Oh I'm sorry, Did I Break Your Conversation........Well Allow Me A Movie Thread by S&T

[Hahahaha]

Does anyone watch Ja'mie: Private School Girl? It's not as funny as Summer Heights High or Angry Boys but it's still good.

 

[reggiekiller]

Does anyone watch Ja'mie: Private School Girl? It's not as funny as Summer Heights High or Angry Boys but it's still good.

literally nothing about my posts makes me want to watch this 

worst endorsement of anything ever 

 

[dontsteponmyshoes]

Does anyone watch Ja'mie: Private School Girl? It's not as funny as Summer Heights High or Angry Boys but it's still good.

I tried watching the first episode a while ago, I cant get into it.

 

[big j 33]

Just got back from seeing it and I loved it. It was all over the place at times and certainly could have used some tightening in the overall story, but I don't care because it was a lot of fun anyway. The cast was incredible. Even Renner who was like the 6th option was solid. I loved any time Louis CK was on the screen and Cooper's insistence on hearing the end of the ice fishing story

The soundtrack was great, the cinematography was outstanding, and Bale, Adams, Cooper, Lawrence were all great.

You definitely saw the Scorsese influences all over the movie but the comedy was perfectly David O Russell. I loved seeing him reuse a lot of his actors too.

If you like any of these actors, if you like Russell, if you want an entertaining 2 hours, definitely see this movie.

 

[reggiekiller]

DECEMBER 16, 2013 |  03:42PM PT
[h2]REARVIEW: Critics love David O. Russell's latest. Not this critic. A second look for those who weren't taken by this sloppy comedy.[/h2]


[h3]Peter Debruge[/h3]Chief International Film Critic@AskDebruge
[h2]RELATED STORIES[/h2]
For months, the entertainment press has been writing about Martin Scorsese’s travails to bring his sprawling true-crime comedy “The Wolf of Wall Street” in by year’s end, so the film could compete in an already overcrowded Oscar derby. And while the public’s attention was thus misdirected, a far more unwieldy true-crime movie came together (or fell apart, as I see it) in relative quiet, suffering none of the bad press and escaping scot-free from the criticism that should have greeted its opening on Friday.

SEE MORE: Awards: The Contenders

That movie, of course, is David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” a collection of flamboyant 1970s caricatures run amok: so much hairspray and polyester, it makes your brain hurt — and worse, overwhelms the already overcomplicated Abscam retelling at the center of the film.

Now, if you saw and loved “American Hustle” this past weekend, I don’t mean to rain on your parade. But if you emerged flabbergasted by what you had seen, your mind thoroughly boggled by the critical response — which has been nearly unanimous in its praise of this sloppy sprawl of a movie — then rest assured, you are not alone.

“American Hustle” is a mess, and though some of its champions seem to love that most about it, the whole affair appears to have been cobbled together in haste, off-script and with little consideration for the fine art of narrative. Arriving so swiftly on the heels of the director’s similarly batty films “The Fighter” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle” inadvertently reveals Russell’s shtick, and once you spot the pattern, the jig is up.

In short, what sets Russell’s movies apart from the pack is a certain anarchic energy, a freewheeling sense that his characters could behave in spontaneous, possibly even irrational ways at any given moment. For those raised on the polite tradition of Hollywood storytelling, this relatively unruly sensibility has a tendency to delight. Frankly, it feels more like real life than the stuffy, rehearsed performances served up by other movies, in which most shots derive from the 10th or 17th or 43rd take of a scene. Russell’s characters, by contrast, are free to squawk and stammer and peacock as much as they please, providing that same illicit pleasure that has overtaken so much contemporary comedy, in which improvisation is king (for the moment, at least).

Russell’s approach works when the material in question is tight and focused, allowing the director to garnish a manageable story with as much comedic lunacy as the movie can bear. That’s why last year’s “Silver Linings Playbook” was such a delight: At the film’s core, it was a familiar, if somewhat simple-minded old-school romantic comedy, like something out of the 1940s, upon which Russell and his cast were free to go crazy.

