Movie Thread (All forms)

[The Mule]

Ok. So after 13 years I finally watched Eyes Wide Shut and it was better and worse than I thought. Tom Cruise is pretty awful in it. I mean, is he supposed to be exhibiting complex emotions? Is he supposed to be sexy? The scenes of him trying to be sexy are ridiculous. It looks beautiful, like all Kubrick films, stunning shots, amazing lighting (lots of blue location lighting and the use of Christmas trees as well). I had to cover my eyes while he was making out with and groping Nicole Kidman (his "wife" maybe for hire at the time) because it was so uncomfortable. As the film went on I started to be more comfortable with him, but it took a while. There are some stellar stand alone scenes and Sydney Pollack was in the movie for about 15 minutes and was amazing. Nic was good as well.



This film is more interesting as a concept than an actual narrative. The story is fine, but not as interesting as the thematic subjects that a viewer can then discuss. So, I liked it because now I have so much shit to say about what I believe the film is saying about sexuality, fantasy, reality, etc.



I love Kubrick and have watched almost all his films, but none of the early noir or war pictures though, which I should do, and not Barry Lyndon. either.



I'd love for anyone else to weigh in on Eyes Wide Shut. I have a lot more to say but I'm still sorting out my thoughts on this one. Too bad it was Kubrick's last film.



On a totally different note (well, I'm sure if I had to write an essay I could connect them) I also watched Young Adult and loved it. Really funny, great writing from Diablo Cody (though I know many people found Juno to be a bit twee or obnoxious I liked that as well and this is certainly different tonally and in terms of dialogue), great acting from Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt and just a realistic, darkly comic depiction of how we can't always get what we want and even when we do get some of it, that stuff brings it's own shit to the table.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

As I posted in the Movie Thread, the movie was alright. The story line wasn't that great. I had a few laughs though, but nothing memorable. From all the great reviews I was expecting something much better, but I should have known.

 

[winos5]

Went to Ghost Rider 2 a week ago and the Lorax this weekend. Wait for the redbox rentals.

 

[TSD]

I didnt think Goon was bad at all. I mean I dont know what more one can expect. It was entertaining throughout, has a few laughs and gives exposure to hockey. I think to many people want to go right in to compare it to slapshot, and its really not fair. I thought it could do without the love story, but the dynamic between scotts character and the star forward and how it changed through the film was good and those Russian Brothers on the team were pretty funny. "Show us your ****!". and the goalie has his mother painted on his mask and the russians were humping it, I chuckled.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I didnt think Goon was bad at all. I mean I dont know what more one can expect. It was entertaining throughout, has a few laughs and gives exposure to hockey. I think to many people want to go right in to compare it to slapshot, and its really not fair. I thought it could do without the love story, but the dynamic between scotts character and the star forward and how it changed through the film was good and those Russian Brothers on the team were pretty funny. "Show us your ****!". and the goalie has his mother painted on his mask and the russians were humping it, I chuckled.

It was just too cliche' and too predictable.

 

[whiteevo]

stone is easily the shittiest movie i've sat thru. ugh.

 

[TSD]

It was just too cliche' and too predictable.

The problem is once you have watched a shit ton of movies, you can almost say that about every movie save for the very rare new title.

 

[mikita's helmet]

I love Kubrick and have watched almost all his films, but none of the early noir or war pictures though, which I should do, and not Barry Lyndon. either.

Early Noir (The Killing & Killer's Kiss) war (Full Metal Jacket, Paths of Glory and Fear & Desire) and Barry Lyndon. That's 6 of his 13 full lenghth films. Anyway, Fear & Desire is hard to see, but the rest are all GREAT!!!!



I've seen Eye Wide Shut three times and each time I see it, it grows on me more. I read the Kubrick wanted a real married couple to play the role of the married couple, and his first choice Alec Baldwin & Kim Basinger, turned him down. One way of looking at Cruise's performance, whcih I once heard from some critic, was that Cruise reacts more than acts in his film roles, and that's what Kubrick was looking for.

 

[winos5]

Off the top of my head The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and a Clockwork Orange are my fav Kubrick films. I remeber seeing Barry Lyndon many years ago on cable, but don't recall much of it. A Kubrick film festival seems like a good idea one of these weekends...

 

[The Mule]

Early Noir (The Killing & Killer's Kiss) war (Full Metal Jacket, Paths of Glory and Fear & Desire) and Barry Lyndon. That's 6 of his 13 full lenghth films. Anyway, Fear & Desire is hard to see, but the rest are all GREAT!!!!



I've seen Eye Wide Shut three times and each time I see it, it grows on me more. I read the Kubrick wanted a real married couple to play the role of the married couple, and his first choice Alec Baldwin & Kim Basinger, turned him down. One way of looking at Cruise's performance, whcih I once heard from some critic, was that Cruise reacts more than acts in his film roles, and that's what Kubrick was looking for.

I should say that I have seen Full Metal Jacket many times, but not Paths of Glory or Fear and Desire. So, fair enough, I've missed out on a lot. I just have watched most of his other films in an obsessive fashion, so I think I'm all Kubrick-fabulous.



The more I think about Eye Wide Shut the more I think about Tom Cruise as the ultimate dope. He's constantly emasculated, and by the end he holds no power. Even though he's somewhat wealthy, in comparison to the other orgy members he's a rube, a poor schlub who can't even fake his way. He's proven to not be very smart socially. He's supposed to not have any sexual power because he's not driven by sex. It's all a farce to him.



I read an essay about the film by Tim Kreider and in it he talks about the film as a critique of the wealthy and that it's only about sex in the way that sex relates to money and power. That Syndey Pollack's character can afford to buy and even murder prostitutes without consequences (well maybe, if she's really been murdered), where the impotent, weak Tom Cruise can't even go through with having sex with one. As well he addresses the obvious issue of all the women in the film, Kidman included, as being prostitutes. Throughout the film Kidman is either in her home, cloistered from the outside world or when she's out she's with her husband, like property. It made me appreciate the film more to read it as being about a social issue, as compared to something about adult sexuality, which the film deals with very poorly, aside from Kidman's initial monologue about the naval officer which is striking and bold and very telling.



I think the material, and the fact that the script seems much less tight than the usual Kubrick material makes the film less genius, but still interesting to discuss.



Thanks for responding. The great thing about his films is that there is always so much to talk about, whether you loved the film or not.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

The problem is once you have watched a shit ton of movies, you can almost say that about every movie save for the very rare new title.

That is true...



Maybe next time have the old time tough guy be an alien and throw everyone for a fucking loop...



(Calling spielberg as we speak...

 

[TSD]

That is true...



Maybe next time have the old time tough guy be an alien and throw everyone for a fucking loop...



(Calling spielberg as we speak...

You have to admit its hard to watch a movie and honestly admit you havent seen the storytelling formula 100 times before.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

You have to admit its hard to watch a movie and honestly admit you havent seen the storytelling formula 100 times before.

I completely agree.



I felt the whole story was rushed. Went from being a nobody to an enforcer to a decent player within the first 15 minutes. Maybe draw the characters out more or something that didn't seem so to the point.

 

[nana]

I read an essay about the film by Tim Kreider and in it he talks about the film as a critique of the wealthy and that it's only about sex in the way that sex relates to money and power. That Syndey Pollack's character can afford to buy and even murder prostitutes without consequences (well maybe, if she's really been murdered), where the impotent, weak Tom Cruise can't even go through with having sex with one. As well he addresses the obvious issue of all the women in the film, Kidman included, as being prostitutes. Throughout the film Kidman is either in her home, cloistered from the outside world or when she's out she's with her husband, like property. It made me appreciate the film more to read it as being about a social issue, as compared to something about adult sexuality, which the film deals with very poorly, aside from Kidman's initial monologue about the naval officer which is striking and bold and very telling.



I think the material, and the fact that the script seems much less tight than the usual Kubrick material makes the film less genius, but still interesting to discuss.



Thanks for responding. The great thing about his films is that there is always so much to talk about, whether you loved the film or not.

I would generally agree with Kreider's assessment. I thought the film was beautifully shot and exquisitely-detailed. I think the biggest problem was the film was marketed as something that it is not, and like a lot of Kubrick films, was widely misunderstood at the time of its release.



On another note - I've seen two other films lately which I would recommend.

Young Adult: I thought Charlize Theron & Patton Oswalt were both great.

Blue Valentine: Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams were absolutely brilliant in this movie. I know Williams was nominated for an Oscar but it is a crime that Gosling was not. It is a bit painful to watch, but overall a good film.

 

[IceHogsFan]

Act of Valor



Outstanding. If you want to get real insight to the lives of a Navy SEAL team and what our brothers and sisters arms commit to then this is a must see. I think this is the type of movie best viewed on a big screen. I made an impact on me and I am a veteran. For those who have not served I would think it would open many eyes.

 

[nana]

Safe House - very good action film... Ryan Reynolds & Denzel Washington are great together and I thought the action scenes were very well done.

 

[The Mule]

I would generally agree with Kreider's assessment. I thought the film was beautifully shot and exquisitely-detailed. I think the biggest problem was the film was marketed as something that it is not, and like a lot of Kubrick films, was widely misunderstood at the time of its release.



On another note - I've seen two other films lately which I would recommend.

Young Adult: I thought Charlize Theron & Patton Oswalt were both great.

Blue Valentine: Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams were absolutely brilliant in this movie. I know Williams was nominated for an Oscar but it is a crime that Gosling was not. It is a bit painful to watch, but overall a good film.

I also watched Young Adult and it was amazing. Charlize did such a good job of being the *****, but also the outcast. The way people want to seem to others, especially when you're from a small town and want to impress them with your "big city lifestyle" was just heartbreaking to me. Also, it was really funny. Blue Valentine is fantastic. One of my favourite films from last year. The realism is what makes it hard to watch. No movie trickery, or false notes. It's like a punch in the face.

 

[winos5]

Saw John Carter today.



Entertaining. Lynn Collins is easy on the eyes, alas sadly bears no flesh in this Disney film.



Worth a look if your into Sci-Fi/Fantasy

 

[Ymono37]

I would generally agree with Kreider's assessment. I thought the film was beautifully shot and exquisitely-detailed. I think the biggest problem was the film was marketed as something that it is not, and like a lot of Kubrick films, was widely misunderstood at the time of its release.



On another note - I've seen two other films lately which I would recommend.

Young Adult: I thought Charlize Theron & Patton Oswalt were both great.

Blue Valentine: Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams were absolutely brilliant in this movie. I know Williams was nominated for an Oscar but it is a crime that Gosling was not. It is a bit painful to watch, but overall a good film.

I've been wanting to see Young Adult solely for Patton Oswald... big fan.

 

[TSD]

Saw John Carter today.



Entertaining. Lynn Collins is easy on the eyes, alas sadly bears no flesh in this Disney film.



Worth a look if your into Sci-Fi/Fantasy

I heard that movie had a terrible box office opening and its lucky if it breaks even down the stretch, but like you all the reviews seem to be positive.