Film Fanatics - Chat Thread II

Would you recommend it to someone who doesn't generally watch/like horror films?

Not really. If you're not the kind of person who's watched The Evil Dead, I can't imagine you're going to get all that much out of it. It's a similar case with all of these films like Scream and Shaun of the Dead - if you don't know what they're satirising, you're not going to really appreciate them.

Cabin in the Woods might still work on some level if you just watch it at face value. But if you don't take into account the critique on 80s horror that it's trying to be, then you're ignoring a lot of what makes it unique and interesting. Without that, as a flat horror film it's not particularly special.

Ah, I see. I remember you mentioning it might be a film worth watching some weeks ago, when there was hardly anything good out, which is why I asked.

I did think it was smart and well done, but I do also think it's very much a genre film - if you don't watch horror, there's not going to be all that there for you. I also think one of it's biggest failings was the complete dismissal of any horror film from the last decade, so particularly if you haven't watched many old horror films you might end up underwhelmed.

But yeah, there's not been a whole lot of note out recently. The Avengers seemed to scare everything off, and I have zero interest in seeing it. But that will hopefully change tonight: I'm seeing The Raid, and it looks incredible.

I've heard very mixed reviews about that one: from rave reviews to complete dismissals. A bit like The Tree of Life.

I might sit down and watch a DVD in a little while, actually.

The Raid looks amazing indeed. Surprisingly, the new Statham film looks alright as well.

Statham's the new Vin Diesel - he makes bad films bearable.

When did Vin Diesel ever do that? Apart from xXx, I mean.

Catwoman heavy. Pretty good.

Does anyone else feel that these trailers (this one in particular) are a little too revealing, plot-wise? I mean, anyone who's read the comics (Knightfall in particular) will know basically what Bane is about, but watching the above trailer made me feel like I was being given too much information on what was about to happen.

Still really looking forward to it, of course, but also hoping that I'm wrong.

Please god, not yet another zombie apocalypse film. But dare I say it, this looks set to be the best one yet.

Does anyone else feel that these trailers (this one in particular) are a little too revealing, plot-wise? I mean, anyone who's read the comics (Knightfall in particular) will know basically what Bane is about, but watching the above trailer made me feel like I was being given too much information on what was about to happen.

Still really looking forward to it, of course, but also hoping that I'm wrong.

Okay, so The Avengers is great. I was worried about it doing justice to all the characters in the limited screentime; worried about Loki being a compelling antagonist again; worried about the presumed dominance of Downey Jr's Iron Man over the rest of the team (based on the trailers). I am an idiot and should be violently killed. The Avengers is ridiculously fun, sharply written and as excellent a superhero film as you're likely to get this summer.

The Avengers was the best Avengers movie they could have made. It was great. Everything that involved Mark Ruffalo or the Hulk were the highlights for me. It's not in the best films ever, it is basically fight scenes with a bit of banter inbetween, but it's a lot better than I ever imagined. It's a shame that only regular comic readers will get the after credits sequence though.

Cabin in the Woods is dreadful! Avoid. One of the worst films I have witnessed in my 28 year lifespan, lol.
Just discovered it was written by the same schmuck behind Cloverfield, which I also thought was utter crap...all makes sense lol.

Would you recommend it to someone who doesn't generally watch/like horror films?

I dont generally watch horror films and I am not a big fan.

But I loved Cabin in the Woods as it is almost a comedy too and it is just great!

Not really. If you're not the kind of person who's watched The Evil Dead, I can't imagine you're going to get all that much out of it. It's a similar case with all of these films like Scream and Shaun of the Dead - if you don't know what they're satirising, you're not going to really appreciate them.

Cabin in the Woods might still work on some level if you just watch it at face value. But if you don't take into account the critique on 80s horror that it's trying to be, then you're ignoring a lot of what makes it unique and interesting. Without that, as a flat horror film it's not particularly special.

The Raid looks amazing indeed. Surprisingly, the new Statham film looks alright as well.

No, it was directed by the writer of Cloverfield. It was written (and produced) by the genius that brought Firefly into the world.