Invisible Goat
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Post by Invisible Goat on Nov 5, 2017 6:12:24 GMT -5
The Fountain is incredible and Black Swan and mother! are pretty great too. I will not defend Requiem though. I throw it to you wolves as a gesture of good faith.
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Ben Grimm
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Post by Ben Grimm on Nov 5, 2017 6:40:09 GMT -5
I saw Pi and The Fountain and decided that I'm just not on Aronofsky's wavelength. I can intellectually appreciate what he's doing, but I don't actually like it much. It's just not for me.
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Post by Jean-Luc Lemur on Nov 6, 2017 0:57:47 GMT -5
Pi is the only good Aronofsky because itβs Aronofsky before he got full of himself. And itβs excellent.
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dwarfoscar
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it's complicated
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Post by dwarfoscar on Nov 7, 2017 13:04:56 GMT -5
I put directors like Aronofsky, Nolan, Fincher, Gilliam when he's good, in the basket of 'awesome directors'. There's a Rotten Tomatoes blurb for a Christopher Nolan movie (probably Inception) that stuck with me. The critic lambasted the movie and said that the general audience nowadays doesn't want movies to be good, but to be awesome.
Now, I won't be as critical as that, ahem, critic about awesome movies, and I certainly don't think an awesome movie can't also be good. But awesomeness is a double-edged sword. Inception, for example, while tremendously enjoyable, is so eager to BLOW YOUR MIND that it sometimes forgets to, well, work as a movie. Aronofsky has that tendency for empty awesomeness too, with Requiem, The Fountain, or Black Swan (three movies I actually like a lot).
As of recently, i kinda deplored that, in the 80-or-so movies I saw this year, not one made me leave the theater saying 'fuck yeah', the ways movies like Birdman or Snowpiercer did in previous years. But that made me realize that maybe it was just the signs that I'm evolving as a film-lover. Simply awesome movies don't cut it anymore. My favorite movies this year, like Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women, or Anne Rose Holmer's The Fits, are subtler, quieter movies, that will never give you a big adrenaline shot but will stay on your mind in a meaningful way probably a lot longer.
My top 100 movies of all time is filled with awesome movies (Memento, Minority Report, 12 Monkeys...) that made teenage-me super pumped but that I fear won't hold up if I revisit them now.
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Post by [Citrus] on Nov 7, 2017 15:47:52 GMT -5
After watching Doctor Strange: We need like, five years where New York is not featured in a movie.
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Post by Dr. Rumak on Nov 7, 2017 17:43:00 GMT -5
Pi is the only good Aronofsky because itβs Aronofsky before he got full of himself. And itβs excellent. Would you say your love for Pi is irrational?
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Post by DangOlJimmyITellYouWhat on Nov 25, 2017 23:48:24 GMT -5
Y'all, I have come to the conclusion that I just don't care for Guillermo Del Toro. In theory, I really should, but everything of his I've watched just leaves me deeply dissatisfied and varying levels of annoyed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 23:56:22 GMT -5
Y'all, I have come to the conclusion that I just don't care for Guillermo Del Toro. In theory, I really should, but everything of his I've watched just leaves me deeply dissatisfied and varying levels of annoyed. I have an irrational hatred for Shape of Water. I've seen that trailer a lot in theaters, and every time I just come away annoyed.
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dwarfoscar
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Post by dwarfoscar on Nov 26, 2017 6:16:15 GMT -5
Y'all, I have come to the conclusion that I just don't care for Guillermo Del Toro. In theory, I really should, but everything of his I've watched just leaves me deeply dissatisfied and varying levels of annoyed. I wouldn't rank the best Del Toro movies I saw higher than 'pretty good' ( Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth).
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Post by DangOlJimmyITellYouWhat on Nov 26, 2017 21:48:48 GMT -5
Y'all, I have come to the conclusion that I just don't care for Guillermo Del Toro. In theory, I really should, but everything of his I've watched just leaves me deeply dissatisfied and varying levels of annoyed. I wouldn't rank the best Del Toro movies I saw higher than 'pretty good' ( Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth). Pan's Labryrinth was what solidified my "don't care for him" suspicion.
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Nov 27, 2017 9:23:25 GMT -5
Pan's Labyrinth was ugly and unpleasant to watch whenever it wasn't soul-crushingly boring. The pale man scene was cool, but everything else was a complete disappointment. Perhaps ruined by hype for me, but I spent more time wondering what I was missing, what I wasn't getting that made the movie so great, than I did actually focusing on the movie, I think.
Not down on Del Toro overall, though. Blade II is a classic, and I'll go further and say that both Hellboy movies are super fun, especially the whackadoodle second one.
