Nightcrawler (2014)

Past the oil pumps and billboards, up through the hills and out in the suburbs, you’ll find Lou Bloom, camera in hand, filming LA’s dying for profit. Lou is a modern-day success story. A TV newsman racing through the night to get the gore first. Come the morning his footage is on breakfast news.

Review here: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightcrawler

I watched this last night.

A reasonable film that kept me interested, though nothing particularly exciting. I have to admit to liking the ending. I would maybe give the film a 6.0 simply because it kept me entertained.

Finally, the long awaited series Bosch is here. Michael Connelly's smash hit series of novels were a natural for any number of film adaptations, and now comes the series, under the Amazon label. With Mr. Connelly's active involvement as producer, and Titus Welliver in the leading role, I think it can't possibly fail. Having read every one of the Harry Bosch novels, i often wondered which current actor could fill those shoes. Welliver seems the perfect choice. He made the most of his small recurring role in Deadwood. (See clip below. This guy can act!)

Connelly struck gold with the great film the made of The Lincoln Lawyer, starring Matthew McConneghey at Mickey Haller, Bosch's half brother. I can't wait to watch this series.

Whiplash

Early days yet, but a contender for movie of the year I reckon.

Thought J.K Simmons was sensational.

Just a fantastic movie.

IMDB: A promising young drummer enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams

of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Absolutely agree this is the Oscar Best Picture for 2014. Agree with everyone on this one, and Frank James comments. Fantastic movie, up for Academy awards in multiple categories including best picture. Hope it wins. JK Simmons simply unbelievable in this one, clearly deserves the Oscar. I also enjoyed his small role in "Up in the Air" with George Clooney some years back. Very powerful actor.

Also noticed this: As of 2015, has appeared in five films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar:The Cider House Rules (1999), Juno (2007), Up in the Air (2009), True Grit (2010) and _Whiplash (2014).

From Dusk till Dawn.....the series. Into the third episode and looking good.......vampires on the menu...kinda tired of zombies....

Nightcrawler (2014)

Past the oil pumps and billboards, up through the hills and out in the suburbs, you’ll find Lou Bloom, camera in hand, filming LA’s dying for profit. Lou is a modern-day success story. A TV newsman racing through the night to get the gore first. Come the morning his footage is on breakfast news.

Review here: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightcrawler

I watched this last night.

A reasonable film that kept me interested, though nothing particularly exciting. I have to admit to liking the ending. I would maybe give the film a 6.0 simply because it kept me entertained.

I don't usually comment on movies, I let Rotten tomatoes do that and then let people make up their own minds.

However, for me Nightcrawler proved to be a riveting and disturbing tale, though I guess I have to say that It would be going too far to call this movie easy to watch and enjoyable. I found Gyllenhaal's performance downright spooky, though I'm not surprised as there have been several strange but memorable characters played by him recently and if you like his style then I think this is a must see. I don't rate movies out of 10 as all are subjective, as they say one mans meat is another....etc, but I would certainly give it a much higher rating than 6, if forced to do so.

I was REALLY impressed by Nightcrawler - I would give it an 8 at the very least.

The same goes for Whiplash.

Another one in favour of Bosch. I have watched the first three episodes and it's on every night for ten episodes (according to my ever faithful TV Series Calendar!!). Really enjoying it so far -and i have read some of the books.

suits , whilst mike ross and co begin to irritate and seem slightly over played, Donna is just f---cking,,, wow, what a girl, thank the f-c none of my

g/fs have been anything like her,,,,

The tension in the Americans is building wonderfully towards its , i believe conclusion

As is Nashville but not quite so nicely, more soaply, unfortunately

And from the big screen 'love is strange' a tale of a long term couple that hit a particularity hard patch in their life and how they try to work through it. empatheticaly made with some touching performances,,,. and b4 you say ,,, BUT,, who gives a fuc it was a good movie.

Rise:

Another Aussie movie which is quite good.

I liked it a fair bit more than the IMDB score of 5.2

Thought Martin Sacks was superb.

Based on a true story.

IMDB: Will McIntyre, a young nurse has his life thrown in turmoil after a one-night stand lands

him in a maximum security prison from a false allegation of rape and drink spiking. Will must

survive prison life and the infamous Jimmy Cove while awaiting his appeal.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3213622/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

I am a big fan of prison films like this, but I thought the IMDB rating was not far off. One problem for me, is that I did not understand the accents and slang to the point that I was not completely clear what was going on some of the time. The characters and situations did not seem believable either, but maybe the Aussie prison culture is responsible for that. I still would have wanted to watch it because I like the genre, but I thought it was a weak effort.

This is one that I liked better:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204137/

It was originally a book by Edward Bunker who served many years in hard-core penitentiaries and has published a number of books on crime, criminals and doing time.

http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Factory-Novel-Edward-Bunker/dp/0312267118

I'm a big fan of prison movies as well mate.

My top 3 prison movies in order:

1. cool hand luke (favourite movie of all time)

2. shawshank redemption &

3. papillion

I like all of those too. My only criticism would be that the book of Papillion was so much better than the film. The director concentrated almost exclusively on the negative aspects of the story, but the book had a lot of joy mixed in with the despair. That made it a lot more interesting IMHO.

