Support NeoGAF

[Dragoon En Regalia]

I might be even more forgiving than you, Colonel. I've got 43 5-stars at 323 films logged. This means taking a second look at some of those 5-star films to see if they hold up; of course, I've given a bunch of animation shorts the same rating, hence their presence.

My only permanent favorite right now is Richard Rush's The Stunt Man. The rest on my LB profile are probably stand-ins, outside of 2001.

 

[Wilbur]

I don't think there is really necessary to read it to love the film. It's not like there is any background information needed to understand everything (unlike anime movies ).

I have 809 moviesc logged and 47 5/5. I guess I've been much more forgiving. OFOTCN is definitely a 9 for me though.

Oh I agree with you, I guess some people just like to read source material first. But it's not the most unique story; I can't speak for the novel but it's unlikely you'll find better characterisation than what Nicholson does with it, if that makes sense.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

I am very curious what your favorite film is.

I don't have a particular favorite. It usually rotates. I do have a group of movies that are among my favorites.

I really love The 400 Blows, Annie Hall, Taxi Driver, Fantasia, The Third Man and All About Eve, but the list is basically my faves.

If I had to pick one it'd be The 400 Blows.

What are yours?

 

[Wilbur]

I don't have a particular favorite. It usually rotates. I do have a group of movies that are among my favorites.

I really love The 400 Blows, Annie Hall, Taxi Driver, Fantasia and The Third Man.

Haven't seen the first or the last, and not seen Fantasia since I was a kid, but good fucking shout on the other two.

My favourite is The Shining.

 

[Aggrotek]

I might be even more forgiving than you, Colonel. I've got 43 5-stars at 323 films logged. This means taking a second look at some of those 5-star films to see if they hold up; of course, I've given a bunch of animation shorts the same rating, hence their presence.

My only permanent favorite right now is Richard Rush's The Stunt Man. The rest on my LB profile are probably stand-ins, outside of 2001.

What is this LB profile?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I'm still crying from my Spartacus rewatch. Goddamn that Alex North score. So beautiful.

That film's power really does come from its script and score. Douglas isn't anything to write home about, but he's the perfect kind of unpretentious thickheaded everyman that the film required. And Kubrick pretty much sleepwalked through the film, only because he was a director for hire. But goddamn if this film doesn't get me every fucking time.

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

What is this LB profile?

Just my Letterboxd page. I use it and this thread these days.

 

[Wilbur]

I'm still crying from my Spartacus rewatch. Goddamn that Alex North score. So beautiful.

That film's power really does come from its script and score. Douglas isn't anything to write home about, but he's the perfect kind of unpretentious thickheaded everyman that the film required. And Kubrick pretty much sleepwalked through the film, only because he was a director for hire. But goddamn if this film doesn't get me every fucking time.

I got this last Christmas and haven't watched it yet, I was on burnout from Gladiator and Rome.

Is it not identifiably Kubrickian?

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

I'm still crying from my Spartacus rewatch. Goddamn that Alex North score. So beautiful.

That film's power really does come from its script and score. Douglas isn't anything to write home about, but he's the perfect kind of unpretentious thickheaded everyman that the film required. And Kubrick pretty much sleepwalked through the film, only because he was a director for hire. But goddamn if this film doesn't get me every fucking time.

Sounds great. One of my Kubrick films to see.

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

I've gone through Paths of Glory and I'm going to view Champion tomorrow. But this is a Kubrick-Douglas I ought to see sometime soon.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I got this last Christmas and haven't watched it yet, I was on burnout from Gladiator and Rome.

Is it not identifiably Kubrickian?

Sounds great. One of my Kubrick films to see.

Just so long as you don't go in expecting a Kubrick film in the slightest. Any capable director could have sat in the director's chair and you wouldn't know the difference. Kubrick did it as a favor and a paycheck. But it's a beautiful movie and probably my favourite swords and sandals epic.

Spartacus > Ben Hur.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

Just so long as you don't go in expecting a Kubrick film in the slightest. Any capable director could have sat in the director's chair and you wouldn't know the difference. Kubrick did it as a favor and a paycheck. But it's a beautiful movie and probably my favourite swords and sandals epic.

Spartacus > Ben Hur.

That's fine. I know the story that it isn't so much a Kubrick (it's just by name).

