Schoolio's Movie Corner

[wmgaretjax]

The two films he did prior to that were Good Will Hunting and Finding Forrester. Yes, that element of his work has always been there, but his Death Trilogy is...a lot more invested in that aesthetic than the two films that preceded it, and many of the films he made before that as well. So yes, when you consider that the movie he made before Gerry had Sean Connery uttering the phrase "you're the man now dog", yes, I'm going to go ahead and just call it a detour. I'm sorry if you don't agree with that but the Death Trilogy and Paranoid Park stand out enough from the Van Sant films made directly before and after them that I think it's valid enough for a short review written with an audience of many people who probably don't follow the man's work all that closely.

finding forester and good will hunting are the detour. that was my point. they were pay checks that stand out within the rest of his films.

[whynotsmile99]

the only good thing to come out of Finding Forester:

http://www.yourethemannowdog.com/

[indietron]

I still haven't seen Synecdoche, NY....but with all this discussion of Charlie Kaufman, I was inspired to rewatch Human Nature late, late last night

I love it, bizarre as hell, but so quirky and fun..I even got my brother to enjoy it, who is by no means a movie lover, and that felt like quite the accomplishment

I am really looking forward to watching Human Nature. It is one of the next movies on my list to watch...

[wmgaretjax]

Those who have been following Gus van Sant know that his career took a detour into a kind of naturalistic experimental phase, and I looked forward to seeing how this would inform Milk, his most mainsteam project since 2000's Finding Forrester. It turned out that it didn't really inform his approach at all, but that's not a bad thing. The story's pretty straightforward, but there's a playfulness of style that made me think of the French New Wave. Sean Penn was incredible, but you already knew that; what really impressed me was Josh Brolin. Here you have the man who killed Harvey Milk. It would have been so easy to demonize him, but Brolin digs deeper, finding the deeply unhappy human being beneath the bigoted exterior. It's an incredibly affecting performance. The whole cast is excellent, in fact, as is the production design. Our recent political decisions in California definitely made the film more resonant, and it's kind of a shame that this story has to be as relevant as it is,

I'm not sure you watched this film with any consideration for the films that he made before this.

This film draws an incredible amount from the last few films Van Sant has made. Thinking this film might have anything in common with his last "mainstream" efforts is a complete mistake. I could break this down by what it shares directly in common with say, Paranoid Park, in a fairly detailed manner, but I'll tackle a couple of the main points. The narrative, while non-linear, doesn't rely on the tension and a dramatic arc to carry it... The plot and his life contain an arc, but Van Sant does everything he can to flatten it. The most emotional moments of the film end up feeling incredibly subdued, like no moment in particular holds more value than another. The cinematography takes an immense amount from his last few effort, lots of empty space in the camera angles, and an almost documentary aesthetic to the way people and space are organized. Also, the use of (in this case both real and fabricated) footage that feels almost archival to draw you from one place to the next, whether it be time or space. The one shot in the film that appears twice (in the "present" and then in flashback") uses a different take each time, another technique that Van Sant has used in an attempt to effectively interject memory into a film.

This may be a biopic, but it would be a shame to write it off as a cut and dry film with simply some good performances. The only really serious misstep this movie takes (and probably what it has most in common with Van Sant's "paycheck" efforts) is a truly fucking awful soundtrack by that piece of shit composer Danny Elfman. If I could kill him I would do it right now.

[ivankay]

i saw Australia last night. It had it's moments of the grand emotion i'm sure Mr. Luhrmann wanted this movie to oooze with, but for some reason i can't get hyped about it. It was well made and you were reminded more than once how lovely the scenery was with crane shot abuse. The cast was nice, but i don't think they were big enough for the intention of a modern day Gone With the Wind (that's the impression i got at least). Wha? Nicole Kidman not big enough? She always comes off as cold to me and that's not suitable for the lead in a romantic film (didn't work for me in Moulin Rouge either). If some other female lead was cast (Naomi Watts for example), i might have been more involved in the main relationship. The time goes by well and the film doesn't drag. If you get dragged out to see it, there will be some impressive scenes to enjoy. i just think this movie could have been much better.

Strangely it is Luhrmann's most muted film for him stylistically. He's been one of "those" directors whose work you could watch for a bit and recognize it was his. Australia could have been someone else's work. This ranks as 4th out of 4 of the Luhrmann films (1 - Strictly Ballroom, 2 - Romeo and Julliet, 3 - Moulin Rouge). That's pretty good if your worst film is still decent enough to watch and has some big, memorable scenes.

Synecdoche NY: A great film indeed. Not for the average film goer for sure. i was thinking this was the closest an American film maker has gotten to a Fellini like work. i'm still confused on some things and need another screening, but i hurt watching it. The objective of "truth" was there and SPOLIER:






















...i think that's what Caden had to achieve (truth that is) before finally passing on. i think he killed himself and one indication was when the therapist said "Why did you kill yourself?" and then corrected herself. The play in the hanger was his coming to terms with the "reality" of his life and shaking off the delusions. i'm might be way off, but like i said, need to see it again.

Sad note: i was the only person in the theater watching it.

[Gonshman]

I'm not sure you watched this film with any consideration for the films that he made before this.

This film draws an incredible amount from the last few films Van Sant has made. Thinking this film might have anything in common with his last "mainstream" efforts is a complete mistake. I could break this down by what it shares directly in common with say, Paranoid Park, in a fairly detailed manner, but I'll tackle a couple of the main points. The narrative, while non-linear, doesn't rely on the tension and a dramatic arc to carry it... The plot and his life contain an arc, but Van Sant does everything he can to flatten it. The most emotional moments of the film end up feeling incredibly subdued, like no moment in particular holds more value than another. The cinematography takes an immense amount from his last few effort, lots of empty space in the camera angles, and an almost documentary aesthetic to the way people and space are organized. Also, the use of (in this case both real and fabricated) footage that feels almost archival to draw you from one place to the next, whether it be time or space. The one shot in the film that appears twice (in the "present" and then in flashback") uses a different take each time, another technique that Van Sant has used in an attempt to effectively interject memory into a film.

This may be a biopic, but it would be a shame to write it off as a cut and dry film with simply some good performances. The only really serious misstep this movie takes (and probably what it has most in common with Van Sant's "paycheck" efforts) is a truly fucking awful soundtrack by that piece of shit composer Danny Elfman. If I could kill him I would do it right now.

Is the shot you're referring to the one where Milk and Scott are talking on his birthday and Milk says, "I'll never make it to 50?"

[RedThom]

I hope they don't ruin the first one.

That has "money-grab" written all over it

which "first one"? the 1988 john waters film or that shit 2007 remake?

[faxman75]

Don't get me started on "Jerry". I hated Van Sant for a long time once I saw that movie. Oddly enough, it's been a couple years and for nothing happening in the movie it's very memorable. I'm at a point where I'm rethinking how I feel about Van Sant and his later films. I liked Elephant....somewhat, again though the time he spends on some of the shots is annoying. Do I really need to watch a kid walk through the halls of a highschool all the way to the office then all the way back to his locker and so and so forth. It's his style though. It's at least interesting which is more than I would have said about him 3 years ago.

[Gonshman]

which "first one"? the 1988 john waters film or that shit 2007 remake?

'88, with Divine and Ricki Lake

The "remake" in 2007 was a completely different movie, loosely based on the musical which was itself barely connected to the sentiment and story of the original

[RedThom]

Don't get me started on "Jerry". I hated Van Sant for a long time once I saw that movie. Oddly enough, it's been a couple years and for nothing happening in the movie it's very memorable. I'm at a point where I'm rethinking how I feel about Van Sant and his later films. I liked Elephant....somewhat, again though the time he spends on some of the shots is annoying. Do I really need to watch a kid walk through the halls of a highschool all the way to the office then all the way back to his locker and so and so forth. It's his style though. It's at least interesting which is more than I would have said about him 3 years ago.

You mean you didn't have a hate for him after casting Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates?

[RedThom]

'88, with Divine and Ricki Lake

The "remake" in 2007 was a completely different movie, loosely based on the musical which was itself barely connected to the sentiment and story of the original

maybe I just hate John Travolta in drag

[sbessiso]

I never saw Jerry but I found Elephant to be quite the film. I really liked it!

And the "Hairspray" remake kicked all sorts of ass. Represent

[RedThom]

seriously, I loved the aesthetics in Elephant.

[faxman75]

You mean you didn't have a hate for him after casting Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates?

I never actually saw his version of Psycho so no, I that one didn't do me in. It was "Jerry" that I ranted and raved about for the past 3 years to anyone who was within earshot.

I never saw the Cobain biopic based entirely on my resentment of "Jerry". Elephant came on cable so I watched that and kind of liked it. I found it odd he threw in a random homosexual shower scene between the columbine killers and there were pretty ridiculous problems with the movie like they somehow ordered weapons in the mail and they came loaded. It was interesting though.

He's not big into writing scripts either. Jerry was almost entirely made up as they went along and I think Elephant was also not a complete script once they started filming.

[wmgaretjax]

Is the shot you're referring to the one where Milk and Scott are talking on his birthday and Milk says, "I'll never make it to 50?"

yes.

and I think "Gerry" is a fantastic film... I also find it interesting that people that see the movie and claim to hate it, always seem to bring it up at every turn. I have a friend that goes on tirades about the movie on occasion. If people are responding that passionately, Van Sant can't be doing everything wrong...

[woogie846]

I just watched Slumdog Millionaire. It was fantastic.

[paulb]

I saw Twilight yesterday.... it was entertaining... would have liked it to have had some more raunch though... I was expecting it to be a Harry Potter-esk movie where they are turning cats into birds and shit...very different than what I expected... and they said the word, Vancouver, so that gets extra points.

Will see Bond again tomorrow.

[sbessiso]

I haven't even seen Bond once. I'm scared i'm gunna fall asleep in it and waste $10

[humanoid]

maybe I just hate John Travolta in drag

maybe it's Travolta, no matter what he's wearing

[SoulDischarge]

Steal some coffee from work before you go. That way you'll only waste $10.

[betao]

I just saw Teeth earlier tonight.

That's really all I have to say about that.

[Gonshman]

I never actually saw his version of Psycho so no, I that one didn't do me in. It was "Jerry" that I ranted and raved about for the past 3 years to anyone who was within earshot.

I never saw the Cobain biopic based entirely on my resentment of "Jerry". Elephant came on cable so I watched that and kind of liked it. I found it odd he threw in a random homosexual shower scene between the columbine killers and there were pretty ridiculous problems with the movie like they somehow ordered weapons in the mail and they came loaded. It was interesting though.

He's not big into writing scripts either. Jerry was almost entirely made up as they went along and I think Elephant was also not a complete script once they started filming.

