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The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
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So wife picked and we watched the Jackie Chan movie Miracles.

I mean... ugh this one was kind of tough. Obviously the action and stunt work are fantastic, but the comedy in this feels so culturally particular that I bounced off of it hard. It's also way too long for what it is?

I kind of passed in and out of paying attention to this one after awhile, only really looking at the fight scenes. 3/10.
 

Doothpick

9-1
Sep 15, 2008
1,081
276
Decided to rewatch for the first time in a million years In The Mood For Love.

I hate when hot people are in a movie and don't bone. The lead actress walks in a way that makes me feel things. Tony Leung is a snack all movie.

And it makes me so sad. Visuals are amazing. Score is perfect. Blue balls are real.

9/10
I rarely post here, but I myself just watched this again after not having seen it in a while, and this review just makes it all worse.. or better, I don't know.

It sort of reminds me of "Lost in Translation" if it had some hot young stuff in place of Bill Murray. Not to dis Murray of course. If anyone has more of these blue balls recommendations I'm all ears. Obviously no spoilers though if one can help it. I gotta hold on to hope that all these good looking people might be wise and brave enough jump each others' bones.

Oh and also watched How to Blow Up a pipeline. This is exactly the kind of flick I felt everyone tried to do a decade ago. Stylistically I mean. It was okay, but my god those back stories were horrible. Should've just cut all of it, and let the viewer decide why they were doing what they were doing. It would've worked just as well without the unnecessary fat. It's definitely watchable and it really did take off in the end. Frustrating watch, though, since it could've been better and more intense. 6/10.
 
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The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
29,888
I rarely post here, but I myself just watched this again after not having seen it in a while, and this review just makes it all worse.. or better, I don't know.

It sort of reminds me of "Lost in Translation" if it had some hot young stuff in place of Bill Murray. Not to dis Murray of course. If anyone has more of these blue balls recommendations I'm all ears. Obviously no spoilers though if one can help it. I gotta hold on to hope that all these good looking people might be wise and brave enough jump each others' bones.

Oh and also watched How to Blow Up a pipeline. This is exactly the kind of flick I felt everyone tried to do a decade ago. Stylistically I mean. It was okay, but my god those back stories were horrible. Should've just cut all of it, and let the viewer decide why they were doing what they were doing. It would've worked just as well without the unnecessary fat. It's definitely watchable and it really did take off in the end. Frustrating watch, though, since it could've been better and more intense. 6/10.
Lost in Translation feels heavily inspired Wong Kar-Wai. EEAAO also basically used a lot of imagery for the dapper version of the husband universe.
 
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Doothpick

9-1
Sep 15, 2008
1,081
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Lost in Translation feels heavily inspired Wong Kar-Wai. EEAAO also basically used a lot of imagery for the dapper version of the husband universe.
Yeah I figured. I watched Lost in Translation few weeks ago, and out of blue today I just decided that now is a good time for Mood for Love. Now I realize it probably made perfect sense I wanted to watch that after getting that "itch" from LiT.

For the record, this was my 3rd time watching LiT. I watched it in my teens (didn't understand any of it) then in my mid twenties (it was okay, and I "got it") and finally now in my thirties. It's still just okay. I love the visuals, obviously, and the characters are relatable while both actors do a great job conveying that feeling of "out of place loneliness". Somethins is still missing for me. I think I'll like it better in my forties, but for now Mood For Love does everything I want that kind of film to do and then some. One of my all-time favorites.
 

Bounces R Way

Registered User
Nov 18, 2013
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monkey-man-1.png


Monkey Man(2024) - 7/10

John Wick but make it in India, twice as gory, and with knives instead of guns.

Dev Patel writes, directs(his directorial debut), and stars in this action flick about a young man's quest for revenge. Apparently it was originally a Netflix production before they decided it was too violent for them and Jordan Peele stepped in to produce and get it to theaters.

Patel plays 'the Kid', who lives in poverty and makes money fighting in a underground boxing ring. He manages to get himself hired into an establishment where the target for his revenge frequents, working his way up the slimy underworld brothel/drug/club circuit in a populous Indian city to get close to the man who murdered his mother. Don't want to spoil anything from there but things get stabby, thought the tuk tuk with a turbo was a fun touch.