 

[Ether_Snake]

Saw Cloud Atlas. The story about the composer could have stood up on its own. I didn't quite understand most of the other stories. But I still enjoyed the movie, the pacing is good even if the movie is very long.

But yeah, I can imagine just this movie about the composer would have gotten nominations left and right.

 

[Fry]

Aliens: It was good, but I think I prefer the first one.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Aliens: It was good, but I think I prefer the first one.

Director's Cut (Special Edition) or not?

 

[Fry]

Director's Cut (Special Edition) or not?

The one you told me to watch (DC).

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

The one you told me to watch (DC).

Good man!

 

[Wilbur]

Aliens: It was good, but I think I prefer the first one.

Yep. Aliens is a very solid action film. Alien is a fucking masterpiece.

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

A bout de souffle (Godard)

Aha! This is the Thunderbird film I've been dreaming to see!

It's a great one, for sure. But what makes it hinders it too. Breathless, as a film, is so giddy with its inventive editing that it jump-cuts in just some of the most inconvenient moments. I can understand why Godard liked using for travel shots and as a quick time-skip device, but there's no reason to chop up a shot's structure when barely any time's passing at all. There's a time when making a movie more self-aware and conveying humorous comments on film form to the audience works—but this didn't do anything for me. I also don't see why the story starts with Michel musing to the viewers: if I feel like I should listen in to his stream of consciousness, then I should hear it more often as a way to connect important sequences in the film and not as an excuse for Godard to say "this film's damn assured". Perhaps he's just such a subversive director and felt the need to convey that, but there's inventive recognition of a medium and then there's inventive, interconnecting tissue to bind it all together.

Breathless does to do best when it's meandering through the plainly mixed streets of Paris, where both the best and the worst mingle with nonchalance all the same. The only act of the movie that drags—and not by much, I might add—is the second of four, wherein Michel and Patricia have a candid roundabout of child-like gaming and casual sex. For them, life flies by without a moment of fresh air to compose themselves. Belmondo's shifty shower-head of a man embraces the unpredictable; Seberg's cautious coastal woman seeks out security; the passive-aggressive couple find themselves separated by their own vanities more so than from physical distance. Godard's biggest success in Breathless isn't so much developing an interesting relationship as it is taking a unique couple and putting them into increasingly hectic scenarios across the city, inevitably ending in a tragic death that both see coming. Yet, for Michel and Patricia, a boring man might as well be a dead man, an observation brought up first by Melville's author character and then realized at the precipice of the two's relationship.

As important as it is, Breathless often recognizes its own humbleness and, thankfully, doesn't put on too much of a cocky presentation. Martial Solal's excellent jazz score contextualizes and stylizes the couple's exploits with Western-influenced brassiness and a French romanticism that lingers in the piano's genteel walk. The venerable Raoul Coutard provides an excellent mix of shaky-but-not-too-shaky cinematography and restrained photography, putting the actors wherever in the frame they ought to be for the desired effect. Ultimately, every Jean in the movie carries his or her performance to its apotheosis; I still don't know any other film that has so many leading Jean roles, and for that I'm grateful. For Breathless in full, I'm quite grateful. It's an interesting take on a doomed pairing that most film-goers can find something of interest in, either as an important "classic" or as a undulating romance.

Joe Bob sez check it out!

****

•

That's all I got today.

 

[Draconian]

I remember watching Spartacus a long time ago. Maybe I need to watch it again though. I certainly don't remember it being anywhere near Ben-Hur's quality.

 

[Fry]

Good man!

You were very good in the movie.

Yep. Aliens is a very solid action film. Alien is a fucking masterpiece.

Yup, I really like Alien. Kind of want to watch it again now.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

It's been so long since I watched either Alien or Aliens. I think I only saw the theatrical version of Aliens (don't know if Alien has one).

 

[Aggrotek]

I have been informed that this Letterboxd site requires an invitation to the beta. If anyone would be so kind as to supply me with a code I would be most grateful!

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I remember watching Spartacus a long time ago. Maybe I need to watch it again though. I certainly don't remember it being anywhere near Ben-Hur's quality.

Ben Hur's last forty minutes really hurts it. When it stops being about Ben Hur and becomes the fixated on Jesus. Up until then, Ben Hur is fantastic. But as a whole, Spartacus wins out for me.

I'll also use this post as an opportunity to get my first barb DeMille barb in for 2013. The Ten Commandments is an overwrought piece of shit.

