Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate it | {Insert Appropriate Seasonal Greeting Here}

[shadow1]

Shadow1 seems to be on a Jackie Chan marathon.


Hong Kong folks have a love-hate relationship with the man. He is no-doubt one of the greatest action cinematographer of all-time, but they are also put-off by his personal life. He had a child out-of-wedlock who he refused to acknowledge or care for, and he cowers to the Communist Party so much that he is pretty much a stooge. That is why instead of "Become Dragon", which is the literal translation of his artistic name, most people refer to him as "Become Worm".

There is also something called the Jackie Chan curse. Whenever he becomes a spokesperson for a product, that company will either lose a lot of money within a year or two, or downright go bankrupt. It is probably due to the fact that he just takes the money and does no background checks, but it is kind of hilarious that he has a near 100% failure rate, and companies still pay him a ton of money to be a spokesperson.

Yes I am, and I still haven't gotten to all of the classics...or all of the crap.

Jackie definitely isn't popular in Hong Kong for the reasons you mentioned. He's done a lot of good in the world through philanthropy, but he's been terrible to his own family; he won't even acknowledge his illegitimate daughter. He wrote a tell-all book a couple years ago where he detailed some of the awful things he's done to his wife and son and even called himself a "bastard". But it's hard to give him penance when his non-existent relationship with his daughter is constantly in the news; i.e. he's still abusive to his family (neglect).

The pro-China comments are insult to injury, especially when he was anti-China when younger (he was even involved in a Concert for China Democracy/Tiananmen Square in the late 80's). I have no idea what changed over time, but it's disappointing none-the-less. As far as products go, I only know about the shampoo that supposedly causes cancer (but I think that was debunked in a court case).

For me, it has gotten harder to divorce "real" Jackie from "movie" Jackie as more information has come out over the years. I wish the real person was the same as his on-screen persona, but I guess not everyone can be Keanu Reeves.

 

[nameless1]

Yes I am, and I still haven't gotten to all of the classics...or all of the crap.

Jackie definitely isn't popular in Hong Kong for the reasons you mentioned. He's done a lot of good in the world through philanthropy, but he's been terrible to his own family; he won't even acknowledge his illegitimate daughter. He wrote a tell-all book a couple years ago where he detailed some of the awful things he's done to his wife and son and even called himself a "bastard". But it's hard to give him penance when his non-existent relationship with his daughter is constantly in the news; i.e. he's still abusive to his family (neglect).

The pro-China comments are insult to injury, especially when he was anti-China when younger (he was even involved in a Concert for China Democracy/Tiananmen Square in the late 80's). I have no idea what changed over time, but it's disappointing none-the-less. As far as products go, I only know about the shampoo that supposedly causes cancer (but I think that was debunked in a court case).

For me, it has gotten harder to divorce "real" Jackie from "movie" Jackie as more information has come out over the years. I wish the real person was the same as his on-screen persona, but I guess not everyone can be Keanu Reeves.

Ahh, so you know.


Chan has a ton of business interests in China. From the way he accepts advertising offers, it is clear he cares a lot about money.

That said, one thing about him is that he does care for the members of his stunt team. Years ago, people asked when he would retire, and he bluntly said that people on his team followed him for a long time, and they gave him their youth, so he cannot retire any time soon. To the best of my knowledge, he does treat them very well, and even after they left, nobody says anything bad about him.

Yeah, the shampoo was debunked, as the problematic ingredient that could potentially cause cancer was indeed within legal limit, but that stigma remained, and the company was never the same again. In the 90s, he became the spokesperson for a Nintendo knock-off home arcade and VCD player, but both declined within 5 year. He also did an air-conditioner commercial, and that company went belly-up pretty quickly. Then there is the Evergrande Glacier Bottled Water, and the parent company, Evergrande Group, is now bankrupt and has pretty much caused a financial crisis in China. There is the Volkswagen Caddy too, which only sold 900 in China after he became the spokesperson, and there is the Vancouver to Hong Kong budget line from Hong Kong Airlines, which was discontinued pretty quickly after its launch. Honestly, he is probably the worst spokesperson of all-time, because outside of Volkswagen, for now, every other company eventually failed.


With Jackie Chan, it is similar to the Hall-of-Fame argument for some great players with a checkered personal life. I have a lot of issues with Chan the person, but his works really are first rate. In fact, he has multiple contenders for all-time best action flicks, and to this day, his works still hold up very well. He also had numerous near death experiences during those stunts, which is the hallmark of a true artist. That is why I can still enjoy his work. Frankly, they are one-of-a-kind, and nobody can ever repeat his feats ever again.

 

[shadow1]

Ahh, so you know.


