Max Armstrong
Member
Thanks for the suggestion, just watched it. What a great movie, his directional style is so engaging, I'm stunned.
Highly recommended.
Movies You've Seen Recently |OT| AUGUST 2014
- Thread starter Divius
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Highly recommended.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
A Separation is better, but About Elly is great, yes. Specially with the larger cast.
I also recommend The Past and Fireworks Wednesday (this one in particular). Not as strong as the other two, but still very good.
I also recommend The Past and Fireworks Wednesday (this one in particular). Not as strong as the other two, but still very good.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Oddly enough I prefer the Past over A Separation. Maybe only because the trailer sells the film as a different type of thriller than what it really was and my expectations were different.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Ok so, Die Hard, right? Still one of my favorite movies ever, still the most structurally perfect blockbuster of the last 25 years, blessed with a director with a Hitchcockian feel for escalating tension and flowing widescreen camera making the geography of all the characters in and around the Nakatomi Plaza easy to follow. John McClane can be pig-headed and does some craaazy shit like jumping off a fuckin' building with a firehose, and the BRUCE WILLIS factor starts to show up later on with a cigarette in his mouth and comical expressions, but he also incredibly physically and emotionally vulnerable, pulling glass shards out of his feet and crying on the radio to tell his wife he figured out what a jerk he's been. Michael Kaman's Christmas themed score is amazing, Hans Gruber is iconic, the pacing peerless, etc etc. Its Die Hard.
Die Hard 2, well that didn't take long, this is actually the film that cemented the BRUCE WILLIS character. There isn't a progressive arc like John learning what's important in life in Die Hard, now he's just always fuckin' right like Jack Bauer. He's arrogant, cocky, smirking, ultraviolent machoman. There's this one part where he accidently gangs up on a poor janitor, doesn't apologize, and then roughs him up some more for blueprints, cuz fuck you I'm BRUCE WILLIS. Die Hard 2: Die Harder is just that, the same damn thing happening to the same damn guy. A corporate cash-in that activates flaunts how big of a rehash it is, how contrived John even being in this movie is. "Yippie-Ki-Yay mothafucka" had the misforunte of becoming a catchphrase, so they have to say it again even when it makes much less sense.
The one thing this movie has going for it compared to other creatively bankrupt blockbusters of total is the hard R-rated status. I'm talking pure male wish fulfilment language and violence here. Its hilariously excessive, and as the movie actively gets better as it goes along and you embrace how silly and inferior Die Hard 2, you get into the groove of all the messy throat cutting and icicle attacks.
Die Hard With a Vengeance has a few things going for it, and they aren't small things. For one, they practically ditch the whole "Die Hard on a..." thing that was dumb in Die Hard 2 and just made this buddy action movie. Two, John McTiernan comes back, and the difference in direction between him and Renny Harlin is large and noticeable when you watch the trilogy back to back to back like this. Third, BRUCE WILLIS and Sam mothafuckin' Jackson have great chemistry, and its great to watch them move from one increasingly cartoony setpiece after another, for awhile anyway. Fourth, there's a really strong cast around them, the supporting players in the cops, but especially the big bad in Jeremy Irons. No Hans Gruber, but a big upgrade over Generic McBlonde from Die Hard 2.
Besides all these things though, when you get right down to it the film is a big silly mess. Like they didn't have the whole thing figured out and they were kinda making shit up as they went along to fit in more action. It just keeps getting more and more wacky until Bruce and Sam do this ridiculous boat invasion and end up tied to a giant bomb and there's this shit with a bomb in the school like how Simon even know about Zeus' kids. The worst thing, I mean the absolute WORSt thing, is the fuckin' ending. They clearly just didn't have one, where McClane and Zeus(for some reason?) travel all the way to Quebec to finish Simon, and they do in the least tension-filled, interesting way possible, and then McClane says "Yippie-Ki-Yay mothafucker" cuz oh right I have to say that its a Die Hard sequel. Oh, and there's a random sex scene thrown in there because McTiernan knew the movie was getting a R-rating so why not right. The movie literally opens with a bang and ends with a dud, aint that bout a bitch.
