Schoolio's Movie Corner

[schoolofruckus]

Jennie and I just watched Harold and Maude. Fucking GREAT! I don't imagine there's much light I can shed on this one, but anyone who's been hearing about it for years and is just waiting to get around to seeing it (as was the case with me), get off your ass and watch it already.

[rage patton]

Anyone seen JCVD? I watched it last night. It was much diferent than I thought it was going to be. I enjoyed it up until the ending. I guess the last 15 minutes or so. I did not like the ending. What did others think of this movie?

[sbessiso]

Drag Me To Hell was kind of awesome. Definitely wasnt expecting that ending! Holy shit its a loud fucking movie too

[Gonshman]

I've really only seen the U.S. version of Funny Games. I tried watching Cache a long time ago, but I wasn't in the mood for it, so I didn't get very far into it. I have Time of the Wolf on my Netflix queue.

I came away from Cache disappointed because I didn't understand the ending. It felt like a huge buildup for nothing. When I re-watched the ending tableau, things made much more sense, but it still felt like so many loose ends were left hanging. Which, I guess, was the filmmakers purpose.

[wmgaretjax]

Which, I guess, was the filmmakers purpose.

Undoubtedly.

[kitt kat]

Jennie and I just watched Harold and Maude. Fucking GREAT! I don't imagine there's much light I can shed on this one, but anyone who's been hearing about it for years and is just waiting to get around to seeing it (as was the case with me), get off your ass and watch it already.

i think it's safe for me to say this is my favorite movie of all time

i saw "up" this week with my boyfriend. we were both crying within the first ten minutes. i think that says a lot about it.

[kitt kat]

Do you have any suggestions for classic 70's movies that would be appropriate to show an 8th grade class? In other words it's got to be "PG-13." And not Star Wars, they've all seen it. I want to show a movie that they would probably never see on their own.

My yearbook class has kind of turned into a Film History class, because they have finished all their deadlines. So far they have seen City Lights, Gone with the Wind, Stagecoach, Vertigo, and Bonnie and Clyde.

Does it have to be 70s?

Harold & Maude
Hard Days' Night
West Side Story
The Apartment
The Graduate
Dr. Strangelove
His Girl Friday

...are all movies I was exposed to around that age that I still love now. I especially think Hard Days' Night is a good choice; it's still a pretty hilarious movie.

[schoolofruckus]

I watched Brand Upon the Brain! last night and then kicked the shit out of myself for not seeing the live show. I can't imagine that there's much of anything in the history of cinema that compares to this movie, and the idea of seeing Hellion narrating that in person with a live orchestra and foley team is beyond my comprehension. But alas, at least they included a live recording of his narration track on the Criterion DVD. It took me a little while to get the hang of this movie - it makes Requiem For a Dream look like a Clint Eastwood film in terms of unspooling rapid-fire collage of images, and the images themselves required me to re-calibrate a little - but it was well worth the patience.

I also watched the super-long documentary A Constant Forge that was included in the Cassavetes Criterion box set. It was great, although it doesn't cover much that wasn't already streamlined in Cassavetes on Cassavetes. The main thrill was in seeing the archive footage and behind-the-scenes. I wasn't expecting there to be much behind-the-scenes material from most of these shoots, seeing as how Cassavetes often struggled to come up with film stock for the movies themselves; but his "never say cut" philosophy resulted in some nice extra bits where one could see him working with his cast between takes. This only served to heighten my excitement for the Husbands DVD that is apparently scheduled for release on August 18th.

[TallGuyCM]

I can't remember the last time I was this unexcited about summer movies. I mean, come on! Star Trek? Action filmed disguised as a sci-fi flick. Transformers? The first one was terrible, this one looks worse. Terminator Salvation? Maybe, not entirely opposed to this one, but very hesitant as well. Land of the Lost? Gimme a fucking break. Public Enemies? Looks good...a '50s bank robber kinda flick...might save the summer, but aside from that...WTF?

[whynotsmile99]

I can't remember the last time I was this unexcited about summer movies. I mean, come on! Star Trek? Action filmed disguised as a sci-fi flick. Transformers? The first one was terrible, this one looks worse. Terminator Salvation? Maybe, not entirely opposed to this one, but very hesitant as well. Land of the Lost? Gimme a fucking break. Public Enemies? Looks good...a '50s bank robber kinda flick...might save the summer, but aside from that...WTF?

Bruno and the Hangover. That's about it.

it's all about the art house films this year. If you are into foreign films, this fall will be fantastic

[DRcube]

Also, I saw The Hangover for free at Warner Bros. last night. It's pretty good. I didn't love it - I didn't think any of it was particularly brilliant comedy - but the scenario itself is my idea of a good comedy premise, and thus I enjoyed it. The Zack Galifianikis (sic) character was the least effective, in my opinion; it felt like most of his lines and actions were trying way too hard.

I also fully expect it to become ridiculously overrated to the point that I get sick of it and possibly start to turn against it within the next month. But I'm also not opposed to the supposed sequel that they're planning; if they can execute the idea a little better than in this one, it has potential.

100% agree the first 20 minutes i felt like they were trying way too hard....also the last 2 minutes were funnier than the entire movie

[ivankay]

i thought The Hangover was pretty funny, but will have to agree with you guys. Except i suspect i was diggin a bit more on Zack than Gabe was.

After i walked into Terminator Salvation. i left around the 40 minute mark because doing stuff at home seemed like a better idea and the movie was really blowing. That's 2 Terminators in a row where people look too pretty for the shit they been through. Hard for me to imagine it got any better.

[chairmenmeow47]

are you referring to people being too pretty in T3? that was before going through shit, aka judgment day, so why should they have looked "less pretty"?

and i was thinking over the weekend how i want to watch harlold & maude again.

[ivankay]

An example from T3 of being "too pretty" is going through an crazy ride in the back of a pick up, being tossed around like a rag doll, beat to hell and not looking like there are any marks on your face and walking pretty normal.

In 4 you got the "LA Branch" looking cute as can be. What? No scars or bruises? No look of not having showered and stinking? Aren't they hiding from and fighting Terminators in a wasteland? Too slick.

The composition of shots, dialog and editing were kind a crummy too.

[chairmenmeow47]

i totally agree about 4, i was just curious what you meant about 3, but that is a good example i suppose. i think i liked 3 more than most people though, minus the actor who played john connor. i just liked that it ended with judgment day and they weren't able to save everything.

[ivankay]

i liked 3 too, but was frustrated by the lack of attention to details that could have pushed it into a higher place. i hate watching a movie and seeing the missed potential (especially when there is a BIG BUDGET and qualified people involved).

[mountmccabe]

i just liked that it ended with judgment day and they weren't able to save everything.

It was interesting but such a contradiction of the "No Fate" from T2 that it didn't sit well with me.

[bremex]

I saw all 3 Underworld movies this weekend :lol:

Every since me dad got a blu ray player, I've been watching movies like a sick bastard :D

[amyzzz]

I saw all 3 Underworld movies this weekend :lol:

Every since me dad got a blu ray player, I've been watching movies like a sick bastard :D
Was the last one worth watching? I hated the second one.

[PassiveTheory]

Terminator Salvation was fucking awful. I must be a sucker for punishment though, because I intend to see the 2nd Transformers movie (thought the 1st was was good at what it did) and the new GI Joe film...

Up is on my plate, too.

[chairmenmeow47]

It was interesting but such a contradiction of the "No Fate" from T2 that it didn't sit well with me.

see, but i thought their fate was to lead the resistance, not end judgment day.

[PotVsKtl]

svwKY3GtZ04

[Young blood]

That looks insanely awesome.

[bremex]

Was the last one worth watching? I hated the second one.

YES.

The 2nd one is the worse of them all. 3rd one is my fav one!!!

[MissingPerson]

Greatly enjoyed Drag Me To Hell, largely because I saw it with my flatmate, who has had an actual gypsy curse on him. We intend to yell at him suddenly and throw shit at the back of his head for quite some time to come.

[PotVsKtl]

None of the Underworld movies are worth watching, not even on a "I've got nothing to do and I'm a fucking moron" level. Have some self-respect people.

[MissingPerson]

Pot's right. Underworld is the worst film I've ever seen, and at no point was it even accidentally entertaining.

[rage patton]

What confused me about Terminator Salvation... is why John Conor was having such a hard time with Marcus, the robot/human. He was saved by a robot/human as a kid... why was is so hard for him to believe that there was a robot/human. Furthmore, why couldn't he trust Marcus? Yes, we all know John Conor hates machines. Got it. But again, he trusted a machine as a kid and that machine is the only reason he is alive... why was it so hard for him to trust one more? Ugh. I can't seem to get past this.

