BTH Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Everyone whose seen it comes out talking about how the product placement was shoved right in your face. I generally don't care if there's product placement if it's subtle and kept in the background but this has supposedly topped everything else that's ever been done. By the way, have any of you ever seen David Lynch's response toward product placement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zowpeb Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 Sort of irrelevant, but you're example is a bit off because The Usual Suspects is also a very fun and fast-paced movie. It's hardly the definition of an inaccessible, pretentious or artsy movie. My comparison was simply against the typical mainstream, pop-culture style of movies that are predominant in every generation. My point with in comparing against The Usual Suspects was not that it was inaccessible, pretentious or artsy...in fact, originality, good scripts, well acted, relatively low budget movies don't have to be inaccessible, pretentious or artsy. I find there is a segment of our society that seems to feel something is not worthwhile unless it is inaccessible or artsy...which is just as polar and boring, IMHO, as the formulaic pop culture movies that tend to dominate the box office. In fact, and this is my own opinion, I find them to be worse then the "bing bang boom" movies...at least they hold some mindless entertainment for the 1 hour 40 minutes they typically require. The Usual Suspects is the precise type of movie that endures in my mind because it was well acted, well scripted, held strong intertwined plot lines, twisted and turned. The fact it was not seen by many at the box office, and still has not been seen by many, is what makes it a great enduring movie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 Everyone whose seen it comes out talking about how the product placement was shoved right in your face. I generally don't care if there's product placement if it's subtle and kept in the background but this has supposedly topped everything else that's ever been done. By the way, have any of you ever seen David Lynch's response toward product placement? The awkward silence at the end is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Over the past 3 or 4 days: High Society - with Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Celeste Holm, Louis Calhern From Here to Eternity - with Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift Julius Ceasar - with Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Deborah Kerr, Greer Garson Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - with Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, and Katharine Houghton Dark Passage - with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Agnes Moorehead Deliverance - with Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight An Affair to Remember - with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr My comparison was simply against the typical mainstream, pop-culture style of movies that are predominant in every generation. My point with in comparing against The Usual Suspects was not that it was inaccessible, pretentious or artsy...in fact, originality, good scripts, well acted, relatively low budget movies don't have to be inaccessible, pretentious or artsy. I find there is a segment of our society that seems to feel something is not worthwhile unless it is inaccessible or artsy...which is just as polar and boring, IMHO, as the formulaic pop culture movies that tend to dominate the box office. In fact, and this is my own opinion, I find them to be worse then the "bing bang boom" movies...at least they hold some mindless entertainment for the 1 hour 40 minutes they typically require. The Usual Suspects is the precise type of movie that endures in my mind because it was well acted, well scripted, held strong intertwined plot lines, twisted and turned. The fact it was not seen by many at the box office, and still has not been seen by many, is what makes it a great enduring movie... Well, what I meant was that most people who loved Independance Day would also love The Usual Suspects. Although I disagree that The Usual Suspects is an example of a classic and enduring movie (it is great, but I've never heard it called a classic) and I also disagree that not very many people have heard of it... but the real issue I have with your argument (if I understand what you're trying to argue) is that last sentence. Because it wasn't seen by many at the box office, it's an enduring movie? There are far too many examples to the contrary for me to believe this. The best one would be Gone With the Wind: the most successful movie of all time at the box office and also a perfect example of a classic and enduring movie. Actually, I'd argue that the more people that watch a movie, the greater the chances of it ever becoming a classic. I don't really consider Titanic a great movie but there are plenty of classic scenes from that movie that jump to my mind when I think about it. And if I were to reference one, just about anyone I speak to would be able to identify it to the film. I don't think artsy or inaccessible movies have ever done well at the box office. Back in the day, the big moneymakers were also pure entertainment but they were more likely to be Humphrey Bogart film noirs than Will Smith action movies. One could argue that just about every film noir was a piece of crap (unrealistic plots, huge plot holes, wooden acting, bad dialogue, very stagey, etc..) but there are still many enduring movies among that genre. It's hard to say what exactly makes the popular movies of the Golden Age so much better than most of the popular movies that come out today, but that enduring quality they have seems to be the major difference. I think it may be the elegance that the movies had back in the day. The women were all ladies (think Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, ...) and the men were all gentlemen (Cary Grant, James Stewart, James Mason). You could really idolize the actors and wish you were one of them. But who ever thinks "I want to be just like Kevin Spacey when I grow up" or "...like Shia Lebeouf"? *shrugs* (Note: The Usual Suspects is one of my favourite movies, if not my absolute favourite, and Spacey is one of my favourite actors, so I'm not bashing the movie.