Rate the last film you watched out of 5

[ImmaculateClump]

You Are Not My Mother - ****

[taurusnipple]

35 minutes ago, cassidy said:

Spiderhead it was a film. 

 

Things happened. Ooh the future.  

Couldn’t make it past 30 minutes.

[PK]

On 18/06/2022 at 05:28, Loik V credern said:

I get that tonally it'd be harder to click in Hot Fuzz and it's not a great foot chase anyway, but if you're going to do something, do it well maybe? He could have come up with a better foot chase idea. It's just always comforting in that Point Break sequence to know the director knows what they're doing and hits all the yeah this is awesome points, like a massage therapist who knows how to release pressure points on your back or something, same thing. It's obvious Kathryn Bigelow knows what she's doing on Strange Days too.

 

Hot Fuzz foot chase is too short as well, it's not a spoof film so if it was the sequence would go on endlessly and all manner of things would be thrown at him escalating from a dog, i get that. But surely there's still humour in extending it out into ridiculousness, it being a comedy. Just sort of pointless.

 

I think the gag they're going for is that Johnny Utah is always both right on top of and miles behind Bodhi for most of the (excellent) chase sequence in Point Break. We see multiple separate shots of them both traversing the same locations sequentially, when in reality they would overlap a bit. Edgar Wright's calling attention to that minor nitpick and then making it physically possible within his film with the later reveal of the multiple masked runners. I think the editing is just stretching that gag out a bit more, because it's so ludicrous it has to be deliberate. Hopefully. That someone subsequently earnestly used it as an editing technique in Taken 3 is pretty funny in its own right.

 

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - 3.5/5

This is quite good fun, Nicolas Cage is in his element while also seemingly quite happy to take the piss out of himself, Pedro Pascal and Sharon Horgan are both very funny in it too

 

The Souvenir Part 2 - 4/5

I have a soft spot for The Souvenir and this is a very fine sequel, it's great to see someone be able to share such a personal story with such skill.

[Fierce Poodle]

On 18/06/2022 at 00:46, cassidy said:

Dashcam 

 

Nowt wrong with this inventive use of the found footage trope.

 

It's intense, well made, has humour and some great FX. 

 

Host was a great film that used the pandemic and zoom to make an entertaining slice of horror. 

 

This does the same with a dashcam and vlog to what I would say is a more effective end result. I also think he's read Neonomicon. 

Enjoyed that, thanks for the recommendation.

[teddymeow]

Mission Impossible (1995)

 

Who'd have thunk that, after 27 years, that this franchise would still be around and also one of the best in it's genre?!

 

I find this first film in the series quite odd as it feels like it's pulling in two different directions. It can't decide if it wants to be a slow paced spy thriller or a balls out action fest.

 

It's got some pretty poor performances in it too. Cruise is solid but Voight, Czerny et al are chewing through scenery like it's slices of ham.

 

Still, at least it isn't the sequel. 

 

3 disavowed agents / 5.

 

 

[Ry]

I still rate the first film in the top 3.

 

Its so wonderfully shot. I miss old Brian De Palma. 

[Gabe]

Biggles (1986)

 

Whilst randomly looking through the TV guide I noticed this was on and, it being a bit of an old favourite, figured I'd have it on as background as it's been a while since I saw it.

 

It's still a pretty fun little romp, but the most interesting thing about it is how I now see things I never even thought about previously - like how female characters are only there to either be subservient to a man, scream or to be suspicious of. Or how mental illness is both a joke or something to be scared of.

 

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it - it's a very innocent film - but I suppose it's more about how I'm aware of this stuff now and it's certainly interesting to see what I once would be oblivious to.

 

3/5

 

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

 

I had seen this years and years ago (along with parts 2 & 3) but other than a vague memory of the nerds besting the jocks and Ted McGinley, that was about it.

 

Now the comment about awareness applied to Biggles here writ large. Women are only here to either be semi-naked or swoon after the men. There's even a gross sexual assault played for laughs because it makes for a cheap joke.

 

Based on the title you know it's going to be a film of stereotypes, but they aren't handled with any craft or social commentary, just smack you in the face. It wouldn't be so bad if it was well-acted or scripted, but everybody is really awkward and stiff (and not in a 'in-character' type of way), the jokes are poor and the cast are hard to like.

 

I do have the other 3 films in the series on my HD (never seen part 4 before I don't think), so I will watch them to see if anything changed over the course of the 10 years span of them.

 

1/5

[Vimster]

Contamination (1980)

I've seen this described as an Italian Alien rip-off but apart from the eggs there's not much of a connection. It doesn't make a great deal of sense, it sags badly in the middle, but thanks to some explosive gore and a soundtrack by Goblin, as well as those Italian production values which I personally love, this is actually pretty entertaining if you're in the mood.

 

3.5/5

 

I'd obtained this elsewhere but have just found this is on Amazon Prime if you fancy it.

[sandman]

Modern movies are crap! (Old man shouts at cloud).

 

Hallowe’en Kills

 

oh dear. After a recent reassessment of 2018 (which I now really like) I had high hopes for this. But it’s an absolute failure of a film on almost every count with only the cinematography being extremely good. Who greenlit the script?

 

1/5.

 

 

Fantasy Island 

 

I normally find that the blumhouse name at the start of a film means it will be at least a 3/5. Sadly, that is not the case here. This shuffles along with no heed paid to things like common sense or narrative coherence. Peña (who I’m not a massive fan of) is truly awful. The usually brilliant Rooker is wasted in a pointless role. Just a horrible little film 

 

1/5

 

 

The Power of the Dog

 

An extremely odd movie where not much happens and what does happen is often nonsensical and incoherently plotted. Dunst is amazing and wasted in a role that makes demands of her for no good reason. Glad to see the Oscars got it right for once. I’m not sure the film has many other redeeming features. Next time I’ll just watch Gone with the Wind instead. 
 

1/5

 

also….

 

Behind Enemy Lines

 

Dont think I’ve seen this since the cinema. I found it exhilarating and excellently well paced. The only annoying think was I thought Keith David ( one of my favourite actors of all goddamn time ) was in it. Imagine my disappointment when I found out it was David Keith who was in the film.  

 

This was shot extremely well and it was nice to see Wilson playing against type. He is excellent here, as is Hackman.
 

4/5

[Festoon]

9 hours ago, Gabe said:

Biggles (1986)

 

Whilst randomly looking through the TV guide I noticed this was on and, it being a bit of an old favourite, figured I'd have it on as background as it's been a while since I saw it.

 

It's still a pretty fun little romp, but the most interesting thing about it is how I now see things I never even thought about previously - like how female characters are only there to either be subservient to a man, scream or to be suspicious of. Or how mental illness is both a joke or something to be scared of.

 

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it - it's a very innocent film - but I suppose it's more about how I'm aware of this stuff now and it's certainly interesting to see what I once would be oblivious to.

 

3/5

 

Theme tune a super-rare solo outing by Queen's John Deacon too.

[Vimster]

The Evil Dead (1981)

It's The Evil Dead, what can you say? Still fantastic, never lets up once it gets going, a torrent of blood and great ideas. Not watched this in ages, felt inspired to watch it as I'm reading Bruce Campbell's If Chins Could Kill. At least I know what a "fake shemp" is now.

 

4.5/5

[Garwoofoo]

RRR

 

An easy 5/5 for the most inventive, spectacular and downright enjoyable movie I've seen in years.

 

It's the first Indian movie I've seen so I'm a little wary of over-rating it (I suspect some of the things I loved about it are tropes and will become less impactful as I see them in more movies) but just in terms of sheer enjoyment I don't think this can be beat. It's over three hours long and I want to see it all over again, to enjoy the incredible action sequences, the quite amazing song-and-dance number, the intensely homoerotic bromance between the two main characters and everything else that made this so very, very good.

 

In particular I was struck by the way the extensive use of slo-mo in the action sequences not only gave the whole thing a very distinctive look and feel, but also actually made those sequences exceptionally clear and easy to follow. It's all very different to Western movies where all the action seems to take place in the dark with a loads of jump cuts to disguise the stunt doubles and dodgy effects. Here everything was front and centre on the screen at all times. Great film-making.

 

I watched it with my 13-year-old son and I think it's his new favourite movie. It might be mine, too.

[PeteJ]

One of the most anticipated releases of the year in our household has been watched, and I think it's fair the results were....disappointing.

 

Sonic 2

 

The first went down a storm. The kids aren't really Sonic fans but absolutely loved the first. It's a fun ride with a great version of both Sonic and Robotnic (who steals the show), and some good side characters too. It's just the right blend of respecting the source material whilst also laughing at it.

 

The sequel dives further into the Sonic-verse and begins to take it's own daft lore more seriously, losing the balance that made the original work. We're introduced to a wider sonic universe and with it more CG characters that it has to treat with respect, but...dare I say it....becomes so Sonic-like that it's actually quite unlikable at times. It feels like a cheap Saturday morning cartoon, stretching itself far too much to make the crazy lore fit in the world they established in the first film. When the film relaxes a little into its characters, especially Jim Carry who steals the show once more, it's actually quite fun, but otherwise it gives the impression that nobody else particularly enjoyed making the film. 

 

Special mentions:

- I did like some of the visual nods to the games, such as the dislike of water and the underwater section. Very much on the nose but whatever

- Idris Elba is channeling Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy so hard I'm surprised there isn't a copyright take down

 

2/5

[Girth Certificate]

Legend (the Krays one with Tom Hardy)

 

Bit rubbs to be honest, I enjoyed Hardy's performances (there was never a point where it wasn't 100% believable that he was two different blokes) but it wasn't good enough to carry a film with pretty much nothing else going on. Then it just ends. There was hilarious fight between them though and a scene near the end where the crazy Kray is throwing shapes on one side of a party and mugging at his brother who is just staring at him across the room with a 'what the absolute fuck' expression on his face that made me bust a gut laughing. 

 

2 'orrible cunts out of 5

[sandman]

4 hours ago, Girth Certificate said:

Legend (the Krays one with Tom Hardy)

 

Bit rubbs to be honest, I enjoyed Hardy's performances (there was never a point where it wasn't 100% believable that he was two different blokes) but it wasn't good enough to carry a film with pretty much nothing else going on. Then it just ends. There was hilarious fight between them though and a scene near the end where the crazy Kray is throwing shapes on one side of a party and mugging at his brother who is just staring at him across the room with a 'what the absolute fuck' expression on his face that made me bust a gut laughing. 

 

2 'orrible cunts out of 5

Couldn’t agree more with this. What an overrated movie it is. 

[DarhkFox]

Interceptor (Netflix 2022)

 

Reminded me of old school 80/90s movie such as Under Siege - it however does feel very cheap and at times ridiculous.

 

Not necessary a bad thing - the action is relatively good, quite a bit of violence and doesn't really outstay it's welcome. It's got Chris Hemsworth wife in it as the main character trying to stop the terrorists from getting hold of nukes. The bad guy is from Home & Away and even Chris Hemsworth shows up in a completely random series of cameos.

 

2.5/5 

[Gabe]

High School High (1996)

 

A fun Zucker production with some slapstick, clever wordplay, an endearing and naïve lead and a sending-up of that period when serious and thoughtful college-based films were all the fashion.

 

It's another I've seen a number of times before, but not for at least two decades so the moment-to-moment jokes landed relatively fresh. I was chuckling throughout, appreciating this was back in the day before somebody decided comedies needed to hit the 2-hour mark (and stop being funny), and it was 85 minutes of fun. Jon Lovitz plays the good-hearted and completely out of his depth teacher who you know will come good teaching those kids nobody else cares about - but you know what, it may well be a simple story with an obvious resolution but it does it with a bit of charm and made me feel good - and for that, I am grateful.

 

4/5

[Loik V credern]

1 hour ago, sandman said:

Couldn’t agree more with this. What an overrated movie it is. 

 

I don't think it's overated is it? I've never seen anyone really praise it, just Hardy's performance. 61% rotten critic score, 59% audience, 6/10 average score on letterboxd.

 

Spoiler

The bit at the end where after Hardy stabs the guy and whispers 'I can't fucking kill you, can I?' in his brother's ear...amazing. Hardy is good at channelling fury...

 

[neoELITE]

Antlers

Sky Cinema

A very brief horror. It's bleak, dark and really quite depressing. It wasn't very good and it was derivative. I like folk horror but this ended up being really poor. 

1/5

[Girth Certificate]

Quote

I don't think it's overated is it?

 

only by netfix and amazon prime, they were both very insistent that I watch it.

[Steve McQueef]

RRR  (2022)

 

Makes Zack Snyder's Justice League look like a documentary.

 

Fuck off/5

[Petrousgyre]

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022)

 

Emma Thompson plays a retired RE teacher who employs sex worker, Daryl McCormack, to help explore her sexuality. As her insecurities subside his emerge in a pleasingly symmetrical fashion. I won't say much more lest I spoil how it unravels but I thought it a wonderful little two-hander that explores our relationship with sex in a non-salacious and at times profound fashion. Amazing performance from Thompson, it must have taken more than a little courage to perform some of the scenes.

 

4/5

[englishbob]

Annette

 

A musical directed by French director Leos Carax and written by the band Sparks, this is a strange one indeed. It looks great and the performances all round are amazing, a lot of actual live singing in this and one shot takes. Adam Driver is in just about every scene, and he is quite the thing in this - a great performance.

 

However not all of it works, the "Ape of God" sequences wedged in at the start of the film are the worst paced and unfunny, at the very point when you are trying to bring the film into that settling down period to get into it, it does it's utmost to make you want to turn it off. Get past those scenes and you are onto a winner, but you can never quite shake how bad the opening 20 minutes can be.

 

As such its a tough recommend, if you like avant garde musicals (if that is even a genre) this is for you. Anyone else it's 3/5

 

 

Top Gun (4K Blu-Ray)

 

I probably haven't seen this for 34 odd years, having only seen it once prior - so watching this again was like watching it for the first time. How did Cruise and Kilmer not actually kiss in this, it's ridiculous - as is his faux relationship with Kelly McGillis' character - one of the most unbelievable romantic liaisons I care to remember on screen. 

 

It's amazing how so many disparate objects make up this film and yet still there isn't that much going on in it. You could walk out of the film 20 minutes in and walk back in after missing an hour and you wouldn't have to ask what is going on with it. Jets fly about in jump cuts, a lot of the co-pilot looking back and shouting etc. but there isn't much sense of piecing together what is going on other than just pieces of footage edited together. The film itself is unbelievable light on any sort of detail or substance, you just go with it and don't ask any questions. Just who are they engaging with at the end ? ssshhh shut up and watch the pictures - the bad guys are the Migs OK

 

The 4K disc though is fantastic, the end sequence(s) look really really good, so if you are a fan of the film - who isn't right? - then make sure you get to see it in 4K HDR Dolby Vision - it's quite something since the VHS days!

 

2/5

 

[kthxbliz]

Top Gun: Maverick

 

i feel like this movie really did achieve what it set out to do. In many ways I think it surpassed the original. I can’t Rate it anywhere near full marks because I am someone who likes some moral and philosophical depth to movies, and I’m also someone who has a hard time suspending belief so plausibility and credibility are important factors for full immersion. As the movie got to the end, there were for sure a few moments that had me rolling

my eyes, but it didn’t stop me cheering along regardless. A solid Hollywood Action Popcorn Movie. 
 

3/5

 

Spiderhead

 

On paper, this is right up my street. I loved the concept. I’d say it had a somewhat slow initial 20 minutes or so, I wasn’t sure where it was heading. The middle section had some more promise. It teased a depth that never really materialised though. The final act and ending seemed a little forced and cliched. Very good acting performances throughout and a solid concept just somewhat lacking in execution and I was not convinced the seemingly forced attempts at humour were necessary or added much. 
 

2/5

 

 

[Stig]

On 21/06/2022 at 20:23, petrolgirls said:

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022)

 

Emma Thompson plays a retired RE teacher who's employs sex worker, Daryl McCormack, to help explore her sexuality. As her insecurities subside his emerge in a pleasingly symmetrical fashion. I won't say much more lest I spoil how it unravels but I thought it a wonderful little two-hander that explores our relationship with sex in a non-salacious and at times profound fashion. Amazing performance from Thompson, it must have taken more than a little courage to perform some of the scenes.

 

4/5

 

Watched this today and it was a delight. Funny, quirky and touching. It does a real fine job on touching on the sexuality of a woman in their later years, something that I don't think I've ever seen before in film, not to this extent anyway. Both leads have great chemistry and bounce of each other so well. Emma Thompson plays it's perfectly awkward and nervous and it had me laughing out loud on several occasions.

 

4/5

 

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe

 

4/5 exactly what I expected and plenty of laugh out loud moments.

[Bucky]

Top Gun: Maverick

 

Tom Cruise is a concern, the American military industrial complex which has killed 15m since WWII is definitely a concern, the fact that the people who voted Trump probably like this movie the most is also a bit of a worry.

 

Zero fucks given.

 

5/5.

 

[Ry]

Dr Strange and the Multiverse of Madness -3.5/5

 

Probably my favourite marvel film since Endgame. Did something a little different and had some really cool scenes and imagery. 

 

Still suffers from the stupidity of marvel superhero films in general but it was good fun. 

[Triple A]

Turning Red

 

Sensitively-told and nicely-observed coming of age story, with racial stereotypes we've come to expect from Disney and also Pixar of late, of course some amazing creative direction and animation, and a lot of fun to boot.

 

3.5

[schmojo]

Dashcam

 

From the folks behind Host is another claustrophobic horror that plays with modern media and is built for the small screen. It's good, surprisingly messy and, for better or worse, the characters will stay with you. Of course there are plot holes, but who cares?

 

3/5

 

Dr Strange and the Multiverse of Madness

 

Not actually as mad as I'd expected, though has some lovely vfx sequences. And others that looked a bit budget compared to the Marvel standard. The story was a flimsy wrapper for set pieces, some of which were cute and inventive. Some of which were boring, despite some creativity clearly being involved.

 

I don't feel like I needed to watch this one for any greater MCU significance, but it had some fun cameos.

 

2.5/5