Aug 8, 2015

Fantastic Four (2015).

Absolutely awful.

 

Aug 9, 2015

Whiplash (2014)


The first 45 minutes of Full Metal Jacket set to jazz. A cruel tutelage more endearing than a father-son relationship.

The way the back-and-forth between Teller and Simmons cuts between the music in the "not my tempo" scene is so perfect that it becomes an extension of the piece itself. The warm lighting in the practice hall and for the final performance was magical. I kind of wish the plot had a little more leeway just so we could get more shots like the ones of New York lit up by blue flourescence or the bloody hand plunging into the pitcher. At the same time, the lean nature of the screenplay is too perfect to sacrifice.

Simmons and Teller's relationship is no less intense on a second watch. The passion for the music that binds them is stronger than any blood ties. Andrew's relationship with his father has been relegated to an activity they can enjoy together in silence. They can't even relate when it comes to something as trivial as candy. Fletcher might be abusive, but in his eyes, at least it comes from a place of understanding. Andrew leaves his father backstage to become Bird, similarly to how he left Nicole in the coffee house. The love subplot is brilliant as well, even if it's confined to half a dozen scenes.

 

Aug 9, 2015

I heard this was really bad and it tanked at the box office. Only $11 million opening day. Sucks, I thought the previews looked good.

 

Aug 9, 2015

Yeah it bombed. When I first heard about it rebooting I was excited as it could be a great new start for Fantastic Four after their last two films lmao. But after watching it, I've never felt more disappointed.

 

Aug 9, 2015

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)


The Apartment (1960)

 

Aug 11, 2015

The Lost Weekend (1945) Requiem for a Drink

 

Aug 11, 2015

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

 

Aug 11, 2015

Just watched the new Fantastic Four. Huge mistake.

 

Aug 14, 2015

Zodiac (2007)


Fincher's 3ish hour passion project reviving the character-driven, slow burn of 70's Hollywood. Savides on the camera and Vanderbilt adapting Graysmith's original material. Murderous vinettes, an enticing mystery, quiet tension, and one of Fincher's favorite themes: obsession.

Fight Club cut both ways, criticizing extreme corporate life and anarchy. It held a mirror to empty obsessions and passionate constructive, or rather destructive, obsessions the same. The Social Network debunked that money and power are shoulder to shoulder with happiness. Meanwhile Zodiac revisits what might have inspired Seven, a relentless hunt for the most dangerous animal, man. This time, Fincher has a personal connection with the insatiable desire.

This might been his most minor subject to date, which the film admits towards the end. The Zodiac is a blip on the radar yet manages to captivate and terrorize one of the most populous cities in the US. Fincher doesn't use this to condemn the media who enable it. Neither does he put the killer in the starring role. Instead he goes after what he identifies with, the human interest. Our fascination with serial killers embodied most by the people on the case. Personal conflicts. Familial drama. Substance abuse. Sleepless nights. All propelled by a simple urge instead of a complex philosophy. John Doe's manifesto has no place here.

I think I'd only seen this in its entirety once before. I didn't catch Trotsky paying for the final meal being such a huge resolution the first time around. A much more graceful statement than the hardware store staredown which was a lot more rushed by comparison, set up maybe a half hour prior with a line of dialogue. Instead we see Trotsky eating off of his partner's plate and bumming animal crackers off him early and often. They have no relationship. Trotsky isn't a people person. He doesn't even know his partner's birthday. His trivial parting words with him call back to the night the Zodiac first came into their lives on the corner of Cherry and Washington. The last conversation before they ran into the case that would drive them apart beyond repair. Not until Graysmith vindicates his frustration does Trotsky return the favor by picking up the tab. A lunch just like the one that Graysmith paid for to get a sit down with him in the first place.

I see it as second to The Social Network only because of the effortless enjoyment that TSN has to offer. They do not cater to the same era of filmaking which makes perfect sense given their subjects and time periods. Zodiac is a much more taxing watch. By the end, you feel as exhausted and grateful as the characters do. It's a shared experience.

 

Aug 15, 2015

"The Escort"
was pretty bleh
I was tricked into watching a rom com
I thot it was gonna be a movie about hookers

 

Aug 15, 2015

 

Aug 15, 2015

Straight Outta Compton. Classic movie! 9/10.

 

Aug 15, 2015

So, i watched Mad Max: Fury Road with my mother just a few hours ago, god d--- this was great. I have seen the old Mad Max movies, but to refresh both our memories we decided to watched the old series before seeing this,
& without a doubt, this one blows them away on every level known to man .
Im definitely buying the Blu-Ray as soon as possible. It was so intense, but the visuals had me hooked from the moment i pressed play
I don't even know what else i could say about this. It was visual perfection, & combined the perfect balance of both Practical & CGI effects.

This is by far the movie of the year, i havent kept up with any award shows but i hope this movie wins/won ever award possible.

It just goes to show, with a truly talented directer & cast, you don't need a giant script of dialogue to create a modern day classic.

Side note, Charlize Theron has a natural beauty to her, so no matter if she has hair or not, she is still beautiful.

 

Aug 16, 2015

Stalag 17 (1953)


Ikiru (1952)

 

Aug 16, 2015

The gift - dope dope dope, Joel edgertons director debut is much more hit than miss, and he's great in it as well. Bateman is spot on as usual too.

Watching hot fuzz for the first time now

 

Aug 16, 2015

Fruitvale Station
10/10
I put off watching it for too long but what an amazing movie.

 

Aug 16, 2015

it follows is really great. beautiful scenery in detroit in wide angle camera and soundtrack is dope. best horror movie ive seen in a long time

 

Aug 17, 2015

The Equalizer 7.5/10
Ted 2 6/10
What If 7/10

 

Aug 18, 2015

 

Aug 18, 2015

Was away for a minute

• 
  Fifty Shades of Grey 2015
  ½ Watched 10 Aug, 2015
  
  Painfully awkward and sterile.
  
  15/100 - Unbearable.
  
  No likes
  
  
• 
  Blackhat 2015
  ★★★★½ Watched 16 Aug, 2015
  
  Published at Aesthetics of the Mind: aestheticsofthemind.wordpress.com/
  
  
  An exceptionally versatile aesthetic allows MANN to seamlessly transition between film types. Daring, Candid, and Different. MANN finds the viewer through pushing them away. Stay alert to enter his world; allow the film to push you away and you’ll miss its beauty. It offends the senses out of lack of familiarity, not out of lack of art. The film is a grower, faring better with each consecutive viewing.
  
  Perhaps ahead of its time, Blackhat ought to be more appealing to film viewers of the near future, when such techniques no longer offend the senses. Much unresolved intention and overt sensationalism is the film’s only drawback. The affective image takes precedent over authentic inquiry into psychological motivation. Narrative continuity is compromised, intentionally, for complex character arcs. Incidentally, narrative integrity is compromised as well, making the film suffer slightly from unjust shifts.
  
  Extreme selective focus with a telephoto lens obscures the world outside of what we’ve been privileged to see. Harsh lighting and a hand camera provide a documentary like feel. Fast and slow motion are together used to choreograph haunting action scenes. A beautiful musical refrain conveys tender sadness; another one conveys determination. Blackhat is five films in one. It is not what we’re used to, but maybe it’s where we are going.
  
  86/100 – Excellent