Controversial opinions about other movies

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  • Posts: 7,404
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    When I watch a film, I try my best to finish it even if doesn't do anything for me (even Christopher Nolan films). But despite my best efforts, I've never been able to finish watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.

    It's as I said on another thread: Kubrick was a genius film maker, but his movies are all tests of stamina and endurance...

    Indeed. It's not the only film of his I struggle with, but 2001 is the only one I've never been able to sit through – even with breaks.

    Interesting. I find 2001 a luxuriating experience when i watch it. Kubrick's best IMO.

    If i can ask, how much of it have you watched?

    We were brought to see '2001: a Space Odyssey" in primary school, where it went completely over our little heads!! (I only remembered the floating pen moment!)
    Later i came to appreciate it more . Technically astonishing, beautifully made, it was only later i found out Kubrick didnt shoot any of the opening sequence with the apes! Cant remember where it was filmed but Kubrick doesn't like flying!
    Really like 'Barry Lyndon' and you reallyshould stick with throughout as the ending is the best part!

    @Mathis1 I believe only the background Africa scenery shots in the opening sequence weren't filmed by Kubrick. All the Ape sequence was shot in a studio projecting the background scenery on enormous screens at the back of the set. It's an amazingly effective 'in camera' effect.

    There is a really good 7 part documentary on YT about the making of 2001 which really delves deep into the film's production.

    You were lucky to see 2001 at school. All we ever got to watch was old Sinbad movies!

    Ah, didnt have the full story! Am even more impressed with that opening scene now!
    To answer you, mate and BT3366, we had a very cool teacher called Joe Dillon, who wanted us to experience the film. Yes, there was a lot of fidgeting and running around! He was a great influence on me though, particularly regarding me becoming an artist! I digress though, '2001' for its time was a stunning technical achievement in the film world.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    When I was in 7th grade, our teacher took us on an Oslo trip (visiting museums and such) and at the end of the day, we went to see BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. I don t know about the girls, but us boys liked it well enough. This was a cool teacher. I remember we had a party at her home once when her husband was away, and even though she was in her 60s, she would pogo to Pink Floyd with the class.

    The next year (or maybe the year after), we had a new and much younger teacher, in her early 20s. She also took us on a trip to Oslo and to the cinema at the end of the day, this time to watch KRAMER VS KRAMER. None of the guys liked that one. I remember she took it personally.
  • Posts: 1,916
    It would've been great just to get out of school to see any of those, even if Kramer vs. Kramer wouldn't have appealed to my seventh-grade interest, at least it wasn't in the classroom. I can't remember ever going to a cinema for a class trip, although they do that now. I work in schools and they go for school holiday treats. Watched Incredibles 2 with one a couple years ago. They would just bring in old Laurel and Hardy films when I was in elementary school.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    BT3366 wrote: »
    It would've been great just to get out of school to see any of those, even if Kramer vs. Kramer wouldn't have appealed to my seventh-grade interest, at least it wasn't in the classroom. I can't remember ever going to a cinema for a class trip, although they do that now. I work in schools and they go for school holiday treats. Watched Incredibles 2 with one a couple years ago. They would just bring in old Laurel and Hardy films when I was in elementary school.

    I find most Laurel and Hardy films way better than Incredibles 2. I appreciate them even more as an adult.
  • Posts: 16,148
    This is probably more appropriate for a television thread.............but I'm going to post it here any way.

    Controversial opinion:

    George Lazenby was a far superior Jor-El to Marlon Brando.

    latest?cb=20191019074002
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Newton-le-Willows, England
    Posts: 257
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.
  • Posts: 16,148
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.

    I wouldn't mind seeing CASINO again. Been ages. Last time I watched GoodFellas it didn't quite captivate me as it used to.
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.

    That is a controversial opinion. I can't agree on that one, buddy.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    edited September 2020 Posts: 3,996
    Roadphill wrote: »
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.

    That is a controversial opinion. I can't agree on that one, buddy.

    Nor can i. Goodfellas is Scorcese's masterpiece IMO. It's in my top ten favourite movies.

