Not signed in (Sign In)

Culturegasm: October Film Thread

Bottom of Page

41 to 48 of 48

  1. <
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. >
  1.  (9005.1)
    yeah - gotta agree with Jack_Crow.
    Cage's career has survived more low points than anyone else and his Big Daddy in Kick Ass certainly wasn't one of them.

    Cera's career will absolutely survive especially as i think Scott Pilgrim will probably be more of a hit on dvd than cinema.

    Watched Jonah Hex last night. Pretty much got exactly what i expected. A shame really as i thought Brolin was pretty personable as Hex but the rest of the film was a mess - what the hell was that dream fight sequence all about.
  2.  (9005.2)
    It's film festival season in my part of Whitechapel (if Whitechapel were as big as the world).

    The HK comedy/action film KUNG FU CHEFS I've already seen. It takes its common plot elements (disgraced chef, evil nephew, lots of kung fu asskicking) and works mainly because they play down the comic mugging that often made HK comedies fail for me. And it's nice to see Sammo Hung can still kick butt.

    Kung Fu Chefs Trailer

    But the film I'm looking forward to is this documentary on late comedian Bill Hicks:

    American: The Bill Hicks Story Trailer

    I'm admittedly one of those sad people who never saw Bill Hicks perform or heard his comedy albums, so it's one of those making up for lost time moments.
    •  
      CommentAuthorcelan
    • CommentTimeOct 6th 2010
     (9005.3)
    Have to say that I did not think Monsters was very good.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJehrot
    • CommentTimeOct 7th 2010
     (9005.4)
    I really enjoyed the Bill Hicks doc. I must have heard each of his sketches several hundred times (never saw him live, though) and it still seemed fresh and exhilarating. There's a lot of time devoted to his early formative years including interviews with his family that showed a side of him that most people would have no idea about. I was in tears by the end.
    Just watched Devil, which was mildly entertaining but very predictable and contained little to no pay-off. Ah well.
    I've just moved to sunny Qatar for work, and there seems to be an international film festival later in the month. Hopefully that'll yield some hidden gems.
    Really really really want to see True Grit, though.
    • CommentAuthorOddcult
    • CommentTimeOct 7th 2010
     (9005.5)
    I'm actually looking forward to Lost Boys 3.

    Yes. Seriously.
  6.  (9005.6)
    i don't want to watch the hicks film
    i don't think i could handle the end.
  7.  (9005.7)
    @Jehrot - Thanks for the True Grit tip! I, also, really want to see it now I've seen the trailer.

    Also, Devil was just awful: I was scared twice by 2 big bangs [of sound, not the earrings] and I'd guessed the end by 15 minutes in - only to find that the film went on and on and on and felt like a man named Basil Exposition continuously telling me how things were going to happen and then going '...but will they?' Only to find that at ever other freaking turn...oh wait...what's that? YES. They do happen - it's blindingly obvious all the way through and I could honestly punch M. Night Shyamalan for laying his fingers on a keyboard for this. I wanted scary. I got boring.

    On the upside, Made in Dagenham was brilliant. I recommend it for any feminist, any fun-lovin' film goer and any 14 year old girl [even if it does contain the word 'fuck' in a flippant context about 50 times, I'm taking my nieces to see it and they're 14 and 12...I'm that good an uncle.]
    • CommentAuthorStefanJ
    • CommentTimeOct 9th 2010
     (9005.8)
    Went to see a Bollywood SF film today, "Enthian," AKA "The Robot." It was being shown in a distant suburb of Portland, in a multiplex. It was apparently a special event; my matinee ticket cost $15.00 rather than the usual $6.00. There was a large contingent of Indian folks, from toddlers to grannies. When certain names appeared in the credits, and certain characters appeared, the young folks made ear-splitting whistles.

    It was . . . OK. The plot could have come from a 1970s B-movie or TV-movie: Scientist makes robot, robot strives to become more human, robot subverted by villainous arms merchant. Like most Bollywood movies, it was really long, with lavish song-and-dance numbers.

    It was well produced, though, and with some moments of over the top freak.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjohnjones
    • CommentTimeOct 9th 2010
     (9005.9)
    I saw two movies today, My Soul to Take and Let Me In.

