Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
#76
DVD Talk Legend
#77
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I'm thinking I'm gonna write a full review for this one. Bottom line though, it's Friedkin's best work in decades and the writing of Joe's true nature is amazingly clever and subtle. Some may think of it as a negative, but it wasn't until the final frame that I felt justified in laughing at a lot of the movie. It really is a sinister black comedy. Frankly I think the NC-17 rating was honestly an MPAA vendetta against Friedkin's outspoken nature as I've seen far worse get an "R," however a noticeable amount of people did walk out during "the scene."
I will say the movie has immortalized Clarence Carter's "Strokin"
My theory on Joe's true nature
I will say the movie has immortalized Clarence Carter's "Strokin"
My theory on Joe's true nature
Spoiler:
Last edited by Boba Fett; 09-03-12 at 11:57 PM.
#82
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Just caught a matinee of this movie, and it rocked like nothing I've seen all year. One would suspect a director in his later years would lack a certain energy, but this was vigorous, potent and immediate film making. McConaughey has gotten all of the buzz, but I really locked onto Emil Hirsch's manic, desperate performance - he summed up the disgust at the trashy, amoral world he was born into. Juno Temple has a body that should never be clothed. I was with a mixed crowd (college kids, an elderly couple directly behind me, two women in front) and the crowd on the whole seemed to get the movie's rotten humor. We tend to oversell to others the movies we love and I was anticipating a letdown, but for once, all of the hype I heard was on the money.
#83
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Just saw this today and I must say that I was blown away. Friedkin & Letts have hit it out of the park again. All the actors in this were amazing especially Matthew McConaughey, he needs to stay away from the RomComs and do more of this.
I usually don't do this, but I've got to say :
Juno Temple
I usually don't do this, but I've got to say :
Juno Temple
#84
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Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I took my wife to see this today. I had already seen it, but was willing to see it again.
There was one walk-out, but it was relatively early in the film. One out of 15 isn't bad.
I enjoyed it much more the second time around. I appreciated some of the humour that went over my head the first time. The final 15 minutes was just as unsettling, though.
Great flick.
There was one walk-out, but it was relatively early in the film. One out of 15 isn't bad.
I enjoyed it much more the second time around. I appreciated some of the humour that went over my head the first time. The final 15 minutes was just as unsettling, though.
Great flick.
#85
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Finally saw it today, it reminded me of Blue Velvet or Wild at Heart more than the other films listed.
Didn't care for Hirsch but the rest of the cast was great , and I can't stand MM... Now Family Guy can add one more film to the few good films he has made. (although I thought the opening scene played like bad theatre)
The one distraction for me was the set with the television/ entertainment center.. It looked too much like a set and was too clean to be a white trash abode. I kept focusing on it rather than plot when they cut to that angle. If it's playing again next weekend I will take friends to see it for shock value.
Didn't care for Hirsch but the rest of the cast was great , and I can't stand MM... Now Family Guy can add one more film to the few good films he has made. (although I thought the opening scene played like bad theatre)
The one distraction for me was the set with the television/ entertainment center.. It looked too much like a set and was too clean to be a white trash abode. I kept focusing on it rather than plot when they cut to that angle. If it's playing again next weekend I will take friends to see it for shock value.
#87
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
glad to see someone mention this. the "chicken" scene was like something straight out of BLUE VELVET. excellent flick. great performances all around. juno temple has a fantastic body.
#88
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Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I just finished watching this. Liked it a lot but I wouldn't call it a great movie and I think some of the reaction to it is a bit over-the-top. I read Ebert's (positive) review and from his reaction you'd think he'd never seen anything as violent and depraved. Does he not remember his four star review for The Last House On The Left? Now that was a truly despicable movie.
Anyway, a few comments on Caleb Deschaniel's work and digital in general.
Thankfully, nice color. No digital ugly-filter here. And while the film was extremely well-lit and looked good, there is still a "digital-ness" which is really obvious in scenes shot in bright sunlight and some shots in the strip-club (mainly shots with neon lights in the background). I just think digital is very unforgiving in scenes where the lighting can't be carefully controlled (eg exteriors in full, bright sunlight).
