TWBB feels colder to me than Scorsese's biopics. It feels more of a piece with Barry Lyndon than, say, The Aviator imo.
FilmEra |OT| January 2018
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Raging Bull is very, very cold. You've got a vile antihero (seriously Jake La Motta is one of the hardest characters to empathise with in film, dude is irredeemable not because the nature of his actions but the way he is portrayed) , periods of silence - and a very austere setting. I'm only halfway through Barry Lyndon though so I'll have to get back to you on that one - but already the use of narration seems a bit different already. Still, there's probably some overlap between the two - and moreover some over director I don't know about who combines them.
If was my first choice for escapism after the last presidential election. I should have probably picked a better night to watch it because I was not in the mood to have any of that shit. "Aww, these people have feels. Well fuck you Trump is president". I own it, so I'll give it a proper viewing sometime down the line.
Wonder Wheel
Putting aside the very obvious thing to attack... the movie is fine. It's held up solely and completely by Kate Winslet's wonderful performance. Her exasperation at her current setting, her fondness for the past, her lust for a better life, and her severe intensity is nothing short of fantastic. Jim Belushi is good in this, but does push it a little too far at times with overacting. The weak link is Justin Timberlake, not quite fitting into his role, his words not quite feeling right coming from him, and his character is the typical Allen character that doesn't sit right in this particular movie. The boardwalk is an interesting set that only gets visited in a couple of shots, but is vibrant and interesting when given the time to shine. The set-up of the film is very much like a play, with its scenes in the apartment, the clam restaurant, and the few other locales. It all doesn't add up quite as well as it could have, but Kate Winslet gets to shine, so it's not all a total loss.
Darkest Hour
A very well directed, very well acted film. Gary Oldman and Joe Wright make the rising pressures of a Nazi Germany and an attempted power ousting turn into an acting powerhouse for Oldman's Churchill. He is bombarded from every corner, weathered and beaten down and starting to crack. But small victories are found, and those small victories make it an enjoyable time. Oldman can portray compassionate humanity under all of that make-up, and his belligerence and hardheadedness are more traits than weaknesses, and I found that really interesting. There are some fancy flourishes here and there that can feel out of place among the rest of the filmmaking, but otherwise it is a rousing and rather good movie about rising above. Lily James is also good in it, though she is somewhat sidelined for all of the oxygen and life Oldman is stealing.
Putting aside the very obvious thing to attack... the movie is fine. It's held up solely and completely by Kate Winslet's wonderful performance. Her exasperation at her current setting, her fondness for the past, her lust for a better life, and her severe intensity is nothing short of fantastic. Jim Belushi is good in this, but does push it a little too far at times with overacting. The weak link is Justin Timberlake, not quite fitting into his role, his words not quite feeling right coming from him, and his character is the typical Allen character that doesn't sit right in this particular movie. The boardwalk is an interesting set that only gets visited in a couple of shots, but is vibrant and interesting when given the time to shine. The set-up of the film is very much like a play, with its scenes in the apartment, the clam restaurant, and the few other locales. It all doesn't add up quite as well as it could have, but Kate Winslet gets to shine, so it's not all a total loss.
Darkest Hour
A very well directed, very well acted film. Gary Oldman and Joe Wright make the rising pressures of a Nazi Germany and an attempted power ousting turn into an acting powerhouse for Oldman's Churchill. He is bombarded from every corner, weathered and beaten down and starting to crack. But small victories are found, and those small victories make it an enjoyable time. Oldman can portray compassionate humanity under all of that make-up, and his belligerence and hardheadedness are more traits than weaknesses, and I found that really interesting. There are some fancy flourishes here and there that can feel out of place among the rest of the filmmaking, but otherwise it is a rousing and rather good movie about rising above. Lily James is also good in it, though she is somewhat sidelined for all of the oxygen and life Oldman is stealing.
Good Time
★★★★
Not sure why Good Time didn't click with me during my first watch, maybe I had different expectations. I enjoyed it a lot more upon rewatch.
What really makes the plot work is that it feels like a juggling act where the juggler trips and just barely keeps the balls in the air: a rolling snowball of bad and desperate decisions kept rolling by Connie's (Pattinson just disappearing into the role) quick-thought lies and improvised plans. Seeing how he cleverly manipulates and connives his way with people and out of situations is one of the best parts of Good Time.
The atmosphere of the dirty unfriendly New York streets, the pacing that comes from a single night plot, and the grimy oppressive tone round out the other parts
★★★★
Not sure why Good Time didn't click with me during my first watch, maybe I had different expectations. I enjoyed it a lot more upon rewatch.
What really makes the plot work is that it feels like a juggling act where the juggler trips and just barely keeps the balls in the air: a rolling snowball of bad and desperate decisions kept rolling by Connie's (Pattinson just disappearing into the role) quick-thought lies and improvised plans. Seeing how he cleverly manipulates and connives his way with people and out of situations is one of the best parts of Good Time.
