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Movies You've Seen Recently III: The Third Chapter
- Thread starter AlternativeUlster
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I've been wanting to see this ever since it came out. Glad I finally did. I don't know how many Joy Division and/or New Order fans there are out there, but they're two of my favorite bands. I thought Sam Riley did a fantastic job capturing Ian's stage presence. There were some excellent scenes as well, great cinematography. My family has a history of depression so watching it with my dad was pretty special. Recommended. The last few shots were excellent.
A Human Becoming
More than a Member
Argo - A problem I had going into the movie blind is having seen ONE poster for it I imagined it to be an action film, which it is not whatsoever. While the subject matter wasn't too interesting to me, additionally so because it was over rescuing the diplomats who evaded capture instead of the hostages, it was still a tale worth telling. I can't feel particularly close to the subject matter either because I wasn't alive when the event occurred.
While I think Ben Affleck did a superb job creating the setting, there were some general story beats that bothered me. The most being the additional unnecessary tension added. The the first being when the man at the market got angry for the woman taking the picture and the Iranians chasing the plane with a jeep and cop car. "What was the point of THAT?" were the words emitted from my month once the plane easily left the ground. I didn't see why they didn't try shooting the plane tires or SOMETHING productive. My friend's reasoning was that they expected the plane to stop, which left me wondering if the Iranian revolutionaries actually had control over the airport or not. For such tight security you think they would have been able to stop the plane without the dramatic soldiers running and pushing people as the plane slowly took off. They also added tension by including a single dissenting voice, who I referred to as a "little dickhead", against the charade. The plan was made by a CIA agent for fucks sake and if the little dickhead had a better plan he would have done it already. Normally adding a character flaw such as his selfishness would be good but in this case it was ruined by being so obviously forced in as the other diplomats had no substantial character. Even when they were pulled over by security he was the only one who did anything. Now being read up about the Canadian Caper, it's clear to me they could have added tension in other ways. I think the choice they made was the easier method.
Also, ugh at the handshake stare at the end between the little dickhead and Ben Affleck's character. It rubbed me the wrong way because of how much of a little dickhead he was. Sometimes words of apology aren't needed, but in the case it was.
While I think Ben Affleck did a superb job creating the setting, there were some general story beats that bothered me. The most being the additional unnecessary tension added. The the first being when the man at the market got angry for the woman taking the picture and the Iranians chasing the plane with a jeep and cop car. "What was the point of THAT?" were the words emitted from my month once the plane easily left the ground. I didn't see why they didn't try shooting the plane tires or SOMETHING productive. My friend's reasoning was that they expected the plane to stop, which left me wondering if the Iranian revolutionaries actually had control over the airport or not. For such tight security you think they would have been able to stop the plane without the dramatic soldiers running and pushing people as the plane slowly took off. They also added tension by including a single dissenting voice, who I referred to as a "little dickhead", against the charade. The plan was made by a CIA agent for fucks sake and if the little dickhead had a better plan he would have done it already. Normally adding a character flaw such as his selfishness would be good but in this case it was ruined by being so obviously forced in as the other diplomats had no substantial character. Even when they were pulled over by security he was the only one who did anything. Now being read up about the Canadian Caper, it's clear to me they could have added tension in other ways. I think the choice they made was the easier method.
Also, ugh at the handshake stare at the end between the little dickhead and Ben Affleck's character. It rubbed me the wrong way because of how much of a little dickhead he was. Sometimes words of apology aren't needed, but in the case it was.
Buckethead
Banned
Django Unchained
I really liked it and wish that there was more of it.
It's simultaneously more of a slow burn and more choppy than other Tarantino films.
Regardless, it's still quite excellent.
The intercutting of the abuse of slaves was really powerful. Not many films do that and you could argue that Tarantino didn't push it far enough.
I liked Inglorious Basterds more than this film but it was still damn good.
I really liked it and wish that there was more of it.
It's simultaneously more of a slow burn and more choppy than other Tarantino films.
Regardless, it's still quite excellent.
The intercutting of the abuse of slaves was really powerful. Not many films do that and you could argue that Tarantino didn't push it far enough.
I liked Inglorious Basterds more than this film but it was still damn good.
Thanks, I shall go see Amour tomorrow.
