winther's recent activity

  1. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    Thanks for the warning. Impressive it can actually get worse...

    Thanks for the warning. Impressive it can actually get worse...

    1 vote

  2. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    winther
    Link
    Okay this goes in a separate post, but I tried to watch Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning as I want to see the series finale as I have been enjoying them from the beginning, even though...

    Okay this goes in a separate post, but I tried to watch Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning as I want to see the series finale as I have been enjoying them from the beginning, even though the enthusiasm has fallen in recent years. I simply had to turn it off after about an hour, it was just so abysmal and depressingly terrible. The series has never really been about being realistic as such, but at least it felt somewhat connected to the real world, to real locations and to real people. All of that is gone now. I am baffled that after almost an hour there hasn't been a single cool looking location, no impressive action scene or anything substantial. Instead we get an absurd amount of exposition, explanations and pointless flashbacks to all the previous movies. I am almost in shock at how bad it is. I am sure it may be picking up later. There are sure some cool action scenes to come, but I can't get myself to care. It shouldn't take an hour for a Mission Impossible movie to start. Sad to see a beloved series end this way.

    3 votes

  3. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    winther
    Link
    I have been mostly in the 50s for the last couple of weeks with some great classics, with 3 amazing films by Billy Wilder. Some Like It Hot is a Billy Wilder comedy at its absolute best. I haven't...

    I have been mostly in the 50s for the last couple of weeks with some great classics, with 3 amazing films by Billy Wilder.

    Some Like It Hot is a Billy Wilder comedy at its absolute best. I haven't laughed at a film like that in I don't know how long. On the surface it sounds like old fashioned humor about two male musicians putting on a dress and a wig to get to play in an all female band. It is just undeniably incredibly funny and surprisingly progressive with its themes and message, not just for its time.

    Sabrina from 1954 is another film by Billy Wilder and less of a comedy, and more a classic melodrama that plays out like a fairytale with its romanticized version of upstairs-downstairs servant falling in love with the masters of the household. But also really a product of its time and hasn't aged quite the same way as other Billy Wilder films that felt more progressive. It is still quite witty, snappy dialogue and small jabs at the upperclass and their cluelessness, but still mostly a drama. Hepburn really steals all scenes and she is undeniably the major reason one should watch this. She is sweet, little bit naive but not in the annoying way, and all around charming.

    Billy Wilder can also do murder mystery court room drama like no other with Witness for the Prosecution that is about as classic and clichéd as they come, with a wealthy lone woman being murdered and the main suspect is the guy who was set to inherit her fortune. But there is so much more to it than that, as the film both follows familiar patterns and make some wild turns that definitely fooled me more than once.

    The highlight this month so far has been The Red Shoes from 1948. A ballet movie that clearly was a big inspiration for Black Swan, which I had to re-watch the day after and it wasn't quite the same experience now. The Red Shoes is a film that has laid the foundation for films like TÁR, Three Colours: Blue, Suspiria (both 1977 and 2018) which are all films that I apparently respond really strongly to, with their dive into artists coming utterly consumed by their work having their reality and personality break down. The Red Shoes is very direct with its theme of the supposed choice between living for arts or living your own life, even with some scenes that has a 1:1 conversation about that dilemma. I think it has more layers than simply sacrificing yourself for art, as Vicky is not only consumed by her own determination to dance, but is also a victim of those around her who want to possess her for their own ambitions. It plays into the age-old idea that the artist must suffer to create something great, though the romance between Vicky and Julian offers an alternative to that belief, only to be tragically shattered in the end. The film is deservedly renowned for its long ballet sequence, where we see Moira Shearer perform the ballet that gives the film its title - an astonishing work of art in its own right. The blend of dreamlike unreality, strong colors, and music alone is cinema from the very top shelf.

    3 votes

  5. Comment on Oscars shock: YouTube wins TV rights to host Academy Awards from 2029 in ~movies

    winther
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    Didn't see that coming, but I don't mind. I will generally support anything that moves stuff out of dumb outdated regional restrictions on content that should be globally available for everyone...