[SoulDischarge]

Everyone. Just stop paying for bad movies.

[schoolofruckus]

Pot's right. Underworld is the worst film I've ever seen, and at no point was it even accidentally entertaining.

I went to the premiere. Even with the promise of an afterparty of free booze and food, the movie was among the worst I've ever seen.

Although nothing beats Life as a House in that department.

[amyzzz]

When I ask someone specifically for an opinion on a movie HE SAW AND YOU DIDN'T, just STFU, will you? You fucking elitist bastards.

[PotVsKtl]

How about you don't ask shitfaced questions and go mumble around in a dickpod instead?

[PotVsKtl]

You look like a horse with leukemia.

[amyzzz]

Yeah, I should've PM'ed the person, apparently. Jesus. You're such a load of dismembered alligator spleens.

And I know how shitty I look. That's about the weakest of insults you can give.

[PotVsKtl]

I don't have any real clue how you or anyone else looks, it's a generalized insult. Leukemia doesn't even look like anything, use your brain.

[SoulDischarge]

I don't have any real clue how you or anyone else looks, it's a generalized insult. Leukemia doesn't even look like anything, use your brain.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=leukemia&sa=N&tab=wi&um=1

I can't, in good conscience, actually post some of those in here.


Although, when you search "leukemia horse," this shows up on the first page:
http://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/stevens_d/stevens_dave.jpg
Cancer is sexy again.

[schoolofruckus]

When I ask someone specifically for an opinion on a movie HE SAW AND YOU DIDN'T, just STFU, will you? You fucking elitist bastards.

You'll notice the following:


I didn't say a word about Underworld 3.
Everyone on here offers opinions on any movie mentioned, solicited or not.
My name's in the title, and I will do as I goddamn please.

[schoolofruckus]

Do any of you have an opinion on which version of Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the best? I have never seen it (due to my longstanding aversion to Richard Dreyfuss) and I want to know which one I should try. According to Wikipedia, the '77 original is great, the '80 rerelease is better but it takes us inside the spaceship, and the '98 is the best of both worlds because it adds to the original without revealing what's inside the ship.

Thoughts?

[HowToDisappear]

I greatly prefer the original '77 version. Hated the '80 rerelease - too much extraneous shit that didn't really add to the film except for more run time and extra aggravation. (The part with the actual aliens is the weakest part of the film - why have more of it? And much too much of Dreyfuss having his mental breakdown.) I felt like the '98 version tried to correct the mistakes of the '80 release, but why bother? Watch the original.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

i watched SERPICO for the first time and thought it was absolutely amazing. By far one of the best of Pacino's early performances, allowing him to be eccentric without being over too over the top or taking on a ridiculous accent. Great directing all around (Sidney Lumet, the master) and just a terrific story. Kinda cheeseball score at times, but at other times it's extremely affective. I've been digging into a bunch of older crime movies (admittedly a lot of guilty-pleasurish '80s neo noir as well as the '70s hard-boiled stuff) and this is definitely one of the best

[iv3rdawG]

i watched SERPICO for the first time and thought it was absolutely amazing. By far one of the best of Pacino's early performances, allowing him to be eccentric without being over too over the top or taking on a ridiculous accent. Great directing all around (Sidney Lumet, the master) and just a terrific story. Kinda cheeseball score at times, but at other times it's extremely affective. I've been digging into a bunch of older crime movies (admittedly a lot of guilty-pleasurish '80s neo noir as well as the '70s hard-boiled stuff) and this is definitely one of the best

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/153/charlieserpico.gif

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

LOL

i also meant to mention that it was unexpectedly hilarious as well (mostly on purpose)

[AlecEiffel]

What confused me about Terminator Salvation... is why John Conor was having such a hard time with Marcus, the robot/human. He was saved by a robot/human as a kid... why was is so hard for him to believe that there was a robot/human. Furthmore, why couldn't he trust Marcus? Yes, we all know John Conor hates machines. Got it. But again, he trusted a machine as a kid and that machine is the only reason he is alive... why was it so hard for him to trust one more? Ugh. I can't seem to get past this.

Marcus is a more advanced Terminator. Arnold Terminator is a not a robot/human, it's a robot wearing a human skin costume. Marcus has human organs and what not. Also, the movie is dumb, don't worry about it.

[chairmenmeow47]

Do any of you have an opinion on which version of Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the best? I have never seen it (due to my longstanding aversion to Richard Dreyfuss) and I want to know which one I should try. According to Wikipedia, the '77 original is great, the '80 rerelease is better but it takes us inside the spaceship, and the '98 is the best of both worlds because it adds to the original without revealing what's inside the ship.

Thoughts?

explain the aversion to richard dreyfuss, just curious.

[bremex]

None of the Underworld movies are worth watching, not even on a "I've got nothing to do and I'm a fucking moron" level. Have some self-respect people.


:(

Is is true that Drag me to hell is about a realtor that gets a jinxed by a home owner or summat???

Fuckkk, I'm fucked!!!

[amyzzz]

Why did you quote that?

I'm going to try to see Drag Me to Hell next week.

[PotVsKtl]

:(

Is is true that Drag me to hell is about a realtor that gets a jinxed by a home owner or summat???

Fuckkk, I'm fucked!!!

So you're the new town idiot.

[Mr.Nipples]

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453778/It-Might-Get-Loud/trailers?8mu&emc=mub1

[Geno_guerrero]

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453778/It-Might-Get-Loud/trailers?8mu&emc=mub1

I want to see that...

[schoolofruckus]

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453778/It-Might-Get-Loud/trailers?8mu&emc=mub1


They filmed that at WB last year. I got to watch a little jamming ("Kashmir", "Bullet the Blue Sky", and a cover of "The Weight"), as well as a "Spinal Tap" scene where Page shows his guitar collection to the other two. I hope all of those moments make it into the film.

explain the aversion to richard dreyfuss, just curious.

1. He played the prick Dr. Marvin so well in What About Bob? that I'm convinced that's his personality in real life. I saw What About Bob? when I was 8 or 9, so this impression came at a very crucial point in my development.

2.
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/mr-hollands-opus-DVDcover.gif

[rage patton]

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453778/It-Might-Get-Loud/trailers?8mu&emc=mub1

This looks really fucking good. Any idea when it comes out?

[amyzzz]

I worked in a one-screen movie theatre which showed only Mr Holland's Opus for a month straight. I wanted to kill myself hearing that awful music everyday. And that was probably the only movie we showed that I never actually watched, so I get the Dreyfus hate.

[real talk]

19,481

[Young blood]

giggle.

[bremex]

So you're the new town idiot.

:(

why???

[schoolofruckus]

This looks really fucking good. Any idea when it comes out?

Sometime in August (14th or 21st).

[wmgaretjax]

i am either seeing the campion or the von trier this weekend. not sure which yet (i have no control over it).

[schoolofruckus]

How the fuck are you pulling that off!?

[PotVsKtl]

Did anybody like Holy Smoke? Campion sort of dropped off my radar.

[amyzzz]

I watched it, but I wouldn't watch it again.

[wmgaretjax]

Gabe... I can't really say. A friend could get into serious trouble...

"Holy Smoke" was a serious step back... but not terrible.

[schoolofruckus]

That's pretty rad, whatever it is. Personally, I wouldn't want to see Antichrist anywhere but in a packed (as much as possible) theater on opening night. But I can't say I would pass up the chance to see it now if I got it.

[wmgaretjax]

it'll be in a theater. and it'll be packed.

[schoolofruckus]

You son of a bitch.

[bobert]

I can't remember the last time I was this unexcited about summer movies. I mean, come on! Star Trek? Action filmed disguised as a sci-fi flick.

Star Trek was fucking awesome. My expectations were low, but I was pretty blown away. It's hard to imagine them doing that film any better and you really couldn't ask for anything more in a summer popcorn flick. The other movies you mentioned look like garbage and probably are - such is the summer movie season. If there's one big-budget movie that's entertaining and intelligently made that's an above average year in my book. Last year we were lucky enough to have Ironman. This year we got Star Trek. Deal with it.

[sbessiso]

I die a little bit every time I see the commercial for "The Proposal"



*Insert PotVsKtl and/or YoungBlood jokes*

[PotVsKtl]

umAxeO-QfmY

[RotationSlimWang]

Hating on Richard Dreyfuss now is one thing--hating on Dreyfuss circa 77-80 is quite another. I mean, what the fuck, people--we're talking JAWS Dreyfuss.

