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

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Nov 2007, 23:33

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

7.5 out of 10

This isn't released until the end of the month but I was lucky to see it during a recent film festival.

It's slow, moody, probably 20 minutes to long and for a Western has none of the usual big scale gun fights (so don't go in expecting one) but apart from my feeling it is 20 minutes to long (at 160 minutes) it is all the better for it.

I usually find narration annoying but here it works really well.

The Cinematography is excellent, especially when Jesse James holds up a train. Brad Pitt as Jesse James is brilliant as is Casey Affleck as Robert Ford is also great.

This is a Western for the thinking man!

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 13 Nov 2007, 23:43

bradavon wrote: This is a Western for the thinking man!

Why did you see it then

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 14 Nov 2007, 01:17

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 Nov 2007, 03:30

bradavon wrote:This is a Western for the thinking man!

You haven't seen many of the genre's classics then.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Nov 2007, 14:36

@ Romero:

@ Eva: What does that have to do with what you quoted? You've not even seen the film.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 Nov 2007, 14:53

bradavon wrote:@ Eva: What does that have to do with what you quoted? You've not even seen the film.

Your comment came off to me as if you were claiming that "Jessie James" was a single revelation in a relatively braindead genre. I don't need to see the film to tell you that you're wrong (if that was your intended argument).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Nov 2007, 17:29

Oh crikey no. Western films are far from brain dead. I was just commenting this is "An example of a thinking Western".

dragonhero005 · Post by **dragonhero005** » 14 Nov 2007, 18:03

Hey!

Haven´t been posting here for quite a while... Jesse James is probably the most memorable movie I´ve seen over the last two or three weeks and possibly the best movie of the year.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Excellent! I enjoyed every moment in this great example of intelligent filmmaking. Although the movie seems quite slow, it's exactly that what makes it interesting and thrilling. No one can trust anyone anymore...
The cinematography is great - I absolutely agree. The scene when the train arrives in the night felt so intense although in fact nothing really happens... that was the moment when the film really caught me.
Pitt is great, but Casey Affleck is even better. I heard the rumor that he might be nominated for best supporting actor! He's just as much the leading man as Brad Pitt is, so such a nomination would be rather embarrassing is you ask me.
However, this definitely is a great movie, I'll probably watch again soon.
Btw: I wouldn't describe it as a Western - rather as a period psychothriller...

5/5

other movies I have seen lately and still remember:

Atonement

Great moviemaking again. Definitely a candidate for best cinematography at the next Oscars if you ask me. One scene that lasts for about 3 or 4 minutes (!) is done in one shot, without a cut, with so much happening on screen involving a lot of camerawork and acting - it's just amazing. Also the music is very good - just as the film as a whole. Some might say it's a bit schmalzy at times, but that's okay imo. So the film is definitely worth watching, not only because of Keira Knightley.

4.5/5

Flash Point

Amazing Action. Very enjoyable. Quite silly at times. Nicely shot. Donnie as Donnie.

3.5/5

Invisible Target

Too long. Nice stunts and action, though not always realistic. Jaycee Chan in a funny and good role. Nicolas Tse and Shawn Yue as though guys only differing in their haircut. An overlong showdown. Enjoyable but a bit disappointing in various aspects. At least the action is getting better in HK again.

3/5

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 14 Nov 2007, 18:09

Hi Dragonhero

dragonhero005 · Post by **dragonhero005** » 14 Nov 2007, 18:12

Hi!

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 14 Nov 2007, 19:01

Resident Evil:Apocalypse (hd-dvd) 2.5/5

dumb but entertaining zombie sequel. fast paced with lots of action.again not a fantastic transfer imo. this is an extended version but i didn't notice anything different from the first time i saw this a couple of years back

28 Weeks Later (blu-ray) 4/5

Extremely bleak but excellent sequel to 28 days later. in fact i'd rate this superior. the blu-ray transfer is very grainy in places but this would be how it was shot.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 15 Nov 2007, 06:16

Operation: Kingdom - 2.5/5
The message of this film: Arabs are human beings, too. I swear to God, at the end of the film I jokingly said to my friend, "And now after they destroyed everything, they're gonna give chocolate bars to the kids." LOOOOL, what does she do 10 seconds after I said so? She gives the girl a lollipop.

2.5 for the action and Jamie Foxx's acting.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 15 Nov 2007, 09:36

You mean The Kingdom?

Last night I saw:

Paul Merton's Silent Clowns: Buster Keaton: 4/5
The Goat (1921): 4/5

Very interesting documentary. I love The Goat's beginning scene. reminded of a Sesame Street "First/Last skit, the part when Buster is mistaken for a gangster or something, and at the end when the guy in the lift flies through the roof of the building

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Nov 2007, 13:33

LD, how was Jennifer Garner in the film?

grim_tales wrote:You mean The Kingdom?

IMDB akas says that it got a different title in Germany.
http://akas.imdb.com/title/tt0431197/releaseinfo#akas

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Nov 2007, 15:31

Atonement: One scene that lasts for about 3 or 4 minutes (!) is done in one shot, without a cut, with so much happening on screen involving a lot of camerawork and acting - it's just amazing.

I've not seen the film having trouble with period English costume dramas but that scene does look ace. They used it as a clip on a television show over here (Parkinson).

I will be watching it when it comes out on DVD though. It's had nothing but rave reports.

