Last Movie You Watched Thread
01-27-15, 03:04 PM
#3102
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I will give it a listen, but I keep hoping in vain for an anniversary Blu-ray edition the final includes the damn mono track.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers- Phillip Kaufman's remake of the Don Siegel horror classic moves the action from the small town to the big city and ties the film's themes in with the end of the bohemian flower-power generation, though retaining many key scenes. But whereas Siegel's film is about paranoia and shot in expressionistic shadows, Kaufman's film favors a more European aesthetic of slower, more deliberate Haneke-Esque of existential dread, more interested in getting under your skin. It's a different but equally valid approach, and it yields a less lean but more unsettling film of nihilism, where inside and outside both lead the same place. There are still a handful of spooky classic horror film images with a screeching soundtrack, and Scorsese's right hand Michael Chapman shoots the film with an icy, suffocating sense of inevitability. Part of the unholy remake trinity with Cronenberg's The Fly and Carpenter's The Thing. The last of the dying gasp of the 1970s new waved mixed with pulp horror to create an unsettling portrayal of the existential malaise yet to come.
The Dead- John Huston's final film, adapted from a James Joyce tale, an achingly beautiful, melancholic, elegiac meditation on the crushing weigh of mortality, the power of secrets, the difficulties of relationships, constrictions of society, the existential and painful weight of self-awareness, and the painful truths of learning about yourself. Directed by the director from a wheelchair with an oxygen mask at the end of his life, the film's simple surface hides many themes, including dark political underpinnings, and suggests that we know very little about others, even those we love, and worse, that it's even harder to know yourself. It's occasionally hard to translate Joyce's extraordinary prose to cinema, but the film depicts amazing moments of epiphany and self-awareness in ways which are beautifully performed by actors who depict almost internal conflicts in an extraordinarily cinematic way. Not a good film for one going through an existential mortality crisis, but a beautiful film which will haunt you long after it's over.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers- Phillip Kaufman's remake of the Don Siegel horror classic moves the action from the small town to the big city and ties the film's themes in with the end of the bohemian flower-power generation, though retaining many key scenes. But whereas Siegel's film is about paranoia and shot in expressionistic shadows, Kaufman's film favors a more European aesthetic of slower, more deliberate Haneke-Esque of existential dread, more interested in getting under your skin. It's a different but equally valid approach, and it yields a less lean but more unsettling film of nihilism, where inside and outside both lead the same place. There are still a handful of spooky classic horror film images with a screeching soundtrack, and Scorsese's right hand Michael Chapman shoots the film with an icy, suffocating sense of inevitability. Part of the unholy remake trinity with Cronenberg's The Fly and Carpenter's The Thing. The last of the dying gasp of the 1970s new waved mixed with pulp horror to create an unsettling portrayal of the existential malaise yet to come.
The Dead- John Huston's final film, adapted from a James Joyce tale, an achingly beautiful, melancholic, elegiac meditation on the crushing weigh of mortality, the power of secrets, the difficulties of relationships, constrictions of society, the existential and painful weight of self-awareness, and the painful truths of learning about yourself. Directed by the director from a wheelchair with an oxygen mask at the end of his life, the film's simple surface hides many themes, including dark political underpinnings, and suggests that we know very little about others, even those we love, and worse, that it's even harder to know yourself. It's occasionally hard to translate Joyce's extraordinary prose to cinema, but the film depicts amazing moments of epiphany and self-awareness in ways which are beautifully performed by actors who depict almost internal conflicts in an extraordinarily cinematic way. Not a good film for one going through an existential mortality crisis, but a beautiful film which will haunt you long after it's over.
Last edited by hanshotfirst1138; 01-27-15 at 08:20 PM.
01-28-15, 08:48 AM
#3103
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Tokyo Story - 4.5/5
An elderly couple leave their small town to visit their grown children in Tokyo. Once there they realize that the values of their generation have been replaced by the greed and selfishness of the new generation of an industrialized Japan. Excellent film by one of the greatest Japanesse directors of all time.
An elderly couple leave their small town to visit their grown children in Tokyo. Once there they realize that the values of their generation have been replaced by the greed and selfishness of the new generation of an industrialized Japan. Excellent film by one of the greatest Japanesse directors of all time.
01-28-15, 09:08 AM
#3104
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
The Zero Theorem - 4/5
In a dystopian society a mathematician searches for the purpose of his life by taking on an impossible assignment from his employer. A surprisingly good film that reminded me a bit of Brazil, but yet stands up on its own and shows us that Terry Gilliam still has it.
In a dystopian society a mathematician searches for the purpose of his life by taking on an impossible assignment from his employer. A surprisingly good film that reminded me a bit of Brazil, but yet stands up on its own and shows us that Terry Gilliam still has it.
01-28-15, 02:22 PM
#3106
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
3/5 is kind of a high rating for meh.
01-28-15, 07:13 PM
#3107
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Gone Girl 4/5
I liked the movie. Never read the book but man, here's a couple that deserves each other. Fincher highlighting the sanctity of marriage. I liked the ending too. I thought it was perfect.
I liked the movie. Never read the book but man, here's a couple that deserves each other. Fincher highlighting the sanctity of marriage. I liked the ending too. I thought it was perfect.
01-29-15, 09:01 AM
#3109
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Osaka Elegy - 4/5
A young Japanese switchboard operator puts her reputation at stake by dabbling in prostitution to help her family pay off their debts. An early minor gem from the great Kenji Mizoguchi.
A young Japanese switchboard operator puts her reputation at stake by dabbling in prostitution to help her family pay off their debts. An early minor gem from the great Kenji Mizoguchi.