Die Hard 2, well that didn't take long, this is actually the film that cemented the BRUCE WILLIS character. There isn't a progressive arc like John learning what's important in life in Die Hard, now he's just always fuckin' right like Jack Bauer. He's arrogant, cocky, smirking, ultraviolent machoman. There's this one part where he accidently gangs up on a poor janitor, doesn't apologize, and then roughs him up some more for blueprints, cuz fuck you I'm BRUCE WILLIS. Die Hard 2: Die Harder is just that, the same damn thing happening to the same damn guy. A corporate cash-in that activates flaunts how big of a rehash it is, how contrived John even being in this movie is. "Yippie-Ki-Yay mothafucka" had the misforunte of becoming a catchphrase, so they have to say it again even when it makes much less sense.
The one thing this movie has going for it compared to other creatively bankrupt blockbusters of total is the hard R-rated status. I'm talking pure male wish fulfilment language and violence here. Its hilariously excessive, and as the movie actively gets better as it goes along and you embrace how silly and inferior Die Hard 2, you get into the groove of all the messy throat cutting and icicle attacks.
Die Hard With a Vengeance has a few things going for it, and they aren't small things. For one, they practically ditch the whole "Die Hard on a..." thing that was dumb in Die Hard 2 and just made this buddy action movie. Two, John McTiernan comes back, and the difference in direction between him and Renny Harlin is large and noticeable when you watch the trilogy back to back to back like this. Third, BRUCE WILLIS and Sam mothafuckin' Jackson have great chemistry, and its great to watch them move from one increasingly cartoony setpiece after another, for awhile anyway. Fourth, there's a really strong cast around them, the supporting players in the cops, but especially the big bad in Jeremy Irons. No Hans Gruber, but a big upgrade over Generic McBlonde from Die Hard 2.
Besides all these things though, when you get right down to it the film is a big silly mess. Like they didn't have the whole thing figured out and they were kinda making shit up as they went along to fit in more action. It just keeps getting more and more wacky until Bruce and Sam do this ridiculous boat invasion and end up tied to a giant bomb and there's this shit with a bomb in the school like how Simon even know about Zeus' kids. The worst thing, I mean the absolute WORSt thing, is the fuckin' ending. They clearly just didn't have one, where McClane and Zeus(for some reason?) travel all the way to Quebec to finish Simon, and they do in the least tension-filled, interesting way possible, and then McClane says "Yippie-Ki-Yay mothafucker" cuz oh right I have to say that its a Die Hard sequel. Oh, and there's a random sex scene thrown in there because McTiernan knew the movie was getting a R-rating so why not right. The movie literally opens with a bang and ends with a dud, aint that bout a bitch.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
No one should ever argue that Die Hard 2 is better than Die Hard but hell, it's still a fun if not familiar film.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
I feel I would have liked it more if I hadn't seen the other three before. Definitely worth seeing. I should rewatch it.
Max Armstrong
Member
It's good to know that his other films are also worth the watch. I'll probably buy The Past on Blu-Ray soon.
Just read that the actress from About Elly, Golshifteh Farahani, was banned from Iran for some photoshoot she did, pretty sad.
Just read that the actress from About Elly, Golshifteh Farahani, was banned from Iran for some photoshoot she did, pretty sad.
whenever i rewatch Die Hard 1-3, Predator or THFTRO cant help but think about how damn proficient McTiernan was not only as an blockbuster director, but as a director period. Superbly constructed action scenes, amazing inventiveness, a very recognizable style that got refined in every movie, what a damn loss
you want to be blown away? watch his first film, Nomads, which got the most undeserved negative score ever given on RT. It's awesome
you want to be blown away? watch his first film, Nomads, which got the most undeserved negative score ever given on RT. It's awesome
ViewtifulJC
Banned
the original ending looked like an april's fool joke, like word are they serious with this 5 minute dutch angle conversation shit fam?
Its a lot of fun for about a hour or so but the last 40 minutes weren't all that compelling, it just runs out of gas until that nothing ending.
edit: speaking of underrated McTiernan gems, The Thomas Crowne Affair with Pierce Brosnan? Pretty damn good, man.
