What films are you watching?

[shurlock]

That made Peter Bradshaw's list.

Fair few that I wasn't aware of that mightbw worth a watch.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/05/top-50-films-of-the-demi-decade-peter-bradshaw

 

Definitely recommended. V.intriguing list. Not just willfully obtuse choices and arthouse for arthouse's sake, it seems.

[whelk]

Definitely recommended. V.intriguing list. Not just willfully obtuse choices and arthouse for arthouse's sake, it seems.

 

Will give it a view on your recommendation. Mind on that list 'Only God Forgives' was in there. I remember thinking it was a messed up film but on reflection did enjoy although very mental.

[Batman]

saw Taken 3 yesterday

 

meh

[whelk]

saw Taken 3 yesterday

 

meh

 

I can but imagine. Taken was dreadful yet I know I am in teh minority as so many rate it.

American Sniper - very disappointing. Expected far better for an Eastwood film.

[Bearsy]

Did I mention that Birdman lives up to the hype? Birdman lives up to the hype. It's v.good. I should watch Birdman, if I was you. It's basically the same film as Black Swan, except lols.

[Bearsy]

American Sniper - very disappointing. Expected far better for an Eastwood film.

 

I've been reading bout the bro this film is based on, he's a bit of a fantasist by all accounts. This is one of his claims:

 

He told the robbers that he just needed to reach back into the truck to get the keys. He turned around and reached under his winter coat instead, into his waistband. With his right hand, he grabbed his Colt 1911. He fired two shots under his left armpit, hitting the first man twice in the chest. Then he turned slightly and fired two more times, hitting the second man twice in the chest. Both men fell dead.

 

Kyle leaned on his truck and waited for the police.

 

When they arrived, they detained him while they ran his driver’s license. But instead of his name, address, and date of birth, what came up was a phone number at the Department of Defense. At the other end of the line was someone who explained that the police were in the presence of one of the most skilled fighters in U.S. military history.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I can but imagine. Taken was dreadful yet I know I am in teh minority as so many rate it.

American Sniper - very disappointing. Expected far better for an Eastwood film.

 

**Controversial comment** Clint Eastwood's films bore me to death. No inclination to watch another crappy piece of American propaganda that will have all the rich old white dudes of Hollywood falling at the feet of these rich old white dude. Zzzzzz

 

Did I mention that Birdman lives up to the hype? Birdman lives up to the hype. It's v.good. I should watch Birdman, if I was you. It's basically the same film as Black Swan, except lols.

 

Aye, saw that at the w/e with the gf. Really enjoyed it.

[Gastón10]

Zero dark thirty atm. Brilliant film

[SuperMikey]

**Controversial comment** Clint Eastwood's films bore me to death. No inclination to watch another crappy piece of American propaganda that will have all the rich old white dudes of Hollywood falling at the feet of these rich old white dude. Zzzzzz

 

Mostly agree, although Letters From Iwo Jima is sublime. Far better than Flags of our Fathers (which was another Clint film about the same conflict but from an American perspective), and in my view it's up there with Saving Private Ryan as one of the best war films.

[SuperMikey]

Also watched Birdman recently and can confirm that it's f*cking brilliant too. Oh, and I saw Fury too which was good.

 

The end.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

**Controversial comment** Clint Eastwood's films bore me to death. No inclination to watch another crappy piece of American propaganda that will have all the rich old white dudes of Hollywood falling at the feet of these rich old white dude. Zzzzzz

 

Oh controversy is allowed on here and if you don't much rate Clint Eastwood then that's your business of course - 'each to his own' as they say. However, as a life long fan of the man I must point out that he is a widely respected film maker with a six decade long body of work behind him - both as a actor and a director - that is perhaps unmatched. So in the great man's defence here be, in no particular order, some of my personal favorite Eastwood films with a brief explanation offered as to why I love them so ... and yes I do accept that even he has made few bad films in his time too!

 

Honkytonk Man (1982)

Our hero plays Red Stovall, an ailing Country & Western singer suffering from the effects of TB who has been given that proverbial 'one last chance' to make it big - as long as he can get to Nashville with his young nephew in tow that is. A subtle, beautifully shot, film that understands intrinsically what Human frailty means and how precious life is. Eastwood may have made his name as a traditional 'all guns blazing' action hero, but understated little films like this demonstrate that (unlike many of his contemporaries) he has so much more to offer than just that.

