What's The Latest Film You Have Seen?

Violent & Funky · 09-19-2010, 10:32 PM

Wait, you didn't like Dazed & Confused?

Zarko · 09-20-2010, 09:52 AM

Ridiculously awesome movie. Quality enough throughout, Cushing solidified himself as one of my favourite actors. As much of an arsehole that Victor is, I don't think there are many that would actively like him. For every ****head or sexist comment or egocentric action he makes, you just see his grim determination, and you want to see him get his result.

Certainly one of my favourite anti-hero of all time.

adidasss · 09-20-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

I still need to watch Once Upon A Time In America, criminal that I haven't already seen it.
How highly do you rate that good sir? (I will need a second opinion either way.

)
.

I actually just watched that recently, and I have to say, was a tad underwhelmed. It's epic (4 hours) and well acted, but nowhere near as good as the first two Godfather flicks (I correlate the two because the storyline is rather similar). Frankly, I could have gone without watching it...:\

And I share your lack of understanding for trash film lovers. Especially if you like them when you're sober. Maybe that's the deal tho, maybe Lee's a stoner!

TheCunningStunt · 09-20-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Violent & Funky

Wait, you didn't like Dazed & Confused?

Nope, people's reasons for it being a great film are "well, it's not meant to have a plot".

It was dull. I didn't hate it, I just thought it was quite mediocre. Really unlikeable characters, far too American as well.
I just couldn't relate to it at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

I actually just watched that recently, and I have to say, was a tad underwhelmed. It's epic (4 hours) and well acted, but nowhere near as good as the first two Godfather flicks (I correlate the two because the storyline is rather similar). Frankly, I could have gone without watching it...:\

And I share your lack of understanding for trash film lovers. Especially if you like them when you're sober. Maybe that's the deal tho, maybe Lee's a stoner!

I think you're right there.
I think you have to look at which came first, when you watch 2 films that are very similar. The film that came first must have influenced the film that came later on, even if it doesn't rip it off.
You'll always prefer the more original and fresh film. I think that's the case with The Godfather and OUATIA.
I'm gonna hold off for a while to watch OUATIA, mainly because I have to be in the mood to watch a 3 and a half hour film.

And yeah, I wouldn't put it past him.

Nine Black Poppies · 09-20-2010, 12:19 PM

While I suppose I can see a similarity in the arcs of The Godfather (as a whole trilogy, though) and OUATIA, it seemed to me the style of the two camps is really sort of different. Once Upon a Time... is dreamier, I guess--quieter, more nonlinear. Like The Godfather takes a great emotional core and applies it to a complex plot, where OUATIA is more focused exclusively on getting at the intricate details of emotions (DeNiro's in particular) through the use of a somewhat more incidental plot.

It's my favorite Leone film and it's very much a Leone film, so I don't like comparing it to The Godfather cos it really does feel like its own entity. It definitely does take patience, though--not only is it 3 hours and 49 minutes, it's VERY slowly paced, which means it feels even twice as long as that. Worth it, though.

As far as Dazed & Confused goes, it *does* have a plot--or rather several--it's just the focus is on an ensemble of small ones, rather than a traditional central one. What makes that movie great is its tone--it's a "teen" movie that's almost devoid of false sentiment, which is really kind of hard to do. There are ups and downs but as a whole piece, it's kind of almost ambivalent, which is probably the most realistic depiction you could give of that age and demographic. It IS really American, though (hell, it's set in Texas)--that's definitely a legit criticism.

Also, I've kinda been known to watch "several" films a day, especially lately when I was basically working from home doing a boring, tedious job that didn't require 100% of my attention. Even outside that, sometimes it's kind of fun--like the other day, when it was rainy and gross out and we didn't have much else to do, my boyfriend and I watched 3 movies back-to-back (Psycho, Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion and Braveheart). That's actually part of how our relationship was founded: "Oh, you just wanna hang out and watch movies today? We'll get along juuuuuuuuust fine."

adidasss · 09-20-2010, 12:31 PM

Actually I disagree with you there, it's didn't feel slow paced at all, that's the one positive thing about it, it may have been long, but I didn't feel like it was a particular chore to go through. Just thought I'd encourage anyone reading, it's not a contemplative mood piece like some Tarkovsky film, it's got a fairly interesting plot which makes it very watchable. I just thought it definitely lacked any particular directorial flourishes which made Once upon a time in the West so spectacular. There was nothing there that would make me think it's a Leone film, like framing or the particular use of sound. Maybe it's because the setting is so different.

And now that you mention emotions, I guess that was another thing that the film lacked, I didn't get any feel of De Niro's character, or any other to be honest. They're all just...there. Which made the rather baffling last half hour a bit of an anticlimax. :\

TheCunningStunt · 09-20-2010, 12:43 PM

Well, if Dazed & Confused DOES have a plot. It's a pretty shitty one. It's just something I couldn't really relate to, it's not by any means a bad film - I do actually like Richard Linklater, I consider Waking Life and Before Sunrise two of my favourite films. But Dazed & Confused didn't hit the right notes for me.
I know it's overly American, but a lot of my favourite films are steeped in American identity.
I think it's because it's a hang out movie, and the appeal is you want these people to be your friends. I found them all really unlikeable, even the ones you're meant to like.
I'd like to know what Americans think of films steeped in British identity - Trainspotting, This is England etc.

