Film The Redcafe Movie review thread

The Swimmer 8/10 - Burt Lancaster spends the movie in shorts swimming from pool to pool until he gets home. Surreal and allegorical movie that follows an upper middle class american as his life deteriorates.

Crash (1996) 8/10 - Also a dreamlike movie but this one's about a group of car crash victims who use car accidents to fulfil their darkest desires. Very unsettling and nearly pornographic movie. Only fault with it is that there wasn't enough sex or car crashes, Cronenberg is such a prude.
Blue Velvet-esque.
 
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Peyroteo said:
The Swimmer 8/10 - Burt Lancaster spends the movie in shorts swimming from pool to pool until he gets home. Surreal and allegorical movie that follows an upper middle class american as his life deteriorates.
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Great film.

Crash (1996) 8/10 - Also a dreamlike movie but this one's about a group of car crash victims who use car accidents to fulfil their darkest desires. Very unsettling and nearly pornographic movie. Only fault with it is that there wasn't enough sex or car crashes, Cronenberg is such a prude.
Blue Velvet-esque.
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Sexy film, Cronenberg's best.

 
Wikipedia said:
Crash was extremely controversial, as was the book, because of its vivid depictions of graphic sexual acts instigated by violence.

The controversial subject matter prompted The Daily Mail and The Evening Standard to orchestrate an aggressive campaign to ban Crash in the United Kingdom.
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How bloody ridiculous the Mail & co make themselves look.
 
The Post.
9/10.Hanks & Streep are in top form as Ben Bradlee and Catherine Graham the editor and owner of The Washington Post .They face down Nixon's rotten regime by publishing secret government papers which expose the lies of successive administrations regarding the Vietnam war.Timely reminder of the importance of a free press.
 
robinamicrowave said:
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.
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Assuming we're talking about the same redemption arc, I think a lot of people had a problem with that aspect of the film. It didn't bother me at all though, partially because I didn't think there actually was all that much redemption.
 
Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle - 7/10 Saw the trailer to this film and did an eye roll yet just finished watching and was pleasantly surprised. Turned out to be a pretty good movie because of the way they did. It all made sense. Definitely a recommend.

Coco 7/10 Surprised by this film too....nothing really original about he actual plot, we've seen it before but all said and done the way it was a fun presentation. Gigi is telling me to post this....she thinks it was a solid 9/10 (Friends daughter)
 
Blade runner 2049

I actually thought it was better than the original, which imo is pretty overrated. Maybe a bit too long but very good. I fell in love with Ana de Armas, she might be the most beautiful woman on planet earth.

7.5/10
 
Le Samourai - Alain Delon smoulders his way through 60s Paris, playing a hitman/Samourai. It's a beautiful film full of high cheekbones, sharp suits, flash cars. Aesthetically it's highly enjoyable but probably a bit empty, and Jef is a pretty shit assassin, when you give it any thought.
 
On Body and Soul - Winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin. The lead actress' performance in this one is of my favourite of recent years, a sort of uniquely autistic deadpan that kinda channels the empty stare of a deer. It's basically an understated workplace romance told through a bizarre scenario. If you're gonna watch any film about deers this year, watch this one.

The Beguiled - I agree with Jonathan Rosenbaum who described it as an excellent PhD thesis. Seemingly a remake of the 1971 Eastwood/Siegel film although seen through the female gaze. If you're gonna watch any film starring Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman this year, watch this one.
 
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Lagaan (2001):
Bollywood film about a small Indian village in the 1800s suffering under repressive taxes imposed by the British.
It features a high stakes cricket match between the Brits & the locals.
Very enjoyable.
8/10.
 
Casino (1995) - A very underrated Scorsese film with an outstanding cast. Maybe not on par with Goodfellas, but definitely worth the watch. Also, De Niro's suits are damn fly.
 
Dirty Schwein said:

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
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Wtf?! Not heard of that. Sounds, er, different.
 
I'm exactly the ideal viewer for Del Toro's Crimson Peak...yet I found it to be dreadful. 'Nuff said.
 
Stormsurfer21 said:
Any Takeshi Kitano fans on here?
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The old movie thread gang on here are quite enamoured with his films. I mean, who doesn't enjoy seeing a stoic middle-aged man slap and pistol-whip yakuzas to serene music?
 
