We did a two-night watch of The Shining followed by Doctor Sleep.
I don’t think this was a very kind thing to do to Doctor Sleep.
I think the story itself has a lot of potential, and might drive me to read the book - Danny Torrance struggling with life after the events at the Overlook and turning to drugs and alcohol makes a lot of sense and suggests a strong character focus.
That’s not really the case - you get a sense of who grown up Danny is, but never really enough of his internal life to see him as anything but the kid from The Shining, but fucked up now. Instead the movie is a strange mix of horror and whimsy and action, which, to be fair to the movie itself, is an area Stephen King plays in all the time, particularly in these later years. And the director, Mike Flanagan, is generally pretty great at picking up what makes King unique and making sure it’s not lost in the transition to something more bland (especially in the dialogue).
But Doctor Sleep wants to be slavishly loyal to King while also being an extended acknowledgment of Kubrick’s movie, and it just does not work, because they are incredibly different things, and Kubrick was not Flanagan. The weird mishmash tones that all kind of work separately just can’t co-exist in the shadow of such a strong vision.
And this is kind of small, but it just killed me while watching Doctor Sleep. Two hours in you get an extended retread of the opening of The Shining, driving through the hillsides up to this lonely remote hotel. ‘Neat!’ you think, before it occurs to you that this long, languid shot was the opening for a long, languid movie, and not an odd three minute sequence directly before the climax of a much more traditionally told story. It just makes no fucking sense to include it there, and it’s not like the movie has failed to nod to Kubrick at this point.
I get the feeling Flanagan wanted to retcon the original to be more like the books, or maybe resented being made to reference the original movie. Plus the actor they got for Jack looks nothing like Nicholson.
Idk I enjoyed Doctor Sleep as it's own thing but yeah the forced connection to The Shining actually distracted from what worked in the film.
I'll say this, if they wanted to give Flanagan more King stuff I'd not be opposed. If he wanted to do a movie or maybe series on The Talisman I think it would be really good.
I'll say this, if they wanted to give Flanagan more King stuff I'd not be opposed. If he wanted to do a movie or maybe series on The Talisman I think it would be really good.
Agreed across the board. I enjoyed Doctor Sleep a lot more than I suggested, but the last act is just such a fascinating misfire that it sucks the energy out of everything else, at least from a criticism angle.
I also think Flanagan makes a lot more sense for The Talisman than the Duffers - that book is weird and filthy and cruel in its treatment of children, a lot more King than Spielberg, and if it feels much of anything like Stranger Things they will have fucked up royally.
Side note, Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game isn’t my favorite King movie, but I think it’s the most King movie, warts and all, and I was happy to see a successful and faithful adaptation of some of his genre work. Before that I had to point people to Thinner, which I love, but is pure schlock, and misses out on the humanity of King’s characters in his better stories.
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Inquisitor772 x Penny Arcade Fight Club ChampionA fixed point in space and timeRegistered Userregular
Michael B. Jordan is directing Creed III.
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Ninja Snarl PMy helmet is my burden.Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered Userregular
But are those good? I've seen like, half of the second one and it wasn't great. I want them to do it good, or atleast funny maybe.
Robot Jox is very much a product of its time, the late 80's before the fall of the USSR. But the fights are kinda fun and are done with decent stop motion animation and I've seen far worse treatments of subjects like Cold War propaganda and eugenics in sci-fi.
Its not Shakespeare, but IMO worth seeing and it just hit streaming for the first time in like a decade (Amazon Prime, in this case).
No matter where you go...there you are. ~ Buckaroo Banzai
But are those good? I've seen like, half of the second one and it wasn't great. I want them to do it good, or atleast funny maybe.
Real Steel is better than it has any right to be - it's not great, but it's not bad either. It's a perfectly serviceable movie that I wouldn't stop if it popped up next in the recommended queue.
Obviously every person's preferences are different, but I'd watch it ahead of the Creed films (for reference, I'd also watch Highlander ahead of the vast majority of MCU films).
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Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Wadsworth in Clue
Real Steel is better than Rocky II, worse than Rocky IV.
