Movies You've Seen Recently: Return of the Revenge of the Curse of the...
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Memories of a Murder
Really really great film. Very similar to Zodiac which I also loved. The ending was a really beautiful shot in my opinion. It kinda leaves you
. I would say this is one of my favorite films but my opinion changes over time so we'll see.
Really really great film. Very similar to Zodiac which I also loved. The ending was a really beautiful shot in my opinion. It kinda leaves you
feeling empty. A good conclusion would have been nice but the ending picked really made it a much richer experience in my opinion
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
We got some blu copies of SHAME in at work so I nabbed one. Saves me buying it. We also got some copies of The Skin I Live In which I wasn't able to previously see, so I'll get to watch it this week.
I think you know which you should watch first.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
The Skin I Live In because I already saw Shame when it was in theatres.
No, because it's MY favorite movie of 2011.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Does that bode well? Do we normally agree on things? I forget. Either way I've been looking forward to seeing it for a while.
Both are great movies anyway, you can't go wrong.
I am going to watch Alien + Aliens asap and then get my ass to the cinema and watch PROMETHEUS, I totally forgot it came out today. I'm so psyched! I can go see it in regular 3D now, but if I want to watch it in IMAX3D I have to wait like a week
Choices, choices.
I also watched Project X, which was horrible.
I am going to watch Alien + Aliens asap and then get my ass to the cinema and watch PROMETHEUS, I totally forgot it came out today. I'm so psyched! I can go see it in regular 3D now, but if I want to watch it in IMAX3D I have to wait like a week
Choices, choices.I also watched Project X, which was horrible.
I don't think so usually, though I ensure you will have a bunch of fun with the film in the very the least.
Messofanego
Banned
The Skin I Live In is not a good thriller, but I don't have time to leave a rant here. I need to check my notes when I saw it last year, but I was pretty disappointed. It leaves no twists or surprises for the audience, thanks to the non-linear narrative, and is all over the place on tone. The characters' motivations don't make much sense, or just don't have enough depth. Characters pop out of nowhere like the tiger past relationship with the old maid that feels like filler.
It's a cool idea for revenge though. The acting is great.
It's a cool idea for revenge though. The acting is great.
Not a Jellyfish
but I am a sheep
Watched this last night, very interesting film. Recommended to anyone who likes to watch visual interesting and disturbing films. Most I will say about it is that there is some gore and tough subject matter. Enjoyed it though, certainly got me and my friends talking afterwards.
Messofanego
Banned
Genuinely shocked at how good SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMEN was. Shocked that I have quite some stuff to say about it. I noticed no one familiar in the credits aside from the actors. Haven't been surprised like that in a while.
The shifting costume designs for the evil queen and everything else (Collee Attwood oscar incoming?), the grit (so gritty), the set design, and the sweeping vistas like Lord of the Rings were magnificent. How the fuck did they do the dwarfs?! I wasn't excited before, but now I am for The Hobbit. Visual FX were high-calibre like the Troll, Forest Spirit, and the fairy land.
This is dark grimm fantasy done right, while still having heart instead of being a soulless, grimdark vision that had me worried when the movie was announced. Proper chilling imagery like the Dark Forest which is more like Pan's Labyrinth than Alice in Wonderland. Charlize Theron feasting on bird hearts. She is doing some Dumplings level shit here to stay beautiful. The dark fantasy was reminiscent of Neverending Story and Labyrinth. Two scenes specifically targeting Princess Mononoke and Neverending Story fans (you'll know it when you see it). Then the medieval epic war reminding me of...dare I say it, Kingdom of Heaven.
What worked best for this film was the pacing. Unlike blockbusters that front or back-load their best bits (Avengers) and therefore making the rest of the film more forgettable, this had me continually engaged. I was visually hooked, something new to see every 20 min. The development of multiple sub-plots and characters starting from the
. Plenty of attention to detail like noticing
so that's why Charlize Theron was probably eating them.
I want more of that
!
I guess the mouth-breathing for Kirsten Stewart is a given, but yeah she's not a dealbreaker as I and my mom thought. She shows enough pain and bravado with the call to arms war speech, but still has that one expression. She's not that much in the movie, though. Charlize Theron is easily the best villain of this year. Chris Hensworth is great, as are the dwarfs (Nick Frost, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone lol, Bob Hoskins). There is one scene where they're hiding behind a horse in enemy grounds that is one of the cutest things I've seen.
There is some unfortunate shaky action during the battle bits, but enough cool moments with bows and arrows and James Newton Howard score to tide me over.
Surprise good movie of the year, along with 21 Jump Street.
The shifting costume designs for the evil queen and everything else (Collee Attwood oscar incoming?), the grit (so gritty), the set design, and the sweeping vistas like Lord of the Rings were magnificent. How the fuck did they do the dwarfs?! I wasn't excited before, but now I am for The Hobbit. Visual FX were high-calibre like the Troll, Forest Spirit, and the fairy land.
