Saturday Evening Movie Thread 09-16-2017 [Hosted By: TheJamesMadison]

I Demand Order!

Screenplays are structure, and that’s all they are. The quality of writing—which is crucial in almost every other form of literature—is not what makes a screenplay work.
-William Goldman, writer of The Princess Bride and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

I largely agree with this sentiment, but I think that Mr. Goldman oversells his idea a little bit. A well-structured story with terrible dialogue, poor characters, and an inflated sense of self-importance is going to be a hard thing to read or watch. I’m sure he meant that structure is more than just a very basic concept, but something that includes a whole lot more. And yet in my mind you might as well say, "Screenplays are movies. " It’s so expansive to the point of meaninglessness.

Still, structure is really important to a movie. With bad structure, well-written characters and great dialogue become individual elements in a confusing mess of a story.

What is this Structure of which you speak?

Moron 'ibguy' sent me the video by Film School Rejects that outlines their Top 10 Best Structured Movies of all time. It’s not really that, though, it’s a list of top examples of 10 different structures. I found the video quite interesting and would recommend a watch. It also meshed well with some thoughts I had already been developing.

Structure is a rather large narrative concept and can be hard to pin down in a definition. You can approach it from a 30,000-foot level that looks at just large elements like acts of a story, or you could take it down to a much finer thing and talk about what specific pieces of information get revealed in what order and when.

In terms of the larger view, there are things like number of acts to consider and whether it should be told linearly or non-linearly, whether it circle back on itself, how many stories there are, and how they interact.

So, for this week, I’m just going to focus on the most common of structures in modern moviemaking: The 3-Act Linear Structure.

Beginning, Middle, and End

Why does the 3-Act structure get used so much in Hollywood? I think it’s for 3 reasons: it’s easy, it’s simple, and it’s effective.

(click for slightly larger version)

What does that visual representation of the structure say? It says to me that there’s an implied escalation that continues from the opening moments to the climax in Act Three. Stakes continue to grow, risks continue to build, and situations become more dire.

Digging in a little deeper we can see the definitions of the three acts: Set Up, Confrontation (I’ve always called it Escalation), and Resolution. What happens in each?

In Set Up, we establish characters, relationships, and themes. These are the scenes where we see our main characters living their daily lives as they always have, where characters establish how they view one another before any sort of complications arise.

Confrontation (or Escalation) is when the plot really gets introduced. The plot being the complications that remove the characters from their established routines. These are generally where things like the bad guy shows up and takes someone hostage, or a wife discovers that her beloved husband has a terrible secret.

Resolution is where the plot comes to its conclusion. This is usually where the dramatic climax occurs, where things like protagonists and antagonists come into direct conflict and settle the central conflict of the plot.

All of that settles pretty easily into the very basic concepts of Beginning, Middle, and End.

Par Example

Think of almost any major motion picture of the past 40 years. Let’s look at Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because, well, why not?

Set Up: Establishes Kirk, Khan, supporting characters as well as basic motivations for the major players. Savak, for example, is a driven Vulcan who doesn’t quite understand the No Win Scenario of the Kobayashi Maru nor Kirk’s seeming nonchalance around the whole endeavor. Khan’s hatred of Kirk is shown as well as his basic predicament. Arguably, the first act comes to an end with Khan capturing the U.S.S. Reliant and Kirk taking the Enterprise out of spacedock.

Confrontation: Khan attacks Kirk, Kirk barely escapes (in one of the most satisfying escapes because both opponents are actually very intelligent) while subtly revealing Khan’s weakness (which is never made explicit), and Kirk meets with his old flame and son, complicating matters emotionally. This act ends as Kirk explains his approach to the No-Win Scenario (“I don’t like to lose”.

Resolution: Kirk and Khan face off again, Kirk ultimately triumphs, but not before Spock sacrifices himself to save the ship, recalling dialogue and sentiments from earlier in the film.

Out of all of the movie’s strengths, it’s perfect construction is one to almost marvel at because it seems so easy while watching. All of the pieces are introduced quickly and effectively. The clashes of the second act are impactful, changing the complete direction of the plot. The third act comes to a satisfying denouement where the antagonist shines brightly while the protagonist completes a change. When done well, the three-act structure really can hold wonders.

Conclusion

Nobody knows anything...... Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess and, if you're lucky, an educated one.
-William Goldman

I think the appeal to Hollywood, an industry that spends tens and hundreds of millions of dollars on individual products, is obvious. When you can’t predict much in terms of what will work for audiences, what will make money and what won’t, it’s nice to have something reliable on which to fall back on consistently.

Hollywood has a hard time predicting which heroes and conflicts will appeal to an audience, done in which styles. All of these preferences change rapidly, especially while considering the average 2-year cycle for a movie to go from concept to finished product. Hollywood knows that the three-act Structure is something that audiences don’t actively reject.

So, have you noticed the single most common structure in movies before? Is it something that you notice while watching? Do you have any favorite examples where the structure was used most effectively?

Discuss away, for next week we go non-linear.

Movies of Today

Opening in Theaters:
mother!
American Assassin

Next in my Netflix Queue:
OSS 117: Lost in Rio

Movies I Saw This Week:
Creed (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 3.5/4) Poster blurb: “Effectively a remake of Rocky, but a damn fine one.” [Amazon Prime]

The Overnight (Netflix Rating 4/5 | Quality Rating 3/4) “An interesting little movie that’s equal parts intentionally uncomfortable and clear headed.” [Netflix Instant]

Inside Llewyn Davis (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) “A very funny little character piece with wonderful performances and a great sense of the time and place.” [Amazon Prime]

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 3.5/4) “A complex portrait of an artist that effectively uses his own works to highlight a view of who he was and what he thought.” ["Library"]

Night People (Netflix Rating 3/5 | Quality Rating 2/4) “Middling Cold War tale which can’t decide if it’s a hard edged morality play or a typical procedural.” ["Library"]

The Stoning of Soraya M. (Netflix Rating 4/5 | Quality Rating 3/4) “A good portrait of a terrifying event.” [Netflix DVD]

The Beaver (Netflix Rating 2/5 | Quality Rating 1.5/4) “Disjointed to the point of distraction, but with some solid performances.” [Netflix Instant]

In the Shadow of the Moon (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 3.5/4) “An engrossing look at the Apollo program from the men in the capsules.” [Amazon Prime]

American Ultra (Netflix Rating 2/5 | Quality Rating 2/4) “A real hodgepodge of tones and genres that never finds its feet.” [Amazon Prime]

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) “A comedy classic. Absolutely hilarious from beginning to end.” [Amazon Prime]

Contact

Email any suggestions or questions to thejamesmadison.aos at symbol gmail dot com.
I’ve also archived all the old posts here, by request. I’ll add new posts a week after they originally post at the HQ.

Posted by: OregonMuse at 08:45 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Yay! Movie thread!

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 08:44 PM (uaHyk)

2 Yay!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 08:45 PM (qJtVm)

3 Oh, hellz yeah.

I'll go downstairs and get t'others.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 08:45 PM (uaHyk)

4 Boo

Movie thread. This guy's a hack!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:47 PM (Jj43a)

5 Watching John McClane and Sonobi duke it out.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 08:47 PM (uaHyk)

6 Movie thread. This guy's a hack!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:47 PM (Jj43a)
---
I think he gave a solid workmanlike performance.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 08:48 PM (qJtVm)

7 No first, apparently

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 08:48 PM (gBShP)

8 Thought we were not going to have a movie thread.
Watched A Bridge to Far this afternoon ( missed the end to go see fireworks). It's in my top 3 war movies I think.

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 08:49 PM (ghofu)

9 6 I think he gave a solid workmanlike performance.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 08:48 PM (qJtVm)

=======

We can't all be Harry Dean Stanton.

RIP.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:49 PM (Jj43a)

10 Up! was a confusing movie for me because, due to the setup (which was a perfect movie in it's own right- and far more compelling than the main movie) the rest of the movie was just dealing with the consequences of the prologue. Which is weird.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 08:49 PM (rb1zT)

11 Movie thread!

Watched a funny horror flick on Netflix - Little Evil

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:49 PM (hMwEB)

12 i may check out in the shadow of the moon. the rest, meh.

Posted by: chavez the hugo at September 16, 2017 08:51 PM (KP5rU)

13 Think of almost any major motion picture of the past 40 years. Let's look at Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because, well, why not?

--Because it's awesome?

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 08:51 PM (GsAUU)

14 I hear mother! bombed

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:52 PM (hMwEB)

15 It's so expansive to the point of meaninglessness.

It sounds like he's just trying to be profound but it's really just kind of silly.

