What DVD / Video did you watch last night? (pt3)
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farmerbarleymow
I'm Petee's spirit animal
A cracking film - forgot how much I loved that back when it was first out in the 80s.
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Same here. Had a real crush on Alexandra Pigg who later went on to marry co-star Peter Firth.
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
Wildlife - it was alright, but I expected more of it.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Donbass a film about the war in Ukraine. Told in almost documentary style. Series of vignettes of life in Eastern Ukraine.
Its been called a black comedy. In which case its very black to end up as horrifying. Little of way in explanation.
(not a criticism. It is refreshing to see film where one isn't signposted to understand the film) Viewer is thrown into this world where nothing is quite as it seems.
Unlike Atlantis, another recent excellent film from Ukraine there is no hope or redemption at the end.
Sergey Loznitsa who made Donbass started out making documentaries. Been watching one about Stalinist show trial. Using footage of the time to show what it was like. Like Donbass it comes across as frightenely absurdist.
All on MUBI
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
The Power of the Dog - a western but with no guns and not much happening, so it's not really a Western. Very slow and boring and makes little sense.
I’ve since read about the book it’s based on. Apparently the reason for all the alcoholism and murder etc is that Cumberbatch’s character is supposed to be frighteningly, sadistically terrible to everyone putting them in an appallingly stressful living situation. However that didn’t come across whatsoever, he just said a few mean things a few times, and this lack of dominating nastiness meant there was no tension and made the whole rationale for the ending incomprehensible.
I’ve since read about the book it’s based on. Apparently the reason for all the alcoholism and murder etc is that Cumberbatch’s character is supposed to be frighteningly, sadistically terrible to everyone putting them in an appallingly stressful living situation. However that didn’t come across whatsoever, he just said a few mean things a few times, and this lack of dominating nastiness meant there was no tension and made the whole rationale for the ending incomprehensible.
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The Deadly Affair
1966 spy film adaptation of John Le Carré's Call for the Dead directed by Sidney Lumet. The apparent suicide of a government official who was under suspicion of communist sympathies kicks off a mystery plot that unravels nicely before being satisfyingly tidied up by the end. Very well made and lots to like about this - strong cast especially a crumpled mopey James Mason and powerfully quiet Simone Signoret, as well as great cinematography I love the colour palette, all greens and greys it almost looks monochrome. Despite being fairly short it takes the time to flesh out the characters and introduce small details and almost incidental scenes which a lot of films probably would leave out but add a lot to this. A good watch.
1966 spy film adaptation of John Le Carré's Call for the Dead directed by Sidney Lumet. The apparent suicide of a government official who was under suspicion of communist sympathies kicks off a mystery plot that unravels nicely before being satisfyingly tidied up by the end. Very well made and lots to like about this - strong cast especially a crumpled mopey James Mason and powerfully quiet Simone Signoret, as well as great cinematography I love the colour palette, all greens and greys it almost looks monochrome. Despite being fairly short it takes the time to flesh out the characters and introduce small details and almost incidental scenes which a lot of films probably would leave out but add a lot to this. A good watch.
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
Spencer - bizarre diction by Stewart was so distracting I switched off after twenty minutes.
Quai des Orfèvres
1947 crime film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, his first after being banned for making films under the Nazi occupation. All sorts of suspicions and cross-purposes arise in the world of French music hall when a sleazy bourgeois is murdered and the resulting investigation closes in. I thought it was interesting and effective how each time suspicion was turned on a character it transformed how I viewed them in an unexpected way. Very much character driven and excels at that with well crafted dialogue and strong acting from all of the cast, probably often gets lumped in as noir but I didn't feel it ever really committed to that kind of tone. Technically a Christmas film so my first of the year
Apparently one of the leads Suzy Delair only died last year aged 102.
1947 crime film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, his first after being banned for making films under the Nazi occupation. All sorts of suspicions and cross-purposes arise in the world of French music hall when a sleazy bourgeois is murdered and the resulting investigation closes in. I thought it was interesting and effective how each time suspicion was turned on a character it transformed how I viewed them in an unexpected way. Very much character driven and excels at that with well crafted dialogue and strong acting from all of the cast, probably often gets lumped in as noir but I didn't feel it ever really committed to that kind of tone. Technically a Christmas film so my first of the year
Apparently one of the leads Suzy Delair only died last year aged 102.
