Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 11, 2020 20:11:05 GMT -5
I'll get it up this weekend. If it’s up for more than 4 hours, remember to seek medical attention.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Jul 12, 2020 11:19:04 GMT -5
Bad Company (1972) The 70s were a weird decade for westerns. Today when westerns are made they’re one-off period pieces that are viewed as a rare treats or perhaps a retro throwback, but in the 70s the genre’s dominance was recent enough that Hollywood still had some interest in making them with some frequency while also working kind of hard to differentiate them from the westerns people were getting sick of. Sometimes that meant making westerns that actively subverted the genre like McCabe and Mrs. Miller, but often it was more of a matter of making movies that still kind of looked like the genre of old but generally just had a very different attitude about what they were doing. I think the main difference tended to be who they were casting as the protagonists: they were no longer these ideal Americans like John Wayne and they certainly weren’t these sharpshooting superheroes like the protagonists of the spaghetti westerns, instead they were a little more down to earth. The 1972 film Bad Company is a decent example of this. Its star isn’t an aging sheriff or a quickshot desperado but is instead this kid escaping from the Civil War draft (draft dodging was likely a more loaded subject in 1972 than today) who joins up with a gang of blackhats who themselves kind of feel more like messed up kids moreso than legendary outlaws. From there is sort of becomes a bit of a hangout movie about the group and their dynamics as they engage in various adventures before things eventually come crashing down. It is however a movie that largely interested me in the way it was in dialogue with other movies in the genre… it is not necessarily a movie that interested me that much in and of itself or something that I picture myself ever being terribly interested in revisiting.
*** out of Five
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 12, 2020 12:10:30 GMT -5
Where do Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock come in?
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 12, 2020 12:18:04 GMT -5
Ha. That would've been awesome if that was the one Drac was supposed to watch.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Jul 12, 2020 12:22:56 GMT -5
Ha. That would've been awesome if that was the one Drac was supposed to watch. I've seen that one as well. It's very very bad, but not in any kind of way that's remotely interesting or memorable. It's downright boring.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 12, 2020 12:28:53 GMT -5
In the meantime, RIP Schumacher.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 12, 2020 12:42:58 GMT -5
Ha. That would've been awesome if that was the one Drac was supposed to watch. I've seen that one as well. It's very very bad, but not in any kind of way that's remotely interesting or memorable. It's downright boring. If I were to watch it again today, most likely I wouldn't think it was good. But I first saw it right when I'd turned 13 and was in a phase where I was consuming as many action-related movies as possible, the 2002 Bad Company among them since it fell into the buddy subgenre I was also into at the time. As a result, I watched it way more than I should have, so I actually remember a lot about that movie.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Jul 12, 2020 12:53:25 GMT -5
I've seen that one as well. It's very very bad, but not in any kind of way that's remotely interesting or memorable. It's downright boring. If I were to watch it again today, most likely I wouldn't think it was good. But I first saw it right when I'd turned 13 and was in a phase where I was consuming as many action-related movies as possible, the 2002 Bad Company among them since it fell into the buddy subgenre I was also into at the time. As a result, I watched it way more than I should have, so I actually remember a lot about that movie. I went to see it for more or less the same reasons, was hoping it was the next Rush Hour or Blue Streak... it was not. I have hardly thought about it since.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 12, 2020 13:31:06 GMT -5
If I were to watch it again today, most likely I wouldn't think it was good. But I first saw it right when I'd turned 13 and was in a phase where I was consuming as many action-related movies as possible, the 2002 Bad Company among them since it fell into the buddy subgenre I was also into at the time. As a result, I watched it way more than I should have, so I actually remember a lot about that movie. I went to see it for more or less the same reasons, was hoping it was the next Rush Hour or Blue Streak... it was not. I have hardly thought about it since. All these years since, I've always remembered the rap song from the end of it at random points in my life.
