What is the last movie you saw? and rate it.

[aeroport]

"Come and See" -- Elim Klimov, 1985

This is the bleakest film I have ever seen. It is basically a depiction of a young (as in, fifteen perhaps) man deciding to join a group of Partisans in battling the Nazis in Russia. He goes deaf pretty early on due to some dropped bombs, and he loses his fellows soon after, so he's wandering about the place with this peasant girl trying to stay alive, while watching very nearly everyone he encounters fail at doing this. I could not believe some of the scenes in this film. Horror after horror after horror...and then, near the end, will we have some sort of edifying contrivance to keep us from leaving the movie in tears of sadness and disgust? Will the brutality be balanced by some hopeful glimmer of pleasantry? Nope. Instead we get possibly the most monolithic man- (and woman- and child-) slaughter ever filmed, and it takes so long! Such unbearable tension! And then after this? More bleakness, my friend... Nothing contrived here.
I will never watch this again; but I consider it one of the best films I've seen - certainly the best war film. There is no romanticizing or glorifying here. It's a war movie. People go to war. It's not a happy scene. For anyone. And the last scene is such a tensely, violently sad thing...
Additionally, one does not seem to hear much about the things happening in Belurussia during WWII. One hears a good deal about Jews and Slavs in concentration camps, but little of the village-razing in Russia, so it was rather interesting to see a different perspective.

10/10

[aeroport]

"The Portrait of a Lady" -- Jane Campion, 1996

Altogether I did not think this was an awful film, even as an adaptation. However, it is a large book, and makes for a great deal of fascinating, delightful (in the darker sense) reading that a two-hour representation is doomed to miss. Even still, it could have been worse. I found the beginning of it (as in, Campion's own bizarre insertion - totally unrelated to James's novel or to the rest of the film) positively goofy, totally irrelevant, and almost enough to make one give up before the thing starts. There is another of these - though certainly less irrelevant - toward the middle. *potential readers of novel stop reading; slight spoiler ahead*
When Isabel is about to marry Osmond in the book, of course, the narrative ceases to follow her - between the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next we go from her potential and universally-dreaded engagement to a year later being on the brink of marriage - the effect being to close off the reader from this creature with whose more independent inclinations he has (hopefully) sympathized. In the film this is done through a very strange black-and-white sequence depicting images of Isabel in foreign settings (one recalls the pyramids) and some other strange things (like a plate full of little mouths squirming aroung reciting Osmond's words: "I am absolutely in love with you"; plus that malevolent hand of Osmond's reaching around her waist - which shows up on the cover). WEIRD! But...
For the rest, it more or less followed the novel, best I can remember (it's been a little over a year since I've read it), with naturally several omissions. Strangely, I actually remembered having a lot more sympathy for Madame Merle and for Caspar Goodwood in the film than in the novel. Plus, of course, the film uses, in several places, a Schubert impromptu which I learned a year or so ago, which was cool... While I liked Ralph Touchett in the movie, it was nothing like the very deep connection I felt with the guy in the novel (he remains my favorite literary character).
The real tragedy of this movie, though, I think, is that it omits one crucial scene in the story which disappointed me terribly: the scene in which Isabel figures it all out, in the space of a moment and totally unnoticed by the parties involved, is missing completely! I can somewhat understand the omission, as her realization depends, to a degree, on social proprieties which do not really exist for the modern film audience, though I still think it could have been accomplished...
Great music.
7/10

[byquist]

"My Bodyguard" from early 80's. This film holds up, still very touching.

[manolia]

I absolutely love this movie! It's a devastating movie, absolutely devastating. One of the things I like about the movie is that even though Fathers Gabriel and Rodrigo choose very different paths in dealing with something they have no control over, neither are presented as the 'right' way, both are equally as powerful and ultimately, equally as futile. And as you said, the cinematography and musical score are flawless. This movie always makes my top-ten list.

I am glad you like it too! It made my top list already . I liked the De Niro - Irons combination.

