Best and Worst : What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

He was great but Blake had the juicier role and i though out shone everyone, Wilson was not in the running in such a strong week.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

First Time Viewings:

Bad Lieutenant (1992, Abel Ferrara)
Harvey Keitel stars as a corrupt New York detective who is trying to change his ways while investigating a nun's rape. Keitel is terrific and the film has some great scenes, but I felt it focused too much on the gambling aspect and not enough on the case. It has a lot of good aspects, but the story needed work.
6/10

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009, Werner Herzog)
Nicolas Cage plays a drug and gambling addled detectove in post Katrina New Orleans who is investigating the killing of 5 immigrants. Cage is great in the lead role and though they're not really related, I preferred this one to the Keitel film due to the more interesting and focused storyline. It does drag a bit here and there, but Cage makes it worthwhile.
7/10

Sid and Nancy (1986, Alex Cox)
This one is about Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. I found Chloe Webb's performance and character to be extremely grating and I never cared about anything that was happening. The saving grace of the film is Gary Oldman, who is terrific.
5/10

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010, Oliver Stone)
This belated sequel to Oliver Stone's 1987 classic sees Michael Douglas return to the role that won him an Oscar. Shia LaBeouf is okay in the lead role, but is overshadowed by his supporting cast which includes Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, and of course Michael Douglas. The film itself is too long and the last 20 minutes or so seem rushed. The final scene also rang false and brought it down for me. It's entertaining enough, but due to some flaws it doesn't really work.
6/10

Salvador (1986, Oliver Stone)
James Woods plays an American photojournalist who becomes caught in a political struggle in El Salvador in 1980. Woods is great in the lead role and Oliver Stone's direction is very good. The fill was funnier than I expected, but it also has some powerful dramatic moments. Not among Stone's best, but it's good.
7/10

Thank You for Smoking (2005, Jason Reitman)
This one follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his son. Aaron Eckhart is good as is the rest of the cast and the fill is a nice short satire with pelnty of laughs.
7/10

Get Low (2010, Aaron Schneider)
In this one  a Tennessee hermit in the 1930's decides to have a funeral party for himself while he's still alive. The film has some really good scenes, but the story just wasn't that interesting. Robert Duvall is great though and Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray offer strong support.
6.5/10

Snowden (2016, Oliver Stone)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Edward Snowden, former NSA agent who leaked illegal surveillance techniques. Gordon-Levitt is really good, as is Shailene Woodley. The film is pretty well paced and interesting throughout. Stone proves yet again he does this kind of material well.
7/10

Get Shorty (1995, Barry Sonnenfeld)
In this one a mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt and discovers the movie business is much the same as his job. The story was pretty fun and it has a nice set of characters that are brought to life by a great cast.
7/10


Repeat Viewings:

Natural Born Killers (1994, Oliver Stone)
Based on a Tarantino script, this one is about a pair of lovers who are serial killers that are glorified by the media. The editing is crazy, but it works here and the cast are all clearly having a blast. The film itself might be a bit too crazy for its own good, but it's still pretty fun. The soundtrack is great and it works as a satire on the media.
7/10

JFK (1991, Oliver Stone)
In this one, a New Orleans DA discover's there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story. This is the third time I've seen it and I loved it more than ever. The cinematography is great, the score is excellent, and the editing is simply amazing. It is nearly 3.5 hours, but it's always completely engaging and it boasts one of the finest ensemble cast ever. A masterwork in nearly every way and far and away Stone's finest achievement as a director. Now in my top 50.
9.5/10

Nixon (1995, Oliver Stone)
This biopic tells the story of Richard Nixon from his childhood till his time as U.S. President. Like JFK this one is around 3.5 hours, but never feels too long. Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Nixon and the supporitng cast also turns in some fine work. It's well shot, well edited, and has many great scenes.
8/10


Movie Awards:

BEST FILM - JFK
BEST ACTOR - Anthony Hopkins (Nixon)
BEST ACTRESS - Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Joe Pesci (JFK)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Sissy Spacek (JFK)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Robert Richardson (JFK)
BEST SCORE - John Williams (JFK)
BEST SCRIPT - Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar (JFK)
BEST DIRECTOR - Oliver Stone (JFK)

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Oliver Stone week I guess.

Bad Lieutenant - 6.5/10
Port of Call, New Orleans - 8/10
Sid and Nancy - 8/10
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps - 7/10
Salvador - 7.5/10
Thank You For Smoking - 6/10
Get Low - 7/10
Snowden - 7.5/10
Get Shorty - 7.5/10 Glad you liked this

Thoughts on Hackman?


Natural Born Killers - 8/10
Nixon - 7.5/10
JFK - 9/10


You like Spacek better than Joan Allen?




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Hackman was great. He was my runner up for Supporting Actor.

Yeah I like Spacek better.

I had no idea you liked Sid and Nancy and Port of Call that much.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Why would you know that though?

Glad to hear you nominate Hackman.





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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I just mean that I didn't think you would like them that much.

Any acting noms for you this week other than Connery?

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Yeah.

You must have forgot that Harry Andrews is my new 1965 supporting actor win.

Also

Van Heflin and Evelyn Keyes for The Prowler.
Michelle Monaghan for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

and then Hugh Grant, Meryl Streep and Marion Cotillard so far for 2016. Though Streep is the only one who is safe, though I can see Grant staying too. Cotillard will likely be pushed out becasue of Jackie, Certain Women, Elle etc.


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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

:)


Bad Lieutenant (1992, Abel Ferrara)
Has some scenes that work but the rest suffers even more on rewatch
4.5/10

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009, Werner Herzog)
wonderfully crazy, a real treat
7.5/10

Sid and Nancy (1986, Alex Cox)
not heard good things

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010, Oliver Stone)
Much better made film than the original, loses the baggage of Charlie Sheens poor acting, DOuglas is great again
6/10

Salvador (1986, Oliver Stone)
Feels cheap, did not care for the characters
4/10

Thank You for Smoking (2005, Jason Reitman)
Tries it last week, but I lost interest at the time

Snowden (2016, Oliver Stone)
7/10

Get Shorty (1995, Barry Sonnenfeld)
never cared for this, it tries a little too hard yo be cool 4/10



Natural Born Killers (1994, Oliver Stone)
a real mess, a repugnant film that goes too long
2/10

JFK (1991, Oliver Stone)
9.5/10

Nixon (1995, Oliver Stone)
my 2nd fave from Stone 8/10

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

And you thought me hating Toby Jones as Truman Capote was crazy?

What about Salvador feels cheap? It is one of the best made movies on the subject imo and Woods is terrific.








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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

yeah you are crazy, I am doubling down

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Whatever.

I can always use LOTR as ammo against you



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

except that doesn't work cos they are nonsense 😀😀😀

You didn't answer before if you were interested in any of my other films you have not seen?









Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Not really interested in your other films.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I think Charlie Sheen and Shia LaBeouf are about even in their respective Wall Street films.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

well i cannot even come close to agreeing there. Despite Shia being annoying in real life, the man can act.. sheen is awful

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

For me both of them come off as kind of cocky in their performances, but in a way that's not particularly likable (which is why I wish Cruise had gotten the role in the original because he was great at playing cocky and likable at the same time). I don't think Sheen is awful, just kind of bland. The best use of him is Ferris Bueller though.

I always find Shia kind of annoying in his movies to be honest.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I didn't get the impression they were suppose to be all that likeable. I like both of their performances but I am a fan of both actors. I don't find Sheen bland.



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Off topic but Arrival is my score win at the moment. I listened to it on Youtube and it is genius imo. I would go as fa as to call the score emotionally profound.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Im pretty sure mine will go to The Witch or Nocturnal Animals

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I hesitate to even call the noises in The Witch a score. Nowhere near my line-up.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

hmm, I really didn't remember much of a score in that movie.

I do like that film a lot though. It is my #2 of the year at the moment.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

it is sitting 4th for me :)

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

What are the 3 before it?



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Nocturnal Animals, The Nice Guys, Green Room

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

You are a bigger fan of The Nice Guys and Green Room than me.

I'm highly anticipating Nocturnal Animals.


My top 5 so far are

1. Arrival - take that LOL
2. The Witch
3. Snowden
4. Allied - This is my 4th favorite Zemeckis movie btw
5. Lamb



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

oh yup, not heard of lamb.. but Allied from what I have read will not be good for me.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Are you not a fan of those types of movies or something?



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

No its just that reviewers who i follow have all called a lifeless ode to films from the golden era

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I found it full of emotion, intensity and intrigue. It also had good style imo.

Do you always agree with the reviewers you follow?




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

No, but when its across the board condemnation it doesn't make me wanna run out and check out that film over others

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

What do you mean across the board?

It's fresh on RT and has a 7.2 on imdb.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

across the board with the reviewers I follow

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Oh.

I don't follow reviewers anymore. I just check the RT average.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Ive always found the rt average misleading, as a lot of the positive reviews are often just barely positive but still add to the overall percentage as a fresh review. Imagine if every reviewer in america gave a film 3/5, it would have 100% ha

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)


Imagine if every reviewer in america gave a film 3/5, it would have 100%

That's the example I always use. And on the flip side if everyone gave it 2.5/5 it would 0% yet the average score out of ten would only be one point lower than the one that gets 100%.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

As I just poinnted out to Dark I was referring to the average rating not the percent. The average rating makes a lot more sense and is usually pretty close to the Metacritic scores.

Doctor Strange - RT score 90%/average rating 7.3/10, Metacritic - 72.



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Yeah the percentage on Rotten Tomatoes really means nothing.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Well, it is supposed to mean that is the percentage of critics that liked the film and I do think it is close to being true in that regard.



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Well yeah, but I'm just saying that the average score out of 10 is much more important to look at than the percentage. For me a 6/10 does not mean that I liked the film, yet that would be counted as a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)


but I'm just saying that the average score out of 10 is much more important to look at than the percentage.


I agree obviously, as I am the one that pointed this out to begin with.



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

No, not the percent, the average rating. ie. Doctor Strange has a 90% but only a 7.3/10 average.

Also, if everyone were to give a movie 3/5 that would be a movie I would want to watch but I get what you mean.




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

I liked the score for The Witch a lot, but it was a bit underused. It reminded me a bit of the music Kubrick used in The Shining.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Like I said, I don't really remember any score just creepy noises and sounds.

Though that bit that Dark posted was good but not anything that would leave a big impression on me.






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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

well yeah it wasn't the whole score it was just the first track i found on youtube. I just remember the score being effective for the film but I have not seen it in ages, will probably watch it before my end of year round up.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

It was effective for the film (It obviously blended perfectly with the film since I didn't remember it) but most good scores are.

You just liked the score better than me. I think we just have different taste in scores that's all.



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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

Off the top of my head, it's probably third for me right now.

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

What are the two ahead of it?




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Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

The Neon Demon
Batman v Superman

Re: What Movies Did You Watch Last Week? (21/11-27/11)

They were good but nothing special imo. I'm getting a bit tired of Martinez tbh.




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