What Are You Watching Right Now? Episode 3 - Turtles in Time

[JohnErle]

It's a shame there no clip on YouTube for the "You've jeopardized the integrity of English literature" sight gag. I had never forgotten that joke in the 20+ years since I first saw the movie.

[numbersix]

Stagecoach: 7/10
Although I'm not a huge fan of Westerns, particularly John Ford Westerns, I found myself incredibly entertained by this early blockbuster. I think what's most interesting about this story (in which a stagecoach of several different personalities risk their lives against native American attacks, while one man is on a course to enact revenge) is that it holds back on the action for a long time, and only in the last 30 minutes do we get to see it. Compared to the standardized systems of modern blockbusters this felt fresh, and allowed us to enjoy the banter between the various characters and connect with them. Of course, this film was so influential that a lot of the elements feel familiar, but looking beyond that you find a great film.

I also rewatched Moon, which I only saw once. It was actually better on a second viewing, as I didn't have to struggle to keep up with what was going on, nor did I have to wait for the twist. Instead, the wonderful performance and dynamic between the two Rockwells kept the film going. Definitely one of my favourites of the last few years. 8/10

[numbersix]

Don Jon: 5/10
A very interesting premise, essentially exploring how porn addiction can affect the way a man can see his relationship with women. It's something that's constantly yammered about in fluffy mags and newspaper columns, but it was good to see it dramatised. Unfortunately, the film itself was terribly under-baked, with a conclusion that was rushed and didn't quite make sense (particularly what the Julianne Moore was going through and how that was barely addressed). And for a film about respecting real women it's funny how none of the female characters have the ability to change. The direction felt very TV-movie in general, although the performances were solid.


End of Watch: 7/10
A very pleasant surprise. Perhaps my expectations influenced my opinion too much. I watched this as I thought it was a gritty action movie. But it's actually more like a buddy film, with most of the story focusing on the relationship between the two cops. And that was great, not only because of the naturalistic performances, but also because the more we saw their bond the more we feared for their safety when things get hairy. Whenever the cops entered another abandoned house I was terrified something would happen. And when things do happen it's more about the sadness of these guys potentially not living and working together rather than a vague sense of wanting the goodie to win out. Sure, the plot itself is flimsy and full of cliches, but the approach and performances were superb. If Ayer can capture this kind of magic in Fury I'll be rushing to see it.

[Ron Burgundy]

The Enemy Below (1957)
An classic about a Navy ship out sea in the WW2 era encountering a german U-boat. The first few scenes establish the captain and his counterpart, making both very human in a war bound with heroes. Both crews are just bored, some even itching for some 'action'. When they eventually do tangle a very precise game of cat and mouse begins, with Robert Mitchum seemingly using his so called sixth sense to find a brain working on the other end of the radar (and never once failing). Curd Jurgens heading the U-boat and uses his own bag of tricks to evade and line up the Navy Ship.

Its not so much the back and forthness of it all, a lot which has been re-made over and over after this. There is some sloppy script writing and poor, almost boring editing, it could have used a bit more pace (like a lot of older films). However, the ending is what sets it apart from other Navy/Sub movies, where captains both nod toward each other with a great amount of respect and in the end some lives are spared.
7/10

PS:i think Seth McFarlane would have a ball parodying this

[numbersix]

As it's Halloween time, I decided to check out Sinister and was pleasantly surprised.

Like The Babadook it also roots itself to the problem of its main character. In this instance it's Ethan Hawke as a crime writer who decides to move his family into the house of a brutal hanging. He discovers a box of film containing various murders, and instead of going to the police he decides to solve the case himself and write a book that will make him famous once more. Of course, spooky shit happens, but what's compelling is Hawke's character and problems with his kids and wife.

The idea itself isn't bad and it's generally well executed. There's one slo-mo sequence where ghastly children run around that would have been great if we didn't see their faces close-up, reveal the shoddy makeup applied. And there are a few cheap jump-cuts. But overall it's decent for a horror.

