Well, I seem to catch most of the big flicks at the cinema, agree with people on The Departed, v. good. Have the joys of the Guardian to look forward to tonight, but we'll see.
I also have a real knack for watching bad films on DVD. Recently sat through something called Skinned Deep, reminded me a lot of Devils Rejects but had some quirky touches. Also Witchcraft starring LInda Blair and David Hasselhoff, when finished I had to think what have I just watched, mind you it was only £1.97!
However, in doing this you can find some gems, one recent one being The Stink of Flesh, its an acquired taste!
Stew
films we just saw
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streetrw
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A trip to London! It's the last day of The Great Ecstacy of Robert Carmichael, which has a one-print-one-week release at the Odeon Shoebox Panton Street. And to those who didn't get to see it: You lucky, lucky people. Focussing on a trio of pathetic teenaged losers in Newhaven as they graduate from using and dealing to rape and murder, TGEORC is neither great nor ecstatic. But The Unending Rubbishness Of... isn't much a title. It's filmed in very long takes in which there's very little camera movement - either a slow dolly in a straight line or a slow dolly circling round the room. Those shots might be nicely photographed, but there's no opportunity for editing.
Ultimately the film will probably be remembered (by the few who saw it) for its nasty rape/murder at the end (the poster warning mentions strong sexual violence but not the tedious swearing), but the technique of three-minute takes puts the audience at a distance rather than involving them. I'm also not entirely sure of the point of including TV bulletins with Bush and Blair leading up to the invasion of Iraq while some junkies gangrape a schoolgirl in the next room. And why finish with a clip of Winston Churchill?
I was actually all set to happily not bother with this film, but I did read a few things about it that suggested it might be worth a look; it played at Raindance last year. Due to the nature of the film, specifically the last reel, I was expecting the Daily Mail to go into foaming-dog mode, which is the one thing that usually sends me to films I'd otherwise pass on, like Sex Lives Of The Potato Men. However, anyone who wants to make features in Britain might take comfort in the fact that if something as pointless as this can get made and screened, there's surely hope for all of us.
After an hour of CD hunting - to the Troc for The Grudge 2. I haven't seen the Japanese versions of either movie, just the American remake, which was okay and did its job but even then I think the Eastern horror thing was getting a bit overdone with its long-haired monochrome girl ghosts jerking unnaturally over the screen. This one actually tells two stories at the same time - Japan and Illinois - which link up at the end in the one real surprise of the film. But since part of the Grudge lore is that the grudge will never be satisfied, that does leave the film without a proper ending. Still, that means they can make Grudge sequels forever! Oh wow.
Ultimately the film will probably be remembered (by the few who saw it) for its nasty rape/murder at the end (the poster warning mentions strong sexual violence but not the tedious swearing), but the technique of three-minute takes puts the audience at a distance rather than involving them. I'm also not entirely sure of the point of including TV bulletins with Bush and Blair leading up to the invasion of Iraq while some junkies gangrape a schoolgirl in the next room. And why finish with a clip of Winston Churchill?
I was actually all set to happily not bother with this film, but I did read a few things about it that suggested it might be worth a look; it played at Raindance last year. Due to the nature of the film, specifically the last reel, I was expecting the Daily Mail to go into foaming-dog mode, which is the one thing that usually sends me to films I'd otherwise pass on, like Sex Lives Of The Potato Men. However, anyone who wants to make features in Britain might take comfort in the fact that if something as pointless as this can get made and screened, there's surely hope for all of us.
After an hour of CD hunting - to the Troc for The Grudge 2. I haven't seen the Japanese versions of either movie, just the American remake, which was okay and did its job but even then I think the Eastern horror thing was getting a bit overdone with its long-haired monochrome girl ghosts jerking unnaturally over the screen. This one actually tells two stories at the same time - Japan and Illinois - which link up at the end in the one real surprise of the film. But since part of the Grudge lore is that the grudge will never be satisfied, that does leave the film without a proper ending. Still, that means they can make Grudge sequels forever! Oh wow.
Just come back from seeing Saw 3.
Mmm better than the godawful 2 but no way as good as 1.
Not a bad film. Of course more"games" to be played. At least this time with a plot that involves the characters more. A couple of good tension building moments but at least this one is not a remake - I think!! :?
Mmm better than the godawful 2 but no way as good as 1.
