Serious Movie Discussion XLI

[TheRuthlessOne]

I saw Triple 9 today It was alright.

 

[HUNTERMANIA]

I think the first experience is the true test of a film.

If you watch it a second time, knowing exactly what is coming, a lot of the story devices will be ineffectual - tension, suspense, conflict, mystery, etc.

Word.

I feel like... IDK, I'm conflicted, because I see the merit of what you're saying so let me say that for ME, personally, a film has to be rewatchable for me to consider it good.

I had some good movie experiences with like The Town -- that was a good 'in theater' experience and I consider it still a decent movie. But movies that I can rewatch and learn from... like the reason I love Black Swan so much and I still talk about it 6 years later is because I CAN STILL WATCH IT. I can watch that movie literally any time and I get something from it. To me, that's greatness. That's what a great movie is. It's not just entertaining, it helps inform me about life and about who I am as a person.

Another example was Mad Max: Fury Road last year. That movie blew me away and I had it playing all the time in the background and those characters helped motivate me... eventually it got old and I don't like it as much now... so I wonder: Should I have always thought that? Was I missing something? Because that's what I get on rewatches: I get more of the movie, I understand it more, I'm picking up more of it, so my opinion is more complete. If something can continue to inform me and evolve with me, as a person, then it's a great movie.

Collateral is another movie that I can rewatch seemingly infinitely, same with Heat.

But, I see the value of prioritizing the first viewing experience.

 

[HenryFlower]

Had some issues w/ Civil War, but it was still a lot of fun. I had lil orgasmic glee fits whenever Spidey had screentime.

 

[Flemmy Stardust]

hey, just an fyi as some of you might remember hunsterscreed, who is referenced in every OP. He passed away recently from a motorcycle accident.

condolences for any friends he had in the thread.

Are you kidding me??

 

[Flemmy Stardust]

Shit man, that bums me out. I haven't seen him post in ages, but he was one of my favorites around here. Started several of my favorite threads and was an all around good dude.

Very sad news.

RIP HC.

 

[ufcfan4]

Thought that Captain America: Civil War was very entertaining. Narratively I don't think it quite matched The Winter Soldier, however, it was still really high level.

 

[HUNTERMANIA]

Thought that Captain America: Civil War was very entertaining. Narratively I don't think it quite matched The Winter Soldier, however, it was still really high level.

Do I need to rewatch Winter Soldier before watching it? I don't really remember anything from that movie.


Did you see Batman v. Superman ?

 

[ufcfan4]

Do I need to rewatch Winter Soldier before watching it? I don't really remember anything from that movie.


Did you see Batman v. Superman ?

No, not really. While Frank Grillo appears in this film and he was one of the villains in Winter Soldier, his presence is not particularly integral. It actually references Avengers Age of Ultron more than it does Winter Soldier in some ways- though obviously Bucky himself is a huge part of this film. I'd recommend watching Winter Soldier again just cause it's awesome but it isn't a prerequisite to see and enjoy this one.

I did see Batman vs. Superman. I liked it. I am completely on board with a lot of people's criticisms, but I found it to be enjoyable in spite of the flaws. There were certain things to me that were very effective and they helped to compensate for the shittier aspects like the silly interpretation of Luthor.

 

[HUNTERMANIA]

No, not really. While Frank Grillo appears in this film and he was one of the villains in Winter Soldier, his presence is not particularly integral. It actually references Avengers Age of Ultron more than it does Winter Soldier in some ways- though obviously Bucky himself is a huge part of this film. I'd recommend watching Winter Soldier again just cause it's awesome but it isn't a prerequisite to see and enjoy this one.

I did see Batman vs. Superman. I liked it. I am completely on board with a lot of people's criticisms, but I found it to be enjoyable in spite of the flaws. There were certain things to me that were very effective and they helped to compensate for the shittier aspects like the silly interpretation of Luthor.

