What have you watched recently: Electric Boogaloo

david75

david75 wrote: »

The Darkest Hour

Holy fvck this is gonna disavow certain insufferable Brits of a few notions. About themselves and Churchill. It destroys the myth of Churchill without even bringing up the fact that he was an imperialist drone who oversaw and turned a blind eye to a famine in India and his approval and instigation of the Black and Tans massacre in Ireland.

It’s brilliant and Oldman upends every notion you have but I can’t see it bein a welcome depiction of the man on this side of the pond. This one is going to seriously ruffle feathers I reckon.

But you can’t take your eyes off it. It’s really really well made. Oldman is outstanding for many reasons. You can’t even see him in there you’re looking at Churchill. His portrayal is wildly at odds with what we thought we knew about the man and he’s almost a soft bumbling buffoon at work but rude and isolated at home and is certainly seen that way by those around him and the establishment so it leads nicely into the films final act.


Definitely worth seeing. Really enjoyable. Oldman deserves the Oscar for this. Can’t think of any real competition now that I’ve seen it.

For me there was no myth there, but then I've seen everything every made about churchill and although titles don't come to mind now there has been films showing him as bumbling in many areas, and almost shambolic in a lot of ways. But the thing is, he is looked back on with great fondness for good reason. He might have been crap at everything else in his political life, but he showed a level of backbone no other politician in the west was showing at the time, and if he had capitulated to the wimps in his party, and the soft gentry types like Lord Halifax, Britain would have folded, been occupied by Hitler who broke every treaty he ever signed, and Ireland would have soon followed. He would have then been able to direct all his forces onto Russia, and probably be able to win that as well or at least consolidate all of Europe and make it his private manufacturing facility. Churchills backbone and patriotism saved us all.

Excellent film though, riveting acting performance. There has been some real cracking films over the last month or so, I don't know whether to be annoyed that the only decent films each year are now only released before award season and the rest of the year we are awash with kids films. Or just be happy to get to watch so many great films when the weather is at its crappiest!

Tony EH

'Happy Death Day'

A horror comedy that has no horror and just a bit of comedy. It reasonably entertaining though, even if the riff on 'Groundhog Day' is so explicit that it must be breaking some copyright rules somewhere. Speaking of 'Groundhog Day', anyone familiar with that film will already be armed with more than enough knowledge of what to expect with 'Happy Death Day'. It's harmless enough, in that it won't upset anyone (except maybe Harold Ramis' estate), has a good central perfromace, and it passes 90 minutes without any strain.

6/10

'Ghosts of Mars'

A lesser Carpenter film, and almost a remake of 'Assault on Precinct 13', it's easy to see what he was trying to go for here. But, even with a budget of $28 milion, the effects are just too poor and unconvincing to carry the plot. A plot which is thin enough, it has to be said. Yet, for the first 30 minutes, it's actually very good. Even though I'd seen it once already and didn't like it, for the first half hour I felt that I was initially wrong about the film. But, then the Norweigian Black Metal chap and his band of Martian possessed miners show up and it takes a nose dive.

It's still sort of enjoyable in an odd way. It has flashes of old Carpenter and the ideas are good. But it never really leaves the ground and some of the acting is dodgy, with Natasha Henstridge unable to command her role and Ice Cube looking decidedly bored. Originally a script for Snake Plisken, to be called 'Escape from Mars', I'm glad that that didn't happen as 'Escape from L.A.' was already an unrecoverable blow for that character.

Strangely enough, even though I don't consider it a particularly good film, I can see myself revisiting it again some day.

5/10

'Ingrid Goes West'

An absolute gem of a film about a complete mental case who's obsession with social media and the nebulous characters on it whom she aspires to be with. Ingrid (a brilliant Aubrey Plaza) is clearly a very disturbed person, whose condition is exasperated by the death of her mother. She spends a bit of time in a mental home after macing somebody she was friends with in Instagram - surprised they let their app be mentioned in this film. After getting out, apparently "reformed", she immediately gets back on her phone and becomes attached to some Californian airhead, whose every snap she "likes". Ingrid, with the help of her dead mothers willed money decides to go west to meet her new obsession with darkly humourous consequences.

