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

[Nakatomi]

Well I was curious enough and passed a deal with the gf to watch 2 films, each of us choosing one. Thanks for the recommandation, it was nominated for Academy Awards, but I had never heard of it.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (Fabian, 2022) - Shameless "feel good" movie about poor people daring to dream of luxury. 2h advertisement for Dior and the picture perfect progressive European culture of the 50s. Good luck not throwing up in your mouth watching this. It does have Isabelle Huppert*. 2/10

Looking for Mr. Goodbar (Brooks, 1977) - What a weird little piece. Narratively, it's a mess, especially in the first few minutes of the film. You get used to its weak storytelling and editing, but it's certainly not a nice film, in any sense of the word. Great cast, and amazing performance by Keaton. It's unique enough to be enjoyable, despite its reactionary bleakness. The source material was written by a woman (and wikipedia tells me she "detested" the movie), I don't know if she too flirted with misogynistic undertones, but here it doesn't always (nor often) feel like its part of a critical reflection. 4.5/10


*Kind of ironic seing this the day after The Substance, as Huppert was famous for being superbly picky about the projects she'd accept to appear in, now at 69 y/o doing this shit (she still looks to only pick very particular projects, a luxury that's probably rare for an actress her age, so probably just a brain freeze when she signed for that one)

You know, reflecting back, had I waited a few more days to rate, I'd have had Mr. Goodbar more in the 5.5 or so range. I just didn't see the final scene playing out quite as it did and I felt it was pretty powerful. But that alone should not skew the overall perception of, as you put it, something so narratively messy.

Still something I'd recommend for people to see once since it really is something a little different.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

You know, reflecting back, had I waited a few more days to rate, I'd have had Mr. Goodbar more in the 5.5 or so range. I just didn't see the final scene playing out quite as it did and I felt it was pretty powerful. But that alone should not skew the overall perception of, as you put it, something so narratively messy.

Still something I'd recommend for people to see once since it really is something a little different.

100%. I myself could be tempted to push it at 5/10. It weirded out my gf for days, so it's highly efficient in its questionable intentions.

 

[Babe Ruth]

Cinema Verite (2011)

The story of what's considered America's first reality show ('An American Family'). It recreates the path to getting this reality show on TV, and how it impacted American culture in 1973.
Good scene where the producer fights with his film crew.. that distills the pros and cons of filming real life, for mass entertainment.
I watched it on DVD, but I think it streams on HBO Max.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Emilia Perez. My summation of this movie sounds like a movie I would like very much -- a Don Winslow/Narcos story grafted on to a Baz Luhrmann-on-downers style musical backbone. But I really didn't. It's not quite a talk-singing musical (which I struggle with save for one major historic exception) but it's also not a full-blown showstopper musical either. It kinda walks the line between both. Mostly "grounded" but with moments of flair. Some people can sing, which gives that classic feel, but others clearly can't, which is that "grounding." But it all just felt like a mess to me and it became all the more messy in the second half which largely abandons the musical gimmick of the first. I would have at appreciated the big swing if they committed entirely to the bit, but they don't.

The bigger problem for me though was that these characters meant nothing to me. Its a real tell, not show movie. The journey depicted here – a violent Cartel leader transitions to become the woman they've always felt they were – feels like it should be meaningful and resonant but the first thing we know about the character is the stated desire to transition. There's a little surprise in that concept but we know so little about the before that the after never really grabs me, especially when it comes to the relationship with her wife and children. The early parts are largely focused on the lawyer (Zoe Saldana) who is recruited to facilitate this change and while those numbers are when the movie has the most life, this character feels like they're just along for the ride in the second half. Her character development is that she looks frumpy early, but eventually becomes the beautiful and glamours Zoe Saldana. So there's a weird misbalance here too that also does nobody any favors ... whose story is this? Emlias? The lawyer?

