Things I watched this weekend

[weaveworld]

I watched 'The Dark Half' last night, I hadn't seen it for ages, it was ok

[ravenus]

Watched the first 4 episodes of this anime series called Ninja Scroll at a friend's place. The production values on the series are great with terrific visuals and music. The only problem I have with it is that the plot across the 4 episodes has moved very little, you just have one action sequence after another, almost like the plot was so thin they decided to interrupt every little sliver of it with a combat scene to extend the running time. It's all very well done, but I'd seriously have liked more revelations into the story by this point.

The lead character Jubei seems a direct lift from Toshiro Mifune's portrayal of Sanjuro.

[Alysheba]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Is that any better than the interminable original cut?

I wouldn't say better, but different. More gore and violence. Some scenes in the theatrical version were left out and scenes that were not in the theatrical version were added in. Some scenes were put in a different order but that is about it. I liked King Arthur though.

[ravenus]

TALES OF HOFFMAN – Powell & Pressburger

This colorful film adaptation of the famous opera by Offenbach is a musical in the truest sense, meaning every bit of narrative and dialog is put forth by means of song. I am not in general the biggest fan of such endeavors, but it works quite well for this film, although some of the love paeans may be outstaying their welcome.

In the story a poet – Hoffman – tells in episodic fashion about the many times that he has loved and lost. There have been several films made with such a theme but Hoffman stands well apart because of the Goth-fantastic nature of the narratives. Hoffman, in turn, falls in love with Olympia - a puppet, Guiletta - the temptress of a soul-stealing demon, and Antonia - a singer doomed by fatal consumptive illness.

This narrative is complemented by the brilliantly supportive artistic design of the film. The makers construct a deliberate stage-like ambiance, with the use of representative backdrops, suitably exaggerated props and striking motifs to convey the settings and moods of the various episodes. In this aspect it shares strong kinship with Masaki Kobayashi's period ghost story anthology Kwaidan. You also have the concept of the same actor returning to play different parts in the various episodes of Hoffman's life, the most notable of which is Robert Helpmann who portrays the sinister element in all the episodes (and with his vampiric menacing look, does a terrific job of it, although his motive for evil in the Antonia episode goes unexplained).

The fantastic elements of the plot, color-drenched distinctive look, intricate balletic choreography and excellent fit of all the actors in their roles make Tales of Hoffman a very interesting watching experience on the whole.

[ravenus]

Saw Eli Roth's debut horror venture Cabin Fever last night.

The first 25 odd minutes consisted of mind-numbingly boring teen movie stereotype and one seriously considered shutting it off before the night was lost. But once the plot actually gets going, more interesting events pile on and the horror/comic elements find their groove. Especially towards the end the movie goes pleasingly gonzo, although that may not appeal to all. The film is not particularly original and as is nowadays fashionable to do, there are obvious nods to classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead, Night of the Living Dead, but it's still a worthwhile watch on the whole.

[GrownUp]

'28 Days later' and 'Dead End'.
Both were on the telly.

10/10 times 2.

[Quokka]

Only movie I caught this weekend was Rabbit Proof Fence, a true life tale of daughters living through what has since become known (atleast within Australia) as the 'stolen generation' an excellent movie and I couldn't recommend it high enough.

[Omega]

Got 28 days later on DVD, great film

Haven't heard anymore news on the sequel.

[Teir]

Didn't watch anything this weekend but last weekend I watched 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' for the first time. hehee - loved it.

[Marky Lazer]

Originally Posted by knivesout

Things I watched this weekend

Groningen FC 3 Ajax 2! Hurrah!

[weaveworld]

Storm of the Century and Supernatural

[Adasunshine]

Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

It was my first time watching this and apart from the cheesy ending, I laughed hard, very very hard! Great film!

xx

[littlemissattitude]

Originally Posted by Teir

Didn't watch anything this weekend but last weekend I watched 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' for the first time. hehee - loved it.

"Priscilla" is really good movie.

I watched Dr. Who this weekend - SciFi over here in the States started showing him.

[dwndrgn]

Watched a portion of "Every Which Way but Loose" and the entirety of "Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban". I got a giggle out of watching Squint from way back...

After watching HP III, I realized that I was being silly in being upset that the moviemakers never reveal the origins of the Marauder's Map - after seeing it again this weekend, I realize that it truly isn't necessary to the movie by itself. It may become important later - depending on what they leave in and leave out in the next three. The only reason it was important to me was because I already knew. If I hadn't known, it wouldn't have mattered to me at all - it is just a prop that the Weasly twins used to create mischief, not a tie in to the school's history (and Harry's history) as it is in the book. I still think it would have made the movie richer - especially explaining the Patronus that Harry calls forth to get rid of the dementors.

[steve12553]

Originally Posted by Adasunshine

Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

It was my first time watching this and apart from the cheesy ending, I laughed hard, very very hard! Great film!

xx

THat was the most painful movie I ever saw. Too many of their situations were very easy to identify with to the point that I cringed. That's one movie I could never watch twice.