What DVD / Video did you watch last night? (pt3)
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KeeperofDragons
Crazy dragon lady
The sets & effects have aged a bit but the story lines are still as good
The Octagon
Stop...Hammertime
Watched The Truman Show for the first time in years (possibly since it came out).
It's held up well, still relevant (if not more so) and Jim Carrey is excellent, as is Ed Harris.
In fact I was surprised Carrey didn't even warrant an Oscar Nom that year (especially having picked up the Golden Globe), although the competition was strong in the Best Actor category.
It's held up well, still relevant (if not more so) and Jim Carrey is excellent, as is Ed Harris.
In fact I was surprised Carrey didn't even warrant an Oscar Nom that year (especially having picked up the Golden Globe), although the competition was strong in the Best Actor category.
Reno
The In Kraut
Being around two teenagers a lot at the moment, I beg to disagree. I also think that the self belief which comes with that is essential in finding your place in the world and in discovering yourself. There is all this stuff to discover and do for the first time on your way to becoming an adult and most young people behave like they are the first to experience that. Then you have to grow out of it but with some people that happens quite late and with a few never. In my case it got me through a horrible time as a teenager and it probably saved my life.
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TruXta
tired
There's nothing inherent about any of that.
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
John Boorman's "Excalibur" - at last, got to watch the full movie, un-interrupted. Beautiful in places and odd, in others. Nicol Williamson is a great Merlin.
And a doc about hip hop & the fashion it inspired. "Fresh Dressed".
And a doc about hip hop & the fashion it inspired. "Fresh Dressed".
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
such an odd performance. ace though.
now THAT was a film that had a profound effect on me
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Neil Jordan was involved with it, as well. Have you seen his "Company of Wolves"? Another atmospheric film.
radgiesteve
Always the bridemaid
I watched Marighella, documentary about Carlos Marighella Brazilian revolutionary. Sad and inspiring -well worth a watch imo
Indeliblelink
\......👁&👁......./
She (1935) - A man goes to search the arctic for a hidden civilization that guards a flame of eternal life and is ruled by an immortal queen.
This was great fun once it got going. I saw the colorized version, done by Ray Harryhausen in 2006, which unlike most colorized B&W films works well, probably as director Merian Cooper had originally intended to shoot it in colour before being told the studio couldn't afford it at the last moment.
The film was thought lost for years until a copy turned up in Buster Keaton's garage.
This was great fun once it got going. I saw the colorized version, done by Ray Harryhausen in 2006, which unlike most colorized B&W films works well, probably as director Merian Cooper had originally intended to shoot it in colour before being told the studio couldn't afford it at the last moment.
The film was thought lost for years until a copy turned up in Buster Keaton's garage.
Reno
The In Kraut
I watched all six of the Paranormal Activity films over the last three evenings. I get that many people hate found footage films and that these films in particular split opinion but for enough others they must be working as they've made a ton of money. I find the best of these are genuinely creepy in a MR James' "The Mezzotint" kind of way and they did something new in the horror genre, making the audience more active participants. As found footage horror films go they work far better for me than The Blair Witch Project, but I get that everybody's responses to these are different. Many people often complain that modern horror films are too explicit and these films scare almost entirely by suggestion. The long held survaillance camera shots which are the trademark of the series, force you to examine the frame for details that may be "off" and while these long, basically action less shots create tedium for some, they create suspense for others. Like the J-horror films from a few years ago, these films use modern technology to put a spin on the classic ghost story.
I had seen the first five films before, but with a year in between each instalment and as they create an elaborate mythology as they go on, with different time lines where the plot of earlier films is nestled and elaborated on in later ones, I wanted to see how well they work as a whole. they make for a fun horror soap and four films I enjoyed, while two are rather poor.
