Films I watched this week (NO SPOILERS) (Vol 3)
Discussion
popeyewhite said:
Yes I'd thought about catching up with those movies as well. Maybe also the spin-off Scorpion King.
Stop at Returns. Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is nowhere near as good as the first two and actually not a lot of fun which is the whole point of these movies. Scorpion King is only slightly better.I've not been able to get out to the cinema for anything new, so have had another weekend of watching old stuff...
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Recommended by ClockworkCupcake over on the Netflix thread for those of us enjoying Scavengers Reign, this is my first Studio Ghibli film and I can safely say I get the popularity. This is a beautiful film with some well crafted characters (Nausicaa herself is brilliant), some really strong plot points and overall just a lovely thing to watch. From the colour palette to the animation (it's an old film now but you'd not tell) to the score it's just a very lovely thing to watch.
I'd say it's up there with some of the best animated films I've seen, not something I'd usually go for but I'm very glad I was put on to it.
8/10
Batman
It was the 35th anniversary of Batman on Sunday so there was only one film to watch
As I've seen this more times than I can count my GF suggested we watch it with the directors commentary on (it was the 4k version). Tim Burton rambles on something chronic, at times not really ever reaching a point
I honestly lost track of what he was talking about at times. The Armeggedon commentary this is not! There were one or two interesting bits, like this was the first time they allowed the studio logo to be changed and it took quite some convincing and his views on why he cast Keaton but nothing really new. Skip it unless you just want to tick it off.
As for the film, it looks glorious in 4k. So much detail and colour is added back into the costumes and environment it's worth it. On the downside, it the effects do show their age in maybe one or two spots, notably the Batwing scene now looks like Thunderbirds (the same guy actually made that scene so makes sense) but it can be forgiven as it's 35 years old.
The score, already one of the best (I'd argue Returns is actually slightly better as it's more "Burton") presented here remastered with not just Elfman providing the operatic background but Prince dropping his tracks in as well sounds incredible. There's a reason Shaun and Ed had to think twice before lobbing it!
Keaton will always be my Batman so I'll always hold these films in the highest regard.
10/10
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Recommended by ClockworkCupcake over on the Netflix thread for those of us enjoying Scavengers Reign, this is my first Studio Ghibli film and I can safely say I get the popularity. This is a beautiful film with some well crafted characters (Nausicaa herself is brilliant), some really strong plot points and overall just a lovely thing to watch. From the colour palette to the animation (it's an old film now but you'd not tell) to the score it's just a very lovely thing to watch.
I'd say it's up there with some of the best animated films I've seen, not something I'd usually go for but I'm very glad I was put on to it.
8/10
Batman
It was the 35th anniversary of Batman on Sunday so there was only one film to watch
As I've seen this more times than I can count my GF suggested we watch it with the directors commentary on (it was the 4k version). Tim Burton rambles on something chronic, at times not really ever reaching a point
I honestly lost track of what he was talking about at times. The Armeggedon commentary this is not! There were one or two interesting bits, like this was the first time they allowed the studio logo to be changed and it took quite some convincing and his views on why he cast Keaton but nothing really new. Skip it unless you just want to tick it off. As for the film, it looks glorious in 4k. So much detail and colour is added back into the costumes and environment it's worth it. On the downside, it the effects do show their age in maybe one or two spots, notably the Batwing scene now looks like Thunderbirds (the same guy actually made that scene so makes sense) but it can be forgiven as it's 35 years old.
The score, already one of the best (I'd argue Returns is actually slightly better as it's more "Burton") presented here remastered with not just Elfman providing the operatic background but Prince dropping his tracks in as well sounds incredible. There's a reason Shaun and Ed had to think twice before lobbing it!
Keaton will always be my Batman so I'll always hold these films in the highest regard.
10/10
The End We Start From
A woman tries to find her way home with her newborn while an environmental crisis submerges London in floodwaters.
Meh, it passed the time. Never reached any sort of crescendo or excitement, lots of arty symbolism, decent score, nicely filmed. Jodie Comer was good, if not a little "over-acty". Could have been a lot better.
5/10 (with a point for Comer boobage)
A woman tries to find her way home with her newborn while an environmental crisis submerges London in floodwaters.
Meh, it passed the time. Never reached any sort of crescendo or excitement, lots of arty symbolism, decent score, nicely filmed. Jodie Comer was good, if not a little "over-acty". Could have been a lot better.