I don't think the homosexuality scene in Elephant was so random. I believe it was an attempt to paint the shooters as having repressed homosexual desires that created a pseudo-romance between the two and explanation for their lashing out.

That is just based off of some of the people who have claimed that many straight people responsibly for killing homosexuals themselves may have had repressed homosexual leanings.

[rage patton]

How does Australia compare to Baz Luhrman's other films?

I have never seen Moulin Rouge and I fucking HATE Romeo and Juliet. So pretty damn good if you ask me.

[Gonshman]

I have never seen Moulin Rouge and I fucking HATE Romeo and Juliet. So pretty damn good if you ask me.

See Moulin Rouge. Your mind is being manipulated with his song choices designed to trigger nostalgia and mass recognition, but you won't care because it's so much fun to watch and listen to.

[sbessiso]

You hated Romeo+Juliet and never saw Moulin Rouge??

I'm reading the words but I'm not comprehending

[bmack86]

I am shocked as well. I thought his interpretation of Romeo+Juliet was pretty badass, and I was shocked to discover that I really liked Moulin Rouge. It's far from my type of movie, but it was awesome.

[mountmccabe]

I loved Romeo+Juliet, it was ridiculous but it worked so well. The story is a known entity so he focused on the expression of it, the image, the style. It was over the top but fun and interesting.

I loved Moulin Rouge too. Again, the story had been done a billion times but the way they pulled it off was extraordinary.

I have not yet seen Strictly Ballroom but I just added it to my roommate's Netflix queue. This is not one he's going to like, really.

I am quite excited to see Australia.

[wmgaretjax]

I don't think the homosexuality scene in Elephant was so random. I believe it was an attempt to paint the shooters as having repressed homosexual desires that created a pseudo-romance between the two and explanation for their lashing out.

That is just based off of some of the people who have claimed that many straight people responsibly for killing homosexuals themselves may have had repressed homosexual leanings.

I think this is far too literal a reading of the scene. More than anything I think that scene is about love... I don't think repression was a big part of it at all, or even exploring themes of homosexuality... I think it was about two boys who were outcast and fucked up, but they had found some solace in each other, and it manifested itself in a kiss... I don't think he meant the scene to be taken for a whole lot more than that. I definitely don't think it's meant to be an explanation of why they lashed out.

[woogie846]

I saw Burn After Reading yesterday. I was a little disappointed.

[ivankay]

2 classics screening tonight for the American Cinematheque (http://www.aerotheatre.com/):

At the Egyptian, a new 70mm print of West Side Story will be showing. Great big screen film. George Chakiris (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001995/)(Bernardo) will be there.

At the Areo, Vertigo (nuff said).

Both start at 7:30PM.

[stinkbutt]

LA has the coolest movie theaters that is the only thing I am jealous of yall for well that and the food

[Gonshman]

I think this is far too literal a reading of the scene. More than anything I think that scene is about love... I don't think repression was a big part of it at all, or even exploring themes of homosexuality... I think it was about two boys who were outcast and fucked up, but they had found some solace in each other, and it manifested itself in a kiss... I don't think he meant the scene to be taken for a whole lot more than that. I definitely don't think it's meant to be an explanation of why they lashed out.

Sorry, didn't mean for it to come off like that. What you said about "finding solace in each other," that's the idea I was trying to get at. Thanks.

[woogie846]

I watched the Deerhunter a couple of hours ago.

[real talk]

Twilight was really bad. Rosalie wasn't even beautiful. Edward was whiny (albeit hot) and Bella was just terrible and she never closes her mouth she just gapes. My bf called it abstinence porn and then whispered to me at the beginning of the love scenes, "this is where they're going to NOT do it." and it made me start giggling that I couldn't stop for the rest of the movie. I'm going to go see something good today to cleanse my palate.

[gratytrainridesagain]

Bruce Cambell is going to be here doing a signing and Q & A for his new movie "My Name Is Bruce" next Saturday it should be a pretty fun time. The movie doesn't look all that great but maybe worth a few laughs.

[nationocean]

I have never seen Moulin Rouge and I fucking HATE Romeo and Juliet. So pretty damn good if you ask me.

I think that's a good way to put it. If you hadn't liked Baz's older work, you will probably like Australia. Otherwise, it looks pretty tame and boring compared to the visual dazzle of MR and R&J.

[nationocean]

Have you guys all heard of the horror movie: My Bloody Valentine.
lol, i know, all the MBV (music) fans will probably groan about it.

I don't usually like cheesy horror films or 3D, but for some reason I want to watch this:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/mybloodyvalentine3d/

[roberto73]

Have you guys all heard of the horror movie: My Bloody Valentine.
lol, i know, all the MBV (music) fans will probably groan about it.

I don't usually like cheesy horror films or 3D, but for some reason I want to watch this:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/mybloodyvalentine3d/

The original movie actually predates the band by a few years. It's no great shakes, but if you like slasher movies featuring disgruntled mine workers, this one's for you.

[rage patton]

See Moulin Rouge. Your mind is being manipulated with his song choices designed to trigger nostalgia and mass recognition, but you won't care because it's so much fun to watch and listen to.

That "cover" of Smells Like Teen Spirit turned me off from watching it.

As for Romeo and Juliet... it was too rediculous. I like rediculous movies too. But it was over the top for me, and not in a good way. Right from the very firs scene where he pulls out his "sword" and the word "sword" is written on his gun... brutal. I also didn't get why Mercutio was so flamboyantly gay. Also, the ending... Juliet fucking watches Romeo drink the poison. She was awake! Why didn't she stop him. Fuck. Yeah, not my thing. I might give Moulin Rouge another chance though...

[wmgaretjax]

I hate all of his films and won't go near Australia...

[sbessiso]

The two main co-stars of the 'Baby' franchise are also apparently keen on re-teaming - "Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and I are looking to make another Three Men And A Baby movie. It’s called Three Men and A Bride. The script is pretty much written and we are really keen to get that made. We’re very hopeful."


I'm so down.

[shakermaker113]

I just saw Slumdog Millionaire and it was fucking fantastic!

I just watched Slumdog Millionaire. It was fantastic.

I second these motions.

I have to admit the story by the end was highly predictable, and even made me cringe once. but despite these complaints I thoroughly enjoyed it. awesome movie. I'm downloading the soundtrack now.

[ghettojournalist]

I saw "Rachel Getting Married" and "Happy-Go-Lucky".

RGM is pretty good. i love Anne Hathaway and it's nice to see her put on the drama cap and play around with positive results. it's also cool to see Tunde Adebimpe on the screen (singing Neil Young, no less). i generally dig films with a fractured family dynamic, so I've been seeing a lot of good "indie" films in the last decade. the wedding felt like a music video, but overall I liked the film.

HGL is smile-inducing. luckily for me, i saw this film after RGM (which is a downer). Sally Hawkins as Poppy is a breath of fresh air. I can see how some could be turned off by her performance and find it cute, but I couldn't help but enjoy the journey of the film from her perspective. I've never seen a Mike Leigh film, so it was interesting to hear about the bleakness of his previous work before I saw this film. I let this description paint my expectations a bit, thinking that there would be a gloomy turn. There is some dread and tension in the film, but they put the happy-go-lucky times in a better and welcome perspective. This is a film I could watch again and again.

[wmgaretjax]

I loved Happy Go-Lucky. Classic Mike Leigh, but also a really different film compared to his others. I thought her performance was fantastic, and that the film balanced it's optimism really well.

[roberto73]

Happy-Go-Lucky is definitely one of my favorite movies this year. It's tonally so different from Leigh's other work, and I love the way it skirts the dark edges toward the end but avoids tipping that way completely. More surprisingly, it manages to be absolutely life-affirming without ever becoming mawkish or syrupy. It's a real triumph.

A couple of my friends and I spend one weekend each January watching a director's filmography (last year was Werner Herzog's documentaries; the year before was Robert Altman). This movie prompted us to make Mike Leigh our 2009 selection.

[wmgaretjax]

That should be really interesting... I would really encourage y'all to seek out a copy of his for-BBC play "Abigail's Party." It's fucking gut-wrenching. That would make a really good starting point for his filmography.

[chairmenmeow47]

That "cover" of Smells Like Teen Spirit turned me off from watching it.

As for Romeo and Juliet... it was too rediculous. I like rediculous movies too. But it was over the top for me, and not in a good way. Right from the very firs scene where he pulls out his "sword" and the word "sword" is written on his gun... brutal. I also didn't get why Mercutio was so flamboyantly gay. Also, the ending... Juliet fucking watches Romeo drink the poison. She was awake! Why didn't she stop him. Fuck. Yeah, not my thing. I might give Moulin Rouge another chance though...

RIDICULOUS

ok, i totally agree about moulin rouge. once it got to the nirvana cover, i gave up. that was one of the worst movies i've ever seen. my god. horrible. it's one of those movies that seems like it was made for the people performing in it to have an opportunity to prance around "singing" in old time clothing, rather than an interesting movie for the audience. awful.

i do love romeo + juliet though. i hated it when i saw it back in 96, but it's grown on me. i mainly just love the story of romeo + juliet though, so that may be why i love it so much. i just love the idea that people only seem to be in love when there's some sort of finite-ness to it, like being kept apart by your families. while some of it was definitely over the top, romeo + juliet is a dramatic story, so that totally fits in my opinion. mercutio was the best performance i've seen of the character. that queen mab speech was stellar.

randy & i went to see synecdoche this weekend and boy i wish we hadn't. parts of it were really funny, but mostly it was really uncomfortable to watch. the soundtrack was frustrating. i understand that they might have been trying to show how frustrating and awkward real life is, but watching people be uncomfortable just makes me uncomfortable, it's not really entertaining in any sense. we walked out towards the end, not sure when. it's one of those things i might have enjoyed more in the comfort of my own home too. i felt like the movie was in dire need of an editor. some parts were really funny, but not funny enough to make up for the really uncomfortable presentation.

[RotationSlimWang]

Synecdoche was way more annoying than it should have been. As much as I somewhat appreciate the self-referential criticism Kaufman puts forth in the dramatized versions of himself, at the end of the day it still forces you to sit through far too many melodramatic segments with an annoying fucking sad piano playing for like twenty minutes straight.

[roberto73]

Yeah, I really liked Synecdoche ... at the beginning. I found myself getting restless about 90 minutes in, and in the last 30 minutes I was compiling a shopping list and thinking about the work I needed to do when I got home. I don't typically have a short attention span, so something in the movie just wasn't clicking for me.

[PotVsKtl]

Mike Leigh filmography is a recipe for Elliott Smith-level self-heart-stabbing weepy death. Throw Naked in the front so you can really get into it as you're going to be fastening a noose by the middle of Secrets & Lies.

[roberto73]

We'll be sure to sandwich Vera Drake in there, too, because nothing says "rollicking good time" like a film about an abortionist.

[wmgaretjax]

Mike Leigh filmography is a recipe for Elliott Smith-level self-heart-stabbing weepy death. Throw Naked in the front so you can really get into it as you're going to be fastening a noose by the middle of Secrets & Lies.

I don't think I could handle a full weekend of Mike Leigh....

[bmack86]

Naked may be the only Mike Leigh movie I've seen, but I loved it.

[wmgaretjax]

Naked may be the only Mike Leigh movie I've seen, but I loved it.

It's definitely his best, but I'd recommend Abigail's Party, Secrets and Lies, All or Nothing, Happy Go-Lucky, and Vera Drake. They all range form really good to great. They all retain that kind of ridiculously dramatic, theater-esque quality...

[Somewhat Damaged]

Randy & Ivy: guess you won't be taking my recommendations on what to see ever again, huh?

[chairmenmeow47]

Randy & Ivy: guess you won't be taking my recommendations on what to see ever again, huh?

ha ha ha, we had already wanted to see it, so we won't blame this one on you :)

[RotationSlimWang]

The real answer is: we never did in the first place, Rick.

BTW, cute Christmas present. I urged Ivy to wrap the DVD in the shirt and take a picture of them both in the garbage but she's too nice.

[Somewhat Damaged]

Pardon me. I assume that every good decision people make is in part influenced by me.

And you didn't like the present either? Damn, I thought it would've been right up your alley.

[chairmenmeow47]

Pardon me. I assume that every good decision people make is in part influenced by me.

awww, you two have so much in common <3 <3 <3

[Gonshman]

Happy-Go-Lucky is definitely one of my favorite movies this year. It's tonally so different from Leigh's other work, and I love the way it skirts the dark edges toward the end but avoids tipping that way completely. More surprisingly, it manages to be absolutely life-affirming without ever becoming mawkish or syrupy. It's a real triumph.

A couple of my friends and I spend one weekend each January watching a director's filmography (last year was Werner Herzog's documentaries; the year before was Robert Altman). This movie prompted us to make Mike Leigh our 2009 selection.

That Werner Herzog weekend must have been great.

My friends and I do something similar, except we choose specific actors, usually comedians with some crossover films. We've done Steve Martin, John Belushi, and Jim Carrey.

[ghettojournalist]

I just saw a tv spot for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" that features Arcade Fire "My Body Is a Cage"!

[MissingPerson]

Yeah, that's weird.

Lot of buzz around that film, but I really haven't been impressed by the ads. I mean, we get it, he's old => young, it's sad.

I let my cinema subscription card lapse a while back, just fell out of the habit of going to the cinema. I'm pretty sure the internet has killed my attention span.

[shakermaker113]

I just found out that benjamin button was directed by david fincher. let's hope it's as good as his madonna videos.

[ghettojournalist]

or his Nike ads...

I am seriously looking forward to this film. For me, I hope it lives up to Fincher's other work.

[PotVsKtl]

Indie auteur Steven Soderbergh wants to make a big-budget musical called Cleo starring Hugh Jackman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Cleo would follow the love affair of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. It would also be scored by the music of Dayton's own Guided By Voices. And it would be in 3-D, because why not?

http://idolator.com/5077358/steven-soderbergh-calls-miss-cleo

[bmack86]

I'm not sure whether to smile or vomit.

[Gonshman]

I saw Doubt last night. It was quite different from the play but still very good, as it raised more questions about the priests innocence. The symbolism and metaphors are a bit heavy-handed, but still effective, and there is definitely nuance to be found in all of the performances. Expect all three big name actors to be up for awards consideration for their roles. In particular, Meryl Streep does a great job of portraying the conflicted nun, torn between obedience and her doubts.

[Pixiessp]

Mike Leigh filmography is a recipe for Elliott Smith-level self-heart-stabbing weepy death. Throw Naked in the front so you can really get into it as you're going to be fastening a noose by the middle of Secrets & Lies.

Secrets and Lies is one of my very favorite movie. Brenda Blethyn is phenomenal in it.!!!!!!

[downingthief]

I'm really, really beginning to hate Hollywood:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=45313

[shakermaker113]

I'm really, really beginning to hate Hollywood:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=45313

hm. I don't think I ever saw the original.

[downingthief]

hm. I don't think I ever saw the original.

It's definitely a "cult" favorite. Of that genre, it is one of the best.

[PotVsKtl]

U_xMpcN3IIc

[SoulDischarge]

The editing on that is extremely obnoxious, but it's fucking awesome news regardless. It's fun to pause on the parts with the script too. "Scene 79. Bullet change in phallus. Knife eyes change and turn to full black."

[thestripe]

I'm not sure whether to smile or vomit.

Read it again. Vomit is the only option.

[Pixiessp]

I saw Doubt last night. It was quite different from the play but still very good, as it raised more questions about the priests innocence. The symbolism and metaphors are a bit heavy-handed, but still effective, and there is definitely nuance to be found in all of the performances. Expect all three big name actors to be up for awards consideration for their roles. In particular, Meryl Streep does a great job of portraying the conflicted nun, torn between obedience and her doubts.

could have sworn you said you were going to see No Doubt last night.
you seemed so excited about it I didn't want to make any rude remarks.

Thank god it was not the band but in fact the play.

I feel better now. :)

[iv3rdawG]

The trailer for Che has been released here (http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?sid=76048537&sdm=web&pt=rd).

[Gonshman]

could have sworn you said you were going to see No Doubt last night.
you seemed so excited about it I didn't want to make any rude remarks.

Thank god it was not the band but in fact the play.

I feel better now. :)

Actually, not the play. The movie.

[humanoid]

Anyone seen Herzog's Fitzcarraldo? I just received it from Netflix, and I've been wanting to see it for years

[Gonshman]

Anyone seen Herzog's Fitzcarraldo? I just received it from Netflix, and I've been wanting to see it for years

Yesyesyes! I loved it. Very underrated and unusual.

[wmgaretjax]

Yesyesyes! I loved it. Very underrated and unusual.

I don't think it's underrated... Everyone that watches it absolutely loves it. Fantastic film...

[roberto73]

Ditto on Fitzcarraldo. Herzog's one of my favorite directors, and this is one of my favorites of his non-documentaries.

[wmgaretjax]

Ditto on Fitzcarraldo. Herzog's one of my favorite directors, and this is one of my favorites of his non-documentaries.

What's your favorite?

[roberto73]

What's your favorite?

Probably Aguirre, which sort of blew my seventeen-year-old mind when I first saw it. I've watched it every couple years since then, and it still holds up.

[wmgaretjax]

Probably Aguirre, which sort of blew my seventeen-year-old mind when I first saw it. I've watched it every couple years since then, and it still holds up.

Same here... Although Stroszek is a close second... I saw Aguirre when I was in 9th grade and it floored me. I credit that and 8 1/2, which I saw that same year, for getting me into film.

[roberto73]

I like Stroszek a lot, too, and for good, kitschy fun, it's hard to beat Klaus Kinski in Nosferatu.

[wmgaretjax]

And Dwarves is another one of my favorites... I can't come up with a Herzog film I didn't like off the top of my head...

After checking IMDB, out of 15 films I've seen by him, there isn't a single I didn't enjoy. I don't think I can say that about any other filmmaker.

[chairmenmeow47]

roberto's avatar rocks :)

[ghettojournalist]

just watched "Paranoid Park" and I really dug it. the opening set me up for a weird path since it was basically an arty skate video, but once the main character and the story kicked in I became interested. big welcome surprise when I saw Taylor Momsen of "Gossip Girl" fame in the film. she plays up the annoying teenage girlfriend, but that's what happens in reality half the time, so it's acceptable. I loved the interesting take on a sex scene. another welcome surprise was the gore. I did not know that was going to be shown, but it put the viewer in the mindset of the main character and was definitely a haunting image.

[PotVsKtl]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qlv1iwPZL._SS500_.jpg

The 'Mystery Disc' in this has 32 deleted scenes from Wild at Heart. 80 minutes.

[PotVsKtl]

And Blue Velvet has a 5.1 mix approved by Lynch.

[ivankay]

That makes me want to fuck myself.

[Down Rodeo]

Same here... Although Stroszek is a close second... I saw Aguirre when I was in 9th grade and it floored me. I credit that and 8 1/2, which I saw that same year, for getting me into film.

I ordered Aguirre from Amazon on a whim a few years ago, and my life has been better ever since. One of the best films ever made...

[SoulDischarge]

I watched Aguirre before class in high school once and it was all I could think about all damned day. That rarely ever happens when I watch a movie. I'll give anything Herzog related a chance. Another really great one is Heart Of Glass. It's one of the most ethereal movies I've ever seen.

As good as Fitzcarraldo is, I think I prefer the making of, Burden Of Dreams. It's practically the same movie, except it's true and you get the added madness of Herzog's semi-coherent rants about the jungle and Kinski.

[bmack86]

I saw Pirates 2:Stagnetti's Revenge tonight. Pre screening at UCLA. If you haven't heard of it, google it, but don't do that at work. I met two of the lead actors afterwards too.

[rage patton]

I saw Pirates 2:Stagnetti's Revenge tonight. Pre screening at UCLA. If you haven't heard of it, google it, but don't do that at work. I met two of the lead actors afterwards too.

Oh man. A couple months ago a couple friends and I were at a video store and my friend sees Pires and he grabs it and goes "C'mon guys, Pirates! It's a classic!" All the girls stared him down and he put it back. It was funny. I still haven't seen it... How was Pirates 2?

[bmack86]

Without the sex scenes, it was a funny, cheesy and fairly decent movie. Viewed as a porn, it was pretty wild. I've only ever seen one porn film before, so I don't have much background, but the production was pretty huge for it. They actually spent time on the story, and there were stretches of 10 minutes+ without sex. The sex scenes were pretty intense, and people were walking out with shocked looks on their faces the whole time. Pretty hilarious.

[rage patton]

Some people didn't know what they were walking into? That is pretty hilarious.

[bmack86]

Nw, almost everyone knew, but it got pretty wicked. Lots of slapping, dp, near-fisting, spitting, choking. Fucked up shit, and lots of people are also prudes.

There was also a Q and A, which I thought was great because it creates a dialogue about the work they do. Very interesting.

[shakermaker113]

I saw Pirates 2:Stagnetti's Revenge tonight. Pre screening at UCLA. If you haven't heard of it, google it, but don't do that at work. I met two of the lead actors afterwards too.

they really had a porn screening at UCLA? that's awesome.

[bmack86]

Y'all are being consulted to help me out. What movie should I watch tonight?

