Last Good Movie You Saw

[TheMightyEthan]

I'm not gonna lie, I cried 3 fucking times during Big Hero 6.

 

Also, yeah, my wife, sister and her boyfriend have been doing that fingers thing basically continuously since we saw that movie in theaters.

[deanb]

Yeah, not sure anyone would call Big Hero 6 a very strong movie, but very pretty, nice to see how Disney are using their purchase of Marvel in more ways than the MCU, and a pretty touching film in moments. Lot of love went into the design work of the film, especially with Baymax (super especially considering he's more a hulk-buster type in the comic) and San Fransokyo too.

 

 

 

The twist with Michael Caine felt a little weak, since he'd already torn into Charlie about betraying them earlier in the film.

 

 

 

Charlie betrayed the Kingsman.

Arthur betrayed essentially everyone else, his character had been shown to be a snob throughout with a general disdain for lower classes (same as Charlie), and it was already laid out that Kingsman was set up through aristocrats which depending on their worldview Arthur would see Valentines plans as following in line with that since it removed much of the lower class, which Arthur disliked, and kept all the upper crust safe n sound.

 

 

[Hot Heart]

Charlie betrayed the Kingsman.

Arthur betrayed essentially everyone else, his character had been shown to be a snob throughout with a general disdain for lower classes (same as Charlie), and it was already laid out that Kingsman was set up through aristocrats which depending on their worldview Arthur would see Valentines plans as following in line with that since it removed much of the lower class, which Arthur disliked, and kept all the upper crust safe n sound.

 

 

 

 

That's a fair point. Doesn't quite gel, for me, because of Valentine's social status (then again, Arthur could've had further plans after that) and expecting someone like Arthur to have a stronger moral centre because 'everyone' still includes Kingsman, which still wouldn't harm people.

 

[danielpholt]

FURY

 

Very very impressive WWII film. Gritty, dirty, and brutally honest at times. Great performances by the lead actors (Even Shia). Some fantastic production design (surround sound would have been a treat here) and gripping from start to finish. 

 

Now I'm going to go and watch HBO's other sensational war drama; Generation Kill. 

[Hot Heart]

Calvary

 

Was finally in the mood to watch this. McDonagh's previous film, The Guard, is fantastic and definitely one of my favourites; however, I already knew this was a very different beast. It still features a brilliant central performance from Brendan Gleeson and the same familiar Irish faces (along with some more well-known actors), but this is a far more serious film. Not to say there aren't laughs, but this is a moving examination of Catholicism; its strengths and its flaws, its hypocrisy and its value, forgiveness and faith. And all of it centred around, embodied even, by this one man. The film has an almost vignette nature, and an odd tone, but that's what emphasises the glue (or the shepherd) of the priest character.

 

Definitely won't be to the taste of most, and it feels a little too 'written' in parts, but a moving watch.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Birdman

 

I missed out on seeing this in theaters but movies never take long to come out on blu-ray so I didn't feel like I had to wait very long. Anyway this was great. Wonderfully acted, the way it's shot is phenomenal, and it stays interesting the whole time with some great dialogue. It's a tale that can apply to many actors I feel. Based on how it was originally supposed to end they were going to make that very obvious. Highly recommended.

[Mr. GOH!]

Kumiko the Treasure Hunter.

 

A film about Kumiko, a Japanese woman in her late 20's who works as an Office Lady (OL). She believes that Fargo was a documentary or otherwise a true story (it's not; the Cohen Brothers were joking with the text at the beginning saying it was based on a true story). She obsessively watches an old VHS copy of of the movie in an attempt to figure out where, exactly, Steve Buscemi buried the suitcase full of cash. If you don't recall, at one point in Fargo Buscemi attempts to hide such a suitcase by burying it in the snow along the side of a two-lane road somewhere in Minnesota. Kumiko's life in Japan slowly unravels, so she decides to set off for Minnesota to search for the treasure. 

