FilmEra |OT| January 2018

The last film I watched in 2017 was Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm. I literally just stopped there. Felt like a good way to end things.

The first film I watched in 2018 is...

Call Me by Your Name (9/10) - I completely fell in love with this, and it's no wonder: Luca Guadagnino did his best to turn this into an Apichatpong Weerasethakul production, hiring Joe's regular DP, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, and I missed what his credit was for, but I also saw Lee Chatametikool in there (Joe's regular sound guy, also production designer, etc.). I had no idea Luca was headhunting like this, and with Mukdeeprom shooting Suspiria, now I'm even more excited to see that remake. Anyways, back to CMBYN: yeah, it's great. A leisurely, sensual, evocative summer stroll through northern Italy, with Michael Stuhlbarg slowly sneaking up to deliver a sucker punch at the end (when he isn't prancing to the dinner table, in what has to be one of the most indelible, fleeting movie moments of the year; what a treasure of an actor). I was steeling myself for emotional devastation, but was surprised (and genuinely glad) to find something more quiet and tender. The ending is sad, sure, but it's also happy in its own way, hopeful perhaps. Bittersweet. It finds the right context for an appropriate swell of mixed emotions, a quiet moment of reflection, an ending and a beginning. It didn't hit me right away, but walking out of the theatre, I found myself increasingly appreciative of the entire film, the journey, and the place it ends. I was preparing for heartbreak, but instead, in the hours that followed, I found my spirits had been lifted. It's an unassuming film, a brief slice of life, but full and complete. I am deeply grateful that an experience like this exists in 2017. Or 2018, now. The perfect way to start the year, for sure.

n8 dogg said:

To add to the convos above

1. Plot is probably the least important thing about a film in my opinion; every MCU film has the same story and everyone sucks them off. Basic stories will sell forever because it's all about execution.

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This so much. Some of the best movies in their genres are simple stories, well-trodden plots, executed masterfully. Look at classics like Jaws or Alien, or more recent movies The Raid or Green Room or even John Wick.

I watched 160 films last year and ended it with Seven Samurai. I had only seen it once before long ago and have been meaning to revisit it for years. It's incredible. Going to start this year with rewatching another of my favourites RAN soon I hope.

December consisted of:

06 Contact*
08 Throne of Blood
09 Dolls
16 The Foreigner*
17 Star Wars the Last Ledi*
18 Who Am I?
22 Yojimbo
24 Paterson*
27 The Grudge (US version)*
28 Battle Royale
30 The Last Emperor
31 Seven Samurai

* are first time watches.

James Gunn's Scooby-Doo

Just saw Scooby Doo again after a long while.

It is super dated, but the plot outline for that movie was really nice, with lots of great character moments and twists. However, dialogue and stuff seemed really bad. Apparently the movie was changed to be more family friendly at the last minute, and they swung too far into childish territory. James Gunn says he still has the original version with the original cleavage. David Newman did a really nice original theme, but the Scooby Doo theme was shoehorned in way too much, probably to soften all the violence.

The movie has a look though, but it's mostly because it was shot on film. This is a movie that looks great on film but if shot on digital it would look terrible, due to the bright neon colors and super fake theatrical sets. Also, this was a time when movie studios were trying to make movies fit into a winning formula for the masses, with pop songs and celebrity cameos and obligatory nostalgia lines, but they were not subtle at all. The visual effects are more dated on how well the characters blend with their environments; they always look like they are floating on top of the image instead of being part of the world. Other than that though, it is really good fur and lighting work for Scooby. Animations however are stiff and not timed well, a limitation of CG back then.

Stanng243 said:

If you say so. I've never considered him a particularly good actor. And I've never heard anyone else heap the praise on him, except people on this site. He hasn't been in a movie in 5 years, I can't see why anyone who consider him a good actor now.

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My mans, this is the worst take I've read in a long time. Congrats.

Forget DDL, Marlon Brando hasn't done a movie in like 15 years. Why do people like this guy again?!

I was very disappointed to learn my work blocked resetera and then I pulled out my phone to go through this thread and maybe I'm not missing much.

This wouldn't happen if the thread was quarterly

Divius said:

Thread rules:
1. Be nice, be civil, use common sense
2. Respect the opinions of other members, no matter how wrong they are
4. Have fun, we're all here because we love movies

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Em, so why does this thread have rules have rules if no one even tries to follow them?

Dave Chappelle: Equanimity/The Bird Revelation

A real good one-two punch of comedy. If you saw his other two Netflix specials from early 2017, he keeps to that level, and hits well. But the transgender block of the first special, and the sexual assault talk in the second, really weighed some of it down with his thoughts on them. They feel like they come from a good place, but perhaps aren't worded right or needed a little more thought put into them. But then he ends off the two specials with a fascinating breakdown of the novel Pimp, which makes you remember, everything is well-thought-out and perfectly designed. So the questionable stuff becomes a little more questionable. Either way, the funny bits were fantastic, and he gets real in the second special, which fits with the really intimate setting.

