jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Saw Michael Clayton tonight. Even though it isn't a rental, I still wanted to pimp it in this thread. Another solid Clooney acting job in a movie that has very few flaws. Highly recommended.
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Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Sigmund
- Start date
krista4
Footballguy
I have a few to contribute, mostly because I turned a couple of them off partway through. I don't remember a run of movies that I disliked as much as the ones I've seen lately. :(
A Tout de Suite - Someone has been watching too much Godard and Truffaut. A very stylized homage to the French New Wave--even the story is similar to Breathless. Beautifully shot and well acted, but boring and pointless. Recommended for those who are big fans of French New Wave, but probably not anyone else. Here's where I share my dark secret--I am not a Godard fan.
I Am a Sex Addict - Wait, that's the name of the film, not a personal statement. Not a documentary, but a reenactment of the director's life, with the director in the leading role. Started off strong and funny, but within 40 minutes it had become such a self-indulgent mess that I turned it off. Watch if you're interested in learning about a not-very-appealing, actually quite annoying guy.
The Last Kiss - So I thought I had TiVo'd the original Italian version, but it turned out I had the Zach Braff remake instead. I decided to try it anyway for two reasons: (1) Braff uses great music in his movies, and (2) Tom Wilkinson is in it (I dare you to tell me five other actors working today that are better than this guy). This was a mistake. Again made it about 40 minutes into the movie before I gave up. What's the male equivalent of a chick flick? Whatever the term is, this movie fits right into the genre, following four whiny guys who don't want to grow up. Blech.
Gabrielle - French adaptation of Joseph Conrad's short story "The Return", about an early 20th-century, high-society man whose wife leaves him for another man but returns 10 minutes later. Isabelle Huppert is outstanding, as always. The movie is beautifully photographed and the staging and lighting are outstanding. Unfortunately, those elements do not make for a good or interesting movie. This seemed like it would be better as a stage play.
A Tout de Suite - Someone has been watching too much Godard and Truffaut. A very stylized homage to the French New Wave--even the story is similar to Breathless. Beautifully shot and well acted, but boring and pointless. Recommended for those who are big fans of French New Wave, but probably not anyone else. Here's where I share my dark secret--I am not a Godard fan.
I Am a Sex Addict - Wait, that's the name of the film, not a personal statement. Not a documentary, but a reenactment of the director's life, with the director in the leading role. Started off strong and funny, but within 40 minutes it had become such a self-indulgent mess that I turned it off. Watch if you're interested in learning about a not-very-appealing, actually quite annoying guy.
The Last Kiss - So I thought I had TiVo'd the original Italian version, but it turned out I had the Zach Braff remake instead. I decided to try it anyway for two reasons: (1) Braff uses great music in his movies, and (2) Tom Wilkinson is in it (I dare you to tell me five other actors working today that are better than this guy). This was a mistake. Again made it about 40 minutes into the movie before I gave up. What's the male equivalent of a chick flick? Whatever the term is, this movie fits right into the genre, following four whiny guys who don't want to grow up. Blech.
Gabrielle - French adaptation of Joseph Conrad's short story "The Return", about an early 20th-century, high-society man whose wife leaves him for another man but returns 10 minutes later. Isabelle Huppert is outstanding, as always. The movie is beautifully photographed and the staging and lighting are outstanding. Unfortunately, those elements do not make for a good or interesting movie. This seemed like it would be better as a stage play.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Add Palookaville to your queue for a nice slumpbusterI have a few to contribute, mostly because I turned a couple of them off partway through. I don't remember a run of movies that I disliked as much as the ones I've seen lately.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Seen a bunch of movies lately that were average at best, but mostly just sucked: Planet Terror, Transformers, Meet the Robinsons, Spiderman 3, and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Was there any good movies released this year???
Was there any good movies released this year???
Hov34
Eephus's Great Great Great Love Child
Thanks for the info!
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Not much in the mainstream. I take it you haven't seen The Lives of Others?
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Not yet- it's in my stack of foreign movies waiting by the DVD player though.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I haven't seen all these, but there are a lot of good 2007 films to see:Once
Waitress
Eastern Promises
Michael Clayton
Zodiac
Gone Baby Gone
3:10 to Yuma
Superbad
King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
A Mighty Heart
Breach
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Black Snake Moan
TexanFan02
Footballguy
Couple of decent action movies too:The Bourne Ultimatum
Live Free or Die Hard - I liked it despite its flaws.
