Support NeoGAF

[Fallout-NL]

I think they do explain that actually.

Spoiler

The type of wounds caused by gunshots would not have been as easy to explain as the dogs fucking them up as a result of trespassing (which is what you see them do to the corpses later in the film).

 

[lordxar]

I think they do explain that actually.

Spoiler

The type of wounds caused by gunshots would not have been as easy to explain as the dogs fucking them up as a result of trespassing (which is what you see them do to the corpses later in the film).

I vaguely remember that. I should watch that again soon actually. It was another I blind bought so I may as well get some mileage out of it. Might be better on a rewatch. I did like it for the most part.

 

[Expendable.]

Top 5 First Views in September:

5) The Headless Woman
4) Written on the Wind
3) Monsieur Verdoux
2) Bigger Than Life
1) Claire's Knee

Honorable mentions: Fire Walk With Me, Neruda, Sully, Right Now, Wrong Then, Ulzana's Raid, White Material, I Am a Fugitive from the Chain Gang, The Age of Shadows, Arrival, Voyage of Time (IMAX), Mikey and Nicky, Dersu Uzala, Moonlight, Elle, The Salesman.

Also, just put up this month's to-see thread!

15 Films to See in October (what are you watching?)

 

[Toothless]

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is at its best when we're not at the titular home. Burton's fascination with the terror of the mundane has always been one of his best attributes, and although this rarely goes anywhere new, it still leads to a lot of humor and intriguing shots. It also helps that the modern world has a much better cast than the peculiar one, the latter of which is only brightened by some Samuel L. Jackson ham and a bizarre Judi Dench cameo. The scenes in the home are forgettable and lack any magic Burton is clearly attempting to bring, outside of a short stop-motion segment. It's only when the third act arrives when an actually exciting setpiece occurs, mainly thanks to the sheer oddness of what actually occurs. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is perfectly watchable, but that's all it is, which feels like a colossal disappointment.

And of course, I rewatched Mean Girls last night. Probably the only modern movie where I know there's an actual date to watch it on, Mean Girls is a spectacular modern comedy. It's consistently hilarious thanks to Tina Fey's tight script and the ensemble that features many talented actors who became much more famous later on their life. Of special mention is Rachel McAdams, whose Regina George might be the most iconic teen movie villain. One aspect of Mean Girls that is rarely talked about is the direction, which is at points invisible but also subtly influences the jokes through weird camera angles or knowing just how long to hold a shot. A couple of the funniest jokes in the movies are just belated reaction shots from characters in the background. Mean Girls is just a really great comedy with loads of wit. It's a shame that it's the last great film in the teen high school comedy subgenre, but hey, what a way to go out.

 

[big ander]

Mean Girls is just a really great comedy with loads of wit. It's a shame that it's the last great film in the teen high school comedy subgenre, but hey, what a way to go out.

Easy A's close to as good probably (I don't think either is fantastic, though I definitely am more partial to Mean Girls just based on how old I was when it came out)

Wasn't that Hailee Steinfeld h.s. comedy at TIFF supposed to be pretty good? The Edge of Seventeen. Maybe it'll end the drought

 

[Androidsleeps]

Naked Lunch (1991)

This is technically a re-watch, I remember being blown away by the sheer bizarre-ness of this film when I saw it for the first time. I think this was my second Cronenberg experience after The Fly (which doesn't come close to how crazy this one is).

Based on the work(s) of William Burroughs, and starring Peter Weller and Judy Davis, who both deliver great performances, especially Weller. It's really hard to describe the plot of this film...it's very Lynchian, but it has enough content to make it more enjoyable for the average viewer than the hardcore Lynch film, IMO. Cronenberg does a great job re-imagining 1950s Morocco, along with his crazy Cronenberg creatures, and it all somehow blends well with the jazz score.

I haven't watched all of Cronenberg's catalog, but I would certainly rank Naked Lunch in his top-tier. I'd say if you enjoyed Fear & Loathing, give this one a watch; it's crazier...and better.

