| Author | Message | ||
     Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 809 Registered: 09-2006 |
Whew, finished with the Kubrick box yesterday, just in time to start in on the Twin Peaks box that came in the mail today. Looks effing great...but I'm gonna need a break after this. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2440 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hey, dang you, Allen Belz! Because I'm extremely suggestible, I couldn't resist picking up the set when I noticed it at Target. $60, so I had to go for it after the way you talked it up. So, I rewatched "Eyes Wide Shut", cause it's the unrated version, and I'm extremely prurient. Well, it was better than I remembered, though I'm not willing to go the full monty and proclaim it a misunderstood masterpiece. The orgy scenes were a little too cheesy, a little too Bob Guccione, not really my idea of sexy. Though, call me crazy, Nicole Kidman smoking a joint and cavorting in her skivvies is...I also have a real mental block about that short arse, Tom Cruise. But, it whizzed by quite entertainingly and I forgive it all the unwelcome psychological insights it inflicted on my already confused psyche. Humorous note: my upstairs neighbors are kind of loud, play a lot of salsa music, so I repaid them by watching that at pretty high volume late last night. You know the repetitive, irritating and hypnotic piano riff? I'm sure they'd had their fill of it by the end of the night. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 810 Registered: 09-2006 |
Agreed, the orgy scenes were unerotic...hope it doesn't sound like I'm defending Mr. K at any cost, but the more I see it I think the unsexiness was intentional...hope you enjoy the rest. And if you don't I'd be more than happy to reimburse you 1/60th of the price... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 802 Registered: 10-2004 |
I thought Eyes Wide Shut was pretty entertaining, though definitely not a masterpiece. That scene where Cruise is surrounded by all the creepy people in plague masks silently staring him down is unforgettable (and downright eerie!). Recently (and finally) saw Lynch's Inland Empire. I have to say I was hugely disappointed, and I really like Lynch's work, especially Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. IE is easily Lynch's nadir - a tedious, self-indulgent, art-school-project-disaster mess of a film. That this film has received such rave reviews is deeply puzzling to me. I also recently saw Tarantino's half of the Grindhouse double-feature, Death Proof, which I found thoroughly entertaining and fun. Not his best by any means, but Kurt Douglas is awfully good in his portrayal of the creepy as hell Stuntman Mike. This is pure leave your brain at the door visceral thrill. AND, it's got scenes with early 70s muscle cars side-swiping SUVs and totally making them spin out and crash! Fun! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 811 Registered: 09-2006 |
I enjoyed Death Proof a lot too, though his trademark conversation scenes are perhaps starting to get a little too repetitive. LK, if you haven't seen the longer, DVD version (I remember you mentioning you'd seen Grindhouse in the theaters) it includes a quite provocative dance scene with Vanessa Ferlito that'll wash all the bad memories of that orgy scene right out of your head. Jeff, I don't know if there's any way to help your puzzlement except to say that I think the raves and pans ran around neck and neck. Can't really explain my own love for it other than to claim a huge jones for surrealism/nonlinearity...I've held myself back by only watching it four times since I got the DVD, and am seriously thinking it might be my very favorite of Sah Lynch's. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 803 Registered: 10-2004 |
Allen - I thought Dern's performance in IE was riveting, and I thought the non-linearity was interesting and creative - just the execution didn't work for me. I felt like it went on too long, like it would've benefited tremendously from some serious editing. I mean, yeah, it was a cool and avant garde way to explore Dern's character's inner turmoil, but I felt like the execution of it all was too art for art's sake. Too self-indulgent. Re: Death Proof - yeah, I was actually surprised to learn that the theater version edited out the lap dance scene. I mean, sure it was provocative, but it seemed fairly tame in the grand scheme of things. And yeah, I agree that the random conversations in Death Proof weren't quite up there with Tarantino's best. Still a cool film, though. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 812 Registered: 09-2006 |
I have the impression the dance was trimmed more for time purposes, but damn, I can think of other things I'd cut first...  | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2441 Registered: 03-2006 |
Re: the dance scene: I did see it and to say I liked it would be a gross understatement. It was, to me, proof positive of the existence of God. You gotta love that Tarantino - that bevy of scantily clad beauties discussing music only Randy Adams would know about! Talk about some really twisted, dark humor. Howzabout Stuntman Mike? What a skeevy character, eh? Also, Sydney Pollack was excellent in "Eyes", wasn't he? What is you guys' take on the events that transpired? Seems like a helluva coincidence that that girl would've ODed the next day... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 813 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yes it does, and the Pollack character is such a complete skeev it's hard to believe a thing he says. On the other hand, if you're looking at the story realistically Pollack's explanation to Cruise makes more sense than the alternative. But of course there's the big wild card: the film was based on a novel in which many of the events occur within an anxious dream spurred by fevered jealousy. The dreamlike feel of that incredible New York set and a number of the events that transpire would seem to support the dream theory, though where it starts and where it ends are open to speculation... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 814 Registered: 09-2006 |
