Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) - overlooked crime joint from the 70's. Mithcum is as strong as ever. Peter Boyle is solid as well (anyone seen Joe? is it any good?). nothing groundbreaking here but recommended if you're into the genre - (B)
Two Lane Blacktop (1971) - pretty interesting film. it's like Easy Rider minus any optimism whatsoever. In fact, everyone in this movie seems completely exhausted. Like remnants of a dying counter-culture just going through the motions. Warren Oates is amazing in this, and also the only actor in it who doesn't come off completely flat, and it's hard to tell if that contrast is intentional or not. dug it though. - (B)
An Education (2009) - I'm a huge Hornby fan, so this one was right up my alley. The first nightlife scene in this is so top notch, it really serves to see how Mulligan as a bored young girl can be drawn into an exciting world. Carey Mulligan came off like a young Audrey Hepburn at times. Sarsgaard delivers as well. There are 2 minutes of this film, i absolutely despised, but I loved the rest. (A-)
The Professionals (1966) - Surprised this one wasn't mentioned in the western post. Great ride, and one of Burt Lancaster's better performances. Claudia Cardinale is one of the sexiest women in history. (B+)
Public Enemies (2009)- There aren't many movies with Tommy guns i don't love. This one is no exception. I enjoyed the shit out of it, and like I said in the other post, i'm kinda surprised it doesn't get more love. (A-)
Behind Enemy Lines (2001)- fucking awful. Gene Hackman couldn't save it. I guess it's the kind of war movie fans of Sum 41 would like. one or two ok scenes here and there... the rest was garbage. don't know what else to say about it, other than it sucked. (D)
Point Blank (1967) - Lee muthafucking Marvin. They don't make movie tough guys like they used to. Simply a badass revenge flick. (B+)
Black Dynamite (2009)- pretty damn funny. y'all hyped it too much, which is nothing new, but I dug it (B)
2. "Mine" In response to Reply # 1 Mon Jul-12-10 08:24 PM by Sponge
>An Education (2009) - I'm a huge Hornby fan, so this one was >right up my alley. The first nightlife scene in this is so top >notch, it really serves to see how Mulligan as a bored young >girl can be drawn into an exciting world. Carey Mulligan came >off like a young Audrey Hepburn at times. Sarsgaard delivers >as well. There are 2 minutes of this film, i absolutely >despised, but I loved the rest. (A-)
I think Sarsgaard's performance is pretty bad.
>The Professionals (1966) - Surprised this one wasn't mentioned >in the western post. Great ride, and one of Burt Lancaster's >better performances. Claudia Cardinale is one of the sexiest >women in history. (B+)
*Adds to queue* Cardinale is near-perfect. Her Frankenstein forehead is the only blemish.
>Black Dynamite (2009)- pretty damn funny. y'all hyped it too >much, which is nothing new, but I dug it (B)
Off the top, can't think of another film since The 40YOV that made me laugh as much.
Mine:
George Washington -
Gave up twice within the past month trying to rewatch this. Just wasn't in the mood for it those times despite me wanting to see if I still liked it. Finally was able to watch this all the way through. Don't know if it'll ever move me as strongly as it did the first time. Anyway, I'm glad I own it. Solid flick.
In a Lonely Place -
Made me realize that the number of films that I still love or love even more on revisits are outnumbered by the ones that I don't. Still solid, though.
Blade Runner -
I think this is a more impressive visual work than Avatar.
Take the Money and Run -
Why the fuck don't I watch this more?