 

[Draconian]

Ben Hur's last forty minutes really hurts it. When it stops being about Ben Hur and becomes the fixated on Jesus. Up until then, Ben Hur is fantastic. But as a whole, Spartacus wins out for me.

I actually didn't mind them going in that direction. They'd already brought Jesus in at that point with

Spoiler

him saving Judah's life by giving him some water to drink

. It didn't really bother me that the end was

Spoiler

Jesus essentially miraculously doing the same for his mom and sister.

While we're on the subject, Ben-Hur's blu-ray is reference quality. I'm still shocked at how amazing it looks.

 

[Cartman86]

I have been informed that this Letterboxd site requires an invitation to the beta. If anyone would be so kind as to supply me with a code I would be most grateful!

PM me your email.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I actually didn't mind them going in that direction. They'd already brought Jesus in at that point with

Spoiler

him saving Judah's life by giving him some water to drink

. It didn't really bother me that the end was

Spoiler

Jesus essentially miraculously doing the same for his mom and sister.

While we're on the subject, Ben-Hur's blu-ray is reference quality. I'm still shocked at how amazing it looks.

It wasn't the leper stuff or anything that intersected with Judah's narrative. It was when it literally becomes about Jesus - removed from the main story. We have to watch him get beaten and carry the cross and everything.

 

[Femmeworth]

Does anyone have experience with AMC's ETX? Might see Zero Dark Thirty later today and it's being shown with that in addition to a regular screen/setup.

 

[TheKaeptain]

The Hobbit was entertaining. Nothing much past that. Only saw it in 2D too.

 

[creativity]

Ordet

Superbly acted and directed, it doesn't feel like a 50s movie. However, the ending hurt it a little. The film is perfectly made, just that the ending was too fantastical for me.

To a point I saw it as the director's way of saying religion is bogus. I thought that it was showing how religious stubbornness can separate people (coming from a very religious family, I thought it was interesting), but I suppose it would have been very negative had it ended that way.

Spoiler

I liked how Johannes broke down the first time he attempted to resurrect Inger, made me think it was proof of him being just crazy (my problem with the ending is that it validated him). I also liked how Morten refused to accept the relationship with Anne (because of religion), until he found out her father refused the proposal too. It was funny how Morten thought the same as Peter, but agreed due to pride.

I loved the film, just didn't love the ending, but mostly for personal reasons.

I could not disagree more about the ending, which I regard as one of the greatest scenes in all of film history. Whereas a lesser artist would have taken the expeditious route of leaving the religious questions unsettled, allowing the audience to take from it freely according to their own prejudices, Dreyer's genius is to take the Kierkegaardian leap himself, abandoning all reason in the name of cinema, resolving all of the film's narrative concerns in this singularly sublime moment of transcendence. Not only is it a move that is ingeniously well motivated thematically, since as you point out it boldly overturns the substantial evidence the film itself provides, but it is in execution so strangely and inexhaustibly beautiful, carnal, blissful, wonderful, that talented directors have tried to reproduce it endlessly and can only reflect some small portion of Ordet's greatness. Just look at Le Havre from last year, or Silent Light from a few years ago ... transcendental cinema will never repay its debt to Dreyer for this film.

 

[Nyx]

John Dies at the End

Holy shit, what a ride!

9/10

And I'm going to read the book ASAP.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Doing some more research about Alex North, I had no idea that he did a score for 2001 that Kubrick discarded! Holy fuck I would give my left testicle to hear it.

 

[Emwitus]

Zero dark thirty -

Spoiler

The movie was just an expanded version of homeland to me. I don't see how and why this movie would get so much recognition by movie critics. Though the final scene was amazing.....really well done.

Grade B+ Because i love me some espionage thrillers.

 

[StuBurns]

Hello Gents, I was wondering if people could recommend me some excellent shorts. I realized I've seen almost none of them. I imagine the big issue is accessibility, but if anyone knows of any good ones I can watch relatively easily/cheaply, please suggest them.

 

[BaronLundi]

Hello Gents, I was wondering if people could recommend me some excellent shorts. I realized I've seen almost none of them. I imagine the big issue is accessibility, but if anyone knows of any good ones I can watch relatively easily/cheaply, please suggest them.