Unfaithfully Yours, Charade, Two Lane Blacktop or Kind Hearts and Coronets?

I'll be accepting responses for a little over half an hour.

[bmack86]

Y'all are being consulted to help me out. What movie should I watch tonight?

Unfaithfully Yours, Charade, Two Lane Blacktop or Kind Hearts and Coronets?

I'll be accepting responses for a little over half an hour.

[SoulDischarge]

I haven't seen Charade, but out of the other three, I'd go with Two Lane Blacktop.

[CalmerThanYou]

I saw Pirates 2:Stagnetti's Revenge tonight. Pre screening at UCLA. If you haven't heard of it, google it, but don't do that at work. I met two of the lead actors afterwards too.

HAHA! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

I just watched the trailer, and that's a REALLY intensely produced porn. I'm in shock that they would go through all that effort...the graphics (at least on the comp) looked surprisingly good.

To learn its also super hardcore is equally as hilarious and awesome.

[SoulDischarge]

If you live in LA and you haven't seen a real porn movie in a theater with a bunch of strangers, including ones involved with the making of said porn film, you're really not even trying.

[iv3rdawG]

Frost/Nixon was great. Langella and Sheen were excellent and both gave performances worthy of awards.

[ivankay]

Earlier today i saw Milk. Fantastic. Sean Penn was at his most excellent. The more i think about it, the more i think this is the best thing he has done. Same might go for Gus Van Sant and the supporting cast (James Franco and Josh Brolin especially). The film and Harvey Milk's story are an inspiration. If you are the type of person that can't watch men being affectionate (lot different than just sex) with each other, then you might be uncomfortable. Too bad, because this is a great film.

[RedThom]

Anyone hear about the remake of "They Live"?

[ivankay]

No. It could be an interesting remake. Hard to imagine the fight could be matched or topped though.

[indietron]

Alright so I finally got around to watching Blue Velvet.

Overall I liked it. It wasnt incredible, but it was still quite an excellent film. I loved the ending especially. That Frank character was a bit much though... He was way too creepy/disturbing.

Anyways, I look forward to watching more of Lynch's work. Thank you all for introducing me.

[Somewhat Damaged]

"Too" creepy/disturbing? You don't think that may have been deliberate?

[amyzzz]

Now go watch Lost Highway and Mulholland Dr. Isn't there some new Lynch box set...? (I need to get that somehow)

[wmgaretjax]

Now go watch Lost Highway and Mulholland Dr. Isn't there some new Lynch box set...? (I need to get that somehow)

See Eraserhead first...

[davrone]

Anyone hear about the remake of "They Live"?

Unfortunately. The only way I can think of this being somewhat cool is if they make the stuff with the glasses 3-D... meh... I grow tired of remakes.

[ghettojournalist]

what about the remake of "Romancing the Stone"?

can they stop remaking films? at least do continuations like Terminator and Robocop.

[Hannahrain]

I'm going to this on Sunday.

FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL

Sunday: 7:30
THEATRE ONE
1 hour, 30 minutes.

The Found Footage Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that showcases footage from videos that were found at garage sales and thrift stores and in warehouses and dumpsters throughout the country. Curators Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher host each screening in-person and provide their unique observations and commentary on these found video obscurities. From the curiously-produced industrial training video to the forsaken home movie donated to Goodwill, the Found Footage Festival resurrects these forgotten treasures and serves them up in a lively celebration of all things found.

[indietron]

I watched The Commitments tonight... Great movie. So much soul and I loved the setting.

[wmgaretjax]

I'm going to this on Sunday.

Every other week at this artsy bar on the hill up here there is a guy that does this with an old 8mm and 16mm projector. It's always fun.

[iv3rdawG]

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/8885/oscarsjq6.jpg

[indietron]

Very nice

[bmack86]

I just watched Spellbound. It was decent. Not my favorite Hitchcock, but definitely a good romance with some interesting storytelling. The solution seemed like it came much too quickly though.

[Down Rodeo]

I just watched Nights of Cabiria tonight, and it was absolutely heartbreaking and wonderful. Seriously, I've been blown away by all five Fellini films I've seen.

[iv3rdawG]

Terminator Salvation trailer here (http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/terminatorsalvation/) starring Christian Bale as Batman in Terminator Salvation.

[shakermaker113]

Terminator Salvation trailer here (http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/terminatorsalvation/) starring Christian Bale as Batman in Terminator Salvation.

no, that would actually be entertaining.

[indietron]

Was that Common I saw in that trailer??

[sbessiso]

MILK was fucking beautiful. It felt a little long at points but it was still excellent. I don't think it'll win many Oscars but it'll get a boatload of nominations

[SoulDischarge]

I just watched Nights of Cabiria tonight, and it was absolutely heartbreaking and wonderful. Seriously, I've been blown away by all five Fellini films I've seen.

That's one of my favorite Fellini movies. Cabiria is just a wonderful character. And I love the way everyone pronounces her name.

8 1/2 is probably in my top 10 of all time.

[davrone]

Terminator Salvation trailer here (http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/terminatorsalvation/) starring Christian Bale as Batman in Terminator Salvation.

Except for the giant robot toward the end, it doesn't look so bad.

[shakermaker113]

Was that Common I saw in that trailer??

he's in the movie. not sure if that's him in the trailer, I wouldn't recognize him.

[Courtney]

I watched Boy A this week. It is a sad and beautiful British film about a former child criminal who spends much of his adolescence locked away to finally be released as an adult. The story follows his journey into the world, exploring the wants and needs of human nature through his developing relationships with his co-worker/friend, girlfriend, and caseworker/father figure. It is at heart a film about second chances: who gets one, and at what cost?

Then I watched Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist at the dollar theater. It was worth a dollar. Mostly because it has a random cameo by Devendra Banhart and part of a Bishop Allen performance, as well as a charming soundtrack by Islands, Tapes n Tapes, The National, The Submarines, Band of Horses, We Are Scientists, Rogue Wave, and others I'm forgetting. Also the lead female character has enviable eyeliner.

[iv3rdawG]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was amazing.

[indietron]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was amazing.

Did you go to the premier or something?? Please tell more, I've been really looking forward to this movie for a long time

[amyzzz]

I watched Boy A this week. It is a sad and beautiful British film about a former child criminal who spends much of his adolescence locked away to finally be released as an adult. The story follows his journey into the world, exploring the wants and needs of human nature through his developing relationships with his co-worker/friend, girlfriend, and caseworker/father figure. It is at heart a film about second chances: who gets one, and at what cost?

That sounds really interesting. Thanks for posting the review, and I will try to check that out when it comes out on DVD.

[MissingPerson]

It is amazing. It was on TV a while back, caused no small degree of controversy thanks to the Jamie Bulger comparisons. Tremendously unsettling, I couldn't quite sit through all of it.

[MissingPerson]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was amazing.

Do tell us more. The ads we've seen here makes it look fucking terrible.

[amyzzz]

Jesus Christ. I just read the Wikipedia on James Bulger and the children who murdered him. How horrible.

[MissingPerson]

Pretty awful alright.

Raises some interesting questions though, about what life's like for those guys now. They were due to be free around the time Boy A was released, AFAIK, so it was kind of a raw nerve still.

[MissingPerson]

Pretty awful alright.

Raises some interesting questions though, about what life's like for those guys now. They were due to be free around the time Boy A was released, AFAIK, so it was kind of a raw nerve still.

[iv3rdawG]

Well the whole movie takes place over a century. Were told the story through journals by Cate Blanchett's daughter on the night that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans (where most of the film takes place, although we are taken around the world in the movie). It really made for a wonderful but sad backdrop on the entire plot for the film. Brad Pitt is wonderful in it, as is Blanchett. It's a fantastic movie to look at and it's just so easy to watch, which is surprising seeing that it's close to the 3 hour mark.

[sbessiso]

So another home run for Fincher?

[iv3rdawG]

Yeah.

Golden Globe nominations:

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
b. FROST/NIXON
c. THE READER
d. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
e. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. ANNE HATHAWAY RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
b. ANGELINA JOLIE CHANGELING
c. MERYL STREEP DOUBT
d. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
(IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
e. KATE WINSLET REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. LEONARDO DICAPRIO REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
b. FRANK LANGELLA FROST/NIXON
c. SEAN PENN MILK
d. BRAD PITT THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
e. MICKEY ROURKE THE WRESTLER

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. BURN AFTER READING
b. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
c. IN BRUGES
d. MAMMA MIA!
e. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. REBECCA HALL VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. SALLY HAWKINS HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
c. FRANCES MCDORMAND BURN AFTER READING
d. MERYL STREEP MAMMA MIA!
e. EMMA THOMPSON LAST CHANCE HARVEY

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. JAVIER BARDEM VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. COLIN FARRELL IN BRUGES
c. JAMES FRANCO PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
d. BRENDAN GLEESON IN BRUGES
e. DUSTIN HOFFMAN LAST CHANCE HARVEY

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

a. BOLT
b. KUNG FU PANDA
c. WALL-E

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

a. THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)
b. EVERLASTING MOMENTS (SWEDEN/DENMARK)
c. GOMORRAH (ITALY)
d. I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (FRANCE)
e. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

a. AMY ADAMS DOUBT
b. PENELOPE CRUZ VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
c. VIOLA DAVIS DOUBT
d. MARISA TOMEI THE WRESTLER
e. KATE WINSLET THE READER

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

a. TOM CRUISE TROPIC THUNDER
b. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. TROPIC THUNDER
c. RALPH FIENNES THE DUCHESS
d. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN DOUBT
e. HEATH LEDGER THE DARK KNIGHT

11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
a. DANNY BOYLE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. STEPHEN DALDRY THE READER
c. DAVID FINCHER THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
d. RON HOWARD FROST/NIXON
e. SAM MENDES REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
a. SIMON BEAUFOY SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. DAVID HARE THE READER
c. PETER MORGAN FROST/NIXON
d. ERIC ROTH THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
e. JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY DOUBT

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
a. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
BUTTON
b. CLINT EASTWOOD CHANGELING
c. JAMES NEWTON HOWARD DEFIANCE
d. A. R. RAHMAN SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
e. HANS ZIMMER FROST/NIXON

14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE

a. “DOWN TO EARTH” — WALL-E
Music by: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman
Lyrics by: Peter Gabriel

b. “GRAN TORINO” — GRAN TORINO
Music by: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
Lyrics by: Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens

c. “I THOUGHT I LOST YOU” — BOLT
Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele

d. “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” — CADILLAC RECORDS
Music & Lyrics by: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street

e. “THE WRESTLER” — THE WRESTLER
Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen

[amyzzz]

I know In Bruges is sort of a comedy but that was the saddest comedy I've ever seen. Brilliant though. I hope that wins its category.

