World Cup, Season 2, Match 3rd place: Egypt vs Spain

[monty]

Looking forward to RBG's review of Torremolinos...

I doubt she'll watch it, but she'll 99% vote for the Pharaohs.

Why not? What's she afraid of? What little bare flesh there is here is nothing more than what's on display in the average Hollywood romance. Also. I'd love to hear her take on the Bergman homage.

[Mario Gaborović]

Looking forward to RBG's review of Torremolinos...

I doubt she'll watch it, but she'll 99% vote for the Pharaohs.

Why not? What's she afraid of? What little bare flesh there is here is nothing more than what's on display in the average Hollywood romance. Also. I'd love to hear her take on the Bergman homage.

She's afraid of dull comedies. Torremolinos is not very far from that.

[RBG]

ha! this made me laugh. i'm moving this weekend or i might give it a shot

[Mario Gaborović]

ha! this made me laugh. i'm moving this weekend or i might give it a shot

Frankly, it's actually not that bad not to do so.

[Armoreska]

Torremolinos 73 6(.5)/10
Kit Kat 4/10

[Mario Gaborović]

Kit Kat - Torremolinos 73: 1 - 9

A bit more than 8 days left.

[weirdboy]

1. Torremolinos 73
2. Kit Kat

[monty]

Were you weirded out by Torremolinos, weirdboy?

[weirdboy]

Why would I be?

It sort of reminded me of Naisenkuvia.

[sortile9io]

Could anybody translate what the Scandinavian crew say when they first meet Alfredo in the hotel?

[monty]

I see, it's not been translated. Oh, well, here goes:

01:00:46
How are you doing then, ...matador?

01:00:56
- Damn, what an ugly mug!
- He looks like he's forgotten his Christmas Sled and Rudolph the Reindeer.

[sortile9io]

- He looks like he's forgotten his Christmas Sled and Rudolph the Reindeer.

Thanks. Is this a way to mean he is out of place?

[monty]

- He looks like he's forgotten his Christmas Sled and Rudolph the Reindeer.

Thanks. Is this a way to mean he is out of place?

Indeed. Alfredo is very much a fish out of water in this setting.
The conversation is a mix of Danish and Swedish, btw.

[monty]

Kit Kat - Torremolinos 73: 1 - 10

Wow, this is a disappointingly low turnout. Where are the fans of Egyptian cinema? Where are the lovers of fun in the Spanish sun? Come on, guys, you really don't want to miss out here.
5 days and 11 hours to go...

[monty]

Here's DVDBeaver's take:

Based on a true story, “Torremolinos 73” is one of the best films ever made on the subject of making film, more precisely artistic vision vs. commercial interests. An overlooked gem about cinema.

Beware spoilers in the link below:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... review.htm

[monty]

Some more inspirational talk for getting you guys into watching mode. Here's eyeforfilm's review of Torremolinos:

Altogether, the film works well, like a Spanish version of Boogie Nights, without the horrendous come down, keeping you laughing all the way to an obvious, but no less satisfying, conclusion. It treads a fine line between the serious and the comic and manages, thankfully, to steer away from the many tasteless holes that a movie such as this could fall into. It is funny and clever and definitely worth a visit just to see Alfredo's priceless homage to Bergman.

s

And here's the BBC review:

Writer/director Berger's skilfully told story shifts in tone but always remains affectingly sweet and human. It's Deep Throat with a big, big heart.

s

[sortile9io]

1. Kit Kat — 6/10
2. Torremolinos 73 — 6/10

Very irregular films, both alternate good with boring, cliched or even annoying moments (I think it was Mario who already mentioned one before). The Spanish porn version of Amator is certainly easier to watch, the homemade shots are great, Peña looks great all the time and there are several catchy songs that help a lot to keep everything going on, but in the end it leaves me somewhat empty. I don't know the reasons behind the pale look of the film, I would have made it colourful. Same for a sad and tired entrepreneur (poorly acted too) I can't think of other than as a lively and strong role. On the other hand, the Egyptian sense of humour in this film is a bit weird for me too (maybe it is just the way it is filmed or the language), even the slapstick gags, although I can understand the rationale behind it. In the end it was the warmth of moments like the furtive encounters accentuated by the repeated nice music that won me over.

