Schoolio's Movie Corner

[wmgaretjax]

I really want to see Persepolis now. It sounds like that I will love it even much more than Ratatouille.

My Greatest or Top 10 Animation Films of All-Time:
1. Hotaru no haka (Grave of the Fireflies), A+
2. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away), A+
3. The Iron Giant, A+
4. Les Triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville), A+
5. Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro), A+
6. Ratatouille, A
7. Mononoke-hime (Princess Mononoke), A
8. South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, A
9. Metoroporisu (Metropolis), A-
10. Incredibles , A-

whoa whoa whoa whoa. buddy! have you not seen any Svankmeyer or Brothers Quay? Get on that man! Your list will change for sure. "Conspirators of Pleasure" is a must for Svankmeyer!

[downingthief]

We bought and viewed Bladerunner: Final Cut. I don't think we had ever watched the regular movie all the way through. Still not sure if I like it anyway. Anyone know the difference between the different versions?

Amy,

Mainly the endings are different, as well as the Deckard voice overs. The Director's cut from 1992 did not have any voice overs, where as the original version in the 80's did have it. Haven't seen the Final Cut yet, but I also understand it has additional footage. Sorry you did not like it...Blade Runner is one of my all time faves.

[PotVsKtl]

whoa whoa whoa whoa. buddy! have you not seen any Svankmeyer or Brothers Quay? Get on that man! Your list will change for sure. "Conspirators of Pleasure" is a must for Svankmeyer!

Considering the entire list is Pixar and Miyazaki I'd venture a guess that the only other animation he's seen is Inspector Gadget and food preparation training videos.

[TomAz]

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/1/11/Roadrunner.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

I think this movie heard us talking about worst movie trailers a couple days ago, and then decided to throw it's hat in the ring:

8pduO42k62o

Just a warning - I will kill any of you who pay to see it.

[kreutz2112]

Unfortunately, my fiance will want to see that. Dont worry we wont though.

[wmgaretjax]

I opened that trailer... for some reason even after I closed it (after about 10 seconds) the audio kept playing, and I had to listen to the whole thing... ugh.

[downingthief]

I think this movie heard us talking about worst movie trailers a couple days ago, and then decided to throw it's hat in the ring:

8pduO42k62o

Just a warning - I will kill any of you who pay to see it.

I had to sit through it before Sweeney. It was painful.

[iv3rdawG]

Man that looks really horrible.

I went to Aaron Brothers today cause I just bought a movie poster a couple days ago and I needed a frame. It was $41 for the frame :( but they have a pretty cool sale going on where if you buy a frame you can get another one for 1 cent so I just got another 27x40. So it was pretty much $20 each which is nice. Now I just need to find another poster to buy. Thought I'd let you all know if you have any posters laying around.

[amyzzz]

http://www.homevideos.com/movies-covers/OVERBOARD.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

Man that looks really horrible.

I went to Aarons Brothers today cause I just bought a movie poster a couple days ago and I needed a frame. It was $41 for the frame :( but they have a pretty cool sale going on where if you buy a frame you can get another one for 1 cent so I just got another 27x40. So it was pretty much $20 each which is nice. Now I just need to find another poster to buy. Thought I'd let you all know if you have any posters laying around.

Actually, I do have that problem - needing frames for one-sheets to decorate my office. Any idea how long this sale is lasting?

[iv3rdawG]

Actually, I do have that problem - needing frames for one-sheets to decorate my office. Any idea how long this sale is lasting?

The site says January 27th:

Prices effective Tuesday, Dec 25th - Sunday, Jan 27th (except as noted)

http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/dyn_rppi/400.0.88.0/aaronbrothers/large/071226_1_7gch5.jpg

http://aaronbrothers.shoplocal.com/aaronbrothers/Default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-98466&siteid=798&storeid=2541107

[thelastgreatman]

Hitchcock doesn't have a single movie that's an A. When he was good he was pretty good, but he wasn't the genius everyone makes him out to be by modern standards.

[TomAz]

Hitchcock doesn't have a single movie that's an A. When he was good he was pretty good, but he wasn't the genius everyone makes him out to be by modern standards.

Right. Psycho was good, but it was no Superbad.

[iv3rdawG]

AFI ARCHLIGHT HOLLYWOOD
SWEENEY TODD
Friday, January 4, 8:00 PM
2007 117 MIN 35 MM Rated R
Q&A with director Tim Burton will immediately follow the screening.

Still some seats but it seems to be almost sold out.

[thelastgreatman]

Right. Psycho was good, but it was no Superbad.

Scales for comedy is a little different. Psycho was pretty good. It was no Shining.

[iv3rdawG]

RT Editors' Best Movie Picks of 2007. Seems good except I don't know why The Lives of Others is in there. Same with 300.

http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_country_for_old_men/news/1700054/

No Country For Old Men (95%)
Atonement (85%)
There Will Be Blood (89%)
Lars and the Real Girl (78%)
Zodiac (89%)
Hallam Foe (84%)
Juno (94%)
300 (60%)
Control (89%)
Superbad (87%)
The Lives of Others (93%)
4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (94%)
Ratatouille (97%)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (93%)
Once (98%)
Michael Clayton (90%)
Paprika (81%)
The Orphanage (77%)
3:10 to Yuma (88%)
Knocked Up (90%)

[keriann]

I think this movie heard us talking about worst movie trailers a couple days ago, and then decided to throw it's hat in the ring:

8pduO42k62o

Just a warning - I will kill any of you who pay to see it.

I thought it was weird that they showed trailers for two fluffy romantic comedies before Sweeney Todd.

And that movie looked HORRIBLE.

[mountmccabe]

Actually, I do have that problem - needing frames for one-sheets to decorate my office. Any idea how long this sale is lasting?


The site says January 27th:

Prices effective Tuesday, Dec 25th - Sunday, Jan 27th (except as noted)

http://aaronbrothers.shoplocal.com/aaronbrothers/Default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-98466&siteid=798&storeid=2541107

They'll have the same sale in July, fyi. And then next January. Etc.

[wmgaretjax]

Would you post your Top 10?


1. Conspirators of Pleasure
2. Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
3. Street of Crocodiles
4. Cat Soup
5. Spirited Away
6. South Park
7. Watership Down
8. Secret of Nimh
9. Dimensions of Dialogue
10. Instituta Benjamenta

[bmack86]

Hitchcock has many fantastic movies because he was a great storyteller. He definitely has some As.

[whynotsmile99]

I saw BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD last night. It was excellent, though a bit confusing in one of the most important scenes. That bugged me.

Very well told/directed story and great acting. Finney and Hawke should get award nominations. Hawke especially. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was great as well and Marisa Tomei has never been hotter

[iv3rdawG]

I saw BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD last night. It was excellent, though a bit confusing in one of the most important scenes. That bugged me.

Very well told/directed story and great acting. Finney and Hawke should get award nominations. Hawke especially. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was great as well and Marisa Tomei has never been hotter

I didn't like it as much as most people seem to. If Hoffman gets nominated for anything I think/hope it'll be for Charlie Wilson's War. And I agree about Tomei. I just watched the Seinfeld episode with her in it too. Mmmm.

[schoolofruckus]

For the record, I strongly disliked it for the most part. Hoffman was great, Tomei was bangin' (in the pun sense and otherwise), but I - unlike whynotsmile - did not feel that there was a sufficient amount of lucid or engaging storytelling in most of the film. The editing was atrocious, and overall, I didn't see the "resurgent" direction from Lumet that everyone else claims is there.

I believe Jared felt the same way.

[iv3rdawG]

Whew, glad to hear some others on here didn't enjoy it either.

So, Gabe are you going to the Persepolis/4 Months showing?

[schoolofruckus]

I'm pretty sure I am. But I haven't bought tickets yet because I'm not positive. I'm hoping (though not optimistic) there will still be tickets left when I decide yes or no.

[iv3rdawG]

Sounds good.

[wmgaretjax]

Yeah, Gabe is right, I didn't like it either.

I've taken a break from films for a few days. My roomate ripped all of the X-Files episodes, so I'm watching the ones he has directed me too (basically any that pertain to the common, long running alien thread.). I'm enjoying it so far.

[schoolofruckus]

No break for me yet - I've got Ratatouille and Offside (an Iranian film that got a lot of love on the 2007 Village Voice poll) at home from Netflix. And I also scored some great overseas DVD's right before Christmas - The Red Desert (which I've been looking for for about 6 months), Damnation, and The Idiots.

[full on idle]

Watership Down is so so so so sad.

I'm having a hard time getting through Live Free or Die. I'm going to try harder. I've been watching like 10 minutes of it a night for a week.

[schoolofruckus]

I've never heard of Watership Down. Tell us more.

[bmack86]

The book is great.

I'm going to see There Will Be Blood tomorrow. I'm so goddamn excited.

[full on idle]

It was on W. Garet X's list for his favorite animation movies.

It's about these rabbits trying to get away from these evil humans and they face all this tribulation and violence and I remember watching it on tv when I was a little kid and basically being scarred for life. I haven't seen it since then but just reading the name makes me think of being scared of the dark and nightmares.

In other words, you'd love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[full on idle]

http://www.sirlistalot.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/watershipdown_violence.jpg

[iv3rdawG]

I'm going to see There Will Be Blood tomorrow. I'm so goddamn excited.

Nice.

[bmack86]

I didn't know they made a Watership Down movie, but the book has these rabbits who are trying to escape and form their own colony. It's a really well-developed story, and there was a followup book that was entertaining as well.

And, I liked the Animal Farm animated film. it wasn't great, but it was certainly good.

[roberto73]

If Hoffman gets nominated for anything I think/hope it'll be for Charlie Wilson's War.

Or better yet, The Savages.

I've got There Will Be Blood and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on my agenda for the weekend. That pretty much wraps up the 2007 releases for me, as I have zero inclination to see The Great Debaters or The Bucket List.

[B∞Rdom§]

after years of anticipation i finally picked up akira
and for people who like anime or not (im not that huge of a fan but flcl and cowboy bebop are amazing) it's worth watching.
that, and tekkonkinkreet have to be my two favorite animations as of now
real movies
-audition
-happiness of the katakuris
-dolls
-little miss sunshine (cliche')


sorry im having a brain fart :(

[PotVsKtl]

Hitchcock doesn't have a single movie that's an A. When he was good he was pretty good, but he wasn't the genius everyone makes him out to be by modern standards.

This is fucking ridiculous. What Hitchcock have you seen?

[PotVsKtl]

Wait I'm boring myself.

[thelastgreatman]

Thank you.

[wmgaretjax]

-audition
-happiness of the katakuris
-dolls


YES

NO

and meh.

Audition is one of my favorite movies.

[schoolofruckus]

I liked Offside quite a bit. It's a film about a half-dozen Iranian girls who are brought together as captives after each of them are apprehended trying to enter a soccer game. A helpful title card at the beginning states that "Women are banned from attending sporting events in Iran", and an even more helpful title card informs us that the film was shot mostly at a real-life World Cup qualifying match in 2005. Then the film begins, with (for me, and I would imagine for anyone familiar with the logistics of filmmaking) a dual-layered sense of intrigue. The story of the girls is engaging in itself - they're a spirited bunch, far more knowledgeable about soccer than the men who detain them (in the name of "protecting" them from the obscenity of the mob), and adverse to the gender patronization they receive at every turn. But equally fascinating was trying to imagine how this hand-held, fleet-footed movie was filmed in these conditions. If the Iranian government won't permit women to attend sporting events, then I would imagine the rules wouldn't be bent to allow a film production to depict those rules as particularly foolish. So, I'd have to assume that the conditions of the shoot were nearly as risky as the situation depicted. The tension is definitely captured on-screen - for a game that occurs almost completely out of sight (much to the frustration of the captive women), this is one of the more electrifying sporting atmospheres in recent memory.

The film's ending is a little unbelievable, but it makes sense thematically (though it's a bit starry-eyed) and is satisfying in its own way. But it's still very good and I recommend that you all give it a shot.

[schoolofruckus]

I just watched Ratatouille. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about it. I liked everything in principle - the look was gorgeous, the story was entertaining, the culinary aspects stimulating. I can't think of any flaws that really bothered me - sure, it's unrealistic and kind of easy to see coming, but you know that going in because it's a kid's film. Bottom line is, it left me a little cold, which Pixar films don't usually tend to do. I'm sure this isn't a good thing.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

That's too bad, it's my favorite Pixar film. I love Ratatouille.

[HowToDisappear]

We drove up to LA last weekend with the girls to see Persepolis.

We all really enjoyed it. The animation is very much in keeping with the graphic novel.

I'm intrigued with the Landmark up there. Not like ours at all. A lot more swanky. Better concession food. (Except we ate at the abysmal food court in the mall.) When you order tickets online, you choose assigned seats, just like the airlines! Pretty trippy.

[schoolofruckus]

The smartest - best - theatres are all going in the direction of assigned seating. It just makes the most sense - drives up online sales, rewards people for committing to the movie in advance and not penalizing them if they don't make it to the screening before the jackals who try to save entire rows for their "family who's out in the lobby", etc.

I'm glad to hear that Persepolis was good. I'll definitely be catching it sometime in the next week.

[wmgaretjax]

everywhere that I know of outside of this country uses assigned seating and it's great.

[HowToDisappear]

Since it's only in limited release in LA and Chicago, we had to make a special trip to see it before the girls went back to school. We definitely thought it was worth it.

You Los Angelenos are lucky. There's always something wonderful to see and do in LA. If only the traffic, smog, etc., wasn't so bad...

[iv3rdawG]

Still love Persepolis. Can't wait to see it again next week.

And yes, the assigned seating is really great. I don't mind coughing up a few more bucks to see a film at the Archlight for that + all the other sweet stuff they have there.

[schoolofruckus]

The technical supervision at places like Arclight and the Landmark is the key. I was reminded of that when I saw I'm Not There in Denver over the holidays. We saw it at one of the Landmark arthouse theatres out there (it seems to me that most Landmark theatres, aside from a growing number of multiplexes like the one in West L.A., are arthouses), and the frame was a good 8 inches off the screen on the right side. Having seen the film before, I didn't mind missing a few minutes to go tell the manager that something was off. But the problem was never corrected, and I had that in the back of my mind for the entire screening. After the show, I asked him why it never got fixed, and he said the projectionist checked but didn't see a problem.

That kind of shit never has never happened to me at the Arclight.

[keriann]

It was on W. Garet X's list for his favorite animation movies.

It's about these rabbits trying to get away from these evil humans and they face all this tribulation and violence and I remember watching it on tv when I was a little kid and basically being scarred for life. I haven't seen it since then but just reading the name makes me think of being scared of the dark and nightmares.

In other words, you'd love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.sirlistalot.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/watershipdown_violence.jpg

Team was traumatized by Watership Down as a Child

Full On Idle
keriann

Also I watched Reign Over Me last night and agree with whoever said they thought the film should have ended at the chinese restaurant. That would have been much more powerful. Great acting and an interesting, affecting story, though. It still amazes me that silly-ass Adam Sandler can really pull off serious roles.

[wmgaretjax]

i laughed at the part where he was crying and singing that springsteen song.

[keriann]

There were definitely a few parts that were slightly retarded.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Also I watched Reign Over Me last night and agree with whoever said they thought the film should have ended at the chinese restaurant. That would have been much more powerful. Great acting and an interesting, affecting story, though. It still amazes me that silly-ass Adam Sandler can really pull off serious roles.

What was the Chinese restaurant scene? I saw this movie in theaters way back in March and have forgotten most of it. Sandler was very good, though.

[iv3rdawG]

The technical supervision at places like Arclight and the Landmark is the key. I was reminded of that when I saw I'm Not There in Denver over the holidays. We saw it at one of the Landmark arthouse theatres out there (it seems to me that most Landmark theatres, aside from a growing number of multiplexes like the one in West L.A., are arthouses), and the frame was a good 8 inches off the screen on the right side. Having seen the film before, I didn't mind missing a few minutes to go tell the manager that something was off. But the problem was never corrected, and I had that in the back of my mind for the entire screening. After the show, I asked him why it never got fixed, and he said the projectionist checked but didn't see a problem.

That kind of shit never has never happened to me at the Arclight.

Bingo.

[keriann]

What was the Chinese restaurant scene? I saw this movie in theaters way back in March and have forgotten most of it. Sandler was very good, though.

I am trying to think of how to explain without being spoliery. It was after Charlie's incident with the police. He wanted to go have Chinese with Johnson. At the restaurant, Johnson talked a little bit about his problems. At the end of the scene he said something along the lines of "are you going to be okay?" to Charlie. To which Charlie said something like "I'm more worried about you." Could have ended right there.

[schoolofruckus]

Chuckle-worthy.

wKiIroiCvZ0

[iv3rdawG]

Hmm. Thinking about going to see Lust, Caution on Friday. Not sure though.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Damn it just see I'm Not There and be done with it.

[iv3rdawG]

Damn it just see I'm Not There and be done with it.

:blah

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

You're gonna miss out on the Pipettes cover of "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll." ;)

[schoolofruckus]

:blah

No, he's right. You really do need to see I'm Not There before any of the stuff out right now that you have not seen (to my knowledge).

[iv3rdawG]

No, he's right. You really do need to see I'm Not There before any of the stuff out right now that you have not seen (to my knowledge).

Yes I know. He's been bugging me about it ever since he saw it ;)

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

It's my second favorite film of this year, though There Will Be Blood could change that.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Good stuff.

[full on idle]

Yay Bridge to Terabithia!

[bmack86]

I have a ticket to see There Will Be Blood at 10:20. I wanted the 7:20 screening, but it was sold out. Excited much?

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I envy you.