The fact is that a lot of movies are made with their scores/soundtracks totally apart from anything that might be going on on the screen.

Other movies have hot chicks that make the movie, even though the rest of it is total dogshit.

And yet other movies have great dialogue.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 08:52 PM (rZ+mb)

16 Oops.

OSS was watched through Netflix DVD.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:52 PM (Jj43a)

17 James Madison

I read Goldman's book too. Some movies I like:

The Counterfeiters (Aus; Best Foreign Film awhile back)

The Baader-Meinhof Complex

Black Orpheus

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 08:53 PM (gBShP)

18 13 Think of almost any major motion picture of the past 40 years. Let's look at Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because, well, why not?

--Because it's awesome?
Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 08:51 PM (GsAUU)

======

Good enough for me!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:53 PM (Jj43a)

19 did you see that there will be an The Alienist tv series

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:54 PM (hMwEB)

20 TCM showed 'Beast of the City" (1932), a crime drama with Walter Huston as a police captain.
It followed your diagram to a T.

Really well-done pre-code movie.

Posted by: Sal at September 16, 2017 08:54 PM (hA4a+)

21 Why does the 3-Act structure get used so much in Hollywood? I think it's for 3 reasons: it's easy, it's simple, and it's effective.

For the same reason that most pop songs go Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, coda ... or whatever it is ...

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 08:54 PM (rZ+mb)

22 I hear mother! bombed

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:52 PM (hMwEB)

It must have been because of Global Warming

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 16, 2017 08:55 PM (auHtY)

23 Goldman (aka Goldmine) says he tells screenwriter wannabes: "Learn to WRITE, period the end."

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 08:55 PM (gBShP)

24 Was watching some Insane Clown Posse videos. "Night Of The Chainsaw" counts. It has a three-act structure, anyway. Reminds me of early Peter Jackson.

"When I'm Clownin'" on the other hand is straight up wack.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 08:55 PM (6FqZa)

25 Decided my top 3 prison movies
The Great Escape
Cool Hand Luke
Stalag 17

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 08:56 PM (ghofu)

26 Oh, and I watched Weird Science again this week, because that never gets old, it just can't. (I think some moron had mentioned "sentient AI" and "shower".)

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 08:56 PM (6FqZa)

27 18 13 Think of almost any major motion picture of the past 40 years. Let's look at Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because, well, why not?

--Because it's awesome?
Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 08:51 PM (GsAUU)

======

Good enough for me!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:53 PM (Jj43a)

--I so want to watch the 35th Anniversary WoK. unfortunately, I probably burned all of my points with the wifey for the next month going out to watch Chiefs-Patriots last week.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 08:57 PM (GsAUU)

28 So I'm (kinda) watching David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, about a Wall Street wunderkind in his stretch limo slo-o-o-wly travelling through New York (played by Toronto) and conversing with various oddballs from work and his personal life who traipse in and out of his boardroom/bedroom on wheels.

Robert Pattinson has a kind of waxworks fuckbot attractiveness that looks good on screen and visually it's very chilly-cool, and but the dialog is rather stilted in that stoned-philosophy-majors-rapping-about-reality way.

I shall persevere...

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 08:58 PM (qJtVm)

29 22 I hear mother! bombed

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:52 PM (hMwEB)

-------------

A movie so bad that Gaia herself dispatched a hurricane to destroy movie theaters. Science!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (gC2IV)

30 Birdman of Alcatraz holds up well too.

"You put a ham sandwich through the slot when I was in solitary."

Guard: "what if I did?"

"A ham sandwich. Not much to pay for your life, was it? Get out of here."

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (gBShP)

31 29
A movie so bad that Gaia herself dispatched a hurricane to destroy movie theaters. Science!
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (gC2IV)

=======

"That's all the science I ever learned!"
-Jennifer Lawrence

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (Jj43a)

32 Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 08:58 PM (qJtVm)

Personally, I really dislike Cronenberg's stuff.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 09:01 PM (rZ+mb)

33 One of my favorite movies, before Hollyweird went off the cliff, was "The Odessa File". Great book too.

The back story, the set up, then the final confrontation when it was about Peter' father the whole time was classic.

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves I believe it was.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at September 16, 2017 09:01 PM (5VlCp)

34 Discuss away, for next week we go non-linear.

++++

Time travel... linear or non-linear? If the camera follows a character who bounces around in time, but we stay with his perspective of the order of events, that would be linear, no? 12 Monkeys would be such an example. But, it comes to a circle at the end.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:02 PM (FUu/Z)

35 Invincible is on CMT, the story of free agent of the Eagles Vince Papale

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:02 PM (ghofu)

36 Oh, I also watched "Meek's Cutoff" today.

I like how in many sequences there was no sound except for the wind howling over the prairie, the drone of insects, and the thunk-squeak of the wagon wheels are they crunched over the barren landscape. It just let the setting speak for itself.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 09:02 PM (qJtVm)

37 Invincible is on CMT, the story of free agent of the Eagles Vince Papale

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:02 PM (ghofu)

That's a fun movie but CMT is going to hack it up.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 09:03 PM (rZ+mb)

38 Cronenberg still have a thing for buttholes?

Haven't seen anything by him in a decade or more.

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at September 16, 2017 09:03 PM (oAY8z)

39 Odessa File:

Remember the exquisite little Christmas vignette street scene?

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 09:03 PM (gBShP)

40 Personally, I really dislike Cronenberg's stuff.
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 09:01 PM (rZ+mb)
---
I prefer the older, funnier Cronenberg.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 09:03 PM (qJtVm)

41 Don't know if I ever watched a movie on this channel

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:04 PM (ghofu)

42 The thing about the three act story is that it is pretty much the basis for all story telling. Most stories can be viewed in that light. Beowulf for example.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:05 PM (rb1zT)

43 Cronenberg still have a thing for buttholes?
---
Ha! I just saw Pattinson's character get a prostate exam (in his limo) while discussing the devaluation of the yuan with one of his financial directors. And he was hitting on her.

So yeah.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 09:05 PM (qJtVm)

44
Groovy.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:05 PM (qGuLD)

45 31 29
A movie so bad that Gaia herself dispatched a hurricane to destroy movie theaters. Science!
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (gC2IV)

=======

"That's all the science I ever learned!"
-Jennifer Lawrence
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 08:59 PM (Jj43a)

--LMAO, J-Law, dumb as a post.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:06 PM (GsAUU)

46 Ho ho ho now I've got a fabula.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:06 PM (uaHyk)

47 Hmmm, I am wondering if you could put some of the "Man with no Name" westerns in the same box. The lack of character development/info is there, but the self contained setup is still similar.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (rb1zT)

48 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

49 I actually watched Cosmopolis. The buttspelunking scene is about all I remember, for the cringe.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:08 PM (6FqZa)

50 42 The thing about the three act story is that it is pretty much the basis for all story telling. Most stories can be viewed in that light. Beowulf for example.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:05 PM (rb1zT)

--Not many unironic jokes that don't have the set-up/punchline format.

Although "President Barack Obama" is pretty funny.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:08 PM (GsAUU)

51 48 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)
---

Grandma's Boy.

Wait, that's 2006. But I'll always watch it.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 09:09 PM (qJtVm)

52 best Wall Street wunderkind movie: Margin Call.

the two Wall Streets sucked, and Boiler Room was preachy, and The Big Short was nothing but preachy. Margin Call got the point across.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:09 PM (6FqZa)

53 48 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 09:10 PM (hMwEB)

54 The thing about the three act story is that it is pretty much the basis for all story telling

I done told you motherfuckers.

Posted by: aristotle, reviewing sophocles at September 16, 2017 09:11 PM (6FqZa)

55 Looks like Kirk spent some time in the tanning booth.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 16, 2017 09:12 PM (IqV8l)

56 48 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

--Hmmmm, Sharknado 3?

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:12 PM (GsAUU)

57 I liked American Ultra. The redlettermedia boys trashed the heck out of it, then had Max Landis come on, embarrassingly to talk about how much he likes and values their opinions.

I don't necessarily require a movie to be good, in whatever objective way there is for a movie to be good, for me to enjoy it, so I'm not asking anyone else to agree with me.

Posted by: BurtTC at September 16, 2017 09:12 PM (Pz4pT)

58 53 48 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 09:10 PM (hMwEB)

Captain America: The First Avenger. I love the feel of that movie. I am a sap for period pieces.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:13 PM (rb1zT)

59 Hey, James - Thanks for the shoutout

Not really a movie guy myself, but when I ran across this immediately thought of you.