Chan has a ton of business interests in China. From the way he accepts advertising offers, it is clear he cares a lot about money.

That said, one thing about him is that he does care for the members of his stunt team. Years ago, people asked when he would retire, and he bluntly said that people on his team followed him for a long time, and they gave him their youth, so he cannot retire any time soon. To the best of my knowledge, he does treat them very well, and even after they left, nobody says anything bad about him.

Yeah, the shampoo was debunked, as the problematic ingredient that could potentially cause cancer was indeed within legal limit, but that stigma remained, and the company was never the same again. In the 90s, he became the spokesperson for a Nintendo knock-off home arcade and VCD player, but both declined within 5 year. He also did an air-conditioner commercial, and that company went belly-up pretty quickly. Then there is the Evergrande Glacier Bottled Water, and the parent company, Evergrande Group, is now bankrupt and has pretty much caused a financial crisis in China. There is also the Volkswagen Caddy, which only sold 900 in China after he became the spokesperson, and then there is the Vancouver to Hong Kong budget line from Hong Kong Airlines, which was discontinued pretty quickly after its launch. Honestly, he is probably the worst spokesperson of all-time, because every one of those companies eventually failed.

Yeah, at least there seems to be no on-set drama with him, with the exception of a couple movies. But those boiled down to spats with the director, rather than him being a tyrant to his co-stars or anything like that. He's probably just like his on-screen persona to 99% of people he meets, but that doesn't excuse how he treats his family.

That is hilarious about those products.

 

[nameless1]

Yeah, at least there seems to be no on-set drama with him, with the exception of a couple movies. But those boiled down to spats with the director, rather than him being a tyrant to his co-stars or anything like that. He's probably just like his on-screen persona to 99% of people he meets, but that doesn't excuse how he treats his family.

That is hilarious about those products.

There are always rumours about him and his female co-stars. Most of the time they are mere window-dressing, at best, in his movies, so he seems to display the same analogous cavalier attitude towards them too. He is not at the Weinstein level, but he is often too amorous with his female co-stars.

The only female co-stars that he treated with respect are Maggie Cheung and Michelle Yeoh. Cheung got his respect because she did her own stunts, and she got the same bumps and bruises. Yeoh, meanwhile, matched him stunt for stunt, so he did see her as an equal. It also helps that Yeoh married and divorced a very wealthy and influential man, and she has her own stunt team too, so she will not take any nonsense from him.

 

[Osprey]

A Man Called Ove (2015) - 8/10

A very grumpy old man (Rolf Lassgård) repeatedly attempts to join his recently deceased wife, but keeps getting interrupted by his bothersome neighbors. This Swedish film, which was recently remade with Tom Hanks, is often sad, but equally heartwarming and funny. Ove is determined to end it all, but his dead wife will have to wait because even she isn't as important as barking at the neighbors for community violations. Ove is the epitome of the old man who yells at clouds and tells people to get off of his lawn. Early on, we're able to guess why, but it's not until watching all of the flashbacks to his early life sprinkled throughout the film that we start to understand him. He's a more complex character than he seems at first and Lassgård's portrayal is terrific. Whether thanks to him or the story, the character development is believable and Ove stays realistic, which I appreciated. It prevents things from feeling too fictional and saccharin, but the film does get rather sentimental in the second half. I wasn't expecting to be as touched in the end as I was. It's a heartwarming, moving and occasionally funny film that makes me eager to see the equally well-reviewed remake. If you don't mind subtitles, it's on Amazon Prime and free w/ ads on Tubi.

All Is Lost (2013) - 5/10

After a shipping container collides with his yacht, a sailor (Robert Redford) battles the elements to stay alive. He makes repairs, eats canned beans, shaves while the boat is rocking, falls overboard, falls asleep and then wakes up and does it all over again. He's almost always on screen, but rarely speaks because there's no one to talk to. Redford also plays him very stoically and without much personality, so I never got to know him and had trouble liking and sympathizing with him. I could only judge his actions and he does some rather puzzling things that made me feel that he brought a lot of his misfortune on himself. It's filmed nicely and I'm generally a fan of minimalistic films set in confined locations, but this was a bit dry and unengaging to me. There's no personality, little human interest (unless you're willing to root for him simply because he's human), no humor, no soundtrack, no real emotion and, despite lots of storms and falling overboard, not much suspense. Little happens that's memorable and I received the ultimate confirmation of that when I got to the final (and only) memorable scene, recognized it and realized that I had to have seen the film before. I'll sometimes get halfway through a movie and realize that I've seen it before, but this is the first time that I've ever made it all the way until the end without something jogging my memory. It's apparently that forgettable, but I guess watchable if I sat through it twice.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Finally motivated to catch up on a few 2022 releases I just never got around to.

