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The Movies Thread

Started by Sakura, May 19, 2014, 04:58:44 AM

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Crewe

#360
The Stranger
Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles

Film noir cat and mouse film with a heavy dose of Nazi hunting in post war America.
EGR is essentially a Nazi hunter, akin to Hans Landa, not without the same style in some scenes.
There's quite a bit of high and low angle shots in the film which I found interesting and matches the pace and the storytelling.
I really enjoyed this

The Invisible Man
Claude Rains

This is a fun one to watch. If for nothing else, the manner in which special effects were applied in 1933 were quite impressive.
Jack Griffin is a scientist who stumbled upon an invisibility potion. The film opens well beyond this stage though. He has temporarily abandoned his fiance who is unaware of his advancements, in order to find the antidote.
Griffin however, is unaware this potion has adversely affected his mind leading him to criminal, anarchist ideals.
Confiding in his former colleague, in his permanent invisible state, Griffin sets forth with his progressively unhinged madness, and sense of humor.



Crewe

#361
The Innocents 1961
Deborah Kerr, Pamela Franklin, Martin Stephens


Ms Giddens (Kerr) is an inexperienced young woman obtaining her first real opportunity, governess for a wealthy man with a niece and nephew he wants to know nothing about.
The previous governess had died, tragically and suddenly and this is where we begin.
This film is atop many all time horror lists and thats why it was on my see list. This is the best sort of horror film for several reasons. It doesnt mix and match tropes and genres, i.e. jump scares, which certainly have their place and can be effective, but not here.
This film is all story, character and atmosphere. And it's all creepy.
Giddens quickly notices slightly odd occurrences along with the two younglings with curious mutterings and behaviors.
The other staff, primarily Ms. Grose (Megs Jenkins) waves off Ms Giddens worries, however, she does seem to be an ally if not a device for the audience to learn more of the story.
After witnessing apparitions, coupled with everything else, our new governess begins to unravel, revealing much more about herself in the process.
Ambiguity is the theme in this film and Ill tell you after having watched it, Im wanting to watch it again.

My Halloween list is still about 25-30 movies long, so I know I wont get to all of them, but I really want to see about 15 more and given this is the last week of the month....I dunno.... lol


Crewe

Repulsion 1960
Catherine Deneuve
We first see Carole Ledoux (Deneuve) at her job in a nail salon, her mind not in the present as she has spaced out mid manicure to a customer.
In a rather long exposition, we follow her life via some closeup tracking shots as she moves through her day which consists of going to work or home to an apartment she shares with her sister Helene (Yvonne Furneaux)
We know straight away she has an aversion to Colin (John Fraser) who has more than a passing interest in her, as well as her sisters new beau (Ian Hendry)
The film graduates from a spry middle of the road tale to a psychological horror with an exceptional slow burn.
Becoming more catatonic and delusional as we progress, we ride with carol as we struggle to discover the cause.
I enjoyed this one a great deal. Recommended.

The Island of Lost Souls 1932
Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen

The first film based off of the book, the Island of Dr. Moreau.
Edward Parker (Arlen) is one of many rescued fro a sinking ship. He telegraphs his fiance to let her know where he is and is headed.
After a row with the Captain, he is unceremoniously dumped over board on to a boat to which the aforementioned Captain had just made a scheduled delivery.
Dr. Moreau and his assistant, Montgomery welcome Parker to stay on his island and say they will return him to a pier the next morning.
Parker notices strange half man, wolves and swine across the island but finds it curious, not yet alarming.
Moreau explains to Parker that in London he began experimenting with accelerated evolution. Beginning with plants, then moving to animals. His secret was leaked and he was exiled. He then set up shop on this remote island.
Secretly wanting to further his discoveries, he sends Lota, the only female on the island, to interact with Parker. He wants to see if this panther, evolved in to woman, can emote as a real woman.
Mean time, the fiance investigates and discovers where the Captain had dumped her betrothed and off she goes with a sailor to fetch him.
They arrive and are welcomed by Moreau until things take a turn, and Ill leave you there.