A couple of nice bits from the TP box: The pretty funny SNL parody with Kyle MacLachlan...and Phil Hartman...and Chris Farley...both still alive. Angelo Badalamenti talking about the time he worked with Paul McCartney, who told him that on the very night that he had a special audience to play before the Queen she canceled because Twin Peaks was starting in five minutes. And several hysterical Japan-only coffee commercials... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1871 Registered: 05-2005 |
Roger Cook is back UK'ers, tune in to Channel 4 tonite!! Woahhhh!!! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 819 Registered: 09-2006 |
A damn impressive and obsessive compilation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FExqG6LdW HU | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2475 Registered: 03-2006 |
American Gangster. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Let's face it: LK will go see anything with Denzel Washington and/or the word "gangster" in the title. Sort of a cross between the Godfather, French Connection and Superfly, that didn't disappoint, though I'm not sure it's going to rank up there with the all time greats. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 42 Registered: 08-2005 |
Just found a pub in Bath (big time rugby union territory) that's showing tonight's rugby league international (GB vs New Zealand). My love of rugby league is owed to the year I spent in Sydney, where League is king. And, I believe, Grant McLennan dabbled in league as a teenager, so there is a GBs connection of sorts. This'll probably make no sense to a lot of North Americans on the board! I'll catch up with a few episodes of Medium later - though I could argue that this is work related, as I work as a sub editor on a science fiction meeting... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1040 Registered: 08-2006 |
Simon, I mentioned this elsewhere, but I have a South African friend who's a rugby ref, so he's gotten me into the sport. Needless to say, we spent an alcohol-fueled Saturday a couple weeks back watching the World Cup. You're right, though; rugby is completely under the radar here in the States. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1041 Registered: 08-2006 |
BTW, TV fans, Monday's D-day. This writer's strike is looking to be ugly. All the nightly talk shows, from The Daily Show to Letterman, are going to re-runs starting next week and if negotiations continue to be as acrimonious as they've been so far, it's "Dancing with the Stars" seven nights a week next season. Hold on to your butts. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 828 Registered: 09-2006 |
"The Darjeeling Limited"...if you're into M. Anderson's vibe it's like a long cool drink of very charming water...quite resonant emotionally, too. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 829 Registered: 09-2006 |
Darjeeling also features the quite effective use of three songs from the Kinks' "Lola vs. Powerman..." album that I've never thought that much of before. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1846 Registered: 05-2005 |
One of the blokes who writes 24 (maybe created it too? I've never seen it) is a huge Go-Betweens fan. Guess he's on strike now. Wonder how long before the studios and networks cave? Good on the writers; they're obviously not doing this on a whim. I remember the last writer's strike in 1986; a whole load of US TV shows suddenly started shooting episodes in England! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 838 Registered: 09-2006 |
Heroes, Season One | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2006 |
24, season 6. Strange how the only show to namedrop Forster and McLennan should be such an unGobetweensy affair - irony-free, wit-free,unpoetic slam-bam action...Which is what makes it work in the end, if you can suspend disbelief somewhere around the moons of jupiter. The least literate of watchable shows perhaps - considering Wire, Sopranos, Six feet etc - but still highly enjoyable. For season 7, what about Jack Bauer Goes For a Picnic with Some Mates and Gets a Bit of Fishing Done Too... the poor guy deserves a break. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1918 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tikabilla, followed by Storymakers, then onto an episode of Firman Sam where silly bugger Tom the helicptor man sets fire to the copter launch pad, then on to The Night Garden with the guy from Cadfael narrating. All on Cbeebies, being watched by thetwins and myself. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 313 Registered: 04-2005 |
"The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" by Powell and Pressburger Hadn't heard that Deborah Kerr had died. Watched this film in which she plays 3 parts. Anton Walbrook's speech (done in one complete take apparently) to the immigration officials as to why he has left Nazi Germany for England is both extremely powerfully and beautifully understated. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 843 Registered: 09-2006 |
That's a fine, fine film, Andrew...one of my very favorites of theirs. I'm guessing you're also familiar with Deborah's sterling performance in the beyond-sterling "Black Narcissus" as well? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 855 Registered: 09-2006 |
"Hot Fuzz" A cute idea, some good laughs, and good performances all around from a pack of familiar British faces. But at two hours it's at least a half hour too long...one might need to have a far deeper liking for Michael Bay movies than I do to fully appreciate it. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 121 Registered: 10-2006 |
Prison Break, season 2. The tricky hurdle here of course was doing without a prison, so makers have goen to the other extreme, zipping about the US with wild abandon in a highly satisfying way and offering much meatiness in the bad-guy roles to offset the slightly colourless leads. And then there's Doctor Sara, who even looks lovely being half-drowned/electrocuted in a motel bathroom. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 879 Registered: 09-2006 |
Late Autumn (Ozu) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Yates) The Leopard (Visconti) | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 880 Registered: 09-2006 |
