Post: #276

(01-04-2014 03:31 AM)Capitán Peligroso Wrote:  

6/10 W/B

You guys are nuts. She's got a fantastic face. She's easily an 8.

Oh, what, that little jelly roll? It's because she's wearing that ridiculous latex outfit that doesn't fit her at all and is squeezing her flesh upwards. She probably looks way better naked than wearing that thing.

Post: #277

So I recently saw "12 years a slave" and "her". Both of them complete garbage.

12 Years a slave, rated a whopping 97% on rottentomatoes.com. What a thorough piece of shit.

In reading the reviews, you come across a lot of rhetoric stating how "important" the movie is and some even making claim that Americans need to take a look at our own past.

Excuse me? My ancestors weren't even in this country at the time black slavery took place. And I'm white as can be.

As for the movie, it's one long gratuitous portrayal of life in the South pre-Civil War. Rather than develop any storyline with twists or plot development, it's like being smacked in the face for 2 hours straight with gross imagery and depictions of cruelty towards black people.

That's fine and all, but that's not good moviemaking. I'd make a juxtaposed comparison to Schindler's List; where we're shown Ralph Fiennes murdering Jews with as much expression as brushing his teeth. His steely mannerisms make him that much more terrifying; he portrays the ultimate human monster completely devoid of compassion or reason. It's that subtlety, that quiet insanity, that heightens the tragedy and inhumanity of the Holocaust.

In 12 years a slave, by contrast, we see Michael Fassbender as a caricature of a slave owner. His over-the-top racism and cruelty leaves little to the imagination and makes his character seem almost cartoon-ish in its portrayal. This carries over to the rest of the movie and by 3/4 through the movie you're completely desensitized, "Oh look, more white people saying 'nigger', oh look, another scene involving whips and torture. La di da".

As someone that has been fascinated and been reading about the Civil War since I was a kid, 12 Years a Slave is downright insulting. The only way I can think that it got such good ratings is from pure shock value coming from ignorant dipshits that were previously unaware of American history. To claim that we have some sort of "duty" to look at ourselves is even more ignorant; there are plenty of stories of slavery and genocide going on at this very moment that require our attention, and there's nothing in 12 Years a Slave that should have been news to anyone. I only see this movie appealing to SWPL-types who keep around a token "black friend", and if anything, only worsens race relations as progressive liberal white people everywhere feel the need to over-compensate for America's past.

On top of it, they took a perfectly good story and fucked it up. Solomon Northup's story is really fantastic but by fixating on visually arresting moments and relying on pure shock-value, the movie doesn't do his story justice.

"Her". I've had a morbid curiosity about this movie since I saw the trailer. Well, the movie is exactly like the trailer so don't waste your time. It's basically a 2 hour torturous indulgence in the life of a future beta. The portrayals of cyber-sex are particularly cringe-worthy. In fact, there's not a single 5 minute stretch of the movie where I wasn't recoiling in embarrassment. Everything about this movie is completely beta.

I will say the depiction of future L.A. was done well and I can definitely see us on this path, so I guess I can't fault the movie for that, but in that case I would have preferred to see the movie in a science fiction context rather than some sappy romance flick about a guy and his computer. The portrayal of social norms and future conversation was done well too, with women openly swearing, being sexually aggressive, using the word "creepy". Hell, if anything it was a portrayal of men and women today, not in the future. But I'd categorize this with the show "Girls". It might be an accurate portrayal, but who the hell wants to watch this shit when real life is bad enough.

The fact that these two movies are top-rated shows me that the Hollywood stranglehold over American culture is as strong as ever, and should not be trusted.

Post: #278

That blonde girl is fine and I don't even really like blondes. I Iove the way those pants fit her!


M. Night Shamashanfhdhsu really needs to stop making movies. He has to be one of those worst directors out there.


The entire motel scene from Scarface is one of my favorites. Watch it again if you can. Great angles and use of audio. "Look at that girl mane" "which one? She's kind of old" "not that one! The blonde" ...when they're pulling up and the 2 bikini girls are walking next to an old lady lol.


I can't stand that Jew with the tiny eyes from the Don Juan movie.


I watched first TMNT movie a while back on tv. Classic!!!

Post: #279

Edit ...

