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[Mister Wilhelm]

Saw two movies recently that I was extremely disappointed in.

First up, James Gunn's Super.

I've been waiting for Gunn to make another sleeper hit ever since I saw Slither. When I first heard about this movie, I figured he could at least make something interesting out of what was becoming a popular concept in Hollywood. I was wrong.

There are so few redeeming qualities about this train wreck. If I had to say something positive about it, I would note Ellen Paige and Kevin Bacon's excellent performances. However, these are almost completely nullified by the horrifying script that can't decide what kind of movie it wants to be, the inconsistent tone, the silly sudden dips into ultra dark or violent material,

Spoiler

the disturbing hentai tentacles out of fucking nowhere TWICE

...you get the point.

Rainn Wilson doesn't seem to be able to function as a lead, either. He simply cannot carry a movie on his own.

Next would be Yellowbrickroad.

Another ultra low-budget Blair Witch style production without the first person camera style. The movie might have been able to work if it tried to be one of those self-aware cheesy but fun pictures. What we have here instead is a laughable production that becomes more and more pretentious as it goes on. The ending in particular is a disaster.

Avoid.

The movies I've seen recently (for the first time) are:

Gangs of New York
The Color of Money
The Aviator
LA Confidential
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Sucker Punch

What did you think of The Aviator? I hear so many dividing opinions on it.

 

[Count Dookkake]

The Color of Money

Ever seen part one?

 

[Decado]

The Yellow Sea (Hwanghae) - As a fan of The Chaser, I had pretty high expectations for this one. Sadly, it did not deliver. I watched the Director's Cut, which is noticeably shorter than the Korean theatrical edition. The first half still drags terribly, though. The movie is well done...the talent is there, and it is obvious, but the whole set up wasn't compelling at all. Yeah, the last half was pretty action packed and pretty entertaining, but they never really gave you a reason to give a crap. One other thing that really bothered me is that on at least two occasions they started to set up a brutal action scene...then cut away, showing nothing but the improbable aftermath. On those two occasions it was like the director told me "Yeah, we couldn't figure out how to film this and make it even remotely believable, so we just made the outcome we want happen without showing it".

The action in the last half was pretty awesome, though, so I recommend watching it once just for that. 7/10

 

[AgentChris]

Shadows and Lies - Starring James Franco. It had a terrible story that made little sense. This movie is basically about James Franco walking through NYC, eating food at restaurants and editing nature videos. I'm a huge James Franco fan so I able to get some entertainment out of this.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

Interstate 60 - This is the third time I've seen this one. I watched it this past weekend with a friend and I am glad she enjoyed it. It's a unique little road trip movie starring James Marsden, Chris Cooper and Gary Oldman (the Michael J. Fox part near the opening is excellent, too). Gary Oldman plays a type of genie who grants one wish which is usually played out for his own amusement. James Mardsen plays your typical guy going through the stage of not knowing what to do in life. It's a very entertaining film. 4.5/5.

Let Me In - My friend wanted to watch this. I've seen the original a couple times but I decided to give in and watch it with her. It's obviously not a needed remake, but it still stood mostly strong against the original. I say mostly because it held your hand more on certain parts. However,

Spoiler

it did leave her gender in question unlike the gross out part of the original.

3.5/5

I plan to watch Cold Fish, Confessions, and maybe Poetry this weekend.

 

[Blader]

Can anyone recommend good Westerns? It's a genre I haven't really explored the classics of, I'm watching The Searchers again which is probably one of my favourite films, but I haven't really seen any others somehow.

Once Upon a Time in the West
Unforgiven

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

Interstate 60 - This is the third time I've seen this one. I watched it this past weekend with a friend and I am glad she enjoyed it. It's a unique little road trip movie starring James Marsden, Chris Cooper and Gary Oldman (the Michael J. Fox part near the opening is excellent, too). Gary Oldman plays a type of genie who grants one wish which is usually played out for his own amusement. James Mardsen plays your typical guy going through the stage of not knowing what to do in life. It's a very entertaining film. 4.5/5.

My favorite part was the pink power ranger playing a turboslut.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

My favorite part was the pink power ranger playing a turboslut,

Damn! That's where I knew her from. So good!

