Last Seen Contemporary Movie

[newb]

Out of The Furnace

a stellar cast lifted a somewhat ho hum script.

[DP McCoy]

Originally Posted by Elvis_Christ

The Dead



Re-watched this one. Still one of the better modern zombie films IMO. Slow burning and grim stuff.

Definitely agree,head and shoulders above the usual lazy zombie film rip offs that are churned out.

Olympus has Fallen - A bunch of North Korean terrorists invade the White House,Gerard Butler goes all John McClane and gives them what for. Although a bit dopey in places,it's still a pleasing enough actioner 6/10.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Giganticface

I think the most bafflingly unique film I've seen is Computer Chess. It might also help that I'm a software engineer with a soft spot for retro computer stuff, but I don't think the film requires that type of interest to be enjoyed.

I really loved The Puffy Chair, and The Do-Deca-Pentathlon was a bit of fun. Although it's evolved from pure mumblecore, Frances Ha was enjoyable -- Greta Gerwig at her best. I think all those are on Netflix. Jeff, Who Lives at Home, and Cyrus, are bigger budget, but I thought pretty darn good. Open Five was not bad with a bit of patience (its on YouTube).

I have a long list of films yet to see. I don't think I've seen most of the essentials, like Funny Ha Ha, Hanna Takes the Stairs, Humpday... There are a surprising number on Netflix, but none of the essentials (except The Puffy Chair).

On the -gore front, I really want to rewatch House of the Devil, which I liked the first time, but didn't realize it was a part of a larger movement. I've watched Baghead twice, although it's light on scares. A Horrible Way to Die was okay, but You're Next is much better. I'm not sure it's truly mumblecore, but Bitter Feast was worth a watch.

I've been hearing nothing but good things in terms of Computer Chess; really need to check it out!

I liked The Puffy Chair a lot too. Actually, I just really love Mark Duplass; I have HUGE crush on him (love him as a Jerk on the League - he's FANTASTIC in The Mindy Project - and also as Loveable Leads in his movies - Have you seen Safety Not Guaranteed? One of my favorite movies of that past couple of years). I need to watch Do-Deca-Pentathlon and I did like Frances Ha (I like Greta Gerwig a lot). If you liked Frances Ha, you may like Tiny Furniture (also available on Netflix Instant!) - As a girls fan, I appreciated it.

Humpday was really, really fantastic. I think that it might be my favorite of the lower budget Mumblecore - Definitely check that one out. Hanna Takes the Stairs was good, but I liked Frances Ha better from the female character study perspective (although the very end of Hanna was really sweet). Just added Funny Ha Ha to the Netflix queue; thank you for the reminder!

It's funny that you brought up House of the Devil; I didn't really consider it Mumblecore (because I guess I just associate the genre with India Dramas), but that makes sense to me. I think what I like about Mumblecore is that it seems more realistic to me, which is also why I absolutely loved House of the Devil. Have you seen The Innkeepers? I think that one's brilliant as well.

Baghead I watched but didn't like it at the time, I think mostly because I was expecting more of a Home Invasion/Slasher film - Now that I know what to expect (and I've realized my love for the Duplass Brothers), I need to watch it again.

Thanks for the reminder on Horrible Way to Die - I loved You're Next and have been wanting to check it out for a while. I haven't heard of A Bitter Feast; I'll have to check that out as well!

Originally Posted by Khaleesi

I like Mumblecore/gore, as well, although I really have to be in the mood for it otherwise the films just come off as flat and bland. Some mumblecore/gore films I've seen...

Entrance
The House of the Devil
Silver Bullets
Sun Don't Shine
A Horrible Way To Die
Louise and Her Lover

Of all of these, I enjoyed A Horrible Way To Die the most. The House of the Devil was fun as well. Sun Don't Shine was a waste of time, along with Silver Bullets, unless you watch the latter for the Chekhovian influence alone. Entrance, likewise, requires a lot of patience, but I thought the pay off was worth it.

