The thread for movies that aren't going to get their own thread but are still in theaters

Jackson's crew felt like a completely different draft without Tom Hiddleston or Brie Larson, quite frankly. A completely different tone of movie that, had the film been focused on just that sort of character and tone, would have probably worked. Until the new guy came in and decided some of it needed to be a bit more B-Movie camp laughs.

Spoiler:

The grenade guy, whom I can only remember as Nucky's Brother from Boardwalk Empire, dying like that made me laugh and go "Oh sh*t!" at the same time. I always feel bad when an attempted heroic sacrifice goes wrong, and I feel like the actor was playing it perfectly straight, but then it's just meant to be funny.

I think this film is an indicator of how carefully you should size your cast as well. It feels like a lot of characters were there just so someone could get killed if it's been ten minutes without someone dying.

Spoiler:

For example, the doctor that randomly gets snagged off the boat and killed by the pterodactyls. That was probably the one moment of the movie where I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh or be horrified. It felt like it was being played for laughs but it also felt incredibly dramatic. Maybe I'm not so used to camp that's not in the Army of Darkness or Street Fighter the Movie variety.

Saw Ghost in the Shell last night, overall I enjoyed it and I found it a suitable but not perfect homage. I didn't think the recreation of the scenes from the anime movie was necessary, but I can understand the fan service.

"Get Out" was fantastic!
That is all

I thought Ghost in the Shell was flat out terrible. I didn't go in expecting much, but it managed to let me down anyway. It doesn't even *look* particularly good, despite them clearly having spent a ton of money on the design.

Alien Love Gardener wrote:

I thought Ghost in the Shell was flat out terrible. I didn't go in expecting much, but it managed to let me down anyway. It doesn't even *look* particularly good, despite them clearly having spent a ton of money on the design.

Someone described it to me as incredibly well executed but still somehow mystifyingly mediocre special effects slopped onto a completely flat and boring waste of time of a movie. Also that it ignored or glossed over basically all the things that made GITS interesting.

I wasn't exactly running out to buy tickets anyway but... yeesh.

I thought it looked exceptional, but felt like the shortened running time didn't allow them to show the desire and angst over wanting to belong. Instead they had Johansson play it flat and unemotional the whole time and added a hackneyed scene with a mother figure. Probably thinking the metaphysical side of things wouldn't fly with a NA audience.

Also i'll pay money for anything that Takeshi Kitano is in. That man still oozes presence regardless of what is going on around him.

The visuals are all so cluttered, and not in a lived in kind of way. It's more a designer running amok, like a child with a box of crayons. And kind of badly shot to boot, though that's kind of hard to separate from the designs.

And the story is more or less the origin story of the Major as Robocop, via various beats and visuals from all over the movies and shows, tossed into a blender and listlessly assembled, like grudgingly ticking off a checklist. All the constant references serve to do is remind you how much better the sources executed their scenes.

It's pretty clear they never figured out a reason for this version to exist, besides established franchise + star = profit. Except is seems to be tanking, and deservedly so.

Alien Love Gardener wrote:

The visuals are all so cluttered, and not in a lived in kind of way. It's more a designer running amok, like a child with a box of crayons. And kind of badly shot to boot, though that's kind of hard to separate from the designs.

Yea still disagree here. Depending what else comes out this year i can see them getting nominated for awards. Definitely more advanced than what was used in Kong.

Talking about the metaphysical side of things makes me wonder how they're going to handle WIntermute in the Neuromancer reboot or if they're just going to make it a high tech heist job.

I'll be seeing it Easter weekend with my family. Humorously enough my sister was trying to figure out if my niece was old enough to watch the anime film, and right when she was about to decide they should wait a few years my niece pops her head up chiming in "Uncle Dave already showed it to me!" So now the new film will be her present for making Honor Roll.

My sister and I had a laugh because, way back when he was in high school and I was roughly her age, he showed me Ghost in the Shell. Years later we were talking about how, as adults, we realized how age inappropriate a lot of what we got exposed to was, and he lamented showing it to me so early... and then he goes and shows it to my niece who is effectively too young for it. In that regard, I'm at least hoping the live action film can be a sort of "introductory" to the franchise, where teens or people unfamiliar with the anime will have something they can latch onto and be convinced to seek out more. Sure, that means the film would always be a sort of nostalgia love for a lot of folks, but I'll take what I can get.

I just wish we could reach a point where you don't have to remake an anime film in live action for people to be interested.

I don't know when I get a chance to see it, but I was not that enticed by the original film, and like the series much better. I am still holding out hope that I like it. People here always seems to dislike things a lot more than I do.

I agree with your comments ccesarano. I hope it brings the original content more interested viewers, but it is sad that it had to be that way to get the attention.

And then there is the question: which original material?

Gits SAC 1 and 2
Gits Innocence
Gits 2.0
Gits Arise

The movie holds to the tradition of repeating the material, basically, but changing it.

So, I liked it for various reasons, disliked parts for other reasons, overall I'd give it a thumbs up.

I haven't seen GITS yet, but I did finally see Get Out. I'll be the seemingly lone voice of dissent here and admit that I found it a little underwhelming. It's all setup with very little payoff, building toward surprises that aren't all that surprising and catharsis that isn't very cathartic. It's the kind of movie where you know what's going to happen at some point, and then it takes most of the movie to get there. There are two interesting reveals late in the movie that make you reevaluate what you've seen, but they don't have time to grow into anything before the film abruptly ends.

LtWarhound wrote:

And then there is the question: which original material?

Gits SAC 1 and 2
Gits Innocence
Gits 2.0
Gits Arise

The movie holds to the tradition of repeating the material, basically, but changing it.

So, I liked it for various reasons, disliked parts for other reasons, overall I'd give it a thumbs up.

Isn't Gits 2.0 and Innocence the same movie, i.e., the sequel to the original movie?

Watched the The Handmaiden on Sunday. That ending was certainly an experience. I don't think that was the intention, but I just laughed silly.
The trailer sold it as a hardcode suspenseful thriller, but it's more of a dark comedy. It's a lighter Chan-wook Park. I recommend it.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

I haven't seen GITS yet, but I did finally see Get Out. I'll be the seemingly lone voice of dissent here and admit that I found it a little underwhelming. It's all setup with very little payoff, building toward surprises that aren't all that surprising and catharsis that isn't very cathartic. It's the kind of movie where you know what's going to happen at some point, and then it takes most of the movie to get there. There are two interesting reveals late in the movie that make you reevaluate what you've seen, but they don't have time to grow into anything before the film abruptly ends.

I don't disagree about Get Out but I enjoyed the shallow catharsis. I'm not sure if it was intentional but I appreciate that it broke a little of the typical cadence. If it was accidental, then it might yet be purposefully serendipitous.

slazev wrote:

Isn't Gits 2.0 and Innocence the same movie, i.e., the sequel to the original movie?

No, it's a version of the first movie that tries to bring its look more in line with the sequel. It's pretty wretched.

ranalin wrote:
Alien Love Gardener wrote:

The visuals are all so cluttered, and not in a lived in kind of way. It's more a designer running amok, like a child with a box of crayons. And kind of badly shot to boot, though that's kind of hard to separate from the designs.

Yea still disagree here. Depending what else comes out this year i can see them getting nominated for awards. Definitely more advanced than what was used in Kong.

I'm sure they'll be up for a bunch of technical awards - I can see someone spent a lot of time and effort on that geisha robot for instance, even if the movie doesn't want to take its time and let me appreciate it.

Still doesn't mean I like the visuals of the opening scene though. It's way too busy for my tastes.

LtWarhound wrote:

And then there is the question: which original material?

Gits SAC 1 and 2
Gits Innocence
Gits 2.0
Gits Arise

The movie holds to the tradition of repeating the material, basically, but changing it.

So, I liked it for various reasons, disliked parts for other reasons, overall I'd give it a thumbs up.

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

There are 3 GitS Arise movies on Canadian Netflix.

Ghost Pain
Ghost Whispers
Ghost Tears

manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming?

https://www.justwatch.com/us

Just going to keep posting this at the top of every page.

manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

Stand Alone Complex is, weirdly enough, on massive discount on Steam right now.

Stele wrote:
manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming?

https://www.justwatch.com/us

Just going to keep posting this at the top of every page. ;)

That is a great site. Thanks.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
Stele wrote:
manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming?

https://www.justwatch.com/us

Just going to keep posting this at the top of every page. ;)

That is a great site. Thanks. :)

Crap I bookmarked it already. lol I guess I need an "I'm getting old/ have a dad brain" comment here.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

Stand Alone Complex is, weirdly enough, on massive discount on Steam right now.

Thanks!

Can I download videos from steam though or is it only streaming?

manta173 wrote:
Kurrelgyre wrote:
manta173 wrote:

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

Stand Alone Complex is, weirdly enough, on massive discount on Steam right now.

Thanks!

Can I download videos from steam though or is it only streaming?

I just bought both seasons of stand alone complex on iTunes for $9.99 each (I assume US store only). Maybe movie tie in?

The Steam version of the SAC seasons are the chopped down versions. Full versions are 26 episodes per season, one season per 'arc'. The chopped versions trim out 12? 14? episodes that aren't directly tied into the overarching story, and drop the Tachikoma Days shorts.

So, cheap (is bundled for $20, 5? 6? different films/versions. But, basically no support.

Gits: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society, basically season 1 of SAC. There is the chopped down version in the bundle, or you can go to the link Kurrelgyre provided to Individually buy the episodes. There is also a bundle of the 26 episodes, the shorts, an interview. much better value.

The other two SAC seasons are the Laughing Man story arc, and the Individual Eleven arc.

Netflix DvD has most of the items listed, but doesn't have the 4th and 5th episode of Gits: Arise (the 'Ghost' series).

The only thing I'd recommend watching prior to going to see it on the big screen would be the original GitS. If you like the film, great, then start chasing the rest down if you want to see the differences.

Monday, I finally saw Get Out, which was both a soul searching experience and a genuinely disquieting horror movie. Much of the beginning prompted lots me groaning "Oh God, I hope I've never sounded like that," until the mood really started getting to me. The climax is pretty amazing in what it does. Then, I left the theater, and realized that walking to said theater for the 10:10 PM show was a gargantuan mistake. Very eerie walk home through my unnervingly well-lit neighborhood.

I also saw Ghost in the Shell. I haven't seen the Oshii film in probably 15 years, and my one attempt at watching SAC was so full of talk of treaty negotiations and pan-alliances, I backed away from Toonami smiling politely and waited for Cowboy Bebop to come back. Anyway, I wasn't disappointed by the current movie. It had some standard Hollywood crutches to be sure, but it also looked like a movie from an alternate timeline where anime influence in Hollywood extended past Matrices and Underworlds. AV Club called it retro, hearkening to the days before pop culture collectively decided the future will obviously look like an Apple store, and I agree.

manta173 wrote:
LtWarhound wrote:

And then there is the question: which original material?

Gits SAC 1 and 2
Gits Innocence
Gits 2.0
Gits Arise

The movie holds to the tradition of repeating the material, basically, but changing it.

So, I liked it for various reasons, disliked parts for other reasons, overall I'd give it a thumbs up.

Are any of these available for streaming? Or do I need to buy them at anime prices? I'd love to rewatch them before seeing the movie.

I'd suggest leaving a rewatch until after seeing the movie. It'll probably work better if things aren't fresh in your mind.

Alien Love Gardener wrote:
slazev wrote:

Isn't Gits 2.0 and Innocence the same movie, i.e., the sequel to the original movie?

No, it's a version of the first movie that tries to bring its look more in line with the sequel. It's pretty wretched

Oh, I actually have the bluray of that. Well, that's awkward.

LtWarhound wrote:

The Steam version of the SAC seasons are the chopped down versions. Full versions are 26 episodes per season, one season per 'arc'. The chopped versions trim out 12? 14? episodes that aren't directly tied into the overarching story, and drop the Tachikoma Days shorts.

So, cheap (is bundled for $20, 5? 6? different films/versions. But, basically no support.

Gits: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society, basically season 1 of SAC. There is the chopped down version in the bundle, or you can go to the link Kurrelgyre provided to Individually buy the episodes. There is also a bundle of the 26 episodes, the shorts, an interview. much better value.

The other two SAC seasons are the Laughing Man story arc, and the Individual Eleven arc.

Netflix DvD has most of the items listed, but doesn't have the 4th and 5th episode of Gits: Arise (the 'Ghost' series).

The only thing I'd recommend watching prior to going to see it on the big screen would be the original GitS. If you like the film, great, then start chasing the rest down if you want to see the differences.

Thanks! Actually there are 26 episodes in each of the ~$10 bundles on steam. This whole thing is kind of confusing. If I didn't hate itunes with a burning passion I would buy them there, but of the options, steam is my preference. Hopefully they extend the video service to the app sometime soon, but I am sure that is a whole other set of deals and agreements.

I must be the only person anywhere to go and see Life. Well, maybe me and those four other people in the theater with me. I've been enamored by space horror lately (recently re-watched the first two Alien movies and Pandorum, and I'm playing through Alien: Isolation again), so I thought I'd check it out.

I gotta say that it was a scary, suspenseful, exciting, no-bullsh*t, tight, beautiful, very claustrophobic alien monster movie. If you like that kind of stuff at all, check it out - I think you'll like it. I feel like this movie should be getting more recognition than it has been. It's like Gravity but made horror and with an alien killing everyone. With so many terrible movies in the this genre, I think Life stands out. The characters aren't stupid (and don't do dumb things), the alien is great, and even considering some of the "wait, what?" moments, it's awesome. And it ended exactly the way it should have.

I really want to Life. But my wife was like, "Nope, nope, nope" during the trailer. The debate is whether to wait or see it in a theater. Kong, while it appears to be much less of a film, seems more suited to the theater experience, and I still need to see that.