Hey gang!
This is like the thread Songs You Love, only for movies (obviously).
Tell us about a movie you love and preferably a little about what makes it great and perhaps explain a little about how it resonates with you or why it's special to you.
I suggest Guest goes first.
I'll start by mentioning:
Birdman (2014)
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In this movie, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez, we see Michael Keaton playing the role of washed up former action hero actor Riggan Thomson. Riggan is seeking artistic redemption and wants to set up a play on Broadway, but has to contend with impossible actors, the chaos of theatre, his own identity crisis and the devil on his back telling him he could always just go back and do Birdman 4.
The movie appears to be shot in one take. Coupled with a soundtrack that features a lot of free jazz drumming, it creates an intensity that perfectly matches and helps convey the chaotic nature of theatre productions as well as Riggan's inner life.
The acting is superb, especially by Michael Keaton and.. who doesn't love him?
Everything just came together so beautifully in this one. It's funny, moving, very entertaining. I love it.
If I remember correctly, it won the 2014 Oscar for best movie. Well deserved!
Rear Window (1954)
My fiance and I have some overlap with our tastes in film, mostly with regards to nostalgic 90s stuff and the customary bad movies we use as roast material, but a lot of our individual film preferences are very different and even opposite. One thing we don't really see eye to eye on is really old movies. The mister is very much a high-tech 21st century man, if he enjoys an older movie it's usually just out of amusement rather than any genuine love for classic cinema. By "old" I generally mean anything made before 1970 or so.
I've spoken briefly on this occasionally, but not at length: I'm a huge fan of a lot of the aesthetics and media and typical conventions of the mid-century era of entertainment. I love the fashion, the slang and mannerisms, the interior design, I have so much love for the vintage styles of that era (roughly 1945 to 1965). It's more than retro kitsch to me, it's a big influence on a lot of my aesthetic presentations in various areas of my life. Rear Window, on the other hand, is something that, while certainly an obvious product of the 1950s, in a lot of ways it also kind of transcends the era, even moreso than some other Hitchcock films. I took a film class in college around 2008-2009 where we watched most of his notable films, and this one was and still remains my favorite.
I think one thing that has given me a perennial appreciation for it is my own sense of place, for lack of a better description. Between living alone after moving out of my mom's house in 2013, being stuck in the 2020 Covid lockdown, and my current situation in which restrictions are imposed on me leaving the house, I've spent a lot of time at home over the past decade. Having been inside for so long on a regular basis, I tend to start to notice the finer details of my surroundings, both in terms of subconscious perception and conscious observation. I play little games in my head to keep me mentally stimulated. I daydream a lot. I notice patterns. And while I don't actively observe my neighbors or anything, my wandering mind will sometimes take note of what they're doing.
And so because of all that, I feel like I can really get into the headspace of Jimmy Stewart's character in this film. I relate to him giving his neighbors across the street silly nicknames, and I relate to his curiosity that leads him to pursue investigation. So on that psychological level there is a lot about the experience of being stuck at home with nothing to do but hyperfocus on your surroundings that I think Hitchcock captures perfectly.
The film is also helped by my extreme admiration and envy of Grace Kelly's beauty. Vintage glamour is a passion of mine and she absolutely slays that look.
Well if you're going to call me out I guess I have no choice. Unless you did that thing again where it looks like you're talking to me but it just inserts whoever's username.
Badlands (1973)
I love it for it's atmosphere. The characters retain a certain childlike innocence despite being serial killers on the run. Well the leading lady and narrator does anyway. It's unsettling. Terrence Malick's debut I believe. And I always love Martin Sheen.
I think it was the inspiration for Natural Born Killers or something. I remember my uncle saying it was basically Natural Born Killers. I think it was Natural Born Killers. It was something.
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Quote from: Guybrush on Sep 08, 2023, 12:40 AMI'll start by mentioning:
Birdman (2014)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91oJ7cYnH+L._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)
In this movie, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez, we see Michael Keaton playing the role of washed up former action hero actor Riggan Thomson. Riggan is seeking artistic redemption and wants to set up a play on Broadway, but has to contend with impossible actors, the chaos of theatre, his own identity crisis and the devil on his back telling him he could always just go back and do Birdman 4.
The movie appears to be shot in one take. Coupled with a soundtrack that features a lot of free jazz drumming, it creates an intensity that perfectly matches and helps convey the chaotic nature of theatre productions as well as Riggan's inner life.
The acting is superb, especially by Michael Keaton and.. who doesn't love him?
Everything just came together so beautifully in this one. It's funny, moving, very entertaining. I love it.
If I remember correctly, it won the 2014 Oscar for best movie. Well deserved!
Tore, I watched
Birdman recently and was pretty much blown away. Couldn't agree more with your estimation of this film - the acting by everyone in the cast, particularly Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton, was superb. I need to watch it again as a whole, since my viewings were interrupted a few times. It's just one of those films that I know I'll be watching over and over. Thanks for the recommendation!
Quote from: Mindy on Sep 12, 2023, 08:19 PM(https://boxden.com/smilies/7tbnjnj.png)
Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks.
:(
Quote from: ribbons on Sep 12, 2023, 10:49 PMTore, I watched Birdman recently and was pretty much blown away. Couldn't agree more with your estimation of this film - the acting by everyone in the cast, particularly Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton, was superb. I need to watch it again as a whole, since my viewings were interrupted a few times. It's just one of those films that I know I'll be watching over and over. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thank you,
@ribbons ! 😊
I've seen it a few times now and it always blew me away.
@Mrs. Waffles I also love Rear Window and it's also my Hitchcock favorite. There's some cozy magic to him watching his neighbors go on about their lives. The dialogue is great, Grace Kelly so beautiful as you mention. It's a wonderful movie.
@robhr I've never seen Badlands, but might just check it out 🙂
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I'm a big fan of stop motion and this is my favorite I think. It's just stunning to look at. I watch it quite often when I have an hour and a half to waste or need a bit of comfort in the familiar.
Quote from: MonaSomona on Sep 13, 2023, 03:47 PMI'm a big fan of stop motion and this is my favorite I think. It's just stunning to look at. I watch it quite often when I have an hour and a half to waste or need a bit of comfort in the familiar.
We're a bit like that with Nightmare Before Christmas and are also very fond of Coraline 🙂
I was a big Tim Burton fan when Corpse Bride came out. I liked it at the time, but I have not seen it since I was in high school.
I love Nightmare, I was absolutely that kid who rocked the Jack Skellington merch from Hot Topic as a teenager. I had a fierce debate with a coworker a few months ago on whether it was more of a Halloween movie or more of a Christmas movie. I was arguing on the side of Halloween, for the record.