....Now, as to my recent viewings, I watched two anthology horror films, Sanitarium and The Signal. The first two segments of Sanitarium were fun, although I didn't like the third act and Malcolm McDowell was way underused. The Signal, unfortunately, I did not like at all.

Thanks for the list! Haven't heard of most of those. I remember falling asleep during Entrance, but the Hubby liked the ending, so I feel as though I should give it another true.

I loved The Signal. It's been a while; I'll have to check it out again...


...


Recent viewings for me...


Open Grave (2013)




Hrm. Problematic movie for me.

First and foremost, Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium) was just... Not good. Not good at all. I didn't realize how incredibly limited he was until I saw this movie. Every line was poorly-delivered and stilted. Unfortunately, the same can be said for his co-stars Thomas Kretschmann and Erin Richards.

It might not be completely their fault, though, to be honest, because the script has some of the worst exposition that I've ever heard. I don't remember the last time that I've been that pandered to as an audience member. Copley's character literally spelled out EVERYthing for us - Everything he saw/felt - It was poor screenwriting.

But here's the thing - The actual structure of the film worked. While you start off with what seems like a familiar concept (group of people wake up not knowing who they are or what's going on), it unravels well - Paced slowly with well-done flashbacks... There's a lot there that could have worked if it was cast different and about 1/2 of the dialogue was cut.

Ultimately, disappointed. 2/5.


...


Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)




I felt the same way with this chapter as I did the last one - I think that Wan is incredibly successful when it comes to building suspense and creating a genuine feeling of dread in the first third or so when we're dealing with a haunted house (essentially).

But it really loses me once we go into Mystical Ghost Land.

I think that if you loved the first movie, you'd probably love this one. I thought that the first movie was 2/3 a good movie... Unfortunately this movie had less of what I liked in the first film.

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

I felt the same way with this chapter as I did the last one - I think that Wan is incredibly successful when it comes to building suspense and creating a genuine feeling of dread in the first third or so when we're dealing with a haunted house (essentially).

But it really loses me once we go into Mystical Ghost Land.

I think that if you loved the first movie, you'd probably love this one. I thought that the first movie was 2/3 a good movie... Unfortunately this movie had less of what I liked in the first film.

I couldn't stand it ..
completely un-engaging and it felt forced and rushed to me

but I know people who swear it's amazing..

[urgeok2]

am I the only person who's seen Walter Mitty??

you guys have to check this out - Horror forum or not ..

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by urgeok2

am I the only person who's seen Walter Mitty??

you guys have to check this out - Horror forum or not ..

I'll pass. Not a Ben Stiller fan. And, I'm sorry, but no one can beat Danny Kaye as Walter Mitty.

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

I'll pass. Not a Ben Stiller fan. And, I'm sorry, but no one can beat Danny Kaye as Walter Mitty.

this is a very different movie.

I'm not crazy about Ben Stiller either - but he stretches himself here ..

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

[ChronoGrl]

It just doesn't appeal to me; Sorry Urge. I'll catch it when it's on HBO for free.

Next movie I want to see that's currently in the theater is Frozen.

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

It just doesn't appeal to me; Sorry Urge. I'll catch it when it's on HBO for free.

Next movie I want to see that's currently in the theater is Frozen.

And I'll catch it when it's on Netflix.

I want to see Frozen, too! I've heard good things about it!

[Elvis_Christ]

You're Next



The Carpenter inspired score was the highlight for me with this one. Nice to see Barbara Crampton back on the screen too. Sharni Vinson made quite a fearsome final girl and gave a much better performance than in Bait but I found the rest of the cast unlikeable. You're Next wasn't as tense as I was hoping for and for the most part played out like a below average slasher. The film's humor was quite awkward and fell flat for me. I did enjoy the homages to Craven's Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street though. There were a few redeeming moments of greatness and I did find myself enjoying the flick by the end but overall for me this was a little uneven to call a great film.