Saturday, April 9, 2016

Weekend Open Thread

On your marks...get set...comment.

Happy weekend, everyone! There are finally some really good movies to see this weekend, many of which are available on VOD and iTunes in case you don't feel like going to the theater and dealing with the throngs of people who have been camped out for weeks to see The Boss.

Lots of Star Wars this week too! Anyone revisit The Force Awakens? Or watch that Rogue One trailer?

Finally...seen anything good lately?

80 comments:

  1. Before seeing the Rogue One trailerI I was not excited about the idea of revisiting the original trilogies timeline (or any form of prequel) but I must say after watching the trailer my Star Wars gene kicked in. The scenes of the Death Star really seem to visually give it an overwhelming sense of doom and enormity. Something I felt they couldn't really capture in the past (more theater of the mind...sorry practical effects junkies). Another strong woman, scoundrels and rebel elite's galore it will definitely have me keeping an eye on the calendar. Not to mention my second cousin is in it...Ghost Dog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The main thing I'll mention is that I watched Hardcore Henry, which has a lot of problems, not the least of which was inducing motion sickness in one of the two people I was with. Even I got dizzy in parts and I can't think of any other movie, video game, or amusement park ride which has done that to me. It can be a very wearying movie to watch. That said, it's unique which movie, and from a purely technical standpoint, there are a lot of impressive moments which make the movie worth watching.

    Sharlto Copley gets to have a lot of fun with his role, which I can't really say much about without spoiling anything. The villain is a bit underdeveloped, which apparently was intentional because they didn't want to bog the movie down trying to fit in his backstory (including why he has telekinetic powers). There was a comic book prequel that was a handout for some special showings which gives his origin, but I don't think it's important for enjoying the movie. The story isn't great, but there's enough cool sci-fi stuff to carry it through.

    The Rogue One trailer has me sold so far. Not at all surprising is that there are some douchebags on the Internet complaining that we now have two Star Wars movies in a row with a female lead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rogue One looks awesome. I love the bit with the AT-ATs.

      Delete
    2. I had a lot of trouble with Hardcore Henry re:the shaky cam

      Delete
  3. Just watched Anomslisa. I feel empty now. 10/10

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anomalisa was the last movie I watched in 2015 and it was definitely in my top 10, maybe even top 5. I just found it so beautiful and true and heartbreaking.

      Delete
    2. Gotta love that good ol' Charlie Kaufman. I hope his next movie doesn't take as long to come out.

      Delete
  4. Watched a bunch of movies lately:

    -Took the kids to see Force Awakens. They loved it. I loved it more than the first time. Rather than being critical, I just sat back and enjoyed it. Yay, Star Wars!

    -Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2: This movie was so much fun! There were some low points, like Hopper not doing anything for the 1st half, and then just running around doing a crazy Hopper with a chainsaw for the 2nd (Honestly, not a big Hopper fan). The scene where Bubba offers the mask and hat to the girl was so warm and heartfelt. The very last image!

    -Universal Soldier, Regeneration and Day of Reckoning: Wow, that totally surprised me. A franchise I though was long dead had, unbeknownst to me, recently offered 2 badass movies that are just fast-paced, beautiful, action/Sci-fi. How often does a franchise get better as it goes on? There are problems, but mostly I was just totally sucked into the world, story and brutal violence. It was nice too, that the later one took an interesting turn, rather than just rehash the beats of its predecessor. I'm still mulling over it (in a good way). Great recommendations, Patrick!

    -Piranha 1978: So much fun! I though the effects were quite well done for an obviously low-budget film.

    -Punisher: War Zone...I loved this movie. People seem to be mixed on it, either loving it or hating it. I though it was outrageously over the top in it's characterizations, which made it interesting/unique to experience and violent enough to keep it exciting. I thought it was beautifully shot too. Although not really growing up with comics, the character Punisher is one of my favourites, so I'll admit some bias there.

    -This one is the odd man out...Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer. Urh...took a shower after that one. Is Chicago really so bleak? What I found most powerful was not the violent murder scenes, but rather the ugly, though quite believable, moments where the 3 characters merely interacted in the kitchen. I think it was a very good movie, so good that you only need to see it once.

    Happy Weekend everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm all in on the Rouge One trailer. The tone seems cool, the action looks great (this really seems to put the "war" in Star Wars), and I'm liking what I've seen of Felicity Jones. Let the cautious optimism continue!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I did a Karyn Kusama double feature. I rewatched Jennifer's Body which I saw once in the theater when it came out and didn't dislike but thought it was pretty forgettable. I've been hearing alot of people say this an underrated gem lately so I figured I'd give it another shot. I liked it more this time around and I think its better than its reputation. It reminded me alot of Ginger Snaps actually, which I watched for the first time recently. I think it's well made and yes it's a script by Diablo Cody which means the dialogue can be a little to clever for its own good, but there's some good stuff in the script too. While I wouldn't say it's a great movie, I think it's descent and worth a look if you think it's just a movie for Megan Fox to look hot, i believe it's much better than that.

