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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 25 Nov 2014, 04:27
by Markgway
The Purge: Anarchy (2014-USA-France) **½
Future America -- for one night every year all laws are suspended and crime and carnage is permissible as a means of cleansing society and venting your rage. When not enough poor and sick people are slaughtered, the SUPER RIGHT-WING government gets in on the action. Jet black satire meets urban exploitation thriller. Nothing special, but mildly ambitious and generally it works. The strong, bloody violence and inherent sickness of concept are more suited to an '18' - this was even darker than I anticipated.
**BTW. Watched this by mistake. I didn't realise until I'd started the film that it was the sequel. Usually I try to watch the original first, although I believe there's little direct connection between the two, so I stuck with it.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 25 Nov 2014, 18:53
by Masterofoneinchpunch
Markgway wrote:People forget that each of Brosnan's 007 movies broke series box office records. He was very popular at the time and only Die Another Day took a beating from the critics (and not all critics). There seems to be this revisionist idea that Daniel Craig saved the series from oblivion. Nonsense. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace are great, but so was Goldeneye and both Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough were good fun (the latter showing a hint of what Brosnan could do with the more dramatic stuff). The cheesy dialogue and sillier episodes were the fault of the filmmakers, not the actor. If Daniel Craig has starred in Die Another Day would he have been given a free pass? Skyfall has a terrible script, yet was drooled over by fans and critics alike. Maybe more time needs to pass before we gain some real perspective? Brosnan has always had movie star charisma ...
Good points. I find it annoying when people make revisionist statements to fit their own personal opinions. I tend to dislike canards so much, that I always appreciate when someone goes against them.
Skyfall: this felt more like an action film than a Bond movie. I thought it was decent (agree with your opinion on the script), but as I'm looking over my top 2012 list it isn't even top 30 for me.
Here are the Bond's I have not seen:
Die Another Day,
The World is Not Enough,
Casino Royale and
Quantum of Solace. As you see I got burnt out of Bonds for quite awhile (I used to watch them all the time.) By far my least favorite is
Moonraker. It's probably the only Bond I actually hate (I believe I mentioned this at KFC in a thread on Bond with Mark.) I've always been a Sean Connery fan so those have been the most watched for me (especially the first three.)
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 00:17
by Markgway
Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even (1991-USA) **
Sarcastic teenage girl runs away from her extended (and complicated) family.
Bearable PG-rated comedy-drama is too superficial to make any real impact.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 11:52
by saltysam
The Nightmare Before Christmas 4.5/5 Dark stop motion classic from Tim Burton/Henry Selick.catchy tunes,a dark atmosphere and just the right length so it doesn't outstay it's welcome.brilliant.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 13:30
by Yi-Long
Masterofoneinchpunch wrote:Markgway wrote:People forget that each of Brosnan's 007 movies broke series box office records. He was very popular at the time and only Die Another Day took a beating from the critics (and not all critics). There seems to be this revisionist idea that Daniel Craig saved the series from oblivion. Nonsense. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace are great, but so was Goldeneye and both Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough were good fun (the latter showing a hint of what Brosnan could do with the more dramatic stuff). The cheesy dialogue and sillier episodes were the fault of the filmmakers, not the actor. If Daniel Craig has starred in Die Another Day would he have been given a free pass? Skyfall has a terrible script, yet was drooled over by fans and critics alike. Maybe more time needs to pass before we gain some real perspective? Brosnan has always had movie star charisma ...
Good points. I find it annoying when people make revisionist statements to fit their own personal opinions. I tend to dislike canards so much, that I always appreciate when someone goes against them.
Skyfall: this felt more like an action film than a Bond movie. I thought it was decent (agree with your opinion on the script), but as I'm looking over my top 2012 list it isn't even top 30 for me.
