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Can't really say because, I'm afraid the only 2019 movie I have seen was Brittany Runs a Marathon. So, maybe someone else can toss out some opinions on the most recent movies?Hi everyone! Which in your opinion is the best movie in 2019? Can Joker be it?
for me, it was "Midsommar". I'm yet to see "Parasite" and "The Irishman" thoughHi everyone! Which in your opinion is the best movie in 2019? Can Joker be it?
Bad Santa is the antidote to the family Christmas movies ! They made a sequel but I didn't see it. Pretty funny at the time but maybe not PC enough for the Hollywood suits I doubt, these days.Can't really say because, I'm afraid the only 2019 movie I have seen was Brittany Runs a Marathon. So, maybe someone else can toss out some opinions on the most recent movies?
On my end, and just in time for the holidays -
Bad Santa (2003) - I've seen this flick a few times before, and while I don't mind all the vulgarity and crassness Billy B.'s Drinking does make me feel queasy and gross. How he doesn't drop dead of alcohol toxicity is beyond me.
The movie does have a few funny moments, I liked John Ritter's prudish but still politically correct character. (It was his last appearance on camera, rip.) But it's definitely not for the faint of heart.
Noel (2004) is also an antidote... it has a great cast, but up until the very ending it is so depressing that I was wondering whether it would ever lighten up. Halfway through the movie I actually almost gave up on watching the rest.Bad Santa is the antidote to the family Christmas movies ! They made a sequel but I didn't see it. Pretty funny at the time but maybe not PC enough for the Hollywood suits I doubt, these days.
That was quite good, thanks for the link! Not sure how accurate the English subtitles were, usually a lot can get lost in translation. Still, I thought the film was at times dark and poignant, but I enjoyed the dark humor. (Certainly each time Martha walked into the office and saw Teja and Luka doing something unusual was funny.)
Thanks for the response and interest, Trike.That was quite good, thanks for the link! Not sure how accurate the English subtitles were, usually a lot can get lost in translation. Still, I thought the film was at times dark and poignant, but I enjoyed the dark humor. (Certainly each time Martha walked into the office and saw Teja and Luka doing something unusual was funny.)
What was the name of the artist whose paintings were hanging in Teja's office? The snow scene ones... my grandmother had a similar painting on her wall long ago, sadly I will never know who the artist was.
Thanks for the link, I'll try to watch the film over the weekend. (Love the Šumanović winter scene paintings, btw.)Thanks for the response and interest, Trike.
The subtitles are pretty accurate, as far as I checked. Of course something's lost, mostly the manner of speaking (phraseology, sayings etc.), which certainly contributes to narrative and discourse, but nothing that would materially violate the storyline. And the movie's based on a cult play from the nineties (that can be found on the ytube, but without the subtitles) for which (the rumour says) scenario was based on true events.
Since you've liked it, here's another one of the same author and spirit.
Sava Šumanović is the artist they're referring to. Besides this movie, his works are used for the lectures beyond faculties and academies of fine arts.
Ok, I just watched The Balkan Spy (1984), loved the absurd comedy scenes. Like the red light bulb in the kitchen because a white one wasn't available, the 300kg "boar" in the hunting scene, the picture of Stalin (I had to google his pic because I wasn't sure it was him, I mean, who would treasure a picture of Stalin?), etc., I was surprised by the level of violence, though. And the last ten minutes were rather tragic because it was clear Ilija was a lunatic, besides being paranoid why was he so verbally abusive toward his wife? That actually bothered me...Since you've liked it, here's another one of the same author and spirit.
I saw Rise of Skywalker tonight, I would give it a 5/10 because it's Star Wars but probably a 3 if it was a different property. The Disney number movies and this one in particular have been all over the place plot and visual wise. The visuals are amazing as to be expected but the story and fluidity is severely lacking. I was getting bored and checking the run time for when it's over which is unlike me. All in all, if you like Star Wars I would recommend watching it. I liked it more than 7 or 8.
I suppose the verbal abusiveness toward the wife (besides being a cultural, Balkan/Oriental, reference) has a function in the genesis of the dyadic relationship between the spouses... Folie à deux seems to be the motif present throughout the whole drama, coming to the fore in the Stakhanovian/Sirotanovićian scene of digging out the picture.Ok, I just watched The Balkan Spy (1984), loved the absurd comedy scenes. Like the red light bulb in the kitchen because a white one wasn't available, the 300kg "boar" in the hunting scene, the picture of Stalin (I had to google his pic because I wasn't sure it was him, I mean, who would treasure a picture of Stalin?), etc., I was surprised by the level of violence, though. And the last ten minutes were rather tragic because it was clear Ilija was a lunatic, besides being paranoid why was he so verbally abusive toward his wife? That actually bothered me...