With “Playbook,” you could hold the plot in the palm of your hand: A clinically bipolar guy (Bradley Cooper) and a hilariously uninhibited gal (Jennifer Lawrence) fall in love while rehearsing for a dance competition. Such comfortable familiarity made it possible for the movie’s true personality to emerge, as Russell let his two leads and the rest of his similarly unrestrained ensemble do loop-de-loops in character, introducing contradictions and other moments of refreshing unpredictability to the equation. The result felt spontaneous and alive, the way rowdy scenes from “The Fighter” had (although in that film, the electric energy brought by Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and the rest of their bonkers family eventually settled into a fairly routine boxing movie).

A few years back, a video of Russell sparring with actress Lily Tomlin on the set of “I Heart Huckabees” hit the Web, in which Tomlin complained about how difficult it was to deliver a performance when the director kept changing his mind. The video left the impression that Russell was difficult to work with, while his oeuvre, beginning with the semi-autobiographical incest comedy “Spanking the Monkey” and the no-less-dysfunctional family portrait “Flirting With Disaster,” hinted that the director himself might be mentally unwell, the way certain impressionistic paintings — by Goya, Van Gogh or Munch — give viewers the sense of being trapped inside the head of a crazy person.

The cast of “American Hustle,” by contrast, reveals that certain actors love working with Russell, who lets them go nuts the way no other director does. The “Hustle” ensemble consists mostly of repeat players, combining as it does the casts of “Playbook” and “The Fighter”: Bale, Cooper, Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Amy Adams (whose fiery character is the only one I found remotely identifiable, and yet whose performance — which feels like it should be at the center of the action — seems to have been significantly reduced in the cutting room). From the look of things, these four have been invited to an unruly improv party, but instead of adding to a coherent plot, their performances threaten to run away with the movie.

I saw “American Hustle” on the morning of Dec. 3, as the New York Film Critics Circle were voting on their year-end prizes. As I entered the theater, the film had already won the group’s screenplay prize. (What screenplay? The cast seems to be operating off-book for most of the film.) By the time I emerged a taxing 138 minutes later, “Hustle” had also claimed their best picture award, plus a supporting actress win for Lawrence, who has one great scene (over lunch with Jack Huston), one truly bad scene (singing “Live and Let Die” in her living room) and otherwise seems to be making things up as she goes along.

How has “Hustle” conned so many intelligent people into declaring it a masterpiece? This is a messy C-minus movie at best, one that makes Michael Bay’s “Pain & Gain” look downright disciplined by comparison. And yet, building as it does on Russell’s recent hot streak and a dynamic combination of actors in their prime, the film seemed uniquely situated for a positive critical reception. In the official Variety  review, my colleague Justin Chang affectionately referred to the film’s narrative fumblings as “a shaggy, meandering journey,” forgiving its many loose ends and aborted tangents, while others liken it to jazz, that musical style where making it up as you go along is considered a virtue.

Critics have also lavished praise on the film’s costume and wig departments, which trowel the ’70s kitsch on thick as the soundtrack does its period tunes. But just how great are all those plunging necklines and feathered hairstyles if they risk overtaking everything else onscreen, forcing the actors to compete with their own wardrobes? The best example is Bale’s unruly comb-over, which becomes the subject of the first scene and serves as a fitting metaphor for all the false appearances that follow, yet threatens to upstage his actorly grandstanding at every turn.

Meanwhile, is no one else bothered by the way Russell’s film treats its women, seen either as sex objects (in cleavage-baring outfits) or harpies (when they dare question their men)? Once again, the director invites his characters to behave unpredictably, but when it’s a woman who does so, she’s portrayed as a life-wrecking monster. Let’s not forget that one of the film’s more significant subplots asks audiences to root for a criminal (Bale) as he tries to wrest custody of his adopted son away from its unhinged yet law-abiding mother (Lawrence). Granted, one doesn’t look to a film like “American Hustle” for moral guidance. If anything, the film suggests that in the real world, good guys and bad guys alike are corrupt, and the only thing worth fighting for is love. But is a modicum of discipline — the sense that the filmmaker knows what he’s doing, as opposed to cobbling a movie together from what feels like outtakes — too much to ask?

