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Post by Vercetti on Dec 10, 2005 22:20:53 GMT
I've been wanting to see Syriana. It still has yet to come to the theater I go to. Is it similar in feeling to the several-character Altman-esque films that have been coming out lately?
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 11, 2005 1:00:27 GMT
Is it similar in feeling to the several-character Altman-esque films that have been coming out lately? It's very similar, and just as excellent.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 11, 2005 15:36:57 GMT
Omar, I'm glad you remembered my Conflicts "script". I thought exactly the same when I read your brief synopsis of the film.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 11, 2005 15:41:32 GMT
Groundhog Day Harold Ramis 1993 US 1st time; big screen A TV weatherman relives the same day over and over, and ends up falling in love with his producer.A wonderful comedy which carries its themes--reincarnation and repetition--with the help of Murray's fine performance. Fresh, inventive, enduring.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 12, 2005 0:55:20 GMT
The Third Man - (Carol Reed;1949;UK) - An American writer comes to post-war Vienna to find his friend who promised him a job is dead. However, various people's account of the incident are inconsistent.One of the greatest films to come from the UK. Although Welles' screentime is small, he proves to be the most memorable character. The music is oddly off-beat, but it doesn't take away from the film or become elevator music-ish, but oddly fits in with the atmosphere. There are several wonderful shots as well, such as the final image. This makes me wanna see more films with Orson Welles in them.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 12, 2005 4:14:33 GMT
Yes Mick, I couldn't stop thinking about "Conflicts" while watching it. It makes me want to read it again. Ever thought of expanding on it, or is it a dead project at this point? Glad you liked "Groundhog Day". L'Avventura The Adventure(1960/Michelangelo Antonioni) [First Viewing] While on a boating trip, a wealthy daughter of a politician disappears.I often think deep and meaningful films made these days are falsely advertised when shown to a mainstream market, but I can only imagine the international response when this film was released. It changes gears so well and so subtly, it's extraordinary. You truly feel the repulsive attitude of Antonioni's bourgeoisie, and the emptiness they posses. Possibly Antonioni's best after multiple viewings.
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jrod
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Post by jrod on Dec 12, 2005 4:48:40 GMT
Im glad you liked the Third Man Vercetti, its one of my 5 favorites War of the Worlds (2005)
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 13, 2005 23:45:24 GMT
The Graduate (1967) Second Viewing Directed by: Mike Nichols Rating: [/i] The defning film of it's generation, it improves with viewing proving it to be one of the most revolutionary films; not only in its edgy content but with it's technical direction, editing in both film and sound. Dazed and Confused (1993)First Viewing Directed by: Richard Linklater Rating: [/i] an interesting and ultimatley satisfying look at a small town and it's children as the last day of school arrives. It isn't an outstanding film in any respect and yet you can't help but just have fun and watch it for its sole entertainment value.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 14, 2005 13:43:51 GMT
I think those are the first two films post- Vertigo I've seen you review, Mike.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 15, 2005 2:41:48 GMT
Belive it or not Capo, I o watch films post 1960's. It's just that lately I've been focusing on the Golden Age of Hollywood, with Film Noirs gaining alot of my attenetion. More reviews... 2001: a space odyssey (1968) Fourth or Fifth Viewing Directed by: Stanley Kubrick Rating: [/i] A feast for not only for the eyes but for the mind. Indeed, it may be the most mind boggling film ever created and also the ballsiest with Kubrick throwing away most conceptions of editing, sound design and effects. Kudos to Douglas Trumbull and his achivements in the art of special effects which stand up to this day. 2001 is a very dificult film to sum up. I don't think there is much more to say about it than masterpiece. Michael Collins (1996) First Viewing Directed by: Neil Jordan Rating: [/i] This is an imperfect film. The first half an hour or so are fast paced. In fact, too fast paced to really establish the charecters or the real situation, this being Irish Patriots and their attempts to free themselves from British rule. However, the film later takes time to establish the charecters and give them real depth and it allows Liam Neeson (Collins) to give one of his greatest roles. Along for the ride is Aidan Quinn playing Neeson's closest friend and compatiot and Alan Rickman playing their superior, future leader of the Irish Republic. I'm writing this review in a bit of a rush so I can't go into much detail. Production design, cinematography, editing and overall all the technical aspects of the film are sherly amazing. The acting is top notch and if not for the pacing problems I meantioned before,, this would certainly be a true masterpiece. I know nothing of the real Michael Collins and I know that perhaps some of hismeathods of guerilla warfare might paint him as just a murderer in the opinion of some members but in the end I'm not trying to rate the man but the film which creates a truly compelling cahrecter study.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 16, 2005 3:06:58 GMT
Blowup(1966/Michelangelo Antonioni) [Second Viewing] A psychedelic London photographer has a crisis of conscience when he may have witnessed a murder.Extremely provocative film about reality, perception, and the purpose of existence. So many parallels can be drawn to the decade/generation it represents, plus it can also be seen as a parallel to film-making itself. Antonioni's best work, and the second best film of the sixties, behind only "The Graduate" (my favorite film). The best followup viewing I've ever had.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 16, 2005 12:09:45 GMT
Omar, I had the chance to have my second viewing of Blow up too recently, on the big screen too, but I let it pass. However, your enthusiasm of late for Antonioni's work has prompted my curiosity to hunt him down. I've only seen Blow up, which I can remember enjoying out of sheer loyalty to its cult reputation. I'd like to see it again with my more mature mind.
