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“The cause isn’t the thrill, the situation is.” If that means what I think it does, hard pass. We stopped watching zombie movies when they became all about man’s inhumanity to man. We’d rather watch humans band together to overcome. If we want to see rapes, killing and brutality, we have the news.

Apologies. That was a comparison.

Children of Men isn’t a Zombie flick. At all. It is in its own way a post apocalypse movie.

I'll second Doc on Children of Men, its one flaw is like he says it requires watching but the soporific dullness of Clive Owen makes that a challenge (i only got through King Arthur due to Mr Winstone's quality accent work along with Kiera's string and paint get up)

It’s a pretty tough film to watch though, and I cried so hard reading the book. Almost as hard as at Up! I can’t take that level of tragedy any more

 Turnip Jedi wrote:
I'll second Doc on Children of Men, its one flaw is like he says it requires watching but the soporific dullness of Clive Owen makes that a challenge (i only got through King Arthur due to Mr Winstone's quality accent work along with Kiera's string and paint get up)

Here I would argue his dullness is the key. At all times, his character is Just A Bloke, on a Moral Journey. At no point is he even vaguely in control. And initially he has my own approach of “can I not just go for a pint instead?”

That his character is only a cypher really works here. And I like him. It’s almost, if not exactly, the Les Dawson Piano. Where in order to play that badly, you need to be a serious talent. Perhaps the same? This is solely a suggestion.

But for those poor sods that don’t know Les Dawson (a staple of my childhood)? Here’s what I mean about playing so badly, you first need to know what you’re doing. Apologies for any upsetting words or language, as I’ve not listened to the whole thing.

The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy (Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The Worlds End)

The movies on their own are already very good, but viewed together those are a masterpiece that gets better each time you watch them

 Flinty wrote:
It’s a pretty tough film to watch though, and I cried so hard reading the book. Almost as hard as at Up! I can’t take that level of tragedy any more

That’s where we’re at. The first ten minutes of Up ruined our day. We don’t want any more heartbreak or drama in our lives, and not in our entertainment either.

Oh yes, Children of Men. A movie with probably the best soundtrack ever, with one of my favourite scenes ever (I don't want to spoil it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but it's towards the end, during the gunfight in a building). Definitely worth a watch.

I second Cornetto Trilogy, however I would only give top rates to Hot Fuzz.

And while we're at old cult movies, The Boondock Saints and a movie none of you probably saw, Kontroll (2003), a one of a kind hungarian movie about ticket inspectors in a subway.


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A'propos zombie movies - while not a champion of a movie, I recommend watching The girl with all the gifts. Very fresh take on the trope.

You know, I started writing another post about an absolutely amazing sports comedy, Blades of Glory, which has managed to age well, despite its ridiculous premise.Will Ferrell is at his scene chewing best, and Amy Pohler and Will Arnett are worth the price of admission all on their own as the incestuous villains.

But as I was writing it I was reminded that there is another, even more perfect comedy film out there- Tropic Thunder.Mocking war movies, actors, and producers it defies explanation. It is a mockumentary that makes blackface not only work, but serve as a significant plot point.I would never have picked them for the roles, but cannot imagine a more perfect cast.

Tropic Thunder is one of my favourite comedies, I can come back to it time and time again. The cast is just excellent. For some reason I feel like it is under-appreciated, although not sure if that is actually the case.

On the Alien/Aliens topic on the last page, I don't think its fair to say one is better than the other as they are quite different films and I would place them in different categories; The original is a horror/thriller/mystery, the sequel an action/horror. Even James Cameron said he knew he would not be able to match the impact and style of the first film and so did something different with the sequel.

They both excel and are standout releases in their own field. I sometimes watch one or the other if I'm in the mood for a particular type of film. I wouldn't say one is better (or even better made) than the other, although they do have their stylistic differences.

 Pacific wrote:
Tropic Thunder is one of my favourite comedies, I can come back to it time and time again. The cast is just excellent. For some reason I feel like it is under-appreciated, although not sure if that is actually the case.

On the Alien/Aliens topic on the last page, I don't think its fair to say one is better than the other as they are quite different films and I would place them in different categories; The original is a horror/thriller/mystery, the sequel an action/horror. Even James Cameron said he knew he would not be able to match the impact and style of the first film and so did something different with the sequel.

They both excel and are standout releases in their own field. I sometimes watch one or the other if I'm in the mood for a particular type of film. I wouldn't say one is better (or even better made) than the other, although they do have their stylistic differences.

This is why I prefer Resurrection to Alien3.

It’s kind of a rehash of Aliens, in that it’s another action/horror, but at least takes it in a new direction, that being “and this is precisely why The Company could never have been trusted with the Starbeast”. No it doesn’t quite land, the hybrid in particular was quite disappointing. But there is a lot to enjoy in it regardless. Most importantly it doesn’t attempt to retcon anything, which is pleasing.

