What have you watched recently: Electric Boogaloo

johnny_ultimate

The Long Day Closes - Terence Davies evokes an absolutely unique sense of nostalgia here, lovingly but critically exploring post-war Britain. It's a country of institutionalisation, the schools and the church trying to desperately force conformity. But it's also a time of upheaval and personal rebellions - those progressive values sneaking in, with the potential of some sort of liberation in the face of mandated uniformity.

Davies develops his characters affectionately, especially young Bud, through whom we witness this sequence of drifting, observational events. It's the delivery that wows though: a rich soundtrack and beautifully poetic cinematography bringing us on a strange but hypnotic journey. The camera work and soundscapes are always drawing attention to various thematic rhymes and echoes. Bud, meanwhile, constantly finds solace and adventure at the pictures rather than school or out on the streets (although he's also gifted with a loving family). It's fascinating the way Davies boldly draws attention to his film's glorious artificiality in order to explore cinema's therapeutic, inspirational powers. It is a film that critiques the medium and, by extension, itself through its very form.

briany

Loved You So Long (2008)

French film about a woman getting out of prison after quite a long stretch and making her first steps to integrate back into society, reconnecting with her family, as well as deal with the repercussions of her crime.

Another great French film. Powerful slice of life type drama and Kristin Scott Thomas gives a very strong performance as the main character.

The Black Oil

End of Watch.

Tries to be pretty raw, I guess. No BS cop banter, rough part of town. Gang side is a bit two dimensional, it's not explored much, but it's pretty grim. Final act is clear from quite early on (telegraphed due to their personal lives), which removes some of the impact.

Bit of an ad for the LAPD, then.

Cabin in the Woods.

I've mixed feelings, and generally it didn't really work for me. The various behavioural, environmental manipulations, etc, became a little tiresome, though I get it was all in the aim of entertainment, and to send the genre up a bit. Depending on your point of view, it goes a little bonkers towards the end, or almost off the rails completely. The stoner and the redhead were the two most likeable. Not having seen any trailers, I was expecting something much more cut down and low budget...purely on the name, I suppose. Maybe I was just in bad form when I watched it.

mike65

Man With Two Brians is just wonderful comedy, what the hell happened to Steve Martin? Oh I know Carl Reiner went off and did other things.

Kiss Kiss Bang bang (2005) I may need to watch it again, it was entertaining but I may need to see it again.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

13 Going On 30

Was on Comedy Central earlier. I know it's silly but I love it. It's basically BIG but with a girl. Jennifer Garner is so charming and likable it's hard not to enjoy it.

Liamalone

Total Recall (2012)
Awful, brownie points earned for tinkering with original plot a bit, brownie points lost for ballsing it up.

Hansel and Gretel
A different take on the age old children's story, only thing I liked about this was the amount of folk getting killed in various ways, they weren't skimping on the budget for blood that's for sure. Avoid unless you have a thing for Gemma Arterton. Miaow

cursai

To the Wonder

Think Malick lost it here. Feels like a B side to The Tree of Life. Its a bag of nonsense. Its like slowing down an uncomfortable moment.

Mike Litoris

Got about 20 mins in the latest Die Hard...had enough. Regardless if the movie was any good or not I found it unbearable to watch with no single camera shot lasting more than 10 seconds and averaging about 2 seconds. It's fcuking ridiculous.

crazygeryy

Mike Litoris wrote: »

Got about 20 mins in the latest Die Hard...had enough. Regardless if the movie was any good or not I found it unbearable to watch with no single camera shot lasting more than 10 seconds and averaging about 2 seconds. It's fcuking ridiculous.

it was bloody awful. not even the slightest bit entertaining or funny.

mewe

Hadn't watched it in a good while but watched The Fifth Element again last night. What an amazing film.

TheBza

Irreversible - watched it this morning, still shocked by it. Great film though.

Charlie19

Final Destination 5

I saw 1, 2, and 3 but never expected the ending to this one.

Good ending to it, if your a fan of the movie.

Turtyturd

mike65 wrote: »

Kiss Kiss Bang bang (2005) I may need to watch it again, it was entertaining but I may need to see it again.