The first film genuinely was a micro budget surprise hit. It's the most minimal of the lot, but also the one which explores it's concept with the most purity. The studio who bought up the film initial wanted to remake it on a bigger budget but in the end they just reshot the ending which does improve on the original ending, giving the film more of a pay off. A couple find that the malevolent supernatural force which has been plaguing the woman and her sister in their childhood becomes active again. The man puts up surveillance cameras to capture "teh activity". It doesn't end well. 3/5
The second film is more elaborate, with more dramatic incidents. It mostly stays with the surveillance cameras, which doesn't make you wonder why characters lug a camera everywhere, like with so many found footage films (and some of the later PA films). The film is both a prequel and a sequel to the first film, mostly taking place two months before the first film. It focuses on the family of the sister of the woman from the original and why the entity which plagued them in the first film came to haunt the sister in the first film. The last ten minutes are a sequel to PA1, which also starts a plot line the fourth film returns to. 4/5
The third film is another prequel, taking place nearly two decades before the first two films and it's about the sisters from 1&2 when they were little girls. It's probably the most fun in the series with the best set pieces, essentially becoming a found footage variation on Poltergeist and making a much better job of it than the official Poltergeist remake. On the down side, this is the first film which becomes more of a conventional found footage film, forcing characters to lug round a large VHS camera in 1988 to keep filming while scary stuff happens, which strand credibility. Some of the individual scenes are among the best in the series though and the last fifteen minutes which change location, introduce the bad apple in the family and explain how the demon became the scourge of the two sisters, I found genuinely creepy. It's a toss up between this and the 2nd film as to which is my favourite. 4/5
The fourth film is the first weak entry in the series. It's a sequel to the previous films, but especially the second one, elaborating on the fate of what happened to one of the children from PA2. It's watchable enough, but adds little which is new. From this one on the films are sequels, rather than prequels. 2/5
The fifth film called Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones was promoted as more of a spin off, but by the end it ties into the overall mythology with some ingenuity, with the reappearance of some of the regular characters and locations. It's a return to form for the series and what really works is that the protagonists aren't for once white middle class people who live in large houses in suburbia, but a poor Latino family in an urban environment. The film features a lot of Catholic iconography which is genuinely spooky. This again is more of a regular found footage films, where characters keep filming under circumstances when no normal person would. The end is great though, returning to the scary house at the climax of PA3 and adding a supernatural time travelling element which explains something which happened in the first film, but which was never seen. 4/5
The sixth film called PA: The Ghost Dimension which also partially is in 3D has some good ideas but is also the weakest and least inventive of the films. It concerns a family who move to the location of the 3rd film where they discover the VHS tapes and the camera from that film, which meanwhile has aquired the ability to make the evil entity, which has so far never been seen despite possessing several characters, visible. There is an interesting scene where the characters from the video tapes from PA3 in 1988 comment on the current characters. The idea of finally showing you the invisible monster is not a bad one at this point, but otherwise the film is less inventive than the rest it doesn't actually show you enough of "teh activity". The 3D sequences are few and far between with only the ectoplasm and barely glimpsed demon being in 3 dimensions, which is an interesting concept but it's tiresome to wear 3D glass for so much of a film which isn't 3D. 1/5
Paranormal Activity and Saw were the two reigning horror franchises over the last decade and for all their flaws, they did something more interesting with their continuity than earlier series. The sequels to Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street for the most part merely repeated the plot of first film. The Paranormal Activity and the Saw films became elaborate horror soap operas, featuring a set of recurring characters and time hopping plotlines which at their best genuinely expanded their universe, rewarding fans who paid attention. Something seemingly minor which happens in one film could have a major pay off later on and the films would play with your expectations.
I had seen the first five films before, but with a year in between each instalment and as they create an elaborate mythology as they go on, with different time lines where the plot of earlier films is nestled and elaborated on in later ones, I wanted to see how well they work as a whole. they make for a fun horror soap and four films I enjoyed, while two are rather poor.
