Just Watched

[JFierce]

At first I thought you were talking about Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter which I thought was great. All these damn Lincoln movies lol.

[Star Eater]

At first I thought you were talking about Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter which I thought was great. All these damn Lincoln movies lol.

vs Zombies is Asylums version. Their specialty is trying to cash in on popular action flicks and releasing garbage like 'Transmorphers' and 'Alien vs Hunter'

[Psychotime]

Casino just didn't appeal to me as much as Goodfellas did. That's really all I can say.

The soundtrack really bugged me, as well. It was just...beh.

I don't know, maybe I should rewatch The Departed next, because I LOVED that movie the first time I saw it.

[dierat]

Just saw Cloud Atlas, and I'm not quite sure what to think of it yet. The visuals are stunning, it's really well shot, the make-up is fantastic, and they had some really nice design work in some of the made-up cultures. I found the story a bit pointless though. It has a very sweeping, philosophical angle, but I didn't feel like it was saying anything new or interesting. It was, however, very well paced and directed and enjoyable to watch.

[cedule]

interested to see opinions on cloud atlas. i was in the cinema and saw the trailer and thought "wow that was a really cool trailer" ....then a few seconds later "but wtf is this movie about". now i watched the trailer a second time and got some infos about the movie and i kinda want to go into the cinema and watch it but i'm also concerned that it's not going to be good because most (even positive) reviews i read are like "stunning visuals but that's it".
but it's probably already worth going into the cinema for the visuals even if the rest of the movie is going to be crap....

[hu-ha]

Casino just didn't appeal to me as much as Goodfellas did. That's really all I can say.

Oh I completly agree with You. But it's hard to expect something on same level, Goodfellas was too similiar, expended topic and didn't left much space for fresh ideas.

[Psychotime]

Rewatched A Simple Plan. It's seriously the only Sam Raimi movie I actually like, but that said, I've never watched any of the Evil Dead movies.

Blasphemy, I know.

Also halfway through りんぐ, the original The Ring. I never saw the American version, though. I'm confused by the ex-husband's relationship with his (presumed) son. There's not a hint of affection, let alone interest! It's kinda depressing, because we can assume that he might get custody by the end of the...Oh wait, he watched the tape, too. I guess the little weirdo will end up in child services.

The movie's kinda slow, and I'm not feeling much atmosphere. All I'm getting are cheap jump scares.

EDIT:



I couldn't feel any suspense, which is really what the whole movie aims at accomplishing for the whole duration. It just dragged to me. Couldn't feel anything for the main characters, and one little "reveal" (I'm not talking about the ending, mind you) just feels thrown in so that they'd have a quick way of explaining away things the characters never could have learned otherwise.

[dierat]

i kinda want to go into the cinema and watch it but i'm also concerned that it's not going to be good because most (even positive) reviews i read are like "stunning visuals but that's it".
but it's probably already worth going into the cinema for the visuals even if the rest of the movie is going to be crap....

I think it's worth it; it has really inspiring visuals and some pretty interesting ideas. The story isn't even bad, just nowhere near as interesting as the cinematography. I think if you go in expecting the plot to be average, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the experience.

[Arshes Nei]

Watched Red Dwarf X and now I'm sad because there are no more episodes.

[JDSart]

Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowosky.

Quite a ride. I cannot comment a word on it. Its something you have to check out for yourself.

[JFierce]

Bored and only going to have cable for a bit more so figure I'll watch some random shows while I have time even some I might not normally watch. Read the concept of the show Homeland. Was thinking it was going to be right wing 'look at these heroes fighting the evil terrorists'.


I'm honestly up in the air about it right now. There's still an obvious tint still showing this. But at the same there's a lot of gray areas, especially later in the show. Addressing in an obvious fictional story setting issues that are probably very real and you can imagine are probably true and happen. Ethical issues the higher up you go. Some that don't paint the U.S. in a very nice light even. Then people that instead of doing the right thing are more worried about climbing up the ladder for their career. People doing unethical favors for people they network with.... or just plain blackmail to supersede the law type of stuff. Quite a few moments of the "why are we in these pointless war" type things. Doesn't auto cast everyone that's Muslim as a terrorist but did seem to go into a few points where people automatically jump to such conclusions.




Still in a tossup how I feel though. Because it still goes into the real threat of terrorism out there and that in itself is an area I don't know how I feel about.



Edit: Watched a bit more. Yerp they've gone the complete opposite direction of what I originally thought. Showing many citizens embarrassing stereotyping all middle eastern as the same and unprovoked hatred of the U.S. as well as showing a human side to those in the middle east itself.