Frustrated_Grunt
Member
Been a while since I posted, let me remember the first-time watches I've had this recently:
The King's Speech - Fun movie, even if it didn't surprise me in any way. Colin Firth was great in portraying King George, even if it was exaggerated. 8/10
Seven Samurai - Absolutely loved this. All the characters felt well-developed and unique, it had great pacing, and was just plain entertaining. 10/10
Eraserhead - It didn't freak me out as much as people told me I would, but I was still impressed by the nightmarish atmosphere the film had. The intro really stood out the most for me. 9/10
Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Saw this for the first time just a couple of hours ago. Can see why people see this as a definitive action movie. Just well shot and a blast from beginning to end. 9/10
The King's Speech - Fun movie, even if it didn't surprise me in any way. Colin Firth was great in portraying King George, even if it was exaggerated. 8/10
Seven Samurai - Absolutely loved this. All the characters felt well-developed and unique, it had great pacing, and was just plain entertaining. 10/10
Eraserhead - It didn't freak me out as much as people told me I would, but I was still impressed by the nightmarish atmosphere the film had. The intro really stood out the most for me. 9/10
Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Saw this for the first time just a couple of hours ago. Can see why people see this as a definitive action movie. Just well shot and a blast from beginning to end. 9/10
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Saw Thunderball. Not as fun as Goldfinger, but still very entertaining. Watching these first Bond movies gives a whole new meaning to the Austin Powers movies.
xXBetter Off DadXx
Member
Absolutely agree, fantastic stuff.
In stark contrast I saw A Good Day to Die Hard today........thought it was terrible.
Who would have thought that teaming up John Moore, director of the fantastic Max Payne, and Skip Woods, writer of the equally fantastic X-Men Origins: Wolverine, would end up so, so horribly?
Expendable.
Member
Cabaret and My Fair Lady - two solid musicals with great songs, glad I watched both. The former is a little different then what I expected, while the latter is pretty much what I did.
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - finally finished this 15-hour doc. It's a great overview and a must-watch for anyone just getting into film.
The Pleasure Garden, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, The Ring - working my way through Hitchock, so began with his first three silent films. I liked each one more than the last and it's great to see his style emerge so early on his career. The climax of The Ring is great.
Searching For Sugar Man - A simply incredible story, but much of the weight is taken out if you know the outcome. Still, the cathartic moments are wonderful.
EDIT: Are my eyes bugging out or are your own posts now highlighted in light blue?
EDIT #2: Doh, I see the thread now. Cool.
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - finally finished this 15-hour doc. It's a great overview and a must-watch for anyone just getting into film.
The Pleasure Garden, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, The Ring - working my way through Hitchock, so began with his first three silent films. I liked each one more than the last and it's great to see his style emerge so early on his career. The climax of The Ring is great.
Searching For Sugar Man - A simply incredible story, but much of the weight is taken out if you know the outcome. Still, the cathartic moments are wonderful.
EDIT: Are my eyes bugging out or are your own posts now highlighted in light blue?
EDIT #2: Doh, I see the thread now. Cool.
Thug Waffle
Member
This is really, really good. I've been going through it on Netflix for a few weeks now. Good replay value, too. I just wish the narrator didn't sound so somber all the time.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Saw Wedding Crashers. Over indulgent near the end and pushed things a bit too much. Some moments were hit and miss and bordered on Sandler territory (Ferrel was unbearable), but the movie made me laugh more than a couple times. I ended up enjoying it way more than I expected.
MidnightCowboy
Member
It's been years since I saw Wedding Crashers, but Ferrell was one of my favorite parts if only because the idea of funeral crashing is so funny.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
The idea is funny, the guy not so much.
Aguirre: The Wrath of God
Incredible. Everything about this felt so authentic. I really don't think the movie could have ended any other way.
I'm also convinced Klaus Kinski was actually insane
Incredible. Everything about this felt so authentic. I really don't think the movie could have ended any other way.
I'm also convinced Klaus Kinski was actually insane
Just wait for the next film (You Only Live Twice). It's *the* seminal film with respect to Mike Myers' Austin Powers creation.
No but I'm way jealous of people who are. Library looks great already.
Extra Sauce
Member
I finally watched every Mad Max movie:
- The first one I don't remember all that clearly, it's been about two years. As I recall, it got me excited for the sequel more than anything else.
- Road Warrior is a badass action flick with crazy stunts and awesome visuals, though perhaps not quite the masterpiece I was promised.
- For the first 40 minutes of Beyond Thunderdome, I kept thinking "this is better than Road Warrior, why did no one ever told me that?" The universe was more well-defined, the story more interesting... then came the rest of the movie.