 

[lordxar]

Naked Lunch (1991) I'd say if you enjoyed Fear & Loathing, give this one a watch; it's crazier...and better.

Now that is a statement that makes me want to watch Naked Lunch.

Don't Torture A Duckling. I thought this looked kind of stupid by the description and the kind of shitty doll in the movie poster but holy shit was this a masterpiece. The story was pretty damn good and aside from some slightly obvious dolls for kids this was a really good movie. Highly recommend this.

 

[big ander]

Right now I'd call Naked Lunch mid-tier Cronenberg, tbh. Absolutely amazing score, agreed there. But when I saw it a couple years ago I was more detachedly impressed with its existence, with how Cronenberg had adapted an unadaptable source novel, than I was actively in awe. At that time I'd just started the book and never finished it, last week I picked it back up and am a solid 60% in and was planning to rewatch after reading. So maybe my coolness toward it will change some—enough to put it on the level of The Brood and Dead Ringers and Videodrome, I dunno.

 

[Fancy Clown]

The Wailing...holy shit. Might have topped the witch for my favorite this year. I've gotta sleep on it though before I post my full impressions though, there's a shitload to unpack. It was really good for all of it, and then cranked it up to 11 during the finale. That was some haunting shit my friends.

 

[Net_Wrecker]

The Wailing...holy shit. Might have topped the witch for my favorite this year. I've gotta sleep on it though before I post my full impressions though, there's a shitload to unpack. It was really good for all of it, and then cranked it up to 11 during the finale. That was some haunting shit my friends.

I don't think it topped The Witch for me because I love how The Witch spirals into its despair with such a slow burn menace (and the

Spoiler

Black Phillip devil "reveal"

is such a great scene), but my God does The Wailing just go for it.

 

[Discotheque]

Gotta check out wailing soon

Manchester by the Sea

Give casey affleck the Oscar. It's a wrap.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

f u c k y o u
u
c
k
y
o
u

 

[UberTag]

Gotta check out wailing soon

Manchester by the Sea

Give casey affleck the Oscar. It's a wrap.

It's not like he has much in the way of competition this year aside from Denzel.

 

[Fancy Clown]

I don't think it topped The Witch for me because I love how The Witch spirals into its despair with such a slow burn menace (and the

Spoiler

Black Phillip devil "reveal"

is such a great scene), but my God does The Wailing just go for it.

Yeah, and I loved that scene, I got chills in the theater. The Witch also feels more focused and cohesive, and certainly subtler.

The Wailing is so sprawling and ambitious though, it reminded me a ton of Memories of Murder. And like that similar scene in The Witch (although executed much differently) I was majorily creeped out when

Spoiler

the demon reveals himself to the priest and starts taking photos of him.

. Around 2/3rds of the way through the movie I thought I had it all figured out that it would be about

Spoiler

a bunch of people witch hunting the wrong dude just cuz he's a mysterious foreigner, but nah.

. The movie ended up being a lot more complex, or at least opaque, than I gave it credit for.

Nope still can't decide which one I like more. Either way it's been a killer year for horror.

Gotta check out wailing soon

Manchester by the Sea

Give casey affleck the Oscar. It's a wrap.

f u c k y o u
u
c
k
y
o
u

Lmao at this rate JC is gonna kill Disco before the year is out

 

[Toothless]

Easy A's close to as good probably (I don't think either is fantastic, though I definitely am more partial to Mean Girls just based on how old I was when it came out)

Wasn't that Hailee Steinfeld h.s. comedy at TIFF supposed to be pretty good? The Edge of Seventeen. Maybe it'll end the drought

I've been meaning to catch Easy A for awhile actually. Probably shouldn't write it off. Yeah, I've heard good stuff about Edge of Seventeen, I'm excited to check that out.

 

[Net_Wrecker]

And like that similar scene in The Witch (although executed much differently) I was majorily creeped out when

Spoiler

the demon reveals himself to the priest and starts taking photos of him.

