Movies just watched - Theatre V1

[Sour Soul]

Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus (2000).

Still awesome, despite it's weaker points.

I am thinking now, if there is a Godzilla and Godzilla related movies you haven't seen. XD

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Schindler's List (1993).

Have to say, this movie gives me a whole new respect for Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes as actors.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Maniac (2012).

Pros & Cons:
-POV shots mostly worked to the movie's advantage. It definitely helped instill a sense of discomfort. However I feel that this does make Elijah Wood's Frank Zito less scary and sympathetic than Joe Spinell's original portrayal of the character. Though Elijah was still great and I can understand why some would find the boyish blue eyed Elijah committing such grotesque acts of violence more frightening than Spinell.

-It trades out grit and sleaze for style, overall I prefer the sleaze of the original, but I won't deny this movie is very, if not beautifully filmed. I somehow also feel it's less visceral than its predecessor. Still brutal as all hell though and in a way that does the 1980 version justice, not recommended for those with a weak stomach.

-I felt that delving more into Zito's childhood and showing us his hallucinations somehow makes Frank less creepy. The ambiguity of the original worked better and make Frank's psychotic conversations with himself or whatever it was he was experiencing unnerving.

-The relationship between Frank and Anna was more fleshed out and overall just meshed with the narrative better.

-Great as the ending was...it just doesn't top the downright fucking horrifying ending of the original movie.

Overall I'd say which version one prefers simply depends on personal taste as both have a lot of great stuff to offer.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Valhalla Rising (2009).

One of hell of a movie experience, most engrossed I've been with a film in a while.

From what I gathered it is the story of One-Eye's first steps into godhood...or maybe he is already God, or at least some sort of god or deity, he's certainly not just a man. Considering that Nicolas Winding Refn has said that One-Eye, Driver (from Drive), and Lt. Chang (from Only God Forgives) are the same character there's a great to deal to be considered to the true nature of One-Eye's journey.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Bronson (2008).

"Oh yeah, that's a fucking piece of me!"

[Gentian]

Wonder Woman 2017

The good: Special effects. They knocked the visuals right out of the park. Especially the scene where

Spoiler

Aries destroys the supposed god-slayer sword with his hand.

The bad: Pretty much everything else. Maybe I'm just getting old, but the way what's-his-name behaved around WW was just dumb. He's a grown man, socially gifted enough to be a successful spy, and he trips all over his spaghetti around her. The tired, over-used sex jokes just made me groan. I mean, really, the awkward bath scene and the cliche-as-hell "you don't sleep with girls, tee-hee" jokes on the ship made me want to walk out. And how the hell did they get from the Aegean sea to London in one night in that little boat? By hitching a tug? I don't think so.

Another thing, we're supposed to identify with the Amazons as the "good" side? Maybe I could buy that, but the moment the

Spoiler

Germans came through the barrier around their island

they attacked. No warning, no attempt to find out who they were or what they wanted, they just straight up murdered a dozen young men for no reason.

One could say that maybe they attacked because they were intruders, but they were happy to accept and even help the spy-guy. With no proof, or even evidence whatsoever they adopted the idea the Germans were under the influence of Aries, instead of the other way around. It's just so dumb. And can we please stop having the Germans be the bad guys in every damned movie?

The verdict: 2/5. Go see it for the visuals and the sexy jewess in the short skirt pretending to be a Greek heroine if that's all you want. If you want more than that, go ahead and pull up a cosplay porno and you'll find a better story, and more skin, for less money.

[Rares]

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The short, spoiler and rant free part, summarized by Jontron.




Thanks Disney. I think I'm going to skip out on seeing 9.

I have so much to rant about it I'll write a new post tomorrow. I've never felt so insulted after leaving a movie theater, and I saw Transformers The Last Knight this year.

[Rares]

Alright time for the big rant.

Spoiler

That movie was garbage. Hot garbage. It had so many problems, so many flaws, so many moments where I felt insulted as the viewer. I don't know where to even begin. Should it be that awkward scene where Luke milks an alien? Or how about that pointless casino scene that went nowhere.

I know, I'll start with the big thing for me that really ruined this movie. Rey is a nobody. Her parents are junkies who sold her for money for space drugs, that's it. They mean nothing, she means nothing, she's not special. The way they presented it felt so insulting, how they acted like they were building it up for nothing, for Kylo to even say "You don't belong in this story". This whole series has had "chosen one" elements, with big ideas of family connection and bond, making her a no one who comes from no where, and making her this powerful, geez. It just felt like a middle finger.

Snoke having no backstory and dying immediately felt insulting too. It was such a waste, and made him extremely uninteresting. Luke as a whole, I felt bad for Mark Hamil, he seemed to hate the film. It really betrayed Luke's character.

I just can't even form coherent thoughts around this, it was a mess. How is the First Order suddenly a galactic threat when this movie is literally a direct followup to Force Awakens, and they lost their only stronghold? What was the point of the casino scene? Why couldn't Admiral Hodo explain her plan at all, her keeping quiet caused so many deaths. Why did the First Order need someone to tell them that plan too, couldn't they look out a window? How come TIE Fighters can break through the shields of the ship, but the entire First Order naval fleet has to wait for the shields to go down? Why have that slow chase? How did Rey somehow become even more powerful when Luke never even trained her? Why bring back Phasma to only kill her off immediately? Why even kill her off when she can be practically assumed dead after FA? What was the point of Rose claiming she was a slave then brushing that off? Why send 20 rebel bombers when only one is needed to blow up an entire star destroyer? Why everything?

Just sooooo many issues. I am still trying to get over it. It had some good CGI, good space battles, but as a Star Wars movie, this was the worst I've seen. Worse than Attack of the Clones in my book.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).

Spoiler

I'll say I don't hate this movie...it's decidedly mixed for me.

-Mark Hamill Adam Driver are the MVPs in terms of acting...and character. I'll admit I liked Rey in this movie more than TFA, she felt more vulnerable but still kinda bland. Benicio Del Toro was great too.

-Snoke and Phasma were wastes.

-I completely disagree with what they did with Luke as a character. This is a guy that saw good in DARTH VADER and went through hell to redeem him...and the direction they took him as a character is a major disservice to the entire original saga (yes, including the prequels). Remember the magic you felt at the end of Return of the Jedi? Yeah...say goodbye to that if you watch this. I'm not an old expanded universe fanboy or anything but frankly I think the only thing that keeps me from completely hating what they did to Luke was Mark Hamill's outstanding performance.

-I thought the scene where Luke messes with Rey using a leaf was actually pretty funny. Same with the close up of Snoke's dead face and his tongue lolling out, fitting end to a worthless character. Other than that most of the humor is too Marvel like and fell flat on its face.

-Rose is a shit character and Finn's sacrifice would have been a perfect way to resolve his character.

-Leia flying in space will never not be hilarious and stupid. Even my mother thought that was a bit much.

-Two movies and still no memorable lightsaber duels.

-Porgs are stupid.

-Won't lie, there was some visually impressive things. Luke staring off at the twin suns whilst his classic theme plays was utterly masterful.

I don't hate this movie...just stuff I really don't like or disagree with. Still glad I saw it, at least.

[Kaltes-Herzeleid]

Pusher (1996).

A very well made (borderline documentary like) film about a mid level drug dealer in for and what is likely the last week of his life. A bit slow to start but once it got rolling it was a very intense experience, a very gritty story about the life of a drug dealer without the glamorizing...in fact all of Frank's actions are ultimately futile.