My Life as a Courgette (boo to the US title)

My god, this is such a beautiful movie. The animation, the designs of the characters, the pretty damn dark subject matter, and the way it's all executed is great. Each character feels real, despite the stop motion, with their traits and personalities shining through their delivery and little tics. The filmmaking here is impressive. I saw the French language version, so I missed out on Nick Offerman as the police officer, but I really liked this version, so I'm happy enough.

First They Killed My Father

Flow mentioned it in the Film Club thread, and it was on my remainder of 2017 Letterboxd list, so I finally got around to it. This is easily the best looking film Netflix has distributed. The lush environments, the heat and the insects, the interesting shots and what is inside them, the close-ups of the lead's face and her perspective --- all wonderful. You get to know Sareum Srey Moch's face a lot in here, as events are through her eyes and her viewpoint on what must feel like a confusing and terrible and heartbreaking mess to someone so young. Watching the film progressively take away from Loung's character was super effective, and it's definitely not a movie that sugar coats its subject matter. It can feel a little long at points, but Jolie never holds onto something more than she needs to, so it moves despite its length. I've brushed off Angelina Jolie's previous directorial work not out of taking her work for granted, but because it never really caught my eye. But even if this is her strongest film so far, I'm going back and definitely checking out Unbroken, at the very least.

sleepless_swan said:

Em, so why does this thread have rules have rules if no one even tries to follow them?

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We're having fun m8

Yams said:

We're having fun m8

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Just a bit of banter blud

Yams said:

We're having fun m8

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Icolin said:

Just a bit of banter blud

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Yeah because the guy you've been slagging off the last few pages really seemed like he was having fun

So Valerian wasn't too bad actually.

I mean, in so many regards it was. Dehaan was horrifically miscast, Delevigne was wooden, their chemistry was non-existent, the world lacked any sense of tangibility, it was distinctly old-fashioned in its gender politics, the dialogue was terrible, the plotting only semi-comprehensible, the film was too long and it was the kind of film that seems to have been written on a scene by scene basis; this last point is particularly egregious because there are moments in this film that are genuinely awful at coming across as organic, natural scripting; the part where Delevigne shoves her head up a jellyfish's arsehole and literally sees clips from the film to track her partner because Besson couldn't be bothered to write anything where she uses her smarts was one example, and another significant one would be where Dehaan says he will always follow orders and listen to commands because he is a soldier literally fifteen seconds after he punches a superior in the face is another.

And yet it's so genuine; there isn't a bone of cynicism in the entire film. It does what it does because Besson genuinely loves the film he's made, and just like Aronofsky's Mother, it goes a hell of a long way to pasting over any shortcomings. It's visually inventive, full of kinetic energy and has an armadillo who shits pearls as its main MacGuffin.

I thought it was alright, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this become a Lone Ranger/Speed Racer where it picks up devoted fans in the future.

sleepless_swan said:

Em, so why does this thread have rules have rules if no one even tries to follow them?

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there is no safe space for daniel day lewis haters m9

and from above i see you're just very sensitive :lol, fucking hell lad chill out.

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

If you'd like genuine engagement maybe don't start off with abrasive drunk posts. Just a thought.

2B or not 2B said:

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

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I just hopped in here a couple of months ago. I dunno any of these fucks. it's been cool. there's like... 5zillion movies and everyone has a different opinion on each one.

resetera was a mistake

2B or not 2B said:

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

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I'm certainly not part of any clique. Could count the times I posted on MovieGAF or here on four hands.

Am I part of the clique? Please I don't want to be an Other I need this.

2B or not 2B said:

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

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All because N8 and I make fun of you guys on Facebook doesn't mean we are a clique

Borgnine said:

Am I part of the clique? Please I don't want to be an Other I need this.

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dude you're like 1 of the 5 people that have been part of the our threads since it started.

2B or not 2B said:

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

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I hope the thread's never been seen that way. I always value everyone's thoughts on movies, even if they are wildly different than my own. There's always going to be the more active folks that banter with each other because of familiarity, maybe that's where the clique feeling is coming from? I don't know, I don't see it personally. I do notice that those complaining about things haven't really been contributing movie thoughts and impressions, though. Tell us about some of the movies you've been enjoying lately!

Just a heads up.

We're moving this thread out of hangouts to the general etcetera forum.

2B or not 2B said:

Has this thread ever not been surrounded around one clique that just takes the piss out of everyone else's opinions? It's kind of a joke really.