This is dark grimm fantasy done right, while still having heart instead of being a soulless, grimdark vision that had me worried when the movie was announced. Proper chilling imagery like the Dark Forest which is more like Pan's Labyrinth than Alice in Wonderland. Charlize Theron feasting on bird hearts. She is doing some Dumplings level shit here to stay beautiful. The dark fantasy was reminiscent of Neverending Story and Labyrinth. Two scenes specifically targeting Princess Mononoke and Neverending Story fans (you'll know it when you see it). Then the medieval epic war reminding me of...dare I say it, Kingdom of Heaven.
What worked best for this film was the pacing. Unlike blockbusters that front or back-load their best bits (Avengers) and therefore making the rest of the film more forgettable, this had me continually engaged. I was visually hooked, something new to see every 20 min. The development of multiple sub-plots and characters starting from the
villain's power to Snow White's escape to the Hunstman, the dark forest and then the woman-only settlement. The dwarfs and the fairies, and then finally to the war stuff
fairies coming out of pigeons
I want more of that
fairy land. Overgrown turtles
I guess the mouth-breathing for Kirsten Stewart is a given, but yeah she's not a dealbreaker as I and my mom thought. She shows enough pain and bravado with the call to arms war speech, but still has that one expression. She's not that much in the movie, though. Charlize Theron is easily the best villain of this year. Chris Hensworth is great, as are the dwarfs (Nick Frost, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone lol, Bob Hoskins). There is one scene where they're hiding behind a horse in enemy grounds that is one of the cutest things I've seen.
There is some unfortunate shaky action during the battle bits, but enough cool moments with bows and arrows and James Newton Howard score to tide me over.
Surprise good movie of the year, along with 21 Jump Street.
Moonrise Kingdom
Very disappointing. Certainly not even close to Anderson's best work (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore). The quirk never clicks here and is more self-serving than ever. There's just no excitement. The movie is oddly paced and reliant on flat visual gimmickry that is far too disconnected from story and characters. Clearly, the highlights are the two kids at the center of the plot, but even they can't save a movie that's so bloodless and academically, calculatedly whimsical. There was very little truth in any of the overly stagy performances. And Edward Norton was grossly miscast. I'm not sure what's going on here, but Anderson, whose early work I adored, has really lost me with this one.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
The Skin I Live In
I really dug it. I loved just how morally grey all the characters were. Who is the protagonist and antagonist? Nobody is really clean ethically speaking, but there is definitely a line that is crossed and then some that distinguishes who you sympathize with by the end. It isn't the twist that is interesting (or the focus imo, since you get it at the halfway point), but more how the viewers empathy is twisted from one side of the coin to the other so brilliantly. That last scene was heartbreaking.
Really enjoyed it.
I really dug it. I loved just how morally grey all the characters were. Who is the protagonist and antagonist? Nobody is really clean ethically speaking, but there is definitely a line that is crossed and then some that distinguishes who you sympathize with by the end. It isn't the twist that is interesting (or the focus imo, since you get it at the halfway point), but more how the viewers empathy is twisted from one side of the coin to the other so brilliantly. That last scene was heartbreaking.
Really enjoyed it.
Yesterday I wathced "The Reef" an Australian horror movie.
It's basically open water, but this one is actually scary. It's all about a group of people trying to make it to dry land while a great white is stalking them.
So they basically made a movie about my greatest nightmare, being in the water with a giant shark. The first 3/4 were awesome, but the movie tends toi drag a bit towards the end.
But if you ever enjoyed something like discovery channel's "shark week" you just gotta see this movie.
It's basically open water, but this one is actually scary. It's all about a group of people trying to make it to dry land while a great white is stalking them.
So they basically made a movie about my greatest nightmare, being in the water with a giant shark. The first 3/4 were awesome, but the movie tends toi drag a bit towards the end.
But if you ever enjoyed something like discovery channel's "shark week" you just gotta see this movie.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
You've seen JAWS, right?
Messofanego
Banned
Booked tickets to see special Cosmopolis screening + Q/A with David Cronenberg and Robert Pattinson tonight in London!
£50 Never done something like this before, never been to a Q&A, so hope this goes well. 200 people are coming, I guess lots of crazy Cronenberg fans like me.
£50
Never done something like this before, never been to a Q&A, so hope this goes well. 200 people are coming, I guess lots of crazy Cronenberg fans like me.Booked tickets to see special Cosmopolis screening + Q/A with David Cronenberg and Robert Pattinson tonight in London!
£50
Wow. There's an arthouse theatre here that does this kinda thing quite frequently, but it's never more than just the regular ticket price. £50? That's insane.