ok so I havent seen American Hustle, but I was listening to the radio earlier, and they were talking about how it was just a ripoff of a bunch of other movies.  Then I saw this.  It still looks really good to me, I'll try to catch it this weekend

 

[Hahahaha]

Does anyone watch Ja'mie: Private School Girl? It's not as funny as Summer Heights High or Angry Boys but it's still good.

literally nothing about my posts makes me want to watch this 

worst endorsement of anything ever 

It's not a show I would recommend. I like it because I love the other Chris Lilley shows.

 

[big j 33]

It's not really a rip off, it just has a lot of Scorsese influence with the soundtrack and the fact that it's about criminals and has a complex story. A lot of that review is exaggeration... Bale's hair never upstaged his acting performance, neither did the wardrobes. I do agree that giving Russell a tighter story allows him to do his thing and not have the movie get out of control. Like the article said, Silver Linings Playbook was a pretty standard romantic comedy but it had Russell's flair and style which made it an excellent movie.

I think you'll see a lot of people see it and say "It was okay" and not really understand the universal acclaim the movie has received and likely huge number of award nominations. I think the actors helped smooth over a lot of the rough patches that a weaker cast wouldn't have been able to do. And maybe if it was a lesser director, some of the critics would be a little harsher.. but I'd say this movie is deserving of the praise and hype.

It's not going to reinvent the wheel or change your life, it's just an entertaining movie and a lot of fun in the theater.

 

[venom lyrix]

No theater is playing it around me tho
Is it on the same level of Being John Malkovich?

not at all, that film never crossed my mind in terms of comparison.

 

[venom lyrix]

but Amy Adams is ******g killing me. This role is too big for her.

absolutely false.

 

[venom lyrix]

Can someone give me a spoiler free review of Elysium?

yea it's a garbage film that's sloppy and pointless. Completely overhyped and driven by the fact that the potential behind the film was the director who made District 9, huge waste of time

 

[venom lyrix]

ok so I havent seen American Hustle, but I was listening to the radio earlier, and they were talking about how it was just a ripoff of a bunch of other movies.  Then I saw this.  It still looks really good to me, I'll try to catch it this weekend

Calling it a rip off is harsh and unjust. It's a film that you can certainly see draws inspiration from con films, but thats simply because this isn't the first con man film we've ever seen.

It is however possibly the biggest and best ensemble con artist film. And that alone is what's making "critics" CONTRARIANS for the sake of being CONTRARIANS.

 

[venom lyrix]

Trailer: Draft Day - Kevin Costner plays the GM of the Cleveland Football team with the first pick in the draft hoping to change it's fortunes - http://wp.me/p2CCWq-3na

WATCH: First trailer for Million Dollar Arm, based on a true story of how an agent went to India to find out if any cricket player could hack it in Baseball, starring Jon Hamm - http://wp.me/p2CCWq-3n4

 

[futurehendrix]

yea it's a garbage film that's sloppy and pointless. Completely overhyped and driven by the fact that the potential behind the film was the director who made District 9, huge waste of time

got it for free and couldn't even get past the first 10 mins. Trash

 

[youngdoc]

Can someone give me a spoiler free review of Elysium?

yea it's a garbage film that's sloppy and pointless. Completely overhyped and driven by the fact that the potential behind the film was the director who made District 9, huge waste of time

I watched it last nIght. Had decent hopes bc I liked the concept and really enjoyed D9.

Was mildly disappointed. Film wasn't engrossing. Never really cared about any of the characters. Some of the action was cool but that's it.

I'm not sure what exactly was missing though

 

[nazdrowie]

just watched glengarry glen ross...

...odd movie but not bad

 

[duba169]

Treme is the best show ever that no one watches. It's so richly layered, superbly written & acted, & the music is stellar. David Simon & Eric Overmyer are the only people that were ever able to successfully start, sustain, & finish a TV series be it Homicide Life On The Street, The Corner, The Wire, & now Treme... Very sad next week will conclude Treme... No one has ever done better than Simon & Overmyer IMO...

