Got round to watching Titane. Julia Ducornau's second feature film after the cannibalistic veteran students film Raw which I loved. This is something much more abstract. There's plenty of dialogue but Ducornau herself has said that only one line matters in it. The end of the film didn't quite work for me, it weirded me out too much. But there were some dance scenes which I thought were the heart of the film and really communicated something. Strange animalistic central character half woman half cold blooded machine finds a tender non romantic relationship. The dance is nonverbal, the violence is nonverbal, the body horror is nonverbal, the sex scene (which is just outrageous) is nonverbal. Nothing is explained and it's like this abstract dance of redemption and twisted humanity. I've watched it twice now and I'm still not sure what I think of it, but I keep going back to those dance scenes again and again.
What DVD / Video did you watch last night? (pt3)
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Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
It’s all about the dancing and the music innit. I’ve listened to She’s Not There and Seasons (eta oops i meant Lighthouse - Seasons is the other one I like by them after seeing that Letterman appearance) so much since watching it
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I've just discovered 16 Horsepower, sort of thing I'm into atm. I sort of liked her dad because of that! I thought the most interesting and powerful part of the film was the dance on the fire engine to Jim Williams/Lisa Abbott version of Wayfaring Stranger.
The Sarabande had a Wendy Carlos vibe I thought which was interesting. Oblique reference to Clockwork Orange?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I didn’t know the Wayfaring Stranger song but remember hearing it at a very heightened moment in 1917 (the film, I’m not THAT old)
I’ve often resisted watching films more than once, but I think I need to watch Titane again.
(Willl have to check out the Sarabande reference as it’s lost on me)
A sarabande is a dance with a certain rhythm. Handel has a famous one and Kubric uses it in Barry Lindon. Jim Williams has a composition which is called Sarabande which is a synthy thing that nods to the Handel. Just made me think of Wendy Carlos and the Clockwork Orange soundtrack.
Reno
The In Kraut
Spider-Man: No Way Home. I'm really cooling on the whole MCU thing. I always thought they were better than their reputation for not neglecting character stuff in-between the effects and action scenes but the films from Black Widow onwards have been among the worst of the lot. Now you also have to keep up with tv shows to catch up and after giving up on two of those, I find that too much is asked in terms of commitment. There is total oversaturation of this stuff and keeping up is becoming exhausting, especially when it looks like they are spreading themselves way too thin by now.
This film still coasts on the charisma of its likeable leads, but it gets tangled up in its fan-service meta aspects and it's the least of the MCU Spider-Man movies so far. It's also the most ugly looking blockbuster I've seen in a long time, everything is flatly and brightly lit, compositions are crap, the special effects are poorly designed and executed, the whole thing looks like a cheaply shot tv show. There are a few effective moments, Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man catching Zendaya is touching (Garfield is great in this), but not enough to make it worth it 2 1/2 hours.
See for Me, a low budget home invasion movie which is an update on the blind-lady-terrorised-in-a-house thriller, of which the Audrey Hepburn starring Wait Until Dark is the most famous (though I prefer the underrated See No Evil/Blind Terror with Mia Farrow)
There are three things which add something new. One is the app of the title, where sighted people can guide blind people by via their smart phone, which is central to the plot. The second is that the lead actress is legally blind, lending an added sense of authenticity. The best thing is that she isn't just an innocent victim, she actually turns out to be a rather amoral character and not that sympathetic, which is a nice change from the saintly disabled protagonists of previous films like it. Unlike Audrey Hepburn’s character, she has absolutely no ambitions to become "the world champion blind lady".
This film still coasts on the charisma of its likeable leads, but it gets tangled up in its fan-service meta aspects and it's the least of the MCU Spider-Man movies so far. It's also the most ugly looking blockbuster I've seen in a long time, everything is flatly and brightly lit, compositions are crap, the special effects are poorly designed and executed, the whole thing looks like a cheaply shot tv show. There are a few effective moments, Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man catching Zendaya is touching (Garfield is great in this), but not enough to make it worth it 2 1/2 hours.