I didnt find anything revolutionary in the film making here although there were some great shots using lights and shadows.
The story still holds, but I cant put myself in a 1932 frame of mind to really be blown away by this film. I will say I am glad I watched it because it is a classic. I did like it but I didnt love it. 
It is only an hour and ten minutes, so if you can spare it, Id say give it a look only because film history demands you do so. I promise, youve seen worse.

Crewe

Phantom of the Opera 1925 (Silent film)

Not much to say here. I watched it because it's deemed a classic.
The short version is that the Phantom lives in the bowels of the Opera House in Paris that were used as torture chambers.
It's implied our Phantom was one such victim, hence the mask to hide his disfigurement
He falls in love with the voice and thereby singer, Christine Dase. She is mesmerized by his passion for her. He sends threatening notes to management to give her the leading role or suffer dire consequences.
They dont, he does, then she meets him. She's promised everything as long as she foresakes all others, including her current beau.
Ultimately she finds out what he is and seeks to flee.
I skipped over some other plot points but that should get you going.
This was a one timer for me, but glad I watched it, but I doubt everyone else would be.



Crewe

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1931
Dr. Jekyll is an optimistic scientist who believes the bad you that always battles the good you can be scienced out, leaving humanity in tact as a whole.
As you know, his experimental potion creates a Mr. Hyde with whom his alter self craves, that is until Jekyll returns.
Realizing his alter egos dastardly deeds, Jekyll is determined to let Hyde appear again, but alas, it is too late as he can now take over without the potion whenever threatened or overcome with emotion.
Good camera movement with surprisingly good special effects for its time help this story along. Despite an abundance of overacting, I still really enjoyed this flick.


Gerald's Game
Carla Gugino
A couple head to a secluded retreat in the hopes to revive their sluggish sinking marriage.
Hubby talks Carla Gugino in to a daring sex game. It's not a spoiler to tell you he dies in the act while she is handcuffed to the bed with everything just out of reach of course.
The situation is a horrifying one sure enough and it is quite captivating more than halfway through. We find that solace can be as dangerous an enemy as anything or anyone, maybe.
I wont spoil this but
Spoiler
the film's ending lost me. The story took an un needed turn and became so fragmented. I realize all of the arcs we were trying to tie together, but it just fell apart for me.
So the dog was real and the intruder was real? It had good potential but this is one film where the ending superseded everything positive. Perhaps I wasnt in the right frame of mind to understand it?
If I had it to do over, Id probably skip this one. However, Gugino is quite good if that helps you decide.
The Loved Ones
Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy

This film is sick.
Think Misery and Hostel and what you have is The Loved Ones.
If you go in expecting a traditional horror film, forget it. Do expect some horror tropes like awful character decisions.
Is this film redefining? I dont think so, but it tries. Take it for what it is and it's entertaining.
We begin with Samuel and his dad on a road trip of sorts when an apparent victim of sorts appears in the middle of the road causing a crash where dad dies.
Fast forward 6 months later and we have the expected unsaid grief canyon between mom and son.
We are focused on Samuel and his high school acquaintances, Jessica McNamee, Victoria Thaine and Richard Wilson.
Then he goes missing and you can fill in the rest. Perhaps.
McLeavey gives a terrific performance I think and Samuel does pretty well too considering what he's given to work with in this project.
Consider this part of your sayonara to Halloween weekend.


Crewe

I really wanted to watch Halloween Kills on Halloween night, but Ive read it isnt that good, plus I had been wanting to watch Get Out, so I did.

Get Out
Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Chris (Kaluuya) and his gf Rose (Williams) have reached the meet her parents stage.
He asks, did you tell them I was black?
To which her reply was no, and her dad would have voted for Obama a third time if he could
Chris is quasi concerned, but writes it off although not completely.
We meet that fam, consisting of Keener (40 year old virgin) and Whittford as the accepting parents and it's odd from the outset.
We experience this just as Chris is and are picking up on the same small oddities as he does, but those too are filed away but not forgotten.
I was getting the feeling setup was going to be a situation where Chris would be made to look as if he was in the wrong on some serious transgression, forcing a rift between he and Rose, much to the joy of the parents.
We, as well as Chris, knows mom and dad are full of shit and are probably harboring racist views.
I'll just say none of us are wrong.
This film allows you to live and learn as the character which is uncomfortable as hell. I tried to stay with him in putting this puzzle together and it's one of those movies where you know the what and the where, when, but the why and the how? Not necessarily.
The feel and tone of this film is pretty generic IMO, but it works as being a vague setup although I feel like there was a distinct nod to Halloween in the opening scene.
Nothing spectacular with the cinematography or art direction, but everything looks and feels in place creating a perfect atmosphere for this story.
I wasnt sure it was going to be a horror at the beginning and it really isnt. Well, it isnt in fact, certainly not traditionally. But don't think it's not a horrific narrative.
I would certainly give this one a look.