Alien3 however is an attempted rehash of Alien, but for me completely falls flat. One day I’ll watch the Directors Cut I guess.

Threads.

A film from the 70’s about nuclear war. I Was shown it in school no less, and it is a brutal depiction.

You will have an emotional response to watching it, which emotions will depend on you.

 Tamereth wrote:
Threads.

A film from the 70’s about nuclear war. I Was shown it in school no less, and it is a brutal depiction.

You will have an emotional response to watching it, which emotions will depend on you.

There was a predecessor to Threads which has very, very peculiar ties to my family,

That was The War Game, where Dead Old Mumsy’s cousin had a bit part. Filmed in 1966, it included a no-mark Kentish Town call Tonbridge. A town my family would ultimately relocate to Circe 1991.

Now. I’m not saying Tonbridge is, was, and will forever be a gakhole of inbreeding and stupidity? But I was instantly ostracised on account Mumsy and Daddykins weren’t related before marriage, had a mere five digits on each extremity, and have most definitely never worshipped a lamppost as The Great Night Sun.

But imagine that. Mum’s cousin from Edinburgh visited an awful craphole a good 25 years before I was forcibly moved there.

Not that I have a particular loathing for that “town”.

Oh no. Wait, I totally do.

Gonna break my own rules a bit. Or least bend them to breaking point…..

Van Helsing

The Hugh Jackman one.

Now. This is far from Cinematic Perfection as such. But, it is a whole lot of fun, and very competent in its own way.

As a follow up to the first two Brendan Fraser Mummy movies (which are cinematic gold, and I probably should’ve lead with that, but here we are all the same!) it’s really rather good.

We get Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolf Man in a largely self contained and self knowingly silly cinematic romp.

Now. Compare its imperfections to the latest efforts by Universal to work its ticket. The latest offerings all just a bit too try hard. Too undeserved edgy. And the less said about anyone giving Tom ‘mentalist’ Cruise any work ever, let alone a wider say on your project the better.

Van Helsing to me feels like an Avengers Movie before it’s time. Indeed I kinda suspect the high heedyins of the MCU have studied Van Helsing. At its core, it’s a fantastic idea. And whilst really quite flawed, it’s still a Fun Film.

The only difference is that the MCU gave its constituent parts their own movies before going for the, well, cinematic gang bang.

I find Van Helsing fits my definition of so-bad-it’s-good perfectly. There is no aspect of that film that isn’t bad—the plot, the characters, the acting, the special effects, all bad—yet they voltron into a glorious trainwreck of a film. Between Frankenstein’s Monster’s “I want to liiiiiiive” and Dracula’s “I have no joy” you’ll be imitating this film for weeks. And if you spot him, you’ll laugh every time you remember the little ugnaut guy going in circles on the wire trolley in the back of Dracula’s lab.

Gonna threadomancy, because I want to get this topic going again.

The Devil’s Rejects

Rob Zombie’s sequel to Rob Zombie already pretty ace House of 1,000 Corpses.

And it’s not a lazy sequel. It’s a proper proper “take the original premise and build upon it” sequel ala Aliens and ESB.

Somehow, it makes the Firefly Family even more awful. Beyond the merest despicable. And we see them get some Just Desserts. A bit of The Boot Being Firmly On The Other Foot. We’re encouraged to hate them. We’re encouraged that they finally face a taste of their own medicine.

And yet….and yet……the finale? What. A. Finale.

We see them having escaped said Just Desserts. At least two of them at death’s door, and I’m pretty sure when they knocked he called them rude names. But….that final scene?

We kind of, against all sense….respect them and their awful lifestyle. They don’t go into the night quietly. Lived by the sword, died by the sword. They’re sick, they’re twisted. Everything about them is wrong. But the following scene? We….kind of route for them. And dare I say it’s a pretty Orky exist from the world?

I mean for those who don’t read my waffle (and I don’t blame you to be honest. Purple is my prose)…to watch this entirely devoid of context you might think they’re Justified Outlaws Finally Brought Low By The Man.

Absolute chef’s kiss.

I’ll add Everything Everywhere All At Once. It doesn’t seem to resonate for everyone, but for me it was a moving, mind expanding experience. There are no wasted seconds in the film. Even the dumbest-seeming throwaway gag comes back with some kind of payoff later. The conclusion has like, 5 satisfying character arcs, including one for the audience perspective! The film is a masterclass in set ups and payoffs that aren’t telegraphed. The film tackles many subjects, themes and subgenres that it gave me a lot to think about even weeks after I’ve seen it.

Plus the “villain” has one of the most disturbing, badass intros in decades. I’m not sure I can post it here because it is nsfw.

There’s also a deleted scene alternate intro that really makes more sense later in the film, but is pretty wicked.