Apollo 10.5. Take this with a grain of salt because I'm totally in the bag for Richard Linklater but I really loved this. It's small and sweet and wistful. One of the better movies about a certain kind of carefree childhood that I've seen in a while. This wasn't MY childhood, but a lot of the rhythms of life were the same and though the cataloging of TV shows and music are different, the board games and breakfast cereals weren't. Oh and there's an entire sideplot about a kid going to the moon. We all knew that kid. Maybe you were that kid. Linklater's return to rotoscoped animation adds just enough of a dreamy feel. He remains a master of using specifics to create something more universal.

Thirteen Lives. I'll cop to my big sin up front. I still haven't seen The Rescue, the documentary on this exact incident that by all accounts is fantastic. I feel like a lot of the reaction to this Ron Howard movie is that it pales in comparison to the doc, which isn't surprising. I didn't have that comparison on my mind. This is just a competently, methodically, professional done film. No hysterics. Just people called to do a job in extraordinary circumstances. I admire Howard (and everyone's restraint). Steady, if unspectacular.

After Yang. A moving near-future sci-fi about loss and death and memory and existence. Colin Farrell shines as the head of a family who seeks to replace or repair a robotic sibling they got for their daughter. With this and the excellent Columbus, writer-director Kogonada is proving to be a wizard at ever so gently wrecking you. Great world building with the clothing, sets, etc. and efficient bits of dialogue. Fantastic score.

 

[shadow1]

The Medallion (2003) - 4/10

A police officer is brought back from the dead with super powers thanks to a mythical medallion.

Jackie Chan stars as Eddie Chan, a Hong Kong cop coordinating with Interpol agents Watson (Lee Evans) and Nicole (Claire Forlani) on a special assignment. The trio is trying to stop a crime lord named Snakehead (Julian Sands), who's been trying to kidnap a young boy named named Jai (Alex Bao) who's believed to possess a magical medallion. However, the Interpol operation goes sideways, and Eddie drowns to death. Fortunately for him, Jai is able to bring him back to life using the medallion. Eddie discovers his new found vitality also comes with special powers, which he uses to try to stop Snakehead once and for all.

The Medallion was written and directed by Gordon Chan. The movie was filmed in two chunks, starting in 2001 and then taking a break for Jackie Chan to film 2002's The Tuxedo. The film was a Hong Kong production, but production company Columbia-TriStar owned distribution rights and final cut, removing most of the Cantonese dialogue. TriStar also cut out 20 minutes of footage in an attempt to focus less on antagonist Snakehead and more on the medallion itself. These extensive cuts were one of many contributing factors that resulted in the poor film The Medallion is.

Underdeveloped seems like the best word to describe The Medallion, and you can apply it to almost any aspect of the movie. The plot is extremely generic, and the audience isn't given any backstory about the medallion or about Jai himself, aside from some extremely brief exposition at the very start of the film. The characters are very plain, with lackluster attempts to fill in backstory. Nicole is upset with Eddie because "he was supposed to call her" but didn't; Watson is upset with Eddie because they used to be partners and they had some unknown quarrel (this exposition is just used to insert a joke that implies the two were in a romantic relationship). Snakehead's character is just some random villain that lives in a stylish castle and wants to be immortal. It's also worth nothing that John Rhys-Davies and Anthony Wong have supporting roles, but the two veteran actors are completely wasted.

Most people watching a film like this can live with the diluted plot and characters in exchange for quality action. The problem is the action in The Medallion is arguably mediocre - and not just by Jackie Chan standards. The fight scenes (and the movie in general) features excessive and often jarring cutting, along with frequent use of slow motion and some unusual camera angle choices. Frankly, the action is boring at times, and the dated special effects aren't doing the film any favors.

Th worst part of The Medallion, however, has to be the comedy. I have never seen the stand up comedy of Lee Evans, but his character in this film is extremely annoying and unfunny. All of the other characters play their role straight, but then we'll get random scenes of Evans' character acting like a doofus for a minute straight. I'll admit, I did laugh twice though. The first time was when Jackie's character has an out of body experience and doesn't believe he's looking at himself, quipping "that's not me, my nose isn't that big!". The second time I laughed towards the end of the movie, when the "Howie" scream was used (twice!) during scenes which were supposed to be dramatic! What were they thinking?

I do have to give The Medallion credit for one thing though: I thought Eddie's death scene early in the film was well done. It surprisingly carries a good amount of dramatic weight, as he drowns inside a shipping container but manages to save Jai by placing him inside inflatable play house. It's only one scene and happen early on, but I thought it was worth pointing out. I thought it was strange that no one even attempted to give him CPR upon retrieving him from the water - instead opting just to gently touch him and say "Eddie!" - but I've complained enough for one review.

Overall, The Medallion is a bad movie. It's watchable in the sense that it's not confusing, but at times feels like a chore to sit through, and that should never be the case in an action-comedy. At the time it was filmed, The Medallion was the biggest Hong Kong production ever (estimated $35M-$40M USD). However, it disappointed commercially, only earning $34M at the box office. In my opinion those returns were justified. Avoid this one unless you're losing your marbles and are dead set on watching every film Jackie Chan has ever been in (cough).

 

[PocketNines]

The Rules of the Game (1939)

First viewing. Four of four stars, easily one of the best films ever made. What Renoir does in this film is exceptionally difficult to imagine and design in advance. It's like a Pink Floyd album, there are really no other musicians who do what they are doing, who can synthesize the sounds in that way. You don't know how they were able to come up with it but you treasure that they did. That's what Renoir has done in this film. A genius masterwork.

 

[Hoverhand]

Hell or High Water (2016) - 10/10

I ran back a favourite of mine the other day with my girlfriend and I thought it'd be a good way to sink my teeth into this thread. I'm very vague when it's come to my reviews because I consider almost everything a spoiler. So be on the look out for that lol.

It's not that this movie doesn't have flaws, it's as subtle as a punch in the loins but through that loud and brash messaging is a great story that forces you to have some introspection about how you view the role of several institutions in society.

Beyond it's very political messaging, you get a story about the importance of family and the lengths people will go to protect those close to them. Chris Pine gives a very quiet performance and unique to most of his mainstream roles. Don't get me wrong he is quite good but it's Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges who give stellar performances as supporting characters.

Throughout the film you're following 4 men who are all flawed to varying degrees, yet all trying to do their own version of the right thing. It's about as good as you can get for a modern western, I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

The Rules of the Game (1939)

First viewing. Four of four stars, easily one of the best films ever made. What Renoir does in this film is exceptionally difficult to imagine and design in advance. It's like a Pink Floyd album, there are really no other musicians who do what they are doing, who can synthesize the sounds in that way. You don't know how they were able to come up with it but you treasure that they did. That's what Renoir has done in this film. A genius masterwork.

I like the film a lot, but I'm really not sure what you're trying to say here.

 

[PocketNines]

I like the film a lot, but I'm really not sure what you're trying to say here.

I'm comparing the experience of this film to absorbing Pink Floyd. Synthesis of a lot of unpredictable elements to make a full and complete masterwork.

 

[nameless1]

View attachment 641976

Hell or High Water (2016) - 10/10

I ran back a favourite of mine the other day with my girlfriend and I thought it'd be a good way to sink my teeth into this thread. I'm very vague when it's come to my reviews because I consider almost everything a spoiler. So be on the look out for that lol.

It's not that this movie doesn't have flaws, it's as subtle as a punch in the loins but through that loud and brash messaging is a great story that forces you to have some introspection about how you view the role of several institutions in society.

Beyond it's very political messaging, you get a story about the importance of family and the lengths people will go to protect those close to them. Chris Pine gives a very quiet performance and unique to most of his mainstream roles. Don't get me wrong he is quite good but it's Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges whole give stellar performances as supporting characters.

Throughout the film you're following 4 men who are all flawed to varying degrees, yet all trying to do their own version of the right thing. It's about as good as you can get for a modern western, I would recommend it to anyone.

I was very, very impressed with this one, that I actually watched it in theatre twice.

This is the second entry in Taylor Sheridan's American Frontier Trilogy, so I highly recommend Sicario and Wind River too. I would also watch them in order too, because it feels like it is the best way to experience his vision.

 

[nameless1]

I'm comparing the experience of this film to absorbing Pink Floyd. Synthesis of a lot of unpredictable elements to make a full and complete masterwork.

I understand what you mean, but I personally would not go that far in terms of praise. When I first watched it, I liked it, but it did not exactly blow my mind.

That said, if we consider the fact that the movie was made in 1939, before all the technology we have now, it is indeed a very impressive feat of filmmaking.

I also think that it really helps that Renoir's father is a renowned painter himself. It likely helped with his sense of framing and lighting, because the techniques he used help the film stand the test of time. It does not feel old at all even when compared to more modern films.

 

[Hoverhand]

I was very, very impressed with this one, that I actually watched it in theatre twice.

This is the second entry in Taylor Sheridan's American Frontier Trilogy, so I highly recommend Sicario and Wind River too. I would also watch them in order too, because it feels like it is the best way to experience his vision.

I watched Sicario when it came out and would have to give it another watch to fill in some gaps in my memory but I do remember enjoying it quite a bit.