TheNorm

Absolutely loved Get Out! Horror isn't really my genre like it used to be (and like you said, this isn't your typical horror film) but this one was quite enjoyable.
"But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr

Crewe

So Ive been on a tear since October and cant or wont review them all but here's a few...

High Noon
Gary Cooper


Marshall Will Kane just got married to Grace Kelly and is turning in his badge a day early to begin a new life.
Townsfolk are oddly ok with this even though the new sheriff wont arrive in time to deal with the pending threat.
Said threat is Ben Miller, who was released from prison and was due in town at high noon and has vowed vengeance agains the man who jailed him and the town.
His henchmen are waiting at the station and so are we, pretty much in real time as Cooper, much to the dismay of his new bride, has decided to stay and fight for the town and the people he is so loyal to during his tenure.
We have great camerawork and a solid, simple story with surprisingly deep characters in such a short (film) time.

The Birds
Tippi Hedron

Havent seen this since I was a kid and wanted to give it another look.
This story, believe it or not, was taken from real life which immediately lends itself to the horror genre.
I love Tippi Hedron's performance here, just stellar and it was an aggressive attempt with special effects too for the time.
This isnt one of my favorite Hitch films, but I still like it and would recommend it.
Speaking of Hitch, checkout 39 Steps too. I think I reviewed it earlier.

The Last Picture Show
Cybil Shepherd, Jeff Bridges, Tim Bottoms, Cloris Leachman, Ellen Burstyn

The debut for Shepherd and Bridges and man do I love this movie.
Such rich characters in such a dire setting.
A fictional rural small Texas town where football and oil rigs are king.
We see Shepherd seeking out a future and using what she has in order to achieve while Bridges is loving having the top girl in town on his arm.
His best friend, Bottoms, doesnt know what he wants and is sort of apathetic about the future.
Burstyn is Shepherds mom with her seemingly lacking parental skills turn out to maybe have some merit in such a small town.
You should certainly give this one a look. Id like to do a deeper dive on this film, this is where a podcast would be handy.





Crewe

Not much going on here so since I just finished a run on the Craig James Bond films in preparation of seeing the new one, I thought Id rank them here.
From worst to first:

Quantum of Solace

If I wanted a Jason Bourne or Marvel movie, Id watch one.
Still, I like the darker Bond character aspect and Olga Koreylanko was good, and I did like the flaming compound.

Spectre
For much of the movie, this was a really good Bond film along with Lea Seydoux but act three was just, not good.
Not even Christopher Waltz could save this turn.
That said, I still enjoyed it and I loved the score in this one.

Casino Royale
This is generally seen as the DC crown jewel and Craig was splendid in his first shift as Bond. It rewally gave the franchise hope, at least to me.

Skyfall
While it was really good, I feel Skyfall edges it out. Again, the score in this one is great. the action sequences, the temperature of the film, I really enjoyed it, even despite Bond going all Home Alone.

A havent seen the new one yet....