    Didn't see that coming, but I don't mind. I will generally support anything that moves stuff out of dumb outdated regional restrictions on content that should be globally available for everyone who is interested. The Oscars have generally been aiming for a more international outlook in recent with its increase in Academy members from outside the US and non-English films getting nominated outside their own category.

    7 votes

  6. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    I have seen a handful Korean films, including those. I liked Memories of Murder, but on average Korean films haven't really lived up to their hype for me, like Burning, Decision to Leave and The...

    I have seen a handful Korean films, including those. I liked Memories of Murder, but on average Korean films haven't really lived up to their hype for me, like Burning, Decision to Leave and The Handmaiden. Oldboy is an all time classic, and Parasite is great, though not the best film ever as it sometimes is labelled. I do have some Kim Ki-duk films on my watchlist though.

    2 votes

  7. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    Thank you! Kenji Mizoguchi and Takeshi Kitano were new names to me. I have seen Sorcerer, so The Wages of Fear hasn't been a top priority, but I am sure it will be an interesting comparison.

    Thank you! Kenji Mizoguchi and Takeshi Kitano were new names to me. I have seen Sorcerer, so The Wages of Fear hasn't been a top priority, but I am sure it will be an interesting comparison.

    1 vote

  8. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    On the topic of Netflix romcoms, give A Copenhagen Love Story a try. I am not sure how well it translates to viewers outside Denmark, but I think it is an interesting twist on the romcom genre....

    On the topic of Netflix romcoms, give A Copenhagen Love Story a try. I am not sure how well it translates to viewers outside Denmark, but I think it is an interesting twist on the romcom genre. Starts as one, ends more in tragedy.

    1 vote

  9. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    I can highly recommend Chungking Express. In terms of romantic attraction depicted in a convincing manner, that is one of the best in my opinion.

    In The Mood For Love - Hoo boy, I think my computer's still smoldering from playing this. I need some more Wong Kar-Wai.

    I can highly recommend Chungking Express. In terms of romantic attraction depicted in a convincing manner, that is one of the best in my opinion.

    2 votes

  10. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    Link Parent
    I could use some recommendations for Japanese or French movies :) Not too big on all the samurai stuff, but I know Japan has more to offer than that. More by Naruse and Ozu are on my watchlist.

    I could use some recommendations for Japanese or French movies :) Not too big on all the samurai stuff, but I know Japan has more to offer than that. More by Naruse and Ozu are on my watchlist.

    2 votes

  11. Comment on Movies: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~movies

    winther
    (edited )
    Link
    The year isn't over yet, but I will probably land at about 300 movies, which is more reasonable levels compared to 362 last year. My stats have the complete picture. One of my goals was to have a...

    The year isn't over yet, but I will probably land at about 300 movies, which is more reasonable levels compared to 362 last year. My stats have the complete picture.

    One of my goals was to have a greater percentage of non-English language films and about 60% were, so I am satisfied with that. The majority of those were Italian films which has been a big thing for me this year. In addition to even more spaghetti westerns (highlights being And God Said To Cain and I Am Sartana Your Angel of Death), I also explored related genres with giallo (with Deep Red and The Suspicious Death of a Minor being highlights) and poliziotteschi (The Big Racket being the outright insane one and Revolver as a film with more political depth) as they have great deal of overlap in actors, directors, styles and themes.

    I am not up to speed with many 2025 releases, as I will usually catch up on those next year, but it has been a real strong year for Danish cinema. I liked A Copenhagen Love Story, Second Victims and Home Sweet Home. There is a generational shift going at the moment with film makers in Denmark, and I am really excited for what we will see in the coming years.

    American films of 2025 have mostly been a disappointment, or just decent. Warfare, Weapons and Bugonia was worth watching, but didn't live up to their hype. Minecraft was terrible.

    Some 2024 films that impressed me was Parthenope, Bird, Peacock and Conclave.

