Knives Out [Rian Johnson]

pixelburp · 02-07-2019 5:06pm #1

Johnson's new film; appears to be an Agatha Christie style whodunnit, complete with the suitably impressive cast-list. Not sure about Craig southern accent, the one he pulled in Logan Lucky was better...

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

Calhoun · 02-07-2019 5:14pm

Looks like it could be really good, i did really enjoy murder on the orient express so that format can work well with the right cast.

brevity · 02-07-2019 5:14pm

Looks good. I like these kinds of movies

Dades · 02-07-2019 6:22pm

Yep, I'm in.

cdgalwegian · 02-07-2019 7:03pm

Rian Johnson is one of the best of those writer/directors who started off good, and goes from strength to strength. Hopefully it's not overwrought the way The Brother's Bloom suffered from being; with a cast like that, it could be really good.

Slydice · 02-07-2019 7:10pm

That cast is huge!

JP Liz V1 · 02-07-2019 10:39pm

That is quite an impressive cast

Captain Red Beard · 03-07-2019 4:56pm

Didn't Happy Gilmore and Rachel off Friends release this film a couple of weeks ago?

justinbellford · 04-07-2019 6:58pm

Rian is one of my favorite directors/writers. I kind of just look past the Last Jedi.

That said, Brick is one of my favorite neo-noir movies of all time, I had a lot of fun with Brother's Bloom, and Looper was a fun little sci-fi piece. I also think the episodes of Breaking Bad he directed are some of the best.

I really am interested to see his usual visual style in this.

branie2 · 04-07-2019 8:29pm

Looks very interesting

pixelburp · 09-09-2019 3:37pm

Initial reviews from TIFF seem to be very positive, saying it's a charismatic homage to Christie mysteries of yore...

Calhoun · 09-09-2019 3:40pm

Good to hear, i really loved the recent murder on the orient express. I am expecting this to be good.

Only thing disappointing about it is the release is end of November and would love a good film for date night.

Agent Coulson · 18-09-2019 8:35pm

Calhoun · 19-09-2019 2:36am

The poster that goes with it looks great, real ensemble of cast . Don Johnson is looking well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/d5ya62/new_poster_for_knives_out/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

NIMAN · 19-09-2019 2:53am

Looks good.

pixelburp · 19-09-2019 10:37am

Still looks good, and exactly the kind of movie those lazy Sunday afternoons were made for. That's not meant as an insult either, it seems like the kinda "caper" movie sorely lacking in the cinemas these days...

johnny_ultimate · 19-09-2019 2:22pm

Anyone London-based or over during the film fest in a few weeks, Mark Kermode is hosting a chat with Johnson at the BFI: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=screentalkrianjohnson

johnny_ultimate · 11-10-2019 2:30pm

Caught this today and Rian Johnson has outdone himself - and I either like or love all of the films he’s made to date.

While it’s filmed with all the necessary grace and wit - full of theatrical zooms and exaggerated angles - the script is a wee little masterwork. It’s full of dastardly machinations without giving into the cheap temptation of red herrings or loose ends. Everything fits together like a dream, and the immediate stakes and mystery shift and complicate in delightful ways.

What’s crucial is that Johnson plays it straight while still mining the situations for comedy. It’s an extremely funny film (Daniel Craig in a southern drawl reflecting on metaphorical donuts is magnificent), but the central murder mystery is also played with the sort of gravity that’s needed. It has fun right up until the end - one of the final twists of the knife had the audience I saw it with break out in well earned spontaneous applause. Conventions are followed and others are put through a shredder. But it is a pure whodunnit at its heart. And a magnificent one at that. It’s pure Johnson in that sense - the same way TLJ is a great Star Wars films while expanding and twisting the canvas, or how Brick marries the old school with modern sensibilities so elegantly.

Also, after the bland fence-sitting of Joker, I was particularly pleased to see how Johnson wades right into the contemporary discourse with such playfulness. This is the

‘**** the rich’ film

of the year

The cast are all having such fun, but Daniel Craig is having the most fun, and it’s great to see. Not a weak link in the mix though, and kudos to Johnson for having one of the least known actors in the mix - Ana de Armas - carry so much of the hard stuff.