When I first saw Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor I was like 'what the fuck is this shit?' but it's grown on me. It's not perfect, but he actually has some good lines: "Orphan boys and their magical thinking," etc. The problem is how over the top he is... but IDK, it could turn out to be a good thing, I could see the character evolving nicely. The movie had some really good things and some really bad things, but overall I enjoyed it and I think this is my favorite batman moment ever

 

[ufcfan4]

When I first saw Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor I was like 'what the fuck is this shit?' but it's grown on me. It's not perfect, but he actually has some good lines: "Orphan boys and their magical thinking," etc. The problem is how over the top he is... but IDK, it could turn out to be a good thing, I could see the character evolving nicely. The movie had some really good things and some really bad things, but overall I enjoyed it and I think this is my favorite batman moment ever

I love how he sounds/seems from his facial reactions cocky as fuck when Superman approaches. One thing is for sure, Batman had some cajones in that movie.

I thought that Batman warehouse scene was amazing shit. Can't think of any instance in any Batman film where there was a better Batman combat sequence.

Batmobile scene was cool but Tumbler scenes in Begins and Dark Knight were superior in my opinion.

Some action setpieces in the Nolan films were great but in terms of fight choreography, that warehouse scene in B vs. S was definitely superior.

 

[HenryFlower]

Thought that Captain America: Civil War was very entertaining. Narratively I don't think it quite matched The Winter Soldier, however, it was still really high level.

Agreed. I would have preferred TWS over CW if it wasn't for the super lame climax sequence that really killed the vibe up until then tho

 

[Ricky13]

Again, truly sorry Flem and the rest of you early SMD guys that you lost a good friend.

Do you feel like when you notice things later in a movie that you should have seen them originally and that your later opinion is more valid than your original one? Like, when I saw the latest Star Wars movie, I was like OK, good popcorn flick, not exactly what I wanted out of a Star Wars movie, it lost some soul, but it was good. I went and watched it again and have tried another time and both of those times I didn't make it through the first 30 minutes and I realized: this movie sucks. And I feel like, THAT is the right opinion and I was just blinded by nostalgia/some nifty editing the first time I saw it. That my real opinion about the movie is that it isn't good at all and I just missed that the first time I saw it.

I don't know how far I take that, though. Like, how many times is a movie supposed to be rewatchable? Is that how I determine how good a movie is? (It's one of the main ways, for sure, but is that right or wrong?) etc.

The first viewing is sacrosanct in terms of experience: I want my favored seat, little to no information, and ideally, a viewing companion. I don't assign value per viewing. Each is a jumping off point, either for reflection or discussion with a friend and/or you fine gents. A movie is too subject to shit I have no control over. I keep changing and so does the film's relevance. Some argue the latter determines worth. I think relevance gets confused with timeliness.

It's not that I think assigning worth is invalid: disagreement can breed good things, but most often devolves into inanity like, "You rated The Dark Knight a 9.5? I'd give it 8.5 at MOST", or, "Agree to disagree", or, "Go fuck yourself your mother is a whore and you are a Marvel whore for not liking BvS". I don't like the idea of a spectrum of agreement.

So Civil War is still a fucking delight. I just know what it really is, and that's a bummer. I take back the bit about big decisions. The MCU tent-poles, particularly in Phase 2, aren't really movies. They do majestic character displays; kid Spidey is unadulterated joy, and I wish I was Cap. That's great. But it's like eating too much sugar - at some point, someone needs to rap you on the wrist. It hurts to say it, especially because it doesn't help the argument that the MCU is "serious" cinema.

Superhero films really have just one functional avenue: what are the consequences of having these abilities? On family, friends, the world? In this regard, the MCU repeatedly takes one step forward, and two steps back. I'd rather understand the enormity, which no superhero film has evoked since Spider-Man 2.

As for BvS, it says things I don't care for, and I wasn't a fan. I think Snyder has a gift for images, but once he has to to make them move to tell a story, he's way out of his depth. I'm open to seeing more of his work though. He has a nice eye.

 

[RunningBoar]

First time posting here.
Bros, what is Your take on movies like:
Time Crimes, Coherence, The Signal, Upstream Color, Dark City, Time Lapse, Avalon, Synchronicity, and master of all mind f**k movies Primer. Mostly low budget, story/dialog driven mind twisting that makes Your brain overheat to figure them out.

 

[europe1]

Sad to hear about Hunterscreed. Though I never talked to the man.





My opinion of BvS has... pretty much stayed the same. I can't really think of any new opinion. That said, the whole Superman is Jesus to all the brown people thing was just godawful. I know that they want to explore the whole Superman is a God angle but it just came off as eye-rolling and obtrusively dramatic.