And goodness, could Kate Winslet be up for another Oscar nomination next year? Holy cow. I hope this is her year to win, and I'm REALLY looking forward to Revolutionary Road.

[sbessiso]

Tom Cruise? I didnt see the movie yet, but isnt it a cameo??

[iv3rdawG]

A little more than that.

[shakermaker113]

benjamin button was nominated before it was released?

I supposed that's better than the grammy's nominating something that was released before the last grammy awards took place...

[KungFuJoe]

Benjamin Button will be released before years end. People in the industry get sent screeners to watch at home before its release in order to make it available for such awards. However, Button seems to be a film that Hollywood will eat up no matter what, so it wouldn't suprise me if people decided to nominate it based soley upon all the people involved.

3 of my friends watched a screener of it last week. I trust all of their opinions for the most part and it was kind of suprising to me that each one of them thought the film was a steaming pile of shit.

It seems I have some films to watch as I've yet to see Benjamin Button, In Bruges, The Wrestler, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Revolutionary Road, the Reader, Happy Go Lucky, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Rachel Getting Married, Boy A etc.

As funny as Tom Cruise was in Tropic Thunder I can't believe he was nominated for something. Take that Joel Silver.

I truly hope Slumdog Millionaire takes home all the awards it is nominated for, especially Best Picture & Director.

[Down Rodeo]

No Golden Globe nods for Synecdoche....not surprising, but bullshit nonetheless.

I mean, not even in the screenplay category? Come on, it's Charlie fuckin' Kaufman.

[RedThom]

Tom Cruise does not deserve that nomination

That should be straight up Downey Jr. Vs. Ledger

[RedThom]

No Golden Globe nods for Synecdoche....not surprising, but bullshit nonetheless.

I mean, not even in the screenplay category? Come on, it's Charlie fuckin' Kaufman.

/agree

[RotationSlimWang]

No Golden Globe nods for Synecdoche....not surprising, but bullshit nonetheless.

I mean, not even in the screenplay category? Come on, it's Charlie fuckin' Kaufman.

Probably because it rather sucked.

[wmgaretjax]

Probably because it rather sucked.

I saw it again last night... It was so far from sucking.

SPOILERS

I'm still not really sure about the sex change element of things. I'm having trouble fitting that piece of the puzzle in... But it seems fairly well thought through, given that there are hints at it all through the movie (he is mistaken for a woman a couple times, and there are slips by other characters directed at his gender). It was clearly intentional and calculated, I'm just a little skeptical.

[roberto73]

The more I reflect on Synecdoche, NY, the less I realize I liked it.

[chairmenmeow47]

represent, roberto73!

[humanoid]

I saw Slumdog Millionaire last night, and honestly it's very rare that I see a movie in the theater and enjoy it that much on it's first viewing

[PotVsKtl]

Did anyone see Kaufman on Colbert? He prett much echoed the things being said here i.e. "the viewers' interpretation is the correct one." Which, of course is bullshit, but exactly what you'd expect.

[roberto73]

Did anyone see Kaufman on Colbert? He prett much echoed the things being said here i.e. "the viewers' interpretation is the correct one."

In that case, I interpret the movie as an elaborate metaphor for Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World," bringing victory to the New York Giants in the 1951 World Series. The movie's much more enjoyable that way.

[RotationSlimWang]

I saw it again last night... It was so far from sucking.

SPOILERS

I'm still not really sure about the sex change element of things. I'm having trouble fitting that piece of the puzzle in... But it seems fairly well thought through, given that there are hints at it all through the movie (he is mistaken for a woman a couple times, and there are slips by other characters directed at his gender). It was clearly intentional and calculated, I'm just a little skeptical.

The fact that you're praising it is proof that it's intolerable art school jerkoff material.

[real talk]

Rotation Wang I am the opposite of art school material and I thought it was captivating. You just have to be contrary because you think it makes you seem like more of an individual.

[iv3rdawG]

Some Inglorious Bastards pictures:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51238

[wmgaretjax]

The fact that you're praising it is proof that it's intolerable art school jerkoff material.

I fuck for money.

[RotationSlimWang]

Rotation Wang I am the opposite of art school material and I thought it was captivating. You just have to be contrary because you think it makes you seem like more of an individual.

Just because you like crap doesn't make me contrary. Anyone that can actually put up with sitting through twenty minute long sad piano scores has the problem, not me.

[real talk]

Of course.

[wmgaretjax]

btw randy, there was only piano in 5 scenes of the movie... none of them were longer than 2 or 3 minutes. There was probably 7 or 8 minutes of piano music in the whole film... Most was actually strings... Your short attention span is clouding your memory.

[RotationSlimWang]

Bull fucking shit. There was a sad, lamenting score all the way through about a ten minute sequence right before I left.

[wmgaretjax]

I guess a piano is a string instrument in some senses... I can see how you'd get confused. It'll be OK.

[chairmenmeow47]

GO AWAY

[roberto73]

Ebert's Top 20 films of the year, and it illustrates to me again why he's one of the best we've got. Even if you disagree with him (and I often do) I always like how his opinion is most profoundly shaped by a simple love of cinema. No pretentious bullshit, no pseudo-intellectual yammering. Just the desire for a good story, effectively told.

The best films of 2008... and there were a lot of them (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081205/COMMENTARY/812059997/1023)
/ / / December 5, 2008
by Roger Ebert

In these hard times, you deserve two "best films" lists for the price of one. It is therefore with joy that I list the 20 best films of 2008, in alphabetical order. I am violating the age-old custom that film critics announce the year's 10 best films, but after years of such lists, I've had it. A best films list should be a celebration of wonderful films, not a chopping process. And 2008 was a great year for movies, even if many of them didn't receive wide distribution.

Look at my 20 titles, and you tell me which 10 you would cut. Nor can I select one to stand above the others, or decide which should be No. 7 and which No. 8. I can't evaluate films that way. Nobody can, although we all pretend to. A "best films" list, certainly. But of exactly 10, in marching order? These 20 stood out for me, and I treasure them all. If it had been 19 or 21, that would have been OK. If you must have a Top 10 List, find a coin in your pocket. Heads, the odd-numbered movies are your 10. Tails, the even-numbered.

I have composed a separate list of the year's five best documentaries. They also may be described as "one of the year's best." And this year's Special Jury Award goes to Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg," which stands between truth and fiction, using the materials of the documentary to create a film completely preposterous and deeply true. Another of "the year's best."

"Ballast" A deep silence has fallen upon a Mississippi Delta family after the death of a husband and brother. Old wounds remain unhealed. The man's son shuttles uneasily between two homes, trying to open communication by the wrong means. The debut cast is deeply convincing, and writer-director Lance Hammer observes them with intense empathy. No, it's not a film about poor folks on the Delta; they own a nice little business, but are paralyzed by loneliness. At the end, we think, yes, that is what would happen, and it would happen exactly like that.

"The Band's Visit" A police ceremonial band from Egypt, in Israel for a cultural exchange, ends up in a desert town far from anywhere and is taken on mercy by the bored, cynical residents. A long night's journey marked with comedy, human nature, and bittersweet reality. Richly entertaining, with sympathetic performances by Sasson Gabai as the bandleader and Ronit Elkabetz as the owner of a local cafe. Written and directed by Eran Kolirin. Was at Ebertfest 2008.

"Che" The epic journey of a 20th century icon, the Argentinian physician who became a comrade of Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolu- tion and then moved to South America to support revolution there. Benicio del Toro is persuasive as the fiercely ethical firebrand, in a film that includes unusual and unfamiliar chapters in Che's life. Steven Soderbergh's film is 257 minutes long, but far from boring. (Opens Jan. 16)

"Chop Shop" The great emerging American director Ramin Bahrani finds a story worthy of "City of God" in a no-man's land in the shadow of Shea Stadium, where a young boy and his sister support themselves in a sprawling, off-the-books auto repair and scrap district. Alejandro Polanco and Isamar Gonzales seem to live their roles, in a masterpiece that intimately knows its world, its people and their survival tactics. It will be featured at Ebertfest 2009.

"The Dark Knight" The best of all the Batmans, Christopher Nolan's haunted film leaps beyond its origins and becomes an engrossing tragedy. The "comic book movie" has at last reclaimed its deep archetypal currents. With a performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker that will surely win an Oscar, a Batman (Christian Bale) who is tortured by moral puzzles and a district attorney (Aaron Eckhart) forced to make impossible choices.

"Doubt" A Catholic grade school is ruled by the grim perfectionist Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), whose draconian rule is challenged by Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman). A young nun (Amy Adams) is caught between them, as the film shows how assumptions can be doubted, and doubted again. Viola Davis, as the mother of the school's only black student, has one significant scene, but it is long, crucial and heartbreaking. Davis goes face to face with Streep with astonishing conviction and creates reasons for doubt that may be more important than deciding the truth. John Patrick Shanley directed and adapted his Tony Award-winning play. (Opens Friday)

"The Fall" Tarsem's film is a mad folly, an extravagant visual orgy, a free fall from reality into uncharted realms. A wounded stunt-man, circa 1914, tells a story to a 4-year-old girl, and we see how she imagines it. It has vast romantic images so stunning, I had to check twice, three times, to be sure the film actually claims to have absolutely no computer-generated imagery. None? What about the Labyrinth of Despair, with no exit? The intersecting walls of zig-zagging staircases? The man who emerges from the burning tree? Filmed over four years in 28 countries. It will be at Ebertfest 2009.

"Frost/Nixon" The story of a duel between a crafty man and a persistent one. How many remember that the "lightweight" British interviewer David Frost was the one who finally persuaded Richard Nixon to say he had committed crimes in connection with Watergate and let his country down? With his own money riding on the interviews, Frost (Michael Sheen) is desperate after Nixon finesses him in the early sessions, but he pries away at Nixon's need to confess. Frank Langella is uncanny as RMN. Ron Howard directs mercilessly. (Opens Friday)

"Frozen River" Melissa Leo should be nominated for her performance. She plays an hourly employee in a discount store, struggling to support two kids and a run-down trailer after her husband deserts her with their savings. After making an unlikely alliance with a Mohawk woman (Misty Upham) who was stealing her car, she finds herself a human trafficker, driving Chinese across the ice into the United States. A spellbinding thriller, yes, but even more a portrait of economic struggle in desperate times. Written and directed by Courtney Hunt. It will be at Ebertfest 2009.

"Happy-Go-Lucky" Here's another nominee for best actress -- Sally Hawkins, playing a cheerful schoolteacher who seems improbably upbeat until we win a glimpse into her soul. No, she's not secretly depressed. She's genuinely happy, but that hasn't made her stupid or afraid. Mike Leigh's uncanny ability to find drama in ordinary lives is used with genius, as the teacher encounters a driving instructor (Eddie Marsan) as negative as she is positive. Not a feel-good movie. Not at all. But strangely inspiring.

