Movies 2019 | Golden Skate

Movies 2019

Ducky

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Sorry, I've noticed that there's no general movie thread and felt the need to rectify this situation as we go into awards season, kicked off by the Gotham Award Nominations being announced yesterday. Yes, yes, yes I know that this is what Letterbox

What's the last movie you've seen? Thoughts? Reviews? The good old thumbs up/thumbs down?

What movies are you looking forward to seeing?
 

Ducky

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Last week, I ended up seeing Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (Gisaengchung) (2019) a darkly comedic, at times disturbing, tale of class conflict as an unemployed family cons their way into working for the wealthy Park family after conspiring to have Mr. and Mrs. Park fire their original driver and housekeeper. Bong captures the essence of what it’s like to be in the employ of the 1% -- at times I had ptsd from my time being a personal assistant to a socialite -- and how proximity only exasperates class differences as the wealthy Parks need to keep their own sense of superiority by keeping their staff from “crossing a line” of familiarity. The Parks are carelessly nice when it suits them, but as the matriarch of the Kim family notes “they’re rich, they can afford to be nice.” Whereas the Kim family has to lie and steal their way to gainful employment (the con is how they get the job, not that once they have it they’re not doing a good one).

This is easily one of the best films of 2019, with so many twists and turns, moments that are laugh out loud funny, and things to chew on that I’m tempted to con my friends into seeing it by telling them we’re seeing Joker and oops we’re in the wrong theater but we’ve already ordered food and the opening credits are rolling as we might as well stay…
 

Ross74

Medalist
Joined
Oct 8, 2015
Looking forward to The Lighthouse and Midway.
We almost saw Lighthouse last night but ended up seeing JoJo Rabbit instead, which is an awesome movie, but really really out there. As in, make sure you know what it's about before you go. Hubby and I both liked it a lot, as did everyone sitting around us. Still hope to see Lighthouse soon.

Last week, I ended up seeing Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (Gisaengchung) (2019) a darkly comedic, at times disturbing, tale of class conflict as an unemployed family cons their way into working for the wealthy Park family after conspiring to have Mr. and Mrs. Park fire their original driver and housekeeper. Bong captures the essence of what it’s like to be in the employ of the 1% -- at times I had ptsd from my time being a personal assistant to a socialite -- and how proximity only exasperates class differences as the wealthy Parks need to keep their own sense of superiority by keeping their staff from “crossing a line” of familiarity. The Parks are carelessly nice when it suits them, but as the matriarch of the Kim family notes “they’re rich, they can afford to be nice.” Whereas the Kim family has to lie and steal their way to gainful employment (the con is how they get the job, not that once they have it they’re not doing a good one).

This is easily one of the best films of 2019, with so many twists and turns, moments that are laugh out loud funny, and things to chew on that I’m tempted to con my friends into seeing it by telling them we’re seeing Joker and oops we’re in the wrong theater but we’ve already ordered food and the opening credits are rolling as we might as well stay…

We saw the previews for this last night and I immediately emailed my film-loving son who happens to be touring Korea at the moment. He said Parasite is easily the best movie he's seen this year! We're getting ready to leave on a major cross-country trip and hope to see on the road.
 

elbkup

Power without conscience is a savage weapon
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Mar 3, 2015
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A few years ago my very best friend gave me a copy of "The Art of Racing in the Rain"... a story so close to my heart. The film came out late summer ... did not disappoint...:dance2:
 

Ducky

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Looking forward to The Lighthouse and Midway.

I'm probably going to see The Lighthouse this weekend. There's a theater close by that properly masks the screen so you don't have the digital black letterbox effect. Or at least I hope they will because they've done it before for smaller films but it does make previews kind of tricky.


Have to confess that last week I ended up watching Rashomon for the first time ever. ::hangs head in shame::
 

Ducky

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Ended up seeing The Lighthouse which is technically very well made and atmospheric but I'm not sure how I felt about it.

Some raw mostly spoiler free thoughts:
1) Cinematography and sound design and mise en scene are impeccable. Robbert Eggers use of such an incredibly tight aspect ratio (1.19 : 1 or an almost near square) coupled claustrophobic close ups and static camerawork and editing that makes anytime the camera moves for a shot feel with as much dread as what could possible be on screen. This is a film that wouldn't work if it weren't filmed in black and white.
2) Just as in The VVitch Eggers has an aversion to using artificial light and the stark difference between night and day makes the island the action takes place on seem like two different planets. This could easily work as a silent film and I mean that in the best possible way.
3) Acting is great.
4) Storywise the first two thirds are close to a great film but then, like Thomas's speeches, the third act is just kind of long winded and I kept wondering when things would go down.
5) Things definitely go down in the last act.

If you like The VVitch you're probably going to enjoy this movie. If you thought that was convoluted or contrived, I'm going to say that this very contrived non-widescreen black and white film where the characters sounds as if they've been force fed Moby Dick with a pinch of Lovecraft for the last three years may not be for you.
 

Kitt

Final Flight
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Feb 1, 2007
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United-States
Saw Motherless Brooklyn yesterday. A must-see if you are an Edward Norton fan; he writes, directs, and stars in it and knocks it out of the park!
 

