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Post by brewmaster on Nov 11, 2014 10:56:56 GMT
MOVIE GENRES Movies can, of course, be categorized into various genres; and we tend to have our own favourite, and least-liked genres. Prompted by a post above I thought I'd start off a discussion on genre with the Horror film category. This is a genre I'm not really a fan of, so at first I thought this would be a very short post. However, after discussuing "I am Legend" and the various versions, I realised I've een quite a few such films. An expert would make the distinction between the sub-categories of "Horror", such as Zombies, Slasher, Cannibals, Supernatural, Vampires etc; but I'm just going to lump them all together. The main type of Horror film I saw was the product of the famed Hammer Studios. I was dragged to see several of these by various girlfriends over the years. The only one I really wanted to see was "The Devil Rides Out" because I'd recently read the Dennis Wheatley book. It was a cut above the run of rthe mill Hammer offerings, with Chriopher Lee playing the good guy for once.Script was by Richard Matheson. However, I'd guess that the special effects, like most from that era, do not stand the test of time.
Some movies transcend genre and breakthough as a mainstream hit. The obvious example being "The Exorcist" I saw it on the big screen the week it was released, and it certainly made a big impression. "The Omen" too, can be considered a mainstream hit. I've never watched any of the "Halloween" "Freddy" or other Slasher movies. Just not my cup of gore. Likewise, the current obsession with Zombies just leaves me unimpressed. So, all in all, with the noted exceptions, horror is just not for me..... I guess I don't like being scared!
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Post by Mr Kite on Nov 11, 2014 19:45:50 GMT
Oh ! I love Horror . (But you knew that.) Yes brewmaster it is a topic that could be argued of what is Horror I have a few points , I say a few ! I also was spoon fed on Hammer Horror and of course the old Universal classics . But lets try and sort out what is Horror . Frankenstein Maybe the one that I first remember as a Horror film for me . I was very young at the time as I was allowed to stay up late and watch them on the Telly . Is Frankenstein even a Horror ? I think Mary Shelley set out to write a Ghost story . Was their Horror stories then ? I don`t know , but I think that it`s very close to being the first Science Fiction story . Where is there Horror ? A Doctor playing God and trying to bring life back from the dead . A Ghost ? It all goes wrong as the Brain that is put into the creature is of a Murderer and of course go on a rampage . Well a little girl . It was an accident your honor ! Not really a Horror Story/ Film . So for me it`s Science Fiction Bringing people back to life today is a common thing these day`s . Is this a thing of Horror ? The horror maybe the way the Villagers hunt the creature like an animal . So , Do we have a Science Fiction/Gothic Horror here ? . I`m a fan of the film and even more so the next one that came after it Bride Of Frankenstein . Again , not much Horror to be had . But I guess if someone who had`n t seen the film asked me what Genre the film was , I guess I`d have to say Horror . Or . Lets go and get a pint and I`ll try and explain that it`s more than a Horror film . Any thoughts Film fans ? All I said was the 80`s was bobbins Coming very soon . Zombies .
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 12, 2014 11:23:03 GMT
The distinction between Horror and Sci-fi can indeed be blurred, and when I was discussing the horror genre I kept thinking of films that were actually sci-fi. Anyway, that brings me to the next genre to discuss, which is indeed Science Fiction films.
THE SCI-FI GENRE As a kid I enjoyed reading comics, which often featured sci-fi stories; the most notable being the Dan Dare series in the "Eagle" Then, at the Saturday matinees at our local cinema we were treated to such amazing viewing as "The Forbidden Planet" as well as episodes from serials such as "Captain Video" and "Flash Gordon" In my early teens I became a big fan of science fiction books, and devoured the works of Arthur C Clarke, Fred Hoyle, CM Kornbluth, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and many others. My favourite writer was Eric Frank Russell, whose book "Wasp" about an undercover agent penetrating an alien planet, was both tension-packed and funny. My interest in sci-fi declined as soon as we started putting men into space. As the news was filled with the reality of space travel I lost interest in the fiction. However, as mentioned in the previous post, some films beak through the genre label and become mainstream hits; and sci-fi has probably provided more of these than any other genre. The acclaim for "2001 A Space Odyssey" was such that I went to see it, and was unimpressed. It turned out that most of the enthusiasm for the movie came from people who saw it while tripping off their heads on LSD. "Star Wars" did impress me, a thoroughly enjoyable tale. Even better was "Alien" with truly spooky visuals. Directed by Ridley Scott who then gave us "Blade Runner" a film that just doesn't age, and bears repeated viewing. "Terminator" is another classic, made on a fairly restricted budget it nevertheless had big impact. With a huge budget, the sequel "Terminator-2" showed real innovation in special effects, which would become the core of many future films. My favourite film of this genre was "Starship Troopers" based on the superb book by Robert Heinlein. His work really broke through the genre and was actually literature. He created a whole society and political/ethical system in "Starship Troopers" while making it a cracking read. The only problem with the film is that director Paul Hoeven doesn't seem to like the source material. It's an interesting debating point to consider whether it's the science or the fiction that makes this genre so appealing to many. Most writers manage to give the science a plausible base, upon which we can suspend disbelief. Sometimes, however the mistakes are glaring. I haven't seen "Gravity" but I understand that the plot involves avoiding space debris hurtling towards the heroes. Well, such debris travels at several times the speed of a bullet, so seeing and avoiding it would be impossible. Sci-fi isn't a genre I readily watch, but I still retain a great affection for it, as it gave me so much pleasure in my formative years.
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Post by Mr Kite on Nov 13, 2014 21:34:26 GMT
Sci Fi ! I love it all ! (almost ) I have so many fav`s I could go on for about a week . But I wont . I have a bit of a soft spot for Time Traveling films . So many great ones The Time Machine . The original of course . 12 Monkeys The Back To The Future Trilogy Terminators , people seem to forget they are Time Traveling films The Jacket A recent one is Looper which is brilliant . Also another recent one is Follow You Down . Which try`s to keep it "real" I will be back (sorry) when I have more time to waffle on about how great Sci Fi is . In the mean time I will leave you with a Pic from I`ll Follow You Down . Yep it`s Gillian . And I will return from the dead with Zombies !
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Post by bluemeaniepaul74 on Nov 14, 2014 1:07:45 GMT
Did you see Gillian Anderson on the 'One Show' on Wednesday Mr K?..... WOW!!!
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 14, 2014 10:41:54 GMT
I'm currently reading I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie by the late, great Roger Ebert, and in his review of Cyborg I was delighted to find that there were characters named "Fender Tremolo" and "Gibson Rickenbacker"
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Post by Mr Kite on Nov 14, 2014 19:27:39 GMT
That book sounds like a great read ! I have now BMP . Thanks for the heads up ! Good ol I player . I`m going to try and get through the first series of The Fall this week
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 15, 2014 13:51:42 GMT
I think you will enjoy "The Fall" I hestitated to watch it at first, because so much of British TV police drama is formulaic; but this series surprised me with the intensity of the drama. Gillian Anderson is ideal in the part. I'm really looking forward to the second series.
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Post by Mr Kite on Nov 16, 2014 22:52:52 GMT
I never thought I`d be jealous of a Irish Detective ! (Twice !)
Zombies In Movies ! (A Guide to some you should watch or Not ! )
Zombies . Well , where to start . We all know that it was the Voodoo witch doctors started it all off with the name . But that was`nt where it started in Cinema .
Frankenstein (1931) I know ! You just can`t get away from the classics . Back from the dead . Zombie . Note that even today Zombies still walk slowly make low groans and have their arms out stretched . That`s our creature . The Mummy . (1932) Boris again ! Another classic horror that spawned many sequels Take off those Bandages off and what have you got ? A Zombie So we have had the undead around for a long time in Cinema .
"There Coming To Get You Barbara " The line that is in the daddy of modern Zombie films Night Of The Living Dead Notice that Johnny doe`s an impression Of Boris Karloff when he says that line . You just can`t leave out the Old original Zombie out now can you . This film by the great George A Romereo shows us that the undead are just after a bit to eat . From now on we get that Zombies are brought back from the dead from the science that man is messing up our environment and pollution is waking up the dead with an hunger for flesh. Sci Fi Horror . So now we start get the rules of Zombies . 1. Walk very slow , not much of conversation to be had with them and Arms stretched out . 2. They eat Flesh ( Zombies Flesh Eaters makes this point ..A lot ) 3. Only one way to kill the buggers is to take out the brain (not literally , but it would also work ) These rules still stand today .
With an exception to a few films . 28 Days Laterand 28 Weeks Later also World War Z and of course I Am Legend 28 Days Later is recommended as we get a very gritty look at what Manchester would look like in an Apocalyptic aftermath .(About the same )
World War Z has the biggest count ever for Zombies , and without doubt the fastest !
Back To George A . His sequel to Night was Dawn Of The Dead This was the film that got me into Zombies . A film that has our heroes stuck in a Mall and spend much of their time shopping and taking out Zombies . I love this film more so for its comedy and the explanation that the Zombies turn up to the Mall as that`s what they did in life So they do in death . Never thought this would be bettered . But then I saw the remake !Dawn Of The Dead2004. Brilliant film . Romero`s 1985 Day Of The Dead had it`s moments like the scenes with Bub and how it almost remembers it once was human and went round killing people . He was a soldier But I was disappointed with this one .
I will return .
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 17, 2014 10:25:14 GMT
Good analysis of Zombies there Mr K. Just to add another film I enjoyed to me list, They Live directed by John Carpenter had a good central theme.
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 28, 2014 10:40:14 GMT
I'm sure it must have been posted on the forum before, but is this the worst film about the Beatles?....
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Post by mrmustard on Nov 28, 2014 11:37:00 GMT
I actually really like this film. Historically inaccurate yes, even though Pete Best was Technical Advisor. It captures something in its grittiness that is appealing unlike the big budget Backbeat which is even more inaccurate. There are some good performances by Stephen McKenna (albeit a ridiculously old Lennon) and Brian Jameson portraying Epstein.
A well paced script and good soundtrack from Rain. Yes, the holes are so big you could fall through them but you can't deny its appeal and entertainment value. I found this far more appealing than Backbeat or Nowhere Boy. Still do.
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 28, 2014 12:38:56 GMT
The innaccuracies didn't really worry me [even the most rigorous bios will contain some distortion; I just thought it had the worst accents since Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.
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Post by brewmaster on Nov 30, 2014 20:54:47 GMT
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Post by Amadeus on Dec 1, 2014 0:38:24 GMT
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 1, 2014 1:25:42 GMT
The innaccuracies didn't really worry me [even the most rigorous bios will contain some distortion; I just thought it had the worst accents since Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. You mean, that wasn't real??!! Clearly there is now no point in the existence of this forum! It is surely comparable to finding out the bible is a load of bollocks!!!
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Post by Mr Kite on Dec 23, 2014 20:36:18 GMT
A few films that have I`ve watched the past few weeks( I know , I need to get out more ) The Homesman Just watch it . Enemy Right . Well..If you like a film that is not just plot , car chase , explained ending This one is not for you . Life Of Pi A boy in a boat with a tiger . But you knew that . A Most Wanted Man Phillip Seymour Hoffmans last . I think . It was ok , but if you like car chases .... The Skeleton Twins A right good black comedy with the wonderful Kristen Wiig . The Salvation Great Western , in the vain of Unforgiven King Eric turns up as a villian and has Eva Green tied to a bed ! Oh La La ! I will be back with part 2 of The Zombies in Cinema soon . It`s just it`s film time again .
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Post by Mr Kite on Jan 10, 2015 15:07:50 GMT
Rod Taylor . 1930 - 2015 .
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Post by pothos on Jan 10, 2015 17:26:27 GMT
Oh that is sad news.
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Post by bluemeaniepaul74 on Jan 11, 2015 11:27:10 GMT
Yeah sad news, the Time Machine is such a great film by the Way, much much better than the remake starring the excellent Guy Pearce and the less so excellent but rather attractive Samantha Mumba. Perhaps that would be a good idea for a thread, "Films they should never have remade"
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