Apr 23, 2015

Cool that Weerasethakul's film is in, but weird that a recent Palme winner like him would be out of competition

 

Apr 23, 2015

They wanted to give the other films a chance

 

Apr 24, 2015

haven't seen a single movie this year

recommend me 5 that i need to see, friends

 

Apr 24, 2015

The Tribe (Miroslav Slaboshpitsky)

Miroslav Slaboshpitsky's debut feature is among the most inventive and daring films to come out this decade. The film deals with a group of students attending a boarding school for the hearing impaired who run a criminal organization that dabbles in anything from robberies to prostitution. We get a fresh look at their operation through the eyes of a newly arrived student, Sergey, who is quickly accepted into the family and works his way up through the ranks from a contributor in petty robberies to a p---- that handles the two female students who are exploited for prostitution at a local truck stop. Things turn sour when Sergey falls for one of the two girls, Anna, and messes with the workflow which causes his fellow classmates to see him as a threat. All of this boils down to an unflinchingly brutal finale that drives the film home and makes sense of the nihilistic nature of the film. At times throughout the film, I felt that it was perhaps unnecessarily bleak and graphic but looking back on it now, it feels justified. As everyone knows, the film is entirely in sign language and is void of subtitles or any form of translation so as a viewer you're left to dissect each scene simply by observing the actions and mannerisms of the characters, which was surprisingly not very hard to do since I was so immersed in the film. It's fascinating to think that a film without a line of spoken dialogue or a musical score to back it can be so entirely engaging and mesmerizing. Perhaps the most impressive aspect for me was the incredible use of long takes with each shot likely averaging at about 5 minutes or so, including the fantastic final shot that towers above as the film's grand achievement, with everything so perfectly executed and choreographed that one sometimes fails to realize that the camera hasn't cut during certain scenes. I was truly shaken up by this film and its tragic depiction of the unwanted youths of society who are dealt an unfair hand in life and turn to thuggery and vandalism as a way of rebellion. The characters in this film are largely unlikable and their actions are despicable but I at least found myself sympathizing with some of them throughout the course of the film, especially Sergey who is treated as an outcast for most of his stay and is eventually driven to an unstable state that draws unspeakable outcomes.

 

Apr 24, 2015

I've only seen 3 2015 films: Blackhat, It Follows & Lost River. All recommended with Blackhat being my fav and It Follows a close second.

Going to try to see Ex Machina & Gangnam Blues this weekend though.

 

Apr 24, 2015

Going by US release dates, some that I think are definitely worth a look are It Follows, Ex Machina, Clouds of Sils Maria, Timbuktu, and '71 with It Follows being my favorite so far. Blackhat is also cool. I haven't seen Gosling's Lost River yet.

The Look of Silence is my real number 1 of the year, but it doesn't actually come out until July.

 

Apr 24, 2015

it follows was dope - furious 7 and unfriended were entertaining

 

Apr 25, 2015

Just saw The Night Of The Hunter, i fell in love with the cinematography, one of my favorites ever. The film in general is so unique and ahead of its time. 9.5/10

@Twan I've now seen 170 from the sight and sound poll, did i catch you or are you at 240 now?

 

Apr 25, 2015

You've passed me!!! I'm at 168. I actually just watched Tropical Malady for the first time yesterday, otherwise I would have been one less.

I've been busy studying so I haven't watched too many movies over the past months. I'll have to step my game up when the test is over!

 

Apr 25, 2015

 

Apr 26, 2015

of the top 250 critics? I'm at 130. way behind you two. Was looking good when I was 19 of top 20, but about halfway through the list i start lacking

 

Apr 28, 2015

old transfer vs. new transfer

 

Apr 28, 2015

Before he shoots the film with Jessica Chastain, Xavier Dolan is shooting a movie after Cannes with Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel.

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplayl...olans-next-film-just-la-fin-du-monde-20150428

 

Apr 28, 2015

film family:
http://www.bdcwire.com/snl-in-review-fever-pitch/

@Twan @Dew @Bleed @Swizz @WPG @Woody @Vahn @FilmAndWhisky @Old_Parr

 

Apr 28, 2015

Any suggestions for the daily head to heads that I've been doing? I've been tagging them to boost the search results for "movie forum". Here are some upcoming ones if you want to prepare some write ups to boost activity in the section:



Might start a Netflix Movie of the Week thread as well for a book club type thing. Also need to start a mention list to post with ever edition.

 

Apr 28, 2015

I wanna buy IV and Goodfellas, but dont wanna spend the money

 

Apr 28, 2015

it'll be worth it though

 

Apr 28, 2015

Really good write up, I personally felt like 'fever pitch' is a guilty pleasure..not good, not bad, just a watch to pass the time.

 

Apr 29, 2015

 

Apr 29, 2015

Yesterday, I was watching The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, a documentary about Studio Ghibli and its creators when Hayao Miyazaki said something very intriguing while being interviewed, "How do you know movies are even worthwhile? If you really think about it is this not just some grand hobby? Maybe there was a time when you could make films that mattered, but now?" -/r/truefilm

What do you guys think about Miyazaki's questions? Here is my reply that I later deleted:

I've read that in Japan artistic pursuits are generally viewed this way IIRC. In my World Music class we discussed many cultures where uber talented musicians were mainly hobbyists. From an existential standpoint, which I kind of identify with, there is no meaning, but the pursuit of it is an admirable one. Personal experience tells me that a film can impact a person in various ways. In fact, The Seventh Seal is what planted the seed of my existential outlook in the first place!

A pessimist could argue that currently our society isn't as susceptible to be molded by another Birth of a Nation but whose to say when another Renaissance is due. Vincent van Gogh never sold a painting in his lifetime but now he's a staple in pop culture and art academia. Shakespeare was overshadowed by Ben Johnson, but there is no doubt whose work has survived ans impacted more people. I find the idea that an artist's work to be an immortal extension of self to be as strong an incentive as any. There is hope yet.