Movie What's the last movie you saw? (8)

[Mr Meow]

Transformers 2 remains the worst film I've ever seen and I was in the perfect demographic for it (teenage boy who'd mostly seen dumb action films up to then watching with mates who loved Transformers).

Haven't seen Avatar and this comparison pretty much seals that I never will.

The visuals in Avatar were at least a redeeming feature of its era, when seeing it at a cinema. All it needed was maybe a couple of decent characters, performances or pieces of dialogue and I just about could have avoided counting down to the finish. It's very bland and eyeroll-inducing. There are more interesting narratives (and as many cool things to look at) in an aquarium. For the most part I like the other worlds and stories Cameron created.

I thought the first Transformers film was fine but the second was painful and I wanted all of my senses to shut down.

 

[raskolnikov]

I didn't mean to sound condescending when I said that so I do apologise - what I meant is that I think those of us who are discussing films are people who love film, and given that I think the issues I raised should be aware of them and concerned about them. I'm not saying if you're unconcerned about them you don't love film.



There was a pretty compelling and famous article a while ago now about the death of mid-budget cinema (found it. Worth a read!). From 2014, it defines midbudget as $5 million to $60 million, so with inflation I'd say that's probably up to around $80 million. Either way, one swallow doesn't make a summer.



I will say I think the cancellation of Harvey Weinstein and his odious presence in independent Hollywood has been a good thing. You look at the Oscars the past few years and I think there's been a general move in the right direction since he shuffled off the scene in 2017 - for 20 years his idea of a quality movie became the archetypal Oscar nominee, and we got winners like The King's Speech and nominees like The Theory of Everything and The Imitation Game. Those movies still exist, my 73 year old boss always tells me about seeing them, but they're not being pushed as the hype movies of the year anymore.



I'll quickly say I don't think the issue is they don't fund any good stuff, the issue is that the film and TV industry is now controlled by only four major companies. While Hollywood's always sought to make a profit, someone like Jack Warner still loved movies - now those running the show are colossal conglomerates, asset management companies, and private equity firms.

So while I agree that MCU isn't ruining film, I do think it's symptomatic of something really bad.

Anyway, I know this is the "What's the last movie you watched" thread and people have moved on, but I thought I should expand a little.

The Imitation Game is brilliant and the ending had me bawling like a baby.

 

[Sketi]

Boy is this thread moving at a decent clip. Seems healthy from a movie going standpoint.

Anyhow finished Oldboy (2004) and it creeped me out (in a good way I suppose). After seeing The Handmaiden years ago it's apparent Park Chan-Wook has a particular style. It's quite an elaborate way of saying don't gossip!

Park is the man. I watched Lady Vengeance recently, didn't post about it here but it absolutely made my head spin.

I reaallyyy want to get out and see No Other Choice, but I'm skirting the edge of neglectful parenting as it is

 

[raskolnikov]

Star Wars was lightening in a bottle.

I saw it in the cinemas as a 10yo and it was by far the best movie I had ever seen. It had everything and more.

Whilst I don't think it's the best film anymore, it's still a ripper and I fully understand why I thought it was.

I can hardly remember anything about Avatar.

I'm not sure what I've just said adds anything to the conversation.

I saw The Empire Strikes Back at the cinemas as a kid. Was thoroughly entertained but didn't really get into the others. Haven't seen the more recent ones.

Also saw ET at the cinemas. I don't think it holds up that well anymore but loved it as a kid.

I don't think Avatar is that bad. It was a cinematic experience even if the story wasn't great. The argument that it is just Pocohontas regurgitated is pretty lame. Most movies these days are a rehash of some previous story.

A lot of horror movies, slashers in particular, are the same story with a different villian.

 

[Shane Sheridan]

Lost in Translation Monday week ago. Very melancholy as I was on my return flight home from 2 weeks in Japan.

 

[JackOutback]

Ok if there is one Star Wars movie I should watch in my life which should it be?

Empire Strikes Back is a genuinely great movie (saw it in cinemas a couple of years back, it still rocks) but you have to have seen the first. So really it can only be A New Hope or, as mentioned, Rogue One, but even that slaps at the end because of links to New Hope.

 

[brutus76]

If Avatar was made in 1977 it wouldn't hold up now. That's the beauty of the original trilogy being wayyyyyyyy ahead of its time.

