What Have You Just Seen... Marks Out of 5

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 15 Oct 2006, 01:30

Le Passager de l'été 3.5/5

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 15 Oct 2006, 03:05

Sounds french. What is that ?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Oct 2006, 03:15

slasher13 wrote:Apocalypse Now: Redux - 5/5
I didn't watch the original cut, just went straight to the director cut or redux

They are both director's cuts, Coppola was clearly two different men, when he supervised each version.

The '79 original cut is far superior to Redux. Much much better pacing Redux completely screws up Willard's character. In the TC he's dead serious and completely determined to carry on with his mission; in Redux he gets plays practical jokes (steals Kilgore's surf board and as a result makes the hard-ass Kilgore look like a fool scrambling around to find his board) and takes long detours and empathises with the riverboat crew (the worthless 2nd encounter with the Playmates; this also grinds the film to a halt).

Redux also takes away greatly from the mystery and menace that is Kurtz by showing too much of him (the added scene with the children, in daylight).

I really loved the french plantation scene, very character driven. Martin Sheen voiceover is just soooo good as well.

French plantation scene is worthless, it grinds the pacing to a halt and spells out in needless explanatory dialogue what is already said by the film.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 15 Oct 2006, 11:48

I might check out DD if its cheap, its not high on my list though.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Oct 2006, 12:23

grim_tales wrote:I might check out DD if its cheap, its not high on my list though.

It's cheap now, it while you can. Every e-tailer under the sun might have it in stock at moment but I don't imagine that'll last long.

source wrote:The Subversive Cinema box-set of has been shipped out to several customers, with in general a highly positive response. As previously reported, the set was sold out a good month before its release (in late August) and currently Subversive has no plans to reprint it as such. Between Death and the Devil will catch on the subject in due time. Those of you, who have the set, enjoy it. Those who don't might consider not to wallow in grief, but instead ask themselves; "Do I believe in Santa?"

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Oct 2006, 12:52

tom2681 wrote:Sounds french. What is that ?

No clue. The English title is One Summer apparently and the director is Florence Moncorgé-Gabin.

EDIT: Found a review, sounds like something Miramax would put out honestly, like a Hollywood Lasse Halstrom film.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 15 Oct 2006, 13:23

I do sort of believe in Santa

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 15 Oct 2006, 17:53

12:08 East of Bucharest – 3,5/5
The first Romanian movie I ever see. And quite good on the top of that. It’s the 22nd of December in a small Romanian town. It’s been 16 years since the revolution. A local talk show host invites two men to his show to discuss about whether there was or was not a revolution is their town. The only problem is that their memories of this important event seem rather vague, and alcohol may have something to do with it. In fact, some people calling to the show are convinced that these revolutionary heroes were more interested in spending time in a local bar than saving the nation... A very funny movie, even though the talk show segment is a bit too long. I really like how the film looks and feels very real. The Romanians also seem to have a great sarcastic sense of humour.

Solntse (The Sun) – 3,5/5
Aleksandr Sokurov’s vision of emperor Hirohito and Japan's defeat in World War II. Apparently not historically accurate but still a very impressive piece of work, Solntse could be compared to Der Untergang. Solntse however is much more detailed and slow paced. Sokurov follows the emperor’s every small act with no hurry to cut to the next scene or even to the next image. Audience-wise it’s a pretty risky road because those who don’t get kicks out of it won’t find anything else to enjoy here. Personally I found it hugely interesting. The visual look with the gray color palette and faded colors was also impressive. On the negative side the humour felt more than a bit forced. 3,5/5

Grizzly Man – 4/5
Timothy Treadwell lived 13 summers with wild grizzly bears till he got eaten by a bear. Treadwell shot over 100 hours of documentary footage during the time he spent with the bears, and director Werner Herzog has used that material to create this documentary film. Even though he uses voice over and cuts in interviews every once in a while, Threadwell and the footage he shot himself is given at least 75% of the films running time. Herzog doens’t try to turn Treadwell into a saint, instead he questions his motives and actions. Treadwell obviously meant for the best, but he also seemed to be losing his sense of reality. He was like a little child who couldn’t understand that no matter how much he loved the bears he could never be ”one of them”. The last 20 minutes is actually quite hard to watch as the real footage (shown in somewhat chronological order) gets closer and closer to Treadwells death. You know this is a real person, someone who’s been talking directly to the camera for an hour and a half. He’s having the time of his life and he doesn’t know he will be ripped into pieces a few hours after.

Formula 17 – 3/5
Two. That’s how many women I spotted in this movie (both in background shots). And the genre of the movie is romantic teen comedy... So, lots of taiwanese gay people here. The film itself is forgettable but entertaining enough for one viewing, mainly because of the fresh gay theme. Other than that Formula 17 doesn’t differ much from the American teen comedies like American Pie. It’s a bit better and less crude but there’s really nothing too special in it. Still a lot of fun.