Plus, I think Hot Fuzz was a 2007 movie, and it's worth watching.
krista4
Footballguy
Added it to my queue overflow list.Add Palookaville to your queue for a nice slumpbusterI have a few to contribute, mostly because I turned a couple of them off partway through. I don't remember a run of movies that I disliked as much as the ones I've seen lately.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Seen the bolded ones. Too bad other than A Mighty Heart, none of the others are on DVD yet.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
The New Yorker gave it a great review, but I would say this movie is a poor man's Mystic River. Same writer, but Eastwood is much better than Affleck as a director.Gone Baby Gone
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
The Bourne Ultimatum was definitelyCouple of decent action movies too:The Bourne Ultimatum
Live Free or Die Hard - I liked it despite its flaws.
Plus, I think Hot Fuzz was a 2007 movie, and it's worth watching.
Watched 28 Weeks Later this weekend. Found the movie absolutely fantastic. I've seen a few people griping about this one, saying it wasn't as good as they expected, or not as good as the first, and so on. It's a ####### zombie movie, what do you expect? And of course it's going to be different, there were entirely different screen writers and two different directors. The story line was typical zombie stuff, but everything about this movie was awesome. You felt like you were in an empty city/world. The tension was awesome. Kids running around the empty streets of London, the underground empty, I just thought this one was very well done. Of course I loved the first one too, as I've loved just about everything Boyle has done, but I found this movie a terrific compliment. I'd rate it a 8.5/10.
Statorama
Footballguy
Saw Dan in real life with my wife this weekend, and I liked it. She liked it even more than I did. Good date movie.
I thought Juliette Binoche was miscast though. That part needed someone luminous and I found her kind of plain. It also went a little "Three's Company" in certain spots. A lot of it is really charming though.
I thought Juliette Binoche was miscast though. That part needed someone luminous and I found her kind of plain. It also went a little "Three's Company" in certain spots. A lot of it is really charming though.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Since it was free and kinda liked the first one, I watched Open Water 2 in HD (looked like crap).
I've never seen a movie with a move obvious tacked on ending likely due to poor test audience screening.
mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("
The 2nd to last shot, which was obviously the original ending, shows the fishing trawler circling the sailboat with the baby inside but noone else to be found. This was obviously done to underscore the futility of it all.
But then they cut to the mom on deck looking at the guy she rescued and there's no trawler in the background.
"Test audiences didn't like the depressing ending. Let's do a reshoot!"
*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();
6/10
I've never seen a movie with a move obvious tacked on ending likely due to poor test audience screening.
mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("
The 2nd to last shot, which was obviously the original ending, shows the fishing trawler circling the sailboat with the baby inside but noone else to be found. This was obviously done to underscore the futility of it all.
But then they cut to the mom on deck looking at the guy she rescued and there's no trawler in the background.
"Test audiences didn't like the depressing ending. Let's do a reshoot!"
*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();
6/10
Jethro Q. Walrustitty
Footballguy
Finally got around to watching V for Vendetta. I liked it.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Bump it way up. I will buy you dinner if you don't like Palookaville.Added it to my queue overflow list.Add Palookaville to your queue for a nice slumpbusterI have a few to contribute, mostly because I turned a couple of them off partway through. I don't remember a run of movies that I disliked as much as the ones I've seen lately.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Which explains a lot. The summer is always a bad period for good films. Fall and winter means way better movies to choose from.
The Goat
Footballguy
Watched "Lucky Number Slevin" this past weekend...really enjoyed it, even though I saw a couple of the twists coming. A couple non-spoiler points:
1) Josh Hartnett is a better actor than I thought he was. He's not Oscar-caliber, but he's definitely better than I thought he was.
2) Lucy Liu is just staggeringly hot.
1) Josh Hartnett is a better actor than I thought he was. He's not Oscar-caliber, but he's definitely better than I thought he was.
2) Lucy Liu is just staggeringly hot.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
I watch A LOT of movies. One to two a night usually. 
Because of this, I typically only post in this thread if I see something either really really good, or really really bad. I caught one last night, that I wouldn't really characterize as awesome, or anything, but it was MUCH better than expected. Probably because I was completely off-base in what I thought it was to begin with.
