Just watched Howl's Moving Castle. It's a film I'm at a loss of words for to describe. Watch it. Watch it now. You must experience it for yourself. My heart rings with the lyrical tale that just touched it. I am truly, deeply, intensely moved.
Wow.
Movies you just recently watched
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Shrooblord
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
Went to see Birdman last night, I'm not gonna get too much into it, since I still haven't settled on some of the film's ideas, but I'll try to say what I can without talking about plot.
I went in knowing next to nothing about the film - since I was interested in it, I stayed away from trailers and synopses - and I have to insist that this is the way to do it. It's an exceptional marriage of script, acting and cinematography, performances were all-around amazing, it was funny where it needed to be, dramatic where it needed to be, and very intense.
I've always been a fan of long takes (the first that come to mind are the new years eve scene in Boogie Nights and the escape scene in episode 4 of True Detective) but almost the entirety of this film is presented as one massive continuous shot, and it's done extremely well. The absence of visible cuts can get a little tiring, but combined with the fact the characters are preparing for opening night of a Broadway show, it creates a very real tension that kept me engaged for the entire movie.
So there's my brief, spoiler free, first impressions of Birdman. I highly recommend that pretty much anyone should go see this if they can, best movie I've seen in a while
I went in knowing next to nothing about the film - since I was interested in it, I stayed away from trailers and synopses - and I have to insist that this is the way to do it. It's an exceptional marriage of script, acting and cinematography, performances were all-around amazing, it was funny where it needed to be, dramatic where it needed to be, and very intense.
I've always been a fan of long takes (the first that come to mind are the new years eve scene in Boogie Nights and the escape scene in episode 4 of True Detective) but almost the entirety of this film is presented as one massive continuous shot, and it's done extremely well. The absence of visible cuts can get a little tiring, but combined with the fact the characters are preparing for opening night of a Broadway show, it creates a very real tension that kept me engaged for the entire movie.
So there's my brief, spoiler free, first impressions of Birdman. I highly recommend that pretty much anyone should go see this if they can, best movie I've seen in a while
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buildersith
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
Recently my Girlfriend had been talking a lot about a movie called The Dark Crystal, she managed to pique my interest with it simply because I had never heard of it, so a few hours ago she showed me it, and after I had finished watching it I was asking myself why I had never heard of it before simply because, and I'll cut to the chase, I loved it, it's now my favourite fantasy movie and maybe even straight up my favourite movie. It was the work of Jim Henson, the mind behind the Muppets but really it's nothing like the Muppets, it's still meant for kids yes, but there is some stuff that might scare younger children in the movie.
I'll start off with my only real gripes with the movie, it's story is basic and incredibly rushed, the movie is only an hour and a half long, but the story is very much lord of the rings-esque about two characters journey to a destination with an important item that will determine the fate of the world, it was originally meant to be a trilogy but I'm guessing money must have got in the way because the final product was an abridged version of the original vision but was already a bit more expensive than most fantasy movies at the time. The main characters actually get very little development, and I think that the side characters and the villains were far more interesting than the main characters. That might really put some people off of the movie, however for me, there were two things about the movie that made it so much more worthwhile.
First off, this movie is gorgeous, almost every character in the movie is a puppet or an animatronic, it is Jim Henson after all, and it's done so well here, the puppets are really well crafted, especially on the mystics and the Skeksis and their movement is so realistic that at times I did have to remind myself that I was watcing a puppet. Really as someone who grew up on movies were CGI was starting to take over more traditional methods this movie just made me realise just how important those traditional methods were back then and how they should still be important today. It's not just the puppets though, the set pieces are spetacular to and I'll talk about that more later.