- The first one I don't remember all that clearly, it's been about two years. As I recall, it got me excited for the sequel more than anything else.
- Road Warrior is a badass action flick with crazy stunts and awesome visuals, though perhaps not quite the masterpiece I was promised.
- For the first 40 minutes of Beyond Thunderdome, I kept thinking "this is better than Road Warrior, why did no one ever told me that?" The universe was more well-defined, the story more interesting... then came the rest of the movie.
Secret Fawful
Member
Pulp Fiction - 5 Stars
I rated it five stars out of peer pressure. It's extremely well made, it's very well written, it's a lot of fun, but it's not even close to my favorite Tarantino film. I must be mad. I know...KNOW I'm wrong somehow....that I shouldn't feel this way and I should be jumping onto the ground on my knees to praise this movie like everyone else does....but I just can't.
For one...the dialogue doesn't feel real to me at all. Some of the actors feel natural, and then others just don't. It feels like I'm watching a play, actually. Not a movie. I feel like I'm watching actors perform stories. And that fits with the theme, sure, but it's jarring to me, especially since I tend to feel like the actors Tarantino picks are natural. I know I must be wrong on this...SOMEHOW....but this is a first impression.
I'm not out to try to pull this movie down a peg or any shit like that....this is just how I ultimately felt. Really, the movie is so well made and so iconic that my saying this is meaningless....but this is a topic for discussion....so...I guess I'll discuss.
I rated it five stars out of peer pressure. It's extremely well made, it's very well written, it's a lot of fun, but it's not even close to my favorite Tarantino film. I must be mad. I know...KNOW I'm wrong somehow....that I shouldn't feel this way and I should be jumping onto the ground on my knees to praise this movie like everyone else does....but I just can't.
For one...the dialogue doesn't feel real to me at all. Some of the actors feel natural, and then others just don't. It feels like I'm watching a play, actually. Not a movie. I feel like I'm watching actors perform stories. And that fits with the theme, sure, but it's jarring to me, especially since I tend to feel like the actors Tarantino picks are natural. I know I must be wrong on this...SOMEHOW....but this is a first impression.
I'm not out to try to pull this movie down a peg or any shit like that....this is just how I ultimately felt. Really, the movie is so well made and so iconic that my saying this is meaningless....but this is a topic for discussion....so...I guess I'll discuss.
Nappuccino
Member
Tried, repeat, tried to watch Hobo With a Shotgun.
But the whole movie was super grating to me and I just fast forwarded to the end.
I don't feel like I missed much.
But the whole movie was super grating to me and I just fast forwarded to the end.
I don't feel like I missed much.
Secret Window - Ah, so this is where Alan Wake got its inspiration (besides Twin Peaks). Decent movie, not a fan of Depp. ***
Dawn of the Dead DC - ****
Oldeuboi - ****
Alien DC - *****
Aliens EE - *****
Both five stars because of peer pressure. I played (the incredible crappy) Aliens: Colonial Marines and was put in the mood for some Alien(s) so yeah.
edit: all rewatches besides SW
Dawn of the Dead DC - ****
Oldeuboi - ****
Alien DC - *****
Aliens EE - *****
Both five stars because of peer pressure. I played (the incredible crappy) Aliens: Colonial Marines and was put in the mood for some Alien(s) so yeah.
edit: all rewatches besides SW
Buckethead
Banned
People with taste.
Saw it 13 years ago, never again.
Pulp Fiction - 5 Stars
I rated it five stars out of peer pressure. It's extremely well made, it's very well written, it's a lot of fun, but it's not even close to my favorite Tarantino film. I must be mad. I know...KNOW I'm wrong somehow....that I shouldn't feel this way and I should be jumping onto the ground on my knees to praise this movie like everyone else does....but I just can't.
For one...the dialogue doesn't feel real to me at all. Some of the actors feel natural, and then others just don't. It feels like I'm watching a play, actually. Not a movie. I feel like I'm watching actors perform stories. And that fits with the theme, sure, but it's jarring to me, especially since I tend to feel like the actors Tarantino picks are natural. I know I must be wrong on this...SOMEHOW....but this is a first impression.
I'm not out to try to pull this movie down a peg or any shit like that....this is just how I ultimately felt. Really, the movie is so well made and so iconic that my saying this is meaningless....but this is a topic for discussion....so...I guess I'll discuss.
