Last Movie Watched
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L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
As for The Neon Demon, I have a lot to say, but the short version is that it is, like its subjects, very pretty but ultimately flawed and vacant.
Also, I'm not sure how long this will last, but there is an advert on its IMDB page that changes the design of the whole entry. It's not super-special, but it's kind of a neat in its way.
Also, I'm not sure how long this will last, but there is an advert on its IMDB page that changes the design of the whole entry. It's not super-special, but it's kind of a neat in its way.
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
After some extremely disappointing movies so far this summer I told Kingsqueen that I would only pay for potentially ****ty movies if we doubled up and snuck into a second potentially ****ty movie. So, with that in mind and SmytheKing and his lovely +1 in tow...
Well. Color me surprised. Not a bad movie at all. Some very deft and clever work at the beginning to start with Lord Greystoke already in civilization. His origin is parsed out in quick hits and it made a nice change of pace from the 'before we can actually get started' rule. Problems? Sure. Tarzan and Jane are about as uninteresting as two white people 'saving' the Congo can be. But Christoph Waltz and Sam L. Jackson( both in auto pilot mode) are enough to give the movie the character it needed. Mr Liles from Penny Dreadful shows up( hardly recognized him...but that voice is unmistakable), so that was a plus. Nothing groundbreaking or new...but a better take on a character who has zero relevance that anyone had a right to expect.
Sometimes a bad movie crosses over into extremely watchable territory. Button pushing and about as subtle as a kick to the jimmie...but damned if it didn't keep you interested. Mykelleti Williams(Bubba from Forrest Gump) actually brings some nice work to a movie that you wouldn't expect character development in, despite the obvious arc. At times it reminded me of a lot of other movies...Assault on Precinct 13, Running Man, etc...you see the trend? B movies that actually had a little strange magic. The politics were wonky...but it still almost felt dangerously close to home. A strange bird of a movie indeed. Side note: anyone who goes to Horror Nights at Universal...whole scenes of this movie almost feel like they were made with maze fodder in mind.
Well. Color me surprised. Not a bad movie at all. Some very deft and clever work at the beginning to start with Lord Greystoke already in civilization. His origin is parsed out in quick hits and it made a nice change of pace from the 'before we can actually get started' rule. Problems? Sure. Tarzan and Jane are about as uninteresting as two white people 'saving' the Congo can be. But Christoph Waltz and Sam L. Jackson( both in auto pilot mode) are enough to give the movie the character it needed. Mr Liles from Penny Dreadful shows up( hardly recognized him...but that voice is unmistakable), so that was a plus. Nothing groundbreaking or new...but a better take on a character who has zero relevance that anyone had a right to expect.
Sometimes a bad movie crosses over into extremely watchable territory. Button pushing and about as subtle as a kick to the jimmie...but damned if it didn't keep you interested. Mykelleti Williams(Bubba from Forrest Gump) actually brings some nice work to a movie that you wouldn't expect character development in, despite the obvious arc. At times it reminded me of a lot of other movies...Assault on Precinct 13, Running Man, etc...you see the trend? B movies that actually had a little strange magic. The politics were wonky...but it still almost felt dangerously close to home. A strange bird of a movie indeed. Side note: anyone who goes to Horror Nights at Universal...whole scenes of this movie almost feel like they were made with maze fodder in mind.
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lagwagon0
Lurker
Pretty meh over the top sequel, usually love Ray Stevenson but this felt like a pass outside of some silly enjoyable violence.
Grade: C
Solid, and I think Thomas Jane handled the character well. I don't know the comic well enough to know how accurate it is but it was simply much better done than the sequel.
Grade: B-
Excellent, on par with the original. Pair a couple of good leads with a proven director who seems to care about his craft and you get this very well done horror movie.
Grade: A
Wry, very funny and a must see animated movie.
Grade: A
Delicious, low budget horror western.
Grade: A-
Worth a view but ultimately just a decently acted b-movie to me.
Grade: B-
Great book and nearly as good as a movie.
Grade: A
Wow, can't believe I hadn't seen this. Haunting, beautifully shot and mesmerizing.
Grade: A+
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L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
[MENTION=492]lagwagon0[/MENTION], all the image links show up as broken to me, so I don't know what movies are being referenced.
orpheus
The Dolphin Cares!
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Caught Michel Gondry's Microbe and Gasoline (Microbe et Gasoil) on Saturday. It's a charming coming-of-age, road-trip story. Gondry's sensibilities enable this to live somewhere between any number of European coming-of-age stories from any era and similar American pictures from the '70s or so. Very much a nostalgia piece both in theme and approach. Enjoyed this one a lot.
Also, finally saw Midnight Special. I also liked this. It was nice to watch the story reveal itself. Solid entertainment.