[bmack86]

All these best of the year lists are weak and lacking. Go see There Will Be Blood. You won't need anything else on the list, I swear. Daniel Day-Lewis is an absolute wizard in the film. He comes on the screen, never leaves, and is a pure marvel to behold. His character can be likable, but more than anything it's a joy to watch him develop. The cinematography's great, the script is superb, and the ending was killer. I've never had nearly 3 hours go by so quickly. As my roommate said when we left, "I don't think I've ever seen a better made movie." I'm still speechless.

[corbo]

there will be blood was awesome. just got back from seeing it.

[bmack86]

where'd you see it at?

[corbo]

@ the arclight. youre right daniel's performance was top notch. that last scene was hilarious..

[bmack86]

I almost went to the Arclight, but the AMC Century City is closer.

[tessalasset]

god you idiots are making me want to see it so badly, but i don't think i'm gonna like it. my friend alex made me see his favorite movie ever, a clockwork orange, and i absolutely despised it. he said if he brought me to there will be blood it would be the same thing. amazing movie that i would totally hate. i might have to just wait to netflix it.

gabe i saw juno again tonight at landmark with my mom. she loved it. ok and i have a confession that's kind of sick - i really wish juno and jason bateman's character would have ended up together. i mean i loved her with michael cera, and i know it would have been sick with statutory rape charges had it gone the other way, but i really really liked them together. and i was kind of excited to see it again tonight just to see their characters together again. yes she was in high school but she was mature goddammit. and he was kind of immature. it worked. but yeah she and paulie were adorable together so it's all good.

[corbo]

i dont see how anyone could NOT like this movie tess. go watch it.

also today i saw "talk to me" with don cheadle...i thought it was really good.
i also netflixed eastern promises...it was good...i was expecting something better but wasnt let down.

[bmack86]

I definitely don't see it in the same vein as A Clockwork Orange. Clockwork is much more brutal. Although both do have main characters that are, at times, very hard to like or tolerate. I'd say see it.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

aaah anticipation killing me

[amyzzz]

thanks for the spoiler, tessa. I shouldn't even come in here.

[schoolofruckus]

That's okay, you shouldn't see Juno anyway.

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Chuckle-worthy.

wKiIroiCvZ0

This is the best thing I have ever seen.

[TomAz]

gabe i saw juno again tonight at landmark with my mom. she loved it. ok and i have a confession that's kind of sick - i really wish juno and jason bateman's character would have ended up together. i mean i loved her with michael cera, and i know it would have been sick with statutory rape charges had it gone the other way, but i really really liked them together. and i was kind of excited to see it again tonight just to see their characters together again. yes she was in high school but she was mature goddammit. and he was kind of immature. it worked. but yeah she and paulie were adorable together so it's all good.

I have not seen this movie but my daughter & her friends all claim I remind them of the adoptive dad character. something about an old guy being obsessed with music. i don't see it myself.

[schoolofruckus]

Also, I shared - collaborated on, really - Alex's belief that Tessa should not see There Will Be Blood. I really feel like she would stab me if I made her go see it.

[Courtney]

I watched Jesus Camp on DVD the other day. For a supposedly unbiased documentary, it sure did have a lot of editorializing.

[wmgaretjax]

Have you fellas seen "Songs From the Second Floor" by Roy Andersson? Don't know if I ever mentioned it, but I recently re-watched an amazing short film by him that's on one of the cinema16 euro sets. Figured I'd throw that out here. I love both the film and the short. I'd even go as far to say it's my favorite short film of all time. That is all.

I thought Jesus Camp was funny as fuck, but I grew up with those people...

I'm seeing 2001 on 70mm at our local Cinerama this month. Cineramas can be a mixed bag, but the one in Seattle is fucking fantastic, so I'm excited.

[wmgaretjax]

Yeah, I watched LoA last year (happens every year), but I'll probably do it again. I'm pretty pumped on 2001 though, that'll be new for me.

[schoolofruckus]

This morning, I watched Antonioni's Il Deserto Rosso. The film is fucking mind-blowing - too early to say, but it may end up being my favorite of his films. It was the first film he shot in color, and he used a lot of artificial coloring on the set (both in the architecture of the built sets and on the landscape itself) to craft this visually immaculate look at neurosis and insecurity - in both man and environment. Antonioni's longtime muse, Monica Vitti, gives the best performance out of all the films they made together as Giulianna, a wife and mother who still copes with the mental anguish from a recent car accident. Unable to take solace in her family, she plays like a more introverted version of Mabel from A Woman Under the Influence - without even that character's ability to channel her selflessness to others. Richard Harris, in a fine performance that was apparently dubbed because he didn't speak Italian, plays a friend and business associate of her husband, who is immediately transfixed by her. The themes here are classic Antonioni, with an added ecological dimension to the alienation felt by the characters. Like all of his films, it keeps working its way into your brain long after it's finished. I would demand that you all see it, but unless you have a region-free DVD player and are willing to drop $40 or so on eBay, it's not going to happen. :( Come on, Criterion. Do the right thing.

[bmack86]

Don't worry Gabe, they'll get it. It always surprises me how long it takes Criterion to get certain movies. Like Breathless or Ran.

[wmgaretjax]

they have to acquire the rights, and for a lot of these films it's a long process.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Have you fellas seen "Songs From the Second Floor" by Roy Andersson? Don't know if I ever mentioned it, but I recently re-watched an amazing short film by him that's on one of the cinema16 euro sets. Figured I'd throw that out here. I love both the film and the short. I'd even go as far to say it's my favorite short film of all time. That is all.

I've wanted to see Songs from the Second Floor for years, but I still don't have Netflix and it's therefore hard to find. Sooner or later I'll just buy it.

[schoolofruckus]

Yay for Criterion of that and Blow up! (though at least they did Blow-up on laserdisc). If I'm not mistaken Criterion DVD only did Antonioni's L'Avventura and L'Eclisse so far.

* Edit:
http://www.criterion.com/asp/browse_director_list.asp <- what's up with this link, I also have Truffauts' Jules et Jim and Shoot The Piano Player in Criterion but they are not listed there yet? *

Monica Vitti:lips

Blow-Up on Criterion isn't going to happen. Warners owns the rights, and they're stingier than just about any other studio when it comes to selling their titles to Criterion or anyone else. Which is a shame because that means they're sitting on Zabriskie Point as well and not doing anything with it. Red Desert, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be owned by anyone substantial (American-rights, I mean), so Criterion should snap that one up in a hurry.

Jules et Jim and Shoot the Piano Player are both listed on Criterion's site.

[KungFuJoe]

I almost went to the Arclight, but the AMC Century City is closer.

possibly my favorite theater in l.a. I used to love going to AMC Century City when I lived by it. For the price, Arclight is not that much better.

[ghettojournalist]

just saw "Juno" and it's made it's mark. at first, i thought it was going to be the young hipster version of the adult youngster "Knocked Up". they both are great films, but, maybe due to the age difference and/or the personal connection to the characters, "Juno" just hit me harder. A

this year's been good to me. being a Kevin Smith fan, it's great to see a writing style that he and Linklater, and to some extent QT, revitalized in the 90s resurrected in the present.

i also just saw "Bubble" by Steven Soderbergh on dvd, mostly by accident due to my Netlfix return sneaking up on me. the small, factory town minutae almost killed the film for me, in the beginning. eventually, the simplicity of the characters and the forwardness of the theme became endearing for me. B+

[schoolofruckus]

Ugh....I hadn't thought of Juno in terms of the Kevin Smith influence. Now I'm even more angry at him. He needs to chase Amy again or something, because that's the only thing he's done that has survived high school graduation. For me, at least.

I don't see how Linklater - who's always been more interested in both Cassavetes-descended naturalism and Soderbergh-like shape-shifting - fits in with Smith, Tarantino, or Juno.

Bubble was awesome.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Linklater has nothing to do with Juno.

And Bubble is a great, fascinating film, sadly overlooked.

[tessalasset]

This morning, I watched Antonioni's Il Deserto Rosso.
It worries me that you posted this at 10:18 AM. Unless by "this morning" you meant 1 am or something. Otherwise you are fucking psycho. Just sayin'.

[schoolofruckus]

No, I really did pass out at 9:30 pm last night, and then wake up at 6:30 today and watched the movie. Old man schedule like whoa.

[tessalasset]

Jesus Christ son.

[dorkfish]

I'm going to do awesome reviews for every movie I watch in 2008

1. National Treasure Book of Secrets or whatever - It made me paid attention, at least. It wasn't boring, if that's a positive.

2. Zoo - Pretty boring. One laugh out loud moment involving a small horse. The interview with Cop #1 made me wish I could summon fire to cause his death.

3. I Am Legend - Apparently everyone gets a disease from a cancer vaccine and turns into cartoon-y vampires. Pretty awful.

[psychic friend]

I'm going to do awesome reviews for every movie I watch in 2008

National Treasure Book of Secrets or whatever - It made me paid attention, at least. It wasn't boring, if that's a positive.

Zoo - Pretty boring. One laugh out loud moment involving a small horse. The interview with Cop #1 made me wish I could summon fire to cause his death.