"Iron Man" Like "Spider-Man 2" and "The Dark Knight," another leap forward for the superhero movie. Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau reinvent Tony Stark as a conflicted, driven genius who has a certain plausibility, even when inundated by special effects. So successful are they that in the climactic rooftop battle between two towering men of steel, we know we're looking almost entirely at CGI, and yet the creatures embody character and emotion. Downey hit bottom, as everyone knows. Now he has triumphantly returned.

"Milk" Sean Penn, one of our greatest actors, locks up an Oscar nomination with his performance as Harvey Milk, the first self-identified gay elected to U.S. public office. At age 40, Milk was determined to do "something different" with his life. He's open to change. We see how the everyday experiences of this gay man politicize him, and how his instincts allow him to become a charismatic leader, while always acknowledging the sexuality that society had taught him to conceal. One of the year's most moving films.

"Rachel Getting Married" After seeing this film, people told me, "I wanted to attend that wedding" or "I wish I'd been there." It's that involving. Jonathan Demme doesn't lock down one central plot, but considers the ceremony as a wedding of close and distant family, old and new friends, many races, many ages, many lifestyles, all joined amid joyous homemade music. His camera is so observant, we feel like a guest really does feel. Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel and Anne Hathaway as her sister generate tricky sibling tension.

"The Reader" A drama taking place mostly within the mind of a postwar German who has an affair at 14 with a woman he later discovers is a war criminal. Her own secret is so shameful, she would rather face any sentence than reveal it. The film addresses the moral confusion felt in those who came after the Holocaust but whose lives were painfully twisted by it. Directed by Stephen Daldry, with David Kross as the younger protagonist, and Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes as the older ones. (Opening Dec. 25)

"Revolutionary Road" The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit and his wife find hell in the suburbs. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, in two of the best performances of the year, play a young married couple who lose their dreams in the American corporate world and its assigned roles. Sam Mendes reads minds when words aren't enough, and has every detail right -- including the chain-smoking by those who find it a tiny consolation in inconsolable lives. (Opens Jan. 2)

"Shotgun Stories" You'll have to search for it, but worth it. In a "dead-ass town," three brothers find themselves in a feud with their four half-brothers. It's told like a revenge tragedy, but the hero doesn't believe the future is written by the past. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, it avoids the obvious and shows a deep understanding of the lives and minds of ordinary young people in a skirmish of the class war. The dialogue rings true, the camera is deeply observant. The film was the audience favorite at Ebertfest 2008.

"Slumdog Millionaire" Danny Boyle's improbable union of quiz-show suspense and the harrowing life of a Mumbai orphan. Growing from a garbage pit scavenger to the potential winner of a fortune, his hero uses his wits and survival instinct to struggle against crushing handicaps. A film that finds exuberance despite the tragedy it also gives full weight to. The locations breathe with authenticity.

"Synecdoche, New York" The year's most endlessly debated film. Screenwriter Charles Kaufman ("Adaptation," "Being John Malkovich"), in his directing debut, stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a theater director mired in a long-running rehearsal that may be life itself. Much controversy about the identities and even genders of some of the characters, in a film that should never be seen unless you've already seen it at least once.

"W." To general surprise, Oliver Stone's biography of George W. Bush is empathetic and understanding, perhaps because Stone himself is a blueblood Ivy League graduate who could never quite win his father's approval. Josh Brolin gives a nuanced portrayal that seems based on the known facts, showing the president as subservient to Vice President Cheney and haunted by old demons.

"WALL-E" The best science-fiction movie in years was an animated family film. WALL-E is a solar-powered trash compacting robot, left behind to clean up the waste after Man flees into orbit. Hugely entertaining, wonderfully well drawn, and, if you think about it, merciless in its critique of a global consumer culture that obsesses on intake and disregards the consequences of output.

* * *

Every year I name a winner of my Special Jury Prize, so named in honor of the "alternative first prize" given by juries at many festivals. This year (roll of the drums) the honored film is:

"My Winnipeg" Guy Maddin's latest dispatch from inside his imagination is a "history" of his home town, which becomes a mixture of the very slightly plausible, the convincing but unlikely, the fantastical, the fevered, the absurd, the preposterous, and the nostalgic. Oddly enough, when it's over, you have a deeper and, in a crazy way, more "real" portrait of Winnipeg than a conventional doc might have provided--and certainly a far more entertaining one. Will be at Ebertfest 2009.

Five documentaries in equal first place:

"Encounters at the End of the World" Werner Herzog moseys around to see who he will meet and what he will see at the South Pole. The population here seems made of travelers beyond our realm, all with amazing personal histories. In a spellbinding film, Herzog finds a great deal of humor, astonishing underwater creatures, permanent occupants such as seals and penguins and the possibility of a bleak global future.

"I.O.U.S.A." A film to make sense of the current economic crisis. The U.S. national debt has doubled in the last eight years, we can't make the payments, the world holds our mortgage, and it can't afford for us to default. So the same unsupported currency seems to circulate one step ahead of disaster. Not a partisan film. Experts of all political persuasions look at our bookkeeping and agree it is insane.

"Man on Wire" On Aug. 7, 1974, a Frenchman named Philippe Petit, having smuggled two tons of equipment to the top of the towers of the World Trade Center, strung a wire between them, and walked back and forth eight times. The doc combines period footage and re-created scenes to explain how he did it, and mystically, why. We know he made it, so how does this film generate such suspense?

"Standard Operating Procedure" About what photographs are and how we see them, focusing on the infamous prison torture photographs from Abu Ghraib. Errol Morris' scrutiny reveals what was really happening, and why, and how the photographs do not always show what they seem to. He introduces the name of Charles Graner, who always stayed in the shadows, but without whom there might have been no photos at all.

"Trouble the Water" A few days before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, a young couple from the Ninth Ward named Scott and Kimberly Rivers Roberts bought a camcorder. As the rains began to fall, they began to film, even while trapped by rising waters inside their attic. Their astonishing footage, unlike any other, is incorporated by Carl Deal and Tia Lessin into a documentary that shows why Brownie was not doing a great job, not at all. This film also will be at Ebertfest 2009.

Looking back over the list, I think most moviegoers will have heard of only about 11, because distribution has reached such a dismal state. I wrote to a reader about "Shotgun Stories," "I don't know if it will play in your town." She wrote back, "How about my state?" This is a time when home video, Netflix and the good movie channels come to the rescue. My theory that you should see a movie on a big screen is sound, but utopian.

[slipmode]

That IS a really good list by Ebert. I especially like that he gave his special jury prize to My Winnipeg. That is truly one of the best films of the year. Guy Maddin's work needs more love.

[Jenniehoo]

You know what this page is missing? Denny's art.

Oh wait.

[real talk]

Chop Shop was great.

[thatfinkleygirl]

the last new movie i saw was twilight. awful.
however, i went to a screening of the big lebowski a couple days ago, and that was fucking awesome.

[amyzzz]

Welcome to 1998.

[samiksha]

so, synechdoche ny premiered in my area last night. im still trying to sort everything out, but i read somewhat damaged's post about the movie and it really helped. there are some things i don't agree with though. im still confused as to which parts sd wrote and which parts were ebert's, but here goes.

spoilers i guess...... (are there people here who want to see it that havent yet?)



in that post it was said that the whole movie is his potential life flashing before his eyes? i don't agree. i agree with jared that the seizure he has seems to be the turning point. things get weird after that, and i think at that point he's died and is imagining how his life could have turned out sort of. everything before that point seemed realistic. he was just directing the play and having marital problems and flirting with hazel. the only thing that messes that theory up is the fact that the movie starts at 7:44 and ends at 7:45? is that even true? if you take that to mean that the whole movie happens in a minute, that kind of screws up the idea of the seizure being his death.

the whole him being ellen or ellen being him thing is still really confusing to me. i cant decide whether he's gay or not, and the fact that eric is the guy he was accused of banging and ellen's husband's name just mixes me all up.

the scene where he buys his daughter that pink box really got to me.

also, the scene right before hazel died was so perfect. just when hazel lifed the covers and got into bed... i dont know, that scene makes it hard for me to believe that caden is gay.

ohhh, another point in favor of the things happening after his seizure being his life flashing before his eyes i.e. they never really happened is when he says that olive is his REAL daughter, as opposed to the daughter he has with michelle williams' character. boo yeah.



end spoilers...

i wish i had been alone watching the movie so i could have cried as much as i'd wanted to.

i want to see this again as soon as possible. i want to take all my friends to see it so we can discuss.




more spoilers.........

whoa wait, i just realized something. what is the name of dianne wiest's character? because ellen is just the name of the cleaning lady, right? dianne wiest's character is cast to play ellen. and then she ends up playing caden, and caden plays ellen. i've just been calling dianne wiest's character ellen, but that's not her name. right?

[SoulDischarge]

Goddammit. Not even Milk is playing in my city. I'm starting to get really sick of living in a cultural wasteland.

So I finally got around to watching Once Upon A Time In The West all the way through. I enjoyed it, but I felt like something was missing. Like it was building and building and building towards something that never fully paid off. I think I prefer The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

[wmgaretjax]

Her name was Millicent Weems....

And regardless of any death... The film after that point seems to be one imagined moment of his life that represents the whole.

I bawled my eyes out at the end of the movie. To be honest, I'm not really sure why. The whole experience just felt very human to me. I mean that in the lamest way possible.

[wmgaretjax]

Apparently even Aronofsky realizes Fountain was a piece of shit... He going to try and revisit and put back together the pieces... Says don't hold your breath, it'll be a few years.

[humanoid]

spoilers i guess...... (are there people here who want to see it that havent yet?)




of course there are...there are tons of movies that I really want to see and don't want to spend the money to see in the theater

[ivankay]

Goddammit. Not even Milk is playing in my city. I'm starting to get really sick of living in a cultural wasteland.

So I finally got around to watching Once Upon A Time In The West all the way through. I enjoyed it, but I felt like something was missing. Like it was building and building and building towards something that never fully paid off. I think I prefer The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

i haven't watched it in a while, but you're right. There does seem to be a piece missing in the last third of the film...brb.

i got this from wiki:

[edit] 1984 re-release
The English language version was restored to approximately 165 minutes for a re-release in 1984, and for its video release the following year. This version has gained a large cult following in America.


[edit] Extended versions
A slightly longer, 168 minute version exists in Italy which features several scenes augmented with additional material, though no complete scenes are present that are missing. The longest known cut is 171 minutes long and is only unofficially available as a bootleg copy on various file sharing platforms.

Although those few minutes might alleviate that feeling we have about something missing, personally i would love to know the real story.

