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What films are you watching?

Pancake

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Sheaf Saint

Sheaf Saint

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Just watched The Mist.

 

I have always found that films based on Stephen King novels are very hit and miss - they're either really good or really terrible. Sadly this one is the latter. The plot is non-existant and the acting is just terrible. The ending, while fairly original, is very abrupt, and you come away from the film none the wiser for what was supposed to have happened.

 

Avoid it.

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St Landrew

St Landrew

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The Life & Death Of Peter Sellers [2004]. For me an uneven film which seemed to have difficulty getting across the troubled soul that was Sellers, yet remain light and shallow, which was also Sellers. In fact, Peter Sellers was such a non-personality in himself that he often wondered what he himself was about. This element, the film did get across, and did also hint at Sellars possessive mother, and how Sellers felt her betrayal towards his father. If you expect laughs, they're very few and far between. Geoffrey Rush does do pretty fine job of immitating Sellers, though his Bluebottle and Major Bloodnock voices were far from the real thing. Odd film, but worth the watch.

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jeff leopard

jeff leopard

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The Lives of Others

Its basically 1984 + Fahrenheit 451 + The Conversation but set in East Germany yeah? Maybe not as gripping as it could have been but its always fascinating and the central performance of the surveillance drone who learns to live through 'the lives of others' is incredible. A slow-burning treat for anyone sick of formulaic cack.

 

Deadwood - season 1

It’s a tv series but as we don't seem to have a tv tread…

Kock-sucker, kunt-hood, kunt-lips, kunt-face, these are just some of the wonderful swear words to be heard. Its HBO's gritty 'real-life' western drama notable for its colourful language and Ian McShane's amazing performance as the Tony Soprano-ish central character who is 95% absolute kunt and 5% charming geezer. It starts quite slowly but by episode 4 it starts gaining the momentum to get you hooked. Hardly earth-shattering but very watchable and in keeping with HBO stuff, its got blood, nudity and people saying kock-sucker a lot. Its lesson is that American society was build on gambling, prostitution, heroin and racism. Lots and lots of lovely fresh racism. And unlike most American historical drama's, Deadwood doesn't downplay the fear and hatred of the foreign which has always been at the heart of the American psyche.

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the stain

the stain

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Yesterday I watched...

 

Kind Hearts & Coronets, which was an absolute treat. Polite, gentle English comedy about murdering your whole family. Alec Guinness was a genius...

 

Son of Rambow, fairly charming comedy about two kids in the 80s making a film. I liked it cos it reminded me of my childhood (the main kid even looked like I did then), but it was frustratingly simplistic in its 'message'. Watch it if it's on but don't bother paying money for it.

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norwaysaint

norwaysaint

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Yesterday I watched...

 

Kind Hearts & Coronets, which was an absolute treat. Polite, gentle English comedy about murdering your whole family. Alec Guinness was a genius...

 

 

I love this film and I'm a bit worried that it's probably the next film in line for a crappy Hollywood remake. It has several of the finest comedy acting performances ever, most of them by Alec Guiness.

 

Even worse, they'll probably try to have a go at "It's a Wonderful Life" sooner or later.:(

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jeff leopard

jeff leopard

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It has several of the finest comedy acting performances ever, most of them by Alec Guiness.

 

He's a geni-arse, i love Lady Killers (remade very badly already) and Man in the White Suit.

 

Even worse, they'll probably try to have a go at "It's a Wonderful Life" sooner or later.:(

 

Unless they go for the alternative 'killing spree' ending as suggested by the simpsons. I freaking love this film, the first 90 minutes are some of the darkest Hollywood has ever produced, and it all balances out with the sugery sweet ending. Without the dark stuff though it would be unbareable.

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LVSaint

LVSaint

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Just watched The Mist.

 

I have always found that films based on Stephen King novels are very hit and miss - they're either really good or really terrible. Sadly this one is the latter. The plot is non-existant and the acting is just terrible. The ending, while fairly original, is very abrupt, and you come away from the film none the wiser for what was supposed to have happened.

 

Avoid it.

 

Too gritty and grim to be enjoyable. The ending was sickening.