Post: #280

Captain Phillips - amazing! Absolutely incredible acting from Tom Hanks.

Post: #281

Coming back from Mexico I recently saw a great movie on the drug war. Its a real nice movie named "El Infierno" About a guy who is deported back to Mexico from the US and joins a drug cartel because of the lack of opportunities in Mexico and shows the reality the Mexican people face on a daily basis due to the situation in Mexico.

Post: #282

Haven't seen anyone mention "The Wolf of Wall Street".

Amazing movie. Based on a true story and portrayed very accurately. I learned many things from it.

Post: #283

Just saw Wolf of Wall Street last night.

I enjoyed it. I don't think it needed to be 3 hours long. At some points the movie feels repetitious. I also think the screenplay is played out, that use of a main character narrating directly to the audience.

All that said, it is great at exhibiting many of the principals we talk about on this forum on a daily basis. Reject authority, reject naysayers, reject haters. Fixate on your goal and don't give up no matter the risks.

I enjoyed the depictions of human nature. The blatant connection between money and women, and how once money dries up so do the women. I thought Leonardo di Caprio's acting was actually pretty phenomenal. The scene with the Quaalude overdose was a riot.

7/10 would recommend.

Post: #284

(01-16-2014 08:10 AM)MattC Wrote:  Captain Phillips - amazing! Absolutely incredible acting from Tom Hanks.

Agreed! Captain Phillips was a great watch, definitely recommended.


Here is one I saw some days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestorm_%282013_film%29

It's a Hong Kong movie called Firestorm from 2013. HEAVILY action packed with a good plot, a little exaggerated sometimes but still good. I heavily recommend it.

Post: #285

Strange how Tom Hanks wasn't nominated for an oscar.

He had that one super amazing scene in Cpt. Phillips that makes you say "Now that's fucking acting"

Post: #286

Do you guys put any stock into the oscars? Like a lot of these awards shows, it just seems like one big Hollywood circle-jerk. Of course some good acting is rewarded (ie Heath Ledger, Javier Bardem) but for the most part it seems like just a popularity contest.

I should have realized this when Saving Private Ryan lost to Shakespeare In Love, but it was confirmed when The Dark Knight, which in my opinion wasn't just the best movie of that year, but one of the best movies ever, wasn't nominated for Best Picture when it came out. Although I haven't seen the movie, it sounds like Tom Hanks killed it in Captain Phillips, but again, no nomination.

Post: #287

Her (2013)
It was pretty good, but yeah, what's up with hardcore betas, betas in every sense of the world who let the world push them around.

The paradigm shift is complete and betas are now the norm, not only in the media but, at least where I am, on the streets and in our daily interactions. It's really tiring dealing with manginas all day =(

Anyway, Her was accurate in describing how we tend to streamline our human connection. Sending flowers instead of writing a note, having someone write the note for you instead of doing it yourself, sending a text rather than making a call or talking in person.

We're more efficient than ever in interacting with others, but less effective than perhaps at any time in the last few thousand years. Efficient, not effective.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
A great film, probably my favorite that I saw in 2013. Our actions have consequences, not only in our lives and in the present, but even generations down the line.

A man can be a force of good in the world, and also particularly for his son. He can also be a source of doubt and destruction. How many of us had bad fathers? Were they really bad fathers? Or are we overly internalizing problems that affect Western society at large? "My father was distant and cold." So was everyone else's.

There are some beautiful moments in The Place Beyond the Pines.

Post: #288

(01-16-2014 08:10 AM)MattC Wrote:  Captain Phillips - amazing! Absolutely incredible acting from Tom Hanks.

One of my favorite films in a long time.

(01-17-2014 04:28 AM)Emancipator Wrote:  He had that one super amazing scene in Cpt. Phillips that makes you say "Now that's fucking acting"

Are you referring to the scene very near the end when he's with a doctor? That was the best representation of how I imagine 'shock' to be as I think has ever been committed to screen by an actor. I thought it was incredible. So difficult to do without veering into over-acting, but he nailed it.

Post: #289

(01-17-2014 03:37 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

(01-16-2014 08:10 AM)MattC Wrote:  Captain Phillips - amazing! Absolutely incredible acting from Tom Hanks.

One of my favorite films in a long time.