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
Caught Michel Gondry's Microbe and Gasoline (Microbe et Gasoil) on Saturday. It's a charming coming-of-age, road-trip story. Gondry's sensibilities enable this to live somewhere between any number of European coming-of-age stories from any era and similar American pictures from the '70s or so. Very much a nostalgia piece both in theme and approach. Enjoyed this one a lot.
Also, finally saw Midnight Special. I also liked this. It was nice to watch the story reveal itself. Solid entertainment.
Glad you liked Midnight Special...
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lagwagon0
Lurker
Was still showing for me but I've changed the source on the pictures.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Captain Fantastic - In a word, fantastic. In two: Viggo Mortensen. Frank Langella is, briefly, also good as usual, and the kids are amazing. I like Missi Pyle, too, so it was nice to see her briefly as well.
Zero Days - This is far from Gibney's best documentary, but the discussion is an important one. In this sense, this film and Captain Fantastic have something in common: there is a bias to the storytelling, but there is also food for further consideration and discussion It's overly sensational in parts and underdeveloped in others, but, on the whole, I thought it was compelling.
Pulled from random on the IMDB top movies list....its actually six vignettes. Some are scary, some are funny, all are well acted and amusing. Glad I watched it and wont give any spoilers at all but this was a case of watching a movie knowing nothing at all about it going in and be pleasantly surprised. Not sure Id give it a 10...but certainly an 8 or 8.5. The last vignette in particular was quite funny.
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LetTigerIn
Lurker
Star Trek: Beyond - I mentioned in another thread that this was my least favorite movie of the year. That is true. That's not to say it is the technically worst movie I've seen this year, just my least favorite. I have to confess, I was excited by the prospect of JJ Abrams producing Justin Lin directing a Simon Pegg script, but to its detriment, it felt to me like all Justin Lin with very little Simon Pegg. As a summer action romp with familiar characters, it pretty much works, so if you can turn off your expectations there, I think it could be a smash. The problem for me is that both Star Trek and Simon Pegg have been able to deliver, well, Beyond those expectations traditionally, and that influence is somewhat lacking here.
That's not to say there weren't things about it that I liked. In fact, I loved:
- The core cast, especially Urban, Quinto and Pine, in roughly that order (Which reminds me how bad I want a Dredd 2 that will never happen. Bleh.)
- Sofia Boutella is great in this! Funny thing is that after I got home from the movie, Kingsmen was on, so I ended up getting a sort of Boutella double feature.
- The nods to classic Trek and to Nimoy in particular. And also to Anton Yelchin; definitely emotional to watch him perform.
- IMAX laser. Laser! *pew pew pew*
However, some of my problems with the movie included:
- The sometimes dizzying and nauseating shot-making, especially in IMAX 3-D. Please, if your movie is going to play on the biggest screens, make sure it's designed appropriately.
- Lack of logic. Sometimes characters know things they shouldn't. Possibly left on the edit room floor, but in a franchise with multiple Spocks, logic should seldom be absent.
- The feels are missing. You know how in a Simon Pegg script, those silly bits of banter between characters somehow pay off in some meaningful way? Well, maybe Justin Lin doesn't, or maybe Pegg botched for once (I liked Paul, so make from that what you will). By the way, if the feels were powerful enough, I'd easily forgive some of the lack of logic. Somehow, though, when the feels are missing, I judge the other flaws more harshly. Maybe it's more that all these things don't add up to something surprising that is the real problem. If they do add up to anything at all.
- No follow through on subplots or resonant themes. For example, no spoilers — and I'm about to unfairly stand Beyond up against The Wrath of Khan — there are threads in both Beyond and Khan about captains with doubts. Events in Khan continue to pluck on those notes symphonically, with different instruments playing on that theme harmoniously; while in Beyond, such moments often feel like an extra appendage.
Basically, it's not that Beyond is a horrendous movie, but it is a very rote, unsurprising movie, and to me that's not good enough, especially for Star Trek and Simon Pegg.
R
roenick
Lurker
This one finally came through on the Netflix DVD queue based upon an LGK recommendation (this thread I think). All I can say is WOW! Trippy concept and great look from Rosario - that woman is a beauty! See the movie and you will understand!
R
roenick
Lurker
Watched this last night and very much enjoyed it. If there is someone else who should voice The Joker other then Mark Hamill I would love to know who it is. The guy was made for that role. Movie was true to the depiction of a horrible story but incredibly done.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Let's Be Evil — Decent premise that never quite lives up to its promise, either in terms of horror or social commentary. Playing this week at Arena Cinema.
Sun Choke — One of the surprises so far this year for me. Horror icon Barbara Crampton is great in this, and Sara Hagan — who, up until now, I still associated with Buffy the Vampire Slayer — is even better. This is a gripping tale of madness. I don't want to say too much, because the ride is fascinating. Also playing this week at Arena Cinema.