There is a really interesting idea here about redemption. Emilia seeks to atone for her violent past by forming an organization to help find people missing (i.e. dead) because of the violence in the country. I feel like THAT is potentially the good movie here. But there isn't enough of it.

This is a movie that just refuses to make decisions and ends up as a hodge-podge of half-assed style and ideas.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Got around to watching Venom 3 (4/10) the other day. Was about as expected. Not much going on other than good battle scenes. I did bring my younger son and his friend who liked it. From a comic geek side, the biggest negative is Sony wasting Knull. In general, over the last several years in the comic books, he's become the "Thanos-type big baddie". He shouldn't have been in a Sony/Marvel movie which as history has told us, is a complete waste. He deserved a big build up and had none, here. Overall, it was an OK time killer, but nothing more.

 

[Unholy Diver]

Got around to watching Venom 3 (4/10) the other day. Was about as expected. Not much going on other than good battle scenes. I did bring my younger son and his friend who liked it. From a comic geek side, the biggest negative is Sony wasting Knull. In general, over the last several years in the comic books, he's become the "Thanos-type big baddie". He shouldn't have been in a Sony/Marvel movie which as history has told us, is a complete waste. He deserved a big build up and had none, here. Overall, it was an OK time killer, but nothing more.

How old were the kids? I take my 7 y/o to a fair bit of PG13 stuff and she has seen most of the Spiderman movies and stuff like Blue Beetle and the Flash, but I thought this one might be a bit much for that age

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

How old were the kids? I take my 7 y/o to a fair bit of PG13 stuff and she has seen most of the Spiderman movies and stuff like Blue Beetle and the Flash, but I thought this one might be a bit much for that age

He's a bit older, 11. Several curse words and a lot of action scenes, but nothing that bad. It is aliens/monsters they're fighting, so if she's easily scared, that's one thing to consider.

 

[Nakatomi]

Abre Los Ojos (1997) - 8.5/10

The movie is older, and was re-made as Vanilla Sky starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz (interestingly playing the same role in both films), but I will tread lightly to try to avoid spoilers.

The film explores the boundaries between dreams, reality, and paranoia. I really dug the vibe. The final 40 minutes or so may be too out there for some, but it is a fun journey!

A handsome, rich fellow who seems to live for nothing beyond bedding a new beautiful woman every night, but what happens when his dream life becomes a nightmare?

 

[PK Cronin]

Thanksgiving - 4/10

An interesting idea that wasn't fully cooked.

I'm really not sure what this was supposed to be. I've seen it compared to Scream and some other classic 80s slashers and it isn't anywhere close, unless being a "who done it?" is the only comparable being used. Almost all of the characters are unlikable, and while some of that is intentional they all can't be that way. The acting was so over the top in some scenes and completely bland in others. There was definitely some fun with a few of the kills but that was pretty much all there was.

I can deal with bad movies but what I really can't stand is when there are massive plot holes in a who done it. Every time you think you've figured out who the killer might be there's a scene that completely undoes whatever reasoning you had for that character. The big reveal was a massive disappointment for two reasons: 1) It isn't possible to figure out from the clues given to the viewer 2) It isn't possible for the killer to have actually done the things they're claiming because of the plot holes.

Either they f***ed things up horribly by making the killer impossible to guess or they are really bad at writing. I'm leaning towards the latter, and even if it is the former it's not okay to do that to the audience. Some of the issues could be retconned with a sequel (which they're making) and I suspect that's the avenue they'll go down but I'm not certain that was intended. If it was, again, it's still not okay to create a story like that.

After complaining about this on here I think I'm going to lower it to a 3/10 because I'm so annoyed. Am I crazy?

 

[kihei]

How old were the kids? I take my 7 y/o to a fair bit of PG13 stuff and she has seen most of the Spiderman movies and stuff like Blue Beetle and the Flash, but I thoedught this one might be a bit much for that age

Take her to Flow when it comes around. It is a magical movie, wordless, about a cat trying to survive after an ecological apocalypse. Absolutely wonderful movie, my #2 seed for the year so far.

