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#41
Bad Movies / Re: 100 *alliterative* movie t...
Last post by Rev. Powell - August 13, 2026, 08:11:59 AM67. Final Flesh (2009)
#42
Good Movies / Re: Recent Viewings, Part 2
Last post by M.10rda - August 13, 2026, 07:54:48 AMQUICK MILLIONS (1931):
This mostly forgotten organized crime film does nothing particularly wrong except for doing everything that later, more popular films - SCARFACE, LITTLE CAESAR, ad infinitum - also did, either better or just more famously. It's one distinction is that Spencer Tracy plays the lead mobster, quite against type though according to his strengths as an actor. Tracy was one of the original minimalists or naturalists, in an era where the fashion had been (on stage and in the silents) to strike huge poses with one's body. He employs silences and glares instead of onscreen violence, and he's about as effective as the pedestrian/by-the-book screenplay will allow him to be, but at least he's an interesting counterpoint to Edward G. Robinson and Paul Muni.
There is some surprising action in QUICK MILLIONS - inanimate objects get machinegunned, buildings are damaged and even blown up. The bursts of protection-racket mayhem are a contrast to the slow, almost hypnotic pace of the film, dictated by Tracy's understated performance but also by elliptical direction which sometimes fades out from scenes several long seconds after the last line of dialogue. It's a weird crime film in that regard, but it does (for all its many cliches) probably do a more thorough job illustrating the totality of the racketeering economic model... for what that's worth? There's also two creatively-staged hits in the final act.
3/5 And there's a character whose full name sounds pretty close to my real name, and they say his name over and over for a bit, which gave me a few chuckles. (No, my name isn't actually "Thenardier".)
This mostly forgotten organized crime film does nothing particularly wrong except for doing everything that later, more popular films - SCARFACE, LITTLE CAESAR, ad infinitum - also did, either better or just more famously. It's one distinction is that Spencer Tracy plays the lead mobster, quite against type though according to his strengths as an actor. Tracy was one of the original minimalists or naturalists, in an era where the fashion had been (on stage and in the silents) to strike huge poses with one's body. He employs silences and glares instead of onscreen violence, and he's about as effective as the pedestrian/by-the-book screenplay will allow him to be, but at least he's an interesting counterpoint to Edward G. Robinson and Paul Muni.
There is some surprising action in QUICK MILLIONS - inanimate objects get machinegunned, buildings are damaged and even blown up. The bursts of protection-racket mayhem are a contrast to the slow, almost hypnotic pace of the film, dictated by Tracy's understated performance but also by elliptical direction which sometimes fades out from scenes several long seconds after the last line of dialogue. It's a weird crime film in that regard, but it does (for all its many cliches) probably do a more thorough job illustrating the totality of the racketeering economic model... for what that's worth? There's also two creatively-staged hits in the final act.
3/5 And there's a character whose full name sounds pretty close to my real name, and they say his name over and over for a bit, which gave me a few chuckles. (No, my name isn't actually "Thenardier".)
#43
Bad Movies / Re: 100 *alliterative* movie t...
Last post by zombie no.one - August 13, 2026, 05:42:15 AM66. GONE GIRL (2014)
#44
Good Movies / Re: Have you seen any South Af...
Last post by Trevor - August 13, 2026, 04:29:55 AMDocumentaries of note made in or about South Africa:
MAIN REEF ROAD *
LONG NIGHT'S JOURNEY INTO DAY *
IN DARKEST HOLLYWOOD *
BANNED: JOE BULLET *
DISCARDED PEOPLE
THE DUMPING GROUNDS
LAST GRAVE AT DIMBAZA
SOUTH AFRICA THE WHITE LAAGER
* I worked on these.
MAIN REEF ROAD *
LONG NIGHT'S JOURNEY INTO DAY *
IN DARKEST HOLLYWOOD *
BANNED: JOE BULLET *
DISCARDED PEOPLE
THE DUMPING GROUNDS
LAST GRAVE AT DIMBAZA
SOUTH AFRICA THE WHITE LAAGER
* I worked on these.
#45
Bad Movies / Re: The Asylum’s Jurassic Ramp...
Last post by Trevor - August 13, 2026, 03:02:27 AMQuote from: zombie no.one on August 13, 2026, 01:06:50 AMQuote from: M.10rda on August 12, 2026, 08:54:18 PMYes, I know, "...star of JURASSIC RAMPAGE". Well, I letterboxd him, and....... I still don't know who Johnny Pacar is!
you know... he's Jimmy and Jenny Pacar's son. brother of Joey Pacar. cousin of Jerry Pacar... his sister is the lovely Julie Pacar... "JP" we all call him (except at family gatherings)
😀😅🐢
#46
Bad Movies / Re: The Asylum’s Jurassic Ramp...
Last post by zombie no.one - August 13, 2026, 01:06:50 AMQuote from: M.10rda on August 12, 2026, 08:54:18 PM
you know... he's Jimmy and Jenny Pacar's son. brother of Joey Pacar. cousin of Jerry Pacar... his sister is the lovely Julie Pacar... "JP" we all call him (except at family gatherings)
#47
Bad Movies / Re: movies that namecheck anot...
Last post by zombie no.one - August 13, 2026, 12:58:03 AMQuote from: Dalmatian Bobby Samaritan on August 12, 2026, 06:08:26 PMI feel like there should be something called the Jaws exception Clause. Like in Name checking, because I know I can't count the amount of times I have seen some monster movie and Jaws is used as a mocking metaphor for what they are up against. Usually the movie in subject is way inferior to Jaws and so they use something that is a superior product to I guess give theirs more credibility. So it is whatever. I don't know if there is a blurred line between name checking and riffing. Because Jaws is used so many times in horror movies that it is almost like a riff. Funny though, I can't off hand think of a movie where the characters blurt out Jaws as some comparison or whatever about what they are about to face.
agreed,in fact I was also trying to think of a movie where JAWS was mentioned by name, and none sprang to mind either!
#48
Bad Movies / Re: The Asylum’s Jurassic Ramp...
Last post by Trevor - August 12, 2026, 10:10:11 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on August 12, 2026, 06:01:34 PMQuote from: M.10rda on August 12, 2026, 05:39:17 PMWho is Johnny Pacar???
you mean to tell me you don't know... [checks notes]... Johnny Pacar?
I have heard of Johnny Pacaruru 😏😉
#49
Bad Movies / Re: The Asylum’s Jurassic Ramp...
Last post by M.10rda - August 12, 2026, 08:54:18 PM Yes, I know, "...star of JURASSIC RAMPAGE". Well, I letterboxd him, and....... I still don't know who Johnny Pacar is! #50
Bad Movies / Re: movies that namecheck anot...
Last post by Dalmatian Bobby Samaritan - August 12, 2026, 06:08:26 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on August 12, 2026, 10:58:43 AMthat kind of thing seems a bit more subtle and incidental though. whereas if they're actually saying the other movie's name out loud
then it's cleary a more intentional and direct reference (erm...or something?)
It seems like you are sort of inferring there is a bit of a sociopath connotation with the "naming" or name checking — like there is something more behind it..
Yeah I just figure when I watch a movie and the characters are sitting around a TV and watching something that most people recognize, that it is just filler. Although sometimes it is meant to be ironic because of whatever the movie is about. Like Fright Night they are watching some Dracula Movie with Christopher Lee.
One thing that I learn about Internet forums, and it seems especially ones dedicated to movies is that ideas are brought up that would make for some really solid lectures or even a college course. Instead of just Bleh, "History of Film." Or History of Avant Garde.
I feel like there should be something called the Jaws exception Clause. Like in Name checking, because I know I can't count the amount of times I have seen some monster movie and Jaws is used as a mocking metaphor for what they are up against. Usually the movie in subject is way inferior to Jaws and so they use something that is a superior product to I guess give theirs more credibility. So it is whatever. I don't know if there is a blurred line between name checking and riffing. Because Jaws is used so many times in horror movies that it is almost like a riff. Funny though, I can't off hand think of a movie where the characters blurt out Jaws as some comparison or whatever about what they are about to face. But I know I heard it! Usually when I do hear it I immediately click that movie off. To me that is like that movie is saying, we have no ability to stand on our own we have to riff something..
Full Metal Jacket at the End they sing the Mickey Mouse Theme song. That stands out in my mind. That's not really name checking though. But more like something I guess ingrained in the cultural milieu or mindset. The movie Fantasia has Mickey Mouse but I don't believe they ever sing the Mickey Mouse theme song in it. The TV show/TV movie, whatever V there is a scene where a High School or college band is playing the theme to Star Wars. I kind of wondered when I watch that — how they are allowed to do that, because of copyright. Unless Name checking or gymnastically promoting something else (which I guess that is what that was) is encouraged. It's a folic community. Ace Ventura whenever he feels like it, he can be William Shatner and do the impersonation. Supposed to denigrate..But what has stood the test of time. Ace Ventura (either of them) or Star trek? That's easy.