Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate It | Part#: Some High Number +4

[kihei]

Infinite Football (2018) Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu (documentary, bordering on mockumentary) 8B

Infinite Football, which must have cost a pittance to make, is a sliver of a movie with a few simple camera set-ups.. But somehow the movie develops a peculiar charm and no shortage of thoughtful implications about a whole host of things. The content is simply a conversation between Romanian director Corneliu Pourmboiu and former Romanian soccer star and present Romania government bureaucrat, Laurentiu Ghinghina. Ghinghina, seeking more freedom of play, wants to change the rules of soccer to make it a better game. His elaborate explanations are at one point interrupted by constituents who ask him for favours, most of which he can’t grant. One 93-year-old woman has been trying to get her land returned to her for 27 years, and he tells her a message for her is in the mail. Romanian bureaucracy seems in greater need of change than football. Later a couple of pick-up teams try to use the new rules with not much success. A coach comments that FIFA would never accept the changes anyway. Still Ghinghina bravely persists, trying to find a solution that isn’t there. I had to root for Ghinghina, though, as he is so well-intentioned despite the impossible odds against him. The movie can be read many different ways. Indirectly it seems to speak to Romania’s past and present, to the limits of rule making, to the near impossibility of meaningful change, to the pitfalls of idealism, and to the shaky line between making things better and making them worse. Porumboiu throws in some off-the-cuff moments for good measure such as when Ghinghina’s father enters the picture with some rather profound advice about art and about life in general. A lovely, whimsical black-on-colouir animated coda (which will remind you of the dancing ostriches in Fantasia) closes the film.

Throughout the film, the droll Romanian humour is much in evidence. It’s not to everybody’s taste and easy to miss sometimes, but I have developed a real fondness for it. Parts of the movie reminded me of Spinal Tap which often had a disbelieving interviewer questioning a sincere but misguided musician. Infinite Football is gentler than that, but the comparison remains hard to resist.

subtitles

Criterion Channel

 

[sr edler]

I thought Manhunter was way better than SOTL. Roger Ebert also felt Manhunter was the superior film - even tho he really liked SOTL. Not me. I found SOTL long and Hopkins' performance corny.

Why couldn't he be a bit corny? Socio/psychopaths like that often are. Have you seen some Ted Bundy footage, hard to find a cornier guy. I don't know how Lecter is supposed to be in the books though because I haven't read them, but it works for a film. Manhunter by the way is a really dated film, it feels extremely 80s. That doesn't necessarily have to mean it's bad, but it's not that strong of a film to me. The finale where the cop throws himself through a window it is almost B movie style on.

Silence of the Lambs is a pretty depressing film, but that's its strong suit to me, it's supposed to be depressing. It doesn't have to be that scary, whatever is in being scary, because it brings a real feel. Manhunter, while it does have a few parts that are good, feels much like it's made by someone who got rejected from making music videos on MTV.

I also don't understand the critique of the music in Silence of the Lambs, I think it fits with the bleak story. Lecter is also not the main part in the film, it's Clarice.

 

[ORRFForever]

Why couldn't he be a bit corny? Socio/psychopaths like that often are. Have you seen some Ted Bundy footage, hard to find a cornier guy.

Really?

I didn't like Hopkins' performance. I thought it was way over the top. Almost comical. Anyway, to each their own.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Really?

I didn't like Hopkins' performance. I thought it was way over the top. Almost comical. Anyway, to each their own.

Fun fact, if this hasn’t been mentioned already. Hopkins is only on screen for 16 minutes. It’s feels longer, but in reality it’s only 16 minutes of screen time.

As much as people (not you) praise Hopkins and Foster in this film, I’d like to give some love to Ted Levine who played Buffalo Bill. Good actor.

 

[ORRFForever]

Fun fact, if this hasn’t been mentioned already. Hopkins is only on screen for 16 minutes. It’s feels longer, but in reality it’s only 16 minutes of screen time.

As much as people (not you) praise Hopkins and Foster in this film, I’d like to give some love to Ted Levine who played Buffalo Bill. Good actor.

He was also really good in Monk.

