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Post by Desert Dweller on Dec 28, 2014 13:04:48 GMT -5
I finally saw "The Imitation Game" last night. It's actually better than I was expecting. As far as Hollywood biopics go, I guess. I liked Benedict Cumberbatch in it. Of course, I love Benedict Cumberbatch, so there's no way I'm unbiased about that.
Sometimes I am puzzled over how Hollywood can take genuinely fascinating stories and make them kind of dull and same-y.
The friend I saw this with said he LOVED the film. As we were talking about it afterwards, I realized what he really liked was the information about Turing's cryptography and programming efforts and the Enigma code, which he had previously known nothing about. I directed him to the Wikipedia articles covering those things, which are surprisingly good. Kind of wish the movie had been more about that stuff and hadn't tried so hard for character development. Which seems a weird thing to say, but oh well.
Edit: I also took my mom to see the new "Annie" on Christmas. Because it was a pretty crappy Christmas and this seemed the most mind numbing movie in theatres.
So, yeah, it's dull. Cannavale's character is really bad. Diaz is bad. Byrne is bland. Wallis is just kinda there. Jaime Foxx was the only person I thought was even trying. I didn't mind the new versions of the songs, but the new songs were also just bland. The script choices are strange, seemingly designed to make sure there is as little conflict and tension as possible. I found myself kind of missing how dark the John Houston version is. Also, the climax of the movie makes no sense.
This really just convinced me that Carol Burnett singing "Little Girls" is awesome and why did anyone think Cameron Diaz should attempt that?
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Ice Cream Planet
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Post by Ice Cream Planet on Dec 28, 2014 13:49:42 GMT -5
I finally saw "The Imitation Game" last night. It's actually better than I was expecting. As far as Hollywood biopics go, I guess. I liked Benedict Cumberbatch in it. Of course, I love Benedict Cumberbatch, so there's no way I'm unbiased about that. Sometimes I am puzzled over how Hollywood can take genuinely fascinating stories and make them kind of dull and same-y. The friend I saw this with said he LOVED the film. As we were talking about it afterwards, I realized what he really liked was the information about Turing's cryptography and programming efforts and the Enigma code, which he had previously known nothing about. I directed him to the Wikipedia articles covering those things, which are surprisingly good. Kind of wish the movie had been more about that stuff and hadn't tried so hard for character development. Which seems a weird thing to say, but oh well. Edit: I also took my mom to see the new "Annie" on Christmas. Because it was a pretty crappy Christmas and this seemed the most mind numbing movie in theatres. So, yeah, it's dull. Cannavale's character is really bad. Diaz is bad. Byrne is bland. Wallis is just kinda there. Jaime Foxx was the only person I thought was even trying. I didn't mind the new versions of the songs, but the new songs were also just bland. The script choices are strange, seemingly designed to make sure there is as little conflict and tension as possible. I found myself kind of missing how dark the John Houston version is. Also, the climax of the movie makes no sense. This really just convinced me that Carol Burnett singing "Little Girls" is awesome and why did anyone think Cameron Diaz should attempt that? Hollywood often finds a way when it comes to reducing fascinating people to dull/same-y biopics. Your thought on this take of The Imitation Game? |
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Post by Desert Dweller on Dec 28, 2014 17:53:50 GMT -5
That piece is pretty harsh, but basically accurate. I was kind of expecting to hate the movie due to most of those reasons. And I did really hate the last scene, with Knightley and Cumberbatch. I thought that one was incredibly pandering and kind of offensive. The rest of the film was buoyed by Cumberbatch's performance and the strength of the subject matter. The scenes set during the war were engaging enough that I could forget how badly they were botching the historical record.
The film is a pretty good Oscar bait movie. Most of my quibbles with it are owing to how I feel they dumbed down the real story. But, as for the story the movie IS telling, it is okay. I'd say probably B to B-.
