Film round-up
Aug. 3rd, 2012 11:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
felicitykingSince I've passed 100 films, I've gotten extremely lazy about posting reviews. I've also gotten more obsessive about marathoning (though I'm a lame marathoner. When I "marathon," it's at most 2 films per day, or a certain number of films per week. I have yet to do an all-day 7 movie marathon like some people are capable of.) But I still want to post opinion bits, so very belatedly...
Huckabees to TGE are films my friend owns that I'm watching while I housesit. (I have 3 more of her films to go, and that's on top of the hulu films I've been squeezing in.) None of the films on this list are rewatches.
Det sjunde inseglet (The Seventh Seal) (1958)
If I hadn't seen The Virgin Spring first, I might have been in awe of this but I wasn't. I mean, I loved it, but it's so close in style to TVS that I had harder time appreciating it. It's an medieval allegory about life and death. What I found most surprising was how lighthhearted some bits are, but I think that is being true to life. Even though death is always round the corner--whether it be because of a plague, accident, or murder--people aren't going to be somber all the time. Oh, and I think LOST stole from the this film (specificallly the beach chess scene).
La Haine (1995)
I WASN'T GOING TO WATCH THIS! I read the description for it and thought it sounded both cheesy and depressing. But I always, or nearly always, check imdb to see what reviews are to determine if something should be watched. I'm glad I did, because this film is amazing! We like to think of France--and filmic France particularly Paris--as being an enchanted, not touched by tragedy place, but this film reveals otherwise. It's gritty and the last 10 minutes will have nailbiting and anxious. A bit of trivia for you: the guy who directed Amelie directed this. Everything about this film is perfect and just flawlessly syncs. I can't rec it enough. WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS? GO RENT THE MOVIE!
Another Life (2001)
Passable. A true life Edwardian story about an unhappily married woman who has an affair with a much younger man. It ends in murder (I can spoil that because the film begins with the murder and flashes back). It was nice seeing how British society changed from Edwardian times to World War 1 to the Flapper 20s, but other than that, it didn't do much for me.
Throne of Blood (1957)
A Japanese retelling of Macbeth set in feudal samarai society. The atmosphere and cultural translation felt just right. Not much else to add. (If you follow me on tumblr, you also know I was impressed by one particular death scene.)
I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
As a former social activist (I believe in the causes still but I'm no longer out on the streets), I was quite amused and impressed by accurate this film got the archetypes right. I also like how it snuck in a thoughtful discussion about existentialism. My one problem with this film is that it is racist, which is unacceptable. (It uses the "magical negro" stereotype. For those of you unfamiliar with this: the Magical Negro is the person of colour, be it man or woman, who spurs the white person(s) to their greater destiny, enlightenment, understanding of one's self. The Magical Negro is never fleshed out but it just there as a plot point to make white person(s) feel better about themselves.)
Once (2006)
I've wanted to see this for years and finally got around to it. I enjoyed it. Well, I should say I enjoyed everything but the film obviously patting itself on the back. What do I mean? The writer ALWAYS makes a point of having the suppporting characters tell the main character (particularly Guy) how fucking awesome his music is. Oh, the routine might vary but it's basically the same. One moment even made me roll my eyes (music producer complains to girlfriend he's soundchecking "oddballs" but then the "oddballs start to sing AND HEAVEN OPENS UP AND THE MUSIC PRODUCER JOINS IN THE JAM and thinks band is best thing ever. Firstly, musicians ARE oddballs, so I sincerely don't believe music producer, who probably has seen everybody in his studio, would even notice this middle class bunch. Secondly, a group that came together only in a day aren't going to be so fucking awesome that the music producer is falling all over them.) I HATE when films try to dictate to me how to think. I also hate it when the fanboying is so blantantly obvious. It makes me barf. This is an indie film so it should KNOW better. However, the romance had chemistry and the songs were nice (not "omg you are the best thing ever" that the we-are-in-love-with-ourselves storytellers wanted me to think but they are soulful and worth listening to).