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
Swingers (1996). Ridiculously young Jon Favreau writes, produces and stars in a story about deluded young actors in Hollywood chasing after women. I used to watch this all the time in the late 90s when I was young and single, but I never noticed how much of a Woody Allen vibe the whole thing has. It's a pity Favreau didn't really stick with writing - I'm tempted to check out Made (2001) which he also wrote and directed, because I really liked Chef (2014).
The39thStep
Urban critical thinker
Liked Swingers and Chef was a great film
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Loved this when I saw it last yearQuai des Orfèvres
1947 crime film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, his first after being banned for making films under the Nazi occupation. All sorts of suspicions and cross-purposes arise in the world of French music hall when a sleazy bourgeois is murdered and the resulting investigation closes in. I thought it was interesting and effective how each time suspicion was turned on a character it transformed how I viewed them in an unexpected way. Very much character driven and excels at that with well crafted dialogue and strong acting from all of the cast, probably often gets lumped in as noir but I didn't feel it ever really committed to that kind of tone. Technically a Christmas film so my first of the year
Apparently one of the leads Suzy Delair only died last year aged 102.
Need to watch some more of Clouzot's films, that was the first I've seen I think.
Oh, you're in for a treat. I'd go for Le Corbeau and Les Diaboliques next.
Reno
The In Kraut
Last Night in Soho, the new Edgar Wright film. Wonderful first half, the recreation of 60s Soho is gorgeous and I loved the fluid camera work. Unfortunately the film takes a turn for the worse when it attempts to be a horror film in the second hour. After a plot twist towards the end which doesn't work, it completely falls apart. As a horror film it isn't scary and the villain played by Matt Smith is too underdeveloped to be menacing. Diana Rigg in her last film has the biggest role of the three 60s stars featured but her character turns out to be one of the films biggest problems, Rita Tushingham and Terence Stamp are wasted in nothing roles. Despite my dissappointment in how the film pans out, I still think it's worth watching for the rapturous first hour.
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redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Just wanted to say glad that you are staying around on the film threads Reno
Last Known Address - Policier starring Lino Ventura, no ground breaking stuff but Ventura is one of those actors that can make any just about any film watchable and here there is a decent script some nice cameos (is Paul Crauchet even not in these types of flicks?) and some decent characterisation. An excellent film for the cold, windy and rainy Saturday afternoon.
Sadly followed it up by watching Falling Point - a Johnny Halliday vehicle that thinks it is profoundly more deep that it actually is. Halliday and his co-conspirators kidnap a young women who sees their faces and so needs to be disposed of. Only Halliday and the young woman have connected (don't ask how this is art darling!) and he cannot do it. All but drifted off during it, best avoid.
The Don is Dead - I've something of a soft spot for Richard Fleischer, The Narrow Gauge and Violent Saturday are top notch, and even his some of his b-fare can be entertaining enough, but this bad Godfather rip off cannot be saved even with the talents of Anthony Quinn and Robert Forster. Skip it.
Last Known Address - Policier starring Lino Ventura, no ground breaking stuff but Ventura is one of those actors that can make any just about any film watchable and here there is a decent script some nice cameos (is Paul Crauchet even not in these types of flicks?) and some decent characterisation. An excellent film for the cold, windy and rainy Saturday afternoon.
Sadly followed it up by watching Falling Point - a Johnny Halliday vehicle that thinks it is profoundly more deep that it actually is. Halliday and his co-conspirators kidnap a young women who sees their faces and so needs to be disposed of. Only Halliday and the young woman have connected (don't ask how this is art darling!) and he cannot do it. All but drifted off during it, best avoid.
The Don is Dead - I've something of a soft spot for Richard Fleischer, The Narrow Gauge and Violent Saturday are top notch, and even his some of his b-fare can be entertaining enough, but this bad Godfather rip off cannot be saved even with the talents of Anthony Quinn and Robert Forster. Skip it.
