What's The Latest Film You Have Seen?

**Frownland** · 07-04-2022, 10:30 AM

Bullet in the Head - A group of friends from Hong Kong get involved with crime, flee to Vietnam, and get caught in the war. One of the most chaotic, bat**** films I've ever seen, like you're watching a real war break out. Pretty crushing ending and massacre scenes. Also a lot of really impressive scenes where Woo directs what looks like 1000+ people.

The Batlord · 07-04-2022, 10:48 AM

One of his only classic era movies I've yet to see and I should really fix that. Sounds amazing.

jadis · 07-04-2022, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

Hmmmm. Well I was curious since I hadn't seen it for about 20 years so re-watched it this weekend. I understand why it's labelled as controversial now (not sure if it was back when it came out).

Not going deeper into the complexities of the film, I just have to say it was quite uncomfortable to watch all that violence against women. Apart from that, it's sharp and funny as well as deeply sad. I understand completely how it would have captured my attention back then to explore his filmography. However, not sure if I would return to it very soon. I'm much more fond of his softer, kinder films.

Yes. I think the opening scene makes it abundantly clear that this is not a protagonist you want at any moment to find yourself sympathizing with, like ML precludes that as a possibility.

I want to rewatch Life is Sweet. Really loved that one.

Guybrush · 07-05-2022, 02:46 AM

From what I can remember, Naked was a good exploration of its characters. I agree it's deeply sad and while I wouldn't call the movie misogynistic, its characters certainly are. I just assume Mike Leigh doesn't condone his characters behavior and we can safely conclude the movie is mostly about arsewipes that should be in jail.

Unfortunately, while I love David Thewlis and this was his big break, his character in this movie becomes annoying to watch (imo). I feel like I can kinda remember this type or parts of these personality traits in people in the 90s and not in a good way.

It's a good movie, but I've no urge to watch it again any time soon.

adidasss · 07-05-2022, 06:50 AM

Yeah the problem is that I read somewhere Leigh put the (other) antagonist in the movie to make a contrast with Thewlis' character which is confusing since they are essentially both sadists and rapists. It sort of hinted in the direction that maybe the main character isn't "as bad" as the other guy, is somehow worth saving (but refuses to), maybe based on a rather different concept of consent from 30 years ago. Maybe...

But anyway. I will be revisiting some of his other films of the era. I think he peaked with All or nothing but I liked Another year also.

Mondo Bungle · 07-06-2022, 02:48 PM

Watched this movie Lord of Tears aka the Owlman and it wasn't very good

Look at that dumbass

jadis · 07-06-2022, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

Yeah the problem is that I read somewhere Leigh put the (other) antagonist in the movie to make a contrast with Thewlis' character which is confusing since they are essentially both sadists and rapists. It sort of hinted in the direction that maybe the main character isn't "as bad" as the other guy, is somehow worth saving (but refuses to), maybe based on a rather different concept of consent from 30 years ago. Maybe...

But anyway. I will be revisiting some of his other films of the era. I think he peaked with All or nothing but I liked Another year also.

I'd put the emphases differently: the other guy is the very embodiment of the spirit of Thatcherism with its nihilism and cruelty, Johnny is one of those who are left out by Thatcherism, one of society's "superfluous men". And yet, in his own way Johnny is as violent, callous and apathetic as the successful capitalist: he doesn't get to be "outside" or "above" the drives and impulses a given society inculcates in men just because he doesn't fit in.

Given that the opening scene of the film is a literal rape, I don't see how the line between consent and non-consent is in any way blurred.

adidasss · 07-09-2022, 12:02 PM

La Cérémonie - Claude Chabrol (1995)

I think this is the first movie I've seen by Chabrol. Quite impressed. Nothing particularly original but masterful all the same. Loved the pacing and slow and subtle build-up of tension. Great performances by Huppert and especially Bonnaire who is perfectly detached and inscrutable. I'm interested in seeing what else she's done. Maybe a few more by Chabrol as well although he seems to have been very focused on crime/thrillers.

adidasss · 07-14-2022, 03:08 AM

Benediction - Terrence Davies (2021)

I've only ever seen 2 movies by Davies, Distant Voices, Still Lives and The Long Day Closes, many moons ago, and I found them both very memorable and unique. Both of them were based on Davies' personal experiences so I haven't seen him tackle anyone else's material. I was a little disappointed with this one. I expected something more original, and there are some visual touches here and there that reminded me of his early movies, but the rest is quite standard. I liked Sassoon's poetry, which seemed accessible yet powerful. But I wasn't very sold on the performances (I usually have a problem believing straight actors portraying gay characters), and much of the movie was dedicated to bitchy exchanges with rather nasty characters which doesn't make for very enjoyable drama (although it could explain somewhat Sassoon's later transformation into a bitter old man). Makes me want to revisit Distant voices though.

