PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Jan 15, 2015 18:25:35 GMT -5
Reminder to FShuttari that I requested a new list. Dog Day Afternoon 1955 The Battle of Algiers 1966 IP Man 2008 Incendies 2010 I can do Ip Man. Thanks. |
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Jibbs
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Post by Jibbs on Jan 15, 2015 19:25:38 GMT -5
Tape It's obvious within the first few minutes of the film that Tape, directed by Richard Linklater, is based off a play. The lack of characters, three total, and being confined to a single motel room give it a sense of restriction and pressure which build the tense atmosphere that is created. While it has the elements of a modern day, dialogue driven drama with good acting, I wasn't quite sure where the movie was exactly coming from. Ethan Hawke plays Vince, a man visiting his friend Jon who has a small movie premiering at a local festival. It is the first time seeing each other in years and they quickly reconnect. The celebration quickly turns to tension as Jon accuses Vince of being unhinged and Vince reveals that he has secretly recorded Jon admitting that he raped Vince's ex-girlfriend in high school. Vince has called this ex-girlfriend Amy who later appears and the dramatic triangle erupts into a confrontation of their collective past. While I ultimately enjoyed watching the movie and thought the acting especially was very well done, I just didn't get a sense of where this was all coming from. I couldn't help but think of one of my main criticisms of Before Midnight, coincidentally another Linklater film, was that you have two characters with a known history discussing things that you would think should have come up already. I continuously thought of Vince's actions thinking 'why now?' At 80 minutes the film goes at such a breakneck speed that it's hard to swallow watching two old friends meet and have this conflict based on events ten years earlier arise for some reason. It just felt forced and a little uninspired. Well maybe uninspired is the wrong word, I just wasn't sure what it was trying to convey. B- so says Doomsday Fair enough. |
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 16, 2015 10:42:48 GMT -5
I'm gonna watch "Tape" soon, "Boyhood" made me watch all the Linklater films I haven't seen. Seems like a more interesting "play/movie" than "SubUrbia" was.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 11:44:19 GMT -5
I should be receiving mine today.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 16, 2015 12:24:28 GMT -5
I should be receiving mine today. I just got "Mysterious Skin" in yesterday, so I'll watch it on Sunday. |
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Jibbs
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Post by Jibbs on Jan 16, 2015 19:23:22 GMT -5
I'm gonna watch "Tape" soon, "Boyhood" made me watch all the Linklater films I haven't seen. Seems like a more interesting "play/movie" than "SubUrbia" was. Ever see Waking Life? |
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Jan 17, 2015 14:38:52 GMT -5
Ip Man
Though most people probably are unaware of these films, the various Ip Man films to come out of China since 2008 have been pretty well-liked by the internet community. The first is even placed in IMDB's top 250, which is not necessarily a statement of quality, but it does the show the film does have an audience. It seems less that the whole film community is a buzz with the films, and the more the dedicated passion of a smaller group. I knew very little about Ip Man, aside from the fact that he was a Chinese martial artist who trained Bruce Lee. I actually did come pretty close to seeing Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmaster, but ended up missing it. I was somewhat interested in the other Ip Man films, but the sheer quantity sort of scared me off until now.
The first film follows Ip Man (Donnie Yen) as an already established martial arts master living a quiet and humble life with his family. However all of this is threatened when Japan invades and takes up occupation in the late 1930s. Ip Man then lives a more harsh existence, and eventually must use his masterful skills to find for his pride, country, and his life. The film's biggest failing is definitely the story itself. Despite the real life tale being heavily changed for cinematic purposes, the actual plot here is still not that interesting. Despite hinting at issues of the hardships of war and violence, the film never really explores these concepts in a way that has any meaning or depth. Ip Man himself is such an uncomplicated and righteous character that there really isn't much depth to his personality, and any drama involving the other characters mostly falls flat. Additionally, the ending feels very much like propaganda, with the overall message seeming to be the Japanese will never understand China. The film just doesn't really have any teeth, instead exploring it's subject and story as safely as possible. So why then, did I like the film? Well, because the fight scenes here are very well-choreographed and a ton of fun to watch. You can tell the filmmakers really put their time and effort into these scenes and it does show. I don't know if I had much invested in the battles, but I did have fun watching it. Additionally, the costumes and sets are pretty strong and there are a handful of good scenes sprinkled throughout. So overall, I do give Ip Man a modest pass. I don't really have much interest in the other Ip Man movies, but as a one time gig, it was fun.
