Rate the last film you watched out of 5

[kthxbliz]

The Mauritanian 4/5 

 

The Firm 3/5

 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 3.5/5

Tinker Tailor Solider Spy 2/5

 

Tenet 2/5 

 

interstellar 3/5 

 

The Trial of the Chicago 7 3.5/5

The Lives of Others 4.5/5

 

 

Some were first time viewings and some were repeat viewings.

[Sane]

Tenet only 2/5? What did you dislike about it?

[kthxbliz]

2 hours ago, Sane said:

Tenet only 2/5? What did you dislike about it?

Almost everything. It was a lot of what Christopher Nolan is bad at and very little of what he is good at. 
 

The good parts: well paced, atmospheric and tense, good but not exceptional cinematography.

 

The bad parts: poor sound engineering with soundtrack and effects drowning out the dialogue. Having said that the script in general was cliche-ridden and cringey so maybe that was intentional. There was little attempt to explain the pseudo science (I think he’s abandoned his concern for credible scientific aspects ( as per Interstellar) and just expects us to buy whatever he says. But at least Interstellar had some good human and moral aspects where as this was just vacuous Hollywood action crossed with some lazy sci-if. 

[barkbat]

You definitely meant the movie version of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, which is indeed a 2/5.
You didn't mean the exception BBC TV series of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy starring Alec Guinness which has been beautifully restored on Bluray and is a bona fide 5/5

[kthxbliz]

1 hour ago, barkbat said:

You definitely meant the movie version of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, which is indeed a 2/5.
You didn't mean the exception BBC TV series of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy starring Alec Guinness which has been beautifully restored on Bluray and is a bona fide 5/5

 

I did. You’re right. I mean the thread is about films though, right?

 

I’ve never seen the TV series to be honest. I so wanted to like the film as it came highly recommended by a good friend but I found it terribly directed. I don’t know if they were going for some old-school film noir style approach but it just felt really disjointed. The first 40 minutes had my scratching my head over who if anyone was the lead character. The series of short and pretty unconnected and seemingly irrelevant scenes made it difficult to engage with, by the time it started to gel together I didn’t feel a great deal for the plot or any of the characters. 

[ZOK]

I thought it was okay as it goes - but then I’m of the opinion that Le Carré novels are pretty much unfilmable if trying to coherently convey their flavours, there’s just not enough time (which is why the tv show had a chance to succeed).

[barkbat]

Yes it's the sheer amount of plot these film adaptations are expected to carry that makes them such a poor viewing experience. Now we're in the streaming era there's just no excuse any more for these overstuffed nonsense kaleidoscopes.

 

PS. Watch the TV version.

[Bazjam]

I’m currently half way through watching the TV version for the first time, and it is indeed great. But I think the films pretty damn good too.

[g wings]

I enjoyed the film but loved the TV series. I had thought I heard rumours it’s being remade. Did I imagine that? You could say why bother but I could see it reaching a whole new audience. 
 

Of course the obvious argument against a remake is simple; Alec Guinness.

[Stig]

No Time To Die (2021)

 

After the disaapointment of Spectre this was a massive step up and I think Craig goes out on a high. I liked how his series had a running thread throughout, even if the films didn't always land.

I wasn't impressed with Rami Maleks bad guy, I just couldn't really understand what his motives or goals were really. Just seemed like a very boring "mad man wants to kill millions" trope which I thought Bond was beyond now. He certainly won't be remembered in the pantheon on Bond villians that's for sure.

However I was well into everything surrounding Bond and Madeleine, their relationship really held the film together and the end of the film between the two was brilliantly acted by both.

I liked Lashana Lynch involvement too as the new 007 as well as the bits of comedy dropped in throughout. It was just the right amount for the tone of the film and all landed well with me.

I was a little worried going into this film because of the run time, it following the lackluster Spectre and hearing some of the luke warm reactions it had received, but in the end I really enjoyed it and had zero issues with the length. It all breezed by and I was never bored. The action set pieces were really well done and entertaining.

Daniel Craig started his journey as Bond on a massive high. Casino Royale for my money is one of the best Bond films ever, and whilst there were a few missteps during his tenure I think he can be proud with his final film as Bond. A fantastic start and a really solid end to his time as the iconic spy.