Secondly, As I mentioned earlier I thought the story and the main characters were my only real problems, but as I said I thought the side characters and the Skeksis were far more interesting and that's because the movie spends a large part of it's run time on world building, half of the movie is just showing us how the other races of the world of Thra live their lives in particular the villains, the Skeksis, I think that's kinda important, sure the Skeksis are evil, they drain the life essence of other races of the world and enslave them, but they just wants best for their people, just like you and I even if their means of doing it are the wrong ones. Aside from the characters though as I said earlier the set pieces are stunning, there's a point in the middle of the movie were the two main characters meet for the first time and I'm gonna admit the thing that caught my attention the most was not their interaction it was what surrounded them, the wildlife, the flora and fauna, it was so beautiful and the level of detail is spectacular it really is eye-candy. The world of the dark crystal is a dying one, but at the same time I'd argue it feels more alive and more unique and interesting than something like say middle-earth from the lord of the rings. Speaking of Which, A lot of fantasy stuff tends to take directly from the lord of the rings books and tries to make it it's own, however the only inspirations I saw the dark crystal take from Tolkein is the story and the Gelflings, who look kinda like elves but even then they're design reminds me more of the Kokiri from Zelda, which of course came years after this. The world is just so original and unique and I simply adore it, and it makes me sad that the only real things we've got to tell us about the world are the movie itself, the stuff used for development and a prequel comic, because I would love to see more of it.
In summary, while I don't care for the major characters or the story, I think the world the movie takes place in, the culture of each race, the wildlife, and of course the puppet work more than makes up for it.
I'll start off with my only real gripes with the movie, it's story is basic and incredibly rushed, the movie is only an hour and a half long, but the story is very much lord of the rings-esque about two characters journey to a destination with an important item that will determine the fate of the world, it was originally meant to be a trilogy but I'm guessing money must have got in the way because the final product was an abridged version of the original vision but was already a bit more expensive than most fantasy movies at the time. The main characters actually get very little development, and I think that the side characters and the villains were far more interesting than the main characters. That might really put some people off of the movie, however for me, there were two things about the movie that made it so much more worthwhile.
First off, this movie is gorgeous, almost every character in the movie is a puppet or an animatronic, it is Jim Henson after all, and it's done so well here, the puppets are really well crafted, especially on the mystics and the Skeksis and their movement is so realistic that at times I did have to remind myself that I was watcing a puppet. Really as someone who grew up on movies were CGI was starting to take over more traditional methods this movie just made me realise just how important those traditional methods were back then and how they should still be important today. It's not just the puppets though, the set pieces are spetacular to and I'll talk about that more later.
Secondly, As I mentioned earlier I thought the story and the main characters were my only real problems, but as I said I thought the side characters and the Skeksis were far more interesting and that's because the movie spends a large part of it's run time on world building, half of the movie is just showing us how the other races of the world of Thra live their lives in particular the villains, the Skeksis, I think that's kinda important, sure the Skeksis are evil, they drain the life essence of other races of the world and enslave them, but they just wants best for their people, just like you and I even if their means of doing it are the wrong ones. Aside from the characters though as I said earlier the set pieces are stunning, there's a point in the middle of the movie were the two main characters meet for the first time and I'm gonna admit the thing that caught my attention the most was not their interaction it was what surrounded them, the wildlife, the flora and fauna, it was so beautiful and the level of detail is spectacular it really is eye-candy. The world of the dark crystal is a dying one, but at the same time I'd argue it feels more alive and more unique and interesting than something like say middle-earth from the lord of the rings. Speaking of Which, A lot of fantasy stuff tends to take directly from the lord of the rings books and tries to make it it's own, however the only inspirations I saw the dark crystal take from Tolkein is the story and the Gelflings, who look kinda like elves but even then they're design reminds me more of the Kokiri from Zelda, which of course came years after this. The world is just so original and unique and I simply adore it, and it makes me sad that the only real things we've got to tell us about the world are the movie itself, the stuff used for development and a prequel comic, because I would love to see more of it.
In summary, while I don't care for the major characters or the story, I think the world the movie takes place in, the culture of each race, the wildlife, and of course the puppet work more than makes up for it.
Re: Movies you just recently watched
Ah, one of my favourite movies! I'm so glad you watched it! I also recommend Spirited Away.Shrooblord wrote:Just watched Howl's Moving Castle. It's a film I'm at a loss of words for to describe. Watch it. Watch it now. You must experience it for yourself. My heart rings with the lyrical tale that just touched it. I am truly, deeply, intensely moved.
Wow.
Re: Movies you just recently watched
I have Howl's Moving Castle on DVD with original Japanese audio and I enjoy watching it so much. I watched Spirited Away on internet but I must buy DVD of it too since it is amazing and considered as a best movie Miyazaki made.
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Imco
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
You know which movie's even better? MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO! 
Re: Movies you just recently watched
Teacher wanted to play that movie at university for us but the computer had bad laser and didn't play the disc sadly. I gotta watch it thoguh.
