So far my list looks something like this:

1. Shame

And I think it will be in my top 5 by the end of the year.

What films are people looking forward to?

Looks like a pretty decent year ahead of us.

• Alps
• American Pie: Reunion
• Argo
• The Avengers
• Black Gold
• Brave
• The Cabin in the Woods
• Carnage
• Chronicle
• Cloud Atlas
• Coriolanus
• Damsels in Distress
• A Dangerous Method
• The Dark Knight Rises
• The Descendants
• The Dictator
• Django Unchained
• Gambit
• The Grand Masters
• Gravity
• The Great Gatsby
• Haywire
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• The Hunger Games
• The Innkeepers
• Into the Abyss
• Jeff Who Lives At Home
• Like Crazy
• Looper
• The Master
• Michael
• Moonrise Kingdom
• The Muppets
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Nero Fiddled
• Only God Forgives
• The Pirates! An Adventure With the Scientists
• Prometheus
• The Raid
• Rampart
• Seven Psychopaths
• Skyfall
• Take This Waltz
• Wettest County
• World War Z
• Young Adult

Posted by: sleepysamco

That I know of, here's what I'm looking forward to:

• Gambit
• The Grand Masters
• Into the Abyss
• The Master
• The Muppets
• Only God Forgives
• The Pirates! An Adventure With the Scientists
• Seven Psychopaths 

+ Inside Llewyn Davis and The Expendables 2

Posted by: sleepysamco

That I know of, here's what I'm looking forward to:

• American Pie: Reunion
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Posted by: Chris

 

+ Inside Llewyn Davis  

Holy shit how did I not know this existed (or is going to exist).

Posted by: sleepysamco 

+ Inside Llewyn Davis  

Holy shit how did I not know this existed (or is going to exist).

And is going to star probably the best young actress around....

Posted by: sleepysamco 

+ Inside Llewyn Davis  

Holy shit how did I not know this existed (or is going to exist).

And is going to star probably the best young actress around....

Yeah, favourites all round.

1 The Master (Paul Thomas Anderson)

2 The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan)

3 Untitled Terrence Malick project (Terrence Malick)

4 Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron)

5 Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino)

6 Cogan's Trade (Andrew Dominik)

7 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Peter Jackson)

8 Prometheus (Ridley Scott)

9 Inside Llewyn Davies (Joel Coen, Ethan Coen)

10 Skyfall (Sam Mendes)

Also excited about;

Amour (Michael Haneke), The Great Gatsby (Baz Lurhmann), Lincoln (Steven Spielberg), Argo (Ben Affleck), Kill Bin Laden (Kathryn Bigelow), Anna Karenina (Joe Wright), Gangster Squad (Ruben Fleischer), Wettest County (John Hillcoat), World War Z (Marc Forster), The Grandmasters (Wong Kar-wai), Only God Forgives (Nicolas Winding Refn), Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Anderson)

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

To be honest, it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I can't see it threatening Bond, The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit for box-office but the success of the Iron Man movies (the first of which I quite enjoyed) and the decent showings that the very average likes of Thor and The Incredible Hulk reboot have made will likely ensure it puts a fair number of bums on seats.  The reality is that mainstream audiences have such little imagination that they'll pay to see any character in a cape at the moment.  And, yes, I'm aware that I probably rate Nolan's Batman movies higher than a lot of other forum members, but I find the Marvel movies to be little more than candy-coloured hollow shells and this ensemble piece just looks really uninspiring.

Posted by: MikeDawson

 

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

 

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was a complete flop.  Too much reliance on disperate comic book franchises that not everyone has seen, personally I've only watched the first Iron Man movie which I hated so I won't be watching this.  Plus people might still confuse it with that other Avengers movie.

 

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

To be honest, it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I can't see it threatening Bond, The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit for box-office but the success of the Iron Man movies (the first of which I quite enjoyed) and the decent showings that the very average likes of Thor and The Incredible Hulk reboot have made will likely ensure it puts a fair number of bums on seats.  The reality is that mainstream audiences have such little imagination that they'll pay to see any character in a cape at the moment.  And, yes, I'm aware that I probably rate Nolan's Batman movies higher than a lot of other forum members, but I find the Marvel movies to be little more than candy-coloured hollow shells and this ensemble piece just looks really uninspiring.

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Alec

Posted by: MikeDawson

 

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

 

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was a complete flop.  Too much reliance on disperate comic book franchises that not everyone has seen, personally I've only watched the first Iron Man movie which I hated so I won't be watching this.  Plus people might still confuse it with that other Avengers movie.

 

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

 

To be honest, it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I can't see it threatening Bond, The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit for box-office but the success of the Iron Man movies (the first of which I quite enjoyed) and the decent showings that the very average likes of Thor and The Incredible Hulk reboot have made will likely ensure it puts a fair number of bums on seats.  The reality is that mainstream audiences have such little imagination that they'll pay to see any character in a cape at the moment.  And, yes, I'm aware that I probably rate Nolan's Batman movies higher than a lot of other forum members, but I find the Marvel movies to be little more than candy-coloured hollow shells and this ensemble piece just looks really uninspiring.

  

I think The Avengers will be a massive hit, I think it will easily reach $600million, but I am also very biased because I really like Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk and Thor (not seen Captain America yet), I think they are a strong set of films and Joss Whedon is an inspired choice to direct/write. He has a great track record with this kind of stuff, admittedly on TV; and I would not be surprised if there was not more emotional resonance added to his film than what has came before.

Posted by: CoheedandCambria

Maybe I'm in the minority, but Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is something I hope will be good consider its Nicolas Cage being directed by Gamer/Crank 2 directors Neveldine-Taylor. The first film was bad, and its been rated 12A rather than the directors' trademark 18/R rating, but the official trailer has given me some hope for something rawer despite the certificate.

I really like the Crank films and Gamer (the dance sequence in that is still ace), however I have not seen the first Ghost Rider film; but I am interested in seeing this.

Posted by: CoheedandCambria

Maybe I'm in the minority, but Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is something I hope will be good consider its Nicolas Cage being directed by Gamer/Crank 2 directors Neveldine-Taylor. The first film was bad, and its been rated 12A rather than the directors' trademark 18/R rating, but the official trailer has given me some hope for something rawer despite the certificate.

I really like the Crank films and Gamer (the dance sequence in that is still ace), however I have not seen the first Ghost Rider film; but I am interested in seeing this.

The first Ghost Rider film was tedious, a pointless Hollywood blockbuster/Marvel Comics adaptation; the only things of interest were the bizarre aspects Nicolas Cage himself added to his character, such as martini glasses full of jelly beans (which is difficult to type with any seriousness). SInce Gamer, with that inspired dance sequence amongst other things, I've been a fan of Neveldine-Taylor, even thought I thought Crank 2 was too erratic and too far in its bad taste, and the idea of them working with Cage is something to delight in the insanity with. I am worried about the 12A rating, but the trailer I'm adding to this post below is something far more interesting and deranged.

Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebCawfEnSWU

My first film of 2012, and I have to say if Shame is not in my top ten by the end of the year, then 2012 will have been an incredible year! Shame absolutely knocked me for six. Fassbender gives a performance on the par with his superlative turn as Bobby Sands, he is simply fascinating to watch on screen. Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive, the scene where she sings New York, New York is ace. The film looks beautiful, it has a real studied painterly look to it; when it needs to be and deals with the ugliness of the addiction without flinching. It is a real city movie, it is a film that could have only been made in a huge city, and has that dislocated feeling to it. I am struggling to put into words what exactly impressed me beyond the sheer pessimism of the film, it is easily the most negative depiction of humanity I have seen on the big screen, but suffice to say I felt completely altered when I came out the film and walked home in somewhat of a daze. A real masterpiece and easily the match of Hunger in quality stakes, for my money anyway. I know that there was some negative talk about this film on here a couple of weeks ago, however it gets two thumbs up from me. Of course it did make me want to kill myself, so that may not be a plus after all.

 The upcoming discussion between you and Mike on this should be the subject of an LFC episode.

This review has made me more excited about seeing it though 

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

My first film of 2012, and I have to say if Shame is not in my top ten by the end of the year, then 2012 will have been an incredible year! Shame absolutely knocked me for six. Fassbender gives a performance on the par with his superlative turn as Bobby Sands, he is simply fascinating to watch on screen. Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive, the scene where she sings New York, New York is ace. The film looks beautiful, it has a real studied painterly look to it; when it needs to be and deals with the ugliness of the addiction without flinching. It is a real city movie, it is a film that could have only been made in a huge city, and has that dislocated feeling to it. I am struggling to put into words what exactly impressed me beyond the sheer pessimism of the film, it is easily the most negative depiction of humanity I have seen on the big screen, but suffice to say I felt completely altered when I came out the film and walked home in somewhat of a daze. A real masterpiece and easily the match of Hunger in quality stakes, for my money anyway. I know that there was some negative talk about this film on here a couple of weeks ago, however it gets two thumbs up from me. Of course it did make me want to kill myself, so that may not be a plus after all.

 The upcoming discussion between you and Mike on this should be the subject of an LFC episode.

This review has made me more excited about seeing it though 

As I recall, and maybe Mike can expound on this when he next posts, his main criticism of the film was that it did nothing new with the sense of addiction, it could have been anything he was addicted to, and with this I do not disagree at all. It has refined the addiction arc, not changed the parameters, though removing much of the emotional connection as Fassbender's Brandon does not present a 'good' side that redemption would move him back towards, he would be obnoxious without sex, as much as he is when he is at his worst. His descent into Dante's Hell is a presentation of a city, informed by Jonathan Glazer clean lines and stark visuals in Birth and early Scorsese in its grubbiness. It is film that embraces it source and takes it to a new level of uncomfortable presentation. It is as great a film about addiction as The Lost Weekend, and suffers none for its structural similarities. On top of this it ends where it begins and begins where it ends, this is not about a character resurrection, it is a cold presentation of societal and humanist failures, it does not judge but neither does it provide hope, it does not chide and nor does it offer solutions. It is one of the bleakest formal exercises in filmmaking, focusing as much on body horror as Cronenburg and equally as nihilistic. But also it is surprisingly pretty funny in places and not as tough a watch as many have claimed, in fact I am dying to see it again and it will be a definite DVD buy for me. Fassbender and Mulligan are getting all of the plaudits for the film, and rightly so as they are both brilliant, but Nicole Beharie in a smaller role deserves as much of the credit.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive

My first film of 2012, and I have to say if Shame is not in my top ten by the end of the year, then 2012 will have been an incredible year! Shame absolutely knocked me for six. Fassbender gives a performance on the par with his superlative turn as Bobby Sands, he is simply fascinating to watch on screen. Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive, the scene where she sings New York, New York is ace. The film looks beautiful, it has a real studied painterly look to it; when it needs to be and deals with the ugliness of the addiction without flinching. It is a real city movie, it is a film that could have only been made in a huge city, and has that dislocated feeling to it. I am struggling to put into words what exactly impressed me beyond the sheer pessimism of the film, it is easily the most negative depiction of humanity I have seen on the big screen, but suffice to say I felt completely altered when I came out the film and walked home in somewhat of a daze. A real masterpiece and easily the match of Hunger in quality stakes, for my money anyway. I know that there was some negative talk about this film on here a couple of weeks ago, however it gets two thumbs up from me. Of course it did make me want to kill myself, so that may not be a plus after all.

So glad I am no longer alone on thinking this film was fantastic on here.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

My first film of 2012, and I have to say if Shame is not in my top ten by the end of the year, then 2012 will have been an incredible year! Shame absolutely knocked me for six. Fassbender gives a performance on the par with his superlative turn as Bobby Sands, he is simply fascinating to watch on screen. Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive, the scene where she sings New York, New York is ace. The film looks beautiful, it has a real studied painterly look to it; when it needs to be and deals with the ugliness of the addiction without flinching. It is a real city movie, it is a film that could have only been made in a huge city, and has that dislocated feeling to it. I am struggling to put into words what exactly impressed me beyond the sheer pessimism of the film, it is easily the most negative depiction of humanity I have seen on the big screen, but suffice to say I felt completely altered when I came out the film and walked home in somewhat of a daze. A real masterpiece and easily the match of Hunger in quality stakes, for my money anyway. I know that there was some negative talk about this film on here a couple of weeks ago, however it gets two thumbs up from me. Of course it did make me want to kill myself, so that may not be a plus after all.

So glad I am no longer alone on thinking this film was fantastic on here.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Posted by: sleepysamco

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

My first film of 2012, and I have to say if Shame is not in my top ten by the end of the year, then 2012 will have been an incredible year! Shame absolutely knocked me for six. Fassbender gives a performance on the par with his superlative turn as Bobby Sands, he is simply fascinating to watch on screen. Carey Mulligan is as good as she is in Drive, the scene where she sings New York, New York is ace. The film looks beautiful, it has a real studied painterly look to it; when it needs to be and deals with the ugliness of the addiction without flinching. It is a real city movie, it is a film that could have only been made in a huge city, and has that dislocated feeling to it. I am struggling to put into words what exactly impressed me beyond the sheer pessimism of the film, it is easily the most negative depiction of humanity I have seen on the big screen, but suffice to say I felt completely altered when I came out the film and walked home in somewhat of a daze. A real masterpiece and easily the match of Hunger in quality stakes, for my money anyway. I know that there was some negative talk about this film on here a couple of weeks ago, however it gets two thumbs up from me. Of course it did make me want to kill myself, so that may not be a plus after all.

 

So glad I am no longer alone on thinking this film was fantastic on here.

 

I certainly think that it is easily the equal of Hunger but also suffers from some of the same issues I had with that film.

Fassbender is undeniably amazing though. 

Am very curious to see how it plays on a second viewing.

