What films are you watching?

[Saint Luke]

watched REDS the other night - never heard of it.

Was surprisingly enjoyable and amusing.

Won't win any awards but I liked it.

[dubai_phil]

Sounds pretty wack Phillip, what do you think they were smoking when they came up with it?

 

There seemed to be a lot of consumption of Booze.

 

But honestly? I don't think Pete Doherty's carry on bag could hold enough for people to get that wack.

[dubai_phil]

watched REDS the other night - never heard of it.

Was surprisingly enjoyable and amusing.

Won't win any awards but I liked it.

 

Sequel on the way. As always these days

[LVSaint]

Gravity is stunning. Saw it in 2D but imagine that 3D or better still, IMAX, would be ****ing incredible.

 

All the more enhanced by the cinema I was watching it in - electric leather recliners and beer.

 

I think I'm going to watch it again...

[bridge too far]

Oh wow! Les Miserables on TV right now. Saw it in the cinema and loved it then. Preparing to love Eddie Redmayne all over again

[Monk]

anyone seen 'The Blacklist' on Sky?

 

Very good drama.

[dubai_phil]

anyone seen 'The Blacklist' on Sky?

 

Very good drama.

 

Had great reviews before release I have it on catch up for this week.

 

Just watched a daft film with Pat Dempsey & Ashley Judd - Flypaper

 

Think of a stupid Brian Rix farce set around a bank robbery. Absolutely daft and like a good farce doesn't split your sides all the way just keeps the stupid twists coming and the smirking eventually breaks out into guffaws.

 

Have to wait a week to see Gravity Imax (hope it's still on) as way too busy this week

[Sheaf Saint]

Went to see Captain Phillips yesterday - the new Tom Hanks movie about the true story of a Somali pirate attack on an American container ship.

 

Was pretty good. Quite gripping, but ultimately a bit too real-life Team America (f*ck yeah!!!) for my liking.

[Bearsy]

the poster photo makes me laugh every time i see it

 

Edit:

 

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Tokyo-Saint]

I saw that last night on imax. Was pretty good on the big screen. The story was pretty simple so might not be so good on DVD or TV.

[Bearsy]

is it as good as the poster photo? Look out tom! Is behind you!

 

is he get raped?

[Tokyo-Saint]

I don't want to give out any spoilers bear but those Somalians give him a pretty rough ride.

[Bearsy]

i knew it! dumb somali! fortunately for tom he already got aids in philadelphia, otherwise could be lot worse

[Tokyo-Saint]

Bummin Tom is like a box of chocolates bear, your never sure what you're gonna get.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I saw Denis Villeneuve's 'Prisoners' last Saturday, and for the first time in quite awhile I emerged from the cinema perfectly content that both my money and (much more importantly) my time had been well spent.

 

Two young girls go missing together from their seemingly safe suburban Pennsylvania street, the only lead a grubby old camper van that was parked nearby. Unable to find them their panicking parents soon call on the local police department for help. Despite making a early arrest, the lead detective (the excellent Jake Gyllenhaal) rapidly finds that his investigation is starting to falter as the chief suspect gives nothing away. Not the type to stand by and wait for the state to find the children, the desperate father of one of the girls (Hugh Jackman) decides that he will stop at nothing in order to get his daughter back ... even if it means he must descend into his own personal version of Hell on Earth to do it.

 

If this sounds to you like yet another stupid 'macho' ultra violent revenge movie then think again because this is a serious film that asks its audience the kind of uncomfortable questions they'd probably rather not consider. In this case just how far would you/should you go in order to save your child? Difficult as the subject matter undoutably is I thought that Prisoners had a distinct sense of place and a kind of sparse beauty to it that is all its own.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Edited 21 October, 2013 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[pap]

I saw Denis Villeneuve's 'Prisoners' last Saturday, and for the first time in quite awhile I emerged from the cinema perfectly content that both my money and (much more importantly) my time had been well spent.

 

Two young girls go missing together from their seemingly safe suburban Pennsylvania street, the only lead a grubby old camper van that was parked nearby. Unable to find them their panicking parents soon call on the local police department for help. Despite making a early arrest, the lead detective (the excellent Jake Gyllenhaal) rapidly finds that his investigation is starting to falter as the chief suspect gives nothing away. Not the type to stand by and wait for the state to find the children, the desperate father of one of the girls (Hugh Jackman) decides that he will stop at nothing in order to get his daughter back ... even if it means he must descend into his own personal version of Hell on Earth to do it.

 

If this sounds to you like yet another stupid 'macho' ultra violent revenge movie then think again because this is a serious film that asks its audience the kind of uncomfortable questions they'd probably rather not consider. In this case just how far would you/should you go in order to save your child? Difficult as the subject matter undoutably is I thought that Prisoners had a distinct sense of place and a kind of sparse beauty to it that is all its own.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

The missus went to see this with her mate. I have been somewhat distrustful of ms pap's "crap or brilliant" movie reviewin' scale for some time. She said this was brilliant. It is good to see a positive review of this from someone who normally moans about films.

[Saint Luke]

Saw Enders Game.

Thought it was very good.

Although it will never match the book.

[CylonKing]

Watched Blackfish on Blu-ray last night. Thoroughly absorbing and compelling film about the capativity of Killer Whales in water parks like Seaworld. Extremely distressing but anyone thinking of going to places where killer whales and dolphins are kept should really watch this first.

[Batman]

watched the devil inside on sky yesterday

 

 

awful

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I saw Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey star in 'The Butler' last weekend and on the whole I was much impressed with it. Based (rather loosely I understand) on the story of a actual White House butler, Whitaker plays 'Cecil Gaines' a black man learning to survive, and eventually prosper, in what was then very much a white man's world.

 

Gaines is butler to eight presidents - from Eisenhower to Reagan - but this is not really a 'West Wing' style look at the internal workings of that remarkable building, but rather a film more interested in the wider Black civil rights struggle of the late 20th century. While Cecil works within the system in a non threatening subservient position (indeed the highest praise for a White House butler is that no one notices he is in the room) his eldest son 'Louis' (David Oyelowo) goes the other way completely and actively engages with the emerging civil rights movement of the time - much to his straight laced father's disgust. It is this question of how best black America might emerge from behind the shadow of white domination/oppression that lays at the heart of this fine movie.

 

A interesting film this that has much to say and says it well. A great script and strong performances from its ensemble cast too - especially from Whitaker and Winfrey. So I'd have thought any discerning film goer should find plenty to satisfied them here. However I must add that if you want to see this in the cinema then you better get a move on because when I went there was about half a dozen of us in there at most - all just as gray haired/balding as I am.

 

The lesson is if you want to win Oscars then make quality films like this. If you want to make money ... well you'd probably better off churning out yet more comic book adaptations that will pack the teenagers in. 'Twas ever thus I suppose.

 

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I mixed in (somewhat uncomfortably I must admit) with the teenagers today and saw 'Catching Fire' - the latest installment of what is rapidly becoming Hollywood's new 'The Hunger Games' franchise. Although the Iron Law of diminishing returns applies to a degree, to be fair to it this sequel is not a bad film by any means. But why the lovely Katniss should be so determined that no harm should come to Peeta remains a bit of a mystery because let's face it, he's a bit of a dope isn't he?

 

A more substantial criticism is that this decent film could have been a rather better one had at least 15 minutes been edited out of the first hour.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keT5CRhhy84

Edited 30 November, 2013 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[Tokyo-Saint]

Saw Gravity yesterday in Imax, 3D spaceship simulator etc. Was ok. Not much of a story but like a flight simulator, was ok for an experience.

 

Done space travel now, on to time travel.

[SuperMikey]

Saw Gravity yesterday in Imax, 3D spaceship simulator etc. Was ok. Not much of a story but like a flight simulator, was ok for an experience.

 

Done space travel now, on to time travel.

 

I just watched Gravity on a sh!tty DVD Rip copy on my laptop, and I thought it was incredible. Like you say, not so much on the plot, but for sheer suspense and in a setting that felt so real but yet so alien at the same time. For me it had that same feeling of playing a computer game, probably due to the amount of POV shots that Cuaron included like he did in Children of Men. Absolutely loved it - especially that first 30 minutes. Stunning!

[dubai_phil]

OK, so have decided that the best movie shown on TV here this year award goes to...........

 

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

 

Totally bonkers and totally lovable.

[LVSaint]

I just watched Gravity on a sh!tty DVD Rip copy on my laptop, and I thought it was incredible. Like you say, not so much on the plot, but for sheer suspense and in a setting that felt so real but yet so alien at the same time. For me it had that same feeling of playing a computer game, probably due to the amount of POV shots that Cuaron included like he did in Children of Men. Absolutely loved it - especially that first 30 minutes. Stunning!

 

I can't imagine watching it on a laptop. Needs a massive screen.

 

 

Hobbit Smaug is a great improvement on the first part involving better characters and locations and is all round less 'muppety'. Thankfully Orlando bloom is kept to a minimum too.

 

 

A Hijacking Danish attempt at 'Capt Philips' using real hijacked ship and captives as actors.

Brilliant drama, gritty, not a trace of Hollywood in this.

[View From The Top]

Just watched The Hunger Games. I really enjoyed it and will be off to see the 2nd one over the holidays.

[Convict Colony]

Gravity was wicked, waiting for Rush to come out on iTunes along with 12 years a slave

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2

[SuperMikey]

I can't imagine watching it on a laptop. Needs a massive screen.

 

 

Hobbit Smaug is a great improvement on the first part involving better characters and locations and is all round less 'muppety'. Thankfully Orlando bloom is kept to a minimum too.

 

Thinking of going to catch Gravity in 3D before it's out of the cinema, but i've seen it 3 times already now..haha.

 

Saw the second instalment of the Hobbit films the other day as well, loved it. Big LOTR fan and this one definitely had more of a feel of the original trilogy about it. Have to say that I didn't like Tauriel or Legolas though, they were a little bit too good at what they do. Really looking forward to the 3rd one now, and hope they make more films from that universe in the future.

[RonManager]

Just watched The Hunger Games. I really enjoyed it and will be off to see the 2nd one over the holidays.

 

Have you seen the low budget, cult Japanese movie 'Battle Royale', on which Hunger Games is based?

[pap]

Have you seen the low budget, cult Japanese movie 'Battle Royale', on which Hunger Games is based?

 

A big +1 on this.

 

Similar theme in the first movie certainly, and much much more graphic. A masterpiece, imo.

[dubai_phil]

Gravity was wicked, waiting for Rush to come out on iTunes along with 12 years a slave

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2

 

Have to agree on that. finally saw it (but not in 3D) this week.

[Whitey Grandad]

I'm still waiting for Groundhog Day 2.

[RonManager]

A big +1 on this.

 

Similar theme in the first movie certainly, and much much more graphic. A masterpiece, imo.

 

I haven't yet seen the sequel, Battle Royale 2, (might have a look on You Tube for it later). Not sure if HG2 is based on this film.

[dubai_phil]

I'm still waiting for Groundhog Day 2.

 

Think Trousers is writing the script, something to do with a Football Club Takeover

[SuperMikey]

I've not seen the Hunger Games films, but I have read the first book. As a big fan of Battle Royale (films and original book) it was very easy for me to dismiss the Hunger Games as copycat sh!te. I suggest that you all do the same.

[RonManager]

I've not seen the Hunger Games films, but I have read the first book. As a big fan of Battle Royale (films and original book) it was very easy for me to dismiss the Hunger Games as copycat sh!te. I suggest that you all do the same.

 

As far as re-makes go, I would have loved to have seen what Tarantino would do with Battle Royale.

[SuperMikey]

As far as re-makes go, I would have loved to have seen what Tarantino would do with Battle Royale.

 

I would love that too, the only issue is that he said it's his favourite film and doesn't need remaking. Would be f*cking great though.

[pap]

I've not seen the Hunger Games films, but I have read the first book. As a big fan of Battle Royale (films and original book) it was very easy for me to dismiss the Hunger Games as copycat sh!te. I suggest that you all do the same.

 

You'll be proud of me, Super Michael. I've spent the last couple of years saying the same thing to my Hunger Games-obsessed kids.

 

They claim that the stories do diverge massively eventually, but I can't help wondering if it's the same b*llocks as Harry Potter ( use an event, like going to Hogwarts, as the structural basis for every novel ). Don't think it was ever based on BR, btw. Just ripped bits of it off wholesale.

[SuperMikey]

You'll be proud of me, Super Michael. I've spent the last couple of years saying the same thing to my Hunger Games-obsessed kids.

 

They claim that the stories do diverge massively eventually, but I can't help wondering if it's the same b*llocks as Harry Potter ( use an event, like going to Hogwarts, as the structural basis for every novel ). Don't think it was ever based on BR, btw. Just ripped bits of it off wholesale.

 

The more I learn about your kids Pap, the less I respect them

 

I can understand stuff being influenced by BR - it's a big cult favourite which marked a bit of a turn in cinema, but there are some parts that are lifted straight from the book...

[pap]

The more I learn about your kids Pap, the less I respect them

 

I can understand stuff being influenced by BR - it's a big cult favourite which marked a bit of a turn in cinema, but there are some parts that are lifted straight from the book...

 

To be fair, the eldest has pretty decent taste. The youngest has been something of a black sheep when it comes to music, but even she is starting to favour credible bands (the 1D phase was awful).

 

Tarantino should have remade it, but I guess the opportunity is lost now. S'alright with me. He's made some pretty cool stuff anyway.

[Jonnyboy]

The more I learn about your kids Pap, the less I respect them

 

I can understand stuff being influenced by BR - it's a big cult favourite which marked a bit of a turn in cinema, but there are some parts that are lifted straight from the book...

 

There's a Battle Royale book?

[View From The Top]

Have you seen the low budget, cult Japanese movie 'Battle Royale', on which Hunger Games is based?

 

Just downloaded it. Will be watching it later.

[Jonnyboy]

Watched gravity in 3d at odeon imax the other day. Surprisingly we were the only ones in there.

Bloody awesome visuals. Felt like you were up there with them.

 

Watched 3 gruesome films in a row the last 3 nights:

Maniac remake with Frodo - pretty poor apart from the boobs and scalpings.

Devils Rejects from rob zombie - pretty awesome characters with really unsettling violence, plus boobs and blood. Robs wife is hot.

The Raid I'd never heard of, amazingly violent bloody kung fu. A bit like the recent Dredd film.

[SuperMikey]

There's a Battle Royale book?

 

There is a book, it's highly recommended. Delves into more of the "message" behind the story.

[pap]

Just back from watching The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug. I was one of the people who didn't see how Peter Jackson was going to get three films worth of material out of what is a fairly short book, but having seen two parts of the trilogy, am now fully convinced that the whole enterprise will be worthwhile. As the title suggests, the movie's focus is on Smaug, the Cumberbatch-voiced dragon lurking in the bowels of the Lonely Mountain. You get to see the nasty things he's done, the fear he inspires in the locals and the mess he's made of the derelict dwarven kingdom. The VFX for Smaug are excellent, btw. Easily the most impressive winged serpent put on the screen, simultaneously craggy and volcanic. There's also enough filtering on Smaug's voice to allow the actor to be hidden but for the performance to come through.

 

The pace of the movie will be a relief to anyone bored of the long scenes from the first movie. There are no dwarven songs to be had here. Like the first movie, much of the structure is provided by pursuit. The company is chased throughout the movie by one group or another (mostly orcs), which keeps things moving. The barrel-borne escape from the palace of the woodland elves is particularly diverting, at times feeling like a breakneck fairground ride.

 

The performances are very good; no bum notes to be had from anyone, although Legolas doesn't have too much to say and comes across as a bit of a d!ck. Tauriel would be the big change in the movie. She doesn't appear in any of the books, but was introduced to the movies to balance up a very male cast. She is played by Evangeline Lilly, a.k.a. Kate from LOST. If Peter Jackson plans on padding the Hobbit out by casting Evangeline Lilly, I've no complaints, especially as she seems to fancy dwarfs.

 

Looking forward to the conclusion.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I took the kids to see the new film version of 'Walking with Dinosaurs' the other day, and was mildly amused by it. Although co-produced by our very own BBC this is in reality very much a Hollywood film that shifts the emphasis away from the beebs somewhat pseudo scientific/educational approach on TV, towards a schmaltzy entertainment focused kids film.

 

The plot (such as it is) won't stretch the imagination of even the younger kids all the much, indeed it can be summed as yet another variation on the 'little guy overcomes and gets the girl' theme familiar to all. But if you are looking for something visually impressive that will keep the little ones occupied for a hour or so then (within its self imposed limitations) it was not too bad.

 

Also available in 3D for those with more money than sense.

[RonManager]

Watched Trollhunter last night. Entertaining and I find myself, as with Cloverfield, coming down fairly and squarely on the side of the 'monsters'.

 

Stupid f*cking humans.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Just watched Up with the gf.

 

I have seen it before, but what a gorgeous story that is.

 

The guys and girls at Pixar are really bloody brilliant. Would love to be that talented.

[iansums]

Just watched Cloud Atlas, I'd never heard of it before but wow, what a great film.

[Batman]

Just seen hobbit 2

 

Was good, definitely worth while making this into 3 films. Otherwise much of the dragon, elvish scenes would have to have been cut

 

The story also carries in small parts to set up LOTR trilogy with a brief discovery of sauron

 

No doubt, more will be played on the ring and maybe shmegal may make another appearance in the final film