[Psychotime]

The original Halloween and then part 2. Another one of those movies where I wish I was around to see it when it was new. Aside from some iffy acting in the first movie, it's ok.

Kinda cool that the director did the music for his own movie, and that it's so memorable.

The remixed theme in part 2 doesn't really appeal to me, and I'm disappointed by the lack of that shrill stinger from the first one. I really like that sound. But otherwise, feels like an appropriate sequel in every way. It's better acted, too.

It's a shame Season of the Witch pissed off viewers simply because it tried to be something fresh and interesting by having nothing to do with Micheal Myers. I really should watch that, huh? Supposedly all the movies after 3 just kept getting worse and worse to please the audiences who demanded more Micheal.

I need to see H20 afterward, seeing how it's the only other "canon" film of the series. Plus it helps that H20 has the most entertaining slasher movie ending I can think of. It's not even supposed to be scary. Once Laurie finally confronts Micheal the rest of the movie is Laurie beating the hell out of him, stopping a cliche cliffhanger ending right in it's tracks, then finishing him off for good. It's an awesome way to end a slasher franchise, have the original survivor get payback in spades.

Too bad they messed it all up by making Resurrection right afterward as the final film of the original series.

But I will admit that kung-fu Busta Rhymes is hilarious. Should I be ashamed to admit that? Maybe.

All that said, I tried to watch H20 earlier today, but I was maybe 1/3 of the way in and just got bored and decided to turn it off. Heh. I'll finish it later.

Speaking of John Carpenter, I WILL watch the The Thing eventually.

[Velocity Kendall]

Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowosky.

Quite a ride. I cannot comment a word on it. Its something you have to check out for yourself.

Yes!!!!!!!
have you seen El Topo? Its amazing! Frustrating, bizarre, but amazing.

[JDSart]

Yes!!!!!!!
have you seen El Topo? Its amazing! Frustrating, bizarre, but amazing.

I am definitely watching it in the next few days.

I never liked Holy Mountain much, i guess that was why i didn´t watch any other Jodorwosky movies before but Santa Sangre was awesome.

[dpaint]

Just watched Act of Valor
The acting sucks because they used real soldiers, but the fights and situations are some of the best choreographed scenes made on film. Of course its an hour and a half recruitment film with all the propaganda to go with it so break out your waders.

[Psychotime]

No Country for Old Men. I took a long time to finally watch it, but there ya go. Decent movie. I think I might have to rewatch it, because there are things I could have missed.

I'm a little lost on how Carson Welles showed up at the hospital. Maybe I haven't thought enough about it, but how exactly did he find Moss there?

( Click to show/hide )

I find it interesting how the presumed supporting character of the sheriff is actually the main character in a way. Despite the whole incident with Moss being the bulk of the film, his role is actually as a device.

I'm a little disappointed that we don't give as much attention to the sheriff as I would have wanted given that misdirection, but it gives us as much as the story intends.

And why WEREN'T any coyotes/vultures/whatever feeding off the drug dealers? Yeah, that's a nitpick, but the characters themselves bring it up!



Bram Stoker's Dracula.

I couldn't stand this movie. I was pretty sure from the first 10 minutes that I'd hate it.

There's so much silly crap in this movie. The bad kind of silly. Vlad the Impaler looks like he's wearing armor made of licorice. Stone crosses that gush out blood. Eyes overlayed on the sunset. Just general nonsensical or surreal scenes for no good reason. Hellsing's now a creepy freak instead of a brainy badass (but I'll admit he's a little funny).

Keanu Reeves does a better job as Johnathan Harker than I expected, but early in the movie Harker's unfazed by each outlandish thing that he comes across.

The front gate to Dracula's castle having a magical barrier of blue fire? "Huh. That's odd." Dracula's personal driver being a jet black armored mute horseman with 6-inch long talons that picks him up by the shoulder to bring him into the car? "Huh. That's odd."

He acknowledges the fire in a later scene, but no normal person should take walking through a barrier of magic blue fire in stride just to make note of it a few days later.

His reactions start being sorta normal (and awkward*) after this part, though.

Dracula's initial appearance was something I already knew about before watching, and if memory serves, his ridiculous hairdo was used because it makes sense with his origin. Dracula's really, really old, of COURSE he'd be a few centuries behind when it came to fashion.

But that only excuses his hair, not his 6 foot long cape.

The pacing is awkward sometimes. In one scene we have "cut myself shaving" moment, followed by the "children of the night" line, and then instantly Dracula goes outside and starts climbing walls. What the hell?! I've never seen any adaptation do that last bit before, but this COULD have worked if it had slower pacing. In this it was just rushed.