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
I don't understand megalo box at all. Boxing already gets people killed, now lets strap their arms to pneumatics and amp up the speed and damage to make it worse?
I think body mod fighting just seems cool. Exoskeletons are dope. It's to raise the stakes (and it's just fun light scifi stuff).
Also that real steel trailer just makes me want a live actions Medabots and we're never gonna get that and now I'm mad!!!
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BlackDragon480Bluster KerfuffleMaster of Windy ImportRegistered Userregular
The Devil in Legend
I know the music from Rocky far better than the film itself. My dad plays jazz trumpet and while I was growing up he'd play the Maynard Ferguson instrumental cover of Gonna Fly Now at least 3 times a week when practicing. He also made sure to do it on our back deck to piss off an asshole neighbor with the squeling high Cs.
No matter where you go...there you are. ~ Buckaroo Banzai
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BlackDragon480Bluster KerfuffleMaster of Windy ImportRegistered Userregular
Continuing our Stephen King binge, we watched Children of the Corn (1984) last night.
Both of us had mixed this up extensively with Village of the Damned and expected something fairly dry, so this was a pleasant surprise. Cheesy, no frills horror movie that oscillates between “actually scary” and “surprisingly hilarious.” The lead antagonist kid, Isaac, is solid gold as a pubescent fire and brimstone preacher. Linda Hamilton is here to improve the general quality of the acting, though I’m not sure that’s actually a benefit.
Third act gets a little too traditional monster movie, but honestly, this was more fun than I expected.
We might have to break away from the King marathon soon, though. We’re increasingly yelling “Wendy!” and “Outlander!” at each other from across the house.
if both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are supporting actors in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH then while in the world is the lead???
So, this fucking sucks. The producers submitted Lakeith specifically as Best Actor, but the Academy, in their eternal wisdom, has decided that he is merely a Supporting Actor.
I'm not sure what you would've wanted? If there are only 5 nominations for each category, do they just not nominate Stanfield at all since they've picked their Best Acting Noms or put him in Best Supporting?
I'm not sure what you would've wanted? If there are only 5 nominations for each category, do they just not nominate Stanfield at all since they've picked their Best Acting Noms or put him in Best Supporting?
Presumably for him to be submitted under best actor instead of forcing him into a category that doesn't fit his performance?
I would like some money because these are artisanal nuggets of wisdom philistine.
I'm not sure what you would've wanted? If there are only 5 nominations for each category, do they just not nominate Stanfield at all since they've picked their Best Acting Noms or put him in Best Supporting?
Yes. I think that is the correct choice. Instead of giving Kaluuya his due credit and having the balls to own their decision to not recognize Stanfield, now they are fucking both actors in the same film because the vote will almost certainly split between the two within that category.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Just the strangest movie series to run on apparently forever. It's boxing.
Yeah but they're just nominally about boxing. Spiritually, they're about heart.
Rocky is not at all about boxing, it's about the triumph of will for an underdog to overcome all the odds. Boxing is very much just a background setpiece to the very real drama that is going on (and later movies just kinda ignore that Paulie is an abusive asshole!)
Rocky II is about boxing.
Rocky III is about legacy, about what it means to be a competitor, about confronting hard truths.
Rocky IV is about revenge and beating Communism.
Rocky V is about dogshit.
Balboa is about legacy and your place in history.
Creed is about legacy and how you fit in the world, what makes your family. Boxing is much more a part of this movie than most of the others simply because it's actually smart about the boxing that happens.
I have not seen Creed II yet.
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
if both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are supporting actors in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH then while in the world is the lead???
So, this fucking sucks. The producers submitted Lakeith specifically as Best Actor, but the Academy, in their eternal wisdom, has decided that he is merely a Supporting Actor.
It was interesting to hear in Anthony Mackie's Hot Ones episode recently that Supporting Actor is often the more coveted award for actors in Hollywood.
if both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are supporting actors in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH then while in the world is the lead???
So, this fucking sucks. The producers submitted Lakeith specifically as Best Actor, but the Academy, in their eternal wisdom, has decided that he is merely a Supporting Actor.
It was interesting to hear in Anthony Mackie's Hot Ones episode recently that Supporting Actor is often the more coveted award for actors in Hollywood.
