Schoolio's Movie Corner

[ThomThom]

My revised Oscar predictions are as follows:

Picture:
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood (somehow, some way, this brutally amazing film looks like it's going to be recognized in its own time)
Juno
Michael Clayton (oooookay then, I guess I need to make sure I see it while it's still out)
Into the Wild



I'd replace Juno with Atonement...The quirky little indie film that could over the Sweeping period piece?

EDIT: Nevermind, replace Into the Wild with Atonement

[Down Rodeo]

Mulholland Dr. is pretty erotic as well. Nice lesbian sex and Naomi Watts masturbating - can't go wrong with that.

[schoolofruckus]

Amen brother. I would also add:

Match Point - The sexiest actress in Hollywood has never been more so than here. God bless Woody Allen and his despicable little mind.

[schoolofruckus]

I recommend Caligula for sexytime (unrated of course), but that's just me. Orgy scenes, lesbian sex, dwarves...how can you miss?

edit: ooo, I forgot incest and torture!

Why not throw Salo in there? A little coprophagia, perhaps?

[Mr.Nipples]

i can only imagine what the criterion rerelease is going to be like...

[schoolofruckus]

Aaaand on the decidedly un-erotic front, Tessa and I went and saw The Savages tonight.

I'm looking over my list of the year's best films, and I'm struck by how....well, predictable isn't the right word, but I definitely expected to be knocked flat by most of them. So, it's especially rewarding to add this confidently simple character film - written and directed by Tamara Jenkins, the woman (later, Randy) who cut her teeth directing Billy Madison - to the list. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are obviously two of the best actors working today, but it's still a distinct pleasure watching them tear into the terrific parts of John and Wendy Savage, two playwright siblings who must figure out how to take care of their elderly father when he's suddenly diagnosed with dementia. It's the kind of film that, in these dark times, seems almost certain to walk in the same dubious Chuck Taylor footsteps of Juno, Napoleon, and their minions. But any moment you think is about to be played for a big, offbeat mafia-approved laugh is always skillfully reeled in. And consequently, anytime you think the film is about to turn into a Johnson + Johnson commercial, you get hit in the face with a perfectly timed comic beat. It's a delicate tonal juggling act that the film never falters in executing, and that - along with the aforementioned greatness of the actors and the razor-edged script they feast on - makes this a portrait of neurosis that is memorable, authentic, and consistently entertaining.

[schoolofruckus]

i can only imagine what the criterion rerelease is going to be like...

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

[thelastgreatman]

Billy Madison is one of the movies that most inspires me to seek out a star and beat the shit out of him.

[wmgaretjax]

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

I didn't notice an extra scene, but I actually think the Criterion print was slightly better. A little noisier, but more balanced.

[DaOneManWonda]

why did everything in Juno have to be a pun or some stupid pseudo-trendy shit? it was cute at first, what with the hamburger phone and the shit like "shut ur gob", but it didnt really add depth to any of the characters and it sorta alienated me from the movie. it was funny, but a little over done...know what i mean?

[DaOneManWonda]

is this the right thread to discuss this? sorry, just wondering.

[schoolofruckus]

Yes, but only if you behave yourself.

I (gulp) agree with you on Juno.

[schoolofruckus]

I should point out that Tamara Jenkins is NOT the director of Billy Madison. That was Tamra Davis. Even given the similar first names, I have no idea how I got that wrong.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

It is indeed better, although I don't in fact own either copy. I remember back when I first learned of Criterion how I kept hoping I would happen upon a copy of Salo at some random garage sale for a few bucks.

[bballarl]

Gabe, I got that Glastonbury movie (called Glastonbury) for Christmas and just finished it. I thought it was interesting but severely flawed. I guess I was expecting more of a concert film and less footage of people doing random shit at the festival site.

This is what the film tried to get across:

-The festival is crazy
-There are lots of people doing whatever they want
-It is a grand old time
-It has been going since 1970
-Some people like to run around/perform/whatever naked
-Oh yeah, some bands play

While my expectations probably had to do with my disappointment, the film itself didn't keep my interest. I found myself reading as I was watching it, looking up occasionally when band footage would pop up. It was not a bad film, but it was kind of mess. I suppose that chronicling one of the world's biggest festivals entire history is a huge undertaking, but this just didn't do it. It glossed over the surface.

Overall, I would give it a solid "C".

[ghettojournalist]

why did everything in Juno have to be a pun or some stupid pseudo-trendy shit? it was cute at first, what with the hamburger phone and the shit like "shut ur gob", but it didnt really add depth to any of the characters and it sorta alienated me from the movie. it was funny, but a little over done...know what i mean?

am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

[thelastgreatman]

I should point out that Tamara Jenkins is NOT the director of Billy Madison. That was Tamra Davis. Even given the similar first names, I have no idea how I got that wrong.

Okay, now admit that it sucks. Admit it.

[schoolofruckus]

am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

The LOL-speak tapered off a little bit, but the dialogue was just as bad when it was straightforward as it was at its quippiest.

[schoolofruckus]

Okay, now admit that it sucks. Admit it.

Admit that Billy Madison sucks? It's not a quality movie, but it's funnier than shit.

[thelastgreatman]

I'm consistently amazed that almost everyone I know my age shares that opinion. Not to get into a whole thing about it, but I can't take watching that movie at all. Like I imagine that movie will play regularly in my own private hell.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Yeah, I hate Billy Madison too. I even hated it when I was a kid. And I have a weakness for Sandler's 90s movies.

am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

Actually everyone I know and myself as well had this exact opinion. I was about ready to walk out after the first 20 minutes, but then the movie got better. But it would have been at least 20-25% better if it dropped the annoying friend, and that scene in the pharmacy. And even then it would be overrated. Still though I did like it enough in the end.

[downingthief]

Why not throw Salo in there? A little coprophagia, perhaps?

What about "In the Realm of the Senses"? Still say it is the most erotic movie I have ever seen.

[thelastgreatman]

I find Sandler to be good and funny as long as he's not doing a funny voice. The Billy Madison/Weekend Update songs era of him was fucking torturous though. Do you have any idea how much of that shit I had to hear idiots imitating being in junior high when the fucking Hannukah Song album was at its popularity peak? Just thinking about it kinda makes me want to go pick a fight with him.

[TomAz]

'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

[schoolofruckus]

I'm consistently amazed that almost everyone I know my age shares that opinion. Not to get into a whole thing about it, but I can't take watching that movie at all. Like I imagine that movie will play regularly in my own private hell.

Getting into a thing about it would be pointless. You think I'm capable of defending it?

[thelastgreatman]

Hahaha, alright, you actually just won with that response, good work.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I actually like 50 First Dates, it was a clever premise, executed pretty well.

It reminds me of when a friend of mine suggested a film that combined 50 First Dates and The Crying Game, where everyday he finds out that his girlfriend has a dick but forgets by the next morning.

[schoolofruckus]

I find Sandler to be good and funny as long as he's not doing a funny voice. The Billy Madison/Weekend Update songs era of him was fucking torturous though. Do you have any idea how much of that shit I had to hear idiots imitating being in junior high when the fucking Hannukah Song album was at its popularity peak? Just thinking about it kinda makes me want to go pick a fight with him.

See, I mostly prefer his affected-voice characters to his more recent straightforward, regular-guy comedies.

'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

Case in point.

Billy Madison, Opera Man, and then his CD characters like Fatty McGee, Toll Booth Willie, The Goat - all of that shit can make me howl. Although I draw the line at The Waterboy. But even though it's an exception to this, Happy Gilmore is still his funniest movie, in my opinion.

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

[downingthief]

'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

That one is brutal. Mr. Deeds is close, as well.

[thelastgreatman]

Happy Gilmore would be my argument against the funny voice thing. I actually kinda liked Little Nicky but never because of his character. Shit I'd even take Big Daddy over Billy or The Waterboy (which has to be close to the worst movie ever made). 50 First Dates was definitely reprehensible though.

[schoolofruckus]

That one is brutal. Mr. Deeds is close, as well.

Yep yep yep. But the part where John Turturro reveals his foot fetish ("I like feet.....I do not know why") got a laugh out of me. Only part of that movie that I can even halfway remember.

[thelastgreatman]

Deeds was awesome just because of Turturro and Winona's huge wrack.

"Sneaky sneaky, sir." Cracks me up every time, don't know why.

[thelastgreatman]

Dammit.

[schoolofruckus]

Happy Gilmore would be my argument against the funny voice thing. I actually kinda liked Little Nicky but never because of his character. Shit I'd even take Big Daddy over Billy or The Waterboy (which has to be close to the worst movie ever made). 50 First Dates was definitely reprehensible though.

I actually would put Little Nicky in the top tier of "Adam Sandler movies". It's fucking abysmal as a film, but I thought it was endlessly funny.

[downingthief]

Ok, I have to agree that Winona did look good in Deeds. Cleavage. It makes the world go round.

[schoolofruckus]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b126/schoolofruckus/sandlerz.jpg

[amyzzz]

I liked 50 First Dates. It's a chick movie, really.

[downingthief]

I have that shirt Gabe...you stole it from us!

[thelastgreatman]

I actually would put Little Nicky in the top tier of "Adam Sandler movies". It's fucking abysmal as a film, but I thought it was endlessly funny.

The two Satan-loving dudes steal the whole show.

[mountmccabe]

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

QFT

Also the fact that Sandler's character in PDL was pretty much the same as the other characters he plays was a good portion of the point; if you took a standard Sandler jokey character and put him in real life... it'd be fucking creepy. Like Punch-Drunk Love creepy.

Damn I loved that movie... partially because I don't like Adam Sandler movies.

[whynotsmile99]

See, I mostly prefer his affected-voice characters to his more recent straightforward, regular-guy comedies.



Case in point.

Billy Madison, Opera Man, and then his CD characters like Fatty McGee, Toll Booth Willie, The Goat - all of that shit can make me howl. Although I draw the line at The Waterboy. But even though it's an exception to this, Happy Gilmore is still his funniest movie, in my opinion.

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

Sandler needs to do an R rated comedy again. Anyone remember Bulletproof? i remember that was a watchable bad movie....holy shit, the news just mentioned adam sandler totally at random. they were talking about some surf store. but adam got a nod as i was writing this...thats strange.

anyway, the first 2 sandler albums were fucking gold. The goat skit used to destroy our entire 6th grade class when it came out and its still fucking funny. he should make one really dirty r rated comedy. hes made enough money doing pg 13 comedies with Nelly and crotch kicks.


little nicky is a guilty pleasure though. PDL annoyed the shit out of me. I need to watch that again

[whynotsmile99]

heres an hour long free to watch british documentary on penis size.

quite interesting actually

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1608512777470007567&q=small+penis&total=711&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

[J~$$$]

Is it wrong of me to want to see First Sunday?

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Very wrong.

[thinnerair]

Airheads is one of Sandler's best movies. Shut up. I'm right.
Big Daddy is actually the funniest of his horrible movies. It's so quotable and that's how I rate how good a funny movie is. If it is quotable. It works.
Reign Over Me started decent and then turned horrible.

I also found myself getting really into Click when I watched that.

Most of his other movies are trash.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I don't get Click. The first half of the movie is one of the most mind-bendingly, soul-crushingly unfunny, awful, annoying, stupid, grating, piece of shit things I have ever seen. But then suddenly, halfway through, when the movie starts taking the whole conceit of the remote seriously, it mutates into a drama, a drama that's surprisingly effective and resonant.

[schoolofruckus]

Airheads is one of Sandler's best movies. Shut up. I'm right.
Big Daddy is actually the funniest of his horrible movies. It's so quotable and that's how I rate how good a funny movie is. If it is quotable. It works.
Reign Over Me started decent and then turned horrible.

I also found myself getting really into Click when I watched that.

Most of his other movies are trash.

I also love Airheads.

[amyzzz]

Dang. I didn't last long enough into Click to get to the drama part.

[thinnerair]

Dang. I didn't last long enough into Click to get to the drama part.

The beginning of the movie is pretty lame.
Once it stops being all "look at me. Im Adam Sandler. I make a mongoloid face with a goofy voice when Im angry but you think its funny that Im pissed" bits that he does in most flicks, it gets to be a decent story.
It's certainly one of the last movies of his I'd watch more than once, but it certainly wasn't horrible.

Maybe this is a confession, but sometimes I can't tell Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore apart.

[KungFuJoe]

no love for the Wedding Singer? anyone?

[luckyface]

This is kind of movie related, so I will re-tell this event in here. It probably will be boring for most.

So the other night, I was reading the board and saw that the Chemical Bros. were probably going to be at Coachella. That was the last thing I read before I got up to get ready for bed. So I am brushing my teeth, deep in thought, thinking about this. I veer from the Chemical Bros. to the Dust Brothers and their work in the movie Fight Club. I was thinking about how bad ass that soundtrack was that they created, which got me thinking about the best music in the movie, that ending scene where Edward Norton is running all over town. At this point, I am ready for bed, so I turn the TV on. What's playing? Fight Club, the scene where Edward Norton is running around town at the end. I haven't seen this movie in literally 5 years and hadn't listened to the soundtrack in about a year. Crazy shit.

To relate this more to the thread, Fight Club is awesome.

Oh, and Adam Sandler peaked with Happy Gilmore. Click was abysmal.

[schoolofruckus]

Last night after The Savages, I watched a film of such staggering, mind-warping brilliance that it moves me to tears just to recall it. A film with characters that blazed an unthinkable pass up the mountain and into my heart, their conflicts resonating with me just as much at this moment as they did the entire length of the film. Their experiences of pain and heroism jet immediately to the top of the list of most noble and unforgettable quests in the history of cinema, and their character arcs were so perfectly chiseled in stone that there wasn't so much as a decimal of falsehood or frivolity. It is a technical marvel as well - mise-en-scene between our two heroines and their titular set piece that gives an actual concrete definition to the once-indefinable term; camera moves that would drop Stanley Kubrick to his knees; sets that were seemingly designed out of the imagination of Socrates; and a musical score that would have driven Salieri to kill himself instead of Mozart.

The film is called 2 Girls, 1 Cup.

[schoolofruckus]

This is kind of movie related, so I will re-tell this event in here. It probably will be boring for most.

So the other night, I was reading the board and saw that the Chemical Bros. were probably going to be at Coachella. That was the last thing I read before I got up to get ready for bed. So I am brushing my teeth, deep in thought, thinking about this. I veer from the Chemical Bros. to the Dust Brothers and their work in the movie Fight Club. I was thinking about how bad ass that soundtrack was that they created, which got me thinking about the best music in the movie, that ending scene where Edward Norton is running all over town. At this point, I am ready for bed, so I turn the TV on. What's playing? Fight Club, the scene where Edward Norton is running around town at the end. I haven't seen this movie in literally 5 years and hadn't listened to the soundtrack in about a year. Crazy shit.

To relate this more to the thread, Fight Club is awesome.

Oh, and Adam Sandler peaked with Happy Gilmore. Click was abysmal.

That's a pretty sweet coincidence.

I had not previously heard that the Chemical Bros. were playing Coachella, so that's exciting in its own right.

[luckyface]

That's a pretty sweet coincidence.

I had not previously heard that the Chemical Bros. were playing Coachella, so that's exciting in its own right.

Yeah, it is by no means set in stone, but the details are here (http://coachella.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12022). (Scroll down to the bolded sentence at the end)

[downingthief]

Last night after The Savages, I watched a film of such staggering, mind-warping brilliance that it moves me to tears just to recall it. A film with characters that blazed an unthinkable pass up the mountain and into my heart, their conflicts resonating with me just as much at this moment as they did the entire length of the film. Their experiences of pain and heroism jet immediately to the top of the list of most noble and unforgettable quests in the history of cinema, and their character arcs were so perfectly chiseled in stone that there wasn't so much as a decimal of falsehood or frivolity. It is a technical marvel as well - mise-en-scene between our two heroines and their titular set piece that gives an actual concrete definition to the once-indefinable term; camera moves that would drop Stanley Kubrick to his knees; sets that were seemingly designed out of the imagination of Socrates; and a musical score that would have driven Salieri to kill himself instead of Mozart.

The film is called 2 Girls, 1 Cup.


Thanks, Gabe. I lol'd.

[Yablonowitz]

Last night after The Savages, I watched a film of such staggering, mind-warping brilliance that it moves me to tears just to recall it. A film with characters that blazed an unthinkable pass up the mountain and into my heart, their conflicts resonating with me just as much at this moment as they did the entire length of the film. Their experiences of pain and heroism jet immediately to the top of the list of most noble and unforgettable quests in the history of cinema, and their character arcs were so perfectly chiseled in stone that there wasn't so much as a decimal of falsehood or frivolity. It is a technical marvel as well - mise-en-scene between our two heroines and their titular set piece that gives an actual concrete definition to the once-indefinable term; camera moves that would drop Stanley Kubrick to his knees; sets that were seemingly designed out of the imagination of Socrates; and a musical score that would have driven Salieri to kill himself instead of Mozart.

The film is called 2 Girls, 1 Cup.

I kind of thought it was shitty.





hAHAHAHAHAAAAAA. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[downingthief]

Beautiful, Greg.

[PotVsKtl]

Last night after The Savages, I watched a film of such staggering, mind-warping brilliance that it moves me to tears just to recall it. A film with characters that blazed an unthinkable pass up the mountain and into my heart, their conflicts resonating with me just as much at this moment as they did the entire length of the film. Their experiences of pain and heroism jet immediately to the top of the list of most noble and unforgettable quests in the history of cinema, and their character arcs were so perfectly chiseled in stone that there wasn't so much as a decimal of falsehood or frivolity. It is a technical marvel as well - mise-en-scene between our two heroines and their titular set piece that gives an actual concrete definition to the once-indefinable term; camera moves that would drop Stanley Kubrick to his knees; sets that were seemingly designed out of the imagination of Socrates; and a musical score that would have driven Salieri to kill himself instead of Mozart.