Very stylish and gets full marks for the cinematography and the fight choreography. Really had that Jason Bourne kind of fast paced shaky cam frantic pacing nailed for the action scenes. The story itself is fairly paint by numbers classic vengeance romp, but there's enough in the periphery to give the film shape. There's some vague commentary on class and religion as well as a transgender commune and a big local election. Also a love interest? Maybe one too many sub and sub-subplots, it's not that they were poorly incorporated or uninteresting exactly but never got properly fleshed out which made the conclusion seem less conclusive. Mostly these were just an engine to go full revenge rampage and that's what we did. The characters themselves weren't overly engaging but the supporting cast did a fair job. All in all I expected a decent shoot(stab)-em up action flick and that's what I got.
 

The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
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So I'm going to show my ass a bit here, but I recently watched The Master.

Ummm... you know those movies while you're watching and you think "there's not a single thing about this that is bad, and yet I hate everything about it"? No? Just me? Anyway that's this movie to me. Phoenix and Hoffman are really acting. The story isn't like... bad. The script is good and there isn't anything to say fails. But if I could go my entire life without ever thinking about this movie again I feel like I would lose nothing.

Part of it is I really think that it's hard for me to see anyone other than Phoenix when he's doing his thing. He may be my least favorite actor - and it's not necessarily his fault. He just always looks like he's trying so hard. I know this is widely regarded as a masterpiece and all of that, and PTA is extremely well regarded, but man... at some point I just have to acknowledge that I just don't like his movies.

My pithy Letterbox'd review? This bad boy really could use a Commander to bring it together.

5/10.
 
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The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
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Decided to go international today and watched High and Low.

I think this is the only "modern" Kurosawa I've seen. This is one of those times where I heard about some details and filled in the gaps in my mind of what type of movie it was - and I was very wrong. I always heard about how this movie really dealt with class issues and the like. It certainly does that to an extent, but I thought it was like a 1960s Parasite rather than a crime drama. I kind of feel that the class discussion in this is pretty... mild but I guess at the time the interesting part was that it discussed it at all?

Still - set all of that aside because that's just the mindset I brought into it. The film itself? Really f***ing good. Mifune has one of those "faces" - just a great f***ing face. I really enjoyed how the investigation unfolded and how well it was presented. It feels very... Hitchcock in a lot of ways? IDK I'm not a film studies guy but it seems almost like a post-noir noir if that makes sense. The DNA was there but it seems more modern than that in a lot of ways.

Great flick. 8/10.
 

The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
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Decided to rewatch for the first time in a million years In The Mood For Love.

I hate when hot people are in a movie and don't bone. The lead actress walks in a way that makes me feel things. Tony Leung is a snack all movie.

And it makes me so sad. Visuals are amazing. Score is perfect. Blue balls are real.

9/10
Understandably I've been thinking about this movie a lot lately. Such a brain worm. Anyway what's sticking with me is how this movie uses the physical space to both accentuate how... tight everything is, but also how isolated the two leads are. I may have to bump this to a 10 - I can't stop thinking about it.
 
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Rodgerwilco

Entertainment boards w/ some Hockey mixed in.
Feb 6, 2014
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Tombstone (1993) - 10/10

Watched this one again last night, I've probably seen this film more times than any other except for maybe The Room.

Absolutely star-studded cast top to bottom, incredible acting, great score. Easily one of the most quotable movies ever. Just an all around amazing film. One of those perfect storm productions where an excellent group of cast, crew, and production all fully buy-in to what they're trying to do and make something timeless. Val Kilmer puts on one of the best performances I've ever seen on screen, and makes it pretty much impossible for any other actor to portray Doc Holliday without being in his shadow.

After hearing a lot of behind the scenes stuff it appears that everyone, from the superstars down to the extras, were really very dedicated to an accurate portrayal of the period and the major events.

The one thing I think that Tombstone does especially well is the timing of the Gunfight at the OK Corral within the film. A lot of people think of this shootout as a conclusion, but it really was a catalyst of the events to follow with Earp's Revenge Ride.

As close to a perfect film as you can get for my money.
 

The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
29,888
I haven't seen it in like 15 years and I'm kind of afraid to because I loved it so much back then. Worried it doesn't hold up but now I may finally do it.
 

Rodgerwilco

Entertainment boards w/ some Hockey mixed in.
Feb 6, 2014
7,966
7,404
I haven't seen it in like 15 years and I'm kind of afraid to because I loved it so much back then. Worried it doesn't hold up but now I may finally do it.
In my opinion it holds up incredibly well. I watch it at least a handful of times a year. The saddest thing about watching it is realizing that Bill Paxton is no longer with us and Kilmer can't speak anymore.
 

Nakatomi

Registered User
Dec 26, 2022
154
199
Understandably I've been thinking about this movie a lot lately. Such a brain worm. Anyway what's sticking with me is how this movie uses the physical space to both accentuate how... tight everything is, but also how isolated the two leads are. I may have to bump this to a 10 - I can't stop thinking about it.
I read an essay about the alternate ending a few years ago that I cannot find now. But....if you'd like to see.



edit, here is the essay I was thinking of. With some photos:
 
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KallioWeHardlyKnewYe

Hey! We won!
May 30, 2003
15,767
3,807
So I'm going to show my ass a bit here, but I recently watched The Master.

Ummm... you know those movies while you're watching and you think "there's not a single thing about this that is bad, and yet I hate everything about it"? No? Just me? Anyway that's this movie to me. Phoenix and Hoffman are really acting. The story isn't like... bad. The script is good and there isn't anything to say fails. But if I could go my entire life without ever thinking about this movie again I feel like I would lose nothing.

Part of it is I really think that it's hard for me to see anyone other than Phoenix when he's doing his thing. He may be my least favorite actor - and it's not necessarily his fault. He just always looks like he's trying so hard. I know this is widely regarded as a masterpiece and all of that, and PTA is extremely well regarded, but man... at some point I just have to acknowledge that I just don't like his movies.

My pithy Letterbox'd review? This bad boy really could use a Commander to bring it together.

5/10.
Did somebody say the OCEANS ARE NOW BATTLEFIELDS!
 
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The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
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Tonight I kept up the Japanese theme and watched  Cure.

I didn't end up loving it. The bad guy was a Japanese James Franco - it was eerie. My wife and I both said it at the same time. Anyway - performances were good. But something about this just draaaaged for me.

I also just didn't find the angle to this (trying not to spoil) very interesting. It was... kind of hokey? I wish it played it straight instead of this.

I just didn't jive with it. 3/10
 

Chili

Time passes when you're not looking
Jun 10, 2004
8,778
4,900
ToHaveAndHaveNot1.png

To Have and Have Not-1944

'Wuz you ever bit by a dead bee?'

The Ernest Hemingway novel that director Howard Hawks converted into a Casablanca-esque film. Humphrey Bogart as Harry Morgan, whose boat is for hire, preferably for something legal such as deep sea fishing. But when times are tough he's less choosy which leads to some dangerous situations.

The novel was written in the mid 1930's, set in Key West Florida and Cuba. The film changes the backdrop to WWII. Like Rick's cantina in Casablanca, the Marquis Hotel is one of the main settings. Lauren Bacall in her first film (playing a similar character to Ilsa/Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, is in port to 'buy a hat', Hoagy Carmichael is the charismatic piano player and Marcel Dalio is head of the local Sureté. (three roles that were not in the novel).

Bogart and Bacall have nice on-screen chemistry which extended to off screen as well. Walter Brennan is very good as Harry's friend, a rummy and one of the few characters from the novel. Entertaining film.

breakingpoint2.png

The Breaking Point-1950

Michael Curtiz (who directed Casablanca) got his chance to film the Hemingway novel. This is a much more faithful adaption then the 1944 film although there were still a few changes. This is the better film of the two for me for a few reasons. Beautifully filmed with strong performances all around including the support roles and gets closer to the jist of the novel which is a dark story. Harry Morgan (John Garfield) makes his living with his boat, supporting his wife and two daughters. When a client abruptly leaves town without paying for several days of fishing Harry is left in a financial bind. He's forced to seek alternate sources of revenue which leads to some serious danger.

A rare case where the film(s) is/are far better than the book. Enjoy both films more than the novel which has numerous racial slurs as well as a significant and puzzling subplot near the end of the story. Well done film that believe deserves to be better known.

underground2.png

Underground-1941

Early in WWII, a group of Germans risk all by calling out the government with daring mobile radio broadcasts, calling themselves the 'Voice of Freedom'. It was a Hollywood propaganda type film made before the US entered WWII. No big stars, just about the whole cast were expatriate Europeans so the accents are genuine. Gripping story of two brothers on opposite sides, the soldier unaware of his brother's activities. This film was made about three years before Valkyrie took place, found it ironic that one of the brothers had lost an arm in battle. Well done espionage film.


