Rate the last film you watched.

[satantangofan]

Good to see that so many people rate The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser.

To misterbalco & criterionmaster. Werckmeister Harmonies is my 3rd favourite of the decade so far. Le Fils is good but not 5 stars ****/*****. I look forward to seeing L'Enfant in a couple of weeks. The New World is poor imo (see my review on www.cynicpage.blogspot.com if you want to see why). Three Burials...again, good, but not deserving of 5 stars imo. I haven't been able to see GW yet.

[Clark Nova]

Eraserhead (David Lynch) (1977)



Well, there's weird, there's weird, and there's Eraserhead. And that's all I have to say about that.

...oh, and I hated it, too...but props to Lynch for at least trying to be out there.

5/10

[Clark Nova]

had to watch a nice ol' comedy too, to wash the bad taste of Eraserhead outta my mouth...

Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks) (1974)



The plot's just an excuse and a jumping-board for the gags, and much of the humor is absolutely base and vile...and some of the funniest things I've ever seen put on film. Sure, there's nothing in this movie that isn't offensive, but to not laugh and some of the stuff in here would simply not make you human...I could watch Mongo knock out the horse over and over again.

8.5/10

[satantangofan]

The Duck of Death. I agree that Eraserhead is a little inaccesible, but I really hope you give it another try at a later date. The narrative does make perfect sense believe it or not...did you figure out what the film's main themes were?

[criterionmaster]

Austin Powers (re-watch)

Love this probably because I love Bond films. It is just a perfect film for Myers to be hilarious in.

Million Dollar Baby (re-watch)

I really don't like this movie at all; I mean it has some decent elements but nothing more. It is all pretty standard stuff here, and I didn't care for the main character, in fact I hated her. Since they failed to get me to care for her it makes the movie pretty pointless. It makes me sick this beat Aviator!

[Nomansvally]

Yes! I perfectly agree with you, criterionmaster! Aviator is much better than Million Dollar Baby. Mystic River is better too!

[PTAhole]

I also agree, but you already knew that.

[slapshot63]

Monty Python and The Holy Grail - A-

Funny ass movie. I can't believe I had never seen it before.

[Clark Nova]

criterionmaster said:

Austin Powers (re-watch)

Love this probably because I love Bond films. It is just a perfect film for Myers to be hilarious in.

Million Dollar Baby (re-watch)

I really don't like this movie at all; I mean it has some decent elements but nothing more. It is all pretty standard stuff here, and I didn't care for the main character, in fact I hated her. Since they failed to get me to care for her it makes the movie pretty pointless. It makes me sick this beat Aviator!

Oh, I disagree. Yeah, I didn't really like Swank's character either, but MIllion Dollar Baby deserved the Best Picture award in my eyes. I wasn't impressed at all with The Aviator. I thought it was one of Scorcese's weaker efforts.

[mixed]

Double Indemnity.

I really love this film. The dialogue for the film is what sums up a film noir. Its so cool and irregular but thats what makes it. Edward G Robinson delivers some of the best one liners:
'get outta here before I throw my desk at you'
for example. I've heard many a person say they didn't like Double indemnity because of the corniness. It corniness in context and works perfectly. Lead performances are strong and every expression the characters make and the things they do add a layer of meaning to coming events, its subtle and clearly staged very efficiently. 10/10

[criterionmaster]

police386 said:

criterionmaster said:

Austin Powers (re-watch)

Love this probably because I love Bond films. It is just a perfect film for Myers to be hilarious in.

Million Dollar Baby (re-watch)

I really don't like this movie at all; I mean it has some decent elements but nothing more. It is all pretty standard stuff here, and I didn't care for the main character, in fact I hated her. Since they failed to get me to care for her it makes the movie pretty pointless. It makes me sick this beat Aviator!

Oh, I disagree. Yeah, I didn't really like Swank's character either, but MIllion Dollar Baby deserved the Best Picture award in my eyes. I wasn't impressed at all with The Aviator. I thought it was one of Scorcese's weaker efforts.

Even Scorsese's weaker efforts are better than tons of peoples best. What didn't you like about it? I love the story of Hughes and I think it was told perfect, with an amazing performance from DeCaprio.

[kiddo]

I wasen`t too impressed with The Aviator myself. But the problem wasen`t particulary Scorsese or De Caprio. It was the plot that didn`t do it for me. It was just not interesting enough. But what the heck, it was a good film, no question. I find Million Dollar Baby better, though. So I agree with The Duck of Death on this one. Both films with flaws but very well-made.

