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Posted by Rusters (U11225963) on Tuesday, 26th May 2009
Up until recently most my favourite films have been old ones, especially those pre-1950. However, I was recently computerless for a couple of months and filled in time watching newish films, and some of them have been great:
"Monster's Ball", "Brokeback Mountain", "Far From Heaven" and "Crash" (the 2004 film set in Los Angeles, not David Cronenburg's 1996 "Crash") were all thought-provoking and beautifully acted. The characters really came to life and I can envisage how their lives would continue after the films ended.
"No Country for Old Men" was dour but brilliant and left me shaken; a bit depressed too, to be honest, but I would still recommend it to people.
In fact, I like most Coen brothers films, especially Fargo. Major exceptions were been "Raising Arizona" and "Barton Fink".
"Lust, Caution", Ang Lee's film set in Japanese-occupied China in the 1940s.
Paul Verhoeven's "Black Book", set in Nazi-occupied Holland. This and "Lust, Caution" have similar themes: beautiful young woman working for the Resistance seduces high-ranking enemy. There the similarity ends though, as "Lust, Caution" unfolds with a slow, simmering inevitability, whereas "Black Book" is fast-moving, exciting and even funny in parts.
Two comedies (not my favourite genre, especially modern ones, but these are black/satirical comedies): "In Bruges" and "Little Miss Sunshine".
Whoops, I see none of them have been British or foreign language films.
Anyway, what have I been missing?
Rusty
Tue, 26 May 2009 15:50 GMT, in reply to Rusters in message 1
Hiya Rusty
Wasn't Lust, Caution subtitled? If you liked that try Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love and 2046.
Savage Grace is a grim story but a fabulous part by Julianne Moore. She was also quite brilliant in Far from Heaven. I've also been impressed by almost all of Samantha Morton's performances (Control, Morvern Callar) except for her Mary Queen of Scots in the latest Elizabeth movie. Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett was good.
Red Road by Andrea Arnold has lots of Glaswegian accents so almost a foreign language (I know, I lived there for 5 years) - quite harrowing and explicit in parts but a great story. I can't wait to see her new movie Fish Tank.
Oh dear, I've just realised these are all quite miserabilist sad stories. I'm also a fan of the Coen brothers.
mags
Doh, mag pie! Of course "Lust, Caution" was subtitled; "Black Book" too. I think it is a tribute to how good the films *and* the subtitles were that I was barely aware of having to read them.
"In The Mood for Love" and "2046" are on my must see list. I am a big fan of Tony Leung, and I grew up in Hong Kong so am always interested in films set there.
I love Cate Blanchett, whose face can convey any emotion with just a tiny change. I liked "Little Fish", but my favourite Blanchett film is "The Gift", a dark thriller in which she plays a "white trash" clairvoyant who can actually sometimes "see" things.
I have to say Samantha Morton gives me the creeps, can't quite put my finger on it. I concede she is a good actress and has been in some good films. As Mary Queen of Scots though??
I'll keep an eye out for Red Road. Recently learned my library will order dvds from other libraries both within and outside the county, which is cheeering.
I rather like miserablist films, but that is at least partly due to the lack of good comedies or those that are sheer entertainment, like... um....
Oh, just remembered. There was season of Korean films on Film 4 last year. Some dark thrillers, but the one that caught my fancy was a remake of "Dangerous Liaisons", titled "Untold Scandal". The original film (were, two of them came out at roughly the same time iirc) was exotic enough and beautifully filmed, but the Korean version even more so.
Rusty
I watched a dvd of I'm Not There last night.
When I first heard they were going to make it I was appalled. Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan!
I read the reviews, all very good, and resolved to bite the bullet and see it. Missed it at the local cinema and bought the dvd a couple of weeks ago.
What a revelation! It's a terrific film. Cate Blanchett is outstanding. Actually the only one of the six (?) actors who play Dylan who actually physically resembles him.
But that doesn't matter because they all manage to represent different aspects of his life, or suposed life, brilliantly. The only bit I didn't really get was Richard Gere towards the end.
Never mind - a minor, although flawed, masterpiece, as they say.
In reply to Rusters in message 1
'The Lives of Others' simply leapfrogged into my list of favourite films of all time.
