What have you watched recently?

Mickeroo

Tony EH wrote: »

What we are left with is a tedious display of the obvious. The "bad guys" are so presentably bad, it's utterly incredible that they would ever hold power, the "good guy" is a ridiculous semi-super hero, fond of quoting the Bard to show that he's...well, like...ya know...smart'n'all...and the story plays out like it was written by some first year University student that had just discovered a book by Chomsky, but had completely missed what he had to say.

Having not read the Alan Moore graphic novel, I cannot be qualified to comment on how well the Brothers Wachowski have transferred the comic's panels to the screen. But, I would venture so far as to say that I'd guess that the majority of its fans weren't that happy with the cinematic result. Moore, incidentally, distanced himself from the project altogether. Certainly not a good sign.

Its very close to the comic, Moore always distances himself from adaptations of his work, the only one he ever had a good word to say on that I know of was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by far the worst and most unfaithful translation to screen of his work there is.

As for the regime in the movie being "too bad" to be believable, I'm not sure where you're coming from with that, they're no worse than some of the ones that have existed in the real world in the past and still do at present.

I thought it was a good movie but not a great one, smarter than the average blockbuster imo. It was directed by James McTeigue btw, the Wachowski's produced.

Nolanger

Quatemass xperiment - copied lots of other movies so a routine Hammer effort.

Mindkiller

I haven't read the comic of Vendetta, but I heard that it adopts a more morally ambiguous route. In the film, it's a simple clash between an overly articulate, trying-so-hard-to-sound-erudite-but-failing-miserably freedom fighter and some seriously evil dudes trying to channel Orwell. I hated it.

Tony EH

Mickeroo wrote: »

Its very close to the comic, Moore always distances himself from adaptations of his work, the only one he ever had a good word to say on that I know of was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by far the worst and most unfaithful translation to screen of his work there is.

As for the regime in the movie being "too bad" to be believable, I'm not sure where you're coming from with that, they're no worse than some of the ones that have existed in the real world in the past and still do at present.

I thought it was a good movie but not a great one, smarter than the average blockbuster imo. It was directed by James McTeigue btw, the Wachowski's produced.

Well, although I haven't read it, I believe Moore's comic was written as a response to the evils of the Thatcher government, as he saw it and as I understand it, had the lines very blurred across "good" and "bad". The film's script is just a very simplistic effort that comes across as an unintelligent "good guy/bad guy" screed. V in the comic isn't the silly super hero that's been presented on the screen and is far more ruthless in his pursuit. The government in the film is also one that is riddled with the most appallingly bad cliché, with the most basic and simple touchstones being played upon. Even the symbolism of "The Party" has been changed to the ridiculous neo-Christian/Nazi nonsense I mentioned earlier. In the comic, "NorseFire" is modeled on an extreme version of Britain's own right wing political entities, including the National Front. In the film, it's yet another tired old National Socialist rip-off.

Some of its proponents would have you believe that it's '1984' for the modern audience, but I think Orwell would just laugh.

Perhaps I was expecting more? Or Moore?


In addition, I know it was directed by first-timer McTeigue but the Wachowski brothers both produced and wrote the screenplay. It was very much their film.


I agree with you on 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' though, which was just awful.

Gronkosaurus

We watched Saving Private Ryan for the first time last night. Really enjoyed it, and before anyone asks, no, I have no idea why it has taking me so long to watch it! I apologise!

Judgement Day

Gronkosaurus wrote: »

We watched Saving Private Ryan for the first time last night. Really enjoyed it, and before anyone asks, no, I have no idea why it has taking me so long to watch it! I apologise!

Still can't 'stomach' the landing beach scenes but it's a classic movie.