And while we're on the subject, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie and I will die on this hill. Anyone who seriously thinks it is one is taking a meme too far.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 13, 2023, 04:20 PMI love Nightmare, I was absolutely that kid who rocked the Jack Skellington merch from Hot Topic as a teenager. I had a fierce debate with a coworker a few months ago on whether it was more of a Halloween movie or more of a Christmas movie. I was arguing on the side of Halloween, for the record.
Definitely a Halloween movie.
^I think the movie builds up towards a climax about what's gonna happen at Christmas with Santa being kidnapped and Jack taking over. As such, it's more christmas movie. But then in style, it leans much more heavily into Halloween.
The boring answer (imo) is it manages to cater to both holidays and it's really quite clever.
I LOVE this one:
The Fisher King (1991)
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Slight spoiler here, but Jeff Bridges plays Jack who is a successful radio DJ of the cynical narcissistic variety at the start of the film. One of his regular callers is a deranged guy who Jack, on air, unknowingly eggs on to kill a bunch of people at a restaurant with a shotgun. The shooting and Jack's attachment to it gets a bunch of media attention and Jack's life and career falls apart.
We then meet him again 5 years later, wracked with regret, guilt and self-pity and hiding out in the back-office of his girlfriend's video rental.
When he goes on a depressed, drunken binge and eventually decides to take his own life, he is unexpectedly helped by the homeless, deranged Paddy played by Robin Williams.
Jack later learns that him and Paddy's fates are intertwined and decides that if he can help Paddy, maybe things would get better for himself.
It's basically a redemption story with a lot of heart and being directed by Terry Gilliam, it also typically centers around outsiders of society and throws in a bit of the fantastic. Its biggest strength is the portrayal of humanity through its central four characters, Jack and Paddy as well as Jack's girlfriend Anne played by Mercedes Reuhl and the target of Paddy's affections, the awkward Lydia, played by Amanda Plummer.
It's funny, romantic, tragic, hopeful - just through and through great, though I do think it's the sort of movie that may hit hardest on the second viewing. Some of the acting is also amazing and I believe Mercedes Reuhl snatched an Oscar for her human portrayal as Anne.
This movie instilled in me a love for
Gilliam, its cast as well as the songs How About You (our dance song at our wedding) and Lydia the Tattooed Lady.
When living in Oslo, we visited a friend who just so happened to have her parents visiting. For some reason, we decided to watch a movie and I recommended this and so we watched it. Since then, her mother has loved this movie and watch it like once a year 😄 so I'm happy to have successfully shared my love for it and it really has the ability to connect with certain people.
I think veryone ought to see it - twice!
Amores Perros
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Clifford
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π
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Love Amores Perros and Pi.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 13, 2023, 04:20 PMI was a big Tim Burton fan when Corpse Bride came out. I liked it at the time, but I have not seen it since I was in high school.
I love Nightmare, I was absolutely that kid who rocked the Jack Skellington merch from Hot Topic as a teenager. I had a fierce debate with a coworker a few months ago on whether it was more of a Halloween movie or more of a Christmas movie. I was arguing on the side of Halloween, for the record.
And while we're on the subject, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie and I will die on this hill. Anyone who seriously thinks it is one is taking a meme too far.
Okay so Nightmare is a Halloween movie but I can't get on board with you discrediting Die Hard as a Christmas movie.
It takes place during Christmas, how does that NOT make it a Christmas movie? I will watch it every Christmas day til the end of time!
The debate/conversation I had recently was which is the superior Halloween kids movie, Nightmare before Christmas Or Hocus Pocus?
Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 19, 2023, 11:26 AMOkay so Nightmare is a Halloween movie but I can't get on board with you discrediting Die Hard as a Christmas movie.
It takes place during Christmas, how does that NOT make it a Christmas movie? I will watch it every Christmas day til the end of time!
The debate/conversation I had recently was which is the superior Halloween kids movie, Nightmare before Christmas Or Hocus Pocus?
My logic regarding Die Hard is that it taking place at Christmas is almost entirely incidental to the rest of the movie. You could set it at any other time and it would be more or less the same, and just as great. But we can certainly agree to disagree!
And that's tough on the Halloween movies, haha. Both absolute classics. I think I like Nightmare more on a sentimental level but it's very close.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 19, 2023, 12:15 PMMy logic regarding Die Hard is that it taking place at Christmas is almost entirely incidental to the rest of the movie. You could set it at any other time and it would be more or less the same, and just as great. But we can certainly agree to disagree!
And that's tough on the Halloween movies, haha. Both absolute classics. I think I like Nightmare more on a sentimental level but it's very close.
I'm more partial to witchcraft and witches in general so Hocus Pocus gets my vote. Plus I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton. I know that's shocking but yeah it's true.
Yes it could have taken place at any other time but it didn't. It took place during Christmas so therefore it is a Christmas movie. If it took place during Thanksgiving. It would be a Thanksgiving movie but yeah we will have to agree to disagree.
Quote from: Meatwad on Sep 17, 2023, 10:10 AMπ
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I love Pi as well and I'm just now realizing that it's an A24 production.
A24 doesn't miss! they be releasing bangers on top of bangers on top of bangers. I watched "Talk to Me" last night and had a great time another A24 production.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 19, 2023, 12:41 PMI'm more partial to witchcraft and witches in general so Hocus Pocus gets my vote. Plus I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton. I know that's shocking but yeah it's true.
Yes it could have taken place at any other time but it didn't. It took place during Christmas so therefore it is a Christmas movie. If it took place during Thanksgiving. It would be a Thanksgiving movie but yeah we will have to agree to disagree.
Yeah, my opinion on Burton has soured a lot with age, but as a kid his work meant a lot to me. I guess I'd say if we're talking teenage Mrs. Waffles I'd go with Nightmare but current Mrs. Waffles would probably pick Hocus Pocus.
My point was more that if you can set Die Hard at any other time, it clearly doesn't have much to do with Christmas on a narrative level. You couldn't set Elf or The Santa Clause or The Grinch at any other time. But on some level I get the Die Hard Christmas thing, it's the atmosphere of it being set at Christmas that does a lot aesthetically even if the plot is not really affected by it. So I think in that sense we're more in agreement than my first post let on.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 19, 2023, 12:42 PMI love Pi as well and I'm just now realizing that it's an A24 production.
A24 doesn't miss! they be releasing bangers on top of bangers on top of bangers. I watched "Talk to Me" last night and had a great time another A24 production.
Not sure A24 has anything to do with Aronofsky and I doubt they've been around since 98. Maybe just means they have the distribution now but Im just guessing.
Quote from: Meatwad on Sep 19, 2023, 01:10 PMNot sure A24 has anything to do with Aronofsky and I doubt they've been around since 98. Maybe just means they have the distribution now but Im just guessing.