See for Me, a low budget home invasion movie which is an update on the blind-lady-terrorised-in-a-house thriller, of which the Audrey Hepburn starring Wait Until Dark is the most famous (though I prefer the underrated See No Evil/Blind Terror with Mia Farrow)
There are three things which add something new. One is the app of the title, where sighted people can guide blind people by via their smart phone, which is central to the plot. The second is that the lead actress is legally blind, lending an added sense of authenticity. The best thing is that she isn't just an innocent victim, she actually turns out to be a rather amoral character and not that sympathetic, which is a nice change from the saintly disabled protagonists of previous films like it. Unlike Audrey Hepburn’s character, she has absolutely no ambitions to become "the world champion blind lady".
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redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
16 Horsepower get a reference! Great band
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
Watched Harakiri (1962) last night. It is a pretty much perfect film, ostensibly a samurai film but subverting the genre to very good effect. I often struggle with films that move slowly these days but in this film every shot is full of meaning, so a bit of slowness is neither here nor there.
Nine Bob Note
Self-Isolating before it was fashionable
Watched the Ipcress File (on BritBox) over two nights and fucking loved it. Couldn't believe ITV made it
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
Watched Boiling Point - already mentioned upthread. Absolutely fantastic that they managed it all in one shot. Graham and the whole supporting cast were excellent. I hear it's coming to Netflix on March 23.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Great, I just rented it for a fiver
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
Great, I just rented it for a fiver
I know, I also discovered this after renting it
But for those with Netflix who haven't seen it yet. Radio Times confirm it's coming March 23.
How to watch Boiling Point in the UK - is the film on Netflix? | Radio Times
Stephen Graham stars as an overworked head chef in the new single-shot film Boiling Point.
www.radiotimes.com
Our Little Sister
2015 family drama in small town/rural Japan directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, my second film of his that I've watched after the excellent Third Murder and this is another really good one. Very well drawn character piece that manages to have plenty of emotional impact without relying on much tension or conflict. Lots of wonderful moments and a really strong cast, loved this.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
1920 incredible dark fairytale silent film directed by Robert Wiene. I found this a very easy watch for a silent film, maybe because the style of it still looks so striking.
2015 family drama in small town/rural Japan directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, my second film of his that I've watched after the excellent Third Murder and this is another really good one. Very well drawn character piece that manages to have plenty of emotional impact without relying on much tension or conflict. Lots of wonderful moments and a really strong cast, loved this.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
1920 incredible dark fairytale silent film directed by Robert Wiene. I found this a very easy watch for a silent film, maybe because the style of it still looks so striking.
Not seen Third Murder so I'll give it a look. Shoplifters is the obvious Kore-eda to see....and Like Father, Like Son is really good too.
If you generally like Japanese films Drive My Car is a must see when it becomes available.
Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah I definitely want to see Shoplifters and will add Like Father Like Son to the list too.
I don't really know too much about Japanese films to be honest I'll look out for Drive My Car though.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Four films by the great Ernst Lubitsch
Rosita - Lubitsch’s first film after moving to the states, restored by MoMA. Mary Pickford stars in the title role. An interesting film showcasing both Pickford and Lubitsch’s talents, you can see the line between this the other films but (unusually for Lubitsch) it’s probably a little too long.
Trouble in Paradise - Two thieves/con artists fall in love, marry and try to steal while dealing with the intrusion of another woman. Frankly brilliant, some absolutely hilarious lines (it is pre-code and so more frank than later films) and wonderful scenes. If you watch one I think this has to be it.
Shop Around the Corner - James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan take the Beatrice and Benedick roles in a Hungarian Department store. Much less frank and cynical that Trouble in Paradise Lubitsch still manages to get his views over.
To Be or Not To Be - Carol Lombard’s final role in a comedy making fun of the Nazi’s. Plot is that an acting troupe, led by Jack Benny, gets involved in the Polish resistance after the leading lady engages in a romance with an airman. I’ve seen this before and thought it was ok but enjoyed a lot more this time. Lombard does not have to do a lot other than look wonderful but Benny is great as the vain star jealous of his wife and yet willing to risk his life.