 

[Solo]

I Am Number 4/10

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I Am Number 4/10

Again, you have no excuse not to be watching the Extended Cut when you're spending your time giving trash like that a chance.

 

[Expendable.]

I Am Number 4/10

Did you just watch Tom Shadyac's I Am and rank it #4 on your ten best list?

 

[magichans]

Can anyone recommend good Westerns? It's a genre I haven't really explored the classics of, I'm watching The Searchers again which is probably one of my favourite films, but I haven't really seen any others somehow.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence is great, so is Cat Ballou, and check out Bad Day at Blackrock for a thriller western. Also, would really love to recommend The Naked Spur.

Once Upon a Time in the West is pretty much considered one of the ultimate movies of the genre though, so check that out if anything.

 

[Messi]

10/10 the funniest movie i have seen this year by an incredibly large margin. Brendan gleeson is incredible in this. so many amazing on liners and situations. I do wonder how this movie will do outside of ireland (i live here, was born here and raised in the kind of culture that the movie relishes in, my father is also a guard, so alot of this is funny to me because its the kind of stuff i seen week in week out as a child). if you like good comedy or brendan gleeson then this is right up your alley. brendan gleeson should be up for some awards for his preformance. I cannot stress this enough, SEE THIS MOVIE.

here is the trailer for the movie those of you who have not seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKU_9PlNomk

Going to see it again tomorrow

 

[Expendable.]

Nice! I got a lot of shit for reccomending The Guard in the July thread, but I equally dug it.

 

[Messi]

Nice! I got a lot of shit for reccomending The Guard in the July thread, but I equally dug it.

"I thought only black lads and mexicans were drug dealers"

That whole scene I thought I was going to die from laughing so hard, thankfully the cinema was empty (10am showing btw)

 

[Mifune]

Well it's made by the brother of Martin Mcdonagh (badass playwright and writer/director of In Bruges) so I'm not too surprised it's decent.

 

[Messi]

Well it's made by the brother of Martin Mcdonagh (badass playwright and writer/director of In Bruges) so I'm not too surprised it's decent.

it has strong in bruges vibes in it, but less action more jokes.

 

[_Isaac]

I Am Number 4/10

I saw this in theatres. D:

 

[British Monsoon]

Can anyone recommend good Westerns? It's a genre I haven't really explored the classics of, I'm watching The Searchers again which is probably one of my favourite films, but I haven't really seen any others somehow.

Seems to be little spaghetti western love outside of the Leone classics here on GAF, so I'll go ahead and recommend a few that are well worth checking out;

A Bullet for a General by Damiano Damiani (1966) - Mexican revolutionary western with some great characters and a wonderful performance from Gian Maria Volonte, whose exuberant and energetic character provides a perfect juxtaposition to those he played in the Dollars movies.

The Big Gundown by Sergio Sollima (1966) - Lee Van Cleef stars in his best western role here as a bounty hunter obsessed with tracking down the outlaw 'Cuchillo', played by Tomas Milian, who is accused of raping and killing a 12 year old girl. Unlike the largely amoral world of Leone's westerns and the characters that inhabit them, Sollima presents a character who kills for gold gradually becoming concious of the unjust nature of the society by which he is employed, whereas a Leone protagonist would usually show little care beyond getting paid. It's an interesting take on the anti-hero world of the spaghetti western and Lee Van Cleef plays it perfectly.

Death Rides a Horse by Giulio Petroni (1967) - a spaghetti western classic, stylish, blood soaked and full of action, definitely one of Lee Van Cleef's top 3 starring roles in a western and features a great score from Moricone.

Django by Sergio Corbucci (1966) - hugely influential, what Corbucci's classic lacks in story, it makes up for in sheer style and is brought together entirely by the fierce portrayal of the titular character Django by Franco Nero in his greatest western role. A fantastic theme song too.

The Great Silence by Sergio Corbucci (1968) - another wonderfully stylish western from Corbucci, this time set against the backdrop of the great blizzard of 1899 that washed over the south. Jean-Louis Trintignant plays 'Silence', a mute gunslinger who decides to help some outlaws kill a group of bounty hunters on their trail. The landscape is strikingly beautiful, heightened by Morricone's once again exceptional score.