Jesse James: I heard the rumor that he might be nominated for best supporting actor! He's just as much the leading man as Brad Pitt is, so such a nomination would be rather embarrassing is you ask me.

Agreed.

They gave Forest Whittaker the Best Actor Oscar despite the fact he's a supporting character to James McAvoy. The Oscars have always been about whose bigger, hence Pitt gets the Best Actor nod.

thelostdragon wrote:The message of this film: Arabs are human beings, too. I swear to God, at the end of the film I jokingly said to my friend, "And now after they destroyed everything, they're gonna give chocolate bars to the kids." LOOOOL, what does she do 10 seconds after I said so? She gives the girl a lollipop.

It does illustrate how completely unequipped America is to be the "World's Policeman". The British does a much better job (of course as well as bad), though to be fair America is an incredibly young Empire by comparison.

As to the film I'll probably give it a go. All the unnecessary politics does put me right off though.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 15 Nov 2007, 18:16

Thanks Eva

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Nov 2007, 18:31

Battlestar Galactica: Razor - 3/5
A television film providing background to the 2nd season of the series. It shows what happened to the Pegasus, through the eyes of one character (the said 'Razor' in the film's title). The character's growth was shaped by Admiral Kain's inhumane/non-moralistic decisions and she is haunted by a certain event.

A good plot coupled with good performances makes Razor a welcome addition to the BSG saga.

Anyway there's also cameo appearances by old school cylon centurions and raiders.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Nov 2007, 10:18

M. Hulot's Holiday: 2/5

I don't think I "got" this? Nothing really happens and its a bit dull TBH, there is some gentle comedy however and I liked the scene with the fireworks.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 16 Nov 2007, 13:26

New Female Prisoner Scorpion: # 701 (1976) – 3,5/5
Starting the legendary series from the beginning without the participation of Kaji or Ito may not sound like the greatest idea, but the outcome is surprisinly satisfactory. Yumi Takigawa takes over the lead role, and Yutaka Kohira sits behind the camera. The middle part drags a bit, but the last 20 minutes is jaw dropping pinky violence perfection.

New Female Prisoner Scorpion: Tokushu-bo X (1977) – 3/5
The last of the 70’s Sasori films stars Yoko Natsuki, who looks very cool in the right clothing but doesn’t manage to bring much life into the character. The supporting cast is thankfully excellent, including Masashi Ishibashi as the warden and Takeo Chii and Hiroshi Tachi as guards. Kohira’s direction is less solid than before, but the last 30 minutes offers plenty of high quality entertainment.

Rica 2: Lonely Wanderer (1973) –3/5
Rika Aoki is back, but half of the kick is missing. The sequel features a weaker soundtrack and notably less wild storyline. Supporting cast is a bit dull, too. However, Rika still looks hot, wears some totally awesome costumes, and steps on stage a few times, even if her songs are not as good as before. The ending, as well as the closing credits sequence, are kick ass, and the film features one of the strongest ’wtf’ moments in recent memory. Good fun for genre fans, other may consider skipping.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Nov 2007, 19:39

The Usual Suspects. 3/5

A film that's best watched only once.

The first time: it's a great twist and you think "ooh, how clever".

The second time: you know what's coming and feel cheated spending 100 mins watching entire scenes that you know to be utter bollocks".

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 16 Nov 2007, 19:54

I agree, the whole film is basically a waste of time. So overrated.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Nov 2007, 16:55

Hostel: Director's Cut 3/5

This holds up well even on a 2nd viewing,it's not particularly well made but it's entertaining and at times pretty nasty.this new director's cut has a different ending which if someone watched this then pt 2 without seeing the original ending would be wondering what the fuck was going on.the blu-ray offers both endings via seamless branching.

Hostel 2: Unrated 2.5/5

inferior sequel has some interesting ideas. i liked the fucked up ending but didn't like the countess bathory scene.pretty nasty and unnecessary.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 18 Nov 2007, 22:33

Tom Yum Goong 2/5

Absolutely CRAP movie, but awesome action scenes.
They movie is so incredibly bad that it's cringeworthy.

I watched the PA disc, and maybe it's a thing with Thai movies, or maybe it's my TV, or whatever... but I had the same problem with TYG as I had with Ong-Bak: the soundeffects overpower the musical score. I dont remmeber that being the case in the cinema, but when watching it on my TV it was extremely annoying. Add to that the fact that the english speaking people werent subtitled, and spoke softly/unclear at times (and I couldnt crank up the volume anymore cause the loud soundeffects would wake up the whole house) and it became quite annoying to follow.

Anyway, it could be my TV that's the problem, and maybe the sound is great when played through a decent soundsystem... but to me the balance between speech, music and soundeffects was way off.

Rating for the action is 5 outta 5 though. Story/movie is 1/5.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Nov 2007, 00:05

Don't tell me you actually bought Ong-bak on DVD?

and I couldnt crank up the volume anymore cause the loud soundeffects would wake up the whole house.

Did you try DRC? (Dynamic Range Compression). It maybe called "Night Mode" on your Amp or DVD Player. Some TVs have it too.

It reduces the volume of things like explosions without affect speech etc... It works really well and can be really handy.

Add to that the fact that the english speaking people werent subtitled.

As it's a British DVD I'd hope it to be that way.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 19 Nov 2007, 00:07

I watched 21 Grams on Channel 4 tonight, that was well good! I've already seen Babel a few times and love that (got it on Blu-ray too

) and this was equally as good, maybe even better. I want to see Amores Perros now.