 

Kumiko is played perfectly by Rinko Kikuchi, who also was one of the movie's executive producers. Despite being in some godawful films, Kikuchi has always been one of the top actors in her age group, and I would be surprised if she isn't nominated for major awards for her work in this movie. All the performances are good, even those by the directors, brothers David and Nathan Zellner, one of whom plays a major character later in the movie.

 

The directing is wonderful, as well. The film is beautifully shot in both the Japan and Minnesota scenes.  It's an American production, but the parts set in Japan feel like a modern indie Japanese film. The way the film visually contrasts the stark urban bleakness of Tokyo and its suburbs with the empty, white expanse of Minnesota in winter works beautifully.

 

This movie is itself based on an urban legend, but I think you should avoid reading about the urban legend before you see this movie. I also tried very hard not to spoil anything with this post, but there's so much I'd like to discuss about this movie.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Mr. GOH!

[TCP]

Interstellar - It was pretty fantastic! 

[TheMightyEthan]

I was really torn on Interstellar, some parts I really liked and other times I felt like it was really dragging.

[Mr. GOH!]

Interstellar had a good movie inside of it, but the whole thing was just too much nonsense.

 

Best part was the Matt Damon Space Madness scenario.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

@Mr. GOH!

 

Kumiko is playing at the theater by me. Looks like I need to see it if it's still there next weekend.

[Mr. GOH!]

 

 

Kumiko is playing at the theater by me. Looks like I need to see it if it's still there next weekend.

 

It's beautifully shot, so it's worth seeing in the theater. As someone who has lived in Minnesota, the Minnesota winter scenes are spot on.

[TheMightyEthan]

Oculus.

 

Watched it with my wife last night. It was weird, I enjoyed it while watching it, but overall I would have said it was especially scary. Then I woke up this morning at 5:00 from literally the second nightmare I've ever had in my entire life, about this movie. Not quite sure what to make of that.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Kumiko isn't playing anymore but I did end up seeing It Follows.

 

Oh man, this is as terrifying as people are making it out to be. It's one of those movies that just works itself into your head. It's not perfect by any means but it's well shot, has a 80s-insipired synth soundtrack, and minimal jump scares. Recommended for sure.

[deanb]

Django

 

We were chatting about Christoph Waltz role in upcoming Bond at work n I'd mentioned I'd yet to watch Django and was met with a wall of "Watch it!". So had pretty free n lazy Sunday to wind down from a day of boardgames. Stuck on Inglorious Basterds first (which I've seen in the past).

 

Pretty good film, though I feel maybe bits drag on in some cases (or more than it's just longer than it needed to be..I dunno). All in all a good film, with the usual Tarantino dialogue (and cameo), and towards the end the usual Tarantino OTT violence (I'd already seen the "Say goodbye to Mrs Lara" scene from that "Edgar Wright Every Frame a Painting" video and it was still funny then). To a large degree Waltz plays rather similar characters, the one who sort of enters the room and knows much of everything that's going on thus having the upper hand, though this time he's less so knowledgeable (much to his demise), but also more likeable (Hans Landa largely running on charisma). I think the beard helps a lot with that.

[Hot Heart]

John Wick

 

It has finally seen release in the UK. Not gonna lie, but definitely way overhyped for what it is.

 

That said, it's got some good action, a decent throughline, and I like that bizarre "hitman underworld/lore" thing going on (even if it sits weirdly with the drama). Also funny seeing a bunch of TV villains (Game of Thrones, Daredevil, etc.) as the bad guys here.

[deanb]

Avengers: Age of Ultron

 

As expected a pretty damn enjoyable movie.

 

Action keeps nicely plodding along, right from the get go with this one (interesting to see where bits of the trailer line up in the actual film), though I missed a bit of the rather epic opening cos folks wanted to move seats n chose the opening of the film to do so. The fights they have all all rather epic (including the big one the trailers heavily hint at, though disappointing rename for Victoria (or whatever it was called))

 

Ultron is pretty good villain, quite unexpected elements to his character.