I suppose that's where all the "character actors" end up.
Contemplate this on the Tree of Woe
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Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
if both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are supporting actors in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH then while in the world is the lead???
So, this fucking sucks. The producers submitted Lakeith specifically as Best Actor, but the Academy, in their eternal wisdom, has decided that he is merely a Supporting Actor.
It was interesting to hear in Anthony Mackie's Hot Ones episode recently that Supporting Actor is often the more coveted award for actors in Hollywood.
I suppose that's where all the "character actors" end up.
I just imagine it's easier to find good work as a supporting actor winner than a best actor winner.
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
Perhaps Mackie's thought process is that Best Actor seems to always go to a big name or someone who passed away, so Supporting Actor is the shot for becoming a "big name."
TexiKenDammit!That fish really got me!Registered Userregular
Wadsworth in Clue
lolololololololol Mulan got nominated for best visual effects. Shitty CGI aside it also did a piss poor job imitating wuxia on top of shitty editing, at least use your bribe money in better places, Disney. Sanic should have been nominated over Mulan for effects.
A thorough list of movies this year I'm meh at best about. Minari would be fine whenever it pops up on streaming somewhere. Another Round could be good but I just see it as some jelly scriptwriter ripping off Cranked. It would be nice for Wolfwalkers to win just because Cartoon Saloon was snubbed for Song of the Sea, and I would have liked to see the Demon Slayer movie get nominated for animated film just for more variety plus it also made 400 milly worldwide during a pandemic, that's some dabbing power yo.
The thing that really leapt out to me was how few nominations Tenet got. With a relatively thin field this year for obvious reasons they had to think that was a shoe-in for more. Clearly not.
The thing that really leapt out to me was how few nominations Tenet got. With a relatively thin field this year for obvious reasons they had to think that was a shoe-in for more. Clearly not.
It won all those awards 3 years ago though.
I would like some money because these are artisanal nuggets of wisdom philistine.
Just the strangest movie series to run on apparently forever. It's boxing.
Yeah but they're just nominally about boxing. Spiritually, they're about heart.
Rocky is not at all about boxing, it's about the triumph of will for an underdog to overcome all the odds. Boxing is very much just a background setpiece to the very real drama that is going on (and later movies just kinda ignore that Paulie is an abusive asshole!)
Rocky II is about boxing.
Rocky III is about legacy, about what it means to be a competitor, about confronting hard truths.
Rocky IV is about revenge and beating Communism.
Rocky V is about dogshit.
Balboa is about legacy and your place in history.
Creed is about legacy and how you fit in the world, what makes your family. Boxing is much more a part of this movie than most of the others simply because it's actually smart about the boxing that happens.
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I get the feeling Flanagan wanted to retcon the original to be more like the books, or maybe resented being made to reference the original movie. Plus the actor they got for Jack looks nothing like Nicholson.
Idk I enjoyed Doctor Sleep as it's own thing but yeah the forced connection to The Shining actually distracted from what worked in the film.
Agreed across the board. I enjoyed Doctor Sleep a lot more than I suggested, but the last act is just such a fascinating misfire that it sucks the energy out of everything else, at least from a criticism angle.
I also think Flanagan makes a lot more sense for The Talisman than the Duffers - that book is weird and filthy and cruel in its treatment of children, a lot more King than Spielberg, and if it feels much of anything like Stranger Things they will have fucked up royally.
Side note, Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game isn’t my favorite King movie, but I think it’s the most King movie, warts and all, and I was happy to see a successful and faithful adaptation of some of his genre work. Before that I had to point people to Thinner, which I love, but is pure schlock, and misses out on the humanity of King’s characters in his better stories.
Just the strangest movie series to run on apparently forever. It's boxing.
There were five Rocky films, and then Rocky Balboa.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
I think boxing stories are just kinda timeless
Rockem Sockem Robots movie when, hollywood
Been done, Robot Jox and Real Steel both exist.
~ Buckaroo Banzai
But are those good? I've seen like, half of the second one and it wasn't great. I want them to do it good, or atleast funny maybe.
Robot Jox is very much a product of its time, the late 80's before the fall of the USSR. But the fights are kinda fun and are done with decent stop motion animation and I've seen far worse treatments of subjects like Cold War propaganda and eugenics in sci-fi.
Its not Shakespeare, but IMO worth seeing and it just hit streaming for the first time in like a decade (Amazon Prime, in this case).
~ Buckaroo Banzai
Obviously every person's preferences are different, but I'd watch it ahead of the Creed films (for reference, I'd also watch Highlander ahead of the vast majority of MCU films).
To be fair Rocky 4 is the movie that won the cold war.
pleasepaypreacher.net
Yeah but they're just nominally about boxing. Spiritually, they're about heart.
You're in luck, they all but literally made that movie:
I don't understand megalo box at all. Boxing already gets people killed, now lets strap their arms to pneumatics and amp up the speed and damage to make it worse?
pleasepaypreacher.net
Also that real steel trailer just makes me want a live actions Medabots and we're never gonna get that and now I'm mad!!!
~ Buckaroo Banzai
Pankration did give us the only Olympic laurel/medal awarded to a dead man.
~ Buckaroo Banzai
Hmm...didn't know about her, a delightful TIL for me.
I guess I need to amend my reference that Arrhichion was the first Olympic champion to be honored after dying in competition.
~ Buckaroo Banzai
Oh that's good to hear. Loved the art design of that series, reminds me of Ninja Scroll.
Both of us had mixed this up extensively with Village of the Damned and expected something fairly dry, so this was a pleasant surprise. Cheesy, no frills horror movie that oscillates between “actually scary” and “surprisingly hilarious.” The lead antagonist kid, Isaac, is solid gold as a pubescent fire and brimstone preacher. Linda Hamilton is here to improve the general quality of the acting, though I’m not sure that’s actually a benefit.
Third act gets a little too traditional monster movie, but honestly, this was more fun than I expected.
We might have to break away from the King marathon soon, though. We’re increasingly yelling “Wendy!” and “Outlander!” at each other from across the house.
But at what cost?
No cost was too big Mcdermott, we won.
pleasepaypreacher.net
So, this fucking sucks. The producers submitted Lakeith specifically as Best Actor, but the Academy, in their eternal wisdom, has decided that he is merely a Supporting Actor.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
Steam | XBL
Presumably for him to be submitted under best actor instead of forcing him into a category that doesn't fit his performance?
pleasepaypreacher.net
Yes. I think that is the correct choice. Instead of giving Kaluuya his due credit and having the balls to own their decision to not recognize Stanfield, now they are fucking both actors in the same film because the vote will almost certainly split between the two within that category.
Steam | XBL
Rocky is not at all about boxing, it's about the triumph of will for an underdog to overcome all the odds. Boxing is very much just a background setpiece to the very real drama that is going on (and later movies just kinda ignore that Paulie is an abusive asshole!)
Rocky II is about boxing.
Rocky III is about legacy, about what it means to be a competitor, about confronting hard truths.
Rocky IV is about revenge and beating Communism.
Rocky V is about dogshit.
Balboa is about legacy and your place in history.
Creed is about legacy and how you fit in the world, what makes your family. Boxing is much more a part of this movie than most of the others simply because it's actually smart about the boxing that happens.
I have not seen Creed II yet.
It was interesting to hear in Anthony Mackie's Hot Ones episode recently that Supporting Actor is often the more coveted award for actors in Hollywood.
I suppose that's where all the "character actors" end up.
I just imagine it's easier to find good work as a supporting actor winner than a best actor winner.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
A thorough list of movies this year I'm meh at best about. Minari would be fine whenever it pops up on streaming somewhere. Another Round could be good but I just see it as some jelly scriptwriter ripping off Cranked. It would be nice for Wolfwalkers to win just because Cartoon Saloon was snubbed for Song of the Sea, and I would have liked to see the Demon Slayer movie get nominated for animated film just for more variety plus it also made 400 milly worldwide during a pandemic, that's some dabbing power yo.
Steam | XBL
It won all those awards 3 years ago though.
pleasepaypreacher.net
Which is the one where he fights for the Taliban?