I can't even remember hahaha let's just say plot hole!
Film The Redcafe Movie review thread
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Three Billboards.....
What a horrible little film. I'll preface this by saying that I love 'In Bruges' and didn't care for 'Seven Psychopaths' so didn't know what to expect with this. I don't know whether it's because those films are goofy comic crime capers and this is trying to be some semi serious musing on how people deal with grief and tragedy but it just leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The characters are almost universally dislikeable with the attempts at humour often falling flat and the awards buzz this is getting is even more mystifying (but then I saw a trailer for 'The Post' beforehand which might as well have just been named 'Template Oscar Bait' so what the feck do I know).
What a horrible little film. I'll preface this by saying that I love 'In Bruges' and didn't care for 'Seven Psychopaths' so didn't know what to expect with this. I don't know whether it's because those films are goofy comic crime capers and this is trying to be some semi serious musing on how people deal with grief and tragedy but it just leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The characters are almost universally dislikeable with the attempts at humour often falling flat and the awards buzz this is getting is even more mystifying (but then I saw a trailer for 'The Post' beforehand which might as well have just been named 'Template Oscar Bait' so what the feck do I know).
Is that the
Jesus the elder
Three Billboards ... Superb black comedy crime film that resists the urge to turn into a thriller
and is better for it. The great cast deliver faultless performances and the first 2/3 of the film is also brilliant. The last third is good or even great but I'm not sure the end was quite as good as the rest of the film. Still a must watch. Loved it. 8.5/10
Blade Runner 2049 I love the original (well the Final Cut) like a first born child so I really expected them to screw this up right royally. When the reviews came in and they were really good I feared it would raise my expectations only for them to be dashed when I watched it. But none of my fears were realised. It is a sci-fi masterpiece, paying just enough homage to the original but not to the point of cheesyness. Ryan Gosling was (surprisingly) very good indeed in the lead role, Harrison Ford was used very well, the visuals were just as stunning as the original, the music was perfect and most importantly they made the underlying ideas and themes of the original, primarily what it means to be human, central to the plot. So good I'm going to watch it again very soon. My favorite new film in forever. 9.5/10 because I'm not sure there is a 10/10
by not solving the crime
Blade Runner 2049 I love the original (well the Final Cut) like a first born child so I really expected them to screw this up right royally. When the reviews came in and they were really good I feared it would raise my expectations only for them to be dashed when I watched it. But none of my fears were realised. It is a sci-fi masterpiece, paying just enough homage to the original but not to the point of cheesyness. Ryan Gosling was (surprisingly) very good indeed in the lead role, Harrison Ford was used very well, the visuals were just as stunning as the original, the music was perfect and most importantly they made the underlying ideas and themes of the original, primarily what it means to be human, central to the plot. So good I'm going to watch it again very soon. My favorite new film in forever. 9.5/10 because I'm not sure there is a 10/10
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Someone (might have been you) recommended it to me and I got it. I stick it on and the wife had a fit, wouldn't let me watch it because it looked too old
I'll have to see it another day when I'm alone...
Glad I wasn't the only one who thought this was a good movie.
Agree on the end too. I was expecting more fireworks or at least a definitive ending.
Someone (might have been you) recommended it to me and I got it. I stick it on and the wife had a fit, wouldn't let me watch it because it looked too old
I'll have to see it another day when I'm alone...
You should see it, easily an 8/10 movie.
I saw 3 Billboard last night and liked it. The farcical nature of some of the plotlines only added to the fun.
Finally got round to watching The Piano Teacher. Well made and interesting, I liked some bits of it.
Liberal in it's explicit depictions of sexual perversity; the human in all her naked, corporeal nastiness. But also rather regressive in it's narrow view of female autonomy - particularly the psychoanalytic mapping of the bestial. It seems to veer towards the old penetrated female as a biological basis for her passivity routine (more crudely she just needs a good fecking). A tedious idea for me since De Beauvoir convincingly threw it out yonks back. Some other curious stuff around physical consent and how this may (or may not) extend to emotional consent. I can imagine it appealed to old, white, fuddy duddy critics at the time, with it's clinical, full-frontal female nakedness and cages of Freudian hokum in which to contain them.