Martha Marcy May Marlene has one of the worst titles of the year, but it is also an absolutely brilliant film from beginning to end. The ambiguity, the structure and dialogue combine to make the script one of the great pleasures I have seen in the cinema in awhile, it moves fluidly subverting expectations but never throwing anything into the mix that is not completely realistic. Sean Durkin, writing and directing, shows a sure hand on both fronts, his directorial style is not showy but is definitely artistic, the pace is deliberate but tension is ratcheted throughout. Durkin does a really great job and he is going to be one to look out for, this could be the best debut since Steve McQueen. However, as everyone knows it is the performances that people are buzzing about with this film and Elizabeth OIsen does not disappoint. She is in every scene in the film, her face quite often in close up, and she does almost everything to present a character state of mind by simply looking off to one side. She dragged me right into the film, her performance really is something special. It should be a star making turn without a doubt, she never pleads for sympahty but without a doubt even with her actions she gained mine. Sarah Paulsen gives a very good supporting turn, alternatively frustrated and frustrating for the audience, she walks a very fine line. Yet, it does not really matter how good these two actresses are because they had absolutely no chance of stealing the film while John Hawkes is around. I heard someone say that Hawkes is pound for pound the scariest actor in American film, and there is no doubt that this is correct, playing a character more controlled but equally as unsettling as Teardrop from Winter's Bone, Hawkes is electric in this film. He is the Floyd Mayweather of acting, he intensity is unreal and the camera ends up practically shying away from him at his most intense moments. Brilliant stuff. This film really knocked me for six, and the ending is all you could hope for in a film of this nature. I have been enjoying 2012 greatly so far, cinematically, and this is another unqualified success.

Can't wait to see this - been looking forward to it for a while so I'm gutted that I have to wait an extra week as there's not a screening near me until Feb 10.

Nice to see two Deadwood alumni lining up together too (Paulsen and Hawkes) - never a bad thing.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Martha Marcy May Marlene has one of the worst titles of the year, but it is also an absolutely brilliant film from beginning to end. The ambiguity, the structure and dialogue combine to make the script one of the great pleasures I have seen in the cinema in awhile, it moves fluidly subverting expectations but never throwing anything into the mix that is not completely realistic. Sean Durkin, writing and directing, shows a sure hand on both fronts, his directorial style is not showy but is definitely artistic, the pace is deliberate but tension is ratcheted throughout. Durkin does a really great job and he is going to be one to look out for, this could be the best debut since Steve McQueen. However, as everyone knows it is the performances that people are buzzing about with this film and Elizabeth OIsen does not disappoint. She is in every scene in the film, her face quite often in close up, and she does almost everything to present a character state of mind by simply looking off to one side. She dragged me right into the film, her performance really is something special. It should be a star making turn without a doubt, she never pleads for sympahty but without a doubt even with her actions she gained mine. Sarah Paulsen gives a very good supporting turn, alternatively frustrated and frustrating for the audience, she walks a very fine line. Yet, it does not really matter how good these two actresses are because they had absolutely no chance of stealing the film while John Hawkes is around. I heard someone say that Hawkes is pound for pound the scariest actor in American film, and there is no doubt that this is correct, playing a character more controlled but equally as unsettling as Teardrop from Winter's Bone, Hawkes is electric in this film. He is the Floyd Mayweather of acting, he intensity is unreal and the camera ends up practically shying away from him at his most intense moments. Brilliant stuff. This film really knocked me for six, and the ending is all you could hope for in a film of this nature. I have been enjoying 2012 greatly so far, cinematically, and this is another unqualified success.

Can't wait to see this - been looking forward to it for a while so I'm gutted that I have to wait an extra week as there's not a screening near me until Feb 10.

Nice to see two Deadwood alumni lining up together too (Paulsen and Hawkes) - never a bad thing.

I definitely think this will be right up your street. I predict you will enjoy it greatly.

I am glad it came out Feb 3 in London, because on Feb 10 there are three films coming out that I am looking forward to catching - A Dangerous Method, The Woman in Black & The Muppets. Which I will have to fit in with a Six Nations schedule and the rest of life.

I completely forgot Sarah Paulsen was in Deadwood, I remember her from Studio 60 & Serenity among others.

Martha Marcy May Marlene has one of the worst titles of the year, but it is also an absolutely brilliant film from beginning to end. The ambiguity, the structure and dialogue combine to make the script one of the great pleasures I have seen in the cinema in awhile, it moves fluidly subverting expectations but never throwing anything into the mix that is not completely realistic. Sean Durkin, writing and directing, shows a sure hand on both fronts, his directorial style is not showy but is definitely artistic, the pace is deliberate but tension is ratcheted throughout. Durkin does a really great job and he is going to be one to look out for, this could be the best debut since Steve McQueen. However, as everyone knows it is the performances that people are buzzing about with this film and Elizabeth OIsen does not disappoint. She is in every scene in the film, her face quite often in close up, and she does almost everything to present a character state of mind by simply looking off to one side. She dragged me right into the film, her performance really is something special. It should be a star making turn without a doubt, she never pleads for sympahty but without a doubt even with her actions she gained mine. Sarah Paulsen gives a very good supporting turn, alternatively frustrated and frustrating for the audience, she walks a very fine line. Yet, it does not really matter how good these two actresses are because they had absolutely no chance of stealing the film while John Hawkes is around. I heard someone say that Hawkes is pound for pound the scariest actor in American film, and there is no doubt that this is correct, playing a character more controlled but equally as unsettling as Teardrop from Winter's Bone, Hawkes is electric in this film. He is the Floyd Mayweather of acting, he intensity is unreal and the camera ends up practically shying away from him at his most intense moments. Brilliant stuff. This film really knocked me for six, and the ending is all you could hope for in a film of this nature. I have been enjoying 2012 greatly so far, cinematically, and this is another unqualified success.

 

Just back from this, really loved it. A simple tale told fantastically, it looks amazing and has truly incredible performances from everyone, particularly Elizabeth Olsen. My pulse was racing at the end in a way only Shame and Black Swan have in the past few years.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Martha Marcy May Marlene has one of the worst titles of the year, but it is also an absolutely brilliant film from beginning to end. The ambiguity, the structure and dialogue combine to make the script one of the great pleasures I have seen in the cinema in awhile, it moves fluidly subverting expectations but never throwing anything into the mix that is not completely realistic. Sean Durkin, writing and directing, shows a sure hand on both fronts, his directorial style is not showy but is definitely artistic, the pace is deliberate but tension is ratcheted throughout. Durkin does a really great job and he is going to be one to look out for, this could be the best debut since Steve McQueen. However, as everyone knows it is the performances that people are buzzing about with this film and Elizabeth OIsen does not disappoint. She is in every scene in the film, her face quite often in close up, and she does almost everything to present a character state of mind by simply looking off to one side. She dragged me right into the film, her performance really is something special. It should be a star making turn without a doubt, she never pleads for sympahty but without a doubt even with her actions she gained mine. Sarah Paulsen gives a very good supporting turn, alternatively frustrated and frustrating for the audience, she walks a very fine line. Yet, it does not really matter how good these two actresses are because they had absolutely no chance of stealing the film while John Hawkes is around. I heard someone say that Hawkes is pound for pound the scariest actor in American film, and there is no doubt that this is correct, playing a character more controlled but equally as unsettling as Teardrop from Winter's Bone, Hawkes is electric in this film. He is the Floyd Mayweather of acting, he intensity is unreal and the camera ends up practically shying away from him at his most intense moments. Brilliant stuff. This film really knocked me for six, and the ending is all you could hope for in a film of this nature. I have been enjoying 2012 greatly so far, cinematically, and this is another unqualified success.