In Bed (En la cama) – 3,5/5
A man and a woman meet in a motel room and have sex. Later they start chatting and realize they don’t even know each others names. Two actors and a motel room. The setting is certainly limited, but the film is so well executed you may not realize until afterwards that the camera never leaves that one room. The dialogue is clever and enjoyable, the characters are good and the acting is excellent. A little gem that has often been compared to its more romantic American counterpart 'Before Sunrise'.

Yôkai daisensô (2005) - 4/5
God damn Chiaki Kuriyama was hot in this movie. I never liked her before, and the character she plays here is definitely not my type of girl but still, something, I don’t know. I wanted to start applauding every time she was on screen. I was also a bit suprised to see Ryunosuke Kamiki playing the leading role. That 13 year old boy really knows his way with the ladies. First he was grabbing Aya’s breasts in Install, then he acted in Yoshitsune alongside Aya and Maki Gotô, and how he’s here with Chiaki and Mai Takahashi. Later this year he will appear in Tôku no sora ni kieta with Ayumi Ito...He’s also done voice acting for Hayao Miyazaki films and played a leading role in one of the five episodes of Zoo, among other things... Okay, enough about the cast. How about the movie itself? Very enjoyable aside some irritating characters. Could’ve been a bit shorter, though. A kids movie only by japanese standards...

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 16 Oct 2006, 17:43

hey,

Run 2.5/5

Unashamed Hong Kong remake of El Mariachi, starring Leon Lai. Some Canto-pop on his behalf and annoying sidekicks Eric Kot and Jan Lam are negatives in Derek Cheung's frame. It IS mildly entertaining though, thanks to the change of scenery for the Hong Kong action genre, Veronica Yip does ever so slightly too good of a job considering the material and Tony Leung's action directing is excessivly loud and gory at points. That we like.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Oct 2006, 17:59

I've wanted to see RUN for a while... never could get a hold off it.

Can you mail me, Ken?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 16 Oct 2006, 19:32

@Hungfist:

About The Great Yokai War, how do you understand the ending ?

Has the bad guy (I forgot his name) become a Yokai ?
I'm still not clear on that...

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 16 Oct 2006, 19:45

tom2681 wrote:@Hungfist:

About The Great Yokai War, how do you understand the ending ?

Has the bad guy (I forgot his name) become a Yokai ?
I'm still not clear on that...

I didn't really bother to think about it. Chiaki stole all my attention

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 17 Oct 2006, 02:05

I've never managed to finish watching the trash that was "Run".

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 17 Oct 2006, 14:36

Click 3.5/5

Re-Cycle 3.5/5

Anyone understand the ending to the above? I do have my theory.

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 17 Oct 2006, 15:30

Lady Vengeance 3/5

good film, watched it late at night tho on filmfour so i was pretyt tired, but good concept..

My Sassy Girl 4/5

god what a bitch that girl was lol. good film, not really into romance but this was good, funny too. been wanting to watch this for ages, and not too disspointed, was a little too hyped imo, but still pretty good.

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 17 Oct 2006, 18:56

hey,

Lost Boys In Wonderland 4/5

Very good youth prison drama from underrated director Samson Chiu (Yesteryou, yesterme, Yesterday, When I Fall In Love... With Both and McDull, The Alumni). Good of him to underplay most situations as they take on a stronger symbolism therefore.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Oct 2006, 21:05

I watched Sympathy For Lady Venegance on Film4 last week (why did they advertise it simply as Lady Vengeance?). Hard to get into since none of the characters were sympathetic (or realistic) but I kept on watching regardless and the denoument was quite audacious I must say.

I missed Oldboy (twice!)

But caught Tell Me Something last night. Not the tightest of plots by any means, but it was fairly gripping and well-made.

I saw A Tale of Two Sisters a few months back and thought it was a joyless bore.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Oct 2006, 23:13

Super Troopers - 1/5.
The first Broken Lizard film, saw it over the weekend. It sucks massive cock. Not only was it completely unfunny, but it was really boring too. There weren't any bare tits either that you expect from these films, just fat guy wang.

I saw the Theatrical cut probably, I highly doubt that any unrated cut would be any improvement.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Oct 2006, 23:16

I hate you guys, you get an awesome free-to-air movie channel like FilmFour and the Aussies have SBS. The closest thing we have are prolly TCM and Rialto on Sky Digital and they cost $, oh yeah and Triangle (public access) who show awful VHS bootlegs at like 2am on weekdays.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Oct 2006, 00:25

. We have TCM here and believe me it doesn't compare. It's only a very new thing. It's even better when you consider they mostly show "proper" films too.

The Departed - 7 out of 10

Firstly no it's not a patch on Marty's classics such as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Casino or Goodfellas (not in order) which are incredibly layed with oodles of depth (it's not even close). Secondly it's not as good as Infernal Affairs and thirdly Shen is right it's too damn long.

