Film The Redcafe Movie review thread
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The sexual tension is off the charts.Apollo's face when they touch gloves is brilliant though
A Ghost Story (2013). Casey Affleck, Wayne Rooney.
We watched this the other night. Not as emotional as was fearing, as some of you softies led me to believe it was going to be. Amazing example of small scale filmmaking, available light, long takes, sparse coverage. More of a poem than a movie. Also, ghosts can get fecked. Even in a sheet with cartoon eyes they are scary. feck them.
8/10
We watched this the other night. Not as emotional as was fearing, as some of you softies led me to believe it was going to be. Amazing example of small scale filmmaking, available light, long takes, sparse coverage. More of a poem than a movie. Also, ghosts can get fecked. Even in a sheet with cartoon eyes they are scary. feck them.
8/10
They say he is a legend.
The white Pele, no less.
The Arctic Convoy A Finnish WW2 film about a ship in a convoy trying to get supplies to Russia via the North Atlantic. The plot had potential yet it was far duller and more pedestrian than it should have been. A subtitled version might have been better than the dubbed version I watched but probably not by much. The end in particular was meh 5/10
New Goal Wins Based on truth story of a US coach going to American Samoa to coach the National side, who were ranked last in the world and lost 31-0 to Australia. Started slowly but in the end was a lovely feel good movie. Don't expect much and most port/football fans with emotional intelligence will be glad they watched it. 7/10
Stillwater. A 2021 psychological drama by Tom McCarthy about a guy from Olkahoma (Matt Damon) whose daughter is in jail in Marseille for the murder of her girlfriend, while claiming innocence. When she brings up a possible new lead and her lawyer declines to reopen the case, the dad gets going herself. That sounds like a thriller of sorts, and the trailer did make it look that way, it's really a psychological drama about a guy wrestling with the errors of his pasts, and trying to make up for a lost relationship with his daughter while finding a new balance - even if sometimes clumsily and misdirected. Seen from that perspective, the film is pretty good, even if still not amazing. Damon is great in this, the other actors are also strong, and I liked the overall mood. The film does spend a while finding its voice though; or at least, I felt it strongly suggests the thriller direction for while, until it settles for psychological drama. Or maybe that was just my expectations getting in the way. 7/10
Real Steel. A 2011 sports film by Shawn Levy, where Hugh Jackman is a former boxer that now participates in robot boxing, but mostly as a fast-talking failure that owes money to everyone. When his son comes back into his life, he tries to fast-talk his way out of that situation as well, but eventually they go on the road together, and so on. It's a mess of a film. It's good some of the usual rhythm and feelgood highs of a sports film, but all truncated into the main bits, with a lack of proper development. The characters are also too convenient, as is much of the plot. That's common of course, but not fitting for this film/genre in this way. I can't remember last time my wife were criticizing a film that much while it's running. 3/10
Hot Frosty. Speaking of dumb crap, yes, it's Christmas romcom season. This makes zero sense as soon as you start thinking about any plot point (in short: a snowman comes to live and is a hot dude that wants to help everyone and thaw the leading woman's heart), but of course you shouldn't. Some of the set pieces are really fun though, like the interaction between the two cops, and it was shot recognizable in a place we visited. So let's say 5/10.
Real Steel. A 2011 sports film by Shawn Levy, where Hugh Jackman is a former boxer that now participates in robot boxing, but mostly as a fast-talking failure that owes money to everyone. When his son comes back into his life, he tries to fast-talk his way out of that situation as well, but eventually they go on the road together, and so on. It's a mess of a film. It's good some of the usual rhythm and feelgood highs of a sports film, but all truncated into the main bits, with a lack of proper development. The characters are also too convenient, as is much of the plot. That's common of course, but not fitting for this film/genre in this way. I can't remember last time my wife were criticizing a film that much while it's running. 3/10
Hot Frosty. Speaking of dumb crap, yes, it's Christmas romcom season. This makes zero sense as soon as you start thinking about any plot point (in short: a snowman comes to live and is a hot dude that wants to help everyone and thaw the leading woman's heart), but of course you shouldn't. Some of the set pieces are really fun though, like the interaction between the two cops, and it was shot recognizable in a place we visited. So let's say 5/10.
Moana 2: Some movies shouldn't have a sequel, especially if you're just making one to capitalise on hype and don't have any idea where you want to take the plot. Shite. 3/10.
Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard. Masterpiece.
Reading between the lines here but this list sounds like a coded cry for help.
I watched Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. the other day. Simultaneously one of the funniest and most affecting films of last year. Just all around a great watch. 2023 was a really strong year for movies indeed. 8/10
Animation isn't something I usually enjoy but I watched Flow last night. It's absolutely beautiful and entrancing from start to finish. 9/10.
I'm afraid you'll have to spell that one out for me.
Stillwater, Real Steel, Hot Frosty. You started out with a psychological thriller, a film for thinking people. Then somehow nosedived into a Hugh Jackman movie about robots boxing. This led to the absolute nadir of your existence, a Christmas Netflix romcom about a snowman banging the hot chick and then dying in a sexy hot tub scene*. There is nowhere left to go. I’m worried about you.
*I’m guessing this is how he dies.
Gladiator 2: shite
Mescal did a good job in a role he isn't really suited to, and Denzel was good as Denzel
but deary me what a piece of crap that was
Mescal did a good job in a role he isn't really suited to, and Denzel was good as Denzel
but deary me what a piece of crap that was
You underestimate me: I'm rewatching Grave of the Fireflies next.
That's a beautiful film.
Amazing. But not a great idea if your life has already hit rock bottom.
There’s always a new low.
Emotionally, that's Grave of the Fireflies.
OK, artistically, there stuff like EuroTrip or most Hallmark movies, but I'd rather think about Grave of the Fireflies.
EuroTrip is a classic!
Just been enjoying watching The Three Kings.
A film about Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankley and Jock Stein.
All 3 born within 30 miles of eachother in Lanarkshire.
All ex coal miners and all 3 from a Trades Union background.
And what comes through is that all 3 treated their players and the football club as in effect a socialist organisation.
All equal.
All pulling in the same direction.
Each wanted to build a football Club and not just a football team.
Three great men who built three fantastic sides.
A film about Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankley and Jock Stein.
All 3 born within 30 miles of eachother in Lanarkshire.
All ex coal miners and all 3 from a Trades Union background.
And what comes through is that all 3 treated their players and the football club as in effect a socialist organisation.
All equal.
All pulling in the same direction.
Each wanted to build a football Club and not just a football team.
Three great men who built three fantastic sides.
So, I got to see Interstellar for the IMAX re-release for its 10th year anniversary. Such a beautiful film. It's easily Nolan's most emotionally resonant film and it's just such a great ride. It's not perfect, but at its best it's easily Nolan's finest work and the scale of it just has me in awe over and over. That good a theatre experience I'd actually consider going again before it leaves for this time.
Followed
To gain more subscribers, a controversial social media influencer stays at a cursed hotel to terrifying results. I liked that the theme, could have really tried to dig into society's obsession with influencers and true crime, instead, it follows an obnoxious idiot who you want to see get killed at every turn. The dialogue is filled with exposition dumps and overall, the film doesn't have even one scary moment. I did like a couple of scenes and there was a moment where it nearly created a creepy sequence but it shat the bed with the payoff. Avoid 2/10
Cuckoo
A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem. This is a pretty fun and original indie horror. It had a good mystery, some decent characters and a creepy villain. The final act does let it down somewhat, especially as they start explaining things but until then, the mystery is really fun to try and work out. The narrative gets a little messy but overall, it's a decent film 6.5/10
To gain more subscribers, a controversial social media influencer stays at a cursed hotel to terrifying results. I liked that the theme, could have really tried to dig into society's obsession with influencers and true crime, instead, it follows an obnoxious idiot who you want to see get killed at every turn. The dialogue is filled with exposition dumps and overall, the film doesn't have even one scary moment. I did like a couple of scenes and there was a moment where it nearly created a creepy sequence but it shat the bed with the payoff. Avoid 2/10
Cuckoo
A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem. This is a pretty fun and original indie horror. It had a good mystery, some decent characters and a creepy villain. The final act does let it down somewhat, especially as they start explaining things but until then, the mystery is really fun to try and work out. The narrative gets a little messy but overall, it's a decent film 6.5/10
To Live and Die in L.A.
Opens with a Ronald Regan speech then followed by Robby Müller blood red cinematography of LA at sunrise. All scored with Wang Chung drum machine pulsing in the background.
Friedkin shows the every growing power of neoliberal money printers along with incompetent cops full of paranoia and bizarre artistic criminals.
Clearly Friedkin saw the film Paris, Texas and replaced the disconnect relationships with the most vulgar money relations. No one is likeable or trying to achieve anything positive in society. It’s pure revenge, making money and a system which produces the same violence over and over again.
Brilliant film.
9/10
Opens with a Ronald Regan speech then followed by Robby Müller blood red cinematography of LA at sunrise. All scored with Wang Chung drum machine pulsing in the background.
Friedkin shows the every growing power of neoliberal money printers along with incompetent cops full of paranoia and bizarre artistic criminals.
Clearly Friedkin saw the film Paris, Texas and replaced the disconnect relationships with the most vulgar money relations. No one is likeable or trying to achieve anything positive in society. It’s pure revenge, making money and a system which produces the same violence over and over again.
Brilliant film.
9/10
Yes, it’s great. Haven’t seen it in a long time so glad to hear it holds up. I liked the nihilism of the film, as you hit upon. At the endTo Live and Die in L.A.
Opens with a Ronald Regan speech then followed by Robby Müller blood red cinematography of LA at sunrise. All scored with Wang Chung drum machine pulsing in the background.
Friedkin shows the every growing power of neoliberal money printers along with incompetent cops full of paranoia and bizarre artistic criminals.
Clearly Friedkin saw the film Paris, Texas and replaced the disconnect relationships with the most vulgar money relations. No one is likeable or trying to achieve anything positive in society. It’s pure revenge, making money and a system which produces the same violence over and over again.
Brilliant film.
9/10
where the girl that has been forced into sex by the crooked cop thinks she’s just been set free/saved by the film’s protagonist — only for him to tell her she’s now going to be having sex with him. Just brutal.
Yep it’s such a gut punch. Also to kill William Petersen character with a shotgun to the face before the end is a classic Friedkin move. The audience don’t even get the basic satisfaction of seeing the main protagonist make to the credits.
It’s definitely from the 80’s. Although at the same time it comes across now as very different compared to what we get from modern scores.
Felt like a chessy, cliched cop buddy film for a while then just turns halfway through and becomes outrageously tense and chaotic. I'd probably call the first hour a 7 / 10 passable junk but the last 40 minutes is 10/10 chaotic, brilliant madness. Great car chase scene too, people really should steal that more.To Live and Die in L.A.
Opens with a Ronald Regan speech then followed by Robby Müller blood red cinematography of LA at sunrise. All scored with Wang Chung drum machine pulsing in the background.
Friedkin shows the every growing power of neoliberal money printers along with incompetent cops full of paranoia and bizarre artistic criminals.
Clearly Friedkin saw the film Paris, Texas and replaced the disconnect relationships with the most vulgar money relations. No one is likeable or trying to achieve anything positive in society. It’s pure revenge, making money and a system which produces the same violence over and over again.
Brilliant film.
9/10
I love how the lame sidekick almost gets devoured and replaced by hanging out with the main character. Main guy gets shot in the face but he lives on like a weird infection or something
Bang on. It starts out very standard and then Friedkin went nuts, in a good way.
Yep this and the French Connection has some of the best chase scene in cinema. Friedkin is great at directing action.
Reminded me of the Simpsons episode where Homer gets a hair transplant from someone who has died on death row and then slowly stats turning into the criminal.
Also them finding out the $50,000 came from a uncover FBI agent was such a great moment. I didn’t expect that turn out all.
Also them finding out the $50,000 came from a uncover FBI agent was such a great moment. I didn’t expect that turn out all.
Midsommar
Fairly entertaining folk horror, but predictable and extremely derivative, lifting wholesale from The Wicker Man and Shirley Jackson. Having them speak foren adds a level sinisterness and some of the stylised ritualistic elements are suitably weird. The ritual sex part was very (I think unintentionally) funny when the woman starts singing really weirdly right in his face. That would definitely put you off your stroke.
Maybe slightly long at 2.5 hours, but I'm a sucker for this genre, so a solid 6.5/10.
Fairly entertaining folk horror, but predictable and extremely derivative, lifting wholesale from The Wicker Man and Shirley Jackson. Having them speak foren adds a level sinisterness and some of the stylised ritualistic elements are suitably weird. The ritual sex part was very (I think unintentionally) funny when the woman starts singing really weirdly right in his face. That would definitely put you off your stroke.
Maybe slightly long at 2.5 hours, but I'm a sucker for this genre, so a solid 6.5/10.
I loved this film. Did you not think the shrooms scene was great? For me that was most realistic depiction of tripping I’ve ever seen on film.
It's a good film, but I was slightly surprised at just how much it rips off from The Wicker Man, which is an all-time fave, and Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, which is a great short story.
The tripping scene is decent- the bark on the tree moving did remind me of some experiences years back, with curtains and wallpaper patterns wiggling round etc...Also the paranoia you can get when it's less good.
I thought the visuals were incredibly well done. Also nailed that fine line between having a great laugh and extreme paranoia, as you say.
That director seems to have been given a pass on certain aspects of his films where most other directors would get called out for it. Because he’s in the A24 stable, it’s art house, and being derivative is ironic (maybe?). I was surprised by how unsurprising this story was. Hereditary was also derivative and telegraphed every move - but somehow it felt fresher.
He’s an interesting filmmaker, I like a lot of his aesthetic choices, but he needs someone else to write the scripts.
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The funniest thing about Midsommar is that old guy who been prepping to kill himself for so many years, then fecks it up
The film was ok but nothing special. Hereditary was far better, although very different. Probably just more in my wheelhouse.
The film was ok but nothing special. Hereditary was far better, although very different. Probably just more in my wheelhouse.
Watching that and then watching what I think is the first episode of Norsemen makes the latter even funnier.The funniest thing about Midsommar is that old guy who been prepping to kill himself for so many years, then fecks it up
The film was ok but nothing special. Hereditary was far better, although very different. Probably just more in my wheelhouse.
Caddo Lake - When an 8-year-old girl disappears on Caddo Lake, a series of past deaths and disappearances begin to link together, altering a broken family's history.
Really enjoyed this. A slow-burn mystery set against a swampy backdrop, where two family tragedies spiral into something much more twisty. I went in expecting one thing, but the film totally blindsided me with where it went. It's absolutely a movie you want to read nothing about (except this review of course) and watch totally blind. 7.5/10
Really enjoyed this. A slow-burn mystery set against a swampy backdrop, where two family tragedies spiral into something much more twisty. I went in expecting one thing, but the film totally blindsided me with where it went. It's absolutely a movie you want to read nothing about (except this review of course) and watch totally blind. 7.5/10