Wind River is also a favourite of mine. I can't think of many movies that evoke such strong emotions in me as Wind River does. The tension, anger, sadness, it's all done so well.

 

[nameless1]

I watched Sicario when it came out and would have to give it another watch to fill in some gaps in my memory but I do remember enjoying it quite a bit.

Wind River is also a favourite of mine. I can't think of many movies that evoke such strong emotions in me as Wind River does. The tension, anger, sadness, it's all done so well.

My grades for all 3 were 8.25, 9 and 7 out of 10, if I remember correctly.

The main issue I had with Sicario is Blunt's character, but Sheridan fixed it in the last one.

 

[OzzyFan]

Safety Last! (1923) (silent)
3.25 out of 4stars

“A boy leaves his small country town and heads to the big city to get a job. As soon as he makes it big his sweetheart will join him and marry him. His enthusiasm to get ahead leads to some interesting adventures.”
A great comedy with romantic/action elements that rightfully cemented Harold Lloyd into star status. Most well known for its third act comprised entirely of him climbing the 12-story Bolton building, which include the iconic clock hanging scene. That thrilling final act is as equally tense as it is funny, with great creativity. Very clever how they shot that extended scene too. Another fun fact, Lloyd did the climbing scene with only 8 fingers, as he’d lost 2 of them in a previous film movie stunt, showing the toughness and risks many film actors had worked through in those days. The rest of the film showing Lloyd’s love driven everyman character is a fun mix of slapstick, stunt, and situational humor with some memorable images. I remember someone reviewed this film sometime in the last few years, but the search engine failed me again.

Infinity Pool (2023)
3.05 out of 4stars

“While staying at an isolated island resort, James and Em are enjoying a perfect vacation. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi , they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you'll be executed, or, if you're rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.”
A great sci-fi horror that is a stylish, thrilling, and cleverly well-connected interpretation on the wealthy’s power dynamics. It lives up to its hype, starting off 2023 in the horror realm how I kind of hoped M3GAN would have. Celebreality aside, the film visually delivers exactly what you would expect: hedonistic mayhem with no true law in sight, including violence, sex, and some psychedelic elements. A moral-less, unconscionable lifestyle where even death has become cheatable in this “world that has become their playground”. I took this film as a fairly obvious metaphor/one-off-from reality story about the rich’s ability to cheat or loophole the justice system, with even a nod in the film the most original and basic eye for an eye system being corruptible. The rich seem to have the ability to buy and sell, use and abuse and toy with, anything and anyone they want as they please with no recourse. There is a sort of invincibility, power-rush, even blood-lust mindset from the ability that goes along with this power that is arguably justified mania. It seems like a sad reality that no matter what governing force is in power, from the beginning to the end of time, the wealthier people in the world will always have power and influence and essentially get out of jail free cards and overtly law breaking immunity to various extents. And the film takes everything just far enough beyond/into that where I was pleased with its story-writing and “risk taking”. Skarsgard’s character is the main protagonist of the story and I’m still delving into his angle on everything though. I thought the character on paper was a brilliant idea: middle class man, marries a rich woman, utilizes her resources for his profit/profession and luxury, yet is still a “pet”/”collared-man” and bored with his life and seemingly wants to live an average man’s life after all. It seemed like they wanted to create some heavy psychological terror in this, and I think they did a good enough of job on the audience seeing the psychological side and how screwed up everything is/can-get, but I don’t know if I’d call this a psychological horror or entirely fulfilled on that end as I would expect it to be. Maybe some hints of ego and manipulation in here, especially in regards to affection, admiration, and attention. When I heard this was edited back from an X rating to R, I was expecting more graphic insanity than I saw, but I’m either getting numb to this stuff or there may have been some realistically pornographic material cut out. The titular name is a metaphor for those that don’t know what an Infinity Pool is (I didn’t), Infinity Pools appear endless/limitless, as does the wealthy’s use of their power in this film. Lot to like here.

Blood Simple (1984)
3.05 out of 4stars

“The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.”
A great crime drama dark comedy/neo-noir from the Coen brothers in their first feature film. The definition of Blood Simple is, a theory that people seem to act and grow dumber when exposed to prolonged stressful and/or violent events, something that the Coen brothers have repeatedly used in their filmography. The film 100% shows the roots and style of the Coen’s origin as exactly as one would suspect. Stylish, strange, funny, dry, dark, surprises/twists, their dialogue, and a couple of idiots. Acting before or without thinking, plans rarely go as you’d think/plan, you can only trust yourself, and nothing is as it seems. We go on a darkly comic violent crime domino effect journey that is fun and successful on all fronts.