I've had this movie called Hard Candy in my queue for a long time. I thought it was a typical horror movie. I like scary movies, but only good ones, and they are so few and far between. I haven't seen an American horror movie that I liked since The Ring came out, but I digress. Anywho, I keep trying to watch a horror film from time to time, only to be disappointed.
So, this was on HBO or one of those movie channels last night, and since it was already in my queue (way on down there), I figured I would give it a shot. COMPLETELY had it pegged wrong. Was actually more suspense than horror, but involved a suspected pedophile and a 14 year old girl. Now, I realize that description probably doesn't make anyone want to see this movie, and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say if you like Audition, maybe you'll like this movie. It was pretty good.
Because of this, I typically only post in this thread if I see something either really really good, or really really bad. I caught one last night, that I wouldn't really characterize as awesome, or anything, but it was MUCH better than expected. Probably because I was completely off-base in what I thought it was to begin with.I've had this movie called Hard Candy in my queue for a long time. I thought it was a typical horror movie. I like scary movies, but only good ones, and they are so few and far between. I haven't seen an American horror movie that I liked since The Ring came out, but I digress. Anywho, I keep trying to watch a horror film from time to time, only to be disappointed.
So, this was on HBO or one of those movie channels last night, and since it was already in my queue (way on down there), I figured I would give it a shot. COMPLETELY had it pegged wrong. Was actually more suspense than horror, but involved a suspected pedophile and a 14 year old girl. Now, I realize that description probably doesn't make anyone want to see this movie, and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say if you like Audition, maybe you'll like this movie. It was pretty good.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I liked this movie. I like films that rely mostly on dialogue and plot, and this movie is certainly unique.SmoovySmoov said:I watch A LOT of movies. One to two a night usually.Because of this, I typically only post in this thread if I see something either really really good, or really really bad. I caught one last night, that I wouldn't really characterize as awesome, or anything, but it was MUCH better than expected. Probably because I was completely off-base in what I thought it was to begin with.
I've had this movie called Hard Candy in my queue for a long time. I thought it was a typical horror movie. I like scary movies, but only good ones, and they are so few and far between. I haven't seen an American horror movie that I liked since The Ring came out, but I digress. Anywho, I keep trying to watch a horror film from time to time, only to be disappointed.
So, this was on HBO or one of those movie channels last night, and since it was already in my queue (way on down there), I figured I would give it a shot. COMPLETELY had it pegged wrong. Was actually more suspense than horror, but involved a suspected pedophile and a 14 year old girl. Now, I realize that description probably doesn't make anyone want to see this movie, and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say if you like Audition, maybe you'll like this movie. It was pretty good.
Patrick Bateman
Footballguy
I too found this film to be refreshing. Definitely worth a watch.I liked this movie. I like films that rely mostly on dialogue and plot, and this movie is certainly unique.SmoovySmoov said:I watch A LOT of movies. One to two a night usually.Because of this, I typically only post in this thread if I see something either really really good, or really really bad. I caught one last night, that I wouldn't really characterize as awesome, or anything, but it was MUCH better than expected. Probably because I was completely off-base in what I thought it was to begin with.
I've had this movie called Hard Candy in my queue for a long time. I thought it was a typical horror movie. I like scary movies, but only good ones, and they are so few and far between. I haven't seen an American horror movie that I liked since The Ring came out, but I digress. Anywho, I keep trying to watch a horror film from time to time, only to be disappointed.
So, this was on HBO or one of those movie channels last night, and since it was already in my queue (way on down there), I figured I would give it a shot. COMPLETELY had it pegged wrong. Was actually more suspense than horror, but involved a suspected pedophile and a 14 year old girl. Now, I realize that description probably doesn't make anyone want to see this movie, and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say if you like Audition, maybe you'll like this movie. It was pretty good.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Ditto on this movie, also this weekend. Enjoyed the first one, liked this one very much as well. I know that the infectees aren't technically zombies but they share many of the same traits and are way cool in their own way.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
this thread is sure becoming the " Recently viewed movie thread - new to the theatres edition "...
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SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
But, he's 167-1!!!!!11!!!!111!!!!!1111!!!