The Swimmer...the second film I've watched in a row that stars Burt Lancaster as a privileged fellow on the downslope who you end up actually feeling sorry for. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 136 Registered: 10-2006 |
Ah the great Burt. The Swimmer is one of those films which just never seems to pop up on Tv and which I don't think I've ever even seen. Another fine Burtfilm that springs to mind is Ulzana's Raid, one of my all-time favourite Westerns, and scripted by the excellent Alan Sharp, one of Scotland's best imports to Hollywood. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 882 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yep, a fine Hollywood maverick. Haven't seen the film you speak of, but have heard good things about it. The Swimmer is dated in places but packs a surprizing punch...I've heard tell that there are plans to remake it, with Tom Hanks, I think. Not sure what I feel about that. And if you can locate The Leopard on video over there, Stuart, do yourself a favor and give it a look. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 138 Registered: 10-2006 |
It was certainly a beautiful book, Alan, but Visconti's films always make me feel like I'm being thrashed over the head with a wedding cake. But I'll give it a go over the hols, I think. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 885 Registered: 09-2006 |
I hear what you're saying about wedding cake there, and the film does end with a 45-minute formal ball sequence that you might find trying, but there's so much subtext to it it ended up being quite fascinating to me. I don't know what the video situation on that particular title is over there, but in the US there's a very nice triple-DVD set which features the uncut, 3-hour version with all the actors speaking the original Italian and Burt dubbed, and the first (20 minutes shorter) theatrical release, with Burt speaking in his own voice and the rest of the cast dubbed in English. And actually even when he's got someone else's voice coming out of his mouth Lancaster gives a fine performance, conveying a great deal of complex melancholy. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 324 Registered: 04-2005 |
Jacques Brel on YouTube. Frankly if these fail to move you, you must be dead. What a performer. "Amsterdam" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk7YxDzjT xA "Ne me Quitte pas" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEAGoLHMM oA My son when he was a toddler went through a phase of watching an in concert video of Brel before going to bed. Think it was maybe the length of Brel's arms that fascinated him! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 887 Registered: 09-2006 |
Blade Runner - brand new ultra-bells-and-whistles set with three versions of the film and enough extras to last me through Christmas. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1888 Registered: 05-2005 |
I watched Control at last on Thursday night. What a brilliant, unflinching portrayal. I'm very glad they steered well clear of the St Ian revisionism and showed what a terrible dad he was. Not that he wasn't still a genius mind. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 947 Registered: 01-2005 |
Once. I bought the DVD a couple of days ago. I love indie flicks that tell a good story. I thought Waitress was pretty decent as well. I would love to see Andy Griffith get a OSCAR for his supporting actor roll in Waitress. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2029 Registered: 05-2005 |
If anyone has time and the love the late Ant Wilson and Factory, I found this by accident, and its a god damn gem. I'm still watching! http://youtube.com/watch?v=5VnGxoz5RZk&f eature=related | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1895 Registered: 05-2005 |
Father Ted Christmas special. (This did lead to my six-year-old asking me what "feck me over" means though). It has just occured to me that those of you who don't know what Father Ted is are now thinking what a terrible parent I am to let her watch this! It's a 1990s Irish sitcom folks, and the word they use really is feck, not fuck! I told her it means tricked. Later on we will be watching The Office Christmas specials. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2000 Registered: 05-2005 |
A Clash documentary on the Sky Arts channel. Looks like it was very recent, because everybody who was interviewed looked ancient - Mick Jones, Don Letts, Steve Diggle, Kris Needs, Glen Matlock and several people from the Clash backroom team(roadies, management etc). Some great unearthed footage and a fitting tribute to the late Joe Strummer. Also coming up on this channel are live performances from Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey. The progs are called "From the basement", looks like Sky's version of MTV Unplugged. http://www.skyarts.co.uk/SkyArts/Music/A rticle.aspx?artid=5137 http://www.skyarts.co.uk/SkyArts/Music/A rticle.aspx?artid=5150 | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1906 Registered: 05-2005 |
My six-year-old is watching The Wizard Of Oz as I write! I can see it over the couch! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 895 Registered: 09-2006 |
You lucky dog, Padraig. Although I had success with turning my kid (who's almost 18 now, omigod) on to a number of things I loved when I was young, Oz was one that never took with him...scared him more than anything. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1909 Registered: 05-2005 |
The witch stories I tell her at bedtime no doubt helped Allen. She loves witch stories, the scarier the better. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 902 Registered: 09-2006 |
The Simpsons Movie..."Well, for once the rich white guy is in charge!" Good fun. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 400 Registered: 05-2005 |