Not a bad film. Of course more"games" to be played. At least this time with a plot that involves the characters more. A couple of good tension building moments but at least this one is not a remake - I think!! :?
"We Who Walk Here Walk Alone"
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ghouldrool
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i still prefer part 2 out of all of them
this third one contains by far the strongest amount of violence and gore. However too many flashbacks slow it down.
with regards to the very very end one wonders if they didnt go just one step too far. consider the end was dark enough this element didnt need to be included.
its still highly recommended and will have you squirming at points.
this third one contains by far the strongest amount of violence and gore. However too many flashbacks slow it down.
with regards to the very very end one wonders if they didnt go just one step too far. consider the end was dark enough this element didnt need to be included.
its still highly recommended and will have you squirming at points.
"Just what the world needs; a schizophrenic toaster!"
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soulmining
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Have seen a heap of films in the last couple of weeks but forgotten to post my comments, so here's a quick round up...
The Departed - loved this one, my third favourite film of the year. Obviously great source material but Scorsese makes it his own film and draws stellar performances from the cast, especially Matt Damon.
The Devil Wears Prada - light, fluffy, enjoyable. Meryl Streep is just fantastic!
TCM: The Beginning - TCM by numbers. Not a bad movie but doesn't do anything different.
The Grudge 2 - Reasonable sequel, seemed to play very well to the packed audience I saw it with.
Marie Antoinette - visually stunning, but disjointed and over-long... and I found it very boring.
The Last Kiss - really good relationship drama with proper three dimensional characters. Great soundtrack too.
Shortbus (LFF screening) - surprisingly warm and witty! Yes, there is a LOT of sex but it never feels sleazy. Certainly "gives you the willies!"
Princess (LFF screening) - I was rather non-plussed by this animated revenge tale against the porn industry. Like the concept but it just didn't go far enough.
The Departed - loved this one, my third favourite film of the year. Obviously great source material but Scorsese makes it his own film and draws stellar performances from the cast, especially Matt Damon.
The Devil Wears Prada - light, fluffy, enjoyable. Meryl Streep is just fantastic!
TCM: The Beginning - TCM by numbers. Not a bad movie but doesn't do anything different.
The Grudge 2 - Reasonable sequel, seemed to play very well to the packed audience I saw it with.
Marie Antoinette - visually stunning, but disjointed and over-long... and I found it very boring.
The Last Kiss - really good relationship drama with proper three dimensional characters. Great soundtrack too.
Shortbus (LFF screening) - surprisingly warm and witty! Yes, there is a LOT of sex but it never feels sleazy. Certainly "gives you the willies!"
Princess (LFF screening) - I was rather non-plussed by this animated revenge tale against the porn industry. Like the concept but it just didn't go far enough.
First things first, stay calm.
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soulmining
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I erm, saw, Saw III today... it's okay, does what you expect it to... started off well enough, then really dragged in the middle section, before a strong last third. I thought the plot was stronger than II but still feel both sequels are a bit redundant and unnecessary. My biggest gripe (and it was the same with II) is the constant quick editing which totally spoils any suspense/terror of the traps - combined with the fact that there are too many 'victims' who you have no connection with, therefore there's not the emotional tug when they're in peril. On par with the other sequels this Halloween.
First things first, stay calm.
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JasonMyers
- Walking Dead
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A packed weekend of films. I saw The Lineup at the London Film Festival, one of their Treasures from the National Archive. It was a new print of a little known Don Siegel film. Very boring. Some individual scenes were good but as a whole there was nothing striking about it.
Saw The Departed for a second time. Couple of friends hadn't seen it and I loved it so much, I was happy to go again.
Yesterday it was Dr Strangelove at the LFF, another of the new prints from the Treasures. One of my all time favourites, I never get tired seeing this. The quality of the restoration was fantastic.
And last night it was the LFF Surprise Film. This year they had a surprise film on at 50 other venues, marking the 50th anniversary. Apparently there were 4 different surprise films showing. I read today that the Odeon West End had The Prestige. The cinema I went to showed Starter For 10. If you haven't heard of it, it's a British comedy set in the mid 80s and is about a guy who loved University Challenge as a child and when he goes to university, he auditions to go on the show, and along the way falls in love with one of the girls on his team. It's a really wonderful feel good comedy. I can't recommend it enough. They capture the period perfectly - the clothes, hairstyles, music. And to my surprise, I saw in the credits that one of the producers was Tom Hanks!
