What quirky DVD's have you watched lately?
Posted by: ErikL on 14 February 2004
I recently watched these and both are recommended:
Capturing The Friedmans- A documentary of a middle-class Long Island family, when a son and father were accused of molestation and sodomy. Definitely not a comfy Valentine's Day sort of movie; it's uncomfortable and unsettling but well done as all sides of the events are touched upon.*
Man on the Train (L'Homme du Train)- Two very different guys in an excruciatingly dull town in France, a thief and a teacher, cross paths and form an odd relationship. Definitely a slow builder to the climax where both experience life-altering events, but worth every minute.
(* Don't watch this the same weekend you watch L.I.E.)
Capturing The Friedmans- A documentary of a middle-class Long Island family, when a son and father were accused of molestation and sodomy. Definitely not a comfy Valentine's Day sort of movie; it's uncomfortable and unsettling but well done as all sides of the events are touched upon.*
Man on the Train (L'Homme du Train)- Two very different guys in an excruciatingly dull town in France, a thief and a teacher, cross paths and form an odd relationship. Definitely a slow builder to the climax where both experience life-altering events, but worth every minute.
(* Don't watch this the same weekend you watch L.I.E.)
Posted on: 04 May 2004 by Mike Hanson
quote:
Originally posted by jayd:
Northfork
Agreed! I just saw it a couple of days ago, and was thoroughly enthralled. It had just the right amount of quirky pretention to push my buttons. (Think "Brazil", with less action.)
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 07 May 2004 by JeremyD
I'm cheating a bit because this film is not the least bit quirky: Ikiru by Kurosawa. It's the story of a man who, after spending the last thirty years living a lifeless life, discovers he has stomach cancer, briefly goes on a clubbing spree, spends a lot time with a much younger female colleague - to the horror of his son and daughter in law - and then finds purpose in life.
Just in case what I've said so far makes it sound like one, please don't mistake it for schmaltzy second-rate Hollywood movie - it's among the best, as far as I'm concerned. It's funny in places, very sad in places and ultimately very moving but it doesn't toy with the viewer's emotions at all. I found it utterly involving from beginning to end, with some superb acting.
---
Sanjuro by Kurosawa. Well, this is a quirky movie - an amusing movie featuring an incompetent group of samurai and the competent one who repeatedly saves them from disaster. After a whole film of well-choreographed but far from realistic violence I must admit that, even in black and white, I was a bit startled by an enormous spray of blood in a late scene but, as anyone who has read my other posts will gather, I'm easily shocked...
Like Ikiru, it's very involving but I can't say I find it in the same class.
Just in case what I've said so far makes it sound like one, please don't mistake it for schmaltzy second-rate Hollywood movie - it's among the best, as far as I'm concerned. It's funny in places, very sad in places and ultimately very moving but it doesn't toy with the viewer's emotions at all. I found it utterly involving from beginning to end, with some superb acting.
---
Sanjuro by Kurosawa. Well, this is a quirky movie - an amusing movie featuring an incompetent group of samurai and the competent one who repeatedly saves them from disaster. After a whole film of well-choreographed but far from realistic violence I must admit that, even in black and white, I was a bit startled by an enormous spray of blood in a late scene but, as anyone who has read my other posts will gather, I'm easily shocked...
Like Ikiru, it's very involving but I can't say I find it in the same class.
Posted on: 09 May 2004 by Stuart M
"Night of a 1000 Corpses" by Ron Zombie.
A very odd film, on one hand it seems to do the Scream self knowing thing, but also is horror. The plot is in 3 phases and inacessable BUT does work and oddly the more I watch it I realise how trash the film is, but see more in the film and it keeps going up in my estimation.
One of those films that get one or five stars
A very odd film, on one hand it seems to do the Scream self knowing thing, but also is horror. The plot is in 3 phases and inacessable BUT does work and oddly the more I watch it I realise how trash the film is, but see more in the film and it keeps going up in my estimation.