 

Just back from this, really loved it. A simple tale told fantastically, it looks amazing and has truly incredible performances from everyone, particularly Elizabeth Olsen. My pulse was racing at the end in a way only Shame and Black Swan have in the past few years.

  Yep, it is great.

Elizabeth Olsen is going to be huge.

Posted by: sleepysamco

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Martha Marcy May Marlene has one of the worst titles of the year, but it is also an absolutely brilliant film from beginning to end. The ambiguity, the structure and dialogue combine to make the script one of the great pleasures I have seen in the cinema in awhile, it moves fluidly subverting expectations but never throwing anything into the mix that is not completely realistic. Sean Durkin, writing and directing, shows a sure hand on both fronts, his directorial style is not showy but is definitely artistic, the pace is deliberate but tension is ratcheted throughout. Durkin does a really great job and he is going to be one to look out for, this could be the best debut since Steve McQueen. However, as everyone knows it is the performances that people are buzzing about with this film and Elizabeth OIsen does not disappoint. She is in every scene in the film, her face quite often in close up, and she does almost everything to present a character state of mind by simply looking off to one side. She dragged me right into the film, her performance really is something special. It should be a star making turn without a doubt, she never pleads for sympahty but without a doubt even with her actions she gained mine. Sarah Paulsen gives a very good supporting turn, alternatively frustrated and frustrating for the audience, she walks a very fine line. Yet, it does not really matter how good these two actresses are because they had absolutely no chance of stealing the film while John Hawkes is around. I heard someone say that Hawkes is pound for pound the scariest actor in American film, and there is no doubt that this is correct, playing a character more controlled but equally as unsettling as Teardrop from Winter's Bone, Hawkes is electric in this film. He is the Floyd Mayweather of acting, he intensity is unreal and the camera ends up practically shying away from him at his most intense moments. Brilliant stuff. This film really knocked me for six, and the ending is all you could hope for in a film of this nature. I have been enjoying 2012 greatly so far, cinematically, and this is another unqualified success.

 

 

Just back from this, really loved it. A simple tale told fantastically, it looks amazing and has truly incredible performances from everyone, particularly Elizabeth Olsen. My pulse was racing at the end in a way only Shame and Black Swan have in the past few years.

  Yep, it is great.

Elizabeth Olsen is going to be huge.

 One of the negative aspects of becoming a parent is the lack of time I have to go to the cinema, whilst my DVD watching has remained the same I now seem to be reliant on lovefilm for my new films. I cannot wait to catch up with this. 

 One of the negative aspects of becoming a parent is the lack of time I have to go to the cinema, whilst my DVD watching has remained the same I now seem to be reliant on lovefilm for my new films. I cannot wait to catch up with this. 

 I have decided to up my cinema viewing this year. I am going to aim for 50+ films at the cinema this year, because I reckon I am not going to have to many more years where I can doss about as much with my free time.

Posted by: Fran

 One of the negative aspects of becoming a parent is the lack of time I have to go to the cinema, whilst my DVD watching has remained the same I now seem to be reliant on lovefilm for my new films. I cannot wait to catch up with this. 

 I have decided to up my cinema viewing this year. I am going to aim for 50+ films at the cinema this year, because I reckon I am not going to have to many more years where I can doss about as much with my free time.

 I did that the last 2 years  

This is not a great film, a bit more Eastern Promises than A History of Violence in terms of quality, but it is a very good, and crucially an extremely intelligent and well written one, a film with a sly sense of humour and a definitive sense of understanding of the material at hand and beginnings of psychology and psycho-analysis in particular. The film is arid and sparse and beautifully shot, some of the shots with two people within the frame of the screen one in the foreground and one in the background both in focus (I am sure this has a technical name that I do not know) are luscious and brilliant. However, the problems with the film are two-fold; firstly, in a film with Fassbender, Mortensen & Knightley it is almost inconceivable that when a weak link is evident that it is not Keira, however she and Mortensen are rather good in this film, her with her bodymorphic approach to the character, a bold Russian accent and a twitchy performance, and Mortensen with a sly wit and steely eye as Freud. They play well throughout and only raise the film with their turns. However, Fassbender is really not on form here, I have already praised him massively for his incredible turn in Shame and his good turn in Haywire this year, so I do like him as an actor, but here he is completely flat and uninteresting as the lead. He should be repressed, intellectual, thoughtful, exurberant and 'young' but his staid button downed performance flattens the whole picture and drags it teetering close to being dull. It was the wrong choice that Cronenburg asked of Fassbender and it hurts the film. The second issue is that the film feels shortened (whether this is the case or not I do not know), some scenes begin but have no run-on, the crossing to America is the foremost but almost any scene with Jung's wife or Vincent Cassell's cameo in picture; it is a film that feels like it has been to some extent gutted to fulfil a 100 minute timeslot.

It is a good film, one that is intellectually rigourous and one that I will watch again, but it almost feels like a missed opportunity.

I'm not going to give this film more time that it deserves, but since I'll be one of few on here to see it (peer pressure) I thought I'd recommend it.

The poorest part of this film is the plot, the first and last 15 minutes are tedious, poorly written and stupid. However, the party centerpiece is pretty amazing in content, choreography and editing. Imagine Dazed and Confused with ecstacy instead of weed and in a post-Youtube age and full of the dirty virginal-talk of Superbad and you're half way there.

It is stupid, misogynistic, cliched, offensive and genuinely hilarious throughout and contains some genuinely impressive set pieces.

The highlight, for me, was a midget being forced into an oven, if this sounds funny you'll probably enjoy the film.

6/10

1. Shame
2. The Muppets
3. Young Adult
4. The Descendants
5. Martha Marcy May Marlene
6. Project X
7. Like Crazy
8. Chronicle
9. This Means War (peer pressure)
10. A Useful Life

A solid top five followed by a rather poor bottom five. Hopefully my cinematic year will improve from a 50/50 good to bad ratio.

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(1)   Tuesday After Christmas – 10/10

(2)   The Turin Horse – 10/10

(3)   Coriolanus – 8/10

(4)   A Horrible Way to Die – 7/10

(5)   Margin Call – 7/10

(6)   Once Upon a Time in Anatolia – 7/10

(7)   This Must Be The Place – 7/10

(8)   Breathing – 6/10

(9)   Shame – 5/10

(10 The Christening – 3/10

Well I've seen ten films from 2012 now, so this is my Top Ten as it stand so I can compare it to the end of the year.  I'm sure it will change by the end of this weekend to be honest!  Some of these haven't been released yet, but have release dates in the coming months...

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(6)   Once Upon a Time in Anatolia – 7/10

  I'm fully expecting you to rate this higher by the end of the year, I think in time this will be your 2012 equivalent to The Heartbeat Detector.