    My Soul to Take answers the question, "Does legendary filmmaker, Wes Craves have any more tricks up his sleeve?" And that answer is "No. No, he does not." No cliche is left undisturbed as viewers of the film's trailer can easily ascertain. The plot (which can also be easily ascertained from the trailer) has a vicious serial killer, the Riverton Ripper, apparently dying (though no body is found) sixteen years prior to the sixteenth "Ripper Day" (a holiday which would only occur in a movie). In a party/ritual the seven kids born that fateful night, specifically The Bullying Jock, The Pretty Snob, The Asian Kid, The Blind Black Kid, The Jesus Freak, The Creepy Nerd and The Oblivious Hero (Yes, they names, but honestly, they may as well have their character label in glowing neon above them) fail to successfully perform the tradition/ritual which "keeps the Ripper" away, and soon begin to get offed. There's also a bizarre subplot involving a group of fashionista girls running what appears to be mafia-like protection racket. Which, frankly, would've been far more interesting to explore in greater depth.

    Let Me In overall, was a far more realistic movie in many ways. Sure, there's a vampire and her (father/servant) running around (in bare feet, in the midst of a 1983 New Mexico winter) killing people in gruesome, bloody ways, but it was the focus on the relationships that I liked best. For all the grief that high school gets, the middle school years (10 - 14) can also be an unbelievably shitty time in a young person's life. Owen, a lonely, horribly bullied 12 year old boy, is smack in the middle of that special hell when Abby, also (apparently) 12, moves in next door. The two begin a friendship (and something a little more than friendship) in the midst of her needing to feed on the lifeblood of others. To its credit, the movie doesn't try to soften Abby by having her happen to only prey on those that "deserve it." The most interesting thing about Abby is that she tries to be the best... "person" that her vicious, animalistic hunger allows her to be. One thing I did like about this movie is that it spent at least a little time exploring the situation of Abby's "father" and how he came to be who he was.
  10.  (9005.10)
    'The Town' comes out in Australia this week. Who would have thought Ben Affleck was such an amazing director? If this movie is half as well done as 'Gone Baby Gone' then I am in for a treat.
    • CommentAuthorOddcult
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2010
     (9005.11)
    @johnjones

    Spoiler questions about Let Me In below:

    Is the issue of the vampire 'girl's' gender addressed? In the original she's not exactly a girl.

    Also, does it have the 'happy ending' that the writer wanted to add on in a subsequent epilogue, as he didn't want it to be ambiguous as to whether the boy's fate would be the same as that of the old man, falling into a 'Renfield' type role, and rather that they were partners who were happy together, rather than him turning into an exploited servant?






    •  
      CommentAuthorjohnjones
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2010
     (9005.12)
    @ oddcult

    It's actually ambiguous, but if anything it leads you to believe that Owen's fate will eventually be the same as the Father's. In an earlier scene, Owen is in Abby's apartment and he finds an old picture of Abby with what appears to be a child version of the Father. That said, the Father didn't seem like a "Renfield" or servant in this movie. He seemed to instead be someone who loved Abby with all his heart and was doing the terrible work needed to keep her fed because of that love. That said, years (decades?) of murdering innocent people for their blood tends to wear on the soul somewhat.

    My view is that as long as it was done within a year or so (before puberty hits Chloe Moertz), they could easily do a sequel to "Let In" with the story moving to modern times with Abby moving on to another kid once a now 40-year old Owen begins to get tired, sloppy and soulsick of all the killing.
    • CommentAuthorOddcult
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2010
     (9005.13)
    Okay. Thanks. In the original, the 'father' character is a pedophile that 'Eli' has 'recruited'. The author has said that he's unhappy that many people found the ending ambiguous and is writing an epilogue that clarifies that it's a 'happy ending'. This is going to be published imminently, but I'm not sure how long it'll be before a translated version comes out. It's supposed to be only ten pages long, but just clears up all of the unanswered questions definitively. From what the writer's said in interviews, it does seem that things will be different. I think the title of the epilogue story is 'Let the old ways die', which may be some indication that its' the case.

    Have they skipped the gender issue completely in this version too, then? Is 'Abby' definitely a girl? Do you see any of hir history?
    • CommentAuthorMono
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2010
     (9005.14)
    Stopped by to tell you all to watch How I Ended This Summer. For me, easily the best film I've seen in a long time.

