Movie Talk (New Films, Old Films... doesn't matter) (56 Viewers)

[CrimsonianKing]

Did you seriously just compare Prometheus and 2001: A Space Odyssey? And drew parallels between Ridley Scott and Kubrik too? Daaaamn
Prometheus is just a piece of good old shallow entertainment, still milking the Alien franchise 30+ years later. No reason to speak of mysteries or unanswered Qs in that one besides the most obvious ones that are there so that Prometheus 2 can continue the milking process. It's having the plot driven by illogical and downright stupid actions by empty characters that brings the movie down. If anything, it's the complete lack of any sort of depth or hidden message that is the issue there ... being as literal, obvious and simplistic as its creator, tbh.
Odyssey is a timeless masterpiece, Prometheus is a pop-corn flick that is forgotten as soon as the final credits are on.

Yes, i did. But not in the way you're possibly suggesting. And i did drew parallels between Scott and Kubrick but not in the way you're possibly suggesting either. Kubrick was a master in subliminal messages and symbolism, his art was intriguing and asked the viewer for something conventional movies didn't. Ridley Scott followed the same path with Prometheus and that's where the comparison ends.

The monolith, the hanging Alien, the snake, the main character's faith, the flute, they all had a deep message based on our own literature/religions/theories and myths of God(s) and extraterrestrial beings. If you really thought it was shallow and lacked substance you watched the wrong movie and i guess most people did.

But again, so did half the people when Alien first came out, they too didn't get it. They too wanted answers. "Where did the Alien come from? Who set up that beacon?".. So i'd compare your and Ocelot reactions to those people. This movie will be looked back 20 years from now and praised just like Alien.

 

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[Post Ironic]

I agree with you on Ridley Scott in Prometheus, in terms of similarities of intent with a film like Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, the level of skill in working such symbolism and mystery into the film is nowhere near the level of a Kubrick, much less a Tarkovsky (who blows Kubrick out of the water in my opinion).

Ridley Scott has always been a somewhat overrated director. From Alien to Blade-Runner to 1492 to Gladiator to Kingdom of Heaven to Prometheus. The films have a degree of originality, and that bit of "mystique" to them, that turns many such films into "cult classics", but critically speaking, the subtlety of narrative, the symbolism suggested, the poor casting, the directorial skill in creating such highly symbolic cinema isn't there like it is with Bergman, Tarkovsky, Kieslowski, Fellini, Kubrick, Kurosawa, Godard, Lynch, amongst others, including even those such as Scorcese and Coppola. He's a good director, yes, but nowhere near the status of the aforementioned.

 

[CrimsonianKing]

I agree with most of your points. In fact, i don't rate Ridley higher and any of those directors mentioned, maybe Lynch whom i like but always thought he was a bit on the overrated side. But that's probably just me.

And of course i'm not comparing the level of complexity on a Kubrick piece of art to Ridley Scott's. It'd be blasphemy. About the cast, Rapace did an outstanding work on the Millenium trilogy and didn't disappoint here. While i have to agree there were some weak characters like her companion. The plot wasn't bad at all, it just felt incomplete on the first watch. When you find out some of the elements used in it, you start deciphering or should i say theorizing about it all. That's when it ticks and you realize that "mystique" that made his movies cult classics is here.

Tarkovsky is a hell of a director and Stalker was possibly the best true mystery movie i've seen but i love Kubrick to death and can't agree.

 

[pitbull]

watched city of god, great movie, anyone got similar ones? preferably not in english

 

[Dostoevsky]

Such a pity that Italian movies pretty much suckass. I try to listen to the language as much as I can but watching stupid movies really kills the motivation.

 

[Post Ironic]

Such a pity that Italian movies pretty much suckass. I try to listen to the language as much as I can but watching stupid movies really kills the motivation.

You don't like Fellini? Or Antonioni? Both pretty great directors imo.

If you want a strange film out of Italy, recent times, that's even available online, (albeit without subtitles), Davide Manuli's Beket is quite the trip.
His second film La Leggenda Di Kaspar Hauser was pretty awesome as well. A mix of English and Italian spoken. Amazing performance by Vincent Gallo and great soundtrack by Vitalic as well.


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I agree with most of your points. In fact, i don't rate Ridley higher and any of those directors mentioned, maybe Lynch whom i like but always thought he was a bit on the overrated side. But that's probably just me.

And of course i'm not comparing the level of complexity on a Kubrick piece of art to Ridley Scott's. It'd be blasphemy. About the cast, Rapace did an outstanding work on the Millenium trilogy and didn't disappoint here. While i have to agree there were some weak characters like her companion. The plot wasn't bad at all, it just felt incomplete on the first watch. When you find out some of the elements used in it, you start deciphering or should i say theorizing about it all. That's when it ticks and you realize that "mystique" that made his movies cult classics is here.

Tarkovsky is a hell of a director and Stalker was possibly the best true mystery movie i've seen but i love Kubrick to death and can't agree.

I read a while ago, in a review of Prometheus that it was 2001: A Space Odyssey for the ADHD generation and thought that was a particularly apt description. I agree with you about Rapace. Without her, the film could have been much, much worse. My comment on casting, was more with previous films by Scott. Prometheus wasn't so glaring in that regard. Lynch and Scott are probably on a similar level for me, I like Lynch's art and music, and his atmospheric style with film, but his directorial talents aren't in that upper echelon.