Aronofsky sold the rights to A24 this year that's why they have their logo plastered on that movie poster.
I just looked it up and you are right. A24 wasn't around in the late 90s when this movie first came out. They have only been around since 2013.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 19, 2023, 01:01 PMMy point was more that if you can set Die Hard at any other time, it clearly doesn't have much to do with Christmas on a narrative level. You couldn't set Elf or The Santa Clause or The Grinch at any other time. But on some level I get the Die Hard Christmas thing, it's the atmosphere of it being set at Christmas that does a lot aesthetically even if the plot is not really affected by it. So I think in that sense we're more in agreement than my first post let on.
Christmas IS integral to the plot though. Christmas time is a time for forgiveness and about family. So John Mclaine heads to LA to try to reconcile with his wife and visit his kids for the holidays. There was also the whole fact that they have a Office Christmas party going on. There would be no reason for so many employees to be within the office building at night. Sure it's not slap you over the head Christmasy but Christmas is important to the plot.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 19, 2023, 01:33 PMChristmas IS integral to the plot though. Christmas time is a time for forgiveness and about family. So John Mclaine heads to LA to try to reconcile with his wife and visit his kids for the holidays. There was also the whole fact that they have a Office Christmas party going on. There would be no reason for so many employees to be within the office building at night. Sure it's not slap you over the head Christmasy but Christmas is important to the plot.
That's fair. It's got Christmas there in a subtle way. I guess I just hear the term "Christmas movie" and immediately think of the super festive stuff. Maybe it's just my perception of the term that keeps me from really seeing it as Christmasy. I wouldn't put it on in the middle of a Christmas movie marathon right between A Christmas Story and Miracle on 34th Street, let's just say that, haha.
But I see your point of view as well.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Sep 19, 2023, 01:30 PMAronofsky sold the rights to A24 this year that's why they have their logo plastered on that movie poster.
I just looked it up and you are right. A24 wasn't around in the late 90s when this movie first came out. They have only been around since 2013.
That makes sense. Curious that he sold the rights to the movie. Would be interesting to know which sum of money was involved since it didn't make much at the box office.
Edit : Just looked into it and they released it earlier in the year in IMAX to commemorate its 25 year anniversary.
Once Were Warriors
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I've ranted about it before, but considering the theme of this thread, I have to mention it again
Hereditary (2018)
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This is Ari Aster's first proper studio backed feature film and still his best movie.
Slight spoiler, the movie is a harrowing family drama/horror with a supernatural twist. That in itself may not sound so original, but it is exquisitely done.
The shots and cinematography is beautiful. How is this his first film? He must've done a lot before, because Aster seems to have such a great eye. There's also a lot of clever details, foreshadowing and just things to wonder about in every scene here.
It's a slow burn, but the drama is intense. It's down to several factors, like Aster's storytelling ability, a non-formulaic script and an especially powerful performance by Toni Collette. The dramatic heights are intense. I'm also a sucker for this sort of feel-bad energy. It goes from bad to worse and then, somehow, even worse.
Towards the end, the movie does get rather creepy, but also darkly comedic. To me, it's like a palate cleanser and the imagery is so great. It's a dark ride, but it leaves me with a smile.
All in all, I consider it the best thing to happen to horror in a very long time. It made me an instant fan of Aster who continues to be an interesting filmmaker, though he has yet to make another movie as good as this.
I hope he will, eventually 🙂
Never seen that one but I did enjoy Midsommar. Modern horror is usually a bit outside my comfort zone but I enjoyed that it had actual themes to analyze rather than just demons and monsters and loud noises and jumpscares.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Sep 22, 2023, 12:53 AMNever seen that one but I did enjoy Midsommar. Modern horror is usually a bit outside my comfort zone but I enjoyed that it had actual themes to analyze rather than just demons and monsters and loud noises and jumpscares.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Uncut Gems
Lady Bird
Talk to Me
Hereditary
Moonlight
Midsommar
Ex Machina
The Witch
The Whale
This is a list of 24 produced top grossing films for the company.
I'm sure you've enjoyed some on this list.
Only other one on that list I've seen is Uncut Gems, but I did enjoy that one.
I'll definitely look into those, Guybrush's praise has made me want to check out Hereditary for sure.
I'm sad that The Lighthouse (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7984734) with Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe isn't on their top grossing list. That was also a one of a kind experience 🙂
On that list the only horror related ones are The Witch, Hereditary, Talk to Me and Midsommar. Ex Machina is brilliant but not horror just kind of a slow burn sci fi flick.
My most recent watch, but it was excellent. Chilling sci-fi. If you liked Hereditary or Ex-Machina (which shares the same directory I think), you'll like this.
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A fantastic movie about love, loss, redemption, and transcendence. The actors/actresses put on stellar performances that really draw you into the character dynamics - and the plot is truly and simply stellar. The first time I watched it, I was practically in tears by the end.
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I loved the first one as well but I have watched the second one numerous times. It's so good.
I like that fact that they are accountants but also that the second movie takes place in the Virgin Islands.
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The most recent film I've watched that I've really fallen in love with. In particular the parts shot in Japan, but the parts shot in Africa are great as well. Japanese life fascinates me, and seeing regular day-to-day life captured (from the 70s) with all its quirks and traditions makes this a great film to watch. There are lots of great micro-moments in this documentary/essay film which stick with me and make this film memorable.
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Quote from: SGR on Sep 27, 2023, 05:01 AM(https://flxt.tmsimg.com/assets/p27433_p_v8_af.jpg)
A fantastic movie about love, loss, redemption, and transcendence. The actors/actresses put on stellar performances that really draw you into the character dynamics - and the plot is truly and simply stellar. The first time I watched it, I was practically in tears by the end.
I saw that in the theater. I don't remember if I liked it. I was probably high as shit tho lol.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
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Wes Anderson has many adoring fans. My fascination with his output has waned a little the last ten-ish years, but this one - my favorite of his - is still a joy to watch.
There's a story to this movie about an ocean explorer and documentary maker chasing down the shark who ate his friend and getting reunited with a lost son, but the movie's considerable magic is in the characters, their interactions and the weird alternative universe that Wes Anderson creates. It is funny, moving, weird and unlike anything else.
Never before had a movie so made me want to belong to something I saw onscreen. I had a friend who became goth after watching The Crow and then changed style again after The Matrix. Not me. I wanted to be part of the crew of the Belafonte. This movie made me order a red hat and a baby blue shirt with short sleeves.
To me, this is Bill Murray's best role. He was absolutely perfect. The supporting cast is also great.