 

[Osprey]

After complaining about this on here I think I'm going to lower it to a 3/10 because I'm so annoyed. Am I crazy?

If you are, then we both are, because I was equally annoyed by it. Here's my review, if you care to read it.

 

[Unholy Diver]

Take her to Flow when it comes around. It is a magical movie, wordless, about a cat trying to survive after an ecological apocalypse. Absolutely wonderful movie, my #2 seed for the year so far.

I will keep an eye out for that one, like many 7 y/o girls she loves cats right now

 

[PK Cronin]

If you are, then we both are, because I was equally annoyed by it. Here's my review, if you care to read it.

A very similar sentiment in that review.

I'd like to add to your main issue four more glaring ones that stood out to me:

Spoiler

1) There's a scene in the high school where the killer uses one of the friend's cell phone as bait. The issue is that the police officer character was scene outside of the school and in full view of the main character while the two friends were attacked inside the school. Secondly, the main girl went looking for them and the officers were still outside. It's unclear if the killer officer had walked away or not but how did he get back into the school so quickly and why is he allowed to keep disappearing? The whole sequence was horrible.

2) The scene when the main character and Scuba try to save Scuba's girlfriend and the killer starts showing them a live stream of the others. The camera on the other end of the stream pans to show multiple people, which indicates there needed to be a second person or some complex automated camera system on the other end.

3) Near the end of the movie the killer is live streaming the Thanksgiving feast portion of the movie where he's about to kill everyone. The police officer, who is the killer, is in the f***ing police station with other officers watching the stream. So he's watching himself do a live stream from miles and miles away?

4) I'm expecting there to be two killers in the sequel to help explain away some of these issues. The big thing for me if that is the case is the very scene you're referring to in your review. The final girl identifies the killer by the burs on the bottom of his pants because he was chasing her. Even if there are two killers to help with some of the sequencing, it doesn't work because the burs indicate that it was the officer who was in multiple locations at the same time (both the issue you brought up and my #3).

In hindsight after writing this I realized I should really just go back and add their character names but this film doesn't deserve that kind of attention to detail because they didn't have it themselves.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Cop Land 1997 4/5
D. James Mangold

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118887/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_c_15

Stars

Stallone
Keitel
Liotta
De Niro

the list of well known actors go on from there

Mangold's second film and cast Stallone slightly against type. He sort of plays a wimp/coward who just tows the line.

Ending seemed rushed but Keitel shines as usually as the morally corrupt detective.

 

[the valiant effort]

Figured Nutcrackers on Disney/Hulu would be enjoyable schlock, but I was incorrect. I hope it’s the last we ever see of the four “Janson” brothers that co-star with Jerry Stiller’s son.

 

[Beantown Beatdown]

Figured Nutcrackers on Disney/Hulu would be enjoyable schlock, but I was incorrect. I hope it’s the last we ever see of the four “Janson” brothers that co-star with Jerry Stiller’s son.

Speaking of Ben Stiller, I just watched Dear Santa. Or is it Dear Satan? I’m not even sure. This whole movie is a Christmas movie disguised as a psychological nightmare. It feeds on children being bullied on how they look or not being the cool kid. Oh and it all wraps up with *spoiler* wishing for dead people to come back to life. Christmas miracle!!! As someone that has lost a sibling, this movie is f***ing insulting. 0/10

 

[Hippasus]

Speaking of Ben Stiller, I just watched Dear Santa. Or is it Dear Satan? I’m not even sure. This whole movie is a Christmas movie disguised as a psychological nightmare. It feeds on children being bullied on how they look or not being the cool kid. Oh and it all wraps up with *spoiler* wishing for dead people to come back to life. Christmas miracle!!! As someone that has lost a sibling, this movie is f***ing insulting. 0/10

Bad Santa. Yeah, that movie sucked. I got through 29ish minutes of it. The normalization of abuse, the cavalier attitude about alcoholism and theft I found to suck. This is a comedy or a tragedy?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Bad Santa. Yeah, that movie sucked. I got through 29ish minutes of it. The normalization of abuse, the cavalier attitude about alcoholism and theft I found to suck. This is a comedy or a tragedy?