Keoma by Enzo Castellari (1976) - Franco Nero stars as the titular Native American half-breed Keoma in a by-the-numbers tale of a man returned from the civil war to find his town overrun by a band of confederate deserters and that his half-brothers are working for them. Pretty good for a latter-day spaghetti western.

My Name is Nobody by Tonino Valerri (1973) - a much more light-hearted affair here, thanks to Terrence Hill's slapstick portrayal of the easy-going young gunslinger 'Nobody' who idolises old west legend Henry Fonda, who wants nothing more to retire, while Nobody wants to see him go out in a blaze of glory. Wonderful score for Morricone, again.

Sabata by Gianfranco Parolini (1969) - that 3rd awesome Van Cleef film I mentioned, here he plays a character that's best described as an amalgamation of Monco and the Colonel from A Few Dollars More but without any of the Colonel's revenge-fuelled determination. Here he's an anti-hero with an arsenal of weapons and clever tricks, who teams up with an unlikely trio to retrieve money stolen from the army and ransom the town responsible.

 

[Solo]

Did you just watch Tom Shadyac's I Am and rank it #4 on your ten best list?

Yes. Or alternatively I just watched another shitty DJ Caruso effort with a completely unlikeable douche in the lead role. The 4 points I did give it are pretty much because I am in love with both of the female leads. What an awful movie though.

 

[AlternativeUlster]

OUT OF FIVE
So I finally got to see It is Fine. Everything is Fine! which I have wanted to see for years. It is pretty much if you decided to make a ultra low budget version of a sad sex fantasy fiction of a cerebral palsy man who has a hair fetish and is also frustrated with women that would never sleep with him. I quite liked it a lot even though I felt that it was a film school level Peter Greenaway attempt but without the master craft. *** 1/2

I have a ticket for What is it? tomorrow too so I am quite excited about it.

I also watched Tree of Life finally on 4th of July. I actually thought the voice over narrations were mostly unwarranted and it could have been much better without trying to say it. Also the ending felt a bit rushed and hackneyed attempt on trying to fit his theme together. I would have also taking out some of the generic art shots too like of the mask floating down the water and the mother floating around a tree. Hearing so many horror stories from crew members, I am surprised Tree of Life wasn't a complete disaster and you can tell that perhaps Malick is just a grand collage maker and this easily wasn't one of his best attempts. I am sure with all the footage he got (and he did have many great family dramatic elements and Brad Pitt did remind me of my father quite a bit) there is a masterpiece somewhere in here. ** 1/2

I got around to seeing Another Year finally too and it more than likely would have made my top 10 last year and not only because I liked like 4 movies that came out last year. It might not be the best attempt at the Mike Leigh's formula but once again, Mike Leigh somehow worked another female performance miracle with this time on Leslie Manville and shows the wonderful chemistry of what a great relationship looks like without them really going into details about why it works. The nice touch on their son understanding the dynamic from his parents was a great thing that I think might go unnoticed if not mentioned. So strange too is that even though this family is so rich, the focus is more so on their friends and how they never got it like how they got it. I think I am just going to blind buy Topsy Turvy during the Criterion sale just for the hell of it now. ****

I held off on the American for a really long time and I think reading someone like swoon or Cosmic mentioning it that I would give it a go and man, there is something about trying to make a film like this now that would have been better made in the 60s. Once they do the one more job aspect, I knew immediately where it was going to go and sure, there were some great build ups, it all just felt like imitations of greater films of the past. **

Ok, did I mention I saw Submarine too? I think Richard Ayoade shows a lot of promise and this a fine comedy with some quite funny moments but I wish he would have kept the anarchy all through out the entirety of the film and didn't bog down to some montage scenes and stuff of that ilk. *** even though I might watch it again and rate it higher.

Is there anything else I am missing that I haven't really mentioned? I can't remember. Rewatched Midnight in Paris and it is still my favorite film of the year. I rented The Falls, Inland Empire, I Love You Phillip Morris, and Radio Days (going to rewatch a Woody Allen film at least once per week for the rest of the year) from I Love Video so that will be up soon.