I Am Legend - Apparently everyone gets a disease from a cancer vaccine and turns into cartoon-y vampires. Pretty awful.

best reviews ever!

[schoolofruckus]

Jesus Christ son.

I like to start my day off with despairing Italian women.


I'm going to do awesome reviews for every movie I watch in 2008

National Treasure Book of Secrets or whatever - It made me paid attention, at least. It wasn't boring, if that's a positive.

Zoo - Pretty boring. One laugh out loud moment involving a small horse. The interview with Cop #1 made me wish I could summon fire to cause his death.

I Am Legend - Apparently everyone gets a disease from a cancer vaccine and turns into cartoon-y vampires. Pretty awful.




I like this resolution. Please continue.

[dorkfish]

I forgot one:

4. Day Watch - I loved Night Watch. I thought this was supposed to be a trilogy? It's pretty good! I hate Kostya, though. He's such a douchey vampire.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

The third one is being made in America or something. I think it's going to be in English too.

[gratytrainridesagain]

They are doing it in english and possibly getting American actors in it as well

[dorkfish]

I haven't gotten that far in the book series, so I'm not fully sure where they can even go in the story after Day Watch. It's not like they had any open ended things left over.

[Down Rodeo]

I finally saw Assassination of Jesse James tonight. Excellent movie with great acting, especially by Casey Affleck and, to a lesser extent, Brad Pitt. As you guys noted earlier, the cinematography was gorgeous and despite the slow pace, the movie played out like a contemplative elegy. Thanks for hyping this movie for a while - that's the reason I wanted to see it so badly, and I'm glad I was able to while it's still in theaters.

[ghettojournalist]

Ugh....I hadn't thought of Juno in terms of the Kevin Smith influence. Now I'm even more angry at him. He needs to chase Amy again or something, because that's the only thing he's done that has survived high school graduation. For me, at least.

I don't see how Linklater - who's always been more interested in both Cassavetes-descended naturalism and Soderbergh-like shape-shifting - fits in with Smith, Tarantino, or Juno.

Bubble was awesome.

maybe i'm lumping memory, but Linklater always seemed to somehow incorporate hype-literate and pop culture-minded characters into his "indie" films, along with a penchant for lengthy dialogue. it might have tapered off in his recent works...again, i may be lumping.

[ghettojournalist]

Linklater has nothing to do with Juno.

And Bubble is a great, fascinating film, sadly overlooked.

Reitman has cited Smith, Linklater and Anderson as an influence on his work.

while he didn't write the screenplay, i don't think i'm grasping at straws.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

He can cite anyone he wants. He could cite Ingmar Bergman, but that wouldn't make Juno Bergmanesque. I wouldn't call it grasping at straws, I just don't personally see it. All I really see in Juno is, like, Wes Anderson maybe in some of the directorial choices and, I don't even know. It just felt like a kind of amalgam of what has been trendy in independent film in recent years.

[J~$$$]

There Will Be Blood. Now thats a fucking film. <3.

[schoolofruckus]

maybe i'm lumping memory, but Linklater always seemed to somehow incorporate hype-literate and pop culture-minded characters into his "indie" films, along with a penchant for lengthy dialogue. it might have tapered off in his recent works...again, i may be lumping.

He does use a lot of lengthy dialogue, but it doesn't have the masturbatory screenwriter-y qualities that the dialogue of Smith/Tarantino/Cody does. At least, I don't think it does. I'm not an expert on his films, but he seems to me to usually shoot for conversation that feels somewhat improvised and realistic (aside from stuff like School of Rock and A Scanner Darkly).

[schoolofruckus]

I finally saw Assassination of Jesse James tonight. Excellent movie with great acting, especially by Casey Affleck and, to a lesser extent, Brad Pitt. As you guys noted earlier, the cinematography was gorgeous and despite the slow pace, the movie played out like a contemplative elegy. Thanks for hyping this movie for a while - that's the reason I wanted to see it so badly, and I'm glad I was able to while it's still in theaters.


There Will Be Blood. Now thats a fucking film. <3.

Preach, preachas.

[wmgaretjax]

Reitman has cited Smith, Linklater and Anderson as an influence on his work.

while he didn't write the screenplay, i don't think i'm grasping at straws.

No you aren't grasping at straws, you are taking the word of a director who is trying to exalt his mediocre work by referencing established directors.

Linklater may be long winded and exaggerated, but there is potency in the reality of his characters and what they experience. Juno is hip, trite and sentimental garbage.

[mountmccabe]

He can cite anyone he wants. He could cite Ingmar Bergman, but that wouldn't make Juno Bergmanesque. I wouldn't call it grasping at straws, I just don't personally see it. All I really see in Juno is, like, Wes Anderson maybe in some of the directorial choices and, I don't even know. It just felt like a kind of amalgam of what has been trendy in independent film in recent years.

The difference being that Juno is mocking those trendy independent films and the characters in them.

[PotVsKtl]

To what end?

[mountmccabe]

Pointing out that they are shallow dead ends.

How much did that need pointing out?

Some, apparently.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I think you're giving Juno too much credit.

[mountmccabe]

Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno


You think a movie where Michael Cera dressed in running shorts gets the girl is trying to be hip?

Where the one character that is a bad guy was in a band that opened for the Melvins and is into indie and underground music and slasher flicks and now is going to go live downtown in a loft? And his wife that seems shrill and rather Stepford at first is such a warm, loving, mature woman?

Where Juno's stepmother - a high strung manicurist that's obsessive about dogs - and her bald, boring HVAC father are such strong, supportive figures in her life? They're not mocked for being what they are.

Rainn Wilson and his ridiculous lines were meant to be ridiculous. Juno started out talking like that but her tone changed as her pregnancy progressed.


I am not saying it was entirely successful but I am convinced that this is more what it was after than being something hip and cool.

[schoolofruckus]

I didn't take Juno as mocking anything but its own characters and all their "stupid emotional tribulations" that kept getting in the way of all the hilarious lol-speak. Sorry, I know you all know where I stand on this one already (and that where I stand is deeply in the minority), but I'm going to keep providing the voice of dissension.

And even if the point was to mock the likes of Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine and Thumbsucker and all the rest of the loathesomely titled "Quirky New Wave", it's still no good because A) it has too many problems in common with the films it's supposedly sending up, and B) like von Trier's failed attempt at lampooning American workplace comedy with The Boss of It All, it's a conceit that offers very limited rewards.

[whynotsmile99]

Has anyone seen Tarnation? I just remembered it when a friend brought it up. It's a stunning documentary, a collection of home movies edited together on a Mac. Made for $200 That movie totally floored me. I want to watch it again, but I dunno if I could sit through it again. It's disturbing like non other. David Lynch but real

it's amazing. netflix it

[schoolofruckus]

With great pains made to avoid spoilers (though I'd love to pull a Randy and de-pants this movie right now)...


Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno


You think a movie where Michael Cera dressed in running shorts gets the girl is trying to be hip?

Absolutely. That's some person's shallow version of irony, and it doesn't help that it comes off as mockery of him (Cera).


Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno

Where the one character that is a bad guy was in a band that opened for the Melvins and is into indie and underground music and slasher flicks and now is going to go live downtown in a loft? And his wife that seems shrill and rather Stepford at first is such a warm, loving, mature woman?

Maybe the film's every act wasn't in the service of trying to be too kewl for skewl. But the characterizations were too superficial and insincere (and, in the case of the woman, poorly acted) for me to take the attempted messages seriously.


Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno

Where Juno's stepmother - a high strung manicurist that's obsessive about dogs - and her bald, boring HVAC father are such strong, supportive figures in her life? They're not mocked for being what they are.

They have a daughter named Liberty Bell! Come on, God! Granted, they made a wise decision in making the parents as supportive and level-headed as they were, but there was too much idiosyncracy-for-its-own-sake. Mom's chewing out the gynecologist - ooooh, look at how mad she's getting! And that whole "You have to find someone who loves you for exactly who YOU are" bit was the single worst earnestly-delivered poignant speech I've seen in EONS.


Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno

Rainn Wilson and his ridiculous lines were meant to be ridiculous. Juno started out talking like that but her tone changed as her pregnancy progressed.


Point taken, but that's really the first observation I've heard that makes it seem like anything other than a phony, cloying, compulsively annoying - though intermittently funny - attempt at fusing flip wordsmanship with "affecting" melodrama.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Blocked for spoilers on the movie Juno

THERE WERE ONCE VISIBLE SPOILERS HERE BECAUSE ITS QUOTED BUT I SAVED YOU

I am not saying it was entirely successful but I am convinced that this is more what it was after than being something hip and cool.

I don't know, to me that's a limited idea of what makes something cool. I could easily see Diablo Cody thinking that by making uncool characters cool and cool characters uncool, she was therefore being subversively cool.

[schoolofruckus]

Has anyone seen Tarnation? I just remembered it when a friend brought it up. It's a stunning documentary, a collection of home movies edited together on a Mac. Made for $200 That movie totally floored me. I want to watch it again, but I dunno if I could sit through it again. It's disturbing like non other. David Lynch but real

it's amazing. netflix it

I loved the holy FUCK out of this movie. One of the most heart-shattering, exquisitely shaped films of recent times.

