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Watched Chloe last night, and all I can say is what a ****ed up movie! Amanda Seyfred or however you say her name nude scenes as well as Julliane Moore were probably the highlights, but the story was out there, and the ending was more so! I was enjoying providing my own commentary though.

7/10
 
Watched a bit of an odd one last night. The 1980 horror Inferno.

No idea why I put this on my Lovefilm list, but I did. It's one of those films that's got a reputation as being "understated" and it's by a famous horror/thriller director.

It's the second of a trilogy of films about three witches (The Three Mothers) who run the world from three houses across the globe. Inferno is set in New York.

It's not very good really. The story is rambling and disjointing. The acting is very poor and the whole thing is very typical of this late 70's early 80's horror - a bit of a mess.

However, it appeals to me because I love films that create an intriguing mythos. The idea of an underworld that people unwittingly step into is something I get a lot of kick from, especially if the background has a degree of depth (and mystery).

It's also got some superb set pieces. The sets used and lighting are brilliant at times. It's got the kind of atmosphere and haunting quality most directors could only dream of.

Death by cats and the "mouse" scene are thoroughly nasty and not the kind of thing that you would see today. These few moments elevate the film above the norm.

Direction again is generally very high quality for a film of this era. Some really nice shots that drag you into the film.

It's such a shame that the film is cut into shambles and the acting is dire at best.

I think Ollie and Lofty would get a lot from a few scenes, as the "haunted house" ambiance and sets would make for brilliant haunted walk-through attractions (and I would say that this film is a must watch for anyone wanting to develop these kinds of things).

So, as a film overall, pretty poor. As a kind of snapshot of artistic early 80's horror and for a haunting quality, very good.

Certainly not to most people's taste, but if you are intrigued, then bolt yourself down and don't give up on it ;)
 
The Social Network

Finally saw it last night after wanting to see it for quite some time. I enjoyed it, even if it did portray Mark Zuckerberg as the biggest douche to ever walk the planet.

9.23/10
 
Went to see 127 Hours last night. It deserves every single bit of praise its recieved so far. Its brilliantly done, James Franco's performance is excellent, especially considering i've never really rated him at all before. As always with Danny Boyle, everything becomes captivating. His description of it being an 'action film with a guy who can't move' is brilliant, because even though 75% of the film is set in one place, it moves at a real pace and never loses interest. Artistically its a beautiful film. From the point of view of someone a bit obsessed with geography and geology, its awesome because Canyonlands just fascinates me anyway, its such an amazing part of the world. Once again the music is absolutely stunning too, A.R Rahman seems to be getting pretty good at all that, as it was the music that really captivated me in Slumdog too.

I didn't handle to 'amputation' scene well though, lol. Clearly, gore's not my thing! It seemed pretty realistic to me! Despite that making me feel a little sick though, its still a 9/10 film and i'd still watch it again straight away.
 
I'll use my system for Pan's Labyrinth. It was a **** film, made **** all sense, it was spanish which I wasn't expecting and was disapointing. But some things were pretty special...

Audio: Made great use of the 5.1. 2 points.
Visual: Visuals were stunning. I really like the theming on the sets. 2 points.
Narrative: Shockingly poor. Some random army people, with some fairytale devil man...WTF that had no real connection. Its also spanish, which automatically makes it ****. 0 points.
Acting: Shockingly Poor too. 0 points.
Unique selling points: Well I've never seen anything like it... pretty special mix up so I can't really give it less that full points (2).

So thats 6/10. Bollocks, it came above average...
 
A-Kid said:
Its also spanish, which automatically makes it
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Schmuck :roll:
 
Pan's Labyrinth is an amazing film...

It does make perfect sense due to the general escapism for the main character... The art direction of the film is amazing as well... And the Pale-Man is frightening as hell...

I wasn't expecting it to be in Spanish when I first saw it, but it's not like the film doesn't have subtitles... And the fact that it is the director's native language makes it like all those other 'foreign' masterpieces... Gives us something very different to the usual crap...

As Jerry said, schmuck... Though tbh, that's not the word I'd use...
 
A-Kid said:
I'll use my system for Pan's Labyrinth. It was a <img/> film, made <img> all sense, it was spanish which I wasn't expecting and was disapointing. But some things were pretty special...

Audio: Made great use of the 5.1. 2 points.
Visual: Visuals were stunning. I really like the theming on the sets. 2 points.
Narrative: Shockingly poor. Some random army people, with some fairytale devil man...WTF that had no real connection. Its also spanish, which automatically makes it <img>. 0 points.
Acting: Shockingly Poor too. 0 points.
Unique selling points: Well I've never seen anything like it... pretty special mix up so I can't really give it less that full points (2).