 

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

A heist movie that not only works superbly as a crime yarn, but also succeeds brilliantly in making you genuinely care about the fate of its two lead characters - Eastwood and a young Jeff Bridges. The final scene, where Eastwood and his unfortunate partner drive off into the distance in that new Cadillac that has cost them so very dearly is surely iconic ... and one that this viewer found to be almost unbearably moving by the way.

 

Unforgiven (1992)

The western was a fading genre long before Eastwood crafted this magnificent piece of cinema history, but my God if they never made another Western that would be okay with me because how on earth could anyone possibly top this? Eastwood has made a living out of portraying violence of course, but 'Unforgiven' shows that he has grown to understand that acts of violence will have their inevitable consequences. There is a famous scene near the end of this film that I call the 'he had it coming' scene where the aging Eastwood - his face like a mountain - absolutely 'nails it' in a way that perhaps no other actor possibly could. The single finest moment in American cinema history - in my opinion of course.

 

 

A Perfect World (1993)

Eastwood the director shows what a generous filmmaker he is my taking a relatively small role in this fine film, a film that charts the highly unusual relationship that develops between a violent criminal and a young boy he abducts - both of then 'damaged goods' in their own way. Again Eastwood leaves his audience with a ending that is quite devastating. Note the interesting contrast on display here between the liberal message of this film and Eastwood's earlier (ultra Conservative) work such as the 'Dirty Harry' series for instance.

 

Bronco Billy (1980)

A film about the importance of holding on to your dreams and of being true to yourself and your loved ones. Bronco Billy (Eastwood) is a middle aged shoe salesman who reinvents himself as a wild west cowboy type figure leading a ragtag assortment of oddballs across the Midwest in his traveling circus. Humane and at times very funny, 'Bronco Billy' may be one of Eastwood's lesser known films, but it is a little gem methinks.

 

Any Which Way But Loose - Any Which Way You Can (1978/80)

Okay not the most subtle example of intellectual film making ever produced, and films that I strongly suspect some keep silent about liking. But this Eastwood fan is not at all embarrassed to admit that he utterly loves them in all their joyous irreverence and unsophisticated 'redneck' silliness. Just ask yourself how many other filmmakers can boast a breath of work that not only forces you to think profoundly about the world and Human nature, but can also make fun nonsense like this that makes you laugh out loud and forget your troubles for a hour or two?

Edited 21 January, 2015 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[Batman]

Just saw American sniper

 

Was alright

[whelk]

Cant view Clint in same light since the embarrassing empty chair thing.

[whelk]

Really enjoyed Birdman too. Whiplash is meant to be mentally good. Anyone seen?

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Oh controversy is allowed on here and if you don't much rate Clint Eastwood then that's your business of course - 'each to his own' as they say. However, as a life long fan of the man I must point out that he is a widely respected film maker with a six decade long body of work behind him - both as a actor and a director - that is perhaps unmatched. So in the great man's defence here be, in no particular order, some of my personal favorite Eastwood films with a brief explanation offered as to why I love them so ... and yes I do accept that even he has made few bad films in his time too!

 

Honkytonk Man (1982)

Our hero plays Red Stovall, an ailing Country & Western singer suffering from the effects of TB who has been given that proverbial 'one last chance' to make it big - as long as he can get to Nashville with his young nephew in tow that is. A subtle, beautifully shot, film that understands intrinsically what Human frailty means and how precious life is. Eastwood may have made his name as a traditional 'all guns blazing' action hero, but understated little films like this demonstrate that (unlike many of his contemporaries) he has so much more to offer than just that.

 

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

A heist movie that not only works superbly as a crime yarn, but also succeeds brilliantly in making you genuinely care about the fate of its two lead characters - Eastwood and a young Jeff Bridges. The final scene, where Eastwood and his unfortunate partner drive off into the distance in that new Cadillac that has cost them so very dearly is surely iconic ... and one that this viewer found to be almost unbearably moving by the way.