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
Watched Transformers this weekend. Actually a pretty good movie and that broad is smokin.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
World's Fastest Indian
Meh. It was okay. Chasing a dream movies are always at least a little enjoyable. The people he meets are interestingly quirky enough.
But it was just okay. 6.5/10
Having said that, Hopkins' performance was outstanding, as is the young actor who plays Tom, the kid next door.
Meh. It was okay. Chasing a dream movies are always at least a little enjoyable. The people he meets are interestingly quirky enough.
But it was just okay. 6.5/10
Having said that, Hopkins' performance was outstanding, as is the young actor who plays Tom, the kid next door.
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krista4
Footballguy
I've been working 24 hours a day the last week or so, and in between (or sometimes during) conference calls I've been watching movies to try to break out of my movie malaise.
SLUMPBUSTERS!
The Beat that My Heart Skipped - Same director as "Read My Lips", which I recently reviewed favorably. Loved this one even more. 30ish French guy deciding between continuing his life emulating his father (real-estate thug who kicks people's asses) or becoming a concert pianist as his dead mother was...the movie does a great job of exploring the dual choices and personal chasms that many people face. The movie was superbly acted and beautifully directed, with a fantastic score, and I loved the non-tidy ending.
A Fond Kiss - I was a little skeptical of this one, as I've seen enough "traditional Indian/Pakistani/middle Eastern family does not accept their children becoming more modern" movies. This one revolves around a Muslim, Pakistani family in Glasgow struggling as the son falls in love with an Irish Catholic woman and, as a minor secondary story, the youngest daughter wants to go to college in Edinburgh to study journalism rather than following the course her family has charted. Sounds possibly trite...but the director is Ken Loach, who is simply incapable of making less than a great movie. More than any film I've seen dealing with similar subjects, this one really makes you understand the struggles of immigrants from both sides without favoring one over the other--the family members trying to maintain traditional values and culture and the first-generation children struggling to modernize and adapt themselves to the new environment. The acting is also astonishingly good by everyone. Very highly recommended.
God Grew Tired of Us and Lost Boys of Sudan - Lumping these two documentaries together as they deal with the same subject matter--each film follows a few of the Sudanese lost boys as they emigrate to the U.S. from their camps in Kenya. The approaches taken by the two filmmakers were quite different. Lost Boys of Sudan, which was the earlier film, is a much more "raw" documentary, containing no voice-over narration, no interviews with the subjects, and no background of the Sudanese conflict. God Grew Tired of Us is quite a bit more polished, and the voice-over (by Nicole Kidman) provides history and context that the other movie is lacking. While I liked both of these films, for anyone who does not have much knowledge of the history of the lost boys, God Grew Tired of Us would be a better first choice. The subject matter might sound gloomy (and it is), but the movies, especially God Grew Tired of Us, are actually quite uplifting.
Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone - Plenty of reviews here of Pan's Labyrinth, and I concur that it is amazing. I was inspired after watching it also to view The Devil's Backbone, another of Guillermo del Toro's films. While it was quite good for the genre (horror), with a compelling story and beautiful cinematography, I wasn't wowed in the same way as I was Pan's Labyrinth. Recommended if you're a fan of "thoughtful" (i.e. not "slasher") horror films such as The Others.
Red Lights - Kind of an odd French film that I would have trouble describing...most of it takes place in a car. Seems like an ordinary road trip--man and woman going to pick up their kids from boarding school--but a series of twists and turns change their lives, making the movie into sort of a crime drama and psychological thriller. Very odd. I found it extremely engrossing, especially a scene in which the man makes a series of phone calls (if I say anything more I'd give away some plot), but it certainly wouldn't be for everyone. Some might find it slow. I was fascinated by it.
The 400 Blows - Gaddis will hate me. I watched this again because of El Floppo's comment on Jules et Jim. I still didn't understand why this is considered one of the greatest films of all time. French New Wave is just going to remain something I don't "get".
I'm on strike today from work so am going to tackle one of the lengthy classic movies I've TiVo'd--Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, or Fanny and Alexander.
SLUMPBUSTERS!
The Beat that My Heart Skipped - Same director as "Read My Lips", which I recently reviewed favorably. Loved this one even more. 30ish French guy deciding between continuing his life emulating his father (real-estate thug who kicks people's asses) or becoming a concert pianist as his dead mother was...the movie does a great job of exploring the dual choices and personal chasms that many people face. The movie was superbly acted and beautifully directed, with a fantastic score, and I loved the non-tidy ending.