 

[Rodney McKay]

10/10 the funniest movie i have seen this year by an incredibly large margin. Brendan gleeson is incredible in this. so many amazing on liners and situations. I do wonder how this movie will do outside of ireland (i live here, was born here and raised in the kind of culture that the movie relishes in, my father is also a guard, so alot of this is funny to me because its the kind of stuff i seen week in week out as a child). if you like good comedy or brendan gleeson then this is right up your alley. brendan gleeson should be up for some awards for his preformance. I cannot stress this enough, SEE THIS MOVIE.

here is the trailer for the movie those of you who have not seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKU_9PlNomk

Going to see it again tomorrow

Good God, that looks amazing. I must see it!

 

[AlternativeUlster]

Good God, that looks amazing. I must see it!

Sadly I don't think the film comes to Austin until August. Wait, August is like less than a month away. What the fuck happened to this year?

 

[AlternativeUlster]

Yeah, I have those in my queue, and should have started in a better spot, especially seeing as Black Moon caught a lot of crap on their FB page when it was announced, but it had just been released, so I figured I would check it out. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Murmur of the Heart was my first Malle and is still easily my favorite with Au Reviour Les Enfants and My Dinner with Andre not too far behind.

 

[Gaaraz]

Paul

Good god, what is this? So massively dumbed down it's unreal.

I thought it had potential at the start, it was kinda boring, but it was at least kinda sweet to see these two guys so passionate about something and going on their road trip, but as the other characters got introduced (I now hate Landry from Friday Night Lights, sigh) the film went from mediocre to possibly the worst film I can remember. The girl in particular, jesus christ, who thought a character like that would be entertaining?

The first film I can remember having to stop half way through, got an hour in when I was massively relieved that my girlfriend said "Um, can we stop watching this please?"

1/10, and that's being kind.

Dead Man's Shoes

Completely different tone the above, but such a good film. So gritty and disturbing but also touching and sweet at the same time.

8/10, amazing performance from Paddy Constantine.

 

[red731]

Tideland

As I said in the other thread, I won't watch this movie again. I understand that it is from the view of a child, but the movie is so weird that me and friend watching it were like WTF?! and PLEASE NO! all the time.
This movie is definately not for everyone so if you would like to watch it, be prepared for some crazy and bizzare things happening.

127 Hours

I knew what this movie was about and knew what would happen. But seriously, this movie blew my mind. It was very heavy on emotions and I was constantly thinking what would I do if something like that would happen to me or would I be so strong to not give up.
I was on the edge of the seat when the movie "started" from the point of it changing direction drasticaly.
I recommend this movie to everyone who likes movies based on what really happened to someone. It was strong experience...
I even watched documentaries and true camera recordings from Aron when that happened.
Watch them too after you see the movie.

Green Hornet

I turned my brain off when I was watching it and I enjoyed the movie. I won't look at it in the near future, but if you want something that you want to relax with then this is it.

Tucker and Dale VS Evil

WATCH THIS NOW!
I was really laughing throughout the movie and it is one of my favourite film now.
I will watch it again soon and maybe again after that.
Go on and WATCH IT!

 

[Enco]

Drive Angry 3D. Very enjoyable film. Just like Hobo With a Shotgun (though not as crazy).

I think I'll watch Super next. Just for Ellen Page.

 

[AusQB]

What did you think of The Aviator? I hear so many dividing opinions on it.

I don't think it's as appealing to aviation enthusiasts as you might think. It's more an emotional story delving deep into the personal degradation of Howard Hughes as he struggles with his deteriorating sanity. However, on that level, it excels brilliantly.

Ever seen part one?

I have not.

 

[Enco]

Well I just watched Super.

Totally agree with Mister. The film really disappointed me. Ellen Page was nice but I absolutely hated the ending. I can't believe that

Spoiler

they killed Ellen Page

. So yea, I shouldn't have bothered.