    No concrete goals for 2026 as such. Will continue to watch broadly across periods, countries and genres. Maybe I will dedicate a bit more to rewatch stuff, some more classics from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and perhaps some more Japanese.

    2 votes

  13. Comment on These travel influencers don’t want freebies. They’re AI. in ~travel

  14. Comment on These travel influencers don’t want freebies. They’re AI. in ~travel

    winther
    Link Parent
    Look at this years Coca Cola Christmas ad. It is one of the biggest most well known brand in the world with billions in profits. They certainly have the resources to produce a top quality good...

    Look at this years Coca Cola Christmas ad. It is one of the biggest most well known brand in the world with billions in profits. They certainly have the resources to produce a top quality good looking Christmas ad. Yet they have chosen to use AI this time. If they are okay with AI slop, then there is no higher commercial standard to live up to.

    6 votes

  15. Comment on How Europe is gearing up to follow Australia's teen social media ban in ~tech

    winther
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    On one hand, I think it is a good thing that politicians are finally realizing the harms of these algorithmically controlled media platforms. We already have strict regulations and age...

    On one hand, I think it is a good thing that politicians are finally realizing the harms of these algorithmically controlled media platforms. We already have strict regulations and age restrictions on online gambling, for similar reasons of being highly addictive. Just not sure an age restriction is the right way, or even enough. I mean, these platforms are harmful and addictive for adults too. Just putting an age label on it doesn't solve much. I think we should consider actual requirements for these platforms, mitigating and regulating their addictiveness. Like force the option of a linear non-algorithmic feed, more transparency and user control over which content you get recommended, high fines for allowing outright scam advertising and so forth. But of course, their only contribution is the "easy" one of a dumb age restriction.

    5 votes

  16. Comment on What even is a ‘box office flop’ anymore? in ~movies

    winther
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    I agree on all points. A financial success doesn't say much about the actual movie. However, from a purely selfish perspective I like the movies I like to continue being made, so of course it can...

    I agree on all points. A financial success doesn't say much about the actual movie. However, from a purely selfish perspective I like the movies I like to continue being made, so of course it can become a problem if they are consistently a financial flop and thus fewer will be made in the future.

    3 votes

  18. Comment on EU backs away from chat control in ~society

    winther
    Link Parent
    Yeah you are right, the word "fascism" gets thrown around a lot and it becomes hyperbole. To rephrase it a bit, for me it isn't really about left or right anymore, but the general political shift...

    Yeah you are right, the word "fascism" gets thrown around a lot and it becomes hyperbole. To rephrase it a bit, for me it isn't really about left or right anymore, but the general political shift to more authoritarian politics. With a tendency for political parties to more top ruled, with party members having to fall behind the partyline ruled by the top. There is less room for nuance and especially with this surveillance thing, everything is just handled in a very shady manner with documents without names, backroom deals, politicians outright lying about what they are doing and an arrogant dismissing of any criticism as being a defense for criminals. So maybe not outright fascism, but a definite political shift that reduces the power of the people and centralizes it the top.

    3 votes

  19. Comment on Reality check: EU Council chat control vote is not a retreat, but a green light for indiscriminate mass surveillance and the end of right to communicate anonymously in ~society

    winther
    Link Parent
    Don't know about the details is this latest changes, but in the previous installments they had conveniently exempted politicians from this. Because obviously the logic of "surveillance means...

    Don't know about the details is this latest changes, but in the previous installments they had conveniently exempted politicians from this. Because obviously the logic of "surveillance means freedom" and "nothing to hide" doesn't apply to those in power.

    12 votes

  20. Comment on EU backs away from chat control in ~society

    winther
    Link
    According to this I wouldn’t get my hopes up. I don’t think this relentless pursuit for this can be attributed to simple technical ignorance any longer. I hate to have lost so much faith in the EU...
    • Exemplary

    According to this I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

    I don’t think this relentless pursuit for this can be attributed to simple technical ignorance any longer. I hate to have lost so much faith in the EU over this, but I see little other explanation than are just as secretly/openly fascists as the rest of the corrupt political world these days.

    21 votes