R.N7 said:
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The old movie thread gang on here are quite enamoured with his films. I mean, who doesn't enjoy seeing a stoic middle-aged man slap and pistol-whip yakuzas to serene music?
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Indeed! Some next level badassery in his Yakuza films. I loved Hana-bi when I first watched it last summer. I also watched some of his less violent films like A Scene at the Sea and Kikujiro (have yet to see Dolls) and I must say that he really is a versatile director.

About the music... Kitano and Hisaishi are a match made in heaven. The music suits his style so well.
 
The Servant (1963) - 9/10 A London aristocrat hires a servant who turns out to be quite deceitful. Watched this knowing pretty much nothing about it and it turned out to be a brilliant british film about the relationship between classes and servitude, very similar to Chabrol's La Ceremonie. I saw it as the servant and his fiance being a synonym for alcoholism/cheating/lying and the movie showing us the consequences of those things when they creep into a love relationship. It was masterfully done and the realism of the movie slowly deteriorated along with the relationship.
 
I love pretty much everything Kitano's made, even that pretty shit one where he went to LA and barely spoke. TBH I could just watch his face and be entertained :lol:
 
Haven't seen any of his yakuza films but I really did not like Kikujiro.
 
Tarrou said:
I love pretty much everything Kitano's made, even that pretty shit one where he went to LA and barely spoke. TBH I could just watch his face and be entertained :lol:
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Brother! His cinematography and facial expressions (and tic) do the talking. He’s definitely one of my favourite directors of the past 30 years.
 
Peyroteo said:
The Servant (1963) - 9/10 A London aristocrat hires a servant who turns out to be quite deceitful. Watched this knowing pretty much nothing about it and it turned out to be a brilliant british film about the relationship between classes and servitude, very similar to Chabrol's La Ceremonie. I saw it as the servant and his fiance being a synonym for alcoholism/cheating/lying and the movie showing us the consequences of those things when they creep into a love relationship. It was masterfully done and the realism of the movie slowly deteriorated along with the relationship.
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It might just be the pinnacle of early 60's British cinema. Check out Performance if you haven't already for more of James Fox's world turning topsy-turvy and charged with sexual tension.
 
R.N7 said:
It might just be the pinnacle of early 60's British cinema. Check out Performance if you haven't already for more of James Fox's world turning topsy-turvy and charged with sexual tension.
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You really have seen every single movie ever made :lol:

Thanks! I'll definitely watch that
 
Stormsurfer21 said:
About the music... Kitano and Hisaishi are a match made in heaven. The music suits his style so well.
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They definitely complement and juxtapose each other superbly. I was worried before watching Boiling Point that the lack of Hisaishi would leave a void but the serene lack of soundtrack worked wonders anyway.
 
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My Life to Live - Very nice film, like Godard's style. Ending did feel quite abrupt but suppose that was the point. Lead actress was very good.
 
R.N7 said:
They definitely complement and juxtapose each other superbly. I was worried before watching Boiling Point that the lack of Hisaishi would leave a void but the serene lack of soundtrack worked wonders anyway.
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Exactly. I was surprised the lack of soundtrack didn’t bother me. Hopefully Kitano still has some magic left to make one last great film.
 
Murder Party
A random invitation to a Halloween party leads a man into the hands of a rogue collective intent on murdering him for the sake of their art, sparking a bloodbath of mishap, mayhem and hilarity. Jeremy Saulnier's first movie (he also made Blue Ruin and Green Room). Thought it was pretty decent for a directorial debut, lots of comedic moments, plenty of gore and a short run time so it never lingers. Doesn't really push the boundaries of genre filmmaking but there's loads of fun to be had so it's worth a watch 6/10

Frozen
A few years late to the party but not sure why this film was SO widely loved? Sure, the Let It Go song is quite nice and there's an ok story behind it but there are plenty better animated films out there 5.5/10

Insidious: The Last Key
Was really excited for this as I love the franchise and this one is directed by Adam Robitel (Taking of Deborah Logan), who's a young director with plenty of potential. This film however, felt very paint by numbers. All the story beats you can see a mile off and the film's climactic resolution was laughable. However, there are some jump scares that got me and it was technically made well enough. Just a shame how the franchise has declined steadily with each new addition 5.5/10

Downsizing
A social satire in which a man realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendor. Great concept but awful, boring execution. Dozed off twice during the movie. Paced horribly. Not much to enjoy here beyond the setup 3/10

Mom & Dad
A teenage girl and her little brother must survive a wild 24 hours during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own kids. Starring Crazy Nic Cage, which is the best kind of Nic Cage. He is awesome in it and there's a lot of fun to be had with the crazy parents going mental on their children, but not brainless zombie mental, which was a nice touch. Just take everything with a shovel of salt and don't think too hard about the plot or premise and you'll have a decent enough time 6/10
 
sullydnl said:
Raw - Well there's a film I'm not gonna forget any time soon.
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Yeah me neither. Speaking of which...

Mother!

Bible allegory guff which gets a bit full on in the last 30 mins. He's a weird director is Aronovsky. I find his film quality veers from one extreme to another depending on how whacky he's trying to be. You're not David Lynch Darren.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
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.
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Sky1981 said:
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
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Agreed on these reviews. I took my girlfriend to see this on Saturday as she loves the musical genre, and she dances in a troupe and for their show this year they are dancing to some of the music from the film.

I wasn't expecting from the film, as it was for my girlfriend and I love Hugh Jackman so I was happy just to watch it. But i seriously enjoyed it, the songs are catchy as hell and the actors throw everything into it. It's cheesy as you say AN but I didn't care one jot as I thought it was just a lot of fun. And I did too Sky, the scene where she first sings was incredible. Plus, This Is Me is a brilliant song too, I can see why that song won the Golden Globe for best song, it's really inspirational and I can imagine a lot of people will take heart from it. The tears were falling off my girlfriend's at that point lol.

My girlfriend was going mad for it so if you're a fan of that genre it's definitely for you, but also if you just fancy an easy watching film to have fun with, it's a great treat. Definitely recommend. 7/10.
 
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Dirty Schwein said:
Murder Party
A random invitation to a Halloween party leads a man into the hands of a rogue collective intent on murdering him for the sake of their art, sparking a bloodbath of mishap, mayhem and hilarity. Jeremy Saulnier's first movie (he also made Blue Ruin and Green Room). Thought it was pretty decent for a directorial debut, lots of comedic moments, plenty of gore and a short run time so it never lingers. Doesn't really push the boundaries of genre filmmaking but there's loads of fun to be had so it's worth a watch 6/10
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Watching this one tonight, love horror comedies.

ps: Don't bother with The Man From Earth 2. Fecking state of that movie.
 
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Tarrou said:
I love pretty much everything Kitano's made, even that pretty shit one where he went to LA and barely spoke. TBH I could just watch his face and be entertained :lol:
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I found that movie to be pretty boring.
 
Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri

Superb film. 8/10. Loses points for its handling of race issues, making it a laughing matter at times. Was extremely uncomfortable in the cinema last night listening to a predominantly white audience laughing at a man because he's using the N word.
 
Open House
A teenager (Dylan Minnette) and his mother (Piercey Dalton) find themselves besieged by threatening forces when they move into a new house. So this was like getting a really big, well wrapped Christmas present, that looks great on the outside but when you open it, you find a stapler in there as the gift... disappointment! The film looks really great. Nice, crisp imagery, great lighting and camera positioning, decent acting etc. But once you're finished with the film, you feel completely ripped off because not a lot happens and the stuff that does, feels so cheap. The mother and son move into a new town and the town's folk are acting super strange... never explains why. Someone is following them around, doesn't ever show who it was etc. The film is full of red herrings and no pay off 3/10
 
Zebs said:
Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri

Superb film. 8/10. Loses points for its handling of race issues, making it a laughing matter at times. Was extremely uncomfortable in the cinema last night listening to a predominantly white audience laughing at a man because he's using the N word.
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Seems as though this film is dividing opinions even more than Star Wars.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Seems as though this film is dividing opinions even more than Star Wars.
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It's definitely a film worth seeing but I don't think it'll win an Oscar. Still hoping that goes to Lady Bird.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Seems as though this film is dividing opinions even more than Star Wars.
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Yeah, opinions ranging from brilliant potential Oscar winner to offensive unfunny disaster. Kind of intrigued to see it just to form my own opinion. Really liked In Bruges but can see where some of the problems might come from in this one.
 
Cheesy said:
Yeah, opinions ranging from brilliant potential Oscar winner to offensive unfunny disaster. Kind of intrigued to see it just to form my own opinion. Really liked In Bruges but can see where some of the problems might come from in this one.
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I know very little about it. Is this one of those cases where people form an opinion about the merits of a piece of art based entirely on their personal politics? Kind of like the Ghostbusters sequel. Duty-bound to like it if you’re left-leaning and loathe it if you’re right-wing.
 
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