List the films you've seen at the cinema: 2016
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RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
Wiener-Dog (spur of the moment "I know, I'll go to the cinema" choice). I have mixed feelings about it. It was quite gruesome and a bit disjointed and I wasn't entirely sure what the point was although it was good in parts.
Also I have to mention the Mohammed moment which was really quite off and raised something of a reaction in the audience. I think if you are going to have a character say something implicitly racist it needs to be contextualised or flagged as racist or something and not just tossed in and then never referenced again.
Also I have to mention the Mohammed moment which was really quite off and raised something of a reaction in the audience. I think if you are going to have a character say something implicitly racist it needs to be contextualised or flagged as racist or something and not just tossed in and then never referenced again.
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redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Suicide Squad - absolutely abysmal, I didn't go into it with high expectations but it comfortably placed itself below them. Tedious, stupid, terrible plot with stonking great holes in it, terrible script. Avoid.
Early Summer - After being a little disappointed in Late Spring I was slightly nervous about going into this but really enjoyed it, I thought it was sharper than Late Spring, though maybe it was just the mood I was in when I saw the two.
Tokyo Story - Obviously high expectations but it lived up to them; funny, sad and sweet, just a really great film. There's loads been written about it so I won't go on about it, but just say that if you haven't seen it then you should.
A Ball at the Anjo House - last film I saw in the Setsuko Hara season at MIFF, a very strange, and pretty awful melodrama set in the aftermath of WWII, the plot has a former noble family in debt and being forced to leave their mansion. Whereas Ozu's films felt both modern and distinctly Japanese these feels like a remake of a British melodrama. A lot of the audience seemed to like the daft overdramatics but I just found them annoying. Not worth bothering with IMO.
Bad Girl - premiere of new Aussie drama, I thought it was going to be more of a teenager going off the rails thing but it was actually more of a stalker amongst the family type pic. Not a masterpiece of the genre but decent enough with some nice variations of the usual themes. Another good soundtrack courtesy of Warren Ellis.
Lovesong - very, very impressive. It's a sort of diptych of the relationship between two women Sarah (Riley Keogh) and Mindy (Jena Malone) who are friends and may/could be something more. The first half has Mindy visiting Sarah, somewhat depressed after having to look after her daughter on her own with her husband working away. The second half is set three years later at Mindy's wedding and with the two having had only minor contact with each other. I really loved it, it's a wonderful subtle movie exploring the relationship between these two women and how chances can be missed. Good performance from both leads, especially Keogh, she's rapidly becoming one of my favourite actors at the moment.
High-Rise - Flawed but with enough stuff in it to be interesting, I've not read the book so I don't know how it compares to that. I thought the first third/half with the setup worked well with some really nice set pieces, after that the film lost it. Bit of a pity.
Pawno - Australian independent film using a pawnbrokers in Footscray, Melbourne to tell a number of interconnected stories and characters. It's certainly not bad, and all credit to the film-makers for making a very good looking film on what must have been a very tight budget. The main problem is that the central love story of the film, is probably the worst, being rather over sentimental. Even so worth checking out.
Early Summer - After being a little disappointed in Late Spring I was slightly nervous about going into this but really enjoyed it, I thought it was sharper than Late Spring, though maybe it was just the mood I was in when I saw the two.
Tokyo Story - Obviously high expectations but it lived up to them; funny, sad and sweet, just a really great film. There's loads been written about it so I won't go on about it, but just say that if you haven't seen it then you should.
A Ball at the Anjo House - last film I saw in the Setsuko Hara season at MIFF, a very strange, and pretty awful melodrama set in the aftermath of WWII, the plot has a former noble family in debt and being forced to leave their mansion. Whereas Ozu's films felt both modern and distinctly Japanese these feels like a remake of a British melodrama. A lot of the audience seemed to like the daft overdramatics but I just found them annoying. Not worth bothering with IMO.
Bad Girl - premiere of new Aussie drama, I thought it was going to be more of a teenager going off the rails thing but it was actually more of a stalker amongst the family type pic. Not a masterpiece of the genre but decent enough with some nice variations of the usual themes. Another good soundtrack courtesy of Warren Ellis.