A Fond Kiss - I was a little skeptical of this one, as I've seen enough "traditional Indian/Pakistani/middle Eastern family does not accept their children becoming more modern" movies. This one revolves around a Muslim, Pakistani family in Glasgow struggling as the son falls in love with an Irish Catholic woman and, as a minor secondary story, the youngest daughter wants to go to college in Edinburgh to study journalism rather than following the course her family has charted. Sounds possibly trite...but the director is Ken Loach, who is simply incapable of making less than a great movie. More than any film I've seen dealing with similar subjects, this one really makes you understand the struggles of immigrants from both sides without favoring one over the other--the family members trying to maintain traditional values and culture and the first-generation children struggling to modernize and adapt themselves to the new environment. The acting is also astonishingly good by everyone. Very highly recommended.
God Grew Tired of Us and Lost Boys of Sudan - Lumping these two documentaries together as they deal with the same subject matter--each film follows a few of the Sudanese lost boys as they emigrate to the U.S. from their camps in Kenya. The approaches taken by the two filmmakers were quite different. Lost Boys of Sudan, which was the earlier film, is a much more "raw" documentary, containing no voice-over narration, no interviews with the subjects, and no background of the Sudanese conflict. God Grew Tired of Us is quite a bit more polished, and the voice-over (by Nicole Kidman) provides history and context that the other movie is lacking. While I liked both of these films, for anyone who does not have much knowledge of the history of the lost boys, God Grew Tired of Us would be a better first choice. The subject matter might sound gloomy (and it is), but the movies, especially God Grew Tired of Us, are actually quite uplifting.
Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone - Plenty of reviews here of Pan's Labyrinth, and I concur that it is amazing. I was inspired after watching it also to view The Devil's Backbone, another of Guillermo del Toro's films. While it was quite good for the genre (horror), with a compelling story and beautiful cinematography, I wasn't wowed in the same way as I was Pan's Labyrinth. Recommended if you're a fan of "thoughtful" (i.e. not "slasher") horror films such as The Others.
Red Lights - Kind of an odd French film that I would have trouble describing...most of it takes place in a car. Seems like an ordinary road trip--man and woman going to pick up their kids from boarding school--but a series of twists and turns change their lives, making the movie into sort of a crime drama and psychological thriller. Very odd. I found it extremely engrossing, especially a scene in which the man makes a series of phone calls (if I say anything more I'd give away some plot), but it certainly wouldn't be for everyone. Some might find it slow. I was fascinated by it.
The 400 Blows - Gaddis will hate me. I watched this again because of El Floppo's comment on Jules et Jim. I still didn't understand why this is considered one of the greatest films of all time. French New Wave is just going to remain something I don't "get".
I'm on strike today from work so am going to tackle one of the lengthy classic movies I've TiVo'd--Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, or Fanny and Alexander.
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
I remember being a teenager and hearing about this French film called the 400 Blows...
Was
to find out this was not some tilttilating oral gang bang flick...
Was
to find out this was not some tilttilating oral gang bang flick...
krista4
Footballguy
I remember being a teenager and hearing about this French film called the 400 Blows...Was
El Floppo
Footballguy
I'm right there with you on the new wave, krista. I think it's one of those things that you'd either have to be a bigger fan of the history of film than me and get into it's overall place and significance in the medium, or... dunno. So far I'm kind of striking out across the board with what I've seen.
Noticed that Film Forum is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid- one that had a profound effect on my cultural sensibilities at the age of 13 and I'm pretty sure has touched on my design sense as an architect- Diva. I showed it to my wife in the last couple of years, but she was pretty unimpressed. I wonder if it's one of those things that was more life-changing to somebody fairly naive... ... anybody seen it?
And for some reason, I just remembered the movie The Princess and the Warrior (by the guy who did Run Lola Run), which I loved. Anybody?
eta: STILL haven't finished watching Strnager than Paradise...
Noticed that Film Forum is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid- one that had a profound effect on my cultural sensibilities at the age of 13 and I'm pretty sure has touched on my design sense as an architect- Diva. I showed it to my wife in the last couple of years, but she was pretty unimpressed. I wonder if it's one of those things that was more life-changing to somebody fairly naive...
