jrod
Ghost writer
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Post by jrod on Jan 19, 2006 2:27:35 GMT
BARTON FINK (1991/Coen) Review coming soon for an FCM special thread. Hopefully more of you watch this movie and review it. Btw Capo, why is the FCM Special thread in projects locked....seems like it would be a good spot to suggest future films to review
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 19, 2006 4:00:54 GMT
The Royal Tenenbaums - (Wes Anderson;2001;USA) When an aging man announces he's dying, he tries to make up for lost times with his estranged family.This is one of those films that makes you fall in love with the characters so much, you actually want more by the ending. It manages to be a pretty humorous movie without deliberately aiming to be a comedy, but outlining itself with subtle humor. The whole cast is great, especially Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, and Luke Wilson. I didn't know what to expect seeing this but this makes me interested in Anderson's other films. The soundtrack was also great. Definitely a great film that seems to be overlooked by most people.
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Marty
Runner
To a new world of gods and monsters
Posts: 84
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Post by Marty on Jan 19, 2006 6:36:35 GMT
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Capo
Administrator
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Post by Capo on Jan 19, 2006 21:41:18 GMT
Wet Dog loves that film, too, Marty. I've seen it once, and wasn't fussed at all; perhaps I need to revisit it... Jrod, good point about that locked thread. I'll re-open it.
Anyway, four films since last night: Dinner Rush Bob Giraldi 2000 US 1st time; VHS A hectic night in a TriBeCa restraurant, owned by a former bookmaker. Witty, engaging and fast-moving film, served with a delicious sense of food as a means of narrative development; from start to finish, a joy to behold.Masked and Anonymous Larry Charles 2003 US 1st time; VHS An ageing music performer is forced out of retirement to perform at a fundraising concert. Decidedly quirky comedy, of sorts, at which you'll laugh, or at least smile, if you can get past the obscurity of Dylan's script; laiden with notable cameos and performances, which help to buoy, or expose, Dylan's awkward acting abilities.Morte a Venezia Death in Venice Luchino Visconti 1971 Italy/France 1st time; VHS A pianist falls in love with a young boy in Venice, and his obsession keeps him there long enough to catch the Plague. Visuals sustain mild interest in an otherwise cardboard affair; throughout, you get the sense of a director passionate about the literary origins of the piece, but his vision has been lost into artificiality somewhere in the process.Week-end Weekend Jean-Luc Godard 1967 France/Italy 3rd time; DVD A bourgeois couple travel to Oinville, but their journey is hampered by an endless traffic jam and forest-dwelling savages. Godard's vision of Hell, depicted with brutal force at the expense of middle class consumerism: apparently, in order to overcome the horrors of the bourgeoisie, more horror is required. Essential viewing, as a cinematic mass of one artist's ideas; it is quite clearly made by somebody disgusted with the world.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 20, 2006 0:15:47 GMT
Glad you liked Dinner Rush. A lot of people dislike it because it isn't Goodfellas-esque.
I think it's characters make it memorable. Like Altman meets mob movies.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 20, 2006 3:30:20 GMT
Stage Fright - (Alfred Hitchcock;1950;UK) To clear the name of the man she loves, a woman becomes a murderer actress' maid.This really felt like Diet Hitchcock. The middle isn't the only thing that drags and the acting isn't as impressive as his other films, though I liked Richard Todd. The rising action showed promise but led to an ultimately mishandled and disappointing climax. It does have it's moments scattered here and there, but not enough.
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Marty
Runner
To a new world of gods and monsters
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Post by Marty on Jan 20, 2006 6:37:37 GMT
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Capo
Administrator
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Post by Capo on Jan 20, 2006 20:50:15 GMT
The Circus Charles Chaplin 1928 US 1st time; DVD An out of work tramp becomes a circus performer and falls in love with the boss' daughter. Chaplin on top form; the story itself is somewhat discardable, and what is left behind is a succession of visual setpieces: a police chase, Charlie getting trapped in a lion's cage, and a tightrope performance gone wrong.City Lights Charles Chaplin 1931 US 1st time; VHS A tramp befriends a millionaire, falls in love with a blind girl, and helps her get her sight back. The early sequences are fine indeed, with Charlie saving a drunkard from suicide; later on, we're treat to a brilliant, balletic boxing fight. Inbetween and thereafter, the film lulls, too concerned in delivering its message: love is blind.