Also, there one really terrible line that the script tries to make into some kind of catch phrase from the movie, which is repeated THREE times.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2014 21:34:56 GMT -5
Yesterday I watched a pair of movies I'd seen before that my ladywife had not. First was 설국열차, or as perhaps you fellows know it better, Snowpiercer. It was still an awesome movie and tattooed no shirt knife guy is still my favorite dude in the movie. If I was in America I'd say it was the best movie of 2014, but as I am not in America I will have to dub it the best movie of 2013 that everyone else in the world only saw this year. The second movie was Wreck-It Ralph, or as it is known in Korean, 주먹왕 랄프 (literally "Fist King Ralph" which sounds like a different movie altogether). This movie is heaps better than Frozen with but a fraction of the popularity. I suppose if Ralph had that one song in it people would have liked it better, but that is neither here nor there. I watched Snowpiercer last night, and loved it. Fascinating idea, well executed, complex characters, and a great ending. |
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Post by ganews on Dec 28, 2014 23:27:50 GMT -5
Gone Girl, which was pretty damn cool. The best parts were when Ben Affleck kept covering up his butt-chin. Haha, just kidding; I really like how Ben Affleck can believably play a huge douche one moment and an okay guy the next.
All right, all right, that's enough. I really enjoyed it.
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Post by Nudeviking on Dec 28, 2014 23:41:42 GMT -5
Gone Girl, which was pretty damn cool. The best parts were when Ben Affleck kept covering up his butt-chin. Haha, just kidding; I really like how Ben Affleck can believably play a huge douche one moment and an okay guy the next. All right, all right, that's enough. I really enjoyed it. Ben Affleck can play an alright dude? This is news to me! |
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Post by ganews on Dec 28, 2014 23:46:05 GMT -5
Gone Girl, which was pretty damn cool. The best parts were when Ben Affleck kept covering up his butt-chin. Haha, just kidding; I really like how Ben Affleck can believably play a huge douche one moment and an okay guy the next. All right, all right, that's enough. I really enjoyed it. Ben Affleck can play an alright dude? This is news to me! Whooaa there fella, I only said "okay guy". |
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Post by Nudeviking on Dec 28, 2014 23:50:24 GMT -5
Ben Affleck can play an alright dude? This is news to me! Whooaa there fella, I only said "okay guy". Where is he an "okay guy?" Even in Daredevil where he was allegedly a "hero" I wanted to see grievous bodily harm inflicted upon him by Michael Clarke Duncan. |
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Post by ganews on Dec 28, 2014 23:57:11 GMT -5
Whooaa there fella, I only said "okay guy". Where is he an "okay guy?" Even in Daredevil where he was allegedly a "hero" I wanted to see grievous bodily harm inflicted upon him by Michael Clarke Duncan. SPOILER FOR GONE GIRL Fine, fine, I mean I sympathized that his character was held hostage by the most unrealistic scripting of a female character ever to be portrayed (and portrayed well) on screen. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 1:34:20 GMT -5
Watched The Interview today, which is exactly what you think it is. Except possibly less funny. Not exactly sorry I watched it, but I wouldn't really recommend it.
Night before I watched Coherence, which was terrific. I absolutely loved everything about this movie, though it was kinda perfect for me. Loved how it played around with the science fiction concept and expectations. Really very well written, acted, and directed. Plus, Nick Brendon was in it! One of my favorite movies of the year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 1:35:53 GMT -5
Also, I can't wait to see this place's reaction to the new Batman.
(And by that I mean I dread it)
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Post by dboonsghost on Dec 29, 2014 1:51:29 GMT -5
Finally saw The Hobbit III. Well, that's done with.
Seriously, I thought it was pretty good. That's kind of the problem with this whole trilogy, though, they're all just pretty good. I'll probably never think about this series ever again.
I wonder how these movies will play in 20 years for an audience that is not already overly familiar with the far superior Lord of the Rings.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 1:53:10 GMT -5
Also, I can't wait to see this place's reaction to the new Batman. (And by that I mean I dread it)When I read this comment I thought to myself "there is a new batman... where? who? when?" Then I remembered you were talking about SVB or BVS, whatever of justice. I'm already in such a don't care and think that movie is going to be completely shitty mode that I had forgot it even existed. And that is how bad MoS was. Also, I don't mind the casting of Batfleck, I actually think it is a decent choice, not the best, but he does at least fit the look and can be competent enough for a superhero movie. Just wish he was directing instead. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 1:54:31 GMT -5
I wonder how these movies will play in 20 years for an audience that is not already overly familiar with the far superior Lord of the Rings. You act as if TNT won't replay the entire trilogy 10 weekends out of the year. Wait, do teenagers still even watch TNT? Or any actual TV that isn't sports? Do they netflix everything now? DO THEY? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 1:55:51 GMT -5
@taxman, yeah, I guess I was kinda vague. You got my meaning though. And man, while I also don't mind him being cast, it would be so much better if he was directing. I would actually be actively looking forward to it then.