.

The lighting in that scene is so good.

Around 2/3rds of the way through the movie I thought I had it all figured out that it would be about

Spoiler

a bunch of people witch hunting the wrong dude just cuz he's a mysterious foreigner, but nah.

. The movie ended up being a lot more complex, or at least opaque, than I gave it credit for.

Nope still can't decide which one I like more. Either way it's been a killer year for horror.

I thought I figured out where it was going twice, but

Spoiler

the movie just keeps pulling the rug out for the entire 3rd act.

 

[Sean C]

I've been meaning to catch Easy A for awhile actually. Probably shouldn't write it off. Yeah, I've heard good stuff about Edge of Seventeen, I'm excited to check that out.

Easy A is, for my money, a decent movie with a star-making Emma Stone performance. But other than Stone, it's not terribly memorable, which I think is well-reflected in its lack of any particular legacy other than her stardom. You don't see people regularly quoting lines from it, etc.

 

[big ander]

Easy A is, for my money, a decent movie with a star-making Emma Stone performance. But other than Stone, it's not terribly memorable, which I think is well-reflected in its lack of any particular legacy other than her stardom. You don't see people regularly quoting lines from it, etc.

I regularly think of the Pocketful of Sunshine scene but admittedly that's primarily because of Stone's performance so, you're probably right.

 

[Net_Wrecker]

Man, Star Trek Beyond is about as empty as empty thrills can get. I don't have an issue with episodic entries in a series, but c'mon, do something, anything. It's not a bad movie, but it's not really a good one either. Just exists. You'll get quips, badly shot space battles, mediocre hand-to-hand fights, a potentially interesting villain played by a great actor who goes completely wasted, and lots of other little action beats along the way that fade in your memory as quickly as they occur. This movie's just....nothing. Very little character development, very little exploration of the central conflict/villain, very little weight to the adventure, and nothing interesting happening with the action.

These modern Star Trek movies, for me, are X Men-esque in terms of forgettability. Aside from lens flares, and Cumberbatch going full Cumberbatch in the last one. James Cameron, please save blockbusters already.

 

[Discotheque]

f u c k y o u
u
c
k
y
o
u

forreal though Affleck is so damn good in this. i really think he should rack those awards up for this performance. The film intersperses flashbacks to reveal the relationships in greater context and why he's such a sad sack and i gotta say man just watching this guy on screen is heartbreaking. Pretty subdued performance at times (which fits the character) but he sells it with his eyes man, this dude is just done. Surprisingly funny movie too (especially the interactions with the kid). thankfully the "oscar scene" between him and michelle williams isn't ridiculous like they so often tend to be, it felt earned and much needed. And man the whole theater was tearing up during that moment too. Got me choked up as well

It's refreshing to see a film about grief, and running away from it

Spoiler

that doesn't get so neatly resolved at the end

oh and Chandler and Williams were great as well, although their screentime is pretty small they do good work with it.

. James Cameron, please save blockbusters already.

wasn't this once a young man's game. and yet almost all the young guys are trash at their work. so the god-tier vets like miller and cameron have to prop it up. how did this happen? HOW SWAY?!

 

[Expendable.]

Gotta check out wailing soon

Manchester by the Sea

Give casey affleck the Oscar. It's a wrap.

Seeing this movie for a second time is honestly my most-anticipated cinematic event left this year. (Aside from Silence, maybe.)

 

[Androidsleeps]

Right now I'd call Naked Lunch mid-tier Cronenberg, tbh. Absolutely amazing score, agreed there. But when I saw it a couple years ago I was more detachedly impressed with its existence, with how Cronenberg had adapted an unadaptable source novel, than I was actively in awe. At that time I'd just started the book and never finished it, last week I picked it back up and am a solid 60% in and was planning to rewatch after reading. So maybe my coolness toward it will change some—enough to put it on the level of The Brood and Dead Ringers and Videodrome, I dunno.