The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
2.95 out of 4stars

“In the 12th century, a European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a merrymaking refuge against the "Red Death" plague that stalks the land.”
A great horror that is a richly colorful gleefully grim existential tale with atmosphere. Not entirely fluid or clear in all its purposes, but definitively thought provoking and entertaining. The sets and costumes are a spectrum of joy for the eyes and sometimes symbolic. And Vincent Price is great as the thoughtfully sadistic royalty, buying friends and doing anything he pleases. The overarching theme is the contrast between good and evil, or Christianity and Satanism here, in the material earthly realm. The case made is that evil and darkness prevail in this world and its ways are more built for successes and survival. Riches, power, possessions, excesses, hedonism, are all joyous things acquired through sin and sinful behaviors, a world where God is non-existent or completely invisible while the Devil is working in full force. The film shows Christianity as a sacrificial lifestyle based on faith, hope, and selflessness whose rewards don’t exist in this life. In the end, we all choose our own masters and the fruit generated from them throughout are lives, nevertheless as limited mortal beings.

 

[Ace]

Infinity Pool (2023)
3.05 out of 4stars

“While staying at an isolated island resort, James and Em are enjoying a perfect vacation. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi , they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you'll be executed, or, if you're rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.”
A great sci-fi horror that is a stylish, thrilling, and cleverly well-connected interpretation on the wealthy’s power dynamics. It lives up to its hype, starting off 2023 in the horror realm how I kind of hoped M3GAN would have. Celebreality aside, the film visually delivers exactly what you would expect: hedonistic mayhem with no true law in sight, including violence, sex, and some psychedelic elements. A moral-less, unconscionable lifestyle where even death has become cheatable in this “world that has become their playground”. I took this film as a fairly obvious metaphor/one-off-from reality story about the rich’s ability to cheat or loophole the justice system, with even a nod in the film the most original and basic eye for an eye system being corruptible. The rich seem to have the ability to buy and sell, use and abuse and toy with, anything and anyone they want as they please with no recourse. There is a sort of invincibility, power-rush, even blood-lust mindset from the ability that goes along with this power that is arguably justified mania. It seems like a sad reality that no matter what governing force is in power, from the beginning to the end of time, the wealthier people in the world will always have power and influence and essentially get out of jail free cards and overtly law breaking immunity to various extents. And the film takes everything just far enough beyond/into that where I was pleased with its story-writing and “risk taking”. Skarsgard’s character is the main protagonist of the story and I’m still delving into his angle on everything though. I thought the character on paper was a brilliant idea: middle class man, marries a rich woman, utilizes her resources for his profit/profession and luxury, yet is still a “pet”/”collared-man” and bored with his life and seemingly wants to live an average man’s life after all. It seemed like they wanted to create some heavy psychological terror in this, and I think they did a good enough of job on the audience seeing the psychological side and how screwed up everything is/can-get, but I don’t know if I’d call this a psychological horror or entirely fulfilled on that end as I would expect it to be. Maybe some hints of ego and manipulation in here, especially in regards to affection, admiration, and attention. When I heard this was edited back from an X rating to R, I was expecting more graphic insanity than I saw, but I’m either getting numb to this stuff or there may have been some realistically pornographic material cut out. The titular name is a metaphor for those that don’t know what an Infinity Pool is (I didn’t), Infinity Pools appear endless/limitless, as does the wealthy’s use of their power in this film. Lot to like here.

Spoiler: My interpretation on James

My interpretation of his character is that he‘s introduced as a man full of doubts and fears about who he is and what his place in the world is…and no matter what happens from there…no matter what he experiences, sees, does. Whatever fears he’s confronted with or desires he gives into…that story never changes for him. I came away feeling that the true horror of Infinity Pool is that journeys don’t always have destinations. The final scene with him sitting alone in the rain with seemingly no idea what to do now…he’s no closer to discovering anything about himself. He’d been through everything…and Everything had been for nothing.

Here’s my non spoiler review…but it does go into some themes: Infinity Pool Review

 

[codswallop]

Catching up recently with a few I wanted to see in the theater but didn't get to for. reasons.

The Northman: The brutality was well done, pretty accurate to what would happen in a time like that. It had good emotional weight, and let it sit and build enough to get you really invested. Didn't see the twist coming about his mother, nice surprise. And a brutal Viking battle at the end. Not perfect but really entertaining.

Everything Everywhere All at Once: Got flashbacks to younger days when I watched movies in an "alternate state". It was weird but in all the good ways. Can understand why some may not have liked this one though. For me, I haven't seen a mix like this in a while. Characters, comedy, sci-fi, action, absurdity. And to that, a very well written story that brought those all together.