I feel bad for Harlin in a way. in that like, he seemed to try to work within the hwd system, ended up directing sequels to popular franchises like Die Hard 2 and Nightmare on Elm Street 4. and they could have been utter disasters, but he was able to make them fine. but compared to sibling entries they still pale, so he ends up seeming like a lackluster journeyman even though he's a pretty fine director. Not great but capable. in the 80s at least. his 90s-on output looks...less defensible.
I need to run through McT's whole filmography before Red Squad.
I need to run through McT's whole filmography before Red Squad.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
I once saw the King Kong extended edition. Never again.
long kiss goodbye is pretty good and at the swoon household at least, lots of drinking and watching ford fairlane goes on.
he just chokes in the worst way possible. geena davis should have gotten the second chance.
Of the Jackson one? I can't really imagine extending it because after the theatrical (where I was not prepared for a 3 hour movie) I was exhausted. but thinking back on it, and seeing pieces since...I'm kinda ok with the movie. it's bloated and not as good as it could be, but Jackson's sense of scale from the LOTR trilogy carries over well and I enjoy Brody.
Nomads I don't think is fantastic, but it's definitely super interesting and peculiar and worth watching
I should give him another chance, I've only seen chunks of Cliffhanger and 12 Rounds outside of Dream Master and DH2. Geena shoulda just stayed with Goldblum though
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Yes, that one. There are elements of the movie I like, but it just shows Jackson's tendency toward overindulgence.
The extra scenes don't add anything to the movie (quite literally; they're mostly pointless action scenes). I don't think I've seen so much bloat since, though The Hobbit movies are making an effort.
I've been actively avoiding the hobbits. I want to see Bad Taste and Heavenly Creatures and Feebles first, so I can be disappointed in Jackson rather than outright repulsed. Frighteners and Braindead are really really great movies
BaronLundi
Member
You haven't seen those 3 yet? Ha ha, you're in for a treat. Don't miss Forgotten Silver either. Although it's hardly perfect, it's short and quite fun.
I remember absolutely loving Heavenly Creatures but I saw it when it hit the theatres so I shoul probably revisit it.
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@robdelaney said:
ViewtifulJC
Banned
The long kiss goodnight was a good one. Its like Bourne Identity with Sam Jackson and shane black dialog
Between that and The Tailor of Panama, Brosnan was a better James Bond in those than he was in films where he was actually playing James Bond. I think he said that he wanted to do an R-rated Bond film after Die Another Day, which was obviously never going to happen, but you could tell from those two films why he would want that to come to pass.
Can someone recommend me good non-english language movies from past three years? Preferably euro movies since I have seen a lot of asian movies from recent years already. I have seen Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Holy Motors, The Hunt and Amour. Genre doesn't really matter but I'm not looking for comedies either. I would also appriciate good sources for euro movies (blogs,review sites, etc.).
this might be a good source
http://thefilmtransition.com/category/best-new-films/geographically/best-new-european-cinema/
Much appreciated. Seems like a great start for my quest to rekindle my love for euro cinema.
RastaMentality
Banned
Has anyone seen Frank yet? It seems to be getting raves from critics.
John Dunbar
correct about everything
Moonlighting is what cemented that. Every successful Bruce Willis performance has been a variation of David Addison.
Death Metalist
Member
"Alot can happen in the middle of nowhere"
Re-watched it again tonight. Still a beautiful masterpiece as far as I am concerned, from the haunting yet beautiful theme to the performances, everything was pitch perfect. While Williams H.Macy did a fantastic job, To me Frances McDormand is what makes Fargo so good.
Her sweet, quirky yet gullible and naive performance is just stunning. Every scene is there for a reason not just for filler. It has alot of memorable scenes as well as the dialogue being damn good. It still is fascinating to see how a simple and perfect idea gets so out of hand. I don't want to say more in hopes that I spoil something. The movie is sweet, sad, funny, quirky and exhilarating.
Should one watch Fargo if they never seen it?
Femmeworth
Banned
I'm looking to expand my (admittedly, limited) knowledge. Can anyone recommend a good book or two on storytelling/narrative in film? I guess what I'm really looking for is something to ultimately help me critique films in that regard and gain more appreciation.
Film Crit Hulk released a list of recommended books last year with a subsection that partly focused on storytelling.
Film Crit Hulk released a list of recommended books last year with a subsection that partly focused on storytelling.
These two seem like they might be good for what I want but I'm not sure.
