Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 26, 2005 20:01:56 GMT
Lost In Translation Sofia Coppola 2003 US/Japan Nth time Two Americans in Japan, one an actor, the other a lonely wife over on her husband's business, meet up and enjoy each other's company.Underplayed, affecting tale of two people stuck in marital problems and finding unconsumated comfort in each other; it is a refreshingly minimalistic approach fuelled by excellent performances.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 27, 2005 0:07:48 GMT
Murder, My Sweet (1946) First Viewing Directed by: Edward Dmytrick Raiting: [/i] I just finished watching, "Murder, My Sweet", a film based on Raymond Chandler's classic, "Farewell, My Lovely". This is perhaps the greatest adaptation of a Chandler novel, not completley faithful and yet understanding the essensce of Philip Marlowe, the main charecter and the nature of Private Eye work. I've read the novel as well and consider it equal, if not greater than Chandler's previous work, "The Big Sleep". I had seen, "The Big Sleep" before hand and convinced myself that Bogart WAS Marlowe but then again I think Marlowe just progected Sam Spade for another run in the 1946 adaptation. Not that that hurts the film in any way... Great film technically. Direction is well paced, and cinematography is superb. In fact, the cinematographer on this film was on the Second Unit for Welles's, "The Magnificent Ambersons".
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 27, 2005 3:51:06 GMT
The Family Stone(2005/Thomas Bezucha) [First Viewing] A man brings his uptight girlfriend home for the holidays to meet his laid back family.Modern twist on a recycled idea is often very funny, and it benefits from a great and very talented cast. The film also knows how to change gears into serious mode without leaving you with an awkward feeling. Only in it's final moments does it revert to formula. Otherwise, it's a very enjoyable holiday film.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 27, 2005 7:20:20 GMT
Vanilla Sky (2000) First Complete Viewing Directed by: Cameron Crowe Rating: Mind blowing to say the least.
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Post by Driver on Dec 27, 2005 13:32:45 GMT
Stephen King's IT Tommy Lee Wallace, 1990 First viewing It was a truthful adaptation, but most of the acting was abyssmal. The children were out-acting the adults. However, Tim Curry was on top form as always, with I think his best perfomance since The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
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jrod
Ghost writer
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Post by jrod on Dec 28, 2005 1:32:53 GMT
I couldnt get into that movie at all. Just can cover 1100 pages of a novel in 4 hours, especially with the limits of basic cable. I think It is best suited to be an HBO miniseries, like Band of Brothers, because context wise, its more inappropriate then even teh Sopranos. None of the main characters except the clown really fit either, in child or adult mode.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 28, 2005 4:36:57 GMT
The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) Second Viewing Directed by: Otto Preminger Rating: [/i] I finally was able to watch the film in it's restored state with the new 5.1 surround mix, while experimenting with the original mono track as well. I can tell you right now that it's a high quality job. The print isn't perfect, but what is to be expected of a fifty year old film that's been so abused over time? Regardless, this film shines like it never has before. Needless to say, Sinatra gives a performance for the ages. I know from family the horrors of drug adiction and I understand the subject mater fully and Sinatra alsong with Otto Preminger & Co. were able to get to the root of the problem. Some say this film is dated, that the excesive use of soundstages and backlots hurts it. Really, it doesn't detract a thing from the film. They've also said that the subject matter and the way it's handled is dated. That's just not so. The fact is that although times have changed and as our society tackles new issues, the nature of adiction is the same and regardless of how far our society has come, it still forces people to relapse into crime and addiction. This is a film that should be seen by all.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 28, 2005 5:26:53 GMT
Mike, I highly suggest you see Open Your Eyes. Much better than the remake and it's themes are explored, rather than sidetracked. I'll be watching Vanilla Sky again this week. Paparazzi - (Paul Abascal;2004;USA) An actor plots revenge against a group of paparazzi after they cause a car crash that injures his son.An actor's fantasy of hatred against the paparazzi that could be understood, and it does provide for good entertainment in the form of an average revenge film. Fun to watch, although it's just a normal B-Movie. A poor film in it's outcome.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 30, 2005 2:18:40 GMT
The Missouri Breaks(1976/Arthur Penn) [First Viewing] A group of horse thieves meet their match in an eccentric assassin hired to kill them.Slow moving at first, but once Brando hits the scene, the film is nothing but enjoyment. A talented cast and beautiful cinematography add to the odd mix, making this film a lot better than it's bad reputation.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 30, 2005 3:32:25 GMT
I taped 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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Post by Michael on Dec 30, 2005 3:42:13 GMT
I taped 2001: A Space Odyssey. You are truly blessed. Watch. Repeat.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Dec 30, 2005 6:20:47 GMT
Gun Crazy (1949) First Viewing Directed by: Joseph H. Lewis Rating: [/i] A gem of noir cinema, the finest in the box set proved to us by Warners. Essentially "Bonnie and Clyde" in the 1940's. Cna't give many thoughts. It's late and I feel a headache coming along. Take note that I'm changing my rating for, "Murder, My Sweet", to . This is after listening to some commentary which changed my opinion.