...why are people rating stuff five stars out of peer pressure? Is that a thing now? Are people in here beating others up? I'll call the superintendent.
gah and don't do this! I myself don't really get quitting a movie once you're already into it, but it makes way more sense to do that than to skip to the end. that's just vandalistic viewing
Nappuccino
Member
If i'm never going to sit down and watch it again, I don't see what the harm is.
Notice I didn't give it a "proper" rating either.
It certainly wasn't a movie of grand skill or delicate story beats. Skipping violence and garish coloring/cinematography to see what happens in a b-movie with no more plot than "Those guys are bad, Hobo's gonna kill them whatever the costs" is not a big deal.
Now, If I said I did this with The Godfather or 8 1/2 or Memento or even something like Hot Fuzz, I'd totally understand your reaction.
the harm is that you didn't just not watch it, which again is whatever, but you intentionally watched parts of it "wrong".
edit: and distinguishing between what needs to be seen of a film based on prestige just means you're pre-judging and sorting into categories instead far ahead of time rather than meeting a film halfway. can't compartmentalize that far.
Nappuccino
Member
Then they should have made the movie "right"
ViewtifulJC
Banned
peer pressure ratings, now I've seen it all
just do like Borgnine and give it what you feel. That guy watched like 4-5 Hitchcock films and was like, "Fuck this dude" and bounced. He didn't feel like he HAD to like it. Swoon won't swoop down from his nest made of french Criterion Collection DVDs and kick your ass for your opinion on a movie.
just do like Borgnine and give it what you feel. That guy watched like 4-5 Hitchcock films and was like, "Fuck this dude" and bounced. He didn't feel like he HAD to like it. Swoon won't swoop down from his nest made of french Criterion Collection DVDs and kick your ass for your opinion on a movie.
heh, see and now you are passing judgement! when you haven't really seen the film. which is what your one post said you wouldn't do. Like I said I'm whatever about people getting halfway and saying "this isn't for me" but skipping to the end and then saying "this is bad" is bonkers
Nappuccino
Member
No, the parts that I saw were bad which lead me to skipping to the end. I was fine with the ending and what not in theory, but the movie just tried too damn hard (yes, I know it was a b-movie, but it wasn't an enjoyable experience, nor was it shocking and disturbing for the sake of a good story or art like I Saw the Devil) it just went out of its way to make me not like the movie for the first hour and 10 min. I literally skipped maybe 20 min, if that.
But, I'm not giving it a rating, just my impressions and explanation for why I skipped to the end, which is quite different to my mind.
Secret Fawful
Member
I enjoyed a lot of aspects of Hobo, but it started to make me feel physically ill after a while.
Nappuccino
Member
Yep- that was part of what got me.
SlowRevolution
Member
Rachel Getting Married: Incredible. Hathaway deserved the Oscar, even after seeing Les Mis I wouldn't have expected her to be able to give a performance like she gave in this. Sometimes it was uncomfortable how real it got, but everything worked. Loved the band.
I'd say a rating is different from impressions in that impressions mean a hell of a lot more than a couple stars on a screen. they're actual opinions and not quantities.
You're not going to convince me that skipping around in a movie is fine, a film is a singular experience and all that.
this can be the point of a film. this is the point of many films.
134) A good day to die hard 2013
Not nearly as bad as some said, but clearly the worst of the franchise. Please stop making them.
135)Nashville 1975
Netflix needs better copies of this movie, my first was a spider nest of cracks and this one had a decent scratch mark ffs. Decent movie though.
136) The Life of David Gale 2003
Decent movie, would of been better if it wasnt so obvious Spacey was involved in some way.
137) The Friends of Eddie Coycle 1973
Snitches get stitches
138) Slap Shot 3 2009
Man they made the hanson brothers are bitches and zen like in this. Thats not their style its crazy ass loonies! Pretty bad even by direct to dvd standards.
138 total movies
89 new watches
49 rewatches
Not nearly as bad as some said, but clearly the worst of the franchise. Please stop making them.
135)Nashville 1975
Netflix needs better copies of this movie, my first was a spider nest of cracks and this one had a decent scratch mark ffs. Decent movie though.
136) The Life of David Gale 2003
Decent movie, would of been better if it wasnt so obvious Spacey was involved in some way.
137) The Friends of Eddie Coycle 1973
Snitches get stitches
or a bullet to back of your head while you're passed out 
138) Slap Shot 3 2009
Man they made the hanson brothers are bitches and zen like in this. Thats not their style its crazy ass loonies! Pretty bad even by direct to dvd standards.
