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Post by Vercetti on Mar 15, 2006 21:38:07 GMT
Insomnia - (Erik Skjoldbjærg;1997;Norway) A Swedish cop goes to Norway to investigate a murder, but after killing his partner must cope with guilt and insomnia from the sun never setting.A very direct and piercing film. Although Nolan did do some things better, this film manages to be better. Skarsgård's excellent performance is the highlight, relying on mostly subtle facial expressions that reminded me of Bill Murray. It's more disturbing, especially in showing the protagonist as a man not much better then the killer, morally. The opening murder is especially poignant.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 15, 2006 23:01:15 GMT
I'm so angry! Even though I've already seen it, the DVD of "Full Metal Jacket" that came from Netflix was broken. I was really hoping for a rewatch. In over a year, this is only the second time this has happened with one of their DVDs.
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jrod
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Post by jrod on Mar 15, 2006 23:28:40 GMT
Im really amazed that more of them dont get broken
Ive only lost One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest and The Searchers through the years
Although I must say whoever watched the ALiens quadriolgy before me mustve went to them with a fucking belt sander
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Mar 16, 2006 0:12:48 GMT
Ah, Alien 3 strikes again.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 17, 2006 3:34:03 GMT
A History of Violence(2005/David Cronenberg) [Second Viewing] A small town resident's life is turned upside down after an act of violence occurs.So far, this is the best psychological thriller of the decade, and could end of being one of the best of all time. A film about repression, identity, violence in the media, religion, and the American dream; Cronenberg's attention to detail gives us an unflinching look inside of the character's minds, and it's all complemented perfectly by Howard Shore's stirring score and an amazing cast, with Viggo Mortensen giving a commanding performance. The best film of 2005.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Mar 17, 2006 3:59:24 GMT
That's the only Cronenberg film you've seen, isn't it?
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 17, 2006 12:07:49 GMT
That's the only Cronenberg film you've seen, isn't it? Yes, it is. I have the feeling I'm in for a big surprise.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 17, 2006 23:50:58 GMT
Badlands(1973/Terrence Malick) [First Viewing] A twenty-something nobody goes on a killing spree with his teenage girlfriend.The actions on the screen are cold and distant, but the images of the American west and the now famous musical score give an odd ounce of beauty to what could have been a rather brutal film. Malick uses nature as almost a character, showing the animals of the wild in comparison to the two central characters. An odd film, but one that I'm not likely to forget.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Mar 18, 2006 0:18:37 GMT
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 18, 2006 19:06:04 GMT
Eyes Wide Shut(1999/Stanley Kubrick) [First Viewing] After discovering his wife's sexual fantasies, a doctor discovers the dark underside of New York nightlife.It starts out slow, and manages to be Kubrick's slowest, as well as his darkest and coldest. But, the score is amazing, the plot intriguing, and the elements so odd and so much like Kubrick, you can't help but be taken away in it's mystery. This film helps to prove that 1999 was such a unique year for American cinema.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Mar 18, 2006 19:46:53 GMT
That masked ball is one of the most frightening pieces of cinema I've seen, I think. It's a shame it tries to explain itself towards the end. I may feel different about that now, though, when I revisit it (soon).
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 18, 2006 22:23:29 GMT
That masked ball is one of the most frightening pieces of cinema I've seen, I think. It's a shame it tries to explain itself toward the end. I may feel different about that now, though, when I revisit it (soon). SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS Yeah, part of the mystery left when Sydney Pollack explained some of it during the pool room sequence. But in some ways, that added to the mystery, but also managed to make it frustrating. Out of all of his films though, "Eyes Wide Shut" (at least the middle portion of the film) really fascinated me, and gave me some writing ideas. I agree that the scene is very frightening. Quite possibly the scariest segment of a Kubrick film. The music playing, and then when they confront Cruise, and look at him blankly with the masks on. Yikes.
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jrod
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Post by jrod on Mar 19, 2006 0:29:01 GMT
in depth proviews on request Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1st Viewing) Red River (last 10 minutes hurt it a lot) (1st viewing) Full Metal Jacket (1st Viewing) Titanic (5th or 6th Viewing) Wedding Crashers (2nd Viewing)
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Post by Vercetti on Mar 19, 2006 0:39:00 GMT
Taxi Driver - (Martin Scorsese;1976;USA) A socially isolated ex-Marine taxi driver grows in the need to lash out violently.Possibly the greatest character study ever, and Scorsese's best film. DeNiro plays his character with a focus that comes rarely. He pierces the screen with every scene. A million years could go by and this film will still maintain it's relevance. Bernard Herrmann ended his career perfectly with the excellent Jazzy score. The supporting cast is also great, especially Shepherd, Foster, Boyle, and Keitel. My second favorite film and one of the ten best ever.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 19, 2006 0:59:59 GMT
in depth proviews on request Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1st Viewing) Full Metal Jacket (1st Viewing) Wedding Crashers (2nd Viewing) These three, if you don't mind.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Mar 19, 2006 1:47:42 GMT
I seem to be the only person on Earth who was deeply underwhelmed by Fear Eats the Soul. It's a shame, though, that Fassbinder's so neglected on DVD.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Mar 19, 2006 4:15:04 GMT
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb(1964/Stanley Kubrick) [Nth Viewing] The countdown to the Apocalypse as seen through the eyes of the American President, an RAF officer, and the flight crew transporting the bomb.No doubt, this is the darkest comedy ever made. What's even more amazing is how Kubrick transcends so many genres, showing us some quite natural comedy, along with some dramatically intense scenes, battle sequences, and still making everything look and feel like a documentary. Peter Sellers is excellent in three vital roles, and is well supported by a talented cast. The writing is also very sly with it's constant use of sexual innuendos. I still can't believe something this intelligent came from 1964, let alone the fact that it was nominated for Best Picture. A timeless film about a topical subject, overflowing with the genius of it's writer/director and talented lead actor.
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Post by Vercetti on Mar 19, 2006 4:17:19 GMT
Omar, isn't it also interesting how Slim Pickens was never told the film was a comedy/dark comedy? I love the moment when the music comes up as he puts the cowboy hat on.
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jrod
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Post by jrod on Mar 19, 2006 4:25:38 GMT
Fear Eats the Soul was a very gripping movie for me most of the way through, but the ending is a tad bit underwelhming for me. For the most part though, it is intriguing to see shit continue to pile on the two main characters thoughout. The acting is extordinary in my opinion as well.
Full Metal Jacket was on its way to being one of my favorite movies throughout the bootcamp half. The second half of the movie is good, but not quite on par with the rest. Modine doesnt seem to carry the lead very well. In the first part the movie is more about Pyle and the instructor, who have much more screen presence. Overall one of my least favorite Kubricks (ahead of The Killing, and about tied with Lolita and Paths of Glory), not that that makes it remotely bad, as I like everything Ive seen from him a lot
Wedding Crashers is a solid summer comedy movie. Of the brat pack as they are called (O. Wilson, L. Wilson, Vaughn, Ferrel, and Stiller) I like Vaughn and Owen the best, especially Owen. The last third is subpar, heavily spoiled by the extremely overrated Will Ferrel, but for the most part its a lot of laughs
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