5/10 (with a point for Comer boobage)
Once upon a Time in Hollywood (on Netflix)
Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
Edited by JagLover on Monday 24th June 16:18
Cotty said:
What was shocking to me was one of his previous films (year before?) was The Machinist. To lose that much weight, then to put a s
t load back on to play Batman was bonkers.
I remember reading he was on a diet of an apple, a tin of tuna and black coffee to get to his weight for that film. t load back on to play Batman was bonkers.
JagLover said:
Once upon a Time in Hollywood (on Netflix)
Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
I didn't like this film on first viewing, but each time I watch it I enjoy it more, I must have seen it 5 times now.Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
Edited by JagLover on Monday 24th June 16:18
I think you need to be in the right frame of mind and let it flow over you too.
It's more about a feeling than a story.
C5_Steve said:
Master Bean said:
Watched Rear Window from 1954 as somebody mentioned it in the inside number 9 thread. Also Threads from 1984. Super uplifting that was.
I was blown away by how good Rear Window was when I watched it for the first time a few years ago. Such a good movie. 732NM said:
JagLover said:
Once upon a Time in Hollywood (on Netflix)
Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
I didn't like this film on first viewing, but each time I watch it I enjoy it more, I must have seen it 5 times now.Re-watched this one and I think it very much a return to form by QT. Yes you could complain that not a great deal happens and a lot of the time you would be right. But it is more a love letter to a bygone era, the struggles of a fading actor, a great male friendship, and some strong acting performances.
I really liked the ending to this one where I didn't like the ending to Inglorious bast*rds. It just felt right.
Edited by JagLover on Monday 24th June 16:18
I think you need to be in the right frame of mind and let it flow over you too.
It's more about a feeling than a story.
Given last weeks news, I decided to rewatch Kelly's Heroes. Its actually a bit dull to begin with, with some rather over the top acting as Telly Savalas yells at everyone, Clint squints at everyone, and several characters are clearly only there for comic relief. However it does a great job of building the tension later and a good finale.
I never spotted before though that of the 3 Tigers, they blow up 2, and the third one is seen at the end still parked outside the bank with the French all dancing around it... after Oddball has ridden off on the...4th one.
I never spotted before though that of the 3 Tigers, they blow up 2, and the third one is seen at the end still parked outside the bank with the French all dancing around it... after Oddball has ridden off on the...4th one.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 25th June 08:05
smn159 said:
The Bikeriders
The excellent Tom Hardy as the leader of a motorcycle gang in 60s America. Based on contemporary pictures and interviews about the rise and decent into chaos of the club. Has a great look and feel to it. Plot is neither here nor there but hugely enjoyable stuff nonetheless.
Might even go and see it again
Saw it tonight. Yes, the plot is a bit meh and it rather runs out of puff a bit after the first hour but, I agree, a great look and feel and La Comer puts in her usual excellent performance. The excellent Tom Hardy as the leader of a motorcycle gang in 60s America. Based on contemporary pictures and interviews about the rise and decent into chaos of the club. Has a great look and feel to it. Plot is neither here nor there but hugely enjoyable stuff nonetheless.
Might even go and see it again
Legend83 said:
The End We Start From
A woman tries to find her way home with her newborn while an environmental crisis submerges London in floodwaters.
Meh, it passed the time. Never reached any sort of crescendo or excitement, lots of arty symbolism, decent score, nicely filmed. Jodie Comer was good, if not a little "over-acty". Could have been a lot better.
5/10 (with a point for Comer boobage)
Just to add, she gets em out for the boys...A woman tries to find her way home with her newborn while an environmental crisis submerges London in floodwaters.
Meh, it passed the time. Never reached any sort of crescendo or excitement, lots of arty symbolism, decent score, nicely filmed. Jodie Comer was good, if not a little "over-acty". Could have been a lot better.
5/10 (with a point for Comer boobage)
just watched "The Fall Guy" - mixed feelings about this: there are some bits that are really good and, overall, the film is enjoyable BUT there are way too many talky bits so it falls in-between being an action movie with a little romance thrown in and in doing so misses both targets. Most of the music appealed to me so that's a plus - but they changed the lyrics to "The Unknown Stuntman" so that was disappointing too. Don't misunderstand it was an enjoyable enough way to spend a couple of hours - but it could (and should) have been sooo much better.
I rather suspect that I'd have preferred to watch the original TV series although it would've been a whole lot cheesier...