Posted by: ibguy at September 16, 2017 09:13 PM (vUcdz)

60 59 Hey, James - Thanks for the shoutout

Not really a movie guy myself, but when I ran across this immediately thought of you.
Posted by: ibguy at September 16, 2017 09:13 PM (vUcdz)

=======

Thanks for the video. I'm glad I got a chance to watch it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:14 PM (Jj43a)

61 I read in the trivia of High Noon that it was a scathing response to Hollywood for not standing up against HUAC or some such. Gary Cooper was shamed that he didn't stand up for his communist pals.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:14 PM (uaHyk)

62 I'm not a snob, so I'll say it: I love both Horrible Bosses movies, and hell yeah I've stopped to watch them when the remote finds them on cable.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:15 PM (GsAUU)

63 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

Moonrise Kingdom.

Posted by: BurtTC at September 16, 2017 09:15 PM (Pz4pT)

64 61 I read in the trivia of High Noon that it was a scathing response to Hollywood for not standing up against HUAC or some such. Gary Cooper was shamed that he didn't stand up for his communist pals.
Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:14 PM (uaHyk)

======

It's the reason John Wayne hated it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:15 PM (Jj43a)

65 62 I'm not a snob, so I'll say it: I love both Horrible Bosses movies, and hell yeah I've stopped to watch them when the remote finds them on cable.
Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:15 PM (GsAUU)

======

First one is funny. Have had no desire to check or the second.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:16 PM (Jj43a)

66 11 Movie thread!

Watched a funny horror flick on Netflix - Little Evil
Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 08:49 PM (hMwEB)

Just saw that the other day, it was hilarious. "The kid shit in my sock drawer."

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at September 16, 2017 09:16 PM (McXSl)

67 "movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on."

Bridge Over the River Kwai

The Green Berets

Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:17 PM (vzgzF)

68 I love both Horrible Bosses movies

Second one is good? I didn't get around to watching that

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:17 PM (6FqZa)

69 61: I've seen High Noon. I have no idea where this "scathing response to Hollywood for" blah blah "HUAD" thing came from. I guess you can jerry-rig any stupid cause into any movie. Round hole, square peg, just use a sledge hammer or something.

Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:17 PM (HCqAo)

70 Don't know how many times I've watched Jaws. Maybe a thousand? The thing about watching Jaws, Chief...

Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:18 PM (gC2IV)

71 69 61: I've seen High Noon. I have no idea where this "scathing response to Hollywood for" blah blah "HUAD" thing came from. I guess you can jerry-rig any stupid cause into any movie. Round hole, square peg, just use a sledge hammer or something.
Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:17 PM (HCqAo)

=======

Or the people who made it said that's what it was about.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (Jj43a)

72 I done told you motherfuckers.
Posted by: aristotle, reviewing sophocles

How do we know you told us?

Posted by: Rene Descartes at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (I11+c)

73 First one is funny. Have had no desire to check or the second.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:16 PM (Jj43a)

--The scene visiting the Kevin Spacey character in prison was hilarious.

And Jennifer Anniston is even funnier in the second one.

Plus, Jonathan Banks.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (GsAUU)

74 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?

John Wick and The Equalizer are very pleasant revenge flicks that I will stop TV surfing and watch. Drive is underrated though it may be older than 10 years.

Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (HCqAo)

75 I watch Jaws just to watch Robert Shaw

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (ghofu)

76 Or the people who made it said that's what it was about.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone

Ah.

Well, David Simon said The Wire was about the failure of the War on Drugs. I saw The Wire as a failure of the Welfare state and 1 party rule.

Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:21 PM (HCqAo)

77 I also like American Ultra.

Not great art. But a fun film.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:21 PM (H5knJ)

78 John Wick and The Equalizer are very pleasant revenge flicks that I will stop TV surfing and watch. Drive is underrated though it may be older than 10 years.
Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:19 PM (HCqAo)

--The Equalizer was good?

I like Denzel Washington's flicks, but I heard it fell way short of the TV series.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:22 PM (GsAUU)

79 61 I read in the trivia of High Noon that it was a scathing response to Hollywood for not standing up against HUAC or some such. Gary Cooper was shamed that he didn't stand up for his communist pals.
Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:14 PM (uaHyk)

Rio Bravo was John Wayne's response to High Noon.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:22 PM (rb1zT)

80 Well, David Simon said The Wire was about the failure of the War on Drugs. I saw The Wire as a failure of the Welfare state and 1 party rule.
Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:21 PM (HCqAo)

--I find both true, but I give you 2 points and Simon just 1.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (GsAUU)

81 Conan the Barbarian

Die Hard

The Road Warrior

Battle of the Bulge

Dirty Dozen

The Professionals

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (McXSl)

82
How do you view Pulp Fiction, for example, in regards to structure?

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (qGuLD)

83 Or the people who made it said that's what it was about.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone

Ah.

Well, David Simon said The Wire was about the failure of the War on Drugs. I saw The Wire as a failure of the Welfare state and 1 party rule.
Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:21 PM (HCqAo)

The age-old question: Once the artist is done with his/her creation, how much control do they retain over how it is viewed/interpreted?

I certainly come down on the side of "shut up and let me watch it and decide for myself what it means."

Posted by: BurtTC at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (Pz4pT)

84 Clemson looks to have a lot of tough games like this, but may just make the playoffs.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (GsAUU)

85 77 I also like American Ultra.

Not great art. But a fun film.
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:21 PM (H5knJ)

=====

I was open to it for a few minutes after it's terrible opening. It seemed interesting.

But it's just so all over the place that I couldn't get into it.

It doesn't help that some of the jokes miss their marks by about twenty seconds.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (Jj43a)

86 Rio Bravo was John Wayne's response to High Noon.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop

The Duke.
Game. Set. Match.

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (I11+c)

87 Papillon

Steve McQueen

Classic.

Posted by: Sarah Palin's Buttplug at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (WagGr)

88 74 - I have no beef with those films, but Man on Fire scratches that itch better for me.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (H5knJ)

89 82
How do you view Pulp Fiction, for example, in regards to structure?
Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (qGuLD)

It sucks?

Oh! The structure?

That sucks too.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (rb1zT)

90 67 Oops got fixated on movies I always watch when they are on and skipped the "in the last ten year"s part.

Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (vzgzF)

91 The age-old question: Once the artist is done with his/her creation, how much control do they retain over how it is viewed/interpreted?

I certainly come down on the side of "shut up and let me watch it and decide for myself what it means."
Posted by: BurtTC at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (Pz4pT)

--Art has a faith of its own.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:25 PM (GsAUU)

92 86 Rio Bravo was John Wayne's response to High Noon.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop

The Duke.
Game. Set. Match.
Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (I11+c)

Wayne has a great exchange with Ward Bond where Bond wants to get the townspeople to help hold off the Brother's gang.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM (rb1zT)

93 Just got back from seeing 'Mother!"

My review: A brilliant but unconventional and, at times, difficult to watch allegory, that will mean something different for each person. 4 stars out of 4, for me. Somewhere in my top ten all time, below, say, Thin Red Line and Schindler's List; but above The Red Violin.

Nothing there about Mother Gaia for me.

Posted by: Pastafarian at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM (sgHEm)

94 82
How do you view Pulp Fiction, for example, in regards to structure?
Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (qGuLD)

======

I don't have a term for it, but it's a non linear narrative that ends at the middle of the chronology but the end of the story.

It's rather amazing that the three separate airlines end up interweaving so well.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM (Jj43a)

95 How do you view Pulp Fiction, for example, in regards to structure?
Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (qGuLD)

Solid, in terms of juggling the timeline. It made sense to do it that way, and probably added to its entertainment value.

It would be interesting to see it re-edited into chronological order, and see how/if it changed.

Posted by: BurtTC at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM (Pz4pT)

96 Battle of the Bulge might be my one to watch if it's on, mostly because as a kid loved it, of course soon after learned it was all bull

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM (ghofu)

97 88 74 - I have no beef with those films, but Man on Fire scratches that itch better for me.
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (H5knJ)

--The gold standard for revenge flicks.

"I'm just a professional.

I'm getting tired of hearing that."