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Post by svsg on Jan 20, 2006 21:54:11 GMT
Hearts of Darkness The making of Apocalypse Now. Ofcourse I liked it because AN is my #1 favorite. The madness in the lives of AN characters parallel that of the actors and more importantly Coppola himself. Seeing all the trouble Brando created, I think coppola should have just used some other actor. That movie was great not because of Brando, someone else could have easily done that role. I am glad I saw this. It is inspiring for me personally, as I can exactly understand each and everything that coppola is saying. That frustration, that fear of failure and insanity. It is just that willard faces his apocalypse in vietnam; coppola, martin sheen and other actors in philipines jungles and some one like me just sitting here.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Jan 21, 2006 0:33:24 GMT
L.I.E.(2001/Michael Cuesta) [First Viewing] After his mother's death, a Long Island teenager seeks refuge in the company of a sexual predator.From it's opening shot, you know this film is going to shake you. Think "American Beauty", but replace the beautiful cinematography and the well choreographed sequences with grittiness and a style so unique that you feel every ounce of confusion felt by the protagonist. The film is very dark, but so much more compelling than the Mendes film, and probably more compelling than anything I've seen this decade. Brian Cox gives an excellent performance in what you can truly call a daring role. Cuesta is an excellent writer who understand all of his characters so well that we forget how despicable everything is. This is one of those films that completely takes you by surprise from within and rattles you to the core.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Jan 21, 2006 3:01:51 GMT
The Circus Charles Chaplin 1928 US 1st time; DVD An out of work tramp becomes a circus performer and falls in love with the boss' daughter. Chaplin on top form; the story itself is somewhat discardable, and what is left behind is a succession of visual setpieces: a police chase, Charlie getting trapped in a lion's cage, and a tightrope performance gone wrong.City Lights Charles Chaplin 1931 US 1st time; VHS A tramp befriends a millionaire, falls in love with a blind girl, and helps her get her sight back. The early sequences are fine indeed, with Charlie saving a drunkard from suicide; later on, we're treat to a brilliant, balletic boxing fight. Inbetween and thereafter, the film lulls, too concerned in delivering its message: love is blind. I think, "The Circus" along with "M. Verdoux" is one of Chaplin's most underrated works. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not too deep and truly his most comical film. "City Lights" is perhaps his deepest work on an emotional level. It kind of toys with you emotionally but in a satisfying way. Really, it's just a really sweet tale of love and come on, you have no heart if you weren't deeply affected by the final scene with Padila's "La Violetera" playing in the backround as {SPOILER WARNING!!!!} the Tramp and the flower girl meet again
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jrod
Ghost writer
Posts: 970
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Post by jrod on Jan 21, 2006 3:40:40 GMT
Match Point This movie reminded me a lot of one of the two stories in Crimes and Misdeameanors. The movie starts out typical Woody Allen like, with characters dealing with very imperfect releationships. The second half of the movie is amazingly suspensful. I was gripped in suspense a way I rarely am, as I was upon first viewings of my favorite Hitchcock films Im suprised you didnt like it Capo. The only thing that would have made it a more fun experience for me would be if Scarlett Johansen came out of the screen and had sex with me.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 21, 2006 5:29:18 GMT