[Buscemi]

I attended a screening of The Spirit of the Beehive for extra credit in a class with an intro and Q&A with a Spanish professor that I had for a few semesters. It is an interesting movie. Is it about ghosts, the cinema, fascist Spain or a family struggling to survive in the midst of war? How about all of them. And it really gets you to think too (the question I asked during the Q&A was if Ana was the result of an affair, which actually got others to think the same).

[Buscemi]

I watched this short film (which is running on Big Hero 6 but I saw it on YouTube) earlier.



This will probably be the favorite in the Best Animated Short Film race (unless Bill Plympton can finally break through). Just as long as the overexposed William Joyce doesn't win again (I really don't understand the love for his non-literary work).

[Chienfantome]

The other night I watched Hot Tub Time Machine, which I hadn't seen when released since in France it was what we call here a "technical release", which means the distrib, most of the times Fox, release the film in a handful of theater outside Paris in a dubbed version only. So I bought the DVD for 2€ since I love time-travelling movies...
And I was honestly pleasantly surprised. I had a lot of fun watching it, the pace is fast, the gags are funny, and Cordry and Robinson are always fun. I really had an unexpected blast. 7.5/10

And last night I went to watch Joseph Losey's Mr. Klein in theater, a restored print of the film. It's a film from the European period of Losey, from 1976, starring Alain Delon, shot in France and in French. It's a film I had vivid memories of, from the time a teacher showed it during class in high school, but I hadn't seen it since. I was surprised by how much I remembered of it (after all, those high school days are beginning to be far away...), probably because it's a film that had a real impact on me back then. The film is set in 1942 Paris, under German occupation. Delon is Robert Klein, an art dealer living a good life as if it wasn't a time of war. One day, a jewish journal is delivered to him as if he had subscribed to it. Curious, he starts investigating to see why this jewish journal was delivered to him, and soon finds out that there is another Robert Klein living in Paris. One that seems to hide and want people to think the art dealer and him are the same person. Soon, Klein portrayed by Delon becomes obsessed by this other Klein, all the most when the police looks for the other Klein.
It really is a fascinating film, dealing with a carefree man at a dangerous time, who hasn't realized yet what it is to live in Paris in 1942 for most people.It's a great film about identity, but most of all it's a great film about being singled out as an outcast, and having to deal with all the doubt, fear and anger that comes with it. Losey is an American director who worked in Europe because he was denounced as a communist in the 50's, and you can't help but think about it when you watch this film about being jewish in Europe in 1942. It's a cold film, but a haunting one, perfectly embodied by Delon at the top of his game. Highly recommended. 8.5/10

[Chienfantome]

I watched a rare Australian film, at least rare in France, last weekend, which was re-released in a restored print in Paris these days, Wake in Fright. I honestly didn't know the film, it's an early film from Ted Kotcheff who would go on and make First Blood a decade later. it's about an educated man, teaching in a small school in the Australian Outback, in the middle of nowhere. It's the holidays, and so he takes the train to rally the airport, in order to go spend the vacation in Sydney where his girlfriend is waiting for him. but on the way to the airport, he stops in a town where he will lose all his money on gambling, and find himself stuck there. It's a really interesting film, very well shot in the Australian outback, hot, dusty. A film that puts your nerves on the edge, not knowing where it will take you. A film, also, on preconceived ideas about people, and how it can mess with your mind. Really good. 7/10

[Ron Burgundy]

OOO ive got to track that rare Aussie film down, thanks for the review Chien!

I watched a couple of Asian films in the past couple of days-

The Raid 2
I was lucky enough to see the first edition in cinemas, and for a martial arts action fan as myself, it was like a gift from god. The sequel, certainly had more narrative, and more story. Some of it felt forced with characters jumping in for periods and concentrating on people other than the main man, which probably did it some harm. But the action was pretty good, the final 1/4 was spectacular and really gave you some terrific fight-choreography. Still, it didn't top the first film, which was expected, but on the other hand, after hearing a lot of poor reviews, it wasn't that bad
6/10

The Host
Chien recommended this one for me, and i must say thanks, i have been saving this one. The director of Snowpiercer brings this unique blend of horror and comedy and totally stunned me, it was very cool. Unlike many hollywood monster movies where you pretty dont see the monster until the end, and seemingly always in shaky cam, this is in yo face. The comedy is blended really well, before The Cabin in the Woods also meshed to two genres. I wont go into the details but it follows a family who has a member taken by the monster, the family then takes initiative and attempts a rescue. Another thing i liked is the control by the government which also nods to the American military, has some hidden messages. Very fun good movie
7.5/10

[Chienfantome]

I'm glad you liked The Host, Ron. Like you said, it's a monster movie that manages to be so much more. It's a social drama, a human comedy, a political satire, and a damn fine monster movie in its own good.