Loved the old Citroen though, and I certainly remember seeing a lot of Moskviches on the streets when I was a kid. (Plus the Trabants, the Skodas, the Ladas... seeing a car from the West would have been rare back then.)
Anyhoo, thanks for the link, I do enjoy watching foreign and indie films for a change.
I'm glad the daughter still had her wits about her, even though it was at the cost of losing her parents. I mean, initially the wife seemed to have been aware that Ilija wasn't quite all there, but due to their relationship and proximity she slowly got infected with his line of unhealthy thinking. So, I think I see what you're saying.I suppose the verbal abusiveness toward the wife (besides being a cultural, Balkan/Oriental, reference) has a function in the genesis of the dyadic relationship between the spouses... Folie à deux seems to be the motif present throughout the whole drama, coming to the fore in the Stakhanovian/Sirotanovićian scene of digging out the picture.
I'm glad the daughter still had her wits about her, even though it was at the cost of losing her parents. I mean, initially the wife seemed to have been aware that Ilija wasn't quite all there, but due to their relationship and proximity she slowly got infected with his line of unhealthy thinking. So, I think I see what you're saying.
On a completely different note...
I watched Alien (1979) again last night, haven't seen it in ages. But it's still such a good movie -- being I've forgotten most of it I have to admit I had to jump out of my seat several times because of the suspense. The dialogue and acting were good, the cast and the special effects were great... poor, poor John Hurt. He was actually sort of attractive before the facehugger got a hold of him. Having said that...
I also tried to watch Aliens (1986) right afterward, I couldn't even finish the last hour. I haven't seen this flick in ages either, but I remembered why I didn't care for it as much as the original when it first came out. Lots of action, explosions, special effects, inane dialogue, the cli·chéd, cute little blond-haired blue-eyed girl (I'd much rather have the kitty from Alien back) - I loathe these kind of movies nowadays.
The difference between Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens... Ridley Scott has had some stinkers, too. But between him and James Cameron I'd always pick Scott as the director. (Scott had directed Blade Runner, after all, what more needs to be said?)
I watched The Irishman last night, I agree with you on the movie itself, but disagree a little on the acting. Loved Pesci though, he was right for the role. Here are my thoughts...Watched the Irishman yesterday. Very very good, the acting was outstanding, inespecially Pesci. Him and Pacino should both be nominated for best actor in a supporting role at the Oscars, while De Niro would deserve a nomination for leading actor.
Have to admit I have had enough of Scorsese and his Mob movies. I thought The Departed was pretty good but I definitely prefer early Scorsese to his later movies. Casino may have been a little underrated. I liked it better than Goodfellas which was much slicker and shorter. I thought Mean Streets, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver were his best. while The Last Waltz was a great rock documentary especially for fans of The Band.I watched The Irishman last night, I agree with you on the movie itself, but disagree a little on the acting. Loved Pesci though, he was right for the role. Here are my thoughts...
Clocking in at 3.5 hours I wasn't sure I could make it through in one sitting, but I thought the movie was actually well-paced and never boring. Okay, I did fall asleep the last ten minutes, but by then things had pretty much been wrapped up.
I had seen movies and documentaries about the mob and Jimmy Hoffa before, so I didn't really learn anything new. Well, except for new speculations as to what happened to Hoffa's body, but that's a mystery I don't think will ever be solved. Still, I did find the movie interesting and surprisingly not too flashy given its bloated budget (over $160 million!!), my only real beef is with the casting.
I could almost buy Pacino as Hoffa being he didn't look as frail as De Niro, but De Niro I just didn't buy at all. Clearly in the flashback scenes this role was meant for a much younger man, I hope Pesci calling him "kid" was just meant as an inside joke. I know they used some kind of new de-aging technology, but it didn't work too well being De Niro still looked frail, and his blue, CGI eyes looked like he had both cataracts and jaundice.
All in all I would recommend this movie for those who are interested in the mob, but just be aware that some of the senior actors might detract from what I think could have been a better viewing experience.