~~James~~ · 09-20-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

I'd like to know what Americans think of films steeped in Scottish identity - Trainspotting,etc.

.

TheCunningStunt · 09-20-2010, 12:48 PM

Is Scotland not part of Britain anymore?!

adidasss · 09-20-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

I know it's overly American, but a lot of my favourite films are steeped in American identity.

Pretty much the major reason why I liked it so much. But I'm an unabashed americophile (yes, it just became a word).

09-19-2010, 10:32 PM	#8061 (permalink)
Violent & Funky FUNky Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 2,482	Wait, you didn't like Dazed & Confused? __________________ http://www.last.fm/user/ohio0808 sometimes I don't thrill you sometimes I think I'll kill you just don't let me fuck up will you 'cause when I need a friend it's still you

09-20-2010, 12:19 PM	#8065 (permalink)
Nine Black Poppies Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: A State of Denial Posts: 357	While I suppose I can see a similarity in the arcs of The Godfather (as a whole trilogy, though) and OUATIA, it seemed to me the style of the two camps is really sort of different. Once Upon a Time... is dreamier, I guess--quieter, more nonlinear. Like The Godfather takes a great emotional core and applies it to a complex plot, where OUATIA is more focused exclusively on getting at the intricate details of emotions (DeNiro's in particular) through the use of a somewhat more incidental plot. It's my favorite Leone film and it's very much a Leone film, so I don't like comparing it to The Godfather cos it really does feel like its own entity. It definitely does take patience, though--not only is it 3 hours and 49 minutes, it's VERY slowly paced, which means it feels even twice as long as that. Worth it, though. As far as Dazed & Confused goes, it does have a plot--or rather several--it's just the focus is on an ensemble of small ones, rather than a traditional central one. What makes that movie great is its tone--it's a "teen" movie that's almost devoid of false sentiment, which is really kind of hard to do. There are ups and downs but as a whole piece, it's kind of almost ambivalent, which is probably the most realistic depiction you could give of that age and demographic. It IS really American, though (hell, it's set in Texas)--that's definitely a legit criticism. Also, I've kinda been known to watch "several" films a day, especially lately when I was basically working from home doing a boring, tedious job that didn't require 100% of my attention. Even outside that, sometimes it's kind of fun--like the other day, when it was rainy and gross out and we didn't have much else to do, my boyfriend and I watched 3 movies back-to-back (Psycho, Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion and Braveheart). That's actually part of how our relationship was founded: "Oh, you just wanna hang out and watch movies today? We'll get along juuuuuuuuust fine." __________________ Like carnivores to carnal pleasures, so were we to desperate measures... Last edited by Nine Black Poppies; 09-20-2010 at 12:30 PM.

09-20-2010, 12:31 PM	#8066 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Actually I disagree with you there, it's didn't feel slow paced at all, that's the one positive thing about it, it may have been long, but I didn't feel like it was a particular chore to go through. Just thought I'd encourage anyone reading, it's not a contemplative mood piece like some Tarkovsky film, it's got a fairly interesting plot which makes it very watchable. I just thought it definitely lacked any particular directorial flourishes which made Once upon a time in the West so spectacular. There was nothing there that would make me think it's a Leone film, like framing or the particular use of sound. Maybe it's because the setting is so different. And now that you mention emotions, I guess that was another thing that the film lacked, I didn't get any feel of De Niro's character, or any other to be honest. They're all just...there. Which made the rather baffling last half hour a bit of an anticlimax. :\ __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

09-20-2010, 12:43 PM	#8067 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Well, if Dazed & Confused DOES have a plot. It's a pretty shitty one. It's just something I couldn't really relate to, it's not by any means a bad film - I do actually like Richard Linklater, I consider Waking Life and Before Sunrise two of my favourite films. But Dazed & Confused didn't hit the right notes for me. I know it's overly American, but a lot of my favourite films are steeped in American identity. I think it's because it's a hang out movie, and the appeal is you want these people to be your friends. I found them all really unlikeable, even the ones you're meant to like. I'd like to know what Americans think of films steeped in British identity - Trainspotting, This is England etc. __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

09-20-2010, 12:48 PM	#8069 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Is Scotland not part of Britain anymore?! __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

09-20-2010, 09:52 AM	#8062 (permalink)
Zarko Barely Disheveled Zombie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 1,196	Ridiculously awesome movie. Quality enough throughout, Cushing solidified himself as one of my favourite actors. As much of an arsehole that Victor is, I don't think there are many that would actively like him. For every ****head or sexist comment or egocentric action he makes, you just see his grim determination, and you want to see him get his result. Certainly one of my favourite anti-hero of all time.