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Post by chalkdevil's night π on Nov 27, 2017 11:48:29 GMT -5
Put me down as a theoretical Del Toro fan. I really loved Pan's Labyrinth, ugliness and all, Blade II and the Hellboys were pretty fun. Uh, after that most things are kind of disappointing. I do like his creature design and appreciate what he's trying to do, but damn dude has written some pretty shit screenplays. At this point, I'm usually cautiously optimistic about whatever he puts out, although his batting average seems kind of low. But the Shape of Water trailer is killing me. Is it a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? If not, shouldn't he have been sued for making a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? It seems to have a lot of good early buzz, but there are also people who were really into Crimson Peak, and that one was pretty terrible with a horribly telegraphed "twist." Oh no, killer incest siblings! Good thing that's not been a major plot point on one of the biggest TV shows for the last 6 years.
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Post by songstarliner on Nov 27, 2017 17:57:24 GMT -5
I'll always love Del Toro for Mimic. Funny, funny shoes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 0:16:36 GMT -5
I think that Requiem for a Dream is overrated, unwatchable trash. It's the longest, most expensive, unrealistic DARE ad ever made. Seriously, the whole thing was just anti-drug agitprop, and not well done agitprop at all. But the thing that bothered me most of all was not this magical heroin shortage, not that a white girl's rock bottom was having sex with a black guy for drugs, it wasn't the unrealistic bullshit of a guy's gangrenous arm being ignored while he was in jail, only to have it amputated without anesthetic of any sort because he was a junkie, it was that when you use opiates/opioids, your pupils constrict, not dilate. And how many shots were there of them shooting up showing pupils dilating? Words cannot express how much I absolutely fucking loathe that movie. I think it's a flawed but important movie; important to me, anyway. I have more than a passing familiarity with the subject matter of Requiem. Let me start with the more technical stuff. Β You are right that pupils constrict on opiates, and that bugged me a bit too. I think it was someone's deliberate choice and that the aesthetics of the blackness opening was chosen over biological accuracy. Β I rolled with it, just as I roll with every movie that shows addicts using big IM needles to inject whereas in real life addicts use wee insulin needles. As to how realistic it'd be that he not be given anaesthetic for his amputation, it's not outside the realm of possibility. The failure to get medical care in a timely way in jail is not really surprising, particularly when medical problems stem from addiction. I know someone with cancer who had a per for 800 mg of morphine a day, but she got nothing in the remand centre because she was charged with selling pills. Stopping someone cold turkey is dangerous and she could have died; she didn't, fortunately. I don't think it's accurate to say that Marion's nadir was sleeping with a black guy for cash/drugs. Her big capper scene was ass-to-ass. She's selling her body, selling an idea of herself to that ugly, hungry crowd.Β Those capper scenes are hard to watch, for sure, and they are sensationalist in that everyone seems to head inexorably towards their worst case scenario. Granted, no one dies, but this seems like cold comfort in the face of such seemingly gratuitous suffering. It is extreme, and I understand how it can feel like you're watching an after-school special about the kid who takes acid and therefore jumps out of a window to his death. Why am I defending this movie if I acknowledge its sensationalism and biological inaccuracy? Because I'm not aware of any other movie that probes into some of the basic mechanics of addiction. So let me shift gears and talk about that for a bit. Requiem isn't a study of how trauma or a failure to attach in early childhood creates neurochemical deficiencies or anything like that. It does, however, look at the behaviour of several addicts and ask what's being held in common; what mistakes do they make? The "dream" in the title that has died isn't the American dream of working hard and prospering from those labours--it's quite the opposite. The dream here is the easy life, the pound of pure, obtained with minimal effort. Sara wants the pounds to fly off with an easy fix--just take a pill. Harry wants a life free of hassle, where Marion can run her business. Β At first, drugs provide Harry and Marion with an intense affection (their scene lying down with each other on heroin and being in awe of each other does a great job of mimicking the euphoria and affection that the drugs first bring). Later, the drugs fuel their fantasies of success--Marion's store--that become just as much of an indulgence as the drugs. The drugs make it feel like they're doing something, planning something. They fantasize of success and feel good because of the drugs, so they end up doing nothing but using more. They don't actually have to work to feel the success. Β Sara's indulging fantasies of her own success more and more too. But it stops working. You stop getting that feeling. The fantasy doesn't bring you the same feeling. The easy answer is to take more, but with more comes more side effects, whether that's psychosis or an infected arm from overuse.
