What films have you watched this week?

[Matt]

I just meant in the context of aliens, they travelled from the Planet of the Apes. The original film alludes to the astronauts landing on this alien planet and

->Open Spoiler<-

we only discover it's future earth in the last few minutes

. I'm not quite sure why I'm spoilering that, the DVD cover has the blimmin'

->Open Spoiler<-

Statue of Liberty

on it!

When they arrive on earth from their planets, both Bowie and the chimps become media superstars and get distracted by the vices of modern living, namely "grape juice plus" and f f f f fashion. It all goes pear-shaped when they try to escape the Government...

Yep, that's pretty much it

A strange film. Very long, but didn't drag. Not sure I'd watch it again.

The alien sex scene was mega bizarro but have to admire it being different.

[averybluemonkey]

Just watched Stakeland. I love zombie films but in general have been pretty disappointed with how vampire movies have turned out (bar a few like Blade and Carpenter's Vampires), this is kind of a hybrid between the two. It's one of the best films I've seen in my life, narrated by the teenage male lead it's the kind of film that will have you beaming with relief one moment and on the edge of tears another. The actors all play everything very realistically as they try to escape to the north and while very brutal at times it never feels sensationalist, it's just what would happen in that kind of situation. I've never seen a horror movie like this where people's deaths have left such a mark upon the viewer. It's truly incredible and everything from the soundtrack to the cinematography and acting is top notch.

[QualityChimp]

Sounds interesting, AVB. How did you see it? LoveFilm don't have it listed.

I saw Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. I think I was expecting a samurai flick like Lady Snowblood (I need to watch the Snowbleed remake, The Princess Blade), but it was another revenge thriller from Oldboy director, Park Chan-wook.

It's not as good as Oldboy, but it is a compelling plot, if a little plodding. A bit of tighter editing could've made it a lot tenser as I was urging Lady Vengeance to get a wriggle on towards the end.

[PeteJ]

Rampart - as a huge fan of the TV series The Shield I had high hopes for this, as they are both inspired by the same story of the corrupt police department in the late 90's of the same name. Unfortunately Rampart (the film) has terrible pacing and chugs along following the life of one cop but seemingly avoids any of the real drama. It's all so flat that even Woody Harrelson can't save it (who, by the way, is in litterally every scene in the film).
On the plus side, it made me want to rewatch The Shield!

[randombs]

Finally got round to seeing Despicable Me.

Loved it.

Also saw the end of the A-Team film. Might watch it anyway but something tells me it will annoy me. Still, the ending was good

['Press Start']

Just watched Transformers 3, forgot half of it already apart from the bit where the big robot jumps in slow mo and Michael Bay pans the camera around in an upward angle. Followed by the slow, stone faced shot of soldiers walking around an object with purpose.

I must give credit to the highway scene as it was excellent special effects. Cheeky of him to re-use 2 shots from the Island highway scene though!!

I loved the first film (and 80s cartoon) but I think it should of stayed a one off.

[nakamura]

I watched Home Alone last night. My god it is more amusing than it ever was when I was a child. Then I laughed at the slapstick humour involved and the amazing traps. Now I winced at the thought of a nail through the foot or the pain of a red hot door knob.

Awesome!

[Finsbury Girl]

The Company Men. Really enjoyed it. Thought the entire cast was great, acting was really good and it had an engaging, thought provoking storyline. Thought Ben Affleck was excellent. Big thumbs up from me.

[bash]

Yeah, company men is a nice watch. The only thing was that it didnt need to have such a happy ending or finish with bright futures for the struggling characters. A little bit too typical of Hollywood and their treatment of audiences. It definetly could've been tougher and gutsier, maybe more tragdic too.

Having said that, Tommy Lee Jones is really growing into a great, great actor, the guy rarely puts in a bad performance, this decade alone I've really enjoyed him in Men in Black II, The Hunted, In the Valley of Elah, No Country for Old Men and Captain America: The First Avenger.

Also Ben Affleck has definitely made a decent enough comeback after this and The Town for me to defend him when people try to lazily "bash" him.

[averybluemonkey]

Sounds interesting, AVB. How did you see it? LoveFilm don't have it listed.

Just saw it in the Tesco's cheapie section for a fiver a few weeks back. I tend to take a punt on things like that, as I've come across a few good films that way like Outland, Felon and Dead Snow. I don't remember seeing it at the cinema and if IMDB is to be believed it only opened in 5 screens in the US.

There's a NSFW trailer here, but don't watch past the 45 second mark if you want to avoid spoilers (nothing major in terms of plot but it spoils one of the scary bits):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNC2HwAaWWE

[Soundwave]

Watched Tokyo Gore School this week & it's F'ing terrible!!!

Seeing as it's an 18 rated movie I expected all kinds of awesomeness like Machine Girl & Tokyo Gore Police & I got nothing of the sort.

This has easily the least amount of bloodletting I have ever seen in any 18 rated movie ever

It's awful!!!!!

Neil

[dvdx2]

watched Trespass (1992) with Bill Paxton, Ice T/etc. Forgotten how good this was - perfect mix of action, treasure hunting and good old fashion adventure. Hate gangsta stuff but the treasure hunting element breaks the monotony of the the usual 'pop a cap' slang. I have a crusty old region 1 import, as it wasnt availble in PAL land on dvd, but I just did a quick search and its now out!

[Soundwave]

watched Trespass (1992) with Bill Paxton, Ice T/etc. Forgotten how good this was - perfect mix of action, treasure hunting and good old fashion adventure. Hate gangsta stuff but the treasure hunting element breaks the monotony of the the usual 'pop a cap' slang. I have a crusty old region 1 import, as it wasnt availble in PAL land on dvd, but I just did a quick search and its now out!

Ah man I love this flick.
Easily one of my fave 90's movies ever.

I too have a Region 1 DVD which I picked up in Florida way back in 2000.
I'm gonna have to dig it out for a watch this week now...might even crack out New Jack City & Judgement Night as well to make a real evening of it

Neil

[QualityChimp]

Another thumbs up for Trespass here.

Death and Hudson Vs. Ice Cube, Ice T, Ice Skate and Ice Cream.

[Finsbury Girl]

Yeah, company men is a nice watch. The only thing was that it didnt need to have such a happy ending or finish with bright futures for the struggling characters. A little bit too typical of Hollywood and their treatment of audiences. It definetly could've been tougher and gutsier, maybe more tragdic too.

Having said that, Tommy Lee Jones is really growing into a great, great actor, the guy rarely puts in a bad performance, this decade alone I've really enjoyed him in Men in Black II, The Hunted, In the Valley of Elah, No Country for Old Men and Captain America: The First Avenger.

Also Ben Affleck has definitely made a decent enough comeback after this and The Town for me to defend him when people try to lazily "bash" him.

Absolutely know what you're saying mate. I guess the real downer in the movie is the oke topping himself so I guess that after that, you need an uplifting bit. For me it encapsulates the modern capitalist model, in that, although it, in itself is the cause of the problems of the antagonists, it is ultimately the saviour. (I guess some left of field peeps may disagree, fair play)