Films

Beasts of the Southern Wild; the acting was superb [the little girl is amazing] as was the music. However, I think I was expecting far too much. Would still recommend it to people. I wish I'd stumbled across it by accident rather than expecting it to be the best film of the year thus far [enjoyed Looper more].
 
Argo is terrific. Bit hollywood at times but sharp script and genuine tension as well as good dose of intelligence. And for all the hand wringers out there, it does play a very fair line with the iranian view. Would recommend it to anyone
 
A couple of nights ago on TV .................... The Illusionist (2006).
I was really taken with it; I thought it was excellent.

Visually stunning, a highly stylistic and different plot line, good characterisation and great ensemble acting ( Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and a deliciously creepy Rufus Sewell)

Set in 1890's Vienna, the director Neil Burger nails the period and atmosphere. It reminds me of the more supernatural films of Ingmar Bergman.
Okay, some of the "illusions" performed by the lead character would be beyond the capability of Jesus Christ himself, but if you suspend belief and allow yourself to be carried along it rewards the unsceptical viewer ( me anyway). And there is a twist at the end that is almost -- but not quite as stunning as -- The Sixth Sense.
The dialogue might seem a bit arch and stilted -- like a theatre play -- but it suits the theme and the period .............and it works, I think.

All-in-all, an excellent piece of work I thought.
And not a single solitary profanity in the entire film which is unusual for nowadays. :)
 
If you want a really good laugh then I recommend the following 12 tear-jerkers....absolutely hilarious....

ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD
THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES
THE GREAT RACE
A SHOT IN THE DARK
THE PINK PANTHER
THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER
PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN
ROXANNE
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS
GROUNDHOG DAY
 
icebreaker said:
A couple of nights ago on TV .................... The Illusionist (2006).
I was really taken with it; I thought it was excellent.

Visually stunning, a highly stylistic and different plot line, good characterisation and great ensemble acting ( Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and a deliciously creepy Rufus Sewell)

Set in 1890's Vienna, the director Neil Burger nails the period and atmosphere. It reminds me of the more supernatural films of Ingmar Bergman.
Okay, some of the "illusions" performed by the lead character would be beyond the capability of Jesus Christ himself, but if you suspend belief and allow yourself to be carried along it rewards the unsceptical viewer ( me anyway). And there is a twist at the end that is almost -- but not quite as stunning as -- The Sixth Sense.
The dialogue might seem a bit arch and stilted -- like a theatre play -- but it suits the theme and the period .............and it works, I think.

All-in-all, an excellent piece of work I thought.
And not a single solitary profanity in the entire film which is unusual for nowadays. :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the story was crap. So crap that by the end of the film you are just willing it to be over and the twist is merely an end to that means (short of switching it off).

PS - you suspend disbelief, not belief (in the instance quoted above). I'm sure it is also possible to suspend belief - probably in order to persuade yourself that this is a good film on the grounds that it just can't have been as **** as the preceding 90 minutes or so would suggest).
 
Ballydoyle said:
Just seen Skyfall - all I can say is you have to go. End of.
Click to expand...
Really enjoyed the first 2 with Daniel Craig but this lacks that special something different you expect from a Bond movie.....no more enjoyable than a good Van Damme action movie tbh

A shockingly poor effort for a Bond film
 
Last edited:
That's the first critiscism I've heard of the new Bond film. icebreaker; If you think The Illusionist is good then check out The Prestige [apologies if you already have]. Came out at the same time as The Illusionist; same subject matter but is far, far superior. Probably one of my favourite films of all time.
 
Cheers Moehat, I'll certainly chase it up ( The Prestige).
Although, I'm afraid some other films of Christopher Nolan -- Inception, etc, -- have left me distinctly cold.
But I'll certainly have a watch, 'tho I find it hard to believe that The Illusionist could be bettered by anything in the particular genre.
 
Finally got round to Skyfall as Argo has gone from our local cinemas; thought a third of the way through it was lagging, but overall very well done and a good story for a change with a realistic villain, acted very well. Luckily the token woman was killed off without taking too much time up during the film. Fiennes and Whishaw good replacements.
 