(01-17-2014 04:28 AM)Emancipator Wrote:  He had that one super amazing scene in Cpt. Phillips that makes you say "Now that's fucking acting"

Are you referring to the scene very near the end when he's with a doctor? That was the best representation of how I imagine 'shock' to be as I think has ever been committed to screen by an actor. I thought it was incredible. So difficult to do without veering into over-acting, but he nailed it.

Yup I didn't want to mention it directly because it could be a spoiler, but when Tom Hanks pulled that scene off it sold me completely and my jaw dropped.

Tom Hanks will probably get a lifetime achievement oscar at the end of his life, but its horrible that he didn't get nominated for Cpt. Phillips (Good for the somalian first time taxi driver turned actor)


The Oscars are a giant circlejerk, that's why David O Russel movies do so well is because he and the people (producers, actors) behind his movies go crazy suck up circlejerk to the academy. The Weinsteins do well at this too. Joqium Phoenix hates doing the suck up shtick, hence him not getting a nomination for Her. Oscars also skip blockbuster films for being too mainstream whether they were good or not. Gravity is an exception (probably due to it's october release and Warner pushing it as an art house film). They try to include them in categories like sound editing, costume and graphics but they don't really know what the fuck they are doing. Man of Steel and Pacific Rim had better visual effects than both Lone Ranger and Iron Man 3 for example.

Post: #290

Cpt. Phillips is excellent. I saw it last night.

It's surprising how defenseless these gigantic cargo ships are.

Post: #291

(01-17-2014 04:28 AM)Emancipator Wrote:  Strange how Tom Hanks wasn't nominated for an oscar.

He had that one super amazing scene in Cpt. Phillips that makes you say "Now that's fucking acting"

That was my reaction too. There's an element there that is sorely lacking in nearly all movies. His acting IS the story.

His portrayal of Captain Phillips is this level-headed, stoic, steel-nerved guy from New England (even if that's not the case in real life, that's another story)

And he's put to the test, REALLY put to the test in this insane scenario that most men will never go through. And through all of it he keeps his cool and makes rational decisions that will keep him alive.

And then that scene you describe (no spoiler!), where finally it's too much, even for a man like him, it's too much, and he snaps and goes into shock. And we see what that looks like through Hanks' incredible acting. There's the story we're told through the screenplay, and there's the story we're told through Hanks' acting. THIS is what great actors do, and THIS is what makes a great movie.

It's an age-old story that never gets old to me. How far can you push a man? A man's man? A guy that's unflappable and not quick to turn into a mushy pile of beta bullshit like that homo in "Her". Take that guy, put him in a fucked up situation and let's see what he's got. It's the reason "First Blood" is still one of my favorite movies.

Post: #292

RUSH:

I loved this film from the first minute to the end. I am a sucker for these competitive relationships and the film makers did a great job of showing the relationship between Hunt and Lauda as being necessary assholes and one of respect. I would imaging this would have been tough to show.

And even though I knew the outcome of the story, I was still cheering and terrified at certain scenes, and was choking back tears a few times as well.

Daniel Bruhl absolutely nails the part of Lauda.

For any F-1 fans out there, and for those that want to see the transition of F-1 into the modern miracle of machinery that it is today, its a must watch.

Post: #293

Wolf of Wall Street
Very entertaining movie. Glad they could put a comedy side to it rather than a straight drama which would have been a pain. Some parts of this guy's life are so over the top that it had to be a comedy. It's also a clear cut case of why greed is a great motivator but ultimately a curse because some of the most talented operators propelled by it don't know when to stop.

American Hustle
The best thing about this movie is the costume and make up. Everyone in this romp looks sweaty and grimey. There are no beautiful people here, they've all been turned to grease-balls. Definitely an entertaining piece but the running time could easily been 20-30 shorter.

But why on earth is Jennifer Lawrence nominated for an Academy Award for this movie? Her character is oblivious of her surroundings. She's basically just making monologues throughout the movie. What kind of acting acumen does that require?

Post: #294

Looking forward to this.

Good choice of actors and enjoyed the first movie as a kid although it was pretty cheesy.

Post: #295

Do old movies count?

I watched Witness For the Prosecution. If you are into courtroom movies this might be the best one. For a movie from the 50's its surprisingly loaded with humor and all the acting is top notch.