Interesting in relation to the likes of Nymphomaniac, 50 shades and Elle. Nympho gets away with it because of it's playfulness, and its acceptance of the ontological, 50 shades gets away with it because even as porno trash it's tied to female authorship, Elle stands out, largely in it's approach to ( in beauvoirian terms) -"the existent", where the main character's "transcendence" is placed at the centre of the film. I'm not entirely sure that Haneke really gets away with it.
I seem to remember peterstorey loved it, the old white bastard.
Also watched Brigsby Bear, which was a bit shit like.
Liberal in it's explicit depictions of sexual perversity; the human in all her naked, corporeal nastiness. But also rather regressive in it's narrow view of female autonomy - particularly the psychoanalytic mapping of the bestial. It seems to veer towards the old penetrated female as a biological basis for her passivity routine (more crudely she just needs a good fecking). A tedious idea for me since De Beauvoir convincingly threw it out yonks back. Some other curious stuff around physical consent and how this may (or may not) extend to emotional consent. I can imagine it appealed to old, white, fuddy duddy critics at the time, with it's clinical, full-frontal female nakedness and cages of Freudian hokum in which to contain them.
Interesting in relation to the likes of Nymphomaniac, 50 shades and Elle. Nympho gets away with it because of it's playfulness, and its acceptance of the ontological, 50 shades gets away with it because even as porno trash it's tied to female authorship, Elle stands out, largely in it's approach to ( in beauvoirian terms) -"the existent", where the main character's "transcendence" is placed at the centre of the film. I'm not entirely sure that Haneke really gets away with it.
I seem to remember peterstorey loved it, the old white bastard.
Also watched Brigsby Bear, which was a bit shit like.
I definitely will at some point
The Party (2017) - I'm thankful that it clocked in at a merciful 71 minutes, any longer would have been excruciating. The stellar cast was on point, the acerbic dialogue totally off point. The final punch line was neat though I have to admit.
The Remains of the Day - Performance from Hopkins is right up there with Silence of the Lambs, just in an entirely different way. A beautiful film on regret and misplaced loyalty.
The Snowman
I was not overly impressed, found it slow going.
Fassbender was excellent, but Val Kilmer OMG.
The ending was shite, but left open for 2nd film with Fassbender playing Harry Hole, hope they do a better job next time.
4.5/10
I was not overly impressed, found it slow going.
Fassbender was excellent, but Val Kilmer OMG.
The ending was shite, but left open for 2nd film with Fassbender playing Harry Hole, hope they do a better job next time.
4.5/10
Fantastic film. I remember being quite surprised at how good it was as I expected it to be fluff for some reason. Hopkins blew his cartoony Lecter right out of the water with this performance though I think Emma Thompson's was even better.
It's been a good year for James Ivory, writing the screenplay for Call Me By Your Name and with the woefully neglected Maurice getting a restoration and re-release.
Yup, I don't think the poster helps it in that regard, makes it look like a stuffy romance.
Gonna have to check out the rest of the Ivory-Jhabvala ones now.
Mother.
Bat shit crazy !!!
But I loved it, Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic in the film has was Javier Bardem.
Have to admit at times , not a clue what was going on, but that did not matter.
8.5/10
Bat shit crazy !!!
But I loved it, Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic in the film has was Javier Bardem.
Have to admit at times , not a clue what was going on, but that did not matter.
8.5/10
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Jigsaw
Very disappointed with this, yeah there were a a couple of twists, but the film was that bad I did not care.
There was some gruesome deaths in it, the laser cutter one was not something I had seen before, but still the film was 90 mins of bad acting and silly plots.
2.5/10
Very disappointed with this, yeah there were a a couple of twists, but the film was that bad I did not care.
There was some gruesome deaths in it, the laser cutter one was not something I had seen before, but still the film was 90 mins of bad acting and silly plots.
2.5/10
Love the film, love the book.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Really rather liked it. A big improvement on McDonagh's previous efforts imo.
Though it does seem to be rather divisive.
Really rather liked it. A big improvement on McDonagh's previous efforts imo.
Though it does seem to be rather divisive.
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The Beyond
Set in 2019, The Beyond chronicles the groundbreaking mission which sent astronauts - modified with advanced robotics, through a newly discovered wormhole known as the Void. When the mission returns unexpectedly, the space agency races to discover what the astronauts encountered on their first of its kind interstellar space journey.
Slow film done style of a documentary .
Its subject matter was pretty decent Human 2.0 , robot with a human brain and Earth 2
Visual affects are excellent.
Billed as an horror film, but there was none in it not one single second.
Strange film.
3/10
Set in 2019, The Beyond chronicles the groundbreaking mission which sent astronauts - modified with advanced robotics, through a newly discovered wormhole known as the Void. When the mission returns unexpectedly, the space agency races to discover what the astronauts encountered on their first of its kind interstellar space journey.
Slow film done style of a documentary .
Its subject matter was pretty decent Human 2.0 , robot with a human brain and Earth 2
Visual affects are excellent.
Billed as an horror film, but there was none in it not one single second.
Strange film.
3/10
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That's a surprisingly positive 3/10 review Pauldy.
Devils Gate
Set in the small town of Devil's Gate, North Dakota, the film examines the disappearance of a local woman (Regan) and her young son. Schull plays an FBI agent who helps the local sheriff (Frakes) search for answers. Partnering with a deputy (Ashmore), they track down the missing woman's husband (Ventimiglia) and find that nothing is as it seems.
It was just a poor x-files episode.
3/10
Set in the small town of Devil's Gate, North Dakota, the film examines the disappearance of a local woman (Regan) and her young son. Schull plays an FBI agent who helps the local sheriff (Frakes) search for answers. Partnering with a deputy (Ashmore), they track down the missing woman's husband (Ventimiglia) and find that nothing is as it seems.
It was just a poor x-files episode.
3/10
Ghost House
A young couple go on an adventurous vacation to Thailand only to find themselves haunted by a malevolent spirit after naively disrespecting a Ghost House.
It had it moments, it was not bad.
5/10
A young couple go on an adventurous vacation to Thailand only to find themselves haunted by a malevolent spirit after naively disrespecting a Ghost House.
It had it moments, it was not bad.
5/10
Raw
Had to look away a few times (Brazilian anyone?). This is some messed up shit. Genuinely unsettling body horror movie. Watch on an empty stomach.
Had to look away a few times (Brazilian anyone?). This is some messed up shit. Genuinely unsettling body horror movie. Watch on an empty stomach.
The Greatest Showman
It's a musical... and as a musical (i.e, not a genre of film I'm massively into) I enjoyed it. It's as corny and cheesy as you'd expect, well snag, well acted and the music is catchy as feck.
As an aside, I understand that the real guy was nothing like the one Hugh Jackman is portraying, but I don't rightly care. This isn't a documentary, it's barely even a biopic... it's a family friendly musical, so the fact the real life guy may have been an asshole is irrelevant to me. As far as I'm aware, the film didn't even start with a "based on a true story" line or anything like that, so yeah, it's pure fiction, and I didn't take it as anything more or less then that.
It's a musical... and as a musical (i.e, not a genre of film I'm massively into) I enjoyed it. It's as corny and cheesy as you'd expect, well snag, well acted and the music is catchy as feck.
As an aside, I understand that the real guy was nothing like the one Hugh Jackman is portraying, but I don't rightly care. This isn't a documentary, it's barely even a biopic... it's a family friendly musical, so the fact the real life guy may have been an asshole is irrelevant to me. As far as I'm aware, the film didn't even start with a "based on a true story" line or anything like that, so yeah, it's pure fiction, and I didn't take it as anything more or less then that.
yes - it is intriguing at first but then descends into a "confessions of a Piano teacher" ending rather than looking at her confused sexuality.
The Devil's Candy
Interesting and well acted little horror flick about a painter and his family who moves to a haunted house. Not your typical haunted house story since there are no spirits or ghosts, but rather a voice that compells the previous owner to kill in the name of Satan.
6/10
Interesting and well acted little horror flick about a painter and his family who moves to a haunted house. Not your typical haunted house story since there are no spirits or ghosts, but rather a voice that compells the previous owner to kill in the name of Satan.
6/10
I enjoyed it, although it's abit boring and predictable. When jenny lind sang it sends shivers to my spine.
Ps: just read the pt barnum on wiki he seems like a nice chap in real life
Same, watched it last night. I like Del Toro a lot but have been waiting for something more from him for awhile, tbh. Definitely well made, nice soundtrack but otherwise felt similar to you in it being a bit of a B-movie
3 Billboards 7/10
I agree with earlier post. Thought the first 2/3 were good. Last 1/3 kinda drags. Maybe because I split the movie around that time. Thought it was an ok movie, but not a wow or memorable. Bit of a study on characters, but bit basic really.
Lady Bird 7.5
Fun movie to watch. Coming of age kind of a movie. Fast paced, you breeze through it. Better than 3 Billboards, but still ok. Maybe this is what Good Will Hunting for females looks like.
Come Hell or High Water 8.5
This was an amazing movie. Just great. Cinematography, music, the study of characters was just amazing. Really portrays certain parts of America that you forget that really exist. I very much enjoyed the movie. Maybe it hit my mood, but the dialogue was very good.
I agree with earlier post. Thought the first 2/3 were good. Last 1/3 kinda drags. Maybe because I split the movie around that time. Thought it was an ok movie, but not a wow or memorable. Bit of a study on characters, but bit basic really.
Lady Bird 7.5
Fun movie to watch. Coming of age kind of a movie. Fast paced, you breeze through it. Better than 3 Billboards, but still ok. Maybe this is what Good Will Hunting for females looks like.
Come Hell or High Water 8.5
This was an amazing movie. Just great. Cinematography, music, the study of characters was just amazing. Really portrays certain parts of America that you forget that really exist. I very much enjoyed the movie. Maybe it hit my mood, but the dialogue was very good.
The Show (aka This Is Your Death)
An unsettling look at reality T.V. where a disturbing hit game show has its contestants ending their lives for the public's enjoyment. Directed by (and co-starring) Gustavo Frings from Breaking Bad, this is a pretty poor movie. Starts off quite well but once the meat of the film gets going, it is too silly and unbelievable to buy into. Despite some good performances, it just felt cheap and exploitative, telling us of a message we've already seen better in films like Hunger Games or Battle Royale. The message was waaay too heavy handed, taking away from it's satirical nature 3/10
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Really enjoyed this movie, hope it does well at the Oscars. The performances of the entire cast (but especially Francis McDormand and Sam Rockwell) are hard-hitting and powerful, the story takes you to places you dont imagine it would and overall, it is a pleasure to watch. Only issue is that the first two thirds of the film really draw you in but the final act doesn't give me a conclusion I'm satisfied with. I really wanted more but I can see why they ended it the way they did. Loved it, just wanted a better pay off 8/10
The Shape Of Water
A woman has sex with a human sized salmon. No seriously, it's a fantasy romance film about a mute woman who is strangely attracted to an unidentifiable amphibian. From a technical stand point, this is superb, amazing cinematography, a delightful score and performances that carry the characters well (except Octavia Spencer, who was playing a stereotypical character who's dialogue was dog shit in this) and these are qualities I have come to expect from a Del Toro film. The story however requires a huge disconnection from reality, which was tough to do because beyond the monster/fish element, it was quite grounded in reality. The characters also make some stupid decisions and get away with things because of coincidences... which is a pet peeve of mine. I can see why many people will like this but it wasn't for me 5/10
The Man From Earth
An impromptu goodbye party for Professor John Oldman becomes a mysterious interrogation after the retiring scholar reveals to his colleagues he has a longer and stranger past than they can imagine. Watched this on the recommendation of @SwansonsTache and I must thank you for recommending such an amazing movie. I stuck it on at the xmas break but wife didn't want to watch it as it looked super cheap but I convinced her to give it another shot and we both loved it. A sci-fi film with no special effects, just engaging storytelling through exquisite dialogue. This is a movie I urge everyone to find and watch 8.5/10
I read there's a second part, not sure I want to see it after reading some reviews on it.
An unsettling look at reality T.V. where a disturbing hit game show has its contestants ending their lives for the public's enjoyment. Directed by (and co-starring) Gustavo Frings from Breaking Bad, this is a pretty poor movie. Starts off quite well but once the meat of the film gets going, it is too silly and unbelievable to buy into. Despite some good performances, it just felt cheap and exploitative, telling us of a message we've already seen better in films like Hunger Games or Battle Royale. The message was waaay too heavy handed, taking away from it's satirical nature 3/10
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Really enjoyed this movie, hope it does well at the Oscars. The performances of the entire cast (but especially Francis McDormand and Sam Rockwell) are hard-hitting and powerful, the story takes you to places you dont imagine it would and overall, it is a pleasure to watch. Only issue is that the first two thirds of the film really draw you in but the final act doesn't give me a conclusion I'm satisfied with. I really wanted more but I can see why they ended it the way they did. Loved it, just wanted a better pay off 8/10
The Shape Of Water
A woman has sex with a human sized salmon. No seriously, it's a fantasy romance film about a mute woman who is strangely attracted to an unidentifiable amphibian. From a technical stand point, this is superb, amazing cinematography, a delightful score and performances that carry the characters well (except Octavia Spencer, who was playing a stereotypical character who's dialogue was dog shit in this) and these are qualities I have come to expect from a Del Toro film. The story however requires a huge disconnection from reality, which was tough to do because beyond the monster/fish element, it was quite grounded in reality. The characters also make some stupid decisions and get away with things because of coincidences... which is a pet peeve of mine. I can see why many people will like this but it wasn't for me 5/10
The Man From Earth
An impromptu goodbye party for Professor John Oldman becomes a mysterious interrogation after the retiring scholar reveals to his colleagues he has a longer and stranger past than they can imagine. Watched this on the recommendation of @SwansonsTache and I must thank you for recommending such an amazing movie. I stuck it on at the xmas break but wife didn't want to watch it as it looked super cheap but I convinced her to give it another shot and we both loved it. A sci-fi film with no special effects, just engaging storytelling through exquisite dialogue. This is a movie I urge everyone to find and watch 8.5/10
I read there's a second part, not sure I want to see it after reading some reviews on it.
Glad you liked it, one of my favourite movies of all time.
I think I might watch the sequel since the lead, who was amazing in the first one, is in it. I don't expect much though.
I'll wait until you review it to make my decision!
I think I must be the only person who totally hated that film.
Yeah it's utter Channel 5 level shite. The love for it is mystifying.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover - 10/10
What a movie. Those lights, those costumes, the set, the everything. Just wow. Been a while since a movie flashed me like that.
What a movie. Those lights, those costumes, the set, the everything. Just wow. Been a while since a movie flashed me like that.
The Man from Earth: Holocene
Doesn't really live up to the original. Features mainly a diverse group of 20 year old college students investigating John, which results in much less deep or interesting dialogue than we got from the professors in the original. It's not terrible though, until it takes a dive towards the end IMO. Oh and don't watch the scene that comes midway through the final credits - ugh.
5.5/10
Doesn't really live up to the original. Features mainly a diverse group of 20 year old college students investigating John, which results in much less deep or interesting dialogue than we got from the professors in the original. It's not terrible though, until it takes a dive towards the end IMO. Oh and don't watch the scene that comes midway through the final credits - ugh.
5.5/10
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Not completely won over by everything it had to offer - a couple of the character encounters were a little too contrived for my liking, and one redemption arc in particular deserved and required more substance and patience - but the characters are all incredibly rich from their first frames, the performances were on point, and quite a lot of the emotional moments between the most inner/upper circle of characters were brilliantly executed. So it won me over, just about. 8/10.