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Movie Time 2.0: TT mini reviews
- Thread starter Rascally Badger
- Start date
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- movies
FelixSH
(He/Him)
heard u was talkin shit
I'm with Teg. That little guy is adorable.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
The peacock spider shall sing you the song of his village.
They're delightful and I won't hear otherwise.
They're delightful and I won't hear otherwise.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Since Criterion had it, I decide I'd be watching all the original Zatoichi movies, starting with the Tale of Zatoichi.
The premise of the series is a masseuse went blind and deciding he didn't want to be looked down upon, learned the blade and became a better swordsman than most sighted people. But Zatoichi feels bad about the bodies in his wake and while he is ostensibly a wandering swordsman, he's pretty hesitant to do anything but is forced to when protecting the innocent and usually though some people are saved, the stories are kind of melancholy.
In the first adventure, Zatoichi is invited to stay with a yakuza (at this point, Zatoichi identifies as a yakuza himself, but it feels more like guilt by association than any active yakuza...ing) and Zatoichi takes full advantage. But the Yakuza boss wants Zatoichi to help him in a war with another gang, while Zatoichi would just prefer to be a mooch. Of course, he runs into a woman in trouble with her shitty brother and a creepy suitor but the heart of the story is Zatoichi gets to know and become friends with the heavy hitter on the other side of a war, a powerful swordsman dying of consumption. He's a little more emotionally connected to the people on his side but primarily, he would like to test his skills against his new friend before he dies.
In many ways, its a story that you might expect: the two warring sides are both kinda jerky crooks, Zatoichi is hesitant to be active in the scenario and only attacks when provoked or out of necessity. The tone is less swordflashing adventure and a little bit more like a noir with its melancholy tone and criminal intrigue as characters prepare for war. Interestingly, this doesn't look like it was intended to be a series, as the film ends with the hero asking a boy to bury his sword along with his most recent victim. Its a good movie but not one of the great samurai flicks. Still, it is fun, particularly the dice con in the beginning of the movie.
The premise of the series is a masseuse went blind and deciding he didn't want to be looked down upon, learned the blade and became a better swordsman than most sighted people. But Zatoichi feels bad about the bodies in his wake and while he is ostensibly a wandering swordsman, he's pretty hesitant to do anything but is forced to when protecting the innocent and usually though some people are saved, the stories are kind of melancholy.
In the first adventure, Zatoichi is invited to stay with a yakuza (at this point, Zatoichi identifies as a yakuza himself, but it feels more like guilt by association than any active yakuza...ing) and Zatoichi takes full advantage. But the Yakuza boss wants Zatoichi to help him in a war with another gang, while Zatoichi would just prefer to be a mooch. Of course, he runs into a woman in trouble with her shitty brother and a creepy suitor but the heart of the story is Zatoichi gets to know and become friends with the heavy hitter on the other side of a war, a powerful swordsman dying of consumption. He's a little more emotionally connected to the people on his side but primarily, he would like to test his skills against his new friend before he dies.
In many ways, its a story that you might expect: the two warring sides are both kinda jerky crooks, Zatoichi is hesitant to be active in the scenario and only attacks when provoked or out of necessity. The tone is less swordflashing adventure and a little bit more like a noir with its melancholy tone and criminal intrigue as characters prepare for war. Interestingly, this doesn't look like it was intended to be a series, as the film ends with the hero asking a boy to bury his sword along with his most recent victim. Its a good movie but not one of the great samurai flicks. Still, it is fun, particularly the dice con in the beginning of the movie.
I watched Fantasia just the way Walt always intended; on my phone, distracted by my dog, and playing a video game.
I assumed before I started this process that Fantasia was the movie *least* conducive to how I usually consume films.
Again, the main draw here is the presentation, since, honestly, not sure if any movie has nailed that particular aspect quite as hard. Each short has a plot, even if that plot is "Naked centaur dance" or "Dinosaurs, eh?" all set to Ren & Stimpy music, but none of them are really the kind of thing I can comment on. Two were just "Shapes happen, now".