The first film genuinely was a micro budget surprise hit. It's the most minimal of the lot, but also the one which explores it's concept with the most purity. The studio who bought up the film initial wanted to remake it on a bigger budget but in the end they just reshot the ending which does improve on the original ending, giving the film more of a pay off. A couple find that the malevolent supernatural force which has been plaguing the woman and her sister in their childhood becomes active again. The man puts up surveillance cameras to capture "teh activity". It doesn't end well. 3/5
The second film is more elaborate, with more dramatic incidents. It mostly stays with the surveillance cameras, which doesn't make you wonder why characters lug a camera everywhere, like with so many found footage films (and some of the later PA films). The film is both a prequel and a sequel to the first film, mostly taking place two months before the first film. It focuses on the family of the sister of the woman from the original and why the entity which plagued them in the first film came to haunt the sister in the first film. The last ten minutes are a sequel to PA1, which also starts a plot line the fourth film returns to. 4/5
The third film is another prequel, taking place nearly two decades before the first two films and it's about the sisters from 1&2 when they were little girls. It's probably the most fun in the series with the best set pieces, essentially becoming a found footage variation on Poltergeist and making a much better job of it than the official Poltergeist remake. On the down side, this is the first film which becomes more of a conventional found footage film, forcing characters to lug round a large VHS camera in 1988 to keep filming while scary stuff happens, which strand credibility. Some of the individual scenes are among the best in the series though and the last fifteen minutes which change location, introduce the bad apple in the family and explain how the demon became the scourge of the two sisters, I found genuinely creepy. It's a toss up between this and the 2nd film as to which is my favourite. 4/5
The fourth film is the first weak entry in the series. It's a sequel to the previous films, but especially the second one, elaborating on the fate of what happened to one of the children from PA2. It's watchable enough, but adds little which is new. From this one on the films are sequels, rather than prequels. 2/5
The fifth film called Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones was promoted as more of a spin off, but by the end it ties into the overall mythology with some ingenuity, with the reappearance of some of the regular characters and locations. It's a return to form for the series and what really works is that the protagonists aren't for once white middle class people who live in large houses in suburbia, but a poor Latino family in an urban environment. The film features a lot of Catholic iconography which is genuinely spooky. This again is more of a regular found footage films, where characters keep filming under circumstances when no normal person would. The end is great though, returning to the scary house at the climax of PA3 and adding a supernatural time travelling element which explains something which happened in the first film, but which was never seen. 4/5
The sixth film called PA: The Ghost Dimension which also partially is in 3D has some good ideas but is also the weakest and least inventive of the films. It concerns a family who move to the location of the 3rd film where they discover the VHS tapes and the camera from that film, which meanwhile has aquired the ability to make the evil entity, which has so far never been seen despite possessing several characters, visible. There is an interesting scene where the characters from the video tapes from PA3 in 1988 comment on the current characters. The idea of finally showing you the invisible monster is not a bad one at this point, but otherwise the film is less inventive than the rest it doesn't actually show you enough of "teh activity". The 3D sequences are few and far between with only the ectoplasm and barely glimpsed demon being in 3 dimensions, which is an interesting concept but it's tiresome to wear 3D glass for so much of a film which isn't 3D. 1/5
Paranormal Activity and Saw were the two reigning horror franchises over the last decade and for all their flaws, they did something more interesting with their continuity than earlier series. The sequels to Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street for the most part merely repeated the plot of first film. The Paranormal Activity and the Saw films became elaborate horror soap operas, featuring a set of recurring characters and time hopping plotlines which at their best genuinely expanded their universe, rewarding fans who paid attention. Something seemingly minor which happens in one film could have a major pay off later on and the films would play with your expectations.
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Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
I did LOL hard at the home birth episode.
I'm not sure about that. I think she does (deliberately or not) blur the lines between her own public persona and that of her character. That's how it seems to me anyway.
Reno
The In Kraut
The Hateful Eight. Watchable enough, but very slight for what is nearly a three hour film and not among Tarantino's best. Once it gets going it's alright, but it takes what would be the length of many a feature film film to get there. Felt uncomfortable about how the violence perpetrated against Jennifer Jason Leigh seems to be played for laughs, though it was good to see her in a substantial role again. By the end I was a bit like "is that it ?" It's also time to retire the male rape trope for an easy shock effect now,
I'd still chose the far smaller Bone Tomahawk over either of the two big westerns this year (this one and The Revenant)
I'd still chose the far smaller Bone Tomahawk over either of the two big westerns this year (this one and The Revenant)
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Reno
The In Kraut
While she takes a few superficial aspects of her life (Hannah is also a writer) to draw on because she know about them, once you actually read or listen to an interview with Lena Dunham, it becomes very clear that she is nothing like Hannah. She would be the first to say so, however media tends to always be very keen to cast a writer's work as strictly autobiographical.