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:27 PM (GsAUU)

98 I dislike Pulp Fiction with a fiery passion rivaled only by the Sun.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:27 PM (rb1zT)

99 thank you for the 10 structures video. interesting and brought many movies back to mind and made me aware of all the films i don't know.

movie of dreams like the tenth type in the clip is one i fell in love with, fellini's amarcord . brings a smile to my mind as ii reminisce.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 16, 2017 09:28 PM (AxFdW)

100 86 Rio Bravo was John Wayne's response to High Noon.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop

The Duke.
Game. Set. Match.
Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:24 PM (I11+c)

--My Top 3 Duke movies (in no order):

The Cowboys

McClintock!

The Shootist

(Okay, probably in that order, 1-2-3)

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:29 PM (GsAUU)

101 78:--The Equalizer was good?

I like Denzel Washington's flicks, but I heard it fell way short of the TV series.

I liked it. No, its not the TV series.

Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:31 PM (HCqAo)

102 That graph is exactly how I structure a sermon:1 intro set-up; 2 expository preaching; 3 tie-up/application. In those same increments.

Posted by: Charles the Simple at September 16, 2017 09:31 PM (w7U7L)

103 John Wick.

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:31 PM (2wRtc)

104 ... amarcord , so many surprising and delightful vignettes, ending with that dream of the great ship to america looming. wonderful.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 16, 2017 09:31 PM (AxFdW)

105 @93

Then you will want to read Rex Reed's review of the film.

One of the highlights of the review has to be him calling the director a whack job.

The venom and hate for the movie practically leaps off the page.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM (9A6UB)

106 82
How do you view Pulp Fiction, for example, in regards to structure?

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:23 PM (qGuLD)

++++

The story itself is linear. I've read that the movie was written in order and it was shot with the intention of being a regular linear movie. But, once they got to editing, Tarantino decided to do the non-linear thing.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM (pvjTE)

107 The Professional was a great revenge movie. But I don't know if it would have worked without Gary Oldman. He made a great villain you really wanted dead.

Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM (vzgzF)

108 Kreplach: Yeah, I knew this would be a love-it-or-hate-it sort of movie.

And I actually both loved it, and hated it. A remarkable film.

Posted by: Pastafarian at September 16, 2017 09:33 PM (sgHEm)

109 The venom and hate for the movie practically leaps off the page.
Posted by: Kreplach

You could call it "wrath", maybe?

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:34 PM (I11+c)

110 64 61 I read in the trivia of High Noon that it was a scathing response to Hollywood for not standing up against HUAC or some such. Gary Cooper was shamed that he didn't stand up for his communist pals.
Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:14 PM (uaHyk)

======

It's the reason John Wayne hated it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:15 PM (Jj43a)

He was offered the role of Will Kane first and supposedly turned it down b/c of that.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:34 PM (uaHyk)

111 107 The Professional was a great revenge movie. But I don't know if it would have worked without Gary Oldman. He made a great villain you really wanted dead.
Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM (vzgzF)

--Agreed. Also made The Book of Eli great.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:34 PM (GsAUU)

112 I was never a Keanu Reeves fan but he's growing on me. He was in a cop movie (Street Kings). I was surprised how much I liked it. Not even sure it made the theaters. Looks like a "straight to video" deal. He was made for John Wick. Love that movie. Haven't seen the second one yet.

Posted by: Puddleglum at September 16, 2017 09:35 PM (HCqAo)

113 Saw "IT" this week.

Well done big budget error movie.

Nice updating of Pennywise and modernization of King's story.

Great acting by the kids. Seriously. And Pennywise actor better than Tim Curry.

Hints of creepy otherworld origin of Pennywise without getting into the whole goofy Space Spider conquered by preteens having gangbang thing. Thankfully.

The opening scene is so creepy (drooling Pennywise barely able to control his hunger) as Pennywise tries to tempt the child closer and so effective in generating tension that I wish they'd used that aspect a bit more.

Instead of the straight up attack used through the rest of the movie..

I suppose that's my only criticism.

It'll be interesting to see if they can make the adult part as effective as the kid part in the finale.

Posted by: naturalfake at September 16, 2017 09:35 PM (9q7Dl)

114 Wow, 79 yard TD by Clemson.

Nice

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:36 PM (GsAUU)

115 Hmmm.

Thx autocorrect!

error = horror

Posted by: naturalfake at September 16, 2017 09:36 PM (9q7Dl)

116 @108

The only film I have ever had a hate for was Inception.

For some reason the levels thing and the kicks irritated the hell out of me to the point I actually left the theater a few times to compose myself.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:37 PM (9A6UB)

117 --Agreed. Also made The Book of Eli great.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:34 PM (GsAUU)

Kind of a similar part in both. And he crushed it in both.

Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:37 PM (vzgzF)

118 they showed a few shots of my dinner with andre but illustrating the wrong structure. what it is is the existential story in reverse. there are specific reasons how it plays with that narrative i won't go into. suffice to say, someone i explained my take on the film to later told me he was at a party and met a woman who was involved with the making of the movie. he told her "it's the existentialist story in reverse" and says her jaw dropped. she said "how did you know? no one knows that!"

true story.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 16, 2017 09:38 PM (AxFdW)

119 For some reason the levels thing and the kicks irritated the hell out of me to the point I actually left the theater a few times to compose myself.

Posted by: Kreplach

Made for a great Rick and Morty episode though.

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:38 PM (I11+c)

120 Watching 'Man on Fire' again now.

Before John Wick, it was my very favorite.

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:40 PM (2wRtc)

121 If I understand right, structure is a bunch of faggy foreign films.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Doppelganger To the Stars! at September 16, 2017 09:40 PM (Nwg0u)

122 not a movie, but I mentioned that The Orville looks like it could be a fun show

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (hMwEB)

123 The story itself is linear. I've read that the movie was written in order and it was shot with the intention of being a regular linear movie. But, once they got to editing, Tarantino decided to do the non-linear thing.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM

Apparently, it went the other way with True Romance, which was originally written as non linear, but Roger Avary and Tony Scott (IIRC?) convinced him to redo it in order.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (qGuLD)

124 The Professional was a great revenge movie.
-------

Heh. There is a brief scene in a kitchen, and there is a 50's era GE clock on the wall. I have the identical clock, which has been in the family for two generations.

In the movie, it is evident that they have replaced the works with digital stuff, because of the 'ticking' movement of the second hand.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (5qYq+)

125 105 @93

Then you will want to read Rex Reed's review of the film.

One of the highlights of the review has to be him calling the director a whack job.

The venom and hate for the movie practically leaps off the page.
Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:32 PM (9A6UB)

After reading Rex Reed's review, I wanted to take up a collection to buy ace a ticket.

Posted by: rickl at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (sdi6R)

126 Yea! I'm actually on time for once!

I have my bugaboos with structure. I think a slavish attendance to the formula creates formulaic movies. Which means no surprises, no suspense.

For me, the three act structure works best when you act against it.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (xJa6I)

127 122 not a movie, but I mentioned that The Orville looks like it could be a fun show
Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (hMwEB)

=======

First episode was okay.

A forgettable Star Trek episode with some decent humor.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (Jj43a)

128 Watched Book of Eli the other day again and watching then has Gary Oldman ever not played a villain?

Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (ghofu)

129 The only film I have ever had a hate for was Inception.

For some reason the levels thing and the kicks irritated the hell out of me to the point I actually left the theater a few times to compose myself.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:37 PM (9A6UB)

++++

I have had the experience of walking out on a film that pissed me off. I have never had the experience of walking back in for an additional dose of punishment.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (FUu/Z)

130 The Quiet Man has no descending action. It has a giant fistfight fiollowed by the wrap-up.

Also, Papillon was mentioned twice here at the HQ and I see it's a free view this month from my public library. Coincidence? I think not!

I hope American Assassin is good. I'm going on a date, and that's his choice. He likes the fact that I like war movies and has recommended a good gun shop for my first gun purchase. If he used the Internet, I think he'd be a Moron.

Posted by: NaughtyPine - Public nuisance at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (G8B7r)

131 I will go see American Assassin. Alone. Because he's hot.

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (CNHr1)

132 I don't see "tactical reloads" or "weapon transitions" on that chart.

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (2wRtc)

133 93 - JLaw said she did not want Trump supporters to see her movies. Request:

[ ] not granted

[ ] granted

[x] granted, bitch

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (H5knJ)

134 126 Yea! I'm actually on time for once!

I have my bugaboos with structure. I think a slavish attendance to the formula creates formulaic movies. Which means no surprises, no suspense.

For me, the three act structure works best when you act against it.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (xJa6I)

========

There space for following rules and for breaking them.

Star Trek II does nothing to undercut the structure, but it's amazing. Probably because it's about more than just plot machinations.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (Jj43a)

135 128 Watched Book of Eli the other day again and watching then has Gary Oldman ever not played a villain?
Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (ghofu)

======

Commissioner Gordon.

Soon to be Churchill.

Just to name two.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:44 PM (Jj43a)

136 128 Watched Book of Eli the other day again and watching then has Gary Oldman ever not played a villain?
Posted by: Skip at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (ghofu)
---
Well, Sid Vicious, who was just a crazy mixed up kid.

There was some flick about a kid on a road trip of self-discovery and Gary played a decent guy. Can't remember the name.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 09:44 PM (qJtVm)

137 128 - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

A good film too.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:44 PM (H5knJ)

138 I liked Inception.

Whatsisface is an annoying celeb but a good actor imo

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 09:45 PM (hMwEB)

139 Well done big budget error movie.

That was my thought about the new IT as well.

Except without the well done part.

I thought it was a chaotic mess that never should have been made, starring the wrong actor for Pennywise, and several incoherent kids few of which had the screentime which I require for me to care about them as characters.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:45 PM (6FqZa)

140 128 - He was Commissioner Gordon too.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:45 PM (H5knJ)

141 25 No Shawshank???

Posted by: MAxIE at September 16, 2017 09:45 PM (9TR2V)

142 "You put a ham sandwich through the slot when I was in solitary."

Guard: "what if I did?"

"A ham sandwich. Not much to pay for your life, was it? Get out of here."

-
Did they indict the ham sandwich first?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Doppelganger To the Stars! at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (Nwg0u)

143 True Lies is just starting on one of the Starz channels. Admittedly a crappy movie but oddly fun. Or it's just all I see is Jamie Lee Curtis dancing in my head that makes me keep watching it over and over.

Posted by: X-ray at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (vzgzF)

144 Had to read the Rex Reed review.

Don't give shit about spoilers, because Jennifer Lawrence.

Great stuff.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (GsAUU)

145 yeah, "Commissioner Gordon" and "Churchill" are pretty heavy on the Not Villains scale

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (6FqZa)

146 I don't have a term for it, but it's a non linear narrative that ends at the middle of the chronology but the end of the story.

It's rather amazing that the three separate airlines end up interweaving so well.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:26 PM

Yeah, it's a bit of an oddity. It goes beyond flashbacks and flash forwards.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (qGuLD)

147 "Death at a Funeral" (UK) is very funny.

More impotent-ly!...

Traffic is back to normal in University City, MO Loop area. Protesters inconvenienced motorists for about 90 minutes, total.

Sooo, per the MSM, St. Louis is BURNING! The city is a cross between Day of the Locusts and Night of the Triffids! Run for your lives!

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (gBShP)

148 @129

I saw it with my wife who has a higher tolerance for bullshit than I do.

So I went to get popcorn refills and took piss breaks often.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:47 PM (9A6UB)

149 I thought it was a chaotic mess that never should have been made, starring the wrong actor for Pennywise, and several incoherent kids few of which had the screentime which I require for me to care about them as characters.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:45 PM (6FqZa)

Yeah, I was feeling a bit bummed about it. I liked the kids part of the tv mini series when I was a kid (not going to watch it for $100 now.)

Their points about how the scary scenes are done sounds like it would be more annoying than scary/disturbing.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:47 PM (rb1zT)

150 148 @129

I saw it with my wife who has a higher tolerance for bullshit than I do.

So I went to get popcorn refills and took piss breaks often.
Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:47 PM (9A6UB)

======

Inception was my first date with Dolley.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:48 PM (Jj43a)

151 Every beginning storywriter does have to start with the three act structure in mind, though.

You have to master that before toying with the conventions.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (6FqZa)

152 Inception was my first date with Dolley.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:48 PM (Jj43a)

How could she see past the nose?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (rb1zT)

153 [iSooo, per the MSM, St. Louis is BURNING! The city is a cross between Day of the Locusts and Night of the Triffids! Run for your lives!
Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 09:46 PM (gBShP)

In other words, just another Saturday night in St. Louis.

Posted by: filbert at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (s5o+q)

154 I mentioned this on another thread, but one movie that struck me as ]i]very well-structured is the kids movie Holes. There are three story lines that all get resolved by the same sequence of events at the end. I don't know how this plays into the three-act structure, but I was just in awe of how perfectly that movie is put together.

Posted by: Jim S. at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (ynUnH)

155 But I think, rather than structure, there are instead universal 'Musts' that you need to have in a satisfying, entertaining movie. There are exceptions but those mostly lie as experiments to serve to illustrate the 'musts'.

1. You Must introduce your characters and make me interested in them.

2. You Must set up revelations or twists if you want to pay them off later.

3. You Must have obstacles and antagonist worth of your hero.

4. You Must have one and only one main problem per movie.

5. You Must resolve that problem by the end of the movie.

6. You Must have a professional cast and crew.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (xJa6I)

156 "Buenos Tardes , Senor Creasey"

Dakota Fanning and Denzel are just stellar.

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (2wRtc)

157 Kreplach: OK, I just read Rex Reed's review of 'Mother!". Here's my review of Rex Reed:

This ninny missed the fucking point completely. When you watch a 2 hour movie and realize that you don't know a single character's name, because those were never mentioned, and then you mock other reviewers for suggesting that this movie is metaphorical, maybe, just maybe, you're a dumb shit, and should take up some other line of work. Do you even allegory, bro?

And when you watch what many others (including me) have called a 'cinematic Rorschach test', but then you call it both sick and twisted, and a wet dream...well, maybe the sick and twisted, lies within your own dark heart, Rexie baby. Anyone who thought this movie was a wet dream, as Reed described it, anyone's wet dream, is one bent son of a bitch.

Posted by: Pastafarian at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (sgHEm)

158 151 Every beginning storywriter does have to start with the three act structure in mind, though.

You have to master that before toying with the conventions.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (6FqZa)

======

I'm reminded of James Joyce.

Before he broke the English language, he wore ten of the best stories in the language. He proved he knew what he was doing before he threw out the rule book.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (Jj43a)

159 If there were a riot in Detroit, would anyone notice?

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (I11+c)

160 yeah, Holes was well put together, despite the SJW themes (ooh, look at America's legacy of racism!).

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (6FqZa)

161 124 The Professional was a great revenge movie.
-------

Heh. There is a brief scene in a kitchen, and there is a 50's era GE clock on the wall. I have the identical clock, which has been in the family for two generations.

In the movie, it is evident that they have replaced the works with digital stuff, because of the 'ticking' movement of the second hand.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (5qYq+)

I've never seen that movie, but I might have the same clock. It's been the kitchen clock as far back as I can remember, and is probably older than I am.

Posted by: rickl at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (sdi6R)

162 123 "the story itself was linear ... but once tarantino got to editing he made it (pulp fiction) non-linear."

also annie hall which was structured (like "seinfeld"!) as a stand-up comics trials and tribulations in ny. diane keaton's role was subsidiary. but it was the only storyline that registered with audiences so they recut it to make that relationship the movie. or so i've heard.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (AxFdW)

163 86 Rio Bravo was John Wayne's response to High Noon.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop
Howard Hawks's response, actually. He despised High Noon.

3-act structure gets knocked all the time as "derivative" by people who don't know what they're talking about, but they think it confers hip status. Like ordering a macchiato when what you really want is a latte.

Listen: sometimes, 3-act structure movies are utter crap. Same applies to non-linear film. And yes, Tarantino constructed Pulp Fiction in the classic sense, then tossed it up in the air during the edit. The restructured script was passed around my film school.

But "beginning/middle/end" is storytelling from caveman days. It's familiar and can be absorbed with little thought. It's all in what you hang from the branches of that tree.

Posted by: Shopgirl at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (5uFUp)

164 152 Inception was my first date with Dolley.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:48 PM (Jj43a)

How could she see past the nose?
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:49 PM (rb1zT)

=====

I used it to my advantage to trick her into marrying me.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (Jj43a)

165 133 93 - JLaw said she did not want Trump supporters to see her movies. Request:

[ ] not granted

[ ] granted

[x] granted, bitch
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (H5knJ)

--I checked that box without even thinking.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (GsAUU)

166 TheJames Madison - awaiting your opinion on "The Stoning of Soraya M and add in the Kite Runner as well"

Posted by: Ben Had at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (uQ96e)

167 Apparently, it went the other way with True Romance, which was originally written as non linear, but Roger Avary and Tony Scott (IIRC?) convinced him to redo it in order.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:41 PM (qGuLD)

++++

I don't think Tarantino had a say. He wrote it but then sold the script, so it was no longer his decision to make.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (FUu/Z)

168 113 - I have a few complaints, but liked IT quite a bit.

The kids were great. Their relationships were the best done since Eight Millimeter.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:52 PM (H5knJ)

169 Movies I hate?

1: Anything with Shaky Cam.

2: Most "Remakes".

3: Clear Present Danger, Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, and Sum of All Fears.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at September 16, 2017 09:52 PM (w+Jhj)

170 ... and they recut it ("annie hall") like two weeks before its release or something but otherwise it was a structureless mess. or so i've heard.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 16, 2017 09:52 PM (AxFdW)

171 Super 8, rather.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:52 PM (H5knJ)

172 Movies I'll stop everything to watch:

The Lion in Winter

Immortal Beloved

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Harvey

the 1951 Showboat (Grayson, Keel, Joe E. Brown)

Posted by: Lurking Cynic at September 16, 2017 09:53 PM (6MhN2)

173 Clemson is rolling.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:53 PM (GsAUU)

174 133 93 - JLaw said she did not want Trump supporters to see her movies. Request:

[ ] not granted

[ ] granted

[x] granted, bitch
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (H5knJ)

I wonder how the producers/studio felt about that.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 09:53 PM (uaHyk)

175 Inception was my first date with Dolley.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:48 PM

What did you think of Inception? I found it, like a number of Nolan's flicks, to be enjoyable, but ultimately frustrating story wise. Self defeating, if that makes sense. Entertaining though.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (qGuLD)

176 @157

Another interesting take on the film is by the film critic for Forbes who called the film "repulsive" and an "utterly tasteless nightmare".

I might have to actually see this film now.

The reactions I'm seeing remind me of the reactions to The Brown Bunny.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (9A6UB)

177 165 133 93 - JLaw said she did not want Trump supporters to see her movies. Request:

[ ] not granted

[ ] granted

[x] granted, bitch
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (H5knJ)

--I checked that box without even thinking.
Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (GsAUU)

Yeah, I don't think I'm missing anything.

Posted by: rickl at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (sdi6R)

178 "Being black. Is that a positive or negative for a bodyguard in Mexico?"

"Time will tell, Pita."

Their interaction is just magic.

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:55 PM (2wRtc)

179 So movies that use the three act structure well:
The Searchers
The Guardians of the Galaxy
The Avengers (Marvel)
Conan the Barbarian

Movies that played with the structure successfully:
Momento
Apocalypse Now
Spellbinder...This one follows the normal movie structure only to give you a hell of a twist at the end. It is a horror story, fairly warned be ye.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 09:55 PM (xJa6I)

180 166 TheJames Madison - awaiting your opinion on "The Stoning of Soraya M and add in the Kite Runner as well"
Posted by: Ben Had at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM (uQ96e)

======

I think I saw Kite Runner, but I remember very little about it.

Stoning was good. I didn't buy the husband ( I think it was a performance thing) and I felt that the most touching emotional moment was glossed over. That moment, when Soraya's eldest son rejects her after her conviction, I'd fleeting and wasn't set up nearly as well as it should have been. Still, it was good.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:55 PM (Jj43a)

181 "I am the sheep that got lost, madre."

Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:56 PM (2wRtc)

182 1. You Must introduce your characters and make me interested in them.
2. You Must set up revelations or twists if you want to pay them off later.
3. You Must have obstacles and antagonist worth of your hero.
4. You Must have one and only one main problem per movie.
5. You Must resolve that problem by the end of the movie.
6. You Must have a professional cast and crew.

IT:
1. fail
2. pass
3. pass
4. meh (there was a secondary bully; bully was defeated by IT himself, with little input from the protagonists)
5. pass, given that this was a two parter
6. fail. Child actors did not enunciate. Scares showed up out of pretty much nowhere.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:56 PM (6FqZa)

183 I don't think Tarantino had a say. He wrote it but then sold the script, so it was no longer his decision to make.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 09:51 PM

Ah... I think you're right. That rings a bell.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:56 PM (qGuLD)

184 156 "Buenos Tardes , Senor Creasey"

Dakota Fanning and Denzel are just stellar.
Posted by: Mortimer - disappointed at September 16, 2017 09:50 PM (2wRtc)

--That was the payoff.

Viewers who wanted a straight action movie hated the slow middle with Creasy building a bond with Pita, but that is what the made the conclusion so satisfying.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 09:56 PM (GsAUU)

185 TJM, I don't share your admiration for Joyce. But I would agree that he at least began the 'breaking' of the language.

To me, his stuff is the equivalent of "the Emperor's (non-existent) new clothes."

Since no one could really stand to read it, everyone pretended it was great.

IMO

Posted by: booknlass at September 16, 2017 09:57 PM (Bwg/4)

186 Have you seen much of this up and coming film star?

http://tinyurl.com/lunwyaa

Posted by: The Gimp at September 16, 2017 09:57 PM (jdWK0)

187 Their relationships were the best done since Eight Millimeter.

You mean Super 8? Wasn't 8mm the Nicolas Cage movie about snuff?

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 09:58 PM (6FqZa)

188 175 Inception was my first date with Dolley.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:48 PM

What did you think of Inception? I found it, like a number of Nolan's flicks, to be enjoyable, but ultimately frustrating story wise. Self defeating, if that makes sense. Entertaining though.
Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (qGuLD)

=====

I really like it. It's a fun puzzle with enough of an emotional core to carry it through multiple viewings. It doesn't matter whether dreams work like that or not in reality., Just that the established rules maintain through it all.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:58 PM (Jj43a)

189 Has no one mentioned Memento? The structure of that film was completely impossible, no way it could work, and yet it worked. Brilliant.

Posted by: Jim S. at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (ynUnH)

190 Yeah, 8mm was the Nicholas Cage snuff film movie, wasn't it?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (rb1zT)

191 187 - Right on both counts!

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (H5knJ)

192 185 TJM, I don't share your admiration for Joyce. But I would agree that he at least began the 'breaking' of the language.

To me, his stuff is the equivalent of "the Emperor's (non-existent) new clothes."

Since no one could really stand to read it, everyone pretended it was great.

IMO
Posted by: booknlass at September 16, 2017 09:57 PM (Bwg/4)

======

I've read Ulysses twice, and I genuinely love it.

But I don't think I've encountered anyone who's read The Dead without calling it great.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (Jj43a)

193 Worst big budget movie: "Gabel and Lombard," starring James Brolin. If I had an hour left to live, I'd watch THAT, because it would seem like so much longer.

Worst low budget movie: "Fiesta!" starring Esther Williams... as a bullfighter! FIRST, we see big tall Esther with a cape & sword, & THEN we see a skinny little Mexican dude (supposed to be Esther) taking the pass from the bull! THEN, back to Esther, acknowledging the cheers of the crowd. THAT'S entertainment!

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (gBShP)

194 The James Madison- That was the whole point- No one would accept her and that is the whole point of Islam. Look at again not as a movie but as a theology.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (uQ96e)

195 annie hall which was structured (like "seinfeld"!) as a stand-up comics trials and tribulations in ny. diane keaton's role was subsidiary. but it was the only storyline that registered with audiences so they recut it to make that relationship the movie. or so i've heard.

If you've seen his Manhattan Murder Mystery, that's the original sl for Annie Hall. Despite, or maybe because of that, they're my favorite Allen films.

Posted by: Shopgirl at September 16, 2017 10:00 PM (5uFUp)

196 134 126 Yea! I'm actually on time for once!

I have my bugaboos with structure. I think a slavish attendance to the formula creates formulaic movies. Which means no surprises, no suspense.

For me, the three act structure works best when you act against it.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 09:42 PM (xJa6I)

========

There space for following rules and for breaking them.

Star Trek II does nothing to undercut the structure, but it's amazing. Probably because it's about more than just plot machinations.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:43 PM (Jj43a)

Exactly. If you follow Structure as your religion, you end up with Speed. And Speed 2.

Now, I don't much like the Big Lebowski, but what seems to make that movie work isn't the structure, but the characters, dialog and performances.

Or to make a better example maybe, Speed is empty and vapid but structured well. John Wick is also structured well, but it has more. It has a relationship between the hero and villain.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 10:00 PM (xJa6I)

197 The reactions I'm seeing remind me of the reactions to The Brown Bunny.
Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (9A6UB)
---
Which I have not seen, but this was one film that Ebert hated with a passion, then saw a few years later and felt obliged to go back and write a more positive review.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 10:01 PM (qJtVm)

198 194 The James Madison- That was the whole point- No one would accept her and that is the whole point of Islam. Look at again not as a movie but as a theology.
Posted by: Ben Had at September 16, 2017 09:59 PM (uQ96e)

======

But since it is a narrative film, they are valid concerns and issues.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:01 PM (Jj43a)

199 Since no one could really stand to read it, everyone pretended it was great.

IMO
Posted by: booknlass

I think he was just trolling people. Especially with Finnegan's Wake, like those guys that made the program to write peer reviewed Wymyn's Studies papers.