[mountmccabe]

Jaws Dreyfuss was fucking hilarious

[schoolofruckus]

Jaws is lame. There, I said it.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Dreyfus was great in "American Graffiti"

[chairmenmeow47]

even if he was an asshole in what about bob and even if that's who he is in real life, i still find him amusing. he's kinda like kelsey grammar where you'd probably loathe them in real life, but i find them both amusing on-screen. i honestly can hardly remember a thing about mr. holland's opus. last time i saw it was probably in the theatre as a child where amyzzz was working at :p jaws is also awesome, but i think i've only seen the first one. i also like the goodbye girl.

i'm about halfway through the sugarland express. it's really hard to find this stuff cute in our day & age. you just can't point a gun at someone like you used to...

[stuporfly]

even if he was an asshole in what about bob and even if that's who he is in real life, i still find him amusing. he's kinda like kelsey grammar where you'd probably loathe them in real life, but i find them both amusing on-screen. i honestly can hardly remember a thing about mr. holland's opus. last time i saw it was probably in the theatre as a child where amyzzz was working at :p jaws is also awesome, but i think i've only seen the first one. i also like the goodbye girl.

I met Dreyfuss maybe 10 years ago, and I was stunned to find him to be perfectly likeable, incredibly friendly and not at all the asshole cokehead prick I'd always assumed he'd be. It could have been an anomaly, and it was only maybe a 10 minute conversation.

I do like early Dreyfuss, though I can also see where he grates on people.

[wmgaretjax]

umAxeO-QfmY

i saw this as a double feature with that nutso Scandinavian black metal documentary that harmony korine produced. Anvil would make a great netflix/rental. i got a little antsy in the theater, but it's worth checking out.

[PotVsKtl]

Yeah, I watched it last night. It held my attention right up until what I assumed was the end when I turned it off. Eh.

[mountmccabe]

ithat nutso Scandinavian black metal documentary that harmony korine produced.

Wait what? I want to see this?

[schoolofruckus]

I've seen very few Richard Dreyfuss movies, so there hasn't been ample opportunity for him to prove he doesn't suck. But scanning his filmography, I can't see anything outside of Close Encounters or American Graffiti that I'm interested in seeking out.

[wmgaretjax]

Wait what? I want to see this?

f2C9vS8mx2c

[mountmccabe]

I've seen very few Richard Dreyfuss movies, so there hasn't been ample opportunity for him to prove he doesn't suck. But scanning his filmography, I can't see anything outside of Close Encounters or American Graffiti that I'm interested in seeking out.

He was in W as Dick Cheney, I would like to see that.

He was somebody or other in The American President; I liked that but I like Sorkin.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead was a wonderful movie. He's supposed to be a little annoying there so it works. Also Tim Roth and Gary Oldman are the leads so you can focus on that.

[wmgaretjax]

speaking of Tim Roth... apparently he's in a TV show? anyone watched it?

[schoolofruckus]

He was in W as Dick Cheney, I would like to see that.

He was somebody or other in The American President; I liked that but I like Sorkin.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead was a wonderful movie. He's supposed to be a little annoying there so it works. Also Tim Roth and Gary Oldman are the leads so you can focus on that.

I liked him in W., but the character - like everyone except W and HW - was sorely undercooked.

[mountmccabe]

f2C9vS8mx2c

Interesting. Thank you. I will have to keep an eye out for that.

[PotVsKtl]

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead was a wonderful movie. He's supposed to be a little annoying there so it works. Also Tim Roth and Gary Oldman are the leads so you can focus on that.

Co-signed. Also, Let It Ride. And Jaws.

[roberto73]

Co-signed. Also, Let It Ride. And Jaws.

Agreed on both of those. I also have a (perhaps unreasonable) affection for Down and Out in Beverly Hills and Tin Men.

[wmgaretjax]

for a second I thought Tin Men was Tin Cup...

[bobert]

Jaws is lame. There, I said it.

You wish you believed that.

[schoolofruckus]

In terms of movies that make me scared to go in the water, Jaws ranks somewhere between Caddyshack and Hard Rain.

[wmgaretjax]

I haven't seen Jaws in forever. But I loved it when I was 15.

[PotVsKtl]

Personally I don't look at Jaws as a horror movie. It's not particularly frightening. It's all about the characters, the rest is just a reason to get lunatics on a boat showing off their scars.

[stuporfly]

Personally I don't look at Jaws as a horror movie. It's not particularly frightening. It's all about the characters, the rest is just a reason to get lunatics on a boat showing off their scars.

Agreed.

I know it's trite to say so, but I still find Robert Shaw's Indianapolis speech rather unnerving.

[schoolofruckus]

An interesting theory about the possible release of Che on DVD. (http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2009/06/criterion-to-release-soderbeghs-che-on.html)

I got that newsletter this morning and thought the same thing when I saw the clue. This will be great if it comes true.

[wmgaretjax]

Criterion are doing Last Year at Marienbad and Repulsion. Wicked.

[schoolofruckus]

I want to check out The Human Condition too. I saw part one a looong time ago, but never got around to devoting a weekend to the other two.

[schoolofruckus]

In other DVD news....


After a four month sabbatical from all things Walk, I have decided to print DVD's for anyone who wants a copy. If any of you are interested, you can send me an SASE with a blank DVD-R in it. Email me at gorillabear55@gmail.com, with "WALK - DVD" as the subject heading, if you would happen to be interested.

[iv3rdawG]

Shutter Island trailer. New film by Martin Scorsese.

K6wZsJPyTZA

[RotationSlimWang]

In terms of movies that make me scared to go in the water, Jaws ranks somewhere between Caddyshack and Hard Rain.

Jesus Gabe...

Good call on the Let It Ride, Pot. Vastly overlooked flick.

[schoolofruckus]

I saw The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 last night. And now I'm going to rant.

But not about the movie itself. It was junk, of course - the kind of nonsense that passes quickly enough (thank heavens) but disappears from memory before you've even left the theater, if you're lucky. I knew this is what it would be going in. Anyone who's seen a trailer knows this is what it is. I only went to see it because:

A) it was free
B) it was free
C) I've enjoyed several Tony Scott movies over the years, at least enough that I can give his new one a shot because
D) it was free.

So I'm not here to complain about the film itself. I'm here to complain about Denzel Washington. You see, I spent the first hour of this movie relatively unharmed - irritated by all the Tony Scott stylings that you've seen in Man on Fire and Domino and all the rest, shaking my head at some of the stupider moments, but never really bored. But over the last 45 minutes, it began to dawn on me that I can no longer consider Denzel a great actor. I've always been under the impression that he's one of the better thespians in Hollywood. But I don't see how that can be true when he continues to make these movies over and over again - movies that pretend to give his character shadings and development that serve the story, but (SPOILERS ONLY IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOVIE LIKE THIS BECAUSE IT WAS ENTIRELY OBVIOUS ALL ALONG) in the end, are more than willing to blow all previous characterization out of the water in order to make this ordinary guy the "hero".

I can't even refer to this as a character. He's not a character. He's not a human being who behaves with at least some degree of logic in relation to the world he inhabits. No, Denzel here is playing a role - a part in an entirely disposable film that doesn't mean anything to anyone except its accountants. This is okay once in a while - everybody's got to eat, put the kids through college, drive a Maserati, etc. - but the guy's been making a career out of this for at least the past decade. I mean, I'm staring at his filmography right now, and I think the last real character this guy played was Jake Shuttlesworth. In 1998.

I haven't seen all of Denzel's films, but I get the same vibe from all of them. Don't get me wrong - he fills a movie star part like nobody's business. But I just feel like, if he were really a great ACTOR, he would chase the occasional film that requires him to be more than a soothing, recognizable face in an archetypical position - be it the civil servant who learns to chase the bad guys when given the chance to go home to his family, or the brilliant and charismatic detective/gangster (these are often made to be interchangeable), or the noble, inspirational historical figure (boxer, football coach, teacher, it doesn't really matter).

So for right now, Denzel Washington, you have officially been shit-listed.




I don't expect many of you to agree with me here.

[schoolofruckus]

Shutter Island trailer. New film by Martin Scorsese.

K6wZsJPyTZA

Ugh...Bad Leo rears his head again. I'll see it, but I'm not expecting much.

[RotationSlimWang]

Seriously? We're blaming Denzel for not coming through with more of a character in a fucking Tony Scott remake of Pelham?

Gabe, just out of curiosity, how much of the movie's total number of minutes would you say is spent with extreme close-ups of the train zipping past the camera? 20, 25 minutes all told in five-second installations or what?

[sonofhal]

96.7% of remakes are shit.

I'll stick with the original.