1. Shame
2. Martha Marcy May Marlene
3. The Descendants
4. Haywire
5. J Edgar
6. X Night of Vengeance
7. A Dangerous Method
8. Muppets
9. The Pirates! In Adventures with Scientists!

Not seen much at the cinema this year, despite intending to!

• The Turin Horse – 9/10
• Le Havre - 9/10
• Shame- 9/10
• Coriolanus – 7/10
• Martha Marcy May Marlene 7/10
• Bombay Beach- 7/10

Posted by: olly

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Pirates! In Adventures with Scientists!

As the Ardman fan that you are, was this a bit of a dissapointment ?

 

 

 I was disappointed. It is a pretty good film, but it is nowhere near as good as I thought it was going to be. The visuals are really brilliant, but the script and some of the music choices are really damaging to the overall quality of the film.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: olly

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Pirates! In Adventures with Scientists!

As the Ardman fan that you are, was this a bit of a dissapointment ?

 

 

 I was disappointed. It is a pretty good film, but it is nowhere near as good as I thought it was going to be. The visuals are really brilliant, but the script and some of the music choices are really damaging to the overall quality of the film.

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012) 7.5/10 - Pretty much what I think a comic book movie should be, it is funny and entertaining, tongue in cheek but with enough dramatic heft that you occasionally care with what the characters are up to. It has none of the self importance of the Batman films, and none of the allegorical silliness of Superman, but rather it is chock full of one-liners and people hitting each other in between trading witticisms. It is not to be taken particularly seriously but it is colourful, epic in scope and very amusing. Whedon's hands are all over the script, his trademark dialogue as filtered through Downey & Hemsworth delivery; with Mark Ruffalo and Tom Hiddlestone giving the really solid performances. Ruffalo in particular is rather ace, he almost gives reason for another Hulk film to be made, playing Banner as wry rather than miserable. In fact, Whedon succeeds where almost everyone has failed he makes the Hulk a great character to watch on screen, in fact the Hulk could get the most laughs in the film, which is quite an achievement compared to what came before. Unfortunately it is not all perfect - Scarlet Johannson & Jeremy Renner are a bit wasted, and Samuel L Jackson (who could be the worst actor working in Hollywood) cannot deliver a single line of this dialogue. But this does not really manner, especially during the action scene at the end that must last a good forty five minutes and is actually a really good watch unlike the usual modern action set-piece.

Oh and one other thing, as with Hugo, the last 3D film I saw, the 3D in this film is fucking rubbish.

Best cinematic exercise in post modernism since Scream (1996) and a whole lot of fun to boot.  Brilliant concept executed very well, I think the spoiler warnings are warranted so I shan’t elaborate on the plot further, except to say that the film takes a spectacular left turn in its last act.  I really enjoy Whedon’s sense of humour, and together with co-writer and director Drew Goddard they bring together many familiar tricks and plots from the likes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lost.  In fact it’s like Lost but really funny and with some more classical horror movie creatures thrown in for good measure.  

There were a number of very tense scenes, but no scares as such; not that it matters because really the point of this film is the comedy.  Every time the film edges towards cheese or a predictable outcome the writers pull the rug out from under you.  Occasionally it’s portrayal of women crosses the line into misogyny, but then undoes its transgressions later, as we learn that the women and the men have been deliberately manipulated to become archetypal characters (athlete, whore, virgin, scholar, fool etc.)

A great cast of TV actors, particularly in the Lab scenes, includes familiar faces from Angel, Buffy, Six Feet Under and The West Wing.  The visual effects may leave something to be desired but I’ve not had this much fun watching a horror film since Drag Me to Hell.  Cabin in the Woods never takes itself remotely seriously and is all the better for it.

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Alec

Posted by: MikeDawson

 

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

 

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was a complete flop.  Too much reliance on disperate comic book franchises that not everyone has seen, personally I've only watched the first Iron Man movie which I hated so I won't be watching this.  Plus people might still confuse it with that other Avengers movie.

 

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

 

To be honest, it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I can't see it threatening Bond, The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit for box-office but the success of the Iron Man movies (the first of which I quite enjoyed) and the decent showings that the very average likes of Thor and The Incredible Hulk reboot have made will likely ensure it puts a fair number of bums on seats.  The reality is that mainstream audiences have such little imagination that they'll pay to see any character in a cape at the moment.  And, yes, I'm aware that I probably rate Nolan's Batman movies higher than a lot of other forum members, but I find the Marvel movies to be little more than candy-coloured hollow shells and this ensemble piece just looks really uninspiring.

  

I think The Avengers will be a massive hit, I think it will easily reach $600million, but I am also very biased because I really like Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk and Thor (not seen Captain America yet), I think they are a strong set of films and Joss Whedon is an inspired choice to direct/write. He has a great track record with this kind of stuff, admittedly on TV; and I would not be surprised if there was not more emotional resonance added to his film than what has came before.

Looks like even I underestimated the love for superhero team ups, it has only been out a week and it already has over $600million.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Alec

Posted by: MikeDawson

 

Posted by: Alec

 

Most dubious proposition for which I can muster zero enthusiasm but is sure to be huge;

The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

 

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was a complete flop.  Too much reliance on disperate comic book franchises that not everyone has seen, personally I've only watched the first Iron Man movie which I hated so I won't be watching this.  Plus people might still confuse it with that other Avengers movie.

 

But hey what do I know?  It'll probably be the biggest film of the year now I've said that.

 

To be honest, it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I can't see it threatening Bond, The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit for box-office but the success of the Iron Man movies (the first of which I quite enjoyed) and the decent showings that the very average likes of Thor and The Incredible Hulk reboot have made will likely ensure it puts a fair number of bums on seats.  The reality is that mainstream audiences have such little imagination that they'll pay to see any character in a cape at the moment.  And, yes, I'm aware that I probably rate Nolan's Batman movies higher than a lot of other forum members, but I find the Marvel movies to be little more than candy-coloured hollow shells and this ensemble piece just looks really uninspiring.

  

 

I think The Avengers will be a massive hit, I think it will easily reach $600million, but I am also very biased because I really like Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk and Thor (not seen Captain America yet), I think they are a strong set of films and Joss Whedon is an inspired choice to direct/write. He has a great track record with this kind of stuff, admittedly on TV; and I would not be surprised if there was not more emotional resonance added to his film than what has came before.

Looks like even I underestimated the love for superhero team ups, it has only been out a week and it already has over $600million.

 www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/06/the-avengers-us-box-office-record

I am rather looking forward to Even the Rain, Paul Laverty written script, it is one of the films I am most interested in seeing this year.

This film is Herzog working at full tilt, and when he is at his best, there are not many better.

9/10

5 Stars from Bradshaw for The Raid

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/17/the-raid-review

5 Stars from Bradshaw for The Raid

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/17/the-raid-review

5 Stars from Bradshaw for The Raid

Going on Sunday, greatly looking forward to it.

1. Shame
2. Martha Marcy May Marlene
3. Into the Abyss
4. Damsels in Distress
5. Even the Rain
6. The Descendants
7. Haywire
8. J Edgar
9. Avengers Assemble
10. X: Night of Vengeance

I would like to hope this top ten will look a bit better by the end of the year!