Anyway, I've written close to the length of a PhD on Girls here now, so I think I'm done.
Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
You've written close to 80,000 words on Girls? I venture to say I think not, hem hem.
After I wrote that post I realised that one big difference between LD and her ghastly creation is that the former has demonstrated a capacity to stick at a job, and stay on the job, until the job's done, as evidenced by the fact that her show is now in several seasons. One thing that really ticked me off about the show was the "heroine" chucking in her writer's degree after a minor bump in the road.
Reno
The In Kraut
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
Chappie. I didn't like it much. Some decent enough action but I felt the three crims were played badly like some stereotyped 80s crazed-gang member screechers.
I can't decide if the creator being indian was a nod to Short Circuit or just a whifffy stereotype. If it was a nod then its a bit weird anyway cos the short circuit bloke was browned up ffs
I can't decide if the creator being indian was a nod to Short Circuit or just a whifffy stereotype. If it was a nod then its a bit weird anyway cos the short circuit bloke was browned up ffs
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
If you like nods to Short Circuit, I heartily recommend "Master of None". In fact; I insist.
Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
Saturday, I watched The Martian, which did exactly what it said on the tin. Probably the most faithful screen adaptation of a book there's ever been. What was really interesting was the way the cooperation with the Chinese was presented - it was portrayed as a lot less fraught and prickly than in the book.
What was misssing in the book was a real sensawunda about being the only human on the planet Mars, and I felt that was missing here too. But it was a good piece of feel-good, can-do space race optimism.
Sunday, I watched this:
Hidden City, from 1987. A genuine lost classic, I'd say. London psychologist Charles Dance tangles with film librarian Cassie Stuart, who is convinced she has discovered evidence of a serious crime by the security organs amidst her reels of old footage. At first he dismisses her as a lunatic, but he soon has evidence that maybe she's on to something after all. Well worth watching (also has Richard E. Grant in a supporting role).
What was misssing in the book was a real sensawunda about being the only human on the planet Mars, and I felt that was missing here too. But it was a good piece of feel-good, can-do space race optimism.
Sunday, I watched this:
Hidden City, from 1987. A genuine lost classic, I'd say. London psychologist Charles Dance tangles with film librarian Cassie Stuart, who is convinced she has discovered evidence of a serious crime by the security organs amidst her reels of old footage. At first he dismisses her as a lunatic, but he soon has evidence that maybe she's on to something after all. Well worth watching (also has Richard E. Grant in a supporting role).
Geoffrey
Stop shaking the caravan Geoffrey!!
I watched The Lobster the other night. Was pretty decent, although relied a bit to much on the purposefully stilted acting and weirdness. Worth a watch if you like a bit of a far out story and it worked well that it had two definite halves to the film, The Hotel and then The Wilderness.
Not much explained throughout though with not a lot of context given to the situation which might frustrate some but easy enough to roll along with.
Not much explained throughout though with not a lot of context given to the situation which might frustrate some but easy enough to roll along with.
Reno
The In Kraut
The Salvation, revenge western starring Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green. I believe it's a Danish production, though it was mostly shot in English. The small budget is lent some scope with a lot of CGI, some of it a little ropey. Not bad, but maybe too much of a pastiche and I'm getting tired of revenge stories. Eva Green plays the most interesting character, but isn't in it enough and Eric Cantona got star billing even though he has a fairly minor role.
I think the only western from 2015 I've now still got to watch is Slow West.
I think the only western from 2015 I've now still got to watch is Slow West.
Nanker Phelge
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Terminus - a low budget 2015 sci-fi filmed in Sydney, but set in a smalltown USA.
It's a good, low key, sci fi tale about a meteorite incident. Good old fashioned, small town 50s type story telling with some political leanings and commentary on soldiers returning from war and living with injuries. There's quite a nice ending to.
The Director, Mark Furmie, has another sci fi film out which I will keep and eye out for called Airlock.
It's a good, low key, sci fi tale about a meteorite incident. Good old fashioned, small town 50s type story telling with some political leanings and commentary on soldiers returning from war and living with injuries. There's quite a nice ending to.
The Director, Mark Furmie, has another sci fi film out which I will keep and eye out for called Airlock.