There's loads to like in 'Ingrid Goes West', from the (almost) macabre fun that's had at Ingrid's expense, the cringy scenarios, to the excellent perfomances all round.

It does stray into a WTF area for a bit and I'm not sure what the film is trying to say with the ending. But, for me, it was one of the better films of the 2017 crop.

9/10

ButtersSuki

Subtitle overload for me recently....haven't been around for a while but over Christmas watched all 4 seasons of the excellent French TV Cop Show Braquo on Blu Ray (yes, I still buy physical product).Jean-Hugues Anglade (he of my all time favourite film Betty Blue) stars, alongside lots of others you'll be familiar with if you watch French cinema. It's essentially not too different a story from that of the IMO under-rated The Shield, i.e. dodgy cops willing to do basically anything to get a result, but the delivery is a little more in your face. Directed by Olivier Marchal (also worth checking out is his 36 Quai des Orfévres). A very good 8/10 overall. My only criticisms would be each season only has 8 episodes and I felt they could have benefited from more to fully flesh out the storylines of each season; and the

"rifle" in Season 2 was a bit ridiculous

Also finally got around to watching Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (also on Blu Ray), follow up to Elite Squad. Starring a pre-Narcos Wagner Moura it takes up a few years after its predecessor with Nascimento now "promoted" into a desk job. Gripping from start to finish and with an excellent soundtrack and audio background that really add to the film. 8.5/10. Must dig out Elite Squad again as it's 10+ years since I watched it based on this.

And finally Rocco on Netflix; a documentary about porn star Rocco Siffredi (and genuinely the first time I've ever seen any of his "work"!). Not a porno by any means in case any of you were wondering :pac::rolleyes:! It's an interesting insight into the man himself, his cousin (who's his photographer), his work, his family, and the industry itself. It's by no means the complete picture, but I found the insight into the man relatively interesting (I read a lot of autobiographies so perhaps that's why?). I'd give it a 6/10.

ButtersSuki

Tony EH wrote: »

'Ingrid Goes West'

An absolute gem of a film about a complete mental case who's obsession with social media and the nebulous characters on it whom she aspires to be with. Ingrid (a brilliant Aubrey Plaza) is clearly a very disturbed person, whose condition is exasperated by the death of her mother. She spends a bit of time in a mental home after macing somebody she was friends with in Instagram - surprised they let their app be mentioned in this film. After getting out, apparently "reformed", she immediately gets back on her phone and becomes attached to some Californian airhead, whose every snap she "likes". Ingrid, with the help of her dead mothers willed money decides to go west to meet her new obsession with darkly humourous consequences.

There's loads to like in 'Ingrid Goes West', from the (almost) macabre fun that's had at Ingrid's expense, the cringy scenarios, to the excellent perfomances all round.

It does stray into a WTF area for a bit and I'm not sure what the film is trying to say with the ending. But, for me, it was one of the better films of the 2017 crop.

9/10

Really wanted to see that in the cinema but never made it - TBH I don't know if it actually made it to any Irish cinema as I can't recall seeing it listed anywhere despite seeing trailers for it a few times. Plaza has been very good in everything I've seen her in to date though she seems to play the same character all the time, i.e. a toned up or toned down version of her Parks & Recreation role. Not a criticism per se, as she's very good at it; just a comment!

4Ad

French Blood, gritty film about skinheads in Paris, very violent. First half was good then it jumped through the years rather quickly and confusingly..still worth a watch.

Ladybird, dire...

Tony EH

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Really wanted to see that in the cinema but never made it - TBH I don't know if it actually made it to any Irish cinema as I can't recall seeing it listed anywhere despite seeing trailers for it a few times. Plaza has been very good in everything I've seen her in to date though she seems to play the same character all the time, i.e. a toned up or toned down version of her Parks & Recreation role. Not a criticism per se, as she's very good at it; just a comment!

Never saw her in anything before. The only people I was aware of in the film were Ice Cube's lad and one of the Olsen twins. Both of whom were pretty good.