.... yes?
But this was an entire different movie. Felt more like a "shouldn't be alive" documentary
Messofanego
Banned
Yeah I'm pretty sure thats the price of red carpet premiere type tickets. Maybe Pattinson tax?
I buckled because I've never seen a famous movie director in person, and that Q and A can give lots of juicy info like Drive's on blu ray.
Just saw Prometheus and I thought it was great. The overall design of things like the suits and the ship are just amazing, the production value is top-notch. In the story you might just get more questions then answers and it uses some typical sci-fi cliche's, but it really doesn't matter. The performances are fine, especially Rapace, and yes, Fassbender are amazing. 8/10
Random notes:
- Charlize Theron; Dat ass.
- The music was great, very atmospheric.
- Best use of 3D since Avatar (granted, I haven't seen much movies in 3D)
Random notes:
- Charlize Theron; Dat ass.
- The music was great, very atmospheric.
- Best use of 3D since Avatar (granted, I haven't seen much movies in 3D)
Not really. I would prefer a God to do it for me. Or a tornado or ice cream truck.
Broseybrose
Member
IMO its one of those 'great for its time, but doesnt hold up too well today' classics.
Nicolas Cage really makes this movie. Watch Face/Off for some more wonderful Cage-ness.
MidnightCowboy
Member
The more The Skin I Live In love, the better. Such an awesome movie. Also looks really good.
The Dictator 4/10
I normally love Sasha Baron Cohen stuff but some of the jokes in this were so bad. Lame youtube comedy channel bad. Some of it was weird too like repeating jokes over and over back to back. It's like they were meant to have one joke but thought "haha, they're all so funny we'll add them all in!" and just ruined it. None of the side characters or cameos were funny and aside from a few funny lines it was the same few jokes repeated across the movie. The pacing and plot felt completely forgotten about too.
I liked the interviews he did as the character far more than the actual movie.
I normally love Sasha Baron Cohen stuff but some of the jokes in this were so bad. Lame youtube comedy channel bad. Some of it was weird too like repeating jokes over and over back to back. It's like they were meant to have one joke but thought "haha, they're all so funny we'll add them all in!" and just ruined it. None of the side characters or cameos were funny and aside from a few funny lines it was the same few jokes repeated across the movie. The pacing and plot felt completely forgotten about too.
I liked the interviews he did as the character far more than the actual movie.
lazybones18
Banned
Battle Royale (Director's Cut)
Much, MUCH better than Hunger Games. Wasted no time at all practically killing everyone off, sometimes in gruesome fashion.
I'll check out the sequel during the weekend
Much, MUCH better than Hunger Games. Wasted no time at all practically killing everyone off, sometimes in gruesome fashion.
And the teacher getting up to answer the phone after being shot so many times like it was nothing...hilarious shit
I'll check out the sequel during the weekend
Broseybrose
Member
I must say The Skin I Live In is one of the more... intriguing movies Ive seen in a while.
Also +1 for Melancholia and Take Shelter - two FANTASTIC films I learned of through this thread.
Also +1 for Melancholia and Take Shelter - two FANTASTIC films I learned of through this thread.
Lumpy Onion
Member
Just saw The Woman in Black (2012). Scariest movie I have seen in years. Just a really good ghost story that gave me quite a few gasps and chills. It's so hard to find ones that don't overdo it and show too much (Amityville remake) or just become stupid (Insidious).
Anyway, I highly recommend it for someone who wants to see a good horror film.
Also saw Mission Impossible III again. I really liked this movie, and was glad I had forgotten 90% of it. It didn't wast any time, and had some cool action scenes. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was great in it as well.
Overall great fun.
Gonna watch MI IV tomorrow and am pretty stoked. Haven't any idea what its about and never even saw the trailer.
Anyway, I highly recommend it for someone who wants to see a good horror film.
Also saw Mission Impossible III again. I really liked this movie, and was glad I had forgotten 90% of it. It didn't wast any time, and had some cool action scenes. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was great in it as well.
Seeing him getting pushed up towards the oncoming truck at the end was a really cool shot...especially when all you see is his shoe falling on the street
Gonna watch MI IV tomorrow and am pretty stoked. Haven't any idea what its about and never even saw the trailer.
I'm sorry for you
Even if Kinji would have been on the helm for the whole production I don't think it would been any better. Screenplay for the movie was just awful and there was no way to salvage it.
Watched Take Shelter, absolutely amazing film. Easily on of the best things I have seen.
Michael Shannon is the shit in this also.
