Rate the last film you watched.

[satantangofan]

Being genetically predisposed to gush like a 6 year old at anything Malick produces makes it particularly difficult to write anything negative about his sparse but always welcome output. However, The New World, although staggeringly beautiful and thoughtful, is largely unsatisfying. Malick digresses from any cohesive plot/dialogue related narrative, instead focusing on internal monologues of the three main protagonists (a miscast Colin Farrell as rebellious Captain John Smith, who appears to fall in love with the "idea" of being in love with "Pocahontas" (Q'Orianka Kilcher), and an excellent Christian Bale who ultimately offers her the chance to truly find peace: indeed, the discovery of "the new world" of Virginia, USA, is a metaphor for the discovery of self). The theme of these inner musings appears to be about the nature of freedom and liberty, and the jump-cutting structure of the film perfectly matches this philosophy. However, whereas in The Thin Red Line the inner monologues of the many characters gave the latter action scenes a staggering gravitas, there is no such payoff in The New World.
The film is beautiful. Cinematography, sound and production design are all wonderful. We expect no less from Malick, who, like Kubrick before him, is a master of composition. Every shot of rippling water, sunlight through trees and the untamed nature of a long ago land are absolutely stunning, and it seems at times that Malick treats the unfolding human drama as secondary to his beautiful audio-visual landscapes. The film itself is the ultimate metaphor for it's titular content: a beautiful vista of startling images, but vaguely empty and lacking any immediate substance nonetheless.
Perhaps I'll find more after a second viewing? ***/*****

[kiddo]

Smultronstället - Oh my fucking God. This is my new favorite. Cheers!

[PTAhole]

Okay, I've got two...

X-Men: The Last Stand (Brett Ratner; 2006)

This was a welcome surprise. While nowhere near as good as X2, It's about as good, if not a little better than the first X-Men. While I enjoyed the movie, there is one BIG problem: the legnth. It's the same problem I had with the first movie. It felt extremely short. Other than that, there were some small problems:
1. The Juggenaut actually says, and I quote: "Don't you know who I am? I'm the Juggernaut, Bitch!" It completely HALTED an intense action scene.
2. Kitty Pride was much too young (I've had this problem through the whole franchise, such as with Iceman and Rogue, but this was ridiculous, Kitty looked 12.)

Anyway, there were good things:
1. The Beast was fucking amazing! Kelsey Grammar made me believe that Beast exsists completely.
2. Iceman all iced up!!! And the Iceman/Pyro fight was awesome.
3. Magneto and Professor X were great as usual.
4. Wolverine wasn't the COMPLETE focus this time.

It was good... 7.5/10


Also watched an old favorite...

Darkman (Sam Raimi; 1990)

I love this movie. Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand are great. Raimi proves that he could do a great superhero movie long before Spider-Man. Plus, this has the BEST BRUCE CAMBELL CAMEO EVER!
9/10

[PTAhole]

Just rewatched this masterpiece....
Withnail and I- 10/10
Perfect comedy.

[captainofbeef]

Watched three movies on the 7 hour car ride to my grandma's.
The Chronicles of Narnia- (rewatch) 9/10

A very good fantasy film. But, it loses a little when it is not on the big screen. I love the battle scenes. I was so glad they uplayed them rather than casting them off like Lewis did in the book.

The Lion King-(rewatch) 10/10

My favorite Disney film of all time. The animation is absolutly stunning, especially on the remastered DVD. Classic movie.

Rain Man- (rewatch) 9/10

An excellent road movie. Hoffman and Cruise give spectacular performances here. You can never watch this movie enough times. It's just that fun.

[mixed]

Heh 9/10 for Narnia. I'd give it 4 or 5/10, its poor. It starts off well but just falls apart after everyone is in Narnia. Hugely disappointing, I expected much more from the trailers and such. Their are some good bits throughtout the film but its just generally handled badly by an untalented director.

[satantangofan]

mixed said:

Heh 9/10 for Narnia. I'd give it 4 or 5/10, its poor. It starts off well but just falls apart after everyone is in Narnia. Hugely disappointing, I expected much more from the trailers and such. Their are some good bits throughtout the film but its just generally handled badly by an untalented director.