Spoiler

5/10 -- perfectly avarage

*Eisenberger somehow decided that he was in a cartoon. It was truly bad. Like a Z-grade copy of The Joker in Dark Knight.

*The Plot hinges on many people acting stupid. Batman wants to destroy Superman but his decision to do so comes of as increadibly shortsighted. He just dosen't ask himself the "logical questions" that we -- the audience -- would ask in such a situation.

*Superman has the Fight IQ of Ronda Rouse vs Holly Holm.

*Superman was probably the best excecuted part though -- but mainly becuse he's played laconically so he dosen't get to do/say stupid stuff that devalues his character.

*The "world-building" stuff isn't as obtrusive as I'd thought

*Some of the fight scenes feel video-gamey as all hell. And rather uninspired to go along with it. Fairly big bummer. The more down-to-earth stuff where nicely coreographed though.

*The use of music is awful. Generic "epic" music that isn't actually epic.

*It tried to be overly dramatical when that has never been Snyder's strong suit. The use of flashbacks and dream-sequences just felt uninspired. The most engaging moments to me where the quiet, human-to-human encounters before the actual conflict really began. Basically, the standard stuff worked but the flashy stuff didn't.

*While some shoots felt very Video-gamey, the overall cinemotography weren't that bad.

*The pacing and editing was nicely done I must say. The entire movie progressed smoothly from the start, with a tad overlong ending.

* It's sum is better than it's part though, I must say. I think this mainly has to do with how smoothly it all progresses and the logical consistancy within the movies framework. You are in the Snyder-verse from beginning to end, and that consistancy in tone, style and intention helps a lot.

*That's said, during one scene -- they play the theme music from Kubric's EYES WIDE SHUT. Not that's how you put a smile on my face.

Time Crimes, Coherence, The Signal, Upstream Color, Dark City, Time Lapse, Avalon, Synchronicity, and master of all mind f**k movies Primer. Mostly low budget, story/dialog driven mind twisting that makes Your brain overheat to figure them out.

The only film I've seen of those is Dark City -- which is really good, despite them spoiling the entire premise in the opening narration. (I assume you're not refeering to the King Arthur Avalon or the Stephen King-esque Signal?) The noir stylings work great in conjunction with the alien infiltration paronoi stick. Just a very good idea that they had the craftsmanship to pull off with style and creativity.

 

[RunningBoar]

Avalon by Mamoru Oshii ( Urusei Yatsura ,: Ghost in the Shell)
The Signal by William Eubank


is a good one

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

I saw 10th coverfield lane or whatever its called


This shit sucked. Felt like a bad stephen king novel

Dont even get me started on the god awful ending or the first 15 minutes that ended up being completely pointless

 

[Joseph Budden]

I saw 10th coverfield lane or whatever its called


This shit sucked. Felt like a bad stephen king novel

Dont even get me started on the god awful ending or the first 15 minutes that ended up being completely pointless

Kind of agree. I don't think it completely sucked, but I didn't think it was very good either. Was looking forward to it too due to all the good things a majority of people have said about it. But a majority of people like Marvel films, so I should've known better

Without John Goodman, that film might've been straight up trash to me

 

[Joseph Budden]

First time posting here.
Bros, what is Your take on movies like:
Time Crimes, Coherence, The Signal, Upstream Color, Dark City, Time Lapse, Avalon, Synchronicity, and master of all mind f**k movies Primer. Mostly low budget, story/dialog driven mind twisting that makes Your brain overheat to figure them out.

Time Crimes - Awesome
Coherence - Fucking awesome
Upstream Color - That artsy good shit
Dark City - All time classic horror/scifi film
Time Lapse - Amazing
Primer - Confusing as fuckkkkk

Love your taste man. I LOVE mindfuck films. Gonna check out those few others you listed that I haven't seen.

 

[in the]

hey, just an fyi as some of you might remember hunsterscreed, who is referenced in every OP. He passed away recently from a motorcycle accident.

condolences for any friends he had in the thread.

Just heard about this and had to load up his Facebook page to see the truth (it's now a "Remembering" page).

This sucks. RIP to the Original Thread Starter. Another OG down.

RIP Kansas and Hunter

 

[HUNTERMANIA]

@Rimbaud82 where did you get subtitles for Embrace of the Serpent ? the version I have didn't come with them and the only ones I could find were really shitty/bad translation. PM me