Alien 3 is, in my opinion, very videogame-y both in its environments and in things like the chase sequence. It's got an iconic look to it, too. A very 90s one. I dig it. 

A3 was the prison one right? I wasn't a fan of that idea. Alien 4 was underrated though, that was probably better than the credit it got. I think we end up wearing rose tinted glasses with some movies where no matter what they do, it'll never be as good as the original. Even if it is actually better.

When you compare that last Predator movie to the original I sort of thought, if this was released in 1987 it would probably be an action classic, as it actually shares a lot of similarities with the original Predator. It's just missing the strong cast. But of course, nothing will touch the original Predator.

Hey I see there's a new Predator film coming next year! Now called The Predator instead of Predator 4 which is what it is, so they've already fucked up the name.

I'm putting money on a future Star Wars film (because this franchise seems to be going on and on) just named Jedi. 

Alien 4 had a bad cast? Not sure I agree with you there. 

Alien 4 had a classy cast, i mean Brad Dourif, Hellboy and Winona Ryder? And 8 Ripleys..
Ermm, that is nearly too good.
Which it was in the end i think, the movie is real bubblegum. Not in a bad way, this "comicesque" attitude isn't really my kind of horror..
But i was pretty fueled by the "genetic replication with all its consequences scene" at the time. But meh.
I've seen Covenant now, idk what to make of it all anymore. Sorry for that spoiler but, No Helmets on an unkown planet? Let's go! this is so stupid.
It had its moments though.. 

I was talking about Predator (1987) has a better cast than Predators (2010). Adrien Brody is no replacement for Arnie.

I'll reserve judgement till I see Convenant. Didn't everyone hate on the last one, but it actually was a decent watch. I think I watched half of it a second time, even! Is Convenant that much worse? 

Everyone hated on Prometheus because it was godawful. Covenant is no exception. It's even worse. 

Visually and ONLY visually was one of the most gorgeous movies ever shot. Shot in native 3d on RED the fidelity in the IMAX Experience auditorium I saw it in was breathtaking. VFX and design were just insane.

But then the actors opened their mouths.

Trope on top on trope cascading into a incoherent sill fucking mess. One of the most disappointing movies I've ever watched. But god it was gorgeous visually.

Covenant is a no go for me. I won't reward them with my money and I won't waste precious mapping time on that garbage. My ex-screenwriter friend said it best: The studios absolutely do not care if a movie is good or not. They don;t care about art. People will watch garbage over and over again, the lure of a cool looking trailer is just too great. And they get away with it time after time. 

Alien 3 in the director's cut form (or whatever the extended cut is called) is a decent watch, certainly better than the mess that is Covenant.

Prometheus has problems but I still really like it. 

I prefer the theatrical release to the directors cut 

Neruda

Formally daring and tonally playful 'biopic' by Pablo Lorrain of the Chilean poet/communist party member. Actually less a biopic and more some sort of fever dream version of Neruda's time when he was hunted by the government for his communist beliefs, as imagined by Neruda himself. Has possibly the funniest voiceover ever done. Also lacks the emotional power of something like Jackie.

7/10 

Moon

Not sure why I didn't see this at the time, perhaps because it was meant to be pretty slow, and there were too many "intelligent sci-fi" rival films?? Anyway, it was rather good, slow, but kinda nervy at first and kinda interesting how it played out later on. Not one for a big hype cinema viewing but good for a quiet evening getting drawn into it.

arbitrarynumberwithlotsofdecimalplaces / 10 

Naked Lunch: wtf/10 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4263482/

Just remembered to post about this one. It is the simple horror witchcraft / corruption movie I have always wanted to see and it did not disappoint. 

I found it visually dismal but in an interesting way. I also liked the old world language and speech.

I think the film was a little too simple in a way, it very much reminded me of an old 70's b-movie type of horror. 

It is simple, very, and that is the beauty, it lets the grim situation seethe...

I think many lower budget/production movies try to throw way too much and then the kitchen sink in there, its not necessary. 

saw "It Comes At Night" and unlike most of the teenage cunts in the theatre with us, really enjoyed it.
Low key but clean thing with impeccable pacing and though there are obvious differences between this movie and the Road (eg setting haha) they share a great sense of grimness and admirably unflinching inevitability with regard to their protrayals of the post-apocalypse.


Nitin - thoughts? 

and also a fucking beagle. Pretty sure beagles aren't Japanese.

Methinks it's a nod to Hayao Miyazaki, who had a beagle (I believe the dog died a few years ago) and drew him in most if not all of his films. 

Heh, that's what William Burroughs does to people, enhanced by Cronenberg's own kind of weird. And that's precisely what I find so appealing in these artists' works! At least now you know what a mugwump is... ;) 

This all got me round to watching Naked Lunch....how the FUCK had I missed it all this time huh ??

It was neat :D 

it's not one of Cronenberg's best known movies. Glad you liked it! He was at the top of his game back then. These days, not so much. His latest films lack his usual weirdness. 

not out in Australia till next month, but it's one I am definitely going to see! 

Great exercise in making a show fall flat on its face halfway through. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPc2b9i2oc 

should go into music.. 

20th Century Women - 7/10

Good characters, good writing, great acting, sloppy filmmaking. There are worse ways to spend 2 hrs than in the company of the semi-autobiographical characters writer-director Mike Mills once again brings to the screen, especially when the performances are so strong (especially from Benning and Fanning but Gerwig, Crudup and newcomer Zumann also put in very good work).

Part coming of age story (shaped via a feminist perspective), part exploration of makeshift family dynamics, part how not to shoot and direct a movie (there are some very strange filmmaking and cinematography choices throughout).