Simply a follow up to Jen's great post; there were getting to be so many pages in that one I thought it could use a refresh. Happy to carry on the tradition!
Posted 6 months ago
Once Were Warriors 1994 - 8/10
The story is about an urban Maori family. It is hard hitting and depicts the domestic violence, child abuse in a very strong way. The actors are also very good.
Little Big Man 1970 - 7/10
This was like Forrest Gump with western touch. Dustin Hoffman justifies the character. The story didn't seem to go anywhere, it just focused on one character. You either forget the events or don't care much when other characters appear again.
Pleasantville 1998 - 8/10
When the movie started, I thought Jumanji, and then I was like Truman Show. But, the then it surprised me in the second half. The movie was not just about kids going in TV, it was about how the characters change when they try to do something different and become colorful and how being colorful is not same for everyone.
Antz 1998 - 7/10
Similar plot as A Bug's Life. Woody Allen was saving grace of the movie and +1 for that.
Breaking the Waves 1996 - 7/10
I might have liked it more, had I not watched Dancer In the Dark and Dogville. It was better than Dancer in the Dark, this has deep concept. But, not so good as Dogville, this lacked conviction. Overall good performances, good subject, but the supernatural love angle did not work for me. It ruins the whole struggle that the female lead goes through.
The story is about an urban Maori family. It is hard hitting and depicts the domestic violence, child abuse in a very strong way. The actors are also very good.
Little Big Man 1970 - 7/10
This was like Forrest Gump with western touch. Dustin Hoffman justifies the character. The story didn't seem to go anywhere, it just focused on one character. You either forget the events or don't care much when other characters appear again.
Pleasantville 1998 - 8/10
When the movie started, I thought Jumanji, and then I was like Truman Show. But, the then it surprised me in the second half. The movie was not just about kids going in TV, it was about how the characters change when they try to do something different and become colorful and how being colorful is not same for everyone.
Antz 1998 - 7/10
Similar plot as A Bug's Life. Woody Allen was saving grace of the movie and +1 for that.
Breaking the Waves 1996 - 7/10
I might have liked it more, had I not watched Dancer In the Dark and Dogville. It was better than Dancer in the Dark, this has deep concept. But, not so good as Dogville, this lacked conviction. Overall good performances, good subject, but the supernatural love angle did not work for me. It ruins the whole struggle that the female lead goes through.
(Edited)
In Antz, the animation and the plot are so bad, it is almost unwatchable.
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
cinephile, while I don't agree per se, it was always a hard watch for me, since childhood and situation never quite improved in adulthood either. I admire that they tried for a more serious plot, but it feels like they went a tiny bit too far with this.
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Blow Out (1981) (9/10)
Short Review:
This movie seems to be forgotten, it has only 41k votes and a 7.4. I think that the critics on Metascore got it right this time, this movie is a pure masterpiece. I particularly find interesting the framing and the use of that blood red in almost every scene. The red is an excellent color in cinema, it draws attention and in someway the color and itself as an immense impact in creating emotions.
Furthermore, the movie is composed of a very clever and effective storyline. However, the dialogues are like roller-coaster some are excellent as the last line of the movie others are simply average and really forgettable.
Finally, I could describe this movie as a surprising neo-noir. It is not in anybody's cinema book, but still had an unexpected influence on movies like Nightcrawler in 2014.
Red examples:
Short Review:
This movie seems to be forgotten, it has only 41k votes and a 7.4. I think that the critics on Metascore got it right this time, this movie is a pure masterpiece. I particularly find interesting the framing and the use of that blood red in almost every scene. The red is an excellent color in cinema, it draws attention and in someway the color and itself as an immense impact in creating emotions.
Furthermore, the movie is composed of a very clever and effective storyline. However, the dialogues are like roller-coaster some are excellent as the last line of the movie others are simply average and really forgettable.
Finally, I could describe this movie as a surprising neo-noir. It is not in anybody's cinema book, but still had an unexpected influence on movies like Nightcrawler in 2014.
Red examples:
I put it on my Criterion To Buy list.