[RotationSlimWang]

Also, Dreyfuss was perfect as Dick Cheney in W. Add that to the list.

[schoolofruckus]

Seriously? We're blaming Denzel for not coming through with more of a character in a fucking Tony Scott remake of Pelham?

Gabe, just out of curiosity, how much of the movie's total number of minutes would you say is spent with extreme close-ups of the train zipping past the camera? 20, 25 minutes all told in five-second installations or what?

It's not so much that I'm blaming Denzel for Pelham. Sadly, he's one of the better things about it. But the fact that he keeps making this movie over and over again is more notable than the movie's actual failures.

If you only count the ECUs of trains, subway tunnel walls, etc. whizzing by, then I think 20 minutes is maybe a little too high (you also have to factor in that these are 1.5 second installations max, not 5). But that sells the movie short. You have to also include shots of the New York cityscape (from the air and from the street), shots of Denzel at his MTA desk, title cards smashing onto frame to update us on the approaching deadline to give Travolta his money (art imitates life) and then darting around a corner, etc. All of which are done with dolly, zoom, CG-aided lens change, and MBV-volume sound effects - simultaneously. So considering that, it's probably closer to 45 minutes.

In summation - anyone who enjoys Tony Scottisms unto themselves will like this movie, and anyone who gets even remotely fatigued by them will feel the same way towards it that I did.

[schoolofruckus]

Also, Dreyfuss was perfect as Dick Cheney in W. Add that to the list.

I did. He was as perfect as he could be. But the script was terrible, and thus gave him only so much rope.

[RotationSlimWang]

The dickhead should stick to making Shane Black scripts instead of touching good material. He got lucky with managing to not ruin True Romance.

[RotationSlimWang]

I actually thought W was pretty damn good. Funny enough, fairly interesting portrayal of the entire scene, and W was more or less fairly represented. My only big complaint is they should have left out more of the exact famously stupid Bush quotes 'cause the writer did a good enough job fabricating W-isms.

[schoolofruckus]

The dickhead should stick to making Shane Black scripts instead of touching good material. He got lucky with managing to not ruin True Romance.

First of all, I think my favorite Tony Scott movie is The Last Boy Scout, so I agree with you.

Secondly - did you see Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang? I think anyone who hates Shane Black needs to give it a shot. I thought it was one of the best action comedies ever made.

[RotationSlimWang]

You prefer Boy Scout to True Romance? Jesus Christ.

Kiss Kiss was alright. Pretty brutally formulaic but that's Shane for you. His directing was nothing worthy of note.

[schoolofruckus]

You prefer Boy Scout to True Romance? Jesus Christ.

Kiss Kiss was alright. Pretty brutally formulaic but that's Shane for you. His directing was nothing worthy of note.

I love Boy Scout. I also love True Romance. I don't really care which one is better. But as you do as well, it's much easier to credit Tarantino for the latter than Scott.

[sonofhal]

The Last Boy Scout is a gem of a movie. Haven't watched that in ages.

[RotationSlimWang]

Gabe grew up in Colorado. He's excused. YOU, as an Englishman, have no defense, sir.

[AlecEiffel]

I actually do like Shane Black, particularly Monster Squad and the first Lethal Weapon, but Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang relies entirely on Robert Downey Jr's performance. If he wasn't so fun to watch that movie would have just been obnoxious.

[schoolofruckus]

I actually do like Shane Black, particularly Monster Squad and the first Lethal Weapon, but Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang relies entirely on Robert Downey Jr's performance. If he wasn't so fun to watch that movie would have just been obnoxious.

That's true....it was on the border of being self-aware to the point of shipwreck. But I give Black credit for casting Downey. I also thought it was as well-directed as it needed to be. It looked good, the action and comedy beats were well done, etc.

[bobert]

In terms of movies that make me scared to go in the water, Jaws ranks somewhere between Caddyshack and Hard Rain.

Oh, you mean you don't find the rubber shark terrifying? That's surprising. When I first saw Jaws when I was 5 years old it scared me beyond belief. When I watch it now, of course all the scares have lost their impact. That's what happens to most old movies that have cheesy (by today's standards) special effects. But they'res still plenty to like. Great performances, a really tight script, an iconic score - I'd give anything to have seen an early screening of that back in the 70s before it was ripped off, and diluted by a million edited television broadcasts. It's a classic, and for you to say that it's lame because you don't find it scary is like me saying Paths of Glory blows because Kirk Douglas can't speak French.

[RotationSlimWang]

Fuck that shit. It's not a horror film. It's suspense/thriller if anything when it is. And when the shark goes under with three barrels it's legitimately "OH SHIT." Jaws is essentially Terminator with a shark.

[chairmenmeow47]

god, imagine if terminators could take the form of scary ocean creatures. i thought machines becoming aware was my greatest fear, but ocean creatures becoming aware is just as scary! :p

[RotationSlimWang]

Read that copy of The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress I gave you. Aware machines could be awesome.

[bobert]

Fuck that shit. It's not a horror film. It's suspense/thriller if anything when it is.

Semantics. It's a monster movie, Randy, with tons of blood and little children getting devoured. But yes, I believe it is also suspenseful and/or thrilling. Terminator would lean more towards the sci-fi spectrum of things, but one could argue that film is a horror/monster film as well. Genre arguments are stupid.

[RotationSlimWang]

It's not a monster movie at all. Calling it such is fucking stupid. First of all, a shark is not a "monster." It's a real creature, just a big fucking shark. There's nothing mystical or abnormal about the circumstances at all. "Horror" indicates that the primary focus of the movie is scaring you, which I don't think is remotely the case of Jaws. Jaws is scary because of the circumstance involved, but it's a character piece.

[schoolofruckus]

Oh, you mean you don't find the rubber shark terrifying? That's surprising. When I first saw Jaws when I was 5 years old it scared me beyond belief. When I watch it now, of course all the scares have lost their impact. That's what happens to most old movies that have cheesy (by today's standards) special effects. But they'res still plenty to like. Great performances, a really tight script, an iconic score - I'd give anything to have seen an early screening of that back in the 70s before it was ripped off, and diluted by a million edited television broadcasts. It's a classic, and for you to say that it's lame because you don't find it scary is like me saying Paths of Glory blows because Kirk Douglas can't speak French.

Stop trolling me. Your "arguments" against my opinion serve only to persuade me that I'm correct.

[wmgaretjax]

It's might not be mystical. But the notion of a giant shark terrorizing a resort town is plenty mythical.

"Jaws" does have a great script and performances, but the score is god awful.

[RotationSlimWang]

Okay, granted, I suppose, although the use of "mythical" could be pretty easily challenged. I don't understand what the point of your post is. What about "mythical" is it that qualifies it as a monster movie in spite of the lack of "mystical?"

[bobert]

Stop trolling me.

Have you ever considered a blog? That way you could post all your overwrought musings without any interference from the outside world. Since this seems to be the default thread for movie discussion and your posts comprise 90% of every page, your posts are going to get commented on. Put me on ignore if you don't like it.

[wmgaretjax]

Okay, granted, I suppose, although the use of "mythical" could be pretty easily challenged. I don't understand what the point of your post is. What about "mythical" is it that qualifies it as a monster movie in spite of the lack of "mystical?"

We could also use legendary or any number of other words that are common characteristics of monsters. The shark in Jaws is certainly monstrous and has the exact of psychological impact that you would expect a monster to have.

[RotationSlimWang]

Still different than being a "monster" movie. Does featuring anything that can be described as "monstrous" make such a piece a monster movie?

[wmgaretjax]

Fair enough. I probably wouldn't categorize it as such, but I feel like a case could be made for it. I don't care enough to do it.

[bobert]

mon⋅ster  
–noun
1. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx.
2. any creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people.
3. any animal or human grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.
4. a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc.
5. any animal or thing huge in size.
6. Biology. a. an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure, as from marked malformation or the absence of certain parts or organs.
b. a grossly anomalous fetus or infant, esp. one that is not viable.

7. anything unnatural or monstrous.

–adjective 8. huge; enormous; monstrous: a monster tree.


I'd say the shark qualifies for 6 out of 8 of the definitions of 'Monster.'

[RotationSlimWang]

5 and 7 are essentially bullshit. 2 is applicable, but not really what we're talking about. 1, 3, 4, and 6 do not qualify.

[schoolofruckus]

Have you ever considered a blog? That way you could post all your overwrought musings without any interference from the outside world. Since this seems to be the default thread for movie discussion and your posts comprise 90% of every page, your posts are going to get commented on. Put me on ignore if you don't like it.