Actually felt the exact same when I seen it about 6 or 7 years ago and still haven't done it, might be a good time to do it now.

Pride and Glory: Colin Farrell and Edward Norton play NYPD police officer 'brothers' (one good, one bad) in this. They also have another brother who was completely ignored by the marketing department when this was originally released. It's decent, but given TV shows like The Wire have shown institutional corruption in a much more in depth and realistic manner alot of the impact of this is lost. The finale

fistfight between Farrell and Norton also undoes a lot of the good work of the movie, and it would have been much more satisfying to have Farrell beaten by the system.

I am not really a big fan of Farrell but this is him at his best as the

slimy corrupt cop you would pay money to see getting beat up.

Total Recall (2012): In contrast this is Farrell at his worst, he is not cut out to be an action hero. I am a big fan of Philip. K. Dick, and love the original movie, but this remake is pointless. The setting is really good, especially the contrast between the Colony and the British States, and Kate Beckinsale walks around pouting a lot...but there isn't much else to it, and the political tensions between the two states are really too underutilised to make you care about the finale.

Dredd: I really wanted this to be good, and for the most part it was but there were places where it seemed like a sci-fi original. Mega City 1 looked too much like South Africa...I get that it was made on a small budget but the city is a big part of the Dredd mythos. To a lesser extent the same complaint could be applied to the background characters who dressed like they had just walked onto the set while the comic does have a very specific clothing style. Once they get inside the building though it is good, Urban does a good Dredd, the violence works, and thankfully they don't overuse the slo-mo gimmick too much.

My biggest complaint would be that they took Dredd completely out of character in the scene with the beggar solely for

the visual of him being squashed by the block door.

but thats just me.:D

johnny_ultimate

Something in the Air - Sometimes meandering, sometimes evocative portrait of early 1970s France. Following three rebellious teens, initially committed to anarchy and acts of social protest, they ultimately struggle acting on their supposed convictions, awkwardly confronting adult issues through adolescent responses. The film displays casts a sympathetic but critical eye over the individuals featured, as well as the period. There's some strongly shot 'setpieces' if we could call them that, although a penchant for scenes and extended sequences scored to entire psychedelic rock songs is an initially neat trick that threatens to rare out its welcome. Similarly the fact that many of the supporting characters are perilously close to stereotypes, and many of the narrative events predictable. That said, walking out of the cinema and seeing a socialist workers party poster applying identical iconography and rhetoric as the one's developed by the characters here, it does show that people and movements like the ones represented here are still about.

There's enough interesting ideas and characters here to engage interest then, even if the film eventually does ramble in an increasingly directionless manner. One recurrent thread sees characters debating whether 'protest cinema' should dismiss the esthetic ideals of 'bourgeois cinema' in favour of bolder, experimental visions. It's a relatively accurate look at some of the internal, theoretical and pie-in-the-sky silliness that can tear social movements apart, but at the same time it does sort of draw attention to the film's sometimes uninspiring normality. It's not a particularly bold film, but at least it's a moderately engaging one with a smart rather than naive nostalgic streak.

NapoleonInRags

briany wrote: »

Jagten (2012)

Danish film about a nursery school teacher whose life begins to unravel when he is accused of 'improper relations' with one of his pupils.

Amazing film. I'd encourage anyone who reads this post to at least consider giving it a watch. The shockwave that the accusation causes for the man and the community he's surrounded by is portrayed honestly and sometimes brutally but it also tries to give a more multi faceted and in depth picture of how those in the man's social circle react. It's not just about hate, love, truth or lies. There's shades of grey as well. Anyway, I've said enough, give it a watch if you're in the mood for a drama.

I've just watched this. What an incredible film. It will stay with me for a long, long time.

I've watched a lot of Danish stuff recently and the quality has been consistently of a very high standard. I can't remember anything coming out of Ireland that has come near that level of film making in terms of maturity and sophistication. 'Garage' is the nearest thing I can think of but it doesn't come anywhere near the standard of Jagten. What is it about the Danes?

Tony EH

TheBza wrote: »

Irreversible - watched it this morning, still shocked by it. Great film though.

That scene...fkn ell.

:eek:

I still can't get over that.