One of those films that get one or five stars
Posted on: 17 May 2004 by JeremyD
Excel Saga Volume 1: the weirdness has begun. I should explain that the following is to be read aloud, extremely quickly, in the strident, grating voice of a teenage lunatic: Ummm... it's definitely weird and it has probably begun, although an alternative and equally appealing theory is that I imagined the whole thing and it hasn't begun at all, which (it has to be admitted) would be perfectly in keeping with the series, featuring as it does unfeasibly long sentences of indeterminate meaning spoken at a frenetic pace by the hyperactive and deranged heroine of Excel, Excel Excel, whose middle name may or may not also be Excel.
It parodies other animes and films in general, as well as Japanese game shows and, well, probably a lot of other things that I didn't spot. However, it majors on lunacy rather than straightforward humour.
I'm not sure there is any point in explaining the plot (even if I could). It features: Excel Excel, who gets killed somewhat more often than is the norm for heroines; her colleague Hyatt, who dies every few seconds; Excel's dog / emergency food supply, Menchi, who looks suspiciously like a cat; Excel's leader, Lord Ilapalazzu, to whom she is hopelessly devoted but who nevertheless kills her in the first episode; some cute but evil Pikachu-like creatures from Mars called Puchuu and various other characters - including a man whom Excel kills in the first episode (and whose ghost appears in a so-far-wholly-unconnected-subplot) and Excel's long suffering neighbours.
I must admit I thought the actress who did the English language voice of Excel excelled herself, in that she sounded even crazier than the original, which really takes some doing. However, despite the fact that my Japanese vocabulary consists of about 30 words, I found myself watching the Japanese version with subtitles because the words were more intelligible and less painful! A second set of subtitles explained some of the cultural references and/or provided occasional comments.
I found it distressingly tasteless in places and distressingly amusing in places - not always different places. Every episode, for example, ends with Menchi (Excel's dog / emergency food supply) howling (in dog language) a sentimental and plaintif song about being eaten, translated by a human standing at her side. I'm afraid that by the end of the fifth episode I found myself joining in!!!
According to Amazon.com it's "Rated 17 Up: Violence, profanity; risqué and gross-out humor. --", which means, of course, that it's 12-rated here.
Conculsion: it's utterly idiotic and absurd, and I'm looking forward to watching the next DVD
in the series.
It parodies other animes and films in general, as well as Japanese game shows and, well, probably a lot of other things that I didn't spot. However, it majors on lunacy rather than straightforward humour.
I'm not sure there is any point in explaining the plot (even if I could). It features: Excel Excel, who gets killed somewhat more often than is the norm for heroines; her colleague Hyatt, who dies every few seconds; Excel's dog / emergency food supply, Menchi, who looks suspiciously like a cat; Excel's leader, Lord Ilapalazzu, to whom she is hopelessly devoted but who nevertheless kills her in the first episode; some cute but evil Pikachu-like creatures from Mars called Puchuu and various other characters - including a man whom Excel kills in the first episode (and whose ghost appears in a so-far-wholly-unconnected-subplot) and Excel's long suffering neighbours.
I must admit I thought the actress who did the English language voice of Excel excelled herself, in that she sounded even crazier than the original, which really takes some doing. However, despite the fact that my Japanese vocabulary consists of about 30 words, I found myself watching the Japanese version with subtitles because the words were more intelligible and less painful! A second set of subtitles explained some of the cultural references and/or provided occasional comments.
I found it distressingly tasteless in places and distressingly amusing in places - not always different places. Every episode, for example, ends with Menchi (Excel's dog / emergency food supply) howling (in dog language) a sentimental and plaintif song about being eaten, translated by a human standing at her side. I'm afraid that by the end of the fifth episode I found myself joining in!!!
According to Amazon.com it's "Rated 17 Up: Violence, profanity; risqué and gross-out humor. --", which means, of course, that it's 12-rated here.
Conculsion: it's utterly idiotic and absurd, and I'm looking forward to watching the next DVD
in the series.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by JeremyD
quote:Oh dear - definitely a case of "Be carefully what you wish for": my DVD hire company sent me two further Excel DVDs from my list. I wish I hadn't watched them - the first was quite enough.
Originally posted by JeremyD:
Conculsion: it's utterly idiotic and absurd, and I'm looking forward to watching the next DVD
in the series.
I've now resigned from my DVD hire company (to preserve my cash rather than to avoid being deluged with Excel DVDs), so no more contributions to this thread for a while. But here's a summary of some other DVDs I've seen recently:
Kurosawa's last film, Rhapsody in August, has had what I consider to be some strange reviews, some not very complimentary. Its theme is the consequences for one family of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Others have described it an an anti-war film but if I had to describe it in similar terms it would be as a pro-humanity film because it is essentially about a family coping with the vicissitudes of life, which only happen to derive from and be inextricably linked with one of the greatest single atrocities of human history. [Saving Private Ryan is what I would call an anti-war film - at least the two or three minutes of it I could stand before changing the channel - maybe it's other things too]. The ending is brilliant - I have never before experienced such a duality of hope and sadness at once. Hint: it helps to have seen The Seven Samurai because it is partly reminiscent of a scene from that film.
Apart from some awful special effects I thought the film was great. I've ordered it from http://www.101cd.com for £3.99 inc. postage but there's no sign, so far, that it will ever come...
The other film worth mentioning, also by Kurosawa, is Red Beard. It is such an emotionally overpowering story that I almost stopped watching it partway through. By the end I was so stunned that it took me a few moments to realise that it had a happy ending...
It's the story of an arrogant, selfish young doctor who is coerced into working at a public clinic that is short of funds and whose patients are desperately poor. At first he refuses to play his part, believing that the chief doctor [or whatever his title] just wants his precious surgical notes. I don't think it is giving away too much to say that by the end of the film his attitude has changed for the better - it's not the "what" of the story that matters but the how and the why. If anyone needs convincing that copious quantities of blood and guts are not necessary for a truly shocking (but ultimately inspiring) film then this is the one to watch.
[This message was edited by JeremyD on Thu 27 May 2004 at 21:24.]
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by rodwsmith
Here's what I have watched recently:
Harold and Maude - probably the film for me that bears the most repeated watching. Hilarious, although it has quite a lot of very obvious flaws. The soundtrack (Cat Stevens) is great.
The Draughtsman's Contract and A Zed and Two Noughts. Early Greenaway is a fave of mine, and these have just been released on dvd for the first time and look ravishing compared to any of the video releases (I think he supervised the transfer process himself). Maybe one needs to suspend the pretentiousness-ometer for a while, but I like them.
Monsieur Hire. I discovered this via my liking of Nyman's music (in turn from Greenaway), and the film is incredible. A riveting central performance indeed.
All recommended
Rod
[This message was edited by rodwsmith on Thu 27 May 2004 at 21:48.]
Harold and Maude - probably the film for me that bears the most repeated watching. Hilarious, although it has quite a lot of very obvious flaws. The soundtrack (Cat Stevens) is great.
The Draughtsman's Contract and A Zed and Two Noughts. Early Greenaway is a fave of mine, and these have just been released on dvd for the first time and look ravishing compared to any of the video releases (I think he supervised the transfer process himself). Maybe one needs to suspend the pretentiousness-ometer for a while, but I like them.
Monsieur Hire. I discovered this via my liking of Nyman's music (in turn from Greenaway), and the film is incredible. A riveting central performance indeed.
All recommended
Rod
[This message was edited by rodwsmith on Thu 27 May 2004 at 21:48.]
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Mike Sae
Rhapsody In August
Agreed. I remember it well; it certainly had a profound effect on me.
If you're referring to what I think you are, I think that scene works fine. Sauron's searing eye isn't really needed here.
quote:
The ending is brilliant - I have never before experienced such a duality of hope and sadness at once.
Agreed. I remember it well; it certainly had a profound effect on me.
quote:
Apart from some awful special effects I thought the film was great.