Also Some Come Running which Reno summed up here. Excellent and looks great but grim, certainly not as much fun, or at least joy, as the films above.
Rosita - Lubitsch’s first film after moving to the states, restored by MoMA. Mary Pickford stars in the title role. An interesting film showcasing both Pickford and Lubitsch’s talents, you can see the line between this the other films but (unusually for Lubitsch) it’s probably a little too long.
Trouble in Paradise - Two thieves/con artists fall in love, marry and try to steal while dealing with the intrusion of another woman. Frankly brilliant, some absolutely hilarious lines (it is pre-code and so more frank than later films) and wonderful scenes. If you watch one I think this has to be it.
Shop Around the Corner - James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan take the Beatrice and Benedick roles in a Hungarian Department store. Much less frank and cynical that Trouble in Paradise Lubitsch still manages to get his views over.
To Be or Not To Be - Carol Lombard’s final role in a comedy making fun of the Nazi’s. Plot is that an acting troupe, led by Jack Benny, gets involved in the Polish resistance after the leading lady engages in a romance with an airman. I’ve seen this before and thought it was ok but enjoyed a lot more this time. Lombard does not have to do a lot other than look wonderful but Benny is great as the vain star jealous of his wife and yet willing to risk his life.
Also Some Come Running which Reno summed up here. Excellent and looks great but grim, certainly not as much fun, or at least joy, as the films above.
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Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
I haven't seen the first two Lubitsch flicks redsquirrel talks about there, but the other two. . . well Mrs. Idris loves Shop Around the Corner and she's not wrong.
As for TBONTB, she thinks it takes too flippant an approach to the war. . .
As for TBONTB, she thinks it takes too flippant an approach to the war. . .
I love Lubitsch's films and think TBONTB is great. Sure some of the jokes are pretty close to the bone but I think it's all the better for that.
Reno
The In Kraut
Drive My Car, a Japanese film about a theatre director and his female chauffeur, which appears to be the top contender for best foreign language film for just about every award and top ten list going this year. It is most boring film I've seen in a long, long time and the fucker is 3 hours long. I fell asleep twice, went back to the points where I fell asleep and rewatched, hoping that at some point it will get good. I'm utterly bewildered by what others see in this, nothing about it connected with me.
I loved it. The long scenes of dialogue could've gone on and on. I'd normally avoid such things in English but I was engrossed. I think I just love the Japanese language and how it brought out the relationships between the characters. I've watched 2 of his other films since.
The other 2021 film currently showing, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy has 3 short stories of love triangles with each having at least one long conversation piece. Asako 1&2 is more of a traditional romatic drama and not as good. All 3 films have characters who are actors and themes about cheating in relationships, and Chekhov.
Reno
The In Kraut
Probably a case of „it’s me not the film“, it's certainly well made and well acted, I just didn’t connect with it at all. That's two top awards contenders and critics favourites about actors this year, where I felt on the outside for the entire film (Licorice Pizza being the other one).
Paris Belongs to Us
1961 new wave mystery directed by Jacques Rivette, his first full length film and with his style already pretty much fully formed. Features a lot of his usual themes like theatre/performance, aimless investigations, menacing lonely cityscapes, and conspiracy. Anne Goupil (played by Betty Schneider) is drawn into a loose detective plot that revolves around the social circle of her brother and in particular a Spanish exile who either comitted suicide or was murdered.
Probably rate this medium on the Rivette coherence scale, reminded me a lot of his later film Gang of Four which is like a more streamlined version. I liked Schneider's performance, very low key, she almost aimlessly prods at various plot points and steadily unravels it all into a characteristically Rivette-ish mess. Anyway, I really enjoyed this, not my favourite Rivette but still lots to like about it.
1961 new wave mystery directed by Jacques Rivette, his first full length film and with his style already pretty much fully formed. Features a lot of his usual themes like theatre/performance, aimless investigations, menacing lonely cityscapes, and conspiracy. Anne Goupil (played by Betty Schneider) is drawn into a loose detective plot that revolves around the social circle of her brother and in particular a Spanish exile who either comitted suicide or was murdered.