The film is called 2 Girls, 1 Cup.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2086073362_b9ca71a07e_o.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

I was aware of that scholarly take on the piece. I did not read it in advance, for I didn't want its theses to impede upon my own sense of clarity.

[amyzzz]

Nice. At least I know what it is now. I wasn't going to watch it.

[kreutz2112]

hahaha!!!

[Down Rodeo]

Andrei Rublev is showing tomorrow night at the Pacific Film Archive. Is it worth seeing on a big screen, or should I just Netflix it?

[PotVsKtl]

It's not worth it, it's mandatory.

[schoolofruckus]

Andrei Rublev is showing tomorrow night at the Pacific Film Archive. Is it worth seeing on a big screen, or should I just Netflix it?

The Criterion print that I got from Netflix had an abnormal aspect ratio - something insane like 3:1. I don't know if later issues have been framed correctly, but that's one of many reasons that you should see it on the cinema screen. The most obvious one is that you should really see any great film on a big screen any time you get the chance.

[iv3rdawG]

Hopefully most people have seen Vertigo so I'll be posting a few spoilers in my summary.

Went and saw Vertigo for the first time last night at the Arclight. Saw it because it's my brother's favorite film and he wanted me to watch it so what's a better way than on the big screen? First off I really like Jimmy Stewart. He's great in it. I found the first half to be a bit slow at times but after Madeline "dies" the film really picks up. The only part I really was like "wtf?" at was at the end when Madeline falls off the church and the nun comes up really quick and does the thing over her heart and just says something really quick and it just ends really abruptly. Overall I enjoyed it quite a lot.

[amyzzz]

love love love Vertigo. It's so creepy, and Jimmy Stewart is so obsessive in it. He wears tons of creepy pancake makeup and eyeliner too!

[tessalasset]

Gabe I can't believe you went from Savages to 2 Girls 1 Cup in a matter of hours. And I can't believe you watched the whole thing. I cannot get past that first feces-eating shot. I can't stomach it. I can stomach the reaction shots, tho. Here's one of my friends' roommate.

LwBpG0akT-8

[full on idle]

That just made me cry.

[whynotsmile99]

Gabe I can't believe you went from Savages to 2 Girls 1 Cup in a matter of hours. And I can't believe you watched the whole thing. I cannot get past that first feces-eating shot. I can't stomach it. I can stomach the reaction shots, tho. Here's one of my friends' roommate.

LwBpG0akT-8

i love the reaction shots of people, especially when they think its going to be just another porn. Have you seen the grandma one? thats the best. Theres one with the Roots too.

it's certainly pretty gross. When she sucks on that like a tootsie roll i groaned for sure. I think its certainly in my top 5 worst things ive seen on the internet.

[mountmccabe]

Andrei Rublev is showing tomorrow night at the Pacific Film Archive. Is it worth seeing on a big screen, or should I just Netflix it?

Jealous.

[schoolofruckus]

Hopefully most people have seen Vertigo so I'll be posting a few spoilers in my summary.

Went and saw Vertigo for the first time last night at the Arclight. Saw it because it's my brother's favorite film and he wanted me to watch it so what's a better way than on the big screen? First off I really like Jimmy Stewart. He's great in it. I found the first half to be a bit slow at times but after Madeline "dies" the film really picks up. The only part I really was like "wtf?" at was at the end when Madeline falls off the church and the nun comes up really quick and does the thing over her heart and just says something really quick and it just ends really abruptly. Overall I enjoyed it quite a lot.

I liked Vertigo on reflection/reading up after the fact, but some of the turgid exposition (particularly the scenes involving Midge) in the first half threw me out of it for most of the film. The ending is excellent, though.

[schoolofruckus]

Gabe I can't believe you went from Savages to 2 Girls 1 Cup in a matter of hours. And I can't believe you watched the whole thing. I cannot get past that first feces-eating shot. I can't stomach it. I can stomach the reaction shots, tho. Here's one of my friends' roommate.


It was like one hour afterward. AND I had just finished eating dinner when I watched it. I think if you can get past seeing the girl shit straight onto the frame, you can make it to the end. It's not that long.

[KungFuJoe]

here's another movie about shit.

pf-8H5ieqTk

[KungFuJoe]

on a side note - I just saw JUNO. I enjoyed it. I am so thankful that I now live near the Los Feliz theater though and it only cost me $4.50. Best theater in town! Also, There Will Be Blood opens at the Vista tomorrow, which means I get to watch it again for $5. Sweet.

Anyways, back to Juno. I totally agree with you all about the dialogue in the film and I understand the backlash against it. There were a lot of moments where the characters didn't seem natural and were simply reading lines. I was able to get passed this as the film progressed. What held the film together for me were the performances by all the lead actors. Most suprisingly to me, Jennifer Gardner. The emotions conveyed was the strength of the film, not what was spewing out of their mouths. Some lines did make me chuckle though. Although the pop culture references were certainly overbearing. Ultimately, this is a feel good film and I couldn't have been happier for the way everything came together in the end. It was exactly what I was hoping for. Good feel good film, but it doesn't rank up there with other adolescent indie comedies the likes of Ghost World or Election.

[kreutz2112]

wasn't Juno written by an (ex?) stripper?

[bmack86]

I can't believe I'm missing Andrei Rublev. I'm going to Mammoth tonight. Why do they have to do it this week?

[schoolofruckus]

wasn't Juno written by an (ex?) stripper?

slash ex-blogger. And unfortunately, she bought a propensity to sell herself and a writer's tongue that's too quippy for its own good from those jobs to her current one.

[tessalasset]

Oh and I know Gabe already alluded to this but I just wanted to say on the record The Savages was one of the best films I've seen in a very long time and I highly recommend it to everyone.

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Have any of you seen Robot Jox? It sounds pretty awesome:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8c/Robot_jox.jpg

The movie is set fifty years after a world-wide nuclear war almost destroyed mankind. War is outlawed and the two superpowers, the Americans and their nemesis the Confederation, handle territorial disputes in a different way. Each fields a giant robot to fight one-on-one battles in official matches, each piloted by a man inside, known as robot jockeys, or "jox".

Also, according to this site (http://www.nachtkabarett.com/NIN), part of the movie was sampled by Trent Reznor, for use in the NIN song, "The Becoming"!

[schoolofruckus]

I'm not even really done with my 2007 film year (getting ever close, though, as is my favorites list), and I'm already looking forward to 2008 - the early part of which should be a continuation of the stand-out fall season of last year. And I'm not talking about just Cloverfield - though my fingers are still crossed, and I've read some really appetizing reviews (not counting the obligatory Harry Knowles gushing) the last couple of days that have stoked the fires even more. But what I'm really talking about is the likes of Snow Angels (new David Gordon Green), My Blueberry Nights (in spite of exactly zero enthusiasm from anyone so far, it's a new Wong Kar-Wai and I'm going to be there), Funny Games USA, and hopefully, releases for shoulda-been-2007 films like Nothing Is Private and The Man From London.

Perhaps my highest anticipation among the early-year offerings is Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park - another seemingly sparse, low-budget film with untrained actors. This one has been shot by the great Christopher Doyle, which should only deepen the visual quality that I've come to expect from Van Sant's films. The story - involving teenage skaters who are involved in the accidental killing of a person - seems right out of the Larry Clark ouevre; let's hope the film doesn't stoop to some of the fetishizing that Clark (and, once in a while, Van Sant himself) shoots himself in the foot with.

Whatever the case, the trailer looks great. (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809791218/video/5860443)

[wmgaretjax]

hell yes.

[KungFuJoe]

The fact that Christopher Doyle shot Paranoid Park will put me in the theater. I am also still very interested to see My Blueberry Nights without him as Kar Wai's DP.

[schoolofruckus]

It seems that Kar-Wai, Van Sant, and David Fincher all played musical chairs with their DP's this year. Doyle's working with Van Sant; Harris Savides shot Zodiac; and Darius Khondji (Seven, Panic Room) did My Blueberry Nights.

[whynotsmile99]

The fact that Christopher Doyle shot Paranoid Park will put me in the theater. I am also still very interested to see My Blueberry Nights without him as Kar Wai's DP.

whatever happened to that? I swore I saw the trailer ages ago

[schoolofruckus]

It had a disastrous Cannes screening and it's limping into theaters on February 13th.

[KungFuJoe]

2046 had a disaturous screening at Cannes as well, but I loved the shit out of it.

I do expect less from Blueberry Nights though

[thelastgreatman]

What the fuck happened with Southland Tales, Gabe? Did that shit actually get released on Dec 7 like IMDB claims? I don't even remember anyone mentioning any theatre that was playing it.

DVD on March 18 though.

[ruetheday]

netflix the breaks. pretty much the best movie of all time.

[KungFuJoe]

It seems that Kar-Wai, Van Sant, and David Fincher all played musical chairs with their DP's this year. Doyle's working with Van Sant; Harris Savides shot Zodiac; and Darius Khondji (Seven, Panic Room) did My Blueberry Nights.


That's pretty interesting. I didn't notice that. Doyle's been branching out a lot more these days. I still want to see Shamalan's Lady in the Water simply because he shot that, though I despise Shamalan. I still love that fact that he also shot MADE.