I'm comfortable with disagreement. But you only ever seem to speak up in here when you want to hound me for something you don't like me saying. So I'm just telling you, you're wasting your time.

[Young blood]

I figured out the my problem with bond movies. Aside from the actors/directors/everything else. Its the time period. They should have stuck with the 50's 60's, when technology/science and womanizing was sexy. The next bond movie should be a throw back to the retro time era, but at the same time stay true the series.

[PotVsKtl]

Ugh...Bad Leo rears his head again. I'll see it, but I'm not expecting much.

How do you not expect much from Scorsese? The Departed wasn't great but I don't know how you'd even go about not getting excited.

[humanoid]

while home sick this evening, flipping through channels, I may have discovered the greatest film ever made. It is disheartening that not one of you who are so apparently well versed in film have mentioned this modern masterpiece of feminine empowerment in the 438 pages of Schoolio's Movie Corner. An entertaining blend of action, comedy, the aforementioned feminine empowerment issues and of course attractive, Ivy League destined junior college cheerleaders, who also happen to be strippers and ninja warriors...Ninja Cheerleaders has rarely been surpassed in the history of cinema.

[schoolofruckus]

How do you not expect much from Scorsese? The Departed wasn't great but I don't know how you'd even go about not getting excited.

It was a knee-jerk reaction, I'll admit. And also a thought that I didn't take the time to properly express.

I love Scorsese; I even loved 99.94% of The Departed. Granted, that final shot with the rat was one of the most egregious beats in the history of cinema, and it was a really awkward way to end an otherwise excellent movie. But I don't even hold that against him to any real degree.

The Shutter Island trailer was highly disappointing in its own right. For starters, it looks like the plot fell out of the family tree of Gothika - a sane authority goes to a mental institution that's "haunted" and ends up having to question his own sanity. I didn't see Gothika either, so who knows; this might not be a bad thing in and of itself.

Anyway, it's about the singer(s), not the song, right? Well, DiCaprio has a Kevin Costner-in-Thirteen Days Boston accent ("we ahh duly-appointed federul maahshals"), and while I like him in many things, he's always a wild card as to whether or not he's going to be good. As for Scorsese...the footage looks good, but when has one of his films not? It was only 5 years ago that he (and Leo) made The Aviator, which is the only Scorsese movie that I've seen and flat-out haven't liked.

All I meant is that there are ample warning signs that this could be pretty disappointing. To say I'm "not expecting much" may have been overly dismissive - I'm going to see it opening weekend like everyone else - but I'm definitely tempering my expectations.

[wmgaretjax]

Gothika was a mediocre/shitty movie, but surprisingly fucked up.

[PotVsKtl]

I just got done tempering your unborn niece.

[bug on your lip]

I just got done tempering your unborn niece.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/letterman100.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

My unborn niece is 18, not 14. Pot's not that sick.

[schoolofruckus]

But seriously, Pot - did you find that trailer promising, or do you own a pair of Color of Money pajamas?

[PotVsKtl]

I found it interesting trying to figure out how some of those shots are going to fit into a Scorsese movie. It's cut like a generic psych thriller, but I can't believe that's what he made. It's odd how little they played up his name though.

[schoolofruckus]

I'm just hoping it's not going to be another pulpy suspense Scorsese like Cape Fear. I liked Cape Fear, but I don't want to see him make it twice.

And what the hell...Antichrist looked generic-with-high-grade-photography too, and is apparently anything but. Hopefully the same applies here.

[schoolofruckus]

A particularly entertaining review of Pelham 1 2 3 from one of my favorite film bloggers. (http://blog.spout.com/2009/06/12/the-taking-of-pelham-123-review/) This one spiked with some malevolent social commentary that I hadn't thought of. Spoiler heavy, for those of you who plan to ignore the warning signs and see the movie.

[RotationSlimWang]

Holy shit. 99 problems? Srsly?

[humanoid]

A particularly entertaining review of Pelham 1 2 3 from one of my favorite film bloggers. (http://blog.spout.com/2009/06/12/the-taking-of-pelham-123-review/) This one spiked with some malevolent social commentary that I hadn't thought of. Spoiler heavy, for those of you who plan to ignore the warning signs and see the movie.

The warning sign known as John Travolta is too much for me to overcome

[schoolofruckus]

I applaud you, humanoid.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

The warning sign known as John Travolta is too much for me to overcome

this too was almost enough for me to want to saty the fuck away...but the trailers are actually really good. But THEN...I saw that Tony Scott directed and that was the nail in the coffin for me. He completely ruined the last few of his movies for me with his stylistic choices...which apparently a lot of people like.
Gives me a fucking headache though

[humanoid]

this too was almost enough for me to want to saty the fuck away...but the trailers are actually really good. But THEN...I saw that Tony Scott directed and that was the nail in the coffin for me. He completely ruined the last few of his movies for me with his stylistic choices...which apparently a lot of people like.
Gives me a fucking headache though

Even if Roman Polanski directed this movie, I would still wait until it was replayed incessantly on HBO in a year and half before I would consider watching it...it's a matter of principle, my way of protesting the egregious error of allowing John Travolta to be cast in his film. (I know, the director doesn't always have control of such issues) but still

Seriously, who is douchier than John Travolta? .....oh wait, Nicolas Cage, that's who.

[schoolofruckus]

Matthew McConaughey



EDIT: Although now that I think about it, McConaughey would have been much more interesting in that role than Travolta.

[bobert]

Seriously, who is douchier than John Travolta? .....oh wait, Nicolas Cage, that's who.

So you must have Face Off in your home video library?

[unitedwestand]

anybody seen moon?

[humanoid]

So you must have Face Off in your home video library?

I have my main copy, plus a backup, just in case...

I'm waiting for the Criterion people to get off their lazy asses and add this tremendous display of acting genius to their collection

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I have my main copy, plus a backup, just in case...

I'm waiting for the Criterion people to get off their lazy asses and add this tremendous display of acting genius to their collection

"You want to take his face...off?"

[schoolofruckus]

I watched a doubleheader of Twilight and Let the Right One In this weekend.

To my surprise, Twilight started out okay - watchable, not as abysmal as expected - and I was wondering if I might be in for a mild surprise. Then the vampire crap started up and the whole thing hastily went to hell. Overall, it was one of the worst-acted movies I've ever seen, starting right at the top with the crown prince of brooding bewilderment that so many of my female Facebook friends can't stop fawning over. In addition, the special effects - almost never my criteria for a film being great or terrible - were the Jeopardy answer for "This film is the result of Ed Wood buying his first laptop". By the time it was over, I felt like it was an open letter to all worldwide terrorists reading simply "ATTACK US!" Also, the fact that Radiohead allowed them to use "15 Step" in the end credits only further made me furious.

Let the Right One In was quite a bit better. It's still not my idea of a masterpiece, honestly, but considering that there were some noticeable similarities to Twilight, the things that excelled where that one sucked - the performance of the little girl who played Eli, the striking photography, tasteful music use, and imaginative set pieces - really set it apart. The ending was great. I thought it dragged at times, and as I've said in the past, I generally struggle to stay engaged with vampire stories. But this is one of the better entries I've seen.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Just finished watching "Eastern Promises"

I guess I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly was not that. i loved it from start to finish, and am always delighted when films leave me desperately wanting more. It's interesting to see what is really just a sliver of a much larger story

Also saw "The Deerhunter" for the first time this weekend. I'm still digesting it. Part of me wants to say that an entire hour could easily have been cut out of it, but the other part wants to believe that all of that stuff is there for an entirely good reason. Overall it's an immensely powerful film, but there is a lot to chew on

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

In addition, the special effects - almost never my criteria for a film being great or terrible - were the Jeopardy answer for "This film is the result of Ed Wood buying his first laptop".


I took my girlfriend to see "Twilight" hoping that it would at the very least have some cool vampire scenes and was completely astounded at how awful the effects were

[wmgaretjax]

I saw Jane Campion's new film "Bright Star" yesterday. It was absolutely gorgeous, the acting ranged from mediocre to extraordinary, the soundtrack was great... I wish the whole story was told as loosely and poetic as a few segments were. Those excited me a lot, but then it went back to the same old gorgeous, but sterile, period piece experience. It's worth seeing, largely because of the cinematography, but I had trouble focusing because of how bland 75% of the movie felt.

[bremex]

Killer Dragqueens on dope.

[AlecEiffel]

I'm waiting for the Criterion people to get off their lazy asses and add this tremendous display of acting genius to their collection

Stranger things have happened.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71JK1HZJE3L._SS500_.gif

[humanoid]

/\ seriously?

