Salem's Lot remake tonight. Loved the original so hard not to compare. Enjoyed it but felt it crammed in the storyline in 2 hours unlike the 2 parter in the 70s which was double the length. Solid vampire fayre, and not too much cgi.
Also went to the London Film Festival on Sunday at the ICA,
Harvest- 5.5/10
Parts of it I really enjoyed and had some good ideas, but at times it seemed to have random violence for the sake of it that didn't add much. It was confusing to follow what the story was trying to convey. It was OK.
Salem's Lot remake tonight. Loved the original so hard not to compare. Enjoyed it but felt it crammed in the storyline in 2 hours unlike the 2 parter in the 70s which was double the length. Solid vampire fayre, and not too much cgi.
I have a problem with Joker 2. I thought the first film was brilliant. An act of genius. So I was really looking forward to the sequel. But having read reviews I don't feel I want to go. Even if it is ok, I don't want it detracting from the original. Can somebody reassure me it is worth going to see it?
I have a problem with Joker 2. I thought the first film was brilliant. An act of genius. So I was really looking forward to the sequel. But having read reviews I don't feel I want to go. Even if it is ok, I don't want it detracting from the original. Can somebody reassure me it is worth going to see it?
Yep thought it was ok. Doesn’t change the first film.
As I understand it film distributors play down the ‘musical’ element of any new film however well done so as not to turn audiences off.
Not much else on at the cinema currently and worth a watch.
Separately I’m looking forward to ‘The Apprentice’ this week which I understand Trump tried to block / ban.
Salem's Lot remake tonight. Loved the original so hard not to compare. Enjoyed it but felt it crammed in the storyline in 2 hours unlike the 2 parter in the 70s which was double the length. Solid vampire fayre, and not too much cgi.
I have a problem with Joker 2. I thought the first film was brilliant. An act of genius. So I was really looking forward to the sequel. But having read reviews I don't feel I want to go. Even if it is ok, I don't want it detracting from the original. Can somebody reassure me it is worth going to see it?
It is absolute crap, one of the worst films I’ve paid to see (as I’ve already said).
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen In years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen I years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
The cinematography and music are incredible in this film. Very Tarantino and both the lead actors excel.
The script seemed to trail off near towards the end, but still enjoyable.
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen In years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
Really looking forward to seeing this, where did you watch it?
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen In years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
Really looking forward to seeing this, where did you watch it?
I watched it in the Canary Islands . Just been travelling back today
I've seen a glut of films in last 2 weeks at the cinema most at London Film Festival
Joker 2... was that a bad joke? Todd Phillips a director allowed to do what he wants like Christopher Nolan they hit the heights then no one has the balls to say it ain't that good, edit or come up with a better idea. Real Shame as Phoenix is a brilliant actor but what a terrible singer
The Outrun - superb brilliant film, really powerful performance by Saoirse Una Ronan, at times brutally hard to watch as it about alcoholism. Its set on the bleak Orkney Islands a bleak but strangely uplifting film, came out of Ritzy, Brixton blown away by 2 hrs spent watching The Outrun
Endurance - saw the premiere at RFH at LFF - took my daughter who was in tears at the end. Film about sir Ernest Shackleton how he kept his crew of 27 men alive for over a year despite the loss of their ship Over a century later, a team of modern-day explorers sets out to find the sunken ship. superb re-construction seq's blended into original footage & filmmakers took some of original crew's voice recordings and use A1 to generate their voices reading their diaries.
2073 - Asif Kapadia latest doc after Senna, Amy, Maradona ...2073 is an assault a film about climate change, corporate fascism, the global erosion of democracy. My son was blown away, I was left thinking were 'f**k'd"
Two which didn't click with me Pepe and Queer.
Queer was just dull, 007 was convincing as Burroughs but it dragged and director IMHO made a mistake shooting film in Southern Italy rather than Mexico where its set. Film started after intros 9.20pm, it just was dull and found Craig's performance irritating after a while. RFH was boiling not because the film was red hot but RFH A/C was bust, my wife and I took an easy decision to walk out towards the end. Craig will find it hard to move on from being Bond
Saw this at London Film Festival. Really enjoyed it, the ending was a bit weird and was slightly corny at times, but I really enjoyed it. Had a nice feel to it as a story and explores how people can go against stereotypes.
