It was fun metacommentary movie. Not entirely sure what people wanted from it, but I liked it for what it was, a commentary on action movie sequels.

Holy shit I forgot how good the first Matrix film is. First 20 minutes are fucking incredible.

Jan 2, 2022 17:26:41 GMT c said:

It was fun metacommentary movie. Not entirely sure what people wanted from it, but I liked it for what it was, a commentary on action movie sequels.

That's too deep for me to understand.

Sunshine on Leith - A musical based on the songs by 'The Proclaimers'.... enough said.

Ghostbusters Afterlife: Was a fun movie that I enjoyed, wanted a reason to go to Gold Lounge and this just opened in Australia so we checked it out. I don’t remember the 1984 original much at all, wanted to rewatch but wasn’t on any of the many streaming services I use so I gave up, haven’t seen the others either.

I really enjoyed the first half of Don't Look Up, thought it was very funny and incisive, but it really could have used a bit of editing in the second half which dragged on too long and started to unnecessarily reuse jokes. Timothee Chalamet's character seemed completely superfluous, I would have scrapped that storyline altogether and had him play the tech billionaire instead.

I was more disappointed by The Lost Daughter which I had high hopes for considering those involved, and the 96% rotten tomatoes score, but found it a real slog to get through. The storyline is quite a good one (I haven't read the book but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's much better told in writing than in the movie) but unfortunately, the connections between the flashbacks and the current day were very vague and awkwardly presented, and the protagonist's relationships with the other cast disappointingly trivial and ultimately unresolved.

Jan 4, 2022 0:52:36 GMT System said:

Ghostbusters Afterlife: Was a fun movie that I enjoyed, wanted a reason to go to Gold Lounge and this just opened in Australia so we checked it out. I don’t remember the 1984 original much at all, wanted to rewatch but wasn’t on any of the many streaming services I use so I gave up, haven’t seen the others either.

Was a really fun throwback film.  Hit just about everything one could want.

Agree with @admin that Don’t Look Up is a really uneven film. The first half is great and chalk full of great writing and genius lines. I loved it. The second half is solid and has a moment here and there but drags on way too much and the running joke overall falls flat. Cut 20 minutes here or there and it’s great.

Overall though the performances stand out , that cast is killer. Leo , JLaw , Streep , Blanchett all bring it with some great pinch hits from Hill and Perlman. I can’t be disappointed with that and will probably go back to it in some time.

It’s making my two year end Top 10 - not sure where but it’ll be there.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City-It was the Resident Eviliest movie to date, but jamming 1 and 2 together leaves little development for either, and they missed on pretty much all of the casting outside of the Redfields (Irons and Birken worked well enough). And even beyond looks, the Wesker and Leon characters were just all wrong. One of those that if you go in with absolutely no RE knowledge it'd be an easier watch, but it was okay enough...CGI was pretty bad across the board.


Ghostbusters: Afterlife-This was a great follow-up to the originals, yeah it follows the recent trend of veering afully close to a straight up rehash of the first, but with an entertaining storyline that was all its own. The climax was really just fangasm to the fullest. I'd loved to see more.

Jan 5, 2022 10:26:30 GMT RagnarokMike said:

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City-It was the Resident Eviliest movie to date, but jamming 1 and 2 together leaves little development for either, and they missed on pretty much all of the casting outside of the Redfields (Irons and Birken worked well enough). And even beyond looks, the Wesker and Leon characters were just all wrong. One of those that if you go in with absolutely no RE knowledge it'd be an easier watch, but it was okay enough...CGI was pretty bad across the board.


Ghostbusters: Afterlife-This was a great follow-up to the originals, yeah it follows the recent trend of veering afully close to a straight up rehash of the first, but with an entertaining storyline that was all its own. The climax was really just fangasm to the fullest. I'd loved to see more.

I really enjoyed the RE film but definitely agree they could have improved the casting and made a good film even better but I’m sensing studio interference or they knew it would bomb anyway and didn’t care

2021 horror movie catchup is still ongoing.

Deep House was last night. Story is youtube urban explorers explore an underwater house that is haunted. Average movie in every way. It was watchable but just barely. Some creepy stuff but overall the story was just not good enough. Skippable.

Jan 4, 2022 21:15:44 GMT UT said:

Agree with @admin that Don’t Look Up is a really uneven film. The first half is great and chalk full of great writing and genius lines. I loved it. The second half is solid and has a moment here and there but drags on way too much and the running joke overall falls flat. Cut 20 minutes here or there and it’s great.

Overall though the performances stand out , that cast is killer. Leo , JLaw , Streep , Blanchett all bring it with some great pinch hits from Hill and Perlman. I can’t be disappointed with that and will probably go back to it in some time.

