Movies/DVD's

[hardtack 10,215]

Been getting into the exploitation stuff lately. Watched 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song' (1971) and the original 'Shaft' for the first time. I also have 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' on my list, which I've never seen. 'Ilsa She Wolf of the SS', 'The Night Porter', 'Gone in 60 Seconds' (the original), 'Coffy' and 'Foxy Brown'. Then there's my reasonably recent obsession with wuxia films (Chinese martial arts) made by the Shaw Brothers during the '60s and '70s. The best ones I've seen are 'The 36th Chamber of Shaolin', 'Five Deadly Venoms' and 'Executioners from Shaolin'.

I also just watched 'Killer's Kiss' (Kubrick's second film), which had some nice shot making (as you'd expect from a Kubrick film), but a dull noir really.

Do Demonlanders go after directors or actors? Anyone have a few favourite directors?

"Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" is superb! How can you possibly go wrong with a Russ Meyer film that features the Strawberry Alarm Clock (band)?

I'm a fan of John Waters (the American director, not Australian actor) and have just about all of his films on DVD. Other directors I favour are: Stanley Kubrick, Jim Jarmusch, Tim Burton, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, Quentin Tarantino, Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, Juzoh Itami, Takashi Miike, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, Feng Xiaogang, Katsuhito Ishii and the Cohen Brothers.

If you want to learn about John Waters, get hold of his biography "Shock Value" (1981)... a great read.

Love the Shaw Brothers films and enjoyed the reference to them used by Tarantino at the start of Kill Bill 2. I actually once met someone here in Sydney who worked with "Run Run" Shaw in Hong Kong... she explained that he got his name as a young guy running canisters of film between the editing rooms and the studios which is how he got his start in the business.

[Binmans PA 27,370]

"Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" is superb! How can you possibly go wrong with a Russ Meyer film that features the Strawberry Alarm Clock (band)?

I'm a fan of John Waters (the American director, not Australian actor) and have just about all of his films on DVD. Other directors I favour are: Stanley Kubrick, Jim Jarmusch, Tim Burton, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, Quentin Tarantino, Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, Juzoh Itami, Takashi Miike, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, Feng Xiaogang, Katsuhito Ishii and the Cohen Brothers.

If you want to learn about John Waters, get hold of his biography "Shock Value" (1981)... a great read.

Love the Shaw Brothers films and enjoyed the reference to them used by Tarantino at the start of Kill Bill 2. I actually once met someone here in Sydney who worked with "Run Run" Shaw in Hong Kong... she explained that he got his name as a young guy running canisters of film between the editing rooms and the studios which is how he got his start in the business.

I'm yet to see any Russ Meyer films. Somehow I've always skipped over 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' Should probably watch that at some point too.

Your display pic is the John Waters giveaway, HT. Gathered you liked him or at least 'Pink Flamingos'.

Have you seen Miike's latest film? I'm yet to catch it. Not a big fan, but heard it's reasonably predictable and dull. Some talented directors in that lot though.

[Binmans PA 27,370]

And I take it you probably work in the industry. Yeah, great little nod from Tarantino there. Love the Shaw logo. They weren't even trying with that one.

[Sir Why You Little 35,633]

I'm yet to see any Russ Meyer films. Somehow I've always skipped over 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' Should probably watch that at some point too.

Your display pic is the John Waters giveaway, HT. Gathered you liked him or at least 'Pink Flamingos'.

Have you seen Miike's latest film? I'm yet to catch it. Not a big fan, but heard it's reasonably predictable and dull. Some talented directors in that lot though.

Faster Pussycat Kill is a classic of its day.

Loved it

[Binmans PA 27,370]

I watched 'Hannah and Her Sisters' earlier today. First Woody Allen film I've "got". It's amazing. It might make 'Annie Hall' more accessible on re-watch. Allen might be one of those directors that I eventually love more with age. I didn't "get" Tarantino until seeing 'Jackie Brown' and didn't get the Cohen's until seeing 'Barton Fink' and the third viewing of 'Fargo'. I watched 'O Brother Where Art Thou' tonight too. Loved it.

Is anyone a fan of giallos (the Italian precursor to 1980s Hollywood slashers)? I caught 'House With The Laughing Windows' at MIFF this year. Hilarious and intriguing film. Argento is probably the master, but Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci and Sergio Martino are amazing too.

[hardtack 10,215]

And I take it you probably work in the industry. Yeah, great little nod from Tarantino there. Love the Shaw logo. They weren't even trying with that one.

No, don't work in the industry (I'm a technical writer), but have always been a bit of a film nut and am an obsessive collector and watcher of film on DVD and Blu Ray.