Harker is staying at the castle for an extended time, so why couldn't they put the three different moments in two different scenes? Why mash them together like that?

The first two work fine together, but it's the wall crawling that needs it's own separate scene.

Finally, if memory serves, didn't Dracula sell his soul to Satan for immortality in the original story? You call the movie BRAM STOKER'S Dracula and you pull out your own original origin?

What's this stuff about his wife committing suicide and Vlad the Impaler denouncing Christendom to "avenge" her by coming in contact with the dark arts? I don't get that. He became a vampire for her after she committed suicide? Where exactly do all the vampire women and Lucy come into that?

At least with Mina, she relates to Dracula's backstory in this one.

*


Nope, turns out that shot is actually from the movie, and not from Bill and Ted.

Ok, enough whining, I'll write down some positives.

The concept of Mina being romantically involved with Vlad was an interesting idea. It was handled horribly but the idea is a cool one.

Dracula's goofy hair in his first form was a good idea, I really mean that.

Dracula going through multiple forms is really great, and one thing I love is the fact that they go out of their way to show off Dracula's actual range of forms, like his association with rats and wolves, which most people are unaware of. I liked it when he diffused into a drove of rats to escape capture.

Dracula's shadow is AWESOME. It's such a shame that it's gone after he upgrades to his youthful form.

And the real kicker, this movie actually has the showdown back in Romania, which no other movie I've seen attempt at all! They even use Mina's psychic link and everything!

[JDSart]

Watched El Topo

All the cringe worthy Jodorowsky factors present (the damn dialogues for starters!), Is really nice in the visual sense, some scenes taken alone are quite interesting and memorable specially with the good choices of locations, but as a movie as a whole feels like Holy Mountain, very childish and self indulgent work of new age artsy fartsy that hasn´t exactly aged all that well. Everything just clicked way better in Santa Sangre because the editing and surreal scenes worked for the state of mind the main character is in. Here it seems like a collection of "just becauses" by the author sprinkled with bland attemps at symbolism here and there that didn´t really do much for me, but i´m not likely to take anything of the sort seriously in the first place.

It depends on the person but for me everything that was interesting was quickly balanced out by something goofy. I didn´t find it awfull nor great but kind of in the middle with brief momments that do go either way.

[Velocity Kendall]

i think the point was that the ultimate zen state isnt that of the ultimate swordsman, but the clown.

[dpaint]

Just watched Lockout. Man, I want that two hours of my life back. None of it made any sense, I don't know what Guy Pearce was thinking. I hope he got a lot of money for it.

[JDSart]

I dunno, for a second maybe but the movie did end with his Jodorowsky´s character getting all the deformed people killed due to some bad planning, killing all the townsfolk in revenge and then burning himself. Then a close up to some rotten fly ridden meat, that ending was as zen as a Gwar concert

Probably something along the lines of finding redemption trough humbleness but ending in that any individual, saviour-like attemp in behalf of other people is ill fatted when the rest of the world is fucked up or something like that,

That last part with the couple and the son was soo goofy. and coming right after a kid shot himself in a church. From one end right to the other.

[Cory Hinman]

I just, well, recently, watched the most current episode of "Boardwalk Empire". I'm really impressed with Steve Buscemi's acting in this show. After movies like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Fargo" I'd written him off as a type; the opinionated gabby guy, initially entertaining, after a while you end up wishing he'd just shut up already! But his economy and timing as Nucky Thompson are a revelation. He shrugs his shoulders, narrows his eyes, and conveys worlds of significance! He's not getting much play-time these last few episodes, just because after three seasons the interweaving stories have grown so complex and the cast of characters so varied, but he's always compelling.

[Velocity Kendall]

Since the Sopranos ended Ive had to console myself with MadMen which is ok i guess, but Board Walk Empire is fucking awesome. I blazedd series 2 in a day and now im going through them more slowly.
Jodorowosy; yeah its terribly uneven! I guess thats why i like it. Im tired of movies that have a plot, 3 acts, everyones motivations are 2dimensional, everyhting they say is purely to keep the plot moving, at the end the goody wins, so boring. You can never preditc what wil happen in his films, i love that.