 

 

Stark: "Why do you need so much vibranium?"
Ultron: "Thank you for asking, I wanted a chance to explain my evil plan".

Loved how snarky he was, though obviously that's pulling elements from daddy Stark. Also how somewhat unsure of him he was.

Also the bit where he's intimidating Natasha and cuts through himself was pretty damn cool.

 

 

And the main win for the film is the intro of the various new Avengers to the film.

 

I unfortunately had Visions worthiness spoiled before I got to see the film, but damn was it still a great moment when it happened regardless. Great chekovs gun with the hammer scene at the party.

He was pretty cool n ethereal quality. Definitely the most comic-booky of them so far, they've really been pushing the envelope as more films go by. Though given what's in his head I'm unsure how long he'll be around.

 

 

Ooh and the stinger

 

I'd say only major issue, though yeah I guess it was sorta set up with the earlier films is

 

Natasha n Banners relationship n lullaby, especially as Avengers also set up the "I'm always angry" stuff. And hey turns out Hulk is a massive liability to mind control, but we get the hulk-buster fight so no worries there.

 

 

Oh yeah on a licensing fun times view:

 

So as we know Wanda n Pietro can't be mutants cos Fox has them. But that's not the only thing, Ultron raises an asteroid up to destroy everyone, which is remarked by "Friday" as being held together with a magnetic drive. Which anyone know of any other Marvel guys with a magnetic asteroid?....

 

Edited April 24, 2015 by deanb

[TheMightyEthan]

I have to wait a whole week to open those spoilers.  

[TCP]

Dean! Blink once if Captain Marvel is in the mid credits scene and twice if Spider-man is in the mid-credits scene.

Edited April 27, 2015 by The Cowboy Poet

[deanb]

 

Edit: Oh wait maybe this is more relevant blinking:

 

muhahahahah. It isn't.

 

Edited April 24, 2015 by deanb

[Mr. GOH!]

The Fantastic Four are apparently in the mid-credits sequence.

 

At least according to a dream I had.

[Mister Jack]

Considering how the new F4 is shaping up, that sounds more like a nightmare.

[TCP]

If Marvel ever got the rights back for Fantastic Four it would be exciting not for Reed Richards and co but so the Avengers can take on Galactus and the Guardians can encounter Skrulls, and what not. 

[Hot Heart]

Avengers: Age of Ultron

 

Amazing. It is packed full of great stuff from start to finish (and it's a long film) and has so much going on that it feels as if Whedon has pulled off a miracle in pulling it all together.

 

To give you an idea of how it zips along: remember that bit in The Avengers when you finally get that tracking shot that flows from one hero to the other, when they really pay off that whole team thing? This time, that's almost the first shot of the film but now there's so much more going on. You definitely couldn't complain about it looking too "TV" now. The action is fast, frantic, and does a lot more with the characters and their powers.

 

If there's a flaw it's that by doing so much, nothing is given time to breath and there might be areas you wish were explored more in favour of others. However, I think the stuff I was interested in is being set up for future events... but I couldn't say any more. Also, as I've seen others mention, there isn't really a true singular "fist pump" moment like you saw in the first Avengers film (it's lots of great, smaller ones). That said, this is definitely more like the Empire Strikes Back kinda sequel (yeah, I went there) in that it isn't going so much for the big moments but lots of character stuff all over; everything's an even boil rather than a gradual build. Which is the right approach, really. We've already had our big Avengers team film, we want something different and to hit the ground running.

 

Anyway, all the new additions are fantastic (even if some of the accents are... odd), there are gags galore and you won't even have a chance to get bored. If anything, you'll want time to process everything afterwards, and I kinda want to see it again already. Hell, I was half-tempted to add some spoiler-y section with further comments but wouldn't know where to start; plus, I think it'd be good to wait until the US gets a chance to see it too.

[deanb]

There's at least one scene with many fist pumps.

 

"Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep"

 

 

Yeah I'm in a "might go rewatch" kinda mood, cos yeah there's lots going on.