Azor - Andreas Fontana (2021)

Debut film from a Swiss director, it's set during Argentina's dictatorship and deals with the involvement of swiss private bankers in the chaos of the times. Intriguingly mysterious and languid with beautiful cinematography and good performances, but also a little boring because it mostly deals with finances.

Plankton · 07-14-2022, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

Elvis

the presentation is great, as epic, glamorous, and even tacky as you'd want an Elvis film to be, the director and lead actor were perfect choices for this film

wish I could say the same for Tom Hanks whos depiction of a possibly interesting villain is strange and somehow felt more racist than EPs cultural appropriation...a very stupid accent and a comically large fake nose, this was just not good, made even worse by the film being from his perspective

which can only make me think...in a film that goes out of its way (to its credit) to show how Elvis was influenced by black performers why not tell this story from their perspective, exploring a bit of the complexities of that

Elvis visiting BB King or watching Little Richard for instance, is among the highlights of the movie...how interesting could a narration from one of them be?

there are other problems, **** is contrived, the tone is all over the place, the pacing, nothing at all about Elvis having a child bride etc....but those are all easy to forgive because it's a fun biopic

tldr: the film is bad, but is visually spectacular

"Uhhh ok"

Yep. Here's one man's perspective:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hviUOCHKVVw

07-04-2022, 10:30 AM	#24051 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Bullet in the Head - A group of friends from Hong Kong get involved with crime, flee to Vietnam, and get caught in the war. One of the most chaotic, bat**** films I've ever seen, like you're watching a real war break out. Pretty crushing ending and massacre scenes. Also a lot of really impressive scenes where Woo directs what looks like 1000+ people. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

07-05-2022, 02:46 AM	#24054 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	From what I can remember, Naked was a good exploration of its characters. I agree it's deeply sad and while I wouldn't call the movie misogynistic, its characters certainly are. I just assume Mike Leigh doesn't condone his characters behavior and we can safely conclude the movie is mostly about arsewipes that should be in jail. Unfortunately, while I love David Thewlis and this was his big break, his character in this movie becomes annoying to watch (imo). I feel like I can kinda remember this type or parts of these personality traits in people in the 90s and not in a good way. It's a good movie, but I've no urge to watch it again any time soon. __________________ Something Completely Different

07-05-2022, 06:50 AM	#24055 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Yeah the problem is that I read somewhere Leigh put the (other) antagonist in the movie to make a contrast with Thewlis' character which is confusing since they are essentially both sadists and rapists. It sort of hinted in the direction that maybe the main character isn't "as bad" as the other guy, is somehow worth saving (but refuses to), maybe based on a rather different concept of consent from 30 years ago. Maybe... But anyway. I will be revisiting some of his other films of the era. I think he peaked with All or nothing but I liked Another year also. __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

07-09-2022, 12:02 PM	#24058 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	La Cérémonie - Claude Chabrol (1995) I think this is the first movie I've seen by Chabrol. Quite impressed. Nothing particularly original but masterful all the same. Loved the pacing and slow and subtle build-up of tension. Great performances by Huppert and especially Bonnaire who is perfectly detached and inscrutable. I'm interested in seeing what else she's done. Maybe a few more by Chabrol as well although he seems to have been very focused on crime/thrillers. __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

07-14-2022, 03:08 AM	#24059 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Benediction - Terrence Davies (2021) I've only ever seen 2 movies by Davies, Distant Voices, Still Lives and The Long Day Closes, many moons ago, and I found them both very memorable and unique. Both of them were based on Davies' personal experiences so I haven't seen him tackle anyone else's material. I was a little disappointed with this one. I expected something more original, and there are some visual touches here and there that reminded me of his early movies, but the rest is quite standard. I liked Sassoon's poetry, which seemed accessible yet powerful. But I wasn't very sold on the performances (I usually have a problem believing straight actors portraying gay characters), and much of the movie was dedicated to bitchy exchanges with rather nasty characters which doesn't make for very enjoyable drama (although it could explain somewhat Sassoon's later transformation into a bitter old man). Makes me want to revisit Distant voices though. Azor - Andreas Fontana (2021) Debut film from a Swiss director, it's set during Argentina's dictatorship and deals with the involvement of swiss private bankers in the chaos of the times. Intriguingly mysterious and languid with beautiful cinematography and good performances, but also a little boring because it mostly deals with finances. __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm