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Grant Rindner's Posts

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which books are unfilmable? about 3 years ago

Atlas Shrugged.

Everything else is doable.

You can turn anything into a decent movie, what the real question is is, “What books can’t be made into mainstream commercial movies?”

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Mickey Rourke about 3 years ago

I just watched Sin City again last night, and that was his perfect roll.

Except I hear he may not be coming back because the roll requires a ridiculous amount of makeup. Which I hope he does, because besides Clive Owen he was the best character.

Also, what type of roll is he in “The Informers”?

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Synecdoche New York about 3 years ago

I just saw it and I really wanted to like it. And I did…sort of.

but, I think I need to watch it like another 5 times before it makes any sense.

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Synecdoche New York about 3 years ago

What I found really interesting was the comparison of how Caden’s work kept getting bigger and bigger in the warehouse and Adele’s art smaller and smaller.

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Film Recommendations almost 3 years ago

You have rather good taste in movies, I would agree with Marq, try Harold & Maude.

Also try some PT Anderson movies, specifically Boogie Nights or Magnolia, they have the same darker undertones as a lot of what you seem to be into as well as a similar type of ‘black humor’, if you will.

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Synecdoche Newyork almost 3 years ago

I would have to go with Eternal Sunshine, it was an incredibly powerful film, however it managed not to become too convoluted within itself the way that Synecdoche did. While they both take several viewings to truly appreciate I would say that Eternal Sunshine was a better film.

Also, I found that when Synecdoche ended I didn’t really take a lot away from it besides what people and reviews had told me. Whereas I find something new every time I finish Eternal Sunshine.

I’m also a HUGE fan of Tom Wilkinson so that’s a pretty big advantage. I also felt the ensemble of ES worked better together than that of Synecdoche.

Synecdoche is a decent film but Eternal Sunshine is a true masterpiece, easily in my top 5.

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My Top 25 Performances of All Time almost 3 years ago

Tom Cruise – Magnolia
Al Pacino – Dog Day Afternoon
Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton
Emile Hirsch – Into the Wild
Malcolm McDowell – A Clockwork Orange (overrated movie, incredible performance)
Brad Pitt – Fight Club
Catherine Keener – Being John Malkovich
Benicio del Toro – Sin City
Robert De Niro – Taxi Driver
Ivana Baquero – Pan’s Labyrinth
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Magnolia
Bill Murray – The Life Aquatic
Rod Taylor – The Birds
Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction
Daniel Day-Lewis – My Left Foot
Melora Waters – Magnolia
Sean Penn – Milk
Johnny Depp – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Kate Winslet – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Vincent d’Onofrio – Full Metal Jacket
Marisa Tomei – In the Bedroom
Clive Owen – Sin City
Jason Robards – Magnolia.

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P.T. Anderson's Best Film? almost 3 years ago

1) Magnolia:

In my opinion one of the best movies ever made, despite being such a sprawling concept nothing in the film ever really felt unnecessary. And although the relationships can be a little convoluted at times the ending is just so brilliant that it makes up for it. Also the performances themselves are absolutely brilliant. Tom Cruise especially, it was by far the best role of his career.

2) Boogie Nights:

I don’t think Boogie Nights is a classic film the way that Magnolia is, but Boogie Nights affected me a lot after I first saw it. Watching the rise and descent of Dirk Diggler (Marky Mark was brilliant), is absolutely riveting. And by the time I got to the scene of him getting attacked by the homophobic gang members I could barely take it anymore. Few movies affect me that much on a personal level. Also, I just love Don Cheadle, and John C. Reilly was perfect. Burt Reynolds, awww yeeeah.

3) Punch-Drunk Love/There Will Be Blood:

PDL – The first time I saw this movie I watched it on YouTube and I sat there, completely focused on it. Adam Sandler captured the Barry Egan role perfectly and the whole movie seemed to be fit around his performance. Though it doesn’t completely make sense and it’s one of the oddest stories I’ve ever seen, it’s an incredibly entertaining movie, and probably his easiest to watch again and again. Also, the final confrontation between Sandler and Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of my all time favorite scenes.

TWBB – The first movie of his I’d ever seen. I thought it was great, and it was the performance that finally won me over as a fan of Daniel Day-Lewis. One of the things I loved about this movie were all of the sweeping shots of the hills, particularly the Sunday House. A beautifully shot, incredibly disturbing film.

PTA is quite possibly my favorite director of all time.

The man is a goddamn genius.

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Alternative Oscars from 1980 to the present almost 3 years ago

I’m just gonna do 1990-2008:

1990: Mo’ Better Blues
1991: Silence of The Lambs
1992: Reservoir Dogs
1993: Schindler’s List
1994: Pulp Fiction
1995: Se7en
1996: Jerry Maguire
1997: L.A. Confidential
1998: Saving Private Ryan
1999: Magnolia
2000: Memento
2001: Training Day
2002: Adaptation
2003: Mystic River (But can you really argue with LOTR?)
2004: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2005: Good Night and Good Luck
2006: The Departed
2007: Michael Clayton
2008: Milk

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Really Famous films you've never seen almost 3 years ago

I’ve never admitted this…but:

“Forrest Gump”
“The Godfather”
“Casino”
“Unforgiven”
“Dirty Harry”
“Blade Runner”
“2001: A Space Odyssey”
“L.A. Confidential”
“The Constant Gardener”
“Boondock Saints”
“Casablanca”
“Citizen Kane”

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Favourite film of the decade (so far)? almost 3 years ago

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
- One of the best films I’ve ever seen, it’s so beautiful and so engaging, one of the few movies I could watch again and again and have a different experience.