The movie doesn't demonize the characters for taking the easy way. Sara is hopelessly lonely in that little apartment where her son periodically comes to steal from her. She wants status among the ladies, sure, but even her red dress fantasy is no more than her wanting to fit an old dress in which she felt pretty, once. What turns her story into real tragedy is that her doctor's solution for her very human desires is this easy fix, just pop a few pills. Β It's a lie, of course--there's always a price to be paid.
So the movie is interesting to me in that it presents addiction as a shortcut. Any drug addict knows that the easiest and fastest way to change what you're feeling is to use drugs. And sometimes, that's really the best we can do, and it helps us stay alive and sane in that moment. When that stops working, though, then to achieve real happiness and to reach our potential that dream of the easy way has to die. We need to have coping skills and to learn how to sit with feeling terrible and to do the work of self-improvement.
So it's flawed, absolutely, but I think it's a fascinating look at some of the basic mechanics of addiction. Β
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Post by Kangaroosevelt-Ecks on Nov 28, 2017 18:16:14 GMT -5
Put me down as a theoretical Del Toro fan. I really loved Pan's Labyrinth, ugliness and all, Blade II and the Hellboys were pretty fun. Uh, after that most things are kind of disappointing. I do like his creature design and appreciate what he's trying to do, but damn dude has written some pretty shit screenplays. At this point, I'm usually cautiously optimistic about whatever he puts out, although his batting average seems kind of low. But the Shape of Water trailer is killing me. Is it a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? If not, shouldn't he have been sued for making a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? It seems to have a lot of good early buzz, but there are also people who were really into Crimson Peak, and that one was pretty terrible with a horribly telegraphed "twist." Oh no, killer incest siblings! Good thing that's not been a major plot point on one of the biggest TV shows for the last 6 years. In between the: - projections of a great future based on films like Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth,
- the appalling screenplays since (I appreciate the craftwork of the Hellboys at least, but it takes a lot for me to get in the 'mood' for Pacific Rim, it's just too damn dumb),
- and the numerous failed projects (Del Toro would have been great for The Hobbit and would have been PERFECT for Lovecraft!)
I find Del Toro's overall career thus far very frustrating. He definitely has the talent for classics but could end up going the Tim Burton route.
(Another frustrating career: David Fincher, who nowadays seems to be dead set on going for trashy airport literature and zombie sequels that nobody wanted in the first place.)
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Post by ganews on Dec 11, 2017 22:46:17 GMT -5
The best Batman ever committed to film is Jackie Earle Haley's performance as Rorschach in Watchmen.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2017 18:32:01 GMT -5
The best Batman ever committed to film is Jackie Earle Haley's performance as Rorschach in Watchmen. Sigh....... Batman Mask of the Phantasm. Does everyone forget that movie?
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Post by Kangaroosevelt-Ecks on Dec 13, 2017 16:46:19 GMT -5
Put me down as a theoretical Del Toro fan. I really loved Pan's Labyrinth, ugliness and all, Blade II and the Hellboys were pretty fun. Uh, after that most things are kind of disappointing. I do like his creature design and appreciate what he's trying to do, but damn dude has written some pretty shit screenplays. At this point, I'm usually cautiously optimistic about whatever he puts out, although his batting average seems kind of low. But the Shape of Water trailer is killing me. Is it a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? If not, shouldn't he have been sued for making a stealth Abe Sapien prequel? It seems to have a lot of good early buzz, but there are also people who were really into Crimson Peak, and that one was pretty terrible with a horribly telegraphed "twist." Oh no, killer incest siblings! Good thing that's not been a major plot point on one of the biggest TV shows for the last 6 years. In between the: - projections of a great future based on films like Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth,
- the appalling screenplays since (I appreciate the craftwork of the Hellboys at least, but it takes a lot for me to get in the 'mood' for Pacific Rim, it's just too damn dumb),
- and the numerous failed projects (Del Toro would have been great for The Hobbit and would have been PERFECT for Lovecraft!)
I find Del Toro's overall career thus far very frustrating. He definitely has the talent for classics but could end up going the Tim Burton route.
(Another frustrating career: David Fincher, who nowadays seems to be dead set on going for trashy airport literature and zombie sequels that nobody wanted in the first place.)
Addendum: Saw The Shape of Water. I'd call it a very solid bounce-back that mollifies most of my above gripes. Beautiful visuals and pathos. Script, while still not amazing, didn't hinder the film overall. I don't think the film is truly worthy of *winning* the big ones this year but the nominations are pretty well deserved.
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Post by [Citrus] on Dec 16, 2017 14:04:20 GMT -5
Empire Strikes Back isn't very good.
