Author Topic: Write about the last movie you watched (2006-2010)  (Read 5998324 times)

FifthCityMuse

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25880 on: January 18, 2010, 09:20:24 PM »
Julien Donkey-Boy - Harmony Korine, 1999
Only my second Korine, after Mister Lonely, which I liked quite a bit.

I can't say the same for this. I think it may well achieve what it sets out to do. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I liked it, or was interested, or consistently engaged. I was a little repulsed by certain moments, mainly from the father (Herzog) and the end, but that was about it. Visually it reminded me of Doyle, except nowhere near as beautiful or interesting as Doyle.

D+

Bondo

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25881 on: January 18, 2010, 09:33:11 PM »
The Babysitters - 2007

I figured I had watched enough really highbrow stuff recently that I needed a break with some lowbrow (though still indie) entertainment. There are many firsts in every girl's life: first step, first day of school, menarche, first time she realizes she can make more money selling her body than babysitting or working retail.

After some legitimately good movies involving prostitution last year (The Girlfriend Experience, Playground, and the Polish film Piggies) this one seems to be playing it for a lark. It is basically saying wouldn't it be exciting to make a movie that launches from high school cliche but then have the girls use babysitting as a cover for an escort service with the kids' fathers and go in every predictable direction that line of work opens up without actually having to touch on the negative ramifications that could make the movie a bummer.

Anyway, good enough in that B-movie sort of way to not be completely worthless, but not doing anything insightful to merit watching.

jbissell

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25882 on: January 18, 2010, 10:02:59 PM »
Or a big screen, I can't imagine the tension being there if you don't have, at least, a great system and set up. You need the sound blasting and, most importantly, a place where the blackout scene has the intended effect. Without you sitting there in total darkness it just won't work, I imagine.

I'm kinda afraid that you're going to be right about this.  Both times I saw it in the theater I was totally sucked in, but I'm wondering how it will translate to a home viewing.

FroHam X

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25883 on: January 18, 2010, 10:07:08 PM »
Or a big screen, I can't imagine the tension being there if you don't have, at least, a great system and set up. You need the sound blasting and, most importantly, a place where the blackout scene has the intended effect. Without you sitting there in total darkness it just won't work, I imagine.

I'm kinda afraid that you're going to be right about this.  Both times I saw it in the theater I was totally sucked in, but I'm wondering how it will translate to a home viewing.

I first watched it on a screener DVD on my computer and it was tense as hell. Granted it was even more tense when I finally saw it in the theatre.
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1SO

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25884 on: January 18, 2010, 10:13:30 PM »
I showed it on DVD to two people who hadn't seen it yet.  Not even the Blu-Ray disc, but they were tense throughout and loved the film. Much of the good direction wasn't lost on the smaller (45 inch) screen.

roujin

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25885 on: January 18, 2010, 10:21:18 PM »

Suzanne's Career Eric Rohmer, 1963

Film #2 of the Moral Tales. This one is about two callous youths who more or less mess around with this one girl, Suzanne, for a while. One of them dates her even though to all extents and purposes he doesn't like her at all, and the other one kind of stands around not really sure of what he should do. These two characters reminded me a bit of the ones in Norwegian Wood - at least, the camaraderie between the two friends did. One does things the other disapproves of, but they both understand their relationship, and don't particularly want to change it. Anyway, making me think of Norwegian Wood (even in the context of the character's douchy behavior) is always a good thing. The things that didn't particularly work for me in Bakery Girl aren't here anymore or, at least, they're not as pronounced, and I was able to enjoy the thing a whole lot more. It's also a good 30 minutes longer and it's sadly relatable in a way but the film's ending is what makes it a whole lot better - a surprising reveal which makes us question where the film's sympathies have been all along, and things just get a whole lot sweeter.

Corndog

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25886 on: January 18, 2010, 10:36:26 PM »
#27-29.
To Sir, With Love (James Clavell, 1967) -
Two reasons I should have seen this film. One: It is about a first time teacher handling a rough neck of the woods class. Two: It's Sidney Poitier, a famous actor who, amazingly enough, I have not seen on screen before. I had a good time with it. It's a classroom drama so I pretty much knew where it was going to go. It was different seeing it from the perspective of a 60s school in London, but other than that it hit all the classroom drama hotspots. Fresh teacher with troubled kids. Struggles at first, overcomes and finds a way to connect with them. Everyone lives happily ever after pretty much. I easily go for these given my prospective profession and I really could relate given my field placement this quarter in a urban Cincinnati school. The characters were good though and they were acted very well. Poitier is a movie star though. His presence on screen is known as it should be. His character was really nice to watch on screen. And Gillian (Suzy Kendall) was looking good, I don't blame Mr. Thackeray. Overall a good experience.