Anyone gone to see Megalopolis? Seen quite a few saying that that is super confusing and generally terrible
I love Coppola's Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now and Dracula. Apocalypse Now is mind-blowing. But his other works seem average (except The Conversation maybe). I don't have high expectations for Megalopolis but I'll definitely watch it.
Loved The Coversation, thought Godfather III was poor, Dracula OK, agree with you on the rest.
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen In years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
Really looking forward to seeing this, where did you watch it?
It will be out to digitally rent or buy in early November.
Hardly a latest film but saw Carrie again last night at the local Odeon after nearly 50 years. Worth seeing the final scenes on the big screen. Obviously I knew what to expect but the last bit still made me jump. Times have clearly changed as what was an X rated movie is now classified as a 15.
Almodovar's latest, out now. I generally find his films interesting but the quality varies.
This is his first film in English, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. It concerns a terminally ill woman who wants to manage her own death but have her friend nearby when she does it.
Its about 110 minutes, which passes easily enough but I didnt find the characters particularly engaging or sympathetic, and some of the dialogue felt a bit forced. A film considering the implications of ageing, illness and mortality is never going to be a riot, but I was glad when it ended and I could go for a Brakspears down the road. Worthy rather than enjoyable.
Almodovar's latest, out now. I generally find his films interesting but the quality varies.
This is his first film in English, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. It concerns a terminally ill woman who wants to manage her own death but have her friend nearby when she does it.
Its about 110 minutes, which passes easily enough but I didnt find the characters particularly engaging or sympathetic, and some of the dialogue felt a bit forced. A film considering the implications of ageing, illness and mortality is never going to be a riot, but I was glad when it ended and I could go for a Brakspears down the road. Worthy rather than enjoyable.
5.5/10
I'm a fan of his work generally but I found this a bit disappointing. The film is really a chamber piece featuring discussions between two intellectuals, against a backcloth of euthanasia. As you'd expect, there were decent performances from Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton but, notwithstanding its Golden Lion Award at this year’s Venice Film Festival, I felt that this was a long way short of Almodóvar’s best work.
Just watched this . One of the most intelligent serial killer movies I’ve seen In years . Brilliant performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Highly recommended
Really looking forward to seeing this, where did you watch it?
It will be out to digitally rent or buy in early November.
Our best film of the year !
@supaclive could you explain what you mean by ‘our’, please?
Almodovar's latest, out now. I generally find his films interesting but the quality varies.
This is his first film in English, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. It concerns a terminally ill woman who wants to manage her own death but have her friend nearby when she does it.
Its about 110 minutes, which passes easily enough but I didnt find the characters particularly engaging or sympathetic, and some of the dialogue felt a bit forced. A film considering the implications of ageing, illness and mortality is never going to be a riot, but I was glad when it ended and I could go for a Brakspears down the road. Worthy rather than enjoyable.
5.5/10
Two things: Ms AA thought it an interesting film was some amazing fashion.
I saw a raft of films at the London Film Festival last month. It was not, in my view, a vintage year - unlike 2023, where there were a number of films with the 'wow' factor, such as The Holdovers and The Zone of Interest. Of those I saw, these were my five favourites:
Thank You for Banking With Us (Palestine)
Under Islamic and Sharia inheritance laws, males are entitled to double the share of their female siblings in their parent’s estate. Against that backcloth, two sisters must put aside their differences and find a way to ensure they get their hands on the money their recently deceased father left in the bank, before their US-based brother - entitled to half the funds owing to his gender - finds out.
Very well written, with excellent performances from the two sisters, whose repartee was a real feature of the film. Some nice touches of humour and a story and which held the interest throughout.
I’m Still Here (Brazil)
A powerful depiction of life under the Brazilian military junta in 1970 and the impact of ‘the disappeared’ on their families. At 2 hours 17 minutes, it could perhaps have been edited down a shade but this is a serious film of real depth from Walter Salles, the director who gave us Central Station and The Motorbike Diaries. I think it is likely to be nominated for the Best International Feature Oscar.
