Last Seen Contemporary Movie

[Giganticface]

Battle Royale (2000)

I enjoyed it, although I wonder if my expectations had been set too high. For the first half of the movie, I thought there were too many characters, and the attempts to get the audience invested in each through some back story or relational interest seemed forced. I needed the number of characters that we were expected to care about cut in half.

Of course, by the plot's nature, the number was cut in half by about the 1-hour mark, so at this point it became more manageable. I can't say there was anything that actually made me say "wow," but it was pretty good fun for an adventure/action movie with a little extra blood.

7/10




Begotten (1990)

Now this one did make me say "wow." Wow, and "what the-" and "uhh... maybe I should turn the lights on." This movie was freaking nuts. I haven't been so chilled by cinematic imagery in nearly a lifetime. However... The big problem with this movie is that, since it has no real plot (although, afterwards I let the internet explain it to me as best it could), and since it moves soooo slow and not much actually, you know, happens, once the initial chills wore off, the final 40 minutes seem to drag, and dare I say, lull a person to sleep. The artist responsible for this beautiful abomination has said that it's intended to induce some sort of hypnosis. Well, it did cause me to see the inside of my eyelids.

9/10 for being freakishly scary and one-of-a-kind.
5/10 for being 40 minutes too long.
Average = 7/10.




Terrifying Girl's High School Lynch Law Classroom (1973)

Exploitation film has a very broad tent. From "Freaks" to muscle cars to movies about cannibals, there's something for everyone at the grindhouse. I had fun watching this one, but I'm not sure if it was because the story was any good, or because if felt a lot like softcore porn. I'm guessing the latter.

5/10.

[Despare]

Originally Posted by Giganticface

For the first half of the movie, I thought there were too many characters, and the attempts to get the audience invested in each through some back story or relational interest seemed forced. I needed the number of characters that we were expected to care about cut in half.

Funny you said that because after watching Hunger Games I felt like there was no reason to care about all but two of the characters. Even one that supposed to draw an emotional response from the audience felt like a throwaway to me. Must be tough for them to find a good balance.

[roshiq]

Rock of Ages (2012)



>>: C

Redd Inc. aka Inhuman Resources (2012)



Convicted 'Headhunter' serial killer and former corporate manager, Thomas Reddmann (Nicholas Hope...the "Bad Boy Bubby" himself!) is demented from experimental procedures endured at the unorthodox mental asylum from which he has escaped. Redd maintains his innocence and is determined to prove it. He creates Redd Incorporated (REDD INC.), a twisted version of the modern office environment, filling it with six abducted people he holds directly responsible for his incarceration. His captive 'human resources' are literally chained to their desks and forced to perform the impossible job of finding the real killer. They must work in gruelling circumstances to prove the unprovable or face gruesome consequences. REDD INC is a macabre office where written warnings are carved into foreheads, filing cabinets overflow with body parts and a trip to HR is likely to end in a grisly "termination"!

Fun, gory & entertaining. Liked it.

>>: B+

[_____V_____]

Superb. They pulled out all the tricks to make this an enjoyable romp from start to finish, and they have excelled. Superb pacing, excellent characterisation and a great script. Not to mention, nods to most of the Bond films of the past 50 years. The biggest facet of Bond was revealed in this film, one which fans have always been interested to know about. What is it? You have to see the film for that. (a hint - it concerns Scottish highlands and a chapel beside 2 very eminent graves)

Always great to see Judi Dench, and she was great in giving M a vulnerable side we never saw. Albert Finney made his presence felt in his cameo in the second half of the film, and I thought Javier Bardem made for a pretty menacing and intimidating villain with a single-point revenge vendetta. Such a relief to see Ralph Fiennes out of his Voldemort suit, with Craig again excelling in giving his raw, gritty edge to the darker Bond we have come to see in his films. And I can see why roshiq is absolutely smitten by Berenice Marlohe - she really is a dish to savor!

Oh, and BMT 216A still rules! And yes, it's still pretty loaded!!


* * * *

[Giganticface]

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Having such a wide-eyed adoration for TRON my whole life, the most important requirement of a sequel was that it paid respect to the original. This it did, while still telling a new, engaging and exciting story. Well executed. Someone should tell George Lucas that this is how it's done. This second time around may have been even better than the first.

7/10.




The Fly (1986)

Some of the best body horror ever put on film, 'nuff said. Still great after about my 5th viewing. Can't wait for Cronenberg's remake of his remake.

9/10.




Cube (1997)

I forgot that I had already seen this one, which has to count against it for not leaving a big impression. I still enjoyed it the second time around though. Good psycho-social thriller with a few bloody good kills. I suspect this movie had some influence on the original Saw.

7/10.




Breaking the Waves (1996)

After expressing my appreciation for Antichrist, I took Fearonsarms' recommendation and checked out this other Lars von Trier movie. At nearly three hours, it was an investment and a slow-mover to boot, but that was to be expected. Well worth it. I'm not sure who to hate more, the evil husband, the pious, excommunicating puritans, or maybe even the main character, Bess, for being so frustratingly stupid. Plenty of feel-bad to go around, leaving damage deep in your gut for days afterwards.

7/10.



Horrible Bosses (2011)

Pretty decent revenge black comedy with smart, albeit not-so-subtle, social and economic commentary. Stupid good cast. I had to downgrade it though, because hearing Jenifer Aniston talk so filthily, ironically, made me a little sad.

6/10.




The Descent (2005)

After about the 5th time watching this, it still doesn't get old. Seemingly such a simple plot, and yet the horror is beautifully multi-layered, ranging from the natural horror of being trapped underground, to the psychological horror of friends deceiving friends, to the almost extraneous horror of cave-evolved rednecks. I still remember my first time watching, when I knew absolutely nothing of what was to come. Neil Marshall, you had me at "F--- the rope bag. Okay, move! Now!"

9/10.

[newb]

Tower Block

nice little thriller about a sniper terrorizing a group of people on the top floor of a soon to be abandoned apartment complex.

[Fearonsarms]

Originally Posted by Giganticface

Breaking the Waves (1996)

After expressing my appreciation for Antichrist, I took Fearonsarms' recommendation and checked out this other Lars von Trier movie. At nearly three hours, it was an investment and a slow-mover to boot, but that was to be expected. Well worth it. I'm not sure who to hate more, the evil husband, the pious, excommunicating puritans, or maybe even the main character, Bess, for being so frustratingly stupid. Plenty of feel-bad to go around, leaving damage deep in your gut for days afterwards.

7/10.

So glad you watched and got a lot out of it. It is as you say a bit of a big investment of your time but it is definitely very rewarding. There's a lot of intentionally nasty characters and they can be very infuriating to watch with the way they act and behave. But the way it progresses is why I love it so much unfolding with all these super negative human characteristics being revealed. I hated the kids that were throwing rocks at Bess most. What an agonizingly drawn out scene! Not a film you can forget after watching it-it's the same with all Von Trier's films but this is the one I adore the most so I hope it didn't damage your faith in humanity too much :D

The Descent (2005)

After about the 5th time watching this, it still doesn't get old. Seemingly such a simple plot, and yet the horror is beautifully multi-layered, ranging from the natural horror of being trapped underground, to the psychological horror of friends deceiving friends, to the almost extraneous horror of cave-evolved rednecks. I still remember my first time watching, when I knew absolutely nothing of what was to come. Neil Marshall, you had me at "F--- the rope bag. Okay, move! Now!"

9/10.

I have this on dvd yet only watched it once and that was year's ago I really need to give it another watch cheers :) and I need to watch Tron Legacy I loved the original but not got around to watching it yet.

[roshiq]

Sound of My Voice (2011)



Substitute schoolteacher Peter and her girlfriend Lorna embarks on their first undercover journalism project. Their subject is a mysterious cult & their goal is to expose the cult leader as a fraud...who claims to be from the future!

A pretty interesting indie thriller with a predictable but good twist at the end.

>>: B+

Isolerad aka Corridor (2010)



Medical student Frank lives in a fine little flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming stressful exams. One day the curious, lovely girl on the upper floor rings the doorbell. In spite of his unwelcoming attitude she keeps coming back, more and more often. Things don't seem quite right between her and her mysterious biker boyfriend (Peter Stormare) and over the course of a few intense days, everything turns into a horrifying vision of the bloody consequences of solitude.

This is not something like Polanski's The Tenant but still a highly enthralling beautiful psychological thriller from Sweden. Loved the way they kept it so tight & interesting till the end while the premise or story was so simple but entertaining to watch. I think a major credit also goes to the young actor on the lead who delivered a convincing performance on a regular, believable, lonely-'coward' guy.

Recommended.

>> A

Stolen (2012)



>>: C+

[Angra]

Originally Posted by roshiq

Isolerad aka Corridor (2010)



Medical student Frank lives in a fine little flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming stressful exams. One day the curious, lovely girl on the upper floor rings the doorbell. In spite of his unwelcoming attitude she keeps coming back, more and more often. Things don't seem quite right between her and her mysterious biker boyfriend (Peter Stormare) and over the course of a few intense days, everything turns into a horrifying vision of the bloody consequences of solitude.

This is not something like Polanski's The Tenant but still a highly enthralling beautiful psychological thriller from Sweden. Loved the way they kept it so tight & interesting till the end while the premise or story was so simple but entertaining to watch. I think a major credit also goes to the young actor on the lead who delivered a convincing performance on a regular, believable, lonely-'coward' guy.

Recommended.

>> A

Sounds a lot like norwegian

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453383/

Great.

[newb]

Originally Posted by Angra

Sounds a lot like norwegian

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453383/

Great.

that looks good


and yes I'm talking about the chick with the boobs on the cover