B-
In for next round.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 17, 2015 17:06:03 GMT -5
I'm gonna watch "Tape" soon, "Boyhood" made me watch all the Linklater films I haven't seen. Seems like a more interesting "play/movie" than "SubUrbia" was. Ever see Waking Life? Yup, really enjoyed it too. I just need to see Tape, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, Me and Orson Welles, and Fast Food Nation and I'll have seen all his work. |
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jan 17, 2015 17:43:59 GMT -5
Planning on watching my movie either tonight or tomorrow. It should be no problem, though; it's very short.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 18, 2015 15:33:34 GMT -5
Mysterious Skin (2004)
"Mysterious Skin" is an independent film about homosexuality and finding your place in the world as you come of age. So it's like every indie film about the same thematic material, right? But what makes this film unique is the trance-like style in which it's shot surrounding a mystery of what links the film's two leads (Bradley Corbet and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to a possible alien abduction that sets it apart from the others and offers a very unique and interesting viewing experience. Corbet plays a shy, soft-spoken character who can't explain why he has blackouts dating back to his childhood and has been fascinated by his dreams of alien abductions and probes. Gordon-Levitt plays Neil, who's by far the more interesting of the two, a male prostitute who is bored by his small, Kansas town and eventually heads to New York City to turn tricks there and escape the past that's molded him into this lifestyle. What really bolsters "Mysterious Skin" is its young, talent cast. Gordon-Levitt is excellent undertaking such a bold role, and he headlines a solid supporting cast that's well written and interesting. There's a lot of recognizable faces in the film, which surprised me considering the subject matter and budget, and it helps lend credibility to director Gregg Araki's film.
Araki shoots the film in an almost low-key thriller fashion, and it works quite well. As Gordon-Levitt flirts with danger and continues on his path of self-destruction, Corbet works furiously to understand what occurred all these years ago and if there is life beyond the stars. It never comes off as silly, as Araki handles it all with a sure hand and maturity, and it all seems to make sense in this dirt down in Kansas. It's a film that has a genuine quality to it, which I couldn't help but admire. The sex scenes are graphic at times, though maybe it's because I just watched "Nymphomanic: Volume I", which is absolutely NC-17, it felt a bit tame considering the NC-17 rating it received. I thought that by not showing most of the nudity and sex it was much more effective by keeping the camera on Gordon-Levitt and showing his emotions of ecstasy, fear, and torment. That's not to say that it isn't difficult to watch at times, because it is, but the content is never to the point of being gratuitous where it takes away from the film.
With all of this said, I was a little disappointed by the end of the film. The first couple acts of the film are an absorbing mystery and a well-written character drama, and the final act doesn't quite end with the bang I had hoped. The film cleans up a bit too easily, where essentially the event that the viewer has assumed since about 10 minutes into the film is what happened. I was expecting another twist or story element on top of it, but that never happened. Also, while the film's leads are great throughout, I was disappointed that the rest of the cast's stories were pretty much abandoned especially since the mystery doesn't pan out in a more unique way. But none of these elements hindered my overall enjoyment of the film, which was a bold and unique story to tell that's executed with maturity and emotion. It's a film I can definitely recommend, and is a nice independent film that dares to be different and mostly succeeds.
7/10
I'm in for next round.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2015 23:45:27 GMT -5
The Phantom Carriage (1921)
I hate to admit it, but this one was a bit of a slog to get through. And I really do love silent cinema, especially genre films within the era. The cinematography is incredible, really, and the effects are wondrous. The narrative, unfortunately, is sluggish and never really gains much momentum. The characters are flat and uninteresting, making it even more difficult to stay engaged. The Phantom Carriage might have worked if it had been edited down to--maybe--an hour. For some reason, it goes for almost two, and I didn't really see anything warranting it. Take Nosferatu (1922) for instance. This is a creepy film that gives us a reason to care. Seeing the two protagonists reunite is what drives the storytelling. I might re-watch Phantom Carriage in the near future. It might be one that takes some time to appreciate.
