Easy E wrote: I own Children of Men and it might be my favorite flick.... top 10 at least.
I saw Valerian at the cinema, and I wouldn't say I loved it..... but I saw it.
Valerian fits with the Avatar films in a genre of my own design: Pretty over Plot. Where your response to watching one is, "wow - that movie looked good."
One of those films which you avoid for years due to poor reviews, but eventually you end up watching it and wondering what the hell the reviewers were smoking.
The acting was about average for the time and the story is relying on the cold war of all things, but it does feel like an early hi-tech thriller that preceeded Firefox and The Hunt For The Red October. At times the vfx made me wonder if I was watching an early James Cameron movie. John Barry's score is pretty good too, heavy lifting us through any low points.
Some of the criticism has been aimed at the real physical state of the Titanic and it's location, and yet the wreak would not be discovered until 1985, five years after the film's release. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and Raise The Titanic does at least cover the dangers of deep sea exploration, and an all too similar tragedy we saw in the news not long ago...
Watership Down is a classic story, timeless and hard hitting. Featuring cozy painted backgrounds and usually beautiful but sometimes hideous hand drawn animation, it’s a must see for any animation fan. The music is haunting in places and the voice acting is very British. Especially loved the opening scene and the black rabbit bits.
If you like Watership Down there is another film by the same team called "The Plague Dogs", which has a pair of dogs escape from a research laboratory and run off into the English countryside. First time I watched it I was getting all upset at how we treat animals, and half way through the RSPCA knocked on the door collecting. Thats another one for an episode of Strange But True...
SamusDrake wrote: If you like Watership Down there is another film by the same team called "The Plague Dogs", which has a pair of dogs escape from a research laboratory and run off into the English countryside. First time I watched it I was getting all upset at how we treat animals, and half way through the RSPCA knocked on the door collecting. Thats another one for an episode of Strange But True...
Plague Dogs and Watership Down were also both written by Richard Adams. Depressing stories about animals appear to be his thing.
I vaguely recall seeing Watership Down as a kid, but I read both books many times, because depressing stories about animals were also my thing. Or depressing stories about anything else, for that matter... I have no idea how many times I read the Lord of the Flies in primary school. I don't think I had ever come across the movie of the Plague Dogs... might have to see if I can track it down.
Yes, it’s an odd numbered Trek film, and so should be crap.
But I love it. After the hell the crew went through in the three previous movies, it’s nice to see them enjoying a bit of shore leave, and one another’s company.
Still not keen on Sybok being a hitherto undisclosed Spock Sibling, but as a villain he’s interesting. Because the man himself isn’t exactly villainous. Misguided and abusing his powers? Yes. But he genuinely believes in his mission. And had he been right, and it wasn’t some Hideous Monster but Actual Mr Goddington, he’d have been hailed as a hero, all sins forgiven.
For his Crimes Against HumanityGood Deeds, Easy E is being nominated as the Inaugural Forum President of the Jared Leto Appreciation Society.
All in favor? Any opposed?
I would like to thank the little people for this honor. I will send you all a box of various objects that may or may not be a live rat, a dead pig, etc.
My mother will be so very proud!
Edit: British Cold War animation is very Not-Disney.... to put it lightly.
@warhead01: Title song of "All the way boys" just came on the radio.
Of Watership Down I watched parts, never seen Plague Dogs, but it sounds almost worse. How many of you watched Felidae? 1994 German animated film based on a 1989(?) book. It's basically a psychologial whodunit thriller with some horror elements (one scene that was burnt into my brain too. ). All characters are cats. I wasn't aware that it was a German production. Interesting. Anyway, interesting film to watch, and IIRC pretty well produced too.
I’ve heard the Plague Dogs might be too depressing. How does it compare to Watership Down?
So we’re now interested in watching the evolution of (mostly non-Disney) animation. What movies do you think are essential?
I’ve got Bakshi’s Hobbit, The Thief and the Cobbler, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Felidae (now), Fantastic Planet(?), Rock and Rule (maybe?), Kiki’s Delivery Service or another Ghibli, the old Fleisher Superman cartoons, and when my son’s older, Heavy Metal and Fritz the Cat. What am I missing?
We’re mostly looking for western animation, although we want to include Studio Ghibli and maaayyyybe Akira. If there is another classic of anime that is friendly to western mainstream sensibilities, I’m open to it.
Just include EVERYTHING Ghibli did - save Grave of Fireflies for last as its right up there with Watership and Plague dogs in being a gut-punch of sadness.
Also don't forget Land Before Time. Whilst its spawned a huge number of direct to dvd/tv sequel films the original film is still a landmark.
Also Fern Gully (only the original don't bother with the sequel) and Rats of Nimh are both must have includes in any animation collection.
If you wanted non-film based I'd throw in the early Defenders of the Earth cartoon episodes (if memory serves the longer the season went they at some point cheapened out on the quality); Conan the Barbarian; Pirates of Blackwater (sadly ended way too soon); Peter Pan and the Pirates; Animals of Farthing Wood (that's a long one)
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BobtheInquisitor wrote: . If there is another classic of anime that is friendly to western mainstream sensibilities, I’m open to it.
Ghost in the Shell and Akira are both amazing animated films. Both are more adult, but utterly awesome films. Heck Ghost includes a 7-10 min segment in the middle of the film that's fully silent storytelling and just a huge musical and animation score. Second film does the same though the story in the second is a bit weaker than the first; but still VERY well worth it.
And despite all the reboots/SAC series and such - nothing in the animated series that has followed has ever topped the original Ghost in the Shell film as a work of animation. Some of the SAC are more faithful to the original source material - but the original film is just a masterwork of animation.
I mean it's rather japanese, but (in my mind) a better film than Ghost in the Shell: Perfect Blue. Psycho-thriller about a member of an all girl pop group. Aronofsky bought the rights to that just to redo a bunch of scenes in his non-animated films.
I hear great things about Mars Express (as something newer). And Flow (the one with the cat on the boat).
As Overread said- everything by Ghibli. And if you only include one, I'd make it Princess Mononoke. Nothing against Kiki's Delivery Service. It rocks hard. But Princess Mononoke is just the grandest of them, I think. And it features so many typically Ghibli things.
Make sure to put The Last Unicorn on that list too. And Coraline. And Ernest & Celestine. That one rocks too. And Mary&Max. Maybe The Triplets of Belleville for something a bit different. Amazingly drawn and animated.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Oh, and this:
voiced by the same guy who voiced Pingu. Apparently using a very similar 'language' too.
Yes, it’s an odd numbered Trek film, and so should be crap.
But I love it. After the hell the crew went through in the three previous movies, it’s nice to see them enjoying a bit of shore leave, and one another’s company.
Still not keen on Sybok being a hitherto undisclosed Spock Sibling, but as a villain he’s interesting. Because the man himself isn’t exactly villainous. Misguided and abusing his powers? Yes. But he genuinely believes in his mission. And had he been right, and it wasn’t some Hideous Monster but Actual Mr Goddington, he’d have been hailed as a hero, all sins forgiven.
The plot is also Very Star Trek, which I enjoy.
LOVE. THIS. MOVIE.
"I am well versed in the classics, Doctor."
"Oh yeah? Then how come you don't know row-row-row-your-boat?"
The Plague Dogs is rather depressing, and just as good as Watership Down.
I remember in primary school, we watched Watership Down in the assembly hall before breaking up for Easter and...omg...they even invited the infant class to the ordeal!! Bloody traumatized them all for life!
Might as well have sent them to Klendathu to fight the friggin bugs!
Even funnier, a few years later, we got to watch Black Adder episodes with our science teacher before breaking up for Summer and that was brill. But next door was the younger kids that were "first year", just left primary school, and they were treated to Jurassic Park, and then allowed - comically - to "go play outside" and we were there - in true Jeremy Clarkson poses - to royally take the piss out of them as they faithfully reenacted scenes from the film...
"Awwwwwwwwww are you playing Jurassic Park? Ha-haaaaa! Yeah, don't you guys think it's pathe...wait, what? WTF ARE YOU DOING?? GET BACK HERE YOU ****ING IDIOT!!!!"
...lets just say that someone had to play the T-Rex and I answered the call!
I’ve added Fern Gully and Ghost in the Shell. By The Rats of Nimh, do you mean The Secret of NIMH, or is that a sequel?
We’ll likely get through all the Ghibli and most of the Don Bluth movies because my wife enjoys those. Most of the rest we’ll probably watch while she is in choir.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also adding Flow, Perfect Blue, Coraline and Linea. Thanks for all the suggestions. The Last Unicorn is one we were thinking of reading the book first, but maybe we’ll just go with the cartoon.
The Time Masters is another one that messed with my head as a kid, when it was shown on...Channel 4? Or was it BBC2? Urggghhh...can't remember.
Bakshi's American Pop is bloody brilliant. Its thanks to that film that I walked into a music shop last year and asked for a Harmonica, only to be one year later still struggling to play Blazing Saddles...
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is still one of the most insane pieces of traditional animation ever put together. It broke basically every "rule" of producing mixed medium media that existed at the time and had been laid down in stuff like Mary Poppins and Song of the South.
Moving camera shots, fluctuating lighting. The scene of Roger cuffed to the detective where Roger hits the physical ceiling lamp and it starts swinging, meaning that every frame of animation needed a different lighting and was being drawn by hand. Incredibly impressive art.
There's an old miniseries called Red Planet. It's western sci fi animation, and definitely not Disney. Here's a link to its youtube, because I don't think it's streaming anywhere.
A Town Called Malus wrote: Who Framed Roger Rabbit is still one of the most insane pieces of traditional animation ever put together. It broke basically every "rule" of producing mixed medium media that existed at the time and had been laid down in stuff like Mary Poppins and Song of the South.
Moving camera shots, fluctuating lighting. The scene of Roger cuffed to the detective where Roger hits the physical ceiling lamp and it starts swinging, meaning that every frame of animation needed a different lighting and was being drawn by hand. Incredibly impressive art.
You should read the book the movie was based on. It's pretty wild too.
Oh and there's a sequel novel (haven't read it so I can only share my knowledge of its existence).
Gitzbitah wrote: There's an old miniseries called Red Planet. It's western sci fi animation, and definitely not Disney. Here's a link to its youtube, because I don't think it's streaming anywhere.
And although it's much later, definitely get The Road to El Dorado.
Oh, and if you haven't already- Transformers The Movie. The one where Starscream (briefly) wins!
Yeah, many people like Road to El Dorado. Same with Anastasia, and the Treasure Planet is at least cited as interesting IIRC. I haven't seen either, so I can't comment.
I dunno. The central tale (I made a ship which can birth a planet) is pretty effing cool!
Automatically Appended Next Post: So it being a while since I saw it in the cinema (don’t make me whack you with my walking stick, young’uns)
I bought Titan A.E.
I still stand by it as a most excellent aminated movie.
But.
*checks for impending Sir-Mix-Alot on account this is a substantial But*
Perhaps it was ahead of its time in Just The Wrong Way.
See, it’s a blend of classic acetate and paint aminatkon, and CGI. The two elements work perfectly well on their own, and indeed for its age are superior examples.
But the blending of the two just isn’t quite right. Not in a necessarily negative way. More a “we’re all still figuring this new thing out, and getting it right is luck as much as skill” as.
Massive, colossal, staggering plus is the facial animation. Where the characters look like they’re speaking the actual words, with recognisable expressions.
Overall, it’s really good fun. The story, voice acting and associated animation works. And it is a pretty original work.
The overall execution is nothing less than Brave. Released in 2000, it was part of that era of old and new tech.
It doesn’t quite come together - but it’s clearly not for a lack of competence and care. Just inexperience.
Give it a rent, do it a buy, definitely do it a watch.
Titan AE has what I think is a solid sci-fi adventure. I'd say its right up there with "A New Hope".
I think the issue is really the same one that the Transformers film also hit - cost. Animation at that quality is just a huge cost esp for a western team playing western wages.
I actually think one positive of AI generated content could be that we might see that kind of animation become practical with the right use of AI. Traditional artists creating key scenes and then AI filling in the animation between.
Spirits Within has a decent story but I think slipped up because it didn't really have anything linked to Final Fantasy about it. People went in expecting FF style storytelling, but there were no summons; no magic; no materia or basically any of the common hallmarks. We don't even have character "classes" outside of military and civilian scientist.
It felt like it was made by a team who had never picked up a FF game or who openly aimed to avoid any tropes or elements of FF within itself.
We ended up watching a couple Disney movies right off the bat. So we started with a stone cold classic.
Fantasia is an anthology of animated shorts timed to classical music. Most of them have aged very well because so much effort and talent was put into the animation. There are a couple things that are funny in retrospect, like the Hello Muddah Hello Fadda song, or the announcer’s dismissal of The Nutracker as an unpopular ballet that nobody performs anymore. The ending is a bit anticlimactic for me, with the powerful Night on Bald Mountain (featuring Chernabog) followed by the snooziest Ave Maria you’ll ever zone out on. Watch it!
Aladdin
The good one.
A great time was had by all.
Today we watched some other stuff with friends.
Opera (1987)
Dario Argento’s (better) take on the Phantom of the Opera.
Should have been titled The Crows Have Eyes.
A decent Giallo film with building tension, memorable kills, and just the worst dubbing. If you are into camera stuff, this is a can’t miss, with a few spectacular shots that will stick with you long after the dumb ending. Also, I would totally watch this movie’s Peter Griffinized version of Macbeth.