Renn

Still can't stomach the rubbish story, the attempt to pull on the heartstrings, the comical portrayal of German characters, the overbearing score, the waving flags, etc. He even did his best to ruin the opening scene by including farcical moments (guy gets shot, saved by helmet, guy then lifts up helmet...).

mikemac1

Elite Squad

Brazilian film

Absolutely loved it

A realy tough police captain narrates it

Police corruption, smoking hot lead actress, shootouts, hypocritical middle class students who condemn violence but fuel it by buying drugs, torture, horrific deaths by burning, a chase to track down a drug dealer and a character changing from a mild mannered and softly spoken future lawyer to a toughened cop who doesn't take **** off anyone

This film had it all, superb

WatchWolf

Renn wrote: »

Still can't stomach the rubbish story, the attempt to pull on the heartstrings, the comical portrayal of German characters, the overbearing score, the waving flags, etc. He even did his best to ruin the opening scene by including farcical moments (guy gets shot, saved by helmet, guy then lifts up helmet...).

?

Renn

Please, I like America! Fancy schmancy! What a cinch! Go fly a kite! Cat got your tongue! Hill of beans! Betty Boop, what a dish. Betty Grable, nice gams.

JohnK

Decided to get some value from Netflix today so sat down and watched

• O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• The Men Who Stare at Goats
• Leaves of grass
• Sky High

Nalz

The Double - average

The girl with the dragon tattoo - Long, slightly odd but I found it above average

Mission Impossibel 4 - again average flick worth a watch

Hostel 3 - surprisingly good

Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy - absolute muck

Cowboys & Aliens - poor

charlie_says

I Saw the Devil

Savage, literally, Korean revenge film. Extremely violent and extremely satisfying watch as long as you aren't too squeamish. Felt the score was a little over the top - is that some Asian thing, overly dramatic film scores?

Maybe not one for a quiet night in with the wife/girlfriend if she isn't into the more extreme side of cinema.


8/10

Thanks for the folks who recommended this and the brilliant Korean film The Yellow Sea. Both fine pieces of entertainment. I come to this thread more and more for film ideas. You guys

Dermighty

The Lincoln Lawyer, really enjoyed it. Ryan Philippe is such a bad actor, how is he famous?!!?!?

The Double, Decent enough movie. Topher Grace is int he same boat as Ryan Philippe, terrible!

SarahBM

The descendants - Very good. I really enjoyed it, but not sure if its Oscar worthy. Was going to go see War Horse but a few ppl have told me its crap, so might wait for DVD.

Face Off - (€4 in HMV) first time seeing it. what a weird film. I had to laugh at the whole face swaping thing. It was just sooooo ridiculous. but it was an enjoyable guns a blazin' action flick if you dont take it too seriously.

The Expendables - for an amazing cast of action heros, you would think it would be a lot better. Arnie is only in it for like 5 seconds yet he is listed on the main credits.weird. Jet Li is gas in it though. and I do like Handsome Rob AKA Jason Statham, he will always be Handsome Rob to me (from the Italian job for anyone who doesnt know what Im on about)

I think I might watch a movie or 2 on Net Flix tonight. might as well use it. I find it very limited though, do ye?

SarahBM

SarahBM wrote: »

I think I might watch a movie or 2 on Net Flix tonight. might as well use it. I find it very limited though, do ye?

There's thousands of films and TV shows there and if you're on the US store then there's hundreds of thousands if not millions of hours of stuff available to watch at the click of a button.

Have you tried searching the store or you just judging it based on the genre selections which are on the homepage when you sign in?

SarahBM

Deleted User wrote: »

There's thousands of films and TV shows there and if you're on the US store then there's hundreds of thousands if not millions of hours of stuff available to watch at the click of a button.

Have you tried searching the store or you just judging it based on the genre selections which are on the homepage when you sign in?

I think I may have been using it wrong so. but I typed in Alien in to the search box and nothing came up. I find it hard to believe that such famous film isnt there.

SarahBM

SarahBM wrote: »

I think I may have been using it wrong so. but I typed in Alien in to the search box and nothing came up. I find it hard to believe that such famous film isnt there.