[bremex]

Just finished watching "Eastern Promises"

I guess I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly was not that. i loved it from start to finish, and am always delighted when films leave me desperately wanting more. It's interesting to see what is really just a sliver of a much larger story



I fully agree. I loved this film.

These are the kind of movies that deserve Academy recognitions (not that I give a fuck about the Oscar's, but last couple of years they've been shiteeeee)

Viggo Mortensen kicks assssss!!!!

[schoolofruckus]

While the hint of a larger story made Eastern Promises more interesting than this implies, I still think the whole film was just an excuse to stage a naked knife fight.

[AlecEiffel]

/\ seriously?

Yes, and that's not Bay's only Criterion film, either. The Rock got the treatment, too.

[stinkbutt]

There is also a Robocop Criterion film

[RotationSlimWang]

Yeah... because Robocop is fucking awesome. That is not remotely a comparison.

[AlecEiffel]

True, Robocop is entirely deserving.

[stinkbutt]

you gotta be fuckin kidding me

it is awesome in the way Toxic Avenger is awesome not Criterian awesome

[RotationSlimWang]

Um, go back and watch it again. That movie's a masterpiece.

[AlecEiffel]

When's the last time you saw it? Comparing it to the Toxic Avenger is ridiculous.

[stinkbutt]

Not really it's cheesy but awesome gore and drug abuse hence the comparison

[RotationSlimWang]

It's not really remotely cheesy. It's one of the darker films you can find from that era. Verhoeven before he went bad is awesome. Maybe you're thinking of the sequels?

[AlecEiffel]

The Toxic Avenger is not a good movie, even with a bigger budget it would not have been a good movie. Lloyd Kaufman likes to hide behind his whole 'truly independent' thing, but the fact is he is a bad film maker and his humor just flat out is not funny (being tasteless and offensive alone isn't shocking or funny, there has to be a real joke in there somewhere). Any social commentary Kaufman was trying to make is lost in the fact that he'd rather linger on fat guys and dicks and stuff.

Robocop is a well made film. It's violence is brutal, not wacky, and the special effects were awesome for the time. It's steeped in social commentary about law enforcement, major corporations and religion as well having tons of satire based on American culture. Just the idea of the title character alone is really a lot to think about. Here we are thinking about how awesome Robocop is, but how awesome would it really be in real life? It's a serious accomplishment for an action movie.

[SoulDischarge]

While the hint of a larger story made Eastern Promises more interesting than this implies, I still think the whole film was just an excuse to stage a naked knife fight.

Pretty much, although movies have been made for much worse excuses.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Robocop is an incredible satire.

Verhoeven's commentary track, however, is absolutely hilarious and highly recommended. His track for Starship Troopers is hilarious as well

[schoolofruckus]

Pretty much, although movies have been made for much worse excuses.

I agree 100%. I meant that as a compliment to the scene, not a slight to the rest of the picture.

[AlecEiffel]

Robocop is an incredible satire.

Verhoeven's commentary track, however, is absolutely hilarious and highly recommended. His track for Starship Troopers is hilarious as well

My favorite is his commentary for Total Recall because he and Scwarzenegger are like two idiot madmen babbling at each other for two hours.

[bmack86]

I can always gauge my friends by how they respond to me saying "I'd buy that for a dollar!"

[chairmenmeow47]

I can always gauge my friends by how they respond to me saying "I'd buy that for a dollar!"

ha ha ha ha, totally agree. or if they start laughing hysterically anytime you say "two weeks". god i love his movies. showgirls has me laughing to tears almost every time.

[humanoid]

Yes, and that's not Bay's only Criterion film, either. The Rock got the treatment, too.

oh sweet, Michael Bay & Nicholas Cage


I haven't seen Robocop since the first time I saw it, and what was that, 20 years ago?

I recently watched Total Recall and have to agree, the commentary with Arnold was pretty amazing

on an unintentional Verhoeven spree, I also watched Black Book just yesterday. I enjoyed it, as it was a sprawling movie running the gamut of styles and emotions one may hope to encounter in about 6 WWII movies, but I could never shake the feeling that I was watching a soap opera that happened to be staged in Nazi occupied Netherlands. -----I just rewatched part of this and I changed my mind, I liked this movie much more than I thought I did the first time through

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Arnold's commentary on Conan The Barbarian is also a fucking classic

[amyzzz]

I hate Robocop with the passion. The violence in that movie freaks me out, and I won't watch it.

[M Sparks]

Robocop is a well made film. It's violence is brutal, not wacky,

There is that one scene towards the end where it turns into a Melt movie. A bit silly.

[Mr.Nipples]

WHAT IN THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT!!!!???? FUCK!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1426388/

[wmgaretjax]

what the fuck?

[bug on your lip]

shitfuck shit. what the

[schoolofruckus]

I saw Up last night. I was mildly disappointed. The prologue that traced the old man's life was perfect - the kind of simple poignancy that highlights most of Pixar's best work. But his plan to rig his house with thousands of helium balloons and float to South America was shockingly rushed in both set-up and completion. When they had reached the falls less than 30 minutes into the film, I got the feeling that the movie was in trouble. And then the rest of the adventurer plot after that was far too silly and completely unnecessary. I wish the movie would have just been about the guy's journey, floating his way across the world.

[wmgaretjax]

When I first saw the trailer, that's what I hoped for. Then I saw the second trailer and lost any interest in seeing it.

[chairmenmeow47]

i watched on the waterfront & westworld while i was sewing last night. i liked on the waterfront, though the intro from the TCM guy was interesting and said a lot of the story was based on the director's experience ratting other movie makers out during the communist inquisitions. not sure how i feel about his politics, but i liked the movie. brando can hardly do wrong in my book.

westworld was entertaining. i loved that they didn't really go into any backstory of the characters and just dived right into the amusement park. i couldn't help but think of the itchy & scratchy land episode of the simpsons since they parody this so much. the ending was perfect.

[AlecEiffel]

Up is only my second favorite movie about a curmudgeonly old man who's wife has recently died, is upset about the neighborhood changing and is encouraged to go to an old folks home but then befriends an asian kid and learns something.

[rskapcat]

ha ha ha ha, totally agree. or if they start laughing hysterically anytime you say "two weeks". god i love his movies. showgirls has me laughing to tears almost every time.

Showgirls is meant to be watched with a large group of people, preferably while inebriated.

[schoolofruckus]

When I first saw the trailer, that's what I hoped for. Then I saw the second trailer and lost any interest in seeing it.

I think I only saw the first trailer.

The stuff that works about Up (basically, all the character work pertaining to the old man and his trying to fulfill his late wife's wishes) really does work. If it had been more along the lines of Wall-E - patient and observant, with minimal shenanigans - it could have been amazing.

[schoolofruckus]

Up is only my second favorite movie about a curmudgeonly old man who's wife has recently died, is upset about the neighborhood changing and is encouraged to go to an old folks home but then befriends an asian kid and learns something.

That's the other thing. I liked his character - he was entirely necessary - but his appearance was flat out distracting. He's a pseudo-Boy Scout with all these hiking merit badges and shit...and yet he's so fat as to be spherical. I got the impression he was Asian as well, but it was hard to tell because he was just so obese. It was an unnecessary characteristic to make him more cute or something.

[menikmati]

Up is only my second favorite movie about a curmudgeonly old man who's wife has recently died, is upset about the neighborhood changing and is encouraged to go to an old folks home but then befriends an asian kid and learns something.

Ha...I'm sure the acting in Up is better than the other film though....

[Mr.Nipples]

That's the other thing. I liked his character - he was entirely necessary - but his appearance was flat out distracting. He's a pseudo-Boy Scout with all these hiking merit badges and shit...and yet he's so fat as to be spherical. I got the impression he was Asian as well, but it was hard to tell because he was just so obese. It was an unnecessary characteristic to make him more cute or something.

hahaha

[AlecEiffel]

Ha...I'm sure the acting in Up is better than the other film though....

true, say what you will about everyone else in that movie, but Eastwood was great and I don't think that's arguable.

[whynotsmile99]

I saw Up last night. I was mildly disappointed. The prologue that traced the old man's life was perfect - the kind of simple poignancy that highlights most of Pixar's best work. But his plan to rig his house with thousands of helium balloons and float to South America was shockingly rushed in both set-up and completion. When they had reached the falls less than 30 minutes into the film, I got the feeling that the movie was in trouble. And then the rest of the adventurer plot after that was far too silly and completely unnecessary. I wish the movie would have just been about the guy's journey, floating his way across the world.

i really enjoyed UP, but agree with everything you said. The opening was incredibly perfect and deeply moving. the balloon thing was certainly rushed and agree the movie would have been far stronger had the whole thing been his travels in the house. My biggest gripe with the picture was the talking dogs. I actually thought Doug really funny, but the entire army of dogs and then the dogs in the airplanes just killed it. still though, beautiful movie, great 3d loved the voice work.