Amadeus (1984)
There seems to be a theme emerging this year. I keep watching films about music and musicians, be they real or fictional. This made a nice counterpart to Immortal Beloved. This film is nearly 3 hours long but it's not boring. I was glued to the screen the entire time. It's about a (scheming bitchy nothing-is-ever-my-fault) mediocre composer who falls in company with (airheaded dandy genius) Mozart. Jealousy ensues. I liked this film. I would even go so far to say it deserved its 8 Academy Awards (need to watch more films from 1984 to see it is the best though)
The Great Escape (1963)
Based on a true story about a German war camp made specifically to hold a large number of soldiers who tried to escape and con their way out of other camps. It's fascinating! Again it's 3 hours long but worth every minute. Steve McQueen has a minor role. Nowadays we only seem to focus on the concentration camp aspect or field battle of WW2, so it was refreshing to see a prison drama like this. It also nicely compliments A Man Escaped.
Down by Law (1986)
I WASN'T GOING TO WATCH THIS FILM EITHER! I'm so glad I did because it truly is magical. It's set in New Orleans and it's about 3 criminals who escape (yes, it's another theme this year....) from prison. The story is simple, almost like a folktale. What really gets me is how hypnotic it was. If it had been shot in colour, it wouldn't have that spell-like feeling, but shot in greyscale, the cinematography just shines and becomes otherworldly. An incentive for you to watch it: if you are a Hiddles fan, his next film is being shot by the director of this. Since you are still reading this, instead of watching La Haine, you can add this to your film list too. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? GO NETFLIX IT!
Le plaisir
A French film that would have benefited had it had been shot in colour. It was good, but not about much. Basically a triptype of stories about love, pleasure, and just living. It's a lazy day viewing film. But nothing of substance.
Huckabees to TGE are films my friend owns that I'm watching while I housesit. (I have 3 more of her films to go, and that's on top of the hulu films I've been squeezing in.) None of the films on this list are rewatches.
Det sjunde inseglet (The Seventh Seal) (1958)
If I hadn't seen The Virgin Spring first, I might have been in awe of this but I wasn't. I mean, I loved it, but it's so close in style to TVS that I had harder time appreciating it. It's an medieval allegory about life and death. What I found most surprising was how lighthhearted some bits are, but I think that is being true to life. Even though death is always round the corner--whether it be because of a plague, accident, or murder--people aren't going to be somber all the time. Oh, and I think LOST stole from the this film (specificallly the beach chess scene).
La Haine (1995)
I WASN'T GOING TO WATCH THIS! I read the description for it and thought it sounded both cheesy and depressing. But I always, or nearly always, check imdb to see what reviews are to determine if something should be watched. I'm glad I did, because this film is amazing! We like to think of France--and filmic France particularly Paris--as being an enchanted, not touched by tragedy place, but this film reveals otherwise. It's gritty and the last 10 minutes will have nailbiting and anxious. A bit of trivia for you: the guy who directed Amelie directed this. Everything about this film is perfect and just flawlessly syncs. I can't rec it enough. WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS? GO RENT THE MOVIE!
Another Life (2001)
Passable. A true life Edwardian story about an unhappily married woman who has an affair with a much younger man. It ends in murder (I can spoil that because the film begins with the murder and flashes back). It was nice seeing how British society changed from Edwardian times to World War 1 to the Flapper 20s, but other than that, it didn't do much for me.
Throne of Blood (1957)
A Japanese retelling of Macbeth set in feudal samarai society. The atmosphere and cultural translation felt just right. Not much else to add. (If you follow me on tumblr, you also know I was impressed by one particular death scene.)
I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
As a former social activist (I believe in the causes still but I'm no longer out on the streets), I was quite amused and impressed by accurate this film got the archetypes right. I also like how it snuck in a thoughtful discussion about existentialism. My one problem with this film is that it is racist, which is unacceptable. (It uses the "magical negro" stereotype. For those of you unfamiliar with this: the Magical Negro is the person of colour, be it man or woman, who spurs the white person(s) to their greater destiny, enlightenment, understanding of one's self. The Magical Negro is never fleshed out but it just there as a plot point to make white person(s) feel better about themselves.)
Once (2006)
I've wanted to see this for years and finally got around to it. I enjoyed it. Well, I should say I enjoyed everything but the film obviously patting itself on the back. What do I mean? The writer ALWAYS makes a point of having the suppporting characters tell the main character (particularly Guy) how fucking awesome his music is. Oh, the routine might vary but it's basically the same. One moment even made me roll my eyes (music producer complains to girlfriend he's soundchecking "oddballs" but then the "oddballs start to sing AND HEAVEN OPENS UP AND THE MUSIC PRODUCER JOINS IN THE JAM and thinks band is best thing ever. Firstly, musicians ARE oddballs, so I sincerely don't believe music producer, who probably has seen everybody in his studio, would even notice this middle class bunch. Secondly, a group that came together only in a day aren't going to be so fucking awesome that the music producer is falling all over them.) I HATE when films try to dictate to me how to think. I also hate it when the fanboying is so blantantly obvious. It makes me barf. This is an indie film so it should KNOW better. However, the romance had chemistry and the songs were nice (not "omg you are the best thing ever" that the we-are-in-love-with-ourselves storytellers wanted me to think but they are soulful and worth listening to).
Amadeus (1984)
There seems to be a theme emerging this year. I keep watching films about music and musicians, be they real or fictional. This made a nice counterpart to Immortal Beloved. This film is nearly 3 hours long but it's not boring. I was glued to the screen the entire time. It's about a (scheming bitchy nothing-is-ever-my-fault) mediocre composer who falls in company with (airheaded dandy genius) Mozart. Jealousy ensues. I liked this film. I would even go so far to say it deserved its 8 Academy Awards (need to watch more films from 1984 to see it is the best though)
The Great Escape (1963)
Based on a true story about a German war camp made specifically to hold a large number of soldiers who tried to escape and con their way out of other camps. It's fascinating! Again it's 3 hours long but worth every minute. Steve McQueen has a minor role. Nowadays we only seem to focus on the concentration camp aspect or field battle of WW2, so it was refreshing to see a prison drama like this. It also nicely compliments A Man Escaped.
Down by Law (1986)
I WASN'T GOING TO WATCH THIS FILM EITHER! I'm so glad I did because it truly is magical. It's set in New Orleans and it's about 3 criminals who escape (yes, it's another theme this year....) from prison. The story is simple, almost like a folktale. What really gets me is how hypnotic it was. If it had been shot in colour, it wouldn't have that spell-like feeling, but shot in greyscale, the cinematography just shines and becomes otherworldly. An incentive for you to watch it: if you are a Hiddles fan, his next film is being shot by the director of this. Since you are still reading this, instead of watching La Haine, you can add this to your film list too. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? GO NETFLIX IT!
Le plaisir
A French film that would have benefited had it had been shot in colour. It was good, but not about much. Basically a triptype of stories about love, pleasure, and just living. It's a lazy day viewing film. But nothing of substance.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-04 04:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-04 05:29 am (UTC)Distracted by tumblr methinks? It took me awhile, but I have it mostly in check. You can't watch 100 films or more if you are blogging all day (particularly if said site ones watches movies at has time limits on how long films will be on available to free users).
You also have to plan ahead a little as well. (I keep a list of all the films made free on hulu and when they expire. Now, I normally ignore lists once I make them, but my queue is ridic--383 items--films tv shows miniseries all mixed up together---so keeping a list helps me keep on target.)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-04 06:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-04 05:10 pm (UTC)It's NOT about the number of people you follow but about your common interests. You follow sub-groups. So for instance. I follow 113 people, but in actually I follow about about 5-9 subgroups. (Most people in subgroup follow and reblog each other so you won't miss a post.)
You've probably also noticed this next part:
When new posts arrive in tags/on dash, the subgroup takes 2 days (sometimes 3) to cycle it through. (Tumblr is worldwide so the dash has to filter through different time zones.)
The below is what most people DON'T notice. Or if they notice it, they think it only happens selectively and not every. single. day.
day 1: episode A airs, shitty quality gifs/photo sets from epi appear night of and day after. Everybody does their fandom squee reblog.
day 2: same as day 1
day 3: ep A GOOD quality gifs/photoset appear. Everybody reblogs for the quality.
Day 4: same as day 3
day 5 the creative graphics and gifsets (parallels, scenery porn, etc) stuff starts to come out with A included in it
day 6: more of day 3 and 5
day 7: see day 6
Back to day 1, episode B comes on, and the whole weekly cycle begins again.
I first picked up on this with the Dair fandom, but I have also noticed it happens across the board with every. singe. fandom.
Also, last but NOT least. Blogging seems to be most intense/active during the hours of 8pm-12am regardless of whether what season it is. Sometimes, it goes to 1 am, but then it dies. People do reblog during the day, but it's nowhere near the number of people and number of reblogs that happen at night.
~~~~
And there you go. You can observe for yourself if you don't believe me. (It's not something you can see in a day though. I discovered it through a number of weeks.) I'm sharing them because it is empowering having this knowledge. Because then you're NOT thinking all the time, everyday, "but i might miss something important on my dash!" (and you because you now KNOW how tumblr works you WON'T.) (And yes, the first several times you start limiting when you're on tumblr, you'll be so certain you missed something important, but as soon as you realize and TRUST the pattern holds you'll be like "OMG I have FREE TIME to watch shit!)
(If I stay off tumblr for a day, I usually get on it at 6 pm so I have time to go back to where I left off on my dash before the 8-12 reblogging session begins.) (Note: staying off a day means you'll have to go back 120-175 pages on your dash. I use the option where you click on a arrow to go to the next page on the dash. I don't use endless scroll so I can't tell you what it look like using that.) (I also blame the endless scroll that you have to opt out of in your account options as to why people think "but if i'm not on tumblr i'll miiiiiissss something!!!!" The endless scroll makes the dash look overwhelming. I use the arrow-next option (which automatically comes up on the dash once the endless scroll is unclicked in the account) and it has really proven to me otherwise. The dash isn't endless, it is NOT unorganized, and it NOT "I live in a cave and I reblog what I want." No, having the arrow-next on my dash proves ....everything I wrote in my above observations.)
(Poor Val! You are probably thinking "I'm never responding to any of her posts again!" But you have written on tumblr about not doing other stuff you want...cuz tumblr is consuming all your time. So... and there are other friends on LJ who are on tumblr. So really this response is for everyone.)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-04 05:36 pm (UTC)(And then when you've been doing it long enough, you'll look back at your past self and be like "how quaint I was thinking I needed to be on tumblr all day." You'll also think "damn I once thought I only had 2-4 hours a week for a film when I have at least 12-24 hours." (I've never counted the exact time. Even with real life stuff factored in, all the free time has to over 6 hours. It has to be, if I can manage 5 movies a week plus marathoning TV or miniseries episodes online.)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-05 05:01 am (UTC)Yep you're breakdown is accurate!!!!! Bahahahaha I usually wait for the good quality gifs to show up before I reblog though lol ;)
It really shouldn't even if you are anal like me and need to see your entire dash...
I think this is where the problem comes in! I'm exactly the same! I need to see everything I've missed atleast 99% of the time or else I'm not at ease lol which is why I've limited myself to 125 blogs so far. If I can't see it all then I bookmark that page on my dash and come back to it later .
Oh I detest endless scrolling! I hate it! I'm glad we have the page option for the queue as well now :)
bahahahaha but yes thanks for the tips. I will not have tumblr stand in the way of my goal! ;)