Lace Crater — On the fence on this one. Horror/Comedy/Drama about a woman who has sex with a ghost. Promising start and some good moments, but very uneven. Lindsay Burdge was very good in this, though. Yet again, playing this week at Arena Cinema.
Suicide Squad — Even going in with low expectations, it was still bad, but it had its good moments. It was like you tore up a bunch of miscellaneous comics and threw the pages in a pile on the floor, then picked up about 30 of them and read them in random order. Some of the pages will be great, some will be terrible, and, on the whole, it will not make a lick of sense how it's put together. It's a mess. However, Will Smith shows his A-list movie star charisma and manages a breezy performance that shines in this turd of a movie. In some ways, I liked this better than Star Trek: Beyond. The credits are also really cool.
The Witch — Decided to watch this one before it dropped off the DVR. And I liked it, though it did not enthrall me. The dialect annoyed me at times, but I admired the commitment to the presentation. In other words, The Witch is good craft.
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
So yeah...
I LOVE the original SS as designed by John Ostrander. Was one of my fave comics. I have kept up with the Secret Six and all the other New 52 iterations...now this. First off. There is enough here to like. It's a decent time at the movies. But clearly, 6 weeks is not enough of time to write a script. This article Let’s Talk About The Ending Of ’Suicide Squad’ http://uproxx.com/movies/suicide-squad-ending/ basically talks about how the final third of the movie is almost entirely lifted from Ghostbusters. And it is. You almost expect Enchantress to reference Zuul at some point. It was illogical as hell that Enchantress appeared to be ready with her magic doo dad, yet felt she had to shimmy and change into primal form to fight the woefully underpowered squad. And Slipknot? Every villain gets a dossier style introduction...when they are finally assembled a van pulls up and 'oh, it's Slipkot' he's part of the team too. Just not long enough to get an introduction. Look, if you are going to have a threat of a character getting killed if he doesn't comply, how bout you introduce some actual stakes? He may as well been named cannon fodder. Across the board, the characters, although altered, were pretty solid. Captain Boomerang, despite being changed the most(in the comics he was a backstabber and a coward) suffered the worst. His power appeared to be uselessness. The only time he ever did anything, throw a boomerang, it was harmlessly swatted away. YET, Jai Courtney brought enough to the part that he was a welcome part of the movie. Harley Quinn was fun. Robbie did a fine job. The puddin'/accent was well done. No complaints there. Diablo...ok, well played by Jay Hernandez, but come on. That was such a stereotype filled storyline. And Deadshot. Ok...I got over the race changing, despite my affection for the original character. BUT HERE IS WHERE THE MOVIE FAILS!!!! Deadshot in the comics, was unapologetic. A cold, clinical sociopath with gallows humor and a potential death wish. In the movie, he is a loving father and good friend(when the rubber meets the road) who is the proverbial 'hooker with a heart of gold'. None of these characters have emotional/moral depth. It was the hallmark of the initial run that the clashing personalities and shifting alliances made everything that much more dramatic. ALL of these team movies fail in the portrayal of actual human dynamics. Mild friction and then, aw shucks, the world needs us. NO. That's not real. And the Suicide Squad was all about doing dirty at the right times to survive, but not necessarily 'having someone's back'. Hell, half the time Cap'n Boomerang was trying to figure out how to sabotage things and get someone killed. There was ZERO actual villainry on display. Unless you count Amanda Waller, who is presented as a blank slate who does more vile things than anyone she is in charge of. They tried for 'uncompromising', and would up with again...sociopath.
The worst crime is...when it works, this movie is very good. Despite the changes, despite the 'softening'. So, a GREAT movie was there for the taking. But, lack of prep time, studio interference(I would imagine, most of the ending of this movie is due to 'notes' from the execs) and just a misunderstanding of the source material hamstrung this movie. David Ayers is capable of doing dark. And I think he wanted to. But in trying to please all people, WB/DC just gripped this too hard. I hope they learn how to actually trust in people they choose and also to trust in source material and the philosophical designs of the authors. If you want to differentiate your properties from Marvel, allow for the complexity. That is the essential difference between Marvel and DC. Marvel tends towards light/adventure while DC's better comics were always more about the psychology of the individual. When they can harness that, they can establish their brand. Until then, back to the drawing board.
So yeah...