But yeh, Plaza is great. She's able to do funny. Not gags and jokes funny, just funny. Sort of creepy funny.

Arghus

Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle - It was either this or Hostiles: I went with the easier of the two options. In the main I think I made an okay choice. It's an entertaining romp that does what it's supposed to. Can't really genuinely fault it for too much. It is what it is and it manages to be quite funny in places, largely thanks to a good cast. Jack Black provides most of the laughs and The Rock is as watchable as always - even though I thought they could have played up more of the fact that he was supposed to be a dweebish sort trapped inside a body of monumental muscle, there was comedy gold there that was left untouched. Kevin Hart was entertaining too, but his shtick overstayed it's welcome somewhat for me by the end. It could have been cleverer I won't deny that - for a brief while it threatened to become an interesting comedic look at the tropes of video games, but it eventually settled down into the somewhat safer territory of heaping action sequence after action sequence until The End - but there was at least a bit of charm and heart to proceedings. And weirdly enough, considering it is a re-make designed to hoover up the cash and one festooned with copious product placement for Sony products, it didn't feel entirely soulless.I won't remember any of it in about a fortnights time, but, hey, I had fun while I was there. I will say that I am slightly amazed that it's cleaning up at the box office to the extent that it is.

ButtersSuki

Tony EH wrote: »

Never saw her in anything before. The only people I was aware of in the film were Ice Cube's lad and one of the Olsen twins. Both of whom were pretty good.

But yeh, Plaza is great. She's able to do funny. Not gags and jokes funny, just funny. Sort of creepy funny.

Parks & Recreation is well worth a look. RTE had some seasons of it at least (if not all) but they did that RTE thing of buying a series and showing it at ridiculous times like 1:35am on a Tuesday night/Wednesday morning to effectively ensure it wouldn't get a decent audience.......and saving prime time for much better :rolleyes: home grown "comedy' like Killinaskully and Mrs. Brown Boys.

I've seen a few of her movies and she's a scene stealer in most. Everytime I've seen her though she just plays more or less the same role - even in interviews she turn on the weirdness. Or maybe she is just weird? She's very good at being weird though. I like her anyway.

Tony EH

Yeh 'Parks and Rec' was recomended to me before. I just don't have the time though TBH. Still haven't watched the last 'Game of Thrones', 'Fargo' or 'Better Call Saul' yet!

Frank O. Pinion

al87987 wrote: »

The Man from Earth - 9/10 - Loved this film. Don't really want to give away any plot. Made for only 200k. The sequel came out this year but I haven't been able to download it. Anybody know where I could find it?

Deleted User wrote: »

You could buy the Blu-Ray or DVD from amazon.com and you know, support the filmmakers.

Or Darko, you could give it a rest lecturing people about illegal downloads, and you know, let people download the movie, like the director supports.

Message from the director:

"Thanks for taking the time to watch our new movie, The Man From Earth 2: Holocene. In order to make sure that every single person in the world who wants to see the movie has access to stream or download it, we are uploading it ourselves to the filesharing community. Please share *ONLY THIS FILE* and don't make any edits or changes. Also please don't post the movie to YouTube, or to any other for-profit sites where a third party could charge people to see the movie. That would not be fair, or in keeping with the spirit of what we are trying to do by sharing the movie with everyone."

budgemook

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

Or Darko, you could give it a rest lecturing people about illegal downloads, and you know, let people download the movie, like the director supports.

Message from the director:

"Thanks for taking the time to watch our new movie, The Man From Earth 2: Holocene. In order to make sure that every single person in the world who wants to see the movie has access to stream or download it, we are uploading it ourselves to the filesharing community. Please share *ONLY THIS FILE* and don't make any edits or changes. Also please don't post the movie to YouTube, or to any other for-profit sites where a third party could charge people to see the movie. That would not be fair, or in keeping with the spirit of what we are trying to do by sharing the movie with everyone."

Digging em up from before Christmas, impressive :-D

al87987

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

Or Darko, you could give it a rest lecturing people about illegal downloads, and you know, let people download the movie, like the director supports.