Crewe

No Time To Die

Lea Seydoux returns as Swann and Lashana Lynch comes on as Bonds 00 replacement.
Rami Malek is Lyutsifer Safin, the new baddie as Waltz returns as well.
Unlike most, this Bond film is not a standalone and is direct sequel to Spectre.
I didnt realize it was a near three hour affair at 2:43 until I started it, however the pacing was good and it didnt have a lot of dead time IMO.
Their were nods to previous Bond films, not only the DC projects either..
Now Im not a Bond afficianado, i.e., I havent read all the books and blogs and joined the fan club, but I am a fan. Probably a bit more than a casual in that Ive seen them all, many more than once.
So, we know that Bond has been a character in books and movies for ev er, so of course there are repeating themes and similar storylines and structures.
The franchise wants to keep it "Bond like" but it has to modernize and branch out too, but with different storytellers, its hard to keep a constant narrative which 007 never really tries to accomplish.
So change something, people hate it and bitch. Keep it the same, people hate it and bitch.
Im not going to say much about the film itself except that I really enjoyed it.
This is probably the best 5 Bond films by any of the actors.
Roger Moore sure as shit didnt make 5 good ones.
Dalton only 2 and lets just say his were decent.
Brosnan started out great then fizzled.
I think stacking up Craig v Connery is tight. Coming out of the gate with Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and Thunderball...well, thats like the Rolling Stones 5 album run in the late 60's, quite impressive.
Of course Connery made 7 EON films, not counting NSN in 83.

Im rambling, but the point is, see this one.

And while Im here, Ill go ahead and toss in the Matrix.
id never seen 2 and 3 because honestly, the trailer of part 2 just turned me off completely. It was the scene where Neo fights like 50 agent Smith's, then gets bored and flies away. It just seemed silly, so I never watched either of them.
With the new one out, I thought id go ahead and watch them to prepare. Turns out my gut was right.
I havent seen the new one yet.
I did read that some of the stars, or critic or some, said you didnt need to see the first three in order to keep up here.
That is a huge red flag for me. If I dont need to see the other three, THEN ITS NOT THE MATRIX.
This is the kind of franchise steering that hurt Star Wars.




TheNorm

Space Jam: A New Legacy
Lebron James, Don Cheadle, other people that probably don't want to be associated with this

Watched it because it was on, and because I was also curious - the original might not be gripping cinema but it was okay way back when. Plus the soundtrack on the original was good. Besides, I like Lebron - dude is a leader and uses his platform for good.

This movie was absolutely not good. This was absolute trash.

0.5 out of 5
"But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr

TheNorm

Spider-Man: No Way Home
Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch

The spoiler free part: Tom Holland once again does an amazing job as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, and this movie starts in the immediate aftermath of the revelations from Far From Home. What follows is an enjoyable and emotional rollercoaster of a movie, and I loved every moment of it. Can't wait to see what they do next. Haven't seen The Eternals yet, but so far this is the best MCU film this year.
Spoiler
Damn near lost it when Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire showed up, and seeing them converse before the final battle was my favorite part of this film...that and Willem Dafoe reprising his role as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin.

5 out of 5


The Last Blockbuster

Been meaning to watch this documentary for a bit, and I'm glad I finally did. Takes a look at the rise and fall of the late 80s/90s video rental juggernaut, and the factors that led to its demise. Also takes a nice look at the last Blockbuster Video still in existence in Bend, OR and the ones that work there and keep it going. As a former employee of the place, it was nice to take a look back at the story and it definitely brought back some fond memories.

4 out of 5
"But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr

Crewe

thanks for bumping the last Blockbuster, ive been wanting to watch that but forgot about it

Crewe

#373
Dont Look Up
Leo Dicaprio, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence.

Forget what you hear about this movie, except this;
Don't Look Up is simply a more sophisticated version of Idiocracy.
Those that dont like it simply dont like to be reminded or informed of how selfish, egotistical, ignorant and flat out stupid we are as a society.
And I dare say, many more are too stupid to even realize the film is mocking them.
*edit - I realized I didnt rate the film lol
Satirical social commentary film. Stellar cast, well acted. I thought it had great self awareness and value, but unfortunately, it will be lost on dimwitted Americans.
It's not slapstick fun like Idiocracy, just, well, I cant come up with a better term than just a sophisticated version.
Not for everyone, but I liked it quite a bit.

Crewe

#374
Drive by ----

The Harder they fall
Idris Elba
Rich and vibrant project built for entertainment, not depth.
Marry spaghetti western with Tarantino and this is the result.
It wont change your life but its a fun watch.

Unforgivable.
Sandra Bullock
this film is like winter, gray, dark, depressing and lasts forever.
A terribly paced melodramatic pile of forgettable film

Edit to add one I forgot

Good Time
Robert Pattinson
A gritty, believable manipulative street urchin, Pattinson alone is worth seeing here.
This film has a weird, techno vibe score, kinda weird but not a deal breaker
See it