 

4/5

[Bazjam]

West Side Story (2021) - 5/5

 

I should preface this by saying I’m a big fan of musicals, and consider the original a stone cold classic. On the whole I don’t mind the idea of remakes (I wouldn’t refuse to watch a new stage version just because I loved one I saw back in the 90’s), but even I was a bit aghast when news broke that Spielberg was doing this. Also, I’d started to loose faith in Spielberg as I director. I haven’t loved anything he’s done since Catch Me If You Can, and have been outright disappointed with some of his recent output.

 

But I was very very wrong. This film is a triumph.

 

Not only does it hold up to the original, it actually improves on it in a number of ways. The whole thing feels more grounded, and characters are a lot more fleshed out. This really helps heighten the racial tension and makes you feel much more attached to the characters. As much as I love the original, it never moved me in the way that stage versions I’d seen had. This really bought home the feeling of doomed love.

And Spielberg’s direction is fantastic. The changes in how some of the songs are performed, and the way some of the scenes flow, work to perfection.

 

Also, big shout out to filling the cast with actors largely from a musical theatre background, rather than filling the roles with celebs. It seems obvious, but so few Film musical adaptations seem to do that these days.

 

The original will always have a big place in my heart, but this is the version I can see myself returning too most now. Absolutely loved it.

[Qazimod]

Godzilla vs. Kong

 

My most recent exposure to either monster has been Skull Island and KotM, so I was kind of hoping for that same flavour of dumb monster junk food cinema and it didn't disappoint. Great effects, cheesy dialogue and bonkers action all the way.

 

As an intelligent piece of thinking man's cinema it's like a 2, but as a daft action spectacle it's a 4 (because they probably could have gone even more nuts if they wanted.)

 

Overall, 3/5.

[kthxbliz]

The Invisible Guest 4/5

 

Compelling with some great twists. 

[ZOK]

2 hours ago, Bazjam said:

West Side Story (2021) - 5/5

 

I should preface this by saying I’m a big fan of musicals, and consider the original a stone cold classic. On the whole I don’t mind the idea of remakes (I wouldn’t refuse to watch a new stage version just because I loved one I saw back in the 90’s), but even I was a bit aghast when news broke that Spielberg was doing this. Also, I’d started to loose faith in Spielberg as I director. I haven’t loved anything he’s done since Catch Me If You Can, and have been outright disappointed with some of his recent output.

 

But I was very very wrong. This film is a triumph.

 

Not only does it hold up to the original, it actually improves on it in a number of ways. The whole thing feels more grounded, and characters are a lot more fleshed out. This really helps heighten the racial tension and makes you feel much more attached to the characters. As much as I love the original, it never moved me in the way that stage versions I’d seen had. This really bought home the feeling of doomed love.

And Spielberg’s direction is fantastic. The changes in how some of the songs are performed, and the way some of the scenes flow, work to perfection.

 

Also, big shout out to filling the cast with actors largely from a musical theatre background, rather than filling the roles with celebs. It seems obvious, but so few Film musical adaptations seem to do that these days.

 

The original will always have a big place in my heart, but this is the version I can see myself returning too most now. Absolutely loved it.

Is this a joke? I’ve not seen the film, and nor will I ever, but the correct score is -5/5.

[ZOK]

2 hours ago, Bazjam said:

Not only does it hold up to the original, it actually improves on it in a number of ways.

Delete your account.

[Bazjam]

8 minutes ago, ZOK said:

Delete your account.

Watch the film.

[ZOK]

I can confidently predict I will go to my grave never having seen that movie. The real shame is that Spielberg never went to his without making it.

[Stig]

So you're gonna rate a movie you've never seen based of your preconception? 🙄

[ZOK]

Yes.
 

To be fair though, I did see the trailer for this when I went to see House of Gucci, so I am able to take my position with absolute confidence.

[Couch Corpse]

2 hours ago, Stigweard said:

So you're gonna rate a movie you've never seen based of your preconception? 🙄

Eh, Stigweard meet ZOK

[Loik V credern]

I don't know anything about musicals, i assumed there were more versions of West Side Story than the 1961 film, is that it?

 

I'd prefer directors to bring something entirely new to the screen but i listened to an interview with Spielberg and he said he grew up loving it and it was always something he wanted to do. When a musical is praised i don't even know in what way they're rating it, they're just so alien to me. I only like some much singing and dancing and...joy i guess.

[ZOK]

Donbass - 4/5 (MUBI)

 

This is quite a film. It’s basically the story of hybrid war in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine, conveyed through a slew of linked vignettes that start off suffused with bleakest humour, and end up just bleak. It’s fantastically filmed, but I think you really have to be from that place or thoroughly immersed in the politics of the separatists and nationalists to really understand everything that is being thrown at you here. Such sharp directing on display though, you could believe this was documentary footage at points, and as humour turns to horror it remains beautiful throughout.

[lolly]

1917

Perfectly cromulent, even good , war movie. 3.5/5

 

Also, this is worth reading to the end for those that haven't.

 

Cromulent

[PaB]

On 10/12/2021 at 19:06, Bazjam said:

West Side Story (2021) - 5/5

 

I should preface this by saying I’m a big fan of musicals, and consider the original a stone cold classic. On the whole I don’t mind the idea of remakes (I wouldn’t refuse to watch a new stage version just because I loved one I saw back in the 90’s), but even I was a bit aghast when news broke that Spielberg was doing this. Also, I’d started to loose faith in Spielberg as I director. I haven’t loved anything he’s done since Catch Me If You Can, and have been outright disappointed with some of his recent output.

 

But I was very very wrong. This film is a triumph.

 

Not only does it hold up to the original, it actually improves on it in a number of ways. The whole thing feels more grounded, and characters are a lot more fleshed out. This really helps heighten the racial tension and makes you feel much more attached to the characters. As much as I love the original, it never moved me in the way that stage versions I’d seen had. This really bought home the feeling of doomed love.

And Spielberg’s direction is fantastic. The changes in how some of the songs are performed, and the way some of the scenes flow, work to perfection.

 

Also, big shout out to filling the cast with actors largely from a musical theatre background, rather than filling the roles with celebs. It seems obvious, but so few Film musical adaptations seem to do that these days.

 

The original will always have a big place in my heart, but this is the version I can see myself returning too most now. Absolutely loved it.

I concur . 5/5 . Might be better than the original .

[Fargo]

Street Kings. 3.5/5 never seen this before but it popped up on Netflix so I watched it last night. Keanu Reeves was solid as the lead and plenty of action. Reminded me a lot of Training Day. 

[Thor]

In preparation for Resurrections I watched the trilogy this week:

 

The Matrix

Still fantastic, and easily Keanu's best ever performance (though I'd argue Point Break comes close).

5/5

 

The Matrix Reloaded

This was better than I remembered! I actually enjoyed this. The idea of programs deviating from their purpose within the Matrix is a good one. What lets it down is that it sometimes comes across as deliberately sexy for the sake of sexiness. Monica Belluci's character, for example, is cringeworthy. But overall this was actually alright. The writing isn't as good as the first but some of the action (that chase sequence) still stands up today. 

3/5

 

The Matrix Revolutions

This starts off reasonably well, and I loved Bane as Smith. But the sad thing about that is that guy playing Bane did a better Agent Smith in this than Hugo Weaving did. Weaving is fucking shit in this, perhaps not helped by a really shit script. I know this had to go through re-writes due to the sad death of Gloria Foster, but the writing really went downhill for me in this. That and Weaving being shit made for a really fucking crap, wet fart of a finale after the genuinely great battle in Zion. It's a wholly unsatisfying ending, which I hope is remedied with the new film.

1.5/5

[englishbob]

The Beatles - Get Back

 

Is it a film, a trilogy of films, or a badly chopped up series, I don't know - but even Disney+'s inability to provide a decent audio experience didn't spoil what's here for me to enjoy. 

 

5/5

[Waggo]

Die Hard - 5/5

 

The ultimate Christmas movie.

[kthxbliz]

A Cure for Wellness 1.5/5

Started off well and the production and cinematography was great. The more the plot was revealed I felt like it tried to be too many things at once. The final 30 mins or so were pretty outlandish and it revealed itself to be no such psychological thriller like Shutter Island and just a pretty one-dimensional gory horror. 

[Vimster]

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

When I watched this in the early 90s it was off the back of a massive hype wave that asserted this was the funniest comedy ever committed to celluloid. I wasn't convinced then, but nearly 30 years later my tastes have changed and whilst this isn't classic comedy by any stretch it is an enjoyable caper with occasional farce-style bits and good performances especially from Kevin Kline who stands out here, and Jamie Lee Curtis whose Wanda is totally in control, running rings around the men with tons of charm. Was strange seeing John Cleese as the mild-mannered one, a definite break from the Basil Fawlty/character he played in Clockwise wound-up shouty man he was best known for, Monty Python notwithstanding. Blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance from Stephen Fry later on. Plus I didn't realise John Cleese' daughter Cynthia plays his daughter Portia in this.

 

3.5/5