Once. Twice! I bought the DVD on Monday, and ended up watching it twice in one evening, the second time to hear those haunting songs again. The soundtrack will be bought within 48 hours.. Marketa Irglova has a beautiful voice, and the chemistry between her and Glen Hansard is really touching. It came as no surprise to me that they were already good friends before making this film, and that they've since become a couple. Because neither are actors, the style is very natural, so much so, that I felt at times that I was eavesdropping on two real people, and that I was watching a documentary. It all ends so bittersweet, and not the least bit Hollywood! All that unrequited stuff broke right through my "Cynical bitch" defences, and turned me back into my sentimental softie self, even if for just a while!! While I doubt it'll mean that they're suddenly in demand for the next blockbuster movie leads, if there's any justice, both their music careers should take off. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 973 Registered: 01-2005 |
Catherine, I bought Once a couple of weeks ago and have watched it three times so far. I really like it, and hopes it wins some Oscars. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 402 Registered: 05-2005 |
Picture the Hollywood version: Brad Pitt is "Guy", Salma Hayek is "Girl" (you've got the accent thing going). The singing would be dubbed by Bono and Sinead O'Connor. The final scene: They sprint towards each other and fall into each others arms at the airport!!! (In reality, this would look like a security threat, and they'd both be shot by over-vigilant security!) | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 977 Registered: 01-2005 |
I bet the Bollywood version shot in India would be better than the Hollywood version. I like Brad Pitt in some of his his smaller rolls. A River Runs Through It comes to mind, one of the most gorgeously shot films of the outdoors and a nice little story that only has a few moments that weren't true to the actual real life events of Norman Maclean and his family. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 917 Registered: 09-2006 |
Pitt isn't bad when he has a role that fits him, but in general he seems more like a screen presence than an actor to me...there's a scene in "Babel" where he's calling his kids long distance and he goes through a brief nervous breakdown before pulling himself together and it's one of the lamest jobs I've ever seen by a major star - you can almost see the wheels turning in his head: "should I pinch my face up right here?" | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 919 Registered: 09-2006 |
"The Bourne Ultimatum" Compared to the average franchise installment (The James Bond reboot, for instance) it's solid gold, and the series has maintained an overall quality that's very rare in Hollywood. So I almost feel like a heel for mentioning that the dialogue and plot veer toward cliche too many times, and that David Strathairn's character is pure strawman, a Wile E. Coyote designed to be foiled by Matt Damon's Road Runner every time. The second film's still my favorite. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1963 Registered: 05-2005 |
American Gangster this afternoon. What a film. Oscar time I reckon, though Rusty and Denzel might end up cancelling each other out for the best actor gong. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 983 Registered: 01-2005 |
Has anyone been to the theater to see Atonement? I heard it was outstanding. Another scary warm winter here in Michigan. All the snow has melted and we have been getting rain the past few days. My heating bill should be less, but all the same it's pretty evident that something has changed the last few years, and it's called global warming. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2055 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tonight I will watch Louis Theroux on BBC2, 9m, hanging around inside a US jail with some nice people, sounds like it'll be a good un, probably not as good as his paul Daniels and Debbie Mgee though! ;) | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 399 Registered: 01-2006 |
Twin Peaks Season 2, had to get the Dutch version as it's not available on Region 2 for UK & Ireland. This will keep me busy through the rest of the winter. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 768 Registered: 08-2004 |
BBC doc - Wreckers. An investigation into the myths of luring ships into rocky waters & stealing all the booty. The people of Cornwall & the Scilly Isles should sue. My Name Is Earl seasons 1 & 3 simultaneously. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 994 Registered: 01-2005 |
Ah, Twin Peaks Season 2. Some great early episodes, then some bad plot lines with James when he leaves town and takes up with the femme fatale, and the Nadine and Mike thing. Basically you had outside writers who were writing bits for some of the characters that was incongruous to their great Season 1 make-up. I thought Leo Johnson and Ben Horne suffered the the worse, but others were effected as well. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 925 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yeah, it was less like noir-with-a-surreal-twist than just straight noir, and not good noir at that. And then there was the self-consciously "wacky" plotlines, like the demonic little boy, etc. When it stuck to the main Cooper-centered storyline it remained excellent, though. And the finale was killer... | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 995 Registered: 01-2005 |
Yes, I'm glad David Lynch returned to write and direct the final. I did buy the gold box set that came out last year. The pilot remains the greatest televison pilot of all time in my book, and it's in a clear picture and noise free form in the gold box DVD set, unlike the earlier Chinese import with the muted colors and background noise. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 400 Registered: 01-2006 |
I've just watched the first two episodes from season 2, lynch has directed them both so far. I remember some of the poor shows from when they were first screened in the early 90s,mostly the ones Allen described concerning James and Mike & Nadine. The qaulity of the picture is absolutely stunning. The sparks from the saw at the very start of the intro were practically blazing off the screen into my sitting room. Can only watch it late at night, any other time doesn't seem right. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 996 Registered: 01-2005 |
