TV/Movies Megathread

[Martinus]

On a (somewhat) unrelated note, I have been thinking recently that one Tarantino movie I would love to see would be about a group of Arab fags (you could also throw in a couple of Westerners or a Jewish bull dyke to keep things diverse) taking on the ISIL. Given that Jews, blacks and women already got their own Tarantino revenge fantasy, I think we deserve this.

[celedhring]

Les Miserables. I feel no shame.

It has some good parts, coming from the fact the Victor Hugo story is just too powerful, and some of the music is suitably rousing.

I thought the film was weak though, some strong acting aside. Tom Hopper's approach to musical seems to amount to "really long takes really close to the actor's faces so it looks REAL".

[Eddie Teach]

Given that Jews, blacks and women already got their own Tarantino revenge fantasy, I think we deserve this.

Women have at least 2, Kill Bill and Death Proof.

Anyway, Tarantino should leave that particular well alone for a while. Besides, it's not like there's a shortage of gay writers or directors who could create their own version.

[celedhring]

Finally watched Cloud Atlas (2012) after it'd been sitting on my shelf for a year.  It has some issues.  The 1970s sequence doesn't dovetail very well with the themes of slavery/incarceration.  The 2012 sequence is weirdly comic in an otherwise extremely po-faced picture.  And of course the Neo Seoul sequence is such a blatant rip-off of Blade Runner it actively hurts.  It also looks the worst, thanks to its derivative and poorly thought-through conception and design, and--of course--the profound failure of the film's yellowface technology--Weaving and Sturgess look more like aliens than Asians.  (Strangely, the whiteface is somehow really good.  I guess East Asian eye construction is easier to hide than to supply.)  Nonetheless, as a whole, it's really wonderful, and even the weird bits get subsumed into an overall great experience.  My favorite part was the far future, with its weird quasi-English, as it was the most Tom Hanks-centric narrative.  Is it an A?  Sure, an A, that sounds about right.

I really liked the movie (haven't read the book) and yeah it is one of those things where you can look past the flaws because, as a whole, it is so beautiful (both aesthetically and ethically).

By the way, I wouldn't say the overall theme is about incarceration/slavery (although I can see it featuring prominently) but rather oppression/liberation, and how a small act of rebellion/kindness/moral courage can actually make a difference. It is closely related, sure, but slightly different. Also, I didn't think the 2012 sequence was out of place - it was more comedic, sure, but it underlined the today's oppressive treatment of the old and the infirm - something that is not getting much notice in culture.

Will have to check this one out then. I love the book but the trailers and the reviews when the film came out didn't make it look too well.

[Martinus]

Given that Jews, blacks and women already got their own Tarantino revenge fantasy, I think we deserve this.

Women have at least 2, Kill Bill and Death Proof.

Anyway, Tarantino should leave that particular well alone for a while. Besides, it's not like there's a shortage of gay writers or directors who could create their own version.

Well that's the problem. I would like Tarantino to do that.

I mean, there are queer revenge movies out there - Hedwig and the Angry Inch for example - but they are too niche.

[Martinus]

Incidentally, thinking of Cloud Atlas, I just realised that "flawed movies that affected me profoundly" (V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Matrix, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) have one thing in common - Hugo Weaving. 

[celedhring]

The first Matrix movie isn't flawed at all. It's routinely used as a textbook example of a "hero's voyage" movie in film courses.

It always struck me as odd how the Wachowskis could put out such a well-crafted script for the first one, and such a mess for the others.

[Syt]

Will have to check this one out then. I love the book but the trailers and the reviews when the film came out didn't make it look too well.

I thought the movie was ok, despite the changes, but I think the book remains superior. My more detailed opinion: http://languish.org/forums/index.php/topic,4507.msg686609.html#msg686609

[Eddie Teach]

Incidentally, thinking of Cloud Atlas, I just realised that "flawed movies that affected me profoundly" (V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Matrix, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) have one thing in common - Hugo Weaving. 

You left off Lord of the Rings. 

[Martinus]

Incidentally, thinking of Cloud Atlas, I just realised that "flawed movies that affected me profoundly" (V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Matrix, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) have one thing in common - Hugo Weaving. 

You left off Lord of the Rings. 

I wasn't just listing all movies with Hugo Weaving. Believe it or not but Lord of the Rings did not affect me profoundly.

[celedhring]

Incidentally, thinking of Cloud Atlas, I just realised that "flawed movies that affected me profoundly" (V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Matrix, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) have one thing in common - Hugo Weaving. 

You left off Lord of the Rings. 

I wasn't just listing all movies with Hugo Weaving. Believe it or not but Lord of the Rings did not affect me profoundly.

What about Transformers????????

[Eddie Teach]

The Matrix affected you profoundly? 

[Martinus]

The Matrix affected you profoundly? 

At that time? Yes, it was a movie I could not get out of my head for days. I was probably something like 15 at the time, though.

Edit: Actually I was 22 when it was released. 

I guess I am just immature. 

[Martinus]

That being said, Fight Club and Velvet Goldmine did not have Hugo Weaving in it, so my theory does not work.

[celedhring]

My first serious GF never returned my Velvet Goldmine DVD after we broke up. B****. 

Love that film (and most stuff Haynes has done).