Probably rate this medium on the Rivette coherence scale, reminded me a lot of his later film Gang of Four which is like a more streamlined version. I liked Schneider's performance, very low key, she almost aimlessly prods at various plot points and steadily unravels it all into a characteristically Rivette-ish mess. Anyway, I really enjoyed this, not my favourite Rivette but still lots to like about it.
Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
On Youtube.
In Search of Gregory.
Julie Christie moons around 1969 Geneva in search of the eponymous American playboy. John Hurt plays her weirdo brother, who would be an incel if this was set in 2022.
Ms. Christie is nice to look at, but that's about your lot. This thing isn't a sex comedy, because there's damn all sex and no jokes at all, it's not really a drama - what the hell is it? Apart from a failure, that wastes the talents of Christie, Hurt, and the guy who was the Bond villain in Thunderball.
In Search of Gregory.
Julie Christie moons around 1969 Geneva in search of the eponymous American playboy. John Hurt plays her weirdo brother, who would be an incel if this was set in 2022.
Ms. Christie is nice to look at, but that's about your lot. This thing isn't a sex comedy, because there's damn all sex and no jokes at all, it's not really a drama - what the hell is it? Apart from a failure, that wastes the talents of Christie, Hurt, and the guy who was the Bond villain in Thunderball.
Madame Dubarry
1919 silent French Revolution costume drama directed by Ernst Lubitsch starring Pola Negri and Emil Jannings. Very watchable, especially the frantic paced first half charting Dubarry's rise to the top of the French court. In the second half it becomes less breathless and borders on plodding at times, though it gets livened up by some fantastic crowd scenes and some really striking moments as the revolution increasingly enters the frame. Negri as Dubarry is enjoyably frenetic and really throws herself into the role and seemed to spark well off Jannings and the other actors, sadly in one of the minor roles there is a particularly unpleasant portrayal of a black character by an actor in blackface.
Overall definitely not without its flaws but entertaining enough and the film's sheer exuberance sweeps you along.
1919 silent French Revolution costume drama directed by Ernst Lubitsch starring Pola Negri and Emil Jannings. Very watchable, especially the frantic paced first half charting Dubarry's rise to the top of the French court. In the second half it becomes less breathless and borders on plodding at times, though it gets livened up by some fantastic crowd scenes and some really striking moments as the revolution increasingly enters the frame. Negri as Dubarry is enjoyably frenetic and really throws herself into the role and seemed to spark well off Jannings and the other actors, sadly in one of the minor roles there is a particularly unpleasant portrayal of a black character by an actor in blackface.
Overall definitely not without its flaws but entertaining enough and the film's sheer exuberance sweeps you along.
Nine Bob Note
Self-Isolating before it was fashionable
I've done the first series and most of the second series of Gomorrah over the last three days. Not as good as the Wire (yet), better than the Sopranos certainly. Saying that, I don't think even the Wire had anything to top the ending of S01E08 and the fallout in the following episode 
I was relieved to read that Neopolitan is essentially a language as, despite not speaking a word of Italian, I was watching with the subtitles in full WTF are they saying mode.
I also love Italian pop music apparently
I was relieved to read that Neopolitan is essentially a language as, despite not speaking a word of Italian, I was watching with the subtitles in full WTF are they saying mode.I also love Italian pop music apparently
DaveCinzano
WATCH OUT, GEORGE, HE'S GOT A SCREWDRIVER!
I've only just heard of this but looks awesome, definitely top three Romanian sex comedy:
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
en.m.wikipedia.org
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn - Wikipedia
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
While You Were Sleeping (1995) - Sandra Bullock mistaken identity rom-com that my daughter picked for us to watch as everyone else was out. I hadn't seen it since I took a date to it in the cinema, but it was actually surprisingly entertaining and funny despite the ultimately sappy and predictable ending. I can't stand Peter Gallagher's eyebrows though, they're just ridiculous.
Idris2002
canadian girlfriend
Watched this last night - it's the real thing, no question.
Chz
Stark Raving Sane
Watched it last night, too. A bit uncomfortable, as my stepson works in a kitchen. But riveting, to be sure.
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