Anyhoo off to the USA shortly with a list of 7/8 films to see on a rainy day or if I need a rest and chill day on my 6.5 week adventure

 

[Frank Bunn]

Anyway you guys should watch Train Dreams or Hamnet, they’re good movies

Totally with you on Train Dreams. It's a magical movie. Hamnet is definitely worth a look. I had some issues with it but I'm open to other people's interpretation.

I'm grateful for your tip of the Life of Chuck. It's got some wonderful moments such as the Tom Hiddleston dance scene. It's up there with Mads Mikkelsen at the end of Another Round.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Totally with you on Train Dreams. It's a magical movie. Hamnet is definitely worth a look. I had some issues with it but I'm open to other people's interpretation.

I'm grateful for your tip of the Life of Chuck. It's got some wonderful moments such as the Tom Hiddleston dance scene. It's up there with Mads Mikkelsen at the end of Another Round.

I’m really glad you liked The Life of Chuck. I feel like it’s criminally underseen.

 

[Sketi]

Hmmmm. Think I might trust the critics on this one...

 

[The Dice Man]

Totally with you on Train Dreams. It's a magical movie. Hamnet is definitely worth a look. I had some issues with it but I'm open to other people's interpretation.

I'm grateful for your tip of the Life of Chuck. It's got some wonderful moments such as the Tom Hiddleston dance scene. It's up there with Mads Mikkelsen at the end of Another Round.

I didnt realise Mads had met my 4 year old son and completely copied his after dinner routine.

 

[Norwegian Blue]

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Hmmmm. Think I might trust the critics on this one...

I think you'll find that 99.9% of the "critics" downvoting it haven't actually seen it.

 

[AFDogs]

The Wrecking Crew

Surprisingly decent. The first 20 minutes of the film blew me away - especially that first fight scene. Momoa is excellent in this film. Showing his comedic abilities but also his serious side. Good chemistry between him and Batista too who make believable brothers.

A little bit too long and can get a little silly at points but definitely worth a watch.

6.5/10

 

[Roobs321]

The argument that it is just Pocohontas regurgitated is pretty lame. Most movies these days are a rehash of some previous story.

yeah same. I’m no fan of the Avatar films, but the whole Avatar is just Pocahontas/FernGully/Dances With Wolves thing has always been cringe fallacy.

To me it stems from a place where films about environmentalism & (white convert/saviour) cultural clash with Indigenous are perceived as very few and it is seen as ok and common place to be generally against such issue subject. Along comes this mass market film ripe to be taken down a peg and those it has a vague resemblance to are suddenly supposedly ripped off (an exaggeration which then allows you to dismiss it as corny).

 

[Roobs321]

watched Blue Jean a few times this week, good one about the personal conflict of being closeted at work as a lesbian PE teacher circa the introduction of the Section 28 Clause in the LGA Act 1988 (UK). Obviously still relevant to today, the promotion and indoctrination in schools argument still gets a run and how that chilling effect can create a more hostile environment and be stressful, isolating and damaging to those self-censoring.

currently on SBSoD

 

[Sketi]

I think you'll find that 99.9% of the "critics" downvoting it haven't actually seen it.

Have you? I'd be surprised to hear it was actually good, my assumption was more of a Trump bot army in the audience reviews- could be wrong though.

 

[Frank Bunn]

I’m really glad you liked The Life of Chuck. I feel like it’s criminally underseen.

Have you watched Stardust yet?

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Have you watched Stardust yet?

It's on the list!

 

[Frank Bunn]

I didnt realise Mads had met my 4 year old son and completely copied his after dinner routine.

The thread got a bit heavy. Time to lighten it up with some movie dance scenes.

 

[Roobs321]

dizzy yet?

 

[Norwegian Blue]

Have you? I'd be surprised to hear it was actually good, my assumption was more of a Trump bot army in the audience reviews- could be wrong though.

Nope, less than zero interest because Trump.

 

[No eye deer]

Logs on to find a movie to watch.
Instead finds another 10 pages of Phantom13 vs the world Star Wars debate…..
Sigh

 

[spinynorman]

Denis Lavant, the king of unhinged madman dancing.

 

[Roobs321]

spinynorman wins, Denis Lavant is hard to top

 

[bommer16]

No footloose???

Let’s Dance!