Saw The Departed for a second time. Couple of friends hadn't seen it and I loved it so much, I was happy to go again.
Yesterday it was Dr Strangelove at the LFF, another of the new prints from the Treasures. One of my all time favourites, I never get tired seeing this. The quality of the restoration was fantastic.
And last night it was the LFF Surprise Film. This year they had a surprise film on at 50 other venues, marking the 50th anniversary. Apparently there were 4 different surprise films showing. I read today that the Odeon West End had The Prestige. The cinema I went to showed Starter For 10. If you haven't heard of it, it's a British comedy set in the mid 80s and is about a guy who loved University Challenge as a child and when he goes to university, he auditions to go on the show, and along the way falls in love with one of the girls on his team. It's a really wonderful feel good comedy. I can't recommend it enough. They capture the period perfectly - the clothes, hairstyles, music. And to my surprise, I saw in the credits that one of the producers was Tom Hanks!
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gegsuranus
- Twitching Corpse
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Starter for Ten - Crap. Tone is uneven, some funny moments completely ruined by overiding sentimental message. Benedict Cumberbatch was great though. I think the worst thing about this was just the screenplay.
Big Bang Love, Juevinile A (LFF screening) - I was really looking forward to this one as I love Ichi the Killer. Absolutely beautiful and mesmerising set design. At the beginning there's a scene where they have one guy dancing. I'm telling you I could have watched only that for the whole movie. However, as much as I like narrative incoherence on the odd occassion, here nothing really worked for me in terms of plot. A little disappointing, but with some excellent moments and design.
Stranger than Fiction (LFF Screening) - good film, nice performances, witty and clever script. The plot is Will Ferrell (one of his best performances ever, he plays the straight man as opposed to a clown) he wakes up one morning to hear a voice narrating his life, then the voice says "little did he know, soon he would die". I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Big Bang Love, Juevinile A (LFF screening) - I was really looking forward to this one as I love Ichi the Killer. Absolutely beautiful and mesmerising set design. At the beginning there's a scene where they have one guy dancing. I'm telling you I could have watched only that for the whole movie. However, as much as I like narrative incoherence on the odd occassion, here nothing really worked for me in terms of plot. A little disappointing, but with some excellent moments and design.
Stranger than Fiction (LFF Screening) - good film, nice performances, witty and clever script. The plot is Will Ferrell (one of his best performances ever, he plays the straight man as opposed to a clown) he wakes up one morning to hear a voice narrating his life, then the voice says "little did he know, soon he would die". I thoroughly enjoyed it.
F**k me gently with a chainsaw!
I thought Saw 3 was absolutely brilliant. Especially the opening few minutes, they were fantastic. And the rack, ewww. Maybe the end went a bit too far but overall this was better than 2 and nearly as good as 1. In terms of gore and nastiness it surpasses 1. Please leave it at 3, no 4.
Grudge 2 was ok, but I find these films hard to take seriously. This one especially had me laughing out loud at parts.
Grudge 2 was ok, but I find these films hard to take seriously. This one especially had me laughing out loud at parts.
Bring her to me, you bum. I'll take care of business.
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ghouldrool
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i will always know what you did last summer... now this is pretty grim as in poor
a naff cod remake of the first,pushing this "franchise" into the realms of the supernatural. However it was better than the excrement that was funny man!
As for Funnymanoh dear, id wanted to see this forever but it turned out to be dull, witless and false. it truly wanted to be a cult item but it fails... dear Zone Horror where do you get this shit from... please now show Revenge of Billy the Kid so i can mark that one off too
ahhhhhhh Borat: cultural learnings of america to make benefit for glorious nation of Khazakstan. i think i did myself some physical damage during this film laughing. Not being familiar with Borats tv stuff im not sure how much is recycled... but fucking hell its funny and risky as hell... the stuff concerning Jews and women by far being the funniest stuff.
the best moments are the entire scene in the Jewsih BnB ("look thay have changed form!" followed closely by the naked fight between Borat and his unforgivably fat producer
a naff cod remake of the first,pushing this "franchise" into the realms of the supernatural. However it was better than the excrement that was funny man!