Michael Clayton.
- The best legal movie ever made in my opinion, incredible performances, especially Tom Wilkinson, perfectly paced. Completely engaging.

Talk To Me.
- When I first saw it I was skeptical because I wasn’t quite sure what it was trying to be but I thought it was an amazingly powerful movie. Particularly Chiwetel Ejiofor and of course Don Cheadle, one of the most underrated actors of all time.

Into the Wild.
- Easily the most beautiful movie of the past few years, every single wilderness shot was so cinematic and inspiring. It made me want to go out and wander into the wilderness in Alaska. The entire cast worked together perfectly, an incredible ensemble performance.

Others:
- Sin City
- The Life Aquatic
- Vanilla Sky
- There Will Be Blood
- Milk

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MOVIES TO WATCH WHEN YOU'RE PISSED almost 3 years ago

Platoon always did it for me for some reason.

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TOP 10 FILMS FROM YOUR "BIRTH YEAR" almost 3 years ago

’94, no particular order:

- Pulp Fiction (Tarantino)
- Ed Wood (Burton)
- Heavenly Creatures (Jackson)
- Natural Born Killers (Stone)
- Interview with the Vampire (Jordan)
- Four Weddings and a Funeral (Nichols)
- The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont)
- True Lies (Cameron)
- Quiz Show (Redford)
- Nell (Apted)

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Favourite film of the decade (so far)? over 2 years ago

I would still give it to Eternal Sunshine, but now I have to renege a bit and put Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 in a VERY close second.

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Favorite Movies that have better names as Pornos over 2 years ago

Two Pounds of Cum: A Face Odyssey

(2001.)

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THE BEST ACTORS WORKING TODAY? over 2 years ago

Adrien Brody is incredible in almost every role he does, even if the movie itself is mediocre.

John C. Reilly, despite that he kind of looks like a caveman is one of the most versatile actors working right now.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, while I wasn’t sure that he could do anything that wasn’t excessively dark, his role in 500 Days of Summer was great and showed a totally different side of him.

Tom Wilkinson, though he’s usually relegated to supporting roles he can kill any part he’s given.

Sean Penn, even though he pulled out of every project he’s in that’s coming out, his work in Milk was amazing and I can’t wait for the Tree of Life.

As far as newer actors I would go with:

Sharlto Copley from District 9, which is one of the best sci-fi performances of all time.

Jeremy Renner from The Hurt Locker, I just hope he isn’t as crazy-impulsive as he is in the movie.

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Best modern day cinematographers? over 2 years ago

Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine).

Obviously Roger Deakins would be high up on that list.

Dante Spinotti, but mostly just for LA Confidential.

But really it’s gotta be Robert Richardson, the man is a genius. I mean, Kill Bill, Platoon, Inglourious Basterds, JFK, The Aviator, he’s incredible.

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Film quotes you love over 2 years ago

Are you smoking this shit so’s to escape from reality? Me, I don’t need this shit. I am reality. There’s the way it ought to be, and there’s the way it is. Elias was full of shit. Elias was a crusader. Now, I got no fight… with any man who does what he’s told. But when he don’t, the machine breaks down. And when the machine breaks down, we break down. And I ain’t gonna allow that… in any of you. Not one. Y’all love Elias. Oh, you wanna kick ass. Yeah. Well, here I am, all by my lonesome. And there ain’t nobody gonna know. Six of you boys against me. Kill me. Huh. I shit on all of you.

- Tom Berenger in ‘Platoon’.

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Last movie you saw and rate it over 2 years ago

Inglourious Basterds: 9.0/10

Timecrimes: 8.5/10

Matchstick Men: 7/10

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Underrated movies/actors over 2 years ago

I just rewatched Assassination of Jesse James and was reminded of how incredible Sam Rockwell is as an actor.

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Is it even possible Where the Wild Things Are won't be at least very good? over 2 years ago

After having my soul raped by the Avatar trailer I’ve been trying to keep my expectations low, but I can’t help but be excited about this one. I can’t wait.

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Reactions to Inglourious basterds over 2 years ago

I thought it was brilliant, particularly the first scene in the French dairy farm. The way Tarantino captured the tension of the moment and just kept it building and building right ‘till the end was great. I give him a lot of credit for not altering his vision of a World War II/Holocaust movie and I think that the film ending any other way wouldn’t have made any sense. Granted, it’s not a Platoon or a Saving Private Ryan type war movie, but that’s not really what anyone wanted it to be, it’s a classic Tarantino movie, that happens to take place in WWII.