Didn't appreciate the impresario hopping in to spoil every short before playing it. Appreciated his VERY flimsy grasp of the biological history of the Earth even less.
Always figured Sorcerers Apprentice was the show closer, not the one right in the middle. Guess they figured the audience may have started to stop paying attention. I can see why that's the one Nic Cage decided to star in for the live action remake.
The movie on Disney + opens with an unskippable disclaimer apologizing for the racism, which is nice of them to say, but I'll believe it when I hear it from Walts own throat. Also, possibly because I was distracted by the fun video games I was playing, I didn't actually notice any racism. Maybe it was edited out of this version?
Maybe Walt actually WAS intending people to play Grindstone while watching?
I assumed before I started this process that Fantasia was the movie *least* conducive to how I usually consume films.
Again, the main draw here is the presentation, since, honestly, not sure if any movie has nailed that particular aspect quite as hard. Each short has a plot, even if that plot is "Naked centaur dance" or "Dinosaurs, eh?" all set to Ren & Stimpy music, but none of them are really the kind of thing I can comment on. Two were just "Shapes happen, now".
Didn't appreciate the impresario hopping in to spoil every short before playing it. Appreciated his VERY flimsy grasp of the biological history of the Earth even less.
Always figured Sorcerers Apprentice was the show closer, not the one right in the middle. Guess they figured the audience may have started to stop paying attention. I can see why that's the one Nic Cage decided to star in for the live action remake.
The movie on Disney + opens with an unskippable disclaimer apologizing for the racism, which is nice of them to say, but I'll believe it when I hear it from Walts own throat. Also, possibly because I was distracted by the fun video games I was playing, I didn't actually notice any racism. Maybe it was edited out of this version?
Maybe Walt actually WAS intending people to play Grindstone while watching?
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
I mean, that's good but ending with the Giant Satan is pretty great.
I don't think that would be what would come out of Lich Walt's throat.
It is, but they decided to make the back half of Giant Satan another “And then... Shapes!” sequence. There’s a reason nobody remembers that short after Chernobog leaves.
Anyway; if you wanted to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but wish it was one hundred times hornier, much worse looking, had a completely nonsensical plot and also had a general dislike of women, maybe you’d be interested in watching Cool World.
If you don’t want all four of those things, maybe watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit instead. Or Chinatown, I guess. Fewer cartoons in that, though
Anyway; if you wanted to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but wish it was one hundred times hornier, much worse looking, had a completely nonsensical plot and also had a general dislike of women, maybe you’d be interested in watching Cool World.
If you don’t want all four of those things, maybe watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit instead. Or Chinatown, I guess. Fewer cartoons in that, though
Purple
(She/Her)
If you're morbidly curious, "Fantasia racist centaur" yields one hell of a set of image search results.
But yeah I can see straight up missing that bit if you're only half-paying attention.
You would do well in life if you were to follow a general creed with animated movies- Check if it's from Ralph Bakshi. If it is, skip it.
Skipping out at things directed by Roman Polanski is also... not the worst idea. Also I forgot was it ever confirmed that Roger Rabbit started life as a Chinatown sequel?
A rule I hold near and dear to my heart. Sometimes a reminder is important.
Phantoon
I cuss you bad
I watched Your Name last night not knowing anything about it and it was fantastic. The story was complex and timey-wimey without being cheaty, it went to some really dark places without ever getting mired in it, it was funny and the main characters were really likable.
Guess I'm watching Weathering With You next
I don't think Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a conscious Chinatown link beyond them both being noirs. I read the book it was adapted from and it's fascinatingly different from the film. I think it's one of those rare cases that the film is better than the original book.
Guess I'm watching Weathering With You next
I don't think Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a conscious Chinatown link beyond them both being noirs. I read the book it was adapted from and it's fascinatingly different from the film. I think it's one of those rare cases that the film is better than the original book.
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I honestly thought he was joking
I remember it cheating a bit, but it was in service of the story, so... There is only one thing that bugs me regarding the plot, but they do mention more than once that the body switching feels dream-like afterwards and details are fuzzy, as a way to explain why it takes so long for them to realize they are in different time-tracks, so at least they justify their main plot hole.
That said, I watched this movie in my flight back from Tokyo four years ago, so the one thing I remember vividly is the scenery porn. Everything is rendered up in the most lovingly detail, from the skyline to the train stations - and having doing some hiking in the countryside, having a vending machine in a hill in the middle of nowhere made the movie feel incredibly authentic and immediate to me. The ms got me the Blu-Ray for Christmas, so I think it’s time for a rewatch.
Phantoon
I cuss you bad
Yeah, the film was stunning. Beautiful animation and depictions of Japan. It felt really genuine to my experience of Japan as well. I'll have to get the blu-ray myself, I'm hugely taken with the film.
My sister and I watched Wonder Woman 1984 last night. I thought it was terrible.
The movie started off and it was fun and goofy. I thought it was a pretty good update of the old Wonder Woman TV show which I also like. After the first hour or so, the movie tonally shifts into serious drama. I don't think the underlying writing and plot support this shift. Once its in serious mode it never returns to fun and goofy and its a total slog to sit through.
Someone will have to explain to me how movie studios spend millions on fx before having a solid script. This is not unique to DC movies. The Disney Star Wars Trilogy can be criticized similarly. I guess studios put a release on a calendar and they meet that date regardless of script quality.
The movie started off and it was fun and goofy. I thought it was a pretty good update of the old Wonder Woman TV show which I also like. After the first hour or so, the movie tonally shifts into serious drama. I don't think the underlying writing and plot support this shift. Once its in serious mode it never returns to fun and goofy and its a total slog to sit through.
Someone will have to explain to me how movie studios spend millions on fx before having a solid script. This is not unique to DC movies. The Disney Star Wars Trilogy can be criticized similarly. I guess studios put a release on a calendar and they meet that date regardless of script quality.
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Well, four of them can. The Last Jedi has a great script. It’s just unfortunate that the setup and followthrough are so weak.
I remember the first WW being mostly enjoyable, but it completely fell apart in the third act.
Phantoon
I cuss you bad
They started Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3 before the script was even finished! I think one of the issues is that loads of special effect heavy movies don't have obviously good scripts. Alien's script on its own isn't anything special, in my opinion. It's just that literally everything around it went spectacularly well. I think that scripts don't get the prioritisation that they should do because there's the feeling that a lot of the film can be rescued in implementation.
Hell, without the visuals Star Wars must have sounded utterly insane to studio heads. So much of that film is visuals and sounds.
Edit: I'd say Rogue One has a decent enough script. It doesn't have the sloppiness of The Force Awakens or Rise of Skywalker.
Hell, without the visuals Star Wars must have sounded utterly insane to studio heads. So much of that film is visuals and sounds.
Edit: I'd say Rogue One has a decent enough script. It doesn't have the sloppiness of The Force Awakens or Rise of Skywalker.
I don't doubt the direction and execution of a script plays a big role in the success or failure of a film.
But the script is also important. It is the foundation that the film is built upon (unless its something less traditional like the Tree of Life).
I like my popcorn flicks as much as the next person. But when a film turns out as poorly as WW84, I look beyond the direction. I have to think that script was not good enough and the DC/WB team just ran with it for some reason. WB shareholders? HBO Max subscribers?
But the script is also important. It is the foundation that the film is built upon (unless its something less traditional like the Tree of Life).
I like my popcorn flicks as much as the next person. But when a film turns out as poorly as WW84, I look beyond the direction. I have to think that script was not good enough and the DC/WB team just ran with it for some reason. WB shareholders? HBO Max subscribers?
I disagree completely with your assessment of the movie. I though Wonder Woman 84 was very good. I mean, the nature and rules of the magic wishing rock maybe weren't perfectly explained, but I found the emotional thrust of the movie very well done.
Today I watched Outside the Wire, which is some kind of Training Day meets Robocop movie about future war and robotics. Its got a handful of interesting ideas, but the execution was pretty dire.
Today I watched Outside the Wire, which is some kind of Training Day meets Robocop movie about future war and robotics. Its got a handful of interesting ideas, but the execution was pretty dire.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I like plenty of movies that other people don't like.
In this instance I'm not alone in WW84 not working for me. Right now, WW84 has a user average score of 5.4 out of 10 on for IMDB. WW84 has a critic review average of 60 out of 100 on and a user review average of 3.8 out of 10 on Metacritic.
In this instance I'm not alone in WW84 not working for me. Right now, WW84 has a user average score of 5.4 out of 10 on for IMDB. WW84 has a critic review average of 60 out of 100 on and a user review average of 3.8 out of 10 on Metacritic.
Forgive me if I put absolutely no weight onto user scores on metacritic or imdb. By that metacritic user scores, it is roughly as good as The Last Jedi (4.2). I'm just saying that treating it like some kind of accepted unmitigated disaster doesn't really ring true.
Being Distracted by Grindstone was enough to let me overlook the racism in Fantasia (and I’m not enthusiastic about either that movie, or looking at racism, to want to double check to see if it wasn’t edited out), but the distraction of playing a video game that requires even more focus was not enough For me to not notice it in Dumbo.
Walt knows what he likes, and what he likes is White Males.
Everybody hates elephants even more, however. Including other elephants. The elephants in this movie just friggin hate a little baby. Even Dumbos supposed friend Timothy the Mouse refuses to use the Literal Babies actual name, and instead use the cruel one the other elephants use to mock him.
was that Lampwick abusing Jumbo Jr. and being punished by Jumbo Sr,? Did he get better from being turned into a donkey? Is this a prequel? Either way, he learned no lessons.
Both this and Pinnochio have an evil circus run by a racist caricature of an Italian man.
This movie is also, at once, the most whimsical and also the most grounded (it explicitly takes place in Florida and ends with Dumbo helping the Air Force?!?)
Walt knows what he likes, and what he likes is White Males.
Everybody hates elephants even more, however. Including other elephants. The elephants in this movie just friggin hate a little baby. Even Dumbos supposed friend Timothy the Mouse refuses to use the Literal Babies actual name, and instead use the cruel one the other elephants use to mock him.
was that Lampwick abusing Jumbo Jr. and being punished by Jumbo Sr,? Did he get better from being turned into a donkey? Is this a prequel? Either way, he learned no lessons.
Both this and Pinnochio have an evil circus run by a racist caricature of an Italian man.
This movie is also, at once, the most whimsical and also the most grounded (it explicitly takes place in Florida and ends with Dumbo helping the Air Force?!?)
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
If you are including Fun and Fancy Free, I'm also looking forward to that.
Meanwhile, I watched My Neighbor Totoro for the first time and its both exactly what I expected and not at all. In the exactly what I expected department: a low key movie with, despite the supernatural elements, is very naturalistic with lots of focus on small moments and a sense of place. A gentle film for children that feels real chill and mellow. What I didn't expect: how LITTLE Totoro(s) there is (are) in this movie. The show up for three scenes and take up less than 25% of the movie. Not that I mind this, it just changed a lot of what I was expecting this movie to be. Like I said, despite the outlandishness of the title character, who is always benevolent but is also inhuman with his chesire cat smile and hard-to-read expression (I know he's happy but he doesn't seem happy in the way a human would be), but of the film is spent capturing a very quiet sense of place and realist atmosphere. I don't think I'm quite as enamored with it as I was hoping I'd be but as a work of art it is impeccable and Cat Bus is deserving of all the love it gets, with it being both cute and horrifying. I like that its a movie about a family dealing with a really hard time but until the end, it never calls attention to it and is about trying to find the joy in that time. I also like that it has a different sort of logic but not a dream logic, which is what I would often use to describe films with an internal logic all its own. And this is despite the fact that it could, as, with the exception of the last appearance, all Totoro appearances either begin or end with someone waking up or going to sleep, which seems to imply something. But its never "the adults could never understand" reasoning, nor is it purely in their imaginations Calvin and Hobbes-style. It feels like a world that the Dad knows about and believes is real but perhaps also knows is something beyond him now. Does he see the big magic tree when he looks out the window? Even if he doesn't see it, I feel like he knows its there, in one form or another, and that his daughters are enjoying it. Its really neat in how it makes those decisions and how its ambiguity never feels like its winking or poking you in the ribs about it.