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Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Hear hear or is it here here?
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Oh meant to say that I watched Wolfwalkers a bit ago. Absolutely great, Tomm Moore's trilogy is a genuine stone cold classic set of films. I think Song of the Sea might just pip Wolfwalkers but all three (Secret of Kells being the third) are wonderful, charming and should be seen by kids and adults alike.
Haven't seen it yet but it is on my list. A friend said something very similar.
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
House on the Bayou - I’ve seen sillier and less entertaining horror movies.
ska invita
back on the other side
THE SPINE OF NIGHT - not long out
7 years in the making independent animation feature made in rotoscope - live action then animated over, so you get really naturalistic body movements and facial expressions.
dark fantasy, psychedelia, nihilism, touch of steam punk, very violent, also kind of meditative, a bit of philosophy underpinning it all
got into it very much and grows as it goes along
not seen anything quite like it before
simultaneously retro and fresh
perfect for a dark winter night
interesting interview with the makers here
so much work gone into it, clearly a labour of love, hopefully will become a cult favourite as it deserves some reward
7 years in the making independent animation feature made in rotoscope - live action then animated over, so you get really naturalistic body movements and facial expressions.
dark fantasy, psychedelia, nihilism, touch of steam punk, very violent, also kind of meditative, a bit of philosophy underpinning it all
got into it very much and grows as it goes along
not seen anything quite like it before
simultaneously retro and fresh
perfect for a dark winter night
interesting interview with the makers here
so much work gone into it, clearly a labour of love, hopefully will become a cult favourite as it deserves some reward
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krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Thank you for helping making mind up on this!
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Oh, this sounds great. Is it streaming or did you watch it on video?
I watched it on dvd
I had a quick look and couldn't see it available for streaming
krtek a houby
Merry Xmas!
Thanks for checking. Will put it on wish list!I watched it on dvd
ska invita
back on the other side
Cryptozoo - another rare indie feature animated film, not long released
Brilliant animation style, fantastic (literally) storyline, should be great, but although its not as enjoyable as I hoped its still a memorable and unique watch. Its from California...quite stonery I guess... Critics score a lot higher than audience score on Rottern Toms, and thats kind of right, from a critical point of view its brilliant, but the actual watching is a little less so. I expect Id enjoy it more the second time around (was a bit tired)
I hope the writer/director keeps making films as it is visionary
www.cryptozoofilm.com
Good double feature with Spine of Night!
Brilliant animation style, fantastic (literally) storyline, should be great, but although its not as enjoyable as I hoped its still a memorable and unique watch. Its from California...quite stonery I guess... Critics score a lot higher than audience score on Rottern Toms, and thats kind of right, from a critical point of view its brilliant, but the actual watching is a little less so. I expect Id enjoy it more the second time around (was a bit tired)
I hope the writer/director keeps making films as it is visionary
Cryptozoo | Official Movie Website | A Magnolia Pictures Film | Starring Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan and Michael Cera | Own It On Blu-ray™ Or Digital HD
Featuring the voice talents of Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan, Michael Cera, Louisa Krause, Peter Stormare, Thomas Jay Ryan, and Grace Zabriskie, the film follows cryptozookeepers through a richly-drawn hallucinatory world as they struggle to capture a baku (a legendary dream-eating hybrid creature) and...
www.cryptozoofilm.com
Good double feature with Spine of Night!
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skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
House of Gucci - excellent cast, soundtrack, and thoroughly enjoyable. I’m not a fan of Lady Gaga’s music but she’s been excellent in both films I’ve seen her in.
Also I was initially concerned that they’re all playing Italians though it’s entirely in English (with varying degrees of Italian accenting going on) but I found it easy enough to get over.
Also I was initially concerned that they’re all playing Italians though it’s entirely in English (with varying degrees of Italian accenting going on) but I found it easy enough to get over.
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
Little Accidents - well-acted but weak ending, it had good things going for it but the plot needed some oomph from about half way through.
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