 20 years and there's about even odds it's a found footage film, even if there's no reason it should be. Shaky cam stuff gets me feeling dizzy and nauseated real quick, so this is a trend I'm very much not in favor of.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2021, 04:18:23 PM
Muppets Haunted Mansion 

Look...it's the Muppets.  It's not the BEST Muppets...but it's not the WORST.  I was hoping for more of a spoof of the old movie but we got a spoof of the ride. 

Black Widow

Meh.  Complete Meh. 

 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 04, 2021, 04:30:25 PM
...I've been wondering ever since Muppets from Space - how did Gonzo come to break up with the chickens?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2021, 05:32:00 PM
...I've been wondering ever since Muppets from Space - how did Gonzo come to break up with the chickens?

Or Rizzo.

I'm not really understanding the rise of Pepe....there was an inordinate number of Pepe skits on their latest Disney+ series as well... 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on November 07, 2021, 09:48:22 AM
I read that one of their new series came across as rather mean-spirited for the muppets, that it was a kind of parody of trash tv that went too far and lost the essential warmth at the heart of the muppets concept.  But the most recent muppets thing I've seen was The Muppets (circa 2012) and a couple of skits on YouTube.  The former was just all right, the latter were fine entertainment for the kids.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2021, 01:49:56 AM
I read that one of their new series came across as rather mean-spirited for the muppets, that it was a kind of parody of trash tv that went too far and lost the essential warmth at the heart of the muppets concept.  But the most recent muppets thing I've seen was The Muppets (circa 2012) and a couple of skits on YouTube.  The former was just all right, the latter were fine entertainment for the kids.

Their still carrying some of the baggage from that network TV debacle.  I never even watched any of it, but it was essentially 30 rock with muppets.  The biggest thing sticking around being Kermit and Mrs Piggy were married and she's now the toxic ex...which...I don't know why they are keeping that up. 

Anyway, their latest series is basically just the youtube skits with some added 'behind the scenes' of how they make them.  It's pleasant enough, but the skits are more miss than hit, IMO.  I mean, Swedish Chef has become an incompetent side gag to celebrities sharing a recipe instead of a parody of cooking shows.  And one of the big recurring skits is pepe hosting a game show that makes no sense...I don't get it, I don't get HIM... 

The best of the lot is Beaker and Bunsen essentially doing mythbusters. 


Anywho....

Shang-Chi  About 2/3 of the way into the movie I was ready to declare this the best Marvel movie yet.  I mean, it managed to salvage the 10 rings from a freaking JOKE in Iron Man 3 BELIEVABLY and actually WELL.  Absolutely fantastic kung fu fight choreography and set pieces that really showcase how bad Disney fubared the live action Mulan's fights...I was actually looking forward to what looked like it would be a nice final duel between the villain and the hero. 

And...WTF was that? 

Dear Marvel, not everything needs to become a massive CGI extravaganza in the final act. 

It wasn't TERRIBLE CGI, mind you, but what had been done so well throughout the film got tossed right out the window to I guess prove Shang-Chi as being in the same weight class as other MCU heroes.  To the point it almost felt like a completely different movie. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 23, 2021, 03:24:45 AM
Eh - the original comic was problematic, but I just can't get behind Shang Chi fighting with a shirt on and w/o a Fleetwood Mac soundtrack.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2021, 07:33:44 PM
Never delved into Shang-Chi or Iron Fist to be honest, and they only ever had cursory contact with Moon Knight. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 23, 2021, 08:56:46 PM
I should post you a link where you can read some old 70's Shang Chi comics online...
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on November 24, 2021, 02:51:47 AM
Don't know that it's my cup of tea even today. 

I am most likely going to have a LOT to say about the Moon Knight series. 


Being an unabashed Moon Knight fan, I'm used to him being QUITE flexible in the hands of writers, so I'm completely open to them fudging some details here and there, and each writer has their own means of dealing with his ISSUES...and I could see some really interesting routes to take with that here if they take some cues from the Legion series.     

But, Moon knight is at his best when he's either VERY small time by Marvel standards or really laser focused on smaller time mystical elements.  The local ghosts, a random witch doctor, dare we bring up a werewolf.  Things not rising to avengers level.  He flails whenever they try to shove him into the broader world, even when they attempt to arm him with ludicrous power ups.  Leave him small time...if you have to bring him into the broader picture, let him be a giant wrecking ball at best. 

Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 18, 2022, 06:05:55 PM


"The series follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc's enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt."

Well, trailer impressions: 

Rewriting of at least Steven Grant personality.  Poor shlub by the looks of it.  Don't care terribly.  Steven Grant the Bruce Wayne analog (and to be fair, Lamont Cranston predates both) was always my least favorite aspect of MK.  Rewriting him as more down to earth like was done in the 2011 run always works better.  I like the whole he's not aware of the other personalities angle they're going for. No mention of Jake Lockley, but a more down to earth Grant doesn't necessarily NEED Lockley.  This is going to take some serious acting and directing to pull off convincingly. 

It appears they're drawing heavily on the 2016 run where moon knight may or may not be all in Steven/Marc's head. 

Like that it doesn't appear to be connected to the MCU as a whole, and at least appears to be a stand alone.  I'm sure there's going to be some references, but hope they all stay just little background bits. 