I suggest you watch it again, I liked it better the second time and I think I'll appreciate even more if I watch it again. Sort of like The Wailing (which I'm glad people keep mentioning here), it's like you know you'll digest it better the second time around. And for perspective, my top Cronenbergs are

Videodrome
Naked Lunch
Dead Ringers
The Fly

Good-not great:

Eastern Promises
History of Violence
Crash (I need to re-watch this asap)

Meh-ish/didn't age well:
The Dead Zone

Bad:
A Dangerous Method

Terrible:
Cosmopolis

Didn't watch Scanners or The Brood yet
Scared to watch Maps to the Stars, given his latter output

 

[PassiveObserver]

Scared to watch Maps to the Stars, given his latter output

I liked Cosmopolis, but this was bad.

 

[Puck Beaverton]

Maps to the Stars is fucking weird in literally every way.

 

[Messofanego]

I liked both Map To The Stars and Cosmopolis heh, Pattinson stay weird. Get into a Refn movie, bleed yourself.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

Watched Bridge of Spies last night. Really liked it. Great performances. I can't understand the recent indifference (from general audiences) to Spielberg films.

 

[Infernostew]

I really liked Maps to the Stars a lot more than Cosmopolis and A Dangerous Method.

 

[Fancy Clown]

Man, Star Trek Beyond is about as empty as empty thrills can get. I don't have an issue with episodic entries in a series, but c'mon, do something, anything. It's not a bad movie, but it's not really a good one either. Just exists. You'll get quips, badly shot space battles, mediocre hand-to-hand fights, a potentially interesting villain played by a great actor who goes completely wasted, and lots of other little action beats along the way that fade in your memory as quickly as they occur. This movie's just....nothing. Very little character development, very little exploration of the central conflict/villain, very little weight to the adventure, and nothing interesting happening with the action.

These modern Star Trek movies, for me, are X Men-esque in terms of forgettability. Aside from lens flares, and Cumberbatch going full Cumberbatch in the last one. James Cameron, please save blockbusters already.

It's like they listened to the "make it like the TV show!" complaints and instead of making it capture the more philosophical, exploratory spirit of the show, they just literally made filler episode in movie form. Like you said, it's not bad, but there's absolutely nothing of value there either.

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

Watched Bridge of Spies last night. Really liked it. Great performances. I can't understand the recent indifference (from general audiences) to Spielberg films.

We shall stand.

I think it's more randomizing of attention and overkill on choice than actual 'indifference' to that degree though. I mean, most older viewers will likely appreciate it when they see on Netflix or TV, but the younger movie-going audience is more like the moth-generation: "ooh, colors!" if we're going by Suicide Squad and Michael Bay and JJ Abrams movies (and Jurassic World).
Apparently distraction has become more important than competence at the craft.

Which is another reason to like Network even more: being prophetic about what (constant) television would do to us.

 

[Choomp]

I saw that movie Your Name (Kimi no Na Wa) people have been talking about I lot. Thought it was pretty good. Went in to it convinced the gimmick was gonna feel stale but

Spoiler

the character relationship dynamic of them communicating to each other and forming a relationship through their brief "switches" worked really well for me.

Also, nice music

 

[Currygan]

Amanda Knox is a good documentary, underserving of all the hate elicited by the supposed bias towards the American. It is, on the contrary and quite surprisingly (i'll admit I was expecting something of that sort, coming from an American product about an American girl directed by Americans), a precise and surgical retelling of that incredibly messy story and it doesn't seem to forgive nor condemn Amanda, suggesting there's still a great deal of ambiguity around her. Left me a bit of sadness because in all this horrendous circus everyone seemed- and still does- to have forgotten poor Meredith Kercher, whose smile still awaits for a truth that may never come

 

[Sean C]

I can't understand the recent indifference (from general audiences) to Spielberg films.

Other than The BFG, which was a kids' movie, I don't see that they have been indifferent. Lincoln was a huge hit, and Bridge of Spies did solid business. Neither is the type of movie that makes $300 million domestic.

