Film The Redcafe Movie review thread

[Dirty Schwein]

Heidi
After discovering a mysterious doll in an attic, two high school friends are increasingly plagued by a series of disturbing and unexplained events. Surprisingly decent found footage film. Has the usual super slow build up with complete cnut characters operating the camera, which was a shame because once it gets into the main story, there are some nice moments of creepy suspense 5/10

The Upside
A comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him. Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman were all great and the story was quite touching and funny. Shame it didn't really push the boundaries on either the comedy elements or the drama to really evoke an emotion. Having said that, it's a fine Sunday evening film 6/10

 

[GuyfromAustria]

The Upside
A comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him. Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman were all great and the story was quite touching and funny. Shame it didn't really push the boundaries on either the comedy elements or the drama to really evoke an emotion. Having said that, it's a fine Sunday evening film 6/10

Have you seen the French original?

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Have you seen the French original?

Nope. Was always meaning to but it's impossible to convince my wife to watch a subtitled film so when I do get the chance, I got straight to asian horror

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Point Blank (Netflix)

A old fashioned action film that doesn't rely on CGI to carry it through. Plot is weak but a pacy screenplay makes up for it. A bit of contrived situations and few odd jokes thrown in, but overall a decent watch.

6/10

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Haunter
A teenager is stuck in a time loop that is not quite the same each time. She must uncover the truth but her actions have consequences for herself and others. I remember quite enjoying this when I watched it years ago but not so much on a second watch. Not a unique premise but there's enough twists and turns to not make it feel too generic. Unfortunately, as the horror kicks in, the film falls apart. Very cliched and not scary at all 4/10

 

[utdalltheway]

The Nice Guys - 8/10: Very funny. Russel Crowe and Ryan Gosling are brilliant together. Also special mention to the actress who played the little girl (Angourie Rice) who was also great.

Saw this recently too. Sure it was a bit hammy but it had a decent story line and yes, that young girl was great in it.

 

[Archie Leach]

Shampoo - a rear-view mirror look at the late 60s from the relatively near future of 1975. Warren Beatty plays a hairdresser in West Hollywood on election day '68 and the film puts sexual politics alongside actual politics. It would've been interesting if Ashby had included an undercurrent of dread by mining a post-Manson reading of the bourgeois hippy excess but even without that, I liked this a lot. Beatty's character might be one of the most passive protagonists I've ever seen.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Terrified
When strange events occur in a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, a doctor specializing in the paranormal, her colleague, and an ex police officer decide to investigate further. Argentinian horror movie. Amazing opening scare, and to be honest, lots of the scare sequences felt refined and quite unique. The director definitely is a fan of the genre. Whilst the scares were good, the plot was way too contrived. Maybe it was lost in translation but I struggled to keep up at points. Also, has a strange structure. Doesn’t follow the 3 act method we’re used to and therefore, the pacing does feel off after about 30 minutes. But I’m a fan of experimenting so didn’t mind it too much. If this had a stronger and more concise plot, I’d have been raving about it. Still, decent film in a genre that’s usually full off shite 7/10

 

[Pscholes18]

Saw this recently too. Sure it was a bit hammy but it had a decent story line and yes, that young girl was great in it.

Deserves a sequel

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Secret Obsession
Recuperating from trauma, Jennifer remains in danger as she returns to a life she doesn't remember. Another dud Netflix original. I literally guessed the entire plot after the first scene, it was that predictable and normally, I'm one of them people that never see twists coming. Just formulaic and felt like it was made for Lifetime. Not sure why the hell Netflix were promoting it front page. Also distracting how the male lead looks so much like a young Jurgen Klopp. That made me want to constantly punch the screen 1/10

 

[Sanche7]

Long Shot : a rom com about a relationship between a presidential candidate and a journalist. A bit different from your usual run of the mill rom coms. Has a few laughs and an OKyish storyline. But, my God Charlize Theron looks absolutely stunning,does she even age? Not to mention her acting is fantastic too.
It's pretty good if you have some tune to kill but watch it for Charlize Theron - 7/10

 

[dumbo]

I enjoyed A Bigger Splash. I've never been particularly interested in euro cinema that vaunts empty bourgeois vulgarity, but it's a well made film, cleverly put together and has some impressive performances.

I also saw Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and was blown away. The performance of the central pairing is wonderful and every scene is dressed and lit beautifully. I didn't expect to unearth one of Scorsese's best films this late.

 

[robinamicrowave]

The Lion King (2019).

This is probably going to be described by dozens of critics as a "technical marvel" but the god's honest truth is that making this photo-realistic was a mistake. The landscapes are glorious, but what made the original such an overwhelming success is that the drawn animation style allowed the writers to break through reality - they bust it open to draw out the raw emotion that made its significant story beats feel so powerful. In this version, animals famous for being unable to emote are forced to sing and react to catastrophic events with blank expressions. That's an inherent problem the film never recovers from.

So with the visuals failing to provide any real characters to fall in love with, you'd think the film's character would come through in the voice acting. A sensible conclusion to reach because the names boasted by the poster are incredible. But other than Seth Rogen, the cast honestly sound like they'd rather be anywhere else - Beyonce and Donald Glover do their own version of 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?' and they both sound so flat, it's the film's worst moment. Their voices don't belong together and I doubt they were ever in the same studio at any point during the film's creation.

Donald actually sounds like he did in that very early episode of Community where Troy and Abed's off-key rendition of 'Somewhere Out There' rescues a lab mouse, and that was ten years ago - and even then Troy and Abed's vocal chemistry in that scene far outshines the bland, passionless rendition of a key moment in this story.

And for a shot for shot remake, this feels wildly unfocused on a storytelling level as well. The original managed to tie together the generational conflict between Scar, Mufasa, and Simba with themes of destiny, leadership, ancestry, legacy, all sorts. This version is a perfunctory retelling of the events of the original story but without anything deeper really being touched upon beneath the surface. The themes are suggested at and strongly implied but there's nothing tangible tying them up - you don't get any "Hamlet with lions" fuzzies from this.

I think its biggest crime, though, is that it contains no beating heart. From the moment the film opens, and the sun rises over the vast landscapes to the sound of 'Nants ingonyoma!', you know this is going to cynically press your nostalgia buttons until it forces you to feel something. But I felt nothing - it's little more than a pretty void. The landscapes are beautiful to look at and, as I've suggested, Seth Rogen's performance was just about worth the entry fee, but the characters and story contained within this world (and surrounding Seth Rogen) don't know who they're for. There's a yawning disconnect between what this wants to be and what it ends up as. It's constantly in two minds. The trailers had me ready for a mature, grittier affair, but it's just a lifeless repeat that wants to be something more.

I dunno, watch the original. Photorealistic doesn't always mean better.

 

[Rooney in Paris]

The Lion King (2019).

This is probably going to be described by dozens of critics as a "technical marvel" but the god's honest truth is that making this photo-realistic was a mistake. The landscapes are glorious, but what made the original such an overwhelming success is that the drawn animation style allowed the writers to break through reality - they bust it open to draw out the raw emotion that made its significant story beats feel so powerful. In this version, animals famous for being unable to emote are forced to sing and react to catastrophic events with blank expressions. That's an inherent problem the film never recovers from.

So with the visuals failing to provide any real characters to fall in love with, you'd think the film's character would come through in the voice acting. A sensible conclusion to reach because the names boasted by the poster are incredible. But other than Seth Rogen, the cast honestly sound like they'd rather be anywhere else - Beyonce and Donald Glover do their own version of 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?' and they both sound so flat, it's the film's worst moment. Their voices don't belong together and I doubt they were ever in the same studio at any point during the film's creation.

Donald actually sounds like he did in that very early episode of Community where Troy and Abed's off-key rendition of 'Somewhere Out There' rescues a lab mouse, and that was ten years ago - and even then Troy and Abed's vocal chemistry in that scene far outshines the bland, passionless rendition of a key moment in this story.

And for a shot for shot remake, this feels wildly unfocused on a storytelling level as well. The original managed to tie together the generational conflict between Scar, Mufasa, and Simba with themes of destiny, leadership, ancestry, legacy, all sorts. This version is a perfunctory retelling of the events of the original story but without anything deeper really being touched upon beneath the surface. The themes are suggested at and strongly implied but there's nothing tangible tying them up - you don't get any "Hamlet with lions" fuzzies from this.

I think its biggest crime, though, is that it contains no beating heart. From the moment the film opens, and the sun rises over the vast landscapes to the sound of 'Nants ingonyoma!', you know this is going to cynically press your nostalgia buttons until it forces you to feel something. But I felt nothing - it's little more than a pretty void. The landscapes are beautiful to look at and, as I've suggested, Seth Rogen's performance was just about worth the entry fee, but the characters and story contained within this world (and surrounding Seth Rogen) don't know who they're for. There's a yawning disconnect between what this wants to be and what it ends up as. It's constantly in two minds. The trailers had me ready for a mature, grittier affair, but it's just a lifeless repeat that wants to be something more.

I dunno, watch the original. Photorealistic doesn't always mean better.

Spot on. Totally agree, especially regarding the voice acting (though I also liked John Oliver and Billy Eichner). When Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are the best things about your film, you know there's something wrong.

 

[Tarrou]

In The Heat Of The Night (1967) - this aged much better than I expected. Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger were both wonderful but the script really makes it for me - some genuinely funny moments too

I think I'll work my way through a few of Norman Jewison's lesser known movies now

 

[Dirty Schwein]

The Prodigy
Two parents get concerned when their young son begins to behave in a disturbing manner. They start to believe that something supernatural is going on. I enjoyed this. There were a couple of moments that shook me and generally built up suspense really well. A strong narrative and worth the relatively short run time 7/10

Visions
After killing a child in a car accident, a pregnant woman and her husband move into their new home, where the woman starts experiencing horrific visions. Pretty much a westernised and gore-free remake of the French film Inside. I loved Inside for its unapologetic violence. This was a boring, lame imitation 2/10

The Vanishing
Three lighthouse keepers find a chest of gold and are hounded by the men who it belongs to. Liked the isolated feeling the film gives off and Gerard Butler gives his best performance since 300. Whilst there are some great, tense scenes, there are stretches where nothing happens and whilst that fits the theme, it's not fun to endure 5.5/10

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes
After a "Bigfoot Hunter" claims to possess the body of a dead Sasquatch, a disgraced investigative journalist stakes his comeback -- and the lives of his documentary film crew -- on proving the find to be a hoax. You'll find this ok if you already like found footage films but this won't convert you if you don't already enjoy the sub-genre. It has all the usual tropes (an obnoxious lead, nothing happens for the first half, ends abruptly etc). I'm a fan of found footage and thought this was a middle of the pack standard. It nearly became interesting towards the end but then the film finishes. That was annoying 4.5/10

 

[Art Vandelay]

Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes
After a "Bigfoot Hunter" claims to possess the body of a dead Sasquatch, a disgraced investigative journalist stakes his comeback -- and the lives of his documentary film crew -- on proving the find to be a hoax. You'll find this ok if you already like found footage films but this won't convert you if you don't already enjoy the sub-genre. It has all the usual tropes (an obnoxious lead, nothing happens for the first half, ends abruptly etc). I'm a fan of found footage and thought this was a middle of the pack standard. It nearly became interesting towards the end but then the film finishes. That was annoying 4.5/10

I didn't like the direction it was going in towards the end, but thought it was ok overall. The guy that they were staying with was so absurdly over the top that he added an element you rarely get in these films.

 

[Shakesy]

This isn't a review, but here is my unofficial Top 10 (which changes more often than players we're linked with)

1. The Big Lebowski
2. Pulp fiction
3. Schindler's List
4. Barton Fink
5. Inception
6. The Thin Red Line
7. Memento
8. The Shining
9. Goodfellas
10. Fight Club

 

[Grinner]

3 great Blessed moments in 30 seconds. The sneering of 'Baron' at the end is my fave though.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Piercing
A man kisses his wife and baby goodbye and seemingly heads away on business, with a plan to check into a hotel, call an escort service, and kill an unsuspecting prostitute. With that as the log line and written by the guy that wrote Audition, I didn't go into this expecting a character study type film that feels more suited for theatre than film. The film looks awesome, great cinematography and set-dressing, performed well by the actors, awesome score etc. but the story just feels like it's trying to be too clever for it's own good. It builds and builds and builds and when you expect the payoff, it ends. I get what the director was doing here, it's not very complicated, but I just was expecting a lot more from the story 4.5/10

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Evidence
Ryan makes a documentary on his friend, Brett, and his first time camping, until a mysterious figure in the woods starts hunting them. Another found footage film with the usual tropes to begin with. However, it is one of those that picks up pace quite quickly and takes a left turn in the final third that I was not expecting. I just hope they tried to explain things a little more. A little too vague but not the worst way to spend 80 minutes 6/10

 

[R.N7]

I've spent most of the month catching up on the Western genre. The films that caught my eye the most were the ones belonging to the Ranown Cycle. Directed by Budd Boetticher, written by Burt Kennedy (most of them) and starring Randolph Scott. A series of lovely, succinct films, Randolph Scott moved and talked with such laconic grace. Early on in The Tall T, someone asked Scott if he was afraid of die, he then answered "Yeah". There's a pleasing sincerity about these Westerns. Ranked in order of preference, I guess:

The Tall T
Ride Lonesome
Buchanan Rides Alone
7 Men from Now
Comanche Station
Decision at Sundown

More:

3:10 to Yuma - Van Heflin! I just love typing that name out. A very smooth and tender Western, brimming with Noir sensibilities. Perhaps a little too smooth at times.

Apache Drums - Could easily have been nothing but a mere cheap, by the numbers western if not for having Val Lewton's fingerprints all over it. His horror aesthetics creeped in more and more as it went along.

Destry Rides Again - More of a screwball comedy than a proper Western really, enjoyable enough though. I found Jimmy Stewart to be more tolerable than I usually do in Westerns and Marlene Dietrich is always fun even though she came dangerously close to self parody in this one.

Man of the West - Gary Cooper is a little miscast as an old reformed outlaw but those basset hound eyes could sell just about any role. Lee J. Cobb acted like he had just stumbled into the set after having performed Shakespeare on stage, his style was pretty jarring compared to the naturalism of Cooper/Julie London. It would have been better if it had been confined to the hostage setting for the entire duration.

No Name on the Bullet - A killer arrives in a town and causes panic by his mere presence. Who better to play the killer than Audie Murphy, one of the most prolific killers in US history, playing against type as the villain. His low-key performance stands out, you can almost see the horrors behind those vacant eyes.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon - John Wayne did a decent semi-comic turn and some of the landscape composition were neat but it was basically John Ford masturbating to the cavalry for two hours.
Fort Apache - More cavalry glorification. Shirley Temple was kinda cute all grown up and ironically Wayne is the one urging for peace with the indians in this one.

 

[sglowrider]

Just saw F&F Hobbs v Shaw.


As with most Fast & Furious movies you need to apply a leap of faith into some of the storylines. In Hobbs V Shaw you need to have a suspension of disbelief in beast mode. The editing or maybe just the storyline/ploy was very fractured.

The banter was jilted or forced between the two protagonists even though I suspect that they do have reasonable real-life chemistry.

If you got 160mins to kill and its a cheap matinee ticket, then maybe its worth your while. There will be a sequel to it, so you will have to decide if its worth spending your money now or wait till before the sequel comes out.

 

[Member 39557]

Just saw F&F Hobbs v Shaw.


As with most Fast & Furious movies you need to apply a leap of faith into some of the storylines. In Hobbs V Shaw you need to have a suspension of disbelief in beast mode. The editing or maybe just the storyline/ploy was very fractured.

The banter was jilted or forced between the two protagonists even though I suspect that they do have reasonable real-life chemistry.

If you got 160mins to kill and its a cheap matinee ticket, then maybe its worth your while. There will be a sequel to it, so you will have to decide if its worth spending your money now or wait till before the sequel comes out.

How did they manage to make it so long.

 

[hungrywing]

I've spent most of the month catching up on the Western genre. The films that caught my eye the most were the ones belonging to the Ranown Cycle. Directed by Budd Boetticher, written by Burt Kennedy (most of them) and starring Randolph Scott. A series of lovely, succinct films, Randolph Scott moved and talked with such laconic grace. Early on in The Tall T, someone asked Scott if he was afraid of die, he then answered "Yeah". There's a pleasing sincerity about these Westerns. Ranked in order of preference, I guess:

The Tall T
Ride Lonesome
Buchanan Rides Alone
7 Men from Now
Comanche Station
Decision at Sundown

More:

3:10 to Yuma - Van Heflin! I just love typing that name out. A very smooth and tender Western, brimming with Noir sensibilities. Perhaps a little too smooth at times.

Apache Drums - Could easily have been nothing but a mere cheap, by the numbers western if not for having Val Lewton's fingerprints all over it. His horror aesthetics creeped in more and more as it went along.

Destry Rides Again - More of a screwball comedy than a proper Western really, enjoyable enough though. I found Jimmy Stewart to be more tolerable than I usually do in Westerns and Marlene Dietrich is always fun even though she came dangerously close to self parody in this one.

Man of the West - Gary Cooper is a little miscast as an old reformed outlaw but those basset hound eyes could sell just about any role. Lee J. Cobb acted like he had just stumbled into the set after having performed Shakespeare on stage, his style was pretty jarring compared to the naturalism of Cooper/Julie London. It would have been better if it had been confined to the hostage setting for the entire duration.

No Name on the Bullet - A killer arrives in a town and causes panic by his mere presence. Who better to play the killer than Audie Murphy, one of the most prolific killers in US history, playing against type as the villain. His low-key performance stands out, you can almost see the horrors behind those vacant eyes.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon - John Wayne did a decent semi-comic turn and some of the landscape composition were neat but it was basically John Ford masturbating to the cavalry for two hours.
Fort Apache - More cavalry glorification. Shirley Temple was kinda cute all grown up and ironically Wayne is the one urging for peace with the indians in this one.

Do you know any good films featuring the seaside? Language/era doesn't matter. The slower/quieter/the more absolutely-nothing-seems-to-happens-ier the better.

 

[R.N7]

Do you know any good films featuring the seaside? Language/era doesn't matter. The slower/quieter/the more absolutely-nothing-seems-to-happens-ier the better.

My strongest recommendation would be Du côté d’Orouët (1971)

More primo lax seaside shiet:

Such a Pretty Little Beach (1949)
Floating Weeds (1959)
Pauline at the Beach (1983)
A Scene at the Sea (1991)
A Summer's Tale (1996)
Drift (2017)

 

[Rooney in Paris]

A bigger splash

 

[Dirty Schwein]

No Name on the Bullet - A killer arrives in a town and causes panic by his mere presence. Who better to play the killer than Audie Murphy, one of the most prolific killers in US history, playing against type as the villain. His low-key performance stands out, you can almost see the horrors behind those vacant eyes.

Finally a film you've reviewed that I've seen!!! I did like this one.

Just saw F&F Hobbs v Shaw.

The banter was jilted or forced between the two protagonists even though I suspect that they do have reasonable real-life chemistry.

They are not fans of each other in real life. It's all a show.

Submission
A cynical college professor takes a keen interest in a talented young writing student. Not awful but quite average film, seems made for TV. Stanley Tucci is watchable as ever but his weird wig was distracting. He looked like Klopp. Was also weird seeing him bone a 20 year old. Felt like watching my dad having an affair. Quite a generic narrative in a film about a writer who is tired of generic books. Very ironic 5/10

 

[Archie Leach]

Parasite - I thought this was a Park Chan Wook film instead of a Bong Joon Ho film until the credits. Funny, thrilling and quite cynical, shot in Park’s lurid greens. But it’s Bong! Who I’ve never thought too much of. Terrific film.

 

[R.N7]

 

[hungrywing]

My strongest recommendation would be Du côté d’Orouët (1971)

More primo lax seaside shiet:

Such a Pretty Little Beach (1949)
Floating Weeds (1959)
Pauline at the Beach (1983)
A Scene at the Sea (1991)
A Summer's Tale (1996)
Drift (2017)

Sweet. Off to the beach. A fifth of the way through A Summer's Tale; it's terrific.

A bigger splash

Looks a bit more intense but I'll check it out. Thanks

 

[R.N7]

Sweet. Off to the beach. A fifth of the way through A Summer's Tale; it's terrific.



Looks a bit more intense but I'll check it out. Thanks

My man Eric Rohmer is the go-to-guy for this genre of film.

 

[Grinner]

Sweet. Off to the beach. A fifth of the way through A Summer's Tale; it's terrific.



Looks a bit more intense but I'll check it out. Thanks

I'd add Summer Rental to that list.

 

[Grinner]

Trancers (1985) - Starts out as a terrible Blade Runner rip-off with zombie hunting cop Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson} throwing out every gumshoe cliche...dirty raincoat, cigarette in one corner of his mouth, world-weary delivery, and sparring with his shouty Captain, in a futuristic world of neon and Top of the Pops stage smoke. Then we go into Terminator homage as Deth goes back to 1985 LA to hunt down the ancestor-killing zombie cult leader to pumping electro synth pop, surrounded by big hair and terrible denim.

Slather on the wet-look gel because 'Dry hair's for squids'

 

[Archie Leach]

In Fabric - the problem with Strickland's hyper camp neo-giallo filmmaking is that once you get past the cool visuals and atmosphere, it's pretty empty. This was basically a two-hour Mighty Boosh episode (complete with Julian Barratt, who is great in it).

The Beach Bum - brilliant in parts, usually due to great small parts (Martin Lawrence and Jonah Hill are hilarious), and the role being tailor-made for McConnaughey. When it isn't being just outrageously debaucherous (sp?), it gets dull very quickly, because like In Fabric, there really isn't much to it. Still, by far the most enjoyable Korine film I've seen, even if it's still cat nip for the dumbest fecking people. I reckon it'll be highly re-watchable too.

 

[R.N7]

Beach Bum is the feel-good movie that has made me feel the goodest in ages. It's dramatic and comedic elements might not be top of the line but it makes up for it with debauched life-affirmation.

 

[Suv666]

Good Time

Gripping and very tense movie. Pattison is amazing in it, such an underrated actor. Wouldnt have worked if Pattison wasnt in it. Nothing original but will keep you glued.

7/10

Moonlight

Dunno how I have managed to not see this movie for so long. Oscar winners in recent years usually I tend to dislike ( La La Land, Green Book, Shape of Water) but this one blew me away. Deserved the Oscar. Every actor played their part well and I really enjoyed the soundtrack too. PS- Avoid if you dont want to get depressed.

9/10

 

[Archie Leach]

The Nightingale - revenge fantasy set in colonial Tasmania. Solid but pulled its punches a little. Should’ve gone full exploitation and lopped off more limbs/heads. Still horrific though, there were people openly sobbing in the audience at one point.

 

[Archie Leach]

Beach Bum is the feel-good movie that has made me feel the goodest in ages. It's dramatic and comedic elements might not be top of the line but it makes up for it with debauched life-affirmation.

I don’t know about life affirming cos Moon Dog is a cnut and his poetry is shit but I do enjoy the fact that the film made me want to be his friend anyway. Sort of transgressive these days.