Lovesong - very, very impressive. It's a sort of diptych of the relationship between two women Sarah (Riley Keogh) and Mindy (Jena Malone) who are friends and may/could be something more. The first half has Mindy visiting Sarah, somewhat depressed after having to look after her daughter on her own with her husband working away. The second half is set three years later at Mindy's wedding and with the two having had only minor contact with each other. I really loved it, it's a wonderful subtle movie exploring the relationship between these two women and how chances can be missed. Good performance from both leads, especially Keogh, she's rapidly becoming one of my favourite actors at the moment.
High-Rise - Flawed but with enough stuff in it to be interesting, I've not read the book so I don't know how it compares to that. I thought the first third/half with the setup worked well with some really nice set pieces, after that the film lost it. Bit of a pity.
Pawno - Australian independent film using a pawnbrokers in Footscray, Melbourne to tell a number of interconnected stories and characters. It's certainly not bad, and all credit to the film-makers for making a very good looking film on what must have been a very tight budget. The main problem is that the central love story of the film, is probably the worst, being rather over sentimental. Even so worth checking out.
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
I think the only way Part 3 could have worked is if it had been done mainly (or exclusively) from the point of view of the Corleone women.
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Possibly. Connie is certainly much more on the offensive in Part 3. I'd like to have seen more of her motivations etc.
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
Barry lyndon
Very good
Very good
Reno
The In Kraut
Godfather III feels lacklustre because it's a film Coppola never wanted to make. He felt the entire story had been told and he only made it to pay off depths after One from the Heart flopped and he went bankrupt. I rather like One From the Heart, should really revisit that again soon. The plot is a little thin, but it's neon dream vision of Las Vegas looks amazing and the Tom Waits soundtrack is gorgeous.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Did you see the restored versions? Couple of years ago I got to see a pristine (never viewed before) print of all three for a special at the ACMI, gorgeous.So GF3 wasn't terrible but probably looks worse than it is by comparison with the first two. The whole JP I /Vatican bank stuff was kind of clumsy but glad I saw it overall.
I'd also never seen the first one on a big screen so that was good too.
8den
No I'm pretty sure that was 8ball...
High-Rise is the perfect adaptation of a J.G. Ballard novel extremely interesting concepts handled badly and ultimately disappointing, thus it's exactly like the book.
Yep, looked great. Lovely way to spend a Sunday, if a long say -- started at 1, ended about 10:45, including short breaks inbetween.
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
Just seen Barry Lyndon, proper film that. Lovely slow paced stuff, funny, beautifully shot - and with an Intermission (even if the bar was shut 
)! Haven't read the book, but I had the impression Barry is portrayed in a bad light throughout. Not exactly saintly in the film, but I get the impression Kubrick gives him an easier ride, or at least cuts out much of the boasting? Anybody seen/read them both?
)! Haven't read the book, but I had the impression Barry is portrayed in a bad light throughout. Not exactly saintly in the film, but I get the impression Kubrick gives him an easier ride, or at least cuts out much of the boasting? Anybody seen/read them both?redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Sunset Song - Adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbson lovel (which I've not read) by Terence Davies, went in with quite high expectations and have to say that I was disappointed. It's not a bad film by any means but I thought it was pretty disjointed. For those that don't know the plot is basically about the early life of Chris Guthrie growing up in a farming family in NE Scotland at the beginning of the C20th. The film can be roughly divided into three chapters. First Chris's life with her parents, especially her dictatorial father (played by Peter Mullan), second her independence after her father's death and her marriage and last the effect of the WWI on her, her marriage and the community. I felt the middle part worked really well but beginning and end were more muddled. One problem I had was that, not being familiar with the source, I had a hard time getting any sense of the time over which events were supposed to occur, how long was there between the death of her mother and father for instance or how long after their marriage did her husband volunteer? This also dilutes one of the major themes of the film, her growing love for the land and it's constancy, if you've got no idea of the time which these changes occur how can it be contrasted against the unchanging nature of the land. Also while clearly you were supposed to feel Chris's connection to the land, personally I didn't feel any such thing, the fact that this came over more from the narration than the film not being a good sign, I'm not sure how much that's Agyness Deyn (who played Chris) and how much the film I'm not sure.
Sunset Song's one of my favourite books so I deliberately didn't go and see this. To my mind, the casting looks all wrong (and does it really always have to be Peter Mullen playing that type of role? -- it seems so) and I've no idea how they captured the internal conflict between the 'English Chris' who feels she's betraying her background and the 'Scottish Chris' who's attached to the land. It's an important part of the book and from what you say, they didn't really.
