Official Film Snobs Club, We have better taste than you. Options

[BadCraziness]

Ahh ha! No, I'm just a "total prick."

If you're still interested in membership, I suggest you meet your challenges.
Otherwise, I can't rightly give you a "yes" at this stage.

pfft. no one's a total anything, so don't .. . un-flatter yourself.

And okay, but hold on, because figuring out what my favorite documentaries are is going to take about a bajillion years.

Ugh having a favorite anything is so unnatural.

[ThunderEvermore]

I was recently suggested to watch some movies directed by Lars Von Trier. I currently have Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark sitting on my shelf waiting to be watched, but I just want to hear some thoughts on this guy and see what I'm in for.

And if you must know, the third of my blockbuster total access movies is Dead Zone.

[Djlunatix]

P.S. Veronica Mars is like the best f**king thing ever. I'm so pissed off Rob Thomas wasn't permitted to take it as far as he had wanted.

I'll have to challenge this one and say that Battlestar Galatica is the best Fraking thing ever. Hope some of you are intently obsessed as I am.

But onto film news.

I am a Cinematography major and my short film that is due in a few weeks has the potential to be submitted in some of the popular film festivals. We are 3/4 shooting, and our viewing went relatively well, so as soon as we are done, I'll have a link for proper viewings of it.

Also.

I recently watched The Virgin Spring by Ingmar Bergman and I must say that the movie not only disturbed me but made me question some things in life. The film was shot completely with 22 actors/crew so its rather simplistic in its making, I watched it because Bergman recognizes the film as an award winner that jump started his career financially, any hardly ever mentions it in his book Bergman on Bergman but I think its one of his best pieces of work ever. Anyone else seen it?

[NoSex]

Ugh having a favorite anything is so unnatural.

It's not really like that...

I was recently suggested to watch some movies directed by Lars Von Trier. I currently have Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark sitting on my shelf waiting to be watched, but I just want to hear some thoughts on this guy and see what I'm in for.

I must admit, I've never seen a Lars Von Trier film (though I've wanted to see The Idiots for a long time now). But, just a note: A friend of mine is very proud of the fact that he cries like a baby every time he watches Dancer in the Dark.

I'll have to challenge this one and say that Battlestar Galatica is the best Fraking thing ever. Hope some of you are intently obsessed as I am.

I've been meaning to watch Battlestar Galactica for a while now. But, I'm in the middle of like five shows, ahh ha. I hear it's amazing.

We are 3/4 shooting, and our viewing went relatively well, so as soon as we are done, I'll have a link for proper viewings of it.

That's very exciting. I'll definitely be anticipating that.

Anyone else seen it?

I've been meaning to see The Virgin Spring ever since 1) I started getting into Bergman, and 2) I found out that Wes Craven's The Last House of the Left was a remake. I have it and I just haven't watched it yet (this post is making me feel real lazy, ahh ha). Although, I will, given this gentle reminder, surely make time for it soon.

[Tung]

I like films that involves NoSex.

[superstitious]

Hey, film prick - Is Thirteen REALLY that bad? I haven't seen it and I'm curious since one of the stars is in Twilight (that comes in December).

I challenge you to tell me WHY it is bad, if it is bad.

[ThunderEvermore]

Watched Breaking the Waves and let me tell you, incredibly awkward. Like, not awkward in the sense that I couldn't watch it, but awkward in the sense that I felt a little dirty watching it. I can't say much about the directing, the whole thing felt very home movie-ish to me, but I can say that I didn't start going to my computer until about 2 hours into it. So it held my attention, quality overall movie, I wouldn't watch it again, or purchase it, but maybe that's just me.

There Will be Blood came out today on DVD. Got it. Lent it. I'm excited.

[Djlunatix]

Quick Update.

Just watched Atonement again, I love it even more so the 2nd time around. Watched the featurette where they show you the process of the steady cam tracking shot, it is even more impressive then I thought, they did it all in 1 TAKE. They rehearsed it several times, but as for actual footage, it was only done once, completely through. Amazing I must say.

Also i watched Kurosawa's Rashomon, I enjoyed it but I don't think its Kurosawa's best. The simplistic design of the movie was entertaining and Toshiro Mifune was a great actor, I just thought it was rather bland for Kurosawa. Anyone else seen it?