Burn!1.png

Queimada! (aka Burn!)-1969

The control and exploitation of a Carribean island in the 19th century by colonial powers. Sir William Walker (Marlon Brando) helps to start a revolution which supported by the British, forces out the Portugese. Walker is a ruthless dude and several years later returns to the island to help quell an insurrection, led by his former compatriot José Dolores (Evaristo Marquez).

From Songs My Mother Taught Me, Brando's autobiography: 'I think I did the best acting I've ever done in that picture, but few people came to see it.' Not surprising since it is a reminder of some dark history. Brando was also complimentary of director Gillo Pontecarvo (known for directing the classic film The Battle of Algiers) saying that next to Elia Kazan and Bernardo Bertolucci, he was the best director he worked with. Although by his own admission he was one major pain in the ___ to the director with his antics during the shoot. Beautifully shot on location mostly in Columbia and another memorable score from the master, Ennio Morricone giving it somewhat of a The Good, The Bad and The Ugly tone. Good interesting film, though the subject matter and images of violence won't be for all tastes.

Boundforglory1.png

Bound for Glory-1976

'Go to sleep, you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
That's a hobo's lullaby'

Biopic of Woody Guthrie (David Carradine). Set during the depression, Woody leaves his wife and children and takes to the road. He meets folks from all over including migrant workers in California and gets involved performing his own songs about the hard life they face. Don't know why Arlo didn't play his dad in this film, he was very good in Alice's Restaurant. Carradine is impressive though, singin', strummin' and doing his own stunts, like fighting and jumping on and off moving trains. Great score for someone who enjoys folk music. Woody authored over 1,000 songs and influenced many artists to follow. Impressive attention to detail including the towns, trains, autos, etc. They created a dust storm using 40 tons of dirt and airplane engines generating 75 mph winds. Slow paced, very well done.
 
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The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
29,888
Hot take - the adage that books tend to be better than movies based off of them isn't something that I've ever thought really held up to scrutiny. Obviously it's a mixed bag but there are hundreds of examples where the film is superior.
 

kihei

McEnroe: The older I get, the better I used to be.
Jun 14, 2006
43,823
11,093
Toronto
Hot take - the adage that books tend to be better than movies based off of them isn't something that I've ever thought really held up to scrutiny. Obviously it's a mixed bag but there are hundreds of examples where the film is superior.
Gimme five.
 

The Macho King

Back* to Back** World Champion
Jun 22, 2011
49,053
29,888
Gimme five.
Die Hard
Hunt for Red October
The Shining
Barry Lyndon
The Godfather
Gone Girl
The Social Network
Fight Club
The Handmaiden
Snowpiercer (graphic novel but still)
Princess Bride
The Wizard of Oz
Full Metal Jacket
Etc.
 

Nakatomi

Registered User
Dec 26, 2022
154
199
The Night of the 12th ("La Nuit du 12" in the French original) - 8/10

A police procedural set in Grenoble, France. A beautiful young woman is brutally burned to death after leaving her friend's house late one night. The police begin to look for suspects, and what they find has disquieting things to say about the nature of the relationships between men and women.

I will say there were some unintentionally funny parts like the detectives at one point sitting around to discuss the case and sharing a baguette, ripping pieces off as they go. #ouioui
 

Osprey

Registered User
Feb 18, 2005
27,902
10,753
Hot take - the adage that books tend to be better than movies based off of them isn't something that I've ever thought really held up to scrutiny. Obviously it's a mixed bag but there are hundreds of examples where the film is superior.
There may be hundreds of examples of film adaptations that are better than the books, but there are thousands that are worse, so isn't it still true that books tend to be better?
 
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Satans Hockey

Registered User
Nov 17, 2010
8,033
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Hot take - the adage that books tend to be better than movies based off of them isn't something that I've ever thought really held up to scrutiny. Obviously it's a mixed bag but there are hundreds of examples where the film is superior.

Sure there's plenty but for me sometimes they change stuff for the worse from the book just to change stuff. Knock at the Cabin changed huge plot points from the book the cabin at the end of the world and it just didn't work for me knowing that the story in the book hits you way harder than what they did in the movie.

Personally I don't have a ton of examples, that was one that I just happened to read the book years before it became a movie.
 

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