What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

I prefer Awakens to New Hope and Jedi.

As most know, I am not a big fan of the Star Wars movies, but The Force Awakens seemed to be a remake of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

As most know, I am not a big fan of the Star Wars movies, but The Force Awakens seemed to be a remake of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

I think Force Awakens fits in perfectly with the original films in terms of tone, it has the same look and feel. Familiar characters doing familiar things. I don't think that really makes it a remake but a respectful continuation. Rather than taking a shit on it all like Lucas did with the prequels.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

I think Force Awakens fits in perfectly with the original films in terms of tone, it has the same look and feel. Familiar characters doing familiar things.

Luke, Leia, and Han Solo –> Ray and Finn
Darth Vader –> Kylo Ren
R2-D2 –> BB-8
Tatooine –> Jakku
The Death Star –> Starkiller Base
Rebel Alliance –> New Republic
The First Order –> Galactic Empire
Obi-Wan –> (Old) Luke
Emperor Moff Tarkin –> Emperor Hux
Yavin Control Room –> D'Qar Control Room
Mos Eisley Cantina –> Maz Kanata's Castle

The story is also remarkably similar. As an article in Wired points out "A frustrated desert-dweller journeys away from their home planet for the first time? Check. Joins up with a band of smugglers and encounters a vast array of alien races? Check. Meets the Rebel Alliance, and helps take down a fearsomely powerful outpost after the sacrifice of a beloved hero? Check. The similarities can be overwhelming."

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Sounds decent Dem. Network?

It is. Nice print for such an obscure film.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It is. Nice print for such an obscure film.

Sounds like one for the next sale.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Sounds like one for the next sale.

Yes. I mean a film like that is £3 - £3.50. I like the slim cases, that has a lot of publicity materials on the inside cover which is quite nice and so far i haven't bought one that hasn't been worth keeping.

So in short yes, one for the next sale perhaps.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Yes. I mean a film like that is £3 - £3.50. I like the slim cases, that has a lot of publicity materials on the inside cover which is quite nice and so far i haven't bought one that hasn't been worth keeping.

So in short yes, one for the next sale perhaps.

I don't normally go in for the slim cases but Network are very consistent and it just kind of works. Did you ever pick up Dangerous Voyage? That was a good one.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

I don't normally go in for the slim cases but Network are very consistent and it just kind of works. Did you ever pick up Dangerous Voyage? That was a good one.

I did. First time round i was a bit disappointed, mainly because it wasn't what i hoped it would be but second time i really enjoyed it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Lost After Dark (2015)

A group of teenagers looking to party get stranded when their ride breaks down, and end up being stalked by a cannibalistic killer.

Playing like a homage to 80's slasher films, Lost After Dark has it's heart in the right place but is clumsy in it's execution. For a start the teens are largely faceless individuals, characterization is practically none existent even though we are stuck with these people for 40 minutes before anything remotely interesting happens on screen. Only Robert Patrick is a cameo is anything other than utterly forgettable. Due to this the film is unable to create any tension as i really didn't care what happened to the students. The whole thing feels very uninspired.

The film also goes down the route of the missing reel which abruptly stops the movie 50 minutes in, killing, if you'll pardon the pun, one set piece and beginning again with the teens in a different situation altogether. Note to all film makers. This has been done before. Remember Tarantino and Rodriguez's Grindhouse? Well that was far more successful in homaging drive-in movies than Lost After Dark could ever be. As for other references? The final reel is full of nods to several of the Halloween franchise.

Where the film does succeed is in it's gore and bloody murders. There's an eye set piece that echoes Fulci and victim Olga Karlatos, but down to modern film making techniques this looks far more realistic. So if blood and guts is what you hanker for then Lost After Dark comes recommended...but that's about it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Frankie,

Have you seen Lost After Dark? What did you make of it?