This happened for me (and a gazillion other movie watchers) with "Once Upon a Time in America" (also Leone). When i watched the American version earlier in life, i would think there were a lot of cool scenes, but overall the film was a mess. Then a few year ago i watched the original cut that was screened at Cannes (where it got it's masterpiece praise) and was blown away by how brilliant it was. Turns out the American studios had no faith in the audience to follow the non-linear editing of the Leone cut and had the editor from one of the POlice Academy movies cut a linear version. That fucks up the score alone, because Leone would have the score composed before shooting (fucking brilliant) and to have to have a third party come in and chop it up...disater. Now that movie is one of my all time favorites.

If and when i find out more about the "Once Upon a Time in the West" story, i will share.

[shakermaker113]

Apparently even Aronofsky realizes Fountain was a piece of shit... He going to try and revisit and put back together the pieces... Says don't hold your breath, it'll be a few years.

whaaat? you mean he thinks he can make it good? wtf. just make a new movie.

oh wait. imdb. he's directing a fucking robocop movie. what happened to all the hope I had after pi and requiem for a dream?

[ivankay]

Some info on Alternate versions of Once Upon a Time in the West from imdb. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064116/alternateversions)

If you end up liking this movie a lot at some point, the casting of Henry Fonda story is fun.

[iv3rdawG]

what happened to all the hope I had after pi and requiem for a dream?

It's in The Wrestler.

[shakermaker113]

It's in The Wrestler.

really? that was worth seeing? will it also make up for the robocop movie he hasn't made yet?

[iv3rdawG]

really? that was worth seeing? will it also make up for the robocop movie he hasn't made yet?

Yeah it's really worth it. My favorite movie this year. Shame it didn't get a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture but I think Rourke will win for Best Actor. That category is really good too.

And I imagine it already made up for the non-existent Robocop film.

[samiksha]

of course there are...there are tons of movies that I really want to see and don't want to spend the money to see in the theater

yeeeah, but at that point i give up on trying not to read or hear about it.

[humanoid]

yeeeah, but at that point i give up on trying not to read or hear about it.

I wasn't complaining about anyone talking about the movie, I just simply skip all the posts about it so I can still have a fresh perspective when I see it

I was simply answering your question about people still wanting to see it who haven't yet

[shakermaker113]

OMG! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891592/

retarded. how do they convince anybody to fund these things?

[Gonshman]

It's in The Wrestler.

After some thought about it, I think The Wrestler was only a decent movie but the flaws were overshadowed by the constant crowing about Rourke's performance, which is well-deserved.

[slipmode]

OMG! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891592/

retarded. how do they convince anybody to fund these things?


who wouldn't want to see Kristin Kreuk in a Chun-Li outfit?

[patsfan5454]

I finally got to see Synechdoche New York the other day and i loved it. Charlie Kaufman always nails it! i love walking out of the theatre after seeing one of his flicks, you always feel soo good, like you've figured it all out, lol

[shakermaker113]

who wouldn't want to see Kristin Kreuk in a Chun-Li outfit?

depends where. in my bedroom? yes. on the big screen? no.

and reading up on that movie it sounds like they aren't using the game outfits. wtf. so they're just using the character names? I think that's the only connection they have to the game.

[Down Rodeo]

I finally watched Barry Lyndon today - amazing movie, even by Kubrick standards. I'd say it's easily one of his best.

[Courtney]

Roberto, that looks like it could be a good list from Ebert, but I have no idea because I have only seen three of the twenty. Maybe it's time to sign back up for Netflix.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I saw Doubt yesterday. Excellent. It doesn't do much to deviate from its source material, but it doesn't need too. The film brings up a number of fascinating issues, and it's especially vital heading into a time when our culture and national identity are about to change, probably drastically. Meryl Streep is effortlessly absorbing in the main role; she resists the temptation to overplay the role and forces us to try to understand this maddening, compelling woman. Philip Seymour Hoffman is likewise excellent, hitting the perfect note of ambiguity. And of course there's Viola Davis, who in a single 10-minute scene creates one of the most emotionally powerful passages in any film that's come out this year. Is it a little stagy? Yes. But such concerns are secondary when it comes to a film this complex, this involving. Highly recommended.

[zenidogx]

Doubt is one of the few movies I want to see this winter. i'm so out of touch with movies at the moment.


okay, so i read the article in the recent EW about Tommy Wiseau's "The Room"
i am currently downloading it and am very interested in watching it.
how many of you film buffs have seen it?
yCj8sPCWfUw

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

hahaha I haven't seen it but I've heard of Tommy Wiseau

"WE AH ESPECTEENG"

PS: I like how they don't tell you who said any of the quotes at the end.

[roberto73]

Roberto, that looks like it could be a good list from Ebert, but I have no idea because I have only seen three of the twenty. Maybe it's time to sign back up for Netflix.

I've seen less than half of them myself, but there are a few that I'm either waiting to be released (Frost/Nixon), or I missed them in their theatrical run and I'm waiting for the DVD (Frozen River).

[Gonshman]

I saw Doubt yesterday. Excellent. It doesn't do much to deviate from its source material, but it doesn't need too. The film brings up a number of fascinating issues, and it's especially vital heading into a time when our culture and national identity are about to change, probably drastically. Meryl Streep is effortlessly absorbing in the main role; she resists the temptation to overplay the role and forces us to try to understand this maddening, compelling woman. Philip Seymour Hoffman is likewise excellent, hitting the perfect note of ambiguity. And of course there's Viola Davis, who in a single 10-minute scene creates one of the most emotionally powerful passages in any film that's come out this year. Is it a little stagy? Yes. But such concerns are secondary when it comes to a film this complex, this involving. Highly recommended.

Have you seen the play? Because if you did, did your feelings of the priests innocence or guilt change after seeing the movie?

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

SPOILERSISH


I haven't seen the play (I wish), although I've read it. And I have to say, my feelings did change. It's something else to see it performed, it changed a lot for me. Reading it I would have said he's guilty, but the movie lays out a pretty plausible argument for his innocence. Of course it could also be that Philip Seymour Hoffman was so good and likable in the role that I don't want to believe he would molest a child.

[real talk]

I saw a preview for Doubt yesterday when I saw Milk and it looks really good. I don't care how overcelebrated she is, Meryl Streep is such an incredible actress.

Milk gorgeously delivered. Fantastic character portrayals with props to Emile Hirsch and James Franco. Diego Luna, I love you, but not so much in this movie.

[Gonshman]

SPOILERSISH


I haven't seen the play (I wish), although I've read it. And I have to say, my feelings did change. It's something else to see it performed, it changed a lot for me. Reading it I would have said he's guilty, but the movie lays out a pretty plausible argument for his innocence. Of course it could also be that Philip Seymour Hoffman was so good and likable in the role that I don't want to believe he would molest a child.

SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!











Specifically, something in the movie that made me believe his innocence was how they were able to show the initial interaction between one of the students and the priest. Meryl Streep is looking out of the window as all the children are entering school, and she can't hear what they are saying. The priest asks to look at the students nails, and as he grabs for them that is what causes him to pull away. Later in the movie the nun uses as her reasoning for suspicion that she saw the priest try to grab William Londons hand, and "I saw him pull away." In the play, that situation is much more ambiguous because you aren't given the context of the situation. In the movie, it makes me believe is innocence because we are able to see the actual conversation that sparked her suspicion, and the relative innocence of the exchange.

[vinylmartyr]

I just saw Iron Man, it was awesome. I saw forgetting Sarah Marshall too. Aside from the hot girls it was sucky.

[Jenniehoo]

I read that article in EW about "The Room", as well. It really made me want to see it. I probably would have wanted to either way, I have a soft spot for crappy movies that relish their own crappiness. But yeah - the people supporting that movie are some of my favorites in comedy so I genuinely do want to see what the fuss is about.

[schoolofruckus]

Che was excellent.

[wmgaretjax]

Che was excellent.

Yeah? Any thoughts on it being split into two films and how that will pan out?

Hi, by the way.

[C DUB YA]

So every review I've read of The Spirit is basically saying it might be the worst film in the last 10 years.

Here's one calling it the worst ever.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39450

[C DUB YA]

Goddammit. Not even Milk is playing in my city. I'm starting to get really sick of living in a cultural wasteland.

So I finally got around to watching Once Upon A Time In The West all the way through. I enjoyed it, but I felt like something was missing. Like it was building and building and building towards something that never fully paid off. I think I prefer The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

Jesus, where in Ohio are you??? Every state has "cutural wastelands" by the way.

Columbus, Ohio has great theaters... in fact we are second in the country in terms of number of screens to population. We are also second in the country per cap in GLB population... so yeah, Milk will be playing here.

but you should also know that MILK is still only in limited release till next week. I just checked, and it is only in 270 theaters (goes to 500 Wednesday). A proper wide release is 2000 or more, even for that sort of film.

[HowToDisappear]

Che was excellent.

Welcome back!

And please do elaborate.

[algunz]

I saw Doubt yesterday. Excellent. It doesn't do much to deviate from its source material, but it doesn't need too.

Is it a little stagy? Yes. But such concerns are secondary when it comes to a film this complex, this involving. Highly recommended.

I saw the play at the performing arts center last year. It was really good. I was wondering how they were going to be able to avoid it feeling just like a play on film. I guess they didn't bother.

My family and I go see a movie every year on Christmas Day. Right now we are debating between this, Benjamin Button, and Marley and Me. I'd like to see BB, but I think it's gonna end up being Marley because then Isabela can join us.

[thestripe]

Che was excellent.

I credit your absence for all the shitty movies I've watched over the past few months. Thanks, Gabe.

[schoolofruckus]

Yeah? Any thoughts on it being split into two films and how that will pan out?

Hi, by the way.

Hey guys.

It will work fine in two halves, but I would make a point to see them both very soon after one another. It's two different films - narratively, tonally, visually (they're even in different aspect ratios) - but they are definitely of a piece, and they should be absorbed and considered together.

As someone who is pretty fucking far from being a Che sympathizer - politically, I mean - it kind of surprised me how much I liked the movie. It's absolutely a romantic portrayal; although I don't agree with some assertions that he's presented as being completely heroic (Part Two, in particular, depicts more of his flaws), there is a decent amount of glossing-over in regards to his more infamous Fascist tendencies. I also don't quite agree that there's "not enough of what makes Che tick", to paraphrase some of the early reviews I've read. I mean...as opposed to the kind of biographical soul-mining we saw in Walk the Line? Or the fucking Motorcycle Diaries (which I hated), for that matter? I think Che's a fascinating character here, subtly drawn and brilliantly inhabited by Benicio del Toro. The films are a thrilling and absorbing experience (and I do mean "experience" - these films are primarily about being right in the middle of the Cuban and Bolivian revolutions, with Storytelling a near-afterthought), and I really think you all* should make a point to catch them when they arrive in your towns.

