What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[nosferatu42]

This is England
This_is_england_film_poster.jpg

I'm not often in the mood for social realism because i often find them type of films a bit depressing (much like real life), i often use film as pure escapism.
But i felt i really should watch this due to the reputation it has, still i kept putting it off, expecting downbeat gritty urbanism and a topping of harsh brutality.

For some reason last night i was stuck on what to watch, so what do i do?, grab the least Christmassy thing i could find.

Growing up in the times depicted it really struck a chord with me, what raises the best of these type of films up are the performances, and here all of the actors feel like real people not caricatures, the portrayal of the era seemed spot on too.

Yes there are brutal scenes, but what really makes this work is that the director shows different sides to situations and the characters so they are not one dimensional, most of them come across as likeable with a real sense of camaraderie between the group of friends.

People get dragged into groups through loneliness and feeling lost, but by being eager to fit in sometimes we are led astray. It showed how easy it is to become mixed up in something which leads to a darker path than expected, but it also showed opposing views and people who will not let there morals become twisted and are ready to stand up for what they believe.

The music in this film was great and really set the scene, the characters i really grew to like especially Shaun,Woody and Smell.
So much so that i ended up watching the first 3 episodes of the Tv spin off "This is England 86" straight after the film.
Great stuff and Recommended.
9/10

[gag]

Originally Posted by nosferatu42

This is England
Attachment 185029

I'm not often in the mood for social realism because i often find them type of films a bit depressing (much like real life), i often use film as pure escapism.
But i felt i really should watch this due to the reputation it has, still i kept putting it off, expecting downbeat gritty urbanism and a topping of harsh brutality.

For some reason last night i was stuck on what to watch, so what do i do?, grab the least Christmassy thing i could find.

Growing up in the times depicted it really struck a chord with me, what raises the best of these type of films up are the performances, and here all of the actors feel like real people not caricatures, the portrayal of the era seemed spot on too.

Yes there are brutal scenes, but what really makes this work is that the director shows different sides to situations and the characters so they are not one dimensional, most of them come across as likeable with a real sense of camaraderie between the group of friends.

People get dragged into groups through loneliness and feeling lost, but by being eager to fit in sometimes we are led astray. It showed how easy it is to become mixed up in something which leads to a darker path than expected, but it also showed opposing views and people who will not let there morals become twisted and are ready to stand up for what they believe.

The music in this film was great and really set the scene, the characters i really grew to like especially Shaun,Woody and Smell.
So much so that i ended up watching the first 3 episodes of the Tv spin off "This is England 86" straight after the film.
Great stuff and Recommended.
9/10

Yes i highly enjoyed this, wasnt just a film it was a good and close to realism as you're going to get, and some situations you could relate to. Well made in every sense, the acting, directing, music, that it made me want to do the same and watch the tv show. Watched all 3 series in a few week.
Only downfall i had with the series was some scenes where dragged out a bit and went on to long. Otherwise classic tv at its best and doesn't get much better than this.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by nosferatu42

The Witch (VVitch?)
Attachment 185028

Thought this was really good, one of the best new films i've seen recently.
A slow burner that is subtle and builds tension rather than relying on jump scares and gore, well written and acted and creepy.
Although due to the accents i must admit i ended up turning on the subtitles so as not to miss any dialogue.
The young girl of the family who ends up being accused of witchcraft was really a good little actress i thought and also the dad stood out.
The reveal scene was creepily effective and low key and was definitely a highlight.
Definitely worth watching, apparently this was the directors first feature which makes it even more impressive.
Will get many more watches from me.
Recommended 9/10

Pleased you liked The VVitch, nos.

The best horror film this century.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Pleased you liked The VVitch, nos.

The best horror film this century.

Based on The Witch I'm now quite looking forward to the directors Nosferatu remake.

[Rik]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Based on The Witch I'm now quite looking forward to the directors Nosferatu remake.

I'm looking forward to it because it doesn't have Klaus Kinski whining like a vampire bitch throughout

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Tales That Witness Madness (1973)

British anthology film from Freddie Francis in the style of but not from Amicus. Quite often these portmanteau films are hit and miss and Tales That Witness Madness is no exception. Opening story Mr Tiger is fun and the third story Mel, with Michael Jayston and Joan Collins, one i remember from years ago, the best of the four. Final tale Luau starring Kim Novak and a nude Mary Tamm isn't bad but suffers from being too long at half an hour. The other tale and the wrap around story with Donald Pleasence and Jack Hawkins are instantly forgettable.

Collins and Jayston are good, Novak looks lost and the film misses a contribution from the great Peter Cushing even though Francis adds a few gory and horrific flourishes to proceedings.

Holy Motors (2012)

Plotless, self indulgent, French arthouse bollocks with one or two visually interesting sequences. Full of ideas but ultimately meaningless.

The Ghost Train (1941)

Written by Arnold Ridley, best known as Private Godfrey in Dad's Army, The Ghost Train comes across as less a ghost story and more a comedy vehicle in which the likable Arthur Askey does his routine seemingly irritating everyone at the lonely old railway station as they await morning, but entertaining me with his antics.

There's idle chatter of a ghost train throughout but it's not until the final 10 minutes when the film takes a turn into ghostly horror territory that any sort of tension ensues.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Holy Motors (2012)

Plotless, self indulgent, French arthouse bollocks with one or two visually interesting sequences. Full of ideas but ultimately meaningless.

It has been several years since I saw it, but I thought Holy Motors was an occasionally hilarious, mostly batshit crazy love letter to cinema, particularly silent cinema. I don't think there was a coincidence that the main character, with his variety of costumes and make-up, was similar to Lon Chaney's 'man of a thousand faces' and the chauffeur was played by Édith Scob, who is probably most famous for her silent portrayal of Christiane in Eyes Without a Face.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

It has been several years since I saw it, but I thought Holy Motors was an occasionally hilarious, shit letter to cinema, particularly silent cinema,similar to Lon Chaney's 'man of a thousand faces'

With a slight edit i agree with you.

Did Chaney go around sporting a prosthetic hard on?

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Did Chaney go around sporting a prosthetic hard on?

Not to my knowledge.

I can't remember exactly what happens, but that may have been part of the 'birth to death' theme. I can see why it won't be to everyone's liking – a similar 'Marmite' film would Rubber – but I thought it was brilliant.

[trebor8273]

How's Satan's blade? Was gong to watch either that or silver bullet tonight.