What happens a lot is that big films get taken off a few months before the Blu-Ray/DVD re-release. Happened with the original Tron in the months leading up the the release of Tron Legacy. Alien is the kind of film that I imagine will show up at some stage but each films has recently been re-released in the US.

johnny_ultimate

The Son - first experience of the Dardenne Brothers, and I'm impressed. A masterful control over the characters and narrative. Information and plot points are drip-fed to the audience - it's over half an hour until the film's most important relationship is revealed, and it packs a punch as a result. Quietly emotional, where all the characters react through subtle actions rather than words. Interestingly directed, too, with almost the entire film shot in handheld close-ups. The result is a powerful, affectionate and focused film.

Sad Professor

The Long Day Closes

Semi-autobiographical film from the greatly overlooked British director Terence Davies. Very similar to The Tree of Life (I suspect it was an influence), albeit set in working class Britain instead of mid west America. Like Malick's film, it's an unconventional and visually abstract film but extremely evocative of a particular time and place. Magnificent piece of filmmaking.

I unfortunately missed Davies's latest film The Deep Blue Sea when it was on in the IFI due to exams, but looking forward to the DVD/Blu-ray.

Rabidlamb

The Iron Lady

Well acted biopic but needed to focus more on the big events that shaped her career.
It concentrated too much on her as a confused older woman fighting her mental illness.
Jim Broadbent puts in a good turn as the dead husband & Streep is peerless.
I thought nobody would be more deserving of an Oscar than Swinton this year but i was wrong.

Overall, 6.5/10.

Nolanger

Wild women of Wongo - prehistoric-set movie about a bunch of females who capture men, 1950s sleaze.

--LOS--

Lars and the Real Girl

....to see what all the fuss was about.
Bored me to tears. People who rate this film just for being slightly quirky really need to watch more movies.
For a movie in a similar vein..... 'love object' is better.

Princess Peach

Just moved to Canada and have gotten into the French/French-Canadian film scene if anyone is interested!

Cafe de Flore- Plot will seem pretty strange at first but it all makes some sense in the end. But I did enjoy the film. It's split between present day Montreal and 1960s Paris and has some really beautiful relationships in it. And its got a great soundtrack!

French Immersion- A comedy sent it a Quebec village trying to teach adults French. I really liked this one, it was hilarious! The people of the village hate the Anglo-Canadians and are very proud of their French heritage. It is a little bit akin to Gaelteacht regions in Ireland!

I joined the foreign cinema club, in a few weeks they are showing the Guard! Looking forward to hearing what non Irish people think of it!

OldeCinemaSoz

NETWORK

An excellent meditation on media manipulation
from the halycon days of 1970s cinema; it's message
could'nt be as more pertinant as it is now...

10/10

OldeCinemaSoz

Nolanger wrote: »

Of course it's old fashioned, it's a remake of Shane.

Really? I thought it was a remake of
HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER?!?!

Mike Litoris

Midnight in Paris. Wow. Really not my kind of movie and wouldn't be familiar or ever even interested by anything Woody Allen but man I'm all right now.

Anyone recommend other similar Allen movies?

Mickeroo

Mike Litoris wrote: »

Midnight in Paris. Wow. Really not my kind of movie and wouldn't be familiar or ever even interested by anything Woody Allen but man I'm all right now.

Anyone recommend other similar Allen movies?

Not really similar but Vicky Christina Barcelona is quite good! You'd have to go back a long time before that to get to any of his other good movies. Annie Hall is great too.

johnny_ultimate

The Purple Rose of Cairo is easiest the closest in tone and delivery to Midnight in Paris (albeit much more bittersweet). It's also probably the best film Woody Allen has ever made. And this is the man who has made Manhattan, Annie Hall, Crimes & Misdemeanors, Hannah & Her Sisters etc etc.

Mike Litoris

What the hell is happening to me, I'm watching the damn thing again!:eek::p