Board 8 > Movie Club Topic 4 - We Need to Talk About the Genius Saint Who Killed The Muppe

(+) Yeah! (+)

kateee posted...

after I finish most of what sticks in my mind is the distractingly nonstop shaking camera, poorly written dialogue and indifference towards the characters.

Yeah the shaky zoom cam was a strange choice. I took it as showing the instability/stress of the relationship or like a home movie effect, but either way it is pretty distracting. I think he just likes stylizing things to call attention to themselves, this is a guy who added Von to his name in film school to sound more interesting.
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Hello @lucifiere it is your turn to recommend

Pi

Been years since I saw this, and it's still as trippy as I remember it, though of course it may have had more impact on me the first time around, as this was one of the first really experimental and bizarre films I recall seeing and being blown away by.

I'm more able to see some of the film's flaws now than I was then. My memory of the film was more about its style and themes than the specifics of the mostly forgettable supporting cast.

Still, the themes and insanity of it all still grabs me, and it never overstays its welcome with its wild pace.

9/10

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The King (2019)
Blue Jay (2016)
Snowpiercer (2013)
Cut Throat City (2020)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

Things of varying interest on Netflix, yay! I plan on catching up.

Cut Throat City
Gunpowder Milkshake
Snowpiercer
The King

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Vote for all movies you would be interested in seeing for the next week (~Aug. 20th, NA). Rank your choices. If you do not intend to vote for whatever reason, please reply with "No Vote" so there is as little of a waiting period as possible. Please vote by Friday Aug. 20th, 3:00 A.M EST./12 A.M. PST (midnight)

The King (2019)
Blue Jay (2016)
Snowpiercer (2013)
Cut Throat City (2020)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

@Camden
@jcgamer107
@Raka_Putra
@Seginustemple
@SwiftyDC
@ViolentAbacus
@Xeybozn

Apparently, there are two Blue Jay movies that were released in 2016.

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The King
Snowpiercer
Blue Jay

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SwiftyDC posted...

Apparently, there are two Blue Jay movies that were released in 2016.

yeah i am of course, assuming it's the one directed by Alexandre Lehmann since the other one has like 200 ratings on imdb

Seginustemple posted...

I took it as showing the instability/stress of the relationship or like a home movie effect, but either way it is pretty distracting. I think he just likes stylizing things to call attention to themselves, this is a guy who added Von to his name in film school to sound more interesting.

i thought something along those lines too. but yeah ultimately it ends up being more distracting than anything else for me and i'm just reminded of all the stupid "stylizations" and bad editing that were in Nymphomaniac. that might have seriously just poisoned me against von Trier forever lol

The King
Cut Throat City
Gunpowder Milkshake
Blue Jay
Snowpiercer
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Blue Jay (2016)
Cut Throat City (2020)
The King (2019)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

lucifiere posted...

Things of varying interest on Netflix, yay! I plan on catching up.

Be careful. Every time I say this I end up a week further behind.

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Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

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Snowpiercer (2013)
Cut Throat City (2020)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Blue Jay (2016)
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Cut Throat City (2020)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Blue Jay (2016)
The King (2019)

how can i miss the chance to vote for a film directed by the RZA, the GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and the M.E.T.H.O.D. MAN

Snowpiercer's the only one I've seen but also i'm not voting for any repeat directors

next movie is Cut Throat City (2020) directed by RZA

@Camden
@jcgamer107
@Johnbobb
@lucifiere
@Raka_Putra
@Seginustemple
@SwiftyDC
@tyder21
@ViolentAbacus
@Xeybozn

Oh cool, I didn't realize this was a Wu-Tang thing
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Watched two movies today, one of them for this topic. Was going to watch two for here but damn Barry Lyndon is a long movie.

M - 8/10

One thing I couldn't help but notice is the long chunks of silence, the first of which honestly made me think something was wrong with my copy of the film. With this apparently being Langs first sound film I thought there would be more unnecessary sound effects in there than not, but the movie is definitely better for it. Feels like this is the millionth time I've seen the 'I only did it because I can't help it' defense for the killer in movies and shows, but this would obviously have to be one of the earlier implementations of it. I wonder if there's a definitive answer out there for what movie did it first.