Then I watched Evil Under the Sun. Its one of a few "Who dunnit?" detective movies that comprise of a series. The beginning drags for a while and the dialogue was all a little too W.A.S.P. like for me. Once the murder starts the payoff is wonderful though. I am a sucker for these types of movies.

Post: #296

(01-15-2014 12:34 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

(01-04-2014 03:31 AM)Capitán Peligroso Wrote:  

6/10 W/B

You guys are nuts. She's got a fantastic face. She's easily an 8.

Oh, what, that little jelly roll? It's because she's wearing that ridiculous latex outfit that doesn't fit her at all and is squeezing her flesh upwards. She probably looks way better naked than wearing that thing.

A nice little clip for the 6/10 boys.

Post: #297

12 years a slave
Likely the most ham-fisted movie on slavery I've seen. It's like the script-writer was thinking to himself "hmm what kind of inhumanity can I put in this scene". Shameless Oscar digs.

Still a good movie with great costume and at direction.

Post: #298

Completely hated 12 Years a Slave. It was just another film playing on the white guilt in America. I don't know what the point of the movie was. There's not a person alive in America who doesn't understand what happened during the slavery era. The fact that the media and public rate it so highly is just hilarious. Captain Philips, now that's a movie! Tom Hanks' incredible performance aside, the Somalian guys also played their parts to perfection. Just an incredibly good tale and an immersive experience.

Post: #299

Gravity:

Decent movie about the reality of spaceflight with currently available technology. The realism of the movie is very discomforting. Its coldness, and blackness is only made deeper with the complete silence of the abyss. With a good sound system, you can hear the deep low frequency bass vibrations of the tools that are used during the space walk. An eerie almost underwater like noise, in the otherwise complete pits of silence. A general sense of loneliness permeates during the entire second half of the movie.

It was a great movie from an artistic point of view, but otherwise anything but inspiring for a newer generation of would be scientists and dreamers. If you're looking for a swashbuckling space adventure, go see Into Darkness or re-watch the original Star Wars Trilogy. If you're looking for modern art, the sort that makes you uncomfortable when you stare at it, I'd suggest Gravity.

7/10


The Skin I Live In

A psychological drama starring Antonio Banderas. This movie has every uncomfortable aspect of human fear packed into a two hour mind boggling roller coaster. Rape, incest, psychological trauma, mental illness, kidnap, forced confinement, torture, and murder. The movie keeps a generally slow pace throughout, and does require a little bit of patience. It is in Spanish, and has subtitles but its generally easy to follow, translation seems well done.

I can't write too much on the movie without blowing too many plot twists. All I can say is; watch this film. It's brilliantly disturbing.

9/10


12 Years a Slave

As a person of who has some African heritage, who's parents immigrated to the West by choice, a movie about slavery and what blacks in the Americas went through in the past 400 years has never appealed to my senses. I had long refused to watch this movie. Alas I was forced in a deal with the devil to see what the fuss was about. And my gut instincts of avoiding it in the first place were well founded.

This was 2 hours of uncomfortable torture. Why blacks would want to watch this is beyond me, the very act of sitting through this strikes me as masochistic.

It's like a horror movie for black people. Rape, torture, murder, rinse and repeat.

My Caribbean friends love this movie because its 'unflinching'. That's great, but for their ancestors, slavery ended in 1833, they were granted their own nations with good, mainland England-esque standards of living (Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands etc etc), no segregation, lynchings, and all the other goodies of American race harmony. For America's blacks, slavery may have ended in 1860s but the humiliation and subjugation continued for another 100 years after that. This movie seems to pick old wounds without any kind of remorse.

I'm not American, but this is certainly a pretty uncomfortable watching that goes to appeal to the basic instincts. This movie wants an Oscar.

I'd prefer if Django got one instead. At least that's entertaining.

8/10 for cinematography

Post: #300

(11-03-2013 03:20 PM)Haig Wrote:  Filth with james mcavoy is pretty good, it's about a crooked cop who's addicted to coke and manipulate/shag everyone around him. It's based on the irvine welsh book of the same name.

I was actually pretty disappointed with this film.

The beginning and middle were good, and seemed like it was building to something, but it just got more hectic and the "twists" were either predictable or just silly.