watched it tonight, and loved it. I found it mesmerising, it stays with you for a while afterwards.
What DVD / Video did you watch last night? (pt3)
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watched it tonight, and loved it. I found it mesmerising, it stays with you for a while afterwards.
Finished Fringe last night. Four week marathon season 1 to 5. All in all very good though weaker after season 3.
John Noble completely dominates with an honourable mention to Anna Torv.
Joshua Jackson should've stuck to Dawson's Creek. So many plot holes and inconsistencies.
Yet it was compelling to the end. I really enjoyed it. Would recommend to anyone who has the time.
John Noble completely dominates with an honourable mention to Anna Torv.
Joshua Jackson should've stuck to Dawson's Creek. So many plot holes and inconsistencies.
Yet it was compelling to the end. I really enjoyed it. Would recommend to anyone who has the time.
MellySingsDoom
Decimated by the shrapnel of his rhetoric
"Eaten Alive" (1977) - dir. Tobe Hooper - A re-watch for me of the follow up to Hooper's debut effort, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" ("TCM"), and is set in some un-named Southern USA/"bayou" town, where there's a hotel run by a war veteran called Judd (Neville Brand). Brand's guests at the Starlight Hotel tend not to survive their stay here for too long - from the first guest we see (a runaway from the local brothel), his guests end up being victims both to himself and a rather large crocodile, who lives in the depths of a whole heap of water next to the hotel. Other guests include a family of three (the wife/mother being Marilyn Burns from "TCM"), and the father and sister of the "missing" brothel runaway. One of the regular guests is a self-styled local "gigolo" (Robert Englund), who immediately raises the ire of Judd. As the bodies pile up, the police become involved, but to little success or intervention. Judd, in a bid to "save" her, ties Burns to the bed, and then a long chase sequence begins where Burn's daughter hides away in the crawlspace of the hotel, with Judd on her tail. Burns is eventually freed by Englund's one-night stand (Englund himself meets his end at the hands of the crocodile), and after a frenzied "chase" sequence, Judd himself finally meets his fate at the hands of the killer croc.
It would appear that director Tobe Hooper was trying to re-create the atmosphere of madness and hysteria that permeates the whole of "TCM", but he largely unsucccessful in his endeavours. The film is shot with a curious flat feel to it, and the print I viewed is rather dark in places. "Eaten Alive" seems to have been filmed all on studio sets (even the outdoor scenes), and this adds to a sense of artificiality to this film. the script (co-written by Kim Henkel ("TCM") and producer Mardi Rustam) emphasises the surface terror aspect, whilst being very low on psychological horror. The characterisations tend to be a tad on the cliched side, and Marilyn Burns' attempts to resurrect her "victim" role in "TCM", but with significantly diminishing returns. The crocodile in "Eaten Alive" is distinctly rubbery-looking, and the scenes where said croc attacks Judd's victims fail to convince at all.
On the positive side, the "found sound" score (co-composed by Wayne Bell and Tobe Hooper) is very impressive, and Robert Englund (in an early role) is convincing as the sleazy, repellent Buck. Neville Brand's Judd is entertaining and enticing as well - he veers between incoherent nutty ramblings and nutso scenery-chewing. Carolyn Jones (best known for being Morticia Addams in "The Addams Family") is also good as the unlikeable brothel madam. There are also appearances by genre stalwart Stuart Whitman, and also veteran actor Mel Ferrer (who also appeared later in the atrocious and racist "Cannibal Ferox").
"Eaten Alive" seems to be imbued with the atmosphere that permeated the classic EC Comics stable, and there are moments where a sense of dread and panic are evoked. However, for too much of "Eaten Alive", the temptation to go into "shock" mode is too much temptation for Hooper to resist, and the film really falls down here. Incidentally, this film is one that Hooper has always been less-than-keen to discuss: he had many behind the scenes rows with US schlock-meister Rustam, and Hooper has essentially distanced himself from the film. The pattern of producer interference and general fallouts has plagued Hooper's career ever since.
"Eaten Alive" certainly has its moments, and is quite an enjoyable film in its own way, but it really has none of the power and effectivess of the seminal "TCM". See this film if you know about "TCM", otherwise do go and watch Hooper's debut film instead.
Notes: "Eaten Alive" was released in the UK under the re-titling of "Death Trap", and had a (cut) cinema UK release in 1978. An uncut version of this film was later released by the Vipco label in the early 1980's, and "campaigner" Mary Whitehouse took violent exception to this film (despite never having seen it). "Death Trap" was successfully prosecuted several times under Section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act on video during the "video nasties" period, and was subsequently withdrawn in due course. "Death Trap" was finally re-issued by Vipco in 2000 in a cut version (around 30 seconds cut?), and there has never been a subsequent uncut release of this film in the UK.