I'd go along with that, Bette. A great film about what and individual can do when faced with authoritarianism and how far we can all take responsibility for our own actions.
In reply to Reggie Trentham in message 6
3 of us in the family went to see the film, and we just stayed there silent at the end, then talked /so/ much afterwards. Strangely enough, we went just this afternoon to a small exhibition locally by modern photographer (Thomas Meyer) on the Stasi. It was chilling.
'The Lives of Others' has been on my list of films to watch for a long time, Bette. In fact I think it might have been you who recommended it some time ago. Anyway, have put in a request for it from the library now.
Reggie, I was pretty sure I didn't want to see 'I'm Not There', despite the good reviews. You've made me change my mind about it. Even worst case scenario, it could never put me off Dylan.
'Little Miss Sunshine' is on Film4 tomorrow (Monday) at 9 pm. I can't recommend it highly enough. It is amusing, savagely funny, sad and even shocking in parts. I thought it started off a bit slow, but as soon as it became a "road movie" it really took off.
Rusty
I (we, as family) very much enjoyed 'Little Miss Sunshine', Rusty.
I also loved 'The Queen' (saw that on my tod, as OH was adamant he wouldn't enjoy it, but he /did/ appreciate it later, on DVD - he was just too prejudiced about the subject-matter to begin with).
I'd love to know what you think of 'The Lives of Others'. It is rare that I talk about films to other people, but with this one, I was practically canvassing everyone I came across to go and see it!
Oh, another contender to brilliant new(ish) films must be 'Der Untergang' (The Downfall'). I didn't go to the cinema with OH and son as I don't go for war films (well, violent ones), but I saw it much later on DVD and was truly moved and impressed by the film. Shortly afterwards, we visited Berlin. The site of the bunker is now 'marked' by a bin for dumping used textiles.
Sun, 31 May 2009 20:17 GMT, in reply to Bette in message 10
I loved 'Little Miss Sunshine' too. I only recently watched 'O Brother Where Art Thou' because I knew I wouldn't like it, but found myself loving it. 'Life is Beautiful' is another favourite, although it makes me sob. I didn't like 'Crash', but I'm the only person I know who didn't, so clearly I'm wrong. And I really liked 'the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (Cate Blanchett again).
I watched Wong Kar Wai's "In The Mood For Love" yesterday and liked it very much: a beautifully observed, low key bitter-sweet drama. Not much dialogue and I liked the way the spouses of the two protagonists were never quite seen - just voices on the telephone, the occasional shadow or glimpse of a shoulder.
I'd like to see the sequel, 2046. Intrigued to read that it "includes some science-fiction elements".
Still waiting for the "The Lives of Others" to become available from the library. I will report back when I've seen it Bette.
Sorry you did't like "Crash", geepers. I thought some of the interconnecting story lines were more interesting than others. A few stuck in my mind though, not least the parts about the corrupt cop, his father's medical insurance and his two very different encounters with Thandie Newton's character.
Rusty
'Let the right one in' is one of the best films I've seen. I don't know when it will be out on DVD (it had a very limited cinematic release in the UK a couple of months ago - for all I know it may still be playing somewhere). It's a Swedish film which is a story about a vampire but it's really about so much more - growing up, and specifically that difficult time on the cusp of adolescenece, love and loss, how to deal with bullies - everything, really. The acting is superb, especially from the two lead actors, who were about 12 during the filming. It's set in the late 70s/early 80s, I think.
And I really liked 'the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (Cate Blanchett again). Â
I really like Wes Anderson's films. 'Rushmore' and 'The Royal Tenenbaums' are also worth watching.
Haven't seen 'The Darjeeling Limited' yet - anyone else seen it ?
dondy
I've seen it, don't bother, it's on my list of desert island turkeys for a future film club.
Dragonfly, despite its good reviews, I was put off "Let the right one in" once I knew it was about vampires. However, I've now seen clips and heard good things about it. Definitely not yer average vampire film, but deals with more complex themes.
Not yet seen "The Darjeeling Limited" Dondy, but it is on my list of must-sees. I was wondering whether my mother would like it, as she and my father lived in India for several years, and made a lot of long train journeys. (Not sure whether this would be a Suitable film for her though!).
Oh no, Reggie. Just seen your post. That bad eh?