We also practiced one time dialogue from that movie.
We also practiced one time dialogue from that movie.
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Snagglebee
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
A friend of mine from school keeps bragging about it a lotImco97 wrote:You know which movie's even better? MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO!
Just watched "The Transporter". I want to be as badass as him "0"
Re: Movies you just recently watched
I just watched The Theory of Everything. Maaaaan, the interpretation of Eddie Redmayne 
!!! I passed a good part of the movie impressed with this actor's interpretation. I can imagine how difficult it was to make those shaky movements, angles... he makes what he wants of his body! It was so believable that I felt disturbed. I would say the Oscar of Best Actor is totally deserved!
!!! I passed a good part of the movie impressed with this actor's interpretation. I can imagine how difficult it was to make those shaky movements, angles... he makes what he wants of his body! It was so believable that I felt disturbed. I would say the Oscar of Best Actor is totally deserved!-
technology4617
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
I just watched a movie called The Frighteners that, a long time ago, I had seen the ending to on TV. The ending had a few cool scenes, some being subtly psychologically disturbing, and from the mildly lighthearted, albeit admittedly somewhat typical, gathering between the main characters, I always wanted to see the whole film, as I wondered whether I would get a greater attachment to those characters, especially with the great people behind it, like Peter Jackson and Robert Zemeckis.
Now that I've seen it, I can safely say that isn't the case, and that, in fact, the scene I saw was easily the best part of a film that ranks among Troll 2 and Birdemic as one of the worst movies I've ever seen, arguably being worse given that it wasn't even a good bad, just the type that you're unable to find any sort of enjoyment in whatsoever.
It was actually possibly the most disappointingly bad film I've ever seen, since those scenes in the mansion and hospital were extremely well-done, creating a unique sense of suspense and sheer terror that I don't often feel, to the point where, if you see these scenes alone, you would assume the movie you were watching would be absolutely phenomenal. If they essentially copied those scenes a really good horror film (albeit with the characters and setting akin to said film), those scenes could potentially still be the best in the film. And given that these were the only ones I had seen from the film, I naturally assumed it was at least decent and fun, making it so disappointing for me when I actually ended up seeing the rest of the film.
I think the problem lay mainly in the screenplay; Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson didn't do a sixteenth as good of a job as they did on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it really suffered because of it.
Then again, I also saw Dead Again tonight, which I loved, so that luckily sort of cancelled out the badness of the other movie so I could avoid permanent psychological trauma (though I unfortunately wasn't able to focus on it as much). And, most unlike the latter, it was a wonderful ride of thrills from beginning to end, while given time to bond with the main characters of the film without it ever feeling like it "slowed down," in a sense, ending with a plot twist that I had admittedly considered (though not seriously), but was still shocking nonetheless.
I also rewatched Catching Fire which I thought was an excellent adaptation of the book, especially compared to the first film. My only real complaint for the most part was its obsession of literally telling you what the audience is supposed to be figuring out on their own; in the book, Katniss wondered aloud in the first person, which worked for that medium, but it was done in a much more vague sense that didn't literally scream it at you, and I wish they had found a better way of conveying that for the film.
TL;DR, in terms of enjoyability:
The Frighteners - 3/10 (and even then just for the 20 minutes or so in the mansion and hospital)
Dead Again - 9/10
Catching Fire - 7/10
Now that I've seen it, I can safely say that isn't the case, and that, in fact, the scene I saw was easily the best part of a film that ranks among Troll 2 and Birdemic as one of the worst movies I've ever seen, arguably being worse given that it wasn't even a good bad, just the type that you're unable to find any sort of enjoyment in whatsoever.
It was actually possibly the most disappointingly bad film I've ever seen, since those scenes in the mansion and hospital were extremely well-done, creating a unique sense of suspense and sheer terror that I don't often feel, to the point where, if you see these scenes alone, you would assume the movie you were watching would be absolutely phenomenal. If they essentially copied those scenes a really good horror film (albeit with the characters and setting akin to said film), those scenes could potentially still be the best in the film. And given that these were the only ones I had seen from the film, I naturally assumed it was at least decent and fun, making it so disappointing for me when I actually ended up seeing the rest of the film.
