Red Mosquito

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

Except it's not and it isn't.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

Except it's not and it isn't.

Well look, bub, if you don't find it funny that's fine. But it's a definitely a well executed farce.

Second viewing of Akira Nobi's "The Day of Ants in the Sky". I love this movie.

ReoSteveWagon wrote:Second viewing of Akira Nobi's "The Day of Ants in the Sky". I love this movie.

I'm told it's a great movie to watch when you're feeling nacious.

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

Except it's not and it isn't.

Well look, bub, if you don't find it funny that's fine. But it's a definitely a well executed farce.

I'd say it's close, but not quite there. No one is developed enough and the situation is certainly not milked for all the awkward comedy it could be. The actual "farce" section of the movie is relatively brief. The culture clash doesn't escalate enough, and the resolution is super rushed and half-assed. Nothing in the movie ever jells.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

Except it's not and it isn't.

Well look, bub, if you don't find it funny that's fine. But it's a definitely a well executed farce.

I'd say it's close, but not quite there. No one is developed enough and the situation is certainly not milked for all the awkward comedy it could be. The actual "farce" section of the movie is relatively brief. The culture clash doesn't escalate enough, and the resolution is super rushed and half-assed. Nothing in the movie ever jells.

It doesn't want to be an awkward comedy, though. I'd rather not pick it apart for not being something it doesn't want to be.

I like the character development, though.

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:-The Birdcage (1996) (Why does this glorified sitcom have such a good reputation?)

Probably because it's really funny and a damn near perfectly executed farce.

Except it's not and it isn't.

Well look, bub, if you don't find it funny that's fine. But it's a definitely a well executed farce.

I'd say it's close, but not quite there. No one is developed enough and the situation is certainly not milked for all the awkward comedy it could be. The actual "farce" section of the movie is relatively brief. The culture clash doesn't escalate enough, and the resolution is super rushed and half-assed. Nothing in the movie ever jells.

It doesn't want to be an awkward comedy, though. I'd rather not pick it apart for not being something it doesn't want to be.

I like the character development, though.

I should have worded that more clearly. I don't mean "awkward comedy;" I mean it should have mined more comedy from the awkwardness of the scenario, which it was clearly doing. Much of the humor in the dinner scene is derived from how stressful and uncomfortable the situation is. I just wish it had gone further with it.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:I just wish it had gone further with it.

I think that's valid. But I miss the element of restraint from comedy in general, too. The modern need to take everything further has neutered comedy in a lot of ways, I think. So a movie like this really shines in its ability to walk a nice line. But I what you're getting it and I think that's a fair criticism.

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:I just wish it had gone further with it.

I think that's valid. But I miss the element of restraint from comedy in general, too. The modern need to take everything further has neutered comedy in a lot of ways, I think. So a movie like this really shines in its ability to walk a nice line. But I what you're getting it and I think that's a fair criticism.

These days, I pretty much find myself wishing all comedies based around social criticism/observation had been directed by John Waters or Todd Solondz. So you can imagine how they all seem lacking by that thought process.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Last 8:

-As Above, So Below (2014) (What a great surprise this was.)
-Predestination (2014)
-Silent Fall (1994)
-Honeymoon (2014)
-Maniac (2012)
-Ganja & Hess (1973)
-What Women Want (2000)
-Annabelle (2014)

How does Annabelle get a thumbs up? It's such a redundant spin-off

Top Gun.......3D

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:I just wish it had gone further with it.

I think that's valid. But I miss the element of restraint from comedy in general, too. The modern need to take everything further has neutered comedy in a lot of ways, I think. So a movie like this really shines in its ability to walk a nice line. But I what you're getting it and I think that's a fair criticism.

These days, I pretty much find myself wishing all comedies based around social criticism/observation had been directed by John Waters or Todd Solondz. So you can imagine how they all seem lacking by that thought process.

Of course. I had a feeling you were kinda angling that way. Those guys are fucking geniuses.

Rangi Guy wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Last 8:

-As Above, So Below (2014) (What a great surprise this was.)
-Predestination (2014)
-Silent Fall (1994)
-Honeymoon (2014)
-Maniac (2012)
-Ganja & Hess (1973)
-What Women Want (2000)
-Annabelle (2014)

How does Annabelle get a thumbs up? It's such a redundant spin-off

I dug it. There were two mega impressive set-pieces in there: the opening murder sequence was done in a style unlike anything I've ever seen, really, and the elevator sequence was expertly crafted, incredibly tense.

The rest is a serviceable supernatural horror movie (that happens to have outstanding costume and production design).

LoathedVermin72 wrote:

Rangi Guy wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Last 8:

-As Above, So Below (2014) (What a great surprise this was.)
-Predestination (2014)
-Silent Fall (1994)
-Honeymoon (2014)
-Maniac (2012)
-Ganja & Hess (1973)
-What Women Want (2000)
-Annabelle (2014)

How does Annabelle get a thumbs up? It's such a redundant spin-off

I dug it. There were two mega impressive set-pieces in there: the opening murder sequence was done in a style unlike anything I've ever seen, really, and the elevator sequence was expertly crafted, incredibly tense.

The rest is a serviceable supernatural horror movie (that happens to have outstanding costume and production design).

Fair enough - I came away wishing I'd left Annabelle in The Conjuring, she was the scariest part of that film

Tried to snag my friend's Imitation Game screener so I could watch it before the awards tonight. No go. Bummer.

But I guess this belongs in the what movies aren't you watching? thread.

Act of Valor is on tv. i honestly thought it was a commercial for a couple of minutes.

Last two movies Mrs. d_v and I watched were Gone Girl and Boyhood.

Gone Girl was pretty good, but not great. I didn't really know much about the story and hype going in, but it still felt pretty predictable. Not sure I really liked the acting either. Overall, just a middle of the road movie, but I don't regret watching it, so 3 stars.

Boyhood was pretty special. It was long, but since it was broken up in about 15 to 20 minutes of Mason's boyhood, if didn't feel quite as long as it was to me. I like how a lot was unscripted and implied things that you just had to fill in for yourself, which they pretty much had to do, otherwise it would have been a 10 hour movie. It hit enough on the emotions without getting too specific in places. I'd give this one at least 4 stars and possibly 5.

Finally watched The Imitation Game. Really dug it. Some weird narrative devices that were a bit distracting. But holy shit the performances. This year's Best Actor category was just a monster. I love Benedict Cumberbatch.

I liked Under the Skin a lot. Really haunting and beautifully shot. Everything Jonathan Glazer has made has ended up really impressing me.