The atmosphere of the dirty unfriendly New York streets, the pacing that comes from a single night plot, and the grimy oppressive tone round out the other parts
Re-watched Blade Runner 2049 tonight
Easily still my favorite movie of 2017 and one of the best and most interesting sci-fi sequels out there ever. And goddamn does it look beautiful too. The length and pace does get a little tougher to go through the second time around, especially when some of the suspense more present in a first viewing is sucked out, but the time sink is still worth it for such an entrancing and immersive experience. Can't wait for what Denis has in store for us next.
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Easily still my favorite movie of 2017 and one of the best and most interesting sci-fi sequels out there ever. And goddamn does it look beautiful too. The length and pace does get a little tougher to go through the second time around, especially when some of the suspense more present in a first viewing is sucked out, but the time sink is still worth it for such an entrancing and immersive experience. Can't wait for what Denis has in store for us next.
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Will be hard to let go of my furry bias on this one. :P
Glad to hear you liked it. It's my favorite movie of 2017.
Completely agree. There weren't any narrative surprises and there were too many characters. Spielberg has made other movies heavy on dialogue that worked, but this was just so unremarkable.
Paddington 2 is fantastic. It's got humor, adventure and heart. It plays off the first movie for some comedic moments in a really neat way. I looked up the director and apparently he made Garth Marenghi's Darkplace; no wonder I enjoyed these movies so much.
I rewatched Paddington 1 recently and hearing that 2 is even better got me excited to see it soon. I think the director/writer Paul King will be a major talent to watch out for in the years.
his tv work on Darkplace and Mighty Boosh was so good as well. The visual gags and applying such an overtly fantastical aura to London were dope elements in here
his tv work on Darkplace and Mighty Boosh was so good as well. The visual gags and applying such an overtly fantastical aura to London were dope elements in here
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Do you need to have a childhood affinity with Paddington to enjoy the movie(s)? All I know its a bear in a hat who likes marmelade. Never seen/read/heard anything about it so the movies didn't interest me at all, until people started mentioning that they are good.
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I have to admit, it's probably been fifteen years since I've watched Robin Hood and this song still pops in my head every once and a while.
Whoo!
Criterion announced April releases!
The Awful Truth (1937)
The Color of Pomegranates (1969)
Dead Man (1995)
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Eclipse Series 46: Ingrid Bergman's Swedish Years
Hell of a lineup here. Especially Dead Man
Well I don't necessarily mean the coldness of the characters themeslves... right, Jake la Motta is a really shitty person. I meant more in terms of the aesthetic. Raging Bull and especially The Aviator feel, not necessarily 'warm', but livelier, more passionate and energetic. While TWBB and Barry Lyndon feel cold to me in the sense of a clinical, sort of detached feeling.
It's a close tie with Prospectors Arrive as my favorite Jonny piece. And Spooks, if that counts.
Ya, it's very likely a french movie, and also, the father seems to be the main protagonist (as opposed to the son in the movie you linked).
Thanks though :)
Anyone else got a clue? (please don't disappoint FilmEra, I've put a lot of praise of you upon my wife in advance;D)
Finally saw Lawrence of Arabia (1962) for the first time.
I was expecting a romanticized adventure, while some of that was true, what I ended up witnessing was a character study and complex of the famous war hero. The ending had me in awe with the shot of Lawrence leaving the desert. Peter O'Toole is a force in this film.
While I can't say I'm knowledgeable of the real events, I can say that I enjoyed this depiction as it pulled no punches when it came to war. I can now see why this film is highly regarded. 8/10
I was expecting a romanticized adventure, while some of that was true, what I ended up witnessing was a character study and complex of the famous war hero. The ending had me in awe with the shot of Lawrence leaving the desert. Peter O'Toole is a force in this film.
While I can't say I'm knowledgeable of the real events, I can say that I enjoyed this depiction as it pulled no punches when it came to war. I can now see why this film is highly regarded. 8/10
Some Like It Hot was a film I caught a few months ago but unfortunately missed most of it due to a broadcast mishap. Luckily, I found is at my college library (which is quite loaded with classics) so I decided to pick it up and finally finish it. I'm glad I did. Not only my first venture into Marilyn Monroe's filmography but it's also my exposure to the legend that is Jack Lemmon. He and Tony Curtis are so hilarious together on screen and I do like a film about cross dressing that actually had a good script to support it, which I sadly don't see today. I can definitely see how challenging it was to the Hays Code.
All The Money In The World (Scott, 2017)
A competently made but generic and by the numbers thriller that unfortunately is overshadowed by Spacey's dismissal. Michelle Williams is quite possibly the best actor in the film and there are a number of beautiful shots (Ridley sure knows how to make use of shadows and lights) but the film as a whole just didn't thrill me.
2.5/5
A competently made but generic and by the numbers thriller that unfortunately is overshadowed by Spacey's dismissal. Michelle Williams is quite possibly the best actor in the film and there are a number of beautiful shots (Ridley sure knows how to make use of shadows and lights) but the film as a whole just didn't thrill me.