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_Habs_Fan Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Rambo night on tv hahah kick ass. Just watched First Blood, and a part of First Blood 2. Tomorrow he goes to Afganistan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromage Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I just watched Face/Off. I'm a big John Woo fan, but I never actually remember seeing this movie before, I have all of his Hong Kong work. So I bought it on BluRay on Boxing Day. Just watched it now. Great movie. Kinda far fetched, but it is a north-american action movie with cues of the classic hong kong run-n-gun style that only John Woo could provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I just watched Face/Off. I'm a big John Woo fan, but I never actually remember seeing this movie before, I have all of his Hong Kong work. So I bought it on BluRay on Boxing Day. Just watched it now. Great movie. Kinda far fetched, but it is a north-american action movie with cues of the classic hong kong run-n-gun style that only John Woo could provide. :bow: John Woo is God !!! I think my favourite is Hard Boiled. It's like a Third Person Shooter Movie. héhé Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I went to see The Curiuos Case of Benjamin Button last night. I haven't been keeping up with all the December movies this year but this should definitely be in the running for Best Picture, Director, Makeup and maybe Cinematography and Leading Actress. As a warning, including previews it's 3 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I went to see The Curiuos Case of Benjamin Button last night. I haven't been keeping up with all the December movies this year but this should definitely be in the running for Best Picture, Director, Makeup and maybe Cinematography and Leading Actress. As a warning, including previews it's 3 hours. Part of the movie was shot in Montréal. I worked as a security agent on 1 of the sites they were using. They had like a 6-7 persons team to "make new buildings looke like very old ones". That was cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Yeah, Benjamin Button was really, really good. Slumdog Millionaire was incredibly good as well. Last movie I saw was Gran Torino, really liked that one too. Hoping Eastwood gets some sort of recognition for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Yeah, Benjamin Button was really, really good. Slumdog Millionaire was incredibly good as well. Last movie I saw was Gran Torino, really liked that one too. Hoping Eastwood gets some sort of recognition for it. I was amazed that Cate Blanchett is playing her character dying in the hospital. That's the best make up job I've ever seen in any movie. She plays her character from 23-~90 and looks the right age throughout the whole movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Okay, I can't remember everything I've seen but: The Virgin Spring - Ingmar Bergman Crisis - Ingmar Bergman Mirror - Andrei Tarkovsky Ivan's Childhood - Andrei Tarkovsky Miss Julie - Alf Sjoberg The Sting - George Roy Hill LA Confidential - Curtis Hanson Terminator 2 - James Cameron This Man Must Die/Que la bete meure - Claude Chabrol La Femme Infidele - Claude Chabrol Les Biches - Claude Chabrol The Smiling Lieutenant - Ernst Lubitsch The Love Parade - Ernst Lubitsch The Shop Around the Corner - Ernst Lubitsch Floating Weeds - Yasujiro Ozu Shadows in Paradise - Aki Kaurismaki Women of the Night - Kenji Mizoguchi The Wicker Man - Robin Hardy Death of a Cyclist - Juan Antonio Bardem Wings of Desire - Wim Wenders Midnight Express - Alan Parker Closer - Mike Nichols I think that's everything since last time. Tons of good movies in there, I'd recommend just about every single one. My dad just went to Florida and before he left, he rented 6 movies, I think they are: Gone With the Wind (I have a feeling this is going to be my favourite movie) For a Few Dollars More A Fistful of Dollars Casino Judgment at Nuremberg Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habitforming Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I saw Bolt last night.... typical disney, very good and cute, but with meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I want to see the upcoming movie Taken, but man am I sick of the commercials. They always do half the ad, then go to a random commercial, then finish the second half of the movie ad. So annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) I want to see the upcoming movie Taken, but man am I sick of the commercials. They always do half the ad, then go to a random commercial, then finish the second half of the movie ad. So annoying. I saw Taken yesterday, it was really good, a great action movie. Liam Neeson was especially good. His character makes Jason Bourne look like a wimp. What'd you think of T2, BTH? It's not something I'd peg you to be interested in. Best action movie ever made IMO (I think DK has said the same thing too) Oh yeah, Heath Ledger got the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor tonight. Theres a rumor however that he won't be nominated for an Oscar though, something about how dead actors haven't been allowed to be nominated since 1980. Nominations are gonna be announced tomorrow (I think). Edited January 12, 2009 by jetsniper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Kosmos Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 What'd you think of T2, BTH? It's not something I'd peg you to be interested in. Best action movie ever made IMO (I think DK has said the same thing too) I have indeed said that. It's perfect. Or at least the action movie that I have seen that has come the closest to perfection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 One of my great action movie is ConAir with Cage, Cusack and Malkovich, not to mention