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I've been in these threads for maybe around a year and I don't think I've encountered or witnessed this, really. As kevin1025 said, there's always gonna be the banter among the people who've been in these threads together for awhile, but I don't they're taking the piss out of everyone else's opinions, per se.

Emily said:

Just a heads up.

We're moving this thread out of hangouts to the general etcetera forum.

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Hallelujah!

No one should ever take me serious unless I am shitting on a movie

There's really no clique. If you make an actual effort to engage in the back and forth everyone here is welcoming. Like even cipher peon...I'm still not sure what the deal was there but he gave and he got and it was all good. (Did he make the leap?) If you instead act offended that people are talking about movies (recently released and in nationwide release) you've never heard of and as if even discussing some guy named paul tom anderson is odd, what kind of engagement are you even hoping for

kevin1025 said:

Dave Chappelle: Equanimity/The Bird Revelation

A real good one-two punch of comedy. If you saw his other two Netflix specials from early 2017, he keeps to that level, and hits well. But the transgender block of the first special, and the sexual assault talk in the second, really weighed some of it down with his thoughts on them. They feel like they come from a good place, but perhaps aren't worded right or needed a little more thought put into them. But then he ends off the two specials with a fascinating breakdown of the novel Pimp, which makes you remember, everything is well-thought-out and perfectly designed. So the questionable stuff becomes a little more questionable. Either way, the funny bits were fantastic, and he gets real in the second special, which fits with the really intimate setting.

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Whaaat really? That sounds cool. I should be more discouraged about these after the Age of Spin but I'm looking forward to them.

Wink784 said:

Happy new year everyone.

The Foreigner (2017)

I'm a little perplexed that beyond the first trailer coming out I have not heard talk about this. It's a good movie. Jackie gives it his best in the acting department. Certainly his most understated performance. He's not a great actor, everyone knows, but he manages to make this character here work. Working with Pierce Brosnan, who gives a quite intense performance, may have helped him. There are a few headscratchers along the way in terms of the plot, mainly how the chinaman manages to know about the locations he needs to "visit", but otherwise the story is deftly told by Casino Royale director Martin Campbell and the whole thing gets better every minute. I was pleased with the way the action was shot and there was more of it than I expected. Easily Jackie Chan's best effort on a serious movie. I think people should give it a chance.

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I watched it before Christmas and loved it, you're right, it seems underrated

Lucky (2017) - 7.4/10. A heartfelt, quiet little film that serves as a terrific final hurrah for Harry Dean Stanton, who gives a remarkable performance in the lead role, with great support from, above all else, David Lynch and Ron Livingston.

John Carroll Lynch has real promise as a director going off the evidence here; it's got an ambling pace but doesn't feel self-consciously slow or plodding. Really nice musical choices.

As someone who has wrestled with existential quandaries more in recent years this really hit home.

Wonderstruck (2017) - 4.2/10. Fuuuuuuuuucking hell what a slog this film was.

Todd Haynes' latest is nice to look at, well-scored and solidly acted...but it all amounts to so little because Haynes seem so intent on chastising the viewer.

Did this really need to be 2 hours long? Did it need to be so insistently un-cinematic, with so much dialogue being read from sheets of paper? And is it really fair to give Haynes a pass for basically taking an expository dump for the final 20 minutes?

There's clearly something here; the story should be affecting, but the execution is so wilfully frustrating that I wanted to score it even lower.

Are people who are watching Call Me by Your Name watching the sub or the dub? I imagine the dub is bad but you never know.

Wink784 said:

Happy new year everyone.

The Foreigner (2017)

I'm a little perplexed that beyond the first trailer coming out I have not heard talk about this. It's a good movie. Jackie gives it his best in the acting department. Certainly his most understated performance. He's not a great actor, everyone knows, but he manages to make this character here work. Working with Pierce Brosnan, who gives a quite intense performance, may have helped him. There are a few headscratchers along the way in terms of the plot, mainly how the chinaman manages to know about the locations he needs to "visit", but otherwise the story is deftly told by Casino Royale director Martin Campbell and the whole thing gets better every minute. I was pleased with the way the action was shot and there was more of it than I expected. Easily Jackie Chan's best effort on a serious movie. I think people should give it a chance.

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I saw this last year also. It was an excellent film. It was more serious than I'm used to seeing from Jackie Chan. The quality ass kicking was still there though.

Johnlenham said:

Are people who are watching Call Me by Your Name watching the sub or the dub? I imagine the dub is bad but you never know.

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I think you're confused lol

Your Name and Call Me by Your Name are two different films

If the former is what you're looking for, the original Japanese audio is the best version mainly because the dubbed features English versions of the featured music which is... awkward.

Johnlenham said:

Are people who are watching Call Me by Your Name watching the sub or the dub? I imagine the dub is bad but you never know.