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Capo
Administrator
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Post by Capo on Dec 30, 2005 16:54:20 GMT
Gerry Gus Van Sant 2001 US/Argentina/Jordan 1st time Two friends on a day's hiking trip casually stroll off path and become lost.An astonishing film, largely improvised and ironically dealing with the perils of improvisation; it is a strangely beautiful film wherein the anonymous characters become slowly overwhelmed by the harshness of nature.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 30, 2005 18:31:37 GMT
Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle Every Man For Himself and God Against All/The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser(1974/Werner Herzog) [First Viewing] In 1828 Germany, a man appears from captivity having spent his whole life in a dungeon.My first Herzog was an enlightening experience. Being very interested in psychology, I was immediatly taken away by the story of this 'wild child', but the true beauty of the film is even more powerful. The film manages to be poingnant, provocative, and tragic all at the same time. I look forward to more from Herzog.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Dec 30, 2005 18:41:52 GMT
Being very interested in psychology, I was immediatly taken away by the story of this 'wild child' Funnily enough; "I loathe psychology as one of the major faults of our civilization nowadays." - Herzog
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 30, 2005 20:07:59 GMT
Being very interested in psychology, I was immediately taken away by the story of this 'wild child' Funnily enough; "I loathe psychology as one of the major faults of our civilization nowadays." - HerzogDoes he elaborate on that quote at all? The reason I said that was because in my Psychology last year we studied a similar story of a girl in 1960's L.A. brought up under harsh conditions similar to the protagonist in Herzog's film. Though unlike the main character of Herzog's film, she was discovered at a younger age and never reached any sort of level of intelligence beyond that of a vegetable. I love situations where a viewer picks up things from a film that the director never intended. The filmmaker should consider that level of ambiguity a complement. It all goes back to what you were saying the other day about people's own personal experiences and how they affect their interpretation/judgment of a film.
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 30, 2005 20:28:31 GMT
Here's a quote you might like Omar.
"How could we possibly appreciate the Mona Lisa if Leonardo had written at the bottom of the canvas: 'The lady is smiling because she is hiding a secret from her lover.' This would shackle the viewer to reality, and I don't want this to happen to 2001." --Stanely Kubrick
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Capo
Administrator
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Post by Capo on Dec 30, 2005 20:55:02 GMT
I absolutely love Herzog. Along with Godard and Lynch, he's my favourite filmmaker. His documentaries are just as good as his feature films. Kaspar Hauser is a fascinating film, but for some reason, one which I have no interest in seeing again. In fact, I'm like that with all Herzog films bar Aguirre. I find his documentaries endure repeated viewings more easily, perhaps because they are not period, costume films--for which I always seem to have to prepare for pre-viewing.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Dec 30, 2005 22:15:57 GMT
Funnily enough; "I loathe psychology as one of the major faults of our civilization nowadays." - HerzogDoes he elaborate on that quote at all? Yeah; Interviewer: "Do you have any formal interest in psychology?" Herzog: "I loathe psychology as one of the major faults of our civilization nowadays. There's something not right about this amount of introspection. I can only give you a metaphor: When you move into an apartment, you cannot start to illuminate every last corner with neon light. If there are no dark corners or hidden niches, your house becomes uninhabitable. Human beings who are trying to self-reflect and explore their innermost being to the last corner become uninhabitable people." Interviewer: "Let's not forget that psychology isn't just about introspection; it can shed light on other people." Herzog: "No, you can understand others by other means. By dint of compassion, you understand other people, and there is a concordance of hearts. That is something different. Move away from psychology and engage in concordance of hearts."
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Post by Vercetti on Dec 30, 2005 23:27:31 GMT
How the hell do you download movies so fast? It took me about a day or more just for Last Days.
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