What have you watched recently: Electric Boogaloo

FloatingVoter

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I often wonder about Top Gun, it's considered camp fun nowadays by most but when it was released did guys think it was cool? I mean the volleyball scene is ridiculous, you'd never get away with putting that in your military films nowadays.

I was about 12 when it came out and Tom Cruise was the guy we wanted to be. Did not know at that point that he was 3 ft tall. Bloody cameras.

opr

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I often wonder about Top Gun, it's considered camp fun nowadays by most but when it was released did guys think it was cool? I mean the volleyball scene is ridiculous, you'd never get away with putting that in your military films nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyN8VN4BSzM

Opr

krudler

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm as big a Soderbergh fan as you will meet but I really do beleive that he's stopped caring about the films he makes. Much like Samuel L. Jackson, Soderbergh seems to just like making films and hanging around on sets with his friends. And as long as he continues to make such interesting if flawed films I'll be perfectly happy.

Pity cos Out Of Sight is one of the best movies of the 90's. He's got a very mixed career, ranging from fantastic to godawful (looking at you Haywire!)

noodler

Watched Margin Call on Netflix US last night.

Great film - had me hooked throughout.

Set on the trading floor of an investment bank on the eve of the 2008 Financial crisis.

Spacey, Irons, Zachary Quinto (Sylar from Heroes), Demi Moore, Mary McDonnell (only for one scene though!).

Highly recommended.

johnny_ultimate

Darko wrote: »

I'm as big a Soderbergh fan as you will meet but I really do beleive that he's stopped caring about the films he makes. Much like Samuel L. Jackson, Soderbergh seems to just like making films and hanging around on sets with his friends. And as long as he continues to make such interesting if flawed films I'll be perfectly happy.

At least he has admitted he's fed up of the 'process' of filmmaking. Curious to see how long his much-hyped sabbatical will last, if indeed it goes ahead.

Still after hearing very mixed things about all three of his recent films, I'm surprised how much I appreciated them after having actively avoided them for a whole. Each a slick, offbeat and distinctive if ultimately uneven take on potentially problematic material.

Sad Professor

Soderbergh seemed rather bitter over what happened with Moneyball. He was also forced off another film shortly after. That along with the box office failure of Che is what probably promoted all the retirement talk. But Magic Mike was made for pittance and was a huge hit, so I'd be surprised if that didn't restore some of his enthusiasm for directing.

I think he's a director who never found a proper balance between his financial and creative sides. A lot of his career has been a mixed-bag of experimental failures and workman-style efforts that anyone could have done. It's kinda funny that he got fired off Moneyball for being too experimental, because it's exactly the kind of competently made film that the Soderbergh of the late '90s would have banged out without a second's thought.

krudler

Of Soderbergh's movies I love Out of Sight, Solaris is criminally underrated, Oceans 11 is great fun, Contagion is ok, worth a watch, Moneyball was pretty decent. He's very hit and miss. I hated everything about Haywire bar the fight between herself and Fassbender, I felt like I paid to watch someone point and laugh at me for 2hrs.

LiamMc

FloatingVoter wrote: »

I was about 12 when it came out and Tom Cruise was the guy we wanted to be. Did not know at that point that he was 3 ft tall. Bloody cameras.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I often wonder about Top Gun, it's considered camp fun nowadays by most but when it was released did guys think it was cool? I mean the volleyball scene is ridiculous, you'd never get away with putting that in your military films nowadays.

Yes,it was the talk of the town for a few years. From my own school yard discussions I don't remember anyone considered the sexuality. The theme music Berlin's 'take my breath away' was falling down the charts but climbed back up and reached number one after the film was released.

Kelly McGillis walking 20 yards behind Tom Cruise wasn't usual for lead romances. Maybe added to the stylised nature of the film.
I'm sure it has been a good recruitment film for US Air Force and Navy pilots, the military supplying the boats and planes won't mind too much about the camaraderie scenes.

I do know a guy who bought the DVD around 2002, nobody had told him it was a gay film. So a bunch of us watched it at his home and just watched the more famous scenes.

Tom Skerritt will always be my Hero.

johnny_ultimate

Sad Professor wrote: »

Soderbergh seemed rather bitter over what happened with Moneyball. He was also forced off another film shortly after. That along with the box office failure of Che is what probably promoted all the retirement talk. But Magic Mike was made for pittance and was a huge hit, so I'd be surprised if that didn't restore some of his enthusiasm for directing.

I think he's a director who never found a proper balance between his financial and creative sides. A lot of his career has been a mixed-bag of experimental failures and workman-style efforts that anyone could have done. It's kinda funny that he got fired off Moneyball for being too experimental, because it's exactly the kind of competently made film that the Soderbergh of the late '90s would have banged out without a second's thought.