[thelastgreatman]

Also movie thread, I thought you should all know that I finally got around to finishing another full draft of my script and we're finally actually really close. If I can cut 20 more pages, expect me to be famous any day now. It's great, btw.

[Courtney]

Andrei Rublev is showing tomorrow night at the Pacific Film Archive. Is it worth seeing on a big screen, or should I just Netflix it?

If you don't go to this I might jump through the computer screen to strangle your senses back into you. So beyond worth it.

[KungFuJoe]

so, do you have an agent? or a producer that is all set to make it into a film?

Good luck man. Judging by some of your posts I can tell you are a good writer and have no doubt you can back up your cockyness. It's definately not an easy business. I'm assuming you're not part of the writers guild?

[Courtney]

Ratatouille was good, as I expected something coming from Pixar to be. I mean obviously the animation was top notch, and the amount of detail put into shots and sequences is really amazing actually, and it has a nice uplifting story/theme.

I finally got around to watching Ratatouille the other night. It was really fun! I think part of the appeal is just that I used to work at a cooking school so all the culinary stereotypes were especially amusing. The pre-packaged, freeze-dried "you can do anything you set your mind to, with enough desire and perseverance" moral of the story was a little annoying, but for a kids' movie it was cute and charming.

[KungFuJoe]

I still need to go and rent Ratatouille. Been lagging on the animated films. I recently purchased Tekkon Kinkreet though and am excited for it's arrival in the mail next week.

I ended up renting Eastern Promises over Ratatouille last week and regretted that decision. I wasn't a big fan of History of Violence, but had hopes that this one was better. Not so much.

[thelastgreatman]

so, do you have an agent? or a producer that is all set to make it into a film?

Good luck man. Judging by some of your posts I can tell you are a good writer and have no doubt you can back up your cockyness. It's definately not an easy business. I'm assuming you're not part of the writers guild?

I'm going to try to resist doing the agent thing because I don't like them, but I'm also not about to waste too much time exhausting the few contacts to production companies/investors I have. It's going to go out to friends or friends of my theoretical collaborator on this (for the moment) in the major agencies as well, but I'm trying to pull off an absurd first-time writer/director/actor thing and I think it would be just as well to just get face-to-face with as many ballsy small production companies as possible. If I somehow do succeed in this absurd feat it's going to be because of me, and I'd rather not have some slimy agent fucking with it.

I have a friend who wants to produce it, and he will if he manages to help it get made. He's a good dude, understands the material better than most, not experienced as a producer but has worked on several studio flicks from being the friend and assistant of a couple name directors. We'll see how it goes. Still have to lose 20 more fucking pages, but at least at this point there's barely any tightening to do so I'm just gonna figure out which scenes are least vital and cut.

Then after we have funding, I'm putting them back in secretly. Mwa ha ha.

[KungFuJoe]

Like i said. Good luck. Heck, if Robert Rodriguez can do it, why not anyone else? What kind of budget you looking for?

My friends & I are wrapping up production some time at the end of this month on a feature we started in August. Took time off here and there and will finally complete the opening scene. Then it's on to finishing post production and hopefully the festival circuit. I put a lot of time and effort into the project for over a year, but my partners laid down the cash. Not sure the totals, but I believe we did it for around $30K and it's looking pretty good.

[thelastgreatman]

That's really impressive. I hope to not have to do it on a shoestring (I figure 100k or less is shoestring, 30k for sure is) because even though it could be shot very cheaply and still turn out good, if we could get closer to 500k I think it could have a serious chance for being a big indie film.

It's a small cast, three of the main roles will be played by friends and myself, only elements that will cost much at all will be that a lot of it takes place in a school (thus a lot of extras) and there are two large parties and fight sequences. Pretty much everything else could be shot for nothing if I really wanted to, which is nice 'cause it's probably a good idea to shoot a short section of it ourselves to help with the pitch for funding.

Yeah, I got convinced I could pull an auteur thing because Kevin Smith shot Clerks 15 minutes from my home. Definitely looking forward to seeing what you made though, and mad props for pulling it off. What genre?

[J~$$$]

I smell rip-off.

[thelastgreatman]

Who rip-off what? Me rip-off Kevin Smith? I dunno, Gabe, what do you think? Is my script ripping anything off? I mean, I know what I ripped off, but I don't know if anyone else would.

[schoolofruckus]

2046 had a disaturous screening at Cannes as well, but I loved the shit out of it.

I do expect less from Blueberry Nights though

That's a good point. 2046 was one of my favorite Wong films.

But Blueberry Nights sounds like a failure for different - and more substantial - reasons.

[J~$$$]

Who rip-off what? Me rip-off Kevin Smith? I dunno, Gabe, what do you think? Is my script ripping anything off? I mean, I know what I ripped off, but I don't know if anyone else would.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/0210x3/outsiders.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

What the fuck happened with Southland Tales, Gabe? Did that shit actually get released on Dec 7 like IMDB claims? I don't even remember anyone mentioning any theatre that was playing it.

DVD on March 18 though.

Yeah, it actually came out November 16th. It played the Arclight for a week or two and then was relegated to the ghettos of the Beverly Center. Regrettably, I didn't see it again on the big screen. It comes out on DVD March 18th.

[schoolofruckus]

That's pretty interesting. I didn't notice that. Doyle's been branching out a lot more these days. I still want to see Shamalan's Lady in the Water simply because he shot that, though I despise Shamalan. I still love that fact that he also shot MADE.

You will probably hate Lady in the Water, but you should see it.

I also love the fact that he shot Made. He definitely gave it a great look, for the kind of movie it is.

[thelastgreatman]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/0210x3/outsiders.jpg

That's funny, but noooooooo. Hate the fucking Outsiders. Although I think there was a line in my script at one point where someone rags on me by calling me Ponyboy, funnily enough.

[schoolofruckus]

I finally got around to watching Ratatouille the other night. It was really fun! I think part of the appeal is just that I used to work at a cooking school so all the culinary stereotypes were especially amusing. The pre-packaged, freeze-dried "you can do anything you set your mind to, with enough desire and perseverance" moral of the story was a little annoying, but for a kids' movie it was cute and charming.

It's funny to me that a movie that critiques the idea of selling one's artistry into frozen food commodity offers very little thematically that doesn't fit that description.

[schoolofruckus]

Who rip-off what? Me rip-off Kevin Smith? I dunno, Gabe, what do you think? Is my script ripping anything off? I mean, I know what I ripped off, but I don't know if anyone else would.

Mmmm....I would say that it's kind of like the story to the classic young adult novel Rats Saw God* by Rob Thomas (the guy that created "Veronica Mars", not the Matchbox 20 singer), only with the tone/drug and violence content of Rules of Attraction. "Rip off" doesn't particularly apply.

It is absolutely not Kevin Smith-like in any capacity. And I would like to read the new and improved version.


* - Not a diss. I love this book.

[thelastgreatman]

I've never heard of that, interesting. I may have to check it out. New version coming your way.

[KungFuJoe]

Yeah, I got convinced I could pull an auteur thing because Kevin Smith shot Clerks 15 minutes from my home. Definitely looking forward to seeing what you made though, and mad props for pulling it off. What genre?

It's a film-noir thriller. We were able to pull it off on such a shoe sting budget because 90% of the film takes place in one location. We rented the space, but built the set ourselves, for the most part. It was quite the grueling experience, but a shitload of fun.

Shooting a short segment of your script yourself would probably be a good idea. Especially if you're looking to direct & act in the project. My friend & writer of the film I worked on has a great horror script he's been trying to shop, but has no buyers yet. A few key interests though. If it doesn't happen, we're hoping to go into production on that next if our current project takes in some cash. We'll certainly need over 100K for that one.

I look foward to some day seeing your script come to life. Heck, if you need any help let me know. I'm looking to get my mits involved in some more projects this year. My own included, being that I'm in the market for a good dv camera.

[thelastgreatman]

Nice, I tried to think of a single location story several times so that I could just shoot something with no money but never came up with anything I was satisfied with.

I forget which director's commentary on a DVD said that the way he managed to convince the production company he should direct his script was by shooting one sequence. Maybe Richard Kelly on Darko?

After a couple of edits I'd love to get your notes on it if you'd be interested.

[KungFuJoe]

Notes on the script or on whatevr segment you shoot from it? Either way, let me know. I enjoy helping in any way possible. I'm not much of a writer though, so you probably wouldn't want my notes on the script. not that that necessarily matters.

[iv3rdawG]

Caught I'm Not There today. First of all let me say that I haven't really listened to any Bob Dylan music and I don't know much about him. Now saying that I am pretty sure that I would have enjoyed it more if I knew more about him. Blanchett and Ledger did the best jobs, I thought. I really loved the scene with the paparazzi at the restaurant. Weird movie, too.

[whynotsmile99]

Caught I'm Not There today. First of all let me say that I haven't really listened to any Bob Dylan music and I don't know much about him. Now saying that I am pretty sure that I would have enjoyed it more if I knew more about him. Blanchett and Ledger did the best jobs, I thought. I really loved the scene with the paparazzi at the restaurant. Weird movie, too.

go buy Blond on Blond.

it's seriously the greatest thing ever.