The Eclipse -
Took a while to get into it. Like, only halfway through did I not regret putting it at the top of my queue. Ciaran Hinds gives a wonderful low-key performance. Iben Hjejle is pretty great. Nice little supernatural story about grief.
really? why? I thought he made an effective creeper
>*Adds to queue* Cardinale is near-perfect. Her Frankenstein >forehead is the only blemish.
i didn't look at her forehead once
>>Black Dynamite (2009)- pretty damn funny. y'all hyped it too >>much, which is nothing new, but I dug it (B) > >Off the top, can't think of another film since The 40YOV that >made me laugh as much.
hmmm, i'd have to think. knocked up comes to mind. I'm gonna watch BD again though. some comedies don't grab me until the second time. especially when expectations are high
>Mine: > >George Washington - > >Gave up twice within the past month trying to rewatch this.
funny, i still haven't seen it. I rented it once. watched five minutes and wasn't in the mood for it. It sat in my house for 3 months until I finally gave up and sent it back to netflix. I still wanna see it lol.
>In a Lonely Place - > >Made me realize that the number of films that I still love or >love even more on revisits are outnumbered by the ones that I >don't. Still solid, though.
haha I've seen it maybe 5 times and love it more each time. It's been about 2 years. i'm due.
5. "RE: Mine" In response to Reply # 3 Tue Jul-13-10 07:08 PM by Sponge
>>I think Sarsgaard's performance is pretty bad. > >really? why? I thought he made an effective creeper
His accent is terrible. He came through in other characterization so I don't consider it terrible overall.
The film would've worked way more for me if I didn't dislike his character from the beginning. That is, if I was charmed by his David like Jenny was, my reaction to the film would've been stronger. But that's on me, not on Sarsgaard. Some people were charmed by David. Check for Fish Tank when it hits DVD. The character getting charmed by Fassbender's older guy was more convincing for me. Fassbender would've been amazing in the David role.
>>George Washington - >> >>Gave up twice within the past month trying to rewatch this. > >funny, i still haven't seen it. I rented it once. watched five >minutes and wasn't in the mood for it. It sat in my house for >3 months until I finally gave up and sent it back to netflix. >I still wanna see it lol.
The occasional humor really makes the film for me. And while there are lethargic sequences like the opening 5-15 minutes, there are enough events/moments throughout that nudge me into full engagement.
I'm really really really looking forward to Your Highness. But I wonder if GW is a territory that DGG will return to ever again.
>>In a Lonely Place - >> >>Made me realize that the number of films that I still love >or >>love even more on revisits are outnumbered by the ones that >I >>don't. Still solid, though. > >haha I've seen it maybe 5 times and love it more each time. >It's been about 2 years. i'm due.
It took me longer to get into this one than George Washington. Never got into the film that much until Dix blew up on the guy on the road. Damn, that actress's line - "Well, I'll see you later" - after Dix slapped Mel, still makes me LOL. Gloria Grahame's eyebrows really fuckin' irritated me this time especially the right one.
re: Across 110th Street
A must-see just for the location shooting and griminess you speak of.
>His accent is terrible. He came through in other >characterization so I don't consider it terrible overall. > >The film would've worked way more for me if I didn't dislike >his character from the beginning. That is, if I was charmed by >his David like Jenny was, my reaction to the film would've >been stronger. But that's on me, not on Sarsgaard. Some people >were charmed by David. Check for Fish Tank when it hits DVD. >The character getting charmed by Fassbender's older guy was >more convincing for me. Fassbender would've been amazing in >the David role.
i think that's why that first nightlife scene was so important, that and their shared interest in music. he wasn't super charming or anything, but the lifestyle he led sucked her in. he was a grown-up doing things she always dreamed of doing.. and just the fact that and someone living that lifestyle was taking her seriously. I also thought David's insecurity was kind interesting as well. Notice he proposed to her right after she seemed to be having a flirty moment with his friend.
>>His accent is terrible. He came through in other >>characterization so I don't consider it terrible overall. >> >>The film would've worked way more for me if I didn't dislike >>his character from the beginning. That is, if I was charmed >by >>his David like Jenny was, my reaction to the film would've >>been stronger. But that's on me, not on Sarsgaard. Some >people >>were charmed by David. Check for Fish Tank when it hits DVD. >>The character getting charmed by Fassbender's older guy was >>more convincing for me. Fassbender would've been amazing in >>the David role. > >i think that's why that first nightlife scene was so >important, that and their shared interest in music. he wasn't >super charming or anything, but the lifestyle he led sucked >her in. he was a grown-up doing things she always dreamed of >doing.. and just the fact that and someone living that >lifestyle was taking her seriously. I also thought David's >insecurity was kind interesting as well. Notice he proposed to >her right after she seemed to be having a flirty moment with >his friend.
I was under the impression that she was immediately attracted to him / found him charming when they met in the rain. But yeah, his lifestyle was the biggest factor for Jenny.
>George Washington - > >Gave up twice within the past month trying to rewatch this. >Just wasn't in the mood for it those times despite me wanting >to see if I still liked it. Finally was able to watch this all >the way through. Don't know if it'll ever move me as strongly >as it did the first time. Anyway, I'm glad I own it. Solid >flick.
I need to get my hands on this movie *glances at 50% off criterion post* I loved it when I first saw it, but that was about 6 years ago.
DGG has great talent and one of the strangest careers going right now.
17. "Have you seen Ratcatcher?" In response to Reply # 14 Wed Jul-14-10 05:52 PM by Sponge
I think the Malick connection is extremely tenuous considering Ramsay never saw Badlands (she used Gassenhauer) before she made Ratcatcher nor during making it. And, like, any film with fields is influenced by Malick?
The reason why I'm asking about the film: there is a plot element that Ratcatcher has in common with George Washington. And it's an excellent film.
>I need to get my hands on this movie *glances at 50% off >criterion post* >I loved it when I first saw it, but that was about 6 years >ago.
Yeah, I'm gonna go and revisit lots of films that I remember loving or liking but haven't seen in years.
>DGG has great talent and one of the strangest careers going >right now.
I like that he's growing and going in a different direction and that he is a fan of all kinds of films. But will he return to non-mainstream stuff like Soderbergh does? Not that he has to.
okaycomputer Member since Dec 02nd 2002 8090 posts
Thu Jul-15-10 06:23 AM
25. "RE: Have you seen Ratcatcher?" In response to Reply # 17
>And, like, any film with fields is influenced by Malick?
haha...too true.
>The reason why I'm asking about the film: there is a plot >element that Ratcatcher has in common with George Washington. >And it's an excellent film.
Huh, I haven't seen it, nor do I remember hearing about it...but it ended up in my Netflix instant queue somehow. I'll keep it in mind and check it out soon. A comparison to Malick and Green is enough for me...even if it isn't entirely warranted.
>>DGG has great talent and one of the strangest careers going >>right now. > >I like that he's growing and going in a different direction >and that he is a fan of all kinds of films. But will he return >to non-mainstream stuff like Soderbergh does? Not that he has >to.
He seems to be attached to Jody Hill's hip right now (fine with me). I hope we see a return to "indie" dramas sometime soon. Although, I guess Snow Angels wasn't that long ago. Excuse me, Olivia Thirlby just popped into my head, I need to go wipe the drool from my chin...
30. "RE: Have you seen Ratcatcher?" In response to Reply # 25
>Huh, I haven't seen it, nor do I remember hearing about >it...but it ended up in my Netflix instant queue somehow. >I'll keep it in mind and check it out soon. A comparison to >Malick and Green is enough for me...even if it isn't entirely >warranted.
I know this is going to set your expectations high, but I really want to express how much I value the film. It's one of the great feature debuts of all-time.
might be the grimiest movie I've ever seen, and I mean that in a good way. I thought Taxi Driver was grimey but this tops it in that sense.
It made me think about crime period pieces that take place in the 70s like Dead Presidents, or American Gangster. Not that they don't capture the era well, but they tend to focus on the beauty of it. the cars look brand new, the outfits.. it's all old stuff that looks shiny and new. even the dirty stuff looks beautiful in it's own way. Watching something like this, you notice the huge difference. Anyone trying to make a movie like that should watch this one as a point of reference. I kinda want to make a separate post on this, but I don't know how to word it.