I think the scripts he picks can be workmanlike, but to his credit his directorial style is very recognisable and IMO admirably playful. A problem is that he's perhaps the most emotionally removed of mainstream filmmakers. His films are layered with irony and slickness that almost forbids the intrudence of real emotions. When they do, they feel weird and unconvincing. And I kinda like that TBH, if the material warrants that clinical eye. I thought his sterile approach completely suited Haywire, Mike and Contagion, although has equally been the undoing of outright failures like Full Frontal. I also don't think it's too much of a stretch to say his films are over slick too - I know some of his ultra stylised cinematography can annoy as much as it can impress (the yellow/orange-hued casino flashbacks in Contagion really bothered me).

All that said, I think his best film of recent years is The Informat, which is a beautifully satirical biopic. Criminally underrated and easily one of the funniest Hollywood comedies of last decade.

@krudler He was fired from Moneyball before production began.

firestarter51

Jack reacher, highly enjoyable a lot better than I expected

skeleton_boy

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - I though I would hate it but it was ok. A few laughs (especially loved Chris Evans) but I felt the script was somewhat neglected for the arcade video game gimmick. The two lead character are underdeveloped and tough to get behind imo.

cherryghost

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - Watched as it was recommended here. Can't say it was great but was entertaining enough. Have to say Robert Downey Jr did a great job in the role, was in stitches laughing at times.

mike65

Flash Gordon (1980) the last 10 minutes! and what a last 10 minutes Seriously I'm annoyed I didn't bother watching it, really is huge fun. I caught myself thinking that it needs re-releasing with 3d retro fitted! :eek: It flopped massively in the States at the time (though was number 3 film at UK box office that year) as they just didn't get the camp comic book atmosphere, I think it would go down a storm now if correctly sold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBY3Aa10T5I

Bullseye1

Womb one of the more interesting movies I've seen this year. Certainly an interesting tale on the cloning debate. Brilliantly acted and beautifully shot. It's a slow burner so not for everyone but I'd recommend it.

Mike Litoris

mike65 wrote: »

Flash Gordon (1980) the last 10 minutes! and what a last 10 minutes Seriously I'm annoyed I didn't bother watching it, really is huge fun. I caught myself thinking that it needs re-releasing with 3d retro fitted! :eek: It flopped massively in the States at the time (though was number 3 film at UK box office that year) as they just didn't get the camp comic book atmosphere, I think it would go down a storm now if correctly sold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBY3Aa10T5I

..and what an EPIC soundtrack!!!

kerry4sam

The Help! Without shadow of doubt, the Best Film I have watched in recent times. Outstanding and reached me on a personal level like no other film, for some reason.

The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society’s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope. The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

Definitely sings true to the above ^^. Thumbs up from me & one I will watch again and again. Great Film!

Jimmy Iovine

Watched "Animal House" again. A classic. Never gets old.

Just finished watching "Lock, Stock..." there. First time to watch it. Very impressed. Will definitely be watching it again some time. For now though I'm off to bed.

Judgement Day

"The Abduction Club" (2002) - €2 DVD from a charity shop. With a title like that and a woeful cover I had been putting this one off for quite a while but was pleasantly surprised. A period Chick Flick set in Ireland of the 1780s concerning the apparently true story of 'The Abduction Club' set-up by younger members of the aristocracy to secure financially well-off brides at gunpoint. While the storyline might seem a bit far fetched the casting and acting are good, the scenery superb and the recreation of 1780s Ireland worked for me. Some familiar faces here such as Edward Woodward, Patrick Malahide and Liam Cunningham, while Sophia Myles and Alice Evans provide the potential brides. 7/10. Would recommend to a friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ezBLfoggg

Movie is far better than the trailer would suggest.

briany

The Decline of Western Civilisation

A documentary taking an inside look at the LA punk scene round about 1980.

A good gritty look at the scene.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

80s Comedy about an assorted group of high school students and a year or so in their lives.

Sean Penn makes the film I think as Jeff Spicoli, the stoner surfer. He's not in the film all that much but it makes his scenes, particularly those with the ultra stiff mr. Hand, all the funnier. The other storylines are actually all fairly conventional and center around romance or romance gone wrong.

BopNiblets

Films I re-enjoyed over the holliers;
Walk The Line: Phoenix is ace as Cash I thought.

Up: great, both times!

Fight Club: Norton and Pitt excellent, good movie.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Animal Kingdom

Recorded it off film4 last night after seeing lots of talk about it on here. It's grim but it's good. I kind of liked how they didn't really try to redeem anyone or preach about anything, but still kind of got the point across. Question though...