 

[Mario Lemieux fan 66]

Palm Springs: 7.8/10 good movie. Nothing new but still well done and fun.

Greyhound: 7/10

 

[nameless1]

I never quite understood Polish films. Most of the time, they are either dull, or convoluted, with no in-between. It also does not help that they tend to be deeply rooted in their culture, which adds to the difficulties for complete outsiders to navigate through the cluster and find the gems. Of course, there are masters like Kieślowski and Pawlikowski who manage to find a balance and become internationally renowned, but those are few and far in between. That is why I am pleasantly surprised by Corpus Christi, the recent Best International Film Oscar nominee.

The film has an interesting plot, as a young offender receives parole, but through happenstance, he pretends to be a priest, and actually leads a parish. That immediately gets my attention, because I always feel that there are no other people better suited to explore questions of faith than the Polish people. They are deeply Catholic, and very conservative as a result, but they can also be very self-reflective. Indeed, the director does not disappoint, and he is able to craft a richly emotional and provocative tale that explores faith, grief, forgiveness, and most pointedly, the hypocrisy in both the institution and by extension, society as a whole. The pace can be a tad slow, but the editing already speeds it up quite a bit, so it is actually faster than the usual Polish film, which only helps its appeal.

The main actor, Bartosz Bielenia, deserves a lot of credit, because he completely carries the film. His intensity and charisma makes his character believable, and one cannot help but be transfixed by his presence. Personally, I really think that is one of the best performances from last year, and I will be curious about his next project.

The only thing that gives me pause is the ending, because I am still undecided on it. Initially, I did not see the point of it, but days later, upon further reflection, it actually punctuates the message and really drives home the point. Now, I have moved back to the middle, because I am still not sure if it is the best direction to take, and it can be seen as emotionally manipulative, but that is probably just a personal opinion.

This Oscar-nominated is definitely one of the best films from last year, and it fully deserves all its accolades. It is one of those rare films that challenges one's beliefs, and it definitely lingers in ones consciousness for days after it ends. Right now, I have it around a 7.75, but that is subject to change. It will be no lower than 7.5, and no higher than 8, if I decide to revise the rating later on.

 

[kihei]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
These longer reviews of yours have been terrific. Look forward to reading this one after I see the movie.

Note to VD: I'm up to a "7" with Code Unknown. I keep thinking about how brilliant that ending is and how painstakingly set up.

 

[kihei]

A Sun (2020) Directed by Chung Mong-hong 7A

At just over two and a half hours, any movie about family troubles with crime overtones is going to seem a little daunting, and A Sun is no exception. However, though the material sounds familiar, the execution is fresh. A family that manages to just make ends meet have two sons, one is in every way almost perfect, the other, Aho, is in one kind of a mess after another. Eventually he lands in prison for his troubles while his brother sails on being nice to everyone. The movie starts with somebody getting part of his arm chopped off, so there is no doubt which son we are going to focus on. After close to an hour and twenty minutes, A Sun seems to come to a reasonable climax…and then goes on for another two hours and, to my surprise, made good use of the extra time. A Sun has a lot going for it. Every principle character in it is flawed but believable. There is a twist midway through the first half that hits like a hammer. And the movie finally comes to a close with a powerhouse ending. Though the family has its share of troubles—unexpected death, unwanted pregnancies. family conflicts, past mistakes—the movie very seldom resorts to melodrama. All in all, Taiwan’s A Sun is among the best movies on Netflix.

subtitles

Netflix

 

[heatnikki]

"Tag". Absolutely hilarious. Details a great friendship and we had some genuine belly laughs. Some real feels too.
And wow, Isla Fisher still looks amazing. I also think she may have the best character in the film.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
These longer reviews of yours have been terrific. Look forward to reading this one after I see the movie.

Note to VD: I'm up to a "7" with Code Unknown. I keep thinking about how brilliant that ending is and how painstakingly set up.

Like most films I haven't seen in a while, I am not able to argue exactly why I liked it so much. I might go back to it a little later.

 

[kihei]

Like most films I haven't seen in a while, I am not able to argue exactly why I liked it so much. I might go back to it a little later.