[iv3rdawG]

go buy Blond on Blond.

it's seriously the greatest thing ever.

Ya I'm going to listen to it tomorrow, actually.

[Down Rodeo]

I'm glad you guys talked me into going to see Andrei Rublev tonight. It was pretty amazing as a whole, and some of the scenes were downright breathtaking. There were some moments in the middle where I got confused and thought the narrative kind of stalled, but it picked up and had a beautiful and profound climax. Well worth the $5.50 I paid for it.

[bballarl]

I just watched Transformers. While I realize I am a few months late to that party, I thought it was really bad. But it had redeeming humorous qualities, intentional or not.

[thelastgreatman]

Gabe, I'm about to look through this thread now to find out what you said about Southland Tales. I'm announcing in advance that if you tried to be at all complimentary then I will flatten you out of nowhere with a flying body tackle in front of the main stage sometime on Saturday.

[thelastgreatman]

Now on to one of the most delightfully bizarre films I've ever seen....

"Southland Tales".

It is the work of a fucking madman.

I think we all know what it's sort of about. In a post-terrorist attack America that has been strangled by an extrapolation of the Patriot Act, around the 4th of July in 2008, the film's canvas (it doesn't feel right to call it a story) weaves together an amnesiac action star (The Rock), who should be married to the Republican presidential candidate's daughter (Mandy Moore) but who is romantically involved with an enterprising porn actress (Sarah Michelle Gellar); an equally dazed police officer (Seann William Scott) who is being manipulated by neo-Marxist terrorists (played by various former "SNL" castmembers); a scientist (Wallace Shawn) who has invented a new form of aquatically-derived energy; and a military sharpshooter (Justin Timberlake) who mans a sniper's rifle from the top of a shack on Venice Beach.

By now - judging from the content as well as the rambling form of my one-sentence synopsis - you should know whether or not you want to see this movie. But I assure you - if it sounds so far like something tame and familiar, then you're in for a huge shock. This shit is all over the place from the jump, a sensory overload the likes of which I have rarely seen attempted (much less pulled off successfully), and it's simultaneously glorious and head-shaking. The film offers a reasonably helpful prologue to explain the set-up, and by the end things finally start to approach coherence, but getting there is going to definitely thin out the film's detractors from its pack of supporters. It would be a lot more difficult, however, if there wasn't so much fun to be had along the way - the film's visual scheme is high energy and inventive; the Moby score is every bit as satisfying as I could have hoped for in establishing a menacing, beautiful ambience; and best of all, there's a genuine sense of joy and enthusiasm in the way this saga spills. The casting of all these pop actors - one of dozens of head-scratching concepts that have been thrown at the flypaper that is this film - is both a benefit and a detriment; the performances could definitely have been better as a whole, but in something this anarchic, it somehow feels right to have "stars" instead of serious actors. I can't comment much on the political message (except to say that it's very clear where Richard Kelly's coming from), because piecing together the puzzle left no surplus of effort for analyzing the subtext, but I can say that I had a ton of fun with this movie and I will absolutely be seeing it again - probably many times. Kelly's films may not pay off entirely on first viewing, but they absolutely have the invaluable ability to make you want to revisit them and see what more you can get.

I will be very interested in monitoring the reactions to this film. I know that all opinion is subjective (though I do think that there is such a thing as an inarguably good film regardless of taste), but this film - more than most - is going to put people on opposite ends of the solar system. Some of you are going to just fucking despise it, to the point that you may physically harm me if you see it based on my review. Others will probably hail it as a masterwork. I'm not sure it's quite that, but it's definitely closer to it than not. Bottom line is that, if nothing else, the conviction and spirit of this kind of film must be heartily saluted.

WHAT THE FUCK? There is no possible way in fucking hell you could actually want to watch that movie again. The only circumstance under which you will ever watch Southland Tales a second time is to show someone else how absurd it is, during which you will realize that you have committed an act of pure cruelty by enticing others to watch.

At least that's what I did. I made my roommates watch it at gunpoint just so I could talk about what a bad idea this was, but I couldn't bear to be in the room for more than ten minutes.

[xXThirdManXx]

Hey LGM, can you give me a synopsis of your script?

[thelastgreatman]

No, but don't take it personally, I just don't like synopsizing.

[KungFuJoe]

WHAT THE FUCK? There is no possible way in fucking hell you could actually want to watch that movie again. The only circumstance under which you will ever watch Southland Tales a second time is to show someone else how absurd it is, during which you will realize that you have committed an act of pure cruelty by enticing others to watch.

At least that's what I did. I made my roommates watch it at gunpoint just so I could talk about what a bad idea this was, but I couldn't bear to be in the room for more than ten minutes.


I did the same thing to my friends with Battle Royale 2,

[schoolofruckus]

WHAT THE FUCK? There is no possible way in fucking hell you could actually want to watch that movie again. The only circumstance under which you will ever watch Southland Tales a second time is to show someone else how absurd it is, during which you will realize that you have committed an act of pure cruelty by enticing others to watch.

At least that's what I did. I made my roommates watch it at gunpoint just so I could talk about what a bad idea this was, but I couldn't bear to be in the room for more than ten minutes.

Wait, so you did see it? When/how?

[schoolofruckus]

Seriously, I'm going to buy it on DVD. I thought it was extremely entertaining, and from an aesthetic standpoint, I'd say his insane ambitions were realized. I offer no commentary of how the satirical elements of it work, because I couldn't dig deep enough into the film to assess them on first viewing.

Some of you are going to just fucking despise it, to the point that you may physically harm me if you see it based on my review.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/weto27/untitled.jpg

[thelastgreatman]

Last night, found a torrent of a cam bootleg. And yes, I did like how that prediction was so accurate. I interpret as knowing inside that what you were saying should get your ass kicked. =)

[corbo]

just saw the orphanage. i thought it was an awesome ghost story with lots of spooky moments.it had a 'pans labyrinth' feel to it. go see it!

[dorkfish]

5. Sweeney Todd - My favorite part was during the first song when I remembered that I hate musicals.

[dorkfish]

6. Charlie Wilson's War - It was entertaining. So was The Firm back in the day, if that means anything. Hoffman was character acting, so people who think he needs another Oscar nod are wrong.

[wmgaretjax]

"The Firm..." hahahahaha.

[KungFuJoe]

I went and saw There Will Be Blood for the second time yesterday. As the ending credits rolled, I had the urge to sit through it again. It really doens't get much better than that.

[kreutz2112]

I am so pissed There will be blood is not playing anywhere in Utah.

[schoolofruckus]

I went and saw There Will Be Blood for the second time yesterday. As the ending credits rolled, I had the urge to sit through it again. It really doens't get much better than that.

I've felt the same way both times I've seen it. I plan on catching it a third time while it's still at the Arclight.

Sorry, Adam. You should drive to San Francisco or something and go watch it.

[kreutz2112]

are there any future plans for a nationwide release?

[schoolofruckus]

It only got semi-wide release on January 4th, so I would imagine it will continue to expand in the next few weeks. It's also - and I don't want to jinx it - apparently in the race for some major Oscar nominations; if those happen, then it'll be getting shown all over the place.

[kreutz2112]

good, because I REALLY want to see. I was going to go see it tonight, but then found out it wasn't playing anywhere. I am going to go see No Country For Old Men instead, as I have not seen that yet.

[mountmccabe]

I saw There Will Be Blood again last night too. It is truly monstrous. I enjoyed it much more this time because I spent less of the film being flabbergasted.

And afterwards we were talking about it and there was actually stuff to say; this is a deep, slow and subtle film. And it was put together just so wonderfully.

I need to watch Punch Drunk Love again but right now this is #1 on my PTA list.

[Benis23]

According to PTA, Magnolia is the best movie he will ever make.

[schoolofruckus]

It's probably the most personal film he'll ever make, so it's not surprising he'd say that.

I have to repeat that he's probably my favorite working filmmaker today. Everything he does is gold, and his skills continue to evolve and deepen with each successive film.

[whynotsmile99]

I saw There Will Be Blood again last night too. It is truly monstrous. I enjoyed it much more this time because I spent less of the film being flabbergasted.

And afterwards we were talking about it and there was actually stuff to say; this is a deep, slow and subtle film. And it was put together just so wonderfully.

I need to watch Punch Drunk Love again but right now this is #1 on my PTA list.

i saw it last week and loved it as well. It really was a masterpiece, nearly perfect in all imaginable ways. Very deep, poetic, beautiful, funny, scary, sad. Beyond everything though it was just fucking entertaining. Greenwoods score, the direction, the cinematography, Daniel Day Lewis was all just perfect Without a doubt one of my favorite movie endings of all time. it ended PERFECT.

i loved it, just blew me away.


i did hate PDL. only saw it once when It came out, but its time to give that one a second go around. Considering how much I loved PTA other works, i was suprised how much I resented Punch Drunk

[wmgaretjax]

"Hard Eight" wasn't really gold...

[dorkfish]

I heard that it's going wide at the end of February

[mountmccabe]

I heard that you're going wide at the end of February.

