TV/Movies Megathread

[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).

[Ed Anger]

You know what affected me profoundly? When Heydrich was killed in SS A Protrait of Evil

I cried. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Caliga]

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

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

My first serious girlfriend never returned my copy of When Titans Clashed: How the Red Army Stopped Hitler by David Glantz.