[thelastgreatman]

I love that Ivan Reitman's kid listed three directors who are all less talented than his father as his influences.

Without having seen Juno, if the man idolizes Linklater that movie undoubtedly sucks cock.

[Down Rodeo]

I remember seeing Tarnation when it came out. I thought it was extremely powerful and heartbreaking, and it was made all the more impressive by the fact that the guy made it on his Mac.

[schoolofruckus]

I love that Ivan Reitman's kid listed three directors who are all less talented than his father as his influences.

Without having seen Juno, if the man idolizes Linklater that movie undoubtedly sucks cock.

Wes Anderson is less talented than Ivan Reitman? News to me.

[thelastgreatman]

Wes Anderson is less talented than Ivan Reitman? News to me.

How is Ghostbusters possibly news to you?

[wmgaretjax]

Tarnation was a fantastic little film.

[schoolofruckus]

It's not. How it overrides his work over the last 14 years is:


# My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)
# Cooking Lessons (2004) (TV) (pilot)
# Evolution (2001)

# Six Days Seven Nights (1998)
... aka 6 Days 7 Nights
# Fathers' Day (1997)
# Junior (1994)
# Dave (1993)

I'd disown my dad over that murderer's row, too.

[Bud Luster]

There will be blood isnt playing in my area. Havent even seen an ad/trailer for it. Is it going to be released nationally? Same for assasination of JJ.

[schoolofruckus]

Blood is still rolling out slowly. It just got its semi-wide release this last Friday. Based on the critics' awards thus far, I'm starting to get hopeful that it'll have some Oscar heat. After No Country For Old Men and Juno, I have no reliable guesses as to what will be in the Picture/Director races.

Jesse James is done in theaters, for all intents and purposes. Get the DVD on February 5th and watch it on the biggest TV you have at your disposal.

[Jenniehoo]

Evolution was actually pretty funny.

[ivankay]

Evolution was actually pretty funny.

i'm going to give the "better than average" nod for Dave and Junior. 6 Days, 7 Nights was not a bad film either.

[ghettojournalist]

How is Ghostbusters possibly news to you?

are you for real?

"Ghostbusters" is great, but that does not equate to better than the work by Anderson or even Linklater.

[wmgaretjax]

Posts 4943-4 made me nauseous.

[iv3rdawG]

Critic's Choice Winners:

http://www.mercurynews.com/movies/ci_7904022

And they just played Feist while they introduced Katie Holmes..

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Well, Feist is very popular.

[ghettojournalist]

Feist presented the Best Score award with Snoop Dogg.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Just watched I'm Not There for the third time. Tomorrow I think I'll post this analysis thing I wrote in my free time about the significance of the Richard Gere segment, since a lot of people seem to have misunderstood/dismissed it. I love this film.

[KungFuJoe]

Just watched I'm Not There for the third time. Tomorrow I think I'll post this analysis thing I wrote in my free time about the significance of the Richard Gere segment, since a lot of people seem to have misunderstood/dismissed it. I love this film.

I thought it was a great segment. One of the very few roles I didn't dislike Richard Gere in. I think I'm Not There will end up as my second favorite of the year.

[TomAz]

Just watched I'm Not There for the third time. Tomorrow I think I'll post this analysis thing I wrote in my free time about the significance of the Richard Gere segment, since a lot of people seem to have misunderstood/dismissed it. I love this film.

I look forward to reading this. I know it would help me a lot, if you can address it, if you would explain why Gere had this look on his face like a clueless moron. total vapid stare.

[KungFuJoe]

I look forward to reading this. I know it would help me a lot, if you can address it, if you would explain why Gere had this look on his face like a clueless moron. total vapid stare.

This could be the reason why I didn't dislike Gere in the film. I don't recall him speaking much.

[kreutz2112]

I watched Zodiac last night. I am no movie critic so I am not going to analyze anything about it. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, the acting was outstanding and it kept me interested the entire time.

[schoolofruckus]

Zodiac is awesome. I've seen it twice and it was gorgeous and riveting both times.

[kreutz2112]

yeah, I actually watched it because of yours and others positive remarks.

[downingthief]

Haven't watched another installment of my Kubrick set...

But, I did pull out the Blade Runner:Final Cut DVD. Unlike Amy, I loved it. Then again, BR has always been one of my faves. The Final Cut does have a few added scenes, but mostly it has been enhanced in the audio and visual department. This film has never looked or sounded better. For fans of the movie, it is a must see. For people who saw the Director's Cut and weren't all that crazy about it , don't bother with the Final Cut version. It's not that different from a story standpoint.

2001 and Blade Runner are the two best Sci-Fi movies ever made, in my opinion. Both transcend the genre, making these "futures" believable and real. Both movies were unlike anything seen before when the came out.

I'll be diving into the other versions and disks soon. Got plenty to watch now with the BR set and the Kubrick set. I'm a kid in a candy store...

[mountmccabe]

2001 and Blade Runner are the two best Sci-Fi movies ever made, in my opinion. Both transcend the genre, making these "futures" believable and real. Both movies were unlike anything seen before when the came out.

QFT

[PotVsKtl]

http://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2007/08/alien_from_movie.png

[schoolofruckus]

I'm with you on this.

AvP-R > 2001

[downingthief]

I only saw Alien and Aliens in the series. I know I am probably in the minority, but I liked Alien better.

Still don't think either of those films can touch Blade Runner or 2001.

[wmgaretjax]

Solaris, Stalker, and Alphaville should be mentioned in the top 5.

[TomAz]

http://www.gorila.sk/i/imgs_orig/004/41004.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008438V.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.impawards.com/1989/posters/earth_girls_are_easy.jpg

[downingthief]

http://www.gorila.sk/i/imgs_orig/004/41004.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008438V.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.impawards.com/1989/posters/earth_girls_are_easy.jpg

Love Buckaroo. Great cult classic.
Weird Science...eh, not so much.

[TomAz]

i was making a little joke.

[amyzzz]

I loved Weird Science--it came out when I was 13 or so.



but I still kinda love it.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I only saw Zodiac once, but there were all sorts of distractions, so I didn't get as much out of it as I should have.

Still, I'm going to buy the Director's Cut today.

[downingthief]

I only saw Zodiac once, but there were all sorts of distractions, so I didn't get as much out of it as I should have.

Still, I'm going to buy the Director's Cut today.

Same for me...need to see it again.

[whynotsmile99]

I really want to see this. Can't wait to see all those Jesus Freaks picketing.

http://www.thegodmovie.com/clips/Trailer.mov


www.thegodmovie.com

[amyzzz]

I remember my old church getting all upset when NYPD Blue had nudity in it.

[whynotsmile99]

Just finished I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART

I loved it. What a beautiful looking doc. and ending with the willy wonka song was perfect

[Stefinitely Maybe]

My sister is studying French and Spanish at university and she is taking a film course this semester and I just borrowed a bunch of her DVDs.

I just watched Irreversible and Sex & Lucia over the past few days.

http://filmup.leonardo.it/posters/loc/500/irreversible.jpg

http://www.notesfromspain.com/wp-content/uploads/sex_lucia.jpg

Irreversible was stylish and gripping and cleverly told, but I also felt that it was highly affected, and that it tugged too obviously at the audience's heartstrings with such a controversial subject matter. Nonetheless, I thought it was a good film, and very cleverly done.

Sex & Lucia was slow and amateurish at times, but again a clever way of telling a story by playing with the timeframe of the events. Also the sex scenes were great.

I also borrowed E Tu Mama Tambien and will watch that this week. Next after that is Bombon El Perro. Any other recommendations/ thoughts?

[PotVsKtl]

I recommend not bothering with Y tu Mama Tambien.

[schoolofruckus]

Are you going all Travis Bickle on us, Stef?

I would also recommend skipping Y Tu Mama Tambien unless you want your eros interspersed with thudding voice-over narration.

Are you looking for French/Spanish recommendations, or sexytime recommendations?

[wmgaretjax]

whoa. Irreversible pulling heart strings? Noe has no heart, I'm not sure how you pulled that out of the film. It was sensationalist, sure, but not sentimental.

[schoolofruckus]

Yeah, I didn't see anything heartstrings about Irreversible. I see what you mean in that it was overwhelmingly provocative, as films about rape are by default.

[Stefinitely Maybe]

whoa. Irreversible pulling heart strings? Noe has no heart, I'm not sure how you pulled that out of the film. It was sensationalist, sure, but not sentimental.

I'm really talking about the final scene here...

WARNING SPOILER ALERT!!!!

...when we get to see her take a pregnancy test, and we find out she's pregnant, and then she seems blissfully happily just for that moment. It seemed like such a cheap and obvious attempt to pull on our heartstrings; just tacked on to the rest of the film.

[wmgaretjax]

I'm really talking about the final scene here...

WARNING SPOILER ALERT!!!!