Here are the Bond's I have not seen:
Die Another Day,
The World is Not Enough,
Casino Royale and
Quantum of Solace. As you see I got burnt out of Bonds for quite awhile (I used to watch them all the time.) By far my least favorite is
Moonraker. It's probably the only Bond I actually hate (I believe I mentioned this at KFC in a thread on Bond with Mark.) I've always been a Sean Connery fan so those have been the most watched for me (especially the first three.)
You should absolutely check out Casino Royale. It's probably my favourite Bond EVER, but I don't want to set your expectations too high, so I'll just say it's one of the best, and certainly Craig's best Bond. It's just got the quality old-skool feel to it. It doesn't rush anything, yet pacing is good.
You can skip Quantum of Solace. There was potential for it to be very good, but it's just absolutely ruïned (for me) by the atrocious action scenes and just rushing through it all.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 14:18
by Markgway
Mo wrote:Speaking of Bond... What about Richard Grieco?
edit- just finished If Looks Could Kill and I like this a lot better than any Bond movie. This is the best time I've had watching a movie in quite awhile.
Richard Grieco is Corbin, Michael Corbin - the oldest looking high school student ever.
I saw this at the cinema when I was a kid (t'was was called Teen Agent in the UK).
Revisited it a couple of years ago.
Fairly entertaining action comedy as I recall... but better than ANY Bond?
You CANNOT be serious!?!
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 14:31
by Markgway
Noises Off (1992-USA) **
Frantic trousers down farce adapted from (and set within) a stage play.
Chuckles are precious few despite best efforts of an all-star ensemble.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 27 Nov 2014, 23:42
by grim_tales
You wouldnt have liked the original book then
That was an OK read (considering it was written in the 1950s), apart from those parts which was like a manual on how to play baccarat or something
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 30 Nov 2014, 00:04
by Markgway
The Purge (2013-USA-France) **
So, now I finally watch the original... which for all its promise is slightly (and perhaps surprisingly) less effective than it's sequel. There's almost no one to root for here in a world populated by selfish nouveau riche and bloodthirsty psychopaths - the only decent people are a homeless black dude (natch) and a wimpy young boy (whose performance I didn't like). The film's ideas are undeniably fascinating and worthy of discussion, but the far-fetched script never quite hits the target.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 01 Dec 2014, 00:55
by Markgway
I haven't seen Inside (or heard of it).
I'd give The Purge an '18' but then I'm stricter (generally speaking) than the BBFC.
Never thought I'd say that!
It's full of strong violence and threat, although there's nothing extreme... if that's what you're looking for?
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 01 Dec 2014, 02:36
by Markgway
I have no problem with horror movies that are thematically dark or graphically violent. What I do have a problem with is movies which trade on the pornography of human suffering. These grubby efforts generally consist of innocent characters (the more vulnerable the better) being explicitly brutalised for the pleasure of the audience. If the victim is a woman then you can usually factor in an element of sexualised violence. Occasionally I stumble across these, often because I don't read reviews anymore. But if that's the type of thing you're after, I'm not the person to ask. The Purge isn't anything like that for the record.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 01 Dec 2014, 11:15
by Markgway
It doesn't sound like something I'd like... but who knows?
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 01 Dec 2014, 17:19
by Masterofoneinchpunch
Yi-Long wrote:Masterofoneinchpunch wrote:... You should absolutely check out Casino Royale. It's probably my favourite Bond EVER, but I don't want to set your expectations too high, so I'll just say it's one of the best, and certainly Craig's best Bond. It's just got the quality old-skool feel to it. It doesn't rush anything, yet pacing is good.
You can skip Quantum of Solace. There was potential for it to be very good, but it's just absolutely ruïned (for me) by the atrocious action scenes and just rushing through it all.
I definitely will check out
Casino Royale. I'm a bit embarrassed to not have seen it already (including taking some ribbing on another site because of it.) It's been recommended by quite a few I know (online and off). I'll eventually watch
Quantum of Solace if only because I have only missed 4 Bond films at this point, but I will take your advice and get to
Casino Royale first of the four that I am missing.
