Oh no, it was all my poor reading comprehension. Fwiw, I'm in the pub so...I never know whether to tag people or not. Probably shouldn't have. I wasn't being rude about you.
It's rude to be rude about someone without tagging them, but perhaps rude to tag someone otherwise? Dunno.
Films you have seen at the cinema 2024
- Thread starter metalguru
- Start date
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
It is gory, yes. That's one of the better aspects of it.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
In a comedy way, yes. Like Mr Creosote in Monty Python. I was past caring by that point.
shifting gears
Well-Known Member
Saw it last night and can confirm that it is, as the youth might say, bare gory
I actually really enjoyed the full-on visceral assault of it, it was like Cronenbourg (key influence on director apparently, and there were definitely a couple of scenes heavily inspired by The Fly) on steroids, and was also very funny in parts. It definitely was a bit overlong though.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
A few references in there. Did you spot the Vertigo reference in the soundtrack?Saw it last night and can confirm that it is, as the youth might say, bare gory
I actually really enjoyed the full-on visceral assault of it, it was like Cronenbourg (key influence on director apparently, and there were definitely a couple of scenes heavily inspired by The Fly) on steroids, and was also very funny in parts. It definitely was a bit overlong though.
shifting gears
Well-Known Member
I did not! But I did think the soundtrack was really good
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Kind of thing that makes you feel smug when you get it.
It was the music from the bit when Jimmy Stewart was getting seriously weird and choosing Kim Novak's clothes.
(I'm sure I missed loads of others.)
The Count of Monte Cristo. So not really my kind of thing but I'm away at the moment and the other choices were Beetlejuice Beetlejuice dubbed into French or a couple of Quebec films that looked pretty rubbish.
If you do like that kind of thing -- Treachery! Betrayal! Vengeance! Dank dungeons! Buried treasure! Beautiful French chateaux! Lovely countryside! Sword fights! Eye patches! -- you'll love this.
I thought it was pretty good for what it was and reasonably engaging, given it's three hours long. Maybe not one for littlebabyjesus though.
If you do like that kind of thing -- Treachery! Betrayal! Vengeance! Dank dungeons! Buried treasure! Beautiful French chateaux! Lovely countryside! Sword fights! Eye patches! -- you'll love this.
I thought it was pretty good for what it was and reasonably engaging, given it's three hours long. Maybe not one for littlebabyjesus though.
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
Megalopolis. I watched it on an IMAX which is a rare treat for me as none locally and typical IMAX films often aren’t my sort of thing. There were 10 people there on a Friday night. I doubt it will be in cinemas for long.
It is an ambitious spectacle which does not succeed. Some stunning setpiece scenes, crammed full of detail, which we linger on for milliseconds. There isn’t time to fully understand what is going on. There is an entire series that could have been made to build the world and that is perhaps what should have happened.
Despite this I found it empty. The plot simultaneously drags its feet and feels rushed. We meet characters briefly but it really isn’t clear who is allied with who, and we never really get invested in their journey. There seem to be huge jumps in the action, as presumably entire scenes were cut. I imagine Coppola has a preferred directors cut which is much longer.
The very last scene
which I found ironic given how much Coppola’s generation of directors criticise the superhero genre.
The highlight for me was Shia Leboeuf chewing the scenery in the manner of Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham. Aubrey Plaza was good but underused and given some cringeworthy porn style dialogue in one scene, which was still better than the tedious Hamlet soliloquies that featured at one point
It is an ambitious spectacle which does not succeed. Some stunning setpiece scenes, crammed full of detail, which we linger on for milliseconds. There isn’t time to fully understand what is going on. There is an entire series that could have been made to build the world and that is perhaps what should have happened.
Despite this I found it empty. The plot simultaneously drags its feet and feels rushed. We meet characters briefly but it really isn’t clear who is allied with who, and we never really get invested in their journey. There seem to be huge jumps in the action, as presumably entire scenes were cut. I imagine Coppola has a preferred directors cut which is much longer.
The very last scene
felt like something from the end of return of the Jedi,
The highlight for me was Shia Leboeuf chewing the scenery in the manner of Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham. Aubrey Plaza was good but underused and given some cringeworthy porn style dialogue in one scene, which was still better than the tedious Hamlet soliloquies that featured at one point
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The Substance
Didn't like this much at all. It's too gory for me, and I found the overall effect far too crude and bludgeoning. I suspect I'm probably not in the target age group for this and may have missed or not appreciated some of the 'gonzo humour' that I've seen referred to in reviews - though the cinema audience wasn't laughing much . The final 15 minutes I think are just ridiculous and - like Littlebabyjesus above- I was already wanting it to end .
The Critic
This is basically a showcase for a great performance by Ian McKellen, and there's some nice art deco thirties interiors, but overall the plot and other characters let this down. I thought this film was a huge missed opportunity as I really enjoyed the novel the film is based on some years ago, but much of the plot is omitted.