Agree that The Prestige is a much better film that The Illusionist although I really enjoy watching The Illusionist whenever its on.

The Prestige is much more visiual and clue laden but if you arent into Christopher Nolan then you may just think its a load of pretentious cow poo ;)
 
Watched Lawless last night with Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Shia Le Beouf - set in the Prohibition years in Virginia (loosely based on a true story but dont let that put you off!). Guy Pearce however steals the movie as a slimy (literally!) Federal Agent. It can get a bit heavy going in places and drag but stick with it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212450/
 
Not a big Norton fan but I downloaded the Illusionist and it wasn't a bad movie at all. Acting was very good all round but I found the stiff upper lip a bit overdone but not to the extent it ruined the movie. Well worth watching..Thanks Icebreaker for drawing my attention to it.
 
I've taken a step back in time and got a hold of Season 8 of the practice which is thoroughly enjoyable. Haven't got to the episode where Denny Crane/William Shatner but if it's half as good as Boston Legal was I can't wait.

Big fan of James Spader. He has recently secured a couple of movie rolls in Steven Spielberg's Lincoln and another movie yet to be completed alongside Erc Bana.

In a recent interview he said he was totally overawed by Daniel Day Lewis's performance as Lincoln> Can't wait to see it http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-10-10/steven-spielbergs-lincoln-reviews---the-critics-reaction
 
I thought Lawless was great. Guy Pearce has done well since his Neighbours days. I actually got round to watching Priscilla Queen of the Desert last week which started him off on his film career. And, on the subject of Australian films saw The Sapphires tonight. I don't think it falls totally into the category of girlie films; if it does I apologise beforehand if anyone watches it, but I loved it. It was so funny. It was Rabbit Proof Fence with funny bits and singing. And it was true. I [stupidly] missed Rust and Bone cause I thought it was on for another week.
 
Oh, and The Prestige does feature Scarlett Johansen [sp] in a basque and fishnet tights. Which I thought some people [obviously not me] would like.
 
I think some people would give up their midget porn for five minutes to see that, Moe!

How you doing btw, any thoughts on the Hennessy?:)

I don't do movies or television anymore, just love me music. Last film I watched was the old classic Midnight Express, and gave me some ideas for something I'm writing at present.
 
Last edited:
Yes, I'm very much into music now I've got my new cd player but am going through a folky phase at the mo. I've backed Magnanimity, Fruity and Alfie in the Hennessy, thinking it would carry on raining [which it hasn't] but I realised today that PN and Henderson both want the trainers title this year, so they'll be even more desperate to win these big races..Henderson probably more so because he came so close last year. I've only just stopped listening to Alt J; played it non stop for nearly two weeks! Still can't find the winners these days though, Marb.
 
I know what you mean. And after watching a Saturday afternoon of racing, especially where I havn't come near to getting a winner I feel hung over until the following Monday.

I'm really keen on Carruthers Moe. Trainer says ignore the last few runs it doesn't run great with too much weight on back. I don't think you want to be a horse that wants to come from too far behind on Saturday, and I at least am pretty sure Carruthers will give me the run for my money that I want from up on the pace.
 
Last edited:
Just watched "The Man From Snowy River" - slightly corny but visually amazing esp the cliff scene (if you have seen it you know the one!) which was done in one take.

They rarely show the sequel but it has a great moment near the start when some stuck up bloke is showing off to the girl until Jim Craig comes along and shows him what horsemanship really is ;)
 
Django Unchained. Tarantino never disappoints and this is another fine film. Plenty of excellent acting (particularly from Christoph Waltz and Samuel Jackson) cool deaths, lots of ridiculous blood and a few good laughs as well. I really enjoyed it. Nice to see Walt Goggins getting some big screen roles as well. He's also in Lincoln.
 
Nipped out at lunchtime and watched a film called What Richard Did. Nice little piece of filmmaking. Based on a book called A Bad Day In Blackrock. Might appeal to a few on here.
 
Back
Top