>Can only watch it late at night, any other time doesn't seem right. That's like watching Fargo in the Summer, it doesn't make sense. You have to watch it during the dead of winter at night. It helps if there is snow strorm raging outside as well. Other movies I'll only watch in Winter: Beautiful Girls Nobody's Fool Metropolitan Insomnia (Swedish or US version) Limbo | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 401 Registered: 01-2006 |
Michael the original Swedish version of Insomnia is superb, haven't seen the US version with Pacino. I don't think I really want to either. Don't like much by Pacino since Carlito's Way (which I saw again over xmas and really enjoyed it). They conveyed that sleepy/groggy feel through the film so well, I was really struck by that. And yes Winter nights is the only time to watch that one too…maybe with some dry ice in the room… Limbo is another excellent film, my favourite of his over Lone Star. I've spent a little time in British Columbia and Vancouver Island and felt right at home watching that film, in fact my partner and I were just discussing the end of it recently. Michael, have you seen a film called The Man Without A Past, it’s the second part of the ‘Finland Trilogy' by the guy who did Leningrad Cowboys, very funny with an excellent soundtrack. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 997 Registered: 01-2005 |
Judge, I'll check out The Man Without A Past. I thought Al Pacino's last great performance was in Donnie Brasco, although it was more of a supporting role. He also turned in a nice supporting role in Glengarry Glen Ross about the same time Carlito's Way came out. For some reason Carlito's Way doesn't get a lot of respect, but I actually prefer it to Scarface as it's much more realistic. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 403 Registered: 01-2006 |
I always forget DB, a good film. Funny you should mention Glengarry Glen Ross Michael, I watched that film while I lived in Vancouver in '93, the day before I started a job selling long distance phone servers door to door. ABC, Always Be Closing, what a great line! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 769 Registered: 08-2004 |
Carlito's Way is excellent. Some very good performances from Pacino, Penn & Leguizamo. There are some great macho lines in there. Top Disco soundtrack & shiny sets. I'm sure Scorsese liked it too, hence Casino. Glen Garry Glen Ross is an absolute foul-mouthed favourite, with Pacino delivering the killer punchline. Whenever I see Stella Street it reminds me of GGGR. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2074 Registered: 05-2005 |
Nuts in May for me tonight, sorry to lower the creative quality tone! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1001 Registered: 01-2005 |
>There are some great macho lines in there. OK, I'm re-loaded. Here come 'da pain! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 772 Registered: 08-2004 |
"You think you're big-time? You're gonna fucken die big-time." | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 404 Registered: 01-2006 |
That film is where I found out what Fugazi meant. The scenes of them driving with the cigarette smoke billowing out the window are hilarious. Has anyone seen Where The Buffalo Roam with Bill Murray? Basically the original film version of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a Neil Youing soundtrack? A better job and much funnier.. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 928 Registered: 09-2006 |
I liked Man Without a Past a lot...didn't he also do The Match Factory Girl? That was a wonderful little piece of black humor. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 929 Registered: 09-2006 |
Haven't seen Carlito's Way for a long time (even though I'm a big DePalma fan), but I prefer it to Scarface if only because his character is more likable. Every time I've watched Scarface I've grown more irritated with it because Montana is a wholly hateful, obnoxious scumbag from frame one to frame-the-last. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1002 Registered: 01-2005 |
Allen, exactly. Your cheering for Carlito to tie up all the loose ends and live with Gail on Paradise Island. While you loose all respect for Tony long before he kills Munoro without thinking, just like an animal. Carlito is trying to change, and it's his humanity of not killing Benny Blanco that costs him in the end. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1989 Registered: 05-2005 |
Michael, I watched Fargo in the Australian summer three Christmases ago. It was about 30 degrees outside (86 farenheit) but I felt cold watching it! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1990 Registered: 05-2005 |
Twin Peaks was released on DVD last year in Australia and I wrote about it here at the time. I had not seen half of the second series before as I'd stopped watching after getting bored with it in 1991. It still doesn't hold up compared to the superlative first series, but I loved it all the same, and I finally found out just who killed Laura Palmer! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1999 Registered: 05-2005 |
I watched Oh Brother Where Art Thou on DVD last weekend. I hadn't seen it in years and was glad to still find it hilarious. It has aged very well in fact. The musical klan meeting is one of the funniest ever movie scenes in my opinion. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 930 Registered: 09-2006 |
Defending Your Life Charming, intelligent and moving...what else could you ask for. Oh, and "adorably goofball" isn't often the phrase that comes to mind when describing a Meryl Streep performance, but it sure applies here. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1003 Registered: 01-2005 |
Mary Lou Lord - Lights Are Changing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcUDch4DN CM&feature=related | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 408 Registered: 01-2006 |
The Night Of The Sunflowers - A very good Spanish film, quite dark and very well shot. A number of intertwining stories tis up in a gruesome manner. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 409 Registered: 01-2006 |