[Cory Hinman]

A few weeks back at the library I found a non-fiction book entitled "Boardwalk Empire", with a cover illo tying it to the series, but while curious decided against borrowing it, as I don't really wanna know the end of this story too quickly. A little knowledge can ruin a fun thing, as happened to me with "The Borgias". They set up a situation suggesting Cardinal della Rovere is in imminent danger from an assassin sponsored by his enemy Roderigo Borgia, the current Pope Alexander vi, but I'm all like, "C'mon, he's gonna be fine, he's gonna be Pope Julius ii and argue with Michelangelo about tombs n' ceilings!"
About "The Borgias"; pretty good, from what I saw of season 1. Thankfully it wasn't "The Borgias;90210" to the extent I feared it would be. For comparison a couple of times I essayed the first couple of episodes of "The Tudors;90210" and could never get past the second episode. SO 90210. "The Borgias" is still odd in that it's like a "Brady Bunch" or "Eight is Enough" take on a family I thought to be historically infamous as one of incestuous poisoners and torturers. "The family that lays and slays together stays together", huh? The point may be they were no worse than their era required, but who knows, and now how I dare complain about anyone else being opinionated and garrulous? Time to go draw!

[JDSart]

No, but i agree on that buts its sorta like a band trying to play really twisted progressive music without having the chops to pull it off, i can see the intentions but as a filmaker Jodorwosky feels very flawed and choppy all around. He gets a lot of points because even when feeling risky a lot of other people would have thinked twice before adding things like that on camera. The kid shooting itself specially is one ballsy scene.

His comics with Moebius, thats a different beast, becuase he is writing for a person thats a master on the medium and everything comes together wonderfully. Even when its all symbolic and cryptic it just feels right, like in Angel Claw.

I watched the first two episodes of Mad Men but i don´t really know if its interesting enough to keep watching. Is it going somewhere from there or is every episode going to be devoted to show how everyone in grandpa time was an asshole?

I think i´ll try with Boardwalk Empire, i´m sufering from Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones withdrawal, need a new show in the meantime.

[Cory Hinman]

"I watched the first two episodes of Mad Men but i don´t really know if its interesting enough to keep watching. Is it going somewhere from there or is every episode going to be devoted to show how everyone in grandpa time was an asshole? "
LOL
I envy you coming new to a long-running show like "Boardwalk Empire". It's like kicking back with a fat-assed 500+ page novel you just know you're going to enjoy.

[JDSart]

Cliffhangers and twists end up having a lot less punch but its awesome to know you can just spend an entire weekend invested on the story.

I watched All of Breaking Bad in a couple weeks before the 5th season, and when the episodes ended it was such a kick in the balls because know i have to wait months. I couldn´t do it with Game of Thrones, i bought the books and read them which kinda ruined the show for me since i know everything thats going to happen, and i have to keep my mouth shut not to ruin a couple years of the series to friends that don´t know whats next. I still watched it because is a great adaptation but is not the same as going in blindly.

[Arshes Nei]

Watched Wreck it Ralph. While it was a good movie, it wasn't great. I'd say about matinee worth. The visuals, capturing the motions of certain characters was entertaining. However, about all of the main characters were just really annoying. It took away from the enjoyability. The plot is basically the same as other movies of the CG type go as well. Nothing spectacular, so I don't get the raving about it other than the game nostalgia and in jokes.

I totally got the Beard Papa joke, and it made me wanna go out and get some again. Just not going to Hollywood to get them, dunno if the one in Gardena is still about inside the Marukai.

[Psychotime]

Finally rewatched Dumbo and Pinocchio after a LONG time. Yeah, some storytelling issues aside, I enjoyed them. And it's not hard to appreciate all the skill and hard work that went into them. Especially Pinocchio. The last DVD they released of that one has some commentary from Eric Goldberg, which gave some nice insight. Wow, he has such a nerdy voice.

I watched the first two episodes of Mad Men but i don´t really know if its interesting enough to keep watching. Is it going somewhere from there or is every episode going to be devoted to show how everyone in grandpa time was an asshole?

Bleh. I couldn't bear to watch a second episode after watching the first.

[Farvus]

I watched yesterday the new Total Recall movie and I find the story much more poorly done than in the first movie. The sensory overload didn't really make for the memorable scenes. It was more like long VFX demo reel with well polished futuristic design, well composed shots and dynamic action choreography.

[Cory Hinman]

I watched yesterday the new Total Recall movie and I find the story much more poorly done than in the first movie. The sensory overload didn't really make for the memorable scenes. It was more like long VFX demo reel with well polished futuristic design, well composed shots and dynamic action choreography.

Man! "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" is such a cool story too. Can no one do a decent Phillip K. Dick adaptation? Maybe since it's a short story that particular work would be more suited to the scale of one of the better "Twilight Zone" episodes? Now that I think about it, a radio dramatization would be very cool.