Dread Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Groundhog Day: funnily enough, we watched this tonight too. So damn good. A true modern classic. Every bit of it a pleasure.Blood of the Tribades: feature for the festThey will all die in space: short for the festFeatures: 25Shorts: 7Documentaries: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 The Wind - silent film about a woman who moves from Virginia to a town out west, where the winds blow dust everywhere 24/7. It's a pretty linear story, but there's some striking filmmaking as it goes on. There's a tension building sequence where the film dissolves between two pairs of pacing feet, and a progression from a swinging lantern to a shifting house to show the woman losing her grip on reality. There's also an interesting aspect of it being on the cusp of talking pictures. After so many shots of the wind blowing, it hits you that there should be constant noise in the background, that they were in the position of having to communicate that idea visually. Straw Dogs - The ugliest movie that's meant to be ugly I've seen so far. It's so well-constructed, but it's also so horrific that I don't know how to feel about it.Enter the Dragon - It's a James Bond movie with martial arts, but with a much quicker pace that works in its favor. That fights are all shot differently, which makes for much more interesting action sequences. The five minutes that's just Bruce Lee decimating guys is great, and the final battle with Han that homages The Lady From Shanghai really caps off the tension. My favorite Lee moment though might be his bored expression as he waits for some henchman to run out of a room he throws a cobra into.Close Encounters of the Third Kind - It's over two hours long, but I was invested in it the entire time. The build-up to the aliens is so well done, the abduction scene is so frightening, the dinner table scene is so heart wrenching. The feeling that you're watching someone with mastery of their profession is with you throughout. I felt this when I rewatched A Christmas Story last December, but Melinda Dillon is such an underrated actress. Spielberg's said that he regrets the ending for Roy's character, and that's really the only strike against it I can think of.Punisher: War Zone - One of the best superhero movies. Frank Castle doesn't talk for thirty minutes. Ray Stevenson gets emotion out of Frank trying to scrub dirt off his family's gravestone and commit assisted suicide. There hasn't been a Marvel movie villain since, outside of Loki, that's as memorable as Jigsaw. The makeup is fantastic, and Dominic West gives a controlled over the top performance that is thoroughly entertaining. The violence is just as memorable, from the chandelier scene and the head punch to the more satirical moments like the rocket and the grenade. On top of that, the movie ends by saying "you're better off believing in The Punisher than Jesus." Sure, it's tongue in cheek, but that is going for it. Also, there hasn't been a Marvel movie since that looks better; the Tony Scott inspired opening credits, the monochromatic filters and lights in certain scenes, the beauty of the church scene. This movie is alive in a way few superhero movies are.Digging for Fire - A husband and wife are apart for a weekend, with both considering who they are and what they think of their marriage. The husband's is represented through digging after finding a rusty gun and a bone in a yard, to give it a bit of flavor. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other Joe Swanberg film I've seen, Drinking Buddies, but it's solid. Films: 34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donomark Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Enter the Dragon - It's a James Bond movie with martial arts, but with a much quicker pace that works in its favor. That fights are all shot differently, which makes for much more interesting action sequences. The five minutes that's just Bruce Lee decimating guys is great, and the final battle with Han that homages The Lady From Shanghai really caps off the tension. My favorite Lee moment though might be his bored expression as he waits for some henchman to run out of a room he throws a cobra into. Punisher: War Zone - One of the best superhero movies. Frank Castle doesn't talk for thirty minutes. Ray Stevenson gets emotion out of Frank trying to scrub dirt off his family's gravestone and commit assisted suicide. There hasn't been a Marvel movie villain since, outside of Loki, that's as memorable as Jigsaw. The makeup is fantastic, and Dominic West gives a controlled over the top performance that is thoroughly entertaining. The violence is just as memorable, from the chandelier scene and the head punch to the more satirical moments like the rocket and the grenade. On top of that, the movie ends by saying "you're better off believing in The Punisher than Jesus." Sure, it's tongue in cheek, but that is going for it. Also, there hasn't been a Marvel movie since that looks better; the Tony Scott inspired opening credits, the monochromatic filters and lights in certain scenes, the beauty of the church scene. This movie is alive in a way few superhero movies are.My favorite Lee bit from Enter the Dragon, apart from the killer neck-crunch orgasm of death, is when one guy asks why he isn't wearing a proper uniform, and Lee just stares at him with a look that says "Bitch get out my face". It's an awesome small moment.If you're so inclined I gabbed about War Zone on The Battle Beyond Planet X a couple of months back. Initially I didn't really like that movie, and I still don't all that much now, but Harry made me realize its merits a bit better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 I also love that when he's getting briefed on the mission, the first thing he says is "why can't we just shoot Han in the head?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothian Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Punisher: War Zone - One of the best superhero movies. Frank Castle doesn't talk for thirty minutes. Ray Stevenson gets emotion out of Frank trying to scrub dirt off his family's gravestone and commit assisted suicide. There hasn't been a Marvel movie villain since, outside of Loki, that's as memorable as Jigsaw. The makeup is fantastic, and Dominic West gives a controlled over the top performance that is thoroughly entertaining. The violence is just as memorable, from the chandelier scene and the head punch to the more satirical moments like the rocket and the grenade. On top of that, the movie ends by saying "you're better off believing in The Punisher than Jesus." Sure, it's tongue in cheek, but that is going for it. Also, there hasn't been a Marvel movie since that looks better; the Tony Scott inspired opening credits, the monochromatic filters and lights in certain scenes, the beauty of the church scene. This movie is alive in a way few superhero movies are. Boy, you're going to love my next instalment of Comic Reel-lief..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 I always do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James D. Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Mad Max: Fury RoadWhat a disappointment. I'd heard nothing but good things about this movie, but it was a huge letdown. I had no emotional investment in any of these characters because they just throw you headlong into this frenetic insanity with no introduction to any of them. There's only so much "overly long car chase, break down, fix the rig, resume chase" and "okay, that person never should have survived that horrific crash" that I can take before I get really bored with the whole idea. And how the fuck were these vehicles still driving through hundreds of miles of desert with no refueling??? Also, having every single one of Tom Hardy's lines dubbed in post-production was really off-putting. *1/2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Wow. I mean, I don't think you need to come away believing it's the greatest movie of all time, but...wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Darker/Knob Goblins: shorts for the festFeatures: 25Shorts: 9Documentaries: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James D. Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Wow. I mean, I don't think you need to come away believing it's the greatest movie of all time, but...wow. I was just bored senseless with it. It's two hours of car chases and horrible arbitrarily sped-up cinematography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 I can understand that pretty easily. The more distance I have form the film, the more I think of how much of a waste of time it was.Harvest Lake: on the other had...wow. Feature for the fest.Features: 26Shorts: 9Documentaries: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenalphabro Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Edge of Tomorrow: It's probably my second favorite movie period. And I kinda needed to watch it, seeing as I've been having a rough couple of weeks. Films watched: 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
You Know Who Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 I Love You Phillip Morris: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothian Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Also, having every single one of Tom Hardy's lines dubbed in post-production was really off-putting.In fairness, it isn't the first time that's happened.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James D. Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Also, having every single one of Tom Hardy's lines dubbed in post-production was really off-putting.In fairness, it isn't the first time that's happened....Yeah, and I made my feelings on that disappointment of a movie known, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Haha...yeah, Mad Max: Fury Road has its problems, for sure, but it's nowhere near as bad as DKR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenalphabro Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 I still like Fury Road. Dredd: Unlike DKR, its an all-around good comic adaptation. And it's also in my top 20 movies period. Films Watched: 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Chelsea Does Marriage: I'm counting this as a documentary because it's feature length. I'm not a big fan of Chelsea Handler's comedy. I enjoyed this though, as I really enjoy watching her try to deal with people. She really is an unrepentant bitch, and that's fantastic. Brewing/Ravenous/Shelf Elf: shorts for the fest Features: 26Shorts: 12Documentaries: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted February 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Mad Max: Fury RoadWhat a disappointment. I'd heard nothing but good things about this movie, but it was a huge letdown. I had no emotional investment in any of these characters because they just throw you headlong into this frenetic insanity with no introduction to any of them. There's only so much "overly long car chase, break down, fix the rig, resume chase" and "okay, that person never should have survived that horrific crash" that I can take before I get really bored with the whole idea. And how the fuck were these vehicles still driving through hundreds of miles of desert with no refueling??? Also, having every single one of Tom Hardy's lines dubbed in post-production was really off-putting. *1/2James, I am right there with you.My first outing was dreadful, due to the sound. The second time -- while I enjoyed the practical effects and stunts, and feel Charlize Theron threw herself in fully -- I walked away bored and, generally, not giving a shit about the world, characters, or the consequences of their actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Martyrs: remake (review forthcomingScrawl/Idyll: features for the festFeatures: 29Shorts: 12Documentaries: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donomark Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Flash Gordon (1980) directed by Mike HodgesAwesome... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Flash Gordon (1980) directed by Mike HodgesAwesome...Have you seen (or rewatched recently) MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE? VERY similar vibe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James D. Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)I really liked this. Michael Keaton has this intrinsic, subtle charisma about him even when he's being awkward and unsure; let alone when he's being intense. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a performance of his that I disliked. The cinematography was terrific (which is to be expected since it won an Oscar for that.) I am a big fan of extended one-shot sequences because I understand how difficult it is to film such scenes without a single screw-up. The way they tied the ending back to lines said very early on was cool, too. Example: "He couldn't even shoot himself in the head properly!" The only criticism I have is Ed Norton's character is just kind of forgotten about in the last twenty minutes when he was such a prominent part of the first hour and a half. Still, I would readily watch this again.***1/2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenalphabro Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 The Big Lebowski: Without a doubt, one of the best movies the Coen brothers did. Films Watched: 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 I'd doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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