Bad Santa is a classic.

Not sure if you meant Dear Santa.

 

[Hippasus]

Bad Santa is a classic.

Not sure if you meant Dear Santa.

Oh no. I misinterpreted again. I did mean Bad Santa, and yeah, I couldn't bring myself to watch the rest of that movie. It wasn't funny to me at all other than a couple scenes. I kept on looking on my phone and eventually just stopped watching. Maybe it's just a personal thing with me. This was right around this past Thanksgiving. I would probably give it something like 1/10 if I watched the whole thing.

 

[kihei]

Wicked, Part One (2024) Directed by John M. Chu 3A

Where to begin with this one? Wicked isn't even complete, it is simply an unnecessarily expanded version of Act One of the Broadway musical. So this movie definitely has that "to be continued" feel to it. Worse, the theatrical version in its entirety takes two and a half hours to perform. Wicked, part one, alone takes two hours and forty minutes to reach its tepid non-conclusion. In addition, I defy anyone to walk out of the theatre humming any one of its tuneless songs. There isn't a single even remotely dazzling dance number; in fact, the amateurish choreography is a complete non-factor. A very busy set design and an overuse of CGI give Wicked a cluttered rather than magical look, and despite good performances by the two leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, there isn't an emotion in the movie that doesn't feel synthetic and forced. Much of the problem rests with director John M. Chu who is a mediocrity with no grasp whatsoever of what made The Wizard of Oz a must-see for several generations of kids, many of whom were deeply enthralled by the experience, nor has he justified the massive bloating of the original Broadway musical. Wicked has all the dubious characteristics of a cynical corporate theme-park ride designed by a hack.

 

[flyersnorth]

Upgrade (2018), 8/10

Very solid cyberpunk dystopian near-future flick.

The story is by no means unique.

Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.​

It is the execution of the idea that appealed to me. Minimalist, and focusing on a few central characters and one idea. It was a very personal story of tragedy and revenge.

Well-worth a watch.

 

[Babe Ruth]

The Name of the Rose (1986)

Visually, this movie was epic. It set the mood well with scenes of an old stone monastery, great costumes etc. Really felt like an authentic 1300s' Europe.
Fellow monks, Sean Connery, and (very young) Christian Slater arrive at a monastery to investigate unexpected death(s). Also had an (even more) deformed Ron Perlman as the village hunchback.
Movie looked great, but the story wasn't memorable to me. I'd probably watch it again sometime just for its' aesthetic though.

 

[kihei]

Horizon: An American Saga, part one (2024) Directed by Kevin Costner 4A

If you are hankering for a Western and you have three hours to kill (like, say, you are on a long international flight and you forgot the book that you are reading, hint, hint), you might want to give Kevin Costner's epic soon-to-be four part Western a shot. Then, again, you might not. In this first of four very long instalments, you get a quartet of separate stories, all smooshed together. Presumably Costner thought that cutting back and forth among them in a series of movies was somehow more "cinematic" than, say, devoting one complete movie to each of the four stories. More, epic, if you will, because it is "epic" that Costner is going after here with a vengeance. A better director than Costner might have made this work, but his problem is that all four of the stories are serviceable but unexceptional. They seem like four individual pilots for '60s television Western series. As a result, Horizon: An American Saga leaves the audience hanging in all four of its narratives--but with little incentive to devote another three hours, let alone nine more hours, to see how this horse opera vanity project actually turns out for its series of unremarkable characters. Costner better do "previously" summaries at the start of each fresh instalment because it is unlikely that even his dearest friend or highest paid flunky will remember these plots.