I saw Jarhead yesterday, and I liked it a lot. The cinematography was excellent and worked as a contrast to the content. Good use of music and some very good performances further add entertainent value to this picture. 7.5/10



After two hours with Mendes, I went over to Jarmusch` univers with Night on Earth. His excellent eye for characterdescriptions and satisfying visuals makes this little film satisfying. I especially liked the chapter in New York and Paris. Filled with so many elements of human communication; language difficulties, cultural mixes, ignorance between people etc. Very, very rewarding. 8/10

[Clark Nova]

Yeah, there were some very good things about The Aviator: the cinematography and use of colors was just fantastic, Blanchette was excellent, Thelma Schoonmaker's editing was, as usual for a Scorcese film, excellent, and Dicaprio had some shining moments. The problem was that it was way too long...at least half an hour too long...yeah, the scenes where Hughes doesn't wear any clothes and pisses in jars are disturbing, but that's where the film really starts to drag.

[criterionmaster]

Well I can see how someone could think so. While you may think Avaitor was too long. What did you like about Million Dollar Baby that makes it better than Aviator? I just thought they failed at what they wanted to do and didn't like the film really at all. There were only a couple of elements I like about the film. Like the performances all except Swank were great.

[Clark Nova]

I guess Scorcese's the more "nifty" director...using stylish cuts and colors to get his point across. I liked this aspect of the Aviator, as I liked it in his previous films, especially Raging Bull and GoodFellas. Eastwood, on the other hand, is about as minimalist a director as there is out there. Based on the storylines of the two films, his minimalist, "ordinary" directing of Million Dollar Baby worked better for that film than Scorcese's flashy, more stylistic work worked for The Aviator. Million Dollar Baby is a very simple film, and Eastwood uses this to focus on the characters and their plights, whereas Scorcese is a much more visual director. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Scorcese...he's one of my favorite directors, but Eastwood's approach worked better for his film, I think.

[kiddo]

I think you put it pretty good there, Duck. Though Scorsese is my favorite director, he never really got me involved with The Aviators characters or the plot itself for that matter.

Million Dollar Baby was, for me, much more involving and interesting in what it dealt with. The pace was suitable and Eastwoods poetic touches was visible now and then. The acting was top notch, which increased the feeling of realism in the film. Some elements became a bit stereotypical, and that was something I especially noticed the second time I saw it. But it manage to touch me and make me think, which is something most movies nowsays don`t do for me. Scorseses film didn`t manage to touch me or make me feel very much for the characters, which is pretty wierd since it`s Scorsese we are talking about now, and the whole package felt a bit superficial.

Scorsese is a better director than Eastwood, but when it comes to The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood`s work is the best. At least until I see The Aviator again.

[Nomansvally]

Just saw Victor Flemming's Red Dust (1932) one of the six films Jean Hearlow and Clark Gable did together. A reallt funny film which plays alot on sarcasm, but the plot is too simple for it's kind really. Allthough, I think the actors did very good deliveries for their parts and especially the character Mrs. Willis.

A solid 3 out of 5! Almost 4 minus...

[satantangofan]

Over the last few nights I've watched:

Le Corbeau *****/*****
The Passenger (rewatch) ****/*****
Five Easy Pieces (rewatch) *****/*****

[criterionmaster]

Glad you like Le Corbeau!

[Clark Nova]

King Kong (Peter Jackson) (2005) REWATCH

Judging from comments on YMDB, I take it the real fad these days is criticizing Peter Jackson as overrated, but I gotta give credit where it's due: the guy knows how to make an action movie. The Lord of the Rings is already an all-time classic or at least well on its way, and while some may consider it blasphemy to remake the mighty King Kong, he definitely did it justice. Yeah, at 3 hours it's a little too long, and Jack Black just doesn't fit here, but that's alright. Some outstanding set pieces (I could watch the T-Rex fight over and over and over...) and the revisioning of the famous last stand on the Empire State Building. Most importantly, the audience needed to identify with Kong, and the CGI / Andy Serkis combo is simply incredible, giving the beast more realism and authenticism than most of the human characters. Even at 3 hours, it never really slows down...one of 2005's more underappreciated films.

8/10

[criterionmaster]

Robot Stories - 6.5/10

I try to find some good "hidden" contemporary films and this is what I end up with. The film ends with the best, which made me think it was better than it was at first. Four stories mixing politics and messages all involving robots. It is enjoyable and somewhat worth a look if you can find it.

Vanilla Sky - 9/10

Amazing story with a great sci-fi ending. The performances from all really are top notch and it was a great film to watch. Cameron Crowe once again with great dialogue, soundtrack, and visuals.

American Beauty - 10/10!

This film has blown me away. It was just a masterpiece. Spacey blows every performance he has EVER done out of the water with this one. Every character is developed and interesting.

- I will probably write reviews for all these films later.

[Clark Nova]

American Beauty is one of the few films I've ever seen that really, I mean reallly stayed with me while i was watching it and long afterwards. The last half hour or so is just so tragic, dark, and symbolic that I couldn't stop thinking about it and interpreting it for quite a while. Definitely one of the best films of the 90s, I think.