Also, definitely felt the difference between this and something a lot more modern through my own expectations. I'm so used to their being a twist that, right up until the confession and even a little bit during it, I was sold on this being a case of mistaken identity and him not actually being the killer. If the movie was 10-15 minutes longer I would've been even more sure.

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Big Fish

It really is Tim Burton's Forrest Gump, a strange and heartwarming Alabama voice-over epic. Burton's sensibilities are deployed well here, he keeps an uncanny edge to the fairy tale aspect without it getting too wrapped up in his idiosyncrasies. I'm not sure anyone in this movie manages a believable southern accent, but that's okay. Both Edward Bloom actors charm their way through it, they're so damn likable. Great casting decision, and I like that both have a different take on the character. I actually find it hard to see Ewan McGregor's version turning into Albert Finney's version, but that adds to the character's self-mythologizing.

The scene with the popcorn frozen in mid-air is an iconic movie moment, I remember that being like a big technical achievement when it came out. And yeah it's a super romantic notion that time stops upon love at first sight - but I forgot that Bloom basically turns into a stalker in this moment. The romance his him pursuing an engaged woman he doesn't know because he thinks its his destiny, honestly he kind of deserved to get laid out by the fiance. He could have just hung with the barefeet community where Missi Pyle was hitting on him. I would have been stuck there for a while >_>

I'm surprised I haven't seen the son in more stuff, he looks so much like Joaquin Phoenix I was fooled for a minute. He did a good job as the frustrated skeptic with the turn at the end. And he added to something I felt in all the 'present day' scenes, this vague early 2000's nostalgia where it's not exactly retro but still makes you feel old. This happened with Lost in Translation too. It's a good feeling though. 8/10
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I'm 4 movies behind. I'll try to catch back up this weekend.

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Seginustemple posted...

I'm surprised I haven't seen the son in more stuff, he looks so much like Joaquin Phoenix I was fooled for a minute.

Funnily enough, they are both in Inventing the Abbotts. That's the only other movie I've seen him in.

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Big Fish

This is a movie I would've enjoyed more had I seen it around the time it actually came out. It's less than 20 years old but seems like it's aged much more than that, feeling more like it should've come out in the 80s. The Korean War stuff definitely draws in those ties to the Forrest Gump resemblance that some of the others have mentioned, though Forrest Gump was definitely handled much better (with every Asian character basically being a joke and ultimately nothing being gained or lost because of the war).

The fantasy story was definitely enjoyable and well-paced but the "true" story behind it was kind of a drag (which was partially the point, but I don't think it served the story well). The son was kind of an asshole the whole movie, being a grown ass man furious with his dying father for having the audacity to tell silly, exaggerated stories to his son. But then the end of the story reveal of what was/wasn't real just kind of turns out to show the dad was the real asshole all along. I don't know that the "friends" he met along the way would've gotten a kick out of being described as a giant circus freak who eats whole live animals or a set of kinda racist "Siamese" twins. Meanwhile Steve Buscemi is literally just Steve Buscemi.

Overall I'm unsure how to feel. I enjoyed the movie, and the fantasy adventure it told, but it's definitely not something that'll be among my favorites

6/10

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Johnbobb posted...

The Korean War stuff definitely draws in those ties to the Forrest Gump resemblance that some of the others have mentioned, though Forrest Gump was definitely handled much better (with every Asian character basically being a joke and ultimately nothing being gained or lost because of the war).

For me, it was more of the coming-of-age narration style that resembled Forrest Gump. Gump was a more grounded movie, for sure. Other movies like this are Benjamin Button, Life of Pi, and I guess The Notebook to some degree. They all have that same feel.


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So I've been mulling this over and I think this next set of recommendations might be the last. Some other factors involved but mainly that I don't have as much free time as I did when we started.

So after we go through everyone on this new rotation (which is actually still some time away), the topic would still be open; we just wouldn't be adding to the queue anymore. And of course I'll keep the topic series going until I finish everything.

Figured I should let people know in case they want to stick around for their last recommendation.

Also I'll be moving myself to the last spot in this rotation. If for any reason you also want to move your recommendation week back, let me know.

ViolentAbacus does not currently meet watchrate requirements so this next one (today) would be Johnbobb's turn

kateee posted...