'Tie' up in a gruesome manner even! And further to Michael's comments about certain films being better in winter I could never listen to 16LL in the winter, it's the epitomy of Spring/early summer for me. Looks like I won't be listening to it for a while heh heh.. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2092 Registered: 05-2005 |
Apart from Big Cook Little Cook on Ceebeebies, which is astoundingly funny and educational for my kids, in an utterly daft way, I watched the remake of Casino Royale. Jeesus, How shit is Daniel Craig!!!??? No panache, no sophistication, aface like a bee sucking a bulldog and he does NOT, i repeat, does NOT talk in this bloody film. Yeah there's loada free running (jaywalking in my day ) hee hee, but Christ, its bad, bring back Pierce Brosnan, he was great, I liked him, he had it all, I sincerely hope Craig is tomorrow's Lazenby, one strike then out. Craig really is to James Bond's personality what Brian Blessed is to hang gliding. Get me!? | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 783 Registered: 08-2004 |
30th Century Man - An excellent Scott Walker doc on BBC 4. There's a lot of interview footage with the great man himself. It's amazing how he works & the whole process of songwriting & recording is actually painful to him. But he follows his muse to the end, puts producer & players under intense pressue, listens to the completed album once, then never again. I suppose he could be the Kubrick of pop! Fascinating viewing, find, watch & enjoy. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1037 Registered: 01-2005 |
XY765 wrote: >I could never listen to 16LL in the winter, >it's the epitomy of Spring/early summer for me. I think of it as a fall listening experience, only because I bought it in the fall of 1988. A more true fall album is Everything But The Girl's most excellant Idlewild. There's even a song "Shadow On A Harvest Moon" included for your fall listening pleasure. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2033 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Wire, season 1. Mainly on LK's recommendation. Thanks LK. It's superb. Seasons 2 and 3 are on their way to me. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 934 Registered: 09-2006 |
Two Richard Pryor concert films, "Live on the Sunset Strip" and "Here and Now," which I got in a two-for-one package for the princely sum of 6 bucks. He can make me laugh convulsively like very few human beings can. Very outrageous, but especially compared to many of the coldhearted bile-spewing comedians to follow in his wake he's immensely humane, vulnerable and wise. The second film is marred only by drunken hecklers who shout moronic shit at the stage from start to finish, seemingly of the belief that they're funnier than the guy standing up there...I can only hope that they cringe upon thinking about their behavior now, but probably not. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2050 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry, I'd had a lot of Margeritas that night. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 935 Registered: 09-2006 |
Well, that's one of you, at least... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2151 Registered: 05-2005 |
I bought Control last week. I watched it last night. I really enjoyed it. I liked the fact that it was in black and white. A master stroke. The lead role was payed out with great attention to detail, this guy is one hell of an actor. I bet Anton couldn't believe his luck. I really felt like I was Ian, this reminded me of how I felt watching old British classics like Kes, and Friday Night Saturday Morning, I really felt the lead character was me and this was my world. The whole film showed immense compassion for Curtis and all around him at that time. The file had a real genuine sense of love about it, I suppose because it had Deborah Curtis as co-producer and the screenplay was based upon her book on life with Ian. So glad they didn't just stray into sterotypical Manc/Factory Records acts argy-bargy The pace of it was superb, at no time, did I feel bored, each scene/chapter blended well and the ending wasn't rushed. I wtached the interview with Anton, what a lovely considerate human being, there should be more of him making these kind of quality films. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1044 Registered: 01-2005 |
Days of Heaven - Criterion Collection edition. Hard to express what a great cinematic treat this film is. Pushing the envelope deep in twilight during the "magic hour", the colors are magnificent. One scene even featured the same blue as the Blue Nile album "Hats". Dialogue freaks may not care for it, but this film richly deserves all the cinematic platitudes that has been heaped upon it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2154 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sounds cool Michael! | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 155 Registered: 10-2006 |
Maybe "plaudits" would work better there, Michael? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1046 Registered: 01-2005 |
Stuart wrote: >Maybe "plaudits" would work better there, Michael? My goof! You bet it would!! | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 245 Registered: 01-2007 |
I agree Spence Control really stays with you, I'm afraid I didn't particularly believe I was Ian but I know what you mean, He came across as very self centred all that witb the Belgium journalist and his wife back at home.Great film very sympathetic | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 434 Registered: 01-2006 |
Midway through Season 2 of Twin Peaks. After a few atrocious episodes it culminated in a great few shows covering who killed Laura Palmer. God knows what the last 9 shows of this season are going to contain... | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2008 |
American Idol. Simon is a ponce, but I have a big crush on Paula. I drink her milkshake! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1050 Registered: 01-2005 |