So I Married an Axe Murderer
When Mike Myers was funny.
It’s a charming romantic comedy that still holds up. Watch it!
Automatically Appended Next Post: @Overread,
I had almost no experience with the FF games before seeing Spirits Within. I just felt it was a dull, dour movie that didn’t do enough to win me over.
I may have to go rewatch Titan AE, but I remember the protagonist being unlikeable for most of the movie and the Planet Genesis ending feeling unoriginal and unearned.
I had almost no experience with the FF games before seeing Spirits Within. I just felt it was a dull, dour movie that didn’t do enough to win me over.
I was in a similar boat, and found it a bit of a slog but worth it for the animation. Think it might be about time to give it another go to see how it's held up.
I may have to go rewatch Titan AE, but I remember the protagonist being unlikeable for most of the movie and the Planet Genesis ending feeling unoriginal and unearned.
Cale is deliberately self-absorbed for the start of the movie, as that's a big part of his character development. For me, the fact that the rest of the characters were so awesome made up for that.
The story is definitely a bit cookie-cutter and predictable, but does the job. And I'm going to disagree with MDG on the animation... using CGI for the Drej gave them a wonderfully alien aspect against the regular animation, and the ship sequences were all pretty consistently cool. The trip through the gas cloud and the ice field at the end are both spectacular, and really cleverly animated.
Titan A.E. was fine. It came out a time when the Disney Rennaissance was winding down and a lot of excellent films felt like cheap copies. Even Disney's new directions weren't what people wanted (no matter how good Emperor's New Groove and Lilo & Stich were) in the face of Pixar's excellent films. Titan being... fine... didn't exactly move the needle at the box office and later it got mixed up with the similar feeling Treasure Planet at rental. I remember seeing it but I can't say I remember much about it. I need to rewatch a lot of stuff from that era. I do recall it not quite living up to Anastasia.
I had almost no experience with the FF games before seeing Spirits Within. I just felt it was a dull, dour movie that didn’t do enough to win me over.
I was in a similar boat, and found it a bit of a slog but worth it for the animation. Think it might be about time to give it another go to see how it's held up.
I was wildly into the FF franchise. I'd gotten the original on the NES and spent most of a decade trying to convince people JRPGs were cool until FF7 made it big. It's really just not a good film. Even at the time the CGI was impressive, but didn't look good and the story is dull and just kind of nonsense. It's not a hidden gem, just kind of a dud, IMO.
If I remember right one of the guys behind the scenes said that the production company had no idea how to advertise Titan AE.
Its the animation ghetto problem - animation is for kids right? but this is not a kiddy film. SciFi is for adults, but it animated...
You would have thought 'Family film' like Starwars would occur but apparently not so they managed to aim all the advertising at no one or didnt bother.
Its a shame because its a good movie and I felt the trad/3d mix gave the best of both.
Yeah the whole "animation is for kids" was a huge plague that spread from the suits of Hollywood. Even when they adapted anime for adults and teens and such they kept trying to dumb it way way way down for "kids"
Heck even I - a kid with ZERO understanding of riceballs knew that something was really odd about the doughnuts that Ash and his friends were eating.
It doesn't help that voice acting wasn't a very well respected occupation at the time and generally something american animation went pretty cheap on. The legacy of Mel Blanc being able to be essentially an entire cast of iconic characters made "cartoon voices" a norm that really wouldn't start to go away until Bebop got it right.
I'm two weeks in on Lazarus (created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe) on Adult Swim. Here's the synopsis from Wikipedia:
In the utopian year 2052, the genius neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has discovered a miracle analgesic drug known as "Hapna" that completely relieves the user of any pain, shortly before proceeding to disappear off the face of the Earth. Three years later in 2055, Skinner resurfaces to the public in an online video to announce that the drug has a three-year half-life and soon everyone who took it will die.
A task force of five agents is assembled to locate Skinner within 30 days before the first wave of Hapna users die and create a vaccine. Its name is "Lazarus"
Looks as good as Shinichirō's other works so far and even borrows from them (main protagonist Axel Gilberto shares a lot of traits with Spike Spiegel). If they keep the quality up it will definitely be one to watch.
This has someone you have never heard of as Prince Valiant and Katherine Heigl as his love interest. It also has Udo Keir as an..... wait for it...... villain role.
You know, for what it is it isn't bad. It is an action-adventure flick. However, I think it feels a bit dated even though it is not old. The plate mail is kinda cool looking too.
Ever watched a film that was bad when you first watched it years ago and upon watching it 20+ years later you realise that not only has it aged poorly in the special effects department, but the acting is a lot worse than you remember....
Except for the one person is wasn't really an actor to begin with: Mick Jagger.
Yes, I watched Anthony Hopkins, Emilio Estevez, Renee Russo and Mick Jagger in Freejack.
A time travel story with enough flashing lights to induce a migraine, but some cool future-tech.
They obviously spent some money on this flick, but everyone acts like they were handed the script right before the cameras rolled.
This is probably Mick Jagger's second best film after Ned Kelly.
I have to agree that Titan A.E. has great animation (not the CGI aliens) and a very bland story. I think Titan A.E. flopped for understandable reasons.
Road to El Dorado isn't a fantastic film by any measure, but it is a fun film and up there with the Emperor's New Groove as a movie where basically every scene is a meme format. That just fascinates me, idk.
I think Treasure Planet was a better movie than its box office, but it's still not a great movie. Again, gorgeous animation, but idk. The execution just wasn't there, especially coming at the end of a Golden Age of animated films.
A series of cautionary tales about opening strange boxes.
Been rewatching these the last few days.
While the first is considered a horror classic, I think all four are at least decent, with 2 being my favourite because it really leans into being a dark fantasy movie rather than an outright horror, which I actually feel fits the material better.
A funny thing I'd never noticed before though, the 2nd film just completely forgets it's supposed to be set in the UK.
It's a shame that they just couldn't leave the franchise alone and kept churning out sequels of rapidly diminishing quality, but I guess Pinhead was just too iconic.
Pinhead wasn't even supposed to continue. They were supposed to change the iconic hell creature each time, but he proved so insanely popular that they late-changed the story to keep him in the film and eventually he became so iconic to the franchise that they couldn't drop him.
I think the idea was originally that each film would setup a new person to be the big evil for the next film. So second film it was supposed to be "I've got no skin" lady
Overread wrote: Pinhead wasn't even supposed to continue. They were supposed to change the iconic hell creature each time, but he proved so insanely popular that they late-changed the story to keep him in the film and eventually he became so iconic to the franchise that they couldn't drop him.
I think the idea was originally that each film would setup a new person to be the big evil for the next film. So second film it was supposed to be "I've got no skin" lady
That makes a lot of sense, I always did think the Doctor Cenobite was defeated surprisingly easily considering how overpowered he was.
This one surprised me, some dodgy acting and mediocre writing aside, it's actually a solidly entertaining movie (Although, I think we've established by now that I'm very easily entertained by this kinds of films) and it's kind of a shame that Kraven won't be popping up again.
Still not convinced to go back and watch Morbius or Madam Web though.
It was very slow. Even the dated stuff wasn’t rousing enough to get me to pay full attention. I forget which millennial reviewer I’m paraphrasing but: this was dynamite entertainment back when your only other option was watching your mule die. There were some interesting bits in terms of animation, but they were all overshadowed by Fantasia.
Oh, I appreciate it’s place in history and the achievement it represents. That’s why we watched it. But as a piece of entertainment I wasn’t able to get over the pace of it.
It’s why we decided just to youtube the best parts* of Dumbo instead of watching that whole movie.
It was very slow. Even the dated stuff wasn’t rousing enough to get me to pay full attention. I forget which millennial reviewer I’m paraphrasing but: this was dynamite entertainment back when your only other option was watching your mule die. There were some interesting bits in terms of animation, but they were all overshadowed by Fantasia.
The best part of Snow White is, as is common in Disney films, the villain. She's just living her best life and loving it.
Just look at this, she's having the time of her life.
Snow White has always held up fairly well for me, in no small part because of how short it is. It's simple, but there's not really much in the way of wasted time beyond the opening credits.
Slasher comedy. Turn off your brain, enjoy the inane dialogue and a decent helping of blood and guts.
A serial killer has been terrorizing communities for a few years, only killing couples and folks who get in the way of killing couples on Valentines Day. This time the killer sets their sights on a “we’re totally not a couple” couple. Hijinx and kills ensue.
Never really takes itself seriously, and that’s fine.
Tried watching some of these, and I find it very frustrating.
Whilst the format of the show isn’t one for me (I’m quite capable of making my own snide comments, thank you), I’m not entirely sure my grump is against the show, or its makers.
Rather, it stems from the fact that for certain movies they review? MST3K is the only way to see them, as they’ve not had a separate home media release. And so I can’t watch it shorn of scripted comedy and by extension, another person’s opinion.
And I don’t think it’s the programme maker’s duty to provide that to me. That falls solely with the rights holder. After all, it’s one thing to pay for the rights for MST3K episodes, and quite another to pay for distribution rights, and the underlying expense of getting it out on physical or digital media.
Not nearly as bad as I was lead to believe. Reminded me of 1970's sci-fi (pre-Alien).
Enjoyed the fact that the movie was daytime bright. So many modern films like to film in the black, that I need NVGs to figure out what the heck is going on.
Movie was worth watching. 3rd act plot twist is drawn out a little too much, and our military buddy Major Exposition rolls in near the end and isn't in a hurry to leave.
All in all, fun to watch, but I'll probably forget most of it by tomorrow evening.
Same, we did a showing when we lived in Minnesota at a dine in theatre for the OG Haunting or House on Haunted Hill (not sure which) and it was glorious.
It definitely has its place. Not everyone has my knack for finding, let alone just sitting and watching absolute crap. Fewer still find something to enjoy, even if it is the abject crapness.
I just wish all of the fare it presents could be found elsewhere, without someone else’s opinion all over it first.
Again, not a problem I have with the show itself. Just a general disappointment.
Easy E wrote: I saw MST3K live once, and it was amazing.
MST3k is not a thing here in Austria or any German-speaking areas. You can't really translate it.
HOWEVER, a German comedian named Oliver Kalkofe, who is very much involved in genre and B-film stuff ( he used to run a slightly mst3k-like thing on German tv in the 2010s), helped making a dubbed version of the film, and by chance I caught it on late night tv some 15-20 years ago. I was mesmerized by the concept and very vividly remember thinking that this was either the most stupid thing in the world of the best thing in the world.
In the following 1-2 years i watched every single episode on youtube (including watching several episodes a LOT of times). I love mst3k. It's right up my alley.
Granted, I never watched it with others and when I did, others didn't find it that great. No idea why. But I found the mix of the films, the puppets ("everything's better with puppets!"), the silly skits (which I even got into eventually, so much so that I still just look up some of the songs every now and then), the references (maaaaaaaaany of which I didn't even get due to cultural context, but I like that sort of stuff. I like not getting a joke, because it allows to look it up and learn new, useless stuff.). I love quoting mst3k and the films, even though nobody around me of course doesn't care. Forever cementing my status as sad, lonely neeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrddddd.
Anyway, to me MST3k is a central part of later media socialization.
Yes, the films are cut, in some cases unfairly so (I hear Squirm is a pretty solid, even splattery film, Mitchell was treated a bit unfairly [I prefer Final Justice anyway. "Goosio!"], and so on.), but it was to be aired in bascially daytime US tv. Anyway. MST3k is fun. I'm a big fan.
Some of my favourite episodes, if anyone's interested:
.) Girls Town (I think that was the first regular episode I ever watched, after Bride of the Monster)
.) Final Sacrifice
.) Space Mutiny
.) The Undead (this may be the one I watched the most? Not sure why, it's just so weird and like a stageplay)
.) Kitten With a Whip
.) Soultaker
.) all the others.
Favourite christmas episode:
.) Santa Claus
I have yet to watch any of the new seasons I have to admit. Never had them available, even though the things were on Netflix in the US, they were not on Netflix 'round here.
For me, and I’m really trying not to sound like a dick?
I don’t need someone else’s commentary to explain a movie to me.
Not in a “I’ve ever such a big brain” way. Just..I want the chance to form my own opinion of the film or tv show.
If I don’t enjoy it, I’ll go off down my weird little path of trying to understand why I didn’t enjoy it. And the same if I did enjoy something held in low regard.
MST3K doesn’t give me that chance.
And that’s absolutely fine. I’ve often and will again poke fun at those who continue to watch media they clearly don’t enjoy, and I try not to do the same myself - though it can take a while for me to realise I no longer enjoy a thing I once did.
But, I absolutely can see the appeal of MST3K. I enjoy Beavis & Butthead and their commentary on other shows and music videos.
Just when it comes to ropey B-Movies, I just prefer to see it as it comes. No commentary needed.
You can watch the movie without the MST3k treatment and then watch its MST3k for the jokes. You don’t have to see it as MST3k telling you how you should feel about the movie.
I have witnessed every battle, every betrayal, every explosion of metal and heart that Michael Bay’s vision hurled across the silver screen. I have endured the chaos, the spectacle, the strange and savage poetry of war waged in chrome and fire. And now, I stand at the end of it all—not unscathed, but unbowed.
To those who fell along the way—heroes, villains, characters abandoned and arcs left unresolved—I remember you. Your sacrifice was not in vain. You gave everything, so the story could charge forward, gears grinding, engines roaring.
