PG Cooper
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And those who tasted the bite of his sword named him...The DOOM Slayer
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Post by PG Cooper on Apr 7, 2020 11:55:07 GMT -5
I am disappointed we didn't get the duel the movie was seemingly building toward, but the movie works without it as well, so I can't complain too hard. Also, I feel like noting, we're living in a world that's self isolating and Coop gave me a movie about a dude who is pretty self isolated. Gee, thanks. But that's okay, because I guess you can say I gave him a movie about a bunch of people dying to a virus outbreak. As Neverending will tell you I'm a miserable piece of shit.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Apr 8, 2020 17:00:53 GMT -5
House of Games
Sometimes circling back on movies you missed can have its downsides, one of them being that the movie might not feel as fresh as it otherwise might have been had it been seen earlier. That might be an unfair criticism but even movies that fall into a certain genre and display certain tropes should feel vibrant if done correctly. House of Games is the first feature directed by playwright David Mamet and while he's probably known by film buffs for writing Glengarry Glenn Ross, a punchy, dialogue driven drama that takes place primarily in an office, House of Games explores the world of the con. It's less dependent on sharp-witted character interaction and more focused on establishing some grifts. While there are entertaining aspects to the film, there are other things that make it feel dated and
The movie opens with Dr. Ford, a psychiatrist and best selling author who's a workaholic and not getting much fun out of life. When a patient comes to her about his gambling addiction she takes it upon herself to help and in doing so plunges into the world of conmen and hustlers. She becomes enamored with her main contact Mike who shows her the ins and outs of the grift but after a con gone wrong she finds herself on the run before realizing she's been the target all along. That sounds like a pretty simple premise for a movie but unfortunately it's easy to see what beats the movie is about to go over next. I don't completely fault the movie though, like I said it might be because I've seen other more recent conmen films that made House of Games feel repetitive.
Overall House of Games is a movie that's an easy watch but doesn't do a whole lot to stand out. The acting by lead Lindsay Crouse is extremely spotty but Joe Mantegna is fun to watch and feels like he's a good fit for the role of a scheming but somewhat trustworthy conman. Sleight of hand extraordinaire Ricky Jay also has a good if small role. There's a lot of good elements but it doesn't prevent the movie from at times feeling predictable and rather simple.
B- so says Doomsday
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Apr 14, 2020 10:24:59 GMT -5
I watched mine last week, will try to have it up over the next few days.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Apr 14, 2020 11:57:10 GMT -5
I watched mine last week, will try to have it up over the next few days. Sweet! I think there's only one or two left, if we can get them soon we can get a new round going early.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Apr 18, 2020 13:34:39 GMT -5
Who's all in for next round?
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IanTheCool
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Post by IanTheCool on Apr 18, 2020 13:39:18 GMT -5
Who's all in for next round? I have no access to movies.
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Deexan
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Post by Deexan on Apr 18, 2020 14:10:22 GMT -5
Who's all in for next round? I have no access to movies. I can post you any VHS, just say the word.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Apr 18, 2020 14:36:01 GMT -5
I'm in again.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Apr 18, 2020 14:53:28 GMT -5
In
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Apr 18, 2020 15:05:39 GMT -5
Yes.
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Apr 18, 2020 16:21:22 GMT -5
Double Indemnity
I've long been a fan of Edward G. Robinson and selected this movie expecting a Michigan J. Frog performance, and could not have been better surprised. Directed by legend Billy Wilder, co-written by Wilder and legendary crimewriter Raymond Chandler, this movie in many ways defines the noir; from the strange angles, the whip-smart dialogue, and the innovation of blinds as a metaphor for a prison, one can spend 30 minutes with this movie and immediately see it's far reaching influence.
Barbara Stanwyck's captivating performance the prototypical femme fatale shows enough for the audience to understand she is playing Fred MacMurray in addition to the murder plot, but the intrigue lies in their fall from grace after the murder. Much is left unanswered--was she truly incapable of murder as she implores to Neff in the end? How would that jibe with the evidence pointing towards her murder of the former Mrs. Dietrechson? What was her plan with Nino, and would he have met a similar fate? The performances of the three leads are all great, if against type. Stanwyck was in two screwball romantic comedies immediately prior to the movie. MacMurray, the lovable dad from My Three Sons and later Disney film actor, is so cocksure about how he would be able to pull off the perfect murder/insurance fraud, he never stops to question how he could be being played. Edward G. Robinson steals every scene he is in, not as a no-moral gangster, but here as an insurance investigator who is fundamentally a good man.
Great writing, interesting direction, and fantastic performances.
A
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Apr 18, 2020 16:39:50 GMT -5
Billy Wilder is such a peculiar director. He’ll do something like this and then turn around and do a sitcom like Seven Year Itch. Truly, the Ron Howard of his era.
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Apr 18, 2020 16:53:11 GMT -5
Honestly, I was hesitant to see it because of Seven Year Itch. Glad I went against that hesitation
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Apr 18, 2020 16:58:17 GMT -5
Billy Wilder is such a peculiar director. He’ll do something like this and then turn around and do a sitcom like Seven Year Itch. Truly, the Ron Howard of his era. I sort of see the comparison you're making, but when Wilder was at his best, he made some of the best movies of his generation. When Ron Howard's at his best, he makes movies that are pretty good. Anyway, I'm in for next round. Will try to get my movie watched soon. I need to instal tubi on my PS4 which is easy and free but my internet is slow and I keep having to download/upload other stuff.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Apr 18, 2020 17:07:56 GMT -5
Billy Wilder is such a peculiar director. He’ll do something like this and then turn around and do a sitcom like Seven Year Itch. Truly, the Ron Howard of his era. I sort of see the comparison you're making, but when Wilder was at his best, he made some of the best movies of his generation. When Ron Howard's at his best, he makes movies that are pretty good. Yeah, but Ron Howard at his worst is still okay. Billy Wilder at his worst is embarrassing. So they even out.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Apr 18, 2020 17:10:14 GMT -5
I sort of see the comparison you're making, but when Wilder was at his best, he made some of the best movies of his generation. When Ron Howard's at his best, he makes movies that are pretty good. Yeah, but Ron Howard at his worst is still okay. Billy Wilder at his worst is embarrassing. So they even out. I don't know, those DaVinci Code movies were pretty fucking boring.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Apr 18, 2020 17:12:09 GMT -5
Yeah, but Ron Howard at his worst is still okay. Billy Wilder at his worst is embarrassing. So they even out. I don't know, those DaVinci Code movies were pretty fucking boring. Naaahhh
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Apr 18, 2020 17:23:57 GMT -5
Jean Claude Van Damme's Inferno > Ron Howard's Inferno PhantomKnight
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Apr 18, 2020 17:49:14 GMT -5
I dunno...Ron Howard's Inferno was pretty enjoyable to me.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Apr 18, 2020 18:01:33 GMT -5
I'm in
And fuck off with that Ron Howard comparison. Wilder was very specifically a writer/director and Ron Howard decidedly is not.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Apr 18, 2020 18:06:57 GMT -5
I will not hear a bad word about Opie Cunningham, thank you.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Apr 18, 2020 18:25:22 GMT -5
Honestly, I was hesitant to see it because of Seven Year Itch. Glad I went against that hesitation Are Seven Year Itch and Double Indemnity the only Wilder you've seen? Because if so there are some great, great movies you have waiting in the wings.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Apr 18, 2020 18:42:20 GMT -5
Honestly, I was hesitant to see it because of Seven Year Itch. Glad I went against that hesitation Are Seven Year Itch and Double Indemnity the only Wilder you've seen? Because if so there are some great, great movies you have waiting in the wings. Give him Sunset Blvd for the next round ... or a Ron Howard movie
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Apr 18, 2020 18:44:40 GMT -5
Honestly, I was hesitant to see it because of Seven Year Itch. Glad I went against that hesitation Are Seven Year Itch and Double Indemnity the only Wilder you've seen? Because if so there are some great, great movies you have waiting in the wings. I've seen Sunset Blvd and the Apartment as well, both excellent.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Apr 18, 2020 19:08:28 GMT -5
Those might be the only two Wilder movies I've seen. Clearly I need to catch up.
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