So I've been mulling this over and I think this next set of recommendations might be the last. Some other factors involved but mainly that I don't have as much free time as I did when we started.

So after we go through everyone on this new rotation (which is actually still some time away), the topic would still be open; we just wouldn't be adding to the queue anymore. And of course I'll keep the topic series going until I finish everything.

Figured I should let people know in case they want to stick around for their last recommendation.

Sounds good to me. I also need time to catch up.

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Aww, that's a shame but I understand. Hopefully we can eventually get this series up and running again once there's more time and more participants

I'll post nominations once I come home from work

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Aw, sad to see but understandable. Even though my tastes often didn't align with everyone else it was still a fun topic series! Hope to see people at least continue to talk about movies we've been watching after this last set of recommendations.

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Ichi the Killer (2001)
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Fried Barry (2020)
Censor (2021)
Gaia (2021)

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A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Gaia (2021)
Censor (2021)

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A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Censor
Gaia
Fried Barry

Ichi the Killer is the only one I've seen of the bunch. Really interested to see any of these.

Also sad to see this will be taking a hiatus. But hopefully not too long. I'll still be interested in participating whenever that may be.

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Ichi the Killer

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Vote for all movies you would be interested in seeing for the next week (~Aug. 27th, NA). Rank your choices. If you do not intend to vote for whatever reason, please reply with "No Vote" so there is as little of a waiting period as possible. Please vote by Friday Aug. 27th, 3:00 A.M EST./12 A.M. PST (midnight)

Ichi the Killer (2001)
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Fried Barry (2020)
Censor (2021)
Gaia (2021)

@lucifiere
@Raka_Putra
@Seginustemple
@ViolentAbacus
@Xeybozn

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Ichi the Killer (2001)
Fried Barry (2020)
Censor (2021)
Gaia (2021)

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Fried Barry

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Fried Barry
Censor
Gaia
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Ichi the Killer

A break will be nice, I think we're all at least 3 weeks behind at this point anyway
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No Vote, simply because I'm busy with other stuff and don't know anything about any of these movies. I'll probably watch whatever wins if it's on a streaming service I have.

I'm kind of sad that this topic series is taking a break (saw a lot of good movies I wouldn't have watched otherwise), but lately I've been struggling to keep up anyway. I hope this series comes back eventually.
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M

holy shit this movie aged surprisingly well. For something that came out in 1931, this feels more like it belongs in like early 70s gangster era. It's extremely well shot, makes way better use of its sound than just about anything else I've seen from that time, and just has a thrilling and intriguing mystery manhunt from start to finish.

Well, almost start to finish I should say. The film does lose one point for me from about halfway to 3/4, when the film's pace slams on the break, and the manhunt drops off the screen to have a policeman trying to figure out where the killer is being taken and blaaaah. It had such an incredible setup, with the crime bosses of the area all working together to stop this serial killer in order to get the cops off high alert, and then stretches things out a bit too long just as it seems the film is about to hit its climax.

But when that moment finally comes, oh man, that last scene in the underground kangaroo court was so good.

9/10

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A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Censor (2021)
Gaia (2021)
Fried Barry (2020)

seen ICHI before and i can't say it's a film i'm too keen on rewatching at the moment

next movie is A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) directed by Ana Lily Amirpour.

@Camden
@jcgamer107
@Johnbobb
@lucifiere
@Raka_Putra
@Seginustemple
@SwiftyDC
@tyder21
@ViolentAbacus
@Xeybozn

It's Such a Beautiful Day - 9/10

I've been a pretty big Don Hertzfeldt fan for almost 20 years, since the days of rewatching Rejected over and over on our high school computers, so I was certainly fine with giving this another watch. I can't quite give it a 10 (his short Meaning of Life would certainly get one - it's perfect), but the innovative blend of animation and live action effects make for a memorable experience. To make almost a feature-length film, making films the way he does, must've taken an unbelievable amount of time.

Some might find the story too depressing or existentially intense, but it touched on several difficult fears and feelings I'd been having, so I find it therapeutic in that way. I think most people could relate to Bill on some level.

Ultimately it's not quite as funny as Rejected, or as powerful as Meaning of Life, but as a 3-part miniseries that has to sustain a fully fleshed-out narrative, it's pretty great, and one of my favorite full-length animated films (I guess it barely qualifies).