Meanwhile, I watched My Neighbor Totoro for the first time and its both exactly what I expected and not at all. In the exactly what I expected department: a low key movie with, despite the supernatural elements, is very naturalistic with lots of focus on small moments and a sense of place. A gentle film for children that feels real chill and mellow. What I didn't expect: how LITTLE Totoro(s) there is (are) in this movie. The show up for three scenes and take up less than 25% of the movie. Not that I mind this, it just changed a lot of what I was expecting this movie to be. Like I said, despite the outlandishness of the title character, who is always benevolent but is also inhuman with his chesire cat smile and hard-to-read expression (I know he's happy but he doesn't seem happy in the way a human would be), but of the film is spent capturing a very quiet sense of place and realist atmosphere. I don't think I'm quite as enamored with it as I was hoping I'd be but as a work of art it is impeccable and Cat Bus is deserving of all the love it gets, with it being both cute and horrifying. I like that its a movie about a family dealing with a really hard time but until the end, it never calls attention to it and is about trying to find the joy in that time. I also like that it has a different sort of logic but not a dream logic, which is what I would often use to describe films with an internal logic all its own. And this is despite the fact that it could, as, with the exception of the last appearance, all Totoro appearances either begin or end with someone waking up or going to sleep, which seems to imply something. But its never "the adults could never understand" reasoning, nor is it purely in their imaginations Calvin and Hobbes-style. It feels like a world that the Dad knows about and believes is real but perhaps also knows is something beyond him now. Does he see the big magic tree when he looks out the window? Even if he doesn't see it, I feel like he knows its there, in one form or another, and that his daughters are enjoying it. Its really neat in how it makes those decisions and how its ambiguity never feels like its winking or poking you in the ribs about it.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
I looked ahead at what was next and have literally never even heard of the next several
The historical reasons for that are really quite interesting, because-- what's that? It was?
I'm being told it was because it was World War II.
All I knew about Bambi going in was “adorable animal frolics” and “dead mom”. And i figured “well, that’s all I know about it, but surely there’s a lot else going on in the movie than that.”
And there is not. Just Adorable Animal Frolics and eventually Deer Peril.
I can not imagine any component of this project could be Less Octo Than Bambi
Five movies in, and only one and a half would I consider to Be at least Pretty Good
And there is not. Just Adorable Animal Frolics and eventually Deer Peril.
I can not imagine any component of this project could be Less Octo Than Bambi
Five movies in, and only one and a half would I consider to Be at least Pretty Good
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Yeah, Bambi... This feels like "animation is a novelty" in moments where they assume pretty shots of nature and animal stuff will do it. Some really pretty stuff in the movie, though.
Seeing Octo's project here made me curious to look up the list, and I was surprised to find that if you're only counting actual Disney Animation Studio full movies and discount the obscure WWII-era releases, the only pre-2000 flick I never got around to seeing is Pocahontas... which I'm pretty okay with really. There's a ton of post-2000 ones I missed and would like to check out though, including Emperor's New Groove (which seems pretty great from memes), Treasure Planet (which I've heard is not so great), Princess and the Frog, and I've actually never even seen Tangled and Frozen. (I'm also okay with leaving alone the early non-Pixar CG set of Brother Bear through Meet the Robinons, though.)