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - (Terry Gilliam;1998;USA) Hunter S. Thompson and his lawyer go on an eccentric drug binge in Las Vegas covering a motorcycle race.While containing elements that make this a very funny film, it also contains insight on the post-60's American culture, seen through the eyes of two drug users. It's hard for me to describe it's greatness. Gilliam does a great job of transferring the book to the screen, which was originally considered impossible. Depp's performance is one of his best, really capturing Thompson's quirky energy. On a first viewing it's hard to take seriously, but with more I think you can come to love this more and more. The Game - (David Fincher;1997;USA) A wealthy financer gets a real-life time-consuming game from his brother as a birthday gift, but it soon brings him into a downward spiral.A film that is very similar to Fight Club in it's message. It's execution isn't as good and it does have it's moments of ridiculousness, but it turns out to be a very good thriller that has something to say. The ending I felt was going to turn into something mainstream and poor but it ends on a good note. I also love the use of the song "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane. Douglas' performance is very good as well, especially as the film progresses. I will be revisiting this in the future.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 21, 2006 17:20:51 GMT
Yeah, I need to revisit both The Royal Tenenbaums and The Game. I felt horribly underwhelmed by both. Die Große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner Werner Herzog 1974 West Germany 2nd time; VHS A carpenter whose true love in life is ski-jumping sets world records and becomes a phenomenon. The said phenomenom is not least in the director's eyes, or even in Steiner's own psychology; a beautiful evocation of a man wanting to, like the director, push as many of his own boundaries as he can.How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck Werner Herzog 1976 West Germany 2nd time; VHS Cattle auctioneers gather in a small Amish town for the World Championships. An oft-funny and insightful documentary with profound implications as to the spoken language and film language--here we have English-speaking competitors being translated in German voice-over by Herzog himself, and that in turn is translated back into English subtitles.A King in New York Charles Chaplin 1957 UK 1st time; DVD Escaping a revolution, a European monarch flees to America, struggles to adapt to the country's values, and gets caught up in the Communist witchhunt. More of a damning social comment than the comedy it claims to be; Chaplin's charm is overrided far too often by sentimentality, and, given the autobiographical synopsis, this surprisingly runs out of energy well before the end.Twenty Minutes of Love Charles Chaplin 1914 US 1st time; DVD A mischievous tramp tries to win the affections of a girl on a parkbench. Then her boyfriend returns… The editing here shows Chaplin's brilliance as a visual storyteller; otherwise, it is a routine affair.The Fatal MalletMack Sennett 1914 US 1st time; DVD Two rivals over a girl end up joining forces when a third suitor comes on the scene. Unfunny Chaplin short, which ends, for once, with the Tramp getting his comeuppance.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 21, 2006 17:28:20 GMT
Match Point This movie reminded me a lot of one of the two stories in Crimes and Misdeameanors. Jrod, the second half of the film was far more compelling than the first, but the awkward transition from lustful drama to macabre black comedy rendered the whole affair shamefully hilarious; it was shades below Crimes and Misdemeanors, which handled the comic and tragedy flawlessly. Johansson saved it from tedium--note the lapse in narrative when her character leaves, and then how it comes alive again upon her return. Glad you enjoyed it.
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jrod
Ghost writer
Posts: 970
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Post by jrod on Jan 21, 2006 22:15:31 GMT
Breathless (1960/Godard) Very solid all around movie. Entertaining as hell, and from the technical standpoint, I loved the jumpcuts and the music
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Post by ronnierocketago on Jan 21, 2006 22:26:19 GMT
ALEXANDER (2004) - **1/2
I have a good feeling that I'll get stoned for this one...hopefully with pot.
