Recent Viewing Part IV

HATEFUL EIGHT yesterday, a 70mm screening for the press here in Oslo.

Well, it's an OK film. I've never really disliked anything by Tarantino. But it was still rather underwhelming compared to what I had expected. I thought it would be a THE THING-like isolation drama with more silence to let us soak up the atmosphere. Instead, it relies heavily on dialogue that FEELS very written (not surprising, given it's Tarantino, of course) and less exploration of the surroundings and the place.

The first act (before the intermission) is far better than the second, IMO. I loved the opening titles, with those gorgeous vistas in 70mm and Morricone's cool music (as his own name pops up on screen, there's a sudden crescendo in the music).

Speaking of Morricone, I'm not totally sold. Yes, there's some intensity in the Kilar-like minimalism (reminscent of suspense music from THE UNTOUCHABLES) that is appropriate for the scenes in question, but at times it becomes grating. It's not a Morricone I generally like -- neither on album or in film.

Film: 3 out of 5
Music 2 out of 5

(PS. I just want to point out that I think INGLORIOUS BASTERDS is a bonafide masterpiece and the best thing Tarantino has ever done. Just in case you think my slight disappointment in this is representative of my Tarantino view in general).

Going Clear

The Scientology documentary. My jaw dropped, dropped and dropped some more. I knew they were nut jobs but not the extent of it. Just wow.

I guess so. It was on Sky a few weeks ago (after being delayed for many months because the jolly old Scientologists tried to block them showing it) - I recorded it but only just got round to watching. I honestly didn't realise how bad the thing is, I thought it was just another group of idiots with silly beliefs, didn't realise the actual physical and emotional harm being done to people. Some of the Tom Cruise footage is genuinely frightening.

All beliefs should be respected, of course.

I, of course, agree 100%

Yeah. $8/month. Well worth it... especially since we gave up cable 3 years ago. We also have Unblock-Us for $5/month, which gives us access to every country on Netflix.

-Erik-

Can't find it... I looked on the US, UK, Belgian, and Canadian.

OK thanks, this is weird, because when I use the 'search' function of netflix (US) nothing comes up.

Edit: No way to watch it here... the movie's stuck in limbo (Cruise made it so).

Will try again later.

Right, hadn't noticed the flags. I can now see the details about the film but no way to watch or add it to my list. The play function seems disabled.

I'm telling you, the Tomster is behind it.

Battlestar Galactica (1978)

The feature film, that was released theatrically in Europe. It's the pilot and the first episode slightly re-edited. Man, does this film look dated when compared to STAR WARS. Yet the basic story is good enough, the cast is great and so is the score. I love the star ship design, the battlestar, the vipers, the Cylon raiders and the Cylon base star. You can't show this to youngsters today but for me it is still fun to watch. The opening monologue still makes my spine tickle:

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.

Volker

For me there will always be the nostalgia value but when it came out I couldn't stop seeing all the Star Wars knock-offs, it was that obvious to everyone. I have no intentions to watch it again, the music is first rate though.

I tried to watch it last year, but had to give up after about 30 minutes. Glad I didn't "force myself" through more.

My favorite bit from Bridge of Spies was actually the very beginning of the film. No music, barely any dialogue, a tense sequence told purely visually. If I remember correctly it's Spielberg's first (though there he had a great Williams score to boot in that scene) since E.T.

A tad harsh perhaps, but each to their own. I think it looked gorgeous. The blueish, cold tones of Russia were a thing of beauty.