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 10:02 PM (I11+c)

200 Just wanted to pop in to say I agree with you on Creed. Yeah it's essentially a remake of Rocky but I loved the damn movie.

Sly was great, Michael B Jordan was great. Just awesome.

Yall be easy now.

Posted by: thathalfrican - new faces tie like shoelaces at September 16, 2017 10:02 PM (IYHxL)

201 Maybe I'm generalizing from my own disgust. Probably.

I felt like throwing "Portrait of the Artist..." out the window onto Old Main's Lawn.

And I couldn't get through anything else Joyce wrote. Different strokes, I guess.

Posted by: booknlass at September 16, 2017 10:02 PM (Bwg/4)

202 8mm (saw it in college) was a pretty interesting movie. One man's descent into someone else's Hell.

It meandered a bit, but was memorable. Ugly too.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 10:02 PM (rb1zT)

203 Movie w/ Oldman not a villian - Immortal Beloved

Posted by: Lurking Cynic at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (6MhN2)

204 @boulder terlit hobo

Thanks man, that helps me decide on avoiding that one.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (xJa6I)

205 197 Which I have not seen, but this was one film that Ebert hated with a passion, then saw a few years later and felt obliged to go back and write a more positive review.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 10:01 PM (qJtVm)

======

The cut he saw at Cannes and the cut that got released theatrically were about 30 minutes different. Enough so that he went from 0 stars to 3.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (Jj43a)

206 Worst big budget movie

So many choices, but I'm going with "Avatar".

Worst low budget movie

"The Ugly Truth", at least the first maybe thirty minutes of it. I walked out.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (6FqZa)

207 200 Just wanted to pop in to say I agree with you on Creed. Yeah it's essentially a remake of Rocky but I loved the damn movie.

Sly was great, Michael B Jordan was great. Just awesome.

Yall be easy now.
Posted by: thathalfrican - new faces tie like shoelaces at September 16, 2017 10:02 PM (IYHxL)

--One of these days I'm going to watch that. Have heard no bad reviews of Creed.

Posted by: logprof at September 16, 2017 10:04 PM (GsAUU)

208 ONT is a go!

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at September 16, 2017 10:05 PM (I11+c)

209 206 Worst big budget movie

So many choices, but I'm going with "Avatar".

Worst low budget movie

"The Ugly Truth", at least the first maybe thirty minutes of it. I walked out.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo, make america whoop again at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (6FqZa)

Birdemic. If the effects and acting were not bad enough, the GW crap is even worse.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at September 16, 2017 10:05 PM (rb1zT)

210 @197

I think one of the best things I read was after Ebert's review, Gallo called him fat and ugly, Ebert responded, "While it may be true that I am fat and ugly you will alway's be known as the director of The Brown Bunny."

That's pretty wicked and biting.

Posted by: Kreplach at September 16, 2017 10:05 PM (9A6UB)

211 I thought the camera work in Creed was as agile as the footwork of the boxers and I loved the way it danced and hovered around them as they fought.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 10:05 PM (qJtVm)

212 8mm (saw it in college) was a pretty interesting movie. One man's descent into someone else's Hell.

-
I saw that with Mrs. Wrecks. She hated it because Cage lied to his wife about smoking. The snuff film, eh, shit happens, but lying to your wife about smoking!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Doppelganger To the Stars! at September 16, 2017 10:07 PM (Nwg0u)

213
Damn.

Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 10:08 PM (qGuLD)

214 no plans to watch mother! but I am reminded that mama was a great horror movie

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at September 16, 2017 10:09 PM (hMwEB)

215 I think it's been discussed here before - movies that you will watch whenever you see it's on. Are there any movies made in the last decade that fit the bill?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at September 16, 2017 09:07 PM (gC2IV)

Sure.

Man On Fire
Unthinkable
Sunshine
...

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 10:09 PM (rZ+mb)

216 3: Clear Present Danger, Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, and Sum of All Fears.
Posted by: AshevilleRobert
-----------

Hmm. Didn't like the way the the Nav was represented, or, a totally justifiable, intense dislike for Alec Baldwin?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 16, 2017 10:10 PM (5qYq+)

217 "Auto Focus," about Bob Crane's life & death, is a brilliant film. VERY X-rated, though.

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 10:10 PM (gBShP)

218 196 - I could probably watch The Big Lebowski twice a month for the rest of my life. If it's on, I watch it.

I'm not sure I can explain how/why it connects with me. Because none of the characters are anything like me.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at September 16, 2017 10:11 PM (H5knJ)

219 Aw. New thread

But at least I made in on this one. Thanks TJM.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at September 16, 2017 10:11 PM (xJa6I)

220 Movie w/ Oldman not a villian - Immortal Beloved

Posted by: Lurking Cynic at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (6MhN2)

Sid and Nancy

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 10:12 PM (rZ+mb)

221 8mm (saw it in college) was a pretty interesting movie. One man's descent into someone else's Hell.

8mm was a very poor and pathetic imitation of Hard Core.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 10:13 PM (rZ+mb)

222 203 - immortal beloved was amazing.

I just saw a screening of Harry Dean Stanton's last fllm, Lucky. It was beautiful, quirky, honest and moving...poignant, even. And he sang that song.

Posted by: vivi at September 16, 2017 10:18 PM (11H2y)

223 What did you think of Inception? I found it, like a number of Nolan's flicks, to be enjoyable, but ultimately frustrating story wise. Self defeating, if that makes sense. Entertaining though.
Posted by: otho at September 16, 2017 09:54 PM (qGuLD)

=====

I really like it. It's a fun puzzle with enough of an emotional core to carry it through multiple viewings. It doesn't matter whether dreams work like that or not in reality., Just that the established rules maintain through it all.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 09:58 PM (Jj43a)

++++

I liked it as well. I also appreciate the ambiguity of the ending. Does the spinning top mean that he is still stuck one level down with his wife alive up at level 0?

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:21 PM (pvjTE)

224 I'm inclined to skip the apparently PC-version of Vince Flynn's "American Assassin" -- but if folks here like it, I'll give it a shot.

This is from an interview with Dylan O'Brien (apparently another ignorant Leftist idiot, BIRM twice), the actor playing Mitch Rapp (http://tinyurl.com/yakr2oee) -- Gag Me With A Spoon:

O'Brien connected with the role of Rapp and saw it as an appropriate step for him at this stage of his career. But before production began, he made a point to ensure that the movie handled the delicate subject of terrorism with sensitivity, and didn't hone in on just one group of people.

"I wanted to make sure we were going about it in the right way, and not being black and white about something that is such a gray area," O'Brien said. "Especially now, with terrorism and how it's everywhere, and it is a fear that everyone is currently living with."

To address this concern, O'Brien says the film's creators worked to make the script as up to date as possible. "American Assassin" is based off of a 2010 book by the same name, which was written by author Vince Flynn.

The film pits O'Brien against terrorists from different countries and backgrounds -- and the main villain, Ghost, is an American who schemes to carry out a heinous attack on the United States.

"With Ghost being the primary antagonist, I feel like that sort of displays what's going on now in terms of terrorism being everywhere, and not specifically secluded to one group or place," O'Brien said.

Posted by: ShainS at September 16, 2017 10:23 PM (BiLU+)

225 I am POWERING THROUGH Cosmopolis.

*girds loins*

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 10:23 PM (qJtVm)

226 Movies I watched this week:

From the Dark - Pretty good Irish horror film.

In Silence - Sad, perverse period drama with Jessica Lange, ELizabeth Olsen, and, er, Poe Dameron and Draco Malfoy.

Ben Hur (2016) - Meh..? Felt every one of its minutes. Even the chariot race dragged in places. But I did like the guy who played Judah.

The Magnificent Seven (2016) - Enjoyed well enough, especially Chris Pratt's performance. Doesn't hold a candle to 1960, though.

Has anyone seen The Big Sick with Ray Romano and Holly Hunter? Dramedy
aMovies I watched this week:

From the Dark - Pretty good Irish horror film.

In Silence - Sad, perverse period drama with Jessica Lange, ELizabeth Olsen, and, er, Poe Dameron and Draco Malfoy.