 If there is a more violent no holes barred action fest like The Raid this year I will eat my hat, extraordinary stuff. It makes The Expendables look like an Orange phone ad oh wait........

Going tomorrow, I am hyped for it.

Posted by: Fran

 If there is a more violent no holes barred action fest like The Raid this year I will eat my hat, extraordinary stuff. It makes The Expendables look like an Orange phone ad oh wait........

Going tomorrow, I am hyped for it.

 am intrigued by your opinion as you have seen far more martial arts type films like IP Man etc whilst I have not.

The Raid is extremely good. I haven't seen much this year but this film would be up in the top 2 for me. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen.

Can you recommend anything similar ?

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Chris

The Raid is extremely good. I haven't seen much this year but this film would be up in the top 2 for me. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen.

  

Can you recommend anything similar ?

 

Its very similar to Ong-Bak in that it has kinetic, gritty, close combat with knees to the groin and elbows flying, and all manner of other moves. The Raid is a tighter film than Ong-Bak, and is better in almost every way; choregraphy, cinematography, plot, acting, pace, and the way that tension is injected at good moments. The only things that Ong-Bak (which really is quite excellent) does better are quite jaw-dropping set-piece moves that Tony Jaa does, some of which are so great that the film itself replays them in slow-mo afterwards. I suppose that he is probably a substantially better martial artist performer than anyone in this film, but I would honestly have to rewatch his work to check that though, because these guys are bloody good. Apart from, Ong-Bak, I've seen nothing else like this. I know that a 2008 film called Chocolate that Prachya Pinkaew directed after Ong-Bak is also supposed to be really good too.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Raid: Redemption is certainly the best martial arts movie since Ong Bak, and is better than Tony Jaa's best thus far; it is better than Donnie Yen's best efforts SPL & Ip Man, it is more aggressive, better shot and brutally effective. However, its genesis feels more akin to District 13, the free running movie, than anything out of the Asian martial arts market, Gareth Evans, writer, director & producer, brings European sensibility to the filmmaking and the story structure that makes it one of the most intense and exciting cinematic experiences of the year. Mix in a little Jon Carpenter, a great score, some Die Hard and a big dollop of Tony Jaa elbows and knees and you have a film that will blow your hair back. It gets more laughs than most comedies, due to sheer relief of an action scene being over. It is awesome to see with an audience, people laughing and screaming due to the action on screen, you know you have something amazing when that happens. It is the best pure action movie I have seen in quite awhile, and probably since Die Hard, it may lack a little in obvious humour, but it has a darkly amusing edge, and the best action and stunts on screen for any number of years.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

I wish I'd seen it with audience reaction. There were about 6 people when I saw it at a Vue on Saturday evening, less than 10% of seats taken. There were a few personal sound effects made at various points - gasps and laughs etc.

Yeah, the score is fantastic.

How do you think the fighters compare to Tony Jaa? They were great, but I don't see them running on top of a line of blokes on their shoulders or anything quite as amazing as Jaa at his best.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Raid: Redemption is certainly the best martial arts movie since Ong Bak, and is better than Tony Jaa's best thus far; it is better than Donnie Yen's best efforts SPL & Ip Man, it is more aggressive, better shot and brutally effective. However, its genesis feels more akin to District 13, the free running movie, than anything out of the Asian martial arts market, Gareth Evans, writer, director & producer, brings European sensibility to the filmmaking and the story structure that makes it one of the most intense and exciting cinematic experiences of the year. Mix in a little Jon Carpenter, a great score, some Die Hard and a big dollop of Tony Jaa elbows and knees and you have a film that will blow your hair back. It gets more laughs than most comedies, due to sheer relief of an action scene being over. It is awesome to see with an audience, people laughing and screaming due to the action on screen, you know you have something amazing when that happens. It is the best pure action movie I have seen in quite awhile, and probably since Die Hard, it may lack a little in obvious humour, but it has a darkly amusing edge, and the best action and stunts on screen for any number of years.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

 

 

I wish I'd seen it with audience reaction. There were about 6 people when I saw it at a Vue on Saturday evening, less than 10% of seats taken. There were a few personal sound effects made at various points - gasps and laughs etc.

Yeah, the score is fantastic.

How do you think the fighters compare to Tony Jaa? They were great, but I don't see them running on top of a line of blokes on their shoulders or anything quite as amazing as Jaa at his best.

I do not think the main action guys in this film are up to Tony Jaa, there is never a moment close to the barbed wire scene in Ong Bak for piece of sheer amazing physicality, but the film is tighter, more exciting and simply better than anything Jaa has managed, though he going nuts and becoming a monk ain't helped his filmography much.

I assume the score that we got in the UK was the 'Linkin Park' score and not the original? Either way it is best soundtrack since Drive.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Raid: Redemption is certainly the best martial arts movie since Ong Bak, and is better than Tony Jaa's best thus far; it is better than Donnie Yen's best efforts SPL & Ip Man, it is more aggressive, better shot and brutally effective. However, its genesis feels more akin to District 13, the free running movie, than anything out of the Asian martial arts market, Gareth Evans, writer, director & producer, brings European sensibility to the filmmaking and the story structure that makes it one of the most intense and exciting cinematic experiences of the year. Mix in a little Jon Carpenter, a great score, some Die Hard and a big dollop of Tony Jaa elbows and knees and you have a film that will blow your hair back. It gets more laughs than most comedies, due to sheer relief of an action scene being over. It is awesome to see with an audience, people laughing and screaming due to the action on screen, you know you have something amazing when that happens. It is the best pure action movie I have seen in quite awhile, and probably since Die Hard, it may lack a little in obvious humour, but it has a darkly amusing edge, and the best action and stunts on screen for any number of years.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

 

 

I wish I'd seen it with audience reaction. There were about 6 people when I saw it at a Vue on Saturday evening, less than 10% of seats taken. There were a few personal sound effects made at various points - gasps and laughs etc.

Yeah, the score is fantastic.

How do you think the fighters compare to Tony Jaa? They were great, but I don't see them running on top of a line of blokes on their shoulders or anything quite as amazing as Jaa at his best.

I do not think the main action guys in this film are up to Tony Jaa, there is never a moment close to the barbed wire scene in Ong Bak for piece of sheer amazing physicality, but the film is tighter, more exciting and simply better than anything Jaa has managed, though he going nuts and becoming a monk ain't helped his filmography much.

I assume the score that we got in the UK was the 'Linkin Park' score and not the original? Either way it is best soundtrack since Drive.

Though the scene where the guy somersaults with the other guy on his back by only the force of his legs was pretty amazing.

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Chris

The Raid is extremely good. I haven't seen much this year but this film would be up in the top 2 for me. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen.

  

Can you recommend anything similar ?