Rusty
I've seen it, don't bother, it's on my list of desert island turkeys for a future film club.Â
Oh Reggie, will have to watch it no to see if it is that bad ! I like his other stuff, is it very different ?
dondy
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by plum the depths (U5587356) on Thursday, 4th June 2009
Well I have to but in and say I loved The Darjeeling Limited.
I have three sons and the whole concept of these three brothers going on a quest really rang home for me.
To each his own.
It has at least three things going for it as far as I am concerned, honest: It is set in India, it is a "road movie", and it is about family - I am a sucker for family dramas.
Weird how strong feelings can be for and against films: "Eyes Wide Shut" will be first on my list of turkeys for the Film Club, but I know some people in ML liked it very much. Can't remember if you were among them, Reggie.
Rusty
Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:14 GMT, in reply to Rusters in message 19
Oh I hated Eyes Wide Shut - whole heap of pretentious rubbish.
Ok - going along our DVD shelf...
The Edukators - german idealistic youth but very funny
Das Experiment - disturbing psychological experiment, the prisoners and guards one
Sophie Scholl - the munich resistance
Also vote for the lives of others and Downfall.
Other favourites on the shelf are:
The last king of scotland, Walk the line, Kung fu Hustle, American Beauty, Ameliee
I'd like to see most of the German films you mention, flutter-by; not sure about Das Experiment. I have read/seen documentaries about the Stanford experiment, and that was very unsettling.
I liked The Last King of Scotland, Walk The LIne and American Beauty too. Have to confess that Amelie is on my turkeys list. It seems to be another of those films that polarise people.
Rusty
In reply to Rusters in message 22
I actually came to watch 'Downfall' after Keri posted this link!
Enjoy (if you haven't seen it already).
Aaggghh, Bette. That link should come with a government health warning. I just swallowed a mouthful of very hot coffee.
I shall have to banish the clip from my mind when I see the film.
Rusty
I've studiously avoided seeing Eyes Wide Shut. Kubrick is such a favorite of mine, with at least two of his films in my all time top ten, I don't want to spoil it by watching what was, by all accounts, a fairly mediocre picture.
Borrowed 'I'm Not There' from the library. I thought it was a clever concept but the film itself not quite so clever. Too long as well, but that is something I often think about modern films.
I did enjoy it on the whole and found some of it very amusing - the encounter with Ginsberg for instance. Heaven knows anyone not that familiar with Bob Dylan would make of it though.
Cate Blanchett was brilliant, and got Dylan's body language down to a tee.
I thought I had taken 'The Edukaters' out at the same time, but juggling with books and dvds meant that I came home with a Japanese film 'Eureka' instead. I don't know much about Japanese cinema. I've seen 'Seven Samurai', 'Throne of Blood' and a couple of forgettable melodramas but that is about it.
Now I have to decide whether to give it back unseen or subject myself to a film on the "resonant meditation on the psychological sars wrought upon the victims of terror and violence.......". Sigh.
Rusty
I can recommend After Life, Rusty:
'1998 film by Japanese director Koreeda Hirokazu starring Arata, Oda Erika and Terajima Susumu' (thank you Wikipedia).
We saw this at our local film club and I thought it was enchanting. Wikipedia sums it up very well and there is no plot to spoil, so here is a link:
I'd definatly leave that one unseen - not a fan of that sort of thing!
Oooh, films, goody.
I've just acquired Burn After Reading, Amelie and Frost/Nixon. And I'm not in for an evening til Saturday - they're calling to me and I cannot answer...!
'After Life' sounds thought-provoking as well as quirky, Dragonfly, and probably rather more cheerful than a very old film I saw on late night television, with much the same theme but which took itself rather seriously. (Thought it might be 'Ship of Fools' but having looked it up, no mention of the supernatural.)
Rusty
P.S. I missed out the "c" in the word scars in my last post. Of course sars is no fun either!
I found it very cheering in an odd way, Rusty. I liked the way the film managed very concisely but vividly to give an insight into each person's life. It made me feel very positive about my fellow humans, for once.
Another one here who loved The Lives of Others and another who didn't care for Darjeeling Limited. Still, good job we don't all like the same things isn't it?
At the risk of sounding incredibly childish, one of my fave films of all times is Second Hand Lions. But of the recent films I've seen, I think Is There Anybody There? is my top tip.
HW
Would love to know what you think of 'Burn After Reading', Wanda.
There are two films probably worth seeing on Pay Per View this week: 'Changeling' with Angelina Jolie, which has had mixed reviews and sounds rather harrowing, and 'Defiance' about three Jewish brothers who join the resistance in Nazi-occupied Poland. That is bound to be harrowing too.
Rusty
Hazel,I'd like to see 'Is Anybody There?', Michael Caine at his best from everything I've read about it. I heard him being interviewed about it on Radio 4. He said his wife had told their pregnant daughter not to see it might upset her. (Won't quote him exactly as it would be a big spoiler.)
My library cannot locate 'The Lives of Others' and they can't buy another copy (eveything is purchased centrally) but my sister said she will get it for my birthday. I am pretty sure it will be a film I will want to see more than once anyway.
I sat stony-faced through half an hour of 'There's Something About Mary' the other evening. Pah!
Rusty
, in reply to message 34.
Posted by Stuart Pearce Badger (U3742750) on Tuesday, 9th June 2009
Echoing the comments on "Let the Right One In" - when I saw it, all of the trailers were for horror movies, and that's the last thing it is - fairly graphic in places, for sure, but a haunting and beautiful film.
We've "discovered" French cinema in recent years, and it seems to me that their best films have a unique ability to make the dialogue and characters move the dialogue, rather than have the action do the driving. Films like "Hidden" "Tell No-One" and "The Beat that my Heart Skipped" are fine examples, but for two I've caught up on through DVD this year, let me just mention "L'Heure D'Ete" - the reference that comes to mind here is Stephen Poliakoff, but I think here I'm thinking of "Shooting the Past" with which there are some parallels - but not plagiarism, let me be very clear.
Also, almost heart-rending in intensity "I've Loved You So Long", with an extraordinary performance by Kristin Scott-Thomas. And on a more trivial note - presumably because KST is English, I could work out much of what she was saying in French before the subtitles came up !!
It's a sad reflection on me that I've only discovered European cinema since I started working with people from France, Spain and Italy, and they talked about it. (even though it didn't start well - the first film I saw abroad was an awful film called "Deux Freres" about two tigers separated as cubs, in a cinema in Le Mans - because we found out that the showing of Kill Bill was dubbed and not subtitled !!)
SPB
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Stuart Pearce Badger (U3742750) on Tuesday, 9th June 2009
<< There are two films probably worth seeing on Pay Per View this week: 'Changeling' and 'Defiance' >>
We watched "Defiance" on DVD at the weekend, and I would class it as very ordinary fare. The subject matter is indeed harrowing, but for me it was film-making by numbers, far too clunky, not one to remember. A better director and script were needed.
The Changeling IMO is a fine piece of work - and Angelina Jolie gives a very moving performance. It's a classic Clint Eastwood film, not spectacular but a rock solid piece of work.
SPB
In reply to Stuart Pearce Badger in message 36
I saw 'The Changeling' very recently, and thought Angelina Jolie was excellent. It is a very powerful and disturbing film. I had some doubts at the time (even posted on here about it) - found it difficult to understand how so many people could have gone along with the deception - though apparently it /was/ pretty faithful to the RL story.
That's two recommendations for 'Changeling' then, so I'll be watching that. I've read articles about the case, and I think JJP has written an article or book about it.
Clint Eastwood is certainly versatile as an actor and director. I like his serious stuff, though he can be very bleak, thinking of his Western 'Unforgiven' and the psychological thriller 'Mystic River'. I've read articles about the case, and I think JJP wrote a book or article about it too.
SPB, I credit the ML Film Club with introducing me to a wide range of films I would never have thought to see, including international ones. "Tell No One" has been on my list since it first came out. I thought the title and story seemed familiar, and I now see that it is based on a mediocre thriller, which I've read, by the American writer Harlan Coben. Goes to show that bad books can make good films (especially by the French?!).
Rusty
I haven't seen The Changeling yet, but as a big Eastwood fan I will as soon as I can. I thought Gran Torino was pretty good. Very harrowing in places, but thought-provoking. In that respect not unlike Million Dollar Baby, which was not the film I expected it to be at all (won't say more as it's difficult to explain without going into plot details).
