What's The Latest Film You Have Seen?

Psy-Fi · 02-15-2015, 08:35 AM

The Valachi Papers (1972)

A good crime film based on a true story but plagued by some of the most amateurish mistakes I've ever seen in a non low-budget production. Scenes that are supposed to take place in the 1930's with late 60's & early 70's vehicles noticeable in the background, pictures of a 50's era sedan shown in a 1930's crime scene, a 1930's era car chase with the World Trade Center Towers visible in the background (construction of the towers began in 1968.) Even the artist who drew the poster above, made the mistake of including the Twin Towers in his artwork.

LoathsomePete · 02-19-2015, 11:32 AM

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

It had been probably over a decade since I last saw this movie and that was back before I really knew anything about the history of this movie or Stanley Kubrick. It is kind of fun watching it now, as I'm familiar with both the cinematic styles of Kubrick and Spielberg so I can see what influence shines through where, although it took some research to figure out that the last 20 minutes or so was actually all Kubrick. I wouldn't say it's any masterpiece or even the best example of either director, but I do think it's a perfectly serviceable sci-fi movie that showcases some really good acting by Haley Joel Osment.

If there's one reason why I'd like to see Kubrick's version of the movie though it would be so I could see what his vision of Rouge City would be like, because I have a feeling Spielberg tamed it down for the PG-13 rating.

Josef K · 02-19-2015, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exo_

Blue Ruin

Revenge stories. You thought that they couldn’t do anther one that is both unique and engaging but along comes “Blue Ruin” to prove that it isn’t true. It’s been a pretty great year for film so far and while I didn’t get a chance to see this is a theater, I’m still glad I was able to watch it on DVD. There are some films from three years ago that still haven’t managed a DVD release and thankfully this wasn’t one of them.

The film stars Macon Blair, who is almost a split image of Nathan Lane, as Dwight, a homeless man living out of his car on the shores of Delaware. It’s pretty much inferred off the bat that Dwight is troubled by something as he makes no attempt at panhandling or other form of making money. He doesn’t like people and he likes to keep it that way. A friendly police officer brings Dwight in to inform him that a certain person is getting out of jail and the story slowly begins to unfold from there. I say slowly mostly because I mean just that. Jeremy Saulnier took great care with his breakthrough film, telling the story in a slow burning and delicately paced fashion. We aren’t getting spoon fed details and I had to rewind the film twice to make sure I caught turns in the plot. The film has minimal dialogue as our protagonist Dwight is very soft spoken and a lot of the film takes place with only him.

Saulnier, who started his career as a cinematographer, composes some pretty beautiful shots in a barren Virginian landscape. They way he approached the violence reminded me of another filmmaker, Ben Wheatly, in which what we get isn’t stylized, but rather highly realistic. There were some real shockingly violent moments in this film that just hit harder due to the realism.

Saulnier is a promising filmmaker that should be due some serious budget for his next film. That is the way Hollywood is going now. You have Josh Trank, Gareth Edwards, James Gunn, and Rian Johnson all at the helm of big franchises. It’s only a matter of time before a talent such as Saulnier gets his due and if it is anything like Blue Ruin, I’m going to like it.

4/5

I just saw this and it was awesome. About to watch There Will Be Blood now.

~~James~~ · 02-20-2015, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josef K

I just saw this and it was awesome. About to watch There Will Be Blood now.

There Will Be Blood is an absolute masterpiece as far as I am concerned. Seen PTA's other films?

Josef K · 02-20-2015, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

There Will Be Blood is an absolute masterpiece as far as I am concerned. Seen PTA's other films?

It is really good. I saw Inherent Vice but nothing else. Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia have been on my list forever though.

simplephysics · 02-20-2015, 09:06 AM

Add The Master to that list. It's one of his better films, IMO, and also sports an amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nothing compares to There Will Be Blood, though.

Josef K · 02-20-2015, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadnaught

Add The Master to that list. It's one of his better films, IMO, and also sports an amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nothing compares to There Will Be Blood, though.

I'd heard mixed things. Will do though, thanks.

Chula Vista · 02-20-2015, 09:21 AM

Caught "Chef" last night. It's one of those movies that makes you smile and laugh a lot while you're getting all misty in the eyes. Highly recommended.

EPOCH6 · 02-20-2015, 10:18 AM

Man I wish I could watch There Will Be Blood for the first time again. One of the best ever.

**Frownland** · 02-20-2015, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josef K

I just saw this and it was awesome. About to watch There Will Be Blood now.

Good order, watching any film after TWBB always ruins the next film film for me. It gives me impossibly high standards. I agree that The Master is pretty great and it rewards multiple viewings. It doesn't have the cohesive storyline of TWBB, which is why it gets a lot of negative criticism.

02-19-2015, 11:32 AM	#14922 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) It had been probably over a decade since I last saw this movie and that was back before I really knew anything about the history of this movie or Stanley Kubrick. It is kind of fun watching it now, as I'm familiar with both the cinematic styles of Kubrick and Spielberg so I can see what influence shines through where, although it took some research to figure out that the last 20 minutes or so was actually all Kubrick. I wouldn't say it's any masterpiece or even the best example of either director, but I do think it's a perfectly serviceable sci-fi movie that showcases some really good acting by Haley Joel Osment. If there's one reason why I'd like to see Kubrick's version of the movie though it would be so I could see what his vision of Rouge City would be like, because I have a feeling Spielberg tamed it down for the PG-13 rating. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

02-20-2015, 09:21 AM	#14928 (permalink)
Chula Vista Toasted Poster Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SoCal by way of Boston Posts: 11,332	Caught "Chef" last night. It's one of those movies that makes you smile and laugh a lot while you're getting all misty in the eyes. Highly recommended. __________________ “The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be.”