Off the subject question, if I may:
What is an IMDb Beta Test?
Like, the type you get that badge for?
What is an IMDb Beta Test?
Like, the type you get that badge for?
It's probably what it sounds to mean. If you were chosen to help during a given beta testing period of a new feature (a new feature that's not open to the public but which the developers need to see actually being used by real-world users in order to find the ease of use and possible bugs or glitches remaining in said program of the new feature).
I suspect that badge isn't easy to obtain. It's a matter of lottery. I wouldn't know if beta testing is on a volunteer basis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing
Also this...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/beta-tester-badge
Beta testing is a step usually to find bugs in a given program before the program is deemed fit to be open to a larger general public.
I suspect that badge isn't easy to obtain. It's a matter of lottery. I wouldn't know if beta testing is on a volunteer basis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing
Also this...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/beta-tester-badge
Beta testing is a step usually to find bugs in a given program before the program is deemed fit to be open to a larger general public.
Okay, thank you!!
The Day the Earth Stood Still, 2008... can't decide between 4 or 5 stars.
Not to be confused with The Day the Earth Froze from MST3K.
Not entirely awful, but not especially great. An alien comes to Earth to wipe people out for the planet's good by having everything disintegrated... sound familiar?
And what with Kyle Chandler being around (plus the fact that Jennifer ConnelIy looks like Sally Hawkins sometimes), I couldn't shake the feeling that Godzilla would come around the corner.
I haven't seen the original, but I probably will someday because I just wanna see how it differs.
Not to be confused with The Day the Earth Froze from MST3K.
Not entirely awful, but not especially great. An alien comes to Earth to wipe people out for the planet's good by having everything disintegrated... sound familiar?
And what with Kyle Chandler being around (plus the fact that Jennifer ConnelIy looks like Sally Hawkins sometimes), I couldn't shake the feeling that Godzilla would come around the corner.
I haven't seen the original, but I probably will someday because I just wanna see how it differs.
(Edited)
I kinda liked this... I think I have it as a 6 or maybe a 7.
I put it at 4; would've given it a 4 and a half if it was possible. I guess my biggest problem with it is the "Humans are killing earth!" thing; it's simply overused. Hollywood needs to come up with a new reason for aliens wanting to destroy us! xD
I guess you are not a fan of some of Roland Emmerich's films, then?
*Googles Roland Emmerich's filmography*
*comes back*
No, except Godzilla - critics be darned, it's fun!
*comes back*
No, except Godzilla - critics be darned, it's fun!
(Edited)
:|
The Invitation 8/10
It received some criticism for being too slow, but I do not agree. The atmosphere was tense, the acting was nice and there were no annoying/stupid characters. Also really liked my fellow countryman Michiel Huisman.
The ending was slightly over the top, but that is forgiven given the great scenes that preceded the last few minutes.
One of my favourites of 2015 :)
It received some criticism for being too slow, but I do not agree. The atmosphere was tense, the acting was nice and there were no annoying/stupid characters. Also really liked my fellow countryman Michiel Huisman.
The ending was slightly over the top, but that is forgiven given the great scenes that preceded the last few minutes.
One of my favourites of 2015 :)
I enjoyed this as well. I'm usually critical of 'slow pacing' however this film succeeded at keeping the tension high, as you stated.
I rate it a 7.
I rate it a 7.
(Edited)
The Lake House, 2006, 3/10.
I'm usually not into sappy romance, but the sci-fi/fantasy element drew me in.
Sorry to say, I was disappointed. I mean it could've been good, but it just kinda fell flat.
And the timeline is more confusing than the ENTIRE MCU.
I'm usually not into sappy romance, but the sci-fi/fantasy element drew me in.
Sorry to say, I was disappointed. I mean it could've been good, but it just kinda fell flat.
And the timeline is more confusing than the ENTIRE MCU.
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
And the timeline is more confusing than the ENTIRE MCU.[laughs in "Twin Peaks" (2017)]
Suburban Sasquatch (Video 2004), 1/10. I'd call this one Nguyenian as in James Nguyen, the director of Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010). But Birdemic came out six years after this pathetic, faux-Native American spiritualist ape of a stinker. 8/10 for the Rifftrax commentary.