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...

shaneo632 said:

Wonderstruck (2017) - 4.2/10. Fuuuuuuuuucking hell what a slog this film was.

Todd Haynes' latest is nice to look at, well-scored and solidly acted...but it all amounts to so little because Haynes seem so intent on chastising the viewer.

Did this really need to be 2 hours long? Did it need to be so insistently un-cinematic, with so much dialogue being read from sheets of paper? And is it really fair to give Haynes a pass for basically taking an expository dump for the final 20 minutes?

There's clearly something here; the story should be affecting, but the execution is so wilfully frustrating that I wanted to score it even lower.

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The note reading definitely became a slog, and the ending a little long, but it all worked super well for me. I was always interested in where these two characters were heading, and how it was being told through music and communication (or miscommunication, at times).

Divius said:

How do we feel about the new season of Black Mirror? I thought it had some fun episodes but also some of the weakest in the series.

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I loved the Star Trek vr episode. Have not watched the rest yet.

Stanng243 said:

If you say so. I've never considered him a particularly good actor. And I've never heard anyone else heap the praise on him, except people on this site. He hasn't been in a movie in 5 years, I can't see why anyone who consider him a good actor now.

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Good lord there is no way this isn't a troll post is there?

Which cut of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is the definitive one?

MidnightCowboy said:

Which cut of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is the definitive one?

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Hopefully someone else can clarify, but the 108 minute cut is more well-regarded one, I believe. Definitely could be wrong, though.

n8 dogg said:

This is nonsense. He has already been out of the spotlight for a decade or so ago. He is fantastic in My beautiful Launderette, My Left Foot, In The Name of the Father alone; There Will Be Blood is one of the great male performances.

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"There Will Be Blood" is nowhere near one of the great male performances, dude chews scenery like a motherfucker, especially in the last third or so.

Divius said:

Looking at my 2017 stats on Letterboxd ...

Most watched actor: Vin Diesel
Most watched director: Paul WS Anderson
Only one 5-star rating all year

What have I been doing mates ... Someone save me.

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I don't see anything wrong here

Just watched Call me by your name the other night and wow... just wow. What a powerful moving film about first love.

It hit me in a way that I don't think a movie has. It's easily my favorite film of the year and the Michael Stuhlbarg scene is profound.

Snowy said:

"There Will Be Blood" is nowhere near one of the great male performances, dude chews scenery like a motherfucker, especially in the last third or so.

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The first 50 years of film contained nothing but scenery chewing.

Keaton in the General is one of the great all time male performances and he's as close to chewing the scenery without opening his mouth as is humanly possible.

Snowy said:

Daniel Day-Lewis is a good actor but is consistently overpraised because he is such an excellent mimic and pays a lot of attention to the surface details of transformation. He lacks the depth and subtlety of the best actors, however, and I cannot imagine any of his roles will be particularly well-remembered once he's been out of the spotlight for a decade or so.

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You don't think DDL will be well remembered as Lincoln? He played arguably America's most well regarded and famous president.

Divius said:

Looking at my 2017 stats on Letterboxd ...

Most watched actor: Vin Diesel
Most watched director: Paul WS Anderson
Only one 5-star rating all year

What have I been doing mates ... Someone save me.

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Wash away this shame with Lucky!

(That sounds like a good year, haha.)

Wow, apparently Netflix bought the international rights to Alex Garland's new movie Annihilation. Means we won't see it till April but interesting to see Netflix growing and growing.

Yeh, DDL have incredibly range, abilities as a mimic and facial control - can't understand anyone who thinks him average. Snowy - who would you say are good actors then?

Emily said:

Just a heads up.

We're moving this thread out of hangouts to the general etcetera forum.

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Ty so much Emily and Nicole :D.

Guess I should send Divius the top 10 films of January to watch.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927): This film is famous partly because of technical innovations in how F.W. Murnau made it, some of which are still notable if you're familiar with how static camerawork often was in this period (and soon would become moreso after the introduction of sound). That makes it of historical interest. The story, though, is a bizarre concoction if ever there was one, featuring one of the least-earned redemption stories I've ever seen, and jarring shifts in tone.

The Goonies (1985): I had seen bits of this over the years, but I decided to finally sit down and watch the whole thing, given all the recent discussion around Stranger Things, which regularly identifies The Goonies as one of the main inspirations. I thought the film was decent, but it doesn't rank among great children's films to me (too much yelling, among other things). But it's easy to see why this was influential. And with the notable exception of Corey Feldman, this film's cast had a surprisingly high success ratio as far as its young actors going onto become successful and not-screwed-up adult actors.

Also, I was under the impression from my earlier vague glimpses of the film that Sloth was some kind of fantasy creature, but apparently he's just a regular person with physical/intellectual issues?