There will be those who mock what we watched, who ask why we bore witness to five films of thunder and excess. But we know the truth: it wasn’t about perfection. It was about courage. It was about watching a semi-truck become a knight and still somehow deliver a speech that made us believe in something greater.
This message is for those who stayed. Those who saw it through. You were not alone. We were forged in fire, tempered by CGI, and baptized in Linkin Park. And though the credits have long since rolled, we remain. Together. Unbroken.
I am one of you. And I send this message: We watched... so others wouldn’t have to. We have watched all the Michael Bay Transformers films in order.
[quote=Lathe Biosas 767846 11747323 85b5e9d410e5aae9dd82096723c8c96b.jpg...
I am one of you. And I send this message: We watched... so others wouldn’t have to. We have watched all the Michael Bay Transformers films in order.
...
Why? They look pretty bad and aren't fun (at least that's what I gathered from watching half of the first and I think the last 10 minutes of the second. Or third.)
Fun Fact: Where I grew up was where MST3K was founded. I use to watch it on UHF Channel 23. They use to do a MST3K marathon on New Year's Eve that culminated in the annual watermelon drop off the top of the station.
That was back when glorious UHF channels still existed and the scourge of Cable TV had not destroyed everything, only to be itself decimated by the streaming; which has become worse than the horror days of Cable TV.
Then, one-day from this entertainment wasteland a warrior rose....... or something.
Hotel Artemis
This is a pretty stacked cast for essentially a Neo-Noir character study set in a Cyberpunk Dystopia.
The film centers around an exclusive "Hotel/Medical Clinic" for dues paying criminals. During the night of a huge riot we follow the story of the several criminals staying there and the staff.
This is a good film, that can't quite hold itself together the whole way. An ambitious near-miss, but I would watch this over a lot of stuff any day of the week.
The Wave
This is a reality-bending film about a not-so-well-off insurance lawyer who spends his days doing banal evil who tries to break from his stifling life and is rewarded with a psychedelic morality tale.
I don't think this is doing anything as ground-breaking as it thinks it is doing. However, it is a another audacious near-miss. It can't quite make it over the finish line. However, like Hotel Artemis I would rather watch this near miss than a lot of other derivative stuff out there at the moment.
Easy E wrote: Fun Fact: Where I grew up was where MST3K was founded. I use to watch it on UHF Channel 23. They use to do a MST3K marathon on New Year's Eve that culminated in the annual watermelon drop off the top of the station.
That was back when glorious UHF channels still existed and the scourge of Cable TV had not destroyed everything, only to be itself decimated by the streaming; which has become worse than the horror days of Cable TV.
...
Damn straight. So you grew up in Minnesota(?)? That's where MST3k used to be from, right?
@MDG: Funny, I watched Convoy for the first time just a few years ago, and it was ....alright. Then I watched the first two Smokey and the Bandit films for the first time since I was tiny (but I remember well driving my tricycle around the living room in a circle, pretending it was Reynold's car after seeing bits of that film for the first time. One of my earliest memories. Around that time I also watched the first episode of MacGyver and at age ...I don't know, 4, 5 at best, I was convinced that this was the most badass thing ever. Anyway, Smokey and the Bandit is fun. Ilike the interplay between Reynolds and Sally Field. And it's just SUCH a thing that wouldn't be made today. Everything about it is from another time. Very interesting.
It's basically the first movie with more monkeys, more emperors and more family melodrama, that undoes everything the first movie did only to do it all over again but with a worse story and a worse protagonist.
Why does the general have to do everything himself? What exactly did the protagonist do to secure the loyalty and adoration of his fellow gladiators? Why do people keep conspiring in their own domicile when they know full well their employees are filthy snitches? We may never know.
What a weirdly pointless movie that would have been better off detaching itself from the first movie's story.
It's basically the first movie with more monkeys,....
The uninspired Hollywood sequel in a nutshell.
On the plus side, Hollywood has learned its lesson and... who am I kidding? Ridley Scott will probably make another unnecessary sequel to another beloved movie by the end of the decade.
It's basically the first movie with more monkeys,....
The uninspired Hollywood sequel in a nutshell.
On the plus side, Hollywood has learned its lesson and... who am I kidding? Ridley Scott will probably make another unnecessary sequel to another beloved movie by the end of the decade.
Look for 2Kingdom2Heavenly, when Balian's daughter becomes a knight, and saves Jerusalem from the Muslims- compassionately.
Lathe Biosas wrote: And I send this message: We watched... so others wouldn’t have to. We have watched all the Michael Bay Transformers films in order.
This is why. In moderation, Baysplosions and SUPERAWESOMEUPCLOSEBLUROVISION fights merely make one daft enough to enjoy that movie until it ends. Normality reasserts during the end credits.
But. To do this? It bends the mind and turns parts of it to Tod permanently. And does so through all points of time.
Rumour has it Terrance Howard is the way he is after a frankly near suicidal decision to do a 24 hour Bay Marathon.
*Not in a bad way. Indeed, Dakka could be said to be an asylum for odd’uns. We’re pretty much harmless.
Felidae feels like the next logical movie to see after Watership Down. There’s gore and death and sex and a surprising amount of talk about balls or lack thereof. It’s pretty hard hitting, especially the fantastic nightmare sequences.
Thanks for the recommendation!
We saw the German dub with English subtitles on YouTube.
Lathe Biosas wrote: And I send this message: We watched... so others wouldn’t have to. We have watched all the Michael Bay Transformers films in order.
This is why. In moderation, Baysplosions and SUPERAWESOMEUPCLOSEBLUROVISION fights merely make one daft enough to enjoy that movie until it ends. Normality reasserts during the end credits.
But. To do this? It bends the mind and turns parts of it to Tod permanently. And does so through all points of time.
Rumour has it Terrance Howard is the way he is after a frankly near suicidal decision to do a 24 hour Bay Marathon.
*Not in a bad way. Indeed, Dakka could be said to be an asylum for odd’uns. We’re pretty much harmless.
Wait. I'm not normal?*
I thought it was a totally rational urge to watch the same scenes from Michael Bay films shown over and over in multiple films that are only tenousiously connected.
(The best part of the entire series is when they kill off Shia LaBouff offscreen.)
*Hmmm... I wonder if my lack of normalcy is what has lead to my undeniably wonderful (but modest) appeal to everyone on this site.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: Felidae ...
It’s pretty hard hitting, especially the fantastic nightmare sequences.
Aye, I saw the film first time when I was 12 or so. Those nightmare sequences stick with ye.
Apart from that I think it's pretty cool how well they took bascially a horror thriller story and put it in the world of cats without it feeling like some sort of gimmick. I haven't seen it in a while, but IIRC it never felt like there was a disconnect between plot/dialogue and the fact that it's cats.
Easy E wrote: Fun Fact: Where I grew up was where MST3K was founded. I use to watch it on UHF Channel 23. They use to do a MST3K marathon on New Year's Eve that culminated in the annual watermelon drop off the top of the station.
That was back when glorious UHF channels still existed and the scourge of Cable TV had not destroyed everything, only to be itself decimated by the streaming; which has become worse than the horror days of Cable TV.
...
Damn straight. So you grew up in Minnesota(?)? That's where MST3k used to be from, right?
Sorry to go back a few pages, but yes it was Channel 23 KTMA (?) not to be confused with channel 29 KITN "The Kitten that Roared". In Channel 29 you got to see the Action Pack, Highlander the TV show, and the TV-cut version of David Lynch's [b]Dune{/b] twice to three times a year! Pretty sure this is also the channel where my dad and I used to watch Robotech in the morning after he got home from working nights, and before I went to school.
However, my favorite local UHF channel was "TV Heaven 41" KXLI which showed old TV shows and had themed nights, Monday was War shows, like Combat!, Twelve O'Clock High, and Black Sheep Squadron. Tuesday was Sitcoms with My Three Sons being the only one I recall. Wednesday was Westerns like Have Gun Will Travel, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and the Cisco Kid. Thursday was SCi-FI night with The Invaders, The Prisoner, The Outer Limits, etc. I do not recall what was on Friday night, and all weekend long was old movies of different stripes and styles. Man, I loved Channel 41!
KITN became a FOX channel when FOX was just starting in local TV. KTMA became the CW network when that became a thing. Pretty sure 41 is just gone now.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: Felidae ...
It’s pretty hard hitting, especially the fantastic nightmare sequences.
Aye, I saw the film first time when I was 12 or so. Those nightmare sequences stick with ye.
Apart from that I think it's pretty cool how well they took bascially a horror thriller story and put it in the world of cats without it feeling like some sort of gimmick. I haven't seen it in a while, but IIRC it never felt like there was a disconnect between plot/dialogue and the fact that it's cats.
It felt like a gritty 80’s/90’s crime movie in a lot of ways, including the obligatory car chase scenes and fist fights. It also had gore, a psycho-sexual style serial killer, and the reveal of the maniac’s world-changing obsession. And the femme fatale seduction scene. The artwork looking a lot like Don Bluth’s animation gave it a weird “disturbing kid’s movie” energy, which I enjoyed.
So you were up at 2 am in NYC and you didn’t throw on a ridiculous outfit and then scramble from the Bronx to Coney Island as if all the hopping gangs were after you?
So you were up at 2 am in NYC and you didn’t throw on a ridiculous outfit and then scramble from the Bronx to Coney Island as if all the hopping gangs were after you?
So you were up at 2 am in NYC and you didn’t throw on a ridiculous outfit and then scramble from the Bronx to Coney Island as if all the hopping gangs were after you?
Middle age is a bummer.
"MDG...... Come out and plAAAyyyyy!"
Funnily enough I watched The Warriors just the other day with some friends. Sucha good movie, and a nice time capsule of that grungy New York that you also see in stuff like Taxi Driver. Back when Times Square was basically the red light district of the city, rather than the monument to corporate consumerism it is now.
The French animated movie from the mind of Moebius.
After a disastrous crash, a small boy must fend for himself on an alien planet with the aid of his friend, Mike, the space radio. On the other end of the radio, “Mike” is a daring smuggler flying an ousted prince and princess through an odyssey of even more strange worlds to safety.
Lots of beautiful artwork and animation make this mostly a joy to look at. Unfortunately the pacing really drags in certain parts, and there are a surprising number of character reaction shots where the characters visibly don’t react. It sometimes feels like someone spliced Barbarella into a Superfriends episode.
Everyone knows it. I hadn't watched it in a looong time, somehow I did today. It's a bit messy, and bit by-the-numbers, but in between there are always juuuuuust enough bits that are juuuuuust funny enough to keep me watching. It's OK.
What was the traditional verdict phrase? Take it or Leave it?
I tried to see this when it came to my local cinema for all of 1-week. I blinked and it was gone. The fact that was even AT my local cinema is amazing to me. This is the place that won't let us have The Return with Ralph Fiennes but WIILL show crap like 10,000 Mules. I have never seen so many Christian Films available on the big screen before moving here.
Anyway, I digress from this remarkable movie. It was so nice to see a movie actively try to point out that Nihilism is the easy choice in this world, and that it can only be countered with interpersonal relationships and being centered on the moment. If you want to change the world, you change one person's world.
Plus, it was funny, well-acted, innovative camera work, plenty of famous faces, and just a really fun and unique experience.
Go see it! Go see it right now! Search it out and find it and watch it.
I tried to see this when it came to my local cinema for all of 1-week. I blinked and it was gone. The fact that was even AT my local cinema is amazing to me. This is the place that won't let us have The Return with Ralph Fiennes but WIILL show crap like 10,000 Mules. I have never seen so many Christian Films available on the big screen before moving here.
Anyway, I digress from this remarkable movie. It was so nice to see a movie actively try to point out that Nihilism is the easy choice in this world, and that it can only be countered with interpersonal relationships and being centered on the moment. If you want to change the world, you change one person's world.
Plus, it was funny, well-acted, innovative camera work, plenty of famous faces, and just a really fun and unique experience.
Go see it! Go see it right now! Search it out and find it and watch it.
Geifer wrote: I found Everything, Everywhere All At Once to drag too much for my taste. It's not bad as such, but takes unnecessarily long to go anywhere.
Do you mean the first 10 minutes? It felt very fast paced to me. Felt to me like there was a lot going on visually even when there was no dialogue.
Geifer wrote: I found Everything, Everywhere All At Once to drag too much for my taste. It's not bad as such, but takes unnecessarily long to go anywhere.
Do you mean the first 10 minutes? It felt very fast paced to me. Felt to me like there was a lot going on visually even when there was no dialogue.
I can't say in detail since it's been a few months since I watched it, but as I recall it wasn't just the meandering beginning. I'm pretty sure the final half an hour also felt too long, and maybe the odd scene in between.
I believe I thought of it as the kind of movie that shows you where a scene or sequence is going and then just lingers unnecessarily before it goes there.
I'm usually game for making a movie as long as it needs to be. This one is a rare example where I wished for a bit of brevity.
It’s so desperate to be a classic, but I’m about half way through and it’s just not doing it for me.
It’s like if you took a Cabin In The Woods type movie, mashed in It and other modern tropes, strained them to produce a script, managing to leave anything interesting to the side.
It’s not badly shot, and the acting isn’t bad as such. But is just really, really boring.
As with a lot of my reviews, there is the potential here for something scary and decent. But they’ve choked, big time. All the more disappointing for that, as this could’ve been a solid bit of folk horror.