[ghettojournalist]

Yes! it's finally coming to Bakersfield this weekend!

[dorkfish]

7. Zodiac - It was good. I already knew too much about all of the characters due to my past Zodiac studies, so the intense scenes were just annoying: "Hurry up and not kill him...just like in real life".

[schoolofruckus]

"Hard Eight" wasn't really gold...

Would it have been had Ryder not molested it? I liked it quite a bit anyway. For a no-budget debut, it's definitely decent.

Keriann and I went to see Persepolis this afternoon (unfortunately, I missed the double bill with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days last night). I thought it was awesome. For those who haven't heard, it's an animated translation of the autobiographical graphic novel, and it follows author Marjane Sartrapi through her adolescence in the midst of the Iranian revolution, during part of which she travels to Vienna to study at the university. Raised in perhaps the most progressive household in all of Iran (in part by her wonderful, scene-stealing grandma), she battles social oppression and teen angst in equal measures, courting tragedy from an early age but always surrounded by a safe, loving family. I'm making it sound like a politically-charged cartoon of Juno, but it's so much better than that. It's kind of tough to watch a movie that is told primarily through voice-over narration, and even more so when you're reading it off of subtitles, but the film wisely keeps a brisk pace and covers a ton of ground in only 95 minutes or so. This is also a great companion piece to Offside, another recent Iranian film about women who could do without the restrictive protection that male society forces upon them.

[iv3rdawG]

Would it have been had Ryder not molested it? I liked it quite a bit anyway. For a no-budget debut, it's definitely decent.

Keriann and I went to see Persepolis this afternoon (unfortunately, I missed the double bill with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days last night).

Sadly I missed it too. I even had tickets :( Glad to hear you liked Persepolis, though. Anyone watching the Golden Globes?

[iv3rdawG]

Good, Daniel Day Lewis won.

[ThomThom]

Atonement over No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood... I just realized why I hate the Golden Globes.

[schoolofruckus]

Did you see Atonement, though? It's not in the same league as No Country or There Will Be Blood, but it's not an outrageous choice. This isn't going to happen, for a million different reasons - but if this film could somehow knock Juno out of the race, I would be ecstatic.

[iv3rdawG]

Did you see Atonement, though? It's not in the same league as No Country or There Will Be Blood, but it's not an outrageous choice. This isn't going to happen, for a million different reasons - but if this film could somehow knock Juno out of the race, I would be ecstatic.

Agreed. I thought Atonement was wonderful, actually. I'd love to see a spot for Diving Bell and the Butterfly in the best picture category this year. After the awards now I don't think that's much of a longshot as it was before.

[ThomThom]

Did you see Atonement, though? It's not in the same league as No Country or There Will Be Blood, but it's not an outrageous choice. This isn't going to happen, for a million different reasons - but if this film could somehow knock Juno out of the race, I would be ecstatic.

I did, and while it is a fantastic film and does have all the mushyness of a sweeping epic period romance I still don't think it is better than No Country or Blood, in fact I don't even think it comes close. If the Oscars award this film with The Best Picture of the year than they will simply be going their normal sappy route (ala The English Patient and Titanic). I do however understand what your saying pertaining to the league Atonement is in.

[ThomThom]

Agreed. I thought Atonement was wonderful, actually. I'd love to see a spot for Diving Bell and the Butterfly in the best picture category this year. After the awards now I don't think that's much of a longshot as it was before.

This would be fantastic, didn't the Academy do this some years ago with Il Postino?

I would love to see No Country, Blood, Diving Bell, and Atonement duke it out at the Oscars. That would be the best group of films in a single category in quite some time.

[iv3rdawG]

This would be fantastic, didn't the Academy do this some years ago with Il Postino?

I don't think it won any Golden Globes but yeah, it was nominated for the Oscar.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I got I Am Cuba today, I may watch it tonight.

Last night I watched Little Children, thought it was fantastic. Not quite as good as In the Bedroom, which in my opinion is one of the best dramas of this decade, but it was still an interesting, surprisingly compassionate film. Jackie Earle Haley probably deserved the Oscar for his work in it.

I also saw Charlie Wilson's War, but I had trouble focusing on it because I had one of the shittiest days in my life's history, so yeah, I was distracted. Philip Seymour Hoffman was enormously entertaining though.

[schoolofruckus]

Agreed. I thought Atonement was wonderful, actually. I'd love to see a spot for Diving Bell and the Butterfly in the best picture category this year. After the awards now I don't think that's much of a longshot as it was before.

Julian Schnabel is a slam dunk nominee. I felt that way before this, but now I'm even more convinced. And that's as much of a victory as you could hope for. If the film itself makes the final 5, I'm going to be overjoyed.

I love that so many of the prototypical Oscar films are weak sauce this year, so that all the strong, more challenging films can actually get the acclaim they deserve.

[schoolofruckus]

This would be fantastic, didn't the Academy do this some years ago with Il Postino?

I would love to see No Country, Blood, Diving Bell, and Atonement duke it out at the Oscars. That would be the best group of films in a single category in quite some time.

I agree. But then fucking Juno would probably come in and spoil the fun.

I'm still convinced that the race will contain No Country, Blood, Juno, and Into the Wild. Atonement may knock Michael Clayton out of the race, but the latter seems to have more audience support.

[iv3rdawG]

On another note, I watched The Shining for the first time. Yes I know, I'm slapping myself already for waiting so long. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Especially the last act of the film. During that whole part I loved the scenes where Shelley Duvall's character kept seeing the weird things around the hotel like the cobweb filled lobby and the elevator of blood. And of course, Jack was fantastic.

[ThomThom]

I agree. But then fucking Juno would probably come in and spoil the fun.

I'm still convinced that the race will contain No Country, Blood, Juno, and Into the Wild. Atonement may knock Michael Clayton out of the race, but the latter seems to have more audience support.

I think your giving Juno too much of a chance in the Oscar race, I really doubt they will nominate it, they did enough last year with the dumb little quirky indie film...They nominated Little Miss Sunshine.

I think it will go as follows, I may see myself making a few changes later on but I can guarantee none of them involve Juno...

No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Atonement
Into The Wild
American Gangster

[ghettojournalist]

"Juno" will get nominated, but it will be a token, to lighten up the heaviness of the other films and to show they are "hip". "Michael Clayton" has the clientele, but "Atonement" is a shoo-in for its recent win and British-ness.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Everyone has forgotten American Gangster, I think Juno will get nominated. It's already Fox Searchlight's most successful film.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

On another note, I watched The Shining for the first time. Yes I know, I'm slapping myself already for waiting so long.

I'm slapping you too.

[wmgaretjax]

I think Diving Bell won't be nominated, but Schnabel will...

[luckyface]

On another note, I watched The Shining for the first time. Yes I know, I'm slapping myself already for waiting so long. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Especially the last act of the film. During that whole part I loved the scenes where Shelley Duvall's character kept seeing the weird things around the hotel like the cobweb filled lobby and the elevator of blood. And of course, Jack was fantastic.

I am dying to stay at that hotel used in the film. I finally discovered it online this week : The Stanley Hotel (http://www.stanleyhotel.com/). Only an hour and a half outside Denver!

[iv3rdawG]

I am dying to stay at that hotel used in the film. I finally discovered it online this week : The Stanley Hotel (http://www.stanleyhotel.com/). Only an hour and a half outside Denver!

Have fun with that ;)

[schoolofruckus]

I am dying to stay at that hotel used in the film. I finally discovered it online this week : The Stanley Hotel (http://www.stanleyhotel.com/). Only an hour and a half outside Denver!

Actually the Stanley is where King wrote the book, and where the ABC miniseries was filmed. For the Kubrick film, the exteriors were shot 2nd unit at some resort in Oregon (I can't remember the name....Ridgeline?*) and the interiors were fully built inside soundstages at Pinewood Studios in London (like every Kubrick film after Spartacus).

But nevertheless, the Stanley's pretty sweet. Jennie, Chris and I went there back in September during our marathon Colorado roadtrip. I'd been there once in like '98, and there was a plaque on Room 217 (the one where King stayed). It has since been removed. There also used to be photo displays from Dumb & Dumber - the front of the Stanley was used in the scene where they pull up in a Lamborghini and start throwing tips around - but now there's just a wall with about 20 or so pictures from "The Shining" (again, the TV version).

* Edit: It was the Timberline in Mount Hood, OR.

[luckyface]

Actually the Stanley is where King wrote the book, and where the ABC miniseries was filmed. For the Kubrick film, the exteriors were shot 2nd unit at some resort in Oregon (I can't remember the name....Ridgeline?*) and the interiors were fully built inside soundstages at Pinewood Studios in London (like every Kubrick film after Spartacus).

But nevertheless, the Stanley's pretty sweet. Jennie, Chris and I went there back in September during our marathon Colorado roadtrip. I'd been there once in like '98, and there was a plaque on Room 217 (the one where King stayed). It has since been removed. There also used to be photo displays from Dumb & Dumber - the front of the Stanley was used in the scene where they pull up in a Lamborghini and start throwing tips around - but now there's just a wall with about 20 or so pictures from "The Shining" (again, the TV version).