Buscemi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Just reading some article from the Los Angeles Times now talking about Heath Ledger, they listed all the posthumous nominations ever. There have been a crapload since 1980 so I don't know where that guy got his info, seems he was BSing. So I'm still hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I have indeed said that. It's perfect. Or at least the action movie that I have seen that has come the closest to perfection. I loved The Terminator and I strangely didn't like the second one as much. It was fun having Schwarzenegger on the good side and I liked that he had so many lines but I hate it when movies get conventional. Now T2 probably set the standard (and all the conventions) for all following action movies but all the melodramatic scenes just seemed stupid or unrealistic, and scenes like that always bother me. For example, when we first meet Edward Furlong and his foster parents: Furlong and his friend are such over-the-top delinquents riding a motorcycle with overgrown hair. The scene just doesn't look real. How many gimme-your-lunch-money bullies have you met in your life? But they're absolutely everywhere in movies and TV shows. It seemed like the movie was using plenty of typical Hollywood conventions like that. Same thing for most of the scenes in the mental institution and the mother-son moments. Lots of sentimental bullshit moments. Basically, I liked every fun part and disliked every serious part. One of my great action movie is ConAir with Cage, Cusack and Malkovich, not to mention Buscemi. lol I hate that movie. Just reading some article from the Los Angeles Times now talking about Heath Ledger, they listed all the posthumous nominations ever. There have been a crapload since 1980 so I don't know where that guy got his info, seems he was BSing. So I'm still hopeful. He is allowed to be nominated and his death will help his chances of winning more than it'll hurt him. Trivia: The only one to ever win an Oscar posthumously is Peter Finch in 1976 ('77 Oscars) for Network. Watch this movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 lol I hate that movie. I don't know why, but i'm not surprised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I loved The Terminator and I strangely didn't like the second one as much. It was fun having Schwarzenegger on the good side and I liked that he had so many lines but I hate it when movies get conventional. Now T2 probably set the standard (and all the conventions) for all following action movies but all the melodramatic scenes just seemed stupid or unrealistic, and scenes like that always bother me. For example, when we first meet Edward Furlong and his foster parents: Furlong and his friend are such over-the-top delinquents riding a motorcycle with overgrown hair. The scene just doesn't look real. How many gimme-your-lunch-money bullies have you met in your life? But they're absolutely everywhere in movies and TV shows. It seemed like the movie was using plenty of typical Hollywood conventions like that. Same thing for most of the scenes in the mental institution and the mother-son moments. Lots of sentimental bullshit moments. Basically, I liked every fun part and disliked every serious part. I hated the mental institution crap too, only part of the movie I didn't like. Never really had a problem with parental stuff though, although IIRC there wasn't a whole lot of chemistry for them. It's been a few months since I saw T2. Don't watch the TV show if you hate the mother-son stuff, it's full of them (with added angst!). John's kind of a whiny bitch on the show, actually. He is allowed to be nominated and his death will help his chances of winning more than it'll hurt him. Trivia: The only one to ever win an Oscar posthumously is Peter Finch in 1976 ('77 Oscars) for Network. Watch this movie! Yeah, my brother-in-law and I were discussing it last week and the 1980 rule didn't make sense to us. We were sure there had been posthumous nominations since then although we never bothered to look it up. I figure as long as Heath gets the nomination though then he'll win. It'll be that big audience grabbing story the Academy desperately wants since no one watches the Oscars anymore. Same reason Hugh Jackman is hosting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Kosmos Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Action movies are hard to like if you can't let yourself be immersed in the movie's universe, where natural laws might be different from those that exist in real life. You have to accept a certain amount of unrealistic aspects, perhaps in all kinds of movies but definitely in action movies in particular. You have to accept some things on faith (I hope that's the right English expression). The movie can't be too unrealistic though. But also different people consider different things realistic and have different opinions on what in a movie that's supposed to be realistic. I definitely agree that there are plenty of things in T2 that don't make a lick of sense and that the young John Connor is just too savvy and street wise. But right or wrong, when I was in junior high the hype surrounding the movie was huge and I got caught up in it. But even if I hadn't been I think I would still consider it one of the most ground-breaking action movies that I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I'm not complaining that the sci-fi is unrealistic - although I don't think time travel will ever be possible. It's the dramatic/non-action scenes that I don't think felt real - except it's the same sort of stuff that you see in virtually every modern movie, not just T2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Kosmos Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Oh I agree. It is often not the sci-fi stuff or over-the-top car chases or explosions that annoy me. It's often the other stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Casino Royale - the recent Bond flick - was the best action movie ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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