I LOVE the original SS as designed by John Ostrander. Was one of my fave comics. I have kept up with the Secret Six and all the other New 52 iterations...now this. First off. There is enough here to like. It's a decent time at the movies. But clearly, 6 weeks is not enough of time to write a script. This article Let’s Talk About The Ending Of ’Suicide Squad’ http://uproxx.com/movies/suicide-squad-ending/ basically talks about how the final third of the movie is almost entirely lifted from Ghostbusters. And it is. You almost expect Enchantress to reference Zuul at some point. It was illogical as hell that Enchantress appeared to be ready with her magic doo dad, yet felt she had to shimmy and change into primal form to fight the woefully underpowered squad. And Slipknot? Every villain gets a dossier style introduction...when they are finally assembled a van pulls up and 'oh, it's Slipkot' he's part of the team too. Just not long enough to get an introduction. Look, if you are going to have a threat of a character getting killed if he doesn't comply, how bout you introduce some actual stakes? He may as well been named cannon fodder. Across the board, the characters, although altered, were pretty solid. Captain Boomerang, despite being changed the most(in the comics he was a backstabber and a coward) suffered the worst. His power appeared to be uselessness. The only time he ever did anything, throw a boomerang, it was harmlessly swatted away. YET, Jai Courtney brought enough to the part that he was a welcome part of the movie. Harley Quinn was fun. Robbie did a fine job. The puddin'/accent was well done. No complaints there. Diablo...ok, well played by Jay Hernandez, but come on. That was such a stereotype filled storyline. And Deadshot. Ok...I got over the race changing, despite my affection for the original character. BUT HERE IS WHERE THE MOVIE FAILS!!!! Deadshot in the comics, was unapologetic. A cold, clinical sociopath with gallows humor and a potential death wish. In the movie, he is a loving father and good friend(when the rubber meets the road) who is the proverbial 'hooker with a heart of gold'. None of these characters have emotional/moral depth. It was the hallmark of the initial run that the clashing personalities and shifting alliances made everything that much more dramatic. ALL of these team movies fail in the portrayal of actual human dynamics. Mild friction and then, aw shucks, the world needs us. NO. That's not real. And the Suicide Squad was all about doing dirty at the right times to survive, but not necessarily 'having someone's back'. Hell, half the time Cap'n Boomerang was trying to figure out how to sabotage things and get someone killed. There was ZERO actual villainry on display. Unless you count Amanda Waller, who is presented as a blank slate who does more vile things than anyone she is in charge of. They tried for 'uncompromising', and would up with again...sociopath.
The worst crime is...when it works, this movie is very good. Despite the changes, despite the 'softening'. So, a GREAT movie was there for the taking. But, lack of prep time, studio interference(I would imagine, most of the ending of this movie is due to 'notes' from the execs) and just a misunderstanding of the source material hamstrung this movie. David Ayers is capable of doing dark. And I think he wanted to. But in trying to please all people, WB/DC just gripped this too hard. I hope they learn how to actually trust in people they choose and also to trust in source material and the philosophical designs of the authors. If you want to differentiate your properties from Marvel, allow for the complexity. That is the essential difference between Marvel and DC. Marvel tends towards light/adventure while DC's better comics were always more about the psychology of the individual. When they can harness that, they can establish their brand. Until then, back to the drawing board.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
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jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
And this is the problem with ideas spawned from weed binges. I'm all good with the IDEA of a movie where food uses profanity and is dtf. I am okay also with racist stereotypes used for humor(sorry, but **** you). What I am not ok with is a movie who's general idea plays out in the first 10 minutes and, to substitute for a lack of development or actual jokes, the same juvenile ideas are hammered to the point of annoyance. Disappointing. The food orgy at the end ALMOST made up for it, but even that came off as a 13 year old trying to be offensive.
Classic Disney. A little bit of darkness, but the edges politely sanded down. Wasn't horribly manipulative...more organic. Robert Redford was given a bit of the 'magical old man' part, but was so pleasant it doing it that it was hard to be mad. Elliot, despite being almost entirely cgi(looked like some paws were made old school for some shots) was wonderful. I want a Dragon. Nothing earthshattering, just a really good children's movie.
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lagwagon0
Lurker
Good call on Sausage Party, I admittedly cracked up quite a bit in the beginning but dare I say I was actually bored for most of it. So much try hard.
And to another movie I was pretty underwhelmed with..
I love these type of coming of age movies but this movie just went nowhere. I didn't have any connection to the characters and when it ended I said "that's it?" A big letdown
And to another movie I was pretty underwhelmed with..
I love these type of coming of age movies but this movie just went nowhere. I didn't have any connection to the characters and when it ended I said "that's it?" A big letdown
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L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Train to Busan — Solid, enjoyable zombie action from Korea. It does not redefine the genre, necessarily, but it has some thrills and heart. It's at the CGV Cinema in Koreatown, but, unfortunately, it closes Thursday. I guess the CGV Cinema is not on Fandango's radar, because I requested an alert on this film before it was released in July. Apparently, it's been in Koreatown the whole time, but I never got the alert. Boo, Fandango.
Now Chirping
- No one is chatting at the moment.