Keep in mind that there's a certain sect of antifanboys who earnestly think Christopher Nolan makes worse films than this and Birdemic.
Keep in mind that there's a certain sect of antifanboys who earnestly think Christopher Nolan makes worse films than this and Birdemic.
LOL I cannot wait to see this one!!!!!!
Although quality-wise Nolan is obviously better, I must admit that entertainment-wise I'd rather watch Birdemic. It's awful, but hilarious and you'll never see anything like it. Nolan is rather... boring. :/ Just me, though!
Although quality-wise Nolan is obviously better, I must admit that entertainment-wise I'd rather watch Birdemic. It's awful, but hilarious and you'll never see anything like it. Nolan is rather... boring. :/ Just me, though!
That's more than fair on both accounts.
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
Stephen Atwood, then again, Nguyen is a fairly recent example of that, ahem, approach to filmmaking.
I was more curious (and doubtful) if Nguyen was influenced by this particular Z grade sasquatch film.
Wondering what Z grade films (if any) he experienced before making Birdemic. Also, Julie and Jack was his first film back in 2003 (which predates Suburban Sasquatch).
Wondering what Z grade films (if any) he experienced before making Birdemic. Also, Julie and Jack was his first film back in 2003 (which predates Suburban Sasquatch).
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
Stephen Atwood, I might be short of context on this one, but Nguyen always seemed to me as being of the same type as Tommy Wiseau and Neil Breen: mostly oblivious of the fact that his productions are ridiculously faulty.
I'd put Edward D. Wood Jr. in the same category, although he was an exceptionally weird case: it's like he had a very selective, half-working attention span, so you keep wondering why there are attempts at continuity in some places, while such simple things as non-existent foley in cutaway reaction shots is not there.
I'd put Edward D. Wood Jr. in the same category, although he was an exceptionally weird case: it's like he had a very selective, half-working attention span, so you keep wondering why there are attempts at continuity in some places, while such simple things as non-existent foley in cutaway reaction shots is not there.
Tried to watch Trollhunter... but within the first few seconds, my world came crashing down... oh, the horror! No, don't make me look at it, no! It's terrible! It's... FOUND FOOTAGE!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Narni,
I don't see the appeal of "Found Footage".
I walked out of the cinema during "The Blair Witch Project".
I don't see the appeal of "Found Footage".
I walked out of the cinema during "The Blair Witch Project".
Blair Witch Project was the first ff movie ever... I blame it for the pain and suffering of the world. :/ ;)
Yes, and now many Horror films that would otherwise be good or at least watchable aren't :(
"Blair Witch Project was the first ff movie ever... I blame it for the pain and suffering of the world. :/ "
A little due diligence would have prevented such obvious mistakes as this. It's not the first (by decades).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_footage_(film_technique)#Films
A little due diligence would have prevented such obvious mistakes as this. It's not the first (by decades).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_footage_(film_technique)#Films
PREACH!
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
MST3K (and Narnia) is Awesome, forgive me for a rant, but... just because something is in the genre of found footage (which has several subtypes of its own) does not automatically make it bad. Yet another pointless filmmaking ghetto, which does not help the fact that overall horror is belittled when compared to other genres. There is no bad genre. There's subjective taste and then there's defining production values and/or lack of creativity, which might or might not result in the production being less watchable. Threshold of which is also very much subjective.
I dare you, I double dare you to say that one of my all-time most favorite movies C'est arrivé près de chez vous (1992) is not a textbook example of found footage (because evacuating good examples in other genres is a very common and unfair trait I see a lot - just ask how many slashers are not slashers but 'thrillers') and also not a good movie which does not have artistic merit. And I mean, you can do that. But a simple glance over movie's IMDb page will suggest it's a rather unpopular opinion. Not that you should care whether your opinion is unpopular or not. You should care about it being respective to other opinions, though, so agressively 'preaching' is not exactly a good thing.