No surprise about remaking Videodrome. Every day another remake is announced.

[stinkbutt]

My biggest gripe with the picture was the talking dogs. I actually thought Doug really funny, but the entire army of dogs and then the dogs in the airplanes just killed it.

It's a fucking cartoon made for kids

wtf is up with you people

[indietron]

Just bought my tickets for the midnight showing of Transformers next week

:)

[schoolofruckus]

i really enjoyed UP, but agree with everything you said. The opening was incredibly perfect and deeply moving. the balloon thing was certainly rushed and agree the movie would have been far stronger had the whole thing been his travels in the house. My biggest gripe with the picture was the talking dogs. I actually thought Doug really funny, but the entire army of dogs and then the dogs in the airplanes just killed it. still though, beautiful movie, great 3d loved the voice work.


That's basically how I felt. The dog stuff wasn't horrible - I laughed at some of it. It just wasn't where I wanted the movie to go.

Also, I saw it in 2D because I didn't want to have to deal with the picture noise and muted colors on the areas that weren't projected. I don't know if this makes much of a difference, but I'm pretty positive I would have felt the same way.

It's a fucking cartoon made for kids

wtf is up with you people

We saw Wall-E?

Just bought my tickets for the midnight showing of Transformers next week

:)

I have my IMAX tickets for next Friday night already.

[wmgaretjax]

It's a fucking cartoon made for kids


i think most of the people at Pixar would severely disagree with this statement (I say this knowing several). they pride themselves on making films that are designed simultaneously for adults and children, particularly recently.

[stinkbutt]

ok but it is supposed to be whimsical and fantasy based so I guess I don't get why you would have a gripe with talking dogs

[schoolofruckus]

Because we saw Wall-E?

[stinkbutt]

Finding Nemo is better than Wall-E imho

[fatbastard]

The movie Departures makes me want to start my own neighborhood undertaker business. I would just need to invest in white t-shirts and locs for the men and eye shadow and eyebrow pencils for women.

[schoolofruckus]

Finding Nemo is better than Wall-E imho

I wouldn't fight that. I prefer Wall-E, but they're neck-and-neck. Definitely my two favorite Pixar films.

[wmgaretjax]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/17/wtf-lars-von-triers-antichristthe-video-game/

oh, and I hated Finding Nemo.

[whynotsmile99]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/17/wtf-lars-von-triers-antichristthe-video-game/

oh, and I hated Finding Nemo.

wow, that's wild. i would certainly give that a rental.
video games need more William Dafoe and genital mutilation

you really hated Nemo? it's still my favorite Pixar film closely followed by Monsters, Inc and Wall E.

Cars was their only movie I flat out didn't like.

Still haven't seen Toy Story 2 or Rataotuie

[wmgaretjax]

Finding Nemo and Ratatouie were too fucking schmaltzy in a melodramatic adult way for me. It was the wrong edge of catering to an older audience. The first half of Wall-E did it flawlessly... I want more of that.

[M Sparks]

Because we saw Wall-E?

I think Wall-E and Up had a lot in common. They both started of as beautiful, moving works of art, and then a half hour in, they just get silly and repetitive.

That said, I've never seen a Pixar movie that didn't have something to love, and that even includes Cars.

[SoulDischarge]

Don't fuck with Videodrome or I will personally burn your house down and make your children choke on the ashes.

[schoolofruckus]

I think Wall-E and Up had a lot in common. They both started of as beautiful, moving works of art, and then a half hour in, they just get silly and repetitive.

That said, I've never seen a Pixar movie that didn't have something to love, and that even includes Cars.

You could say that only in the most general terms. For one, Wall-E's brilliant first act lasted more like 45 minutes, whereas in Up, things were already beginning to dumb down after 15 minutes. For another, Wall-E was on another level of visual sophistication. Up was beautiful in a lot of ways, but it wasn't even close to being as impressive. Also, the "silly" stuff in Wall-E was still laced with some social critique that was shocking by the standards of your average kids movie. Whereas in Up, the fat kid was just a fat kid.

[menikmati]

true, say what you will about everyone else in that movie, but Eastwood was great and I don't think that's arguable.

Yeah Eastwood was great, but the rest of the acting almost made that film unwatchable.

[indietron]

I have my IMAX tickets for next Friday night already.

Nice!

I heard from a friend that IMAX is changing the film/viewing in the theater? Something like they are just expanding the original version to make it larger rather than formatting it differently? Is this true, and would it take away from the experience at all??

Forgive my ignorance or stupidity, im not very up-to-date concerning the issue. I didn't even know there was originally a difference.

[schoolofruckus]

Basically, the IMAX corporation is whoring out its brand name to AMC. Many AMC multiplexes around the country have retrofitted some of their larger screens to make them bigger so that they could play IMAX films. They call it "The IMAX Experience" so they can charge IMAX prices. The problem is, these screens are still nowhere near big enough; no general screening room in a theater is going to be vertically tall enough to hold an IMAX screen. And no 35MM (standard) or 70MM screen (which you'll see in huge theaters like the Chinese) can hold IMAX format film, so basically they're just projecting it digitally onto a bigger-than-average screen, and expecting you to feel satisfied when you're paying to see "IMAX". There's been a huge uproar; Aziz Ansari wrote a blog about it, and then several critics (including Roger Ebert (http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/05/thats_not_the_imax_i_grew_up_w.html)) have done the same.

The only way to combat this besides boycotting AMC (which you all should have been doing anyway) is to make sure that the theater you're buying an "IMAX experience" ticket to has an actual IMAX screen. I'll save you some trouble if you live in LA: if you buy IMAX tickets for a movie and you're not going to The Bridge or Universal City, you're going to be pissed.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/tdk-imax-compare.jpg

[wmgaretjax]

I would be cool with fake imax if they weren't charging a bunch more. they are basically really nice theaters, but not worth the 4-7 bucks.

[amyzzz]

Finding Nemo is better than Wall-E imho
Agreed. Nemo has more re-watch value than Wall-E.

[schoolofruckus]

I would be cool with fake imax if they weren't charging a bunch more. they are basically really nice theaters, but not worth the 4-7 bucks.

I think the biggest problem is calling it "IMAX". It's not IMAX in any way. It's digital 70mm. I know it doesn't sound as sexy to advertise Watchmen: The Digital 70mm Experience! What AMC should do is simply advertise that they're installing more 70mm screens, and denote them as such at all ticket outlets. That's what they and every other chain did when they started showing films in digital. But when someone sees the word "IMAX", they expect 80 vertical feet. Even if it were only $2 more, most people would not be happy about this.

[real talk]

The last time I went to buy tickets to an IMAX for Star Trek tickets were 17 dollars and that's just plain silly and I won't pay that much. Not saying that to be repetitive, but to transition from the current discussion, to Year One, which was a big disappointment. I think the humor was just way too adolescent. Which means it may be a good comedy for an adolescent. I only chuckled on occasion. I never guffawed. David Cross was probably the best guy in it. The (approx half-full) theater was pretty silent throughout.

I went to a Regal Cinemas which is the closest non-fancy (leather seats and cocktails for $20 bucks a seat!) theater to my new home. It didn't have the right-wing ads like AMC has but it still had a giant block of commercials posing as previews before the previews. I guess that's just how it is anywhere anymore. Makes me want to show up late and miss the whole pre-show.

[wmgaretjax]

You are up in Redmond now right? Bella Bottega theaters? I used to go to there when I was in high school. It was the only theater on the east side that showed foreign/art-house films (albeit 1 or 2 out of 12 screens). Now there is Lincoln Square in Bellevue too.

[real talk]

Yes, Bella Botega, it's right up the road. I'm not really impressed with the selection or size but it's there for when I want to see the big movies. I'll have to keep watch if they show any foreign or art-house films anymore, the last few weeks when I've looked it's all big budget Hollywood. Seems sensible for a theater trying to stay in business in this wintry economic climate. I miss the choices of San Francisco.

[wmgaretjax]

That makes sense. There are still some great theaters in Seattle that show all kinds of things... When I'm looking for a movie outside of standard fare, these are the websites I check:
nwfilmforum.org
siffcinema.org
landmarktheatres.com/Market/Seattle/Seattle_Frameset.htm

[iv3rdawG]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/iv3rdawG/aliceusatoday3.jpg

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[schoolofruckus]

God dammit.