Didn't like this much at all. It's too gory for me, and I found the overall effect far too crude and bludgeoning. I suspect I'm probably not in the target age group for this and may have missed or not appreciated some of the 'gonzo humour' that I've seen referred to in reviews - though the cinema audience wasn't laughing much . The final 15 minutes I think are just ridiculous and - like Littlebabyjesus above- I was already wanting it to end .
The Critic
This is basically a showcase for a great performance by Ian McKellen, and there's some nice art deco thirties interiors, but overall the plot and other characters let this down. I thought this film was a huge missed opportunity as I really enjoyed the novel the film is based on some years ago, but much of the plot is omitted.
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Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Megalopolis. That was truly, truly terrible and incredibly dull. I know Coppola's been trying to make it for decades and it looked it. Biblical epic style ponderous voiceover, Falcon Crest level look and feel and dialogue and acting. (The actors' commitment to 'acting' made it even worse.) The audience seemed split -- half clapped at the end, the other half were laughing derisively at the specially bad bits. Really someone should've staged an intervention to stop Coppola making this. (I kind of feel the same about Scorsese to be honest.) Now to read some reviews just to see how much the critics loved it.
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littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
As I said on the specific thread, it's hours and hours and hours of your life you'll never, ever get back. (2 hours 18mins but it feels way, way longer.)
Seriously, it's not so good it's bad. It's just really bad.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Thinking about this now with a few days' distance, I don't think it was funny at all. It was earnest. And apparently not a shred of irony in the casting of a lead who's clearly had a shitload of plastic surgery.
DJWrongspeed
radio eros
Finally caught this. Very uplifting. I had to let go of the book and then enjoyed it more. Ending films is always hard but having a musical climax so to speak worked really well. Channeling Debussy's La Mer worked in this case.
As a side note I found a discrepancy between Rhona criticizing her mother's religion but then going to an AA meeting and alluding to God. I guess this was not an issue since she was just wanted to commune with other alcoholics in Orkney.
Lastly, go see it for the seals, they give great performances.
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May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
The Substance. metalguru you might be interested to know that my bestie and I are this film's probable target audience (middle aged women) and we both found it pretty underwhelming. Ironically, it's one of those films where there's a much better (and more substantial) film trying to get out. Moore and Qualley both great but underused despite being on screen almost the entire time. The design, cinematography and soundtrack are all excellent but there's a lack of depth that means it ends up being more like the thing it's trying to satirise.
Just been catching up on a few films.
The Outrun. Saoirse Ronan is indeed excellent and I thought it captured the whole drunkenness, followed by aggression and then apologies stuff very well. Someone asked about the Hackney aspect -- apart from a scene in Kingsland Rd and some round the canal, not really sure I recognised much. Orkney looks beautiful and I thought Ronan's generic Scottish accent was good (she does have a Scottish partner which I'm sure helped), though not sure the 'my parents are English' thing really explained why she didn't sound Orkney in the slightest.
The Substance. As people have said, way too long and the last act was ridiculous. Thought it was quite problematic though. Woman works in an industry where she's discarded when she's viewed as being too old and unattractive. Woman tries to do something about it. Woman gets her comeuppance in the most gory and bloody way possible. Given the disgusted gasps from the cinema audience I was in when Demi Moore's aged naked body was revealed, it seems getting old is indeed the stuff of nightmares.
And yes, we know Margaret Qualley has a beautiful arse, not sure we had to see quite so much of it though.
Strange Darling. Non-linear story of a one-night stand that goes horrifically wrong. I thought this was quite good, with excellent acting -- and it was a zippy 96 minutes which is rare these days. However, given the vast majority of murderers -- and serial killers in particular -- are men, I rolled my eyes quite a bit at the twist. Maybe that's unfair but I did.
The Outrun. Saoirse Ronan is indeed excellent and I thought it captured the whole drunkenness, followed by aggression and then apologies stuff very well. Someone asked about the Hackney aspect -- apart from a scene in Kingsland Rd and some round the canal, not really sure I recognised much. Orkney looks beautiful and I thought Ronan's generic Scottish accent was good (she does have a Scottish partner which I'm sure helped), though not sure the 'my parents are English' thing really explained why she didn't sound Orkney in the slightest.
The Substance. As people have said, way too long and the last act was ridiculous. Thought it was quite problematic though. Woman works in an industry where she's discarded when she's viewed as being too old and unattractive. Woman tries to do something about it. Woman gets her comeuppance in the most gory and bloody way possible. Given the disgusted gasps from the cinema audience I was in when Demi Moore's aged naked body was revealed, it seems getting old is indeed the stuff of nightmares.
And yes, we know Margaret Qualley has a beautiful arse, not sure we had to see quite so much of it though.Strange Darling. Non-linear story of a one-night stand that goes horrifically wrong. I thought this was quite good, with excellent acting -- and it was a zippy 96 minutes which is rare these days. However, given the vast majority of murderers -- and serial killers in particular -- are men, I rolled my eyes quite a bit at the twist. Maybe that's unfair but I did.