[Sir Why You Little 35,633]

I watched 'Hannah and Her Sisters' earlier today. First Woody Allen film I've "got". It's amazing. It might make 'Annie Hall' more accessible on re-watch. Allen might be one of those directors that I eventually love more with age. I didn't "get" Tarantino until seeing 'Jackie Brown' and didn't get the Cohen's until seeing 'Barton Fink' and the third viewing of 'Fargo'. I watched 'O Brother Where Art Thou' tonight too. Loved it.

Is anyone a fan of giallos (the Italian precursor to 1980s Hollywood slashers)? I caught 'House With The Laughing Windows' at MIFF this year. Hilarious and intriguing film. Argento is probably the master, but Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci and Sergio Martino are amazing too.

You must watch "The Big Lebowski"..i consider it the Cohen Brothers masterpiece.

[hardtack 10,215]

You must watch "The Big Lebowski"..i consider it the Cohen Brothers masterpiece.

Definitely... Big Lebowski, O Brother, Raising Arizona and Blood Simple... also impressed with their take on True Grit and one of their "less" lauded films, Burn After Reading.

[Binmans PA 27,370]

You must watch "The Big Lebowski"..i consider it the Cohen Brothers masterpiece.

Never been a big fan of 'The Big Lebowski'. I've seen it a couple of times.

Edited August 29, 2013 by AdamFarr

[Binmans PA 27,370]

Definitely... Big Lebowski, O Brother, Raising Arizona and Blood Simple... also impressed with their take on True Grit and one of their "less" lauded films, Burn After Reading.

I have a copy of 'Raising Arizona' that my writing partner gave me, but I've never had the urge to watch it. It sounds like I should. 'Blood Simple' is a masterpiece. Absolutely love it. One of the best noirs I've ever seen (what a nerd). 'Burn After Reading' is terrific too, along with 'Fargo', 'Barton Fink' and 'No Country For Old Men'. 'Miller's Crossing' has its moments too. Haven't seen their take on 'True Grit' yet. I prefer spaghetti Westerns myself. That said, they do have an eye for wonderful shot making, so I'd probably love it.

In other news, I watched Woody Allen's 'Interiors' last night. I adored it. I am a massive Bergman fan though, so it makes sense that I'd like Allen's dramatic stuff.

[hardtack 10,215]

In other news, I watched Woody Allen's 'Interiors' last night. I adored it. I am a massive Bergman fan though, so it makes sense that I'd like Allen's dramatic stuff.

Have you by any chance seen Woody Allen's "Shadows and Fog"? Definitely worth a look.

[Binmans PA 27,370]

I haven't HT. But I was intending to start with Allen's noirs and then watch his comedic stuff. It hasn't worked that way, but I shall add it to the immediate list. Some of the stills from it look stunning.

[Cards13 9,117]

As for Australian films, I agree that Wake in Fright was a ripper. Lantana was great, and I didnt mind some of those quirky films in the early 80s like The Big Steal and Death in Brunswick.

Watch "Idiot Box" it you can find it, Ben Mendleson, great stuff.

"Gettin Square" is another enjoyable Aussie film.

W t f the censored word was i d i o t

Edited September 1, 2013 by Cards13

[jazza 1,323]

Watch "[censored] Box" it you can find it, Ben Mendleson, great stuff.

"Gettin Square" is another enjoyable Aussie film.

W t f the censored word was i d i o t

nice post cards

my wife and I supported aussie movies from the 70s onwards

colac drive in half price Tuesdays

saw some beauties and got our daughter onto them,now got dvds

the big steal is a classic

death in Brunswick fart scene

Malcolm,best acting

btw the censored word idi ot is done so as not to offend people like rhino

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Aussie Movies

Mad Max I,II & III

Castle

The Dish

All classics to me

[hardtack 10,215]

Aussie Movies

Mad Max I,II & III

Castle

The Dish

All classics to me

I just picked up the triple bluray set of Mad Max 1, 2 & 3 from Amazon UK. - MM3 is a dud, but 1 and 2 make the set worthwhile.

Other Australian movies not yet mentioned that I like are: The Last Wave, Cars that Ate Paris, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Ten Canoes, Romper Stomper, Bad Boy Bubby, and Ghosts of the Civil Dead.

Edited September 2, 2013 by hardtack

[DemonFrog 1,347]

I just picked up the triple bluray set of Mad Max 1, 2 & 3 from Amazon UK. - MM3 is a dud, but 1 and 2 make the set worthwhile.

Other Australian movies not yet mentioned that I like are: The Last Wave, Cars that Ate Paris, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Ten Canoes, Romper Stomper, Bad Boy Bubby, and Ghosts of the Civil Dead.