    Then I just got done watching The Invitation which I'm still processing but I liked it alot and I think it has some things to say about grief and how we choose to process it. I like when a horror movie tries to be about more than just whats on the surface. Good performances, a really nice little psychological thriller and definitely a step up for the director. I hope she keeps making more movies because I'd like to see what she does next. The Invitation is on itunes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was enough to like in The Invitation. Some of the characters were a little wonky and the decisions they made at times had me scratching my head, but overall I liked it.

      Delete
    2. Yea there were almost too many characters in that house lol

      Delete
    3. Have you seen Spring, from last year?

      Delete
    4. I think The Invitation is my favorite of the year. I've never been a huge fan of Logan Marshall-Green but I thought he was outstanding. I didn't think there were too many characters. It all worked for me. There was a sense of dread in every second of the movie. I loved it.

      Delete
    5. I have seen Spring, it's fantastic.

      Delete
    6. Hey Travis, I know Patrick won't mind me spreading some Killerpov love, Karyn is on the latest podcast from Killerpov, its well worth a listen. She also talks about XX a new female directed anthology movie coming soon hopefully which sounds really interesting,

      Delete
    7. Yea I haven't listened to hers yet, but I listen to that podcast every week. I'm excited to check it out.

      Delete
  7. I won't say much cause I have a feeling someone at F This Movie! will write about it, but "Darling" is my 2nd favorite film of the year. I watched it twice. It came so close to being a classic only to be cheapened by some bullshit that filmmakers continue to do and I don't understand why. Still, I forgive it and I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so close to renting this last night

      Delete
    2. I'm about 30 min into Darling. Really liking it so far. Glass Eye Pix is my horror spirit animal.

      Delete
    3. Adam riske is my spirit animal

      Delete
  8. It came out in September, but I finally caught up with the HBO documentary "Everything Is Copy," a really interesting look at the life of Nora Ephron. Structure wise, it's nothing that special, but it was put together by her son Jacob so it wins for access to everyone you might want to talk to (with the exception of Nicholas Pileggi, who understandably just didn't want to appear on camera). But Mike Nichols is in it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You guys! It's REWATCH THE HAPPENING WEEK. Remember? No. Oh, you're still mad you don't get it. Somebody has to buy all these The Wind Is Coming
    t-shirts. Seriously, rewatch The Happening. You'll hate it and I'll cry but it will be worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul, you still haven't given me your address for the t-shirt. John Leguizamo signed it and everything.

      Delete
  10. Filth. Really enjoyable mess of a movie with an absolutely fantastic lead performance by James McEvoy who holds it all together even as the reality melding into psychotic hallucination motif falls short. I am pretty sure subtitles would be required for American audience given thick as all fuck Scottish accents. I recommend it though it is far from perfect.
    Also cold in July. As per the review on the website, tis pretty class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I also had a unexpectedly great time with that one. Jamie Bell is good as always, McAvoy is in over-the-top mode and the great Eddie Marsan is just hilarous.

      Delete
  11. I'm very excited that Criterion is putting out a Blu Ray edition of the 1939 Howard Hawks film Only Angels Have Wings, starring Cary Grant and the great, underrated Jean Arthur. Hawks is one of my favorite directors, and Only Angels Have Wings is one of my favorite Hawks films. Just one more piece of evidence that 1939 was the greatest year ever for motion pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Planning a late-nighter watching movies. I've already finished Beast from 20,000 Fathoms which is really fun and now watching Hush on Netflix. Also will watch The Invitation, Darling, Westworld and White Line Fever later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll have to let me know what you thought of Hush Adam. I'm 20 minutes in and I think it's great so far. I love the main character and the set up. I hope it can keep up the tension for the whole running time.

      Delete
    2. Oh, Adam-- you could have seen Beast this afternoon, freezing in a big theater with no heat! Why on earth would you want to watch it at home?

      Delete
    3. Oh the Patio. How's the sci fi spectacular otherwise?

      Delete
  13. Question directed at Patrick B but open to anyone else as well: What are some good indie horror flicks this year? I haven't seen any reviewed on the site in quite some time. I want to watch some but don't have time to wade through all the garbage. haha Thanks guys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Body and Nina Forever are good

      Delete
    2. Nina Forever is the only one I'd heard about. I do need to see it. Body looks interesting. Thanks man!