10. "No, I don't think so" In response to Reply # 7
I love watching that kind of stuff on Discovery, History, and Nat Geo, and I'd choose Amy Mainzer (on a good eye makeup night...j/k) and Neil deGrasse Tyson as 2 of the 5 people I wish I could hang out and get drunk or high with.
12. "so far?? Knight and Day" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Jul-14-10 06:45 AM by Calico
it trips me out when people go into movies like this and get mad cause it was so unbelievable...it's a tom cruise action movie...i liked it for what it was, a forgettable, over the top, pointless, action packed summer movie....
i STILL don't even know why it was called "Knight and Day", well...not really...i get part of it...
"yes, sometimes my rhymes are sexist, but you lovely bitches and hos should know i'm tryin to correct it"- hiphopopotamus
okaycomputer Member since Dec 02nd 2002 8090 posts
Wed Jul-14-10 07:50 AM
13. "A grab bag" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Jul-14-10 07:58 AM by okaycomputer
The Staircase - A Sundance (or was it IFC) documentary in 8 hour-long parts. I was rivited and could not get enough of it, plowed through it in two nights. BUT I was so interested in the case I looked up a few books only to find out that I was most likely duped by editing and I felt a little cheated. Even though some of the drama may be manufactured from what they aren't showing, I'd still recommend it...look up the facts afterwards. (Edit: forgot to mention that this is a real-life murder trial. The camera crew has essentially 24hr access to the defendant at home and while working with the defence team.)
Firefly (complete series and Serenity) - OK Joss Whedon fans, I'm sorry. The guy has talent, it just took me a long time to come around. Firefly is fantastic, Serenity I was a bit let down on, but still okay. This might be one of my all-time favorite series, I felt an empty place in my soul and literal sadness for a few days after finishing the series (all of which is available on Netflix Watch Instantly)
The Box - Richard Kelley means well, I know he does. But...ugh. There might be a C+ directors cut in there somewhere, but as it stands now it is a D-/F
The White Ribbon - okay, I actually fell asleep about half way through. But that is in NO WAY a knock against the film, I was exhausted when I started it and never should have turned it on. What I saw I LOVED. I'm not a huge Heneke fan, but what he's doing here is right up my ally...I hope I have the same feeling at the end (I'll finish it sometime this week).
Exit Through the Gift Shop - Loved it, talked more about it in the post.
Has a lot of fans. Guess I should start watching Buffy, Angel, and Firefly.
>Firefly (complete series and Serenity) - OK Joss Whedon fans, >I'm sorry. The guy has talent, it just took me a long time to >come around. Firefly is fantastic, Serenity I was a bit let >down on, but still okay. This might be one of my all-time >favorite series, I felt an empty place in my soul and literal >sadness for a few days after finishing the series (all of >which is available on Netflix Watch Instantly)
Is Fillion's character extremely memorable or something? I see folks getting excited for anything he's involved with.
>Has a lot of fans. Guess I should start watching Buffy, >Angel, and Firefly.
Be prepared for a healthy dose of cheese, but it makes perfect summer viewing imo. I've since started watching Buffy and haven't had the instant attachment that I got with Firefly. Season 1 was tough to take, but it has improved steadily since then (currently in season 3). I'll take Firefly over it any day though.
If you haven't seen Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (also on Netflix streaming) it may be a good place to start. I think it's 6 short episodes (45 minutes total) and it'll give you a good sense of Whedon's sensibilities...plus it's great.
My God! Look at me ramble, I used to laugh at Whedonites!
>Is Fillion's character extremely memorable or something? I see >folks getting excited for anything he's involved with.
Ultimately it's the ensemble that makes the show work. Fillion happens to be the leader of the group, so I think that has a lot to do with it. He's definitely good though.
I'd liken it to your favorite character from The Wire popping up in another show.