I've loved this movie since its release when I watched it without any prior knowledge or expectations. It blew my mind. 🙂
Quote from: Mr. Waffles on Sep 30, 2023, 05:44 AMI saw that in the theater. I don't remember if I liked it. I was probably high as shit tho lol.
In that case, I
guarantee you liked it.
Suspiria (1977)
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@Meatwad you may consider this blasphemy, but I really enjoyed the remake from 2014 with Tilda Swinton and others 🙂
It's different in tone of course, but every enjoyable still.
Quote from: SGR on Oct 04, 2023, 01:41 AMIn that case, I guarantee you liked it.
Touché my friend
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 04, 2023, 06:35 AM@Meatwad you may consider this blasphemy, but I really enjoyed the remake from 2014 with Tilda Swinton and others 🙂
It's different in tone of course, but every enjoyable still.
I might try out the remake because I couldn't stand the original. A couple of the film heads on MB was highly recommending it to me and everything they loved about it is what turned me off from it.
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 03, 2023, 11:42 PMThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
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Wes Anderson has many adoring fans. My fascination with his output has waned a little the last ten-ish years, but this one - my favorite of his - is still a joy to watch.
There's a story to this movie about an ocean explorer and documentary maker chasing down the shark who ate his friend and getting reunited with a lost son, but the movie's considerable magic is in the characters, their interactions and the weird alternative universe that Wes Anderson creates. It is funny, moving, weird and unlike anything else.
Never before had a movie so made me want to belong to something I saw onscreen. I had a friend who became goth after watching The Crow and then changed style again after The Matrix. Not me. I wanted to be part of the crew of the Belafonte. This movie made me order a red hat and a baby blue shirt with short sleeves.
To me, this is Bill Murray's best role. He was absolutely perfect. The supporting cast is also great.
I've loved this movie since its release when I watched it without any prior knowledge or expectations. It blew my mind. 🙂
This is one of my all time favorites too, and I also saw it shortly after it came out on DVD with no real knowledge or context. The David Bowie covers from that movie are really fantastic as well.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Oct 04, 2023, 11:50 PMThis is one of my all time favorites too, and I also saw it shortly after it came out on DVD with no real knowledge or context. The David Bowie covers from that movie are really fantastic as well.
Yes, they're really great 🙂 my wife got really taken with them and preferred them to the originals for a while, I think.
Such a lovely tribute to Bowie ❤️
Also, I'm pretty sure this is Willem Dafoe's funniest role, even if his character is relatively minor. 😄
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 04, 2023, 06:35 AM@Meatwad you may consider this blasphemy, but I really enjoyed the remake from 2014 with Tilda Swinton and others 🙂
It's different in tone of course, but every enjoyable still.
A lot of remakes can be be pretty good and even be an improvement so I just enjoy movies on merit. For example, from what I've heard the Dune remake is better than David Lynch's effort.
Ringu
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Quote from: Meatwad on Oct 05, 2023, 09:05 AMA lot of remakes can be be pretty good and even be an improvement so I just enjoy movies on merit. For example, from what I've heard the Dune remake is better than David Lynch's effort.
I love Lynch, but I could get behind this statement.
Falling Down
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Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 05, 2023, 05:22 PMI love Lynch, but I could get behind this statement.
I haven't seen either version of Dune (besides reading Herberts book as a kid) so Im not familiar with it as a film.
In terms of Lynch, I really liked the whole aesthetic of Twin Peaks and thought Mulholland Drive was a good movie. The only other film of his that I've watched is Blue Velvet, but it wasn't really something I got into.
Quote from: Meatwad on Oct 05, 2023, 05:34 PMI haven't seen either version of Dune (besides reading Herberts book as a kid) so Im not familiar with it as a film.
In terms of Lynch, I really liked the whole aesthetic of Twin Peaks and thought Mulholland Drive was a good movie. The only other film of his that I've watched is Blue Velvet, but it wasn't really something I got into.
My two favourites are probably Eraserhead and Blue Velvet. Twin Peaks is great, including the Fire Walk With Me movie. I also like Lost Highway, Mulholland Dr., The Elephant Man, etc.
The one I haven't seen yet is The Straight Story and I fell asleep during Inland Empire, so need to rewatch that.
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 03, 2023, 11:42 PMWes Anderson has many adoring fans. My fascination with his output has waned a little the last ten-ish years, but this one - my favorite of his - is still a joy to watch.
I have a love/hate relationship with Wes Anderson. I feel like his movies are very paint by the numbers for certain asthetic reasons.
I would like to see Asteroid City even though it feels quite similar to Nope.
Over time I have gotten over my feelings of just wanting to immediately discard his movies because they just come off as pretentious indie fare that gathers to hipsters. Colors, music choice, filmography everything basically.
I didn't really care for Life Aquatica or The Royal Tenebaums. Those are the two that everyone praises so much from him.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Oct 06, 2023, 10:47 AMI didn't really care for Life Aquatica or The Royal Tenenbaums. Those are the two that everyone praises so much from him.
I haven't seen Life Aquatic but I agree with everything you said about The Royal Tenenbaums. I found it really unamusing and pretentious too.
Even so, if you really want a movie that tries to be indie cool really hard and only ends ups being a large pile of bovine excrement, nothing is as pretentious and unamusing as " I Heart Huckerbees". :laughing:
Quote from: Meatwad on Oct 06, 2023, 04:01 PMI haven't seen Life Aquatic but I agree with everything you said about The Royal Tenenbaums. I found it really unamusing and pretentious too.
Even so, if you really want a movie that tries to be indie cool really hard and only ends ups being a large pile of bovine excrement, nothing is as pretentious and unamusing as " I Heart Huckerbees". :laughing:
Hard agree!
The Life Aquatic is actually the only one of his movies I've seen.
To me it does come off as a bit hipsterish, but IMO it does so in a way that actually nails the charm and quirk that a lot of indie cool films try and fail at. I thought it really captured a sense of wonder that I rarely see done in film, at least in a way that resonates with me personally.
Anderson can seem hipsterish and pretentious. But a few things relevant to me are:
I love it when a director has a unique style. Wes Anderson is so firmly in that category. He has his own way of creating characters, interactions, his quirky humour. And of course the way he composes his shots, creates images and tells a story. He is sometimes emulated today, so back then he was even more unique.
Second, for me it works. When I watch things that I think are pretentious, the pretentiousness keeps me at arm's length. But Anderson's universe is something that typically pulls me in. I think it's just so well done that the pretentiousness doesn't get in the way for me.
But I definitely feel like it's a style that you likely either vibe with or you don't.
Looking forward to seeing his latest, although the reviews seem mixed.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Oct 07, 2023, 12:35 PMThe Life Aquatic is actually the only one of his movies I've seen.
