Metal Reviews

Amélie - shy girl problems

Picked up the Yojimbo/Sanjuro Box Set on Criterion a couple weeks ago and finally sat down and watched them both. I should have bought it a long time ago. Great stuff from the master Kurosawa. Yojimbo is the more celebrated of the two as it's influence on the spaghetti western is apparent throughout the film, particularly it's dark humor and excessive violence. The movie itself is a fun ride as the ronin Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) plays rival gang lords against each other as they battle for supremacy of a small Japanese town. Mifune plays against type as the scruffy, opportunistic hero and his wry charm really carries both films.
The second installment is lighter in tone overall but still carries a sharp edge. The final, unintentionally bloody duel between Sanjuro and his nemesis (Tatsuya Nakadai) became the touchstone for scores of violent samurai films to come. The plot is a little more conventional than it's predecessor and can be repetitious at times but the movie is still very enjoyable. The verbal jousts between the chamberlain's wife and a thoroughly annoyed Sanjuro are a lot of fun.

Caught the premier of Guardians of the Galaxy and it lived up to the hype. The effects were fantastic, the story well-paced and the jokes hit way more often than not. The acting is a bit stiff in parts but that is mostly forgivable given the nature of the characters, i.e. Dave Bautista as Drax. The main baddies were pretty stock, however arch-villain Thanos looked amazing. The possibility of an Infinity Gauntlet movie has my inner nerd doing somersaults. All in all, a thoroughly satisfying movie that I definitely recommend and would go watch again. Guardians is also a further reminder that nobody plays a better redneck than Michael Rooker.

Going this weekend. Heard nothing but good things from absolutely everyone, can't wait.

I thought the trailer looked awkward but now I love Parks and Rec guy and I trust rotten tomatoes so I'll probably see it.

Being in the World - Second time watching this and first time I was skeptical of their Heidegger interpretation but this time I appreciated that it's a philosophy documentary that raises interesting questions for discussion and doesn't suck.

Also will have to check out Sanjuro since I liked Yojimbo quite a bit and gotta get some more Kirosawa on.

Guardians of the Galaxy - the best Marvel film yet. TtD was right about the villains being a bit dull, but the humour and lighter touch elsewhere really gave it charm. Bootista has great comic timing. Also, the post-credits scene was just

going to watch Guardians at the cinema tomorrow.

saw The Raid 2: Berandal last night. cool stuff, but some conversations were too long and drawn out. preferred the first. action scenes weren't quite as stylish, but more than made up in sheer intensity.

The Reader - consider my tears jerked

I wonder how many kids asked the parents who Jackson Pollock was after the movie was over.

The Shining - It gets more disturbing every time I see it. The soundtrack, Jack's sudden bursts of rage, Danny's terrified faces when he's seeing things (what a great performance from a kid who only acted in this and a tv movie!), the rivers of blood, the twins, the rotting woman in the bathtub, the creepy Lloyd and the chilling Grady... Even when contrasted unfavourably to the book (and I don't think it's that bad in comparison, just a different story being told) it's still a masterpiece.

Have you seen the documentary about The Shining? Goes on about how the layout of the building makes no sense, and all the random weirdness that is in the background of the movie. I'm too stupid/tired to remember it all, but it was definitely interesting to see after watching the movie.

Room 237?

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2085910/

Definitely on my to watch list.

That's the one. I saw it on Netflix, may still be on there.

Ooh, cheers I'll have a look.

Russian Dolls - felt real and I liked that everyone was a little bit of a dick in ways that aren't totally forgivable but I still liked them

Watched the new TMNT movie last Thursday. It wasn't quite as putrid as the previews led me to believe and thankfully the Shredder wasn't played by a white guy. The plot was dumb as expected, the "real" actors wooden as hell but the special effects were pretty cool and the turtles themselves had some fun moments. See it with a cocktail in your hand.

La Delicatesse - sad, then cute, occasional sprinkles of creepy

Moscow on the Hudson.

The Fisher King - Weird, weird film, that's only charming thanks to Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams. RIP.

The English Patient - Should have been soundtracked by My Dying Bride. Hadn't seen it before, but suppose Ralph Fiennes plays a good burnt face man.

It's a Terry Gilliam flick so the weirdness is to be expected. Damn shame about Robin Williams. Always did seem like you could see little bits of his internal pain in the characters he played. I think "Fuck the Red Knight" would be a fitting epitaph for the great actor/comedian.