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SMB Film Thread 2025

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Nosferatu (2024)

Robert Eggers version of the 1920’s original vampire film. A command of tone that is typical of an Eggers film (flashes of The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman) that builds the suspense brilliantly for the first hour. A gothic nightmare unfolding with enormous dread. Lily-Rose Depp delivering an excellent performance. Aaron Taylor Johnson, Emma Corrin and a very good Nicholas Hoult performance are backed up by a typically committed performance by Willem Dafoe.

I found the first half more engrossing than the second but any slight problems I had with the second half can be forgiven when the direction, cinematography and score are taken into account. The Count’s castle in particular is chilling.

7/10
I pretty much felt the same way.

From a cinematic perspective it might be the most beautiful film I've seen in a couple of decades. The scene setting, the cinematography, the lighting, the camera angles, etc all amazingly shit and beautiful.

The acting was second to none and as you say the build of suspense in the first half of the film was excellent.

Ultimately it just lacked a bit of substance in the story and I wasn't actually sold on Orlock, not to say the vampire wants good but he just lacked that creepiness that the first two incarnations had. I think he missed the point on the plot as well tbh.

That said, a solid 7/10 and well worth watching for the art of it alone.

Probably the first time I've enjoyed a remake of a remake but would still say it's probably the third best of the three films overall.

Eggers is very good though, I feel he's just needs one film to click fully for a masterpiece, all his films seem almost there but just not quite.
I must have missed something in the Northman as I thought it was terrible.
I think a lot of Eggers films, you really need to have a real interest in history for as he likes to try and tie in everything from the time period and keep it neat as possible.

He's definitely not a director for action fans though, his films are very much based on pagan folk tales and mythology. If you're into that you'll like his films, if not then they will probably be a bit dull as they are mostly long winded and require you to pay solid attention throughout. Then throw in he is very arty as a director as well.

I love his films but understand why he's not for everyone.
 
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I've been hesitant to watch basically every Robert Eggers film because of this. Everything he does, some people say it's the best they've ever seen, others say it's the worst
Whenever I see a film with marmite reviews I have to watch it. Means it isn't the same old Hollywood tripe generally.
I must have missed something in the Northman as I thought it was terrible.
It is a very Scandinavian story, so culturally a bit odd to us I think.
 
Killing Them Softly (2012) 8/10
Adaptation of a book by George V Higgins. Tries to elevate a Boston gangland movie into arthouse, particularly through bold sound design. Not sure it works, but it's different.
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Really liked this, and really brought Sam Mendelsohn to my attention.
 
I pretty much felt the same way.

From a cinematic perspective it might be the most beautiful film I've seen in a couple of decades. The scene setting, the cinematography, the lighting, the camera angles, etc all amazingly shit and beautiful.

The acting was second to none and as you say the build of suspense in the first half of the film was excellent.

Ultimately it just lacked a bit of substance in the story and I wasn't actually sold on Orlock, not to say the vampire wants good but he just lacked that creepiness that the first two incarnations had. I think he missed the point on the plot as well tbh.

That said, a solid 7/10 and well worth watching for the art of it alone.

Probably the first time I've enjoyed a remake of a remake but would still say it's probably the third best of the three films overall.

Eggers is very good though, I feel he's just needs one film to click fully for a masterpiece, all his films seem almost there but just not quite.

I think a lot of Eggers films, you really need to have a real interest in history for as he likes to try and tie in everything from the time period and keep it neat as possible.

He's definitely not a director for action fans though, his films are very much based on pagan folk tales and mythology. If you're into that you'll like his films, if not then they will probably be a bit dull as they are mostly long winded and require you to pay solid attention throughout. Then throw in he is very arty as a director as well.

I love his films but understand why he's not for everyone.
That next film is rumoured to be a remake of Labyrinth, which I’m not exactly buzzing about. He’s also finished another original script called The Knight which I’d prefer as at least its original.
 
Conclave 6/10 but more down to the fact it was advertised as a mystery/thriller, it's pretty much just a drama with some brilliant acting and a average plot. Was expecting a big pay off that just never came. Disappointed in the ending.
 
That next film is rumoured to be a remake of Labyrinth, which I’m not exactly buzzing about. He’s also finished another original script called The Knight which I’d prefer as at least its original.
TBF the way the film industry works he may well have been asked to do a remake of Labyrinth to get his next film granted. They tend to do stuff like that a lot. You make me a money film and we'll let you do your art film type deals.

Not sure how a Labyrinth remake would work. Be a tough ask to find a Bowie replacement. I mean it's a creepy film, very noncey vibes to it, it's probably something I can see him doing well as he likes to play off dark and creepy themes. As always though, you're on an uphill battle with remakes of well loved movies.
 
That next film is rumoured to be a remake of Labyrinth, which I’m not exactly buzzing about. He’s also finished another original script called The Knight which I’d prefer as at least its original.

He's said in some interviews that he has a bunch of scripts and pitches ready and will see what the studio greenlights. Might be Labyrinth, might be something else
 
Hvala Za Sunderland (2012) - 7/10
(Translates to - Thanks to Sunderland)

Slovenian drama/comedy. Won some Slovenian film awards.
Expectations were low but was pretty decent considering it’s obviously a very low budget movie and looks 30 years old.
Few mentions of Sunderland AFC too, not surprising given the name, but bumps it up from a 6/10.

 
Nightbitch [2024] 4/10
A stay-at-home Mam becomes increasingly aware of the undeniable signs that she may be turning into a dog.

Dangles it's feet into the surreal without ever fully committing. If the director was braver it could have been good.

The Return [2024] 7.5/10

After 20 years, Odysseus washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The king has finally returned home, but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.

A thin adaptation of 'The Odyssey' elevated by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Also, this man is 62 👇

 
Nightbitch [2024] 4/10
A stay-at-home Mam becomes increasingly aware of the undeniable signs that she may be turning into a dog.

Dangles it's feet into the surreal without ever fully committing. If the director was braver it could have been good.

The Return [2024] 7.5/10
After 20 years, Odysseus washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The king has finally returned home, but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.

A thin adaptation of 'The Odyssey' elevated by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Also, this man is 62 👇


Ralph's showing some chee chee as well as some cho cho there
 
Nosferatu- 6.5/10

Some good performances, sets, and cinematography but I found the pacing slightly off. Slight reliance on cheap jump scares and loud sounds. Found Skarsgård to be overacting if anything and doing his best Leto impression of look at me everyone I’m acting, started to do me head in half way through. Also half a point off for the Count having a cock halfway up his stomach. Next step for Eggers imo is to contact Hidetaka Miyazaki and do a Bloodborne adaptation.
 
Gone all 80s.(?) Brewster's millions followed by working girl.
Don't think I've ever watched Working Girl.
Brewster's Millions, on the other hand, was one of those films me and my mates watched loads. Never watched the 1945 original, though.


EDIT: There was actually one in 1914 and 1935 as well.
 
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Watched Substance tonight, suspect I'm not target audience as I thought it was very poor. Suspect it's just me, but nothing about it gripped me. Demi is holding up well for her age mind, which I guess was the point. Perhaps if it had been Danish I'd have been more interested...

1/5
 
Nute point but does anyone on here have a vue cinema near them? I get 2 tickets a month on sky... Their go to waste as i have no vue cinema near me... So i would rather their be used..
 
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