Tony EH

Turtyturd wrote: »

My biggest complaint would be that they took Dredd completely out of character in the scene with the beggar solely for

the visual of him being squashed by the block door.

but thats just me.:D

Hmmmm...I would consider that to be Dredd completely in character.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bandslam

Made in 2009, sort of at the tail end of the HighSchool Musical/Hannah Montana/CampRock trend, and unfortunately marketed as more of the same. I remember this being out in the cinema and not giving it a second glance as I assumed it was just a rehash of all those other ones.

It's not. It is, of course, aimed at teens, but they seem to have put slightly more effort into their characters and the over all story line. There's no bursting into song and dance and the reasoning behind what music there is is perfectly reasonable. (inter schools band competition).

There is a lot of predictable stuff in it, and some of it is maybe trying too hard to be hip and cooler than the other films it's compared to, but overall it's kind of enjoyable! I'm not even ashamed to say it.

There was one scene (where the main character is trying to kiss the girl he likes) where I actually laughed out loud. I'm not saying rush out and watch this right now!!!! But.... there are worse things you could watch

mikemac1

The Paper

Made in the early nineties, Michael Keaton, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close

Quirky little film about getting editions of the paper out and how many risks they will take and how they are going to cover a serious crime that is breaking news.

Ron Howard's next film after Far & Away and he made a gem here though it's not a well known film at all.

A senior writer from Time magazine helped with the script and I think the script was excellent.

Lots of pressure and deadlines near the end of the film and I liked the ending a lot

thumps up

TheBza

Tony EH wrote: »

That scene...fkn ell.

:eek:

I still can't get over that.

Yea man, the most shocking scene I've ever seen. Scary stuff.

cherryghost

Project X - An hour and a half of pure anarchy, ****ty scripting and even worse acting... but I enjoyed the mayhem it produced.

Baked.noodle

Just watched Marathon Man 1976. Quality film with a good story that keeps you interested throughout. Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Nazi's, diamonds, espionage, murder and more. Enjoy.

ButtersSuki

Watched Adam & Paul for the first time on Saturday afternoon. I just don't see what the fuss was/is all about. I found it in various parts boring, ridiculous, silly, depressing and sad (but not for the right reasons). I've listened to the praise for years about it, and how it was an Irish "Trainspotting"; but there really is no comparison. I think it's one of those movies artsy-pseudo pretentious times will wax lyrical about for ages, but most people will just go "meh". I await the ire and wrath of boardsies for this review but I'm sorry I bought it now! 3/10.

Watched the Japanese Release of Kill Bill yesterday. This would be my 2nd time watching this particular edit (and god knows how many viewings of the regular version thrown in too) but I haven't watched either in years. After taking an age to figure out the Japanese only menu I finally figured out how to watch it sans subtitles, I really enjoyed this. The audio alone on this edit make it worth tracking down a physical copy (assuming you're watching on a 5.1 or higher system of course), and the full colour and extended "House of the Blue Leaves" fight scene is really cool. It was funny watching my dogs react to various scenes such as the mosquito/fly buzzing around the room etc. I did spot a number of continuity errors throughout the film (I'm very bad/good/annoying at this - depending on your viewpoint - too many to list but one of the most obvious being Sophie Fatale's arm visbile as The Bride throws her down the hill to the hospital havng just chopped her 2nd arm off in the boot of the car) but these are minor gripes. Stylistically I think it's Tarantino's best effort to date. A strong 8/10.

ButtersSuki

TheBza wrote: »

Yea man, the most shocking scene I've ever seen. Scary stuff.

Well there are 2 particularly gruesome scenes in it, one in the tunnel and one in the nightclub.......for me both are horrific, for different reasons. I saw Irreversible in the cinema when it came out, thought it was an incredibly powerful piece of cinema - it was polarising for the audience though, about 80% of whom had left by the midway point (immediately after the 2nd scene referenced above). Have the collector's edition on DVD which features a commentary by the director, Gaspar Noe. I'd love to say it adds hugely to your appreciation of it, but it offers very little. It's certainly not for everyone, but it is definitely worth watching if you think you can handle the subject matter. 8/10.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Watched Adam & Paul for the first time on Saturday afternoon. I just don't see what the fuss was/is all about. I found it in various parts boring, ridiculous, silly, depressing and sad (but not for the right reasons). I've listened to the praise for years about it, and how it was an Irish "Trainspotting"; but there really is no comparison. I think it's one of those movies artsy-pseudo pretentious times will wax lyrical about for ages, but most people will just go "meh". I await the ire and wrath of boardsies for this review but I'm sorry I bought it now! 3/10.

