Not a film but one for film fans. Curzon are doing a pretty decent Black Friday membership deal. £50/£65 outside/inside London which includes seven free tickets instead of the usual five (plus the usual discounts on normal tickets/food/free online booking etc). It's a recurring membership but you can cancel that.
Films you have seen at the cinema 2024
- Thread starter metalguru
- Start date
When the pope dies, Cardinal Ralph Fiennes is responsible for organising the election of his successor. But as events unfold, should he follow the rules of the conclave or do what he thinks is right? Fiennes is excellent as a decent man struggling with his faith and conscience, as is the rest of the ensemble cast (including John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci). Sister Isabella Rossellini is underused cos nuns are obvs seen and not heard but the entire cinema laughed when she dropped her bombshell and then disappeared, leaving the men to sort their shit out.
Genuinely gripping though
Genuinely gripping though
I didn't really believe that a speech by Evil Italian Cardinal (surely his horrible views weren't exactly secret?) and then one by Lovely Mexican were enough to completely overturn the result but hey.
Also thought the twist at the end was going to be that he was HIV+/had AIDS, possibly as a result of sexual violence given his work with survivors was specifically mentioned. But I did like the ending we got.
Also thought the twist at the end was going to be that he was HIV+/had AIDS, possibly as a result of sexual violence given his work with survivors was specifically mentioned. But I did like the ending we got.
krtek a houby
Kick me again Jesus
Really looking forward to it, be can't convert the better half... Not an Oz fan.
Throbbing Angel
this is no longer a place of honour
Been to see Naked Lunch (1991) today. Still mad as fuck 
furluxor
snake with a claw
Been to see Naked Lunch (1991) today. Still mad as fuck
Miles better than the book! Made me harbour a little dream of going to Marrakesh for a month and living a little strange.
krtek a houby
Kick me again Jesus
Been to see Naked Lunch (1991) today. Still mad as fuck
Don't be angry, it's really a good film
trabuquera
Modesty Bag
Gladiator II. Nihil bonum est.
Elpenor
a clown’s heart and a mandolin
Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat
A look at the skulduggery pulled by the US / UN in the Congo as it gained independence from Belgium, and their attempts to sideline and then subdue Lumumba, in order to safeguard the uranium deposits. This is a sprawling film which has various threads to tie together - the end of colonialism, the Cold War, global institutions and their failings, and the impact Lumumba’s pan-Africanism has domestically and it largely succeeds, painting a vivid picture of the events.
Warning - viewers should be mindful that this film contains 3 times danny la rouge ‘s recommended daily intake of jazz
A look at the skulduggery pulled by the US / UN in the Congo as it gained independence from Belgium, and their attempts to sideline and then subdue Lumumba, in order to safeguard the uranium deposits. This is a sprawling film which has various threads to tie together - the end of colonialism, the Cold War, global institutions and their failings, and the impact Lumumba’s pan-Africanism has domestically and it largely succeeds, painting a vivid picture of the events.
Warning - viewers should be mindful that this film contains 3 times danny la rouge ‘s recommended daily intake of jazz
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
An extremely interesting film by the writer/director of 'I am Not a Witch' (which I didn't actually see but am aware of). It is set in Zambia and tackles the issue of familial sexual abuse and Zambian family/social structures (and possibly makes wider points).
It's directed with some measured unsettling elements of Bunuel-like surrealism included in the overall narrative, and the lead actor Susan Chardy has an unmistakable presence.
An extremely interesting film by the writer/director of 'I am Not a Witch' (which I didn't actually see but am aware of). It is set in Zambia and tackles the issue of familial sexual abuse and Zambian family/social structures (and possibly makes wider points).
It's directed with some measured unsettling elements of Bunuel-like surrealism included in the overall narrative, and the lead actor Susan Chardy has an unmistakable presence.
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redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Nightbitch - Very good, entertaining but with some thought as well as some laugh out loud moments. Amy Adams is absolutely excellent and the rest of the cast very good.
DJWrongspeed
radio eros
It is a bit pointless isn't it ? Very similar plot with a different ending. As with the entertainment in the coliseum it gives people want they want.... more gladiators !
krtek a houby
Kick me again Jesus
And jumping the shark
Start the annual thread!Need to think about my favourite films of the year at some point
Wherever you like! Though not sure if those threads are retained or binned after Christmas etc.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Love reading others, but never do my own. I think it’s cos I’m so indecisive and I think too much (eg how can you rank a comedy over a serious historical drama or vice versa? They will both be worthy of accolades, but for different reasons).Need to think about my favourite films of the year at some point
Will try and make a special effort this year though
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
mentalchik
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit."
