I'm skipping this one—changing the channel!

frozentinker432 said:Do you actually keep a log of everything you watch and the ratings you give them?

Staying on topic—I guess I agree that Holocaust themes are pretty overdone, but I'm glad to see a movie about those events from a slightly different, less stereotypical angle (like in The Reader, where the lead character is basically—at least to me—a totally likable Nazi criminal).

I do.

Staying on topic—I generally agree that Holocaust themes have been overused, but I’m glad to see a film tackling those events from a slightly different, less stereotypical angle.

Of course I do.

That's exactly why I watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. It was quite good.

goldenhound32 said:Well, if they actually show up to the podium, then maybe we'll see something happen. 😁

By the way, "cheerleaders" aren't just fans or spectators. I honestly don't know if there's even an American term that captures the nuance perfectly, but we definitely need a better word for that concept.

@goldenhound32 - For me, that monologue was easily the highlight of the entire film. Honestly, I think the characters could benefit from breaking the fourth wall a bit more often—just to acknowledge their own existence as characters within the narrative.

I don't particularly mind when a film decides to break the fourth wall. It can work if handled correctly. However, I felt that the execution during that specific monologue missed the mark entirely. I'm planning to revisit it on YouTube later to see if it's actually available there, and then I'll provide a more definitive take on what exactly went wrong.

Not really my thing. I mostly stick to watching movies on my PC. While I was browsing through some TV channels, I stumbled upon all sorts of absolute garbage. Honestly, I don't even regret it; it’s all just part of the job.

+1.

Heh, acting like we’re analyzing the complete works of James Joyce... what’s the point of studying this guy's filmography when every single movie he makes—with the exception of JCVD—follows the exact same formula? And let’s be clear here: I’ve sat through far more than five Jean-Claude van Damme films, and that’s not even counting JCVD.

I caught that monologue yesterday... and honestly, viewing it as a standalone piece, I actually quite liked it. Within the context of the movie, though? It just didn't land for me. Perhaps it’s because Jean-Claude didn't write it.🤷

I have absolutely nothing against killing time with a movie, provided it’s decent enough,
but I just can't stomach these recent releases that rely so heavily on muddy, cheap-looking CGI.
(I'm talking about those blue demons, the snake-versus-python tropes, the hosts, the bugs, and all that nonsense)

Whenever I encounter animation this poorly executed, my immediate instinct is to switch it off.
And honestly, more often than not, it’s the very first frame that sends me running for the remote.🙄

Charles Martin78 said:I find myself drifting back to that peculiar cinematic obsession we all seem to share—you know the one—wherever there are rings involved. I’m talking about those sweeping epics like *Lord of the Rings*, where a single piece of jewelry carries the weight of the entire world on its shoulders, or even those more grounded, domestic dramas where a wedding is the central pivot. It’s always something about the ring, isn't it? Whether it’s the grand spectacle of a ceremony, some high-stakes romantic gesture, or just a quiet, poignant moment where someone stares longingly at a ring in a storefront window or receives a dusty heirloom from a grandmother. There seems to be this endless fascination with the ring as a symbol of destiny, duty, or perhaps just the inevitable passage of time.

I have this rather peculiar, perhaps even slightly indulgent, weakness for cinema where the color palette leans heavily into those deep, saturated reds or warm, glowing oranges—you know, the kind of cinematography that makes you feel like you're trapped inside a sunset or a fever dream. 😁

...I kind of lost it reading this 🤣 anyway, if that's the case, try watching X-Files, or anything by Nicolas Winding Refn—it's not like the walls are constantly red, but there’s just something about his camerawork that makes me feel like I'm getting lost in all that red and black when I think about some of his stuff... and David Lynch gives me that exact same vibe 🙂

from: I'd love to say I watch absolutely everything without any bias 😍 but honestly, when it comes to going to the theater, I'm incredibly picky—I'd only go see a rom-com, or a comedy in general, if I was with really close friends. The same goes for those big "franchise" movies (you know, the high-concept sequels and all that), or action flicks (but strictly action, not spy thrillers or whatever)... it's the same deal with stuff I download or buy: I almost never pick up one of those genres unless someone I actually trust recommends it, or I read a genuinely interesting review...
...TV is a different story entirely 🙂 if something catches my eye, I'll watch it, even if it's just some Kommando flick, a comedy, or one of those "Sunday afternoon movies" (those mid-budget family dramas I usually can't stand, but hey, I'm a total movie whore so sometimes I use them to kill time 😳 )...

goldenhound32 said:Only someone with a certain kind of agenda would ever write something like that.

Not really, 🙄

Karen Smith9 said:Not really, 🙄

Hah... I suppose you missed my point entirely. It’s not that I harbor any hatred toward Jewish people... it’s just this endless cycle of Holocaust films being churned out. It feels like every single year, maybe even more often than that—though I can't say for certain since they aren't exactly household names—we get hit with another one.

- whenever I see Julia Roberts popping up on screen (honestly, I don't think a single one of her movies has ever really hit the mark for me 🤷)
- when the opening scene features something like 3 or 4 resistance fighters armed with nothing but hunting rifles absolutely tearing through a squad of 20 elite German soldiers (okay, I'm exaggerating the numbers, but you know exactly the kind of vibe I'm talking about 😁) along with other action sequences like that
- those Leonardo DiCaprio flicks

goldenhound32 said:Hah... I suppose you missed my point entirely. It’s not that I harbor any hatred toward Jewish people... it’s just this endless cycle of Holocaust films being churned out. It feels like every single year, maybe even more often than that—though I can't say for certain since they aren't exactly household names—we get hit with another one.

And honestly, as soon as a movie tackles the Holocaust, you already know it's going to be chasing an Oscar. That’s been the standard playbook for the last 10-15 years.

I’m generally not a fan of romance movies (with the obvious exceptions of 🙏Before Sunrise / Sunset
).
My tastes lean more toward action, sci-fi, or horror that dances right on the edge of being total trash.😱 As for the humor in action films? It usually misses the mark for me.

If someone drops an F-bomb or a shot rings out within the first five seconds, I just switch over to a commercial for a Maytag dishwasher, some Tide detergent, or maybe an ad for stainless steel cutlery...☕

That’s why satellite TV exists...

And Cocoa Puffs. 🙏

I guess if I spot more than two old guys, a kid, or a Black person in those opening shots, I’m probably just gonna turn it off.

Nicholas Edwards4 said:I guess if I spot more than two old guys, a kid, or a Black person in those opening shots, I’m probably just gonna turn it off.

Seriously though, do you ever actually finish a movie?

Nicholas Edwards4 said:I guess I'm always curious, what is it about those opening shots that makes you just immediately flip the channel?

For me, it’s usually stuff like this—

- seeing actors in period costumes
- horses appearing on screen
- kids or teenagers hanging out at some high school
- a gritty urban ghetto
- aliens and massive spaceships
- maybe some indigenous people out in the wilderness while it's pouring rain
- or even just that classic shot of an American suburb with someone mowing their lawn

Something like that.

Emily Thomas3 said:Seriously though, do you ever actually finish a movie?

God, I do finish them, I guess, but honestly, it's pretty damn rare! 😂