To me it does come off as a bit hipsterish, but IMO it does so in a way that actually nails the charm and quirk that a lot of indie cool films try and fail at. I thought it really captured a sense of wonder that I rarely see done in film, at least in a way that resonates with me personally.
Life Aquatic is such a wonderful film :) even other Wes Anderson's I've seen don't come close
Triangle (2009)
(https://de.web.img3.acsta.net/medias/nmedia/18/77/74/46/19423349.jpg)
A really excellent psychological thriller/horror about a group of people that go on a boat trip, only to be shipwrecked - but they manage to survive and get picked up by a cruise liner that's passing by. The only problem is that the liner is seemingly abandoned...what follows is a strange timeloop progression that our protagonist needs to find her way out of. The film touches on themes of deeply held regret, fruitlessly trying to make up for past mistakes, and the myth of Sisyphus.
Great watch if you're into films that need to be peeled apart and thought on a bit. If you liked Coherence, you'll probably like this. Strangely, it was only released in the UK back in 2009. Praise be to streaming.
I love that movie, I stumbled upon or an old roommate did and then he wanted us to watch it together.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Oct 10, 2023, 07:13 PMI love that movie, I stumbled upon or an old roommate did and then he wanted us to watch it together.
Totally underrated, isn't it?
Quote from: SGR on Oct 10, 2023, 04:01 PMTriangle (2009)
(https://de.web.img3.acsta.net/medias/nmedia/18/77/74/46/19423349.jpg)
A really excellent psychological thriller/horror about a group of people that go on a boat trip, only to be shipwrecked - but they manage to survive and get picked up by a cruise liner that's passing by. The only problem is that the liner is seemingly abandoned...what follows is a strange timeloop progression that our protagonist needs to find her way out of. The film touches on themes of deeply held regret, fruitlessly trying to make up for past mistakes, and the myth of Sisyphus.
Great watch if you're into films that need to be peeled apart and thought on a bit. If you liked Coherence, you'll probably like this. Strangely, it was only released in the UK back in 2009. Praise be to streaming.
I remember watching it when it came out and really digging it. It is marketed as some kind of horror slasher but it's much more complicated and nuanced than that. I'll have to rewatch it to see if I still enjoy it as much. Thanks for the reminder.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Oct 07, 2023, 12:35 PMThe Life Aquatic is actually the only one of his movies I've seen.
To me it does come off as a bit hipsterish, but IMO it does so in a way that actually nails the charm and quirk that a lot of indie cool films try and fail at. I thought it really captured a sense of wonder that I rarely see done in film, at least in a way that resonates with me personally.
Totally agree with the bolded. I recently watched
The Life Aquatic and absolutely loved it and intend to watch it again. It's whimsical, intensely creative, hilarious and poignant all at the same time. The entire cast is great, and I loved the character of Ned/"Kingsley Zissou" - he is so sweet. Thanks
@Guybrush for the initial recommendation - this is the third film you've posted that I've enjoyed and found really affecting (
i.
e.,
Birdman,
The Fisher King, and now this!). This is the first Wes Anderson film I've seen, as well - so I can't compare it to his other films, but this one is very special.
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 03, 2023, 11:42 PMThis movie made me order a red hat and a baby blue shirt with short sleeves.
You mean like this? ;)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/615S7hAuHLL._AC_UY879_.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/HqZZtGy/falling-down-dvd-movie-cover.jpg)
Watched this again for about the 900th time this weekend.
How Michael Douglas didn't even get an oscar nomination for this just baffles me.
Quote from: ribbons on Oct 11, 2023, 05:12 PMTotally agree with the bolded. I recently watched The Life Aquatic and absolutely loved it and intend to watch it again. It's whimsical, intensely creative, hilarious and poignant all at the same time. The entire cast is great, and I loved the character of Ned/"Kingsley Zissou" - he is so sweet. Thanks @Guybrush for the initial recommendation - this is the third film you've posted that I've enjoyed and found really affecting (i.e., Birdman, The Fisher King, and now this!). This is the first Wes Anderson film I've seen, as well - so I can't compare it to his other films, but this one is very special.
You mean like this? ;)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/615S7hAuHLL._AC_UY879_.jpg)
Woop! Thank YOU
@ribbons 😊 how wonderful it is to be able to share ones love for movies. I'm so happy you like them!!
Also, yes. That's the outfit. Although I will say it looks dumb on that model 😄
Quote from: Suburban Placeholder? on Oct 11, 2023, 05:49 PM(https://i.ibb.co/HqZZtGy/falling-down-dvd-movie-cover.jpg)
Watched this again for about the 900th time this weekend.
How Michael Douglas didn't even get an oscar nomination for this just baffles me.
I've seen it a couple of times, but the last time must've been in the early 00s.
I do remember I liked it.
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 11, 2023, 07:20 PMAlso, yes. That's the outfit. Although I will say it looks dumb on that model 😄
It's advertised as a Halloween costume on Amazon. :laughing: Yes, it's weird because the model's face looks real but the arms look fake. Maybe he's just an unpaid intern.
Steve: "Anne Marie, do interns get Glocks?"
Anne Marie: "No, they all share one." :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVHgfcyMz9A
watched Argo a couple days ago;
thinking of renting the matrix on youtube, give that a new watch;
Now that it's spooky season, maybe you ought to watch:
The Wicker Man (1973)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ2YWYzOWItYmU4OS00OTgyLWI4M2YtMmQ2ZDc5NzRhNDA5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDE0OTU3NDY@._V1_.jpg)
Yes, this wonderful movie was just released in a restored 4k version with a 94 minutes runtime, so that's now the definitive version to get.
On the small Scottish island Summerisle, a young girl has gone missing. Howie, a deeply christian police officer, is tasked with flying out to Summerisle to investigate the young girl's disappearance. Making it more troublesome for Howie, the people on Summerisle are all immoral heathens with absolutely no sense of proper decency. If he can just figure out their strange practices, maybe he can figure out what happened to the girl?
I love movies that feature the occult and The Wicker Man might just be the best one of them all. It looks like a made for TV movie when you first put it on, but it soon grabs you.. and the ending is probably my favorite ending of any movie ever made.
Add to that a soundtrack by Paul Giovanni and the band Magnet that has some of the most beautiful folk music of the 70s and the mix is just too good to miss.
At the start of the movie, with the small plane flying across the Scottish coast and corn rigs comes on, it's a balm for the soul:
And Willow's song might actually be the most beautiful folk ballad of the 70s period.
So watch this if you haven't, but remember to avoid the original theatrical release like the plague as it's cut to pieces and a nonsensical mess.
Always look for final or director's cut with this one 🙂 preferably the recent restoration, of course!