It would appear that director Tobe Hooper was trying to re-create the atmosphere of madness and hysteria that permeates the whole of "TCM", but he largely unsucccessful in his endeavours. The film is shot with a curious flat feel to it, and the print I viewed is rather dark in places. "Eaten Alive" seems to have been filmed all on studio sets (even the outdoor scenes), and this adds to a sense of artificiality to this film. the script (co-written by Kim Henkel ("TCM") and producer Mardi Rustam) emphasises the surface terror aspect, whilst being very low on psychological horror. The characterisations tend to be a tad on the cliched side, and Marilyn Burns' attempts to resurrect her "victim" role in "TCM", but with significantly diminishing returns. The crocodile in "Eaten Alive" is distinctly rubbery-looking, and the scenes where said croc attacks Judd's victims fail to convince at all.
On the positive side, the "found sound" score (co-composed by Wayne Bell and Tobe Hooper) is very impressive, and Robert Englund (in an early role) is convincing as the sleazy, repellent Buck. Neville Brand's Judd is entertaining and enticing as well - he veers between incoherent nutty ramblings and nutso scenery-chewing. Carolyn Jones (best known for being Morticia Addams in "The Addams Family") is also good as the unlikeable brothel madam. There are also appearances by genre stalwart Stuart Whitman, and also veteran actor Mel Ferrer (who also appeared later in the atrocious and racist "Cannibal Ferox").
"Eaten Alive" seems to be imbued with the atmosphere that permeated the classic EC Comics stable, and there are moments where a sense of dread and panic are evoked. However, for too much of "Eaten Alive", the temptation to go into "shock" mode is too much temptation for Hooper to resist, and the film really falls down here. Incidentally, this film is one that Hooper has always been less-than-keen to discuss: he had many behind the scenes rows with US schlock-meister Rustam, and Hooper has essentially distanced himself from the film. The pattern of producer interference and general fallouts has plagued Hooper's career ever since.
"Eaten Alive" certainly has its moments, and is quite an enjoyable film in its own way, but it really has none of the power and effectivess of the seminal "TCM". See this film if you know about "TCM", otherwise do go and watch Hooper's debut film instead.
Notes: "Eaten Alive" was released in the UK under the re-titling of "Death Trap", and had a (cut) cinema UK release in 1978. An uncut version of this film was later released by the Vipco label in the early 1980's, and "campaigner" Mary Whitehouse took violent exception to this film (despite never having seen it). "Death Trap" was successfully prosecuted several times under Section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act on video during the "video nasties" period, and was subsequently withdrawn in due course. "Death Trap" was finally re-issued by Vipco in 2000 in a cut version (around 30 seconds cut?), and there has never been a subsequent uncut release of this film in the UK.
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DexterTCN
Troy and Abed in the morning
2 films in the last couple of days...
The Godfather. Fuck me, that's how to make a film....everyone take note. (also..now I get to watch part 2 again)
No Country For Old Men. ahem...fuck me, that's how to make a film...everyone take note. The Coens deftly expand on Fargo, maybe without realising it. I'm not sure which I prefer (Fargo or NCFOM).
The Godfather. Fuck me, that's how to make a film....everyone take note. (also..now I get to watch part 2 again)
No Country For Old Men. ahem...fuck me, that's how to make a film...everyone take note. The Coens deftly expand on Fargo, maybe without realising it. I'm not sure which I prefer (Fargo or NCFOM).
I just love No Country For Old Men. Plan to read the book soon.
DexterTCN
Troy and Abed in the morning
I don't read a tenth as much as I used to. Certainly considering giving McCarthy some time this year though. You can see he's a strong influence on the film (it must be him)...which for a Coen film is strong recommendation.
Virtual Blue
ready
The Wolf of Wall Street - Jordan Belfort is a twat.
Yetman
Cheesecar Fucksquad #1
More South African accents in films please!
mwgdrwg
Be a Pisces. Jam.
Jeez, haven't you seen "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"? The Wolverine is like Citizen Kane in comparison to that.
TruXta
tired
I disagree, Origins was a masterpiece compared the The Wolverine.
mwgdrwg
Be a Pisces. Jam.
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
the beebs new musketeers thing.
good points:
medieval france is sufficiently dirty
bad:
everythingelse. The gore is not there, the sex is rubbish, the court/religious politics are played at for dummies levels. Even Capaldi's phoning it in. Looks like it cost a few bob over all but its just wank
good points:
medieval france is sufficiently dirty
bad:
everythingelse. The gore is not there, the sex is rubbish, the court/religious politics are played at for dummies levels. Even Capaldi's phoning it in. Looks like it cost a few bob over all but its just wank
Virtual Blue
ready
American Horror Story: Coven
Finished the entire season 3.
Much more co-ordinated with a precise story-line. A big improvement to the previous 2 seasons.
Finished the entire season 3.
Much more co-ordinated with a precise story-line. A big improvement to the previous 2 seasons.