* Edit: It was the Timberline in Mount Hood, OR.

Oh sweet! I didn't know Dumb & Dumber was filmed there. More of a reason to visit. Thanks for the info. I read somewhere on the site that it was the Shining house, so I took that as the movie house. Good to know, though! Thanks!

[Down Rodeo]

I saw The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada tonight, directed by Tommy Lee Jones and written by Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, Babel). Briefly, Barry Pepper is a Border Patrol rookie who accidently shoots Melquiades, an illegal immigrant whom Tommy Lee Jones hired to work on his ranch. When the local law enforcement won't do anything about the murder, Jones kidnaps Pepper, makes him dig up the body, and they make the trek to Melquiades' hometown in Mexico to bury him. The trip kind of reminded me of a modern As I Lay Dying, and it shares the same dark comedy and poignancy. Overall, it's a great study of friendship, loyalty, loneliness and redemption set in the complex world of the US-Mexico border. I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.

[boarderwoozel3]

I thought Sweeny Todd was pretty good. It was shot well.

[Hannahrain]

It was the Timberline in Mount Hood, OR.

It's looking like my next family vacation is going to be there. It's only about three hours away. They play the movie there all the time so you can watch it and then get creeped out on the way back to your room.

[schoolofruckus]

I saw The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada tonight, directed by Tommy Lee Jones and written by Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, Babel). Briefly, Barry Pepper is a Border Patrol rookie who accidently shoots Melquiades, an illegal immigrant whom Tommy Lee Jones hired to work on his ranch. When the local law enforcement won't do anything about the murder, Jones kidnaps Pepper, makes him dig up the body, and they make the trek to Melquiades' hometown in Mexico to bury him. The trip kind of reminded me of a modern As I Lay Dying, and it shares the same dark comedy and poignancy. Overall, it's a great study of friendship, loyalty, loneliness and redemption set in the complex world of the US-Mexico border. I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.

YES. I loved the shit out of this movie.

[downingthief]

On another note, I watched The Shining for the first time. Yes I know, I'm slapping myself already for waiting so long. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Especially the last act of the film. During that whole part I loved the scenes where Shelley Duvall's character kept seeing the weird things around the hotel like the cobweb filled lobby and the elevator of blood. And of course, Jack was fantastic.

Intersting timing, as I also watched the Shining over the weekend. My second disk viewed on my Kubrick collection. First time I have seen it in many years.

When I first saw the Shining years ago, I really didn't like it. Mainly because I had recently read the book, and the movie is vastly different in many ways. For this viewing, I tried to keep the book out of my mind, and simply focus on it as a movie. I came away with a much different view. Some of the shots were the best Kubrick ever did. On my first viewing, I thought Jack was too over the top. Now I feel it was dead on. His scene when he first talks with the bartender is simply epic.

Now, the ONLY nitpick that is consistent with me is I loathe Shelley Duvall. Never have liked her, and I really want to strangle her sometimes in this picture. I get WHY Kubrick wanted to cast someone like her. It creates a reason for the character to stay with Jack through all the bad times. Meaning, she cares and loves him more than he cares and loves her. But, ugghh...I think she is just awful. If it weren't for Jack's performance (as well as Danny Lloyd's. Always thought he was fantastic in the movie), she could have ruined the flick.

[HowToDisappear]

I did, and while it is a fantastic film and does have all the mushyness of a sweeping epic period romance I still don't think it is better than No Country or Blood, in fact I don't even think it comes close. If the Oscars award this film with The Best Picture of the year than they will simply be going their normal sappy route (ala The English Patient and Titanic). I do however understand what your saying pertaining to the league Atonement is in.

I agree. We saw it on Friday, and while we both really liked it, I'd still only give it a solid B+. It's shot beautifully, Keira Knightly is at her least Keira Knightly-ish, and she has great chemistry with James McAvoy. (Who knew James McAvoy could be so hot? I may just have to throw Christain Bale off my Hetero Island and replace him with James. I prefer blue-eyed men anyway.) And I was most impressed with the young actress who plays Briony as a girl. She's a marvel.

[thelastgreatman]

Intersting timing, as I also watched the Shining over the weekend. My second disk viewed on my Kubrick collection. First time I have seen it in many years.

When I first saw the Shining years ago, I really didn't like it. Mainly because I had recently read the book, and the movie is vastly different in many ways. For this viewing, I tried to keep the book out of my mind, and simply focus on it as a movie. I came away with a much different view. Some of the shots were the best Kubrick ever did. On my first viewing, I thought Jack was too over the top. Now I feel it was dead on. His scene when he first talks with the bartender is simply epic.

Now, the ONLY nitpick that is consistent with me is I loathe Shelley Duvall. Never have liked her, and I really want to strangle her sometimes in this picture. I get WHY Kubrick wanted to cast someone like her. It creates a reason for the character to stay with Jack through all the bad times. Meaning, she cares and loves him more than he cares and loves her. But, ugghh...I think she is just awful. If it weren't for Jack's performance (as well as Danny Lloyd's. Always thought he was fantastic in the movie), she could have ruined the flick.

The idea that a Stephen King book could make that movie a disappointment boggles my mind. I refuse to believe people telling me Stephen King has ever been a good writer, but even if that book was the best horror novel ever there's no fucking way it's as affecting as the movie.

If anyone on here had the same experience with A Clockwork Orange, we're fighting.

Jack over the top? Um... I guess maybe... really it's his best performance of course. How can a man driven to psychopathic homicide by ghosts act over the top, exactly? I do remember being a little perturbed by Shelley Duvall when I was younger, but I generally hate all weak female characters and the way they're acted. Same goes for males, but female characters are forced into that much much more frequently. I can't really think of any examples of actresses that did it any better than Shelley there, though.

The bartender and bathroom attendant are also both top-notch. Just the way bathroom guy says "corrected" is one of my favorite line deliveries ever.

[schoolofruckus]

Okay, I'm running the fucking list. If I keep waiting and waiting to knock out every movie I think I should see before doing this, it'll never get done. And in the spirit of the Golden Globes "press conference" last night, I'm going to drag it out and make it last an hour.

Category 1 - The Comeback (Honorable Mention)


21. Sweeney Todd

It's nice to have Tim Burton back in the saddle. The film didn't quite blow me away, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. And it was nice to not be annoyed by Johnny Depp for the first time in a loooong time.

Category 2 - The Entertainments


20. 28 Weeks Later

Nothing I saw in '07 delivered gut-level thrills like this one did.


19. Hot Fuzz

On the same note, nothing I saw in '07 made me laugh as fucking hard as this one did.


18. Sunshine

In a year with such a formidable collection of visually astonishing films, it would be easy to forget the lush, chilling beauty of this long-awaited thriller from Danny Boyle. There may be some plot imperfections, but the filmmaking here is worth a salute.


Category 3 - The Runners-Up


17. Persepolis

My favorite animated film of the year.


16. Once

My favorite musical of the year.


15. Gone Baby Gone

A gripping, morally ambiguous crime film with standout acting. Reminiscent in its own way of Changing Lanes.


14. Southland Tales

A film that I enjoyed immensely, and which I can only imagine will improve upon multiple viewings.


13. The Darjeeling Limited

A Wes Anderson film that was harder to take the pulse of than usual. This is another one that I wish I could have seen twice before deciding where to put it.


12. Knocked Up

Hot Fuzz was more flat-out funny, but this soulful, character-driven comedy will stay with me for a very long time.


11. Into the Wild

Top 10 material in most other years.



Category 4 - The Winner's Circle


10. The Savages

My kind of low-budget dark comedy.


9. Atonement

My kind of romantic, British costume epic.


8. Control

My kind of straightforward rock-star biography. From this point on, every entry on this list feels like it should be higher because I loved them all so much.


7. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

This year's great Romanian neo-realist drama. After this and Death of Mr. Lazarescu, the country's film exports will have to be given immediate attention.


6. I'm Not There

As Jared said, the kind of film that can initiate major change in the way narrative films are made. And one of the lightest, most fun experimental films ever.


5. Zodiac

Another film that will change the process, particularly from a visual standpoint. HD never looked better. And the story had seemingly endless ways to arrest my attention.


4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Like I'm Not There, a film that expertly stretches the idea of how filmmaking can be used uniquely.


Category 5 - The Comeback (Champion Division)


3. No Country For Old Men

A possible career best for one of America's premiere filmmaking teams, and a furious return to form at that.

Category 6 - The Untouchables


2. The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford

In most years, this would be the best film you could hope to find. However, it had two faultless obstacles. One, I only got around to seeing it once. Two, it came along in the same year with something a little more forceful.


1. There Will Be Blood

This is one of the finest films I've ever seen. Period.




Movies I Wanted To See Before Compiling This List, and Will Hopefully Catch Up With Soon:

Quiet City
Syndromes and a Century
Lake of Fire
Things We Lost in the Fire
Margot at the Wedding
Youth Without Youth
Michael Clayton
Rescue Dawn


Worst of the Year (I skip most movies that look shitty to me, but these are the ones I saw that I hated):

Juno - Sigh.
300 - Should be hate-proof because its meathead ambitions are brought to perfect fruition.
The Boss Of It All - Even the absolute best have off-days.
Death Proof - Sometimes the absolute best fall off dramatically.
1408 - Sorry, Jennie.
Fred Claus - Despicable from the moment of conception.