138 total movies
89 new watches
49 rewatches
Nappuccino
Member
And you're not going to convince me it isn't ok to do so on occasion. What is worse, me stopping the movie and googling the end on wikipedia or skipping just a few short min to see the ending?
Again, this was Hobo With a Shotgun we're talking about here. It wasn't exactly master-class film-making (which, to be clear, doesn't make it a bad movie).
the best movie, you mean. it don't worry me, it don't worry me...
those are both bad lol
and I already addressed that: holding different films to different standards based solely on external factors is pre-judging
Nappuccino
Member
And you seem to forgot that I saw a substantial amount of the film. I didn't skip to the end after five min. The only thing I missed was a scene where violence continues the way it continued through the whole movie.
I went into it fully expecting a brutal and bloody exploitative film, and it was that. But after 70 min (of an 86 min movie[and boy did it feel longer than that, I assumed I skipped more of it than I did]) I was just done.
Messofanego
Banned
I still haven't seen this even though am a fan of LVT, but your post convinced me. I need some "emotionally wrenching shit".
Secret Fawful
Member
I know. I mean, shit, I watched Singapore Sling.
I don't think you're wrong on this, but for me the movie has become more enjoyable on repeat viewings. The first time I saw it I wasn't blown away by Pulp Fiction, whereas I really liked Jackie Brown and Kill Bill Vol. 1. I haven't rewatched the former, but Kill Bill isn't quite as enjoyable for me now, whereas Pulp Fiction gets better each time. Some of the awkward scenes aren't as bothersome now as they were the first time, especially the early scenes with Jules and Vincent.
A Human Becoming
More than a Member
I thought the band was really overplayed. The wedding presentation felt unorthodox to coincide with the unusual state of Hathaway's character instead of being instrumental (bad pun) to the plot if that makes sense. It's hard to describe what I mean but I look at how weddings are portrayed in something like Wedding Crashers in relation to the story and don't think it fits in RGM.
While this true I still think it's bad.
SlowRevolution
Member
I thought the band was really overplayed. The wedding presentation felt unorthodox to coincide with the unusual state of Hathaway's character instead of being instrumental (bad pun) to the plot if that makes sense. It's hard to describe what I mean but I look at how weddings are portrayed in something like Wedding Crashers in relation to the story and don't think it fits in RGM.
While this true I still think it's bad.
Yeah I think I see what you mean, but for me it helped lighten the mood a little. With a traditional soundtrack playing the movie might have gotten a little too depressing; the band + the camerawork helped it seem more like you were watching a trainwreck home video, and it made it more relatable and less like a movie (even though the band definitely got over the top at certain points).
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
I Saw Seven Samurai. Worth every bit of praise it gets. Mifune was simply fantastic. 10/10
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I don't get that peer pressure rating lol. Sounds silly.
About Pulp Fiction, to me it's one of those movies that only get better on a rewatch. Mia and Vincent were very natural. The noir section is the one that sticks out the most, but still pretty good. I didn't like the movie as much as I do now when I first saw it.
Edit: Is The Magnificent Seven worth watching?
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I don't get that peer pressure rating lol. Sounds silly.
About Pulp Fiction, to me it's one of those movies that only get better on a rewatch. Mia and Vincent were very natural. The noir section is the one that sticks out the most, but still pretty good. I didn't like the movie as much as I do now when I first saw it.
Edit: Is The Magnificent Seven worth watching?
A Good Day To Die Hard. I have a bad habit of seeing some movies before I even check the review scores or hear any opinions. Never again, this was the worst piece of shit I've ever seen in a cinema. And I generally enjoy bad movies, good for a laugh or two. But this worthless excuse for a movie is the perfect mix - DEFINITELY not good enough to be considered mediocre, and just a tad above the level that would have made it enjoyably bad.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS, IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING GOING FOR IT TO THE CINEMA I REALLY HOPE I'VE JUST SAVED YOU A FEW QUID.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS, IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING GOING FOR IT TO THE CINEMA I REALLY HOPE I'VE JUST SAVED YOU A FEW QUID.
Jables Swan
Member
The Dark Knight Returns Parts 1 & 2
Great adaption and probably the best animated superhero movie(s).
Great adaption and probably the best animated superhero movie(s).
I thought the 1st part was good and the 2nd part was awesome...but overall, I'd say Under the Red Hood is the best. The Hulk vs. mini-movies for shear entertainment value are up there.
Jables Swan
Member
Under the Red Hood is great too.
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