Rate the films you watched at home

[zen]

Anatomy of a Fall (2023, French) 1/2

 

A strong legal drama that holds your attention for most parts. 

 

The film has a run time of around 150 minutes. The characters are not engaging enough and memorable. I could connect neither with the husband nor the wife (the dog was cool though).

 

Additionally, I would have liked it if the end was different. Maybe this could have been made into a more fleshed out TV series.  

 

Overall, it is a good watch esp. for those who like legal dramas!

Edited September 19, 2024 by zen

[zen]

The Name of the Rose (1986) 

 

On paper, it has many things going for it: a) it is based on a famous novel, b) it brings relative uniqueness in terms of a murder mystery at an isolated monastery in the mountains, and c) Sean Connery.

 

But the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The film has a grimy feel. Most actors look ugly. The film’s pacing is uneven. There is a general lack of tension whether in the sense of danger or in religious debates and confrontation.  

 

There is a TV series which came in 2019 iirc and that might be a better watch. 

 

I watched it on Prime where the print appeared to be relatively better than what I recalled watching from years ago. It could be the newly restored version. 

 

I am giving it   for its relative uniqueness and some good parts especially the last 30 minutes. 

 

Edited September 21, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Se7en (1995) 1/2

 

A brilliant crime thriller. The characters are drawn out in such a way that viewers can anticipate their behaviour in a complex situation. Cinematography including the color palette suits the film. The film is able to maintain tension. The last 30 minutes are top notch. 
 

 

PS

 

 

Edited September 21, 2024 by zen

[ravishingravi]

Aftersun 4.5/5 :- Heartbreaking beautiful film by Charlotte wells. Quite an auteur piece of work that paces the movie down memories of childhood vacation. 

 

Perfect days 5/5 - Nobody expresses silence and environment of a place better than Wim Wenders. Profound film that questions core of our being. 

 

Auf dem nichts 3/5 - Fatih Akin is good director and this was a tough subject matter. But the agenda irked me a bit. 

 

Long Goodbye 5/5 :- Saw this one twice the same week. Robert Altman bringing Chandler to life like only he can. Mesmerizing. 

Edited September 21, 2024 by ravishingravi

[zen]

The Grand Tour: One for the Road (2024) 

 

Clarkson, Hammond and May come together for the last time in Season 6 of the Grand Tour. 
 

This time they are in Zimbabwe where they plan to traverse the country going from East to West for 1,200 miles in vehicles that they always wanted. 
 

Vehicles (all around 50 years old):

 

* Clarkson - Lancia Monte Carlo 

* Hammond - Ford Capri GLX

* May - Triumph Stag w/ its original engine that was infamous for overheating

Of course, since this is the Grand Tour, things don’t go as per the plan. There are unexpected challenges to overcome. And in b/w all the commotion, they do cool things such as driving their car on rails like 007 in Octopussy (1983). 

Zimbabwe is stunningly beautiful. It was amazing to see the landscape change every now and then. It also has the largest man-made lake in the world, which happens to be full of large crocodiles. 

This is definitely an all time great motoring and travel series. I hope that Amazon finds a way to get the trio back.  Clarkson, Hammond, and May appeared emotional and, therefore, relatively well behaved. 

In the case the series has “really” ended (as nothing is permanent), thank you for entertaining fans over the years!

 

Clarkson, Hammond and May

 

 

 

[zen]

Nosferatu (1922, German) 

 

A silent film based on Bram Stoker’s book - Dracula. I watched it with the new score by Bob Lanzetti. 

 

Overall, despite being over a 100 years old, Nosferatu (1922) remains among the top Dracula films.

 

 

 

In December, a new Nosferatu (2024) film will be released:

 

 

^ I do plan to watch it in theatres. 

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by zen

[coffee_rules]

On 9/21/2024 at 1:00 PM, zen said:

Se7en (1995) 1/2

 

A brilliant crime thriller. The characters are drawn out in such a way that viewers can anticipate their behaviour in a complex situation. Cinematography including the color palette suits the film. The film is able to maintain tension. The last 30 minutes are top notch. 
 

 

PS

 

 

 

Great acting by Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman. Movie was spoiled by Brad Pitt's hamming. Great movie though, seen it only once and still memorable.

Edited September 24, 2024 by coffee_rules

[zen]

Possession (1981) 

 

An unconventional and relatively unpredictable psychological horror drama that makes you think about what you just saw after it ends. At times, it can be difficult to classify its genre. The film is shot in West Berlin. 

 

The newly restored print is good:

 

 

 

[zen]

Dracula (1931) 1/2

 

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) 

 

Both these films are in my collection in their respective latest 4K transfer. Dracula (1931) is in B&W, while Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) is in vibrant colors. High Dynamic Range helps both the films, not only creating a good contrast, but also making many objects pop out. 

 

 

Dracula (1931) is only around 75 minutes so it is more or less to the point. Bela Lugosi as Dracula with his East European accent is memorable. 