[NoSex]

Hey, film prick - Is Thirteen REALLY that bad?

I haven't seen Thirteen in a million years, but:
It's an emotionally dishonest PSA with a larger production value. The children are walking stereotypes and completely devoid of sympathizing realism or insight. The story is unmoving as it has no true urgency and an entirely fabricated sense of rawness (worse and more plastic than even Kids). The story, curiously, sounds as if it were written by a "moral crusader." And, beyond all of its folly, it is still just not an interesting piece. There is nothing particularly admirable about it - because of this, its shortcomings are that much more offensive.

Also i watched Kurosawa's Rashomon, I enjoyed it but I don't think its Kurosawa's best. The simplistic design of the movie was entertaining and Toshiro Mifune was a great actor, I just thought it was rather bland for Kurosawa. Anyone else seen it?

Admittingly, I haven't seen much Kurosawa, however, I did quite enjoy Rashomon. For me, the depiction of a crime story re-told during a storm (near a fallen temple?) was so eerie, true to life, and perfectly symbolic that I was immediately engaged. The malice of the characters, the strangeness of the narration, and the cynicism for mankind, in the end, truly did it for me. That we are not, even in the end, sure of exactly what had conspired is of particular interest. And, of course, the black and white photography was beautiful.

[superstitious]

worse and more plastic that even Kids

Is that even POSSIBLE?

[NoSex]

Is that even POSSIBLE?

Dude, watch it.

[superstitious]

Dude, watch it.

Dude, it's in the queue.

[ersatz]

My mom made me watch Thirteen when I was thirteen trying to persuade me to be a good kid.

[Djlunatix]

Lets see this past week i've watched.


Oceans 13.
The fact that the entire Casino's exterior was CGI, extremely impressive. I love Soderburgh even though his movies are for entertainment purposes only, but then again whats exactly so wrong with that. Not every film can be a oscar winner.

Bonnie and Clyde
Wow..first time watching it, I was absolutely stunned. Incredible cinematography and the acting is brilliant, became one of my favorite films.

2001: A Space Odyssey
Whats not to love about Kubrick, people can argue that his movies are not that great, but I have such a high regards to his work, nobody can convince me otherwise.

Easy Rider
Depressing, yet highly enjoyable. Love the realism and use of a score throughout the movie was great. Acting from Nicholson,Fonda and Hopper was great, there chemistry was amazing.

Charlie Bartlett
I will say to defend Charlie Bartlett from the critical reception its similar take on Rushmore is spot on, I thought the acting while mediocre was really believable and over all just a fun movie to watch.

Juno
Still one of my indie favorites, I love the script and still feel that Cody deserves all the credit she got for this movie.

There Will Be Blood.
Finally finished it, because I am not a fan of P.T.Anderson but the movie was amazing, while I don't feel it should have won best picture, I think No Country or Atonement is much more deserving, the film deserves the critical reception its receiving, the brilliant acting,cinematography and score was incredible, every decision regarding the making of this film was EXACTLY how it should have been. Pure Classic


Anyone else watch anything, we've been quite inactive for a few days now.

[ersatz]

Charlie Bartlett suuuuuuuuuuuucks.

The characters were awful. The mom was absolutely abhorrent. Not funny at all and rather annoying. Charlie and Susan having sex was the stupidest thing I've ever witnessed. If they were trying to make him so much like Max Fischer, they definitely went wrong there. Max would never give himself up for his first kiss (much less losing his virginity, in the same makeout session) with such a vapid, annoying, uninteresting teenage girl. Susan was nothing. What the hell was she? Like, "Ooooh, my dad barges into my room sometimes and it sucks, and I smoke, ooooh I'm a rebel." She had NO substance. The whole Susan's dad waving the gun scene was dull and overdramatic. There was no real conflict. His dad was in jail for tax fraud and they tried to make it seem like that was some horrible big deal. It's not. They pushed a dramatic situation on you that was completely unbelievable. It was all unbelievable, actually, and sometimes I don't mind that (Juno was a little unbelievable; no one really talks like that, but it was still alright...), but this movie just didn't work, altogether. The whole movie was them trying to make these mundane situations seem important and dramatic, and none of it really was. Who the hell cares if Susan's dad misses her singing (I HATE it when movies do that; insert parts where a character can sing so the actor can feel cool about themselves, and she wasn't that good anyway). Who cares if her dad IN THE PAST got drunk sometimes? Who cares if she smokes? Who cares if this guy's gonna lose his job? I didn't care about any of it. I just wanted to go home.

[Djlunatix]

If anything I feel Charlie Bartlett is a coming of age teenage comedy that deals with rather adult themes, and no its not impressive in the sense of camera work, or even acting, but for a teenage comedy, its above average then other movies we've seen. This generation is HIGHLY medicated, and there isn't exactly a movie out there that embraces it with a touch of cynicism like this movie does. No, this movie wont become an instant classic, or a fan favorite (ie. Ferris Bueller, Harold and Maude) but thats not what Director John Poll was going for, he was going for a light hearted comedy that also touches on adult matters that even a high school student can understand and appreciate.

[Melissa]

Charlie Bartlett suuuuuuuuuuuucks.

The characters were awful. The mom was absolutely abhorrent. Not funny at all and rather annoying. Charlie and Susan having sex was the stupidest thing I've ever witnessed. If they were trying to make him so much like Max Fischer, they definitely went wrong there. Max would never give himself up for his first kiss (much less losing his virginity, in the same makeout session) with such a vapid, annoying, uninteresting teenage girl. Susan was nothing. What the hell was she? Like, "Ooooh, my dad barges into my room sometimes and it sucks, and I smoke, ooooh I'm a rebel." She had NO substance. The whole Susan's dad waving the gun scene was dull and overdramatic. There was no real conflict. His dad was in jail for tax fraud and they tried to make it seem like that was some horrible big deal. It's not. They pushed a dramatic situation on you that was completely unbelievable. It was all unbelievable, actually, and sometimes I don't mind that (Juno was a little unbelievable; no one really talks like that, but it was still alright...), but this movie just didn't work, altogether. The whole movie was them trying to make these mundane situations seem important and dramatic, and none of it really was. Who the hell cares if Susan's dad misses her singing (I HATE it when movies do that; insert parts where a character can sing so the actor can feel cool about themselves, and she wasn't that good anyway). Who cares if her dad IN THE PAST got drunk sometimes? Who cares if she smokes? Who cares if this guy's gonna lose his job? I didn't care about any of it. I just wanted to go home.

Hm. The kiss in the car wasn't his first kiss, btw.

[Djlunatix]

Quick Update....little tipsy.

Saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and wow Gratuitous Male and Female Nudity. Raunchy Comedic elements, and possibly one of the best story lines for an Apatow produced movie, it was simply brilliant and great, the one liners were excellent and no character was overtly distracting by the actors talent, it was perfect in every way.

[ersatz]

Hm. The kiss in the car wasn't his first kiss, btw.

Oh, I thought it was. Either way.

[NoSex]

Anyone else watch anything

Although I've been busy (and watching television with nearly all of my free time), I was able to watch a few movies this past week. I really need to start a routine again, but whatever:

Match Point
- I actually was really surprised by Match Point. Not only did it catch me off guard as a wholly original endeavor for Woody Allen, it was also quite good. The idea of luck, and chance happening as a real force in the human experience is powerful. The eroticism, though not nearly as heavy as I would have liked, between the two lead characters is fantastic. The ending is nearly impeccable.

Sweeny Todd
- f**k this movie. I love musicals. I like Johnny Depp. I hate Tim Burton. This was such a boring - one note - experience. The music was meandering and slow. The lack of color and variety in set/tone/etc. did not really emphasize the basic themes of the film, because the tragedy of our protagonist is not well-defined enough in the beginning. So, really, the gloominess of it all just enforced the blandness of the film. Wholly uninteresting.

Spiderman 3
- I don't think I can possibly understand why everyone was so unhappy with this installment. Sam Raimi, I feel, did an amazing job. I would argue that this is, at least, better than the second film. Even further, I might say this is the funnest and most engaging yet. Although I have a few criticisms, it is a Spiderman flick. Can't forget to mention - hilarious cameo by Bruce Campbell.

Through a Glass Darkly
- I believe this was entirely shot on the island that Bergman died on. It's beautiful. It's a tight character drama, very play-like (Bergman described it as a "chamber film"), which takes place over a mere twenty-four hour span. It's the beginning of Bergman's Silence of God trilogy, and deals, largely, with the absurdity of art, the fear of a godless world, and the frailty of the human mind. The illusion to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, is amazing (as it is one of my favorite short stories). The performances are stellar. The island has a life of itself, and it is captured quite well... even from the first few frames.

There Will Be Blood.
Finally finished it, because I am not a fan of P.T.Anderson but the movie was amazing, while I don't feel it should have won best picture, I think No Country or Atonement is much more deserving

1. There Will Be Blood did not win best picture.
2. No Country for Old Men won best picture.
3. I think the only reason There Will Be Blood didn't win, is because it's so blasphemous.
4. There Will Be Blood is the only picture nominated (that I saw) that I felt deserved the award.

[Djlunatix]

Oh i knew No Country For Old Men won Best Picture, but I am saying that a lot of critics thought There Will Be Blood should have won, and I disagree. I wanted Atonement to win, but since they won the BAFTA's they didn't stand a chance at the Oscars.

Watched Lars and the Real Girl.

Made me cry, seriously.

[ersatz]

What is that movie about other than a guy loving a doll?....

Give it all away, I don't care. Spoiler tags, if you must...

[ThunderEvermore]

Watched Lars and the Real Girl.

Made me cry, seriously.

I bought that, on a whim, since Juno had a 5$ coupon off of it.

I have yet to watch it... I haven't had time to watch a movie since the Caps made it into the playoffs. Hahaha.

Went and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall twice (two different women). Loved it, definitely. Jason Segel is hilarious, a Mila Kunis is just wow, gorgeous. As is Kristin Bell.

[Djlunatix]

What is that movie about other than a guy loving a doll?....

Give it all away, I don't care. Spoiler tags, if you must...

I didn't cry because it was overtly sad, or romantic, or happy. The movie tugs on heartstrings in a odd way because of the fact its a doll. The premise of the movie is below in spoiler tags, though I highly recommend seeing this movie.

The movie about a guy who is lonely and has a disorder where it actually causes him pain to hug people. He creates in his mind that Bianca (the doll) is real, and it becomes an obsession to him. The Psychiatrist tells his brother and sister-in-law to go along with it, until Lars doesn't need the doll anymore, so the entire community gets involved with this because they all want to see Lars be ok. In the end Lars slowly starts talking and going out with a girl from work (who is Kelli Garner) which ultimately causes fights between Lars and Bianca. In the end Lars finally realizes that he doesn't need Bianca and she dies. It was really emotional.

Like I said the movie itself isn't overtly sad, it just makes you think and appreciate life and your relationships a little more then other movies with the same mission does. The acting is superb and this could be Ryan Gosling's best role to date. I wish this movie would have gotten a little more publicity but I understand its indie atmosphere, some people won't get this movie, and thats ok, its not for everyone to "get".

Hope you all enjoy it.

[superstitious]

Through a Glass Darkly
- I believe this was entirely shot on the island that Bergman died on. It's beautiful. It's a tight character drama, very play-like (Bergman described it as a "chamber film"), which takes place over a mere twenty-four hour span. It's the beginning of Bergman's Silence of God trilogy, and deals, largely, with the absurdity of art, the fear of a godless world, and the frailty of the human mind. The illusion to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, is amazing (as it is one of my favorite short stories). The performances are stellar. The island has a life of itself, and it is captured quite well... even from the first few frames.

mhm

That was one of my top foreigns.

Through the Glass Darkly (Bergman.1961)
When I saw A Beautiful Mind, this film came immediately to mind. Again, not wanting to discredit A Beautiful Mind, but Glass Darkly (especially for being made so many years beforehand) is a better betrayal of mental illness, isolation and interpersonal relations.

Although my write up wasn't nearly as descriptive (in fact, I'm reading the wording and ouch. I could have done way better. I forgive myself, since it was part of a "list").

By the way, I don't think that Spiderman 3 was a bad film, it was just grossly out of comic continuity. I know, big deal, right? I try to separate the two mediums, but sometimes it is very difficult to do so. I am actually terrified to see Iron Man.