    Casino is an excellent film, but not close to Scorcese's best work. It's too reminiscent of the style of Goodfellas but lacking that films pizzazz.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    edited September 2020 Posts: 8,205
    My last viewing of Casino put it on par with Goodfellas, for me. They're both pretty fantastic. Two faces, with different expressions, of the same coin.
  • Posts: 15,103
    jobo wrote: »
    When I watch a film, I try my best to finish it even if doesn't do anything for me (even Christopher Nolan films). But despite my best efforts, I've never been able to finish watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.

    It's as I said on another thread: Kubrick was a genius film maker, but his movies are all tests of stamina and endurance...

    Indeed. It's not the only film of his I struggle with, but 2001 is the only one I've never been able to sit through – even with breaks.

    Interesting. I find 2001 a luxuriating experience when i watch it. Kubrick's best IMO.

    If i can ask, how much of it have you watched?

    Wish I had the same experience!

    It's been a while, but I probably watched 100-115 mins of the 142 minutes running time.

    Shame you've never got to the end but i understand 2001 isn't for everyone. And Kubrick can be challenging on the viewer!

    I had to watch Kubrick's Barry Lyndon in 2 parts because it bored me to tears on my first watch. Now i really like it.

    Leonard Rossiter’s in both films :))

    I still find Barry Lyndon really slow, but I’ve only seen it a couple of times.

    2001 is one of my favourites. Might be one of the best films ever made, IMO. It’s probably more controversial these days to say that you actually like 2001. Back in the day when IMDB had forums I lost track of the number of posts saying they hated 2001 or fell asleep during it, those posts easily outnumbered the pro-2001 posts. Ah well.

    I actually have the opposite problem with Barry Lyndon : if I start watching it I want to watch it all. Really underrated gem.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,600
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.
  • Posts: 16,148
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.

    I bought the Blu-ray of Raging Bull a couple years ago, and although it was for years my favorite Scorsese flick, I just couldn't get into it this time. Didn't hold up.
  • Posts: 1,916
    Goodfellas is one of my top 10 all time as well, rivalling the original Godfather in that realm. Casino is good, but it's Scorsese treading too familiar territory, maybe too comfortably. You could say that I guess about some of his later films like The Departed, but it at least has a completely different cast. It's not Pesci playing out-of-control psycho again.

    I haven't watched Casino in years. Had it succeeded Goodfellas then maybe I'd feel differently but it didn't.
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.

    I've also never gotten the supposed greatness of Raging Bull. LaMotta isn't a likeable character, that's not the problem, but just how many times do we have to sit through him berating and beating on his brother, abusing or abusing his wife, etc. It seems to get a lot of attention because De Niro gained weight to play the fat LaMotta. It's great direction, got screwed at the Oscars, but I don't see it as best movie of the '80s as it has been declared by some.
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Newton-le-Willows, England
    edited September 2020 Posts: 257
    Roadphill wrote: »
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.

    That is a controversial opinion. I can't agree on that one, buddy.

    Oh, it gets better. I sat through 2001: A Space Odyssey and found it mind-numbingly pretentious dirge that isn’t as good as it thinks it is.

    *grabs tin hat and bunkers down for cover....*
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Goodfellas is one of my top 10 all time as well, rivalling the original Godfather in that realm. Casino is good, but it's Scorsese treading too familiar territory, maybe too comfortably. You could say that I guess about some of his later films like The Departed, but it at least has a completely different cast. It's not Pesci playing out-of-control psycho again.

    I haven't watched Casino in years. Had it succeeded Goodfellas then maybe I'd feel differently but it didn't.
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.

    I've also never gotten the supposed greatness of Raging Bull. LaMotta isn't a likeable character, that's not the problem, but just how many times do we have to sit through him berating and beating on his brother, abusing or abusing his wife, etc. It seems to get a lot of attention because De Niro gained weight to play the fat LaMotta. It's great direction, got screwed at the Oscars, but I don't see it as best movie of the '80s as it has been declared by some.

    Agreed. Raging Bull is beautifully shot and acted. But it's an ugly film that is something of an ordeal to sit through. I also find it difficult to engage with a character who is an irredeemable thug who isn't particularly that interesting to begin with.
  • Posts: 7,507
    Departed is my favorite Scorsese film by far. He joked that it won him an Oscar because it was "the only film he did with a plot". And although it was said in jest, I think it is a reasonably appropriate observation to be fair. Many of Scorsese's films are stylishly made but I find myself often struggling to engage in the stories.
  • Posts: 1,916
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Goodfellas is one of my top 10 all time as well, rivalling the original Godfather in that realm. Casino is good, but it's Scorsese treading too familiar territory, maybe too comfortably. You could say that I guess about some of his later films like The Departed, but it at least has a completely different cast. It's not Pesci playing out-of-control psycho again.

    I haven't watched Casino in years. Had it succeeded Goodfellas then maybe I'd feel differently but it didn't.
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.

    I've also never gotten the supposed greatness of Raging Bull. LaMotta isn't a likeable character, that's not the problem, but just how many times do we have to sit through him berating and beating on his brother, abusing or abusing his wife, etc. It seems to get a lot of attention because De Niro gained weight to play the fat LaMotta. It's great direction, got screwed at the Oscars, but I don't see it as best movie of the '80s as it has been declared by some.

    Agreed. Raging Bull is beautifully shot and acted. But it's an ugly film that is something of an ordeal to sit through. I also find it difficult to engage with a character who is an irredeemable thug who isn't particularly that interesting to begin with.
    Good point. LaMotta is not redeemed by the end or even really given a lesson. You just figure he'll be the same miserable figure.

    Yeah, he seems kind of set up by that girl, but especially looking at that situation through today's eyes, the thug gets what he has coming to him. There's no real arc, he is the same terrible person and nobody really is better for it except for maybe his wife, who got away from him.

    You can look at the characters in his other movies and say the same thing, but you see it as a consequence of their actions and people like Travis Bickle come out changed and Henry Hill in Goodfellas ends up in the suburbs, not hell to most of us but for him. And Charlie in Mean Streets gets hurt by being loyal to his friend. And so on.
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    Roadphill wrote: »
    Casino is a vastly superior movie to Goodfellas and easily Scorsese’s most underrated work. I just couldn’t get into Goodfellas, but Casino’s pace never lags, Joe Pesci is at his hair trigger best, and Sharon Stone is excellent as the trophy wife.

    That is a controversial opinion. I can't agree on that one, buddy.

    Oh, it gets better. I sat through 2001: A Space Odyssey and found it mind-numbingly pretentious dirge that isn’t as good as it thinks it is.

    *grabs tin hat and bunkers down for cover....*

    I like the idea of it, and it was a stunning achievement, but I'm with you in a way. Its not enjoyable or entertaining.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 814
    There’s still a number of Kubrick films I have yet to check out, I’ve only seen Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. I loved them all, but favorite oscillates between Strangelove and 2001. I’m leaning towards the latter, my first Kubrick experience, fricking blew my mind when I was young and it still does. A milestone in the art of filmmaking, for sure.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    BT3366 wrote: »
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Goodfellas is one of my top 10 all time as well, rivalling the original Godfather in that realm. Casino is good, but it's Scorsese treading too familiar territory, maybe too comfortably. You could say that I guess about some of his later films like The Departed, but it at least has a completely different cast. It's not Pesci playing out-of-control psycho again.

    I haven't watched Casino in years. Had it succeeded Goodfellas then maybe I'd feel differently but it didn't.
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Speaking of Martin Scorsese, I can’t sit through Raging Bull without feeling bored and depressed. Great performances, great scenes, but there are moments that are depressingly dull.

    I've also never gotten the supposed greatness of Raging Bull. LaMotta isn't a likeable character, that's not the problem, but just how many times do we have to sit through him berating and beating on his brother, abusing or abusing his wife, etc. It seems to get a lot of attention because De Niro gained weight to play the fat LaMotta. It's great direction, got screwed at the Oscars, but I don't see it as best movie of the '80s as it has been declared by some.

    Agreed. Raging Bull is beautifully shot and acted. But it's an ugly film that is something of an ordeal to sit through. I also find it difficult to engage with a character who is an irredeemable thug who isn't particularly that interesting to begin with.
    Good point. LaMotta is not redeemed by the end or even really given a lesson. You just figure he'll be the same miserable figure.

    Yeah, he seems kind of set up by that girl, but especially looking at that situation through today's eyes, the thug gets what he has coming to him. There's no real arc, he is the same terrible person and nobody really is better for it except for maybe his wife, who got away from him.

    You can look at the characters in his other movies and say the same thing, but you see it as a consequence of their actions and people like Travis Bickle come out changed and Henry Hill in Goodfellas ends up in the suburbs, not hell to most of us but for him. And Charlie in Mean Streets gets hurt by being loyal to his friend. And so on.

    Yeah exactly. Also at least the characters in Goodfellas are fun to be around and despite them being gangsters its hard not to like them.

    La Motta's character in the film is unlikeable and one note. I feel a smidgen of sympathy for him in the film when he batters the prison cell walls, but it's more pity than anything.

    Can't say what the real La Motta was like but the film certainly paints a vulgar picture.
  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    Posts: 2,730
    There’s still a number of Kubrick films I have yet to check out, I’ve only seen Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. I loved them all, but favorite oscillates between Strangelove and 2001. I’m leaning towards the latter, my first Kubrick experience, fricking blew my mind when I was young and it still does. A milestone in the art of filmmaking, for sure.

    Check out Barry Lyndon, it’s awesome
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 814
    @JamesBondKenya Top of my Kubrick watch list.
  • JWPepperJWPepper You sit on it, but you can't take it with you.
    Posts: 512
    There’s still a number of Kubrick films I have yet to check out, I’ve only seen Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. I loved them all, but favorite oscillates between Strangelove and 2001. I’m leaning towards the latter, my first Kubrick experience, fricking blew my mind when I was young and it still does. A milestone in the art of filmmaking, for sure.

    Check out Barry Lyndon, it’s awesome

    Barry Lyndon, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut are my favourite Kubrick movies.
  • Posts: 7,404
    There’s still a number of Kubrick films I have yet to check out, I’ve only seen Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. I loved them all, but favorite oscillates between Strangelove and 2001. I’m leaning towards the latter, my first Kubrick experience, fricking blew my mind when I was young and it still does. A milestone in the art of filmmaking, for sure.

    I would recommend 'Paths of Glory' with Kirk Douglas! Probably my favourite Kubrick film!
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,472
    As you guys talk about Kubrick since a while: I liked Full Metal Jacket but I didn't like The Shining. I heard a lot about 2001 and I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't like it. Same goes for A Clockwork Orange. I should definitely try another Kubrick film (Apart from the mentioned ones I've only seen Spartacus and Eyes Wide Shut)
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    As you guys talk about Kubrick since a while: I liked Full Metal Jacket but I didn't like The Shining. I heard a lot about 2001 and I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't like it. Same goes for A Clockwork Orange. I should definitely try another Kubrick film (Apart from the mentioned ones I've only seen Spartacus and Eyes Wide Shut)

    I'm a huge fan of The Shining novel. Whilst I appreciate the adaption, it has terrific atmosphere, there is something missing from the book. Stephen King famously reviled the adaption.
  • edited September 2020 Posts: 7,507
    As you guys talk about Kubrick since a while: I liked Full Metal Jacket but I didn't like The Shining. I heard a lot about 2001 and I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't like it. Same goes for A Clockwork Orange. I should definitely try another Kubrick film (Apart from the mentioned ones I've only seen Spartacus and Eyes Wide Shut)

    I agree with you there. The Shining was a big disappointment for me the first time I saw it. Right from the beginning you basically know what will happen. There are never any surprises or twists. I do love the use of music though.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,472
    I honestly can't remember that much from Shining. It's many years ago. The camera following the car in the opening was good and the “tracking shot“ when the boy is riding his bike definitely got my attention. And I couldn't get the old woman in the bath out of my head for awhile. Oh, and the end with the labyrinth in the snow increased the tension.
  • Posts: 7,507
    I honestly can't remember that much from Shining. It's many years ago. The camera following the car in the opening was good and the “tracking shot“ when the boy is riding his bike definitely got my attention. And I couldn't get the old woman in the bath out of my head for awhile. Oh, and the end with the labyrinth in the snow increased the tension.

    The scene with the woman is the best in the film. And as with all of Kubrick's films there are some visually great shots.
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