What DVD have you just watched?

Watched "Sin City" last night.
Have to say, I did enjoy it quite a lot.

Violent and sexy and somehow strangely artistic. Really enjoyed the mix of b/w and overly vivid colours.

Great fun. Almost didn't recognize young Frodo

Also watched The Incredibles, which was a bit of a let down, but probably only because it has been hyped so much (although a long time ago ).
And watched War of the Worlds. Very dissapointing ending.

Think I'll be watching "Saw" next and decide whether or not to order the rest of the Saw-series.

Inglorious Basterds - err...ummm...I think it was good. I mean, forget history and all that so you don't get misled, very funny in lpaces, beautifully shot, insane storyline. Was it 'good'? Possibly...

New Moon (Twilight II). I preferred this to the first in series since I thought it captured more of the humour of the book. Quite nicely done although I have a real problem with the makeup of the vampires which is just too obviously makeup...

Kickass I honestly didn't fancy this film at all but ended up loving it great movie.

Ghost Writer - Ewan McGregor & Pierce Brosnan. I suppose you could call it a thriller, but it doesn't really pick up until late in the film, but overall enjoyable, and a rather good ending.

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
Probably another one like 'Little Voice', if you enjoy watching actors who are obviously enjoying themselves then I can see the appeal. I just didn't find any control in that or 'Hear My Song'.

Visually I didn't find much in either, but then they are not that kind of film.

Yes, I enjoyed Little Voice too. Something out of the ordinary. I would not want to buy either of them and neither would be on my list of top 50 films but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I agree about the actors having fun - they would probably have taken part for free. I enjoyed Kinkeyboots too - another low budget Brit Flick though less musical than the other 2 and a welcome change from the usual formulaic Hollywood dross.

Just watched Centurion with Michael Fassbender. Being a bit of a Romanophile I hate to see well trained legionaires hacking and slashing with their short swords, just like they were taught not to in basic training!! Apart from that it was very predictable and had waaaay too much blood and split heads for me.

"Coco Before Chanel" I enjoyed for everything especially scenery, costumes and story. Well acted but it was difficult to keep up with the subtitles.

"The Player" Altman's best rip on Hollywood. Keep a list of the actors that show up. It really skewers the film industry.

quote:

Originally posted by GreenAlex:

And watched War of the Worlds. Very dissapointing ending.

I agree. WTF was that with the family reunion his son turning back up? He should have ended up totally alone. That would have been far more powerful.

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by GreenAlex:

And watched War of the Worlds. Very dissapointing ending.

I agree. WTF was that with the family reunion his son turning back up? He should have ended up totally alone. That would have been far more powerful.

It was almost certainly due to test audience reaction. I don't know who they show films to to judge how they could be 'improved', (or who performs the lobotomies on them beforehand).

The scene looked to be shot at a different time, with none of the sets available from the main shooting. Somehow Boston had not been attacked, despite all the other cities being levelled. Tacked on and pointless.

I thought the film had some of the best visual effects I have ever seen, and the start built great tension, especially the lightening. But found the film itself dreary, unsympathetic and the plot nonsensical.

Why did they ditch the plot of a great book, and have Tom Cruise as someone so dislikeable? I also thought some of the battle scenes were disappointing. I think Spielberg trying to avoid making the kind of Hollywood film that someone like Roland Emmerich (Independence Day) would have made, but at 'that one point', it would have been good to see over the hill.

I much prefer the 1950's film, even if it does not have a modern grittiness, or effects.


Two very druggy films for me this week, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' was a good attempt at filming the book, but still hard work.

I hadn't seen 'Easy Rider' before, really enjoyed it, just right at 90 minutes, lovely performances, and captured the time (I suspect) really well. A classic that lived up to its reputation.

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Abela:
Inglorious Basterds - err...ummm...I think it was good. I mean, forget history and all that so you don't get misled, very funny in lpaces, beautifully shot, insane storyline. Was it 'good'? Possibly...

Frank,
No "Possibly" about it. It's a wonderful movie. Two and a half hours and not a single dead moment. Full of twists and turns and marvellous performances. I've never seen such an obvious Oscar winner as Christoph Waltz. He completely dominates every scene he's in. He's compulsive and hypnotic and charming but repulsive every minute he's on screen. And Brad Pitt is superb too. I saw somewhere he was described as being "typically wooden" and I thought that was complete nonsense. For a pretty boy to move into middle age and play a Lee Marvin role with such assurance was impressive.
For me though the unsung hero was Denis Menochet as Perrier LaPadite. That opening scene between him and Christoph Waltz was mesmerising. Look at his sadness as he realises he has no choice but to betray Shosanna's family.
Unforgettable stuff and a movie that will definitely be regarded as a classic over the years. Perhaps its problem is that it's so good it's hard to accept that we're seen an absolute classic emerging right in front of our eyes.

I'm with you all the way on this Tom. Mr Tarantino has a wonderful knack of dragging the best performances out of actors who are popularly regarded as relatively untalented "Celebrity" types.

Bruce Willis rose enormously in my estimation after seeing him in Pulp Fiction.

I've watched Inglorious Basterds umpteen times and still really enjoy it. Add to the superb interplay between Menochet and Waltz the scene in the cellar bar as another highlight of the movie. The tension is masterfully ramped up to almost unbearable levels.

Another vote for IB. Loved it. Planning to pick it up on Blu-ray.

Watched this last week - just great!

quote:

Originally posted by markah:

Watched this last week - just great!

Yes it is!

"I could'a been a contender!"

On the Waterfront - pure class.
Streetcar named Desire - ditto.

City of Life and Death due out in the UK later in the year and also Arn Knight Templar an excellent film from Sweden

shutter island last night - very enjoyable with a twist

From Wikipedia:

quote:

In the Electric Mist

Directed by: Bertrand Tavernier
Produced by: Frédéric Bourboulon, Michael Fitzgerald
Written by: Jerzy Kromolowski, Mary Olson-Kromolowski
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman, Peter Sarsgaard, Kelly Macdonald, Mary Steenburgen
Distributed by: Ithaca Pictures
Running time: 117 min (director's cut)
Country: United States, France

In the Electric Mist is a 2009 Franco-American drama/fantasy film based on the novel In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke. It is directed by Bertrand Tavernier, written by Jerzy Kromolowski and Mary Olson-Kromolowski, and stars Tommy Lee Jones in the lead role of Louisiana police detective Dave Robicheaux.

Two words: watch it. This is not about the plot, nor the characters but simply about acting, directing and achieving a general level of greatness that will put a smile on your face before you even notice it. Highly recommended, of course

quote:

Originally posted by Haim Ronen:

Haim, your image link just say '410 -Gone'. Is the image just in your cache? Maybe a block on my server though.

Have started this with my partner. Light, fun, great adaptation and brilliantly cast. Fry and Laurie are just right for the title roles.
From the days when 'Granda/ITV' still made great drama and comedy.

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Haim Ronen:

Haim, your image link just say '410 -Gone'.

Same for me.

Mark

Cookie's Fortune
Feels more like a Cohen brother's film than a Robert Altman one, much more relaxed than you would expect, but as he often does, a great ensemble cast work brilliantly together.
Probably my favourite Altman film, but then I am not much of a fan of some of his work, extremely talented, but just a bit much for me at times. This is just fun.

The Runaway Bus starring Frankie Howerd and Margaret Rutherford, on the iMac.

steve