The language is also used in a very particular way and hate to think how the Mearns accent was captured.
It's quite a political book too -- the Highlands and Islands were disproportionately affected by WWI in terms of the number of men killed and its impact on isolated farming communities.
Tbh, I'd recommend you read the books. The third in the trilogy (Grey Granite) is about Communist/Socialist politics in Depression-era North of Scotland (written in the early 30s I think) which I think you'd find interesting.
The language is also used in a very particular way and hate to think how the Mearns accent was captured.
It's quite a political book too -- the Highlands and Islands were disproportionately affected by WWI in terms of the number of men killed and its impact on isolated farming communities.
Tbh, I'd recommend you read the books. The third in the trilogy (Grey Granite) is about Communist/Socialist politics in Depression-era North of Scotland (written in the early 30s I think) which I think you'd find interesting.
Things to Come (L'Avenir). Isabelle Huppert plays a Philosophy teacher whose life starts to fall apart Not exactly plot-driven but enjoyable enough in a 'letting it wash over you' kind of way.
It's a very French French film -- as the friend I went with said, it would score very highly on the French film lotto scorecard.
It's a very French French film -- as the friend I went with said, it would score very highly on the French film lotto scorecard.
Mrs Miggins
Eternal
Interesting to read that as I've recently failed to finish the book for the 3rd time. It fascinates me but I can't read it! It's just so bloody dull and it really shouldn't be.
moonsi til
worked it out now!
Did a 'double' yesterday, first was 'Morgan' about Artificial Intelligence robots (I think that's the term), becoming self aware and how we react to them when they seem so human. It was alright but it felt too close in story arc to a film I can't recall the name of (smug guy with female AI who then escaped?)
Then we watched 'sausage party' which I kept referring to as 'sausage party' , I laughed a lot.
Neither film I would say was a must to be seen at the flicks, neither would lose anything on a smaller screen.
Then we watched 'sausage party' which I kept referring to as 'sausage party' , I laughed a lot.
Neither film I would say was a must to be seen at the flicks, neither would lose anything on a smaller screen.
Reno
The In Kraut
Ex-Machina, of which this feels like a pale copy.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Cheers Sue I was wondering what your thoughts about it were. I'll see if the local library has got a copy.
Totally agree about Mullan, nothing wrong with him an an actor but totally typecast. The internal conflict is "dealt" with through the narration, basically Dean reciting what I'm guessing are passages from the book, it was obvious that there was supposed to be a conflict but I didn't actually feel one.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
One More Time With Feeling - Wow, absolutely stunning, just blew me away. Intensely moving, parts of it had the whole audience laughing other bits you could just feel the pain and anguish of the people in it, as well sympathy of those watching. It looks and sounds great and I felt it was really well directed showing the pain of Cave, his wife and son but staying the right side of becoming exploitative.
I don't what things are like in the UK but unfortunately here in Aus it only seems to be showing over this weekend so if you haven't seen it yet you've probably missed your chance but if you can go and see this, it's brilliant, best new film I've seen this year. I'd also recommend 3D, I saw the 2D version and for the first time ever I wished I'd manage to get to a 3D screening.
I don't what things are like in the UK but unfortunately here in Aus it only seems to be showing over this weekend so if you haven't seen it yet you've probably missed your chance but if you can go and see this, it's brilliant, best new film I've seen this year. I'd also recommend 3D, I saw the 2D version and for the first time ever I wished I'd manage to get to a 3D screening.
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Reno
The In Kraut
I'd recommend skipping the prologue and getting right into it. It used to be a pretty standard school text but luckily it wasn't one I did at school... Last time i recommended it to someone they hated it, hope you don't.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Good spotOne More Time With Feeling, Once More With Feeling is the musical Buffy episode.
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
Captain Fantastic
Viggo Mortensen plays a dude who had had enough of the capitalist world and took the woods, living according to the principles of Plato's Republic, along with his wife and family several years ago. Things do not work out well for the wife, and her dad is a complete areshole, so a 'rescue mission' is called for. There are a lot of very funny moments along the way, not least the five year old espousing revolutionary marxist politics, or the oldest child moaning 'dad...only Stalinists say Trotskyites, it's Troskyists, and anyway I'm a Maoist now,' not to mention the best way to get out of a cop pulling you over - we both laughed quite a lot. But it isn't as deep or insightful as it thinks it is. I mean, yeah, capitalism's bad, and Noam Chomsky is good, but it needs a bit more than that to hang a film on. And none of the women really get much of a look in either
Then had a quick drink and went back into to Star Trek Beyond. Decent enough, a few great set pieces (that first battle scene with the bees is awesome), but overall, just another 'lets get to the next bit of action' summer blockbuster. And Pegg is terrible, with Urban (K, not 75) being not much better.