...when we get to see her take a pregnancy test, and we find out she's pregnant, and then she seems blissfully happily just for that moment. It seemed like such a cheap and obvious attempt to pull on our heartstrings; just tacked on to the rest of the film.

SPOILERS CONTINUED:

on the contrary, I think it's doing the opposite. It's showing us how fucking fickle and empty humans can be. It's a cheap moment because they are cheap people, and it takes moments (at the party?) for them to turn back into selfish, trivial human beings from that momentary bliss. In this since Noe is very obviously fucking with people, he wants you to walk away forgetting about the real trajectory the movie took. He loves (his words, I saw him speak on the film) how naive it makes people look. The guy is a fucker, but the movie is pretty masterful. It takes a second viewing (even for simple shock and over stimulation) to really pull out all the pieces (that first and final scenes in particular, they are bookends that most people can't pick apart on a first viewing).

[schoolofruckus]

.....SPOILERS NOT DONE YET.....




Jared, I can't say I agree with that assessment, either. I've always felt that Irreversible does a great job of using extreme pathos - on both ends of the spectrum - to argue a point that can be taken either pessimistically or optimistically. The minutea of the characters' actions and behavior - more than in other films - is given a weight and importance because it's all shown to have consequence. I personally find the idea that no action is meaningless to be hugely uplifting in an objective sense, but it also carriers a burden that can be pretty terrifying. But either way, I disagree that the characters are supposed to be presented as cheap people - they're sympathized with as normal people who are capable of shallow or sometimes awful behavior.

[thinnerair]

While on vacation, I saw Gone Baby Gone.
There weren't many movies released that I was interested in, so we went to go see it. I thought it was pretty good. The end.

[wmgaretjax]

I think Noe would respond that normal people are cheap. Look at how the film begins (ends?). That first scene with the recently released convict (what seems to be a chorus, or a universal picture outside of the specific scenario that follows) sums it all up. The two men seem to be the normal, cheap person without the slew of denial. Men who have walked enough to realize the truth about themselves.

I don't necessarily believe this, and I'm not sure Noe does either, but it's pretty clear to me through my viewing and what he had to say about the film that this is what he was working towards. Not that there isn't ANY optimism or hope, but most of it falls into a pretty black pit.

[schoolofruckus]

I basically just need to watch it again, either way. I bought it right after it was released on DVD and never actually watched it (I did see it twice in the cinemas, though).

Also, I'm not trying to say that the film is intended to be uplifting - just that the idea of actions having weight is more humanist than the film's content and tone.

[amyzzz]

(thanks for the spoiler alerts, guys--I might want to check these ones out)

[wmgaretjax]

SPOILERS KIND OF STILL:

I think I agree. I was probably just jumping to the other end because of the way Stef referred to heartstrings. Something I had never considered in my experience with the film. There is weight to the humanity there for sure, but it's pretty bleak and not a whole lot of light shines through (and what does, gets squashed pretty quickly).

END.

So I've been watching the alien/conspiracy episodes of the X-Files, and I'm caught up to the film. I'm excited to watch it because I loved it when it first came out (I was in junior high). "Sexy Beast," "I Stand Alone" (also Noe), "Into Great Silence," and "Sunshine" are on my shelf/netflix queue.

[schoolofruckus]

You've already seen I Stand Alone, haven't you?

[schoolofruckus]

I suppose the DGA Nominees (http://cinemascopian.com/the-dga-anounce-their-nominees/) are relevant, eh?

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/11508/DGAnoms.jpg

My revised Oscar predictions are as follows:

Picture:
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood (somehow, some way, this brutally amazing film looks like it's going to be recognized in its own time)
Juno
Michael Clayton (oooookay then, I guess I need to make sure I see it while it's still out)
Into the Wild

Director:
All the same except Julian Schnabel for Diving Bell and the Butterflyinstead of Egon's kid for Juno


If all that is true, and assuming Juno doesn't somehow win the top prize, this will have to be one of the best Oscar years in decades.

[wmgaretjax]

I have seen it once, but felt like checking it out again.

I don't think Juno will get a best picture nod. I do think it will get an original screenplay nomination though.

[whynotsmile99]

I fucking loved Irreversible. I'll never forget seeing that in theaters with a bunch of old folks thinking they were seeing a nice little Italian movie. about 3 quarters of the audience left.

I also really enjoyed Sex and Lucia. It's certainly a slow burner and took a few watches to figure out what was going on, but it was worth it. It also has my favorite movie sex scenes ever, when that chick is masturbating to her mom porno scene.

That giant mud dick scared me though.

Yu Tu Mama Tambien is probably my favorite of these, but i haven't seen it since high school. It left its mark in me for sure. I loved it, very honest and sexy movie. Great performances.

If you are into stranger, kinky shit, check out LIES. Its this crazy Korean film I own. About an older guy who finds this 18 year old to be his sex slave more or less. Lots of S&M asian action. It's a narrative film, but there are segments in the movie where it becomes a documentary. The actors will sit in front of the camera, talking about how strange it is to have real sex on film but how its "good for the characters".

[iv3rdawG]

I don't think Juno will get a best picture nod. I do think it will get an original screenplay nomination though.

Really? Not that I like it that much but I think it's one of the front runners to grab a nomination this year.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I suppose the DGA Nominees (http://cinemascopian.com/the-dga-anounce-their-nominees/) are relevant, eh?

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/11508/DGAnoms.jpg

My revised Oscar predictions are as follows:

Picture:
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood (somehow, some way, this brutally amazing film looks like it's going to be recognized in its own time)
Juno
Michael Clayton (oooookay then, I guess I need to make sure I see it while it's still out)
Into the Wild

Director:
All the same except Julian Schnabel for Diving Bell and the Butterflyinstead of Egon's kid for Juno


If all that is true, and assuming Juno doesn't somehow win the top prize, this will have to be one of the best Oscar years in decades.

I would put Atonement in there in place of Into the Wild, otherwise that sounds pretty good.

[schoolofruckus]

I have seen it once, but felt like checking it out again.

I don't think Juno will get a best picture nod. I do think it will get an original screenplay nomination though.

I think I Stand Alone is more of a sick puppy than Irreversible. Still pretty great, but not as singularly astonishing.

In a year dominated by intense, male-driven films, I figure something comedic and/or female-driven has to come along as an alternative choice, and Juno seems to be the only film that fits either description (and conveniently, both) that is making any kind of headway. I'd love it if, say, Knocked Up were to come in and steal its thunder, but it doesn't have that same awards-y aura (even though it's a far better movie). Atonement isn't gaining enough of an audience, and it's also pretty morose in its own right. I'm planning to see The Savages tomorrow night, so maybe that would be a candidate, but it doesn't have the heat that Juno has.

My biggest fear is that No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood split votes, and I have to watch Diablo Cody take the stage with the whole cast/above-the-liners as they rally around a Best Picture win.

[schoolofruckus]

I would put Atonement in there in face of Into the Wild, otherwise that sounds pretty good.

I hope so, but don't underestimate all the Sean Penn-worshiping actors in the Academy who will want to coronate his acting legacy by rewarding his directorial work.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Maybe. I haven't seen Atonement, but I'd love to see Into the Wild grab a nomination.

[schoolofruckus]

I liked them both a lot - Atonement a little bit more, but I'm fine with either of them getting awards heat.

[schoolofruckus]

I watched A Mighty Heart tonight. It was definitely decent, but nothing extraordinary. The film's chief strength is its integrity - not necessarily in terms of historical-accuracy (because how the fuck would I be able to tell that?), but in the storytelling perspective. Michael Winterbottom's chameleonic aesthetic adapts nicely to this kind of story, as the unrequited search for the missing Daniel Pearl is presented in crisp, documentary-like form with virtually no narrative fat: no presumptuous cuts to Daniel in prison, valiantly defying his terrorist captors, and no over-cooked sentimentality. If anything, Angelina Jolie's portrayal of Mariane Pearl is a little too cold; mostly, I think I just hate Jolie so much by default that I had a hard time getting into her character. But I didn't mind it that much because at least it was a different approach to this kind of material.

[wmgaretjax]

I felt the same way, it felt like a very authentic film in narrative terms.

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Are you looking for French/Spanish recommendations, or sexytime recommendations?

Both, please.

Incidentally, has anyone here actually SEEN Debbie Does Dallas? People always refer to it as a legendary sex flick, but I don't actually know anyone who's seen it. Is it really that great / special?

[whynotsmile99]

Both, please.

Incidentally, has anyone here actually SEEN Debbie Does Dallas? People always refer to it as a legendary sex flick, but I don't actually know anyone who's seen it. Is it really that great / special?

i've never seen DDD, but Deepthroat is relatively a real movie and its a fucking gas. I was laughing so hard at parts of it, especially when the doctor discovers where her clit is. Ah, we need to bring back 70s porn and adult theaters. i wonder how uncomfortable it would be to watch porn in public

[TomAz]

DT > DDD

[whynotsmile99]

Both, please.
?

adding to my list above...

