What was mostly good about about Black Widow?

Yeleena Belova could have her own movie tomorrow and id pay triple

I love how the movie looks. I'm going to finish it tonight.

Is Macaulay Culkin in this one?

No. But the lead actor looks like an Iranian James Dean.

@slik What's your take on the film? I thought it was very decent.

Bought the new D&D movie last week (and now it's free on paramount+) but anywho.

I really enjoyed it and that's all I'll say without nerding out. There's a bunch of D&D purists that'll say YOU CAN'T DO THAT. yeah, well. They did.

I liked it

A very nice modern day fable - big fan of the scene in the bedroom with the music playing.

100%

The leads looked so pretty ❤️

I like to think of it as Dm homebrew/Houserules

Creed III 6/10

I found it oddly flat.

“The Friends Of Eddie Coyle” - 3/4

A crime drama with absolutely no romance, great realism in the performances and a truly devastating story about the machinations, motivations and mistakes that accompany organised and disorganised crime. Robert Mitchum and Peter Boyle work well together, two naturalistic actors at the peak of their abilities. I was interested rather than entertained but I think all involved would call that a compliment.

“Buck And The Preacher” - 3.5/4

One of the very few Westerns to appropriately treat African American perceptions in the post-Abolition world. Sidney Poitier directs and stars alongside Harry Belafonte and it is a marvellous piece of movie magic that seems to have been critically overlooked and somewhat forgotten by the public.
I loved every minute of it and while it does have its issues, it’s a perfect companion piece to “The Scalphunters” in that it refuses to patronise the viewer or the subject at the heart of the film. It almost defies genre in the way it flies between drama and farce but it is too grounded in seriousness to be accused of being more than a dramatic anti-western with some fine comic relief to keep you sane while watching.

Harry Belafonte is extremely likeable in this film, and it made me realise that I need to dig into his filmography for more. Sidney Poitier must have been proud of directing this and probably quite disappointed with the lack of recognition it received given how well crafted it is across the board.

I highly recommend this film.

“Emperor Of The North Pole” - 3/4

No it’s not about the North Pole, it’s about hoboes riding the rails for free and the train conductor who takes personal offence to it.
Lee Marvin plays top hobo, Borgnine plays the conductor who kills hoboes with a fucking hammer!

This is objectively an insane film even for an anti-establishment story. Keith Carradine plays a young hobo who doesn’t quite get the gist or the point, so it’s not just a hard action drama it is a proper story actually inspired by Jack London’s time hoboeing with “A-No-1” some famous hobo in real life. I doubt they did anything that they do in this film but man is the action tense.

I thoroughly enjoyed it as a weird, random excursion into unfamiliar territory that immediately plunged into brutal violence and sadism. Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin are too good to look ridiculous even if they should.
Watch this film, it’s bloody nuts.

Burt Lancaster is always the best thing about every film he was ever in. I cannot get enough of him, and there’s so much left to go.

Currently enjoying “The Swimmer” before I finally watch “Elmer Gantry”. Sometimes it looks like he isn’t even trying, he’s just being himself. George Clooney must love him.

“The Swimmer” is some oddly packaged brilliance. A film about a man who swims through privately owned pools on his way home… like he’s creating a map home through pools.
Psychologically there is something wrong with the hero, he’s swimming away from his past or swimming towards the truth… it feels like it’s too smart for its own good and it probably is. A European idea but with American execution.

Jesus, this film has serious Stepford Wives energy but it’s all pointed at Burt. What do you think you are swimming away from Burt? Most importantly why is it so obvious that you are actually swimming towards it?!

Great ugliness exists in the reactions of this films incidental characters towards the protagonist. He must be a bad man to some degree, a bad man with a fucked up past that money and swimming pools and booze have hidden him from for years.

“Mummy says they’ll end up repressed!”

- Nudist geriatric.

One of many great gags in this bizarre but fantastic film.

I feel a lot like I’m watching a Jodorowsky film with all of the symbolism replaced with literal equivalents or a French film that wasn’t too stuck up it’s own arse. This is a very fine example of Hollywood Philosophy, because it stamps the message on your head and then dares to tell you it used the wrong stamp on purpose.

Infuriatingly enjoyable, transparently philosophical and Burt Lancaster tells middle aged Joan Rivers she has nice hair.

I found this without searching, just scrolling back through the thread and it so happens somebody else has seen it.

Ossman this is a shameful review. I hope you were just in a bad mood. This film does not venerate its protagonist, it creates a path of opportunity for him to remember his numerous massive indiscretions and debts. It is almost a psychological thriller in that you just keep watching things get worse until the realisation sets in and all is doomed. He is a bad guy who has no idea about it, it is a fucking masterpiece.

Renfield: 8/10

It's almost Warm Bodies without being a love story, mixed with Face/Off and Kill Bill with Nic Cage taking Macho Man levels of coke.

It was funny at least

Watching "Fall" and I don't think I can finish this. I didn't know I was "afraid" of heights.

So this movie isn’t bad bad. Some really heartfelt moments.

The Borderlands- 6/10

Mostly a below average found footage movie, but gets a couple extra points for a really great, and unexpected ending.

No wonder this movie felt "real"

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That film was recommended by the Critical Drinker. It is on my list of things to watch.

Why am I not surprised?

Do you have a problem with the Critical Drinker, Darlene my lad?

His grift is very apparent, El Vaq.

He's 'critical' of aspects of identity politics in TV and film ('the message'), but overall he is fair; I don't think he qualifies as a grifter.

While I use "grift" loosely, he's definitely catering to a certain segment. To suggest that he's unbiased and fair is baloney.

Here's a good example of why he attracts certain individuals. Why is it so difficult for people to understand that not everything is being marketed towards them...this show didn't "rock my world" but it has its place. Judging it based on the trailer alone is a stretch. This isn't smart or engaging. It was the popular thing to do at the time. He's merely a spoke in the giant grifter wheel.

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He does sometimes base his videos on trailers rather than wait until the show/film has been released, though later on he usually does a follow up or covers things in his super chats and other vids. Actually, he just released a video based upon the early reviews of Indiana Jones 5, rather than wait until seeing it in the cinema. Therefore, in some regards, he does do some shows/films a disservice.

Even though he does attract the anti-woke people (I probably fall into that category), he seems more disappointed than anything else by how popular franchises/shows/etc have been damaged or downright ruined by lacklustre talent and poor creative choices, coming from a position of both a fan and an actual published writer, who knows (or should know) more about writing interesting characters and logical character development and compelling/smart storylines.

Which is why calling him "fair" is wrong.

Not every character deserves a strong and compelling backstory. As a pro-wrestling fan, you understand that R-Truth and Lesnar aren't equals. Doesn't mean they cannot coexist in the same space. They both bring different things to the table. I don't care for the women's tag division in WWE. But I understand that some young girl must be heavily invested in the division's storyline and related drama. Not everything is catered to us.

Watching "C'mon C'mon" tonight. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal comes across so effortless. I don't like Gaby Hoffman. I don't get her?

The Drinker is fn great. Maybe you don't agree with his style but he makes tons of logical sense.

I remember watching The Force Awakens and everything just felt off. A while later I found the Drinker and he pretty much summed it all up.

Critical Drinker is basically Seanny One Ball if he had a YouTube channel so I can understand why GD isn't a fan.

:nono:

Nah. Nobody is interested in the women’s tag division.

The Critical Drinker is like most YouTube or pop culture personalities; he’s a caricature of himself. He’s worked out what works, what gets a reaction and views and doubled down on it.

I just resumed watching this film. Oof.

Bastard, now I have to watch him to see if there’s any similarity.
Last time I got hammered I ended up watching Mary Poppins and singing along. Later there would be sadder films with more of an “ugly cry” vibe.

Miller's Crossing (1990) - 8/10

A hard film to rate. I really really enjoyed this but it does feel like its something *I* would enjoy more than *people* would enjoy. The Coen Brothers always write smart scripts and this one is definitely up there near the top of their pile, but maybe its too smart for its own good

The film spends the first act announcing its characters through well written dialogue but doesnt actually allow us to meet manyof the people until later. Or we meet a character once, memorably in all fairness, and that character returns not in personbut in prose later.

And thats kinda the issue if i dare to call it an issue. The film is demanding that you keep up and its probably a big ask for most viewers.

The scenes themselves are brilliantly performed and the dialogue wont let you down but following who are the players and what the throughline is could be tricky and on some level that has to be a mark against the script.

Now personally i really enjoyed watching all these planets orbit around one another and the climax was very very satisfying.

Another thing i enjoyed that i could easily call a negative is the film exists as a meta comedy against the genre of the ganster films of the 30s and 40s. Its never completely serious. The major beats of the script played straight could absolutely work but they play every scene very subtly as a mockery. And i really loved it. But i wonder if that this film is made for my sensibilities and if i recommended it to someone else howd they think about it.

My enjoyment was at minimum a 9/10. But i really wonder if this film is leaving a lot on the table. That if say Scorsese made this film instead if it would be an all time classic. I dunno. I really liked it though.

His take here is spot on. I dont watch his content though. Once youve heard a dozen of his takes you can suss out his opinions without sitting through his content.

That said grifter he is not. There's no con here. He just disagrees with your world view and is sick of being criticized for not falling in line. That isnt nefarious.

In this day age the most Punk Rock thing you can do is be a traditionalist. And thats all his videos really are. The punk spirit living on. "Dont tell me what to think society."

Fast X 6/10

The last FF movie I saw was probably number 6, plus the Shaw and Hobbs spin-off. Since FF6, they have ramped up the ridiculousness to 11.

Jason Momoa enjoys himself as the villain and is the best thing about the film.

Do they go into space again?

I'm afraid not.

Literally my 1st thought when i saw they were making a new one was "how do they top muscle cars in space?" Ive only ever seen 2 of those movies. The original and the 1st one with the rock. The original was an ok movie.

I have seen the first one, the third one and the fourth or fifth one. I think.

I have definitely seen 1&3, big chunks of 2 and either 4 or 5.

1 has the best song, three is the best shit.

I went and watched them all a few years back... I think after the 7th one came out...

I think there were some pretty decent ones in there... the first one with The Rock in particular....

Once they became "secret agents" or whatever it went "downhill" in terms of story and way uphill in terms of ridiculous action and extreme logic/physics breaking (was always logic/physics breaking but really got amped up)

I'll probably go see Fast X eventually...

The Rock came in so late too.

What is wrong with Tokyo Drift and the Original you cunts?
Nothing. That’s what.

Tokyo Drift is actually almost an entirely separate entity in that is is a good girl dressed in whore’s rags.
Lucas Black is my shit though. Sling Blade.

I wonder if they know how they live in Tokyo, if they see me, then you something something fast and furiooooooooous dick dick!

Watching American Pie 2 and Jimbo did Nadia wrong.

American Pie 2 is still the hardest I have ever laughed in public, and I once saw Sean Locke live.

People got up and moved in both instances

Started watching Hell or High Water…surprised to see Seanny in it.

Ben Foster was so great in that, you’d think there was ten of him.

Wonderful movie so far. I might have to watch it again.

Ben Foster is great in pretty much everything. 30 Days of Night, Hostage, Seanny avatar, The Mechanic.

He has an early role in the first few seasons of Six Feet Under, as well.

Saw Air as well. It was alright.

Phantom Thread (2017) - 8/10

Really good. Probably PTAs most straightforward piece but still really deep and thoughtful. The ending spells out what its driving unlike most of his films but i didnt find it anyless satisfying for it. Which isnt to say there isnt ambiguity or room from multivalent interpretations. Very rich film. The use of the score throughout the film to accent the films intent was a really well handled.

127 Hours (2010) - 7/10

This being based on a pretty famous story this is all going to be a spoiler since the film assumes you know the story.

Watching "That Girl in Yellow Boots" this afternoon because life isn't depressing enough. I feel crushed.

I saw the first one. It was pretty good.

Whaaa…

Fast X - 7.5/10

Was really entertaining. Kind of grounded the action a little bit from "super ridiculous, I'm SURE physics doesn't work that way" to "ridiculous, but physics might work that way? Probably not"

Jason Mamoa is great in his villain role and easily steals the movie.

When it comes to two or three-part films, people should follow the Avengers: Infinity Wars and Endgame model, rather than the Hunger Games: Mockingjay model.

You Gaylord

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 - 3.75/5

Apparently in addition to Fast X being split into 3 films it is now getting a Hobbs-centric movie in between Fast X and Fast X: Part 2

Wait what? It's going to be more than one movie?

Yeah, first it was "Fast X will be the final entry in the franchise", then "Fast X is being split into two parts", then "Fast X will be split into three parts".... and now The Rock getting a movie in between two parts....

Also read a headline somewhere (didn't read the article) that said Vin Diesel now has beef with Jason Mamoa for stealing the show and being what people praise about the movie.

Is there any chance of Dwayne Johnson returning to the franchise? I don't believe these movies would be as popular as they are if it wasn't for his involved in the FF5 movie.

Sisu 6.5 or 7/10

I can't really decide on the rating. A film very much in the vein of 1970s exploitation films, centring around a Finnish miner/ex-army commander's attempts to retrieve his gold, which has been stolen from him by a company of German soldiers as they flee from Lapland in Finland to Norway, in the latter stages of WWII.

Plenty of gratuitous and gory violence, though perhaps not as much I was expecting. At around 90 mins, it does not out stay its welcome.

Getting emotional while watching Shrek.

Watching Death Proof…so strange

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - 9/10

Just beautiful animation and a lot of fun. Can't wait for the next one.

RoXer and I (with my wife and sister) went to see Fast X. Thought it was better than 9. 9 was just ridiculously over the top. This one had it's moments of needing to suspend disbelief, 9 for me was too much. And I didn't really like Momoa as the villain...he tried to be the Joker to Dom Toretto's Batman, but it seemed contrived.

We had marathoned all of the movies during COVID. My favorites are probably 1,5, and 6. Hobbs and Shaw and 9 probably the worst.

Fast Five definitely the best of the franchise

New Spider Man was fn great.

Only bad part is that this is spawning similar style movies as studios are trying to resurrect various franchises. Ultimately its going to result in watered down clones

I think I have only seen the first Fast and Furious... what's the "best" / most funny/entertaining one to watch of the others

Yikes @vid

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I went into the future and saw Beetlejuice II. It was GLORIOUS. I'm going back to that timeline because this one sucks.

nm. they all died from Covid-dysentery 2024.

Melancholia (2011) - 9/10

Its very difficult to write about a complex work moments after youve seen. Melancholia isnt as abstract as most of Lars von Triers filmography but its no less deep. The film uses verisimilitude to accent its dive into depression. First the back drop of a wedding and then larger with a planet growing closer to crashing into the eart.

Both highlight how depression feels in way ive not felt on screen. The wedding is what should be a time filled with boundless joy but Dunsts character has none. She tries, but its a lie and we can see that. As world comes to end we see the depression from an anxiety perspective. Both feel very genuine. Both are perfect representations of the condition. No one is realing from the death of a loved one. There isnt an event that causes the suffering they simply are are suffering.

All of this has a wonderful backdrop that serves to show us visually how wrong theyre feeling by having the world be beautiful. Many of the shots are beautiful. Everything is gorgeous and pristine. The characters, who are miserable, are surrounded by an idealic scenario.

The cast is really great and Dunst gives a performance that has a weightiness to it that screams authenticity. And id have to turn in my man card if i didnt say how great her tits look in the moon light. Stunningly beautiful. Her acting is better but it cant go unsaid.

Lars von Tier has a challenging catalog but this is definitely his most commercial work and i think its a film thats near the top of his pile and thats a combination thats pretty rare.

The image of Kirsten Dunst just chilling in the grass is etched into my memory.

Million dollar shot.

That’s his one remotely interesting film and that’s only because Kirsten Dunst has really nice boobs. The man sucks interest out of topics compulsively, he’s one of the worst directors ever to get work.
Invents a style of filmmaking complete with essential rules, proceeds to then never make one that obeys those idiotic rules. He probably tells people it was all a big joke now.

His Charlotte Gainsbourg obsession bothers me too. I think he wishes she was eleven years old and he was Serge.

He does make joyless movies for sure

Apparently he has Parkinson’s Disease now.

He’ll probably make a film about a nudist who gets her tits out and because she has Parkinson’s Disease she’s shaking them around all of the time. She’ll be fourteen years old and her dad will be an agnostic Jew who never hits her but does make her sit on his lap a lot.

Autobiographical.

His most joyful film is about people pretending to be retarded. “The Idiots”… it’s trying too hard to be transgressive so it just comes off as pathetic rather than deplorable much like GG Allin. Lots of nudity of course.
I remember watching it as a teen when it was on Film 4 as part of their controversial foreign films season and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing not because it was incredible, but because even as a teenager stoned out of my tree it just seemed like a child’s effort to shock a bigger kid.

Yorgos Lanthimos is a bit like a cross between David Lynch and LVT with vastly superior talent, a sense of humour and actual working knowledge of cinema and psychology. I don’t particularly like him either but at least he knows what he’s doing.

I have very vivid memories of Matrix Reloaded doing that shit, then having to wait 6 months for the next one to come out. :rant:

The funniest is the 2nd, 2 Fast 2 Furious, best overall I would say is Fast Five, although 6 and 7 were really solid too.