 

[Discotheque]

Seeing this movie for a second time is honestly my most-anticipated cinematic event left this year. (Aside from Silence, maybe.)

Yeah I really want to rewatch it as soon as it gets released. I think moonlight is the better film but this one i want to rewatch even more because I'm just extremely impressed with Casey's performance. And I really liked the non linear format of showing what happened to make him that way, plus the sense of humor in here makes it a pretty breezy viewing too.

 

[UberTag]

Yeah I really want to rewatch it as soon as it gets released. I think moonlight is the better film but this one i want to rewatch even more because I'm just extremely impressed with Casey's performance. And I really liked the non linear format of showing what happened to make him that way, plus the sense of humor in here makes it a pretty breezy viewing too.

I'm of two minds when it comes to this movie in that I loved Casey's performance but didn't really find the character of Lee Chandler to be all that interesting beyond

Spoiler

his tragic backstory

. The best parts were his interactions with Lucas Hedges' Patrick. I wanted more of that and less scenes of people pushing Lee's ever-exposed buttons so he'd get himself in yet another pull-apart brawl.

The fights in that film just got monotonous which is a sharp contrast to the single fight in what I consider to be the standout best film of the year.

 

[Expendable.]

FilmStruck pricing plans. Not bad!

 

[Mr. Hyde]

FilmStruck pricing plans. Not bad!

Edit: your link isn't working. I went to the news section of the site to see the pricing.

I will definitely pay the 100 for everything annually if criterion keeps it filled with special features and new criterions up quickly. The service is pretty nice. I beta tested and liked it.

 

[Divius]

Working image:

 

[omgkitty]

They just announced it launches October 19th.

 

[SpaceHorror]

10.99 for FilmStruck and Criterion is a great price.

I'm down.

Edit: Shit, no Roku or console access yet?

 

[TheXbox]

Is Criterion leaving Hulu then?

 

[Infernostew]

They just announced it launches October 19th.

Are they launching an app?

 

[SpaceHorror]

Is Criterion leaving Hulu then?

Yep. I believe their deal ends either at the end of this year or next year. After that they are gone.

 

[Discotheque]

Ain't bothering with it until it gets console access tbh. Pretty interested in the selection the'll have though. Not just criterion stuff but basically all the old TCM flicks and hopefully a big pool of old horror too. Anything pre-90s (and even pre-10s tbh) has been pretty neglected by the streaming services for movies.

 

[omgkitty]

Is Criterion leaving Hulu then?

Yes their deal expires at the end of November I believe.

 

[Blader]

I will def spring for that $99 annual plan if and when they release a PS4 app.

 

[TheXbox]

Yes their deal expires at the end of November I believe.

Fuck. Time for a Kurosawa binge.

 

[AngmarsKing701]

Given Netflix in the US has a terrible movie selection, I'd be willing to put down some fundage for a streaming service with a great movie selection. But will this be it?

My typical movie habit is that we hit the cinema maybe 10-15x per year, we maybe rent a movie once a month, and there continue to be a string of movies that we say "we'll wait for Redbox on that one" when we see the trailer. And then of course we don't jot it down and so all these movies go by us without us ever watching them. Kinda sad.

So I'd be way more interested in a streaming service that highlighted movies from like the last 15-20 years (basically since I had kids), because that's where I've missed the most. Before we had kids, my wife and I went to the movies every week.

 

[lordxar]

Android means Chromecast so I'm day one of that $99 deal. I'm ditching Fandor and Netflix disc at a good time. If Filmstruck has a good enough selection I may just ditch Hulu and Netflix altogether. I could care less about tv shows anymore. Can't quite Shudder though...it's too good

 

[Fancy Clown]

I will def spring for that $99 annual plan if and when they release a PS4 app.

Same

 

[Blader]

Also, just saw that Criterion leaves Hulu on November 11th. Much sooner than I was expecting!