List the films you've seen at the cinema: 2013

[Gramsci]

The Great Beauty. More a series of of vaguely connected scenes than a proper storyline but could've sat and watched this for hours and hours. Looks absolutely beautiful. It reminded me a bit of Holy Motors in that even if you're not quite sure what's going on, it's still really entrancing.

Good point about Holy Motors. I did not think of that. I went to see The Great Beauty at Curzon Mayfair big screen one. This film has to be seen in cinema. I agree I could have watched it for hours.

It is entrancing. That is what cinema is about imo. There are to many films that are just about ok. But could be seen on TV/ DVD. The Great Beauty is a cinematic experience.

I also found The Great Beauty an optimistic humane film. Which might sound strange given it follows a man who reaches 65 who finds his life has been empty. But taken as a whole it is.

Rome is The Great Beauty. I liked the way he shows you Rome brooding in the shadows throughout most of the film . Its only at the end when the credits role that he takes one down the river in the sunlight.

 

[Cheesypoof]

Elysium, loved it.

 

[Sue]

Classe tous risques. 1960's French gangster on the run film. Had never even heard of it but thought I'd give it a try as it's on locally. Thought it was really good.

 

[Callie]

Elysium, loved it.

Saw that the other week, it was OK, fulfilled expectations but felt very clichéd and kind of a repeat of District 9 but in a different setting. It was watchable but I wouldnt bother watching again or recommend it to others particularly.

I also saw Rush which I really enjoyed. Wasnt overly sure what to expect from it and although it wasnt ground breaking, heartbreaking or an immense visual masterpiece it was a good story (biopic), well filmed and had us all talking about it after the film. I would watch Rush again and would encourage others to go and see if they fancied going to their local cinema yay Racing Thor!

 

[Cheesypoof]

Saw that the other week, it was OK, fulfilled expectations but felt very clichéd and kind of a repeat of District 9 but in a different setting. It was watchable but I wouldnt bother watching again or recommend it to others particularly.

Yeh perhaps 'loved' is too strong a word, i was drunk when i posted that so lets say i enjoyed Elysium for its zaniness....i never watch sci fi and havent seen District 9 so found it interesting and provocative, with stunning visuals. The thinly veiled Jesus theme wasnt overplayed but i think they lost some satire among the startling visuals. It all got a bit gun ho after a while, in a Terminator 2 kind of way. A fun film for its 'fuck you' to capitalism and acid-trip props.

 

[moonsi til]

I watched Rush last week choosing it due the time I wanted to go. I knew nothing about F1 or James or Niki so the whole story was a total surprise. I really enjoyed it and was quite in awe at Niki. I went to see 'we're the millers' today which was funny in a roaring laugh out way.

I'm hoping to catch 'beyond the candleabra' on Thursday as I missed it when it was on general release.

 

[Sue]

The Wall, Austrian film (based on a 1960's book) about a woman who suddenly finds herself surrounded by an invisible wall. Started out quite well but all got a bit bleak. Too long and a bit boring.

 

[redsquirrel]

The Best Offer - New film from Giuseppe Tornatore, director of (the insanely overrated) Cinema Paradiso. The plot is that a, shady, art auctioneer who lives for his work and art becomes enamoured of an agoraphobic client. It was quite clearly written as an Italian film but it's in English and has Geoffrey Rush and Donald Sutherland in it so the location has been switched to London, which doesn't really help the film. The main problem though is that it want's to be an arthouse film while still being a thriller and it fails on both scores. The thriller part of it just isn't written well enough and is nowhere near tight enough, while the drama/arthouse part is about as deep as a puddle. It's not absolutely terrible but it's not worth going to see at the cinema.

I'm So Excited - Quite a long way from Almodovar's best, it's very light and frothy but it's an ejoyable enough 90 minutes.

 

[ruffneck23]

iron ma 3
star trek into darkenss
man of steel
kick ass 2

thats the most ive been to the cinema in years...

 

[youngian]

Blue Jasmine - I don't know what the critics who gave this 4/5 stars are on but it should be made illegal as it obviously causes you to make very stupid choices.

I thought it was the best thing Allen has done for years. The film hangs on the two leads and Blanchett's performance was compelling. Which is remarkable considering she illicits little sympathy even though her world has fallen apart and she is descending into mental illness.

 

[Sue]

I thought it was the best thing Allen has done for years. The film hangs on the two leads and Blanchett's performance was compelling. Which is remarkable considering she illicits little sympathy even though her world has fallen apart and she is descending into mental illness.

Think I'm going to give this a miss. Midnight in Paris was meant to be a return to form (and I thought that was terrible) so not convinced really... Don't know, when did he last make something decent? (Genuine question, haven't seen that many of his films and don't really get the Woody Allen love thing, maybe because he'd done his best stuff when I was too young to see it at the cinema.)

 

[youngian]

Think I'm going to give this a miss. Midnight in Paris was meant to be a return to form (and I thought that was terrible) so not convinced really... Don't know, when did he last make something decent? (Genuine question, haven't seen that many of his films and don't really get the Woody Allen love thing, maybe because he'd done his best stuff when I was too young to see it at the cinema.)

