Return of the Living SB Movie Experiment: Pontypool

[kidglov3s]

Apr 15, 2014 18:07:31 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Fair enough but I feel that the opening message was enough. Or if anything, it would have been better had the director just come out to give his two cents at the end of the movie once the story was over. I have seen other films that do it for works on controversial topics So I figured the practice was fairly common for some time and I feel it wuld have been more effective than having the film come to a sudden stop in the middle of the action.

Oh yeah. I think yknow that that's what you immediately went to, over 80 years after the film's release, bears out Hawks' resistance toward any of those changes. Unfortunately Scarface was but one of the earliest of many, many American movies to be compromised by The Code. This one more than most others, perhaps, because they did not have the object lessons later films would as far as how to satisfy the Code while minimizing the extent to which the work would be compromised.

[Deleted]

I'm going with Back Door Sluts 9

Just kidding...look up a movie called Would You Rather?

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2014 19:29:21 GMT -5 cageking666 said:

I'm going with Back Door Sluts 9

Just kidding...look up a movie called Would You Rather?

You better be kidding...


Everyone knows Back Door Sluts VI was the peak of the series. It even used Roman numerals.

[bob]

Ikiru

[Deleted]

The Sorcerers Apprentice. Just kidding I'm going to make you watch another hockey comedy and Canadian film with Goon (2011) which was very controversial with it's timing of release because of the deaths of many enforcers during the summer of 2011. Also this might be my favorite hockey film and I love all the real life references.

[Strotha]

The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky.

[bob]

Lawrence of Arabia

[Ringmaster]

Plan 9 from outerspace

[SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman]

Det sjunde inseglet (The Seventh Seal)

Suggested by @akeem


Sorry it took me so long to get to this one, it was surprisingly difficult to find a subtitled copy of this thing. Right, this is a movie I have heard a lot about, but mostly from reputation as it is frequently quoted as either the quintessential overly symbolic film loved by snobbish critics who like overthink things or one of the most brilliant masterpieces of cinema.

Frankly, I find both of these descriptions to be strong exaggerations. It certainly isn't the obtuse, incomprehensible thread of intricate symbolism that it is made to be and while I did find it enjoyable, I don't think it's incredibly good. The story is that of Antonius Block, a Swedish knight returning from the crusades. On his way back, he meets Death but offers him a deal: if he can beat Death in a game of chess, he gets to have his time postponed, as he explains that he seeks answers; about life, death and God.

The film touches on a variety of subjects such as the existence of God, the fragility of life, etc... which is all reinforced by the background theme of the Black Plague storming through the country. Now, while the premise may seem rather off-putting, it is not nearly as dark or as ocerly elaborate as one might think. The story is actually fairly straightforward if very symbolic, which keeps the themes very accessible, it certainly didn't seem audience-alienating to me. On top of that, there is actually a surprisingly good bit of humour as some of the main characters are travelling comedians. To me, it seems the moral of the story is actually pretty simple: enjoy everything you can get in life and don't waste it with unnecessary worries as death is unfair and unforgiving and you never know when you could die.

Come to think of it, it's all very goth, in that it tackles depressing themes, mostly the inevitability of death, but suggests that it is precisely why you should enjoy life to the fullest. Never forget that you could die at any moment, so make sure every moment counts. This theme makes the use of the black plague particularly appropriate as in those days, people actually had to live every day with the thought that they may die any time.

The film has a visual style to match. It is very well shot and directed and makes good use of its environments, although I wouldn't say it's particularly outstanding in that regard compared to other films of that era. No, what really sets it apart to me is the acting, which is excellent and is helped by the fact that the actors have very striking morphologies, especially those playing Block and Death.

So, in conclusion, a good film worth seeing, but not the treasure it is sometimes made out to be.


Next time, we will return to the realm of colour and to the realm of Canada with Fubar.

[Red Impact]

I hope you at least make it thorugh this list, because you going from Lawrence of Arabia to Plan 9 will be hilarious.

[SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman]

Apr 19, 2014 15:17:42 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

I hope you at least make it thorugh this list, because you going from Lawrence of Arabia to Plan 9 will be hilarious.

With Plan 9 though, it'll be a bit like with My Name is Nobody as I have actually already seen the first half the film. Not sure why I never bothered with the second half as I remember enjoying myself watching this silly thing. Either way I doubt the shock will be quite as big as going from the high I was on after Bon Cop, Bad Cop, My Name Is Nobody, Pan's Labyrinth, Kung Fu Hustle and RoboCop to the abrupt crash that was Massacre at Central High.

Also, can't unsee Criswell and Dr. Strangelove as long-lost brothers.

[bob]

Apr 19, 2014 15:17:42 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

I hope you at least make it thorugh this list, because you going from Lawrence of Arabia to Plan 9 will be hilarious.

I think the transition from the original Metropolis to Sharknado will be equally as funny.

[Deleted]

To celebrate Ssnakebite returning to Canada I'm going to suggest Hard Core Logo! This is the movie starring the lead singer of The Headstones and the movie where the band Billy Talent got it's name from.

[armbar]

I'll suggest The Rocket: The legend of Rocket Richard.

[Mochi Lone Wolf]

Could you review Conspiracy?


Essentially it's a historical move that deals with the Wannsee Conference. It stars Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci. I've heard mixed reviews on it so I'm interested to see your thoughts on it.


Heads up, it's very dialogue heavy. You can find it on Youtube very easily.

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2014 17:16:53 GMT -5 armbar said:

I'll suggest The Rocket: The legend of Rocket Richard.

Dammit I was going to wait 24 hours to suggest that next. But solid choice. I remember seeing that movie in the theaters. Me and my friends were one of the few people there though

[J is Justice]

Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

[bob]

Eyes Wide Shut

[Drillbit Taylor]

Breakin

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2014 1:06:20 GMT -5 Drillbit Taylor said:

Breakin

I'll add Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo