Films You Have Watched

[Atticus]

Watched another from the Empire of Screams box set this week: Arena. It's basically like Rocky or Real Steel in space. The main character, reluctant to fight in the corrupt and violent sport, finds himself in a suituation where he has to get involved and flex some badassery. It's daft as a brush yet takes itself way too seriously at the same time

Then a horror treat in the shape of Evil Dead Rise. It's somehow a celebration and progression of Evil Dead ... with trademark flourishes that never feel like immitation. It's slightly too slick and polished to feel like an Evil Dead film through and through, but its got it where it counts. Fun. I had a great time watching this. The setting of a highrise block works brilliantly. As does the family dynamic, a change from the teens in the woods formula. This makes the deadite factor more interesting as it's family vs family. And da kidz are at risk too. This isn't quite the home made or hardcore Evil Dead we've seen before but is great popcorn, blockbuster horror.

The best thing I've seen this week though is Watcher. The Hitchcocky vibe got my attention ... couple relocate to Bucharest (the boyfriend is originally from Romania) from the US ... in their new apartment Julia (Maika Monroe from It Follows and The Guest) feels she's being watched from the building oppossite. That's all I'll say about the set up. The atmosphere is incredible, right from the get-go. Mega creepy. Loved this one. Brilliant film.

[wakka]

Watcher sounds v interesting. Will check that out. Still need to watch the Mystic River you sent me!

[fuse]

I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I saw a film on release day, but I got taken along for the Barbie ride. For all the marketing surrounding it and the good faith attached to the names involved, I still really wasn't sure what it was going to be? Coming out of the other side, I’d encourage people in the same boat to not worry - a synopsis tells you nothing of the value of it. It’s smart and as irreverent as I had hoped, and I laughed a lot. I could’ve done without Will Ferrell, but I’ll let that slide.

Then watched Return to Seoul, which is a pretty sparse drama about a Korean-born adoptee raised by French parents, who by coincidence finds herself at 25 in Seoul for the first time - alone, not speaking a lick of Korean, and with no real plan. She is… quite chaotic, and although only shown examples of it after her arrival, you can also understand how her identity being under such scrutiny has influenced her. Unlike Barbie, this one split the audience - I wanted a little more out of it but quite liked it, whereas my partner hated it.

[Dogg Thang]

I also saw Barbie and I imagine it could be the biggest film of the year. And looking at it cynically, I feel they’ve nailed the approach here. There will be a whole load of tired parents who were going to bring their little girls to this movie regardless of what the movie actually was. They knew that, and sure enough the screening I was in was full of those people, so they didn’t actually need to make a movie for those people. Instead, they kind of made a movie for everyone else, massively increasing the potential audience. It’s really not a movie for young kids.

It’s funny, irreverent and with lots of very strong points to make. And while the movie had at least one too many speeches for my liking towards the end (I told myself that, if it were a Marvel movie, it would be the endless CG fight part and I’d be feeling the same), it tackled its subject matter really well, to the point where I actually found some of it really emotional and powerful, much more so than I was expecting.

But that could have been a struggle without the fun and laughs that kept me entertained the whole way through. It reminded me of The Lego Movie in some of that approach, another big toy brand movie obviously which really paved the way for Barbie. This embraces that approach, leaning into the fun of the brand while acknowledging everything ridiculous about it. Some of the funniest parts were the failed Barbies and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one coming out googling whether Sugar Daddy Ken or Growing Up Skipper were real (they were).

The standout was Ryan Gosling who seems to be able to do no wrong. He was absolutely hilarious as Ken and played all of his developments perfectly.

Even with too many speeches and no CG fight, I felt it was superb.

Oh and yes, Will Ferrell was just in it being Will Ferrell but also his aspect of the story didn’t really amount to anything. Wasn’t a big deal because it didn’t have much screen time but it seemed to only exist to get him in it.

[fallenangle]

Re-watched again Michael Powell's and Emeric Pressburger's oddest film yesterday: 1944's A Canterbury Tale. Still weird and wonderful - nothing quite like it.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2011/oct/25/favourite-film-canterbury-tale

[Neon Ignition]

Barbie

It’s really not a movie for young kids.

This. One of the points probably not highlighted enough during the coverage of the film. My eldest daughter has had her eyes on Barbie since the reveal and the more I've heard about the film in the run up to its release the more cautious I've been about how much it would actually cater to her but she maintained she wanted to see it and loved the whole dressing up in pink situation, the staff and other people going to see it having done the same etc. The only weak link in the experience turning out to be the film. It's not an issue with the film quality wise but after the first half hour or so when Barbie and Ken leave Barbieland, it started to lose her for obvious reasons. The light tone, the flicks back to events in Barbieland pulled her back enough to ride the film out without losing it but the amount of focus on real world settings or the bigger points it was making flew right past her to the point where, hard as it is given how much peoples little girls might be pushing to see it, it's something that your teen daughter might adore but for youngsters its a more difficult recommendation.

Putting that bit aside I think the other reason you know it isn't much of a young kids film is how much you find yourself running it through your head afterward. It's pretty staggering as to how well done it is, also that Mattel actually let it be made not just from corporate image perspective but also because of how very easily it could have gone spectacularly wrong. I've already read some stuff, as you'd expect, from offended corners who missed the point of the films messaging completely. I expect to see lots more of that in the coming weeks as the inevitable sexist types fake offense at the film, I fully expect it to surround Ken as well (I haven't dared click the Critical Drinker vid on the film that popped up in my Youtube recommendations thanks to the discussion on here the other week) but that's why it will be easy to spot the bad faithers on this one, they will misread the film. It's not for men, it's not remotely aimed at men and any enjoying it are a bonus to the film. Barbie represents women and the commodity/control of them etc whereas Ruth represents women and the reality of them, the trap for incels is that the Ken's don't represent men at all, they represent women as well, a warning not to define yourself by your relationships and that the path to breaking free of patriarchy doesn't lie in repeating the actions of men but 100% they'll instead surface read it as 'men are evil' instead.

I thought McKinnon was okay, I wasn't sure at first as she's basically just reduxing her character from Ghostbusters 2016 but it fits better here. Farrell is definitely the weakest in terms of how he's used but I feel that that is mostly down to two things, the first being that his character isn't supposed to have an arc (being that expecting male led companies to change is a waste of time, always following the money) and that I'm assuming he was cast as a nod to how the central plot is stolen from The Lego Movie.

It's so carefully crafted in its messaging that the only thing I'm slightly unsure of is something that I'm not sure is a part of the messaging or a flaw created by the toys to life concept of the plot. That at the end, the Barbie's and Ken's have a sense of self-awareness but are ultimately still not self-autonomous, even Barbie's final decision isn't one she makes for herself it's one Ruth projects on to her so how much can Ken find himself when all the realisations are tied to the owner? I know that immediately introduces the 'you're over thinking a kids film' thing but that will be why the discourse of Barbie will be interesting to see, it's not a kids film and it's 100% about its messaging and discourse, not about kids playing with plastic toys. If anything, that the film is ultimately tied to a toy line that won't change from the things the film criticises, most likely instead monetising them, is the biggest elephant in the room.

But yep, in the end, very well made film which is something I'd have never expected to write about a film primarily dedicated to promoting Mattel toys.



Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken
This however is very much a typical animated kids film. The scale to which this has died at the box office is unfair, it's a light and fun enough film with its biggest issue being that it's a more generic retread of Pixar's Turning Red.

[Dogg Thang]

the trap for incels is that the Ken's don't represent men at all, they represent women as well

There was something in this that I thought was really clever. The problem with any movie built on a strong message is the effect of preaching to the choir. Those who cheer it probably didn’t need to hear the message. Those who do need it will reject it. There was something in how Ken was handled that I think was really smart. As you say, he wasn’t there to represent men. And yet there was a point in the movie where I think that perspective might actually help a few boys (if any young boys see the movie) actually gain a bit of empathy, or at least get them thinking a little. Not so heavy handed as many of the messages in the movie but just a sort of “I relate to that” thing before it is subverted and we realise we don’t actually like what we’re seeing. And what we don’t like is a little part of ourselves that maybe we need to examine.

[Cassius_Smoke]

Barbie actually intrigues me. I'd probably never choose to go and see it, I'll more likely be forced to watch it at home when it lands. But I'm hearing good things about it.
I did watch Critical Drinker and get the feeling he missed the point. At least from the trailers I get the impression that, yeah sure men get a bad look, but the barbies don't exactly get a good rep either. They look vacuous. And I think that's probably the point.
I'm interested to watch it to see what themes I get from under the surface. From what I can gather there's more going on here then the base movie makes out.

[Neon Ignition]

I think that's why it's such a good trap for the likes of CD to fall into. The Barbie's are simplistic but they are effectively representing men, they start the film (and largely end it) in all the positions of happiness and success within their world. If someone feels that the Ken's are treated unfairly then it's because the Ken's are treated as badly as women often are, the only learning either side ever accomplishes is when they stop and listen to the perspectives of others so anyone who watches it and falls into the cycle of how anti-men the film appears etc is proving the film right without realising it and exposing themselves. I think that's why it works so well, it's not interested in particularly focusing on changing men's minds rather more so changing women's acceptence of all the issues they face which works better than heavier handed approaches we've sometimes seen.

I'm curious as to how Mattel/Warners deals with the success of the film. As far as I can see you 100% couldn't make a sequel without severely detracting from this one.

[prinnysquad]

Absolutely hammered TPTV recently. Everything below can be considered a ‘quota quickie’ - a cheap second feature made to hit targets and turn a basic profit. Production standards are low, but there’s a graceful, honest air to these films, and plaudits to TP for keeping them alive.

Inner Sanctum (1948) - someone does in a lass as a train pulls away, ditching her body on the last carriage. Floods at the town cut him off, and he is forced to hole up at a guest house. 7/10

Return of the Stranger (1937) - a fella is on the run when his elopement goes wrong and he is accused of murder. He returns four years later after an accident changes his appearance. 6/10

Snowbound (1948) - an extra is sent by his superior to a hut in the Alps to keep an eye on the comings and goings, under the pretence of being a screenwriter. 7/10

Impact (1963) - a journalist is framed by the villains he is reporting on, so he plots his revenge when his sentence is over. 6/10

Dancing with Crime (1947) - Richard Attenborough is a taxi driver who discovers the body of his old war buddy in the back of his cab. He has to investigate whodunnit while avoiding being taken out for knowing too much. Features a cracking turn from Bill Owen. 7/10

The Long Night (1947) - Henry Fonda shoots a bloke, then beds down in his hotel room as the police and crowds circle. The reason for his crime is told in various flashbacks. 7/10

The Blue Lamp (1950) - Jack Warner and Dirk Bogarde star in this tale of London crime. The forerunner to Dixon of Dock Green. 8/10

[Neon Ignition]

Sharksploitation
Not so much a film I guess but Shudder's new 1hr 45 documentary on the Shark movie genre, lots and lots of low budget stuff covered and how Jaws gave birth to its own sub-genre. Fun watch

[fallenangle]

Re-watched A Rainy Day In New York a few days ago wondering if my feelings after a first viewing, very late at night/early morning TBH, were mistaken.

Nope.

I honestly had no idea this is a Woody Allen film and that is ironic as my original thoughts were this was some second division director's/writer's attempt to to do a Woody Allen type film and failing. I just found it tedious beyond endurance with the characters likewise.

Even the presence of Elle Fanning, IMHO over-cooking her role, could not save it for me.

[QualityChimp]

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005 Prime)
Not as good as the others, but some great visual gags.

The Street Fighter (1974 Prime)
Sonny Chiba kicking ass with his scrappy technique to a funky soundtrack.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012 Prime)
Lovely little mystery based around the advert looking for someone to time travel with them.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011 NowTV)
The one with the Burj Khalifa. Mint.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015 NowTV)
The one with the freedive into the water-cooled computer. Mint.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018 NowTV)
The one with Superman and the HaLo jump out the plane. Mint.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023 cinema)
Took the missus for her birthday. We bloody loved it.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014 D+)
Whimsical, like Asteroid City, but a much more engaging and endearing story, so I muuuch preferred it.

Interstellar (2014 cinema)
A treat to see back on the big screen. Still some plot holes, but that section on the water planet is devastating.
That Zimmer score. Chef's kiss.

Project Wolf Hunting (2023 Prime)
S. Korean ultragory horror like a mashup of Under Seige, Con Air, The Terminator, Predator and Friday the 13th.
Silly but amazing!

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023 cinema)
Took my son this time and he loved it too. Was lovely too see him enjoy all the epic moments, grinning at me or fist-pumping with triumph.

[wakka]

I love Safety Not Guaranteed. It's such a cute film.

I finally got around to watching Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Wow, what an incredibly original film. This is the kind of idea that on paper sounds either cringemakingly zany or that it will end up being totally narratively confusing, but they really make it work.

For those who don't know, it's the story of an ordinary American Chinese laundry owner who finds herself embroiled in a mission to save the multi-verse from an inter-dimensional evil.

It's as high concept as they come, but actually focuses primarily on small, personal, relationship-based stakes. I thought that was so clever and must be such a difficult thing to pull off.

My partner is British born Chinese and as a second gen Asian immigrant the interpersonal family dynamics, their relationship with their work at running the laundry, interactions with officialdom in the form the of the IRS, etc, massively resonated with her. She felt they were totally authentic.

Also, it's so much fun to watch. A real, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll grin, you'll enjoy the martial arts spectacular, kind of movies that packs so much good stuff in. A riot.

[Blobcat]

Did Barbenheimer today, with Barbie first followed by Oppenheimer.

Both excellent, actually cried at Barbie which I was NOT expecting, as well as being called out about Pride and Prejudice which gave us one of the biggest laughs in the film.

Oppenheimer was amazing to watch but I would be a liar if I said I got into it the moment it started. Its jumps back and forth throughout and, not knowing my history enough I was struggling to know what the 'trial that wasn't a trial' was all about and it started giving me a headache.

But yes, fantastic film but I wont be rushing to watch it again for a while as its quite an undertaking, will definitely be getting Barbie on Blu-ray though.