 

[Kentpaul]

Just got finished with Unstoppable, its a real nail biter to say the least , it tingled everyone of my emotions from sheer tenseness, because of over whelming epicness/tenseness i have bitten all my nails down so much that my fingers are in pain, the happy moments the sad moments the tense moments, the sheer badass moments,

Ain't acted like this since i first seen rocky, i look forward to watching it again in a few years.

will also be checking out more tony scott movies

 

[y2dvd]

Fiends with Benefits
Got an advanced screening 2 nights ago. It was very enjoyable. Mila Kunis is so hot and adorable, it's hard not to like her. JT was pretty freakin cut for this movie. He does a solid job though I thought his emotional scenes were a little flat. The two had good chemistry. The crowd had plenty of good laughs.

8/10

 

[swoon]

I held off on the American for a really long time and I think reading someone like swoon or Cosmic mentioning it that I would give it a go and man, there is something about trying to make a film like this now that would have been better made in the 60s. Once they do the one more job aspect, I knew immediately where it was going to go and sure, there were some great build ups, it all just felt like imitations of greater films of the past. **

man i haatttteeeed the american.

 

[meppi]

I plan to watch Cold Fish, Confessions, and maybe Poetry this weekend.

I watched Cold Fish last weekend and enjoyed it.
I did expect a bit more of it though, but I have a feeling that I might like it even more with a second watch-through.

 

[B-B-Bomba!]

First half of the extended cut of The New World ...

I'm glad I've taken an interval in the middle of this. It's let all the content of the first half stir around and settle, whereas I was actually becoming affected by the unhappiness of all the characters at that point, and found myself questioning the purpose of (my watching) the film.

It was near enough the first thing on my mind this morning, and I'm with child to get back to that world and see what happens.

Having said that, I had difficulty with the other Malick films I've seen, finding the endings odd and unsatisfying, and I get a strong sense of that with this one as well. I can't see any way for it to really end well. And given what modern America is, in the context of what the film has already shown me it used to be, I suppose the idea of 'the good guys winning in the end' is a bit of a nonsense.

My thoughts so far are that the Europeans were so tied to the apparel and accoutrements of their old ways and former civilisation, that they couldn't see they had found what they were looking for. They could have seen the naturals as welcoming guides, available to help them take the next steps into real harmony and freedom.

On the other hand, I don't see that it would have been possible for any other attitude to have prevailed in the Europeans, and therefore the whole tone of regret is rather wearing. Still, what I've seen so far is a beautiful and resonant ode to nature.

 

[Ducarmel]

Fiends with Benefits

I know its a typo, but can you just imagine what type of movie this could have been!

 

[Expendable.]

- Surprised how not scary it was, especially due to the music. I enjoyed it, some of the kills were awesome and it had a great tone, but I may like Snyder's version better.

- Not the biggest fan of anime, but this had some great sequences. I'm still not sure about the overall story, but definitely glad I saw it.

 

[swoon]

oh we watched

not one less *** still rounding up more zhang films, this lacks the visual splendor that i've come to love about his early films. this movie still has heart and some wonderful child performances.

 

[near]

True Grit - 8/10
Not better than No Country for Old Men, but its still up there.

Going to see Transformer 3 next, yes I'm a victim.

 

[malingenie]

Going to see Transformer 3 next, yes I'm a victim.

More like a culprit

 

[dmshaposv]

The Fall by Tarsem Singh.

Forget the "visual orgy" tag most people give this film. Not that it isn't, this is something completely specially - I went in expecting a gorgeous looking movie but was surprised that I got something even better than that. Tarsem has a great eye for visuals, but he proves that he is equally a great story-teller with this film.

For me the opening credit montage more or less cemented that I was watching something special. The goregously photographed opening moments to Beethoven's 7th Symphony set the tone for the rest of the movie - dramatic, adventurous and yet bittersweet.

The way the story unfolds from the perpective of the girl is well-executed. Her imagining of certain aspects, changing them to suit her tastes, gives much of the warmth and light humor in the film. The two leads are great, but special credit goes to the young romanian girl. She is absolutely a delight to watch since she behaves and actually speaks like a 4-year old. (Dakota Fanning be damned!)

Tarsem directs the film with confidence, and you can really tell he adds many interesting moments. [SOME SPOILERS AHOY] Consider the change of focus of the finger from the girl's perspective, or Roy's spat when he becomes enraged and the camera just keeps on sweeping off towards the right (as though the girl wants to run away from the moment). I liked how Tarsem carefully avoided the temptation to show a sex scene, and instead shows the girl's expression witnessing it. Extra kudos to the brilliant transition from the Priest's face dissolving into a silhouette constructed of rocks (no CG involved).