If you're referring to what I think you are, I think that scene works fine. Sauron's searing eye isn't really needed here.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Mike Sae
Has anyone seen:
That movie (I think it's German?) about a social experient where a group of men are sent to roleplay guards and prisoners? I think it's ~2 years old. What's the name of the movie? Thoughts?
That movie (I think it's German?) about a social experient where a group of men are sent to roleplay guards and prisoners? I think it's ~2 years old. What's the name of the movie? Thoughts?
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by JeremyD
quote:Yes that is what I was referring to but I agree that Sauron's searing eye would not have been right. Rather, I don't think we needed to see the eye at all. It's a minor quibble, though.
Originally posted by Mike Sae:quote:
Apart from some awful special effects I thought the film was great.
If you're referring to what I think you are, I think that scene works fine. Sauron's searing eye isn't really needed here.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by ErikL
Has anyone seen The Triplets of Belleville? It looked very interesting but it didn't make the cut for the long weekend.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Dan M
Yes, I saw the triplets when it was in the cinema. Very amusing and a visual treat. Almost no dialog. If you're a road cycling fan you'll enjoy cycling cliches, and then there's that catchy song. Definitely worth a rent.
Dan
p.s. Got around to watching Mulholland Dr. over the weekend -- didn't live up to expectations, but interesting never the less.
Dan
p.s. Got around to watching Mulholland Dr. over the weekend -- didn't live up to expectations, but interesting never the less.
Posted on: 28 May 2004 by ErikL
Dan,
I'll have to grab TToB next time. How about that "Weather Underground" documentary film?
I'll have to grab TToB next time. How about that "Weather Underground" documentary film?
Posted on: 28 May 2004 by Dan M
How about that "Weather Underground" documentary film?
Just added it to my Netflix list. I've also got the following which you might want to add (although 2 have unkown release dates):
Carandiru
Bus 174
City of God (June 8 release)
Dan
Just added it to my Netflix list. I've also got the following which you might want to add (although 2 have unkown release dates):
Carandiru
Bus 174
City of God (June 8 release)
Dan
Posted on: 28 May 2004 by ErikL
I saw City of God (there and here!) in the theater, and Bus 174 is already on my list. I'm not familiar with Carandiru but I'll take a look. Thanks!
Posted on: 28 May 2004 by Dan M
Carandiru (2004)
Brazil's Sao Paulo House of Detention is among the largest (and most severely overcrowded) prisons in South America. In October 1992, the deplorable conditions led to a massive riot that killed 111 unarmed inmates. This chilling drama tells the story of a group of those prisoners as seen through the eyes of a doctor who attended to many of the riot victims.
Director: Hector Babenco
R for strong bloody violence/carnage, language, sexuality and drug use -- not exactly quirky then
Brazil's Sao Paulo House of Detention is among the largest (and most severely overcrowded) prisons in South America. In October 1992, the deplorable conditions led to a massive riot that killed 111 unarmed inmates. This chilling drama tells the story of a group of those prisoners as seen through the eyes of a doctor who attended to many of the riot victims.
Director: Hector Babenco
R for strong bloody violence/carnage, language, sexuality and drug use -- not exactly quirky then
Posted on: 28 May 2004 by Dan M
I saw 'Love Actually' on a recent flight -- Terrible. Really, really bad. Is there something in Hugh Grant's contract that requires a scene where he puts his foot in his mouth around a pretty girl and then in private hits himself in the head?
Dan
Dan
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by ErikL
Last night I watched Elephant which was nothing but disturbing, Columbine-style. Very, very little dialogue through the 80 minutes, so you sit and observe, read minds, and become more uneasy with each minute until the story unfolds in the end (though the timing turned upside down clues you in). Like I said- disturbing.
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by Peter Litwack
Pixote We watched this great old film by Hector Babenco in preparation for seeing Carandiru. It was truly touching, if depressing. I also liked Babenco's Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Elephant was one of the best films of 2003, but got very little recognition. Chilling film!
Better Luck Tomorrow is definitely somewaht quirky, but very, very good. It's about a group of Asian-American high school kids who get deeper and deeper into trouble. Highly recommended!