[HVM]

Woo-hoo! Freedom! And I can skip monty's posts from now on as well.

Torremolinos 73 6.5/10
Kit Kat 4.5/10

[Mario Gaborović]

Here's DVDBeaver's take:

Based on a true story, “Torremolinos 73” is one of the best films ever made on the subject of making film, more precisely artistic vision vs. commercial interests. An overlooked gem about cinema.

Beware spoilers in the link below:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... review.htm

It's funny how you draw only positive comments about films that you like yourself, but when I suggest you some good film from our region, you find comments on ANOTHER film saying how difficult it is to be understood because its filmmakers deal with provincial subjects only - which is enough for you to cover all films from that region with your own blanket of prejudice.

[monty]

Here's DVDBeaver's take:

Based on a true story, “Torremolinos 73” is one of the best films ever made on the subject of making film, more precisely artistic vision vs. commercial interests. An overlooked gem about cinema.

Beware spoilers in the link below:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... review.htm

It's funny how you draw only positive comments about films that you like yourself, but when I suggest you some good film from our region, you find comments on ANOTHER film saying how difficult it is to be understood because its filmmakers deal with provincial subjects only - which is enough for you to cover all films from that region with your own blanket of prejudice.

Still sore about me not liking certain Balkan films? Don't worry, I'll let you know what I think of your top recs as well. I'm still hoping to uncover another gem, you know. Anyhow, I'm glad you drew some small measure of consolation from your vote for Egypt here.

[monty]

Woo-hoo! Freedom! And I can skip monty's posts from now on as well.

Torremolinos 73 6.5/10
Kit Kat 4.5/10

What aspects did you like the best about the Spanish effort? Mads Mikkelsen's pornstar turn? The Bergman homage? Also, did you find the film too racey?

[Mario Gaborović]

Here's DVDBeaver's take: Beware spoilers in the link below:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... review.htm

It's funny how you draw only positive comments about films that you like yourself, but when I suggest you some good film from our region, you find comments on ANOTHER film saying how difficult it is to be understood because its filmmakers deal with provincial subjects only - which is enough for you to cover all films from that region with your own blanket of prejudice.

Still sore about me not liking certain Balkan films? Don't worry, I'll let you know what I think of your top recs as well. I'm still hoping to uncover another gem, you know. Anyhow, I'm glad you drew some small measure of consolation from your vote for Egypt here.

One of the good things about conversations with you, is that I never can read your comment until the end without smiling before the end. Thank you for that!

Maybe we're just not made for each other; for instance, I find Utlaginn mediocre and you don't. You find sex to be funny, I don't. You wax your back, I don't.

[Lonewolf2003]

1. Torremolinos 73 (2003): 7.2 - I most liked how the husband gets more and more into Bergman and goes from an amateur filmmaker to trying to be a serious one. The Bergman-esque porno parody he's making at the end made me laugh. Another aspect I need to give credits for is that it really looks like a 70 movie, in fact without Mads Mikkelsen showing up I would have thought it was. The whole drama about her great wish for a baby and his inability to conceive one, could have been dealt a bit better. As fas as sex comedies go, this is very mild, I wouldn't even call it one. Sex comedies in my mind are raunchy vulgar comedies with toilet humor, this was a comedy about making sex movies.




2. Kit Kat (1991): 4.0 - The last one, this time is the least one. As a comedy it is totally dull and unfunny. As a drama the writing and directing doesn't reach above the quality of your average daytime soap opera.

[monty]

1. Torremolinos 73 (2003): 7.2 - As fas as sex comedies go, this is very mild, I wouldn't even call it one. Sex comedies in my mind are raunchy vulgar comedies with toilet humor, this was a comedy about making sex movies.

Indeed. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Maybe I should have stressed this more forcefully as some users here seem to have been scared away by the term "sex comedy", when this film - as you point out - is primarily about the love of the art of filmmaking, not smutty sex acts. I reckon even RBG would be drawn in by this film's charm if she ever gave it the chance.