I'm in a dilemma this afternoon, my local has one off showings, at 3.30 & 3.45 respectively, of One More Time With Feeling & Plein Soleil (the latter as part of a Highsmith season, and I have, shamefully, never seen it). I wanna do both, it's not fair!
Viggo Mortensen plays a dude who had had enough of the capitalist world and took the woods, living according to the principles of Plato's Republic, along with his wife and family several years ago. Things do not work out well for the wife, and her dad is a complete areshole, so a 'rescue mission' is called for. There are a lot of very funny moments along the way, not least the five year old espousing revolutionary marxist politics, or the oldest child moaning 'dad...only Stalinists say Trotskyites, it's Troskyists, and anyway I'm a Maoist now,' not to mention the best way to get out of a cop pulling you over - we both laughed quite a lot. But it isn't as deep or insightful as it thinks it is. I mean, yeah, capitalism's bad, and Noam Chomsky is good, but it needs a bit more than that to hang a film on. And none of the women really get much of a look in either
Then had a quick drink and went back into to Star Trek Beyond. Decent enough, a few great set pieces (that first battle scene with the bees is awesome), but overall, just another 'lets get to the next bit of action' summer blockbuster. And Pegg is terrible, with Urban (K, not 75) being not much better.
I'm in a dilemma this afternoon, my local has one off showings, at 3.30 & 3.45 respectively, of One More Time With Feeling & Plein Soleil (the latter as part of a Highsmith season, and I have, shamefully, never seen it). I wanna do both, it's not fair!
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
Went for One More Time With Feeling
Not much to add to what has been said, quite astounding bit of film, so unbearably moving. Although I didn't realise mrs b didn't know the back story really. So when Susie went "when what happened happened " she leant over and asked "what happened?" And then the penny dropped.
Not sure what 3D would have added, except maybe for a couple of the tracks
Not much to add to what has been said, quite astounding bit of film, so unbearably moving. Although I didn't realise mrs b didn't know the back story really. So when Susie went "when what happened happened " she leant over and asked "what happened?" And then the penny dropped.
Not sure what 3D would have added, except maybe for a couple of the tracks
A380
How do I change this 'custom title' thing then?
Sausage Party.
Jesus. This was the most stupid, cleverest, puerile, witty, lowest common denominator, amazing concepts film I have seen in a long time. And go to the cinema about once a week.
It's beautifully executed, and it's either a master piece or one of The most awful films ever. It also has one of the best last scenes of any film ever ( not the penultimate one which will get all the publicity)
You must see it!
Jesus. This was the most stupid, cleverest, puerile, witty, lowest common denominator, amazing concepts film I have seen in a long time. And go to the cinema about once a week.
It's beautifully executed, and it's either a master piece or one of The most awful films ever. It also has one of the best last scenes of any film ever ( not the penultimate one which will get all the publicity)
You must see it!
The Clan. Based on a true story about an Argentinian family who made their living kidnapping people. Got a bit confused with the jumping back and forwards time-wise (it's set at the end of Galtieri's regime and covers about 10 years after that) but thought it was pretty good, if not very pleasant. There's a bit near the end that made the audience gasp...
The Childhood of a Leader. Hmm, quite well made and reasonable performances but too long and didn't really believe the 'child's a wee sod then turns into a fascist leader' thing. Was lacking something.
Detective Story. Kirk Douglas is a NY cop with v black and white views on morality who's confronted with an event that challenges his view on life. Interesting, v of its time (was made in 1951, same year as Ace in the Hole) and must've been pretty controversial at the time.
The Childhood of a Leader. Hmm, quite well made and reasonable performances but too long and didn't really believe the 'child's a wee sod then turns into a fascist leader' thing. Was lacking something.
Detective Story. Kirk Douglas is a NY cop with v black and white views on morality who's confronted with an event that challenges his view on life. Interesting, v of its time (was made in 1951, same year as Ace in the Hole) and must've been pretty controversial at the time.
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