Villain is a one off (which Moon Knight has A LOT of) from the rather crappy fist of khonshu run, I won't be shocked to see him altered to be tied to hydra (since he is originally tied to Nazi drs, that's the natural MCU tie in angle rather than bring up other organizations) or combined with another villain just to flesh him out.   


Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2022, 08:39:33 AM

Easily my favorite of the entire franchise. 


You gotta realize that's not saying a lot as there's some I haven't bother to watch (the last couple).  Mostly caught this one opening weekend because it's pretty [nonsense] that Disney buried it in a straight to Hulu release.  This movie deserved better.

The mostly native cast, period piece does a LOT of great work and you could think you're watching an updated Dances with Wolves for sections of this film.  Beautiful sweeping shots of wilderness.  The Predator action is done really well, if some of the action scenes are lacking the polish of a AAA movie, they do their job well. 

If you have Hulu in the states or D+ elsewhere, it's worth a sit. 

The only real complaint I could lodge is some of the CGI animals.  And not even the CGI itself, but whoever animated them very clearly had a 'and then this happens' approach to the scenes as the animals don't ACT very natural (both the mountain lion and the wolf.  Bear was OK. 

Amber Midthunder was VERY good in her role as the main lead, and I hope it launches a career.  As in one could draw parallels to Sigourney's performance in Alien level good.  And if you've known me long, you realize what level of praise that is. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2022, 05:41:35 PM
Werewolf by Night. 


As a Horror movie:  C

It only KINDA sorta gets into the horror genre on the fringes.  Like they added horror elements without any real idea of how they should hook together. 

As a Werewolf movie: D

Werewolf movies live and die on the transformation and werewolf designs. 

The transformation is entirely off screen .  The werewolf design is entirely uninspired. 

As an MCU project: B+ 

I really like the more stand alone MCU stuff on Disney plus, and this works well to introduce a whole new side of the marvel universe to the MCU.  Enjoyable enough. 

As a faithful adaptation of the comic:  B- 

Really seems just as interested as setting up other projects as it does in exploring Werewolf by Night in it's own light.  I will say once you get to the actual werewolf, however, it's a pretty darn good adaptation of Kirby's art from the original (which is not the most inspired werewolf ever seen), both the actual design/practical effects and the action sequence that follows.  But it does NOT do ANYTHING with the mythos of the source material, instead focusing on other characters. 

And Ted steals the show. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Elok on October 27, 2022, 03:09:38 AM
The last movie the wife and I watched (on DVD, in our room) was the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar!  We'd both seen it before, of course, in the theater.  Still great.  Next we will probably rewatch Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  I think we watched that together like ten years ago.
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2023, 11:03:11 PM
M3GAN


M3GAN is about what you'd expect from a blumhouse offering.  Nothing going to revolutionize the genre, but overall well crafted.  It does spend it's time with the setup that is a rarity in the genre. 

Curiously it did leave a Chekov's gun situation unresolved if you really want to deconstruct it.  Early on they showed a very clear weakness....and then failed to utilize it in the thing's ultimate defeat which makes me think there was a scene shot that got edited out.

That said, this was just here to roll with some fun times with a touch of horror and it hit that part perfectly.   
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 08, 2023, 11:42:25 PM
Have you ever read Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2023, 01:20:50 AM
Not in the entirety.  I read the predecesor short story which is somewhat and/or entirely the first part of the novel where the demons/aliens take over the earth by pretty much giving people what they want.  I've probably seen various adaptations of the rest. 

Never been a scifi fan in book form. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 09, 2023, 03:21:12 AM
It's a horror movie.  Though the book is not meant to be horror at all, a faithful adaption could be very effective horror w/ the right tone/emphasis.  You'd see if you read the whole book.  It's not so much the aliens as where the whole thing's going in the last third...


It could also be done as the transhuman epic intended.   -Also, Independence Day should have cut Clarke a check.


Have we talked about Independence Day?
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2023, 02:55:45 PM
The new Indiana Jones was better than anticipated. 

I've made no secret that Temple of Doom is my personal favorite, but I also recognize it's NOT a good movie by objective standards. 

I'd rate this one as just SLIGHTLY behind Last Crusade in terms of objective film quality. 

So, Raiders > Last Crusade > Dial > Temple > Skull. 

In terms of personal enjoyment:

Temple > Raiders > Dial > Last Crusade > Skull

I raise Dial over Last Crusade here purely as the villain for Last Crusade could have been any faceless stiff in the uniform.  He lacks any real kind of presence where Dial's villain is more in line with Belloq.  Someone more on par with Indy intellectually. 

More importantly this FELT like Indiana Jones again.  Skull never really FELT right. 
Title: Re: The Film Corner
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2023, 07:32:21 PM
The Last Voyage of the Demeter


Movie getting mediocre to bad reviews. 

The complaints being it’s SLOW and predictable.

It’s the first chapter of the novel. Of course it’s predictable. 

Anyhow, thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the kids. 

Yes, it’s a slow atmospheric piece.  Great practical effects, a good ‘organic’ R rating when too many these days are just tossing random language and nudity to achieve the R.  (I don’t subscribe to the narrative horror needs R, and most should be chopped down to pg13 IMO, but this is a film that would suffer for that).

Something of a throwback to Early Hammer style. 

The liberties taken for the sake of screenplay are…glaringly obvious, but I did like the ending and would really love to see THIS Dracula developed with further movies.
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