New Miyazaki. I haven't been to the cinema in years. I don't know what I think of it exactly, but very happy it exists. Just do yourself a favor and let this wash over you. Very absurdist, dream-logic Lynchian/Wizard of Oz fugue-state thing, and as always exceedingly beautiful to look at. Those fucking parakeets. Jesus.

On the flip side, I watched UHF with the kids, thinking they might get a small chuckle out of it. Instantly everybody's favorite movie. Every joke landing, "We don't need no stinking badgers" being endlessly quoted. They have google mapped the Spatula City filming location so they can make a pilgrimage. I told them I am not going to Oklahoma.

For a movie with no cryptids, spectres, or hobgoblins Barbie was quite entertaining.

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:13 pm For a movie with no cryptids, spectres, or hobgoblins Barbie was quite entertaining.

Have not watched it yet, but I hear that there is a scene that mentions Lou Reed and Stephen Malkmus?? (wtf?) Wife and kids might get me to watch it after all.

Aside from that, I saw the latest Hunger Games movie earlier today. I was entertained for maybe the first 2/3 of the movie and then just got annoyed with it.

jfv wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:17 pm

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:13 pm For a movie with no cryptids, spectres, or hobgoblins Barbie was quite entertaining.

Have not watched it yet, but I hear that there is a scene that mentions Lou Reed and Stephen Malkmus?? (wtf?) Wife and kids might get me to watch it after all.

I don't recall that, but Barbie was quite funny, especially Gosling's Ken.

enframed wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:26 pm

jfv wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:17 pm

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:13 pm For a movie with no cryptids, spectres, or hobgoblins Barbie was quite entertaining.

Have not watched it yet, but I hear that there is a scene that mentions Lou Reed and Stephen Malkmus?? (wtf?) Wife and kids might get me to watch it after all.

I don't recall that, but Barbie was quite funny, especially Gosling's Ken.

It’s now available to watch on Max.. and I just finished watching it with my wife.

Things that were awesome:

- Opening scene
- Pooping dog doll
- The aforementioned name-dropping of Malkmus and Lou Reed.. and Wire and The Fall
- A few other odd scenes

I lost interest in it, though, and at one point fell asleep.

enframed wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:26 pmBarbie was quite funny, especially Gosling's Ken.

His performance was the highlight for me. Can't recall watching him in anything else. Same with Robbie. Recently realized Gerwig was in House of the Devil.

jfv wrote: Aside from that, I saw the latest Hunger Games movie earlier today

Never saw Hunger Games. Couldn't tell you what the premise is. I've only seen Jennifer Lawrence in Mother! and Don't Look Up. Maybe I'll watch the original this afternoon! I think it's time.

These Final Hours

End-of-times Aussie flick starring Nathan Phillips from Wolf Creek. Perth has 12 hours left before shock waves and a wall of fire reaches it due to an asteroid hit in the North Atlantic. As the main character makes his way to an apocalypse party he tries to help a young girl find her father.

Really fucking good. Almost cried a couple of times. Fantastic performances, movie moves at a fast pace, and is super grim. No CGI bs, just a group of characters finding themselves before the lights go out. Recommended.

rsmurphy wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:29 am

enframed wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:26 pmBarbie was quite funny, especially Gosling's Ken.

His performance was the highlight for me.

Same, I actually rewatched it in the last week. The yarling Kens scene is great. It tries a bit too hard to cram meaning into a few parts but for the most part succeeds at being the kind of movie it is.

Watched Leave the World Behind last night which nether succeeded at suspense or as racism commentary. Ali is a good actor but otherwise I didn't buy much of it. And the Obamas were executive producers what the..

I was intrigued after Red Letter Media discussed in their Kyle Gallner special.

Definitely a worthy watch. The story and actors with a little better direction could have been lifted to a solid classic. But it just doesn’t quite get there due to some tonal issues and minor things that let it down. But do watch.

In a Lonely Place. A rewatch, obviously. Struck me as more tragic than on previous viewings. Getting old, I guess