Ben Hur (2016) - Meh..? Felt every one of its minutes. Even the chariot race dragged in places. But I did like the guy who played Judah.

The Magnificent Seven (2016) - Enjoyed, especially Chris Pratt's performance. Doesn't hold a candle to 1960, though.

Has anyone seen "The Big Sick" (terrible title) starring Ray Romano and Holly Hunter? It's a dramedy about an interracial relationship, and it does look kinda funny, but it's expensive: $14.99 to buy - no rental option. I would hate to spend that money and find out the hard way that all the funny stuff is in the trailer.

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 10:24 PM (uaHyk)

227 223 I liked it as well. I also appreciate the ambiguity of the ending. Does the spinning top mean that he is still stuck one level down with his wife alive up at level 0?

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:21 PM (pvjTE)

=====

The top isn't his totem. His ring is his totem.

He's out of the dream because he's not wearing his ring in the final scene.

It's much less ambiguous than people think.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:24 PM (Jj43a)

228 The Stoning of Soraya M.

Excellent disturbing film. Completely brutal.

Posted by: Corona at September 16, 2017 10:24 PM (zIb93)

229 Eh... Pasting...how does it work?

Posted by: Gem at September 16, 2017 10:26 PM (uaHyk)

230 Recent Gary Oldman experience: went to the theater to see The Hitman's Bodyguard. It's no masterpiece, but it got the full measure of fun out of having Samuel L Jackson in it, and I wound up enjoying it quite a bit.

After I was home, I was struck by something familiar about the villain -- not his face, not his voice, but something about the total commitment to the villainy, no hedging, no compromise, rang a bell. That just doesn't happen -- unless it was Gary Oldman. Looked it up, and it was.

Posted by: Splunge at September 16, 2017 10:26 PM (Vb4BV)

231 223 I liked it as well. I also appreciate the ambiguity of the ending. Does the spinning top mean that he is still stuck one level down with his wife alive up at level 0?
Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:21 PM (pvjTE)

I took it as: the fact that he walked away from the spinning top means he doesn't give a shit whether it's a dream or not, so maybe you shouldn't either.

Posted by: Splunge at September 16, 2017 10:27 PM (Vb4BV)

232 231
I took it as: the fact that he walked away from the spinning top means he doesn't give a shit whether it's a dream or not, so maybe you shouldn't either.
Posted by: Splunge at September 16, 2017 10:27 PM (Vb4BV)

======

I agree. But he's still out.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:29 PM (Jj43a)

233 It's much less ambiguous than people think.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:24 PM (Jj43a)

It's not really ambiguous (based on the totem) at all. The ambiguity is just part of the whole story. The fact is that the totem explanation doesn't really make sense the way the movie explains it. That's okay. Most of the story is excellent and very well put together. The movie, overall, is fantastic and pretty tight - especially given the world it is trying to describe.

Inception is a very well done movie, very enjoyable, and clever (save a few problems, as above).

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at September 16, 2017 10:31 PM (rZ+mb)

234
The top isn't his totem. His ring is his totem.

He's out of the dream because he's not wearing his ring in the final scene.

It's much less ambiguous than people think.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:24 PM (Jj43a)

++++

I know. The top was his wife's totem and he stole it from her.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:33 PM (FUu/Z)

235 Speaking of film structure I saw two indie comedies which both used the structure of a farce.

Interestingly, both to one degree or another flirted with horror.

1) Bear With Us-

This movie reminded me a bit of a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" type sitcom in that the set-up is pretty much unreasonable (guy who can't get his girlfriend to marry him takes her into the woods to conquer her fear of bears and in doing so hopes she will then accept his proposal.) but everybody goes along with it....otherwise the plot would end if everyone acted reasonably.

That being said, "Bear With Us" is pretty consistently entertaining, even if some of the plot mechanics are eye-rolling,

and most importantly, by the time the cocaine-laced lemonade shows up and the third act begins you'll be laughing as BWU completely unleashes all the reversals, confusion, and manic activity you expect in a classic farce.

I'd give the movie a solid B as the writing could be stronger but the acting is good.

The one thing holding this movie back is that it tries to play cutest with the ending.

Yeah, you can tell what happens after the blackout by the expressions on the actors faces but this movie really, really, really needs an "Annie Hall" type coda to really end properly.

I've tried not to give away much of the plot- which involves, goofy friends, a killer bear, bear suit, and multiple rifles.

So, check it out on Amazon Video to see if it looks and sounds like it might be your kind of thing.

2) Mon Ami

Two losers decide to kidnap their boss' daughter and ransom her for enough money to change their lives.

They manage to kidnap the daughter, but most of the comedy comes from the fact that they are completely inept and frankly do not have the stomach to pursue the course of action which they have started.

Structurally, this is a very tightly written screenplay and devolves into a surprisingly satisfying horrific but funnyish third act.

Here's the problem though - the screenplay depends on a lot, a lot of inhumane violence visited upon the innocent daughter, who is presented as pretty nice.

And, at least, for me- this poisons the comedy and the movie even as structurally it makes sense and enables a very well done farcical third act as all hell breaks loose.

This is a movie I admired structurally more than liked.

Clearly, it aims for Coen Bros. "Fargo" territory, but the writer and director don't have the fine control of tone and sharp quality of writing that the Coen's specialize in.

You can check it out on Amazon Video if it sounds like your sort of thing.

Posted by: naturalfake at September 16, 2017 10:34 PM (9q7Dl)

236 Didn't know movievthread was still alive & well.

Can't beat Oldman's performance in True Romance for great villainy, imo.

Ever see "Auto Focus," about Bob Crane? It's wunnerful.

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 10:39 PM (gBShP)

237
The cut he saw at Cannes and the cut that got released theatrically were about 30 minutes different. Enough so that he went from 0 stars to 3.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at September 16, 2017 10:03 PM (Jj43a)

++++

Was the Cannes cut the pornier cut? I've never watched the movie, just the clips of Sevigny doing her thing. Had to see what all the hubbub was about.

I know Ebert had a thing about the "dignity" of the actresses. He was down on Blue Velvet because of Rossellini's nude scene. He felt it was exploitative.

Putz.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:42 PM (FUu/Z)

238 Okay fuck it, I'm giving up on this movie.

See how quickly I crumble after vowing to persevere?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 16, 2017 10:43 PM (qJtVm)

239 Brown Bunny is still very popular at Mr. Skin.

So... Brown Bunny lives. It's just an old porno flick.

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 10:47 PM (gBShP)

240 239 Brown Bunny is still very popular at Mr. Skin.

So... Brown Bunny lives. It's just an old porno flick.

Posted by: mnw at September 16, 2017 10:47 PM (gBShP)

++++

Not really. It's a 93 minute movie with about 5 minutes of stuff that would be at home in a porn movie. But, the rest is supposed to be conventional.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 16, 2017 10:53 PM (FUu/Z)

241 Is that your little girl?
She looks... a lot like you.
Some day some boy will write
in her book too...

Posted by: Earworm Delivery Service at September 17, 2017 01:58 AM (ZTqLB)

242 oops

Posted by: Earworm Delivery Service at September 17, 2017 01:59 AM (ZTqLB)

243
The "OSS" movies are intensely funny comedies.

Do Not Skip them if you're even mildly enjoy spy movies.

Posted by: ArthurK at September 17, 2017 03:10 AM (AVMrq)

244 I'm not going to debate the importance of screenplay as structure, and the importance (or not) of structure on the play, movie, or TV show.

In a slightly different take, I will say that the screenplay as a piece of writing is the foundation of a good play, movie, or TV show. The best director and actors ever assembled cannot rescue poor writing. Likewise, excellent writing can make mediocre actors seem excellent.

In my opinion, the foundation of any good (or better) piece of entertainment starts with a writer that can give the characters life. They make each character individuals without pigeonholing them into a schtick. The shows Northern Exposure, NCIS Los Angeles, and Scorpion are what happens when each character is in a silo, and grinds that character's personal axe relentlessly. The dialogue is relentlessly snappy. To me, that's just bad writing, and it's tiring to watch.

Posted by: Advo at September 17, 2017 12:13 PM (By5RL)

245 There is a youtube video out that shows the scenes discarded from the movie "Fury" Brad Pitt and company.
It shows how the movie is made, and how scene after scene is shot until the most political correct version is picked the one they feel movie going public will accept.
It bears only a superficial resemblance to the same movie as shown.

Posted by: obsidian at September 17, 2017 01:39 PM (ARK2U)

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