Top Gun Maverick: I liked the original, not a lot but it had a few iconic scenes that drew you in. Didn't expect much after so long. I was very happily surprised. It was a fairly simple, straightforward story but it focused on the characters. Most times you don't need much more than that. Conflict without pretention, gradual build up with the people/story, good pacing, ramping up the action and tension near the end. Iffy about an F14 being able to get the better of a 5th gen fighter but whatever; it's a move. At the end of the day, one hell of an entertaining movie.

Last move I saw in a theater. Thor: Love and Thunder
Really glad I went to a matinee for this one, only gave $9. Last time.
Modern language cannot express how bad this movie was. Writing, characterization, pacing, presentation, etc, etc. Waititi was given a blank check, why so many haven't been fired for giving him that freedom just blows the mind. The majority of scenes he made were make into a joke in one way or another, at the expense of an actual story. Thor was turned into comic relief, much like Hulk. Box office numbers didn't tank too much then, but if you look at the actual number of tickets being sold and the downward trend: it's telling.

 

[Chili]

Sideways-2004

Two friends head out on a week long trip to wine country before one of them gets married. Mature, buddy story with interesting encounters as the week progresses. Not the two most honest guys. Paul Giamatti is one funny dude, nice chemistry with Thomas Haden Church and I have liked Virginia Madsen & Sandra Oh in other films. Hit all the right notes here, must be a film appreciated by wine lovers.

A Place in the Sun-1951

Starts as a romance and turns into a noir. The dream of youth, the ambition to be a success and climb the ladder. George (Montgomery Clift) has a chance meeting with a wealthy uncle that leads to a entry level job. Although strictly against company policy, he starts a relationship with Alice (Shelley Winters). And then Angela enters the picture (a radiant 17 year old Elizabeth Taylor who is very good)...Have seen several of Clift's films, this is one of his best, Shelley Winters too. Raymond Burr as the district attorney, a bit of a preview to the future Perry Mason. Very well done film, from a novel that was a story based on a real incident.

The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind-both 1966

Two westerns that were made at the same time, starring Jack Nicholson and Millie Perkins in both (Jack also wrote the second one). In The Shooting a young woman hires a former bounty hunter (Warren Oates) and his friend to lead her through the desert to a town. Or so she says. Billy (Jack Nicholson) is a gunman who shows up along the way. Interesting spin on an often used plot and seeing Jack in this role. In Ride in the Whirlwind Jack and his 3 companions ride into a camp where the men there seem to be friendly, although there is the question of why they are there in the middle of nowhere. It becomes clearer when the bullets start flying. Both films were interesting, offbeat westerns.

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

Watched first Austin Powers for the first time in years

12/10… Oscarworthy.

 

[OzzyFan]

Spoiler: My interpretation on James

My interpretation of his character is that he‘s introduced as a man full of doubts and fears about who he is and what his place in the world is…and no matter what happens from there…no matter what he experiences, sees, does. Whatever fears he’s confronted with or desires he gives into…that story never changes for him. I came away feeling that the true horror of Infinity Pool is that journeys don’t always have destinations. The final scene with him sitting alone in the rain with seemingly no idea what to do now…he’s no closer to discovering anything about himself. He’d been through everything…and Everything had been for nothing.

Here’s my non spoiler review…but it does go into some themes: Infinity Pool Review

Spoiler

Hmm. Interesting interpretation and you could be right. I feel if that was the angle though than the writing/movie failed on that front. It feels much more about meaning in life than self-identity to me. He thinks and feels like he is a writer just looking for the right inspiration/material, and it's even heavily noted when he plays into the groupie vibe from the seductive couple.

I'm more of the ideology that true horror exists and lives and breaths everywhere in the world with the rich as the theme/feeling vs your no-destinations one. Him alone at the end from my point of view is similar to your concept of no idea what to do now, but not really about self-discovery (albeit if you want to dabble into that field, alongside his writing job and obvious deficiencies, he is just a plain boring average-ish Joe facading and hoping to be something more he never will be, and even facading is stretching it given his output) : him now being mentally/emotionally "messed up" after being put through that ringer, now having his wife see him differently and their relationship definitely in trouble, and not sure where he goes now in life from here because of that. You have an interesting view that I see as possible, albeit I don't feel strongly attaches to the movie's product or material. I definitely get a more damaged vibe than empty. He's definitely lost though, but now the safety net in life and his head are completely gone. Playing alongside your perspective a bit with my feel on it, I'd say he's "been through everything and everything is nothing" is more "he's felt what it means to be alive/feel-alive" more than he has in a long time or ever in his life. BUT it has it's consequences too, it's group of peers have questionable motives, and sustainability of this lifestyle is hazardous. Maybe he is a closet adrenaline junkie that needs to find his thrills/thrill hobby, but as stated, that feels ruined for him altogether now after the nightmare he lived through. Just writing this has me thinking, maybe it's a macho thing or a wild oats he never sowed or bored thing. I just think he's psychologically damaged now and his actual life he came into the vacation with has been screwed up to possibly destroyed. I think you are giving him too much intellectual creedence or the writing for this angle is a bit poor, but like I said, you may be right. Hmm.