The Dreamers by Bertolucci is excellent italian film. A great piece of eroticism + historical drama all wrapped around a great love of old cinema. Eva Green is blazing and its shot beautifully.

For anything Spanish + sexy time you obviously can't go wrong with anything wrong by the master Pedro Almadovar.

Bad Education is stunning. Some people don't care for it, but its one of my favorite films. Just incredible.

Talk to Her is fantastic, as is All About My Mother, TIe Me up Tie Me Down, wasn't to bad for a romantic comedy with some S&M overtones.

can't go wrong with Almadovar

[Stefinitely Maybe]

i wonder how uncomfortable it would be to watch porn in public

Well, you could put some on your iPod and watch it next time you're on the subway. Or you could just put a TV and DVD player in your front yard and masturbate furiously there. Be sure to let us know how that works out for you.

[schoolofruckus]

adding to my list above...

The Dreamers by Bertolucci is excellent italian film. A great piece of eroticism + historical drama all wrapped around a great love of old cinema. Eva Green is blazing and its shot beautifully.

For anything Spanish + sexy time you obviously can't go wrong with anything wrong by the master Pedro Almadovar.

Bad Education is stunning. Some people don't care for it, but its one of my favorite films. Just incredible.

Talk to Her is fantastic, as is All About My Mother, TIe Me up Tie Me Down, wasn't to bad for a romantic comedy with some S&M overtones.

can't go wrong with Almadovar

Good calls, all.

For Italian stuff, you should definitely see any Michelangelo Antonioni films that you haven't yet seen. Start with L'Avventura, L'Eclisse and - since you're in England and this might be available on DVD over there - Red Desert. There's a bit of eros in these films, but it's not exactly supposed to excite. Actually, you should start with Blow-Up - same director, but this one's in English and based in mid-60's London.

For French films, I just recently saw Week-end by Jean-Luc Godard, and it blew my fucking mind. No sexytime.

[PotVsKtl]

adding to my list above...

The Dreamers by Bertolucci is excellent italian film. A great piece of eroticism + historical drama all wrapped around a great love of old cinema. Eva Green is blazing and its shot beautifully.

For anything Spanish + sexy time you obviously can't go wrong with anything wrong by the master Pedro Almadovar.

Bad Education is stunning. Some people don't care for it, but its one of my favorite films. Just incredible.

Talk to Her is fantastic, as is All About My Mother, TIe Me up Tie Me Down, wasn't to bad for a romantic comedy with some S&M overtones.

can't go wrong with Almadovar

The name is Almodovar and you can most certainly figure out a way to "go wrong" with him if you are heterosexual.

[wmgaretjax]

You can most definitely go wrong with Almodovar. However, Talk to Her is fucking brilliant.

[KungFuJoe]

I liked Volver a lot.

[schoolofruckus]

I've only seen All About My Mother and I thought it was outstanding.

[PotVsKtl]

Whether or not the films succeed as cinema is not my point. The recommendation was for "sexytime" movies, and I can guarantee you some of Almodovar's films are not going to do it for those of the hetero persuasion.

[thelastgreatman]

Minnie Driver in Grosse Point Blank makes me want to fuck the nearest thing that even remotely resembles an orifice. Preferably with just-the-right-amount-curly hair.

[whynotsmile99]

Whether or not the films succeed as cinema is not my point. The recommendation was for "sexytime" movies, and I can guarantee you some of Almodovar's films are not going to do it for those of the hetero persuasion.

i was thinking more of movies based in erotic drama. I should have used better words. I wouldn't consider Bad Education to be a sexy movie, but it is incredibly erotic. Especially if you like transexuals and boys.

Straight up sexiness...hmmm Femme Fatale is pretty damn hot. I really thought it was a pretty great movie as well, especially the opening 20 minutes. Underrated DePalma

[amyzzz]

I recommend Caligula for sexytime (unrated of course), but that's just me. Orgy scenes, lesbian sex, dwarves...how can you miss?

edit: ooo, I forgot incest and torture!

[ThomThom]

My revised Oscar predictions are as follows:

Picture:
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood (somehow, some way, this brutally amazing film looks like it's going to be recognized in its own time)
Juno
Michael Clayton (oooookay then, I guess I need to make sure I see it while it's still out)
Into the Wild



I'd replace Juno with Atonement...The quirky little indie film that could over the Sweeping period piece?

EDIT: Nevermind, replace Into the Wild with Atonement

[Down Rodeo]

Mulholland Dr. is pretty erotic as well. Nice lesbian sex and Naomi Watts masturbating - can't go wrong with that.

[schoolofruckus]

Amen brother. I would also add:

Match Point - The sexiest actress in Hollywood has never been more so than here. God bless Woody Allen and his despicable little mind.

[schoolofruckus]

I recommend Caligula for sexytime (unrated of course), but that's just me. Orgy scenes, lesbian sex, dwarves...how can you miss?

edit: ooo, I forgot incest and torture!

Why not throw Salo in there? A little coprophagia, perhaps?

[Mr.Nipples]

i can only imagine what the criterion rerelease is going to be like...

[schoolofruckus]

Aaaand on the decidedly un-erotic front, Tessa and I went and saw The Savages tonight.

I'm looking over my list of the year's best films, and I'm struck by how....well, predictable isn't the right word, but I definitely expected to be knocked flat by most of them. So, it's especially rewarding to add this confidently simple character film - written and directed by Tamara Jenkins, the woman (later, Randy) who cut her teeth directing Billy Madison - to the list. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are obviously two of the best actors working today, but it's still a distinct pleasure watching them tear into the terrific parts of John and Wendy Savage, two playwright siblings who must figure out how to take care of their elderly father when he's suddenly diagnosed with dementia. It's the kind of film that, in these dark times, seems almost certain to walk in the same dubious Chuck Taylor footsteps of Juno, Napoleon, and their minions. But any moment you think is about to be played for a big, offbeat mafia-approved laugh is always skillfully reeled in. And consequently, anytime you think the film is about to turn into a Johnson + Johnson commercial, you get hit in the face with a perfectly timed comic beat. It's a delicate tonal juggling act that the film never falters in executing, and that - along with the aforementioned greatness of the actors and the razor-edged script they feast on - makes this a portrait of neurosis that is memorable, authentic, and consistently entertaining.

[schoolofruckus]

i can only imagine what the criterion rerelease is going to be like...

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

[thelastgreatman]

Billy Madison is one of the movies that most inspires me to seek out a star and beat the shit out of him.

[wmgaretjax]

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

I didn't notice an extra scene, but I actually think the Criterion print was slightly better. A little noisier, but more balanced.

[DaOneManWonda]

why did everything in Juno have to be a pun or some stupid pseudo-trendy shit? it was cute at first, what with the hamburger phone and the shit like "shut ur gob", but it didnt really add depth to any of the characters and it sorta alienated me from the movie. it was funny, but a little over done...know what i mean?

[DaOneManWonda]

is this the right thread to discuss this? sorry, just wondering.

[schoolofruckus]

Yes, but only if you behave yourself.

I (gulp) agree with you on Juno.

[schoolofruckus]

I should point out that Tamara Jenkins is NOT the director of Billy Madison. That was Tamra Davis. Even given the similar first names, I have no idea how I got that wrong.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I've heard that the non-Criterion US print is better than the "rarest DVD ever" Criterion original, and with an extended scene at that. I'm guessing Criterion will address that before this film gets re-duxed.

It is indeed better, although I don't in fact own either copy. I remember back when I first learned of Criterion how I kept hoping I would happen upon a copy of Salo at some random garage sale for a few bucks.

[bballarl]

Gabe, I got that Glastonbury movie (called Glastonbury) for Christmas and just finished it. I thought it was interesting but severely flawed. I guess I was expecting more of a concert film and less footage of people doing random shit at the festival site.

This is what the film tried to get across:

-The festival is crazy
-There are lots of people doing whatever they want
-It is a grand old time
-It has been going since 1970
-Some people like to run around/perform/whatever naked
-Oh yeah, some bands play

While my expectations probably had to do with my disappointment, the film itself didn't keep my interest. I found myself reading as I was watching it, looking up occasionally when band footage would pop up. It was not a bad film, but it was kind of mess. I suppose that chronicling one of the world's biggest festivals entire history is a huge undertaking, but this just didn't do it. It glossed over the surface.

Overall, I would give it a solid "C".

[ghettojournalist]

why did everything in Juno have to be a pun or some stupid pseudo-trendy shit? it was cute at first, what with the hamburger phone and the shit like "shut ur gob", but it didnt really add depth to any of the characters and it sorta alienated me from the movie. it was funny, but a little over done...know what i mean?

am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

[thelastgreatman]

I should point out that Tamara Jenkins is NOT the director of Billy Madison. That was Tamra Davis. Even given the similar first names, I have no idea how I got that wrong.

Okay, now admit that it sucks. Admit it.

[schoolofruckus]

am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

The LOL-speak tapered off a little bit, but the dialogue was just as bad when it was straightforward as it was at its quippiest.