Messofanego
Banned
I'm cheating here with 2009 but Dogtooth if you're into really weird and disturbing satirical black comedy/dramas! Basically, it's Parenting Gone Wild.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
I'm not sure what the consensus was on Live Free or Die Hard, but fuck it, I still rather like it! I mean, it really shouldn't be any good, its a 12-years-later sequel to a series that probably shouldn't exist, and McClane rides a fuckin' fighter jet in this one, but man a lot of this is just good old fashioned action movie choreography that went out of vogue around the turn of the century and the Matrix. Hell, the whole movie seems to have an old school vs the new kids on the block thing for it, with Bruno coming out on top of course. I watched the unrated version, which is basically the same but with more F-bombs and blood squirts, just what a growing boy needs. Fuck all the Kevin Smith scenes dude, Jesus
And finally, I saw A Good Day to Die Hard for the first time. There is...one sequence worth a damn here, a lengthy car chase near the beginning with real stuntwork and shots that didn't look like they were edited inside a garbage disposal unit, and that is it. The editing in the rest of the movie is so goddamn lousy, and I'm actually kinda shocked it ended up in a big budget Hollywood production.
This thing is about as far away from Die Hard as it can possibly get. We've gone a guy bursting with delight that his fire alarm trick worked("c'mon baby come to papa I'll even kiss your fuckin' dalmation!") to an insufferable bald psychopath driving stolen product placement over poor people, making unfunny quips and smirking faces all the way through. A ugly caricature of past successes. This is it, this is the nadir. I just want to die, hard.
And finally, I saw A Good Day to Die Hard for the first time. There is...one sequence worth a damn here, a lengthy car chase near the beginning with real stuntwork and shots that didn't look like they were edited inside a garbage disposal unit, and that is it. The editing in the rest of the movie is so goddamn lousy, and I'm actually kinda shocked it ended up in a big budget Hollywood production.
This thing is about as far away from Die Hard as it can possibly get. We've gone a guy bursting with delight that his fire alarm trick worked("c'mon baby come to papa I'll even kiss your fuckin' dalmation!") to an insufferable bald psychopath driving stolen product placement over poor people, making unfunny quips and smirking faces all the way through. A ugly caricature of past successes. This is it, this is the nadir. I just want to die, hard.
Nappuccino
Member
"Alot can happen in the middle of nowhere"
Re-watched it again tonight. Still a beautiful masterpiece as far as I am concerned, from the haunting yet beautiful theme to the performances, everything was pitch perfect. While Williams H.Macy did a fantastic job, To me Frances McDormand is what makes Fargo so good.
Her sweet, quirky yet gullible and naive performance is just stunning. Every scene is there for a reason not just for filler. It has alot of memorable scenes as well as the dialogue being damn good. It still is fascinating to see how a simple and perfect idea gets so out of hand. I don't want to say more in hopes that I spoil something. The movie is sweet, sad, funny, quirky and exhilarating.
Should one watch Fargo if they never seen it?
Not to disagree, but what about the scene where she meets her friend from highschool? I've never been able to quite settle that scene in with the rest of the movie.
Frustrated_Grunt
Member
I agree, Live Free or Die Hard is good stuff. Thought Justin Long was going to drag down the movie, but he was pretty good in it too. Was tongue in cheek enough like a proper Die Hard movie should be.
Death Metalist
Member
That scene is probably the one scene that most people don't get the first time they see it, Me included although I have watched the movie a couple of times by now.
The scene at first seems like random, out of the blue with no reason for it to be there but actually the reason for it existing is then later revealed when Marge knows that everything Mike said was a lie.
Later she was able to connect the dots in the car as she was eating breakfast that Mike's behavior was very similar to Jerry when she was questioning him for the first time and thus as if a lightbulb went on in her head, goes back to question Jerry again with persistence this time.
Later she was able to connect the dots in the car as she was eating breakfast that Mike's behavior was very similar to Jerry when she was questioning him for the first time and thus as if a lightbulb went on in her head, goes back to question Jerry again with persistence this time.
Nappuccino
Member
Interesting. I'll have to watch it again with that in mind, thanks!
Death Metalist
Member
Grand Budapest Hotel was better than expected. Blazing fast, energetic pacing and inventive camera work, superb set pieces, massive cast, story is small beans, just a heartfelt homage to movies past, with Ralph Fiennes delivering one of the best performances I've seen recently. highly recommended if you're a fan of Wes Anderson, or just want to enjoy a different, but FUN, movie
MacH1nation
Member
Sharknado in theaters with rifftrax. Mind-blowingly awesome
Max Armstrong
Member
Just saw A Woman Under the Influence and wow, I might never watch it again, but I'm sure glad I saw it. Powerful stuff that absorbs you from the start and leaves you out of energy by the end. I'm the kind of person who cringes at everything so this kind of movie is really painful to watch at times :lol
Great acting, superb direction. I really need to watch more Cassavetes.
Great acting, superb direction. I really need to watch more Cassavetes.
Just finished Oldboy the remake and I have to say, I went in with low expectations as I was warned from GAF. But I didn't expect to see Josh Brolin or Ashley Olsen or Michael Imperioli or fuck, Samuel Lee Jackson in this. This is a good cast and I enjoyed them a ton knowing the plot going in.
While I appreciate the homage to the original, I appreciate the remake more because of the gossip is much more clearer accusation and 1:1 payback opposed to
Josh Brolin losing weight and gaining muscle is more impressive than the asian lead.
While I appreciate the homage to the original, I appreciate the remake more because of the gossip is much more clearer accusation and 1:1 payback opposed to
brother/sister and she thought she was preggers etc. Father fucking the daughter made more sense. And murders the entire family, which is more fucked up than the sister's suicide in the asian original.
Josh Brolin losing weight and gaining muscle is more impressive than the asian lead.
I'm cheating here with 2009 but Dogtooth if you're into really weird and disturbing satirical black comedy/dramas! Basically, it's Parenting Gone Wild.
Cheating is no good, I have already seen Dogtooth. I probably should watch the director's latest film Alpeis. Hasn't gotten strong reviews but I did like Dogtooth, so I'll give it a go.
Valkerionseven
Member
Watched the new Ninja Turtles Movie.
I thought it was pretty good. Better than the Transformers adaptation thats for sure. Not the hugest fan, that was more my older brother, but I enjoyed it. Did not feel too long, did not harp on the humans too much ect. Sure a bit was changed about the lore but the overall characters were nailed as I remember them.
Not movie of the year or anything but was fun enough film. Though I'm sick of Mr. Bay's camera work. Not every scene needs to open at an angle that pans to street view, and not every solo shot needs to start pointed down then angled up... At least there was not as much slomo as his other films.
I thought it was pretty good. Better than the Transformers adaptation thats for sure. Not the hugest fan, that was more my older brother, but I enjoyed it. Did not feel too long, did not harp on the humans too much ect. Sure a bit was changed about the lore but the overall characters were nailed as I remember them.
Not movie of the year or anything but was fun enough film. Though I'm sick of Mr. Bay's camera work. Not every scene needs to open at an angle that pans to street view, and not every solo shot needs to start pointed down then angled up... At least there was not as much slomo as his other films.
B-B-Bomba!
Member
Oh what I wouldn't give :'/rewatched Master and Commander. still damn good.
still waiting on that sequel....
I recently watched Winter Soldier, Guardians/Galaxy & ASM2.
Found the latter to be a much meatier, more engaging experience than the other two. Is there some peer pressure purgatory I need to report to?
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Captain Phillips. Not much bad to say, just that it feels like there's a lot of air (specially toward the end). Barkhad Abdi was great. 7/10
It gives me the impression that it's not the kind of film that lends itself to rewatches.
It gives me the impression that it's not the kind of film that lends itself to rewatches.
lazybones18
Banned
The Godfather
Saw it for the umpteenth time, but for the first time in the theater. Never gets old
Saw it for the umpteenth time, but for the first time in the theater. Never gets old
He actually didn't direct the second Die Hard, but he did direct the underrated Last Action Hero.
Alps isn't as good as Dogtooth, but it retains many elements from it, from the surreal premise and atmosphere, to the deadpan sudden bursts of violence, to adults acting like children.
It's worth a watch for sure, but yeah, don't expect something on the level of Dogtooth.
Also, Ariane Labed <3.
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