Sunday
Apr072013
Open Thread
Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:51PM I'm hard at work on the new Oscar charts hence the lack of new posts. Do you like the new color scheme? Banner? Do you have anything to add to that huge list of upcoming movies I posted yesterday. That's the list I'm working from for the new Oscar charts though I'll have to take a two hour break when my beloved Mad Men returns tonight. What's going on in your cinematic world? What did you see this weekend? I caught Jurassic Park (in 3D) with a friend earlier today to prep for Hit Me With Your Best Shot on Wednesday. Are you joining us for that episode?
Reader Comments (30)
I saw Spring Breakers this weekend, and I found it really powerful and well done. Not sure I'll ever want to revisit, but it feels like I'll be able to draw up those visuals and feelings from memory for a long time.
Looking forward to seeing No next week, and Mad Men very, very soon.
There was only one new movie opened here in my country - The Host, so I watched it, and only did it for Saoirse Ronan. She almost single-handedly saved the film... almost. Beautiful scenery & music though. It's creepy how Stephenie Meyer always writes love-triangle which involves at least one party of non-human.
Also re-watched Zero Dark Thirty on DVD, and still upset over Jessica Chastain's lost at the Oscar.
Yesterday was "On The Road"--it was kind of all over the place (then again, so supposedly is the source material), but it was beautifully shot, cast to a fare-thee-well (with special props going to Garrett Hedlund as beautiful, bipolar Dean Moriarty), and exquisitely scored. It also gave the three of us plenty to talk about afterwards, which is always a good sign.
Today was "The Croods"--bold, brash, unsubtle, but sometimes lovely to look at, and more moving than we expected. It was a nice alternative to all the horror movies and action flicks out right now.
Something that popped up on my facebook:
"Tilda Swinton? She was in Constantine, right?"
"Yeah, and Narnia too!"
Regular moviegoers live in a very different world, and it's kind of depressing there.
(Not that Tilda's not fantastic in those movies too. Obviously.)
I saw "Evil Dead" and "The Place Beyond The Pines". I liked both but didn't love either. Evil Dead was about what I expected, so I was satisfied with the results. Pines, however, was something of a disappointment. I thought the acting was strong and I admired the ambitious of the narrative but I don't think the film fulfilled its potential. I certainly thought it was good but nothing more than that.
The new layout looks beautiful! I do miss being greeted by Jessica Chastain and Claire Danes in sexy poses, though.
I opened a show this weekend, and I just can't wait to go to the movies tomorrow. Going to check out Evil Dead and Place Beyond the Pines. So excited!!!
I recently watched The Master and a Streetcar Named Desire and thought to myself how awesome a PT Anderson remake of Streetcar starring Pheonix as Stanley, Dern as Blanche, Adams as Stella, and Hoffman as Harold would be!!!
I watched Smash. lol. My best friends suck. None of them have ever written songs for me in one night and had Liza Minneli come and sing it to me. I need new friends.
I saw Ginger & Rosa today. I respected the film though I did not love it. My take away is that Elle Fanning joins my list of at least six women that deserved the Oscar more than Jennifer Lawrence.
i'm not seeing Jurassic Park until BARGAIN TUESDAY, and didn't feel like seeing either Evil Dead or The Croods, which were the only really acceptable options at the suburban multiplexes (I didn't feel like driving into the city for anything), so I just watched some stuff on dvd. I'm glad Trance and The Place Beyond the Pines are going wide next weekend, 'cause that will give me some local theater going options.
Also, Mad Men was awesome tonight. So glad it's back.
Tried to see TRANCE but the times I was able to go were sold out. Then my friends and I tried to see PLACE BEYOND THE PINES but one thing led to another and we all just ended up just hanging out watching SNL. SIGH. Next weekend will be a better movie weekend hopefully.
There's also Charlie Kaufman's stop motion flick Anomalisa, which I could see in both Animated Feature and Original Screenplay. Also in animation hoping for GKids' Wolf Children to get nominated (Hosoda deserved a nom for Summer Wars a few years back and might have gotten in had there been 5 nominees that year).
I saw No this weekend and your recommendation was spot on. Incredible. When I see Kon-Tiki, I will have seen every Oscar nominee last year. What a stellar year.
Also, it shouldn't be counted as cinema but the Macklemore video for "Same Love" is my new obsession. Check it out. Lovely.
Finally watched Martha Marcy May Marlene. I am becoming convinced that John Hawkes is one of the best actors of his generation and deeply hope the Oldboy remake puts Elisabeth Olsen on a good trajectory. Also watched a couple of Anthony Mann Westerns. Very underrated. The angles and framing of those movies are first-class, plus Jimmy Stewart as a bad-ass/
I loved the Mad Men premiere, but I already feel like I am in the minority.
I am starting to have cold feet toward viewing Pines. Really do not think I can give it an objective viewing because it is based on my hometown and I know way too many people behind the scenes with it. I am planning on seeing No instead this Friday.
I do like it, Nathaniel.
I like it, but only if it is for the spring season.
I finally saw Stoker.....it was oh so dull. Yah! For Nic, but it realy never coalesced for me.
But on Netflix, I also finally saw The Turning Point from 1977. It's one of the biggest nominated films of all time and one of the biggest losers ever too. And...I hate to admit....I see why.
It's shot in this really putrid glossy soft lensing and the story is so squishy. I just found it off-putting. Yeah for Baryshnikov and some scenes with Anne Bancroft, but otherwise....nah. Give that Best PIcture spot to Close Encounters instead.
I watched The Age of Innocence (talk about old school). Brilliant performances from the three main actors. A really beautiful film.
Baroness Thatcher just died uk meia is reporting,the end of an era and god bless toa formidable lady no matter how you may feel about her politics,at first i thought Meryl had gone.
Love the new color scheme, classy and sophisticated! Change is always good, unless it's bad!
I finally screened "Beasts of the Southern Wild" on Saturday, and I honestly still don't know how I feel about it. I've been trying to refrain from allowing my initial reaction to be my ultimate one, so I'm allowing myself to really think about it when it comes to mind.
I finally watched Bridesmaids and thought it was terrific. The acting from everyone was wonderful, but Wiig, McCarthy and Byrne blew me away. I watched it twice. What a phenomenal script that never pandered or reached for laughs--except for maybe that bathroom scene. Yikes.
Drew, I think Anne Bancroft is brilliant in The Turning Point. For me, she is THE reason to see this creaky movie. I can see why people don't like it, but for me it hearkens back to those old women's pictures from the 40s, so I kinda have a soft spot for it.
The new colour scheme is great! :)
I didn't go to the cinema this weekend, but I watched a German film called Westwind on TV and ended up liking it a lot. I also rewatched The Perks of Being a Wallflower and still loved it just as much as the first time.
Also, since you did a post on the German Film Awards recently, I thought I'd give you a heads up:
Oh Boy is going to be shown at MoMA as part of their "Kino! 2013: New Films from Germany" screenings. I haven't seen any of the other films, but Freier Fall looks interesting (even if it isn't, there's still Max Riemelt to gawk at).
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/1368
anna -- will u shoot me an email? thanks
Wait, what new colour new scheme? What new banner? I'm not sure what you guys are talking about.
I saw the "Evil Dead" which was too serious and viciously bloody. I prefer the original's DIY charm and humor.
rami: Personally? Age of Innocence is a beautifully designed prestige piece and as well acted as it could be, but it needed internal as opposed to external narration to really make us care about the central character's problems and the ending shot (far shot away from Newland's face) is poorly chosen. Grade: C-.
I saw The Paperboy...wow, Lee Daniels really knows how to get great performances out of his actors...the masturbation scene was electrifying. Cusack was transformative...never knew he could do that...believable and frightening. Nicole was her usual brilliant self. Efron is on his way to having a career like JGL, Gyllenhaal, and, possibly, Gosling.
Volvagia I thought the external narration really worked, I think some of the scenes with Pfeiffer and Day Lewis were electrifying, how they are framed in certain situations is just brilliant flimmaking for me. Maybe I am just a sucker for period drama :) B+