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Post by dboonsghost on Dec 29, 2014 1:57:27 GMT -5
The new Batman will be awful, but not because of the actors or anything to do with the filmmakers. It will be awful for the same reason the new Spider-Man series is awful: because Warner is going to use it as the foundation for another fucking multi-universe Avengers type bullshit saga.
At this point I would pay money for ANYTHING not based on a previous franchise or is trying to set up a money printing empire.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 2:04:58 GMT -5
The new Batman will be awful, but not because of the actors or anything to do with the filmmakers. It will be awful for the same reason the new Spider-Man series is awful: because Warner is going to use it as the foundation for another fucking multi-universe Avengers type bullshit saga. At this point I would pay money for ANYTHING not based on a previous franchise or is trying to set up a money printing empire. I hear there was this dracula movie that came out a few months ago, you might like that. Not like a Dracula origin story could ever be the start of a movie universe, right...... RIGHT? |
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Ice Cream Planet
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Post by Ice Cream Planet on Dec 29, 2014 9:17:44 GMT -5
That piece is pretty harsh, but basically accurate. I was kind of expecting to hate the movie due to most of those reasons. And I did really hate the last scene, with Knightley and Cumberbatch. I thought that one was incredibly pandering and kind of offensive. The rest of the film was buoyed by Cumberbatch's performance and the strength of the subject matter. The scenes set during the war were engaging enough that I could forget how badly they were botching the historical record. The film is a pretty good Oscar bait movie. Most of my quibbles with it are owing to how I feel they dumbed down the real story. But, as for the story the movie IS telling, it is okay. I'd say probably B to B-. Also, there one really terrible line that the script tries to make into some kind of catch phrase from the movie, which is repeated THREE times. When you put it like that, it makes perfect sense. I'll likely see the film at some point, if for no other reason than I really like Keira Knightley. |
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Post by disqusf3dme on Dec 29, 2014 16:14:46 GMT -5
I watched Cold in July, which was decent. Solid acting, but the plot was sort of odd. It didn't go in the direction I thought it would, but not in a big twist sort of way, more like, you thought the plot was gonna get "bigger", more high stakes, but instead it focused in more on the characters. They weren't particularly complex though, and the film wasn't exploring any new themes, so on that front it wasn't anything special, but I enjoyed the interactions between the three leads, and aesthetically it was great. There's also at least one very intense and disturbing scene. It's compared to John Carpenter a lot, and those comparisons are very on point. Especially towards the last half, I think, when you get more stylized violence, and the lighting gets more adventurous. Sort of like Drive without the subtlety, or The Guest without the humor. I guess that makes it sound bad, but I think the style and atmosphere was enough to make it enjoyable. It would be an interseting double bill with The Guest, or you could take it all the way to a triple feature and do like, Cold in July, The Guest, and The Purge: Anarchy for full on 2014 John Carpenter inspired genre fun. Bridge of DragonsAfter reading an article on AVC about the wonderful of Eastern European straight-to-video action cinema, I watched a few films from Isaac Florentine - "Ninja" is amazing, just non-stop action; and this is...sort of okay. A lot of weirdly goofy choices, but it's simple and effective, and I rather like Dolph Lundgren. I read that article and watched some DTV too! There's some pretty awesome stuff. Check out the two newest Universal Soldier films, they're great. I gotta get around to watching Ninja soon. |
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Post by Mrs David Tennant on Dec 29, 2014 17:39:05 GMT -5
I've been watching the Harry Potter movies on ABC Family all weekend (off and on). I don't remember even seeing the last three movies, even though I know I did. I do not like the way it is filmed so dark - it almost looks filmed in black and white. And I've seen B&W movies that were better lit. I know it's a depressing story, but it didn't have to be so drab.  |
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Post by ganews on Dec 29, 2014 23:43:15 GMT -5
In my continuing quest to watch critically-acclaimed movies that everyone else saw years ago, The Master. Freddy Quell may be my favorite portrayal of an American since Daniel Plainview.