I'm not sure middle-aged women were the target audience tbh. I know it certainly made me feel quite pissed off (and I reckon i was the only person over 30 in my screening).
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
It had a very definite feel to it that 'isn't Demi Moore brave for getting naked at 60', so as MayK said, it is itself an example of the thing it is attempting to satirise.I'm not sure middle-aged women were the target audience tbh. I know it certainly made me feel quite pissed off (and I reckon i was the only person over 30 in my screening).
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Civil War
Alex Garland is such a good writer/director. Couldn't get over the amount of Devs actors in this (not to mention Geoff Barrow) until I realised that Garland was responsible for Devs, as well.
Film starts off like a road movie, or a zombie film without the zombies before descending into the war.
Excellent and grim.
Alex Garland is such a good writer/director. Couldn't get over the amount of Devs actors in this (not to mention Geoff Barrow) until I realised that Garland was responsible for Devs, as well.
Film starts off like a road movie, or a zombie film without the zombies before descending into the war.
Excellent and grim.
A380
How do I change this 'custom title' thing then?
Twice this week
Saw Lee, about the Vogue war photographer Lee Miller. It was truly brilliant and I'd recommend going to see it before its out of cinemas.
Also the new Joker film. I realise this puts me in a minority but I though it was a great piece of film making. Similar in concept (but not execution) to the Father.
Saw Lee, about the Vogue war photographer Lee Miller. It was truly brilliant and I'd recommend going to see it before its out of cinemas.
Also the new Joker film. I realise this puts me in a minority but I though it was a great piece of film making. Similar in concept (but not execution) to the Father.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
The Substance
Bit to long, the last act was straight up comedy gross out but I enjoyed it.
Demi Moore acted her socks off.
Bit to long, the last act was straight up comedy gross out but I enjoyed it.
Demi Moore acted her socks off.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
LFF time again. Three films for me this week.
Cidade; Campo
City; Countryside. Brazilian film with two stories, one following a new arrival in a city (a woman whose home was washed away when a dam burst), the other following new arrivals in the countryside (a couple, one of whose dad just died, leaving her the farm). It's quite beautifully done, showing the struggles to get by when everything is set against you with a matter-of-fact lack of judgement. Plenty of non-too-hidden jabs at Bolsonaro and his disastrous environment policies (he was still in power when it was filmed). Thoroughly recommend it.
Watership Down
Restored version. Dunno how different it is from the degraded version that was doing the rounds. Fun fact: this is a very rare film that has had its rating changed upwards. It was U when released in 1978. It's now a PG. Some lovely touches slipped past that original censor, such as the oath 'For Frith's Sake'.
Rising Up At Night
Kinshasa has flooded. And there is no electricity. The people struggle through the night and life goes on. A collection is made to buy a new cable and restore electricity in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, on the radio, the new power station is announced, then is downgraded, then cancelled. There is lots of praying to Jesus. Jesus clearly isn't listening, though. Which bits are documentary and which staged, it is hard to tell. It appears to be some of each. The radio announcements are real, though. So are the homes knee-deep in water in which people are still living. An incredible soundtrack that I'd like to get hold of.
Thinking about it now, purely accidentally, these three all fit together very well. They are all, in their own ways, ecological calls to action. The world really is that fucked up. We really are that foolish.
Cidade; Campo
City; Countryside. Brazilian film with two stories, one following a new arrival in a city (a woman whose home was washed away when a dam burst), the other following new arrivals in the countryside (a couple, one of whose dad just died, leaving her the farm). It's quite beautifully done, showing the struggles to get by when everything is set against you with a matter-of-fact lack of judgement. Plenty of non-too-hidden jabs at Bolsonaro and his disastrous environment policies (he was still in power when it was filmed). Thoroughly recommend it.
Watership Down
Restored version. Dunno how different it is from the degraded version that was doing the rounds. Fun fact: this is a very rare film that has had its rating changed upwards. It was U when released in 1978. It's now a PG. Some lovely touches slipped past that original censor, such as the oath 'For Frith's Sake'.
Rising Up At Night
Kinshasa has flooded. And there is no electricity. The people struggle through the night and life goes on. A collection is made to buy a new cable and restore electricity in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, on the radio, the new power station is announced, then is downgraded, then cancelled. There is lots of praying to Jesus. Jesus clearly isn't listening, though. Which bits are documentary and which staged, it is hard to tell. It appears to be some of each. The radio announcements are real, though. So are the homes knee-deep in water in which people are still living. An incredible soundtrack that I'd like to get hold of.
Thinking about it now, purely accidentally, these three all fit together very well. They are all, in their own ways, ecological calls to action. The world really is that fucked up. We really are that foolish.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
I'm looking forward to this. I thought the first one was brilliant. (And I usually hate this kind of thing.)