Also 'first found footage movie ever', my foot. Stephen is super right on this one: the technique is there since at the very least 1960's. Keep in mind, the Wikipedia list is selected and far from being complete.
P.S. Also This House Has People in It (2016), another great thing that, thankfully, made me drop whatever bias for found footage genre I had left at that point.
I dare you, I double dare you to say that one of my all-time most favorite movies C'est arrivé près de chez vous (1992) is not a textbook example of found footage (because evacuating good examples in other genres is a very common and unfair trait I see a lot - just ask how many slashers are not slashers but 'thrillers') and also not a good movie which does not have artistic merit. And I mean, you can do that. But a simple glance over movie's IMDb page will suggest it's a rather unpopular opinion. Not that you should care whether your opinion is unpopular or not. You should care about it being respective to other opinions, though, so agressively 'preaching' is not exactly a good thing.
Also 'first found footage movie ever', my foot. Stephen is super right on this one: the technique is there since at the very least 1960's. Keep in mind, the Wikipedia list is selected and far from being complete.
P.S. Also This House Has People in It (2016), another great thing that, thankfully, made me drop whatever bias for found footage genre I had left at that point.
(Edited)
"C'est arrive pres de chez vous" is more of a mockumentary inspired by Belgian reality TV show "Strip-Tease" the "found footage" aspect isn't relevant, it's not a survival film like "Cannibal Holocaust" or "Blair Witch". By the way, it's one of my all-time favorire films.
Nikolay:
That may be, but all the ones I've seen are awful in my little opinion. The shaky camera and poor quality make it unbearable. I prefer to fully experience something than get a peek at it through someone's cell phone, which points at the ground most of the time. xD
That may be, but all the ones I've seen are awful in my little opinion. The shaky camera and poor quality make it unbearable. I prefer to fully experience something than get a peek at it through someone's cell phone, which points at the ground most of the time. xD
To clarify, I don't mind first-person perspective or the "mockumentary" style, or even movies that are about a camera crew; I just don't like the crappy angles and usually hammy feel.
Narni,
I agree... when I watch a movie, I want it to succeed at 'suspension of disbelief'.
Found footage films fail at that, as do films that 'break the fourth wall'.
I agree... when I watch a movie, I want it to succeed at 'suspension of disbelief'.
Found footage films fail at that, as do films that 'break the fourth wall'.
(Edited)
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
15yearsIMDber aka ElMo, mine as well. :) I'd say that 'found footage' aspect is relevant in the movie: most of the audience is guessing whether filmmakers were able to finish that train wreck of a documentary, or succumbed to overall madness that is Benoît "Ben" Potar's life.
MST3K (and Narnia) is Awesome, fair point although, to be honest, I may forgive a no, low and even moderate budget movie a crappy angle or ten if it delivers in artistic merit. It's safe to say that mainstream found footage, if not entirely devoid of such, might be severely lacking. However the more independent we get, the better and more interesting results are and The Blair Witch Project (1999) is most certainly on that end of spectrum, being an independet and rather original effort. Then there are efforts like This House Has People in It (2016) and The House October Built (2014) which certainly show a lot of originality AND effort.
MST3K (and Narnia) is Awesome, fair point although, to be honest, I may forgive a no, low and even moderate budget movie a crappy angle or ten if it delivers in artistic merit. It's safe to say that mainstream found footage, if not entirely devoid of such, might be severely lacking. However the more independent we get, the better and more interesting results are and The Blair Witch Project (1999) is most certainly on that end of spectrum, being an independet and rather original effort. Then there are efforts like This House Has People in It (2016) and The House October Built (2014) which certainly show a lot of originality AND effort.
(Edited)
Nikolay said
"Art" isn't really a word in my lexicon.
"Entertainment", "Hedonism", "Wine, Women & Song" are.
:D
[...] I may forgive a no, low and even moderat[sic] budget movie a crappy angle or ten if it delivers in artistic merit.
"Art" isn't really a word in my lexicon.
"Entertainment", "Hedonism", "Wine, Women & Song" are.