20. "got The Head DVD in from Amazon's burn on demand thingy" In response to Reply # 0
Been so long since I've watched it that I couldn't remember much. First season was good. Second was a bit of a fall off. Hope they release Liquid Television soon
21. "RE: What did you watch this month? July edition" In response to Reply # 0
Cyrus Loved it, probably in my top 3 for the year so far, not that that's saying much unfortunately
Cleo From 5 To 7 I'm biased toward all new wave flicks that take place in Paris because I love watching my hometown as I'll never know it, but even beyond that I enjoyed this movie tremendously. Varda's directing was stellar, from the hustle and bustle of the cafe scenes to the reflective and luminous conclusion. Now I want to see more of her stuff.
Pandorum I hadn't heard anything good about this but I was in the mood for some mindless entertainment one night. Plot was meandering and average but another great performance by Ben Foster (can this dude do any wrong?) kept it interesting
Blade Runner Now this is how you do sci-fi. Even though I'm not a huge sci-fi fan I can't believe it took me this long to get around to finally watch it. Incredible visuals (is this out on blu-ray? If so this might have to be copped soon) and it was great to see how they incorporated a typical noir plot within such a rich and foreign universe.
------------------------------ For the record, my teams: MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets
okaycomputer Member since Dec 02nd 2002 8090 posts
Thu Jul-15-10 06:14 AM
24. "Blade Runner blu-ray is well worth it" In response to Reply # 21
Looks fantastic.
If you keep an eye on Amazon I've seen the 5 disc edition (that might be the only edition?) for as low as $25. It has all of Scott's 7,000 different versions of the movie (okay 5 different versions).
I'm pissed that I didn't scoop it up when the price was that low, but it is one of those titles that they randomly drop the price on from time to time.
although I generally tend to only want to watch just the movies themselves (in the best possible PQ) rather than extras, commentaries or alternate versions. But I'll def. check out for that one tks
------------------------------ For the record, my teams: MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets
>Cleo From 5 To 7 >I'm biased toward all new wave flicks that take place in Paris >because I love watching my hometown as I'll never know it, but >even beyond that I enjoyed this movie tremendously. Varda's >directing was stellar, from the hustle and bustle of the cafe >scenes to the reflective and luminous conclusion. Now I want >to see more of her stuff.
This is my favorite fictional film of hers. I love Vagabond, too. I'm a huge fan of hers for her sensibility and personality that shines in her documentaries like The Gleaners and I and The Beaches of Agnes. For $3 per film, theauteurs.com has a lot of Varda films up to watch. Most of them are either only on VHS in the US or not on DVD at all.
>This is my favorite fictional film of hers. I love Vagabond, >too. I'm a huge fan of hers for her sensibility and >personality that shines in her documentaries like The Gleaners >and I and The Beaches of Agnes. For $3 per film, >theauteurs.com has a lot of Varda films up to watch. Most of >them are either only on VHS in the US or not on DVD at all.
I'm travelling back to France next week, I'll see if I can find anything there. Although the fact that even Cleo isn't available in a mainstream DVD edition isn't encouraging. It's kinda saddening to me that a lot of the new wave or classic French flicks from the 40s and 50s are only available through Criterion and not a local publisher (at least not in a quality print; don't get me started on Rene Chateau Video). Seems like that might be changing with Studio Canal buying back the rights to certain titles from Criterion though.
------------------------------ For the record, my teams: MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets
Hot Tub Time Machine - B- Yes it was kinda dumb, but the laughs came often enough and you could tell the actors had a great time making it, which gave the film a carefree vibe which is perfect for after-work turn ya brain off viewing.
Replusion - B+ Cinematography was great, the plot left a little to be desired tho. I mean...why should we give a shit about her? Spoiler alert: I mean, if we were given a reason to relate to her emotionally, then the ending would have a lot more resonance. Instead it's just...distant chick becomes more distant, murks people in unspectacular fashion, the end.
Sherman's March - A- 80's documentary on the legendary Civil War campaign...that turns into a vehicle for the filmmaker to air out his relationship troubles. Thankfully it stays consistently funny and interesting, and doesn't dip into woe-is-me or woman hating. It's a good 2 and half hours, but it's highly recommended instant netflix viewing.