I would say his last very good film was Sweet and Lowdown with Matchpoint as his best subsequent European effort. None of which are terrible but mediocre with some worthy highlights.

For what its worth I didn't rate the popular Midnight in Paris and Blue Jasmine is not a comedy and has an altogether different mood and structure.
I suspect Allen got the idea for Midnight in Paris while flicking through the channels in his hotel room while working on his previous British picture and came across Rodney in his 1940s time travel shop. Owen Wilson was a very good Allen stand in but Michael Sheen's annoying pompous intellectual as the highlight.

 

[redsquirrel]

I would say his last very good film was Sweet and Lowdown with Matchpoint as his best subsequent European effort. None of which are terrible but mediocre with some worthy highlights.

You don't think Scoop and Cassandra's Dream are terrible? I think you must be taking some of the stuff that the critics are, both are appalling.

 

[youngian]

You don't think Scoop and Cassandra's Dream are terrible? I think you must be taking some of the stuff that the critics are, both are appalling.

Don't remember any critics liking Scoop which was a silly enjoyable caper. Cassandra's Dream- you got me there. How long did Farrel and MacGregor spend on those parts, two days tops?

Although they were probably stretched more than the star of Whatever Works; "Larry I want you to play a grumpy misanthropic New York Jew with no social skills. Do you think you can handle it?"

 

[ChrisD]

Blue Jasmine.
Good film ie good script, good acting. Typically good observations of the human condition but neither any endearing characters nor a feelgood ending made it seem like education rather than entertainment.

 

[Dr. Furface]

Blue Jasmine. The critics are saying this is Woody Allen's best film for years. Given Allen's recent output, that's really not saying much - but the fact is that this pisses on anything he's done (at least that I've seen) for a long long time, and I'd go as far to say it could be his best ever. This is Woody Allen on another level - it is genuinely funny, laugh out loud at times, but it's also a very sad tale and ultimately a tragic one, brilliantly performed and directed throughout. It certainly contains the best single performance I've ever seen in one of his films - Cate Blanchett is absolutely stunning as the central character, and I'll be putting money on her winning the best actress Oscar next year for it (although knowing them, they'll probably give it to Naomi Watts for Diana!). I won't be betting on it winning the best film award though because, just like Blanchette's character, the Academy can't stand too much reality that's not sugar coated and doesn't all turn out right in the end. If all you want or expect from a Woody Allen film is just a few laughs then this probably isn't for you (like the bloke behind me today who thought it was 'a bit too grim'), but if you want a film that's entertaining but also makes you think and says something about the human condition, then don't miss this. Welcome back, Woody!

 

[Sue]

Blue Jasmine. The critics are saying this is Woody Allen's best film for years. Given Allen's recent output, that's really not saying much - but the fact is that this pisses on anything he's done (at least that I've seen) for a long long time, and I'd go as far to say it could be his best ever. This is Woody Allen on another level - it is genuinely funny, laugh out loud at times, but it's also a very sad tale and ultimately a tragic one, brilliantly performed and directed throughout. It certainly contains the best single performance I've ever seen in one of his films - Cate Blanchett is absolutely stunning as the central character, and I'll be putting money on her winning the best actress Oscar next year for it (although knowing them, they'll probably give it to Naomi Watts for Diana!). I won't be betting on it winning the best film award though because, just like Blanchette's character, the Academy can't stand too much reality that's not sugar coated and doesn't all turn out right in the end. If all you want or expect from a Woody Allen film is just a few laughs then this probably isn't for you (like the bloke behind me today who thought it was 'a bit too grim'), but if you want a film that's entertaining but also makes you think and says something about the human condition, then don't miss this. Welcome back, Woody!

I'm going to have to go and see this now, Maybe on Wednesday when it's only £3.50 to get in. If it's as bad as Midnight in Paris, I'll be having a stern word with one or two of you...

ETA It's not on at the £3.50 cinema but this is:

Bring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman

A powerful Chilean gangster uses everything in his power to stop the woman that wants to kill him, a sexy mercenary known as "the machinegun woman". The staggering sum of cash he offers for her head sets in motion an army of hitmen. And also, by accident, bursts in the life of naïve DJ Santiago, a common youth that will have to steel his guts against the underworld, and above all, survive the irresistible - and bloodthirsty - Machinegun Woman.

 

[youngian]

I'm going to have to go and see this now, Maybe on Wednesday when it's only £3.50 to get in. If it's as bad as Midnight in Paris, I'll be having a stern word with one or two of you...

Where do you get in for £3.50?

 

[Sue]

Where do you get in for £3.50?

Genesis, Mile End Rd, £3.50 all day on a Wednesday. Hackney PH/Rio both £4 all day Monday if you're a member (more if you're not but still cheaper than usual).

 

[youngian]

Genesis, Mile End Rd, £3.50 all day on a Wednesday. Hackney PH/Rio both £4 all day Monday if you're a member (more if you're not but still cheaper than usual).