Definitely hits the same notes as Melancolia, just much less grand which I think makes the whole film much more relatable than the pretentious Lars film.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Snow White and the Huntsman
Overall I enjoyed it.......but I was slightly disappointed. It's definitely not a bad movie, but it's nothing amazing too. It's simply good. First off, let’s start with the problems shall we? The movies biggest problem by far is that it’s simply too long for its own good. Like others have said the middle feels bloated and drags on (the whole village scene should have been removed + the prince was a complete useless throwaway character), and the problem is that at times the movie doesn't know what it wants to do and it feels disjointed and struggles to keep you engaged with a few really odd scene transitions, which is a problem because the story is paper thin and you know how it's all going to play out from the opening 30 minutes. The lack of any surprises in the movie also hurts. It’s a very by the book movie in terms of how things unfold. Another problem is the characters and the lack of chemistry between the two leads. I simply didn’t care about any of them besides the evil queen - the rest of them didn't develop enough. I really didn’t think I would say this before seeing the movie, but more humour was needed to break up things a little bit. The queen was easily the standout character, but I have to agree with some when they say at times Charlize was over-acting. At times she goes from scary and menacing to just whinny and annoying. It rarely happens, but sometimes when she yells it seems really forced and it draws you out. Oh and the final confrontation was kinda average - it was way too short.
Now the good. The first 30 minutes were freaking amazing! Seriously awesome stuff! It set up things so well. The queen was great and had some top moments in the beginning - pity she disappears during the middle of the movie. Visually the movie was gorgeous. The dark forest and especially the enchanted forest looked stunning! The poison apple scene was also veeery well done. The special effects, costumes, score, set design and art-direction were all A+. And I was pleasantly surprised by Kristen Stewart’s acting. She was great in this (she was also pretty damn hot) - it's just that the script lets her down here, not her acting. Sure she could have smiled more, but at the same time her more serious representation of Snow White fits the movie (I mean she was locked is a tower for most of her life).
As a whole the movie undeniably has some problems and feels a little disjointed. It’s also about 20 minutes too long for such a basic story. However, some scenes were truly fantastic stuff. The gorgeous imagery and world created here are enough to recommend this. Just don’t go in and expect a super deep and complex movie. Go in with an open mind and you should come out of the theatre feeling good. I’d put this above both Alice in Wonderland and Mirror Mirror. I mean drooling over Charlize Theron is enough to go and see it! From me this gets a nice solid - 3.5/5.
Overall I enjoyed it.......but I was slightly disappointed. It's definitely not a bad movie, but it's nothing amazing too. It's simply good. First off, let’s start with the problems shall we? The movies biggest problem by far is that it’s simply too long for its own good. Like others have said the middle feels bloated and drags on (the whole village scene should have been removed + the prince was a complete useless throwaway character), and the problem is that at times the movie doesn't know what it wants to do and it feels disjointed and struggles to keep you engaged with a few really odd scene transitions, which is a problem because the story is paper thin and you know how it's all going to play out from the opening 30 minutes. The lack of any surprises in the movie also hurts. It’s a very by the book movie in terms of how things unfold. Another problem is the characters and the lack of chemistry between the two leads. I simply didn’t care about any of them besides the evil queen - the rest of them didn't develop enough. I really didn’t think I would say this before seeing the movie, but more humour was needed to break up things a little bit. The queen was easily the standout character, but I have to agree with some when they say at times Charlize was over-acting. At times she goes from scary and menacing to just whinny and annoying. It rarely happens, but sometimes when she yells it seems really forced and it draws you out. Oh and the final confrontation was kinda average - it was way too short.
Now the good. The first 30 minutes were freaking amazing! Seriously awesome stuff! It set up things so well. The queen was great and had some top moments in the beginning - pity she disappears during the middle of the movie. Visually the movie was gorgeous. The dark forest and especially the enchanted forest looked stunning! The poison apple scene was also veeery well done. The special effects, costumes, score, set design and art-direction were all A+. And I was pleasantly surprised by Kristen Stewart’s acting. She was great in this (she was also pretty damn hot) - it's just that the script lets her down here, not her acting. Sure she could have smiled more, but at the same time her more serious representation of Snow White fits the movie (I mean she was locked is a tower for most of her life).
As a whole the movie undeniably has some problems and feels a little disjointed. It’s also about 20 minutes too long for such a basic story. However, some scenes were truly fantastic stuff. The gorgeous imagery and world created here are enough to recommend this. Just don’t go in and expect a super deep and complex movie. Go in with an open mind and you should come out of the theatre feeling good. I’d put this above both Alice in Wonderland and Mirror Mirror. I mean drooling over Charlize Theron is enough to go and see it! From me this gets a nice solid - 3.5/5.
Tarsem's Mirror Mirror is a far better and more enjoyable adaptation of that story (albeit completely different in tone), plus it stars the lovely Lily Collins. The miscasting of Theron and Stewart ruined Huntsman for me, not to mention the overly-serious tone and uneven pacing.
Buckethead
Banned
Piranha 3DD
Terrible. Just terrible.