Glad I'm Not There didn't disappoint too much, Rusters. It's not a great film but I think, given the concept, the amazing thing is that it's a good film. I agree it's too long, the whole Richard Gere section at the end could be cut. What did you think it was all about.
'Hidden', another one for my turkey list.
Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:25 GMT, in reply to Dragonfly in message 39
I watched the Changeling recently on a long haul flight - not the ideal setting (small screen, headphones etc) but thought it was very good. I'd only heard a certain amount of the story so was expecting it to go in quite a different direction than it did.
(was going to go off topic here and say how this has reminded me I read a really good, and unrelated, book called the Changeling, but it's actually called the Stolen Child, so I won't.)
Ah Reggie, now you're asking! Um, well, I think the film reflected the fact that not much is known about Dylan, and what little he has revealed has been misleading, to put it politely.
We are only left with his music, and the film was trying to interpret different facets of his personality through his different musical phases.
How am I doing so far?
Although I like Dylan I wouldn't claim to be an expert on him, so couldn't really hazard a guess about Richard Gere's "Dylan". Some of his stuff was kinda reminiscent of hobos riding the rails, but I can't remember specific songs.
If 'Million Dollar Baby' is the boxing film, then I am not sure I would want to watch it. I know there have been some great boxing movies, like 'Raging Bull' but somehow I can't get into them.
It must be difficult organising films for flights. No air disaster movies for a start!
I don't know the book 'The Stolen Child' but I read a very good thriller 'Gone, Baby, Gone' by Dennis Lehane (who also wrote 'Mystic River'). The film of 'Gone, Baby, Gone' had terrific reviews. Hope it is shown on television before too long.
Rusty
Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:51 GMT, in reply to Rusters in message 42
the Stolen Child is about changelings, Rusters, hence the link in my mind
, in reply to message 35.
Posted by Stuart Pearce Badger (U3742750) on Tuesday, 9th June 2009
I really must read what I write before posting.
"their best (French) films have a unique ability to make the dialogue and characters move the dialogue". Of course I meant "move the plot".
Hopefully you either knew what I meant or were sufficiently disinterested to not notice or not care!
If the latter, please don't hurt my feelings by telling me .......
SPB
Oh right, geepers. Looks interesting.
'Sokay, SPB, I am good at editing subconsciously. Then again, French films can be a bit strange (thinking of The Piano Teacher).
Rusty
Has anybody seen Looking for Eric yet? I saw it yesterday. It's about as near a feelgood movie that Ken Loach ever gets. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I suspect it might be a blokes' film.
In reply to Reggie Trentham in message 46
OH went yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He definitely wants to buy the DVD, and he has aroused my interest enough to want to watch it, too. I've always enjoyed Ken Loach's films - just couldn't go this time to local cinema.
Film4 is showing "Black Book", which I mentioned in my opening post, on Wednesday, 24 June, at 10.35 pm. Forget that it is a Paul Verhoeven film and just enjoy it for the fast-paced exciting film it is. It starts off a little slow, but soon picks up.
Rusty
Rusty have you seen TransAmerica - a road movie with a difference ? I really enjoyed it.
A transgender women goes on a trip with her son, who never knew her when he was Dad - if you get my drift. If you are offended by bad lang. give it a swerve.
Have you seen Hot fuzz - Brit movie - dark-ish humour - good wet winter Sunday arvo film.
I could watch Betty Blue a hundred times.
On the older movie front I watched Mildred Pierce recently - great performance by Joan Crawford.
I also just watched kiss kiss bang bang and wasted 90 odd mins of my life !!
Flakes xx
How could have I forgotten TransAmerica, Flakes? I loved it, and thought that Felicity Huffman was brilliant.
Haven't seen Hot Fuzz but am hoping it will be on television (Film4 maybe) v. soon. I remember Laura saying it was one of the funniest films she had ever seen.
Ah old films. Really, I could spend my life watching films from the 1930s, 40d and (grudgingly) a few from the fifties and early sixties. Loved Mildred Pierce, Now Voyager, Random Harvest.....
Shame about Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. I like Robert Downey Jr., and I see Corben Bernsen (who I remember best as the slick divorce lawyer Arnie Becker in LA Law) is in it too.
Rusty
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