27 response about Cinecast Episode 90 - Maybe You’ll Want Your Hearing? »

1. 

   So just listening to the Film Junk podcast. Might as well be a carbon copy of that show. lol.

   Comment by Andrew James — June 17, 2008
2. 

   The Verhoven references are tortured. Is it this hard to say that the movie’s shit?

   Comment by Rusty James — June 17, 2008
3. 

   I just don’t believe the movie is shit. Maybe it’s shit in comparison to what Shyamalan’s going for, but compared to true shit that’s out there, Happening is pretty damn entertaining.

   Comment by Andrew James — June 17, 2008
4. 

   In regards to th eco-horror top ten, I was reminded of a very creepy 1970’s australian flm called ‘Long Weekend’. I saw this on late night tv back in the early 80’s. The plot follows a couple on a camping trip who abuse the outback in various ways until the mother nature decides she’s had enough. It is a very atmospheric and quirky movie which is essentially a very distubing portrait of a relationship in crisis. You guys should really check it out.

   Comment by Lee Jones — June 18, 2008
5. 

   Where are my manners?, another outstanding show, thanks very much.

   Comment by Lee Jones — June 18, 2008
6. 

   It’s baffling to me how anyone can defend any aspect of The Happening but attack The Hulk - seems pretty superficial actually.

   Comment by stump — June 18, 2008
7. 

   The Happening is a happy accident. Its enjoyed by some here in the way one enjoys an Ed Wood film, or any B movie, I don’t think any of us (except Henrik) are saying it achieves perfectly what it set out to do. For Wahlberg’s kooky performance alone its enjoyable. There are a lot of cult films that could be described as shit as well, but there is a reason nonetheless that they become cult… people enjoy them despite their better judgement.

   Comment by rot — June 18, 2008
8. 

   @stump

   the difference would be if someone said Hulk was a well made film… Andrew is not saying the Happening is a well made film, both the Hulk and Happening are to some extent poorly made films (actually I haven’t seen the Hulk so I guess I can’t say that, but going on what Andrew is saying). Once you go beyond the value of execution of the ideas in the film, you can also take into consideration one’s immediate reaction to it… its not worth defending these because you either feel it or you don’t.

   I can understand the hate for the Happening, I see it but I also enjoyed it on that B level.

   Comment by rot — June 18, 2008
9. 

   @Lee. Something about the Australians and the outback that seems to create films about nature as a malevolent force. (rather than a viciously indifferent one a la Herzog) There was also that film Jindabyne gave that vibe.

   Comment by Kurt Halfyard — June 18, 2008
10. 

    Phase IV is coming out on DVD in July. Don’t know the details but the company behind it has done some decent work before. Unfortunately it will only be available through select Best Buy stores so one of you guys will have to pick one up for me.

    Comment by swarez — June 18, 2008
11. 

    And Andrew. Here’s the review I wrote for Phase IV on Twitch.
    http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/seldom-seen-review-phase-iv/

    Comment by swarez — June 18, 2008
12. 

    @stump: “It’s baffling to me how anyone can defend any aspect of The Happening but attack The Hulk - seems pretty superficial actually.”

    The difference between the two is that one is the same old same old while the other is at least trying something new and fun. One has the feel of every other comic book movie out there and one is very distinct and unique about its mood and presentation. One has explosions and CGI creatures punching each other and one has an invisible villain with the deaths of people from an unseen force.

    They are two VERY different movies, so it seems to me easy to defend one and not the other. Which one you choose to defend (if either of them) is up to you.

    Comment by Andrew James — June 18, 2008
13. 

    @Kurt

    Did you ever see Zizek’s ‘Pervert Guide to Cinema’? I saw it a couple months ago and while it overstays its welcome there are some fascinating insights into films bought out by this hyperactive philosopher. He spends a lot of time talking about The Birds… also I never noticed the three levels of the Psycho house corresponds perfectly to the three psychoanalysis divisions, Id, ego and superego.
    Hitchcock and Lynch get a lot of attention.