As for Funnymanoh dear, id wanted to see this forever but it turned out to be dull, witless and false. it truly wanted to be a cult item but it fails... dear Zone Horror where do you get this shit from... please now show Revenge of Billy the Kid so i can mark that one off too
ahhhhhhh Borat: cultural learnings of america to make benefit for glorious nation of Khazakstan. i think i did myself some physical damage during this film laughing. Not being familiar with Borats tv stuff im not sure how much is recycled... but fucking hell its funny and risky as hell... the stuff concerning Jews and women by far being the funniest stuff.
the best moments are the entire scene in the Jewsih BnB ("look thay have changed form!" followed closely by the naked fight between Borat and his unforgivably fat producer
Last edited by ghouldrool on Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Just what the world needs; a schizophrenic toaster!"
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soulmining
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Just seen perhaps THE BEST horror films of the year - Feast - it rocks!
Savage wit, with even more savage monsters, the film is f**king fantastic!!
Plus, you also get to see Jason Mewes get ripped to shreds and Henry Rollins wearing pink sweat-pants....
Hope it gets a UK release soon - check out the trailer on our earlier news here, but pause it 10 seconds before the end when the second DVD screen appears, as it then gives away one of the best jokes of the film;
http://www.eatmybrains.com/shownews.php?id=738
Savage wit, with even more savage monsters, the film is f**king fantastic!!
Plus, you also get to see Jason Mewes get ripped to shreds and Henry Rollins wearing pink sweat-pants....
Hope it gets a UK release soon - check out the trailer on our earlier news here, but pause it 10 seconds before the end when the second DVD screen appears, as it then gives away one of the best jokes of the film;
http://www.eatmybrains.com/shownews.php?id=738
It's horrible... I love it... What is it?
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trixybella
- Undead Horde
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*sobs big times*-
thesavageintruder
- Running Zombie
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FEAST is indeed brilliant - witty, scary, and filled with splatter and cool characters. Particularly loved the mocking on-screen introductions for each of the characters and the way the script undermines their "life expectancy" at every available opportunity! HIGHLY recommended. Agree with Ghouldrool about I'LL ALWAYS KNOW... - terminally bland stuff and, having seen BOO, i think it wouldn't have played nearly as well as the late replacement RED EYE did a couple of years ago at the 'fest.
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Team Banzai
- Braaaains!
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lucky enough to have seen the new 007 movie ££ royale last night.
now i am a huge bond fan and so i was massiveley looking forward to daniel craig's 1st outing as mr bond. (i have not seen any of mr c's previous inc the pressure-to-see-from-friends layer cake)
he does indeed make a very good, gritty and altogether different bond and after barely saying a few sentences in the 1st half hour he gives a good solid performance (and lottts of running)
the negative points - the pacing is off and some scenes needed to be shorter (2.5 hours running time), he doesn't shag as much as usual, what could have been a fab car chase is blown,
the plus points - which do outway the neg - the music is better this time, the opening chase is awesome, the stunt work throughout is seamless and brilliant, the direction is beautiful to behold as is eva (dreamers) green - stunning- the b and w opening, the classic 007 car and some funny moments amongst all the pretty violent and brutal (hurray!) stuff.
and of course craig himself for pulling it all off.
this is gonna take a fortune at the box office amidst very little winter competition and it bodes very well for the future of this long running franchise.
watch and enjoy!
now i am a huge bond fan and so i was massiveley looking forward to daniel craig's 1st outing as mr bond. (i have not seen any of mr c's previous inc the pressure-to-see-from-friends layer cake)
he does indeed make a very good, gritty and altogether different bond and after barely saying a few sentences in the 1st half hour he gives a good solid performance (and lottts of running)
the negative points - the pacing is off and some scenes needed to be shorter (2.5 hours running time), he doesn't shag as much as usual, what could have been a fab car chase is blown,
the plus points - which do outway the neg - the music is better this time, the opening chase is awesome, the stunt work throughout is seamless and brilliant, the direction is beautiful to behold as is eva (dreamers) green - stunning- the b and w opening, the classic 007 car and some funny moments amongst all the pretty violent and brutal (hurray!) stuff.
and of course craig himself for pulling it all off.
this is gonna take a fortune at the box office amidst very little winter competition and it bodes very well for the future of this long running franchise.
watch and enjoy!