What Films did You Watch Last Week (06/05 - 12/05) CLOSED

Hello again!

Only one of yours this week.

Godzilla Minus One (2023, Takashi Yamazaki)

I am a Godzilla fan, but I do agree with you that this one is likely the best film in the series. My initial reaction was that it was the best since the first film... now I think I like it better. 9/10

Mine:

I Flunked, But... (Yasujirô Ozu, 1930)

I love Ozu but I have a lot of trouble getting into his silent films (the only exception has been The Lady and the Beard which I liked, but still can't say that I loved). I find that his later films work partially because of his unique style and because of the dialogue/family interactions. Well, obviously dialogue is not in his silent films and most of his early work has more traditional camera movements rather than his stationary cameras. Of all of his silents I've seen, this is easily my least favorite. I didn't find the humor to work very well with the exceptions of the opening scenes and the "drama" aspect felt unearned as I didn't care about the character at all. I actively disliked this one and actually had to watch it in two parts despite it's short run time as after 40 minutes I didn't feel like I could stand another minute of it the first time. It kills me to go this low for Ozu, but honestly the only reason it gets that much is the opening scenes. 2/10

Ashes and Diamonds (Andrzej Wajda, 1958)

Very good movie that just didn’t fully click for me. I respect it a lot more than I liked it, and I am glad I watched it, but I don’t see it as the masterpiece that many seem to see. 7/10

Monster Hunter (Paul W.S. Anderson, 2020)

Well, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Also for PG-13 movie that was intended to be a summer action flick (but, well... you know... 2020 happened) its first 30 minutes or so are surprisingly brutal and honestly more of a horror movie than Anderson's Resident Evil films ever felt. That said, it's still not good. It also has one of the most surprisingly bold "no ending except setting up a sequel" closes that made it feel completely pointless. 2/10

W. (Oliver Stone, 2008)

I see why this movie was not incredibly well received when it came out. As an inherently political film, people want to take a side; where I honestly feel this film tries to remain as neutral as possible. People on the Right will look at this and see a criticism of Bush. People on the Left will see it as too sympathetic. I found it an interesting if flawed film (for reasons other than neutrality). Unlike the other Oliver Stone films I've seen, this is the only one where I was alive to really witness the events as they were happening (well, at least old enough to remember them happening). I remember these unfolding, seeing the papers and the TV reports. I remember watching it happen and forming my own opinions. I doubt this is the sort of film that would change anyone's opinions (especially being released while still so much of it was going on), but it made for a deeper connection than some of his other films did for me. It’s not a masterpiece, but I liked it. 7/10

She Is Conann (Bertrand Mandico, 2023)

A weird, weird, WEIRD French arthouse movie in which we follow various incarnations of a female version of Conan the Barbarian as she travels through stories, time and the afterlife. I found it compelling, but certainly not for everyone. 7/10

Dr. Lamb (Danny Lee, 1992)

An over the top and very violent Cat III film. Almost feels like a combination of classic serial killer meet John Waters dark/gross out comedy. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I found it had some big pacing issues. The most interesting aspect to me is a common convention of the Cat III film,which is its complete disregard for many "cinematic rules". Not that they're poorly made, but the was they make it feels like something you would NEVER see in any other country. 6/10

Dying of the Light (Paul Schrader, 2014)

This is week seven of my examination of the films of Paul Schrader. For some reason, this week I decided to go with the film the director himself disowned. While I do not know the full situation, what I do know is that the movie was taken from his hands after filming wrapped and was edited by the studio. He and apparently Cage have since both disowned the film and there is supposedly another cut on the internet that was edited by Schrader but never officially released called Dark (which I have not seen). First I will say that I was surprised while watching it that I didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as what that origin story lead me to believe. The film is completely watchable, and honestly both Schrader and Cage have made much worse movies than this (hell, they made Dog Eat Dog together and that was worse than this and Schrader had final cut of it). It is entirely possible that Schrader's cut is a better film as there are some interesting ideas here but honestly... well, it's just not a movie that I really see an alternate cut saving. It's a movie that's just not very good from start to finish. The performances are decent, but not impressive (though Cage does get a few "full Cage" yelling moments). The plot really doesn't feel, well, worth it and overall it's kind of a boring film. Again, pacing changes could help, sure. Perhaps scenes were left out that made things work better... but I don't know. It just feels like a direct to video or cable movie and I don't think that would ever really change. It's not awful, but it's very skippable. 4/10

The Living Magoroku (Keisuke Kinoshita, 1943)

Very well shot, but extremely preach Japanese propaganda film from the WWII era. You will hear what an honor it is to die for one's country many times. You will hear how the American and British cowards need to be cut down. You will hear about the ancestor's fighting spirit is what makes Japan the greatest. Kinoshita would go on to make many great films later, but you can see he's struggling with this as it's filled with several sub-plots which he wants to tackle, but man, that propaganda just keeps getting in the way. 4/10

Nosferatu in Venice (Augusto Caminito, 1988)

One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. The plot is garbage, the script is atrocious, the pacing a disaster, and the acting laughable. It’s a mess in every way shape and form… and after viewing it I discovered that the scene of sexual assault may actually be real because Kinski was a true monster and actually did go off script without letting the actress know and started tearing her clothes. I suggest this to absolutely no one. 1/10

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Stanley Kramer, 1967)

Obviously dated, but a good social commentary on America in the 60s. Amazing performances all around (particularly by Spencer Tracy in what would be his final role). 8/10