The Fast Runner is one of the best quirky films I've seen this year. It is the story of an Inuit tribe who have to exorcise the evil that has haunted them for a couple of generations. The film is seemingly shot in video format, which makes it a bit harsh to view at first, but the story (which is based on a 1,000 year old Inuit legend), the acting, and the direction are all superb. It's very long, so be sure you're not tired when you watch it. If you like being transported to a totally different time and place, I can't recommend this film highly enough!
Elephant was one of the best films of 2003, but got very little recognition. Chilling film!
Better Luck Tomorrow is definitely somewaht quirky, but very, very good. It's about a group of Asian-American high school kids who get deeper and deeper into trouble. Highly recommended!
The Fast Runner is one of the best quirky films I've seen this year. It is the story of an Inuit tribe who have to exorcise the evil that has haunted them for a couple of generations. The film is seemingly shot in video format, which makes it a bit harsh to view at first, but the story (which is based on a 1,000 year old Inuit legend), the acting, and the direction are all superb. It's very long, so be sure you're not tired when you watch it. If you like being transported to a totally different time and place, I can't recommend this film highly enough!
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by ErikL
quote:
Originally posted by Peter Litwack:
Elephant was one of the best films of 2003, but got very little recognition. Chilling film!
Well done and chilling indeed. By the end I felt like I was personally attached to the school and characters in some way. As a result, it really upset me. Did it make you as uncomfortable, or am I a freak?
Better Luck Tomorrow and The Fast Runner sound interesting. I'll add them to my list.
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by Peter Litwack
Yes, it was upsetting to me too. You knew what was coming, so the sense of impending dread was almost unbearable. The long tracking shot of the African-American guy, walking in the hallways to find the source of the commotion, was one of the great tracking shots in the history of film - right up there with the opening scene in Touch of Evil!
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by ErikL
quote:
Originally posted by Peter Litwack:
The long tracking shot of the African-American guy, walking in the hallways to find the source of the commotion, was one of the great tracking shots in the history of film
Absolutely.
Meanwhile, the day before I watched and just miles away:
Islander Middle School on Mercer Island was closed Wednesday after Mercer Island school officials received an anonymous e-mail warning Tuesday evening that guns may be brought to school. School officials immediately contacted police and decided to close school on Wednesday. The incident came less than two days after a gun was found in a student¹s backpack... The e-mail came from a student who claimed to have overheard other students saying that the handgun found at the school on Monday was part of a plan that would still be carried out.
On a brighter note I'm watching Spellbound tonight, following recommendations from several here.
Posted on: 29 May 2004 by 7V
First a warning...
I quite enjoyed Love Actually.
Now for those who are still here I'd second Harold & Maude - very quirky, dark but ultimately uplifting.
And, Baghdad Cafe - definitely uplifting.
So, two 'guru movies' from me. Should this be on the Yoga thread?
Steve Margolis
defy convention - make music
Oh, and The Shawshank Redemption. Is this quirky or just damn good?
I quite enjoyed Love Actually.
Now for those who are still here I'd second Harold & Maude - very quirky, dark but ultimately uplifting.
And, Baghdad Cafe - definitely uplifting.
So, two 'guru movies' from me. Should this be on the Yoga thread?
Steve Margolis
defy convention - make music
Oh, and The Shawshank Redemption. Is this quirky or just damn good?
Posted on: 30 May 2004 by Dan M
Shawshank -- just damn good.
Posted on: 30 May 2004 by jayd
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Sae:
Has anyone seen:
That movie (I think it's German?) about a social experient where a group of men are sent to roleplay guards and prisoners? I think it's ~2 years old. What's the name of the movie? Thoughts?
Das Experiment
Based on an actual happening, The Stanford Prison Experiment. Profoundly disturbing.
Posted on: 02 June 2004 by ErikL
Last night it was "Hablo Con Ella/Talk To Her" which I liked very much. Interesting characters, a spectrum of emotions, and even an appearance by Caetano Veloso for our friend Minky.