So thats 6/10. Bollocks, it came above average...

He_mad.jpg
 
Pans Laberinth is AMAZING. If you didn't get it then you're just used to having a plot spoon fed to you. It's all about escapism during the civil war. It's stunning visually, has great acting and just takes you into the world really. It's also really dark and quite graphic which makes it more amazing.

You can't hate a film for having subtitles. I find with them that after a while you just forget they're there anyway. But hating a film because it's Spanish is stupid. The Spanish make some of the best horror films I've ever seen.
 
Leigh, really? How did you NOT get the film? Me.. As in, Taylor Goddard, who lacks common sense, was able to understand it perfectly. It's an amazing film and though you're entitled to your opinion, at least give a valid reason other than "it's Spanish". Some of the best films are subtitled.

It's not that the fairytale devil and stuff actually existed.. Like people have said, ever heard of escapism? She was young, innocent, and fairytales were her way of escaping the reality of the war.
 
^Kim, seriously, Im not lowing myself to that type of comment. I won't reply to that.

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See now it makes sense, now you mention war stuff. I ain't in the slightest interested in war or have any knowledge of anything outside the main ones, so it just looked like a random fictional cowboy-like shootup scene jumped in a fantasy film.

Having to read subs really does my head in. I can't read fast. I normally have to read things multiple times to make a sentence go in. Its a complete distraction from the content. Other languages being spoken at the same time confuse. Then frustration kicks in, and anger. Must be my slight dyslexic side.

You see I was expecting a film about an actual Laberinth with lots of mind-bloggling characters. Very fairytale-like. I was sort-of expecting something like Hellboy 2...

Yeah I've heard of escapism... its practically the story of my life... or it aspires to be...
 
Ok, I can go along with what you're saying about your trouble with subtitles, but that doesn't mean that just because a film is in Spanish it's
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.
There are so many fantastic films in Spanish, or other foreign languages, since your trouble is with subtitles & not Spanish itself. A real shame that you have that problem, as you are really missing out. :(
 
Ah, the amount of superb stuff world cinema comes out with is so mindbogglingly brilliant that I can't imagine enjoying cinema as much as I do now without it. My favourite film is in French, and the stuff that gets even a slightly wider release than their home country is usually entirely stunning (the stuff that doesn't moreso!). It's a real shame you can't enjoy it as much as others can - there are some true gems out there.

Went to see The King's Speech too. Wonderful stuff, if a touch long. Some of the best acting I've seen all year (and last), and I think I might indulge a second time. Black Swan to devour first! Really looking forward to it.
 
Black Swan is crazy! I would say it is a definite watch, as long as you are able to handle sharp objects. In all honesty, it was a bit too gruesome for the story plot. Though the suspense helps move the plot along, I found myself wincing for the next surprise, rather than focusing on the plot. Natalie Portman however does a fantastic job, definitely turning heads for the Oscars.
 
No Strings Attached

I found this movie to be funny, cute, and it was just enjoyable. It was a "chick flick" guys can see with their girls and not be "embarrassed" about it. Natalie Portman is SMOKING, which made things even better.

9/10
 
I just read the last page of this topic with a look of shock on my face... admittedly if you scroll back a few pages, I was taken by surprise by Pan's as well having not expected either the Spanishness or the fairly graphic violence which ultimately overshadows the fantasy side of the story, but that aside, I was impressed - I think Benin's post best puts it into words.
And I like to think this isn't just me being pretentious when I say that foreign language and subtitling never seems to compromise quality (though I DO wish Kill Bill & Inglorious Basterds had told me at the start of the film that I'd need them!), and you'll remember how concerned I was last year when Americans got their hands on one of my favourite Swedish exports. That didn't end badly to be honest, but that's not the point.

Also, after 3 months of looking forward to it I'm going to see Black Swan tomorrow, and this makes me happy.
 
Just watched Devil. Certainly one of Shyamalans better films. Considering most the film was inside the elevator and you had no idea who the devil was. Still not amazing but I'm glad I watched it as it was quite good. :)
 
District 9

Rather interesting film tbh... Starting off all documentary but then changing genre as the film carried onto it's main central plot... Fairly interesting take on the state South Africa was in not too long ago and was certainly something that I really did enjoy...

The aliens themselves looked excellent... And the general direction and behaviour exhibited by them was brilliantly done... I felt very sorry for them which was most likely the point of the film, so it certainly worked...

Aside from the accents, a rather enjoyable, though-provoking excellent film... With a fun actiony climax and very nice ending...

8/10
 
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