Yep. Pretty much how I feel about it.

[criterionmaster]

I would give it a 7. I am entertained while watching.

[criterionmaster]

Short Cuts (Altman, Robert 1993 IMDB) - 10/10



Every character in the film is interesting and the film is never boring. Altman's direction of the acting is perfect as this is some of the best acting I have seen in a film. The story/way it is done reminds me of Magnolia in some ways which I like. Definetly go check this one out, it may be long but it is worth it in everyway.

[satantangofan]

Short Cuts is fantastic. Altman's best since Nashville.

[mixed]

Bob Le Flambeur

7/10

Their were some enjoyable and humorous parts to it and some of the cinematography was really nice. Such as Bob Flipping a coin in a dark room and some of the shot juxtaposition went together well, the almost montage like scene of the practice lock being worked on, the dogs face, Bob and back to the safe again. Really good sound work their to I thought. The main character was also really cool and had strong screen charisma.
I only give it a 7 because I thought it was a little bit empty. Not that much happened but I did appreciate the final message which the film conveyed. I liked it more than Rififfi though but not by much.

[PTAhole]

Intolerable Cruelty (Joel Coen; 2003)

While this is certainly the weakest Coen Brothers film I've seen (still haven't seen the Ladykillers), it is still a perfectly enjoyable film. Not great, but very entertaining. I even like Cedric the Entertainer in this (I generally find him annoying) The performances are good, it is fairly well written, and I liked that old-Hollywood romantic comedy feel it had to it.
7.5/10

[mixed]

Aguirre: Wrath of God (rewatch)

This film is wonderful and hugely absorbing. The locations are a spectacle, the mysterious jungles at either side. The film is a bit slow in the 2nd act but the last 40 or so minutes are so beautifully done, Herzog makes full use of the nature, the hallucinary scenes are beautiful and enchanting, Kinski is superb yet again and it all just works so damn well.
10/10 and its earned a place in my top 20

[PTAhole]

The Fifth Element (Luc Besson; 1997)

Surprisingly, I hadn't seen this before. Surprising for two reasons: one, I really dig Luc Besson, two, I'm a giant sci-fi nerd. Oh well, I'm glad I finally saw it. It is quite fantastic. Bruce Willis is fantastic as are Gary Oldman and Ian Holm. Even Chris Tucker was good! The special effects are great, the cinematography is beautiful, the humor is funny, I love everything about this movie! Underrated and underappreciated.
10/10

[criterionmaster]

That movie is fun as hell!

[criterionmaster]

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (Cassavetes, John 1976 Cut IMDB) – 10/10

At one minute this film can feel so real and at the next this film can feel like a straight up crime film. Cassavetes directing style is very unique, it seems he lets his actors do whatever they want yet somehow the result is brilliant. This is my new favorite Cassavetes. It was so much fun watching. I like when a director can take such a simple story (a club owner is in debt and has to pay it off buy committing a crime) and turn it into something special and unique. Everyone should definitely check this out.

[PTAhole]

Fuck you Andrew.

[PTAhole]

Chungking Express (Wong Kar Wai; 1994)

This is a perfect film. I prefer this to In the Mood for Love. Both stories are engaging and entertaing. There are so many great character moments. The use of music (especially the oft-repeated "California Dreaming") is astonishing. Wong Kar Wai is one of the best directors working today. This will be going in my top 20.
10/10

[Clark Nova]

Audition (Takashi Miike) (1999)



Not that this goes against the film itself, but the main thing I'm disappointed about is the fact that I knew what to expect coming in. I knew about the film's last 20 minutes as some of the goriest and most unsettling ever put on screen, but I had to check it out anyway. Coming from an objective standpoint as if I hadn't heard anything about the film, I must say, not bad at all. Most of it seems like a romance/film noir, which perfectly sets up the horror of the ending. My only problems are that there was perhaps a bit too much set-up for the now-infamous ending, and the dream sequences of the last half-hour or so could be a bit confusing to get into on first viewing, but overall, a very unsettling and horrific experience...which is a good thing.