[schoolofruckus]

Okay, now admit that it sucks. Admit it.

Admit that Billy Madison sucks? It's not a quality movie, but it's funnier than shit.

[thelastgreatman]

I'm consistently amazed that almost everyone I know my age shares that opinion. Not to get into a whole thing about it, but I can't take watching that movie at all. Like I imagine that movie will play regularly in my own private hell.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Yeah, I hate Billy Madison too. I even hated it when I was a kid. And I have a weakness for Sandler's 90s movies.


am i the only one who noticed that most of these comments where in the beginning of the film and considerably tapered of by the end? you can say it was a cloying move like in Paul Haggis films, but the quips left when the characters started to mature (even the achingly annoying friend shuts her mouth to show her transformation).

Actually everyone I know and myself as well had this exact opinion. I was about ready to walk out after the first 20 minutes, but then the movie got better. But it would have been at least 20-25% better if it dropped the annoying friend, and that scene in the pharmacy. And even then it would be overrated. Still though I did like it enough in the end.

[downingthief]

Why not throw Salo in there? A little coprophagia, perhaps?

What about "In the Realm of the Senses"? Still say it is the most erotic movie I have ever seen.

[thelastgreatman]

I find Sandler to be good and funny as long as he's not doing a funny voice. The Billy Madison/Weekend Update songs era of him was fucking torturous though. Do you have any idea how much of that shit I had to hear idiots imitating being in junior high when the fucking Hannukah Song album was at its popularity peak? Just thinking about it kinda makes me want to go pick a fight with him.

[TomAz]

'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

[schoolofruckus]

I'm consistently amazed that almost everyone I know my age shares that opinion. Not to get into a whole thing about it, but I can't take watching that movie at all. Like I imagine that movie will play regularly in my own private hell.

Getting into a thing about it would be pointless. You think I'm capable of defending it?

[thelastgreatman]

Hahaha, alright, you actually just won with that response, good work.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I actually like 50 First Dates, it was a clever premise, executed pretty well.

It reminds me of when a friend of mine suggested a film that combined 50 First Dates and The Crying Game, where everyday he finds out that his girlfriend has a dick but forgets by the next morning.

[schoolofruckus]

I find Sandler to be good and funny as long as he's not doing a funny voice. The Billy Madison/Weekend Update songs era of him was fucking torturous though. Do you have any idea how much of that shit I had to hear idiots imitating being in junior high when the fucking Hannukah Song album was at its popularity peak? Just thinking about it kinda makes me want to go pick a fight with him.

See, I mostly prefer his affected-voice characters to his more recent straightforward, regular-guy comedies.


'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

Case in point.

Billy Madison, Opera Man, and then his CD characters like Fatty McGee, Toll Booth Willie, The Goat - all of that shit can make me howl. Although I draw the line at The Waterboy. But even though it's an exception to this, Happy Gilmore is still his funniest movie, in my opinion.

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

[downingthief]

'50 First Dates' is one of the most godawful movies that I've ever seen. Sandler should be drawn and quartered for that one alone.

That one is brutal. Mr. Deeds is close, as well.

[thelastgreatman]

Happy Gilmore would be my argument against the funny voice thing. I actually kinda liked Little Nicky but never because of his character. Shit I'd even take Big Daddy over Billy or The Waterboy (which has to be close to the worst movie ever made). 50 First Dates was definitely reprehensible though.

[schoolofruckus]

That one is brutal. Mr. Deeds is close, as well.

Yep yep yep. But the part where John Turturro reveals his foot fetish ("I like feet.....I do not know why") got a laugh out of me. Only part of that movie that I can even halfway remember.

[thelastgreatman]

Deeds was awesome just because of Turturro and Winona's huge wrack.

"Sneaky sneaky, sir." Cracks me up every time, don't know why.

[thelastgreatman]

Dammit.

[schoolofruckus]

Happy Gilmore would be my argument against the funny voice thing. I actually kinda liked Little Nicky but never because of his character. Shit I'd even take Big Daddy over Billy or The Waterboy (which has to be close to the worst movie ever made). 50 First Dates was definitely reprehensible though.

I actually would put Little Nicky in the top tier of "Adam Sandler movies". It's fucking abysmal as a film, but I thought it was endlessly funny.

[downingthief]

Ok, I have to agree that Winona did look good in Deeds. Cleavage. It makes the world go round.

[schoolofruckus]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b126/schoolofruckus/sandlerz.jpg

[amyzzz]

I liked 50 First Dates. It's a chick movie, really.

[downingthief]

I have that shirt Gabe...you stole it from us!

[thelastgreatman]

I actually would put Little Nicky in the top tier of "Adam Sandler movies". It's fucking abysmal as a film, but I thought it was endlessly funny.

The two Satan-loving dudes steal the whole show.

[mountmccabe]

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

QFT

Also the fact that Sandler's character in PDL was pretty much the same as the other characters he plays was a good portion of the point; if you took a standard Sandler jokey character and put him in real life... it'd be fucking creepy. Like Punch-Drunk Love creepy.

Damn I loved that movie... partially because I don't like Adam Sandler movies.

[whynotsmile99]

See, I mostly prefer his affected-voice characters to his more recent straightforward, regular-guy comedies.



Case in point.

Billy Madison, Opera Man, and then his CD characters like Fatty McGee, Toll Booth Willie, The Goat - all of that shit can make me howl. Although I draw the line at The Waterboy. But even though it's an exception to this, Happy Gilmore is still his funniest movie, in my opinion.

Punch-Drunk Love is indisputably the best film he's ever been in (and it's not terribly different from his earlier characters, just more soulful and surreal). And I have to repeat that Reign Over Me is probably his best performance, in spite of the meltdown of the film itself.

Sandler needs to do an R rated comedy again. Anyone remember Bulletproof? i remember that was a watchable bad movie....holy shit, the news just mentioned adam sandler totally at random. they were talking about some surf store. but adam got a nod as i was writing this...thats strange.

anyway, the first 2 sandler albums were fucking gold. The goat skit used to destroy our entire 6th grade class when it came out and its still fucking funny. he should make one really dirty r rated comedy. hes made enough money doing pg 13 comedies with Nelly and crotch kicks.


little nicky is a guilty pleasure though. PDL annoyed the shit out of me. I need to watch that again

[whynotsmile99]

heres an hour long free to watch british documentary on penis size.

quite interesting actually

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1608512777470007567&q=small+penis&total=711&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

[J~$$$]

Is it wrong of me to want to see First Sunday?

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Very wrong.

[thinnerair]

Airheads is one of Sandler's best movies. Shut up. I'm right.
Big Daddy is actually the funniest of his horrible movies. It's so quotable and that's how I rate how good a funny movie is. If it is quotable. It works.
Reign Over Me started decent and then turned horrible.

I also found myself getting really into Click when I watched that.

Most of his other movies are trash.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I don't get Click. The first half of the movie is one of the most mind-bendingly, soul-crushingly unfunny, awful, annoying, stupid, grating, piece of shit things I have ever seen. But then suddenly, halfway through, when the movie starts taking the whole conceit of the remote seriously, it mutates into a drama, a drama that's surprisingly effective and resonant.

[schoolofruckus]

Airheads is one of Sandler's best movies. Shut up. I'm right.
Big Daddy is actually the funniest of his horrible movies. It's so quotable and that's how I rate how good a funny movie is. If it is quotable. It works.
Reign Over Me started decent and then turned horrible.

I also found myself getting really into Click when I watched that.

Most of his other movies are trash.

I also love Airheads.

[amyzzz]

Dang. I didn't last long enough into Click to get to the drama part.

[thinnerair]

Dang. I didn't last long enough into Click to get to the drama part.

The beginning of the movie is pretty lame.
Once it stops being all "look at me. Im Adam Sandler. I make a mongoloid face with a goofy voice when Im angry but you think its funny that Im pissed" bits that he does in most flicks, it gets to be a decent story.
It's certainly one of the last movies of his I'd watch more than once, but it certainly wasn't horrible.

Maybe this is a confession, but sometimes I can't tell Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore apart.

[KungFuJoe]

no love for the Wedding Singer? anyone?

[luckyface]

This is kind of movie related, so I will re-tell this event in here. It probably will be boring for most.

So the other night, I was reading the board and saw that the Chemical Bros. were probably going to be at Coachella. That was the last thing I read before I got up to get ready for bed. So I am brushing my teeth, deep in thought, thinking about this. I veer from the Chemical Bros. to the Dust Brothers and their work in the movie Fight Club. I was thinking about how bad ass that soundtrack was that they created, which got me thinking about the best music in the movie, that ending scene where Edward Norton is running all over town. At this point, I am ready for bed, so I turn the TV on. What's playing? Fight Club, the scene where Edward Norton is running around town at the end. I haven't seen this movie in literally 5 years and hadn't listened to the soundtrack in about a year. Crazy shit.

To relate this more to the thread, Fight Club is awesome.

Oh, and Adam Sandler peaked with Happy Gilmore. Click was abysmal.