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who here likes stats? Here's every movie to feature at least 5 ratings so far, ranked by the average rating

1. Fargo - 8.83 (12)
2. Perfect Blue - 8.8 (10)
3. In Bruges- 8.67 (15)
4. Cool Hand Luke - 8.44 (9)
5. Portrait of a Lady on Fire - 8.43 (7)
6. Hoop Dreams - 8.29(7)
7. Big Fish - 8(6)
8. Mother - 7.94(16)
9. When Marnie Was There - 7.8(10)
10. The Lobster - 7.78(9)
11. Hunt for the Wilderpeople - 7.77(13)
12. House - 7.71(7)
13. Enter the Void - 7.67(6)
14. We Need to Talk About Kevin - 7.63(8)
15. Bad Genius - 7.56(9)
16. Saint Maud - 7.55(11)
17. Lost in Translation - 7.5(10)
18. I'm Thinking of Ending Things - 7.29(7)
19. The Muppets - 7.22(9)
20. Sound of Metal - 7.14(14)
21. Stalker - 7.14(7)
22. Thoroughbreds - 7.07(14)
23. The Vast of Night - 7(7)
24. 45 Years - 6.8(10)
25. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote - 6.8(10)
26. The Love Witch - 6.7(10)
27. Melancholia - 6.29(7)
28. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie - 4.29(7)
29. Murder by Death - 3.33 (9)

Not enough ratings yet:
Pi
M
Barry Lyndon
It's Such a Beautiful Day
Cutthroat City
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

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In other news I'm about 1 hour out of 3 into Barry Lyndon and so fucking bored

it's a very well shot and interestingly crafted version of the vhs documentaries that put me to sleep on my desk in high school

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M

9/10

Excellent. Appears to form part of the template for noir and gangster movies for decades to come. To compare to the other Lang I've seen - the gulf between Metropolis and M is huge and they're only four years apart. On top of synced sound it also has a much greater editing vocabulary (like cross-cutting for irony) and bolder camera involvement and even world-building (this one-take is so cool, I love the window sliding open to let the camera through after the sneaky cut): https://youtu.be/_0C2Te59egQ?t=2550), which makes it feel more modern. Of course part of the appeal now is the window to the past, here looking at a time when casual smoking filled every closed room. Seriously, the amount of smoking in this movie is wild. Cheech and Chong movies don't have this much smoke. It looks amazing on camera but I bet if I walked into one of those rooms I'd be gagging.

I too was expecting a case of mistaken identity about Peter Lorre's character. There are a few false accusations early in the movie, and the opening scene with the children playing an 'eeny-meeny-miney-mo' game had me thinking this was all going to be about arbitrary finger-pointing. The social commentary ends up expanding into street justice and mob mentality but is balanced by the guy actually being the killer. The voices-made-me-do-it defense is pretty weak but the actor does sell it, he's a lot more convincing than some of the real people in those JCS interrogation videos. Very memorable performance as one of cinemas earliest serial killers.
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Johnbobb posted...

In other news I'm about 1 hour out of 3 into Barry Lyndon and so fucking bored

it's a very well shot and interestingly crafted version of the vhs documentaries that put me to sleep on my desk in high school

Lol right.....from the parts I've seen it's beautiful to look at, but I know it's going to be an endurance test, so I've put off starting it

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I got about halfway through

maybe I'll go back to it but idk, goddamn that was a drag

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I'm at the intermission for Barry Lyndon at the moment, so far I like it but I've got a really bad feeling that the man Barry 'kills' in a duel early on in the movie isn't going to show up again and I'm going to be pretty disappointed that there's no further interaction between them.

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Admittedly I rec'd Barry Lyndon because I got the blu-ray as a Christmas gift and needed a reason to finally get around to it

Maybe tomorrow if nothing comes up >_>
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I mean I'm glad I finally have it a shot because I've really been meaning to see the test of the Kubrick's I haven't

I just really don't understand his style. A Clockwork Orange is probably in my top 5 movies and I love the Shining bit 2001 I always thought was overrated and this one just bored me to tears

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A Clockwork Orange > The Shining >>> Dr. Strangelove >>>>>>> 2001 >>> the first half of Barry Lyndon

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