First thing that comes to mind is : la Jetée ?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Hello Gents, I was wondering if people could recommend me some excellent shorts. I realized I've seen almost none of them. I imagine the big issue is accessibility, but if anyone knows of any good ones I can watch relatively easily/cheaply, please suggest them.

Animated, but my first thought is Destino (2003).

 

[mxgt]

Glengarry Glen Ross - Watched this the other day, thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably one of my favourite Pacino performances. Also Jack Lemmon confirmed for robbed of an Academy Award, he played the desperate salesman so well.

 

[strafer]

Glengarry Glen Ross - Watched this the other day, thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably one of my favourite Pacino performances. Also Jack Lemmon confirmed for robbed of an Academy Award, he played the desperate salesman so well.

You stupid fucking cunt.

 

[Pachterballs]

Rock of Ages.

lasted about 30 minutes. Awfulness.

You stupid fucking cunt.

what is up with this sort of posts?

 

[strafer]

Rock of Ages.

lasted about 30 minutes. Awfulness.





what is up with this sort of posts?

Relax. It's a quote from the movie dude.

 

[StuBurns]

First thing that comes to mind is : la Jetée ?

Animated, but my first thought is Destino (2003).

Thanks chaps, I shall check out both.

 

[mxgt]

You stupid fucking cunt.

Who ever told you you could work with men?

You fairy. You company man.

 

[WeaponJohnnyX]

Monsters Inc 3D

It's a good movie and I've seen it many times since its first theatrical release, I was pleasantly surprised to see it in 3D. If you've got some extra cash I'd recommend it, but if you aren't big on 3D movies its nothing to shake a stick at.

8/10

 

[Illithid Dude]

It'll only grow on you as well. Next time you watch it, it'll be even better. Fucking great film.

I've seen it twelve times and it gets funnier every time. Hell, just look at my avatar.

Anyways, just watched Charade. I loved it. Surprisingly funny, dynamically shot (which always surprised me in older movies), graphically violent, and not dated at all. And it helped that my best friends grandfather directed it.

 

[Buckethead]

The Beaver

Fucking awesome movie. Really enjoyed it.

I hate teen romances though. They always have forced awkwardness and overly cutesy dialogue. Ugh.
Easily the worst thing about this movie. It was tied to character though so perhaps I should bitch less.

And yes, Jennifer Lawrence is lovely.

 

[sefskillz]

A bout de souffle (Godard)

Its kind of funny, the issues you had with the film are some of the things I love the most. The 'child like gaming' scenes you mentioned drag a bit are some of my favorites. I can't watch that section without a giant smile on my face.

Out of curiosity, what other Godard have you seen? I'd really be interested in hearing your thoughts again if/when you revisit the film.

 

[red731]

Cowboys & Aliens - funny entertaining movie. It's like James Bond and Co. in the wild west plus Olivia is pretty Wilde.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

I could not disagree more about the ending, which I regard as one of the greatest scenes in all of film history. Whereas a lesser artist would have taken the expeditious route of leaving the religious questions unsettled, allowing the audience to take from it freely according to their own prejudices, Dreyer's genius is to take the Kierkegaardian leap himself, abandoning all reason in the name of cinema, resolving all of the film's narrative concerns in this singularly sublime moment of transcendence. Not only is it a move that is ingeniously well motivated thematically, since as you point out it boldly overturns the substantial evidence the film itself provides, but it is in execution so strangely and inexhaustibly beautiful, carnal, blissful, wonderful, that talented directors have tried to reproduce it endlessly and can only reflect some small portion of Ordet's greatness. Just look at Le Havre from last year, or Silent Light from a few years ago ... transcendental cinema will never repay its debt to Dreyer for this film.

The scene is well done, I didn't say it wasn't. The film is fantastic overall. I just didn't like the ending as much probably because of expectations I'd set up and personal believes. The execution was excellent, it's the concept I didn't like. The film did build up to it though.

 

[twilitesparklemotion]

Looper is gud.

 

[silentcapybara]

Recently saw The Master. One of the most affecting films that I've seen in a good long time. The scene where Hoffman tells Phoenix not to blink was excruciating to watch. Currently going back to the previous thread and reading everyone's impressions on the film. Marathoning Kar Wai Wong's films, next, thanks to the loads of suggestions in this thread.

I had just updated my icheckmovies, only to see that most everyone is using letterboxd now. If anyone has a spare beta code and would be so kind, I'd greatly appreciate it.