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 26, 2023, 11:06 PMNow that it's spooky season, maybe you ought to watch:
The Wicker Man (1973)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ2YWYzOWItYmU4OS00OTgyLWI4M2YtMmQ2ZDc5NzRhNDA5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDE0OTU3NDY@._V1_.jpg)
Yes, this wonderful movie was just released in a restored 4k version with a 94 minutes runtime, so that's now the definitive version to get.
On the small Scottish island Summerisle, a young girl has gone missing. Howie, a deeply christian police officer, is tasked with flying out to Summerisle to investigate the young girl's disappearance. Making it more troublesome for Howie, the people on Summerisle are all immoral heathens with absolutely no sense of proper decency. If he can just figure out their strange practices, maybe he can figure out what happened to the girl?
I love movies that feature the occult and The Wicker Man might just be the best one of them all. It looks like a made for TV movie when you first put it on, but it soon grabs you.. and the ending is probably my favorite ending of any movie ever made.
Add to that a soundtrack by Paul Giovanni and the band Magnet that has some of the most beautiful folk music of the 70s and the mix is just too good to miss.
At the start of the movie, with the small plane flying across the Scottish coast and corn rigs comes on, it's a balm for the soul:
And Willow's song might actually be the most beautiful folk ballad of the 70s period.
So watch this if you haven't, but remember to avoid the original theatrical release like the plague as it's cut to pieces and a nonsensical mess.
Always look for final or director's cut with this one 🙂 preferably the recent restoration, of course!
I've only seen the 2006 Nic Cage version, which I saw in theaters in high school. I am a big Christopher Lee fan so I'd definitely love to check out the original. I'll add it to the list!
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Oct 26, 2023, 11:17 PMI've only seen the 2006 Nic Cage version, which I saw in theaters in high school. I am a big Christopher Lee fan so I'd definitely love to check out the original. I'll add it to the list!
Oh gods.. I've never seen the Nic Cage version. I've seen some clips on YouTube and ofc they went viral because they're idiotic and ridiculously funny, but.. I love the original too much 😅 I'm not sure I could stomach the blasphemy.
I'm not sure if I posted about it but I watched The Last House on the Left both the original version and the remake that came out in 2009. The 2009 version did the original so much justice that I prefer the 2009 one to the original. It also wasn't the movie that I remembered seeing.
I was looking for a horror movie with a similar premise but the woman that got assaulted was the one getting revenge and not her parents.
Edit: the movie I was thinking I was getting ready to watch was I spit on your grave. That movie was also remade so it has two versions.
Quote from: Guybrush on Oct 26, 2023, 11:06 PMNow that it's spooky season, maybe you ought to watch:
The Wicker Man (1973)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ2YWYzOWItYmU4OS00OTgyLWI4M2YtMmQ2ZDc5NzRhNDA5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDE0OTU3NDY@._V1_.jpg)
Yes, this wonderful movie was just released in a restored 4k version with a 94 minutes runtime, so that's now the definitive version to get.
On the small Scottish island Summerisle, a young girl has gone missing. Howie, a deeply christian police officer, is tasked with flying out to Summerisle to investigate the young girl's disappearance. Making it more troublesome for Howie, the people on Summerisle are all immoral heathens with absolutely no sense of proper decency. If he can just figure out their strange practices, maybe he can figure out what happened to the girl?
I love movies that feature the occult and The Wicker Man might just be the best one of them all. It looks like a made for TV movie when you first put it on, but it soon grabs you.. and the ending is probably my favorite ending of any movie ever made.
Add to that a soundtrack by Paul Giovanni and the band Magnet that has some of the most beautiful folk music of the 70s and the mix is just too good to miss.
At the start of the movie, with the small plane flying across the Scottish coast and corn rigs comes on, it's a balm for the soul:
And Willow's song might actually be the most beautiful folk ballad of the 70s period.
So watch this if you haven't, but remember to avoid the original theatrical release like the plague as it's cut to pieces and a nonsensical mess.
Always look for final or director's cut with this one 🙂 preferably the recent restoration, of course!
I watched this tonight via BFI Player Classics, and finished about an hour ago. All I can say is, what a highly disturbing, disorienting but well made and well casted film. The end really shook me to the core, more so than anything I've seen in a long time! I am feeling unsettled and keep thinking I might see *the islanders* or *His Lordship* in the shadows of my apartment. Help! :laughing:
PS: While watching the film I wondered whether Pulp's song "Wickerman" connects to it in any way. Just looked it up and allegedly Pulp's "Wickerman" samples Giovanni's "Willow's Song". Hope I don't hear pounding sounds on my walls tonight! :yikes:
PPS: I have a pillow here that my grandmother made - with a hare on it. I posted a pic of it in the 5-pack thread a few days ago,
before seeing the film and its *March hares*. Yikes! :o
Final PS: I wonder what root-lifting spray Christopher Lee used to volumize his hair for this movie. :D
Quote from: ribbons on Nov 02, 2023, 04:54 AMI watched this tonight via BFI Player Classics, and finished about an hour ago. All I can say is, what a highly disturbing, disorienting but well made and well casted film. The end really shook me to the core, more so than anything I've seen in a long time! I am feeling unsettled and keep thinking I might see *the islanders* or *His Lordship* in the shadows of my apartment. Help! :laughing:
PS: While watching the film I wondered whether Pulp's song "Wickerman" connects to it in any way. Just looked it up and allegedly Pulp's "Wickerman" samples Giovanni's "Willow's Song". Hope I don't hear pounding sounds on my walls tonight! :yikes:
PPS: I have a pillow here that my grandmother made - with a hare on it. I posted a pic of it in the 5-pack thread a few days ago, before seeing the film and its *March hares*. Yikes! :o
Final PS: I wonder what root-lifting spray Christopher Lee used to volumize his hair for this movie. :D
Nice,
@ribbons 🤩 I hope you liked it! The ending certainly stuck with me for a while.
You described it as disorienting. It can be, but this may also be the mark of the theatrical cut at 88 minutes (the one to avoid). If you didn't see any scenes of Howie on the mainland in a church or chatting with colleagues before flying out to Summerisle, you may have seen the "wrong" version. But then you can enjoy one of the good edits on a later occasion 😉
Also, I wouldn't mind hearing some singing and pounding on my walls 😄 poor Howie.
Quote from: Guybrush on Nov 02, 2023, 06:25 AMNice, @ribbons 🤩 I hope you liked it! The ending certainly stuck with me for a while.
You described it as disorienting. It can be, but this may also be the mark of the theatrical cut at 88 minutes (the one to avoid). If you didn't see any scenes of Howie on the mainland in a church or chatting with colleagues before flying out to Summerisle, you may have seen the "wrong" version. But then you can enjoy one of the good edits on a later occasion 😉
Also, I wouldn't mind hearing some singing and pounding on my walls 😄 poor Howie.