 

 

 

Bram Stoker’s Dracula has an ensemble cast where Gary Oldman also does a good job as Dracula. The film has excellent production design and vibrant cinematography.

 

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Scenes from a Marriage (1973, Swedish) 1/2

 

This is a well-thought out, well acted and mature film. Films like this need philosophical directors such as Ingmar Bergman to pull it off, and he does. 

 

I watched the theatrical version, which has a run time of close to 3 hours. It is also available as a 6 episode series where each episode would have a run time of around 50 minutes. 

 

Edited September 25, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Fatal Attraction (1987) 1/2

 

A smart psychological thriller!

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by zen

[zen]

The Handmaiden (2016, Korean) 

 

This film is a part of my collection. It is based on the novel Fingersmith. 

 

The film has a run time of around 150 minutes. The first 50 minutes are devoted to setting up the atmosphere. Then it gets into the parts with their twists and turns. The cinematography is good too. 

[zen]

A list of films rated so far

 

Cantonese

 

In the Mood for Love (2000)

 

English 

 

Annie Hall (1977)

Possession (1981)

The Truman Show (1998)

The Grand Tour: One For The Road (2024)

 

1/2

King Solomon’s Mines (1950)

Se7en (1995)

Midnight in Paris (2011)

 

Niagara (1953)

The Ladykillers (1955)

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Magnolia (1999)

 

1/2

Dracula (1931)

The Lady from Shanghai (1947)

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Match Point (2005)

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Shutter Island (2010)

And Then There Were None (2015, Mini series)

 

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

The Name of the Rose (1986)

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

 

French

 

1/2

Pickpocket (1959)

Vivre sa vie (1962)

Le Samourai (1967)

 

Breathless (1960)

 

1/2

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

 

German

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

 

Nosferatu (1922)

 

Iranian

 

A Separation (2011)

 

Italian 

 

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963)

Marriage Italian Style (1964)

 

Japanese

 

Harakari (1962)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Drive My Car (2021)

 

1/2

Paprika (2006)

 

Korean

 

The Handmaiden (2016)

 

Spanish 

 

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

 

Swedish

 

1/2

Scenes from a Marriage (1973)

 

 

:beer: 

 

 

[jf1gp_1]

On 9/20/2024 at 2:30 AM, zen said:

Anatomy of a Fall (2023, French) 1/2

 

A strong legal drama that holds your attention for most parts. 

 

The film has a run time of around 150 minutes. The characters are not engaging enough and memorable. I could connect neither with the husband nor the wife (the dog was cool though).

 

Additionally, I would have liked it if the end was different. Maybe this could have been made into a more fleshed out TV series.  

 

Overall, it is a good watch esp. for those who like legal dramas!

It was boring, the only thing I learnt was in France cases are tried differently. 

[zen]

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 

 

I have the film on both Blu-ray (Criterion) and iTunes (4K digital). This is one of the three films to win the big five Oscars - film, director, screenplay, actor, and actress. 

 

I have watched this film many times. When Clarice holds the gun to Buffalo Bill, I usually end of saying “Don’t. Get the backup first.”  This film creates a sense of danger.  

 

It is grimy due to shabby locations but it still feels like a relatively big budget technically solid film. 

[zen]

Face/Off (1997) 

 

Face/Off got a brand new 4K restoration which makes it look like a film shot relatively recently. The film is a part of my collection.

 

It is fun to watch a John Woo action film once in a while with its white pigeons and slow motion in action scenes. Travolta and Cage are entertaining.

 

[Chaos]

@zen new alien movie was good. 

[zen]

John Woo’s trademarks:

 

 

[zen]

A Better Tomorrow (1986, Cantonese) 

 

An influential 80s film directed by John Woo. It was said to be made on a tight budget and released without much advertising but went on to become highly popular. 

 

Today, it appears like a time pass film as the action scenes do not click like they once used to relatively. Certain segments can slow the film down for many.  

 

Chow Yun-fat’s character of Mark Lee remains the key attraction of the film.  

 

 

[Ranvir]

5 hours ago, zen said:

A Better Tomorrow (1986, Cantonese) 

 

An influential 80s film directed by John Woo. It was said to be made on a tight budget and released without much advertising but went on to become highly popular. 

 

Today, it appears like a time pass film as the action scenes do not click like they once used to relatively. Certain segments can slow the film down for many.  

 

Chow Yun-fat’s character of Mark Lee remains the key attraction of the film.  

 

 

The action scenes are still good. The sequel especially had some great ones but there is a lot of garbage as well, that friend of Chow Yun Fat who gets depressed and coma like is a weird angle. 

 

Action is the only thing that Woo's Hong Kong films have going for them and the charisma of Chow Yun Fat, the stories are often boring and have lots of very unrealistic theatrical aspects to them. 

Edited October 29, 2024 by Ranvir