I also think maybe the lenses today are too sharp. I know that will cause a lot of eye-rolling but IMO lenses like that are great for nature docs and the like, but for cinema I'd prefer focus to be a fair bit softer. I also enjoy the shallow depth of field and distortions of the older panavision lenses.
I don't want to quite say that I'm warming up to digital, but if cinematographers would start making their digitally shot movies look more like film, either through lenses or software or both, I'd be a much happier camper.
Anyway, a few comments on Caleb Deschaniel's work and digital in general.
Thankfully, nice color. No digital ugly-filter here. And while the film was extremely well-lit and looked good, there is still a "digital-ness" which is really obvious in scenes shot in bright sunlight and some shots in the strip-club (mainly shots with neon lights in the background). I just think digital is very unforgiving in scenes where the lighting can't be carefully controlled (eg exteriors in full, bright sunlight).
I also think maybe the lenses today are too sharp. I know that will cause a lot of eye-rolling but IMO lenses like that are great for nature docs and the like, but for cinema I'd prefer focus to be a fair bit softer. I also enjoy the shallow depth of field and distortions of the older panavision lenses.
I don't want to quite say that I'm warming up to digital, but if cinematographers would start making their digitally shot movies look more like film, either through lenses or software or both, I'd be a much happier camper.
#89
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Damn you Redbox! I was curious about this film and I was ready to rent it, but apparently they're only carrying the cut R-rated version. I have zero interest in seeing a censored cut of the film, and it's a pretty good bet my local library is to going to carry it either. I'm not sure, but my guess would be that Netflix have copped out and only carry the R-rated cut as well.
Last edited by hanshotfirst1138; 01-07-13 at 02:22 PM.
#90
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Netflix was Unrated. I liked this. I didn't see what all the fuss was about and the rated/unrated drama? Yea some of the violence was brutal...but I've seen worse. Was it about the chicken scene? Oh well.
It was nice to see Emile Hirsch in a good role. I hadn't seen him in a "leading" role in a while. I've seen a lot of movies with Juno Temple in them recently and shes a real talent. Great acting all around.
It was nice to see Emile Hirsch in a good role. I hadn't seen him in a "leading" role in a while. I've seen a lot of movies with Juno Temple in them recently and shes a real talent. Great acting all around.
#91
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Watched this last night right before bed. ZOWIE that was a mistake. I really enjoyed the movie quite a bit; 4 on a 5 scale, easy. Absolutely loved the aburptness of the ending, one as capricious and amoral and fitting as everything that preceded it. Gina Gershon's merkin should win an Oscar.
#92
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Damn you Redbox! I was curious about this film and I was ready to rent it, but apparently they're only carrying the cut R-rated version. I have zero interest in seeing a censored cut of the film, and it's a pretty good bet my local library is to going to carry it either. I'm not sure, but my guess would be that Netflix have copped out and only carry the R-rated cut as well.
#93
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
Watched this last night right before bed. ZOWIE that was a mistake. I really enjoyed the movie quite a bit; 4 on a 5 scale, easy. Absolutely loved the aburptness of the ending, one as capricious and amoral and fitting as everything that preceded it. Gina Gershon's merkin should win an Oscar.
#94
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
My PPV had it listed as NC-17. Any difference between that and the Unrated cut?
#95
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
#96
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I wonder if I can order the NC-17 cut for my free movie on AT&T U-verse or of NC-17 stuff is taboo to them.
#97
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I'm surprised there's an R-rated cut available on DVD. Wasn't this released to theaters NC-17 because they refused to cut it down to an R?
#98
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
I really liked the tone of this movie, but end the end I was disappointed though, especially with the ending. I'm guessing (hoping) that this movie was deeper than what it appeared on the surface though so hopefully there can be more discussion on this.
Spoiler:
#99
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Killer Joe (D: Friedkin, S: McConaughey, Hirsch, Haden-Church)
#100
DVD Talk Hero