Yes, I did see the scene of Howie in the church (I recall he was speaking at a lectern?) and chatting with colleagues before flying to Summerisle, so supposedly I did see the final cut? I'll double-check the BFI Player to be sure.
I did like the film and thought it was very unique, but the ending was really upsetting to me, to be honest, because I liked poor Howie actually. I think he sincerely thought he was doing good. And maybe it hit close to home, because like Howie I'm personally very attached to Jesus (although I am not formally religious like Howie). :(
LOL at your comment re: singing and pounding on the walls! What I didn't quite get (and I'll have to rewatch the film) is why the *seduction* attempts when they were seeking a virgin? ???
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMDFlYTRkOGMtMWQ1Yy00NWI2LWI3NzEtNDQ0MTg4MjQ0ZmY3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_.jpg)
(https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjQ-qLJxqWCAxWFNWAKHYH-BUgYABALGgJ0bQ&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwkY2qBhBDEiwAoQXK5e44RJnY9TrtdXwNLs3VQZM8uMgffkWlFOw4Vp3TeOKAgU6-To2fxBoCBYEQAvD_BwE&sig=AOD64_2mBxEUWi8siMuAA4EJgyMd3sQIKg&ctype=5&nis=6&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjxqZPJxqWCAxU45DgGHXdYDtYQvhd6BQgBEJUB)
Quote from: ribbons on Nov 02, 2023, 07:14 AMYes, I did see the scene of Howie in the church (I recall he was speaking at a lectern?) and chatting with colleagues before flying to Summerisle, so supposedly I did see the final cut? I'll double-check the BFI Player to be sure.
I did like the film and thought it was very unique, but the ending was really upsetting to me, to be honest, because I liked poor Howie actually. I think he sincerely thought he was doing good. And maybe it hit close to home, because like Howie I'm personally very attached to Jesus (although I am not formally religious like Howie). :(
LOL at your comment re: singing and pounding on the walls! What I didn't quite get (and I'll have to rewatch the film) is why the *seduction* attempts when they were seeking a virgin? ???
Might be you got to see the director's cut 🙂 I believe that can be identified by the inclusion of some short very low quality scenes as some film was lost in a fire and they had to use copies.
About Howie and the ending, I like Howie but also find him very judgmental and occasionally rude to the Islanders. Their liberal attitudes align more with my own values than Howie's christian dogma.
Side comment, but as an atheist, I don't see a huge amount of difference between the magical practices / rituals of the heathen villagers and those done in a Christian church (like baptism, consuming the body of Christ, the priesthood's ritual costumes). I find it all a little eerie.. So that also influences in part how I view this movie.
About Wicker Man's ending and Willow's seduction
About the ending, it certainly is surprisingly brutal. There's no escape for poor Howie. I'm sorry if it was a bit much!
About Willow, maybe she was trying to give him a chance to escape his fate. Or maybe it was a part of this idea that the sacrifice should come of his/her own free will and so a bit of temptation may have been part of the ritual.
Quote from: Guybrush on Nov 02, 2023, 05:22 PMMight be you got to see the director's cut 🙂 I believe that can be identified by the inclusion of some short very low quality scenes as some film was lost in a fire and they had to use copies.
About Howie and the ending, I like Howie but also find him very judgmental and occasionally rude to the Islanders. Their liberal attitudes align more with my own values than Howie's christian dogma.
Side comment, but as an atheist, I don't see a huge amount of difference between the magical practices / rituals of the heathen villagers and those done in a Christian church (like baptism, consuming the body of Christ, the priesthood's ritual costumes). I find it all a little eerie.. So that also influences in part how I view this movie.
About Wicker Man's ending and Willow's seduction
About the ending, it certainly is surprisingly brutal. There's no escape for poor Howie. I'm sorry if it was a bit much!
About Willow, maybe she was trying to give him a chance to escape his fate. Or maybe it was a part of this idea that the sacrifice should come of his/her own free will and so a bit of temptation may have been part of the ritual.
Hi, Tore - Thanks for the spoilered explanation re Willow's seduction, which makes sense! I definitely need to watch the film again (dare I do so? 😊) And btw, please don't be sorry, although it's very kind of you say so – I watched of my own accord, and believe me, I'll watch again! :D I tend to be a little counterphobic and repeated viewings of films I find upsetting
always lessens my distress!
Thanks for the info about the brief low quality scenes, which will be helpful in figuring out which version I'm watching.
I agree with your opinion about Howie being judgmental and brusque with the islanders at times. He is a flawed character to be sure, but also well meaning in his quest to find the missing girl, imho. I personally am not aligned with Christian orthodoxy either, and agree with you about the similarities in the rituals of the pagan villagers and those of the Christian church. However...let's just say the ending destroyed my earlier more balanced perspective!
Thanks again for introducing me to this film. Another very interesting rec by you, Tore. :D
Quote from: ribbons on Nov 02, 2023, 06:17 PMHi, Tore - Thanks for the spoilered explanation re Willow's seduction, which makes sense! I definitely need to watch the film again (dare I do so? 😊) And btw, please don't be sorry, although it's very kind of you say so – I watched of my own accord, and believe me, I'll watch again! :D I tend to be a little counterphobic and repeated viewings of films I find upsetting always lessens my distress!
Thanks for the info about the brief low quality scenes, which will be helpful in figuring out which version I'm watching.
I agree with your opinion about Howie being judgmental and brusque with the islanders at times. He is a flawed character to be sure, but also well meaning in his quest to find the missing girl, imho. I personally am not aligned with Christian orthodoxy either, and agree with you about the similarities in the rituals of the pagan villagers and those of the Christian church. However...let's just say the ending destroyed my earlier more balanced perspective!
Thanks again for introducing me to this film. Another very interesting rec by you, Tore. :D
The ending can definitely do that! I don't disagree.. and thank YOU for checking it out 🙂
Before we forget spooky season completely, I thought I'd write a little bit about another movie I've seen quite a few times and like to mention now and then. It is:
The Innocents (1961)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AcLUIFl9L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
Deborah Kerr plays the lead in this sometimes creepy movie about a woman taking on the job as a governess to a couple of neglected upper class children living in a huge mansion with a very small staff. While the children are sweet, there may be some lasting (or lingering?) corrupting influence on them.
The movie is well casted, beautifully shot and so atmospheric in black and white
and it has a really clever screenplay. It's the sort of movie where, at the end, you can't help but sit and analyse the various clues that are given throughout its runtime.
The exterior shots of the mansion were filmed in Sheffield Park in Sussex and me and my wife wanted to go in 2014 when we were in England, but just couldn't quite fit it into our schedule. I'm hoping to get the chance again.
