Very surprised that this isn't on any list, and doesn't seem very popular. It got decent reviews, grossed over $100 million, and was nominated for a few Academy Awards.
Believe the hype, Mad Max is phenomenal. It is basically one long chase scene, and it will barely give you time to catch your breath the entire two-hour ride. The air that it does offer are some moments of well-timed dark humor at the crude and totally miserable conditions of life in the cutthroat wasteland where the film is set. Even though the tension stays redlined, it still leaves you wanting more and looking forward to the inevitable next installment, which has actually already been written.
Apparently Tom Hardy has signed on for FOUR Mad Max movies, with director George Miller planning on also doing at least the 2nd and 3rd, both of which were mapped out at the same time the 1st was written. They will have a lot to live up to though, because this movie is going to be hugely influential. I couldn't tell you how many times I shook my head in disbelief at just how ridiculously insane some of the scenes were.
Miller said in an interview that he uses about 90% practical special effects as opposed to computer-generated, and it really goes a long way in immersing the viewer in this grimy post-apocalyptic world, as the prosthetics are top-notch grotesque and the stunts (by Cirque de Soleil performers and Olympic athletes no less) are just ridiculous. Not to mention the explosions, which are frequent, but still satisfying as they build up like a fireworks show with great “grand finale” payoffs.
It’s refreshing to see that not only can the 4th installment in a seemingly forgotten movie series turn out to be good, but it can be groundbreaking and original. I was was sucked into this movie, just totally absorbed, which doesn’t happen very often as my mind tends to wander. But right from the very first scene this movie grabs you, shakes you to the core, and doesn’t ease its grip until the credits roll.
The more time that passes since seeing this film, the more I realize that it has stayed with me. It made me feel something I haven't felt since I was a child, a feeling I'd almost forgotten about, the dread and power that "scary places" have on you as a child, whatever forbidden zones that existed that both enticed and repulsed, held the terrible and the irresistible. This movie does the seemingly impossible task of reproducing such a place through the lens of a camera.
According to wikipedia, when this was shown in theaters a cowl would be placed over each seat to isolate the viewer from other audience members. I imagine that seeing this in a theater would have a dramatically more profound impact than seeing it on youtube on your home computer.
The final scene reminded me of the last scene in "The Graduate," dragging on just long enough after the last line to catch the tension and uncertainty of not just the two characters facing a complicated future together, but also of the actors wondering when the director will cut the shot. It's a technique used marvelously in each scenes, and they are both truly remarkable films.
I guess in the youtube age we live in, what qualifies as a "film" is quite debatable. I certainly think that "Too Many Cooks" qualifies as more substantial satire than many skits posted on the net these days. I thought that it was hilarious.
This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Jiro is truly a master of his craft-- his dedication is admirable and his sushi is a work of art. I'm surprised this hasn't made it on any documentary related top lists, because I think that it's one of the greatest.
Comments 1 - 15 of 15
Movie comment on Beastie Boys: Fight for Your Right Revisited
bulmer
What a waste of talent. Seems like this was written by a 12 year old.Movie comment on Mr. Holland's Opus
bulmer
Very surprised that this isn't on any list, and doesn't seem very popular. It got decent reviews, grossed over $100 million, and was nominated for a few Academy Awards.Movie comment on Mad Max: Fury Road
bulmer
Believe the hype, Mad Max is phenomenal. It is basically one long chase scene, and it will barely give you time to catch your breath the entire two-hour ride. The air that it does offer are some moments of well-timed dark humor at the crude and totally miserable conditions of life in the cutthroat wasteland where the film is set. Even though the tension stays redlined, it still leaves you wanting more and looking forward to the inevitable next installment, which has actually already been written.Apparently Tom Hardy has signed on for FOUR Mad Max movies, with director George Miller planning on also doing at least the 2nd and 3rd, both of which were mapped out at the same time the 1st was written. They will have a lot to live up to though, because this movie is going to be hugely influential. I couldn't tell you how many times I shook my head in disbelief at just how ridiculously insane some of the scenes were.
Miller said in an interview that he uses about 90% practical special effects as opposed to computer-generated, and it really goes a long way in immersing the viewer in this grimy post-apocalyptic world, as the prosthetics are top-notch grotesque and the stunts (by Cirque de Soleil performers and Olympic athletes no less) are just ridiculous. Not to mention the explosions, which are frequent, but still satisfying as they build up like a fireworks show with great “grand finale” payoffs.
It’s refreshing to see that not only can the 4th installment in a seemingly forgotten movie series turn out to be good, but it can be groundbreaking and original. I was was sucked into this movie, just totally absorbed, which doesn’t happen very often as my mind tends to wander. But right from the very first scene this movie grabs you, shakes you to the core, and doesn’t ease its grip until the credits roll.
Movie comment on Ménilmontant
bulmer
The soundtrack to this film is just fantastic. Love the improvised jazz.Movie comment on Stalker
bulmer
The more time that passes since seeing this film, the more I realize that it has stayed with me. It made me feel something I haven't felt since I was a child, a feeling I'd almost forgotten about, the dread and power that "scary places" have on you as a child, whatever forbidden zones that existed that both enticed and repulsed, held the terrible and the irresistible. This movie does the seemingly impossible task of reproducing such a place through the lens of a camera.Movie comment on C'era una volta il West
bulmer
Damn that was the most intense opening of any movie I've seen in a long time. The first 15 minutes had me hooked...Movie comment on Prelude: Dog Star Man
bulmer
This is complete (Pre-IV) and working as of March 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAoTHILzheoMovie comment on Arnulf Rainer
bulmer
According to wikipedia, when this was shown in theaters a cowl would be placed over each seat to isolate the viewer from other audience members. I imagine that seeing this in a theater would have a dramatically more profound impact than seeing it on youtube on your home computer.Movie comment on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
bulmer
Watching this with the RiffTrax from the MST3K guys makes this movie a lot more bearable.Movie comment on Venom: Truth in Journalism
bulmer
I think that Jason Stackhouse would actually make a kickass Eddie Brock.Movie comment on Inherent Vice
bulmer
The final scene reminded me of the last scene in "The Graduate," dragging on just long enough after the last line to catch the tension and uncertainty of not just the two characters facing a complicated future together, but also of the actors wondering when the director will cut the shot. It's a technique used marvelously in each scenes, and they are both truly remarkable films.Movie comment on Too Many Cooks
bulmer
I guess in the youtube age we live in, what qualifies as a "film" is quite debatable. I certainly think that "Too Many Cooks" qualifies as more substantial satire than many skits posted on the net these days. I thought that it was hilarious.Movie comment on A Sense of History
bulmer
A true testament to the outstanding ability of Jim Broadbent, this is a fantastic short, as heartbreaking as it is hilarious.Movie comment on One Week
bulmer
Much funnier and more relevant than I expected from such an old flick.Movie comment on Jiro Dreams of Sushi
bulmer
This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Jiro is truly a master of his craft-- his dedication is admirable and his sushi is a work of art. I'm surprised this hasn't made it on any documentary related top lists, because I think that it's one of the greatest.