Recommend (or don't) a movie thread v2

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Coach

I thought the swimming Aliens actually looked pretty good for the most part. Nothing about the special effects really bumped me. There was just a lot of corniness from the dialogue to the overall style. The Aliens were very slow when convenient for some reason. Like, this thing can't climb a ladder faster than someone carrying another person on their back? They were swimming like sharks but could barely catch the people. And baffling character decisions like not shooting the dude with the alien in the head immediately. What the F is Ripley's character even doing? She's with the Aliens, but also wants to kill them? Was that supposed to be GOOD basketball? Pearlman is menace man one second and horny wierdo Paxton wannabe the next. They don't want to bring it to earth but theyre going to crash it there? Did she f*** that alien? And if so, why is the alien pregnant? WTF even is this?

Yeah, it's bad.

The whole movie devolves into some crazy deep philosophical dive into Ripley's relationship with the Xenos. She's part Xeno herself in that movie, so has some psychic connection.

No she didn't physically mate with the Xeno, but they were trying to convey some kind emotional/psychological intimacy. Anyways, the whole thing was way too much. The alien franchise has always been pretty full of sexual imagery, but building an entire movie around how Ripley feels about decidedly unfeeling creatures is pretty dumb. And adding Jeunet's creepy French vibes to HR Giger's creepy vibes was just too much.

Anyways, I find Resurrection pretty unwatchable.

[DownInFlames]

I just watched Drive-Away Dolls mostly because I needed more Margaret Qualley after The Substance. It’s pretty fun but maybe needed another Coen brother to make it great.

[Nadal Fan]

I watched Smile 2, that movie had no right to go as hard as it did, probably my favorite horror movie of the year. Not only that, it's one of the best horror sequels ever, far surpassing the first Smile. I have a feeling this movie is going to be a Halloween staple for generations, so creepy and effective scares. Naomi Scott gives a performance that should be nominated for an Oscar she's amazing in it.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by blankall

Jean-Pierre Jeunet re-used a lot of the same cast and shots from his previous film, the City of Lost Children. His style would have actually been the perfect fit for Aliens 3.

But yes, the script was awful. To be fair, this movie was made in a time when audiences went to see films specifically for CGI effects. So the swimming aliens was a big sell and likely cost the studio a lot. Resurrection was also the beginning of the horrible man-made "hybrid" trend, which has plagued the franchise and the Predator franchise since.

Everyone here should watch City of Lost Children immediately!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

I watched Smile 2, that movie had no right to go as hard as it did, probably my favorite horror movie of the year. Not only that, it's one of the best horror sequels ever, far surpassing the first Smile. I have a feeling this movie is going to be a Halloween staple for generations, so creepy and effective scares. Naomi Scott gives a performance that should be nominated for an Oscar she's amazing in it.

Yeah it was brilliant. Grim, entertaining and doesn't pull punches. Best horror performance since Mia Goth in Pearl.

[3rd liner]

Finally watched In a Violent Nature last night after some recommendations on this board. Hadn't watched it as slasher movies can be pretty unoriginal. Very cool approach to a slasher movie. Give me a lower budget movie with a unique approach to the horror genre over a special effects/CGI jump-scare fest any day of the week. Case in point- I watched the Nun 2 and the new Salem's lot the week before halloween and both had some cool visuals, but both were very meh and forgettable. Look at movies like the original Blair Witch and Paranormal activity- less is more.

[activeStick]

So excited for this

https://twitter.com/user/status/1854849353220845661

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by activeStick

So excited for this

https://twitter.com/user/status/1854849353220845661

Awesome! Good to hear about such great reviews, I was excited when I heard about this re-make. I was a bit worried with the nosferatu-looking vampires we've seen in movies lately that would steal this movie's thunder a bit. But it sounds like this move is at another level.

[Sliver]

Horror movies suck balls. I don't understand wanting to sit there getting scared. Fk that ####.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Horror movies suck balls. I don't understand wanting to sit there getting scared. Fk that ####.

I'm kinda the same.. Most of the time I don't get scared, but if it goes far enough I get too freaked out, I guess I don't have that middle zone where it's enjoyable.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Horror movies suck balls. I don't understand wanting to sit there getting scared. Fk that ####.

You're just a chicken. Cheep cheep cheeep.

I think some of the best movies that have come out in the last couple years have been horrors as well as some oscar worthy performances that unfortunately were overlooked. The genre is criminally under represented in award consideration yet is pumping out some of the best films of late. And the strengths aren't just around cheap scares but writing, cinematography and atmosphere.

