I finally saw Rebecca (1940) - wow what a movie. Hitchcock really was hot stuff, and made the best ghost story without a ghost ever. I've never seen so much use of shadow in a movie ever - I think the only shots without shadows are people driving cars.

80/100

The Descendants: Trouble in paradise...a fairly depressing, yet great story about a few week time frame after a husband loses a wife during a rough period in their marriage. I highly recommend.

Complete aside, but Matthew Lillard got old.

As do we all

Me and the SO gave The Hobbit tickets as christmas gifts to her part of the family (stepdad, stepmom, two brothers) as well as to ourselves. To make it more of a thing we decided to go see the 48 FPS 3D version. For. My. Loss.

Everyone else loved it and had no problem with 3D or the higher frame rate. It practically ruined the movie for me. Gimmicky sheit. I just couldn't overcome the weird look that everyone had, the feel of actors in a pop-up book "3d"-environment and props and sets looked very much like props and sets at times.

I like the movie itself. Didn't mind most of the various additions Peter Jackson had made. The Radagast chase scene felt more than a little silly perhaps. He is one of the istari for pete's sake. Best part of the movie was the riddle-guessing scene with Bilbo and Gollum.

Eagerly awaiting the 2D DVD release since I don't think I can justify spending money seeing it in the theater.

cleanskin - solid B

Saw Breakfast at Tiffany's and then read the story. Kind of funny they whitewashed any mention of drug use, Holly's racism, and pregnancy out of wedlock and then embellished the Japanese guy's character into one of the most embarrassingly racist performances I have ever seen. Hepburn was captivating but I hate that they followed the book somewhat faithfully (well except for the 2E storyline, but I thought that was interesting and probably a positive addition) for the first 99% of the movie and then flipped the ending. I thought the book ending was pretty much perfect.

Silver Linings Playbook is a near perfect movie, I have nothing but praise for it. Best romantic comedy made since like... the 1940s. Just go see it, take my word for it. 10/10

Agreed. Really loved this.

Tokyo Story A
The Last Picture Show A
Brick A
Ordet A

that's how it was meant for one to roll

This seems like high praise if for no other reason than I can't think of many recent movies I would compare to a 1940s romantic comedy.

Just watched this as well and really enjoyed it. Didnt really consider the school shooting part but now that i read your post it definitely does come to mind. Not sure if that was the purpose or just an unfortunate side effect.

aaah not the brick ):

Anyone have any experience with the films of Shōhei Imamura?

can't remember what I saw by him, but Vengeance is Mine is a very good movie, dark and twisted iirc

I enjoyed the book. The movie was crap (although I love Hepburn).

XXY solid B

I need help finding a movie, I can't remember the title

It was a japanese, chinese, or korean film that centered around a woman visiting her husband in a prison cell. I saw it in '07 but i dont know how new it was.

django unchained

Checked Slant's year-end lists today and was pleased to see Joachim Trier's Oslo, August 31st was included in best films of 2012, in 7th place. It is an extremely good movie, and being a Norwegian I'm glad to see it get some recognition. Can't recall seeing it mentioned itt, I really recommend giving it a chance.

The Reader (2008) Director: Stephen Daldry; Stars: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and Bruno Ganz.

Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

I thought this was a very well done film with credible acting.


The Rose Tattoo (1955) B&W, Director: Daniel Mann.

Stars: Anna Magnani, Burt Lancaster and Marisa Pavan

Writers: Tennessee Williams (screenplay), Hal Kanter (adaptation)


An Italian-American neighborhood in Louisiana is disturbed when truck driver Rosario Delle Rose is killed by police while smuggling. His buxom widow Serafina miscarries, then over a period of years draws more and more into herself, trying to force her lovely teenaged daughter Rosa to do likewise. On one eventful day, Rose finally breaks away; Serafina learns of Rosario's affair with another woman; and a new carefree, handsome Italian truck driver enters her life...........

Anna Magnani makes this film what it is (I think she won an Oscar for this role), and it is overall a very done well film. Burt is himself not bad in this film. Probably one of his better performances - he really wasn't all that good of an actor.

I really like A Man Vanishes as well!

I watched Home Alone the other day, and realised it's basically a remake of Straw Dogs. Am I right?

well, without the rape.

Hmmm. After careful research I can confirm they are both films, and Straw Dogs was made first.

Well okay, but hitting people in the face with paint cans going about 30mph and making them step on 3 inch nails is not a million miles away from hitting them over the head with a bear trap.