It’s so desperate to be a classic, but I’m about half way through and it’s just not doing it for me.
It’s like if you took a Cabin In The Woods type movie, mashed in It and other modern tropes, strained them to produce a script, managing to leave anything interesting to the side.
It’s not badly shot, and the acting isn’t bad as such. But is just really, really boring.
As with a lot of my reviews, there is the potential here for something scary and decent. But they’ve choked, big time. All the more disappointing for that, as this could’ve been a solid bit of folk horror.
Wasn't that the name of a Forum Poster from earlier this year?
After that honestly I'd say go Aliens - sure the AVP films are pretty bad but the core 4 films and the new ones are all ace films so well worth it; esp to cleanse your pallet after the Bay Transformers films.
Everyone knows it. I hadn't watched it in a looong time, somehow I did today. It's a bit messy, and bit by-the-numbers, but in between there are always juuuuuust enough bits that are juuuuuust funny enough to keep me watching. It's OK.
What was the traditional verdict phrase? Take it or Leave it?
This is a movie that I was very surprised to enjoy the hell out of, given the trainwreck premise and the three leads all being actors whose comedy I normally can't stand... Been at least 30 years, though, so due for a rewatch to see if it still holds up, I think.
Everyone knows it. I hadn't watched it in a looong time, somehow I did today. It's a bit messy, and bit by-the-numbers, but in between there are always juuuuuust enough bits that are juuuuuust funny enough to keep me watching. It's OK.
What was the traditional verdict phrase? Take it or Leave it?
This is a movie that I was very surprised to enjoy the hell out of, given the trainwreck premise and the three leads all being actors whose comedy I normally can't stand... Been at least 30 years, though, so due for a rewatch to see if it still holds up, I think.
I was surprised myself. It's a bit uneven, so the actually funny things surprised me, which added to the amusement. I found the baddies to be surprisingly wholesome too. Basically a pretty nonsensical thing, making use of several western tropes. Some really silly things, with funny things mixed in.
Spoiler:
(the singing bush was very Mel Brooks, while the invisible swordsman right afterwards was good fun and a neat effect I found.)
What I dread the most about comedies is a by-the-numbers plot. The plot of this one baiscally is extremely by-the-numbers, but they dismiss it so often that it's bearable. Weird film. Also, I ended up liking Martin Short the best out of all of the three, for seeming the most genuine in the role out of the three. I also liked the leading lady and the whole bunch of townfolk. The way they went with the final confrontation and preparation therefore was also surprisingly un-annoying.
I think that this film is as good now as it was then. Not very, but it made me laugh a bunch of times, which surprised me a lot.
I have very happy memories of The 3 Amigos. It might be its optimised for early teens in its level of comedy I must have caught it on a re-run as I would have been too young for it on release.
Can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s one that was being promoted around the time I was old enough to actually notice ads and hype and that, but not sold enough to have known it was hype. And so there’s a bunch of films which I always think must’ve been Classics as a result.
Honestly, this is a knock-off from the age of 90's action flicks where everyone wanted to be the next John Woo and was leaning into the Hong Kong Action movie of stylish action and heroic blood shed.
However, if you want this type of flick The Corrupter with Chow-yun Fat does it better.
Pretty sure I had seen it before, and I totally forgot it. Now, I can repeat the cycle again!
Also: The attack happened at Sea, and C is for Catwoman!
Watched Clue again for the first time in many years. The first third or so is so slow and stilted, I was starting to think it was t as good as I remembered. and then the cast loosen up and the really manic nonsense starts and it is just great entertainment. I would be surprised if any of the scenery didn’t have tooth marks in it. Some of the sight gags are glorious.
Lathe Biosas wrote: I have tried to watch the Expendables 4 twice now, and fallen asleep 20 minutes in, twice.
Spoiler:
I get to the bit after Stallone dies and then my brain turns off.
Third time is not the charm. I'm passing the baton to someone else. Any volunteers?
Nope. I enjoyed the first 3, but also gave up 20 minutes in to number 4. It's almost impressive just how bad it is, but not in any way that makes it worth watching just to laugh at it.
Flinty wrote: Watched Clue again for the first time in many years. The first third or so is so slow and stilted, I was starting to think it was t as good as I remembered. and then the cast loosen up and the really manic nonsense starts and it is just great entertainment. I would be surprised if any of the scenery didn’t have tooth marks in it. Some of the sight gags are glorious.
Funny, just the other day I listened to a podcast in which this one was mentioned as being a fun comedy. I may have to look it up.
It is fun, but you might need to give it a bit of time to get to the truly fun bits. Its only 90 minutes though, so fits quite easily into an evening session.
Lathe Biosas wrote: I have tried to watch the Expendables 4 twice now, and fallen asleep 20 minutes in, twice.
Spoiler:
I get to the bit after Stallone dies and then my brain turns off.
Third time is not the charm. I'm passing the baton to someone else. Any volunteers?
Nope. I enjoyed the first 3, but also gave up 20 minutes in to number 4. It's almost impressive just how bad it is, but not in any way that makes it worth watching just to laugh at it.
I watched it a while ago. It definitely felt like it was missing what made the previous movies work. Can't say I remember much about it besides that takeaway.
Flinty wrote: It is fun, but you might need to give it a bit of time to get to the truly fun bits. Its only 90 minutes though, so fits quite easily into an evening session.
It’s also better on a second or more viewing, when you don’t need to follow the plot and can just enjoy the characters bouncing off each other.
There were 3 films (Champion of Death, Karate Bearfighter, and Karate for Life) starring Sonny Chiba based on the manga/anime Karate Baka Ichidai, about Mas Oyama the founder of Kyokushin karate. Also a film based on the same material released in 2004 called Fighter in the Wind.
There's also Battle Angle Alita bit I STRONGLY recommend seeing the original Anime and reading the manga first because they basically try to squash the entire story into the live-action. Which makes the film a rushed mess but also means that big revelations in the story are so swiftly glossed over.
Watched Blade Runner with my father recently. Holy hell that may have been the best film I've ever seen, I completely understood the hype for it, the ending and symbology/themes were amazing, even if a tad unsubtle sometimes! I could instantly see how it influenced the best cyberpunk media. Great acting, score, cinematography, all around masterpiece of cinema! If only Scott could make something that good again these days... one can dream.
In Ridley Scott’s defence, and indeed James Cameron and many other once Trailblazer Directors/Producers?
It’s hard to maintain that pace. Especially in an industry which will ape, copy, replicate and just sometimes improve/push further than you did. Particularly when you’ve been successful and just sort of, by inevitable osmosis, become Part Of The Machine.
You change the art form, and before too long? The art form changes you.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: In Ridley Scott’s defence, and indeed James Cameron and many other once Trailblazer Directors/Producers?
It’s hard to maintain that pace. Especially in an industry which will ape, copy, replicate and just sometimes improve/push further than you did. Particularly when you’ve been successful and just sort of, by inevitable osmosis, become Part Of The Machine.
You change the art form, and before too long? The art form changes you.
Too true, sadly. I still think he has made some really odd choices for films, but I guess what you just typed is the reality of being ahead of your time, it's hard to catch up when everyone else pole-vaults over you using your own work, then vault over eachother. I suppose being known as a visionary can be a bit of a curse.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: But…..that’s the entire thing, isn’t it? Minus the extensive, inexplicable and inexcusable guff, isn’t it?
Not really?
The 5 minute version is just the plot highlights and meme moments. DBZ Abridged includes the character arcs and more complicated genre elements that made the show so popular, along with some jokes, while cutting out the guff. You get the context and emotional payoff of the storylines in Abridged.
The film was originally conceived as a large blockbuster with a $120 million budget, which was what sold it to Chow Yun-Fat and James Marsters. However, when they arrived on the set, they were heartbroken after discovering that the film would only cost $30 million and would be mostly shot in an abandoned jeans factory to save costs. By then, they were contractually obligated to do the film and couldn't back out.
Hint 2:
Spoiler:
James Marsters has expressed his hatred for the film, and Emmy Rossum named it the movie in her career that people shouldn't watch. She also mentioned that the movie is even worse if watched while stoned.
Hint 3:
Spoiler:
I'm pretty sure MDG liked this movie less than Star Trek: Section 31
What's your guess?
My Review:
Spoiler:
Dragonball Evolution: The Apex of Anime Adaptation and the True Evolution of Goku’s Legacy
Let’s face it: the Dragon Ball anime is just a warm-up act, a quaint little doodle on the margins of what would one day become the magnum opus of 21st-century cinema — Dragonball Evolution. This cinematic masterpiece fearlessly tosses aside decades of lore, characterization, and fan expectation in favor of pure, unfiltered genius.
Why settle for a spiky-haired, overpowered alien monkey-child when you can have a mildly confused high schooler who broods like he's auditioning for a CW show? Justin Chatwin’s Goku redefines the Saiyan warrior: no longer a socially oblivious brawler with a heart of gold, but a relatable, acne-free teenager navigating the mean halls of high school drama and destiny. Move over, Super Saiyan — Goku just became Super Popular.
And the villains! James Marsters as Piccolo isn't just green, he's mysteriously green. His motivations are as ambiguous as his skincare routine, elevating him from a mere adversary to an enigmatic force of bland malevolence. You think anime Piccolo training Gohan was cool? Please. Try watching Evolution Piccolo stare ominously at stuff — the true mark of a master.
Let’s not forget the stunning martial arts choreography, which boldly ignores physics, continuity, and common sense to blaze new trails in the realm of gravity-defying nonsense. Who needs energy blasts when you have poorly-lit wire work and inexplicable slow-mo?
And the romance! Goku and Chi-Chi have the kind of chemistry that makes Twilight look like Gone with the Wind. Their love story — forged through vague flirtation and plot necessity — is a beautiful lesson in how not to let things like character development get in the way of true, PG-13 passion.
Dragonball Evolution isn’t just a film — it’s a philosophical statement. A statement that says: “We looked at one of the most beloved anime series of all time… and did something else entirely.” That’s bravery. That’s evolution.
10/10. Toriyama should be taking notes. Preferably while watching this on loop.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: But was enough for me. And the only Dragonball movie I’ve ever seen.
Thus as, so far as I can tell, the movie you mean doesn’t involved Russell Brand, James Corden, or that arse Jared Leto, I can’t hate it!
Silly you.
Wait... I could've sworn, you mentioned this film... to the Archives, Robin!
EDIT: Deep Dive Completed. Mission Failed. This is what muddled my brain. It was a thread about the Trailer, not the film:
"Dragonball Evolution" Trailer by Mad Doc Grotsnik in Off-Topic Forum
Noooooooooooo! Bloody Dragon Ball!
Hate that series. Hate it hate it hate it.
How can anyone enjoy it when some episodes are just one of the characters 'powering up' (also known as looking cons...
Posted Dec/11/2008 07:09:55 AM | View full post | View full thread
(Since you didn't mention them specifically, is it safe to assume you now enjoy the works of British Comic extraordinare Jack Whitehall and the best Jack Reacher, ever, Tom Cruise?)
Lathe Biosas wrote: I've decided to watch live action adaptations of anime... here's my list:
Dragonball Evolution (2009)
Death Note (2017)
The Last Airbender (2010)
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Bleach (2018)
Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
Speed Racer (2008)
Fist of the North Star (1995)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)
Kite (2014)
Black Butler (2014)
Attack on Titan Part 1 (2015)
Space Battleship Yamato (2010)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable - Chapter 1 (2017)
Tokyo Ghoul (2017)
Gintama Live Action the Movie (2017)
Mushi-Shi: The Movie (2006)
Gantz: Perfect Answer (2011)
Cutie Honey (2004)
Assassination Classroom (2015)
Thermae Romae (2012)
Dororo (2007)
Yatterman (2009)
Lupin the 3rd (2014)
Terra Formars (2016)
Devilman (2004)
Casshern (2004)
Ajin: Demi-Human (2017)
I've already seen G-Saviour, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins, and the Guyver 1 & 2...
Am I missing anything?
There's a pair of City Hunter films out there, one from the 80's with Jackie Chan (Which I personally didn't think too much of) and one Netflix put out last year that isn't too bad.
I think there's also another Lupin the 3rd film from the 70's/80's.
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
What about Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford's Russian accents in K-19: The Widowmaker?
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
Between this and his stint as Zeus in the last Thor movie, I am wondering if he's starting to pick roles based purely on the opportunity to do a funny accent.
Austenland A rom-com where a woman goes to a Jane Austen themed "immersion" LARP-type thing.
Suitably silly and just fine if you like Austen themed love triangles. It also has some familiar faces in it.
Fall Guy Based on the Lee Majors TV show from my youth.
This is a glorious B-movie with a summer blockbuster budget and cast. This should really be titled: Chekov's Gun: Reload as everything they introduce comes back around again.
I enjoyed it for what it was, but what it is is a cheesy B-movie about a stuntman.
Frank Langella! A really solid baddie! Post- Terminator 2 mid-drugs Edward Furlong (well, his physical body. Not sure he brought his brain, poor chap)
A middling budget “dangers of computer games and VR” type low key horror. It’s not without merit, and whilst I don’t particularly want to poke fun or belittle a young actor struggling with substance abuse? A change of lead might’ve made all the difference here.
It is very, very 90’s, and as someone in their early adolescence during that period, this is always gonna be pretty gnarly to me.