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Jul 12, 2020 22:39:18 GMT -5
Used Cars (1980)
Robert Zemeckis has had an odd career. His rise to prominence took place chiefly in the 80s, sandwiched between the Coppolla/Scorcese 70s and Tarantino 90s. And while there are some sociopaths out there that would swear by The Polar Express, the guy hasn't really had critical or financial success since 2000's What Lies Beneath and Cast Away. That's not to say his influence isn't seen in film today - his work is always on the forefront of technology but exudes a playfulness that incorporates elements of Hollywood's screwball-past into today's blockbusters.
All of that is on display in Used Cars, a comedy which has the same light-dark soul that you'd see permeate Romancing the Stone, Back to the Future, and Death Becomes Her. Kurt Russell stars as Rudy Russo, the titular used car salesman described by Zemeckis as "Jimmy Steward in It's a Wonderful Life, except that he's totally corrupt". Rudy dreams of running for office and sees his job as his vehicle towards that end, by however means necessary. Turning back odometers, taking in junkyard cars and giving rudimentary paint jobs for resale are just stepping stones to his end goal of a State Senate seat. His boss Luke Fuchs (Jack Warden) promises to front him the $10,000 needed to buy his way into the party, but those plans are soon changed when Luke's twin brother Roy (also Jack Warden, also a used car dealership owner, across the street) schemes to take over Luke's lot by making him drop dead of a heart attack. Rudy convinces his friends to hide the death of the owner until the money can come through, and we're off.
Rudy's magnetic, whip-smart sleaziness works perfectly with his colleagues superstition or aloofness. Plans to sell more cars go alternately awry and escalate into turf wars with Roy Fuchs across the street, cons are made, television signals are hacked. The third act involves some daring car chase theatrics with practical effects, where you can Back to the Future gestating. The truly great hallmark of this movie is its unrelenting cynicism. Rudy never grows or changes - sure he falls in love, but he's back where he was in the beginning by the end, selling crappy cars to people for a quick buck.
With a comedy like this I'm loathe to give too much away, even some of the bit stars, so as not to ruin anyone else's enjoyment.
I will say if you like dark comedy, cynicism, or just plain fun in your R rated comedies, watch this. It's really damn good.
A-
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 12, 2020 23:47:02 GMT -5
A co-worker gave me a DVD of Used Cars as a gift, I haven’t watched it yet though. I’ll bump it up on the list.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 13, 2020 8:23:33 GMT -5
One week left.
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Jul 13, 2020 8:28:18 GMT -5
Is the next run the anniversary deal or a normal one?
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 13, 2020 8:29:28 GMT -5
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 8:43:41 GMT -5
Is the next run the anniversary deal or a normal one? We can watch a Kelly Preston movie or an Ennio Morricone one. Have y'all watched Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion?
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Jul 13, 2020 9:05:31 GMT -5
Is the next run the anniversary deal or a normal one? We can watch a Kelly Preston movie or an Ennio Morricone one. Have y'all watched Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion? Nope. Expiring from the Criterion Channel at the end of July.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 9:08:48 GMT -5
Nope. Expiring from the Criterion Channel at the end of July. Doomsday, start the next round!!!! Also, who here hasn't watched Twins? The Schwarzenegger-DeVito classic.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 13, 2020 9:27:30 GMT -5
I can’! There’s still 3 reviews left!