U know I've been meaning to ask about treme in this thread for Sooooooo long. I think that's gonna be my next show.

That or the shield

 

[Hahahaha]

Bale and Cooper is what saved the movie. Amy Adams could not handle that role. Lawrence had a small role but played her role well. Renner's role was whatever, he didn't help or ruin the film. The movie comes off as unoriginal and cheap. When I first saw the trailer I wasn't impressed and after watching the movie I feel the same. It was so damn dry at times, felt like a five hour movie. Dialogue was beyond annoying and some of the jokes were so poor that you laughed at the attempt.

I will pretend that this movie didn't happen and will continue to appreciate The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook.


"I want you to be real with me. Is this real? Is that real. Your accent isn't real. No, I don't have a fiancé" :x

 

[duba169]

Calling american hustle a rip off is unjust. There's really no need for it

Yes it borrowed from casino, good fellas, boogie nights which were all better movies... but rip off didn't even cross my mind


I hated the voiceovers.very rare that it works. Voice covers ruined blade runner the world is a better place for the directors cut. Casino is one of my favorites too. Go figure

 

[johnnyredstorm]

just watched glengarry glen ross...

...odd movie but not bad

never saw it but i read the play in about 20 minutes. really fun read.

 

[Hahahaha]

Calling american hustle a rip off is unjust. There's really no need for it

Yes it borrowed from casino, good fellas, boogie nights which were all better movies... but rip off didn't even cross my mind


I hated the voiceovers.very rare that it works. Voice covers ruined blade runner the world is a better place for the directors cut. Casino is one of my favorites too. Go figure

I get that. Today, pretty rare to find original movies. Everything is copying or borrowing but this one felt blatant the whole time. Just too obvious for me.

Casino is also my favorite movie of all time.

 

[macbk]

just watched glengarry glen ross...

...odd movie but not bad

Great movie. Baldwin's ABC scene is classic.

 

[you big dummy]

Out of the Furnace -
I was hoping this movie would have been a lot better than it was. It was entertaining, the acting was good, but the ending and the movie itself was dumb.


Don Jon -
Worst movie ever. I'm not a movie connoisseur at all, but I'm pretty sure if they gave me the same budget and actors I could have produced a better film. Wasted cameos and a waste of time.


Elysium -
The trailer looked good, but this movie sucked and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I'm glad I didn't spend money to see this in theaters :x


Escape Plan -
I wanted to see something and settled on this as a last resort, but I actually ended up enjoying this one a lot.


Sweet Vengeance/ Sweetwater -
I'll be honest I only watched this because of the January Jones scene and was disappointed there wasn't more to that scene, but overall this film was pretty good.

 

[rustlenomics]

i have not been this disapointed in movies in such a long time..

watched grown ups 2 thinking it would have some chuckles like the 1'st....boy was i wrong, piece of crap with crap sauce and poop sprinkles.

same with DON JON, i was just waiting for something entertaining to happen through out the whole thing.

out of the furnace was ehhh, it dragged on so damn long for something that wasnt even that exciting.

elysium sucked too, pacific rimjob was terrible too!!..

also the unexpected now or w/e it was called was boring.

gonna watch blue is the warmest color to hopefully make up for these garbage american movies.

 

[noblekane]

I cannot believe how much i enjoyed jack reacher lol

Its been a long time since i seen tom cruise as a bad *** so long that i forget how easily he can pull it off

 

[noblekane]

i have not been this disapointed in movies in such a long time..

watched grown ups 2 thinking it would have some chuckles like the 1'st....boy was i wrong, piece of crap with crap sauce and poop sprinkles.

same with DON JON, i was just waiting for something entertaining to happen through out the whole thing.

out of the furnace was ehhh, it dragged on so damn long for something that wasnt even that exciting.

elysium sucked too, pacific rimjob was terrible too!!..

also the unexpected now or w/e it was called was boring.

gonna watch blue is the warmest color to hopefully make up for these garbage american movies.

Damn son you hate everything and thats coming from me lol