XY765, the most atrocious episodes are yet to come in the next half dozen episodes as Frost and Lynch were absent and the writing really suffered due to a lack of Lynch qality control oversight. Some of the actors look lost as a result of the poor scripts that take them in directions that don't ring true. However if you have the TP gold box the episodes look and sound great. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2170 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hot Chip on Jools Holland show from last Friday. I thought they came across really really cool, funny, yet sophisticated. It made me think that its still about the live thing, in which you can truly appreciate an artist, OK it was in a TV studio, but they still played the songs live. As a kid i used to love going to see my fave band live. The live experience and hearing the demo's of their album/singles at that time were sometimes more interesting than the album proper. Seeing Hot Chip has made me want to put their album on again. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2057 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Wire, seson 2. Thanks for the tip LK/ETM. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2058 Registered: 05-2005 |
That should read season 2 of coure. No excuse for poor spelling from me. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 18 Registered: 02-2008 |
Lost, the new season. This is a good show longs you dont care about knowing what's going on. Who cares though - all the peeple on it are very pretty@! But oi me head hurts after watching it! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2063 Registered: 05-2005 |
And coure should read course. Of course. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2175 Registered: 05-2005 |
Anyone into Scottish based music might like to watch this http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b 0090cbx.shtml?filter=txdate%3A22-02&filt er=txslot%3Aevening&start=1&scope=iplaye rlast7days&version_pid=b0090c8t I missed it but am watching it now. Its got some great Postcard related imagery and interviews. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 22 Registered: 02-2008 |
I am very into Scots music, Mr. Spence. Thanks a lot, brother. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 143 Registered: 05-2005 |
I like 'the artisans' and the rest of the postcard stable incl. G-B's, who as far as I'm aware are Australian?? but ... on the link it says "Sorry, this programme is only available to play in the UK. Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to users to download or stream (Click to Play) in the UK. However, BBC Worldwide is working on an international version, which we will make available as soon as possible." The first time I came across this type of thing was on the news page on this site last week where it read: "Robert appeared on ABC's Sunday Arts television programme on 17th February; he was interviewed about the Andy Warhol exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Arts. The programme is available for viewing on-line (Australia only) via the Sunday Arts website." Wow, somebody or other must have a good lawyer. | ||
| Wilson Davey Member Username: Wilson Post Number: 174 Registered: 05-2005 |
Watched the postcard documentary last night having taped it, loved that big guitar James Kirk was playing. Seeing Bobby Bluebell reminded me that I have a copy of the Ten commandments fanzine somewhere written by him and featuring a small interview with RF.I think it was dated April 1980. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2179 Registered: 05-2005 |
A fender Antigua no less. James then gave it to Rose from Strawberry Switchblade. Whilst we are on about James Kirk, Nilsson by James is a great track, straight off the lines of the great Midnight Cowboy soundtrack, the guitar chord progresssions from The Coral's latest Roots and Echoes album track Cobwebs are virtually identical. | ||
| Wilson Davey Member Username: Wilson Post Number: 176 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think James doesn't get the credit he deserves, after all he wrote Felicity and You old eccentric, two great OJ songs. I have a tape of them live in 1981 and he sings you old eccentric, a bit flat maybe but the charm shines through ! Didn't he give strawberry switchblade their name too ? I recall it was to be an OJ song title. I have the 12 inch Memphis single You supply the roses, it has Highland Cattle on the cover. Yep, Let's have a big hand for James T Kirk, he has influenced many young indie hipsters without some of them even realising it.... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2068 Registered: 05-2005 |
Australian crime drama Underbelly. It's teriffic, and true. And it's banned in Victoria, where all the events portrayed happened. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 445 Registered: 01-2006 |
I'm shocked that a TV drama could be banned in a part of Australia in 2008! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 942 Registered: 09-2006 |
Looking For Comedy in the Muslim World Femme Fatale O! Lucky Man | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1104 Registered: 08-2006 |
A friend loaned me a copy of the sole season of the now-you-see-it-now-you-don't Joss Whedon series "Firefly." If it doesn't have the mark of greatness of early "Buffy," it's still surprisingly good, with lots of sharp, Whedon-esque dialog. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 341 Registered: 05-2005 |
We've just gotten the 2nd series of Life on Mars here in Auz. Basically its about a modern day cop in the UK who is knocked down and wakes up in 1973. He has the TV talking to him as if its from his bedside in hospital...and lots of BROWN FLARES!!! Great acting, fantastic script, neat idea. Love it! Haven't watched Underbelly but it's not failing to make waves! The series documents Melbourne's gangland war of the last 10 years - people gunned down in the street in the middle of the day etc. Trouble is, they all haven't been brought to justice yet and there is a real fear that the show will bias any future witnesses. How Channel 9 haven't been shut down is a wonder!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2075 Registered: 05-2005 |
XY, the banning is because, as Geoff said, some of these people are still awaiting trial in Melbourne / extradition to Victoria (of which Melbourne is the capital - as I'm sure you know). Many of those portrayed are long dead though. I'm not how well the ban is working though considering a/ parts of Victoria get NSW TV stations, b/ so many people have DVD recorders now and can get their friends in other states to send it to them, c/ YouTube. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 947 Registered: 09-2006 |
