Confess it, say ten Hail Marys, and go in peace.
For some reason I found the Singin' in the Rain rape scene in A Clockwork Orange absolutely hilarious.
I thought Ben Kingsley's emotional outburst in House of Sand and Fog (2003) was hilarious, and I wasn't the only one laughing.
Ben did win the Oscar if I'm not mistaken. Good for him.
Quote from: claws on November 24, 2023, 02:48:54 PM
I thought Ben Kingsley's emotional outburst in House of Sand and Fog (2003) was hilarious, and I wasn't the only one laughing.
Ben did win the Oscar if I'm not mistaken. Good for him.
He did win one for Gandhi and was nominated for House of Sand And Fog. :smile:
I burst out laughing in the cinema when Danny Glover got shot in Shooter.
I got so angry in the documentary The Fog of War, I wanted to chuck my popcorn at the screen.
When I saw Searching For Sugarman in the cinema, people were playing MST3K and talking back to the screen behind me when Clarence Avant started mouthing off about SA when he is confronted about allegedly stealing royalties.
I walked out of District 9, Invictus and Master Harold & The Boys halfway through: I got my money back for the first two.
I walked out of the premiere of Avengers Age of Ultron as the local government lackeys hijacked the screening. They stopped just short of saying that prior to this film's production in Johannesburg, no films had been made here and Johannesburg is the birthplace of African cinema.
Quote from: claws on November 24, 2023, 02:48:54 PM
I thought Ben Kingsley's emotional outburst in House of Sand and Fog (2003) was hilarious, and I wasn't the only one laughing.
2002-2006ish were rough years for the Oscars. CRASH?! Say no more. Okay, I'll say more... COLD MOUNTAIN? THE HOURS? I'll see your
laughing at Ben Kingsley's breakdown scene and raise you an
I laughed at AIDS-stricken Ed Harris throwing himself out the window in THE HOURS. The performances of both Harris and Jeff Daniels are totally risible in that piece of crap film. Terribly written, directed, and edited. Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and her nose were okay, I guess.
I laughed like all hell during the confrontation between Jack Lemmon's character and Kevin Spacey's character near the end of the Glengarry Glen Ross
the same could be said for everyone else watched the film in that class
Quote from: bob on November 24, 2023, 07:51:18 PM
I laughed like all hell during the confrontation between Jack Lemmon's character and Kevin Spacey's character near the end of the Glengarry Glen Ross
the same could be said for everyone else watched the film in that class
I dunno if this one requires a "confession". GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS is absolutely hilarious, in spite of the dire repercussions for Lemmon and his daughter. David Mamet was at the top of his game when he adapted his own play to the screen and there are few (maybe no) better ensemble casts in cinema history. I think of random lines and exchanges from GGR all the time and similarly laugh like hell. :smile:
I had a crush on Hans from The 'Burbs.
I cracked up in the theater watching TITANIC when the guy hit his head on the propeller with a loud BONG. I think a few others laughed too.
I also doubled over with laughter at the ending to FINAL DESTINATION 2 where the severed kid's arm falls on his mom's plate. Some young kids were shocked but starting laughing after I did.
I hated Everything, Everywhere, All At Once so much that I wondered if everyone who had recommended it were either playing a huge practical joke, or had went mad.
The first time I saw JEEPERS CREEPERS it freaked me out so badly that I paused the video, walked around the house, turned all the lights on, and ate a bite before resuming the movie.
I thought Lost in Translation was an incredible bore and Bill Murray felt like he was struggling not to be Bill Murray.
I enjoyed the dance scene in Spider-man 3 and felt it fit the mood and characters perfectly.
I have never seen Godfather 3.
I've only seen bits and pieces of The Warriors (1979). I did watch The Wanderers (1979) many times.
I'm not a fan of mafia movies, but I have seen The Godfather (1972).
I've never seen The Social Network (2010) because Justin Timberlake is in it.
I skipped Machete Kills (2013) because Lady GaGa is in it.
I think Them! (1954) is actually scary.
Jim Carrey should have won an Oscar for his performance in Dumb and Dumber (1994).
I'm easily entertained, but the first two Bill & Ted movies didn't make me laugh. Never seen the third.
Who is/was the target audience for MST3000? There was nothing adult about it. It is basically a kids show that doesn't appeal to kids.
Quote from: claws on November 25, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
I've never seen The Social Network (2010) because Justin Timberlake is in it.
haha, I nearly bought INSIDE LLEWELYN DAVIS until noticing his name on the box. I think he's only involved with the soundtrack but that was enough to put me off!
I concede this may be a rather petty reason to boycott a film by 2 of my favourite directors (on their day anyway), but that's how much I dislike the fool.
I think all 3 NAKED GUN movies are comedy masterpieces and better than most 'best pic' oscar winners
Most dramas that win Oscars are usually far less interesting than the comedies and horror movies that come out at the same time.
Quote from: chainsaw midget on November 25, 2023, 12:57:36 PM
Most dramas that win Oscars are usually far less interesting than the comedies and horror movies that come out at the same time.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
I too have skipped certain films of interest because of one name in the cast, but FWIW I recall Justin Timberlake being in less than 5 minutes of INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS... he performs one folk song w/ other musicians (probably only an excerpt) and has around half a dozen lines of dialogue. The movie is eminently viewable if you just FF through his brief appearances. :smile:
Dustbin Timberfake.
and he's actually in it, not just peripherally connected? I just can't
...well maybe if I force myself :smile:
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 26, 2023, 09:20:16 AM
Dustbin Timberfake.
and he's actually in it, not just peripherally connected? I just can't
...well maybe if I force myself :smile:
Yeah, he's actually in it, but he's a minor character that Llewyn Davis resents/has contempt for iirc so at least the Coens recognized how punchable JT was.
heh,now you're almost selling it to me!
more confession time:
I have never seen THE MATRIX, BLADERUNNER, any STAR WARS film released after the 1980s, AVATAR, any LORD OF THE RINGS films, any HARRY POTTER films, any PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN films, any MISSION IMPOSSIBLE films, or any of the Daniel Craig JAMES BOND films.... so there!
I'd recommend the BLADE RUNNERs and STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE.
I've also only seen the first two Craig Bonds and the first four M:Is so can't really comment on those.
All the others you mentioned - I'd say you can rest easy skippin' 'em! :cheers:
I have not seen, and have no desire to see, any of the ROCKY movies.
Quote from: M.10rda on November 26, 2023, 07:00:13 PM
All the others you mentioned - I'd say you can rest easy skippin' 'em! :cheers:
I am in the bad books of a few peoole I know for having never seen (or read) any of the HARRY POTTERs... I stand defiant!
Quote from: indianasmith on November 26, 2023, 08:21:57 PM
I have not seen, and have no desire to see, any of the ROCKY movies.
I'd be the same however ROCKY V was listed in so many 'worst sequel ever' lists that I couldn't resist checking it out. not seen any of the others
on the subject of boxing, the 'greatest movie of the 80s' RAGING BULL did nothing for me...
I enjoy
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN,
WILD WILD WEST and
VAN HELSING enormously every time I watch them, and I do that at least once a year. The level of cheesy is so over the top that it's impossible for me not to like them.
My favorite
STAR WARS movie will always be
THE PHANTOM MENACE.
I still think
CITIZEN KANE is an overrated piece of boring garbage.
Quote from: indianasmith on November 26, 2023, 08:21:57 PM
I have not seen, and have no desire to see, any of the ROCKY movies.
That makes two of us.
Quote from: Gabriel Knight on November 27, 2023, 06:45:56 AM
I still think CITIZEN KANE is an overrated piece of boring garbage.
ditto? may have to revisit, only saw it once yonks ago... but I think as a species we have now got over calling it
the greatest film ever made, and saying " (X) is like the CITIZEN KANE of (Y)"
but talking of supposed greatest ever films, I genuinely think THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is so bad it's good. it's so unintentionally campy?
Speaking of movies we've never seen, I've never seen JAWS and have no interest in it.
I've never been able to watch IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for more than a few minutes at a time, and I generally can't stand what I have seen.
I wonder whether JAWS would look really dated to a first-time viewer now. the shark gets criticized a lot, but I actually think the shark in the first one looks pretty convincing, getting less so with each film as the series goes on.
I have to say I love it and no other shark movies even come close imo
Quote from: Rev. Powell on November 27, 2023, 09:10:54 AM
I've never been able to watch IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for more than a few minutes at a time, and I generally can't stand what I have seen.
only saw it for the first time last year. aside from a couple of amusingly witty lines I thougt it was a bit drab... very 'crowd pleasy'
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 27, 2023, 09:29:36 AM
I wonder whether JAWS would look really dated to a first-time viewer now. the shark gets criticized a lot, but I actually think the shark in the first one looks pretty convincing, getting less so with each film as the series goes on.
There are countless videos on YouTube of millennials watching and reacting to Jaws for the first time, and they all seem to enjoy it very much. The movie obviously still holds up well.
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 27, 2023, 09:29:36 AM
I wonder whether JAWS would look really dated to a first-time viewer now. the shark gets criticized a lot, but I actually think the shark in the first one looks pretty convincing, getting less so with each film as the series goes on.
Originally, the shark was supposed to be on camera a helluva lot more in the original movie, but issues with the mechanical flop pushed Spielberg to use old-school techniques that left the shark being more of a malign presence, making the sudden glimpses feel more frightening.
Unlike the second JAWS where they shoved that damn shark down your throat to the point it became a joke, hence the original version of JAWS 3 was meant to be a comedy. I mean, in the end, it still was, but supposedly unintentionally.
Oh, and one more thing - I've never watched any of the FAST AND FURIOUS movies either.
Car races bore me.
I watched part 3, TOKYO DRIFT, because I like Lucas Black and I like Japan. It was fine. Vin Diesel appears in one shot at the end, I think, which was also fine. I never felt motivated to watch any of the other entries, even though I know some serious film snobs who insist that parts 7-9 are legitimately great cinema. :bouncegiggle: Hey, who knows!
Quote from: javakoala on November 27, 2023, 05:35:25 PM
Originally, the shark was supposed to be on camera a helluva lot more in the original movie, but issues with the mechanical flop pushed Spielberg to use old-school techniques that left the shark being more of a malign presence
yeah I've seen a making-of doc that went over all the problems with Bruce the shark... iirc I think they said at one point the whole film was ready to be abandoned!
Quote from: indianasmith on November 27, 2023, 08:09:26 PM
Oh, and one more thing - I've never watched any of the FAST AND FURIOUS movies either.
Car races bore me.
I've seen about half an hour of one of the sequels. no idea which one. wasn't expectingg to like it anyway, but what did surprise me was how obviously aimed at young teens it was. it was like a film for 11-13yr olds
Quote from: javakoala on November 27, 2023, 05:35:25 PM
Unlike the second JAWS where they shoved that damn shark down your throat
I think that was supposed to be the other way round.
I caught the Jaws hype when it came out, but then I was too young to be allowed to see it. I saw it decades later, thinking it would be just another overrated 'classic', but I was pleasantly surprised.
Unlike, say, 2001 which is pretentious and boring. There, I've said it.
I've never seen JAWS and I've never had any interest in it.
Quote from: Rev. Powell on November 27, 2023, 09:10:54 AM
Speaking of movies we've never seen, I've never seen JAWS and have no interest in it.
Quote from: Rev. Powell on November 28, 2023, 08:58:29 AM
I've never seen JAWS and I've never had any interest in it.
ok we believe you :teddyr:
both BACK TO THE FUTURE sequels... not terrible, but not good either. both seem to have fairly devoted fanbases, but totally pale in comparison to the original IMO
Part 3 especially just seems like a very slight, 'small' film. if that makes sense
The rape scene in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE was intended to be funny. It isn't.
Quote from: Allhallowsday on November 29, 2023, 01:16:35 AM
The rape scene in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE was intended to be funny. It isn't.
:buggedout: I didn't know that was Kubrick's intention with it. Banned for many years here.
Quote from: Trevor on November 29, 2023, 01:28:42 AM
:buggedout: I didn't know that was Kubrick's intention with it. Banned for many years here.
Kubrick himself banned A Clockwork Orange in the UK because he knew there would be trouble with the rating/censor board.
I hate A CLOCKWORK ORANGE with the strength of a burning sun.
Quote from: claws on November 29, 2023, 02:14:37 AM
Kubrick himself banned A Clockwork Orange in the UK because he knew there would be trouble with the rating/censor board.
I remember my university screening it a few days after Kubrik died and the 'ban' was lifted. in the canteen iirc.... only me and about half a dozen other film geeks turned up to watch
it must've been around the same time that THE EXCORCIST ban was lifted, saw that at the cinema when that was finally 'allowed'... people were laughing throughout
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 29, 2023, 12:29:54 PM
Quote from: claws on November 29, 2023, 02:14:37 AM
Kubrick himself banned A Clockwork Orange in the UK because he knew there would be trouble with the rating/censor board.
I remember my university screening it a few days after Kubrik died and the 'ban' was lifted. in the canteen iirc.... only me and about half a dozen other film geeks turned up to watch
it must've been around the same time that THE EXCORCIST ban was lifted, saw that at the cinema when that was finally 'allowed'... people were laughing throughout
The consensus among SA movie fans was "we didn't actually miss much" after these two were unbanned and released. :wink:
EXORCIST is my favourite film critic's favourite film. I have tried with it but I just find it snoresome. the intro alone seems to go on for 4.5 hours... give me THE OMEN any day, that film rocks.
CLOCKWORK ORANGE I've only seen it 2 or 3 times but I do like it and think it's very original. one of the few book-to-screen adaptations that I would say is better than the book. (see also JAWS)
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 29, 2023, 04:19:11 PM
EXORCIST is my favourite film critic's favourite film. I have tried with it but I just find it snoresome. the intro alone seems to go on for 4.5 hours... give me THE OMEN any day, that film rocks.
CLOCKWORK ORANGE I've only seen it 2 or 3 times but I do like it and think it's very original. one of the few book-to-screen adaptations that I would say is better than the book. (see also JAWS)
The film of Jaws is way better than the book as the book was filled with very unlikable people like Hooper and Ellen Brody.
Well hooper and Ellen's affair seems to take up half the book. Doesn't even happen in the film (thank goodness)
on this subject, book/film related related confessions...
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
I feel similar about FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS... despite the subject matter and the fact it is really funny, I found the book to have quite a 'serious' and focused tone. The film was all over the place and again felt like a bit of a parody
Quote from: Allhallowsday on November 29, 2023, 01:16:35 AM
The rape scene in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE was intended to be funny. It isn't.
What's your source on that, John? I've read a bit about Kubrick and have never come across that fact. Or is that just your opinion?
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 07:46:32 AM
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
I've had a lot of women tell me how attracted they are to Patrick Bateman, both the movie and book versions. I do not understand that and find it vaguely disturbing.
Quote from: ER on November 30, 2023, 09:23:29 AM
Quote from: Allhallowsday on November 29, 2023, 01:16:35 AM
The rape scene in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE was intended to be funny. It isn't.
What's your source on that, John? I've read a bit about Kubrick and have never come across that fact. Or is that just your opinion?
I don't believe the rape scene is intended to be funny per se. Kubrick "humorous" elements to deliberately highlight the horror. Alex and the droogs treat the rape as a joke, but we in the audience are supposed to appreciate the real horror. The fact that Alex thinks it's all fun and games makes it even worse, demonstrating his absolute sociopathy. It's a brilliant use of irony. Unlike some exploitation movie violence that's played for laughs, this one has a real thematic and philosophic purpose.
I think you sum it up well, Rev, and maybe instead of saying I found the rape scene hilarious it would be more accurate to say it triggered this involuntary hysterical laughter thing with which I'm afflicted, and which doesn't always equate with me truly finding something funny. I admit I did laugh myself silly the first time I watched that scene, and the reactions of the others with me about my laughter went from staring, to kind of joining in, to finally going back to a different sort of staring, and yet there I was helplessly chortling away, almost crying I was laughing so hard. Kinda nuts.
Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2023, 10:21:57 AM
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 07:46:32 AM
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
I've had a lot of women tell me how attracted they are to Patrick Bateman, both the movie and book versions. I do not understand that and find it vaguely disturbing.
maybe a bit like how you get women who seem only attracted to guys on death row, and marry them ? some kind of weird psychology going on there
Quote from: indianasmith on November 27, 2023, 08:09:26 PM
Oh, and one more thing - I've never watched any of the FAST AND FURIOUS movies either.
Car races bore me.
You might like 2 Fast 2 Furious as it is funny as heck. :smile:
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 10:40:38 AM
Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2023, 10:21:57 AM
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 07:46:32 AM
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
I've had a lot of women tell me how attracted they are to Patrick Bateman, both the movie and book versions. I do not understand that and find it vaguely disturbing.
maybe a bit like how you get women who seem only attracted to guys on death row, and marry them ? some kind of weird psychology going on there
Yeah, especially if you have read the book any woman wanting to spend any time with him is just messed up.
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 29, 2023, 12:29:54 PM
people were laughing throughout
They eat brown sauce and marmite so, pretty much what I expected :wink:
Get Out is nothing more then The Stepford Wives. It's nothing original and a little over hyped. Granted a better remake over the actual Stepford Wives remake.
Quote from: Cult_Moody_Movies on November 30, 2023, 06:39:39 PM
Get Out is nothing more then The Stepford Wives. It's nothing original and a little over hyped. Granted a better remake over the actual Stepford Wives remake.
Apparently there's another film called SKELETON KEY which it is more than a bit similar to... I thought it was fairly average tbh, for a post 2000 mainstream horror. The premise seemed to be its USP, but it didn't really follow through with anything that memorable imo
I may be the exectpion here, but found the EXORCIST and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to be exceptional films.
Quote from: RCMerchant on December 01, 2023, 12:50:29 PM
I may be the exectpion here, but found the EXORCIST and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to be exceptional films.
They were that in their own way: you couldn't find a VHS copy to rent for months from any video store locally after they were unbanned.
I couldn't even imagine, as a horror film fan, not being able to watch The Exorcist back in the day because it was banned. This must have really sucked, especially since The Exorcist was a global hit and one of the most talked about movies of its time.
Quote from: claws on December 01, 2023, 02:54:31 PM
I couldn't even imagine, as a horror film fan, not being able to watch The Exorcist back in the day because it was banned. This must have really sucked, especially since The Exorcist was a global hit and one of the most talked about movies of its time.
The apartheid government really did movie fans dirty: if films weren't banned, they were heavily cut and made almost incomprehensible. Growing up in Rhodesia, the cinema chains there got their movies from SA so the censor laws kind of applied to us as well sadly. :question:
Quote from: RCMerchant on December 01, 2023, 12:50:29 PM
I may be the exectpion here, but found the EXORCIST and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to be exceptional films.
The Exorcist quite literally put me to sleep, but I enjoyed A Clockwork Orange.
Quote from: RCMerchant on December 01, 2023, 12:50:29 PM
I may be the exectpion here, but found the EXORCIST and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to be exceptional films.
(https://i.imgur.com/m7Udl71.gif)
Batman: TAS has far more mature performances over Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (outside of Heath Ledger).
Kevin Conroy (voice actor of Batman: TAS) performing the final scene of The Dark Knight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8y1qyiSvR4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8y1qyiSvR4)
Quote from: RCMerchant on December 01, 2023, 12:50:29 PM
I may be the exectpion here, but found the EXORCIST and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to be exceptional films.
You're not an exception, they are both exceptional. I think
THE EXORCIST is a masterpiece. I've never liked
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
Glad to see you back!
Quote from: Cult_Moody_Movies on December 01, 2023, 06:44:45 PM
Batman: TAS has far more mature performances over Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (outside of Heath Ledger).
Ledger was a decent villain, but as the Joker he completely sucked.
Frankly, Nolan's entire Batman series felt to me like it was ashamed to be a superhero movie. It was unnecessarily bleak, dull, and full of plot holes and lapses in logic.
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 07:46:32 AM
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
Oh don't get me started. Okay, you got me started. The novel is one of my favorite books - yes, extremely dark, downbeat, claustrophobic, far more graphic and sadistic than the movie, and yet also much, much, much funnier....... perhaps apropos to the recent conversation about Kubrick's use of humor in CLOCKWORK ORANGE. (Kubrick would've been an ideal director for AMERICAN PSYCHO, actually...)
The element that permits levity amidst the horrific violence is one I suspect even Mary Harron (oy) might've overlooked: in the novel (SPOILER), Patrick Bateman is not a prolific serial killer and in fact has likely harmed exactly no one, at least physically. (He does say some unkind things to his girlfriend, but she's no peach herself.) Rather the novel is a pretty comprehensive and profound illustration of a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote which accompanies the early editions iirc: "...Our own rejected thoughts... they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty." Patrick Bateman is a sad, desperate, lonely, frustrated man, but only a threat to himself. Maybe that explains why women (or I, a male reader) could feel sympathy or even affinity for Bateman. I don't have much in common w/ him but I have felt sad, desperate, lonely, and frustrated, and have been a threat only to myself. Sometimes ladies actually go for that! Bateman's girl next door assistant Jean in the novel (Chloe Sevigny onscreen) still likes him at the end.
Also he's Christian Bale in the movie! That never hurts w/ the ladies. I would alter nearly every aspect of the film to closer resemble the book - except Bale. Bale is perfect - or close enough - and since he's onscreen nearly 100% of the time, his virtuoso work carries the project. It's every other element surrounding him that could use a complete rethinking or (minimally) a tonal adjustment.
(There's a confession of a sort for y'all!)
Quote from: chainsaw midget on December 01, 2023, 10:38:26 PM
Quote from: Cult_Moody_Movies on December 01, 2023, 06:44:45 PM
Batman: TAS has far more mature performances over Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (outside of Heath Ledger).
Ledger was a decent villain, but as the Joker he completely sucked.
Frankly, Nolan's entire Batman series felt to me like it was ashamed to be a superhero movie. It was unnecessarily bleak, dull, and full of plot holes and lapses in logic.
Ditto. This has been a long term problem with comic adaptations or superhero media in general. Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns were the worst things to happen to comics/superheroes: Deconstruction and subversion. Not saying they are bad books (classics) but the impact has made every current creator thinking they need to do "MY OWN WATCHMEN". Every creator has taken these classic heroes and has tried to make them realistic, dark or completely mock the material. Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the few films I felt embraced the grand absurdity but remembered what makes them great: The characters.
On top of that we have TOO many of these bringing superheroes to "real world" or bringing "subversive" elements. Kick Ass, Invincible, The Boys, and even The Incredibles do this. I am just burnt out.
Starship Troopers is a great Paul Verhoeven film but a terrible adaptation of Starship Troopers.
I have never seen E.T., any of the Karate Kid movies, or Better Off Dead, which I've been told is utterly bizarre for a child of the 80s.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on December 03, 2023, 09:28:24 AM
I have never seen E.T., any of the Karate Kid movies, or Better Off Dead, which I've been told is utterly bizarre for a child of the 80s.
I thought E.T. was total crap when I saw it in the theater at age 5 and I've had no reason to ever want to reconsider that opinion. (Spielberg's made even worse films since...) So good for you for skippin' it.
You could likewise safely skip the KARATE KIDS - I only saw the first one, which was entertaining enough. The current COBRA KAI series, however, is actually pretty good fun, and you can enjoy it even if you never watched the movies.
BETTER OFF DEAD is indeed peculiar for its irreverent attitude to teen suicidal ideation. It's entertaining... though I would'nt call it great cinema or a must-watch.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on December 03, 2023, 09:28:24 AM
I have never seen E.T., any of the Karate Kid movies, or Better Off Dead, which I've been told is utterly bizarre for a child of the 80s.
I know I saw ET as a kid, but don't remember it
I know I didn't see Better Off Dead or any of the Karate Kid movies or the remake with Jackie Chan
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on December 03, 2023, 09:28:24 AM
I have never seen E.T., any of the Karate Kid movies, or Better Off Dead, which I've been told is utterly bizarre for a child of the 80s.
I'm with you do this. Niether have I, or any desire to do so.
This thread is kinda fun.
1. Haven't watched any Fast and Furious / Furioser / Furiosest movies, and you couldn't make me if you used the getup from A Clockwork Orange. Every time I see that podgy Vin Diesel all tryin to act tough I wanna beat him with a shovel. Inane CG car races? Aaaah.
2. Adam Sandler is instantly and consistently irritating to me. I could clean off the shovel and re-use it for most any Adam Sandler movie, with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I can think of only one right ATM.
3. Trauma laughter is a thing, agree. When I was third year in med school we all watched a video of a manic patient as part of a psych lecture, and the guy was saying outrageous things (of course). As an audience we had that kind of laughter ER is talking about, and we were scolded for it. The lecturer actually took time to upbraid all 96 of us. "You shouldn't laugh at this!" Goes to show how much such people understand about human motivation sometimes. We didn't think it was funny... we were shocked. 90% of Pulp Fiction's laughs are this kind. "I didn't *mean* to shoot the son of a b***h!"
4. Yeah, ET doesn't age well. We've been on an 80's movie kick in the house (kids are mostly late teens / early 20's) so we've watched The Goonies again, and Dragonslayer, and Krull (with RiffTrax -- have watched that one many times). Labyrinth. Dark Crystal. The pacing of 80's movies is just a lot slower, and for some movies that works really well. And for some, it's just really draggy pacing. Going back and watching Poltergeist, it underwhelms now and feels more like just watching the 70's turning into the 80's, more than watching much of anything happen on film. Dragonslayer still holds up well. Krull is just great riffing fodder. The Dark Crystal is still incredible looking, kids like that one. But I really don't enjoy toiler humor-max stupid 80's movies. I think that's my thing with Adam Sandler.
I mean, if you're going to watch ET, you may as well go for STARMAN instead, which is like its "adult" version. I think it's a way better movie overall, especially because of Jeff Bridges' performance. Check out this trivia:
This script was being developed at "Columbia" at the same time as another script about an alien visitation. The studio did not want to make both, so the head of the studio had to choose which film to make; he decided to make this one and let the other script go to a rival studio. The other script was for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)." After 'E.T.' became such a huge hit, apparently 'Starman' sat on the shelf for almost three years before the Columbia Pictures studio agreed to release it.
Actor Jeff Bridges studied ornithology and the behavior of birds to prepare for his role as an alien in human form for this movie. Bridges particularly used the sudden jerky head movements, amongst other nuances and mannerisms, of birds for his Starman character. Bridges figured that the alien would not have human characteristics and, being encased in a human body, would act with base primitive animal instincts.
Quote from: M.10rda on December 02, 2023, 09:27:35 AM
Quote from: zombie no.one on November 30, 2023, 07:46:32 AM
The film of AMERICAN PSYCHO could not be any more different from the book, imo. In terms of tone. I found the book intensely downbeat, claustrophobic, and extremely dark... the film was more like a borderline parody?
Oh don't get me started. Okay, you got me started. The novel is one of my favorite books - yes, extremely dark, downbeat, claustrophobic, far more graphic and sadistic than the movie, and yet also much, much, much funnier....... perhaps apropos to the recent conversation about Kubrick's use of humor in CLOCKWORK ORANGE. (Kubrick would've been an ideal director for AMERICAN PSYCHO, actually...)
The element that permits levity amidst the horrific violence is one I suspect even Mary Harron (oy) might've overlooked: in the novel (SPOILER), Patrick Bateman is not a prolific serial killer and in fact has likely harmed exactly no one, at least physically. (He does say some unkind things to his girlfriend, but she's no peach herself.) Rather the novel is a pretty comprehensive and profound illustration of a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote which accompanies the early editions iirc: "...Our own rejected thoughts... they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty." Patrick Bateman is a sad, desperate, lonely, frustrated man, but only a threat to himself. Maybe that explains why women (or I, a male reader) could feel sympathy or even affinity for Bateman. I don't have much in common w/ him but I have felt sad, desperate, lonely, and frustrated, and have been a threat only to myself. Sometimes ladies actually go for that! Bateman's girl next door assistant Jean in the novel (Chloe Sevigny onscreen) still likes him at the end.
Also he's Christian Bale in the movie! That never hurts w/ the ladies. I would alter nearly every aspect of the film to closer resemble the book - except Bale. Bale is perfect - or close enough - and since he's onscreen nearly 100% of the time, his virtuoso work carries the project. It's every other element surrounding him that could use a complete rethinking or (minimally) a tonal adjustment.
(There's a confession of a sort for y'all!)
might sound weird but I think early-mid 90s Scorcese could've got AMERICAN PSYCHO right... the "you think I'm funny, like I'm a clown?" scene from GOODFELLAS. that's the kind of uncomfortably intense vibe I got from the book... although in some ways I think it's unfilmable. interesting to hear your thoughts on it though
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on December 03, 2023, 09:28:24 AM
I have never seen E.T., any of the Karate Kid movies, or Better Off Dead, which I've been told is utterly bizarre for a child of the 80s.
The other week I picked up the KARATE KID quadrilogy dvd box set cheap and watched them all for the first time... first one has a decent enough sentimental teen revenge / love story arc, the rest are kind of forgettable
Quote from: Zapranoth on December 04, 2023, 10:33:07 AM
Going back and watching Poltergeist, it underwhelms now and feels more like just watching the 70's turning into the 80's, more than watching much of anything happen on film.
Ya' know, I've loved that film in hindsight (mostly) for 40 years now. Must've watched it 30+ times as a (too) small child. I revisited it partially around Halloween (didn't watch the whole thing, though I should) and in some ways I see where you're coming from. It's got the best elements of Hooper (wild color ala EGGSHELLS, over-the-top manic emotion ala TCM), it's got some okay Spielberg elements (70s/80s suburban kitsch, unabashed exploitation of small children), but it also feels like what it is: a big-budget studio project helmed by an unreliable coke addict (you pick whichever one of 'em you choose to think I mean). It's probably too mainstream for its own good and it also depends on SFX that were convincing in 1982 but don't always fly by 2023 standards. It does move along, though, and it's got great acting and music, anyway.
I mean, comparatively, I could barely get through the 2 sequels even once each... again as a young child w/ low standards. I try to keep it in perspective.
I didn't get Jurassic Park
not really sure there's much to 'get' about it... dinosaurs! humans! stuff going wrong!
I remember being blown away by the CGI...
On that note here's a confession: I don't reckon CGI in movies has really improved since JURASSIC PARK. change my mind
Quote from: zombie no.one on December 06, 2023, 03:13:04 AM
not really sure there's much to 'get' about it... dinosaurs! humans! stuff going wrong!
I remember being blown away by the CGI...
On that note here's a confession: I don't reckon CGI in movies has really improved since JURASSIC PARK. change my mind
While practical effects are always better over CGI, CGI has improved. XD
(https://i2.wp.com/moviesandmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Species-reviews-movie-film-sci-fi-horror-1995-alien-2.jpg?w=1023&ssl=1)
Oh yeah. No question. Rank and file CGI from the 90s looks reeeal bad today. JURASSIC PARK and T2: JUDGMENT DAY were state-of-the-art projects w/ huge money behind them. But for every T2 there are a handful of Brett Leonard-caliber CGI jobs. :bouncegiggle: Someone was talking about how bad the original 1982 TRON looks today but I think TRON looks much better than THE LAWNMOWER MAN from 10+ years later. Heck, POLAR EXPRESS was 2004 iirc and looks like complete pants today.
Come to think of it, POLAR EXPRESS looked like and was complete pants in 2004, too. :smile:
Quote from: M.10rda on December 06, 2023, 07:57:30 PM
Oh yeah. No question. Rank and file CGI from the 90s looks reeeal bad today. JURASSIC PARK and T2: JUDGMENT DAY were state-of-the-art projects w/ huge money behind them. But for every T2 there are a handful of Brett Leonard-caliber CGI jobs. :bouncegiggle: Someone was talking about how bad the original 1982 TRON looks today but I think TRON looks much better than THE LAWNMOWER MAN from 10+ years later. Heck, POLAR EXPRESS was 2004 iirc and looks like complete pants today.
I would say at least Tron as a unique style that I think fits the era of video games. I argue the same thing with the TV series Reboot. The 90's was a cesspool of horrid CGI messes.
Ironically (from a previous hot take) another example of good CG from the 90's was Starship Troopers.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_60A8zsWp2jY/TJMU9_jn39I/AAAAAAAAAfc/GjHLjxDjYmk/s1600/bugattackfort.jpg)
Quote from: M.10rda on December 06, 2023, 07:57:30 PM
Oh yeah. No question. Rank and file CGI from the 90s looks reeeal bad today. JURASSIC PARK and T2: JUDGMENT DAY were state-of-the-art projects w/ huge money behind them.
yes these 2 are basically my go-to examples of quality 90s CGI... yeah there probably were poor examples around then, but really watching the feeble CGI in Argento's DRACULA 3D made me think has anyone really come close to topping them?
I have never seen the original Home Alone.
I've come to hate going to the movies. It's been ruined in almost every way.
Quote from: ER on December 08, 2023, 12:50:57 AM
I've come to hate going to the movies. It's been ruined in almost every way.
We have severe power supply issues here - just google SA loadshedding to see - and this fact - blackouts for up to five hours daily - has stopped many people from going to the movies as the last thing you want is to pay a lot of money and only see a quarter of a movie. :buggedout:
Quote from: ER on December 08, 2023, 12:50:57 AM
I've come to hate going to the movies. It's been ruined in almost every way.
After coming back from
NAPOLEON, I kinda agree with you. "Oh, yeah, this movie is an editing mess, but that's because you haven't seen the actual 4 hour version that you're supposed to be watching!". Why everything has to be like that nowadays?
I'm pretty certain I have been to the cinema less than 25 times in my life.
From 2000-2012 I lived directly opposite my town's main cinema, and in that entire time I went just once, to see DRAG ME TO HELL.
Since 2012 I have gone totally haywire, and been to the cinema about 6 times
Conversely, I worked in movie theaters for much of a 9-year period (w/ a few breaks) and thus spent so much time in 'em that (though I love watching movies on the big screen) I did grow a little calloused to it. Maybe that's what working in the adult film industry is like after a while, too. :lookingup: I only go to indoor theaters 2-3 times a year anymore, and (foolishly) only went to my local drive-in twice this year. Then again, if the movies were better than RENFIELD, COCAINE BEAR, THANKSGIVING, and IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE, maybe I'd have gone more often.
Reasons I don't go to movie theaters often:
Distance - the next movie theater takes 30 minutes to get there (depending on traffic). 30 minutes to drive back home. 2–3 hours for the movie. 15 minutes to get there earlier for parking. We're talking at least 4–5 hours here, maybe more. The next IMAX theater is an hour drive away. That's why I've never been to an IMAX screening.
I work shifts - Impossible to go on work days. My only options are weekends or when I'm on vacation.
Last time I went to a theater was in 2017. We watched "It". The movie was fun, the audience not. Obnoxious, annoying people. Rows of disruptive smartphone usage during the movie.
And I really HATE commercials before the movie. There were three movie trailers, and twenty minutes of non-movie related crap commercials before "It".
Quote from: M.10rda on December 08, 2023, 04:18:31 PM
I did grow a little calloused to it. Maybe that's what working in the adult film industry is like after a while, too.
was youtube hopping a while back and landed on an interview with an ex pr0n star (hello 2004 internet lingo), who said he got to the stage where he would finish a shoot then go outside sit in his car and cry.
Lol! I can relate to that experience w/o ever having been an adult film performer!
All things being equal, as they say for some inexplicable reason as all things are never equal... I'd rather go and cry in my car after doing that guy's job!