I rather suspect that I'd have preferred to watch the original TV series although it would've been a whole lot cheesier...
DKS said:
Brother D said:
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Kinda WW2 film for 'modern audiences' a bit slow going and despite the added characters for 'modern audiences' was fairly enjoyable.
6.5/10
How did you view please?Kinda WW2 film for 'modern audiences' a bit slow going and despite the added characters for 'modern audiences' was fairly enjoyable.
6.5/10
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJfKNBGm54&pp=y...
Sleeping Dogs
On Prime with Russell Crowe, feels like a while since I've watched him in anything. Bit of a whodunit, drags in places but I was only half watching, generally solid performance from him as usual, bit on the fence as to whether it was predictable or not, there were perhaps a few too many features added in unnecessarily.
6.5/10
On Prime with Russell Crowe, feels like a while since I've watched him in anything. Bit of a whodunit, drags in places but I was only half watching, generally solid performance from him as usual, bit on the fence as to whether it was predictable or not, there were perhaps a few too many features added in unnecessarily.
6.5/10
Edited by macron on Wednesday 26th June 00:17
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
blingybongy said:
I watched it on YouTube, somehow there was an hd copy there
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJfKNBGm54&pp=y...
I had a watch of that yesterday. It was ok but a bit like someone playing a computer game with all the cheats turned on, unlimited ammo, aim bots, max health etc. Also I just felt the English accents were a bit over the top.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJfKNBGm54&pp=y...
The Shadow
Imagine merging the characters Batman and Dr Strange, having Alec Baldwin play the lead and setting it all in 1930s America with the last descendant of Ghengis Kahn as your bad guy, bringing in elements of Indiana Jones. Oh, and Tim Curry and Sir Ian McKellen are supporting cast! Well, imagine no more because 1994's The Shadow is the film for you!
I've no idea how but I had this on VHS as a kid and watched it repeatedly. I heard someone mention that they should do another one and it reminded me I'd seen it so off I went to pick up the Blu Ray. Not cheap at £16 but I suspect it's long out of production now. It's a good film, I think the character was virtually unknown at the time (as it still is) but the basic premise is The Shadow is the alter ego of Lamont Cranston, a previous warlord who a monk in Tibet rehabilitated and now fights crime by clouding men's minds so that only his shadow remains visible...etc etc
It's a shorter film at only 1hr48 mins long and in all honesty I'd be fine with another 10 mins at the start to set up the origin as it does feel a bit rushed but that just gets you into the action. It really does feel like a mix between a number of different films, with Alec Baldwin playing the main character really well. You do believe he could be both a hero and villain (recent events probably help a little with that).
Should they make another? Maybe. I think if they really leaned into the darkness of it you could have something quite original. It's telling that Sam Raimi actually campaigned to make it but was denied by the studio, so he went off and did Darkman. I think a Raimi take on it would be fantastic.
7/10 (probably a 6.5 without the nostalgia)
Imagine merging the characters Batman and Dr Strange, having Alec Baldwin play the lead and setting it all in 1930s America with the last descendant of Ghengis Kahn as your bad guy, bringing in elements of Indiana Jones. Oh, and Tim Curry and Sir Ian McKellen are supporting cast! Well, imagine no more because 1994's The Shadow is the film for you!
I've no idea how but I had this on VHS as a kid and watched it repeatedly. I heard someone mention that they should do another one and it reminded me I'd seen it so off I went to pick up the Blu Ray. Not cheap at £16 but I suspect it's long out of production now. It's a good film, I think the character was virtually unknown at the time (as it still is) but the basic premise is The Shadow is the alter ego of Lamont Cranston, a previous warlord who a monk in Tibet rehabilitated and now fights crime by clouding men's minds so that only his shadow remains visible...etc etc
It's a shorter film at only 1hr48 mins long and in all honesty I'd be fine with another 10 mins at the start to set up the origin as it does feel a bit rushed but that just gets you into the action. It really does feel like a mix between a number of different films, with Alec Baldwin playing the main character really well. You do believe he could be both a hero and villain (recent events probably help a little with that).
Should they make another? Maybe. I think if they really leaned into the darkness of it you could have something quite original. It's telling that Sam Raimi actually campaigned to make it but was denied by the studio, so he went off and did Darkman. I think a Raimi take on it would be fantastic.
7/10 (probably a 6.5 without the nostalgia)
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