I might have been engaging in a bit of hyperbole when I said that Tarkovsky blows Kubrick out of the water. Dr Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange, and 2001: A Space Odyssey are three of my favourite films. I was never a huge fan of Full Metal Jacket. It's a good film, but it's not my style, and I readily admit that this is just me. I think with Kubrick, his last film Eyes Wide Shut put a sour taste in my mouth. Tarkovsky ended with one of his best films, Kubrick ended with a Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman mediocrity. Same with Fellini and ending with La Voce Della Luna, which is alright, but nothing special. It probably sours my opinion of these two brilliant directors that tiny little bit, when it really should not.

I love when directors bow out with brilliance, á la Tarkovsky with The Sacrifice, Bela Tarr with The Turin Horse, Kieslowski with The Three Colours Trilogy... It happens far too infrequently, with directors always trying to make "one more film"... often that film just isn't worth it. For example, much of Bergman's television junk (some was good, some not so much) at the end of his career.

 

[Dostoevsky]

You don't like Fellini? Or Antonioni? Both pretty great directors imo.

Fellini is imo the most overrated director out there. However I only watched Amacord and 8 1/2 from him but I found both movies pure shit.

I don't think I ever watched Antonioni's work.

 

[JuveJay]

Ended up going to watch The Maze Runner with my niece and her friend, fun times. The movie was actually pretty good for that teenie survival genre.

Funny how most of the main cast were English but only GOT Jojen didn't speak with an American accent.

 

[Lion]

I agree with you on Ridley Scott in Prometheus, in terms of similarities of intent with a film like Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, the level of skill in working such symbolism and mystery into the film is nowhere near the level of a Kubrick, much less a Tarkovsky (who blows Kubrick out of the water in my opinion).

Ridley Scott has always been a somewhat overrated director. From Alien to Blade-Runner to 1492 to Gladiator to Kingdom of Heaven to Prometheus. The films have a degree of originality, and that bit of "mystique" to them, that turns many such films into "cult classics", but critically speaking, the subtlety of narrative, the symbolism suggested, the poor casting, the directorial skill in creating such highly symbolic cinema isn't there like it is with Bergman, Tarkovsky, Kieslowski, Fellini, Kubrick, Kurosawa, Godard, Lynch, amongst others, including even those such as Scorcese and Coppola. He's a good director, yes, but nowhere near the status of the aforementioned.

alien and gladiator overreated?

do u even cinema bro?

 

[CrimsonianKing]

watched city of god, great movie, anyone got similar ones? preferably not in english

I highly recommend City of Men and Tropa de Elite 1 and 2.

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You don't like Fellini? Or Antonioni? Both pretty great directors imo.

If you want a strange film out of Italy, recent times, that's even available online, (albeit without subtitles), Davide Manuli's Beket is quite the trip.
His second film La Leggenda Di Kaspar Hauser was pretty awesome as well. A mix of English and Italian spoken. Amazing performance by Vincent Gallo and great soundtrack by Vitalic as well.


- - - Updated - - -



I read a while ago, in a review of Prometheus that it was 2001: A Space Odyssey for the ADHD generation and thought that was a particularly apt description. I agree with you about Rapace. Without her, the film could have been much, much worse. My comment on casting, was more with previous films by Scott. Prometheus wasn't so glaring in that regard. Lynch and Scott are probably on a similar level for me, I like Lynch's art and music, and his atmospheric style with film, but his directorial talents aren't in that upper echelon.

I might have been engaging in a bit of hyperbole when I said that Tarkovsky blows Kubrick out of the water. Dr Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange, and 2001: A Space Odyssey are three of my favourite films. I was never a huge fan of Full Metal Jacket. It's a good film, but it's not my style, and I readily admit that this is just me. I think with Kubrick, his last film Eyes Wide Shut put a sour taste in my mouth. Tarkovsky ended with one of his best films, Kubrick ended with a Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman mediocrity. Same with Fellini and ending with La Voce Della Luna, which is alright, but nothing special. It probably sours my opinion of these two brilliant directors that tiny little bit, when it really should not.

I love when directors bow out with brilliance, á la Tarkovsky with The Sacrifice, Bela Tarr with The Turin Horse, Kieslowski with The Three Colours Trilogy... It happens far too infrequently, with directors always trying to make "one more film"... often that film just isn't worth it. For example, much of Bergman's television junk (some was good, some not so much) at the end of his career.

You just gave me an idea of doing a Tarkovsky marathon this weekend. It's been quite a while since i watched Solaris and Andrei Rublev.

 

[Dostoevsky]

I highly recommend City of Men and Tropa de Elite 1 and 2.

good stuff aye.

 

[radekas]

 

[CrimsonianKing]

If anyone has torrent links for Tarkovsky's Stalker in BDRIP/preferable 1080, please share!

@PostIronic

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Meh, just realized it hasn't been released in Blu Ray format yet. That sucks.

 

[Völler]

Meh, just realized it hasn't been released in Blu Ray format yet. That sucks.

 

[Dostoevsky]

Stop bitching about the quality, good movie should be appreciated even if it's VHS.

Like it was before.

 

[CrimsonianKing]

No thanks, i've had my fair share of VHS movies throughout my life.

When it comes to Audio/vision i'll take the best quality possible over nostalgia, thanks.

 

[Mohad]

Okay movie geeks, I want to watch a good non English movie tonight. Any recommendations?

 

[Dostoevsky]

lol

Okay movie geeks, I want to watch a good non English movie tonight. Any recommendations?

I highly recommend City of Men and Tropa de Elite 1 and 2.

 

[Mohad]

Didn't read back.

 

[Dostoevsky]

I didn't watch the first one but I watched Tropa de Elite and it's really good.