 

Unforgiven (1992)

The western was a fading genre long before Eastwood crafted this magnificent piece of cinema history, but my God if they never made another Western that would be okay with me because how on earth could anyone possibly top this? Eastwood has made a living out of portraying violence of course, but 'Unforgiven' shows that he has grown to understand that acts of violence will have their inevitable consequences. There is a famous scene near the end of this film that I call the 'he had it coming' scene where the aging Eastwood - his face like a mountain - absolutely 'nails it' in a way that perhaps no other actor possibly could. The single finest moment in American cinema history - in my opinion of course.

 

 

A Perfect World (1993)

Eastwood the director shows what a generous filmmaker he is my taking a relatively small role in this fine film, a film that charts the highly unusual relationship that develops between a violent criminal and a young boy he abducts - both of then 'damaged goods' in their own way. Again Eastwood leaves his audience with a ending that is quite devastating. Note the interesting contrast on display here between the liberal message of this film and Eastwood's earlier (ultra Conservative) work such as the 'Dirty Harry' series for instance.

 

Bronco Billy (1980)

A film about the importance of holding on to your dreams and of being true to yourself and your loved ones. Bronco Billy (Eastwood) is a middle aged shoe salesman who reinvents himself as a wild west cowboy type figure leading a ragtag assortment of oddballs across the Midwest in his traveling circus. Humane and at times very funny, 'Bronco Billy' may be one of Eastwood's lesser known films, but it is a little gem methinks.

 

Any Which Way But Loose - Any Which Way You Can (1978/80)

Okay not the most subtle example of intellectual film making ever produced, and films that I strongly suspect some keep silent about liking. But this Eastwood fan is not at all embarrassed to admit that he utterly loves them in all their joyous irreverence and unsophisticated 'redneck' silliness. Just ask yourself how many other filmmakers can boast a breath of work that not only forces you to think profoundly about the world and Human nature, but can also make fun nonsense like this that makes you laugh out loud and forget your troubles for a hour or two?

 

In fairness, I was referring mostly to the films he has directed, though I can see I wasn't particularly clear in saying that. No doubt he starred in some good films.

[stedje]

Too my school class ( here in Norway) to see "Pride" the other day. Great movie!

[stedje]

Sorry, misprint. I took my class ...

[Bucks Saint]

Did anyone see either The Drop (Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini - in his last film) or Nightcrawler (Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo) before Christmas? Both had superb reviews but ended up not being shown for very many weeks, because they were competing for cinema space with a few big budget films, and then a rash of kids movies for the school holidays

[whelk]

Did anyone see either The Drop (Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini - in his last film) or Nightcrawler (Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo) before Christmas? Both had superb reviews but ended up not being shown for very many weeks, because they were competing for cinema space with a few big budget films, and then a rash of kids movies for the school holidays

 

Have seen The Drop. Not overly impressed. Quite slow

[Wade Garrett]

Watched Northern Soul, not bad.

 

Watched Scarface last week, for the first time. Thought it was absolute dogsh*t.

[pap]

Finally got around to watching The Wolf of Wall Street in the past couple of weeks. It's a masterpiece, and confirms Scorsese's reputation as one of the best directors of all time.

 

It is an absolutely adult movie. The version I saw on the plane was cut to ribbons. The version I saw on BluRay not only kicked arse, but snorted coke out of it. DeCaprio is amazing. What Ray Liotta possibly could have been if he'd been interested in doing big pictures.

 

Margot Robbie would rate double hand amputations on the Last Boy Scout's "finger scale".

 

Most of all though, loved how candid and subversive the film was, especially at the beginning and the end. Belfour's mentor Matt Hanna lays the stock market bare in his "hmmm" lunch. Keep 'em on the Ferris Wheel. We make cold hard cash. The final scene is killer.

 

Best movie I've seen in the last couple of years.

[Jonnyboy]

In fairness, I was referring mostly to the films he has directed, though I can see I wasn't particularly clear in saying that. No doubt he starred in some good films.

 

No his westerns are bloody dull too.