It's a very creative use of cinema, a way of twisting the medium's conventions to subvert common expectations. And give the audience a healthy jolt in the process. On the other hand, it is like a really amazing conjurer's trick to me, but I don't think I consider conjurer's tricks, however clever, great art.

 

[nameless1]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
These longer reviews of yours have been terrific. Look forward to reading this one after I see the movie.

Note to VD: I'm up to a "7" with Code Unknown. I keep thinking about how brilliant that ending is and how painstakingly set up.

I appreciate the praise. Unfortunately, not every movie can inspire me to say that much. I can only wish that I find some consistency.


So far, the last couple of ones has been decent, and the history behind some of these films is rather interesting. It is just part of a hot streak.

 

[ORRFForever]

Theaters are starting to open in Canada - albeit with limited numbers allowed in. I wonder how much longer the studios will hold off releasing BIG movies?

 

[nameless1]

Theaters are starting to open in Canada - albeit with limited numbers allowed in. I wonder how much longer the studios will hold off releasing BIG movies?

Studios itches to release as soon as possible. I heard that it will likely be in international markets first now, for the foreseeable future. That said, I have noticed that there are a lot less screenings, so it is possible that it will not be as profitable as before.

I will probably stick to stream from now on. Who knows when it will be truly safe to go watch a movie? Plus, I really do not trust that the theater staff will do a deep cleaning after every show.

 

[ORRFForever]

I will probably stick to stream from now on. Who knows when it will be truly safe to go watch a movie? Plus, I really do not trust that the theater staff will do a deep cleaning after every show.

I've been streaming for years - legally, of course.

My Guess : A LOT of people will never (seldom) go back to the movies. Watching at home is just too easy.

Decades ago, Francis Ford Coppola said Hollywood was a big Ponzi scheme. He said most movies lose money and the books are cooked to keep things going - Orion studios went under for just that reason...



I guess time will tell...

 

[Osprey]

FYI, there's another thread for industry discussion:

COVID-19 and impact on entertainment industry

Also, since there's been some discussion about documentaries lately, I'll kindly point out that those have their own thread, as well:

Review Your Fave/Recent Documentaries

 

[ORRFForever]

FYI, there's another thread for industry discussion:

COVID-19 and impact on entertainment industry

Sorry about that.

 

[Langdon Alger]

What is everyone’s favourite movie of all time?

 

[ORRFForever]

What is everyone’s favourite movie of all time?

Too hard to narrow it down to one...

Horror : The Exorcist
Sports : North Dallas Forty
Comedy : Office Space, There's Something About Mary, Manhattan, Cable Guy
Drama : The Shawshank Redemption

Having said that, I will send this post and think of a million others.

Anyway, as Osprey has mentioned, this thread is for reviews so...

 

[nameless1]

What is everyone’s favourite movie of all time?

Network, hands down. It predicted reality TV by at least 25 years.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

What is everyone’s favourite movie of all time?

Last Year at Marienbad

Lolita (Kubrick version) is probably second. I must be one of the few who actually prefers it to the book.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

What is everyone’s favourite movie of all time?

1- Les trois couronnes du matelot (Three Crowns of the Sailor)
2- L'hypothèse du tableau volé (The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting)
3- L'année dernière à Marienbad (Last Year at Marienbad)

As for comedies, it's tough to say what really applies, what IMDB tells me are my higher ranked "comedies" really aren't rofl stuff.

 

[ORRFForever]

...what IMDB tells me are my higher ranked "comedies" really aren't rofl stuff.

LOL. Everything is so subjective.

Movies I find funny, others don't.
Movies I find scary, others don't.

I guess that's why we love movies.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

LOL. Everything is so subjective.

Movies I find funny, others don't.
Movies I find scary, others don't.

I guess that's why we love movies.

What I meant is that, according to IMDB, my favorite comedies would be Rien sur Robert, Mon oncle d'Amérique, and Trans-Europ Express. None of them I'd have thought of as a "comedy", well maybe Rien sur Robert, for the sodomy story in the café.