Did J only decide to get Pope out of prison so he could shoot him? Was that his plan all along? Like he realised that sending him to prison for what he did wouldn't be enough for him?

Aidric

The Grey - Very enjoyable survival film packed with enough tension to keep it interesting. Liam Neeson solid.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Leap Year

I'd heard a lot of talk about this one and because I quite clearly hate myself I sat down to watch it.
This might be the single worst film in the history of films, EVER. It's borderline racism! (maybe not) but clearly no research into Ireland done her at all. I won't bore you with the ridiculous plot, or the many many stereotypes, or the horrific Oirish accents. I think even to the non Irish this film is just abysmal. I'd give it minus 5 stars.

firestarter51

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Leap Year

I'd heard a lot of talk about this one and because I quite clearly hate myself I sat down to watch it.
This might be the single worst film in the history of films, EVER. It's borderline racism! (maybe not) but clearly no research into Ireland done her at all. I won't bore you with the ridiculous plot, or the many many stereotypes, or the horrific Oirish accents. I think even to the non Irish this film is just abysmal. I'd give it minus 5 stars.

Wow, a bit harsh I didn't think it was that bad, I watched pitch perfect last night, not as funny as I thought, it was ok, 6/10

Cartel Mike

Margin Call on DVD.

My type of movie this, I'm sure there's a thread on it.

Wall street Hedge firm/mortgage firm or whatever at the start of financial meltdown when they discover their layered mortgage bonds are worthless and how they decide to deal with it.


Great actors, great acting and a general study of human behavior when things go wrong.

I recommend it to anyone.

krudler

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Leap Year

I'd heard a lot of talk about this one and because I quite clearly hate myself I sat down to watch it.
This might be the single worst film in the history of films, EVER. It's borderline racism! (maybe not) but clearly no research into Ireland done her at all. I won't bore you with the ridiculous plot, or the many many stereotypes, or the horrific Oirish accents. I think even to the non Irish this film is just abysmal. I'd give it minus 5 stars.

But sure everyone in Ireland lives in rural areas with thatched roofs and aran jumpers with pipe music playing? don't they? and its only a short drive to Wales.

don ramo

just watched Compliance, with Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker, it said it was based on actual events, which i always take to mean "this is taking massive liberties", but after reading stories about the actual incident the films seems to be fairly accurate, which is really a sad refection on human society,

Basq

End Of Watch..

.. believe the hype, it's stunning

Late contender for film of 2012 for me.

Gyllenhaal and Pena are excellent.

Good to see handheld camera being used so effectively, and not just for cheap horror scares!

ReacherCreature

I watched Ridley Scott's Prometheus a few nights back. I went in with rock bottom expectations thinking it was a horror and that I'd turn it off. However I really liked it and it turned out to be more of a sci-fi thriller. It had some great pace, soundtrack, visuals, setting and suspense. Fassbender was so "odd". You usually see him in some portraying normal characters in films (X-Men, Inglorious) but in this, he's an AI, it was an odd transition and neared creepiness but I liked it. Noomi Rapace was a nice sight too! The story had me confused in sections but overall I enjoyed it.

I watched The Bourne Legacy and again, liked it. However the ending

was a complete out-of-the-blue scenario that could have really benefited from some heavy restructuring

. I liked Renner and Weisz and the action was traditionally Bourne-esque. I'll be watching it again soon to try and digest the over-rapid pacing of the story. It felt like they were moving it at 100mph just for the sake of "slickness", coolness and to be "breathless".

Dredd. This was utterly brilliant! Again, I didn't expect it as I knew next-to-nothing about the Dredd series only that Sly Stallone's venture was a bad film and near-universally reviled. However it served as an entry level movie to the genre to unknowing fans. It's always great to have a film with great accessibility. I've also heard from fans that it passes their grade. The film is a gritty, violent, disturbing, raw, often beautiful and hugely entertaining fare. Karl Urban is a no-nonsense action badass. Menacing and on a path of justice enforcing it's impossible not to like him. Olivia Thirlby stars as Cassandra Anderson a rookie on the job. I actually thought it was Rachel McAdams, she's quite like her.

Mickeroo

don ramo wrote: »

just watched Compliance, with Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker, it said it was based on actual events, which i always take to mean "this is taking massive liberties", but after reading stories about the actual incident the films seems to be fairly accurate, which is really a sad refection on human society,

I've not watched that yet but I heard good things. Look up the Milgram experiment, I studied it for psychology class in college, from what I've heard the film covers similar ground.