Message from the director:

"Thanks for taking the time to watch our new movie, The Man From Earth 2: Holocene. In order to make sure that every single person in the world who wants to see the movie has access to stream or download it, we are uploading it ourselves to the filesharing community. Please share *ONLY THIS FILE* and don't make any edits or changes. Also please don't post the movie to YouTube, or to any other for-profit sites where a third party could charge people to see the movie. That would not be fair, or in keeping with the spirit of what we are trying to do by sharing the movie with everyone."

Any idea what site the director uploaded it to?

Frank O. Pinion

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

Or Darko, you could give it a rest lecturing people about illegal downloads, and you know, let people download the movie, like the director supports.

At the time of the post, any versions of the film available to download were pirate copies, but don't let that get in the way of you trying to hop on your high horse.

It was only this week, on the 15th that the director uploaded the film to torrent sites. The version that the director uploaded comes with an introduction where he asks people who torrent it to make a donation on manfromearth.com if they enjoyed the film.

If you are a fan of someone's art, especially of something like this film then you really should not be torrenting it. At the very least watch it on moviesaints which is a streaming site where you can get a refund if you dislike a film you rent.

al87987

Three Billboards -8.5/10

Great performance from Frances McDormand backed up by Rockwell and Harrelson. Really enjoyable flick, similar in tone to McDonagh's In Bruges.

First of the Oscar contenders I've watched but justified its favourite status for best picture. Love screener season.

Tony EH

I liked 'In Bruges', but I felt that it could have been more consistent with it's tone, one way or the other.

I tend to be a bit unimpressed with films that want me to be serious about a serious subject, one minute, then try to make me laugh the next. I don't think it works well enough, often enough.

In saying that, 'In Bruges' is well worth a watch.

But 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' does look interesting too, even though I know little to nothing about it?

Frank O. Pinion

Deleted User wrote: »

At the time of the post, any versions of the film available to download were pirate copies, but don't let that get in the way of you trying to hop on your high horse.

It was only this week, on the 15th that the director uploaded the film to torrent sites. The version that the director uploaded comes with an introduction where he asks people who torrent it to make a donation on manfromearth.com if they enjoyed the film.

If you are a fan of someone's art, especially of something like this film then you really should not be torrenting it. At the very least watch it on moviesaints which is a streaming site where you can get a refund if you dislike a film you rent.

Ha, you're the one on a morality "high horse" constantly telling people not to download torrents, in a snide fashion, as if that's actually going to deter people from downloading "art". Just report any discussion of privacy and let the mods deal with it.

Some people don't view downloading media as a crime, some people don't view films as art, stop implying your views and the way you live your life, are in any way positive suggestions for others to follow.

Frank O. Pinion

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

Ha, you're the one on a morality "high horse" constantly telling people not to download torrents, in a snide fashion, as if that's actually going to deter people from downloading "art". Just report any discussion of privacy and let the mods deal with it.

Some people don't view downloading media as a crime, some people don't view films as art, stop implying your views and the way you live your life, are in any way positive suggestions for others to follow.

Not on any high horse, just don't understand why anyone would want to torrent a film like The Man From Earth 2 rather than support the filmmakers. But by all means, download what you want but when they stop making small, interesting films because of piracy then you know who to blame.

Anyone who thinks that piracy has no effect on cinema should look at how boutique labels owned by the major studios have seriously cut back on releases, in 2007 there were 87 small, independent films released by a distribution arm of one of the majors, in 2013 the number was 30 and has fallen since then. Piracy is one of the main reasons, why bother spending millions acquiring and releasing a film if it's going to end up on torrent sites within seconds of its VOD release? But hey, I'm sure you are happy to live in a cinema world where Disney can have a monopoly and release little but PG-13 CGI extravaganzas such as the Avengers and Star Wars while filmmakers like Richard Schenkman can struggle to raise even a couple of hundred thousand dollars to make a film.

Also, some people don't view rape or murder as a crime, should we all just let them live their life as they wish? After all should we not "stop implying our views and the way we live our life, is in any way positive suggestions for others to follow" especially those who think that rape is perfectly fine?