Also, for those who care - the Oakley Red camera blows all other HD material I've seen out of the fucking water.


(* - Denotes that this does not apply to Randy.)

[schoolofruckus]

Did any of you see Ballast?

[Jon Blazed]

I feel like a slice of butter melting on a stack of warm pancakes.

[wmgaretjax]

That sounds really awesome... I wasn't that excited to see it until now.

I wanted to see Ballast, but I missed it's very brief screening here.

[PotVsKtl]

Also, for those who care - the Oakley Red camera blows all other HD material I've seen out of the fucking water.

Book of Eli is apparently shooting on RED, the first sort of high profile blockbuster to do so.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037705/

Looks like they may get the market for now.

[coldstart]

I just watched Gummo. That's a fucked up movie.

[wmgaretjax]

Julien Donkey Boy is worse imo...

[ivankay]

Also, for those who care - the Oakley Red camera blows all other HD material I've seen out of the fucking water.


This is just hearsay, but a friend of mine at werk and i were taking about the Red after he saw Che. He wasn't so stoked on the look he saw at the screening at AFI. Co-worker is still partial to the Genesis.

i wish i could add my own opinion on the matter. When i can, i'll drop it in this dope movie thread.

Welcome back.

[wmgaretjax]

I've worked with the RED and it's an incredible camera... I've also worked with both Sony and Panasonic 1080P cameras, but none of the real RED competitors... So I can't really weigh in in that regards.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I saw the play at the performing arts center last year. It was really good. I was wondering how they were going to be able to avoid it feeling just like a play on film. I guess they didn't bother.

My family and I go see a movie every year on Christmas Day. Right now we are debating between this, Benjamin Button, and Marley and Me. I'd like to see BB, but I think it's gonna end up being Marley because then Isabela can join us.

Doubt would make for a pretty fucked up Christmas day.

[schoolofruckus]

This is just hearsay, but a friend of mine at werk and i were taking about the Red after he saw Che. He wasn't so stoked on the look he saw at the screening at AFI. Co-worker is still partial to the Genesis.

i wish i could add my own opinion on the matter. When i can, i'll drop it in this dope movie thread.

Welcome back.

The Genesis is what was used on Zodiac, correct? Both that film and Che are the high-water marks for HD photography, from what I've seen.

Also, I'm not sure about this, but the AFI screening may have been subpar for projection reasons. I don't think the Chinese has digital projection - whereas the Landmark (where the Che roadshow is playing) does. That's the only possible explanation for someone being underwhelmed by the photography in Che, because it looked empirically great at the screening I saw.

[schoolofruckus]

Ballast.....let's just say that the "third Dardenne brother" tag on Lance Hammer is definitely appropriate. And not undeserved, from a caliber standpoint. I really wish this film had gotten a better release (I hear that Hammer decided to self-distribute because he got a shitty deal from IFC).

Rachel Getting Married is another good one I've seen this fall.

I have yet to see Synecdoche, New York, I've Loved You So Long, and Milk - I'll probably catch them all this week. I missed Hunger when it was here - looks like I'm going to be waiting until March to catch it. I'm also excited for Wendy and Lucy, Gomorrah, and Revolutionary Road this week.

Also, I bought a DVD of Silent Light because I'm sick and fucking tired of waiting for someone to buy the rights and put it in theaters somewhere besides New York City.

[wmgaretjax]

I've Loved You So Long was great... I think you'll really like it Gabe.

[Down Rodeo]

I really want to see Ballast from what I've heard about it. Speaking of the Dardenne brothers, I've had L'Enfant on my Netflix queue for quite some time now. Should I bump it up to the top?

[amyzzz]

L'Enfant made me cry; I loved that movie. BUMP IT UP.

[Donaldj]

Doubt is one of the few movies I want to see this winter. i'm so out of touch with movies at the moment.


okay, so i read the article in the recent EW about Tommy Wiseau's "The Room"
i am currently downloading it and am very interested in watching it.
how many of you film buffs have seen it?
yCj8sPCWfUw

I just posted a link to the EW article. I had not even read this thread so I missed your comment on it.

[schoolofruckus]

I really want to see Ballast from what I've heard about it. Speaking of the Dardenne brothers, I've had L'Enfant on my Netflix queue for quite some time now. Should I bump it up to the top?

You should go back in time and watch it three years ago.

[wmgaretjax]

You should go back in time and watch it three years ago.

Basically... yeah. And then you'll have had the last 3 years to obsess over the rest of their films.

[Down Rodeo]

I wish I could go back in time to watch a lot of films, but yeah...I'll check that one out really soon.

[iv3rdawG]

All hail Delgo:

Don't feel too left out if you missed seeing the animated adventure movie "Delgo" this past weekend. No one did. In fact, the movie broke a record for having the worst opening ever for a film in wide release. "Delgo" earned a measly $511,920 this weekend on 2,160 screens, not even breaking the top ten. That's an average of $237 per screen for the three days. If you figure there were five screenings a day, and assume ticket prices are about $8, that comes out to two people in the theater per showing. By comparison, the Golden Globe-nominated drama "Doubt" earned roughly the same amount of money, but it was only in 15 theaters.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/delgo-worst-opening-ever.html

[Courtney]

I watched the movie In Search of a Midnight Kiss last night. The most important thing for you to know about this movie is that the soundtrack prominently features the band Shearwater. I did not seek out the movie due to this fact, but was pleasantly surprised upon first view/hear.

The story centers upon Wilson, a broke, depressed aspiring-screenwriter in Los Angeles who rather than facing the prospect of New Years Eve alone, chooses to post a craigslist ad: "Misanthrope seeking Misanthrope." The rest of the film follows Wilson and his date as they lead each other through adventure, several personal melt-downs and much Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles scenery. The film is as much a love-letter to the Los Angeles location as it is a story of romance in the twenty-first century. Shot in black and white, the movie sometimes feels a little film-school-homework-y, but in the best way: despite being self-conscious and sometimes cliche, it remains well-paced and generally charming.

[PotVsKtl]

Don't feel too left out if you missed seeing the animated adventure movie "Delgo" this past weekend. No one did.

So everyone saw it? Now I feel really left out. Fuck you Yahoo!.

[ghettojournalist]

I watched "The Visitor" today. Really good. Familiar characters, but shining performances. Richard Jenkins (as the lonely, aging professor looking for some one/thing to share his time) and Hiam Abbass (as the beautiful, endearing mother of a Syrian detainee) really carried the film for me. The politics of the film are heavy-handed at points, but don't degrade from my overall enjoyment of the film.

[shakermaker113]

I started watching the flaming lips' christmas on mars the other night. I wasn't expecting so much vaginal imagery.

[Donaldj]

I saw a screening of Valkyrie last night. It was alright, nothing special but not awful either. I liked all the set production, special effects and look of the movie but felt that the screenplay left all the major characters as pretty flat. They were all essential the same character with no back story or individual traits to make me care about any of them. There were some good suspenseful moments though.

Tonight I am going to go see The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. I'm hoping that one is better.

[wmgaretjax]

I started watching the flaming lips' christmas on mars the other night. I wasn't expecting so much vaginal imagery.

I loved it.

[Donaldj]

I watched the movie In Search of a Midnight Kiss last night. The most important thing for you to know about this movie is that the soundtrack prominently features the band Shearwater. I did not seek out the movie due to this fact, but was pleasantly surprised upon first view/hear.

The story centers upon Wilson, a broke, depressed aspiring-screenwriter in Los Angeles who rather than facing the prospect of New Years Eve alone, chooses to post a craigslist ad: "Misanthrope seeking Misanthrope." The rest of the film follows Wilson and his date as they lead each other through adventure, several personal melt-downs and much Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles scenery. The film is as much a love-letter to the Los Angeles location as it is a story of romance in the twenty-first century. Shot in black and white, the movie sometimes feels a little film-school-homework-y, but in the best way: despite being self-conscious and sometimes cliche, it remains well-paced and generally charming.

I saw that over the summer. I loved that movie. I felt the same way about the black and white photography and downtown locations. I am not sure I have ever seen a movie capture downtown LA so well before.

[PotVsKtl]

Everyone who has the opportunity should go see Let the Right One In in the theater.

[PotVsKtl]

Please Vote For Me (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1097256/)

[real talk]

Are you joking me I told you about that movie like a month ago I watched in on netflix instant. I loved it but it's sad to see kids cry. They all have rat tails which is awesome.

[PotVsKtl]

It's fucking hilarious. I love it when the little chubby kid gets naked and cries.

[bmack86]

I want to see that immediately.

Also, i fully agree with Pot's Let The Right One In rec. That movie is made to be seen in theaters. It's a movie best digested on a wide palette.

[real talk]

He hangs out in his tighty whities. And he's like 12. He comes home and takes off all his clothes but his underwear and just chills with mom and dad. I wonder if it's because it's really hot there.

[PotVsKtl]

Maybe the rattails funnel some of the heat away from their heads.

[kitt kat]

I saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. It was really entertaining, but super post modern. The soundtrack was AWESOME, though.

[wmgaretjax]

super post modern

please don't do that.

[bmack86]

I'm probably going to see the full Che experience tomorrow at the Landmark with a good friend. I'm very excited.

[wmgaretjax]

I'm probably going to see the full Che experience tomorrow at the Landmark with a good friend. I'm very excited.

Goddammit, there is no sign of this coming up here anytime soon...

[kitt kat]

please don't do that.

BUT IT WAS. Postmodernism is a generally accepted term used to describe film. What am I supposed to do? Lie about the film's aesthetic just so I don't have to use an 'icky' word like 'postmodern?'

[kitt kat]

I'm probably going to see the full Che experience tomorrow at the Landmark with a good friend. I'm very excited.

As a Cuban, I am obligated to let you know that I am horribly ashamed of you.

[SoulDischarge]

It's fucking hilarious. I love it when the little chubby kid gets naked and cries.

That sounds like my dream date.

[wmgaretjax]

the film's aesthetic

Fucking quit it...

But seriously. Please don't just drop words like that without providing some insight. They aren't meaningful descriptors on their own. At all... They are meaningless without context. Along the same lines as calling a film "good" and leaving it at that.

Not to mention your use of the word "but" is confusing, like somehow post-modernism guarantees to detract from entertainment. It's not an "icky word," it's just misused way too often, and just dropped into a vacuum the rest of the time.

Also, I'd like to simply hear more about the film. I'm on the fence about paying to see it in the theater and would like to know a little more about the film. A lot of people have been praising it without giving a whole lot of insight into what they enjoyed about it. I'm probably just frustrated by that... So please... Tell me more?