The General Movie Thread

[Ubik]

With more time to digest things I have to admit that the Sequel Trilogy might actually be worse than the Prequel Trilogy. I think the acting in the Sequel Trilogy is top notch and a far cut above what we got in the Prequel Trilogy, but in the end I feel the Sequel Trilogy was an uninspired mess. This might go down as the biggest tragedy in film history. SO much they could have done and they chose poorly at almost every turn. I actually got SUPER excited when Rey stopped that ship, but that movie fell apart from that point on. So disappointed. I guess the whole thing was just too much to handle. I don't know. I just feel like someone had to have had better ideas that what we were stuck with.

Never thought I'd say this, but yes... I agree. The Prequel Trilogy at least has a logical trajectory. Sure, it's pretty devoid of drama because we already know what the big reveal is, but at least they make some kind of sense. Sure, it's Lucas in full schoolboy mode, with no one to reign in his worst instincts and terrible ideas, but at least I can laugh at that!

It's such a wasted opportunity to do something with the universe that took it new places. Shame they weren't brave enough to just cut ties with the past and make it something really new, or at least give the old cast some kind of meaningful roles. Or you know, an arc that ACTUALLY MAKES SOME GOD DAMN SENSE!

Deep breaths... we have The Mandalorian... it'll be okay.

[Looney]

With more time to digest things I have to admit that the Sequel Trilogy might actually be worse than the Prequel Trilogy. I think the acting in the Sequel Trilogy is top notch and a far cut above what we got in the Prequel Trilogy, but in the end I feel the Sequel Trilogy was an uninspired mess. This might go down as the biggest tragedy in film history. SO much they could have done and they chose poorly at almost every turn. I actually got SUPER excited when Rey stopped that ship, but that movie fell apart from that point on. So disappointed. I guess the whole thing was just too much to handle. I don't know. I just feel like someone had to have had better ideas that what we were stuck with.

I totally agree with your assessment of HOLLYWOOD. Still don't quite know what I feel about it. Everyone in my family acts like it is the greatest thing ever, but I think that has more to do with the fact that they saw it together as opposed to the quality of the film. I will say that I rank it higher than most of Tarantino's films of the past decade, but that isn't really saying much.

Still need to see PARASITE.

[Ubik]

Here's some of my recently watched films, some at home, some at the Cinema:

Parasite (the Korean film that got all the accolades) - Fully deserves all the praise heaped on it. Funny, thought provoking, clever, and lays a lot of societal issues bare in a really artful way. Would stand up to multiple viewings I think. Loved it. Go see this film. In an era of reboots and sequels, at least South Korea is putting out some truly wonderful independent films.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - Well, I contradicted my above comments and checked out a new Tarantino film (albeit on a streaming site). This was, hmmmmm, okay. Some fun moments, but it felt like the era could have been explored more deeply and I would have liked a bit more on the Manson Family stuff. The revisionist history ending was just, well, odd.... Unsure how to feel about this, but it didn't do that much for me.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Well, a proper DVD rip finally turned up online, so why not... I figured. What a total mess of a film this is. It feels like a bunch of unrelated action sequences stitched together. Such is the breakneck pace of convenient plot points, that it barely forms any kind of cohesive narrative. I had to do any number of double takes whilst watching this... and the return of Palpatine was just uninspired and dull. It was kinda fun, in a dumb action movie kind of way, but this is surely the final nail in the coffin of the new trilogy. Complete waste of time, money and energy.

[Looney]

Strangely, I have zero desire to see any recent Tarantino efforts. Kinda gone off him as a director.

I can see that. Ever since the GRINDHOUSE films he seems way to obsessed with, "Look what I can do!" when it comes to violence.

Okay so I haven't posted any new ones here for awhile, but I have watched so many movies in recent months. I will start with the two I saw this weekend since they will likely be the last two I see in on the big screen for quite some time.

THE HUNT (2020) - WOW what a waste! Great cast gets wasted on some very poor film making. Such a poor effort. Very surprised anyone thought this was a good script, but like so many things it was probably good and then got butchered down. I would honestly watch an extended version of this film to see if they could add some scenes that made it come together better.