Arriba627

TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION 🔥
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Edward Norton was phenomenal in Motherless Brooklyn. I couldn't help but think of his Primal Fear performance too!...Saw Harriet yesterday and enjoyed it...Was supposed to see The Irishman today but cancelled my plans due to weather.
 

skylark

Gazing at a Glorious Great Lakes sunset
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A few years ago my very best friend gave me a copy of "The Art of Racing in the Rain"... a story so close to my heart. The film came out late summer ... did not disappoint...:dance2:

I never laughed so hard when reading a book. Well, I should say seldom, not never. I'm not a "dog narration" lover, and I found the movie only able to focus on the truly emotional parts, but good performances. Read the book, though, for a narrative voice that can bring you to tears one moment and then laughing hilariously the next. I'm still not a dog-narration lover, but this is the exception that proves the rule.

If you love great descriptions of rain, also, read this. I almost forgot. I knew nothing about race car driving, and learned a lot, while having fun.
 

skylark

Gazing at a Glorious Great Lakes sunset
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What's the last movie you've seen? Thoughts? Reviews? The good old thumbs up/thumbs down?

Great thread, :thank: for starting it. I have to drive 30 or 65 minutes (in the snow!) to get to an independent-movie theater, so I'm a bit limited as to what I can see. I've already taken down two titles from this page. I :love: adore Edward Norton.

So, I'm in a backwater town with only an 8-screen theater. Couple of weeks ago, I saw that Quentin Tarantino's latest film popped up here. When I dragged my husband to see it, I hadn't even realized it came out weeks or months ago. And I have to say, I have always shied away from Tarantino movies because I can't take violence. But for some reason I was drawn to see Django Unchained years ago, and I discovered that QT's style of violence takes a way back seat to the incredibly imaginative way he shows his stories, where character and spaces are explored at leisure. The violence seems like fantasy to me, so I can see the comic absurdity in it. (except for one scene in Django, which made me squeeze my eyes shut and try to block my hearing. That scene kept me from seeing the movie again. Someday maybe I'll revisit it and fast forward through that part.)

Anyway, I still haven't seen his most famous offerings. But "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood" has an irresistible quality to it ... a dreamlike landscape created by attention to tiniest details, so that you can believe you're there in 1969. Margot Robbie simply radiates innocence and love as she and Quentin imagine Sharon Tate. (But he also interviewed Sharon's sister multiple times to get her right.) And right next door to Sharon and Roman Polanski, he put his fictional characters: Leonardo DiCaprio as a fading television cowboy star, and his stunt double turned all-round assistant, who lives in a trailer behind a drive-in theater, with an oil well in his front yard. That's Brad Pitt, with all his charisma, charm, and allure there in spades.

The plot is loose and subject to plenty of interesting diversions. That's doubly fine for me, as plot isn't my biggest interest. And yet, Sharon Tate's presence gives the movie its own built-in suspense. There's a visit to a half-abandoned old TV set (and original tiny ranch house) out in a canyon that is just ... well, again, you can believe you're there.

I really don't want to say more, because I hate spoilers, and the best thing about this movie is experiencing it as you go. Thumbs Way Up !!!:thumbsup::bow:
 

elbkup

Power without conscience is a savage weapon
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I never laughed so hard when reading a book. Well, I should say seldom, not never. I'm not a "dog narration" lover, and I found the movie only able to focus on the truly emotional parts, but good performances. Read the book, though, for a narrative voice that can bring you to tears one moment and then laughing hilariously the next. I'm still not a dog-narration lover, but this is the exception that proves the rule.

If you love great descriptions of rain, also, read this. I almost forgot. I knew nothing about race car driving, and learned a lot, while having fun.

That book was a surprise to read in that it was not what I expected.. it sure did make me laugh and cry too! I am not a big fan of animal focused films since I worry about, think about, the animal actors and the film-making process. I loved the film but still looked at it from that perspective. . Thanks for sharing your suggestions.. I have not been able to watch Django for the reasons you describe but will try the Once Upon a Time film tho am not a big fan of QT..

Will add for those who might be interested: just finished watching The Old Man and a Gun based on a true life bio of a life-long gentleman bank robber .. Robert Redford and Cissy Spacek were wonderful but I understand this sort of story is not everyone's cup of tea. For those like me in that age bracket, I recommend it. It has lovely scenes of country life too. I also enjoyed A Walk in the Woods with Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, about 2 octogenarians attempting to hike the Appalachian Trail hahaha...
 

skylark

Gazing at a Glorious Great Lakes sunset
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That book was a surprise to read in that it was not what I expected.. it sure did make me laugh and cry too! I am not a big fan of animal focused films since I worry about, think about, the animal actors and the film-making process. I loved the film but still looked at it from that perspective. . Thanks for sharing your suggestions.. I have not been able to watch Django for the reasons you describe but will try the Once Upon a Time film tho am not a big fan of QT..

Will add for those who might be interested: just finished watching The Old Man and a Gun based on a true life bio of a life-long gentleman bank robber .. Robert Redford and Cissy Spacek were wonderful but I understand this sort of story is not everyone's cup of tea. For those like me in that age bracket, I recommend it. It has lovely scenes of country life too. I also enjoyed A Walk in the Woods with Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, about 2 octogenarians attempting to hike the Appalachian Trail hahaha...

Interesting. The only time I really worried about the animals, while watching a film, was in The Horse Whisperer, esp after Redford said, "these animals are just too sensitive, to take so much pain." After which now, I identify with the horses and horse actors in any film.

But usually, I'm just glad when I read "no animals were harmed" notice. BTW, I learned on the DVD extras that there was a Mouse Wrangler for the live-action Cinderella a few years ago!

I don't think I'd heard of either of the more recent Redford films. Will put them on my list. :)

I remembered why I had wanted to see Django. I heard Christoph Waltz say why he wanted to do the film. Tarantino sent him a few pages where his character comes into the film, figuratively and literally carrying a light into the darkness that was the world of slavery. I loved everything about the way he talked about the film. So off I went! also, I really like Jamie Foxx.
 

elbkup

Power without conscience is a savage weapon
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Interesting. The only time I really worried about the animals, while watching a film, was in The Horse Whisperer, esp after Redford said, "these animals are just too sensitive, to take so much pain." After which now, I identify with the horses and horse actors in any film.

But usually, I'm just glad when I read "no animals were harmed" notice. BTW, I learned on the DVD extras that there was a Mouse Wrangler for the live-action Cinderella a few years ago!

I don't think I'd heard of either of the more recent Redford films. Will put them on my list. :)

I remembered why I had wanted to see Django. I heard Christoph Waltz say why he wanted to do the film. Tarantino sent him a few pages where his character comes into the film, figuratively and literally carrying a light into the darkness that was the world of slavery. I loved everything about the way he talked about the film. So off I went! also, I really like Jamie Foxx.

Animal welfare is a passion in our family.. the caveat "no animals were harmed" is no guarantee that filming is safe for creatures used to tell stories.. much still needs to be done ..
The "mouse wrangler" made me smile... Rats and mice have extraordinary sense if smell.... we support a group called Hero Rats in Africa where they are trained to sniff out land mines, perfectly safe for them, and they can identify various illnesses in humans as well...
I just may check out Django based on your recommendation.. and I, too, adore Jamie Foxx!!
 

Ducky

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Interesting. The only time I really worried about the animals, while watching a film, was in The Horse Whisperer, esp after Redford said, "these animals are just too sensitive, to take so much pain." After which now, I identify with the horses and horse actors in any film.

Speaking of horses in film, have you seen Chloe Zhao's The Rider? Sorry, I'm such a shill for this movie but it was my favorite of 2018 and it's so good.
 

Arriba627

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The Irishman was 3 hours and 40 minutes long and flew by. DeNiro and Pacino back together again. Oh my gosh. Too amazing! Now I want to watch all the Godfather films again! :laugh:
 

elbkup

Power without conscience is a savage weapon
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Mar 3, 2015
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Speaking of horses in film, have you seen Chloe Zhao's The Rider? Sorry, I'm such a shill for this movie but it was my favorite of 2018 and it's so good.

It's on my list.... thanks!! :luv17:
 

luckyguy

Match Penalty
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
The Irishman was 3 hours and 40 minutes long and flew by. DeNiro and Pacino back together again. Oh my gosh. Too amazing! Now I want to watch all the Godfather films again! :laugh:

"It's about the connections between crime and politics, the history of the mafia and the history of the United States.", says my movie magazine about Scorsese's film.
So on Monday I'm in the cinema, and will surely enjoy the film. Maybe it is even better than Good Fellas and Casino.

EDIT:
Oh, it is a Netflix film.
Why Martin Scorsese's The Irishman won't be coming to a cinema near you. Major cinemas around the world are not screening the film, whose early Netflix release date they see as an existential threat.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/20...-irishman-wont-be-coming-to-a-cinema-near-you
 

Seruleane

Final Flight
Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Parasite by Bong Joon-Ho was an excellent film. It's a satire on the class divide in modern society (the haves vs. have nots), at once a mystery/comedy/drama, and overall just a really well-done movie. If you haven't seen it, would highly recommend. Don't even watch the trailer before going.

If you like romantic comedies, "Our Times" which is a Taiwanese movie is also excellent. One of my favorite feel good movies, and actually available on youtube ATM.
 

Manitou

Medalist
Joined
Jan 17, 2014
I'm finding pleasure watching films and series outside of Hollywood. Partially because I don't want to contribute my dollars to the Hollywood empty leftist snobs, but I also think Hollywood run of ideas and currently have completely NOTHING to offer. It's an arrogant closed clique of narcissistic pretentious new-riches.
Anyway, I found a very fun series available on Amazon Prime: "Gogol". It's a supernatural horror series based on Russian and Ukrainian folklore, beautifully made and executed. It's refreshing and new. I recommend it. I'm actually getting drawn closer and closer to the modern Russian cinema now. They are technically as good as Hollywood, but unlike Hollywood, they actually have fresh and original ideas.
 
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