It wasn't as bad as I remember. I think I understood what they were going for, but the whole film felt like a 30 minute long Trek episode unnecessary padded into a 2 hour film.
Yes. The Enterprise was a pretty model... but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
Lathe Biosas wrote: [b]but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
Yes yes we did!!!!
The Enterprise sitting still does not make for a great piece of cinema.
You're forgetting this was insane detail at the time. Plus don't forget that a lot of the Original series you see today has likely been the remastered versions with updated visuals for the ships in space.
Also back then it was the first Startrek after about 10 years. It's like getting Serenity for Firefly or the Two mini-movie for Farscape only with a 10 year gap in the middle.
That scene was as much showing off as fanservice.
It also marked the point where Trek fully shifted from its more campy "monster of the week" to a much more serious sci-fi show. Which for the original series is mostly carried on those major films.
Uhh... I'm forced to agree with the giant robot nut. For different reasons.
The film felt like it was going for a 2001: A Space Odyssey feel.
The "fan service" could have been worked into the plot, as we could've seen detailed shots of the ship as it moved through V'ger (Which are cooler than the Enterprise if you look closely at all the details).
But to each their own, some people really like certain films, that I'll never understand, and I can watch Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and First Contact over and over with a large smile on my face.
I think of it like the first time you really see a dinosaur in Jurassic Park. In that scene they really don't do much, you've a herd of longnecks walking across the scene. The most intense action they do is one arching up to eat from the top of a tree. Otherwise no running; chasing even the motions are pretty slow.
It's a slow scene but its the first ever time you see a dinosaur in film that isn't
a) An iguana enlarged with cinema tricks and a few plastic horns stuck on it (with non-harming glue)
b) Stop Motion
c) Guy in a suit who is very clearly guy-in-a-suit
I'm almost not going to include puppets/muppets in that cause they do make extensive use of them in the film; only they've evolved the system even more into what would become animatronics.
It is furthering the plot. It’s showing that this isn’t your Father’s USS Enterprise NCC-1701. It’s the upgraded model. And leads into the shakedown cruise and the unsure new Captain thrown into a near impossible situation.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Consider it against the opening of A New Hope.
The reveal of the Star Destroyer, whilst not the same length, takes a while as the ship just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. No dialogue, just visuals and the sound of turbolasers.
It wasn't as bad as I remember. I think I understood what they were going for, but the whole film felt like a 30 minute long Trek episode unnecessary padded into a 2 hour film.
Yes. The Enterprise was a pretty model... but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
Heretic!
We most certainly did. And it's one of the best things in the movie.
The first attempt with any sort of budget to revive the franchise.
The first look at the new, refitted and updated USS Enterprise NCC-1701.
The first proper onscreen gozz at the decks and lights and doohickys and gubbins and gizmos and wotsits and that.
To our eyes sure, it’s nowt new, and feels indulgent. But for the audience of the time? It must’ve been breathtaking.
Indeed. Keeping in mind as well that the audience of the day was a little more used to movies just taking a breather, and weren't exposed to the sort of all-VFX-all-the-time blockbusters of today. Even speaking as someone who would have preferred they didn't change the design so much, that look at the new Enterprise was breathtaking, at its time.
I remember being somewhat frustrated that they didn't do something similar with the Enterprise-E... We never really get a good look at it at all in First Contact.
Sadly by the time the Enterprise E came onto the scene Hollywood was well into the mindset that "modern day audiences need constant action" in their films. So we lost a lot of the more steady pacing the earlier films were full of.
But yeah the E was never - I mean it was a freaking cool looking Enterprise and it did great but it was never as iconic as the others cause it lacked that series history.
The effect of Picard Season 3 ending episode wouldn't have been half as impactful if it was the E instead of the D
Automatically Appended Next Post: Consider it against the opening of A New Hope.
The reveal of the Star Destroyer, whilst not the same length, takes a while as the ship just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. No dialogue, just visuals and the sound of turbolasers.
Visual storytelling counts for a lot.
Thank you for summing up my point to a tee.
Imagine if Star Wars began with an 5 minute static shot of an unmoving star Destroyer.
No dialog, no action, nothing.
I don't believe that would've worked for the film George Lucas was attempting to make.
Motion pictures require movement. Unless you are using stillness to build suspense (Ala Steven Spielberg's calm seas in Jaws or better yet, watch Sergio Leione's final 8 minutes of the Mexican Standoff in The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly where stillness (except for darting eyes, twitchy fingers, and facial tics) is intercut with establishing long shots that cut closer and closer, as Ennio Morricone's masterful score builds and builds the suspense of three gunfighters waiting to draw down on each other.
I believe that if the exterior shots of the ship had been better incorporated into the film, you would have a better film, not just a cool scene.
Imagine if Star Wars began with an 5 minute static shot of an unmoving star Destroyer.
No dialog, no action, nothing.
I don't believe that would've worked for the film George Lucas was attempting to make.
It wouldn't have, because the audience would have had no reason to care about that unmoving Star Destroyer.
Ignoring for a moment that ST:TMP didn't open with that Enterprise flyaround, imagine instead that Star Wars had started out as a low-budget TV show that ran for several seasons and established a massive cult following, was cancelled, and then 10 years later came back as a movie in which an audience (that up until that point had seen very little big-budget scifi at the cinema) got to see a movie-quality model of the Millenium Falcon on the big screen for the first time.
Yes, by the standards of today's blockbuster, for an audience that's used to a more frantic pace, it's an overly long sequence. And yes, absolutely, that sequence would not have worked in a movie that lacked that emotional connection for the audience. But in 1979, for those who grew up with the original series? It was pure magic.
It's that film that everyone says is a complete waste of time after the first 10 minutes.
I would have to disagree, the opening is a highlight, but the rest is a fairly decent example of those effects-heavy horror movies that Hollywood were putting out in the late 90's to early 00's.
I watched Ghost Ship sometime last year. I can't say what it offers to connoisseurs but to somewhat like me who isn't into ghost movies, it was a pretty boring experience.
Imagine if Star Wars began with an 5 minute static shot of an unmoving star Destroyer.
No dialog, no action, nothing.
I don't believe that would've worked for the film George Lucas was attempting to make.
It wouldn't have, because the audience would have had no reason to care about that unmoving Star Destroyer.
Ignoring for a moment that ST:TMP didn't open with that Enterprise flyaround, imagine instead that Star Wars had started out as a low-budget TV show that ran for several seasons and established a massive cult following, was cancelled, and then 10 years later came back as a movie in which an audience (that up until that point had seen very little big-budget scifi at the cinema) got to see a movie-quality model of the Millenium Falcon on the big screen for the first time.
Yes, by the standards of today's blockbuster, for an audience that's used to a more frantic pace, it's an overly long sequence. And yes, absolutely, that sequence would not have worked in a movie that lacked that emotional connection for the audience. But in 1979, for those who grew up with the original series? It was pure magic.
Star Wars and Star Trek are also different settings that come with different expectations. Imagine if George Lucas had made a Star Wars movie about the taxation of trade routes and senate committees. Much umbrage would have been taken, I imagine.
In a way I find that the Star Trek movies err too much on the side of solving conflict with guns. That's not the ideal that Star Trek is about and makes it look more dystopian than it's supposed to be. Star Trek 1 does pretty well in that regard. It revels in the wonder of exploration and non-violent conflict solution. The introduction of the Enterprise fits right in there in my opinion.
You could 100% do a slow-motion video intro to Starwars right now. You'd just have to pick something REALLY iconic.
A slow run past a Star Destroyer; a slow run through the channels of a Death Star and then slowly moving back to reveal it and thus giving a huge sense of its vast scale.
Also lets not forget Sergio Leone made slow scenes a MASSIVE part of his films and the only connection in them for most of the audience was that Westerns were popular back then. Otherwise he was more than happy to start a film with almost nothing happening; he was a master of slow burn scenes where its all about tiny moments
It's that film that everyone says is a complete waste of time after the first 10 minutes.
I would have to disagree, the opening is a highlight, but the rest is a fairly decent example of those effects-heavy horror movies that Hollywood were putting out in the late 90's to early 00's.
I really like Ghost Ship. It's a movie I've watched a few times and never don't enjoy it. It was one of the better examples of horror movies from it's time.
Yup. Dark Castle did some cracking ghost based horror films. They’ve not aged especially well as such, but for the right reasons - as in, they scream early 00’s mid-budget horror.
This is so close to being really good, but it can't quite make the leap.
I have to say, after watching the O.G. Tron recently that really helped with the experience. It reduced the WTF barriers a bit.
So, what would have helped this thing make the jump from solid if unremarkable content to something memorable and great? If I knew that, I would be the richest man in Hollywood.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to a few things:
1. Sometimes it felt like Tron: The Greatest Hits and did not establish its own thing to late in the film.
2. The lead was not as compelling as they should have been, and once Flynn shows up is a bit over-shadowed by the DMNPC. They were a bit too angsty or not angsty enough. There was no doubt that they were established as being competent though.
3. The de-aging does not hold-up too well. Some scenes (especially with Clu) really look like video game cut-scenes more than anything else.
4. It had to fit into the tent-pole, Blockbuster movie template and therefore was never able to really tell its own story.
I have probably spent more time on this Daft Punk music video than it deserves. However, it is a masterpiece in set and custom design. There is no way you could make it using the techniques that they did in the OG, but it still looks pretty great.
If you’re going to cast Michael Sheen? Give him a proper leading role. He can and will overshadow any lesser performer, no matter how small his own role is.
He can’t help it. He’s Michael Sheen, and he’s stealing the scene.
And if you must give him only a supporting role? Don’t let him channel his inner Bowie!
Marvellous acting from Michael Sheen. The main character? A Wet Hen entirely. Just barely there, carrying nothing.
If this was a boxing match? It’d be that wee kid that hung around with the bullies vs Mike Tyson at his absolute peak. Just absolutely no contest whatsoever.
If it was food? It’s a dropped hotdog that’s landed on a Dog Egg vs a slap up Steak Dinner with all the trimmings in the sort of top end restaurant where you can taste where your money is going.
It’s some sad little twerp “rapping” loudly on the bus vs a full orchestra playing the 1812 in a room designed using cutting edge science for perfect acoustics.
To be fair to the main actor...... his job is to be a blank slate everyman that 18-45 year old white men can project themselves onto. Therefore, he has to be a bit bland.
The guy playing Caster is basically asked to be the 1960's Batman Riddler, and delivers on it.
Also lets not forget Sergio Leone made slow scenes a MASSIVE part of his films and the only connection in them for most of the audience was that Westerns were popular back then. Otherwise he was more than happy to start a film with almost nothing happening; he was a master of slow burn scenes where its all about tiny moments
Yep. Turned "men wait 10 minutes for a train" into absolutely riveting viewing.
Also lets not forget Sergio Leone made slow scenes a MASSIVE part of his films and the only connection in them for most of the audience was that Westerns were popular back then. Otherwise he was more than happy to start a film with almost nothing happening; he was a master of slow burn scenes where its all about tiny moments
Yep. Turned "men wait 10 minutes for a train" into absolutely riveting viewing.
There's a lot of films you can enjoy as a background distraction whilst doing other things and you can dip in and out of them and still enjoy the film
I find you can't do that with Sergio's films. You HAVE to watch them; pay attention to them and get drawn right in.
I like to say that he didn't make films he made cinema and its honestly a rarer talent than one might think within directors and film studios.
Overread wrote: There's a lot of films you can enjoy as a background distraction whilst doing other things and you can dip in and out of them and still enjoy the film
Reminds me of Netflix's edict to their productions that characters need to say what they are doing so that people can follow the show/movie while actually not actually them because the default position is that people use films/shows as background noise.
It's that film that everyone says is a complete waste of time after the first 10 minutes.
I would have to disagree, the opening is a highlight, but the rest is a fairly decent example of those effects-heavy horror movies that Hollywood were putting out in the late 90's to early 00's.
I really like Ghost Ship. It's a movie I've watched a few times and never don't enjoy it. It was one of the better examples of horror movies from it's time.
Ghost Ship is one of those movies where sure, it's not winning any greatest of all time or even goodest of any time awards, but you're channel flipping, you see it's there, and you just stop channel flipping a let it roll because it's enjoyable enough and you've got the time to kill.
It's that film that everyone says is a complete waste of time after the first 10 minutes.
I would have to disagree, the opening is a highlight, but the rest is a fairly decent example of those effects-heavy horror movies that Hollywood were putting out in the late 90's to early 00's.
I really like Ghost Ship. It's a movie I've watched a few times and never don't enjoy it. It was one of the better examples of horror movies from it's time.
Ghost Ship is one of those movies where sure, it's not winning any greatest of all time or even goodest of any time awards, but you're channel flipping, you see it's there, and you just stop channel flipping a let it roll because it's enjoyable enough and you've got the time to kill.
The initial scene with the dance on the deck makes a lot of lists of best horror movie openings, so it has that going for it.
Out on Prime today, in which Jason Statham is ex-special forces black ops now working a building site, who finds reason to track down his bosses daughter when she’s taken by human traffic lights traffickers. And whilst I’m mere minutes into it, one presumes he’ll do so by going Crazy Ape Bonkers Cuckoo on them.
Like a McDonalds when you’re a bit down in the dumps or just peckish whilst out in town? I don’t expect this to be great, but I’ll be surprised if I’m not left with a feeling of satisfaction by the end.