:D
Nikolay Yeriomin (Mykola Yeromin), Champion
Siobhan, I'll be honest: that's a really hard point for me to swallow, as art is not only a relevant category in my life, but is one of the most important. It differes from entertainment, if two are very often found in the same place.
Art actually is in my lexicon, lol, as are entertainment, humor, spirituality, and most importantly sardines. ;)
I love sardines too... especially tinned sardines with tomato and hot sauce in half a baguette and with a cold Coke... the perfect snack for a picnic or a day on the beach. Especially when the sandwich spent two little hours in the bag and the sauce had time to be absorbed by the crumb... mmmmm
G'ah, now I'm hungry! xD
I must ask, what brand do you buy? King Oscar is my brand, and it is AMAZING, along with the kippers.
I must ask, what brand do you buy? King Oscar is my brand, and it is AMAZING, along with the kippers.
I was recalling my youth memories in Morocco... no brand of bread, it was the "Parisian" in reference to the baguette... and good old Spanish sardines... the brand was Sevillana... you asked for a Sevillana sandwich in the grocery and you got it... I am hungry too now.
Red Salmon for me.
Hard pass on the sardines (and pilchards).
Hard pass on the sardines (and pilchards).
Death Parade (2015) (TV Mini-Series), 9/10. I wasn't sure if I ever finished watching this 12 episode anime. After watching the final episode, I guess I already have seen em all.
It's a shame there isn't a manga that continues this apparent original premise.
It's a shame there isn't a manga that continues this apparent original premise.
I love anime openings. my favorites are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkdi6eK05OA (I don't get why they included a nude scene, it is animated, but they are still underaged in the show.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QE9cmfxx4s (They spells the words so fast, I need to slow it down to google translate it.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkdi6eK05OA (I don't get why they included a nude scene, it is animated, but they are still underaged in the show.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QE9cmfxx4s (They spells the words so fast, I need to slow it down to google translate it.)
Your Lie In April has been sitting in my Netflix queue for a bit too long. I should start that one after I tackle Violet Evergarden.
Pan, 2015, 1/10. Only got through about 10 or so minutes and I couldn't take it anymore. Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5737593/?ref_=rw_urv
(Edited)
Chico & Rita (2010), 8/10. Great music. But the all too quick pace of the first half of the film (in terms of mere months) didn't seem to be too realistic - romance and fame wise for the two title characters. Not fatal flaws but flaws nevertheless.
Lily - A Mayra
Music by Bebo Valdés
Lyrics by Juanito Márquez and Nat Chediak
Performed by Freddy Cole and Estrella Morente
Should have gotten nominated for original song in 2012. WTH were only two songs nominated that year? This category is by far the most arbitrarily goofy one.
AND
¡Vampiros en La Habana! (1985). The whole bloody thing is on YouTube. Kind an odd coincidence that both movies are animated movies about jazz musicians in Cuba.
I stumbled onto this one by a freak of an IMDb advanced search. I expected to absolutely hate it and ... well, I was expecting it to be a target for Rifftrax.
Be warned that there are questionable (possibly) racist character designs.
I'm giving this surprise animated treat about vampires in Havana, an 8/10.
Lily - A Mayra
Music by Bebo Valdés
Lyrics by Juanito Márquez and Nat Chediak
Performed by Freddy Cole and Estrella Morente
Should have gotten nominated for original song in 2012. WTH were only two songs nominated that year? This category is by far the most arbitrarily goofy one.
AND
¡Vampiros en La Habana! (1985). The whole bloody thing is on YouTube. Kind an odd coincidence that both movies are animated movies about jazz musicians in Cuba.
I stumbled onto this one by a freak of an IMDb advanced search. I expected to absolutely hate it and ... well, I was expecting it to be a target for Rifftrax.
Be warned that there are questionable (possibly) racist character designs.
I'm giving this surprise animated treat about vampires in Havana, an 8/10.
(Edited)
cinephile
Those (Biography, Drama, Music ) Rags to Riches flicks are probably more repetitive than the MCU
cinephile
Not a perfect list, but it is still pretty relevant.
15yearsIMDber aka ElMo