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
a marked inability to make anyone stay dead in that ^^^
TruXta
tired
Spoilers, cunt
Virtual Blue
ready
and even if they do die, they're alive in that 'other' place.
August: Osage County (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322269/
It's as flat as Oklahoma and just as irritating. Stuck with it for 90 mins. Don't care how it ends.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322269/
It's as flat as Oklahoma and just as irritating. Stuck with it for 90 mins. Don't care how it ends.
Jackobi
swallows anything
The first episode of Black Sails:
"Captain Flint and his pirates, twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island"."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2375692/
Some good piratey action so far and it's promising, Treasure Island is one of my favourite novels, though.
Also, a couple of episodes of The Spoils of Babylon, which sounds shitter than it is:
"Patriarch Jonas Morehouse shepherds his daughter Cynthia and adopted son Devon from meager beginnings in the oil fields of Texas to powerful boardrooms in New York City."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2884286/
Enjoyable so far, it has some interesting production techniques which give it more appeal.
"Captain Flint and his pirates, twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island"."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2375692/
Some good piratey action so far and it's promising, Treasure Island is one of my favourite novels, though.
Also, a couple of episodes of The Spoils of Babylon, which sounds shitter than it is:
"Patriarch Jonas Morehouse shepherds his daughter Cynthia and adopted son Devon from meager beginnings in the oil fields of Texas to powerful boardrooms in New York City."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2884286/
Enjoyable so far, it has some interesting production techniques which give it more appeal.
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
The Aviator
I think I dodged it at the time cos I still hadn't forgiven DeCaprio for Titanic, but having belatedly accepted that the boy can act and as it also stars the divine Cate, it needed watching. And there are some mighty fine set pieces, especially early on recreating Hughes' film scenes (even if I did have to pause it twenty minutes in to go 'is it really meant to be that colour?'), and in the final senate hearings, but it just didn't cut it for me. DeCaprio was okay at first, but couldn't convey his collapse into paranoia and madness. Cate was great, but Beckinsale didn't really get to grips with Ava Gardner, and Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow? What, just...what? It's like Hughes surrounding himself with pretty young starlets just because he could. Bad, and wrong. Alec Baldwin may have been fine when the film came out, but now its impossible to watch him in it without immediately thinking he's Jack Donaghy.
But worst of all, it was just a hagiographic portrayal of Hughes as an Ayn Randian superman bestriding the world like a colossus. Let's skip over his far-right politics and being a bully and descent into complete madness, lets just show some jolly japes and big sexy forties glamour.
I think I dodged it at the time cos I still hadn't forgiven DeCaprio for Titanic, but having belatedly accepted that the boy can act and as it also stars the divine Cate, it needed watching. And there are some mighty fine set pieces, especially early on recreating Hughes' film scenes (even if I did have to pause it twenty minutes in to go 'is it really meant to be that colour?'), and in the final senate hearings, but it just didn't cut it for me. DeCaprio was okay at first, but couldn't convey his collapse into paranoia and madness. Cate was great, but Beckinsale didn't really get to grips with Ava Gardner, and Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow? What, just...what? It's like Hughes surrounding himself with pretty young starlets just because he could. Bad, and wrong. Alec Baldwin may have been fine when the film came out, but now its impossible to watch him in it without immediately thinking he's Jack Donaghy.
But worst of all, it was just a hagiographic portrayal of Hughes as an Ayn Randian superman bestriding the world like a colossus. Let's skip over his far-right politics and being a bully and descent into complete madness, lets just show some jolly japes and big sexy forties glamour.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
The music was ace though
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
Desolation of Smaug.
overall quite fun but giving Beorn less than five minutes is inexcusable
overall quite fun but giving Beorn less than five minutes is inexcusable
Johnny Canuck3
Well-Known Member
Some British series about a young Inspector Morse. It was good: the British are way better at this kind of stuff.
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
you might like Foyles War then. It's about a middle aged murder detective in WW2 era britain. The series 'USP' is how this bloke is constantly having to deal with WW2 impacting on his role as a murder catcher.
Johnny Canuck3
Well-Known Member
Seen it and enjoyed it.
Yetman
Cheesecar Fucksquad #1
Thor - The Dark World.
Jesus, this must have cost LOADS. And it's pretty SHITE
Love the concept, but so much of it doesn't add up, not that it's meant to, but besides that, the story is a bit too hollow and it does lose itself in places. Nice effects, terrible science, ok acting in parts, rubbish acting in others, aimless plot. 3.5/10
Jesus, this must have cost LOADS. And it's pretty SHITE
Love the concept, but so much of it doesn't add up, not that it's meant to, but besides that, the story is a bit too hollow and it does lose itself in places. Nice effects, terrible science, ok acting in parts, rubbish acting in others, aimless plot. 3.5/10Similar threads