2.5/5
He's wrong but it's still fuckin' nuts
He said In Rainbows was Radiohead's best so he made up for it
If you like Jack Lemmon, check out Glengarry Glen Ross.
Paddington: With everyone gushing over Paddington 2, I decided to check out the original, and I wasn't impressed. Well, the modeling was nice, but the plot was a predictable cliche on the "naive fish out of water gets into wacky hijinks" story. At least Peter Capaldi is in it.
TLOP is pretty damn good but it ain't MBDTF, College Dropout, 808s, or Yeezus. I'd also put Graduation above TLOP tbh
In Rainbows is a bit of a contrarian pick but I'll allow it. I'm an OK Computer guy
I'm going to see it tonight with my girlfriend who generally dislikes PTA and also thinks TLOP is #1 (which is a truly insane opinion it's a mediocre album at best). So a lot of clashing opinions going on here.
HOLY SHIT... what did I just watch.
One of the best films of the 21st century.
(he's right tho)
I would put every Kanye album above TLOP. Sure Wolves is cool, but the album is so bloated and tired.
I don't like Kanye or rap, so I'll get this back on topic.
I've watched an odd mix of movies recently. Stuff on my PVR, stuff on TV and a DVD I borrowed from the library.
A Ghost Story: I wanted to see this in theatres, after seeing a preview for it in front of It Comes at Night IIRC. It never played near me, though, and I'm honestly kind of glad that I didn't end up driving 30-60 minutes to see it. Not that I think it's a bad movie; it's just not the type I'd really be happy about spending a good amount of money to see or drive to see.
It's definitely a very unique, artistic and strange movie, but I liked it overall. It got especially weird near the end. This is the type of movie I'll remember, though, and it's going to have a lot of staying power. It's just not something I'd want to watch again.
I called the twist early on, even though it made sense. I told myself there's no way that could be true, but I was right.
Captain Underpants: The First Movie: I don't watch a lot of animated movies anymore, but this was on The Movie Network so I saved it out of curiosity. The previews had looked kind of funny. And overall, it was pretty solid.
About Schmidt: I thought I'd seen this before, but it turns out that I hadn't. It's another movie I saved off of TV. It took a bit to get going, but I liked it overall. It's nothing special, but solid.
A Dog's Purpose: It was better than these types of movies normally turn out. I enjoyed it, even if it was a bit hokey at times.
I've watched an odd mix of movies recently. Stuff on my PVR, stuff on TV and a DVD I borrowed from the library.
A Ghost Story: I wanted to see this in theatres, after seeing a preview for it in front of It Comes at Night IIRC. It never played near me, though, and I'm honestly kind of glad that I didn't end up driving 30-60 minutes to see it. Not that I think it's a bad movie; it's just not the type I'd really be happy about spending a good amount of money to see or drive to see.
It's definitely a very unique, artistic and strange movie, but I liked it overall. It got especially weird near the end. This is the type of movie I'll remember, though, and it's going to have a lot of staying power. It's just not something I'd want to watch again.
I called the twist early on, even though it made sense. I told myself there's no way that could be true, but I was right.
Captain Underpants: The First Movie: I don't watch a lot of animated movies anymore, but this was on The Movie Network so I saved it out of curiosity. The previews had looked kind of funny. And overall, it was pretty solid.
About Schmidt: I thought I'd seen this before, but it turns out that I hadn't. It's another movie I saved off of TV. It took a bit to get going, but I liked it overall. It's nothing special, but solid.
A Dog's Purpose: It was better than these types of movies normally turn out. I enjoyed it, even if it was a bit hokey at times.
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He's wrong, it's either the third or fourth best. ;)
Edit: Now, you see what guys almost made me do? I was this close to putting my Kanye rankings in the filmera thread.
I don't want to derail this thread, but Graduation is by far the worst Kanye album. I still like it, and it has some gems, but yeah, doesn't sniff anywhere but the bottom.
I count 5. Yeezy is the PTA of the music industry, aka the greatest contemporary American master and someone who is always changing.
Graduation is super polished pop-rap full of fun, breezy, undeniably catchy party songs that cannily blend samples and techno inspired beats, and Kanye's egomania was still charming and not at the self parodic points it is now.
It's not a great album but it ain't Uwe Boll levels. It's a solid summer crowd pleaser, not good headphones material though.
I wouldn't call any of Kanye's albums masterpieces, though, as much as I like some of them.
It's not a great album but it ain't Uwe Boll levels. It's a solid summer crowd pleaser, not good headphones material though.
I wouldn't call any of Kanye's albums masterpieces, though, as much as I like some of them.
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I've got a personal connection to LATE REGISTRATION but MBDTF is probably objectively the better album.
Liking the movie more as I think about it, but Phantom Thread was honestly the first time I had trouble connecting to one of Anderson's movies or understanding his characters. And yes, I've seen all of them.