Those passing up these movies are missing out.

[Nadal Fan]

I watched the hidden gem horror movie Triangle from 2009, such a fantastic film. It's super dark and twisted, but it's best to go in blind. The basic premise is while on a sail boat a group of friends board a seemingly deserted cruise ship that seems to come out of nowhere.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

You're just a chicken. Cheep cheep cheeep.

I think some of the best movies that have come out in the last couple years have been horrors as well as some oscar worthy performances that unfortunately were overlooked. The genre is criminally under represented in award consideration yet is pumping out some of the best films of late. And the strengths aren't just around cheap scares but writing, cinematography and atmosphere.

Those passing up these movies are missing out.

I find many horror films make me think the most. I don't watch them for the scares.

The good ones all have well written universes with their own internal rules and lores. I used to turn to sci fi for that, but not sci-fi is all bloated family friendly crap.

Horror seems to be the only genre where directors and writers are writing passion projects. For $10-20 million you can make a high level horror film that will bring in a big profit. Seems like with sci-fi we're only getting the $200+ million projects, that end up with a ton of studio interference and rely on catching such a wide audience to succeed.

[trackercowe]

Checked out Anora the other night since it's getting huge Oscar buzz, and is the favorite to win many major awards. I would say it lives up to the hype and critical praise. It's genre defining in a way, with a mix of Pretty Woman, Cinderella, Uncut Gems, and even a little Parasite thrown in. It thrives on realistic characters stuck in an unconventional environment. Yet the movie starts in expected ways, but doesn't go where I thought it would. I laughed often, yet felt uncomfortable at the same time; I think the audience felt the same way. With the idea of "should I find humor in this situation?" The movie is tragic in a way, and you feel for the characters because of what they're being put through.

It's an an evolving movie filled with complex and well-layered characters, and I was invested with the plight of our protagonist(s). I loved the direction it took, and it definitely didn't go where I expected it to. It's a great looking movie, and the performances are top notch. Like Parasite it's very thought provoking, and works well within all the classes of society. Mikey Madison put in an incredible performance and should win best actress for it.

I highly recommend seeing this one, one of the best of 2024. Just don't expect a romcom, or anything straight-forward. Like Parasite it's that genre defining movie, that works on many levels. Keep an open mind, as you won't be able to predict what direction it goes.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by blankall

I find many horror films make me think the most. I don't watch them for the scares.

The good ones all have well written universes with their own internal rules and lores. I used to turn to sci fi for that, but not sci-fi is all bloated family friendly crap.

Horror seems to be the only genre where directors and writers are writing passion projects. For $10-20 million you can make a high level horror film that will bring in a big profit. Seems like with sci-fi we're only getting the $200+ million projects, that end up with a ton of studio interference and rely on catching such a wide audience to succeed.

I totally agree.

I have also gotten past seeing horrors for the scares. The mythical/lore aspects are the most interesting parts. As well as being able to admire the technical aspect of good atmospheric films that can transport you into its universe through lighting, sound design and interesting camera work. It's the closest thing we have to what you used to get with sci-fis when they were released in droves in the 90s and 00s and directors and writers could get creative with them without that heavy studio interference.

Horror is also branching out and now you have black comedies, sci-fi horrors, psychological thrillers and modern takes on classic slashers.

[AC]

The benefit of horror is even when bad or lazy, there's usually an element of fun. Otherwise it's the best genre for creativity and indie / small budget releases.

I've paid to see too many big budget bloated messes that are just boring for the most part.

I've been dipping into Italian and Japanese classic horror gems lately and the pure insanity found in them is tough to beat.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I find the big budget "blockbuster" films these days try to be too many things all at once, and you walk out without an overall feel for what you just saw because it's like it was trying to pander to every kind of audience member.

I suppose that's what you call them playing it studio "safe"

This is why A24 and Neon are the best for a good experience at the movies. More modest budgets, but the directors can go ham with their vision.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

I just watched Drive-Away Dolls mostly because I needed more Margaret Qualley after The Substance. It’s pretty fun but maybe needed another Coen brother to make it great.

We walked out of Drive-Away Dolls.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

We walked out of Drive-Away Dolls.

Did you make it to the big reveal?

[Nadal Fan]

The thing with horror is the first 15-20 minutes is always super cozy vibes before the horror begins. It's weird but most of my comfort movies are horror