I think the problem lay mainly in the screenplay; Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson didn't do a sixteenth as good of a job as they did on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it really suffered because of it.
Then again, I also saw Dead Again tonight, which I loved, so that luckily sort of cancelled out the badness of the other movie so I could avoid permanent psychological trauma (though I unfortunately wasn't able to focus on it as much). And, most unlike the latter, it was a wonderful ride of thrills from beginning to end, while given time to bond with the main characters of the film without it ever feeling like it "slowed down," in a sense, ending with a plot twist that I had admittedly considered (though not seriously), but was still shocking nonetheless.
I also rewatched Catching Fire which I thought was an excellent adaptation of the book, especially compared to the first film. My only real complaint for the most part was its obsession of literally telling you what the audience is supposed to be figuring out on their own; in the book, Katniss wondered aloud in the first person, which worked for that medium, but it was done in a much more vague sense that didn't literally scream it at you, and I wish they had found a better way of conveying that for the film.
TL;DR, in terms of enjoyability:
The Frighteners - 3/10 (and even then just for the 20 minutes or so in the mansion and hospital)
Dead Again - 9/10
Catching Fire - 7/10
Re: Movies you just recently watched
For one class at university, we had part of homework to watch these two Japanese movies:
- Tampopo (AKA Dandelion): This is live action comedy that parodies western movies but also shows Japanese food culture in some way. I think movie started kinda good but it just got boring later on and I don't think it is that good of a movie overall
- Spirited Away: I enjoyed rewatching this movie so much
I am looking forward to class when we will discuss about the movie.
- Tampopo (AKA Dandelion): This is live action comedy that parodies western movies but also shows Japanese food culture in some way. I think movie started kinda good but it just got boring later on and I don't think it is that good of a movie overall
- Spirited Away: I enjoyed rewatching this movie so much
I am looking forward to class when we will discuss about the movie.
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spiraldoor
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
If you like Howl's Moving Castle, I'd highly recommend reading the book, or anything else by Diana Wynne Jones – she was an incredible writer of children's fantasy, and easily the equal of Roald Dahl or Neil Gaiman (who wrote a great piece about her here).
Re: Movies you just recently watched
The Second Best Marigold Hotel. Great sequel actually, surprisingly didn't end up feeling like a rehash. The pacing was kind of poor though, some scenes felt like they didn't have enough to offer for the length they were extended to.
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Snagglebee
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
Forbidden Kingdom. I LOVE THAT MOVIE 
!!!
Re: Movies you just recently watched
I recently watched The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. My God is this movie fantastic. It's definitely one of best Ghibli films ever made, and one of the best films I've seen period. If was effortlessly beautiful for start to finish. If you can, watch this movie right now. Also, here's a little review I posted on TwitLonger: http://tl.gd/n_1skuprr
Re: Movies you just recently watched
Hotel Transylvania. My word, now Sony knows how to make some fine ass fluid CGI animation! This and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs are just fantastic visually. And going back to Hotel Transylvania, it's an enjoyable film. Lot better than I expected.
Re: Movies you just recently watched
Has anyone seen Insurgent? It was a turd in a lot of ways, but the killing was seriously fucked up and completely out of place in a movie aimed at teenage girls. I can't believe anyone thought that was good decision, and it made the movie feel like it was trying much more mature than it actually achieved or needs to be do.
Re: Movies you just recently watched
Jackie Brown, the only Tarantino movie I had not seen yet. Great movie, only a tad too long.
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Earth Gwee
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
I saw Requiem For a Dream this past Monday for my indie film class. We were told early on that we'd be seeing some hard-to-watch movies, and I knew going in that this movie would be hard-hitting, but I still reacted terribly to it. It went out of its way to not sugar-coat anything that was happening to the characters as they struggled with their addictions. Towards the end was when I had had enough that I could handle. I'm a deeply empathetic and emotional person by nature. I ended up breaking down in gross sobs and I had to walk out of the room because I simply could not continue watching the deterioration of these characters. One of the things that upset me about watching it is that it was voted for over a comedy by the class. Even my instructor hoped the class would've chosen the comedy. I was so broken up by the viewing; I needed to take the rest of the night off to detox. Fantastic movie, but definitely not for the faint of heart.
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GrandKittymus
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Re: Movies you just recently watched
I recently watched Guardians of the Galaxy for the heck of it.