[manolia]

manolia, Are you being serious or are you poking fun at my lovely review?

manolia, My review was to prepare anyone who is going to view this film and his latest endeavor. His character is a far cry from Jack Sparrow in "Pirates"! He makes it quite clear in the beginning that you won't like him at all. Just that is a challenge - trying not to like someone who looks like Johhny Depp

Janine i was teasing you . But i believe that you were right. Most people i know agree with you about this film and besides you are an excellent film critic (or at least our tastes are similar). That's why i havent yet seen it, although i am a big fan of JD (besides being one of the most handsome men i have seen, he is an excellent actor as well and that -of course- is the most important.) I like his performance in all his movies even the most 'obscure' ones (like 'The Brave'. A very interesting film starring JD and Marlon Brando which in fact JD has directed).

Last movies i watched:

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman 10/10.An excellent film. You must watch it!!
"Y ta mama tabien" by Cuaron 8/10
"The devil's advocate" 8/10

[manolia]

"Come and See" -- Elim Klimov, 1985

I want to see this one soooo much. A few months back i watched "Matyorov" by Klimov and i was amazed..Have you seen it?? It's a wonderful film. Absolutely beautiful. The one you saw ('Come and see') is considered his best film (this of course is subjective). Nice review by the way.

[Captain Pike]

300

Since I watched it with my 14 year old son it was a great experience. That probably sounds corny, but we don't do as much together as we used to. It was fun, staying up late, hooting and hollering.

The Sparta were completely outnumbered all the time. But their intense warrior nature made each one of them worth 10 of their opponents. It wasn't actually as gory as it could've been.

[Moira]

Poseidon

Just another Titanic, without Leonardo di Caprio (which is a plus in my opinion.

4/10

[Domer121]

Vacancy...
5/10
good for a cheap thrill.....

[Debrasue]

I just saw 300 about two weeks ago.....and I'm still blown away!!! I went to the 300 official web site (awesome!) and read the production notes, and was totally impressed on how the movie was made, the dedication of the actors & production crew in the face of negative criticism....read the graphic novel...read some historical accounts....and I still can't imagine the uproar over this incredibly unique movie! Most of those lines that seemed to some to be over-the-top overacting where actually said & recorded by the historian Herodotus....."Our arrows will blot out the sun!" the Spartan reply..."Then we will fight in the shade!" I love it!! The actors were perfectly cast, especially Gerard Butler as King Leonidas.......Rodrigo Santoro was excellent as Xerxes.
The movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel..an adaptation of the Battle of Thermopylae where King Leonidas & 300 Spartans defended their country from the vastly superior Persian army lead by King Xerxes. This historic battle united all Greece against the mighty invading force.....opening the doorway for democracy & freedom......."The world will know that few stood against many..." Yeah......Leonidas really said that! The visual nature of this film & the music are also stunning......Is this movie Over-the -top? Yep! There is action, humor, gore, tragedy,heroism, and yes...a little romance.......over all a genuinely fun movie!
I also saw The Prestige, and The Illusionist....both very good movies.

Debrasue

[Janine]

Babel ~Alejandro Gonzolas Inarritu

Interesting film, not told in sequencual order, but easy to piece together unlike, some films employing this technique of story telling. Set in 3 countries simultaneously it is a film of diversity, and culturally very interesting, as well. I think the main theme is the sheer breakdown in our modern world of communication and also how weapons of violence can get into the wrong hands; sadly enough too often those of children or innocents. The way the film and the separate stories all tie together at the end is worth waiting for, but I felt that the story in Japan was a bit aniclimatic; however perhaps that was the director's exact intention, and in a way now that I think of it, that may be brilliant. Keep this one quiet and also leave something for our imagination. I think there were a few things I felt that were a little far-fetched (unlikely to have a tie in) but I would rather not mention this - it would maybe spoil the show for someone else. Basically I felt the story totally realistic and believable.
I felt the film was very well done and that Brad Pitt actually did a fine job in his performance. I knew the guy could act from his fine young portrayal in "A River Run's Through it", and "12 Monkees". In this film his portrayal, at times, is finely tuned and quietly nuanced. I like those type performances very much. The filming and music added to the overall quality of the film. I would give it a 9/10. I liked this director's other film "21 Grams". This film has a similiar quality and I could feel his signature on the treatment of story/stories.

Also saw:

Mean Creek ~ Jacob Aaron Estes

I will comment on this indy film later. I don't have time now. It was quite good.

manolia, I will get back to you about your recent post. J

[vheissu]

Janine, I liked your review on Babel. It did point out to a lot of modern problems on discrimination, amongst others, without stressing it out too much, but rather giving the viewer some interesting thoughts.
The story about the japanese girl was the one that really stood out for me and I do agree that the relation between all three simoultaneously is a bit far fetched. But it nevertheless has an intriguing way of putting things which are actually going on today in an interesting perspective.
I hadn't realised that the director has also done 21 Grams and it's very true that there is quite a lot of similarity between the two in the way the stories are told.

[Janine]

Janine, I liked your review on Babel. It did point out to a lot of modern problems on discrimination, amongst others, without stressing it out too much, but rather giving the viewer some interesting thoughts.
The story about the japanese girl was the one that really stood out for me and I do agree that the relation between all three simoultaneously is a bit far fetched. But it nevertheless has an intriguing way of putting things which are actually going on today in an interesting perspective.
I hadn't realised that the director has also done 21 Grams and it's very true that there is quite a lot of similarity between the two in the way the stories are told.

vheissu, thanks, I wanted to say more, but I could not think at the time; I was a little busy. I think it was a very good film, better than most that come out these days. You know, of all three stories, I had the hardest time connecting with the young girl. I suppose because I am of a older generation. But I did feel for her and thought she was quite disturbed.
Yes, I think a few things were a little contrived and unreal, but maybe it had to be that way to bring out the point of the film, sort of like a modern day fable. It certainly was an interesting film, all in all.
Yes, did you like "21 Grams"? I really did like that film and should re-watch it when I get a chance. It comes into my library often.

[Janine]

Janine i was teasing you . But i believe that you were right. Most people i know agree with you about this film and besides you are an excellent film critic (or at least our tastes are similar). That's why i havent yet seen it, although i am a big fan of JD (besides being one of the most handsome men i have seen, he is an excellent actor as well and that -of course- is the most important.) I like his performance in all his movies even the most 'obscure' ones (like 'The Brave'. A very interesting film starring JD and Marlon Brando which in fact JD has directed).

Last movies i watched:

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman 10/10.An excellent film. You must watch it!!
"Y ta mama tabien" by Cuaron 8/10
"The devil's advocate" 8/10

manolia, oh see I knew you were poking fun of me ....

Since I wrote that a friend of mine (guy) convinced me it is a good film but even he said that Malcovitz is so into himself lately and really arrogant. I wished he was not in the film. I used to like the stuff he did but not so much anymore. I thought some stuff really did go over the top. This friend and I don't usually agree anyway, but some good points in the film we did agree on, such as JD's acting, which is hard to take considering how handsome and cute he is. What a sad degenerative person he plays in this film. He does have a shed of human decency, but only a shred and otherwise he is blazenly brazen and hard to figure out, but that may be the charm of the film.
Still one should always judge on your own and I would probably tell you to watch it for that reason. It is really not that distasteful, but some parts are. I have seen way worse. It is basically historical or at least 'based' on historic facts and so I found this part kept my interest.


I saw "Devil's Advocate" awhile ago; did you like it? I would like to hear you feedback and your take on the film. I thought it was pretty good with good performances, but real strange. I would say your 8/10 rating is fair.

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman ~ I would love to see this film. I don't have assess to Bergman films, but I could try renting one at maybe Blockbuster. Not sure other than buying them, how to go about seeing them, or this one, for that matter.

[Aunty-lion]

Wow. I thought Pan's Labyrinth was a brilliant movie, but yeah... it was pretty damn graphic.

My boyfriend and I made the fatal mistake of taking his (conservative) parents along with us. If you've seen the movie then you'll understand why. They actually dealt with the violence and cruelty to children etc reasonably well.

It's amazing how seeing the reality and the fantasy of war and torture through the eyes of a child can ring so true. This movie really pulled out the child in me (well, I definately cried like a baby anyway!!).