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 9:44:27 GMT -5
I can’! There’s still 3 reviews left! I need names.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 13, 2020 13:07:13 GMT -5
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
I think it's pretty safe to say that Night of the Living Dead is to zombie movies what Psycho is to slasher movies. Truth be told, I'm not that big on the zombie subgenre of horror, but when looking at George A. Romero's deeply influential film for it, there's just no denying its effectiveness. And, much like Psycho and the slasher movie, I think this is another case where a movie made many years ago still has the ability to outshine the vast majority of others of its kind that have been made since. A large part of why Night of the Living Dead is so effective is its simplicity. Granted, this was made in 1968 -- when making a zombie film on the level they're at today would be next to impossible -- but still, this film focuses in on the fear and terror inherent in the situation at the heart of the story, and that's why it's so strong. The black and white photography certainly adds to that as well, but the fear and panic on display by each of the characters adds to the tone and the tension. On that note, I want to single out Judith O'Dea as Barbra, one of the first two characters we meet at the start of the film and who's part of the attack that kicks everything off. After the first ten minutes or so, Barbra goes into catatonic state of fear and becomes barely responsive to everything around her, and O'Dea plays this marvelously. I really liked how the first thirty minutes or so after the opening sequence was just her and Duane Jones, who plays Ben a.k.a. the lead character, going around boarding up/battening down the house they take shelter in. Speaking of Duane Jones, he's great as well and I thought it was pretty awesome how a movie like this, released at this time, featured a black man as a lead and had the character be pretty take-charge and in-command. Of course, that also feeds into the film's ending, which definitely makes a statement about racism while tying back into the central premise. I also really admired how the film felt intense without being that gory. Sure, you do get some quick scenes here and there, but it says something that Romero was able to achieve such a level of intensity while working around those limitations that were in place. Overall, I can say Night of the Living Dead is worthy of its reputation. It might take me one or two more viewings before I can more fully embrace it, but it is certainly one of the pillars of the horror genre.
***1/2 /****
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 13:17:38 GMT -5
Alright.
Two left.
Chop. Chop.
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IanTheCool
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Post by IanTheCool on Jul 13, 2020 13:19:02 GMT -5
I cant find any of mine.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 13, 2020 13:23:10 GMT -5
You just have Netflix streaming right?
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IanTheCool
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Post by IanTheCool on Jul 13, 2020 13:27:36 GMT -5
Yeah, though I might pick up Crave if i can get it for a good price.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Jul 13, 2020 13:42:31 GMT -5
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
I think it's pretty safe to say that Night of the Living Dead is to zombie movies what Psycho is to slasher movies. Truth be told, I'm not that big on the zombie subgenre of horror, but when looking at George A. Romero's deeply influential film for it, there's just no denying its effectiveness. And, much like Psycho and the slasher movie, I think this is another case where a movie made many years ago still has the ability to outshine the vast majority of others of its kind that have been made since. A large part of why Night of the Living Dead is so effective is its simplicity. Granted, this was made in 1968 -- when making a zombie film on the level they're at today would be next to impossible -- but still, this film focuses in on the fear and terror inherent in the situation at the heart of the story, and that's why it's so strong. The black and white photography certainly adds to that as well, but the fear and panic on display by each of the characters adds to the tone and the tension. On that note, I want to single out Judith O'Dea as Barbra, one of the first two characters we meet at the start of the film and who's part of the attack that kicks everything off. After the first ten minutes or so, Barbra goes into catatonic state of fear and becomes barely responsive to everything around her, and O'Dea plays this marvelously. I really liked how the first thirty minutes or so after the opening sequence was just her and Duane Jones, who plays Ben a.k.a. the lead character, going around boarding up/battening down the house they take shelter in. Speaking of Duane Jones, he's great as well and I thought it was pretty awesome how a movie like this, released at this time, featured a black man as a lead and had the character be pretty take-charge and in-command. Of course, that also feeds into the film's ending, which definitely makes a statement about racism while tying back into the central premise. I also really admired how the film felt intense without being that gory. Sure, you do get some quick scenes here and there, but it says something that Romero was able to achieve such a level of intensity while working around those limitations that were in place. Overall, I can say Night of the Living Dead is worthy of its reputation. It might take me one or two more viewings before I can more fully embrace it, but it is certainly one of the pillars of the horror genre. ***1/2 /****
Nice. It is indeed the best zombie movie, though Dawn of the Dead is also pretty awesome in its own way.
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