... anybody seen it?And for some reason, I just remembered the movie The Princess and the Warrior (by the guy who did Run Lola Run), which I loved. Anybody?
eta: STILL haven't finished watching Strnager than Paradise...
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jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Yes, yes, and more yes. Very good movie. Too bad that actor who played the main spy died this year.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I am really looking forward to Pan's Labyrinth.I've been working 24 hours a day the last week or so, and in between (or sometimes during) conference calls I've been watching movies to try to break out of my movie malaise.
SLUMPBUSTERS!
The Beat that My Heart Skipped - Same director as "Read My Lips", which I recently reviewed favorably. Loved this one even more. 30ish French guy deciding between continuing his life emulating his father (real-estate thug who kicks people's asses) or becoming a concert pianist as his dead mother was...the movie does a great job of exploring the dual choices and personal chasms that many people face. The movie was superbly acted and beautifully directed, with a fantastic score, and I loved the non-tidy ending.
A Fond Kiss - I was a little skeptical of this one, as I've seen enough "traditional Indian/Pakistani/middle Eastern family does not accept their children becoming more modern" movies. This one revolves around a Muslim, Pakistani family in Glasgow struggling as the son falls in love with an Irish Catholic woman and, as a minor secondary story, the youngest daughter wants to go to college in Edinburgh to study journalism rather than following the course her family has charted. Sounds possibly trite...but the director is Ken Loach, who is simply incapable of making less than a great movie. More than any film I've seen dealing with similar subjects, this one really makes you understand the struggles of immigrants from both sides without favoring one over the other--the family members trying to maintain traditional values and culture and the first-generation children struggling to modernize and adapt themselves to the new environment. The acting is also astonishingly good by everyone. Very highly recommended.
God Grew Tired of Us and Lost Boys of Sudan - Lumping these two documentaries together as they deal with the same subject matter--each film follows a few of the Sudanese lost boys as they emigrate to the U.S. from their camps in Kenya. The approaches taken by the two filmmakers were quite different. Lost Boys of Sudan, which was the earlier film, is a much more "raw" documentary, containing no voice-over narration, no interviews with the subjects, and no background of the Sudanese conflict. God Grew Tired of Us is quite a bit more polished, and the voice-over (by Nicole Kidman) provides history and context that the other movie is lacking. While I liked both of these films, for anyone who does not have much knowledge of the history of the lost boys, God Grew Tired of Us would be a better first choice. The subject matter might sound gloomy (and it is), but the movies, especially God Grew Tired of Us, are actually quite uplifting.
Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone - Plenty of reviews here of Pan's Labyrinth, and I concur that it is amazing. I was inspired after watching it also to view The Devil's Backbone, another of Guillermo del Toro's films. While it was quite good for the genre (horror), with a compelling story and beautiful cinematography, I wasn't wowed in the same way as I was Pan's Labyrinth. Recommended if you're a fan of "thoughtful" (i.e. not "slasher") horror films such as The Others.
Red Lights - Kind of an odd French film that I would have trouble describing...most of it takes place in a car. Seems like an ordinary road trip--man and woman going to pick up their kids from boarding school--but a series of twists and turns change their lives, making the movie into sort of a crime drama and psychological thriller. Very odd. I found it extremely engrossing, especially a scene in which the man makes a series of phone calls (if I say anything more I'd give away some plot), but it certainly wouldn't be for everyone. Some might find it slow. I was fascinated by it.
The 400 Blows - Gaddis will hate me. I watched this again because of El Floppo's comment on Jules et Jim. I still didn't understand why this is considered one of the greatest films of all time. French New Wave is just going to remain something I don't "get".
