list/discuss/rate - your recently watched movies

Before I Wake (2016 - US): Surprisingly better than most pretentious horror movies behind a scary façade, whilst displaying all manner of American supernatural horror flick clichés. It is not perfect, but a very well crafted film. Congrats Mr. Flanagan! The future of horror lies in your hands! 8.5/10

Knives Out (2019)- Jamie Lee Curtis,  Daniel Craig, Don Johnson, Christopher Plummer, etc

richardh wrote: suitkees wrote: ^ Ah, this must be a remake of the original Danish film with the same (international) title, directed by Gustav Möller. I haven't seen this remake, but the original is really a minor masterpiece, imposing itself the challenge of letting the story develop almost completely within the room of the police phone operator... Curious to see this new version, but I guess it is just the US version of a film that really didn't need a remake. I did note The Guilty was a remake, but as I haven't seen it then I can't let that colour my view. Most US remakes I've seen of 'foreign language' films aren't that bad and sometimes are as nearly as good although rarely better. Your comment suggests that the original is a 10/10 so we'll go with that(?)

Ghostland, aka Incident in a Ghostland (2018 - Canada/France): An extremely solid horror film that is truly macabre in nature. Pascal Laugier never disappoints. 9/10

Cold Skin (2017 - Spain/France/US): It was good, but could've been great. The aquatic creatures were like mindless zombies, so the movie turned out to be like your typical shoot 'em ups (game). It was visually and audially great. I loved the location where it was filmed too. Also add good acting to those. 7/10

Freeze Frame (2004 - UK/Ireland): Darkly stylish psychological thriller. An extraordinary film in all aspects. 8/10

Dune (2021 - US/Canada): Safe & secure. A couple of strong scenes, but too many unconvincing ones overshadow them. I mean, those were not "weak", but rather subpar scenes for such a movie.  At least the budget was used wisely. An extravaganza that flows smoothly. Technically it was very impressive. A visual and audial feast for the respective senses. It also didn't make me say, "no sequels, pleaseeee!", which is nice. 7/10

Case 39 (2009 - (US/Canada): And I was expecting a creepy movie...  Problem Child (1990) with a horror twist. Ridiculously funny and entertaining. Thanks for the hilariousness. It had me rolling in the aisles.  7/10

Edited by Archisorcerus - February 06 2022 at 02:00

Premonitions of a woke, Vegan, Eco-friendly, feminist, 'designated driver in corduroy' Bond are mercifully unfounded but that said, retiree 007's replacement is black and female and Q is gay, still got gadgets but also hacking skills that make the Russian government look like Trump Atari enthusiasts. The 'will they won't they?' speculation re Bond and Moneypenny was put to (separate beds) a long time ago and Naomie Harris' role here is significantly diminished as a result. This is a pity as I enjoyed their flirtatious sparring as a welcome contrast to the otherwise unremitting albeit stunning action sequences.
In places, No Time to Die feels like either an attempted reboot of James Bond or a transparent concession to the leftist snowflake lobby by relinquishing some of the perceived toxic masculinity and misogynist baggage that has dogged the franchise to date. This ain't necessarily a bad thing as the louche and wise cracking bed-hopper 007 has now been supplanted by the uxorious stay at home Dad 007 with no discernible dip in enjoyment to report. Daniel Craig was probably the best thing to ever happen to the role as he gave a tired and dated series a shot in the arm by opening up the character to reveal flaws and vulnerability which clearly appeals to a younger audience. For me he's the best Bond ever and the only one that beneath the tux, resembles a real, thinking and feeling human being.
Note for non Brits: Ralph Fiennes' M is effete. Alan Rickman's Sherriff of Nottingham is camp.
Note to Self: the actress who plays Madeleine Swann is NOT Scarlet Johansson but Lea Seydoux
Every good Bond movie needs a good 'baddie' but the jury's still out on Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek) who has the speech impediment and unsightly skin condition boxes ticked but just seems about as threatening as the poster boy for the Burns Unit.
Nowhere near as good as Skyfall but probably better than Spectre, No Time to Die is certainly worth seeing but you will need to familiarize yourself with the previous four movies for some of the references to make complete sense. Daniel Craig says this is his last time as Bond but didn't Sean Connery have cause to say Never Say Never Again? If they're looking for a new Bond for the 26th iteration how about Stewie Griffin from Family Guy?. He's young, witty, outrageously camp, sexually ambivalent, an arms and technology expert, handy with his fists, a cross dresser, drives and has an English accent.
Billie Eillish sings the theme song which I didn't particularly care for and sounds as if she's just been woken from sleep to be burped. (not unlike Stewie)


Edited by ExittheLemming - February 07 2022 at 03:11