      Delete
    3. Dude. Really? There is a ton of indie Horror talk on F This Movie! That's about all I talk about!

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    5. I may not have been reading the open threads lately. I was just talking about official reviews.

      Delete
    6. Although it was from a few years ago, I liked Kill List.

      Delete
    7. The Invitation is worth checking out on VOD right now. Hush is good on Netflix. My favorite is Darling, which also just hit VOD this weekend.

      Delete
    8. I watched Backcountry after multiple mentions on the podcast... thanks for the nightmares!!

      Delete
    9. Next to grocery shopping, camping is one of my least favorite things to do. You think back in the days when people learned to build houses they were like "Well this is great but lets go sleep outside every once and a while". Hell no.

      Delete
    10. Watched Hush tonight. I really enjoyed it! Thanks Patrick! I'll have to watch those others you mentioned too.

      Delete
  14. I've been sick all week so I've been catching up on films that I've been wanting to see. I started with a double feature of Dazed and Confused followed by Inside Out. Dazed was a lot of fun but Inside Out stole the show.

    I rewatched The Force Awakens.

    Big Trouble in Little China arrived in the mail yesterday (I usually buy movies before I see them if I have a feeling I'm going to like them, I haven't failed yet!) I watched it last night and thought it was great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait...You can't just gloss over that you watched BTILC for the first time. More please...

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Haha I loved almost everything about it. Kurt Russell was great as always, Kim Cattrall was a doll. The music was fantastic and the fights were hilarious.

      Though I was a bit confused as to who those three super goons were who were helping Lo Pan. Also, I'm not sure what to think of that ending either. It felt like a poor attempt at one last scare, but maybe I missed something.

      Delete
    4. The ending is corny, no worries about that, but keep in mind the year it came out. Also, don't worry about Lo Pan's "goons". You got Thunder, Rain and Lightening and that's all you have to know. Shit, what I wouldn't give to see BTILC for the first time. It encompasses everything I love about being a child of the 80's. I'm so happy you saw this masterpiece for the first time 20 years later. Fuck. I'm old.

      Delete
    5. Yeah it really was a lot of fun. I'm glad I finally got to it.

      Delete
    6. I love the shot in the elevator after they take the stuff, good stuff

      Delete
    7. "Terrific, a six-demon bag. Sen-sational. What's in it, Egg?
      "wind, fire, all that kind of thing!"

      Brilliant.

      Delete
  15. I saw Boogie Nights for the first time. Wow. From the opening shot it's so impressive. It's almost like an anti-Scorcese movie, in that it feels a helluva lot like Goodfellas at times but the content is so ridiculous and over the top that it winds up as a completely different animal. I felt like the movie was going to let me down when it started going all Requiem For A Dream on me (a movie I'm not a fan of at all) but it completely surprised me by heading down a road rarely travelled by in movies. Thanks Patrick for your years of ranting and raving about this movie.

    I also saw Proxy and enjoyed it a lot. It felt like an indie Gone Girl. This is another movie that goes places I've never been to in a movie before.

    Not so with Nothing Bad Can Happen. People have been raving about this as "the German Martyrs" and "one of the most challenging movies I've ever seen". I found the first half to be interesting, and I loved following the Jesus Freaks but by the time it starts getting into the more torture driven aspects of its plot I found it uninteresting, unimaginative and the motivations of the characters to be non-existent if not downright contradictory to their behaviour in the first half of the movie. Making a movie hard to watch is easy, making a movie that's hard to watch but that you can't stop watching is a difficult trick to pull off and one that Nothing Bad Can Happen fails spectacularly at.

    I also watched The Witch. Absolutely loved it. Did JB call it the most disappointing movie of the year or did I imagine that? I can't think why he'd say that. I thought it was really fantastic. If I can summon The Quibbler for a moment though, nothing takes me out of a movie faster than when a filmmaker blatantly references their influences.I get that they want to pay homage, but every time I see "237" as a hotel room number, or a John Carpenter style font in the opening credits I check out. It seems to be there for people to congratulate themselves, or as signposts for critics to write about what movies inspired the director. In the case of The Witch I could have done without the Kubrick references. Minor quibble with a fantastic movie... Don't watch the trailer, don't expect jump scares, don't expect everything to be wrapped up in a neat little package. Expect a really unsettling slow-burn movie that pays dividends to its viewer. I'm glad it's getting as much praise as it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be difficult sometimes not to reference those who inspire you. Sometimes it may even be unconscious decisions. But I know what ya mean. And I'm glad you loved The Witch, I thought it was fantastic too.