Rating: C
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 19, 2015 0:09:31 GMT -5
I can understand that, Sjostrom's character doesn't have any redeemable qualities and is really just a complete ass the whole movie. I thought that was odd too that, without any real explanation, that nun or whatever is madly in love with him despite him being an old man and a total dick. I'm sorry you didn't like it dude.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 7:50:06 GMT -5
No, it's okay.
It was fun just to see the amazing visual effects. Seriously, some of those shots are stunning. Even the folktale was intriguing, so it was really more disappointing than anything. I honestly could've gotten over Sjöstrom's personality if he had just been more fleshed out.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 19, 2015 17:55:49 GMT -5
That's definitely a fair assessment, I definitely agree with that.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jan 21, 2015 17:16:20 GMT -5
The Secret of Kells
There sure is a whole hell of a lot to admire and like about The Secret of Kells. First off, the animation; this is a gorgeously animated film, and one which uses its visual aesthetic to really enhance the storytelling. You could almost just watch this movie with the sound muted and take in the visuals on their own merit, but even then, you'd still miss out on a pretty interesting story. Speaking of the story, perhaps the thing I appreciated most about it is how it never feels the need to dumb itself down so any young kids watching can get a clearer sense of it. The Secret of Kells treats its audience very maturely and tells a story that's not afraid to deal with themes and ideas that may be too complicated for kids to understand; in fact, I think it's safe to say this movie may be aimed more at adults. There are a few touches here and there that feel more tailored to please a young crowd, but this movie still creates the kind of rich atmosphere, universe and intriguing characters that proves that animation doesn't always have to be devoted to kiddie fare. The Secret of Kells was a very pleasant surprise.
***1/2 /**** |
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Nilade
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Post by Nilade on Jan 22, 2015 2:32:02 GMT -5
Ip ManThough most people probably are unaware of these films, the various Ip Man films to come out of China since 2008 have been pretty well-liked by the internet community. The first is even placed in IMDB's top 250, which is not necessarily a statement of quality, but it does the show the film does have an audience. It seems less that the whole film community is a buzz with the films, and the more the dedicated passion of a smaller group. I knew very little about Ip Man, aside from the fact that he was a Chinese martial artist who trained Bruce Lee. I actually did come pretty close to seeing Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmaster, but ended up missing it. I was somewhat interested in the other Ip Man films, but the sheer quantity sort of scared me off until now. The first film follows Ip Man (Donnie Yen) as an already established martial arts master living a quiet and humble life with his family. However all of this is threatened when Japan invades and takes up occupation in the late 1930s. Ip Man then lives a more harsh existence, and eventually must use his masterful skills to find for his pride, country, and his life. The film's biggest failing is definitely the story itself. Despite the real life tale being heavily changed for cinematic purposes, the actual plot here is still not that interesting. Despite hinting at issues of the hardships of war and violence, the film never really explores these concepts in a way that has any meaning or depth. Ip Man himself is such an uncomplicated and righteous character that there really isn't much depth to his personality, and any drama involving the other characters mostly falls flat. Additionally, the ending feels very much like propaganda, with the overall message seeming to be the Japanese will never understand China. The film just doesn't really have any teeth, instead exploring it's subject and story as safely as possible. So why then, did I like the film? Well, because the fight scenes here are very well-choreographed and a ton of fun to watch. You can tell the filmmakers really put their time and effort into these scenes and it does show. I don't know if I had much invested in the battles, but I did have fun watching it. Additionally, the costumes and sets are pretty strong and there are a handful of good scenes sprinkled throughout. So overall, I do give Ip Man a modest pass. I don't really have much interest in the other Ip Man movies, but as a one time gig, it was fun. B-In for next round. Ip Man 2 is exactly like Rocky IV |
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Jibbs
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Post by Jibbs on Jan 23, 2015 20:10:08 GMT -5
The Quiet Man (1952)
Movies from the 50s and me don't have the best relationship. The music is too boisterous, the storylines are "thank God WWII is over" sappy, and they're oddly more sexist than movies from the 40s. In fact, it's not fair to the person who recommend this movie that I went with it, but it happened. Now despite all that, I didn't dislike this movie. For a majority of the film, it was charmingly funny and I had fun watching it. It got a little tiring at the end and got quite predictable, but that's OK.