It’s a blast, and the most fun I’ve had in the cinema since One Cut of the Dead (struggling to think of a recent American film that’s quite so outrageously enjoyable). The only advice I have is: see it with a crowd if you can, because this is crowdpleasing in the most generous sense of the word.

Calhoun · 12-10-2019 2:00am

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Caught this today and Rian Johnson has outdone himself - and I either like or love all of the films he’s made to date.

While it’s filmed with all the necessary grace and wit - full of theatrical zooms and exaggerated angles - the script is a wee little masterwork. It’s full of dastardly machinations without giving into the cheap temptation of red herrings or loose ends. Everything fits together like a dream, and the immediate stakes and mystery shift and complicate in delightful ways.

What’s crucial is that Johnson plays it straight while still mining the situations for comedy. It’s an extremely funny film (Daniel Craig in a southern drawl reflecting on metaphorical donuts is magnificent), but the central murder mystery is also played with the sort of gravity that’s needed. It has fun right up until the end - one of the final twists of the knife had the audience I saw it with break out in well earned spontaneous applause. Conventions are followed and others are put through a shredder. But it is a pure whodunnit at its heart. And a magnificent one at that. It’s pure Johnson in that sense - the same way TLJ is a great Star Wars films while expanding and twisting the canvas, or how Brick marries the old school with modern sensibilities so elegantly.

Also, after the bland fence-sitting of Joker, I was particularly pleased to see how Johnson wades right into the contemporary discourse with such playfulness. This is the
‘**** the rich’ film
of the year

The cast are all having such fun, but Daniel Craig is having the most fun, and it’s great to see. Not a weak link in the mix though, and kudos to Johnson for having one of the least known actors in the mix - Ana de Armas - carry so much of the hard stuff.

It’s a blast, and the most fun I’ve had in the cinema since One Cut of the Dead (struggling to think of a recent American film that’s quite so outrageously enjoyable). The only advice I have is: see it with a crowd if you can, because this is crowdpleasing in the most generous sense of the word.

How was Chris Evans? be interesting to see what his acting chops are like outside of super hero films.

How did you see it so early btw? I thought its not out until end of Nov. I am really looking forward to going to it with the wife.

johnny_ultimate · 12-10-2019 2:31pm

Calhoun wrote: »

How was Chris Evans? be interesting to see what his acting chops are like outside of super hero films.

He’s good! Relishes playing a bit of an asshole (most of the characters in this films are assholes :pac:). While pretty much everyone does a good job here, it’s Daniel Craig and Toni Colette who really stand out as they’re both having an absolute ball and not giving a single ****. Suits the movie perfectly.

How did you see it so early btw? I thought its not out until end of Nov.

Festival screening!

Calhoun · 12-10-2019 6:33pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

He’s good! Relishes playing a bit of an asshole (most of the characters in this films are assholes :pac:). While pretty much everyone does a good job here, it’s Daniel Craig and Toni Colette who really stand out as they’re both having an absolute ball and not giving a single ****. Suits the movie perfectly.

Festival screening!

Thanks for responding, i am really looking forward to this.

JP Liz V1 · 14-11-2019 12:12am

When is the release date for here?

Calhoun · 14-11-2019 12:15am

Not until the 29th apparently.

NIMAN · 14-11-2019 12:19am

My local cinema has 27th.

Culchie_85 · 14-11-2019 9:02am

Monday 25th November - Cineworld are doing an Unlimited screening (you need to be an Unlimited member to avail of a ticket)

Trailer looks excellent

Calhoun · 15-11-2019 3:06pm

It's first film in a long time I have really looked forward to that wasn't a big box office super hero film.

I'd like to say it is because I want to see how Chris Evans doing without being cap but it's actually because of the recent remake of orient Express that has me interested in that type of film.

justinbellford · 15-11-2019 8:59pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Caught this today and Rian Johnson has outdone himself - and I either like or love all of the films he’s made to date.

While it’s filmed with all the necessary grace and wit - full of theatrical zooms and exaggerated angles - the script is a wee little masterwork. It’s full of dastardly machinations without giving into the cheap temptation of red herrings or loose ends. Everything fits together like a dream, and the immediate stakes and mystery shift and complicate in delightful ways.