The visuals compete that of something from a Terrence Malick film - which is a grand compliment in itself. Grandiose wide shots, rich use of color and single shots constructing a Tableau that could easily be framed on your wall.

If you haven't got the message it is this - watch this movie. It is perhaps one of the most unexpectedly brilliant films of the decade. Pity it took me this long to get to see it but it is unlike anything you will see for a long time. Not only is it a visually orgy, but a well told story that you are sure to enjoy from start to finish.

 

[Giard]

I told a friend that I liked Harold and Kumar a lot, and hearing this he lent me one of his DVDs... a double feature. He said the movies were hilarious.

Van Wilder
I can't say I laughed much at this one. A couple here and there. However.. the

Spoiler

eclair

scene was totally disgusting/hilarious. Yes, I am immature.
I was mostly bored throughout the film.

2.5/5

Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj
Huge mehhhhh to this one. Didn't laugh at all. It's not an awful movie, as it has boobies, but it certainly comes close.

2/5

I should've kept in mind that I have really different tastes in movies compared to my friends.

 

[Count Dookkake]

AU, yes, I saw the show in Tulsa. Missed your earlier comment.

How'd you like the spoken word portion?

 

[WorriedCitizen]

The Fall is utter kitsch imo. I didn't enjoy it at all.

 

[captive]

man i haatttteeeed the american.

it did suck. GF and i rented on playstation store. Totally different from what i was expecting. The advertisements for it completely misrepresented the type of movie it is.

 

[harSon]

The Fall is utter kitsch imo. I didn't enjoy it at all.

Glad to see I'm not the only one. It's visually stunning and that young actress is adorable, but the plot was complete shit IMO. I wouldn't say it's a horrible film, simply an average one propped up by its unique visuals.

 

[FnordChan]

Busting *** recommended for the cosmic bus/fnord chan types. elliot gould and robert blake as vice cops taking down corrupt something or another. feels a lot like 48 hours x Hardcore. elliot gould has the worst/best winter cap in this movie.

Well, I'm sold. Meanwhile, I'm a bit surprised you hated The Man From Nowhere that much. I can see dismissing it as mediocre, and while I thought it was okay I'm not jumping up to defend it overly. It just doesn't seem like the sort of flick to evoke particularly strong reactions.

I just saw Ip Man 1 & 2. I could happily watch Donnie Yen kick ass all day long. Ip Man 2 suffers from not having Imperial Japanese troops as the enemy, but it's hard to go wrong with the

Spoiler

Rocky IV

formula.

FnordChan

 

[Apdiddy]

Woyzeck - The ending is fairly easy to guess and the movie is rather short, but it is completely engrossing. Klaus Kinski is insane, literally but you can see the anguish in almost every scene. I know I need to go back and watch the rest of Herzog's work.

 

[Fularu]

The last few days I saw :

- 12 angry men : Simply amazing, one of the best "huit-clos" I've seen.
- A Serious Man : I was prety disapointed in the movie. First the prologue makes no sense and has no connection to the movie. Next is one of the most boring day to day movie I've ever seen. While the actors were great, while the cinematography was amazing, the plot and the comical aspect of it (right down to the various Rabbi insanity) was mindnumbing.
- Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon - SHitty acting, amazing visuals, lots of explosins for a very entertaining action movie.

 

[swoon]

Well, I'm sold. Meanwhile, I'm a bit surprised you hated The Man From Nowhere that much. I can see dismissing it as mediocre, and while I thought it was okay I'm not jumping up to defend it overly. It just doesn't seem like the sort of flick to evoke particularly strong reactions.

it doesn't take me much to set me off but praise around such unambitious shit is bothersome. i mean what a safe and boring movie and those bug me more than spectacular failures or whatever.

 

[Mifune]

Woyzeck - The ending is fairly easy to guess and the movie is rather short, but it is completely engrossing. Klaus Kinski is insane, literally but you can see the anguish in almost every scene. I know I need to go back and watch the rest of Herzog's work.

Stroszek, friend. Your next Herzog should be Stroszek.