Now that's out of the way Leo Decaprio and Mak Walhberg were excellent, Leo all beefed up looks a whole lot better than the skinny wimp we're used to.

Jack Nicholson was also very good but his performance he can do asleep with his hand tired behind his back.

I was pleasantly pleased to see while some scenes are lifted almost exactly from Infernal Affairs lots of other are new and even managed to shock me occasionally. Even if the biggest shocks weren't shocks for me.

Yes it's Marty light feeling more like a Michael Mann film (not a bad thing but not your usual Marty film either).

The biggest problem by far is the pace, it's too god damn slow. Infernal Affairs moved a long at a break neck pace with an edge of your seat cat and mouse tale. The Departed really takes it's time.

The tension of the Andy Lau/Matt Damon's part really wanting to be a good cop but equally he feels loyalty to his boss is not present, so all the angst Andy Lau feels is gone. In The Departed Matt Damon is simply bad.

Funnily enough in Infernal Affairs it's Andy Lau/Matt Damon's part which is the main focus but The Departed it's Leo Decaprio/Tony Leung's. Oh and of course Leo Decaprio will never be a Tony Leung, Leung like Pacino is simply in another league.

Oh I also thought Infernal Affairs where the bad guy wins was much better, even if the ending in The Departed is at least new.

I was pleased to see The Departed deserves it's 18 rating, too many films pander to the nancy pancy 15 rating for my liking of late.

All in all a good cop drama but not a classic like Infernal Affairs, of course helped greatly by feeling so fresh and original.

If you're not seen Infernal Affairs like most haven't you'll probably thoroughly enjoy it.

On a final note I have been disappointed in one way or another by all of the Hollywood output this year:

* Mission Impossible 3: Drivel, repetitive, dumb action, rubbish
* X-Men 3: Good fun but hollow as an easter egg
* Superman Returns: For me one of the strongest this year but boy the plot was ropey, saved to an extent by gorgeous cinematography & CGI.
* Miami Vice: I'm sure there's a great film locked away in hear if they'd stop mumbling and turn the bloody volume up
* Children of Men: This is supposed to be great? Well I missed it. For a film with such a fantastic script boy it was mostly dull. Oh and where was the tension?
* Volver: Excellent, original, fresh, funny, sexy, erotic. Oh wait it's not a Hollywood film. Go figure!

Still it says something when I'll get the DVD for 5 out of the 7 films mentioned here (i.e - MI3 and Children of Men sucked, especially MI3).

I have high hopes for Casino Royale.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 18 Oct 2006, 00:37

bradavon wrote:On a final note I have been disappointed in one way or another by all of the Hollywood output this year:

Spider-man 3 out next year should be major ownership.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Oct 2006, 00:42

Yeah right the first too are very average, not trash like MI3 but not half as good as the likes of X-Men, X2, Superman, Superman 2, Batman or Batman Begins.

Both Spider-man films are far too glossy with that annoying as hell Hollywood sheen. I both Spider-man's at home and the third I doubt I'll see period.

I even like the cartoon.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 18 Oct 2006, 00:55

bradavon wrote:Yeah right the first too are very average, not trash like MI3 but not half as good as the likes of X-Men, X2, Superman, Superman 2, Batman or Batman Begins.

Both Spider-man films are far too glossy with that annoying as hell Hollywood sheen. I both Spider-man's at home and the third I doubt I'll see period.

I even like the cartoon.

The Spider-man films are truest around to the comic books. The angst, the Dawson's Creek trite drama, great action, the smug-bastard attitude - it's all straight from the comics.

X-men movies on the other man are a shining tower of retard:- crap stories, crap acting (except for the old British pros), a platform for Singer to preach his homosexual activist propaganda who has also never even read one the comics, an ad for Wolverine toys and an overall insult to the original source material.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Oct 2006, 01:09

Fair enough on the rest but you don't think X2 at least has a good strong story? Even if it's accurate or not. I've yet to notice these homosexual aspects you do

and even if they are there fair enough I say. We need more of it.

As for Spider-man I just hate the bright colours and Hollywood sheen. It's all so perfect. I'm sure the cartoons weren't that bad.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 18 Oct 2006, 01:34

As for recent Hollywood output, I think there were quite a few cool films.

Crank - Absolutely hilarious. Jason Statham rules in this film. Probably the best anti-hero (maybe even hero?) of all the recent Hollwood films.

16 Blocks - Even though Mos Def went on my nerves a couple of times, it is a really strong film, which would have benefited from the alternate DVD ending.

Pirates of the Caribbean 2 - It wasn't as good as the first part, but damn it was entertaining.

Inside Man - Since he got an Oscar for the portrayal of a cop, Denzel Washington seems to only want to play cops now. Doesn't matter though, as he fits very well in this film as does the awesome performance of Clive Owen.