You probably know I love Kate Bush and she has a song inspired by The Innocents on her third album:
So as far as classy, old, spooky movies go, this is one is warmly recommended 🙂
Quote from: Guybrush on Nov 02, 2023, 11:38 PMThe ending can definitely do that! I don't disagree.. and thank YOU for checking it out 🙂
Before we forget spooky season completely, I thought I'd write a little bit about another movie I've seen quite a few times and like to mention now and then. It is:
The Innocents (1961)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AcLUIFl9L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
Deborah Kerr plays the lead in this sometimes creepy movie about a woman taking on the job as a governess to a couple of neglected upper class children living in a huge mansion with a very small staff. While the children are sweet, there may be some lasting (or lingering?) corrupting influence on them.
The movie is well casted, beautifully shot and so atmospheric in black and white and it has a really clever screenplay. It's the sort of movie where, at the end, you can't help but sit and analyse the various clues that are given throughout its runtime.
The exterior shots of the mansion were filmed in Sheffield Park in Sussex and me and my wife wanted to go in 2014 when we were in England, but just couldn't quite fit it into our schedule. I'm hoping to get the chance again.
You probably know I love Kate Bush and she has a song inspired by The Innocents on her third album:
So as far as classy, old, spooky movies go, this is one is warmly recommended 🙂
This looks right up my alley, thank you for the recommendation!
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Nov 02, 2023, 11:41 PMThis looks right up my alley, thank you for the recommendation!
Nice! I have seen a lot of old classic ghost movies, but this one's special to me.
If you watch it, I'd love to hear your interpretation of it 🙂
I saw The Innocents a long time ago and recall reading an analysis claiming it was about attachment disorders on the part of the children. I really need to see the film again as for some reason I don't remember much of it (was probably very distracted back then when I first viewed it!). That's a shame you and your wife missed seeing Sheffield Park, Tore - I'm sure you both would have loved that! Fingers crossed you'll get the opportunity to return in the future. :)
Btw - I was able to verify that the version of The Wicker Man I saw was most likely the final cut (not the director's cut). It has the scene with Howie in church, but does not have the scene with Howie and colleagues prior to his departure for Summerisle (I mistakenly thought that scene had been included).
Here's something a little more schlocky - and probably not for
@ribbons !!
I love Hellraiser 2: Hellbound
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzc5MTBmMTYtYmUwMi00YTNjLThjNTAtOGI4ZjZmNTVkZjRiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjUzOTY1NTc@._V1_.jpg)
I've actually read most of Clive Barker's fiction and find him to be a creative author who's sometimes willing to go far. These things describe Hellbound as well. It's imaginative and it certainly goes far.
If you're not familiar with Hellraiser, the stories typically involve the lament configuration, a puzzle box that, if solved, will open a portal to hell and summon cenobites. The cenobites are people who came to hell, possibly by solving the puzzle, then got tortured, mutilated and disfigured by the god Leviathan and turned into powerful servants. They're also sadomasochistic, so when they say they have pleasures to show you, they mean torture. Yet, in these early movies, they are more like enforcers of hell's rules and laws rather than evil beings pursuing selfish agendas.
Many might enjoy the first movie, directed by Barker himself, more. BUT the first had a very small stage (a house) and offered a mere glimpse into this twisted fantasy world. What this sequel does very well is expand on what the cenobites are, what Leviathan is, what hell is like and so on. It's horror, yes, but also a dark fantasy movie - like a twisted version of Labyrinth. And I love the world building and dark fantasy aspects of this.
As examples of Barker's creativity, hell (or at least this part of it) is a labyrinth:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZTM3NTE1OTctMmRmZi00ZTY5LTg4ZWQtNmRlYmYxMDBkODBhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ3Nzk5MTU@._V1_.jpg)
Towering above it is Leviathan, its ruler:
(https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-91a697ac6f766f7f8dd675baab73463f-lq)
But rather than your typical meaty demon, Leviathan is like a floating geometric construct, slowly rotating and sending beams of darkness that has a disturbing effect on those it touches.
How awesome is that?
Also, I love how sinister this movie is. Don't worry - it's not a video nasty - but it keeps up the theme of skinless people and has one of the most hilariously evil insane asylums of any 80s movie.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLrjzDu2ETpANM9hP62u5P-KhlwqMAZK0Drg&usqp=CAU)
The movie's villain and his origin story is also a delight, even if his powers are a bit weird. And who doesn't like Doug Bradley as Pinhead, now fleshed out with a human backstory as the hedonistic Elliott Spencer who once sealed his fate when he himself sought out and solved the lament configuration.
This movie is by no means perfect. It's also got a very cheap monster, some cheap sets, occasionally weird special effects and one or two plot things that literally make no sense. But hey, it's a B movie! It comes with the territory.
So if you're up for a gory, sinister ride, this one's a lot of fun 🙂
This reminds me thst a new Hellraiser movie was released on Hulu either this year or last year. I need to check it out. Hellraiser is one of my favorite franchises that I definitely got into while I was too young to be watching stuff like that. Probably around 9 years or so.
Quote from: DJChameleon on Nov 07, 2023, 10:59 AMThis reminds me thst a new Hellraiser movie was released on Hulu either this year or last year. I need to check it out. Hellraiser is one of my favorite franchises that I definitely got into while I was too young to be watching stuff like that. Probably around 9 years or so.
I've seen it! But before I comment on it, I can say that I love Hellraiser 1 & 2, but feel that the rest of the series is mistreated and mishandled by most involved, including Clive Barker.
The original vision was original. The moral ambiguity and lawful nature of Pinhead made him layered and interesting. And hell and Leviathan being something different from the typical catholic depictions was refreshing.
They managed to fuck all these things up.
Pinhead became just another bad guy, also by Clive Barker who made him your basic power hungry evil dude in his book The Scarlet Gospel
The labyrinthian hell and Leviathan got retconned by Barker? Seems it was catholic hell all along and this labyrinth was just a part of it. Lucifer us the ultimate ruler of hell. Not so original.
And the movies are mostly just awful.. they used to shoehorn various scripts into the Hellraiser setting just to keep the franchise rights alive, so..
Seems most involved with Hellraiser over the years either didn't really care about it other than as a potential cash cow or they lost sight of what made it interesting and unique in the first place.
BUT the people who made the new movie get it. It's far from a perfect movie, but at least they've tried to follow the formula of the first movies. So not all that I'd hope for, but a lot better than what we've gotten since Hellbound 🙂
I hope they make a sequel!
(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/tFnTds88mCuLcLPBseK1kF2E3qv.jpg)
If I had to watch one movie for the rest of my life it would be this.