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This Week's Kung Fu Theater:
THE HAND OF DEATH (1976).
John Woo? Check.
Yuen Biao? Check.
Sammo Hung? Check.
Jackie Chan? Check.
This is a great post-Shaw Brothers effort that showcases John Woo before he became the master of the ballet of bullets-styled films he is best known for.
I'm an hour into the evil within. Not sure I'm up for finishing it at the moment, although I'm not sure I can turn it off. Its a portrayal of what its like to be completly fucking crazy and slightly mentally challenged, but as a horror movie, which is a pretty good idea. The scariest thing is the human mind. Horror movies have always struggled to not be sensationalist murder porn for psychos, and this definitely redefines the genre in an insightful creative and meaningful way. Its just disturbing and pretty fucking heavy and just sad when you think this really is life for some people.
Quote:
Originally Posted by leroy jenkins
I have had that flick in my queue for quite some time now.
It has a really interesting history.
It was written/directed by Andrew Getty, one of the heirs to the Getty oil fortune. He began working on the film in 2002 and it suffered numerous shooting, legal, casting, monitary, and production problems over the span of 13 years (Getty continued to work on the film until his death in 2015). The film's producer finished the film and released it in 2017.
This article does a decent semi-deep dive into the madness behind the making of the film (make sure you click THR link in the Guardian story for a deeper dive into the behind-the-scenes madness):
https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...llionaire-meth
This will have some spoilers, although vaugue. Ya, I knew the back story, but not the details of the guys life. Based on that, and the reviews I read, I was expecting something much more crazy, like nonsensical, weird, random, etc. I haven't finished it yet, but I havent' seen any of the rambling surreal nonsensical interludes that were described in some of the reviews. The whole movie so far is an insightful, dare I say elegant portrayal of madness from the point of view of the crazy person. I was expecting much more meth influence, but really its abut mental illness. Its a pretty scary thing to think a serial killer would be targeting you, thats a fear many movies have explored. What is far more terrifying is that something inside you could make you become one despite your own horror and terror at being unable to control your actions. I have never had cause to fear my own mind in that way, but this movie makes that fear seem almost tangible.
EDIT Finished it. My earlier review stands. I'd rate the writing as amazing, the directing as pretty good, and the acting as slightly above adequate, but great flick.
THE VAST OF NIGHT
4/5
This film is exceptionally well done and further proves that if you have a compelling story, solid pacing, and a great cast, you do not need to blow shit up every 5-minutes, if at all.
This film is teeming with snappy dialogue, a great conspiracy theory, and lots of subtlety pointed socio-political commentary.
There are a few stylistic choices I felt were a bit wonky (The b/w intercuts and the blatant CEOTTK elements at the end), but aside from those brief moments, this is a tense thriller that sucks you in from the get go and keeps you glued to the screen for the duration.
RIYL
Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Pontypool; Orson Welles' broadcast of War of the Worlds
7 BOXES
This little "running man" thriller from Paraguay takes place in the claustrophobic market of Asuncion over the course of a day. A serpentine plot unfolds around the competitive wheelbarrow delivery scene which permeates the market, all revolving around the titular boxes.
Just the sweaty grime and bustle of the market creates an engaging scenario, but add in some shady criminal doings, somewhat incompetent cops, and a wide-eyed protagonist, and you've got yourself a pretty entertaining yarn.
Excellent. Loved it. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Did somebody else post that trailer ^^ here before? I know i saw it somewhere fairly recently, but not sure where.
That one would've escaped my attention. Lined up for this evening's viewing.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Quote:
Originally Posted by JongDoe
Guilty as charged...I yammered about it back on 4/22 (page 23, post #522, to be exact) when it was announced that it was coming to Prime at the end of May. :cool:
^^^ That was a good watch; thanks.
thanks, that was entertainingQuote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Watched "The Gentleman" last night, had to rent it for $5.99. As far as Guy Ritchey films go, I'd say it wasn't the best, but it was ok. Just a little too clean, not gritty enough, and a bunch of A listers (Hugh Grant) speaking in a Cockney accent that I just couldn't wrap my head around. But I'd still recommend it as a good (but less complex than some Ritchey movies) storyline.
I think it's the best Amazon original film I've seen to date - maybe not 5/5 but great story and mood setting. Suggest watching it in a very dark room for effect.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
My only complaint is some of the exposition was a bit too direct.
Recommend watching it with a real surround sound set up too.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyCarter
At times it was almost uncomfortable.
BLOW THE MAN DOWN
3.5/5
This is a nice, little sordid small town drama cum thriller.
It unfolds like a sedate and more deadpan version of a Coen Bros. joint.
Taking place in an Eastern seaboard town, the film is laced with maritime charm and distinct flavor. Being bred and born in California, I have no idea how accurate the dialect is, but I was enamored by it.
The opening and closing sequences are brilliant; they both set up and conclude the film with style. That said, some of the second and third act elements are a bit dry and lacking some finite exposition; in many ways it actually might have worked just a smidgen better as a six episode miniseries, but overall it is a decently paced, well-acted, and entertaining yarn.
^I enjoyed it^
Moments of brilliance in there.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Many thanks.
7500...
The advance reviews and early buzz on this Amazon Original are overwhelmingly positive.
But I gotta say, the trailer didn't do much for me. In fact, I turned it off halfway through.
Starts streaming 6/18
Enjoyed it.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Cheers
I thought it was excellent.Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67
Looks like I need to watch Kubrick's Paths of Glory within the next few days before Prime pulls it.
Oh shit, me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by bobz
I'm not often a fan of British series but I just binged all three seasons of Humans and liked it.
Great showQuote:
Originally Posted by splat