 

 

 

Quantum of Solace - Overall pretty enjoyable - though lacking plot bigtime. Much preferred Casino Royale. I hope follow-ons from this can regain some of the real Bond spirit - this was nothing more than a generic, albeit good, action flick.

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St Landrew

St Landrew

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Henry V [1989]. Recorded for later, while I was out this afternoon. Remember seeing this Kenneth Branagh film at the cinema when it came out. I was into any Shakespeare plays that I could find to watch. This didn't disappoint in the slightest. IMO, superior to the much lauded Laurence Olivier version from 1946, as it is much more naturally delivered, and conveys the sheer boredom, despair and fear of battle. As with all Shakespeare, quite demanding on the viewer, but worth it. And once again of course, Henry's army leaves through the gate at Southampton.

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miserableoldgit

miserableoldgit

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Henry V [1989]. Recorded for later, while I was out this afternoon. Remember seeing this Kenneth Branagh film at the cinema when it came out. I was into any Shakespeare plays that I could find to watch. This didn't disappoint in the slightest. IMO, superior to the much lauded Laurence Olivier version from 1946, as it is much more naturally delivered, and conveys the sheer boredom, despair and fear of battle. As with all Shakespeare, quite demanding on the viewer, but worth it. And once again of course, Henry's army leaves through the gate at Southampton.

It is interesting that Henry supposedly held court at The Red Lion in the High Street and also tried the three members of the "Southampton Plot" there. One story is that they were executed at the Bargate (two beheaded and one hung drawn and quartered) and buried under what used to be Marks and Spencers!

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badgerx16

badgerx16

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Henry V [1989]. Recorded for later, while I was out this afternoon. Remember seeing this Kenneth Branagh film at the cinema when it came out. I was into any Shakespeare plays that I could find to watch. This didn't disappoint in the slightest. IMO, superior to the much lauded Laurence Olivier version from 1946, as it is much more naturally delivered, and conveys the sheer boredom, despair and fear of battle. As with all Shakespeare, quite demanding on the viewer, but worth it. And once again of course, Henry's army leaves through the gate at Southampton.

This was how I passed yesterday afternoon, so as not to 'jinx' the match - obviously worked :cool:

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jeff leopard

jeff leopard

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In Bruges - decent enough comedy/thriller as two irish hit-men hide out in Bruges after a hit goes wrong. It boasts a few pleasant surprises and the violent scenes have some real oomph to them. The ending is a bit convoluted but hey, its worth a squirt.

 

The Queen - gripping account of the horrible anus the Queen suffered in the after-math of Dianna's death. It’s a great family drama that neatly side-steps the hollywood clichés and has a nice line in dry and barbed british humour. Helen Mirren is amazing in the role, and even dressed as the queen, I still would. She's the MILF/GILF supreme.

 

Flight of the Conchords - brilliant HBO comedy series, a bit like the mighty boosh played straight like the office/curb your enthusiasm and prone to big expensive fantasy sequences when the folk parody duo launch into song. Its very very silly indeed, and funny as f*ck.

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St Landrew

St Landrew

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Watched Master & Commander [2003], for the umpteenth time, the other night on my DVD, and when it had finished I realised Film4 were showing it, which was momentarily odd, as I thought there was something wrong with my remote control.

 

As I write, I'm trying to think of a poor part to that film, and I can't think of more than the odd few seconds. Utterly brilliant IMO, with everyone perfectly cast, and I wish they would make the sequel that they planned to.

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SuperMikey

SuperMikey

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Les Indigènes (Days of Glory) - 2007

 

French film about Algerian soldiers fighting to liberate France in World War II. Very powerful, very moving and very well directed. Much like Saving Private Ryan, but with less gore, so it may be easier to watch for squeamish people than the aforementioned.

 

Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Samy Bouajila and Roschdy Zem.

 

8/10

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jeff leopard

jeff leopard

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Robert Bresson's Pickpocket.

 

fantastic use of sound and editing.

 

Now thats what I call classy cinema :cool: full marks

 

Not seen Pickpocket but I watched Diary of a Country Priest a few times when i was studying Taxi Driver as it’s a key influence. I've always meant to get round to watching Pickpocket. Maybe one day i will.....