I haven't seen
If Looks Could Kill since it came out in 91 here. I'll have to give that a look if I find or buy the WB archive.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 01 Dec 2014, 19:00
by Markgway
Quantum of Solace is the second part of Casino Royale so you need to see them in order.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 02 Dec 2014, 01:54
by Shingster
Markgway wrote:It doesn't sound like something I'd like... but who knows?
Astonished you've never heard of Inside (perhaps better known in the UK under its French title À l'intérieur) Mark given it was one of the more high-profile titles of the French New Wave back in 2007/8 time & imo a better film than Martyrs. You're almost certainly not going to like it though!
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 02 Dec 2014, 05:50
by Markgway
Shingster wrote:Markgway wrote:It doesn't sound like something I'd like... but who knows?
Astonished you've never heard of Inside (perhaps better known in the UK under its French title À l'intérieur) Mark given it was one of the more high-profile titles of the French New Wave back in 2007/8 time & imo a better film than Martyrs. You're almost certainly not going to like it though!
The English title is pretty anonymous so maybe I did hear of it and just forgot?
I hated Martyrs so if Inside (À l'intérieur) is in a similar vein I'll pass.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 02 Dec 2014, 23:26
by Shingster
It's like Martyrs only without the astonishingly pretentious attempt to transform into an art film in the 2nd half.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 02 Dec 2014, 23:32
by Markgway
Shingster wrote:It's like Martyrs only without the astonishingly pretentious attempt to transform into an art film in the 2nd half.
At least it's honest about what it is then?
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 03 Dec 2014, 00:45
by Shingster
Yup, thriller/horror, not much more.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 03 Dec 2014, 10:15
by Markgway
I found Martyrs disgusting throughout but I didn't quite hate it until the insultingly pretentious excuse peddled at the close.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 04 Dec 2014, 08:44
by HungFist
I have
The Return of Ringo on German DVD. Good films as you say, and a great score + theme song:
http://youtu.be/7XYZU5CWEt0
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 04 Dec 2014, 12:16
by Markgway
The Last American Virgin (1982-USA) **
Uneven teen sex comedy (of Porky's mentality) develops serious pretentions and (not entirely successfully) tackles important subject matter. Stars 80s cutie Diane Franklin and the nerd from Friday the 13th - The Final Chapter. It takes some balls to end a "fun" film the way the filmmakers do here. Remake of Israeli film Lemon Popsicle, based on the experiences of its director.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 05 Dec 2014, 13:24
by Markgway
Contraband (2011-USA-UK-France) **½
Far-fetched, but reasonably entertaining thriller works as long as you can accept rooting for anti-hero smugglers.
Chronicle (2012-USA) **
About 50% an interesting anti-super hero movie before it turns into overblown, overly dramatic nonsense. The de rigueur found footage concept is both contrived and distracting.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 05 Dec 2014, 15:59
by HungFist
Fury (USA, 2014) [DCP] - 3.5/5
A pretty well made representative of an interesting sub-genre: tank films. It's hardly an original movie, but director Ayer has an eye for depicting action from a more technical perspective, which makes the movie stand out. Brad Pitt is quite good in the lead, as usual (he's got a good mix of Hollywood star charisma, decent acting skills, and a desire to make interesting movies - more than many people give him credit for). The biggest issue is how the film depicts the German solders as mindless kamikazes. The final battle is only believable because everyone wearing a Nazi uniform seems to have a death wish. If you can look past that, it's a pretty good film.
Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out
Posted: 07 Dec 2014, 19:11
by saltysam
Guardians Of The Galaxy 3/5 Good natured,entertaining space adventure entry in the Marvel comics movie franchise.Fast moving,humorous and some great effects.
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes 3/5 Solid follow up to Rise,the reinvigorated franchise looking like it's here for a while...stupendous ape effects,Andy Serkis as Caesar is brilliant.if there's a criticism then the human characters are very one dimensional and mainly uninteresting.