Schoolio's Movie Corner

[algunz]

The Lego Movie seems to have been almost universally praised, but what I haven't seen mentioned is how insanely trippy of a movie it is. I'm not a drug person, but I enjoy watching movies with a few strong drinks from time to time and this worked wonderfully in that regard.

Most kids movies, especially animated ones, come off a bit druggy when enhanced by adult party favors. It's the only way I can manage as many as I watch.

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of the ending to Lego Movie either. I understand what they were going for, but it really took me out of the movie. The whole "it was all in the character's head" scenario rarely gets pulled off without feeling cheap.

The ending was expected, so it wasn't that annoying to me, but the "it was all in the character's head" doesn't work in this storyline. The Lego world is not just in the kids imagination.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Finally watched Rachel Getting Married with a few friends tonight. Everyone was cooing madly about what a masterfully directed film it was. I, uhh, I can't say I share that sentiment. I'm kind of shocked that it was such a well received film. I found it insufferably dull and ponderous. And about an hour too long. God, the United Colors of Benetton/UN interracial wedding with bridesmaids in saris and Ganesh on the cake (and a terrible actor as the groom) and seemingly every world music musician in the greater Connecticut area playing on and on and on. What a turgid Robert Altman impression. Demme hasn't made a decent film since Silence of the Lambs.

[TallGuyCM]

God, the United Colors of Benetton/UN interracial wedding with bridesmaids in saris and Ganesh on the cake (and a terrible actor as the groom)

bro do u even TV on the Radio

[superfan]

bro do u even TV on the Radio

He's too busy listening to Gaga on repeat.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

bro do u even TV on the Radio

Thought he looked familiar! I suppose if you're into that non-actor, no craft thing he was fine.

[zircona1]

Finally watched Rachel Getting Married with a few friends tonight. Everyone was cooing madly about what a masterfully directed film it was. I, uhh, I can't say I share that sentiment. I'm kind of shocked that it was such a well received film. I found it insufferably dull and ponderous. And about an hour too long. God, the United Colors of Benetton/UN interracial wedding with bridesmaids in saris and Ganesh on the cake (and a terrible actor as the groom) and seemingly every world music musician in the greater Connecticut area playing on and on and on. What a turgid Robert Altman impression.

Anne Hathaway was great in that.

Speaking of movies that are 'insufferably dull and ponderous', I watched Only God Forgives last night.

[bobert]

AI got to see Under The Skin on the big screen and I'm glad I did. It's been 2 or 3 years since I've seen a movie in the theater. There were parts of that film that were disturbing on a such a visceral level to compare to Eraserhead and The Shining. It's going to take a lot of time to unpack everything going on there, but the experience of watching it was stunning and unique. Some absolutely incredible pairings of image and sound throughout the movie. Even if you hate it or don't get it, you probably won't ever forget it.

I watched it last night and today I'm having trouble thinking about anything else. Sexy Beast was great but this film is on another level. I feel like that opening scene was something Kubrick would have been proud to call his own and it just never let up. And Scarlett Johansson, wow. Just wow. Between her disembodied work in Her and the physicality of this performance I'm starting to think she's capable of anything. Except maybe a British accent, but even that made sense in the context of the story.

Anyone care to fill me in on Birth? How does that compare to Glazer's other two movies?

[TallGuyCM]

Anyone care to fill me in on Birth? How does that compare to Glazer's other two movies?

I'll second this. The only one of his I haven't seen.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

I LOVED Birth. It's actually my favorite of Glazer's films. It's a wonderfully moody, atmospheric and stylish film. It's part horror, part supernatural thriller, part psychological melodrama. At the center of the film is a pretty remarkable performance by Nicole Kidman - maybe her best. You've probably read about this scene at the Met Opera which consists of a 2-minute close up on Kidman's face as she sits in the audience of a Wagner opera and quietly wrestles with a torrent of emotions. In the wrong actress' hands it could have been a ridiculous, indulgent moment, but with Kidman in the seat, Glazer created a stunning coupe de theatre. On paper, the film's premise is decidedly silly, but with Glazer's direction and Kidman's central performance it's absolutely spellbinding. The film also offers wonderful supporting performances from Lauren Bacall and, yes, Anne Heche.

[Drewski27]

I saw Lucy last night. Not too sure what I was expecting. But it sure was a great excuse for ScarJo to take on another emotionless drone of a role.

[zircona1]

Birth is worth a watch, if, for nothing else, the opening shot of the guy jogging through the park in the snow.

[ThatGirl]

Birth is worth a watch, if, for nothing else, the opening shot of the guy jogging through the park in the snow.

Cameron Bright was so creepy in that movie. I love that he only gets parts where he never has to smile.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Birth is worth a watch, if, for nothing else, the opening shot of the guy jogging through the park in the snow.

Yeah, that opening sequence is beautifully done.

[TallGuyCM]

This was completely insane. I imagine KungFuJoe has probably seen it.

[Listening]

Anyone care to fill me in on Birth? How does that compare to Glazer's other two movies?

It seems like other people liked it, but I didn't like it.

I did like Under the Skin.

[birdiearch]

I saw 13 Sins the other night. It was released this year.... so I don't know if it was straight-to-DVD or just indie--I didn't exactly recognize anyone in it. Decent thriller.

[DFrank]

I searched this thread and only the first "The Raid" has been mentioned. I saw "The Raid 2" last week and HOLY SHIT this was amazing. The choreography was so on point, all the fighting scenes were realistic and artfully done. I didn't watch the first of these two films, I will definitely be watching it this week.

[ods..]

I saw 13 Sins the other night. It was released this year.... so I don't know if it was straight-to-DVD or just indie--I didn't exactly recognize anyone in it. Decent thriller.

Holy fuck what a review.

[santasutt]

Late to the ball again. Finally got a chance to watch a few HBO On Demand flicks and was wowed by Behind the Candelabra.

I'm not a huge Michael Douglas fan but I must say he hasn't done much better than this role. Maybe Wall Street. And yes, I'm old enough to remember Liberace.

Gotta say the same for Matt Damon, too.

I'm not sure how closely the screenplay followed the Scott Thorson memoir but I remember all that stuff going down from the supermarket tabloids.

[clleadz]

Carlito's Way is better than Scarface. Discuss.

[TallGuyCM]

I searched this thread and only the first "The Raid" has been mentioned. I saw "The Raid 2" last week and HOLY SHIT this was amazing. The choreography was so on point, all the fighting scenes were realistic and artfully done. I didn't watch the first of these two films, I will definitely be watching it this week.

I've only seen the first, and it's awesome. Planning to watch the second shortly.

[Grandma]

The whole Female Convict series should be required viewing

Carlito's Way is better than Scarface. Discuss.

[birdiearch]

Holy fuck what a review.

Well, I wouldn't want to spoil anything. The title is very self-explanatory....

[Packer]

I watched 12 Angry Men for the first time. It was great. Henry Fonda was amazing. It had me considering how great yet imperfect our justice system is the whole time.

I didn't know Sidney Lumet made A Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Serpico and 12 Angry Men. What a talented filmmaker.

[clleadz]

and the delightful Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

[santasutt]

and the delightful Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

The opening scene.

[clleadz]

I still have nightmares

[zircona1]

But nekkid Marisa Tomei

[SoulDischarge]

Movie actually gave me an anxiety attack that lasted for hours after seeing it in the theater.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Yes, tension city! That man gave us several of the finest American films. He can almost be forgiven for having a daughter who wrote the screenplay to Rachel Getting Married.