What’s crucial is that Johnson plays it straight while still mining the situations for comedy. It’s an extremely funny film (Daniel Craig in a southern drawl reflecting on metaphorical donuts is magnificent), but the central murder mystery is also played with the sort of gravity that’s needed. It has fun right up until the end - one of the final twists of the knife had the audience I saw it with break out in well earned spontaneous applause. Conventions are followed and others are put through a shredder. But it is a pure whodunnit at its heart. And a magnificent one at that. It’s pure Johnson in that sense - the same way TLJ is a great Star Wars films while expanding and twisting the canvas, or how Brick marries the old school with modern sensibilities so elegantly.

Also, after the bland fence-sitting of Joker, I was particularly pleased to see how Johnson wades right into the contemporary discourse with such playfulness. This is the
‘**** the rich’ film
of the year

The cast are all having such fun, but Daniel Craig is having the most fun, and it’s great to see. Not a weak link in the mix though, and kudos to Johnson for having one of the least known actors in the mix - Ana de Armas - carry so much of the hard stuff.

It’s a blast, and the most fun I’ve had in the cinema since One Cut of the Dead (struggling to think of a recent American film that’s quite so outrageously enjoyable). The only advice I have is: see it with a crowd if you can, because this is crowdpleasing in the most generous sense of the word.

Wonderful! Everything I could hope for. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I am a huge RJ fan myself.

tigger123 · 16-11-2019 4:25pm

Just saw a trailer for this, looks great.

Shred · 25-11-2019 11:01pm

I got to see a preview of this tonight and it was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it.

branie2 · 26-11-2019 12:52am

I'm seeing it on Friday

bigslick · 26-11-2019 11:12am

Shred wrote: »

I got to see a preview of this tonight and it was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it.

Same. Really enjoyed it, and I echo Johnny's review. Very well crafted script and loved all the characters. Some great subtle humour all throughout as well. LOVED Michael Shannon in it. Would definitely go see again, in fact I might take the missus......

Fysh · 26-11-2019 9:59pm

Caught it last night at the Cineworld preview and really enjoyed it, a great Christie-style mystery whodunnit with a lot of wit and a perfectly paced plot. As johnny says in his spot-on review, a lot of people in this film are arseholes, and it's great fun watching how things unfold.

Only advice I have is, go in as blind as you can - this is a film best enjoyed without foreknowledge of anything that happens along the way.

homerun_homer · 27-11-2019 5:11pm

I got to see this in the preview too and enjoyed this movie. It's light and fun. Daniel Craig was great in it. If I had a complaint it's that

the ensemble fades away and aren't used as much as you would think going in.

Calhoun · 27-11-2019 6:45pm

Fysh wrote: »

Caught it last night at the Cineworld preview and really enjoyed it, a great Christie-style mystery whodunnit with a lot of wit and a perfectly paced plot. As johnny says in his spot-on review, a lot of people in this film are arseholes, and it's great fun watching how things unfold.

Only advice I have is, go in as blind as you can - this is a film best enjoyed without foreknowledge of anything that happens along the way.

I am now even more excited, have the Christmas lights this weekend so not sure when ill get to see it but I really want to see it now.

Fysh · 28-11-2019 11:53pm

If you want to see this, be aware that the current ad for it at the cinema (at least in Cineworld) is one of those dreadful ones that gives far too much away.

branie2 · 30-11-2019 1:53am

I thought it was very good

Optimalprimerib · 30-11-2019 6:14am

This must have been the most expensive film this year due to the set having to be rebuilt over and over again with the scenery chewing. But it is great fun.

Avoid reviews and just go see it. Even kermode spoiled it partially in the first 10 seconds of his review.

mrmorgan · 01-12-2019 2:43am

saw it yesterday, thought it was great fun!!

OldRio · 02-12-2019 12:05pm

Well twas a cold Sunday afternoon. Said to herself 'Lets go to the pictures.'

And what a blast we had.

An utterly perfect whodunit. The cast was exceptional but the script was the real star. Clever and witty.
Wonderful film.

I just wish more films were made like this.

johnny_ultimate · 02-12-2019 12:54pm

Now that more people have seen it, can I just flag two particular moments -

the ‘Fran’s dead’ reveal and the final shots

- as bordering on perfect?