Mick
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jrod
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Post by jrod on Dec 17, 2005 1:13:36 GMT
King Kong (2005/Jackson)
I was suprised I liked this as much as I did. Personally I thought it was better (visually and overall) then any of the LOTR films. How inconsistent it will be when this movie does not recieve nearly as many Oscar nominations.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 17, 2005 2:02:49 GMT
Kiss of Death (1947) First Viewing Directed by: Henry Hathaway Rating: [/i] Although there are issues with the central romance in this film noir, and although I could have used a red pencil and some shears on the script, it still is one of the highlights in the film noir staple. Victor Mature stars as Nick Bianco, a small time hood who is a prison informant doing so to gain his freedom and take care of his children. However,doing this creates many enemies for him including a psycopathac gangster, Tommy Udo (Played by the severly underrated Richard Widmark). Now, Bianco must protect his new family and himself from the threat posed. I must be frank. Widmark ran away with this film, his potrayal of Udo being so meniacal and twisted that it earned him an Academy Award. He holds on to his screen time and makes an indelable mark on the viewer. Another thing to be praised is the direction which is nothing short of genius. Hathaway, one of the unsung heros of the Hollywood Golden Era, paced this film perfectley and creates such nail biting suspense that it elevates this film to near masterpiece level. The only thing detracting would be some of the weaker romantic elements and some excahnges that shouldn't of been there.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 17, 2005 4:23:09 GMT
The 40 Year Old Virgin - (Judd Apatow;2005;USA) A 40 year-old virgin is pushed by his co-workers to lose his virginity. A surprising film. The first half is great, with many moments that actually transcend their comedic exaggerations and can actually be relevant to real life, especially the poker scene. There are many cliches ignored, and some taken but it proves to be a wonderful ride. The second half is more rocky, mixed with cheap laughs and genuine ones. Truth be told, this is one of the funniest films I've seen recently. Good comedies are ridiculously rare today. It doesn’t stay in good form the whole time, but for the most part it doesn’t resort to cheap jokes to put a smile on your face. I would probably give this two stars, but Steve Carell made this that much more enjoyable.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 17, 2005 4:42:09 GMT
King Kong(2005/Peter Jackson) [First Viewing] In order to get his picture made, an eccentric director travels with his crew to an uncharted island.Excellent remake of the classic film. Jackson's love for the original is evident throughout, making this a real treat. He does a great job establishing the feel of time and place of 1930's New York City. The only problem is over-length. Still, it's old fashioned escapism at it's best.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 18, 2005 1:22:56 GMT
Rubber Johnny Chris Cunningham 2005 GB 1st time A mutant child, watched by a dog, struggles to communicate to those observing him, but enjoys dancing when the eyes are off him.Curious, rather unsettling short which could have been even more interesting had it stayed in within the cinema boundaries, and not instead strayed into something resembling a music video, with the soundtrack from Aphex Twin and frantic cutting producing some sort of hallucinatory experience.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 18, 2005 6:03:30 GMT
I remember seeing that short a while back on Snopes.com Capo. Rumors went around that "Rubber Johnny" was a real disfigured teen, though proved false quickly. Creepy video though.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 18, 2005 8:33:46 GMT
Abre los ojos /Open Your Eyes - (Alejandro Amenábar;1997;Spain/France/Italy) An imprisoned man tells a psychiatrist how he fell in love and became disfigured in an ex-lover's car crash which led to him committing a horrible crime.Vanilla Sky brought three different things to this. Longer pacing, a lot of pop-culture references, and an attempt to take a gritty film and make it very polished. I have to be honest in saying that I enjoy the remake more, naturally. However it is not superior to the original. This film was a lot more dark, and what it succeeds the most in, is making the audience feel horribly isolated. At times I felt like this was the loneliest film I ever saw. Vanilla Sky never reached that, aside my basic emotions of sadness out of care of the protagonist. I was compelled to give this three stars due to the quicker pacing, which made the ending a little less memorable to me, but I can't help thinking about this film in terms of a masterpiece. It touches so many levels, and many times I felt like I heavily related to the film in terms of dreams, and how they can either hurt us, or leave us with an empty desire that makes us dislike waking up. I definitely need to see this again. The Sea Inside felt relatively generic to me, but I can't believe it was directed by the same man.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 18, 2005 15:57:12 GMT
Tasogare Seibei The Twilight Samurai(2002/Yoji Yamada) [First Viewing] A humble and recently widowed Samurai starts a relationship with a battered wife.The best film to focus on the day-to-day life of a Samurai, showing us their unique way of life and culture. The film itself is flawless in every way, especially it's beautiful cinematography and it's episodic feel. Plus, the final chapter of the film superbly references "Apocalypse Now". An amazing achievement. Thunderball(1965/Terence Young) [Nth Viewing] James Bond, while recovering at a health clinic, uncovers a plan to steal a N.A.T.O. jet containing two atomic bombs.Despite exotic locations, beautiful women, some great one liners, and a vast array of tongue-in-cheek sexual innuendos, this Bond film does contain some rather boring moments, especially with it's over indulgence of underwater fighting. Still, like all the early Bond films, it's very enjoyable fluff, and features Connery at his most comfortable moment in the role.
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