 

[Osprey]

Safety Last! (1923) (silent)
3.25 out of 4stars

“A boy leaves his small country town and heads to the big city to get a job. As soon as he makes it big his sweetheart will join him and marry him. His enthusiasm to get ahead leads to some interesting adventures.”
A great comedy with romantic/action elements that rightfully cemented Harold Lloyd into star status. Most well known for its third act comprised entirely of him climbing the 12-story Bolton building, which include the iconic clock hanging scene. That thrilling final act is as equally tense as it is funny, with great creativity. Very clever how they shot that extended scene too. Another fun fact, Lloyd did the climbing scene with only 8 fingers, as he’d lost 2 of them in a previous film movie stunt, showing the toughness and risks many film actors had worked through in those days. The rest of the film showing Lloyd’s love driven everyman character is a fun mix of slapstick, stunt, and situational humor with some memorable images. I remember someone reviewed this film sometime in the last few years, but the search engine failed me again.

Fiji Water and I both reviewed it a couple of years ago. Here's my review, which links to the best version of the full film on YouTube. It's in the public domain (at least in the U.S.) and even turns 100 on April 1st. It's impressive that a 100-year-old film stands up so well.
https://forums.hfboards.com/threads...it-spring-2021-edition.2804513/post-176516060

 

[OzzyFan]

Fiji Water and I both reviewed it a couple of years ago. Here's my review, which links to the best version of the full film on YouTube. It's in the public domain (at least in the U.S.) and even turns 100 on April 1st. It's impressive that a 100-year-old film stands up so well.
https://forums.hfboards.com/threads...it-spring-2021-edition.2804513/post-176516060

Awesome, thank you. Yeah, I've seen this full version on youtube and HBO Max, probably other places too. 2 things I've grown to learn in my passion for movies. 1, there are a near endless amount of quality and entertaining movies made over the last 100years+ of cinema. 2, you can find almost any movie imaginable, even for free, on the internet and streaming services. I love how accessible everything has become over the past say 15-20years.

 

[shadow1]

The Spy Next Door (2010) - 5/10

A recently retired spy faces the new challenge of bonding with his girlfriend's kids.

Jackie Chan stars as Bob Ho, a Chinese spy who has been working with the CIA. After one final job to catch criminal Anton Poldark (Magnus Scheving), Bob retires with the intention of marrying his girlfriend-neighbor Gillian (Amber Valletta). However, Gillian's kids Farren (Madeline Carroll), Ian (Will Shadley), and Nora (Alina Foley) all dislike Bob, leading to uncertainty about his decision. When Gillian suddenly has to go out of town for a family emergency, Bob offers to babysit the kids, seeing this as the perfect opportunity for the four of them to Bob. Unfortunately for him, the challenge proves more daunting than expected. Even worse, Anton has broken out of jail...

The Spy Next Door was directed by Brian Levant, and marks what is arguably the first American "kids" movie starring Jackie Chan. Coming off the heels of the extremely dark Shinjuku Incident (2009), The Spy Next Door gives audiences another accessible entry into Jackie's filmography. But is it it any good?

In my opinion it's decent. The Spy Next Door's plot is nothing new, but it's serviceable enough. The film's comedy is okay by Family movie standards, and Jackie is funny as stick-in-the-mud Bob. The film is light on action, but the few action scenes that are there are decent by Jackie Chan standards, and well above average by kids movie standards.

I would give this popcorn movie a 6, but the "B" plot involving the CIA and Anton is painfully watered down. There's a mole in the CIA, and we've only met two CIA agents, and they're played by Billy Ray Cyrus and George Lopez... could it be one of them!? Seriously, I know this is a kids movie, but that doesn't mean it needs to be dumb.

Overall, The Spy Next Door is a way to kill 90 minutes. There's not too much to say about it - a spy babysits, hijinks happen, the end. It's a decent watch and I suppose could work as a gateway movie to Jackie Chan for very young audiences, just don't expect anything too great.

 

[Fiji Water]

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Edward Berger

Good cinematography and competently made, but beyond that, it suffered from a lack of subtlety and presented nothing unique to distinguish itself from other 'war is hell' films. Said more simply, 'Come and See' did it better