About to watch Kurosawa's High and Low for the first time. Yay!
------------------------------- If life is stupendous one cannot also demand that it should be easy. - Robert Musil
High and Low was so good. The cinematography, the heroin cop scene, the final confrontation at the end, it was tense and well paced from beginning to end. Throne of Blood was my favorite Kurosawa flick, but now I dunno man, I dunno...
A-
------------------------------- If life is stupendous one cannot also demand that it should be easy. - Robert Musil
>High and Low was so good. The cinematography, the heroin cop >scene, the final confrontation at the end, it was tense and >well paced from beginning to end. Throne of Blood was my >favorite Kurosawa flick, but now I dunno man, I dunno... > >A-
High and Low is, comparatively, Kurosawa's least mentioned masterpiece. I think Seven Samurai is his greatest achievement, but because of the running time, I'd rather watch Hight and Low.
Glad you dug Sherman's March. I'm pretty sure you'll dig Bright Leaves and Time Indefinite, too. The only thing I don't like is his voice, but that's something that's easy to overlook.
40. "RE: July viewings:" In response to Reply # 23
>Hot Tub Time Machine - B- Yes it was kinda dumb, but the >laughs came often enough and you could tell the actors had a >great time making it, which gave the film a carefree vibe >which is perfect for after-work turn ya brain off viewing. > >Replusion - B+ Cinematography was great, the plot left a >little to be desired tho. I mean...why should we give a shit >about her? Spoiler alert: I mean, if we were given a reason to >relate to her emotionally, then the ending would have a lot >more resonance. Instead it's just...distant chick becomes more >distant, murks people in unspectacular fashion, the end. > >Sherman's March - A- 80's documentary on the legendary Civil >War campaign...that turns into a vehicle for the filmmaker to >air out his relationship troubles. Thankfully it stays >consistently funny and interesting, and doesn't dip into >woe-is-me or woman hating. It's a good 2 and half hours, but >it's highly recommended instant netflix viewing. > >About to watch Kurosawa's High and Low for the first time. >Yay!
surprised i cant find High and Low online, been looking for this for a bit
>-CHARLEY VARRICK (Mathau had some screen presence in his >younger days huh? my god this film made me wanna check for his >other stuff)
He's great in The Laughing Policeman and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, and the movies are great, too. That's a hell of a string of 3 performances and films in a row.
42. "netflix recommended both of those for me " In response to Reply # 36
>He's great in The Laughing Policeman and The Taking of Pelham >One Two Three, and the movies are great, too. That's a hell of >a string of 3 performances and films in a row. >
can't wait to watch, I'm on a 70's film kick lately
35. "The Dinner Game, The Great Dictator, Marty" In response to Reply # 0
The Dinner Game - This is what Dinner For Schmucks is a remake of. I really, really liked it. Has an obvious play vibe (only a few locations, long scenes) but just incredible interplay.
The Great Dictator - I had no idea this wasn't a silent film. I was pretty astounded. Then I found out it came out before knowledge of the holocaust was known, and before Pearl Harbor for that matter. Amazing, but honestly, it feels longer than it is. Chaplin's speech at the end was incredible. This was actually my first Chaplin movie.
Marty - Never heard of it before but I really, really liked it. And I think I finally found the origin of the "So I says to Mabel, I says" reference from The Simpsons!
---- I check for: Serengeti, Zeroh, Open Mike Eagle, Jeremiah Jae, Moka Only.
> >>A Boy and His Dog - peculiar B Movie > >The short story is fantastic, but I'm biased as a Harlan >Ellison fan. > >>Mystery Team - shouldnt havelet critics scare me away as >much >>as i love Derrick Comedy. it worked for me > >Thanks. Just added it to my queue. > >>Dead Snow - i had low expectations, but this was actually >>pretty bad ass. > >This too.
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