Such is the power of Straight To Streaming Statham, Blessed of Algorithmo.
It’s just a marvellous film. Not the funniest comedy I’ve ever seen, but it’s not going for crazy bip bip wibble loonie. It’s gentler than that, whilst not falling into RomCom dreariness. I’m sure there’s a proper term for it, but I can’t think of it right now.
Feel Good Comedy, maybe? But that still feels like it’s selling the film and the performances short.
I bloody love it.
I think it’s the way the Nuns and Sister Mary Clarence bring a form of redemption to each other. She helps them modernise and better relate to their diocese. They help her find firmer footing and great purpose.
Whilst I’m not religious myself, it feels like how it should all work in almost a Pratchett way. All things affecting the other and becoming better and healthier and happier.
One of the first things I was taught about screenwriting, is if you want to make an original idea; take an existing idea and change a key aspect of it. So, change the setting, change a key plotpoint, change the main character, etc. Take an idea like the Seven Samurai, and put it in the Old West or Space. Often times, these simple changes will completely change the plot, characterizations, and dialogue, and will lead to even bigger differences in theme, sub-text, and symbolism naturally.
That brings us to Sinners. If you look at the bare-bones story and plot of Sinners it is obviously a re-skin of another popular movie. We have two brothers who are criminals that hole-up in a dance hall with a cast of ne'er-do-wells, and things spiral when baddies show-up. However, the simple act of changing this to 1932 Mississippi in the Delta.... well that changes everything about this movie.
I am glad I saw it. One thing I DO NOT need is a sequel or prequel to this movie. It tells the full story it wants to tell. Not as horrific, not as actiony, and not as spicy as I was expecting; but the characters and how it all unfolds was satisfying to me. Great long, post-credits scene that really is essential to closing out the story too.
One of the first things I was taught about screenwriting, is if you want to make an original idea; take an existing idea and change a key aspect of it. So, change the setting, change a key plotpoint, change the main character, etc. Take an idea like the Seven Samurai, and put it in the Old West or Space. Often times, these simple changes will completely change the plot, characterizations, and dialogue, and will lead to even bigger differences in theme, sub-text, and symbolism naturally.
That brings us to Sinners. If you look at the bare-bones story and plot of Sinners it is obviously a re-skin of another popular movie. We have two brothers who are criminals that hole-up in a dance hall with a cast of ne'er-do-wells, and things spiral when baddies show-up. However, the simple act of changing this to 1932 Mississippi in the Delta.... well that changes everything about this movie.
I am glad I saw it. One thing I DO NOT need is a sequel or prequel to this movie. It tells the full story it wants to tell. Not as horrific, not as actiony, and not as spicy as I was expecting; but the characters and how it all unfolds was satisfying to me. Great long, post-credits scene that really is essential to closing out the story too.
Yeah, this is one I'd be likely be unhappy if they decide to try and make a prequel or sequel of. That said I've heard the director/writer whatever wants to do more movies in the universe and as long as they are separate from THAT vampire and THAT specific setting I'm here for it. It was just a great self contained story.
Putting my extreme distaste for the peculiarly soulless Tom Cruise and giving this a whirl.
It’s very mid 90’s actioner, isn’t it? And as it’s continuing to this day, I’m intrigued as to how it’s modernised. So I could be persuaded to try the others.
No idea how 90s Mission Impossible is, but I liked it for following the themes I admittedly only half remembered from the show that I probably never saw completely. I was less thrilled with the novelty format of the second movie. I don't remember what it was. Storytelling, camera work, I don't know. Something bothered me about it. Might have just been me at the time, too. Might have been John Woo was too John Woo and didn't keep the feel of the first movie and the show enough for my liking. Regardless, the low point for me was the third one. Because J.J. Abrams. I thought the series picked up again after that and liked the next two.
That's as far as I've seen them, I think. For action and spy nonsense fans I think the series is worth watching, so I'd say stick with it. Especially since Mission Impossible is fundamentally team based and at its best it's not all Tom Cruise all the time. Also as I am of the opinion that the 00's were a low point for action movies and the genre got more competent again around ten years ago, I'd expect the newer entries I haven't seen to be worthwhile as well.
This message is brought to you by the dude who's trying to remember something he hasn't seen in ten or so years.
I can't say I have a problem with Tom Cruise myself. What I can say is that I watched Tropic Thunder last night and the movie wouldn't be half as good without him.
The first four M:I movies had four very different directors, Brian DePalma, John Woo, JJ Abrams, Brad Bird, each with a very different tone. Three was the most mainstream, stylistically, but has a fun performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman. The fourth, Ghost Protocol, is the one that really set the mold for the rest of the series with the awe inspiring stuntwork and really kicking off the series embracing a narrative continuity. The films following that really all have a consistent tone and quality to the filmmaking.
The first three films are three separate movies with a central character that shares the same name.
It is kind of like how The Fast & Furious went from a single low stakes street level car heist movie to a connected series of fantasy films.
About 20 minutes in, and whilst like the first, it’s pretty average fare for its era? It’s pushing into the realms of Egosploitation, where Hunt is just sort of the best at absolutely everything and everyone comments how pretty he is etc.
It’s not fully in that realm, but it’s going closer to it than even the cheesiest Bond film.
What is of interest here is whilst Tom Cruise has typically aged well? He looks noticeably older here, just four years after the first movie. Not old, just older.
Automatically Appended Next Post: We do get John Woo’s signature Doves in the last bit. Except they’re mangy pigeons, the Rats of the Sky.
Which to be honest, I’d say sums this film up in an oddly poetic way.
About 20 minutes in, and whilst like the first, it’s pretty average fare for its era? It’s pushing into the realms of Egosploitation, where Hunt is just sort of the best at absolutely everything and everyone comments how pretty he is etc.
It’s not fully in that realm, but it’s going closer to it than even the cheesiest Bond film.
What is of interest here is whilst Tom Cruise has typically aged well? He looks noticeably older here, just four years after the first movie. Not old, just older.
Automatically Appended Next Post: We do get John Woo’s signature Doves in the last bit. Except they’re mangy pigeons, the Rats of the Sky.
Which to be honest, I’d say sums this film up in an oddly poetic way.
As much as I like the Mission Impossible films, that's something that's always irked me about them, and something I miss from the original series too, instead of a Planner Guy putting together a team of experts, Hunt is not only the Planner Guy he's pretty much all the other Guys as well.
I'm surprised he didn't take over the Tech Guy and Femme Fatale roles too.
Gonna leave the others for another weekend I think. I’ve done well with my eyes not vomiting in protest at two films starring Tom Cruise, but my tolerance is wearing thin there.
There’s just something about him. Like, he puts all this effort in, does hit own stunts and that, but the end results are just him looking soulless in different circumstances.
How apt that we talk about MI films right now! This weekend I was at an event in Germany, had an overnight stay at a hotel. So I watched some TV at the hotel after having sat up for the show. Mission Impossible - Fallout (2018) happened to be on, and I remembered recently hearing that this was people's favourite film out of the series and tauted as one of the best action films of the past decades, and I hadn't watched an M:I film since the third. So I gave it a go, and I was not disappointed. The film goes on for about 900 hours, but there's always stuff happening, and most of it is rather pleasant. I'm extremely suspicious of Henry Cavill, but this film just worked on most levels I thought. Somehow Cruise comes across as extremely competent, but also kinda human, which is a weird thing to say about Cruise, but it works. Neato. Watch It.
As a stark contrast, I watched the first half of Black Adam (2022) right after that. It starts with a very long and very unnecessary, narrated bit about the background of Black Adam and the crown of wotsit. Then we get a sequence about how a lady archeologist, her brother and his pals go to look for that place where the crown of wotsit is supposed to be. These scenes and characters feel like they're right out of the Michael Bay textbook. Then Black Adam appears and kills all the baddies. It all looks like a video game sequence, and very unimpressive. There's a lot of magic and shouting and effects, and it was deeply boring. In contrast, Tom Cruise slipping off a rope in Mission Impossible Fallout made me actually gasp in front of that tv. There's 20 times bigger things happening in Black Adam, and it's just boring and generic and fake. But hey, they occasionally play random pop songs from 40 years ago along with a few scenes, because that other film that made a bajillion dollaridoos did it. And it's as cheap and boring and backwards as that always is. A new film made for kids and young audiences in general supporting the rather strong theory that in terms of music NOTHING has happened since 2004 is just sad.
Then the film stops and a whole different superhero film starts, which is about the X-Men by another name and they're kinda fun and colourful (a young lady who looks cool when superpowerin' and seems to get a charming relationship going with the boy who looks like deadpool, but actually is Ant-Man, but he can only get big. Sadly, he also seems to fill the role of all the comic relief, but it un-annoying. Then there's the stern, and no-nonsense (and thus boring as all hell) man, BUT he's got the most ridiculous outfit when being a superhero. And a little rotating morning star as a weapon to boot. He's the funniest looking guy. The one to give the group dignity is Pierce Brosnan who plays a wizard with a golden hat. He's cool, but it's impossible to say what exactly he can do and can't.). The group are introduced ham-fistedly, but the only way bad superhero films know how to do it, and then they have to go catch Black Adam because he kills everybody all the time, because he's angry and boring.
This opens up some interesting ideas about those people in that fictional African country being opressed by foreign mercenaries (not sure who's in power there, but probably their employer), some of the people there view Black Adam as a great leader and their saviour from foreign oppression because that's kinda his backstory; he did that 2500 years ago already. But doesn't really care about the peoplenow. I'm not even sure what motivates him at all. On the other hand, there's this kinda shady group of X-Men-by-another-name who are sent by some wealthy supergovernment/secret service/whatever to catch Black Adam and get him to Superhero prison because he's a big risk to peace and kills people all the time without caring. But the people of that country never asked for these x-men to show up. Very interesting question. It's kinda implied, and maybe even spelled out at some point, but not really mentioned again. Instead we get to see The Rock's back and face a lot. Sometimes he just kills people, sometimes he kills people and they put some sort of humour in as well. But Black Adam is such a big chunk of god-like nothing that it's just weird. He's a weird mix of really bland and unevenly presented. Then I had to turn off the TV and go to sleep.
I just watched Rogue One again after finishing Andor. Still a great film. The final land-air-space battle is just wonderful. Yes I could pick all kinds of holes in it, but I really don’t want to as it just delivers pure awesomeness straight into my brain.
I wouldn’t say that I have any greater understanding of Cassian’s position in the film, as I think Luna did a great job originally of portraying depth and meaning to the character. However, I am also delighted that the series did t lead to wild inconsistencies in the character during his journey and development.
Yeah, the bits of Black Adam that weren't Black Adam were excellent. I would watch the hell out of a Justice Society movie with that cast.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Flinty wrote: I wouldn’t say that I have any greater understanding of Cassian’s position in the film, as I think Luna did a great job originally of portraying depth and meaning to the character. However, I am also delighted that the series did t lead to wild inconsistencies in the character during his journey and development.
The one comment I have seen that I agree with is that the series really highlights Cassian's saviour complex, which goes a long way to explaining why he bonds so quickly with Jyn without having to add in a romance angle. It's by no means essential to the movie, but it's a nice addition.
And, of course,
Spoiler:
knowing that Bix and Cassian Jr are out there wandering around a wheat field and waiting for him to come back, and he never actually found his sister adds a little extra tragedy to the ending. Again, not essential, but different to the movie Cassian who, as far as we knew had nothing to lose.
insaniak wrote: Yeah, the bits of Black Adam that weren't Black Adam were excellent. I would watch the hell out of a Justice Society movie with that cast.
Agreed. The JSA are the best (only?) reason to ever watch this movie.
insaniak wrote: Yeah, the bits of Black Adam that weren't Black Adam were excellent. I would watch the hell out of a Justice Society movie with that cast.
Agreed. The JSA are the best (only?) reason to ever watch this movie.
No. The best part was a teaser for a movie that will never be made... when
That would never have turned into a movie, because the Rock's Black Adam isn't allowed to lose. That's why he's in his own movie as an antihero instead of showing up as a Shazam villain.
My wife and I are slowly watching every Romantic Comedy on D+. Why? Because we can, that's why! We are only at the Bs, so this should take us..... a lifetime.
Beautiful Disaster
Pretty raunchy flick about a poker protege who runs-a-way to college and meets cute with a..... <checks notes>.... bare-knuckle, illegal fighter and sparks fly.
There is some really bad made-up drama in the middle of this film, and the in the climax the introduce a gangster sub-plot which leads to the big finish.
I would say it is a mix of a Rom-Com and a Late-Night Sex Comedy from the early Aughts. If that is your thing... go for it. However, I am pretty sure no one on this board is going to watch it!
Now if they teamed up to fight crime, I might watch it
"He's a genetically engineered alcoholic rock star with no name. She's a plucky bisexual snake charmer operating on the wrong side of the law. They fight crime!"
And it shares a certain DNA with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and other inspirational teacher movies.
See, when we meet the kids, they’re presented as disaffected, overly rebellious and perhaps Too Thick To Thrive. Especially Bill S Preston and Ted Theodore Logan Esq.
But really, as I’ve said before? They’re just kids being failed by a One Size Fits Some educational system. Switched off because none of it seems to relate to their life and that.
Yet, when someone turns up with the guile and skill to repackage the lessons in ways they’ve an established interest in? Much Better Results Occur. And from there a little self confidence and eyes slightly wider to world occur.
