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Drowning by Numbers (1988)
Drowning by Numbers (1988)
1988 | International, Comedy, Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"A third film I’m going to list is Peter Greenaway’s film Drowning by Numbers. And Drowning by Numbers, a few years ago my wife and I at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, [Massachusetts,] got to show each other films that we loved, and the one that was the hardest for the Brattle to get hold of was a cinema print of Drowning by Numbers. I really wanted to see it on a big screen again; I’d seen it on a big screen when it first came out, and in the intervening years, seen it on video, but loved it. It’s a film about games, it’s a film about numbers, it’s a film about murder, men being murdered by women, who may all be the same woman, but are, at least the way that I read it, aspects of the triple Goddess — the maiden, the mother, and the crone — but all of them are having the same relationship with men. All of them are profoundly killing off these rather abusive and appalling men in their life, and it’s a strangely beautiful and absolutely surreal film that plays by its own rules. And one of its rules is it makes you in the audience count. You start noticing numbers showing up on screen and realize they are counting to 100. So when you are at number 50 on the screen and a character is explaining to you the rules of the game, you realize that you have another 50 to go and you’re exactly halfway through. Beautiful performances and beautifully filmed, and just one of those places where, as far I am concerned I wish there was so much more cinema like that, but there doesn’t seem to be."

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Jaws (1975)
Jaws (1975)
1975 | Thriller
When you think of classic blockbusters, or classic horror, or classic creature features, Jaws is surely a title that will spring to mind. A true masterpiece of cinema that manages to fit and excel in all of the above categories.
Spielberg completely changed how films were planned and released with what is widely considered to be the first summer blockbuster, and all these years later, it's still an effective rollercoaster ride.
The opening scene is utterly harrowing without a drop of blood to be seen, and sets the tone in a dramatic and iconic manner. After some efficient character introductions, we're straight into one of the most anxiety inducing scenes in cinema history, as Chief Brody sits on a packed beach, scanning the shore for danger. The constant barrage of characters interrupting his line of view and talking at him, over him, over eachother, it's almost unbearable, and is paid off with a truly horrifying moment. It's one of many scenes in Jaws that flaunts some masterful editing.
The second half of the film is essentially the three leads - Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss - all jostling to chew up the scenery. The chemistry between all of them is wonderful, from the thrilling chase of hunting the shark, to them kicking back, trading scar stories and singing shanties, to Quints incredible monologue, to the infamous Ahab-esque climax. It's a joy to watch unfold.
The shark itself has a tendency to look a little goofy by todays standards, but an incredible feat for the time.

Jaws is held in such high regard for a reason. It's a film that truly thrills, scares, and delights its audience in equal measure, and still stands tall almost 50 years later. One of the best of all time.
  
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
2008 | Action
8
7.4 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Jet Li v Jackie Chan ...well for one scene at least. This is a great martial arts, fantasy film that seemed to not get a cinema release?! I find that very strange considering this is the first film to feature Chan and Li together. It has the same fight choreographer from The Matrix, Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger! The fights are truly awesome. Add some humour, a little adventure, good SFX and an all round good cast, makes for a great film. The start reminds me of some of the great fantasy films of my childhood like Never ending story. It's no coincidence that the old martial arts series Monkey is on the TV towards the start, as this film has a similar feel to it as that. So if you like the sound of any of that check this out.
  
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu  (2019)
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)
2019 | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Pokémons were made brilliantly (2 more)
Ryan Reynolds.
Shower of feels
Sometimes too quick. (0 more)
Above my expectations
I am a big fan of the Pokémon franchise. I've played the TCG back when I was a kid. Still playing now and then the videogames. I went to the cinema and I was surprised. Detective Pikachu is a solid movie if you are a Pokémon fan. The visual effects are stunning, the pokémons are made really well and Pikachu is just adorable. The chess mate was made by the quite brave choice of getting Ryan Reynolds to give his voice for Pikachu. I really enjoyed his acting and the voice (and jokes) coming from the little yellow Pokémon were simply amazing. If you are a Pokémon fan or you just want to enjoy a fun movie with your kids I highly recommend this movie.
  
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
1968 | Action, Drama, Western
Harmonica, and the orchestra of sounds (3 more)
The strength of a woman in this time period
a lesson in cinematography
Action has a lot of suspense before it, very thought out.
An epic opera of a western and an amazing feat of cinematography as well.
I adore this movie, it's my favorite western of all time, and the acting is top notch, it's visually stunning, it's a symphony of sounds to the ears. just the scene of the welcoming committee waiting on the train is an amazing piece of cinema. I could go on an on. I love how strong the women are in the film in unexpected ways. I love the traditional good guy as a bad guy. It's just plain amazing. It can be slow by modern standards, but isn't that also part of it's beauty, measured time.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) Mar 23, 2018

One of my faves!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
1988 | Action, Animation, Comedy
Who remembers Roger Rabbit?
My first summer job was in 1988 (I'm old) so I remember watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit over and over and loving it more each time I watched.

The late, great Bob Hoskins was able to hold his own against the melee of cartoon extravaganza put forth all around him. The story is fun and exciting with lots of twists and turns, but to just be a part of the cinema roller-coaster that is this film was all part of the fun.

Or seeing Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse together. Or seeing a piano duel with Donald and Daffy Duck.

I have never been a big fan of remakes, but they could probably do a great remake if Zemeckis decided to remake his own movie. I would be a fan of that.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Colossal (2016) in Movies

Nov 20, 2019  
Colossal (2016)
Colossal (2016)
2016 | Comedy, Drama
Original (0 more)
Sudden change in direction at the end (1 more)
Odd plot
I missed this at the cinema so gave it a watch as it's on Netflix currently. It comes across as quite a quirky odd film. A girl with a drink problem has to go back to her small town home after being kicked out by her boyfriend. She randomly discovers she has a connection to a giant monster that appears in South Korea.
The problem with this film is it doesn't feel it's going anywhere. What's the connection and why? Why does the lead character make some of her choices? It just doesn't add up. Then the last 15 minutes have a very different change in direction and tone that just didn't fit with the rest of the film. One for those who like quirky films.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Gentlemen (2020) in Movies

Jan 14, 2020 (Updated Jan 14, 2020)  
The Gentlemen (2020)
The Gentlemen (2020)
2020 | Action, Crime
Sharp, fun and Witty (2 more)
Hugh Grant
Very similar to Ritchie's Gangster films.
There will be blood and feathers everywhere!
I was interested in this after seeing the trailer as it looked quite fun. Back to what Guy Ritchie does best after various recent efforts with Aladdin and King Arthur. If you are a fan of @Snatch (2001) and @Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1999) then this is a film you will enjoy. With a great mixed cast, including a fun turn by Hugh Grant. A mix of oddball characters, plenty of funny moments, sharp witty dialogue along with some twists and turns in the plot. This has the same receipe for success as those earlier films. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and left the cinema with a smile. Catch it while you can.
  
The Aeronauts (2019)
The Aeronauts (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Drama
1860's period action/drama piece, starring Eddie Redmayne (I still associate him more with Newt Scaramander) and Felicity Jones (who I still associate more with Rogue One), told pretty much in 'real-time' and charting an attempt by a Royal Society meteorologist James Glaisher to ascent in a hot air balloon to study the weather in a period when nobody believed this was possible, and when the sky was still largely unknown

That much is fact.

The character of Amelia Wren, however? Completely made up - I only discovered this afterwards, when I read a bit more into it!

Predictably light-weight, and released (early?) on Amazon Prime - due to the current global pandemic - I'm happy enough to have seen this one, but am also happier that I didn't have to pay to do so in the cinema!