Films! good, bad, recomendations, and general film talk

[Andrew W]

[slightly over emotional evangelising mode]

I've now been to see Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" twice in two days at the cinema because I can't get the damn thing out of my head. Unfortunately, given last night's attendance, I suggest seeing it this week if you want to as I can't see it playing for more than a week.  Which is a shame because it is one of the best things I have seen on a cinema screen and certainly the best thing I have seen in 3D.  If you're familiar with Herzog's other documentaries, especially "Encounters at the End of the World", you'll have a good idea of what stylistically to expect.

The film is about the 30 000 year old cave paintings at Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc and features footage from within the cave as well as interviews with those attempting to investigate and understand them. As with all Herzog documentaries it is more than that though. It's also a philosophical exploration of whether it is possible to even begin to understand a people so distant from us in time and the nature of what being human actually means.

The paintings themselves are stunning works of art, still as fresh and alive today as the day they were made. The use of 3D really helps to emphasise how the artists used the undulating shapes of the cave wall to enhance, complement and structure their art. The artistic impact and educative qualities of this film are strongly enhanced by the decision to film it in stereo.

I have seen many photographs of the Chauvet cave art in the past and none of them can come close to this film in really showing you, as closely as you'll ever be allowed to get, what these paintings are and how powerful as pieces of art they remain.

"Cave of Forgotten Dreams" is a wonderfully human, intelligent  and beautiful film and I cannot urge you to see it strongly enough before it disappears. If you're in London try to see it this week, if you're elsewhere keep an eye out for screenings, it's really worth it.

[/slightly over emotional evangelising mode]

That actually does sound interesting, but theres no way I can see it in the cinema: is a release likely?

It's playing here and there. It's on about six screens in London and may well play for a week or two around the country after that. It opens in the States in April. Keep an eye out I guess. It will come out on DVD and Blu Ray I imagine but unless you have a 3D TV you'll miss a lot I think.

[_tom_]

Rubber - absolutely terrible but still quite funny. Considering how stupid it was, it's quite well made and shot. I can't think of any real meaning or purpose behind it other than to illustrate how people will watch any old shite, which we just proved by watching the film!

[psy]

I saw Sucker Punch yesterday.  It's not the deepest of films, but it was a fun visual treat, really enjoyed the soundtrack too....  Plus it had a hot girl with a sword in a Japanese school uniform.  :)

[_tom_]

Limitless - really enjoyed this. Great "disorientating" editing style and remains entertaining throughout :D

[Plexi Ken]

Lancelot du Lac - French version of the Arthurian legend from 1974. While dated and bleak it is an interesting take on a familiar tail. Most of the characters are flawed and human not heroic and there's none of the usual 'glamour'.

Easy A - Well above average high-school comedy. The plot's a bit far fetched but the script is full of wit and Emma Stone is fantastic in the lead role. I missed a bit of the film as it features a song that I just had to find. Turns out be to Sexy Silk by Jessie J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLUiXEcm8Y

[Ian Price]

That's not too bad a tune, I was quite surprised that I liked it as much. Reminds me quite a lot of Hit the Road Jack though.

[MisterMuncher]

Source Code. Not as good as Moon, but better than an awful lot of other shite out there.

Delightful little in-jokey shout-out to it's sort-of inspiration in there, too.

[WezV]

currently watching community, an american sitcom that is proving rather good.

it started off ok, funny but nothing special. it got very good.  it relies on pop culture & movie references and i am currently on the 2nd season Halloween special which is a mix of many zombie films.   There is an amazing paintball episode near the end of series 1 which is like battle royale meets die hard - all from a cheesy american sitcom!

[WezV]

and now the next episode is like the secret garden with adults... and the secret garden has a trampoline.  the second series has definitely got a lot more surreal, in a good way!

[WezV]

make that secret garden meets american beauty

[WezV]

meets robocop!

[WezV]

then american history X thrown in at the end

[WezV]

just got back from source code - feels very much like a mix of Groundhog day and twelve monkeys... which is no bad thing!

very enjoyable, i did think the obvious ending would have been a couple of minutes before - but i am glad they didnt leave it there - refreshing for it not to be left open in an  inception kind of way

[dave_mc]

dunno if i should admit to this, but is anyone else watching hellcats and pretty little liars on mtv? :lol: They're actually not bad if you can get past the cheesiness (actually it's probably the cheesiness that makes them good, I spend most of the episodes laughing my ass off when I suspect I'm not really meant to be laughing)...

[psy]

I've just watched Monsters.  I really liked it.  And was extra impressed considering it was shot on a $500,00 budget & most of the scenes ad-libbed on location with locals as extras.