[criterionmaster]

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 0/10

The worst film I have ever watched. Oh it’s for girls, well even other films for girls I like if they are actually good. It was the most cheesy movie I have watched all year. I am about to die, me and my dad laughed so loud when they all put there hands in the middle and said some cheesy shit and then a cheese factory song starts playing!

[blackmoses]

LOL!

[captainofbeef]

Lots of stuff over vacation

Hard Boiled (rewatch)
9.5/10
A very good action movie from John Woo. He takes you on a thrilling ride and never lets go. The action in this film is non stop and their is very little melodrama involved. But, for some reason, the melodrama in the Killer off sets the violence and action perfectly, which is why I like The Killer better than this.

Kung Fu Hustle (rewatch)
8/10
A blast of a movie. I can't remember the last time I had more fun watching a movie. The blend of comedy and kung fu action create a splendid atmosphere and a laugh out loud good time. The kung fu scenes are amazing, some of the best ever on film in my opinion.

Batman Begins (rewatch)
9/10
My second favorite superhero film of all time, my favorite will be reviewed shortly. I love the dark tone of this film. Nolan is the perfect director for this type of material. I much prefer the way he handles the material to the way Burton handled it. Neeson and Bale are great, as is Caine. Can't wait for the next one.

Solaris
10/10!!!!!!!!!!
Holy sweet Jesus, son of God. The best sci-fi film of all time. Period. Nothing can touch it, not even Star Wars. The atmosphere is absolutly perfect as are the characters. Tarkovsky paces the film excellently and peppers the dialogue with meditations on the meaning of life and our conscience. The ending to this film is spectacular as well. Going in my top 20 for sure.

Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
7/10
Fun popcorn flick, nothing more, nothing less. I much prefer the first one to this. The first one had soul, this one really didn't. It was all about the explosions and how many times they could get a good fight scene out of the plot. Plus, I hated the ending.

Superman Returns
10/10
Mindblowing. I never thought this would be as good as it was. Easily the best and my favorite superhero movie of all time. Spacey's performance was perfect. I was pleasantly suprised by Bosworth's performance as well. The movie flew by and even my sister enjoyed it. Can't wait to see this again.

[criterionmaster]

Well now I can finally borrow Solaris from you...

[satantangofan]

criterionmaster said:

Glad you like Le Corbeau!

Liked it? I loved it. Technically, this film is mind-blowing & easily matches anything by Hitchcock imo; the use of light/dark in particular is used to incredible effect. Add to this the fact that it was made in France during the time of the Nazi occupation...well, this just cements Clouzouts reputation as a genius. The film acts as a political metaphor: by portraying the male figures of authority as flawed/incompetent/weak, Clouzot directly challenged the Vichy government for its acquiescence to German power.
A stunning thriller & cerebral allegory filmed at a key moment in history. Who could ask for more?

[Clark Nova]

I couldn't agree more about Batman Begins. Burton's film was excellent in its own right, but the problem with that was that it seemed overly dark just for the sake of being overly dark. Nolan needed to completely reboot the franchise after Joel Schumacher sh*t all over it with a completely different style, and it worked.

[Clark Nova]

Annie Hall (Woody Allen) (1977)

For years, I had always resented Annie Hall, even though I had never even seen it, simply because it beat out Star Wars on Oscar Night, the one film that I genuinely grew up on. Well, I finally watched Annie Hall tonight, and I can see why it was more than deserving of that best picture award. Allen's writing and acting are top-notch, Keaton never had a better role in her career before or since, and there's just so many great moments...the lobsters, the Marshall McLuhan scene, or any of Alvy's neurotic monologues for that matter. Just a wonderful film and already one of my favorite comedies.

10/10

[mixed]

The graduate
Upon this thrid watch I've realised what an amazing film this is. The scenes just with Benjamin and Mrs Robinson are gold. The show of Benjamins isolation is seen all through the film, when he jumps into the pool in the scuba diving kit for example. The sound of silence really resonates in the POV of him walking to the pool in the scuba mask. The mannerisms the character displays and ingenius and give the character such verisimilitude. Eg the scene where Benjamin first comes to the hotel, he waits by the side, he isn't impulsive enough, he is milquestoast, obviously the opposite to Mrs Robinson. Another example of this nature being him trying to get the attention of the waiters and not succeeding. Aside from all this, the grduate is just bloody hilarious! So funny and so timeless 10/10 Oh and of course the music is perfect

South park the movie
Funny, funny shit! One of the funniest films I've ever seen. This is about the 10th time I've seen this and their are still things to laugh about, if not to cry about. Its just plain good entertainment and great fun 8/10

Braindead (AKA dead alive)
Eww sick film! Crammed full of disgusting imagery. The gore effects are impressive but the film overall is junky to the extreme but the gore, oh the glorious gore! 5/10

Finding neverland
Once again Depp plays a character rather than just being a good actor. This film is quite nice in parts but its a bit forgettable in the end. 6/10