01-30-15, 01:57 AM
#3110
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Maniac (1980)
Vigilante (1983)
Double Feature with new DCPs AND William Lustig in attendance! During the end credits of Vigilante, Lustig had Robert Forster on speakerphone on his phone talking to the audience!
Such a great/fun night!
Vigilante (1983)
Double Feature with new DCPs AND William Lustig in attendance! During the end credits of Vigilante, Lustig had Robert Forster on speakerphone on his phone talking to the audience!
Such a great/fun night!
Last edited by asianxcore; 01-30-15 at 02:19 AM.
01-30-15, 01:29 PM
#3112
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
The Quiet Man - A friend gave me the DVD as a present over the summer, saying it was one of her dad's favorite movies and she grew up watching it repeatedly because of that. I finally got around to opening it up last night and really enjoyed it. The film was fun and the Irish scenery was absolutely beautiful. (I imagine it looks even better on BR.) Maureen O'Hara's no hag, either.
There's a pretty thick booklet that came with the DVD that I'm looking forward to reading.John Wayne's catalog is a real blind spot of mine. I think I've only seen Donovan's Reef and The Searchers. Same with John Ford movies. Those three are the only ones of his I've watched.
01-30-15, 02:26 PM
#3113
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Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Project Almanac
This one was a sweet surprise. It's got a rather overdone setting, but it works because it's never overplayed. While the characters are no more than your archetypal high-school ensemble, with some more talented persona than others, their interactions and reactions never feel forced. Characters do reckless things that cause problems. They do stupid things to fix their problems. What about that is wrong?
It understands its concept, but gives you just enough exposition to know that time travel is screwing things around without burning out the mystery behind why it works the way it does. Many time travel movies either give you a full, in-depth explanation as to how it works, or just ignores the question entirely. Project Almanac is a nice blend of this. Some of the logic and reasoning is made clear, other aspects are hinted at, and some are left to the imagination.
It's just a nice change of pace, honestly. The movie has a firm grip on tone and atmosphere. That's more than I can say for most of the other January releases.
3.5/5
This one was a sweet surprise. It's got a rather overdone setting, but it works because it's never overplayed. While the characters are no more than your archetypal high-school ensemble, with some more talented persona than others, their interactions and reactions never feel forced. Characters do reckless things that cause problems. They do stupid things to fix their problems. What about that is wrong?
It understands its concept, but gives you just enough exposition to know that time travel is screwing things around without burning out the mystery behind why it works the way it does. Many time travel movies either give you a full, in-depth explanation as to how it works, or just ignores the question entirely. Project Almanac is a nice blend of this. Some of the logic and reasoning is made clear, other aspects are hinted at, and some are left to the imagination.
It's just a nice change of pace, honestly. The movie has a firm grip on tone and atmosphere. That's more than I can say for most of the other January releases.
3.5/5
Last edited by Kiniest; 01-30-15 at 02:38 PM.
01-30-15, 08:14 PM
#3114
DVD Talk God
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
No Good Deed (2014)
Watching this now via Target Ticket. Super dumb movie despite 2 decent leads. Basically a bad Lifetime movie of the week made for theaters.
01-30-15, 08:53 PM
#3115
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Taken 3...sucked.
Still Alice...really strong performance and heartbreaking. great movie.
A Most Violent Year...i am thoroughly intrigued.
next up...Marion Cottiard in Two Days, One Night.
Still Alice...really strong performance and heartbreaking. great movie.
A Most Violent Year...i am thoroughly intrigued.
next up...Marion Cottiard in Two Days, One Night.
Last edited by OldBoy; 01-30-15 at 09:08 PM.
01-31-15, 11:23 AM
#3118
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Sisters of the Gion - 4.5/5
The lives of two sisters who are both geishas and are complete opposites. The younger a more modern woman who manipulates men and the older a more traditional one who is subservient. Another early lesser known gem from the great Kenji Mizoguchi.
The lives of two sisters who are both geishas and are complete opposites. The younger a more modern woman who manipulates men and the older a more traditional one who is subservient. Another early lesser known gem from the great Kenji Mizoguchi.
01-31-15, 08:09 PM
#3121
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Something new I decided to do at the start of this new year: List down every movie I watched throughout the whole month. Bolded movies are my likes/recommendations. All are first-time viewings.
Spoiler:
01-31-15, 09:42 PM
#3122
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Streamers - 4/5
Robert Altman film based on a play about four young soldiers about to be sent to Vietnam and how they deal with issues of race, class and sexuality.
The tension in the way it was filmed and good performances help to elevate the film from its theatrical origins.
Robert Altman film based on a play about four young soldiers about to be sent to Vietnam and how they deal with issues of race, class and sexuality.
The tension in the way it was filmed and good performances help to elevate the film from its theatrical origins.
02-01-15, 10:51 AM
#3123
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It was okay. I'm glad I rented it, because it's not really something I would watch again any time soon.
It was okay. I'm glad I rented it, because it's not really something I would watch again any time soon.
02-01-15, 02:09 PM
#3124
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Women of the Night - 4/5
Mizoguchi's neorealist influenced film adapted from a novel about two sisters and the things they do to survive after losing their loved ones in WWII.
A very raw film for its time which borders on exploitation due to its explicitness but nevertheless packs a punch due to the solid direction.
Mizoguchi's neorealist influenced film adapted from a novel about two sisters and the things they do to survive after losing their loved ones in WWII.
A very raw film for its time which borders on exploitation due to its explicitness but nevertheless packs a punch due to the solid direction.
02-01-15, 10:57 PM
#3125
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
Saw Project Almanac today and since there's no thread for it. Regarding the ending...
Spoiler: