Movies you're watching

[Zloth]

Note how the 'great video game crash' did diddly squat to the PC. But afterwards, the consoles came roaring back and lots of our developers jumped ship for consoles. That was an awful time. It really looked like PC Gaming was going to die.

Anyway, back to movies. All this Monkey King talk reminded me of a couple of fun movies, both "comedies with a heart" style:

View: https://youtu.be/CmKrgPr7PA8?si=RomWhNcABpvlU8y3

No Monkey King until the last quarter of the story. Stephen Chow (as in Kung Fu Hussle, which you must see if you haven't already) does superb work, though, and we get to see plenty of demon hunting and shenanigans.

View: https://youtu.be/eavqL7wtA-Q?si=xTj7a4siXPP_6PFL

Immortal Demon Slayer (though it might have other names in other nations). This clip comes from early in the movie up in Heaven, with a bunch of gods-in-training. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll fist-pump, then you'll have to go put the new Wu Kong game on your wish list.

 

[Colif]

That doesn't challenge my statement. there was a contraction in the market just before Mario that was result of ET. So really, it wasn't a new start just like there could be evidence the Big Bang wasn't the start either.

I don't see movies exploding in the same way. They at end of run, not being reborn... more remaking same movies over and over... hello Disney... But Disney pushing out crap now for copyright reasons, not to actually make a profit on them. Asset retention seems to make me think they want to be bought out... oh yeah, Apple. They not worth a lot without all those historic characters made by the talented people who once worked there.

The first Borderlands game was released in 2009. The movie, that is roughly based on this game, is released 25 years later... Um, it should have come out long ago. Doom movie might work as there are way more people on earth that know that game, but Borederlands? (intentional typo) was losing steam 6 years ago. and was never really big like Doom.
Its a dead movie based on a mostly dead franchise. They should have made a new game to base movie off. Tie it to something relevant.

 

[ZedClampet]

That doesn't challenge my statement. there was a contraction in the market just before Mario that was result of ET. So really, it wasn't a new start just like there could be evidence the Big Bang wasn't the start either.

I don't see movies exploding in the same way. They at end of run, not being reborn... more remaking same movies over and over... hello Disney... But Disney pushing out crap now for copyright reasons, not to actually make a profit on them. Asset retention seems to make me think they want to be bought out... oh yeah, Apple. They not worth a lot without all those historic characters made by the talented people who once worked there.

The first Borderlands game was released in 2009. The movie, that is roughly based on this game, is released 25 years later... Um, it should have come out long ago. Doom movie might work as there are way more people on earth that know that game, but Borederlands? (intentional typo) was losing steam 6 years ago. and was never really big like Doom.
Its a dead movie based on a mostly dead franchise. They should have made a new game to base movie off. Tie it to something relevant.

Doom 3 is the only one that should be made into a movie. Of course, Hollywood would just screw it up.

My dad and brother are still going to superhero movies even though they complain about them and say they are terrible.

Last movie I saw in the theater was Jurassic Park World. The dialogue was embarrassing and the plot was predictable, but I pretended to like it for my kids' sake.

Hollywood blockbusters are where Japan got their horrible dialogue for the early Resident Evil games and the ongoing horror that is Final Fantasy, so even though I don't go to movies anymore, they've still managed to make a part of my hobby miserable. At least Capcom figured out that they needed to get rid of the campy dialogue in everything but Monster Hunter. Square just keeps on going.

I recorded a bit one time when Geralt was being added to a Monster Hunter game. I do a very good Geralt imitation. Anyway, I had a few lines of Monster Hunter's atrocious dialogue from their narcissistic characters and had Geralt say, "Say that one more time..." I can't imagine Geralt putting up with those clowns.

 

[Brian Boru]

That doesn't challenge my statement

Wasn't intended to, rather supporting it

I don't see movies exploding in the same way

Agreed, I get far more enjoyment from shorts these days, eg Omeleto on YT. Last time I was in cinema was probably for a Harry Potter in 00s—ex at time was a huge fan, we also queued at midnight at B&N for one of the hardback releases

I do a very good Geralt imitation

We're selling a fine cast-iron bathtub—you collect.

 

[Colif]

Agreed, I get far more enjoyment from shorts these days, eg Omeleto on YT. Last time I was in cinema was probably for a Harry Potter in 00s—ex at time was a huge fan, we also queued at midnight at B&N for one of the hardback releases

The last movie I saw was the first South Park movie. I wasn't expecting a musical and I really didn't enjoy it. I haven't bothered going to any movies since. I don't feel I have missed a lot. I have watched Wall E a few times on DVD since or did when I had a Blue Ray drive in PC.
I mainly watch reviews of movies now... its easier than watching them. Cheaper too.
I only watch Youtube now. I haven't had a TV plugged in, in my room, for at least 9 years now. I won't learn anything watching it... there is still a chance on Youtube.

 

[Colif]

Timing... um, why wasn't Borderlands movie tied into release of

it sure didn't exist to drum up hype lol

 

[Frindis]

With Randy Pitchford gone from the game development side of Gearbox Entertainment, we might actually see a good Borderlands game again.

 

[red_5ive]

With Randy Pitchford gone from the game development side of Gearbox Entertainment, we might actually see a good Borderlands game again.

3 wasn't bad, but I still love 2 the most. But that weird-floaty-space-crap one was just...

weird-floaty-space-crap.

 

[Frindis]

I watched Pearl [2022] directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth (Pearl), David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, and Matthew Sunderland...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5PW5r3pEOg

The movie is about Pearl, a young woman from a farm who is going bonkers and looking for a future as a dancer. What I love the most about the movie and something that you do not see much in similar movies is how Pearl has some wicked monologs. I'm talking monologues that will put Patric Bateman to shame. The ending is superbly made and it will make you feel uncomfortable.

The character build of Pearl is also well done. She starts quite innocent with normal teen problems like strict parents and wanting to be someplace else and then slowly but steadily it evolves into something quite sinister. There is also this well-written family drama with the mother of Pearl wanting her to grow up, stay at the farm, and help her sick father, while Pearl feels like her youth and future are being ripped to shreds by not getting anywhere in life. The interaction between Pearl and her mother plays a little with the moral etiquette and it wants you to take sides at times, which I liked.

I gave It a 9/10 and the only thing that made it slightly worse is that Pearl's mother talked with a very strange-sounding German accent which could have been easily avoided.

 

[McStabStab]

I watched Pearl [2022] directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth (Pearl), David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, and Matthew Sunderland...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5PW5r3pEOg

The movie is about Pearl, a young woman from a farm who is going bonkers and looking for a future as a dancer. What I love the most about the movie and something that you do not see much in similar movies is how Pearl has some wicked monologs. I'm talking monologues that will put Patric Bateman to shame. The ending is superbly made and it will make you feel uncomfortable.

The character build of Pearl is also well done. She starts quite innocent with normal teen problems like strict parents and wanting to be someplace else and then slowly but steadily it evolves into something quite sinister. There is also this well-written family drama with the mother of Pearl wanting her to grow up, stay at the farm, and help her sick father, while Pearl feels like her youth and future are being ripped to shreds by not getting anywhere in life. The interaction between Pearl and her mother plays a little with the moral etiquette and it wants you to take sides at times, which I liked.

I gave It a 9/10 and the only thing that made it slightly worse is that Pearl's mother talked with a very strange-sounding German accent which could have been easily avoided.

Did you watch X? This was a prequel to X so you could watch them in chronological order at this point. Release order is X, Pearl, MaXXXine, but chronologically Pearl, X, MaXXXine.

 

[Frindis]

Did you watch X? This was a prequel to X so you could watch them in chronological order at this point. Release order is X, Pearl, MaXXXine, but chronologically Pearl, X, MaXXXine.

I did not know about there being more so that is a pleasant surprise

 

[Frindis]

Longlegs (2024). Directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood...

The movie occasionally has that Silence of the Lambs vibe (which was a very good thriller) and a touch of the Hereditary/Annabell with its occult focus. The camera work and sound are pretty decent, I liked how they used a Polaroid framing when doing flashback and then slowly extending the frame when taking it back to modern times.

The plot unfortunately a bit lackluster as It switches between being a little scary and then it switches back to Nicolas Cage (playing the bad guy) doing his screaming job. At least Cage looks cool in the movie, I think they nailed his creepy persona, but they didn't nail making him really, really scary.

When Cage uses his eyes and with as little as possible facial expression, you see the evil seeping through in the picture. If they only worked with Cage on this, making him more silent (like that is going to happen), I think they could have at least nailed his persona for the movie.

The other part is that the plot starts interesting and slightly scary. It has that slow buildup that I can appreciate, but the brilliant twists and turns just never happen. By the end, I got a little fed up because the movie had so much potential that unfortunately got destroyed by a sloppy mid/ending.

6/10

 

[McStabStab]

On my flight last week I put on The Zone of Interest (2023). I did not know much about it besides it winning two Academy Awards and that it was the story of a family living on the wall of Auschwitz during the second world war.

The film was incredible, the sound design and score were haunting, and as a whole I think this is a more effective film on the subject matter than Schindler's List (1993). When in high school I remember watching Schindler's List as part of the curriculum, and the film certainly exposes you to the capacity of humanity's cruelty, doing so by showing almost every gruesome detail. The Zone of Interest provides a voyeuristic (literally, cameras were hidden in the home for a more candid filming approach) look into the lives of people who are wanting to build a loving home and give the best life to their children. It makes the family relatable. They don't appear as monsters. They share wants, needs, and anxieties as all of us do... even as there is the backdrop of genocide just on the other side of the fence.

View: https://youtu.be/GFNtVaAuVYY?si=z6gWTxjiOi-nEo_f

 

[Otto Levin]

I'm a big fan of life-affirming movies and TV shows like "Ted Lasso" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". I recommend watching them in autumn especially to deal with melancholy

 

[Dead2009]

I watched both Beetlejuice movies this weekend and I prefer the original to the new one. The new one felt long and even though it had more Beetlejuice actually in it, he was more monotone than usual. He didnt really flip out like he did in the first one.

 

[ninja_gaydad]

I'm new to this forum and I don't know what you guys go for but I'm addicted to watching Steven Seagal films. I'm still only half way through this monstrosity and I've been trying all weekend.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3AM65xZCk&t=297s

 

[Brian Boru]

I'm addicted to watching Steven Seagal films

You might enjoy some of these too.

Altho Steven's earlier ones were okay if I recall correctly.

 

[Johnway]

A rare occurance , i had a movie i wanted to watch. This time its ridley scotts The Last Duel (2021) . The story is simple enough, Sir Jean de Carrouges (played by matt damon) challenges former friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) to a duel to the death after the latter is accused of raping Jean de Carrouges wife (Marguerite de Carrouges, played by Jodie Comer).


Whilst the story isn't exactly complicated, the build up to the fight shows how 2 former friends become bitter hated rivals that end in bloodshed. We get to see the story from all sides filling in the gaps to each others story but more interestingly, their version of events as they embellish and omit actions to put themselves in a better light. Events aren't exactly black and white with an obvious good/bad element, but there is no mistaking what happens and Jean de Carrouges is more then justified in being already angry from prior events, even if he is not the saint that he thinks he is. Jacques Le Gris himself, whilst appearing to be the voice of reason, preparing to calm Jean, is sly, manipulative, more often then not self serving.

The fight scenes are brutal and exciting affairs as there is a strong sense of realism and impact to blows etc and the last fight is a real highlight as they slug it out.

The one disappointment is perhaps the last few minutes to wrap up the story. its a happy ending of sorts, but there is no real happy to it. It also ends with a blurb of text as to what happened to the de Carrouges and thats it.

So... is it worth a watch? i say its a enjoyable move. it maybe a bit repetitive, but compelling all the same.

 

[Johnway]

i remembered that i had watched a movie and it was Bob's Burgers the movie (2022) based on the same animated show. The belchers are short of money to pay their next installment of a loan. Things go from bad to worse when a water main explodes in front of their restaurant preventing business.

The movie covers several storylines. First concern the belchers trying the get the much needed money to survive. The second concerns louise's courage being put into question leading to her to descend the hole in front of the restaurant. It leads to the 3rd storyline relating to the murder mystery and whodunnit.


I like the show and its just an 1hr 30min version of the show. Which is good. The thing that stands out for me is perhaps the movie having an upgrade to visuals. CGs and more significantly, shading. Its a bit different and takes some getting use to.

Would i recommend it? if you like the bobs burger show, you'll like the movie. it certainly not a disappoint or a sell out compared to the simpson's movie anyway.

 

[Johnway]

I seem to be on a roll when it comes to watching movies. This time i saw a rather special movie called Threads (1984) . Set during the 80s and set during a nuclear war. Apparently it has only been shown a handful of times (like 4 or 5 times) because of how graphic and horrific the movie is. Having finished watching it, i agree, its a more informative / plausible outcome when it comes to the aftermath of a nuclear war and its no less relevant today.

The story does revolve around a set of people, but besides the mother, everyone else is either killed off quickly, covered in grim and unrecognizable and killed off later. The events are just one horror after another that kills millions of people back to medieval levels of population. if the Nuclear explosion didn't kill you, the radiation poisoning, the hunger, disease, cold weather or fellow man will. The story focuses mainly the first year of the nuclear war but does highlight the effects decades later; britain is still every bit a wasteland with no functioning government, services, industry, education etc. people slowly devolve back to savages essentially. The movie does end suddenly, but then there's very little to say by that point.

So should you watch it? As a story etc its aged poorly, but as some sort of informative mockumentary on the effects of nuclear war? its worth a look if you're into that thing.

 

[dianaadrr]

I like to watch comedies, especially about students, such as "American Pie" all parts

 

[Johnway]

Just finshed watching high-rise (2016) a movie adaption of the book by J.G. Ballard.

Set in the 70's Laing moves into a recently built block of flats. The block of flats was designed in such a way that it mirrored society life outside. Complete with amenities like supermarkets, gym, a school, pool etc, but with it also the class system. The poorer people living at the bottom and the rich on the top. But regardless, people on the whole seem to like it and soon people find no reason to leave the block itself as they have everything they need in easy reach.

Tensions simmer as class divides and discrimination carry over from the outside world. The rich push their entitlements, restricting facilities (meant for all) and generally lording it over other people. Things finally boil over when a rolling blackout begins the descent into madness. At first, people dance the night away in a drug and alcohol fueled orgy, but when resources at the block of flats start to dwindle and the facilities begin to fail (power, sanitation, food etc) society collapses to violence, tribalism, savagery, class wars and mob mentality. Laing himself, watches and experiences it all throughout from start to finish.


Whilst i found the acting top notch, i'm not entirely sure the story translates all that well to movie. It all feels like some 15 minute conspiracists wet dream, i mean, if i had all the services i want close by i would still want to have a car to travel further then 15 minutes and/or still find reason to go outside and see the world. it just seems weird that the flat is just cut off from society, what happened to the food supplies? what happened to deliveries etc? how is santiation managed after dumping stuff down a chute? Is the food made on site and trash burned? Why is this never mentioned? if things are so bad why don't they just go outside to buy some? or better yet just leave? why would they stop leaving for work?. I suppose in our modern online society, this wouldn't be a problem.

I suppose the best way to treat it is "what if" scenario, but again its more a worst case scenario of a bygone age.

Would i recommend a watch? if you don't think too hard about it, its not bad. Again, the acting performance is well done the story doesn't feel like its working. i would probably need to get the book and understand it.

 

[Brian Boru]

J.G. Ballard

I've never read or watched any of his work because…

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ballardian

…it sounds like you got what was intended:

"dystopian modernity, bleak artificial landscapes, and the psychological effects of technological, social, or environmental developments"

 

[Johnway]

I've never read or watched any of his work because…

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ballardian

…it sounds like you got what was intended:

"dystopian modernity, bleak artificial landscapes, and the psychological effects of technological, social, or environmental developments"

I've had a quick glance at a list of some of his work on wikipedia. i suppose there is nothing wrong with a dystopia setting, but if we're talking about the gradual collapse of society, i feel it does need some plausible explanations as to how it came about. The closest i could think of Rapture in Bioshock (yes ayn rand etc) with social inequality, trapped in an environment with no real escape, an addictive substance that warps peoples bodies, gradual poor maintenance leading to the fall of rapture. But considering the movie was set on the outskirts of the london in the 70s, i think its missing elements, hell it almost borders on satire. Might have worked better on a space station or something.

 

[red_5ive]

Seems like the perfect day to watch this one.

One of my all time favorite films, and one of the best from the Wachowski's. Themes/ideologies are still relevant today (perhaps even more-so), although I don't necessarily agree with all of it. Regardless, it's an outstanding film. And oh, it has some great action, too. 9/10

Spoiler

And yes, I still buy disc media. I didn't assemble an 11-channel home theater with 2200W RMS (all channels driven) of dedicated amplification (3700W RMS if I count my subs), only to relegate it to lower bitrate streaming audio.