"Margot at the Wedding," a very good entry into the ever popular excrutiatingly-embarrassing-and-inapprop riate behavior comedy genre, though more naturalistic, to the point where it slips into drama quite a bit. Like The Office or Curb Your Enthusiasm it provides one with characters that are often very hard to like but whom one ends up feeling for. A little. Great performances all around, from Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black, all served up with great style and skill by writer-director Noah Baumbach. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 149 Registered: 05-2005 |
Any posting that uses the word 'naturalistic' is fine by me. Naturalistic Inquiry - Guba and Lincoln was it? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 948 Registered: 09-2006 |
You poor soul...obviously no one's ever told you about the dangers of posting while off your medication... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2200 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dead Man's Shoes. Its a film. A very moving film, its a revenge thriller. A soldier comes home to get even with local thugs and drug dealers, who tortured his brother. Paddy Considine (co-wrrote the screenplay with Shane Meadows), the soldier, is excellent, I first saw him in 24 hour Party people as Robe Gretton. Its a very quiet film, which adds a big 11 to the scare factor. I won't go into it incase anyone wants to watch it, but its moving scary and very well shot. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 69 Registered: 02-2008 |
The Darjeeling LImited. Very good. I wanna go to India and get me some of that cough syrup they drink in it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2209 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/later/shows/series3 1/episode01/radiohead/ too short too short too short | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1076 Registered: 01-2005 |
Has anyone seen Melville's film Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle)? I have his Bob le Flambeur (Bob the Gambler) and Le Samourai on DVD. I love French heist movies. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 971 Registered: 09-2006 |
That's another good one Michael, I'd recommend it. Also, though not a heist movie, Melville's Army of Shadows is a real stunner. | ||
| Wilson Davey Member Username: Wilson Post Number: 186 Registered: 05-2005 |
Missed one of my fave films the other night; "The taking of Pelham 123". | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 263 Registered: 01-2007 |
Nice one Spence | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 972 Registered: 09-2006 |
The De Niro thread inspired me to go back to "Hi, Mom," which I hadn't seen in quite awhile. Omigod. A product of one of those times (in this case the late 60s) where it felt like the whole world could go up in smoke at any moment...and being that we're in another one of those times now, a mindbender. The centerpiece, "Be Black Baby," is a classic of excruciatingly dark comedy, and gives its modern counterparts a real run for their money... | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 394 Registered: 07-2006 |
i've watched four seasons of six feet under in almost the same amount of weeks. clearly a happy camper at the moment. the only character i find weirdly unidentifiable is david (nor can i stand "dexter"!), but the rest of them are delicious - particularly claire. i love when she becomes the coked out artiste. my sisters tell me they find me alarmingly like nate, which pleases me to no end. i've just ordered the complete my so-called life, which i haven't seen in full in over ten years and can't wait to surround myself in it again. i've also been loaned the past couple of weeks of the young and the restless which is ubelievably good at the moment. not bad for a guy with no tv reception.... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 973 Registered: 09-2006 |
Agreed that SFU is a highly addictive series, joe, though I might lean a bit more towards your sisters in that I find myself with often equal feelings of affection and exasperation with the characters...which is, of course, part of the point. As is the fact that they do show slow but steady growth over the course of the run... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2223 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3k37uOxc _g&feature=related they were really great. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 88 Registered: 02-2008 |
John Adams on HBO. Horribly, painfully boring and dull - like watching flies feck. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1089 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hoot man! John Adams on HBO had me counting sheep! On the other hand, the Coen Brothers muliple Oscar winner No Country For Old Men is not to be missed. They are back on their A game finally. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 981 Registered: 09-2006 |
Agreed, Michael, for numerous reasons, one being that its ending confounds desire for a catharsis so sadly and poetically. Also liked this little tidbit from the interview with the brothers: The brother with a mop of hair: "She (the character of Josh Brolin's wife) lives in a trailer and works at Wal-Mart. (short pause) Maybe it's a cliche, but at least people will know what we're talking about. (sneaks a look over at his brother and they both collapse into laughter)" | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 89 Registered: 02-2008 |
No Country For Old Men (advice John Adams should've heeded) is fer me the movie of the century. I thought the ending was byootiful and I mean that. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 399 Registered: 07-2006 |
i meant to mention, i saw the black balloon the other day. great stuff....toni collette really seems incapable of putting a foot wrong. plus, the film is set in brisbane/suburban qld circa 1989 i'd say. streets of your town is played over the car radio for a minute or so. nicely done! |