    Comment by rot — June 18, 2008
14. 

    @rot “Zizek’s ‘Pervert Guide to Cinema’? I saw it a couple months ago and while it overstays its welcome”

    This was the chief criticism i’d heard of this film, and after being severely burned with Xan Brooks’ Z-Channel, I was reluctant. The philosophy angles intrigue me though.

    Cool.

    Comment by Kurt Halfyard — June 18, 2008
15. 

    its not overly philosophical, and it is encyclopaedic with respects to how many films are looked at, its more Zizek is a fast talker, and he has a lot to say, and its not something I would say you watch in one sitting, its something you watch a little bit at a time, and taken that way it is thoroughly enjoyable. It is a huge lesson in film, and looking deep into film. Highly recommend it.

    Comment by rot — June 18, 2008
16. 

    I would add Gerry to eco-horror.

    Comment by rot — June 18, 2008
17. 

    Something about the Australians and the outback that seems to create films about nature as a malevolent force. There was also that film Jindabyne gave that vibe.

    Jindabyne has a serial killer, and really has nothing to do with nature. Even the underwater city is a man-made construction and not the result of a malevolent Mother N.

    Ooooh, that’d be a great title for a nature horror film. Mother N.

    Comment by Matt Gamble — June 18, 2008
18. 

    Your review of the Happening was awesome! It didn’t achieve it’s goal of reviewing the film but I think that was on purpose. Also, I suspect it was partly satire. All in all, it was really unique and different from the same old same old.

    Comment by Rusty James — June 18, 2008
19. 

    I get the distinct impression Rusty is mocking all of us.

    Comment by Matt Gamble — June 18, 2008
20. 

    *I’m used to being mocked*

    I must admit, our film reviews lately (maybe it’s summer-fatigue) have been fairly ramble-y and unfocused. Oh wait a minute. That’s our show in general.

    Comment by Kurt Halfyard — June 18, 2008
21. 

    I think his name alone is sort of a hidden mock of me.

    Comment by Andrew James — June 18, 2008
22. 

    No not at all man. I’ve been using the online alias for years.

    Comment by Rusty James — June 18, 2008
23. 

    The scene Kurt is talking about from “Danny the Dog” (AKA “Unleashed”) is freakin’ awesome though, as far as I know, the film doesn’t feature any of the parkour dudes.

    Here it is in all its glory. Actually, it starts at the 3 minute mark but this entire 5 minute clip is non-stop action. Pretty awesome stuff:

    Watching that I’m reminded that I need to buy this movie.

    Comment by Marina Antunes — June 18, 2008
24. 

    No, but the dude in the fight is Cyril Rafaelli (badass Henchman in DIE HARD 4, and buddy to parkour dude in Banlieu 13, and curiously, motion-cap stuntman in THE INCREDIBLE HULK for both Hulk and Abominable. So THE INCREDIBLE HULK has something in common with NORBIT, in essence the same actor is ‘fucking (fighting) himself’ on camera….Yes, my biases are showing. But good to see Rafaelli getting paydays, perhaps he’ll make some French or even better, Thai action flicks soon.

    Comment by Kurt — June 19, 2008
25. 

    Oh, and that youtube 5 minutes is simply awesome, I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed Danny The Dog. Pretty visceral stuff, and as action flicks go, there is some pretty good attention to geography and space there, you always know what is going on.

    Comment by Kurt — June 19, 2008
26. 

    Since we are talking about cool fight scenes. Here is one of my favourite Jackie Chan ones. Its the final fight from Who Am I?

    Comment by John Allison — June 19, 2008
27. 

    I rented 4 months 3 months 2 days this week. Great movie. Starts off a little show I have to say, but by the time she meets up with the “doctor” as it were, it really takes off. I like how each scene plays out at long length, even the dinner scene, which just adds more and more tension as you watch her sit there unhappy and out of the loop, her mind elsewhere.

    Its a little more extreme than I thought it would be (but still not exactly “Lake of Fire’ extreme re: the abortion stuff).

    Comment by Goon — June 28, 2008

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