I've never seen Goodfellas or Casino, so maybe that's why I can't say I have tired of Marty's Mob flicks. Should I be tackling these two movies on some rainy night when the mood is right?Have to admit I have had enough of Scorsese and his Mob movies. I thought The Departed was pretty good but I definitely prefer early Scorsese to his later movies. Casino may have been a little underrated. I liked it better than Goodfellas which was much slicker and shorter. I thought Mean Streets, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver were his best. while The Last Waltz was a great rock documentary especially for fans of The Band.
Casino and the Goodfellas are both worth watching. Casino has a few confronting scenes, not for the squeamish.I've never seen Goodfellas or Casino, so maybe that's why I can't say I have tired of Marty's Mob flicks. Should I be tackling these two movies on some rainy night when the mood is right?
In the meantime I've watched some bad sci-fi flicks, but also a couple of movies I thought were rather well done.
God's Own Country (2017) - In some ways it's the UK's version of Brokeback Mountain, but it's so much more visceral. I thought it was so beautifully filmed and acted, this is the Brokeback Mountain for the newer generation I suppose.
The Danish Girl (2015) - Apparently lots of historical inaccuracies were going on here, but I still thought it was rather nice. At times times it was painful emotionally, but overall I still thought it well done.
To be fair, De Niro can't do anything about the CGI and the special effects. I also think he looked strange at times, but his performance was fine, inespecially in the last part.I watched The Irishman last night, I agree with you on the movie itself, but disagree a little on the acting. Loved Pesci though, he was right for the role. Here are my thoughts...
Clocking in at 3.5 hours I wasn't sure I could make it through in one sitting, but I thought the movie was actually well-paced and never boring. Okay, I did fall asleep the last ten minutes, but by then things had pretty much been wrapped up.
I had seen movies and documentaries about the mob and Jimmy Hoffa before, so I didn't really learn anything new. Well, except for new speculations as to what happened to Hoffa's body, but that's a mystery I don't think will ever be solved. Still, I did find the movie interesting and surprisingly not too flashy given its bloated budget (over $160 million!!), my only real beef is with the casting.
I could almost buy Pacino as Hoffa being he didn't look as frail as De Niro, but De Niro I just didn't buy at all. Clearly in the flashback scenes this role was meant for a much younger man, I hope Pesci calling him "kid" was just meant as an inside joke. I know they used some kind of new de-aging technology, but it didn't work too well being De Niro still looked frail, and his blue, CGI eyes looked like he had both cataracts and jaundice.
All in all I would recommend this movie for those who are interested in the mob, but just be aware that some of the senior actors might detract from what I think could have been a better viewing experience.
I think God's Own Country is worth seeing just for the scenery alone. I had visited the Peak District some years ago, and while not filmed there it reminded me very much of it. You could practically smell the sheep and the English countryside. Speaking of the senses...Haven't seen God's Own Country but I thought Brokeback Mountain was well done. Better than I expected with two great central performances especially Heath Ledger's and a nice soundtrack.
Yes I will have to catch up with that one. A friend of mine saw it and said it was very good. I never liked McConaughey much in his earlier films but in the latter part of his career he 's done some great work including the first True Detective series.I think God's Own Country is worth seeing just for the scenery alone. I had visited the Peak District some years ago, and while not filmed there it reminded me very much of it. You could practically smell the sheep and the English countryside. Speaking of the senses...
I watched Dallas Buyers Club (2013) last night - ooof, it was gritty, and not just because they had only $250 for makeup. Given the star power it's surprising they had a minimal budget to work with, but it didn't take away from the movie at all.
I think McConaughey deserved his Oscar, but I'm not as enamored with Leto as other viewers seem to be. He lost nearly as much weight as McConaughey and wore makeup and dresses for the role, but all in all his performance I thought was rather average.
There are many movies and documentaries about the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s, while not truly accurate (it was never mentioned the character of Ron Woodroof had been married three times, had a kid, and apparently wasn't as repulsively homophobic as depicted in the movie), Dallas Buyers Club is a good place to start if interested in learning about it. Expect a lot of grit.
I honestly can't recall seeing McConaughey in any other movie besides Dallas Buyers Club. Was he in a bunch of rom-coms (that I wouldn't have watched) running around with his shirt off? That used to be the joke anyway, McConaughey not being able to keep his shirt on. Oh, that and McConaughey and Lance being buddies when Lance was still on top. Hm...Yes I will have to catch up with that one. A friend of mine saw it and said it was very good. I never liked McConaughey much in his earlier films but in the latter part of his career he done some great work including the first True Detective series.