[Wade Garrett]

Finally got around to watching The Wolf of Wall Street in the past couple of weeks. It's a masterpiece, and confirms Scorsese's reputation as one of the best directors of all time.

 

It is an absolutely adult movie. The version I saw on the plane was cut to ribbons. The version I saw on BluRay not only kicked arse, but snorted coke out of it. DeCaprio is amazing. What Ray Liotta possibly could have been if he'd been interested in doing big pictures.

 

Margot Robbie would rate double hand amputations on the Last Boy Scout's "finger scale".

 

Most of all though, loved how candid and subversive the film was, especially at the beginning and the end. Belfour's mentor Matt Hanna lays the stock market bare in his "hmmm" lunch. Keep 'em on the Ferris Wheel. We make cold hard cash. The final scene is killer.

 

Best movie I've seen in the last couple of years.

 

Brilliant film. Jordan Belfort is one oily b@stard.

[pap]

Caught a great Irish movie recently; Calvary. Great opening. Brendan Gleeson's priest is confronted in confession by someone who says he first tasted semen at the age of seven, and was repeatedly raped anally and orally for years by a deviant priest from the Catholic church. The offender is now long dead, so the man in confession cannot kill him, but is resolved to kill Gleeson's character on Sunday week, even though no-one has a bad word to say about him, and he has done nothing wrong. More shocking, y'see.

 

The movie tracks Gleeson's progress through what could be his last week on Earth. It's a dark, powerful and sometimes comic brew, featuring some of Ireland's best talent. Gleeson is excellent, and he's joined by the likes of Dylan Moran (How do you want me?, Black Books), Aiden Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones), Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) and even the bloke that used to wear the "I Shot JR" T-Shirt in Father Ted (real fame, yo).

 

It wouldn't be the fastest film out there, but it plays out like a whodunnit and pulls strongly on themes of death, suicide and the historical abuses of the Catholic Church. It also goes to show how far the ROI has gone in dismissing the influence of the Catholic Church, which was hugely influential back in the 1970s. I don't think such a critical film could have been made back then.

[Bearsy]

Does he tell Gleeson that he's going to kill him in the confession? That strikes me pretty neat cos Gleeson can't go to police or anything, because Confessions is secret. I am also interested in the anal rape. I might watch this movie

[pap]

Does he tell Gleeson that he's going to kill him in the confession? That strikes me pretty neat cos Gleeson can't go to police or anything, because Confessions is secret. I am also interested in the anal rape. I might watch this movie

There is actually a scene that deals with the issue of whether it is a confession or not. Gleeson goes to his boss, who reckons that it wasn't actually a confession because the bloke wasn't seeking any kind of forgiveness.

 

Good movie.

[Coxford_lou]

**Controversial comment** Clint Eastwood's films bore me to death. No inclination to watch another crappy piece of American propaganda that will have all the rich old white dudes of Hollywood falling at the feet of these rich old white dude. Zzzzzz

 

 

 

Aye, saw that at the w/e with the gf. Really enjoyed it.

 

That's exactly my film watching this weekend too (with Casablanca somewhere in between)!

 

Birdman - interesting...dark. But not sure more than that.

 

American Sniper - bland. And reading a bit more about the real guy, also romantic rescript on reality.

 

Casablanca. Brilliant as always.

[whelk]

Did anyone see either The Drop (Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini - in his last film) or Nightcrawler (Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo) before Christmas? Both had superb reviews but ended up not being shown for very many weeks, because they were competing for cinema space with a few big budget films, and then a rash of kids movies for the school holidays

 

Watched Nightcrawler last night. Was excellent.

[Bucks Saint]

Watched Nightcrawler last night. Was excellent.

 

Thanks

[SuperMikey]

Just watched Pride, the story of a Lesbian & Gay group deciding to support the Miners during the strike in 84. Absolutely loved it - not only does it carry a good political message about breaking social boundaries and coming together for a common cause, it's f*cking hilarious too! Aside from a few dodgy Welsh accents the performances are excellent, especially Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy.

 

I hate the phrase "feel-good film" but I can't really think of a better word for it. If you fancy feeling right on but not being too serious while you're doing it, I definitely recommend this film.