As far as the performances go I thought Brad Pitt was outstanding, one of the best of the year and I can’t even think of anyone to compete with Christoph Waltz for best supporting actor. Another favorite of mine, though the role got less attention, was Michael Fassbender (who is incredibly underrated as is) as Lt. Hicox, the role was done with such great swagger that it came out perfectly in the movie. However, I wasn’t a fan of Melanie Laurent, the character didn’t come off to me as someone I should care about really.

All in all, after Grindhouse which I largely consider a disappointment, to see Tarantino come back to form like this was quite the relief.

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Avatar (2009, James Cameron) trailer over 2 years ago

I watched the trailer with my brother the night it came out and we both had the exact same reaction; “It looks like a really cool video game.”

Avatar, despite my hopes, and the hopes of everyone else, could never have been truly photorealistic and really look like everything was real. My problem is though, even with lowered expectations, I HATE the look of the aliens.

From what they show, I think that the integration of the actors into the CGI world and the ships and the planet itself all look fantastic, but I just don’t think the characters really have the proper look, granted it wasn’t in 3D and maybe that effects the appearance of the texture of the aliens.

All in all, I’m excited, but I’m cautious.

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Reactions to Inglourious basterds over 2 years ago

@Doinel

That may be true, but he DID do it, think about the farmer at the very beginning of the movie, he was stuck in a situation where if he didn’t say anything his family would die but if he did he was betraying his friends, and I really felt for him there.

I think that one thing that they cut out of the movie that I read in an earlier script draft is that she wasn’t the manager of the movie theatre, there was the women who took her in, whose name she adopted, I thought that added another element to the character. But I guess when you’re making a movie with so many converging chapters it’s hard to really make characters filled with those little intricacies.

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Top Ten Films of 2008 over 2 years ago

My top 10 would have to be:

1. Milk
2. The Dark Knight
3. In Bruges
4. Los Cronocrimenes (TimeCrimes)
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. The Wrestler
7. Wall-E
8. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
9. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
10. Frost/Nixon

*Runners-Up:

11. Hunger
12. Tropic Thunder
13. Iron Man
14. Synechdoche, New York
15. Man On Wire

Overrated Films:

- The Reader, The Visitor, Slumdog Millionaire.

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Good Bad Films over 2 years ago

Zoolander is a favorite, along with The Ladies’ Man starring Tim Meadows.

But those are good-bad COMEDIES, which are totally different than good-bad serious movies, like Vanilla Sky or 300.

Others include:
- Duplicity
- Anger Management
- Shoot ‘Em Up (though that’s intentionally bad)

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Top Films of 2009 - so far over 2 years ago

1. District 9
2. Moon
3. Funny People
4. The Hurt Locker
5. 500 Days of Summer
6. Inglourious Basterds
7. The Brothers Bloom
8. Adventureland
9. The Hangover

But by the end of the year I’d guess my top 10 would be:

1. District 9
2. Avatar
3. Moon
4. Where the Wild Things Are
5. Funny People
6. The Hurt Locker
7. A Serious Man
8. The Tree of Life
9. Everybody’s Fine
10. The Boat That Rocked

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Personal All-Time 25 over 2 years ago

Here’s mine:

1) Magnolia (Anderson, 1999)
2) Fight Club (Fincher, 1999)
3) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Gondry, 2004)
4) Pulp Fiction (Tarantino, 1994)
5) Dog Day Afternoon (Lumet, 1975)
6) Platoon (Stone, 1986)
7) Twelve Monkeys (Gilliam, 1995)
8) Memento (Nolan, 2000)
9) Silence of the Lambs (Demme, 1992)
10) La Haine (Kassovitz, 1995)
11) Michael Clayton (Gilroy, 2007)
12) Talk To Me (Lemmons, 2007)
13) La Jetee (Marker, 1962)
14) Being John Malkovich (Jones, 1999)
15) In Bruges (McDonagh, 2008)
16) Big Fish (Burton, 2003)
17) American Gangster (Scott, 2007)
18) Seven (Fincher, 1995)
19) The 400 Blows (Truffaut, 1959)
20) Punch-Drunk Love (Anderson, 2002)
21) Brazil (Gilliam, 1985)
22) District 9 (Blomkamp, 2009)
23) American Beauty (Mendes, 1999)
24) V For Vendetta (McTeigue, 2005)
25) Cidade de Dues (Meirelles/Lund, 2002)

Almosts:

- Reservoir Dogs (Tarantino, 1992)
- Down By Law (Jarmusch, 1986)
- Le Samouraï (Melville, 1967)
- Into the Wild (Penn, 2007)
- The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont, 1994)

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The most beautiful films? over 2 years ago

I recently rewatched “Days of Heaven” and I gotta say it’s absolutely incredible.

I’d also say “Assassination of Jesse James” an “Eternal Sunshine” (mostly for the incredible mise-en-scene that Gondry uses). Others like, 3:10 to Yuma, Volver or The Insider also come to mind.

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GREAT FILMS DEPICTING INSANITY AND MENTAL ILLNESS over 2 years ago

The Machinist, 12 Monkeys, Memento, movies of that nature.

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