It's UK release date is 7 February 2025.
Three Kilometres to the End of the World (Romania)
A very well constructed drama and a window into a homophobic rural village in Romania. Institutional corruption is a very familiar theme in Romanian films but it was very well portrayed here.
The film is Romania’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.
Hard Truths (UK)
An uncompromising but compassionate ensemble drama about a black British family in South London and the thorny familial ties that bind us. It’s Mike Leigh’s first film set in contemporary times since the 2010 classic Another Year and reunites him with Marianne Jean-Baptiste for the first time since the multiple Oscar-nominated Secrets and Lies.
I found it a very intelligent and interesting film, dealing with the anguish of the central character - a woman at war with the world - and its impact upon her family. The flashes of humour and the humanity of the characters prevented the film from becoming too downbeat and one dimensional.
Its UK release date is 31 January 2025.
Joy (UK)
The true story of three British pioneers who challenged societal norms and defied the odds to realise the world’s first IVF baby. Working principally in a hospital in Oldham, they faced the rancour of the Church, the medical and the political establishment, who saw their work as an aberration.
An important story that deserves to be told. Excellent performances, especially from Thomasin Mackenzie, and some nice moments of humour. A really nice film which far exceeded my expectations. A Netflix production.
Its UK release is later this month on 22 November and I believe it is due to appear on Netflix at the same time.
Finally saw Joker 2 last night. Finding it really hard to explain my reaction to it, especially after a lot of what I've read about it. I've read that writer/ director Todd Phillips intentionally made a terrible film. That it's a total 'fuck you' to comic book fans. And that it's better than the original.
I do think the fuss over the original was a bit much. It's basically a remake of King of Comedy, and while I found it interesting I never felt like watching it a second time.
This film is a good continuation of the lead character's story but it steers away from being the origin story that the first one seemed to be, and in doing so has increased my appreciation of the first film. I don't think Phillips was every particularly interested in telling a comic book story. It's kind of comic book adjacent. And I don't think I understood that with the original until now. Maybe that's a retcon, but I don't think so.
As @Pavoren007 pointed out, this is a story that mixes perspectives, and unlike the first movie, we're very much aware of that this time. As such, we're never quite sure if we're seeing what's in the world's reality and his arc (spoilers from here) is probably what pissed a lot of people off - he rejects the Joker thing and accepts that he's not larger than life.
As I watched the sequence where he defends himself in court I was thinking, this is really stupid. But that was the point I suppose - he didn't have a plan. He couldn't outwit the world. He's not very smart. He was just an idiot in make-up trying to blag his way through while people around him wanted to believe he was something much more. And I suppose that includes us as the audience. We thought he would end up free, like a villainous Scarlet Pimpernel, ready to face down the only man who could take him on - Bruce Wayne. And perhaps the guy he meets in the final scene is that character. Maybe Arthur was the proto Joker.
I am not a fan of musicals. Outside of Grease I can't handle them. And I think that's because I struggle to suspend my disbelief that people can sing and dance before suddenly going back to normal like the song never happened. Joker 2 has a get-out - The songs aren't really happening, or if they are, they are not dance numbers - just a couple of disturbed people doing crazy shit.
The more I think about it, the more this film has grown on me. And I went in expecting it to be horrifically bad. But I actually think it was really smart, and a good antidote to Marvel and DC's usual fare.
Comments
Harvest- 5.5/10
Parts of it I really enjoyed and had some good ideas, but at times it seemed to have random violence for the sake of it that didn't add much. It was confusing to follow what the story was trying to convey. It was OK.
Saw this at London Film Festival. Really enjoyed it, the ending was a bit weird and was slightly corny at times, but I really enjoyed it. Had a nice feel to it as a story and explores how people can go against stereotypes.
Our best film of the year !
oh my days, best film I have seen in ages………..how much shit must fall on your head before you get a hat? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Absolute brilliant acting by Keanu & Winona 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Ms AA thought it an interesting film was some amazing fashion.