7.5/10

[satantangofan]

Idi i smotri (Come and see) 1985. Rewatch.



Oh my God. This film. If you haven't seen it hunt it down. On both an emotional and a technical level, Idi i smotri is the greatest film ever made. An episodic journey following 14yr old protagonist Florya during the nazi's atrocities in Byelorussia;
I guarantee you will cry and maybe even smash up your TV.
Watch as Florya physically ages 50 years before our eyes; actually become him as he is deafened during heavy bombing; go mad with him as he witnesses atrocity upon atrocity.
Amazingly restrained editing. Perfectly directed and performed. Dont forget your handkerchiefs and the details of a local anger management class for after *****/*****

[criterionmaster]

That description makes me really want to see the film. I bet it doesn't have a region one release but I will check it out to see if I can find it somewhere.

police386 said:

Audition (Takashi Miike) (1999)



Not that this goes against the film itself, but the main thing I'm disappointed about is the fact that I knew what to expect coming in. I knew about the film's last 20 minutes as some of the goriest and most unsettling ever put on screen, but I had to check it out anyway. Coming from an objective standpoint as if I hadn't heard anything about the film, I must say, not bad at all. Most of it seems like a romance/film noir, which perfectly sets up the horror of the ending. My only problems are that there was perhaps a bit too much set-up for the now-infamous ending, and the dream sequences of the last half-hour or so could be a bit confusing to get into on first viewing, but overall, a very unsettling and horrific experience...which is a good thing.

7.5/10

Would you agree that the film is overrated?

[satantangofan]

criterionmaster said:

That description makes me really want to see the film. I bet it doesn't have a region one release but I will check it out to see if I can find it somewhere.

Your'e in luck
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000BWVCR/qid=1148944151/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7136798-9292721?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130

There's probably better deals elsewhere though. Good luck & let me know how you get on. You will not be disappointed. Seriously, if you dont like Idi i smotri I will fly out to Pa and give you your money back!

[criterionmaster]

DEAL! I will get that sometime over the summer when I have some money and I will tell you what I think.

[criterionmaster]

Life of Brian (Jones, Terry 1979 IMDB) 9/10 EDIT: 10/10

This film was fucking hilarious. So many great jokes even though they miss on some. Monty Python is just amazing. I normally don't laugh out loud but this film got me to at least twice. Go check it out sometime.

Films rank:
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2. Life of Brian
...
3. Meaning of Life

[criterionmaster]

Back to the Future (rewatch - Missed the first 20 minutes of the film this time) 10/10!

Oh man oh man do I fucking love this film. This is just one of the most fun films to watch ever! So many great lines/scenes/songs. I could watch this forever! "Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!!!!"

Rank:
1. BttF
2. BttF 2
3. BttF 3

[captainofbeef]

On VH1?? Yea, I just watched that too. 9/10 for me though.

[agentknight]

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou

Excellent. I'm going to have to check out Anderson's other films.

9/10

[satantangofan]

criterionmaster said:

Back to the Future (rewatch - Missed the first 20 minutes of the film this time) 10/10!

Oh man oh man do I fucking love this film. This is just one of the most fun films to watch ever! So many great lines/scenes/songs. I could watch this forever! "Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!!!!"

Rank:
1. BttF
2. BttF 2
3. BttF 3

Wow. What a coincidence. Watched this with my 6 yr old son 2 days ago. He loved it . I love it.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, BttF is one of the best popcorn films ever made. I also watched that last night. It's a 10, BeeD! You're a dumbass.

[Clark Nova]

agentknight said:

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou

Excellent. I'm going to have to check out Anderson's other films.

9/10

May just be me, but Wes Anderson just doesn't do it for me. Though I did like The Royal Tenenbaums, especially Gene Hackman's excellent performance, I thought Rushmore was pretentious, and that Life Aquatic was just Anderson trying to show how clever he is with comedy...trying too hard to be different, I thought. Just didn't do it for me.

5/10