    It's a Russian film about two very different persons at a recluse meteorology station, and then it all goes bad. One of those films that make you feel like crying but you can't 'cos you're already laughing so hard. Excellently written, great actors. Beautiful, too.

    Also, there is a remake of "Let Me in" out already? Whoa, that was fast. I don't want to sound like an arrogant European bastard, but I have generally found Hollywood remakes of European films way beyond the originals. Wonder if it's the same with this one.
  15.  (9005.15)
    My German is non-existent. But I'm pretty sure "Die Fremde" does not literally translate into English as When We Leave. Whatever the title of the film (personally the English title is strong once you understand its meaning), this German contemporary drama is one of those films which breaks your heart into pieces, sweeps the shards into neat piles, and then breaks it again.

    It's the story of Umay, a Turkish woman who flees with her son Cem from her physically abusive husband. She figures she can find safe haven with her family as she rebuilds her life. But her conservative family is far less than supportive as they generally share the community's attitude that a woman who doesn't just suck up her husband's physical abuse is little more than a whore and/or a slut. Umay's determination to find independence of that attitude yet retain ties to her family causes great problems for all concerned.

    The story's told in a fairly realistic style that makes the family meltdown feel that more wrenching. Sybil Kekilli, who previously appeared in "Head On," gives both a dignified and emotionally wrenching performance as Umay. What shocked me was just how far Umay's family went to treat her as a non-person despite her best efforts at reconciliation.

    I'm also looking at Everyday Sunshine, a portrait of the rock-ska-jazz-whatever band Fishbone. It's the story of how they formed, their music career (would you believe Columbia Records figured at one point Fishbone would appeal to Lionel Richie's demographic), and the band's meltdown and rebirth. Admirers ranging from Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello to Gwen Stefani of No Doubt praise the group. And just to give you a sample of Fishbone:

    When Problems Arise
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaprika
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2010
     (9005.16)
    Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow about the work of Anselm Kiefer. This looks particularly good. Im going to see it next week. very looking forward, very.
  17.  (9005.17)


    Really, really strange, but also quite moving. Plus, Jason Isaacs!
  18.  (9005.18)
    Hello to Jason Isaacs.
    •  
      CommentAuthormister hex
    • CommentTimeOct 13th 2010
     (9005.19)
    Any idea when/if FOUR LIONS will be getting a North American release date? I REALLY want to see it.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjohnjones
    • CommentTimeOct 13th 2010 edited
     (9005.20)
    @ Oddcult


    Okay. Thanks. In the original, the 'father' character is a pedophile that 'Eli' has 'recruited'. The author has said that he's unhappy that many people found the ending ambiguous and is writing an epilogue that clarifies that it's a 'happy ending'. This is going to be published imminently, but I'm not sure how long it'll be before a translated version comes out. It's supposed to be only ten pages long, but just clears up all of the unanswered questions definitively. From what the writer's said in interviews, it does seem that things will be different. I think the title of the epilogue story is 'Let the old ways die', which may be some indication that its' the case.

    Have they skipped the gender issue completely in this version too, then? Is 'Abby' definitely a girl? Do you see any of hir history?



    Like I said, the movie pretty much goes with the author's "happy ending" however, with the "Father" it shows the ultimate sadness of that ending. Like the Father, Owen will age and die, probably violently. The only way for Owen and Abby to stay together would be as relative equals. Either she'd be cured of vampirism, or he's become a vampire like her.

    As for the gender question, there's no real ambiguity about it. Chloe Moertz dresses and acts like a girl. There's even a point where Abby gets into a bed naked with Owen (at which point he asks her to "go steady" with him). Since Owen did not suddenly ask her why she has a penis, I'm going with the idea that Abby's a girl. There is dialogue in the film where Abby denies being a girl at one point, but it seems clear that that is more a reflection of her awareness at being an unnatural creature that kills people for their blood and outlives those for whom she cares.

    As for her history, there's nothing explicit said. Abby does own a pretty large collection of antique puzzles and games that look well-used. There's also a photo of her with the happy, smiling boy-version of the Father that seems to have been taken in the 1930s or 1940s (possibly 1950s as well, since Richard Jenkins was born in 1947). The implication seems to be that Abby has been a vampire for a long time, decades if not centuries.

41 to 48 of 48

  1. <
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. >