El Duda · 02-12-2019 1:22pm

I believe the correct word to describe this film would be; 'spiffing'

Fysh · 02-12-2019 1:29pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Now that more people have seen it, can I just flag two particular moments -
the ‘Fran’s dead’ reveal and the final shots
- as bordering on perfect?

Particularly the second moment and

the pan down to show the mug Marta's holding

- *chef kiss*

pixelburp · 02-12-2019 1:33pm

Ok, I'm going to duck out of this thread, because I've not seen this yet & those black bars are just too tempting by half.

johnny_ultimate · 02-12-2019 1:51pm

Also, I usually don’t give a **** about box office, but it’s encouraging if nothing else to see that this has proven a hit, apparently doubling expectations. It’s not necessarily an underdog given the cast and a director just off a massive franchise film, but it’s great to see a relatively modest-scale original film making its mark. That the film is great doesn’t hurt, I’m sure

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-2-box-office-scores-124m-holiday-record-knives-hits-42m-1258559

spiritcrusher · 02-12-2019 2:36pm

There's something so... satisfying when you get to see a good actor just let rip and knowingly ham it up. It really suited this type of in-joke heavy whodunnit. At the same time a loving tribute and hilarious send-up of Agatha Christie. Craig really is pitch perfect throughout, from ridiculously over the top to (slightly) more subtle when needed.
And the

doughnut hole

line had me in stitches - was like something out of a Coen caper.

El Duda · 02-12-2019 2:45pm

Seeing as the film was full of nods to other murder mysteries, I wonder if the doughnut stuff was a reference to Twin Peaks?

El Duda · 02-12-2019 3:40pm

Knives Out - 8/10

Really happy to see Rian Johnson get so much deserved praise for this star-studded murder mystery. It's great to see an original work succeed in an age where studios are relentlessly churning out franchise films, reboots and sequels.

The audience I saw it with had just as much fun as Daniel Craig seemed to be having on screen. His Kentucky fried Benoit Blanc is a key tone setter and his transitions from comedic to more serious moments are effortless.

With such an array of talent, I was surprised that Ana de Armas was chosen as the central protagonist. To her credit, she not only holds her own, but she ends up the standout performer.

It's best to go in cold knowing as little as possible, but I will say this; There is a moment that comes early on that felt like a final act revelation. It's from this point on that the move really had me in its grip. It fills you with so much intrigue.

The climax doesn't quite surpass some of the earlier inventive moments, but this is still a thorough recommendation.

humberklog · 02-12-2019 6:11pm

"What's the Cheeeeese?".

Great performances, great fun, great movie.

santana75 · 02-12-2019 6:37pm

Saw this at the weekend and I absolutely loved it. Even though it has nothing to do with Christmas it had a Crismassy feel to it, if that makes any sense.......Anyway it gets stuck in straight away and doesnt let up til the end. Just a ridiculously entertaining film all round. Daniel Craig isnt give enough credit for his acting, after a couple of minutes I'd forgotten I was watching Daniel craig and bought completely into his character. I saw it in a packed theater and everyone seemed to be having a blast. Its the kind of film you could actually take the whole film to, kids and all.

spiritcrusher · 02-12-2019 7:13pm

I had a good laugh at the start of the film when Craig first spoke as I didn't watch any trailers or know much about the tone of the film. Had no idea what Craig's character was supposed to be like (and with the name Benoit Blanc I was half expecting a Poirot knock-off) so when I heard him first talk I laughed and thought "Aaaah, so it's that type of film... Excellent".

pixelburp · 03-12-2019 11:16am

Wow, what a perfectly balanced, immaculately crafted machine of deviousness that was; I daresay this is going to be a landmark film, against which future Murder Mysteries will be judged. Just utterly, fantastically entertaining and a true joy to watch as it gently unravelled its secrets. Never withholding, never rolling its own eyes at the excess of it all, all executed with playfulness and a deft touch that made it look easy. Not to mention finding a perfect balance between drama & comedy, with some genuinely heartfelt or hilarious moments. Not the most visually idiosyncratic of Johnson's works, but his experience with puzzlebox narratives meant he could knit all the disparate wires together and stick the landing. Everyone was on top form, and while scenery was chewed, it wasn't because the actors didn't believe in the material & were just letting lose; the performances suited the melodrama of it all, a twinkle in the eye of each actor, savouring the fun had by all.

Knives Out [Rian Johnson]

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