If I could bunk the train thats a whole 50p cheaper than Monday at the Ritzy for which I will do tomorrow evening for the new Wicker Man cut.

So impressed with the Genesis offer I had a look at their site. There is also a special £25 pass for their whole Danny Dyer season. They're really spoiling us now.

 

[RubyToogood]

I went to see Blue Jasmine. It's pretty bleak and none of the characters are very nice. Nobody seems to have any motivation other than money or sex. Plus the central character is so on edge it put me on edge. Its message seemed to be "shallow people are shallow". I expect it's a masterpiece or something but I wasn't in the right mood for it.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Despicable Me 2. It was ace.

fin

 

[Sue]

Blue Jasmine. Cate Blanchett and Sally Hawkins were both good, found the film itself pretty meh (though that's a massive improvement on his last few films IMO). Didn't really care about anyone in it which was a bit of a problem. And missed the 'laugh out loud funny' bits Dr. Furface..?

 

[skyscraper101]

Also saw Blue Jasmine last night. Rather enjoyed it. All the actors were good too, especially Sally Hawkins.

 

[Gramsci]

Also saw Blue Jasmine last night. Rather enjoyed it. All the actors were good too, especially Sally Hawkins.

Yes she is good.

The problem for me is that she played exactly the same character in Mike Leighs "Happy go Lucky". Thats ok if he acknowledged the influence.

After seeing the film I heard Woody being interviewed about it. He said that his casting agent found Sally Hawkins. I cannot believe he had not seen Mike Leighs film.

 

[Gramsci]

Went to see "The Perverts Guide to Ideology". Weighing in at over two hours it is a tour de force from Zizek and well put together by Fiennes the director.

I did think that this might be dumbed down version of Zizek thought. He is better known as the "Elvis" of theory. Who is good at provocation.

Its not. It uses examples from high and popular culture to show how ideology works. This is subtle analysis of how ideology operates in late Capitalism.

I never understood his take on Christianity until now. The lesson to take is that we are alone. The is no "Big Other". Christianity is precursor of atheism. In that way Christianity is truly radical.

He makes use of film to show how ideology works. There is a great analysis of the Titanic. Be sure to wait at end of credits for Zizek to give one final swipe at the film.

I particularly liked the way that Fiennes recreated sets of films from which Zizek propounds his theories. It shows that film is not necessarily escapism. Film is a social construct not just entertainment.

 

[Gramsci]

Blue Jasmine. It certainly contains the best single performance I've ever seen in one of his films - Cate Blanchett is absolutely stunning as the central character, and I'll be putting money on her winning the best actress Oscar next year for it (although knowing them, they'll probably give it to Naomi Watts for Diana!). I won't be betting on it winning the best film award though because, just like Blanchette's character, the Academy can't stand too much reality that's not sugar coated and doesn't all turn out right in the end.

I agree. Be interesting to see if Cate does get best actress Oscar. She deserves it for this performance.

However its not so much to much reality as the wrong kind. I was surprised that this film was a critique of post crash USA. Its a reminder of the kind of people who caused the crash.

The film shows how class operates in US. I wonder how well it did in US. Here its been doing very well.

I also liked the way Woody confounds ones expectations. At one point it looked like it would be sugar coated.

 

[youngian]

The problem for me is that she played exactly the same character in Mike Leighs "Happy go Lucky". Thats ok if he acknowledged the influence.

After seeing the film I heard Woody being interviewed about it. He said that his casting agent found Sally Hawkins. I cannot believe he had not seen Mike Leighs film.

He's a bit odd about casting questions and sometimes pretends he's divorced from the process. On other occasions Allen waxes lyrical about where he first saw the actor and why they were right for the role. One such occasion was him talking about Jim Broadbent in Bullets over Broadway and how he first saw him in a Mike Leigh's Life is Sweet. I know he hardly interacts or even talks to actors before performance so he obviously picks them from watching their previous work.

I hadn't thought of the Happy Go Lucky similarities and Sally Hawkins is certainly not a one note actor. So yes maybe Mr Allen was rather taken by the performance and wanted a bit more.

 

[blossie33]

I went to see the shorter Zizek film last weekend and was interested to read Gramsci's review of the Ideology one as I've been thinking whether to go and see it.

I really enjoyed Zizek, it's more of a documentary about him, he's certainly very entertaining. However I must admit I didn't really understand some of what he was saying so I'm wondering if the Ideology might be a bit lost on me!

 

[Gramsci]

I went to see the shorter Zizek film last weekend and was interested to read Gramsci's review of the Ideology one as I've been thinking whether to go and see it.

I really enjoyed Zizek, it's more of a documentary about him, he's certainly very entertaining. However I must admit I didn't really understand some of what he was saying so I'm wondering if the Ideology might be a bit lost on me!

I would recommend trying this one. I think I have seen the one ur talking about. This is better as it focuses on the subject less on him as a media star.

One thing I do like about him is that he uses film to help explain how ideology works. So makes it understandable.

I do not understand all of it. But that is ok as he raises a lot of questions.