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Post by Bizarre Gardening Accident on Dec 30, 2014 7:45:59 GMT -5
]I read that article and watched some DTV too! There's some pretty awesome stuff. Check out the two newest Universal Soldier films, they're great. I gotta get around to watching Ninja soon. Love em both - the last one is a genuinely good film, I think. Lots of stuff going on. And I really liked "Death Race 3" too. www.avclub.com/article/todays-best-action-directors-arent-working-in-holl-104394is the article we're referring to, if anyone else would like to read it. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2014 11:54:24 GMT -5
Husband and I were having a bad day yesterday. He broke his glasses, which always makes him miserable, then he didn't eat all day but drank plenty of beer, which turns him into a mumbling idiot who can't stop talking but doesn't make any sense or finish sentences very well. Fun! So I encouraged him to sleep for a few hours while I made chili. Even after he sobered up and got some food into him I was still pretty angry. Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying that we ended up finally watching the movie Nebraska together, and it really did make things better. So many great performances. Bruce Dern was wonderful like always, Will Forte really worked for me in a serious role (I was surprised), I'm always happy to see Bob Odenkirk in anything (because I am in love with him), but I thought June Squibb was the real star here. A great, quiet, charming movie.
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Post by disqusf3dme on Dec 30, 2014 14:06:31 GMT -5
Last night I got around to watching Mad Max 2. Slow start, the entire thing is slow actually, but the world is so weird and specific and vague all at once. The cinematography is just gorgeous, all these amazing action scenes done with flair, just really beautiful wide angle stuff. The camera shakes and moves a lot, but always retains its composition, it's wonderful. The last chase in particular is so fantastic. It kind of reminds me of an older Ridley Scott film in that it was filmed decades ago but still looks really modern. To expand on that, Outlaw Vern is another great source of serious, unpretentious criticism being directed at DTV, action and horror films. |
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Post by flapjackriley on Dec 30, 2014 17:16:51 GMT -5
I watched The Interview last night. It wants to get to the level of batshit crazy that This Is The End got to, but fizzles out before hand. But I liked it, I had a few good laughs.
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Dellarigg
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Post by Dellarigg on Dec 30, 2014 18:22:50 GMT -5
Sorcerer. Masterpiece. Sheer, balls-out masterpiece. I prefer it to the French original, and the rope bridge sequence is one of the best things I've seen. A film you need time to recover from, so forgive the slightly shell-shocked nature of this post.
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Kid Q
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Post by Kid Q on Dec 30, 2014 18:58:03 GMT -5
Re-watching Die, Mommie, Die! Charles Busch's wonderful Po-Mo-Homo take on old Hollywood. Plus, Jason Priestly as a rent boy, Natasha Lyonne as a bitter daughter, and Francis Conroy in an earlier role. So much fun.
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Post by dboonsghost on Dec 30, 2014 23:57:45 GMT -5
Did you know Steven Spielberg got a UN Medal of Peace for making E.T.?
Honestly, that sounds about right.
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Post by flapjackriley on Dec 31, 2014 0:58:07 GMT -5
Has anyone seen Big Eyes yet? I just got back and I LOVED it. It was reminiscent of Ed Wood, while not as kooky it was still removed enough from Tim Burton to stand on its own two feet. Probably the last movie of the year I really wanted to see and easily knocks its way to the top of my personal best list for 2014. It's so nice to see a Tim Burton movie that was really good again. And what was interesting is the art critic character played by Terrance Stamp; I didn't detest him like I did the critic in Birdman because there was some rational logic to why he didn't like the Big Eye pieces. While you don't see what his impression was after the trial, you get the sense that he has some respect (or maybe even more disdain) once the truth about the artists are revealed. I get that he doesn't like the art and it isn't helped by Walter Keane's willingness to whore his artwork nor by Keane's unwillingness to listen to criticism. Jason Schwartzmen's character was more in vein with the Birdman critic and he was more so just there as a joke. I think with Birdman I just never really was sure where the satire stopped and the legit criticism translating to real life started, so it came off as much more obnoxious and scathing (but that's the whole point of the movie! [Was it?]).
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Post by Great Unwashed on Dec 31, 2014 4:54:55 GMT -5
Last night I got around to watching Mad Max 2. Slow start, the entire thing is slow actually, but the world is so weird and specific and vague all at once. The cinematography is just gorgeous, all these amazing action scenes done with flair, just really beautiful wide angle stuff. The camera shakes and moves a lot, but always retains its composition, it's wonderful. The last chase in particular is so fantastic. It kind of reminds me of an older Ridley Scott film in that it was filmed decades ago but still looks really modern. To expand on that, Outlaw Vern is another great source of serious, unpretentious criticism being directed at DTV, action and horror films. I haven't been keeping up with him lately, but I would consider him one of the most important critics of our age even just for coining the term Mega-Acting to describe Nicholas Cage's style. |
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