This multi-Razzie nominee, plus the "bad" movie of 2004, isn't that awful. No, its just a damn mess, but not bad methinks. some likeable moments that are mixed with stuff that doesn't quite work. I do understand where Oliver Stone was coming from, but its sad to think that he's now probably a tired old man, for this had been made in his younger days, we might have been given a masterpiece. Tsk Tsk Tsk
But bad? Oh hell no. IF you want unimaginative crap, go rent TROY.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Jan 22, 2006 1:32:04 GMT
Breathless (1960/Godard) Very solid all around movie. Entertaining as hell, and from the technical standpoint, I loved the jumpcuts and the music The music has stayed with me too. Excellent stuff that perfectly works with the film. The music for "Band of Outsiders" is even better, in my opinion.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 22, 2006 2:17:46 GMT
Batman Begins - (Christopher Nolan;2005;USA) The story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman.Unlike any comic book movie made since Batman Returns, this one finally adds believable style and drama into the plot. And it's different from the other Batman films in focusing on Bruce Wayne in a very character studyesque way. It has it's moments of corniness but overall it's far from any other comic book movies made recently. The cast is very good, especially Bale. Nolan didn't shoot his load on CGI like other movies have, and when he does like in vast shots or special effects, it's believable and doesn't look cartoonish. The music and atmosphere is also wonderful.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Jan 22, 2006 2:48:54 GMT
Kárhozat Damnation Béla Tarr 1987, Hungary[/color] 2nd viewing; DVD- A meaningless film about meaninglessness. The film is so devoid of concept, so free of literary trappings, so purely a cinematic work, that it refuses words. So I'll just say it's a humbling, shattering two hours - even moreso on a rewatch. Our new member johndav has said the film was too grim for his liking, but it's just the right amount of grim for me. It's not even the sad aimlessness and disillusion of Jarmusch's early works, it's a bleakness and a gravitational emptiness approaching absolute nihilism. I think it's beautiful, and there is no film in the world right now that I want to see more than Sátántángo (1994). Supposedly, Artificial Eye are releasing it this year.[/size] The Wild Blue Yonder Werner Herzog 2005, UK / USA / France / Germany[/color] 1st viewing; download- Silly, imaginative and moving account of human evolution, caves to the cosmos, from the perspective of an alien visitor whose people fled their dying planet eons ago - the same planet, he claims, that NASA now look to as a surrogate Earth. There's interviews with astrophysicists and the like, expounding new theories of space-time and interdimensional travel, alongside documentary footage of unspoiled jungles and astronauts in orbit, while Brad Dourif, the 'alien', lectures us furiously on the folly of our future. The finest moments involve arctic ice-divers investigating marine life, while Dourif treats it as footage of his home planet and chastises them for disrespecting the creatures - then the sun streaming through the hole in the ice becomes their interdimensional wormhole back to Earth. A really great film.[/size] Red Eye Wes Craven 2005, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download- The first hour of this film is Wes Craven's finest directorial work since the opening scene of Scream (1996). It's extremely tense and commanding, and proves, once again, that he's got a lot of ability that goes unexercised. It's so frustrating to see it all turn to crap in its final half-hour, with a predictable, incongruent slasher ending. Originally I had given this just one star, but that came from sheer disappointment, and on reflection now, I think it's a good film with a broken ending, and I'll forgive it that, because the first two-thirds is riveting.[/size] The Lady Vanishes Alfred Hitchcock 1938, UK[/color] 1st viewing; download- Throughout, this hints at such profundity that it's crushing when all is revealed. The lady vanishes, and the passengers all lie, invent alternate truths that they offer outward to the inquisitors in the corridor, inventing others for the privacy of their own cabins. Duplicity, reality, memory - shuffled and layered so heavily and intricately that to piss it all away on a quaint spy story should be a criminal offense. The train as the long-standing metaphor for cinema? With the model train at the beginning? Come on, Hitch. What a waste. Well worth watching to agonise over what it could have been.[/size] Cypher Vincenzo Natali 2002, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download- I love this sort of thing. Much like The Game, where the audience is buffeted as inexplicably and randomly as the protagonist, and he is the only thing the camera attends (because he's all that's sure to exist, sort of Skepticism illustrated), Cypher follows a pawn in some vague, baffling web of corporate espionage as he shifts through a multitude of identities and performances and roles, until the only point of consistency and solidarity seems to be us, the watchers. The Game played hell with everything exterior, but never challenged the protagonist's inner world, Cypher does. Like The Game, however, it has an all-too-neat ending that pretty much closes the film off when, by rights, it should further compound the confusion. Unless we're supposed to carry the momentum of doubt right through with us, which is quite possible, now that I think of it. Anyway, highly recommended.[/size] Vincent Tim Burton 1982, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download- Far and away Tim Burton's most interesting film. Here we have actual visual innovation, not just the pretence of it, and a witty self-referrential intelligence, with a boy who wants to be Vincent Price in a film narrated by Vincent Price. It's a wonder he so completely missed the point on his other explicitly self-reflexive project, Big Fish (2003).[/size]
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