Dune 2 and Alien Romulous
Queer. In 1950's Mexico, Daniel Craig becomes infatuated with a much younger man. This really is a film of two halves with the first -- set in Mexico City where Craig becomes increasingly desperate as the young man remains mentally, if not physically, unavailable -- being much better than the second maybe because I find the whole 'hunt for the elusive drug' thing massively uninteresting. Craig is excellent (and genuinely looks various degrees of drunk which is surprisingly rare in films) with great support from unrecognisable Jason Schwartman and Lesley Manville. It also references the real life William Tell incident -- the novella this was based on being written by Burroughs in its aftermath.
Nightbitch. Amy Adams gives up her art career to become a stay at home mother, with little support from her partner. As she finds her world getting smaller, she starts to feel she's changing into someone/thing else. Dark, funny and should probably be seen by every man/father out there. In the small screen I saw this in though, it was noticeable there was only one man. I do wonder why this is -- Female director? 'Irrelevant' subject matter? Something else? The last time I saw such an overwhelmingly female audience was for Copa '71.
Nightbitch. Amy Adams gives up her art career to become a stay at home mother, with little support from her partner. As she finds her world getting smaller, she starts to feel she's changing into someone/thing else. Dark, funny and should probably be seen by every man/father out there. In the small screen I saw this in though, it was noticeable there was only one man. I do wonder why this is -- Female director? 'Irrelevant' subject matter? Something else? The last time I saw such an overwhelmingly female audience was for Copa '71.
Queer... I liked it, though I probably wouldn't watch it again. The photography and direction is very good, and the acting is excellent. I had some problems with the structure and the combination of imagery. The first part is best but probably slightly long and ponderous, the 'drug section' didn't quite work for me and almost felt shoe-horned in from another film.
It's a good film overall, and some of the images will stay with me - such as Daniel Craig under this incredible tree dropping leaves (Jacaranda tree?). In its use of colour, particularly in the first section, it reminded me a bit of Tom Ford's 'A Single Man'.... But the imagery and non-narrative sequences felt a bit clumsy at times.
With regard to Nightbitch, I personally haven't seen it because a couple of the reviews I've seen have been negative (Guardian - "Amy Adams doggy fantasy-satire stays fatally muzzled" and The Times - "Amy Adams's body horror becomes a shaggy dog story")
It's a good film overall, and some of the images will stay with me - such as Daniel Craig under this incredible tree dropping leaves (Jacaranda tree?). In its use of colour, particularly in the first section, it reminded me a bit of Tom Ford's 'A Single Man'.... But the imagery and non-narrative sequences felt a bit clumsy at times.
With regard to Nightbitch, I personally haven't seen it because a couple of the reviews I've seen have been negative (Guardian - "Amy Adams doggy fantasy-satire stays fatally muzzled" and The Times - "Amy Adams's body horror becomes a shaggy dog story")
TBF, the Guardian (Observer?) reviewer (Wendy Ide) gave Queer two stars and Nightbitch three.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
both films had high expectations from critics, because of their directors’ previous work. I find this can often lead to films being judged more harsh than they deserve. CBA with Queer as am not a huge fan of Guardagnino, but kicking myself for missing Nightbitch at LIFF as I am a fan of Heller’s. May have to wait for streaming as I doubt I’ll get a chance to see it on a big screen til the new year.
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Yes, I thought Can you ever forgive me? from Heller was excellent which is a lot of the reason I went to see Nightbitch. While not as good, it's still very good.
In terms of the two(!) films Guadagnino's released this year, I think Challengers is the better film (it hangs together better and the pacing is more even) but Craig gives the overall outstanding performance.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Have you seen Diary Of A Teenage Girl? absolutely loved that
I feel obliged to watch Challengers just to have an opinion on it, but it's not the sort of film I'd make a bee line for. I have an unreasonable aversion for films featuring sports as I don't think I'd find them relatable, despite enjoying the few I have seen. Though I cannot imagine Challengers holding a candle to Cool Runnings.