 

Hard Bolied has a similar story structure, and worth seeing if you have not.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Raid: Redemption is certainly the best martial arts movie since Ong Bak, and is better than Tony Jaa's best thus far; it is better than Donnie Yen's best efforts SPL & Ip Man, it is more aggressive, better shot and brutally effective. However, its genesis feels more akin to District 13, the free running movie, than anything out of the Asian martial arts market, Gareth Evans, writer, director & producer, brings European sensibility to the filmmaking and the story structure that makes it one of the most intense and exciting cinematic experiences of the year. Mix in a little Jon Carpenter, a great score, some Die Hard and a big dollop of Tony Jaa elbows and knees and you have a film that will blow your hair back. It gets more laughs than most comedies, due to sheer relief of an action scene being over. It is awesome to see with an audience, people laughing and screaming due to the action on screen, you know you have something amazing when that happens. It is the best pure action movie I have seen in quite awhile, and probably since Die Hard, it may lack a little in obvious humour, but it has a darkly amusing edge, and the best action and stunts on screen for any number of years.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

 

 

I wish I'd seen it with audience reaction. There were about 6 people when I saw it at a Vue on Saturday evening, less than 10% of seats taken. There were a few personal sound effects made at various points - gasps and laughs etc.

Yeah, the score is fantastic.

How do you think the fighters compare to Tony Jaa? They were great, but I don't see them running on top of a line of blokes on their shoulders or anything quite as amazing as Jaa at his best.

 

I do not think the main action guys in this film are up to Tony Jaa, there is never a moment close to the barbed wire scene in Ong Bak for piece of sheer amazing physicality, but the film is tighter, more exciting and simply better than anything Jaa has managed, though he going nuts and becoming a monk ain't helped his filmography much.

I assume the score that we got in the UK was the 'Linkin Park' score and not the original? Either way it is best soundtrack since Drive.

I bloody hope it isn't Linkin Park. Unbeknownst to me, I have become a fan of theirs! Bugger!

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

The Raid: Redemption is certainly the best martial arts movie since Ong Bak, and is better than Tony Jaa's best thus far; it is better than Donnie Yen's best efforts SPL & Ip Man, it is more aggressive, better shot and brutally effective. However, its genesis feels more akin to District 13, the free running movie, than anything out of the Asian martial arts market, Gareth Evans, writer, director & producer, brings European sensibility to the filmmaking and the story structure that makes it one of the most intense and exciting cinematic experiences of the year. Mix in a little Jon Carpenter, a great score, some Die Hard and a big dollop of Tony Jaa elbows and knees and you have a film that will blow your hair back. It gets more laughs than most comedies, due to sheer relief of an action scene being over. It is awesome to see with an audience, people laughing and screaming due to the action on screen, you know you have something amazing when that happens. It is the best pure action movie I have seen in quite awhile, and probably since Die Hard, it may lack a little in obvious humour, but it has a darkly amusing edge, and the best action and stunts on screen for any number of years.

It is definitely a must see for 2012, as I doubt there will be a more purely enjoyable film made this year.

 

 

I wish I'd seen it with audience reaction. There were about 6 people when I saw it at a Vue on Saturday evening, less than 10% of seats taken. There were a few personal sound effects made at various points - gasps and laughs etc.

Yeah, the score is fantastic.

How do you think the fighters compare to Tony Jaa? They were great, but I don't see them running on top of a line of blokes on their shoulders or anything quite as amazing as Jaa at his best.

 

I do not think the main action guys in this film are up to Tony Jaa, there is never a moment close to the barbed wire scene in Ong Bak for piece of sheer amazing physicality, but the film is tighter, more exciting and simply better than anything Jaa has managed, though he going nuts and becoming a monk ain't helped his filmography much.

I assume the score that we got in the UK was the 'Linkin Park' score and not the original? Either way it is best soundtrack since Drive.

I bloody hope it isn't Linkin Park. Unbeknownst to me, I have become a fan of theirs! Bugger!

Exactly the same feeling. I was raving about it all the way home, then checked the 'net and found out that it may have been the main guy from Linkin Park. Quite upsetting really.

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Chris

The Raid is extremely good. I haven't seen much this year but this film would be up in the top 2 for me. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen.

  

Can you recommend anything similar ?

 

Its very similar to Ong-Bak in that it has kinetic, gritty, close combat with knees to the groin and elbows flying, and all manner of other moves. The Raid is a tighter film than Ong-Bak, and is better in almost every way; choregraphy, cinematography, plot, acting, pace, and the way that tension is injected at good moments. The only things that Ong-Bak (which really is quite excellent) does better are quite jaw-dropping set-piece moves that Tony Jaa does, some of which are so great that the film itself replays them in slow-mo afterwards. I suppose that he is probably a substantially better martial artist performer than anyone in this film, but I would honestly have to rewatch his work to check that though, because these guys are bloody good. Apart from, Ong-Bak, I've seen nothing else like this. I know that a 2008 film called Chocolate that Prachya Pinkaew directed after Ong-Bak is also supposed to be really good too.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Fran

Posted by: Chris

The Raid is extremely good. I haven't seen much this year but this film would be up in the top 2 for me. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen.

  

Can you recommend anything similar ?

 

 

Hard Bolied has a similar story structure, and worth seeing if you have not.

 Thanks to the both of you will check out some of your suggestions 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Who would have thought that the drummer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the singer from Linkin Park would have made the best soundtracks in two consectutive years? Nu-Metal is back! I await masterpiece stuff from various members of Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Korn...

Up is down, black is white, nu metal isn't shite.

Posted by: Fran

 Thanks to the both of you will check out some of your suggestions 

Ong-bak and another Tony Jaa film Warrior King are on Lovefilm instant.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Who would have thought that the drummer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the singer from Linkin Park would have made the best soundtracks in two consectutive years? Nu-Metal is back! I await masterpiece stuff from various members of Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Korn...

 

 

Up is down, black is white, nu metal isn't shite.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Who would have thought that the drummer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the singer from Linkin Park would have made the best soundtracks in two consectutive years? Nu-Metal is back! I await masterpiece stuff from various members of Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Korn...

 

 

Up is down, black is white, nu metal isn't shite.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

Who would have thought that the drummer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the singer from Linkin Park would have made the best soundtracks in two consectutive years? Nu-Metal is back! I await masterpiece stuff from various members of Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Korn...

 

 

Up is down, black is white, nu metal isn't shite.

 

Yep, we've entered the Twilight Zone alright. Just waiting for the bloke from Wheatus to be up for scoring the next Jeff Nichols film.

 

I reckon that this sounds pretty good...

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/24/the-paperboy-review

I reckon that this sounds pretty good...

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/24/the-paperboy-review

I reckon that this sounds pretty good...

 

That's odd. Precious was abysmal.

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

If anyone is looking for this year's Warrior then look no further than The Grey. Liam Neeson v Wolves. A battle to the male macho madness and death. It is incredibly moronic, but bloody hilariously entertaining. Best ending for a Hollywood movie for about 20 years. Amazing nonsense.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

If anyone is looking for this year's Warrior then look no further than The Grey. Liam Neeson v Wolves. A battle to the male macho madness and death. It is incredibly moronic, but bloody hilariously entertaining. Best ending for a Hollywood movie for about 20 years. Amazing nonsense.

 

I agree that this is enjoyable twaddle. I'm not sure what you loved about the ending so much though. Can you tell me what it was (with spoilers if needed)?

