DVD Recommendations

[griffo104]

In a genuine interview with the 2 guys who made itsome (American) interviewer asked them how they got away with the sex scene.

They simply pointed out to them that they were puppets and therefore didn't have any genitals. Pure Class.

[Brown Bottle]

Chewie wrote:

One of the best films I have seen for a while, I hope it wins something this weekend, it thoroughly deserves to

Thoroughly enjoyable film, I would think most have seen it now but well worth it if you haven't.

[griffo104]

Watched Amelie last night.

What a great film - managed to put a smile onthis cynical old tosser's face. I needed something to cheer me up as well.

[Jasper]

Watched last few episodes of Firefly and then Serenity. Not the greatest tv series and film of all time but well worth a watch.

[Leonard Smalls]

Just watched a most entertaining movie, very silly, very witty, very violent and very dubbed (though with good soundtrack) - highly recommended:

[Jasper]

Thoroughly agree Leonard. My wife, who isn't normally into this kind of film thoroughly enjoyed it too. Five stars!

[griffo104]

Kung Fu hustle Great film - funny and some great set pieces - one of the most enjoyable films I've watched so far this year.

Check out Saolin Soccer by the same guy - just as much fun but with football.

[Leonard Smalls]

I'll have a look at the kung fu footie film as well - I should be able to get it past the Mrs as she enjoyed the puppets (team America) and the Hustle so much...

However, next 2 films are:

North by Northwest (the classic Hitchcock with Cary Grant)

Bombon El Perro (about doggies in Patagonia - http://www.timeout.com/film/82554.html)

Then it's the joy of "Chopper"...

[griffo104]

Just watched Bombon - got it in the sale at HMV for a fiver.

I enjoyed it, and is more about the owner of the dog - don't want to give to much away and spoil it for you.

One of those films that gives you a warm feeling inside.

And Chopper is sheer class - up there with the best of them - watch the extras on this as you get to meet the real Chopper and boy does he have an aura around him, even comes across from the hidden camera.

[Leonard Smalls]

Watched "Crash" the other night...

For a Hollywood film it was remarkably complex, there were even bits me and the Mrs disagreed about what happened (frinstance, when the young cop wanted to change partners did the Old Captain want him to report Matt Dillon or not? I thought he didn't, in order to save his captaincy whereas the Mrs thought he gave the youngster a crap choice so he would be humiliated if he didn't have the bottle to go through with his complaint..).

Either way, highly enjoyable, and not annoyingly overlong (can't be arsed with films of 3 hours any more - has film stock got really cheap or what?)

[Brown Bottle]

Leonard Smalls wrote:

Watched "Crash" the other night...

For a Hollywood film it was remarkably complex, there were even bits me and the Mrs disagreed about what happened (frinstance, when the young cop wanted to change partners did the Old Captain want him to report Matt Dillon or not? I thought he didn't, in order to save his captaincy whereas the Mrs thought he gave the youngster a crap choice so he would be humiliated if he didn't have the bottle to go through with his complaint..).

Either way, highly enjoyable, and not annoyingly overlong (can't be arsed with films of 3 hours any more - has film stock got really cheap or what?)

I interpreted it the same way as you Leanord. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Leonard Smalls]

griffo104 wrote:

And Chopper is sheer class - up there with the best of them -

Aye, despite the disturbing prison neck -stabbing scene!

Very funny, and comes across as likeable despite being bizarre and quite violent..

Proper Aussie cinema, in the spirit of Mad Max and Bad Boy Bubby.

[Leonard Smalls]

Bit more movie watching last couple of nights:

Career Girls: Mike Leigh at his best! For those that like films where very little happens, there's no car chases or punch ups but excellent characterisation it's highly recommended. Very good sound as well - completely unintrusive, no unecessary deep bass to build excitement (not that there is much!), but flawless backgrounds.

The Constant Gardener: Quite slow, but builds and is most entertaining, in a British sort of way. It's also most excellently shot, using just about every technique there is! Not much in the way of car chases (there's a bit!), but highly recommended for those who like a thought-provoking fillum.

[griffo104]

Watched Princess Mononoke the other night - thought it was superb and didn't even notice the 2+ hours running time. Not quite as charming as Spirited Away and a bit too mature for the kids.

[griffo104]

Watched The New World on Saturday.

I'm a big fan of Malick and the film is stunning to watch but there seems to lack of a coherent storyline and sadly not sure this reaches the heights of his other films.

[Leonard Smalls]

I think I'm a Jim Jarmusch fan...

Watched "Night on Earth" the other night - it's a brilliant character-driven fillum with 5 stories, all set in taxis in L.A, New York, Paris, Rome and Helsinki. Features Winona Ryder in an early role, Beatrice Dalle as a blind woman (how did she get her eyes like that?) and Roberto Bagnini as a sex-obsessed cabbie "confessing" to a priest. Hilarious, heart-breaking and a masterclass in film making.

Plus lots of Tom Waits music featuring Marc Ribot's crazy guitar..

[Leonard Smalls]

Grand film last night:

"Oscar and Lucinda", starring Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslett, from a novel by Peter Carey.

It's about a baptist lad in Devon, who gets the calling to be an Anglican priest (!), goes to Oxford and discovers gambling, which he uses to fund his studies and gives the rest to the poor...

After "happenings", goes to Australia where he meets a lady glass factory owner who's also obsessed with gambling. They make a pact to kick the habit, until one final wager...

Beautifully shot, great story, great acting and great sound direction for those who like that sort of thing (I do, having spent hours in darkened rooms doing that very thing!).

Highly recommended for those that like a good adult (no that sort of adult!) drama... No car chases (set in 1850!), minimal fistfights andminor bit of rumpy which is highly relevant to the plot.



Next it's Besson's "Taxi" (not the crap remake..)

[Jasper]

The book's good too.

Couple of recommendations for you:

The Station Agent

and

Hidden - just out on DVD and has a genuinely shocking moment or two in it.

[Leonard Smalls]

Leonard Smalls wrote:

Next it's Besson's "Taxi" (not the crap remake..)

Twas dreadful...

I mean the car chases were pretty good, but bizarrely had very little in the way of sound effects. This, however, could be because it had been DUBBED INTO ENGLISH FFS!!!!!!!!

So the dialogue was completely lame, very little effort had been made to match the translation to lips, high frequencies were missing and it spoiled the film for me.

Do they think we're so stupid that we can't read a sub-title and still enjoy a film? Most of the jokes fell completely flat because of it.

Bastards!

[hifikrazy]

Worlds Fastest Indian - saw this last night. Really enjoyed it Bit slow perhaps for some people, but i didnt think so.