Calling it a movie is generous.
P3D at least had a decent plot to it, established characters, built tension what have you, but this one is basically an excuse to have boobs and disgusting violence.
At one point a piranha impregnates a girl basically and when a boy has sex with her bites the guys dick off.
It's not cheesy fun like F13 or enjoyably cheesy like Corman's movies. It's just a piece of shit.
If you've seen the trailers, you've pretty much seen the movie.
Whys it so hard to make good bad horror nowadays?
Dries
Member
Piranha 3DD
Terrible. Just terrible.
Calling it a movie is generous.
P3D at least had a decent plot to it, established characters, built tension what have you, but this one is basically an excuse to have boobs and disgusting violence.Gross, no thank you.At one point a piranha impregnates a girl basically and when a boy has sex with her bites the guys dick off.
It's not cheesy fun like F13 or enjoyably cheesy like Corman's movies. It's just a piece of shit.
If you've seen the trailers, you've pretty much seen the movie.
Whys it so hard to make good bad horror nowadays?
That movie poster is just......... no words, man. No words.
WorriedCitizen
Member
Watched New Kids: Nitro this week with some friends.
Always had an appreciation for in your face fecal humor like NK but didn't expect to like this film that much. This was a lot more fucked up then the first film but also better and more enjoyable. Was laughing my ass off constantly. Best way to describe it to people who never heard of New Kids is a sodomized version of The Hangover on crack cocaine vs. Zombieland.
Always had an appreciation for in your face fecal humor like NK but didn't expect to like this film that much. This was a lot more fucked up then the first film but also better and more enjoyable. Was laughing my ass off constantly. Best way to describe it to people who never heard of New Kids is a sodomized version of The Hangover on crack cocaine vs. Zombieland.
Watched all Wes Anderson movies except for the latest. I don't get the love Life Aquatic and Rushmore were fucking great, I don't understand why I haven't seen them earlier but both belong to my top 10 comedies right now. Murray is so fucking awesome in both. Rest of the stuff was just boring and or other vise uninteresting, few good jokes here and there nothing else.
Edit. I have to say I like the directors taste in music, I could make by for awhile with Wes Anderson playlist.
Life Aquatic and Rushmore were fucking great, I don't understand why I haven't seen them earlier but both belong to my top 10 comedies right now. Murray is so fucking awesome in both. Rest of the stuff was just boring and or other vise uninteresting, few good jokes here and there nothing else.Edit. I have to say I like the directors taste in music, I could make by for awhile with Wes Anderson playlist.
Messofanego
Banned
Cosmopolis
"And a rat became the unit of currency."
I loved it, but it won't be for everyone. This is most definitely a midnight movie. It's a challenging and dense movie, not much of a plot, with the focus on lots of talking and long shots. A neo-noir in looks and feel about corporations, capitalism, the future, rats as currency, and a highly philosophical, self-destructive corporate analyst of some clandestine organisation simply called "Complex". I'm not a good writer, so this might be long but should have no spoilers except if you're watching the Q&A I recorded that I link at the end of my post.
From the first shot to the last, you're always following Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) in nearly every scene, so everything's seen from his perspective. It's mostly a single-location movie where Eric talks to random dudes related to his company or any woman in his white stretch cyber-pimped limo, with an huge protest in the background. Oh man, it looks awesome and gets fucked up over the course of the film. If you're a fan of David Mamet and Richard Linklater's works like Before Sunset, Waking Life, Glengarry Glen Ross, and especially Edmond (another great midnight neo-noir), you'll feel comfortable with the pacing. A lot of talking, one-takes, long takes, of people talking about very dense corporate details with not much sense that might go over your head in a first watch (Cronenberg assured it all makes sense with enough rewatches). It feels very much based off a play or novel where incredibly verbose characters pontificate about corporations, the world, and time in weirdly absurd conversations. But it's not a film where all those cinematic techniques are evident or shoved into your face, I just happened to notice he had been talking to a sweaty jogger of a mother who's also Eric's chief of finance while he had his prostate examined in his limo for 6 straight minutes.
Eric Packer is a cold, alienated, and highly self-destructive almost-sociopath who goes on about the philosophy of time, corporations, how the world works, violence, and any other topic. His character reminded me heavily of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in American Psycho, just without all the 90s pop culture and music references. The self-destructive and hedonistic urges of upper class socialites is evident in most Cronenberg movies, and Eric is no different. The dude's bored with the world, disillusioned, and is a thrill seeker just so he can feel real while he spends most of his time in a purgatory-like limo. Like most of these heavy talking movies, the plot is sparse and it's just Eric wants to get to a barber for a haircut which hints that it's an absurd satire/comedy. He's adamant of making the trek in his white cyber limo eternally stuck in New York traffic over a whole day that goes into night instead of just walking across the street which would only take 5 min. It's almost an absurd comedy at times, like having his prostate examined in his limo by his personal doctor while talking to someone, or he and Benno (Paul Giamatti) casually shooting up an apartment and at each other with futuristically inclined guns in the weirdest Mexican standoff. How he's so stubborn about staying in his limo even though some big, distractive "imminent scenario" is about to happen. How funny it is people related to his Complex company just happen to see his limo and jump in for a long convo.