[SuperMikey]

Just watched Whiplash. Sorry Birdman, but that was hands down my favourite film of 2014. Unbelievable!

[Monk]

Gone Girl.

 

Really enjoyed it.

[Dr Who?]

Just been to see Inherent Vice. Loved it, so ****ed up. Worth a watch.

[Bearsy]

Just watched Whiplash. Sorry Birdman, but that was hands down my favourite film of 2014. Unbelievable!

 

Just watched that. Pretty amazing, it made jazz drumming look almost exciting! Thanks for tip!

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I've just seen 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark' (Film 4 Saturday) for the first time - and was bitterly disappointed with it.

 

 

The reason I was expecting something more than just another dull and formulaic Hollywood Horror was that I had noticed that the Mexican film maker Guillermo del Toro had produced and written it, and if you have ever seen any his early work (such as the wonderful 'Pan's Labyrinth' or the equally distinctive 'The Devil's Backbone') you will know just how capable of making genuinely outstanding work he is.

 

But none of that wonderful mix of fairy-tale like magic and shockingly real 'in your face' horror was on display here - a potentially great film maker I think ruined by a system that chews the gifted up ... and then spits out instantly forgettable trash like this.

[Tokyo-Saint]

I watched both 'The Interview' and 'Boyhood' this weekend. The Interview was pretty crap in general, easy watching stuff even an idiot could enjoy. I think Bear said it was one of his favourite movies, just about sums it up.

 

Boyhood was very good though, especially for a movie where absolutely nothing happened. It takes the world championship title of best movie where nothing actually happens but the atmosphere is good away from Gregory's Girl.

 

I recommend this film to KRG and Supermikey as it is basically Arcade Fire's Suburbs album set to film, often with Arcade Fire's Suburbs album playing as background music.

 

The main USP of this film is that it was recorded over 12 years with the same actors. You get to see the kid grow up from the kid in Forest Gump into Harry Styles, Ethan Hawk change into Johnny Drama and back into Ethan Hawk but older and the mum changing from someone you would definitely bone, into someone that golfing Phil would bone into someone only whitey would bone after a bottle of Jack and a half dozen Viagras.

 

All in all a very good move.

 

4.5 Labrador bones out of 5.

[Bearsy]

A movie where nothing happens, and an Arcade Fire soundtrack? Woah! Sign me up

[Tokyo-Saint]

As I said Bear, the interview is for you. kim Jong Un accidentally proving he was human by sharting in an interview while crying cause his dad didn't love him Jokes to a Katie Perry Sound track - right up your street!

[Bearsy]

I have watched it Already + I was not Bored, which is all I require from Movie

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I watched both 'The Interview' and 'Boyhood' this weekend. The Interview was pretty crap in general, easy watching stuff even an idiot could enjoy. I think Bear said it was one of his favourite movies, just about sums it up.

 

Boyhood was very good though, especially for a movie where absolutely nothing happened. It takes the world championship title of best movie where nothing actually happens but the atmosphere is good away from Gregory's Girl.

 

I recommend this film to KRG and Supermikey as it is basically Arcade Fire's Suburbs album set to film, often with Arcade Fire's Suburbs album playing as background music.

 

The main USP of this film is that it was recorded over 12 years with the same actors. You get to see the kid grow up from the kid in Forest Gump into Harry Styles, Ethan Hawk change into Johnny Drama and back into Ethan Hawk but older and the mum changing from someone you would definitely bone, into someone that golfing Phil would bone into someone only whitey would bone after a bottle of Jack and a half dozen Viagras.

 

All in all a very good move.

 

4.5 Labrador bones out of 5.

 

Saw Boyhood in the cinema when it came out, very much enjoyed it so you're not wrong.

 

Thanks though

[SuperMikey]

I also saw Boyhood recently and enjoyed it as well - I made a sex explosion each time I heard Win Butler's dulcet tones floating from a car radio.

[Tokyo-Saint]

The song from the speaker of a passing car and prayed to a dying star?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The Wind Rises (2013)

 

Shown as part of C4's 'Studio Ghibli' season of Japanese animation, this ambitious 2 hour film tells the story of the genius Mitsubishi aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi - the man behind the legendary A5M 'Claude' and A6M 'Zero' fighter aircraft of WWII.