Was expecting some kind of hackett job but it was a masterpiece that was shot incredibly and captured 70s New York perfectly.
Jeremy Strong deserves a beat supporting actor oscar nomination but probably won't get it for the obvious.
Thank You for Banking With Us (Palestine)
Under Islamic and Sharia inheritance laws, males are entitled to double the share of their female siblings in their parent’s estate. Against that backcloth, two sisters must put aside their differences and find a way to ensure they get their hands on the money their recently deceased father left in the bank, before their US-based brother - entitled to half the funds owing to his gender - finds out.
Very well written, with excellent performances from the two sisters, whose repartee was a real feature of the film. Some nice touches of humour and a story and which held the interest throughout.
I’m Still Here (Brazil)
A powerful depiction of life under the Brazilian military junta in 1970 and the impact of ‘the disappeared’ on their families. At 2 hours 17 minutes, it could perhaps have been edited down a shade but this is a serious film of real depth from Walter Salles, the director who gave us Central Station and The Motorbike Diaries. I think it is likely to be nominated for the Best International Feature Oscar.
It's UK release date is 7 February 2025.
Three Kilometres to the End of the World (Romania)
A very well constructed drama and a window into a homophobic rural village in Romania. Institutional corruption is a very familiar theme in Romanian films but it was very well portrayed here.
The film is Romania’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.
Hard Truths (UK)
An uncompromising but compassionate ensemble drama about a black British family in South London and the thorny familial ties that bind us. It’s Mike Leigh’s first film set in contemporary times since the 2010 classic Another Year and reunites him with Marianne Jean-Baptiste for the first time since the multiple Oscar-nominated Secrets and Lies.
I found it a very intelligent and interesting film, dealing with the anguish of the central character - a woman at war with the world - and its impact upon her family. The flashes of humour and the humanity of the characters prevented the film from becoming too downbeat and one dimensional.
Its UK release date is 31 January 2025.
Joy (UK)
The true story of three British pioneers who challenged societal norms and defied the odds to realise the world’s first IVF baby. Working principally in a hospital in Oldham, they faced the rancour of the Church, the medical and the political establishment, who saw their work as an aberration.
An important story that deserves to be told. Excellent performances, especially from Thomasin Mackenzie, and some nice moments of humour. A really nice film which far exceeded my expectations. A Netflix production.
Its UK release is later this month on 22 November and I believe it is due to appear on Netflix at the same time.I do think the fuss over the original was a bit much. It's basically a remake of King of Comedy, and while I found it interesting I never felt like watching it a second time.
This film is a good continuation of the lead character's story but it steers away from being the origin story that the first one seemed to be, and in doing so has increased my appreciation of the first film. I don't think Phillips was every particularly interested in telling a comic book story. It's kind of comic book adjacent. And I don't think I understood that with the original until now. Maybe that's a retcon, but I don't think so.
As @Pavoren007 pointed out, this is a story that mixes perspectives, and unlike the first movie, we're very much aware of that this time. As such, we're never quite sure if we're seeing what's in the world's reality and his arc (spoilers from here) is probably what pissed a lot of people off - he rejects the Joker thing and accepts that he's not larger than life.
As I watched the sequence where he defends himself in court I was thinking, this is really stupid. But that was the point I suppose - he didn't have a plan. He couldn't outwit the world. He's not very smart. He was just an idiot in make-up trying to blag his way through while people around him wanted to believe he was something much more. And I suppose that includes us as the audience. We thought he would end up free, like a villainous Scarlet Pimpernel, ready to face down the only man who could take him on - Bruce Wayne. And perhaps the guy he meets in the final scene is that character. Maybe Arthur was the proto Joker.
I am not a fan of musicals. Outside of Grease I can't handle them. And I think that's because I struggle to suspend my disbelief that people can sing and dance before suddenly going back to normal like the song never happened. Joker 2 has a get-out - The songs aren't really happening, or if they are, they are not dance numbers - just a couple of disturbed people doing crazy shit.
The more I think about it, the more this film has grown on me. And I went in expecting it to be horrifically bad. But I actually think it was really smart, and a good antidote to Marvel and DC's usual fare.