I loved the way he was able to finally connect with the students. Having gone to a private Catholic school, the idea of basic manners and being treated as an adult is very familiar and something I can really relate to. I liked the structure of his class too. How he just has them ask questions and talk about whatever they want. Content is very important, but I almost feel like the real reason to get through high school at least is to learn about life and get prepared for the real world, and that was the kind of stuff they talked about. A basic education is important, but what good is it if you don't know how to use it. Creativity and critical thinking skills are just as important and college is where you add to that and learn most of that content that is specific to your interests. Maybe I'm crazy.

P.S. The dancing is amazing to watch. Kind of really funny given the era.
Rating: ***


The Great Mouse Detective (Clements, Mattinson, Michener & Musker, 1986) -
This one was fun. Basil makes for a better Sherlock Holmes than Robert Downey Jr. did(and I really liked him). His wit and thought process is charming. The story is pretty basic and maybe a little formulaic, but it is accented by two really great scenes. One is the scene where Basil and Dawson are tied up and must escape and the other is the clock tower scene. Such a cool scene seeing the action inside the clock and atop Big Ben. Top 2 clock tower scene. At least.
Rating: ***


The Rescuers Down Under (Butoy & Gabriel, 1990) -
Oliver & Company didn't play right so we jumped to this in the marathon. This is pure nostalgia for me. I watched this so much as a kid, it is one of the few films in the marathon that I have been able to remember most of the film. I had such a connection with it that I could remember my sense of smell, of touch as a kid. I was transported to the room at my Grandmother's house that I always used to watch it in. The lighting in the room. It was a great experience finally seeing it again after all of these years. It really is a great improvement on the original. The story is great and original. The new characters of Wilbur, Jake, Joanna, McLeach were all spectacular. I loved watching every minute of it. And this was one of the very few films thus far that I have noticed the achievement in animation. There were some really cool things here. Some really cool scenes that took place. The best of which was the opening shot flying past the flowers in the Australian outback. That is shot is just breathtaking. As is the following sequence of Cody flying on the back of the eagle. This film is great and one of the reasons why I am loving this marathon. I can't wait for two weeks; it'll be Aladdin and The Lion King on the same night. It might blow my mind. Especially since I hardly remember them and haven't seen either since my childhood.
Rating: ***1/2

I watched 5 movies today. I need help. Where do I get help? I'm already up to 29 movies this month/year. Help me. Please
« Last Edit: January 18, 2010, 10:52:10 PM by Corndog »
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philip918

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25887 on: January 18, 2010, 10:43:30 PM »
Summer Hours
A slow burn that ended up packing a surprising wallop.  The photography is gorgeous and the performances are good, but I was gradually losing interest until a scene with the maid really grabbed my attention.  It was sweet and heartbreaking and probably one of my favorite scenes of the year.  From there the film really expanded, going into the museum and the restoration process to the eldest son seeing his mother's desk on display and finally to a fantastic scene of the granddaughter throwing one last party at the house.
A-

24 City
I have a feeling this film will seem infinitely more interesting in 20 years.  Another snap-shot of China's rapid transformation from Jia Zhang-Ke featuring some lovely digital cinematography and insightful ruminations on China's past, present and future.  However, I really didn't care for the use of actors in some of the roles.  "Too much acting."  At it's best there are Wiseman-esque moments of surprising candor and a beautiful focus on the day-to-day process of factory work.  Overall, the film was pretty hit and miss, but Zhang-Ke is definitely a filmmaker to watch.
B-

Colleen

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25888 on: January 18, 2010, 11:01:05 PM »

Ugh.

what the hell is that from?
It's the tragic story of a girl who deals with the horror of being raped and murdered and having to watch her parents deal with the grief of this tragedy.

Obviously.

Awesome.

I'm kind of surprised how many people are going to see it despite the scathing reviews.  I haven't heard anything good about it.  I've pretty much decided to skip it despite (or because of) my liking for the book and for Ms. Ronan.

jdc

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Re: Write about the last movie you watched
« Reply #25889 on: January 18, 2010, 11:09:51 PM »
Julien Donkey-Boy - Harmony Korine, 1999
Only my second Korine, after Mister Lonely, which I liked quite a bit.

I can't say the same for this. I think it may well achieve what it sets out to do. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I liked it, or was interested, or consistently engaged. I was a little repulsed by certain moments, mainly from the father (Herzog) and the end, but that was about it. Visually it reminded me of Doyle, except nowhere near as beautiful or interesting as Doyle.

D+

His master piece is still left for you to watch...  But Gummo follows much closer to Julien Donkey-Boy in structure then it does Mister Lonely. 
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