I'm on strike today from work so am going to tackle one of the lengthy classic movies I've TiVo'd--Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, or Fanny and Alexander.
piratemike
HARRRRRLite™
Jesus Christ, man. Remind me never to get married.Ugh. I remember seeing the preview for this in the movie and thinking to myself "Oh my, who on earth would want to see that steamy pile?" Then the wife says, "OOhhh that looks like a good movie"
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Mrs. Dogg and I have an agreement: we never have to watch each others' crappy movies.Jesus Christ, man. Remind me never to get married.Ugh. I remember seeing the preview for this in the movie and thinking to myself "Oh my, who on earth would want to see that steamy pile?" Then the wife says, "OOhhh that looks like a good movie"I was browsing our Netflix, and saw Wild Hogs sitting there, and I tried to delete it, and she caught me and yelled, so now it is queued to be next in line, amongst Rumor Has It, Idiocracy, Smokin Aces, License to Wed, and You Me and Dupree....... :(
jamny
Footballguy
Jethro Q. Walrustitty
Footballguy
Meet the Robinsons was entertaining. I always find myself wrestling with the paradoxes any time I watch a time travel movie, even Bill and Ted, but I managed to push my way past that.
Also in the kids' movie genre: Surf's Up was surprisingly good, but my kids were bored. Way too much dialogue and plot development at the beginning to keep a 5 year old's interest. Then, it is rated PG....
Also in the kids' movie genre: Surf's Up was surprisingly good, but my kids were bored. Way too much dialogue and plot development at the beginning to keep a 5 year old's interest. Then, it is rated PG....
krista4
Footballguy
I wish you'd go ahead and put some reviews up of the ones you watch. You're one of the people with the best taste in movies around here (best taste = likes the same things I likeI watch A LOT of movies. One to two a night usually.
I've had this movie called Hard Candy in my queue for a long time. I thought it was a typical horror movie. I like scary movies, but only good ones, and they are so few and far between. I haven't seen an American horror movie that I liked since The Ring came out, but I digress. Anywho, I keep trying to watch a horror film from time to time, only to be disappointed.
So, this was on HBO or one of those movie channels last night, and since it was already in my queue (way on down there), I figured I would give it a shot. COMPLETELY had it pegged wrong. Was actually more suspense than horror, but involved a suspected pedophile and a 14 year old girl. Now, I realize that description probably doesn't make anyone want to see this movie, and I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say if you like Audition, maybe you'll like this movie. It was pretty good.
), and I for one would be glad to know even if you thought something was "meh".
krista4
Footballguy
I LOVED Diva. Wow, I saw that so long ago (maybe ten years?), but it was fantastic. It is actually on the top ten movis list of one of my good movie-buff friends. Have not seen The Princes and the Warrior, but I was not at all a Run Lola Run fan.I'm right there with you on the new wave, krista. I think it's one of those things that you'd either have to be a bigger fan of the history of film than me and get into it's overall place and significance in the medium, or... dunno. So far I'm kind of striking out across the board with what I've seen.
Noticed that Film Forum is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid- one that had a profound effect on my cultural sensibilities at the age of 13 and I'm pretty sure has touched on my design sense as an architect- Diva. I showed it to my wife in the last couple of years, but she was pretty unimpressed. I wonder if it's one of those things that was more life-changing to somebody fairly naive...
And for some reason, I just remembered the movie The Princess and the Warrior (by the guy who did Run Lola Run), which I loved. Anybody?
eta: STILL haven't finished watching Strnager than Paradise...
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
Watched the Criterion version of The Battle of Algiers last night...
Had caught it when it was screened at Film Forum here in NYC a couple of years ago...
Just an amazing piece of filmmaking...
Aside from all the political resonance of a film about imperial occupation and rebels and guerilla warfare, this is a really vital and energetic film...
The entire thing was filmed live and on location in The Casbah, and it has the look of a documentary...Really a forerunner of docuhistories (I think i just made that word up) like Bloody Sunday, etc...
One of my favorite bits of dialogue from the film:
Col. Mathieu: What were they saying in Paris yesterday?
Journalist: Nothing. Sartre's written another article.
Col. Mathieu: Will you kindly explain to me why the Sartres are always born on the other side?
Journalist: So you like Sartre, Colonel?
Col. Mathieu: Not really, but I like him even less as an adversary.
Had caught it when it was screened at Film Forum here in NYC a couple of years ago...
Just an amazing piece of filmmaking...
Aside from all the political resonance of a film about imperial occupation and rebels and guerilla warfare, this is a really vital and energetic film...
The entire thing was filmed live and on location in The Casbah, and it has the look of a documentary...Really a forerunner of docuhistories (I think i just made that word up) like Bloody Sunday, etc...
One of my favorite bits of dialogue from the film:
Col. Mathieu: What were they saying in Paris yesterday?