Virtual Blue
ready
Ip Man 3 - so disappointing 
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Finally started House of Cards on Netflix; am now 11 eps into the first season. As much as I love the original; it was very much of its time & small scale. Spacey is magnificent; his Francis feels like a blend of his characters in Midnite in the Garden of Good and Evil/Swimming with Sharks/American Beauty. It's like Boss meets Borgen. But better.
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
And Frankenweenie. Loved it; one of Burton's best in a good while. So many references to classic monster movies & the animation is wonderful.
Nine Bob Note
Self-Isolating before it was fashionable
Predator
Never actually seen it before, how embarrassing
"He was my, err ...friend" So were Jesse Ventura and the Sergeant supposed to be fucking each other, or what? I was half-asleep and so could have misinterpreted things
And why did the woman they captured voluntarily get in the helicopter? You're off to Guantanamo Bay, dear 
Never actually seen it before, how embarrassing
"He was my, err ...friend" So were Jesse Ventura and the Sergeant supposed to be fucking each other, or what? I was half-asleep and so could have misinterpreted things
And why did the woman they captured voluntarily get in the helicopter? You're off to Guantanamo Bay, dear DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
the CIA agent in it also went on to prosper in american politics like arniePredator
Never actually seen it before, how embarrassing
"He was my, err ...friend" So were Jesse Ventura and the Sergeant supposed to be fucking each other, or what? I was half-asleep and so could have misinterpreted things
seeing it first time its easy to miss how hench he is cos he's surrounded by bodybuilders.The american south sort of one with the hat, you know he makes the awful pussy/echo joke, was actual ex special forces lol
e2a you HAVE to watch predator two as well, danny glovers finest hour. Its so of-its-time it hurts but its a brilliant film
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Reno
The In Kraut
Brooklyn. Low key romantic immigration drama and pretty good for what it is. I expected for this to be a bit twee and to dislike this, but it won me over. Saoirse Ronan deserved her Oscar nomination, she's totally convincing going from insecure, mousy Irish girl to confident woman.
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skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
Some movies I watched on the plane the other day...
The Big Short - enjoyed. Although still got as confused about the ins and outs of the crash as I did IRL. Very well acted by Steve Carell though. 8/10
Love & Mercy - Brian Wilson biographical drama. Really well played by both John Cusack and Paul Dano. 8/10
Legend - Tom Hardy playing the Krays. He played the part well but I found the film pretty dull and fell asleep. I was tired though tbf. 6/10
Hector - drama about a homeless bloke from Scotland making his way to a London shelter for Christmas. Family strife backstory intervenes. Notable appearances from Stephen Tompkinson and Keith Allen. A bit depressing but then homelessness is. 6.5/10
Learning To Drive - A NYC based middle aged writer's husband walks out on her, she finally decides to learn to drive and forms an unlikely friendship with her instructor, Darwan, played by Ben Kingsley. Enjoyed 7.5/10
The Big Short - enjoyed. Although still got as confused about the ins and outs of the crash as I did IRL. Very well acted by Steve Carell though. 8/10
Love & Mercy - Brian Wilson biographical drama. Really well played by both John Cusack and Paul Dano. 8/10
Legend - Tom Hardy playing the Krays. He played the part well but I found the film pretty dull and fell asleep. I was tired though tbf. 6/10
Hector - drama about a homeless bloke from Scotland making his way to a London shelter for Christmas. Family strife backstory intervenes. Notable appearances from Stephen Tompkinson and Keith Allen. A bit depressing but then homelessness is. 6.5/10
Learning To Drive - A NYC based middle aged writer's husband walks out on her, she finally decides to learn to drive and forms an unlikely friendship with her instructor, Darwan, played by Ben Kingsley. Enjoyed 7.5/10
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
VHS 2 - a found footage horror anthology by the people behind The Raid films & Blair Witch Project. Enjoyable; esp the Indonesian segment. Apparently the best film in the franchise.
Rec 3 - Genesis - Spanish zombie film. Enjoyable but nothing special. Apparently the weakest of the franchise.
Rec 3 - Genesis - Spanish zombie film. Enjoyable but nothing special. Apparently the weakest of the franchise.
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