Two really good silly but feel-good movies: Blinded by the Light (featuring the music of Bruce Springsteen) and Going in Style, which proves if nothing else that Michael Caine still has it. Morgan Freeman was, you know, Morgan Freeman.

That was five years ago. Can you still use "has" when referring to five years ago?

Pedant. Had it then.
Don't you know when I watch a film I hop in my TARDIS and go back to that year, so that I can soak up the true atmosphere of the time? Shee. Thought everyone knew that.

Just watched Santa Clause 2.

Man, that Tim Allan still has it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_A24_films

It's an impressive list, had no idea Under the Skin or Enemy or The Loster were theirs too. I thought they mostly put out stuff like Hereditary (which is fine I guess, though I mostly remember watching it in a cinema full of teens who were really scared by it in a pretty endearing way, more than the actual movie).

Pity that the Egoyan titles are no good but whatcanyado, he lost it after a great run in the 90s

Under the Silver Lake is a great LA movie

Really want to watch First Reformed and The Witch

As long as he doesn't give it to me.

I forgot there was a new Macbeth. Has anyone seen it and if so how does it compare to Polanski's

Yeah Hereditary didn't make the biggest impression on me but The Witch was super cool as both a weirdo period film and weirdo horror movie. They're not particularly scary movies so much as they have great atmosphere and world building and The Witch is definitely a step up from Hereditary in that regard.

I have not seen Polanski's but I liked the new Macbeth. I'm very partial to Frances mcdormand though.

Who isn't?

Speaking of Robert Eggers did you see The Northman?

Not yet but it sounds right up my alley.

Yeah, get it high up on your watch list. I saw it in theaters twice, the second time I was absolutely blasted off an edible and it was probably the greatest film experience of my life

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Men_poster.jpg

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965)

Old and dated, but hilarious as ****. Racial stereotypes abound, and there are some good names in it - Terry-Thomas, Eric Sykes, Tony Hancock, Benny Hill and Robert Morley - a great laugh, silly and slapstick but very enjoyable.

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.

Morbius! Look, Marvel’s fantasias are over. Copied the plots of many past series! Rated 3 out of 10

Great film! I liked the plot.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

https://i.postimg.cc/d3tpJf8q/MV5-BZ...U1-Nj-I-V1.jpg

Look at that dumbass

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.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...onieposter.jpg

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.

https://cdn-2.cinemaparadiso.co.uk/2206100240241_l.jpg

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.

https://pics.filmaffinity.com/Azor-245943513-large.jpg

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.

"Uhhh ok"

Yep. Here's one man's perspective:


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

The King of what? lol

Growing up and seeing all the greased up guys and the bee-hive wearing ladies hyping him up was a bit puzzling to me, and even more so when my parents would go to someones place and they'd have the velvet Elvis's on the walls and thats all they played the entire visit. Wtf do these people see in this guy? Ray's sensibility hits home.

Don't forget Bill Black too. Sun Sessions Elvis is the only Elvis I like. Otherwise, I'm not a fan - except for "Suspicious Minds".

Big Anklepants vibes

Dwight's cover appeals to my tastes more than the original:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01fy0UtBTW4

I do have a mental block from being force fed Elvis at a young age though, so there's that.

^ Now playing - thanks! Never heard Dwight's version before....

Edit: Really like this cover! I respect Dwight as a Buck Owens/Bakersfield acolyte (I was brainwashed by my mom with Buck Owens music growing up). I need to dig deeper into Dwight's discography.

I started with this one on a whim back in the 90's and then went deeper afterwards. I haven't heard everything he's done but I have heard quite a bit. Three Pears from 2012 is another standout for me.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICHnWFt6AXE

^ Will take a listen to this for a start, and also Three Pears. Thanks!

10-4 no problemo.

...and there's a Dwight thread too: https://www.musicbanter.com/country-...ht-yoakam.html

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...8poster%29.jpg

Cemetery of Splendour

I really liked Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives so I gave this a try when a blu ray copy came into the shop. Excellent film! I really thought that this film over Uncle Boonmee accomplished that sort of "half awaken from a dream" feel that Weerasethakul is known for. There were points in this film that I felt like I was literally imagining things that were happening. That's effective filmmaking. The story is always very loose with him and there were moments that were just out of leftfield but I thought this was fantastic.

I've seen Uncle Boonmee, I didn't understand much of it but I remember the feeling it conveyed was very meditative.

Check out Buenos Noches from an Empty Room for some of his best stuff.
Like this.

and this

Crimes of the Future

David Cronenberg's latest screenplay/story since 1999's Existenz. It's a visceral sci-fi movie brimming with body horror that feels very on brand for Cronenberg. Most of the movie is dialogue interactions between the characters, which includes a bit of philosophical musings on things like what it means to be an artist and humanity. Between these scenes, we get a lot of sexy surgery (surgery is the new sex).

As a biologist, nothing about the movie's use of the term evolution seems based in reality. Let's call it an alternate reality sci-fi because nature doesn't work like this. The philosophy is also a little wonky at times, but I greatly appreciate the uniqueness of Cronenberg's vision. It is a sight to behold and entertaining in its own right. I would recommend it on that basis alone. After all, how often do we get to see such visionary projects with big names attached to it?

Cronenberg has a unique imagination and I hope the movie does well. Recommended, but especially for you Cronies out there.

Going to see Nope in theaters tonight - anyone else seen it yet?