Some other films:

Midnight Express

The Green Mile

Get the Gringo

Escape From Alcatraz

Felon

TV Shows:

Oz

Prison Break

Good sci fi-horror thriller _Pandorum

I like all of those too. My only criticism would be that the book of Papillion was so much better than the film. The director concentrated almost exclusively on the negative aspects of the story, but the book had a lot of joy mixed in with the despair. That made it a lot more interesting IMHO.

Some other films:

Midnight Express

The Green Mile

Get the Gringo

Escape From Alcatraz

Felon

TV Shows:

Oz

Prison Break

Yep

I loved the book and sequal Banco.

Best way to wreck a movie is to read the book first I think.

Also, honourable mentions for Chopper and Brubaker.

Banco was good, but I kept thinking about what an idiot he was getting back into crime again after all he went through and how lucky he was to escape.

I have read some of the Chopper books, but did not know that there was a film. I will have to check it out. Thanks!

Been watching Breaking Bad. Really great show. I can see why it won so many awards.

Banco was good, but I kept thinking about what an idiot he was getting back into crime again after all he went through and how lucky he was to escape.

I have read some of the Chopper books, but did not know that there was a film. I will have to check it out. Thanks!

There is plenty of blood in the film

How about Shawshank Redemption?

Banco was good, but I kept thinking about what an idiot he was getting back into crime again after all he went through and how lucky he was to escape.

I have read some of the Chopper books, but did not know that there was a film. I will have to check it out. Thanks!

There is plenty of blood in the film

How about Shawshank Redemption?

See post #3489

See post #3489

Crikey..i read it and missed it

Caught up with Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Jingthing will be happy that this one is currently showing in Thai cinemas. Well worth 100-200 baht to see it on the big screen.

It is the standard fantastical action teen saves world movie, but quite well done. Lots of action, fights, gizmos, implausible plotlines. If you get out of your seat for 2 minutes you miss a lot.

8/10 from me

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kingsman_the_secret_service/

Babysitting.(2014)

This one is a French comedy. The one i watched was subtitled.

Franck is roped into minding his bosses bratty child at a moment's notice. The kid gets up to mischief of course, as do Franck and a few of his friends. The plot is old, but this movie is done differently and was a refreshing take in the formula. Good laughs

7/10 from me

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3013602/

Just watched "The Timber". I enjoyed it but i am a fan of Westerns. No IMBD rating yet.

Also watched "Wyrmwood". Aussie Zombie movie. Good for a few laughs.

I know it was mentioned earlier but just caught up with "Redirected", might've been the fact that I was 3 sheets to the wind, but I enjoyed it. Bit of a hash up of the Hangover meets Lock, Stock meets Borat...

Allegiance could be the find of the season in terms of new tv shows... The spy daughter, wowee

Have now watched the first four episodes of Bosch. As I expected, Titus Welliver IS dead-on perfect as Harry Bosch, and Jamie Hector does a fine job as Jerry Edgar, his partner. Now Jamie doesn't have to worry about getting trapped forever in his Marlo Stansfield (The Wire, of course) persona, as he was recently on Person of Interest. This show makes the City of L.A. a major character, with some outstandingly good location shooting, particularly the aerial views.

Michael Connelly's great series of novels has finally made it to the screen, with a first class production. Well done!

NINE, with a drink at Musso & Franks.

thought that series 4 of scandal was turning into another unstructured core less us drama and was on the point ,in fact did stopped watching it but fair play too the writers/ producers theyve turned it around. In a bored mo I caught up with it, and by episode 9,imo, it's back to its best, still somewhat far fetched but , still gripping and intense enuf to make it imo very a v v watchable drama.

Gotham. Cop drama, very accessible to non-comic book fans, but with plenty of Easter eggs for the fans. Outstanding acting, although I anything I think the lead (jim Gordon's character) is the weakest link. Everyone else is outstanding.

Asher.......is without a doubt one of the best series I have started in a long time......started on Season six and went backwards....Now Im watching The Rat Patrol.....Thanks Sterling.

There is a British series called black mirror , you can download from the usual places ,there are not a lot of them but i just watched the "christmas special" they are well acted and very very dark ,dont expect a lot of laughs but whoever writes them is a very strange guy ,enjoy them ,i did very much .

Just watched a really good movie Telstar the Joe meek story any of you who remember Telstra,or 60s groups or just want to watch a lot of well known actors performing it's an 8 out of10

ALL IS LOST (2014)

Deep into a solo voyage in the Indian Ocean, an unnamed man (Robert Redford) wakes to find his 39-foot yacht taking on water after a collision with a shipping container left floating on the high seas. With his navigation equipment and radio disabled, the man sails unknowingly into the path of a violent storm.

Review here: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_is_lost_2013/

Bosch, bosch, bosch and bosch. What a good excuse to lie around in me jammies and watch a good <deleted> well made crime drama thingy.

I am on tenterhooks for series 2.

Indian Summers - the new channel 4 ten part series. Lovely.