I want this movie to be amazing - I think it could be. But I just know that Johnny Depp is going to fuck it up badly with another effeminate "eccentric" performance a la Wonka. Hopefully his Mad Hatter isn't in the movie much more than he was in the Disney version.

[tessalasset]

Not saying that to be repetitive, but to transition from the current discussion, to Year One, which was a big disappointment. I think the humor was just way too adolescent. Which means it may be a good comedy for an adolescent. I only chuckled on occasion. I never guffawed. David Cross was probably the best guy in it. The (approx half-full) theater was pretty silent throughout.

I completely agree. What a disappointment. My theater was pretty silent, too. Even the 13 year old boys who walked out ahead of me at the end were like, "yeah...it was... ohkay..." I think I laughed about five times total. And that includes just mild chuckling. I came in here specifically just to make sure none of you go see that. Seriously don't even netflix it.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

BLEGH the look of Burton's Alice annoys me to no end. i think everything about it that i've seen so far looks absolutely atrocious.

On to something positive, i saw PRIMER this weekend (actually I saw it three times, first the film and subsequently both the director's commentary and the crew commentary)

http://www.thecinematheque.com/poster_primer1.jpg

it's a no-budget sci fi movie about engineers that accidentally build a machine in their garage (if you choose to see the movie without reading anything about it at all then it might be better to not say what the machine does)

It's extremely cerebral and towards the climax gets brutally confusing, but it looks great for the budget and it really, really smart. I really loved it

[Tylerdurden31]

is Burton's Alice based on Alice in Wonderland or American McGee's Alice game? If it's the game, then it looks perfect...if it's not...well, then it's not so great.

[212margarita]

It's not based on the American McGee game, it is just yet another re-telling of the story, only this time it will look like every other Tim Burton movie.

[schoolofruckus]

I completely agree. What a disappointment. My theater was pretty silent, too. Even the 13 year old boys who walked out ahead of me at the end were like, "yeah...it was... ohkay..." I think I laughed about five times total. And that includes just mild chuckling. I came in here specifically just to make sure none of you go see that. Seriously don't even netflix it.

I'm going tonight.

[wmgaretjax]

I fucking love Primer. Such a good flick.

[schoolofruckus]

On to something positive, i saw PRIMER this weekend (actually I saw it three times, first the film and subsequently both the director's commentary and the crew commentary)

http://www.thecinematheque.com/poster_primer1.jpg

it's a no-budget sci fi movie about engineers that accidentally build a machine in their garage (if you choose to see the movie without reading anything about it at all then it might be better to not say what the machine does)

It's extremely cerebral and towards the climax gets brutally confusing, but it looks great for the budget and it really, really smart. I really loved it



Agreed on all of this. Primer is fucking great. I especially love that the director was an actual engineer before he got bored and decided to learn how to make films. I really hope he has another one in him; it's been five years and there's been almost zero news on a future project.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Agreed on all of this. Primer is fucking great. I especially love that the director was an actual engineer before he got bored and decided to learn how to make films. I really hope he has another one in him; it's been five years and there's been almost zero news on a future project.

according to wikipedia he's been prepping for a new film for the last two years and is getting ready to go into pre-production later this year

I literally cannot stop thinking about Primer, it's got a stranglehold on my brain now

the commentaries on the dvd are astounding as well

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

is Burton's Alice based on Alice in Wonderland or American McGee's Alice game? If it's the game, then it looks perfect...if it's not...well, then it's not so great.

i would have actually preferred this piece of shit over the piece of shit that's in those publicity shits

http://members.shaw.ca/diggersden/index.htm/madhatter.JPG

[schoolofruckus]

I've read very minimal information about him prepping another film for like the past three years, but nothing more is ever said about it. I hope Wiki has it right.

Are the Primer commentaries particularly devoted to "answering" the film's logical questions? It's the kind of movie that would be easy to fuck up in the commentary if the director was overly committed to telling you what you should have been seeing. This is also why I didn't watch the director's cut - or listen to commentaries - for Donnie Darko. Some films shouldn't continue beyond what actually makes it to the screen.

[wmgaretjax]

I"ve never listened to the commentaries for Primer, thanks for the tip.

[luckyface]

Is it just me, or does the Mad Hatter look like he is played by Elijah Wood? I am really hoping Alice will turn out better than Planet of the Apes and Sleepy Hollow. I had such high hopes for those films but was let down.

[wmgaretjax]

Tim Burton hasn't made a good movie in 15 years.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I've read very minimal information about him prepping another film for like the past three years, but nothing more is ever said about it. I hope Wiki has it right.

Are the Primer commentaries particularly devoted to "answering" the film's logical questions? It's the kind of movie that would be easy to fuck up in the commentary if the director was overly committed to telling you what you should have been seeing. This is also why I didn't watch the director's cut - or listen to commentaries - for Donnie Darko. Some films shouldn't continue beyond what actually makes it to the screen.

MOST of the commentaries are devoted to the actual making of the film, and there were some great stories involved considering the absolute shoestring budget. Other than that, he gave minimal insight to explaining what was happening, and went so far as to say he specifically wanted certain things (such as what the hell is going on with Mr. granger in the end) to be a mystery to the audience because they are mysteries to the characters

he does point out things as they happen (such as the bleeding ears, handwriting, etc) and his throughts as to why they're going on, and clears up the time table a little bit...but the director definitely feels the same way you do

[schoolofruckus]

MOST of the commentaries are devoted to the actual making of the film, and there were some great stories involved considering the absolute shoestring budget. Other than that, he gave minimal insight to explaining what was happening, and went so far as to say he specifically wanted certain things (such as what the hell is going on with Mr. granger in the end) to be a mystery to the audience because they are mysteries to the characters

he does point out things as they happen (such as the bleeding ears, handwriting, etc) and his throughts as to why they're going on, and clears up the time table a little bit...but the director definitely feels the same way you do

That sounds like exactly what it should have been. Thanks for the tip.

[sbessiso]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/iv3rdawG/aliceusatoday3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/iv3rdawG/aliceusatoday1.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/iv3rdawG/aliceusatoday7.jpg


I was just gunna post this! Am I the only one that loves it?

[schoolofruckus]

Is it just me, or does the Mad Hatter look like he is played by Elijah Wood? I am really hoping Alice will turn out better than Planet of the Apes and Sleepy Hollow. I had such high hopes for those films but was let down.

A combination between Wood and Madonna.

I really like the rest of the photos, actually. I think it sounds like the kind of movie Tim Burton was born to make. Of course, I said the same thing about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I think that's one of the worst films of the decade.

[schoolofruckus]

Oh wait, Salah's excited for it? Nevermind.

[sbessiso]

lol! Ass!

[menikmati]

It looks fucking stupid.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

i think the concept art is beautiful, but those three portraits are fucking hideous

[bobert]

Tim Burton hasn't made a good movie in 15 years.

Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd were good.

[wmgaretjax]

Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd were good.

Bah. With Sweeney Todd the source material and some of his interpretation was actually interesting, but the guy seems to have lost any sense of pacing (Sweeney Todd collapsed into a miserable mess at the end, whereas the original musical is wickedly perfect). Both films were interesting failures, but definitely failures.

[RotationSlimWang]

Neither of those was any good.

[sbessiso]

Since I started posting here on the boards we've had the Burton discussion so many times i've lost count. You guys remember im sure

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I like Big Fish a great deal more than his other recent films, but Burton certainly hasn't done anything incredible since Ed Wood

Actually, for my money, the only REALLY good Burton-directed films are Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Pee-Wee's Big Adenture. the rest of his stuff is simply okay or utter garbage

[SoulDischarge]

Actually, for my money, the only REALLY good Burton-directed films are Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Pee-Wee's Big Adenture. the rest of his stuff is simply okay or utter garbage

I'll agree with this, although I like Batman and Mars Attacks as fun genre trash a whole lot.

[schoolofruckus]

I think Big Fish is really good as well, but I can see why Jared would hate it. I enjoyed Sweeney Todd a lot, but I will concede that the end got really sloppy. And I remember enjoying Sleepy Hollow, but it had prenty of problems.

That said - for as much as I love Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, I'm starting to swing more and more towards the "Tim Burton is wildly overrated" camp as time goes on. Alice In Wonderland has the potential to make or break my opinion of him.

Also, I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but I think Ed Wood is also wildly overrated. It's a gorgeous film to look at, and Martin Landau was fantastic. But the screenplay was as boring and cookie-cutter as could be.

[bobert]

I liked Sleepy Hallow. The production design alone was worth the money.

[wmgaretjax]

It's hard to argue against that... Few films have such flawless art direction.