BLOODSHOT (2020) - Quite pleasantly surprised. Not a great film, but I was entertained. Not Vin Diesel's best and not really what I expected. I can't say I really recommend it, but if you are at all curious about it then it might be worth a look.

[Ubik]

SHOCKED JOJO RABBIT (2019) didn't take home many Golden Globe Awards. No chance ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) was more deserving. I enjoyed it, but JOJO RABBIT (2019) did everything, Hollywood was lacking and too over the top at times.

Strangely, I have zero desire to see any recent Tarantino efforts. Kinda gone off him as a director.

[Looney]

SHOCKED JOJO RABBIT (2019) didn't take home many Golden Globe Awards. No chance ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) was more deserving. I enjoyed it, but JOJO RABBIT (2019) did everything, Hollywood was lacking and too over the top at times.

[Ubik]

If you haven't seen it I highly recomment JOJO RABBIT (2019)

It is a DARK comedy, but we are all adults here. At least I think we are.

Saw this over Xmas, and it's superb. Perfect balance of satire and serious. I love Taika Watiiti's films, do see 'Boy' and 'What we do in the Shadows' if you haven't. Given how gloriously fun Thor Ragnarok is, I hope Marvel give him more films.

[Looney]

If you haven't seen it I highly recomment JOJO RABBIT (2019)

It is a DARK comedy, but we are all adults here. At least I think we are.

[Looney]

KNIVES OUT (2019)

Better than THE LAST JEDI (2017) LOL

Okay so I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with this movie, but only because I had different expectations. I was hoping it would be something along the lines of CLUE (1985) or MURDER BY DEATH (1976) and it was DEFINITELY NOT. I can't say it was bad by any means. I am sure many people will enjoy it. Had I not expected it to be something slightly different than it actually was I would have enjoyed it much more. I recommend people see it once and judging for themselves. I will say for a movie primarily listed as COMEDY on IMDB it is not as funny as I hoped. Also, it is WAY too long. It did not need to be 2+hours.

[phazedout]

I loved it, yes it was silly, yes it had no discernable plot bit I dodn't CAre, it was fun, linda hamilton is a pensioner aged bad ass with a "i am so tired of this shit" attutude. Arnie is genuinely funny. Remove brain, see movie.
End of.

[Looney]

TERMINATOR DARK FATE (2019) - I definitely enjoyed it more than any Terminator film since T2, but that still doesn't mean I thought it was great. The biggest downfall of this movie for me is that they left WAY to much to be explained by a sequel - that is clearly never coming after this movie bombed at the box office. And I believe that bomb exploded worldwide. The shame of it is they really set this one up for multiple sequels, but maybe it is just time to let this franchise end.

[Looney]

Saw JOKER (2019) Thursday night. It was exactly what I expected and I didn't care for it at all. The sad thing is they possibly could have done something more interesting with the subject matter, but they didn't. My main reasoning is that Todd Phillips should have handed the directing reigns to someone else. The only interesting thing about the movie was imagining them trying to fit a Batman into this Universe. All press says they are not going to try, but I think a ninety three million dollar opening weekend might change their minds. Of course, this Joker would be no match for any incarnation of Batman.

[Jan]

Yeah I get my updated figures from IMDB and they are not showing it, at least not to people without IMDBPRO.

I've got Pro and I'm not seeing it.

[Looney]

Any idea what the budget was?

Yeah I get my updated figures from IMDB and they are not showing it, at least not to people without IMDBPRO.

Box office figures have been updated. World gross is $72,233,665 so far. I'm reading that it pre-sold more tickets than any other drama so far this year.

Yes it did very well for a drama, but I can't imagine the budget was low. I'm sure none of the command huge salaries, but there are MANY of them. Couple that with what is obviously a very elaborate production and my fingers are crossed we get more.

[Jan]

Box office figures have been updated. World gross is $72,233,665 so far. I'm reading that it pre-sold more tickets than any other drama so far this year.