Robert Pattinson is a captivating actor to watch, and the camera is transfixed to his face even when it's cream-pied later on thanks to an anarchist protestor or "pastry assassin" (described by the interviewer) played by Mathieu Amalric (Quantum of Solace, Diving Bell and the Butterfly). There's another famous French actor here with Juliette Binoche (Certified Copy, Three Colors: Blue) playing a higly sexual 41 year old "friend". This is a challenging role for Pattinson, not really for the character he plays of an upper class corporate man, but how he spars against highly experienced, well-known actors in very long single takes or one-shots. Actors just acting a lot in that stage-y way. These actors seem to come and go with not much of an arc between their characters except for a couple, as is the case with most of these heavy talking movies more focused on the journey (Waking Life, Edmond).
It's a bizarre movie, one that will require quite a few rewatches just to get the nuances of the incredibly dense and fast flowing conversations. Cronenberg even recommended it, he's always made thought-provoking movies that require such attention instead of a typical Hollywood movie that's a very sugary one-stop experience with everything tied in a bow. I loved it mostly, and the Q&A was awesome. Also, quite a few sex scenes that have been hinted in the trailers, where at one point there's full frontal nudity with Patricia McKenzie who plays Eric's "6% body fat" bodyguard. If you're into that. Also, the rat protesters reminded me of eXistenZ, and the film works almost as a counter-point to that movie where instead of the anarchists, we're on the side of corporate. I agree with Telegraph's take: "It's a smart inversion of Cronenbergs 1999 film eXistenZ: rather than being umbilically connected to a virtual world, Packer is hermetically sealed off from the real one."
I can see some people not liking the movie just because of the pacing and heavy talking nature of it, but being in love with such midnight stage-y movies like Edmond, or talky Richard Linklater films I was not as confused. The verbose conversations can only have been based off a novel. Samantha Morton as Eric's "Chief of Theory" talks about stuff you won't understand on first watch, and is emblematic of how the film's dialogue gives more than you can handle, which is why I can see Cosmopolis being ripe for rewatchability. It's really an absurd comedy and satire at times with a pretty serious and cool ending scene with Paul Giamatti. People who were expecting Cronenberg's early body horror might be disappointed although there are some choice moments, but the film's definitely in his older speculative techno sci-fi style.
Q&A
I had recorded most of the Q&A (SPOILER LINK), where Cronenberg is a hilarious dude and Pattinson is just a smart, cool person who's goal in acting is really to make viewers frightened of him. Cronenberg goes on about filming adaptations of the most unfilmable novels like Naked Lunch. How he doesn't really choose what types of films to make next, he's spontaneous, when asked why he returned to his earlier style of films here in Cosmopolis. Cronenberg was appreciative of the "very good" reaction of Cannes, even though they didn't laugh at the funny moments. I couldn't have asked for a more in-depth and entertaining Q&A, so thanks Curzon cinema for that. Almost made the Pattinson tax (£50 ticket) worth it. Most of the 200 people really enjoyed it and were receptive like laughing at the right moments. Too bad I didn't get to ask a specific question (I'd ask "Are you ever afraid in having the speculative sci-fi in your movies feel dated?") because I was more in the back but hopefully next time in some future Q&A.
Great experience.
"My prostate's asymmetrical."
"And a rat became the unit of currency."
I loved it, but it won't be for everyone. This is most definitely a midnight movie. It's a challenging and dense movie, not much of a plot, with the focus on lots of talking and long shots. A neo-noir in looks and feel about corporations, capitalism, the future, rats as currency, and a highly philosophical, self-destructive corporate analyst of some clandestine organisation simply called "Complex". I'm not a good writer, so this might be long but should have no spoilers except if you're watching the Q&A I recorded that I link at the end of my post.