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miserableoldgit

miserableoldgit

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Les Indigènes (Days of Glory) - 2007

 

French film about Algerian soldiers fighting to liberate France in World War II. Very powerful, very moving and very well directed. Much like Saving Private Ryan, but with less gore, so it may be easier to watch for squeamish people than the aforementioned.

 

Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Samy Bouajila and Roschdy Zem.

 

8/10

Saw this at Harbour Lights. You`re right. Superb film.

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LVSaint

LVSaint

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Watched Master & Commander [2003], for the umpteenth time, the other night on my DVD, and when it had finished I realised Film4 were showing it, which was momentarily odd, as I thought there was something wrong with my remote control.

 

As I write, I'm trying to think of a poor part to that film, and I can't think of more than the odd few seconds. Utterly brilliant IMO, with everyone perfectly cast, and I wish they would make the sequel that they planned to.

 

Great film, need to watch again soon.

 

 

SAint1980 - Prestige 6.5/10?? I'd give it at least 8.35

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percy windham

percy windham

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Now thats what I call classy cinema :cool: full marks

 

Not seen Pickpocket but I watched Diary of a Country Priest a few times when i was studying Taxi Driver as it’s a key influence. I've always meant to get round to watching Pickpocket. Maybe one day i will.....

 

i needed to study as its an influence on a film were making as part of the course, i picked it up for a fiver on the hmv website. no idea if its still that price though.

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St Landrew

St Landrew

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Watched Master & Commander [2003], for the umpteenth time, the other night on my DVD, and when it had finished I realised Film4 were showing it, which was momentarily odd, as I thought there was something wrong with my remote control.

 

As I write, I'm trying to think of a poor part to that film, and I can't think of more than the odd few seconds. Utterly brilliant IMO, with everyone perfectly cast, and I wish they would make the sequel that they planned to.

 

Wahay, I read 20th Century Fox are going to make a sequel, based on the book Post Captain.

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St Landrew

St Landrew

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Next week sometime I'm off to see the remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still.

 

I'm not getting my hopes up. What with a lump of wood playing the lead role, it doesn't bode well. But I feel I should bear witness to either an expected balls up, or an unexpected great update of a classic film. It has happened before, both good and bad. The remake of The Time Machine in 2003 left me coming out of the cinema pretty p!ssed off. It took ages for me to appreciate the film for what it was - another departure from the book, and once I did that, I enjoyed it; wafer thin and flawed though it was. The second experience was The Flight Of the Phoenix, just the other week on TV. My opinion on that one isn't going to change, of that I'm sure. Awful and totally unnecessary film, which neither brings anything else to the screen that the original didn't, and certainly didn't improve on it. In fact, if the original was the apex of film making, and then this one surely was the nadir.

 

Perhaps the 3rd time will prove lucky. But with Keanu Reeves playing the central character..? I'm not betting on it.

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LVSaint

LVSaint

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Posted (edited)
Next week sometime I'm off to see the remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still.

 

I'm not getting my hopes up. What with a lump of wood playing the lead role, it doesn't bode well. But I feel I should bear witness to either an expected balls up, or an unexpected great update of a classic film. It has happened before, both good and bad. The remake of The Time Machine in 2003 left me coming out of the cinema pretty p!ssed off. It took ages for me to appreciate the film for what it was - another departure from the book, and once I did that, I enjoyed it; wafer thin and flawed though it was. The second experience was The Flight Of the Phoenix, just the other week on TV. My opinion on that one isn't going to change, of that I'm sure. Awful and totally unnecessary film, which neither brings anything else to the screen that the original didn't, and certainly didn't improve on it. In fact, if the original was the apex of film making, and then this one surely was the nadir.

 

Perhaps the 3rd time will prove lucky. But with Keanu Reeves playing the central character..? I'm not betting on it.

 

From what I understand, the character Reeves is playing is emotionless alien who doesn't say much. He'll be fine.

 

I'll take the original any day though. Klatuu Nikto Barrada.

 

 

Just seen Iron Man and was pleasantly suprised. A decent 8.35.

 

Also Close Encounters of the Third Kind which I hadn't seen for some time. However, it was a so called ********y 'director's cut' version. I hate these. Greedy studios stuffing in all the crap that the original editor takes out for a reason to perfect the film.

Edited by LVSaint
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