He smashed some bottles and then went to fight a wolf and it cut to black. I thought the liquor bottle breaking moment was hilarious, but maybe that is just me.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

If anyone is looking for this year's Warrior then look no further than The Grey. Liam Neeson v Wolves. A battle to the male macho madness and death. It is incredibly moronic, but bloody hilariously entertaining. Best ending for a Hollywood movie for about 20 years. Amazing nonsense.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

If anyone is looking for this year's Warrior then look no further than The Grey. Liam Neeson v Wolves. A battle to the male macho madness and death. It is incredibly moronic, but bloody hilariously entertaining. Best ending for a Hollywood movie for about 20 years. Amazing nonsense.

 

Another similarity with Warrior is that again, most who praised it seemed to do it earnestly and without reference to how ridiculous it is. People saying the were moved by the moment when Neeson tells someone they're not going to make it. I found that bit very funny, when Neeson was the all-seeing, all-knowing supreme being, contrasted with the flawed normals.

 

Yeah, I do not understannd how people are applauding it as a serious drama when it is clearly hilariously silly. I mean come on just listen to Neeson again, he starts off American, abandons that and becomes Irish after 30 minutes. But then, as you say, the same thing happened with Warrior which had far closer relationship to Rocky IV than Raging Bull, and was all the better for it.

 and not very biologically accurate, which is no surprise.

 You mean wolves don't just randonmly attack? I have seen The Grey - let's get 'em!

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/26/mud-film-review-cannes-matthew-mcconaughey

Two slightly different reviews on Jeff Nichols' Mud. It seems to me that McConaughey, after his performance in The Lincoln Lawyer last year has finally decided to give some decent performances after 20 years of twatting about. He looks more like Woody Harrelson everyday, lets hope he acts more like him as well.

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

If anyone is looking for this year's Warrior then look no further than The Grey. Liam Neeson v Wolves. A battle to the male macho madness and death. It is incredibly moronic, but bloody hilariously entertaining. Best ending for a Hollywood movie for about 20 years. Amazing nonsense.

 

Another similarity with Warrior is that again, most who praised it seemed to do it earnestly and without reference to how ridiculous it is. People saying the were moved by the moment when Neeson tells someone they're not going to make it. I found that bit very funny, when Neeson was the all-seeing, all-knowing supreme being, contrasted with the flawed normals.

 

 

Yeah, I do not understannd how people are applauding it as a serious drama when it is clearly hilariously silly. I mean come on just listen to Neeson again, he starts off American, abandons that and becomes Irish after 30 minutes. But then, as you say, the same thing happened with Warrior which had far closer relationship to Rocky IV than Raging Bull, and was all the better for it.

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/26/cannes-2012-mud-review

www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/26/mud-film-review-cannes-matthew-mcconaughey

Two slightly different reviews on Jeff Nichols' Mud. It seems to me that McConaughey, after his performance in The Lincoln Lawyer last year has finally decided to give some decent performances after 20 years of twatting about. He looks more like Woody Harrelson everyday, lets hope he acts more like him as well.

 Looking forward to this very much, almost as much as Dominik's latest 

1. Shame (McQueen)
2. Martha Marcy May Marlene (Durkin)
3. Avangers Assemble (Whedon)
4. Even The Rain (Bollain)
5. Corman's World (Stapleton)
6. Coriolanus (Fiennes)
7. Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson)
8. The Muppets (Bobin)
9. The Woman in Black (Watkins)
10. The Descendants (Payne)

 Regarding The Angels' Share my girlfriend said she spotted among the listed financers in the closing credits Cash Converters, how very apt! 

I have seen what must be two of the worst films of 2012

I think it's fair to say that so far this has been the worst year for film in the past 5 to 10 years. It could all change, but in 6 months I've seen 2 films I'd call brilliant, and one of them is The Muppets (the other Shame). There's not even that many good films on the horizon. Let's hope To the Wonder is released this year.

Posted by: sleepysamco

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

I have seen what must be two of the worst films of 2012

 

I think it's fair to say that so far this has been the worst year for film in the past 5 to 10 years. It could all change, but in 6 months I've seen 2 films I'd call brilliant, and one of them is The Muppets (the other Shame). There's not even that many good films on the horizon. Let's hope To the Wonder is released this year.

Posted by: Chris

V/H/S (Various Directors) 3/10 I had heard that this was receiving buzz so I decided to give it a go and I thought it was crap. It was an attempt to subvert found footage horror genre by making an anthology and including some of the main genre staples (monster/slasher/haunted house etc). None of the sections of the film are at all interesting or scary, they are just half-baked ideas. They try to subvert the genre by doing the same thing that the genre does, but often using even shakier shaky-cam than usual found-footage. There is a horrible streak of misogyny running through this film and I'm sure they think that this is commentary but it comes off as uncomfortably sleazy and as if the audience is in the hands of a really awful pervert.

I was quite looking forward to this, I have only seen one Ti West film, but I thought it was almost a masterpiece. Have you seen Innkeepers? I was looking forward to this also. 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

V/H/S (Various Directors) 3/10 I had heard that this was receiving buzz so I decided to give it a go and I thought it was crap. It was an attempt to subvert found footage horror genre by making an anthology and including some of the main genre staples (monster/slasher/haunted house etc). None of the sections of the film are at all interesting or scary, they are just half-baked ideas. They try to subvert the genre by doing the same thing that the genre does, but often using even shakier shaky-cam than usual found-footage. There is a horrible streak of misogyny running through this film and I'm sure they think that this is commentary but it comes off as uncomfortably sleazy and as if the audience is in the hands of a really awful pervert.

 

I was quite looking forward to this, I have only seen one Ti West film, but I thought it was almost a masterpiece. Have you seen Innkeepers? I was looking forward to this also. 

I haven't seen any of West's previous work. I am interested in The House Of The Devil because of the reviews, it sounds like a slow-burn 80s horror film. Nothing like the descriptions I've picked up for that film was present in the awful V/H/S which I would give 1 star.

Posted by: Chris

 

Posted by: DanceDanceDance

 

Posted by: Chris

V/H/S (Various Directors) 3/10 I had heard that this was receiving buzz so I decided to give it a go and I thought it was crap. It was an attempt to subvert found footage horror genre by making an anthology and including some of the main genre staples (monster/slasher/haunted house etc). None of the sections of the film are at all interesting or scary, they are just half-baked ideas. They try to subvert the genre by doing the same thing that the genre does, but often using even shakier shaky-cam than usual found-footage. There is a horrible streak of misogyny running through this film and I'm sure they think that this is commentary but it comes off as uncomfortably sleazy and as if the audience is in the hands of a really awful pervert.

 

I was quite looking forward to this, I have only seen one Ti West film, but I thought it was almost a masterpiece. Have you seen Innkeepers? I was looking forward to this also. 

 

I haven't seen any of West's previous work. I am interested in The House Of The Devil because of the reviews, it sounds like a slow-burn 80s horror film. Nothing like the descriptions I've picked up for that film was present in the awful V\H\S which I would give 1 star.

 

I thought The House of the Devil was absolutely brilliant. Definitely worth a look.