Quote:
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.
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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!
Quote:
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...
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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.
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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.