For years I thought this but then everyone keeps saying "it's an amazing movie and the best Star War!" and so I watched it again last night. I found it still didn't really have a beginning or an end or do a very good job of communicating what the conflict actually is - relies really heavily on you being familiar with the first movie in order to be invested in what's going on, which mostly feels like filler until the big finale.
It's very nicely shot and maybe that is enough when you're a Star Wars kid. I wasn't one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2017 14:12:21 GMT -5
Empire Strikes Back isn't very good. For years I thought this but then everyone keeps saying "it's an amazing movie and the best Star War!" and so I watched it again last night. I found it still didn't really have a beginning or an end or do a very good job of communicating what the conflict actually is - relies really heavily on you being familiar with the first movie in order to be invested in what's going on, which mostly feels like filler until the big finale. It's very nicely shot and maybe that is enough when you're a Star Wars kid. I wasn't one. It isn't boring, unlike a certain star trek piece of shit that is an insult to film!
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Post by [Citrus] on Dec 16, 2017 14:22:57 GMT -5
Empire Strikes Back isn't very good. For years I thought this but then everyone keeps saying "it's an amazing movie and the best Star War!" and so I watched it again last night. I found it still didn't really have a beginning or an end or do a very good job of communicating what the conflict actually is - relies really heavily on you being familiar with the first movie in order to be invested in what's going on, which mostly feels like filler until the big finale. It's very nicely shot and maybe that is enough when you're a Star Wars kid. I wasn't one. It isn't boring, unlike a certain star trek piece of shit that is an insult to film! Star Trek VI?
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Dec 16, 2017 20:07:48 GMT -5
Empire Strikes Back isn't very good. For years I thought this but then everyone keeps saying "it's an amazing movie and the best Star War!" and so I watched it again last night. I found it still didn't really have a beginning or an end or do a very good job of communicating what the conflict actually is - relies really heavily on you being familiar with the first movie in order to be invested in what's going on, which mostly feels like filler until the big finale. It's very nicely shot and maybe that is enough when you're a Star Wars kid. I wasn't one. It isn't boring, unlike a certain star trek piece of shit that is an insult to film! Empire is boring, and our boy Citric is correct in every way. Throwing in all main thread Star Wars movies accept for Last Jedi, Empire is probably my sixth favorite out of seven. It's a fucking slog and a bad movie.
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Post by chalkdevil's night π on Dec 18, 2017 17:40:30 GMT -5
It isn't boring, unlike a certain star trek piece of shit that is an insult to film! Empire is boring, and our boy Citric is correct in every way. Throwing in all main thread Star Wars movies accept for Last Jedi, Empire is probably my sixth favorite out of seven. It's a fucking slog and a bad movie.
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Post by Lone Locust of the Apocalypse on Dec 18, 2017 19:44:51 GMT -5
The Last Jedi, while certainly more ambitious than TFA, is really not that big of a departure from the standard Star Wars structure. So I don't get all the hate/love it's getting for supposedly tearing Star Wars a new one.
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Post by Albert Fish Taco on Dec 26, 2017 12:57:34 GMT -5
I'm guessing this is not a particularly unpopular take, but aside from a good but not mind blowing supporting performance by Jon Hamm, Baby Driver was not only grossly overrated it was a distant second to Logan Lucky as the best hesist flick of 2017.
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Post by DangOlJimmyITellYouWhat on Jan 2, 2018 21:42:48 GMT -5
I love Rogue One
BRING IT
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Ben Grimm
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Post by Ben Grimm on Jan 3, 2018 7:29:33 GMT -5
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Post by chalkdevil's night π on Jan 3, 2018 15:41:25 GMT -5
Ryan Gosling is not a great actor, he's just a hansom dude with a good scowl. He's Keanu Reeves with a Brooklyn accent* instead a SoCal accent** so people think he's tough instead of dumb.
* The internet tells me both Gosling is from Canada. So, I guess that's a choice he's doing for every role. ** The internet is also telling me that Reeves grew up in Canada and New York so, fuck, I don't know what's real anymore.
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Post by DangOlJimmyITellYouWhat on Jan 4, 2018 17:23:20 GMT -5
Ryan Gosling is not a great actor, he's just a hansom dude with a good scowl. He's Keanu Reeves with a Brooklyn accent* instead a SoCal accent** so people think he's tough instead of dumb. * The internet tells me both Gosling is from Canada. So, I guess that's a choice he's doing for every role. ** The internet is also telling me that Reeves grew up in Canada and New York so, fuck, I don't know what's real anymore. Well, my additional unpopular Gosling opinion is that he's is not particularly handsome. He's kinda bland.
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Post by ganews on Jan 5, 2018 21:08:37 GMT -5
Goblet of Fire is my favorite overall Harry Potter movie.
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