It’s making my two year end Top 10 - not sure where but it’ll be there.

Hill is hilarious in this and steals every scene he was in.  Mark Rylance's channeling of Biden was fucking hilarious as well.  It was uncannily accurate too.

I loved the film.  Was great satire of several different things like disaster films, science, politics, social commentary, etc, and the cast was great.  Sure it is overwritten in the second half and could have lost an hour easily.  The hard science satire was so good.  Pity so few will understand it.

We enjoyed Don't Look Up. I think it makes you run the gamut in terms of emotions, at least it did me. Mark Rylance was probably my favorite of the whole thing, although I loved Cate Blanchett and JLaw as well. I don't 'get' Jonah Hill usually. I often find him playing the same character just in different movies and I find his 'humor' annoying and I found this to be the case with this movie again, but that's just me. As @admin said, Timothee Chalamet's character could have been completely eliminated-which is a shame as he seem to be the new 'IT' guy at the moment-and as others said, a half an hour shorter and I think it could have really tightened up some of the drag or unnecessary stuff. Overall, a very smart film. I had quite a few laugh out moments once I could put aside my irrational hatred for Leo. It holds me back from enjoying films he's in, which is usually why I don't watch his films but this time the cast around him was just so stellar, I was able to somewhat get past it at least for most of the film. Honestly, it's an issue.

Jonah Hill said in this film he was trying to play a character that was the personification of the Fyre Fest. I think he nailed it.

Paul - Having never seen this film, I quite enjoyed it. Always like the pairing of Simon Pegg & Nick Frost, and Seth Rogan threw me when I pinpointed he voiced Paul the alien. 

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Watched this as we were saying King’s Man tonight (seen everything else playing :lol:) and i needed to catch up, it was trash and made me dread seeing the 3rd film.

King’s Man:
Pretty good movie rapid change of tone aside, as I heard another reviewer say it’s like two movies with two different tones stitched together, both are fine but they don’t mesh well.

Easily could have cut this down to under 2 hours also, I understand they want going to the movies to feel like an epic event for those that Barry going to the cinema but when you every week, almost every movie being 2 1/2 hours is annoying.


One part I’m very surprised made it through testing:

SPOILER: Click to show

a mid credits scene to tease your next upcoming villain in the next film…

ADOLF HITLER

Seemed in incredibly poor taste when you’re meant to anticipate it like a Thanos type deal

Don't Look Up - While I think it could have been a shorter film, I enjoyed it for what it was. A nice allegory for what's wrong with the current climate we find ourselves in, enjoyed most of the cast....except Jonah 'Hey, you found me funny in Superbad, Cyrus & other movies' Hill being his usual self. (Which is unfunny). Enjoyed the ending as well, except that mid-credits (or is it post-credits?) scene. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
Jonah Hill survived......

 

Jan 10, 2022 20:44:17 GMT Jake said:

Don't Look Up - While I think it could have been a shorter film, I enjoyed it for what it was. A nice allegory for what's wrong with the current climate we find ourselves in, enjoyed most of the cast....except Jonah 'Hey, you found me funny in Superbad, Cyrus & other movies' Hill being his usual self. (Which is unfunny). Enjoyed the ending as well, except that mid-credits (or is it post-credits?) scene. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
Jonah Hill survived......

 

Yay!  Someone else who agrees with me about Jonah Hill.   :cheer:

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)

Checked off a movie that has been on my rewatch list for a long time. Saw it in theaters when it came out, don't remember much besides the special effects and the ending.

Inception impresses me on many levels.

First, the special effects are insane. Even 12 years on, it feels like some of the effects in these movies are still unmatched despite the increasingly rapid pace at which technology advances. The folding city is amazing, and the scene early on where the dream world shatters into fragments in slow motion around Leo and Page. but the highlight is the fight scene in the hallway where the direction of gravity is rotating. Masterful cinematography and choreography.

Second, the story. Normally with a concept this complex there are gaping holes in the internal logic that take me out of the movie. There aren't any in Inception. It's very exposition heavy but I feel the script does a great job of not forcing it. In particular Page's character, the rookie to dream thievery who asks all the questions the audience want to ask, at the same time the audience (in this case myself) was thinking of them. The dialogue throughout the film is phenomenal. It was only in the third act of the film where the cracks started to show and the writing started taking some shortcuts, but there was nothing overly egregious. I was immersed throughout.

Third, the film asks some deep and interesting philosophical questions, about the power of the subconscious and the nature of dreaming itself. One of central the themes that stuck with me was: if you are in a dream that lasts for many years, even decades (while time in reality only passes for minutes), what happens to your mental state when you wake up? Inception tackles this question head on with the central plot of Dominic Cobb and his wife. The subject is tackled with the attention it deserves. What's even more impressive is that this is done at the same time as a ton of exposition and all the crazy action stuff. Has to be one of the best scripts ever written.

If I have to criticise Inception, it's that the opening scene didn't really work for me. There's a link to one of the final scenes but...didn't click. Also, not enough Michael Caine. Finally, the ambiguous ending. It succeeded in the sense that it generated a ton of discussion, well done Nolan, but personally I don't see the point. Does it really matter to me, the viewer, if the entire film took place in a dream or the real world? Nope. It changes nothing about the story or the events that I saw, so I don't care.

I wasn't expecting to like Inception as much as I did, but it is a masterpiece and has to be one of the greatest achievements in cinema history. Everything works, and fits together like a well-designed puzzle.

Jan 10, 2022 20:44:17 GMT Jake said:

Don't Look Up - While I think it could have been a shorter film, I enjoyed it for what it was. A nice allegory for what's wrong with the current climate we find ourselves in, enjoyed most of the cast....except Jonah 'Hey, you found me funny in Superbad, Cyrus & other movies' Hill being his usual self. (Which is unfunny). Enjoyed the ending as well, except that mid-credits (or is it post-credits?) scene. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
Jonah Hill survived......

 

That’s a really weird and awkward nickname for an actor.

Jan 10, 2022 23:49:53 GMT Emperor said:

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)

Checked off a movie that has been on my rewatch list for a long time. Saw it in theaters when it came out, don't remember much besides the special effects and the ending.

Inception impresses me on many levels.

First, the special effects are insane. Even 12 years on, it feels like some of the effects in these movies are still unmatched despite the increasingly rapid pace at which technology advances. The folding city is amazing, and the scene early on where the dream world shatters into fragments in slow motion around Leo and Page. but the highlight is the fight scene in the hallway where the direction of gravity is rotating. Masterful cinematography and choreography.

Second, the story. Normally with a concept this complex there are gaping holes in the internal logic that take me out of the movie. There aren't any in Inception. It's very exposition heavy but I feel the script does a great job of not forcing it. In particular Page's character, the rookie to dream thievery who asks all the questions the audience want to ask, at the same time the audience (in this case myself) was thinking of them. The dialogue throughout the film is phenomenal. It was only in the third act of the film where the cracks started to show and the writing started taking some shortcuts, but there was nothing overly egregious. I was immersed throughout.

Third, the film asks some deep and interesting philosophical questions, about the power of the subconscious and the nature of dreaming itself. One of central the themes that stuck with me was: if you are in a dream that lasts for many years, even decades (while time in reality only passes for minutes), what happens to your mental state when you wake up? Inception tackles this question head on with the central plot of Dominic Cobb and his wife. The subject is tackled with the attention it deserves. What's even more impressive is that this is done at the same time as a ton of exposition and all the crazy action stuff. Has to be one of the best scripts ever written.

If I have to criticise Inception, it's that the opening scene didn't really work for me. There's a link to one of the final scenes but...didn't click. Also, not enough Michael Caine. Finally, the ambiguous ending. It succeeded in the sense that it generated a ton of discussion, well done Nolan, but personally I don't see the point. Does it really matter to me, the viewer, if the entire film took place in a dream or the real world? Nope. It changes nothing about the story or the events that I saw, so I don't care.

I wasn't expecting to like Inception as much as I did, but it is a masterpiece and has to be one of the greatest achievements in cinema history. Everything works, and fits together like a well-designed puzzle.

Is this only your second time watching it? I really want to give it a second watch. I finally caved in and watched it for the first time maybe 2-3 years ago and was blown away. Your review captures pretty much exactly how I recall feeling and how I still feel today. I assume a second viewing would only bolster my love and likely secure Inception a very high spot somewhere on my Favorite 100 Films. Not sure if it would surpass Interstellar for me, but probably Prestige... Which has me perpetually re-remembering that Christopher Nolan is probably my favorite director of all time whether I want that to be the case or not.

Jan 10, 2022 23:56:43 GMT UT said:

Jan 10, 2022 20:44:17 GMT Jake said:

Don't Look Up - While I think it could have been a shorter film, I enjoyed it for what it was. A nice allegory for what's wrong with the current climate we find ourselves in, enjoyed most of the cast....except Jonah 'Hey, you found me funny in Superbad, Cyrus & other movies' Hill being his usual self. (Which is unfunny). Enjoyed the ending as well, except that mid-credits (or is it post-credits?) scene. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
Jonah Hill survived......

 

That’s a really weird and awkward nickname for an actor.

What would be a better one?

Finally watched the Green Knight. Super slow burn film, but so damn good. Very likely would have been near the top of my pandemic countdown.  A24 remains a studio to watch slamming out hits.  Here their next release, The Tragedy of Macbeth is another hit from them.

Jan 11, 2022 10:46:08 GMT Jake said:

Jan 10, 2022 23:56:43 GMT UT said:

That’s a really weird and awkward nickname for an actor.

What would be a better one?

Jonah "iron maiden and Jake are totally wrong about me and my acting" Hill 

Rolls off the tongue way better. 

Jan 11, 2022 14:31:26 GMT UT said:

Jan 11, 2022 10:46:08 GMT Jake said:

What would be a better one?

Jonah "iron maiden and Jake are totally wrong about me and my acting" Hill 

Rolls off the tongue way better. 

It's a no from me.

Eternals was fine, serviceable of every way, nothing particularly outstanding. It was perfectly okay.

The Tragedy of Macbeth released by Joel Coen. Basically the Shakespeare script in the style of Robert Eggers (Witch, Lighthouse). Denzel Washington is Macbeth, Frances McDormand (mom from Almost Famous) as Lady MacBeth.  A lot of the film is scripted directly from the play.

Film is total award bait for Denzel and McDormand, and the technical / cinematography awards. Very minimalistic sets give it an amazing sense of style.

Will not make people fans of this, but for fans of MacBeth, this is a fantastic adaptation. I really hope this inspires someone to bring Hamlet to the screen in the same style. Film is black and white, and absolutely beautiful. Retains the feel of the play very well but dresses it up just enough to make it something else. No clue why Coen did this, but it likely will be his masterpiece. Easily on par with No Country for Old Men IMO, though people who hate Shakespeare will find little to like here. For those who like Shakespeare this is everything one could want. Should do very, very well at the Oscars. Four oscars is the number for beat for Coen, as that is what No Country for Old Men took.

Gonna be very, very hard for something else to top this for my film of 2022.

The Eternals

Of all the superpowers here, not one had the ability to make this good. If it were not a MCU film, with the expectations so high, it might suffice as a stand alone fantasy film. But it doesn't. The only remotely interesting parts in it, are the few references to DC and the guy from Silicon Valley bantering away.

I'm convinced Angelina Jolie was only cast to lift the profile of the film, as she seems to have all but 15 lines of dialogue in this entire thing.

Jan 15, 2022 1:47:19 GMT c said:

The Tragedy of Macbeth released by Joel Coen. Basically the Shakespeare script in the style of Robert Eggers (Witch, Lighthouse). Denzel Washington is Macbeth, Frances McDormand (mom from Almost Famous) as Lady MacBeth.  A lot of the film is scripted directly from the play.

Film is total award bait for Denzel and McDormand, and the technical / cinematography awards. Very minimalistic sets give it an amazing sense of style.

Will not make people fans of this, but for fans of MacBeth, this is a fantastic adaptation. I really hope this inspires someone to bring Hamlet to the screen in the same style. Film is black and white, and absolutely beautiful. Retains the feel of the play very well but dresses it up just enough to make it something else. No clue why Coen did this, but it likely will be his masterpiece. Easily on par with No Country for Old Men IMO, though people who hate Shakespeare will find little to like here. For those who like Shakespeare this is everything one could want. Should do very, very well at the Oscars. Four oscars is the number for beat for Coen, as that is what No Country for Old Men took.

Gonna be very, very hard for something else to top this for my film of 2022.

Ooooh I'm excited for this one.  

It is going to be extremely hard for anyone to beat Denzel for the oscar. I mean, he is fucking MacBeth. The movie is the play cut to fit into two hours as Shakespeare wrote it. Lots of minor banter removed and some non-narrative scenes entirely. Sadly the witches song was one of these. The scene of them and MacBeth however was retained though.

This was Denzel's best performance by far. Just better than Glory even and old man Denzel brings something unique to the character that the traditionally English actors do not bring. So curious of the why of this film, I am wondering if Denzel pitched it personally, as he has been on Broadway a lot lately and this is not really a film you make to sell tickets nor anything the Coen brothers are really known for doing.

But it was so well done. There is this strangeness about everything because they shot it all on huge sound stages with minimalist designs. The music too is very minimalistic staying to the background to let the voices of the actors be the main sound of the film and the silence become deafening. It is like a film designed to win awards for this sort of shit and something you would expect from a college students really, not a big production with the talent they have attached.

Since they smartly sold it to Apple TV it does not have to do really any box sales either, as it is a total art house style film. The reviews are fun to read as no one really knows what to make of it. It is a great technical piece of film, extremely well acted, but it does not feel like a movie at all. At heart, it retains the charm of the play entirely, which only really has been done before with Hamilton, but this is on an entirely different level than Hamilton.