It was interesting seeing John Wayne in a non-western capacity. Ironically, because I'm not a big fan of westerns, I couldn't help but hope The Duke would shoot Maureen O'Hara's brother...or someone...anyone. Oh and the sexism reared its head-shakingly-funny head here and there. Such scenes as John Wayne literally dragging Maureen across town or the very last scene involving her serving the two manly men their well-deserved dinner, but I digress.
Impressively, this movie won John Ford his fourth and final Best Director Oscar. And I could see why.
**.5/****
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 26, 2015 16:01:40 GMT -5
You know, I didn't like "The Quiet Man" either, I scored it a 6/10. And I couldn't believe it, because it's one of those films that I knew for sure I'd love and walk away impressed like I am with all Ford films. I have to give it another chance, but I thought it was overly hokey with the dialogue and John Wayne's struggles with violence were annoying. It was like an Ahnuld movie where he has to use his compassion and brains over his muscle. Like I said, I already need to rewatch it to give it another shot, but I was not impressed when I saw it either.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jan 26, 2015 16:41:38 GMT -5
It might be a generational thing. I say that because my dad and his siblings adore it, it's their favorite movie and watch it whenever they're around each other. Me, I've seen it a bunch of times. I guess it's grown on me but I wasn't too crazy about it on my first go. I'll take The Searchers any day of the week.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 26, 2015 16:54:36 GMT -5
It might be a generational thing. I say that because my dad and his siblings adore it, it's their favorite movie and watch it whenever they're around each other. Me, I've seen it a bunch of times. I guess it's grown on me but I wasn't too crazy about it on my first go. I'll take The Searchers any day of the week. Yeah, it's honestly one of the movies that haunts me still. The 3-Star Netflix rating when it predicted a 4.4 for me. I'm going to give it another shot one day, I feel like I missed something. Or maybe I didn't, but Ford and Wayne deserve a 2nd chance. And yes, "The Searchers" is epic. And Natalie Wood is hot. Derp. |
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jan 26, 2015 17:24:28 GMT -5
Ohhh the things I would do to Natalie Wood. I mean, if she were alive that is. Not now, back then I mean. You know?
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Knerys
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Post by Knerys on Jan 26, 2015 17:39:06 GMT -5
Movie watched. Review soon.
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Knerys
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Post by Knerys on Jan 27, 2015 16:43:27 GMT -5
Blue Valentine
The birth and death of relationships. That beautiful potential of the unknown and the cold reality of circumstance. Blue Valentine examines both these aspects in simple and fairly honest terms. To start, this isn't my kind of movie, but I appreciated its candor and its fair portrayal of both Cindy and Dean as star struck lovers turned bitterly divided married couple. Neither of the these people are bad but nor are they saintly. Their motives are not so much selfish as they are self preserving. Cindy is a wide eye with dreams beyond her broken home but has turned disenchanted as her circumstances lead her away from those dreams. Dean in turn is battling the emotional isolation and longs for the intimacy they both had in the beginning. It's painful to watch them grope for answers that may not even exist. The transitions between the present and the past are clever, though it there were a few times felt telegraphed "straight out of film school", but it's the performances that are its undeniable strength. Both Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling carry the story effortlessly and manage both that naive love and tired longing with equal fervor. Love is easy. Until it's not.
Overall is a fine movie, though one I will probably not see again. The characters are well defined, the story is one I sure many can relate to on one level or another, shot with technical efficiency and riding high on the performance of it's leads, those with a vested interest in such interpersonal stories will find great value in it.
B
In for the next round.
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SnoBorderZero
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Post by SnoBorderZero on Jan 27, 2015 18:07:30 GMT -5
Ohhh the things I would do to Natalie Wood. I mean, if she were alive that is. Not now, back then I mean. You know? Oh, I know. I also know that now wouldn't be frowned upon either because, I mean, it's Natalie Wood. |
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jan 27, 2015 18:24:26 GMT -5
Do you know the only kind of wood that doesn't float?
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