Film recommendations

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:22 pm

watching it now.

Like the Fourth Wall comic thing.

But some of the dialogue is making me cringe- "We would like to get an I S D A agreement" or, when the one dude is explaining to a bunch of guys on a fixed income desk what a " DEFAULT SWAP" or a "C D O" is, as if they wouldn't know.

"one billion capital requirements for an ISDA" hahahahhahahahahha

LongTheta · Post by **LongTheta** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 5:22 am

I don't recall a scene in which someone explained CDO's to a fixed-income desk. I thought Steve Eisman was always on set to offer advice on dialogue, etc.

I thought all actors, particularly the character actors in single scene roles were very impressive, look at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3h5UJyzOSs

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxjdj5_5yNM

In general, I liked all the scenes with 'Mark Baum'.

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:16 am

I'm talking about when the salesman came into "Mark Baum's" FRont Point office (which in the film was in Manhattan, rather than Greenwich) and was blathering on about the amazing payout of a CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP and who then explained what a CDO was with a tower of blocks. (although the blocks thing I'm guessing was supposed to be comedy). I think that prop would have been funny and appropriate for theatre and in fact I think this film would be ripe for a Broadway version.

I did enjoy the film a bit, especially when it was funny, but they painted way too much of a saintly picture of Rickert, Baum and Burry. Like I really believe that all three of these guys felt that bad for the world despite the fact that they made a fortune betting against housing. I haven't read the book but this seems to be a Michael Lewis MO- find guys who had their 15 minutes of fame in some greedy endeavour then fell from grace for various reasons; what is interesting about that approach to story-building is those types of guys are more likely to cooperate with the likes of Lewis to paint a dark picture- ex-poste, than if they continued to be huge successes in their respective businesses. I doubt if John Paulson advised in the film...

Plus I didn't like the side drama of Baum harbouring some angst/despair/self-inflicted guilt about his brother- out of place for this film and I had no empathy for him, even when he and his wife are huddling down and his balling like a child.

The film would have been better if it weren't so, so, hagiographic (thanks Chiral!) and maybe more pure comedy (I'm thinking like the 1991 or so HBO film version of "Barbarians at the Gate", which was funny and James Gardner fit that comic role of F Ross Johnson like a glove)

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:39 am

by the way Gosling's performance IMHO was the best. I did like his cocky attitude (with a bit of humour)

the block scene

but I think better versions of cockiness/arrogance are here:

match me Sidney

How's your mother?

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:38 pm

Watched "A Bigger Splash" on the plane. Crap.

Is it just me, or is Tilda Swinton not only ugly, but also a bad actor, can't sing and can't dance. And we're supposed to believe she was a rock star who can make a younger hot chick, a toy boy and an ex-flame all jealous? The only explanation is that maybe she funded the film??

Kitno · Post by **Kitno** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:34 am

The Journey (1959)

The Seventh Seal (1957)

The Hill (1965)

Henry V (1989)

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)

Anyone who is married NEEDS to see the last one.

Maybe the Smiley's People (1982) if you want to learn how to make MD in a bank.

[i]"By your actions, you have disowned the system that made you. The ground on which you once stood is cut away. You have become a citizen of no man's land. I send you my greetings."[/i]

If you're thinking about getting into banking you need to be the 'real deal' and this is all about how to do it: Arm Candy Actually, Kevin Spacey in the board room of Margin Call defending Trading & Sales is pretty much the closest any portrayal has come.

granchio · Post by **granchio** » Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:34 pm

I really like "Secrets in their eyes".

Much more nuanced and varied that I expected. IMHO, a little gem.

(The original not the Hollywood remake).

I second wholeheartedly several of the recommendation below, especially The seventh seal, Henry V, Ran, Blade Runner, Stalker.

Trying to think about more good 80's movies... I spent the decade watching movies... now if only I could remember.

The Hill and Ex Machina I have not seen - will add to the list

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:37 pm

80s cross over 90s. Sheltering Sky. Last Emperor. both done by your compatriot.

Nonius · Post by **Nonius** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:39 pm

@Kitno

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)

this script, along with "Sweet Smell of Success" (Burt Lancaster/Tony Curtis circa 57 or something like that) are the most tightly, smartly, insanely brilliant screenplays I've ever encountered.....

LongTheta · Post by **LongTheta** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:53 am

Sully (2016)

From now on, I only watch movies with Tom Hanks and/or made by Clint Eastwood. I want to be happy.