Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:34 pm  

bren2k wrote:

I'm on catch-up mission this year, to watch movies that I think I should have, but for one reason or another, never got around to.

So far I've done Gangs of New York, Black Hawk Down and City of God; all were excellent, but City of God was absolutely outstanding - a (based on a) true story of gang culture in a Brazilian shanty-town (favella?) focussing on the arc of three very different characters; meant to watch it in two sittings, but ended up utterly engrossed and up til 2am to watch the whole thing.

Give Tropa de elite a go. Its also a Brasilian Film based on a true story. very tense and plenty of action. Also, Gomorra (sp) is a classic Italian ganster film. I'd also recomend Scott Pilgrim vs the world if you haven't seen it, its very quirky but one of the most underrated films of the last few years IMO.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:52 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

Give Tropa de elite a go. Its also a Brasilian Film based on a true story. very tense and plenty of action. Also, Gomorra (sp) is a classic Italian ganster film. I'd also recomend Scott Pilgrim vs the world if you haven't seen it, its very quirky but one of the most underrated films of the last few years IMO.

Thanks for the first 3 - will seek them out; I'm already a Scott Pilgrim devotee - I was a fan of the comics pre-film and thought Edgar Wright did a great job.

Another quirky delight for those of you who care for them - Lars and the Real Girl; it was showing on MGM HD recently, so you might still be able to catch it on Sky - lovely stuff.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:40 pm  

bren2k wrote:

There Will be Blood; I know what to expect from Daniel Day-Lewis (scenery chewing method) but really enjoyed Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine, so hoping for good things from him too.

One of my favourite films of all time, but you'll be disappointed with Dano in this one. To be fair to him he was drafted into one of his roles late in the day with little preparation.

If you liked City of God and enjoy Gomorrah, look out for Ajami. A great little film set in a suburb of Tel Aviv with interwoven stories involving the different religions of the city.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:10 pm  

On the Brazilian vibe. If anybody is looking to add a couple of films take a look at Elite Squad and Elite Squad 2 about the battle for the favelas in Rio, directed by the guy who is doing the new Robocop. Also Bus 174 by same guy is recommended. Those three films are why he got the remake gig. Similar too is Sequestro Express from Venezuela (which hardly anybody watched), about carjacking rich folk is stylish and has some meat to it too, like the other three. If you fancy something a little more challenging check out Tony Manero from Chile about a guy with an obsession with the character from Saturday Night Fever.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:17 pm  

Having just finished a Swedish cinema obsession, I'm happy to go Brazilian, so to speak; watching and enjoying foreign films makes me feel all cosmopolitan and that.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:20 am  

WIZEB wrote:

Looking forward to The Fighter on Film4 tonight.

I was left a little disappointed considering it's several Oscar nominations.
Christian Bale was excellent but I wouldn't put in the same league as Raging Bull, or even The Wrestler.

I will second McClennan's nomination of Tony Manero.
Very good.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:55 pm  

[quote="bren2k"]I'm on catch-up mission this year, to watch movies that I think I should have, but for one reason or another, never got around to.

So far I've done Gangs of New York, Black Hawk Down and City of God; all were excellent, but City of God was absolutely outstanding - a (based on a) true story of gang culture in a Brazilian shanty-town (favella?) focussing on the arc of three very different characters; meant to watch it in two sittings, but ended up utterly engrossed and up til 2am to watch the whole thing.

City of God is one of my favourite films, i discovered it on Film4 one night half way through and sat up til stupid o'clock gripped by it!. I was very keen to find out how the film started so bought the dvd. It still gets a regular viewing, i think most of the cast were actually from nearby favellas and was their 1st acting jobs...what a start to their careers!

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:17 am  

Went to see Gangster Squad last night, I wasn't aware of the poor reviews until after I bought my ticket so I wasn't expecting much. However it was far better than I was expecting. Don't get me wrong is not a classic by any means, but the cast are good and its reasonably entertaining. I'd give it 6.5-7/10.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:53 pm  

On the Paul Dano thing. Just watched Ruby Sparks and wasn't expecting much from it after solid but unspectacular reviews. Really enjoyed it though. There's been a few romantic films this year that have surprised me. Nothing too amazing although I did really like Like Crazy and Celeste And Jesse Forever as well. The latter isn't that funny yet it does manage to avoid cliche and delivers a relatively mature piece.

Re: The even-newer film thread – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! : Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:39 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

Went to see Gangster Squad last night, I wasn't aware of the poor reviews until after I bought my ticket so I wasn't expecting much. However it was far better than I was expecting. Don't get me wrong is not a classic by any means, but the cast are good and its reasonably entertaining. I'd give it 6.5-7/10.

I'm choosing to ignore the reviews on this one too and will be off to see it at the cinema - I'm developing a bit of a man-crush on Ryan Gosling, having very much enjoyed just about all his work; aside from the aforementioned Lars and the Real Girl, he was also terrific in the Ides of March and ice cool in Drive. I believe they call it a 'bromance,' or stalking - not sure which applies.