Frank O. Pinion

I don't think piracy has no effect on cinema, I just think it's a pointless, impossible to stop battle, like the war on drugs. Yes, I would rather more David Lynch films made than Disney films, but I'm always going to be happy to live in any world regardless of film content, as I don't care enough to become unhappy because certain types of films aren't being made.

Rape? Yeah, maybe continue to try to stop rape, I agree with you there.

Nerdlingr

Watched Blade runner :2049 last night.
Twas grand. Setting, score etc were all excellent. Story dragged a bit near the end I felt. Was never a massive fan of the first, appreciated it for what it was and i'd probably put this in the same boat. Not as engaging as I hoped it would be.

ButtersSuki

Continuing on my subtitle run of late I watched Apocalyto tonight for the first time on Blu Ray (no illegal downloading in my house! Quite the opposite actually - went to watch it to discover I have not 1 but 2 Blu Ray copies of it, and a DVD :rolleyes:...I really need to sort my sh*t out when it comes to my purchases.....). Anyway, the movie itself: I really liked it. I didn't find it as violent as I had heard it to be; and at times it's just beautiful to look at. I can't help but wonder how much more successful it would have been at the time of release (particularly in the US) if Mel Gibson's name wasn't splashed all over it (it was released in 2006/2007 just after his anti-Jewish rant). 7/10.

david75

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Continuing on my subtitle run of late I watched Apocalyto tonight for the first time on Blu Ray (no illegal downloading in my house! Quite the opposite actually - went to watch it to discover I have not 1 but 2 Blu Ray copies of it, and a DVD :rolleyes:...I really need to sort my sh*t out when it comes to my purchases.....). Anyway, the movie itself: I really liked it. I didn't find it as violent as I had heard it to be; and at times it's just beautiful to look at. I can't help but wonder how much more successful it would have been at the time of release (particularly in the US) if Mel Gibson's name wasn't splashed all over it (it was released in 2006/2007 just after his anti-Jewish rant). 7/10.

Bloody great film. Literally and metaphorically.

david75

Blade Runner 2049

I always feel like I’m missing out with the original. This is a little more accessible but it’s just sorta hollow still. I wanted to like this so much. It obviously looks amazing and it has a little more substance than the first but I just can’t get into it.

Snake Plisken

Just finished watching Bright there on Netflix and have to say I really enjoyed it! Very interesting concept with Orcs Elves and Humans living together! I thought Will Smith and Joel Edgerton were really good and Noomi Rapace was menacing as the Leilah. Looking forward to returning to this universe with Bright 2. A solid 7/10 from me!

david75

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Just finished watching Bright there on Netflix and have to say I really enjoyed it! Very interesting concept with Orcs Elves and Humans living together! I thought Will Smith and Joel Edgerton were really good and Noomi Rapace was menacing as the Leilah. Looking forward to returning to this universe with Bright 2. A solid 7/10 from me!

I’m renaming this one marmbright. Really seems to be a love or hate film.
Will look it up.

Del.Monte

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

There's nothing new about it. They've always done it.

Here's some bedtime reading for all you Anglophobes.

Del.Monte

After a long time searching I managed to find the complete six-part series of "The Price" (1985) on YouTube. Very much of its time it hasn't dated very well. Ireland of clapped out cars, P+T phoneboxes and down at heel towns - not to mention trigger happy Gardai with not a computer to their name.



Peter Barkworth came up with idea for the series and took the lead role of Geoffrey Carr - computer millionaire who buys a 'big' house in Ireland only to have his wife (Harriet Walter) and daughter kidnapped by a breakaway republican group. Fingers are chopped off, Gardai shoot innocent people and the film bumbles its way to its inevitable conclusion. A Garda 'marksman' uses a machine gun near the end - you couldn't hit a barn door with one but he is spot-on. Worth tracking down if only to see Ireland fado, fado.

You will only find it by searching by the uploaders name:
steffsstuff

ButtersSuki

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Continuing on my subtitle run of late I watched Apocalyto tonight for the first time on Blu Ray (no illegal downloading in my house! Quite the opposite actually - went to watch it to discover I have not 1 but 2 Blu Ray copies of it, and a DVD :rolleyes:...I really need to sort my sh*t out when it comes to my purchases.....). Anyway, the movie itself: I really liked it. I didn't find it as violent as I had heard it to be; and at times it's just beautiful to look at. I can't help but wonder how much more successful it would have been at the time of release (particularly in the US) if Mel Gibson's name wasn't splashed all over it (it was released in 2006/2007 just after his anti-Jewish rant). 7/10.

Since your in Subtitle mode check out Suburra the series. Fantastic stuff

Del.Monte wrote: »

After a long time searching I managed to find the complete six-part series of "The Price" (1985) on YouTube. Very much of its time it hasn't dated very well. Ireland of clapped out cars, P+T phoneboxes and down at heel towns - not to mention trigger happy Gardai with not a computer to their name.



Peter Barkworth came up with idea for the series and took the lead role of Geoffrey Carr - computer millionaire who buys a 'big' house in Ireland only to have his wife (Harriet Walter) and daughter kidnapped by a breakaway republican group. Fingers are chopped off, Gardai shoot innocent people and the film bumbles its way to its inevitable conclusion. A Garda 'marksman' uses a machine gun near the end - you couldn't hit a barn door with one but he is spot-on. Worth tracking down if only to see Ireland fado, fado.

You will only find it by searching by the uploaders name:
steffsstuff

Thought you had dug up some old William Shatner gem for a minute!

ButtersSuki

Deleted User wrote: »

Since your in Subtitle mode check out Suburra the series. Fantastic stuff

I'm always in subtitle mode. Is it available legally to stream (Netflix, amazon etc.) or will I have to expand my already ridiculous and rapidly depreciating DVD + Blu Ray collection? I have Romazo Criminale (the film and the TV series) - I've watched the film and it was very good, but never got around to the TV series. Also have a few series of Gomorrah at home that again I've never watched :rolleyes:......but the thing that puts me off with Italian shows/films is I find the accent very harsh on the ear. I much prefer French, Spanish, Portugese or any of the Asian accents for some reason.

ButtersSuki

Del.Monte wrote: »

After a long time searching I managed to find the complete six-part series of "The Price" (1985) on YouTube. Very much of its time it hasn't dated very well. Ireland of clapped out cars, P+T phoneboxes and down at heel towns - not to mention trigger happy Gardai with not a computer to their name.



Peter Barkworth came up with idea for the series and took the lead role of Geoffrey Carr - computer millionaire who buys a 'big' house in Ireland only to have his wife (Harriet Walter) and daughter kidnapped by a breakaway republican group. Fingers are chopped off, Gardai shoot innocent people and the film bumbles its way to its inevitable conclusion. A Garda 'marksman' uses a machine gun near the end - you couldn't hit a barn door with one but he is spot-on. Worth tracking down if only to see Ireland fado, fado.

You will only find it by searching by the uploaders name:
steffsstuff

Tempted! I was very young when it came out and I remember watching it and mid-programme being sent to bed as there was a scene which featured boobs or perhaps a sex scene of some sort and my parents were mortified...........being allowed up that late (It was probably on at 9:30pm but still!) was a rarity in my house at the time. That scene probably meant I was in bed before 9 for a further 2 years at least!

ButtersSuki

ButtersSuki wrote: »

I'm always in subtitle mode. Is it available legally to stream (Netflix, amazon etc.) or will I have to expand my already ridiculous and rapidly depreciating DVD + Blu Ray collection? I have Romazo Criminale (the film and the TV series) - I've watched the film and it was very good, but never got around to the TV series. Also have a few series of Gomorrah at home that again I've never watched :rolleyes:......but the thing that puts me off with Italian shows/films is I find the accent very harsh on the ear. I much prefer French, Spanish, Portugese or any of the Asian accents for some reason.

Its a Netflix series so its there. I found it more accessible and intriguing then Gamorrah which I started but it didn't grab me at all.