[Mario Gaborović]

1. Torremolinos 73 (2003): 7.2 - As fas as sex comedies go, this is very mild, I wouldn't even call it one. Sex comedies in my mind are raunchy vulgar comedies with toilet humor, this was a comedy about making sex movies.

Indeed. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Maybe I should have stressed this more forcefully as some users here seem to have been scared away by the term "sex comedy", when this film - as you point out - is primarily about the love of the art of filmmaking, not smutty sex acts. I reckon even RBG would be drawn in by this film's charm if she ever gave it the chance.

After all, it was recommended by a guy who waxes his back and sits while peeing.

[tommy_leazaq]

Both films are better than what I had expected. From the tag "sex comedy" I expected American Pie: Beta House type of film. Instead, I got decent comedy film with pacing issues with couple of hot scenes. Shame the second "actual film" half wasn't as interesting as the first "home video" half.

From the Arabic comedy, I expected Hababam kind of slapstick and unsubtle comedy film. Instead I got decent dramedy with which I am familiar with, thanks to the numerous Indian films on the same vein, It had an interesting protagonist. I was afraid that romantic sub plot going to take the center stage and ruin the film. Thankfully it stayed as a sub plot.


1. Kit Kat - 6/10
2. Torremolinos 73 - 6/10

[monty]

Kit Kat - Torremolinos 73: 3 - 12


2 days and 15 hours to go...

[zhangalan]

1. Kit-Kat
2. Torremolinos 73

[metaller]

Torremolinos was the clear winner for me here. Solid dramedy, that had some aspects I liked ( the whole Bergmann aspect) but nothing that impressed me overly. Kit-Kat on the other hand actively annoyed me. If I wasn't told it should be a comedy I wouldn't know, and I'd think it is a terribly overwrought and overacted drama, handling its subjects in a way that lifetime would be ashamed. I wasn't wowed by the film's look either, that looked like it was filmed in the 60s or something and i was stunned to see it was indeed filmed in the 90s instead. Also, the runtime felt eternal for this.

1. Torremolinos: 6.5/10
2. Kit-Kat 4.5/10

[monty]

1 day and 11 hours to go - surely we can squeeze in a few more votes?

[Angel Glez]

1. Torremolinos 73
2. Kit Kat

See you at the next cup.

[Mario Gaborović]

Kit Kat - Torremolinos 73: 4 - 14

21 hours left.

[klaus78]

1. Torremolinos 73 (Spain) 6/10
2. Kit Kat (Egypt) 4/10

[clemmetarey]

1. Torremolinos 73 (2003) 6/10
2. Kit Kat (1991) 5/10

[joachimt]

Fergenaprido just checked Torremolinos 73, so I guess he'll be voting too.

[Fergenaprido]

1. Spain - 7.5ish
2. Egypt - 7ish

The Egyptian film did drag, though I can see why it is highly regarded in some circles; the poor print and shoddy subtitles didn't help. I feel I understood most of the humour; I just didn't find it that funny (but not unfunny). The lead actor was quite good, though. The Spanish film was funnier (with some actual laugh-out-loud moments) and overall rather enjoyable.

What's the first film they watch on tv in Kit Kat (the one with the kid and the donkey; the one in cinema is listed in the imdb connections section)?
What do they say in Danish when they first meet the crew in Torremolinos?

[Fergenaprido]

Fergenaprido just checked Torremolinos 73, so I guess he'll be voting too.

Haha, stalker. :p

Now I've voted, I can go to bed. I still haven't seen 4 films from this season, but I'll try and catch them in the next month or so.

Night y'all.

[joachimt]

Members with at least 75% participation who haven't voted yet:

brokenface
mjf314
toro913
zuma
Ettinauer226XL
Lilarcor
Mochard
Gershwin
PeacefulAnarchy

[joachimt]

Fergenaprido just checked Torremolinos 73, so I guess he'll be voting too.

Haha, stalker. :p

I'm one of the few users on iCM who look at the friends' activity on the homepage.

[monty]

What do they say in Danish when they first meet the crew in Torremolinos?

See my earlier post.
(Btw, the film crew is a mix of Danes and Swedes.)