Film Thread (What have you been watching?)

[StandOffHalf]

Libahunt / Werewolf (1968, Leida Laius)

The rustic traditions of the Estonian countryside make for a film portrait of social morés and ways of life that proves sharply distinctive.

 

The non-linear structure of the 1912 play is utilised by Laius and adds an uneasy edge of jealousy and divided loyalty, with the spectre of the past witch-burning hanging over a new generation. The discordant sounds and jolts of the soundtrack make one feel uncomfortable, despite the tale's picturesque setting.

 

A wonderfully observed folklore horror from Estonia; Leida Laius was such an interesting film-maker.

 

9/10

Edited October 9, 2024 by StandOffHalf

[StandOffHalf]

Medved / The Bear (1938, Isidor Annensky)

A delightful moyen métrage from Annensky for Belgoskino.

Pushkin's one-act farce is played with gusto by Zharov as the boorish interloper & Androvskaya as the still-grieving widow. Their characters bounce off one another and make for an exaggerated comedy of opposites.

This bear of a man sweeps through the widow's house with a self-importance, breaking things and scoffing her food and drink. In some ways it is a work of caricature, but it is delivered with a chaotic rambunctiousness of disruption that makes one laugh at them coming to loggerheads.

A thoroughly enjoyable little entertainment.

8.5/10

[ivans82]

Lady in the Van again , Maggie Smith  and British film making at its best .

[Futtocks]

Kevin Smith’s celebrated 1999 comedy, Dogma, will soon be re-released in theaters and made available on streaming for the first time, now that the director has finally secured the rights to the film after its one-time owner, Harvey Weinstein, held it “hostage” for years.

https://consequence.net/2024/10/kevin-smith-dogma-return-theaters-streaming/

Very good news!

[Bedford Roughyed]

The Batman - Wasn't sure it needed another reimagining (probably doesn't) but I really enjoyed this take on it.  Dark and moody, detective noir feel..  To be honest I only watched as I wanted to see the Penguin, so wanted the back story.

Brothers - Enjoyable if predictable crime caper.  Dinklidge is great and Fraser turns it up to 11 (bit too over the top).

[Futtocks]

I don't think I've shared this link before. Plenty of interesting obscurities, from trashy to arty to historic to golden age Hollywood.

The Cave of Forgotten Films: https://rarefilmm.com 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

I think I've mentioned on here before that my biggest obsession in the world is Wallace & Gromit and that I actually collect Wallace & Gromit memorabilia, well I can't emphasise how excited I am for Christmas Day and the release of Vengeance Most Fowl.

It has had its world premiere at the AFI Fest in America and the initial reviews are unbelievable. 19 reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes and it holds a score of 100%. It seems everyone is ecstatic about the return of the greatest villain in fictional history, Feathers McGraw!!  

Edited October 29, 2024 by The Hallucinating Goose

[Gerrumonside ref]

27 minutes ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

I think I've mentioned on here before that my biggest obsession in the world is Wallace & Gromit and that I actually collect Wallace & Gromit memorabilia, well I can't emphasise how excited I am for Christmas Day and the release of Vengeance Most Fowl.

It has had its world premiere at the AFI Fest in America and the initial reviews are unbelievable. 19 reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes and it holds a score of 100%. It seems everyone is ecstatic about the return of the greatest villain in fictional history, Feathers McGraw!!  

I think I’d like to see this film, the latest Minions contained effort and Dreamworks, ‘The Wild Robot’ over the Christmas period the most so far.

[Futtocks]

7 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I think I’d like to see this film, the latest Minions contained effort and Dreamworks, ‘The Wild Robot’ over the Christmas period the most so far.

I've heard good things about the latter.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

7 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I think I’d like to see this film, the latest Minions contained effort and Dreamworks, ‘The Wild Robot’ over the Christmas period the most so far.

I'm looking forward to Paddington in Peru as well.

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

I've heard good things about the latter.

Yes me too, the reviews have been very positive and I like to keep things light but heartwarming during Christmas.

[Gerrumonside ref]

48 minutes ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

I'm looking forward to Paddington in Peru as well.

Yes, definitely.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On 29/10/2024 at 08:36, The Hallucinating Goose said:

I think I've mentioned on here before that my biggest obsession in the world is Wallace & Gromit and that I actually collect Wallace & Gromit memorabilia, well I can't emphasise how excited I am for Christmas Day and the release of Vengeance Most Fowl.

It has had its world premiere at the AFI Fest in America and the initial reviews are unbelievable. 19 reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes and it holds a score of 100%. It seems everyone is ecstatic about the return of the greatest villain in fictional history, Feathers McGraw!!  

The number of reviews is up to 26 now and the film still has 100% rating so far! 

[Father Gascoigne]

Megalopolis hits digital release on November 12. Panned by seemingly everyone, I'm very much looking forward to it. The trailer elicited intrigue, which is a rarity nowadays. 

That said the wisdom of crowds normally gets it right, so it will probably be downright awful, but it's nice to be excited about something for a change. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 hours ago, Father Gascoigne said:

Megalopolis hits digital release on November 12. Panned by seemingly everyone, I'm very much looking forward to it. The trailer elicited intrigue, which is a rarity nowadays. 

That said the wisdom of crowds normally gets it right, so it will probably be downright awful, but it's nice to be excited about something for a change. 

Is that Francis Ford Coppola’s pet project?

May as well try it if you’re a fan of his previous films?

[Father Gascoigne]

12 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Is that Francis Ford Coppola’s pet project?

May as well try it if you’re a fan of his previous films?

It is, yes. Predictably being called Megaflopolis after bombing spectacularly at the box office. 

Yeah, that's the idea I guess. Not expecting Godfather or Apocalypse Now but I'll probably enjoy it more than the average moviegoer. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

I have to say that I still prefer a well crafted, paced, written and acted film to a long running TV sagas.

I can see the advantage of TV serial format in some aspects, but I am sad to see that  it has pretty much now occupied the space that cinema once had.

I know if I’m probably just getting old and swimming against the tide here, but often I don’t want to binge watch TV or have to delve back many series to catch-up.

I’m often just looking for 1hr 30 to 2hr 30 chunks of storytelling and entertainment.

Edited October 31, 2024 by Gerrumonside ref

[Futtocks]

11 hours ago, Father Gascoigne said:

Megalopolis hits digital release on November 12. Panned by seemingly everyone, I'm very much looking forward to it. The trailer elicited intrigue, which is a rarity nowadays. 

That said the wisdom of crowds normally gets it right, so it will probably be downright awful, but it's nice to be excited about something for a change. 

I think at least it's a spectacular flop rather than a dull one.

I'm currently waiting for the UK release of Heavier Trip.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On 31/10/2024 at 08:44, The Hallucinating Goose said:

The number of reviews is up to 26 now and the film still has 100% rating so far! 

Up to 31 now and still at 100%! On Christmas Day we are going to be treated to a masterpiece. I don't think I have ever been this excited to see a new film! 

[Futtocks]

2 hours ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

Up to 31 now and still at 100%! On Christmas Day we are going to be treated to a masterpiece. I don't think I have ever been this excited to see a new film! 

Just imagine how tedious it is going to be when we get the usual "ooh, I'm so clever" contrarians kvetching about it on here, come Boxing Day.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

11 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Just imagine how tedious it is going to be when we get the usual "ooh, I'm so clever" contrarians kvetching about it on here, come Boxing Day.

I'll start practicing my best eye rolls now I guess.

[Futtocks]

Mel Brooks' Yiddish dialogue from Blazing Saddles, translated.

 

[Stirlin]

Father Stu , starring Mark Wahlberg . True story of former amateur boxer turned priest , a good watch spoilt by too many sections of the film recorded in mumblevision.

[ivans82]

On 11/11/2024 at 19:10, Stirlin said:

Father Stu , starring Mark Wahlberg . True story of former amateur boxer turned priest , a good watch spoilt by too many sections of the film recorded in mumblevision.

Find i have to watch a lot of films these days with subtitles on  .  Either talk to fast or as you say just mumble  .  Bradley Cooper being the worst culprit .

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Last night I was struggling to find something to watch so went on iplayer and picked a random film, said film being The Phantom of the Open, which is a biopic of the worst golfer in history.

I know very little about golf and I have very little interest in golf but I really liked this film! Mark Rylance was brilliant in the main role and the biopic was portrayed in a comedic fashion which put a big smile in my face and kept me very engrossed. 

I highly recommend this film, as I say it's on iplayer.