From the first shot to the last, you're always following Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) in nearly every scene, so everything's seen from his perspective. It's mostly a single-location movie where Eric talks to random dudes related to his company or any woman in his white stretch cyber-pimped limo, with an huge protest in the background. Oh man, it looks awesome and gets fucked up over the course of the film. If you're a fan of David Mamet and Richard Linklater's works like Before Sunset, Waking Life, Glengarry Glen Ross, and especially Edmond (another great midnight neo-noir), you'll feel comfortable with the pacing. A lot of talking, one-takes, long takes, of people talking about very dense corporate details with not much sense that might go over your head in a first watch (Cronenberg assured it all makes sense with enough rewatches
). It feels very much based off a play or novel where incredibly verbose characters pontificate about corporations, the world, and time in weirdly absurd conversations. But it's not a film where all those cinematic techniques are evident or shoved into your face, I just happened to notice he had been talking to a sweaty jogger of a mother who's also Eric's chief of finance while he had his prostate examined in his limo for 6 straight minutes. Eric Packer is a cold, alienated, and highly self-destructive almost-sociopath who goes on about the philosophy of time, corporations, how the world works, violence, and any other topic. His character reminded me heavily of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in American Psycho, just without all the 90s pop culture and music references. The self-destructive and hedonistic urges of upper class socialites is evident in most Cronenberg movies, and Eric is no different. The dude's bored with the world, disillusioned, and is a thrill seeker just so he can feel real while he spends most of his time in a purgatory-like limo. Like most of these heavy talking movies, the plot is sparse and it's just Eric wants to get to a barber for a haircut which hints that it's an absurd satire/comedy. He's adamant of making the trek in his white cyber limo eternally stuck in New York traffic over a whole day that goes into night instead of just walking across the street which would only take 5 min. It's almost an absurd comedy at times, like having his prostate examined in his limo by his personal doctor while talking to someone, or he and Benno (Paul Giamatti) casually shooting up an apartment and at each other with futuristically inclined guns in the weirdest Mexican standoff. How he's so stubborn about staying in his limo even though some big, distractive "imminent scenario" is about to happen. How funny it is people related to his Complex company just happen to see his limo and jump in for a long convo.
Robert Pattinson is a captivating actor to watch, and the camera is transfixed to his face even when it's cream-pied later on thanks to an anarchist protestor or "pastry assassin" (described by the interviewer) played by Mathieu Amalric (Quantum of Solace, Diving Bell and the Butterfly). There's another famous French actor here with Juliette Binoche (Certified Copy, Three Colors: Blue) playing a higly sexual 41 year old "friend". This is a challenging role for Pattinson, not really for the character he plays of an upper class corporate man, but how he spars against highly experienced, well-known actors in very long single takes or one-shots. Actors just acting a lot in that stage-y way. These actors seem to come and go with not much of an arc between their characters except for a couple, as is the case with most of these heavy talking movies more focused on the journey (Waking Life, Edmond).
It's a bizarre movie, one that will require quite a few rewatches just to get the nuances of the incredibly dense and fast flowing conversations. Cronenberg even recommended it, he's always made thought-provoking movies that require such attention instead of a typical Hollywood movie that's a very sugary one-stop experience with everything tied in a bow. I loved it mostly, and the Q&A was awesome. Also, quite a few sex scenes that have been hinted in the trailers, where at one point there's full frontal nudity with Patricia McKenzie who plays Eric's "6% body fat" bodyguard. If you're into that. Also, the rat protesters reminded me of eXistenZ, and the film works almost as a counter-point to that movie where instead of the anarchists, we're on the side of corporate. I agree with Telegraph's take: "It's a smart inversion of Cronenbergs 1999 film eXistenZ: rather than being umbilically connected to a virtual world, Packer is hermetically sealed off from the real one."
I can see some people not liking the movie just because of the pacing and heavy talking nature of it, but being in love with such midnight stage-y movies like Edmond, or talky Richard Linklater films I was not as confused. The verbose conversations can only have been based off a novel. Samantha Morton as Eric's "Chief of Theory" talks about stuff you won't understand on first watch, and is emblematic of how the film's dialogue gives more than you can handle, which is why I can see Cosmopolis being ripe for rewatchability. It's really an absurd comedy and satire at times with a pretty serious and cool ending scene with Paul Giamatti. People who were expecting Cronenberg's early body horror might be disappointed although there are some choice moments, but the film's definitely in his older speculative techno sci-fi style.
Q&A
I had recorded most of the Q&A (SPOILER LINK), where Cronenberg is a hilarious dude and Pattinson is just a smart, cool person who's goal in acting is really to make viewers frightened of him. Cronenberg goes on about filming adaptations of the most unfilmable novels like Naked Lunch. How he doesn't really choose what types of films to make next, he's spontaneous, when asked why he returned to his earlier style of films here in Cosmopolis. Cronenberg was appreciative of the "very good" reaction of Cannes, even though they didn't laugh at the funny moments. I couldn't have asked for a more in-depth and entertaining Q&A, so thanks Curzon cinema for that. Almost made the Pattinson tax (£50 ticket) worth it
. Most of the 200 people really enjoyed it and were receptive like laughing at the right moments. Too bad I didn't get to ask a specific question (I'd ask "Are you ever afraid in having the speculative sci-fi in your movies feel dated?") because I was more in the back but hopefully next time in some future Q&A. Great experience.