Journalist: Nothing. Sartre's written another article.
Col. Mathieu: Will you kindly explain to me why the Sartres are always born on the other side?
Journalist: So you like Sartre, Colonel?
Col. Mathieu: Not really, but I like him even less as an adversary.
krista4
Footballguy
I had just moved this to the top 10 in my queue yesterday.
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
I had just moved this to the top 10 in my queue yesterday.
Well worth it...
El Floppo
Footballguy
Tried to watch Run Lola Run twice, and couldn't even get started with it... I wouldn't judge The Princess and the Warrior by it- I think you'll actually like it. IIRC, it was written by Kieslowski (sp) of Red Blue and White fame (along with the amazing Decalogue)... errr... nope- just googled and it was all by Tykwer- but really beautifully filmed and fairly interesting narrative study about fate.The Kieslowski/Tykwer movie I was thinking about was another one of my recent (last 10 years) favorites: Heaven, with Kate Blanchett and an amazing Giovanni Ribisi. One of my favorite endings in a movie- not quite there with The Third Man, but close.I LOVED Diva. Wow, I saw that so long ago (maybe ten years?), but it was fantastic. It is actually on the top ten movis list of one of my good movie-buff friends. Have not seen The Princes and the Warrior, but I was not at all a Run Lola Run fan.I'm right there with you on the new wave, krista. I think it's one of those things that you'd either have to be a bigger fan of the history of film than me and get into it's overall place and significance in the medium, or... dunno. So far I'm kind of striking out across the board with what I've seen.
Noticed that Film Forum is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid- one that had a profound effect on my cultural sensibilities at the age of 13 and I'm pretty sure has touched on my design sense as an architect- Diva. I showed it to my wife in the last couple of years, but she was pretty unimpressed. I wonder if it's one of those things that was more life-changing to somebody fairly naive...
And for some reason, I just remembered the movie The Princess and the Warrior (by the guy who did Run Lola Run), which I loved. Anybody?
eta: STILL haven't finished watching Strnager than Paradise...
krista4
Footballguy
I reviewed Heaven on here a couple of months ago. That was a surprisingly great movie. If you like that ending...have you seen Limbo (John Sayles movie)? One of my favorite movie endings as well...also loved the ending of Last Night.Netflix has recommended The Princess and the Warrior to me a thousand times; I guess now I'll have to put it in my queue overflow list. Damn it, I was down to about a dozen and hoping not to have an overflow list soon, but you guys keep recommending stuff.Tried to watch Run Lola Run twice, and couldn't even get started with it... I wouldn't judge The Princess and the Warrior by it- I think you'll actually like it. IIRC, it was written by Kieslowski (sp) of Red Blue and White fame (along with the amazing Decalogue)... errr... nope- just googled and it was all by Tykwer- but really beautifully filmed and fairly interesting narrative study about fate.The Kieslowski/Tykwer movie I was thinking about was another one of my recent (last 10 years) favorites: Heaven, with Kate Blanchett and an amazing Giovanni Ribisi. One of my favorite endings in a movie- not quite there with The Third Man, but close.I LOVED Diva. Wow, I saw that so long ago (maybe ten years?), but it was fantastic. It is actually on the top ten movis list of one of my good movie-buff friends. Have not seen The Princes and the Warrior, but I was not at all a Run Lola Run fan.I'm right there with you on the new wave, krista. I think it's one of those things that you'd either have to be a bigger fan of the history of film than me and get into it's overall place and significance in the medium, or... dunno. So far I'm kind of striking out across the board with what I've seen.
Noticed that Film Forum is showing one of my favorite movies as a kid- one that had a profound effect on my cultural sensibilities at the age of 13 and I'm pretty sure has touched on my design sense as an architect- Diva. I showed it to my wife in the last couple of years, but she was pretty unimpressed. I wonder if it's one of those things that was more life-changing to somebody fairly naive...... anybody seen it?
And for some reason, I just remembered the movie The Princess and the Warrior (by the guy who did Run Lola Run), which I loved. Anybody?
eta: STILL haven't finished watching Strnager than Paradise...
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
I haven't seen it in years, I remember it being decent...It's no Night at the Museum, or Starsky and Hutch, but decent...BTW, Ben Stiller over the past 5-6 years =
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