 

I suppose this film might have been a Japanese equivalent of the old Leslie Howard/RJ Mitchell biopic 'The First of the Few' in that a aircraft designer is elevated to become a heroic figure, except that prewar Japanese militarism just cannot be celebrated in the same way that the creation of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire and our stand against Fascism in WWII can. So Horikoshi is drawn and depicted here as a child-like person, an innocent dedicated to creating beauty and deeply in love with the dream of flight, rather than as some advocate of the war winning possibilities of air-power. From the little I know of him there seems to be some truth in this interpretation - which is more than can be said about the depiction of his family life, which I understand is almost entirely fictional.

 

But enough of the politics, you should see 'The Wind Rises' simply because it is a stunningly beautiful film. I just adore how typically delicate and well observed the 'manga' style animation is, how lovingly veteran Director Hayao Miyazaki and his team of animators have captured how the wind plays with a umbrella, or exactly how the cylinders of a old aero engine vibrate. There is a scene early in the film where the great Tokyo earthquake of 1923 is depicted that just takes your breath away ... CGI may be on the 'cutting edge' but in some ways traditional Japanese animation remains unmatched anywhere.

 

You don't need to be interested in Japan, its animation, or even in aircraft to see this film ... you just need to love films.

 

Edited 14 February, 2015 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[dubai_phil]

Semi Pro. A 2008 "Sports Movie" allowing Will Ferrell to be his normal annoying over the top character.

 

It is set in 1976 and chronicles the no hoper Basketball team of Flint Michigan as they embark on a final season before their league merges with the NBA. Only 4 teams from the league will qualify for the expanded NBA........ The owner (Ferrell) trades the teams' washing machine for a washed out NBA has been - Woody Harrelson.

 

It is one of those films that is on and you don't really watch, it certainly doesn't grab and connect with you, but fairly early on the Commissioner decrees that the Top 4 teams will move to the NBA and then barriers start to be put in the way to stop the no hopers including a crowd average of 2,000.

 

There are some funny parts in the film - Wrestling with the Bear for one which becomes a running gag. And then the rules change and even though the losers COULD qualify by winning their last game they are told they are not media worthy and the rules are changed again.

 

So the last 10 minutes becomes all about WINNING 4TH PLACE...

 

And suddenly "CLICK" it's a parody of US this season. The whole City goes nuts for the Mega Bowl which could see them finish 4th (even though it would mean nothing).

 

The fans stream out the stadium and trash the City in their wild celebrations for finishing FOURTH.

 

And suddenly the brain flips and they're Saints fans rushing out of the Etihad and celebrating and trashing Manchester for finishing FOURTH..

 

But it doesn't count because Arsenil have won the UCL and Spuds have won the Europa and UEFA change the rules and we just don't care because at least we were fourth.

 

 

Yeah, different context, could almost see RK wrestling the Bear and Ralph shooting down a ramp at the Northam on Roller Skates to whip the crowd up before KO.

 

Stupid bloody film but maybe it fortold our future?

[Lets B Avenue]

Finally got round to watching "The Bourne Legacy" and was delighted to find Coxford Lou co-starring.

[View From The Top]

I watched Lucy last night with the lad. It was utter Shiite but the lad enjoyed it.

 

Saw Boyhood with he Mrs. Not my sort of film but brilliantly made.

[View From The Top]

Also watched an Aussie film called Mystery Road. Achingly beautifully shot.

[whelk]

I watched Lucy last night with the lad. It was utter Shiite but the lad enjoyed it.

 

Saw Boyhood with he Mrs. Not my sort of film but brilliantly made.

 

I laughed at Lucy. Can imagine the pitch was hard work getting studios to fund such farcical storyline, Lighthearted nonsense but quite enjoyable I thought.

[Sevvy]

Went to the vue in Eastleigh last Thursday with my two sons and watched The theory of everything. Brilliant movie.I would recommend it.

[Bearsy]

I laughed at Lucy. Can imagine the pitch was hard work getting studios to fund such farcical storyline

 

Everyone involved was running at 3% Brain Capacity, IMO