      Delete
  16. Holly Fucking Shit! Watched The Force Awakens at home (3rd viewing for me) and my love just continues to grow. Yeah the parallels to ANH and general fan service are very apparent but I really don't care. This speaks to the kid in me and just delivers on the Star Wars experience. Its not the experience I deserve, but the one I needed. My only grip is I wish the aspect was 1.78:1, but the video looks great. I'm drinking the from the same trough as Fin and never want to stop.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Help guys?

    A movie short from 70s ish onwards. A guys head in a shoe box. With a beard. Kept saying dont put the lid back on. Confused man finds box in the garage on a sunny day. Everytime he took lid off the shoe box the man in the box kept saying dont put the lid back on. Final shot was man throwing the box from a bridge to a garabage truck. Final shot is lid came off. Box in a big pile of garbage screaming for help

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my god! I know the movie! I can't be of any help but I know what you're talking about. Please answer this man's question

      Delete
    2. It's been bugging me for about so years. I had hopes the F-heads here would know?

      Delete
    3. Come on Sol, Chaybee, JM, Brent, Patrick, JB, I have faith in you guys

      Delete
    4. It sounds familiar but I couldn't come up with anything. You sure it was a film and not an episode of Tales from the Darkside or something like that?

      Delete
    5. In my memory it was a short played at the pictures before the feature, now it feels like a memory of a memory so who knows, I can see final shot in my head vivdly

      Delete
    6. Maybe a part of an Anthology? I dunno, I'm stumped bro.

      Delete
    7. Thanks Chaybee, its been buging me for 25 years. I'm glad Marcus remembers it so I'm not actually going insane, can you add anything to my description Marcus please do, its mainly the man with the beard in the box constantly saying Don't put the lid back on! And throwing the box into the garbage truck from the bridge, with the man screaming from the box, then a,wide pan out to the small box in the large trash area

      Delete
    8. I'm in the UK Marcus, where did you see it? Maybe it was UK only?
      Do you remember?

      Delete
  18. If anyone else is getting on the Giallo bandwagon I just watched 73s Torso, great Giallo film, lots of female nudity which is always nice ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't seen a ton of giallo, but Torso is probably my favourite.

      And, yes, it's mostly because of the nudity :D

      Delete
  19. Dead Alive. Watch it. That is all.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was excited for Rogue One until I found out that it was written by Chris Weitz, the genius behind such masterpieces as Antz, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Twilight: New Moon. Why in the world would Disney hire him to write the screenplay? Could they literally not get anyone else?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, that lineup is shameful... almost as bad as Gone Fishin' (written by JJ Abrams).

      Delete
    2. I agree with Matt. Weitz also wrote About A Boy (which is fantastic), Kenneth Branaugh's Cinderella (very good) and directed A Better Life (haven't seen it, but I've heard great things.) I know we like to think of writers and directors as artists, but it is their job. Studios are very specific about what they want out of movies like New Moon and The Nutty Professor 2, and someone needed to do those jobs.

      Delete
  21. Even though Hush is pretty simple and I liked it enough, I give it tons of respect for 1. Not being found footage and 2. There are absolutely ZERO jump scares. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked it because I could identify with it. My hand also looks like chili cheese fries.

      Delete
  22. Nightmare on elm street 2. Has any lead character been put through more shit than this guy Jesse? My favorite scene still when he is in class nodding off and he is assaulted by what looks like a real fucking snake then his asshole teacher comes over and says "if you want to play with animals then join the circus." Thanks fucker, how's about you lock up your poisonous animals during class. Then the classmate who is likely culpable of putting snake on him starts to laugh. Poor Jesse can only muster middle finger gesture instead of giving him the blunt force instrument to the face he deserves. Cut to Jesse dancing in his room and singing into a brush as he does fathers bidding and empties all of his shit out of boxes thereby missing out on messing about in swimming pool with Kim Myers. I would say he is a poor bastard but is no poorer than the grown man watching this film for the third time.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I had a really good movie weekend: Kuffs, the Before trilogy, Hannah and Her Sisters, Barton Fink, Dirty Harry, and The French Connection. Everything except the Linklater was a first viewing.

    This was only my second viewing of Before Sunset and Before Midnight, and, maybe it's because I'm older this time, but my opinions on them have changed. I used to think the second one was kind blah but saved by that gut-punch ending, but this time around I really enjoyed it (maybe because I know how it would end), and I remember liking Midnight quite a bit, but this time it made me so uncomfortable that I kept debating whether or not to leave the screening.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anyone see Demolition this weekend? Trying to decide whether to see it. Trailer looks interesting, but mixed reviews so far.

    ReplyDelete