Post by Martin Stett on Jan 15, 2018 17:20:23 GMT
The Big Easy (1986) -- I'd say that this is the most Cajun movie ever, but I don't think any Cajuns were actually involved. No, the director just told everyone to use stupid accents and say "daaaa-uuuhh-liiiin" a lot. The plot itself is predictable 80's cop movie stuff. 4/10
The Ninth Gate (1999) -- A sadly overlooked arthouse thriller. Balancing on a razor's edge between campy silliness (Barbara Geddens doing a Dr. Strangelove impression, the band of cosplaying Satan worshippers) and serious detective thriller, Polanski manages to make both extremes work without diminishing the other. Sure, the movie makes no sense, but I don't think it was ever meant to. It exists to be a strange, semi-comic foray into the occult genre, one that changes like a kaleidoscope depending on which way you turn it. I think that if it was released today, there would be quite a few defenders of this one. 7/10
Blade Runner (1982 rewatch) -- My first try with the Final Cut. Same thoughts as I've had on it before: the movie is damned pretty, but ultimately there's no substance. Not a knock against the film, mind you. I've never seen a movie use such a noir drenched atmosphere, and it's a delight to watch. I just don't think there's anything to chew on after it's over. 7/10
Brokeback Mountain (2005) -- It starts off well enough, but boy, did this drag once the movie split between the two characters. The individual stories aren't bad (although Ennis's tale is far too dry for me, and Ledger's performance didn't work at all), but switching between them like this, neither one ever got to be very... exciting. They're just there. 6/10
A Bigger Splash (2015) -- It starts off as a fun drama that seems to be going places, but it ultimately has nothing on its mind, following some really lame plotlines towards the end that don't advance our knowledge of the characters at all. 4/10
Tabu (1931) -- Murnau was so interested in lighting and atmosphere that he forgot to tell a story. 5/10
The Ninth Gate (1999) -- A sadly overlooked arthouse thriller. Balancing on a razor's edge between campy silliness (Barbara Geddens doing a Dr. Strangelove impression, the band of cosplaying Satan worshippers) and serious detective thriller, Polanski manages to make both extremes work without diminishing the other. Sure, the movie makes no sense, but I don't think it was ever meant to. It exists to be a strange, semi-comic foray into the occult genre, one that changes like a kaleidoscope depending on which way you turn it. I think that if it was released today, there would be quite a few defenders of this one. 7/10
Blade Runner (1982 rewatch) -- My first try with the Final Cut. Same thoughts as I've had on it before: the movie is damned pretty, but ultimately there's no substance. Not a knock against the film, mind you. I've never seen a movie use such a noir drenched atmosphere, and it's a delight to watch. I just don't think there's anything to chew on after it's over. 7/10
Brokeback Mountain (2005) -- It starts off well enough, but boy, did this drag once the movie split between the two characters. The individual stories aren't bad (although Ennis's tale is far too dry for me, and Ledger's performance didn't work at all), but switching between them like this, neither one ever got to be very... exciting. They're just there. 6/10
A Bigger Splash (2015) -- It starts off as a fun drama that seems to be going places, but it ultimately has nothing on its mind, following some really lame plotlines towards the end that don't advance our knowledge of the characters at all. 4/10
Tabu (1931) -- Murnau was so interested in lighting and atmosphere that he forgot to tell a story. 5/10