Automatically Appended Next Post: And like a Gremlin, temporarily escaping its box to raid the fridge, caught green handed by the kitchen light switching on? I too an emerging from my comfort zone of tacky horror, good horror, tacky sci-fi and a bunch of films which apparently suck but I really enjoy all the same….
I’ve decided to have a season of indeterminate length of 80’s Feel Good Hit Movies.
First up, Three Men And A Baby
Only just bunged it on. But I’ll share with you my dim recollection of this essentially being Friends but with wit, warmth and for our cast, a Visible Means Of Financial Support.
insaniak wrote: Yeah, the bits of Black Adam that weren't Black Adam were excellent. I would watch the hell out of a Justice Society movie with that cast.
Agreed. The JSA are the best (only?) reason to ever watch this movie.
No. The best part was a teaser for a movie that will never be made... when
Spoiler:
Superman
shows up.
You hardly need the spoiler tag concerning Superman showing up in the credits scene.
Maybe that 1st week of release there in '22, but not here 3 years on....
insaniak wrote: Yeah, the bits of Black Adam that weren't Black Adam were excellent. I would watch the hell out of a Justice Society movie with that cast.
Agreed. The JSA are the best (only?) reason to ever watch this movie.
No. The best part was a teaser for a movie that will never be made... when
Spoiler:
Superman
shows up.
You hardly need the spoiler tag concerning Superman showing up in the credits scene.
Maybe that 1st week of release there in '22, but not here 3 years on....
Sorry. Didn't want to ruin the only good part of that God awful movie.
Just picked up Zack Snyder's R-Rated Justice League. About an hour in, and it's amazing how much better it is that the dumpster fire that was released by Joss Wedon. Wonder why Joss chopped out Green Lantern, Zeus, Aries, and Darksied?
Have a ways to go... I'll report in when I'm finished.
Not quite sure why I watched all of it really. Blandest most obvious borefest of a shooter I think I’ve ever seen. Not one part of it made any sense, and I couldn’t care less about any of the characters.
And quite apart from anything, something as massive as an M14 seems like a poor choice for FISH.
Just picked up Zack Snyder's R-Rated Justice League. About an hour in, and it's amazing how much better it is that the dumpster fire that was released by Joss Wedon. Wonder why Joss chopped out Green Lantern, Zeus, Aries, and Darksied?
Keep in mind a lot of what wound up in the final Snyder cut wasn't actually in the original cut, as the movie wasn't finished when Whedon took over. Snyder had to add a whole bunch of stuff in to get his version finished.
I would honestly struggle to pick which version of the JL movie I like more... Whedon's is an inconsistent frankenstein of a movie, and leans heavily into my least favourite aspect of the Justice League as a group - Superman is the only one who actually needs to be there. Snyder's does a better job of making everybody relevant, but is overly long and takes itself way too seriously. Neither wind up on the list of movies I feel a need to rewatch any time soon.
Not quite sure why I watched all of it really. Blandest most obvious borefest of a shooter I think I’ve ever seen. Not one part of it made any sense, and I couldn’t care less about any of the characters.
And quite apart from anything, something as massive as an M14 seems like a poor choice for FISH.
Yeah I saw that film. I'm normally down for a "mindless action fest" but this really felt disjointed and not just mindless but the kind of unthinking that just makes you spot the odd right there and then.
Most action films you can pull apart if you really pay attention and review it after; but you can enjoy them as an experience and flow. But this film just kept making me mentally pause an go "wait that - that doesn't make sense" right whilst watching it.
Spoiler:
At the start we see our hero beat up a group of gangers attacking one of his workers. He saves the worker and then sends him back to work but after that nothing. No repercussions for the worker; no deeper plot with the gangsters. We just assume that they got beat up once by some random guy and then left this worker alone.
Also there was this big "team" feeling around the workers that just never went anywhere. There was no "ok lets arm all the worker friends and go to battle" kind of scene or anything.
And then through the movie we have this big Russian based crime group who are clearly having a very bad work-hire situation because each of these major leaders only has 2 iconic goons. That's it. There's no sense of them being this big organised, deadly group. If anything they are honestly closer to the kind of group you'd see from something like Austin Powers.
An easy one is right at the end, when the two new goons have been killed very easily (and their only purpose appeared to be to kill the only 2 police officers in the entire district who were also on the same side as the goons?) and we see the "big bad" leader screaming out that the rest of the mafia family is apparently ok with the title hero just walking away. He's just killed several key members; shot up a club full of rich customers; killed a whole biker gang and multiple top level goons and the major crime group - famed for killing generations of those who oppose them - is just totally fine with that and going to let him leave and go back to life.
Or another is there's this semi-emotional scene where he kills the leader of the Biker Gang and its made out that there's a botherhood/relationship between the hero and this leader. However there's nothing. The only thing that they share is that they served in different armed forces for a time. After that one went on to change his life for the better; the other went on to run a biker gang; deal drugs and help kidnap people and more. His first meeting with the hero he had him beaten up/hazed (though the hero won in the end). So again we see this kind of situation where each individual scene works but if you string them together into a story they fail to make any actual sense. You can't have this moment of respect and emotion when there was nothing that actually contributed toward it.
There's just no logic - it feels like lots of iconic scenes strung together with the weakest of plot that just has holes in it everywhere.
It doesn't feel like a good simple clean action thriller
It's a fantasy action movie with a bit of humor sprinkled in. A princess doesn't fancy the arranged marriage with a nobleman to provide an heir to the throne. The nobleman doesn't fancy losing the legitimacy this marriage provides to his claim to the throne. How is one to solve such a conflict? With swords, of course!
It's good fun throughout, at least if you can get behind a clear emphasis on the action and an unstahppable murder machine of a protagonist.
Just picked up Zack Snyder's R-Rated Justice League. About an hour in, and it's amazing how much better it is that the dumpster fire that was released by Joss Wedon. Wonder why Joss chopped out Green Lantern, Zeus, Aries, and Darksied?
Keep in mind a lot of what wound up in the final Snyder cut wasn't actually in the original cut, as the movie wasn't finished when Whedon took over. Snyder had to add a whole bunch of stuff in to get his version finished.
I would honestly struggle to pick which version of the JL movie I like more... Whedon's is an inconsistent frankenstein of a movie, and leans heavily into my least favourite aspect of the Justice League as a group - Superman is the only one who actually needs to be there. Snyder's does a better job of making everybody relevant, but is overly long and takes itself way too seriously. Neither wind up on the list of movies I feel a need to rewatch any time soon.
Whedon didn't cut that stuff. The Snyder Cut got millions in additional funding (and time) to add massive VFX segments and shoot additional footage. It's definitely not the movie we would have gotten at the time.
Whedon's version is just a result of executive demands. My favorite thing in it is honestly just that in the opening credits Whedon's name hangs ominously above a homeless man's sign that reads "I Tried". WB had traditionally been a very "hands off" studio until they failed to successfully launch an MCU success story when they tried to force something that wasn't working to follow a formula it wasn't equipped for. Like their solution for their oval shaped car tires was to put it on railroad tracks.
I'd actually love to see an actual theatrical cut from Snyder at some point. The one we got is a huge improvement, but it also has some scenes that are notably weaker because he included EVERYTHING. The one that always gets me is when Wonder Woman blocks the bullets, there's an extra shot before seeing the guy change his targets to the hostages that lets you see she's like 3 inches away from him. Falling back to do the deflection scene feels ridiciously when you establish something like that.
Ultimately its a LOT better, but it also doesn't exactly work either. At the very least I don't think it would have won over audiences put off by BvS, particularly as it seems plans were to go even bleaker in the films that would have followed.
Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan and company as Indians trying to get a visa to England. "Dunki" being a corruption of Donkey, slang for smugglers basically coyotes. Clever scam for the ending and almost heartwarming. Not the best Bollywood I've seen, that's Happy New Year, but kind of up my alley as I work with students here.
Like a lot of Bollywood films the tone is all over the place. So a zany song about emigrating with 100 villagers in UK, US and Canadian flag shirts, and then a graphic suicide on screen when one guy doesn't get his visa.
Funny scenes where they try to lie through their interviews or cheat on their English tests, and then a dude gets shot in the head trying to sneak across a border, a woman is almost raped, and SRK kills a dude with his bare hands.
I’ve a soft spot and genuine admiration for Bollywood as an art form. But it’s not the sort of thing I can really sit down and watch.
I mean, it’s great to see a film industry so Not Hollywood, and still incredibly successful. And I’d like to see more such things in the world, as everyone is better off with greater variety.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: I’ve a soft spot and genuine admiration for Bollywood as an art form. But it’s not the sort of thing I can really sit down and watch.
I mean, it’s great to see a film industry so Not Hollywood, and still incredibly successful. And I’d like to see more such things in the world, as everyone is better off with greater variety.
Late to the party, just seen the Minecraft movie and yea, it's the self-aware cringe of Napoleon Dynamite at the pace of Jumanji, tho not as good as either. Like the Star Wars sequels, the plot barely exists and is just a vehicle for the cringe and Jack Black is the most Jackiest Blackiest he's ever been. If Steve wasn't the default name of the game character, he could just as well just have been named Jack Black in the movie.
Mission: Impossible Final: Reckoning It was good, but not great. Most of the other reviews I've seen are more glowing than mine so, as always ymmv. The production is top notch and the set pieces are excellent. It falls apart outside of the setpieces though. Human villain is 'meh' and the AI villain is talked about as a threat more than it feels like one; just repeating "this is The Entities reality" multiple times doesn't give it gravitas or make it feel ominous, it just kind of silly. The tone of the film starts at EVREYTHING IS AWFUL WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE with loud orchestral music and grand sweeping camera movements and stays that way for three hours, which grows tedious. Drawing connections to the older films, even to the original, were for the most part well done. It could lose twenty or thirty minutes easily and have been a tighter film overall and spent less time making subtext text IN BOLD TYPE. Still a fun ride if primarily here for the stunt work.
Spoiler:
Seeing the CIA computer programmer from the first film and having him play a significant role was cool, plus he gave Ethan back his knife from the first film. Having the one character turn out to be Jim Phelps son might have had more impact if the character had played a bigger part in multple films and not just kind of there in the two part final story. Like a lot of elements of the film they could have left that out and nothing would have changed.
The submarine sequence was great up until he goes into the torpedo tube. One can stretch there suspension of disbelief so far and smacking open a shut torpedo tube door with a backpack and surviving 500+ feet (152.4 meters for those who fear freedom™ units) under Artic water with no protection just obliterated my capacity to go with it.
At the end there is a speech about how destiny isn't set and we have to make our own choices but the previous three hours are spent telling us that Ethan Hunt is the Chosen One and only he can save the world. This isn't insinuated btw, they literally say it out loud multiple times from different characters. Ethan Hunt is Spy Jesus. They kind of act like that for a few films but this one really amps it up hard.
So to summarize:
Best MI: Fallout
Favorite MI: Ghost Protocol
Best Villain: Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Owan Davian) in M:I III
As an 80’s kids movie, it’s pretty great. As a He-Man adaptation, it’s pretty dire.
But man….Frank Langella’s Skeletor is a superb performance, and Dolph Lundgren works well enough.
Teela and Sorceress kinda get short shrift, but Evilyn is, like Skeletor, a superb performance. Also props for the “humans find a hi-tech thing and immediately nick it and start fiddling” trope. Not on the same level as SG-1, but I’ll accept it.
Definitely one worth watching if you’re into folklore, supernatural and/or Celtic/Irish culture.
It’s not exactly a horror film, but it’s some stuff in common with The Witch to ally. Certainly I’d not be surprised if it didn’t provide some influence there.
I forgot that about every thirty minutes in the theater the strong smell of marijuana, or the devil's lettuce, would appear. That might explain the more uncritically positive reviews.
Kind of surprised it is the first time I've ever run into this in a theater tbh.
Ahtman wrote: I forgot that about every thirty minutes in the theater the strong smell of marijuana, or the devil's lettuce, would appear. That might explain the more uncritically positive reviews.
Kind of surprised it is the first time I've ever run into this in a theater tbh.
Your movie theater sounds more exciting than mine. Here at Fortress Florida, I'm sure someone would call the police if they smelled Marijuana.
This was.... a thing. The script is not tight at all, and feels like a game of "Yes, and" was happening the writer's room. It almost feels like a anthology film, bit all the anthologies are going on at the same time. There are challenges that come and go as fast as they appear, and nothing really feels earned.
However, there are moments in the flick that really are rather fun, good, or bring a smile. However, I am very glad I did not spend money to see this. It really feels like content for the content gods.
Alien Romulus. Thoroughly enjoyed that. Made me want to play Fireteam Elite again if only to feel like I had agency against the beasties
While the protagonists were all basically kids, there were few if any actually stupid decisions made. Lots of internal consistency and some great action pieces.
While the protagonists were all basically kids, there were few if any actually stupid decisions made. Lots of internal consistency and some great action pieces.
Agreed - honestly it was so refreshing to have what was basically an action film where the characters all behaved "in character" and logically and even in panic-logically.
It also didn't feel like half the film had been made and then cut from the final release leaving huge chunks missing or plot points that were undeveloped or such.
The choice to have the main cast basically be young adults thrust into the world was really smart and also risky and yet the script and actors really carried it off fantastically well.
Caught Sinners yesterday and while I think its hype probably has people expecting it to be more than it is, what it is remains a really good time.