I'm not sure why anyone would compare it to Trainspotting. Granted, it's been a while since I saw Trainspotting so I might be remembering it wrong. Other than the drugs in both I can't see the comparisons.
I thought Adam & Paul was good in that on the surface it looks like we're supposed to be on board with their quest and rooting for them, but really they're just pathetic junkie scumbags and the more of their antics you have to watch the more you realise how pathetic they are.

Judgement Day

"Tree Keeper" (2011) on DVD. The old story of our obsession with land given a different slant in this quality low budget movie shot in Cork. James Browne stars as a withdrawn young man living alone in the woods - his birthright - but things spiral violently out of control when the mammy sells his land out from under him. Sounds unlikely as a good plot but it really worked for me. Also stars Pascal Scott (Sgt.Dick O'Toole from Killinaskully) as you've never seen him before and are unlikely to forget! 9/10. Worth picking up a copy - I bought mine from the source and got it signed by the director, Patrick O'Shea - a 'keeper'!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-hovaUxGIg

the_monkey

The Thing (1980)
Absolute classic, John Carpenters fantastic direction still holds well today,
great music and suspense throughout.
Don't bother with the appalling 2011 prequel.


Behind the Candelabra(2013)
Weird film, great acting by Douglas.
Can be tough to watch at times

johnny_ultimate

Distant Lives, Still Voices - Terence Davies' first full-length feature from 1988 is a pleasure to experience. Watching it a few days after its follow-up The Long Day Closes, there's no doubt a lot of stylistic and thematic echoes between the two. But while LDC isn't exactly a work of pure optimism, DLSV feels like a production much more tinged with the bittersweet. There's a sadness and disappointment that frequently overwhelms the scenes of happiness. Set around a series of chronologically disconnected events - funerals, weddings, baptisms etc... - the film concerns one family. With the death of the sometimes loving, sometimes violent husband / father (Pete Postlethwaite) an inciting incident of sorts, the film is split into two acts. Postlethwaite isn't on-screen during the second, but his presence is ever felt as his children experience the harshness of adulthood (not that their childhood wasn't rough, but still) and, in so many ways, history begins to repeat itself.

There's definitely comparisons to be drawn with a certain other Terence in the way the film offers a non-linear, almost non-narrative experience. But where Malick's camera almost feels like some drifting, omnipresent entity, Davies keeps his much more muted. Movements are slow, meticulous and always meaningful, drawing attention to little details but also the angles, zooms and pans themselves. The results are extremely poetic.

One wonderful thing about the film (and also the Long Day Closes) are the ways music, film, radio, singing and dance are employed. They're a sort of therapy and a way of communication, linking the characters in a way they're unable to articulate directly. Although Davies is very aware that they're merely brief escapes, there's real beauty in the way they evoke emotion and even disappeared (or non-existent) times & places.

fish fingers

Watched Behind the candleabra last night. Was a good movie, you'd forget it was Michael Douglas after a while. Rob Lowe was unrecognisable. I'd reccomend it.

kraggy

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Well there are 2 particularly gruesome scenes in it, one in the tunnel and one in the nightclub.......for me both are horrific, for different reasons. I saw Irreversible in the cinema when it came out, thought it was an incredibly powerful piece of cinema - it was polarising for the audience though, about 80% of whom had left by the midway point (immediately after the 2nd scene referenced above). Have the collector's edition on DVD which features a commentary by the director, Gaspar Noe. I'd love to say it adds hugely to your appreciation of it, but it offers very little. It's certainly not for everyone, but it is definitely worth watching if you think you can handle the subject matter. 8/10.

Excellent film. Have you seen Enter The Void? Another one from Noe. Some of the camera work is brilliant.