[numbersix]

Caught up on some older films...

Boyz N the Hood: 7/10
While I had seen this as a kid, it never really sunk in so I needed a fresh watch. This really is a remarkable film, giving insight into a world that is at the forefront of music culture but not cinema. It's like a more sentimental West Coast answer to Do the Right Thing, in which the right thing is done. Also remarkable is the age of Singleton when he made this: 23. That excuses some of the flaws in terms of performance and storytelling (particularly the clunky text at the end). But overall an impressive and still powerful movie.

21 Jump St: 6/10
A lot more fun than I expected. I like Lord and Miller's brand of humour in their animated film, and this translated relatively well here. The only major issue being some of the lines are poorly delivered, something I chalk up to inexperience from the director. But there are enough jokes that land to make this entertaining.

[Ron Burgundy]

I watched Boyz N the Hood yesterday as well. Pretty good flick, Ice Cube debuts here, and does really well. Cuba Gooding Jnr, Lawrence Fishburne and Angela Bassett all contribute with strong performances. I really liked the poignant scene near the end with Cuba Gooding and Ice Cube. Cant believe John Singleton was 23 when he made this! Also features a Morris Chestnut with a flat top

[Leestu]

Caught up on some older films...

21 Jump St: 6/10
A lot more fun than I expected. I like Lord and Miller's brand of humour in their animated film, and this translated relatively well here. The only major issue being some of the lines are poorly delivered, something I chalk up to inexperience from the director. But there are enough jokes that land to make this entertaining.

I agree totally (although I score higher) but don't bother with the second one. I watched it last night and it is nowhere near as good and not worth watching in my opinion.

[Ron Burgundy]

I didnt think 22 Jump Street was that bad, perhaps a step down if though, but not unfunnny.

Been tough to embark on older films with shabby ratings, especially when its so easy to re-watch classics like Collateral, Trainspotting and (the first half) of Die Hard 3.

I have this 1001 films you must see before you die book. Its safe to say ill never find each film, perhaps skip even more, but ill do my best to see everything from 1970 onwards. Theres many foreign films in this book. And so many classics from well, the beginning of cinema.

Anyway, enough dribble (the first film was in the book, 2nd was not just to clarify)

Four Lions
A film which follows a group of almost ridiculously inept and dumb wannabe terrorists in England. Most of them are of arab descent, but one of them is white Theres some really funny lines in this movie, and some even funnier scenes. Not just the wannabe terrorists are hopeless, but some of the law enforcement aren't exactly that sharp either, which makes for some excellent commentary on the whole terrorist thing of the last decade or so. It may not be for everyone, but im a little annoyed i put this one off for so long. Benedict Cumberbatch has a minor role. Good movie
6.5/10

Shrink
Kevin Spacey plays a shrink who has some high end clients in hollywood. He smokes pot and has his own issues, despite his position. Theres many characters that entwine throughout the film, the struggling writer, the rebellious student, the arrogant agent and you get a good idea of where each person is in their life. But theres no 1 likeable character (some much more than others), and that really drags down the entertainment- of which there is very little. Pass
3/10

Now, before i go, i whipped out my old VHS player and some vids, what should i watch first, all are relatively rare/unknown
Spotswood (Anthony Hopkins, Russell Crowe, Ben Mendelsohn) 1992
Dead Again (Kenneth Branaugh, Andy Garcia, Emma Thompson) 1991
Restoration (Robert Downey Jr., Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Meg Ryan) 1995
Mr Wonderful (Matt Dillon, Mary-Louise Parker, William Hurt) 1993
Flashpoint (Kris Kristofferson, Treat Williams, Rip Torn) 1984