I remember the Cars that Ate Paris and Romper Stomper but don't think I have seen the rest.

I have all 3 MM on DVD.

There was another new Australian Movie I liked cant remember the name but it was about an invasion.

[hardtack 10,215]

I remember the Cars that Ate Paris and Romper Stomper but don't think I have seen the rest.

I have all 3 MM on DVD.

There was another new Australian Movie I liked cant remember the name but it was about an invasion.

Would that film be "Tomorrow When the War Began"? It's not too bad, but can't say it really grabbed me.

A couple of other Australian films I just remembered that are worth watching (older pieces... as most good local cinema unfortunately seems to be): "Newsfront", "The Getting of Wisdom" and a film that many might think not Australian (and technically may not be due to funding etc), is Alex Poyas' "Dark City"...while being a little similar, this predates The Matrix and, in my opinion, is a far better film.

I can't remember what it was showing with (maybe Deliverance), but in 1972 at a Friday "supper" show (late night) at the Trak Cinema, I saw a short film (mockumentary) made by a young George Miller called "Violence in the Cinema Part 1" - brilliant and it still sits clearly in my mind all those years later.

As for the Mad Max DVD set... I still have the set I bought in Japan a few years ago and always get a laugh out of that fact that where they list the audio languages, it has Japanese soundtrack, Original soundtrack and Australian English soundtrack. They seemed to be of the impression that this was an American production :-)

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Would that film be "Tomorrow When the War Began"? It's not too bad, but can't say it really grabbed me.

A couple of other Australian films I just remembered that are worth watching (older pieces... as most good local cinema unfortunately seems to be): "Newsfront", "The Getting of Wisdom" and a film that many might think not Australian (and technically may not be due to funding etc), is Alex Poyas' "Dark City"...while being a little similar, this predates The Matrix and, in my opinion, is a far better film.

I can't remember what it was showing with (maybe Deliverance), but in 1972 at a Friday "supper" show (late night) at the Trak Cinema, I saw a short film (mockumentary) made by a young George Miller called "Violence in the Cinema Part 1" - brilliant and it still sits clearly in my mind all those years later.

As for the Mad Max DVD set... I still have the set I bought in Japan a few years ago and always get a laugh out of that fact that where they list the audio languages, it has Japanese soundtrack, Original soundtrack and Australian English soundtrack. They seemed to be of the impression that this was an American production :-)

Yes the was the movie.

Have The Matrix on DVD as well.

I do have a reasonable large DVD collection.

I starting to get into some foreign films of late. Saw an interesting Russian War movie the other day on you tube was called the Fortress (or something similar).

Just over the US style movies at the moment as they are so boring.

[jazza 1,323]

just saw WHITE HOUSE CLOWN

please avoid its American AM FM krapadoodle

[DemonFrog 1,347]

So whats your opinion on the new Star Wars movies?

[Binmans PA 27,370]

just saw WHITE HOUSE CLOWN

please avoid its American AM FM krapadoodle

What I don't understand is why the big studios haven't started capping their budgets at $100 mill. You can't put $100 mill in every time and expect the film to make its budget back. The budget was $150 mill and it's made something like $40 or $50 mill at the moment. It's going to be a bomb. It is a bomb.

Get the scripts right, Hollywood. I had this conversation with a few friends today. Instead of $150 mill for one big romp, why not $100 for the romp and then $50 for 5 smaller projects with box office potential? Ridiculous. Definitely staying clear of 'White House Down'. Looking forward to 'World War Z 2' though. That was $150 mill, but was shot twice and still made its budget back. The rest of the studio stuff has been thoroughly underwhelming since MGM's 'Skyfall'.

Edited September 12, 2013 by AdamFarr

[Binmans PA 27,370]

So whats your opinion on the new Star Wars movies?

I'm not a big Star Wars fan, but I really enjoyed the final three films (or the first, depending which way you look at it). My favourite is Episode 3.

[hardtack 10,215]

I'm not a big Star Wars fan, but I really enjoyed the final three films (or the first, depending which way you look at it). My favourite is Episode 3.

My favourite was The Empire Strikes Back (Ep 2)... Ep 3 was when the Ewoks were introduced and for me, that was when Lucas lost the plot and went all Disneyfied.

For Sci Fi I'm a big fan of the 50's and 60's films (Earth Vs the Flying Saucers, Forbidden Planet, Quatermass films etc) and of the later films, loved Bladerunner, Fifth Element, Dark City, Eraserhead etc.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Love Sci Fi but not seen a good show for ages.

Loved the original Star Wars but the new stuff is just OK and does not have the magic of the earlier shows.

Bladerunner was good,