Coughler's style kind of fascinates me as I think he does a really great job of showing stories that tell a lot more than they say. Glad this one is doing so well and excited to see what's next.
The busted android effects were a bit ropey, but the main android guy played an absolute blinder, amongst universally good performances from everyone. Also the proper pulse rifle sounds made my skin tingle
Yeah. Rook’s face isn’t quite right. Which is mildly disappointing, as given the whole point is he’s all messed up, they had a chance to mangle the face, giving the uncanny valley a possible break.
But. Watching it on streaming, it’s better than I remember from in the cinema. Either I’m just more used to it, or there’s been a bit of spit and polish.
I just love the amount of thought that went into the plot and people’s actions. Nothing is done simply because it needs to happen to advance the plot, and there’s always risk.
Never seen it until now. I didn't miss much. It's kind of meh, but that may just be because I'm not big on the found footage fad.
Bonus points for telling the audience on the intro screen how the movie ends. That was it for my engagement right then and there.
I suppose what the movie has going for it is that the cast isn't filled with character you can't wait to see die. That feels like an outlier for this kind of movie.
From Hell
Another one I missed until now without really missing anything. Not big on whodunits myself and I guess the movie's payoff is in the who and why.
Never seen it until now. I didn't miss much. It's kind of meh, but that may just be because I'm not big on the found footage fad.
Bonus points for telling the audience on the intro screen how the movie ends. That was it for my engagement right then and there.
I suppose what the movie has going for it is that the cast isn't filled with character you can't wait to see die. That feels like an outlier for this kind of movie.
From Hell
Another one I missed until now without really missing anything. Not big on whodunits myself and I guess the movie's payoff is in the who and why.
By and large the movie didn't do anything for me.
Did you notice that in Cloverfield, the found material is on an memory card?
Which makes me wonder how you tape over a memory card like it's videotape?
Cloverfield 2 is really good, and a totally different film. John Goodman 's role is amazing. Much better than 3, which is less-than-meh.
I liked Cloverfield. It’s a very different take on the kaiju film that makes the horror more visceral. Also, it made my wife throw up, so that made it memorable.
I also liked Cloverfield... but..... it is also a product of its post-9/11 time. Audiences at that times were in a different mindset.
It is like trying to watch Blair Witch and you just can't catch the feel of what was happening for that movie at that time. Without all that zeitgeist, it is hard to understand what made that movie such a phenomenon.
Blair witch affected my sleep for a week… the last scene really stuck in my head and freaked me out. Same with Paranormal whatsit. I avoid that kind of film now
I rather enjoyed Cloverfield. I quite liked the way that the actual disaster kicking off in the background was just a backdrop for this other story, but there was enough overlap and the monster glimpses were limited enough to keep it in the creepy valley zone. Pretty sure that someone with a hole that size through their collar bone is t going anywhere fast though
Blair Witch just bored me. Absolutely nothing happened, it was poorly and unconvincingly acted with nothing even approaching a Crap Plot. If it wasn’t for The Internet Orangutan That Somehow Despite Objectively Crap Taste Became A Dubious Authoity? It would’ve earned the utter lack of audience it truly deserved.
Cloverfield? I know I’ve seen it. But I don’t really remember it. And unlike Blair Witch, it at least has some kinda effort behind the camera.
Blair Witch just bored me. Absolutely nothing happened, it was poorly and unconvincingly acted with nothing even approaching a Crap Plot. If it wasn’t for The Internet Orangutan That Somehow Despite Objectively Crap Taste Became A Dubious Authoity? It would’ve earned the utter lack of audience it truly deserved.
Cloverfield? I know I’ve seen it. But I don’t really remember it. And unlike Blair Witch, it at least has some kinda effort behind the camera.
My friends and I were asked to quiet down or leave a couple times during Blair Witch. We couldn't stop laughing and playing MST3K.
See, in Florida, local actress, Heather Donahue, who plays the girl (who gave up acting and owns a pot farm) was on 24/7 with her in Steak and Shake Ads.
Which my friends and I found obscenely funny. That and mixed with a viewing of Monty Python's Holy Grail not 4 hours previous led to the perfect storm of inappropriate laughter and commentary for a horror flick.
I disagree about Blair Witch. It was fantastically effective. I was up all night after seeing it, too.
If you think nothing happened, I don’t know what to tell you. I found it to be a movie that used implication to spark my imagination. It’s like the old Stephen King quote about how hearing something scratching at your door is more terrifying than anything you could see when you open the door. Blair Witch was entirely scratching, no opening. For me, with my active imagination, it was great.
For me, Blair Witch was the point where I realized people will blatantly lie to sell something. Maybe I was just a sheltered kid, but for me it's the foundation of modern viral marketing, influencer cancer and fake news, while the product itself was a turd of a nothingburger. But I guess it has some value as a sociological phenomenon.
Cloverfield 2 is really good, and a totally different film. John Goodman 's role is amazing. Much better than 3, which is less-than-meh.
10 Cloverfield Lane wasn't actually written as a Cloverfield film - the script was adapted into the setting during production. But yes, it's really good, and Goodman is spectacularly creepy.
lord_blackfang wrote: For me, Blair Witch was the point where I realized people will blatantly lie to sell something. Maybe I was just a sheltered kid, but for me it's the foundation of modern viral marketing, influencer cancer and fake news, while the product itself was a turd of a nothingburger. But I guess it has some value as a sociological phenomenon.
This.
I remember the hype, then I watched it, and it was just….crap. And suddenly, as competence was no longer a requirement, many dreadful imitators would follow.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: I disagree about Blair Witch. It was fantastically effective. I was up all night after seeing it, too.
If you think nothing happened, I don’t know what to tell you. I found it to be a movie that used implication to spark my imagination. It’s like the old Stephen King quote about how hearing something scratching at your door is more terrifying than anything you could see when you open the door. Blair Witch was entirely scratching, no opening. For me, with my active imagination, it was great.
The movie is entirely reliant on the audience's ability to accept that the characters get hopelessly lost in the woods. If you can't for one reason or another, the rest of the movie is just characters freaking out over nothing. Which results in either comedy or insult, depending on the circumstances. Which in turn entirely ruins whatever mood is supposed to be built.
It might be effective to a specific audience, but if you don't fit that profile it has precious little to offer.
You know, John Cena has really taken the steam out of Channing Tatum's career. Also, what has Jonah Hill been in lately? Amazing to see a young Brie Larson as well.
This was an action-comedy that was okay. However, the humor is somewhat of its times and may not age that well. The best joke was a running gag about crashes exploding/not exploding.
lord_blackfang wrote: For me, Blair Witch was the point where I realized people will blatantly lie to sell something. Maybe I was just a sheltered kid, but for me it's the foundation of modern viral marketing, influencer cancer and fake news, while the product itself was a turd of a nothingburger. But I guess it has some value as a sociological phenomenon.
Good point.
One word on From Hell (because someone has to, I suppose): One of the very few films I fell asleep while watching. Can't remember anything else about it.
@Easy E: Haven't watched it. Is having watched the tv show add or detract from the cinematic experience? As for Jonah Hill: Not sure, but I do know he did a Netflix romantic comedy which was kinda lame and where the kiss in the end was CGI'd. It also was the first instance of a main character who's pretty insufferable to begin with is made more insufferable by claiming his dream job was being a podcaster, doing a podcast about "the culture". Which is a turn of phrase or a concept that still makes me angry. Actually earlier today I had to think of it and got a bit miffed
I've never actually seen the end of Blair Witch. I saw the whole thing and was bored but determined to make it through and then a friend stumbled in drunk and collapsed in front of the TV during the last few minutes and I just couldn't bring myself to try and sit through it again.
Cloverfield I think is overall pretty good. It's definitely not perfect, but it uses the perspective to make a novel take on a niche genre that remains pretty unique and worth watching.
You really do not (and probably should not) know anything about the 21 Jump Street source material. The original took itself semi-seriously. The movie does not.
So, when are we going to talk about Jeffery Donovan (From Burn Notice and Sicario 2) and his best movie ever?
Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows.
It had all the parts left out of the original film... Dialog, acting, lighting, plot, character development, cinematography, a soundtrack, storylines, a villain....
Too bad that all those additions weren't very good.
Sigur wrote: @Easy E: Haven't watched it. Is having watched the tv show add or detract from the cinematic experience? As for Jonah Hill: Not sure, but I do know he did a Netflix romantic comedy which was kinda lame and where the kiss in the end was CGI'd. It also was the first instance of a main character who's pretty insufferable to begin with is made more insufferable by claiming his dream job was being a podcaster, doing a podcast about "the culture". Which is a turn of phrase or a concept that still makes me angry. Actually earlier today I had to think of it and got a bit miffed
The latest movie with Jonah Hill I saw was The Wolf of Wall Street, and that's over a decade old. According to IMDB he seems to get work just fine, but not in anything I pay attention to.
Now for a bit of bad news. We seem to be firmly in the age where relevant plot points are "influencer" and "bitcoins". I've noted a marked increase of those terms in synopses in the last few years. Amazingly Firefox's spellchecker only marks one of those as wrong. Luckily it's the one that deserves it the most. Anyway, if you're old and grumpy and can't stand the idea of watching The Internet: The Movie!, brace yourself. It's only going to get worse.
Ever seen a movie that you enjoyed, and then been dismayed by the director?
I just watched 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi ...
Directed by Michael Bay.
Does this make me a bad person for enjoying a Michael Bay movie?
Or is this a one off?
In this film he didn't use any of his standard rotating camera shots and there were no blissfully stupid (but stunningly attractive) female leads to be found.
Looking back there were a couple lovingly long shots of American Flags, and gun porn galore, but I've seen that in other films (ie. Olympus Has Fallen).
I'm just not sure how to accept this fact. I feel like MDG when he admitted to liking a Tom Cruise film.
Lathe Biosas wrote: So, when are we going to talk about Jeffery Donovan (From Burn Notice and Sicario 2) and his best movie ever?
Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows.
It had all the parts left out of the original film... Dialog, acting, lighting, plot, character development, cinematography, a soundtrack, storylines, a villain....
Too bad that all those additions weren't very good.
The making of that film is far better than the finished product.
Lathe Biosas wrote: So, when are we going to talk about Jeffery Donovan (From Burn Notice and Sicario 2) and his best movie ever?
Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows.
It had all the parts left out of the original film... Dialog, acting, lighting, plot, character development, cinematography, a soundtrack, storylines, a villain....
Too bad that all those additions weren't very good.
Never saw it.
I saw the 1st one & was thoroughly bored by the sheer amount of.... nothing (except hype).
So when I learned they were making another? I just shrugged & ignored it. Doesn't sound like I missed anything.
A Battlestar Galactica spin-off prequel type film, with a young William Adama.
And it’s pretty good. I wouldn’t say no to some more First Cylon War media. Though I am yet to watch all of Caprica.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Just thinking on Prey and Alien Romulus.
Both are well made, attention holding films in their own right. But more importantly, both proved that for their respective Big Alien Nasties? There’s plenty narrative gas in the tank, you just need a decent writer and director (can be the same person), and that Moar Budget =/= Bettar Movee.
But what other long running franchises, currently on hiatus, do you think could benefit from similar revisits?
I will at this point, because it’s bound to come up, express some apprehension about the forthcoming Predator Badlands.
I’m deliberately avoiding trailers and spoilers, so don’t know much about it beyond it’s more Predator (hmm) from the same guy behind Prey (oooh!). But can lightning strike twice there? I mean, I bloody hope so. But I also hope he’s not been given too much freedom in budget and that, as sometimes it’s necessary compromises that bring the brilliance.
Working through the Mission: Impossible franchise at the moment. I'd previously seen the first one (at the cinema when it first released), most of the one where Ethan climbs the Burj Khalifa, and Dead Reckoning... Possibly bits of the others, but I can't recall actually sitting down and watching them in full.
First one lacks a little punch (and the setup seems soooo much more obvious) when you already know the twist, but it was still a fun romp.
2nd one was ok, but with action sequences dialed up to 11, adding in stupidly over-the-top flips and uncomfortable looking flying kicks. Story was ok, but the acrobatics kept pulling me out.
Very true, just at wildly opposite ends of the spectrum.
It’s 5 June! And the weather outside is crap! And I’ve already smashed my weekly target at work! Which means….back on the Slashers, whilst I await my Switch 2.
Christmas Evil
A Christmas themed slasher. We start with a young boy sneaking downstairs on Christmas Eve (Bad Boy), only to witness Mommy doing rather a lot more with Santa Claus than kissing (Dirty Boy!), which traumatises him massively (in your bed, in your mental asylum, presumably)
Cut to the present, and he’s a right odd’un, pretending to be Santa when he’s at home and eventually goes off the deep end and has a wee rampage.
It’s fine.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Schizoid
In which our loony goes around offing female therapy patients, because flimsy reasons
It’s not very good, and stars Klaus Kinski, a terrible human being. But, Christopher Lloyd is also in it briefly, so pretty much, but not entirely, a dead loss.
Can a Bat Family in full plot-armour mode take on an evil Justice League? Of course they can!
Not quite the demented fever dream the first one was (No making giant robots out of monkeys this time), this one is the more stereotypical "Batman is the bestest superhero evar!" story with a heavy (and tropey) Japanese aesthetic smeared on top.
It's nice to look at, if the artistic choices are your taste, but that's pretty much all it has going for it.
Amazingly drawn and animated.