Oscar-beggars I Have No Interest In (a refreshingly irrelevant category this year):

American Gangster
Charlie Wilson's War
The Kite Runner
Lions For Lambs

[downingthief]

The idea that a Stephen King book could make that movie a disappointment boggles my mind. I refuse to believe people telling me Stephen King has ever been a good writer, but even if that book was the best horror novel ever there's no fucking way it's as affecting as the movie.

If anyone on here had the same experience with A Clockwork Orange, we're fighting.

Jack over the top? Um... I guess maybe... really it's his best performance of course. How can a man driven to psychopathic homicide by ghosts act over the top, exactly? I do remember being a little perturbed by Shelley Duvall when I was younger, but I generally hate all weak female characters and the way they're acted. Same goes for males, but female characters are forced into that much much more frequently. I can't really think of any examples of actresses that did it any better than Shelley there, though.

The bartender and bathroom attendant are also both top-notch. Just the way bathroom guy says "corrected" is one of my favorite line deliveries ever.

Don't disagree on your take on the book. Keep in mind when I first read the book, and saw the movie, I was around 15-16, so my views were a little off.

I've meant plenty of people that are King diehards that to this day HATE the Kubrick version with a venomous passion. That's definitely a bit much.

My favorite shot has to be the one where Jack is looking down on the maze model, and then it slowly pans down to show Wendy and Danny moving in the middle of it. Simply brilliant.

[schoolofruckus]

The Shining works in book and movie form. I prefer the movie; I usually do, and the fact that Kubrick is several hundred times the artist that King is only makes the choice that much more clear cut. But it's a pretty decent horror novel in its own right.

I liked the unpolished quality of Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd. I really liked everything about the movie; even the overabundant exposition in the interview scenes with Jack felt right because they felt so heavily affected.

[J~$$$]

AWWWWW SHIIIIIT GABE!

http://www.u23dmovie.com/

"Only a few minutes in, I looked around the screening room in my classy 3D glasses (they’re real glass!) and noticed everyone’s jaws were wide open. The footage was breathtaking, shot in seven different South American cities throughout U2’s Vertigo tour. At times throughout the film I found myself wanting to clap as it felt like I was there.

I’ve seen a lot of concerts — and the view from the boom put this in the top 10 shows I’ve ever seen, and the band wasn’t even in the room. This technology is something else.

The team at National Geographic and producers at 3ality Digital should be proud — they truly created something remarkable. Be sure to catch this when it gets a wider distribution; tickets for the screening at Sundance next week are already all over eBay!"

[schoolofruckus]

YES!!!!

January 23rd? Holy shit, that's close. And I see it's opening at the Bridge IMAX, where I saw Transformers. I'll be there, man.

[Brother Plainview]

1. There Will Be Blood

This is one of the finest films I've ever seen. Period.


I. DRINK. YOUR. MILKSHAKE. I DRINK IT UP.

[schoolofruckus]

They should have thrown you out with your mother's filth.

[Brother Plainview]

DRAYYYNAAAGE!!

[wmgaretjax]

Syndromes and a Century comes out on DVD tomorrow Gabe.

[schoolofruckus]

It's first up in my Netflix queue. I have Climates and Killer of Sheep at home; neither of them are 2007 eligible, but I think they both look awesome.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I almost bought Killer of Sheep last night. I'm going to download Syndromes and a Century soon (if not try to find it for rent), Weerasethakul is one of my favorite filmmakers.

Yesterday I watched Juno. I didn't hate the bad parts as much as I did the first time, and didn't like the good parts as much as I did the first time.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I. DRINK. YOUR. MILKSHAKE. I DRINK IT UP.

I know that line is from the ending of the film, just please don't spoil it. I'm finally seeing this on Friday, and while I know too much about the ending, I've managed to avoid finding out what about it is causing all the strong reactions.

[wmgaretjax]

It's first up in my Netflix queue. I have Climates and Killer of Sheep at home; neither of them are 2007 eligible, but I think they both look awesome.

Climates is 2007 eligible for me. That movie deserves credit and it didn't come anywhere near here until this year. Killer of Sheep is fantastic as well.

[schoolofruckus]

Sorry for those who have not seen There Will Be Blood yet - but this is worth a laugh in spite of being fucking stupid. There aren't any spoilers (at least, no footage that wasn't already in the trailer).

MCCdZmHk5Fk

[J~$$$]

hahahahaha

[KungFuJoe]

that was pretty funny Gabe. I'm really itching to go see it for a third time now. You should hit it up at the Vista.

[disgustipated]

OOOooooo

[amyzzz]

I saw 3:10 to Yuma and enjoyed it even though I don't really like Westerns. And conversely, I did not enjoy Sunshine (scifi pic) because the ending was retarded. (I usually really like scifi) The story and special effects could carry this one more than some hastily thrown-together space monster.

[Brother Plainview]

I know that line is from the ending of the film, just please don't spoil it. I'm finally seeing this on Friday, and while I know too much about the ending, I've managed to avoid finding out what about it is causing all the strong reactions.

Teh best acting of my life. And yours. Bitches.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Oh, I'm sure. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite filmmakers too. I was supposed to see the movie this weekend, but then I found out my dorm was robbed over break and all plans went out the window.

[KungFuJoe]

I saw 3:10 to Yuma and enjoyed it even though I don't really like Westerns. And conversely, I did not enjoy Sunshine (scifi pic) because the ending was retarded. (I usually really like scifi) The story and special effects could carry this one more than some hastily thrown-together space monster.


sure the third act was bad, but Sunshine is a way better film than 3:10 To Yuma could ever hope to be. That film is sooooooo gay!

[amyzzz]

*sunshine spoilers*







Sunshine seemed a bit overdone to me as well as having a crappy ending. Do we have to see EVERYONE get fried by the sun, and does EVERYONE want to watch the sun just before it fries them? And I did not like Cillian's hair in that movie. My god, get a haircut, Cillian! :)

[wmgaretjax]

fuck. the ending of sunshine just got ruined for me... I missed the first line of your post...

[ghettojournalist]

^i thought that would be the ending. i'm still going to see it though.

[KungFuJoe]

no. just some things that lead up to the end

[amyzzz]

Sorry about that. I have now changed the color of the spoiler part. I tried to warn you.

[KungFuJoe]

I'll ruin the ending of 3:10 to Yuma for you.
















Russel Crowe and Christian Bale make out.

[amyzzz]

That'd be so awesome.

[iv3rdawG]

D2G5NUc4sNI

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829432/

Hahah. :lool

[schoolofruckus]

:lool

God damn right. That has to be one of the most hilariously awful movie trailers in history. I seriously want to know who the ad wizards are that watched that bilge and said "YES!!! People will want to SEE this!".

[whynotsmile99]

hahah coming to theaters.....righhhhhhht

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Anyone seen this? (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/14/arts/fmconway.php)

[downingthief]

God damn right. That has to be one of the most hilariously awful movie trailers in history. I seriously want to know who the ad wizards are that watched that bilge and said "YES!!! People will want to SEE this!".

Dear God...that's awful. I was hoping it would at least have some boobs in it, but it's rated PG. Boobs can't save a movie...but it can help.

[schoolofruckus]

Anyone seen this? (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/14/arts/fmconway.php)

I guess I'm going to have to see that one, and many more foreign films this Spring. Or maybe not. Either way, this one made the Academy's shortlist of foreign film Oscar nominees.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Persepolis, and - even though it's a US production and thus was never eligible - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly are not.

[Down Rodeo]

Anyone seen this? (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/14/arts/fmconway.php)

It looks good, but it'll never be as good as 12 Angry Men.

[iv3rdawG]

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Persepolis, and - even though it's a US production and thus was never eligible - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly are not.

The nominations for the Oscars haven't even been announced and they've already failed :nono

[iv3rdawG]

Watched Rear Window today. Some spoilers will follow.

I really loved this one. More than Vertigo, actually. Once again Jimmy Stewart was excellent as was Grace Kelly. What a brilliant final act. When Lisa and Stella were digging up the garden and she decides to go up to Thorwald's apartment and he starts to come up. So suspenseful. And what a crazy way to actually end it. I'd say it's definitely one of the best suspense/mystery/thrillers. Just wonderful.

[downingthief]

Watched Rear Window today. Some spoilers will follow.

I really loved this one. More than Vertigo, actually. Once again Jimmy Stewart was excellent as was Grace Kelly. What a brilliant final act. When Lisa and Stella were digging up the garden and she decides to go up to Thorwald's apartment and he starts to come up. So suspenseful. And what a crazy way to actually end it. I'd say it's definitely one of the best suspense/mystery/thrillers. Just wonderful.

Fantastic. Glad you liked it. By far my favorite Hitchcock movie.

[J~$$$]

The international trailer for CJ7

http://www.movi