"My prostate's asymmetrical."
Two out of six isn't bad, i guess (2/9 if you count shorts). Rest of the movies ranged from bad to terrible and use of non-original music doesn't buy points with me, so I really don't get the hype.
But you do understand that it doesn't make much sense to "not get the hype" while having two films in your all-time top ten, right? Having two films from one director in your top ten of all movies, ever, would seem to at least say "yeah he's good." Yet you're continuing to say he's not special. contradictory is all
^^You don't see people calling M. Night Shyamalan great or even good director these days 
Even if he has few good films under his belt. Personally I think Wes Anderson makes the best comedies these days. Given that there isn't really that much competition far as I know, what other directors work on comedies these days?
On other news: I decided to go on Western film spree and I started with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. What an awesome ride! It's been decades since I last saw this movie and it's really great, right down there with best of Leon's films. I will probably watch something by John Wayne next, or maybe even that Coen Bro. film that came out few years back.
Even if he has few good films under his belt. Personally I think Wes Anderson makes the best comedies these days. Given that there isn't really that much competition far as I know, what other directors work on comedies these days? On other news: I decided to go on Western film spree and I started with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. What an awesome ride! It's been decades since I last saw this movie and it's really great, right down there with best of Leon's films. I will probably watch something by John Wayne next, or maybe even that Coen Bro. film that came out few years back.
might as well quickly run down stuff I've seen lately
Platoon is sort of rote but decently executed, Man on Wire documents some fascinating people but I think I might have been to tired to pick up on any cohesion, Spartacus is appropriately grand with some fun political games, Woman in Black is fairly boring but the more traditional scares and the depressing ending are somehow refreshing, The Help is tiresome and stuffy and repetitive and not novel but has some outright excellent acting, We Need to Talk About Kevin is thrillingly directed with two excellent leads in Swinton and Reilly (both more important that the title character I think) but has little to say after about the halfway mark, Il Boss is an interesting if odd conclusion to the Milieu Trilogy that doesn't pack the same punch as its predecessors but is just as cooly constructed, The Double Life of Veronique has the stunning cinematography and music of the Colors trilogy and a performance from Irene Jacob worthy of infatuation but didn't seem to stick the landing.
I don't think Scream 2 is nearly as good as the original, but its concept is very admirable. The whole idea to self-consciously double everything of the original is actually pretty cool, especially with stuff like the fact that
Clever enough.
Boogie Nights. Could become an all-time favorite after a few more viewings. Sprawling cast in the vein of Nashville, beautiful and heartbreaking depictions of the workings of self-worth and addiction and sexual expression.
you seriously think it's not ridiculous that two of a persons films could be top 10 but the director can still be called bad? it doesn't make sense. There's middle ground. why not "he's good but not amazing". at least that'd be passable I guess
oh and also I'm still confused at saying that the music in the films is all awesome, but that somehow earns the director zero points. only original music can be a positive?
Platoon is sort of rote but decently executed, Man on Wire documents some fascinating people but I think I might have been to tired to pick up on any cohesion, Spartacus is appropriately grand with some fun political games, Woman in Black is fairly boring but the more traditional scares and the depressing ending are somehow refreshing, The Help is tiresome and stuffy and repetitive and not novel but has some outright excellent acting, We Need to Talk About Kevin is thrillingly directed with two excellent leads in Swinton and Reilly (both more important that the title character I think) but has little to say after about the halfway mark, Il Boss is an interesting if odd conclusion to the Milieu Trilogy that doesn't pack the same punch as its predecessors but is just as cooly constructed, The Double Life of Veronique has the stunning cinematography and music of the Colors trilogy and a performance from Irene Jacob worthy of infatuation but didn't seem to stick the landing.
I don't think Scream 2 is nearly as good as the original, but its concept is very admirable. The whole idea to self-consciously double everything of the original is actually pretty cool, especially with stuff like the fact that
there were originally supposed to be 4 killers, not two.
Boogie Nights. Could become an all-time favorite after a few more viewings. Sprawling cast in the vein of Nashville, beautiful and heartbreaking depictions of the workings of self-worth and addiction and sexual expression.
I don't think many would put the sixth sense and unbreakable in their top tens. so it's not the same. he's not just claiming to like a few of the guy's films while hating others. he's claiming that his films are 20% of the best films he's ever ever seen but the director still isn't good.^^You don't see people calling M. Night Shyamalan great or even good director these days
you seriously think it's not ridiculous that two of a persons films could be top 10 but the director can still be called bad? it doesn't make sense. There's middle ground. why not "he's good but not amazing". at least that'd be passable I guess
oh and also I'm still confused at saying that the music in the films is all awesome, but that somehow earns the director zero points. only original music can be a positive?
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